All About MUHARRAM

The blessed month of Muharram (lit. sanctified) is the first month of the Hijri calendar and is one of the four sacred months concerning which Allah Almighty Says what means:

"Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them..." [Quran 9:36]

Ibn Abbaas (ra) said that this phrase (so do not wrong yourselves during them… ) referred to all the months, then these four were singled out and made sacred, so that sin in these months is more serious and good deeds bring a greater reward.
 
The virtue of observing supererogatory fasts during Muharram

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said, "The best of fasting after Ramadan is fasting Allah's month of Muharram." [Muslim]
 
The phrase "Allah's month", connecting the name of the month to the name of Allah in a genitive grammatical structure signifies the importance of the month. Al-Qaari said, “The apparent meaning is all of the month of Muharram.” But it is known that the Prophet (saws) never fasted any whole month apart from Ramadan, so this Hadeeth is probably meant to encourage increasing one's fasting during Muharram, without implying that one should fast for the entire month.
It was reported that the Prophet (saws) used to fast more in Sha'baan. It is likely that the virtue of Muharram was not revealed to him until the end of his life. [An-Nawawi and Muslim]
 
Al-Izz ibn Abdus-Salaam said that Allah makes certain times and placed sacred or blessed in order to encourage his servants for righteous deeds and bestow a greater reward for them. [Qawaa'id Al-Ahkaam]

The Islamic Judicial System

In the 1400 year history of the Islamic State, it was famous for its administration of justice, and its ability to protect the rights of the people, and this was the case in all the different fields of life, from personal to political. 

There are two people who are responsible for the implementation of Islam in such a manner – the Khaleefah and the qadi (judge). The Khaleefah executes the Islamic rules and implements them over the people, while the judge derives the Islamic verdicts for the different situations from their sources (i.e. the Qur’an the Sunnah, and whatever derives from them) and presents them for application. 

Accordingly, the judiciary is one of the fundamental pillars of the Islamic State and it is upon this that the ruling system depends for the implementation of Islam in the political life. There has been in the Islamic State a judiciary which administers justice, and judges who would judge between the people to ensure that Islam was constantly adhered to. 

This system of judiciary is nothing alien to Islam; indeed it derives from the Islamic ‘aqeedah and forms an integrated part of the Islamic way of life, complementing the other Islamic systems, like the Economic (Iqtisad) and Ritual (Ibadat) systems, making a perfectly functioning whole. 

Objective of the Judiciary 
The basis of the Judiciary is set in three principles :

1) that the application of the Islamic judgement on each and every issue is obligatory,

2) that it is forbidden to follow any Shari‘ah other than Islam, and

3) any Shari‘ah other than Islam is kufr (disbelief) and taghut (falsehood).

The Scholars AND the Orators

What is known from the Deen of Al Islam by necessity is that seeking knowledge is fard upon every Muslim. This seeking knowledge must be seeking the Shari’ah knowledge and must be from the anbiyaa’ (prophets) or from the juristic scholars after them. 

As the scholars are the inheritors of the prophets, the question will always be asked, who is the Faqeeh and the Aalim in the Deen? It is reported by Imam Ahmed on the authority of Ubadah ibn Saamit that the messenger (saws) said, “He is not one of us the one who does not respect the elders and is not kind and merciful to the young and who do not know the rights of the scholars.” 
The messenger (saws) in this Hadith clearly orders us to respect the ulemaa and not to prevent them from seeking their rights, such as the respect, to cover their mistakes and to prevent any harm from coming to them. In return, the role of the ulemaa – as they are the defenders of the Deen and the faith – is to protect the Deen, to preserve it’s divine text and concepts, preventing and pushing away any attempt to distort it’s milestones or suppress it’s guidance and they have a role to stand to speak the truth and challenge the falsehood without any compromise, to struggle against all evil, being concerned for the interests of the people and many other roles and duties. 

Those scholars throughout the history of the Muslim Ummah fulfilled the haqq (right) of Allah over them and the right of the knowledge upon them and also the right of the general public upon them. However nowadays, when we are so much needier than ever before for the scholars after the level of ignorance about Islam has become so widespread, it becomes essential to discover the true signs and attributes of the knowledge and scholars from the Qur’an and Sunnah and from the sayings of the Salaf. Particularly as those who claim to be scholars nowadays have become many and the measurement of the people and their judgement have been altered to a great extent until the word ‘Aalim’ has become like a joke or a toy or a slogan that has no definition and even the attribute of the Aalim has been taken away from those who are eligible for it.

