Give Thanks To Me And To Your Parents
[ALLAH’S Quran – 31:14 ] “And (Allah says), “We have enjoined on every human being concerning his parents (to be good to them). His mother is worn and wasted in bearing him and it takes her two years to wean him. And give thanks to Me and to your parents. To Me shall be the (ultimate) return (of you all).”
The Prophet (pbuh) has said:
[Bukhari, Book #73, Hadith #1] “Narrated Al-Walid bin ‘Aizar: I heard Abi Amr ‘Ash-Shaibani saying, “The owner of this house.” he pointed to ‘Abdullah’s house, “said, ‘I asked the Prophet ‘Which deed is loved most by Allah?” He replied, ‘To offer prayers at their early (very first) stated times.’ ” ‘Abdullah asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” The Prophet said, “To be good and dutiful to one’s parents,” ‘Abdullah asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” The Prophet said, To participate in Jihad for Allah’s Cause.” ‘Abdullah added, “The Prophet narrated to me these three things, and if I had asked more, he would have told me more.”
[Muslim, Book #001, Hadith #0151] “It is narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullah b. Mas’ud that he observed. I asked the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) which deed was the best. He (the Holy Prophet) replied: Prayer at its appointed hour. I (again) said: Then what? He (the Holy Prophet) replied: Kindness to the parents. I (again) said: Then what? He replied: Earnest endeavour (Jihad) in the cause of Allah. And I would have not ceased asking more questions but out of regard (for his feelings).”
[Muslim, Book #001, Hadith#0158] “It is narrated on the authority of ‘Abdur-Rahman b. Abu Bakra that his father said: We were in the company of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) that he observed: Should I not inform you about the most grievous of the grave sins? (The Holy Prophet) repeated it three times, and then said: Associating anyone with Allah, disobedience to parents, false testimony or false utterance. The Holy Prophet was reclining, then he sat up, and he repeated it so many times that we wished that he should become silent.”
[Bukhari, Book #83, Hadith #9] “Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr: The Prophet said, “Al-Kaba’ir (the biggest sins) are: To join others (as partners) in worship with Allah, to be undutiful to one’s parents,” or said, “to take a false oath.” (The sub-narrator, Shu’ba is not sure) Mu’adh said: Shu’ba said, “Al-kaba’ir (the biggest sins) are: (1) Joining others as partners in worship with Allah, (2) to take a false oath (3) and to be undutiful to one’s parents,” or said, “to murder (someone unlawfully).”
[Sunan Abudawud, Book #8, Hadith #1448] “Narrated Mu’adh al-Juhani: The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: If anyone recites the Qur’an and acts according to its contents, on the Day of Judgment his parents will be given to wear a crown whose light is better than the light of the sun in the dwellings of this world if it were among you. So what do you think of him who acts according to his.”
[Sunan Abu Dawud, Book #41, Hadith #5123] “Narrated AbuUsayd Malik ibn Rabi’ah as-Sa’idi: While we were with the Apostle of Allah! (peace_be_upon_him) a man of Banu Salmah came to Him and said: Apostle of Allah is there any kindness left that I can do to my parents after their death? He replied: Yes, you can invoke blessings on them, forgiveness for them, carry out their final instructions after their death, join ties of relationship which are dependent on them, and honor their friends.”
Allah Hafiz.
Women Encouraging Good
AS an Ummah, it is our responsibility to not only do good and leave evil, but also to encourage and enjoin others to it. Allah said in the Qur’an:
“You are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.” (Qur’an, 3:110)
The status Allah gave Muslims is by virtue of: our acknowledgment of our Creator’s Lordship and His over us that we worship and obey Him alone; enjoining what is right; and forbidding what is wrong. If we lose these virtues, we lose the status. Enjoining good and forbidding evil is a noble deed, though regretfully it has acquired a negative image today.
The focus of this article is, however, on the role women can play in carrying out this duty. It should be known that this is everyone’s job and not restricted to men alone. In fact, women can do a great job in carrying out this religious duty.
As mothers, women are mostly responsible for the upbringing of children. This is where enjoining of good and forbidding of evil starts. Children are normally closer to their mothers, who have a great influence in what children grow up to be.
By virtue of motherhood, women are probably the greatest contributors to the society and the economy. Great mothers not only provide leaders for the next generation but also virtuous intellectuals brought up on strong Islamic principles.
Apart from motherhood, there are several examples of how women in the past carried out this duty. Mother of the believers, Ayesha, ordered her brother, Abdur Rahman Bin Abu Bakr, to correctly make Wudhu (Sahih Muslim, no. 240)
Maymunah threatened one of her male relatives who smelt of alcohol that she would boycott him unless he undertook the Islamic punishment for drinking alcohol (At-Tabaqat Al-Kubra)
when Umm Salamah saw some women turning away beggars, she rebuked them and asked them to give something to the beggars, even if a date. The point to note is that these great women did not hesitate in commanding good and forbidding evil.
