On the issue of Boycotting...

For a while, the issue of whether or not to boycott Israeli goods has been under discussion on Islamic discussion forums and the social media websites. The shallowness of jurisprudential insight in most of those discussions is appalling. Lets try to discuss this issue from various angles analyzing the arguments of those who are completely against it.

FIRST: Boycotting is not an end (ghaya) in itself. If there is evidence of its effectiveness, then it is a means of inflicting economic damage to the enemy. And as with all means (wasail), it need NOT be proven from the practice of the Prophet (saws) and his companions. All that is required that it be permissible (mubah) in itself, and the end (ghaya) be a noble one.

One example of this is the lines weaved into the carpets of a Masjid so as to enable people to form straight rows. These lines were not there at the time of the Prophet (saws), but the commandment to straighten the rows was there. The Prophet (saws) himself used to straighten out the rows by patting the shoulders of the Sahabah till they were aligned. Now we have lines on the carpets, and there is nothing wrong with that, because they are merely a means of achieving a legislated and ordained end.

This quashes the argument of those oppose the boycotting of Israeli products on the pretext that it was not the practice of the Sahabah and the Salaf.

This is how the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) should be like...

How is the Ummah of Muhammad SAW portrayed like? Do we really deserve to be called the Ummah of Muhammad? What are traits of the Ummah of Muhammad SAW? Isn't Islam going to be made divided into 73 groups? In which group are we in? What exactly is the role of Muslims in this life? 
 

The term “Ummah” is defined as:

مجموعات بشرية تربطها عقيدة واحدة 

“A group of people bound together by a common Aqeedah.”
 

Furthermore, the term “Ummah” is not used as a definition of people of the same race or skin colour; the “Ummah” is only for those people who are united by their aqeedah and way of life. It is not suitable if this term is defined as “a state”, because a state is a large group of people who live in a certain area or region. (An Ummah can exist without living in a state). 

Allah has categorized mankind into 2 groups:

1. Al-Ummatul-Islaamiyah (Islamic Ummah)

2. Al-Umatul-Kafiraah (Non-Believing Ummah) 

Moreover, there are only two camps (groups) for everyone, regardless of whether he is a Muslim or Kafir. The Jews, Christians, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, they are all al-Umatul-Kafirah; in other words, they all do not believe in Allah. 

Allah says:

“It is He who created you, and among you is the disbeliever, and among you is the believer. And Allah , of what you do, is Seeing.” (At-Taghābun , 64: 2)
  

The Islamic Ummah itself is divided into two:  

The great Mothers of our past - Allahu Akbar!

FROM OUR ISLAMIC HISTORY - FOR KNOWLEDGE/ EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE!

One of the righteous women in Basra was Umm Ibraheem Al-Hashimeeyah. The enemy attacked one of the Muslim towns so people were encouraged to join Jihaad. Abdul Waahid Bin Zayd Al-Basree delivered a speech encouraging jihaad and among the audience was Umm Ibraheem. Among the things Abdul Waahid talked about was Al-Hoor (the gorgeous women of Paradise).

Umm Ibraheem stood up and said to Abdul Waahid:
“You know my son Ibraheem and you know that the nobility of Al-Basra wish to have him marry one of their daughters and I have not agreed to one of them yet. But I like this girl you described and I would be happy to marry her to my son. Can you please describe her again?”

Abdul Waahid then narrated a poem in the description of the Hoor. Umm Ibraheem said:

“I want my son to marry this girl and I would pay you 10,000 dinars as her dowry and you take him with you in this army. He might die as a shaheed and intercede for me on the Day of Judgement.”

Abdul Waahid said:
“If you do so, that is a great success for you and your son.”

She then called her son form the audience. He stood up and said:
“Yes my mother?”

She said:
“Are you pleased to marry this girl with the condition of giving your soul to Allaah?”

The Effects of Iman and the manifestation of al-Walaa’ wal-Baraa’

Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an:

“So know (understand) that La ilaaha illallah…” (47:19)

Allah ordered us to first learn about the meaning of La ilaaha illallah, and to believe, without doubt, that the Iman is guidance from Almighty Allah. Whosoever doubts that the Book of Allah guides the Muslim to the haq (truth) becomes a Kafir. Allah (SWT) says:

“This is the Book (the Qur’aan), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Muttaqoon (God-fearing, i.e. Muslims).” (2:2)

Man is not needy for a person to guide him or for a scholar to guide him – guidance is from Allah. You may learn from a scholar, but you could be Kafir (disbeliever), Jahil (ignorant) or Daal (misguided). You could be a learned person, but also a liar, or Fasiq (sinner). Therefore, the scholar is not only one who is learned, he is one who is guided by Allah to the haq.

