Madani Qa’dah/ recitals of Salah

 

Ta’awwuz

اَعُوْذُ  بِا للّٰهِ   مِنَ  الشَّيْطٰنِ  الرَّجِيْمِ

Tasmiyah

بِسۡمِ    اللّٰہِ  الرَّحۡمٰنِ  الرَّحِیۡـمِ

Surah Al-Fatihah

اَلۡحَمۡدُ  لِلّٰہِ   رَبِّ  الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ   ۙ﴿۱﴾    الرَّحۡمٰنِ  الرَّحِیۡمِ    ۙ﴿۲﴾     مٰلِکِ  یَوۡ مِ  الدِّیۡنِ    ؕ﴿۳﴾     اِیَّاکَ  نَعۡبُدُ     وَ اِیَّاکَ  نَسۡتَعِیۡنُ  ؕ﴿۴﴾   اِہۡدِ نَا  الصِّرَاطَ الۡمُسۡتَقِیۡمَ   ۙ﴿۵﴾   صِرَاطَ   الَّذِیۡنَ   اَنۡعَمۡتَ   عَلَیۡہِمۡ     ۙ۬    غَیۡرِ   الۡمَغۡضُوۡبِ  عَلَیۡہِمۡ     وَ لَا  الضَّآ لِّیۡنَ    ٪﴿۷﴾   

Surah Al-Ikhlaas

بِسۡمِ   اللّٰہِ   الرَّحۡمٰنِ  الرَّحِیۡـمِ

قُـلۡ  ہُوَ    اللّٰہُ   اَحَدٌ  ۚ﴿۱﴾     اَللّٰہُ     الصَّمَدُ     ۚ﴿۲﴾    لَمۡ      یَـلِدۡ   ۬ۙ     وَ لَمۡ     یُوۡلَدۡ    ۙ﴿۳﴾    وَ   لَمۡ     یَکُنۡ           لَّہٗ      کُفُوًا     اَحَدٌ     ٪﴿۴﴾

Tashahhud

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  ﴿ؕ﴾

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The method of Ghusl

Two Ahadees about Ghusl

3. The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Angels do not enter the home in which there is a Junbi (i.e. such a person upon whom Ghusl is Fard).’ (Abu Dawood, Kitab ut-Taharah, vol. 1, pp. 109, Hadees 227 abridged)
4. Once the Noble Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘When performing Fard Ghusl, whoever leaves any part of the body amounting to one hair unwashed, he will be given the punishment of the fire.’ (Abu Dawood, Kitab-ut-Taharah, vol. 1, pp. 117, Hadees 249)

The Faraid of Ghusl

When bathing, doing the following three things is necessary, otherwise Ghusl will not be valid. 

(1)  Rinsing the mouth (2) Sniffing water into the nose (3) Making water flow over the entire body

The method of rinsing the mouth

Take water in your right hand and put it into your mouth. Rinse it thoroughly around the upper, lower, right and left parts of your mouth, ensuring that it reaches the beginning of the throat, and then spit the water out. Do this three times so that every part inside the mouth up to the throat is washed thoroughly and so that anything stuck in the teeth comes out. 

The method of sniffing water into the nose

In Ghusl, it is necessary to wash the soft part inside the nose up to the hard bone. To do this, take water into the right hand and bring it close to the nose. Then gently sniff the water up to the nose bone. Do this three times so that the nose is washed thoroughly and so that all the mucus, etc. comes out. It is also necessary to wash the nasal hairs. Remember! If dirt has dried inside the nose, it is necessary to remove it and then to sniff the water.

