AsSabiqoon # 33 by Masjid Bani Hashim

A monthly newsletter from Masjid Bani Hashim Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue#33 July 2016

A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #33 July 2016  ‫بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم‬  ‫السالم عليكم و رحمة اهلل و بركاته‬ Introduction As I write, Ramadan has just entered the second third and gradually in shaa Allah we are coming closer to the last third, the most important 10 days, in which there is one night which is greater in reward than 1000 months as Allah SWT describes in Surah Al Qadar:  ِ ‫ن ٱلرَّحِ يم‬ ِ ٰ‫ِسم ِ ٱهللِ ٱلرَّحۡ مَ ـ‬ ۡ ‫ب‬ ‫ إِنَّا أَنْزَ ْلنَاهُ فِي َليْ َل ِة ا ْل َق ْد ِ ر‬.1 Verily, We have sent it (this Qur'ân) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) ‫َاك مَا َليْ َل ُة ا ْل َق ْد ِ ر‬ َ ‫ َومَا أ َ ْدر‬.2 And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? ‫ش ْه ٍ ر‬ َ ِ‫خيْ ٌر ِم ْن أَلْف‬ َ ‫ َليْ َل ُة ا ْل َق ْد ِر‬.3 The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allâh in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months) ‫م ٍ ر‬ ْ َ ‫ن َربِّ ِه ْم ِم ْن كُلِّ أ‬ ِ ْ‫ تَنَزَّلُ املْ ََال ِئ َك ُة وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا ِب ِإذ‬.4 Therein descend the angels and the Rûh [Jibril (Gabriel)] by Allâh's Permission with all Decrees, ‫مطْ َلعِ ا ْلفَجْ ِ ر‬ َ ٰ‫هيَ حَ تَّى‬ ِ ‫س َال ٌم‬ َ .5 (All that night), there is Peace (and Goodness from Allâh to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn. As I ponder over the above noble verses, I think about how many Ramadan have not passed by and how many last 10 days have I not witnessed in my life? Subhanal Allah, we ask Allah SWT to make us reach the last 10 days and to make the best use of this exceptional time and we ask Allah SWT that we continue witnessing in good many more months of Ramadan. It is time to reflect, to seek forgiveness of Allah SWT for all that we have missed in our lives up till now, it is time to make an intention that in shaa Allah we want to do good and we also realise that we can only do and achieve good by His SWT’s permission and His SWT’s support. The night of Qadar is filled with peace, subhanal Allah, do we not want a life filled with peace and tranquillity? The Qur’an is the answer, it is the Qur’an that has the answer to all our pains, lack of peace and imbalances in our lives. If we turn to the Qur’an and spend more time studying it and applying it in our lives with the help of Allah SWT, then surely our lives will be filled with tranquillity just like the night of Qadar is filled with tranquillity.

A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #33 July 2016

This Issue Introduction: Page 1 The Greatest Delight (‫ – )النعيم األعظم‬Al ‘Afuw (‫ – )اسم اهلل العفو‬The All-Pardoning: Pages 3 - 7 The Real Superstars: Pages 8 - 12 Sincerity is the Way to Salvation #5: Pages 13 - 16 Taraweeh: Pages 17 - 20 Gratitude and examples: Page 21

NEW!

Soorah Al Lail: Page 22 Arabic Pronouns: Pages 23 - 24 Our Need to Know about Allah - Part 3: Pages 25 - 26 Cheer up: Pages 27 - 31 Surah Yusuf #45-48: Pages 32 - 34 Laylatul Qadr: Pages 35 - 42 Going to Allah SWT: Pages 43 - 45 Allah Created the Universe: Pages 46 - 48 Seeking the Night of Decree: Pages 49 - 52 Masjid Bani Hashim: Pages 53 - 55

The Greatest Delight (‫ظم‬kk k k k k‫نعيم األع‬kk k k k k‫ – )ال‬Al ‘Afuw

( ‫بُو َن‬/‫ْس‬ /ِ ‫وا يَك‬/ُ‫ان‬/‫ك‬/َ ‫ا‬/‫ ِه ْم َم‬/‫لُو ِب‬/‫لَى ُق‬/‫لْ رَا َن َع‬/َ‫الَّ ب‬/‫ ) ك‬: َُّ‫ َر اهلل‬/‫( )" ذَ َك‬Abu

(‫ – )اسم اهلل العفو‬The All-Pardoning

Hurairah (ra) narrated that : The Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬said: “Verily, when the slave (of Allah) commits a sin, a block spot appears on his heart. When he refrains from it, seeks forgiveness and repents, his heart is polished clean. But if he returns, it increased until it cover his entire heart. And that is the ‘Ran’ which Allah mentioned: Nay, but on their hearts is the Ran which they used to earn.) – At Tirmidhi Book 47, Hadith 3654 –

Linguistic Meaning (‫)املعنى اللغوي‬ ▪

Overlook the sin (‫)التجاوز عن الذنب‬

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To erase and wipe away / no traces are left (‫حو‬//‫امل‬ ‫)و الطمس‬

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No punishment (‫)ترك العقاب عليه‬

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Abundance and increase (‫)الكثرة و الزيادة‬

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‫ َعبْ َد إِذَا‬/ /‫الَ " إِ َّن ا ْل‬// ‫لم َق‬// ‫ليه وس‬// ‫لى اهلل ع‬// ‫ولِ اهللَِّ ص‬// ‫َس‬ / /ُ ‫ ْن ر‬/ /‫ َع‬،َ‫ َرة‬/ ْ‫ َري‬/ /‫ُه‬

If the person repents, then it is erased. If not, then it will cover the heart, a person will hear great signs of Allah (swt) and it will not affect the heart. He will hear the Quran and not understand it, why? Because the words of Allah (swt) are pure. Sins have an outer consequence as well – bad mood, depression, making small matters a big deal, and worships will be heavy and burdensome. When you know Allah (‫و‬// ‫ف‬/ /‫ع‬/ / / / / / ‫ – )ال‬you want to attach to Him and

‫ت َ ْغفَ َر‬/ ‫َاس‬ / /ْ ‫ع و‬ َ َ‫ز‬/ َ‫ َو ن‬/ ‫ه‬ /ُ ‫ ِإذَا‬/ َ‫ ْودَا ُء ف‬/ ‫س‬ / /َ ‫ ْكت َ ٌة‬/ ُ‫ ْل ِب ِه ن‬/ ‫ي َق‬//‫ ِكت َتْ ِف‬/ ُ‫طِيئ َ ًة ن‬/ ‫خ‬ /َ َ ‫طَأ‬/ ‫خ‬ /ْ َ ‫أ‬

want His (‫ – )عفو‬His pardoning.

Ease (‫)السهل‬

Meaning in the Deen (‫)املعنى الشرعي‬ ▪

Overlooking the sins of the servants and there is no end to it (‫ا ال‬// / ‫ى م‬// / ‫باده ال‬// / ‫وب ع‬// / ‫ن ذن‬// / ‫صفح ع‬// / ‫كثير ال‬// / ‫ال‬ ‫)نهاية‬

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Removes traces of the sins (‫وب‬// / / / ‫ذن‬// / / / ‫ار ال‬// / / / ‫ل آث‬// / / / ‫زي‬// / / / ‫)ي‬: every sin has a stain in the heart. Hadith: (‫ي‬//‫ ْن أ َ ِب‬/‫َع‬

‫ذِي‬/‫رَّا ُن ا َّل‬/‫ َو ال‬/‫ ْلبَ ُه َو ُه‬/‫ ْع ُل َو َق‬/َ‫ت َّى ت‬/‫ح‬ /َ ‫يهَا‬/‫ف‬/ِ ‫ َد‬/‫ا َد ِزي‬/‫ع‬/َ ‫ ْلبُ ُه َو إِ ْن‬/‫قِلَ َق‬/‫س‬ / ُ َ‫اب‬/َ‫َوت‬ 3

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Allah (swt) will not ask the servant about his sins on the Day of Judgement (‫عباد‬// ‫ها ال‬// ‫ب ب‬// ‫طال‬// ‫ال ي‬

choice. For example, if you can’t pray standing, then sitting, then lying. We cannot see Allah (swt) in the duniya, but when you see His names and actions, it will reflect on you. Just as in paradise, when the dwellers of paradise see Allah (swt) they will become more beautiful. And in this duniya, when you know the names of Allah (swt), it will reflect on you and make your behavior more beautiful, subhan Allah. We need things and other people, yet Allah (swt) does not need us and still He is easy with us. So why are we difficult with people? Subhan Allah.

‫ة‬// / /‫قيام‬// / /‫وم ال‬// / /‫)ي‬: your sins are so embarrassing and Allah (swt) will not even mention it on the Day of Judgement, subhan Allah. ▪

Allah (swt) will erase the sins from the records that are being written by the angels (‫وب‬// ‫ذن‬// ‫محو ال‬// ‫ي‬ ‫بني‬//‫كات‬//‫كرام ال‬//‫وان ال‬//‫ن دي‬//‫ )م‬and He will make them forget it (‫هم‬// / ‫لوب‬// / ‫ن ق‬// / ‫نسيها م‬// / ‫)ي‬: Imagine if Allah (swt) is making the angels recording the sin to forget, then will He not make the people to forget your sin, subhan Allah?

