keralite: 7/4/10

Friday, July 09, 2010

Thursday, July 08, 2010

The Traps of Iblis

By Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah from At-Tafsir Al-Qayyim of Sheikh Ibn Al-Qayyim

It is not possible to encompass one of Iblis' evils, let alone all of them. Since Iblis' evil is of six types, Iblis remains behind the son of Adam until he gets him to do one or more of these six evils.

The First Evil is the evil of Kufr and Shirk and enmity to Allah and His Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him). If he gains this from the son of Adam, his moaning is eased, and he rests from his ordeal with this man. Further, this is the first thing Iblis wants from al-'Abd (the worshipper). If Iblis gains this, he makes this person part of his army, one of his soldiers, and he appoints him as a deputy or agent against other human beings. Then, this person becomes one of the deputies or callers of Iblis.

If he despairs of enticing him with the first evil, and if this person is one of those for whom it was written that he would be a Muslim in his mother's womb, Iblis tries the Second Class of Evil. This is Bid'ah (innovation). Iblis loves Bid'ah more than debauchery and disobedience because the harm of Bid'ah is in the essence of the religion. Moreover, it is an unrepentable sin and is against the call of the messengers and is a call to a message different from the one conveyed by the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him). Bid'ah is a gate to Kufr and Shirk. Therefore, if Iblis gains the performance of Bid'ah from a person and makes him one of the people of Bid'ah, he also becomes one of his agents and a caller of his.

If Iblis fails and is unable to trap Al-'Abd at this class, and if he is one of those who were granted by Allah the gift of As-Sunnah and hatred of the people of Bid'ah and error, he proceeds to the Third Class of Evil, which is the class of Major sin in their various forms.

Iblis is very covetous of letting a person fall into major sin, especially if he is a scholar who is followed. Iblis is covetous of that, so that he may repel people from him and spread his sins and disobedience amongst the people. He uses some people as his agents to spread this person's sins under the false pretence that this will help them to get closer to Allah. But in fact this person is the deputy of Iblis without knowing it. For those who would like abomination to be spread amongst the believers there is a great torment in this life and in the Hereafter especially if they take charge of spreading about enormities, not out of advice, but by obeying Iblis and being his agent. All this is to repel people from the Scholar and from his benefit.

Furthermore, the sins of this person (scholar), even if they reach the sky, are less to Allah than the sins of those who would like to spread his sins about. The scholar's sins are wrongdoing to himself. If he seeks forgiveness from Allah and repents, Allah will accept his repentance, and He will change his bad deeds to good deeds. However, the sin of those who spread about abominations are doing wrong to the believers by looking for their mistakes and by intending to expose them. Allah is in close observation, and He knows about this ambuscade. Nothing hidden in the chest or soul is hidden to Allah.

If Iblis is unable to snare Al-'Abd at this degree he moves him to the Fourth Class, or the Minor Sins. These sins may ruin a person if they accumulate. That is why the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Be aware of the minor sins, because the simile of the minor sin is like the people who went to a desert. Then he (Peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned a Hadith the meaning of which is that every one of them brought a stick of wood until they had kindled a huge fire (just as the minor sins add up little by little until they become a major sin). The person continues taking the matter of minor sins easily until he considers them inconsequential. Therefore, a person who commits major sins but fears their effect is in a better condition than he is.

If the Al-'Abd has prevented Iblis from trapping him at this level, he moves him to the fifth level. The fifth level is to occupy him with permissible things that do not gain him reward or punishment. However, the punishment of this level is caused by passing the reward missed by being occupied with these deeds. If Al-'Abd has kept Iblis from succeeding at this level, and if he is careful about his time, being covetous with it, knows the value of moments, and knows the value of what comes of comfort or torment, Iblis transfers him to the sixth level. The sixth class is to occupy him with deeds of lesser reward to keep virtue away from him and to prevent him from attaining the reward of the favored deed.

Therefore, he orders him to do a good action with less reward if that includes leaving a better action. Very few people are aware of this. Because if a person feels a strong urge to some kind of obedience, he does not doubt that it is true obedience and that he is getting closer to Allah. He never thinks that this call is from Iblis because he believes that Iblis never calls one to do good. Therefore, he thinks that this call is from Allah. Actually he is excused because he never knew that Iblis would call one to seventy doors of good deeds either to get him to one door of evil or to let a better deed than these seventy deeds pass away from him.

