Our social:

Post from category:

The Reality of Sins

Allah has stated in the Holy Qur’an: “Leave (O mankind, all kinds of) sin, open and secret. Verily, those who commit sin will get due recompense for that which they used to commit.” (Holy Qur’an, 6:120)

In the above verse, Allah has ordered that Mankind should abstain from all types of sins. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir). It is further mentioned, that no action should be performed which is against the pleasure of Allah. Nor should there be any doubts regarding the Deen of Allah, otherwise it will be regarded as a sin. (Tafsir Uthmani)

Sins are those actions that are performed against the criteria of the Qur’an and Sunnah. The example of a sin is like that of cancer. When cancer inflicts a body part, that part of the body is singled out and may need to be removed completely from the body. This is done to prevent the fatal spread of the cancer throughout the whole body. Therefore, whenever a sin is committed, the believer should immediately resort to repentance (Taubah). The Prophet said: Refrain from sins which you may consider as minor, as you will be held accountable for them. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Sunan Baihaqi)

The Reasons for Sinning

1. Whenever the individual thinks that he or she is not being watched then Because of this mindset, it becomes very easy for that person to commit a sin. Remember! Allah has highlighted this point in the Holy Qur’an: “Allah, is verily always watching over them.” (Holy Qur’an, 89:14)
2. Whenever the individual thinks that no one is aware of their actions. Remember! Allah has already answered this in the Qur’an. “Allah knows the fraud of the eyes and all that the breasts conceal…” (Holy Qur’an, 40:19)
3. Whenever the individual thinks that no one is beside/near them. When this thought comes to mind then it becomes a means of opening the doors of sin. Remember! Allah has already answered this in the Holy Qur’an: “Allah is with you wherever you may be. And Allah is All-seer of what you do.” (Holy Qur’an, 57:4)
4. Whenever the individual thinks that they can not be held accountable by anyone, a sense of pride, this type of thinking increases the zeal in a person to commit sins. Remember! Allah has already answered this in the Holy Qur’an: “Verily, the seizing of Allah (of the wrongdoers) is very painful and severe.” (Holy Qur’an, 11:102)

What the Scholars of the Ummah say about sins

Hafiz Ibn Qayim stated: My friend! Do not look at sin in the manner of it being minor or major, look at it in the manner of the Majesty of the being whose orders you are disobeying (Allah ).

Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmed Naqshbandi states: When you commit a sin, you take great care of the small children that may be around, yet you have no thought of Allah Most High!? When committing a sin you close all those doors from which people may be able to see you. However, you cannot close that door from which Allah is always watching you.

Ata bin Abi Riba Tabiee stated: Whenever there is a deficiency in sustenance that is provided by Allah to an individual, he complains of this to the people. When that same person’s book of deeds, filled with sins comes before Allah, Allah does not complain of this individual and his actions to the angels. But, Allah waits for the moment that he will repent for his wrongdoings.

Imam Abu Hanifa stated: When somebody praises you, then in reality they are praising Allah. For it is due to the Mercy of Allah that he has kept your sins hidden from the eyes of people. If sins had a stench, then no one would even come near you! What is praise?!

A Tabiee is recorded as saying: I have experienced, that whenever I happen to disobey any order of Allah, I get the recompense of disobedience from my wife, children, servants, and even the animals I own.

When a person happens to sin, Allah prepares 4 witnesses for him

1. The Earth is made a witness on the Day of Qiyamah to the sin perpetrated on its back: “That Day (The Earth) will declare its information (good and bad that happened over it)” (Holy Qur’an 99:4)
2. The body parts of an individual will bear witness against the individual on the day of Qiyamah: “This day (Qiyamah) we shall seal up their mouths, and their hands will speak to us, and their legs will bear witness to what they used to earn.” (Holy Qur’an, 36:65)
3. The Angels will bear witness on the Day of Qiyamah: “Verily, appointed over you are angels to watch over you, honorable and writing down your deeds, they know all that you do.” (Holy Quran, 82:10-12)
4. The Book of Deeds will bear witness to their actions on the day of Qiyamah: “And when the pages of the book of deeds (of every person) shall be laid open.” (Holy Qur’an, 81:10).

