CHAPTER ON REPENTANCE
20. Abu Sa'id ibn Sa'd ibn Malik ibn Sinan al-Khudri reported that the Prophet of Allah (pbuh) said, "Among those before you there was a man who killed ninety-nine people. He asked who was the most knowledgeable man in the world and was directed to a monk. He went to him and said that he had killed ninety-nine people and was repentance possible for him? The monk said, 'No,' so he killed him and made it a hundred.
Then he again asked who was the most knowledgeable man on earth and was directed to a man of knowledge. He said that he had killed a hundred people, so was repentance possible for him? The man said, 'Yes, who can come between you and repentance? Go to such-and-such a land, where there are some people worshipping Allah Almighty. Worship Allah with them and do not return to your own country. It is an evil place.' So he went and then, when he was half way there, he died. The angels of mercy and angels of punishment started to argue about him. The angels of mercy said, 'He came in repentance, turning with his heart to Allah Almighty.' The angels of punishment said, 'He has not done a single good action.' An angel came in a human form and they appointed him arbitrator between them. He said, 'Measure the distance between the two countries and whichever one he is nearer to, that is the one he belongs to.' They measured and found he was nearer to the land to which he was going, so the angels of mercy took him." [Agreed upon]
In the variant in the Sahih, "He was a hand-span nearer to the virtuous land, so he was put among their people."
In the variant in the Sahih, "Allah revealed to this country to distance itself and that one to come nearer. He said, 'Measure the distance between them,' and they found that he was nearer to the good one by a hand-span and he forgave him."
In one variant, "He was nearer it by a short neck."
Riyad as-Salihin
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Modesty of the Prophet (pbuh)
CHAPTER ON THE MODESTY OF SAYYIDINA RASULULLAH (PBUH)
Modesty plays a special part between the affairs of the creator and the created. It is mentioned in the hadith that when modesty vanishes, do as you please. Every excellence of Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) reached its apex. Whatever chapter is begun, there are no words that can truly describe his qualities. Not a few incidents, but thousands bear testimony to this. Ibn 'Umar (R.A) reports, that Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) did not fix his eyesight on anyone due to his exceeding modesty. He did not look at a person in the eye while meeting him face to face. Imaam Tirmidhi has mentioned two hadith as an example. The 'ulama have written that there are many types of modesty. One is the modesty of graciousness and kindness. For instance when Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) made the walimah of Zaynab (R.A), after eating some people remained there and became busy in discussions. Their sitting made Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) feel uneasy. He sometimes went out and sometimes came inside, because of his modesty he did not ask them to get up. In the Qur-aan Karim before the end of Surah Ahzaab this incident is mentioned. The second type of modesty is that the lover feels bashful for the beloved, even speaking becomes difficult.
The third type is the modesty of devotion, that in worship one feels humbled, and continues to go forward due to the modesty for the creator. The fourth type is to have Modesty of ones own soul. That is, one begins something with zeal, and when it remains incomplete one begins to feel ashamed of one's self, that this small deed could not be completed. It is said that this is the highest form of modesty. The one that feels modest from one's self, will surely be modest before others.
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(341) Hadith Number 1.
Abu Sa'eed Khudari (R.A) says that Rasulullah (pbuh) was more bashful than a virgin girl in her veil (purdah). When Rasulullah (pbuh) did not like something, it could be seen on his face. (Because of his excessive Modesty he did not mention it).
Commentary
The 'ulama have given two meanings for the words 'a virgin in her veil (Purdah)'. One group among the 'ulama say it means a virgin girl in her veil, that she is more shameful than that virgin girl who roams about. However every virgin is bashful, therefore the shari'ah has recognised the silence of a virgin girl as her consent for her-nikaah, as bashfulness is natural for a virgin girl, and especially the girl who is in purdah. Some 'ulama have said that by the girl in purdah, that girl is meant, who is brought up in purdah and also makes purdah from other women. It is a custom in many families, where purdah is observed from those women who go about. It is clear from this, how modest such a girl will be? The second meaning that some of the 'ulama have given is that 'in purdah' is taken metaphorically, that the modesty shown by a virgin girl (bride) on her first night is evident. (It is sad that this does not exist in many western orientated circles today).
