Madani Qa’dah / Recitals of Salah

اَلۡـحَـمۡـدُ   لِـلّٰـہِ   رَبِّ  الۡـعٰـلَـمِیۡنَ   وَ   الـصَّـلٰـوۃُ   وَ  الـسَّـلَامُ   عَـلٰی   سَـیِّـدِ   الۡـمُـرۡ   سَـلِـیۡنَ 

اَمَّـا  بَــعۡـدُ    فَـاَعُـوۡذُ   بِـا لـلّٰـہِ   مِـنَ    الـشَّـیۡـطٰنِ    الـرَّجِیۡمِؕ    بِـسۡمِ   الـلّٰـہِ    الـرَّحۡـمٰنِ   الـرَّحِـیۡمِؕ

Lesson Number 2: Huroof Murakkabat (Compound Letters)

3. Two or more letters combine [join together] to form a Murakkab (Compound).
4. Pronounce each of the Murakkab letters separately like Mufridat Letters.
5. Make sure in this lesson also to pronounce the letters in the established manner i.e. with the Arabic accent.
6. When two or more letters are joined together in writing, their shape gets changed a little. Usually, the head of the letter is written and the body is omitted. C Identify the letters which are the same when in the compound form by the difference in the number and position of the dots.

Tasmee’

سَمِـعَ    اللّٰهُ   لِمَنْ  حَمِدَهٗ

Tahmeed

رَبَّنَا   وَ لَكَ  الْحَمْدُ

Tasbeeh of Jalsah

اَللّٰہُمَّ اغْفِرْلِیْ

Du’a-e-Qunoot

اَللّٰهُمَّ  اِنَّا   نَسْتَعِيْنُكَ وَ نَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَ نُؤْمِنُ  بِكَ وَ نَتَوَکَّلُ  عَلَيْكَ وَ نُثْنِیْ عَلَيْكَ الْخَيْرَ ^ط وَ نَشْکُرُكَ وَ لَا نَکْفُرُكَ وَ نَخْلَعُ  وَ نَتْرُكُ  مَنْ   يَّفْجُرُكَ ^ط اَللّٰهُمَّ   اِيَّاكَ  نَعْبُدُ  وَ لَكَ   نُصَلِّیْ  وَ نَسْجُدُ  وَ   اِلَيْكَ  نَسْعٰی  وَ   نَحْفِدُ  وَ  نَرْ جُوْ   رَحْمَتَكَ   وَ  نَخْشٰی   عَذَابَكَ  اِنَّ   عَذَابَكَ   بِالْکُفَّارِ  مُلْحِقٌ  ﴿﴾

Things that invalidate Wudu

A Blessed Hadees: The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘If the Wudu of any one of you becomes invalid, it is not permissible for that person to perform Salah until he performs Wudu.’ (Sahih Muslim, Kitab-ut-Taharah, pp. 115, Hadees 537)

Wudu becomes invalid due to the following things, and as a result it becomes impermissible to perform Salah or touch the Quran. 

(Taken from Laws of Salah, pg. 15-20, and Hamarah Islam, pp. 72)

Things that necessitate Ghusl

A Blessed Hadees: The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Angels of mercy do not enter the home in which there is a picture, a dog, or a person upon whom Ghusl is Fard.’ (Abu Dawood, Kitab-ut-Taharah, vol. 1, pp. 109, Hadees 227)

The following things necessitate Ghusl, and as a result entering the Masjid, reciting the Quran, touching the Quran, and performing Salah all become impermissible. 

(Taken from Laws of Salah, pg. 59)

Beautiful teachings of Islam

Dear Islamic brothers! We human beings have to release the waste material of our food from our bodies on a daily basis and for this we have to go to relieve ourselves, which is extremely vital for a healthy life. Since the religion of Islam has provided guidance for all matters of the daily life of a human being, it wouldn’t be possible for it not to teach us the correct etiquettes regarding such an essential act. Even though every person in the world, regardless of what race, lineage, or country he belongs to, manages to do this act in his own way, whether in a good way or a bad way, it is a unique quality of the religion of Islam that it teaches the method of relieving oneself in an appropriate manner, cleanly, and with intelligence and awareness, as well as with regard for all of the requirements of society, in addition to giving an opportunity even in this act to earn reward for the everlasting life of the hereafter.

