Learning The Deen

[Ummati]

"And say: My Lord increase me in knowledge."
(Qur'an, Ta-Ha 20:114)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The seeking of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim." - Al-Tirmidhi

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “One who treads a path in search of knowledge has his path to Paradise made easy by God…” - Riyadh us-Saleheen, 245

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "A servant of God will remain standing on the Day of Judgment until he is questioned about his (time on earth) and how he used it; about his knowledge and how he utilized it; about his wealth and from where he acquired it and in what (activities) he spent it; and about his body and how he used it." - Al-Tirmidhi

The Prophet also said: "Knowledge from which no benefit is derived is like a treasure out of which nothing is spent in the cause of God." - Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "God, His angels and all those in Heavens and on Earth, even ants in their hills and fish in the water, call down blessings on those who instruct others in beneficial knowledge." - Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 422

The Prophet also said: "Acquire knowledge and impart it to the people." - Al-Tirmidhi

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, God will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise. The angels will lower their wings in their great pleasure with one who seeks knowledge. The inhabitants of the heavens and the Earth and (even) the fish in the deep waters will ask forgiveness for the learned man. The superiority of the learned over the devout is like that of the moon, on the night when it is full, over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets leave (no monetary inheritance), they leave only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion. - Sunan of Abu-Dawood

[Ummati]

Fiqh is grouped into two parts:
- Ibadaat (worship)
- Mua'malaat (dealings & transactions)

Lesson I : Ablution

Narrated Nu'am Al-Mujmir:
Once I went up the roof of the mosque, along with Abu Huraira. He perform ablution and said, "I heard the Prophet saying, "On the Day of Resurrection, my followers will be called "Al-Ghurr-ul-Muhajjalun" from the trace of ablution and whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so (i.e. by performing ablution regularly).' " (Bukhari)

THE OBLIGATORY ACTS

1 Washing the face from hair of the forehead to the lower portion of the chin; and across from one ear to the other
2 Washing both hands and arms upto the elbows
3 Performing the Masa’h (wiping with wet hands, one fourth of one’s head)
4 Washing both the feet upto the ankles

THE SUNNAH ACTS

1 Saying the Intention (Niyyah)
2 Reciting ‘Bismillah’
3 Washing the hands, three times, upto the wrists
4 Brushing teeth with a tooth-stick (Miswak)
5 Rinsing the mouth, thrice
6 Sniffing water into the nostrils, thrice,
7 Combing (doing Khilal) the beard with the fingers
8 Passing fingers of both hands, against each other, and also passing them through the toes (Khilal of fingers and toes)
9 Washing, each limb, three times
10 Performing the Masa’h once over the whole head
11 Performing the Masa’h of the two ear
12 Performing Ablution (Wudu) in proper order
13 Washing each part, one after the other, without pause, to ensure that no part dries up before the next step.
14 To begin Ablution (Wudu) from the right side

THE DESIRABLE (MUSTAHAB) ACTS

1 Performing ‘Masa’h’ of the nape.
2 Facing Qiblah.
3 Performing Ablution while sitting at a clean and elevated place.
4 Recite this Dua after ablution: "O Allah Make me of the repenters and make me of the purified." (dua attached)

THE UNDESIRABLE (MAKRUH) ACTS

1 Performing Ablution at a dirty place
2 Blowing one’s nose with the right hand
3 Talking about worldly affairs while performing Ablution
4 Use more than necessary water
5 While washing the face, splashing water violently

THE NULLIFIERS OF WUDHU

1 The passing of stool, urine or anything that passes out of their routes
2 Passing gas from the posterior region
3 Flowing pus (peep in urdu) or blood from any region of the body
4 Vomit mouthful
5 Sleep by lying down or with support
6 Fainting due to illness or other reason
7 Become insane (majnoon/deewana)
8 Laugh loudly in Salah (kehkaha maarna)

Reference: fahmedeenonline.com/

*Note:
Fard: actions which cannot be left
Sunnah- can be left at times, but will get less reward. But if continuously left, sinful.
Mustahab- if done, reward- if left, no sin.

Difference between sunnah and mustahab acts:-
- Sunnah: more reward than Mustahab.
- If Sunnah left persistently, sin- not so with Mustahab

Attachments:

[Maria]

Arrogance is one of the most dangerous inner diseases of the heart. Those inner diseases reside in the hearts but their destructive effects are reflected in the behavior and conduct of the sick person who can be prevented from entering paradise on the Day of Judgment. In the authentic hadith reported by Imams Muslim and At-Tirmithi the prophet (S.A.W.) said, "One will not enter Paradise, if one has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his/her heart."


what is arrogance?

