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Backbiting (Gheebat)

Allah (SWT) says: ‘O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion; indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allah, Verily Allah is the One who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful (Surah 49,v12)

The above Quran ayat has stated that the despicable act of backbiting fellow Muslims is similar to eating their dead flesh. Would any human being find this act pleasing? Remember that the act of backbiting is even worse than doing this!

In accordance with the Shari’ah, backbiting is to speak of another individual’s bad points (if they are true) when they are not present, be it by speech, pen, or any other means, and, if he was to hear this he would dislike it. However, if such a vice is mentioned which is not present in a particular individual, then this will be a false accusation but is still a form of backbiting.

Our Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi wassalaam) mentioned once, ‘Backbiting is that one mentions the vices of another brother which are present in him (a reality)…the Sahaba mentioned: ‘Ya Rasulullah (saw) we thought that backbiting was mentioning something which is not present in another brother..’ Nabi (saw) mentioned: You thought wrong, that is falsely accusing a brother.’ (Duri Manthoor)

The Messenger of Allah (saw) stated, ‘The person who controls his tongue as much as possible, he has attained salvation.’ (Darmi)

Ibn Abbas (radiallahu‘anhu) relates, ‘In the same way that Allah (SWT) has made the flesh of carrion (dead animals) haraam, the same way He (SWT) has prohibited the act of backbiting.’ (Ibn Jarri, Duri Manthoor)

In the same way that backbiting of a living individual is haraam, the same is applicable to the dead also.

Rasulullah (saw) mentioned, ‘When anyone of you dies, then let him be… and do not backbite about him.’ (Abu Daawood)

Abu Darda (RA) was asked by Sayyidina Ali (RA): ‘Why do you frequently visit the graves? He answered, ‘The dwellers of the graves remind one of death, this is how we benefit from this, they don’t complain about us and if we get up and leave them, they don’t backbite about us…This is why I spend more time in their company (meaning in the graveyard).’ (Ahyal Uloom)

Rasulullah (saw) stated: ‘Backbiting as a sin is greater than the act of fornication (Zina).’ (Ibn Abi Dunya)

Just as fornication is considered as a great sin, backbiting should be considered in the same manner, or an even greater sin as proven by this Hadith).

The Reason Backbiting is a GREATER Sin than Fornication (Zina)
• In the act of fornication, the sinner (Zani) committing the act of fornication is only punishable for the reason that he/she has disobeyed Allah’s (SWT) order and instead chosen the path of Shaytaan.

• The act of Backbiting involves two sins, (1) disobedience to the law of Allah (SWT), and (2) Disrespecting the honor of a fellow Muslim. The disobedience of Allah (SWT) can be forgiven by the act of repentance (Tawbah). The condition for the second condition will be that they will have to seek forgiveness from the individual they talked about also. With this, it is hoped Insha-Allah, that Allah (SWT) too will forgive him/her.

The narration of Abdullah bin Mubarak (rahmatullahi’alaih), ‘A young person came to Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) and said: ‘Sir, I have done a very great sin, that I cannot even relate it to you.’ Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) said, ‘At least tell me what it is.’ The young man replied, ‘I have fornicated.’ Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) replied,’ O young man, the sin of fornication is indeed very great. Alhumdulillah, at least you did not backbite somebody, for that is an even greater sin.’ (Tazkirat ul Awliya)

What will be done with the Backbiter in the Hereafter?
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) relates, ‘That person who backbites another in this world…in the Hereafter, that person will be offered the flesh of his brother and will be told, ‘The same way in which you ate the flesh of your brother in the Dunya, eat now also.’ When that person will put that flesh in his mouth, he will find it very unpleasant and be disgraced due to this.’ (Targhib)

The Advice of Ibn Abbas (radiallaahu’anhu), ‘When you have decided to backbite someone and narrate their faults and bad points, at that time, remember your own faults, contemplate over your sins so that you may be saved from backbiting and attain Jannah. If you will not realize your own faults and continue to expose the faults of others, then on the Day of Qiyamah, Allah (SWT) too will expose your faults.’ (Ahyal Uloom)

For this very reason, there is a saying of some Tabi’een (rahimahumullah): ‘We have seen this condition in the Sahaba (RA)…they did not consider only Salaah and Fasting as a form of worship. However, they considered the abstaining from backbiting as a great form of worship also.’