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Allah (swt) is giving so much in abundance (‫و‬

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‫خير‬//‫ثير ال‬//‫ى ك‬//‫عال‬//‫و ت‬//‫)ه‬: We are being showered day

provision, pardoning, yet from the people it is difficult, subhan Allah. And Allah (swt) doesn’t need us but we need Him. And you can get it with the easiest means (‫ر‬// / / / / ‫أيس‬// / / / / ‫نده ب‬// / / / / ‫ا ع‬// / / / / ‫قرب م‬// / / / / ‫ي‬

and night with Allah’s goodness despite the sins we commit, subhan Allah. Someone might say I don’t see it? Whatever you think about Allah (swt), this is how He will be to you (‫ند‬// ‫ا ع‬// ‫أن‬

‫باب‬// / / / ‫)االس‬. For example, when traveling, you can

‫ي‬// / /‫بدي ب‬// / /‫ن ع‬// / /‫)ظ‬. When you trust and know that Allah (swt) will give you – He will give you, and this is paradise in my heart, subhan Allah. Always think good about Allah (swt). ▪

shorten the prayers – don’t think you are being strong when you do it all. ▪

Allah (swt) is easy, He will accept anything you do for Him, subhan Allah (‫قبل‬/‫ذي ي‬/‫ل ال‬/‫ى السه‬/‫عال‬/‫و ت‬/‫ه‬ front of Allah (swt) because He is the King of the kings and still He will accept your deeds. If you want forgiveness – it is easy. If you want provision – it is easy. No one is like Allah (swt) – (}‫مثله ش‬// / / ‫يس ك‬// / / ‫)ل‬. Truly (‫ه اال اهلل‬// / / ‫ – )ال ال‬this is the

had two choices, he would pick the easy

There is no mediator / barrier between us and Allah (swt) (‫جاب‬// / /‫عباد ح‬// / /‫ني ال‬// / /‫ينه و ب‬// / /‫يس ب‬// / /‫ه ل‬// / /‫)الن‬: you don’t need to make an appointment or wait – anytime, anywhere you can immediately connect to Allah (swt) – a turn of the heart will connect you, subhan Allah. Say Allah Akbar in the prayer, and you can speak to Allah (swt). Say Bism Allah Ar Rahman Ar Raheem and read the Quran, and Allah (swt) speaks to you, subhan Allah.

‫بات‬// / / / ‫واج‬// / / / ‫ن ال‬// / / / ‫يسير م‬// / / / ‫)ال‬: this makes you so shy in

key to paradise. It is easy to please Allah (swt) and it is difficult to please the people or ourselves, subhan Allah. A servant eats and says alhamduliah – and this is pleasing to Allah (swt), subhan Allah. Allah (swt) wants ease, not hardship. Even the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said if he

Allah (swt) makes His goodness easy to get (‫يره‬// ‫ل خ‬// ‫ي يسه‬// ‫عال‬// ‫)اهلل ت‬: It is easy to get His mercy,

Types of pardoning of Allah (‫)أنواع عفو اهلل‬ ▪

General (‫ام‬// / / / / / ‫)ع‬: it is for everyone and it is given without seeking it from Allah (swt)

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Special (‫اص‬// / / / / / ‫)خ‬: you need to seek it from Allah (swt) 4

The worshippers (‫)العابدون‬

Types of pardoning of Allah (‫)أنواع عفو اهلل‬ ▪

General (‫ام‬// / / / / / ‫)ع‬: it is for everyone and it is given without seeking it from Allah (swt)

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(swt)

General pardoning (‫)العفو العام‬ ▪

Disbelievers and criminals (‫ني‬// / ‫رم‬// / ‫كفار و املج‬// / ‫ن ال‬// / ‫)ع‬: how does Allah (swt) pardon them? By averting the punishment from them, how? For example, disbelief has a punishment associated it, but Allah (swt) does not discontinue the blessings from them – He gives them provision, children, etc – they will enjoy the duniya – this is all pardoning from Allah (swt).

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They insult Allah (swt) – to say He has a son, children, has no mercy, is poor – istaghfar Allah. Did they seek the pardoning of Allah (swt)? No. Yet Allah (swt) is still giving them and He will even give them what benefits them in the duniya (‫يهم و‬// /‫عاف‬// /‫و ي‬// /‫ه و ه‬// /‫ؤذون‬// /‫بون اهلل و ي‬// /‫هو يس‬// /‫ف‬

Majesty of Allah’s pardoning (‫)جالل العفو‬ ▪

Special pardoning (‫)العفو الخاص‬ ▪

You have to seek this from Allah (swt), it is for whom? o

Those who repent (‫)للتائبني‬

Those seek forgiveness (‫)املستغفرين‬

Those who invoke Allah (swt) (‫)الداعني‬

Any affliction that befalls a believer – be it from physical ailment, loss of wealth, calamity with a child or loss of beloved, then Allah (swt) will expiate his sins (‫ن‬// /‫يا م‬// /‫دن‬// /‫ي ال‬// /‫ن ف‬// /‫ؤم‬// /‫صيب امل‬// /‫ا ي‬// /‫ل م‬// /‫ك‬ ‫)مصائب اال كفر اهلل عنهم سيئاتهم‬.

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We are making so many mistakes yet Allah (swt) is pardoning us and overlooking so many of our sins (‫ما ال‬// / / /‫ثر م‬// / / /‫جاوز أك‬// / / /‫نه و ت‬// / / /‫فا ع‬// / / /‫ما ع‬// / / /‫و ان م‬ ‫)يحصى‬.

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Surah Ash Shura 30: (‫بِمَ ا‬/ / /َ‫صيبَ ٍ۬ة ف‬/ ِ / / /‫ن ُّم‬// / /‫بَڪُم ِّم‬/ / /ٰ‫آ أ ََصـ‬// / /‫َو َم‬ ‫ثِي ۬ ٍر‬/ / ‫ك‬/َ ‫ن‬// /‫ ُك ۡم َويَ ۡعفُوا ْ َع‬/ / ‫بَتۡ أَيۡ ِدي‬/ / ‫َس‬ / /َ ‫( )ك‬And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.)

‫نفعهم‬//‫ا ي‬//‫يا م‬//‫دن‬//‫ن ال‬//‫عطيهم م‬//‫هم و ي‬//‫رزق‬//‫)ي‬. For example, a disbeliever might go through difficulties and they strive to succeed in the duniya – this is all from Allah’s pardoning. Allah (swt) gives the duniya, even to the disbelievers, because it is worthless – it is less than a mosquito wing, it is not a prize at all. The hereafter is the real prize.

Special (‫اص‬// / / / / / ‫)خ‬: you need to seek it from Allah

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We are not being punished for all of our sins.

For all that Allah (swt) is pardoning us in the duniya (‫يا‬// /‫دن‬// /‫ي ال‬// /‫نه ف‬// /‫فا اهلل ع‬// /‫ا ع‬// /‫)أن م‬, then how will His pardoning be in the Day of Judgement? Subhan Allah. Allah (swt) is even more generous with His pardoning on the Day of Judgement than in the duniya (‫فوه‬// ‫عود ع‬// ‫ن أن ي‬// ‫رم م‬// ‫اهلل أك‬// ‫ف‬ ‫ة‬// / / /‫قيام‬// / / /‫وم ال‬// / / /‫)ي‬. Allah (swt) will not change His pardoning in the akhira – He will not go back on His pardoning – this is the way of Allah (swt) (‫)فهو ال يرجع في عفوه فهذه سنة اهلل‬.

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In the morning and evening supplications, we are saying (‫يَا‬/ / ْ‫ ُّدن‬/ / ‫ي ال‬// /‫يَ َة ِف‬/ / ‫عَا ِف‬/ / ‫ َعفْ َو وَا ْل‬/ / ‫ك ا ْل‬/َ / /‫أ َ ُل‬/ / ‫َس‬ / /ْ ‫ي أ‬// / ِّ‫ َّل ُه َّم إِن‬/ / ‫ال‬

‫نا‬// ‫فوا ع‬// ‫اع‬// ‫عفو ف‬// ‫حب ال‬// ‫( )ت‬Oh Allah You are verily

‫لِي‬/‫َاى َوأ َ ْه‬ َ ‫ي‬/ْ‫نِي َو ُدن‬/‫ي ِدي‬/‫يَ َة ِف‬/‫عَا ِف‬/‫ َعفْ َو وَا ْل‬/‫ك ا ْل‬/َ ‫أ َ ُل‬/‫َس‬ / ْ ‫ي أ‬/ِّ‫ َّل ُه َّم إِن‬/‫ َر ِة ال‬/‫َاآلخ‬ ِ ‫و‬

All-Pardoning, You love to pardon, so pardon us) – this is the dua’a of the Night of Decree (‫)دعاء ليلة القدر‬.