We know that there are many learned people around the world today working for the kufr (non-Islamic) regimes – we see them and we hear about them. There are many people learned in the West but they speak on behalf of the Kuffar (unbelievers) against the Muslims. This is all from weakness in understanding the meaning of La ilaaha illallah.

The ‘Aqeedah (Islamic creed) has an effect on the personality of a Muslim, whether daa’ie (propagator) or activist, and it is manifested in the following ways:

Distance between Words and Deeds

Or you could say, the distance between claims and deeds. For speaking true words is a facet of action, referred to as the action of the tongue. It is the first tangible deed that someone performs when he announces his entry into Islam: “I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and Muhammad is His messenger”.

The title of this article is taken from the famous poem of At-Taghraee, “Lamiyatul-'Ajm”, wherein he says: “Faithfulness has diminished while treachery is thriving,
And the gap has widened between word and deed.”

But what we mean here more specifically is the importance of action as a fundamental value in Islam, in terms of maintaining one's religion and in terms of developing the world around us. The indispensability of action, by itself, is a major principle that is supported by hundreds of texts from the Qur'an and Sunnah.

The success or failure of the individual; the strength or weakness of a society; and the happiness of this world with salvation in the next all depend on action. Or in the cant of the jurist, good deeds are the recognized value upon which hinge propitious results in the short and long term.

These actions that are deeds of righteousness must fulfill two important conditions:
1. A proper intention or you could say sincerity.
2. It must be in accordance with the Sunnah and the Shari'ah, also referred to as correctness.

Both of these conditions are dealt with in the verse:
"That He may test you: which of you is best in deed" [67:2]

Today's Hijrah

Hijrah is an important momentum in the struggles of Islam and the Muslims' passage of history. Hijrah was not only the proof of the iman of the adherents of Islam at that time, but also an event that was the most deciding for the rise of Islam and the continuation of the lives of the Muslims at that time. Now, when the conditions of the Muslims are at its weakest in all aspects of its existence, is the shari'ah of hijrah relevant to be implemented again? How is today's hijrah reimplemented by the Muslims?

The word Hijrah comes from the term "hajara", which means moving from one location or condition to another location or condition. However, there are also many other interpretations of the term “hijrah”, but we will talk about four subjects.

1. Moving, or not staying in one place!

If someone is impressed by what he hears or learns (of 'ilm) but not practicing it, he is not doing hijrah to what he has just learned. Allah says: "Say: 'O People of the Scripture, you are [standing] on nothing until you uphold [the law of] the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to you from your Lord [i.e. the Qur'an].' And that which has been revealed to you from your Lord will surely increase many of them in transgression and disbelief. So do not grieve over the disbelieving people." (Al-Ma'idah, 5:68) The Jews and Christians failed to do hijrah from their state of kufr to Tawheed, and the result was that Allah declares that they do not possess anything until they apply and practice what He has sent down. Similarly, the Muslims also do not possess anything unless they apply Al-Qur'an (politically) and Islam becomes their way of life. When Islam began in Makkah, which eventually spanned to Madinah, during the interaction (da'wah) of Prophet (pbuh) and his Sahabahs (ra), Allah destined that the community of Makkah rejected and attacked His Rasul (SAW). However, after this attack, hijrah had been determined and they henceforth were required to relocate. The problem with today's Islamic Ummah is that they do not do anything to change their current condition, even though they are learning Deen every day. They know which is halal and haraam, but they do not wish to make a move and practice on what they have learned. Therefore, one of the interpretations of hijrah is to move or make a move; Muslims always change (into being better) and move, as well as not being stagnant.

Preparing for Hajj..?

Every traveller must know where he is travelling to, what to take with him (a map or manual, clothes, etc.), and what vehicle to take. He should also have knowledge about the place he is travelling to, as well as its residents, climate, and so forth. 

