Madani Qa’dah/ recitals of Salah

Qira’at: Surah-tul-Fatihah and three short Ayahs, for example, 

ثُمَّ نَظَرَ ﴿ۙ۲۱﴾ ثُمَّ عَبَسَ وَ بَسَرَ ﴿ۙ۲۲﴾ ثُمَّ اَدْبَرَ وَ اسْتَکْبَرَ ﴿ۙ۲۳﴾

Or

اَلرَّحْمٰنُ ۙ﴿۱﴾ عَلَّمَ الْقُرْاٰنَ ؕ﴿۲﴾ خَلَقَ   الۡاِنۡسَانَ ۙ﴿۳﴾

Some Rulings:

Ruling: Reciting one Ayah is Fard in the first two Rak’aat of Fard Salah, and in every Rak’at of Sunnahs, Nawafil, and Witr (i.e. without this the Salah is invalid). (Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 6, pp. 347)

Ruling: Reciting Surah-tul-Fatihah (i.e. all of its seven Ayahs) is Wajib in every Rak’at of every Salah, except for the third and fourth Rak’aat of Fard Salah (leaving out one Ayah, or even one word is classified as missing a Wajib). (Summarised from Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pp. 517)

Ruling: Adding a short surah such as  اِنَّاۤ اَعْطَیۡنٰکَ الْکَوْثَرَ ؕ﴿۱﴾  or three short Ayahs such as ثُمَّ نَظَرَ ﴿ۙ۲۱﴾ ثُمَّ عَبَسَ وَ بَسَرَ ﴿ۙ۲۲﴾ ثُمَّ اَدْبَرَ وَ اسْتَکْبَرَ ﴿ۙ۲۳﴾ or one or two Ayahs that are equivalent to three short Ayahs is Wajib (in every Rak’at of every Salah except the third and fourth Rak’at of Fard Salah). (Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pp. 517)

Ruling: It is Wajib to memorize Surah-tul-Fatihah (completely) and one other Surah (or three short Ayahs, or one Ayah that is equivalent to three short Ayahs). (Durr-e-Mukhtar, pp. 97-98)

Ruling: When the Imam does Qira’at, whether out loud or quietly, at that time it is Wajib for the Muqtadi to remain silent (i.e. to not do Qira’at). (Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pp. 519)

Ruling: It is Wajib for a sane (not insane), Baligh (considered an adult in Islam), free (i.e. not a slave – nowadays everyone is free), able-bodied (physically able to attend congregational prayer) person to perform Salah with the first congregation in the Masjid. The one who leaves this even once without a valid reason is sinful. (Laws of Salah, pp. 97)

Some Madani Pearls

1. In the first two Rak’aat of Fard Salah, and in every Rak’at of Sunnahs, Nawafil, and Witr, reciting at least one Ayah is Fard, and reciting three short Ayahs, or one long Ayah that is equivalent to three short Ayahs is Wajib. Therefore, memorising this amount is also Fard and Wajib respectively. Similarly, reciting and memorising Surah-tul-Fatihah is a separate Wajib. 
2. Performing Salah in congregation is Wajib on males, and obviously this also applies to new Muslims, therefore the first ruling for them is perform Salah in congregation so the issue of Qira’at does not even arise since doing Qira’at behind the Imam is not permissible in the first place. (However, Islamic sisters will perform their Salah alone)
3. If the person misses the congregation on some occasion, and also for Sunnahs, Nawafil, and Witr, the rulings above will apply.
4. Permission will not be given to miss out Qira’at completely. At first, he should be made to memorise just one Ayah such as
    ثُمَّ نَظَرَ ﴿ۙ۲۱﴾    so that his Fard is fulfilled.
5. Then after this, make him memorise اَلرَّحْمٰنُ ۙ﴿۱﴾ عَلَّمَ الْقُرْاٰنَ ؕ﴿۲﴾ خَلَقَ  الۡاِنۡسَانَ ۙ﴿۳﴾  so that his Wajib is fulfilled.
6. Then make him memorise Surah-tul-Fatihah

Remember: These rulings are for the sane and Baligh. If a new Muslim tries, he can certainly learn one Ayah. However, if the new Muslim is such that making him understand is difficult, it may be difficult for him to even fulfil the Fard. In any case, the one who has not memorised anything and is not able to memorise may recite Tasbeeh (سُبْحٰنَ اللہ) and Tahleel (لَا اِلٰہَ اِلَّا اللہُ) in place of Fard and Wajib Qira’at. 