The method of making water flow over the entire body

It is necessary to make water flow over every part, all skin, and all hairs of the body from the hair of the head up to the soles of the feet. In the winter, rub the water into the body first and then make the water flow over it to ensure that no part of the body remains dry. Remember! If even the amount of one hair on the body remains dry, the Ghusl will not be valid. In particular, take the following precautions:

Men should open their hair and make water flow over it all from root to tip. If you have a piercing in the ear or nose which has not closed up, then make water flow in that too. Wash every part of the eyebrows, moustache, beard and ears thoroughly. Wash behind the ears having moved the hair from there. Wash the joint between the chin and the throat whilst lifting the chin. Wash the layers of the stomach whilst lifting them. Wash the underarms whilst lifting the arms. Put water into the navel. Wash every hair on the body from root to tip. Anyone who has not been circumcised and has foreskin that can be lifted, must lift the foreskin and put water into the skin. (Taken from The Method of Ghusl, pg. 5-7)

Some additional precautions of Ghusl for Islamic sisters

3. If a woman’s hair is braided, it is essential to wash only the roots without unbraiding them. However, if the hair is braided so tightly that water cannot reach the roots, it is essential to undo the braids.
4. If the hole of the pierced nose or ears is not closed, it is obligatory to flow water through the holes. Flowing water through the hole of the nose is necessary in Wudu, and flowing water through the holes of the nose as well as both ears is necessary in Ghusl.
5. It is Fard to remove nail polish from the nails, otherwise Wudu and Ghusl will not be valid. However, there is no harm in henna colour.

(To read more Madani pearls, study pg. 41-43 from Salah for Islamic Sisters)

The method of Purifying Clothes

Saying of Allah Almighty

Translation of Kanz ul Iman: And keep your clothes pure. 

(Part 29, Surah Al-Muddassir, Ayah 4)

It is stated in Tafseer Siraat-ul-Jinaan, ‘Keep your clothes pure from every type of impurity because Taharah (i.e. the body, clothes, and the place of prayer all being pure) is necessary for Salah, and outside of Salah, in other conditions, it is also better to keep clothes pure. (Sirat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 10, pp. 430)

Some scholars said: Remaining in pure clothes, sleeping on pure bedding, and staying in the state of Wudu, is the means of purifying the heart. (Mirat-ul-Manajeeh, vol. 1, pp. 468)

Method of Purifying Impurities 

In terms of methods of purification, there are two types of impurity; (1) Mar’iyyah (impurity which is visible even after it dries) e.g. excrement, blood (2) Ghayr Mar`iyyah (impurity which is not visible after drying), e.g. urine. To purify clothing soiled with Najasah Mari`yyah, wash it so that all the traces (colour and smell) that can be removed with normal water (using hot water or soap is not necessary) are removed. When this is done, the clothing is pure. If these traces were removed by washing just once, then washing two more times is recommended. As for Najasah Ghayr Mar`iyyah, an easy way to purify it is to put the clothing under the tap and flow water over it until you are certain or almost certain that water has carried the impurity away. In this way, the clothing will become pure. However, when using this method, ensure that the impure water does not splash onto your body, clothes or anything else, otherwise they would become impure. (Adapted from Method of Purifying Clothes, pg. 21-27)

The Beautiful Teachings of Islam

Dear Islamic brothers! Cleanliness is a prominent teaching from amongst the beautiful teachings of Islam. Expressing the importance of cleanliness, the Beloved of Allah صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Cleanliness is half of faith.’ (Muslim, Kitab-ut-Taharah, pp. 115, Hadees 534) This is because faith purifies the heart of evils and adorns it with beautiful traits, whilst cleanliness only purifies the body of filth; therefore, cleanliness was referred to as half of faith. (Taken from Mirat-ul-Manajeeh, vol. 1, pp. 232)

Cleanliness is a beautiful habit that grants honour to whichever man or woman has it. Cleanliness is an extremely valuable crown on a person’s head. Whether a person is rich or poor, cleanliness adds to his esteem in every state. Therefore, it is the Islamic symbol of every Muslim for him to take care of the cleanliness of his body, his house, his possessions, his door, his courtyard, and everything else that belongs to him. (Taken from Jannati Zaywar, pp. 139)

