QUESTION
What is the position of celebrating New Year's Day in the Shariah?
ANSWER
The first of January is the first day of the new year of the Gregorian calendar. It is interesting to note the beginnings of New Year's Day and what customs were associated with it. The World Book Encyclopaedia states:
"The Roman ruler Julius Caesar established January 1 as New Year's Day in 46 B.C. The Romans dedicated this day to Janus, the god of gates, doors and beginnings. January was named after Janus, who had two faces - one looking forward and the other looking backward.
The early Romans gave each other New Year's gifts of branches from sacred trees. In later times, they gave coins, imprinted with pictures of Janus, or gold covered nuts."
Thus it is evident that, similar to Christmas, the Gregorian New Year itself and the celebrations that go with it have its basis on baatil religious customs. Therefore a Muslim and New Year's celebrations should be light years apart.
JAHILIYYA
This should not be treated lightly. Allah Ta'ala declares: "You regard it as trivial whereas by Allah it is serious." It is reported that when Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) came to Madinatul Munawwara, he found the people celebrating on two days of the year which were celebrated from the days of jahiliyya (ignorance). Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) forbade them from celebrating on these two days and declared: "Allah Ta'ala has given you two better days in return for it — Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adha" (Mishkaat).
Perhaps somebody may label this prohibition of participating in these kuffaar celebrations (and wishing them "Merry Christmas" etc.) as fanaticism. Indeed, every true Muslim is fanatical about safeguarding himself from kufr and shirk or anything that has even a slight association with them. It is the dictates of our Imaan that we totally shun all things that are associated with kufr and shirk. May Allah Ta'ala keep us firm and steadfast on Imaan and save us from anything that has even the slightest association with kufr and shirk at all times. Aameen.
Al Haadi, Volume 6 - Issue 4
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Not our Christmas & New Year!
Salams
No doubt some of you reading this will be on holidays from work or education. I'm hoping that you are using this long break constructively and not just sitting in front of 'the box' watching films and seasonal rubbish (most TV is rubbish anyway!). Inshallah, I'll be able to use this time to get down to some serious arabic studies and doing a few other personal career related bits which I have been putting off for some weeks now. Other desks in the office are littered with Christmas card, thankfully I only got 2 and they are not/ will not go on display. Nobody has asked me about cards, but I did mention to one person that I dont celebrate christmas so maybe word caught on!
As a follow on to the article I posted about MY brother Yasir Muttalib, please visit this link for an update. http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&xml=/news/2004/12/21/nabdel21.xml
I say MY brother Yasir because as we read this we should realise he is our brother, due to the fact that from the Hadith we see: In their love, kindness and compassion for each other, the believers are like a human body: when one part of it is hurt, the rests sympathizes with it in wakefulness and fever (Bukhari, Muslim).
Whilst on the subject I must say that muslims have become too tight to even say Salams to their fellow muslim. We should offer salams whether we know the person or not.
It has been narrated from Hazrat Ali that the Holy Prophet said, "Commonly in Islam there are six rights of a Muslim upon a Muslim: when he meets him he should give him salaam; when he invites him (to a meal) he should accept it; when he sneezes he should bless him; when he falls ill he should visit him; when he dies he should accompany his funeral and he should prefer for him that which he prefers for himself."
In Imaam Ahmad’s narration there is, "The closest to Allah, the most glorious and eminent one, from amongst all the people is the one who commences salaam."
Narrated by Saalim that the Holy Prophet said, "He who says Assalaamu Alaikum (Peace be upon you) ten rewards are written down for him, and he who says Assalaamu Alaikum wa rahmatullah (Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy) for him twenty rewards are written down and he who says Assalaamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh (Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessing) thirty rewards are written down (for him)."
Inshallah, if we start/ continue to practise upon Salam in abundance we will also create a love, unity and a deep bond with our muslim community.
Remember me in your duahs.
Wasalams
PS If you have comments then use the comments link below to leave them!
