Volume 3 No.9

VIRTUES OF THE MONTH Dzee Qa’datun Najeeb

Please refer to Vol. 1 No. 2 for the great virtues of this month. Please call us or write if you have not filed this issue. May we suggest that you file your issues so that you do not miss out on the treasures of rewards that await us in the Hereafter, when we practice the special virtuous deeds of each month.

 

BACK TO BASICS

The Account of Jannah (Paradise) . . . Continued

There is no sleep in Paradise as sleep is a kind of death and there is no death in Jannah. The people of Paradise will receive stations according to their ‘Amaal (Deeds); and there is no limit to the Graciousness of Allaah After they spend what is equivalent of a week of this world, they will be given permission to the greatest honor and privilege, greater than any honor and privilege: that of beholding their Lord the Creator of the wondrous Paradise. At that juncture, His Throne of Grandeur and Majesty will become visible and Rabb ‘Azza wa Jal (The Most Glorified and Exalted) will appear in one of the Gardens in His full Radiance, Refulgence, Resplendence and Splendor! Elevated platforms for the people of Jannah will be decked out; these will be made of Noor, pearls, rubies, topaz, gold and silver. The ordinary among them will sit on hillocks of musk and camphor; although no one is ordinary, only the people will view the ones on platforms to be better than themselves. The sight of our Lord of Majesty and Absolute Beauty will be as clear as the sun and the full moon. Every one will see from where they are just as the whole world can see the sun and the moon without one’s viewing interfering with the other. Allaah  will bestow His sight on every one there and will address someone saying: “O son of . . . do you remember doing this or that,” reminding them about their sins of the world. The slave will say: “O my Lord did You not forgive me”? He will say “Yes, it is because of the vastness of My generosity of forgiveness that you have reached this station”.

The people of Jannah will all be in this state when a cloud would appear and sprinkle them with such fragrance which they had never experienced ever. Allaah  will then tell them: “Go towards the honor that I have prepared for you and take whatever you want”. The people will go to a bazaar which will be surrounded by angels where they will find things which their eyes had never ever beheld before, their ears never ever heard before nor their hearts had ever experienced before. Whatever they want from there will be handed over to them; there will be no buying and selling. People of Jannah will meet each other in the bazaar. Those of lower stations will admire the apparel of the ones of higher status and the conversation will continue because those of the higher levels will not feel that their clothes are better than those of the others. This is because there is no sadness or grief for anyone in Jannah. They will come back to their homes and their fair companions will greet them and welcome them and will congratulate them by saying: “You have come back to us although your elegance and grace is much higher than ours. “They will respond:” We had the immense good fortune of sitting in the presence of our Lord Al Jabbaaru (The Almighty the Omnipotent) so we had to become as we are”. When those of the Jannah would want to meet each other, one’s throne will travel to the other’s. There is a Riwaayah (Narration) that the best carriages drawn by horses will be brought to them; they will board them and will be carried towards wherever they want to go. The lowest of the inhabitants of Jannah will be provided with fair companions, gifts of all kinds, servants, throne and a garden as vast as travel of 1000 years.

Those will enjoy the highest esteem with Allaah  who will be honored with the sight of the Magnificent Countenance of Allaah  every morning and evening. When those of Jannah will enter Jannah, Allaah  will say to them: “Is there anything else you want and I will give you”. They will say: “You have brightened our days and made us enter Your Paradise and gave us freedom from Hell”. At that moment the veils covering the creation will be lifted and they will find that they received nothing better or greater than the sight of their Lord! . . . To be continued, InshaAllaah Ta’alaa.

 

VIRTUES OF DU’AAS

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Ibn Abee Aufaa  and Hadrat Jaabir  have narrated that the beloved of Allaah , Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad said: “The person who recites (The following) 11 times, Allaah  writes for him 200,000 good deeds and the person recites more, Allaah also increases his Thawaab. Tabraanee fil Kabeer, Kunzul A’maal.

Transliteration: “ Laa Ilaaha illAllaahu Wahdahoo laa Shareeka Lahoo Ilaahaun Waahidan Samadan lam yalid walam Yoolad walam yakullahu Kufuwan Ahad” . . . 11 times.