(342) Hadith Number 2.
'Aayeshah (R.A) reports: (because of the excessive modesty of Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh)) "I did not have the courage to see the private parts of Rasulullah (pbuh), or that I never saw the private parts of Rasulullah (pbuh)".
Commentary
Due to the shamefastness of Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) this was not possible, then how could Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) himself have done so? It is natural that in the presence of a modest person, one is compelled to act modestly. In another narration it is clearly denied that never did Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) see my private parts, nor did I see the private parts of Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh). Although 'Aayeshah (R.A) was the most informal among all the wives, she was also the most beloved. If this was his manner with her, what can be said of the others? Sayyiditina Ummi Salamah (R.A) says that when Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) slept with his wife, he closed his eyes and bowed down his head, and also stressed to his wife to be calm and dignified. Ibn 'Abbaas (R.A) narrates that Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) went behind the rooms to perform ghusl. Nobody saw the private parts of Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh). Before the advent of nubuwwah, when the Ka'bah was rebuilt Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) also carried stones and brought them. According to 'Arab custom, no importance was given to concealing the private parts. Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) (happen to) put his lungi under the stone, and immediately became unconscious (due to modesty) and fell down, whereas, at that time the shar'ee injunctions were not even revealed.
Shamaa-il Tirmidhi
www.inter-islam.org
Modesty plays a special part between the affairs of the creator and the created. It is mentioned in the hadith that when modesty vanishes, do as you please. Every excellence of Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) reached its apex. Whatever chapter is begun, there are no words that can truly describe his qualities. Not a few incidents, but thousands bear testimony to this. Ibn 'Umar (R.A) reports, that Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) did not fix his eyesight on anyone due to his exceeding modesty. He did not look at a person in the eye while meeting him face to face. Imaam Tirmidhi has mentioned two hadith as an example. The 'ulama have written that there are many types of modesty. One is the modesty of graciousness and kindness. For instance when Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) made the walimah of Zaynab (R.A), after eating some people remained there and became busy in discussions. Their sitting made Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) feel uneasy. He sometimes went out and sometimes came inside, because of his modesty he did not ask them to get up. In the Qur-aan Karim before the end of Surah Ahzaab this incident is mentioned. The second type of modesty is that the lover feels bashful for the beloved, even speaking becomes difficult.
The third type is the modesty of devotion, that in worship one feels humbled, and continues to go forward due to the modesty for the creator. The fourth type is to have Modesty of ones own soul. That is, one begins something with zeal, and when it remains incomplete one begins to feel ashamed of one's self, that this small deed could not be completed. It is said that this is the highest form of modesty. The one that feels modest from one's self, will surely be modest before others.
back
(341) Hadith Number 1.
Abu Sa'eed Khudari (R.A) says that Rasulullah (pbuh) was more bashful than a virgin girl in her veil (purdah). When Rasulullah (pbuh) did not like something, it could be seen on his face. (Because of his excessive Modesty he did not mention it).
Commentary
The 'ulama have given two meanings for the words 'a virgin in her veil (Purdah)'. One group among the 'ulama say it means a virgin girl in her veil, that she is more shameful than that virgin girl who roams about. However every virgin is bashful, therefore the shari'ah has recognised the silence of a virgin girl as her consent for her-nikaah, as bashfulness is natural for a virgin girl, and especially the girl who is in purdah. Some 'ulama have said that by the girl in purdah, that girl is meant, who is brought up in purdah and also makes purdah from other women. It is a custom in many families, where purdah is observed from those women who go about. It is clear from this, how modest such a girl will be? The second meaning that some of the 'ulama have given is that 'in purdah' is taken metaphorically, that the modesty shown by a virgin girl (bride) on her first night is evident. (It is sad that this does not exist in many western orientated circles today).
