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The Ummahs Humiliation A Manifestation Of Allah’s Punishment

“Then when there came the first of the two promises (of Divine Punishment), We sent against you servants unto Us who were most powerful in warfare. Then they penetrated the homes. Indeed, it was a decree executed.”
(Surah Bani Israaeel, aayat 5)

“When the final promise (of Divine Punishment) came, (it came) so that they could (the kuffaar) disfigure your faces and enter the Musjid (i.e. Musjidul Aqsa) as they had entered the first time, and so that they could utterly destroy whatever they overran.”(Surah Bani Israaeel, aayat 8)

In these Quranic verses, Allah Ta’ala refers to His punishment which He had inflicted o­n the Muslims of former times. The specific community referred to in these verses is Bani Israel. Two occasions of punishment are mentioned here. On both occasions, Allah Ta’ala used the kuffaar to overwhelm, punish, and humiliate the Muslims. The punishments had taken the form of kuffaar atrocities-pillage, plunder, killing, and humiliating the Muslims, as well as the desecration of Musjidul Aqsa

The ayat specifically mentions the destruction that the kuffaar wrought to the Masjid Aqsa. Allah Ta’ala allowed the kuffaar to invade the Masjid Aqsa —to defile and violate its sanctity. The then Muslims were just as helpless as present-day Muslims. They had to suffer the punishment and humiliation without being able to offer any response and unable to defend either themselves or their holy places.

Allah’s Servants
It is significant that in the ayah, the Quran refers to the kuffaar who had defiled and destroyed Musjidul Aqsa and who had ravaged the Muslims of the time, as `servants unto Us’. This style of expression conveys that the kuffaar were appointed by Allah Ta’ala to inflict the punishment, atrocities, and humiliation on the Muslims who are supposed to be the true and obedient slaves and servants of Allah Ta’ala.

This style of expression implies that the domination of the kuffaar over Muslims is in fact a manifestation of Allah’s punishment. Throughout the world’s history, this has always been the case. When the Muslim Ummah had transgressed all bounds of disobedience and had firmly resolved to adopt transgression, sin, and kuffaar lifestyle as their way of life, then Allah Ta’ala unleashed His punishment, which sometimes came in the form of natural disasters and sometimes in the form of kuffaar brutality and domination.

The Cause
In this age, too, Muslims have degenerated to the lowest level of fisq and fujoor (transgression and immorality). The Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has been jettisoned right out of our lives, and the lifestyle and concepts of the kuffaar have become the complete culture and code of life of Muslims. It is for this reason that Allah Ta’ala has manifested His punishment o­n us in the form of kuffaar atrocities and domination over the Ummah. He has made us the slaves of the very kuffaar whom we have appointed as our intellectual masters, whose lifestyle Muslims are emulating in its entirety. Therefore, He has o­nce again sent His kuffaar `ibaad’ (servants) to punish and disgrace us, as he had done with Bani Israel when they had reached the point of no return in their transgression.
Thus, the cause of our degradation, humiliation, and of the calamities which are befalling the Ummah, is not America or the Shaitan. Rather, these events via the agency of the kuffaar are Allah’s punishment. It is He Who has chosen America to punish and humiliate the Muslims. It is He Who has chosen the Yahood to inflict such terrible acts of brutality o­n Muslims.

The Events Of Bani Isra’il Are A Lesson For Muslim

“And, in the Book, We declared to the children of Isra’il: ‘You will surely spread disorder on the earth twice, and you will surely show arrogance, a great arrogance. So, when came the time appointed for the first of the two, We sent upon you some servants belonging to us having strong aggressive power, who combed through the houses. And it was a promise bound to be fulfilled. Then We gave you your turn to overpower them, and increased your strength with wealth and sons, and made you greater in number. If you do good, you will do it for yourselves, and if you do evil, it will be for you, too. Later, when came the time appointed for the second, (We sent others) so that they spoil your faces, and so that they enter into the Mosque as the former ones had entered it the first time and destroy what they overpower, totally. Maybe your Lord would bestow mercy upon you. And if you do this again, We shall do that again. And We have made Jahannam a prison for the disbelievers. [Surah Al-Isra, Verses 4-8]

The outcome of the events mentioned above is that Allah Ta’ala decreed that the Bani Isra’il will be successful, having the best of both worlds, the material and the spiritual, as long as they continue to obey Allah. But, whenever they deviate from the dictates of Faith, they shall be put to disgrace, and they would be subjected to punishment at the hands of enemies and disbelievers. Then, not only that the enemies run over them destroying their lives and properties, but it would also happen that their Qiblah, their sacred Baytul-maqdis, would also not remain safe against the onslaught of that enemy. Their disbelieving enemies will barge into the Mosque of Baytul-maqdis and defile and damage it. This too will be a part of the punishment of Bani Isra’il themselves.

