A gem is not polished without friction,
nor a man perfected without trials.
Chinese proverb
Monday, July 31, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Changing Sins to Virtue
Moulana Rumi (r.a.) states that Allah has kept the ability to sin as well as the ability to do good within man. He gives an example that when the sun shines on cow dung that lies in the forest, it becomes dry. Then the baker places it in the oven where it becomes completely red and makes the oven red. The baker is now able to bake roti (bread). The dung became dry and pure, then it became red in the fire. Now it was used for baking roti as well as giving light.
Who granted it this benefit? A mere creation of Allah, the sun, produced this effect that it made cow dung clean.
The Effect of the Sun on Impurities
The rays of the sun dried up the liquid part of the dung and converted it into fertilizer. This very fertilizer now produces fragrant flowers like the rose and jasmine. Moulana Rumi (r.a.) states that the sun’s rays made one part of the impure dung illuminated in the oven while the other part was converted into flowers. When this is the effect of the sun’s rays, then what will be the effect of Allah’s grace on evil character? What will happen to the urge of sinning that one has? Why will it not change into good character and the desire to worship? Then he recited this verse:
O Allah, Your sun has an effect on apparent impurities.
And Your general grace does not search for capability.
Had it searched for capability, then the sun in the sky would not have had an effect on impurities. The sun would have said that it was beyond his dignity and honour to have an effect on dung. The sun would have changed its speed.
The Sun of Mercy
When the sun in the sky can convert impurities to fragrant flowers and creating bread in the oven, then what will be the condition of Allah’s sun of grace? When the rays of Allah’s mercy shine on the evil thoughts in the heart, those thoughts are changed to the light of piety. Allah does not require capability or a certificate for giving. When Allah can grant filthy impurities such garments, then what will He be able to give his pure servants. Jalalud-din Rumi (r.a.) is at a loss of vocabulary to express what bounties Allâh grants those who tread His path.
Extract from the teachings of Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb
Who granted it this benefit? A mere creation of Allah, the sun, produced this effect that it made cow dung clean.
The Effect of the Sun on Impurities
The rays of the sun dried up the liquid part of the dung and converted it into fertilizer. This very fertilizer now produces fragrant flowers like the rose and jasmine. Moulana Rumi (r.a.) states that the sun’s rays made one part of the impure dung illuminated in the oven while the other part was converted into flowers. When this is the effect of the sun’s rays, then what will be the effect of Allah’s grace on evil character? What will happen to the urge of sinning that one has? Why will it not change into good character and the desire to worship? Then he recited this verse:
O Allah, Your sun has an effect on apparent impurities.
And Your general grace does not search for capability.
Had it searched for capability, then the sun in the sky would not have had an effect on impurities. The sun would have said that it was beyond his dignity and honour to have an effect on dung. The sun would have changed its speed.
The Sun of Mercy
When the sun in the sky can convert impurities to fragrant flowers and creating bread in the oven, then what will be the condition of Allah’s sun of grace? When the rays of Allah’s mercy shine on the evil thoughts in the heart, those thoughts are changed to the light of piety. Allah does not require capability or a certificate for giving. When Allah can grant filthy impurities such garments, then what will He be able to give his pure servants. Jalalud-din Rumi (r.a.) is at a loss of vocabulary to express what bounties Allâh grants those who tread His path.
Extract from the teachings of Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb
Monday, July 24, 2006
Imam Abu Hanifa
Imam Abu Hanifa was born in Kufa, Iraq in the year 80A.H. He was the son of a Persian merchant and his full name is Nu'man bin Thabit ibn Zauti (more famously known in Islamic History as 'Imam Abu Hanifa' and 'Imam A'zam').
His father - Thabit - was privileged to meet Hazrat Ali (R.A.) who had at the time, made Kufa his capital. Kufa, at the time of the imam, was one the most important learning centres in the Islamic world and was blessed with the presence of over a thousand sahabah at one stage in its history.
Imam Abu Hanifa is himself also a Tabi'ee (One who saw and benefited from at least one Sahabi).
At the age of 20, Imam Abu Hanifa turned his attention towards the pursuit of advancing his Islamic knowledge.
