Volume 3 No.10

 

VIRTUES OF THE MONTH Dzil Hajjatul Haraam 

Please refer to Vol. 1 No. 3 for the great virtues of this month. Please call us or write if you did not file this issue. It is suggested that you may file each issue, so that you do not miss out on the treasures of rewards that await us in the Hereafter, when we perform the special virtuous deeds of each month.

BACK TO BASICS

The Account of Hell

This is a place which is the manifestation of the Awe Inspiring Majesty and Wrath of Al Qahhaar (The ever Dominating One) and Al Jabbaar (The Enforcer of His Will). Just as there is no limit to His Mercy and Blessed gifts, defying all human imagination, similarly there is no limit to his Wrath and Anger. Every pain and punishment that can be imagined is a small portion of the real. Out of the account of His limitless punishments and the hardships mentioned in the Holy Quraan and the Ahaadeeth, some will be mentioned here so that we could all read them and seek His protection from them and save ourselves from those ‘Amaal (Deeds) whose retribution is Jahannam (Hell). It is mentioned in theHadeeth that the slave who seeks protection from Hell, it says “O Rabb, this person seeks protection from Hell, it says “O Rabb, this person seeks protection from me, please give him protection.” We are warned innumerous times in the Holy Quraan, to save ourselves from Jahannam and to fear Hell. Our master Hadrat Muhammad in order to teach us, used to ask in abundance, for protection from Jahannam. The sparks from Hell will fly as high as very tall buildings and keep flowing as rows and rows of yellow camels. Humans and stones will be its fuel. The fire of this world is one-seventieth part of the fire of Hell. The one who receives the least punishment will be made to wear shoes of this fire because of which, that person’s brain will boil like a copper utensil and he will think his punishment is the worst although it will be the lightest. Another light punishment for a slave will be when Allaah will ask: If all the earth became your property, would you give it all away in compensation to escape this punishment? The person will plead: Yes. Allaah will say: When you were in the back of Aadam , we had commanded you to do a very easy thing: Not to do Kufr, but you did not accept.

The fire of Jahannam was made to blaze for one thousand years till it turned red and then continued to burn for another thousand years till it turned white and then made to burn for another thousand years till it turned black; so now it is pure black and in it there is no light.

Hadrat Jibraeel  told the Holy Prophet on oath that if the Jahannam were to be opened equal to the hole in a needle, the entire inhabitants of the earth would perish by its heat. He further swore that if one of the keepers of Jahannam were to be seen by those of the earth, they would all die out of fright. He further swore that if just one link of the chain that binds the dwellers of Jahannam were to be placed upon the mountains of the earth, they would tremble and will not rest till they plunge into the earth.

The fire of the earth, with whose heat no one is unaware and which is at times impossible to get close to, supplicates to Allaah that it may not be taken into Jahannam. It is indeed surprising that a human being does deeds that will take him to Jahannam and is not afraid of its fire with which the earthly fire is afraid and seeks protection from. OnlyAllaah has the knowledge of the depth of Jahannam. It is mentioned in the Hadeeth that if a rock is thrown into Jahannam from its edge, it will not hit the bottom even after 70 years. If in contrast, a ball of lead were to thrown from the heavens towards the earth, it will reach the earth before nightfall.

There are a number of layers, valleys and wells in Jahannam. Some of these valleys are such that the Jahannam itself seeks protection 70 times or more daily, from them. This is what the place is like even without any punishment; however, for the rebuke and reprehension of the Kuffaar, many kinds of tortures have been included in their punishment. The torturing angels will hit them with such heavy maces (War clubs with spiked metal headers, which can crush armors) which, if even one is placed on the earth, could not be lifted by all the human beings and jinns put together. The scorpions are larger than necks of Bakhtee (The largest of camels). Only Allaah knows how big the serpents are; when they bite once, the burning sensation, the pain and discomfort lasts for one thousand years. Boiling water like the sediment of burnt oil will be given to drink and when it is brought close to the mouth, the skin of the face would fall off by its heat. Heads will be bathed with hot water.

Beloved jewels of my eyes, what kind of muslims in their right senses, would ever want to end up in this terrible and awful place which is the home of non-believers? There is enough in this issue to make us all stop and seriously review our lives and abandon all those activities, which we are told will take us there. We must make sure we perform all those deeds which we are commanded to perform. Abandoning or missing these we are warned, will take us to that dreadful place. Look how lovingly Allaah has dealt with this matter in Soorah 82 Aayahs 1-6:

“When the heaven is cleft asunder, When the Stars are scattered; When the Oceans are suffered to burst forth; And when the Graves are turned upside down (Then) shall each soul know what it has sent forward and (what it has) kept back. O man! What has seduced thee from thy Lord Most Beneficent?

My beloved readers, do you not think that having embarked ourselves upon the road of reformation, we should then help our near and dear ones and then other muslims in general save themselves from the infernal Hell? Of course we should.

To be continued InshaAllaah Ta’alaa.

 

VIRTUES OF DU’AAS

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Basar bin Abee Artaat narrated that: I have heard the beloved of Allaah , Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad say:

Transliteration: “Allaahumma Ahsin ‘Aaqibatee fil Umoori Kullihaa wa ajirnee min Khizyid Dunyaa wa ‘Adzaabil Aakhirah.”

Translation: “Dearest Allaah make the result of all my acts good and save me from the grip of the Dunyaa and the punishment of the Aakhirah.” Kunzul ‘Aamaal, Tarteeb Shareef vol. 4 page 75

Transliteration: ”Yaa Hannaan Yaa Mannaan.”

Translation: ”O the most Merciful O the Benefactor.”

