Fazail Ahle-Bait
The Islamic Calendar
“They ask you, (O Muhammad, peace be upon him), about the new moons. Say: There are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage.” (2:189)
The Islamic or Hijri calendar is based on a lunar month of 29 to 30 days, with the day starting at sunset.
The new moon announces the arrival of a new month, but due to differences in the weather (rain and fog, etc.) that may prevent a clear view of the moon, or due to great distances between countries, the start of a new month is neither definite nor conclusive. Therefore scientists have developed a number of norms to help predict when the first sighting of the crescent moon will be, but there will be small discrepancies between countries when determining the birth of the crescent heralding the month of Ramadan and the first day of the following month, indicating the end of the fast.
The Islamic year consists of 12 months: (1) Muharram, (2) Safar, (3) Rabi Al-Awwal, (4) Rabi Al-Thani, (5) Jumad Al-Awwal, (6) Jumad Al-Thani, (7) Rajab, (8) Sha’ban, (9) Ramadan, (10) Shawwal, (11) Dhu’l-Qadah and (12) Dhu’l-Hijja.
The most important dates in the Islamic calendar are 1 Muharram (Islamic New Year); 10 Muharram (Day of Ashura); 27 Rajab (Israa and Mi’raj); 1 Ramadan (first day of the month of fasting); the last ten days of Ramadan, which include (Laylat Al-Qadr); 1 Shawwal (Eid Al-Fitr); 8-10 Dhu’l-Hijja (Haj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah); 9 Dhu’l-Hijja (Day of Arafah); 10 Dhu’l-Hijja (Eid Al-Adha). However, the dates of some of these events, such as that of Laylat Al-Qadr and the Prophet Muhammad’s journey of Israa’ and Mi’raj, have not been conclusively specified, and there has been some uncertainty about the exact date of the events.
Four of the 12 months are sacred: Rajab, Muharram, Dhu’l-Qadah, and Dhu’l-Hijja). In the pre-Islamic period, raids among the Arab tribes were forbidden and hunting was halted during these months. Islam inherited and approved this practice. Fighting (killing) is prohibited during these sacred months except in self-defense.
Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, its year is 10 or 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year. This means that Muslim months fall in different seasons. For example, Ramadan and Haj can fall in the summer as well as in the winter. It takes about 33 years for the Islamic dates to rotate through the solar seasons.
The dating of the Islamic years was introduced by Second Caliph Umar Bin Al-Khattab in 638 CE (16 AH) in an attempt to circumvent all the various conflicting dating systems used during his time. After consulting his companions, he set the Hijra – the journey of the Prophet (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Madina – as the most appropriate reference to the new Islamic era. The Hijra, historically speaking, is the central event of early Islam, the turning point in Islamic history that led to the foundation of the first Muslim state.
The Basic Duties Of A Muslim
Muslims, as individuals and groups, have to fulfill certain basic duties which summarize the universal values of Islam. When these duties are observed they bring justice, peace, and happiness in this world and they will indeed bring success and salvation in the Hereafter.
“In the Glorious Qur’an, Allah, Most High, says: “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. and that you be dutiful to your parents. If one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them, but address them in terms of honor.
And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy even as they did bring me up when I was young.’ Your Lord knows best what is in your inner selves. If you are righteous, then, verily, He is Ever Most Forgiving to those who turn to Him again and again in obedience, and in repentance.
“And give to the kinsman his due and to Miskin (poor) and to the wayfarer. But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift.
Verily, the spendthrifts are brothers of the Shayatin (devils) and the Shaitan (Devil-Satan)is ever ungrateful to his Lord.”
