Building Mosques Over Graves
It is not permissible for graves to be left in mosques, whether that is the grave of a wali (“saint”) or of anyone else, because the Messenger (PBUH) forbade that and warned against that, and he cursed the Jews and Christians for doing that. It was narrated that he (PBUH) said: “May Allah curse the Jews and the Christians, for they took the graves of their Prophets as places of worship.” [Bukhaari, 1330, Muslim, 529]
He (PBUH) also said: “When a righteous man died among them, they would build a place of worship over his grave and put those images in it. They are the most evil of mankind before Allaah.” (Al-Bukhaari, 427; Muslim, 528)
He(PBUH) said: “Those who came before you took the graves of their Prophets and righteous people as places of worship. Do not take graves as places of worship – I forbid you to do that.” (Narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh, 532, from Jundab ibn ‘Abd-Allaah al-Bajali).
So the Prophet (PBUH) forbade taking graves as places of worship and he cursed those who do that, stating that they are the most evil of mankind. So we must beware of that. It is known that everyone who prays at a grave (Dargah) is taking it as a place of worship, and whoever builds a mosque over a grave (Dargah) has taken it as a place of worship. So we must keep graves far away from the mosques and not put graves inside mosques, in obedience to the command of the Prophet (PBUH) and so as to avoid the curse issued by our Lord against those who build places of worship over graves, because when a person prays in a mosque in which there is a grave, the Shaytaan tempt them to call upon the deceased or to seek his help, or to pray to him or prostrate to him, thus committing major shirk (polytheism) and going out of fold of Islam.
[islamqa.com]
History of the Sunnah: At the time of Prophet
Muslims were, early on, aware of the significance of the Sunnah and its authority. They, one generation after the other, were keen to preserve theSunnah because they saw that as a part of the preserving of the last revelations man is ever to receive. Their efforts were unabated, and the remarkable job they did is unparalleled in the experience of any other religion or civilization.
At the time of the Prophet:
One of the main reasons behind this is the fact that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam clearly taught the Companions the importance of his Sunnah, its place in Islam and their role in saving it, teaching and conveying it to others around them and to those who would come after them. In so doing, he sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam followed an effective methodology, which will be briefly outlined below:
1. He emphasised the importance of seeking knowledge and teaching it to others. He said: “Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim (male and female).” [Ibn Maajah]
Also, he said: “Whosoever pursues a path to seek knowledge therein, Allah will thereby make easy for him a path toParadise . No people gather together in one of the houses of Allah (mosques), reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, without tranquility descending upon them, mercy enveloping them and angels surrounding them, and Allah making mention of them to those (angels) who are with Him.” [Muslim]
2. He always had a centre for teaching. Most of the time, it was the mosque.
3. He was soft in his dealings and always facilitated things and made them easy for others. He was merciful and humble and made himself readily available.
4. He never pushed people into anything. Instead, he gradually taught them and led them to change. He always motivated them to follow his example and be their best.
5. He would not continuously teach or work with them, but he would give them enough breaks to avoid overstressing or boring them.
6. He spoke plainly and clearly and he talked to people at their level of understanding and intellectual ability. Whenever appropriate, he spoke to people in their own dialect for the Arabs had different dialects.
7. He used the method of repetition. He would repeat whatever he wanted to stress for three times to insure that all heard him properly and clearly understood what he was saying.
8. When questioned, he would give more than what is expected as an answer and use the occasion to further clarify things for all, and teach about other things.
9. Whenever the Prophet had to choose between two ways, he chose the easier way, which had facility and mercy if there was nothing forbidden in that, and he kept away from the difficult and harsh ways.
10. He attached special attention to teaching the women and provided them special times for questions. He encouraged them to ask and learn.
11. He used to do his best in everything, and he perfected whatever he did, thus setting an example for others.
The era of the Companions and their Followers
The Companions did their utmost to convey Islam to the generations succeeding them in the best and most accurate way possible. They sincerely loved it, honestly lived according to it and faithfully preserved it and kept any impurity or irregularity out of it.
Their role in the preservation of Islam was one of utmost importance to its continuation, but they were highly prepared for it by the best teacher and trainer, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Thus the studying of this era, especially with respect to the history and authority of the Sunnah, is necessary to all Students of Knowledge.
For detailed reading there are many books on Hadiths and Sunnah:
Methodology of the Companions in Preserving the Sunnah
Before discussing the Companions’ ways of learning, practising, preserving and conveying of the Sunnah, it is worthwhile to shed some light on the main points one needs to understand about the Companions and their methodology:
1. The Companions were fully aware of the responsibility they shoulder after the death of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam.
2. The Companions are all trustworthy. They never doubted one another in the matters of this religion and the narration of Hadith.
3. The Companions have developed a methodology for scrutinising Hadiths and narrators, and by doing that have established the rules of ascertaining narrations for those who came after them.
4. The ability of different Companions to understand the Sunnah, memorise it and convey it varied from one Companion to another.
5. The Companions left Makkah and Madinah to many places around the Muslim world, at the time, for the purpose of delivering the message and teaching Islam to those who accepted it thus spreading the Sunnah throughout the land.
It is interesting to note that about 750 Companions narrated Hadiths, seven of whom narrated a high number of Hadiths, and about 20 narrated an average number, the rest narrated a small number.
The seven who narrated a large number of Hadiths are: Abu Hurairah who narrated 5,374 Hadiths, ‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Umar narrated 2,630, Anas Ibn Maalik narrated 2,286, ‘Aa’ishah narrated 2,210, ‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Abbaas narrated 1,660, Jaabir Ibn ‘Abdullaah narrated 1,540, and Abu Sa’eed AI-Khudri narrated 1,100 Hadiths. They understood their role and were aware of the significance of their ability in narrating the Hadiths and did their best to deliver them diligently and accurately. Muslims of all times are indebted to them.
courtesy: www.islamweb.net
At the time of the Prophet:
One of the main reasons behind this is the fact that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam clearly taught the Companions the importance of his Sunnah, its place in Islam and their role in saving it, teaching and conveying it to others around them and to those who would come after them. In so doing, he sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam followed an effective methodology, which will be briefly outlined below:
1. He emphasised the importance of seeking knowledge and teaching it to others. He said: “Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim (male and female).” [Ibn Maajah]
Also, he said: “Whosoever pursues a path to seek knowledge therein, Allah will thereby make easy for him a path to
2. He always had a centre for teaching. Most of the time, it was the mosque.
3. He was soft in his dealings and always facilitated things and made them easy for others. He was merciful and humble and made himself readily available.
4. He never pushed people into anything. Instead, he gradually taught them and led them to change. He always motivated them to follow his example and be their best.
5. He would not continuously teach or work with them, but he would give them enough breaks to avoid overstressing or boring them.
6. He spoke plainly and clearly and he talked to people at their level of understanding and intellectual ability. Whenever appropriate, he spoke to people in their own dialect for the Arabs had different dialects.
7. He used the method of repetition. He would repeat whatever he wanted to stress for three times to insure that all heard him properly and clearly understood what he was saying.
8. When questioned, he would give more than what is expected as an answer and use the occasion to further clarify things for all, and teach about other things.
9. Whenever the Prophet had to choose between two ways, he chose the easier way, which had facility and mercy if there was nothing forbidden in that, and he kept away from the difficult and harsh ways.
10. He attached special attention to teaching the women and provided them special times for questions. He encouraged them to ask and learn.
11. He used to do his best in everything, and he perfected whatever he did, thus setting an example for others.
The era of the Companions and their Followers
The Companions did their utmost to convey Islam to the generations succeeding them in the best and most accurate way possible. They sincerely loved it, honestly lived according to it and faithfully preserved it and kept any impurity or irregularity out of it.