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Jaabir has narrated that the beloved of Allaah , Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad said: “Hadrat Jibraeel  told me : ‘O Muhammad your Rabb will address me on the Yaumul Qiyaamah: O Jibraeel why am I seeing such and such person among the people of Hell? I will submit respectfully: O my Lord, no goodness was found in him which could have any effect upon him (Meaning, to save from Hell). Allaah will say: O Jibraeel, he used to recite Yaa Hannaan Yaa Mannaan in the Dunyaa. Ask him what was the reason for reciting it. I will go to him and ask him. He will say: There was no other reason for my recitation of Yaa Hannaan Yaa Mannaan except Allaah (To please Him). I will take hold of his hand and remove him from the ranks of the dwellers of Hell and admit him into the ranks of the dwellers of Paradise. Hulyatul Auliyaa, Tarteeb Shareef vol. 4 pages 140 and 141

SABEEL AR RASHAAD (THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS) …. Continued

By Hadrat Shaikh Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat ‘Ali QaddasAllaahu Ta’alaa Sirruhul ‘Azeez

Extract from his book “Makshoofat Manaazil Ehsaan” (Manifestations of the Stages of Excellence in Worship)

In the Quraan ul Kareem, Allaah Rabbul ‘Aalameen in praise of the great companions (RidwaanAllaah Ta’alaa ‘Alaihim

Transliteration: “Ashiddaaau ‘alal Kuffaari Ruhamaaau Bainahum”

Translation: “(They are) severe with the Kuffaar and kind among themselves”

They (May Allaah  be pleased with them all) were kind and tolerant towards one another. Their severity was used only against the enemies of Islaam, not against each other. They used to squirm when they saw each other in the slightest of pain. Even if they had disagreement with each other they would not rest till they got each other’s pleasure back again. Our condition is just the opposite. After acquiring the knowledge of the Deen, goodwill and love for each other should have occurred: This is the objective of acquiring the knowledge of the Deen. The reason in not known that after acquiring the knowledge, hatred is created for each other (To such a degree) that they do not like to even say Salaam to each other or do not respond to the Salaam of the other. Instead of considering each other as one’s own, they treat each other as strangers and try to distance themselves and do not pray behind him. If someone dies, they will not join the Janaazah (Funeral procession). If someone invites, they do not accept. If someone falls ill they do not visit. If someone tries to make peace, instead of welcoming him, they make fun. This is no goal. Islaam will never receive rejuvenation and vigor from this.

Islaam is entirely a message of love and peace . . . however, because of our unbridled thinking, we have made it a tool of hatred and disunity. Instead of presenting Islaam to this world which is thirsty for peace and security, and introduce mutual love and brotherhood, inspite of being the heirs to Islaam, we have ourselves become thirsty for its fundamental and eternal gifts.

ISLAAM spread through a model; neither through speeches nor by the sword.

ORATION is desirous of a model. Till such time as there is a model, no oration, no kind of speech has any influence.

TWO SCHOLARS OF THE DEEN, when argue and debate in order to put each other down, the sweetness of the Deen is removed from their hearts; the blessing (Barakah) of‘ilm (Knowledge) disappears. Love, which is the soul of the Deen, changes to savagery and nothing remains except dissension and mischief.

ALLAAH  right in the beginning of His Book, after the mention of Eemaan, Kufr and Nifaaq (Hypocrisy) gave the first warning:  Soorah Al Baqarah.

Transliteration: “Laa tufsidoo fil Ardi . . . ” Translation: ”Do not create mischief upon (My) earth. . . .“

The meaning of mischief includes everything, which causes mischief.

Mischief is the death of composure and calmness. Mischief and peace are contradictory: where there is mischief, there is no peace and the tranquility of the heart comes only from peace.

Our condition is opposite to the command of the Holy Prophet  We did not pay any heed to this command of the Holy Prophet 

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Ma’aadz bin Jabal narrated that the beloved of Allaah , Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad said: The Shaitaan is the wolf of man as there is a wolf of the sheep, which takes away the sheep which has run away from the herd or has drifted far away from the herd or is at the edge of the herd; and save yourself from the valleys of the hills (From misguidance) and remain with the Jamaa’ah and the gathering. Ahmad, Rahmatullaah ‘Alaih

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Abee Dzar narrates that the beloved of Allaah , Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad said: The person who separated a hand span from the Jamaa’ah (Meaning for a moment), he has removed from his neck the collar of Islaam. Ahmad, Aboo Daawood . . . To be continuedInshaAllaah Ta’alaa

VIRTUES OF THE SUNNAH

Sunnah and Aadaab drinking and use of water… Continued

DRINKING WATER IN A GLASS CUP IS SUNNAH

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Abbaas has narrated that the bounteous Prophet, the intercessor of the sinners, had a glass cup from which he drank water. Ibn Maajah

STARTING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE IS SUNNAH

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Anas has narrated that milk mixed with water was presented in the blessed company of the beloved of Allaah, Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad . On his right side a Baddoo was sitting and Hadrat Aboo Bakr Siddeeq on his left. The Rasoolallaah drank the milk and then gave it to the ‘Araabee saying: (First) The right and then the left. Bukhaaree, Muslim

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Sahl bin Sa’d has narrated that a drink was presented to the most honorable and generous Prophet . He drank from it. A child was sitting on his right and some respectable elders on his left. The holy Prophet addressed the child: If you give me permission, I will give this drink to these people (First)? The child submitted

No, by Allaah The drink that has my share from you. . I will not give preference to others upon myself. The honorable Prophet of Allaah then put the utensil into the hands of the child. Bukhaaree, Muslim.

