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Rectified motives and reformed children The Honourable Hadith expert of our times, Al-Muhaddith, Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah (may Allah protect him) often states that the residents of Madinah Munawwarah regularly make the following du’a: اللّٰهُمَّ أَصْلِحِ النِّيَّةَ والذُّرِّيَّةَ Allahumma aslihin niyyah wadh dhurriyyah Translation O Allah, rectify my intentions and reform my progeny. This brief yet profound du’a is much needed in the world today. Ponder: One who is bereft of the above two bounties will suffer in both Worlds! Intentions and the Selfie Age Unfortunately we live in an era where almost nothing is done without an ulterior motive. It’s an era wherein everything is ’selfied’, be it with a picture or even in text. Without the correct motive, no deed is accepted by Allah Ta’ala, even if that deed be as noble as it gets. We should still be focused on our intentions, instead of broadcasting our achievements! A Rare Breed The need for ‘reformed’ offspring is understood by one and all. Especially in an age where such a blessing is of a rare kind. Fortunate are those who have already achieved this. While many of us still only yearn for that blessing. Let’s include this du’a in our daily supplications, in addition to the physical effort that is needed to achieve the above. Keeping the company of the pious is very effective in achieving these two bounties. Insha Allah we will see great results. May Allah Ta’ala‬‎ accept all our efforts and du’as. Amin al-miftah

Aoudhubillahi minahs shaitan nirrajeem Bismillahirrahmanirraheem Two Characteristics of Nafs or Ego Why do the man like prohibited acts? It can be observed that the man normally develops yearning towards the forbidden acts. There is an online game because of which many youth are committing suicide. Effective measures are being taken to stop this game but people watch with more vigor. The zeal towards the forbidden acts is in proportion to the strength to prevent these acts. Adam (AS) was prohibited from eating the fruit of a certain tree. There were many trees that he (AS) could eat from but he chose to eat from the forbidden tree. When a man is prevented from an act, he becomes greedier of that act. Careful observation show two reasons behind this human behavior: 1) The nafs or ego does not tolerate imprisonment. The nafs is already imprisoned by the physical body and when it is further constrained spiritually, it becomes furious. Voluntarily a man will stay in a house for a month but the moment he was ordered to not come out of the house, he would find it difficult to oblige even for a day as his nafs would become enraged feeling imprisoned and will pressurize him to move out of the house. 2) It is not the tendency of the nafs to obey others and it finds submission and obedience very difficult. Physically it can do the most strenuous acts but mentally it finds it very difficult to submit to any simple command. This is why the biggest religion in this world is worshiping nafs whereby people obey the nafs. In fact the people of this world can be broadly divided into two groups: One group who live by the command of the Lord and the other group who live by the command of their nafs. It is because of these two characteristics of the nafs, the man finds pleasure in forbidden acts but not in permitted acts. Growing beard is very easy and it does not utilize man’s time, energy or money and it does not even hurt his skin but he finds it difficult to grow whereas he will take much effort and spend time, money and go through the pain to cut off the beard which is forbidden. Shariah has freed man from following unnecessary customs in getting married making it easy for him but he finds it difficult to oblige. On the other hand, the man will spend time, energy and waste his hard earned money which he laboriously saved for years in following the customs to please the people suiting the desires of his nafs. Do people really get pleased? Nay! He only earns up jealous people who will harm him. He finds it easy to do the most strenuous acts which will make one wonder because it pleases nafs but the simple easy acts become difficult for him as it goes against his nafs. This is the tendency of the nafs. Go Against the Nafs and Enjoy the Jannah Right in this World Irrespective of the difficulty endured by the nafs, the struggle we put to go against the nafs to please Allah SWT is what will make us attain Jannah. When we struggle against our nafs, Allah SWT will ease our path. If we go after the desires of nafs, there is hell behind its veil and if we abide by Allah’s SWT commands, definitely it is difficult for the nafs but there is Jannah behind its veil. I am not just talking about the Jannah awaiting in the akhirah but we will be able to taste the Jannah right in this world after a period of time if we go against our nafs. When we apply medicine to the wound, initially there will be stinging pain but later we will enjoy the health. Similarly, tolerate the displeasure of nafs in the beginning and later you will enjoy the Jannah of this world. If you do not apply medicine for the wound fearing the momentary pain, the wound will start rotting from inside leading to intolerable pain. Know that if you tolerate the difficulty and displeasures of nafs for Allah SWT, it will bring in the taste of Jannah like how the medicine brings health. Sins will make the Life Hell If you want to see the life of hell, look at the lives of sinners. Depending on the depth of the sin committed, deep is the hell life of the sinner. There are countries which are called paradise of this world but their inhabitants are committing suicide. Why do they commit suicide? Their anxiety, worries and difficulties are so severe like those of inmates of hell who will cry, “Alas! We wish we are dead and become dust and extinct”. Just like these inmates of hell, the sinners of this world become exasperated desiring for death and commit suicide. Can you imagine the level of desolateness, anxiety, insecurity and worries they are experiencing in their lives? In spite of having beautiful weather, house and comforts, why do they commit suicide? Depending on the severity of sins in one’s life, he will feel the heat of the hell in his life. The heat will be less when sin is small and will be more if the sin is big but for certain sins make the life that of the hell. This is as clear as a day brought out by the sun. One cannot be deceived by huge houses, factories or cars as for sure the sins committed by a person would make his life hell. Forbear the Stinging Pain of the Nafs The Quran commands one to save himself, his women and children from the fire. This command was descended on the most intellectual people that ever came on the earth, i.e. the companions of the Prophet SAW. They were commanded to save themselves from the fire of the sins. This fire is not good for your women or children and you cannot overlook their sins. Children are unaware and ignorant of the consequences of sins meted out by their environment but they are heading towards the fire. Believing in Allah SWT and following His SWT commands will definitely be difficult for the nafs but there is health behind this stinging pain and the taste of worldly Jannah behind this difficulty. Those people who are blessed with tahajjud salah or solitude worship in the late nights and in the mornings find them more pleasurable than the tastiest food. The coolness, the tranquility and the pleasure that one feels from these ibaadat (worship) are incomparable. When Hazrat ibn Taymiyyah (RA) was imprisoned and taken towards the prison, he exclaimed, “How wonderful it would be to spend my time in prison in solitude! Now I will enjoy my time of Jannah here.” When the prison guard wondered at his words, he said, “My Jannah is in my heart and it is with me wherever I go.” Who can snatch away Jannah from the hearts granted by Allah SWT? When Allah SWT bestows one deen and purity outwardly and inwardly, he has attained the Jannah of this world. Allah SWT says that such people will have tranquility in their hearts and tranquility is experienced in Jannah too. In the Jannah of this world, the man remains peaceful all the time and in every single state. This is pleasure. So have patience over the difficulty of the nafs when obeying Allah SWT for this pain is only temporary like applying medicine on the wound which will be followed by the enjoyment of eemaan (faith). The heart might desire to backbite and see forbidden things but stop the tongue from maligning others honor through backbiting and stop the eyes from seeing forbidden things. Definitely the nafs would find it tormenting but soon you will feel the coolness. How to control the Nafs? Deal with the nafs just like how a smart patient would deal with the medicine. He aims for good health and eats the bitter medicine and if it is too bitter, he still convinces himself to consume it by adding little sweetness to it or eats something sweet immediately after the medicine so his body accepts it. Do not obey the nafs but deal with it like a smart patient. It also happens that the nafs itself would not like eating certain delicious food because it knows well that it will prevent him from enjoying all other delicious foods. So teach the nafs about the severe loss it would incur if it commits a sin and losing the blessings it is enjoying. This is how a smart believer will hold his nafs. He will fully have the control of the bridle and will not lose the rope from his hand. Sometimes he loosens the rope but will have control over it. As long as the nafs is on the straight path, he will be lenient with it and when it tries to deviate from the path, he tries to bring back with a soft approach and if it doesn’t respond well, he will bring back sternly. He will deal with the nafs like how he would deal with an ignorant wife. When she shows her weakness intellectually, he entertains her by being very considerate. When a wife becomes disobedient, the husband first advices her gently and if the advice fails, he keeps her away from him on the bed and if she still persists in her behavior, he becomes little stern on her. There is no whip greater than firm determination to control the nafs. Be determined that you will not disobey Allah SWT and there is no better whip than determination for the nafs. Let Allah SWT grant His divine help to lead a life pleasing to Him SWT. Ameen -Sheikh Maulana Abdus Sattar (DB): Morning Tarbiati Majlis-29th September 2017.