What the Kuffaar wants...

Muslims are not required to make political analysis of what the kuffar (disbelievers) desire of the Muslims by reading their newspapers or watching what they say on television. Rather Allah has favoured the Muslims with Islam which informs us, through the Qur’an, about all their plans. To avoid being short-sighted we must therefore take advantage of this unique window into the unseen to expose their plans and in order to give us a better vision for the future. Rather the media of the Kuffar will not fail to corrupt the pure Islamic understanding by inundating us with their culture, ideas, conspiracy theories, distorted history etc…
 
1. For Muslims to become Kafir like them
‘…they wish (Wadd) that you reject faith, as they have rejected faith, and thus that you become equal…’ [4:89]

Here Allah uses the word Al-Wudd, meaning that the kuffar would love for you to become just like them, having no hope of the mercy of Allah on the day of judgement. However the Messenger Muhammad (saws) told the Muslims that they are not like the kuffar, rather he said: ‘Islam is superior and will never be surpassed’. Hence Muslims should never stoop down to the level of the non-Muslims but always remain steadfast on the Deen of Al-Islam, no matter how many trials and tribulations they suffer and no matter what the conspiracies of the kuffar. The non-Muslims will always resent the firm belief of practising Muslims and their unwillingness to compromise at all on any issue specified in the divine text.

2. To fight Muslims until they turn away from their Deen (ideology)
‘…they will continue to fight you until they turn you away from your Deen…’ [2:217]

In other words we are informed that the non-Muslims will continue to fight the Muslims, even if it means they kill them, if they do not turn away and become non-Muslims like them. But Allah warns Muslims: ‘…whoever is diverted from his Deen and dies in kufr (disbelief) their actions have failed in this life and in the hereafter, they are the people of hellfire. Forever there…’

30 Stories of the Salaf Preserving Their Tongues.

From Al-Jawâb al-Kâfî li-man Sala ‘an al-Dawa ash-Shâfî (al-Dâwa ad-Dawâ’) By Imâm Ibn al-Qayyim

Shaikh ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (May Allah Bestows His mercy upon him) said in his writings explaining the situations of many people: ”It is much surprising to find a person who easily preserves himself from committing sins i.e. earning money from Harâm sources, being injust, stealing, drinking alcohol or looking at what is unlawful for him to look at, while he still finds it difficult to preserve his tongue. It happens to see someone who is known with his righteousness, all time worshipping and piety but he utters words that cause Allâh’s wrath, while he is not aware of such consequences. You may see a person who preserves himself from approaching what leads to injustice or any filthy action yet his tongue is not stopping from backbiting live and dead people alike without even caring about it”.

~1~ It was stated that if someone asked to see Ibrâhîm An-Nakha’î, while he was at home, but he disliked to go outside to meet him, he would tell his servant: “tell him to ask for me in the Masjid and do not say: I am not here, so that it does not count as a lie”.

~2~ It was narrated that a wise man used to say if he ever finds a person who talks much and rarely is silent: “Allâh subhânahu created for you two ears and one tongue so that what you hear is double to what you talk”.

~3~ Ar-Rabî’ bin Subaih narrated that a man said to al-Hasan: O Abû Sa’îd I see something I dislike, Abû Sa’îd replied: what is that? He said:” I see people attending your place looking for any mistake you make so they can spread it amongst people to ruin your reputation. Al-Hasan replied: O’ My nephew: Do not let this matter be heavy on your chest and bother you. I will tell you what is greater and surprising than that. The man replied: what is that, uncle? He said: “I obeyed myself in every aspect that gets me closer to Allâh, hoping to enter Jannah, be saved from hell-fire and to be with the prophets. However, I never obeyed myself when it comes to listen to what people has say i.e. backbiting, slandering or whatever is evil. You need to know that if anyone has to be preserved from people’s tongues evilness then it has to be the creator who created them. Thus, knowing that, the created is normally to be never protected from their evil tongues.