Ruling: Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan Naeemi states, ‘If someone has not memorised any Quran at all, he will recite the following in Salah:  سُبْحٰنَ  اللہِ  وَالْحَمْدُ  للہِ  وَ لَا اِلٰہَ  اِلَّا  اللہُ  وَ اللہُ  اَکْبَر

The jurists state, ‘A new Muslim who hasn’t yet been able to memorise any Quran, he can recite this in place of the Quran.’ (Mirat-ul-Manajeeh, vol. 2, pp. 27)

Note: If a new Muslim has not memorised even one Ayah, but he has memorised this Tasbeeh, then until he does not memorised one Ayah, he may recite this. However, memorising the Ayahs mentioned above (اَلۡحَمۡدُ لِلّٰہِ رَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ ۙ﴿۱﴾ or ثُمَّ نَظَرَ ﴿ۙ۲۱﴾) is much easier than memorising this Tasbeeh.

It is Wajib on a new Muslim to strive day and night to memorise Surah-tul-Fatihah, plus any another Surah or three short Ayahs, or one long Ayah that is equivalent to three short Ayahs.

Remember: When a person is completely unable to do Qira’at, then whilst reciting Tasbeeh and Tahleel in the first two Rak’aat of Fard Salah, and all Rak’aat of Sunnahs, Nawafil, and Witr, he should continue reciting Tasbeeh and Tahleel, or stand silently for the length of time it takes to recite Surah-tul-Fatihah and the Wajib amount of Qira’at. This is because doing Qiyam for the length of Fard Qira’at is Wajib, and doing Qiyam for the length of Wajib Qira’at is Wajib. If he has only memorised the Fard amount, or he has only memorised the Wajib amount with which the Fard is also fulfilled, but he has not memorised Surah-tul-Fatihah, it is necessary for him to remain standing, or continue reciting Tasbeeh and Tahleel for that amount of time. 

Ruling: Doing Qiyam for the length of Fard Qira’at is Fard, and doing Qiyam for the length of Wajib Qira’at is Wajib. (Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pg. 510, ruling 14)

If a new Muslim has only recited one Ayah, he should continue doing Zikr for 2/3 minutes. If he wishes, he can repeat this Tasbeeh ‘سُبْحٰنَ  اللہِ  وَالْحَمْدُ  للہِ  وَ لَا اِلٰہَ  اِلَّا  اللہُ  وَ اللہُ  اَکْبَر’ (for example 5 times). He must memorise Surah-tul-Fatihah completely as soon as possible, and three short Ayahs, or one Ayah that is equivalent to three short Ayahs. 

It is stated in Fatawa Amjadiyyah, ‘If someone does not have the capability to read Arabic text due to being Ummi (i.e. not knowing Arabic), Qira’at is not Fard on him. Whatever Zikr he recites in place of Qira’at is sufficient.’ (Summarised from Fatawa Amjadiyyah, vol. 1, pp. 97)

Commentating on this, Sharih-e-Bukhari states, ‘Whoever has not memorised any of the Holy Quran, it is Fard for him to remain standing for the length of time it takes to recite the Fard amount of Qira’at, and it is Wajib for him to remain standing for the length of time it takes to recite the Wajib amount of Qira’at. During that time, it is better for him to recite Zikr, whether that is Tasbeeh, Tahleel, or anything else.’

At-Tahiyyat

Ruling: If the new Muslim is able to memorise At-Tahiyyat completely, then make him do so. 