The prophet (S.A.W.) defined it for us in an authentic hadith reported by Imams Muslim and At-Tirmithi, "One will not enter Paradise, if one has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his/her heart." a man then asked, "One may love his clothes to look good and his shoes to look good?!" The prophet replied, "Allah is beautiful and loves beauty, arrogance is: rejecting the truth and looking down on people."

The different degrees and types of arrogance:



Allah (S.W.T.) turns the arrogant people away from being guided with his signs. He (S.W.T.) says in surat Al-A’raaf, (Verse 146), what can be translated as, "I shall turn away from My Ayat (verses of the Qur’an) those who behave arrogantly on the earth, in a wrongful manner."

The most severe arrogance is being arrogant against Allah (S.W.T.) and rejecting submission and worshipping Him.

Allah (S.W.T.) says in surat Ghafer, (Verse 60), what can be translated as, "Verily! Those who disdain My worship (because of arrogance), they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!"



From arrogance is being arrogant against the messengers and rejecting their message and not following them just because they are human.

This is the case of many non-believers about whom Allah (S.W.T.) says in the Qur'an in surat Al-Mu’minoon, (Verse 47), what can be translated as,
"They said: "Shall we believe in two men like ourselves."
And in surat Ibraheem, (Verse 10), can be translated as, "They said to their messengers: "You are no more than human beings like us."

And the tribe of Quraish also said, when it rejected and looked down on the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) because he was an orphan and poor, as Allah (S.W.T.) told us in surat Az-Zukhruf, (Verse 31), what can be translated as, "And they say: "Why is not this Qur’an sent down to some great man of the two towns (Makka and Ta’if)."

Allah (S.W.T.) described to us the real situation of the disbelievers in surat An-Namal, (Verse 14), what can be translated as, "And they belied them (those Ayat) wrongfully and arrogantly, though their ownselves were convinced thereof (i.e. those Ayat are from Allah)."

Allah (S.W.T.) told us the story of Iblees so that we may learn lessons from it, when he ordered him to prostrate to Adam and he rejected because of his Arrogance and Envy towards Adam, claiming that he is better than him. Allah said in surat Al-A’raaf, Verse (12), what can be translated as,
"…I am better than him (Adam), you created me from fire, and you created him from clay."

Allah (S.W.T.) demonstrated to us that arrogance is an exclusive attribute of Himself. In a Qudsi hadith reported by Imam Muslim that Allah (S.W.T.) says,
"Dignity is my lower garment, and arrogance is my covering. If anyone competes with Me in either of these two, surely I torture. him"

Allah (S.W.T.) says in surat Luqman, (Verse 18), what can be translated as, "And do not turn your face away from men with arrogance, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah does not like each arrogant boaster."

Allah does not like the one who is conceited and arrogant.

The prophet (S.A.W.) says what was reported by Imams Bukhari and Muslim, "While a man was showing off in his garment, he looked proudly to himself, all of a sudden, Allah immediately crumbled the earth underneath him, and he is still dropping with struggle through it till the Day of Judgment."

Allah (S.W.T.) does not look with mercy, on the Day of Judgment, at the one whom lengthened his clothes out of arrogance. The prophet (S.A.W.) says reported by Imams Bukhari, Muslim, and other, "Whosoever drags his clothes out of arrogance, Allah will not look at him on the Day of Judgment." Abu Bakr said: "O messenger of Allah: My garment slips (slightly off his waist) to the ground but I lift it!?" The prophet replied, "You are not among those who do it out of arrogance."

After we have heard all these verses and ahadith about the dangers of arrogance and how bad the consequences are, we should be cautioned and get away from it and from its effects and its characteristics. So we teach ourselves to follow the truth when we know it, and humble ourselves in front of others.

Imam Muslim reported that the prophet (S.A.W.) said, "....And no one has humbled himself for the sake of Allah, but Allah has elevated him."

The prophet (S.A.W.) is the best example of humility in his life.

Imams Bukhari and Muslim reported that "The prophet used to pass by children and give Salaam to them (greet them)." Imam Bukhari reported that, "A female slave from Madinah use to take the prophet’s sleeve and take him wherever she wants." Imam Bukhari also reported, "That the Prophet used to be at the service of his family."

[Ummati]

Lesson III: GHUSL

Once, when we were having a chat with a teacher, she said to us: I don't know what I was doing with my life (before I started learning about the Deen). I didn't even know the obligatory acts of ghusl. I wasn't even properly pure!

That got me thinking...

