Signs

 

‘We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Qur’an) is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a Witness over all things?’ (Qur’an 41:53)

Double Good

‘Surely! Allah wrongs not even of the weight of an atom (or a small ant), but if there is any good (done), He doubles it, and gives from Him a great reward.’ (Qur’an 4:40)

Hasanaat…

 

 

‘And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.’ [Qur’an, 11:114]

The Straight Path

 

“Truly! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the Straight Path.” (Qur’an 3:51)

Tradition of Eid-ul-Adha

Salaam and Eid Mubarak!

Allah has blessed the Muslims with two Eids (festivals) each year. The second Eid (the first being post-Ramadan Eid-ul Fitr) is Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice), which is the tenth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Following the day of ‘Arafah the celebration begins and it is prescribed to offer qurbani (udhiya) sacrifice as an act of obedience to Allah. The meat is distributed amongst the poor and some shared with friends and relatives.

This sunnah of Rasool Allah (SAW) is reminiscent of the absolute devotion and sincere submission to Allah (SWT) that Ibrahim (AS) displayed. As mentioned in Surah As-Saafatt, Allah answered the du’a of Ibrahim (AS) for a righteous child.

“So We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy.

And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: “O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offering you in sacrifice to Allah). So look what you think!” He said: “O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Insha’ Allah (if Allah wills), you shall find me of As-Sabirun (the patient).”

Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering);

We called out to him: “O Abraham!

You have fulfilled the dream!” Verily thus do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers – See 2:112).

Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial.

And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice (i.e. كبش – a ram);

And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations.

“Salam (peace) be upon Ibrahim (Abraham)!” (Qur’an 37:101-109)

The tafsir of these ayah teach us that Isma’eel (AS) was the first son born to Ibrahim (AS) and was like his father, obedient to Allah when told of the command for him to be sacrificed. Allah replaced Isma’eel with a ram as it was the faith of Ibrahim that was under test. Despite his deep affection and attachment as a father has for his son and more, Ibrahim (AS) was willing to submit to the will of Allah. Thus Allah rewarded him and his son and they were favoured.

Regarding the udhiya: “It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him. Thus have We made them subject to you that you may magnify Allah for His Guidance to you. And give glad tidings (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) to the Muhsinun (doers of good).”(Qur’an 22:37)

The Hajjis continue their journey with the rituals and upon proper completion Allah forgives their sins. It is as if they are newborn, sinless.

Muslims not on Hajj should recite the Eid Takbeer and perform the Eid Salah in congregation.

And All Praise and Thanks are due to Allah.

Great Commands

 

 ‘Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.’

[Qur’an, 29:45]

The Day of Arafat

Assalamu’alaykum everyone,

Here are the virtues of The Day of ‘Arafah, may Allah The Exalted reward the shuyookh for compiling this beautiful piece summarised below:

1. It is the day on which the religion was perfected and Allaah’s Favour was completed.

This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” [al-Maa’idah 5:3 – interpretation of the meaning].

2. It is a day of Eid for the people who are in that place.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Yawm ‘Arafaah (the day of ‘Arafaah), Yawm al-Nahr (the Day of Sacrifice) and Ayyaam al-Tashreeq (the 3 days following Yawm al-Nahr) are Eid (festival) for us, the people of Islam. These are days of eating and drinking.” This was narrated by the authors of al-Sunan. It was reported that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab said: “It – i.e., the aayah ‘This day I have perfected…’ was revealed on a Friday, the Day of ‘Arafaah, both of which – praise be to Allaah – are Eids for us.”

3. It is a day by which Allaah swore an oath.

The Almighty cannot swear by anything except that which is mighty. Yawm ‘Arafaah is the “witnessed day” mentioned in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“By the witnessing day [Friday] and by the witnessed day [the Day of ‘Arafaah].” [al-Burooj 85:3].

4. Fasting on this day is an expiation for two years. 

It was reported from Abu Qutaadah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about fasting on the Day of ‘Arafaah. He said, “It expiates for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year.” Narrated by Muslim.

