When you are in the evening, do not expect to see the morning, and when you are in
the morning, do not expect to see the evening. (Al-Bukhari)
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Why do Muslims torment, murder innocent people?
The Sun News Online - Friday September 09, 2011
By Abdulfatah Oladeinde
JIHAD AND THE TERRORIST ATTACK ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 IN NEW YORK
According to the Shari'ah, in normal conditions, when there is no declaration of Jihad, Muslims are required to conduct themselves in a dignified and honourable way. Their sound character and conduct should leave an impression in the hearts of non-Muslims that Islam is a religion of submission and subjugation to the orders of Allah Ta’ala which invokes the peace of Allah Ta’ala on earth.
Thus, Islam is a religion of peace and is against any act that impedes peace. Even, when there is a declaration of Jihad (by competent and reliable Ulama, after having studied the situation and substantiating the need for Jihad with Shar’ee reasons), it is prohibited to target and kill women, children and old people.
Hadhrat ibn Abbaas (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to advise the army before dispatching them, ‘Do not deceive, do not disfigure, do not kill children and those in churches.’ (I’elaa-us-Sunan vol.12 pg.31; Idaratul Qur’aan)
It is clear from the foregoing narration that the flight bombing of the twin towers of the World Trade Centre, New York and the Pentagon has no basis in Islamic Shari’ah. Therefore, as Muslims, we are required to adhere to the laws of the Shari’ah.
If Muslims perceive any injustices to them, they should create suitable channels and avenues to address such issues. If they are unsuccessful in their endeavours, they should make Mashwara (consult) with the Fuqahaa (intelligent) and Aabideen (pious) people on the best course of action. It is against the spirit of Islam to make independent decisions as that may be dangerous to the course of Islam. And Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala Knows Best.
Edited by Mallam Kabeer M. Adamu
OFFICIAL REPORT DEPARTMENT,
CNA'S OFFICE,
NASS ABUJA.
The Sweetness and Delight of Faith
Narrated Anas R.A.: The Prophet S.A.W. said: "whoever possesses the following qualities will have the sweetness and delight of faith: (1) The person to whom Allah S.W.T. and His messenger S.A.W. become dearer than anything else; (2) The person who loves another person for the sake of Allah only; (3) The person who hates to revert to atheism (disbelief) as he hates to be thrown into hell fire". (SAHIH AL-BUKHARI, HADITH NO. 15, VOL.1)
Blessings of Allah SWT
Think about all the awesome blessings that have been bestowed upon us by Allah. The
blessing of; eyesight; taste; touch; smell; the tiny little muscles that allow us to breath; and the
neurons that allow us to think. Take a minute and think: Ask ourselves; are we grateful to
Allah for these everyday blessings or do we take them for granted and instead disobey him by
misusing these blessings? Allah says: "Indeed mankind, to his Lord, is ungrateful; and indeed
he is to that a witness" (Q100:6-7)
Friday, August 26, 2011
The Meaning of Qadr
Ibn Hajar said in ‘Fath al-Bari’ (4/323-324): “There are various explanations of the meaning of the qadr that this night is ascribed to.
It was said that it means veneration, as in the verse: {“...and they didn’t venerate (qadar) Allah as He deserved...”} [al-An’am; 91] This refers to it being a night of veneration due to the revelation of the Qur’an taking place in it, or due to the descent of the Angels in it, or due to the blessing and mercy and forgiveness that descend in it, or that those who stay up that night in worship are venerated.
It was also said that qadr here means constriction, as in the verse: {“...and who is constricted (qadara) in his provision...”} [at-Talaq; 7] This refers to it being a night of constriction due to the exact night being hidden, or because the Earth is constricted due to the presence of such a large number of Angels.
It was also said that it is qadar, derived from the word for judgment. This refers to the fact that all the judgments of that year are made on this night...”
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Sweetness and Delight of Faith
Narrated Anas R.A.: The Prophet S.A.W. said: "whoever possesses the following qualities will have the sweetness and delight of faith:
(1) The person to whom Allah S.W.T. and His messenger S.A.W. become dearer than anything else;
(2) The person who loves another person for the sake of Allah only;
(3) The person who hates to revert to atheism (disbelief) as he hates to be thrown into hell fire". (SAHIH AL-BUKHARI, HADITH NO. 15, VOL.1)
Invitation to Walimah
Abu Huraira R. A. narrated that: The Prophet S.A.W. said: "The worst food is that of a wedding banquet to which only the rich are invited while the poor are not invited and he who refuses an invitation to a banquet disobeys Allah and His Apostle". (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 106, Vol. 7).
