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Allah, The Exalted, Commands Endurance

[ALLAH’S Quran – 3:200] “O believers! Patiently endure, persevere, stand on guard, and be mindful of Allah, so you may be successful.”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said:
[Muslim, Book #007, Hadith #3181] “Yuhannis, the freed slave of Zubair, narrated that when he was sitting with Abdullah b. ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with him) during the days of turmoil, his freed slave-girl came to him. After saluting him she said: Abu Abd al-Rahmin, I have decided to leave (Medina) for the time is hard for us, whereupon Abdullah said to her: Stay here, foolish lady, for I have heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: For one who shows endurance on the hardships and rigor of it (of Medina) I would be an intercessor or a witness on his behalf on the Day of Resurrection.”

The Purpose Of Creating Humans

When a powerful heavenly creature, Satan, thought that he could be a god besides God, he provoked a Great feud among the heavenly creatures. The human beings were ignorant. They wanted to verify his baseless thoughts and thus, committed a grave mistake!

“Say, “Here is awesome news. That you are totally oblivious to. I had no knowledge previously, about the feud in the High Society.” (Quran 38:67-69)

“We have offered the responsibility to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to bear it and were afraid of it. But the human being accepted it; he was transgressing, ignorant.” (Quran 33:72)

“Did I not covenant with you, O Children of Adam, that you shall not worship the devil? That he is your most ardent enemy? And that you shall worship Me alone? That is the right path.” (Quran 36:60-61)

God Almighty summoned all the souls of the human beings, including the prophets, the messengers, and the saints, prior to sending them to this world for the redemption of their sin!

“Recall that your Lord summoned all the descendants of Adam, and had them bear witness for themselves: “Am I not your Lord?” They all said, “Yes, We bear witness.” Thus you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection, “We were not aware of this.” Nor can you say, “It was our parents who practiced idolatry, and we simply followed in their footsteps. Will You punish us because of what others have innovated?” (Quran 7:172-173)

Merciful God created death and life to give all human beings a final chance to redeem their sin.

“How can you disbelieve in God when you were dead (before coming to this world) and He gave you life (in this world), then He puts you to death (in this world), then He brings you back to life (in the Hereafter), then to Him you ultimately return (in the Day of Resurrection) ?” (Quran 2:28)

“Yet, they set up beside Him gods who do not create anything-they themselves are created-and who possess no power to even harm or benefit themselves, nor do they possess any power to control life (in this world), or death(in this world), or resurrection (in the Hereafter).” (Quran 25:3)

Adam’s soul was chosen as the first human being for the redemption of his sin. The first human body was created from aged mud and Adam’s soul was assigned to it by Merciful God.

“Your Lord said to the angels, “I am creating a human being from aged mud, like the potter’s clay. Once I perfect him and blow into him from My spirit, you shall fall prostrate before him.” (Quran 15:28-29)

The physical bodies of all the souls of the children of Adam are subsequently reproduced from the tiny drop.

“We created the human being from a certain kind of mud. Subsequently, we reproduced him from a tiny drop, that is placed into a well-protected repository.” (Quran 23:12-13)

“Your women are the bearers of your seed. Thus, you may enjoy this privilege however you like, so long as you maintain righteousness. You shall observe God, and know that you will meet Him. Give good news to the believers.” (Quran 2:223)

“Does the human being think that he will go to nothing? Was he not a drop of ejected semen? Then He (God) created an embryo out of it! He made it into male or female! Is He then unable to revive the dead ?” (Quran 75:36-40)

It takes a male sperm about ten hours to navigate the female productive track. Fertilization begins when it makes its way through a female egg. The fusion of the sperm and egg nuclei marks the creation of the zygote!

“And God made for you spouses from among yourselves, and produced for you from your spouses children and grandchildren, and provided you with good provisions. Should they believe in falsehood, and turn unappreciative of God’s blessings?” (Quran 16:72)

“…Have they found idols besides God who created creations similar to His creations, to the point of not distinguishing the two creations? Say, “God is the creator of all things, and He is the One, the Supreme.” (Quran 13:16)

The zygote, created by the fusion of the male sperm and female egg, begins to multiply which results in formation of a mulberry shaped morula. About four days after fertilization, the morula enters the uterine cavity. Cell division continues, and a cavity known as a blastocele forms in the center of the morula. With the appearance of the cavity in the center, the entire structure is now called a blastocyst. The presence of the blastocyst indicates that two cell types are forming – the embryo-blast (inner cell mass on the inside of the blastocele), and the trophoblast (the cells on the outside of the blastocele). The amniotic cavity and yolk sac arise within the inner cell mass. These are separated by the embryonic disk, which gives rise to the three germ layers that develop into the embryo proper. The blastocyst wall of the trophoblast gives rise to auxiliary structures. The zygote now enters the uterus and implantation occurs !