One day Sayyidina Umar bin Khattab was reading this verse from the Holy Qur’an and the reality of the verse dawned upon him, he lost consciousness and was bedridden for several days. Many of the pious predecessors, used to read the following verse and cry all night saying “O Allah, what will be our condition be on that day?!” “The Day when all the secrets will be examined (as to their truth).” (Holy Qur’an, 86:9)

The remedy for sins is only in sincere repentance

Allah says: “O you who Believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sin, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise)-” (Holy Qur’an, 66:8)

Mufti Muhammed Shafi stated: the meaning of sincere repentance, is that an individual should feel guilt, remorse, and embarrassment over their past sins. Together with this, they should make a firm intention not to repeat the same sin. If however, the sins which are being repented over are amongst the ‘Rights of Allah’, it should then be performed/made up as quickly as possible through Qadha (Salat, fasting, Zakat, etc). If the past sin is from amongst the ‘Rights of the Creation’ then forgiveness must be sought from the wronged persons. If money/wealth was wrongfully taken, it should be returned to the rightful owner. (Khutabhaat)

If we perform our repentance in this manner then Allah says: “Except those who repent and believe and do righteous deeds; for those Allah will change their sins into good deeds, And Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Holy Qur’an, 25:70)

May Allah forgive all our sins through his Mercy and include us among his pious servants. Ameen!

by Mufti Muhammad Yusuf bin Yaqoob Danka

The Use Of Electricity

And We made a fount of molten copper flow out for him. (Qur’an, 34:12)

One of Allah’s great blessings to Prophet Sulayman was “a fount of molten copper.” This can be understood in several senses. By the use of melted copper, it may be referring to the existence, at his time, of an advanced technology that employed electricity. We know that copper is one of the best metals for conducting electricity and heat, and thus constitutes the basis of the electrical industry, which uses much of the copper produced in the world. The expression “flow out” may indicate that electricity can be used in many fields. (Allah knows best.)

Vinegar: Why Is It A Good Dip?

Jabir narrated, The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) took me one day with him to his house. He was served some bread. He asked: `Is there any dip?’ They replied ‘No, only some vinegar.’ He said, ‘Vinegar is a good dip.’

Jabir used to say, “I have loved vinegar since I heard it from Allah’s Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)”. And Talhah ibn Naf’a said, “I have loved vinegar since I heard it from Jabir.” (Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasaa’i)

What is Vinegar? And Why is it a Good Dip?
Vinegar is made by fermenting the juice of sweet fruits and grains such as barley, apple, and grape. The process of creating vinegar entails fermenting in an aerobic environment (in the presence of oxygen) as opposed to alcoholic fermentation, which is done in an anaerobic environment (in the absence of oxygen). The alcohol in these liquids is oxidized to acetic acid. Vinegar contains 4 percent or more acetic acid. Its color and tastes differ depending on its base.

Vinegar contains small amounts of protein and starch. 100g of vinegar has only 16 calories. It also contains sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, zinc, and chlorine but it has no vitamins.

Ibn Seena (died 1037 CE) wrote in his famous book Al-Qanoon fit Tibb (the Canon of Medicine), that vinegar is a powerful clotting agent. If poured on an external wound, it will stop the bleeding and prevent swelling. It aids digestion and is an expectorant. It helps with felons (inflammation of the tissues of a finger or toe) and carbuncles (a kind of skin inflammation). It acts quickly on burns. When mixed with old and applied to the head, it helps with headaches caused by heat. It strengthens gums. It is an appetizer and aids digestion.

Vinegar Treats External Injuries
The Martin-Dale Encyclopaedia of Pharmaceuticals 1989 indicated that vinegar has many beneficial uses. Some are:

  1. To treat poisoning by alkaline (non-acidic) substances.
  2. To help reduce fevers by applying a cold pad to the forehead which is soaked with vinegar and water.
  3. To cure ‘black hairy tongue.’ a disease caused due to intake of antibiotics like penicillin, and tetracycline, by using vinegar once or twice daily for a week.
  4. To soothe pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis by applying a pad soaked with vinegar and water to painful joints.
  5. Treat bee and jellyfish stings by applying a mixture of equal amounts of salt and vinegar to the sting, relieving the pain and preventing inflammation.

Cider Vinegar
Professor John B.Yudkin wrote in the 1986 edition of the Penguin Encyclopaedia of Nutrition that Cider vinegar is known for its ability to cure several diseases. It helps in treating joint pain, rhinitis (inflammation of the nose), asthma, and gastric disorders and helps in losing weight.

Slight cases of diarrhea are a way by which the body gets rid of harmful substances that enter the digestive system. The 1989 edition of Dr. Micheal Sharon’s book, Complete Nutrition, stated that vinegar aids in treating diarrhea. It should be taken as one to two teaspoons of vinegar in a glass of boiled or mineral water several times a day.

Anti-Bacterial Remedy
Complete Nutrition also states. “Vinegar performs the role of disinfectant for the intestines. Some people advise it to be used for gargling for the mouth and throat. It disinfects the inside of the mouth from germs. The usual dosage for gargling is to mix one to three teaspoons of cider vinegar in a glass of water, in the morning and at night.”

Dr. Sharon ends his argument about cider vinegar by saying: “We always have to remember that cider vinegar will not have the same effect on everyone. Some may benefit from it and some may not. Very few people may be allergic to vinegar. Nevertheless, vinegar is beneficial for the majority of people.”