Remember that, alongside outward cleanliness, a person should also keep his inner being clean as well, because neither should a Muslim’s clothing be filthy, nor should his mind, neither should his house be dirty, nor should his thoughts be filled with filth regarding any Muslim. A great scholar from just over 100 years ago, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه states, ‘It is Wajib (compulsory) to regard the act of a Muslim as good, as far as is possible.’ (Taken from Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 5, pp. 324)

In summary, alongside highlighting the importance of keeping one’s body, clothes and house clean, Islam has also taught purification of the heart, mind, and thoughts. Furthermore, filth is the worst enemy of a person’s honour; therefore, we should always instill the habit of cleanliness. Cleanliness causes betterment of health and well-being, and it distances not just hundreds, but thousands of illnesses. The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم did not like people who stay dirty and grubby. He would always command his Companions to stay clean and pure, and he would emphasise this. (Taken from Jannati Zaywar, pp. 139)

In this regard, the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Islam is the religion of cleanliness; therefore, stay clean and pure, because only the clean and pure will enter Paradise.’ (Mu’jam-e-Awsat, vol. 3, pp. 382, Hadees 4893)

This means keep your outer being clean by refraining from things like wearing dirty clothes and from Haram sustenance and clothing, and keep your inner being clean by having the correct beliefs, and refraining from Shirk (polytheism) and misguidance. Furthermore, keep your heart pure from jealousy, hatred, and malice, because only those whose inner and outer beings are pure will enter Paradise. (Faiz-ul-Qadeer, vol. 2, pp. 408-409)

In another Hadees it is stated, ‘Wash your clothes, cut your hair, use Miswak, adorn yourselves (by applying oil etc., by means of good clothes and maintaining a good appearance), and stay clean and pure, because the Descendants of Israel did not do this, as a result of which their women became involved in fornication.’ (Tareekh Dimashq, vol. 36, pp. 124)

Islam has commanded its followers to maintain all forms of cleanliness, whether that be bodily or spiritual, individual or communal, or of the Masjid or the neighbourhood. In short, Islam teaches cleanliness of the body, the soul, the heart, the mind and everything else. 

Regarding bodily cleanliness, our Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Five things are from Fitrah (nature): (1) Circumcision, (2) Removing pubic hair (starting from below the navel), (3) Trimming the moustache, (4) Cutting the nails, (5) Removing underarm hair.’ (Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Libaas, vol. 4, pp. 75, Hadees 5891)

Fitrah means the practice that was acted upon by the previous Prophets as well as our Prophet Muhammad, and that was encouraged. In other words, the five things mentioned above were present in every Shari`ah, and we too were commanded to act upon them. (Mirat-ul-Manajeeh, vol. 1, pp. 276, comprehended)

Sunnahs and etiquettes of cutting nails, shaving, trimming underarm hair, and keeping hair according to Sunnah

