Breathe Islam

On the Day of Judgment :Allah will ask men if they fulfilled their obligations towards their families. They who fear Allah will do their best to direct the way his wife and children live by educating himself and his family to living according to the Sunnah of the Prophet(Sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and the Holy Qur’an, the final word of Allah.

The Prophet(Sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, “The best of you is the best one to his family.” [Al-Tabarani]

To share food with her, to provide her with (decent) clothes as he provides himself, to refrain from smacking her,
and not ignoring her but in the house. [Ahmad]

One should not hate his believer wife. If he dislikes some of her attitudes, he would (surely) like others (attitudes).
[Muslim]

Woman was created from a bent rib and will not be made straight for you on one way (that you like). If you want to enjoy her,you enjoy her while she is still bent. If you want to straighten her up, you will break her. Breaking her is divorcing her. [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

Do (volunteer) fasting (some days) and do not fast (in other days), pray at night (some nights) and sleep (in other nights). Your body has a right on you (to rest), your eye has a right on you (to sleep), and your wife has a right on you.
[Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

Fear Allah in (treating) women. [Muslim]

Be advised to treat women righteously. [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

And live with them honorably. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing that Allah brings through it a great deal of good. [4:19]

The Prophet (Sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said,”A Dinar (a currency) that you spend on your family, a Dinar that you spend on a poor person and a Dinar that you spend in the sake of Allah. The one that carries the most reward is the one that you spend on your family.” [Muslim]

The Prophet(Sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said to Saaid ibn Abi Waqqas,”Know that no charity that you give whether small or large, for the sake of Allah, but you will be rewarded for it, even the bite (of food) that you put in your wife’s mouth.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

www.everymuslim.com

When things in your life seem almost too much to
handle, when 24 Hours in a day are not enough,
remember the mayonnaise jar . . . and the coffee.

A professor stood before his Philosophy class and had
some items in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very
large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill
it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and
poured them into the jar.

He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the
open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of
sand and poured
it into the jar.

Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full.

The students responded with an unanimous “yes.”

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from
under the table and poured the entire contents into
the jar, effectively filling the empty space between
the sand.

The students laughed.

“Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
“I want you to recognize that this jar represents your
life.

“The golf balls are the important things - your Allah,
family, your children, your health, your friends, and
your favorite passions - things that if everything
else was lost and only they remained, your life would
still be full.

“The pebbles are the other things that matter like
your job, your house, and your car.

“The sand is everything else–the small stuff.

“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he
continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the
golf balls.

“The same goes for life.
“If you spend all your time and energy on the small
stuff, you will never have room for the things that
are important to you.

“Pay attention to the things that are critical to your
happiness.

Play with your children.

“Take time to get medical checkups.

“Take your partner out to dinner.

“Play another 18.

“There will always be time to clean the house and fix
the disposal.

“Take care of the golf balls first, the things that
really matter.

“Set your priorities.

“The rest is just sand.”

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what
the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked.

“It just goes to show you that no matter how full your
life may seem,there’s always room for a cup of coffee
with a friend.”

The Bond of Holy Love

an extract from Az-Zaujus Salih (The Pious Husband) by Mujlisul Ulama of South Africa

The Prophet (pbuh) said:
“The noblest of you are those who are the noblest to their families…”

“Verily, among the most perfect Believers in Iman are those who are best in character and kindest to their wives.”

Even lifting a morsel of food to the mouth of the wife has been given the significance of ibadat. It is an act of love by which the husband derives thawab (reward in the Hereafter).

It was part of the Uswah Hasanah (Noble character) of the Prophet (pbuh) to engage in light hearted talk with his wives. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (R.A.) said:

Allah loves a man who caresses his wife. Both of them are awarded thawab because of this loving attitude and their rizq (earning) is increased.”

A man is rewarded for even a drink of water he presents to his wife. According to the Prophet (pbuh) the mercy of Allah Ta’ala cascades on a couple when the husband glances at his wife with love and pleasure and she returns his glance with love and pleasure.

