Beautiful Eid Takbeer !

Rulings on Eid Al-Fitr...

1- Prepare yourself for the 'Eid prayer by taking a bath and wearing your best clothes. Imaam Maalik narrated in his Muwatta’ on the authority of Naafi‘ that, “Ibn ‘Umar used to bathe on the day of 'Eid Al-Fitr before heading to the prayer.” [Authentic chain of narrators]

Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “It was proven from Ibn ‘Umar who was very keen to follow the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition), that he used to bathe before going out on the day of 'Eid.” [Zaad Al-Ma‘aad]

Ibn Hajar also reported that Ibn ‘Umar used to wear his best clothes on the two 'Eids. [Ibn Abi Ad-Dunya and Al-Bayhaqi]

2- It is a Sunnah for one to eat an odd number of dates (three, five, and so on), as Anas reported that “The Prophet (saws) did not go out on the morning of 'Eid Al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates… of which he would eat an odd number.” [Al-Bukhari]

3- Saying Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) loudly for men and silently for women from the time of leaving the house until reaching the place of 'Eid prayer is a Sunnah, as ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar said, “The Prophet (saws) used to go to the 'Eid prayers while saying Takbeer and Tahleel loudly.” [Saheeh (authentic) based on corroborating narrations]

Naafi also reported that “Ibn ‘Umar used to say Takbeer loudly until he reached the place of prayer, then he would continue making Takbeer until the Imaam came out and he would join him in making Takbeer.” [Ad-Daraqutni with an authentic chain of narrators]

The DO'S and DON'TS of EID !!!

Bismallah Walhamdu lillah Wassalatu Wasalamu Ala rasool Allah

The celebration of Eid Al-Adha is symbolic of sacrifice and is a joyous occasion. Salatul Eid is fard upon all Muslims in the tradition of the sunnah. This holiday is of great importance to all adherents of Islam as it is believed to be wajib by many scholars. One receives a sin for not performing this act of worship unless there is a valid reason. This is indicated in the following:

a-The Prophet sallah allahu alieh wasalam ordered everyone to go pray the Eid prayer and he consistently prayed it.

b-The Fard of Salatul Jummah gets dropped to being a Dhur if they fall on the same day. Therefore, the scholars say it cannot be a sunnah because a sunnah cannot drop a fard/wajib.

c-He ordered all women, those enslaved and even women on their menstrual cycle, to go to the prayer areas.

On the other hand, other scholars claim it is a sunnah because of the famous hadith where one companion asked the Prophet sallah allahu alieh wasalam, “Must I pray anything other than the 5 prayers?” The Prophet sallah allahu alieh wasalam replied, “No, unless you want to perform extra.”

The importance of this day and the prayer is apparent, regardless of the opinion you choose to follow.

All about Zakaat/Sadaqah Al-Fitr !

Allah ordained Zakaat al-Fitr upon every Muslim who attends `Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast) whether that Muslim is old or young, male or female, free or slave, traveling or non-traveling, healthy or sick, rich or even poor who can afford a Sa` (1 Sa` = 2.172 kg) of food extra of his basic needs on the Day of `Eid. 

It was authentically reported in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim from many ways on the authority of Ibn `Abbas and Ibn `Umar (ra) that they said: "Allah's Messenger (saws) ordained Zakaat al-Fitr." It was also reported in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim on the authority of Abu Sa`id Al Khudry (ra) that he said: “In the life-time of the Prophet (saws) we used to give one Sa` of food which was barley, raisins, cottage cheese, and dried dates." Ibn `Umar (ra) said: "Allah's Messenger (saws) enjoined the payment of one Sa` of dates or one Sa` of barley as Zakaat al-Fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old." `Uthman ibn `Affan (ra) used to pay it upon the fetus before it is born and the Messenger (saws) commanded to pay it before the people would perform Salaat-ul-Eid. It was reported from many Pious Predecessors that the meaning of Allah's Saying: "Indeed whosoever purifies himself (by avoiding polytheism and accepting Islâmic Monotheism) shall achieve success * And remembers (glorifies) the Name of his Lord (worships none but Allâh), and prays (the five compulsory prayers and the Nawâfil - additional prayers)" is to pay Zakaat al-Fitr before Salaat-ul-Eid.

Time for Giving Zakaat Al-Fitr ?

It should be given before the Eid prayer, as is stated in the Hadith that the Prophet (saws) “commanded that it should be given before the people went out to pray.” [Al-Bukhari, 1407]

There is a time when it is Mustahhab (preferable) to give it and a time when it is permissible to give it. 

The time when it is Mustahhab to give it is on the day of Eid, because of the Hadith quoted above. For this reason it is Sunnah to delay the Eid prayer on Eid al-Fitr so as to allow enough time for those who have to give Zakaat al-Fitr to do so, and to have breakfast before coming out. On the other hand, it is Sunnah to hasten the Eid prayers on Eid al-Adha so that the people can go and offer their sacrifices and eat from them. 