Four Irrecoverable Things In Life
There are four things in life that are irrecoverable once they are done with:
1) The stone after it has been thrown:
2) The word after it has been uttered:
3) The occasion after it has passed and finally:
4) The time, after it is gone.
The lesson a Muslim must learn from these is that one should guard against fighting: unguarded utterances: missing appointments and managing our time judiciously.
1) The stone after it has been thrown:
2) The word after it has been uttered:
3) The occasion after it has passed and finally:
4) The time, after it is gone.
The lesson a Muslim must learn from these is that one should guard against fighting: unguarded utterances: missing appointments and managing our time judiciously.
Lying Against the Prophet S.A.W.
Sayyidina Ali R.A. narrated that: The Prophet S.A.W. said: "Do not tell a lie against me, for whoever tells a lie against me (intentionally) then he will surely enter the hell-fire." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 106, Vol. 1)
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
The Importance of inviting the less privileged to Walimah
Abu Huraira R. A. narrated that: The Prophet S.A.W. said: "The worst food is that of a
wedding banquet to which only the rich are invited while the poor are not invited and he
who refuses an invitation to a banquet disobeys Allah and His Apostle". (Sahih Al-Bukhari,
Hadith No. 106, Vol. 7).
The Importance of guarding your speech
Some people like to talk a lot; others like to gossip; others talk filth; while others use their tongue to spread bidi'ah and corruption. Hearing all these vain chatter can get frustrating and annoying. However, you should know that if we make it to paradise, Insha Allah; there will be no need to put up with such behavior as Allah says paradise is : "Wherein they will hear no unsuitable speech" (Q88:11). May Allah SWT grant us eternal rest in paradise. Ameen.
The Unlimited Blessings of Allah SWT
Think about all the awesome blessings that have been bestowed upon us by Allah. The
blessing of; eyesight; taste; touch; smell; the tiny little muscles that allow us to breath; and
the neurons that allow us to think. Take a minute and think: Ask ourselves; are we grateful
to Allah for these everyday blessings or do we take them for granted and instead disobey
him by misusing these blessings? Allah says: "Indeed mankind, to his Lord, is ungrateful;
and indeed he is to that a witness" (Q100:6-7)
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Knowledge You Know Not
And (Allah has created) horses, mules and donkeys, for you to ride and as an adornment. And He creates (other) things of which you have no knowledge. (Quran 16:8)
The Forbidden Foods
Forbidden to you (for food) are: Al-Maytatah (the dead animals - cattle-beast not slaughtered), blood, the flesh of swine, and the meat of that which has been slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allah, or has been slaughtered for idols, etc., or on which Allah's Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering, and that which has been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by the goring of horns - and that which has been (partly) eaten by a wild animal - unless you are able to slaughter it (before its death) and that which is sacrificed (slaughtered) on AnNusub (stone altars). (Forbidden) also is to use arrows seeking luck or decision, (all) that is Fisqun (disobedience of Allah and sin). This day, those who disbelieved have given up all hope of your religion, so fear them not, but fear Me. This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But as for him who is forced by severe hunger, with no inclination to sin (such can eat these above-mentioned meats), then surely, Allah is OftForgiving, Most Merciful. (Quran 5:3)
Thursday, July 28, 2011
The Beauty of Islam
On Men Shaking of Women’s Hand
A British man came to Sheikh and asked: Why is it not permissible in Islam for women to shake hands with a man?
The Sheikh said: Can you shake hands with Queen Elizabeth?
British man said: Of course not, there are only certain people who can shake hands with Queen Elizabeth.
Sheikh replied: our women are queens and queens do not shake hands with strange men.
________________________________
On Women Wearing Hijab
Then the British man asked the Sheikh: Why do your girls cover up their body and hair?
The Sheikh smiled and got two sweets, he opened the first one and kept the other one closed. He threw them both on the dusty floor and asked the British: If I asked you to take one of the sweets which one will you choose?
The British replied: The covered one.
The Sheikh said: that’s how we treat and see our women.
Who is afraid of Islamic banking?
By Uche Ezechukwu 0803 622 3337 [email: onukwube1@yahoo.com]
Monday, July 04, 2011
First and foremost, I must apologize to my readers for not bringing the concluding part of the piece I started last week on the Nigeria Police. I had to postpone it because of some developments in the polity, which, as I sincerely believe, have the potential of ballooning into untoward outcomes, if not promptly addressed. I stumbled on a story in the online edition of the Vanguard and which bothered me greatly and should bother other Nigerians of conscience.
The story in question was that the Delta State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its chairman, Archbishop God-do-well Avwomakpa, marched through the major streets of Warri last Thursday, protesting the authorization of Islamic banking by the CBN in the country. The story further highlighted the interview granted by the bishop during which he reportedly declared that the introduction of Islamic banking in the country was a prelude to the Islamization of the country. He was further quoted as saying that “the church is aware of the dangers that this issue is going to cause and we are not going to compromise our faith as Christians. Nigeria belongs to all of us and we are saying ‘No’ to Islamization of Nigeria.”