Their role in the preservation of Islam was one of utmost importance to its continuation, but they were highly prepared for it by the best teacher and trainer, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Thus the studying of this era, especially with respect to the history and authority of the Sunnah, is necessary to all Students of Knowledge.
For detailed reading there are many books on Hadiths and Sunnah:
Methodology of the Companions in Preserving the Sunnah
Before discussing the Companions’ ways of learning, practising, preserving and conveying of the Sunnah, it is worthwhile to shed some light on the main points one needs to understand about the Companions and their methodology:
1. The Companions were fully aware of the responsibility they shoulder after the death of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam.
2. The Companions are all trustworthy. They never doubted one another in the matters of this religion and the narration of Hadith.
3. The Companions have developed a methodology for scrutinising Hadiths and narrators, and by doing that have established the rules of ascertaining narrations for those who came after them.
4. The ability of different Companions to understand the Sunnah, memorise it and convey it varied from one Companion to another.
5. The Companions left Makkah and Madinah to many places around the Muslim world, at the time, for the purpose of delivering the message and teaching Islam to those who accepted it thus spreading the Sunnah throughout the land.
It is interesting to note that about 750 Companions narrated Hadiths, seven of whom narrated a high number of Hadiths, and about 20 narrated an average number, the rest narrated a small number.
The seven who narrated a large number of Hadiths are: Abu Hurairah who narrated 5,374 Hadiths, ‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Umar narrated 2,630, Anas Ibn Maalik narrated 2,286, ‘Aa’ishah narrated 2,210, ‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Abbaas narrated 1,660, Jaabir Ibn ‘Abdullaah narrated 1,540, and Abu Sa’eed AI-Khudri narrated 1,100 Hadiths. They understood their role and were aware of the significance of their ability in narrating the Hadiths and did their best to deliver them diligently and accurately. Muslims of all times are indebted to them.
courtesy: www.islamweb.net
Avoid APRIL FOOL
Praise be to Allaah, we praise Him and seek His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allaah from the evil of our own selves and from our evil deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides, none can lead astray, and whomsoever He sends astray, none can guide.
Lying is an evil characteristic, which all religions and systems of ethics warn against and which man's innate common sense (fitrah) agrees that it is wrong. Those who possess chivalry and sound reason also say this.
Truthfulness is one of the pillars on which the moral survival of the world depends. It is the foundation of praiseworthy characteristics, the cornerstone of Prophethood, the result of taqwaa. Were it not for truthfulness, the rulings of all divinely-revealed laws would collapse. Acquiring the characteristic of lying is akin to shedding one's humanity, because speaking is an exclusively human trait.
(Bareeqah Mahmoodiyyah, Muhammad al-Khaadimi, 3/183)
Our purely monotheistic sharee’ah warns against lying in the Qur’aan and Sunnah, and there is consensus that it is haraam. The liar will have bad consequences in this world and in the next.
According to sharee’ah, lying is not permitted except in specific cases which do not lead to loss of rights, bloodshed or slander of people’s honour, etc., but which concern saving lives, reconciling between people, or creating love between husband and wife.
There is a never a day or a moment when sharee’ah permits a person to tell lies or to say whatever he wants based on lies. One of the things that have become widespread among the common people is the so called “April Fool’s Day”, where they claim that the first day of the fourth solar month is a day when lying is permitted without being subject to any shar’i guidelines.
Many bad things may result from this, some of which we will mention below.
The prohibition of lying.
1. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“It is only those who believe not in the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allaah, who fabricate falsehood, and it is they who are liars
[al-Nahl 16:105]
Ibn Katheer said:
“Then Allaah tells us that His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is not a fabricator or a liar, because only the most evil of people who do not believe in the signs of Allaah, the kaafirs and heretics who are known amongst the people for telling lies, tell lies about Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was the most truthful of people, the most righteous, the most perfect in knowledge, action, faith and certain belief. He was known amongst his people for his truthfulness; none of them doubted that, to such an extent that he was known amongst them as ‘al-Ameen (the trustworthy) Muhammad.’ Hence when Heraclius, the ruler of Rome, asked Abu Sufyaan about the characteristics of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), one of the things he asked was, ‘Did you ever accuse him of lying before he said what he said?’ He said, ‘No.’ Heraclius said: ‘If he refrained from telling lies about people he would not go and tell lies about Allaah.’
(Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 2/588)
2. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The signs of the hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something, he betrays that trust.”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 33; Muslim, 59)
al-Nawawi said:
“What the commentators and most of the scholars said – which is correct – is that this means that these characteristics are the characteristics of hypocrisy, and the one who has these characteristics resembles the hypocrites in this sense.
The words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), ‘he is a pure hypocrite’ mean that he strongly resembles the hypocrites because of these characteristics. Some of the scholars said: this is concerning one in whom these characteristics predominate; one in whom these characteristics rarely appear is not included in this. This is the favoured view concerning the meaning of this hadeeth. Imaam Abu ‘Eesa al-Tirmidhi (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated this meaning from the scholars and said: ‘The meaning of this according to the scholars is hypocrisy in one's actions.’”
(Sharh Muslim, 2/46-47)
The most evil kinds of lies are:
1. Lies told about Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
This is the most serious kind of lie, and the one who does this is subject to a severe warning. Some of the scholars said that the one who does this is to be denounced as a kaafir.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Say: ‘Verily, those who invent a lie against Allaah will never be successful’”
[Yoonus 10:69]
It was narrated that ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him): “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Do not tell lies about me. Whoever tells lies about me, let him enter the Fire.’”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 106).
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever tells lies about me, let him take his place in Hell.”
(narrated by al-Bukhaari, 110; Muslim, 3).
Ibn al-Qayyim said:
“… ‘Whoever tells lies about me, let him take his place in Hell’, i.e., let him take his place in Hell where he will abide and settle; it is not like a manzil or camp where he stays for a while and then moves on.”
(Tareeq al-Hijratayn, p. 169)
Lying also includes lies told about or to other people, such as
2. Lying in buying and selling.
It was narrated from Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are three to whom Allaah will not speak on the Day of Resurrection and He will not look at them or praise them, and they will have a painful torment.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) repeated this three times. Abu Dharr said: “May they be doomed and lost, who are they, O Messenger of Allaah?” He said, “The one who lets his garment hang below his ankles, the one who reminds others of his favours, and the one who disposes of his goods by swearing a false oath.”
(Narrated by Muslim, 106)
It was narrated that Hakeem ibn Hizaam (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘The two parties involved in a transaction have the option [of cancelling it] until they part. If they are honest and truthful, their transaction will be blessed for them and if they conceal something and tell lies, the blessing of their transaction will be wiped out.’”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1973; Muslim, 532)
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said:
“Allaah has enjoined truthfulness and honesty, and He has forbidden lies and concealment with regard to matters which should be known and revealed to people, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said in a hadeeth whose authenticity is agreed upon: ‘The two parties involved in a transaction have the option [of cancelling it] until they part. If they are honest and truthful, their transaction will be blessed for them and if they conceal something and tell lies, the blessing of their transaction will be wiped out.’ And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
‘O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allaah as just witnesses; and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety’
[al-Maa’idah 5:8].”
(Minhaaj al-Sunnah, 1/16)
3. The prohibition on lying about visions and dreams
This refers to when some of them claim to have seen such and such in a dream, but they are not telling the truth, then in the morning he starts to tell the people something that he did not see.
