Bint e Aisha

The essential instructions for mureed Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) said, ‘After bayiah (spiritual allegiance) the things that need to be rectified upfront include, arrogance, negligence in fulfilling the rights of others (huqooq al ‘ebad), envy, hatred, creating adversity (fitna) between people, etc. However, nowadays no restrictions are instructed for these things. Whereas, previous pious elders (Mashāyikh) used to give priority to these things from first day. The litanies & recitations (wazaif) were instructed after many years. Moreover, these restrictions were not merely verbal instructions, they recommended various practices to uproot these spiritual ailments from the heart. Like, if they saw an individual afflicted with self adoration (زینت پرستی) he was instructed to sweep and tidy up the spiritual lodge (khanqah) or streets. Similarly, if they saw arrogance in an individual, he was instructed to tidy up the shoes of people coming to pray. These acts of humility have the ability to create humbleness in heart. ‘ Infas e Essa, volume 1, pg43 Taken from ashrafiya.com

سلسلہ مواعظِ رشید نمبر 5 علم کے مطابق عمل کیوں نہیں ہوتا قسط نمبر 10 توجہ کی قسمیں توجہ کی کئی قسمیں ہیں: 1⃣ پہلی توجہ انعکاسی کہلاتی ہے- اس کی مثال ایسی ہے جیسے ایک چراغ روشن ہے تو اس کی روشنی چاروں طرف آس پاس پڑ رہی ہے اور جہاں تک روشنی کا اثر پہنچ رہا ہے وہاں تک تاریکی مٹ رہی ہے اور جو اشیاء روشنی کے حلقہ اثر میں ہیں وہ منور ہو رہی ہیں-یا یہ کہ کوئی خوشبودار پھول رکها ہوا ہے تو اس کی مہک چاروں اطراف کو مہکا دیتی ہے- کیا رات کی رانی کو آپ نے نہیں دیکها کہ کس طرح رات میں سارا محلہ اس کی خوشبو سے مہک اٹهتا ہے- اسی طرح اہل اللہ تبارک و تعالیٰ کے ساتھ رہنے والے بهی ان کے نور باطن کے انعکاس سے اپنے قلوب میں انوار و برکات کی حرارت محسوس کرتے ہیں اور اپنے زنگ آلود قلوب میں جلاء اور نور دیکھتے ہیں- حضرت گنگوہی رحمہ اللہ تعالیٰ جب حاجی صاحب رحمہ اللہ تعالیٰ سے بیعت ہونے لگے تو عرض کیا کہ حضرت مجهے ذکر سے مستثنیٰ فرما دیجیے - کیونکہ پڑهنے پڑهانے اور علمی کاموں کی مشغولیت اس قدر ہے کہ ذکر کرنے کی فرصت ہی نہیں مل سکے گی- حضرت حاجی رحمہ اللہ تعالیٰ نے فرمایا کہ کوئی بات نہیں آپ ذکر نہ کریں- جب بیعت ہو گئے تو حضرت حاجی رحمہ اللہ تعالیٰ نے فرمایا کہ خواہ آپ ذکر نہ کریں مگر طریقہ تو سیکھ لیں- اس میں کیا حرج ہے؟ کبهی موقع مل گیا تو کر لیا کریں ورنہ نہیں- حضرت گنگوہی رحمہ اللہ تعالیٰ نے کہا ہاں اس میں مضایقہ نہیں- حضرت حاجی صاحب رحمہ اللہ تعالیٰ نے حضرت گنگوہی رحمہ اللہ تعالیٰ کو ذکر کرنے کا طریقہ تلقین فرما دیا- رات کو جب سونے کا وقت آیا تو حاجی صاحب رحمہ اللہ تعالیٰ نے خادم سے فرمایا کہ ان کا بستر میرے بستر کے ساتھ لگا دیں- جب سونے کے لیے دونوں حضرات لیٹ گئے تو حضرت گنگوہی رحمہ اللہ تعالیٰ کی نیند غائب - کروٹوں پر کروٹیں بدل رہے ہیں مگر نیند کا نام تک نہیں- آخر کافی دیر کروٹیں بدلتے گزر گئی تو سوچا کہ نیند تو نہیں آ رہی ہے لاؤ ذکر ہی کر لیتے ہیں- آٹھ کر ذکر کرنا شروع کر دیا- ذکر میں اس قدر لذت محسوس ہوئی کہ پهر ساری زندگی ذکر کا ناغہ نہیں فرمایا- یہ تها حضرت حاجی رحمہ اللہ تعالیٰ کے ساتھ بستر لگانے کا نتیجہ- جب ایک سینے میں عشق کی آگ دہک رہی ہو تو ناممکن ہے سامنے بیٹھنے والا اس کی حرارت محسوس نہ کرے جس قلب کی آہوں نے دل پهونک دیئے لاکهوں اس قلب میں یا اللہ کیا آگ بهری ہوگی جو آگ کی خاصیت وہ عشق کہ خاصیت اک خانہ بخانہ ہے اک سینہ بسینہ ہے (جاری ہے)