Ensure that you do the following four things within every 40 days: (1) Trimming the moustache. Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه states, ‘It is Haram, a sin, and the way of non-Muslims to grow the moustache so long that its hairs enter the mouth.’ (Taken from Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 22, pp. 684) (2) Cutting the nails. (3) Removing the underarm hair. (4) Removing the pubic hair. Sayyiduna Anas رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ says, ‘The time limit has been fixed for us (regarding the four things mentioned above) that we must not leave these things for more than 40 days. (Muslim, Kitab-ut-Taharah, pp. 125, Hadees 599) Removing the pubic hair once a week is a rewardable action, and it is also permissible to do so on the 15^th day; however, it is not allowed to leave it longer than 40 days. One Sunnah of cutting the nails is to begin with the index finger of the right hand and cut your nails in order up to and including the little finger but do not cut your thumb nail. Then beginning with the small finger of the left hand, cut your nails in order up to and including the thumb. In the end, cut the nail of the right thumb. The beauty of this method is that you start cutting from the right and also finish on the right. (One way of remembering this way is to raise your hands like you do in Du’a. Now, start cutting from right to left in order starting from the index finger of the right hand all the way to the thumb of the left hand. Then finish by cutting the nail of the right thumb.) When cutting the toenails, it is better to start from the smallest toe of the right foot and cut in order including the big toe, then cut the nails of the left foot in order beginning with the big toe up to and including the small toe. The nails should not be bitten, as there is a fear of being inflicted with leprosy in doing so. After cutting the nails, the fingertips should be washed. A male should use a blade to remove the pubic hair, and he may also use hair removal powder. Pubic hair should be removed starting from directly below the navel. It is disliked to cut the hair or nails if Ghusl is Fard on the person. After cutting the hair or nails, it is better to bury them. Islamic sisters must not throw hair from any part of their body at a place where non-Mahram males might see it. It is permissible to trim around the beard. The hair around the ears and the thin hair on the cheek, which some have less of and some have up to their eyes, are not part of the beard and can be cut. It is Haram to trim the beard less than a fist length. The hairs that go beyond a fist length can be trimmed (the beard must be kept to a fist length under the chin and on both sides of the face). (Taken from Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 22, pp. 581) The hairs underneath the lower lip are part of the beard, and shaving any part of the beard is impermissible. (Taken from Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 22, pp. 597) If the hairs on the edges of the moustache are long, there is no problem in that. Nasal hairs should not be plucked as doing so can result in an itching disease that destroys the limbs; therefore, if the nasal hairs get long, they can be trimmed. It is disliked to cut just the hair of the neck; however, when cutting the hair of the whole head, the hair of the neck can also be cut. Removing the hair of the hands, feet and stomach is allowed. Plucking or shaping the eyebrows for beauty and adornment is not permissible. A Hadith has mentioned that women who shape the eyebrows are cursed. (Mukhtasar Fatawa Ahl-e-Sunnat, pp. 192) There are three ways of keeping Zulfayn (hair according to the Sunnah): (1) Up to halfway down the ears, (2) up to the earlobes, (3) touching the shoulders. It is not permissible for males to let the hair grow below the shoulders. It is also Sunnah to part the hair in the middle. (Taken from Sunnatayn aur Adaab, pp. 63-70) It is not permissible for a woman to cut her hair above the shoulders like men. (Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 22, pp. 688, summarised)

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Sinful Gazing

The definition of Sinful Gazing: Sinful gazing is defined as purposefully looking at that which Allah and His Prophet have forbidden looking at. (Taken from Gunahon Kay ‘Azabaat, pp. 66)

Saying of Allah Almighty

Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman: Command the Muslim men to keep their gaze somewhat low and protect their private parts; that is much purer for them; indeed, Allah is Aware of their actions. 

(Part 18, Surah An-Noor, Ayah 30)

Three Ahadees regarding sinful gazing

1. The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘The eyes also commit fornication.’ (Musnad Ahmad, vol. 2, pp. 84, Hadees 3912)
2. In another Hadees, he صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘The fornication of the eyes is looking.’ (Abu Dawood, Kitab-un-Nikah, vol. 2, pp. 358, Hadees 2152)
3. Likewise, in another Hadees, he said, ‘(Allah says:) Sinful gazing is a poisonous arrow from the arrows of Shaytaan. Whoever avoids it, I will grant him such perfect faith whose pleasure he will experience in his heart.’ (Mu’jam-e-Kabeer, vol. 10, pp. 173, Hadees 10362)

Some cases of sinful gazing

Looking at unveiled women. Looking at veiled women lustfully (i.e. with bad intentions). ‘Remember, it is not allowed to look at the face of a woman.’ (Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pp. 484) Likewise, looking lustfully at an Amrad (a handsome boy). If a male is wearing thin clothing through which the colour of any part of the body from below the navel to the knees is visible, then looking at that is also sinful gazing. 