The Holy Qur’an has told us about two events relating to them. The first one dates back to the time of Mosaic religious law while the second pertains to the Christian. During both these periods, the Bani Isra’il rebelled against the divine law of the time. In the first case, a disbelieving Magian monarch was made to sit over them, and Baytul-maqdis, who brought great destruction upon them. In the second case, a Roman emperor was set against them who killed and pillaged and made Baytul-maqdis all demolished and rendered desolate. Along with this description, it has also been mentioned that the Bani Isra’il – when, on both occasions, they repented from their misdeeds resolving not to go near them again – Allah Ta’ala reinstated their country, wealth, and children.

After having mentioned these two events, Allah Ta’ala declared His Law in such matters by saying: (If you do this again, We shall do that again – 8). This law which means – ‘if you return to disobedience and contumacy, We shall, once again, make a similar penalty and punishment zoom back upon you’ – has been declared as valid right through the last day of Qiyamah. That its addressees were the people of Bani Isra’il who were present during the blessed time of the Holy Prophet serves as a reminder to them. It is being pointed out to them that they should not forget that they were seized by divine punishment twice when they had first opposed the code of Sayyidna Musa, and then the code of Sayyidna Isa.

Now this was the period of the Code of Laws brought by the Holy Prophet. This was a period that would continue up to the Last Day. Let them, therefore, realize that the fate of those who choose to be hostile to it will turn out to be no different. Consequently, this has actually happened. These people became hostile to Islam and the religious code of laws brought by the Holy Prophet. When they did that, they were expelled and disgraced at the hands of Muslims, and finally Baytul-maqdis, their Qiblah, too came under Muslim control. However, the only difference was that their past conquering kings had treated them disgracefully and had desecrated their Qiblah too. Now when Muslims took over Baytul-maqdis, they reconstructed the great Mosque of al-Quds ash-Sharif which had been demolished and desolate for centuries, and thereby reinstated the honour and reverence of the Qiblah of prophets.

The Events of Bani Isra’il are a Lesson for Muslims and What Has Happened to Baytul-maqdis in Our Time is a Part of the Same Chain. Obviously, the purpose of narrating these events relating to the Bani Isra’il in the Qur’an and making Muslims listen to them is to let Muslims understand that there are no exceptions to this divine law. Be it this mortal world or the eternal universe of their Faith, their honor and ascendancy, possessions, and wealth are inseparably tied with obedience to Allah. Whenever they veer away from their obedience to Allah and the Holy Prophet, their enemies and disbelieving tyrants of all sorts shall be empowered to prevail over them. When this happens, the desecration of their places of worship will also not remain too far.

The calamity of the Jewish usurpation of Baytul-maqdis in our time and the added sacrilege of setting fire to it have thrown the world of Islam into acute anxiety. In reality, it is confirming the Qur’an. Muslims forgot Allah and His Rasul, ignored the life waiting for them in the Hereafter, and opted to scrounge for their share in the glamour and grandeur of the mortal world. When they became aliens to the dictates of the Qur’an, and Sunnah, the same divine law stood activated before them.

The Reality of Sins

Allah has stated in the Holy Qur’an: “Leave (O mankind, all kinds of) sin, open and secret. Verily, those who commit sin will get due recompense for that which they used to commit.” (Holy Qur’an, 6:120)

In the above verse, Allah has ordered that Mankind should abstain from all types of sins. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir). It is further mentioned, that no action should be performed which is against the pleasure of Allah. Nor should there be any doubts regarding the Deen of Allah, otherwise it will be regarded as a sin. (Tafsir Uthmani)

Sins are those actions that are performed against the criteria of the Qur’an and Sunnah. The example of a sin is like that of cancer. When cancer inflicts a body part, that part of the body is singled out and may need to be removed completely from the body. This is done to prevent the fatal spread of the cancer throughout the whole body. Therefore, whenever a sin is committed, the believer should immediately resort to repentance (Taubah). The Prophet said: Refrain from sins which you may consider as minor, as you will be held accountable for them. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Sunan Baihaqi)