Timeless Black Seed

“There is healing in Black Cumin for all diseases except death.”

With it (water) He produces for you corn, olives, date palms, and grapes and every kind of fruit: Verily in this is a sign for those who give thought. (Al-Qur’an, 16:11)

Narrated by Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) saying “There is healing in Black Cumin for all diseases except death.”

Muslims have been using and promoting the use of the “Black Seed” or “Al-habbat ul Sawda” for hundreds of years, and hundreds of articles have been written about it. Black seed has also been in use worldwide for over 3000 years. However, many Muslims do not realize that black seed is not only a prophetic herb, but it also holds a unique place in the medicine of the Prophet

Black seed is mentioned along with many other natural cures in the Hadeeth (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH) and in the Qur’an. However, many herbs and natural cures in the Hadeeth and Qur’an are simply “mentioned” briefly, leaving the bulk of the descriptive narrative up to later Islamic scholars such as Ibn Sina or Ibn Rushd.

Black seed is one of the few that is said to “cure all diseases except death.” It is unique in that it was not used profusely before the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made its use popular, and it is one of the few herbs that is described in great detail in the Hadeeth with recipes and instructions on usage actually being found in the Hadeeth itself. Last, but not least, black seed has been studied by Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Although there were more than 400 herbs in use before the Prophet Muhammad and recorded in the herbals of Galen and Hippocrates, black seed was not one of the most popular remedies of the time. Because of the way Islam has spread, the usage and popularity of black seed is widely known as a “remedy of the Prophet”. In fact, a large part of this herbal preparation’s popularity is based on the teachings of the Prophet. The Prophet not only mentioned the usefulness of black seed in his teachings but also gave specific instructions on how to prepare the seed for medical use.

“The Prophet’s Medicine” is a collection of Hadeeth that instruct Muslims on the subject of sickness or medical treatment. Because black seed is mentioned so prominently in these writings, all eminent and famous Hakims of the past and present have written on the medicinal benefits and healing properties of “kalonji.” In fact, since it was made popular in the Seventh Century, there has not been a period in Muslim history when the use of it was ever stopped. At all times the seed was utilized with the belief and faith that benefits will be derived from practicing the Holy Prophet’s Sunnah (Hana, 2001).

The black seed (Nigella sativa) is an example of a prophetic remedy that has been studied extensively by both Muslims and non-Muslims. Nigella sativa has been used since antiquity by Asian herbalists and pharmacists and was used by the Romans for culinary purposes. The name Nigella comes from the Latin word nigellus, meaning black. Nigella sativa is small matte black grains with a rough surface and an oily white interior, similar to onion seeds. The seeds have little bouquets, though when rubbed, their aroma resembles oregano. They have a slightly bitter, peppery flavor and a crunchy texture. The seeds may be used whole or ground and are usually fried or roasted before use (they are easily crushed in a mortar).

However, although the seeds have been used for thousands of years in the kitchen, they have also been useful in the pharmacy. Ahmad Akhtar studied the effects of the black seed on nematode worm infections in children (Akhtar, 1999). The black seeds contain over 100 valuable components. Black seed is also a significant source of fatty acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and other vitamins and minerals. The seeds are rich in sterols, especially beta-sitosterol, which is known to have anti-carcinogenic activity (Tierra). The seeds are also known to repel certain insects and can be used in the same way as mothballs.

Black seed is also used in India as a spice and condiment and occasionally in Europe as both a pepper substitute and a spice. It is widely used in Indian cuisine, particularly in mildly braised lamb dishes such as korma. It is also added to vegetables and dhal dishes as well as to chutneys. The seeds are sprinkled on naan (bread) before baking and to some Garam Masala and Panch Phoran mixtures.

The Indians also use black seed medicinally as a carminative and stimulant, and to treat indigestion and bowel complaints. It is also used to induce post-uterine contractions and promote lactation.

However, despite the cure-all benefits of black seed, it must still be used with wisdom and caution. “The seed yields a volatile oil containing melanthin, nigellone, damascene, and tannin. Melanthin is toxic in large dosages and nigellone is paralytic, so the spice must be used in moderation (the epicenter).

Servants Of Allah: Our Lord! Bestow On Us From Our Wives And Our Offspring The Comfort…

‘And those who say: ‘Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us the heads of the God-fearing.’ (25:74)

Hasan Basri‘s explanation suggests that one can draw solace from his dear ones (wife and children) if they submit to the way of Allah. The concern of righteous servants of Allah is not only self-transformation but they also take care of the virtuous actions of their children and spouse and pray that Allah guides them to the right path.