Our life is also a journey (safar), as we are travelling to the Hereafter to meet our Lord, Allah. In fact, the Messenger (pbuh) ordered us to be in the dunya (world) like a traveller, and he informed us that this world for a believer is like a prison, full of tests and hardship:

“Be in the dunya as a stranger or a wayfarer.” (Riyad us-Saliheen, 55/471)

“The dunya is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever.” (Riyad us-Saliheen, 55/470)

Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam and one of the greatest ritual acts; therefore, it is just like Salah (the prayer) – you cannot pray the way you want or the way you think is best. Hence, the performance of Hajj must be based upon the teachings of the Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all), just like every other action, saying or intention in Islam. Therefore, we must look at how they performed Salah, fasting, da’wah, Jihad and also Hajj. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajiroun (those who emigrated from Makkah to al-Madeenah) and the Ansar (the citizens of al-Madeenah who helped and gave aid to the Muhajiroun) and also those who followed them exactly. Allah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success.” (at-Tawbah, 9:100)

When To Be Soft AND When To Be Harsh?!!?

Alternating Between Da’wah AND Nahi ‘Anil Munkar
There is a lot of confusion amongst the Ummah regarding the obligation of Da’wah. When we talk about Da’wah, it should be known that this term is a very broad term which includes many other obligations such as giving Naseehah [advice], inviting a Disbeliever to Islam, encouraging Muslims to practice the Deen, Amr bil Ma’roof [commanding good] and Nahi ‘anil Munkar [forbidding evil]. The confusion arises when one is not informed that these different obligations do not necessarily have the same method. For example, while inviting a Disbeliever to Islam, softness is required, but while forbidding evil, it is from the Sunnah [example] of the Prophet to be harsh [although not always]. This article has been designed to clarify some misconceptions and misunderstanding regarding when to be harsh and when to be soft and we want to make it clear that in Islam, a Muslim is required at times to be soft as well as harsh.

Method Of Inviting Disbelievers To Islam
To explain the method of Da’wah, the following verse is usually used:
“Give Da’wah to the way of your Lord with the Revelation and by reminding them about the punishments, and argue with them in the best manner [with softness and gentleness]” {16:125} [Translated to fit Tafseer]

We can see from this verse that inviting people to Islam requires us to be soft in our approach, inclining them to the truth. This is from the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad [saw]. 

Another example we can give to prove that softness is required in Da’wah is when Musa [as] was sent to Fir’awn. Fir’awn, as we all know, was one of the most arrogant tyrants in the history of mankind, but still Allah [swt] ordered Musa [as]:
“And speak to him gently [Layyin], perhaps he may accept the warning or fear [Allah]” {20:44}
 

Holding on to your Emaan... Like HOT COAL !!!

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: "There will come a time when holding on to your Eemaan (belief) will be like holding on to hot coals." [Tirmidhi]

We are currently living in an age where religion and morality have been pushed aside. The floodgates of secularism have been opened and the effect of this has reached even the most remote of places. What is good appears to the people, to be evil, what is evil appears to be good, and the confusion has infected the Ummah at large. Despite this disease which has plagued us, the mercy of Allah is ever present. It is narrated on the authority of Thauban that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said:
“A group of people from my Ummah will always remain triumphant on the right path and continue to be triumphant (against their opponents). He who deserts them shall not be able to do them any harm...” [Saheeh Muslim]
This group will be upon the truth and will not be affected by the taunts of outsiders, the persecution of the ignorant, or the defamation of the innovators. This is the religion of Allah and He (swt) will protect it. Those who follow it will be victorious, as was uttered on the tongue of the Messenger (saws) and he who abandons this truth is upon nothing but misguidance, as Allah says:
“Such is Allah, your Lord in truth. So after the truth, what else can there be, save error? How then are you turned away?” [Surah Yoonus: 32]

Also:
“And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths for they will separate you away from His path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (pious)” [Surah Al-An’aam: 153]

We are under strict orders to travel upon the straight path and we ask Allah every day, in every salaah:
“Guide us to the Straight Path” [Surah Fatihah: 6]

State of the Islamic belief

Shaykh Abu Hamza Al Masri (may Allah hasten his release-Ameen)

The believers are established on that imaan (faith) is of three dimensions, which are declaration of the tongue,conviction of the heart and implementation of the limbs. 

Those who want to understand Islam properly should submit to the belief that the imaan (faith), increases and decreases, which is the understanding of Ahl us-Sunna walJama`ah and the four great Imams. 

Although some scholars, including Imaam Abu Hanifah and his madhhab, say that the imaan (belief) does not increase and decrease, they will still act according to Ahl us-Sunna walJama`ah with regard to action. In fact, they emphasize the Sunnah of prayer and others acts of worship more than any other madhhab. This is so that others will not use their statements to disregard action. 