The Reasons for Sinning

1. Whenever the individual thinks that he or she is not being watched then Because of this mindset, it becomes very easy for that person to commit a sin. Remember! Allah has highlighted this point in the Holy Qur’an: “Allah, is verily always watching over them.” (Holy Qur’an, 89:14)
2. Whenever the individual thinks that no one is aware of their actions. Remember! Allah has already answered this in the Qur’an. “Allah knows the fraud of the eyes and all that the breasts conceal…” (Holy Qur’an, 40:19)
3. Whenever the individual thinks that no one is beside/near them. When this thought comes to mind then it becomes a means of opening the doors of sin. Remember! Allah has already answered this in the Holy Qur’an: “Allah is with you wherever you may be. And Allah is All-seer of what you do.” (Holy Qur’an, 57:4)
4. Whenever the individual thinks that they can not be held accountable by anyone, a sense of pride, this type of thinking increases the zeal in a person to commit sins. Remember! Allah has already answered this in the Holy Qur’an: “Verily, the seizing of Allah (of the wrongdoers) is very painful and severe.” (Holy Qur’an, 11:102)

What the Scholars of the Ummah say about sins

Hafiz Ibn Qayim stated: My friend! Do not look at sin in the manner of it being minor or major, look at it in the manner of the Majesty of the being whose orders you are disobeying (Allah ).

Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmed Naqshbandi states: When you commit a sin, you take great care of the small children that may be around, yet you have no thought of Allah Most High!? When committing a sin you close all those doors from which people may be able to see you. However, you cannot close that door from which Allah is always watching you.

Ata bin Abi Riba Tabiee stated: Whenever there is a deficiency in sustenance that is provided by Allah to an individual, he complains of this to the people. When that same person’s book of deeds, filled with sins comes before Allah, Allah does not complain of this individual and his actions to the angels. But, Allah waits for the moment that he will repent for his wrongdoings.

Imam Abu Hanifa stated: When somebody praises you, then in reality they are praising Allah. For it is due to the Mercy of Allah that he has kept your sins hidden from the eyes of people. If sins had a stench, then no one would even come near you! What is praise?!

A Tabiee is recorded as saying: I have experienced, that whenever I happen to disobey any order of Allah, I get the recompense of disobedience from my wife, children, servants, and even the animals I own.

When a person happens to sin, Allah prepares 4 witnesses for him

1. The Earth is made a witness on the Day of Qiyamah to the sin perpetrated on its back: “That Day (The Earth) will declare its information (good and bad that happened over it)” (Holy Qur’an 99:4)
2. The body parts of an individual will bear witness against the individual on the day of Qiyamah: “This day (Qiyamah) we shall seal up their mouths, and their hands will speak to us, and their legs will bear witness to what they used to earn.” (Holy Qur’an, 36:65)
3. The Angels will bear witness on the Day of Qiyamah: “Verily, appointed over you are angels to watch over you, honorable and writing down your deeds, they know all that you do.” (Holy Quran, 82:10-12)
4. The Book of Deeds will bear witness to their actions on the day of Qiyamah: “And when the pages of the book of deeds (of every person) shall be laid open.” (Holy Qur’an, 81:10).

One day Sayyidina Umar bin Khattab was reading this verse from the Holy Qur’an and the reality of the verse dawned upon him, he lost consciousness and was bedridden for several days. Many of the pious predecessors, used to read the following verse and cry all night saying “O Allah, what will be our condition be on that day?!” “The Day when all the secrets will be examined (as to their truth).” (Holy Qur’an, 86:9)

The remedy for sins is only in sincere repentance

Allah says: “O you who Believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sin, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise)-” (Holy Qur’an, 66:8)

Mufti Muhammed Shafi stated: the meaning of sincere repentance, is that an individual should feel guilt, remorse, and embarrassment over their past sins. Together with this, they should make a firm intention not to repeat the same sin. If however, the sins which are being repented over are amongst the ‘Rights of Allah’, it should then be performed/made up as quickly as possible through Qadha (Salat, fasting, Zakat, etc). If the past sin is from amongst the ‘Rights of the Creation’ then forgiveness must be sought from the wronged persons. If money/wealth was wrongfully taken, it should be returned to the rightful owner. (Khutabhaat)

If we perform our repentance in this manner then Allah says: “Except those who repent and believe and do righteous deeds; for those Allah will change their sins into good deeds, And Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Holy Qur’an, 25:70)

May Allah forgive all our sins through his Mercy and include us among his pious servants. Ameen!

by Mufti Muhammad Yusuf bin Yaqoob Danka

Servants Of Allah: Avoid Immoral Gatherings

‘And if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass it by with dignity.’ (25:72)

The preferred and chosen servants of the Almighty are those that if they happen to pass by such gatherings of immorality, they pass by with dignity and grace. That is to say that they do not attend such gatherings intentionally, if they happen to pass by them sometimes by chance they just walk away from there in a dignified manner.