When a husband clasps the hand of his wife with love their sins fall from the gaps between their clasped fingers. Even mutual love between husband and wives serve as a kaffara (expiation) for sins. The Prophet (pbuh) said:

“When a man enters his home cheerfully, Allah creates, as a result of his happy attitude, an angel who engages in istighfar (prayers of forgiveness) on behalf of the man until the day of Qiyamah.”

May Allah swt give us the ability to act upon the above, ameen.
Al-Mar’atus Salihah (The Pious Wife) is also published by Mujlisul Ulama, both books can be found in the English language and have been described as the islamic prescription for a happy and successful marriage, the blessings and rewards of which extend into even the Hereafter.

Hadhrat Shaykh Asif Hussain Farooqui

All Praise is for Allah, and peace and blessings of Allah be upon His beloved Messenger Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

We are grateful to Allah subhana wa ta’ala for giving us the opportunity to sit in His remembrance. For truly it is a great favour indeed that despite all worldly distractions He has brought us to His House (mosque). Then sat us in His dhikr. And by sitting in His dhikr Allah subhana wa ta’ala helps us to get closer to Him and for every Muslim the true goal in life is to attain the pleasure of Allah subhana wa ta’ala.

Apart from that we all have a common interest, that we would all like to love Allah subhana wa ta’ala and we ourselves would like to be loved by our Lord Most High.

Now is it not strange that a person has a certain desire or goal in life but doesn’t make any effort to achieve it?

Surely it is a basic rule in this world that when a person has a particular interest or hobby, he does not waste any time. He spends most of his time in an activity that will help him achieve his goal. For example if a person wants to be good at a particular sport, he would play that sport very regularly and often spend a lot of money and time on trying to achieve his objective.

So truly if our objective in life is to be loved by Allah, and we also know that this can happen through doing His dhikr in abundance, then why is it that we not make ourselves busy in His remembrance?

The formula for achieving this is straightforward, Allah subhana wa ta’ala has stated in the Qur’an ‘Fadhkurooni adhkurkum’ (Remember Me and I will remember you). It is stated in a Hadeeth that Allah remembers His servant as soon as he remembers Allah.

Subhanallah, can you imagine the Lord Most High, The creator of the Heavens and the Earth remembering you? Indeed that is great thing. And this method for achieving our objective is so easy that it almost defies belief.

In a Hadeeth transmitted by Bukhari it is stated that Abu Hurayrah radhiallah anhu narrated that Allah’s Messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said “Allah Almighty says, ‘I am towards My servant as he is towards Me. I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me alone, I remember him alone. If he remembers Me in a gathering, I remember him in a gathering better than it.’”

Hadhrat Shaykh Asif Hussain Farooqui

All Praise is for Allah, and peace and blessings of Allah be upon His beloved Messenger Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

It is a great blessing from Allah subhana wa ta’ala that when a person does Allah’s dhikr he gets closer to Allah. We should be grateful for this privilege. It is such a great action to do the dhikr of Allah, because as soon a person begins to remember his Lord, he begins to get closer to Him. And there is evidence of this in the Qur’an where Allah says,

Remember me and I will remember you,
be grateful to Me, And reject not
(Surah Al-Baqarah verse152)

What more closeness can there be than that of Allah remembering His servant? This is indeed closeness, where a person remembers Allah and Allah remembers the person. To remember someone is a sign of closeness and love. And this is also the way of the world. For example a person would remember those he loves in many ways, he would keep in touch with those people he loves the most, either by letter or by phone. We only worry about those people about whom we care. When you are away from your friends and family, you tend to contact your parents, more so than people you have less care for.

Now Allah’s dhikr is such a link between the Creator and His creation that it makes it easy for a human being to get the attention of the Most High. And the more a person remembers Allah, the more it is that Allah remembers him.

It is stated in a Hadeeth in Bukhari narrated by Abu Hurayrah radhiallah anhu that Allah’s Messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Allah the Almighty says, If my servant draws near to Me a hand’s span, I draw near to him an arm’s length; and if he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw near to him a fathom’s length. And if he comes to Me walking I go to him at speed.”

Allah’s Mercy envelops the person who turns to Him. Allah subhana wa ta’ala raises the status of a person in accordance with the amount of dhikr, the purer the intention and steadfastness that he has.

