The Virtues And Blessings of Reciting Durood Upon Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)
All praise is due to Allah Ta’ala. May the choicest durood (salutations) and salaam (peace) descend upon the noblest of Ambiyaa and Rasuls, our master and leader Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and upon his blessed household and all his illustrious companions.
It is the belief of every believer that those who enjoy the highest rank after Allah Ta’ala are the Ambiyaa (may Allah Ta’ala’s choicest blessings rain upon them), and from among the galaxy of Ambiyaa, the highest in rank and status is Hadhrat Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Not only was Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) sent to this ummah as the final messenger of Allah Ta’ala and the seal of prophethood, but he was also the leader of all the Ambiyaa and Rasuls of the past. The nubuwwat of every Rasul and Nabi of the past was subject to accepting Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) as his leader and pledging to support his cause if Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) appeared in his era.
The love that Allah Ta’ala expressed for Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), which can be easily gauged from the style of address in the Holy Qur’an , is unique and exclusive to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). The honor conferred to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) by Allah Ta’ala on the occasion of Me’raj was an honour not enjoyed by any other Messenger of the past. Furthermore, when Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) will be ushered into the court of Allah Ta’ala on the day of Qiyaamah to the esteemed pedestal of maqaam mahmood to intercede for the entire humanity, his distinct position will be envied by all the Ambiyaa and Rasuls and their nations.
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)’s blessings and virtues are so immense and incredible that it is impossible for anyone to enumerate. Suffice to say that he will be the leader of the entire creation of Allah Ta’ala on the day of Qiyamah .
Hadhrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that a group of Sahaabah were once sitting (in Musjid Nabawi) when Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) emerged (from his home) and came towards them. As he drew closer, he heard them discussing amongst themselves. One of them said, “Indeed Allah Ta’ala chose Hadhrat Ebrahim (Alaihi Salaam) as his khaleel (special friend).” Another said, “Hadhrat Moosa (Alaihi Salaam) had the honor of conversing directly with Allah Ta’ala. A third said, “Hadhrat Isa (Alaihi Salaam) is the kalima and rooh of Allah Ta’ala (i.e. he was born with the command of Allah Ta’ala and the rooh was directly inserted into the womb without the medium of a father.) A fourth said, “Allah Ta’ala had divinely selected and chosen Hadhrat Aadam (Alaihi Salaam) (to be the father of mankind).
Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then entered their gathering and addressed them saying, “I have overheard your discussion and (I have noticed) your surprise with regard to the esteemed status and lofty positions of the past Ambiyaa. Certainly, Hadhrat Ebrahim (Alaihi Salaam) is the khaleel of Allah Ta’ala, and there is no doubt in that. Hadhrat Moosa (Alaihi Salaam) had the honor of conversing directly with Allah Ta’ala- this is an established fact. Hadhrat Isa (Alaihi Salaam) is the kalima and rooh of Allah Ta’ala, and this is certainly true. And Hadhrat Aadam (Alaihi Salaam) has been divinely selected by Allah Ta’ala, and undoubtedly he was such. Behold, I am the habeeb (beloved) of Allah Ta’ala and I proclaim it without pride. I will be the bearer of the banner of praise on the day of Qiyaamah, behind which will be Hadhrat Aadam and all those who came after him. I proclaim this without any pride. I will be the first to intercede and the first whose intercession will be accepted on the day of Qiyaamah, and I proclaim this without pride. I will be the first to shake the chain of the door of Jannah. Thereafter Allah Ta’ala will command that the door be opened for me and I be made to enter, while with me will be the poor believers, and I proclaim this without pride. I am the noblest of all the former and latter to Allah Ta’ala, and I say this without pride.
Undoubtedly, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is the greatest and pinnacle of Allah Ta’ala’s creation. It is the greatest honour for every ummati of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) to be linked to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), the Imaam of all the Ambiyaa of Allah Ta’ala. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is the source of hidaayat (guidance) for humanity at large, for it was none other than Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) who was chosen to show us the path of guidance, through which we can earn eternal bliss and salvation. The ability of worshipping and recognizing Allah Ta’ala correctly, and simultaneously fulfilling the rights of fellow humans, also depend entirely upon emulating the teachings of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
Apart from this, when we study the mubaarak life of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), we realize the intense love that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) possessed, not only for his family and Sahaabah, but for every ummati till the day of Qiyaamah. The perpetual concern and overwhelming anxiety that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had for every ummati is inconceivable and unimaginable. In short, his deep love, unwaning concern and unabating worry for every ummati propelled him to patiently bear the manifold atrocities and immense difficulties that had befallen him in the path of propagating Deen which even the most caring and loving mother would not undergo for her one and only child. The three years of boycott in the valley of Abu Taalib, his mubaarak shoes being filled with blood at Ta’if, the blood oozing from his mubaarak face at Uhud etc., is only a glimpse of what he sacrificed for the Ummah, to such an extent that Allah Ta’ala pitied him and addressed him in the Holy Quran:
Perhaps, [O Muhammad], you would kill yourself with grief that they will not be believers.
