text:
Sayings which have been reported from the Salaf us-Saalih regarding Intention, Ikhlaas and Riyaa'[1] From the Book of Sincerity (Al-Irshaad 1997) Translation by Abu 'Iyad as-Salafi
1. It is reported about Bishr al-Haafee that he said: That I seek the world with a wind instrument is more loved by me than that I seek it with the deen.
2. It is reported from Ibraheem an-Nakha'ee that he said: When Shaytaan comes to you whilst you are engaged in prayer and says: You are showing off, increase it in length.
3. One of the Salaf said: Direct me to an action by which I will never cease to be performing for Allaah the Exalted. It was said to him: (Always) intend good because you will never cease to be performing even if you do not do any actions. The intention performs even in the absence of any actions. Whoever intended to pray at night and then slept, the reward for what he intended will be written for him.
4. One of them said: I love that I have an intention for every single thing until my food, drink and sleep.
5. It was said to Sahl: What is the hardest thing for the soul (to achieve)? He said: Sincerity, when there is no other desire in it.
6. It is reported from Ya'qoob al-Makfoof that he said: The sincere person is the one who hides his good deeds just like he hides his evil deeds.
7. One of them wrote to his brother: Make your intention sincere in all of your actions and little action will suffice you.
8. It is reported from Ayyoob as-Sakhtiyaanee that he said: Purifying the intention is harder than all other actions for those who act.
9. It is reported from Yahyaa bin Mu'aadh that he said: Ikhlaas separates (good) actions from faults like the separation of milk from dung and blood.
10. It is reported from as-Soosee that he said: What Allaah desires from the actions of His creation is Ikhlaas and nothing else.
11. It is reported from al-Junaid that he said: To Allaah belong servants who understand, and when they understand they act and when they act they make (their action) sincere. Their recalling of Ikhlaas at the time of doing righteousness is what accumulates the greatest (good for them).
12. It is reported about Hawshab that he used to cry and say: My name has reached the large mosque. [i.e. he disliked to be known out of humility and that people should mention him for fear of fame and repute]
13. It is reported from as-Soosee that he said: Ikhlaas is to lose the vision of Ikhlaas (in oneself).
14. One of them said: Whoever sees sincerity in his sincerity, his sincerity is itself in need of sincerity. The destruction of every sincere person lies in his sincerity, (he is destroyed) to the extent that he sees sincerity in himself. When he abandons seeing sincerity in himself he will be sincere and purified.
15. It is reported from Abu Uthmaan that he said: Ikhlaas is to forget the vision of creation by constantly looking at the Creator.
16. It is reported from Ibraheem bin Adham that he said: He is not truthful to Allaah who loves fame.
17. It is reported from ath-Thawree that he said: They used to hate fame and reputation due to wearing nice garments so that eyes would stretch towards them.
18. Ibn al-Jawzee reports from al-Hasan that he said: I was with Ibn al-Mubaarak one day and we came to a watering place. The people were drinking from it and Ibn al-Mubaarak came closer in order to get a drink. The people did not know him and shoved and pushed him. When he came out he said: Life is but this, meaning we are not known nor are we respected.
19. It is reported from Na'eem bin Hammaad that he said: Abdullaah ibn al-Mubaarak frequently used to sit in his house for long periods of time so it was said to him: Do you not feel lonely and isolated? He said: How can I feel isolated while I am with the Prophet (sas).
20. It is reported from Ibn al-Mubaarak that he said: I heard Ja'far bin Hayyaan say: The foundations of these actions are the intentions. Indeed a man reaches with his intentions a position he does not reach with his actions.
21. One of the people of wisdom used to say: When a man is speaking in a gathering and his speech amazes him let be silent and when he keeps silent and his silence amazes him let him speak.
22. It is reported from Mutraf bin Abdullaah ash-Shakheer that he said: That I spend the night sleeping and wake up remorseful is more loved to me than that I spend the night standing (in prayer) and wake up in admiration.
23. It is reported from an-Nu'maan bin Qais that he said: I never saw Abeedah (rh) performing any voluntary prayers in the mosque of al-Hayy.
24. It is reported from Alee (ra) that he said: The one who shows off has three characteristics: He is lazy when by himself, he is lively and energetic when with others and he in creases in his actions when he is praised and decreases in them when he is criticised.
25. It is reported from Al-Hasan (rh) that he said: The one who shows off desires to overcome what Allaah has decreed for him. He is an evil person who desires to inform the people that he is righteous in order to hear what they would say. He has obtained a position of vileness and wickedness from his Lord. It is therefore essential for the hearts of the believers to recognise him.
26. It is reported from Sahl bin Abdullaah (rh) that he said: There is nothing which is tougher upon the soul than (achieving) Ikhlaas. How many times have I tried to remove riyaa' from my heart except that it sprouted in a different colour (i.e. in a different form).
27. It is reported from Ibn Mas'ood (ra) that he said: Do not learn knowledge for three (things): To amaze and confound the foolish, to argue with the learned and to make peoples faces turn towards you. (But) seek what is with Allaah with your hearts and actions, since only that will remain and whatever is besides it will go.
28. It is reported from Abu Sulaimaan ad-Daarinee (rh) that he said: Toobaa (the tree in Paradise) for the one who took a single step desiring nothing but the face of Allaah by it.
29. Some of the salaf said: Whoever had a single instance in his lifetime which was purely and sincerely for the sake of Allaah the Exalted will be saved, and this is due to the greatness of Ikhlaas.
30. It is reported from Abu Sulaimaan ad-Daarinee (rh) that he said: When the servant is sincere, riyaa' and the many whisperings (of the shayaateen) are cut off from him.
31. It has also been said: Ikhlaas is that the servants inward and outward actions are equal. Riyaa' is when the outward appearance is better than the inner self and truthfulness in one's sincerity is when the inner self is better cultivated and more flourishing than the outward appearance.
32. Some of the salaf have said: Ikhlaas is that you do not seek a witness over your action besides Allaah and nor one who gives reward besides Him.