There are various ways of relieving oneself and cleaning oneself after wards that a prevalent across the world. As long as there is nothing involved that is against Shari`ah, Islam does not prohibit any of those methods, however it certainly does provide guidance towards certain matters that not only benefit us in the world, but also benefit us in the hereafter. (The term Istinja means cleaning oneself after having relieved oneself)

It is Sunnah to use clods of earth to clean oneself but using water to wash the area even after using clods is a rewardable act. There is no specific fixed number of clods to be used, such that if cleanliness is attained even with one clod, the Sunnah is fulfilled. However, it is better to use an odd number of clods (i.e. 1, 3, 5).

According to some research, earth contains ammonium chloride and particles which are excellent for removing bad smells. Dr. Holook writes, ‘Istinja with clods of earth has mesmerised the scientific world. All particles of earth kill germs, therefore by using clods of earth, the germs on the private area are destroyed, and using them also protects from cancer of the private area.’

If more than the size of a dirham in area around the place where the impurity comes out has become soiled with impurity, purity will not be attained just by using clods, but rather it will be Fard to wash it. Pebbles, stones, torn pieces of cloth are all considered clods, i.e. it is permissible to use these things as well. It is better to use torn pieces of cloth or worthless leftover pieces of cloth, preferably of cotton discarded by tailors so it absorbs impurity quickly. Toilet paper can also be used for this. Allah has placed all beneficial particles in water that remove germs, impurity and illnesses, and moreover water results in exceptional cleanliness. Allah has praised the worshippers who would pray in Masjid Quba in Madinah Sharif by saying, (Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman) Therein are the people who wish to cleanse themselves thoroughly; and Allah loves the pure. (Part 11, Surah At-Taubah, Ayah 108) After the revelation of this verse, the Holy Prophet said to those people, ‘Allah Almighty has praised your cleanliness. How do you attain cleanliness? They said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! We perform Wudu for Salah, we perform Ghusl when it becomes Fard, and we do Istinja with water.’ Upon hearing this, the Holy Prophet said, ‘It is due to this that you have been praised. Ensure that you continue to do these things. (Ibn Majah, Abwab-ut-Taharah, vol. 1, pp. 221, Hadees 355)

Let’s hear and learn about some Sunnahs and etiquettes of Istinja.

The method of Istinja with a few Sunnahs and etiquettes

Jinns and devils live in toilets. If بِسْمِ اللہ is recited before entering the toilet, they will not be able to see the private parts of the body by virtue of this recitation. Before entering, also recite this Du’a:
‘اَللّٰھُمَّ اِنِّیْ اَعُوْذُبِکَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ’ (meaning, Allah’s Name to commence with I seek Your refuge from wicked male and female Jinns. Then enter the toilet placing the left foot first. Use the toilet with your head covered. Take care to ensure that neither the face nor the back faces the Qiblah while relieving yourself, because having the face or back towards Qiblah during this act is impermissible. Rather turn to beyond 45° away from Qiblah. When you are about to sit, at that point remove clothing from the body but do not expose more of the body than is necessary. Then, widening the gap little bit between the feet, sit whilst applying the weight of the body on the left foot, as this makes it easier to be relieved. Whilst in this state, it is not allowed to reflect on religious rulings. Similarly, replying to Salaam, Azan, or sneezing, is also not allowed, as is the case with conversation, looking at your private parts, looking at the impurity excreted from the body, sitting for ages for no reason, spitting, clearing your nose, looking around, or looking towards the sky. After finishing wash the front part first and then the back part. Pour water with the right hand and wash with the left. Use three fingers of the left hand to wash (the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger). Wash enough so that the stickiness and smell is removed. Keep the vessel of water high so that droplets do not fall into it. After finishing, wash your hands with soap. Wash your feet so that the traces of impure droplets are removed. When leaving the toilet, step out with your right foot first. After coming out, recite this Du’a: اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ الَّذِیْ اَذْھَبَ عَنِّی الْاَذٰی وَعَا فَانِیْ (meaning, All praise is for Allah Who has removed harmful things from me and has blessed me with a great relief).