Certainly a Messenger from amongst yourselves has come to you. It grieves him that you should face difficulty and hardship: ardently anxious is he over your hidaayat, to the Believers is he most compassionate and merciful.
Thus, when Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is essentially the source of all good in this world, and the ticket to enter Paradise, one can well imagine that being his followers what rights he has over us and how much we are indebted to him.
Amongst the rights that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) possesses over us, is that we obey him in all that he has commanded, we lead a life in conformity to his mubaarak lifestyle, and we continuously recite durood and salaam upon him as we are instructed by Allah Ta’ala in the Holy Qur’an:
Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). O you who believe! Send durood and salaam upon him.
However, on account of our busy schedules and being so preoccupied with commitments and the mundane activities, we have drifted far away from Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and lost track of our main objectives and priorities in life. In view of the present situation, the need was felt to once again rekindle the love of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) within our hearts, thereby being able to understand the way to follow his mubaarak sunnah and reach Allah Ta’ala.
We make Duaa to Allah Ta’ala that he accept this humble effort and makes it a means of us being blessed with the intercession of Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) on the day of Qiyaamah, and being in his mubaarak company.
Hadith Affecting The Emotions
Protecting one’s tongue from evil-talk
Hadith 8.481 Narrated by Sahl bin Sad (Radhiallah hu Taala anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, ” Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw-bones and what is between his two legs (i.e. his tongue and his private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him. ”
Hadith 8.482 Narrated by Abu Huraira (Radhiallah hu Taala anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, ” Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet, and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not hurt (or insult) his neighbor; and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should entertain his guest generously .”
Hadith 8.483 Narrated by Abu Shuraih Al Khuzai (Radhiallah hu Taala anhu)
My ears heard and my heart grasped (the statement which) the Prophet said, ” The period for keeping one’s guest is three days (and don’t forget) his reward.” It was asked, “What is his reward? ” He said, “In the first night and the day he should be given a high class quality of meals; and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should entertain his guest generously; and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good (sense) or keep quiet. ”
Hadith 8.484 Narrated by Abu Huraira (Radhiallah hu Taala anhu)
That he heard Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) saying, ” A slave of Allah may utter a word without thinking whether it is right or wrong, he may slip down in the Fire as far away a distance equal to that between the east.”
Hadith 8.485 Narrated by Abu Huraira (Radhiallah hu Taala anhu)
The Prophet; said, ” A slave (of Allah) may utter a word which pleases Allah without giving it much importance, and because of that Allah will raise him to degrees (of reward): a slave (of Allah) may utter a word (carelessly) which displeases Allah without thinking of its gravity and because of that he will be thrown into the Hell-Fire. “
Jannat Mein Mujahideen Kay Darajaat
Allah’s Unalterable Decree
[ALLAH’S Quran – 2:39] “but those who are bent on denying the truth and giving the lie to Our Messages – they are destined for the fire, and therein shall they abide.”
PROPHET (Peace Be Upon Him) has said:
[Bukhari, Book #92, Hadith #384] “Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “All my followers will enter paradise except those who refuse.” They said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Who will refuse?” He said, “Whoever obeys me will enter paradise, and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter it).”
The Awakening Of Umar Bin Al-Khattab
Umar was 27 when the Prophet (peace be upon him) began his mission. Young Omar was one of those who did not care to listen to the message of Islam. He was leading the old way of life. As years went by, Islam made slow headway. This made Omar angry. He wondered how people who once went over to Islam never went back to their old faith. One of Omar’s own maid-servants became a Muslim. He beat her as much as he could, but she would not give up the new faith.
At last in the sixth year of the Prophet’s mission, a number of Muslims left for Abyssinia. This made Umar boil with rage. “Here is a man,” he thought to himself “who has split the people. People lived smoothly enough. He appeared on the scene. He has torn son from father and brother from brother. Now his followers are running away to another land. Surely Muhammad is the cause of all trouble. I must slay him and put an end to the trouble.”
With this resolve, Omar drew his sword and set out to kill the Prophet (peace be upon him). On the way, he met a friend who asked him why he looked so upset. Omar told him what he was going to do. “You better take care of your own kin first,” said the friend, “Your sister and her husband have gone over to Islam.”
