Prophet’s Guidance Against Openly Committing Sin

1) Abdul-Aziz Ibn Abdullah reported that Ibraheem Ibn Sa’ad from Ibn Akhee Ibn Shihaab from Saalim Ibn Abdullah stated:
I heard Abu Hurairah (radiallahu ‘anhu) say: I heard Allah’s Messenger saying: All the sins of my followers will be forgiven except those of the Mujaahireen (those who commit a sin openly or disclose their sins to the people).

An example of such disclosure is that a person commits a sin at night and though Allah screens it from the public, then he comes in the morning and says, ‘O so and so, I did such-and-such (evil) deed yesterday,’ though he spent his night screened by his Lord (none knowing about his sin) and in the morning he removes Allah’s screen from himself.” [Al-Bukhari # 95 Vol. 8 The Book of Adab (Good Manners) or #2037 in Summarised Saheeh Al-Bukhari]

2) Musaddad reported that Abu ‘Awaanah said from Qataadah from Safwaan Ibn Muhriz “A man asked Ibn ‘Umar what he heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) say about An-Najwaa (when a person speaks to himself or to someone else when no others can hear.

In this instance it refers to the moment on the Day of Resurrection when each person stand before Allah and his deeds are exposed). He said: One of you comes near to his Rabb until He covers him and asks:

‘Did you do such and such?’ He will reply: ‘Yes’. He (Allah) will then ask, ‘You did such-and-such?’ and he (the person) will reply, ‘Yes’ and he will admit it and then He (Allah) will say, ‘Verily I covered you in the world and I forgive you now’. [Al-Bukhari]
This writer recently had the privilege of hearing a Friday sermon where the Imaam mentioned that he was asked to address the issue of smoking and its ruling in Islam. This Imaam quickly ascertained that although smoking is a great and widespread evil, the greater issue was that of people openly sinning in public.

Due to this evil, other sins even greater than public smoking have become commonplace. He then went on to cite the above two hadith that we shall also use to highlight this clear and ever present evil.

We see in the first hadith that Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) informs us that forgiveness is to be had for the Muslims in general except in the instance of the one who openly announces his or her sin or bid’ah (religious innovation). This, after Allah had actually kept the sin concealed from the knowledge and vision of others.

Such an individual for one thing, demonstrates total ingratitude for Allah’s favour either because they have absolutely no consciousness that what they did was a sin, or they have become insensitive to it as an evil due to their committing many sins. This type of person has exposed themselves to having their sin remembered and mentioned by others.

For another thing, they may have been seeking to boast and show how “bold” they are and thus they in effect challenge Allah ta’aala and disrespect His right of obedience and the rights of the believers whose well being is affected.

Finally, it may also be that such a person is attempting to get others to mention their secret sins as well thus encouraging the spread of evil. Such people bring not only blame on themselves but are also deserving of punishment from Allah.
Keep in mind that this is regarding the one who merely announced what was done in secret that was previously known only to them and Allah. How about the one who openly commits the sin for all to see? How much more impact does openly committing sin have upon the weak of faith and understanding than the mere mention of a sin that may or may not have really taken place?
It is a common ritual for youth to brag about the wrongs they do that they can appear “cool” in the sight of schoolmates. The worse, or more daring the tale, the better. The same thing actually continues throughout life but on different levels. It may only grow worse as they get older because the things which were often merely fantasies of youth, became the realities of adulthood largely because they were made to seem so appealing to them when younger.

He to Whom the kingdom of the heavens and the earth belongs. He does not have a son and He has no partner in the Kingdom. He created everything and determined it most exactly. (Qur’an, 25:2)

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Hope Until The Very End

One day, as Ali bin Abi Taalib and al-Hussain bin Ali were walking together, they heard a man supplicating to Allah. The man was begging Allah to forgive him for his evil crimes. His sincere tone and eloquent words aroused the interest of Ali, who turned to his son and said, “Do you not hear the man who is so very contrite because of his sins? Go catch up with him and call him.”