33. It is reported from Makhool (rh) that he said: Never does a servant maintain sincerity for forty days in succession except that the streams of wisdom from his heart appear on his tongue.
33. It is reported from Adiyy ibn Haatim that he said: The people destined for the Fire will be ordered (to come) towards Paradise until they come close to it and smell its fragrance, see its palaces and what Allaah has prepared in it for its people. Then an announcement will be made (to the angels) that they be turned away from it. There will be no portion for them in it. They will return in loss and ruin just like the ones before them (who were also commanded likewise). Then they will say: O our Lord. If you had entered us into the Fire before You showed us what You have shown us from Your reward and what You have prepared for you friends and allies it would have been easier upon us. Then the Exalted will say: "This is what I intended with you. When you used to be alone you would combat me (or show boldness to Me) with grave sins and when you used to meet people you would meet them with humility. You would show to the people other than that which you used to give Me from your hearts. You feared people but you did not fear Me. You honoured the people but you did not honour Me, you abandoned (actions) for the people but you did not abandon for Me. This day (therefore), will I make you taste a tormenting punishment along with your prevention from receiving that reward."
34. It has been said: The damage (caused) to every servant lies in his being pleased with himself. Whoever looks at his soul and sees something in it which he deems to be good has caused its destruction. And whoever does not suspect his soul at every single moment is one who is deceived.
35. Ibn al-Qayyim (rh) said: Ikhlaas is the Tawheed of one's wish/intent.
[1] The sayings have been taken from Ihyaa Uloom id-Deen of al-Ghazaalee, Mukhtasir Minhaaj il-Qaasideen of Ibn Qudaamah and Kitaab uz-Zuhd of Ibn al-Mubaarak. [TN] The author said, "I have quoted these statements without knowing their authenticity and it is allowable for a Muslim to take from what has been narrated from the Salaf without verification if the particular statement is in agreement with the Book and the Sunnah. (I found this list on the AlMaghrib Forums).
Showing-off…A Type of Shirk?
April 17, 2008
Riyaa – Defined
Riyaa is showing off and can include the desire to seek praise or a reputation. It includes worrying what people think of one. Showing-off includes performing one's deeds for someone else's sake when they should be done for the sake of Allah (SWT). Does this not sound hypocritical?
Mahmood ibn Lubayd reported that Rasoolullah (SAW) said: "For you, my greatest fear is minor shirk." The companions said: "O Messenger of Allah, what is minor shirk?" He replied: "Showing off (ar-riyaa), for verily Allah will say on the Day of Resurrection when people are receiving their rewards: 'Go to those whom you were showing off to in the world and see if you can find any reward from them.'" (Ahmad, at-Tabaraanee, al-Bayhaqee)
Ibn 'Abbas said: "Riyaa is more hidden than a black ant on a black stone in a dark night."
Types of Riyaa
• Riyaa' of the body – This occurs by appearing to be emaciated and pale so that others may see the intensity of his striving and the abundant fear of the Hereafter. Also included in this is lowering the voice and sinking of the eyes, showing that one has a weak and feeble body in order to show others that he is diligent in observing fast.
• Riyaa' of the outward appearance – Such as the effects of prostration on the face or wearing a specific type of clothing which only a few people wear and whom people consider to be scholars. So he wears this apparel so that it may be said: "He is a scholar."
• Riyaa' by one's speech – This occurs mostly by admonishing others, reminding them, memorising details and narrations for the sake of argumentation, making it open and know that one has copious and abundant knowledge, moving one's lips for the remembrance of Allaah in the presence of others, becoming angry when evil occurs between people, lowering the voice and making it soft and tender when reciting the Qur'aan so as to show otehrs his fear, sadness and other such things.
• Riyaa' with one's actions – Like the showing off of the worshipper by lengthening the standing and prolonging the bowing and prostration during prayer. Outwardly displaying humility and showing off with fasting, going on military expeditions, pilgrimage, giving charity and other such things.
• Riyaa' on account of one's friends and visitors – Like the one who burdens himself in order to visit a scholar or a pious worshipper so that it may be said: "So and so visited so and so". This also occurs by inviting people to one's house so that it may be said: "The people of the deen frequently visit him."
Remedy to Avoid Riyaa:
1. Increasing knowledge of Islam
2. Du`a – The prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa salam) taught the specific Du`a for Riyaa: "Allahumma innaa na`oothu bika an-nushrika bika shay`an na`lamuhu, wa nastagfiruka limaa laa na`lamuh. [O Allah, we seek refuge in you from committing shirk knowingly, and ask your forgiveness for (the shirk that we may commit unknowingly"]
3. Reflecting upon Heaven and Hell and having complete dependence on Allah (SWT)
4. Hiding one's good deeds as some scholars advise: "Remove the causes of Riyaa` from yourself by considering the opinion of people as important to you as animals and small children. Do not differentiate in your worship between the presence of people or their absence, or between their knowledge of your actions and their ignorance. Rather be conscious of the infinite knowledge of Allah alone."
5. Reflection upon one self's shortcomings
6. Accompanying the Pious
7. Knowledge of Riyaa
8. Always renewing one's intentions (!) and continuously making istighfar
Related: https://mustaqeem.wordpress.com/2007/05/26/intention-check/
Sources include http://www.islamicawakening.com, http://forums.almaghrib.org, Riyaa: The Hidden Shirk by Yasir Qadhi and Bilal Philips
How to Memorize the Noble Qur'an
February 25, 2008
In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
By Dr. Yahya al-Ghouthani, Jeddah (world leading Qur'anic recitation authority)
Translated by Abu Muqatil
In light of the principles which have passed us by in the previous section, I say to whoever wants to memorize a page from the Noble Quran from any chapter that I hope that you will stay with me so we can read the following steps together at ease paving the way to apply it precisely.
