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Repentance (Taubah)

The Arabic word for repentance is Taubah which translated literally means “to return”. Repentance means to leave what Allah has prohibited and to return to what he has commanded.

Allah has encouraged the believers to repent with sincere repentance.

O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance!
[Surah At-Tahrim Ayah: 8]

In another ayah Allah has said
But as for him who repented (from polytheism and sins, etc.), believed (in the Oneness of Allah, and in His Messenger Muhammad saws), and did righteous deeds (in the life of this world), then he will be among those who are successful.
[Surah Al-Qasas Ayah:67]

So we should repent to Allah and submit before him. Indeed even the Prophet (saws) used to ask Allah for his forgiveness even though he was the Prophet and was sinless. We see that despite this he used to repent to Allah more than 70 times a day.

“O people, make tawbah to Allah. By Allah, I make tawbah to Him more than seventy times each day.”
[Bukhari]

Even though the Prophet (saws) was never displeasing to Allah he asked Allah for His forgiveness, how much more so should the sinners?

The Prophet (saws) encouraged everyone to repent to Allah as a means of purification from the sins. The Prophet (saws) used to say every morning he used to ask Allah for forgiveness at least 100 times.

Abdullah ibn `Umar said: We counted in a single sitting the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, saying one hundred times: (My Lord, forgive me and accept my repentance, verily you are Acceptor of Repentance, Oft-Forgiving.)
[Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Ibn Maajah]

And the best time for repentance is in the morning and the night, in that we may start our day with repentance and end our day with repentance.

The Prophet (saws) has said
Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, stretches out His Hand during the night so that the people repent for the fault committed from dawn till dusk and He stretches out His Hand during the day so that the people may repent for the fault committed from dusk to dawn (He would accept repentance) before the sun rises in the west (before the Day of Resurrection).
[Muslim]

So we should endeavor to keep our hearts pure and our tongues moist with repentance to Allah in that he may forgive us our sins.

Shaddad Ibn ‘Aus (RA) narrated, the Prophet (PBUH) said:
“The most superior way of asking help (forgiveness) from Allah is to say:

What translated in English means,
O Allah, Thou are my Lord! There is no god but Thee, It is Thee Who created me, and I am Thy servant, I am faithful to my covenant and my promise to Thee to my best ability, I seek refuge with Thee from all the evil I have done, I acknowledge before Thee all the blessings Thou have bestowed upon me, and I confess to Thee to forgive my sins, for nobody can forgive sins but Thee.

The Prophet (PBUH) then added:
If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of the Paradise.”
[Bukhari]

Thus the Prophet (saws) advised us to repent to Allah and also to ask Him for his forgiveness.

Allah has encouraged and ordered us to repent to Allah, surrendering to him completely before we face him on the day of judgement. Thus we need to repent and seek Allah’s forgiveness before we face death for at the time of death repentance will be of no benefit to us.

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:
The Prophet (saws) said, “Amongst the men of Bani Israel there was a man who had murdered ninety-nine persons. Then he set out asking (whether his repentance could be accepted or not). He came upon a monk and asked him if his repentance could be accepted. The monk replied in the negative and so the man killed him. He kept on asking till a man advised to go to such and such village. (So he left for it) but death overtook him on the way. While dying, he turned his chest towards that village (where he had hoped his repentance would be accepted), and so the angels of mercy and the angels of punishment quarreled  amongst themselves regarding him. Allah ordered the village (towards which he was going) to come closer to him, and ordered the village (whence he had come), to go far away, and then He ordered the angels to measure the distances between his body and the two villages. So he was found to be one span closer to the village (he was going to). So he was for given.”
[Sahih Muslim]

There are numerous hadith abound with stories of the sahabah before they became Muslims who used to fight against Allah and his Messenger (saws), and after accepting Islam we see that they went on to become leaders of the Muslims. Rather, we should repent to Allah because as is mentioned in the hadith above that Allah opens his hand during the day for the sinners of the night to repent to him and he opens his hand during the day for the sinners of the day to repent to him.

O Allah grant us the sincere repentance and accept is from us, verily You are the All Hearing, the All Knowing. Ameen.

Let The Sinner Separate Himself, O Musa

It was narrated that in the days that Musa (peace be upon him) wandered with Bani Israel in the desert, an intense drought befell them. Together, they raised their hands towards the heavens praying for the blessed rain to come. Then, to the astonishment of Musa and all those watching, the few scattered clouds that were in the sky vanished, the heat poured down, and the drought intensified.