When al-Hussain caught up with the man, he saw that he was clean-looking, clean-smelling, with nice clothes and altogether handsome- except that he seemed to be paralyzed on the right side of his body. Al-Hussaid said, “Answer the summons of the Leader of the believers, Ali bin Abu Taalib.”

Dragging his right side, the man followed al-Hussain back to where Ali was waiting for them.

“Who are you and what is your story,” asked Ali.

“My story is that of a man who did not fulfill the rights of others and is now being punished for that,” said the man.

“And what is your name?” asked Ali.

“Munaazil bin Laahiq,” said the man.

“And what is your story?” asked Ali.

“I was famous among the Arabs for my frivolous and sinful exploits. Merciful and kind, my father would constantly admonish me and advise me to mend my ways. He would remind me of Allah’s punishment, saying, ‘My son, do not go against He who punishes with the Hell-fire!’ When he would persist in advising me, I felt his voice grating on my nerves. I would get so frustrated that I would beat him with harsh blows. In response to my blows, he one day said, ‘By Allah, I will fast without breaking my fast and I will pray without stopping to sleep.’ He fasted for an entire week, but seeing no change in my behavior, he climbed a camel and set off to perform Hajj. His parting words were, ‘I am going to the House of Allah, and there I will seek help from Allah against you.’ When he reached Makkah, he embraced the curtain of the Kaa’ba and supplicated against me, asking Allah to make me paralyzed on one side of my body. By the One Who raised the sky and sends down the rain, no sooner did my father finish his supplication than I became paralyzed on my right side, which became like a piece of wood. Anyone that would then pass by me would point to me and say, ‘Allah answered his father’s supplication against him.’”

“What did your father do then?” asked Ali.

“O Leader of the Believers, after he became pleased with me, I asked him to go back and invoke Allah on my behalf. He agreed to do so. I walked alongside him as he rode on his camel, until we reached a place called the Valley of Arak. When we reached there, a group of birds flew away from a tree, their sudden movement frightened the camel. As the camel raced off in a state of fright, my father fell off it and died.”

It was certainly late for the man, but not too late, and so Ali advised him to continue to supplicate and to repent for his past misdeeds. Ali then parted from the man, but before leaving him, he taught him the supplication that a person in distress should say.

There is hope until the very end. We should never give up.

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39 Signs Of Qayamat

39 Signs Of Qayamat (Destruction Of Heavens and Earth)

As we look at this article we realize how true the Messenger (P.B.U.H) was these signs were prophesized 1400 years ago!!!
Take a look…. Now this is scary but might be TRUE! You decide!
When these signs will appear then The Qayamat (Destruction) is very near.