Translation: “There is no god but Allaah. He is the One and Only. He has no partners (In His Divinity). He is the only God. He has no needs. Neither is He begotten nor does He beget and there is none quite like Him”. Tarteeb Shareef vol.4 page 119

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Hudzaifah has narrated that Jibraeel  presented himself in the presence of the beloved of Allaah , Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad  and humbly submitted: “O Muhammad 

from among the prophets that I was sent to, you are my most loved. I will teach you Allaah Ta’alaa’s preferred Names through which Du’aa should be made. Please say:

Transliteration: “Yaa Noor us Samaawaati wal Ard; Yaa Zain as Samaawaati wal Ard; Yaa Jabbaar as Samaawaati wal Ard; Yaa ‘Amaad as Samaawaati wal Ard; Yaa Badee ’as Samaawaati wal Ard; Yaa Dzal Jalaali wal Ikraam; Yaa Sareekh al Mustasrikheena wa Muntahayal ‘Aabideen al Mufarriju ‘Anil Makroobeena al Muroohu ‘Anil Maghmoomeena wa Mujeeba Du’aaa il Mudtarreena wa Kaashif al Karbi Yaa Ilaahal ‘Aalameena wa Yaa Arhamar Raahimeena Matrookum bika Kullu Haajatin”.

Translation: “O the noor of the Heavens and the earth. O the Adornment of the Heavens and the earth. O the Almighty of the Heavens and the earth. O the Pillar (Supporter) of the Heavens and the earth. O the Creator of the Heavens and the earth. O the Owner of Majesty and Honor. O the One who reaches the cries of the criers for help. O the Goal of Your worshipper and the remover of difficulties of those in hardship; the One who turns the grief of the grief stricken to comfort; the One Who accepts the supplications of the beseechers; the Resolver of hardships; O the God of the worlds; O the most Merciful of all those who show mercy, I have left all my needs up to You . . . To be recited once.

SABEEL AR RASHAAD (THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNOUS) …. 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)

Quraan ul Kareem guides those who fear Allaah  (Muttaqeen); only the Muttaqeen can find guidance from this Book. Argument is a negation of Taqwaa (Fear, awe ofAllaah ), (Therefore) Muttaqeen never argue, not with anyone nor about any issue; after explaining an issue once, they say:” I do not have any further knowledge (Beyond what I have explained)” and then hold their peace (Tongue).

Enjoining of what is good and preventing of what is evil (Amr wa Nahee) which is the essence of the Deen is not given any attention but issues of the Fiqh which are subsidiary matters are spoken with such emphasis that the listeners become bored. Is not the universal principle that all the 4 Mujtahideen (Imaams) and the Muqallideen (Followers) are (in their own rights) on the right path, enough to solve all the controversial issues ! Whoever follows an Imaam is on Haq. When we do our own soul searching, we find that none of our own deeds are in accordance with the Quraan and Sunnah; neither on the outwards nor in the inside( Hidden).

The war of the perspectives of ‘Aqaaid (Creed), is not a goal, neither is there any service of the Deen in it, nor is there any Thawaab (Reward) for it. Similarly, discussions and arguments are also not (worthwhile) goals. (Preoccupation with) Arguments, in any case, is a waste of time indeed. Controversy, criticism and altercation and excessive questioning, the beloved of Allaah Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad  himself prohibited very strongly and said that they are also not liked byAllaah 

‘Ilm (Knowledge) and ‘Amal (Practice) are inseparable. ‘Ilm demands practice from its ‘Aalim! Mere scholarly conferences not leading up to good deeds are like bodies without the soul. Such scholarly conferences result in the use of less than ethical taunts, verdicts, spite and hostility. This is not in any way a (desirable) goal; neither is this any kind of service of the Deen. The (Muslim) nation does not benefit in any way from this.

All the teachings of Allaah Ta’alaa and the holy Prophet  emphasize the development of Akhlaaq (Morality) and Character and the practical aspects of the compliance and learning of Islaam. Allaah Ta’alaa and His beloved  have instilled these inducements in such a loving and an endearing manner by presenting time and again, examples and similes.

To push all these teachings aside and to target the greatness of the holy Prophet ; to keep hurling Fatwaas (Verdicts) of Kufr and Shirk at each other; instead of making efforts to unite different and disunited muslims, to keep strengthening the walls of disagreements and maliciousness is not a goal; with these (Practices) Islaam does not receive rejuvenation and vigor neither is there any reward for this.