As you shed Those warm tears, Crying for the past Sinful years, You just can’t utter A comprehensible sentence Yet; truthful is your repentance. Strange Is that vibration You feel As you fall On bended knees, Before He who spread darkness Into the depth of the seas. Sublime Is the sensation You get After a prostration You make In true contrition For the sake Of forgiveness, From He Who Inspired the bees. Subhaaan Al Ghafour! Rochdi Bouille March 15, 2012

DU’AA FOR GOOD EXPECTATIONS FROM AND SINCERE RELIANCE ON ALLAH TA’AALA اَللّٰهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ شُكْرًا وَّلَكَ الْمَنُّ فَضْلًاـ اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْأَلُكَ اتَّوْفِيْقَ لِمَحَابِّكَ مِنَ الْأَعْهَالِ، وَصِدْقَ التَّوَكُّلِ عَلَيْكَ، وَ حُسْنَ الظَّنِّ بِكَ ـ Allaahumma lakal-hamdu shukran wa lakal-mannu fadla(n). Allaahumma innii as’alukat-tawfiiqa limahaabbika minal-‘a’maal(i), wa sidqat-tawakkuli ‘alayk(a), wa husnaz-zanni bik. (Composite: Ka’b ibn ‘Ujrah and Abu Hurayrah. Kanz al-‘Ummal #3653, 3654) O Allah, to You is due all praise with thanks; it is only Your domain to do favors with grace. O Allah, I beseech You to enable me to perform the deeds loved by You, develop sincere reliance on You, and hold good expectations from You. ~~~Ameen~~~ It is important to hold good expectations from Allah Ta’aala, for Allah Ta’aala deals with a person according to his expectations. When a servant of Allah sincerely puts his trust and hopes in Him, Allah Ta’aala does not disappoint him. (Source: Khalid Baig’s transliteration, translation and commentary of du’aa #122 from the Accepted Whispers: Munajat-e-Maqbul)

Absolute Submission Sayyiduna Mugheerah bin Shu’bah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports the following incident: On one occasion, I sent a proposal to marry a girl of the Ansaar. When I mentioned this to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he asked me, “Did you see the girl?” When I replied in the negative, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) recommended to me, “Look at her, for it is more likely that there will be affection and love between you (i.e. if you marry her after looking at her and finding her pleasing to your eye, there will be a greater chance of your marriage prospering).” I thus proceeded to the girl’s home and told her parents what Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had mentioned. Hearing that I wanted to look at their daughter, the parents were reluctant. Hence, I stood and began to leave their home. As I was leaving, the girl asked her parents to call me back. When I returned, she stood at the edge of the curtain and said, “If Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) instructed you to look at me then I permit you to do so. If not, then I strictly forbid you to look at me.” Accordingly, I looked at her and married her. Subsequently, she was extremely beloved to me and honoured in my sight. (Ibnun Najjaar – Kanzul ‘Ummaal #45619) Lessons: 1. The hayaa (modesty) of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and their protectiveness over their womenfolk was such that the parents of the girl were initially reluctant when Sayyiduna Mugheerah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) asked to see their daughter. Similarly, until she learnt that it was the instruction of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), the daughter was not prepared to allow any strange man to look at her. 2. The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) were blessed with the quality of absolute submission before the instruction of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Hence, they always put their own intellect, understanding and emotion aside and completely complied with the wishes and desires of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), understanding that this was the key to success in both worlds. Similarly, if we wish true happiness and success, we will have to adhere strictly to the teachings of Deen. 3. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has taught us the guidelines that need to be adhered to regarding marriage, and has told us that following these guidelines are the key to a prosperous marriage. Hence, if we surpass the bounds of shari‘ah and begin to engage in impermissible practices, such as the boy and girl communicating or even dating before marriage, we will lose the barakah (blessings) and help of Allah Ta‘ala which is essential for the marriage to prosper. Thus, we should always refer to the ‘Ulama to find out the limits of shari‘ah so that we can ensure that we remain within the parameters of Deen. uswatulmuslimah

A miser was on his death bed. He told his wife to put all his money in a box and bury it with him. She promised him she would. Soon after that he died. At the funeral her friend asked her if she had done as she had promised. She said yes she had and her friend looked very shocked. She smiled and said, "I deposited all the money in the bank, wrote him a cheque and put it in the box. If he can cash the cheque, he can have the money!"

"Be like walking feet. The foot infront has no pride and the foot behind is not ashamed, because both know their situation will change."

1. Objective of visiting the graveyard. When one visits a graveyard, his intention should be to remind himself of death and life after death and to jolt oneself to prepare for that. Rasulullah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) has said; كُنْتُ نَهَيْتُكُمْ عَنْ زِيَارَةِ الْقُبُورِ، فَزُورُوهَا؛ فَإِنَّهَا تُزَهِّدُ فِي الدُّنْيَا، وَتُذَكِّرُ الْآخِرَةَ سنن ابن ماجه (1/ 501) “I had prohibited you from visiting the graveyard, now visit it because it (the visiting) withdraws one from the world and reminds of the hereafter”. (Sunan Ibne Majah). 2. When one enters the graveyard he should read; [1] السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الدِّيَارِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمِينَ، وَإِنَّا، إِنْ شَاءَ اللهُ لَلَاحِقُونَ، أَسْأَلُ اللهَ لَنَا وَلَكُمُ الْعَافِيَةَ Transliteration: Assalamulaykum ahlad diyaar minal mu`mineen wal muslimeen. Wa inna in sha Allahu bikum lahikuun. As`alullaha lana walakumul aafiyah Translation: Peace be on you, O beleivering dwellers of this dwelling, soon when Allah wishes we shall meet together. I ask Allah A`fiyya for us and for you. 3. One should give due respect to the deceased as he would have given him when he was alive, Rasulullah(salallahu alayhi wa sallam) has mentioned; "كَسْرُ عَظْمِ الْمَيِّتِ كَكَسْرِهِ حَيًّا" سنن ابن ماجه ت الأرنؤوط (2/ 541) “Breaking the bone of a deceased is like breaking his bone whilst he was alive” (Sunan Ibne Majah) 4. One should abstain from trampling any grave as we have been warned against it in a Hadith; نَهَى النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنْ تُجَصَّصَ القُبُورُ، وَأَنْ يُكْتَبَ عَلَيْهَا، وَأَنْ يُبْنَى عَلَيْهَا، وَأَنْ تُوطَأَ. سنن الترمذي ت بشار (2/ 359) “Nabi (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) has prohibited that graves be solidified, something be written on them, something be built on it or it be trampled” (Sunan-at-Tirmidhi) 5. One should abstain from sitting on a grave as Nabi (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) has said; «لَأَنْ يَجْلِسَ أَحَدُكُمْ عَلَى جَمْرَةٍ فَتُحْرِقَ ثِيَابَهُ، فَتَخْلُصَ إِلَى جِلْدِهِ، خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِنْ أَنْ يَجْلِسَ عَلَى قَبْرٍ» صحيح مسلم (2/ 667) (It is better that one of you sits on a burning amber and it burns his clothes and gets on his skin than sitting on a grave). (Saheeh Muslim) We can see the severity of sitting on graves from this hadith. 6. One should make as much dua, istigfaar and tilaawat as he wishes and make the intention that the reward of that reading be a gift for the deceased (this will not decrease the reward of the reader himself). N.B a person can make an intention that the reward be passed to all muslims who have passed away.[2] 7. It is preferable one reads Sura Yaseen, Sura Mulk, Sura Fatiha, Sura Zilzaal, Sura Takaathur, Sura Ikhlaas and Ayatul Kursi. 8. One should abstain from talking anything about worldly things, since the graveyard is a place to remind one of death and the hereafter. 9. One may raise his hands and make dua as long as raising the hands does not resemble those who worship graves. If making dua creates such an impression, face the qibla when making dua. 10. When visiting the graveyard, one should use the opportunity to make Tawba, Istigfaar and to reform oneself. Think of the day one will be placed in the Qabr (grave). As much as the deceased appreciate our visiting them and sending thawaab, a person should make his own preparation for death whilst he is alive. And Allah Ta`ala Knows Best. Hussein Muhammad. Student Darul Iftaa Arusha, Tanzania Checked and Approved by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