Avoiding the Satanic 'Intellect'

This was a piece of advice from Hamad bin Atiq an-Najdi to Muslims in general, written around two hundred years ago. It finds itself very relevant today. 
“…And it should be known that intellect (‘aql) is of three types:

• Natural intellect
• Faith-based intellect obtained from the Prophetic light
• Satanic, hypocritical  ‘intellect’

And the possessors of this last type think they are something special, and this type of intellect is found among many people – most of them, in fact. It is the essence of ruin and the fruit of hypocrisy, as its possessors think that intellect is to please everyone and to not go against their interests and desires, as well as to gain their friendship (at the expense of speaking the truth). They say that the best thing for you is to just be part of the people and don’t cause them to hate you. 

This is the corruption and ruin of the soul, and this is due to four things: 

The first is that the one who does this has gained the pleasure of people by angering Allah, and the people are more important in his eyes than Allah. Whoever gains the pleasure of people by angering Allah will end up with the anger of both the people and Allah. It was narrated that Allah Said: “When I am angered, My Curse reaches the seventh generation of descendants.” 

So, if the one who is able to enjoin the good and prevent the bad abandons doing so, he will bring about Allah’s Curse that will reach the seventh generation of his progeny, and this is proven by the verse: {“The disbelievers from the Children of Isra’il were cursed by the tongue of Dawud and ‘Isa bin Maryam. This is because they were rebellious and would transgress…”} [al-Ma'idah; 78] 
So, it is clear that this compromising person has ruined himself through what he thought would help him.

The one on TRUTH vs LIAR - A Mubaahala Challange!!!

Dai'ee, our honored Brother Abu Abdullah (hafidhUllah) on Haqq, challenges the Liar Imaam's for Mubaahala in regards to the fitna within our Ummah now adays, in accordance to the Fiqhul Waqiah.
  

For those unaware of what Mubaahala is:

Mubaahala is a type of ibtihaal (supplication) and it is: the endeavor in making Duaa’ for cursing etc, actively performed by two or more parties so that it falls upon one of the two parties. And its definition according to Shari’ah is the gathering of people when they differ on an issue and the calling for Allah’s curse on the transgressor among them. Calling for Mubaahala, i.e. for Allah’s curse and revenge to descend upon (whenever Allah wills) whoever is guilty of falsehood of the two parties is prescribed between the haqq and baatil, as Allah clearly stated:

“If anyone disputes in this matter with you now, after what (full) knowledge has come to you, say, ‘Come! Let us gather together—our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves—then let us earnestly pray and invoke the curse of Allah on those who are the liars.’” [Imran 3:61]

Obey Allah OR Those in Authority ???

Allah says,

“O you who believe! Obey Allah and Obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.” [4:59]

There is no doubt that every Muslim is obliged to obey every legitimate Muslim ruler in authority over them. Whether they are scholars judging between the communities or the heads of state ruling over the people by whatever Allah has revealed.

There is also no doubt that we must obey and remain loyal to a Muslim ruler even if he oppresses us because rising against them would cause division, weakening the Ummah and helping our enemies against ourselves.

The Prophet (saws) said,

“There will be after me rulers who will not follow my guidance nor my traditions and there will be among them a man with the heart of the shayateen in a human body,” Hudhaifah said, “What should I do if I am in that time O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet (saws) said, “Listen and obey even if your back has been lashed and your money has been taken.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

That is why we are faced with such a difficult and confusing situation today. Today we face a time when the rulers over the so-called Muslim lands give us mixed messages; a time when the rulers are disconnected from the Ummah and seem to defend the interests of non-Muslims over our own interests.

Those rulers seem to extend their hands to Israel and turn their backs to Palestine; they seem to facilitate the occupation of Muslim lands like Iraq and Afghanistan. They seem to punish the one who questions or criticizes Western forces more harshly than the one who swears at Allah or His messenger.

Moreover, they seem to permit the things Allah forbade such as Ribaa (usury) and Zinaa (fornication) and some of them even forbid obligations laid down by Allah such as the Hijaab.

Residing in the Lands of the Disbelievers...