The holy Prophet demonstrated morality of the greatest (Caliber) (Khuluqul ‘Azeem) in conveying the message of Tauheed (Oneness of Allaah) to theKuffaar of Arabia.

To induce those of opposing views to come around and unite to the same views . . . LOVE IS THE BEST WEOPON!

To adopt severity instead of love, is no goal, it is not any kind of service to the Deen ul Islaam and from this the nation does not benefit in any way.

VIRTUES OF THE SUNNAH

Sunnah and Aadaab of drinking water . . . Continued

THE PRICE OF A HANDFUL OF WATER . . . A WHOLE KINGDOM!

Hadrat Maulaanaa Ahmad Radaa Khan Rahmatullaah ‘Alaih, a great scholar, related the following story when one of his students threw away water left over in the glass after drinking some of it: “Hadrat Khaleefah Haroon Ar Rasheed used to consider scholars his friends and there were always gatherings of ‘Ulamaa Kiraam in his court. One day theKhaleefah asked for water and just as he was about to take it to his mouth to drink it, one ‘Aalim said: “O Ameer ul Mumineen please wait, I want to ask you something”. TheKhaleefah stopped at once and the ‘Aalim continued “If you were in a jungle and water is not available and you were severely thirsty, how much would you pay to get the water you are holding in your hand now?” The Khaleefah replied: “By Allaah I will give half my kingdom”. The ‘Aalim said: “Please drink the water now”. When the Khaleefah had finished drinking, the ‘Aalim said: “If this water wanted to get out (As urine) and it could not, how much would you pay to get it out?” The Khaleefah responded: “By giving away my entire kingdom”. The Aalim said:” The reality of your kingdom is such that half of it would be sold in the first instance for one handful of water and the entire kingdom in the second situation. Now feel as much pride for it as you want to!”

My beloved readers, jewels of my eyes, please note what a great Ni’mah (Gift) water is and what an act of ingratitude it is to throw it away indiscriminately. We should, all of us, abstain from throwing away left over water. It would be entirely appropriate for all of us to seek the forgiveness from our most Merciful Lord for our past sins of such waste and resolve never to do it again, InshaAllaah Ta’alaa. If another Muslim brother were to drink the left over, what is the harm in it? It is mentioned in a Hadeeth Shareef: “There is Shifaa (Healing) in the left over of a Mumin”.

In Soorah 6 Aayah 141 Allaah  says: “But waste not by excess: for Allaah loveth not the wasters”.

In the context of the above command

In the well known Book “Bahaar Sharee’ah” it is mentioned that half a handful of water is enough to sniff up the nose in the Wudoo. To use one handful is Israaf (Waste).

My most beloved readers, when according to our Sharee’ah based on the command of Allaah Rabbul ‘Izzah, even a few drops of water are considered a waste, how can we ever indulge in the colossal waste that takes place when full taps are running in our homes and in our Masaajid during our Wudoos? You and I should try never to forget that Israaf(Waste) of any and every gift of Allaah is Haraam and we shall, all of us be questioned on the Day of Judgment about every gift generously bestowed upon us all by the Lord of Power, Allaah 

In this context I recall a Hadeeth Shareef (I seek Allaah’s forgiveness for any inaccuracy in my paraphrasing): “One day the beloved Allaah Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad  visited one of his beloved companions who presented a few (May be 4 or 5) dates with apologies for not having anything else to offer. The beloved of Allaah Hadrat Muhammad  graciously ate the dates and then said: “You know my beloved friend and companion, you will be questioned by Allaah  even about these dates”. He  then recited Aayah 8 from Soorah 102 : “Then shall you be Questioned that Day about the joy (you indulged in)”!

Let me finally in the end, quote the following Aayah 27 from Soorah 17:

“Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the Evil One is to his Lord (Himself) ungrateful “.

May Allaah  protect us all from Israaf and His Displeasure . . . Aameen and Aameen again.

Extracts were taken gratefully from “Fadaail Sunnah” by Hadrat Muhammad Ilyaas Qaadree, Mudda Zilluhoo.

