Vol. 1 1, Dhil Hajjatul Haram 
1416 April, 1996 No. 3
7 Basic Beliefs {Imaan}
1. Belief that there is no God {worthy of worship} but Allah and Muhammad 
is his messenger and belief in Allaah 
with all His Attributes.
2. Belief in the angels of Allaah .
3. Belief in all the books of Allaah { Qur-aan being the last book } .
4. Belief in all prophets and messengers of Allaah
5. Belief in the book of destiny, The Guarded Tablet {Book of destiny Lauh
Mahfooz} and that all good and bad is from Allaah .
6 Belief in the last day of judgment.
7. Belief in life after death.
These 7 beliefs allow us to enter the Deen of Islam .
What is Islam?
1. Belief that there is no god {worthy of worship} but Allaah and
Muhammad is his last messenger.
2. To offer Salat {prayers} 5 times daily.
3. To fast the whole month of Ramadan.
4. To pay Zakah every year {if one saves an amount equal to the nisab, over and above reasonable yearly expense ; nisab means a minimum yearly savings. Nisab varies depending upon the price of gold – {nisab equals 3oz. of gold}. One pays 2 ½% of the savings above or equal to the amount of nisab.
5. To perform Hajj once in a life time, if one can afford to.
It is very important for all Muslims to understand, without any ambiguity whatsoever that the above are the 5 pillars of Islam, they are compulsory in nature and it is the performance of the above, that keep us in the fold of Islam.
VIRTUES OF THE MONTH 
Dhil Hajjatul Haram
The Holy Qur-aan says: “Allaah has, therefore, a right on the people that the one who can afford to reach the House, should perform Hajj there: and the one who disobeys {this commandment should know that} Allaah is Self Sufficient and does not need any creature of the worlds”. (3:97)
The RasoolAllaah has said: “O people! Hajj has been enjoined on you as a duty, so perform Hajj.” {Saheeh Muslim}
Hajj therefore is a Fard {compulsory} on those who can afford to perform it. The RasoolAllaah has said: “The person who in spite of possessing necessary means to perform Hajj and a conveyance that can carry him to the House of Allaah does not perform Hajj, may die a Jew or a Christian, for according to verse No. 97 of Al-Imraan, performing of Hajj by such a person is a duty enjoined on him by Allaah .” Those performing Hajj should become well acquainted with the various injunctions ofSharee’ah, so that they can perform this once in a life time duty appropriately and receive the favor of acceptance by our Lord the Creator of the universe. There are many good books available giving full details about laws {Sharee’ah} which govern this important duty; “Everyday Fiqh” by Muhammad Yusaf Islahi; 2 volumes is a good book and should be easily available from any Islamic Books supplier. If you have problems obtaining it, please let us know; InshaAllaah Ta’alaa we shall be glad to help.
For the purpose of our publication we shall enumerate some virtues of this great month:
Hadrat Aboo Hurairah 
narrates that the RasoolAllaah said: In these ten days {first ten days of Dzil Hajjatul Haraam} the degree to which they are dear toAllaah that hard work and attempts be made by people to become His worshippers, are not greater on any other days. Fasting on every day of these ten days is equal to one year’s fasting and every Qiyaamullail is equal to the qiaam of Lailatul Qadr. {Tirmidhi Shareef – Tarteeb Shareef, Pg. 849}
Hadrat ‘Ali KarramAllaahu Wajh has narrated that the RasoolAllaah said: “When the first ten days of Dzil Hajjatul Haraam arrive work hard in your worship because Allaah has given these days virtues and the sanctity of its nights are equal to the sanctity of its days. Any one who offers 4 raka’ahs during the last one third of any of the ten nights and in each raka’ah recites Soorah Al Faatihah once, Soorah Al Falaq once, Soorah AnNaas once, Soorah Ikhlaas 3 times, Aayatul Kursee 3 times and after the end of the Salaah raises both hands in supplication and recites:
Transliteration: Subhaana Dzil ‘Izzati wal Jabaroot. Subhaana Dzil Qudrati wal Malakoot. Subhaanal Hayyil Ladzee Laa Yamoot. Laa Ilaaha Illaa Huwa Yuhyee wa Yumeet. Wa Huwa Hayyul Laa Yamoot.SubhaaanAllaahi Rabbul ‘Ibaadi wal Bilaadi wal Hamdu Lillaahi Katheeran Tayyibam Mubaarakan ‘Alaa Kulli Haalin Allaahu Akbaru Kabeeran. Rabbanaa Jalla Jalaaluhoo wa Qudratuhoo Bi Kulli Makaan
