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)

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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}
 

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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]

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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.

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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:

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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. 

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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)

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