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever tells of a dream that he did not see will be commanded [on the Day of Resurrection] to tie two grains of barley together, but he will never be able to do it. Whoever eavesdrops on people’s conversation when they dislike that – or they try to get away from him - will have molten copper poured in his ears in the Day of Resurrection. And whoever makes an image will be punished and will be told to breathe life into it, and he will not be able to do so.”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6635)
Al-Manaawi said:
“ ‘to tie two grains of barley together, but he will never be able to do it’ – because tying one to the other is not possible ordinarily. He will be punished until he does that, and he will never be able to do it. It is as if he is saying that he will be enjoined to do something that he can never do, and is being punished for it. This is a metaphor for continuous punishment… The reason why barley (sha’eer) is mentioned specifically is because dreams are connected to feelings (shu’oor); the words sha’eer (barley) and shu’oor (feelings) come from the same root in Arabic.
The punishment for that is so severe – even though lies when awake may cause more damage, because they may involve testimony that may lead to execution or a hadd punishment – because lying about a dream is a lie about Allaah, may He be exalted, for dreams are a part of Prophethood, so they come from Him, and lying about the Creator is worse than lying about created beings.
(Fayd al-Qadeer, 6/99)
4. The prohibition of speaking about everything that one hears
It was narrated that Hafs ibn ‘Aasim said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘It is sufficient lying for a man to speak of everything that he hears.’”
(Narrated by Muslim, 5)
With regard to the meanings of the hadeeth and reports on this topic, they discourage speaking about everything that one hears. For usually a person will hear both true things and lies, so if he were to speak of everything that he hears, he would be lying, by telling of something that did not happen. We have stated above the view of the people of truth: that lying means telling of something in a manner other than the way it happened. It is not conditional upon it being done deliberately, but its being done deliberately is a condition of it being a sin. And Allaah knows best.”
(Sharh Muslim, 1/75)
5. Lying in jest
Some people think that it is permissible to tell lies if it is in jest. This is the excuse that they use for telling lies on April 1st or on other days. This is wrong. There is no basis for this in the pure sharee’ah. Lying is haraam whether the one who does it is joking or is serious.
Lying in jest is haraam just like other kinds of lies.
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, ‘I joke, but I speak nothing but the truth.’”
(narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Mu’jam al-Kabeer, 12/391)
This hadeeth was classed as hasan by al-Haythami in Majma’ al-Zawaa’id, 8/89, and classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) in Saheeh al-Jaami, 2494)
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: “They said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, you joke with us.’ He said, ‘But I only speak the truth.’”
(narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1990)
Abu ‘Eesa said: this is a saheeh hasan hadeeth.
A similar hadeeth was narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Awsat (8/305) and classed as hasan by al-Haythami in Majma’ al-Zawaa’id, 9/17
‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Abi Laylaa said: the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that they were travelling with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). A man among them fell asleep and some of them went and took his arrows. When the man woke up, he got alarmed (because his arrows were missing) and the people laughed. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “What are you laughing at?” They said, “Nothing, except that we took the arrows and he got alarmed.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It is not permissible for a Muslim to frighten another Muslim.”
(Narrated by Abu Dawood, 5004; Ahmad, 22555 – this version narrated by Ahmad).
This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 7658)
It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn al-Saa’ib ibn Yazeed from his father from his grandfather that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “None of you should take the belongings of his brother, whether in jest or otherwise. Whoever has taken the stick of his brother, let him return it.”
(Narrated by Abu Dawood, 5003; al-Tirmidhi, 2160 in brief)
The hadeeth was classed as hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 7578
6. Lying when playing with children
We must beware of lying when playing with children, because that will be written down (in the record of deeds of) the one who that. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) warned against doing that. It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Aamir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “My mother called me one day when the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was sitting in our house. She said, ‘Come here, and I will give you (something).’ The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, ‘What do you want to give him?’ She said, ‘I will give him a date.’ The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘If you had not given him something, you would have been lying.’”
And it was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever says to a child, ‘Come here and take this,’ then does not give him something, this is counted as a lie.’”
(Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4991)
This hadeeth was classed as hasan by Shaykh al-‘Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1319.
7. Lying to make people laugh
It was narrated that Mu’aawiyah ibn Haydah said: “I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: ‘Woe to the one who talks to make the people laugh and tells lies, woe to him, woe to him.’”
(narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 235. He said: this is a hasan hadeeth. Also narrated by Abu Dawood, 4990).
The punishment for lying:
The liar is warned of destructive punishment in this world, and humiliating punishment in the Hereafter. These include:
1. Hypocrisy in the heart.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“So He punished them by putting hypocrisy into their hearts till the Day whereon they shall meet Him, because they broke that (covenant with Allaah) which they had promised to Him and because they used to tell lies
[al-Tawbah 9:77]
‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: “You may know the hypocrite by three things: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something he betrays that trust.”. He said: “Recite this aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
‘And of them are some who made a covenant with Allaah (saying): “If He bestowed on us of His Bounty, we will verily, give Sadaqah (Zakaah and voluntary charity in Allaah’s Cause) and will be certainly among those who are righteous.”
Then when He gave them of His Bounty, they became niggardly [refused to pay the Sadaqah (Zakaah or voluntary charity)], and turned away, averse.
So He punished them by putting hypocrisy into their hearts till the Day whereon they shall meet Him, because they broke that (covenant with Allaah) which they had promised to Him and because they used to tell lies
[al-Tawbah 9:75-77].”
(Musanaaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 6/125)
2. Guidance to evildoing and to the Fire
It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said:
“The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Truthfulness is righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A person will continue to tell the truth until he is written with Allaah as one who tells the truth. Lying is evildoing, and evildoing leads to Hell. A person will keep on telling lies until he is written as a liar.’”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5743; Muslim, 2607)
al-San’aani said:
This hadeeth indicates that whoever continues to speak the truth, it will become a feature of his, and whoever deliberately tells lies and persists in it, it will become a feature of his. This is the same as any other good or evil characteristic, if a person persists in it, it becomes a feature of his.
This hadeeth indicates how serious the matter of telling the truth is, and that it may lead a person to Paradise, and it indicates how ugly lying is and how it may lead a person to Hell. This is in addition to the consequences in this world, for the one who tells the truth will have his words accepted by people, and his testimony will be accepted by judges and he will be liked for what he says, whereas for the liar the opposite will be the case.
Subul al-Salaam, 2/687
3. His testimony will be rejected
Ibn al-Qayyim said:
[The reason why the testimony of the liar is rejected]
The strongest reason why testimonies, fatwas and reports may be rejected is lying, because it corrupts the very essence of the testimony, fatwa or report. It is like the testimony of a blind man concerning sighting the new moon, or the testimony of a deaf man concerning having heard the admission of someone. The lying tongue is like some faculty that is no longer working, indeed it is even worse than that, for the most evil thing a man may possess is a lying tongue.
A’laam al-Muwaqqi’een, 1/95
4. Blackening of the face in this world and in the Hereafter
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And on the Day of Resurrection you will see those who lied against Allaah (i.e. attributed to Him sons, partners) their faces will be black”[al-Zumar 39:60]
Ibn al-Qayyim said:
Hence on the Day of Resurrection Allaah will make blackened faces the sign of the one who told lies about Him and His Messenger. Lying has a great effect in blackening the face and covering it with a mask of shame which every truthful person will be able to see. The feature of the liar is clearly visible in the face, and everyone who has the eyes to see can see it. But Allaah will bless the truthful person with dignity and respect, so whoever sees him will respect him and love him, and He will give the liar humiliation and shame, so whoever sees him will loathe him and despise him. And Allaah is the Source of strength.