How many of us know what are the fard acts of ghusl, without which our ghusl is incomplete??

And just consider how Islam takes care of us. It even takes care of our taking a bath, and meanwhile we are rewarded for it! For something we would be doing anyway... Subhan Allah!

MASNOON WAY OF DOING GHUSL

The person taking a bath should first of all wash both hands up to the wrists. Then wash the private parts. The hands and private parts should be washed irrespective of whether there is any impurity on them or not. Both these have to be washed under all conditions. Thereafter, any impurity found on the rest of the body should be washed. Then make wudhu. If one is sitting on a stool or stone while bathing, then the feet should also be washed when making wudhu. But if one is sitting in a place where the water accumulates and he will have to wash the feet again after completing the ghusl, then the entire wudhu should be made but the feet should not be washed. After performing wudhu, pour water on the head three times. Thereafter pour water over the right and left shoulders three times each in such a way that water reaches the entire body. Thereafter move from this place and go to a clean spot and wash the feet. If the feet were washed when making wudhu there will be no need to wash them again.

THE OBLIGATORY ACTS

1 To gargle the mouth in such a way that water reaches everywhere
2 To wash the nose up to the soft bone
3 To pour water over the entire body.
*Whilst pouring water over the body the first time, rub the body well so that water reaches everywhere properly and no place remains dry.

THE SUNNAH ACTS

1 Making intention (iraada) of doing ghusl
2 Saying bismillah
Bismillah can be said aloud if clothes haven't been removed as yet, otherwise dil may
3 Rubbing body
4 Doing ghusl according to masnoon way

THE DESIRABLE (MUSTAHAB) ACTS

1 While bathing, one should not face the qiblah.
2 Too much of water should not be used, nor should so little be used, that one is unable to wash thoroughly.
3 The bath should be taken at such a place that no one can see the bather.
4 After bathing, the body should be wiped with a cloth or towel.
5 The person should hasten to cover his body
to the extent that if the feet were not washed when making wudhu, then when he moves from the place of ghusl, he should cover himself up first and then wash the feet.


.. So now we know.
Insha Allah lets put the masnoon way of ghusl into practice.

Oh Allah, we purify ourselves outwardly and pray you purify us inwardly as well. Ameen.



Indeed whosoever purifies himself (by avoiding polytheism and accepting Islamic Monotheism) shall achieve success: Surah A'la

"Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a bath and cleaning and washing thoroughly their private parts, bodies, for their prayers etc.).; (Al Baqarah 2:222)

A beautiful hadith:
Narrated AbuMalik al-Ash'ari:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Cleanliness is half of faith and Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) fills the scale, and SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah) and Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) fill up what is between the heavens and the earth, and prayer is a light, and charity is proof (of one's faith) and endurance is a brightness and the Qur'an is a proof on your behalf or against you. All men go out early in the morning and sell themselves, thereby setting themselves free or destroying themselves. (Sahih Muslim Book 2)

[Maria]

LESSON # 4 : IMPORTANCE OF AZAN

AZAN IS ;[/b]

The first step towards the most important pillar of Islam after Shahaadah

If you respect/respond/interact with Adhan properly, it will have direct effect on the performance of the first act of worship: Salah!

MANNERS OF LISTENING TO THE AZAN:

1. BE SILENT.

2. REPEAT WAT MUADHIN SAYS.

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:

Allah’s Apostle (s.a.w.) said, “Whenever you hear the Adhan, say what the Mu’adhdhin is saying.

Narrated Mu’awiya r.a. as above (586) and added:

“When the Mu’adhdhin said, “Haiya alas-sala(t) (come for the prayer).” Muawiya said, “La hawla wala quwata illa billah (There is neither might nor any power except with Allah)” and added, “We heard your Prophet (s.a.w.) saying the same.”

3. INVOKE DA BLESSINGS TO THE PROPHETS:

Abdullah b. Amr b. al-As reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: When you hear the Mu’adhdhin, repeat what he says, then invoke a blessing on me, for everyone who invokes a blessing on me will receive ten blessings from Allah; then beg from Allah al-Wasila for me, which is a rank in Paradise fitting for only one of Allah’s servants, and I hope that I may be that one. If anyone who asks that I be given the Wasila, he will be assured of my intercession.

4. MAKE THE DUA E FAZILAH:

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ وَالصَّلَاةِ الْقَائِمَةِ آتِ مُحَمَّدَاً الْوَسِيلَةَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَامَاً مَحْمُودَاً الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ

"O Allah, the Lord of this total call (invitation, proclamation) and the Lord of the Salat to begin, grant Muhammad 'intercession' ( a status) and grant him superiority and let him reach Mooqame Mahmood which You have promised, for definitely You do not go back on Your promises".