Allaah  continues in His Infinite Mercy through the Fuyood (Favors) and Barakaat (Blessings) of our Grand Shaikh Hadrat Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat ‘Ali, QaddasAllaahu Ta’alaa Sirruhul ‘Azeez, to bless us with steady progress in our work Ta’alaa. From this April onwards we shall be airing a weekly program “The Truth AboutIslaam” on Public Television, directed mostly towards non muslims of some areas of Connecticut. InshaAllaah Ta’alaa, this effort will expand to take in more and more cities as time goes on. We are also seriously looking at having our Internet Web Site present “The Virtues of Islaamic Life” in several languages every month. This will InshaAllaah Ta’alaa enable many more thousands of muslim brothers and sisters around the world who do not understand the English language to benefit from our humble efforts. This great cause is your cause as much as it is ours and above all, Fee Sabeelillaah (For the Pleasure of Allaah ). Needless to say that these increased activities entail more financial commitments. More than ever before, those of you who will come forward and contribute financially will have their efforts receive (Ajr) rewards in the Hereafter from Our most Beloved, Merciful and Generous Lord, to a degree which is unimaginable to us. We make a fervent Du’aa in the Majestic Court of our Lord Almighty to give you and us theTaufeeq to make full use of this opportunity to receive from His Magnanimity and Pleasure, rewards only He can shower and bestow upon us. Aameen.

 

 

VIRTUES OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF FIQH AND SHAREE’AH

Istihaadah (Non-Menstrual Bleeding)

Istihaadah is neither menstrual bleeding nor bleeding of the childbirth (Nifaas) but ordinary bleeding from the genitals due

to some ailment. It is just like the bleeding from the nose or the bleeding of a wound.

Different cases of Istihaadah

1. Bleeding that accrues before attaining the age of 9 years and after crossing the menopause age of 55 years, is called Istihaadah, unless the blood is dark red in colour, in which case it will be the menses.

2. The bleeding of a pregnant woman is Istihaadah.

3. Bleeding of less duration than three days and three nights and the one continuing after 10 days and 10 nights is Istihaadah.

4. The bleeding that continues even after the usual period of a woman is over, will be Istihaadah provided that it continues for more than 10 days.

5. If a woman has a menstrual bleeding for 10 days, and then again gets a discharge before completing the minimum period of 16 days of purity, it will be looked upon asIstihaadah.

6. If a woman has had 40 days of Nifaas but again starts bleeding before completing the minimum period of 15 days of purity, the latter discharge will be regarded as Istihaadah.

Injunctions Concerning Istihaadah.

The injunctions of the Sharee’ah in respect of Istihaadah are similar to the cases of persons having continuous nasal bleeding or wound bleeding, or the person who suffers from dribbling of urine after normal urination.

These injunctions are briefly as follows:

1. It is lawful to have sexual intercourse during Istihaadah.

2. A woman having Istihaadah has to offer prayers and observe the fasting of Ramadaan as usual.

3. Purification bath is not essential for such a woman; Wudu (partial ablutions) is enough to obtain purity.

4. The woman is allowed to recite the Qur’aan, enter the mosque, etc.

5. She cannot, however, offer more than one prayer with one Wudu; fresh Wudu is needed for every prayer.

Leucorrhoea: A woman suffering from this ailment has a yellowish white mucous discharge from her genital, which is almost continuous. The Sharee’ah has enjoined the same regulations for her as for the woman having Istihaadah. She must not abandon her religious duties but should likewise observe them and recite the Qur’aan, with fresh ablutions for every prayer, starting from a thorough washing of her private parts.

KHUTBAH HAJJATUL WIDAA’ (SERMON OF THE HOLY PROPHET AT THE FAREWELL

HAJJ) With the commentary of . . .

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

When a responsible chief officer of a department has to move away, before he leaves, he explains the full summary of his endeavor to the one who is taking over. At the time of departing, he leaves complete instructions as to what should be done and what should not be done after he is gone and these instructions are the gist and essence of his office. In the same way,

the Khutbah of the holy Prophet  on the occasion of his farewell Hajj is the essence of the entire Islaamic

Teachings. Till such time as he  had not delivered his last Khutbah, Allaah  did not also reveal His

last Aayah. His  last Khutbah is indeed the reason for the completion of the Deen. By delivering this Khutbah, it is as if every matter of the Deen and the Dunyaahas been told so that nothing more remains to be said. Please

study this Khutbah with attention; as you continue to do so many new aspects will become available to you. Truly, this

concise Khutbah contains within itself, fountains of knowledge and wisdom.This Khutbah should grace every Muslim’s home and must be kept in every Muslim’s pocket. It has been written from Dar- ul -Ehsan many times, but this time it is being written in a unique manner, never written before.