🌷 سعادت کسی کے لیے کامل نہیں ہوتی اور نہ ہی اچھائی کسی کے لیے کامل ہوتی ہے🌷 اطردی الھمَّ بذکر الصَّمدِ۔۔۔واھجری لیل الھوی وابتعدی شعر کا مفہوم ہے کہ "غم اور پریشانی کو اللہ تعالیٰ کے ذکر سے بھگائیے اور رات کے برے خیالات کو چھوڑ کر دور بھاگ جائیے۔" آپ اکثر غلطی کرتی ہیں جب یہ سوچتی ہیں کہ زندگی لازماً میری رہنمائی کرے تو ایسا کبھی نہیں ہو گا۔ دنیا میں زندگی ایک نسبت سے رہنمائی کرتی ہے تو زندگی میں آپ کی ہر مراد پوری نہیں ہوگی بلکہ لازمی طور پر کوئی نہ کوئی پریشانی، مشکل، بیماری یا امتحان رہے گا، سو آپ مشکل کے وقت صبر کرتی رہیں اور خوشی کے وقت شکرا ادا کرتی رہیں۔ ان خیالی خیالات میں نہ رہیں کہ کسی بیماری کے بغیر ہمیشہ صحت رہے گی یا فقر و فاقہ کے بغیر زندگی گزرے گی یا مشکلات کے بغیر سعادت مل جائے گی یا ایسی دوست مل جائے جس میں کوئی خامی نہ ہو یا ایسا خاوند مل جائے جس میں کوئی عیب نہ ہو ایسا قطعی طور پر نہیں ہو سکتا۔ آپ اپنی عادت بنالیں کہ ہمیشہ غلطی اور خامی کو پس پشت ڈالتی رہیں اور ہمیشہ اچھائی اور خوبصورتی کی طرف نظر رکھیں۔ میں آپ کو اچھا گمان رکھنے، کسی کی غلطی پر عذر ڈھونڈنے اور اللہ تعالیٰ پر اعتماد رکھنے کی نصیحت کرتا ہوں۔ بعض لوگ اس بات کے نااہل ہیں کہ ان پر اعتماد کیا جائے یا انہیں اپنے کام سپرد کیے جائیں۔ اللہ تعالی فرماتے ہیں: اِنَّھُمۡ لَنۡ یُّغۡنُوۡا عَنۡکَ مِنَ اللّٰهِ شَیۡئًا. ترجمہ: "وہ اللہ کے مقابلے میں تمہارے ذرا بھی کام نہیں آسکتے۔" (ماخوذ از: دنیا کی سعادت مند عورت) (ایسی بات پر کبھی راضی نہ رہیے کہ آپ کی زندگی میں کسی جگہ اندھیرا ہو، کیونکہ روشنی تو موجود ہے۔ آپ کو یہ چاہیے کہ روشنی کا بٹن تلاش کرکے اندھیرے کو روشنی میں بدل دیں۔) تحریر: ✍🏻راشد محمود عُفِیٙ عٙنْہ (سکونِ دل)

A very beneficial document for anyone who wants to become a counselor or therapist: https://archive.org/download/000IntroductionToPsychology/counselling.pdf

🇦 🇱 🇱 🇦 🇭 - 🇰 🇳 🇴 🇼 🇸 ────────────────── 🎀 Telegram.me/motivationforsoul Allah knows when you do something for someone and they don't thank you. He knows when you get up to pray in the early hours of the morning while the rest of the world is asleep. He knows when you hold your tongue instead of being rude or disrespectful. He knows when you don't argue with your parents even though you know you're right. He knows when you do the smallest of good deeds, so small even you forget about it. We all fight battles. No one knows except Allah. Just remember, He knows all. And He can help you all. There's no pain Allah doesn't understand. There's no struggle Allah doesn't know. There's no cry Allah doesn't hear. Don't expect everyone to understand you. They haven't walked in your shoes. Turn to Allah, for only He knows what you're going through, and only He can help you. Holy Qur’an, al-An’am 59: Allah knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it.” So Do not be sad, because Allah knows it all.