“O people, if you have any doubt about resurrection, (remember that) we created you from dust, and subsequently from a tiny drop, which turn into a hanging (embryo), that it becomes a fetus that is given life or deemed lifeless. We thus clarify things for you. We settle in the wombs whatever we will for a predetermined period. We then bring you out as infant, then you reach maturity. While some of you die young, others live to the worst age, only to find out that no more knowledge can be attained beyond a certain limit. Also, you look at a land that is dead, then as soon as we shower it with water, it vibrates with life and grows all kinds of beautiful plants.” (Quran 22:5)

During implantation, the three germ layers of the embryonic disk give rise to the principal organ systems, and the embryo begins to show the human form !

“He is the One God; the Creator, the Initiator, the Designer. To Him belong the most beautiful names. Glorifying Him is everything in the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, Most Wise.” (Quran 59:24)

“With Him are the keys to all secrets; none knows them except He. He knows everything on land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls without His knowledge. Nor is there a grain in the depth of the soil. Nor is there anything wet or dry, that is not recorded in a profound record.” (Quran 6:59)

The three germ layers of the embryonic disk are Endoderm, Mesoderm, and Ectoderm. The endoderm will form the lining of the lungs, tongue, tonsils, bladder, digestive tract, urethra, and associated glands. Mesodern will form the muscles, bones, lymphatic tissue, blood cells, heart, lungs, reproductive and excretory systems. The ectoderm will form the skin, nails, hair, lens of the eye, the lining of the internal and external ear, nose, sinuses, mouth, anus, tooth enamel, pituitary gland, and all parts of the nervous system. Finally, a human baby is born for the purpose as outlined in this verse of the Quran –

“The One who created death (before coming to this world) and life (in this world) for the purpose of distinguishing those among you who would do better. He is the Almighty, the Forgiving.” (Quran 67:2)

“Then we developed the drop into a hanging (embryo), then developed the hanging (embryo) into a bite-size (fetus), then created the bite-size (fetus) into bones, then covered the bones with flesh. We thus produce new creatures. Most blessed is God, the best Creator. Then, later on, you die. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be resurrected.” (Quran 23:14-16)

“Initiator of the heavens and the earth. He created for you from among yourselves spouses – and also for the animals. He thus provides you with the means to multiply. There is nothing that equals Him. He is the Hearer, the Seer” (Quran 42:11)

The average length of time from conception to birth is 280 days, with a normal range of 259 days to 287 days. Infants born prior to the 259 days are classified as premature, and those born after 287 days are post-mature.

“We enjoined the human being to honor his parents. His mother bore him, and the load got heavier and heavier. It takes two years (of intensive care) until weaning. You shall be appreciative of Me, and of your parents. To Me is the ultimate destiny. If they try to force you to set up any idols beside Me, do not obey them. But continue to treat them amicably in this world. You shall follow only the path of those who have submitted to Me. Ultimately, you all return to Me, then I will inform you of everything you have done.” (Quran 31:14-15)

The Quran educates us to reflect on the creations of God so that we can reinforce our appreciation of the Merciful Lord.

“In the creation of the heavens and the earth, the alteration of night and day, the ships that roam the ocean for the benefit of the people, the water that God sends down from the sky to revive dead land and to spread in it all kinds of creatures, the manipulation of winds and the clouds that placed between the sky and the earth, there are sufficient proofs for people who understand.” (Quran 2:164)

“O people, here is a parable that you must ponder carefully: the idols you set up beside God can never create a fly, even if they banded together to do so. Furthermore, if the fly steals anything from them, they cannot recover it; weak is the pursuer and the pursued.” (Quran 22:73)

Sadly, majority of human beings are unappreciative of Merciful God! (Quran 2:243, 7:17, 10:60, 12:38, 27:73, 40:61