Despite their belief that evil acts are hateful, they do not take pride or regard themselves as superior for not indulging in them. Once Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud happened to pass by an absurd and dissolute gathering, so he did not stop there but simply walked away. When the Holy Prophet learned about this incident, he remarked ‘Ibn Mas’ud has become dignified because he walked away from a dissolute gathering with dignity.’ (Ibn Kathir)

All acts of disobedience are poison to the heart and cause sickness and ruin. They result in it running off course, against that of Allah, and so its sickness festers and increases. Ibn al-Mubarak said: I have seen wrong actions killing hearts, and their degradation may lead to their becoming addicted to them. Turning away from wrong actions gives life to the heart, and opposing yourself is best for it. (Ibn Kathir)

Unnecessary companionship is a chronic disease that causes much harm. How often have the wrong kind of companionship and intermixing deprived people of Allah’s generosity, planting discord in their hearts which even the passage of time has been unable to dispel. In keeping such company one can find the roots of loss, both in this life and in the next life. A servant should benefit from companionship. In order to do so he should divide people into four categories, and be careful not to get them mixed up, for once one of them is mixed with another, then evil can find its way through to him:

The first category
They are those people whose company is like food: it is indispensable, night or day. Once a servant has taken his need from it, he leaves it until he requires it again, and so on. These are the people with knowledge of Allah and of the diseases of the heart and their remedies- who wish well for Allah, His Prophet, and His servants. Associating with this type of person is an achievement in itself.

The second category
They are those people whose company is like medicine. They are only required when a disease sets in. When you are healthy, you have no need for them. However, mixing with them is sometimes necessary for your livelihood, businesses, consultation, and the like. Once what you need from them has been fulfilled, mixing with them should be avoided.

The third category
They are those people whose company is harmful. Mixing with this type of person is like a disease, in all its variety and degrees and strengths and weaknesses. Associating with one or some of them is like an incurable chronic disease. You will never profit either in this life or in the next life if you have them for company, and you will surely lose either one or both of your religion and your livelihood because of them. If their companionship has taken hold of you and is established, then it becomes a fatal, terrifying sickness.

Amongst such people are those who neither speak any good that might benefit you, nor listen closely to you so that they might benefit from you. They do not know their souls and consequently put their selves in their rightful place. If they speak, their words fall on their listeners’ hearts like the lashes of a cane, while all the while they are full of admiration for and delight in their own words.

All in all, mixing with anyone who is bad for the soul will not last, even if it is unavoidable. It can be one of the most distressing aspects of a servant’s life that he is plagued by such a person, with whom it may be necessary to associate. In such a relationship, a servant should cling to good behavior, only presenting him with his outward appearance, while disguising his inner soul, until Allah offers him a way out of his affliction and the means of escape from this situation.

The fourth category
They are those people whose company is doom itself. It is like taking poison: its victim either finds an antidote or perishes. Many people belong to this category. They are the people of religious innovation and misguidance, those who abandon the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah and advocate other beliefs. They call the Sunnah an innovation and vice-versa. A man with any intellect should not sit in their assemblies nor mix with them. The results of doing so will either be the death of his heart or, at the very best, it’s falling seriously ill. Acts of obedience are essential to the well-being of the servant’s heart, just in the same way that food and drink are to that of the body. All wrong actions are the same as poisonous foods, and they inevitably harm the heart.

In order to maintain the well-being of his body, the servant carefully follows a strict diet. He habitually and constantly eats good food at regular intervals and is quick to free his stomach of harmful elements if he happens to eat bad food by mistake. The well-being of the servant’s heart, however, is far more important than that of his body, for while the well-being of his body enables him to lead a life that is free from illnesses in this world, that of the heart ensures him both a fortunate life in this world and eternal bliss in the next.