It is not allowed to urinate in the Ghusl area; doing so causes Satanic whispers. Before going to relieve oneself, walking for a while helps in easing the process. If possible, make the intentions that are to be made before going to the toilet (these intentions are listed on pages 17-20 of the booklet ‘Method of Istinja. (Taken from Method of Istinja, pp. 2-12)

Stealing

The definition of Stealing

For a sane and adult individual to covertly take something that doesn’t quickly go off which is of the value of 30.618g of silver or more and that had been put in a safe place for protection. (Taken from Sirat-ul-Jinaan vol. 2, pg. 429 and Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 2, pp. 64)

Saying of Allah Almighty

Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman: ‘O (beloved) Prophet! When Muslim women are present, in your august court, to take oath of allegiance that they will neither ascribe any partner to Allah, not steal, nor commit adultery, nor kill their children, not bring the fabrication that they carry between their hands and feet, i.e. in their womb, nor disobey you in any righteous matter, then accept their allegiance and seek forgiveness from Allah for them. Indeed, Allah is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.’ (Part 28, Surah Al-Mumtahanah, Ayah 12)

3 Ahadees about stealing

3. The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Whoever steals something, he will come on the Day of Judgement in the state that he will have a collar of fire around his neck.’ (Qurrah-tul Uyoon wa Mufrih il-Qalb il-Mahzun, pp. 392)
4. In another Hadees he said, ‘Whoever steals, he has removed the collar of Islam from around his neck. Then if he repents, Allah Almighty will accept his repentance.’ (Nasa’i, Kitab-Qat’ is-Sariq, pp 783, Hadees 4882)
5. Likewise, he said in one Hadees, ‘I saw a person in the Hellfire who used to steal things from Hajj pilgrims with his curved stick. When people would see him stealing, he would reply, ‘I am not a thief; this item just got caught on my stick.’ He was in the fire leaning on his stick whilst saying, ‘I am the thief with the curved stick.’ (Jam’-ul-Jawami Lil-Suyuti, vol. 3, pp. 27, Hadees 7076)

Some rulings relating to stealing

3. Stealing is a major sin, Haraam, and an act that leads to Hellfire. (Jahannam kay Khatraat, pp. 38, summarised)
4. It is definitively Haraam to use stolen goods in buying or selling or any other use. (Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 23, pp. 551, abridged)
5. The one who takes stolen goods does not become its owner at all and it is Fard for him to return it back to its rightful owner, and if he is no longer found, then to his rightful heirs, and if they are not found, then it must be given as charity to the poor without the intention of reward. (Takes from Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 23, pp. 551)

The harms of Stealing

Dear Islamic brothers! Stealing is Haraam and a major sin. (Sirat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 2, pp. 429) Stealing is an obstacle to becoming a complete Muslim. Stealing hurts people’s feelings. Stealing violates the rights of people. Stealing is against the honour of a Muslim. Stealing is akin to disgracing oneself. A thief is neither respected at home nor in society. No one befriends a thief and no one shows him any sympathy. Stealing ruins the peace of society. Stealing eventually leads a person to burglary and looting. No one trusts a thief. A thief is looked at with distrusting eyes everywhere. A thief becomes a cause of embarrassment for his household and family. Even after he dies, a thief is remembered with negative words. The extent of the evilness of stealing can be understood from the fact that even a thief does not like to be called a thief. 