Imam Abu Hanifa benefited from nearly 4,000 Sheikhs. Among his 1st and the most important tutors was Imam Hammad (Died 120 A.H.) whose educational lineage is linked with Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Mas'ood (R.A.). Such was his respect for his tutor, Imam Hammad that Imam Abu Hanifa says; whilst in my home I never even stretched my legs towards the house of my tutor, despite living 7 streets away.
Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A.) had joined his father's business wherein he showed scrupulous honesty and fairness. Once his agent had sold a consignment of silk cloth on his behalf but forgot to mention a slight defect to the customers. When Abu Hanifa learnt of this, he was greatly distressed because he had no means of the refunding the customers; so he immediately ordered the entire proceeds of the sale (30,000 Dirhams ) to be given in charity.
The Imam was also keenly interested in education. He established a school at Kufa, which later became a famous College of Theology. Here he delivered lectures on Islamic Law and related subjects.
Fiqah or Islamic Law was systematically studied by his students under his expert guidance. A large number of his devoted and highly intelligent students worked under him for 30 years, and it is the labour of these students that gave us the Hanafi School of thought.
Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A.) was the 1st of the Imams to advocate the use of "reason" in the consideration of religious questions based on the Qur'an and Sunnah. He was also the 1st Imam to arrange all the subjects of Islamic Law systematically.
His most important work is the Kitab-ul-Aasaar which was compiled by his students - Imam Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad.
In {164 A.H.} 763 A.C. Al-Mansoor - the Banu Abbas Khalifa of the Muslim Empire at Baghdad whose capital was Baghdad - offered Imam Sahib the post of Chief Qadhi of the state, but the Imam declined to accept the post and chose to remain independent. In his reply to Al-Mansoor, the Imam excused himself by saying that he did not regard himself fit for the post offered. Al-Mansoor, who had his own ideas and reasons for offering the post, lost his temper and accused the Imam of lying.
"If I am lying," the Imam said, "then my statement is doubly correct. "How can you appoint a liar to the exalted post of a Chief Qazi?"
Incensed by this reply, Al-Mansoor charged the Imam with contempt, had him arrested and locked in prison.
Even in prison, the Imam continued to teach those who were permitted to come to him.
It was here in prison that the Imam was administered a dose of poison in 150 A.H. Realizing that the end was near, the Imam prostrated in prayer and passed away in this condition in the month of Rajab, 150 A.H.
The news of his death soon spread throughout Baghdad. The whole town came out to pay their last homage to the greatest Imam of Islamic Law. More than 50,000 people participated in the first Janaza Salaat. People continued to flock and before the Janaza could be finally taken for burial, the Salaatul Janaza was offered 6 times in all. For days, people came in large numbers to pay their respects at the grave side.
Source: Imam Abu Hanifa: Haq Islam
His father - Thabit - was privileged to meet Hazrat Ali (R.A.) who had at the time, made Kufa his capital. Kufa, at the time of the imam, was one the most important learning centres in the Islamic world and was blessed with the presence of over a thousand sahabah at one stage in its history.
Imam Abu Hanifa is himself also a Tabi'ee (One who saw and benefited from at least one Sahabi).
At the age of 20, Imam Abu Hanifa turned his attention towards the pursuit of advancing his Islamic knowledge.
Imam Abu Hanifa benefited from nearly 4,000 Sheikhs. Among his 1st and the most important tutors was Imam Hammad (Died 120 A.H.) whose educational lineage is linked with Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Mas'ood (R.A.). Such was his respect for his tutor, Imam Hammad that Imam Abu Hanifa says; whilst in my home I never even stretched my legs towards the house of my tutor, despite living 7 streets away.
Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A.) had joined his father's business wherein he showed scrupulous honesty and fairness. Once his agent had sold a consignment of silk cloth on his behalf but forgot to mention a slight defect to the customers. When Abu Hanifa learnt of this, he was greatly distressed because he had no means of the refunding the customers; so he immediately ordered the entire proceeds of the sale (30,000 Dirhams ) to be given in charity.