Ruling: When the Rak’aat of Salah are completed, it is Fard to sit for the length of time in which the complete At-Tahiyyat up to رَسُوْلُہٗ can be recited. (Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pg. 515)

Ruling: In both Qadahs of Salah (meaning after the second Rak’at, and the final Rak’at of every Salah), reciting Tashahhud is Wajib. (Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 27, pg. 611 with reference to Durr e Mukhtar)

Ruling: Forgetting any part of Tashahhud in any Qa’dah, makes Sajdah Sahw Wajib. (Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pp. 519)

اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ   لِلّٰهِ  وَالصَّلَوٰتُ  وَ الطَّيِّبٰتُ  ^ط   اَلسَّلَامُ  عَلَيْكَ   اَيُّهَا  النَّبِیُّ  وَ رَحْمَةُ   اللّٰهِ   وَ بَرَكَاتُهٗ   ^ط  اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا  وَعَلٰی  عِبَادِ   اللّٰهِ  الصّٰلِحِيْنَ ^ط  اَشْهَدُ  اَنْ   لَّاۤ   اِلٰـهَ   اِلَّا   اللّٰهُ  وَ اَشْهَدُ  اَنَّ   مُحَمَّدًا  عَبْدُهٗ   وَ رَسُوْلُهٗ  ﴿ؕ﴾

If a new Muslim is not able to memorise the complete At-Tahiyyat, he should recite the same Tasbeeh’ ‘سُبْحٰنَ  اللہِ  وَالْحَمْدُ  للہِ  وَ لَا اِلٰہَ  اِلَّا  اللہُ  وَ اللہُ  اَکْبَر’ until he memorises At-Tahiyyat, but he should continue to strive day and night to memorise it. 

There is a narration in Tirmizi, in which it is mentioned that the Holy Prophet taught a Bedouin how to perform Salah. He said, ‘If you have memorised any of the Quran, recite that, otherwise recite Hamd of Allah, and His Takbeer and Tahleel, and then perform Ruku.

In the commentary of this Hadees, Shaykh-e-Muhaqqiq states, ‘Declare His Oneness, from this it is learnt that the one who has not memorised any of the Quran should recite ‘سُبْحٰنَ  اللہِ  وَالْحَمْدُ  للہِ  وَ لَا اِلٰہَ  اِلَّا  اللہُ  وَ اللہُ  اَکْبَر’ in place of the Quran, for example a person who has accepted Islam but did not have the chance to memorise any of the Quran before Salah time came, such a person will recite Zikr, Tasbeeh and Tahleel.’ (Ashi’at-ul Lam’aat, vol. 2, pp. 179, translated)

Virtues of Wudu

Shining on the Day of Judgement 

The Holy Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘On the Day of Judgement, my nation will be called in such a state that their arms, faces, and feet will be shining due to Wudu.’ 

(Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Wudu, vol. 1, pp. 71, Hadees 136)

Former and Latter Sins Forgiven

The Final Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Whoever performs Wudu well, Allah forgives his former and latter sins.’ (Musnad Bazzar, vol. 2, pp. 76, Hadees 422)

Practical Method of Wudu (Hanafi)
11 Madani Pearls

Virtues of Salah

The example of the 5 daily Salahs

The Beloved of Allah صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم once asked his Companions, ‘Tell me, if there was a river close to the door of someone’s house, and he bathed in that river 5 times a day, would any dirt remain on his body?’ They replied, ‘No’. Hearing this reply, the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘This is the example of the 5 daily prayers; through their means, Allah wipes out sins.’ (Muslim, Kitab-ul-Masajid, pp. 263, Hadees 1522)

The thing that Allah likes the most

Someone asked the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Which thing in Islam does Allah like the most?’ He replied, ‘Performing Salah on time.’ (Shu’ab-ul-Iman, vol. 3, pp. 39, Hadees 2807)

Practical Method of Salah

5 Madani Pearls of Takbeer Tahrimah

 

3 Madani Pearls of Qiyam

 

5 Madani Pearls of Ruku

4 Madani Pearls of Qawmah 

7 Madani Pearls of Sajdah 

5 Madani Pearls of Jalsah

2 Madani Pearls of getting up for the second Rak`ah

 

2 Madani Pearls of Qadah

2 Madani Pearls of Qa’dah Akhirah 

2 Madani Pearls of doing Salam

The method of performing 2 Rak’at Salah for Islamic sisters

5 Madani Pearls of Takbeer Tahrimah

3 Madani Pearls of Qiyam

 

5 Madani Pearls of Ruku

 

 

2 Madani Pearls of Qawmah 

7 Madani Pearls of Sajdah 

4 Madani Pearls of Jalsah

2 Madani Pearls of getting up for the second Rak`ah

 

