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Allah Is The Owner Of The Whole Universe

Allah is the only Creator and power over all the mountains , stars, planets, both living and non-living things and all the atoms that make up these objects.

And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the Earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record ( Surah Al-An’am, 59).

Just like the verse states , if Allah does not let something happen nothing can move.

The seven heavens and the Earth and whatever is in them exalt Him. And there is not a thing except that it exalts [ Allah ] by His praise, but you do not understand their [way of] exalting. Indeed, He is ever Forbearing and Forgiving (Surat al-Isra, 44).

As we understand from these verses, moving rocks , walking mountains or drifting continents all do things in remembrance of Allah with His permission. People can only comprehend this as much as Allah allows.
There are many different worlds other than what we see and feel. But this world is a test and not everything is open to the human senses. For example in the paradise all rocks and mountains are living . What we know as nonliving here could move and talk in the hereafter.

Allah undoubtedly has the power to make something living or non-living. Because we are in a test here , we can’t see many miracles, different dimensions , or all the aspects of everything. However, there could be chosen people who are given wisdom and knowledge , seeing and comprehending all those miracles happening around them. With this comprehension they would have and even stronger faith , and remember God with his names and attributes , and be grateful. This is a gift for people with faith.

And those who have been given knowledge see that what is revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, and it guides to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy ( Surat al-Saba, 6).

Walking rocks is a recent scientific fact. It is a miracle that the Qur’an informs us of this reality in the 7th century when the ideas about the universe and nature was mostly made from superstitions, baseless beliefs, and myths. It’s an important proof that shows the Qur’an is Allah’s word.

Every speck in the universe is a mirror to see Allah’s greatness, but not enough to show His endless power and knowledge. Allah has the best names and attributes. The things explained in this article are just a few examples of what we see in the world as a reflection of His Divine attributes. His knowledge , intellect, power, compassion, generosity, kindness is infinite. Everybody should show effort to understand Allah’s greatness as much as they can.

Allah’s knowledge is so vast that something infinite for humans is very easy for Him.

From the beginning of time to the infinite , every event to take place , all thoughts, times, and shapes are determined by him. This truth is mentioned in the Qur’an with the following verse:
Indeed, all things We created with predestination.And Our command is but one, like a glance of the eye.And We have already destroyed your kinds, so is there any who will remember?
And everything they did is in written records. ( Surat al-Qamar,49-52)

Lessons For Us In Haya

• The two women strove to prevent their sheep from mingling with those of the other shepherds. They were ready to wait, adding to their already difficult task of herding the sheep (a job usually performed by men), so that they would have more privacy and ease whilst watering their sheep. This shows to us modern-day Muslim women that places in which crowds of men are found thronging to get to something should be avoided till there’s a lull, in which we can achieve our objective without fear of being touched/shoved/pushed by the crowd of men.

• The women had the confidence of speaking to a non-Mehram man when he asked them a question about their situation. This shows us that when the need arises, women should possess the self-confidence to speak to a non-Mehram in a business-like, dignified manner.

• Neither of the women endeavored to stick around to chat with Musa after he did them a favor that saved them a lot of trouble and time. Rather, just as he shied away from them, and returned to the tree’s shade without asking for any compensation, they also likewise hurried back home to their father, after the errand for which he had sent them was done. This is a vital point to be noted, especially for the single youth of today. Even in situations when you need to interact with members of the opposite gender to get help with something, you should not hang around chit-chatting or flirting after the favor has been done.

• As the shyness of both the old man’s daughters and Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) (all three of whom were single) shows, Haya entails that we minimize any unnecessary communication with the opposite gender, even in situations when we are thrown together out of necessity and are unsupervised by elders or Mehrams.

• For Muslim women, this incident shows that returning home after outdoor errands have been done is something they should hurry in doing. Loitering around in public places without necessity goes against another Qur’anic command that was sent down by Allah, when addressing the wives of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “And stay quietly in your homes…” (Qur’an, 33:33)

• When Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) was to be summoned, the daughter came walking with shyness. The word “Istihya” implies that her gait and demeanor was one “seeking Haya.” In Arabic grammar, words based on the structure of “Istif’al” imply the action of “seeking” in their meaning. (For e.g. “Istighfar” means seeking forgiveness). So her manner of approaching Musa was such that she sought Haya. This proves that when the need arises a woman can become an intermediary between men, especially for a noble/good cause, but she should seek the maximum possible Haya when she appears before a man who is not her Mehram.