After reading these points, we should reflect and judge ourselves in this respect and have concern for the Hereafter. May Allah (SWT) enable us all to use our tongues and do actions in accordance with His will and pleasure. Aameen.

Mufti Yusuf Danka

The Etiquette Of Clothing

Allah SWT says: ‘O Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts) and as an adornment, that is better. Such are among the Ayat of Allah, that they may remember.’ (Al A’raf, 26)

A Muslim should endeavor to wear those clothes which express modesty, cover the body adequately, and at the same time, they should be suitable in respect of temperature and climate. The clothing should be simple to the extent that one should not be a walking billboard. Today we have in line with ‘fashion’, clothing saying ‘touch me…etc’. This is not appropriate. When one wears a garment, the very act of clothing oneself is a blessing of Allah (SWT) which He bestowed on mankind alone, all other creation is deprived of this blessing For men white clothing is preferred: RasulAllah (saw) said: ‘Wear white clothing, this is the best cloth, verily white clothes are worn in the world and in the white cloth are the dead buried’. (Tirmidhi)

• It is narrated in Bukhari: ‘RasulAllah (saw) would wear white clothing. Meaning RasulAllah (saw) himself wore white clothing and advised the men of the Ummah to do the same.

• Umme Salma (RA) narrates: ‘RasulAllah (saw) preferred a long shirt to all other garments.’ (Shama’il Tirmidhi)

This is because in this garment the body is well covered and concealed, modesty and humbleness are established and It is also attractive. Ibn Abbas (RA) states: ‘The shirt of RasulAllah (saw) was above the ankle’.

• For men to keep the trouser above the ankle: RasulAllah (saw) said: ‘3 types of people are such that on the Day of Qiyamah, Allah will not look at them nor have mercy on them.’ Abu Dhar Gafari (RA) asked: ‘Who will these unfortunate people be?!’ RasulAllah (saw) said:
1. He who allows his trousers to hang below the ankle.
2. He, who boasts of his favors to others.
3. He who takes a false oath.
RasulAllah (saw) said: ‘The portion of the ankle which is covered below the ankle will be in Jahannam’. (Bukhari/Muslim)

Note: As a matter of routine, it is important that men do not wear clothing that Shariah has advised against. Men should at least try to adopt Islamic clothing when coming to the masjid.

• The clothing of men and women should not resemble one another: RasulAllah (saw) said: ‘Allah (SWT) has cursed the men who resemble women and those women who resemble men’. (Bukhari)

• Women should not wear thin garments: RasulAllah (saw) said: ‘Those women are inhabitants of the Hellfire, who even after wearing clothes are naked’.(Riyadus-Saliheen) It states in another place: ‘Those women who wear thin clothing and clothing which causes the desire to arise in the hearts of men… (refers to those women who beautify themselves and walk about without hijab/purdah)…They will not enter Jannah nor will they smell its fragrance’. (Muslim)

How to Adopt the Headscarf? Allah (SWT) says: ‘tell the believing women…to draw their veils over their bodies…’(meaning to cover from the head to the breast). (An-Nur, 31)

This is due to the fact that the breast of women is apparent beauty in form. The women of jahiliyyah would position the cloth on the head and hang the sides to the back exposing the breast area, beautifying themselves in front of strange males. The Qur’an orders the Muslim women to be strict in this observance of modesty and piety and adopt clothing that covers the hair of the head, the ears, the neck and at the same time covers the breast adequately in front of ghayr-mahram males. (Tafsir Usmani) We pray that Allah (SWT) guides our men and women to adopt clothing according to the Shariah and Sunnah in our daily lives and grants us honor and status through this action, Aameen.