Before I go further, I insist that from what I know of the universal Catholic Church to which I belong and which is the largest denomination of CAN, the Delta chairman could not have been speaking for us, not even for the Catholics and the other orthodox communions in that state, because I know the channels of our communication and our church does not engage in rabble-rousing.
Again, I must blame the CBN for its culpable assumption that the Islamic banking system which has been in operation in many more advanced and more secular countries like UK, USA, France, South Africa, etc, without affecting or altering the lifestyle or secularity of those societies, could be introduced into Nigeria without adequate enlightenment. It was an unpardonable miscalculation which has enabled both the little informed and outright mischievous elements in our midst to seek undeserved relevance by misinforming Nigerians on the whys and wherefores of the system which has found acceptance in the places where it has been in practice.
Having said that, it is rather unfortunate that in these days when knowledge and information are at the beck and call of all, it is a great disservice for some people in privileged positions to indulge in outright falsification of issues that are capable of causing social dislocation especially if the correct sides of the case are not accurately and dispassionately presented. For the avoidance of doubt, it is obvious that those leaders who are leading their followers to believe that the Islamic banking system would Islamize the polity, should have also recalled that the many Christian universities that have been licensed by the NUC as businesses and bearing such explicit names and Catholic University, etc, have not been accused of Christianizing the polity. For, how can a business concern which does not exercise any coercive authority over any of his customers, make its customers to adopt its beliefs?
And why has the CBN which has exercised the responsibility to regulate and provide guidelines for all other forms of banking operations: commercial, merchant, community, micro, mortgage, etc, in the past, should now become culpable because it also produced guidelines for the establishment and operation of the Islamic interest-free banking system, which is another banking format? For even when those banks take off, it is not likely they would have the word “Islamic” prefixed to their names. And even if they did, would it not be similar to the many businesses owned by the different faith-based organisations?
Yes, a mischievous mind might find it convenient to manipulate the emotive sentiments of religion to draw attention to him or herself, but that fact should not remove the fact that the introduction of any system that would bring about some salutary influences into our economy should be welcome. Yes, the Islamic banking system seeks to run its banks along the Islamic jurisprudence – simply put, along the prescription of the Sharia laws.
The most prominent feature of the Islamic banking is in the absence of interests (riba) in accordance of the Koranic prohibition of usury. Significantly, the Jewish code or the Torah (the Old Testament of the Bible) is also against usury. And if their religion demands that a Muslim’s life should be ordered along the dictates of the Sharia, should the Muslims who constitute half of the national population be denied the type of banking institution that caters for their religious belief? As a Nigerian, is the Muslim not entitled to the unfettered practice of his religion?
The proposed Islamic banks would be privately owned and not by the government and such specialised financial institutions would be expected run their businesses along the dictates of the guidelines setting them up, which is mainly that, anybody who agrees to abide by those codes would be welcome to do business with them. How would their operations affect anybody who does not patronize them? So, what is the cause of all these needless hues and cries which are more out of mischief than culpable ignorance?
The ownership of banks like other businesses, as schools, is totally deregulated but run under set-down guidelines by the relevant laws and regulations. Many Christian-based organisations have applied for and were licensed by the appropriate authorities to run schools and universities. Even though these academic institutions have the greater capacity of influencing those who pass through their portals, their existence or sectarian ownership has never been challenged by any quarters – Christian or Muslim. The universities and colleges throw their gates open to all those who agree to abide by their ordinances and prescriptions as nobody is, ab initio, never coerced into enrolling into them.
For instance, Muslim students who attend Catholic schools alongside my daughters, while being allowed to observe their Islamic faith, are nevertheless compelled to obey the basic demands of Christian life, which they had been made aware of before being enrolled.
So, I as a Catholic decide to patronize an Islamic bank, I should have become aware that the Sharia demands that I cannot expect the bank to grant me loans to run businesses that are haram to the Islamic faith. For instance, I cannot expect to obtain a loan from there to run a newspaper that would advertize alcoholic beverages or pork products. In the same way, I cannot expect to obtain a loan from an Islamic bank to run gambling operations or hotels that peddle alcohol or operate a brothel. More importantly, these banks do not put a gun on my head to use their services, nor would they turn me away because I am not a Muslim, provided I sign up to adhere to its provisions. How, therefore, could one branch of an Islamic bank at Onitsha, Aba or Enugu have the capacity to Islamize the Igbo society?