A’laam al-Muwaqqi’een, 1/95
5. The liar will have the flesh of his cheeks torn to the back of his head
It was narrated that Samurah ibn Jundub (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) often used to say to his companions, ‘Has anyone among you seen a dream?’ Then whoever Allaah willed would tell of his dream. One day he said to us, ‘Two (angels) came to me last night and woke me up, then they said to me, ‘Let’s go!’… so we set out and came to a man who was lying flat on his back and another man standing over his head with an
iron hook, and behold, he would put the hook in one side of the man's mouth and tear off that side of his face to the back (of the neck) and similarly tear his nose from front to back and his eye from front to back. Then he turned to the other side of the man's face and did just as he had done with the other side. Hardly had he completed this side when the first side was restored to its normal state. Then he went back and did that all over again. I said to my two companions, 'Subhaan Allah! Who are these two persons?' They said to me, ‘Move on, move on!' (Then he said, describing how the two angels explained the things that he had seen): ‘As for the man you came across, the sides of whose mouth, nostrils and eyes were being torn off from front to back, he is the symbol of the man who goes out of his house in the morning and tells so many lies that it spreads all over the world.’”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5745)
The comments of the Salaf on lying:
1. ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: “A man may speak the truth and persist in doing so until there is in his heart not even room for evil the size of a needle. Or a man may tell lies and persist in doing so until there is in his heart not even room for truth the size of a needle.
2. And it was narrated that he said: “It is not correct to tell lies whether in jest or in seriousness,” then ‘Abd-Allaah recited the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Be afraid of Allaah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds)”
[al-Tawbah 9:119]
3. Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq said: “Beware of lying, for it has nothing to do with faith.”
4. It was narrated that Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqaas said: “The believer may acquire all sorts of characteristics except treachery and lying.”
5. It was narrated that ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “True faith is not achieved until one gives up lying in jest.”
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 5/235, 236)
Permissible kinds of lies
Lying is permissible in three cases: war; reconciling between two disputing parties; and a husband lying to his wife or vice versa for the sake of love and harmony.
It was narrated from Umm Kalthoom bint ‘Uqbah that she heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “He is not a liar who reconciles between people and narrates something good or says something good.”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2546; Muslim, 2605)
It was narrated that Asmaa’ bint Yazeed said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘It is not permissible to tell lies except in three (cases): when a man speaks to his wife in a way to please her; lying in war; and lying in order to reconcile between people.’”
(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1939)
This hadeeth was classed as hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 7723
April fool
But with regard to “April Fool” (in Arabic, Kidhbat Neesaan or the lies of April), the origin of this lying is not known for sure. There are differing opinions concerning that:
Some of them said that it developed from the celebrations of spring at the equinox on March 21.
Some of them said that this innovation appeared in France in 1564 CE, after the introduction of a new calendar, when a person who had refused to accept the new calendar became the victim of some people who had subjected him to embarrassment and made fun of him, so he became a laughing-stock for others.
Some of them said that this innovation goes back to ancient times and the pagan celebrations connected to a specific date at the beginning of spring, so this is the remnant of pagan rituals. It was said that hunting in some countries was unsuccessful during the first days of the hunt in some countries. This was the origin of these lies which are made up on the first day of April.
Le poisson d’avril
The Europeans call “April Fool” le poisson d’avril (lit. “April fish”). The reason for this is that the sun moves from the zodiacal house of Pisces to the next house, or because the word poisson, which means fish, is a distortion of the word passion, which means suffering, “so it is a symbol of the suffering endured by Jesus (peace be upon him), according to the claims of the Christians, and they claim that this happened in the first week of April.
Some of the kuffaar call this day All Fools’ Day, as it is known to the English. That is because of the lies that they tell so that those who hear them might believe them and thus become a victim for those who are making fun of him.
The first mention of April Fool in the English language was in a magazine known as Dreck Magazine. On the second day of April in 1698 CE, this magazine mentioned that a number of people were invited to come and watch the washing of black people in the Tower of London on the morning of the first day of April.
One of the most famous incidents that happened in Europe on April 1st was when the English newspaper, the Evening Star, announced in March 1746 CE that the following day – April 1st – that there would be an parade of donkeys in Islington, in England. The people rushed to see these animals and there was a huge crowd. They continued waiting and when they got tired of waiting, they asked about when the parade would be. They not find anything, then they knew that they had come to make an exhibition of themselves, as if they were the donkeys!
‘Aasim ibn ‘Abd-Allaah al-Qurawayti
After knowing this reality,let us make a promise to ourselves never to celebrate this day. We have to learn from the Spanish and adhere to the reality of Islam and never allow our faith to be weakened again.
I say: it does not matter what the origins of April fool are. What matters more is knowing the ruling on lying on this day, which we are sure did not exist during the first and best generations of Islam. It did not come from the Muslims, but rather from their enemies.
The things that happen on April fools’ day are many. Some people have been told that their child or spouse or someone who is dear to them has died, and unable to bear this shock, they have died. Some have been told that they are being laid off, or that there has been a fire or an accident in which their family has been killed, so they suffer paralysis or heart attacks, or similar diseases.
Some people have been told about their wives, that they have been seen with other men, and this has led them to kill or divorce their wives.
These are the endless stories and incidents that we hear of, all of which are lies which are forbidden in Islam and unacceptable to common sense or honest chivalry.
We have seen how Islam forbids lying even in jest, and it forbids frightening a Muslim whether in seriousness or in jest, in words or in actions.
This is the law of Allaah in which is wisdom and care for people’s circumstances.
And Allaah is the Source of Strength.
from islamqa.com
Sufism in Islam
Sufism (tasawwuf) did not appear until after the first three generations which the Messenger of Allaah (SAS) praised when he said, “The best of mankind is my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them…” (narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2652; Muslim, 2533).
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (rh) said: With regard to the word soofiyyah (Sufism), it was not known during the first three generations, rather it became known after that. [Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 11/5]
The different tareeqahs and its like are among the innovated ways that go against the Qur’aan and Sunnah and the way followed by the best generations. All the shaykhs of these tareeqahs have made up their own wirds (phrases to be uttered as dhikr), hizb (books of du’aa’ to be read daily by their followers) and ways of worship by which each of them may be distinguished from the others; this goes against sharee’ah [teachings of the Prophet(SAS)] and divides the ummah.
Allaah has blessed this ummah by perfecting its religion and completing His Favour upon it, so everyone who comes up with an act of worship or a way that was not brought by sharee’ah is effectively rejecting what Allaah has revealed and accusing the Prophet (SAS) of betraying the trust.
Along with this innovation of theirs, they may also be lying by claiming that they received their tareeqah from the Prophet (SAS), or that they are following the path and guidance of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs.
There is no such thing in Islam as the numerous tareeqahs like the Shaadhilyyah, Khalwatiyyah, Tijanniya etc?
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al‑Muttaqoon (the pious)”[al-An’aam 6:153] “And upon Allaah is the responsibility to explain the Straight Path. But there are ways that turn aside (such as Paganism, Judaism, Christianity). And had He willed, He would have guided you all (mankind)”[al-Nahl 16:9]
What are the ways that separate people from the path of Allaah, and what is the way of Allaah? What is the meaning of the hadeeth narrated by Ibn Mas’ood, according to which the Messenger (SAS) drew a line and said, “This is the path of guidance,” then he drew lines to its right and another to its left and said, “These are other paths and on each path there is a devil calling people to it”?
The Prophet (SAS) said: “The Jews split into seventy-one sects, and the Christians split into seventy-two sects. My ummah will split into seventy-three sects, all of which will be in Hell except one.” It was asked, “Who are they, O Messenger of Allaah?” He said, “Those who follow the same path as I and my companions are on today.” And he (SAS) said, “A group among my ummah will continue to follow the truth and to be victorious, and they will not be harmed by those who forsake them or oppose them, until the command of Allaah comes to pass when they are like that.”