This cannot be known except by a light from Allah, a light he instills in the heart of Al-'Abd. The source of this type of knowledge is following the way of the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) and taking care of the levels of deeds with Allah, the deeds of His favored ones, the deeds more pleasing to Him, and those more beneficial to Al-'Abd, and deeds that have more Nasihah (guidance) from Allah, His Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him), His Book, and His believing worshippers. No one has this type of knowledge except the inheritors of the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him), his deputies in the Ummah, and his successors on earth. In addition, most of the creation is screened from this. This call does not come to their hearts. Allah gives His favor to whomever He wills from among His worshippers.

If Al-'Abd prevents Iblis from trapping him at any of these six levels, and if it becomes difficult for Iblis, he empowers his party of Jinn and human beings with different kinds of harm, imputing disbelief to him, calling him misguided and an innovator, warning people against him, and intending to weaken him and to disturb his heart. Iblis, by using this method, tries to confuse this person's thinking and tries to prevent people from benefiting from him. Therefore Iblis expends his utmost effort to empower the defenders of falsehood, from human beings and from jinn, against him. Then the believer is at war until death. Whenever he gives up, he is hurt or is taken captive. Hence the believer is in Jihad until he meets with Allah

Khadejah Jones
Share Islam Team
ShareIslam.com

Can I Keep Fasting in Rajab and Sha`ban Till Ramadan?

SUNDAY 30/05/2010

The family is that brick which forms the foundation of a society. It is composed of individuals that have permanent relations established between them. Most importantly, it possesses almost a majority of the different kinds of personal relations. Because of this, there must be certain etiquettes placed in order to control and regulate these relations. This is such that it can be maintained in the best possible manner, and so that it can generate and produce its proper fruits. Family relations consist of the relationship between the spouses from one perspective, the relationship between the parents and the children from a second perspective, and the relationship between the children themselves from a third perspective.
Etiquettes pertaining to the Husband
1.      It is not from the deficiencies, but rather from good manners, that the husband shares in the responsibility of specified matters, such as the mending of garments or what is similar to that.
2.      It is appropriate for a man to not restrict himself from serving himself. This is since the wife takes care of the household affairs. So therefore, it is from good manners that the husband extends a helping hand to his wife in the house, during times of necessity, such as when she is sick, pregnant, has given birth or similar to that.
3.      The exemplary husband is he who cooperates with his wife by bearing good relations and showing kind manners (to her), according to the full extent of the meaning contained in these (last) two expressions. Truly, the husbands who are best at working alongside their wives are the best of mankind in the view of Islam.
4.      Beware of characterizing the relationship between the spouses with over-seriousness! For indeed characterizing the family life with a militaristic nature amounts to one of the causes for failure and bad results.
5.      From the kind and noble manners of the husband is that he complies and assents to the requests of his wife, so long as they are not forbidden in Islam.
6.      The husband should specify a time in which he can play around and pass free time with his wife.
7.      The relationship between the spouses must contain one singular and specific nature. And it cannot be this way unless the couple begin demolishing all the obstacles and impediments that stand between them. For example, the husband should not feel timid and restrain himself from drinking out of the same cup that his wife drinks out of.
8.      There is no human being that is perfect. So there is no doubt that the husband will see things in his wife that do not comply with his natural disposition and preferences. If these aspects are not in opposition to the fundaments of Islam or to the obedience of the husband and his rights, then at that point, he should not try to change her personality. He should also remember that if there are some characteristics that he doesn't find pleasing in his wife, then indeed she has other characteristics, which are definitely pleasing to him.
9.      Do not let Ramadhaan be a barrier that impedes you from showing affection to your wife. But this is so long as you are able to refrain yourself, since what is forbidden during the days of Ramadhaan is only sexual intercourse. Showing affection to one’s wife during Ramadhaan can be done during the night and if during the day (while they are fasting), it can be done by other than kissing and huging.
10. Do not chase after the small errors of your wife and recount them to her, for too much blaming and reprimanding will worsen the relationship between the two of you, and it will pose a threat to your marital life.
11. If you are able, do not hold back from providing your wife with good clothing and food, and from being generous in spending money on her. This is of course according to the extent of your ability.
12. Do not give little importance to implementing the punishment required for any acts in opposition to the Islam, which your wife has committed, whether it is in the home or outside it. This should be the only reason that causes you to become angry.
13. What has been stated previously does not mean that you should leave matters alone until that result comes to happen. Thus, whenever you realize that a matter is left alone, weigh it with seriousness and determination, without being too harsh or rude about it.
14. Do not attempt to meddle into your wife’s housework affairs that do not fall into your area of duties and responsibilities, such as the food and the order of the house because woman like to put their personal touch on the house (her kingdom).
15. Beware of scolding your wife or blaming her for a mistake she committed, in the presence of others, even if they are your own children. For indeed that is an act that goes against correct behavior and it will lead to raising anger in the hearts of people.
16. If you are forced to place punishment upon your wife after having adviced her and she didn’t respond, then let it be by staying away from her at bedtime. And do not boycott her except that it is done within the household. And avoid using foul language, insulting her, beating her and describing her with repulsive names.
17. Having jealousy and caring about the bashfulness of your wife is a praiseworthy thing, which shows your love for her. However it is on the condition that you do not go to great extremes in this jealousy. For then at that point, it would turn into something worthy of no praise.
18. Entering the house: Do not alarm your family by entering upon them suddenly. Rather, enter while they are aware of it, and greet them with Salaam. And ask about them and how they are doing. And do not forget to remember Allaah, the Mighty and Sublime, when you enter the house.
19. Beware of spreading any secrets connected with the intimate encounters you have with your wife, for that is something restricted and forbidden.
20. Constantly maintain the cleaning of your mouth and the freshening of your breath.
21. Guardianship of your wife doesn't mean that you can exploit what Allaah has bestowed upon you from taking charge of her, such that you harm and oppress her.
22. Showing respect and kindness to your wife's family is showing respect and kindness to her. This applies on the condition that it is not accompanied by an act forbidden in Islam, such as intermingling of the sexes or being in privacy (with them).
23. Too much joking will lead to (your family having) little fear (of disobeying you) and a lack of respect for you.
24. Be prompt in fulfilling the conditions, which you promised to your wife during the pre-marriage agreement.
25. When you lecture your wife or reprimand her or simply speak to her, choose the kindest and nicest of words and expressions for your speech.
26. It is not proper for you to ask your wife to look for work outside of the house or to spend upon you from her wealth.