Having provided these rudimentary facts on the Islamic banking, it then becomes unfortunate that anybody or group should want to over-heat the polity because of the introduction of a banking system that has absolutely no adverse effect on the society, both on the short and long run. One would have thought that if there are Christian leaders who feel envious that banks are established along Islamic religious codes, they should hasten to establish their own variants which would use their enormous riches garnered though huge tithes and offerings of the millions of their adherents. After all, recent studies by a reputed international publication named four Nigerian pastors as among the richest in the world. Such a move which could provide the much hankered-after economic succour to their long-basic demands of Christian life, which they had been made aware of before being enrolled. So, I as a Catholic decide to patronize an Islamic bank, I should have become aware that the Sharia demands that I cannot expect the bank to grant me loans to run businesses that are haram to the Islamic faith. For instance, I cannot expect to obtain a loan from there to run a newspaper that would advertize alcoholic beverages or pork products. In the same way, I cannot expect to obtain a loan from an Islamic bank to run gambling operations or hotels that peddle alcohol or operate a brothel. More importantly, these banks do not put a gun on my head to use their services, nor would they turn me away because I am not a Muslim, provided I sign up to adhere to its provisions. How, therefore, could one branch of an Islamic bank at Onitsha, Aba or Enugu have the capacity to Islamize the Igbo society?
It would be necessary at this juncture to insist that the religious leaders – Christian and Muslim – should desist from misleading their followers by inciting them against fellow Nigerians who adhere to different faiths through half baked instructions which are often programmed to produce less than godly objectives. I do not know what punishment Islam prescribes for such serious misdemeanours but I know that Jesus Christ, whom I profess, prescribes that such people deserve to have big boulders of stone tied around their necks and dumped into the depth of the ocean.
Moreover, God says in the Bible that, “my people perish for lack of knowledge” It is, therefore, sinful for any religious leader to hide the truth from his followers; it is even worse for him to manipulate the ignorance of such followers.
At the end of the end of the day, who is really afraid of this Islamic banking? Is it those on whose consciences it weighs heavily? Actually, a true Christian should not fight against any trend which he thinks that threatens his faith, because as we are told, if it is of God, nothing can stop it, but if not, it will self-destruct and fade away. The greatest proof of that is Communism which raged worldwide like an all-consuming fire only to die as it had started, unsung, less than a century later.
Nigeria belongs to all of us – and it is in God’s wisdom that he put both Christians and Muslims into his space, for cohabitation. Let us not play God, but always give peace a chance. That,to my understanding is the cardinal tenet of Christianity – to live and to let live.
Source:http://sunnewsonline.com/webpages/columnists
Friday, July 15, 2011
What Truly Counts in Islam
In Islam what counts is not the color of your skin but the color of your character; it is the words that you use that count not the language you speak; where you live does not count but how you live does; what you earn does not count but how you earned it does; where you are does not count but how you got there does; and being just human does not count but the kind of human being you are matters.
Knowledge You Know Not
And (Allah has created) horses, mules and donkeys, for you to ride and as an adornment. And He creates (other) things of which you have no knowledge. (Quran 16:8)
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Fear of Allah the beginning of Wisdom
O you who believe! Fear Allah and keep your duty to Him. And let every person
look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what you do. And be not like those who forgot Allah (i.e. became disobedient to Allah) and He caused them to forget their ownselves, (let them to forget to do righteous deeds). Those are the Fasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). Q59.18-19
HADITH
Narrated by Abu Huraira (RA): A bedouin urinated in the mosque, and the people rushed to beat him. Allah's Apostle ordered them to leave him and pour a bucket or a tumbler (full) of water over the place where he has passed urine. The Prophet (SAW) then said: " You have been sent to make things easy (for the people) and you have not been sent to make things difficult for them." (Bukhari Volume 8, Book 73, Number 149).
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Kinship
O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Hauwa (Eve)), and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All Watcher over you. (Quran 4:1)
Saturday, July 9, 2011
THE IMPORTANCE OF OBEYING ALLAH (SWT)
And whosoever obeys Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), then they will be in the
company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqoon
(those followers of the Prophets who were first and foremost to believe in them, like Abu Bakr
AsSiddiq), the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are! Such is
the Bounty from Allah, and Allah is Sufficient as All-Knower. (Quran 4:69-70)
Thursday, July 7, 2011
THE DANGERS OF CORRUPTION IN LEADERSHIP
INTRODUCTION
When people talk about corruption the first thing that comes to mind is embezzlement of funds and bribery. People that engage in such activities are called: corrupt persons. Islamically however, corruption goes beyond these activities; it is viewed on a wider scale. Corruption begins with the mind; a person that has an unclean mind is simply a corrupt person in Islam. This uncleanness involves all the major sins abhorred by Allah (SWT) which includes; fornication, sodomy, drinking alcoholic beverages, murder, theft bribery and embezzlement of funds. To cleanse ourselves of corruption we have to begin by sanitising our minds; the Prophet (SAW) said: “There is an organ in a person’s body which if pure, the whole body will be pure but if it is corrupt, the whole body will be corrupt. That organ is the heart” .(Sahih Bukhari). This Hadith simply tells us that our minds have to be clean in order to be free from corruption.