www.HadithAnswers.com. Did the diet of Nabi (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam) consist of meat? Question 1. What was the diet of Nabi (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam)? 2. Did Nabi (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam) eat meat often? 3. Are there any Hadiths that mention meat in particular? Answer Here are the brief answers to your questions followed by some detail about meat, specifically. 1. The diet of Rasulullah (sallallahu'alayhi wasallam) consisted of basically whatever halal food was available. Imams Ghazali and Sha’rani (rahimahumallah) have mentioned that Nabi (sallallahu'alayhi wasallam) would eat whatever was presented to him. this ranged from roasted meat to coarse barley bread and dates without any sort of fuss. They have also stated that most of the time, he (sallallahu'alayhi wasallam) would consume dates and water. (Muntahas Sul, vol.2 pg.9 and pg.105). 2. No. 3. Yes. Meat on very rare occasions Poverty and hunger were common place in the home of our beloved Nabi (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam). When inspecting the Hadiths of this topic, one would easily understand that -due to poverty- Nabi (sallallahu ’alayhi wasallam) hardly consumed meat. Sayyidatuna 'Aaishah (radiyallahu'anha) said: 'Months passed wherein we never lit a single flame in our home (i.e, to cook food). Our only provisions were dates and water unless we received bits of meat.' (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 6458) In one narration of Sunan Tirmidhi, Sayyidah 'Aaishah (radiyallahu'anha) states that one reason why Nabi (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam) relished the meat of the shoulder was due to Nabi (sallallahu'alayhi wasallam) only having meat on rare occasions, and the shoulder was the quickest part to get cooked. (Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1838) [Note: This is one of a few recorded reasons] The above clearly shows that the diet of our Nabi (sallallahu ’alayhi wasallam) consisted mainly of dates and water, and that he would only consume meat occasionally. The different types of meat consumed by Nabi (sallallahu'alayhi wasallam) Some ‘Ulama have endeavoured to enumerate the different types of meat that Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wasallam) consumed. ’Allamah Salihi Ash-Shami (rahimahullah) -a reliable biographer of the seerah- has cited a list of such meat. Among them are the following: Sheep, Goats, Camels, Chickens, Bustard birds, Zebras, Rabits, Partridge/Bob white birds, as well as sea fish. 'Allamah Kashimiri (rahimahullah) has stated that Nabi (sallallahu'alayhi wasallam) also ate beef on several occasions [One such occasion is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3089]. (Subulul Huda war Rashad, vol.7 pg.192. Also see Zadul Ma'ad, vol.1 pg.142, Faydul Bari, vol.3 pg.459 & Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3089) Note: the above is merely a discussion about meat in the diet of our Beloved Master (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam). There are various types of grains and other foods that he (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam) ate too. Refer the the last two references cited above for more details. And Allah Ta'ala Knows best, Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

Pearls of Wisdom: No.59 “Food for the Soul” SUBJECT: LENIENCY TO DEBTORS Allaah, The Most Exalted, says: “And if someone is in hardship, then (let there be) postponement until (a time of) ease. But if you give (from your right as) charity, then it is better for you, if you only knew.” (Quran 2:280) The Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) is reported to have said; “Whoever gives respite to his debtor or forgives the debt will be in the shade of the Throne (of Allaah) on the Day of Judgment.'' (Hadith - Muslim) Note: Postponing debts where the debtor is really in genuine difficulty is truly a generous act and displays excellent character. This is encouraged in Islam because it brings about humane standards in one's dealing with one's fellow human being. "There was a merchant who used to lend the people and, whenever his debtor was in straitened circumstances, he would say to his employees, 'Forgive him so that Allaah may Forgive us.' So, Allaah Forgave him." (Hadith Al-Bukhaari) If you want others to be happy, practice leniency. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. True compassion means not only feeling another's pain but also being moved to help relieve it. Remember being lenient can reach a wound that only compassion can heal! www.eislam.co.za

What do you do all day?? A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pyjamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and 20 wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, and so too the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing. In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door. He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife.. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened. He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls. As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pyjamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went.. He looked at her bewildered and asked, 'What happened here today?' She again smiled and answered, 'You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world I do all day?' 'Yes,' was his incredulous reply. She answered, 'Well, today I didn't do it.'

ZAO List of Ibadaat in Odd Nights.pdf

RAMADAAN: Endless Opportunity…Limited Time We all know time is a limited commodity. Every second that passes can never be retrieved, it is the drop lost into the sea of eternity. We have limited time to make the best of the endless opportunities that the month offers us. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam said, “Take advantage of five matters before five: your youth before you become old, your health, before you fall sick, your wealth before you become poor, your free time before you become preoccupied, and your life before your death.” (Ahmed) We may be in very different circumstances next Ramadaan. We may not have the health, the time or the life to take advantage of another Ramadaan. Now is the time, we have to act with a sense of urgency. Ask for Allah’s Forgiveness: Never let a day of Ramadaan pass that you have not asked for Allah’s forgiveness. Seeking forgiveness not only erases your sins, it also removes anxiety, opens the doors of sustenance, attracts the mercy of Allah and draws us closer to Allah. Read the Quran: If you want to speak to Allah engage in Salaah, if you want Allah to speak to you read the Quran. “Verily the one who recites the Qur’an beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, he will have twice that reward.” (Bukhari) Spend time making Dua: If it is not in the nature of a mother to turn her child away empty handed no matter how disobedient a child may be, how is it possible that the One who is the Most Merciful and who has placed mercy in the hearts of all mothers turns away His slave, empty handed? How is it possible for the One Who becomes angry when His slaves do not supplicate to Him, not to be happy when they do. Dua is our intimate conversation with Allah; it is uplifting, liberating and empowering. Safeguard your sight: "The glance is a poisoned arrow of Shaytaan. Whoever lowers his gaze for (the pleasure of) Allah, Allah will bestow upon him a refreshing sweetness which he will find in his heart on the day that he meets Him.” (Tabraani) Be generous: The Prophet’s Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam charity in Ramadaan is described as abundant as ‘the free blowing wind.” There is no better exercise for the heart than lifting people up! Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam said, “Guard yourselves against the fire (of hell) even if it be with half a date (given in charity); and if you cannot afford even that, then at least say a good word.” (Bukhari) Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

I sent the question to Maulana Arif Sahab. He said: I now understand "nafi" in Urdu means "to deny" and "ithbaat" means "to affirm". In Kalima لا إله إلا الله, we deny the existence of any other God and affirm that Allah alone is worthy of worship. That's why it is called "نفی اثبات".