The Imam was also keenly interested in education. He established a school at Kufa, which later became a famous College of Theology. Here he delivered lectures on Islamic Law and related subjects.
Fiqah or Islamic Law was systematically studied by his students under his expert guidance. A large number of his devoted and highly intelligent students worked under him for 30 years, and it is the labour of these students that gave us the Hanafi School of thought.
Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A.) was the 1st of the Imams to advocate the use of "reason" in the consideration of religious questions based on the Qur'an and Sunnah. He was also the 1st Imam to arrange all the subjects of Islamic Law systematically.
His most important work is the Kitab-ul-Aasaar which was compiled by his students - Imam Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad.
In {164 A.H.} 763 A.C. Al-Mansoor - the Banu Abbas Khalifa of the Muslim Empire at Baghdad whose capital was Baghdad - offered Imam Sahib the post of Chief Qadhi of the state, but the Imam declined to accept the post and chose to remain independent. In his reply to Al-Mansoor, the Imam excused himself by saying that he did not regard himself fit for the post offered. Al-Mansoor, who had his own ideas and reasons for offering the post, lost his temper and accused the Imam of lying.
"If I am lying," the Imam said, "then my statement is doubly correct. "How can you appoint a liar to the exalted post of a Chief Qazi?"
Incensed by this reply, Al-Mansoor charged the Imam with contempt, had him arrested and locked in prison.
Even in prison, the Imam continued to teach those who were permitted to come to him.
It was here in prison that the Imam was administered a dose of poison in 150 A.H. Realizing that the end was near, the Imam prostrated in prayer and passed away in this condition in the month of Rajab, 150 A.H.
The news of his death soon spread throughout Baghdad. The whole town came out to pay their last homage to the greatest Imam of Islamic Law. More than 50,000 people participated in the first Janaza Salaat. People continued to flock and before the Janaza could be finally taken for burial, the Salaatul Janaza was offered 6 times in all. For days, people came in large numbers to pay their respects at the grave side.
Source: Imam Abu Hanifa: Haq Islam
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Carrying the bier quickly
Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said,
"Carry the bier quickly. If the dead person was righteous, it is good you are advancing him to. If he was other than that, then it is an evil your are removing from your necks." [Agreed upon]
Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said,
"When a body is laid out and the men carry it on their shoulders, if it was righteous, it says, 'Take me forward,' and if it was it not righteous, it says, 'Woe to me, where are you taking it?'' Everything except man hears its voice. If he were to hear it, he would faint." [al-Bukhari]
Source: Ch 158 Riyad as-Salihin
Related posts:
Allah is the Best of all planners
The Funeral
Life is short
"Carry the bier quickly. If the dead person was righteous, it is good you are advancing him to. If he was other than that, then it is an evil your are removing from your necks." [Agreed upon]
Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said,
"When a body is laid out and the men carry it on their shoulders, if it was righteous, it says, 'Take me forward,' and if it was it not righteous, it says, 'Woe to me, where are you taking it?'' Everything except man hears its voice. If he were to hear it, he would faint." [al-Bukhari]
Source: Ch 158 Riyad as-Salihin
Related posts:
Allah is the Best of all planners
The Funeral
Life is short
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
In the court of Allah
Proprietor of Nauratan Jewellers, narrates that once I visited Hazrat Arif-billah Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi ra. I was in hurry, time was running short. I requested for a brief nasiha (advise).
Hazrat ‘Arifi ra told me to always remember the fact that, in the judicial system of this world if you plead guilty you are held responsible and punished. Sometimes fined or even jailed.
Whereas, in the court of Allah SWT if you plead guilty, accept your shortcomings and sins, repent sincerely you are forgiven and set free of the humiliation of any punishment. Moreover you are rewarded in most instances for returning back to Allah SWT.
source: Ashrafiya blog
Hazrat ‘Arifi ra told me to always remember the fact that, in the judicial system of this world if you plead guilty you are held responsible and punished. Sometimes fined or even jailed.