1. Waseelah: Special status and grade to be given only to the Prophet pbuh
2. Fazeelah: Another description of that special status
3. Maqaam-um-Mahmood: Special position that the Prophet pbuh will get on the Day of Judgment. All Prophets will be under his flag. He will be given permission to intercede etc.


5. MAKE DUA B/W AZAN N IQAMAH:

Narrated Anas ibn Malik:

The supplication made between the adhan and the iqamah is not rejected.


GOING EARLY TO MASJID:

Men whom neither merchandise nor selling diverts from the remembrance of Allah and the keeping up of prayer and the giving of poor-rate; they fear a day in which the hearts and eyes shall turn about;

GETTING THE FIRST SUFF:

. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Were people to know the blessing of pronouncing Adhan and the standing in the first row, they would even draw lots to secure these privileges. And were they to realize the reward of performing Salat early, they would race for it; and were they to know the merits of Salat after nightfall (`Isha') and the dawn (Fajr) Salat, they would come to them even if they had to crawl.'‘ [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

EXCELLENCE OF AZAN:

=> SPECIAL HONOUR:

. Mu`awiyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying: "The Mu'adhdhinun (callers to prayer) will have the longest necks on the Day of Resurrection.''[Muslim].

Interpretation: Those who call Adhan will have an honorable and great status on the Day of Requital. [/color]

=>WITNESS 4 U:

Abdullah bin `Abdur-Rahman reported: Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) said to me: “… you should raise your voice because whoever hears the Adhan, whether a human or jinn or any other creature, will testify for you on the Day of Resurrection.'' Abu Sa`id added: "I heard this from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).''[Al-Bukhari].

=> SHAITAAN RUNS AWAY:

Jabir (R) reported that he heard the Prophet pbuh saying; Indeed when Shaitaan hears the call for prayer, he goes away till Rawhaa (Muslim)


CALL IT EVEN DURING TRAVEL:


Maalik bin Huwairith (R) said, “I came to the Prophet pbuh with my cousin. The Prophet pbuh said: ‘When you travel, call Adhan and Iqamah for Salah…’” (Bukhari)


azan chart:

4x Allahu Akbar God is Greater

2x Ash-had al-la ilaha illa llah I bear witness that there is no God except the One God.

2x Ash-hadu anna Muħammadan rasulullah I bear witness that Muhammad is God's Messenger

2x Hayya 'ala-salahh Come to salat (prayer, worship)

2x Hayya 'ala 'l-falah Come to success

2x As-salatu khayru min an-nawm Salat (prayer, worship) is better than sleep (in fajr only)

2x Allāhu akbar God is Greater

1x La ilaha illallah There is no god except the One God.

[Maria]

LESSON 5: PATIENCE

One thing which is seriously lacking among the Muslims is patience. We are so harsh with each other at times that it is hard to believe we are supposed to be brothers and sisters. We often times give greater excuses to the non-Muslims than we do to ourselves. We are supposed to advise each other to do good and to be patient.

In Surat Al Asr, Allah says,

Verily, man is in loss, except those who believe and do good deeds and encourage one another towards truth and encourge one another towards patience. (104:2-3)

Patience is a sign of the the Muslim character.

i know a lady who taught me a great deal. She probably does not even know how much she affected me, for it was not anything she said. It was purely her actions. This lady had a daughter who was about 11 or 12 years old. She had been sick for a few years. The young girl had been taken to the hospital because her heart and lungs were giving out on her. This had become a routine for them. She went to the hospital, they treated her, and she went home. This time, however, it was different.
This time, the doctor took us all into a small room - the consultation room. He told this woman that this time there was nothing that could be done. The damage had become too extensive. Essentially all that they could do was keep her comfortable. This lady started to cry, to get really upset. Then, unexpectedly, she was extremely calm. This lady lived up to her name, Sakeenah, for she showed the utmost in tranquility. She said, "No! I will not do this. Allah does not expect this of me. Doctor, tell me what I have to do." Wallahi, the doctor, who was used to the grief expressions of the Kufar, was astonished. He had to pull himself together before he could continue. I know he had never seen anything like this. What a beautiful dawaa this woman gave, May Allah increase her reward.

She avoided the easy route, the one no one would have blamed her for taking. After all, she was a mother about to lose her beloved daughter, but the thought that came to her was, "What would Allah want?". Subhana Allah. Allah reward her. This woman, in her love to Allah, in her show of patience, taught me better than a thousand books or a hundred lectures. She showed me what true Muslim patience is. As expected, the young girl died soon after. Sakeenah cried a mother's tears, but she was never excessive in her grief, and she was a marvolous example to her other children. They too showed honor and deen in their mourning of the young girl. This is Islam, and this is patience.