Relaxing Before Ramadān Some people relax for a few days before Ramadān, intending to busy themselves in ‘ibādah once Ramadān begins. Sometimes this relaxed attitude leads them to sin, with a reassuring feeling that they will make tawbah in Ramadān. Firstly, how do they know they will live to see Ramadān? Secondly, the sin committed may have a negative spiritual impact which may last for the duration of Ramadān, preventing the perpetrator from repenting and doing good deeds, even in the blessed month. Shaykh-ul-Hadīth, Hadrat Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh

Assalaamu 'alaykum warahmatullaah Welcome to the forum. Insha-allah it is of benefit and Jazaakillaah for the link...we look forward to beneficial contribution

Dearest bint e aisha abla As salamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu Yes dearest abla :)

:) this is so sweet of you dear abla :) May Allah keep you smiling always ameen

Ibn Majah, ad-Daraqutnee and others. It was also related by Malik in al-Muwatta This Hadith of our Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلّم tells us we should not be the cause of any harm and nor should it be reciprocated. It is not just physically harming people but includes every form of harm. Wasiyyah (will) – if a person has some money and he wants to give it to someone who is no related to him. He is allowed but he must not exceed the limits (one third). If he exceeds the limits, he will cause harm to the immediate inheritors. Marriage and relationship between husband and wife. As stated in Surah Al-Baqarah Ayah 231 – someone divorces his wife and then he reconciles with her, but his intention in reconciliation is so that he can cause her harm. · Traveling or being away from the family for a long time and without a good reason – this can cause harm to the wife and family. Breastfeeding – in the case of divorce, the husband tries to take the baby away from the mother and not allow her to feed him. This is prohibited. [See Surah Al-Baqarah : Ayah 233] Selling and trading – when someone is in great need of something, the seller (who knows this) sells him at a very high price – this is not allowed. Someone who wants to buy is not good at bargaining, and because of this the seller sells at a very high price, more than it is worth. Burning rubbish on your property on a windy day. This will cause harm to your neighbours. It may cause harm to the environment and the people in the neighbouring countries. This kind of harm should be brought to an end. Building a high building, as mentioned above. Building a high building where it will obstruct air, sunlight, and moonlight, is not allowed because it will cause harm. Digging a well that will cause damage to the well of one’s neighbour. If one needs to dig a well, he should position it a little further away from his neighbour’s. Behaving on one’s property in a way that will harm his neighbours. Causing bad smell to spread from one’s property to his neighbours.