‫د ََّى‬/َ‫ني ي‬/ ِ ْ َ‫ ْن ب‬/‫فَظْنِي ِم‬/‫َاح‬ /ْ ‫ي و‬/‫ت‬/ِ ‫ا‬/‫ع‬/َ ‫ ْن َر ْو‬/‫ي وَآ ِم‬/‫ت‬/ِ ‫ ْورَا‬/‫ت ُ ْر َع‬/‫اس‬ / ْ ‫ َّل ُه َّم‬/‫ي ال‬/ِ‫ال‬/‫م‬/َ ‫َو‬ ‫ك أ َ ْن‬/َ / ‫وذُ ِب‬// ‫ع‬/ُ َ ‫ي َوأ‬// ‫ ْو ِق‬/ /َ‫ ْن ف‬/ /‫ي َو ِم‬// ِ‫مَ ال‬// ‫ش‬ / ِ ‫ ْن‬/ /‫مِينِي َو َع‬/ /َ‫ ْن ي‬/ /‫ ْلفِي َو َع‬/ /‫خ‬ َ ‫ ْن‬/ /‫َو ِم‬ ‫حْ تِي‬// / / /َ‫ ْن ت‬/ / / / ‫م‬/ِ َ‫ت َال‬/ / / / ‫( )أ ُ ْغ‬Allahumma inni as'alukal-'afwa

wal-'afiyah fid-dunya wal-akhirah. Allahumma inni as'alukal-'afwa wal-'afiyah fi dini wa dunyaya wa ahli wa mali. Allahum-mastur 'awrati, wa amin raw'ati wahfazni min bayni yadayya, wa min khalfi, wa 'an yamini wa 'an shimali, wa min fawqi, wa 'audhu bika an ughtala min tahti (O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness and wellbeing in this world and in the Hereafter. O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness and well-being in my religious and my worldly affairs. O Allah, conceal my faults, calm my fears, and protect me from before me and behind me, from my right and my left, and from above me, and I seek refuge in You from being taken unaware from beneath me) ▪

The more we know Allah (swt), the more our attachment will be – the more we will attach to His pardoning.

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Allah (swt) is pardoning the sinners who repent back to Him in the duniya (‫بني‬/‫ذن‬/‫ن امل‬/‫عفو ع‬/‫ما ان اهلل ي‬/‫ك‬

how many times should you pardon a servant? (‫خادم‬// ‫ن ال‬// ‫عف ع‬// ‫م ن‬// ‫ )ك‬He said 70 times a day (‫وم‬// ‫ل ي‬// ‫ي ك‬// ‫رة ف‬// ‫بعني م‬// ‫يل س‬// ‫)ق‬, subhan Allah. At the end of the day, no one is perfect. These are people working for you and you have the upper hand, so what about your spouse, children, friends, etc? You need to be even more pardoning, subhan Allah. Pardoning doesn’t mean we don’t tell them what is right or wrong, but do not punish. The more you pardon, the more honored you will be (‫عفو اال‬// / /‫بدا ب‬// / /‫ا زاد اهلل ع‬// / /‫و م‬

will not punish you for your sins, subhan Allah. In the hereafter, Allah (swt) will even pardon those who didn’t do any good in their life, even insisting on the sin, though they have an atom of faith – they have tawheed (‫ن‬// ‫دي‬// ‫وح‬// ‫ن امل‬// ‫عفو ع‬// ‫هو ي‬// ‫ف‬ ‫رة‬// / ‫ي اآلخ‬// / ‫ن ف‬// / ‫صري‬// / ‫)امل‬, subhan Allah. If this is how Allah (swt) is dealing with sinners who are believers in the hereafter, then what about the ones who pray, repent, and seek His forgiveness in the duniya, subhan Allah. ▪

Allah (swt) has shown His servants the means to attain His pardoning (‫يل‬// /‫باب ن‬// /‫لى أس‬// /‫باده ع‬// /‫دلّ اهلل ع‬ ‫)عفوه‬.

Pardon the people (‫ناس‬// / /‫ن ال‬// / /‫عفو ع‬// / /‫)ان ت‬: overlook and pardon the sins, shortcomings and mistakes of others. The more you overlook people’s mistakes, the more you will attain Allah’s pardoning. How you want Allah (swt) to deal with you is how you deal with the people. That is why the names of Allah (swt) reform our manners and character. We especially have to be pardoning to those who are working for us. A man once asked the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬

‫يا‬//‫دن‬//‫ي ال‬//‫بني ف‬//‫تائ‬//‫ – )ال‬when He pardons you then He ▪

A very powerful mean is dua’a: (‫فو‬//‫ك ع‬//‫لهم ان‬//‫ال‬

‫زا‬// / / / / / ‫ – )ع‬people think if they are easygoing with those who are working for them, then they will be on top of them, but this is not the case. ▪

Had it not been for the pardoning of Allah (swt), then the earth would sink and take what is with it, subhan Allah (‫ا‬// ‫كثرة م‬// ‫لها ل‬// ‫إه‬// ‫غارت االرض ب‬// ‫فوه ل‬// ‫وال ع‬// ‫ل‬ ‫ي‬//‫عاص‬//‫ن امل‬//‫كب م‬//‫رت‬//‫)ي‬: Surah An Nahl 61: (َُّ‫ذُ ٱهلل‬/ ‫َاخ‬ / ِ ‫ؤ‬/ ُ‫ ۡو ي‬/ ‫َو َل‬ ‫ ۬ ٍل‬/ ‫َج‬ / َ ‫ىٰٓ أ‬/ /‫ ۡم إِ َل‬/ ‫ه‬ /ُ ‫ ُر‬/ ‫خ‬ /ِّ ‫ َؤ‬/ ُ‫كِن ي‬/ ٰ‫ ٍ۬ة َو َلـ‬/ َّ‫ن دَآب‬// ‫م‬/ِ ‫ر ََك َع َليۡہَا‬/ َ‫ا ت‬// ‫َّاس ِبظُ ۡل ِمهِم َّم‬ َ ‫ن‬/ ‫ٱل‬ ‫و َن‬// / /‫َست َ ۡق ِد ُم‬ ۡ ‫ ۬ ۖةً و ََالي‬/ / /‫ا َع‬// / /‫س‬ / َ ‫َستَـٔۡخِ رُو َن‬ ۡ ‫ ُل ُه ۡم َالي‬/ / /‫َج‬/َ ‫آ َء أ‬// / /‫ ِإذَا َج‬/ / /َ‫ُّس ً۬مّىۖ ف‬ َ ‫)م‬ (And if Allâh were to seize mankind for their wrong-doing, He would not leave on it (the earth) a single moving (living) creature, but He 6

Narrated `Abdullah: The best talk (speech) is Allah's Book (Qur'an), and the best way is the way of Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the worst matters are the heresies (those new things which are introduced into the religion); postpones them for an appointed term and when their term comes, neither can they delay nor can they advance it an hour (or a moment).) ▪

Allah (swt) pardons after having given time and forbearance, yet Allah (swt) is the Most Rich and is the Most Able (‫هال‬//‫لم و ام‬//‫عد ح‬//‫عفو ب‬//‫اهلل ي‬

and whatever you have been promised will surely come to pass, and you cannot escape (it) (Bukhari Vol. 9, Book 92, Hadith 382).

‫)و عن كمال غنى و القدرة على االنتقام‬

Oh Allah You are verily All-Pardoning, You love to pardon, so pardon us (‫اللهم انك عفو تحب‬

Ibn Mas'ud RA reported: I asked the

‫)العفو فاعفوا عنا‬

Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): "Which action is dearest to Allah?" He (peace be upon him) replied, "Performing As-Salat (the prayer) at its earliest fixed time." I asked, "What is next (in goodness)?" He (peace be upon

Abu Hurairah RA reported: Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)said, "The strong man is not the one who wrestles, but the strong man is in fact the one who controls himself in a fit of rage."

him) said, "Kindness towards parents." I asked, "What is next (in goodness)?" He (peace be upon him) said, "To participate in Jihad in the Cause of Allah." Bukhari and Muslim)