CORRUPT PRACTICES
All the major sins mentioned above are corrupt practices on their own however there are simple corrupt practices that people engage in; some people like to talk a lot; others like to gossip; others talk filth; while others use their tongue to lie and spread bidi'ah. For this discourse, we will look at the three (3) major corrupt practices indulged in by some of our leaders:
Fornication
Fornication is an addictive corrupt practice which is common with some of our leaders. They take it for granted and once they begin indulging, they find it hard to stop. Allah (SWT) instructed us not to even go close to fornication talk less of indulging;
Drinking Alcoholic Beverages
Drinking alcohol and taking other intoxicants is another practice indulged in by some of our leaders, this act goes hand in hand with fornication and the punishment by Allah SWT is equally severe. In a Hadith, Ibn Majah reported that the Prophet SAW said: “Do not drink wine (or any intoxicant), for it is the key to all evils”.
Hypocrisy
Very few of our leaders escape hypocrisy, it is a common habit indulged in by politicians and it is a major corrupt practice. The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said: "the 3 attributes of a hypocrite are; (1) When he speaks, he tells lies; (2) When he makes a promise, he never keeps it and; (3) When he is given something in trust, he fails to fulfil it. (Bukhari & Muslim).
Leadership BY EXAMPLE
To check against these corrupt practices, our leaders should begin by setting good examples by shunning them. The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "Anyone who sets a good example in Islam, there is a reward for this act of goodness and added to it the reward of those also who acted according to it subsequently, without any deduction from their rewards." (Sahih Muslim). One of the qualities of a good leader is by setting good example to the people led by him.
GOOD DEEDS
A good leader sets good example by practicing good deeds and shunning all corrupt
practices. Imam Shafi'i said: "All humans are dead except those with knowledge; and all those who have knowledge are asleep except those who do good deeds; and those who do good deeds are deceived, except those who are sincere". These words simply summarise what a good leader should do in order to set good examples.
CONCLUSION
As the 7th Assembly commences, our Legislators should bear in mind the consequences of corruption and lead an honourable life. They should not be blinded with wealth by indulging in corrupt practices. They should remember that the oath of allegiance and oath of office they take is not merely a formality but a covenant between them and the people they lead and also a commitment to good governance. May Allah (SWT) guide us all. Ameen.
Kabeer M. Adamu
7th July, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The Power of Belief in Allah
Beautified is the life of this world for those who disbelieve, and they mock at those who believe. But those who obey Allah's Orders and keep away from what He has forbidden will be above them on the Day of Resurrection. And Allah gives (of His Bounty, Blessings, Favours, Honours, etc. on the Day of Resurrection) to whom He wills without limit.Q2.212
Saturday, June 4, 2011
WHY DID PROPHET MUHAMMAD (pbuh) HAVE ELEVEN WIVES?
Question:
When a Muslim is allowed to marry a maximum of four wives, how is it that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had eleven wives?
Answer:
The Qur’an, in Surah Nisa, chapter 4 verse 3, states that a Muslim is allowed to marry a maximum of only four wives. Another verse in the Qur’an makes Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) an exception to this rule.
In Surah Ahzab chapter 33 verse 52:
“It is not lawful for thee (to marry more) women after this, nor to change them for (other) wives, even though their beauty attract thee, except any thy right hand should possess (as hand maidens) and Allah doth watch over all things ”.
[Al-Qur’an 33:52]
This verse clearly gives Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) the permission to keep all his previous wives but prohibits him to marry any more women except those which his right hand possessed i.e. slave girls.
The Prophet (pbuh) was allowed to keep all his previous wives because no one was allowed to marry the Prophet’s wives (ra) after they were divorced or widowed as they were ummul-momineen (mother of the believers).
People falsely accuse the Prophet (pbuh) of being hypersexual, because he had eleven wives. If you read the life history of the Prophet (pbuh), only two of his marriages, one with Khadija (ra), and the other, with Ayesha (ra) were marriages in the normal course. All his other marriages were contracted as a necessity and were based on various considerations.
The first marriage of the Prophet (pbuh) took place when he was 25 years of age and he married Khadija (ra) who was twice widowed, and was 40 years old. If the Prophet (pbuh) was hypersexual, why would he marry a woman who was 15 years older than him and already twice widowed?