1. Camels will no longer be used as a means of transport.
2. People will ride on saddles that aren’t saddles (cars?)
3. The distance on earth will become short.
4. Horses will not be used in wars.
5. Muslims will defeat the Byzantines which will end with the conquest of Constantinople(Istanbul).
6. The Jews will gather again to live in Bilad Canaan.
7. Very tall buildings will be built.
8. The disappearance of knowledge and the appearance of ignorance, with much killing.
9. Adultery will become widespread, and the drinking of wine will become common.
10. The number of men will decrease and the number of women will increase until there are 50 women to be looked after by one man.
11. Islam will become worn out like clothes are, until no one will know what fasting, prayer, charity and rituals are.
12. Allah will send a disease to fornicators that will have no cure (Aids?).
13. People will begin to believe in the stars and reject AL QADAR (THE DIVINE DECREE OF DESTINY).
14. Men will pass by people’s graves and say: ‘Would that I was in his place’; (large amount of suicidal deaths?)
15. The Euphrates will uncover a mountain of gold for which people will fight over (the river of Alfurat that lies near Syria).
16. Two large groups of people will fight one another, and there will be many casualties; they will both be following the same religion (World War II?).
17. Approximately 30 DAJJALS will appear, each one claiming to be the
    messenger of ALLAH.
18. Earthquakes will increase.
19. Time will pass quickly.
20. Afflictions will appear.
21. Killing will increase.
22. Wealth will increase.
23. Women will be wearing clothes but not wearing clothes.
24. When any gain is shared out only among the rich, with no benefit to the poor.
25. When a trust becomes a means of making profit.
26. When paying ZAKKAT becomes a burden.
27. When voices are raised in the mosque.
28. When the leader of a people is the worst of them.
29. When people treat a man with respect because what he may do.
30. When much wine is drunk; red wind or the earth swallow them, or to be transformed into animals.
31. ‘IMRAN IBN HUSAYN SAID: ‘THE PROPHET (AS) SAID, ‘SOME PEOPLE OF THIS UMMAH WILL BE SWALLOWED BY THE EARTH, TRANSFORMED INTO ANIMALS, AND SOME WILL BE BOMBARDED WITH STONES’. ONE OF THE MUSLIMS ASKED, WHEN WILL THAT BE O MESSENGER Of ALLAH?’ HE SAID,
    ‘WHEN SINGERS AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WILL BECOME POPULAR AND MUCH WINE IS DRUNK.”
32. THE GREATER SIGNS OF THE HOUR The Quran will disappear in one night, even from the people’s hearts, and no Ayyah will be left on earth. (Some groups of old people will be left who will say: ‘We heard of fathers’ saying ‘LAILLAHA ILLA ALLAH’ so we repeat it)
33. The appearance of the MAHDI.
34. The appearance of the DAJJAL (Anti Christ).
35. The appearance of Ya’juj and Ma’juj (biblical Gog and Magog).
36. Isa (Jesus) will come during the time of Dajjal.
37. The rising of the sun from the west.
38. The destruction of the Ka’ba and the recovery of its treasures.
39. The smoke.

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Significant Days of the Islamic Calendar - 2008

Thursday, 10 January 2008
1st Muharram (Islamic New Year)
1 Muharram 1429

Saturday, 19 January 2008
Day of Ashura
10 Muharram 1429

Friday, 21 March 2008
Birth of Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him)
12 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1429

Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Laylatul-Me’raj - Eve
27 Rajab 1429

Saturday, 16 August 2008
Laylatul-Bara’ah - Eve
15 Sha’baan 1429

Monday, 01 September 2008
1st Ramadaan (Commencement of Fasting)
1 Ramadaan 1429

Wednesday, 01 October 2008
Eid-ul-Fitr (Termination of Fasting)
1 Shawwal 1429

Monday, 08 December 2008
Eid-ul-Adha (Day of Sacrifice)
10 Zul-Hijjah 1429

Monday, 29 December 2008
1st Muharram (Islamic New Year)
1 Muharram 1430

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Importance of Dua (Prayer, Asking From God)

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said:
“Whoever does not ask from Allah, He (Allah) becomes angry at him.”
(An authentic Hadeeth reported by Ibn Majah, At-Tirmidhi, Al-Haakim and others)

In the previously quoted saying of the Prophet (PBUH), there is proof that the supplication means requesting something from Allah, through which His Contentment is attained. This is since not asking from Allah out of pride and self-dependence is not permissible with respect to the Self-sufficient, the Most Praiseworthy.
A poet took the meaning of this Hadith and put it into poetic form saying:

“Allah becomes angry when you abandon asking Him, while the Son of Adam becomes angry, when you ask him for something.”

Therefore, Allah loves from His servants that they ask Him and that they turn towards Him and that they manifest their destitution and lowliness in front of Him. And He has made it a duty upon Himself to not send them back disappointed and empty-handed, as His Messenger (PBUH) has informed us:

“There is not a Muslim upon the earth that calls to Allah with a supplication except that Allah gives it to him or He removes some evil of equal proportion from him as long as he doesn’t supplicate for something sinful or to sever family ties.”
So a man amongst the people said:
“What if we ask numerous requests?”
He (PBUH) said:
“Allah is Akthar (Able to respond to numerous requests).”
(Sahih Kitaab Al-Adhkaar wa Da’eefihi (1223/920 & 1224/961)

In this is a sufficient clarification of the fact that Allah guarantees the answering of the supplications. This is however, according to its conditions. Thus, we shall go into details with the discussion concerning it, its description, its conditions, its proper time and place and its etiquettes, as well as what invalidates it.