How to get rid of the habit of stealing

Keep the worldly and religious harms of stealing in mind. Develop love for Muslims in your heart and become a protector of their lives, wealth and honour. Have trust in Allah and develop the habit of being grateful to Him in every state. Considering difficult circumstances as a test, make the mindset that there are problems in this world but you will remain patient over these problems thus making your Lord pleased with you. Develop concern for preparing for the grave and the hereafter in your heart – this will help you in abstaining from all acts of disobedience. Make your mind that even if apparently no-one can see you stealing, Allah is watching. Make a sincere promise to yourself that you will never violate the right of a Muslim. Note: To learn more about stealing, read pages 411-420 from volume 2 of Maktaba-tul-Madinah’s publication, ‘Bahar-e-Shari’at’. 

Superstition

Superstition (evil omen) is to consider something, someone, a sound, or a time as detrimental for you. (Taken from Bad Shaguni, pp. 10) Superstition is Haraam.

Saying of Allah 

Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman: So, when they received any goodness, they would say, ‘this is for us (i.e. we deserve it),’ and when misfortune befalls them, so they would consider it is as bad omen from Musa and his companions. Pay heed! The misfortune of their bad fate is by Allah, but most of them are unaware.’ (Part 9, Surah Al-A`raaf, Ayah 131)

It is stated in Tafseer Sirat-ul-Jinaan, ‘The followers of Fir`awn had become so entrenched in disbelief that whenever they would attain any goodness such as blossom and greenery, increase in fruits, animals and sustenance, safety and protection from calamities, etc. they would say, ‘We were bound to attain this, because we are worthy and deserving of it.’ Neither did those people regard the blessing as the Grace of Allah nor would they express gratitude for those favours. When they would be afflicted by any difficulty such as famine, drought, illness, scarcity etc., they would consider it as being due to bad luck brought by Sayyiduna Musa and his companions. They would say that they had been afflicted due to them and had it not been for them, the calamities would not have struck. (Sirat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 3, pp. 411)

A Blessed Hadees regarding superstition

The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Letting a bird fly to take a good or bad omen and being superstitious is a Satanic act.’ (Abu Dawood, Kitab-ut-Tibb, vol. 4, pp. 22, Hadees 3907)

The Arabs would consider it a good omen for a bird to fly off to the right and a bad omen for it to fly off to the left. They would also regard the crowing of a crow to be an evil omen. They would think that seeing an eagle was a bad omen that would bring calamity. They would think, ‘Because I have seen an eagle, I will definitely be afflicted with some kind of calamity.’  (Taken from Tareeqah Muhammadiyyah, vol. 2, pp. 378) (Taken from Tafseer Kabeer, vol. 5, pp. 344, abridged)

Some examples of superstition

Considering seeing a blind person, a cripple, a one-eyed person, or any disabled person as a bad omen that means you will have a bad day. Considering the sound of an ambulance, fire engine, or a certain bird or animal as a bad omen. Being certain that a calamity will strike because your right or left eye flickered. Regarding the number 13 as unlucky. 

A sign of superstition

Not doing something due to considering it as a bad omen for yourself. The Beloved Prophet said, ‘Whoever came back from a journey due to superstition will certainly not reach elevated ranks.’ (Ibn Asakir, vol. 18, pp. 98)

Superstition is Haraam

Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه writes, ‘Taking a good omen (considering something as a good sign for you) is permissible in Islam, but being superstitious and taking a bad omen is Haraam (and a sin). (Tafseer Na’eemi, part 9, Al-A`raaf, under verse 13, vol.  9, pp. 119)

Remember! If someone shakes off a superstitious thought as soon as it comes in the heart then it is not a sin; however, if he abstains from an action due to superstition then it is a sin. For example, if he considers something as unlucky and as a result he refrains from travel or business thinking that he will face harm, then he is sinful. 