(Bukhari and Muslim) 7

returned to us at night and knocked at my door. I came out to him. He said that a grave thing hap pened. I asked him, `What is it? Have Ghassan come?’ He replied that it was worse and more serious than that, adding that Allah’s Messenger had di vorced all his wives. I said, `Hafsah is a ruined loser! I expected that would happen some day.’ So I dressed myself and I performed the Subh prayer. I went to Hafsah and found her weeping. I asked her, `Has Allah’s Messenger divorced all of you.’ She re plied, `I don’t know. He is there alone in the upper In this issue we continue with our Superstar “The Guardian of the Qur’an” Hafsah bint Omar (RA), the Mother of the Believers. There are a couple of incidents connected to her life that are linked with the revelation of the Qur’an. In this issue we will talk about another incident that took place which caused a lot of distress among the Sahaba, particularly to her father Omar (RA). Omar (RA) narrates: I, and an Ansari neighbor of mine used to visit the Prophet in turns. He used to go one day, and I another day. When I would go, I would bring him the news of what had happened that day regarding the revelation and when he went, he would do the same for me. In those days it was ru mored that the Ghassan (a tribe) were preparing their horses to invade us. My companion went and

room.’ I went to the upper room and asked a slave of the Prophet to ask for his permission to see me, and the boy went in and then came out saying, Ì men tioned you to him and he remained silent.’ I then went out and came to the Minbar and found a group of people around it and some of them were weeping. I sat with them for some time, but could not endure the situation. So, I requested to the boy, `Will you get the permission for Òmar’. He went in and then came out saying, Ì mentioned you to him, but he did not reply.’ So, I went to Minbar and sat with the people who were sitting by the Minbar, but I could not bear the situation, so I went to the boy again and said, `Will you get the permission for Ò 8

mar’. He went in and brought the same reply as be

said to her, `Do not be tempted to imitate your com

fore. When I was leaving, behold, he called me saying,

panion (`A’ishah) for she is more beautiful than you

`Allah’s Messenger has granted you permission.’ So,

and more beloved to the Prophet.’ The Prophet smiled

I entered the Prophet’s room, greeted him with the Sa

again. When I saw him smiling, I said, `Does the

lam and saw him lying on a mat without bedding on

Messenger feel calm’ He said, `Yes.’ So, I sat down

it, and the mat had left its mark on the body of the

and cast a glance at the room, and by Allah, I

Prophet. I said, `Have you divorced your wives, O Al

couldn’t see anything of importance, except three

lah’s Messenger’ He raised his eyes to me and replied

hides. I said, `Invoke Allah, O Allah’s Messenger, to

“No”. I said, `Allahu Akbar. O Allah’s Messenger!

make your followers prosperous, for the Persians and

We, the people of Quraysh used to have the upper

the Byzantines have been made prosperous and given

hand over our women. But when we came to Al-

worldly luxuries, even though they do not worship Al

Madinah, we found a people whose women had the

lah.’ The Prophet sat upright and said,”O Ibn Al-

upper hand over them. Our women started learning

Khattab! Do you have any doubt these people have

this behavior from them. Once, I got angry with my

been given rewards of their good deeds in this world

wife, and she talked back to me. I disliked that behav

only” I asked the Prophet , `Please beg Allah’s for

ior from her and she said, `Why do you dislike that I

giveness for me, O Allah’s Messenger.’ The Prophet

talk back to you By Allah, the Prophet’s wives talk

swore that he would not go to his wives for one month,

back to him and one of them would ignore him the

because of his severe anger towards them, until Allah

whole day, until the night.’ I said to her, `Whoever

the Exalted and Most Honored censured

does this among them is the ruined loser! Does she

him.’’(Al-Bukhari, Muslim, At-Tirmidhi and An-

feel safe from Allah getting angry with her on ac

Nasa’i collected this Hadith using various chains of

count of His Messenger’s anger In that case, she

narration.)

would be ruined.’ On that the Prophet smiled. I then said, `O Allah’s Messenger! I went to Hafsah and

Al-Bukhari and Muslim also collected it from Ibn `Abbas, who said, “For a whole year, I was eager to 9

{but if you help one another against him,’’ (Su rah Tahrim :4)} Òmar(ra) replied, “A’ishah and Hafsah.’’ Muslim also recorded that Ibn Àbbas(ra) said that Òmar (ra) said to him, “When Allah’s Mes senger stayed away from his wives, I entered the Masjid and found people striking the ground with pebbles. They said, Àllah’s Messenger has di vorced his wives.’ That occurred before Hijab was ask Òmar bin Al-Khattab about an Ayah. How

commanded. I said to myself, `I must investigate

ever, I hesitated out of respect for him. Once, he

this news today.’’’ He then mentioned the story as

went on a Hajj trip and I accompanied him. On

is mentioned above. `Omar continued, “I said, `O

our way back, he stopped to relieve himself behind

Messenger of Allah, what trouble do you feel from

some trees of Arak. I stopped until he ﬁnished and

your wives If you have divorced them, verily Al

then walked along with him and asked him, `O

lah is with you, His angels, Jibril, Mikal, I, Abu

Leader of the believers! Who are the two women

Bakr and the rest of believers are with you.’ Of

who helped each other (or plotted) against the

ten, when I talked, all praise is due to Allah, I

Prophet’’’ This is the narration that Al-Bukhari

hoped that Allah would testify to the words that I

collected, while Muslim recorded that Ibn `Ab

uttered. And so the Ayat of option was revealed.

bas(ra)asked, “Who are the two women about

Allah said,

whom Allah the Exalted said,

‫خيْرًا مِّن ُك ّ ن‬ َ ‫َسىٰ َربُّ ُه إِن طَ َّل َق ُك َّن أ َن يُبْ ِد َل ُه أَزْوَاجً ا‬ َ ‫ع‬ ‫َو إِن تَظَا َهرَا َع َليْ ِ ه‬

{Maybe his Lord, if he divorces you, will give him

have been entrusted with authority among them,

in your place wives better than you (Surah

those of them who are engaged in obtaining intelli

Tahrim :5)}

gence would indeed know (what to do with) it.(AnNisa:83)}

and, ۖ ‫ني‬ َ ‫َصالِحُ املْ ُ ْؤ ِم ِن‬ َ ‫جبْرِيلُ و‬ ِ ‫َو إِن تَظَا َهرَا َع َليْ ِه فَ ِإ َّن اهللََّ ُه َو َمو َْالهُ َو‬ ‫َاملْ ََال ِئ َك ُة بَ ْع َد ذَٰل َِك ظَهِي ٌ ر‬ {but if you help one another against him, then verily, Allah is his Protector, and Jibril, and the righteous among the believers; and after that the angels are his helpers. (Surah Tahrim :4)} I said, `Messenger of Allah, have you divorced them’ He said, `No.’ I stood at the door of the Masjid and called out at the top of my voice, `The Messenger of Allah has not divorced his wives.’ It was on this occasion that this Ayah was revealed, ‫خوْفِ أَذَاعُوا ْ ِب ِه َو َل ْو َردُّوهُ إِلَى‬ َ ‫َو إِذَا جَ آ َء ُه ْم أ َ ْم ٌر ِّم َن االٌّمْنِ أ َ ِو ا ْل‬ ‫َستَن ْ ِبطُونَ ُه ِمن ْ ُه ْ م‬ ْ ‫َّسولِ َو إِلَى أ ُ ْولِى االٌّ ْم ِر ِمن ْ ُه ْم َل َعلِمَ ُه ا َّلذِي َن ي‬ ُ ‫لر‬ {When any matter pertaining to peace or alarm comes to them, they broadcast it; whereas, if they would refer it to the Messenger and those who

It was I who understood (and properly investi gated) this matter.’’ In another narration, Ibn Sa'd recorded that the Messenger of Allah (saws) divorced Hafsah once and then took her back because Jibreel (as) said to him, "Take Hafsah back, for she frequently fasts and prays in the night and she is your wife in Paradise." Humayd ibn Anas narrated that, "The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alyhi wa sallam) divorced Hafsah and he was thereafter commanded to take her back, and he did so." After this, Hafsah was keen never to annoy the Prophet (saws) again until he died. It is important to note the way Jibreel (as) described Hafsah – the one who frequently fasts and performs night prayers. She was asked to be taken back because of these qualities of her. SubhanAllah what virtue these qualities hold! Hafsah (ra) knew how to read and write, which was something unique as most people in her time were illiterate. Perhaps this was the reason that the palm branches, slates and other materials upon which the Qur’an had been revealed were kept in her home. She 11

was considered as one of the ulema, and after her father’s death she was the one who received the only copy of the Qur’an. Uthman (ra) had to take permission from her to take the mushaf and make copies and to standardize it. After the death of Muhammad (saws) she lived for 2 years under the caliphate of Abu Bakr (ra) and then under the caliphate of her father Omar (ra). Hafsa (ra) died in 45H ,at the age of 61 years. As was her habit, she was fasting when she passed away. She had asked to Abdullah (ra) to give all her property in charity. Marwan bin Hakam the governor of Madinaal-Munauwara performed her funeral prayer. She was laid down in Jannatul Baqi by her brothers Abdullah (ra) and Aasin (ra). Whenever we read Qur’an we must remember our Mother - Hafsa (RA) who was instrumental in its preservation. She preserved the Qur'an in her heart, as well as in her house. Similarly we should do our most to preserve the Qur’an not only in our homes but also in our hearts. O Allah! Make the Quran the delight of our hearts and the light of our breasts and the remover of our pain, sorrow and discomfort..

