Picture of the Month: March 2012

Give up the cigarettes for the miswak! The miswak is a great sunnah of our Rasul salallahu alayhi wasallam. In one hadith he has stated, "If it were not for the fact that it may be burdensome upon my Ummah, I would have made the (use of) miswak compulsory upon them." From this we can understand how ardently Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam desired for his ummah to take up this practice. In fact, when Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was close to passing away, Abdur Rahman ibn Abi Bakr radiallahu anhu came in to his room; when Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam noticed that he had a miswak with him, he made some indication which Aishah radiallahu anha immediately understood. She thus asked Abdur Rahman (her brother) to give the siwak which he did and Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam even in his last illness, maintained the usage of the miswak.

It is great to use it before you pray. According to Imam Abu Hanifa rahimahullah, it is the sunnah of wudhu but according to Imam Shafi' rahimahullah, it is the sunnah for salah. Mufti Saeed Ahmad (DB) mentions in his Tuhfatul Al'ma'ee that a person can join both opinions together by performing wudhu just before he prays. Thus, he has acted upon both opinions i.e. he has done miswaak at the time of wudhu and just before prayer aswell. The wisdom for using it before prayer is obvious; this prevents the mouth from smelling. I think many brothers have found themselves in the situation where they have had a monster kebab roll with tons of onions only to feel embarrassed when they are standing in jamaat. Furthermore, the scent of cigarettes etc brings extreme discomfort and this is not only to other brothers but to the angels aswell. Thus we should try keeping our mouth clean.

Those who are married should also try to clean their mouths before they come home to their wives. This too, is a sunnah of our leader, Muhammad alayhis salaatu wa afadalut tasleem.

Part 8 - Walking

When a student first begins his/her (Islamic) studies, the first thing which is taught to them is that they cannot expect to learn everything by simply reading a textbook. Many of the things which a student picks up comes from observing his teacher. Thus, when it comes to the time of graduating, a student has many sifaat (characteristics) which are incredibly similar to his teacher(s). This can be in the manner of dress, smiling, speaking, walking, talking and the list goes on. It is thus noticeable that those students who are extremely close to their teachers are the ones who are able to mirror their ways in totality and this is praiseworthy. So then what can be said in relation to the Sahabah radiallahu anhum who noted every movement and characteristic of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam? The reason they were so great was down to the fact that they spent their entire life reflecting the ways of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam. If you follow a great person then you too will become great.

With regards to the walking of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam; his movement was very swift and smooth. Hazrat Abu Hurayrah radiallahu anhu says, "I did not see anyone more handsome as Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam. It was as if the brightness of the sun had shone from his auspicious face. I did not see anyone walk faster than him, as if the earth folded for him. A few moments ago he would be here, and then there. We found it difficult to keep pace when we walked with him, and he walked at his normal pace." This hadith highlights a great lesson for us; many people loiter the streets so that they may be seen or walk in such a way that attracts attention. This was far from the ways of our beloved Nabi salallahu alayhi wasallam. His walk was immensely humble and he did not walk with his chest pushed outwards as many arrogant people do today. From reading the ahadith in relation to the walking of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam it can picked up that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam had a sense of calm to his walking, his body emitted a feeling of detachment from worldly interests.

Many people today like to take their time lingering up the road and enjoy having a good ogling session as they do so. Others like to stamp their feet to connote a sense of power and intimidation so that they can be observed and seen as people of dominance! Then there are some bechare, who like to walk up the street with a particular ‘bop’ and that is to make them look ‘gangster’. It is unfortunate that such characteristics have seeped into the lives of many Muslims! What makes it even worse is the fact that we have the example of the greatest man to have ever walked the earth (salallahu alayhi wasallam) yet we still remain heedless.

Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would lift his legs off the ground with vigour which would highlight that there is vitality in his body and he would not resort to dragging his legs on the ground. His head and shoulders would be slightly tipped forward and he would be swift in his movement. Those who saw him would say it is as if he was descending from a high place. The hadith mentioned above also highlighted that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would walk so quickly that if a person was to look away from him for a mere second, he would look back only to find Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam at a greater distance. This highlights the fact that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam didn’t hang around but he would get on with his business. In the other narrations it is mentioned that his eyes would be lowered and this too points towards the fact that he did not continuously stare at people. This is very beneficial for our times, we live in such a time that if we look at someone in the wrong way, it could result in a fight! May Allah Ta’ala protect us!

May Allah Ta’ala give us the ability to follow the Sunnah of our beloved Nabi salallahu alayhi wasallam meticulously. Ameen.

Be A Family Man

It is clear to see from the blessed lifestyle of Rasulullah Salallahu alayhi wasallam that he was family man. He had a deep and profound love for the people of his household and he would regularly enjoy spending time with them. Hazrat Aishah radiallahu anha says, “Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was a human being from amongst the human beings. He would stay in the service of his family, he would mend his slippers, he would patch up his clothes, he would milk the goat and he would do his own work himself. He would work in the house just as a normal person would work however, when it was time for salah, he would get up and rush to the masjid to perform his prayer.”

This type of mentality is slowly being taken away from many youth today. Unfortunately, according to some, the most boring and lifeless place in the entire world is home. As a result, many people prefer to spend time outside and thus away from family members. There are others who have no need to go out however they find satisfaction in loitering around the locality waiting for something to happen. Then there are those who spend their time in cafes, clubs etc; a place where people can sit and socialise. The outcome of all of this is that our life at home becomes damaged. The house becomes a hotel, you meet others in the corridor at random times but never actually sit down to talk. This is not the way of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam. He would mention, “The best from amongst you is he who is best to his family.” The only time a person can serve his family is when he is regularly with them; a person recognises their needs and the problems that are going on in their life.

It is sometimes sad that people take more interest into the affairs of their friends when their own brothers and sisters need a shoulder to lean on. We should do our best to serve our family members first before anyone else, it is important to become a ‘family man’ like Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was. Our parent should be our best friends, their company should feel extremely sweet to the heart to the extent that a person cannot wait to go home and see them. Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam had prohibited nonsensical talk after Isha yet we find many people congregated outside the masajid talking about all sorts of things. After Isha, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would immediately return home and would spend the remainder of the night with his family members.