• This daughter also advised her father after Prophet Musa finished telling his story. Furthermore, her father took her counsel and accepted her testimony. Women should not feel shy in sharing knowledge to their Mehrams, in consultation and decision-making, or when negotiating the terms of a contract. Haya should, by no means, negate self-confidence and elocution.

– Muslim Matters

Rewards For Reciting Qur’an

THE Qur’an, the final revelation of God to His last prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him), is the only Divine Book in its original state. It will continue to be so till the Day of Judgment as Allah has promised to guard it from corruption. This is because no new prophet will come and no new revelation will be sent. The Qur’an is the final revelation for the guidance of humanity till humans live on earth.

Below are some virtues of reading the Qur’an:

Intercessor
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Study the Qur’an (regularly) for it will act as an intercessor and intercede for its readers on the Day of Judgement. (Sahih Muslim)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “On the Day of Judgment the Qur’an will also be brought along with those who acted upon it in the world. But before it, Surah Al-Baqarah and Al-e-Imran will lead them and plead the cause of those persons who read these Surahs in this life. (Sahih Muslim)

Best among you
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: “The best among you are those who have learnt the Qur’an and teach to (others).”

Company of angels
Ayesha narrated that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “A person who recites the Qur’an and reads it fluently will be in the company of the obedient and noble angels, and he who reads the Qur’an haltingly and with difficulty will have a double recompense.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

In another Hadith, Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) said: Allah will elevate some nations through this book (the Qur’an ) and degrade others with it. (Sahih Muslim)

Reward for each letter
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that when somebody recites one letter from the Qur’an he will get one good deed in recompense and this one recompense will be equal to 10 good deeds. “I do not say that Alif Lam Meem is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter and Meem is a letter (i.e. it is equal to three letters). (Al-Tirmidhi)

The great honor
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A reader of the Qur’an will be called upon on the Day of Judgment: ‘Start reading the Qur’an and ascend the (high) stages of the Heaven, and recite slowly as you had been reciting in the world, as your abode will be where the last verse of your recitation will end.” (Abu Dawood and Tirmidhi)

A Muslim Must Be Productive And Beneficial To Society

ALMIGHTY Allah says in the Qur’an: “O you who believe (Mulims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salat (prayer) on Friday (Jumu’ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allah … Then when the (Jumu’ah) Salat (prayer) is ended, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allah (by working, etc.), and remember Allah much: that you may be successful.” (62:9-10)

Unlike previous nations, the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has not been given a “day-off” from working. This is yet another reason to believe that this community is the most productive Ummah the world has seen.

The verse above gives clear instructions to Muslims that after their Jumuah prayer ends, they should disperse through the land and seek the Bounty of Allah (by working, buying/selling, etc). Since many Muslim countries observe Fridays as weekly holidays, many people instead use the time after Jumuah to do the contrary to what the verse suggests. It is not “obligatory” that one should get up after Jumu’ah and do some work, but we should seek to spend some time after Jumuah doing something productive, whether work-related or non-work related (perhaps work on a side project one always wanted to pursue).

It doesn’t end here, the beauty of the verse is in the last bit “and remember Allah much: that you may be successful.” The secret of success is given to you – it is simply, constant remembrance of Allah.

Stop arguing

Mother of the Believers Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) as saying: The most despicable amongst persons in the sight of Allah is one who tries to fall into dispute with others (for nothing but only to display his knowledge and power of argumentation). (Sahih Muslim, No. 6447)

One honestly cannot understand people who just love to constantly debate and waste hours just to prove themselves right. It truly is a despicable trait that someone who is productive should refrain from.

If you fall into an argument, ask yourself; is this beneficial to continue? Will I gain rewards in the Hereafter if I convince my brother/sister of my argument? Or is this a pointless argument that neither guides nor has any benefit? And, do I have certain knowledge in this matter and am I being humble?

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “I guarantee a house in Jannah (Paradise) for one who gives up arguing, even if he is in the right; and I guarantee a house in the middle of Jannah for one who abandons lying even when joking/for the sake of fun; and I guarantee a house in the highest part of Jannah for one who has good manners.” [Reported by Abu Dawud]

Courtesy: ProdcuctiveMuslims

Have You Ever Thought About The Wonders Of Jannah?

In Sahih Muslim, Abdullah Bin Mas’ud narrates from Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) the warming story of the last man to escape Hellfire:

HIS crawl away from Hellfire is filled with his face slipping into the dirt, a tremoring walk, and a fire that licks him until he finally escapes.

When he is past it, he looks back, horrified, and announces with the loudest voice, “All praise is due to Allah Who saved me from you.” Then he says, most proud, “Verily I have been rewarded with something that no one from the beginning to the end of creation has been blessed with.”

At that moment, a tree catches his eye – a tree that was commanded to be raised for him. He quickly raises his hands, “O Allah! Allow me to draw near to that tree so that I can cool off under its shade and drink from its water.”

Then Allah calls him, “O son of Adam! If I grant you what you ask, you shall ask for more.”

“Nay, O Allah!” pleads the man and he testifies that he shall ask for no more. As the man basks in the glory of the tree, another tree is raised, one more bounteous and lush than the first. The man pleads, “O Allah! Allow me to draw near to that tree so that I can cool off under its shade and drink from its water.

Allah then says, “Did you not promise me that you would ask for no more? Perhaps if I give it to you, you shall ask for yet even more.”

The man testifies that he will not, and is granted that tree.

Just then a tree is raised near the doors of Jannah (paradise), one bigger and lusher than all the rest and the man’s heart sinks.

“O Allah, that tree, that tree. I’ll ask for nothing else.”

“Did you not promise you would ask for nothing more?”

“After that tree, O Allah, nothing more!”

He is permitted to draw nearer to the tree and there, as he nears the doors of Jannah, he hears the sounds of its inhabitants and he leaps, “O Allah! Enter me into Jannah!”

“O son of Adam!” Allah announces, “What shall satisfy you and put an end your pleading?”

Then Allah offers, “Will it please you if I give you all the treasures and bounties of the entire world and then double it!”

The man’s smile shuts off and his eyes lock up. “My Lord, You’re the Lord of the universe… Are You mocking at me?”

At this point Ibn Mas’ood started laughing. He said to his students, “Ask me why I’m laughing. I’m laughing because Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) laughed when he told us this. And he also asked us, ‘Do you know what makes me laugh? I’m laughing for Allah’s laughter when the man said, ‘You are the Lord of the universe… are You mocking at me?’”

Allah then tells him, “I am not mocking at you, rather I am capable of doing whatever I so wish.” Allahu Akbar!

Jannah – have you ever seen it or felt it?
Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) taught us that in Jannah there is that “which no eye has witnessed, no ear has heard, and that which has never been imagined by any human.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

“No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.” (Qur’an, 32:17)

Imagine yourself in Jannah
Imagine yourself present on the day when the gates of Jannah will be opened with all of the splendor that lies beyond it. Allah tells us in the Qur’an about when the muttaqun (pious) are escorted to the gates of Jannah by the most handsome of angels.

“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: Salamun ‘Alaikum (Peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein.” (Qur’an, 39:73)

The shade in Jannah
“Verily, the Muttaqun (the pious. See V.2:2) shall be admidst shades and springs. And fruits, such as they desire. Eat and drink comfortably for that which you used to do. Verily, thus We reward the Mushsinun (good-doers.)” (Qur’an, 77:41-44)

The ambience in Jannah
Imagine yourself in Jannah. Your face is shining with joy and you’re so glad that you woke up for Fajr all those days, glad you paid your Zakah, glad you wore Hijab all those summer days. This is what the atmosphere is like in Jannah:

“(Other) faces that Day will be joyful, glad with their endeavor (for their good deeds which they did in this world, along with the true Faith of Islamic Monotheism), in a lofty Paradise, Where they shall neither hear harmful speech nor falsehood.” (Qur’an, 88:8-11)

Jannah is the fruit of a seed planted in this world. Let’s go driving towards Jannah!