Mus'ab ibn Umair (RA) Mus'ab ibn Umair (RA) was born and grew up in the lap of affluence and luxury. His rich parents lavished a great deal of care and attention on him. He wore the most expensive clothes and the most stylish shoes of his time. During Mus'ab times, shoes from Yemen were then considered to be very elegant and it was his privilege to have the very best of these. Historians and narrators describe Mus'ab ibn 'Umair (son of 'Umair) as the most charming of the Makkans, the most handsome and youthful, the flower of the Quraish! As a youth he was admired by the Quraish not only for his good looks and style but for his intelligence. His elegant bearing and keen mind endeared him to the Makkan nobility among whom he moved with ease. Although still young, he had the privilege of attending Quraish meetings and gatherings. He was thus in a position to know the issues which concerned the Makkans and what their attitudes and strategies were. Among Makkans there was a sudden outburst of excitement and concern when Muhammad, known as al-Ameen (the Trustworthy), emerged saying that God had sent him as a bearer of good tidings and as a warner. He warned the Quraish of terrible chastisement if they did not turn to the worship and obedience of God and he spoke of Divine rewards for the righteous. The whole of Makkah buzzed with talk of these claims. The vulnerable Quraish leaders thought of ways of silencing Muhammad. When ridicule and persuasion did not work, they embarked on a campaign of harassment and persecution. Mus'ab learned that Muhammad (S) and those who believed in his message were gathering in a house near the hill of as-Safa to evade Quraish harassment. This was the house of al-Arqam. To satisfy his curiosity, Mus'ab proceeded to the house undeterred by the knowledge of Quraish hostility. There he met the Prophet teaching his small band of companions, reciting the verses of the Qur'an to them and performing Salaah with them. The Prophet (S) welcomed him, and a deep feeling of tranquility came over him. Mus'ab was totally overwhelmed by what he had seen and heard. The words of the Qur'an had made a deep and immediate impression on him. In this first meeting with the Prophet, the young and decisive Mus'ab declared his acceptance of Islam. It was a historic moment. The keen mind of Mus'ab, his tenacious will and determination, his eloquence and his beautiful character were now in the service of Islam. On accepting Islam Mus'ab had one major concern… his mother. Her name was Khunnas bint Malik. She was a woman of extraordinary power. She had a dominant personality and could easily arouse fear and terror. When Mus'ab became a Muslim, the only power on earth he might have feared was his mother. All the powerful nobles of Makkah and their attachment to pagan customs and traditions were of little consequence to him. Having his mother as an opponent, however, could not be taken lightly. Mus'ab thought quickly. He decided that he should conceal his acceptance of Islam until such time as a solution should come from God. He continued to frequent the House of al-Arqam and sit in the company of the Prophet. He felt serene in his new faith and by keeping all indications of his acceptance of Islam away from her, he managed to stave off his mother's wrath, but not for long. It was difficult during those days to keep anything secret in Makkah for long. The eyes and ears of the Quraish were on every road. Behind every footstep imprinted in the soft and burning sand was a Quraish informer. Before long, Mus'ab was seen as he quietly entered the House of al-Arqam, by someone called 'Uthmaan ibn Talhah. 'Uthmaan saw Mus'ab praying in the same manner as Muhammad (S) prayed. The conclusion was obvious. As winds in a storm, the news of Mus'ab's acceptance of Islam spread among the Quraish and eventually reached his mother. Mus'ab stood before his mother, his clan and the Quraish nobility, who had all gathered to find out what he had done and what he had to say for himself. With a certain humility and calm confidence, Mus'ab acknowledged that he had become a Muslim and he explained his reasons for so doing. He then recited some verses of the Quran - verses which had cleansed the hearts of the believers and brought them back to the natural religion of God. Though only few in number, their hearts were now filled with wisdom, honor, justice and courage. As Mus'ab's mother listened to her son on whom she had lavished so much care and affection, she became increasingly incensed. She felt like silencing him with one terrible blow. But the hand which shot out like an arrow staggered and faltered before the light which radiated from Mus'ab's serene face. Perhaps, it was a mother's love which restrained her from actually beating him, but still she felt she had to do something. The solution she decided upon was far worse for Mus'ab than a few blows could ever have been. She had Mus'ab taken to a far corner of the house. There he was firmly bound and tethered. He had become a prisoner in his own home. For a long time, Mus'ab remained tied and confined under the watchful eyes of guards whom his mother had placed over him to prevent him from any further contact with Muhammad (S) and his faith. Despite his ordeal, Mus'ab did not waver. He must have had news of how other Muslims were being harassed and tortured by the idolators. For him, as for many other Muslims, life in Makkah was becoming more and more intolerable. Eventually he heard that a group of Muslims were preparing secretly to migrate to Abyssinia to seek refuge and relief. His immediate thoughts were how to escape and join them. At the first opportunity, when his mother and his warders were off-guard, he managed to slip away quietly. Then with utmost haste he joined the other refugees and before long they sailed together across the Red Sea to Africa. Although the Muslims enjoyed peace and security in the land of the Negus, they longed to be in Makkah in the company of the noble Prophet (S). When a report reached Abyssinia that the conditions of the Muslims in Makkah had improved, Mus'ab was among the first to return to Makkah. The report was in fact false and Mus'ab once again left for Abyssinia. Whether he was in Makkah or Abyssinia, Mus'ab remained strong in his new faith and his main concern was to make his life worthy of his Creator. When Mus'ab returned to Makkah again, his mother made a last attempt to gain control of him. However, when the moment came, it was sad for both mother and son. It revealed a strong persistence in kufr on the part of the mother and an even greater persistence in iman on the part of the son. As she threw him out of her house, she said: "Go to your own business. I am not prepared to be a mother to you." Mus'ab went up close to her and said: "Mother, I advise you sincerely. I am concerned about you. Do testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger." "I swear by the shooting stars, I shall not enter your religion even if my opinion is ridiculed and my mind becomes impotent," she insisted. Mus'ab thus left and now had more important concerns. He was determined to use his talents and energies in acquiring knowledge and in serving God and His Prophet. One day, several years later, Mus'ab came upon a gathering of Muslims sitting around the Prophet (S). They bowed their heads and lowered their gaze when they saw Mus'ab, and some were even moved to tears. This was because his clothing was old and in tatters and they were immediately taken back to the days before his acceptance of Islam when he was a model of elegance. The Prophet looked at Mus'ab, smiled gracefully and said: "I have seen this Mus'ab with his parents in Makkah. They lavished care and attention on him and gave him all comforts. There was no Quraish youth like him. Then he left all that seeking the pleasure of God and devoting himself to the service of His Prophet." The Prophet then went on to say: "There will come a time when God will grant you victory over Persia and Byzantium. You would have one dress in the morning and another in the evening and you would eat out of one dish in the morning and another in the evening." In other words, the Prophet prophesied that the Muslims would become rich and powerful and that they would have material goods in plenty. The companions sitting around asked the Prophet, "O Messenger of Allah, are we in a better situation in these times or would we be better off then?" He replied: "You are rather better off now than you would be then. If you knew of the world what I know you would certainly not be so much concerned with it." On another occasion, the Prophet (S) talked in a similar vein to his companions and asked them how they would be if they could have one suit of clothes in the morning and another in the evening and even have enough material to put curtains in their houses just as the Ka'bah was fully covered. The companions replied that they would then be in a better situation because they would then have sufficient sustenance and would be free for 'ibaadah (worship). The Prophet (S) however told them that they were indeed better off as they were. After about ten years of inviting people to Islam, most of Makkah still remained hostile. The noble Prophet (S) then went to Taa'if seeking new adherents to the faith. He was repulsed and chased out of the city. The future of Islam looked bleak. It was just after this that the Prophet chose Mus'ab to be his "ambassador" to Yathrib (Madinah) to teach a small group of believers who had come to pledge allegiance to Islam and prepare Madinah for the day of the great Hijrah. Mus'ab was chosen above companions who were older than he or were more closely related to the Prophet (S) or who appeared to possess greater prestige. No doubt Mus'ab was chosen for this task because of his noble character, his fine manners and his sharp intellect. His knowledge of the Quran and his ability to recite it beautifully and movingly was also an important consideration. Mus'ab understood his mission well. He knew that he was on a sacred mission to invite people to God and the straight path of Islam and to prepare what was to be the territorial base for the young and struggling Muslim community. He entered Madinah as a guest of Sa'd ibn Zuraarah of the Khazraj tribe. Together they went to people, to their homes and their gatherings, telling them about the Prophet (S), explaining Islam to them and reciting the Quran. Through the grace of God, many accepted Islam. This was especially pleasing to Mus'ab but profoundly alarming to many leaders of Yathribite society. Once, Mus'ab and Sa'd were sitting near a well in an orchard of the Zafar clan. With them were a number of new Muslims and others who were interested in Islam. A powerful noble of the city, Usayd ibn Khudayr, came up brandishing a spear. He was livid with rage. Sa'd ibn Zaraarah saw him and told Mus'ab: "This is a chieftain of his people. May God place truth in his heart." Musab replied, displaying all the calm and tact of a great daa'iy (inviter), "If he sits down, I will speak to him." The angry 'Usayd shouted abuse and threatened Mus'ab and his host. "Why have you both come to us to corrupt the weak among us? Keep away from us if you want to stay alive." Mus'ab smiled a warm and friendly smile and said to 'Usayd: "Won't you sit down and listen? If you are pleased and satisfied with our mission, accept it. However, if you dislike it, we would stop telling you what you dislike and leave." "That's reasonable," said Usayd and, sticking his spear in the ground, sat down. Mus'ab was not compelling him to do anything. He was not denouncing him. He was merely inviting him to listen. If he was satisfied, well and good. If not, then Mus'ab would leave his district and his clan without any fuss and go to another district. Mus'ab began telling him about Islam and recited some verses of the Quran to him. Even before 'Usayd spoke, it was clear from his radiant face, that faith had entered his heart. He said: "How beautiful are these words and how true! What does a person do if he wants to enter this religion?" "Have a bath, purify yourself and your clothes. Then utter the testimony of Truth (Shahadah), and perform Salat." Usayd left the gathering and was absent for only a short while. He returned and testified that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. He then prayed two rak'aats and said: "After me, there is a man who if he follows you, everyone of his people will follow him. I shall send him to you now. He is Sa'd ibn Mu'aadh." Sa'd ibn Muaadh came and listened to Mus'ab. He was convinced and satisfied and declared his submission to God. He was followed by another important Yathribite, Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah. Before long, the people of Yathrib were all in a flurry, asking one another: "If Usayd ibn Khudayr, Sa'd ibn Mu'aadh and Sa'd ibn 'Ubaadah have accepted the new religion, how can we not follow? Let's go to Mus'ab and listen to what he has to say. They say that truth emanates from his lips." The first ambassador of the Prophet (S) was thus supremely successful. The Prophet had chosen well. Men and women, the young and the old, the powerful and the weak accepted Islam at his hands. The course of Yathribite history had been changed forever. The way was being prepared for the great Hijrah. Yathrib was soon to become the center and the base for the Islamic state. Less than a year after his arrival in Yathrib, Mus'ab returned to Makkah. It was again in the season of pilgrimage. With him was a group of seventy-five Muslims from Madinah. Again at 'Aqabah, near Mina, they met the Prophet (S). From then on events moved swiftly. Shortly after the Pledge, the Prophet directed his persecuted followers to migrate to Yathrib where the new Muslims or Ansar (Helpers) had shown their willingness to give asylum and extend their protection to the afflicted Muslims. The first of the Prophet's companions to arrive in Madinah were Mus'ab ibn 'Umair and the blind 'Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum. 'Abdullah also recited the Quran beautifully and according to one of the Ansar, both Mus'ab and 'Abdullah recited the Quran for the people of Yathrib. Mus'ab continued to play a major role in the building of the new community. The next momentous occasion in which there is recorded history of Mus'ab was during the great Battle of Badr. After the battle was over, the Quraish prisoners of war were brought to the Prophet (S) who assigned them to the custody of individual Muslims. "Treat them well," he instructed. Among the prisoners was Abu 'Azeez ibn 'Umair, the brother of Mus'ab. Abu 'Azeez related what happened: "I was among a group of Ansar…Whenever they had lunch or dinner they would give me bread and dates to eat in obedience to the Prophet's instructions to them to treat us well. My brother, Mus'ab ibn 'Umair, passed by me and said to the man from the Ansar who was holding me prisoner: "Tie him firmly… His mother is a woman of great wealth and maybe she would ransom him for you." Abu 'Azeez could not believe his ears. Astonished, he turned to Mus'ab and asked: "My brother, is this your instruction concerning me?" "He is my brother, not you," replied Mus'ab. Thus affirming that in the battle between iman and kufr, the bonds of faith were stronger than the ties of kinship. At the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet (S) called upon Mus'ab, now well-known as Mus'ab al-Khayr (the Good), to carry the Muslim standard. At the beginning of the battle, the Muslims seemed to be gaining the upper hand. A group of Muslims then went against the orders of the Prophet (S) and deserted their positions. The mushrikeen forces rallied again and launched a counterattack. Their main objective, as they cut through the Muslim forces, was to get to the noble Prophet (S). The Prophet (S) was injured in this attack. The Quraish believed that they were successful and began shouting that they had killed the Prophet (S). In spite of hearing this tragic news, Mus'ab continued to valiantly fight and persevered through danger. He raised the flag high and shouted the takber. With the flag in one hand and his sword in the other, he plunged into the Quraish forces. The odds were against him. A Quraish horseman moved in close and severed his right hand. Mus'ab was heard to repeat the words: "Muhammad is only a Messenger. Messengers have passed away before him," showing that however great his attachment was to the Prophet himself, his struggle above all was for the sake of God and for making His word supreme. His left hand was also then severed and as he held the standard between the stumps of his arms, to console himself, he repeated: "Muhammad is only a Messenger of God. Messengers have passed away before him." Mus'ab was then hit by a spear. He fell and the flag fell. The words he repeated every time he was struck were later revealed to the Prophet (S). After the battle, the Prophet and his companions went through the battlefield, bidding farewell to the martyrs. When they came to Mus'ab's body, tears flowed. Khabbaab related that they could not find any cloth with which to shroud Mus'ab's body, except his own garment. When they covered his head with it, his legs showed; when his legs were covered, his head was exposed. The Prophet (S) then instructed the Sahabah: "Place the garment over his head and cover his feet and legs with the leaves of the idhkhir (rue) plant." The Prophet (S) felt deep pain and sorrow at the number of his companions who were killed at the Battle of Uhud. These included his uncle Hamzah whose body was horribly mutilated. But it was over the body of Mus'ab that the Prophet stood with great emotion. He remembered Mus'ab as he first saw him in Makkah, stylish and elegant, and then looked at the short burdah which was now the only garment he possessed and he recited the verse of the Quran: "Among the believers are men who have been true to what they have pledged to God." (Quran 33:23) The Prophet (S) then cast his tender eyes over the battlefield on which lay the dead companions of Mus'ab and said: "The Messenger of God testifies that you are martyrs in the sight of God on the day of Qiyaamah." Then turning to the living companions around him he said: "O People! Visit them, send peace on them for, by Him in whose hand is my soul, any Muslim who sends peace on them until the day of Qiyaamah, they would return the salutation of peace." As-salaamu 'alayka yaa Mus'ab… As-salaamu alaykum, ma'shar ash-shudhadaa. As-salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu. Peace be on you, O Mus'ab… Peace be on you all, O martyrs… Peace be on you and the mercy and blessings of God. Islamicbulletin

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Question Is it true that Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) asked forgiveness for himself, his mother and for anyone who asked for forgiveness for them. Answer Yes, this is recorded by Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) in his book: Al-Adabul Mufrad, Hadith: 37. After citing this narration, Imam Muhammad ibn Sirin (rahimahullah) said: ‘I also seek forgiveness for them two, so that I may be included in Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah’s du’a too.’ And Allah Ta’ala Knows best, Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar Source: Hadithanswers

Beneficial article on understanding the nafs: and this will answer your question insha-allah: Du'a: اَللّٰهُمَّ اَلْهِمْنِىْ رُشْدِىْ وَاَعِذْنِىْ مِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِىْ Oh Allah, inspire me with guidance and protect me from the evil of myself ——– اللهم ات نفسي تقواها وزكها انت خير من زكاها انت وليها ومولاها Allahumma Aati Nafsi Taqwaahaa Wa-Zakkihaa, Anta Khayru Man Zakkaahaa, Anta Waliyyuhaa Wa-Mawlaahaa O Allah! Give my soul piety and my conscience purity. You are the Master of my soul and the Guardian of my conscience

Never forget: • When you are hurt by people who share the same blood as you, just remember Yusuf (alayhissalam), who was betrayed by his own brothers. • If you find your parents opposing you, remember Ibrahim (alayhissalam), whose father led him to the fire. • If you're stuck with a problem where there's no way out, remember Yunus (alayhissalam), stuck in the belly of a whale. • When someone slanders you , remember Aisha (radi Allahu 'anha) who was slandered throughout the city. • If you're ill your body cries with pain, remember Ayoub (alayhissalam) who was more ill than you. • When you are lonely, recall Adam (alayhissalam) who was created alone. • When you cant see the logic around you, think of Nuh (alayhissalam)who built an Ark without questioning. • If you are mocked by your own relatives, family, friends and the world at large, then remember our dear Prophet Muhammad (sallAllahu 'alayhi wasallam). Allah put these prophets to trial so that generations will persevere in patience.

Difficulty in giving up Sin Q. As salaamu alaikum Mufti. Please help me. I have been committing a major sin for the past seven years and I don't know how to stop. Every time I make taubah and promise never to do it again but I do. I hate myself for committing this sin. I read my 5 times Salaah, I read Quran every day, I make zikr every day, I go for 40 days every year but this one thing I cannot stop. I really want to. How can I stop? Will Allah forgive me? What can I do to make Allah happy with me and not angry with me? Please help me Jazakallah (Question published as received) A. It is in the nature of humankind to constantly slip and fall, to constantly err and sin. But it is the quality of the true Muslim that whenever he sins he makes Tawbah and tries to reform himself. Consider a person whose occupation is working within a coal mine digging out coal through sweat and hard labour. At the end of every day, his body is blackened with soot from head to toe. Does he tell himself at the end of the day that I will be blackened again tomorrow so I don’t have to wash off today’s dirt and grime? No, he does not. Every evening, he bathes and cleans himself. It is the same for us when we sin. The Believer cannot tolerate allowing the soot of sin to remain on his heart. So he washes it off with Tawbah. Do not lose heart that you are unable to give up the sin. Rather, thank Allah that there are many who sin without remorse but Allah has blessed you with a remorseful heart that turns to Tawbah. The addiction to a sin is like addiction to intoxicants. The main ingredient in kicking any addiction is WILLPOWER. It is difficult and it is a struggle, but it is a struggle that can be overcome. The key is to gradually wean yourself off the sin. If it is done every few hours then strive to extend the hours between committing the sin. If it is done every few days then strive to extend the days between committing the sin. The hours will become days and days will become weeks and the weeks will become months until you are able to kick the sin out completely. Each step of progress is a milestone and a victory that you should celebrate and rejoice in. This will give you extra motivation to quit the sin. Even if it takes time to do, it’s fine. Even if you falter and succumb to the sin again and again, do not give up. Do not give in to depression and weakness. That is what Shaytaan wants us to do. Pick yourself up, dust off the dirt with Tawbah and with renewed vigour continue your struggle. The main thing is that we must move forward and not backward. Allah’s door of forgiveness is always upon to us and Allah loves His servants who turn to Him in repentance. Sayyiduna Anas Radhiyallahu Anhu said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, “Allah, the Exalted, has said:‘O son of Adam! I shall go on forgiving you so long as you pray to Me and aspire for My forgiveness whatever may be your sins. O son of Adam! I do not care even if your sins should pile up to the sky and should you beg pardon of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam! If you come to Me with sins as great as the earth and meet Me, not associating anything with Me in worship, I will certainly meet you with forgiveness as great as it.’” (At-Tirmidhi) And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best Mufti Moosa Salie Confirmation: Mufti Ismaeel Bassa (The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.) Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)

Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) said, “Go on the path of truth and do not feel lonely because there are few who take that path, and beware of the path of falsehood and do not be deceived by the vastness of the perishers.”

Hadith guidelines on tooth-picking Islam lays unparalleled emphasis on oral hygiene. In addition to using the miswak at salah times, the miswak is recommended on several other occasions too. See here. The Sunnah of Picking the Teeth Another form of oral hygiene in Islam is the encouragement to pick the teeth after meals. Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub (radiyallahu’anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) said: ‘How good is [the practice of] those in my ummah, who wash between the fingers and toes in wudu, [i.e, by doing khilal] and those who pick their teeth.’ (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 97 and Musnad Ahmad, vol.5 pg.416) Tooth-picking In the above and other Hadiths, we are thought to pick the teeth after meals. In addition to causing decay, leaving food unpicked from the teeth also creates an odour which offends others. (See: Faydul Qadir, hadith: 3672) The teeth are usually picked: a) with the tongue, b) with a finger, c) with an object like the toothpick/dental floss/waterpik etc. However, we are advised to not swallow the food particles that are picked with the fingers, toothpicks or other foreign objects. This is not binding [i.e, not haram], but is indeed advisable. See the Hadith below: Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu’anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) said: ‘…Whoever eats and removes the [left over] food from between his teeth with his finger [or any foreign object, like a toothpick] should spit it out. What he removes [from the teeth] with his tongue, he may swallow. Whoever abides by this does well, and who does not, will not be sinful.’ (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 36, Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 337 and Sunan Darimi, Hadith: 689 and 2132) Imams Hakim and Dhahabi (rahimahumallah) have declared this Hadith authentic (sahih). (Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 4 pg. 137. Also see: Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al-Ihsan, Hadith: 1410) The reason for spitting what is removed with a foreign object is due to the possibility of it having blood on it. [The consumption of blood is unlawful]. (Badhlul Majhud, vol.1 pg.23) The above should be done with the intention of following the noble teachings of our Beloved Nabi (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam). Every sunnah is filled with immense barakah and benefits. Let’s abide by this, and add to the number of sunnats that we practice upon. almiftah

Part Twelve Hazrat Humaid bin ‘Abdir Rahmaan Al-Himyari (rahimahullah) narrates the following from three children of Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), all of whom narrate it from their father, Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu): Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came to visit Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) when he was sick in Makkah Mukarramah (on the occasion of Hajjatul Wadaa’). After Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had entered, Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) began to cry. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked him, “Why are you crying?” Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “I fear that I will pass away in the land from which I had performed Hijrah, as Hazrat Sa’d bin Khawlah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had passed away.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then made the following du‘aa for Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thrice, “O Allah! Cure Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)!” Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thereafter asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! I have abundant wealth, and only my daughter will inherit from me. Can I make a wasiyyat (bequest) for all my wealth (to be given in charity after my demise)?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “No.” Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then asked, “Can I bequest for two-thirds of my wealth (to be given in charity after my demise)?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “No.” Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then asked if he could bequest for half of his wealth to be given in charity after his demise, to which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied in the negative. Finally, Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) if he could bequest for one-third of his wealth to be given in charity after his demise. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “(You may bequest) one-third, and even one-third is a large amount. Indeed all the charity that you give from your wealth is charity, whatever you spend on your dependants is charity, whatever your wife uses from your wealth is charity, and for you to leave your family in comfort and prosperity is better than for you to leave them stretching their hands before people (begging due to poverty).” (Saheeh Muslim #1628) Source: Whatisislam.co.za

CRITERIA TO DETERMINE THE AUTHENTICITY OF A SCHOLAR In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. a) It is important for every Muslim to ensure his source of Deenī knowledge is sound and reliable. The great Imām from the Tābi‘īn, Muhammad ibn Sīrīn (d. 110 H) – may Allah Ta‘ālā have mercy on him – said: إن هذا العلم دين فانظروا عمن تأخذون دينكم “Verily, this knowledge is religion, so be cautious of whom you take your religion from.” (Sahīh Muslim) [1] A similar statement was narrated from the Sahābī, Abū Hurayrah (radiyAllāhu ‘anhu), and the Tābi‘ī, Qatādah (rahimahullāh). [2] In general, the person from whom you take your religious knowledge should be someone who adheres to the Sunnah of Nabī (sallAllāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) in creed and conduct, and to the path of the noble Sahābah (ridwānullāhi ta‘ālā ‘alayhim ajma‘īn). Nabī (sallAllāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) defined the group that is on haqq (truth) from his ummah as those that hold fast to “what I and my companions are upon.” [3] The name with which this methodology has become known is: “Ahlus Sunnah wa l-Jamā‘ah” – adherents of the Sunnah and the Group, meaning, the Sahābah. The great Faqīh from the Tābi‘īn, Ibrāhīm al-Nakha‘ī (d. 96 H), said, in describing the practice of the scholars of his time: كانوا إذا أتوا الرجل ليأخذوا عنه نظروا إلى سمته وإلى صلاته وإلى حاله ثم يأخذون عنه “When they would come to a man to take (religious knowledge) from him, they analysed his conduct, his Salāh and his state, and then [if these were to standard], they took from him.” [4] Furthermore, the person from whom you take religious knowledge should be of sound character and a person of piety. The great hadith scholar, Yahyā ibn Ma‘īn (d. 233 H), said: آلة الحديث الصدق والشهرة والطلب وترك البدع واجتناب الكبائر “The apparatus of hadith (and religious knowledge) is integrity, recognition (amongst the scholars), pursuit (of Deenī knowledge), abandonment of bid‘ahs and avoidance of major sins.” [5] Some of the criteria we advise you to look for in order to assess whether a particular person should be regarded as a trustworthy and accepted scholar from whom to take knowledge of Deen are the following: - He does not violate the laws of Sharī‘ah. For example, he does not attend events in which there is intermingling of sexes, he does not cut his beard short, he does not listen to music, he does not keep pictures of living things etc. - He is a graduate of a reputable and accepted institute of Shar‘ī studies. - He adheres to one of the four mazhabs of fiqh, namely, the mazhabs of Imam Abu Hanīfah, Imam Malik, Imam al-Shāfi‘ī and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal. - He has sound positions in ‘Aqīdah that are in accordance with what has been established by the scholars of Ahlus Sunnah, like Imam al-Tahāwī, Imam al-Nasafī and others. - He is not a person of bid‘ah. That is, he does not hold any baseless religious beliefs, nor does he engage in any practical innovation in religion. - He is recognised and approved by the ‘ulamā’ of Ahlus Sunnah wa l-Jamā‘ah, and those ‘ulamā’ who are moderate and known for their taqwā. And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best Nabeel Valli Student Darul Iftaa Lusaka, Zambia Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai. www.daruliftaa.net Askimam

DU’AA FOR COMFORT THROUGH OBEDIENCE AND WORSHIP اَللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْ حُبَّكَ أَحَبَّ الْأَشْيَاءِ إِلَيَّ، وَاجْعَلْ خَشْيَتَكَ أَخْوَفَ الْأَشْيَاءِ عِنْدِيْ، وَاقْطَعْ عَنِّيْ حَاجَاتِ الدُّنْيَا بِالشَّوْقِ إِلىٰ لِقَائِكَ، وَإِذَا أَقْرَرْتَ أَعْيُنَ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا مِنْ دُنْيَا هُمْ فَأَقْرِرْ عَيْنِيْ مِنْ عِبَادَتِكَ ـ Allaahummaj-‘al hubbaka ahabbal-‘ashyaa’i ilayy(a), waj-‘al khashyataka akhwafal-‘ashyaa’i ‘indii, waq-ta’ ‘annii haajaatid-dunyaa bish-shawqi ilaa liqaa’ik(a), wa idhaa aqrarta a’yuna ahlid-dunyaa min dunyaahum fa aqrir ‘aynii min ‘ibaadatik. (Al-Haytham ibn Malik At-Ta’i. Kanz al-‘Ummal #3648) O Allah, make Your love the dearest and make Your fear the most frightening of all things to me. Cut off worldly needs from me by giving me the longing to meet You. And as You bring comfort to the eyes of the men of the world with their worldly possessions, bring comfort to my eyes with Your obedience and worship. ~~~Ameen~~~ (Source: Khalid Baig’s translation and transliteration of du’aa #120 from the Accepted Whispers: Munajat-e-Maqbul)

@Maulana_Imtiyaz Be good in your appearance and eyes will never forget you. Be good in your character and hearts will never forget you.

Zaynab Academy Online Zaynab Academy Online is the first all-women’s online Islamic educational institute dedicated to classical Islamic learning and spirituality and was founded in 2009 by Shaykh Mufti Kamaluddin Ahmed and his wife, Alimah S. Ahmed, under the guidance of the honorable Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad. The Academy is non-commercial and non-political and all courses are offered free of charge. We provide a structured educational approach to classical Islamic scholarship, offer a flexible learning environment and impart an educational experience that is at once academically rigorous and spiritually uplifting. All courses emphasize the importance of using sacred knowledge as a means of increasing our connection with Allah (swt) and furthering our spiritual development. Zaynab Academy Online’s courses are based on the Quran and Sunnah and draw upon the rich scholarly tradition of Islamic civilization with a respect for all scholars of the Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah. To date, its courses have been attended by thousands of women from dozens of countries around the world. KNOWLEDGE IS LIGHT Zaynab Academy Online’s courses are based on the Qur’an and Sunnah and draw upon the rich scholarly tradition of Islamic civilization with a respect for all scholars of the Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah. To date, its courses have been attended by thousands of women from dozens of countries around the world. Zaynab Academy

Ya Rabbi Ummati! Question Where is the narration located regarding the Prophet sallalaahu alayhi wassalam uttering ‘Ya rabbi ummati ummati’ in tahajjud ? Answer Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (radiyallahu’anhuma) reported that once Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) recited the verse in which Nabi Ibrahim (‘alayhis salam) said: ‘O my Rabb, indeed they have misled many people, whoever followed me is from me…’ Thereafter he recited the verse in which Nabi ‘Isa (‘alayhis Salam) said: ‘If you punish them, then they are surely your bondsmen. And if You forgive them then You are indeed most Forgiving, most Merciful.’ Then Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) raised his hands, cried and said: ‘O Allah! my Ummat, my Ummat!’ When Jibril (‘alayhis salam) came, he was informed of the reason. Allah Ta’ala said to Jibril (‘alayhis salam): ‘O Jibril! Go back to Muhammad (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) and tell him we shall please you, and not displease you regarding your Ummah.’ (Sahih Muslim, hadith: 498) And Allah Ta’ala Knows best, Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar hadithanswers يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِمًا أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيبِكَ خَيرِ الخَلْقِ كُلِّهِمِ

Daughter bought a brand new Iphone 6. She got a screen protector along and beautiful phone cover as well. She showed her new phone to her dad and the conversation is as follows.. Dad: this is a nice phone. How much did you pay for it? Daughter: it's 700 dollars for the phone, 20 dollars for the phone cover, 5 dollars for the screen protector. Dad: oh why did you get the screen protector and the phone cover, you could have saved 25 dollars. Daughter: dad! I've spent 700 dollars on my phone whats the point if I don't spend 25 dollars for its safety? And more over this cover makes my phone look beautiful. Dad: is it not an insult to the apple company that it did not make the phone safe enough? Daughter: no dad! They in fact recommend us to get the screen protector and the phone cover for its safety. And I dint want it to get damaged. Dad: does it reduce the beauty of the phone? Daughter: no it doesn't. It makes my phone look more beautiful. Dad looked at his daughter and smiled lovingly. And said, my daughter you know I love you, you paid 700 dollars for a phone and you spent 25 dollars for its safety. I've paid my life on you and what is the point If you do not cover yourself with hijab for your own safety. This phone will not be questioned on aakhirah but my daughter you and me will be questioned.

Question I have a question about my menses…I have asked a few scholars about it and read some books, but no one has given me an answer yet about my specific case, therefore, every time I have my menses, I get very confused and don’t know what to do… The way I get it is like the following: Fr the first seven days, the discharge is red then for the rest 21-22 days it varies from month to month. 1) Sometimes I can get yellow discharge from days 8 to 13 and then no discharge from days 14 to 17 then yellow discharge from day 17 to 21. 2) Or I can get yellow discharge from days 8 to 16 then no discharge from days 17 to 20 then yellow discharge on days 21-22. 3) And sometimes, I can get continuous discharge from day 8 till day 21. 4) Also sometimes I might get yellow discharge from days 8 to 12, then no discharge on days 13-15, then discharge on days 16-18 then no discharge on days 18-21. 5) And sometimes it’s even different than that. So can u please give me the general ruling regarding my case so I can apply it any time I see yellow discharge…I read the answer where it says that if I see yellow discharge after or before I see red discharge then it is menstruation, if I see it any time other time, then it is istihadah, but this doesn’t work when I apply it to my case because it would be more than 10 days….What I normally do is stop praying when I see the red discharge and after 10 days, I start praying again until I see the red discharge in the next month….so I stop praying 10 days and pray for around 18-19 days…..is that correct? Answer Your matter is simple and clear. Your menses will be from the time you get a red discharge until the completion of the tenth day. It is immaterial that the colour of the discharge after the red discharge is yellow or any other colour besides white within the ten day period. Your discharge after ten days will be Istihaadha until you get the red discharge again the next month. You will be regarded as pure during your Istihaadha. Perform Wudhu at the beginning of every Salaat time. and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Here is an explanation (noted elsewhere) for the title name-change:

Question: When it comes to womens sajdah in the Hanafi madhab they are required to put their arms on the ground. It seems as this conflicts with the hadith of Bukhari where the Prophet [saw] forbade putting the hands on the ground like a dog. Please give proof as to why women should go against this hadith even if it be for the sake of modesty. Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. Women placing her forearms on the ground in sajda is understood from the following: Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: عن يزيدَ بن أبي حبيب أنَّ رسولَ الله مَرَّ عَلَى امرأتينِ تصليانِ، فقال : «إذَا سَجَدْتُمَا فَضُمَّا بعضَ اللحمِ إلى الأرضِ، فإنَّ المرأةَ لَيْسَتْ في ذلِكَ كالرجلِ “When you make prostration, keep your body attached to the ground because a woman has not been created like a man” [1] If a woman raises her elbows from the ground, her body will not be attached to the ground. Thus she will go against the dictates of the Hadeeth. The narrators of the above Hadeeth have not been classified as weak and not acceptable. In fact, Imam Baihaqi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) has classified this Hadeeth as the best “Mawsool” Hadeeth on this topic.[2] عن أبى سعيد الخدرى رضى الله عنه صاحب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال خير صفوف الرجال الصف الاول وكان يأمر الرجال أن يتجافوا فى سجودهم ويأمر النساء ينخفضن فى سجودهن وكان يامر الرجال أن يفرشوا اليسرى وينصبوا اليمنى فى التشهد ويأمر النساء أن يتربعن وقال يا معشر النساء لا ترفعن أبصاركن فى صلاتكن تنظرن إلى عورات الرجال Abû Saîd Khudrî (Radhiyallahu Anhu) says that Rasûlullâh (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said, “The best saff for the men is the front saff while the best saff for the women is the last saff. He used to command the men to completely stretch out when performing sajdah while he ordered the women to completely contract during the sajdah. He used to command the men to lay down the left foot and make the right foot upright during tashah-hud. And he used to order the women to practise tarabbu’ (to sit cross legged) and he said, “O women, do not raise your glances in salâh in order to look at the satr of the males.[3] If a woman raises her elbows in Sajdah, she will not be contracting herself as ordered in the Hadeeth. Imâm Abdur Razzâq (211 A.H) رحمه الله has quoted the following hadîth in his Musannaf: وعن على قال إذا سجدت المرأة فلتحتفز ولتلصق فخذيها ببطنها Alî (Radhiyallahu Anhu) says, “When a woman prostrates, she must practise ihtifâz and keep her thighs close to her stomach.”[4] Spreading her elbows will be against Ihtifaaz. Imâm Abû Bakr Ibn Abî Shaybah (235 A.H) رحمه الله narrates the following statement: عن ابراهيم قال إذا سجدت المرأة فلتزق بطنها بفخذيها ولا ترفع عجزتها ولا تجافى كما يجافى الرجل “Ibrâhîm رحمه الله says that when a woman prostrates, she should join her thighs to her stomach without raising her posterior and without stretching her limbs out like a male.”[5] The above will not be fulfilled if a woman raises her elbows in Sajdah. The above Ahadeeth are clear regarding the difference in posture of the man from that of a woman in Salaah. Anyone who has even basic knowledge of Hadeeth would understand the concept of Mukhtalif al-Hadeeth and the sciences of reconciling apparent inconsistencies in Ahadeeth. Not being able to do this will lead one to erroneous conclusions as understood from the question. And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best Moulana Ismail Desai, Durban, South Africa Darul Iftaa Croydon Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai. 1اعلاء السنن (ج3، ص 26) التلخيص الحبير (ج 1، ص 91) مراسيل لأبي داود 2قال البيهقي: هو أحسن من موصولين في هذا الباب (اعلاء السنن، ج 3، ص 27) 3 السنن الكبرى للبيهقى(ص 223، ج 2 , نشر السنة , ملتان باكستان) و سنن البيهقى (ص 223، ج 2، ادارة التأليفات) المصنف لعبد الرزّاق ، ج 3، ص 138، رقم الحديث: 4932[4] المصنف لابن أبى شيبة ،ج 1،ص 270[5 http://efiqh.com/2012/when-it-comes-to-womens-sajdah-in-the-hanafi-madhab-they-are-required-to-put-their-arms-on-the-ground/