This child was Hadrat ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Abbaas . He had shown great promise. When the Holy Prophet wanted to bestow the gift not upon him but on someone else, how could he agree to it. Since the blessed Sunnah is to start from the right side, the Holy Prophet sought his permission.

THE ONE WHO IS SERVING OTHERS SHOULD DRINK THE LAST

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Aboo Qataadah narrated that the Prince of Madeenah Munawwarah said: The one who is serving the people should drink the last. At Tirmidzee Shareef.

This means that when a Muslim is serving others, he should not drink first or start drinking himself after serving one or two. Instead, he should drink only after he has served every one.

THAWAAB OF GIVING FREEDOM TO ONE SLAVE FOR SERVING ONE DRAUGHT OF WATER

Hadeeth Shareef: Ummul Mumineen (The mother of the believers) Hadrat ‘Aaishah Siddeeqah has narrated that she asked: O Rasoolallaah denying what is not Halaal? He responded: water, salt and fire. She says, I then submitted respectfully: O Rasoolallaah we have understood about water, but why is denying of salt and fire not Halaal? He said: O Humairah, the one who gave fire it is as if he gave in charity all that was cooked on the fire. The one, who gave salt, it is as if he has given in charity all that was set right by the salt. The one who gave a muslim a draught of water where water is available, it is as if he has given freedom to a slave and the one who gave a draught of water to a Muslim where water is not available, it is as if he has made him alive! Ibn Maajah

VIRTUES OF Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

By Hadrat Shaikh Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat ‘Ali QaddasAllaahu Ta’alaa Sirruhul ‘Azeez

Extracts rendered in to English at Daar-ul-Ehsaan USA

The Effect of Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat ‘Abdullaah, his father Hadrat ‘Afaan, Hadrat Shu’bah, Hadrat ‘Aasim Ahool and Aboo Tameemah (May Allaah be pleased with them all), narrate from one person riding behind the RasoolAllaah or from one person from those of his companions riding with him that the RasoolAllaah was riding a donkey. It stumbled and the person who was behind said: May the Shaitaan become blind. The RasoolAllaah said: Do not say the Shaitaan be blind, because at this saying it becomes proud and says :I have brought you down with my mastery; and if you say Bismillaah, he becomes as small as the fly. Ahmad ibn Hanbal

Narration: Hadrat Hanzalah bin ‘Abdullaah , Hadrat Shahr bin Haushab Hadrat ibn ‘Abbaas narrated that any one who abandons Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem it is as if he has abandoned 114 Aayahs from the Book of Allaah Tafseer AlKishaaf

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Aboo Hurairah has narrated that the beloved of Allaah , Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad said: Every splendid work if it is not started with (Saying) Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem remains incomplete and without Barakah (Blessing). ‘Abdul Qaadir Ar Rahaawee Rahmatullaah ‘Alaih in “Arba’een”

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Aboo Ja’far has narrated (Ma’zilan) that the Honorable and Holy Prophet has said that  is the key to every book. Rawaah al Khateeb, Kunzul ‘Amaal

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Sulaimaan bin Buraidah has narrated from his father Hadrat Buraidah that he said that the Honorable and Holy Prophet said: Should I not relate to you an Aayah that has not been revealed to any one after Hadrat Sulaimaan  It is Bismillaah    At Tabaraanee in Kabeer

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Talhah bin ‘UbaidAllaah has narrated that the Honorable and Holy Prophet said: The one who abandoned Bismillaah  has abandoned the Aayah of the Book of Allaah and revealed to me which is considered Ummul Kitaab (Meaning Bismillaah ) Rawaah Dailamee

Narration: Hadrat ‘Alee has narrated that the person who recites Bismillaah  , is forgiven. Rawaah Ibn Habaan and Khateeb in Al Jaami’

Narration: Hadrat ‘Ataa , Hadrat Jaabir bin ‘Abdullaah narrate that when Bismillaah  was revealed, the clouds escaped to the east, the winds stopped, the oceans became exuberant, the four footed animals lent their ears and the Shiaateen were stoned in the skies and Allaah ‘Azza wa Jal swore by his Honor that on whomsoever it would be recited, he will be healed and on whatever it would be recited will receive Barakah and whoever recited Bismillaah  will enter Paradise.

Narration: Hadrat Aboo Waail  has said that Hadrat ‘Abdullaah bin Mas’ood narrates that the person who wants that Allaah may give him freedom from the 19 Angels (Who are in charge) of Hell, he should recite Bismillaah because Bismillaahb  has 19 letters; so Allaah makes every letter a shield for the one who recites it, because of which he is safe from the fiery hands of every angel.

Narration: Hadrat Taaoos said that Hadrat Ibn ‘Abbaas said that Hadrat Uthmaan bin ‘Afaan asked the beloved of Allaah , Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad about Bismillaah  Hadrat Uthmaan said that the RasoolAllaah said: It is One name out of other names of Allaah and the Ismul A’zam and Bismillaah  are as close to each other as the black and the white of the eyes are close to each other.