“He created you from one person (Adam). Subsequently, He gives every man a mate to find tranquility with her. She then carries a light load that she can hardly notice. As the load gets heavier, they implore God their Lord: “If You give us a good baby, we will be appreciative.” But when He gives them a good baby, they turn His gift into an idol that rivals Him. God be exalted, far above any partnership.” (Quran 7:189-190)

These are some of the many reminders of the Quran:

“O you who believe, do not be distracted by your money and your children from remembering God. Those who do this are the losers. You shall give from your provisions to you before death comes to you, then you say, “My Lord if only You could delay this for a short while! I would then be charitable and join the righteous!” God never delays the appointed time of death for any soul. God is fully Cognizant of everything you do.” (Quran 63:9-11)

[31:33] O people, you shall reverence your Lord, and fear a day when a father cannot help his own child, nor can a child help his father. Certainly, God’s promise is truth. Therefore, do not be distracted by this life; do not be distracted from GOD by mere illusions.

“We enjoined the human being to honor his parents. His mother bore him arduously, gave birth to him arduously, and took intimate care of him for thirty months. When he reaches maturity and reaches the age of forty, he should say, “My Lord, direct me to appreciate the blessings You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do the righteous works that please You. Let my children be righteous as well. I have repented to You; I am a submitter.” (Quran 46:15)

“GOD is the One who created you weak, then granted you after the weakness strength, then substituted after the strength weakness and gray hair. He creates whatever He wills. He is the Omniscient, the Omnipotent.” (Quran 30:54)

The majority of people will fail to take the final opportunity to worship God Alone and to redeem their sin. The majority of people will fail to uphold the covenant that was made with God before coming to this world!

“Most people, no matter what you do, will not believe. You are not asking them for any money; you simply deliver this reminder to all the people. So many proofs in the heavens and the earth are given to him, but they pass by them, heedlessly! The majority of those who believe in God do not do so without committing idol worship.” (Quran 12:103-106)

M. Irtaza

The Quran Is Full Of Wisdom

[1:1] In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[36:2] And the Quran that is full of wisdom.

The Quran is full of wisdom, and Muhammad taught his followers the same.

[10:1] A.L.R. These (letters) are the proofs of this book of wisdom.

[31:1] A. L. M.
[31:2] These (letters) constitute proofs of this book of wisdom.
[31:3] A beacon and a mercy for the righteous.

[36:1] Y. S. (Yaa Seen)
[36:2] And the Quran that is full of wisdom.

[43:1] H. M.
[43:2] And the enlightening scripture.
[43:3] We have rendered it an Arabic Quran, that you may understand.
[43:4] It is preserved with us in the original master, honorable and full of wisdom.

[44:4] In it (the scripture), every matter of wisdom is clarified.

[3:164] GOD has blessed the believers by raising in their midst a messenger from among them, to recite for them His revelations, and to purify them, and teach them the scripture and wisdom. Before this, they had gone totally astray.

[17:31] You shall not kill your children due to fear of poverty. We provide for them, as well as for you. Killing them is a gross offense.
[17:32] You shall not commit adultery; it is a gross sin and evil behavior.
[17:33] You shall not kill any person – for GOD has made life sacred – except in the course of justice. If one is killed unjustly, then we give his heir authority to enforce justice. Thus, he shall not exceed the limits in avenging the murder; he will be helped.
[17:34] You shall not touch the orphans’ money except for their own good until they reach maturity. You shall fulfill your covenants, for a covenant is a great responsibility.
[17:35] You shall give full measure when you trade, and weigh equitably. This is better and more righteous.
[17:36] You shall not accept any information unless you verify it for yourself. I have given you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brain, and you are responsible for using them.
[17:37] You shall not walk proudly on earth – you cannot bore through the earth, nor can you be as tall as the mountains.
[17:38] All bad behavior is condemned by your Lord.
[17:39] This is some of the wisdom inspired to you by your Lord. You shall not set up another god beside GOD, lest you end up in Gehenna, blamed and defeated.

[33:32] O wives of the prophet, you are not the same as any other women, if you observe righteousness. (You have a greater responsibility.) Therefore, you shall not speak too softly, lest those with the disease in their hearts may get the wrong ideas; you shall speak only righteousness.
[33:33] You shall settle down in your homes, and do not mingle with the people excessively like you used to do in the old days of ignorance. You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and obey GOD and His messenger. GOD wishes to remove all unholiness from you, O you who live around the Sacred Shrine, and to purify you completely.
[33:34] Remember what is being recited in your homes of GOD’s revelations and the wisdom inherent therein. GOD is Sublime, Cognizant.