Some rulings related to sinful gazing

1. Sinful gazing is Haraam (Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 10, pp. 750) and an act that leads to Hellfire. 2. It is definitively Haraam for males and females to look at one another’s Awrah (i.e. those areas that must be covered). (Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 22, pp. 201) 3. It is also Haraam to look lustfully at an Amrad (a handsome boy). (Radd-ul-Muhtar, vol. 2, pp. 99) The first intentional gaze (at that which is Haram to look at) is also Haraam and an act that leads to the Hellfire. (Parday Kay Baray Mayn Suwal Jawab, pp. 296)

The harms of sinful gazing

Dear Islamic brothers! Sinful gazing is Haraam and an act leading to Hellfire. Sinful gazing is an act of disobedience to Allah and His Messenger. On the Day of Judgement, the eye of the person who committed sinful gazing will be filled with fire. Sinful gazing becomes a cause of weakness in memory. Sinful gazing is in reality immodesty. Sinful gazing leads to fornication and fornication destroys lineages. 

The favour of Islam

By forbidding sinful gazing, Islam has protected lineages. By forbidding sinful gazing, Islam has taught modesty. By forbidding sinful gazing, Islam has granted peace and tranquility to people’s hearts. By forbidding sinful gazing, Islam has strengthened the relationship between a husband and wife. 

How to get rid of the habit of sinful gazing

Having fear of Allah, repent sincerely and remain steadfast on your repentance. Develop the habit of lowering your gaze and try to refrain from looking around, as the blessed gaze of our Holy Prophet would be lowered most of the time. Refrain from going to places where there is a chance of sinful gazing. If you feel like sinful gazing, frighten yourself with the punishment of Hellfire. Strive to adopt modesty, and for this, adopt the company of modest people. Study the blessed biography of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and try to act according to it. Whether you are alone or with people, always remember that ‘Allah is watching’. Restrict your use of the internet and social media to only necessary use. Only watch Madani Channel. 

Note: In order to develop the mindset to refrain from sinful gazing, study the following books of Maktaba-tul-Madinah: Ba-Haya Nujawan and Questions and Answers about Islamic Veiling.

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Negative Suspicion

The definition of Negative Suspicion: Being certain that someone is bad without any proof is referred to as negative suspicion. (Taken from Shaytaan kay Baz Hathyar, pp. 32)

Saying of Allah Almighty

Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman: ‘O believers! Avoid much suspicions; indeed, some suspicions become sin. (Part 26, Surah Al-Hujuraat, Ayah 12)

It is stated in Tafseer Sirat-ul-Jinaan, ‘In this part of the Ayah, Allah Almighty has commanded His believing people not to have too much suspicions, because some suspicions are just sin; therefore, it is the requirement of precaution to refrain from an abundance of suspicions.’ (Sirat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 9, pp. 433, summarised)

Two Ahadees about negative suspicion 

1. The Final Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said ‘Refrain from negative suspicion, because indeed negative suspicion is the worst lie.’ (Bukhari, Kitab-un-Nikah, vol. 3, pp. 446, Hadees 5143)
2. The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘The blood and wealth of a Muslim, and negative suspicion about it are Haraam (on other Muslims).’ (Shu’ab-ul-Iman, vol. 5, pp. 297, Hadees 6706)

Some examples of negative suspicion

3. A woman receiving less attention from her husband suspecting that her mother-in-law must have incited her husband against her. 
4. A mother receiving less attention from her son suspecting that her daughter-in-law must have influenced her son to take less care of her. 
5. On being fired from a good job, suspecting one of the people from the office of definitely having conspired to have one fired. 
6. On not being able to contact a debtor, suspecting that he is definitely trying to hide away.
7. On seeing someone getting a house, a car and other luxuries within a short space of time, suspecting him of definitely being involved in dishonest activities to be able to progress so much in such a short space of time.
8. Etc.

A sign of negative suspicion

Remember! A person will not be classified as sinful as soon as a negative suspicion comes into the heart. Imam Muhammad Ghazali رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه says, ‘Having a negative suspicion (about a Muslim) is Haraam just like speaking ill with the tongue is. However, a negative suspicion means being certain in the heart of someone being bad. As for the whispers that arise in the heart, they are excused.’ (Ihya-ul-‘Uloom, Kitab Aafaat il-Lisan, vol. 3, pp. 186)

The ruling of negative suspicion

Negative suspicion about a Muslim is Haraam (and a sin). (Az-Zawajir, vol. 1, pp. 165)

Why does a person have negative suspicions?