‘ITTEBA-E-SUNNAT: YAAD RAKKHO, YAAD RAKKHE JAOGE. Al Salamu `Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh. The following is the beginning of the translation of the book, ‘Itteba-e-Sunnat! Yaad Rakkho, Yaad Rakkhe Jaoge, by Al Haaj Shakil Ahmad Sahib (db). Hadrat has kindly given this sinner permission to translate this book into the English language for the benefit of those who do not know Urdu. Instead of a literal translation from the mother tongue into English, I have chosen a free form of translation that conveys the message of the original while avoiding prolixity and unnecessary repetition. The translation begins (as of now) directly from the meat of the book avoiding the taqriz, the index, the editor’s note etc which will be added later on. This is only the first draft of the translation and will undergo changes and betterment as time goes on, Inshallah. All mistakes are from Shaytan and me. May Allah accept this effort and make it a means for me in the Hereafter. [Allah is ash-Shakoor (the greatest appreciator). We hope that He will multiply your reward and will give you that much which will please you inshaAllah ~bint e aisha] Please inform me of any mistakes so that the translation can be corrected. Jazakamullahu khayra. Abu_Tamim. Every intelligent person seeks profit. Respected elders and friends! Every person of intellect in this world wants profit, no one seeks loss. Anyone with even a modicum of understanding and intelligence rushes towards benefit and avoids damage to the maximum extent possible. This approach of avoiding doing deeds of no profit is common to all people of sense. Rather such a person works in a focused manner towards a fixed goal and benefit. These benefits are expected to accrue on the basis of experience. For e.g., xyz received this benefit from this work. Therefore, if we do the same, then we will also profit in the same way. This is the way of the world and if often happens that people achieve these gains according to their expectations. Human nature However, the above is not an absolute and infallible law. Meaning that it is not necessary that that one will be able to benefit from doing what others have done before him and profited from. Sometimes, the opposite occurs and a person suffers a loss from the same work. But our nature is such that when we see people profiting from something our desires pull us towards that work in the hope of achieving the same profit; even if we are aware of the possibility of loss, indeed, even if we have experienced people suffering loss, we are pulled inevitably towards it. And when unaware of some profit-making business then we search for knowledgeable people, go to them and take advice from them, saying, “Brother! We would like to do some business but don’t know what line of work or what kind of business has the most profit nowadays and where there is the greatest possibility of progress. So, please guide us.” Then we follow his advice and start the business in the hope of making gains. It often happens that we earn profits and sometimes we suffer losses. This nature is not confined to us and you but to every man of sense. In short, this was an introduction to the fact that every sensible man seeks gain and avoids loss. Further, it was said that whatever we set out to do is not entirely free of risk despite giving profits most of the time. A Query The following question arises: Does everything that we do in this world carry the potential for gain and the risk for loss or is there a trade that offers 100% profit with no risk at all? When this question is placed before worldly people then they have no (satisfactory) answer for it. They say that we are unaware of any trade or business that offers 100% profit and zero risk. 100% Profitable Work But when the same question is placed before the Creator and Owner of this world and His Final Prophet (saw), they guide us towards such a trade that offers 100% profit and no loss, not even a risk of loss. What do you think, when informed of such profitable deeds with no risk attached to them, will one want to do them or not? For sure, he will. Indeed, he will race towards it and be in a hurry to find out about it. Would you also like to know (what it is)? Then listen, it is to follow the Sunna of the Prophet (saw). Following the Prophetic example is that deed that gives a 100% return and never a loss. The deeds of one who is loved by Allah (swt) And obeying the Sunna not only gives a 100% return but also makes one beloved to the people; not only peoples’ love, but also the love of the angels; and not only the love of the angels but of the Messenger (saw) too. These bestowals and honors that one gets on following the Sunna are enough to show its importance – nothing more is required. (Even then) a special honor that is given to the follower of the Sunna is that Allah makes him beloved to Himself. This is not something ordinary – receiving Allah’s love and becoming beloved to Him- it is such an honor that no further bestowals are needed. I am not saying this from myself, it is proven from many verses of the Qur’an and traditions of the Prophet (saw). In the Qur’an, Allah says, “Say (O Prophet): “If you really love Allah, then follow me, and Allah shall love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.” (Surah Aal-i-‘Imran, verse 31, English translation of Mufti Muhammad Taqi ‘Uthmani) Two Priceless Gifts Human nature contains an element of avariciousness so that after doing something he looks for some sort of return. And this potential and desire has been placed in him by Allah Himself who has taken it into consideration. Allah knows that his slave is greedy. When I (i.e. Allah) command him to do something, then he will definitely ask me, “O Sustainer! I will do this deed because you have ordered it, but tell me what will I get on doing it?” Hence keeping man’s disposition in mind, Allah answered his query in the next part of the verse quoted, that if you obey and follow my beloved then I will grant you two favors, both of which are such that none except me can grant them and they cannot be bought for anything in this world. The First Gift The first incomparable honor that I (Allah) will bestow on the one who follows the Sunna is that I will begin to love him and make him dear to Myself. The following part of the verse, “Yuhbibkumullah” bears witness to the fact that whoever loves Allah and follows the Holy Prophet (saw), is also loved by Allah who makes him His beloved. Allah has given us a deeper understanding of this favor through his Prophet’s (saw) saying that when I (Allah) love someone and make him dear to Me, then I do not leave him alone. Rather I tell My close angel, Jibril (as), “O Jibril! I love so-and-so. You too love him.” Then, Jibril also starts loving him and announces among all the angels that Allah loves such-and-such slave of His and has made him dear to Himself. Hence, O (Assembly of) Angels! All of you (also) love him. All of them then start loving him. The love of that person is then poured into the hearts of men and all the creatures that walk on the earth…..to be contd. http://jayshemuhabbat.blogspot.com/2012/04/itteba-e-sunnat-english-translation.html?m=1

It is reported that Hassân b. Abî Sinân (rah) went out one 'Eid and when he returned home his wife said, “How many beautiful women have you looked at today?” After she kept asking him, he said, “Woe to you! I have looked at nothing but my toe from when I went out to when I returned to you.” It is reported on the authority of Al-Wakî’ b. Al-Jarrâh (rah): We went out one 'Eid with Sufyân Al-Thawrî and he said, “The first thing we will do on this day of ours is to lower our gaze.” Ibn Abi al-Dunya, Kitab al-Wara'. Taken from Sayings of the Salaf. Wa Salam. Source: Dr. Abu Tamim's Blog. (رحمه الله)

Don't Delay OR Miss Salah It shows that you lack discipline, internal strength, and integrity to be where you are supposed to be ‘on time’ for your most important appointments of the day, and you are not dependable. No one likes to say about themselves that they are not dependable or lack discipline, but actions speak louder than words, and being late for salah is the first warning that you are on a slippery slope towards being chronically late in everything else in your life. Al-Hasan Al-Basri said: "When salah is the least of your concerns, then what is your most important concern? As much as you fix your salah, your life will be fixed. Did you not know that salah was equated with Success: ‘Come to Prayer, Come to Success.’ How can you ask Allah for success when you are not responding to His right upon you?” If you are wondering why there is a delay in your sustenance, in your marriage, in your work, in your health, look into your salah: are you delaying it? ‘If we truly have faith in the unseen and have faith in the Messenger of Allah telling us that Allah wants us to meet Him 5 times every day in our salah, then we should take salah more seriously.’ “And bid your family to perform Salah and adhere to it yourself. We ask no provision from you. We give provision to you. And the end is in favour of Taqwa. Qur’an: Chapter 20, Verse 132

Keep Repenting Shaykh Ahmed Zarruq (Allah have mercy on him) said, ‘Although the traveler (salik) must be more cautious after returning to sin he must not give up and despair. After every return, even a thousand time, he must renew his intention to repent. If the Devil argues: “What is use of a repentance following a repetition of the sin?”, he must be answered, “Just as we made the sin’s repetition a habit, we make the repetition of repentance a habit too. ‘ Ahmad Zarruq, p282 Source: ashrafiya.com

Difference between Nationalism amd Patriotism Following is extracted from askimam.org Nationalism and patriotism both show the relationship of an individual towards his or her nation. The two are often confused and frequently believed to mean the same thing. However, there is a vast difference between nationalism and patriotism. Nationalism means to give more importance to unity by way of a cultural background, including language and heritage. Patriotism pertains to the love for a nation, with more emphasis on values and beliefs. When talking about nationalism and patriotism, one cannot avoid the famous quotation by George Orwell, who said that nationalism is ‘the worst enemy of peace’. According to him, nationalism is a feeling that one’s country is superior to another in all respects, while patriotism is merely a feeling of admiration for a way of life. These concepts show that patriotism is passive by nature and nationalism can be a little aggressive. Patriotism is based on affection and nationalism is rooted in rivalry and resentment. One can say that nationalism is militant by nature and patriotism is based on peace. Most nationalists assume that their country is better than any other, whereas patriots believe that their country is one of the best and can be improved in many ways. Patriots tend to believe in friendly relations with other countries while some nationalists don’t. In patriotism, people all over the world are considered equal but nationalism implies that only the people belonging to one’s own country should be considered one’s equal. http://www.differencebetween.net/language/difference-between-nationalism-and-patriotism/#ixzz45bb9bfiN By "patriotism" I mean devotion to a particular place and a particular way of life, which one believes to be the best in the world but has no wish to force on other people. Patriotism is of its nature defensive, both militarily and culturally. Nationalism, on the other hand, is inseperable from the desire for power. The abiding purpose of every nationalist is to secure more power and more prestige, not for himself but for the nation or other unit in which he has chosen to sink his own individuality. http://www.resort.com/~prime8/Orwell/nationalism.html

Abu Fusailah states: سَأَلْتُ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ أَمِنَ الْعَصَبِيَّةِ أَنْ يُحِبَّ الرَّجُلُ قَوْمَهُ؟ قَالَ " لَا وَلَكِنْ مِنَ الْعَصَبِيَّةِ أَنْ يَنْصُرَ الرَّجُلُ قَوْمَهُ عَلَى الظُّلْمِ “I asked the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam “is it from nationalism that a person loves his nation?” The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied “no, nationalism is when a person helps his nation to oppress others.”” The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said in his final sermon: لَا فَضْلَ لِعَرَبِيٍّ عَلَى عَجَمِيٍّ وَلَا لِلْأَحْمَرِ عَلَى الْأَسْوَدِ إِلَّا بِالتَّقْوَى “There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab and there is no superiority for a white over a black except through piety” Mufti Shafi Rahimahullah remarks under this Hadith: یہ اعلان فرما کر آپ نے وطنی قومیت اور نیشنل ازم کی بنیاد ختم کردی اور بتا دیا کہ نیشنل ازم اور اسلام ایک ساتھ نہیں چل سکتے “By making this anouncement, the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam eradicated the bases of patriotism and nationalism and showed how nationalism/patriotism and Islam are incompatible” As Muslims, we must remain law-abiding citizens of our countries, but our servitude must always remain towards Allah Ta’ala. http://askimam.org/public/question_detail/35414

عن امرأة منهم يقال لها فسيلة، قالت: سمعت أبي يقول، سألت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، فقلت: يا رسول الله أمن العصبية أن يحب الرجل قومه؟ قال: «لا، ولكن من العصبية أن يعين الرجل قومه على الظلم» (ابن ماجه، باب العصبية) A woman named Fasilah narrates that she heard her father saying: I asked Nabi sallaAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, “O Rasullullah, is love for one’s nation considered chauvinism?” He sallaAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam replied, “No, chauvinism is partly to help one’s nation in perpetrating injustice” (Ibn Majah)

Recognition of Diversity and Patriotism in Shariah Moderation is the hallmark of Islam. Any deviation towards negligence or extremism is condemned. Shariah gives recognition to every natural angle and dimension of human beings, from the male gender to the female gender, from blood relations to milk relations, from families to tribes and from nations to trans-nations. Consider the following verses: يا أيا الناس انا خلقناكم من ذكر و أنثي Translation: “Oh People! Indeed we have created you from male and female” (Surah Hujurat, 13) وجعلناكم شعوبا و قبائل Translation: “And we have created you as Nations and Tribes” (Ibid) ياأيها الذين آمنوا لا يسخر قوم من قوم Translation: “Oh you who believe! One nation should not look down upon another nation” (Surah Hujuraat, 11) Shariah also appreciates the diverse values and practices emanating through gender, family, cultural, ethnic and national differences and accordingly have laws governing such issues. The divine reason given for the categorization of human beings as tribes, families and nations in mutual recognition and respect for each other. After explaining the basics of human beings, Allah (Subahanahu Wa Ta’ala) says: لتعارفوا Translation: “So that you may recognize each other” (Surah Hujuraat, 13) Patriotism It is natural for a human being that is born and brought up in a particular tribe or country to love his tribe and country. This is also appreciated and recognized in Shariah. Hazrath Bilal (Radhiyallahu Anhu) migrated to Madeenah Munawwarah and he fell sick. He began thinking of valleys, trees, and water wells of his native land, Makkah Mukarramah and expressed his wish in poetic form. Consider the following Hadeeth: حدثنا قتيبة عن مالك عن هشام بن عروة عن أبيه عن عائشة أنها قالت لما قدم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم المدينة وعك أبو بكر وبلال رضي الله عنهما قالت فدخلت عليهما وكان بلال إذا أقلعت عنه يقول ألا ليت شعري هل أبيتن ليلة بواد وحولي إذخر وجليل وهل أردن يوما مياه مجنة وهل تبدون لي شامة وطفيل Translation: Aisha (Radhiyallahu Anha) says that Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) came to Madeenah and Abu Bakr and Bilal (Radhiyallahu Anhuma) did not agree with the climate of Madeenah. She further states: “Whenever the fever would subside from Bilal, he would say: “If only I could spend one night in a valley with Izkhir and Jaleel around me and how I wish for a day when I would drink the water of Mijannah and How I wish Shamah and Tufail would appear before me.” (Saheeh al-Bukhair, Hadeeth # 5330) The books of Hadeeth have dedicated chapters on the recognition of the various tribes, for example the Quraish: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : الناس تبع لقريش في الخير والشر Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: “Mankind are followers of the Quraish in good and bad” (Musannaf, Hadeeth # 4755) Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) also mentioned the other tribes. قريش و الأنصار و جهينة و مزينة و أسلم و غفار , أشجع موالي، ليس لهم مولي دون الله و رسوله Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: “The Quraish, Ansaar, Juhainah, Muzainah, Aslam, Ghifaar and Ashja are masters, they do not have any master except Allah and His messenger” (Bukhari, Hadeeth # 3512) The recognition given to the various tribes induces a sense of honour and pride in its members. Overarching Principle Whilst there is general recognition of diversity in ethnicity and nationality, if there is a good quality or moral that enhances the value of the tribe or nation, that is also recognized and praiseworthy. حدثنا ابن أبي عمر حدثنا سفيان بن عيينة عن أبي الزناد عن الأعرج عن أبي هريرة ح وعن ابن طاوس عن أبيه عن أبي هريرة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم خير نساء ركبن الإبل قال أحدهما صالح نساء قريش وقال الآخر نساء قريش أحناه على يتيم في صغره وأرعاه على زوج في ذات يده Translation: Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said “The best women are those who ride camels, one of the narrators said “The pious Quraishi women and the other narrator said “The women of the Quraish, the most kind to an orphan in infancy and most considerate to her husband’s wealth and possessions.” (Saheeh Muslim, Hadeeth #2527) Conversely, if there is anything un- Islamic, for example oppression based on patriotism, that will be condemned. و عن بنت واثلة ابن الأسقع أنها سمعت أباها يقول : قلت: يا رسول الله: ما العصبية؟ قال: أن تعين قومك علي الظلم “Hadhrat Wathila Bin Asqa asked Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam): What is Asabiyyah? He replied: To assist your nation/people upon oppression.” (Abu Dawood, Hadeeth # 5119) Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: عَنْ جُبَيْرِ بْنِ مُطْعِمٍ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ : ( لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ دَعَا إِلَى عَصَبِيَّةٍ وَلَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ قَاتَلَ عَلَى عَصَبِيَّةٍ وَلَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ مَاتَ عَلَى عَصَبِيَّةٍ “He who invites towards Patriotism, fights because of Patriotism and dies upon Patriotism is not from amongst us” (Abu Dawood, Hadeeth # 5121) Hadhrat Moulana Khalil Ahmed Saharanpuri (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) states under the commentary of this Hadeeth that “The meaning of dying on Asabiyyah is that Asabiyyah becomes entrenched in the heart of the person and one becomes desirous of Asabiyyah even though he did not invite anyone nor did he kill anyone.” Patriotism has a tendency of evoking deep emotions in a person which could overshadow the correct and proper thinking of an individual. Such a person is robbed with his moderation, justice and fairness. Consider the following thought provoking incident of patriotism that took place at the time of Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) and Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam)’s response to such patriotism. اخبرنا ابن جريج قال : أخبرني عمرو بن دينار أنه سمع جابرا يقول: غزونا مع النبي و قد ثاب معه ناس من المهاجرين حتي كثروا ، و كان من المهاجرين رجل لعاب فكسع أنصاريا، فغضب الأنصاري غضبا شديدا، حتي تداعوا، و قال الأنصاري: يا للأنصار و قال المهاجري: يا للمهاجرين، فخرج النبي فقال: ما بال دعوي أهل الجالية؟ ثم قال: ما شأنهم، فأخبر بكسعة المهاجري الأنصاري، فقال النبي: دعواها فانها خبيثة Hadhrat Amr Bin Deenar narrates that he heard Jabir saying: “We went out in battle with Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) and a group of Muhajireen also joined until they increased, and there was a very playful/jovial man from the Muhajireen and he hit an Ansari on the back, the Ansari became very angry until they both rallied for support. The Ansari said: Oh Ansar! Help me. And the Muhajir said: “Oh Muhajireen! Help me. Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) emerged and enquired: What is the condition of the claim of the people of Jahiliyyah? Then he said: “What is their matter? Then he was informed of the Muhajir’s hitting of the Ansari. Then Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: leave that for verily it is filthy”. (Bukhari, Hadeeth # 3519) Mufti Ebrahim Desai. http://askimam.org/public/question_detail/25653

Abandoning Salaah and Following Desires

BR120-S10 - [English Discourse] Harms of disobedience...

Assalamu alaikum. Respected Mufti, Are the members of opposite gender on the Internet Islamic forum allowed to make lighthearted conversations, as long as the boundaries are not transgressed? And what about the following Hadith? Hasan radiallahu ‘anhu said: That a certain old woman came to the Prophet and requested him to pray to Allah to make her enter Paradise. The Prophet said, “O mother of so and so! No old woman shall enter into paradise.” The narrator says that on hearing this the old woman went back weeping. The Prophet said to the people around him to go and tell the old woman that she would not enter into Paradise as an old woman. [At-Tirmidhi] Then he recited the verse: “Verily we! We have created those (maidens) by a creation and have made them virgins, loving, of equal age.” [Al-Qur’an 56:35-37] In the Hadith Muhammad sallalaho alaihi wa sallam joked with the old lady, so does it mean joking online is allowed if people stick to staying within the boundaries of adab? Jazakallahu khairan. Answer Wa’alaykum as Salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu, Conversations on a forum will share the same ruling as a conversation over a phone. There is really no need for members of the opposite gender to discuss any issues via a forum. Useless chatter is against characteristics of Muslims and we find members on various forums engaged in backbiting, slanders, exposing sins of Muslims, self praise and ego boosting etc. Although the conversations might start off innocently, the devil will play on the minds of the participants and make them curious to know more about each other. They might even start to wonder how the opposite person looks. If it is possible to send private messages on the forum, it could easily become a catalyst to them forming a relationship. Therefore, it is best to stay away. As for the narration that you have cited, firstly it is weak. Even if we do accept it, many commentators state that she was Safiyyah bint Abd al-Muttalib, the paternal aunt of the prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). Thus, he had the right to interact with her. قال العراقي: رواه الترمذي في الشمائل هكذا مرسلاً وأسنده ابن الجوزي في الوفاء من حديث أنس بسند ضعيف. (تخريج أحاديث إحياء علوم الدين (4/ 1680) ثم قيل: هي صفية بنت عبد المطلب، أم الزبير بن العوام عمة النبي – صلى الله عليه وسلم (مرقاة المفاتيح شرح مشكاة المصابيح (7/ 3063) And Allaah Ta’aala knows best Wassalaam, Ismail Moosa (Mufti) Iftaa Department, Euro-Sunni & Islamic Research and Welfare Academy http://www.fatwaa.com/interacting-opposite-gender

The article below by Mufti Zubair Bayat seems to be quite useful. It is followed by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Adams answer on gender interaction: WILL YOUR INTERNET CONNECTION DISCONNECT YOU FROM ALLAH MOST HIGH ? by Mufti Zubair Bayat, South Africa Is it sheer coincidence that the Internet and WWW (World Wide Web) contain the words NET and WEB? Read on and work it out for yourself. Now picture a person trapped in a net, battling to get out. Also try to imagine a fly caught in a web, struggling to escape. Since the crisis is visible and tangible in the above cases, sympathy is felt and help may be rendered if required. But there is another NET, a WEB, much stronger and highly invisible, which traps its hapless victim in such an enchanting way, the poor victim, far from wanting to escape, actually begins to enjoy and relish this captivity. Yes, this sticky WEB, this unseen NET is none other than what is called the INTERNET, its WWW and its chatrooms. WHAT IS THE CURE FOR THE ADDICTION VIRUS? Such is the terrible addiction and attraction to the NET and the WEB, it is difficult to say whether the surfer has been bit by a bug or is just on some kind of heavy drug. Many are concerned about viruses infecting their beloved PCs but what cure is there for the user who maybe infected by the addiction virus? Once on-line and into cyber space the user seems to have forgotten everything in the real world and enters into a kind of trance that is described as being in a state of virtual reality where everything is really unreal but appears to be so real! For many, once they enter this cyber world it is as if they are on another planet. Then gone is the concern for Salaah, good deeds, work, studies and other important chores in life. Now it is the sheer thrill of being connected and on line. A Muslim must be concerned that being connected to the Net must not disconnect him from Allah and being on-line should not take him off-track from the Straight Path. SHARIAH PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE USE OF INTERNET Unlike medieval Christianity, Islam has never been opposed to technology and modern inventions – in fact it has encouraged the study of natural phenomena for the purposes of subjugating the forces of the universe for the benefit of mankind. Such inventions and technology are deemed beneficial so long as they enhance the purpose of mans creation on earth. If however, they obstruct and distract from this purpose, then Islam does not take a favourable view of such inventions. The Internet and its use may be evaluated on the basis of the above principle. If it proves to be beneficial to its user, its use is permissible and in some instances, meritorious, especially for Dawah and educational uses. But if it provides the opposite effect, that of distracting its user from the purpose of his creation, then not only is its use frowned upon but may even be deemed unlawful in certain instances. As with every matter in life, the Internet comes with its collection of plusses and minuses. In the case of some users, the plusses weigh heavily. In the case of others, there are only minuses. For such people, the Internet is a bane and a curse. And unfortunately the majority of users fall in this category. PARENTS BLISSFULLY IGNORANT OF INHERENT DANGERS With the quantum leaps the IT industry has recently been witnessing, many parents and guardians of children and youth, the prime users of Internet, are in a total time-warp. They are groping in the dark with regard to the reality and nature of the Internet and what it is all about. They appear quite pleased and proud that their dear off-spring are such wizards of the web, little realising the potential dangers that the Internet holds within itself. It is with a view to enlighten parents and elders about this dark aspect of the Internet that this article is being presented. Which decent Muslim parent would allow his child, especially a pretty, young daughter out in the streets, into dubious dimly-lit smoke-filled billiards rooms to meet and chat to complete strangers for hours on end, with a possibility of such unknown entities even being considered as prospective marriage partners by their innocent daughters? Any respectable Muslim parent would recoil in horror and shrink at the very thought. My daughter in such a horrible place? IMPOSSIBLE! CYBERFRIENDS MEET EACH OTHER IN CHATROOMS No, in fact it is very well possible. The decent and respectable Muslim parents of our time may well be in for a pretty rude shock! That innocent little girl (or boy), locked away safely in her bedroom for nights and weekends on end, may virtually be MEETING, TALKING to and BEFRIENDING all kinds of weird strangers for hours on end, under the very noses of their parents, without them ever suspecting a thing! How is this possible? Well the answer is clear and straight; thanks to Internet, this is not only possible but a REALITY in thousands of good Muslim homes all over the world! So when you find that teenager, uncannily quiet and seemingly busy dont be fooled and deceived. They could possibly be in intimate conversation with some stranger in one of thousands of chatrooms available on the Net! Forget the days of penpals. That was rather innocent stuff. Nowadays boys (and girls) are known to have travelled (physically) around the globe, just to meet their cyber boy/girl-friends. Many cyber-friends, known to each other only by their nicks, arrange to meet each other in shopping malls, cinemas, rave clubs, bhangra bashes and so on. The Net has made possible the meeting of strangers on a scale that was unimaginable in the past. It may surprise people to learn that many prospective Muslim couples have had their first ‘meeting and intimate chat on the Net. This could have lead to physical meetings in real time and after a short romance on (and off) the Net, the knot was tied. Alas! The possibility of that knot being untied before long, is not just a matter of virtual reality. It is reality itself as proven by real-life cases. VICTIMS OF SHAYTAANS WEB But the young and innocent are not the only victims as age is of no consequence on the Net. If this is how easy and cool it is to hop onto the cyber-highway and disappear into virtual reality, it is not too surprising to hear of many married men who enjoy a very friendly chat with some exciting female (supposedly; it is difficult to make out male from female on the Net), without the poor wife suspecting a thing. The reverse of this could also be true. Well, Shaitaan is known to have many NETS and WEBS in his possession, and if this is one, then the final outcome of these chats is not difficult to imagine. Even if the chat itself is clean and straight, this kind of chat with a strange (ghair-mahram) person is forbidden in Islam, whether it be by phone, mobile, CB, pen or electronic, it is simply not allowed. Then consider the filthy and rude language used by most persons in chatrooms – this cannot be evaded and one is bound to be affected by this rude language sooner or later. GROSS WASTAGE OF ALLAHS FAVOURS Hours and hours of good, useful and constructive time – the most valuable entity on earth – is squandered uselessly on the Net and in chatrooms. If only that time – and Almighty Allah swears an oath on the value of Time – was used to do some virtuous deeds, how beneficial and profitable it would have been! If only the hundreds of wasted rands in connection fees and phone bills could have been used to feed a hungry family in Ethiopia or elsewhere; if only it could have been contributed towards a needy and deserving Masjid or Madrasah project, how useful it would have proved? This is yet another serious drawback of the Internet for a good practising Muslim. DANGERS TO AQEEDAH AND MORALITY Then there is the deluge of Kufr sites, masquerading as good and informative Muslim sites and a plethora of sites by the myriads of deviated sects, all crouching like hungry lions at the water hole, hoping to pounce upon, savage and devour the unwary prey that may come out their way. How can one whose knowledge of Islam is nominal hope to come out unscathed in his Imaan after such encounters? Then the uncensored flood of the filthiest pornography and sleaze imaginable, that permeates every area of the Net, is yet another total no-go zone for any Muslim. The temptations to just take a peek are very compelling and once this slippery path is walked upon, it is very difficult for most people to turn back. So before you or your innocent little ones connect (or reconnect) to the Net, think, think carefully! Is it for a pious or worthy purpose or is it just for fun and entertainment, to pass time! If this is so, you may have easily connected to the Net but you could end up, Allah forbid, disconnecting your Imaan, your Islam and your morality in the process! Is it worth it?

Is it okay for brothers and sisters to chat online? Answer: In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Assalamu alaykum In the name of Allah, Most Gracious Most Merciful. Islam has set down principles for the prosperity of mankind in this world and for their salvation in the hereafter. The early Muslims used to say, This world is a harvest for the hereafter, taking this from the words of Allah Most High, Whoever desires the havest of the Hereafter, We give him increase in its harvest. And whoever desires the harvest of the world, We give him thereof, and he has no portion in the Hereafter. [Quran, 42.20] Hence, a person must use his time beneficially in this world for the sake of the hereafter and take account of himself everyday. Each moment spent in useless activities is time away from the remembrance of Allah and other beneficial works. The scholars have clear rulings regarding useless talk and gossip. Many hadiths have been related in this regard. The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, It is from the excellence of a mans Islam to leave that which does not concern him. [Tirmidhi, and others] Furthermore, the limits of interaction between the sexes has also been laid down by the scholars. Recently, a post on the limits of mixing between the sexes very clearly concluded the issue, and must have quenched the thirst of many for a conclusive answer on the subject, among all the confusion that prevails regarding it. [See below.] The same limits and rules would also apply to the informal exchange of letters between members of the opposite sex as well as through the new systems of MSN and Yahoo Messenger, which has made it supposedly safer and more permissible to converse with people while sitting in the safety of ones home. People feel more safe in chatting this way than on the phone, since there is no physical sound that is being transferred and the whole issue of fitna from the opposite sex does not seem to be an issue here. However, as research will show, addiction to chat rooms and cyber friendships is on the increase. Many people become besotted and fall in love with the person on the other end, without even seeing them. It is known that a lot of inappropriate, and often completely impermissible conversations take place among young Muslims, even religious ones, through such online systems. It is impermissible to have an informal conversation over the Messenger services or through email for that matter, just at it would be over the phone or in person. People get carried away in their chatting since most of the time there is not bill to be paid, no mummy or daddy waiting to use the phone, and no fear of a brother or sister picking up the other extension in the other room. In this regard, having strange members of the opposite sex on ones contact list, seeing when they log on, and having a quick exchange with them would also be strongly discouraged. Allama ibn Abidin writes in his Radd al-Muhtar, an indepth footnote commentary on the Hanafi fiqh text al-Durr al-Mukhtar: When a strange [i.e. non-mahram] women greets a man with salam, he should answer her verbally loud enough for her to hear if she is an elderly women. However, if she is a younger women he should respond within himself. Likewise, when a man greets a [non-mahram] women with salam, the ruling would be the same (Radd al-Muhtar 5:236). After this discussion, he mentions the undesirability of speaking to non-mahram women without need, and says that it is permissible to have informal conversation with elderly women, but not with younger women. Likewise, the great Shafii scholar of hadith, Muhammad ibn `Allan al-Bakri (d. 1057 AH), has written a similar discussion on the prohibition of salam to ones non-mahrams in his great commentary on Imam Nawawis Riyad al-Salihin (see Dalil al-Falihin li turuq Riyad al-Salihin 6:343) and has concluded that this is the opinion of the Shafi`i scholars. Therefore, if this is the ruling for salamand unneeded conversations then the ruling of holding friendly informal chats through the Messenger services or chat-rooms becomes quite clear. And Allah knows best. Wassalam Abdurrahman ibn Yusuf

Parents should avoid having disputes in front of their children even if the child is a baby as it affects the child and his/her behaviour - Mufti Shabbir Ahmed Sahib (Hafidhahullah)

اللّهُـمَّ باعِـدْ بَيـننا وَبَيْنَ خَطـايَانا كَما باعَدْتَ بَيْنَ المَشْرِقِ وَالمَغْرِبْ O Allah, distance us from our sins just as You have distanced The East from The West

The Story of Prophet Ayub علیه السلام and the hardships he faced 1. Ayub (Alayhi Salam) was the prophet of Allah during the era between Musa and Yaqub (Alayhimus Salam) which was between 1300-1500 B.C. [1] Some scholars are of the opinion that he was originally Roman from the bloodline of Ibrahim (Alayhi Salam) whilst others say he was an Arab. It is also mentioned that his mother was the daughter of Lut (Alayhi Salam). Allah Taala blessed him with abundant wealth land, livestock, slaves and many children etc. Allah tested Ayub (Alayhi Salam) by taking away everything he had to such an extent that even his health was taken away from him. Historians and commentators write that not a single limb of Ayub (Alayhi Salam) was safe from disease except his tongue and his heart through which he would remember Allah Taala. Difficulties worsened to such an extent that people cut their ties with him due to his illness and had him expelled from the city to a place outside the city. The only person that was there to support him was his wife, Rahmah bint Ifrahim. Despite all the difficulties, Ayub (Alayhi Salam) was patient, persevering, and grateful. [3]He was also constantly engrossed in the remembrance of Allah Taala day and night. It was after years of forbearance and difficulty that Ayub (Alayhi Salams) wife told him “oh Ayub why don’t you ask Allah to help you”. He replied “I lived for seventy years in prosperity why shouldn’t I be patient for the sake of Allah for seventy years.” It was after this that Ayub (Alayhi Salam) made the following dua which is in the Quraan: [4] وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَى رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ And when Ayub (Alayhi Salam) prayed to his Rabb saying, “Difficulty has certainly afflicted me and You are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy”. (Surah Ambiya-83) Allah Taala mentions in the Quraan how Ayub (Alayhi Salam) was healed: ارْكُضْ بِرِجْلِكَ هَذَا مُغْتَسَلٌ بَارِدٌ وَشَرَابٌ (Allah Taala said) Strike your foot on the ground (Allah Taala caused a spring to gush out) This is cool water for bathing and drinking (after which you will be cured) (Surah Saad-42) Allah Taala then mentions: وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُمْ مَعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِنَّا وَذِكْرَى لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ (After curing him)We gifted him with his family and as many of them in addition (twice as many) As a mercy from Us and a reminder for the people of intelligence (to remind them that Allah rewards the patient ones and restores their losses.(Surah Saad-43) Lessons from the story of Ayub (Alayhi Salam): a. Allah tests those that are close to him to elevate their ranks. b. It is easy to thank Allah Taala in the state of prosperity, but praising and remembering Allah during difficulties and accepting his decree is most beloved to Allah and draws his mercy. c. No matter the situation, one should never be despondent of the mercy of Allah. d. Being thankful and humble during prosperity and being steadfast and patient during difficulty are two great bounties a person can have and inculcate.[5] 2. It is advisable to recite the dua of Ayub (Alayhi Salam) when faced with difficulties. And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai. قصص القران مولانا حفظ الرحمان سهاروى ص557 دار الاشاعت [1] [2] عن أبي عبيدة بن حذيفة، عن عمته، قالت: أصاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، حمى شديدة فأمر بسقاء فعلق بشجرة ثم اضطجع تحته فجعل يقطر على فؤاده قال: «إن أشد الناس بلاء الأنبياء، ثم الأمثل فالأمثل (النسئي-7440( عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: «ما رأيت أحدا أشد عليه الوجع من رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم»(بخارى-5646( إِنَّا وَجَدْنَاهُ صَابِرًا نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ(سورة ص-44)[3] البداية و النهاية ص262 دار ابن كثير[4] [5] قصص القران مولانا حفظ الرحمان سهاروى ص566 دار الاشاعت