Blog Archives
The lofty status of remembrance (dhikr)
Source: sunnah.org
Dhikr of Allah is the most excellent act of Allah’s servants and is stressed over a hundred times in the Holy Qur’an. It is the most praiseworthy work to earn Allah’s pleasure, the most effective weapon to overcome the enemy, and the most deserving of deeds in reward. It is the flag of Islam, the polish of hearts, the essence of the science of faith, the immunization against hypocrisy, the head of worship, and the key of all success.There are no restrictions on the modality, frequency, or timing of dhikr whatsoever. The restrictions on modality pertain to certain specific obligatory acts which are not the issue here, such as Salat. The Shari`a is clear and everyone knows what they have to do. Indeed, the Prophet said that the People of Paradise will only regret one thing: not having made enough dhikr in the world! Are not those who are making up reasons to discourage others from making dhikr afraid of Allah in this tremendous matter?
Good deeds should be done with the right intention, not for attention!
The Prophet (pbuh) said, “He who lets the people hear of his good deeds intentionally to win their praise, Allah will let the people know his real intention (on the Day of Resurrection), and he who does good things in public to show off and win the praise of the people, Allah will disclose his real intention (and humiliate him).” [Bukhari]
Virtues of the 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah (Video)
Find out why EVERY Muslim should take advantage of these 10 day of Dhu’l-Hijjah and what you can do to maximize benefit from these 10 days which only come once every year. Among the great seasons of worship in Islam are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, which Allah has favoured over other days. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days…”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari
Action Alert – Disgraced British journalist insults the Prophet (SAW)
The Prophet’s (pbuh) favorite color and turban
By: Abdullah Anik Misra
Source: http://seekersguidance.org/
The color most pleasing to Prophet Muhammad (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was green, while some said it was white. With respect to clothing, the Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged men to wear white in numerous hadiths. Thus, according to the sunnah, it is preferred to wear white, as well as black and green. [Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]
While wearing a green turban is not a specific sunnah, wearing green garments in general is from the sunnah, so one could wear a green turban to fulfill that.
It is important to note that the Prophet (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) himself wore different types of clothing from different places, and of different colors and designs, not just one style or color, though there would be nothing wrong if one chose to did this.
Why we collectively condemn ISIS
By: Omar Suleiman
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) cared for the innocent men, women, and children that belonged to the “other side” even as he suffered from injustice himself and the loss of his family and closest companions. Despite losing Khadijah (ra), Hamza (ra), etc. he never became bitter or unethical. Protecting civilians from all sides is also part of Jihad. The oppression of Bashar and Al-Maliki doesn’t justify the taking of a single innocent life be it a Muslim, Christian, Yazidi, etc. So I openly condemn #ISIS and speak out against them for the havoc they are wreaking upon the people of Iraq and Syria.
I’ve read all the conspiracy theories about where they come from and it is definitely strange how they appeared out of nowhere and starting attacking other groups fighting the Assad regime and are suddenly the richest terrorist organization in the world. It’s also perplexing how the American government helped fund them in Syria but is now bombing them in Iraq. None of it makes much sense at all. But any sane Muslim with a basic understanding of Islam should be disgusted by the taking of innocent life by this group just as we are disgusted by Israel’s massacre of innocent Palestinians, America’s droning of innocent people around the world, etc. Be just even if it be against your families and against yourselves.
And to the #ISIS fanboys that keep tweeting curses, insults, and pictures of beheadings to me (whose names always seem to end with Al Amreeki for some reason), your rhetoric further reinforces to me and everyone else that this group is the manifestation of the khawarij in this era. May Allah guide all of you back to the Sunnah. Ameen
What is the ruling on fasting six days of Shawwaal?
By: Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid
Source: http://islamqa.info/
Praise be to Allaah.
Fasting six days of Shawwaal after the obligatory fast of Ramadaan is Sunnah Mustahabbah, not waajib. It is recommended for the Muslim to fast six days of Shawwaal, and in this there is great virtue and an immense reward. Whoever fasts these six days will have recorded for him a reward as if he had fasted a whole year, as was reported in a saheeh hadeeth from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Abu Ayyoob (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan and follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime.” (Narrated by Muslim, Abu Dawood, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nisaa’i and Ibn Maajah).
Q&A: Was Muhammad Really a Man of Peace?
Source: OnIslam.net
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Question and answer details
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| Name of Questioner: | Mark |
| Reply date: | 2014/07/07 |
| Question: | Why should we believe in a religion that began by a man who fought 68 battles, at least some offensive in nature? Was Mohammed really a man of peace, as his last words were to curse the Christians and the Jews? When Jesus was attacked and taken to the cross to be tortured – he gave himself up – his last words were to forgive those who tortured him. How could Muhammad really be a man of peace? |
| consultant: | Dr. Mohsen Haredy |
Salam (Peace) Dear Mark,
Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.
Throughout his life, the Prophet (peace be upon him) spared no efforts in calling his people to God’s message with wisdom and good admonition.
Due to tribal conflicts, the people of Quraysh rejected the message and put the Prophet and his Companions to persecution. He was forced to leave Makkah and go to Madinah where he was also unable to preach Islam in peace.