Hakim bin Hizam RA reported that: Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Both parties in a business transaction have a right to annul it so long as they have not separated; and if they tell the truth and make everything clear to each other (i.e., the seller and the buyer speak the truth, the seller with regard to what is purchased, and the buyer with regard to the money) they will be blessed in their transaction, but if they conceal anything and lie, the blessing on their transaction will be eliminated." (Bukhari and Muslim)

Abu Hurairah RA reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "No Salat is more burdensome to the hypocrites than the Fajr (dawn) prayer and the 'Isha' (night) prayer; and if they knew their merits, they would come to them even if they had to crawl to do so." (Bukhari and Muslim)

TARAWEEH-1 Concerning the Number of Rak’ahs in Taraweeh In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful… After mentioning the Sunnah of praying 11 and 13 rak’ahs for Taraweeh, and that it is best, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al-‘Uthaymeen then said: However, if the people of the masjid prefer that he (the imam) shortens the length of the recitation and the length of the bowings and prostrations, and increases the number of rak’ahs, saying: “Verily this is easier on us,” then there is no harm if he agrees with them, due to the generality of the statement of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam): “Make things easy and do not make things diﬃ cult.” Al-Bukhari (69) and Muslim (4503). And also due to the generality of his statement (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam): “When one of you leads the peo ple (in prayer), then let him shorten (the length of the prayer).” Al-Bukhari (703) and Muslim (1046). So long as we do not fall into anything prohibited, then bringing ease to those under our authority is better and takes precedence. The imam is the one responsible for the masjid, having been put in authority over the praying people, thus he is called the “imam.” The imam is the one who has authority over them in affairs related to the prayer, for example he orders them to establish their rows and straighten them. So if the imam is requested to be easy on them by increasing the number (of rak’ahs) while shortening the bowings, prostrations, and recitations, then there is no harm in that. With this we must say that it is not befitting for us that we be excessive or neglectful, as some of the people commit ghuluw (excessiveness) when they stick to the Sunnah of the number (of rak’ahs), say-

ing, “It is not permissible to increase upon the number that comes in the Sunnah,” and they speak in the sternest way against someone who increases upon that (by praying more than 11 or 13 rak’ahs), saying that he is sinful and disobedient. And there is no doubt that this is a mistake. How could he be sinful or disobedient when the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) was asked about the night prayer, and he said: “(It is) two (rak’ahs) by two (rak’ahs).” Al-Bukhari (473) and Muslim (1746) And he did not limit it to any set number. And it is well known that a person who asks about the night prayer does not know the number (of its rak’ahs), since the one who does not know how to pray the night prayer would more rightfully not know the number (of its rak’ahs). Furthermore, he (the questioner) was not from the servants of the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam), so we can not say that he knew about the affairs within his house. So since the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) told him about the manner that the night prayer is to be prayed, and he did not limit it to any set number, then it is known that there is leeway in the affair, and that a man may even pray 100 rak’ahs and then perform Witr with one rak’ah. As for his statement (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam): “Pray as you have seen me praying.” AlBukhari (631). Then this hadeeth is not unrestricted, even with those people (who say that 11 or 13 is the limit). Thus, they themselves do not say that it is obligatory on the people to perform Witr by praying five rak’ahs sometimes, seven rak’ahs other times, and sometimes nine. So if we understood this hadeeth in a general, unrestricted way, then we would have to say that it is obligatory to perform Witr by praying exactly five rak’ahs 17

sometimes, seven other times, and sometimes nine. Rather, the meaning is, “Pray in the manner as you have seen me praying.” As for the number of rak’ahs, then no (this is not understood from the hadeeth), except that which is limited by a text. Anyway, a man must not be harsh on the people in an affair that has some leeway. We have even seen some of the brothers who are harsh about this declaring some imams to be innovators, those who increase upon 11 (rak’ahs), and they leave the masjid, thus losing the reward that the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) spoke of: “Who ever stands (in prayer) with the imaam until he leaves, then it will be written for him that he stood a (complete) night (in prayer).” Sunan An-Nasa’ee (1605) and Sunan At-Tirmidhi (806); Al-Albani called it saheeh. And perhaps they may sit out after having prayed ten rak’ahs, thus causing a gap in the row by sitting there. And perhaps they may even speak (while sitting out) sometimes, thus disturbing those who are praying. All of these (scenarios) are wrong. We have no doubt that they intend good, and that they were mujtahids (seeking to arrive at what is correct), however not every mujtahid is correct. Another group of people take the opposite stance. They speak very harshly and sternly against those who restrict themselves to 11 rak’ahs, saying, “You have gone against ijmaa’ (scholarly consensus) and verily Allah SWT has said:  ‫سبِيل‬ َ ‫َني َل ُه ٱ ۡل ُهد َٰى َويَت َّ ِبعۡ َغيۡ َر‬ َ َّ ‫َّسولَ ِم ۢن بَ ۡع ِد مَا تَب‬ ُ ‫ُشا ِق ِق ٱلر‬ َ ‫َومَن ي‬   (١١٥) ‫َصيرًا‬ ِ ‫َسآءَتۡ م‬ َ ‫ُصلِهِۦ جَ َهن َّ َ‌ۖم و‬ ۡ ‫ني نُ َو ِّلهِۦ مَا تَ َو َّلىٰ َون‬ َ ‫ٱملۡ ُ ۡؤ ِم ِن‬ “And whoever contradicts the Messenger after the guidance has been made clear to him, and he follows a

way other than the way of the believers, then We will turn him to that which he has turned himself to, and cause him to enter Jahannam, what an evil abode!” Surah An-Nisa’ 4:115. “All of those before you did not know anything other than 23 rak’ahs!” And they speak very harshly against them. This is also wrong… As-Sharh AlMumti’, 4/52-54. TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING Does the hadeeth, “Pray as you have seen me praying,” indicate that it is not permissible to pray more than 13 rak’ahs for Taraweeh since the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) never did so? Why or why not? Does a person get the reward mentioned in the hadeeth, “Whoever stands (in prayer) with the imam until he leaves, then it will be written for him that he stood a (complete) night (in prayer),” if he only prays some of the Taraweeh Prayer with the imam? Why or why not? In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful… Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih Al-‘Uthaymeen also said, after affirming that the Sunnah is to pray 11 rak’ahs in another place in the same book: So then what if someone says, “You have established that 11 rak’ahs (is the Sunnah), so then what do you say if we pray behind an imam who prays 23 or more, should we remain seated and not pray with him when he stands for the sixth tasleem (after 10 rak’ahs), or is it better to finish with him?” The answer: It is best to complete (the prayer) with him, and the evidence for this is from two angles: The first one is the statement of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) about the night prayers 18

of Ramadan: “Verily whoever stands (in prayer)

‫ِيسىٰٓ‌ۖ أ َ ۡن أَقِيمُ وا ْ ٱلدِّي َن و ََال تَتَفَ َّرقُوا‬ َ ‫ُوسىٰ َوع‬ َ ‫َصيۡن َا ِب ِهۦۤ إِبۡرَٲهِي َم َوم‬ َّ ‫و‬

with the imam until he leaves, then it will be written

‫َشآ ُ ء‬ َ ‫ني مَا تَ ۡدعُو ُه ۡم إِ َليۡ ِ‌ۚه ٱهللَُّ يَجۡ ت َ ِبىٓ إِ َليۡ ِه مَن ي‬ َ ‫فِي ِ‌ۚه َكبُ َر َعلَى ٱملۡ ُۡش ِر ِك‬

for him that he stood a (complete) night (in prayer).”

(١٣) ُ‫َويَہۡد ِٓى إِ َليۡ ِه مَن يُنِيب‬

Sunan An-Nasa’ee (1605) and Sunan At-Tirmidhi

“Allah has legislated as part of the Religion that

(806); Al-Albani called it saheeh. So whoever re-

which he enjoined upon Nooh, that which We sent

mained seated and waited for the imam to reach the Witr Prayer, then he has not prayed with the imam until he has left, since he has left off a portion of his prayer.

down to you, and what he enjoined upon Ibrahim,

The second angle of proof is the generality of the statement of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam): “Verily the imam has only been appointed to be followed.” Al-Bukhari (732) and Muslim (920). This includes every action the imam does, so long as it is not a forbidden one, and increasing upon 11 (rak’ahs) is not forbidden, so then we follow the imam. However, if the increase is forbidden, like if the imam prays five rak’ahs for Dhuhr Prayer, then we do not follow him. Furthermore, we must know that the unity of the Ummah is something sought after with the highest priority from the Islamic Sharee’ah, since Allah SWT has said:   (٩٢) ِ‫إِ َّن َهـٰ ِذ ِهۦۤ أ ُ َّمت ُ ُك ۡم أ ُ َّم ۬ةً وَٲحِ َدةً۬ َوأَنَا ۟ َربُّڪُ ۡم فَٱ ۡعبُدُون‬