As a person continues to remember Allah with sincerity, there eventually comes a time when he becomes a beloved of Allah. It is stated in Hadeeth that when a person becomes a beloved of Allah, then Allah becomes his ears, his tongue, his hands and feet. The meaning of the Hadeeth is that a person begins to live his life for Allah’s sake alone and his hands and so on are not used to commit sin. His sole purpose in life is to seek Allah’s pleasure. And all this starts from the time when a person begins to remember Allah and do Allah’s dhikr.

May Allah give us the tawfeeq (ability) to remember Him, and do His dhikr with sincerity and in abundance.

Salam Alaykum,

With the falling prices of PCs and the growth on the internet, in particular ‘Islamic’ forums and personal blogs, more and more people can now have their ‘voices heard’ via the web. Of course there are many benefits to this, notably that islamic resources are more widely and easily obtainable, whether through online purchasing or ebooks/ materials.

Of particular concern though is the ease with which a Muslim can destroy their good deeds by posting criticism, offensive, belittling and outright insulting comments on their fellow Muslim. It is more easier to do this than a real confrontation for they do not have to see the physical expressions, anxiety or effect this has on the victim. Another advantage of this sort of online behaviour is that one can so easily keep concealed their true identity, and therefore take comfort that no reprisal will come about.

Sad to say that the Ulama, of our time and the past, have not been spared in being the subject of some of these comments. In light of of this I thought I would present the article below taken from Jamiat.org.za. Please pass this around as some of our brothers and sisters dont even realise what they are doing. The worse situation a Muslim could be in is thinking they are doing something good, when in reality it is definitely something bad and sinful.
May Allah swt save us from committing such sins and wrong, Ameen.

DIREGARD FOR ULAMA - AN OPEN SIGN OF QIYAAMAT

Better dead at that time … !

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wasallam) made dua to Allah: “O Allah! let me not be alive and may you (O Sahabah!) also not be alive at such a time when the Aalim will not be followed, and when no respect will be shown to the wise-learned ones. The people of that time will have hearts like kuffaar and their tongues will be eloquently sweet like the tongue of the Arabs.” - Targheeb (al-I’tidaal of H.Shaikh)

Will be treated like dogs

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: “Such a time will come when the Ulama will be killed like dogs. If only the Ulama could become insane ….” (al-I’tidaal of H.Shaikh)

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: “Such a time will come when the death of the Ulama will be more sought after than red gold” (al-I’tidaal of H.Shaikh)

Ulama will not be appreciated or valued

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: “That man is not from us (Muslims) who does not respect our elders, neither shows mercy on our young ones nor appreciates the Alim (scholar of Deen amongst us)” - Targheeb (al-I’tidaal of H.Shaikh)

Sayyidina Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) says: “Whosoever harrasses any Alim has caused trouble and pain to Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wasallam) and the one who causes trouble and pain to Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wasallam) has caused trouble to Allah” (al-I’tidaal of H.Shaikh)

Covenant has taken from all Muslims to show respect to Ulama

Imam Abdul Wahhab Sha’rani (R) writes: “A covenant was made with us (Muslims) on behalf of Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wasallam) that we respect the Ulama, the saintly and the elders, whether they themselves act according to their knowledge or not. And that we shall continue to discharge their necessary rights and entrust their personal matter to Allah Ta’ala. Whosoever fails to discharge the Ulama’s rights and fails to show them the necessary respect and honour is indeed guilty of sin towards Allah and His Rasul (sallallahu-alayhi-wasallam), for the Ulama are the successors of the Ambiya (AS), the heirs of Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wasallam), the bearers of the Shariah and they are His servants. When anyone insults them, the insults set forth a chain reaction which reaches Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wasallam). This is kufr. Now think for yourself: The king appoints someone as his ambassador. The king will with attention listen to this ambassador and debar the insulter from his court. On the other hand, the king will make a favourite out of that man who showed respect and honour to his ambassador and who discharged the rights due to his emissary” (al-I’tidaal of H.Shaikh)