The time when it is permissible to give Zakaat al-Fitr is one or two days before Eid. In Sahih al-Bukhari it is reported that Naafi’ said: “Ibn ‘Umar used to give on behalf of the young and the old, and he even used to give on behalf of my sons. He would give to those who took it, and it would be given a day or two before (Eid) al-Fitr.” 
(“Those who took it” refers to those who were appointed by the Imaam to collect the Sadaqat al-Fitr).

"Jews and Christians will never be pleased with you..."

"And the jews and christians will never be pleased with you until you follow their way…" [2:120] 

…so, this is their real problem. They do not lack the clear proofs, nor do they lack convincing arguments from you that you are upon the truth, and that what has come to you from your Lord is the truth. You can present to them whatever you wish, and you can be kind to them as much as you wish, but none of this will please them in the least. 

They will be pleased by one thing and one thing only: that you follow their ways and abandon what you are upon of the truth. 

It is this eternal belief whose confirmation we see in every time and place… it is this belief that is the essence and reality of the battle that the Jews and Christians are inciting against the Muslim Jama’ah in every land and in every era. It is the battle of belief that has reared its head, between the camp of Islam and these two camps that occasionally differ and quarrel between each other. They differ in the secondary aspects of the same creed that is common between them, but when it comes to fighting Islam and the Muslimeen, they are always in complete agreement!

"...but people are like donkeys carrying books!"

Before talking about Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah I would like to correct a historical issue. Ibn Taymiyyah did not witness the Tartār who were occupying Baghdad the first time, the Tartār had two invasions on the Islamic state, the first invasion was when they were still Kuffaar Asliyyeen, the first invasion was with Genghis Khan and Hakaw and they were Kaafir aslī, they had not accepted Islam but when they came they were Kuffaar Asliyyeen and they occupied the lands of the Muslimeen. They were defeated in the battle of ‘Ayn Jalut in 658 and at that time Ibn Taymiyyah was not born yet because he was born on Monday afternoon in the year 661. But Ibn Taymiyyah witnessed the Tartar who were murtaddun. When these Tartar mixed with the Muslimeen, they claimed to be believers and accepted (Islam). Some of them strengthened their soldiers and their armies and then attacked Baghdad and entered up to Halab in ash-Sham. They were ruling the lands that they had invaded with a book called al-Yasiq which means that they had annulled the Islamic Shari’ah. They said (by their actions): We are Muslimeen and we perform Salaah but we do not want the Shari’ah. We want to rule with the book that was written by our grandfather Genghis Khan called al-Yasiq.

Last 10 Days Of Worship NOT Shopping !!!

Making the MOST from the last Days & Nights of Ramadaan !

How to take full advantage and benefit from the last part of Ramadaan?

Though all parts of Ramadaan are full of blessings and rewards, its last ten days hold a special status reflected in the recommendations and practices of the Messenger of Allah (saws) and his companions. We will focus here on three major practices of the Prophet (saws) and his companions during these days. 

1-Praying in the last ten nights of Ramadaan

Al-Bukhari and Muslim record from 'Aisha (ra) that during the last ten days of Ramadaan, the Messenger of Allah (saws) would wake his wives up during the night and then remain apart from them (that is, being busy in acts of worship). 

A narration in Muslim states: "He would strive [to do acts of worship] during the last ten days of Ramadaan more than he would at any other time." 

'Aisha (ra) reported that with the start of the last ten days of Ramadaan, the Prophet (saws) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers. [Bukhari] 

2-Performing I`tikaaf

Before going to the essential of this last section, let us stop by one of the great Imam of ahl Assunnah wal jama`ah, one of the greatest revivers of the Da`wah and the methodology of the Salaf, Shaykhul-Islam Shamsuddeen Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah who will give us a brain storming admonition.

Muslim Woman and I'tikaaf !

The basic general rule for a Muslim woman in which there is no difference of opinion amongst the Scholars of Islam is that they can sit for I'tikaaf at the Masjid with their Mahram's permission. However yes, there is a difference of opinion whether she can sit for I'tikaaf at home or not, some of the 'Ulema approve while others disapprove. Amongst those who approve are as well recent time Scholars and jurists who judging upon the situation of the Muslims in their surrounding area, especially in regards to the safety of the Muslim Woman and the continuous Fitna, they follow the opinion of our Salaf amongst the Tabi'een generation, namely Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahUllah) (Hanafi Madhab allows it), and also later time 'Ulema from within the Shaafi’i Madhab and Imaam Maalik's Madhab – i.e. some Scholars from within these two Madhhahib are of the opinion that it is permissible for a Muslim woman to perform the worship of I'tikaaf in a designated place in their own homes, as praying the 5 Salawaat in congregation and the Jummah Salaah itself are NOT obligatory on a Muslimah and the best of prayers and worship for her is in the most inner corner of her own home.

Below mentioned are some of the evidences:

...

There are magnificent Fruits of I‘tikaaf and the question arises: Why do we make I‘tikaaf, leave our families and affairs? What are the rulings of I‘tikaaf? What is lawful and what is unlawful in I‘tikaaf? What would invalidate I‘tikaaf?