Ibn Qayim divides patience into the following five categories;


Wajib Sabr:

1. Patience in doing the fard,
2. Patience in avoiding the haram, and
3. Patience in times of fitnah.

Mandub Sabr:

1. Patience in abstaining abstaining from Makruh (disliked),
2. Patience in performing mustahab (encouraged acts), and
3. Patience in restraining from revenge.

Haram Sabr:

1. Patience in abstaining from food and drink til death,
2. Patience from eatting haram meat when it is a necessity for sustaining life (only so much as is necessary to sustain the life)
3. Patience in refraining from begging (For this one: Ahmad said it is haram and Shafaii said in life and death instances, it is a must).
4. Patience in enduring things which lead to death (example: snakes, fire), \
5. Patience in the time of fitnah -- when Muslims are fighting.

Makruh Sabr:

1. Patience in abstaining from physical appetites to the extent one is hurt by it, and
2. Patience in doing makruh deeds.

Mubah (Permissible) Sabr:

1. Patience in abstaining from mubah deeds.

a story about Shibili

Someone asked him,
"What type of patience is most difficult?"
Shibili said,"Patience in seeking the help of Allah."
The man answered, "No."
Shibili said, "Then, patience for the sake of Allah."
The man said , "No."
Shibili said, "Patience for the pleasure of Allah."
The man said, "No."
So, Shibili asked, "What is it then?"
The man answered , "Patience in keeping away from Allah."

Indeed, the patience in avoiding the natural fitrah, the patience in avoiding worshipping and loving, and fearing Allah, the patience in being kafir - or even in being a sinful Muslim, is an extreme patience, a difficulty beyond measure. Allahu Akbar! We have to be patient in obeying Allah. We have to be patient in avoiding wrong deeds. We have to be patient in accepting Allah's Qadr, but to be patient in avoiding Allah. This is indeed the most difficult.

ALLAH says ;

O you who believe! seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely Allah is with the patient. (2:153)

Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. (2:155)

If good befalls you, it grieves them, and if an evil afflicts you, they rejoice at it; and if you are patient and guard yourselves, their scheme will not injure you in any way; surely Allah comprehends what they do. (3:120)

And how many a prophet has fought with whom were many worshippers of the Lord; so they did not become weak-hearted on account of what befell them in Allah's way, nor did they weaken, nor did they abase themselves; and Allah loves the patient. (3:146)

O you who believe! be patient and excel in patience and remain steadfast, and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, that you may be successful. (3:200)

What is with you passes away and what is with Allah is enduring; and We will most certainly give to those who are patient their reward for the best of what they did. (16:96)
And those who were given the knowledge said: Woe to you! Allah's reward is better for him who believes and does good, and none is made to receive this except the patient. (28:80)

And if We make man taste mercy from Us, then take it off from him, most surely he is despairing, ungrateful.But if We give him a taste of (Our) favours after adversity hath touched him, he is sure to say, "All evil has departed from me:" Behold! he falls into exultation and pride. Except those who are patient and do good, they shall have forgiveness and a great reward. (11:9-11)


Hadith

Allah's Apostle said, "The example of a believer is that of a fresh tender plant; from whatever direction the wind comes, it bends it, but when the wind becomes quiet, it becomes straight again. Similarly, a believer is afflicted with calamities (but he remains patient till Allah removes his difficulties.) And an impious wicked person is like a pine tree which keeps hard and straight till Allah cuts (breaks) it down when He wishes."


I heard Allah's Apostle (peace_be_upon_him) said: The Last Hour would come (when) the Romans would form a majority amongst people. Amr said to him (Mustawrid al-Qurashi): See what you are saying? He said: I say what I heard from Allah's Apostle (peace_be_upon_him) Thereupon he said: If you say that, it is a fact for they have four qualities. They have the patience to undergo a trial and immediately restore themselves to sanity after trouble and attack again after flight. They (have the quality) of being good to the destitute and the orphans, to the weak and, fifthly, the good quality in them is that they put resistance against the oppression of kings.


Thus, we find that the reward for sabr is great. It is a sign of the Muslim that in adversity he is patient.

When a muslim has nothing, he says, "Alhamdulillah.", and when he is given something, he says, "Alhamdulillah.", and he shares whatever Allah has provided him. Also, the Muslim is the one who does not despair when he is without, or when a seemingly bad event happens to him because he knows that: "Verily, along with every hardship comes ease. Verily, along with every hardship comes ease" (94:5).