(342) Hadith Number 2.
'Aayeshah (R.A) reports: (because of the excessive modesty of Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh)) "I did not have the courage to see the private parts of Rasulullah (pbuh), or that I never saw the private parts of Rasulullah (pbuh)".
Commentary
Due to the shamefastness of Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) this was not possible, then how could Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) himself have done so? It is natural that in the presence of a modest person, one is compelled to act modestly. In another narration it is clearly denied that never did Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) see my private parts, nor did I see the private parts of Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh). Although 'Aayeshah (R.A) was the most informal among all the wives, she was also the most beloved. If this was his manner with her, what can be said of the others? Sayyiditina Ummi Salamah (R.A) says that when Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) slept with his wife, he closed his eyes and bowed down his head, and also stressed to his wife to be calm and dignified. Ibn 'Abbaas (R.A) narrates that Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) went behind the rooms to perform ghusl. Nobody saw the private parts of Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh). Before the advent of nubuwwah, when the Ka'bah was rebuilt Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) also carried stones and brought them. According to 'Arab custom, no importance was given to concealing the private parts. Sayyidina Rasulullah (pbuh) (happen to) put his lungi under the stone, and immediately became unconscious (due to modesty) and fell down, whereas, at that time the shar'ee injunctions were not even revealed.
Shamaa-il Tirmidhi
www.inter-islam.org
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Practices of Jumuah
PRACTICES OF JUMUAH
On the day of Jumu’ah, if a Muslim performs the following six deeds, he obtains the reward equivalent to one year’s Nafl (optional) fasting and one year’s Nafl (optional) Salâh on every step (he walks to the Masjid). This Hadeeth has been narrated in Tirmizhi, Abu Dawood, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah. Mulla Ali Qari rahmatullahi alayhi observes in Sharh Mirqat, the commentary on Mishkat, that no other pious deed is more virtuous than performing these actions on the day of Jumu’ah.
To perform ghusl [bath].
To proceed to the Masjid early.
To walk to the Masjid.
To sit closest to the Imâm.
To refrain from useless speech.
To listen to the Khutbah attentively.
Note: One should try to be punctual with the following:
Tilawat [recitation] of Surah Kahaf.
Performance of Salâtut-tasbih.
Excessive recitation of Durûd Shareef (a minimum of 300 times).
To make Du’â (silently) between the two Khutbas.
Engaging in Du’â before the sunset of Friday.
Published by Madrasah Arabia Islamia, Azaadville, South Africa
http://www.islamsa.org.za/
On the day of Jumu’ah, if a Muslim performs the following six deeds, he obtains the reward equivalent to one year’s Nafl (optional) fasting and one year’s Nafl (optional) Salâh on every step (he walks to the Masjid). This Hadeeth has been narrated in Tirmizhi, Abu Dawood, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah. Mulla Ali Qari rahmatullahi alayhi observes in Sharh Mirqat, the commentary on Mishkat, that no other pious deed is more virtuous than performing these actions on the day of Jumu’ah.
To perform ghusl [bath].
To proceed to the Masjid early.
To walk to the Masjid.
To sit closest to the Imâm.
To refrain from useless speech.
To listen to the Khutbah attentively.
Note: One should try to be punctual with the following:
Tilawat [recitation] of Surah Kahaf.
Performance of Salâtut-tasbih.
Excessive recitation of Durûd Shareef (a minimum of 300 times).
To make Du’â (silently) between the two Khutbas.
Engaging in Du’â before the sunset of Friday.
Published by Madrasah Arabia Islamia, Azaadville, South Africa
http://www.islamsa.org.za/
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Fajr Salaah
FAJR SALAAH
The Prophet (pbuh) said, "During your sleep, Satan ties three knots at the back of your necks. He breathes the following into them, 'The night is long so keep on sleeping.' If the person wakes & praises Allah, then one of the knots is unfastened. And if he performs ablution, the second knot is unfastened. When he prays, all of the knots are unfastened. After that he will be energetic & happy. Otherwise he would get up listless & grouchy."