and then asks for anything in the Du’aa, there is a reward in this equal to the performance of Hajj of the Sanctified Baitullaah and the visit to the grave of RasoolAllaah and Jehaad Fee Sabeelillaah {for the pleasure of Allaah } and he will receive whatever he has asked of Allaah . If he offers Salaat during every night of the first ten nights, Allaah will allow entrance into the highest level of Paradise and will wipe out all his bad deeds and he will be told to start his deeds with a clean slate. Then when he fasts on the day of ‘Arafaat {the 9th day of Dzil Hajjah} and stands in Salaat during the night and supplicates and weeps and cries much in His Presence, then Allaah addresses His angels saying: “O My angels bear witness that I have forgiven him and included him among the Haajis of Baitullaah. TheRasoolAllaah then said the angels give good news to this mumin of what he received as a result of his Salaat and Du’aa. {Ghuniyatuttalibeen, Tarteeb ShareefPg. 851 & 852.}
The RasoolAllaah has said: Whoever fasts on the 1st day of Dzil Hajjatul Haraam it is as if he participated in Jihaad in the path of Allaah for two thousand years in a manner that he did not rest even for a moment and the reward for fasting on the 2nd day is as if he worshipped Allaah for two thousand years and fasting on the 3rd day would be as if he has given freedom to 3,000 slaves of the time of the children of Isma’eel 
. For fasting on the 4th day he receives rewards equal to 400 years of worship. For fasting on the 5th day his rewards equal to clothing 5,000 naked people and the fast of the 6th day is equal to the reward of 6,000 martyrs and upon fasting the 7th day all the 7 doors of Hell are made Haraam and for fasting 8 days all the doors of Paradise are opened. In another narration it is mentioned that fasting on the 1stday of Dzil Hajjatul Haraam is like completing recitation of 36,000 Qur-aans. {Raahatul Quloob-Risaalah Fadailush Shuhoor}
Any person who on a Friday of Dzil Hajjatul Haraam offers 6 raka’ah of Salaat and in each raka’ah recites 15 times Soorah Al Ikhlaas after Soorah Al Faatihah and after thesalaams recites:
Translation: Al Malikul Haqqul mubeen, Laa ilaaha illallaah
and recites Salaatul Nabi {Durood} ten times, he will be the first to enter Paradise. {Raahatul Quloob – Risaalah Fadailush Shuhoor}
The RasoolAllaah has said that the person that offers 2 raka’ah after Witr Waajib during every night of the 1st ten nights of Dzil Hajjatul Haraam and recitesSoorah Al Kauthar and Soorah Ikhlaas each 3 times after Soorah Al Faatihah will be allowed to enter the highest of the high places and for every hair receive one thousand good deeds and rewards equal to Sadaqah of 1,000 Deenaar. {Raahatul Quloob – Risaalah Fadailush Shuhoor}
The RasoolAllaah has said: The person who offers 2 raka’ah Nafl after sacrificing an animal and recites Soorah Ash Shams 5 times after Soorah Al Faatihah, he will be included with those who performed Hajj and in their rewards and his sacrifice will be accepted by Allaah and will receive rewards for every hair of the animal he sacrificed. The Sahaabah RidwaanAllaahu Ta’alaa ‘Ajma’een asked “O RasoolAllaah if someone is poor and can not sacrifice an animal, what should he do?” The RasoolAllaah said: If that person offers 2 Raka’ah Nafl after coming home from Salaatul ‘Eid, and in each Raka’ah recites Soorah Al Kauthar 3 times afterSoorah Al Faatihah, Allaah will give him the reward of sacrificing camels. {Raahatul Quloob – Risaalah Fadailush Shuhoor}
The RasoolAllaah has said: The reward of performing Ghusl {shower} on the day of ‘Eidul Adhaa is as if someone has dived into the River of Mercy and all his sins have been forgiven. He has also said: The person who puts on new clothes on ‘Eidul Adhaa and gave away his old clothes to a poor person in sadaqah,Allaah will decorate him on the Day of Judgment with 70 garlands of Noor and he will stand under Lua Alhamd. For rubbing Atr {perfume} upon himself out of respect for the angels who will shake hands with Mumineen, he will receive in his book of deeds reward of giving freedom to a slave. {Raahatul Quloob – Risaalah Fadailush Shuhoor}
VIRTUES of UNITY {continued} Surah 3, Ayahs 102 to 109
So far we have discussed Ayahs 102 & 103 and realized the following:
- For Muslims to unite is a command of Allaah and as such should be taken seriously.