In the same way, while the death of the body cuts the servant off from this world, the death of the heart results in everlasting anguish. A righteous man once said, “How odd, that some people mourn for the one whose body has died, but never mourn for the one whose heart has died-and yet the death of the heart is far more serious!”

Do Not Confer Of Sin, Revolt And Disobedience Of Apostle (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam)

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 195]  “And spend in the way of Allah and cast not yourselves to perdition with your own hands, and do good (to others); surely Allah loves the doers of good.”

[58. Surah Al-Mujadila : Ayah 9] “O you who believe! when you confer together in private, do not give to each other counsel of sin and revolt and disobedience to the Apostle, and give to each other counsel of goodness and guarding (against evil); and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, to Whom you shall be gathered together.”

[58. Surah Al-Mujadila: Ayah 10] “Secret counsels are only (the work) of the Shaitan that he may cause to grieve those who believe, and he cannot hurt them in the least except with Allah’s permission, and on Allah let the believers rely.”

[6. Surah Al-An’am: Ayahs 68] “And when you see those who enter into false discourses about Our communications, withdraw from them until they enter into some other discourse, and if the Shaitan causes you to forget, then do not sit after recollection with the unjust people.”

[25. Surah Al-Furqan: Ayah 63] “And the servants of the Beneficent God are they who walk on the earth in humbleness, and when the ignorant address them, they say: Peace.”

“Our Lord! do not punish us if we forget or make a mistake; Our Lord! do not lay on us a burden as Thou didst lay on those before us, Our Lord do not impose upon us that which we have not the strength to bear; and pardon us and grant us protection and have mercy on us, Thou art our Patron, so help us against the unbelieving people.”

Contemplations On Hajj

You are set to depart to accomplish a great obligation. Make this journey to Allah’s House as Allah wants. Think of the next journey that is surely coming, the one that leads to the meeting of Allah, the Highest. This raises questions like What did I prepare for that Day? Am I following Allah’s Commands? Am I a follower of the Sunnah? Allah says: “And invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allah, none has the right to be worshipped but He, everything will perish save His Face, His is the Decision, and to Him (all) shall be returned.” [Soorah al-Qasas (28): 88]

When you equip yourself with enough provision to reach the sacred land of Makkah – remember your journey to Allah and the Hereafter where you will require the provision of your good deeds to reach your desired goal. Before you are death and grave, accounting and scales and al-Siraat followed by either Paradise or Hell. The blessed one will be he whom Allah saves, therefore follow the Command of Allah “and whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the Journey, but the best provision is at-Taqwa.” [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 197]

Putting on the two garments of Ihram should remind you of the moment of shrouding when your body will be wrapped and put in a grave. This prompts you to give up disobedience and sins, just as you abandoned your expensive clothes and dressed in two clean, white garments. Clean and purify your heart from all stains of sins and disobedience.

When you stand in meeqat, remember that there is still another meeqat that is sure to come soon. It is the meeqat (appointed meeting) on the Day of Resurrection: “Say (O Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam): Verily, those of old, and those of later times. All will surely be gathered together for an appointed Meeting of a known Day.” [(57): 49-50]

Upon entering Makkah remember you are in a secure sanctuary: “Have We not established for them a secure sanctuary (Makkah), to which are brought fruits of all kinds, a provision from Ourselves, but most of the men know not.” [Soorah (28): 57]

Remember the sanctuary on the Day of Resurrection, which none can achieve except those who truly believe in Allah and avoid all kinds of Shirk because “It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their Belief with Zulm (wrong, i.e. by worshiping others besides Allah), for them (only) there is security and they are guided.” [al-An’aam 6:81]
“If you were to join gods with Allah, truly fruitless will be your deeds.” [Soorah az-Zumar (39): 65] So, commit yourself to repentance, having a good opinion of Allah, hoping that Allah will grant you security from His Punishment.

When you enter al-Masjid al-Haraam, from one of the gates, now you see what you hoped to see for a long time. Thank Allah for making this possible and hope that He will grant you the greatest reward of seeing His Majestic Face on the Day of Reckoning. This thankfulness is not just to say ‘Al-Hamdulillah’, but also to obey His Commands during the Hajj and all your life through.