 

If I‘tikaaf has no fruits, then it is valueless. To sum up, some of the fruits of I‘tikaaf are: 

 

First: Sincerity and full devotion to Allah because when one is in his place of I‘tikaaf, none sees him but Allah. Ihsaan is to worship Allah as if you can see Him, and though you cannot see Him, you are fully aware that He Sees you. In your place of I‘tikaaf, you pray, fast, remember Allah, recite the Quraan and accustom yourself to offering all acts with full sincerity to Allah, which is a pillar of every good deed, as you know. 

 

Second: Accustoming yourself to getting rid of extra talk, food, sleep and mixing with people. 

 

Third: Accustoming yourself to worship, especially to praying at night, reciting the Quraan, asking Allah for forgiveness, remembering Allah and supplicating and praising Allah privately.

The right place for the Mockers of the Deen !!!

For Educational purpose only and to raise Intellectual and Political awareness!

[By ash-Shaykh al-Muhaddith Ahmad Muhammad Shakir (rahimahullah)]

(In his Tafseer of the Ayah: "…and seek their counsel in affairs…" and the Ayah: "…whose affairs are settled by mutual consultation…")

The mockers of the Deen at this time – scientists and others – took them (the Ayaat mentioned) as a means of misleading others in the symbolic interpretation to agree with the Europeans on the constitutional system method, which they claim, and cheat people by naming it the democratic system. So these mockers took these two verses as a motto, or slogan, to cheat the Islamic Ummah, people, and everyone who returns to Islam. They say a right word but they intend falsehood. They say: “Islam​ calls to a consultation, and other such expressions.” Islam calls to consultation, but what is the consultation that Islām calls to?

Allah says to His Prophet (saws): "and seek their counsel in affairs. And when you have come to a decision place your trust in Allah alone." The meaning of this verse is very clear, and obvious. It does not need any interpretation, or any symbolic interpretation. It is an order to the Prophet (saws), then to the Khalifah after him: That is, to examine the opinions of his companions, who are the knowledgeable, men of intelligence – to examine their opinions on the issues and matters which can be argued and the matters in which they can exercise a judgement. He then chooses what he thinks to be right, or in the best or most interest, useful, then to resolve on doing it, unlimited, unrestricted by the opinions of any group, or any limited number, or the majority, or the minority. When he resolves, he trusts in Allah alone. If he resolves, he will trust in Allah, then do what he determines.

The Curse of Sins upon Marital Happiness !

There is no doubt that sins bring misery, disaster, depression, darkness of expression, hardness of heart, and turn happiness to sorrow and love to hatred. Some Salafi Scholars said: "If I disobey Allah I can feel the consequences of my sins on my wife's and horse's behaviour." [Ibn al-Qayyim: "Al-Jawaab al-kaafi Liman Sa’la Ani ad-Dawaa' ash-Sha'fi'"]

Ibn al-Qayyim said: Sins have disgusting effects, which damage the heart and the body in this world and the Hereafter, and which Allah Alone knows fully.

It deprives one of knowledge, because knowledge is a light, which Allah puts into the heart of a believer, but the sins extinguish that light.

A sinner finds himself alone and separated from Allah. He may have the pleasure of the world at his feet, but still feels deprived of any spiritual joy and pleasure. Because of his sins, he is far from happy and his heart is dead. A dead man feels no pain.  Therefore, a wise man is he who abandons his sins.

Also, a sinner finds himself isolated and a stranger among his friends, especially the righteous ones. The more isolated he gets the more he feels cut off from them and from their help. Worse, he starts getting close to the followers of Satan, may Allah curse him, as he hides himself from the party of Allah. This isolation grows and the sinner loses his temper and falls out with his wife, children and relatives. He starts feeling lonely and alienated.

Is it Kuffr if one only thinks the saying or act of Kuffr is Halaal?

Question: Can a person who insults the Messenger of Allah (saws) be denounced as a Kaafir merely for speaking that insult, or must he also be shown to believe that his action is permitted? 

Answer: Praise be to Allah. 

The Sahabah, Tabi’een and the Ahlus Sunnah who came after them were unanimously agreed that whoever says or does something which is blatantly Kuffr is a Kaafir, without any need to show that he believes it to be permissible. 

The scholars agreed that Kuffr may take the form of denying, disbelieving or turning away. 

This may be a verbal action, such as insulting Allah or His Messenger (saws),or mocking the religion and its rulings; or it may be a physical action, such as prostrating to idols, circumambulating graves, or offering sacrifices to the jinn and idols. 

Or it may be an act of omission, such as not doing a certain kind of action at all. Ishaq ibn Taahawayh and others narrated that the Sahabah were agreed that the one who does not pray deliberately is a Kaafir. It was narrated in Sahih Muslim via Ibn Jurayj from Abu’l-Zubayr al-Makki from Jabir that the Prophet (saws) said, “Between a man and ash shirk or al-Kuffr there stands his neglecting the prayer.”