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Hajj And Tawheed

Allah, the Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an, “And whoever respects the signs of Allah, this surely is (the outcome) of the piety of hearts.” (22:32)

Respecting the signs of Allah means inculcating Tawheed in each and every act of worship in its full magnitude, so that one may gain Taqwa. It is now the blessed season of Hajj, when people travel long distances to perform this noble task. Therefore it is up to the person that this act becomes an act of worship and not just a tiring journey, with no spiritual benefits. This act must coincide with the divine saying of our God “The pilgrimage is (performed in) the well-known months; so whoever determines the performance of the pilgrimage therein, there shall be no intercourse nor fornication nor quarreling amongst one another; and whatever good you do, Allah knows it; and make provision, for surely the provision is the guarding of oneself, and be careful (of your duty) to Me, O men of understanding.” (2:197)

One must undertake this journey to gain the tremendous reward mentioned in the following Hadith..

“He who came to this House (the Ka’bah) (with the intention in performing Hajj) without speaking or committing indecencies, would return (free from sin) as on the day his mother bore him.”  (Muslim, 2/3129)

This is the one chance for a person to display before Allah, his humility in the utmost sense in words, action and appearance. This is the main purpose of his creation. Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful says in the Qu’ran : “And I have not created the jinn and the men except that they should worship Me.” (51:56) Here worship means showing humility or being humble.

Before commencing the journey one must do some brain-storming. Like one must ask themselves, what are the internal per-requisites one must instill before saying, “ Here I come O! Allah”? Is our Hajj in accordance to the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him)? Does it fulfill the demands of Tawheed? What is the connection of ‘Laailaha Illallah’ and the Talbiya which one repeats over and over again in Hajj?

The Method of Slaughtering Animal

1. The method of slaughtering an animal is that the animal should be placed on the ground with the face towards the qiblah. The person should take a sharp knife, recite Bismillahi Allahu Akbar and cut the neck of the animal in such a manner that four veins (or passage ways) are cut off. They are: the air passage, the gullet, and the two jugular veins which are on either side of the gullet and the air passage. If only three out of these four are cut, the slaughter will be valid and the animal will be halaal. If only two of the four are cut, the animal will be considered to be dead and it will not be permissible to consume the meat of such an animal.

2. At the time of slaughtering the person intentionally did not take the name of Allah Ta’ala. The animal will be considered to be dead and it will be haraam to consume it. But if a person forgets to take the name of Allah Ta’ala, the animal will be halaal.

3. It is makruh to slaughter an animal with a blunt knife as this causes much suffering to the animal. It is also makruh to begin skinning, cutting, and breaking the hands and feet of the animal before it can become cold (meaning, before it can become lifeless). Similarly, it is makruh to continue cutting the animal’s neck after having cut the four passageways.

4. At the time of slaughtering a fowl, its entire neck got cut off. It is permissible to eat such a fowl, and not makruh. However, it is makruh to slaughter the fowl in such a manner, although consuming it is not makruh.

5. Slaughtering of an animal by a Muslim is permissible under any condition. This is irrespective of whether the Muslim is a male, a female, in a state of purity or in a state of impurity. In all conditions, an animal slaughtered by a Muslim is halaal. An animal slaughtered by a non-Muslim is haraam.

Do Not Shed Blood Of Muslims

Narrated by Abdullah (Radhiallaho anho): Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The blood of a Muslim who confesses that none has the right to be worshiped but Allah and that I am His Apostle, cannot be shed except in three cases: In Qisas for murder, a married person who commits illegal sexual intercourse and the one who reverts from Islam (apostate) and leaves the Muslims.“ Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol. 9 : No. 17

Killing an innocent non-Muslim under Muslim protection
Narrated by Abdullah bin Amr (Radhiallaho anho): Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam)said, “Whoever killed a Mu’ahid (a person who is granted the pledge of protection by the Muslims) shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise though its fragrance can be smelt at a distance of forty years (of traveling).” Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol. 9 : No. 49

Muslim Shahada

[ALLAH’S Quran – 49:15] “Indeed, true believers are those who have solemnly believed in Allah and His Messenger…..”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said :
[Muslim, Book #001, Hadith #0043] “It is narrated on the authority of Ubadah b. Samit that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed: He who said:” There is no god but Allah, He is One and There is no associate with Him, that Muhammad is his servant and His Messenger, that Christ is servant and the son of His slave-girl and he (Christ) His word which He communicated to Mary and is His Spirit, that Paradise is a fact and Hell is a fact, “Allah would make him (he who affirms these truths enter Paradise through any one of its eight doors which he would like.”