Regarding one who voluntarily went to a land of war [def. "a land in which its government is at war with Allah, the Messenger, and the Believers"] in disunity towards the Muslims: is he thereby an apostate or is he not? Regarding one who sought the help of the people of war [def. "the people at war with Allah, the Messenger, and the Believers"] against the people of Islam: is he thereby an apostate or is he not?

Abu Muhammad said:

‘Abd Allah bin Rabi’ told us: Muhammad bin Mu’awiyah told us: Ahmad bin Shu’aib told us: Muhammad bin Qudamah told us from Jarir from Mughirah from al-Sha’bi; he said: Jarir would narrate from the Prophet (saws); he said, "If the slave flees (from his master), his prayer is not accepted; and if he dies, he dies as a disbeliever," so when a boy belonging to Jarir ran away and was captured, he struck his neck.

With the same chain to Ahmad bin Shu’aib: Qutaibah told us: Humaid bin ‘Abd ar-Rahman told us from his father from Abu Ishaq from al-Sha’bi from Jarir bin ‘Abd Allah al-Bajali; he said: Allah’s Messenger (saws) said, "If the slave flees to Shirk, then his blood is permissible."

By way of Muslim: ‘Ali bin Hujr as-Sa’di told us: Isma’il bin ‘Ulayyah told us from Mansur bin ‘Abd ar-Rahman from al-Sha’bi, that he heard Jarir saying, "Any slave who flees from those entrusted with him, then he has disbelieved until he returns to them." Mansur said: By Allah! This was related from Allah’s Messenger (saws), but I would not like it to be related from me here in Basra.

‘Abd Allah bin Rabi’ told us: Muhammad bin Ishaq told us: Ibn al-A’rabi told us: Abu Dawud told us: Hannad bin as-Sari told us: Abu Mu’awiyah bin Khazim ad-Darir told us from Isma’il bin Abi Khalid from Qais bin Abi Hazim from Jarir bin ‘Abd Allah al-Bajali; he said: Allah’s Messenger) sent a troop to Khath’am, so some of their people sought protection against them by prostrating (displaying that they were Muslims); but they were quickly put to death. News of this reached the Prophet (saws), so he ordered their blood money be halved [i.e. not paid in full], and he said, "I am bari [def. "disassociated, innocent"; opposite of wali: "ally, patron, supporter"] from every Muslim who resides between the backs of [i.e. amongst] the Mushriks." They said, "O Messenger of Allah! Why?" He said, "Their fires should not be visible to one another" [i.e. as a practical matter, the campsites of two enemies should not be in plain view of each other].

Qasr (Traveller) Prayers and related issues

There are over so many opinions on Qasr Salaah and  indeed many of us get confused on this Issue, so Alhumdulillah below are some to know off and that which one can follow Insha'Allah... The rest Allah knows best indeed.

RULING ON WHEN WE CAN PRAY QASR:

First:
If you are going travelling distance (79km) and staying for over 15 days AND you know exactly when you are returning then you can only combine and shorten the prayers for 3 days.

If however you don't know when you are coming back then you can join and shorten for the whole period you are away (with a maximum of up to 1 year).
 
(On the other hand if you were theoretically going for less than 15 days you could combine and shorten for the full 15 days.)

The reason for the above is the narration:
Reported on the authority of Ibn Umar and Ibn Abbas (ra) that they said if you arrive at a land and in yourself you intend to stay 15 days complete your salaat. [Reported by tahhaawee]

In another Hadith reported by Ibn Abbas (r.a) in Bukhari where he (pbuh) said "the Prophet stayed 19 days shortening and when we travelled 19 days we would shorten." 

In short: "As long as you are a traveller and if you know it's more than 1/2 a moon then join for three days"

The fuqaha differ here if you don't know how long you will stay: Hanafis say 15 days and others up to 1 year. However if you are travelling only within 15 days all the scholars agree that you will combine for the full period.

Pride !!!