It is incredibly important that we create strong bonds at home with our family members. Our time should revolve around them because at the end of the day, the only people who will always be there for us (no matter what) are our family. Thus it is important for us to spend time and this need not be strictly inside the house. Try taking your parents out for ice-cream, your child out for a game of football; enjoy rowing a boat with your wife on a pond or taking an afternoon off to bake a cake or paint a picture with her. If a person becomes playful with all the people in his house, he realises that they aren’t boring after all.

The Greatness of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam

Note: The following is a transcript of a bayaan given by one of our authors when a group of misinformed people began to draw sketches of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam on Facebook etc.

In recent times, we have seen many people attempt to ridicule Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam in many ways. The recent attempts that we have seen in relation to Facebook is only another endeavour to tarnish the blessed name of Muhammad salallahu alayhi wa salam. A name which can never be tarnished for as long as the tongues of mankind continue to sound and the pens of mankind continue to etch his praise.

The reason that these efforts have been made is due to a lack of understanding with regards to whom Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam is. This ignorance is not just prominent within the non Muslims but it has seeped its way into the Muslims today. Many of our hearts today are still asleep in relation to the conduct and character of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam. The reason that his love has not penetrated our hearts is due to our negligence in learning about him. The more we learn about Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam, the more our hearts will be filled with admiration, awe, love and affection for him. The abuse that has been targeted to him in recent times is not something new but rather this is something old and ancient. Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam was made to suffer abuse much worse than what we see today. The people of his time would label him as being insane and this was so disliked in the eyes of Allah Ta’ala that Allah Ta’ala made radd and refuted these people and their like till the day of Qiyamah, He says in the Qur’an

نٓ‌ۚ وَٱلۡقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسۡطُرُونَ مَآ أَنتَ بِنِعۡمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجۡنُونٍ۬ وَإِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجۡرًا غَيۡرَ مَمۡنُونٍ۬ وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ۬
“Nūn. By the pen and what people note down. By the favours of your Lord, You are not a mad man or insane as (people claim). Surely you will get your reward that will never cease, (your rewards is endless which has no limits). Surely, you are of sublime character.”

People will come and they have been coming from the beginning of Rasulullah’s salallahu alayhi wa salam prophethood and these people will continue to come. They will slander and speak falsely about Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam but their words will be like the ashes in the wind. When the wind blows, there words too will be blown and nobody will remember what they had to say. But the Qur’an is the Book of Allah Ta’ala and this means that it is the Word of Allah Ta’ala. And this Word will remain and continue to exist right up to the final hour and until then the statement will remain for the entirety of mankind that

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ۬
Surely, you are of sublime character.

When it came towards caring and loving those people who were around him, then no person can match Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam with regards to the care and love he showed his ashaab radiallahu anhum. He once said in a hadith,

وأنا أمنة لأصحابى
I am a source of safety for my companions.

The attention and care he would show these blessed souls was unimaginable. He would give time and love to everybody and would not make anybody feel out of place. Hazrat Amr ibn al Aas radiallahu anhu narrates,

كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلّم يُقبِلُ بوجهِهِ و حديثهِ على اشرِّ القوم
Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam gave attention, spoke and showed love to the worst person of a nation. So that, the person may feel he is being given special attention.

The love he would give to people in general would be unimaginable. Today, we cannot even give time to our family members or to our spouses and Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam was such a man, that whomsoever would meet him would feel accepted straight away. Today, we only like to speak to those people whom we feel are on the same wavelength as us or on the same level of piety. This is incorrect, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam was such that in the hadith it comes,

و يجيب دعوة مملوك
“He would accept the inivitation of a slave.”

A servant or slave would have only had a few pennies and so if he invited people for food, what would he cook? But Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam would not refuse, he would go and accept the invitation of a slave aswell and like his, he would care for everyone.

When it came to bringing an aura of happiness and cheerfulness to the people. He would always be smiling and would be cheerful. Abdullah ibn Haarith says,

ما رايت احدا اكثر تبسُّماً من رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلّم
“I did not see anyone smile more than Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam.”

Hazrat Aishah radiallahu anha says,

لم يكن رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلّم فاحشا و لا متفحّشا و لا صخّابا فى الاسواق و لا يجزى بالسيئة السيّئة و لكن يعفو و يصفح ،
“Rasulullah was not foul mouthed, nor would he pretend to be foul mouthed, nor would he shout loudly in the market, nor would he repay evil with evil, however, he would pardon and overlook”

Today, we are the opposite. Our tongues have become so foul that every sentence we utter contians swear words. We use our tongues to break of relations and be so rude to people who are not deserved of it. Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam would never shout loudly in the market. In those regards, he would never shout out and cause attention to come his way unecessarily. There are some people who have loud tendencies, whenever you see them they are shouting and hollering.

He would never shout loudly, nor would he rebuke people, he would never be rude or vulgar. He would always forgive people and would always overlook their mistakes. Today we catch people on their every fault and mistake. Sometimes we hold bitter rivalries with people because of the most silliest reasons. Over secrets which have been kept and over small things.

He always showed extreme modesty, he would never stretch his legs facing someone in a gathering. When he would arrive in a gathering, he would sit wherever there was an empty space. He would not look for the best spot nor would he make someone get up from their place in order to take theirs. Today we are the opposite, whenever we come into a gathering, we want to make sure people stand up for us and that they give us their seat!

He would look down most of the time and would never stare at the skies. He was cheerful, always smiling, even though he might be hiding many agonies. The muhaditheen mention that he would be in a constant state of worry out of fear of what will happen to his ummah in the akhirah but he would always put on a smile in order to bring comfort to the people around him. Sometimes people need to be optimistic and happy in order to keep the people around them in the same manner.

He had a beautiful fragrance that would emit naturally from his body. Sayyidina Abu Ya’laa radiyallahu anhu and others relate that in whichever alley Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam passed, others who passed later knew immediately that Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam had just passed there. Once Sayyidina Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam blew (made damm) on his palm and wiped it over the back and stomach of Sayyidina Uqbah radiyallahu anhu. It became so fragrant, and as he had four wives, every one of them put on so much itr, to equal that fragrance, but it could not overcome the fragrance Uqbah radiyallahu anhu had.

When it came to his humility, it is recognised that there is nobody more humble than he is. When he would walk, he would swiftly walk from one place to another. The sahabah radiallahu anhum relate how they sometimes would find it difficult to keep pace with him. He would be in once place at one time and then move very quickly. And during this walk, he would always maintain humility. He would never walk in a manner which showed boasting. Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur’an,

وَلَا تَمۡشِ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مَرَحًا‌ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخۡتَالٍ۬ فَخُورٍ
Do not walk on the earth with conceit, verily Allah does not love any self conceited boaster.