 

2 Madani Pearls of Qa’dah

2 Madani Pearls of Qa’dah Akhirah 

2 Madani Pearls of doing Salaam

 

Note:– Islamic sisters do not perform Salah behind an Imam

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Blessings of Miswak 

Dear Islamic brothers! Every Sunnah is a treasure of wisdom. Take Miswak as an example! How can words fully express the blessings of this Sunnah! A businessman stated: I met a new Muslim in Switzerland and I gifted him a Miswak. He accepted it with great happiness. He kissed the Miswak and then touched it to his eyes. Suddenly tears welled up in his eyes. He then took out a handkerchief from his pocket and unfolded it. On it was a small Miswak approximately two inches in length. He said that when he embraced Islam, he was given that as a gift by Muslims; he used it with great care and it was nearly finished up, making him anxious. It was by the Grace of Allah ﷻ that he received another gift of Miswak from him i.e. the businessman. Then he added that he had a chronic infection in his teeth and gums. The dentist had no cure for it. He started to use the Miswak and after a few days, he felt better. He went to see the doctor who was very surprised to see that he was cured. The doctor said that he could not be cured in such a short period of time with the medicine he had prescribed. Just recall what he had used. He pondered and recalled that he had become a Muslim and had recently started to use the Miswak. Due to use of the Miswak, he was blessed and healed. When he showed the Miswak to the doctor, he was astonished.

The method of using Miswak

Perform Miswak horizontally on the teeth. Whenever one performs Miswak, it should be done so at least thrice and washed each time. Hold the Miswak in the right hand in such a manner that the little finger remains at the bottom, and the middle three fingers remain on it while the thumb remains at the top bristles end of Miswak. First clean the top right row of the teeth and then the top left row. Then clean the bottom right row and then the bottom left row of the teeth. Performing Miswak while holding it in a fist may cause piles. It is stated in Malfuzaat A’la Hadrat that: For women, it is a Sunnah of Umm-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah Siddiqah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا to perform Miswak but if they don’t use Miswak, then there is no harm in this. Their teeth and gums are relatively weaker in comparison to men’s; it will suffice if they use Missi (the bark of a tree for cleaning teeth).  (Malfuzaat A’la Hadrat, pp. 357)

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The harms of Alcohol

The definition of Alcohol

Every liquid which causes intoxication when drunk is alcohol, no matter it is made from. (Summarised from Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol.  25, pp. 205)

Saying of Allah Almighty:

Translation of Kanz ul Iman: O believers! Wine, and gambling, and idols, and fortune-telling arrows (to ascertain luck or predict future events) are but impure; the works of Shaytaan, therefore keep avoiding them in order that you may attain success. The Devil only desires that he infuses hatred and enmity between you through wine and gambling, and to prevent you from the remembrance of Allah and from Salah, so have you abstained. 

(Part 7, Surah Al-Ma’idah, Ayah 90-91)

It is stated in Tafseer Sirat-ul-Jinaan, ‘In this verse, the consequences and harms of alcohol and gambling have been mentioned that the apparent worldly harm of drinking alcohol and gambling is that they cause hatred and enmity between people, and the apparent religious harm is that whoever is involved in these evil activities, he remains deprived from the remembrance of Allah and punctually performing Salah on time. From this it is learnt that everything that prevents a person from the remembrance of Allah and from Salah is evil and deserves to be left.’ (Sirat-ul-Jinaan, vol 3, pp. 26)

The harm of drinking alcohol

The Holy Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ said, ‘I swear by My honour! Whichever slave of Mine drinks even one sip of alcohol, I will make him drink that amount of the pus of Hellfire, and whichever slave of Mine abstains from alcohol out of fear for Me, I will grant him a drink of Paradise to drink.’ (Musnad Ahmad, vol. 8, pp. 286, Hadees 22281, abridged)

The ruling on drinking alcohol

Reasons why people drink alcohol

3. Being in the company of those who drink alcohol
4. Ignorance (like some people think that by drink alcohol their sadness will go away)
5. Going to parties and dance clubs, because in such places there is a chance a person will fall into this sin because of seeing other people doing so