[From a khutbah entitled 'an-Nas Asnaf' (People Are of Various Types), given on September 26, 1986]

Shaykh Abdullah Azzam

“And the labels fill your pockets. Every pocket is labelled with a characteristic or title; this pocket is filled with labels that say ‘Disbeliever,’ and everytime you see someone that you don’t like, you hand him a label. Another pocket is filled with labels that say ‘Innovator,’ and a third pocket is filled the labels that say ‘Poor,’ and another says ‘Ignorant,’ etc. This way, you have given everyone a label from one of your labels…

There are families in Peshawar who cannot find enough Clorox bleach in the marketplaces, so, they send off to Islamabad to purchase this bleach, so that they can use it to clean their clothing and the clothing of their families. So, you are also in need of searching for bleach; you are in need of success in finding that which will clean your heart and purify your insides. If you are part of a particular Islamic group, then beware of assuming that all of the truth rests with that group, and that all falsehood rests with everyone else, as some of the earlier zealous people said: “All of our statements are correct, with a possibility of a mistake, while all the statements of others are mistaken, with a possibility of being correct.” This is the destructive type of allegiance! How many groups have been torn apart, and how many people who were close to each other became divided because of such a mindset?!

Pay attention to your heart, beware of raising yourself above others, and beware of belittling others. How many of these people have given for the sake of this Religion - but have kept it secret between them and the Lord of the Worlds - from he whose statement is belittled and his appearance mocked, and he might even have given more for this Religion than an Earthful of people like you ever would? So, pay attention to yourself, and may Allah have Mercy on a man who knows his limits and stays inside those limits. The virtuous people are those who acknowledge the virtue of the people of virtue, especially the scholars, and especially those who are old in age, and especially the parents…

Is it possible for a Rafidi (Shia) ...

Is it possible for a Rafidi (Shia) to spill one drop of blood to free Al-Aqsa mosque?
By: Abu Muhammed al-Maqdese

For those who allowed the Husainiyat (Shia temples) to open in Gaza, and placed crowns of flowers on the graves of the Ayatollah of Qom!
And for those who know the banner of the Hizb (party) of Satan and applaud it! Ponder and reflect upon these realities...
All praise is due to Allah and peace and blessings are upon His messenger

To proceed:
One of the biggest scholars of the Shia in our time (Jafar Murtada Al Amilee) has written a book called (Where is the Aqsa mosque?) and another book called (The saheeh of the seerah of the great prophet). He claimed in them that the real Aqsa mosque that the prophet (pbuh) went to on the night journey (Al Israa wal Miraaj) is in the heavens and not on earth, and that means that the Aqsa mosque that the Muslims are waging Jihad to free is nothing but a fake mosque that has no worth for the Shia and something that shouldn't have blood spilled for! And therefore the Shia finds nothing wrong with the Jews demolishing it.

To avoid any ignorant's saying that these are only some beliefs of this individual or the interpretation of this scholar that has nothing to do with the Qom or his Ayatollahs, and has nothing to do with Iran or their policies? We say:
Firstly: the writer of these books that propagate the negligence of the mosque of Al-Aqsa by saying that its in the heaven and not on earth, he received an honoring from the president najad himself and he was awarded with the best book in Iran, so ponder: the best book, and why?
And it was mentioned in the best book (according to Iran and their president), that these ignorant's have hope in and travel to their country that: "the Aqsa mosque that happened in the night journey, and that Allah blessed around is in the heaven." (The saheeh from the seerah of the great prophet) by Al-Amilee (3/106)

A Condition of Hijab

A Condition of Hijab: It Should Not be an Adornment in Itself
By Sheikh Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani
[Taken from the book Jilbab ul Mar-ah Muslimah fi Kitab wa Sunnah]

According to the statement of The Exalted in the verse of Surat Nur:
"...and not to reveal their adornment..." [Noble Quran 24:31]

It also includes the outer clothing (covering), if this clothing is an adornment which attracts men to look at her. And this is further proven in the statement of The Exalted:
"...And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance," [Noble Quran 33:33]

And the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
"Do not ask about three people [meaning they are destroyed]: a man who disobeyed his ruler and left the Muslim Jama'ah (unity); and died upon this state, and a male or female slave who ran away; and died upon this state, and a woman who's husband is away; and he left everything she needs for her -of the worldly provisions- yet even after this: she openly displays her beauty [to strangers]. So do not ask about these kinds of people."
[Narrated by al-Hakim and Imam Ahmad; and its chain is Sahih (authentic). And al-Hakim said: "It is upon their agreed with conditions (meaning Bukhari and Muslim). And I don't see any defect in that," and Ad-Dthahabi agreed with him as well.]