- We must hold on firmly to the rope of Allaah which includes His Unity, the Holy Qur-aan and the practices {Sunnah} of the RasoolAllaah By adhering to and striving on the path shown in the Holy Qur-aan and the Sunnah, we pave the way to receive the gift of Allaah :
- Which is joining of the hearts of Muslims in love for each other which is the 3rd essential ingredient of unity.
In other words unity would be an empty slogan, without any substance whatsoever, if the above 3 ingredients are missing. It is obvious that when the feeling of love is absent, the feelings that are present would include: indifference, suspicion, jealousy, intolerance, pride, ethnic national prejudices etc. etc. The Holy Qur-aan therefore describes these negative qualities as Amradul Qalb {diseases of the heart} and makes the point in no uncertain terms that success in the Hereafter depends upon purifying our hearts and removing these diseases from it. Two verses are quoted as under on this important subject. Surah: 87 Ayah 14 
Translation: Truly successful was he who purified himself. Surah: 91 Ayah 9 & 10 
Translation: Truly successful was he who purified his self and a failure who suppressed it.
The RasoolAllaah exemplified by his own conduct as a model, this essential ingredient, which leads to establishment of mutual love and joining of the hearts. Allaah draws our attention to this aspect forcefully by describing His beloved as a possessor of “Khuluqul ‘Azeem” {Conduct, manners of the greatest caliber}. The RasoolAllaah worked very hard {with himself as the model} to show his companions {may Allaah be pleased with them all} how to purify themselves of their diseases of the heart, which can block every attempt to unify a group of human beings. It is because of this emphasis from the very inception of his Messengerhood that led to a nation within a few years, unified in a manner never before seen in the world. This unity is still achievable not just by rhetoric and slogans, but by understanding the underlying factors which build unity and following through and putting into practice those eternal principals of nation building. Inshaallah Ta’alaa in our next issue we shall discuss how important a true identity is towards creating this bonding of love among Muslims, globally.
Shaikh Hadrat Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat Ali Mudda Zilluhu writes beautifully about this subject in his writings “Manifestations of The Stages of Blessing – The Words of Wisdom Volume 4″
No. 3594: Hearts are heavy, distant from each other, hateful and fed up. Narrate some heart rending news, bring some drink of love that will bridge the distance between the hearts please, that will intoxicate them and give them ecstasy. The reason for the creation of the Universe is but love, pure and blessed love.
What we drink today, is it a drink?
Breaking of hearts is child’s play. Joining Them Together requires greatest of determinations.
No. 3595: The Message of our Deen is love and good will for one other. Unity abounds in love and unity alone breeds good will. Love, become a well-wisher and prevail upon the world. 