Some cures to prevent superstition

Make your mindset that nothing happens due to something else happening or not happening, but in actual fact only that which Allah wills and has written in our destiny happens. Whenever thoughts of superstition occur, remove every evil thought from your heart whilst making Du’a to Allah and putting your trust in Him. Do not abstain from an action due to superstition, and leave benefit and harm to Allah Almighty. Learn more about superstition and try as much as possible to stay away from this disease. The Prophet said, ‘Three diseases will certainly occur in my nation; jealousy, negative suspicion, and superstition. Shall I not inform you of the way of getting respite from them? When negative suspicion forms in you, do not believe it, when you are afflicted with jealousy, seek forgiveness from Allah, and when superstition forms, go through with the action.’ (Jami’-us-Sagheer, pp. 209, Hadees 3466)

Note: To learn more about superstition, it will be beneficial to study the book published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah entitled, ‘Bad Shaguni’. 

Tawakkul (Trust in Allah)

The definition of Tawakkul

Doing something by using the means and channels for it whilst trusting only in Allah and leaving the result up to Allah is Tawakkul. (Taken from Najaat Dilanay Walay A’maal ki Ma’lumaat, pp. 157)

A Verse of the Quran regarding trust in Allah

Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman: And whoever relies on Allah, so He is Sufficient for him. (Part 28, Surah At-Talaq, Ayah 3)

Scholars say, ‘It is known from this verse that every Muslim should have reliance on Allah and should trust only Him in all his affairs. May Allah grant us the Taufeeq to trust in Him as we ought to. 

(Sirat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 10, pp. 202)

A Hadees about trust in Allah

The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘If you trust in Allah as you ought to, He will grant you sustenance like He grants it to birds such that they go out in the morning with empty stomachs and return in the evening with their stomachs full.’ (Tirmizi, Abwaab-uz-Zuhd, vol. 4, pp. 154, Hadees 2351)

Some Madani pearls for developing the habit of trusting in Allah

Study the teachings of Islam and the statements of the pious predecessors about trust in Allah. Have complete trust in Allah about every matter. Ask for Allah’s refuge at all times as this is helpful in developing trust in Allah. Keep the worldly and religious benefits of trust in Allah in mind. Keep the company of people who have trust in Allah and who rely only on Him. Develop self-respect and seek help from Allah, refraining from dependency on other people. Reflect on the blessings of Allah Almighty and you will develop a mindset to trust in Allah as you will realise that the Lord who grants sustenance to birds will bestow His Grace on you too and complete your intended matter. Learn from children who trust their mother in every matter and who always go to her in every difficulty knowing that she will sort out the problem for them. After all, Allah Almighty is more merciful to his creation than a mother is to her child. Therefore, when Du’a is made in His court in every situation, why would he not bestow His generosity? Then, if what you wanted still doesn’t happen even despite making Du’a, even then consider it as the Grace of Allah because perhaps what you wanted was not better for you or the Du’a has been kept for your benefit in the Hereafter. Act upon the ways through which trust in Allah is developed and make Du’a to Allah that he grants you the priceless treasure of trusting in Him. (Taken from Najaat Dilanay Walay A’maal Ki Ma’lumaat, pp. 161-166)

Note: to learn more about trust in Allah, it will be beneficial to study pages 732-871 from volume 4 of Maktaba-tul-Madina’s publication entitled Ihya-ul-Uloom. 

The Favours of Allah 

Dear Islamic brothers! Our beloved Allah Almighty is so Merciful to us such that every atom of the universe is an expression of His Grace and Power. The effects of His blessings and His generosity surround us in every direction. If you look at fire for example, you will see that just in this one thing there are so many beautiful expressions of the power of Allah. 

Allah has created fire so beautifully that when a human being needs it, he can produce it and when he does not need it, he can extinguish it. If fire had not been granted to us in this way, but instead it was present all around us remaining spread out, it would have caused great destruction. In other words, fire is a hidden treasure. 

There are many benefits of fire

Many foods and drinks are prepared with fire. If it wasn’t for fire, grains and water would not come together to make food. Also, the digestive system would have been ruined due to using uncooked food and drink. It is through fire that we are able to take benefit from many metals that Allah Almighty has granted us. It is through fire that gold, silver, copper, and brass are moulded into different shapes and used. Production of different items of jewellery, different utensils and various other benefits are dependent on the blessing of fire. It was due to attaining these blessings that Allah Almighty ordered the people of Sayyiduna Dawood to give thanks. In this regard, it is stated in the Holy Quran:

Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman: ‘Be thankful, O the people of Dawood!’ And few amongst my bondsmen are grateful. 