Tabarruj:

FASTING On ARAFAH If It COINCIDES With FRIDAY ?!?

QUESTION:
The day of Arafah came on Friday, and I fasted on Friday which was the day of Arafah, but I did not fast on Thursday; so is there any sin upon me?

SHAYKH IBN BAAZ ANSWERED:
We hope there is no sin upon you. This is because you did not intend to single out this day for fasting; rather you only fasted this day because it was the day of Arafah.

But if you would have fasted Thursday along with it, it would have been safer and less doubtful.

This is because the Messenger (saws) prohibited singling out Friday for fasting as it relates to the one observing and optional fast. And you were observing an optional fast. Therefore if you would have fasted Thursday along with it, with would have been safer and less doubtful even if your intention was to fast because it was Arafah.

But for the believer to investigate so he can be in agreement with the commands of the Prophet (saws) is safer and less doubtful.

As for fasting (Friday) intending to do so because it is a virtuous day, then this is not permissible because the Messenger prohibited that.

But if you fast this day because it is the day of Arafah then we hope there will be nothing upon you. But if the person takes precaution and fast on Thursday along with Friday, this will be safer.

6 Virtues of Fasting Arafah !!!

1. It is the day on which the religion was perfected and Allah’s Favour was completed.

In Al-Saheehayn it was reported from ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (ra) that a Jewish man said to him, “O Ameer al-Mu’mineen, there is an Ayah in your Book which you recite; if it had come to us Jews, we would have taken that day as an ‘Eid (festival).” ‘Umar said, “Which Ayah?” He said: “This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” [al-Maa’idah 5:3] ‘Umar said, “We know on which day and in which place that was revealed to the Prophet (saws). It was when he was standing in Arafah on a Friday.”

2. It is a day of Eid for the people who are in that place.
The Prophet (saws) said: “Yawm Arafah (the day of Arafah), Yawm al-Nahr (the Day of Sacrifice) and Ayyaam al-Tashreeq (the 3 days following Yawm al-Nahr) are Eid (festival) for us, the people of Islam. These are days of eating and drinking.” [This was narrated by the authors of al-Sunan] It was reported that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (ra) said: “It – i.e., the Ayah ‘This day I have perfected…’ was revealed on a Friday, the Day of Arafah, both of which – praise be to Allah – are Eids for us.”

3. It is a day by which Allah swore an oath.
The Almighty cannot swear by anything except that which is mighty. Yawm Arafah is the “witnessed day” mentioned in the Ayah:
“By the witnessing day [Friday] and by the witnessed day [the Day of Arafah].” [al-Burooj 85:3]
It was reported from Abu Hurayrah (ra) that the Prophet (saws) said: “The promised day is the Day of Resurrection, the witnessed day is the Day of Arafah, and the witnessing day is Friday.” [at-Tirmidhi - classed as Sahih by Shk al-Albani]
It is the “odd” [i.e., odd-numbered, Witr] by which Allah swore in the Ayah:
“And by the even and the odd” [al-Fajr 89:3]. Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The even is the Day of al-Adhaa [i.e., 10th Dhoo’l-Hijjah] and the odd is the Day of Arafah [i.e., 9th Dhoo’l-Hijjah] This is also the view of ‘Ikrimah and al-Dahhaak.

Arafah...

The ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah (the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar) is the day of 'Arafah. It is the day when pilgrims stand on the plain of 'Arafah to pray. On this day, Muslims all over the world who do not witness the annual hajj should spend the day in fasting, in preparation for the three days festivity following 'Eid ul-Adha (the celebration marking the end of the hajj commemorating the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness of sacrifice). 

Abu Hafsah reported that the Prophet (saws) said: 
"Fasting on the day of 'Arafah absolves the sins for two years: the previous year and the coming year, and fasting on 'ashura, (the tenth day of Muharram) atones for the sins of previous years." [Reported by all except al-Bukhari and Tirmidh] 

In another saying the Prophet's wife Hafsah said: 
"Four things the Messenger of Allah never neglected: Observing fast on the day of 'ashura, 'Arafat, three days every month, and offering fajr sunnah prayers early in the morning." [Muslim]

These statements are proof that fasting on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, the day before 'Eid ul-Adha was a lifelong practice of the Prophet (saws) as his wife reported.