Until his first wife, Khadija (ra) was alive, he never took a second wife. Khadija (ra) expired when the Prophet (pbuh) was 50 years age and only after this, did he marry the others. If he married eleven wives for sexual reasons, he should have had multiple wives during his youth. Contrary to this, history tells us that all his marriages with his remaining ten wives took place when he was between the age of 53 and 59 years.
All his wives (ra) were between the age of 36 to 50 years, except for two wives (ra). His reputation had spread far and wide, not only in Arabia, but also in the neighbouring countries. Could he not have easily got younger and lovelier girls to marry? Most of his marriages were for political gain and for the spread of Islam.
In Arabia, no one could carry on the work of reform and upliftment unless he belonged to, or was related to some specific and respectable tribe. Thus, in the interest of his mission, the Prophet (pbuh) needed inter-tribal relationships. He wanted to weld the quarreling tribal and clannish factions into one Muslim ummah, as brethren in faith (Ikhwan fi’d-din).
For instance, his wife Juwayriyya (ra) belonged to the Banu Mustaliq clan, which was very powerful. The entire clan was a bitter enemy of Islam from the start, and they were finally sup pressed by military action. When the Prophet (pbuh) married Juwayr iyya (ra), the Muslims released all their prisoners, saying that they could not keep the prophet’s relatives in bondage. It was due to this marriage that the whole clan of Banu Mustaliq accepted Islam and became peaceful and obedient to the laws of the new Islamic state.
Maymunah (ra) also came from a very powerful and recalcitrant clan from Najd and was the sister of the wife of the chief of the clan in those days. It was this clan which had brutally murdered seventy members of an Islamic missionary deputation. The Prophet’s (pbuh) marriage with Maymu nah (ra) changed the whole atmosphere and Najd accepted Madinah’s au thority under the leadership of the Prophet (pbuh).
Umm Habibah (ra) was the daughter of the Quraysh chief, Abu Sufyan. It was after the Prophet’s (pbuh) marriage to Umm Habibah, that Abu Sufyan never fought against the Prophet (pbuh). This marriage was largely responsible for the conquest of Makkah. Furthermore, Umm Habibah was first married to a certain Ubaydullah and emigrated with him to Abyssinia, where Ubaydullah became a Christian and a drunkard. Excessive consumption of wine killed him since it was a double shock to her that her husband had become a Christian and later died, she was badly in need of solace.
Safiyyah (ra) was the daughter of a very prominent Jewish chief, Huyyah ibn Aktab. In consideration of her family status, she could not be merged into an ordinary household. So the Prophet (pbuh) himself married her. After this marriage, the Jews did not dare to revive their opposition to the Prophet (pbuh) and his mission.
In the case of Hafsah (ra), it was the Prophet’s (pbuh) desire to bind in relationship with those of his great companions (sahabah) who were his advisers and who were trained for future leadership. He had mar ried Abu Bakr’s (ra) daughter, married two of his own daughters to Uthman (ra) and one to ‘Ali (ra). ‘Umar (ra) could not be kept outside this wide circle of relationship. By marrying Umar’s daughter Hafsah (ra), the Prophet (pbuh) forged a strong bond of relationship within the Islamic movement thus strengthening the pillars of the ummah.
The Prophet (pbuh) had married his first cousin, Zaynab (ra), to his freed slave, Zayd ibn Haritha (ra), whom he had adopted as his son. This marriage of Zaynab (ra) with Zayd (ra) was intended to break the family and social barriers, but the marriage did not prove to be successful and ended in divorce. When the Prophet (pbuh) saw that Zaynab (ra) was left alone, he felt his responsibility in the matter. He also had to break another convention, according to which an adopt ed son became a real son. This difficult problem was solved by the Prophet’s (pbuh) marriage to Zaynab (ra) (as mentioned in the Qur’an, in Surah Ahzab, chapt er no 33 verse 37) to annul that pre-Islamic conception and promulgate an Islamic law instead.
Another lady Zaynab (ra), Umm al Masakin (mother of the poor and helpless), daughter of Khuzayma ibn Al-Haith, belonged to the Hawazin clan. Her husband was killed in the battle of Uhud. To rescue her from widowhood, the Prophet (pbuh) took her as his wife.