(1) Due to looking for people’s faults. (2) Thinking about other people for no reason. (3) Due to a negative mindset. (4) Due to bad company. Sayyiduna Abu Turab Nakhshabi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه says, ‘The company of bad people forms negative suspicions about good people.’ (Ruh-ul-Ma`ani, Part 16, Surah Maryam, under verse 98, vol. 8, pp. 612)

Some cures to refrain from negative suspicions

Supplicate to Allah that He protects you from negative suspicions. Abandon the company of bad people, and adopt the company of the devotees of the Prophet, because the company of bad people makes you have negative suspicions about good people. Someone has rightly said, ‘When someone’s actions become bad, his thoughts become bad as well.’ (Fayd-ul-Qadeer, vol. 1, pp. 424, under Hadees 563) To keep a good opinion of all other Muslims, keep their positive traits in mind. Putting your own shortcomings in front of you, start trying to rectify yourself, because whoever’s own actions are bad, he thinks negative of others too. Keep the harms of negative suspicions in mind and frighten yourself of the punishment of the Hereafter, lest the negative suspicion of today leads to being thrown into the Hellfire on the Day of Judgement. If you start having a negative suspicion about someone, immediately shake it off, recite ’’اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللہ‘‘, and start thinking about his good habits and traits. (Taken from Bad Gumani, pp. 33-35)

Note: To learn more about negative suspicions, study the book ‘Some Attacks of Satan’ published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah. 

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Contentment

The definition of contentment

Being patient even when not having things that one is accustomed to in daily or regular use is referred to as ‘contentment’. (Taken from at-Ta’rifaat Lil-Jurjaani, pp. 126)

Saying of Allah Almighty

Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman: ‘And this; that only He has given wealth and contentment.’ (Part 27, Surah An-Najm, Ayah 48)

i.e. It is Allah who bestows wealth and riches upon people making them prosperous, and it is He who grants the blessing of contentment. (Sirat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 9, pp. 579)

A Hadees about contentment

The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Whoever became Muslim, and attained enough sustenance to suffice him, and Allah enabled him to be content as well, then he has succeeded.’ (Tirmizi, Kitab-uz-Zuhd, vol. 4, pp. 156, Hadees 2355)

Some Madani pearls for developing the habit of contentment

Study the Ahadees and the sayings of the pious predecessors about contentment. Have firm belief in Allah Almighty and embed it into your heart that Allah is aware of your entire state. Frighten yourself about the accountability of the Hereafter, and be patient in order to make your state of difficulty better for you in the Hereafter. Keep the company of people who are content, and who are grateful to Allah Almighty in every condition. Get rid of the greed for wealth and riches. For this, keep in mind that the world will perish but the blessings of the Hereafter will remain forever. Supplicate to Allah that he enables you to remain happy, patient, and grateful in every condition. (Najaat Dilanay Walay A’maal ki Ma’lumaat, pp. 77-80)

Note: To learn more about contentment, study the book ‘Najaat Dilanay Walay A’maal ki Ma’lumaat’, pages 75-81, published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah.

 

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The Favours of Allah 

Dear Islamic brothers! The blessings that Allah Almighty has granted us are beyond words. Wherever our vision or our mind stretches to, we find the blessings of Allah completely surrounding us.