Musa, and ‘Esa: That you establish the Religion and do not be divided over it.” Surah Ash-Shura 42:13 And He, the Most High, has said: ‫شىۡ ٍ‌ۚء إِنَّ َ م‬ َ ‫َّستَ ِمنۡہُ ۡم فِى‬ ۡ ‫إِ َّن ٱ َّلذِي َن فَ َّرقُوا ْ دِينَہُ ۡم َوكَانُوا ْ شِ يَعً۬ا ل‬   (١٥٩) ‫أ َ ۡم ُر ُه ۡم إِلَى ٱهللَِّ ثُ َّم يُنَبِّئُہُم بِمَ ا كَانُوا ْ يَفۡ َعلُو َن‬ “Verily those who split up their Religion and became sects, then you have absolutely nothing to do with them. Rather your affair is solely with Allah, and He will inform them of what they used to do.” Surah AlAn’am 6:159. And the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) used to say when lining the people up for prayer: “Do not differ, or your hearts will differ.” Muslim

“And this is your Ummah, a single Ummah.” Surah

(971)

Al-Ambiya’ 21:92

And when ‘Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) prayed the prayers that have four rak’ahs during Hajj in Minaa, he did not shorten them after eight years of his khilafah had passed. The people detested this, saying, “The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) shortened (his prayer), and so did Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar, as you did in the beginning of your khilafah.” However, he (may Allah be pleased with him) changed his position, and those Companions that spoke against this action of his still prayed four rak’ahs behind him, while detesting it. This was while this increase was inseparable from the prayer, and it was an evil thing

And differing between members of the Ummah is something to be rejected, as Allah the Most High has said:   (٩٢) ِ‫إِ َّن َهـٰ ِذ ِهۦۤ أ ُ َّمت ُ ُك ۡم أ ُ َّم ۬ةً وَٲحِ َدةً۬ َوأَنَا ۟ َربُّڪُ ۡم فَٱ ۡعبُدُون‬ “And do not be like those who split up and diﬀered after the clear proofs came to them.” Surah Ale ‘Im ran 3:105 And Allah SWT the Most High has said:  ‫َصىٰ ِبهِۦ نُو ً۬حا وَٱ َّلذ ِٓى أَوۡحَ يۡن َآ إِ َلي َۡك َو َما‬ َّ ‫ع َلكُم ِّم َن ٱلدِّينِ مَا و‬ َ ‫ش َر‬ َ

to them, however they still followed the imam, preferring unity. So what do you think about when the increase is separate, not directly connected to the prayer, and when a person does it intentionally it does not nullify the prayer? And he (the one who does not pray more than 11 or 13 rak’ahs with the imaam) says, “We are people who stick to the Sunnah and follow the narrations from the Companions,” with this contradiction of his in this issue. So I say: Surely any person that says he follows the Sunnah and the guidance of the Salaf, it is not for him to abandon the imam when he prays 23 (rak’ahs) and say, “I will follow the Sunnah and pray 11 rak’ahs,” since you have been ordered to follow your imam, and you have been prohibited from contradicting (him). Furthermore, you have not been prohibited from increasing upon 11 rak’ahs. So then it is binding upon the students of knowledge specifically, and upon all people in general, to be vigilant in preserving unity whenever it is possible, since the only hope for the people of disobedience and the criminals is that the people of goodness differ. This is because they have no weapon more effective than differing, and verily Musa said to the magicians: ‫َاب َو َق ۡ د‬ ۖ‌ٍ۬ ‫ُسحِ تَكُم ِب َعذ‬ ۡ ‫ُّوسىٰ َويۡ َل ُك ۡم َال تَفۡتَرُوا ْ َعلَى ٱهللَِّ ڪَ ِذبً۬ا فَي‬ َ ‫قَالَ َلهُم م‬

tradiction to the Sunnah and to the goals of the Sharee’ah, like the unifying of the positions and the unity of the people, since this, and for Allah is the praise, is not something that is haraam nor is it a munkar, rather it is something that is based upon ijtihaad. So as for us bringing about division and causing the hearts to have animosity, hatred, and mockery for the one who opposes our position, while it is permissible and not in opposition to the Sunnah, then it is obligatory on every man to protect and guard over the unity of the ranks whenever possible. Ash-Sharh Al-Mumti’, 4/61-63. This article was taken from BAKKAHnet (www.bakkah.net) TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING What are some Verses from the Qur’an that show the importance of the unity of the Muslims? What are the two hadeeths used by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen to say that a person should complete the Taraweeh with his imam if he prays 23 rak’ahs? ‘Uthmaan (may Allah be pleased with him) did not shorten his prayers in Mina while performing Hajj, and the Companions who did not agree with this still prayed behind him. What is the relationship between this and the Taraweeh Prayer?

(٦٢) ‫َى‬ ٰ ‫( فَتَنَـٰزَ ُع ٓوا ْ أ َ ۡم َرهُم بَيۡن َ ُه ۡم َوأ ََسرُّوا ْ ٱلن َّجۡ و‬٦١) ‫َى‬ ٰ ‫خَابَ مَنِ ٱفۡتَر‬ “Woe to you, do not invent lies against Allah, lest he wipe you out with a (single) punishment, for those who lie will suffer loss. Then they differed over their affair between themselves.” Surah Ta-Ha 20: 61-62. Once they differed, they failed and lost their strength. So this differing that we find with some of our brothers who are (overly) stern in following the Sunnah in this issue and others, I view it as a con20

GRATITUDE AND EXAMPLES - 1

Gratitude and examples We all want Allah (swt) to be pleased with us and love us – so we must be grateful to Allah (swt). For all trials we face regarding marriage, children, etc – being grateful to Allah (swt) would protect you, and being grateful is in the heart and tongue. There are people who wish to be able to go down into sujood but they can’t, and there are people who are lazy coming to the prayer though they are able to do sujood, subhan Allah. You are grateful when you are in your prayer and you have the feeling that you don’t want to end your prayer, your ‘meeting’ with Allah (swt), subhan Allah. Happiness comes from Allah (swt) – not from a house, job, spouse, child, friend, etc. When you are learning about Allah (swt) and are able to sit in the house of Allah (swt) (masjid), despite your sins, then you should be very thankful to Allah (swt), alhamdulliah. The human is full of shortcomings, and when you have this feeling of inadequacy in front of Allah (swt), then Allah (swt) ‘thanks’ you for these feelings and increases you in faith, knowledge, and taqwa, subhan Allah. Why? Because Allah (swt) is Ash Shakir Ash Shakoor. A person might ask for a righteous spouse and he gets it, and then each becomes occupied with the other, making each other happy, etc that they forget the Bestower, subhan Allah. In general, we become occupied with the blessing and forgot the Bestower, we forget Allah (swt), istaghfar Allah. And Allah (swt) does not leave us alone, He will make us face a trial to wake us up and return us back to Him, subhan Allah. The one who doesn’t know Allah (swt) will not understand why he’s facing these trials, But the one who knows Allah (swt) will see the trail as a nurturing

from Allah (swt). May Allah (swt) never make us heedless. Ameen. It is important that we not only remind ourselves that blessings are from Allah (swt), but tell our children as well. Imagine that a child had an exam, and his mother taught him, then he returns home with a good grade, thanking the mother that she taught him so well. The mother, should in this instance remind the child about the help of Allah (swt) and that all success is with Him (swt) alone. Many times a child will ask you, why are we here on this earth? This is from the fitra and a reminder for you and for them of your purpose in life to worship Allah (swt), but how many times do we successfully answer this question? Subhan Allah. We think that if we have riches, this will make us content but there are billionaires that are sleepless at night in fear of losing their wealth. We think that if we get something, then we will be happy. And then we get and we’re still not happy, subhan Allah. Qaroon was given riches and when the people saw him, they thought he was very fortunate, but what is great about being sunk in the earth in the end? Subhan Allah. The first thing that will move a person is when he repents, and then you will find him excited to do good, and then it fades, so he needs to be ‘recharged’. What will recharge him? Gratitude. In this life, you are either moving forward because of shukr or you are remaining where you are or even going backwards because of being ungrateful, subhan Allah. May Allah (swt) make us from the grateful ones. Ameen.