The Departure of the holy Prophet  towards the plain of ‘Arafaat.

Hadrat Jaabir bin ‘Abdullaah  laid the saddle over a white Arabian horse, for the beloved of Allaah , Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad  to ride. He then held the stirrup and helped the best of Allaah’s creation  mount the horse. Now the journey of the beloved of Allaah , Hadrat Muhammad Mustafaa  towards the plain of ‘Arafaat commenced. There were one hundred and forty four thousand Sahaabah Kiraam (The noble companions) RidwaanAllaah Ta’alaa Ajma’een at the plain of ‘Arafaat, waiting for the most honored of both the worlds . The most honorable and holy Prophet  proclaimed:

“O people ! Lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again”.

Note: When the audience heard “I know not whether I shall ever be amongst you again”, lamentation must have broken out; everyone must have been crying loudly. This lowest (Of human beings) has been trying to write these lines since Fajr. Every time he tries to write, he stops. This heart cannot bear the scene of that day, how can the poor paper bear it? Hearing this pronouncement, the hearts of the mountains tore apart; the faces of the flowers turned pale; blood spurted from springs; the hearts of the nightingales became restless, not being able to bear the sermon of separation; the turtledoves sobbed bitterly; the heart of the flower bud was wounded; the narcissus bent its head; the beasts of prey were petrified; there was a tumult among the animals; the color of sand particles changed; greenery wilted; the wind ceased blowing; the mountains trembled; there was an outcry among the rivers; the eyes of the entire universe became tearful; every one became restless as a wounded animal with the very idea of separation from him  and there was a hushed silence every where. Then he  proclaimed:

“O people, your blood and your property and your honor are HARAAM for each other, just as you hold this day and this month sacred. O people, soon you have to be present before Allaah , and He will question you about your deeds. Beware, do not go astray after I am gone, that you may start cutting each other’s throats”.

Note: For a muslim to kill another muslim, to devour his property and to lay hands on his honor has most certainly been made Haraam. These are the three sources of mischief in the entire world. Incidences of murder are a result of provocation from only these two acts: Laying hands on the chastity of women and to usurp unlawfully, another’s property. Then he  proclaimed:

“O people, (Be warned) that I trample under my feet every matter of Jaahiliyyah (Days of ignorance) and destroy all the disputes of murders of( the time of) Jaahiliyyah and indeed the first murder that is of my family, i.e. of Ibn Rabee’ah Ibn Haarith who used to suckle the milk of Banee Sa’d and Hadzeel had murdered him, I waive (It)”.

Note: All those matters which have no place in the Deen, are included in Jaahiliyyah. Those matters of Jahaalah (Of the times of ignorance) which the holy Prophet  has trampled under his feet, we should also trample them. All those aspects of Jahaalah which have been destroyed should never raise their heads again in our world, in any shape or form whatsoever, neither should we allow them to raise their heads again. This is the demand of faithfulness.

To waive away the right of a life for life, is an act of great courage. Our master the holy Prophet  by forgiving the blood of Ibn Rabee’ah, has given us the guidance that to take revenge is not an act of courage; on the contrary, to forgive is indeed bravery and in reality this is a response which wins hearts.

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

The chain of narrators Hadrat Sulaimaan bin Waarid and Hadrat Muhammad bin Ishaaq from Hadrat Sa’eed bin Musayyib that Hadrat ‘Urwah bin Zubair said: “We came out with our master the holy Prophet  towards the graveyard in Madeenah al Munawwarah and with us were Hadrat ‘Abdullaah bin Mas’ood and Hadrat ‘Abdullaah bin ‘Abbaas . When we went behind the (Jannat ul) Baqee’, we heard a sound like that of a chain. We asked: ‘What is this sound O RasoolAllaah ? ‘ He  said: ‘It is the Iblees, enemy of Allaah , in his jewelry and adornments’. Hadrat ‘Alee respectfully submitted ‘O Rasoolallaah  order him to become visible to us’. Said the holy Prophet to the Iblees ‘Become visible to Hadrat ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib otherwise you will be destroyed today’. Said (The narrator Hadrat ‘Urwah bin Zubair) ‘Hence the Iblees became visible to all of us so that all of us saw Iblees, old and one eyed and the length of his good eye was as long as his nose. On his head was a crown hanging from which were adornments of jewels etc. and around his waist was tied a girdle in different ways. In his hand was a bell. He said: ‘Salaam upon you Muhammad ’. Then the holy Prophet  did not respond to his salaam. Then the Iblees said: ‘Allaah’s Salaam be upon you’. Then our master, the holy Prophet  said: ‘It is as you say (Meaning it is from Allaah and not from you); and you are an enemy of Allaah and of your own self.’