It was revealed to Musa that there was a sinner amongst the tribe of Bani Israel who had disobeyed Allah for more than 40 years of his life. “Let him separate himself from the congregation,” Allah told Musa. “Only then shall I shower you all with rain.”

Musa (peace be upon him) called out to the throngs of humanity, “There is a person amongst us who has disobeyed Allah for 40 years. Let him separate himself from the congregation and only then shall we be rescued from the drought.”

That man waited, looking left and right, hoping that someone else would step forward, but no one did. Sweat poured forth from his brow and he knew that he was the one. The man knew that if he stayed amongst the congregation all would die of thirst and that if he stepped forward he would be humiliated for all eternity.

He raised his hands with a sincerity he had never known before, with humility he had never tasted, and as tears poured down on both cheeks he said, “O Allah, have mercy on me! O Allah, hide my sins! O Allah, forgive me!”

As Musa (peace be upon him) and the people of Bani Israel waited for the sinner to step forward, the clouds hugged the sky and the rain poured. Musa asked Allah, “O Allah, you blessed us with rain even though the sinner did not come forward.”

And Allah replied, “O Musa, it is for the repentance of that very person that I blessed all of Bani Israel with water.”

Musa (peace be upon him), wanting to know who this blessed man was, asked, “Show him to me O Allah!”

Allah replied, “O Musa, I hid his sins for 40 years, do you think that after his repentance I shall expose him?”

– Muhammad Al-Shareef is director of Al-Maghrib Institute in Canada

Aggression Against Innocents Un-Islamic

ONE of the important objectives of Islam is to safeguard people’s life, property and honor. It is in this light that Islam prohibited aggression against innocent people, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. The Qur’an and the Sunnah are abundant with provisions that crystallize and emphasize this principle. In the Sunnah we read that a woman entered Hell Fire because she tied a cat until it starved. Then, what will be the fate of those who shed innocent people’s blood and violate their rights?

Shedding more light on the issue of violence, intolerance, and aggression against innocent civilians, the eminent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, states:

No doubt, aggression against innocent people is a grave sin and a heinous crime, irrespective of the victim’s religion, country, or race. No one is permitted to commit such crime, for Allah, Most High, abhors aggression. Unlike Judaism, Islam does not hold a double-standard policy in safeguarding human rights.

Following, I would like to highlight some relevant Islamic principles based on the Glorious Qur’an and Sunnah:

1. Islam forbids aggression against innocent people
Islam does not permit aggression against innocent people, whether the aggression is against life, property, or honor, and this ruling applies to everyone, regardless of post, status and prestige. In Islam, as the state’s subject is addressed with Islamic teachings, so is the ruler or caliph; he is not allowed to violate people’s rights, lives, honor, property, etc.

In the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) declared the principle that people’s lives, property, and honor are inviolable until the Day of Judgment. This ruling is not restricted to Muslims; rather, it includes non-Muslims who are not fighting Muslims. Even in case of war, Islam does not permit killing those who are not involved in fighting, such as women, children, the aged, and the monks who confine themselves to worship only.

This shouldn’t raise any wonder, for Islam is a religion that prohibits aggression even against animals. Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, quoted the Prophet, (peace be upon him), as saying: “A woman (was made to) enter (Hell) Fire because of a cat which she tied, neither giving it food nor setting it free to eat from the vermin of the earth.” (Al-Bukhari)

If such is Islamic ruling concerning aggressive acts against animals, then, with greater reason, the punishment is bound to be severe when human being happens to be the victim of aggression, torture and terrorism.

2. Individual responsibility
In Islam, every one is held accountable for his own acts, not others’. No one bears the consequences of others’ faults, even his close relatives. This is the ultimate form of justice, clarified in the Glorious Qur’an, as Allah, Most High, says : Or is he not informed with what is in the pages (Scripture) of Musa (Moses), and of Ibrahim (Abraham) who fulfilled (or conveyed) all that (Allah ordered him to do or convey): That no burdened person (with sins) shall bear the burden (sins) of another. (An-Najm 53: 36-38)

Therefore, it’s very disgusting to see some people – who are Muslims by name – launching aggression against innocent people and taking them as scapegoats for any disagreement they have with the state’s authority!! What is the crime of the common people then?! Murder is one of heinous crimes completely abhorred in Islam, to the extent that some Muslim scholars hold the opinion that the repentance of the murderer will not be accepted by Allah, Most High. In this context, we recall the Glorious Qur’anic verse that reads : “…if any one killed a person not in retaliation of murder or (and) to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind…” (Al-Ma’idah 5: 32)

3. Ends do not justify means
In Islam, the notion “End justifies the means” has no place at all. It is not allowed to attain good aims through evil means, and, therefore, alms collected from unlawful avenues are not halal (lawful). In this context, the Messenger of Allah, (peace be upon him) said, “Surely, Allah is Good and never accepts but what is good.”