The above narrations are from Ghuniyat ut Taalibeen . . . To be continued InshaAllaah Ta’alaa

VIRTUES OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF FIQH AND SHAREE’AH

CORRECTIONS TO THE PREVIOUS ISSUE (VOL. 3 NO. 9)

We sincerely apologize for some errors which crept into this section of the previous issue. Please correct them as follows:

• Under sub-heading “Different cases of Istihaadah” No.6 should be corrected to read as No.5 and No.7 should be corrected to read as No.6. No.7 as it appears after these corrections may be inserted after No.6

• Under the sub-heading “Injunctions concerning Istihaadah” No. 6 should be corrected to read No.5

Different cases of Istihaadah

7. If a woman has more than 40 days of Nifas, the bleeding occurring after the 40th day will be regarded as Istihaadah provided that this was her first delivery; if, however, this was her second or a subsequent delivery, the bleeding continuing after her usual period will be Istihaadah,

END OF CORRECTIONS

WATER AS MEANS OF PURIFICATION

Purity can be achieved only through pure water; impure water is neither useful for washing nor for ablutions: it renders impure everything that it comes in contact with. It is therefore essential to understand and bear in mind the regulations regarding the purity of water, or otherwise, so that one may use it to obtain purity according to one’s full satisfaction.

Kinds Of Water

Water can be of two kinds: Pure Water and Impure Water.

Pure Water:

For the purposes of purification, it has the following four categories:

1. Clean and Pure (Desirable): This is the water one can use with full satisfaction of the heart for purpose of ablution and washing. It includes rain water, river and sea water, spring and pump water, well and tube-well water, whether sweet or saltish; dew and melted water of snow and hail is also pure and can be used for ablution without hesitation.

2. Clean and Pure (Undesirable): This is the pure water which one may use for washing and ablutions but not with full satisfaction of the heart, e.g., the water in which a baby has put its hands, which may or may not be clean, or the water from which a cat or another animal, whose leftover is repulsive, has drunk.

3. Clean but Impure: This is the water which some one has already used for ablution or washing after intercourse provided that there was no impurity on the body; this cannot be used for ablution or purification bath, but if it wets the body or clothes they will not be rendered unclean.

4. Doubtful: This is the water through which it is doubtful whether one obtains or does not obtain purity; that is why a person who has used the water from which a mule or an ass has drunk, for ablution purpose, is enjoined to perform Tayammum as well.

Impure Water:

1. Running Water: If it changes in colour, taste and odor after it has been polluted with an impurity.

2. Ample Stagnant Water: An ample quantity of stagnant water that has wholly changed in colour, taste and odor due to an impurity.

3. Scanty Stagnant Water: A little quantity of stagnant water that may not have changed in colour, taste and odor due to an impurity is yet impure and cannot be used for ablution purpose.

KHUTBAH HAJJATUL WIDAA’ (SERMON OF THE HOLY PROPHET AT THE FAREWELL HAJJ) . . . Continued With the commentary of Hadrat Shaikh Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat ‘Ali, QaddasAllaahu Sirruhul ‘Azeez

He continued:

“And the first Ribaa (Interest) of my family that I waive is the Ribaa of ‘Abbaas ibn Muttalib. All of it has been given up.”

Note: The Honorable and the Holy Prophet has said that there are 72 sins of Ribaa, out of which, the least degree of sin is as if someone commits incest with his mother. Keep away from it. Neither take interest nor pay interest nor get involved in its transactions (Of paying or taking), nor become the recorder of Ribaa. Hence he said, one Dirham of interest which a person knowingly devours is more than the sin of committing 36 adulteries. Hence he said, the flesh which is born of Haraam wealth is fit only for the Hell. Therefore he has cursed the one who consumes interest, the one who pays interest and the one who writes upon the paper about interest (Transaction). He continued:

“O people, keep fearing Allaah regarding your wives because you have taken them as your wives under Allaah’s responsibility and you made Halaal their bodies upon yourselves with the Kalaam (Speech) of Allaah. Your right upon them is as much as their not allowing any other (person) in your beds as his doing so is unacceptable to you. If they (Your wives) do not do so, (And if they disobey in other matters), hit them in a manner so that marks do not appear (On their bodies); and the right of your wives upon you is that you feed them well and clothe them well.”

Note: To unnecessarily abuse wives verbally or physically has been forbidden. The best quality of a woman is her modesty. If a wife possesses this quality, just because of she argues and because of domestic matters, never abuse them verbally or physically. A modest woman is the queen of a household. To rebuke her at every insignificant incident creates an atmosphere of disharmony in a household. Allaah’s Noor is manifest in every creation of the universe. The Noor, which is resplendent in a fragrant rose, is also evident in a dry blade of grass, all to the extent that there is nothing in this universe in which the Noor of Allaah is not manifest. The splendor, which is manifest in a woman, is not there in any other creation. The attraction present in a woman because of this splendor is not found in any other creation; and all this is so because a woman is the manifestation of Allaah. Although the creator of every thing is Allaah, His manifestation is the mother and no human being is born without a mother nor is this possible. Such being the status of a woman, a comprehensive Khutbah was essential on this subject. This Khutbah of the Honorable and the Holy Prophet guarantees the security of the entire life of all women. One Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand Prophets and Messengers were born only from the womb of their mothers. A woman is the mother of every Prophet andWalee and is therefore deserving of respect. The creation of the woman was from the rib of Aadam . The rib is always curved, never straight. Similarly the harshness of her speech is a matter of lack of manners and to overlook (Such conduct) is essential. He concotinued: “O people I am leaving behind among you (Something); if you hold fast to it, you will never be misguided. (That is) The Book of Allaah (Quraan ul Majeed) and the Sunnah of His Prophet “

Note: To acquire knowledge of all the Halaal and Haraam and the commands and prohibitions mentioned in the Holy Quraan, is very important. He then said:

“O people, after me neither is there another Messenger nor is there any other Ummah after you. Listen carefully, worship your Lord and perform your five daily salaah; and (each year) fast one month of Ramadaan; and pay your Zakaah on your wealth with utmost cheerfulness; and perform the Hajj of Baitullaah (House of Allaah); and obey the orders and commands of your Auliaa (As a reward for which) you will enter the Jannah of your Lord.” He then said:

“O people, on the Day of Judgment when you will be asked about me, tell me how will you respond?” Every one said: We bear witness that you have fulfilled the right of Messengerhood and Prophethood. You have told us all about good and evil. The surroundings of ‘Arafaat reverberated with the sky splitting cries in unison of all theSahaabah Kiraam RidwaanallAllaah Ta’alaa Ajma’een “Ballaghta Ballaghta Yaa RasoolAllaahi” (You have conveyed, you have conveyed O RasoolAllaah).