[62:2] He is the One who sent to the gentiles a messenger from among them, to recite to them His revelations, purify them, and teach them the scripture and wisdom. Before this, they had gone far astray.

[2:127] As Abraham raised the foundations of the shrine, together with Ismail (they prayed): “Our Lord, accept this from us. You are the Hearer, the Omniscient.
[2:128] “Our Lord, make us submitters to You, and from our descendants let there be a community of submitters to You. Teach us the rites of our religion, and redeem us. You are the Redeemer, Most Merciful.
[2:129] “Our Lord, and raise among them a messenger to recite to them Your revelations, teach them the scripture and wisdom, and purify them. You are the Almighty, Most Wise.”
[2:130] Who would forsake the religion of Abraham, except one who fools his own soul? We have chosen him in this world, and in the Hereafter, he will be with the righteous.

[2:150] Wherever you go, you shall turn your face (during Salat) towards the Sacred Masjid; wherever you might be, you shall turn your faces (during Salat) towards it. Thus, the people will have no argument against you, except the transgressors among them. Do not fear them, and fear Me instead. I will then perfect My blessings upon you, that you may be guided.
[2:151] (Blessings) such as the sending of a messenger from among you to recite our revelations to you, purify you, teach you the scripture and wisdom, and teach you what you never knew.
[2:152] You shall remember Me, that I may remember you, and be thankful to Me; do not be unappreciative.

[2:231] If you divorce the women, once they fulfill their interim (three menstruations), you shall allow them to live in the same home amicably, or let them leave amicably. Do not force them to stay against their will, as revenge. Anyone who does this wrongs his own soul. Do not take GOD’s revelations in vain. Remember GOD’s blessings upon you, and that He sent down to you the scripture and wisdom to enlighten you. You shall observe GOD, and know that GOD is aware of all things.

[3:54] They plotted and schemed, but so did GOD, and GOD is the best schemer.
[3:55] Thus, GOD said, “O Jesus, I am terminating your life, raising you to Me, and ridding you of the disbelievers. I will exalt those who follow you above those who disbelieve, till the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is the ultimate destiny of all of you, then I will judge among you regarding your disputes.
[3:56] “As for those who disbelieve, I will commit them to painful retribution in this world, and in the Hereafter. They will have no helpers.”
[3:57] As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, He will fully recompense them. GOD does not love the unjust.
[3:58] These are the revelations that we recite to you, providing a message full of wisdom.

[4:113] If it were not for GOD’s grace towards you, and His mercy, some of them would have misled you. They only mislead themselves, and they can never harm you in the least. GOD has sent down to you the scripture and wisdom, and He has taught you what you never knew. Indeed, GOD’s blessings upon you have been great.

For example, the Quran teaches us the following wisdom if our religion, our scripture, and our messenger are being mocked, ridiculed, or criticized:

[44:4] In it (the scripture), every matter of wisdom is clarified.

[4:140] He has instructed you in the scripture that: if you hear GOD’s revelations being mocked and ridiculed, you shall not sit with them unless they delve into another subject. Otherwise, you will be as guilty as they are. GOD will gather the hypocrites and the disbelievers together in Hell.

[5:57] O you who believe, do not befriend those among the recipients of previous scripture who mock and ridicule your religion, nor shall you befriend the disbelievers. You shall reverence GOD if you are really believers.

[6:68] If you see those who mock our revelations, you shall avoid them until they delve into another subject. If the devil causes you to forget, then, as soon as you remember, do not sit with such evil people.

[18:106] Their just requital is Hell, in return for their disbelief, and for mocking My revelations and My messengers.

[39:48] The sinful works they had earned will be shown to them, and the very things they used to mock will come back to haunt them.

[45:33] The evils of their works will become evident to them, and the very things they mocked will come back and haunt them.

Indeed, Muhammad brought the best hadith which teaches us all kinds of wisdom.

[44:4] In it (the scripture), every matter of wisdom is clarified.

[7:185] Have they not looked at the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all the things GOD has created? Does it ever occur to them that the end of their life may be near? Which Hadith, besides this, do they believe in?

[12:111] In their history, there is a lesson for those who possess intelligence. This is not fabricated Hadith; this (Quran) confirms all previous scriptures, provides the details of everything and is a beacon and mercy for those who believe.