Kissing the Black Stone should install in your love for the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), remember the saying of Umar (radhi allahu anhu), “I know that you are a mere stone that can neither harm nor do any good. If I had not seen the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) kissing you, I would have never kissed you.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee (1520) and others]

You start your Tawaaf; know that Tawaaf is a great time for magnifying Allah. Remember Him and busy yourself in Du’aa. Reflect upon the time when the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was prevented from doing the same what you are performing!! Then think how Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) cleansed the House of Allah from every symbol signifying worship to others besides Allah. All idols were demolished! Ask Allah to make you steadfast on the correct belief and Path of the Salaf and make you die on the Deen al-Hanifiyyah.

Drink the water of Zam-Zam and supplicate to Allah and Glorify Him. Remember the blessing of Allah, which He has bestowed upon mankind in the form of this blessed water.

When you are in the Sa’ee (running between al-Safa’ and al-Marwa), contemplate on Hajrah, the mother of Isma’eel alaihis-salaam, when she asked her husband, Ibraheem alaihis-salaam: “Did Allah order you to do this (meaning leave me and my baby in the deserted area of Makkah)? When he (Ibraheem alaihis-salaam) replied in the affirmative, her strong belief, trust, and reliance on Allah was seen when she responded to him saying: “Then He (Allah) will not neglect us!!” This great statement of Haajar exemplifies the robust endurance, perseverance, and trust a Muslim should have in Allah. Here in the deserted Makkah was Hajrah with full conviction in Allah and there on the mountains was Ibraheem alaihis-salaam invoking Allah: “O our Rabb! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley with no cultivation, by Your Sacred House, in order, O our Rabb that they may offer prayers perfectly, so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and (O Allah) provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks.” [Soorah Ibraheem (14): 37] Allah answered the Du’aa of Ibraheem alaihis-salaam and valued the firm belief of Hajar – Men and fruit came to Makkah from different places and their son grew up to be a Prophet of Allah.

The Sa’ee and the struggle of Hajrah convey the lessons of Patience in adversity, and that man should turn to Allah, Who alone is the source of help. When a man remembers the struggle and patience of this woman, it makes it easier for him to bear his own problems.

Standing in Arafat (Wuqoof) and the crowd should remind you of the Day of Resurrection when all men from first to the last will stand in front of their Lord, barefooted, naked, and uncircumcised for fifty thousand years. Humble yourself to Allah and manifest your worship to Him alone. Determine to abandon all sins, rush to perform good deeds, and free yourself of all pride and arrogance.

Gather pebbles and when you are about to embark on stoning the jamaraat, remember the Hadeeth of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam): “When you cast the small pebbles (i.e. at the jamaraat), it will be a light for you on the Day of Judgment.” [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah vol: 6, no: 2515] This stoning at the Jamaraat is a manifestation of Uboodiyyah because even if a man does not understand the complete reason and wisdom behind the stoning, he follows the Command of Allah in submission.

Before you perform the sacrifice, purify your intention because: “It is neither their meat nor their blood which reaches Allah, but it is your devotion that reaches Him.” [Soorah al-Hajj (22): 37] When you slaughter your Hady (sacrifice), remember the event when a father (Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam) submitted to the Command of Allah and willingly agreed to sacrifice his only son (Isma’eel alaihis-salaam) who had grown and become a help for his old age. This teaches us to respond to the Command of Allah, just as Isma’eel did: “O my father! Do that which you are commanded Insha’Allah you will find me from the Saabireen (the patient ones).” [Soorah as-Saffat (37): 102]

After the completion of your Hajj, do not think that the remembrance of Allah has ended, carefully read what Allah says: “So when you have accomplished your Manaasik (i.e. the rites of Hajj) remember Allah as you remember your forefathers or with a far more remembrance.” [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 200]

Allah Rewards Without Price

[Quran – 47:36] “The present, worldly life is nothing but a play and a pastime… If you truly believe and keep from disobedience to Him in reverence for Him and piety, He will grant you your rewards, and will not ask of you your wealth.”

[EXPLAINED by Muhammad Asad] “Although the life of this world is “but a play and a passing delight”, God does not want to deprive the believers of its rightful enjoyment: and so He expects them to sacrifice only a small part of their possessions in His cause. This passage evidently foreshadows the imposition of the obligatory annual tax called zakah (“the purifying dues”), amounting to about 2.5 percent of a Muslims’s income and property, as pointed out by most of the classical commentators in connection with the above verse (hence my interpolation). The proceeds of this tax are to be utilized in what the Qur’an describes as “the cause [lit., “way”] of God”, i.e., for the defense and propagation of the Faith and the welfare of the community; and its spiritual purpose is the “purification” of a Muslim’s possessions from the blemish of greed and selfishness. (It is to be noted that the payment of zakah was made obligatory at the very beginning of the Medina period, that is, at approximately the same time as the revelation of the present surah.)”