Whereas, in the court of Allah SWT if you plead guilty, accept your shortcomings and sins, repent sincerely you are forgiven and set free of the humiliation of any punishment. Moreover you are rewarded in most instances for returning back to Allah SWT.
source: Ashrafiya blog
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Haq Islam
Assaalam Alaykum,
I would like to just bring to your attention the new site xMuslimahx and I have launched called Haq Islam. Others will also be getting involved in developing the site further insha'Allah, but we have layed down the foundations to begin with. Without saying too much here, you will find on Haq Islam links to authentic Islamic sites, audio, articles and much more insha'Allah.
I would like to say Jazakallah to all those who encouraged, motivated and assisted me in establishing the site and request you all to make dua for them, as well as us. Please add the site to your favourites, your links section of your blog or website and pass the link to others also and share the responsibility with us in pushing Islamic education and awareness online. Jazakallah.
'Our Lord, accept from us (this duty). Definitely You only are the Hearer, the (all) knower.' [surah Baqarah -127]
Wasalam
I would like to just bring to your attention the new site xMuslimahx and I have launched called Haq Islam. Others will also be getting involved in developing the site further insha'Allah, but we have layed down the foundations to begin with. Without saying too much here, you will find on Haq Islam links to authentic Islamic sites, audio, articles and much more insha'Allah.
I would like to say Jazakallah to all those who encouraged, motivated and assisted me in establishing the site and request you all to make dua for them, as well as us. Please add the site to your favourites, your links section of your blog or website and pass the link to others also and share the responsibility with us in pushing Islamic education and awareness online. Jazakallah.
'Our Lord, accept from us (this duty). Definitely You only are the Hearer, the (all) knower.' [surah Baqarah -127]
Wasalam
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Virtues of Visiting the Sick
It is a Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to visit the sick. We should always visit those who are sick because it helps us to reflect and take heed, as those who are ill are close to Allah Ta'ala. We have only to consider that the sick person has no one to call but Allah, nothing to reflect on but Allah, and his condition reminds us of the blessing of health.
Hadrat Abu Moosa (R.A.) reports that the Prophet (pbuh) said, 'Visit the sick, feed the hungry and free the one who is imprisoned (unjustly).' [Sahih Bukhaari]
Hadrat Abu Hurairah (R.A.) reports that the Prophet (pbuh) said, "On the Day of Qiyaamah, Allah Ta'ala will announce: O son of Aadam, I was sick yet you did not visit me. He will reply, 'O Allah, how could I have visited You since you are Rabbul 'aalameen? Allah Ta'ala will say: Did you not know that so and so slave of mine was sick, and yet you did not visit him? Should you have visited him you would have found Me by him. " [Sahih Muslim]
Hadrat Ali (R.A.) reports that the Prophet (pbuh) said, 'When a Muslim visits his sick Muslim brother in the morning, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the evening. And when he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the morning, and he will be granted a garden for it in Jannah.' [Timizi, Abu Dawood]
Hadrat Anas (R.A.) reports that the Prophet (pbuh) said, 'When a person performs a proper wudhu (observing all its etiquette) and then goes to visit his sick Muslim brother with the intention of gaining sawaab, then he will be kept far away from the Fire of Jahannam by a distance equivalent of Sixty years.' [Abu Dawood]
Our Beloved Prophet (pbuh) also said, 'Whoever visits a sick person (for the pleasure of Allah), a Caller from the skies announces: You are indeed blessed and your walking is blessed and you have (by this noble act) built yourself a home in Jannah.' [Ibn Maajah]
Hadrat Ibn Abbaas (R.A.) relates: It is part of the Sunnah that when you visit a sick person, you should shorten your visit to him and make the least amount of noise by him. [Mishkaat]
Once our Prophet (pbuh) said, 'The best type of visit to a sick person is when the visitor gets up to leave without delay.' [Bayhaqi]
If we act upon these simple teachings, then the visitors to a hospital will no longer remain a problem for those who are in charge of the administration of hospitals.