These words changed the direction of Omar’s anger. He went straight to the house of his sister, Fatima. He knocked at the door. Someone was reciting the Qur’an inside. Fatima was terrified when she heard Omar’s voice. She hid the portion of the Qur’an she was reading and opened the door.
“What was it that you were reciting just now?” Omar demanded.
“Oh nothing,” said the sister.
“Why nothing?” he shouted in rage. “I have heard it. I know you both have accepted Muhammad’s faith.” Saying this, he began to beat his brother-in-law, Saeed. Fatima ran to his help and got a blow to the head. The head began to bleed. This made the couple gather courage. “Yes, we have become Muslims,” they shouted at Omar. “Do what you will.” The sight of the bleeding sister deeply moved Omar. Fatima was such a loving sister! Surely there must be some great truth in the Qur’an which had won her innocent heart. “Would you let me have a look at the Qur’an?” said Omar.
Fatima handed him the few pages of the book she had.
Omar sat down to study the pages. Soon his face changed. His anger cooled down. The fear of Allah gripped his heart. He wept and declared, “Surely this is the word of Allah.”
Omar was again on his way to the place of the Prophet (peace be upon him). But he was a changed man. He was not going to slay him but to embrace his faith.
The Noble Prophet was sitting in the company of some men. He saw Omar coming and asked, “Omar , what brings you here?”
“O Prophet of Allah!” replied Omar, “I have come to embrace Islam.” Great was the joy of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) and his followers. Loud shouts of “Allah is the Greatest” rented the air of Makkah.
Soon everyone knew that Omar was no longer an enemy of Islam. It was a great day for Islam because one of its bitterest enemies had become its staunch follower.
Jihad Ka Sawab
Eating And Drinking With The Right Hand, And The Prohibition Of Eating With The Left Hand
We have hitherto come across the Prophets words to Umar Ibn Abee Salamah (ra), O young boy, mention Allah’s name, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is next to you. In another Hadeeth, Jaabir Ibn Abdullah (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (saas) said:
Do not eat with the left (hand), for indeed Shaitaan eats with the left (hand). 1
And in yet another Hadeeth, Umar (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (swt) said,
When one of you eats, then let him eat with his right (hand) and if he drinks, then let him drink with his right (hand), for verily, Shaitaan eats with his left (hand) and drinks with his left (hand)2
Commenting on the ruling expressed in these narrations, Ibn Al-Jawzee said, Since ones left hand is made for Al-Istinjaa (using a rock, or the equivalent today of tissue paper, to clean the affected area after one relieves himself) and for touching impurities, and since ones right hand is for handling food, it is not appropriate for one hand to do the work of the other. By using one hand for a task that is specific to the other hand, one either debases something (the right hand) of high ranking or raises something (the left hand) of low ranking. And whosoever acts contrary to the dictates of (this) wisdom acts in concord with shaitaan.
Even though the above-mentioned Ahadeeth are famous to the degree that almost every single Muslim knows at least one of them – or at least knows its ruling – some Muslims (may Allah guide them) continue to eat with their left hands. And if you were to remind one of them, he might say something along the lines of, Eating with my left hand has become a habit, and I feel that it will be hard to break. Shaitaan makes such reasoning seem pleasing to their hearts, in order to prevent them from following the shariah. That one persists in eating with his left hand even after he is reminded not to proves that Eemaan (faith) in deficient in his heart. Worse and more evil is one who refuses to eat with his right hand not because of the excuse just mentioned, but because of his pride and arrogance. Salamah Ibn Al-Akwa (ra) reported that, in the company of the Messenger of Allah (saas), A man was eating with his left hand, and so the Prophet (saas) said,
Eat with your right (hand).
He said, I am not able to. The prophet (saas) answered,
May you not be ble to. Nothing prevented him other than pride, and so he (never later) lifted it to his mouth (i.e., the mans right hand became paralyzed) 3
And this wording is from Ahmads narration of the Hadeeth: His right hand never thereafter reached his mouth. An-Nawawee said, The Hadeeth shows that it is permissible to supplicate against a person who, without having an excuse, acts contrary to a ruling of the shariah. It also shows that we should order to good and forbid evil in all situations, even when it comes to eating. And finally, we learn from the Hadeeth that it is recommended to teach the manners of eating to a person when he violates one (or more) of them.
Related Issue : If one has a valid excuse – such as sickness, a recent surgery, etc. – for not eating with his right hand, then it is okay for him to eat with his left hand. And Allah (swt) does not charge a person with more than he can bear.
1) Relate by Muslim (2019), Ahmad (14177), Ibn Maajah (3268), and Maalik (1711). And the wording mentioned above is from Muslims narration of the Hadeeth.