This (fasting) is mustahabb for those who are not on Hajj. It is not Sunnah for the Hajji to fast on the Day of ‘Arafaah.

5. It is the day on which Allaah took the covenant from the progeny of Adam. 

It was reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah took the covenant from the loins of Adam in Na’maan, i.e., ‘Arafaah. He brought forth from his loins all his offspring and spread them before Him, then He addressed them, and said: ‘Am I not your Lord? They said, ‘Yes, we testify,’ lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘Verily, we have been unaware of this.’ Or lest you should say: ‘It was only our fathers aforetime who took others as partners in worship along with Allaah, and we were (merely their) descendents after them; will You then destroy us because of the deeds of men who practised Al-Baatil (i.e., ploytheism and committing crimes and sins, invoking and worshipping others besides Allaah)?’ [al-A’raaf 7:172-173 – interpretation of the meaning].” Narrated by Ahmad and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani. And there is no greater day than this and no greater covenant than this.

6. It is the day of forgiveness of sins, freedom from the Fire and pride in the people who are there:

In Saheeh Muslim it was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no day on which Allaah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of ‘Arafaah. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels, saying, ‘What do these people want?’”

And Allaah knows best.

Dhul Hijjah

Assalamu ‘alaykum!

In sha’ Allah you are in good health and high Imaan.

By the grace of Allah the ten greatest days of the year have descended upon us.

We are in the sacred Islamic month Dhul Hijjah and millions of Muslims worldwide have gathered in the Holy Land to perform Hajj (5th pillar of Islam). Hajj is an obligatory act of worship for those who are able. The aim of Hajj is to be completely in service to Allah only. Believe me, there is no journey as incredible and uplifting as the Hajj.

Rasool Allah (Muhammad SAW) said, ‘Learn from me your rituals of Hajj’ (Narrated in Hadith Muslim).

As the journey goes, its rituals are symbolic of the testing times when Prophet Ibraheem (may Allah’s peace be upon him) proved the strength of his faith in Allah.

“Verily, Ibrahim (Abraham) was, without doubt, forbearing, used to invoking Allah with humility, and was repentant (to Allah all the time, again and again).”(Qur’an 11:75)

For his sincere servitude, Ibrahim was known as Khalil Allah;…”And Allah did take Ibrahim (Abraham) as a Khalil (an intimate friend)!“(Qur’an 4:125).

The message that Rasool Allah (SAW) and Ibraheem (AS) lived and propagated was one and the same (Islamic monotheism.)

Today Hajjis set foot on the same land as Rasool Allah (SAW) and the sahabah (RA) did after Ibraheem (AS),  may Allah be pleased with them all.

Briefly, for Hajjis:

• On the 8th Dhul Hijjah the day is spent in Mina.
• The 9th is spent in the planes of Arafat and is the Greatest Day. Here is the Hajj. There is no day as special as this day. Allah answers du’a. So ask of Him. The night is spent in Muzdalifah for some rest.
• On the 10th Dhul Hijjah is the jamarat (stoning of the 3 stone pillars).  This is symbolic of the time when Ibrahim (AS) was resolute in fulfilling Allah’s commands; despite the devils’ plots to deter him, Ibrahim’s faith was unshakeable and he expressed great devotion to Allah. This is an act of worship and not literally stoning the devil. Each pebble thrown wipes away sins. Also the hady (Sacrifice) may be carried out (it is Eid-ul-Adha). The Hajjis cut/shave (for men) their hair and can exit ihram.
• Stoning at jamarat continues on 11th and 12th Dhul Hijjah. After this the Hajjis return to Makkah to complete the farewell Tawaf.

 

For those not performing Hajj:

Rasool Allah (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) encouraged Muslims to give charity, to increase ibaadah & dhikr (worship and remembrance of Allah) and to fast the 9th Dhul Hijjah (The Day of Arafat). Also the Qurbani (hady) is sunnah on Eid.

There are many virtues of the 1st 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. The Takbeer should be recited frequently: “Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, la ilaaha ill-Allaah; wa Allaahu akbar wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise).”

Let’s strive to utilise these rewarding days.

May Allah bless the Messengers and accept us. Ameen.