1. [Obtain a good mus-haf ]
Try to obtain a good copy of the Quran whose size is according to your need and never ever replace it so that you will be strong in memorising the parts of the pages and the lines. The mus-haf al-huffaaz (the memorisers' codex) [i.e. the text of the popular green edition from Madina written by the world famous calligrapher, Ta Ha Uthman] is preferred which starts with the verse at the start of the page and finishes with the last verse, and it is divided up well, whereby the Quran being thirty juz` (parts), every juz` has 20 pages and every page has 25 lines. The King Fahd organization in Medina al-Munawwarah has built a printer for this copy and I advice getting it as it is the most accurate contemporary print.
2. [Set the scene]
Setting the scene for memorization according to the following:-
i. Self-composure – Have the correct intention in mind and a desire for reward from Allah
ii. Wudoo` (ablution) and complete purity – Do not take the easy option of those who give a fatwa (legal edict) for its opposite as that goes against what befits high regard of the Speech of Allah and good manners with it.
iii. [Comfortable setting] – Sitting in a place where you feel at ease, and there is no more sacred place than the mosque.
iv. [Free of distractions] – It is preferred that it is a place without many pictures, carvings, decorations and distractions. The more enclosed the place is – with all due regards to fresh air – the better, compared with open space, trees and gardens. Even if some may differ with me, but I say this based upon experience not from abstract thinking. The atmosphere for light reading is different from the atmosphere for focused memorization, as wide spaces, sceneries and trees distract the mind and focus. Whatever is suitable for light reading is not needed for genuine work and focus, as mentioned in rule 4.
v. Face the Qibla – (direction of prayer towards Mecca) and sit in a state of submission, tranquility and respect.
3. ["Warm up"]
Begin the "warm up" process (for want of a better expression). It is the preparation where you read a few pages of the Quran before starting the memorization process, whether from memory or looking.
Recite nicely, listening to yourself without haste or delay.
This is a fundamental component in preparing the self. You will find many successful memorization teachers do not allow the student to memorize before getting them to revise the previous session and letting the sheikh hear. This is to prepare him psychologically and spiritually for memorization, whilst the student may be totally unaware of the teacher's aim.
4. [Be controlled in recitation]
Beware of your voice's beauty from distracting you at this point. The sweetness of your tone encompasses you in the atmosphere of chanting. So you start thinking that you're so-and-so, the famous reciter, then you assume his persona and start to recite with deliberation and perfecting the letters. You repeat it and recite it again like some of the reciters. Perhaps it all goes over the top and you bring out a microphone and recording equipment. Time will pass by whilst you are unaware, and you become like that young man who really wanted to memorize the Quran but every time he sat down to memorize he opened the Quran at 7-rah Y-suf and began to chant it until the time passed him by and he memorized absolutely nothing.
5. ["Feel that urge…"]
About 10-15 minutes of the warm up exercise and personal preparation you will feel a strong desire in yourself to memorize, with that it is possible for you to start with a new page you want to memorize.
6. [Focus]
Here begins an important stage, you really have to doubly focus on the verses. Imagine that your eye is a camera lens, and that you want to film the page with sound and image. Be careful not to shake the camera.
7. ["Action!"]
Open your eyes well. Free your mind from any distraction. Read by looking at the first verse at the top of the page in an audible voice with tajw5d [the correct rules of recitation]. Read correctly with concentration. Lets use an as example His statement, the Most High:
سيقول السفهاء من الناس ما ولاهم عن قبلتهم التي كانوا عليها قل لله المشرق والمغرب يهدي من يشاء إلى صراط مستقيم
The fools among the people will say, "What has turned them from their prayer direction to which they were used to face in prayer." Say, "To Allah belong both, east and the west. He guides whom He wills to a Straight Way." [2:142]
Read three or more times until your mind takes it all in, then close your eyes and picture in your mind the places of the words and read them. If you succeed in reading them completely without any mistake, don't get excited but instead repeat two, three or five times.
8. [Repeat]
Then open your eyes a second time. Read the same verse from the book to confirm the correctness of your memorization. If you are certain that you've memorized it correctly, don't get excited. Instead close your eyes and read another time. With this you have chiseled in your mind an engraving that is impossible to disappear with the permission of Allah, the Most High. Try the steps carefully, you will definitely find this approach sound.
Note: During the process of recall and repetition, be careful not to divert your gaze to the things around you such as written notices distributed upon walls, posters, artwork, or décor. Do not follow a whirling fan. Do not be concerned about the type of furniture or coverings you're sitting on. Be careful of excessively looking out of the windows, perhaps your eyes will chance upon something that will not please you, or perhaps you will be distracted by the scene of people in the street, or the scene of cars as happens to students during their revision for their exams. One of them stands at the window with the excuse of getting fresh air, then there he takes a census of cars based upon make and model, and in this manner time passes him and is wasted whilst he hasn't benefited a single thing.
You have no business with these distractions, my brother. You have put yourself forward as someone from the people of the Quran and from its memorizers, and that requires motivation, perseverance, focus and an absence of distractions.
9. [Next verse]
After that move to the verse immediately following it:
…وكذلك جعلناكم أمة وسطا
Thus we have made you a middle nation…[2:143]
and begin with the same steps we outlined with the previous verse. If you think the verse is long, then divide it into several parts corresponding to correct and sound stops and normal meanings. Then repeat and repeat many times until it is engraved deeply in your memory.
10. [Connection process]
Begin now with the connection process which I mentioned in the eighth rule of memorization. That is by opening the book and focusing on the last part of the first verse – for example – إلى صراط مستقيم …and read it with an audible voice then connect it quickly without any stop with the first part of the second verse وكذلك جعلناكم أمة وسطا. Repeat this process many times but no less than five times.
After reading these steps – if you like them – begin implementing them straight away and record in a special notebook the date of beginning memorization. Contact someone you love and trust, and then tell them that you have found a technique in memorizing the Quran that you began applying today, so that you can be someone who guides to good.
One of the benefits of contacting someone like this is that it will be an encouragement for you in memorization and continuation, as it reflects an increased conviction in oneself with what you've read.
This is what is confirmed in psychology, if a person does something and he convinces someone else about it, then it is like taking a firm stance without retracting from it and his behavior increases his conviction in what he does.