2) Related by Muslim (2019), Ahmad (4523), At-Tirmidhee (1800), Abu Daawood (3776), Maalik (1712), and Ad-Daarimee (2030)
3) Related by Muslim (2021) and Ahmad (16064).
Kis Baat Ka Intezar
Husband And Wife: Mutual Rights And Obligations
In Islam the marriage of a man and a woman is not just a financial and physical arrangement of living together but a sacred contract, a gift of God, to lead a happy, enjoyable life and continue the lineage. The main goal of marriage in Islam is the realization of tranquility and compassions between the spouses. For the attainment of this supreme goal, Islam defines certain duties and rights for the husband and wife.
Piety is the basis of choosing the life partner. Several statements of Holy Qur’an and Sunnah prescribe kindness and equity, compassion and love, sympathy and consideration, patience and goodwill. The Prophet (peace be upon him), says: “The best Muslim is the one who is best to his family.” Also, he says, “… and the most blessed joy in life is a good, righteous wife.” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi)
The role of the husband revolves around the moral principle that it is his solemn duty to Allah to treat his wife with kindness, honor, and patience; to keep her honorably or free her from the marital bond honorably; and to cause her no harm or grief. Allah Almighty says : “…and live with them honorably. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing through which Allah brings a good deal of good.” (4:19)
The role of the wife is summarized in the verse that women have rights even as they have duties, according to what is equitable; but men have a degree over them. Allah Almighty says, “And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect) to what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” (2:228)
This degree is usually interpreted by Muslim scholars in conjunction with another passage which states, among other things, that men are trustees, guardians, and protectors of women because Allah has made some of them excel others and because men expend of their means. Allah Almighty says: “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient and guard in their husband’s absence what Allah orders them to guard. As to those women on whose part you see ill condct, admonish them (first), (next) refuse to share their beds (and last) and beat them (lightly, if it is useful). But if they obey you, seek not against them means (of annoyance). Surely, Allah is ever Most High, Most Great.” (4:34)
Since the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah have commanded kindness to women, it is the husband’s duty to: consort with his wife in an equitable and kind manner; have responsibility for the full maintenance of wife, a duty which he must discharge cheerfully, without reproach, injury, or condescendence. Allah Almighty says: “Let the rich man spend according to his means; and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him. Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him. Allah will grant after hardship, ease. (65:7)
Components of maintenance:
Maintenance entails the wife’s incontestable right to lodging, clothing, nourishing, and general care and well-being.
The wife’s residence must be adequate so as to provide her with the reasonable level of privacy, comfort, and independence. The welfare of the wife and the stability of the marriage should be the ultimate goal.
What is true of the residence is true of clothing, food, and general care. The wife has the right to be clothed, fed, and cared for by the husband, in accordance with his means and her style of living. These rights are to be exercised without extravagance or miserliness.
Non-material rights:
A husband is commanded by the law of God to treat his wife with equity; respect her feelings, and to show her kindness and consideration.
The husband is also commanded not to show his wife any aversion or to subject her to suspense or uncertainty. He should not keep his wife with the intention of inflicting harm on her or hindering her freedom.
Let her demand freedom from the marital bond, if he has no love or sympathy for her.
Wife’s obligations:
The main obligation of the wife as a partner in a marital relationship is to contribute to the success and blissfulness of the marriage as much as possible. She must be attentive to the comfort and well being of her mate. She may neither offend him nor hurt his feelings. Perhaps nothing can illustrate the point better than the Qur’anic statement which describes the righteous people as those who pray saying: “… Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders of the Muttaqun (the pious).” (25:74)
This is the basis on which all the wife’s obligations rest and from which they flow. To fulfill this basic obligation, a wife must be faithful, trustworthy, and honest. She must not deceive her mate by deliberately avoiding conception lest it deprives him of legitimate progeny. She must not allow any other person to have access to that which is exclusively the husband’s right, i.e. sexual intimacy. She must not receive anyone in his home whom the husband does not like. She may not accept their gifts without his approval. This is probably meant to avoid jealousy, suspicion, gossip, etc., and also to maintain the integrity of all parties concerned.
The husband’s possessions are her trust. If she has access to any portion thereof, or if she is entrusted with any fund, she must discharge her duty wisely and thriftily. She may not lend or dispose of any of his belongings without his permission.
With respect to intimacy, the wife is to make herself desirable, to be attractive, responsive, and cooperative.
A wife may not deny herself to her husband; due consideration is, of course, given to health and decency.
Moreover, the wife is not permitted to do anything that may render her companionship less desirable or less gratifying. If she neglects herself, the husband has the right to interfere with her freedom to rectify the situation and ensure maximum self-fulfillment for both partners. She is not permitted to do anything on his part that may impede her gratification.