Narrated 'Aisha:

(the wife of the Prophet) Allah's Apostle said, "No calamity befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it, even though it were the prick he receives from a thorn."

[affinity]

Jazak'ALLAH khair
May we be able to digest n practice it all

[Ummati]

Lesson 6: Look Down Upon No Soul

People who are involved in religious work sometimes have to point out the faults of others in order to save them from acts of sin. In these instances it is essential to ensure that one does not belittle the person he is advising.

There was once a man from the Banu Israel, whose piety was so great that Allah SWT had instructed a cloud to shelter him at all times. Once whilst this pious person was resting during a journey a person who was renowned for his sins passed by.

Upon seeing the pious person this sinful person thought to himself that let me benefit from the company of this pious servant of Allah. Thus the sinner came and sat right next to the pious man.

The pious person immediately & with great anger got up from his place. For he could not bear the fact that such a great sinner should sit next to him. As he stood up however the pious person noticed to his amazement that the cloud was no longer sheltering him. Rather, it was sheltering the sinner.

In confusion the pious man at once went to the Prophet of that time & requested him to explain what has happened. The Prophet explained: Because the man who came to you came with admiration for your taqwah Allah SWT elevated him to your status and because you looked down upon him Allah SWT degraded you to his status. As a result the cloud was removed from you and given to him.

Look down upon no soul. For you know not what is in their heart.

“And whether you hide your word or publish it, He certainly has full knowledge, of the secrets of all hearts.” (Quran 67:13)

[Administrator]

Lesson 7: Truth is Best

Tell them Daddy's not home!!

"So you see," said her father as he finished reading the storybook, "A Muslim never lies and always tells the truth. That's what Islam teaches us."

Just then, the telephone bell rang sharply in the house. As the little girl ran to answer it, her father called out, "If it is for me, tell them Daddy is not home!!"

Subhaan Allaah!

This is just one the scenarios in our everyday lives. We claim to be Muslims and unhesitatingly say that we are proud to follow Islam, but when it comes to putting our words into actions, unfortunately, we are far from it. We teach our children one thing but we do another. We preach piety but we ourselves don't practice it.

Once a Sahabiah called her son in telling him that she wanted to give him something. The Prophet (S.A.W) then asked her if she had in fact given anything to her son. She replied that she had given him a date. The Prophet (S.A.W) told her that if she had not given him anything she would have been recorded as lying to her child.

So.. Telling your kid to say "Daddy's not home' when, in fact, you are right there is a form of lying.

And not fulfilling your promises on purpose, when you had the power to do so, is a form of lying.

And cheating in the exams is a form of lying.

Your 'friend' marking you present, although you were absent, is another form of lying.

Faking a 'doctor's note' when in reality, you were not sick, you just overslept or were too lazy to go to work or school is also lying.

Telling the cop that your wife is having surgery or your kid is sick, (or whatever else excuses one can think of) when he pulls you over for speeding is also lying.

Dishonesty in your business dealings as well as in your interaction with others is lying.

Giving false witness is one of the gravest forms of lying.

Making a false claim that your injury happened at work, although it didn't, so that you could get compensation is lying.

Pretending to be of low income and applying for government aid, although you are not in need of it, is another form of lying and deception.

Forging or altering university certificates to get a job or visa, is just plain and simple, lying and fraud.

Paper marriages to get a green card, altering a bill to 'save' some money or for insurance purposes or some other kind of personal gain is also trickery and deceit.

And the list goes on and on.......

~*~

We need to Remember:

1 Ibaadah isn't just praying and fasting.

TRUE Ibaadah includes our 'Mu'amalaat', how we deal with others, Muslims as well as non-Muslims, our manners and our behavior.

2 Lying is one of the MAJOR SINS.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Shall I not tell you of the greatest of major sins?” They said: Yes, O Messenger of Allaah. He said: “Association of others with Allaah, disobedience towards one’s parents” – and he was reclining, but he SAT UP and said: “And false speech and false witness.”

3 Lying is one of the signs of the hypocrites.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “The signs of the hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies, when he makes a promise he breaks it, and when he is entrusted with something he breaks that trust.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

4 Any apparent 'gain' that we get from all these forms of lying is not actually any gain at all.

Actually, any money that we earn or save is all haraam because we didn't earn it lawfully. And it is one of the reasons why dua is rejected by Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.