SOORAH AL LAIL (CHAPTER 92)  ‫بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم‬

Soorah Al Lail (Chapter 92) This soorah takes its name from the word Al Lail which it opens with. Its theme is to distinguish between the two diﬀerent ways of life and to explain the contrast between their ultimate ends and results. There are total 21 verses. Verses 1-11:  (٤) ٰ‫َشتَّى‬ َ ‫س ۡعيَ ُك ۡم ل‬ َ ‫ن‬ َّ ِ‫( إ‬٣) ٰٓ‫َٱأل ُنثَى‬ ۡ ‫خ َلقَ ٱلذَّ َك َر و‬ َ ‫( َومَا‬٢) ٰ‫( وَٱلنَّہَا ِر إِذَا تَجَ َّلى‬١) ٰ‫ۡشى‬ َ ‫وَٱ َّليۡ ِل إِذَا يَغ‬  (٨) ٰ‫غنَى‬ ۡ َ‫َٱست‬ ۡ ‫م ۢن بَخِ لَ و‬ َ ‫( َوأَمَّا‬٧) ‫َى‬ ٰ ‫ُسر‬ ۡ ‫ۥ لِ ۡلي‬ ُ‫َس ُره‬ ِّ ‫َسنُي‬ َ ‫( ف‬٦) ٰ‫سنَى‬ ۡ ُ‫َص َّدقَ بِٱلۡح‬ َ ‫( و‬٥) ٰ‫عطَىٰ وَٱتَّ َقى‬ ۡ َ ‫م ۡن أ‬ َ ‫فَأَمَّا‬   (١١) ٰ‫ى‬ ٓ ‫ۥۤ إِذَا تَ َر َّد‬ ُ‫عنۡ ُه مَا ُله‬ َ ‫غنِى‬ ۡ ُ‫( َومَا ي‬١٠) ‫َى‬ ٰ ‫ُسر‬ ۡ ‫ۥ لِ ۡلع‬ ُ‫َس ُره‬ ِّ ‫َسنُي‬ َ ‫( ف‬٩) ٰ‫سنَى‬ ۡ ُ‫َو َكذَّبَ بِٱلۡح‬ By the night when it spreads, and the day when it shines forth, and him who created the male and the female. In fact, your endeavors are for diﬀerent ends. So, he who gave wealth in Allah`s (SWT) way and avoided his disobedience, and believed in goodness, for him we shall facilitate the way. As for him who is niggardly and lived as though he was independent of Allah (SWT), and belied the goodness, for him we shall facilitate the hard way and what will his wealth avail him when he perishes? Verses 12-21:   (١٥) ‫َشقَى‬ ۡ ‫ٱأل‬ ۡ ‫َص َلٮٰهَآ إ َِّال‬ ۡ ‫( َالي‬١٤) ٰ‫( فَأ َنذَ ۡرتُ ُك ۡم نَارً۬ا تَ َلظَّى‬١٣) ٰ‫َٱأل ُو َلى‬ ۡ ‫ن َلنَا ل َۡأل َخِ َرةَ و‬ َّ ِ‫( َو إ‬١٢) ‫َى‬ ٰ ‫ع َليۡنَا َل ۡل ُهد‬ َ ‫ن‬ َّ ِ‫إ‬  (١٨) ٰ‫ۥ يَتَزَ َّكى‬ ُ‫( ٱ َّلذِى يُؤۡتِى مَا َله‬١٧) ‫ٱألَتۡقَى‬ ۡ ‫َسيُجَ نَّبُہَا‬ َ ‫( و‬١٦) ٰ‫ٱ َّلذِى َكذَّبَ َوتَوَ َّلى‬  (٢١) ٰ‫ۡضى‬ َ ‫َسوۡفَ يَر‬ َ ‫( َول‬٢٠) ٰ‫ع َلى‬ ۡ َ ‫ٱأل‬ ۡ ‫( إ َِّالٱبۡ ِتغَآ َء وَجۡ ِه َربِّ ِه‬١٩) ٰ‫ى‬ ٓ َ‫ۥ مِن نِّعۡمَ ٍ۬ة تُجۡ ز‬ ُ‫َومَا ألِ َحَ ٍد عِن َده‬ It is for us to tell the way and indeed ours are the both hereafter and present life. So, I have warned you of blazing fire. No shall burn in it except the wretched one, who belied and turned away. And away from it shall be kept the pious one, who gives away his wealth in order to purify himself. He has received no favor from anybody for which he may have to return the reward. He only seeks the goodwill of his Lord, The exalted and he will certainly be well pleased with him. 22

ARABIC - PRONOUNS

OUR NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ALLAH - PART 3

Our need to know about Allah (swt) (‫لعلم‬kk k ‫تنا ل‬kk k ‫اج‬kk k ‫ح‬ ‫ – )عن اهلل‬Part 3 Whoever knows Allah (swt) lives a life in peace. In this life we face different types of people with different personalities and abilities. And we don’t know how to take what’s good from them and leave what’s evil. Some might have a hidden evil in them, and it’s not exclusive to people only, but it can even be in situations, places, even wealth. We face different types of hidden evils that are perhaps hidden behind things we like. If we didn’t have a Rabb that we truly know and depend on him with true dependence, and entrust Him with our affairs, and ask Him to give us what is good and protect us from what is evil – then we would not be able to live! When we go to an unknown place in the wilderness, and there are insects and animals that could harm us, what do we say? (َِّ‫اتِ اهلل‬/‫م‬// َ ِ‫ل‬/‫ َك‬/ / / / / / /‫وذُ ِب‬// / / / / / ‫أ َ ُع‬ َ‫لَق‬/ / /‫خ‬ َ ‫ا‬// / ‫ ِّر َم‬/ / /‫ش‬ / َ ‫ ْن‬/ / /‫اتِ ِم‬// / ‫ت َّا َّم‬/ / /‫( )ال‬I seek refuge in the Perfect Word of Allah from the evil of what He has created) - Sahih Muslim 2708

(swt) in all matters big and small, but when? When you know Who is Allah (swt). This life is like a boat, moving and shaking with the waves in a deep sea, who is going to keep it firm? Who is going to save it? This life ends with death, and death is one of the stages we must all face, if you fear death then it makes you hasten to good deeds and keep away from sins, then this is a praised fear. But if you fear to the point that it makes you stop acting and you are paralyzed from doing anything then this is a dispraised fear. When the believer leaves this life, the angels of mercy will greet him, and they will give him glad tidings. They will also reassure him and tell him two things: no fear for you, nor will you be sad. No fear for what is to come ahead and no sadness for what you left behind. We ask Allah (swt) to make us hear these glad tidings. Ameen. The one who understood this life, understood his need to know Allah (swt) and to prepare for his meeting with Allah (swt). He understood that there is a final exam with three questions – (‫ن‬// / / / / / ‫م‬

Look at to what extent we need to know Allah (swt), subhan Allah.

‫بيك‬// / ‫ن ن‬// / ‫ م‬،‫نك‬// / ‫ا دي‬// / ‫ م‬،‫ك‬// / ‫ – )رب‬Who is your Rabb, What is

The evils that are around me, whether from creatures I can’t see, or in people, or in wealth, or in my house, if you know this life, then you know that you are in great need to know Who is Allah (swt).

Good and evil is mixed around us, but Who will save us from the evil? Who will take care of us? If we think that it’s our actions that are going to protect us then we are not benefitting ourselves, we are only exhausting ourselves. When we know that we need to depend on Allah (swt) for everything, then we will not succumb to the whispers of the shaitan either. For example, a mother might be looking at her children and she gets a thought in her head, ‘if I die who’s going to take care of them’. Then all of sudden, she starts crying! She’s

You could be meeting diﬀerent people, and you see their smiles from the outside but you don’t know what’s inside, so you ask Allah (swt) to give you the good from them and to keep away the evil. You have the chance to depend on Allah

your deen, Who is your prophet?

crying because if she dies, what’s going to happen to her children. First all, she is alive now and not dead. And the children might pass away before her. And while you’re here, who said that it’s you who’s protecting them? Or taking care of them? You have only been tested with them, and it is Allah (swt) Who is protecting them and taking care of them. The point is to look at the whispers of the shaitan. When there is a weakness in knowing Who is Allah (swt), then the shaitan can easily overcome us with his whispers. When we understand this life, then the result will be is that anytime something evil appears to us, we immediately jump and turn to Allah (swt). There are so many fears that people are living:

Abu Umamah Iyas bin Tha'labah AlHarithi RA said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "He who misappropriates the right of a Muslim by taking a false oath, Allah will condemn him to the fire of Hell and will forbid Jannah for him." A person asked: "O Messenger of Allah, even if it is something insignificant?" He replied, "Yes, even if it is the twig of the Arak tree." (Muslim)

She’s not married and she’s afraid to get old and not get married Or she’s married and she’s afraid that her husband will marry another one

Abu Hurairah RA said: The Messenger

Or she has children and she’s afraid her daughters won’t get married

"When two persons indulge in abusing

Or she’s afraid that her sons will marry wives that aren’t good… So the person ends up not enjoying anything as long as he’s living in fear, subhan Allah. May Allah (swt) increase our knowledge about Him and may we always depend on Him. Ameen.

of Allah (peace be upon him) said, each other, the beginner will be the sinner so long as the oppressed does not transgress the limits." (Muslim)

Anas RA reported: Whenever the Prophet

Abu Hurairah RA said: The Messenger

(peace be upon him) said something, he

of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Two

would repeat his words thrice so that

matters are signs of disbelief on the

the meanings would be understood fully;

part of those who indulge in them: De-

and whenever he came upon a group of

faming and speaking evil of a person's

people, he would greet them, and he

lineage, and wailing over the dead."

would repeat salutation thrice.