Thus, in Shariah, with all its sources, the Glorious Qur’an, the Sunnah, consensus of Muslim jurists – aggression and violation of human rights are completely forbidden.

Besides, it is the duty of the Muslim scholars to do their utmost to guide the perplexed people to the straight and upright path.

Say ‘Assalam Alaikum’, When You Enter Houses

Make sure you say the greeting of Salam when you enter your, or anyone else’s, house. Some of the benefits are as great as Paradise, provision in this world and Allah’s blessings.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “There are three who are under the protection of Allah and if he lives, he will be provided for and it will be sufficient for him, and if he dies, Allah will enter him into Paradise: Whoever enters his house and gives the Salam; whoever goes out to the mosque; and whoever leaves in the way of Allah.” (Abu Dawood; authenticated by Al-Albani)
Allah says in the Qur’an:

“When you enter houses, give greetings of peace upon each other – a greeting from Allah, blessed and good.” (Qur’an, 24:61)

In Fiqh Al-Ad’iyah wal Adhkar, Imam As-Sa’di said, “The word ‘houses’ (Buyoot) is indefinite, so it includes any house that you enter and not just our own, even if there is no one present at the time. (The words) ‘upon yourselves’ (Alaa Anfusikum) means to give Salam to one another. The words are used to show that Muslims are like one entity due to their mutual care, love, and mercy. Then Allah praises this greeting by saying, “a greeting from Allah, blessed and good.” The greeting is to say: As-Salamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.

‘From Allah’, means that He has ordained it for you and has made it your greeting. It is ‘blessed’ because it is a Du’a that includes peace, safety, seeking blessings, mercy, and an increase in goodness. It is Tayyibah (good) because it is good speech from the One who is Good (At-Tayyib).”

Also, Anas narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to him, “Dear son, when you enter your house, say As-Salamu Alaykum to your family, for it will be a blessing (Barakah) both to you and to your family.” (Al-Tirmidhi; Hasan according to Al-Albani)

Suffering, A Blessing In Disguise

Allah ta’aala says in the Holy Qur’an: (And Ayyub, when he cried to his Lord, saying): Oh my Lord, adversity has touched me; indeed, and You are the Most Merciful of all show mercy.(Al Anbiya Verse 83)

A Hadith also states that: The most severely burdened with calamities (in this world) are the Prophets (alaihis salaam), then those who come next to them in righteousness and Prophetic conduct. (Mishkat Al Masabih)

There are two categories of miseries and troubles in this world. The first category are those that are a means of punishment and torture from Allah. Punishment is reserved for the Hereafter, but Allah inflicts token punishments on the sinners so that they may give up their sins and take to piety and righteousness. The second category of troubles are those that Allah uses to elevate a man’s status and granting him reward and recompense in return for his troubles and worries suffered in this world.

Troubles are a punishment if a Muslim does not turn his attention to Allah, he resorts to all the worldly means and discards his salaah. He does not turn to Allah in repentance and with supplications for relief but instead curses his destiny. Troubles are a mercy from Allah if a Muslim repents to Allah, acknowledges his helplessness and prays to Allah in all sincerity and humility for mercy and help. He bears no grudge and offers his salaah with greater sincerity, regularity and concentration. The troubles become a source of reward and a sign of divine love and sympathy.

No man is free from troubles and worries
Allah has so created and planned this world that grief and joy, comfort and discomfort, health and sickness, etc. go together. Pure joy and happiness will only be available in Paradise. It is therefore impossible that a man should remain in this world free from worries and adversities. Everyone is suffering from one worry or another in varying degrees. Almighty Allah has planned the affairs of this universe in such a way that upon one person He has bestowed worldly riches and upon another the bounty of health. Someone is well-ff economically but care-ridden mentally and inwardly.

Why should a favorite servant of Allah be burdened with cares and worries? According to one hadith, Allah asks his angels to go to His servant and entangle him in some trial because He is pleased with his weeping and crying for mercy and help. The secret of this strange treatment of Allah his His beloved servant lies in the fact that Allah desires to convert the troubles and trials of His servant into everlasting peace and comfort and elevate his status in the Hereafter by purging him of the filth of his sins committed in the worldly life.

Just look at Hadhrat Ibrahim (as), bearing the title Khalilullah (friend of Allah). He was flung into the fire, commanded to kill his son, Ismail (as) and abandon his family in a dry, desolate territory. In short, he was subjected to great trials and tribulations. When the people will receive their rewards and prizes from Allah on the Day of Judgement they will realize that the trials and tribulations they suffered in the world were nothing compared with the prizes and returns.