No doubt some of you reading this will be on holidays from work or education. I'm hoping that you are using this long break constructively and not just sitting in front of 'the box' watching films and seasonal rubbish (most TV is rubbish anyway!). Inshallah, I'll be able to use this time to get down to some serious arabic studies and doing a few other personal career related bits which I have been putting off for some weeks now. Other desks in the office are littered with Christmas card, thankfully I only got 2 and they are not/ will not go on display. Nobody has asked me about cards, but I did mention to one person that I dont celebrate christmas so maybe word caught on!
As a follow on to the article I posted about MY brother Yasir Muttalib, please visit this link for an update. http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&xml=/news/2004/12/21/nabdel21.xml
I say MY brother Yasir because as we read this we should realise he is our brother, due to the fact that from the Hadith we see: In their love, kindness and compassion for each other, the believers are like a human body: when one part of it is hurt, the rests sympathizes with it in wakefulness and fever (Bukhari, Muslim).
Whilst on the subject I must say that muslims have become too tight to even say Salams to their fellow muslim. We should offer salams whether we know the person or not.
It has been narrated from Hazrat Ali that the Holy Prophet said, "Commonly in Islam there are six rights of a Muslim upon a Muslim: when he meets him he should give him salaam; when he invites him (to a meal) he should accept it; when he sneezes he should bless him; when he falls ill he should visit him; when he dies he should accompany his funeral and he should prefer for him that which he prefers for himself."
In Imaam Ahmad’s narration there is, "The closest to Allah, the most glorious and eminent one, from amongst all the people is the one who commences salaam."
Narrated by Saalim that the Holy Prophet said, "He who says Assalaamu Alaikum (Peace be upon you) ten rewards are written down for him, and he who says Assalaamu Alaikum wa rahmatullah (Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy) for him twenty rewards are written down and he who says Assalaamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh (Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessing) thirty rewards are written down (for him)."
Inshallah, if we start/ continue to practise upon Salam in abundance we will also create a love, unity and a deep bond with our muslim community.
Remember me in your duahs.
Wasalams
PS If you have comments then use the comments link below to leave them!
Saturday, December 11, 2004
New Job...
Salams
Sorry for the delay in posting. Things have been real hectic the past 2 weeks or so. Started my new job, Alhumdulillah, feels great that I dont have to drive so much and that I'm closer to the Masajid now and lots of Muslims!! Jumuah is only a short walk away now, instead of the 25mins drive I used to make before.
It has its downs as well tho...its strange watching some of the younger generation sinning so openly and carelessly, may Allah guide us all.
Online Arabic classes started this morning, had to be awake and at the PC at 6am...what a rude shock to the system. I was absolutely starved as well after the 3 hour session, I could've gone down for a snack during the break but decided against it so as not to wake anybody else in the family. Check this...I gotta be on the PC at 5am tomorrow(Sunday), hmmmm not looking forward to that but inshallah the fact that I'm increasing Ilm to benefit my imaan motivates me.
Anyways back to the new job, I got asked to the pub for lunch, said no straight off and the guy seemed to understand pretty swiftly as to why, without even my having to explain. I just hope they smart enough to realise that as well as not handing out Christmas cards, I don't want to receive any. Click here to read some of the many articles about Christmas and Muslims.
You will have noticed that I have updated the look of my Blog. Let me have your comments if you have any suggestions/ ideas/ criticism. I have updated the RealPlayer talk to 'Music & Backtracking'. Although its a long talk please please have a listen as its an area I think muslims really need to address. Shaykh Rashid Karolia has done a lot of research and work in this area so do pay attention to what he has to say. The S African accent is top as well. I'll leave this talk on for several weeks seeing as it is a unusually long one. [edit 16/12/2005 SO YOU WONT FIND THE TALK ON HERE NOW BUT GO TO THIS SITE Darulislam Blog AND INSHALLAH YOU WILL FIND IT THERE.]