Sahih Al-Bukhari
The Prophet (pbuh) said, "During your sleep, Satan ties three knots at the back of your necks. He breathes the following into them, 'The night is long so keep on sleeping.' If the person wakes & praises Allah, then one of the knots is unfastened. And if he performs ablution, the second knot is unfastened. When he prays, all of the knots are unfastened. After that he will be energetic & happy. Otherwise he would get up listless & grouchy."
Sahih Al-Bukhari
Imaan
IMAAN
Q. What is the kalimah of Islam?
A. The kalimah of Islam is:
Laa ilaa-ha il-lal-laa-hu muhammadur-rasoolul-laah
There is no god except Allah; Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His Messenger.
This kalimah is also called kalimah tauheed or kalimah tayyibah.
(Kalimah literally means a "word", or "utterance" or "proclamation".)
Q. What is kalimah shahaadah
A. Kalimah shahaadah (kalimah of bearing witness) is:
Ash-hadu an-laa ilaaha il-lal-laa-hu wa ash-hadu an-na Muhammadan ‘ab-duhoo wa rasooluh.
I bear witness that there is no god except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is Allah's worshipper and His Messenger.
Q. What is imaan (faith)?
A. Imaan is to have faith in something and to proclaim it.
Q. What is our imaan mujmal (faith in a nutshell)?
A. Imaan mujmal is:
aamantu bil-laahi kamaa huwa bi as-maa-i-hi wa sifaatihi wa qabiltu jamee’a ahkaamihi. ‘iqraarum bil-lisaani wa tasdeequm bil-qalb.
I believe in Allah as He is with all His names and attributes and I accept all of His orders. It is said with the tongue and confirmed in the heart.
Q. What is our imaan mufas-sal (elaborated faith)?
A. Imaan mufas-sal is:
aamantu bil-laahi wa ma-laa-i-katihi wa kutubihi wa rusulihi wal-yaumil-aakhiri wal-qadri khairihi wa shar-rihi minal-laahi ta’aalaa wal-ba’thi ba’dal-maut.
I believe in Allah, in His angels, in His books, in His messengers, in the Day of Judgement, and (I believe) that all good and evil is decreed by Allah, and in the life after death.
Q. Who created you?
A. Allah created us, our fathers and mothers, the skies and the earth, this universe and everything in it.
Q. How did Allah create the universe?
A. By His power and command.
Q. What are the people called who do not believe in Allah?
A. They are called kaafir (unbelievers).
Q. What are the people called who do not worship Allah but worship other things, or those who believe in two or three gods?
A. Such people are called kaafir and mushrik.
Q. Will Allah pardon or forgive the mushrik or the kaafir?
A. Kaafir and mushrik will never be pardoned. They will always be kept in great pain and trouble in the hereafter.
Ta'leem-ul-Islam
Related reading:
Kalimah Tayyibah
Muslim Beliefs
Q. What is the kalimah of Islam?
A. The kalimah of Islam is:
Laa ilaa-ha il-lal-laa-hu muhammadur-rasoolul-laah
There is no god except Allah; Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His Messenger.
This kalimah is also called kalimah tauheed or kalimah tayyibah.
(Kalimah literally means a "word", or "utterance" or "proclamation".)
Q. What is kalimah shahaadah
A. Kalimah shahaadah (kalimah of bearing witness) is:
Ash-hadu an-laa ilaaha il-lal-laa-hu wa ash-hadu an-na Muhammadan ‘ab-duhoo wa rasooluh.
I bear witness that there is no god except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is Allah's worshipper and His Messenger.
Q. What is imaan (faith)?
A. Imaan is to have faith in something and to proclaim it.
Q. What is our imaan mujmal (faith in a nutshell)?
A. Imaan mujmal is:
aamantu bil-laahi kamaa huwa bi as-maa-i-hi wa sifaatihi wa qabiltu jamee’a ahkaamihi. ‘iqraarum bil-lisaani wa tasdeequm bil-qalb.