[Muslim, Book #001, Hadith #0045] “It is narrated on the authority of Sunabihi……………. I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) say: He who testifies that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, Allah would prohibit the fire of hell for him.”

[Muslim, Book #001, Hadith #0051] “It is reported on the authority of Anas b. Malik that the Prophet of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) addressed Mu’adh b. Jabal as he was riding behind him to which he replied: At thy beck and call, and at thy pleasure, Messenger of Allah. He again called out: Mu’adh, to which he (again) replied: At thy beck and call, and at thy pleasure. He (the Holy Prophet) addressed him (again): Mu’adh, to which he replied: At thy beck and call, and at thy pleasure, Messenger of Allah. Upon this, he (the Holy Prophet) observed: If anyone testifies (sincerely from his heart) that There is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is His bondsman and His Messenger, Allah immuned him from Hell.”

[Bukhari, Book #55, Hadith #644] “Narrated ‘Ubada: The Prophet said, “If anyone testifies that None has the right to be worshiped but Allah Alone Who has no partners, and that Muhammad is His Slave and His Apostle, and that Jesus is Allah’s Slave and His Apostle and His Word which He bestowed on Mary and a Spirit created by Him, and that Paradise is true, and Hell is true, Allah will admit him into Paradise with the deeds which he had done even if those deeds were few.” (Junada, the sub-narrator said, ” ‘Ubada added, ‘Such a person can enter Paradise through any of its eight gates he likes.“)

Concept Of Friendship In Islam

Humans are social creatures by nature; they’re always in need of friends and companions. Most of our lives depend on interaction with others. Strong individuals are the core of a strong community, something that Muslims should always strive for.

We all know that Allah the Most High has brought us to life in order to test us. Thus we are here for a relatively short period of time and we shall meet Allah one Day, so we need to use our present life for what is best for us in the hereafter.

Once we know our purpose and our goal in life, we should seek ways to achieve them so as to benefit our own selves.

In an authentic Hadith, Prophet Mohammad (Sall’Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look whom you befriend.”

Prophet Mohammad (Sall’Allahu alaihi wasallam) who has the noblest character and dealings with fellow humans gave us a very clear and simple message and advice in regard to friendship.

How should we choose our friends?
We should choose a friend that believes and abide by our religion (Islam) and gives great respect to what Allah and Prophet Mohammad (Sall’Allahu alaihi wasallam) has ordered us. And we should stay away from that who is not well mannered and gives no attention to what Islam is about or what pleases or displeases Allah, for he’ll surely affect us negatively.

There is no good in the companion that drowns us in sins and displeases Allah. The bases for the actions of those who follow the evil ways are corrupt; their actions are built upon misguidance and deviation. Their deeds are worthless to them as Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta`ala) says: “And We will proceed to what they have done of deeds, so We shall render them to scattered floating dust.” Qur’an (25:23)

Their actions, even if we see them as righteous and noble are of no value to them, so how can they be useful to us? Good friends are those who share their companions both their happiness and sadness.

If we share our feelings with the wrong-doers whose actions are worthless and based on corruption, then we are following the same ways and standards as they are, and we’ll end up being as corrupted as they are, and then we’re in big trouble, how can we face Allah’s dissatisfaction and displeasure?

Instead of making friends with the misguided ones we should befriend the righteous, yet treat the rest in a gracious and just manner. Staying at a sufficient distance is necessary; yet treating everybody in a noble and kind manner is required. In another Hadith, Prophet Mohammad (Sall’Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk, and the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows. So as for the seller of musk then either he will grant you some, or you buy some from him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows then either he will burn your clothes or you will get an offensive smell from him.”

When choosing our friends we should ask ourselves first: Are they going to help us achieve the purpose for which we were brought to life? or will they take us away from it? Will they desire for us Allah’s pleasure or is that completely irrelevant to them and not their concern at all? Are they leading us to Paradise or to Hell?

Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta`ala) says in Noble Qur’an: “O you who believe! Take care of your own selves. If you follow the right guidance and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong no hurt can come to you from those who are in error. The return of you all is to Allah, then He will inform you about (all) that which you used to do.” (The Noble Qur’an- 5:105)

The Mindset Of A Believer

Hazrat Thaanwi (Rahmatullahi Alayh) mentioned: The spirit one needs to constantly have is how can one be of service to the creation and how can one’s actions be a means of preserving Deen. We should not do things to earn popularity among people. As far as popularity is concerned, we should hope and desire that people do not even come to know of our good works carried out during our lifetime, and nor should the people speak of our good deeds after our demise. (Malfoozaat-e-Hakeemul Ummat 10/19)

This Worldly Life is like a Dream
Hazrat Shaikh, Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Saheb (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) while explaining the reality of this worldly life mentioned:

“This worldly life can be likened to a person who finds himself in an air-conditioned room being massaged by many servants while others are at his beck and call anxiously waiting to serve him. Suddenly his eyes open and he realizes that what he was visualizing was nothing but a dream and in reality, he is in a prison cell stuck behind bars. On the other hand, another person sees himself in a dream while being severely beaten and lashed, undergoing difficulty upon difficulty. When his eyes open, he sees himself safe and sound and realizes that all the pain and suffering was nothing but a dream. He feels relieved and is grateful to Allah Ta’ala that what he was going through was just a dream and not a reality. Hazrat Shaikh then mentioned to those present in the gathering:  Respected friends! This world is identical to a dream. When a person opens his eyes (i.e. the eyes of the Hereafter), then only will he realize in which condition he truly is.  In the Hereafter when those that lived a comfortable life in the world will see the immense rewards in store for all those servants of Allah Ta’ala who bore afflictions and underwent difficulties in this world, they will desire that if only their bodies were cut with scissors in the world and they were made to undergo a great amount of hardship and difficulty so that they may also be worthy of the great rewards of the Aakhirat. (Malfoozaate Hazrat Shaikh 1/67)

Achieving A Strong Marriage Bond

Marriage is considered an ‘ibaadah, an act that is pleasing to Allah Ta’aala. It is in accordance with His commandments that husbands and wives love each other and help one another to rear their children as true servants of  Allah Ta’aala.

Most spouses start out with hopes and rosy dreams; truly committed to making their marriage work. However, as the reality of living with a less than perfect spouse lurks in, and as the pressures of life builds, many individuals do not find as much satisfaction in their relationships. All marriages change over time. However, with hard work and dedication, people can keep their marriages strong and enjoyable. How is it done? What does it take to create a long-lasting, satisfying marriage?

Researches indicate that the most successful marriages share some key characteristics. These are some of the characteristics that researchers have found to be common in successful marriages. Let’s look at each of these factors.

Characteristics Of Happy And Satisfying Marriages

Positivity
Successful spouses have far more positive than negative interactions. If there is too much negativity — criticizing, demanding, name-calling, holding grudges, etc. — the relationship will suffer. However, if there is never any negativity, it probably means that frustrations and grievances are not getting air time and unresolved tension is accumulating inside one or both partners.

The key is a balance between the two extremes. There are many ways to foster positivity in a marriage. Being affectionate, truly listening to each other, taking joy in each other’s achievements, and being playful are just a few examples of positive interactions that help make marriages successful.

Empathy
Another characteristic of happy marriages is empathy. Empathy means understanding a person’s perspective by putting oneself in his or her shoes. Many researchers have shown that empathy is essential for relationship satisfaction.

People are more likely to feel good about their marriage and spouse if their partner expresses empathy towards them. Husbands and wives are more content in their relationships when they perceive that their spouses truly understand their thoughts and feelings.

Principles Of Justice In Islam – Allah’s Command

Allah’s Quran 42:40]
[Principle #1:] An evil act should be retaliated by an equal act [eye for an eye]; however,
[principle #2:] God rewards those who pardon and lead a righteous life.
[Principle #3:] God does not love the wrongdoers [who retaliate excessively].

Prophet (peace be upon him) has said:
[Malik’s Muwatta, Book #43, Hadith #43.21.15a] “Retaliation is between women as it is between men. That is because Allah, the Blessed, the Exalted, said in His Book, ‘We have written for them in it that it is a life for a life and an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, and an ear for an ear, and a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds there is retaliation.‘ (Sura 5 ayat 48) Allah, the Blessed, the Exalted, mentioned that it is a life for a life. It is the life of a free woman for the life of a free man, and her injury for his injury.” Malik said about a man who held a man fast for another man to hit, and he died on the spot, “If he held him and he thought that he meant to kill him, the two of them are both killed for him. If he held him and he thought that he meant to beat him as people sometimes do, and he did not think that he meant to kill him, the murderer is slain and the one who held him is punished with very severe punishment and jailed for a year. There is no killing against him.”