Anyhow, Isha azaan is being called out as I type so I end with this hadith.
The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, "Allah is more deserving of one's shyness than people are." [Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, and others]
Remember me in your Duahs.
WS
Sorry for the delay in posting. Things have been real hectic the past 2 weeks or so. Started my new job, Alhumdulillah, feels great that I dont have to drive so much and that I'm closer to the Masajid now and lots of Muslims!! Jumuah is only a short walk away now, instead of the 25mins drive I used to make before.
It has its downs as well tho...its strange watching some of the younger generation sinning so openly and carelessly, may Allah guide us all.
Online Arabic classes started this morning, had to be awake and at the PC at 6am...what a rude shock to the system. I was absolutely starved as well after the 3 hour session, I could've gone down for a snack during the break but decided against it so as not to wake anybody else in the family. Check this...I gotta be on the PC at 5am tomorrow(Sunday), hmmmm not looking forward to that but inshallah the fact that I'm increasing Ilm to benefit my imaan motivates me.
Anyways back to the new job, I got asked to the pub for lunch, said no straight off and the guy seemed to understand pretty swiftly as to why, without even my having to explain. I just hope they smart enough to realise that as well as not handing out Christmas cards, I don't want to receive any. Click here to read some of the many articles about Christmas and Muslims.
You will have noticed that I have updated the look of my Blog. Let me have your comments if you have any suggestions/ ideas/ criticism. I have updated the RealPlayer talk to 'Music & Backtracking'. Although its a long talk please please have a listen as its an area I think muslims really need to address. Shaykh Rashid Karolia has done a lot of research and work in this area so do pay attention to what he has to say. The S African accent is top as well. I'll leave this talk on for several weeks seeing as it is a unusually long one. [edit 16/12/2005 SO YOU WONT FIND THE TALK ON HERE NOW BUT GO TO THIS SITE Darulislam Blog AND INSHALLAH YOU WILL FIND IT THERE.]
Anyhow, Isha azaan is being called out as I type so I end with this hadith.
The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, "Allah is more deserving of one's shyness than people are." [Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, and others]
Remember me in your Duahs.
WS
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Latest News...
Salams
Slightly later than I had hoped to post this but better late than never!
I read this article yesterday and it made me feel so sad for this brother of ours that was beaten for no reason at all. http://www.guardian.co.uk/race/story/0,11374,1362326,00.html?gusrc=rss May Allah reward him well and grant him Jannah for his devotion and to remain fearless for adopting sunnah dress despite being made aware of some possible danger.
Whilst on 'Safar' over the past few days I was really really pleased that Ma'shallah bookstores, restaurants and takeaways are making room/ space available for muslims to be able to go and perform their salah. We should all make efforts to encourage others and ourselves to make such facilities available for muslims, so that should they need to perform their salah they are able to do so. Inshallah, those who provide for muslims in this way will also be rewarded and a bond of love will be created/ strengthened in the muslim community.
Cliffhanger
There was this man that wanted to climb this very high mountain however he wanted to do it by himself as he wanted all the fame and glory for himself so he started to climb this mountain very early that morning and he climbed and climbed the entire day passed and night began to fall and he still kept on climbing . just as he was about to reach the top he fell , fell and fell.As he was falling he seen his life passing him buy just as he reached 2 feet from the ground the rope caught him and he was so afraid and terrified that he screamed out loud "Allah please help me"
A Malaaikah came down and said to him do you really think that Allah can help you?
''Yes'' replied the man, '' I do
''The Malaaikah says Allah commands you to cut the rope.The man was very suprised and shocked at the same time as the Malaaikah repeated himself Allah commands you to cut the rope, the man was terrified and tied the rope tighter around his waist. A story is told of a rescue team that found a man dead hanging 2 feet from the ground.
How tight are your ropes? Do you trust Allah enough to come to your rescue when you need it most , would you cut your ropes if Allah commanded you to?
I have added some links to the site which will give you access to lots & lots of links/ information especially on subject of Islam...Go on, take a look!!