(Part 22, Surah As-Saba, Ayah 13)

It is through fire that iron is softened and then moulded into swords, armour, shields, and other tools of war, through which a person protects his life, his people and his country. It is this miracle that Allah Almighty granted to Sayyiduna Dawood عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام that iron would become soft in his hands and he would make armour from it. Allah Almighty says: 

Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman: And we taught him (Dawood) to make a garment (i.e. armour) for you, to protect you from injuries (in wars). So, will you be thankful?  (Part 17, Surah Al-Ambiya, Ayah 80)

It is through iron that tools are made which are used for farming, road construction, cutting through mountains, and making various things from wood

Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman: And we sent down iron, in which there is extreme strength and benefits for people. (Part 27, Surah Al-Hadeed, Ayah 25)

Allah has placed the means for human happiness and joy in fire as well because when a person’s heart becomes frightened due to the darkness of the night, the darkness is averted with the light of fire and the heart attains peace. Due to the light attained from fire, eating and drinking at night becomes easy. Due to the light attained from fire, one remains protected from getting lost at night. Due to the light attained from fire, one remains protected from dangerous animals and insects at night. Fire also protects us from the cold. Allah Almighty says:

Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman: So, what do you say regarding the fire which you ignite? Is it you who grew its tree, or is it We Who are The Creator of it? We have made it (i.e. the fire) a reminder of Hell and as a benefit for travelers in the jungle. So, O Beloved, glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most Great. (Part 27, Surah Al-Waqi`ah, Ayah 71-74) (Taken from Majmu’a Rasa’il Imam Ghazali, pp. 17)

The Greatness of my Prophet 

The companion of the Beloved Prophet, Sayyiduna Muhammad Bin Haatib رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ says, ‘My mother told me, ‘I was coming from the land of Abyssinia with you when I stopped some distance away from Madinah and cooked food. I ran out of wood so I went to get some more. At that point you pulled the cooking pot which fell onto to your hand and burnt it. I took you to the court of the Beloved Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! May my mother and father be sacrificed for you! This is Muhammad Bin Haatib.’ Then the Holy Prophet passed his blessed hand over your head and made Du’a for you. He then placed his blessed saliva on your hand. When I got up from there with you, your hand had healed completely. (Musnad Ahmad, vol. 5, pp. 265, Hadees 15453, summarised)

دُکھ درْد کہیں کس سے، یہ کام تو ہیں اُن کے

فریاد سُنا کرنا اور داد دیا کرنا

وَاللہ وہ سُن لیں گے اور دل کی دوا دیں گے

بے کار نہ جائے گا فریاد و بُکا کرنا

کِھل جائیں چمن دل کے اور حُزْن مِٹیں دل کے

طیبہ سے صبا آکے اِمداد ذرا کرنا

ہر داغ مٹا دینا اور دل کو شِفا دینا

آئینہ بنادینا ایسی تو جِلا کرنا

(Samaan-e-Bakhshish, pp. 64)

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب            صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Fundamental Islamic beliefs about Jannah (Paradise)