Then raising his finger of Shahaadah towards the heavens and lowering it and raising it (Several times) said:

“O Allaah listen (To what your slaves are saying)! O Allaah bear witness (Of what these people are witnessing). O Allaah, You are seeing (What they are saying clearly) . . . To be continued InshaAllaah Ta’alaa

IBLEES NAAMAH (RECORD OF THE DIALOGUE OF SAYYIDINAA WA MAULAANAA MUHAMMAD WITH IBLEES) . . . Continued

By Hadrat Shaikh Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat ‘Ali, QaddasAllaahu Ta’alaa Sirruhul ‘Azeez

Extracts from “Makshoofaat Manaazil Ehsaan” (Manifestations of the Stages of Excellence in Worship) vol. 4

Asked the RasoolAllaah : What is it about me that makes me your first enemy?

Replied the Iblees: You brought Islaam for my harm and destroyed (My connection with) whatever was between the people and me. This means that I cannot now misguide people who I used to. My second enemy is an Imaam and Haakim (Ruler) who are just. My third enemy is the rich man who has humility. My fourth enemy is an honest businessman. My fifth enemy is the ‘Aalim who has the fear of Allaah. My sixth enemy is the Mumin (True Believer) who gives advice. My seventh enemy is the one who does not eat, drink or look at Haraam. My eighth enemy is kindhearted man who is merciful towards Mumineen. My ninth enemy is the one who is steadfast upon his repentance. My tenth enemy is the one who is always in the state of Wudoo. My eleventh enemy is the one who is charitable. My twelfth enemy is the one who spends large amounts in alms giving and charity. My thirteenth enemy is the one who pays his Zakaah, his Fitrah and sacrifices an animal, which are Waajibaat (Compulsory). My fourteenth enemy is the Haafiz ofQuraan, who has memorized for the sake of Allaah and puts it into practice. My fifteenth enemy is the one establishes much in the night; meaning he worships by remaining awake during nights. These are all enemies of Iblees and friends of Allaah.

Asked the RasoolAllaah : How many are your friends from my Ummah?

Replied the Iblees: My friends are of eleven kinds. The first one is an oppressive king. The second one is he who acts with pride. The third one is the businessman who is a thief of measuring and weighing. The fourth one is the one who consumes intoxicants. The fifth is the one who devours interest. The sixth is carrier of tales. The seventh is the one who kills without just cause. The eighth is the one who devours the wealth of an orphan unjustly. The ninth is the one who does not give his Zakaah. The tenth who prefers theDuniyaa over the Aakhirah. The eleventh is the one who hopes for a long life. Every moment death close; to forget this and be intent upon living thousands of years is a big folly. All these are the friends of Iblees and enemies of Allaah .

Asked the RasoolAllaah	What is your condition during Salaat?
Replied the Iblees:	I am gripped by malarial shivering when people stand in Salaat.
Asked the RasoolAllaah	And the Quraan is being recited?
Replied the Iblees:	I become deaf.
Asked the RasoolAllaah	And at the time of Hajj?
Replied the Iblees:	I am a prisoner at that time
Asked the RasoolAllaah	And at the time of Jihaad?
Replied the Iblees:	My hands are tied to my neck.
Asked the RasoolAllaah	And at the time charity is being given?

Replied the Iblees: It is as if the person who is giving charity holds a saw and then puts it on my head and cuts me into two pieces, throwing one half towards the east and the other half towards the west.

Asked the RasoolAllaah  Why is your condition like this O the cursed one?

Replied the Iblees: Indeed there are three characteristics i.e. stations for those who give in charity and I do not have patience for those stations. The first station is that Allaah  becomes his Debtor. The second station is that the giver of charity is the inheritor of the Paradise. The third one is that the Nafs of the giver of charity remains secure from my misguidance for forty days. What misfortune can be bigger than this for me.

To be continued InshaAllaah Ta’alaa

VIRTUES OF ABSTAINING FROM THE MAJOR SINS IN ISLAAM

THE FIRST MAJOR SIN ASSOCIATING ANYTHING WITH ALLAAH “ Continued

The second kind of associating anything with Allaah is insincerity and ostentation of one’s deeds, as stated by Allaah Most High:

“Anyone who is expecting to meet his Lord should act righteously and not make anything as a sharer in the worship of his Lord.“ (Al-Kahf 18:110)

That is to say, in all one’s deeds, one ought not to act for the sake of ostentation but sincerely, for the sake of Allaah alone.

Allaah’s Messenger Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad said: “I warn you against the Lesser Polytheism.” The Companions asked: “What is Lesser Polytheism, O Messenger of Allaah?” He replied: “Showing-off. On the Day when Allaah Most High will reward people for their deeds, He will tell them, ‘Go to those people for whose attention and praise you did these deeds and see whether they will reward you”. (Muslim and Ahmad)

He also said: “Allaah says: ‘If anyone does anything in which he associates another with Me his action belongs to the one for whose sake he did it and I am clear of it”. (Muslim and Ibn Maajah)

He also said: “If anyone causes his deeds to be heard of Allaah , Allaah will make him heard of, and if anyone makes a hypocritical displayAllaah will make a display of him.” (Muslim).