27. Do not overburden your wife with acts that she is not able to handle. Consider, with extreme regard, the environment she was raised up in. Rural service is not like urban service, and the service of a strong woman and her preparation for it is not like the service of a weak woman.

Ibn Al-Haytham: the father of modern optics

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Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Anti Cow Slaughter Legislation

Monday, July 05, 2010

Muslims living in the west have a responsibility

Harun Yahya
Muslims living in the west have a responsibility to represent the peaceful and loving moral values of Islam in the finest possible manner

Muslims are exceptional people on whom, by the mercy of Allah, faith and guidance have been bestowed. Allah has chosen them and given them light and understanding from His Presence. All believers throughout the course of history, the prophets and those believers who followed them, have demonstrated great loyalty to Allah, have sincerely turned to Him under all conditions and circumstances, have defended the truth with all their might and have commanded people to do good. Our duty as Muslims today is to demonstrate the same determination with regard to the faith and proper moral values as the prophets and those believers who followed them did, and to preach the existence, oneness and commandments of Allah by mobilizing all our physical and spiritual means. In particular, being instrumental in the raising of young people who are sincerely devoted to Allah and who greatly love and fear Him is one of the most important responsibilities incumbent on all Muslims in the world.

Every Muslim also has a duty to represent, through his attitudes and behavior, the religion of Allah in the finest possible manner. Muslims must display the same closeness and submission to Allah, the same humility, cleanliness, warmth and sincerity, the same determination in good manners as our Prophet (saas), and must be affectionate, understanding and compassionate like him.

Our Muslim brothers living in Western countries have a primary duty, like all Muslims, to communicate the existence and oneness of Allah and the moral values commanded by Him. Indeed, living in the same lands as the People of the Book is instrumental in their directly assuming this responsibility. Therefore, every pious Muslim living in Western countries has a responsibility to describe its beauties very accurately to people unacquainted with Islam. They must also tell them that Allah is the One and Only Deity, that He pervades all places, that the Hereafter is a definite reality and that people will be held to account for all their deeds in this world and must strive to be instrumental in their turning to Allah without associating any partners with Him. Every Muslim who discharges these religious duties properly will have followed the truth and in the footsteps of the prophets. Every Muslim who has fully adopted this courageous and determined Muslim spirit manifested in all the prophets and the moral virtues commanded by Allah will behave nobly, naturally and honestly at every moment of his life, reject any ethical model apart from that of the Qur’an and therefore possess an immaculate, high-character soul, a deep conscience and an exceedingly lofty quality in character.