Forced to defend God’s religion, the Prophet participated in seven battles only. In these battles the least destruction was done. Prophet Muhammad was the first to introduce the rules of war or combating. No children, women and old men are to be harmed. No trees, animals or houses of worship are to be destroyed. He put an end to the barbaric wars. Prophet Muhammad never gave orders to kill innocent people.
No battle was instigated by Muslims. All battles were in reaction to an attack on Muslims. The Prophet used to offer peace first. The Prophet asked the combatants to honor the treaties drawn up between Muslims and their opponents. Whenever the enemy laid down arms, the Prophet stopped fighting.
The Prophet also introduced unprecedented rules for Prisoners of War (POWs). Muslims treated those captured during wars kindly, and thus Muslims set good examples for 21st. century world on how POWs should be treated.
The actual fighting in Islam should be to help the oppressed people. (An-Nisa’ 4:75) This is the type of fighting for which there is a great reward in the Hereafter.
Fighting in Islam is allowed against those who wage war against them. This is termed today as war in self-defense. At the same time, Muslims are urged not to commit aggression. (Al-Baqarah 2:190) When there is a space for peace, Muslims are ordered to accept it. (An-Nisaa’ 4: 90)
As for cursing the Jews and Christians you referred to in your question, it should be understood in its proper context. The Prophet was warning Muslims against taking his grave a place of worship as the Jews and Christians did with the graves of their Prophets. He was assuring Muslims that he was no more than a human being like them and like the Prophets who came before him.
Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him)
You are referring to Prophet Jesus who when he was attacked and taken to the cross to be tortured, he gave himself up and his last words were to forgive those who tortured him.
First, Muslims do not agree with the biblical narration of the crucifixion of Jesus and his death on the cross. Muslims believe that God saved Prophet Jesus from death on the cross and that he will come back to earth as a just ruler. See for example the following answers for more details:
The Alleged Torture and Crucifixion of Jesus
The Story of Jesus son of Mary
Top 30 Questions & Answers on Jesus in Islam
Prophet Muhammad’s Forgiveness
If we read the Prophet’s authentic biography, we will see how the Prophet reacted to the different situations in which he was attacked. A prime example is what the people of At-Ta’if did with the Prophet. They stoned him and injured him severely. The Prophet forgave them and prayed to God that He may guide them to Islam. Prophet Muhammad’s message is about mercy, forgiveness, and peace.
Throughout Islamic history, people of other faith communities practiced their beliefs freely and they were never forced to convert to Islam. The best description of the Prophet’s tolerance towards such communities is given in the following words of the Quran:
{To you be your religion, and to me be mine.} (Al-Kafirun 109:6)
Prophet Muhammad gave the best example of forgiving his opponents and co-existing with them in peace in the Constitution of Madinah whose authenticity is confirmed by Muslims and even non-Muslim scholars. In this Constitution, the Prophet explained the rights of non-Muslim communities on Muslims and the Muslim’s obligations towards to the non-Muslim communities in Madinah. You may wish to check these links for further details:
Covenant of Madinah: A Roadmap for Coexistence
What would you say, dear Mark, about a man who after returning from the battlefield used to tell his Companions: “We have returned from the lesser jihad (going to war) to the greater jihad (the struggle of the soul)”?
The Prophet considered self improvement and self purification more important than going into war. Can this man be a man of war?
Muslims believe that their duty towards their religion is to call others to it. The issue of guiding people to accept Islam is left to God. The Prophet was told in the Quran:
{… your only duty is to deliver the message…} (Ash-Shura 42:48)
This compels one to argue that Prophet Muhammad never fought to impose Islam on his enemies. The principle is:
{Let be there no compulsion in religion…} (Al-Baqarah 2:256)
{Say, ‘Now the truth has come from your Lord: let those who wish to believe in it do so, and let those who wish to reject it do so.’} (Al-Kahf 18:29)
Therefore, Islam had spread all over the world by the word not the sword.
If some still claim that Prophet Muhammad was a man of violence, what would you say about this quote from the Old Testament?
[They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it – men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.] (Joshua 6:21)
This is nothing more than total destruction and mass murder.
Dear Mark, what would you say about a man who enters a city victorious after being forced to leave it? This is what happened with Prophet Muhammad when he entered Makkah in the 8th Hijri year without fighting.
He was in a strong position and he could take revenge on the people who severely tortured him and his Companions. On the contrary, he set the best example of mercy and forgiveness and told the people of Makkah: “Go your way as you are free.”
Now, I ask you, Mark: Was Muhammad a man of peace?
Before answering this question let me explain that there is a difference between Islam as a religion and the way some Muslims practice it. Islam is a peaceful religion, but some Muslims are not always up to the expectations when personal interests and political biases prevail.
Now, it is safe to conclude that the argument that Muhammad was not a man of peace is a false one based on failure to read his biography correctly and understanding the circumstances that surrounded his defensive battles.
I hope this answers your questions.
Thank you again for your questions, and please keep in touch.
Salam.
Useful Links
Prophet Muhammad’s Mercy, Justice and Love
PASS THE KNOWLEDGE (LIGHT & LIFE) 