Inshallah my next post will be longer.
Duah ma yhad
WS
Slightly later than I had hoped to post this but better late than never!
I read this article yesterday and it made me feel so sad for this brother of ours that was beaten for no reason at all. http://www.guardian.co.uk/race/story/0,11374,1362326,00.html?gusrc=rss May Allah reward him well and grant him Jannah for his devotion and to remain fearless for adopting sunnah dress despite being made aware of some possible danger.
Whilst on 'Safar' over the past few days I was really really pleased that Ma'shallah bookstores, restaurants and takeaways are making room/ space available for muslims to be able to go and perform their salah. We should all make efforts to encourage others and ourselves to make such facilities available for muslims, so that should they need to perform their salah they are able to do so. Inshallah, those who provide for muslims in this way will also be rewarded and a bond of love will be created/ strengthened in the muslim community.
Cliffhanger
There was this man that wanted to climb this very high mountain however he wanted to do it by himself as he wanted all the fame and glory for himself so he started to climb this mountain very early that morning and he climbed and climbed the entire day passed and night began to fall and he still kept on climbing . just as he was about to reach the top he fell , fell and fell.As he was falling he seen his life passing him buy just as he reached 2 feet from the ground the rope caught him and he was so afraid and terrified that he screamed out loud "Allah please help me"
A Malaaikah came down and said to him do you really think that Allah can help you?
''Yes'' replied the man, '' I do
''The Malaaikah says Allah commands you to cut the rope.The man was very suprised and shocked at the same time as the Malaaikah repeated himself Allah commands you to cut the rope, the man was terrified and tied the rope tighter around his waist. A story is told of a rescue team that found a man dead hanging 2 feet from the ground.
How tight are your ropes? Do you trust Allah enough to come to your rescue when you need it most , would you cut your ropes if Allah commanded you to?
I have added some links to the site which will give you access to lots & lots of links/ information especially on subject of Islam...Go on, take a look!!
Inshallah my next post will be longer.
Duah ma yhad
WS
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Left work!
So I finally manage to leave work...more persuasive attempts by the boss on the last couple of days but I was now determined moreso than ever. Felt great this weekend knowing that I didnt need to go back to work on monday! I've got almost 2 weeks before I start my new job...hope it goes well.
Actually leaving my old workplace made me realise how in some discreet ways we become attached to worldly things and people. As an example, if we had to move to another job with singnificantly less pay than the current job but our islam would be bettered, how many of us would really be willing to do this?? Try and picture it in your mind...its harder than you think, the nafs is no doubt whispering all manner of reasons for not doing so.
By comparison we should take a look at just some of the selfless sacrfices the Companions of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) made and we will surely realise how ours pale into comparison and far from Islam we are. We eally do need to take a good look at the life of the Last Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the companions to try & understand how much we owe them, then take a look at how much (or little) we do to show our gratitude.
Abu Ayyoub reported that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said "Whoever fasts the month of Ramadhan and then follows it by fasting six days during the month of Shawwal will be rewarded as if he had fasted the entire year. [Muslim, at-Tirmithi, Ibn Majah, Abu Dawood and Ahmad by way of Jabir].
These days can be anytime during the month of Shawwal except the first day because it is unlawful to fast the day of Eid. These days do not have to be at beginning of the month nor do they have to be consecutive. Hence, Muslims should seize this opportunity and fast these six days to get Allah's reward.
Pls find a space to mention me in your duahs.
PS if you can't see the realplayer or Windows Media player on the left it means you need to install them I think.
Actually leaving my old workplace made me realise how in some discreet ways we become attached to worldly things and people. As an example, if we had to move to another job with singnificantly less pay than the current job but our islam would be bettered, how many of us would really be willing to do this?? Try and picture it in your mind...its harder than you think, the nafs is no doubt whispering all manner of reasons for not doing so.