Anti-Ulama elements of this Ummah are like barking puppies

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: “In a certain house of Bani Israeel, there was a bitch that was about to give birth to puppies. A guest arrived at the house. The bitch decided that she would not bark at the guest that night (so as to cause him trouble). However from inside the womb of the bitch, the puppies began to bark. Then Allah Ta’ala revealed: This is the example of that Ummah which will come after you. The foolish ones of that Ummah will overcome and subdue its Ulama” (Al-I’tidaal of H.Shaikh)

Beware! Rulings of kufr

Maulana Abdul Hayy (R) writes in his “Fatawa”: “If the object of one who humiliates and causes pain to the Ulama is because of their knowledge of Deen, then the Fuqaha have passed a verdict of Kufr against him. If however, he has any other object then too there is no doubt in that person being a Faasiq, sinful person, worthy of Allah’s anger and deserving of His punishment in this world and the Hereafter” - (Al-I’tidaal of H.Shaikh)

Fatawa Aalamgiri states: “There is fear of kufr against that person who harbours hatred against any Alim without any acceptable, clear reason” (Al-I’tidaal of H.Shaikh)

Mufti Zubair Bayat

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray that you are all i the best of health and imaan.Ameen.

It’s been a while since I have posted here, came across this article and thought I’d share it with you.

Without further a do here goes Inshallah….

“Our Lord! Grant that our spouses and our offspring be a comfort to our eyes, and give us the grace to lead those who are conscious of You” (Furqaan 74).

10. When you have done something wrong, be ready to admit it and ask for forgiveness: Nabi [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] said, ‘All the sons of Aadam commit error, and the best of those who err are those who seek forgiveness.’ (Tirmidhi Hadith 2499)

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SHAWWAL

Shawwal is the tenth lunar month. During the period of ignorance Ramadhân was regarded as a blessed and sacred month. Shawwal was regarded as a cursed month and a month of ill‑omen. The people of that time never married during Shawwal. Due to this Hazrat Ayesha Radiallâhu anha expressed disappointment of the people to consider this month to be inauspicious, as she was married to Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam in this very month. The wrong beliefs of the people was clearly disproven by Hazrat Ayesha Radiallâhu anha by her marriage to Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam in the month of Shawwal which was no obstruction to her elevated position and great love Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam had for her.

To a Muslim the first day of the month of Shawwal, is of very great significance, as this is the day of Eid. On this significant day Allâh showers His glorious rewards of blessings and forgiveness to His servants who have fasted during the month of Ramadhân. It is related from Hazrat Anâs Radiallâhu anhu that Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam has said: “When the day of Eid appears, Allâh proudly asks in the presence of the Angels regarding his fasting servants: ‘O My Angels, what return is there for such labourers who have fully completed their duty?’ The Angels reply, ‘O Rabb they should be rewarded in full,’ then Allâh asks the Angels, ‘O My Angels what is the reward for those male and female servants who have fulfilled My divine command which was compulsory upon them, and now they have come out to beseech Me in Du’â?’ Allâh swears, ‘I take oath upon My grandeur and glory, My generosity and exaltation of My elevated position, that I will definitely accept their Du’âs.’ Thereafter Allâh says: ‘Disperse, I have forgiven you and replaced your sins with good deeds.’ Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam says they return forgiven.’”

THE SIX NAFL FASTS OF SHAWWÂL
Hazrat Abî Ayyub Radiallâhu anhu relates that Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam has said: “Whoever fasted the full month of Ramadhân and then follows it with six rozas [fasts] of Shawwâl, is like the person who has fasted the full year.” (Targhîb)

In another Hadîth it is related that by observing these six rozas after Ramadhân all defaults and sins are forgiven. The reward of every good deed is tenfold or more. The thawâb of the month of Ramadhân is equal to that of ten months and that of these six voluntary siyam are equal to that of the remaining two months to complete the full year. These rozas could be kept continuously after Eid-ul‑Fitr or separately during the month of Shawwâl.

www.islamsa.org.za

Salam Alaykum,
So I was able to visit Edinburgh earlier this week and alhumdulillah I saw some beautiful and amazing scenery whilst up there. Looking down at one of the many Lochs up that way none could spot a fault or glitch in the wonderful creation of Allah swt.

