Thursday, 28 July 2011
We Are Taking A Ramadhan Break!!!
Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah Ta'ala, I have been given the opportunity to visit the Holy Lands during Ramadhan. I will therefore not be able to update the website but I will definitely remember all our beloved readers in my duas (not that my duas are worth anything). None the less, my beloved friends Maulana Haroon and Muhammad Umer has taken charge of the website and he will update it as he feels appropriate. I will inshallah come back with kodak moments to share with those of you who are hoping to go there some day. Here are some posts which can help you with Ramadhan:
Your Guide to a Successful Ramadhan
Ramadhan Break
One Umrah Everyday in Ramadhan
Health Benefits of Fasting
Preparing for Ramadhan
How did Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam receive Revelation?
I urge you all and myself first to make the most of this month. These days are so blessed that a person who has been committing major sins all his life can free himself from the chains of disobedience simply by strengthening his resolve and turning towards Allah Ta'ala with a heart of sincere repentance. If you strengthen your resolve now, you will be happy forever.
Please kindly remember me, my family and us all in your humble duas.
Wassalamu Alaykum
I pray to Allah Ta'ala that He makes this month a means of guidance and forgiveness for us all. Ameen.
Commentary on Hadith: How Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam received revelation - part 3
Following on from the first post which can be viewed here, and the second post which can be viewed here we continue with the commentary of the third hadith of Bukhari sharif which describes the manner in which Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam received Revelation.
فَجَاءَهُ المَلَكُ فَقَالَ: اقْرَأْ، قَالَ: " مَا أَنَا بِقَارِئٍ "، قَالَ: " فَأَخَذَنِي فَغَطَّنِي حَتَّى بَلَغَ مِنِّي الجَهْدَ ثُمَّ أَرْسَلَنِي، فَقَالَ: اقْرَأْ، قُلْتُ: مَا أَنَا بِقَارِئٍ، فَأَخَذَنِي فَغَطَّنِي الثَّانِيَةَ حَتَّى بَلَغَ مِنِّي الجَهْدَ ثُمَّ أَرْسَلَنِي، فَقَالَ: اقْرَأْ، فَقُلْتُ: مَا أَنَا بِقَارِئٍ، فَأَخَذَنِي فَغَطَّنِي الثَّالِثَةَ ثُمَّ أَرْسَلَنِي، فَقَالَ: { اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ . خَلَقَ الإِنْسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ . اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الأَكْرَمُ } ،
“And then an angel came to him and said, ‘Read!’ Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam replied, ‘I am not one who can read!’ Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam said, “The angel then grabbed hold of me and squeezed me until I felt that I was going to become unconscious, he then released me and said, ‘Read!’ I replied, ‘I am not one who can read!’ The angel then grabbed hold of me again and squeezed me until I felt that I was going to become unconscious, he then released me and said, ‘Read!’ I replied, ‘I am not one who can read!’ The angel then grabbed hold of me and squeezed me a third time until I felt that I was going to become unconscious, he then released me and said, ‘Read!’ I replied, ‘I am not one who can read!’ Then he said, ‘Read with the name of your Lord who created (everything); He created man from a clot of blood, Read! And your Lord is Most Gracious.’”
Commentary
“And then an angel came to him” – A question which arises here is that how did Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam know that he was conversing with an angel?
Answer 1: Imam Isma’eely rahimahullah states that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was not aware that he was conversing with an angel at the time but as they continued to meet, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam understood that it was an angel he spoke too . This is why when Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam spoke about this incident at a later time, he used the term ‘angel’.
Answer 2: Sirajud Deen Balqeeni relates that it is possible that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam remembered the incident that occurred in his childhood (i.e. when the angels opened his chest and cleansed his heart). However, this answer is not weighty as we still don’t know how Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam knew his heart was being cleansed by angels in his childhood.
Answer 3: Aishah radiallahu anha is the narrator of this hadith and it is possible that she used the term ‘angel’ to describe what had happened. (Fathul Baari)
Out of all these explanations, the first answer is the best. (Kashful Baari). This angel was Hazrat Jibraeel alayhissalaam.
When did the angel come, what was the month and how old was Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam at that time?
It is an agreed matter that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam received the revelation on a Monday. However, there are three opinions in relation to the month in which it happened. 1) The famous opinion is that it happened in the month of Rabee’ ul Awwal either on the 1st or 8th day (2) 2nd of Rajab (3) This happened in Ramadhan. There is a difference of opinion in relation to the actual date; 7th, 17th, 24th have all been mentioned.