His humility was such that he would not be bothered with the material wealth of the world, he would be satisfied with what he had and would not try and force the issue of wealth. From amongst his dua’s would be,

اللهم قنعني بما رزقتني
O Allah, make me content on what you have provided for me.

His behaviour was such that once, Umar radiallahu anhu entered the house of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam. And he saw that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam was sleeping on the floor upon a mat made out of reed. Try it out some day, you will find a mat of this nature will scar your body and cause you pain... Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam is lying on this mat... Umar radiallahu anhu sees the state of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam and

فبكى عمر
Umar began to cry

ما يبكيك يا عمر؟
What makes you cry O Umar?

والله! ما ابكى الاّ اكون اعلم أنّك أكرم على الله من كسرى و قيصر ، و هما يعيشان في الدنيا فيما يعشان فيه ، و انت يا رسول الله فى المكان الذي أرى!
I swear by Allah! I do not cry except that because I know that you are more exalted in the sight of Allah then the emperor of Persia and the Caesar of Rome. And they are both are at ease in the world and you, O Rasulullah are in this state that I am seeing you in.

What was the response of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam?

ما لي و للدنيا؟
What is with me and the world?...

Today we find that people are running around after this world. I am not saying abandon it, that is incorrect. Take what you need and live but it is completely absurd that a person would want to spend £600 on a pair of jeans or £500 for his police man goggles. Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam was extremely simple in the manner he lived.

When it came to his relationship with Allah Ta’ala. His fear, reliance, trust in Allah Ta’ala was unparalleled. As for his fear of Allah Ta’ala, he would say “O Allah! Make Your love the most beloved of all things to me, and make Your fear and reverence the most fearful thing in my mind.” Sometimes during his night prayers, he would weep so bitterly that his chest would sound like a boiling kettle.

Today, we cannot even cry, our hearts have become so hard that we find it hard to cry.
As for his reliance, we recall the episode of Ta’if... The situation was such that he had been calling the people of Makkah to Islam but only some would listen. When it seemed that they would not listen anymore, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam went to Ta’if where again he called people towards Islam.

For ten days he stayed there delivering his message to several people, one after another, but all to no purpose. The people of the Taif did not like this message, the people rushed him through the alley-ways, pelted him with stones and forced him to flee from the city pursued by a relentless mob all hurting him. Blood flowed down both his legs; his slippers were stuck to his Mubarak feet...such was the pain he had to suffer. The mob did not desist until they had chased him two or three miles across the sandy plains to the foot of the surrounding hills. There, wearied and exhausted, he took refuge in one of the numerous orchards, and rested against the wall of a vineyard.

At a time when the whole world seemed to have turned against him, Muhammad salallahu alayhi wa salam. He salallahu alayhi wa salam turned to his Lord and beseeched him. He is the messenger of Allah and he would have been justified if he had asked Allah Ta’ala to destroy these people yet look at the dua’a he prays...

“O Allah! To You do I relate the weakness of my strength, and lack of my planning and my low status in the eyes of people, O the Most Merciful from amongst those who are merciful! You are the Lord of those who are weakened, You are my Lord - to whom do You hand me over? To someone distant? One who will attack me? Or to some enemy in whose hands You have put my affairs? But if Your wrath does not fall on me, there is nothing for me to worry about., however, Your ‘aafiyat (security) is more encompassing for me. I seek refuge of the nur of Thy countenance with which all darkness lightens up, and upon which depends the matters of the world and the Hereafter. May it never be that I should incur Your wrath, or that You should be wrathful to me. It is Your right that forgiveness is sought from You until You are pleased. There is neither power to turn away from evil nor any strength to do good except with Your tawfiq.”

The effect of this powerful dua’a was such that Allah Ta’ala immediately sent an angel to the mountains which surrounded Taif. The angel asked Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam for permission to crush Taif between these two mountains but even then, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam said,

بل ارجو أن يخرجَ من اصلابهم يعبدُاللهَ وحدَه لا يُشرِكُ به شئا
“No, rather I hope that such people will come from their offspring who worship Allah and do not associate partners to him.”

It is for this reason Allah Ta’ala has said in the Qur’an

لَّقَدۡ كَانَ لَكُمۡ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ۬ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرۡجُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلۡيَوۡمَ ٱلۡأَخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرً۬ا
“There is indeed a good model for you in the Messenger of Allah - for the one who has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah profusely.”

If we were to adapt to his lifestyle, and inculcate the same qualities within us, we would also become beloved to Allah . It is important for us to hold on to the outward and inward characteristics of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam. If we do not follow his sunnah in following him and changing our appearance to look like him, who will?

Long Hair - Part 7

It only takes a glance out of the window to notice that different people like different hairstyles. Sometimes these hairstyles are influenced by role models, celebrities, fashion or friends etc. The bottom line however is that many people consider their hair to be of great importance and rightly so. A Muslim endeavours to look handsome, clean and distinguished (from other trends) in his appearance. The hair for many is part of their beauty. However, even within these hairstyles Islam has set the boundary.

First and foremost, haircuts which are against the Sunnah method and against what Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam has advised are forbidden. Many youth are involved with many different ways to style their hair. Some have their hair wedged in different directions, others have short back and sides etc. The styles vary but from the narrations found in the ahadith it is found that such hairstyles are forbidden. Though it may confirm with modern fashion, styling the hair in such ways gives a person a dishevelled, untidy outlook Islamically. Thus we should abstain from the various haircuts we see donned by sports stars and celebrities. Rather, we should look towards the hair style of our beloved Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam who was the most handsomest of men and he has left for us the most beautiful and elegant of dress codes. Hazrat Maulana Zakariyya rahimahullah summarises the hairstyle of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam in a short passage in his famous commentary, Khasail e Nabawi. He says,

“There are many narrations on the length of the hair of Sayyidina Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam as has been mentioned before. There is no contradiction as the hair is the thing that grows. If at one time his hair reached the lobes of the ears, then another time it was longer. It also has been proved that Sayyidina Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam shaved the hair of his head several times. A person who relates about his mubarak hair at an earlier time states he had short hair. The one that relates it at a time later than that, states he had longer hair. Some of the ulama have concluded that the mubarak hair of Sayyidina Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam, above the forehead used to reach till half his ears, and the hair of the middle of his mubarak head was longer than that, and the hair of the back of the head reached till near his shoulders.”