The second part of the verse: ‘And make us the heads of the God-fearing.’ This prayer was not meant for personal aggrandizement, but for the family members to follow the right path.

Hazrat Makkul Shami has elucidated that the purpose of the prayer is to implore such an exalted status of acquiring consciousness of Allah that even the God-fearing draw inspiration and follow it.
‘Such people will be rewarded with the highest of places.’ (25:75)

The righteous people will have such high chambers in paradise. They will look like stars to the common people. (Bukhari, Muslim)

It is narrated in Tirmizi that Rasulullah (PBUH) said: ‘In Paradise, there will be such houses that the interior can be seen from the exterior and the exterior from the interior.’ The Sahaba (RA) enquired as to whom these houses are for. Rasulullah replied ‘Those who keep their speech clean and soft, greet every Muslim, feed the poor and offer Tahajjud prayers at night whilst others are sleeping.’ (Mazhari)
‘And will be received therein with prayers of their eternal life and peace.’ (25:75)

Besides the glad tidings of Paradise, they will be honored with the greetings and felicitations of the angels.
“Verily, the dwellers of Paradise that Day will be busy in joyful things. They and their wives will be in pleasant shade, reclining on thrones. They will have therein fruits (of all kinds), and all that they will ask for. (It will be said to them): “Salamun” (Peace be on you), a Word from the Lord, Most Merciful.” (36:55-58)

Can you imagine? Wearing the finest silk clothing and sitting on chairs made of gold and precious stones? Those who disbelieve in the words of Allah say that this is all a fairy-tale, made up by a would-be prophet. But we know that Allah is the Truthful and that His Messenger spoke only what was revealed to from the Most Truthful.

Apart from the Qur’anic descriptions of Paradise, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), would often describe Paradise to his companions. His descriptions were often so vivid and moving, that many-a-companion would hurriedly rush towards it. This was the case, as Anas narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and his companions proceeded towards Badr and arrived there before the disbelievers of Makkah. When the disbelievers arrived, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “None of you should step forward ahead of me to do anything.” Then the disbelievers advanced towards us, and the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), said, “Rise to enter Paradise whose width is equal to the Heavens and the Earth.” Umayr Ibnul Humam al-Ansari (RA) asked, “O Messenger of Allah (PBUH) is Paradise equal in width to the heavens and the earth?” He said, “Yes.” Umayr said, “Bak’hin! Bak’hin!” (An Arabic word denoting excitement and astonishment) The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) asked him, “What made you say these words: Bak’hin, Bak’hin?” He said, “Messenger of Allah (PBUH), nothing but the desire to be amongst its residents.” He, said, “You are surely among its residents.” Umayr then took some dates from his bag and began to eat them. Then he said, “If I were to live until I had eaten all of the dates, indeed this life would be too long.” Anas then said, “He threw away the remaining dates he had with him. He then fought (the disbelievers) until he was killed.” (Muslim)

To earn Paradise we need to strive towards:

  • Protect our minds from thoughts, which are evil, because evil actions begin with evil thoughts.
  • Protect our eyes by lowering our gazes and not looking at forbidden things.
  • Protect our ears from lewd or evil speech where there is sin. We should also avoid listening to lies, gossip, music, slander, or blasphemy.
  • Protect our tongues by saying always what is correct and true, keeping it moist with the remembrance of Allah, and keeping away from backbiting and other evil speech.
  • Protect our stomachs by eating the Halal and keeping away from the Haram. We should beware of eating usury, carrion, and swine or drinking or taking drugs.
  • Protect our hands from taking what does not belong to us; or from doing harm to another Muslim.
  • Protect our legs from taking us to evil and corruption and the ultimate doom.
  • Protect our private parts from unlawful sexual intercourse.
  • Protect our wealth by not squandering it or holding on to it too tightly.
  • Protect our oaths, witnesses, and trusts by not breaching or breaking a contract or pledge knowingly. We should not exceed our agreements, testify to falsehood or break our trust.
  • Protect our families and children by keeping them away from the things that may be harmful and that may corrupt their minds and their souls.

Now, it is true that only Allah knows who the believers are, but that should not stop us from striving to be among their numbers. The believers will have eternal bliss and complete success, because of the things that they did in this life.

Allah says, “So no soul knows the delight of the eyes which is hidden for them; a reward for what they did.” (32:17)

We now stand at the start of the race, so let us run forward quickly to the finish line, where the gates of Paradise will be open for those who strive as they should. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH), said, “Paradise is surrounded by hardship and the Hellfire is surrounded by wishes and desires,” (Sahih al-Jami)

Despite this, Allah and His Messenger have left breadcrumbs along the path, for us to follow to make our journey easier. All roads may lead to Rome, but not all paths lead to Allah and His Paradise. We must plan our journey by using only the road map given to us by Allah and His Messenger.