Hafiz ibn Hajr al Asqalani rahimahullah says that the third opinion is the most accepted opinion as Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would be doing I’tikaf during this time.
There has been some discussion with regards to the age of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam. It is quite famous that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was 40 when he received revelation for the first time however there are many opinions in what his exact age was. From amongst them are: (1) 40 yrs and 10 days (2) 40 yrs and 40 days (3) 40 yrs and 2 months (4) 42 yrs (5) 43yrs (6) 45 yrs.
The most accepted opinion here is that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was around 40 years of age. The extra days or months are just a subject of discussion.
“Read!” – An objection arises here that why was Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam asked to read when it was known that he was unlettered? It seems as if this is giving pain whilst knowing that the person being tested has no ability.
The answer given by Hafiz ibn Hajar rahimahullah is that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam wasn’t being given pain (takleef) but he was being given encouragement to read (talqeen). For example, when a teacher tells his student to read, his objective is to have the student read in his (the teacher’s) tone and style i.e. the student will not know how to read it properly at first but by practising behind the teacher, he will learn. So here, when Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was given the command to ‘Read!’ he understood it in accordance to its apparent meaning and that is why he said, “I am not one who can read.” The objective of Jibraeel alayhissalaam was not to have Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam read by himself but to have him repeat after Jibraeel alayhissalaam.
“I am not one who can read!” – Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was unlettered but despite this, his use of language in speech was of an extremely high calibre. He is the most eloquent person to have ever descended on to this earth. However, one question arises as to why he was not able to repeat the words of Jibraeel alayhissalaam despite the words being so small in nature. Maulana Saleemullah Khan sahib (DB) gives the answer that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam had been in astonished as he had been in the mountain for a long time, he was alone and all of a sudden an angel appears in front of him and commands him to read. It is obvious that this would have a startling effect on anyone. An example of this could be seen in our institutions, a student of knowledge could be extremely sharp but when is called in front of his ustaad to read and be tested, he is completely dumbfounded out of awe.
“The angel then grabbed hold of me and squeezed me until I felt that I was going to become unconscious” - Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was squeezed in a strong embrace by Jibraeel alayhissalaam and this happened three times. What was the wisdom in doing this?
1) It was to make sure that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was completely free from any worldly thoughts. It was done to make his heart completely alert to the situation at hand.
2) Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was being cautioned that a big responsibility will also be put on him (much weightier than this embrace) in the form of revelation.
3) It was to highlight that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would not be able to read except by the leave of Allah Ta’ala. This is why when told to ‘Read’ the first few times, he was not able to.
4) It was to highlight to Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam that what he was experiencing was in fact a reality. (For example, people say today ‘Pinch me! Am I dreaming?!’ when they experience something amazing. So here, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was being squeezed to indicate to him that this occurrence is a reality.)
5) It was done to put some revelation in to Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam through Jibraeel alayhissalaam.
Why did this embrace have to happen three times? Why was it not possible to have everything done at once?
1) Allama Qastallani rahimahullah mentions that when Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was squeezed the first time, worldly thoughts were removed from his mind so that his mind and body would be free to accept the revelation. The second and third time were done to ensure this happens.
2) Some have said that the first squeeze was to clear Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam’s thoughts, the second time was to prepare him for what was to be revealed to him and third squeeze was in order to create affection and acceptance for revelation.
3) Some have said that along with intellect, man has been created with three other entities. One is the nafs (carnal desires), tab’ee (inherent disposition i.e. inner characteristics) and shaytan. The objective of the nafs is to incline a being towards his desires. The natural disposition of a person is inclined towards forgetfulness and lethargy and finally, shaytaan beckons a person towards transgression. Thus each squeeze given by Hazrat Jibraeel alayhissalaam was to remove these characteristics if they had existed.
4) Some have said that he was squeezed severely three times in order to prepare him for three calamities he will face in his life. The first squeeze was to prepare him for the disrespect he will suffer from the people after he emerges as a prophet. The very people who called him ‘The Trustworthy’ will disrespect him. The second squeeze was to prepare him for the pain he will have to endure from the very same people who loved him. They will hit him, abuse him and all sorts of harm will be directed towards him. The third squeeze was to prepare him for the pain that he will feel when he is forced out of Makkah. The Makkans had gathered to eventually kill him and he had to leave the city. Whilst looking back, he himself stated that if he was not forced out, he would never leave. I have heard this explanation directly from my own Ustaadh may Allah Ta’ala preserve him.
There are approximately 13 opinions but to list them here would not be warranted due to the (already) lengthy post.