It is possible to summarize this method in the following steps:-
1.Personal composure
2.Warm up
Result = a strong memorization with the best method.
(Source: Kayfa Tahfaz al-Qur`aan al-Kareem ("How to Memorize the Noble Quran")
Muhammad AlShareef's advice: http://forums.almaghrib.org/showthread.php?t=1482
Helpful Activites to Help Reinforce Memorization: http://talk.islamicnetwork.com/showpost.php?p=62117&postcount=12
Intercession in Islam
January 8, 2008
Intercession in the Hereafter is real and it will occur. However, as Muslims, we cannot pray to or make dua to other than Allah for the basis of Islam is tawheed and the oneness of Allah as the Holy Quran states, "And who is more astray than one who calls on (invokes) besides Allâh, such as will not answer him till the Day of Resurrection, and who are (even) unaware of their calls (invocations) to them? And when mankind are gathered (on the Day of Resurrection), they (false deities) will become their enemies and will deny their worshipping" (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 46:5-6).
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) does have a special type of intercession on the Day of Judgment. Rasoolullah (SAW) will intercede for the Hisaab (reckoning) to begin on the Day of Judgment. Rasoolullah (SAW) also has a special intercession for those who live in Madinah and die there as well as for his non-Muslim uncle, Abu Talib (who will still reside in Hell-Fire forever but in a lesser severity).
So, who are the intercessors on the Day of Judgment? They include Allah (the Most Merciful), Rasoolullah (SAW), the Messengers, the Angels, the martyrs, children who passed away, the believers to one another, and the Holy Quran. Allah's Mercy will allow people who have only a mustard seed amount's worth of Eeman to be saved from the Hell-Fire.
What are the types of intercession? They include the type for people to get out of Hell-Fire once they are in Hell, for people to be saved from the Fire before they are thrown into it (i.e. Surat Tabarrak intercedes for this), for people to have their punishment reduced (in severity or time), to allow people to enter Jannah, and to raise the level for people in paradise once they are already there.
Now that we have covered the types of intercession, one may be inclined to ask about the intercession from grave-worshipping that occurs throughout some parts of the Muslim world. However, it must be noted that grave-worshipping is strictly prohibited in Islam as Rasoolullah (SAW) said, "May Allah curse the Jews and the Christians, for they have taken the graves of their Prophets as places of worship" (narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).
Some people claim that they ask these 'saints' because these saints are better people than themselves and closer to Allah. Even if this may be true, it is pointless of one to make dua to this saint as Allah will reward this saint for his deeds and not the person making dua to him for his deeds. Allah will not call on one's prayer more if he makes his prayer directed to a righteous saint. Instead, we should strive to be better believers and we should ourselves make dua sincerely to Allah (SWT). One must follow the Quran and Sunnah in all which one does.
Finally, what are the conditions for intercession? Firstly, Allah (SWT) must approve the one for whom intercession is made as the Quran states, "and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased" (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 21:28). Abu Hurayrah narrates in a longer hadith in which Rasoolullah (SAW) said, "The people who will be most blessed by my intercession on the Day of Resurrection are those who say Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah sincerely from the heart" (narrated by Bukhari). Secondly, Allah (SWT) must allow the intercessor to intercede as the Quran states, "Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission?" (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 2:255). Furthermore, Allah (SWT) can decide to accept (or reject) the intercession as the Holy Quran states, "…whose intercession will avail nothing except after Allaah has given leave for whom He wills and is pleased with" (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 53:26).
In closing, consider the words of Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid (of IslamQA):
…it is clear to every fair-minded person that the correct kind of intercession is intercession that depends on the permission and approval of Allaah, because all intercession belongs to Him. That also includes asking for intercession from living people who are able to do that concerning worldly matters, for which Allaah has granted permission. It should be pointed out here that this kind of intercession is permitted because Allaah has given permission for it, since it involves no kind of emotional attachment to the person, rather the point is that it is a means, like all other means which Islam permits us to use. The kind of intercession which is forbidden is asking someone other than Allaah to do something that no one is able to do except Allaah, because intercession belongs to no one besides Allaah, and no one can do it unless Allaah grants him leave and approves of him. So whoever seeks intercession from anyone else has transgressed upon the exclusive preserve of Allaah and has wronged himself, and has exposed himself to being deprived of the intercession of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on the Day of Resurrection. We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound, and we ask Him to cause our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to intercede for us … Ameen.
Bad Things Happen, Right?
November 18, 2007
Bad things happen, right? Wrong! Everything that happens to a believer is good or it has more good in it than bad. Alhamdulillah, it is always a win-win situation for the believer. Consider the hadith of Rasoolullah (SAW) told to us by Suhaib in which Rasoolullah (SAW) said, "The affair of the believer is amazing! The whole of his life is beneficial, and that is only in the case of the believer. When good times come to him, he is thankful and it is good for him, and when bad times befall him, he is patient and it is also good for him" (narrated by Muslim).
Indeed, we all fall sick, get into accidents, or are sadden at times of despair. However, the believer easily overcomes such hardships. Rasoolullah (SAW) said that, "When the believer is afflicted with pain, even that of a prick of a thorn or more, God forgives his sins" (narrated by Bukhari). It is reported that Abu Hurayrah, the companion of the Prophet, had a favorite illness! He is reported to have said, "There is no illness that afflicts me more beloved to me than fever; it enters every part of me and [because of it] Allah the Mighty and Sublime gives every part of me its share of reward" (narrated by Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad). Subhana'Allah, if only we could all celebrate when we got sick or something misfortunate happened to us!
In terms of hardship, we should look to the Quran for guidance as it states, "Those who patiently preserve will truly receive a reward without measure" (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 39:10) and "And bear in patience whatever maybe fall you: this, behold, is something to set one's heart upon"(Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 31:17). In times of hardship, many of us remember Allah (SWT), but do we remember Allah (SWT) in times of ease? Rasoolullah (SAW) said, "Remember Allah in times of ease, and He will remember you in times of hardship" (narrated by Ahmad).