By comparison we should take a look at just some of the selfless sacrfices the Companions of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) made and we will surely realise how ours pale into comparison and far from Islam we are. We eally do need to take a good look at the life of the Last Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the companions to try & understand how much we owe them, then take a look at how much (or little) we do to show our gratitude.
Abu Ayyoub reported that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said "Whoever fasts the month of Ramadhan and then follows it by fasting six days during the month of Shawwal will be rewarded as if he had fasted the entire year. [Muslim, at-Tirmithi, Ibn Majah, Abu Dawood and Ahmad by way of Jabir].
These days can be anytime during the month of Shawwal except the first day because it is unlawful to fast the day of Eid. These days do not have to be at beginning of the month nor do they have to be consecutive. Hence, Muslims should seize this opportunity and fast these six days to get Allah's reward.
Pls find a space to mention me in your duahs.
PS if you can't see the realplayer or Windows Media player on the left it means you need to install them I think.
Sunday, November 14, 2004
Salams
Salams
I decided to set up this site so peeps know whats going on at a certain point in time with me.
The increasing number of emails makes it difficult to spend the time required to give detailed responses to each individual. I hope also that others can learn from my experiences that I relate as to how not to/ how to deal with a particular situation.
This past week has seen the end of Ramadan (feel sad the blessed month has passed by so quick) and I only have a few more days left at work before I leave. My manager asked me if I really wanted to leave...this time I cheekily asked him for a reason to stay. He offered more money but I said hmmmm...NO. I realised the Ramadan before last that time is very very precious, and that though its been fun driving 40 mins to work for nearly the last 4 years, I need to be closer to home now and definitely closer to a mosque.
Anyway, I found my card to the islamic library and so borrowed AAP BEETI which is the biography of Shaykul Hadeeth Maulana Zakariyyah. I have only been able to read a portion of it, and its totally amazing. If you cant get hold of a copy of the book then listen to this talk about the Shaykh Life Haz Sheikh by Ibrahim Memon.
May Allah accept the efforts of all the muslims of the month of Ramadan and may He make us better muslims as result.
WS
I decided to set up this site so peeps know whats going on at a certain point in time with me.
The increasing number of emails makes it difficult to spend the time required to give detailed responses to each individual. I hope also that others can learn from my experiences that I relate as to how not to/ how to deal with a particular situation.
This past week has seen the end of Ramadan (feel sad the blessed month has passed by so quick) and I only have a few more days left at work before I leave. My manager asked me if I really wanted to leave...this time I cheekily asked him for a reason to stay. He offered more money but I said hmmmm...NO. I realised the Ramadan before last that time is very very precious, and that though its been fun driving 40 mins to work for nearly the last 4 years, I need to be closer to home now and definitely closer to a mosque.
Anyway, I found my card to the islamic library and so borrowed AAP BEETI which is the biography of Shaykul Hadeeth Maulana Zakariyyah. I have only been able to read a portion of it, and its totally amazing. If you cant get hold of a copy of the book then listen to this talk about the Shaykh Life Haz Sheikh by Ibrahim Memon.
May Allah accept the efforts of all the muslims of the month of Ramadan and may He make us better muslims as result.
WS
Monday, November 01, 2004
Links
This is a page of Links from exchange partners.
I am no longer adding links here but at the 'More Islamic Links' site given below. You can request using comments here to have your link added there. In return, all I ask is that you include a link back to http://www.ahmed2004uk.blogspot.com/, to help in pushing islamic awareness and education across the internet. Sites that drop their link to this site, or else change their content to promote hate, violence or non islamic etiquette will have their link removed.
Jazakallah.
I am no longer adding links here but at the 'More Islamic Links' site given below. You can request using comments here to have your link added there. In return, all I ask is that you include a link back to http://www.ahmed2004uk.blogspot.com/, to help in pushing islamic awareness and education across the internet. Sites that drop their link to this site, or else change their content to promote hate, violence or non islamic etiquette will have their link removed.
Jazakallah.
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