After the revelation of the verse in Surah Ahzab, chapter 33 verse 52, the Prophet (pbuh) only married Mary the Copt who was a slave girl sent as a present by the Christian Muqauqas of Egypt. Since the Christian Chieftain of Egypt sent Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) a slave girl as a present, he could not refuse this gift as a refusal would have disturbed the political alliance. He could not keep her as a slave girl, since Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) preached that slaves should be freed. The only option left with him was to marry her, since the Qur’an gave him the permission to do so. Later on she became the mother of Ibrahim (ra) who died in his infancy.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Matters of the (Muslim) Heart
In a metaphysical sense, we use our hearts in a variety of interesting ways. We love, hate, shed tears, feel happy, etc. based on the beliefs and understanding of various matters that we hold in our hearts. In general, our behavior is largely driven by the world that we build in our hearts. Mankind are known to go to great lengths to perform acts that range from being heroic to being absurd, all based on the value that one places on various matters – people and things – in one’s heart.
It is no wonder therefore that Allah mentions the “heart” in various contexts in more than 100 places in the Quran.
Consider what the prophet said in a hadith:
“There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoiled, the whole body gets spoiled – and that is the heart.” [Bukhary, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 49: Part of the Hadith Narrated by An-Nu'man bin Bashir]
If what we hold in our hearts drives us to act – sometimes pushing us to extremes – then it’s only prudent that we feed the right beliefs and knowledge to the world of our hearts.
Without proper knowledge and religious understanding, we can’t expect to build the levels of our faith and without faith there can’t be devotion in our actions. Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “..if actions were useful without devotion, He (Allah) would never have dispraised the hypocrites.” He also said, “Allah will never purchase any good (deed) that has not been refined by faith.” (Al Fawwaid)
It should come as no surprise therefore that we will be questioned about the knowledge that we acquire and how we use that knowledge to build the worlds of our hearts.
Consider the following verse:
“And follow not (O man, i.e., say not, or do not, or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge. Verily, the hearing, and the sight, and the heart of each of those ones will be questioned (by Allâh)” [al-Israa’ 17:36]
We know that the foundation of our religious understanding is based on our upbringing and our continued efforts to acquire knowledge. The weaker the foundation, the more difficult does it become to live Islam. It also lets a carefree attitude take root in our hearts making us even more negligent of our priorities. One of the pious and knowledgeable salaf ‘Ata’ al-Sulaymi was asked about his fear of Allah and his concerns and he said: “…. Death is close at hand, the grave is my house, on the Day of Resurrection I will stand and my path is over a bridge across Hell, and I do not know what will become of me.”
Obviously, if our knowledge and understanding is weak, our minds wouldn’t worry about such matters.
Unfortunately, in such a state many don’t even care to know what they don’t know and what they need to know.
On the contrary, when we invest in building the foundations of our knowledge and religious understanding, we become more cognizant of Allah and fear Him accordingly.
For those of us who feel better about their levels of knowledge, understanding and faith, we need to be careful about not developing a false sense of ‘Iman’ (faith). This is because we live in a world where it is common to find religious understanding founded on superficial knowledge garbled with philosophies of the day (that abound) and bits of personal viewpoints.
Sometimes that religious understanding is also tainted with cultural norms giving rise to Islamic viewpoints that are not in line with what was revealed by Allah on our prophet Muhammad (SAWS).
We, therefore, should be wary of falling into such traps of distorted enlightenment.
Consider the example of Umar Al-Khattab (the second Caliph of Islam). The prophet had said that if there was going to be a prophet after him, it would have been Umar. It was the same Umar who on his death bed asked for his head to be put on sand and he kept saying that “…May God be merciful on me. Oh you whose kingship never deviates have mercy on the one whose kingship has just deviated.”
If Umar – one of the very few who had been promised paradise in his life – was so worried and anxious about getting Allah’s mercy, how can we become complacent about the levels of the faith and ‘Iman’ that live in our hearts?
Elevating our knowledge and religious understanding thus should get a renewed sense of urgency. Let’s remind ourselves that the excuses that we may have today for not enhancing or correcting our religious knowledge and understanding, won’t pass the test of time. They have not for anyone in the past.
ibn Al-Qayyim said, “The person who is profoundly knowledgeable of Allah would be interested in consolidating the foundation and strengthening it. And the ignorant person would be interested in constructing but without taking care of the foundation, and in no time, his establishment would collapse.”
Allah says in the Quran:
“Is it then he, who laid the foundation of his building on piety to Allah and His Good Pleasure, better, or he who laid the foundation of his building on an undetermined brink of a precipice (steep rock) ready to crumble down, so that it crumbled to pieces with him into the Fire of Hell?” (At-Tawbah, 9:109)”
Getting the right knowledge will also elevate our positions in front of our Creator. As Allah says:
“Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge” [Part of the verse in al-Mujaadilah 58:11]
Finally, a useful Dua that we can make to inculcate the fear of our Creator is the one taught to us by the prophet. He (SAWS) used to make the dua:
“I seek refuge in you, O Allah, from knowledge that does not benefit and from a heart which does not fear.”