Mufti Yusuf Danka

Earning The Blessings Of Paradise Does Not Mean One Has To Forego The Pleasures Of This World

Monks and ascetics, and many of the believers of this ummah think that the blessings of the hereafter cannot be attained without giving up the good things and pleasures of this world. So you see them punishing themselves and making life hard for themselves with non-stop fasting and [qiyaam] praying at night. Some of them even deny themselves good food, drink, and clothing and reject work and marriage. All of this is wrong, for Allah has created the good things of this world for the believers, and He denounces those who forbid the beautiful things that Allah (SWT) has created for His slaves:

“Say (O Muhammad): ´Who has forbidden the adornment which Allah has brought forth for His creatures or the good things from among the means of sustenance?´ Say: ´These are for the enjoyment of the believers in this world, and shall be exclusively theirs on the Day of Resurrection.´ Thus do We clearly expound Our revelations for those who have knowledge ” [7:32]

This world is only condemned when it distracts the believer from the Hereafter, but if he treats it as a means of achieving success in the akhirah then its pleasures need not be spurned, as some people think.

Abu Dujana: What Do You Think Of That I Am Abu Dujana

Abu Dujana: What do you think of that? I am Abu Dujana

During the confusion caused by the archers’ mistake of abandoning their post at the battle of Uhud, many Sahaba were martyred.

So Quraish started to mutilate their bodies to appease their pride over their defeat at Badr. Ka’ab bin Masaid, “I was one of those Muslims who fought in Uhud and witnessed the Kuffar’s act of barbarity in mutilating the dead bodies, but I left this sight because I couldn’t stand it. Then I saw an armed stout mushrik pass through the Muslims and say, ‘Gather them up like sheep are gathered and slaughtered!’…

Similarly, I saw an armed Muslim waiting for him. I walked towards them till I stood behind him (the Muslim). Comparing both of them, I considered that the Kafir was superior to the other in arms and size. I kept on watching them while they engaged in man-to-man combat. The Muslim raised his sword up and swung it down hard on the Kafir, so forcefully that the blade went down his hip and split him in half. When the Muslim unveiled his face, he looked at me and said, “What do you think of that, Ka’ab? I am Abu Dujana.”

We Should Avoid Harams

Hadrat [1] Imam-i Rabbani says in the 67th letter of the second volume of his Maktubat:
We should avoid the harams [2] as much as possible. We should deem the things which Allahu ta’ala dislikes as fatal poisons. Thinking about our faults, we should feel ashamed, embarrassed for having done them. We should repent and be sorry. This is only becoming of His slaves. He who talks and acts in a manner which Allahu ta’ala dislikes without being ashamed, embarrassed, has been persistently opposing Allahu ta’ala. Their obstinacies will almost drive them out of Islam and will include them among His enemies. O our Allah! Have mercy on us. Through Thine Favour and Mercy, do not let us leave the right way.

It is written in the third paragraph of the second chapter of the fourth section of the book Riyad-un-nasikhin, “Though the harams have been divided into two classes, grave sins, and small sins, we should avoid the small sins as well as we avoid the grave ones, nor should we slight any sin. For Allahu ta’ala is muntaqim [3] and ghani (independent) . He does not fear anybody in doing what He wishes. He has concealed His wrath, His enmity in sins. Any sin which is supposed to be small may cause His vengeance, His wrath.”

It Is Disliked To Perform Istijmaar With Bones Or Manure

Although Allah (SWT) upon the tongue of His Prophet (saas) permitted the use of stones and other pure objects as an alternative to water for purification, He (SWT) forbade the use of manure and bones. Perhaps these two objects are not suited for the purpose of purification, and that is the reason behind the prohibition; or perhaps there is another reason for the prohibition that we do not know about, in which case simple, unquestioning obedience is required from us. Once, when the Prophet (saas) was relieving himself, Abdullah Ibn Masood (RA) was nearby, Abdullah (RA) later related, The Prophet (saas) went to Al-Ghaait ( a place prepared as a toilet) and he ordered me to bring him three stones, but I only found two stones, and though I searched for a third, I couldn’t find one. So I took (a piece) of manure, and I went with what I had to the Prophet (saas) He (Saas) took the two stones and cast away the manure. And he (saas) said

This is Impure. 2 .. Related by Bukhaaree (156), Ahmad (3677)

In the hitherto related Hadeeth of Abu Hurairah (RA), the Prophet (saas) said to him,

Search out for stones. I will purify myself with them and do not come to me with bones or manure.