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Socialism In Islam

The Muslim is Friendly And Likeable

The Muslim who truly understands the teachings of his religion; is gentle, friendly and likeable. He mixes with people and gets along with them. This is something which should be a characteristic of the Muslim who understands that keeping in touch with people and earning their trust is one of the most important duties of the Muslim. It is an effective means of conveying the message of truth to them, and exposing them to its moral values, because people only listen to those whom they like, trust and accept. Hence there are many Hadiths which commend the type of person who is friendly and liked by others. Such a person is one of those chosen ones who are beloved by the Prophet (PBUH) and will be closest to him on the Day of Resurrection:

“Shall I not tell you who among you is the most beloved to me and will be closest to me on the Day of Resurrection?” He repeated it two or three times, and they said,
‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah (PBUH).’ He said:
“Those of you who are the best in attitude and character.”
(Reported by Ahmad and its Isnad is Jayyid).
Some reports add:
“Those who are down to earth and humble, who get along with others and with whom others feel comfortable.”

One of the attributes of the believer is that he gets along with others and others feel comfortable with him. He likes people and they like him. If he is not like this, then he will not be able to convey the message or achieve anything of significance. Whoever is like that has no goodness in him, as in the Hadith:

“The believer gets along with people and they feel comfortable with him. There is no goodness in the one who does not get along with people and with whom they do not feel comfortable.”
(Reported by Ahmad and al-Bazar; the men of Ahmad’s Isnad are Rijal as-Sahih)

The Prophet (PBUH) set the highest example of good behaviour towards people. He was skillful in softening their hearts and called them to follow him in word and deed. He demonstrated how to reach people’s hearts and win their love and admiration. He was always cheerful and easy-going and never harsh. When he came to any gathering, he would sit wherever there was a free space, and he told others to do likewise. He treated everyone equally, so that no one who was present in a gathering would feel that anyone else was receiving preferential treatment. If anyone came to him and asked for something, he would give it to them, or at least respond with kind words. His good attitude extended to everyone and he was like a father to them. The people gathered around him were truly equal, distinguished only by their level of taqwa. They were humble, respecting their elders, showing compassion to young ones, giving priority to those in need and taking care of strangers.

The Prophet (PBUH) never used to disappoint anyone who came to ask from him. There are three characteristics that he did not possess:

1. He was not argumentative.
2. He did not talk too much.
3. He did not concern himself with matters that were not his business.

There are three things that he never did to people:

1. He never criticized anyone, he never said “Shame on you!” to anyone. 
2. He never looked for anyone’s faults.
3. He never said anything but that for which he hoped to earn reward.

When he spoke, the people around him would listen earnestly, sitting still as if there were birds on their heads. When he was silent, then they would speak. They never argued with one another in his presence. They would smile at whatever he smiled at, and would be impressed by whatever impressed him. He would be patient with a stranger who might be harsh in his requests or questions, and his Companions would ask the stranger to speak gently.

He said, “If you see someone in need, then help him.” He never accepted praise except from someone who was thanking him for a favour, and he never cut off anyone who was speaking; he would wait until the person indicated that he had finished, or stood up.
Aishah tells us that he used to be cautious of the worst type of people, and he would speak gently to them and treat them well. A man sought permission to enter upon him and he said, “Let him in, what a bad brother of his tribe he is!” When the man came in, he spoke gently to him. Aishah said: ‘O Messenger of Allah (PBUH), you said what you said, and then you spoke gently to him.’ He (PBUH) said, “O Aishah, the worst of people is the one whom people avoid (or are gentle towards) because they fear his slander.” (Bukhari and Muslim). The true Muslim follows in the footsteps of his Prophet in his dealings with all people, whether they are good or bad, so that he is liked and accepted by all people.