The harms of Alcohol

The medical harms of alcohol 

According to an expert, initially the human body is able to confront the harmful effects and the drinker experiences pleasure, but soon the internal strength eventually diminishes and the overpowering harmful effects take control. The liver suffers the most adverse effect of alcohol and kidneys face an additional burden; eventually they fail and stop working. In addition to that, an abundance of alcohol also affects the brain by causing swelling on it; as a result, nerves become weakened and finally damaged. An alcoholic’s stomach suffers swelling and his bones are weakened. A drunkard constantly suffers from tiredness, headaches, nausea and extreme thirst. Excessive drinking causes the heart and breathing to cease and the alcoholic can even suffer sudden death. (The Mother of Evils, pg. 29-30, abridged and summarised)

According to an expert, 51% of those who become addicted to alcohol between the ages of 12 and 23 die. Another famous researcher has said most people who have been drinking excessively since the age of 20 do not live beyond the age of 35 because of drinking. (The Mother of Evils, pg. 41, abridged and summarised)

The social and economic harms of alcohol

Thousands of people are killed without fault at the hands of drunkards. Wives are subjected to oppression and cruelty by alcoholic husbands. Many women are sexually assaulted by drunkards. The children of alcoholic parents generally become more ill and are weaker than other children. The friends and family of the alcoholic remain deprived from his love, affection, sympathy and consideration. (Sirat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 3, pp. 22, summarised)

Safety lies in staying far away from alcohol and alcoholics 

Dear Islamic brothers! It is due to the countless harms of alcohol that Islam has prohibited it and no intelligent person should extend his towards something in which the harms are so great. Generally, a person gets close to alcohol due to other people’s company, therefore we should we should not go to any place where alcohol is served. 

The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, he must not sit at a dining mat around which alcohol is circulated.’ (Tirmizi, Kitab-ul-Adaab, vol. 4, pp. 366, Hadees 2810, abridged)

On one occasion, he صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Whoever comes to someone who takes intoxicants, Allah will put them all into the Hellfire, and they will abuse each other in the Hellfire saying that it is due to you that I reached this place.’ (Al-Kaba’ir lil-Dhahabi, pp. 95, summarised)

Therefore, we must not arrange any party where there is alcohol, and we must not attend any such party either. If a thought comes to mind that you will arrange the alcohol for non-Muslims who come then remember the following ruling: ‘Giving alcohol to a non-Muslim to drink is also Haram, and the one who gives it is extremely sinful.’ (Hidayah, Kitab-ul-Ashribah, vol. 2, pp. 398, summarised)

 

If someone is addicted to alcohol, how can he stop?

First and foremost, you must stay away from friends who drink alcohol and gatherings where alcohol is drunk. Repenting sincerely for drinking alcohol, supplicate to Allah that He grants you the ability and the strength to stay away from alcohol. If medical treatment is required to stop the alcohol addiction, then acquire that treatment. In the time that is left spare from earning and eating Halal, spend it doing good things, instead of spending it idly. For example, you should spend your time attending the Sunnah inspiring gatherings, sitting in the company of the devotees of the Prophet, and travelling in the Madani Qafilahs. If Shaytaan starts encouraging you to go back to drinking alcohol, then embed the imagination of the following punishments that have been mentioned in the Hadiths into your heart: If I drink alcohol, I will be raised thirsty on the Day of Judgement. If I drink alcohol, the light of faith will leave my heart. If I drink alcohol, the angels will hit me with iron maces in the Hellfire. If I drink alcohol, I will not even be able to smell the fragrance of Paradise. If I drink alcohol, I will be deserving of being cursed. If I drink alcohol, I will be given boiling water to drink in the Hellfire. If I drink alcohol, I will be made into a pig in the grave. (Taken from ‘Islam mayn Sharab ki hasiyat’ by Mufti Ameen Sahib, pp. 21-23)

By imagining such punishments, you will be helped to stay away from alcohol through the Mercy of Allah and a time will come that the thought of alcohol will not even cross your mind اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه.

Note :– for further details, read the book ‘The Mother of Evils’ published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah.

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Ostentation (showing off)

The definition of ostentation

Not doing a good deed for reward or to please Allah, but rather doing it so people think you are pious - This is ostentation.