Women can forbid evil and enjoin good in their homes, places of work, mosques, and schools. In the past, old women’s advice was rarely ignored unless it was incorrect. According to a narration in Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz As-Sahaba (8/121), an old woman known as Samra Bint Nuhayk Al-Asadiyyah would go to the markets and carry out this as a religious duty (it should be noted that this narration does not have a full chain of narrators).
Elderly people were earlier respected and honored. Imagine the reaction an old woman will get today if she advises a young girl not to throw away food or comments on her dress in a shopping mall! I think we all know the answer.
Conditioning the youth towards good is a pressing need in our times. But it should be done with wisdom and beautiful preaching. Our goal should be to bring them onboard, not to push them overboard. Kind words, patience and positive attitude is the key. How often, just because of our attitude we push people away from good.
More important than attitude is knowledge. One has to know what is right and what is wrong before she tries to propagate it. It may be possible that what one was considering something to be good or bad was in fact influenced from her country’s culture. Learning Islam precedes practicing. Knowledge comes before action.
Last, but definitely not the least, is we must make sure our intention is sincere for the sake of Allah. Worldly motives, prejudice, and desires should stay out of any religious duty. Our worship and good deeds will not be accepted by Allah unless it is for His sake alone.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) has mentioned the importance of this duty in the following Hadith: “By the One in Whose hands is my soul, you have to enjoin right and forbid wrong, otherwise Allah will be about to send upon you a punishment from Him, then you would pray to Him but He would not answer you.” (Al-Tirmidhi)
Tilawat-e-Quran
Sun Traverses Path Appointed By Allah, The Exalted
[ALLAH’S Quran – 36:38 ] “And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed). That is the Decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.”
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said:
[Muslim, Book #001, Hadith #0297] “It is narrated on the authority of Abu Dharr that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) one day said: Do you know where the sun goes? They replied: Allah and His Apostle know best. He (the Holy Prophet) observed: Verily it (the sun) glides till it reaches its resting place under the Throne. Then it falls prostrate and remains there until it is asked: Rise up and go to the place whence you came, and it goes back and continues emerging out from its rising place and then glides till it reaches its place of rest under the Throne and falls prostrate and remains in that state until it is asked: Rise up and return to the place whence you came, and it returns and emerges out from it rising place and the it glides (in such a normal way) that the people do not discern anything ( unusual in it) till it reaches its resting place under the Throne. Then it would be said to it: Rise up and emerge out from the place of your setting, and it will rise from the place of its setting. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said. Do you know when it would happen? It would happen at the time when faith will not benefit one who has not previously believed or has derived no good from the faith.”
When The Lord Punishes
Allah is the Most Merciful. It is out of His Mercy that He feeds us, provides us and gives us everything we ask for, despite our disobedience to His Commands.
But why does He punish, few may ask. We must know that just as Mercy is Allah’s attribute and Ar-Rahman and Ar-Raheem are His Beautiful Names, so is Justice His attribute and Al-Adl His Beautiful Name. Allah is the Most Just and He is the Judge.
He punishes His slaves – and He has full right to and He cannot be questioned regarding it – because of their own sins and rejection of Allah’s commandments and blessings. Moreover, He is never unjust or incorrect. He is the Most Perfect and everything He does is without a doubt correct. So, when He punishes He is carrying out justice.
Allah created us to worship Him. He created our life as a test to see who among us are best in deeds. He sent down guidance for us. He told us what is right and what is wrong.
He sent Prophets and Messengers to remind humankind whenever they went astray from the straight path. He revealed to us through Messengers about Himself. He sent enough evidences for humankind to believe in His message and submit to His worship, which are also for our own benefit because Allah is not in need of our worship. It is only we who stand in need of Allah.
Allah promised to reward us from 10 to 700 times more for every good deed we do. Allah answers our prayer when we call Him in distress and need. He removes us out of every difficulty.
Despite all of His countless blessings and favors, if man rejects Allah, refuses to follow the guidance though it is clear to him, and persists on the evil path, then Allah reminds the slave through a series of tests and trials that would surely evoke his inner conscience. When man still does not take heed, then Allah punishes him.
The way Allah measures a person’s evil is also reflective of His mercy. Indeed if He were to punish us for the disobedience and errors we do, though we are slaves to the King of all kings, He would not leave a soul on earth. All would be punished and destroyed. It is out His mercy that a sin is recorded as just one evil deed, while a good deed is recorded with a minimum reward of 10 times that deed.
Moreover, He wipes out that evil deed when we turn in repentance to Him. If we change ourselves and do good deeds, He out His infinite Mercy writes that evil deed down as a good deed for us. Nothing can be compared at all with His Mercy.