Guantanamo Bay: An untold History of Torture & Resistance!!!

Few realize how expensive it is to keep Guantanamo Bay prison operational. The Joint Task Force (JTF) detention center, which opened in 2002, costs US taxpayers $140 million a year, breaking down to about $800,000 per detainee.

The JTF was never meant to be permanent, yet twelve long years after the first round of prisoners arrived, 149 prisoners remain detained there indefinitely.

The oft-repeated lie that these men are the “worst of the worst” has clouded the reality that the vast majority are completely innocent, and were simply swept up in a dragnet in Afghanistan. 78 have already been deemed innocent and cleared for release, yet pure political theater keeps them imprisoned.

Moreover, only six of the 149 men have been formally charged with a crime. Five are being tried together as alleged co-conspirators of 9/11, although they are all said to have had varying operational levels, and one stands accused of masterminding the USS Cole bombing. Yet the commissions’ process is completely corrupted by absurd levels of government secrecy, classification and intrusion.

A few weeks ago I traveled to Cuba to cover the continuing plight of these men and conduct an in-depth investigation for Breaking the Set. The report details how America came to host one of the most notorious prisons in Cuba, the brutal and systematic torture that took place, the sham of the 9/11 military commissions, the ongoing prisoner hunger strike and how Guantanamo Bay prison could be closed for good.

The Islamic Ruling System...

The Islamic ruling system is unlike any other system of government and has no equal. It is not a federal, democratic, republican, monarchic or any other dictatorial system and has no similarity to any man-made ideology. It is unmatched in its justice, accountability and its robust constitution that leaves no crisis without a solution. Moreover, it has a historical track record of unsurpassed prosperity that lasted longer and reigned over more of the world than almost any other empire.

Unlike other systems, the Islamic state considers all people under its authority as citizens, regardless of their ‘ethnic origin’, religion, race, colour, gender or place of birth. Whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims they have their rights guaranteed by Islam. Ibn Hazm said,

“It would be our duty to protect the people of Dhimmah (non-Muslim citizens) if aggressors attacked our land, and we should die protecting them if necessary. Any neglect of such a duty would be a breach of the rights of the Dhimmah.”

In a democracy, it is assumed that the right to legislate law belongs to the weak, limited and imperfect people, who will elect representatives to choose a leader and decide what is Halal (lawful) and what is Haram (unlawful) according to their desires and narrow-minded ideas. These laws are then chopped and changed when its flaws become apparent. It allows the ruling regime to legislate in favour of some people at the expense of others and permits oppression against minorities as has been made most clear in light of recent ‘terror’ legislation in Britain.

Bida'ah Hasanah - Good Bida'ah?!?

What is a "Bida'ah"?

Bid'ah is an innovation in religion. To make something a part of religion which earlier was not originally a part of religion whether it is a bid'ah in Aqeedah (belief) or 'Ibaadah (acts of worship). This can be done by "adding" something to the religion or deleting something from the religion.

Whenever a Bida'ah is born, a Sunnah dies!

Example: The Sunnah of the Prophet (saws) to straighten the rows of the Musalleen in the Masjid. This Sunnah has been abandon in many if not all the Masaajid. People have instead chosen to draw lines on the floor or tie ropes or put a carpet with lines on them. Was the Prophet (saws) unable to do that in his time? Could he not just draw a line with a chalk or with a stick on the sand? But he (saws) chose not to. So, we shouldn't do it either. Now this is different than putting an amplifier for the adhaan. How is it different? Because Prophet (saws) tried doing it during his time to the best of his capability. He (saws) chose Bilal (ra) for calling the adhaan because his voice was the strongest. Moreover, he (saws) made him climb up at the top so that his voice could reach far and wide. If we have technology today that is in line with the "intention' of the Prophet (saws), then we must make most of it and this is not bid'ah. However, in the case of drawing lines...What we are missing here is the intimacy between the Imaam and the followers. There is no more Imaam coming back to check on people and instructing them to stand closely thereby missing out on the opportunity of creating a bond with his followers. Moreover, with Imaam checking on people, people learn leadership qualities such as obeying the instructions of Imaam, understanding and co-operation and being united as a team.