A strange incident is related about Allamah Shabbir Uthmani sahib rahimahullah. He once went for some treatment in a hospital in Hyderabad. The physician had told him that they would use electricity to treat him of his illness and they would pass it through his body. Allamah Shabbir sahib was very frightened at first but the doctor consoled him and told him not to worry. He sat on a chair and the electricity was put into his body. After a while, the doctor told him that there is much electricity in his body and Hazrat Allamah was astonished as he did not feel a thing (it must be noted that this was at a time when such medical treatment was not profound). The doctor told him touch Maulana Yahya sahib who was with him on that occasion and as a result, a spark came out when their skin met which resulted in both parties feeling some pain. However, the current had now passed on to Maulana Yahya sahib and thus they both had this electric current within themselves. Then a third man came and he also experienced the same occurrence!
Hazrat Allamah Shabbir sahib rahimahullah whilst reflecting on the incident stated at that juncture, “A very big masalah (Islamic ruling/question) has been answered today. It has been understood that in some special circumstances, it is completely possible to pass some feature on to another person just by touching them. When Jibraeel alayhissalaam had gripped Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam tightly, light was joined on to light and the angelic characteristics were passed onto Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam who had the ability to withstand its heavy load.”
This is incident is a very key lesson in many ways. Firstly, it shows how an Alim or a student of knowledge should always busy his mind in assessing Islamic rulings etc. Another matter it highlights is that there are many things which we will not be able to understand for years but one day, Allah Ta’ala may create something which gives us the knowledge and understanding need to comprehend a matter. For example, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam ascended to the heavens via a ladder. In previous years, this would be something completely unheard off because Allah Ta’ala didn’t give those generations the particular understanding needed to comprehend the matter. However, this is very easy to comprehend in our times; just think of an enormous escalator!
“‘Read with the name of your Lord who created (everything); He created man from a clot of blood, Read! And your Lord is Most Gracious.’” – Hazrat Jibraeel alayhissalaam read the first five verses of Surah Alaq and Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam also read them. The verses recited are a summary of the entire Qur’an. The Qur’an is divided into three topics. The first topic is in relation to Tawheed (the fact that Allah Ta’ala is one); the second one is in relation to rulings (ahkam) and the third topic is in relation information about the unseen and stories of the past etc.
Thus the revelation of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam had begun and the coming years would change the world forever. We are very fortunate that we are a group of people who have the best Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam) and we have the most guidance-filled book. The month of Ramadhan is the month of the Qur’an. It is now upon us to act upon the first verse that was revealed in this Glorious Book – ‘read!’ and this was revealed in the month of Ramadhan.
May Allah Ta’ala give us the ability to fulfil the rights of the Qur’an and spend the month of Ramadhan properly. Ameen.
Inshallah, we will continue with the commentary of the hadith at some point after Ramadhan. There is still a bit more of the actual hadith left.
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Preparing for Ramadhan
the following has been written by Hazrat Maulana Abdur Raheem sahib
Ramzan is a month of remembering Allah swt, turning towards him, repenting from past sins, major and minor, making a firm resolution never to lead a sinful life in future,
Ramzan is month of remembering the poor and destitute among the society, a time to think of those poor souls who could barely manage a loaf of bread. We will have plenty of food at Iftar but their iftar never comes. Bishr haafi, a great buzrug, was once lying in the masjid, it was cold, he had a blanket by his side but he was shivering, someone asked him 'why don't you cover yourself with the blanket? He replied 'Many poor people are shivering in the cold, I don't have enough money to buy them warm clothing, the least I can do is shiver a little bit so I can feel for them and maybe pray for them,
Ramzan is a month of patience, especially this year and the next few years. Especially for those who smoke as they will feel the crave but they will have to resist. It's a good time to give up this bad habit.