The hair of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam was long. It was not so curly and neither was it so straight. It was wavy and in some narrations it is mentioned that the hair would curl up at the back. When he salallahu alayhi wa salam would the comb his hair, he would part in the middle. In some narrations it comes that Hazrat Aishah radiallahu anha would comb his hair for him which also points towards the closeness of the blessed couple. This too should be practised by Muslim spouses in reflection of Rasul e Paak salallahu alayhi wa salam.

Lastly, I would like to mention the shaving of the head. Many people incorrectly deem the shaving of the head to be an Islamic hairstyle. This was only done by Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam when he would perform Hajj or Umrah. He had performed Hajj once in his lifetime and Umrah was performed four times. In total, the shaving of the head was done five times and there are no narrations to suggest otherwise. In fact, it is mentioned in Mazahirul Haqq that it was against the persona of the Sahabah radiallahu anhu that they shaved their heads bald. There are some narrations of Hazrat Ali radiallahu anhu shaving his hair off (to be bald) but this was due to his fear that the water was not touching his scalp during ghusl. This was his heightened level of Taqwa but generally, the bald head was not a hairstyle kept by Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam or the Sahabah ridwanullahi alayhim ajma’een. In fact, in one hadith, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam was describing the leader of the Khawarij (they were were a foul, manipulative group who maintained characteristics to disunite the Muslims) who was described as being ‘mahluqur ra’s’ (bald). Some of the Muhaditheen mention that the fact Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam mentioned that his head was bald shows that this is something which is not common amongst the Muslimeen. Had his hair been normal there would be no need to mention it but due to it being against the norm of the Sahabah radiallahu anhu, it was highlighted. However, all this does not mean that a person is not allowed to be bald. It has only been mentioned to highlight and emphasise to the Muslimeen that the only time Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam would shave his head would be during pilgrimage. Besides these times, he would keep long hair. However, if a person wanted to go bald, there is no great problem in him doing so as long as he understands that it is not “Islamic”.

May Allah Ta’ala give us the ability to act upon the blessed Sunnah. May He send countless blessings upon our Master, Sayyidul Kownayn, Hazrat e Muhammad Mustafa salallahu alayhi wa tasleem.

"Maulvi's are the mureed of their wives..."

By Hazrat Hakeemul Ummat, Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi rahmatullahi alayh
Translate from Tohfae Zowjayn (excellent book, must buy).

Those people who are religious have much gratitude for the many efforts of their wives. Maulana Muhammad Mazar rahmatullahi alayh was such that his wife had become quite elderly but Maulana shared such a bond with her that whenever she would become even a little sick, he would immediately take leave from Madressa (where he would teach) and he would do her khidmat (service) with his own hands.

Today, some people hate having elderly wives where in reality, they are the people that made them a bhudi (elderly) but Maulana Muhammad’s rahmatullahi alayh was such that he did not employ maids or butlers to do his wife’s looking after but rather he did it himself and take leave from Madressa in the process.

It is for this reason that some people say in jest that: “The scholars are the mureed of their wives!” but Jee ha! Yes, indeed! It is better for them to be their mureed then be their peer like you people! And that too, a bogus peer!

The reality is this that Maulvi’s are not the mureed of their wives but they have the fear of Allah Ta’ala set in their hearts with regards to fulfilling the rights of other people and the rights of their wives. Their eyes have passed over the Qur’an and Hadith and they have read the social conduct of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam through the narrations of Hadith. They have seen how he showed such softness and compassion to his wives in order to put them at ease.

The reality is that whatever Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam presented to his wives through his beautiful behaviour can never be done by any Maulana today and if he did make an effort to portray this behaviour (tit for tat) then the people would jest him by calling him more than a mureed of his wife.

In the Hadith it comes that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam would race with his wife Hazrat Aisha radiallahu anha. It is for this reason Maulvi’s do more for the sake of their wives because they have social conduct of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam in their eyes. Then by doing things for the happiness of their wives, there is a big benefit in the world. The People of Allah are not the mureed of their wives, rather they understand their significance.

"When one of you loves his brother, he should tell him so..."

The following is an extract from the Jumm'ah Bayaan at London Metropolitan University:

And so we begin today. What I want to talk about today is love for one another because sometimes I see friction in the prayer room. Maybe this is because we think, “He doesn’t look like me, he isn’t doing things that I follow. Why does he do this? Why not like this?” And then these very same people may perhaps show bad characteristics towards one another. This truly creates really bad feelings towards one another. The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam said,

“When one of you loves his brother, he should tell him so.”

He should tell him! He should not keep it inside that, “I am a big man! I am hard! I don’t want to tell anybody I love them as it may decrease from my manhood! I want to be macho! I don’t want to show any softness inside of me, this must be only directed towards my wife.” No, this is completely wrong! Bringing an aura of love is from the characteristics of the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam! When he would see the Sahabah radiallahu anhum, he would show them huge amounts of compassion. Today my brothers and sisters, we have gone far away from this. We feel love is only dependant on those people whom we can share intimacy with and not those people who we are brothers with, and this is why the Muslim Ummat is suffering right now because we don’t understand that we should love one another.

Now how should we love one another? By smiling at one another, by passing the salaam to one another, by meeting one another with an embrace and by this love will increase as you will always remember a person who shows these characteristics towards you! Maybe a person continually sees another Muslim and he continually passes salaam, maybe one day they will actually sit and talk and create a great friendship with each other. This has happened in the past. And if we are to act upon the hadith we are discussing right now, then we should tell each other, “I love you for the sake of Allah Ta’ala.” This is also hugely beneficial and we really disregard it. Just by saying this statement, it can remove a lot of bitterness which we direct to other people.

Mujahid rahimahullah who was a very big scholar mentions that he met some of the companions of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam. And one sahabi tapped him from behind on his shoulder and said, “I love you for the sake of Allah Ta’ala!” and Mujahid said, “May the One for whom you love me, love you too.” And this Sahabi said, “Had I not heard the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam say, “when you love your brother you should tell him so” I would not have told you this.” And because of this Mujahid rahimahullah became happy and he too showed izhaar of his gratitude.

Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam said, “No two people love each other but the better of those people is the one who is more in his love for his friend.” For example, I love our brother Ilyas for the sake of Allah Ta’ala but he might love me more, this means he is better than me. This is what the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam showed to the people, a lot of love and mercy. It is mentioned by Hazrat Anas radiallahu anhu,

“The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam was the most beautiful of the people, the most generous of the people, the most courageous of the people.”

And there is a reason to this, once in Madina late at night the people heard a big sound. They got scared as they thought the enemies of Islam were preparing a surprise attack at night while they were not prepared. In a state of huge terror, they made their way to the sound to see what had happened. But when they arrived, they had found that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam was already there on his horse with a sword in his hand! Subhanallah! What a sight this was to behold. He was prepared to take an entire army with by himself for his people! And he ushered them back to their homes telling them not to worry as he had checked the area! Allahu Akbar! How many of us have this type of aura around us that we give comfort to those people whom we socialise with? My brothers, rather than dispelling the worries of our brothers, we like to instil fear into them. The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam was a person who called everyone towards him, he did not push anyone away. Hazrat Amr ibn al-Aas radiallahu anhu relates,

“The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam gave attention, spoke and showed love to the worst person of a nation so that, the person may feel he is being given special attention. He used to give me such attentions and spoke to me also in a manner that I began to feel that I was the best among the community.”

One hadith that I will speak of very quickly,

“When a person loves his brother for the sake of Allah Ta’ala and he says, “I love you for the sake of Allah Ta’ala.” Then Allah Ta’ala enters both of them into Jannah. The person who loves his brother for the sake of Allah Ta’ala, Allah Ta’ala elevates that persons rank.”

So you should tell your brothers that you love them for the sake of Allah Ta’ala. I’ll be the first to open up and drop the macho look! I love you all for the sake of Allah Ta’ala!

One Umrah Everyday in Ramadhan

The following has been translated from our most dear, Hazrat Maulana Yusuf Motala's (damat barakatuhum) Ita'at e Rasul salallahu alayhi wa salam. It is Hazrat's account of his time spent with his respected sheikh, Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya rahmatullahi alayh.

The Umrah’s that were performed in Ramadhan Mubarak

To perform Umrah in Ramadhan has been emphasised by the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam. Huzoor e Aqdas salallahu alayhi wa salam has stated,

“To do Umrah in Ramadhan is the equivalent of doing Hajj with me.”

Whenever Hazrat Sheikh Muhammad Zakariyya rahmatullahi alayh would acquire Ramadhan in Makkah Mukkaramah, he would perform one Umrah everyday in order to act upon this Sunnat and to acquire its virtue. When he was in his youth, Hazrat Sheikh rahmatullahi alayh himself relates,

“After Tarawih, we would remove our clothes, tie our Ihram and rush to Tan’eem (which is a Meeqat) and then we would rush back. After we finished doing Tawaaf and Sa’ee etc we would eat our Sehri and then go to sleep. During the whole of Ramadhan, this was our daily practice.”

In the third year of his stay in Makkah Mukkaramah, everyday visitors would come to meet him and when he would be free from them, Hazrat Sheikh rahmatullahi alayh would tie his Ihram and then would proceed to Tan’eem in the car of Malak Sahib. There would be approximately 30 to 40 people with Hazrat and there would be three cars too.

When Hazrat would go to Masjid e Aishah (radiallahu anha) where the Ihram is tied, he would go to a sandy turf situated behind the masjid. He would then say, “This is the place where Hazrat Aishah’s radiallahu anha camel sat!” and he would begin to pray nafl prayers on this sand without having laid a prayer mat beforehand.

And just like this, Hazrat Sheikh rahmatullahi alayh came to the sandy turf again the next day and as he was about to begin his nafl prayer, a person (from amongst them) requested a prayer mat to pray on. When the voice of this man had reached Hazrat’s ears, Hazrat said angrily, “Who is it that wants a cloth?! Lift me up! We will go inside the masjid to pray our nafl!” After this, Hazrat Sheikh rahmatullahi alayh would perform his prayers inside the masjid. Thereafter, the opportunity to pray on the sandy turf never came.

This is what is known as the complete following of the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam and the Sahabah radiallahu anhu. May Allah, exalted be He, give us a portion of this too. Ameen.

Zann

Zann lexically means 'to suspect, to accuse (of), assumption, suspicion'. This is something we see so rife on a daily basis. Our hearts have become so darkened and hateful that everybody is fixed upon making nasty assumptions about others.

The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam has spoken at length about this and there are many chapters in the books of ahadith that speak of zann. The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam said,

“Keep yourself away from suspicion for it is the worst of false things. Do not pry into the affairs of other people. Do not compete with one another (to gain worldly possessions and hurt one another in the process). Do not turn your backs to fellow men. Do not be jealous of other people and do not despise anyone. But, live as salves of Allah, one brother to another brother.”

These words of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam must be taken into deep consideration. Many people are fixated with keeping the worst views about everybody else. There are many people in society who love to take a ‘pop’ at others and try to knock the self esteem out of them. These people are fools of the highest order. Some people are such that they cannot take another person surpassing them in affairs of religion and thus vilify them in order to taint the reputation of a person. Some people have these type of characteristics and it is something very worrying to keep in ones heart. It can destroy people’s lives and the life of the one who bears it in his heart.

Sayyidna Abdullah radiallahu anhu used to say,

“When theft is committed of a person’s possession, he goes on assuming and presuming (so much) that he surpasses the thief himself”

Meaning, he begins to think about all the possible thieves and in doing so, he applies his suspicion to people who are not even in the wrong! Instead of being intent on one thief, he creates many possible thieves and wrongdoers. Accordingly, his sins exceed the sin of the real thief due to his suspicion about which the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam clearly said, “Avoid suspicion.”

It is a very dirty and filthy characteristic to possess. We should regularly check our hearts and keep them free for this. How can we check our hearts? The next time we are in a situation that perhaps warrants our thoughts of a person, we should immediately turn away from all negativity and entertain positive thoughts. Rumours spread by bad people, saying bad things. Avoid yourself from being like this, even if is done to you. Hazrat Aishah radiallahu anha said,

“The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam was not rude, nor did he pretend to be rude. Nor did he shout in the market places. He did not repay evil with evil, rather, he forgave and overlooked.”