Furthermore, He does not punish any slave who has not received the message of Islam. Those who did not receive the message, will be tested on the Day of Judgment, as narrated in an authentic Hadith.
In the end, we must never forget who we are and who Allah is. Allah is our Master and He is All-Powerful. He does what He wishes and there is none who can question Him. But He will most certainly question us – our actions and our deeds.
There is no excuse for human beings. And we hope Allah forgives us and has mercy on us and does not make us among those who are punished. Ameen.
Allah Ki Bargah Mein Shifaat
Journey of Faith
Look up again.
Behold the Moon ? the Beacon of the Night sky.
Much much smaller than the Sun.
Much much nearer to us than the Sun.
Yet placed in the sky so magically, that it appears to the eye, almost the equal size of the Sun.
Have you ever wondered whose Hands had placed the Moon there, perfectly positioned, neither suspended nor supported.
Subhanallah (Glory be to Allah!), the Master creator and the perfect in Judgement.
The moon is a dark desolate place, giving out no light of its own. It merely reflects the light of the Glorious resplendent Sun. Facts that all of us surely know. But have you sought the deeper meaning behind these mysterious creations of Allah?
Why do you not think? [al-qur’an]
Man is Allah’s creation, created in His own image.
From man emerges intelligence, beauty, strength and understanding, and other Glorious Resplendent Sifat of Allah.
Like the moon that merely reflects the Sun’s glory, Man simply reflects Allah’s greatness and Oneness. Not man’s own abilities!
Some Special Things To Do For Friday Prayer
“O Believers, when the call is proclaimed for the prayer on Friday, come to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business, that is better for you if you but did know.” (Qur’an, 62:9)
Purifying and cleaning
The person intending to perform the Friday prayer is greatly encouraged to perform Ghusl (full bath or shower). The majority of the scholars are of the opinion that the Ghusl for the Friday prayer is recommended (Sunnah) and not obligatory. It can be performed starting from the time of Fajr Prayer. Also, if a person performs Ghusl and then later invalidates his Wudhu (ablution), he need not repeat the Ghusl. Doing Wudhu is sufficient. Furthermore, one Ghusl is enough for both Janabah (sexual impurity) and the Friday prayer.
Going early to the Masjid
There is a great reward in going early to the Friday prayer, beginning after sunrise. By leaving early, one gets the reward of waiting for the Prayer, making Dhikr (remembering Allah) and offering voluntary prayers during that time. Abu Umamah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “The angels sit at the doors to the Masjids and with them are scrolls in which they record the people (who come). When the Imam appears, the scrolls are rolled up.” Abu Umamah was asked, “Does the one who comes after the Imam still have a Friday Prayer?” he said, “Certainly, but he is not one of those who is recorded (as coming early).” (Ahmad and Al-Tabarani)
Dressing well
This is a special time that requires Muslims to appear in the best manner possible. One should therefore put on his best attire for the Friday prayer.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “If one has the means, he should buy two pieces of clothing, other than his work clothes or (everyday clothing), to wear on Friday.” (Abu Dawood)
Performing Tahiyyat
If a person comes late to the Friday Prayer while the Imam is delivering the Khutbah, should he pray the two Rak’ah of Tahiyyat Al-Masjid (prayer of greeting the mosque) and then sit or should he simply skip them? The strongest opinion is to perform the Tahiyyat Al-Masjid based on the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him): “If one of you comes to the Masjid, he should pray two Rak’ah before he sits.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) However, Tahiyyat Al-Masjid is not required of the person giving the Khutbah. Also, this requirement is limited only to prayers offered in a Masjid.
Other etiquette
1. Walking to the Masjid whenever feasible as there is a reward for every step taken to the Masjid.
2. Avoiding stepping over people to get to a particular spot in the Masjid.
3. Avoiding dividing two people who are sitting together.
4. Not making someone stand and taking his place.
5. Not clasping one’s hands and intertwining one’s fingers while waiting for the prayer.
6. Sitting in the front row and close to the Imam whenever possible.
7. Remaining quiet while the Imam is delivering the Khutbah. This actually includes listening to the Imam and not engaging with anything else while the Imam is speaking.
8. Going to the Masjid in a state of calmness and not being in a hurry.
9. Reciting Surah Al-Kahf, as an authentic Hadith states: “For whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, it will be a light for him from that Friday to the next.” (Al-Bayhaqi and Al-Hakim) The Surah could be read any time of the day.
Indeed, the Friday prayer is one of the most important acts of worship in Islam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) has described the wonderful blessings and benefits that Allah has vouchsafed for Muslims through this meritorious act.
Knowing how important this prayer is in Allah’s sight, Muslims must do their best to perform it in the best way possible. They should strive and sacrifice for the sake of this Prayer.
– AlJumuah magazine
Safai Ki Ahmiyat