How amazing it was to see the water in the lake, and then the same water rises invisibly and forms a visible cloud and the cloud then moves around as does the earth only with the permission of Allah. Later on this same water is then dispelled of from the sky in the form of rain (a mercy of Allah) through which the crops and plantations can grow. Moreso ajeeb that rainfull in excess can cause damage, harmand death, as we have seen around the globe in recent months.

Anyway, onto what I really came to write about…
On two seperate days in the centre of Edinburgh a bearded christian asked me if I could speak arabic. The first time I responded yes, and he was armed with pamphlets for us and tried to get us to take them. Whilst I didnt actually take one, my friend did and he confirmed it as being missionary material. I was shocked for a moment at the preparation and audacity of the christian that he should have such printed material in arabic, in attempt to convert Muslims. The shock didnt last that long as my brain ticked over and recalled their behaviour in Indonesia and Sri Lanka shortly after the Tsunami.

The real sad thing for me was when Muslims attempt to call other Muslims towards good in general, or to the Masjid for a talk etc, then they have the door shut on them or worse mocked, ridiculed etc. Subhanallah, if this is how we behave to our fellow Muslims when they are concerned for us and the ummah, then is it any wonder that the Ummah is in the dire condition it is in today?! Granted we may not totally agree to what is being said to us or the way it is being done, but rather than isolating yourself frm them as quickly as possible why not play a positive role and give them some time and or feedback?

If you cannot at least do this then know that you have done detriment to the cause of Islam rather than benefit. Also in a hadith it is said that ‘Satan is closer to the one and futher from the two, so stick with the community.’ Let these words take root in your mind and inshallah good will come out of it.

Alhumdulillah, I saw Edinburgh central masjid which Mashallah is very nice.
After visiting the mosque we visited Khushis for a bite to eat, and the food was amazing there!!
Anyways, best not start talking about food, else the post might not end.

Duah ma yhad.
Wasalaams

MUSLIMS AND THE INTERNET
When it comes to the internet, so much time is wasted, previously the TV was the time waster but now the internet has surpassed it. We need to worry about this influence a great deal more as concerned Muslims, Many many hours and hours can be spent on the net and if after this one reflects as to what they gained from that period of time, the sad reality in most cases is that it was only flicking and scrolling from screens and webpages. Yes there are benefits to be obtained but in general there is so much time wasted on the internet.

Its so sad that after isha people can sit on the internet and stay on for so long that the Fajr salah is missed due to being tired. Visiting some places I asked the father/ parents that your son was awake until 2am, he said oh yes he was doing his homework on the computer. Previusly we would know the child was at the library doing his or her homework, but now they do not have to even leave their room. Only Allah really knows what is going on in the childs room whilst the parents are asleep.

Every evil is available at your finger tips now. Just a few words to type and one can have a picture of such filthy evils imprinted onto your heart, evils previously unimaginable.

All these sins has an impact on our ibaadah and our imaan. Even the kuffar and sinners/ criminals in the past would not see some of the things we can so easily view today. Then we ask ourslves why we do’t experience the pleasure and khushu in our ibadaat, this is the effect of our sins on our heart.

The Holy Prophet pbuh said: ‘A look towards the haram is a poisoned arrow from the arrows of the Iblees.’

How strong is our imaan and how many arrows can our imaan take? Now we are having these arrows shot at us, one after the other through the internet, and Satan continues to deceive us.

May Allah swt give us the taufiq to stregthen and protect our imaan from such sins. Controlling our Nafs is key to save ourselves, and we need to realise that when we are in the privacy, darkness and loneliness of our room with the internet, that Allah the All Seeing, All Hearing is All Aware of what we do. If we realise that someone is watching us while we commit such harams, and that they will take us to task tomorrow then we would refrain from the haram right away. Then how can continue with these harams when tomorrow we will be called to account for these actions in the court of Allah? How we spent each and every second of our lives will be either for us or against us.
If despite realising these points we continue with these sins we should take a serious with regards to our connection with Allah the Almighty.

Inshallah rememberring these points will save us from the evil influences of the internet.
transcribed from a speach given by Shaykh Ibrahim Madani

May Allah swt give the ability first of all to me, and then to you to act upon the above and save ourselves from the clutches of the Satan.
Duas requested please.
Wasalams