These are the characteristics that we must place into our life. Always think the best of people, no matter what they have allegedly done. Even if people around you are maintaining such views, you do not need to keep them too. Rather, you can be the person that thinks the best about people and in return, Allah Ta’ala will think best of you. Unfortunately, there are many dim-witted fools who like to force their nasty opinions down the throats of others. We must all look to the good in people.

Allah Ta’ala give us all the ability to act on what has been said. Ameen

Using 'Itr - Part 6

Note: this post is more or less exclusive to men only.

Everybody would like to smell nice. Society applauds those people who maintain a clean appearance. Fragrance (perfume) is also a part of this and is highly revered in the majority of societies. The use of 'itr (perfume) was a very big Sunnah of our beloved Rasul e Paak salallahu alayhi wa salam. Sayyiduna Anas radiallahu anhu used to say,

"I did not smell anything more fragrant than the fragrant smell of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam. Its fragrance was better than 'Amber or Musk."

The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam himself was a person who did not need to use perfume as his body was naturally scented. Umm Sulaym radiallahu anha would collect the sweat of Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam in little bottles when he would perspirate in his sleep. When Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam found out, he asked her as to why she did this. She replied that the Sahabah radiallahu anhum used the mubarak sweat of the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam as perfume! Another story found in Khasa'is al Kubra that once the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam was pelting a person for having committed adultery. As the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam began to pelt, he became very fearful and began to shake. He held onto a young boy who was close to him so that he may help him stand. The young boy narrates the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam was sweating profusely that as he was pelting, the sweat came onto the head of the young boy. He continues to say that the sweat of the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam was the most fragrant thing he had ever smelt and in effect, made his hair smell extremely fragrant too.

Hazrat Thumana ibn Abdullah radiallahu anhu says,

"Anas ibn Malik did not refuse 'itr and used to say that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam never refused (the acceptance of) 'itr."

We should always try our utmost best to be fragrant. Many people get dirty and start to pong but this is against the way of our Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam. He would always smell nice and would encourage his companions to do so too. This cleanliness and beautification should always be brought into the masjid! Recently in a talk (can be heard on the side) given my most beloved and respected Sheikh, Hazrat Maulana Abdur Raheem Sahib damat barakatuhum, he mentioned a great point. He said (to the nearest effect),

"If we was to receive an OBE or and MBE we would dress extremely well! We would wear beautiful garments and spray lots of perfume because we have to meet the Queen! But you are in a Masjid! Infront of Allah Ta'ala! And therefore you have to beautify yourself even more!"

May Allah Ta'ala give us the ability to act upon what has been said and bring the Sunnah of Rasul e Paak salallahu alayhi wa salam into our lives also. Ameen.

People Come & Go

Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'an,

"Surely We will test you with a bit of fear and hunger, and loss in wealth and lives and fruits, and give good tidings to the patient."

This verse speaks about a 'loss in lives'. Sometimes in our life, people come and go. At some part of our life they (friends) may play an instrumental role but in another walk of life there may not be space to accommodate them. However, the love and care for these people should always remain. A person should always continue to make Dua'a for that person who helped him in some way. Even if it was a small piece of advice that seemed to be useless at the time of need. Many people become friends but due to circumstances are not able to speak anymore. Though there is no bitterness between the two, it is just a difficulty to maintain contact with one another via letters, phone, email etc. Overtime, it just becomes mutally accepted that there is no urgent need to speak to one another. This does not mean that you totally forget them, they are most deserved of spending time with you in your Dua'as. The Ulama e Kiram used to say,

“If one of you do not wish to fulfil his brother’s needs by sharing his worries or by making Dua'a then do not ask, 'How are things?' because it is considered hypocrisy.”

This does not mean you stop asking people about their condition. This means that you should care for them in your Dua'a and remember them when you are unable to be in their company as often as you would like. Then when you do ask them about their condition, it will be sincere, heartfelt and not just 'lip-service'. This will be good for your heart and never ever forget to ask a person how they are as this shows the other person that you actually care for them.

May Allah Ta'ala give us the best ability to recognise those people who have helped us in our life. May He shower upon them countless blessings and easen for us the restraints of not being able to fulfill their rights regularly. May He make us from those people who loved one another in the world and thus receive the shade of His throne. Ameen.

Part 5 - Environmental Issues

If I go outside in the middle of winter in my shorts and vest and I stand outside for a while, will I feel warm and cosy or will I feel cold and maybe even catch a fever?

If I go outside whilst its raining and I'm not wearing no coat or anything then what will happen to me? Will I stay dry and warm or will I get drenched with rain?

In the same way, if a person walks into an area of sin, like the quad and canteen, then do you think that it will not have an effect on you?

The same way that a person will feel the effects of the weather on him if he isn't wearing the right clothes, is the same way that a person will feel the effects of the sin occuring in the environment around him if he isn't well protected and wearing the right clothes. The one who adorns himself with the Sunnah of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam, with pure intentions will see that these clothes will have an effect on a person's behaviour. With the Sunnah of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam comes good character aswell and when these two are put together you will see that a man will become elevated in status by Allah Ta'alaa. When a person has the real Uniform of the Soldiers of Allah, then he will have more shame than a normal person, and the effects of some sins will not have a full blown effect on him. For example, A person who is wearing a Juba is less likely to be holding a girls hand around college because he himself will know that it would look soo wrong aswell as him receiving a lecture every couple of minutes because what he is doing is completley against islam.

Let it be known that if a person does not wear any signs of islam, that does not make it permissible for him to go and walk about with his girlfriend around college. Its still haram at the end of the day and if a person was to commit a sin whilst wearing islamic clothing then this person is better than the one who commits the same sin and doesn't wear any islamic clothing. Why? because the one who is observing the Sunnah of Rasoolullah Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam is doing a good dood and is more likely to be forgiven for his sin, but the one who doesn't wear any islamic clothing will not have anything that brings the mercy upon him, but instead he will keep on carrying on gaining the anger of Allah Ta'alaa because he will be commiting more and more sins. An example of this is a girl who observes the hijaab and one that doesn't who both listen to music. The hijabi is more likely to be forgiven than the non-hijabi because shes only doing one thing wrong but she's covering herself so she gets one good deed. The non-hijabi will be doing two things wrong, listening to music and not covering herself properly.