Whenever something afflicts us, we should smile and say Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah). Consider the story of the King and his servant, Abdullah. Abdullah would say Alhamdulillah to everything that would happen to him, whether good or bad. One day while hunting, the King accidently shot-off his finger and Abdullah responded with his normal, Alhamdulillah. Upset, the King jailed Abdullah to which Abdullah responded Alhamdulillah. Soon thereafter, the King went out hunting again by himself. He strayed into tribal enemy grounds and was captured. The tribe was about to sacrifice him before they realized he was missing a finger. Knowing full-well they should not sacrifice an incomplete human being, they released the King. Ecstatic, the King knew that his misfiring the other day saved his life. He went back home and freed Abdullah. Afterwards, he asked Abdullah, "I understand the loss of my finger was something worth saying Alhamdulillah over, but why did you say it when I jailed you?" Abdullah responded, "Had I been with you that one day instead of in jail, I would have been sacrificed, since I did have all of my fingers!"
Verily, the Quran states, "but it may happen that ye hate a thing which is good for you, and it may happen that ye love a thing which is bad for you. Allah knoweth, ye know not" (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 2:216). Therefore, O Muslim, always be optimistic and respond with Alhamdulillah!
Belief in Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
August 6, 2007
Believing in Prophet Muhammad's Prophethood
Saying Muhammad Rasool Allah is the second part of the testification
- Believing that he is Muhammad ibn 'Abdullah ibn 'Abdul Muttalib al-Qurashee, who was born in Makkah and passed away in Madeenah
- The name Muhammad was not a common name at the time
- Now it is one of the most common names in the world
- Means one who is grateful, thankful and praised by the people of the world
- His names are descriptions: Jabayr ibn Mut'im said, "I heard Allah's Messenger (SAW) saying, 'I have various names: I am Muhammad, and I am Ahmad, and I am Al-Mahi with whom Allah obliterates disbelief, and I am al-Hashir at whose feet people will be gathered, and I am Al-'Aqib, and Al-'Aqib is the one whom there is no prophet after him." [Al-Bukharee, Muslim]
- He (SAW) was sent to ALL humankind and Jinn.
- And We have not sent you (O Muhammad (SAW)) except as a giver of glad tidings and a Warner to all mankind, but most of men know not. [34:28]
- [Surah 7, Verse 158]
- We believe in the truth of everything he informed us, fulfill his Sunnah by following what he commanded, and leaving that which he forbade.
- And when the believers saw Al-Ahzab (the Confederates), they said: "This is what Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad (SAW)) had promised us, and Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad) had spoken the truth." And it only added to their faith and to their submissiveness (to Allah). [33:22]
- Say (O Muhammad): "Obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad (SAW))." But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbelievers." [3:32]
- More than 30 times in the Qur'an it says we must obey the Prophet
- We love the Prophet (SAW)
- Say: "If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, yoru wives, your kindred, the wealth you have gained, the commerece in which you fear a decline, and the dwelligs in which you delight…are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision (torment)." And Allah guides not the people who are Al-Fasiqoon (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah). [9:24]
- Anas reported, "None of you believes until I am more beloved to him than his parents, children and all people." [Al-Bukharee, Muslim]
- Say: "If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, yoru wives, your kindred, the wealth you have gained, the commerece in which you fear a decline, and the dwelligs in which you delight…are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision (torment)." And Allah guides not the people who are Al-Fasiqoon (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah). [9:24]
- We honor, respect him and support him and his Sunnah.
- In order that you (O Mankind) may believe in Allah and His Messenger (SAW), and that you assist and honor him, and (that you) glorify (Allah's) praise morning and afternoon. [48:9]
- Abu Bakr said if I die and do not leave anything from the Sunnah of the Prophet, I fear my faith will not be correct.
- When the Prophet commanded them Sahaba to do something, they did it.
- Anas bin Malik said his father was drinking Alcohol and right before his cup was at his lips, he put it down immediately after hearing it
- We deal with the statements of the Prophet as if they are ordinary statements. We should show respect to what he said by following what he said.
- Ibn Sa'd reported that the people used to teach the history of the Prophet as they used to teach the Qur'an
- In 82 Hijri, the first book ever written was the life of the Prophet
- We take him as our role mode.
- Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad (SAW)) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much. [33:21]
- He is the seal of the Prophets.
- Muhammad (SAW) is not the father of any man amongst you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last (end) of the Prophets. And Allah is Ever All-Aware of everything. [33:40]
- There are no Prophets after Muhammad (SAW)
- Isa will follow the Shari'ah of Muhammad (SAW) when he comes.
- Isa will not accept Jiziyyah
- We study his life and affairs (Seerah).
- We love his family and companions.
Nullifies of Belief in Prophet
- Believing that he has lied or that something which he said is not true.
- And if they belie you (O Muhammad (SAW)), so were Messengers belied before you. And to Allah return all matters (for decision). [35:4]
- If someone does not believe in one Hadith, question:
- If they say it is fabricated, nothing wrong
- If they say they know for sure Muhammad (SAW) said that, and they still reject it, they are Kafir
- If someone does not believe in one Hadith, question:
- And if they belie you (O Muhammad (SAW)), so were Messengers belied before you. And to Allah return all matters (for decision). [35:4]
- Turning from his guidance and changing his religion.
- They (hypocrites) say: "We have believed in Allah and in the Messenger (Muhamamd (SAW)), and we obey," then a party of them turn away thereafter, such are not believers. [24:47]
- Doubting in him or his religion
- Only those are the believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger (SAW), and afterward doubt not but strive with their wealth and their lives for the Cause of Allah. Those! They are the truthful. [49:15]
- Hating him or what he brought.
- Whether you (O Muhammad (SAW)) ask forgiveness for them (hypocrites) or ask not forgiveness for them… (and even) if you ask seventy times for forgiveness…Allah will not forgive them, because they have disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad (SAW)). And Allah guides not those people who are Fasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allah) Those who stayed away (from Tabuk expedition) rejoiced in their staying behind the Messenger of Allah; they hated to strive and fight with their properties and their lives in the Cause of Allah, and they said March not forth in the light." Say: "The Fire of Hell is more intnse in heat", if only they could understand! [9:80-81]
- Criticizing him and mocking him or his Sunnah.