Asked Hadrat RasoolAllaah What is it that I see around your waist, the girdle?

Replied the Iblees This is the girdle of desires for the world. I make these desires appear in the hearts of the human beings till such time as they do not give up any desire over which they have control.

Asked Hadrat RasoolAllaah  What is this bell in your hand?

Replied the Iblees When I see two people quarreling, I shake the bell between them; then they both do bad things and tell lies and slander.

Asked Hadrat RasoolAllaah  What do you say about myself and say about my friends (companions)?

Replied the Iblees You ( ) are Ma’soom (Innocent). I am never close to you , I mean to say I do not have the power to come close to you. And Aboo Bakr never obeyed in the times of Jaahiliyyah, how can he obey me in his state of Islaam! However ever since the day Hadrat ‘Umar accepted Islaam, I run from his domination and power of his Deen. And about Hadrat ‘Uthmaan , I feel ashamed with him as do the angels in heavens. And with Hadrat ‘Alee I am completely unable to keep myself safe from him, I am always dominated (By him). The rest of your companions when there is an encounter, they dominate once and obey me one tenth of one. I am never separated from them even for one batting of their eye lashes except when they do the Dzikr of Allaah (Note from our Shaikh Rahmatullaah ‘Alaih: Most of the holy companions (May Allaah be pleased with them), were always busy and occupied with the Dzikr of Allaah And some of them some times being busy with essential expeditions, remained excusably without the Dzikr with their tongues and remembrance of the Lord; and yet never away from the obedience and reverence of Allaah and His Rasool , even for a moment. They were also busy with the Amr wa Nahee (enjoining of the good and prevention of the evil) according to the Sharee’ah. This adherence to the enjoining of the good and prevention of the evil is equal to the Dzikr of Allaah If some one ignored Allaah how would he perform Amr wa Nahee. Therefore there was no interference or deceit of the Iblees with the honor of all the Sahaabah Kiraam, RidwaanAllaah Ta’alaa Ajma’een).

Asked Hadrat RasoolAllaah  How many are your enemies?

Replied the Iblees I have 15 enemies. You  are the first one.

The Honorable master the holy Prophet  was pleased to find this because indeed the person who has the most hatred for the Iblees, has the most love for Allaah . . . To be continued InshaAllaah Ta’alaa.

VIRTUES OF ABSTAINING FROM THE MAJOR SINS IN ISLAAM

THE FIRST MAJOR SIN “ASSOCIATING ANYTHING WITH ALLAAH “

The greatest of all major sins is Shirk – that is to say, associating anyone or anything with Allaah  Most High, and it is of two kinds.

The first is to believe that Allaah  has an equal or to worship something or someone other than Him, such as a stone, a tree, a star, the sun, the moon, or a prophet, a saint, or an angel. This is the greatest Shirk, about which Allaah  Most High says:

“Indeed, Allaah does not forgive associating anything with Him, and He forgives whatever is other than that to whomever He wills.” (al-Nisa 4:48 and 116)

“Indeed, associating (anything with Allaah ) is a great wrong.” (Luqman 31:13)

“Indeed, the one who associates anything with Allaah , Allaah will forbid him the Garden, and his abode is the Fire.” (al-Maidah 5: 75 (in some translations).

Such verses are quite numerous in the Qur’aan. (The number of verses containing the word Shirk and its derivatives is approximately 165, and there are many other verses of similar meaning).

Whoever ascribes partners to Allaah  (Shirk) and dies a polytheist (Mushrik) is definitely an inhabitant of the Fire, just as anyone who believes in Allaah  and dies a believer is an inhabitant of the Garden, even though he may be punished in the Fire first. Allaah’s Messenger Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad  asked his Companions: “Shall I not inform you about the three greatest sins?” They said: “Yes, Messenger of Allaah .” He  then continued . . . ”Associating other objects of worship with Allaah , disobedience to parents . . . ”Thereupon he sat up from the reclining position and then continued: “And lying under oath (deliberate perjury) and bearing false witness” (Bukhari and Muslim).