VIRTUES of SALATUL ISHRAQ Nafl 2 or 4 Raka’ahs
Hadrat Ameerul Mumineen ‘Umar Bin Khattabhas narrated that the RasoolAllaah sent an army towards Najd. {It was victorious} It acquired a substantial amount of Spoils of War and returned very quickly. From among those who had not accompanied the army, one said “we have not seen an army return so quickly and bring back so much Spoils of War. “The RasoolAllaah said should I not inform you about a group of people {Jama’ah} who are better in bringing back Spoils of War and who are even faster in returning. {Please Listen} These are people who are present at Salatul Fajr {offer their Salatul Fajr in Jama’ah} and continue with Dhikr of Allaah till sunrise. These are the ones who return quickly and acquire better Spoils of War. {Tirmidhi – Tarteeb Shareef Pg. 288}
Hadrat Anas narrates that the RasoolAllaah has said: The person who did his Salatul Fajr with Jama’ah and kept sitting till sunrise doing Dhikr of Allaah and then performed two raka’ah of Salah will receive thawaab {reward} of 1 Hajj and 1 Umrah. The narrator Hadrat Anas has mentioned that after this the RasoolAllaah said: “Thawaab of one full Hajj and Umrah, full Hajj and Umrah, full Hajj and Umrah. {Tirmidhi – Mishkat – Tarteeb Shareef Pg. 288}
The RasoolAllaah has said: The person who after finishing his Salatul Fajr, continues sitting at his place till the sun rises and then performs 2 raka’ah of Salatul Ishraq and in-between does speak but good, has his sins forgiven though they are more than the foam of a river. {Ma’az Bin Anas Aljahanni – Abu Dawood- Mishkat – Tarteeb Shareef Pg. 288}
VIRTUES OF RECITING THE HOLY Qur-aan Virtues of Surah Al Fatihah
Hadrat Abu Hurairah narrates that the RasoolAllaah asked Hadrat Abu Bin Ka’bhow do you recite {what do you recite in your Salah}. Hadrat Ka’b recited Surah Al Faatihah. The RasoolAllaah said: by the Being in whose power my life is, a Surah like this has not been revealed in the Taurah, or in the Gospel, or in the Zuboor, or in the Holy Qur-aan. In this Surah there are seven ayahs when recited repeatedly in the Salah and this Surah is the greatest Qur-aan that has been given to me. This a Hasan Sahih Hadith. {Tirmidhi – Mishkat-Tarteeb Shareef Pg. 260}
Virtues of Surah Al Faatihah will be continued InshaAllaah in our next issue Vol. 1 No. .4
VIRTUES OF SUNNAH {Continuation form the previous issue}
Sunnah and Adaab {etiquettes} of Islamic Greetings (continued)
Hadrat Jabir Bin ‘Abdullah narrates that our beloved RasoolAllaah has said: “Salam is before conversation.”
In the collection of Ahmad it states that a person presented himself in the company of our beloved RasoolAllaah hand humbly said; “Such and such person’s fruits are lying in my orchard and he does not remove them; this is causing me inconvenience. Our beloved prophet sent some one to fetch this person and said {when he presented himself} “Sell those fruits.” He replied I will not sell them: Our beloved prophet said do Hibah. {Give them away as gifts for the pleasure of Allaah } The man replied “I will not.” The beloved prophet advised “sell them for the price of fruits of Jannah {paradise}. He said “No”. The beloved prophet said “I have not seen any one more stingy than you except the one who is stingy in greeting with Salaam”.
VIRTUES OF EVERY DAY DUAS {supplications}
When entering the Toilet
Hadrat Anas Bin Malik narrates that when the RasoolAllaah entered the toilet he used to recite.
Translation; O Allaah I seek your protection from unclean souls both Males & Females.{Tirmidhi – Tarteeb Shareef Pg. 31 Vol.: 3}
Hadrat ‘Ali Karamallahu Wajh narrates that the RasoolAllaah has said: when any one among you enters the toilet then the curtain for the private parts of Jinns and humans is to recite: 
{Tirmidhi – Tarteeb Shareef Pg. 30-31}
Hadrat Abu Dhar narrates that the Holy prophet , coming out of the toilet used to say:
Translation: All praises are for Allaah , who has removed sadness and difficulties from us and has forgiven us. {‘Amalul Yaum Wallailah / Ibn Sineri – Tarteeb Shareef Pg. 478}
SOME ESSENTIAL ADVICE from…
Shaikh Hadrat Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat Ali, Mudda Zilluhu.
- Treat your father’s friends with as much respect as you would treat your own father. Never become disrespectful.
- Serve your mother’s sister as you would serve your own mother. Consider your mother’s sister As your own mother your father’s brother as your father.
- In times of shortage do not hoard provision with the intention of selling it when it becomes expensive.
- Consider all Muslims of the world as your own brothers.
- What you like for yourself, like it for your brother also.
- Take good care of those who are helpless, orphans, widows, and needy.