Hadrat Umm Salmah (R.A.) relates that the Prophet (pbuh) said, 'When you visit a sick person or (go to the home of) someone who has died, then speak only what is good, for the angels say 'aameen' to whatever you will say.' [Sahih Muslim]
Hadrat Abu Sa'eed Khudri (R.A.) reports that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, 'When you visit a sick person, speak in a reassuring way to him (about his age and his life).' (For instance, tell him, 'Alhamdulillah, your health has improved' or 'Inshaa Allah you will get better soon.') Saying this will not delay what is predestined, but it will certainly make him feel happy.' [Tirmizi, Ibn Maajah]
Source: Sickness- also a Mercy from Allah
Hadrat Abu Moosa (R.A.) reports that the Prophet (pbuh) said, 'Visit the sick, feed the hungry and free the one who is imprisoned (unjustly).' [Sahih Bukhaari]
Hadrat Abu Hurairah (R.A.) reports that the Prophet (pbuh) said, "On the Day of Qiyaamah, Allah Ta'ala will announce: O son of Aadam, I was sick yet you did not visit me. He will reply, 'O Allah, how could I have visited You since you are Rabbul 'aalameen? Allah Ta'ala will say: Did you not know that so and so slave of mine was sick, and yet you did not visit him? Should you have visited him you would have found Me by him. " [Sahih Muslim]
Hadrat Ali (R.A.) reports that the Prophet (pbuh) said, 'When a Muslim visits his sick Muslim brother in the morning, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the evening. And when he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the morning, and he will be granted a garden for it in Jannah.' [Timizi, Abu Dawood]
Hadrat Anas (R.A.) reports that the Prophet (pbuh) said, 'When a person performs a proper wudhu (observing all its etiquette) and then goes to visit his sick Muslim brother with the intention of gaining sawaab, then he will be kept far away from the Fire of Jahannam by a distance equivalent of Sixty years.' [Abu Dawood]
Our Beloved Prophet (pbuh) also said, 'Whoever visits a sick person (for the pleasure of Allah), a Caller from the skies announces: You are indeed blessed and your walking is blessed and you have (by this noble act) built yourself a home in Jannah.' [Ibn Maajah]
Hadrat Ibn Abbaas (R.A.) relates: It is part of the Sunnah that when you visit a sick person, you should shorten your visit to him and make the least amount of noise by him. [Mishkaat]
Once our Prophet (pbuh) said, 'The best type of visit to a sick person is when the visitor gets up to leave without delay.' [Bayhaqi]
If we act upon these simple teachings, then the visitors to a hospital will no longer remain a problem for those who are in charge of the administration of hospitals.
Hadrat Umm Salmah (R.A.) relates that the Prophet (pbuh) said, 'When you visit a sick person or (go to the home of) someone who has died, then speak only what is good, for the angels say 'aameen' to whatever you will say.' [Sahih Muslim]
Hadrat Abu Sa'eed Khudri (R.A.) reports that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, 'When you visit a sick person, speak in a reassuring way to him (about his age and his life).' (For instance, tell him, 'Alhamdulillah, your health has improved' or 'Inshaa Allah you will get better soon.') Saying this will not delay what is predestined, but it will certainly make him feel happy.' [Tirmizi, Ibn Maajah]
Source: Sickness- also a Mercy from Allah
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Devotion to Allah
A policeman is in the force for 25 years in which no complaints have been filed against him. He arduously carries out his duties until he reaches the status of a sergeant, and in a few years time he will be retiring only to receive a healthy pension. However, one day at a certain police function he arrives without uniform, upon which he is reminded to wear it. After a few hours he is again seen out of uniform and reprimanded. He does not heed and eventually on the third occasion he is fired. After 25 years of service he is considered to be a failure and he is dismissed disgracefully.
Similar is the case of the Muslims of today, who worship Allâh but discard the uniform as they consider it insignificant. Despite being disobedient they still entertain the hope of gaining success and cannot comprehend why they are afflicted with difficulties.
Extract from 'The Road to Success' by Maulana Abrarul Haq Saheb taken from www.jamiat.co.za
Similar is the case of the Muslims of today, who worship Allâh but discard the uniform as they consider it insignificant. Despite being disobedient they still entertain the hope of gaining success and cannot comprehend why they are afflicted with difficulties.
Extract from 'The Road to Success' by Maulana Abrarul Haq Saheb taken from www.jamiat.co.za
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