Let’s therefore spend our time to acquire the knowledge that can correct the condition of our hearts and make our lives a bit more meaningful. Let’s also be wary of what we are not feeding our hearts. Ultimately, we are in front of people and in front of our Creator based on what’s in our hearts.
By: Ibn Uthman Muhammad Zaharaddeen
It is no wonder therefore that Allah mentions the “heart” in various contexts in more than 100 places in the Quran.
Consider what the prophet said in a hadith:
“There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoiled, the whole body gets spoiled – and that is the heart.” [Bukhary, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 49: Part of the Hadith Narrated by An-Nu'man bin Bashir]
If what we hold in our hearts drives us to act – sometimes pushing us to extremes – then it’s only prudent that we feed the right beliefs and knowledge to the world of our hearts.
Without proper knowledge and religious understanding, we can’t expect to build the levels of our faith and without faith there can’t be devotion in our actions. Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “..if actions were useful without devotion, He (Allah) would never have dispraised the hypocrites.” He also said, “Allah will never purchase any good (deed) that has not been refined by faith.” (Al Fawwaid)
It should come as no surprise therefore that we will be questioned about the knowledge that we acquire and how we use that knowledge to build the worlds of our hearts.
Consider the following verse:
“And follow not (O man, i.e., say not, or do not, or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge. Verily, the hearing, and the sight, and the heart of each of those ones will be questioned (by Allâh)” [al-Israa’ 17:36]
We know that the foundation of our religious understanding is based on our upbringing and our continued efforts to acquire knowledge. The weaker the foundation, the more difficult does it become to live Islam. It also lets a carefree attitude take root in our hearts making us even more negligent of our priorities. One of the pious and knowledgeable salaf ‘Ata’ al-Sulaymi was asked about his fear of Allah and his concerns and he said: “…. Death is close at hand, the grave is my house, on the Day of Resurrection I will stand and my path is over a bridge across Hell, and I do not know what will become of me.”
Obviously, if our knowledge and understanding is weak, our minds wouldn’t worry about such matters.
Unfortunately, in such a state many don’t even care to know what they don’t know and what they need to know.
On the contrary, when we invest in building the foundations of our knowledge and religious understanding, we become more cognizant of Allah and fear Him accordingly.
For those of us who feel better about their levels of knowledge, understanding and faith, we need to be careful about not developing a false sense of ‘Iman’ (faith). This is because we live in a world where it is common to find religious understanding founded on superficial knowledge garbled with philosophies of the day (that abound) and bits of personal viewpoints.
Sometimes that religious understanding is also tainted with cultural norms giving rise to Islamic viewpoints that are not in line with what was revealed by Allah on our prophet Muhammad (SAWS).
We, therefore, should be wary of falling into such traps of distorted enlightenment.
Consider the example of Umar Al-Khattab (the second Caliph of Islam). The prophet had said that if there was going to be a prophet after him, it would have been Umar. It was the same Umar who on his death bed asked for his head to be put on sand and he kept saying that “…May God be merciful on me. Oh you whose kingship never deviates have mercy on the one whose kingship has just deviated.”
If Umar – one of the very few who had been promised paradise in his life – was so worried and anxious about getting Allah’s mercy, how can we become complacent about the levels of the faith and ‘Iman’ that live in our hearts?
Elevating our knowledge and religious understanding thus should get a renewed sense of urgency. Let’s remind ourselves that the excuses that we may have today for not enhancing or correcting our religious knowledge and understanding, won’t pass the test of time. They have not for anyone in the past.
ibn Al-Qayyim said, “The person who is profoundly knowledgeable of Allah would be interested in consolidating the foundation and strengthening it. And the ignorant person would be interested in constructing but without taking care of the foundation, and in no time, his establishment would collapse.”
Allah says in the Quran:
“Is it then he, who laid the foundation of his building on piety to Allah and His Good Pleasure, better, or he who laid the foundation of his building on an undetermined brink of a precipice (steep rock) ready to crumble down, so that it crumbled to pieces with him into the Fire of Hell?” (At-Tawbah, 9:109)”
Getting the right knowledge will also elevate our positions in front of our Creator. As Allah says:
“Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge” [Part of the verse in al-Mujaadilah 58:11]
Finally, a useful Dua that we can make to inculcate the fear of our Creator is the one taught to us by the prophet. He (SAWS) used to make the dua:
“I seek refuge in you, O Allah, from knowledge that does not benefit and from a heart which does not fear.”
Let’s therefore spend our time to acquire the knowledge that can correct the condition of our hearts and make our lives a bit more meaningful. Let’s also be wary of what we are not feeding our hearts. Ultimately, we are in front of people and in front of our Creator based on what’s in our hearts.
By: Ibn Uthman Muhammad Zaharaddeen
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