Jannah is a place that Allah Almighty has created for the believers. Jannah contains such blessings that no one has ever seen, heard, or imagined. Any example that is given to explain Jannah is just to aid understanding; otherwise in reality even the most supreme worldly thing cannot be compared to the blessings of Jannah. Something from Jannah that is the size of a fingernail would be enough to adorn the sky and the earth of the world. The amount of space in Jannah in which a whip can be placed is better than the world and everything in it. There are 100 levels in Jannah with the distance between each level and the next being the same as the distance between the earth and the sky. Each level is so big that it could contain the entire universe. There is a tree in Jannah that is so big that if a fast horse was to ride in its shade for 100 years, even then the shade would not finish. The doors of Jannah are so big that a fast horse can ride for 70 years from one door to the next. Despite this, when the people of Jannah enter it, the doors will creak due to the crowd. The palaces of Jannah are made from various types of jewels and diamonds, and they are so pure and clear that the inside part can be seen from the outside. The walls of Jannah are made from bricks of silver and gold, and cement of musk. There are four rivers in Jannah from which streams emerge and go into the home of every dweller of Jannah; a river of water, a river of milk, a river of honey, and a river of pure wine. The wine of Paradise is not like the wine of the world which is foul-smelling, sour, and intoxicating (causing the drinker to lose his mind and utter indecent statements). The wine of Jannah is extremely pure. Every type of delicious food will be available in Jannah. Whatever food a person in Jannah wishes for in whatever amount he wishes will immediately appear front of him. There will be no impurity, filth, excrement, urine, spit, mucus, dirt of the ear, or bodily dirt whatsoever in Jannah. After eating, a fragrant burp will be released and fragrant sweat will be released, causing all the food to be digested. Every dweller of paradise will be given the eating and drinking capacity of 100 men. The people of Jannah will have the words ’’سُبْحٰنَ اللہ‘‘ and ’’اَللہُ اَکْبَر‘‘ on their tongues at all times which will be continuous like their breathing. The hearts of the people of Jannah will be united; they will have no disputes amongst them. Every dweller of Paradise will be given at least two heavenly maidens whose bone marrow in their shins will be visible like red wine is visible in clear glass, despite the fact that they will be wearing 70 items of clothing each. A person will see the reflection of his face in the cheek of the heavenly maiden clearer than he does in a mirror. Whenever a man goes to a heavenly maiden, he will find that she is a virgin. If a heavenly maiden were to spit into the sea, the sea would become sweet. The heavenly maidens will sing melodies in Paradise. There will be no satanic instruments (such as drums, flutes or other musical instruments) in their melodies; rather they will contain praises of Allah. If any heavenly garment was to be worn in the world, whoever would see it would fall unconscious and would not be able to focus their vision on it. Every dweller of Paradise will be 30 years of age. There will be no sleep in Paradise because sleep is a type of death and there is no death in Jannah. The people of Paradise will also be blessed to see Allah every week and this is the greatest blessing in Paradise. A market will also be arranged every week in Paradise which will be surrounded by angels. The market will have things beyond our imagination. Whatever the people of Paradise want to take from that market will be given to them without charge. Even the lowest ranked dweller of Paradise will have so many gardens and other blessings that it would take 1000 years to see them all. (Taken from Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pp. 152-162)

May Allah grant us a place in Paradise through His Grace and mercy. 

اٰمِيۡن   بِجَاهِ    النَّبِيِّ  الۡاَمِيۡن   صَلَّى  اللّٰهُ   عَلَيۡهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

Fundamental Islamic beliefs about Jahannam (Hellfire)

Jahannam is a place where the Wrath and Supreme Power of Allah is manifested. The worst possible pain that can be imagined is nothing compared to the punishment of Jahannam. The sparks of Jahannam will rise as high as lofty palaces. Humans and stones will be placed into the Hellfire to stoke the fire. The fire of the world is one seventieth of the fire of Hell. The lightest punishment of Jahannam is that a dweller of Hellfire will be made to wear shoes of fire due to which his brain will boil like copper kettle boils and that person will think that he is being given the worst punishment. Allah will ask the person who is given the lightest punishment, ‘If you were given the entire world, would you give the entire would in exchange for freedom from this punishment?’ The person will say, ‘Yes.’ Allah will say, ‘We gave you a very easy command, ‘Do not commit disbelief’, but you did not listen.’ The fire of Hell was stoked for 1000 years until it became red. It was then stoked for another 1000 years until it became white. It was then stoked for another 1000 years until it became black, and now it is extremely black. If Jahannam was opened to the amount of needle hole, all creatures on earth would die from its heat. If a guardian of Jahannam was shown to the people of earth, they would all die out of fear. If one link of the chain of the dwellers of Jahannam was placed on the mountains of the world, they would tremble and would sink into the ground. Even the fire of the world seeks refuge in Allah from being sent into the Hellfire again, but the human state is truly bewildering as he does actions that lead to the Hellfire! Jahannam is so deep that if a block of stone was thrown from the edge of Jahannam into it, it would not even reach the bottom in 70 years. There are valleys in Hellfire from which Hellfire itself seeks refuge 70 times a day or more. Angels will strike people with iron maces in Hellfire. If one of those maces was placed in the world, all humans and Jinns would not be able to pick it up even if they all tried together. Hellfire also has the following punishments: 