Saying of Allah Almighty 

Translation of Kanz ul Iman: ‘So whoever hopes to meet his Lord, he should perform good deeds, and not ascribe anyone as a partner in the worship of his Lord.’ (Part 16, Surah Al-Kahf, Ayah 110)

‘In this Ayah, the prohibition of committing Shirk i.e. worshipping anyone besides Allah, has been mentioned. Along with this, ostentation i.e. worshipping to show off to someone instead of to please Allah, has also been prohibited.’ (Sirat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 6, pp. 56, comprehended)

A Hadees about ostentation

According to a Hadees of the Final Messenger صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم a person who memorised the Quran, a person who was martyred in the way of Allah, and a wealthy, generous person will be brought and they will be thrown into the Hellfire, because the person who memorised the Quran did so because he wanted people to call him a Hafiz, the person who was martyred in the way of Allah was martyred because he wanted to be called brave, and the wealthy, generous person was generous in the world because he wanted people to call him generous. None of them had the intention to please Allah, as a result of which their destination will be the Hellfire.’ (Tirmizi, Kitab-uz-Zuhd, vol. 4, pp. 169, Hadees 2389, summarised and abridged)

Some examples of ostentation

Performing a long Salah to impress people. Distributing charity to the poor so that the poor gather round him begging from him humbly giving him respectful titles. (Taken from Call to Righteousness, pg. 38-43)

A sign of ostentation

Sayyiduna Ali کَـرَّمَ الـلّٰـهُ وَجۡـھَـهُ الۡـکَـرِیۡم said, ‘There are 3 signs of an ostentatious person: (1) When he is alone, he is lazy in doing good deeds, but when he is in in front of people, he is very eager to do good deeds. (2) If he is praised, he increases his good deeds. (3) If he is criticised, he decreases his good deeds. (Az-Zawajir, vol. 1, pp. 86)

Why does a person commit ostentation?

(1) Because he desires honour and fame. (2) Out of fear of people’s criticisms. (3) Out of greed for money and wealth. Remember, the example of the ostentatious person is even worse than the person who visits a king but has no purpose with the king; rather, he has come due to a purpose of his own. However, he apparently shows the king that he is only there to meet his majesty. Certainly, this would be mockery of the king. Then, how naive is the ostentatious person that he worships the Lord who knows everything, but he worships not to please his Lord, but rather to impress people. 

How to avoid ostentation

Supplicate. Gain knowledge about the harms of ostentation. Strive to generate sincerity. Rectify his intentions. Cure the whispers of ostentation. Perform actions the same whether alone or in front of people. Try to hide good deeds. Adopt good company. Recite litanies for protection from ostentation. Study pages 35-75 of the book Call to Righteousness.

For more information about ostentation, read the book ‘Riyakari’ published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah.

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Sincerity

Dear Islamic brothers! You just heard about ostentation. Ostentation is fundamentally a spiritual disease, and there are many cures to prevent this disease, one of which is sincerity. Let’s hear about sincerity.

The definition of sincerity

Sincerity is to do a good deed solely for the pleasure of Allah. (Ihya-ul-‘Uloom, vol. 5, pp. 107, summarised)

A Quranic Ayah about sincerity

Translation of Kanz ul Iman: ‘And those people (of the Book) were ordered to worship Allah only, believing solely in Him, being on one side purely (i.e. towards Islam), and to establish Salah and to pay Zakah and this is the straight religion.’ 

(Part 30, Surah Al-Bayyinah, Ayah 5)

From this Ayah it is learnt that only the action that is solely for the pleasure of Allah is accepted in the court of Allah. (Sirat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 10, pp. 784)

A Hadees about sincerity

The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said to his Companion Sayyiduna Mu’az Bin Jabal رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ, ‘Do deeds with sincerity. Even a small amount of deeds done with sincerity is sufficient.’ (Nawadir ul Usool, vol. 1, pp. 44, Hadees 45)

Some Madani pearls on how to attain sincerity 

Rectify your intention, because until the intention of a good action is not correct, sincerity cannot be attained. Do not do any good deed to attain a worldly purpose, but rather give priority to the pleasure of Allah over your own desires. Keep in mind the benefits of doing deeds with sincerity and the harms in the Hereafter for not having sincerity. Adopt the company of the devotees of the Prophet and study books containing statements of pious saints, parables, and narrations regarding sincerity. Whatever act you are going to do, remember that Allah is watching. (Najaat Dilanay walay A’maal ki Ma’lumaat, pp. 29-33)

Note :– For more information regarding sincerity, read pages 25-33 of the book ‘Najaat Dilanay walay A’maal ki Ma’lumaat’ published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah. 