[31:6] Among the people, there are those who uphold baseless Hadith, and thus divert others from the path of GOD without knowledge, and take it in vain. These have incurred a shameful retribution.

[39:23] GOD has revealed herein the best Hadith; a book that is consistent, and points out both ways (to Heaven and Hell). The skins of those who reverence their Lord cringe therefrom, then their skins and their hearts soften up for GOD’s message. Such is GOD’s guidance; He bestows it upon whoever wills (to be guided). As for those sent astray by GOD, nothing can guide them.

[39:29] GOD cites the example of a man who deals with disputing partners (Hadith), compared to a man who deals with only one consistent source (Quran). Are they the same? Praise be to GOD; most of them do not know.

[45:6] These are GOD’s revelations that we recite to you truthfully. In which Hadith other than GOD and His revelations do they believe?

[52:34] Let them produce a Hadith like this if they are truthful.

[68:44] Therefore, let Me deal with those who reject this Hadith; we will lead them on whence they never perceive.

[77:50] Which Hadith, other than this, do they uphold?

The Sin Of Letting The Prayer Lapse

The Holy Prophet has said: “Whoever lets the Prayer lapse, and then offers it after its due time, will burn in hell for not praying on time, for a period of one “Haqab”.”

One “Haqab” equals 80 years, and one year has 360 days, and the Day of Resurrection will equal a thousand years. This means that one who lets just one Prayer lapse will burn in hell for a period of 28,800,000 years !! (May Allah protect us – A’ameen).

Allamah Amjad Ali Aazmi (may Allah have mercy on him) mentions that abandoning Prayer is terrible in itself, but see what Allah, the Supreme, says about those who let it lapse: “So ‘vail’ (or ruin) is to those offerers of Prayer – Those who are neglectful of their Prayer.” (Surah Maoon)

‘Vail’ is the name of a dreadful valley in hell, from which hell also seeks refuge. This will be the destination of those who let their Prayers lapse. (Bahaare Shariat)

The Next World

The present world may seem to lack noting, but the order of this world has been established with the trial of man in mind. According to God’s scheme, only a world, which leads up to reward and punishment, can be considered ideal and permanent. This is not the case in the present world. So, then the period of trial is over, God will destroy this world and create another more complete one. There the evil will be separated from the righteous, and all will be confronted with the just consequences of their deeds.

The present world is full of strange paradoxes. Here, birds chant hymns of divine praise, while man recites eulogies to himself. Stares and planets continue their voyages without clashing with one another, while man willfully sets himself on a collision course with others. In this world, there is no tree, which undermines another, but men spend their lives plotting one another’s destruction. Lofty, upright trees show their meekness by casting their shadows on the ground, but if man ascends to any heights he immediately becomes arrogant.

This attitude of man is totally contrary to God’s will for His entire creation. Doomsday will erase these paradoxes, the might of all save God will be eradicated, and every will saw His will be negated.

When this period of trial has run its course, God will destroy the present world and create another one. There, the righteous and the wicked will be separated from one another.

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

1. When the earth is shaken in its ultimate quaking
2. And the earth ejects its loads.
3. The human will wonder: “What is happening?”
4. On that day, it will tell its news.
5. That your Lord has commanded it.
6. On that day, the people will issue from every direction, to be shown their works.
7. Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it.
8. And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.
Sura 99: The Quake (Al-Zalzalah)

Arbitrary Denial Of The Resurrection

In the name of God, the Lord of Grace, the Ever Merciful We saved the Children of Israel from humiliating suffering, from Pharaoh, who was arrogant and a transgressor. We chose them knowingly above all other people. And We gave them signs in which there was a clear test. Now, these people assert: ‘We shall die but one death, and we shall not be raised to life again. Bring back our forefathers, if what you claim be true.’ Are they better than the people of Tubba and those before them, whom We destroyed because they were lost in sin? (Smoke; Al-Dukhan; 44: 30-37)

We commented earlier on the brief account the surah gives of the history of Moses and Pharaoh and the drowning of the latter after he had chased the Children of Israel to the seafront. God saved Moses and his people from Pharaoh by a special act of His grace. The surah then mentions the fact that God chose the children of Israel, knowing all about them, with both their positive and negative qualities. Yet He chose them in preference to all other people in their own time. God knew that they were, at the time, the best people to be given the trust. This is despite all that He has mentioned in the Qur’an about their deviation and slow response. Perhaps God made His choice on the basis that whilst they did not then attain the high standard of faith He required, they would nonetheless be the best under a faithful leadership that led them along the straight path of faith and insight.