– by Muhammad Al-Shareef – Director of Al-Maghrib Institute, Canada

Sunnah Acts On The Day Of Eid

EID AL-FITR is the day of benefits and blessings for all fasting Muslims, as they are promised great reward by Almighty Allah for their good observance of fasting. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims express their gratitude to Allah, Who has enabled them to observe fasting and, at the same time, granted them abundant provision during this blessed month. Eid Al-Fitr, therefore, is a day of joy, acts of worship, thanksgiving to Allah, cooperation, solidarity, brotherhood, unity, and spiritual provision.

On the day of Eid, there are some Sunnah acts that we should do, among which are the following:

1. Engage in takbir (saying “Allahu akbar”) from fajr until the imam comes out for salah. Takbir is recommended for males, females, young and old.

2. It is also important to make sure to pay Zakat Al-Fitr before the salah. Ideally, it should be given in advance so that the poor can enjoy their Eid.

3. Appear in the best clean dress that you can afford to, that are reasonable and modest.

4. It is recommended to go early to the prayer place.

5. And most importantly, to wish every one the joy of Eid and show true signs of Islamic brotherhood by shaking hands and embracing and supplicating: “Taqabbal Allahu Minna wa Minkum” (May Allah accept it from us and you).

6. It is also considered a good Islamic practice to visit one another and exchange gifts. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Exchange gifts in order to foster love.”

7. Remember the true spirit of Eid is reflected in our extreme generosity to the poor and the needy. So, be charitable as best as you can.

8. Make lots of istighfar (asking Allah for forgiveness) and pray that Allah accept our fast, prayers and devotion, and may He grant the Ummah glory and success.

Etiquette OF Eid-ul-Fitr

Ramadhaan is coming to the end and Eid ul Fitr is fast approaching us. I felt it necessary to share with you some information about Eid ul Fitr . Firstly Let me tell me the Sunnats that a Muslim should observe on the day of Eid and then I would warn you of some evils which have spread amongst us during this day.

THE SUNNAHS

1. Doing Ghusl before going out to the prayer.
It was narrated in a saheeh hadeeth in al-Muwatta’ and elsewhere that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar used to do ghusl on the day of al-Fitr before going out to the prayer-place in the morning. Al-Muwatta’ 428.

2. Eating before going out to pray on Eid al-Fitr and after the prayer on Eid al-Adha:
A hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari from Anas ibn Maalik, who said that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used not to go out on the morning of Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates of which he would eat an odd number. Al-Bukhaari, 953.

It is mustahabb to eat before going out to emphasize the fact that it is forbidden to fast on that day and to demonstrate that the fast has ended. But on Eid al-Adha it is mustahabb not to eat anything until one comes back from the prayer, so he should eat from the udhiyah if he has offered a sacrifice. If he is not going to offer a sacrifice there is nothing wrong with eating before the prayer.

3. Zakaat al-Fitr is due on this day .
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) enjoined that it should be paid before the Eid prayer.

It is permissible to pay it one or two days before that, because of the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) which was narrated by al-Bukhaari: “They used to give it one or two days before (Eid) al-Fitr.” If it is paid after the Eid prayer, it does not count as Sadaqat al-Fitr, because of the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas: “Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is Zakaat al-Fitr, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is ordinary charity.” It is haraam to delay Zakaat al-Fitr until after the Eid prayer. If one delays it with no excuse then it is not acceptable zakaah, but if there is an excuse,  such as if a person is traveling and does not have anything to give or anyone to give it to, or he is expecting his family to pay it and they are expecting him to pay it, then in this case he should pay it when it is easy for him to do so, even if that is after the prayer, and there is no sin on him because he has an excuse.

4.  Takbeer on the day of Eid
One of the greatest Sunnahs on the day of Eid is saying Takbeer because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [ i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him”[al-Baqarah 2:185]

Al-Daaraqutni and others narrated that on the morning of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, Ibn ‘Umar would strive hard in reciting takbeer until he came to the prayer place, then he would recite takbeer until the imam came out.