The truth lies in following the Qur’aan and the saheeh Sunnah of the Prophet (SAS). This is the path of Allaah, this is the Straight Path. This is the straight line mentioned in the hadeeth, and this is what was followed by the companions of the Prophet (SAS) and with their followers among the early generations (salaf) of this ummah, and with those who follow their path.
All other tareeqahs or groups are the paths mentioned in the verse: “… and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path…”[al-An’aam 6:153]
Source: http://www.islamqa.com
Smoking in ISLAM
Smoking in all its forms [i.e. cigars, cigarettes, pipes, water pipes, etc.) is haraam (forbidden) and working in a factory that produces cigars or cigarettes and the like is also forbidden and therefore any earnings from such work are also haraam and constitute unlawful provisions. Buying, and selling cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc. is also forbidden as is renting retail space to someone who will sell cigarettes from that place is also forbidden (haraam). All of this is co-operation in sin and enmity which is expressly forbidden in the Qur’an and the authentic sunnah. All forms of smoking are clearly filth and the one who is afflicted with it must struggle to the utmost to rid themsleves of this filthy habit.
We do not advocate each individual making Islamic rulings on their own. Our aim in taking this approach is to give the reader an opportunity to reflect and consider the evidence for themselves, especially if they are smokers, because nothing is more convincing at times than one’s own rationale. We will later provide the ruling of the scholars, inshaa Allah.
1. Allah Ta’aala states in Surah Al-’Araaf Aayah 157: He has allowed for them all good and lawful things [at-tayyibaat] and forbids for them all evil and unlawful things [al-khabaa-ith]... Smoking is of the harmful, evil and unlawful things.
2. Allah Ta’aala states in Surah Al-Baqarah Aayah 195 : And do not throw yourselves into destruction... Smoking causes or contributes to a host of illnesses such as throat, mouth and lung cancer, tuberculosis, emphysema, respiratory ailments, high blood pressure, heart disease, and the list goes on...
3. Allah Ta’aala states in Surah Al-Israa Aayah 26 - 27 : But spend not wastefully of your wealth in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily, the spendthrifts are brothers of the shayaateen (devils)... Smoking is a waste of money and of the deeds of Shaytaan (Satan).
4. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said in an authentic hadith: Let there be neither harm nor reciprocating harm. Smoking harms the smoker and the one who is next to him and it is a waste of money.
5. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said in a hadith ( mutafaqun ‘alaihi ) agreed upon by both Al-Bukhari and Muslim: Allah hates that you squander wealth. Smoking is a waste of wealth that is hated by Allah.
6. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said in another hadith (mutafaqun ‘alaihi ): The example of a righteous companion and the evil companion is analogous to the seller of perfumes and the blacksmith... The smoker is an evil companion who blows fire.
7. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said in a third hadith (mutafaqun ‘alaihi): My entire ummah (nation) is excused except the mujaahireen (open public sinner). The smoker is an open sinner whose sin is inexcusable unless he abandons his open sinful display.
8. If a person was to burn money we would say to him or her “Are you nuts! Haraam!” So how about the one who spends hundreds of dollars on smoking?!
9. Is it really a part of good religion or morals or plain sensitivity and good taste to disturb and harass people with your cigarette or pipe smoke and pollute their clean air?! You must know that polluting the air is as bad as polluting drinking water.
10. Have you ever asked yourself if smoking will be put on your scale of good deeds or the scale of wrong and evil deeds?!
So what do you think the ruling on smoking is? Halaal or haraam?
Brother or Sister Muslim Smoker... Ask Allah for help and be determined to quit smoking. Whatever someone drops for the sake of Allah, He will surely help him. Be patient and remember that Allah is with the patient. Make supplication (du’aa) to Allah with the utmost sincerity especially after the adhaan and the salaat and any other time. Say: O Allah make it clear to me that smoking is useless and wrong and give me the strength to shun it and make it loathsome and hateful to me, Aameen.
The Islamic Ruling:
Smoking in all its forms [i.e. cigars, cigarettes, pipes, water pipes, etc.) is haraam (forbidden) and working in a factory that produces cigars or cigarettes and the like is also forbidden and therefore any earnings from such work are also haraam and constitute unlawful provisions. Buying, and selling cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc. is also forbidden as is renting retail space to someone who will sell cigarettes from that place is also forbidden (haraam). All of this is co-operation in sin and enmity which is expressly forbidden in the Qur’an and the authentic sunnah. All forms of smoking are clearly filth and the one who is afflicted with it must struggle to the utmost to rid themsleves of this filthy habit. The above is a summarisation of the Islamic ruling related by Shaykh Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdur-Rahman Ibn Baz and Shaykh Muhammad As-Saaleh Al-’Uthaimeen and the Permanent Council of Fiqh In Saudi Arabia and is agreed upon by the majority of Islamic scholars worldwide. A small minority of scholars say that smoking is allowable while some have ruled it as detestable. The evidence of the harmfulness of smoking and the clear principles of Islam based upon the absolute proofs within the Qur’an and the authentic sunnah, some of which was related above, clearly support the position of tahreem (being haraam) as the strongest and correct ruling.
Belief in ALLAH
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The requisite belief of individuals in the Creator originated before the appearance of any evidence of this existence. The existence of this Supreme, Powerful and Wise Being Who is behind the creation of the universe has been the main concern of philosophers of all times. They have tried to establish or refute this idea with elaborate arguments that have sometimes been totally unconvincing, even to themselves.
Instead of the philosophical approach, we shall rather go through the simple arguments of the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah.
1. THE PURE NATURE IN PEOPLE (THE FITRAH)
The intuition of perceiving the existence of the Creator is inborn in human nature. It is the intuitive ability to distinguish between right and wrong, true and false. It is the human being’s instinctive realization of Allah’s existence and oneness, and his self surrender to Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’alaa). The Qur’an refers to this innate tendency as follows:
Therefore set your face (O Muhammad) steadfastly towards the true faith, turning away from all that is false, in accordance with the [pure Islamic] nature with which Allah has created people. No altering let there be in the laws of Allah’s creation. This is surely the True Religion, but most people do not know it. (Ar-Rum - 30:30).
This aayah indicates that people start with equal abilities to recognise their Lord. But their abilities may subsequently be blurred by self indulgence or unfavorable environmental influences. This is also depicted in the following hadith:
Every child is born with the pure fitrah [to recognise his Lord]; it is only his parents that later turn him into a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian. (Muslim).
2. THE GREATNESS AND PERFECTION OF THE CREATION
Every single creation in the universe is so well made, and so skillfully designed, that any sensible person cannot but submit to the existence of the All-Wise, Almighty, All-Knowing Being behind it all. Allah says:
Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, in the alternation of night and day, in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of people, in the water which Allah sends down from the skies reviving with it the dead earth and dispersing over it all kinds of beasts, in the change of the winds, and in the clouds that run their appointed courses between heaven and earth; in all of this, indeed, there are signs for rational people. (Al-Baqarah - 2:164).
This passage is one of many in which the Qur’an appeals to those who use their reason to observe the daily wonders of nature, including the evidence of people’s own ingenuity (the ships), as indications of a conscious Power pervading the universe.
The creation is so intricate and yet so perfect that no defect can be detected anywhere, no matter how hard one tries.