What the Hanafis have done is not to divorce action from belief, for this would be deviancy, but they have their own evidence and the way that they understand the evidence in this case. So it is a verbal difference in this regard and not a fundamental difference with regard to this issue. 

It is very disappointing to hear some new brothers refuting Imaam Abu Hanifa and Hanafis altogether because of this difference. Some go even further and try to exclude them from Ahl us-Sunna, as we see in the false new Salafi movement. Imaam Ibn Taymiyyah was asked about the issue of imaan regarding the Hanafis.

Milestones of Humanity – An Example of Disbelief: Wife of Abu Lahab

Bismillah

An Example of Disbelief: Wife of Abu Lahab

Allah ta’ala discusses the ultimate end of one woman in the Qur’an: the wife of Abu Lahab.

Umm Jamil, also known as Arwa bint Harb, who was the sister of Abu Sufyan (ra) was known for her staunch disbelief and persecution to the Messenger of Allah (saws) and the Muslims.

Allah ta’ala tells us her defining characteristic in surah Masad,

وَامْرَأَتُهُ حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ
and his wife, the carrier of wood (111:4)

Allah ta’ala uses the word “imr’aha” to describe the wife of Abu Lahab, and not the word we are more familiar with which is zawj.
 

There are 2 main purposes for a marriage:
1)To have protection from evil and to help increase each other in good
2)To have children correctly in the halal manner.

When both of the above purposes are fulfilled, the spouse is referred to as Zawj, also meaning a pair that goes together to serve a purpose. When either one or both of the elements are missing, the spouse is referred to as Imr’ah. This is why we find in many of Prophet’s (saws) duas, zawj, not imraa’ata, is mentioned to refer to spouse because zawj exemplifies a successful and complete marriage.

We find examples of this in the Qur’an:

Fundamentals of Believing in Allah

Honored Shaykh Abu Hamza Al Masri (may Allah hasten his release-AMEEN YA RAB)

The Muslims believe that Imaan is to have faith in Allah, His Messengers, His Angels, His Books, The Day of Resurrection and Divine Pre-ordainment. These are known as the six pillars of Imaan. In general it should be what the heart believes and what is backed by the action establish. A further explanation of them is given below, 

- Singling Him out alone in His oneness attains to belief in Allah 

...أن أنذروا أنھ لا إلھ إلا أنا فاتقون . خلق السماوات والأرض بالحق تعالى عما یشركون  
“Therefore warn mankind that none has the right to be worshipped but Me, so fear Me. He created the heavens and the earth in truth. Exalted be he above from what they associate with Him.” (Surat un-Nahl, ayaat 2-3) 

This concept is known as Tawhid. Application of this concept is based on four matters outlined on the nature of Tawhid of Allah. 

One: Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah, which is to single out God as Lord. He is the only Lord, Designer, Sustainer, Creator and Manager for all creation. 

ألا لھ الخلق و الأمر 
“Surely, to Him is the creation and the command.” (Surat ul A`araaf, ayah 54) 

Just as every creation must have a Creator, so every slave must have a Master and Lord. That Lord for us is only Allah. 

This tawhid is the intention of tawhid and its internalisation in the heart and admission of all of these things.This particular aspect is about knowledge and acceptance. 

Teach your Sons about Deen

Part of Muslim parents' nurturing is to provide their children religious knowledge. This is an obligation on Muslim parents.

However, when it comes to teaching Deen to our 'children', many of us have a very ignorant concept of giving Relgious knowledge only to the daughters of our family while easily neglecting it when it comes to the sons or boys.

My first question to the parents: Are men (yes, your boys are going to be men and fathers of this Ummah) are exempted from the religious obligations and the consequence of neglecting it on the Day of Judgement?

Allah while commanding us with obligations in the Quraan addresses both men and women.

Men and women have the same religious and moral duties and responsibilities. They both face the consequences of their deeds: 

"And the believing men and the believing women, they are the friends of each other, they enjoin good and forbid evil, and establish prayers, and pay the alms, and obey God and His Messenger, these, upon them God will have mercy, indeed, God is almighty, All-wise." (9:71)

"And their Lord has accepted of them and answered them: "Never will I suffer to be lost the work of any of you be it male or female: you are members of one another ..." (3:195)