- Verily, those who annoy Allah and His Messenger (SAW), Allah has cursed them in this world, and in the Hereafter, and has prepared for them a humiliating torment. [33:57]
- Loving his enemies
- You (O Muhammad (SAW)) will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad (SAW))… [58:22]
- Enmity towards him and fighting against his Sunnah
- That is because they opposed Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad (SAW)). And whosoever opposes Allah, then verily, Allah is Sever in punishment. [59:4]
Evidence for Prophet Muhammad's Prophethood
- The Eternal Miracle: The Qur'an
- The Prophet (SAW) said, "Every Prophet was given miracles, and these miracles led people to believe in him. And what I was given was a relevation which was revealed to him from Allah, so I hope to be the one with the most followers on the Day of Resurrection." [Al-Bukharee]
- The Prophet's message is similar to the message of the Prophets before him.
- He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islam) which He ordained for Nooh, and that which We have inspired in you (O Muhammad (SAW)), and that which We ordained for Ibraheem, Moosa and Eesa saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically), and make no division in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion)… [42:13]
- All of the Prophets brought the same message
- The ultimate goal is the same between them all: command the good and forbid the evil.
- Muhammad (SAW)'s law is not different than the others, so why not obey and follow the laws?
- Islam will add to your life, which is a good Dawah technique
- Heraclius asked who the Prophet's followers were, rich or poor? They were poor. When he heard the poor and weak are following him, he knew that he was not trying to gain position.
- His Sharee'ah
- Say (to them O Muhammad (SAW)): "I exhort you on one (thing) only: that you stand up for Allah's sake in pairs and singly, and reflect (within yourself the life history of the Prophet): there is no madness in your companion (Muhammad (SAW)), he is only a Warner to you in face of a severe torment." [34:46]
- He did not compromise. He stood upon Islam until the very end, because his goal was not to gain power, but to spread Islam and save souls
- He taught how to treat women in a respectful ways
- Surah Takweer says from the beginning if little girls should be buried alive
- At that time in France, they were debating if women were the devil or humans: they debating they are devils in human bodies
- Knowledge on some matters of the Unseen despite being illiterate
- Prophecies of his coming in previous scriptures.
- No one after Muhammad (SAW) was able to claim to be a Prophet as Allah exposed those who did.
- His characteristics and manner of living
- He used to live in very little poor conditions.
- His miracles
- A dead tree cried when a mimbar (podium) was built for the Prophet (SAW), because he used to stand on it. The Prophet (SAW) had to go and hug it so it would stop crying. He said if I did not hug this tree, it would keep crying until the Day of Judgment. Allah brought life to a dead tree to show how much it loved the Prophet (SAW).
Note: I did not type these notes up, rather a really good brother I know did. He truly is an awesome guy. May Allah (SWT) bless him.
Bring Almaghrib to Florida!
July 31, 2007
Alhamdulillah, there is an effort going on to bring Al-Maghrib classes to the Sunshine State. Al-Maghrib is growing and becoming ever so popular amongst the Muslims in North America. Just recently, it added Imam Suhaib Webb to its list of already impressive instructors (which include Shaykhs Yasir Qadhi and Waleed Basyouni). Please help bring Al-Maghrib to Florida.
Now you may ask, what can you do to help? Firstly, please, please make dua. Secondly, please join the list-serve that has been generated for this effort by clicking: http://groups.google.com/group/almaghrib_florida/. There is also a facebook group (http://jhu.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2733395559&ref=mf) that is dedicated to the effort of bringing Almaghrib to Florida. Almaghrib-Florida has also started a new blog (http://almaghribfl.wordpress.com) and can be contacted at: firstname.lastname@example.com. Please email them and let them know you'd love to volunteer. One final thing you could do to help would be to hype-up Almaghrib-Florida by registering and becoming active on the Almaghrib Forums (http://forums.almaghrib.org). May Allah (SWT) bless you for your help and may Allah (SWT) allow the Muslims of Florida to benefit from the Almaghrib Institute. Ameen.


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Sun, Dec 03, 2017
Jesus Is The Example Of A Perfect Giver
There are a plethora of people and organizations that are excellent examples of giving in action, but there is only one perfect example. In today's message with Dr. Tony Hart we find out just Who that example is.
Duration:28 mins 31 secs
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subset: commoncrawl


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In an age of dubious processed food and high youth unemployment, it seems apparent that educating children about healthy eating, budgeting money and developing an entrepreneurial flare is of the utmost importance.
This is why staff and pupils at All Saints Junior School, in Matlock, take immense pride in their beautiful surroundings, abundant gardens and pioneering business initiative: All Saints All Fresh.
Teacher Jan Leybourne explains: "We have a fruit orchard, vegetable patch, berry garden and greenhouse, as well as a conservation area and wild flower meadow.
"Every pupil gets involved with planting the crops and flowers, maintaining the gardens and the harvesting – which they especially love."
As well as igniting a passion for fresh produce and the great outdoors, the initiative also teaches children to develop a business mind.
"The children sell the produce we grow to family at the school gates as it comes into season," said Jan. "Then we sell the bulk of the produce at the School Fate."
Jan added how the experience teaches children about costing, selling and encourages them to think about how businesses operate.
"Head Teacher Caroline Newton is essential to the success of what we do here, though," said Jan. "She is fantastic, passionate and recognises the importance of equipping our pupils with these life skills."
Owing to the stunning gardens, the school has been given an Award for Excellence by Matlock in Bloom. The award will be presented to staff and children at the School Fate this Saturday.
So, if you haven't seen All Saints' impressive setting yet, then get along, buy some produce and support a fantastic initiative and a great school.
Do you have an inspiring story for the Matlock Mercury? Is your school taking part in a fun and exciting project? Let us know email@example.com.