3. THE WEAKNESS OF PEOPLE
The perfection of the creation should be in itself a sufficient proof of Allah’s existence. But when we add to that the limited power of people and their obvious inability to imitate any of Allah’s creation, certitude should engulf our spirits and we should bow low to the One who made all this wonderful world. The Qur’an repeatedly reminds us of our inability to parallel Allah’s creation. For example:
You (people) have been granted very little knowledge. (Al-Isra - 17:85)
He knows all that lies open before people and all that is hidden from them, whereas they cannot attain to ought of His knowledge save that which He wills them to attain. (Al-Baqarah - 2:255).
4. CASUALITY
The notion that every effect must have a cause is well established in the minds of people. On this notion they base all of their actions and responses. All scientific experiments have this implicitly built into them. Yet, when it comes to the creation of the universe that, by their standards, must have a cause and a Creator, they become hesitant to submit to the truth! Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’alaa) ridicules this attitude by some people. He asks them: Did you come into existence by yourself? Was it a mere chance and spontaneous generation that you came into being? Are you not the handicraft of a Wise and Wonderful Creator? You obviously did not create the wonders of the starry heavens and the fruitful globe of earth. But you can assign no definite cause to explain it, and you yourselves have no firm belief!
The absurdity of the unwillingness to admit the existence of a Creator initiating all of creation is exhibited in this argument to which they can give no reasonable answer since they have no firm belief about that.
Were they created of nothing? Or were they, perchance, their own creator? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Surely they have no firm belief. (At-Tur 52:35)
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).
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).
Valentines Day : Its Reality and Ruling
The religion of Islam is complete, so there is absolutely no need for invented opinions, innovated desires or man-made legislation. The blessings and favours that have been given to us by Islam are all-inclusive and so we do not have any need for seasons and occasions to be invented so that we may celebrate them.
Allaah Says (what means): "This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as a religion." [Quran 5: 3]
Our religion is supreme, it is the most perfect one. It combines the good of this life and the Hereafter; it addressed the soul and was not heedless of the body; it gave preference to the Hereafter but did not neglect our needs in this life. Allaah Says (what means): "But seek, through that which Allaah has given you, the home of the Hereafter." [Quran 28: 77]
Our religion is a moderate religion that is neither negligent of any matter, nor does it exaggerate any issue beyond its rightful status. There is no monasticism in Islam, nor blind-materialism,
Allaah Says (what means): "Thus We have made you a median (i.e. just) community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you." [Quran 2: 143]
How is it that the believers can squander this position, which Allaah granted them and become humiliated while they still have the Quran and the Sunnah to refer to? Why would we be pleased with becoming mere followers after enjoying the position of leadership ? How can we go astray and become blind-imitators after being guides ? What possesses a person to become a slave who carries out orders, after being a master?
The answer to these questions lies in the saying of the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam as narrated by Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri : "You will follow in the footsteps of those who came before you hand-span by hand-span and (the length of an) arm by arm, such that even if they enter into the dwelling place of a lizard you would still follow them." The Companions asked: "O Messenger of Allaah, do you mean (by 'those who came before you') the Jews and the Christians?" He sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam replied: "Who else ?" [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
So, once again, we have the army of disbelief attacking us, propagating the celebration of a holiday - and what a deceitful and treacherous holiday it is! A holiday which they have given a name other than its actual one in order to mislead people, they gave it a noble name to deceive the pure and the chaste. They called it the day of love, while it is actually the day of immorality, prostitution and drinking. They spread immorality dressed in the garment of virtue and this is the age-old method that Satan uses.
Allaah exposed this tactic in His Book when He says regarding the deception of Satan of our father Aadam and our mother Hawwaa' (what means): "And he swore (by Allaah) to them both: 'Indeed, I am to you from among the sincere advisors'" [Quran 7: 21]
Beware of the deceiver who approaches you with an advising tongue, for he knows that if he were to openly state his intention, he would never attain his objectives. Allaah Says (what means): "But they plan, and Allaah plans. And Allaah is the best of planners." [Quran 8: 30]
It is claimed that pagan Greece used to celebrate on the fifteenth day of February every year which coincided with a spring holiday. At that time Christianity was new to the area. The emperor Claudius II forbade marriage for his soldiers. Valentine, a Christian priest challenged this command and used to conduct secret marriage sermons. He was soon discovered and was sentenced to death. While in prison he fell in love with the daughter of a prison guard, but this was a secret since Christianity forbade priests to marry or have romantic relations with women, but since he remained steadfast on Christianity, the people overlooked his crime of falling in love.
The emperor offered to forgive him and make him one of his close companions and marry one of his daughters to him, on the condition that he gave up Christianity, but Valentine favoured Christianity and was executed on the fourteenth of February, 270 CE - the night before the celebration of the Greek spring holiday of the fifteenth of February. Ever since then, it was called Priest Valentine's holiday. After the spread of Christianity throughout Europe, February the fourteenth was re-named 'Valentine's Day' in his memory because (they claim) he sacrificed himself for Christianity and fostered those in love.
That was the story behind this holiday. Unfortunately many young men and women were deceived by this, due to the weakness of their faith, ignorance of Islam, heedlessness and the lack of guidance by the Muslim scholars and leaders. The ignorant youth were hoodwinked into celebrating this holiday.
Among the manifestations of this holiday are the giving of red roses, the wearing of red dresses, and exchanging special greetings, cards and gifts. This is a day where one is 'supposed' to remember their wives or lovers.
This holiday is so ingrained in western culture that remembering this day and celebrating it has become a sign of 'true and sincere love' and it is not uncommon for one who forgets about this day to be thought of as 'insincere' and 'untrue' in his or her love!
Every Muslim must know that this holiday was invented by the disbelievers and it is therefore unlawful to celebrate it according to the religion of Islam. There is no difference of opinion among the Muslim scholars regarding this.
In fact, even if this holiday was invented by the Muslims it would still be unlawful to celebrate it. Aaishah narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: "He who innovates something in our matter (i.e. the religion of Islam), will have it rejected." [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
Anas Ibn Maalik narrated that when the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam came to Madeenah, he sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam found people celebrating a two-day memorial which dated back to the time of Jaahiliyyah (the pre-Islamic era). He sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: "Allaah Has replaced these for you with two better days; the day of Eedul-Adh-haa (sacrifice) and the day of Eedul-Fitr (following Ramadhaan)." [Ahmad, An-Nasaai & Abu Daawood)]
Shaykh Abu Hafs An-Nisfi went as far as to say: 'He who offers an egg as a gift to a disbeliever in glorification of their day of celebration becomes a disbeliever'".
Allaah warned us from following the disbelievers or supporting them and commanded us to differ from them. He Almighty Says (what means): "O you who have believed! Take not those who have taken your religion in ridicule and amusement among the ones who were given the Scripture before you nor the disbelievers as allies. And fear Allaah if you should (truly) be believers." [Quran: 5: 57]
The Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: "He who resembles a group of people will be with them (in the Hereafter)." [Ahmad and others]
How can it be that a Muslim accepts for himself and his family the celebration of an immoral holiday innovated by disbelievers; Valentines Day, the claimed celebration of love? How can he allow his family to celebrate the holiday of a Christian priest, Valentine, who was cursing Allaah day and night by saying: "He is one of three, He had a wife, He had begotten a son etc." ?
Allaah is exalted far above what they attribute to Him.