3. Scorpions the size of the necks of large types of camels and huge snakes will bite, and the pain, burning, and irritation of the bite will not finish for 1000 years. 
4. Severe boiling water like a burnt layer of oil will be given to the dwellers of Jahannam to drink. When they bring it close to their mouths, the skin of their faces will fall off. 
5. Boiling water will be poured over their heads.
6. The pus that comes out of the bodies of the dwellers of Hellfire will be given to them to drink.
7. A thorny poisonous tree will be given to them to eat. This will get stick in their throats. They will ask for water to wash it down and they will be given such boiling water that will rip their intestines to shreds as soon as it reaches the stomach, the resulting liquid of which will flow out like soup. 
8. Dwellers of Hell fire will experience thirst like the sever thirst of camels. 
9. Feeling helpless from all these punishments, the dwellers of Jahannam will call out to Sayyiduna Malik (the angel who is the guardian of Hellfire) that they want Allah to end their matter. He will not respond for 1000 years, after which he will say, ‘Why are you saying this to me? Say it to the one you disobeyed.’ Then the dwellers of Hellfire will call out to Allah with His merciful names for 1000 years. After 1000 years, Allah will say, ‘Go away! Remain in Hellfire! Do not speak to me!’ At this point, disbelievers will become despondent of any goodness and will scream out crying in the voice of the donkey to the extent that their tears will finish and blood will begin to flow in place of their tears. Pits will form on their cheeks from crying so much, and so much blood and pus will flow out that if boats were put into them, they would sail. 
10. The appearance of the dwellers of Hellfire will be so ugly that if it was shown in the world, everyone would die due to its ugliness and foul smell. 
11. The body of a dweller of Hellfire will be made so large that it would take a fast rider 3 days to get from one shoulder to the other. Each molar tooth will be the size of Uhud Mountain, the cheeks will be 42 yards thick and the tongue will be 3 or 4 thousand yards long. 
12. Disbelievers will be placed in a box of fire in which fire will be stoked. The box will be locked with a lock of fire. This box will then be placed in another box of fire and fire will be stoked in that box too, with a lock of fire then placed on it. This will happen one more time. The disbeliever will think that no one else remains in the fire other than him. This will be punishment on top of punishment for him, and the punishment will be forever. 

(Taken from Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pp. 163-171)

Note: When all dwellers of Jannah have entered Jannah and all dwellers of Jahannam have entered Jahannam, death will be brought between Jannah and Jahannam in the form of a ram. The dwellers of Jannah and the dwellers of Jahannam will be called out to. The dwellers of Jannah will glance in fear that they may be taken out of Paradise and the dwellers of Jahannam will glance in joy at the possibility that they might now be given freedom from Hellfire. They will all be asked, ‘Do you recognize this?’ They will say, ‘Yes! This is death.’ Then it will be slaughtered and it will be announced, ‘O dwellers of Jannah! Now there is no death, you will remain in Jannah forever. O dwellers of Jahannam! Now there is no death, you will remain in Jahannam forever. At that point, the dwellers of Jannah will experience pure joy and the dwellers of Jahannam will feel extreme sorrow. (Taken from Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pp. 171)

May Allah protect us from entering Hellfire for even a billionth of a second. 

اٰمِيۡن   بِجَاهِ    النَّبِيِّ  الۡاَمِيۡن   صَلَّى  اللّٰهُ   عَلَيۡهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم