Salaat al-raghaaib is one of the innovations (bidahs) that have been introduced in the month of Rajab. It is done on the night of the first Friday in Rajab, between Maghrib and Isha, and is preceded by fasting on the first Thursday of Rajab.
Salaat al-raghaaib was first introduced in Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem) in 480 AH. There is no report that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did it, or any of his companions, or any of the best generations or imams. This alone is sufficient to prove that it is a reprehensible innovation, and it is not a praiseworthy Sunnah.
The scholars have warned against it and pointed out that it is innovation and misguidance.
Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Majmoo (3/548)
The prayer which is known as salaat al-raghaaib, which is twelve rakahs that are offered between Maghrib and Isha on the night of the first Friday in Rajab, and praying one hundred rakahs on the night of Nusf Shabaan (halfway through Shabaan) are both reprehensible innovations. No one should be deceived by the fact that they are mentioned in Qoot al-Quloob and Ihya Uloom al-Deen, or by the hadeeth which is quoted in these two books, because all of that is false. No one should be deceived by some of those imams who were confused about the ruling on these prayers and wrote essays stating that they are mustahabb, for they are mistaken in that.
Imam Abu Muhammad Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Isma’eel al-Maqdisi wrote a valuable book showing that they are false, and he did well in that, may Allaah have mercy on him. End quote.
Al-Nawawi also said in Sharh Muslim:
May Allaah curse the one who fabricated and introduced that, for it is a reprehensible innovation, one of the innovations which constitute misguidance and ignorance, and it involves obvious evils. A number of imams have written valuable works explaining that those who offer this prayer and the one who invented it are misguided, and they quoted a great deal of evidence to show that it is wrong and false, and that those who do it are misguided. End quote.
Ibn Aabideen said in his Haashiyah (2/26):
It says in al-Bahr: Hence we know that it is makrooh to gather for salaat al-raghaaib, which is done on the first Friday of Rajab, and that it is an innovation.
Ibn Hajr al-Haytami (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: Is it permissible to offer salaat al-raghaaib in congregation or not?
He replied:
Salaat al-raghaaib is like the prayer that is known as laylat al-nusf min Shabaan (half way through Sha’baan). These are two reprehensible innovations and the hadeeth which speaks of them is mawdoo (fabricated). It is forbidden to offer these prayers either individually or in congregation.” End quote.
Al-Fataawa al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kubra, 1/216
Ibn al-Haaj al-Maaliki said in al-Madkhal (1/294):
Among the innovations that have been introduced in this noble month (i.e., Rajab) is that on the night of the first Friday thereof, they pray salaat al-raghaaib in the mosques, and they gather in some mosques and do this innovation openly in the mosques with an imam and congregation, as if it is a prescribed prayer… the view of Imam Maalik (may Allaah have mercy on him) is that it is makrooh to do this prayer, because it was not done by those who came before, and all goodness is to be found in following them (may Allaah be pleased with them). End quote.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
As for innovating a prayer which is done regularly with a certain number of rakahs, with a certain recitation and at a certain time in congregation, like these prayers that are being asked about here – such as salaat al-raghaaib on the first Friday of Rajab, and halfway through Shabaan, and the night of the twenty-seventh of Rajab, and so on – these are not prescribed in Islam, according to the consensus of the imams of Islam, as was stated by the reliable scholars. No one established such a thing but those who are ignorant and innovators. Things like this open the door to changing the laws and rituals of Islam and becoming like those who instituted things which Allaah has not ordained. End quote.
Al-Fataawa al-Kubra, 2/239
Shaykh al-Islam was also asked about it and he said:
This prayer was not offered by the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or by any of the Sahaabah or the Taabieen or the imams of the Muslims. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not enjoin it and neither did any of the salaf or imams. They did not suggest that this night has any virtue for which it should be singled out. The hadeeth which is narrated concerning that from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is false and fabricated, according to scholarly consensus. Hence the scholars said that it is forbidden and not mustahabb. End quote.
Al-Fataawa al-Kubra, 2/262
It says in al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah (22/262):
The Hanafis and Shaafais stated that praying salaat al-raghaa’ib on the first Friday of Rajab, or on Laylat al-nusf min Sha’baan, in a specific manner or with a specific number of rak’ahs, is a reprehensible innovation.
Abul-Faraj ibn al-Jawzi said: Salaat al-raghaaib is a fabrication that is falsely attributed to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). They stated that these payers are a bidah and are forbidden for a number of reasons. There is no report from the Sahaabah, Taabieen or imams about these two prayers. If they were prescribed in Islam then the salaf would not have been unaware of them. Rather they were introduced in the 400s (fifth century AH). End quote.
Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi Raaji'oon
Yeah, sure we say this statement when someone dies. Also some of us may say this sentence when they lose something, suffer a setback or harm.
But………..do you know what it means?
Sure, everyone know that it obviously means 'To Allaah we belong and to Him is our return.'
But that's not what I am talking about.
I mean ….do you REALLY, TRULY understand these words and their implications in a Muslim's life?
It means …whatever we have is not really ours. It belongs to Allaah.
Take a look around you; everything you see, all that you have and all that there is….in you, on you, around you….belongs to Allaah, alone.
It is Allah Who has given you all the property and goods you possess, and that He is the true Owner of them all.
So the cars that you own, the houses that you live in, the businesses you possess all truly belong to Allaah
The kids that He blessed you with, the health that He gave you, the time that He has allowed you are all Allah's property.
Even the bodies we live in and the life that we have belongs to Allaah alone.
"And to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth…." (Surah Aal-Imraan:180)
"The kingdom of the heavens and the earth and everything in them belongs to Allah. He has power over all things." ( Surat al-Ma'ida: 120)
'Say: 'To Allah belongs the East and the West…' (Surah al-Baqarah:142)
Now, since everything belongs to Allaah, then we have to include even our souls in that list.
The very souls that we think of as our "self"; our "nafs"; our "being" -- whatever you want to call it -- that very thing that distinguishes you from the rest of the world, belongs to Allaah. It's not YOURS.
In fact, YOU are not YOURS.
You belong to Allaah.
And this is the essence of the concept of slavery to Allaah in Islam.
And since He is the true Possessor of everything, and everything is His property, He allots what He wills to whomever He wills…….and then He takes it away. After all, it was Allaah's to begin with.
So He may give you some thing and then take it back after a while..
He will bless you with a precious child that you love dearly…and then He may take it away.
He will grant you money, honour and status….and then He may take it away.
He will give you youth, vitality and health and then surely He will take it away.
In fact everything you have will only be with you for a very short while.
And then the Owner will claim His Right.
So when Allaah does reclaim what was rightfully His, WHY MOURN OUR LOSSES?
Just like a friend who lends you his book. And then after a few days, he wants it back and you give it back to him…no regrets…..no sorrow….no questions asked.
Similarly, if Allah takes back some of His blessings upon you for some reason….so be it.
Say Alhamdulillaah.
Don't grieve.
Be patient.
Submit to the will of Allaah, being pleased with His decision for you. For surely He will only do what is best for you.
Just think…..The Owner came and took it back.
Remember….that you're not the real owner…..you were NEVER the real owner to begin with. You only had everything because it was Allah who gave it to you in the first place. If He didn't give it to you, you wouldn't have had it in any way…in fact, you couldn't have had it.
Remember….man enters into this world empty handed…and leaves it empty handed.
Remember….that everything we have, all the blessings we enjoy, are gifts from Almighty Allah...gifts that we enjoy for a limited period until He takes them away whenever He deems fit.
They are a trust from Allah…a loan to you…to see how you respond to these gifts from Allaah and how you use them….in the obedience of the Almighty, thanking Him and worshipping Him……OR……..to the disobedience to the One Who gave then to you in the first place.
Take note of the words of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) on the occasion of the death of his son, Ibraahim:
'Our eyes are filled with tears, our hearts with grief, but we say nothing with our lips except that which pleases Allah.... Verily, to Allah we belong, and to Him we return.' (Bukhaari)
And we all know the famous incidence about the companion Abu Talha and his wife when one of the sons died and Abu Talha was not at home. She washed and shrouded him and when Abu Talha came home and asked about his son, she said, 'The child is quiet and I hope he is in peace….' (Bukhaari)
Subhaan Allaah….such patience!
And such Imaan in the statement "Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi Raaji'oon"!
She truly understood its meaning and the affect it should have on her life as a Muslimah, submitting to him and being pleased with whatever He has decreed for her.
She knew that whatever she has, is not truly hers. Rather, it is Allaah's….and He took back whatever He owns at its appointed time.
And it is because of this Imaan so strong, this understanding, that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) made dua for them and Allaah blessed them immensely.
"'They (i.e. Abu Talha and his wife) had nine sons and all of them became reciters of the Quran (by heart)." (Bukhaari)
"Be sure we will test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives, but give glad tidings to those who are steadfast, who say when afflicted with calamity: 'To Allah we belong and to him is our return.' They are those on who (descend) blessings from Allah and mercy and they are the once that receive guidance." (al-Baqarah: 155)
By Asma bint Shameem
But………..do you know what it means?
Sure, everyone know that it obviously means 'To Allaah we belong and to Him is our return.'
But that's not what I am talking about.
I mean ….do you REALLY, TRULY understand these words and their implications in a Muslim's life?
It means …whatever we have is not really ours. It belongs to Allaah.
Take a look around you; everything you see, all that you have and all that there is….in you, on you, around you….belongs to Allaah, alone.
It is Allah Who has given you all the property and goods you possess, and that He is the true Owner of them all.
So the cars that you own, the houses that you live in, the businesses you possess all truly belong to Allaah
The kids that He blessed you with, the health that He gave you, the time that He has allowed you are all Allah's property.
Even the bodies we live in and the life that we have belongs to Allaah alone.
"And to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth…." (Surah Aal-Imraan:180)
"The kingdom of the heavens and the earth and everything in them belongs to Allah. He has power over all things." ( Surat al-Ma'ida: 120)
'Say: 'To Allah belongs the East and the West…' (Surah al-Baqarah:142)
Now, since everything belongs to Allaah, then we have to include even our souls in that list.
The very souls that we think of as our "self"; our "nafs"; our "being" -- whatever you want to call it -- that very thing that distinguishes you from the rest of the world, belongs to Allaah. It's not YOURS.
In fact, YOU are not YOURS.
You belong to Allaah.
And this is the essence of the concept of slavery to Allaah in Islam.
And since He is the true Possessor of everything, and everything is His property, He allots what He wills to whomever He wills…….and then He takes it away. After all, it was Allaah's to begin with.
So He may give you some thing and then take it back after a while..
He will bless you with a precious child that you love dearly…and then He may take it away.
He will grant you money, honour and status….and then He may take it away.
He will give you youth, vitality and health and then surely He will take it away.
In fact everything you have will only be with you for a very short while.
And then the Owner will claim His Right.
So when Allaah does reclaim what was rightfully His, WHY MOURN OUR LOSSES?
Just like a friend who lends you his book. And then after a few days, he wants it back and you give it back to him…no regrets…..no sorrow….no questions asked.
Similarly, if Allah takes back some of His blessings upon you for some reason….so be it.
Say Alhamdulillaah.
Don't grieve.
Be patient.
Submit to the will of Allaah, being pleased with His decision for you. For surely He will only do what is best for you.
Just think…..The Owner came and took it back.
Remember….that you're not the real owner…..you were NEVER the real owner to begin with. You only had everything because it was Allah who gave it to you in the first place. If He didn't give it to you, you wouldn't have had it in any way…in fact, you couldn't have had it.
Remember….man enters into this world empty handed…and leaves it empty handed.
Remember….that everything we have, all the blessings we enjoy, are gifts from Almighty Allah...gifts that we enjoy for a limited period until He takes them away whenever He deems fit.
They are a trust from Allah…a loan to you…to see how you respond to these gifts from Allaah and how you use them….in the obedience of the Almighty, thanking Him and worshipping Him……OR……..to the disobedience to the One Who gave then to you in the first place.
Take note of the words of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) on the occasion of the death of his son, Ibraahim:
'Our eyes are filled with tears, our hearts with grief, but we say nothing with our lips except that which pleases Allah.... Verily, to Allah we belong, and to Him we return.' (Bukhaari)
And we all know the famous incidence about the companion Abu Talha and his wife when one of the sons died and Abu Talha was not at home. She washed and shrouded him and when Abu Talha came home and asked about his son, she said, 'The child is quiet and I hope he is in peace….' (Bukhaari)
Subhaan Allaah….such patience!
And such Imaan in the statement "Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi Raaji'oon"!
She truly understood its meaning and the affect it should have on her life as a Muslimah, submitting to him and being pleased with whatever He has decreed for her.
She knew that whatever she has, is not truly hers. Rather, it is Allaah's….and He took back whatever He owns at its appointed time.
And it is because of this Imaan so strong, this understanding, that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) made dua for them and Allaah blessed them immensely.
"'They (i.e. Abu Talha and his wife) had nine sons and all of them became reciters of the Quran (by heart)." (Bukhaari)
"Be sure we will test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives, but give glad tidings to those who are steadfast, who say when afflicted with calamity: 'To Allah we belong and to him is our return.' They are those on who (descend) blessings from Allah and mercy and they are the once that receive guidance." (al-Baqarah: 155)
By Asma bint Shameem
The difference between Qur’an and Hadith
Islam is very clear on the concept of God and the concept of Prophet so that there is no confusion or ambiguity in the minds of Muslims between the two. Islam distinguished between a) The word of Allah brought by the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) as revelation, known as the Qur’an; and b) The words of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) which are known as the Hadith.
This separate identity of Allah and His creation is very vital if you study the history of old religions and Islam ensured that they were not mixed. How was this done?
How Was The Integrity Of The Qur’an Insured?
The companions (radiallahu ‘anhum) on the instruction of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), wrote down the words of Allah as revealed and also kept them in memory, so as to ensure that from the time of revelation until now the word of Allah remains pure and untainted. However, the Prophet commanded the companions not to write down the Hadith during the early period of Islam, and the wisdom behind this was not to mix the Hadith with the word of Allah. It is very important for Muslims to understand the differences between the Hadith, Hadith Qudsi, and the Qur’an.
There is another important aspect to Hadith. The actions and sayings of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) provided clarification of the meanings of Qur’an. When inquired about the character of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), his wife Aisha (radiallahu ‘anhaa) replied, His character is the Qur’an. This indicates that Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) gave further explanation of the Qur’an with what he said or did during his lifetime. For example, the Qur’an mentions prayer and the Hadith or the Sunnah shows Muslims how and when to do it. The following details will help clarify the matter further.
Defining The Types of Hadith
The meaning of Hadith is news, report or narration. They are reports about the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) in the following:
* What he said (qaul)
* What he did (fi’l)
* What he approved in other people’s action (taqrir)
* There are also reports about him i.e. what he was like (sifa)
There is agreement among most Muslim scholars, that the contents of the sunnah are also from Allah. However, these were expressed by the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) in his own words or actions. They are the words and actions of a human being transmitted by the companions and family members (radiallahu ‘anhum), who memorized the words or closely observed the actions of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) for the benefit of the Muslim Ummah.
Hadith Qudsi
Qudsi means holy or pure. There are some reports from Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) where he relates to the people starting with a statement “Allah (said) says” or “Allah (did) does”, but this information is not part of the Qur’an. These are called Hadith Qudsi.
For example: Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari reported, that Allah’s messenger related from his Rubb is that He said: O My slaves, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one another...O My slaves, all of you are astray except for those I have guided, so seek guidance of Me and I shall guide you. O my slaves, all of you are hungry except for those I have fed, so seek food of Me and I shall feed you... [Reported by Muslim]
The Difference Between Hadith Qudsi and the Qur’an
While the common factor between Hadith Qudsi and the Qur’an is that both contain words from Allah which have been revealed to Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), the main points of differences are:
1 . In the Qur’an the precise wording is from Allah, while wording in the Hadith Qudsi is given by the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam);
2 . The Qur’an has been brought to the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) only by the angel Jibreel (Gabriel), while Hadith Qudsi may also have been inspired otherwise, such as e.g. a dream;
3 . The Qur’an is inimitable and unique, while the Hadith Qudsi is not;
4 . Qur’an has been transmitted by numerous persons (tawaatur), whereas the Hadith Qudsi is often only transmitted by a few or sometimes even by one individual. There are also Hadith Qudsi which are graded as Saheeh (highest authenticity), or hasan (authentic), or even da’if (weakness in the transmission or text). There is no such doubt about any of the verses of the Qur’an.
5 . Hadith Qudsi cannot be recited in the prayer.
The Qur’an was recorded at the time of revelation and the verses and chapters were arranged on the instructions of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) during his lifetime. Every year during the month of Ramadan the angel Jibreel came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and recited the Qur’an with him, and during the year the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) died, the angel Jibreel came twice and recited the Qur’an with him. This was not so in the case of Hadith.
All chapters and verses of the Qur’an were collected and arranged during the caliphate of Abu Bakr (radiallahu ‘anhu). They were written on sheets and bound together as a book during the caliphate of Uthman (radiallahu ‘anhu) in the same order as shown by the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) himself. Additional copies of the Qur’an were made during this occasion and sent to several Islamic cities. However, the compilation of Hadith did not start until very much later and by that time, the Qur’an was already available in the final form of a bound book.
The science of collecting, analysing, compiling, grading and reporting of Hadiths became a special field of studies after the period of companions (radiallahu ‘anhum). The leading reports are from Al-Bukhari, Muslim, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasai, Ibn Majah, and Abu Dawood which are known as the six most authentic books (As-Sihaahus-Sittah). The validity of a Hadith depends solely on its agreement with the Qur’an and the grading of a Hadith depends on the reliability of the chain of narrators who reported it.
In order to do this, the reporter studied the characters and the life of every single person who were mentioned in the chain of narrators. We notice that utmost care was exercised not only in reporting the exact words, but also sifting through the characters of persons who reported them. If a single person in the chain of narrators is reported to be of doubtful character or unreliable, then the entire Hadith is either rejected or this fact is noted down and specifically mentioned.
The Imams who undertook this enormous task of compiling and reporting the Hadiths exercised great care in their lifetime effort, because these studies laid the foundation for the guidelines in understanding and practicing Islam in the life of every Muslim.
The Types Of Hadith
The meaning of Hadith is news, report or narration.
They are reports about the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) in the following:
* What he said (qaul)
* What he did (fi’l)
* What he approved in other people’s action (taqrir)
* There are also reports about him i.e. what he was like (sifa)
This separate identity of Allah and His creation is very vital if you study the history of old religions and Islam ensured that they were not mixed. How was this done?
How Was The Integrity Of The Qur’an Insured?
The companions (radiallahu ‘anhum) on the instruction of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), wrote down the words of Allah as revealed and also kept them in memory, so as to ensure that from the time of revelation until now the word of Allah remains pure and untainted. However, the Prophet commanded the companions not to write down the Hadith during the early period of Islam, and the wisdom behind this was not to mix the Hadith with the word of Allah. It is very important for Muslims to understand the differences between the Hadith, Hadith Qudsi, and the Qur’an.
There is another important aspect to Hadith. The actions and sayings of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) provided clarification of the meanings of Qur’an. When inquired about the character of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), his wife Aisha (radiallahu ‘anhaa) replied, His character is the Qur’an. This indicates that Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) gave further explanation of the Qur’an with what he said or did during his lifetime. For example, the Qur’an mentions prayer and the Hadith or the Sunnah shows Muslims how and when to do it. The following details will help clarify the matter further.
Defining The Types of Hadith
The meaning of Hadith is news, report or narration. They are reports about the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) in the following:
* What he said (qaul)
* What he did (fi’l)
* What he approved in other people’s action (taqrir)
* There are also reports about him i.e. what he was like (sifa)
There is agreement among most Muslim scholars, that the contents of the sunnah are also from Allah. However, these were expressed by the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) in his own words or actions. They are the words and actions of a human being transmitted by the companions and family members (radiallahu ‘anhum), who memorized the words or closely observed the actions of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) for the benefit of the Muslim Ummah.
Hadith Qudsi
Qudsi means holy or pure. There are some reports from Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) where he relates to the people starting with a statement “Allah (said) says” or “Allah (did) does”, but this information is not part of the Qur’an. These are called Hadith Qudsi.
For example: Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari reported, that Allah’s messenger related from his Rubb is that He said: O My slaves, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one another...O My slaves, all of you are astray except for those I have guided, so seek guidance of Me and I shall guide you. O my slaves, all of you are hungry except for those I have fed, so seek food of Me and I shall feed you... [Reported by Muslim]
The Difference Between Hadith Qudsi and the Qur’an
While the common factor between Hadith Qudsi and the Qur’an is that both contain words from Allah which have been revealed to Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), the main points of differences are:
1 . In the Qur’an the precise wording is from Allah, while wording in the Hadith Qudsi is given by the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam);
2 . The Qur’an has been brought to the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) only by the angel Jibreel (Gabriel), while Hadith Qudsi may also have been inspired otherwise, such as e.g. a dream;
3 . The Qur’an is inimitable and unique, while the Hadith Qudsi is not;
4 . Qur’an has been transmitted by numerous persons (tawaatur), whereas the Hadith Qudsi is often only transmitted by a few or sometimes even by one individual. There are also Hadith Qudsi which are graded as Saheeh (highest authenticity), or hasan (authentic), or even da’if (weakness in the transmission or text). There is no such doubt about any of the verses of the Qur’an.
5 . Hadith Qudsi cannot be recited in the prayer.
The Qur’an was recorded at the time of revelation and the verses and chapters were arranged on the instructions of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) during his lifetime. Every year during the month of Ramadan the angel Jibreel came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and recited the Qur’an with him, and during the year the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) died, the angel Jibreel came twice and recited the Qur’an with him. This was not so in the case of Hadith.
All chapters and verses of the Qur’an were collected and arranged during the caliphate of Abu Bakr (radiallahu ‘anhu). They were written on sheets and bound together as a book during the caliphate of Uthman (radiallahu ‘anhu) in the same order as shown by the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) himself. Additional copies of the Qur’an were made during this occasion and sent to several Islamic cities. However, the compilation of Hadith did not start until very much later and by that time, the Qur’an was already available in the final form of a bound book.
The science of collecting, analysing, compiling, grading and reporting of Hadiths became a special field of studies after the period of companions (radiallahu ‘anhum). The leading reports are from Al-Bukhari, Muslim, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasai, Ibn Majah, and Abu Dawood which are known as the six most authentic books (As-Sihaahus-Sittah). The validity of a Hadith depends solely on its agreement with the Qur’an and the grading of a Hadith depends on the reliability of the chain of narrators who reported it.
In order to do this, the reporter studied the characters and the life of every single person who were mentioned in the chain of narrators. We notice that utmost care was exercised not only in reporting the exact words, but also sifting through the characters of persons who reported them. If a single person in the chain of narrators is reported to be of doubtful character or unreliable, then the entire Hadith is either rejected or this fact is noted down and specifically mentioned.
The Imams who undertook this enormous task of compiling and reporting the Hadiths exercised great care in their lifetime effort, because these studies laid the foundation for the guidelines in understanding and practicing Islam in the life of every Muslim.
The Types Of Hadith
The meaning of Hadith is news, report or narration.
They are reports about the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) in the following:
* What he said (qaul)
* What he did (fi’l)
* What he approved in other people’s action (taqrir)
* There are also reports about him i.e. what he was like (sifa)
Life in the Hereafter
TWO assets which all of us value beyond measure are good health and free time. Our lives are heavily affected by these two parameters. We take special care to watch what we eat, exercise, as we have become very health-conscious. We try to maximise our free time by ensuring that we do only the things which give us pleasure, albeit exclusively in this world.
Because our orientation today is predominantly materialistic or even hedonistic, we try our best to maintain good health only to look good for other people or to live longer to savour longer the pleasures of this world. Likewise, free time to many means only an opportunity to sleep, a time for leisure, or a time to sit around or just “lie around the house.”
While Islam does not prohibit good health or free time, it does frown upon those who exhaust these resources in worldly pursuits alone. “Squander not in the manner of a spendthrift,” warns Allah, “for spendthrifts are surely the brother of Satan and Satan is very ungrateful to this Lord” [Qur’an 17:26-27]. If you have good health and free time to benefit from, then “...don’t waste (it) for Allah does not love the wasters” [6:141]. As a matter of fact, our beloved Prophet (Sallallahu alayhe wa sallam) once cautioned, “There are two things wherein many people victimise themselves: good health and free time.”
Sensibly, the believer devotes every ounce of his/her energy (good health permitting) to every moment he/she gets to strive for the triumph of Islam. Thus every effort is made to use all energy and time as efficiently as possible to serve and thank Allah for all of His grace.
Nothing could be more pleasing to the Almighty than for us to faithfully obey the Qur’an and the Sunnah, “Say: if you really love Allah, follow me (Prophet Muhammad),” Allah reminds us, “Allah will love you” [3:31].
On the other hand, Allah dislikes laziness and has advised us to use our time efficiently through the guidance of His Prophet. In other words if we utilise our good health to maximise our free time for the pleasure of Allah, then Allah promises success for us in this world and in the next.
On the other hand, if we squander our good health chasing transient worldly pleasures, and waste our precious time on issues which can only destroy our chances for a propitious. Hereafter, we can only be described by the prophetic words as those who “...victimise themselves” and take these assets for granted.
Unfortunately for many, death will be an awakening. Tragically, nothing can then be done to redress the wasting of time in this life. Many of us will dearly regret the lost opportunities on our deathbed and in the Hereafter. On the Day of Judgment we will be shocked to see our records. The unveiling of the Hellfire will only horrify us. Being dragged to it and thrown into it will only increase our sorrow for having wasted our time today in trivial pursuits.
The Minor Reckoning
For many of us the reckoning begins at death, for many consider it the minor reckoning. As death approaches, a certainty descends upon all of us, namely that this life is finite and each one of us will definitely depart. In the final moments of this life a deep remorse sets in as “he ascertains that the (time of) parting has come, and one leg joins the other, for this day the drive will be (all) to the Lord,” [75:33].
Now he remembers the thousands of hours he wasted not using them for the pleasure of Allah. Despondent over his dire predicament, he begs Allah “O Lord! Please send me back (to life in the world) so I can do good in the things that I neglected,” [23:99-100].
This is one’s first occasion of genuine regret. Though his previous life was replete with artificial ho-hum taubas he now seriously repents at a time when the door of repentance shows “closed.” He has spent as many as sixty-seven years or more thinking “I’ll repent tomorrow” or “I’ll be good tomorrow.”
Regrettably, he didn’t reach “tomorrow,” and tragically death awakens him to do good when it doesn’t matter. Amazingly, he acknowledges his neglect but it is too late, for Allah’s decree has descended, the case is closed and life in this world has adjourned for him and the reckoning is about to commence. Foolishly, he tries to convince Allah that if given another chance he will surely rectify his record and avail himself of all those lost opportunities. Still affected by his worldly demeanour of trickery, he thinks he can talks his way past the Almighty and persuade Him. He thinks he can strike a deal with the All-Knowing much as he used to do in this world. He forgets that he is now dealing with the Lord of the Universe and not some drug lord, business mogul, or Harvard lawyer.
He forgets he is now attempting to outwit the Knower of the Unseen - ie Knower of what dribbles off our tongues as well as what our hearts really intend. Allah knows that he was afforded innumerable chances in this world, yet he procrastinated. Another chance would only result in nothing but more laziness. No wonder Allah rejoins “... never, it is but mere words He says.” [23:100].
Our Nervousness and Horror on the Day of Judgment
On the Day of Judgment, on the plains of reckoning, he will inevitably face moments of intense remorse and loss. Already dejected he will now discover to his regret that his closest friends actually misguided him and thoroughly misled him. On a day when any help would be invaluable he finds that he cannot count on his worldly buddies. Today his close associates will avail him of nothing, for each has his own reckoning to worry about. He reflects on all the time he spent with his “friends” at parties where they spent late nights gossiping. He remembers his gambling “partners” and drinking buddies.
He sees the lightest punishment from the Hellfire confronting him. “The slightest punishment on the Day of Judgment for the people of the Hellfire,” cautioned Prophet Muhammad, “will be when a man who will be brought forth, once two tiny pebble-sized firebrands are put on the balls of his feet, his brains will boil from their impact.” Soon after, the neglectful will become uncontrollably nervous. Amazingly, fingernail biting doesn’t appease his tension; instead his stress takes him to new heights as he now begins to bite on both his hands.
“The Day that the wrongdoer will bite at his hands, he will say, ‘O, if only I had never taken such a one for a friend. He (definitely) led me astray from the message (of Allah) after it had come to me ah! Satan is (nothing) but a traitor to man!’” [25:27-29].
Sadly, his realisation has come too late. He should have chosen his associates more carefully and picked his friends more cautiously. He cannot blame others as he used to in the world. Today he has to face the consequences of his own evil choices. He parted company with the people of Paradise so he could relish all the pleasures of this world with his Hellfire “buddies” and end up in eternal perdition.
Because our orientation today is predominantly materialistic or even hedonistic, we try our best to maintain good health only to look good for other people or to live longer to savour longer the pleasures of this world. Likewise, free time to many means only an opportunity to sleep, a time for leisure, or a time to sit around or just “lie around the house.”
While Islam does not prohibit good health or free time, it does frown upon those who exhaust these resources in worldly pursuits alone. “Squander not in the manner of a spendthrift,” warns Allah, “for spendthrifts are surely the brother of Satan and Satan is very ungrateful to this Lord” [Qur’an 17:26-27]. If you have good health and free time to benefit from, then “...don’t waste (it) for Allah does not love the wasters” [6:141]. As a matter of fact, our beloved Prophet (Sallallahu alayhe wa sallam) once cautioned, “There are two things wherein many people victimise themselves: good health and free time.”
Sensibly, the believer devotes every ounce of his/her energy (good health permitting) to every moment he/she gets to strive for the triumph of Islam. Thus every effort is made to use all energy and time as efficiently as possible to serve and thank Allah for all of His grace.
Nothing could be more pleasing to the Almighty than for us to faithfully obey the Qur’an and the Sunnah, “Say: if you really love Allah, follow me (Prophet Muhammad),” Allah reminds us, “Allah will love you” [3:31].
On the other hand, Allah dislikes laziness and has advised us to use our time efficiently through the guidance of His Prophet. In other words if we utilise our good health to maximise our free time for the pleasure of Allah, then Allah promises success for us in this world and in the next.
On the other hand, if we squander our good health chasing transient worldly pleasures, and waste our precious time on issues which can only destroy our chances for a propitious. Hereafter, we can only be described by the prophetic words as those who “...victimise themselves” and take these assets for granted.
Unfortunately for many, death will be an awakening. Tragically, nothing can then be done to redress the wasting of time in this life. Many of us will dearly regret the lost opportunities on our deathbed and in the Hereafter. On the Day of Judgment we will be shocked to see our records. The unveiling of the Hellfire will only horrify us. Being dragged to it and thrown into it will only increase our sorrow for having wasted our time today in trivial pursuits.
The Minor Reckoning
For many of us the reckoning begins at death, for many consider it the minor reckoning. As death approaches, a certainty descends upon all of us, namely that this life is finite and each one of us will definitely depart. In the final moments of this life a deep remorse sets in as “he ascertains that the (time of) parting has come, and one leg joins the other, for this day the drive will be (all) to the Lord,” [75:33].
Now he remembers the thousands of hours he wasted not using them for the pleasure of Allah. Despondent over his dire predicament, he begs Allah “O Lord! Please send me back (to life in the world) so I can do good in the things that I neglected,” [23:99-100].
This is one’s first occasion of genuine regret. Though his previous life was replete with artificial ho-hum taubas he now seriously repents at a time when the door of repentance shows “closed.” He has spent as many as sixty-seven years or more thinking “I’ll repent tomorrow” or “I’ll be good tomorrow.”
Regrettably, he didn’t reach “tomorrow,” and tragically death awakens him to do good when it doesn’t matter. Amazingly, he acknowledges his neglect but it is too late, for Allah’s decree has descended, the case is closed and life in this world has adjourned for him and the reckoning is about to commence. Foolishly, he tries to convince Allah that if given another chance he will surely rectify his record and avail himself of all those lost opportunities. Still affected by his worldly demeanour of trickery, he thinks he can talks his way past the Almighty and persuade Him. He thinks he can strike a deal with the All-Knowing much as he used to do in this world. He forgets that he is now dealing with the Lord of the Universe and not some drug lord, business mogul, or Harvard lawyer.
He forgets he is now attempting to outwit the Knower of the Unseen - ie Knower of what dribbles off our tongues as well as what our hearts really intend. Allah knows that he was afforded innumerable chances in this world, yet he procrastinated. Another chance would only result in nothing but more laziness. No wonder Allah rejoins “... never, it is but mere words He says.” [23:100].
Our Nervousness and Horror on the Day of Judgment
On the Day of Judgment, on the plains of reckoning, he will inevitably face moments of intense remorse and loss. Already dejected he will now discover to his regret that his closest friends actually misguided him and thoroughly misled him. On a day when any help would be invaluable he finds that he cannot count on his worldly buddies. Today his close associates will avail him of nothing, for each has his own reckoning to worry about. He reflects on all the time he spent with his “friends” at parties where they spent late nights gossiping. He remembers his gambling “partners” and drinking buddies.
He sees the lightest punishment from the Hellfire confronting him. “The slightest punishment on the Day of Judgment for the people of the Hellfire,” cautioned Prophet Muhammad, “will be when a man who will be brought forth, once two tiny pebble-sized firebrands are put on the balls of his feet, his brains will boil from their impact.” Soon after, the neglectful will become uncontrollably nervous. Amazingly, fingernail biting doesn’t appease his tension; instead his stress takes him to new heights as he now begins to bite on both his hands.
“The Day that the wrongdoer will bite at his hands, he will say, ‘O, if only I had never taken such a one for a friend. He (definitely) led me astray from the message (of Allah) after it had come to me ah! Satan is (nothing) but a traitor to man!’” [25:27-29].
Sadly, his realisation has come too late. He should have chosen his associates more carefully and picked his friends more cautiously. He cannot blame others as he used to in the world. Today he has to face the consequences of his own evil choices. He parted company with the people of Paradise so he could relish all the pleasures of this world with his Hellfire “buddies” and end up in eternal perdition.
Jesus, the son of Mary, in the Qur’an
From Surah Al-Imran (verses 45-63)
45. (Remember) when the angels said: “O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word [“Be!” – and he was! i.e. ‘Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary)] from Him, his name will be the Messiah ‘Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah.”
46. “He will speak to the people in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous.”
47. She said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me.” He said: “So (it will be) for Allah creates what He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only: “Be!” and it is.
48. And He (Allah) will teach him [‘Isa (Jesus)] the Book and Al-Hikmah (i.e. the Sunnah, the faultless speech of the Prophets, wisdom, etc.), (and) the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel).
49. And will make him [‘Isa (Jesus)] a Messenger to the Children of Israel (saying): “I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah’s Leave; and I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allah’s Leave. And I inform you of what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely, therein is a sign for you, if you believe.
50. And I have come confirming that which was before me of the Taurat (Torah), and to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a proof from your Lord. So fear Allah and obey me.
51. Truly! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the Straight Path.
52. Then when ‘Isa (Jesus) came to know of their disbelief, he said: “Who will be my helpers in Allah’s Cause?” Al-Hawariun (the disciples) said: “We are the helpers of Allah; we believe in Allah, and bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e. we submit to Allah).”
53. Our Lord! We believe in what You have sent down, and we follow the Messenger [‘Isa (Jesus)]; so write us down among those who bear witness (to the truth i.e. La ilaha ill-Allah – none has the right to be worshipped but Allah).
54. And they (disbelievers) plotted [to kill ‘Isa (Jesus)], and Allah planned too. And Allah is the Best of the planners.
55. And (remember) when Allah said: “O ‘Isa (Jesus)! I will take you and raise you to Myself and clear you [of the forged statement that ‘Isa (Jesus) is Allah’s son] of those who disbelieve, and I will make those who follow you (Monotheists, who worship none but Allah) superior to those who disbelieve [in the Oneness of Allah, or disbelieve in some of His Messengers, e.g. Muhammad, ‘Isa (Jesus), Musa (Moses), etc., or in His Holy Books, e.g. the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), the Qur’an] till the Day of Resurrection. Then you will return to Me and I will judge between you in the matters in which you used to dispute.”
56. “As to those who disbelieve, I will punish them with a severe torment in this world and in the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers.”
57. And as for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah) and do righteous good deeds, Allah will pay them their reward in full. And Allah does not like the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers).
58. This is what We recite to you (O Muhammad) of the Verses and the Wise Reminder (i.e. the Qur’an).
59. Verily, the likeness of ‘Isa (Jesus) before Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: “Be!” – and he was.
60. (This is) the truth from your Lord, so be not of those who doubt.
61. Then whoever disputes with you concerning him [‘Isa (Jesus)] after (all this) knowledge that has come to you, [i.e. ‘Isa (Jesus)] being a slave of Allah, and having no share in Divinity) say: (O Muhammad) “Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves – then we pray and invoke (sincerely) the Curse of Allah upon those who lie.”
62. Verily! This is the true narrative [about the story of ‘Isa (Jesus)], and, La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the One and the Only True God, Who has neither a wife nor a son). And indeed, Allah is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
63. And if they turn away (and do not accept these true proofs and evidences), then surely, Allah is All-Aware of those who do mischief.
From Surah Al-Ma’idah (verses 17, 46, 72-76, 111-118)
17. Surely, in disbelief are they who say that Allah is the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary). Say (O Muhammad): “Who then has the least power against Allah, if He were to destroy the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary), his mother, and all those who are on the earth together?” And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them. He creates what He wills. And Allah is Able to do all things.
46. And in their footsteps, We sent ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary) , confirming the Taurat (Torah) that had come before him, and We gave him the Injeel (Gospel), in which was guidance and light and confirmation of the Taurat (Torah) that had come before it, a guidance and an admonition for Al-Muttaqun (the pious).
72. Surely, they have disbelieved who say: “Allah is the Messiah [‘Isa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary).” But the Messiah [‘Isa (Jesus)] said: “O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode . And for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no helpers.
73. Surely, disbelievers are those who said: “Allah is the third of the three (in a Trinity).” But there is no ilah (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilah (God -Allah). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall the disbelievers among them.
74. Will they not repent to Allah and ask His Forgiveness? For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
75. The Messiah [‘Isa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary), was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother [Maryam (Mary)] was a Siddiqah [i.e. she believed in the words of Allah and His Books]. They both used to eat food (as any other human being, while Allah does not eat). Look how We make the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) clear to them, yet look how they are deluded away (from the truth).
76. Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “How do you worship besides Allah something which has no power either to harm or to benefit you? But it is Allah Who is the All-Hearer, All-Knower.”
111. And when I (Allah) put in the hearts of Al-Hawarieen (the disciples) [of ‘Isa (Jesus)] to believe in Me and My Messenger, they said: “We believe. And bear witness that we are Muslims.”
112. (Remember) when Al-Hawariun (the disciples) said: “O ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Can your Lord send down to us a table spread (with food) from heaven?” ‘Isa (Jesus) said: “Fear Allah, if you are indeed believers.”
113. They said: “We wish to eat thereof and to be stronger in Faith, and to know that you have indeed told us the truth and that we ourselves be its witnesses.”
114. ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said: “O Allah, our Lord! Send us from heaven a table spread (with food) that there may be for us – for the first and the last of us – a festival and a sign from You; and provide us sustenance, for You are the Best of sustainers.”
115. Allah said: “I am going to send it down unto you, but if any of you after that disbelieves, then I will punish him with a torment such as I have not inflicted on anyone among (all) the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns).”
116. And (remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): “O ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Did you say unto men: ‘Worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allah?’ “He will say: “Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would surely have known it. You know what is in my inner-self though I do not know what is in Yours, truly, You, only You, are the All-Knower of all that is hidden and unseen.
117. “Never did I say to them aught except what You (Allah) did command me to say: ‘Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.’ And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them, but when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a Witness to all things. (This is a great admonition and warning to the Christians of the whole world).
118. “If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily You, only You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise .”
From Surah An-Nisa’ (verses 157-159, 163, 171 )
157. And because of their saying (in boast), “We killed Messiah ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allah,” – but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of ‘Isa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man), and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not [i.e. ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary) ]:
158. But Allah raised him [‘Isa (Jesus)] up (with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he is in the heavens). And Allah is Ever All-Powerful, All-Wise.
159. And there is none of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), but must believe in him [‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), as only a Messenger of Allah and a human being], before his [‘Isa (Jesus) or a Jew’s or a Christian’s] death (at the time of the appearance of the angel of death). And on the Day of Resurrection, he [‘Isa (Jesus)] will be a witness against them.
163. Verily, We have inspired you (O Muhammad) as We inspired Nuh (Noah) and the Prophets after him; We (also) inspired Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma’il (Ishmael), Ishaque (Isaac), Ya’qub (Jacob), and Al-Asbat [the twelve sons of Ya’qub (Jacob)], ‘Isa (Jesus), Ayub (Job), Yunus (Jonah), Harun (Aaron), and Sulaiman (Solomon), and to Dawud (David) We gave the Zabur (Psalms).
171. O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allah aught but the truth. The Messiah ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), was (no more than) a Messenger of Allah and His Word, (“Be!” – and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam (Mary) and a spirit (Ruh) created by Him; so believe in Allah and His Messengers. Say not: “Three (trinity)!” Cease! (it is) better for you. For Allah is (the only) One Ilah (God), Glory be to Him (Far Exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is All-Sufficient as a Disposer of affairs.
From Surah Al-An’am
(verse 85)
85. And Zakariya (Zachariya), and Yahya (John) and ‘Isa (Jesus) and Iliyas (Elias), each one of them was of the righteous.
From Surah Al-Mu’minun (verse 50)
50. And We made the son of Maryam (Mary) and his mother as a sign, And We gave them refuge on high ground, a place of rest, security and flowing streams.
From Surah Al-Zukhruf (verses 59, 61, 63-64)
59. He [‘Isa (Jesus)] was not more than a slave. We granted Our Favour to him, and We made him an example to the Children of Israel (i.e. his creation without a father).
61. And he [‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)] shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour (Day of Resurrection) [i.e. ‘Isa’s (Jesus) descent on the earth] . Therefore have no doubt concerning it (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). And follow Me (Allah) (i.e. be obedient to Allah and do what He orders you to do, O mankind)! This is the Straight Path (of Islamic Monotheism, leading to Allah and to His Paradise).
63. And when ‘Isa (Jesus) came with (Our) clear Proofs, he said: “I have come to you with Al-Hikmah (Prophethood), and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) in which you differ, therefore fear Allah and obey me,
64. “Verily, Allah! He is my Lord (God) and your Lord (God). So worship Him (Alone). This is the (only) Straight Path (i.e. Allah’s religion of true Islamic Monotheism).”
From Surah As-Saff (verse 6)
6. And (remember) when ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said: “O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah unto you confirming the Taurat [(Torah) which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmed . But when he (Ahmed i.e. Muhammad) came to them with clear proofs, they said: “This is plain magic.”
45. (Remember) when the angels said: “O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word [“Be!” – and he was! i.e. ‘Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary)] from Him, his name will be the Messiah ‘Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah.”
46. “He will speak to the people in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous.”
47. She said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me.” He said: “So (it will be) for Allah creates what He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only: “Be!” and it is.
48. And He (Allah) will teach him [‘Isa (Jesus)] the Book and Al-Hikmah (i.e. the Sunnah, the faultless speech of the Prophets, wisdom, etc.), (and) the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel).
49. And will make him [‘Isa (Jesus)] a Messenger to the Children of Israel (saying): “I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah’s Leave; and I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allah’s Leave. And I inform you of what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely, therein is a sign for you, if you believe.
50. And I have come confirming that which was before me of the Taurat (Torah), and to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a proof from your Lord. So fear Allah and obey me.
51. Truly! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the Straight Path.
52. Then when ‘Isa (Jesus) came to know of their disbelief, he said: “Who will be my helpers in Allah’s Cause?” Al-Hawariun (the disciples) said: “We are the helpers of Allah; we believe in Allah, and bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e. we submit to Allah).”
53. Our Lord! We believe in what You have sent down, and we follow the Messenger [‘Isa (Jesus)]; so write us down among those who bear witness (to the truth i.e. La ilaha ill-Allah – none has the right to be worshipped but Allah).
54. And they (disbelievers) plotted [to kill ‘Isa (Jesus)], and Allah planned too. And Allah is the Best of the planners.
55. And (remember) when Allah said: “O ‘Isa (Jesus)! I will take you and raise you to Myself and clear you [of the forged statement that ‘Isa (Jesus) is Allah’s son] of those who disbelieve, and I will make those who follow you (Monotheists, who worship none but Allah) superior to those who disbelieve [in the Oneness of Allah, or disbelieve in some of His Messengers, e.g. Muhammad, ‘Isa (Jesus), Musa (Moses), etc., or in His Holy Books, e.g. the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), the Qur’an] till the Day of Resurrection. Then you will return to Me and I will judge between you in the matters in which you used to dispute.”
56. “As to those who disbelieve, I will punish them with a severe torment in this world and in the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers.”
57. And as for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah) and do righteous good deeds, Allah will pay them their reward in full. And Allah does not like the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers).
58. This is what We recite to you (O Muhammad) of the Verses and the Wise Reminder (i.e. the Qur’an).
59. Verily, the likeness of ‘Isa (Jesus) before Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: “Be!” – and he was.
60. (This is) the truth from your Lord, so be not of those who doubt.
61. Then whoever disputes with you concerning him [‘Isa (Jesus)] after (all this) knowledge that has come to you, [i.e. ‘Isa (Jesus)] being a slave of Allah, and having no share in Divinity) say: (O Muhammad) “Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves – then we pray and invoke (sincerely) the Curse of Allah upon those who lie.”
62. Verily! This is the true narrative [about the story of ‘Isa (Jesus)], and, La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the One and the Only True God, Who has neither a wife nor a son). And indeed, Allah is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
63. And if they turn away (and do not accept these true proofs and evidences), then surely, Allah is All-Aware of those who do mischief.
From Surah Al-Ma’idah (verses 17, 46, 72-76, 111-118)
17. Surely, in disbelief are they who say that Allah is the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary). Say (O Muhammad): “Who then has the least power against Allah, if He were to destroy the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary), his mother, and all those who are on the earth together?” And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them. He creates what He wills. And Allah is Able to do all things.
46. And in their footsteps, We sent ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary) , confirming the Taurat (Torah) that had come before him, and We gave him the Injeel (Gospel), in which was guidance and light and confirmation of the Taurat (Torah) that had come before it, a guidance and an admonition for Al-Muttaqun (the pious).
72. Surely, they have disbelieved who say: “Allah is the Messiah [‘Isa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary).” But the Messiah [‘Isa (Jesus)] said: “O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode . And for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no helpers.
73. Surely, disbelievers are those who said: “Allah is the third of the three (in a Trinity).” But there is no ilah (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilah (God -Allah). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall the disbelievers among them.
74. Will they not repent to Allah and ask His Forgiveness? For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
75. The Messiah [‘Isa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary), was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother [Maryam (Mary)] was a Siddiqah [i.e. she believed in the words of Allah and His Books]. They both used to eat food (as any other human being, while Allah does not eat). Look how We make the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) clear to them, yet look how they are deluded away (from the truth).
76. Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “How do you worship besides Allah something which has no power either to harm or to benefit you? But it is Allah Who is the All-Hearer, All-Knower.”
111. And when I (Allah) put in the hearts of Al-Hawarieen (the disciples) [of ‘Isa (Jesus)] to believe in Me and My Messenger, they said: “We believe. And bear witness that we are Muslims.”
112. (Remember) when Al-Hawariun (the disciples) said: “O ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Can your Lord send down to us a table spread (with food) from heaven?” ‘Isa (Jesus) said: “Fear Allah, if you are indeed believers.”
113. They said: “We wish to eat thereof and to be stronger in Faith, and to know that you have indeed told us the truth and that we ourselves be its witnesses.”
114. ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said: “O Allah, our Lord! Send us from heaven a table spread (with food) that there may be for us – for the first and the last of us – a festival and a sign from You; and provide us sustenance, for You are the Best of sustainers.”
115. Allah said: “I am going to send it down unto you, but if any of you after that disbelieves, then I will punish him with a torment such as I have not inflicted on anyone among (all) the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns).”
116. And (remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): “O ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Did you say unto men: ‘Worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allah?’ “He will say: “Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would surely have known it. You know what is in my inner-self though I do not know what is in Yours, truly, You, only You, are the All-Knower of all that is hidden and unseen.
117. “Never did I say to them aught except what You (Allah) did command me to say: ‘Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.’ And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them, but when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a Witness to all things. (This is a great admonition and warning to the Christians of the whole world).
118. “If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily You, only You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise .”
From Surah An-Nisa’ (verses 157-159, 163, 171 )
157. And because of their saying (in boast), “We killed Messiah ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allah,” – but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of ‘Isa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man), and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not [i.e. ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary) ]:
158. But Allah raised him [‘Isa (Jesus)] up (with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he is in the heavens). And Allah is Ever All-Powerful, All-Wise.
159. And there is none of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), but must believe in him [‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), as only a Messenger of Allah and a human being], before his [‘Isa (Jesus) or a Jew’s or a Christian’s] death (at the time of the appearance of the angel of death). And on the Day of Resurrection, he [‘Isa (Jesus)] will be a witness against them.
163. Verily, We have inspired you (O Muhammad) as We inspired Nuh (Noah) and the Prophets after him; We (also) inspired Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma’il (Ishmael), Ishaque (Isaac), Ya’qub (Jacob), and Al-Asbat [the twelve sons of Ya’qub (Jacob)], ‘Isa (Jesus), Ayub (Job), Yunus (Jonah), Harun (Aaron), and Sulaiman (Solomon), and to Dawud (David) We gave the Zabur (Psalms).
171. O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allah aught but the truth. The Messiah ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), was (no more than) a Messenger of Allah and His Word, (“Be!” – and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam (Mary) and a spirit (Ruh) created by Him; so believe in Allah and His Messengers. Say not: “Three (trinity)!” Cease! (it is) better for you. For Allah is (the only) One Ilah (God), Glory be to Him (Far Exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is All-Sufficient as a Disposer of affairs.
From Surah Al-An’am
(verse 85)
85. And Zakariya (Zachariya), and Yahya (John) and ‘Isa (Jesus) and Iliyas (Elias), each one of them was of the righteous.
From Surah Al-Mu’minun (verse 50)
50. And We made the son of Maryam (Mary) and his mother as a sign, And We gave them refuge on high ground, a place of rest, security and flowing streams.
From Surah Al-Zukhruf (verses 59, 61, 63-64)
59. He [‘Isa (Jesus)] was not more than a slave. We granted Our Favour to him, and We made him an example to the Children of Israel (i.e. his creation without a father).
61. And he [‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)] shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour (Day of Resurrection) [i.e. ‘Isa’s (Jesus) descent on the earth] . Therefore have no doubt concerning it (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). And follow Me (Allah) (i.e. be obedient to Allah and do what He orders you to do, O mankind)! This is the Straight Path (of Islamic Monotheism, leading to Allah and to His Paradise).
63. And when ‘Isa (Jesus) came with (Our) clear Proofs, he said: “I have come to you with Al-Hikmah (Prophethood), and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) in which you differ, therefore fear Allah and obey me,
64. “Verily, Allah! He is my Lord (God) and your Lord (God). So worship Him (Alone). This is the (only) Straight Path (i.e. Allah’s religion of true Islamic Monotheism).”
From Surah As-Saff (verse 6)
6. And (remember) when ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said: “O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah unto you confirming the Taurat [(Torah) which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmed . But when he (Ahmed i.e. Muhammad) came to them with clear proofs, they said: “This is plain magic.”
Adultery of the Eyes
As temperatures soar and sweat pours down our faces, it is essential to remember this: protect your eyes, and that does not mean wearing sunglasses, it means to lower our gaze - be careful of our glances.
In our culture today, as the temperature increases, so does the amount of exposed skin on people's bodies. Although this is very distressing and disturbing, it has become a fact of life. In fact, those of us, especially our sisters wearing Hijab, who cover to guard their modesty are seen as strange.
SOME ADVICE FROM THE QURAN AND SUNNAH
It is in this instance, surrounded by half-naked people, that we must have the courage to follow the command of Allah and His Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) and lower our gazes.
Allah says: "Do not go near fornication and adultery, it is an abomination and an evil way." (Quran 17:32).
This sin is so hateful in the sight of Our Lord, that He commanded us to not even go near it. Despite what anyone may say, looking upon that which one is not supposed to is going near adultery. For an illicit affair begins with a lustful glance. Allah wishes for us not to commit this ugly sin, and thus He commands us to lower our gazes:
"Tell the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make far greater purity for them; And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And tell the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty." (Quran 24:30-31).
Lowering the gaze does not mean keeping our eyes constantly on the ground and not looking up at all. It is turning our faces away when we see a less-than-decently-dressed woman or man walking on the street in the middle of the day or at anytime.
THE ADULTERY OF THE EYES
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) further explained to us Allah's command. Abu Hurayrah (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, "(the adultery of the eyes is looking (at [that] which is not allowed)" (Bukhari, Muslim).
Also, on the authority of Jurayr (r.a.) who said, "I asked the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) about accidentally looking at something that is not allowed and he said, "Turn your eyes away." (Muslim).
In another Hadith on the authority of Abu Sa'eed, (r.a.) the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, "A man should not look at the Awrah of another man, and the woman should not look at the Awrah of another woman." (Muslim).
Thus, our Prophet (s.a.w.) even instructed us to lower our gaze when looking at members of the same gender in some cases.
LOWERING FOR THE OTHERS' NAKEDNESS
One common mistake is to think that lowering our gaze is only required upon encountering nakedness and indecency "in the flesh" or in person. Lowering our gaze must also be practiced when watching a film or television program replete with nakedness and intimate scenes of couples (actually, we should try to avoid watching such types of programs, period).
BEWARE OF THE BEACHES
Beware of the beaches, rivers, pools or anywhere else you'll find a plethora of bikini and swimming-trunk clad men and women.
Lowering your gaze there is virtually impossible. You may turn in one direction, thinking you're home-free, but soon enough you can't even look there.
The same holds true for parks and recreational facilities. While this doesn't mean never taking the kids out to enjoy the slides and seesaws or having barbecues there, it does mean perhaps having activities on days that are cooler, or at times when the sun is not as hot and intense (i.e. some time in the earlier morning or before Maghrib).
This way, the prime time for sunbathing has passed, and most people either leave or feel cool enough to put some more clothes on.
MAKE DUA
"Never underestimate the power of Dua." This holds true in all trying situations.
Sometimes, despite avoiding certain places where you are more likely to encounter an improperly dressed person, you may find someone walking on the street going to the beach or the park who decided to get ready for suntanning or swimming beforehand.
In these cases, lowering the gaze may be even harder. You weren't expecting it, so you didn't mentally prepare yourself.
If you feel overwhelmed, one suggested Dua to read is: "Aouzo billahis Sami 'il Aleem minash Shaytan ir Rajeem" (see Quran 41:36 for more information). A translation of this is: "I seek the refuge of Allah who is the Hearer and Who is the Knower from the Shaytan the accursed."
In general, seek refuge in Allah. It has also been suggested to say "La hawla wa la Quwwata illa billah" (there is no power except with Allah). If we sincerely make Dua, Insha Allah, we can succeed in turning our eyes away.
LOWERING THE GAZE DOESN'T MEAN BEING ANTISOCIAL
But lowering our gaze does not mean being rude or antisocial. The Prophet used to present the message of Islam to people that had come for the yearly "Ukaz" festival, which did include unIslamic activities like drinking and gambling.
However, this requires faith, self-control and discipline. This must never be used as an opportunity to indulge in these sins.
THE GAZE IS A PART OF A MUSLIM'S CHARACTER
A Muslim is decent and pure. This means all of his or her body must be decent and pure. A natural consequence of this is lowering the gaze.
Allah tells us: "O you who believe! Do not follow Satan's footsteps: if any will follow the footsteps of Satan, he will command what is shameful and wrong..." (Quran: 24:21).
Looking at another man or woman in an indecent manner is following in Satan's footsteps. It all begins with a lustful glance. Such a glance leads to lustful talk and flirting, then meeting and we are all aware of what comes next.
Let us stop Satan in his tracks and lower our gaze.
Let us start today. Yes, it is very difficult and it takes discipline and faith.
Yet, whenever we struggle to please Allah, He will reward us several times over in this life and the next. It is truly a Jihad. But, it is a Jihad worth undertaking, and we will be all the better for it.
In our culture today, as the temperature increases, so does the amount of exposed skin on people's bodies. Although this is very distressing and disturbing, it has become a fact of life. In fact, those of us, especially our sisters wearing Hijab, who cover to guard their modesty are seen as strange.
SOME ADVICE FROM THE QURAN AND SUNNAH
It is in this instance, surrounded by half-naked people, that we must have the courage to follow the command of Allah and His Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) and lower our gazes.
Allah says: "Do not go near fornication and adultery, it is an abomination and an evil way." (Quran 17:32).
This sin is so hateful in the sight of Our Lord, that He commanded us to not even go near it. Despite what anyone may say, looking upon that which one is not supposed to is going near adultery. For an illicit affair begins with a lustful glance. Allah wishes for us not to commit this ugly sin, and thus He commands us to lower our gazes:
"Tell the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make far greater purity for them; And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And tell the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty." (Quran 24:30-31).
Lowering the gaze does not mean keeping our eyes constantly on the ground and not looking up at all. It is turning our faces away when we see a less-than-decently-dressed woman or man walking on the street in the middle of the day or at anytime.
THE ADULTERY OF THE EYES
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) further explained to us Allah's command. Abu Hurayrah (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, "(the adultery of the eyes is looking (at [that] which is not allowed)" (Bukhari, Muslim).
Also, on the authority of Jurayr (r.a.) who said, "I asked the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) about accidentally looking at something that is not allowed and he said, "Turn your eyes away." (Muslim).
In another Hadith on the authority of Abu Sa'eed, (r.a.) the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, "A man should not look at the Awrah of another man, and the woman should not look at the Awrah of another woman." (Muslim).
Thus, our Prophet (s.a.w.) even instructed us to lower our gaze when looking at members of the same gender in some cases.
LOWERING FOR THE OTHERS' NAKEDNESS
One common mistake is to think that lowering our gaze is only required upon encountering nakedness and indecency "in the flesh" or in person. Lowering our gaze must also be practiced when watching a film or television program replete with nakedness and intimate scenes of couples (actually, we should try to avoid watching such types of programs, period).
BEWARE OF THE BEACHES
Beware of the beaches, rivers, pools or anywhere else you'll find a plethora of bikini and swimming-trunk clad men and women.
Lowering your gaze there is virtually impossible. You may turn in one direction, thinking you're home-free, but soon enough you can't even look there.
The same holds true for parks and recreational facilities. While this doesn't mean never taking the kids out to enjoy the slides and seesaws or having barbecues there, it does mean perhaps having activities on days that are cooler, or at times when the sun is not as hot and intense (i.e. some time in the earlier morning or before Maghrib).
This way, the prime time for sunbathing has passed, and most people either leave or feel cool enough to put some more clothes on.
MAKE DUA
"Never underestimate the power of Dua." This holds true in all trying situations.
Sometimes, despite avoiding certain places where you are more likely to encounter an improperly dressed person, you may find someone walking on the street going to the beach or the park who decided to get ready for suntanning or swimming beforehand.
In these cases, lowering the gaze may be even harder. You weren't expecting it, so you didn't mentally prepare yourself.
If you feel overwhelmed, one suggested Dua to read is: "Aouzo billahis Sami 'il Aleem minash Shaytan ir Rajeem" (see Quran 41:36 for more information). A translation of this is: "I seek the refuge of Allah who is the Hearer and Who is the Knower from the Shaytan the accursed."
In general, seek refuge in Allah. It has also been suggested to say "La hawla wa la Quwwata illa billah" (there is no power except with Allah). If we sincerely make Dua, Insha Allah, we can succeed in turning our eyes away.
LOWERING THE GAZE DOESN'T MEAN BEING ANTISOCIAL
But lowering our gaze does not mean being rude or antisocial. The Prophet used to present the message of Islam to people that had come for the yearly "Ukaz" festival, which did include unIslamic activities like drinking and gambling.
However, this requires faith, self-control and discipline. This must never be used as an opportunity to indulge in these sins.
THE GAZE IS A PART OF A MUSLIM'S CHARACTER
A Muslim is decent and pure. This means all of his or her body must be decent and pure. A natural consequence of this is lowering the gaze.
Allah tells us: "O you who believe! Do not follow Satan's footsteps: if any will follow the footsteps of Satan, he will command what is shameful and wrong..." (Quran: 24:21).
Looking at another man or woman in an indecent manner is following in Satan's footsteps. It all begins with a lustful glance. Such a glance leads to lustful talk and flirting, then meeting and we are all aware of what comes next.
Let us stop Satan in his tracks and lower our gaze.
Let us start today. Yes, it is very difficult and it takes discipline and faith.
Yet, whenever we struggle to please Allah, He will reward us several times over in this life and the next. It is truly a Jihad. But, it is a Jihad worth undertaking, and we will be all the better for it.
In Islam there are No Mediators Between Man and Allah
Praises be to Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and made the
darkness and the light. Yet those who reject Faith hold (others) as
equal with Allah (subHanahu wa ta'ala).
"When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them):
I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let
them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That
they may walk in the right way." (2:186)
"Oh mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it
(carefully): Verily those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot
create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the
purpose. And if the fly snatches away a thing from them, they will
have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the
seeker and the sought." (22:73)
In this modern age, as in ages past, people call upon sages, mystics
and saints for help. They grasp a lucky rabbit's foot or other
talisman, investing it with the power to intercede for them to
achieve a desired result. They wear angel pins and four-leaf clovers,
covering their bets with a nod to religion and nature. When some ill
befalls, they damn their luck. When some good comes to them, they
thank their lucky stars or light a candle for a favorite saint. They
give credit to everyone and everything save the One who created them.
Their pleas are unheard by those they invoke, and the One Who is the
All-Hearing, the One who knows their needs better than they
themselves, is rarely called upon.
The believer, however, feels in his heart only revulsion at the idea
of invoking someone besides Allah. He knows that Allah, though
separate from His creation, knows him more intimately than any
created being can:
"It was We who created man and We know what dark suggestions his soul
makes to him: for We are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein."
(50:16)
He takes comfort in this knowledge and also in knowing that Allah
loves for His slaves to invoke him and ask for their needs. He knows
that Allah does not grow weary from granting provision for His
believers, and that all of humankind could not exhaust the patience
of the Infinite.
Five times a day during the compulsory prayers, and at anytime with
informal supplication (dua'), the believer has a direct open channel between
him and Allah. He pours out his soul, praising Allah and
acknowledging His sovereignty, and then asks for what he needs. He
asks for guidance, for a pious spouse, for a better job, for food to
feed his children. He knows that if he is patient, Allah will
answer his prayer, by granting him what he asked for, or by
substituting something better, or by wiping away a sin or storing up
goodness for him in the world to come. He knows that such a bounty
comes only from Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe,
and not from any angel or guru or earthly ruler. This knowledge
brings about a deep contentment and calmness in the face of
adversity.
With a direct line to the Most Merciful, who needs a rabbit's foot,
an icon or a statue? These tokens pale to insignificance, and the
believer can only look upon those superstitious souls who use such
items with wonder and pity.
Who would submit to that and thereby
separate oneself from communion with the Almighty?
darkness and the light. Yet those who reject Faith hold (others) as
equal with Allah (subHanahu wa ta'ala).
"When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them):
I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let
them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That
they may walk in the right way." (2:186)
"Oh mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it
(carefully): Verily those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot
create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the
purpose. And if the fly snatches away a thing from them, they will
have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the
seeker and the sought." (22:73)
In this modern age, as in ages past, people call upon sages, mystics
and saints for help. They grasp a lucky rabbit's foot or other
talisman, investing it with the power to intercede for them to
achieve a desired result. They wear angel pins and four-leaf clovers,
covering their bets with a nod to religion and nature. When some ill
befalls, they damn their luck. When some good comes to them, they
thank their lucky stars or light a candle for a favorite saint. They
give credit to everyone and everything save the One who created them.
Their pleas are unheard by those they invoke, and the One Who is the
All-Hearing, the One who knows their needs better than they
themselves, is rarely called upon.
The believer, however, feels in his heart only revulsion at the idea
of invoking someone besides Allah. He knows that Allah, though
separate from His creation, knows him more intimately than any
created being can:
"It was We who created man and We know what dark suggestions his soul
makes to him: for We are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein."
(50:16)
He takes comfort in this knowledge and also in knowing that Allah
loves for His slaves to invoke him and ask for their needs. He knows
that Allah does not grow weary from granting provision for His
believers, and that all of humankind could not exhaust the patience
of the Infinite.
Five times a day during the compulsory prayers, and at anytime with
informal supplication (dua'), the believer has a direct open channel between
him and Allah. He pours out his soul, praising Allah and
acknowledging His sovereignty, and then asks for what he needs. He
asks for guidance, for a pious spouse, for a better job, for food to
feed his children. He knows that if he is patient, Allah will
answer his prayer, by granting him what he asked for, or by
substituting something better, or by wiping away a sin or storing up
goodness for him in the world to come. He knows that such a bounty
comes only from Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe,
and not from any angel or guru or earthly ruler. This knowledge
brings about a deep contentment and calmness in the face of
adversity.
With a direct line to the Most Merciful, who needs a rabbit's foot,
an icon or a statue? These tokens pale to insignificance, and the
believer can only look upon those superstitious souls who use such
items with wonder and pity.
Who would submit to that and thereby
separate oneself from communion with the Almighty?
Do Not Delay or Get it Over With
Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah
As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu
Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar!
The sound of the adhaan echoed throughout the neighborhood.
"Oh, its Asr already ?!" She absentmindedly thought in her head as she flipped channels with the remote. "I 'll pray as soon as this show is over," she mumbled to herself, as she settled down to watch her favorite TV program. And before she knew it, it was another show and then yet another, when all of a sudden, she realized how late it was.....the light outside had turned yellowish orange.....the birds were chirping loudly.... ...the sun was almost about to set.
She hurriedly got up, made wudu and did 4 quick rakahs of Asr as fast as she could, so that she could ‘get it over with‘.
Subhaan Allaah, how many of us are guilty of something like that ?
Okay, may be its not television for all of us. For some of us, its cooking and cleaning, 'busy' with the kids. And for some its video games and playstations; while for others it's talking on the phone, chatting on the internet, shopping, sleeping, you name it. Or it may be for just no reason at all.
We delay our prayer .... and delay our prayer until the time for it is almost over and then we quickly peck the floor with our heads, thinking we are absolved of the obligation. In other words, we 'just get it over with’.
But, Brothers and sisters, do you realize what the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) called such a prayer? He called it the 'prayer of the hypocrite'!
Anas ibn Maalik said, “I heard the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) say, ‘That is the prayer of the hypocrites, that is the prayer of the hypocrites, that is the prayer of the hypocrites. One of them will sit until the sun turns yellow, and is between the horns of the Shaytaan, or on the horns of the Shaytaan, then he will get up and peck out four (rakahs), in which he does not remember Allaah except a little.’” (Abu Dawood).
And its not just Asr. We tend to do that with all our prayers, delaying it until its time is almost up for no valid reason, except that we are just plain old lazy.
Allaah says that laziness in prayer is a characteristic of the hypocrites.
“And when they stand up for al-salaah, they stand with laziness”
[al-Nisaa 4:142].
“So woe unto those performers of Salaah (hypocrites);those who delay their Salaah” [al-Maoon 107:4-5]
In fact, do you know what the best deed in the sight of Allah is? Its prayer at its time.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) was asked: Which deed is best? He said: “Prayer done on time.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And yet we delay it, without thinking much of it. And obviously when we delay the prayer, we rush through it, not paying attention to the ruku or sujud or the proper etiquettes of prayer.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘The worst type of thief is the one who steals from his prayer.’ He said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, how can a person steal from his prayer?’ He said, ‘By not doing rukoo and sujood properly.’” (Ahmad and al-Haakim).
And he (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘The one who does not do rukoo properly, and pecks in sujood, is like a starving man who eats only one or two dates; it does not do him any good at all.’” (al-Tabaraani).
Subhaan Allaah ! And where are we with our Salaah ?
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) used to move at a measured pace during salaah, allowing every bone to return to its place with each movement. And he commanded those who were not doing their prayer properly to do the same.
Remember the hadeeth about the person who rushed through his prayer? The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) told him three times: “Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.” Then he told the man: “When you go to pray, say takbeer, then recite whatever you can of the Quraan. Then bow until you are at ease in bowing, then rise until you are standing up straight. Then prostrate until you are at ease in prostration, then sit up until you are at ease in sitting. Then do that throughout the entire prayer.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
Obviously if we wait till the last few moments to pray, we will not be at ease or be able to pay attention to what the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) has instructed to do.
Obviously, we will end up 'stealing' from the prayer.
And you know what, we may just rush through the Salaah, 'getting it over with', as some of us like to say, but who knows how much of it was even accepted by Allaah? For the reward that one gets for Salaah is in proportion to the degree of khushoo he has in the prayer.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: “A slave may pray and have nothing recorded for it except a tenth of it, or a ninth, or an eighth, or a seventh, or a sixth, or a fifth, or a quarter, or a third, or a half.” ( Ahmad).
We, as Muslim must hasten to prayer and with khushoo, if we want to increase our Imaan and good deeds. This is one of the attributes of the believers whose hearts are attached to their prayers. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) would be attending to his familys needs, then when he would hear Bilaal give the adhaan, he would stop whatever he was doing and rush to pray.
He (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) used to say, “Let us relax with it [the prayer], O Bilaal."
He did not say, ‘Let us get it over with.’
And he (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Five prayers which Allaah has made obligatory. Whoever does wudoo properly for them, prays them on time, does rukoo properly and has perfect khushoo, it is a promise from Allaah that he will be forgiven, but whoever does not do this, has no such promise – if Allaah wishes, He will forgive him, and if He wishes, He will punish him.” (Abu Dawood, Saheeh al-Jaami).
Those of us who are lazy and do not pray until the time is up for no valid reason...those of us who just want to ‘get it over with, should remember what our deeds will say to us when we are in our grave: "for the believer’s deeds will say to him in his grave: “By Allaah, I only saw you quick to obey Allaah and slow to disobey Him.” But in the case of the munaafiq (hypocrite) and faasiq (evildoer), his deeds will say: “By Allaah, I only saw you slow to obey Allaah and quick to disobey Him.” ( Ahmad)
As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu
Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar!
The sound of the adhaan echoed throughout the neighborhood.
"Oh, its Asr already ?!" She absentmindedly thought in her head as she flipped channels with the remote. "I 'll pray as soon as this show is over," she mumbled to herself, as she settled down to watch her favorite TV program. And before she knew it, it was another show and then yet another, when all of a sudden, she realized how late it was.....the light outside had turned yellowish orange.....the birds were chirping loudly.... ...the sun was almost about to set.
She hurriedly got up, made wudu and did 4 quick rakahs of Asr as fast as she could, so that she could ‘get it over with‘.
Subhaan Allaah, how many of us are guilty of something like that ?
Okay, may be its not television for all of us. For some of us, its cooking and cleaning, 'busy' with the kids. And for some its video games and playstations; while for others it's talking on the phone, chatting on the internet, shopping, sleeping, you name it. Or it may be for just no reason at all.
We delay our prayer .... and delay our prayer until the time for it is almost over and then we quickly peck the floor with our heads, thinking we are absolved of the obligation. In other words, we 'just get it over with’.
But, Brothers and sisters, do you realize what the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) called such a prayer? He called it the 'prayer of the hypocrite'!
Anas ibn Maalik said, “I heard the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) say, ‘That is the prayer of the hypocrites, that is the prayer of the hypocrites, that is the prayer of the hypocrites. One of them will sit until the sun turns yellow, and is between the horns of the Shaytaan, or on the horns of the Shaytaan, then he will get up and peck out four (rakahs), in which he does not remember Allaah except a little.’” (Abu Dawood).
And its not just Asr. We tend to do that with all our prayers, delaying it until its time is almost up for no valid reason, except that we are just plain old lazy.
Allaah says that laziness in prayer is a characteristic of the hypocrites.
“And when they stand up for al-salaah, they stand with laziness”
[al-Nisaa 4:142].
“So woe unto those performers of Salaah (hypocrites);those who delay their Salaah” [al-Maoon 107:4-5]
In fact, do you know what the best deed in the sight of Allah is? Its prayer at its time.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) was asked: Which deed is best? He said: “Prayer done on time.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And yet we delay it, without thinking much of it. And obviously when we delay the prayer, we rush through it, not paying attention to the ruku or sujud or the proper etiquettes of prayer.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘The worst type of thief is the one who steals from his prayer.’ He said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, how can a person steal from his prayer?’ He said, ‘By not doing rukoo and sujood properly.’” (Ahmad and al-Haakim).
And he (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘The one who does not do rukoo properly, and pecks in sujood, is like a starving man who eats only one or two dates; it does not do him any good at all.’” (al-Tabaraani).
Subhaan Allaah ! And where are we with our Salaah ?
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) used to move at a measured pace during salaah, allowing every bone to return to its place with each movement. And he commanded those who were not doing their prayer properly to do the same.
Remember the hadeeth about the person who rushed through his prayer? The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) told him three times: “Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.” Then he told the man: “When you go to pray, say takbeer, then recite whatever you can of the Quraan. Then bow until you are at ease in bowing, then rise until you are standing up straight. Then prostrate until you are at ease in prostration, then sit up until you are at ease in sitting. Then do that throughout the entire prayer.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
Obviously if we wait till the last few moments to pray, we will not be at ease or be able to pay attention to what the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) has instructed to do.
Obviously, we will end up 'stealing' from the prayer.
And you know what, we may just rush through the Salaah, 'getting it over with', as some of us like to say, but who knows how much of it was even accepted by Allaah? For the reward that one gets for Salaah is in proportion to the degree of khushoo he has in the prayer.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: “A slave may pray and have nothing recorded for it except a tenth of it, or a ninth, or an eighth, or a seventh, or a sixth, or a fifth, or a quarter, or a third, or a half.” ( Ahmad).
We, as Muslim must hasten to prayer and with khushoo, if we want to increase our Imaan and good deeds. This is one of the attributes of the believers whose hearts are attached to their prayers. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) would be attending to his familys needs, then when he would hear Bilaal give the adhaan, he would stop whatever he was doing and rush to pray.
He (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) used to say, “Let us relax with it [the prayer], O Bilaal."
He did not say, ‘Let us get it over with.’
And he (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Five prayers which Allaah has made obligatory. Whoever does wudoo properly for them, prays them on time, does rukoo properly and has perfect khushoo, it is a promise from Allaah that he will be forgiven, but whoever does not do this, has no such promise – if Allaah wishes, He will forgive him, and if He wishes, He will punish him.” (Abu Dawood, Saheeh al-Jaami).
Those of us who are lazy and do not pray until the time is up for no valid reason...those of us who just want to ‘get it over with, should remember what our deeds will say to us when we are in our grave: "for the believer’s deeds will say to him in his grave: “By Allaah, I only saw you quick to obey Allaah and slow to disobey Him.” But in the case of the munaafiq (hypocrite) and faasiq (evildoer), his deeds will say: “By Allaah, I only saw you slow to obey Allaah and quick to disobey Him.” ( Ahmad)
The Etiquette of Joking
A Muslim is naturally expected to be serious, as he was not created for the purpose of joking and amusement. When joking diverts a person from the purpose of their creation, which is to worship Allah, it becomes dispraised. Another reason to make joking dispraised is when it is excessive and makes a person laugh too much which in turn leads to the heart becoming hardened;
The Prophet (s) said: “Do not laugh too much because excessive laughter kills your heart.” (Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah & Ahmad).
Waheeb Ibn al-Ward looked at some people as they where laughing on the day of ‘Eid al-Fitr and remarked: “If Allah has forgiven these people, then these are not the actions of grateful people; If they were not forgiven, then these are not the actions of those who are fearful.”
A Muslim requires his heart to be alive and tender; a heart which heedlessness cannot find its way into, to be able to strongly execute his struggle against Satan. Excessive joking will lead his heart to such heedlessness. Satan pledged to distract man and misguide him, as Allah says that which translates as: “Iblees [Satan] said [To Allah]: By Your might, I will surely mislead them all. Except, among them, Your chosen servants.” (Saad: 82-83).
Moreover, we must know that heedlessness is a characteristic of the disbelievers. Allah says that which translates as: “Then woe, that Day, to the deniers. Who are in [empty] discourse amusing themselves.” (At-Toor: 11-12).
“So leave them to converse vainly and amuse themselves until they meet their Day which they are promised.” (Az-Zukhruf: 83).
“Then leave them in their [empty] discourse, amusing themselves.” (Al-An’aam: 91),
Then, on the Day of Judgment, the disbelievers will be asked that which translates as: “What put you into Saqar [i.e., Hellfire].” (Al-Muddaththir: 42), they will reply with that which translates as: “...We used to enter into vain discourse with those who engaged [in it].” (Al-Muddaththir: 45)
Our righteous predecessors seriously warned against this type heedlessness, Abu Ya’laa used to say: “Are you laughing while your funeral-shroud may be being prepared?”
Muhammad Ibn Waasi’ asked some people: “If you saw a man in Paradise crying, would you be surprised?” they replied ‘Yes’, he said: “The one who laughs in this life, not knowing what his consequence is in the next one, is more surprising than that.”
Excessive joking makes one lose their dignity and even the foolish people around the one joking will eventually despise them.
‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “He who jokes, people will despise him.”
Muhammad Ibn Al-Munkadir said: “My mother once told me: son, don’t joke with children for that will make you lose your dignity.”
Sa’eed Ibn al-’Aas said: “Don’t joke with a noble man because he will hate you, or an inferior man because he will humiliate you.”
Husayn Ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmaan said: “We were told that joking removes one’s dignity and breaks friendships.”
In addition, joking could cause hatred to enter the hearts, as ‘Umar Ibn ‘Abdul Azeez, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Fear Allah and don’t joke because it causes hatred and would make an inferior person despise you. Instead, talk about Qur’anic verses and discuss them, if this is difficult, then at least carry out a decent manly conversation”.
Khaalid Ibn Safwaan said: “People used to say, everything has its seed, and the seed of enmity is joking.”
Joking becomes prohibited and not only dispraised when it involves Islamically unlawful behaviour such as:
*Scaring Muslims:
Some of the Prophet’s companions, were once on a trip with the Prophet (s) and one of them was sleeping. A group of the companions took some of the sleeping one’s arrows, which he kept for self-defence, and hid them. When he woke up, he was frightened, due to losing them, so they started laughing. Thereupon, the Prophet (s) asked them: “What makes you laugh?” they replied: “Nothing, its just that we took this man’s arrows and that scared him.” Thereupon, the Prophet (s) said: “It is not lawful for a Muslim to scare his fellow Muslim.”
(Ahmad & Abu Daawood).
He (s) also said: “Don’t take your brother’s stick, whether jokingly or seriously. If one of you finds his brother’s stick, then let him return it to him”
(Ahmad & Abu Daawood).
*Lying while joking:
The Prophet (s) said: “Woe to the one who tells lies to make people laugh, woe to him, woe to him” (Tirmidhi, Abu Daawood & Daarimi).
He (s) also said: “A slave would utter a word meaning no harm except wanting to make people laugh, and it would cause him to go down in Hell as far as the distance between the Heavens and the earth.”
(Ahmad)
Abu Hurairah (r) with him, narrated that people said to the Prophet (s) : “You joke with us.” He (s) replied: “I do but I only say that which is true” (Tirmidhi & Ahmad).
Abu Umaamah (r) with him, narrated that the Prophet (s) said: “I guarantee an abode within the boundary of Paradise for the one who refrains from arguing even if he was correct; and an abode in the middle of Paradise for the one who abandons lying even in jest; and an abode in the sublime part of Paradise for the one whose manners are honourable.” (Abu Daawood).
*Joking that may cause harm to others:
Abu Hurairah (r) with him, narrated that the Prophet (s) said: “None of you should point his weapon at his brother, as Satan may provoke him (to hurt his brother) and as a result, he would fall into a pit of Fire.” (Bukhari).
In another narration, he (s) said: “He who (even) points at his brother with a piece of iron is cursed by the angels until he puts it down, even if the other was his blood brother.” (Muslim).
*Joking which includes transgressing the limits of Allah:
Joking could exceed the limits to reach to a point of committing major and heinous sins, like mocking Qur’anic verses, the Prophet (s), Islamic rules or Muslim scholars – just like the hypocrites did on the day of the battle of Tabook when they mocked the Prophet (s) and his companions; due to this Allah revealed the verses which translate as:
“And if you ask them, they will surely say: ‘We were only conversing and playing.’ Say, ‘Is it Allah and His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking?’ Make no excuse; you have disbelieved [i.e., rejected faith] after your belief.” (At-Tawbah: 65-66).
Allah warned us from even sitting with such people as He said that which translates as: “And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people.” (Al-An’aam: 86).
He also says that which translates as: “And it has already come down to you in the Book [i.e., the Qur’an] that when you hear the verses of Allah [recited], they are denied [by them] and ridiculed; so do not sit with them until they enter into another conversation. Indeed, you would then be like them. Indeed, Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers in Hell all together.” (An-Nisaa’:140).
The Prophet (s) used to joke, and there are many examples for this, so this certainly indicates that joking is lawful, provided it does not contain any of the prohibitions mentioned.
Jaabir (r) said: “Whenever the Prophet (s) would receive revelation or preach to us, I would think to myself, due to his appearance: ‘he is warning people against a punishment that will definitely befall them’. But, when that was finished, you would see that he had the happiest and most cheerful face, which was his nature.” (Al-Bazzaar).
The Prophet’s joking was not merely for entertainment, but would include teachings and instructions for his companions. The Prophet (s)would joke at different times for different reasons:
For the purpose of endearment, there are many stories that illustrate this point:
* Once, the Prophet (s) went to visit Suhayb (r) when he was sick with an eye ailment. When he entered Suhayb (r) was eating dates, so the Prophet (s) said to him, jokingly: “Are you eating dates while you have a sore eye!” he replied: ‘I’m using the other eye to see.’ Thereupon, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam smiled.” (Ibn Maajah).
Anas (r) narrated that a man came to the Prophet {s) and said: “Give me an animal to ride on” the Prophet (s)replied: “I will give you the son of a female camel” the man said with astonishment: “What could I do with the son of a female camel?” (i.e., thinking that he would be given a camel too small to ride). Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (s) replied: “What do female camels deliver except camels?” (i.e., that every camel, even if it is fully grown, is the product of a female camel). (Abu Daawood & Tirmidhi).
Awf Ibn Maalik (r) said, “I went to the Prophet (s)during the battle of Tabook while he was in a leather Qubbah (a small tent-like structure used for sitting in before war). I greeted him with Salaam and he (s) responded and said: “Come inside” I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, all of me?’ he (s) replied: “All of you” so I entered” (Ahmad & Abu Daawood).
‘Uthmaan Ibn Abi Al-’Ataakah commented that ‘Awf Ibn Maalik asked this question because the Qubbah was very small’.
Ka’b Ibn Murrah (r) said: “I heard the Prophet (s) saying, “Shoot at the enemy; Allah will elevate he who shoots and his arrow reaches the enemy, by raising him by one step in Paradise” Ibn An-Namaam (r) asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is this step?’ he (s)replied with humour: “It is definitely not like your mothers doorstep; Indeed the distance between two steps in Paradise is one hundred years”” (An-Nasaa’i & Ahmad).
Anas (r) narrated: “There was a Bedouin named Zaahir whom the Prophet (s) loved and he was ugly. One day the Prophet (s) approached him from behind as he was selling some merchandise and hugged him and teased him saying: “Who would buy this slave (i.e., Zaahir)” Zaahir replied: ‘You would not get much for someone like me’ the Prophet (s) said: “But you are precious in the sight of Allah.” (Ahmad).
*The Prophet (s) would also comfort his companions and cheer them up, as Anas (r) narrated: “The Prophet (s)once saw my young brother extremely upset, so he (s) asked: “Why do I see Abu ‘Umayr (a fond nickname that he gave him) so sad?” the people replied ‘His bird has died.’ So he (s) said comfortingly: “O Abu ‘Umayr what happened to your bird?”” (Ahmad).
The Prophet (s) said: “Do not laugh too much because excessive laughter kills your heart.” (Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah & Ahmad).
Waheeb Ibn al-Ward looked at some people as they where laughing on the day of ‘Eid al-Fitr and remarked: “If Allah has forgiven these people, then these are not the actions of grateful people; If they were not forgiven, then these are not the actions of those who are fearful.”
A Muslim requires his heart to be alive and tender; a heart which heedlessness cannot find its way into, to be able to strongly execute his struggle against Satan. Excessive joking will lead his heart to such heedlessness. Satan pledged to distract man and misguide him, as Allah says that which translates as: “Iblees [Satan] said [To Allah]: By Your might, I will surely mislead them all. Except, among them, Your chosen servants.” (Saad: 82-83).
Moreover, we must know that heedlessness is a characteristic of the disbelievers. Allah says that which translates as: “Then woe, that Day, to the deniers. Who are in [empty] discourse amusing themselves.” (At-Toor: 11-12).
“So leave them to converse vainly and amuse themselves until they meet their Day which they are promised.” (Az-Zukhruf: 83).
“Then leave them in their [empty] discourse, amusing themselves.” (Al-An’aam: 91),
Then, on the Day of Judgment, the disbelievers will be asked that which translates as: “What put you into Saqar [i.e., Hellfire].” (Al-Muddaththir: 42), they will reply with that which translates as: “...We used to enter into vain discourse with those who engaged [in it].” (Al-Muddaththir: 45)
Our righteous predecessors seriously warned against this type heedlessness, Abu Ya’laa used to say: “Are you laughing while your funeral-shroud may be being prepared?”
Muhammad Ibn Waasi’ asked some people: “If you saw a man in Paradise crying, would you be surprised?” they replied ‘Yes’, he said: “The one who laughs in this life, not knowing what his consequence is in the next one, is more surprising than that.”
Excessive joking makes one lose their dignity and even the foolish people around the one joking will eventually despise them.
‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “He who jokes, people will despise him.”
Muhammad Ibn Al-Munkadir said: “My mother once told me: son, don’t joke with children for that will make you lose your dignity.”
Sa’eed Ibn al-’Aas said: “Don’t joke with a noble man because he will hate you, or an inferior man because he will humiliate you.”
Husayn Ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmaan said: “We were told that joking removes one’s dignity and breaks friendships.”
In addition, joking could cause hatred to enter the hearts, as ‘Umar Ibn ‘Abdul Azeez, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Fear Allah and don’t joke because it causes hatred and would make an inferior person despise you. Instead, talk about Qur’anic verses and discuss them, if this is difficult, then at least carry out a decent manly conversation”.
Khaalid Ibn Safwaan said: “People used to say, everything has its seed, and the seed of enmity is joking.”
Joking becomes prohibited and not only dispraised when it involves Islamically unlawful behaviour such as:
*Scaring Muslims:
Some of the Prophet’s companions, were once on a trip with the Prophet (s) and one of them was sleeping. A group of the companions took some of the sleeping one’s arrows, which he kept for self-defence, and hid them. When he woke up, he was frightened, due to losing them, so they started laughing. Thereupon, the Prophet (s) asked them: “What makes you laugh?” they replied: “Nothing, its just that we took this man’s arrows and that scared him.” Thereupon, the Prophet (s) said: “It is not lawful for a Muslim to scare his fellow Muslim.”
(Ahmad & Abu Daawood).
He (s) also said: “Don’t take your brother’s stick, whether jokingly or seriously. If one of you finds his brother’s stick, then let him return it to him”
(Ahmad & Abu Daawood).
*Lying while joking:
The Prophet (s) said: “Woe to the one who tells lies to make people laugh, woe to him, woe to him” (Tirmidhi, Abu Daawood & Daarimi).
He (s) also said: “A slave would utter a word meaning no harm except wanting to make people laugh, and it would cause him to go down in Hell as far as the distance between the Heavens and the earth.”
(Ahmad)
Abu Hurairah (r) with him, narrated that people said to the Prophet (s) : “You joke with us.” He (s) replied: “I do but I only say that which is true” (Tirmidhi & Ahmad).
Abu Umaamah (r) with him, narrated that the Prophet (s) said: “I guarantee an abode within the boundary of Paradise for the one who refrains from arguing even if he was correct; and an abode in the middle of Paradise for the one who abandons lying even in jest; and an abode in the sublime part of Paradise for the one whose manners are honourable.” (Abu Daawood).
*Joking that may cause harm to others:
Abu Hurairah (r) with him, narrated that the Prophet (s) said: “None of you should point his weapon at his brother, as Satan may provoke him (to hurt his brother) and as a result, he would fall into a pit of Fire.” (Bukhari).
In another narration, he (s) said: “He who (even) points at his brother with a piece of iron is cursed by the angels until he puts it down, even if the other was his blood brother.” (Muslim).
*Joking which includes transgressing the limits of Allah:
Joking could exceed the limits to reach to a point of committing major and heinous sins, like mocking Qur’anic verses, the Prophet (s), Islamic rules or Muslim scholars – just like the hypocrites did on the day of the battle of Tabook when they mocked the Prophet (s) and his companions; due to this Allah revealed the verses which translate as:
“And if you ask them, they will surely say: ‘We were only conversing and playing.’ Say, ‘Is it Allah and His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking?’ Make no excuse; you have disbelieved [i.e., rejected faith] after your belief.” (At-Tawbah: 65-66).
Allah warned us from even sitting with such people as He said that which translates as: “And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people.” (Al-An’aam: 86).
He also says that which translates as: “And it has already come down to you in the Book [i.e., the Qur’an] that when you hear the verses of Allah [recited], they are denied [by them] and ridiculed; so do not sit with them until they enter into another conversation. Indeed, you would then be like them. Indeed, Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers in Hell all together.” (An-Nisaa’:140).
The Prophet (s) used to joke, and there are many examples for this, so this certainly indicates that joking is lawful, provided it does not contain any of the prohibitions mentioned.
Jaabir (r) said: “Whenever the Prophet (s) would receive revelation or preach to us, I would think to myself, due to his appearance: ‘he is warning people against a punishment that will definitely befall them’. But, when that was finished, you would see that he had the happiest and most cheerful face, which was his nature.” (Al-Bazzaar).
The Prophet’s joking was not merely for entertainment, but would include teachings and instructions for his companions. The Prophet (s)would joke at different times for different reasons:
For the purpose of endearment, there are many stories that illustrate this point:
* Once, the Prophet (s) went to visit Suhayb (r) when he was sick with an eye ailment. When he entered Suhayb (r) was eating dates, so the Prophet (s) said to him, jokingly: “Are you eating dates while you have a sore eye!” he replied: ‘I’m using the other eye to see.’ Thereupon, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam smiled.” (Ibn Maajah).
Anas (r) narrated that a man came to the Prophet {s) and said: “Give me an animal to ride on” the Prophet (s)replied: “I will give you the son of a female camel” the man said with astonishment: “What could I do with the son of a female camel?” (i.e., thinking that he would be given a camel too small to ride). Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (s) replied: “What do female camels deliver except camels?” (i.e., that every camel, even if it is fully grown, is the product of a female camel). (Abu Daawood & Tirmidhi).
Awf Ibn Maalik (r) said, “I went to the Prophet (s)during the battle of Tabook while he was in a leather Qubbah (a small tent-like structure used for sitting in before war). I greeted him with Salaam and he (s) responded and said: “Come inside” I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, all of me?’ he (s) replied: “All of you” so I entered” (Ahmad & Abu Daawood).
‘Uthmaan Ibn Abi Al-’Ataakah commented that ‘Awf Ibn Maalik asked this question because the Qubbah was very small’.
Ka’b Ibn Murrah (r) said: “I heard the Prophet (s) saying, “Shoot at the enemy; Allah will elevate he who shoots and his arrow reaches the enemy, by raising him by one step in Paradise” Ibn An-Namaam (r) asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is this step?’ he (s)replied with humour: “It is definitely not like your mothers doorstep; Indeed the distance between two steps in Paradise is one hundred years”” (An-Nasaa’i & Ahmad).
Anas (r) narrated: “There was a Bedouin named Zaahir whom the Prophet (s) loved and he was ugly. One day the Prophet (s) approached him from behind as he was selling some merchandise and hugged him and teased him saying: “Who would buy this slave (i.e., Zaahir)” Zaahir replied: ‘You would not get much for someone like me’ the Prophet (s) said: “But you are precious in the sight of Allah.” (Ahmad).
*The Prophet (s) would also comfort his companions and cheer them up, as Anas (r) narrated: “The Prophet (s)once saw my young brother extremely upset, so he (s) asked: “Why do I see Abu ‘Umayr (a fond nickname that he gave him) so sad?” the people replied ‘His bird has died.’ So he (s) said comfortingly: “O Abu ‘Umayr what happened to your bird?”” (Ahmad).
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Mawlid al-Nabi (the Prophets birthday)
There is nothing in the Quraan to say that we should celebrate the Mawlid or birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The Prophet himself (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not do this or command anyone to do it, either during his lifetime or after his death. Indeed, he told them not to exaggerate about him as the Christians had exaggerated about Jesus (upon whom be peace).
He said: “Do not exaggerate about me as the Christians exaggerated about the son of Maryam. I am only a slave, so say, ‘The slave of Allaah and His Messenger.’” (Reported by al-Bukhaari).
What has been reported is that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made the day of his birth a day of worship, which is different to celebration.
He was asked about fasting on Mondays, and he said: “That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I was entrusted with the Mission or when I was first given Revelation.” (Reported by Muslim, al-Nisaa’i and Abu Dawood).
Moreover, we know that the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) were the people who loved the Prophet most. Was it reported that Abu Bakr, who was the closest of people to him and the one who loved him the most, celebrated the birthday of the Prophet (pbuh) (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? Was it reported that Umar, who ruled for twelve years, or Uthmaan, did this? Was it reported that Ali, his relative and foster son, did this? Was it reported that any of the Sahaabah did this? No, by Allaah! Is it because they were not aware of its importance, or did they not truly love the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? No one would say such a thing except one who has gone astray and is leading others astray.
Did any of the imaams – Abu Haneefah, Maalik, al-Shaafi, Ahmad, al-Hasan al-Basri, Ibn Seereen – do this or command others to do it or say that it was good? By Allaah, no! It was not even mentioned during the first and best three centuries.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said in a saheeh hadeeth: “The best of mankind are my generation (or my century), then those who come after them, then those who come after them. Then there will come a people who will not care if their testimony comes before their oath or vice versa (i.e., they will not take such matter seriously).” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, Muslim and al-Tirmidhi).
The celebration of the Prophet birthday appeared many centuries later, when many of the features of true religion had vanished and bid’ah had become widespread.
Thus this celebration became a sign of one’s love for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? But can it be possible that the Sahaabah, the imaams and the people of the best three centuries were unaware of it, and it was only those who came later who were aware of its importance?! What the Quraan tells us is that love of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is demonstrated by following the guidance he brought. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Say (O Muhammad): ‘If you (really) love Allaah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Say: ‘Obey Allaah and the Messenger.’ But if they turn away, then Allaah does not like the disbelievers.” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:31-32]
The first aayah explains that love is just a claim, but the proof of sincerity is following what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) brought.
The second aayah reaffirms the importance and necessity of obeying Allaah and His Messenger.
Hence Allaah ended the aayah with a very stern warning in which those who refuse to obey are described as kaafirs, and Allah does not love the disbelievers. We ask Allaah to keep us safe from that. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us of the danger of not obeying him, and the danger of adding to what he brought.
The celebration of Mawlid or his birthday is indeed an addition to what he brought – as all the scholars agree. He said: “The best of speech is the Book of Allaah, and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The most evil of things are those which are newly-invented (in religion), and every innovation is a going astray.” (Reported by Muslim and al-Nisaa’i).
There is nothing in the Quraan to say that we should celebrate the Mawlid or birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The Prophet himself (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not do this or command anyone to do it, either during his lifetime or after his death. Indeed, he told them not to exaggerate about him as the Christians had exaggerated about Jesus (upon whom be peace).
He said: “Do not exaggerate about me as the Christians exaggerated about the son of Maryam. I am only a slave, so say, ‘The slave of Allaah and His Messenger.’” (Reported by al-Bukhaari).
What has been reported is that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made the day of his birth a day of worship, which is different to celebration.
He was asked about fasting on Mondays, and he said: “That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I was entrusted with the Mission or when I was first given Revelation.” (Reported by Muslim, al-Nisaa’i and Abu Dawood).
Moreover, we know that the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) were the people who loved the Prophet most. Was it reported that Abu Bakr, who was the closest of people to him and the one who loved him the most, celebrated the birthday of the Prophet (pbuh) (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? Was it reported that Umar, who ruled for twelve years, or Uthmaan, did this? Was it reported that Ali, his relative and foster son, did this? Was it reported that any of the Sahaabah did this? No, by Allaah! Is it because they were not aware of its importance, or did they not truly love the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? No one would say such a thing except one who has gone astray and is leading others astray.
Did any of the imaams – Abu Haneefah, Maalik, al-Shaafi, Ahmad, al-Hasan al-Basri, Ibn Seereen – do this or command others to do it or say that it was good? By Allaah, no! It was not even mentioned during the first and best three centuries.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said in a saheeh hadeeth: “The best of mankind are my generation (or my century), then those who come after them, then those who come after them. Then there will come a people who will not care if their testimony comes before their oath or vice versa (i.e., they will not take such matter seriously).” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, Muslim and al-Tirmidhi).
The celebration of the Prophet birthday appeared many centuries later, when many of the features of true religion had vanished and bid’ah had become widespread.
Thus this celebration became a sign of one’s love for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? But can it be possible that the Sahaabah, the imaams and the people of the best three centuries were unaware of it, and it was only those who came later who were aware of its importance?! What the Quraan tells us is that love of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is demonstrated by following the guidance he brought. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Say (O Muhammad): ‘If you (really) love Allaah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Say: ‘Obey Allaah and the Messenger.’ But if they turn away, then Allaah does not like the disbelievers.” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:31-32]
The first aayah explains that love is just a claim, but the proof of sincerity is following what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) brought.
The second aayah reaffirms the importance and necessity of obeying Allaah and His Messenger.
Hence Allaah ended the aayah with a very stern warning in which those who refuse to obey are described as kaafirs, and Allah does not love the disbelievers. We ask Allaah to keep us safe from that. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us of the danger of not obeying him, and the danger of adding to what he brought.
The celebration of Mawlid or his birthday is indeed an addition to what he brought – as all the scholars agree. He said: “The best of speech is the Book of Allaah, and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The most evil of things are those which are newly-invented (in religion), and every innovation is a going astray.” (Reported by Muslim and al-Nisaa’i).
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