The 7 Conditions of Laa ilaaha illallah

1)       Ilm – knowledge [which negates ignorance]

Evidence:

The evidence for (the condition of) ‘Ilm is His Saying:

So know (O Muhammad) that Laa ilaaha ill Allah (none has the right to be worshipped except Allah) and seek forgiveness for your sins… [Muhammad 47:19]

Also, His Saying:

And those whom they invoke instead of Him have no power of intercession; except those who bear witness to the truth (i.e. believed in the Oneness of Allâh, and obeyed His Orders), and they know (the facts about the Oneness of Allâh). [az-Zukhruf 43:86]

Allaah –Ta’ala- said:

<La ilaha ‘illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels and those having knowledge (also give this witness); (He is always) maintaining His creation in Justice. La ilaha ‘illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.>>

[Aali-‘Imran: 18]

And from the Sunnah, the confirmed Hadeeth in as-Saheeh (Muslim), on the authority of Uthman, who said: the Prophet said: Whoever dies knowing that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah (i.e. laa ilaaha ill Allah) will enter paradise. [Muslim]

2)       Yaqeen - Certainty [which negates doubt]

You need to have Ilm al yaqeen (certain knowledge) as opposed to Ilm al-dhann (suspicious knowledge).

Evidence:

The evidence (for the condition of) al-Yaqeen is His Saying:

The believers are only those who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and afterward doubt not, but they strive with their wealth and their lives for the Cause of Allah. Those! They are the truthful.

[al-Hujuraat 49:15]

From the Sunnah, the confirmed Hadeeth in the Saheeh (i.e. Muslim), on the authority of Abu Hurairah, that the Messenger of Allah said:

I bear witness that nothing deserves to be worshipped except Allah, and that I am the Messenger of Allah.  No one will meet Allah with these two [words of testimony] – while he has no doubt about them, except that he will enter Paradise.  [Muslim]

Also, from Abu Hurairah – from a long Hadeeth – [the saying of the Prophet]:

Whoever you meet on the other side of this wall, who testifies that nothing deserves to be worshipped except Allah, while his heart is certain of this (testimony) – give him the good news of al-Jannah. [Muslim]

It is only those who believe not in Allaah and the Last Day and whose hearts are in doubt that ask your leave (to be exempted from Jihaad). So in their doubts they waver [Tawbah: 45]  -- speaking of the munaafiqs

3)       Qabool  –Acceptance [which negates ar-Radd- Negation]

The evidence (for the condition of) al-Qubool is His Saying:

And similarly, We sent not a warner before you (O Muhammad Sallahu alaihi wa sallam) to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: ‘We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps.’

(The warner) said: ‘Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following?’ They said: ‘Verily, We disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.’

So We took revenge of them, then see what was the end of those who denied (the worship of Allah alone). [az-Zukhruf 43:23 – 25]

Also, His Saying:

Truly when it was said to them: 'laa ilaaha ill Allah', they puffed themselves up with pride (i.e. they denied it), and they said: Are we going to abandon our gods for the sake of a mad poet? 

[as- Saaffaat 37:35, 36]

And from the Sunnah in the Saheeh on the authority of Abu Musa –RadhiAllaahu anhu- that the Prophet - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam - said: ‘The like of what Allaah sent me with of guidance and knowledge is like heavy rainfall which poured onto the ground. There was some land which was fertile which absorbed the water and many plants and grass began to grow. There was some land which was arid but it held the water and Allaah made the people benefit by it, so they drank from it, used the water and used it for agriculture. There was some other land which was affected by the water but was flat land where nothing would grow. It did not hold the water nor did it allow plants to grow. That is the example of the one who has understanding of the Deen and benefits from what Allaah sent me with, so he learns it and teaches it and the example of he who cannot raise his head due to it and does not accept the guidance of Allaah with which I have been sent.’

4)       Inqiyaad  - Submission & Obedience [negates disobedience]

Inqiyaad definition: Complete Submission and Compliance with its rights, which are the obligatory duties, doing it purely for Allah, seeking His Pleasure.

The evidence (for this condition of) al-Inqiyaad is His Saying:

And turn in repentance and in obedience with true faith to your Lord, and submit to Him before the torment comes upon you, and then you will not be helped. [az-Zumar 39:54]

Also, His Saying:

And who can be better in religion than one who submits his face (himself) to Allah, and he is a Muhsin (a doer of good), and follows the religion of Ibraaheem, Haneefan (to worship none but Allah alone). And Allah did take Ibraaheem as a Khaleel (an intimate friend). [an-Nisaa’ 4:125]

Also, His Saying:

And whoever submits his face [i.e. himself] to Allah, while he is Muhsin (a doer of good), then he has grasped the most trustworthy hand­hold [i.e. laa ilaaha ill Allah.  [Luqmaan 31:22]

Also, His Saying:

But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad Sallahu alaihi wa sallam) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.  [an-Nisaa’ 4:65]

And from the Sunnah, his saying:

No one of you with have (true) Faith, until his Hawaa (desires,whims etc.) are in accordance with what I have come with.  [al-Baghawee, Sharh as-Sunnah 1/213.  Its chain contains Nu’aim ibn Hammad, who has been declared to be da’eef  (weak)]

5)       As-Sidq - Truthfulness [which negates lying (khadib) and prohibits hypocrisy (nifaaq)]

-and it is to say ‘laa ilaaha illallah’ truthfully from one’s heart and to make one’s speech in accordance to what is in one’s heart.

The evidence (for the condition of) as-Sidq is His Saying:

Alif­Lâm­Mîm.

Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We believe,’ and will not be tested. 

And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allâh will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allâh knows all that before putting them to test). [al-‘Ankaboot 29:1-3]

Also, His Saying:

And of mankind, there are some (i.e. hypocrites) who say: ‘We believe in Allâh and the Last Day’ while in fact they believe not.

They (think to) deceive Allâh and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not!

In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allâh has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies. [al-Baqarah 2:8-10 

And from the Sunnah, that which is confirmed in as-Saheehain (i.e. al-Bukhaaree and Muslim), on the authority of Mu’aadh ibn Jabal, from the Prophet:

 …There is none who testifies truthfully from his heart that there is no deity (god) worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad  is His servant and His Messenger, except that Allah will make Haraam for him (i.e. save him from) the Hell-Fire... [al-Bukhaaree.  (Al-Albaanee said that this narration is not in Muslim. See: Mishkaat, 1/15, no. 25)]

6)       Al-Ikhlaas  – Purity and Sincerity-worshipping Allah exclusively- [which negates shirk]

The evidence (for the condition of) al-Ikhlaas is His Saying:

 Surely, the pure religion  (i.e. the worship and obedience) is for Allah alone. [az-Zumar 39:3]

Also, His Saying:

And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him)… [al-Bayyinah 98:5]

And from the Sunnah is the confirmed Hadeeth in the Saheeh (i.e. al-Bukhaaree), on the authority of Abu Hurairah, from the Prophet [that he said]:

The most fortunate of people who will receive my Shafaa’ah (intercession), will be the one who said: ‘La ilaaha ill Allah – sincerely from his heart or his soul. [al-Bukhaaree]

Also, in the Saheeh (i.e. al-Bukhaaree), on the authority of Utbaan ibn Maalik, from the Prophet, that he said:  Allah has forbidden the Fire upon one who says Laa ilaaha ill Allah, seeking by this the Face of Allah (i.e. saying this sincerely for Allah Alone). [al-Bukhaaree]

Also, that which is reported by an-Nasaa’ee, in ‘Amal al-Yawm wa-l-Lailah, from the Hadeeth of two men from among the companions, that the Prophet said: Whoever said: Laa ilaaha ill Allah, Wahda-hu, Laa Shareeka la-hu, la-hu-l-Mulk wa la-hu-l-Hamd, wa Huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in Qadeer – the heart being sincere, the tongue being truthful – Allah will make an opening in the sky due to it, such that He will look at the one who has said it from the people of the earth; and  it is the right of a servant whom Allah looks at that he be given what he asks for.   [This hadeeth has two weak narrators in its Isnaad (chain): Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Maimoon and Ya’qoob ibn ‘Aasim ibn ‘Urwah ibn Mas’ood]

7)       Mahabba  - Love  (for His kalimah and that which it entails, love for its people-those who act upon it, adhering to its conditions- and hating what violates it.)

The evidence (for the condition of) al-Mahabbah is His Saying:

And of mankind are some who take [for worship] others besides Allah as Andaal (rivals). They love them as they love Allah.  But those who believe love Allah more (than anything else). [al Baqarah 2:65]

Also, His Saying:

O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islâm), Allâh will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allâh, and never afraid of the blame of the blamers…[al-Maa’idah 5:54]

<< Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibraheem and those with him, when they said to their people: ‘Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allaah. We have rejected you and there has begun between us and you hostility and hatred forever, until you believe in Allaah Alone’>> [Mumtahana: 4]

You will not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day befriending those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger even though they were their fathers, their sons, their brothers or their kindred (people). For such

He has written Faith in their hearts >> [Mujadilah:22]

Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline and the dwellings in which you delight ... are dearer to you than Allaah and His Messenger and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allaah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allaah guides not the people who are the rebellious, disobedient to Allaah. >> [Tawbah: 23-24]

And from the Sunnah, that which is confirmed in the Saheeh (i.e. Muslim) on the authority of Anas, that he said, that the Messenger of Allah said:

Whoever possesses the following three characteristics will taste the sweetness of faith: (1) That he loves Allah  and His Messenger more than anything else; (2)  that he loves a person, and he only loves him for the sake of Allah; (3) and that he hates to return to disbelief after being saved from it just as he would hate to be thrown into the Fire. [Muslim]

Bukhari -Rahimahullaah- said: Muhammad bin Sinaan narrated to us that Faleeh said that Hilaal bin ‘Alee narrated to us on the authority of ‘Atta bin Yassar on the authority of Abu Huraira –RadhiAllaahu anhu- that the Messenger of Allaah – sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam - said:

 ‘Everyone from my Ummah will enter Paradise, except the one who refuses to enter.’

They asked: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, who would refuse?’

He said: ‘Whoever obeys me enters Paradise and whoever disobeys me has

refused to enter.’

(Al-ilmu, wal-yaqeenu, wal-qaboolu, wa-inqiyaadu, tadri maa aqoolu

wa-sidqu, wal-ikhlaasu, wal-muhabbah

wa-tafaqa Allaahu lima ahabbah)

Knowledge and certainty and acceptance along with submission, and be aware of what I am saying

And truthfulness along with sincerity and love,

Allaah grant you tawfeeq to what He loves

-Poetry by al haafidh al Hakamee from his book Ma’ribul Qubool

Source: A collaboration of Ma’aarij al-Qabool by Hafidh al Hakamee (translated by Abbas abu Yahya) &  Notes from ‘Evidences of  Laa ilaaha Illallaah’ –Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhaab

In the Heart of Green Birds

[Surah al-Imraan]

Think not of those who are killed in the way of Allah as dead. Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision (169)

They rejoice in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty and rejoice for the sake of those who have not yet joined them, but are left behind (not yet martyred) that on them no fear shall come, nor shall they grieve. (170)

They rejoice in a grace and a bounty from Allah, and that Allah will not waste the reward of the believers. (171)

It has been narrated on the authority of Masruq Who said: We asked 'Abdullah about the Qur'anic verse: "Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they are alive, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord..." (iii. 169).

He said: We asked the meaning of the verse (from the Holy Prophet) who said: The souls, of the martyrs live in the bodies of green birds who have their nests in chandeliers hung from the throne of the Almighty. They eat the fruits of Paradise from wherever they like and then nestle in these chandeliers. Once their Lord cast a glance at them and said: Do ye want anything? They said: What more shall we desire? We eat the fruit of Paradise from wherever we like. Their Lord asked them the same question thrice. When they saw that they will continue to be asked and not left (without answering the question), they said: O Lord, we wish that Thou mayest return our souls to our bodies so that we may be slain in Thy way once again. When He (Allah) saw that they had no need, they were left (to their joy in heaven).

Bukhari. Book 20. On Government. Hadith 4651.
----

The Prayer of Ibraheem Alayhi salaam- Surah As-Shu'ara

One of my absolute favourite passages from the Qur'aan. Soo beautiful subhanAllah .. Tafseer of this surah can be found  here.

Research experiment with Dr. Saleh as-Saleh

Based on hadeeth:

"If a housefly falls in the drink of anyone of you, he should dip it (in the drink), for the one of its wings has a disease and the other has the cure of the disease." [Bukhari, vol. 4: 537].

Click here to read




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Al-Mutafifeen

Taken from Sheikh Uthaymeen'ss tafsir of sura Al Mutaffiffun (chapter 83)
 
Allah says what can be translated as:
1 Woe to Al Mutaffififun (those who give less in measure and weight)
 
2 Those who when they have to receive by measure from men demand full measure
 
3 And when they have to give by measure or weight to men give less than due
 
4 Do they not think that they will be resurrected (for reckoning)
 
5 On a great day
 
6 The day when (all) mankind will stand before the Lord of the Alamin (all that exits)
 
Sheikh Uthamin said concerning the explanation of Chapter Al-Mutaffinfin
  
(Woe) The word woe is repeated in the Quran many times and according to what is most correct it is a statement of threat by which Allah threatens those whom oppose His command or indulge in what He has prohibited them from.
And the prohibition is mentioned in the sentence following the threat.
 
Therefore in this case Allah the Exalted says woe be to Al Mutaffififun
So who are these Al Mutaffififun
These Al Mutaffififun are explained in the next verse
He said (Those who when they have to receive by measure from men demand full measure) (And when they have to give by measure or weight to men they give less than what is due)
 
(Those who when they have to receive by measure from men demand full measure)
 
Meaning when they buy from the people that which is weighed they demand from the people their rights in full without any deficiency
 
(And when they have to give by measure or weight to men they give less than what is due)
 
But if they are weighing or they are the ones selling the weighed meat or selling something which is measured they give a weight that is deficient
 
(they give less than what is due)
 
Therefore they demand their rights in full and they are deficient in giving others their rights
 
So they combined two affairs they combine greed and stinginess
 
Greed in demanding his rights in full without any leniency or forgiveness and stinginess because he does not give the full weight that is incumbent upon him
 
This example that Allah the Exalted mentions concerning the weigh and measure is just an example therefore it also applies to everything which is similar to this. Therefore everyone who demands their rights in full when they are due to receive rights but they don t give full rights when the rights are due from them then they are included in these noble verses.
 
An example of this is the husband who wants from his wife that she gives him all of his rights in full and he is not lenient in any of his rights. But when it is time to give his wife her rights then he is lackadaisical and he does not give her that which is due her.
 
And there are so many complaints from the women about this type of husband. And with Allah refuge is sought.
 
To the extent that many of the husbands want from their wives that they give them all of their rights but they don’t give their wives all of their rights and possibility the husbands will fall short in giving their wives most of the basic rights such as spending on them and living with them in kindness and other than that.
 
Verily oppressing another person is more severe than a person oppressing himself concerning the rights of Allah because the person oppressing himself concerning the rights of Allah is beneath the will of Allah if it is a sin other that shirk. If Allah wants to He will forgive the person and if He wants to He will punish the person.
 
But in regards to the rights of the people there has to be compensation given. And for this reason the Prophet peace and blessing are upon him said (to his companions) who do you consider to be the bankrupt person. They said the one from us who does not have any currency or any possessions.
 
He (the Prophet peace and blessings are upon him) said Verily the bankrupt person from my nation is the one who will come on the Day of Judgment with good deeds the size of a mountain (meaning a lot of good deeds). So he will come with these good deeds but he has oppressed this person and he abused this person and he hit this person and he took the wealth from this person. Therefore this person he oppressed will take from his good deeds and that person will take from his good deeds and this person will take from his good deeds and if his good deeds run out before he repays that which he owes then he will be given the sins of those he wronged and their sins will be flung on top of him and then he will be flung into the fire.
 
So my advice to those who are lackadaisical or negligent concerning the rights of there spouses is that they fear Allah the Mighty and Majestic because the Prophet peace and blessings are upon him advised with this during the biggest gathering that the Islamic world witnessed during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah peace and blessings are upon him on the day of Arafat during the farewell pilgrimage.
 
He said fear Allah concerning the women because verily you took them as a trust from Allah and you have been permitted to have intimate relationships with them by the word of Allah.
 
Also you will find that some of the parents desire for their children to give them all of their rights in a perfect manner. So they want for their children to honor them and give them their rights and to give them money and to give physical help and everything type of honor possible but he is neglectful concerning his children and he does not give his children their rights. We say that this person is Al Mutaf (those who give less in measure and weight)
 
That father who wants for his children to honor him to the maximum all the while he is neglectful concerning their rights we say to him you are Al Mutaf (those who give less in measure and weight).
 
We say to him remember the statement of Allah the Exalted (what can be translated as)
 
1 Woe to Al Mutaffififun (those who give less in measure and weight)
 
2 Those who when they have to receive by measure from men demand full measure
 
3 And when they have to give by measure or weight to men give less than due
   
http://www.ibnothaimeen.com/all/books/article_17867.shtml

Abu Imad Rasheed Ibn Gant

Beautiful Love Story of Zainab bint Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) & Abu Al-`As Ibn Rabee'

Zainab was the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) and her cousin Abu Al-`As, was Khadeeja's (RA) nephew. He ...was one of the nobles of the Quraish, and the Prophet Muhammad  (صلى الله عليه و سلم) loved him very much.

One day Abu Al-`As went to the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) before he had received his mission of Prophethood and said: "I want to marry your eldest daughter". So the Prophet replied: "I must ask her first". He (صلى الله عليه و سلم) went to Zainab and asked her: "Your cousin came to me and he wishes to marry you, do you accept him as your husband?" Her face turned red with bashfulness and she smiled.

So Zainab married Abu Al-`As, the beginning of a great love story. They had two children; Ali and Omama.
Then Muhammad became a Prophet while Abu Al-`As was away from Makkah. Abu Al-`As returned to find his wife a Muslim. When he first came back, his wife said "I have great news for you". He stood up and left her. Zainab was surprised and followed him as she said, "My father became a Prophet and I have become a Muslim". He replied, "Why didn't you tell me first?" Hence a big problem began between the two; a problem of religion and belief.

She told him, "I wasn't going to disbelieve in my father and his message, he is not a liar, and he is "The Honest and Trustworthy". I'm not the only believer; my mother and my sisters became Muslims, my cousin Ali ibn Abi Talib became a Muslim, your cousin Uthman ibn Affan became a Muslim, and your friend, Abu Bakr, became a Muslim".

He replied, "Well, as for me, I don't want people to say, 'he let down his people and his forefathers to please his wife'. And I am not accusing your father of anything". Then he said, "So will you excuse me and understand?" She replied, "Who will excuse and understand you if I don't? I will stay beside you and help you until you reach the truth." And she kept her word for 20 years.

Abu Al-`As remained an unbeliever, and then came the migration. Zainab went to her father and asked him for the permission to stay with her husband. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) replied, "Stay with your husband and children".

So Zainab stayed in Makkah, until the battle of Badr occurred. Abu Al-`As was to fight in the army of Quraish against the Muslims. For Zainab, it meant that her husband will be fighting her father, a time Zainab had always feared. She kept crying out: "O Allah, I fear one day the sun may rise and my children become orphans or I lose my father".

So the battle started, and ended in victory for the Muslims. Abu Al-`As was captured by the Muslims, and news of this reached Makkah. Zainab asked, "What did my father do?" They told her, "The Muslims won". So she prayed to Allah, thanking Him. Then she asked: "What did my husband do?" They said: "He was captured". She said, "I'll send a payment to release him". She didn't own anything of much value, so she took off her mother's necklace, and sent it with Abu Al-`As brother to the Prophet.