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5 Short Stories Which Make Their Collection Worth Buying
~ post by Ben
Ok folks, short fiction time.
There might be some of you out there who have never read any short fiction, and that's okay. Trust me, I understand. The form has often been an underrepresented one. Thankfully, short stories are in the midst of a come-back, though it's still hard to know what's worth diving into. Novels are easy. One story, one set of characters to focus on, and the time to get to know them all. Plus, they win all the awards that let you know what everyone's reading. But not those pesky collections. They have a whole bunch of stories, and how will you know if any of them are good if they're all different? Safer to stick with that new novel right?
Dear readers, it is my literary duty to you to provide an…
View original post 561 more words


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I haven't written for a while largely because I fell off the wagon. Well, I mean I stopped cooking a lot, but I did start exercising more. And before that I was working really late (and achieving a major project at work). Instead of just falling over and giving up I've decided to really think about what's happened and how to fix it (while crying over my restaurant spending this month).
I think I already know the answer to this problem, and it's that I have way less mental bandwidth to do hard things than I realise. I only have to stay at work for an extra hour to torpedo all my virtuous plans for that evening. I think that's because that hour occurs at dinner time – it occurs when I'm already hungry, or hangry (usually hangry, let's be honnest) and it suddenly seems super reasonable to just stop in a restaurant and then go home and flop on the couch.
Part of this is opportunity – I used to live in the suburbs, so while I had a handful of places I could order takeout from, eating in on the way home just didn't really happen. Now I live and work in a thriving inner city suburb every main street of which is lined with restaurants and cafes. I walk past them every day on the way home. They're right there. Right when I'm hungry and tired and prone to thinking "just this once" and "I've had a hard day I should treat myself".
Part of it is that I stopped pre-planning my dinners, so when hungry and tired I was faced with the mental effort of being creative, and that was just too hard. I think I need to push the pre-planning. I think I also need to try to cook large meals on the weekend to freeze for later use, because after work the preparation time I will tolerate is really short. Like shorter than I realise.
But more than these things, I stay at work too late. It's not like I'm getting paid for it either – I'm just struggling with a large workload and wanting quite badly to succeed. There's a lot of research to say that working longer hours doesn't make you more productive though – see this piece – and actually leads to increased distraction and procrastination throughout the day. I struggle badly with procrastination, and I don't think sitting in the office for longer was actually getting more done. Also I have non-work related goals such as eating healthily and exercising and enjoying my hobbies. So in the last few weeks I've resolved to leave on time. I think it helps.
Finally, my healthy eating goal got trumped by an exercise goal. I'd really dropped off my level of fitness, thanks to moving house and all the work that entailed, and then working late and letting bad habits form. Before I moved I used to regularly ride a bike to work, over an hour each way – that will keep you fit! Now I walk to work and it has nothing like the exercise value. But recently I booked leave for a serious hiking trip, and now I'm experiencing fear based training.
I would like to think I can exercise for an hour or an hour and half after work and still be able to cook dinner, but it turns out that's not the case. I just can't seem to make myself do it. Perhaps when I'm fitter again, or when the exercise has become routine, but right now it's not happening.
And that's the point of this piece really. I just don't have the energy or willpower to do everything I want to do. We have a finite amount of willpower each day, and once we've burnt it out it's gone until we've had a good night's sleep. And I have a lot less than I think. It seems easy, right now, sitting here to resolve to tonight go home, cook a nutritious and cheap dinner and then go and swim 2km, before coming home to work on some hobby tasks I have and then going to bed early. But there's a really good chance I can only do one of those things, or maybe even none of them. The odds are good that when I walk out of the office door I'll want to eat snacks or at best a frozen dinner or tin of soup and watch TV shows. I will just barely force myself to feed my cat and clean her litter tray. If I'm really good I'll do the swim. I need to do the swim, or my hike will suck.
I think when I plan my self improvement goals I need to be really, really realistic about my bandwidth. I need to move as many tasks as possible to times when I'm not low on energy. I need to make everything as easy for myself as possible. Perhaps it will grow easier to add new items to my evening schedule as I form habits on the current ones.


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Home | Research Center | Genealogy | Monogrammed Brick Stories
Submitted by Orvella Stubbs
Monogrammed Brick Stories
Olbert Wesley /Sarah Jane Williams
Submitted by Orvella Stubbs
Olbert Wesley Williams Sr. and Sarah Jane McElroy Williams were both born into slavery in 1837, he in Mississippi and she in Texas. After US Emancipation of slaves, they relocated to Ft. Smith, Arkansas. In 1900 they moved to Earlsboro, (Pottowatomie County ,Indian Territory) Oklahoma, along with their three children, Olbert Wesley Jr., Mahalie, and Daisy. They are buried in the Earlsboro Cemetery. Their daughter, Daisy Williams Dollarhide, was my Grandmother.


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Singapore telecommunications regulator Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) may not bother to hold a 3G (third-generation) spectrum auction as there are four licenses on offer and four qualified applicants, IDA announced Friday.
All of the four spectrum bids -- by Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel), StarHub, Mobile One Asia. (M1) and Hong Kong's Sunday Communications -- have been approved. The four blocks of spectrum on offer are almost identical, although one block contains 35MHz of bandwidth, marginally more than the other three which contain 34.6MHz.
The qualified bidders are required to specify which spectrum block they are interested in, and submit their initial offers at or above the reserve price of S$100 million (US$55.4 million) along with bank guarantees to IDA by Monday April 9. IDA will then announce whether it will proceed with the auction, IDA said in its statement.
The admission comes after the government in March slashed the reserve price by a third, from S$150 million, when it became clear that interest for the licenses would be lukewarm at best. IDA can be contacted at +65-322-1999 or online at http://www.ida.gov.sg/


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Southern Water has again apologised to the 2,500 residents in the TN31 to TN36 postcode areas who went without water for more than 36 hours as work was carried out to fix a burst 14-inch water main near Rye.
The work started at 11am on Thursday (October 19) meaning the water had to be turned off.
