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.

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.

Good Night, Sleep Tight, Don't Let The Bed Bugs Bite...

Sleeping is very important! Many people young and old feel very tired and fatigued in their day to day activities and this is because they have not given their body enough sleep. The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam has said, “Your body has a right upon you.” There is a huge amount of people who leave their houses in the morning feeling extremely frail and tired. Whenever they get to lean their head on an object, they visit the land of... nod.

There are many reasons for a lack of sleeping. Sometimes, people lie down but they toss and turn for hours and when they look at their phone, 3 hours have elapsed and they haven’t slept properly at all. Others can’t sleep at night because they are glued to their computers speaking to friends on MSN Messenger or Facebook. Some people are really busy with work from university or madressa and others are poor souls that suffer from insomnia unfortunately. However, there is a way to conquer all! Here are some tips to help you gain that beauty sleep.

Tips for normal people:

• It is important that when you get into bed, you switch of your phone and all distractions that will take the tiredness away and make you active again.
• Have a comfy bed with a nice pillows. It always helps when you get that sinking feeling.
• Begin to read some zikr. Here are some ahadith about the sleeping of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam:

“Every night before Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam slept on his bed, he put together his hands (as in the dua’a) and blew on it and recited (the surahs of) Surah Ikhlas (Qul huwallahu ahad), Surah Falaq (Qul a'udhu birabbil falaq), and Surah Naas (Qui a'udhu birabbin naas) and wiped those parts of the body that he could (wherever the hand could reach). He began with the head, then the face and then the front part of his body. This was done thrice". (Shamail Tirmidhi)

"When Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam lay down on a bed, he recited, O Allah! In Your name do I live and die'.”(Shamail)

“Whomsoever recites Ayatul Kursi in the night before sleeping, Allah Ta’ala will protect him, his house and the neighbouring houses.” (Tafseer Mazhari)

• Just to sum up. A person should recite the Four Qul’s, Ayat ul Kursi, the last 2 verses of Surah Baqarah, recite the last three verses of Surah Hashr and whichever nice masnoon dua’as they can find in books such as Fortress of the Muslim, Aap ki pyaari duayein etc. They should recite this till sleep over comes them.
• The recital of Tasbeeh Fatimah 34 Allahu Akbar, 33 Subhan Allah, 33 Alhamdulillah prevents a person from awakening in a tired state.
• A person should place his right hand under his cheek and turn to his right side, facing Qiblah and should sleep.
• A person should keep his mind blank and not occupy himself with constant thoughts of what he may experience the coming day. He must keep his excitement in a jam jar!
• Like this a person should fall asleep with Allah’s Ta’ala names on his tongue and then should awaken in this manner.
• It is important to sleep early, the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam would retire to his house immediately after Ishah and would not loiter around the streets. Many of us have a problem of returning to our houses. Some like to have a chat with the lads outside of the Masjid and then many of us tend to go for ‘walkies’ on the way home. This is not from the sunnat, we should go straight home and sleep to wake up fresh for Fajr.
• Switch of the computer and ignore friends.

Here are some tips specially for the people who find themselves stuck on MSN Messenger and Facebook at 4am:

• Delete your Facebook.
• Delete your MSN.
• If the above aren’t possible, then discipline yourself by giving yourself a time limit. Drill it into your own mind that you will be in bed by a certain time. Once this target has been made, stick to it.
• Occupy yourself with other things such as night time reading. Buy books like ‘The Sublime Conduct of Nabi salallahu alayhi wa salam’ or ‘Shamail Tirmidhi’ (which are both in English) and educate yourself about the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salams blessed features.

Here are some tips for brothers and sisters who are busy with work from uni and madressa:

• Our respected Hazrat Maulana Ismail Sahib (DB) says, “Allah Ta’ala states in the Qur’an Himself that He has made the night a veil for people to sleep and the day a light for people to work in. If you switch the two around, you have gone against the cycle Allah Ta’ala has put in place and you will therefore suffer.” Thus a person should work in special allocated times during the day.
• Time management is very important. Make sure you are in bed early so that you can wake up early. There is a lot of barkat in the morning time after Fajr.

Here are some advices for those people who sleep till Zohar in the afternoon and then wake up with messy hair and feel really rubbish:

• Sleeping during the day is bad for health and causes humid ailments makes the colour pale, ails the spleen, softens the nerves, causes laziness and weakens desire except during in the summer time around noon. The worst type of sleep occurs in the early hours of the day and in the afternoon. Abdullah ibn Abbas radiallahu anhu once saw his son sleeping in the early hours of the morning and said to him, “Wake up! Do you sleep at the hour during which sustenance is being divided?!” (Tibb un Nabawi)

And finally, here is some advice for our beloved brothers and sisters who unfortunately suffer from insomnia. May Allah Ta’ala cure you all. Ameen:

• Those who suffer from insomnia should make dua’a that Allah Ta’ala removes this illness from them. Sometimes it can get very depressing and lonely but a person must utilise this time to do good if he really can’t sleep.
• Keep a happy persona. If a person considers himself as a lonely, depressed person; he will soon fall into sorrow and feel really upset when he is the only one awake in the house.
• Some affective methods of curing insomnia is by reciting Durud Sharif in abundance and picturing Madina in one’s mind.
• Tasbeeh and Zikr are very nice good.
• Sometimes thinking about those people who are close to the heart helps once lose anxiousness and feel at ease.
• Sometimes, reading a book tires one’s eyes out and helps putting one to sleep.
• Hot milk (without caffeine added in) warms the body. Also, a nice hot shower before sleep.
• Total darkness in the room is always nice and helps the eyes relax.
• Think of nothing! Look for the Jam Jar masala which has been narrated above.
• One should keep speaking to a companion whose company is nice and helps one feel relaxed. Thereafter, the eyes will get tired and want to depart to bed.
• Routine is very important! You must force yourself into bed by a set time every day. When a person who suffers from insomnia messes up his routine for just one day, it has lasting effects. Try getting members of your family or best friend to help you go to sleep.
• If problems persist, go to a good doctor.

One final tip for all:

• Good night, sleep tight but not so tight that you miss Fajr!

May Allah Ta’ala give us the ability to fulfil the rights of our body. 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.

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.