Another major responsibility incumbent on our Muslim brothers and sisters living in Western countries is to treat the People of the Book with affection in the same way that our Prophet (saas) did and make them feel they are our friends. Christians and Jews lived in great peace and comfort in the time of our Prophet (saas). Our Prophet (saas) treated them with great affection, accepted their invitations, dined with them, bought things from Jews and encouraged his people and the Companions to make purchases from them. Muslims have a duty to make Christians and Jews feel comfortable and secure today, in the same way they lived a heavenly life at peace in those days. Our brothers and sisters living in Western countries have a responsibility to discharge this Sunnah of our Prophet (saas).

VERSES REGARDING THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK

That There are Believers among the People of the Book, and Their Fine Aspects
You are the best nation ever to be produced before mankind. You enjoin the right, forbid the wrong and believe in Allah. If the People of the Book were to believe, it would be better for them. Some of them are believers... (Surah Al ‘Imran, 110)

They are not all the same. There is a community among the People of the Book who are upright. They recite Allah’s Signs throughout the night, and they prostrate. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 113)

They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and compete in doing good. They are among the righteous. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 114)

You will not be denied the reward for any good thing you do. Allah knows those who fear [and respect Allah]. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 115)

Among the people of the Book there are some who believe in Allah and in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down to them, and who are humble before Allah. They do not sell Allah’s Signs for a paltry price. Such people will have their reward with their Lord. And Allah is swift at reckoning. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 199)

Those We gave the Book before this [the Qur’an] believe in it. (Surat al-Qasas, 52)

When it is recited to them they say, “We believe in it; it is the truth from our Lord. We were already Muslims before it came.” (Surat al-Qasas, 53)

They Who Rejoice that the Qur’an Was Sent down to the Prophet Muhammad (saas)

There Is No Fear For Those of Them Who Believe

How the Food of the People of the Book Is Lawful for Muslims

Today all good things have been made lawful for you. And the food of those given the Book is also lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. So are chaste women from among the believers and chaste women of those given the Book before you, once you have given them their dowries in marriage, not in fornication or taking them as secret intrigues. But as for anyone who rejects faith, his actions will come to nothing and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers. (Surat al- Maida, 5)

Abiding by the Haneef (Natural Pure) Faith of the Prophet Abraham (pbuh)

Say, ‘We believe in Allah and what has been sent down to us and Jacob‘qub and the Tribes, and what Moses and Jesuswere given, and what all the Prophets were given by their Lord. We do not differentiate between any of them. We are Muslims submitted to Him.’ (Surat al-Baqara, 136)

If their belief is the same as yours then they are guided. But if they turn away, they are entrenched in hostility. Allah will be enough for you against them. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. (Surat al-Baqara, 137)

How They Recognize the Messenger

Muslims’ Call to the People of the Book

Say, ‘People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you – that we should worship none but Allah and not associate any partners with Him and not take one another as lords besides Allah.’ If they turn away, say, ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims.’ (Surah Al ‘Imran, 64)

The people with the strongest claim to Abraham are those who followed him and this Prophet and those who belive. Allah is the Protector of the believers. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 68)

Those We have given the Book recognize it as they recognize their own children. As for those who have lost their own selves, they have no faith. (Surat al- An‘am, 20)

PEOPLE OF THE BOOK IN THE QUR’AN

Say, “People of the Book! Come to a proposition which is the same for us and you – that we should worship none but Allah and not associate any partners with Him and not take one another as lords besides Allah.”If they turn away, say, ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims.’ (Surah Al'Imran, 64)

Today all good things have been made lawful for you. And the food of those given the Book is also lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. So are chaste women from among the believers and chaste women of those given the Book before you, once you have given them their dowries in marriage, not in fornication or taking them as secret intrigues. But as for anyone who rejects faith, his actions will come to nothing and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers. (Surat al Ma’ida, 5)

Among the people of the Book there are some who believe in Allah and in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down to them, and who are humble before Allah. They do not sell Allah’s Signs for a paltry price. Such people will have their reward with their Lord. And Allah is swift at reckoning. (Surah Al 'Imran, 199)

Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair admonition, and argue with them in the kindest way. Your Lord knows best who is misguided from His way. And He knows best who are guided. (Surat an-Nahl, 125)

You will find that the people most hostile to those who believe are the Jews and the associaters. You will find the people most affectionate to those who believe are those who say, ‘We are Christians.’ That is because some of them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant. (Surat al-Ma'ida, 82)

Only argue with the People of the Book in the kindest way – except in the case of those of them who do wrong – saying, ‘We believe in what has been sent down to us and what was sent down to you. Our God and your God are one and we submit to Him.’ (Surat al-'Ankabut, 46)

...There is a community among the People of the Book who are upright. They recite Allah’s signs throughout the night, and they prostrate. They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and compete in doing good. They are among the righteous. You will not be denied the reward for any good thing you do. Allah knows those who fear Allah. (Surah Al 'Imran, 113-115)

Those who believe and those who are Jews and the Sabaeans and the Christians, all who believe in Allah and the Last Day and act rightly will feel no fear and will know no sorrow. (Surat al-Ma’ida, 69)

Allah does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you in the religion or driven you from your homes, or from being just towards them. Allah loves those who are just. (Surat al-Mumtahana, 8)

VARIOUS HADITH OF OUR PROPHET (SAAS) REGARDING THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK

1. The Prophet Muhammad (saas) has stated the following:

“Someone who unjustly kills a dhimmi (person under protection) cannot get a whiff of Heaven. However, its fragrance is felt from a distance of forty years. (Sahih Bukhari, Jizya, 5)

2. Our Prophet (saas) said: “Whoever oppresses a dhimmi or burdens a weight over him more than he can carry, I will be his enemy.”

3. “Whoever oppresses a dhimmi or loads a work that is over his strength or takes something away from him by force, I am his foe on the Day of Judgment.” (Abu Dawud, Kharaj, 31-33)

4. “I am claimant of anyone who depresses a dhimmi. The one who I am claimant of (in this world), I am also claimant of on the Day of Judgment.” (Ajlouni, Kashf al-Khafa’ II, 218)

5. Holy Prophet (saas) commands: “Beware! I will be complainant of those who act cruelly and heartlessly to these people (who are bound by agreement) and restrict their rights or who load a work over what they can sustain or take away something out of their will, on the Day of Judgment.” (Abu Dawud, Jihad; (İslamda Devlet Nizami [Islamic State Order]), Abu’l-A’la Mawdudi, Hilal Yayınları, 1967, p. 71)

6. In any one of the countries conquered at the time of Hazrat Omar, not even one place of worship was failed to respect. Abu Yusuf writes:
“All places of worship were left as they were before. Neither were they demolished, nor the defeated people were deprived of their properties or belongings.” (Abu Yusuf, Kitabu'l-Haraj; Islam’da Devlet Nizamı, Abu’l-A’la Mawdudi, Hilal Yayınları, 1967, s. 74)

7. Hazrat Ali said, “Whoever is our dhimmi, his blood is as blessed as ours, his property is as protected from damage as ours.” In another verse it is related that Hazrat Ali said the following: “The property and life of the ones who accept status of dhimmi is blessed as ours (the Muslims).” (Islam’da Devlet Nizamı "Islamic State Order”, Abu’l-A’la Mawdudi, Hilal Yayınları, 1967, p. 76)

8. In the agreement which our Holy Prophet (saas) decreed the articles to Ibn Harris ibn Ka’b, who is a Christian, and other Christians:

“The religion, churches, lives, chastity and property of the entire Christians living in the East and the West are under the protection of Allah, His Prophet (saas) and all the believers. None of the people embracing the religion of Christianity will be forced to accept Islam. If one of the Christians suffers murder or injustice, Muslims are obliged to help him,” he narrated the verse: “Only argue with the People of the Book in the kindest way…” (Surat al-Anqabut, 29/46). (Ibn Hisham, Abu Muhammad Abdu’l-Malik, (v.218/834), as-Seerat an-Nabaweeyat, Daru't-Turasi'l-Arabiyye, Beirut, 1396/1971, IV/241-242; Hamidullah, Al-Wasaiq, s.154-155, No.96-97; Doğu Batı kaynaklarında birlikte yaşama, “Living together in Eastern and Western sources”, p. 95)

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Feb 20, 2010