Remember the Hadeeth of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam):
“Then he mentioned a man who had been traveling for a long time and was disheveled and dusty; he stretches out his hands towards the heavens and says, ‘O Lord, O Lord’, but his food is haraam, his drink is haraam, his clothing is haraam. He is nourished by haraam, so how can his du’aa’ be accepted?” (Muslim)

5 Lying leads to Hell fire!

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
"Beware of telling lies, for lying leads to immorality and immorality leads to Hellfire. A man will keep telling lies and striving to tell lies until he is recorded with Allaah as a liar.” (Muslim)

~*~

Thus we as Muslims, must realize what being truthful really means. It means speaking the truth and saying and doing things that reflect reality. We have to remember the gravity of sin involved in lying and strive to the best of our ability to tell the truth under all circumstances, no matter what the outcome.

If you fear Allaah, He will find ways out of all difficulties for you and provide for you from means you never even imagined.

"And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allaah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allaah has set a measure for all things." (Surah Talaaq:2-3)

‘Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt, for truthfulness is certainty and tranquillity, whilst lying is doubt and confusion.” (Saheeh- al-Tirmidhi, al-Nisaa'i, and Ahmad)

There are three instances, however, in which a person is exempted:

Humaid b. 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Auf reported that his mother Umm Kulthum daughter of 'Uqba b. Abu Mu'ait, and she was one amongst the first emigrants who pledged allegiance to Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him), as saying that she heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: A liar is not one who tries to bring reconciliation amongst people and speaks good (in order to avert dispute), or he conveys good. Ibn Shihab said he did not hear that exemption was granted in anything what the people speak as lie but in three cases: in battle, for bringing reconciliation amongst persons and the narration of the words of the husband to his wife, and the narration of the words of a wife to her husband (in a twisted form in order to bring reconciliation between them).

(Sahih Muslim)

Finally, I part with:

“O you who believe! Be afraid of Allaah, and be with those who are TRUE (in word and deeds).” [al-Tawbah:119]


Source:
muslim-responses.com/Islam_on_Lying/
www.alhudainstitute.ca/login/article.asp?Number=Fifteen
islamicthinking.tumblr.com/post/3611977050/bad-breath

[ILoveAllah]

Lesson 8

[iLoveAllah]

EXCESSIVE TALKING:

=> FOUR THINGS:

Four things that make your body sick:
a) Excessive talking
b) Excessive sleeping
c) Excessive eating and
d) Excessive sex

Four things that destroy the body:
a) Worrying
b) Sorrow (Sadness/Grief)
c) Hunger
d) Sleeping late in the night

Four things that dry the face & take away its happiness:
a) Lying
b) Being disrespectful / impudent (insisting on something wrong knowingly)
c) Arguing without adequate knowledge & Information.
d) Excessive immorality (doing something wrong without fear).

Four things that increase the wetness of face & its happiness:
a) Piety
b) Loyalty
c) Generosity (being kind)
d) To be helpful to others without he/she asking for that.

Four things that stop the Rizq (Sustenance) :
a) Sleeping in the morning (from Fajr to sunrise)
b) Not Performing Namaz or Ir-regular in Prayers
c) Laziness / Idleness
d) Treachery / Dishonesty

Four things that bring / increase the Rizq:
a) Staying up in the night for prayers.
b) Excessive Repentance
c) Regular Charity
d) Zikr (Remembrance of Allah / God).

Narrated Ash-sha'bi:

The clerk of Al-Mughira bin Shu'ba narrated, "Muawiya wrote to Al-Mughira bin Shu'ba: Write to me something which you have heard from the Prophet (p.b.u.h) ." So Al-Mughira wrote: I heard the Prophet saying, "Allah has hated for you three things:

1. Vain talks, (useless talk) that you talk too much or about others.

2. Wasting of wealth (by extravagance)
3. And asking too many questions (in disputed religious matters) or asking others for something (except in great need). (See Hadith No. 591, Vol. Ill)

The thing which is most deserving of imprisonment is the tongue.[Statement of ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ood radhi’allaahu ‘anhu]

Speech is one of the most clear indications of what a person thinks or feels, it is an
account from the person himself. This statement of ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ood radhi’allaahu
‘anhu reflects the fact that Islam focuses on building the character of an individual as
part of the religion itself. One of the qualities which paints an individual as reckless
and mindless is too much talking. Not only does it display a person’s lack of wisdom and
intelligence (when it is needless), but also can lead to many problems due to a lack of
caution. On the other hand, a wise person will be a person of few words which are carefully
chosen and reflected upon. Furthermore when a reserved person speaks, his/her speech is
given more importance due to the fact that the person does not saturate the conversation with a
lot of throw-away ideas and rambles. Another proverb is the saying back home: “An empty
vessel sounds much.”