Abu Huraira reported Allaah’s Messenger Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad as saying: “Many a one who fasts gets nothing from his fasting but hunger and thirst, and many a one who prays during the night gets nothing from his night prayers but wakefulness,” meaning that if prayers and fasting are not purely for the sake of Allaah , there is no reward for them. (Ibn Majah, Ahmad and Tabarani).

Again, it is reported that Allaah’s Messenger Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad said: “A person who does something for the sake of show and reputation is like a person who fills up his purse with pebbles and goes to the market to buy something, but when he offers them to the seller, the seller throws them in his face. Thus, there is no benefit to him from his purse except for peoples saying that his purse is full, but he cannot buy anything. Similarly, a person who does something for the sake of show and reputation gets nothing but praise from the people but no reward in the Next.” (Ibn Hajar says in Al-Zawaiir that this is not a tradition of the Prophet  but a saying of some scholar’s.) Allaah says: We shall turn toward whatever deeds they did and make them into scattered particles of floating dust. (al-Fur-tan 25:23)

This means that the works which they did for the pleasure of anyone other than Allaah  will receive no reward and will become like the scattered particles of dust which are seen floating in the sun’s rays.

VIRTUES OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF “ASMAA UL HUSNAH” (THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NAMES) . . . Continued

Extracts from the Book “The Most Beautiful Names” compiled by Hadrat Shaikh Tosun Bayrak al-Jerrahi al-Halveti

AL-‘AZEEZ 

He is the Victorious One whom no force can overwhelm.

There is no strength in this universe that can stand before this will. Al -’Azeez appears often in the Holy Quraan in relation to verses of punishment. Although Allaah’s power is victorious over all, like the true victor, He delays punishment. He does not hurry to destroy the one who persists in revolt and sin.

The one who is strong, but does not exercise his strength, who is not vengeful, reflects the beautiful name of Al -’Aziz. One may find the traces of Al -’Azeez in oneself if one is able to suppress the demands of one’s ego and flesh. Also, one should seek to satisfy one’s lawful needs through clean, honest, lawful means. If one stays within the limits of wisdom and clear-sightedness in all one’s thoughts and actions, one may see one’s portion of Allaah’s attribute of Al -’Azeez.

AL-JABBAAR 

He is the Repairer of the broken, the Completer of the lacking, the one who can enforce His will without any opposition.

Hadrat ‘Alee used to pray, Yaa Jaabbira kulli kaseerin wa yaa musahilla kulli ‘aseerin—”O Jabbaar, the one who puts together all that is broken and the one who brings ease to every difficulty.”

At the same time He is the one who is able to enforce His will at all times and places without any opposition. This forcefulness makes submission a necessity. His forcefulness is within the destiny of all His creation. The sun cannot say, “I will not rise again. ” The wind cannot say, “I will not blow again.” Yet man is given the choice. He is also given the wisdom to know what is right and what is wrong. He is given freedom; yet the purpose of his creation is to know Allaah , to find Allaah and to become the servant ofAllaah. But this is not enforced on him. Allaah has left it to his wish.

One finds Al-Jabbaar by knowing that the only place to go to repair one’s broken hopes, to find peace in the confusion in which one finds oneself, is to Allaah. On these unhappy occasions of disobedience and revolt, if one runs to take refuge in Allaah’s mercy before the coming of Allaah’s punishment (from which no force can save one and from which there is nowhere to hide), one will find in this feeling the reflection of Allaah the Forceful One.

VIRTUES OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE “ASMAA UN NABIYYUL KAREEM” (The Bounteous Names of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ) by Hadrat Shaikh Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat ‘Ali, QaddasAllaahu Ta’alaa Sirruhul ‘Azeez

Rendered into English by Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, Ameer, Dar-ul-Ehsan Publications, Huddersfield, United Kingdom and his worthy colleagues.

 

Hadrat Ibn Shamasa al-Mahri has narrated: “We went to ‘Amr bin Al-’As who was on his death bed. He wept for a long time. Then he turned his face towards the wall. His son asked him: ‘O my dear father! Why are you crying? Didn’t the Messenger of Allah the Almighty bring to you the glad tidings of such and such? Didn’t he?’ At this he (‘Amr) turned to us and said: ‘The best thing which we can count upon is the testimony that ‘there is no God but Allah the Almighty and that Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah the Almighty’. Indeed I have gone through three stages: “At the first stage you saw that no one hated the Messenger of Allah the Almighty more than I did, and that I wanted nothing more than to overpower him and kill him. Had I died in that state, I would have definitely been among those dwelling in hell-fire.

“The second stage was when Allah the Almighty instilled the love of Islam in my heart, and I came to the Apostle of Allah the Almighty and said: please stretch out your right hand so that I might pledge allegiance to you.’ He very kindly stretched out his right hand, but I kept a hold on mine. The Almighty Allah’s Apostle asked: ‘What is the matter with you, ‘Amir?‘ I replied: I wish to set a condition. “What is your condition?’ he asked. I said: ‘That my previous sins may be pardoned.’ The Almighty Allah’s Apostle said: ‘Are you not aware of the fact that Islam wipes out all previous misdeeds? Indeed migration (for the sake of Islam, i.e. Hijra) wipes out all previous misdeeds. In the same manner, pilgrimage (Hajj) wipes out all previous misdeeds.’

“After that, no one was dearer to me than the Messenger of Allah the Almighty , and no-one was more sublime in my eyes than him. I was never able to look at him fully out of respect for his splendour. So if I am asked to describe his features, I could not do so for I have never seen him fully. Had I died in that state, I would have every reason to hope that I would be among those dwelling in Paradise.