Allaah Says (what means): "And they say: 'The Most Merciful (Allaah) has taken (for Himself) a son. You have done an atrocious thing. The heavens almost rupture therefrom and the earth splits open and the mountains collapse in devastation. That they attribute to the Most Merciful a son. And it is not appropriate for the Most Merciful that He should take a son. There is no one in the heavens and earth but that he comes to the Most Merciful as a servant. He has enumerated them and counted them a (full) counting. And all of them are coming to Him on the Day of resurrection alone." [Quran 19: 88-95]
Allaah Says (what means): "Be not deceived by the (uninhibited) movement of the disbelievers throughout the land, (It is but) a small enjoyment; then their (final) refuge is Hell, and wretched is the resting place!" [Quran 3: 196-197]
Do not be deceived by them and what they doing because this life is a temporary one and it is vanishing fast. Allaah Says (what means): "But the Hereafter is better and more lasting" (Al-A'laa: 17)
and also: "It will be, on the Day they see it, as though they had not remained (in the world) except for an afternoon or a morning thereof." [Quran 79: 46]
Beware of these holidays which have been invented by the disbelievers and warn people against them; be proud of your religion; be distinct from the misguided; do not follow in their footsteps or be affected by their ideas; ask Allaah to guide you and keep you steadfast.
Do not allow the uncertain to fool you; dont allow the disbelievers to misguide you; be proud of your religion and your celebrations; preserve your identity; and do not resemble or imitate the disbelievers because it leads to destruction and Hell.
Allaah Says (what means): "This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as a religion." [Quran 5: 3]
Our religion is supreme, it is the most perfect one. It combines the good of this life and the Hereafter; it addressed the soul and was not heedless of the body; it gave preference to the Hereafter but did not neglect our needs in this life. Allaah Says (what means): "But seek, through that which Allaah has given you, the home of the Hereafter." [Quran 28: 77]
Our religion is a moderate religion that is neither negligent of any matter, nor does it exaggerate any issue beyond its rightful status. There is no monasticism in Islam, nor blind-materialism,
Allaah Says (what means): "Thus We have made you a median (i.e. just) community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you." [Quran 2: 143]
How is it that the believers can squander this position, which Allaah granted them and become humiliated while they still have the Quran and the Sunnah to refer to? Why would we be pleased with becoming mere followers after enjoying the position of leadership ? How can we go astray and become blind-imitators after being guides ? What possesses a person to become a slave who carries out orders, after being a master?
The answer to these questions lies in the saying of the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam as narrated by Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri : "You will follow in the footsteps of those who came before you hand-span by hand-span and (the length of an) arm by arm, such that even if they enter into the dwelling place of a lizard you would still follow them." The Companions asked: "O Messenger of Allaah, do you mean (by 'those who came before you') the Jews and the Christians?" He sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam replied: "Who else ?" [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
So, once again, we have the army of disbelief attacking us, propagating the celebration of a holiday - and what a deceitful and treacherous holiday it is! A holiday which they have given a name other than its actual one in order to mislead people, they gave it a noble name to deceive the pure and the chaste. They called it the day of love, while it is actually the day of immorality, prostitution and drinking. They spread immorality dressed in the garment of virtue and this is the age-old method that Satan uses.
Allaah exposed this tactic in His Book when He says regarding the deception of Satan of our father Aadam and our mother Hawwaa' (what means): "And he swore (by Allaah) to them both: 'Indeed, I am to you from among the sincere advisors'" [Quran 7: 21]
Beware of the deceiver who approaches you with an advising tongue, for he knows that if he were to openly state his intention, he would never attain his objectives. Allaah Says (what means): "But they plan, and Allaah plans. And Allaah is the best of planners." [Quran 8: 30]
It is claimed that pagan Greece used to celebrate on the fifteenth day of February every year which coincided with a spring holiday. At that time Christianity was new to the area. The emperor Claudius II forbade marriage for his soldiers. Valentine, a Christian priest challenged this command and used to conduct secret marriage sermons. He was soon discovered and was sentenced to death. While in prison he fell in love with the daughter of a prison guard, but this was a secret since Christianity forbade priests to marry or have romantic relations with women, but since he remained steadfast on Christianity, the people overlooked his crime of falling in love.
The emperor offered to forgive him and make him one of his close companions and marry one of his daughters to him, on the condition that he gave up Christianity, but Valentine favoured Christianity and was executed on the fourteenth of February, 270 CE - the night before the celebration of the Greek spring holiday of the fifteenth of February. Ever since then, it was called Priest Valentine's holiday. After the spread of Christianity throughout Europe, February the fourteenth was re-named 'Valentine's Day' in his memory because (they claim) he sacrificed himself for Christianity and fostered those in love.
That was the story behind this holiday. Unfortunately many young men and women were deceived by this, due to the weakness of their faith, ignorance of Islam, heedlessness and the lack of guidance by the Muslim scholars and leaders. The ignorant youth were hoodwinked into celebrating this holiday.
Among the manifestations of this holiday are the giving of red roses, the wearing of red dresses, and exchanging special greetings, cards and gifts. This is a day where one is 'supposed' to remember their wives or lovers.
This holiday is so ingrained in western culture that remembering this day and celebrating it has become a sign of 'true and sincere love' and it is not uncommon for one who forgets about this day to be thought of as 'insincere' and 'untrue' in his or her love!
Every Muslim must know that this holiday was invented by the disbelievers and it is therefore unlawful to celebrate it according to the religion of Islam. There is no difference of opinion among the Muslim scholars regarding this.
In fact, even if this holiday was invented by the Muslims it would still be unlawful to celebrate it. Aaishah narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: "He who innovates something in our matter (i.e. the religion of Islam), will have it rejected." [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
Anas Ibn Maalik narrated that when the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam came to Madeenah, he sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam found people celebrating a two-day memorial which dated back to the time of Jaahiliyyah (the pre-Islamic era). He sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: "Allaah Has replaced these for you with two better days; the day of Eedul-Adh-haa (sacrifice) and the day of Eedul-Fitr (following Ramadhaan)." [Ahmad, An-Nasaai & Abu Daawood)]
Shaykh Abu Hafs An-Nisfi went as far as to say: 'He who offers an egg as a gift to a disbeliever in glorification of their day of celebration becomes a disbeliever'".
Allaah warned us from following the disbelievers or supporting them and commanded us to differ from them. He Almighty Says (what means): "O you who have believed! Take not those who have taken your religion in ridicule and amusement among the ones who were given the Scripture before you nor the disbelievers as allies. And fear Allaah if you should (truly) be believers." [Quran: 5: 57]
The Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: "He who resembles a group of people will be with them (in the Hereafter)." [Ahmad and others]
How can it be that a Muslim accepts for himself and his family the celebration of an immoral holiday innovated by disbelievers; Valentines Day, the claimed celebration of love? How can he allow his family to celebrate the holiday of a Christian priest, Valentine, who was cursing Allaah day and night by saying: "He is one of three, He had a wife, He had begotten a son etc." ?
Allaah is exalted far above what they attribute to Him.
Allaah Says (what means): "And they say: 'The Most Merciful (Allaah) has taken (for Himself) a son. You have done an atrocious thing. The heavens almost rupture therefrom and the earth splits open and the mountains collapse in devastation. That they attribute to the Most Merciful a son. And it is not appropriate for the Most Merciful that He should take a son. There is no one in the heavens and earth but that he comes to the Most Merciful as a servant. He has enumerated them and counted them a (full) counting. And all of them are coming to Him on the Day of resurrection alone." [Quran 19: 88-95]
Allaah Says (what means): "Be not deceived by the (uninhibited) movement of the disbelievers throughout the land, (It is but) a small enjoyment; then their (final) refuge is Hell, and wretched is the resting place!" [Quran 3: 196-197]
Do not be deceived by them and what they doing because this life is a temporary one and it is vanishing fast. Allaah Says (what means): "But the Hereafter is better and more lasting" (Al-A'laa: 17)
and also: "It will be, on the Day they see it, as though they had not remained (in the world) except for an afternoon or a morning thereof." [Quran 79: 46]
Beware of these holidays which have been invented by the disbelievers and warn people against them; be proud of your religion; be distinct from the misguided; do not follow in their footsteps or be affected by their ideas; ask Allaah to guide you and keep you steadfast.