” And even if you (O Muhammad, peace be upon him) turn away from them (kindred, poor, wayfarer, whom We have ordered you to give their rights, but if you have no money at the time they ask for it) and you are awaiting mercy from you, Lord for which you hope, then, speak unto them a soft, kind word ( i.e. Allah will give me and I shall give you). (17: 23-28) ”
Surat al-Isra’ was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Makkah after his Night Journey from Makkah to Jerusalem. In this surah, Allah mentions some basic commitments of Muslims. Without fulfilling these commitments no individual or group can succeed. Muslims have to live by these values and should invite humanity to these principles. These principles are not limited to one race, tribe or group; they are universal in their scope and application. These are also called the Hikmah or the teachings of wisdom. It is wise for everyone to follow them. If followed properly they are capable of increasing the goodness and wisdom of all people.
These principles are:
1. To worship Allah alone: This means to recognize Allah as the ultimate reality and to recognize Allah as the Lord, to worship Him with all sincerity, and to submit to Him in every aspect of life. A Muslim’s life is nothing but a total commitment to Allah. We are not only monotheists (people of Tawhid) but we are also theocentric people. Allah is the center of our life and He is our total and ultimate concern.
Main Features Of An Islamic Society
1. Faith in the Oneness of Allah
There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He gave mankind a code of life that guarantees their well-being in this world and in the hereafter.
2. Cooperation
Human beings cannot live independently of each other. They have to live together and cooperate for maximizing welfare and warding off evils.
3. Not materialistic
A member of Islamic society is not an ‘economic man’ but one with the goal of earning the pleasure of Allah through the right action and service to his fellow human beings. Good intentions and right action thrive when they receive a positive response from others. Ultimately, competition in good deeds results in benefits to all concerned.
4. Generosity
Generosity and benevolence must prevail in society. People should prefer others’ needs to their own needs. On the other hand, lust for money, and miserliness are condemned in all cases. Luxurious living should be avoided.
5. State’s role
In society, there must not be monopoly, exploitation, fraud, or usurious transactions. Good should be enjoined and evil should be forbidden. The state has an active role to play in economic life. It should intervene if freedom is abused or people are not fulfilling their obligations.
– Economic Concepts of Ibn Taimiyah (pp. 137-8)
Ghar Main Aanay Janay Ki Sunnatain
Ghar Main Aanay Janay Ki Sunnatain
Israa’ And Mi`raj
(Glorified be He Who carried His servant by night from the Inviolable Place of Worship to the Far Distant Place of Worship the neighborhood whereof We have blessed, that We might show him of Our tokens! Lo! He, only He, is the Nearer, the Seer.) (Al-Israa’ 17:1)
On 27 Rajab Muslims remember Israa’ and Mi’raj, the miraculous Night Journey and Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The exact date of the event is uncertain, but the majority of scholars place it at 12 to 16 months before the Hijrah, the Prophet’s migration to Madinah.
One night Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was sleeping near the Kaaba in Makkah when the Angel Jibreel alaihis salam (Gabriel) came to him, woke him up, and, taking him by the arm, led him to Al-Buraq, a beast resembling a horse with two huge wings springing from its back. From Makkah, Al-Buraq took off toward Jerusalem. There, the Prophet was met by all the other prophets. He (peace and blessings be upon him) dismounted, tethered Al-Buraq to a ring in the gate of Jerusalem, and led them in Prayers.
Two vessels were then brought to him, one containing milk, the other wine. Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) drank the milk. Jibreel alaihis salam said, “O Muhammad, you enjoy what is pure. Surely you will guide your people to the right path.” This journey demonstrates God’s might and ability to make possible the impossible. The concepts of time and space as we understand them do not apply, and what applies cannot be perceived by our limited faculties.
Depression – What’s The Solution
We have to admit that sometimes there are difficult stages in our lives. During that time, we are often tested, and later realize that tests had a great impact on us today.
Sometimes we look at an individual and the first thing that comes to our mind if they are smiling and enjoying themselves is, “I wish I could live that person’s life, they seem so happy, free from problems and hardships.”
The truth is that nobody has a life free from hardships. It is easy to hide what we have been through and to keep the pain that continually adds up inside without opening up and discussing the problem. One of the most important things I have learned is constantly keeping things to yourself can lead to more severe anxiety and depression.