 

Note:– The recitals of Salah can be found in the beginning pages.

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The favours of Allah

Dear Islamic brothers! Allah Almighty has bestowed countless blessings upon us. The world and everything in it is a blessing of Allah Almighty. If we reflect just on our bodies, we will gain an insight into the magnitude of the blessings that Allah Almighty has gifted us. Our eyes, ears, nose, tongue, hands, feet, and even our hair and skin are immense blessings of Allah Almighty. If we lose even one of these things, or if some illness befalls them, or if Allah forbid, they stop working, nothing in the universe can make up for that loss. Allah Almighty gave us these blessings so that we give thanks for them. We must only use these things for that which Allah Almighty has commanded, lest Allah Almighty takes back these blessings and we are left blind, deaf, mute, lame and crippled.

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran: 

Translation of Kanz ul Iman: ‘and gave you ears and eyes and hearts; that you may give thanks.’ (Part 14, Surah An-Nahl, Ayah 78)

May Allah Almighty protect us all from having our blessings taken away from us and may Allah grant us an increase in our blessings.

اٰمِيۡن   بِجَاهِ    النَّبِيِّ  الۡاَمِيۡن   صَلَّى  اللّٰهُ   عَلَيۡهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

The greatness of my Prophet ﷺ

The wet-nurse who gave her milk to the Beloved Prophet of Allah صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and looked after him in his blessed childhood, Sayyidatuna Halimah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا states regarding his childhood, ‘The blessed, enlightened face of the Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would shine so brightly that we would not need to light an oil lamp. One day our neighbour Umm Khawla said to me, ‘O Halima! Do you light a fire in your home at night which results in a beautiful glow emanating from your home throughout the entire night?”’ Sayyidatuna Halima replied, ‘This light is not from a fire; rather it is light of the luminous face of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.’ (Taken from Tafsir Alam Nashrah, pp. 107)

Dear Islamic brothers! Allah Almighty created his Beloved Prophet Muhammad Mustafa صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم from light. Our Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is no doubt a human being, but he is a human being created from light, and is the master of all human beings. 

نُور والا آیا ہے، نُور لے کر آیا ہے

سارے عالَم میں یہ دیکھو، کیسا نُور چھایا ہے

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب            صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Some basic Islamic beliefs about Allah Almighty

Allah is pure. He has no partner. Other than Him, no one is worthy of worship. He is not the father of anyone, nor is anyone His child. He has no wife either. No can be equal to Allah in any way. There is no negative attribute in the Being of Allah at all. He is the Owner of all excellent qualities. He is not dependent on anyone. The entire universe is dependent upon Him. Allah is the First of all i.e. when there was nothing else, He still existed. He is the Last of All i.e. when nothing else exists, He will still exist. Allah is Alive and the life of everyone else is in His Power. He gives life to whoever He wills whenever He wills, and He gives death to whoever He wills whenever He wills. He possesses immense power and might. He can do whatever He wills, however He wills, whenever He wills. He hears the call and sound of everyone. He even hears the sound of an ant walking and the sound of a mosquito’s wings. Nothing is hidden from His sight, whether it is small or large, whether it is near or far, whether it is in darkness or in light. He knows everything. Whatever has happened, is happening, or will happen is in His knowledge. There is no atom that is hidden from Him. Everything is in His control. Only what He wills happens. Whatever He does not Will cannot happen. Without His will, no one can even move an atom. He alone is the Creator of all things. He is the One who created all things, small and large. It is only He who provides sustenance to all of creation and He is the one who nourishes them all. All heavenly books, including the Qur`an, are the speech of Allah. Allah does not need ears to hear, nor does He need air through which sound would reach Him. He does not need eyes or light to see. He is transcendent from having a body or being in a place, therefore it is not correct to say ‘Allah is above’. (Summarised from Hamarah Islam pg. 46-48)

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