Do not allow the uncertain to fool you; dont allow the disbelievers to misguide you; be proud of your religion and your celebrations; preserve your identity; and do not resemble or imitate the disbelievers because it leads to destruction and Hell.
The Story of Hajj
Long ago about 5000 years ago, in a faraway place called Ur in Iraq, a child was born whose name was Abraham or Ibrahim. He was so gracious, tender-hearted and of pure in faith that Allah gave him wisdom when he was still a child. Allah was so pleased with him that he made him His best friend.
When Abraham grew up, he became a great prophet, and preached the truth and God’s message in his country. Later he traveled to Syria, Palestine and Egypt.
When a beautiful son was born to his wife Hagar, he was ordered by Allah to travel towards Mecca along with his wife and the little child, whose name was Ishmael or Ismail. They all traveled for a long time till they reached a lonely, barren valley, near two small hills called Safa and Marwa. Abraham asked his wife to stay near one of the hills along with the little Ishmael, and started to go away. But his wife protested "Why are you leaving us alone here? Are you leaving us here to die?"
But Abraham replied, "My Lord has commanded me to do this." Then Hagar, breathing a sigh of relief, said: "If Allah has ordered you to do so, then He will not let us die."
After a while, baby Ishmael began to cry for want of water. But there was not a single drop of water to drink. Hagar ran helplessly from one hill to another, but there was no water, nor any human being to give her water. As the baby was crying desperately with thirst and the mother was running from one mountain to another, Allah caused a miracle—a spring gushed forth beneath the feet of Ishmael.
When Hagar saw this from a distance, she shouted "Zam-zam (stay, stay!)." Hagar came running and gave some fresh spring water to the thirsty child to drink. And so his life was saved. This spring later on became famous as Zamzam.
Ishmael and his mother begin to live in the valley and because of the Zamzam spring more people gradually came to settle in the valley, slowly building up a small town, which was later called Mecca.
From time to time Abraham would visit Mecca to meet his family, especially to see his young Ishmael, growing up in the beautiful surroundings of nature—in a lovely valley surrounded by hills, away from the crowded city—away from people of the city who at that time were mostly idol-worshippers.
One night, Abraham dreamt that he was sacrificing his son, Ishmael. This was an order from his Lord. His son was still a child, but Abraham told him about his dream. Ishmael was a brave boy. He was ready to obey the command of God, who had created him. So, without hesitating, he said to his father, "Do what you are commanded, father. Godwilling, you will find me one of the steadfast."
Abraham took his son away to sacrifice him. As he reached a place, which is now known as Mina—a valley near Mecca—Satan appeared and tried to dissuade him. Abraham picked up a few small stones and threw them at Satan.
As Abraham took a knife to sacrifice Ishmael, Allah sent the angel Gabriel (Jibril) with a ram. "Sacrifice this ram. Do not sacrifice Ishmael," said Gabriel to Abraham. Allah was so pleased with this act—the readiness of Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son, that He commanded the believers to observe this day as Id al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice. Every year Muslims sacrifice an animal in remembrance of the great act of Abraham.
Ishmael grew up a strong and loving youth. Abraham and Ishmael were ordered by Allah to build the House of God—the Kabah in Mecca. Both took stones from the nearby hills and started building the Kabah. As they laid the foundation, they prayed, "Our Lord, accept this from us! You are the All-hearing, the All-seeing." They also prayed for a prophet to be born in their family who would teach wisdom to the people and purify their faith. Their prayer was answered many years later, when the Prophet Muhammad was born to their descendants.
Abraham was ordered by God to clean the Kabah for those who come there to pray, and to call people to Hajj: "Call all people to make the Pilgrimage, they shall come to you on foot and on the backs of swift camels; they shall come from every deep ravine."
And so Allah made it obligatory for every Muslim male and female to go for Hajj once in a lifetime, provided their means and health and wealth. Since then believers from every part of the world go to perform Hajj to fulfill the command of their Lord and to remember the great act of the Prophet Abraham.
When Abraham grew up, he became a great prophet, and preached the truth and God’s message in his country. Later he traveled to Syria, Palestine and Egypt.
When a beautiful son was born to his wife Hagar, he was ordered by Allah to travel towards Mecca along with his wife and the little child, whose name was Ishmael or Ismail. They all traveled for a long time till they reached a lonely, barren valley, near two small hills called Safa and Marwa. Abraham asked his wife to stay near one of the hills along with the little Ishmael, and started to go away. But his wife protested "Why are you leaving us alone here? Are you leaving us here to die?"
But Abraham replied, "My Lord has commanded me to do this." Then Hagar, breathing a sigh of relief, said: "If Allah has ordered you to do so, then He will not let us die."
After a while, baby Ishmael began to cry for want of water. But there was not a single drop of water to drink. Hagar ran helplessly from one hill to another, but there was no water, nor any human being to give her water. As the baby was crying desperately with thirst and the mother was running from one mountain to another, Allah caused a miracle—a spring gushed forth beneath the feet of Ishmael.
When Hagar saw this from a distance, she shouted "Zam-zam (stay, stay!)." Hagar came running and gave some fresh spring water to the thirsty child to drink. And so his life was saved. This spring later on became famous as Zamzam.
Ishmael and his mother begin to live in the valley and because of the Zamzam spring more people gradually came to settle in the valley, slowly building up a small town, which was later called Mecca.
From time to time Abraham would visit Mecca to meet his family, especially to see his young Ishmael, growing up in the beautiful surroundings of nature—in a lovely valley surrounded by hills, away from the crowded city—away from people of the city who at that time were mostly idol-worshippers.
One night, Abraham dreamt that he was sacrificing his son, Ishmael. This was an order from his Lord. His son was still a child, but Abraham told him about his dream. Ishmael was a brave boy. He was ready to obey the command of God, who had created him. So, without hesitating, he said to his father, "Do what you are commanded, father. Godwilling, you will find me one of the steadfast."
Abraham took his son away to sacrifice him. As he reached a place, which is now known as Mina—a valley near Mecca—Satan appeared and tried to dissuade him. Abraham picked up a few small stones and threw them at Satan.
As Abraham took a knife to sacrifice Ishmael, Allah sent the angel Gabriel (Jibril) with a ram. "Sacrifice this ram. Do not sacrifice Ishmael," said Gabriel to Abraham. Allah was so pleased with this act—the readiness of Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son, that He commanded the believers to observe this day as Id al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice. Every year Muslims sacrifice an animal in remembrance of the great act of Abraham.
Ishmael grew up a strong and loving youth. Abraham and Ishmael were ordered by Allah to build the House of God—the Kabah in Mecca. Both took stones from the nearby hills and started building the Kabah. As they laid the foundation, they prayed, "Our Lord, accept this from us! You are the All-hearing, the All-seeing." They also prayed for a prophet to be born in their family who would teach wisdom to the people and purify their faith. Their prayer was answered many years later, when the Prophet Muhammad was born to their descendants.
Abraham was ordered by God to clean the Kabah for those who come there to pray, and to call people to Hajj: "Call all people to make the Pilgrimage, they shall come to you on foot and on the backs of swift camels; they shall come from every deep ravine."
And so Allah made it obligatory for every Muslim male and female to go for Hajj once in a lifetime, provided their means and health and wealth. Since then believers from every part of the world go to perform Hajj to fulfill the command of their Lord and to remember the great act of the Prophet Abraham.
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