Abu Hurairah (RA) later related, Then I said, What is the problem with bones and manure? He (saas) said,

They are the food of Jinns. (Related by Bukhaaree In Al-Manaaqib (3860)

A delegation of Jinns from Naseebeen – and good indeed are those Jinns – came to me and asked me for provision, and so I invoked Allah (SWT) for them – that they should never pass by any bones or manure except that they should find food upon them. This narration makes clear the reason why it is forbidden to purify oneself with either bones or manure.

Related Issue: Bases on the above-mentioned ruling for the food of Jinn, it is also forbidden to perform Al-Istinjaa or AL-Istijmaar with the food of human beings. Similarly, it is forbidden to perform Al-Istinjaa or Al-Istijmaar with honored paper, such as the paper on which religious knowledge is written, for that paper is likely to have written on it verses of the Quran or Allah’s beautiful Names and Attributes. And an even worst offense is to use the Quran itself.

Reward For Helping Others

Ibn Abbas narrated, Once I was in a state of i’tikaf in the Prophet’s Mosque (Medina). A certain person came to me and sat down. I said to him, ‘O so and so, you look sad’. He said, ‘Yes of course, o fraternal brother of the Prophet. So-and-so has his due on me, and by the one who lies in eternal peace in the grave (i.e. Prophet Muhammad), I am not able to pay the debt’ I said, ‘Should I not talk to him about your debt?’ He said, ‘You can do so if you like’ Thereupon I put my shoes on and went out of the mosque. The person asked him, ‘Have you forgotten the state you were in (i.e. i’tikaf)?’ I replied, ‘Not at all, but I have heard from the one who lies in eternal peace in the grave [saying this his eyes became filled with tears], said:

“One who moves to fulfill any need of his brother, and makes effort for it, will find it better than itikaaf of ten years; and one who performs i’tikaf for one day for the pleasure of Allah, he will create a distance of three ditches between him and the hell – and each ditch has a width which lies between East and West, or between the heaven and earth.”

Source: Al Targhib Vol II p 272.

By the blessings of Allah, we are approaching another Ramadan. For most of us, we feel a little taste of hunger during this month only. But there are billions for whom it is a matter of daily life. Let us get immense rewards by helping our needy brothers and sisters around the world during this month of generosity.

Death In A Virtuous State

Those the angels take in a virtuous state. They say: “Peace be upon you! Enter Paradise for what you did.”(Surat an-Nahl: 32)

Believers live a good life in this world, are not overcome with fear or pessimism, and have a healthy and comfortable spiritual life. Since those who believe seek Allah’s pleasure, we learn from the Qur’an that they have won His special assistance, support, and protection; their misdeeds will be removed from them and that they will be rewarded according to the best of what they did; and they will not be wronged. Since they “purchase” the next life in exchange for this life, they have made what the Qur’an calls a “good bargain.” Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him.

But what will happen to them at the end of their lives? Where and when will Allah meet them at the hour He has appointed for their death? Neither believers nor unbelievers know where and when they will die. This fact is explained in Surah Luqman in these words:
Truly Allah has knowledge of the Hour, sends down abundant rain, and knows what is in the womb. And no self knows what it will earn tomorrow, and no self knows in what land it will die. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware. (Surah Luqman, 34)

Together with this, the Qur’an informs us how death will come to believers, how their souls will be taken, and what will happen at the moment of death. As far as we know, believers experience death as a very gentle passage, like a momentary change in dimension. Just like the person whom Allah causes to be “as dead during his sleep” (Surat az-Zumar, 42) and wakes up the next morning to a new day when believers die, they will be taken out of the worldly dimension and pass to the next dimension (Certainly Allah knows the truth.)