Take the blessing of milk! Milk is the first means of nourishment for a human being after birth. When a child is born, his mother’s milk gives him the nutrients that are necessary for his growth and development. Then when a child gets slightly older until his old age, milk from cows, buffalos, and goats continues to give him energy throughout his life. Look at the Majesty of Allah! The food that the animal eats goes down its throat and reaches its stomach. After the food is digested in the stomach, some becomes dung and some becomes blood and reaches all parts of the body. Other than dung and blood, there is another substance produced from that food which is different to them in colour, smell, and taste, and that is milk. When smelling milk, does it smell even at all like dung? When looking at it, does it even contain a hint of the redness of blood? Who is it that causes such a pure and clear substance to be extracted from between those things? It is none other than our Beloved Lord, Allah Almighty. In this regard, it is stated in the Holy Quran: Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman: And indeed, there is place for you to ponder in (the example of) the cattle. We provide you to drink from what is in their bellies; pure milk from between dung and blood, which is soothing to swallow for the drinkers. (Part 14, Surah An-Nahl, Ayah 66) However, the human being is so ungrateful that he does not recognise his Lord, and is ready to disobey Him all the time. The pious predecessors have said, ‘O human being! Just as your Lord has given you pure milk to drink, in which there is not so much as a hair’s amount of contamination with dung or blood, you too should present sincere worship in the Majestic Court of your Lord, in which there should be no contamination of ostentation. 

(Noor-ul-Irfan, An-Nahl, under verse 66, pg. 437, summarised)

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب            صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

 

The greatness of my Prophet

Once, the Beloved Prophet of Allah was in a house in Makkah, when a man brought an adopted child wrapped in a cloth who had just been born on that day to the Prophetic court. The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said to that child, ‘Who am I?’ Look at the power of Allah! The child said immediately, ‘You are the Messenger of Allah.’ Hearing this, the Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘You have spoken the truth. May Allah bless you.’ (Marifah-tus-Sahabah, vol. 4, pp. 314, Hadees 6395)

جو سر رکھ دے تمہارے قدموں پہ سردار ہوجائے

جو تم سے سر کوئی پھیرے ذلیل و خوار ہوجائے

جو ہوجائے تمہارا اس پہ حق کا پیار ہوجائے

بنے اللہ والا وہ جو تیرا یار ہوجائے

(Samaan-e-Bakhshish, pp. 172)

Dear Islamic brothers! Did you see! Allah Almighty has given our Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم such a great status that even milk-drinking infants bear witness that he صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is a true Prophet of Allah. 

آدم و نوح، براہیم، کلیم و عیسٰی

ان کو سب کو ملا ،کیا رَبِّ عُلا نے نہ دیا

باوجود اس کے تمہیں جو ملا اُن کو نہ ملا

آپ کا رُتبہ کسی کو بھی خدا نے نہ دیا

(Samaan-e-Bakhshish, pp. 69)

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب            صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Some fundamental Islamic beliefs about Prophets and heavenly books