While the Prophet  (صلى الله عليه و سلم)was sitting, taking payments and releasing captives, he saw Khadeeja's necklace. He held it up and asked: "Whose payment is this?" They said: "Abu Al-`As ibn Rabee". He cried and said "This is Khadeeja's necklace". As soon as the Messenger of Allah  (صلى الله عليه و سلم)saw that necklace, he had a feeling of extreme compassion and his heart palpitated for the great memory. The Companions who were present there gazed in amazement having being captivated by the magnificence of the situation.

After a long silence, the Messenger of Allah  (صلى الله عليه و سلم) stood up and said "People, this man is my in-law, should I release him? And do you accept the return of this necklace to my daughter?" They answered in unison "Yes, Messenger of Allah".

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) gave the necklace to Abu Al-`As and said to him: "Tell Zainab not to give away Khadeeja's necklace". Then he  (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, "Abu Al-`As, Can we speak privately?" He took him aside and said, "Allah has ordered me to separate between a Muslim and a disbeliever, so could you return my daughter to me?" Abu Al-`As reluctantly agreed.

Zainab stood on the gates of Makkah waiting for the arrival of Abu Al-`As. When he finally came he said, "I am going away". She asked, "Where to?" He replied, "It is not me who is going, it is you. You are going to your father. We must separate because you are a Muslim". She implored him, "Will you become a Muslim and come with me?" But he refused.

So Zainab took her son and daughter and traveled to Madinah, and for 6 years she refused to remarry, hoping that one day Abu Al-`As would come.

After 6 years, Abu Al-`As was traveling in a caravan from Makkah to Syria. During the journey, he was intercepted by some of the Prophet's companions. He escaped and asked for Zainab's home. He knocked on her door shortly before the dawn prayer. She opened the door and asked him "Did you become a Muslim?" He whispered "No, I come as a fugitive". She implored him once more "Can you become a Muslim?" Again his answer was a negative. "Do not worry." She said, "Welcome my cousin, welcome, the father of Ali and Omama".

After the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) prayed the dawn prayer in congregation with the people, they heard a voice from the back of the mosque, "I have freed Abu Al-`As ibn Rabee". Zainab had granted Abu Al-`As freedom. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) asked, "Have you heard what I heard?" They all said, "Yes, Messenger of Allah". Zainab said, "He is my cousin and the father of my children and I have freed him". The Prophet  (صلى الله عليه و سلم) stood up and said, "O people, I declare that this man was a very good son-in-law, he never broke his promise, and neither did he tell lies. So if you accept, I will return his money back and let him go. If you refuse it's your decision and I will not blame you for it." The companions agreed, "We will give him his money". So the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said to Zainab, "We have freed the one you have freed, O Zainab." Then he  (صلى الله عليه و سلم)went to her and told her "be generous to him, he is your cousin and the father of your children, but don't let him get near you, he is prohibited for you." She replied, "Sure, father, I'll do as you say".

She went in and told her husband, "O Abu Al-`As, didn't you miss us at all? Won't you become a Muslim and stay with us?" But he refused. Abu El'Ass then took the money and returned to Makkah. Once he returned he stood up and announced, "O people, here is your money. Is there anything left?" They replied, "No, Abu Al-`As, there is nothing left, thanks a lot." So Abu Al-`As said, "I testify that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammed is His Messenger." Then he went back to Madinah and ran to the Prophet  (صلى الله عليه و سلم)as he said, "Dear Prophet, you freed me yesterday, and today I say that I testify there is no god but Allah and you are His Messenger." He asked the Prophet, "Will you give me the permission to go back to Zainab?" The Prophet  (صلى الله عليه و سلم)smiled and said, "Come with me"; he took him to Zainab's house and knocked on her door. The Prophet  (صلى الله عليه و سلم)said, "O Zainab, your cousin came to me and asked if he can return to you". Just like 20 years before, her face turned red with bashfulness and she smiled.