Ramzan is full of Noor, the Noor of the day is due to the fasting and it is different from the Noor of the night which is due to taraweeh and recitation of the Qur'an. A mu'min should take his fare share of both Noors,
Hadith: 'Whosoever fasts Ramzan with Iman and hope of reward, will have his past sins forgiven and whosoever stands up at night in Ramzan with belief and conviction will have his sins forgiven'
Hadith:'Every good deed of the son of Adam is multiplied, one hasana by tenfolds and upto 700 times, Allah says ' Except for Sawm, as it is for me and I will personally give it's reward, he/she leaves food and shahwat for my sake' For the fasting person there are two joys, one when he/she opens the fast and the other when they meet their Lord'
Hadith: Ramzan has come upon you,it is a great blessed month, In it is a night better than a thousand months, whosoever is deprived of it, is deprived of all good,
Hadith: A great month has come upon you, Allah covers you in it, He sends down His mercy, and wipes out the sins, and he accepts the duas, Allah looks at your competing with one another then He boasts over the angles, so, show Allah your good deeds, because a shaqiy (wretched) is he/she who is deprived of the mercy of Allah even in this month'
By Abdul Rahim
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Lessons from Hadith #6–Anger
عن أبي هريرة . ( أن رجلاً قال للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أوصني ، قال : لا تغضب ، فردد مراراً ، قال : لا تغضب ) رواه البخاري
Hazrat Abu Hurayrah radiallahu anhu relates that a man said to Rasulullah salalallahu alayhi wasallam, “Counsel me.” Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Do not get angry!” The man repeated this again and Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Do not get angry!” (Bukhari)
This hadith shows how enthusiastic the Sahabah radiallahu anhum were on receiving knowledge and advice in order to better themselves. In this hadith, a man has openly gone in the company of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam and has highlighted that he would like to be counselled. This shows us that we too should seek advice from our elders and should get out of this mentality of being independent on one’s own analysis. Almost always, the advice given by pious, trustworthy and knowledgeable people will be of great benefit.
First and foremost, it is important to understand what anger is. Sheikh Sulaiman ibn Muhammad al Humaydee in his Sharh of Arba’een Nawawi explains that “Anger is that poison that Shaytaan puts into the heart of a human being so that it (the heart) boils up.” Meaning Shaytaan khabees looks to provoke a reaction from the human being so that it triggers rage which will lead to much wrong.
Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam is forbidding us from getting angry but anger is a disease from within and for every disease there is a cure. Sheikh Sulaiman al Humaydee continues to explain how one can treat such a spiritual ailment. He says (from here on my words will be written in red italics):
1. Seek refuge from Allah Ta’ala from Shaytaan. It is related in a hadith narrated by Sulaiman ibn Sard radiallahu anhu that two men were swearing at each other in front of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam. One of them got so angry that his face began to turn red. Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam said, “I know such a phrase that if you were to recite them, the thing which has taken you (anger) will go away. (The words are) A’uzoo billahi min ash-shaytaanir rajeem (I seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan the accursed.) (Just on a side note, in the narration mentioned in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, the man got up and said to Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam, “What did you say? Do you see me as being mad?!” Hafiz ibn Hajar Al Asqalani rahimahullah says that he does not know who these two men were but Imam Nawawi rahimahullah mentions in Sharh Muslim that this man who got up must have been a Munafiq (hypocrite) due to his behaviour. The sahabah radiallahu anhum would always accept advice and the Munafiqeen wouldn’t).
2. Change your position – It is related by Abu Darr radiallahu anhu that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam said, “When one of you is angry then he should sit down and the anger will go away from him, if this is not the case then he should lie down.” (Abu Dawud) (The reason for this is that when a person is standing up, he is more likely to hit somebody and create hungama. When a person is lying down, he is less bothered.)
3. Perform wudhu – Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Indeed anger is from Shaytaan and Shaytaan has been created from fire. Fire is extinguished by water so whenever of you gets angry, let him perform wudhu.” (Abu Dawud)
4. Remain Silent – Ibn Abbas radiallahu anhuma relates that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Teach and spread glad tidings, and whenever one of you gets angry then let him remain silent, let him remain silent, let him remain silent.” (Abu Dawud) (When a person is angry he can break people’s hearts and say things which can destroy friendships. With the tongue a husband can be sweet and say ‘I love you’ a thousand times but in the state of anger, he only needs to utter ‘Talaaq’ once and he has destroyed an entire marriage! This is why the poem is mentioned in Kashful Baari, “The wound which is made by a spear will heal but the wound which is made by the tongue won’t.” In one hadith, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Whomsoever believes in Allah and in the last day, let him speak good or remain silent!” this can translate into the modern day language as, “If you haven’t got anything good to say then keep strum (silent)!”
5. Whomsoever supresses his anger, he will be granted Jannah – this is in the hadith related by Tabrani, “Do not get angry and you will receive Jannah.”
6. Understand the virtue Allah Ta’ala has given to those who supress anger – Allah Ta’ala says, “Those who supress their anger and forgive people. Verily, Allah loves those who do good.” (Surah Aale Imran) Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam has said, “The strong person is not he who is a wrestler but the strong person is he who controls himself when is angry.” Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam also said, “A slave does not swallow anything more virtuous in the eyes of Allah Ta’ala than swallowing his anger and suppresses it for the please of Allah Tabaraka wa Ta’ala.”