According to Southern Water, the burst water main has now been fixed but many residents are still without water.
The burst was discovered near Brede in the early hours of Thursday morning and work was started to locate the burst and to prepare for excavation work.
A Southern Water spokesman said: "We apologise to our customers in the TN31 to TN36 postcodes for the continuing inconvenience over the last 24 hours while we have been working hard to fix a burst 14 inch water main near Rye.
"Our crew have worked for the last 36 hours to carry out this vital repair and we can confirm it is now fixed. However it is going to take some time to fully restore water supply to our customers, as we need to ensure we refill the network carefully to avoid causing any additional issues such as airlocks or further bursts due to the sudden increase in pressure.
"We know this has been extremely frustrating for those affected customers and we would like to assure you we have further bottled water supplies on their way and are continuing to work closely with our vulnerable customers in the area.
"As restoring supply has taken longer than we originally anticipated, we have arranged for further emergency supplies of water to be brought in, and have a dedicated team of around 20 people on standby ready to help distribute and deliver the water when it arrives, which we're aiming for around 11.45am today (Friday, October 20). We will be distributing this water from key points and hand delivering to certain customers as soon as possible.
"We know how difficult a situation like this can be for customers and we would like to thank everyone affected for their understanding and patience whilst we carry out these emergency repairs."
Following the repair, a storage reservoir at Udimore needs to refill before supplied can be completely restored.


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Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics plan to introduce their new low-end Smartphones at January's 'CES 2018', showcasing the Galaxy A8 /A8+ devices and the next K series phone, respectively.
South Korea's spy agency said North Korean hackers were behind attacks on cryptocurrency exchanges this year in which some 7.6 billion won ($6.99 million) worth of cryptocurrencies were stolen.
BlackBerry on Friday said that it will end monthly security updates for its Android-powered handset Priv and outlined the future of BB10.
Google on Friday said it will stop supporting Project Tango, its first augmented reality platform for developers, on March 1, 2018.
All News...


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The nipple shields can be termed as the breastfeeding aid. They are basically in the shape of the nipple. They are worn by the mother on the nipples of their breast. These types of nipples are generally recommended by the doctor to the mother who is having almost flat nipples. The one more reason why it is recommended to the mother is – when the child fails to latch on Breast within 2 days. There are a number of studies conducted on it and it is stated that it is the best way to transfer the milk from this nipples. However, it is only applicable to the best nipple shields. Thus the mother should prefer to buy one with good quality.
There are a number of people who have the question in their mind that is it safe to use the nipple shields? Well, the answer is a big yes and even there is a perfect way to me, to explain that how it is safe. The bottle is also used by the parents in order to feed the baby. Well, the nipple stated over the bottle and one positioned over the bottle is same. There is no point that using this nipple is not safe. The only differences in between two of these nipples are that one is used to extract the milk from the bottle and another from the breast. Thus it is cut clear that it is totally safe to use the nipples shields in order to feed the baby.
Final words
Thus if you are a mother and facing a lot of problem in breastfeeding due to the flat size of the nipple, then it is the time to make use of the nipples shields and feed your baby properly.


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Among the allergy community, there is a lot of doubt and uncertainty about the safety of the MMR vaccine in egg allergic children. This post sums up the latest research and recommendations.
What is the MMR?
The MMR Vaccine protects from measles, mumps and rubella. It is given around 12 month of age and again around 3 to 5 years of age. It is an active virus, consisting of weakened forms of the viruses.
Why is there a concern about giving the vaccine to egg allergic children?
The vaccine is cultured on embryo chick fibroblasts.
Though, it does not contain any hen's egg protein. If traces of hen's egg protein are detected, they are highly processed and their concentration is very low.
Recent studies:
MMR vaccination of children with egg allergy is safe:
a danish study published in 2013, investigating 32 children with egg allergy who had been referred to get their mmr vaccination (Priorix MMR) at hospital. None of the children had severe reactions
A review of a pediatric emergency department vaccination programme for patients at risk of allergy/anaphylaxis
Published in September last year, the authors claim their study being "one of the largest studies looking at childhood vaccinations performed in a hospital setting for children who are 'at risk' of allergy, anaphylaxis or hypersensitivity". A total of 374 patients (with a medical history of anaphylaxis, allergic reaction or strong suspicion of a severe adverse reaction against egg) contributed to the findings. All of the children received their vaccinations in a hospital setting. "Only six patients (1.3%) experienced an immediate reaction to a vaccination. All reactions were minor". The authors conclude that "A significant number of referrals were unwarranted and the majority could have been safely managed in the community".
Latest expert opinion (BSACI, 2007):
BSACI Recommendations for Combined Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Vaccination in Egg-Allergic children:
The MMR has an excellent safety-record and may be administered to all egg-allergic children in a primary care setting. As with any other immunisation, adrenaline should be readily available in case of rare and unpredictable anaphylaxis. MMR should be postponed if child is unwell. A hospital based application is necessary after a previous severe reaction to a vaccination (MMR or other) after a specialist assessment. It might be possible that the reaction occured due to an allergy to other components of the shot (gelatine (beef and lamb allergy) or antibiotics (neomycin or other)).
Other vaccinations and egg allergy:
Flu vaccine: updated every year, the content level of ovalbumin, varies every year, some jabs do not contain egg. A split dose (1/10 of single dose, than 9/10 of dose) of the vaccine might be an option. Consult your GP or specialist for up to date advise.
Yellow fever vaccine: unsuitable for children with egg allergy
So what is the verdict?
Latest research suggests that the likelihood for an egg-allergic child to react to the MMR vaccine is about the same as to any other non-egg containing vaccine. Reactions are rare but non predictable due to other substances like gelatine and antibiotics.
Even though the MMR seems to be a safe shot, it is always recommended to seek advise from your specialist if in any doubt. Every child reacts differently and the risk profile of your allergic child can be best assessed by your trusted allergist.
Sources: the anaphylaxis campaign, nhs choices, pubmed, bupa, bsaci
Please note that this post does not imply any medical advise. Please always consult your specialist.