“And We gave them signs in which there was a clear test.” Thus, in turn, the children of Israel were tested by means of these signs. When the test was over and their time in charge came to its end, God punished them for their deviation and evil. It was as a result of this test that God abandoned them; indeed, they were smashed by those who left them in their diaspora. They were to suffer humiliation and were warned that God will re-punish them whenever they transgress and behave with arrogance. This warning remains true as long as human life continues.

Once more the surah takes up the unbelievers’ doubts and denial of resurrection and accountability. Here, too, resurrection is linked to the fact that the structure of the universe is raised on a foundation of truth and seriousness that requires accountability and requital after the resurrection: “Now these people assert: ‘We shall die but one death, and we shall not be raised to life again. Bring back our forefathers, if what you claim be true.’ Are they better than the people of Tubba and those before them, whom We destroyed because they were lost in sin?”

The Arab idolaters used to say that people die once only and that is the end; no resurrection and no further life. They called this the first death, meaning that it precedes what they were promised of a second life after the resurrection. To them, the proof of this assertion was contained in the fact that none of their forefathers who died had ever returned; none had been resurrected. They demanded that their forefathers should be brought back to life before their eyes if the resurrection were indeed true. They thus betrayed their ignorance of the purpose of resurrection. They did not understand that it is a further stage of human life, with a definite purpose and a clear goal, which is the administration of requital for what was done in the first stage. Thus, God’s obedient servants reach their noble destination, which they have earned through acting well in their first lives, while hardened sinners arrive at the miserable and filthy end they deserve. This means that resurrection will come about after the entire first stage of life has ended, i.e. man’s time on earth has concluded. It precludes that resurrection should be the result of a human wish expressed by an individual or a community so that they can believe in it. Indeed, faith is not complete unless one believes in resurrection, which God’s messengers have confirmed, and which is apparent to anyone who reflects on the nature of life and God’s wisdom in creating it in this way. Such reflection is sufficient on its own to believe in the Day of Judgment.

Before the surah invites them to reflect on the design of the universe, it shakes their hearts strongly, reminding them of the fate suffered by the people of Tubba, in south Arabia. Tubba was the title given to the kings of Himyar, a major tribe that lived in southern Arabia. This story must have been well known to the Arabs, as the surah makes only a brief reference to it, warning them against a similarly terrible fate: “Are they better than the people of Tubba and those before them, whom We destroyed because they were lost in sin?”

Remember Allah Unceasingly

[ALLAH’S Quran – 33:41 ] “O YOU who have attained to faith! Remember God with unceasing remembrance,”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said:
[Muslim – Book #003, Hadith #0724] “’A’isha said: The Apostle of ALLAH (may peace be upon him) used to remember ALLAH at all moments.”

[Bukhari – Book #76, Hadith #486] “Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said ALLAH will give shade to seven (types of people) under His Shade (on the Day of Resurrection). (one of them will be) a person who remembers ALLAH and his eyes are then flooded with tears.”

[Bukhari – Book #93, Hadith #502] “Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “ALLAH says: ‘I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.”

[Muslim – Book #035, Hadith #6471] “Abu Huraira reported ALLAH’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying that ALLAH, the Exalted and Glorious, thus stated: I am near to the thought of My servant as he thinks about Me, and I am with him as he remembers Me. And if he remembers Me in his heart, I also remember him in My Heart, and if he remembers Me in the assembly I remember him in assembly, better than his (remembrance), and if he draws near Me by the span of a palm, I draw near him by the cubit, and if he draws near Me by the cubit I draw near him by the space (covered by) two hands. And if he walks towards Me, I rush towards him.”