Allah announced this gentle and easy passage in Surat an-Nazi’at, 2, where He points to the appointed angels and says “those who draw out gently.” Another verse tells about the angels’ conversation when they come to take a believer’s soul: Those the angels take in a virtuous state. They say: “Peace be upon you! Enter Paradise for what you did.” (Surat an-Nahl, 32)

The following verse describes a believer’s death:
The greatest terror will not upset them, and the angels will welcome them: “This is your Day, the one that you were promised.” (Surat an-Anbiya’, 103)
Clearly, believers who have led a good life in this world will have a beautiful and easy death, and their life in the next world will begin when they are met by angels. From that moment on, all of their relations with this world will cease, and they will be sent to an appointed place where they will come before Allah’s Presence. As it was from the beginning, so it continues: comfort and ease await all believers.

Valentine’s Day: Its Reality And Ruling

Allah Says (what means): “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as a religion.” [Quran 5: 3]

Our religion is supreme, it is the most perfect one. It combines the good of this life and the Hereafter; it addressed the soul and was not heedless of the body; it gave preference to the Hereafter but did not neglect our needs in this life. Allaah Says (what means): “But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter.”[Quran 28: 77]

Our religion is a moderate religion that is neither negligent of any matter, nor does it exaggerate any issue beyond its rightful status. There is no monasticism in Islam, nor blind-materialism,

Allaah Says (what means): “Thus We have made you a median (i.e. just) community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you.” [Quran 2: 143]

How is it that the believers can squander this position, which Allah granted them, and become humiliated while they still have the Quran and the Sunnah to refer to? Why would we be pleased with becoming mere followers after enjoying the position of leadership? How can we go astray and become blind-imitators after being guides? What possesses a person to become a slave who carries out orders, after being a master?

The answer to these questions lies in the saying of the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam as narrated by Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri: “You will follow in the footsteps of those who came before you hand-span by hand-span and (the length of an) arm by arm, such that even if they enter into the dwelling place of a lizard you would still follow them.” The Companions may Allah be pleased with them asked: “O Messenger of Allaah, do you mean (by ‘those who came before you’) the Jews and the Christians?” He sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam replied: “Who else ?” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]

So, once again, we have the army of disbelief attacking us, propagating the celebration of a holiday – and what a deceitful and treacherous holiday it is! A holiday which they have given a name other than its actual one in order to mislead people, they gave it a noble name to deceive the pure and the chaste. They called it the day of love, while it is actually the day of immorality, prostitution, and drinking. They spread immorality dressed in the garment of virtue and this is the age-old method that Satan uses.

Allah exposed this tactic in His Book when He says regarding the deception of Satan of our father Aadam and our mother Hawwaa’ (what means): “And he swore (by Allah) to them both: ‘Indeed, I am to you from among the sincere advisors’” [Quran 7: 21]

Beware of the deceiver who approaches you with an advising tongue, for he knows that if he were to openly state his intention, he would never attain his objectives. Allah Says (what means): “But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.” [Quran 8: 30]

The History of how Valentine Started?
It is claimed that pagan Greece used to celebrate on the fifteenth day of February every year which coincided with a spring holiday. At that time Christianity was new to the area. The emperor Claudius II forbade marriage for his soldiers. Valentine, a Christian priest challenged this command and used it to conduct secret marriage sermons. He was soon discovered and was sentenced to death. While in prison he fell in love with the daughter of a prison guard, but this was a secret since Christianity forbade priests to marry or have romantic relations with women, but since he remained steadfast on Christianity, the people overlooked his crime of falling in love. The emperor offered to forgive him and make him one of his close companions and marry one of his daughters to him, on the condition that he gave up Christianity, but Valentine favored Christianity and was executed on the fourteenth of February, 270 CE – the night before the celebration of the Greek spring holiday of the fifteenth of February. Ever since then, it was called Priest Valentine’s holiday. After the spread of Christianity throughout Europe, February the fourteenth was re-named ‘Valentine’s Day’ in his memory because (they claim) he sacrificed himself for Christianity and fostered those in love.