He also said: “Avoid the seven noxious things, “In which” associating anything with Allaah ” is included.

VIRTUES OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF “ASMAA UL HUSNAH“

(THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NAMES) . . . Continued

Extracts from the Book “The Most Beautiful Names” compiled by . . .

Hadrat Tosun Bayrak al – Jerrahi al – Halveti

He is the Protector and the Guardian. He is the one who sees to the evolution and the growth of His creation, leading them where they are destined to go. Nothing escapes His attention for a moment. He is the one who watches the good deeds and rewards them fully. He counts the sins exactly, not adding to their punishment even an amount the size of a mustard seed.

One may find the reflection of al-Muhaymin in oneself through consciousness and awareness—by watching intently one’s actions, words, thoughts and feelings, and by trying to control them.

‘Abd al-Muhaymin is he who sees the existence and the rules of Allah in everything. In expression of the name ya Muhaymin he watches over himself and others, guarding against wrong and helping them to secure the things to which they have a right.)

VIRTUES OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE “ASMAA UN NABIYYUL KAREEM“

(The Bounteous Names of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ) by. . .

Hadrat 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.

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

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Samurah bin Jundub  has narrated that the beloved of Allaah , Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad  said: “Any persons Sadaqah (Charity) cannot be like the Sadaqah of a person who is busy with the broadcasting and publishing of the knowledge of the Deen.” AtTargheeb wat Tarheeb

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Aboo Hurairah  has narrated that the beloved of Allaah , Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad  said: “The person who invites towards guidance ( Meaning calls someone towards the path of the Deen) will receive the same amount of rewards as the one who (Accepts and) follows him and nothing will be reduced from the rewards of the obedient one. And the one who calls towards misguidance, his sin will be as much as of the one who obeys him, without lessening the sin from either one.” Muslim

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Hasan (Basree)  narrates Mursalan (The 2^nd top chain of narrators missing) that the Honorable Prophet of Allaah,  said: “The person who dies in such a state that he was acquiring ‘ilm (Knowledge) so that he could give Islaam renewed life, there will be one degree’s difference between him and the Prophets of Allaah, in Paradise. Ad Darimee

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Hudzaifah  narrates that the Honorable Holy Prophet  said: “I swear in the Name of that Being in Whose hand my life is that (One of the two things will happen) either you will be engaged in Amr bil Ma’roof and Nahee ‘Anil Munkar (Enjoining good deeds and preventing evil things) or soon Allaah  well send ‘Adzaab (Punishment) upon you; and at that time you will supplicate to Allaah and your supplication will not be accepted.” At Tirmidzee

Hadeeth Shareef: Hadrat Jaabir  has narrated that the beloved of Allaah Hadrat Sayyidinaa wa Maulaanaa Muhammad said: “Allaah commanded Hadrat Jibraeel  that in such and such city which is like such and such turn it upside down (Destroy it) along with its inhabitants.” Hadrat Jibraeel  humbly submitted: “O my Lord, among the inhabitants is Your such and such slave who has not disobeyed you even for a moment.” Allaah said: “Turn the city upside down upon him and all its other inhabitants because(Although he was seeing the sins of the sinners), his face did not change even for a moment for My pleasure (Meaning he did not even for a moment consider the sins of the sinners as evil). Baihaqee

Even though every individual of the Muslim Ummah is a Muballigh (Missionary), yet for those of His slaves whom Allaah selects for the purpose of Da’wah, there can be no better good fortune than this.

The work of a Daa’ee ilallaah (Caller towards Allaah ) and a real reformer is of two kinds:

Firstly:	Islaah an Nafs (Reformation of his self)
Secondly:	Islaah of the Ma’aashirah (Reformation of the Society)
Da’wah is composed of 3 musts:
Firstly:	Amr bil Ma’roof ( Enjoining performance of good deeds)
Secondly:	Nahee ‘Anil Munkar (Preventing evil deeds)
Thirdly:	Remembrance of Allaah.

In other words, performance of those things which we are commanded to perform; and to abstain from those deeds which we have been prohibited; and all the time and in every condition be occupied with the remembrance of Allaah . All the three matters are the essence of the Sharee’ah, the foundation of Tareeqat and the goals of Tableegh(Dissemination of the Deen)

Page 83	Page 81-82	Page 79-80

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!