Poisons Of The Heart: Too Much Food

The consumption of small amounts of food guarantees tenderness of the heart, strength of the intellect, humility of the self, weakness of desires, and gentleness of temperament. Immoderate eating brings about the opposite of these praiseworthy qualities.

Al-Miqdam ibn Ma’d Yakrib (ra) said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (s) say: “The son of Adam fills no vessel more displeasing to Allah than his stomach. A few morsels should be enough for him to preserve his strength. If he must fill it, then he should allow a third for his food, a third for his drink and leave a third empty for easy breathing.”15

Excessive eating induces many kinds of harm. It makes the body inclined towards disobedience to Allah and makes worship and obedience seem laborious-such evils are bad enough in themselves. A full stomach and excessive eating have caused many a wrong action and inhibited much worship. Whoever safeguards against the evils of overfilling his stomach has prevented great evil. It is easier for shaytan to control a person who has filled his stomach with food and drink, which is why it has often been said: “Restrict the pathways of shaytan by fasting.”16

It has been reported that when a group of young men from the Tribe of Israel were worshipping, and it was time for them to break their fast, a man stood up and said: “Do not eat too much, otherwise you will drink too much, and then you will end up sleeping too much, and then you will lose too much.”

The Prophet (s) and his companions, may Allah be pleased with them, used to go hungry quite frequently. Although this was often due to a shortage of food, Allah decreed the best and most favorable conditions for His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. This is why Ibn Umar and his father before him-in spite of the abundance of food available to them-modeled their eating habits on those of the Prophet (s). It has been reported that Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: “From the time of their arrival in Madina up until his death (s), the family of Muhammed (s) never ate their fill of bread made from wheat three nights in a row.”17

Ibrahim ibn Adham said: “Anyone who controls his stomach is in control of his deen, and anyone who controls his hunger is in control of good behavior. Disobedience towards Allah is nearest to a person who is satiated with a full stomach, and furthest away from a person who is hungry.”

The Effects Of Sins

ONE: The prevention of knowledge: Knowledge is a light that Allah throws into the heart and disobedience extinguishes this light.
Imaam Shaafi’ee (rahimahullah) said: “I complained to Wakee’ about the weakness of my memory, so he ordered me to abandon disobedience. And informed me that the knowledge is light. And that the light of Allah is not given to the disobedient. ”

TWO: The prevention of sustenance: Just as Taqwaa brings about sustenance, the abandonment of Taqwaa causes poverty. There is nothing that can bring about sustenance like the abandonment of disobedience.

THREE: The prevention of obedience (to Allah): If there was no other punishment for sin other than that it prevents one from obedience to Allah then this would be sufficient.

FOUR: Disobedience weakens the heart and the body: It’s weakening the heart is something that is clear. Disobedience does not stop weakening it until the life of the heart ceases completely.

FIVE: Disobedience reduces the lifespan and destroys any blessings: Just as righteousness increases the lifespan, sinning reduces it.

SIX: Disobedience ows its own seeds and gives birth to itself until separating from it and coming out of it becomes difficult for the servant.

SEVEN: Sins weaken the hearts will and resolve so that the desire for disobedience becomes strong and the desire to repent becomes weak bit by bit until the desire to repent is removed from the heart completely.

EIGHT: Every type of disobedience is a legacy of a nation from among the nations which Allah Azzawajall destroyed. Sodomy is a legacy of the People of Lot, taking more than one’s due right and giving what is less is a legacy of the People of Shu’ayb, seeking greatness in the land and causing corruption is a legacy of the People of Pharoah and pride/arrogance and tyranny is a legacy of the People of Hud. So the disobedient one is wearing the gown of some of these nations who were the enemies of Allah.

NINE: Disobedience is a cause of the servant being held in contempt by his Lord. Al-Hasan al-Basree (rahimahullah) said: They became contemptible in (His sight) so they disobeyed Him. If they were honorable (in His sight) He would have protected them. Allah the Exalted said:
“And whomsoever Allah lowers (humiliates) there is none to give honor.” [Hajj 22:18]

TEN: The ill-effects of the sinner fall upon those besides him and also the animals as a result of which they are touched by harm.