That was the story behind this holiday. Unfortunately, many young men and women were deceived by this, due to the weakness of their faith, ignorance of Islam, heedlessness, and the lack of guidance by the Muslim scholars and leaders. The ignorant youth were hoodwinked into celebrating this holiday.

Among the manifestations of this holiday are the giving of red roses, the wearing of red dresses, and exchanging special greetings, cards and gifts. This is a day where one is ‘supposed’ to remember their wives or lovers. This holiday is so ingrained in western culture that remembering this day and celebrating it has become a sign of ‘true and sincere love’ and it is not uncommon for one who forgets about this day to be thought of as ‘insincere’ and ‘untrue’ in his or her love!

Every Muslim must know that this holiday was invented by the disbelievers and it is, therefore, unlawful to celebrate it according to the religion of Islam. There is no difference of opinion among the Muslim scholars regarding this.

In fact, even if this holiday was invented by the Muslims it would still be unlawful to celebrate it.

Aaishah may Allah be pleased with her narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: “He who innovates something in our matter (i.e. the religion of Islam), will have it rejected.” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]

Anas Ibn Maalik may Allaah be pleased with him narrated that when the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam came to Madeenah, he sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam found people celebrating a two-day memorial which dated back to the time of Jaahiliyyah (the pre-Islamic era). He sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: “Allah Has replaced these for you with two better days; the day of Eedul-Adh-haa (sacrifice) and the day of Eedul-Fitr (following Ramadhaan).” [Ahmad, An-Nasaai & Abu Daawood)]

Allah warned us from following the disbelievers or supporting them and commanded us to differ from them. He Almighty Says (what means): “O you who have believed! Take not those who have taken your religion in ridicule and amusement among the ones who were given the Scripture before you nor the disbelievers as allies. And fear Allah if you should (truly) be believers.” [Quran: 5: 57]

The Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: “He who resembles a group of people will be with them (in the Hereafter).” [Ahmad and others]

How can it be that a Muslim accepts for himself and his family the celebration of an immoral holiday innovated by disbelievers; Valentine’s Day, the claimed celebration of love? How can he allow his family to celebrate the holiday of a Christian priest, Valentine, who was cursing Allah day and night by saying: “He is one of three, He had a wife, He had begotten a son, etc.”?

Allah is exalted far above what they attribute to Him.

Allah Says (what means): “And they say: ‘The Most Merciful (Allah) has taken (for Himself) a son. You have done an atrocious thing. The heavens almost rupture therefrom and the earth splits open and the mountains collapse in devastation. That they attribute to the Most Merciful a son. And it is not appropriate for the Most Merciful that He should take a son. There is no one in the heavens and earth but that he comes to the Most Merciful as a servant. He has enumerated them and counted them a (full) counting. And all of them are coming to Him on the Day of resurrection alone.” [Quran 19: 88-95]

Allah Says (what means): “Be not deceived by the (uninhibited) movement of the disbelievers throughout the land, (It is but) a small enjoyment; then their (final) refuge is Hell, and wretched is the resting place!” [Quran 3: 196-197]

Do not be deceived by them and what they doing because this life is a temporary one and it is vanishing fast. Allah Says (what means): “But the Hereafter is better and more lasting” (Al-A’laa: 17)

and also: “It will be, on the Day they see it, as though they had not remained (in the world) except for an afternoon or a morning thereof.” [Quran 79: 46]

Beware of these holidays which have been invented by the disbelievers and warn people against them; be proud of your religion; be distinct from the misguided; do not follow in their footsteps or be affected by their ideas; ask Allah to guide you and keep you steadfast.

Do not allow the uncertain to fool you; don’t allow the disbelievers to misguide you; be proud of your religion and your celebrations; preserve your identity, and do not resemble or imitate the disbelievers because it leads to destruction and Hell.