The sad thing was, a year after this incident, Zainab died. Abu Al-`As shed hot tears because of her death and drove those who were around him to tears. The Messenger of Allah  (صلى الله عليه و سلم)came with eyes full of tears and a heart full of sorrow. Zainab's death reminded him of the death of his wife, Khadeejah. He told the women, who gathered around Zainab's corpse, "Wash her three times and use camphor in the third wash." He performed funeral prayers on her and followed her final resting place. Abu El'Ass returned to his children, Ali and Omama. Kissing them and wetting them with his tears, he remembered the face of his departed darling.

May Allah be pleased with Zainab, the Prophet's daughter! May He reward her with Paradise for her patience, endurance and struggle!

Abu Al-`As would cry so profusely that the people saw the Prophet himself weeping and calming him down. Abu Al-`As would say, "By Allah, I can't stand life anymore without Zainab". He died one year after Zainab's death.

Dead hearts, empty supplications.

It is reported that Ibrâhîm b. Adham (d162H) – Allâh have mercy on him – once passed through the market of Basrah. People gathered around him and asked:
O Abû Ishâq, Allâh the Exalted says in his Book. ‘Call on me, I will answer your prayers’, but we have been calling on Him for a long time and He does not answer our prayers. [Ibrâhîm] replied, “O people of Basrah, your hearts have died in respect to ten things:

• First, you know Allâh but you do not give Him His rights;
• Second, you have read Allâh’s Book but you do not act by it;
• Third, you claim to love Allâh’s Messenger – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him – yet you abandon his Sunnah;
• Fourth, you claim to be enemies to Shaytân but you conform to [his ways];
• Fifth, you say you love Paradise yet you do not work for it;
• Sixth, you say you fear The Fire yet you put yourselves closer to it [by sinning];
• Seventh, you say death is true but you do not prepare for it;
• Eighth, you busy yourselves with the faults of others and disregard your own;
• Ninth, you consume the favors of your Lord but are not grateful for them; and
• Tenth, you bury your dead but take no lesson from them.”

Abû Nu’aym, Hilyah Al-Awliyâ’ 8: 15, 16.

The Difference between Naseehah and Tajreeh



“It is not permissible to broadcast mistakes and to disparage those who have fallen into them and to construct our gatherings upon back biting and slandering them. Allah has prohibited all of that…So perhaps the one being spoken about is better than the one who speaks about him…The deficiency found in your brother is a deficiency found in you. If you want to rectify this deficiency that has occurred from the ruler or from the general Muslims then let this Naseehah occur between you and between the one being advised in private.

That you sit in a gathering or speak on a tape recording or speak upon the pulpit during a sermon and disparage the Muslim rulers or that you disparage your Muslim brothers then this affair is not permissible. This is not Naseehah. On the contrary this is Fadheehah (scandal and controversy). It is the difference between Naseehah and Tajreeh (disparagement).”

Ash-Shaykh Dr. Saalih al-Fawzaan
Al-Farq bayna an-Naseehah wat-Tajreeh
(The Difference between Naseehah and Tajreeh) pages 14-18

Day of 'Ashoorah. 10th of Muharram (Thurs Dec 16th 2010)

Official decision and announcement of the High Judiciary Council (HJC) of Saudi Arabia

regarding the beginning of the new Hijrah year – 1432.

1 Muharram 1432 will be Tuesday 7 December 2010, and 10 Muharram (‘Aashooraa) 1432 will fall on Thursday 16 December 2010.

09 Muharram 1432 = Wednesday 15 December 2010
10 Muharram (day of ‘Aashooraa) 1432 = Thursday 16 December 2010
11 Muharram 1432 = Friday 17 December 2010

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Narrated by Muslim and other than him, and by Ibn Majah and his wording is: 

'The fast of the day of ‘Ashura; Indeed the reward that I request from Allaah is 

that He expiates the sins of the year before this year.' 

Also, Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu) narrated: “When Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) observed the fast of the day of Ashoorah and ordered (the Sahabah) to fast, they said: “O Messenger of Allah! It is a day revered by Jews and Christians.” Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The coming year, if Allah wills, we will fast on the ninth (also).” [Saheeh Muslim, vol: 1, p: 359]

Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu) also reported: “I never saw the Prophet more keen to fast on any day other than the day of Ashoorah and any month than the month of Ramadaan.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee]