shaikhrafique

A Particular ‘River’ for Cleansing the Sins of Faithful Believers By Mohammad Rafique Etesame Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The five [daily] prayers, Friday to Friday and Ramadan to Ramadan make atonement for what has happened since the previous one when major sins have been avoided.” He also reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Tell me, if there were a river at the door of one of you in which he washed five times daily, would any of his filthiness remain?” When he received the reply that none of it would remain, he said, “That is like the five times of prayer by which God obliterates sins” (Al.Mishkat ul Masabih). This hadith reveals that if a faithful believer offers fajar prayer and then go to his daily work, and at the time of zuhar prayer he offers it, then Allah Almighty forgives his minor sins committed during the time of these two prayers. This routine applies to other prayers and also in the juma prayer and in the fasting of Ramdan. Look at the unlimited mercy of Allah Almighty that He forgives the sins of the believers by offering prayers, fasting of Ramadan and by other good actions It is notable that, the major sins i.e. ‘kabira gunah’ like ascribing partner (committing shirk) to Allah Almighty, disobedience of parents and to bear false witness etc. They are not forgiven at all unless by repenting to Allah Almighty. And a particular “river” has also been mentioned in this hadith for cleansing the filthiness of the sins. It means if someone takes bath in this river for five times daily, then he will be pure and clean from it. And this river is ‘salah’ that cleans the filthiness of sins of those who offer it. May Allah Almighty give us power to act upon this hadith, Amin.

Action, re-Action and the Laws of Nature By Mohammad Rafique Etesame It is a universal truth that every action has its re-action. It means “if it is so, then it will be so” in its reaction. For example, if someone commits a crime, then he will be punished, if he follows the laws of his country, he will be rewarded, if he violates them, then he will be punished, if he serves his parents, he will be well-wished, and if he teases them, then he will be cursed. Similarly, if he touches the fire, he will be burnt, if he handles the ice, it will make him cold, and if he eats poison, then he will die and so and so as it is said, “as you sow, so shall you reap”. Infect, reaction for something is a natural law that is inevitable and cannot be changed; as it is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, “Then, can they expect aught save the treatment of the folk of old? Thou wilt not find for Allah’s way of treatment any substitute, nor wilt thou find for Allah’s way of treatment aught of power to change. (Al-Fatir:43) Natural law has two parts, first is a condition that means” If it is so” and second one is “then it will be so” in its reward. It means that if the first one is found, then the second one will also be found. As we know that every government has its constitution and a penal code for the citizens. According to it, the honorable Judges decide the cases and If someone disobeys the Laws of his country, then he will be arrested and is dealt according to the law. Similarly, this universe is infect Allah’s country and He is the absolute Master, powerful King of His regime having no partner in His sovereignty. He created man for His worship and made a constitution for him that is “Religion of Islam” as Ordains in the Holy Qur’an, “This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favor unto you, and have chosen for you as religion AL-ISLAM.(Il-Maidah:3). These verses reveal that ‘the constitution’ of the Regime of Allah is only Islam and no other religion is acceptable as the holy Qur’an reveals, “And whoso seeks as religion other than the Surrender (to Allah i.e. Al-Islam), it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter.”(Family of Imran: 85). He gave the warning to man that if he obeys the orders of Allah, then he will be awarded Paradise, and if he violates them, then he will be thrown in Hell. Allah Almighty will set up a “Highly authorized Supreme Court” at the Day of Judgement and He, His highness will be the Chief Justice of His Royal Court and will decide the cases according to Islam. These decisions at the Day of Judgment will be infect, the reaction of man's actions that he made in this world. Some people deny the Day of Resurrection and say that when the man will be dead and becomes dust or ashes, (as the Hindus set their dead bodies on fire, then whether it is possible to become alive again? So, Almighty Allah Says in the Holy Qur'an, “And they say: when we are bones and fragments, shall we, forsooth, be raised up as a new creation? Say: Be ye stones or iron Or some created thing that is yet greater in your thoughts! then they will say: Who shall bring us back (to life)? Say: He Who created at the first. Then will say shake their heads at thee, and say: When will it be? Say: it will perhaps be soon. A Day when He will call you and ye will answer with His praise, and ye will think that ye have tarried but a little while. (The Children of Israel: 52) It means that all the people will be brought back to lives again, and then they will be presented before Allah, where they will find reward or punishment for their actions. The Holy Qur’an reveals,” Every soul will taste of death. And ye will be paid on the Day of Resurrection only that which ye have fairly earned. Whoso is removed from the Fire and is made to enter Paradise, he indeed is triumphant. The life of this world is but comfort of illusion. (The Family of Imran: 185) It is mentioned before that if someone violates the laws of Nature: is arrested and be punished. Similarly, those people who are the infidels or mushrik, will be arrested and be punished at the Day of Resurrection because they have violated the constitution of the Master of the universe in their worldly life. Also reveals,” The guilty will be known by their marks, and will be taken by the forelocks and the feat. Which is it, of the favors of your Lord, that ye deny? This is Hell which they go circling round between it and fierce, boiling water” (The Beneficient: 45). So, it is necessary for everyone to obey all the commandments of Allah Almighty and do good actions so that he may get the immense reward for their re-actions from Allah and pass a successful life forever. The holy Qur’an reveals, “ (And ) those who believe and do good works are the best of created beings. Their reward is with their Lord: Gardens of Eden underneath which rivers flow, wherein they dwell forever. Allah hath pleasure in them and they have pleasure in Him. (This is (in store) for him who fears his Lord.(Al-Bayyenah: 8 )

Looking to Those Who are of Lower Status (financially) And not of High Status By Mohammad Rafique Etesame Abu Hurairah (R.A.) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and mercy of Allah be upon him) said: “Look at those who are lowers status than you (financially) but do not look at those who are higher than you, lest you belittle the favors of Allah conferred upon you” (Bukhari, Muslim). As we know that there are many kinds of people in society, as the rich, the poor and the middle standard ones etc. But, according to Islamic teachings, a faithful believer should not see toward those who possess the higher status financially but should see to those who are of the lower status then him instead. Because when he will see to the rich ones, then the feelings of ingratitude will arise into his heart and he will belittle the favors of Allah. While on the other hand, when he will see to those who are lower than him, then he will be thankful to God and will get more favors as the holy Qur’an makes mansions, “And when your Sustainer made [this promise] known: 'If you are grateful [to Me], I shall most certainly give you more and more; but if you are ungrateful, verily, My chastisement will be severe indeed!” (Ibrahim (Abraham) 14:7). It is said that there was a bare-footed man in a city and was ingratitude to Allah Almighty due to it. One day he went to offer prayer in the mosque, there he saw a man with cut-off his feet. So he became much grateful to Allah due to his right healthy feet. In fact, everyone has such type of favors that others have not. For example, a sound health is equal to one thousand favors, so to be thankful to Allah over His favors is necessary and whoever gives thanks to Allah, he receives more favors from Allah Almighty. May Allah Almighty give us ‘taufeeq’ to act upon this hadith, Amin.

Great Reward for Offering Nawafil (Voluntary prayers) By Mohammad Rafique Etesame It was narrated from Tamim Dari that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The first thing for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayer. If it is complete, then the voluntary (prayers) will also be recorded for him (as an increase). If it is not complete then Allah will say to His angels: ‘Look and see whether you find any voluntary prayers for My slave, and take them to make up what is lacking from his obligatory prayers.’ Then all his deeds will be reckoned in like manner.” (Al-Mishka-tul-Masabeeh) This hadith reveals that at the Day of Judgment, the first thing about which a faithful believer will be taken into account will be his five times obligatory prayers. If he offered them regularly according to the right manners of the sunnah, then that man will be the successful one. And if there any fault was found in them or they were incomplete, then Allah the most high will ask to His angels,” look! Whether you find optional prayers (nafal slah) for my slave, then these will be taken to make up what will be lacking from the obligatory prayers. This hadith throws light on to establish optional prayers also. Because the obligatory prayers are the absolute command of Allah Almighty that, if a believer does not act upon them, then he will be punished. But offering optional prayers shows believer’s more love, affection, obedience deep concern and humility to the King of the universe. That is why a hadith qudsi reveals that: Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah the Exalted has said: 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshiper of Mine. And the most beloved thing with which My slave comes nearer to Me is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (prayer or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him. When I love him I become his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks (something) from Me, I give him, and if he asks My Protection (refuge), I protect him" (Sahihul Bukhari). May Allah Almighty give us ‘taufeeq’ to offer nafal prayers along with obligatory prayers, Amin.

Respected Admin, you asked me about the source of the explanations of hadith because you are very particular about presenting correct understanding of the classical scholars of Tafseer and hadith. Respected Sister, I want to tell you about myself, I have done my M.A. Arabic from “Islamiyah University” Bahawal Pur city in 1984, and then after it I passed my شھادۃ العالمیہ examination (daurah hadith) from وفاق المدارس العربیہ باکستان in grade “jayyed” and I am 70 years old now. I have been writing Islamic articles in Urdu and English languages in various Newspapers and Magazines since 40 years. So I myself explain the hadiths and other Islamic issues in the light of explanation of authentic Tafseer and hadith books written by renowned scholars of Islam of Ahlus Sunnah wal jamaaha. However, if you see my explanation of hadith or other issues correct according to Islamic belief, then please publish them and if you find any fault, then please inform me. JazakAllaho ahsanal Jaza

Looking at Those Who are of Lower Status (financially) By Mohammad Rafique Etesame Abu Hurairah (RAA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Look at those who are lowers than you (financially) but do not look at those who are higher than you, lest you belittle the favors of Allah conferred upon you” (Bukhari, Muslim). We know that there are many kinds of people in the society, comprising the rich, the poor and the middle standard ones etc. But, according to Islamic teachings, a faithful believer should not look at those who possess the higher status financially but should look at those who are of the lower status then him. Because when he will see to the rich ones, then a feeling of ingratitude arises in his heart and he will belittle the favors of Allah. While on the other hand, when he will see to those who are lower than him, then he will be thankful to God. It is narrated that there lived a bare-footed man in a city and was ingratitude due to it to Allah Almighty. One day he went to offer prayer in the mosque, where he saw a man with cut-off his feet. So he became much grateful to Allah due to his right healthy feet. In fact, everyone has such type of favors that others have not. For example, a sound health is equal to one thousand favors, so to be thankful to Allah over His favors is necessary, the holy Qur’an makes mention,” And [remember the time] when your Sustainer made [this promise] known: 'If you are grateful [to Me], I shall most certainly give you more and more; but if you are ungrateful, verily, My chastisement will be severe indeed!'' (Ibrahim (Abraham) 14:7). And whoever gives thanks to Allah, he receives more favors from Allah Almighty. May Allah Almighty give us ‘taufeeq’ to act upon this hadith, Amin.

Thank you very much respected Admin for publishing my post. I shall abide by the rules and regulations of this site by the grace of God. Mohammad Rafique Etesam ( shaikhrafiquee)

Bringing up Daughters Jabir ibn 'Abdullah reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who has three daughters and provides for them, clothes them and shows mercy to them will definitely enter the Garden." A man from the people said, "And two daughters, Messenger of Allah?" He said, "And two." Source: Musnad Aḥmad This hadith reveals that anyone who has three daughters and looks after them in the best way, will be made enter the Paradise. But, usually we see that when a baby-girl borne in anyone’s home, the parents get upset much and tell not others about the baby. Perhaps they think that they will have to give her dowry and seek a proper spouse for her. And if they are poor ones, then this is the serious case for them. But no worry because Allah is the Best Helper for them and He can solve all their problems. So the parents should keep trust in Allah as a whole and should bring up their daughters and show the mercy for them in order that they may enter Paradise, Ameen.