Thus anger is of two types;
1. Disgraceful – this anger is for worldly things and it is what Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam has warned us against.
2. This is praiseworthy and it is for the truth and for Allah Ta’ala. Aishah radiallahu anha relates that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam never took retribution for himself except when someone transgressed the rights of Allah.” (This shows that anger is permissible in the correct situation. Allah Ta’ala has given us this anger so that we can protect ourselves and our family. It should not be the case that somebody is trying to hurt our dear ones and we sit their like a laloo panjoo and do nothing.)
It has been related that Ali radiallahu anhu had a slave girl who once came back with hot water in a container and she dropped it on his head by accident. He was harmed by this and he looked up at her angrily. She said, “Allah Ta’ala says, ‘.Those who suppress their anger…” so Ali radiallahu anhu said, “I have suppressed my anger.” So she said, “Allah Ta’ala says, ‘…Those who forgive people...’ so Ali radiallahu anhu said, “I have forgiven you.” his slave girl said, “…Indeed, Allah loves those who do good. (Surah Aale Imran)” so Ali radiallahu anhu said, “Go, for you are now free for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala (i.e. I have freed you from being a slave).” (This is the end of Humaydee’s dialogue).
Lastly, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam had repeated the words “Do not get angry!” The question arises that why did he repeat this? It is mentioned in Fathul Bari that this was done for emphasis. The man who asked Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam the question was quite angry and so Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam said this to keep him calm.
Allama Khattabi mentions that this is to highlight to a person that he should not go towards those things which take a person towards anger. If a person knows he is going to get angry due to something, he should not hang around and wait for it to happen but rather, he should move away from that place. (Kashful Baari).
On a side note, the Sheikh Sulaiman ibn Muhammad Al Humaydee’s Sharhul Arba’een An Nawawiyah is an excellent book for those who are learned in Arabic. It is detailed, straight to the point and well set out.
May Allah Ta’ala give us the ability to act upon what we write and give us the ability to control our anger. Ameen.
Sunday, 3 July 2011
2 Year Islamic Studies Course for *Brothers*
All forms must be handed in before 15th July 2011 as induction/enrollment will take place on 21st & 23rd July 2011
Lantern of Knowledge Educational Institute Present:
2 Year Islamic Studies Course for Brothers
Taught by qualified Ulamah
Study:
Tajweed (how to recite the Qur'an properly)
Tafseer (commentary of the Qur'an)
Aqeedah (beliefs)
Hadith (the traditions of the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam)
Fiqh (jurisprudence)
Arabic
Seerah (the life of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wassallam)
Attendance: 2 days a week for two hours.
Cost: £5 a session or payable in instalments.
Venue: Jamia Siraj ul Uloom, 30-36 Lindley Road, Leyton, London, E10 6QT
Enrolment and Enquiries:
Please ring: 020 8539 5183
or e-mail: info@jamia.co.uk
www.jamia.co.uk
Saturday, 2 July 2011
Bidayatul Hidayah: Chapter on Staying Away from Sins - Part 1
Know that religion has two conditions:
1) To leave that which is forbidden
2) To do actions of obedience
The leaving of that which is forbidden is harder to do. This is because obedience is carried out by everyone (to some extent) but only the pious leave their desires. This is why Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam, “The Muhajir (one who migrates) is he who migrates from evil and the Mujaahid (warrior) is he who fights against his desires.”
Know! That you will only disobey Allah Ta’ala with your limbs and your limbs are only a bounty from Allah Ta’ala upon you! They are a trust given to you so seek help in the bounties of Allah Ta’ala against His disobedience which is the utmost snub. To behave treacherously with a trust that Allah Ta’ala has given you is an extreme form of haughtiness (arrogance)!
Your limbs will look after you make sure you look after them. It comes in a hadith, “You all are guardians and you all will be questioned over those things that you looked after.”
Know that your limbs will bare testimony against you in a presentation given by a eloquent tongue on the day of Qiyamah. You will be led by it at the forefront of all the creations. Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur’an, “On that day, their tongues, hands and feet will bare testimony against them as to what they used to do.” (Surah Nur) and He further states, “On the day there will a seal on their mouth and their hands and legs will testify against them as to what they used to earn.”
Therefore look after your body and especially look after 7 parts of your body; for Jahannam has seven doors and for every door there is a part categorised. And these doors are not specified for any person except that person who disobeys Allah Ta’ala with these seven body parts. They are:
1. The eyes
2. The ears
3. The stomach
4. The tongue
5. The private parts
6. The hand
7. The legs/feet
Inshallah we will continue with this in the next post...