Offering Sacrifice In The Name Of Allah

Offering sacrifice is the tradition of our father Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Allah has promised reward on every part of the animal that you sacrifice, even on its hair. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “On the day of sacrifice, no one does a deed more pleasing to Allah than the shedding of blood. The sacrificial animal will come on the Day of Resurrection with its horns, hair, and hooves (and its owner will be rewarded on that basis); and (its) blood finds acceptance with Allah (for its owner) before it falls on the ground, so rejoice over it.” (Tirmidhi)

Slaughtering an animal is better than giving its monetary value in charity. The deed of sacrificing an animal is a recommended or stressed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu’akkadah) for those who can afford it. Slaughter on your behalf and your household, including your wives, children, and parents, so that all of them will gain its reward. This was the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him). He slaughtered for himself and on behalf of his family. Some people offer sacrifice only on behalf of their parents, depriving themselves and their households of the reward. It is preferable to sacrifice in the name of all (the household). If one is appointed to slaughter then he should fulfill the will accurately.

Many Muslims offer sacrifice on behalf of their deceased relatives during the first year of their death. They call it Dahiyyah Al-Hufrah (the sacrifice of the grave) – this practice has no basis in Shariah. Some people wipe or mark the animal from its face till the back of its neck to specify the owner of the animal. One should only state the owner by mentioning his name while slaughtering, without wiping. This was the conduct of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Moreover if one sacrifices the animal with only the intention and without mentioning the name of its owner, it still will be sufficient.

The sacrifice should be of camels, cows, sheep, or goats. It cannot be valid unless it meets two conditions:

· The animal must have reached the required age

· It must be free of certain defects that invalidate sacrifice.

Age specifications are as follows:

· Camels: Five years old.

· Cows: Two years old.

· Goats: One-year-old.

· Sheep: Six months old.

The defects that invalidate sacrifice have been explained by the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the following Hadith.

“Four (types of animals) should be avoided in sacrifice: A lame animal whose lameness is evident, a one-eyed animal which is clearly one-eyed, an animal which is clearly ill and an emaciated animal with no fat on it.” (Ahmad)

· The clear lameness is identified by the animal’s inability to fight and keep up with healthy animals.

· An animal with a defective eye – either popping out or completely concealed – is identified as one-eyed. If the imperfection is not detectable – even though the animal cannot see with it – the sacrifice will still be valid but disliked.

· The way it trots, the type of appetite it has, and other similar factors determine if the animal is healthy. An ailing animal whose poor health is obvious can be accepted as a legitimate sacrifice. In any case, it is preferable to offer an animal in the sacrifice that is free from all such defects.

· If the sacrificial animal is so thin that its bones contain no marrow, it will not be accepted as a valid sacrifice.

The sounder the sacrificial animal is, the more acceptable it becomes. The male animal, whether castrated or not, is acceptable as the Prophet (peace be upon him) offered both in sacrifice. However, the fleshier the animal, the more satisfactory it is.

Slaughtering a goat or a sheep is better than one-seventh of a camel or a cow, even though both are equivalent. One may share a cow or camel with six other persons, hoping reward for all of them. Sacrificing a pregnant animal is also equally acceptable.

One should slaughter his sacrificial animal himself if he is able to. If he cannot, he can hire someone to do it and should attend the slaughtering. If he is not present, the sacrifice is still valid. If a person slaughtered an animal thinking it was his but found out later that it belonged to someone else, then the sacrifice will be credited to the real owner, he will receive the reward for it and will be entitled to its meat.

For instance, if there is a yard with several sacrificial animals in it and a person takes one of them, assuming that it is his and slaughters it, but later discovers that it did not belong to him, then although the sacrifice is valid, the one who mistakenly slaughtered the animal does not receive the credit or reward for it. His position is like that of someone appointed to slaughter on behalf of the owner.

Earning The Blessings Of Paradise Does Not Mean One Has To Forego The Pleasures Of This World

Monks and ascetics, and many of the believers of this ummah think that the blessings of the hereafter cannot be attained without giving up the good things and pleasures of this world. So you see them punishing themselves and making life hard for themselves with non-stop fasting and [qiyaam] praying at night. Some of them even deny themselves good food, drink, and clothing and reject work and marriage. All of this is wrong, for Allah has created the good things of this world for the believers, and He denounces those who forbid the beautiful things that Allah (SWT) has created for His slaves:

“Say (O Muhammad): ´Who has forbidden the adornment which Allah has brought forth for His creatures or the good things from among the means of sustenance?´ Say: ´These are for the enjoyment of the believers in this world, and shall be exclusively theirs on the Day of Resurrection.´ Thus do We clearly expound Our revelations for those who have knowledge ” [7:32]

This world is only condemned when it distracts the believer from the Hereafter, but if he treats it as a means of achieving success in the akhirah then its pleasures need not be spurned, as some people think.