It come in a story that once a man from amongs the people of Firaun was employed by Firaun himself to immitate Musa Alayhis salaam as a form of mockery. So this man dressed like Musa Alayhis salaam, he had a beard like him, he wore clothes like him, he had a stick like him and he would walk like him. It so happened that when the punishment and wrath of Allah decended upon these people and this man was amongst them, he was spared. Abit of a surprise as we would think this man would be first on the list for a beating but instead he was saved. Why? because at the time of the decending of this punishment, he was observing the Sunnah of Musa Alayhis salaam. Even though his intentions were something far from following the Sunnah it was still enough to save him. So imagine if we did follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam, would we not be saved from calamities and the wrath of Allah Ta'alaa?

It comes in a famous hadeeth to the nearest meaning that the one who revives a Sunnah of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam will have the reward of 100 martyrs. And the reward of one martyr is such that all his sins are forgiven before the first drop of his blood touches the ground.

My Respected teacher stated that if a non-muslim was to follow the Sunnah of Rasoolullah Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam then he would be successful in this world but not in the hereafter. If a muslim was to follow the Sunnah of Rasoolullah Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam then he would be successful in both this world and the hereafter.

We should not look at any Sunnat of Rasoolullah Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam as small and insignificant. A person wearing a Topi, Jubba or Ammamma could be the reason for his intercession by Rasoolullah Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam himself and those who adhere more and more to the Sunnah of Rasoolullah Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam are more and more likely to have the intercession of Rasoolullah Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam on the Day of Ressurection. The Day when our parents will run a mile away from us and we will look left and right for help and we will have nobody but our good and bad deeds at our side. It will be on this Day when we will see how significant these Sunnats really are and if we find that due to us keeping a beard it brings a smile to Rasoolullah Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam's blessed face it may be that just because of that he will intercede for us and we will be safely taken to Jannah.

Sincerity is the key to the successful following of the Sunnah of Rasoolullah Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam and remember that when you do wear the Clothes of Islam e.g Hijab, Topi, Jubba then remember that you are representing Islam, so act like Muslims! Allow the swearing and loudness because all it does spoil your honour and nobility.

May Allah give me the ability to act upon what was said and those of you that read this article. May Allah bring the love of Rasoolullah Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam into our hearts. And May Allah grant us all the blessing of being raised up on the Day of Ressurection with Rasoolullah Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam. Ameen.

Having Time For Others - Part 4

The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam was a man who was busier than any other person to have stepped foot on the planet. The task that was bestowed upon him contributed significantly to this and one would imagine that a job so daunting would not allow a person to do much else. If we analyse our own schedules, we realise that time is something we hold in high regard. How many a time have we received a phone call and have made excuses in order to pursue another goal? However, the fact remains that our struggles and difficulties do not tantamount even to a single difficulty endured by the Prophet salallahu alahyi wa salam. What man could have been busier than the Prophet salallahu alayhi salam? What student could have more work to do than the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam?

Sometimes we are not even busy, we just be selective with who we speak to. We show kindness to those above us or equal to us in knowledge and actions but feel a need to ignore those wonderful souls who are still struggling on ‘Alif, Baa.’ This should never be the case. We must have time for everyone, even the worst of people. Hazrat Amr ibn al-Aas radiallahu anhu relates,

“The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam gave attention, spoke and showed love to the worst person of a nation so that, the person may feel he is being given special attention. He used to give me such attentions and spoke to me also in a manner that I began to feel that I was the best among the community.”

It is hard now to get even a handshake or a smile on the road. I find the state of business truly amazing while I am travelling by tube or bus to different destinations. I often peer out of the window and watch how people are running round, each person has a greater worry than the one before and I often wonder how far their awareness of other people is. Some people are so bad that if you greet them at the wrong time, you may end up with a strained relation! The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam, so beautiful was he, he would never be the first person to remove his hand from a handshake. When he would speak, he would turn his entire being to face that person and would not glance at them side on or show his back towards them. He, salallahu alayhi wa salam, would always have time for them – whoever they were.

May Allah Ta’ala give us all the ability to be considerate, compassionate and caring to others, May He forgive us of our indecencies towards other people and May He instil in us, the character of His Beloved salallahu alayhi wa salam. Ameen.

Be Happy and Not Grumpy

Many people now point out to the fact that people of knowledge are too boring and grumpy. Others may say that knowledge can change a person and that those who have it become very formal with people. In recent times, I too have felt this feeling of rejection from various people and it creates the sense of resentment and patronisation.

Islam does not say that you need to frown to prove you have knowledge, the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam was the most intelligent from amongst the people and he was the one who smiled the most too. Abdullah ibn Harith radiallahu anhu reports,

"I did not see anyone who smiled more than Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam."

Hazrat Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyyah mentions in his Khasa'il Nabawi,

"This is the pinnacle of humbleness and good character. Hazrat Jarir radiallahu anhu says that whenever Sayyidina Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam saw me, he met me with a cheerful smile. There now remains no contradiction with the first hadith (in that the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam was always in sorrow [see previous chapter]). Many times it so happens that a person is sad and worried, but to keep others happy, or for some other reason one has the opportunity to meet them cheerfully. Those who have in their hearts a mark of love, experience this many times. "

Nowadays, everybody wants to be grumpy in an act of piety so much so that they push people away from them. It becomes hard to approach them in future and a feeling of annoyance becomes ascribed to that person. Let us all be happy and smile at one another, it is mentioned in the ahadith as an act of charity and one which is virtuous. It is a Sunnah which many people do not take heed too, a person must be seen in regular deep contemplation to show that he is pious and that he is in the state of muraqabah and ihsaan!

I have seen some people who have been sinners for many years and the second Allah Ta'ala gives them His Guidance, they feel they can patronise others with less knowledge and not sit jovially with them. Let us all revive this Sunnah of being happy with one another and let us smile at one other, it does not mean that you cannot fear Allah in your heart. One final pearl to finish off on - Hazrat Maulana Saleem Dhorat damat barakatahum said,

"In Islam, good character and manners are not only to show good things overtly. Though smiling at someone is a good deed, it is only meritorious when done with sincerity; if this is done while one has hatred for that person in his heart then it is not good manners but nothing but hypocrisy.

Good character is that one intends or works towards cleansing the heart from all bad traits and thereafter demonstrates good character by certain acts like smiling”."

May Allah Ta'ala adorn our faces with smiles and maintain our happiness. Ameen.