ELEVEN: The servant continues to commit sins until they become very easy for him and seem insignificant in his heart and this is a sign of destruction. Every time a sin becomes insignificant in the sight of the servant it becomes great in the sight of Allah.
Ibn Mas’ood (radiy Allahu anhu) said: Indeed, the believer sees his sins as if he was standing at the foot of a mountain fearing that it will fall upon him and the sinner sees his sins like a fly which passes by his nose so he tries to remove it by waving his hand around. [Bukhaaree]

TWELVE: Disobedience inherits humiliation and lowliness. Honor, all of it, lies in the obedience of Allah. Abdullaah ibn al-Mubaarak said:
“I have seen sins kill the hearts. And humiliation is inherited by their continuity The abandonment of sins gives life to the hearts. And the prevention of your soul is better for it.”

THIRTEEN: Disobedience corrupts the intellect. The intellect has light and disobedience extinguishes this light. When the light of the intellect is extinguished it becomes weak and deficient.

FOURTEEN: When disobedience increases, the servant’s heart becomes sealed so that he becomes of those who are heedless. The Exalted said:
“But no! A stain has been left on their hearts on account of what they used to earn (i.e. their actions).” [Mutaffifeen 83:14]

FIFTEEN: Sins cause various types of corruption to occur in the land. Corruption of the waters, the air, the plants, the fruits and the dwelling places. The Exalted said:
“Mischief has appeared on the land and the sea on account of what the hands of men have earned; that He may give them a taste of some of (the actions) they have done, in order that they may return.” [Rum 30:41]

SIXTEEN: The disappearance of modesty which is the essence of the life of the heart and is the basis of every good. Its disappearance is the disappearance of all that is good. It is authentic from the Messenger (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) that he said: Modesty is goodness, all of it [Bukhaaree and Muslim] A Poet said:
“And by Allah, there is no good in life or in the world when modesty goes.”

SEVENTEEN: Sins weaken and reduce the magnification of Allah, the Mighty in the heart of the servant

EIGHTEEN: Sins are the cause of Allah forgetting His servant, abandoning him, and leaving him to fend for himself with his soul and his Shaytaan, and in this is the destruction from which no deliverance can be hoped for.

NINETEEN: Sins remove the servant from the realm of Ihsaan (doing good) and he is prevented from (obtaining) the reward of those who do good. When Ihsaan fills the heart it prevents it from disobedience.

TWENTY: Disobedience causes the favors (of Allah) to cease and make His revenge lawful. No blessing ceases to reach a servant except due to a sin and no retribution is made lawful upon him except due to a sin. Alee (radiy Allahu ‘anhu) said: No trial has descended except due to a sin and it (the trial) is not repelled except by repentance. Allah the Exalted said:
“Whatever misfortune afflicts you then it is due to what your hands have earned and (yet) He pardons many.” [Shura 42:30]
And the Exalted also said: “That is because never will Allah change the favor He has bestowed on a people until they change what is with themselves..” [Anfaal 8:53]

Imaam Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah
Source: From his Book Al-Jawaab al-Kaafee

Counter-Acting Black Magic

That black magic exists, there is no doubt. It is mentioned in the Qur’an. But magic has no real substance. It is all illusory; it has no substance. If you look at the references to magic which occur in the Qur’an, you will find that the sorcerers employed by Pharaoh to try to defeat Moses were able to produce “great magic”, that sent a feeling of fear into Moses, despite the fact that he was a messenger of God. Yet that great magic had no substance. God says: “Their ropes and staffs seemed to him to be moving, as a result of their magic.” This shows that they did not move, but he imagined them to be moving.

Could magic have a bad effect on us? Yes, it could, but I do not know how. There may be some evil people who resort to magic in order to disturb others. They may use their evil learning to earn money. They commit a grave sin. It is forbidden to learn magic and to practice it in any way. If a person resorts to such people asking them for help against a third party, both the one asking for that and the one doing it are guilty of disobedience to God.

How to counteract such evil deeds? It is by resorting to the Qur’an, reading it as often as one can, particularly the last two surahs: Al-Falaq and Al-Nas. One should also appeal to God for protection against all evil. When you have done that, try hard to keep all thoughts of people having cast a spell on you out of your mind. Always maintain that no harm could come to you without God’s permission. Therefore, do all that ensures for you God’s protection, fulfilling your duties, helping other people, particularly those in need. Always place your trust in God, reassuring yourself that no harm or benefit comes from people unless God wills it. He does not will anyone any harm.