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Pillars of Islam

Abdullah bin Umar (Radhi Allaho anho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Prophet Muhammad, Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) saying: Islam is founded on five pillars

1. Bearing witness that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam, Peace be upon him) is His servant and apostle (Prophet)
2. Establishment of Salaat (Prayer)
3. Paying of Zakaat
4. Performance of Hajj
5. Fasting in Ramadhan

These are five pillars of Islam. It means; for muslims these five elements are essential and without these nobody can cliam to be a muslim.

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Excellence of Good Hopes

Allah, the Exalted, says:
“And the man who believed said: … and my affair I leave it to Allah. Verily, Allah is the All-Seer of (His) slaves.’ So Allah saved him from the evils that they plotted (against him)”. (40:44,45)

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,
“Allah says: ‘I am just as My slave thinks of Me when he remembers Me.’ By Allah! Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than one of you who unexpectedly finds in the desert his lost camel. He who comes closer to Me one span, I come closer to him a cubit; and he who comes closer to Me a cubit, I come closer to him a fathom; and if he comes to Me walking, I come to him running”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

This Hadith highlights the merits of expecting good treatment of Allah. But this has to be backed by good actions, in the same way as one can hope for good results after ploughing and sowing seeds. It is obvious that one who accomplishes good deeds will expect good consequences, and one who does evil deeds will expect evil consequences. Allah will treat people according to their expectation that are founded on their actions, and the reward will match their deeds.

Jabir bin Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
I heard the Prophet (PBUH) saying three days before he passed away:
“Let none of you die unless he has good expectations from Allah”. [Muslim].

This Hadith also tells us that one should always perform good deeds because no one knows the time of his death. At the time of death one must entertain hope for Allah’s Pardon and Mercy which cannot be possible without good actions. Thus, this Hadith conveys the same meanings of the following Ayah:
“And die not except in a state of Islam (as Muslims)”. (3:102).

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,
“Allah, the Exalted, has said:
‘O son of adam, I forgive you as long as you pray to Me and hope for My forgiveness, whatever sins you have committed. O son of  ‘Adam, I do not care if your sins reach the height of the heaven, then you ask for my forgiveness, I would forgive you. O son of  ‘Adam, if you come to Me with an earth load of sins, and meet Me associating nothing to Me, I would match it with an earthload of forgiveness.”’ [At-Tirmidhi]

• What it really means is that if sins of a Muslim, committed in ignorance and carelessness, become so numerous that in stacks touch the heights of skies, he should not lose hope in Allah’s Mercy when he thinks of repentance. If he repents wholeheartedly for his sins, makes penitence for them and begs Allah’s forgiveness, he will certainly find Allah’s Mercy open for him.
• Shirk (polytheism) is an absolutely unpardonable sin. All other sins, how many and how grave they may be, can be forgiven by Allah. He will pardon them if He likes (because of any good deed performed by him) and send the sinful persons straight to Jannah, or keep them for a while in Hell and then shift them to Jannah (Still punishment will be long and unbearable). In any case, the punishment of Hell will not be eternal for them, as it is for the Mushriks (polytheist).

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Why Read Quran! When We Cant Understand A Word In Arabic?

An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quran. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.

One day the grandson asked, ‘Grandpa! I try to read the Quran just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur’an do?’

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, ‘Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.’

The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, ‘You’ll have to move a little faster next time,’ and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.

The old man said, ‘I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You’re just not trying hard enough,’ and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when   he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, ‘See Grandpa, it’s useless!’

‘So you think it is useless?’ The old man said, ‘Look at the basket.’

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.

‘Son, that’s what happens when you read the Qur’an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives.’

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Method Of Istikhara For Muslims - Get Help For Some Decision

Istikhara

This is a special term in religion Islam. If any muslim wants to have guidence about some matter or wants to take decision about something but he is confused and does not know what to do then he is advised to ask help from God by this special way. For this he can offer 2-Rakaat Nawafil Prayer and then ask from God in prayer for His help about that matter and ask Him to guide about that matter. This is important that the cause must be good and for benefit of him or other humans. He will be guided in dream or he will be indicated by some means about that matter that what to do.

I have two documents in this regard relating full instruction and method. Instruction is in Urdu and Arabic. Click at images to read the exact way to do it.

  

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