“Thereafter we were responsible for many things, because of which I am unable to know what is in store for me. Now as I die, let neither a female mourner, nor fire accompany me. When you bury me, fill my grave well with soil, then stand around it for as long as it takes to slaughter a camel and distribute its meat. This is so that I may enjoy your intimacy and, in your company, ascertain what answers I may give to the angels of Allah the Almighty. ” (Sahih Muslim Vl, P76)

Hadrat ‘Uqba bin ‘Amir narrates: “Once we were travelling through rough country. I was leading the animal on foot while the Almighty Allah’s Prophet was riding it. All of a sudden the Holy Prophet asked: ‘O ‘Uqba! Why do you not also ride?’

“I deemed the Almighty Allah’s Apostle far too exalted for someone like me to be seated beside him (). Nevertheless, the Almighty Allah’s Prophet repeated his question: ‘O ‘Uqaib (Little ‘Uqba)! Why do you not ride?’

“This time I worried that if I did not mount, I might become guilty of disobeying him.

“So, the Almighty Allah’s Prophet  dismounted and I rode instead for some time. Then the Almighty Allah’s Prophet  mounted once more and said to me: ‘Shall I not teach you two Suras that are among the best that people have recited?’

“I replied: ‘Certainly! O Prophet of Allah the Almighty .’

“Then the Almighty Allah’s Prophet taught me to recite Suras Al-Falaq and An-Nas”

(Musnad Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal V4 P144)

To View The Orignal Text In Arabic and Urdu Of The Above Translation

TRANSLATION OF THE HIGHLY ACCLAIMED BOOK IN 5 VOLUMES . . .

“MAKSHOOFAAT MANAAZIL- E- EHSAAN“

(Manifestations of the Stages of Excellence in Worship) . . . Continued

By Hadrat Shaikh Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat ‘Ali, QaddasAllaahu Ta’alaa Sirruhul ‘Azeez

• Society is another name for the assemblage of human beings. In this assemblage, individuals are influenced by one another. This is characteristic of human beings and comes into effect naturally. Therefore an individual in a society consciously or unconsciously, either influences or is influenced by environment. In other words, every individual is a Daa’ee (Inviter) as well as a Mudda’ee (Invited); is a reformer as well as in need of reformation.

• Reformation of an individual in reality is the reformation of the society; his development, the development of the society and his destruction is the destruction of the society. Therefore, the individual is the guarantor of and responsible for the reformation of the society. Even reformation of the self (Islaahun Nafs) becomes a passive invitation in the process of Tableegh (Propagation of the Deen); meaning, it is by itself effective. Yaa Hayyu Yaa Qayyoom

Al Hamdu lillaahi Hamdan Katheeran Tayyiban Mubaarakan Feehi Kamaa Yuhibbu Rabbanaa wa Yardaa

Translation: All praises are for Allaah, praises in abundance for He is all good and the Blessed as His love for us and His pleasure are.

If any slave only for the pleasure of Allaah Tabaarak wa Ta’alaa ‘Azza wa Jal Dzul Jalaali wal Ikraam, comes out in the path of Allaah and in the forefront of his mind as well as in the back of his mind there is no other motive or purpose; and neither is there any desire for name and fame, then his example is like that of a warrior, who would put his body and heart at stake in the arena of Jihaad, for the honor and prestige of his king. Every thing of such a warrior is the responsibility of the king. The king is his full and complete supporter. The warrior keeps no connections (With any one else) about any matter. The king himself is his guardian and protector in all matters, so that the warrior would become fully absorbed and engrossed with single mindedness, in the performance of his duties. In other words, the Muballigh (Propagator) who takes to the path of Allaah for (the pleasure of ) Allaah , for him Allaah is every thing. For him, (except for Allaah), there is no other interest in or with any other matter. His success is the responsibility of Allaah His victory is the victory of Allaah Those who traverse the path of Allaah for the pleasure of Allaah never lose in any field (Of activity); nor could any one defeat them. The Muballigh who enters the arena of Tableegh (Propagation), acknowledging Allaah as his Rabb (Lord), always wins and never loses in any field; this is because Allaah is Maalik ul Mulk (King of His Kingdom), Ahkamul Hakimeen (Ruler of all Sovereigns), Qaadir ul Muqtadar (Powerful over those with power), Qawee ul ‘Azeez (Mighty and Omnipotent) and Ahadus Samad (The One and Only, Who is without any needs); how can any one or any thing defeat His chosen slaves? Yaa Hayyu Yaa Qayyoom

The Muballigh should be a practical model of Islaamic Teachings. Till such time as some one is equipped with the required traits, and embraces the highest morals of Islaam, he remains dominated by “I” (Self) . . . whenever there is a defeat, it was the “I” which lost . . . a Mumin never lost . . . in any arena.

Before the commencement of this Islaamic duty of Tableegh, it is essential that every Muballigh should inculcate within himself these (High) morals and do Taubah (Repent) for all the evils that exist within every one at all times. He should then array himself with wonderful morals and become occupied with Da’wah and Tableegh of Allaah’s Deen ul Islaam for the pleasure of Allaah 

ADDRESS TO MUBALLIGH

Put your knowledge to practice and acquire those essential attributes. Otherwise till such time as you adorn those morals, how can your struggle bear any fruit.

When you will stand up for the victory of the Deen of Allaah , Allaah will throw open the doors of His succor and success for you. (Quraan ul Kareem). Note: This invisible dust under the feet of his Shaikh QaddasAllaahu Ta’alaa Sirruhul ‘Azeez has been able to locate the following references from the Holy Quraan on this subject: S29 A69; S16 A110; S9 A88,89; S9 A16 and S3 A142.