- Seek the Creator’s pleasure by serving His creation.
- Do not consider any one worthless. Nor usurp anyone’s right. Do not sadden, hurt, or break anyone’s heart.
- Console those whose hearts are broken.
VIRTUES of KNOWLEDGE OF FIQH & SHAR’IAH {continued}
So far by the Grace of Allaah ,we have understood the meaning of Fiqh and Shar’iah. We have also understood the important word Ijtihad which means to exert exhaustive efforts in studying problems and seeking solutions for them from the sources of Shar’iah. We also learnt that the person who performs Ijtihad is a Mujtahid, and the great qualifications required to do Ijtihad. The wave of the movement that we wrote about in our first issue No. 1 Vol. No. 1 of Shawwal, is in essence trying to convince Muslims that even a common Muslim can act as a Mujtahid and that it is unnecessary for a common Muslim to follow any School of Shar’iah whatsoever. We shall let an extract of the excellent book “Studies in Usul Ul Fiqh” by Iyad Hilal explain matters clearly for our esteemed readers of “Virtues of Islamic Life.” {The following is from chapter 10 Pg. 124}
Do we need a new School or Madhab?
Some claim that it is mandatory to adhere to one Imam or one school of Fiqh. This is completely wrong since we are ordered to follow Islam and not one specific human being. And the person who meets the requirements of Ijtihad does not have to adhere to one specific school of thought. Even if some one is not a Mujtahid, he does not have to follow one specific school. Rather each individual is ordered to follow the Shar’iah which is extracted or deduced by Mujtahids. Consequently, this point was emphasized by each of the scholars and Imams.
On the other hand, the claim that we need a new school of Fiqh due to the current situation of the Muslim Ummah is unfounded. Since what is really needed is the application of Islam in a comprehensive way, and not just to develop another school among the already existing schools of Fiqh. There are however, two factors that must be kept in mind.
1. New problems emerging daily, in every era and every generation, and that
2. The ummah is ordered to follow the divine rule to solve any problem.
These two factors require, therefore that every generation of Muslim Ummah must have at least one Mujtahid amongst them in order to address the newly arising problems. In order to deduce the Hukm Sharii, this Mujtahid does not have to discuss old problems since they are already addressed. Therefore, in this regard, the need is for Mujtahids to meet the requirements of Ijtihad, in order to address new problems and not necessarily form a new school of thought.
However, the presence of vast numbers of Mujtahids among the Ummah to find solutions to newly arising problems was greatly reduced when the doors of Ijtihad were closed. This tragic event took place after the sacking of Baghdad in the Seventh Century Hijri.
{ To be continued in our next issue InshaAllaah }
Salaatunnabi (Durood) recited by Hadrat Sayyidinaa UWAIS QARNEE
 |
| TransliterationAllaahumma Salli ‘alaa Sayyidinaa Muhammadiun Wa Aalihee Wa’itratihee be ‘Adadi Kulli Ma’ loomillaka Astaghfirullaa Halladhi La ilaahaa illaa huwal Hayyul Qayyoomu Wa Atoobu ilaih. Yaa Hayyu Yaa QayyoomTranslationDear Allaah, bestow Your Choicest Blessings upon our Master Muhammad and upon his extended family and his progeny according to the number of all things known to You. I seek the forgiveness of the One but for whom there is no God, The Truly and Perfectly Alive and The Self Sustained and I turn to Him with repentance. O The Truly and Perfectly Alive O The Self Sustained |
| This is the Salaatunnabi (Durood) recited by Hadrat Sayyidinaa UWAIS QARNEE , and the inherited Durood Shareef of the Honorable chain of Quadariyyah; Mujaddidiyyah; Ghafooriyyah; Raheemiyyah; Kareemiyyah and Ameeriyyah. |
| It is highly recommended that those who seek the love and closeness to the Beloved of Allaah, Hadrat Muhammad make it mandatory upon themselves to recite this Durood Shareef according to their capacity and the time they have available. For instance at least 11 times after each Salaat. It should be recited more frequently after Ishaa, Tahajjud and Fajr. 100,300,500 times or even more. Remember though, once the frequency is fixed, be steadfast upon it! |