Ammama (The Turban) Sunnah Series – Part 2

In today’s modern society, we see many people adorn themselves with different types of headgear. But should a Muslim really be wearing a New Era cap? In Part 1 we stated that a person can attain salvation for merely resembling the Messenger of Allah salallahu alayhi wa salam. Now let us discuss in a little more detail the various virtues of wearing a turban.

The Ammama

It is mentioned in Fathul Baari, ‘"Tie the turban. It will increase you in forbearance." Similarly, Hazrat Shaykh Rahimahullah has mentioned in his commentary to Shama-il Tirmidhi (Khasaail e Nabawi) that the tying of the turban is ‘Sunnat-e-Mustamirrah’ progressive practice of Nabi salallahu alayhi wa salam.

The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salaam and his turban:

Huraith radiallahu anhu reports that Nabi salallahu alayhi wa salam addressed the people while wearing a black turban. (Muslim)

Hazrat Jaabir radiallahu anhu reports that on the occasion of ‘The Conquest of Makkah’, Nabi salallahu alayhi wa salam entered Makkah Mukarramah while wearing a black turban. (Muslim)

Ibn Abbas radiallahu anhu reports that during the illness just prior to his passing away, Nabi salallahu alayhi wa salam addressed the Sahabah radhiallahu anhum while wearing a black turban. (Muslim)

The Sahaba and the turban:

Imam Nafi’ rahimahullah says: "I saw Ibn Umar radiallahu anhu wearing a turban the tail of which hung between the shoulders."(Ibid)

Sulaiman radiallahu anhu says: "I saw those Sahabah who were from the Muhajireen e Awaleen (those who were among the first to migrate to Madinah) wearing turbans of cotton material." (Musanaf Ibn Abi Shaibah)

Abu Darda radiallahu anhu had a black turban on. (Ibid)

Ibn Zubair radiallahu anhu was seen wearing a turban both ends of which hung at the front. (Ibid)

Hazrat Shaykh rahimahullah writes; "No mention can be found among the reliable traditions concerning the length of the turban of Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam" (Khasaail e Nabawi)

The Colours:

Nabi salallahu alayhi wa salam had a white, black, and red Ammama. (Shamaail)

White turban- Ibn Umar radiallahu anhu narrates Nabi salallahu alayhi wa salam tied a white turban for Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Awf radiallahu anhu. (Mustadrak al-Haakim)

Black turban- Red turban-Anas ibn Maalik radiallahu anhu narrates seeing Nabi salallahu alayhi wa salam making Wudhu whilst wearing a Turban that had red colour on it. (Sunan Abi Dawud)

In other narrations with regards to the Sahabah radiallahu anhum, the colours yellow, green and brown have also been mentioned. However, white is the most virtuous as this was the colour the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam liked most.

It is also reported from Sa'eed Ibn Jubair radiallahu anhu that when Jibraeel alayhis salaam came down to punish Fir’aun, he had on a black turban. (Musanaf Ibn Abi Shaibah)

The virtues:

Nabi salallahu alayhi wa salam is reported to have said: "Hold on to the turban as it is a sign of the angels. Also let the loose end hang from the back." (Baihaqi)

"Adopt the turban as it will increase your patience." (Mustadrak of Hakim)

"Some of Allah Ta’âla’s angels stand at the door of the Masjid and seek repentance on behalf of those wearing white turbans." (Al Maqaasidul Hasanah)

"Allah Ta’âla causes His mercy to descend on the people wearing turbans on the day of Jummah and his Angels make du’â for such people." (Dailami)

The Turban In Your Prayer:

The Jumu'ah performed while wearing a turban is 70 times superior to a Jumu'ah without a turban. (Dailami)

Two units of prayer performed while wearing the turban are superior to seventy units performed without a turban. (narrated by Jabir radiallahu anhu)

Hazrat Shaykh Rashid Ahmed Gangohi rahimahullah has written ; "To make Imaamat (lead the congregation) without a turban is completely permissible without any degree of reprehensibility. However, there is no denying of the fact that with a turban, the reward is increased." (Fatawa Rashidiyya)

NOTE: A topi must be worn under the Amamma, the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam has said,

“The difference between us and the Mushrikeen (Polytheists) is that we wear a topee under our turban while the Mushrikeen do not do likewise."

Resemble The Most Beautiful Creation of Allah

Such is the love of Allah the Almighty on His beloved prophet, Muhammad salallahu alayhi wa salam that if a person was to emulate him, Allah the Almighty would begin to love that person too.

Many stories have been related about people who have been granted salvation for merely copying the pious. In the time of Musa alayhis salaam, the accursed Fir’aun would send a jester to ridicule the prophet of Allah. This jester would dress up similarly to Musa alayhi salaam and would then mock him in front of many spectators. Soon after, Allah sent his punishment on the nation of Fir’aun (we shall soon discuss this in our Destruction of Nations series) in which his entire nation perished, apart from one man. When Musa alayhi salaam and the Children of Israel came out of the river Nile, they were amazed to find one survivor out of the wrong-doers – it was the jester! Thereafter Hazrat Musa alayhis salaam became upset and called out to Allah and said,

“"Oh Allah, out of all the people that abused me, that caused me harm, this Jester hurt me the most. He used to deride me in front of the people when I preached and he used to ridicule me. He used to copy my words, copy my speeches, imitate my actions and wear the same clothes as me so that he could make a fool out of me in front of the people. I hated him the most and you let him live?”

Allah the Almighty replied to Musa alayhis salam and said,

"The Lover (Allah the Almighty) does not punish that person who looks (by means of clothing, beard etc.) like the loved one (His Prophet)"

If this was the love Allah showed for a jester who did not even intend reward then what would be the result of a man who strives in his every action to emulate the Beloved of Allah, Muhammad salallahu alayhi wa salam? It is why Allah mentions in the Qur’an,

“Say (O Muhammad salallahu alayhi wa salam): If you want Allah to love you, follow me, then Allah will love you too.”

Infact, the person who upholds the Sunnah in a time of peril for the Ummah, Allah will reward him with the reward of 100 martyrs and the reward of one martyr is that before his blood gushes forth, all of his sins are wiped away.

We will now write a series of posts dedicated to the Sunnah of the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam. We will discuss the virtues of various garments that can grant one salvation.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us to uphold the ways of the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam to its fullest. Ameen.