The Tongue is Tied to the Heart

The faith of a slave is not correct until his heart is correct and his heart is not correct
until his tongue is correct…[Ahmad]

Thus Islam teaches us that the heart is indeed tied to our actions, specifically speech. It
is not enough to believe in the heart and claim a high level of faith - it must shape a
person’s character as well. This is why the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam even
enjoined on us, while appealing to belief in Allah the Almighty:

Let the one who believes in Allah and the Hereafter utter good words, or let him be silent.[Bukhari, Muslim]

He sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam further said:

Part of the goodness of one’s Islam is his leaving that which does not concern him.[Tirmidhi]

[iLoveAllah]

So not only is a wise person sparing in his/her speech, but is also selective about when it
is necessary to engage his/her mind and efforts. Things which are futile or harmful should
be avoided so as not to use precious energy nor pollute one’s soul with useless clutter.

The ahadith go on to state that this key characteristic caution in one’s speech, or the
lack of it- is one of the sole qualities which can make an individual one of the best or one
of the worst people.

The most disliked of men to Allah are those who are extreme in disputes (which reach the
level of enmity).[Bukhari]

The most beloved of you to me in the Hereafter are the best of you in character. The most
disliked of you to me and the farthest from me in the Hereafter are the worst of you in
character: those who talk too much repeating themselves needlessly, and opening their mouths
wide when talking, and those who joke and mock others even twisting their mouths in mockery.[Ahmad]

So one should avoid delving in matters of no benefit, arguing needlessly to the point of
hatred, talking too much and too fast, in a rude and uncouth manner. These exaggerated
styles of speech paint a person as loud, annoying, and undignified.

In a lengthy hadith of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, he was mentioning to
Mu’adh radhi’allahu ‘anhu how to do all the best deeds and remain steadfast in the Deen
and asked:

“Should I not inform you of the head of all of this and its support and its pinnacle?”

I said, “Of course yes, O Messenger of Allah.”

He sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,
,
“The head of it is submission, its pillar is prayer and its pinnacle is fighting in the path of Allah

Then he said,

Should I not inform you of what enables and makes firm all of that?”

I said, “Of course yes, O Messenger of Allah.”

So, he took hold of his tongue and said,
“Keep control of this.”

I said, “O Messenger of Allah, are we to be taken to account for
what we say?”

He sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said, “May your mother be bereaved of you
O Mu’adh! What throws the people into the fire on their faces other than the fruits of their
tongues?”[Tirmidhi]

Therefore if a person aims to go far in their worship of Allah and refinement of character,
they should begin by taming the tongue.

A Slippery Slope

Again, as mentioned above, speaking less, while a virtue in and of itself, is also
beneficial due to the fact that it reduces the possibility of a person uttering that which
is wrong. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam reminds us of this in the following
ahadith:

Verily, a slave will speak a word which casts him in the fire farther than what is between the east and the west.[Bukhari]

A person may utter a word he thinks harmless, which results in his falling the depth of seventy (70) years into Hellfire.
[Tirmidhi]

( May Allah protect us all. Ameen )

[iloveislam]

WHAT IS TRUE TAUBAH?

Taubah is qualified by the word nasuh. If it is taken as the infinitive of nasha/nasiha, it signifies 'to make pure and sincere'; and if it be derived from nasahah, it signifies 'to repair clothes by sewing'.

In terms of the first meaning, the expression nasuh signifies sincere/faithful (repentance), free from pretence and hypocrisy. In this interpretation, a sinner is required to regret the sins he has committed and give them up purely for the pleasure of Allah and for fear of Divine chastisement.

In terms of the second meaning, it would signify that 'the sinner is required to repair the torn clothes of righteous deeds'.

Sayyidna Hasan Basri says that taubatan nasuha signifies that a person should regret his past evil actions, and make a firm resolve never to repeat them.

Kalbi says the phrase taubatan nasuha signifies that a person should pray for pardon with his tongue, regret in his heart, and should prevent the limbs of his body from committing sins in the future.

Sayyidna Ali RA was asked as to what is 'taubah' and he replied that it consists of six elements:
(1( to regret one's past evil deeds;
(2( to carry out Divine duties that were missed;
(3( to restore the rights that were usurped;
(4( to ask forgiveness of a person who has been wronged by him physically or verbally;
(5( to make a firm resolve of avoiding the sin in future; and
(6( to consume one's self in obedience of Allah as one thus far consumed one's self in His disobedience.

[Ummati]

[Ummati]

Istikhaara: The How and Why