Allah says in the Holy Qur’an, ‘ And surely We shall try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and crops, and give glad tidings to the steadfast, who say when misfortune falls on them: We belong to Allah and we shall indeed return to Him. Such are they on whom are blessings from Allah and they the rightly guided ones.’ (2:155-157)

The conduct of the Prophet (saw) during periods of distress Hadhrat Aishah (ra) has narrated that when the Prophet (saw) was on his deathbed, he frequently put his sacred hand into water and rubbed the wet hand on his blessed face and at the same time he expressed the torture he was undergoing. Seeing her father in this condition, Hadhrat Fatimah (ra) uttered, ’Oh how distressed is my father!’ The Holy Prophet (saw) reacted to this by saying, ‘Your father will face no distress after this day.’ The Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (saw) lays down that on being inflicted with hardships, difficulties and worries the sufferer should display neither complaint nor boldness. He should instead address Allah in the words, ‘Oh Allah, relieve me of this trouble and misfortune by Your grace.’

May Allah grant us the correct understanding of this point and help us act upon it. Ameen!
Mufti Yusuf Danka Al-Kauthar

So Will You Be Sacrificing A Camel Or An Egg This Jumma?

Praise be to Allah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Any person who takes a bath on Friday like the bath of Janaabah and then goes for the prayer (in the first hour i.e. early), it is as if he had sacrificed a camel (in Allah’s cause);

and whoever goes in the second hour it is as if he had sacrificed a cow;
and whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a horned ram;
and if one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a hen;
and whoever goes in the fifth hour then it is as if he had offered an egg.

When the Imam comes out (i.e. starts delivering the Khuthbah), the angels[28] present themselves to listen to the Khuthbah.” (ie closes the record book & stop s writing the names of those who come for jumaah after that) [29]

[28] ” [(Agreed Upon); Saheeh Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 51; Saheeh Muslim, Book 004, Number 1864]

[29] (Agreed Upon); Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 6; Saheeh Muslim, Book 004, Number 1845

Never Too Late

ONE day, as Ali Bin Abu Talib and Al-Hussain Bin Ali (may Allah be pleased with them) were walking together, they heard a man supplicating to Allah. He was begging Allah to forgive him for his sins. His sincere tone and eloquent words aroused the interest of Ali who asked his son to call him.

When Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him) caught up with the man, he saw that he was clean-looking, clean-smelling, with nice clothes and altogether handsome- except that he seemed to be paralyzed on the right side of his body. Al-Hussain said, “Answer the summons of the Leader of the Believers, Ali Bin Abu Talib.”

Dragging his right side, the man followed Al-Hussain back to where Ali was waiting for them.

When Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the man about his antecedents , he said:

“I was well-known among the Arabs for my frivolous and sinful exploits. Merciful and kind, my father would constantly admonish me and advise me to mend my ways.

He would remind me of Allah’s punishment, saying, ‘My son, do not go against Him who punishes with the Hell-fire!’ When he would persist in advising me, I felt his voice grating on my nerves. I would get so frustrated that I would beat him with harsh blows.

In response to my blows, he one day said, ‘By Allah, I will fast without breaking my fast and I will pray without stopping to sleep.’ He fasted for an entire week, but seeing no change in my behavior, he climbed a camel and set off to perform Hajj.

His parting words were, ‘I am going to the House of Allah, and there I will seek help from Allah against you.’ When he reached Makkah, he embraced the Cover of the Ka’ba and supplicated against me, asking Allah to make me paralyzed on one side of my body.

By the One Who raised the sky and sends down the rain, no sooner did my father finish his supplication than I became paralyzed on my right side, which became like a piece of wood. Anyone that would then pass by me would point to me and say, ‘Allah answered his father’s supplication against him.'”

“What did your father do then?” asked Ali.

“O Leader of the Believers, after he became pleased with me, I asked him to go back and invoke Allah on my behalf. He agreed to do so. I walked alongside him as he rode on his camel, until we reached a place called the Valley of Arak.

When we reached there, a group of birds flew away from a tree, their sudden movement frightened the camel. As the camel raced off in a state of fright, my father fell off it and died.”

It was certainly late for the man, but not too late. Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) advised him to continue to supplicate and to repent for his past misdeeds.

Ali then parted from the man, but before leaving him, he taught him the supplication that a person in distress should say. (The narration does not specifically mention which supplication it was that Ali taught the man)

– Stories of repentance published by Darussalam