At different times in history, Allah Almighty has sent His beloved bondsmen to the world for the guidance of the people and to convey His message to them. These beloved bondsmen of Allah are called Nabi (Prophet) and Rasool (Messenger). It was not necessary upon Allah to send Prophets; rather, He sent Prophets to the world merely out of His Grace and Bounty. All the Prophets sent by Allah were human beings and men. No Jinn nor a woman was ever a Nabi. Some angels of Allah are also Rasool (Messengers), such as Sayyiduna Jibraeel and Sayyiduna Mikaeel. It is necessary for a Nabi that revelation from Allah is sent down to him, whether an angel brings the revelation, or it comes direct without an intermediary. The revelation that is sent down to Prophets certainly cannot be revealed to any common person. The dream of a Prophet is also revelation i.e. it is not possible for the dream of a Prophet to be false. A person cannot become a Prophet through his effort, or through a great amount of worship or devotion. Allah makes whoever He wills a Prophet just through His favour. Once someone becomes a Prophet, he remains a Prophet forever. Prophethood can never be taken away from him. All Prophets of Allah are infallible i.e. it is impossible for them to sin. Every Prophet is removed far from everything that people find repulsive. The Prophets conveyed all the commands to their nations that Allah commanded them to convey. They did not hide even one command. Allah Almighty grants knowledge of hidden things, which common people are not aware of, to His Prophets. All Prophets are greater in rank than the rest of creation, and they are even greater than the angels who are Rasool. The most fundamental obligation of the religion is to respect and honour all Prophets. Even the slightest insult or rejection of any Prophet is disbelief. We cannot fix a particular number for the Prophets. Our creed is that we belief in all the Prophets sent by Allah. Allah sent many Messengers to the world from Sayyiduna Adam to our Prophet Muhammad. The names of many Prophets have been mentioned clearly in the Holy Quran, such as Sayyiduna Adam, Sayyiduna Nuh, Sayyiduna Ibrahim, Sayyiduna Ismaeel, Sayyiduna Ishaq, Sayyiduna Yaqoob, Sayyiduna Yusuf, Sayyiduna Musa, Sayyiduna Harun, Sayyiduna Shuaib, Sayyiduna Lut, Sayyiduna Hud, Sayyiduna Dawood, Sayyiduna Sulaymaan, Sayyiduna Ayyub, Sayyiduna Zakariyya, Sayyiduna Yahya, Sayyiduna Isa, Sayyiduna Ilyas, Sayyiduna Yasa, Sayyiduna Yunus, Sayyiduna Idris, Sayyiduna Zul Kifl, Sayyiduna Salih, Sayyiduna Uzayr عَـلَيْـهِمُ الـصَّلٰوة ُ وَالـسَّلَام, and Sayyiduna Muhammad Mustafa صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. The greatest rank of all the Prophets belongs to our Beloved Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, followed by Sayyiduna Ibrahim عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, then Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, then Sayyiduna Isa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, and then Sayyiduna Nuh عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام. Prophets have a special rank in the Majestic Court of Allah and they are very honourable and lofty according to Allah. Prophets also display Mu’jizaat (miracles) i.e. to prove they are Prophets, they do things which normally are not possible for anyone, such as splitting the moon into two, making rivers of water flow from their fingers, reviving the dead, informing of where someone will die, as is proven from our Beloved Prophet, and in fact much more than this is proven. All Prophets are alive in their blessed resting places just as they were alive in the world. They eat, drink, come and go. Allah Almighty revealed heavenly books and many Sahifahs (tablets, scrolls, or Scriptures) to His Prophets. From them, four are very famous: (1) Tawraah – which was revealed to Sayyiduna Musa. (2) Zaboor – which was revealed to Sayyiduna Dawood. (3) Injeel – which was revealed to Sayyiduna Isa. (4) Quran – which was revealed to our Beloved Prophet. We believe in all the books that Allah Almighty revealed to His Prophets. The Quran is the highest ranking of all the books. The meaning of it being the highest ranking is that its reward for us is higher, otherwise Allah is One, and His Speech is one. It is not possible for one speech of His to be higher in rank and another to be lower. Allah Almighty Himself has taken the responsibility to preserve the Quran, which is why it is impossible for there to be any addition or deduction of even a letter or a dot to the Holy Quran. It is not possible to make any speech like the speech of the Quran, a Surah like any Surah of the Quran, or an Ayah like any Ayah of the Quran. It is clearly evident from the Quran that it is all the Divine speech of Allah. The responsibility of preserving previous Holy books was with those nations, which is why those books are not present in their original form on the earth today. Our creed is that we believe in the Tawraah and Injeel, etc. that Allah revealed; however, the Tawraah and Injeel etc. that are present today have had many changes made to them, with some parts having been removed and some additions made in places, to the extent that if the different editions of the Tawraah and Injeel of today are observed, there are many differences between them. Therefore, we say that those things in the Tawraah and Injeel of today that are in agreement with the Quran are the truth, and as for those things that are against the Quran, we do not accept them. If anything from those books is mentioned which is neither confirmed nor rejected by the Holy Quran, we will remain silent about it and we will say, ‘We believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His Messengers.’ Previous books were only memorised by Prophets; however, it is a miracle of the Quran that even many Muslim children are able to memorise the entire Quran. The religions have no book from Allah; the Vedas which they claim is a heavenly book actually just consists of poems written by ancient poets. (Taken from Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pp. 28-58 and Hamarah Islam, pp. 48-54)