I believe in Allah as He is with all His names and attributes and I accept all of His orders. It is said with the tongue and confirmed in the heart.
Q. What is our imaan mufas-sal (elaborated faith)?
A. Imaan mufas-sal is:
aamantu bil-laahi wa ma-laa-i-katihi wa kutubihi wa rusulihi wal-yaumil-aakhiri wal-qadri khairihi wa shar-rihi minal-laahi ta’aalaa wal-ba’thi ba’dal-maut.
I believe in Allah, in His angels, in His books, in His messengers, in the Day of Judgement, and (I believe) that all good and evil is decreed by Allah, and in the life after death.
Q. Who created you?
A. Allah created us, our fathers and mothers, the skies and the earth, this universe and everything in it.
Q. How did Allah create the universe?
A. By His power and command.
Q. What are the people called who do not believe in Allah?
A. They are called kaafir (unbelievers).
Q. What are the people called who do not worship Allah but worship other things, or those who believe in two or three gods?
A. Such people are called kaafir and mushrik.
Q. Will Allah pardon or forgive the mushrik or the kaafir?
A. Kaafir and mushrik will never be pardoned. They will always be kept in great pain and trouble in the hereafter.
Ta'leem-ul-Islam
Related reading:
Kalimah Tayyibah
Muslim Beliefs
Monday, May 23, 2005
Hazrat Maimoonah (R.A)
HAZRAT MAIMOONAH (R.A)
She was the daughter of Harith bin Hazan. Her original name was Barrah but she was later renamed Maimoonah by the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) . She was first married to Abu Rahim bin Abdul Uzza. According to some reports, she was married twice before she became Ummul Mominin. She had been widowed lately when the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) married her at Saraf, a place lying on his journey to Mecca for 'Umrah in Zul Qa'dah 7 A.H. He had intended to start living with her when in Mecca after performing 'Umrah but, as Qureysh did not allow him to enter Mecca, he called her over to him in the same place on his return journey. Many years later she died and was buried exactly at the same place in 51 A. H. (when she was 81).
This is a strange coincidence that at a certain place during one Journey she is married, at the same place on the return journey she starts living with the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and at the very place during another journey she dies and is buried.
Hadhrat Aishah (R.A) says: “Maimoonah was the most pious, and the most mindful of her kith and kin, among the Prophet Mohammad's (pbuh) wives.”
Hadhrat Yazid bin Asam (R.A) says: “She was seen either engaged in Salaat or in domestic work. When she was doing neither, she was busy in Miswak.” She was the last woman to be married by the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) . Certain Muhaddithin have, however, mentioned one or two other marriages contracted by the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) .
Fazail-e-Amaal
Hajirah Foundation
She was the daughter of Harith bin Hazan. Her original name was Barrah but she was later renamed Maimoonah by the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) . She was first married to Abu Rahim bin Abdul Uzza. According to some reports, she was married twice before she became Ummul Mominin. She had been widowed lately when the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) married her at Saraf, a place lying on his journey to Mecca for 'Umrah in Zul Qa'dah 7 A.H. He had intended to start living with her when in Mecca after performing 'Umrah but, as Qureysh did not allow him to enter Mecca, he called her over to him in the same place on his return journey. Many years later she died and was buried exactly at the same place in 51 A. H. (when she was 81).
This is a strange coincidence that at a certain place during one Journey she is married, at the same place on the return journey she starts living with the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and at the very place during another journey she dies and is buried.
Hadhrat Aishah (R.A) says: “Maimoonah was the most pious, and the most mindful of her kith and kin, among the Prophet Mohammad's (pbuh) wives.”
Hadhrat Yazid bin Asam (R.A) says: “She was seen either engaged in Salaat or in domestic work. When she was doing neither, she was busy in Miswak.” She was the last woman to be married by the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) . Certain Muhaddithin have, however, mentioned one or two other marriages contracted by the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) .
Fazail-e-Amaal
Hajirah Foundation
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