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat ‘Abdullaah has said that the Honorable and Holy Prophet said: On the Day of Judgment for every one who is the breaker of pledge, there will be a flag (Indicating) that it is the sign of that person’s breaking of his pledge. Darimee

BREACH OF PROMISE will be questioned very closely. With whomsoever you make a promise fulfil it. Never turn back upon your word. Yaa Hayyu Yaa Qayyoom

KADZAB (LYING)

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat ibn ‘Umar narrates the Honorable and Holy Prophet said: When a slave lies, the (Guardian) angels move a mile away from the bad odor of the lie. Rawaah At Tirmidzee

Please ponder, how many lies are told and listened to during the course of a day. There is a portion of a lie in every talk and no attention is paid to it, to the extent that even in matters of the Deen, almost in every anecdote, there is a whole chapter of lies (Exaggeration, which also is a lie).

AL GHEEBAH (BACK BITING)

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Ibn ‘Abbaas has said two persons who were fasting, prayed either the Zuhr or the ‘Asr Salaah. When the Honorable and Holy Prophet finished his Salaah, he said: Go back and perform Wudoo again and perform your Salaah and after completing your fast, fast Qadaa tomorrow. They submitted: O Rasoolallaah why? He replied: Because you did Gheebah against such and such person. Baihaqee

Therefore the sin of Gheebah eats up the rewards of fasting as well as the Salaah!

Allaah Tabaarak wa Ta’alaa has stated:

Translation: “O ye who believe! avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: and spy not on each other nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay ye would abhor it . . . but fear Allah: for Allah is Oft-Returning Most Merciful.“ Soorah 49 Aayah 12

Today in the entire world, indulging in Gheebah has become a norm. Very big names are badly involved in this disease. In every Masjid, in every institution and in every gathering, every one is busy doing Gheebah against each other; also the Shaikh as well as the pupil, teacher as well as the student. Every one from morning till going to sleep, in one way or another, carry on with Gheebah. Please think within your own hearts, during the Salaat, along with the Tasbeeh, what kind of thoughts is your heart occupied with. How can your speech have any effect and how can your tongue become a sword.

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Anas has narrated that the beloved of Allaah Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad has said: The expiation of Gheebah is to make Du’aa of Maghfirah for the person against whom you have done Gheebah; and say like this: O Allaah please forgive us and him. Baihaqee in Da’waat ul Kabeer

May your tongue remain righteous at all times and free from Gheebah.

One of the cures for this is to seek in your Du’aa, Maghfirah for all those against whom up until today, you have done Gheebah.

For instance say like this: O Allaah from among your slaves, there may hardly be one against whom I have not done Gheebah; and I make Du’aa of Maghfirah for every one against whom I have done Gheebah; and whoever has done Gheebah against me, please forgive them, I will have no complaint or claim (Against them).

After (Having done) this, engrave in your heart the resolve that as long as you live, you will never do Gheebah against any one nor will any Gheebah be heard by you against any one. Every thing that you are saying about any one, if he were to hear it himself, would feel bad about it, is Gheebah.

If you give up backbiting and never use your tongue for Gheebah again and never do Gheebah against any person ever, then Allaah will make your tongue effective and give it the power that whatever you will say will become acceptable and then never again will any one do Gheebah against you.

When you have stopped your tongue against the creation of Allaah . . . Allaah will stop every tongue of His creation against you . . . and this is the absolute truth. Yaa Hayyu Yaa Qayyoom!

This is our third shortcoming. Do not consider this to be unusual.

You and I and every one else are busy with Gheebah against each other. At all times in every condition Gheebah continues. How can any one’s condition change. Under these conditions what can be the effect our Tableegh. From today onwards do not ever indulge in any kind of Gheebah. However because a habit has been formed to do Gheebah, any time you indulge in Gheebah against any one, seek his forgiveness. This is its only cure. When you approach a few times and relate each and every thing said against and seek forgiveness, understanding will be achieved; and then you will never do Gheebah against any one again.

Till such time as you abandon Gheebah, involvement with Da’wah and Tableegh of Islaam will not prove useful. People are to rectify their A’maal (Deeds) from your practical model. There may hardly be any precious son of a mother who does not indulge in Gheebah. Yaa Hayyu Yaa Qayyoom.

When you yourself do not obey the command of your Allaah , how could any one obey your command. When you yourself do not comply with these commands, how can you instruct others to comply with them.

On the Day of Judgment the slaves, after reading their book of deeds, will submit to Allaah  that these books of deeds are not theirs; there are some deeds in there which they had never done. The command will be announced: You did not do are say these things but you did Gheebah against those who did do these deeds; I have written their bad deeds to your names.

When you do Gheebah against some one, please understand that you are washing his sins off and that he could not have never washed away his sins so easily no matter how he tried.

The person against whom you are doing Gheebah is very fortunate! A venerable person said: I would like that if I were to do

Gheebah, I would do it against my mother so that my good deeds will be received by my mother. How is it acceptable to you that someone else sitting comfortably in his home should take away your good deeds and hand you over his bad deeds and you do not even care about this loss of your trade. Your heart is in a dream and your conscience has become desensitized; otherwise you would never have done such a trade in which there is loss through and through – – – – never. Yaa Hayyu Yaa Qayyoom

After today, never ever do Gheebah against any one; nor say anything bad about any one.

Yaa Hayyu Yaa Qayyoom. And this the end of the speech.

To View The Orignal Text In Arabic and Urdu Of The Above Translation

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 QayyoomTranslation Dear 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!