Depression has become a very serious and common illness among people in today’s society. It is true that depression is very hard to overcome and recover from. You cannot simply wake up one morning, go to a therapist for a 45-minute session, and feel happy and cheerful again. Recovering from depression, anxiety and panic attacks take a while, for some people it may take weeks, and for others, it may take months or even years depending on how hard they are willing to work with the therapist, psychiatrist, and antidepressants.
The hardest part of getting through depression is not knowing who to turn to for help. It becomes very hard for us to trust people and take advice because we have isolated ourselves completely from the people we love. It becomes extremely hard to control our emotions as well. The first step is to discuss your problem with the parent you feel most comfortable with. Letting out your emotions is one way of reducing depression because emotions will eventually control you if you let them build up.
I would just like to say that there is truly nothing worth being depressed over in this world. We need to put our faith in Allah and trust that he will protect us from anything and everything. Let us make the hereafter our main priority and if we focus on that alone, and I can guarantee that depression will not be a problem.
Surah Baqarah, Surah-Al-Imran Ki Fazeelat
Surah Baqarah, Surah-Al-Imran Ki Fazeelat
How To Make Your Wife Happy?
The following is a summary of the book “How to make your wife happy by Sheikh Mohammed Abdelhaleem Hamed.
Beautiful Reception
- After returning from work, school, travel, or whatever has separated you:
- Begin with a good greeting.
- Start with Assalamau ‘Alaykum and a smile. Salam is a sunnah and a du’a for her as well.
- Shake her hand and leave bad news for later!
- Sweet Speech and Enchanting Invitations
- Choose words that are positive and avoid negative ones.
- Give her your attention when you speak of she speaks.
- Speak with clarity and repeat words if necessary until she understands.
- Call her with the nice names that she likes, e.g. my sweetheart, honey, saaliha, etc.
Friendliness and Recreation
- Spend time talking together.
- Spread to her good news.
- Remember your good memories together.
- Games and Distractions
- Joking around & having a sense of humor.
- Playing and competing with each other in sports or whatever.
- Taking her to watch permissible (halal) types of entertainment.
- Avoid prohibited (haram) things in your choices of entertainment.
- Assistance in the Household
- Doing what you as an individual can/like to do helps out, especially if she is sick or tired.
- The most important thing is making it obvious that he appreciates her hard work.
Consultation (Shurah)
- Specifically in family matters.
- Giving her the feeling that her opinion is important to you.
- Studying her opinion carefully.
- Be willing to change an opinion for hers if it is better.
- Thanking her for helping him with her opinions.
Visiting Others
- Choosing well-raised people to build relations with. There is a great reward in visiting relatives and pious people. (Not wasting time while visiting!)
Animal Rights In Islam
ANIMALS, like humans, are the creation of Allah. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was not only sent as a mercy to mankind but also to all living creatures.
“And We have sent you (O Muhammad, peace be upon him) not but as a mercy for the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).” (Qur’an, 21:107)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “If any Muslim plants any plant and a human being or an animal eats of it, he will be rewarded as if he had given that much in charity.” – (Al-Bukhari)
He (peace be upon him) also said that a thirsty man came across a well, got down into it, drank (its water), and then came out. When he came out, he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. The man thought: “This dog is suffering from the same state of thirst as I was.” So he went down the well (again) and filled his shoe (with water) and brought it back for the dog. Allah appreciated that deed and forgave him.
The people asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?” He said, “(Yes) There is a reward for serving any animate (living being).” – (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
The Prophet cursed those who cut the limbs or other parts of an animal while it was still alive. – (Al-Bukhari)
Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “A lady was punished because of a cat which she had imprisoned till it died. She entered the (Hell) Fire because of it, for she neither gave it food nor water as she had imprisoned it nor set it free to eat from the vermin of the earth.” – (Al-Bukhari)