(Muslim)

(Bukhari and Muslim) 26

Cheer Up- Interview with an Ustadah The topic is Ramadan a new beginning Allah Al Haye Ala Qayum made us witness another Ramadan, Alhamdulil Allah. How do you feel? What is your goal this Ramadan? Alhamdulillah it’s a great blessing from Allah SWT to allow us to witness another Ramadan. You feel happy knowing the doors of paradise are open and the doors of hellfire are closed, that Allah SWT frees some of His slaves from the hellfire, and you hope all you love are among them. The goal from Ramadan is to have taqwa and only Allah SWT can make this goal real. Journey to Allah SWT in shaa Allah takes us Ramadan to Ramadan and we ask Allah SWT to make us witness many more Ramadan with goodness. Is this Ramadan different from last? Should it be different? Every Ramadan is different from the last because you have gone through a year of nurturing so you’re different. You experienced different things, you met new people, you learned new things so you’re bound to be different. What’s important is you are different in a good way – to increase in faith, taqwa, deeds and good manners. We ask Allah SWT to make us better and closer to Him SWT in our journey until we meet Him SWT. Talk to us about elevation in sight of Allah Al AA’laa. Allah is Al’Alaa, He is the Most High in position and status, and only He can elevate you. How? ۬ ٍ‫ٰت‬  ۚ ‫منُوا ْ مِن ُك ۡم وَٱ َّلذِي َن أ ُوتُوا ْ ٱلۡعِ ۡل َم َدرَجَ ـ‬ َ ‫يَ ۡرفَعِ ٱهللَُّ ٱ َّلذِي َن ءَا‬ Allâh will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge. Surah Al Mujad ila 11. When you believe and act on that belief which is through knowledge then this is being on the Straight Path. We ask Allah SWT in Surah Al Fatiha to be on the Straight Path of those whom He SWT bestowed His favors upon. They had knowledge and acted on that knowledge. Unlike the two 27

groups which are not on the Straight Path, Allah SWT is angry with one group because they had knowledge and didn’t act on it. And the other group is misguided because they act without knowledge. So the balance is knowledge and action, this makes you a slave. And the more you are a slave to Allah SWT, the more He SWT will elevate you. This is the formula, more servitude to Allah SWT = more elevation. Less servitude to Allah SWT = less elevation. What does the moment of "breaking of fast" mean to you? It’s a moment of gratitude to Allah SWT for allowing you to complete your fast. You went through a period of difficulty, but there is relief as well. If you take this day of fasting it’s reflective of our life. We go through periods of difficulty requiring patience, and moments of relief requiring gratitude. Both cases are good as the Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬said, “How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah SWT and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is good for him”. – Riyadh AsSaliheen, Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 27. Tell me about Surah AnNahal, how can we become productive like bees? You can become productive like the bees when you’re grateful and gratitude is not about saying ‘thank you’ but about making Allah SWT One – tawheed. You have tawheed in your life, there is no shirk whatsoever. This is living a pure life. The bees only eat what’s pure and produce what’s pure. Similarly is the believer, he takes what is pure which are the Quran and Sunnah, and produces pure utterances, pure deeds and pure manners. And the more you are grateful in your life by being one for One, the more you will be productive. Look at the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬in a period of 23 years how the people were in darkness and ignorance to becoming the best of nations with the best manners and spreading to more than three continents. This is the power of tawheed – of (‫)ال اله اال اهلل‬. Lailaha illal Allah. How do you balance your attachment to Allah SWT with feelings and affection to family and friends? Allah SWT created everything for (‫)ال اله اال اهلل‬, so even our family and friends are created for (‫ال اله اال‬ ‫)اهلل‬. They’re a nurturing for us to point out our faults so we can correct them. And we can learn from the good qualities they have too. They’re here as a means for us to draw closer to Allah SWT. When you understand they’re a test then your feelings to them becomes balanced because who wants to be attached to a test? Subhan Allah. And because they’re a test and a test needs answers, you attach to Allah SWT for help and guidance every step of the way. Talk to me about Allah Al Mu'min? Allah Al Mu’min is The One Who tells the truth and verifies all that He SWT says and He’s SWT the One that grants security. We should have no doubts whatsoever about what Allah SWT tells us. And you find when you learn something Allah SWT shows it to you in real life so you know it’s true. For example, you learn Allah is Al Wasi’ – He SWT is the Most Vast and He SWT expands everything. Imagine you’re tight on time and you ask Allah Al Wasi’ to expand your time. You complete your task in less time than expected. This is Allah SWT Who verified what you learned. When you 28

see this, this gives you security because you see the truth in front of you. This is all from the impacts of the name of Allah Al Mu’min. And when you know Allah is Al Mu’min, then you should be truthful and give security to people, be honest and fair in your dealings; don’t harm others. How to avoid fitnah? Seek refuge with Allah SWT from the fitnas, and in the hadith, hasten to the good deeds. The Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬said: “Rush to do good deeds. A Fitnah will occur that is like a portion of the dark night, morning will come upon a man as a believer, who will be a disbeliever in the evening, and evening will come upon a believer, who will be a disbeliever in the morning. One of them will sell his religion for goods of the world.” - Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2195. When you’re focused on worshipping Allah SWT and doing good deeds then you’re not looking left and right. Fitna happens because we are putting ourselves in things that don’t concern us or saying things that don’t concern us. Fitna is like heat, like a fire, if you play with fire then you’ll get burnt. Sometimes a fitna comes to you, then this is a test for your truthfulness. Do you truly turn to (‫?)ال اله اال اهلل‬ Tell us your favourite ayah in the Qur'an and its impact in your life? ‫ۡشدُو َ ن‬ ُ ‫َستَج ِيبُوا ْ لِى َو ۡليُ ۡؤ ِمن ُوا ْ بِى َل َع َّل ُه ۡم يَر‬ ۡ ‫سأَل ََك ِعبَادِى َعن ِّى فَ ِإنِّى َقرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ َد ۡع َوةَ ٱلدَّاع ِ إِذَا َدعَانِ ۖ فَ ۡلي‬ َ ‫َو إِذَا‬ And when My slaves ask you concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright. Surah Al Baqarah 186 When Allah SWT says (‫ – ) ِعبَادِى‬My Slaves – it is so personal. You feel a very close connection to Allah SWT. Though He SWT rose over the Throne in a manner that suits His majesty and He SWT is above the seven heavens, He SWT is so far away, yet there is a very close connection. He SWT says, ‘I am near’. This gives you so much console because we get lost and feel very far away, but Allah SWT is Near and He SWT responds to us. And you feel you never want to lose that connection so you want to do everything to please Allah SWT. No one likes the feeling of being forsaken or let go so we have to respond to Allah SWT and believe in Him SWT. Tell us your favorite hadith and its impact in your outlook? The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said, “My Lord says, ‘If My slave comes nearer to me for a span, I go nearer to him for a cu bit; and if he comes nearer to Me for a cubit, I go nearer to him for the span of outstretched arms; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.’ “ - Sahih al-Bukhari 7536. 29

This hadith shows you the great love Allah SWT has for His SWT slave when He SWT comes to him and returns to him. How the Master is running and the slave is walking, when you think it should be other way around? Subhan Allah. We see this in life for example at the airport you find family members waiting for their loved ones whom they haven’t seen each other for a long time, and when they come out from the arrivals they’re running to embrace each other. Though you’re an outsider, you feel this great warmth and love when you see a scene like this and you hope they never separate from each other again. So you hope you never separate from Allah SWT and continue doing what He SWT loves. You don’t want to do something that will make you stop walking to Him SWT. May Allah SWT protect us. Ameen. What is happiness? Can you achieve happiness in dunya? Happiness is when you’re balanced, and a balanced person is when he is on the Straight Path doing everything for Allah SWT, down to his feelings. His emotions and feelings are all for Allah SWT. Everything he’s doing is for (‫)ال اله اال اهلل‬. A person following his desires is not balanced because he can easily change, he is not on the Straight Path. He will slip and when you slip you will get hurt. And the only way to get back on the path and be balanced again is return back to (‫)ال اله اال اهلل‬. When we attach to anything besides Allah SWT, whether it’s a person, a job, or ourselves, we will find misery in that thing. Why? Because Allah SWT wants to teach you (‫)ال اله اال اهلل‬. The key to happiness is (‫)ال إله إال اهلل‬. Is the sky the limit? The limit is according to what you think of Allah SWT. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said, “Allah says: ‘I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him). - Sahih al-Bukhari 7405. Where you reach is not about you, but about what you think Allah SWT is able to do for you. If you doubt Allah SWT or think He SWT is unable, istaghfar Allah, then you will not reach at all. Your limit is according to your belief in Allah SWT. The greater your belief, the more you can reach. May Allah SWT strengthen our belief in Him SWT. Ameen. How do you attain khushu in salah? Attaining khushu in the salah is a life-long struggle. It’s something fluctuating similar to our faith. Either it goes up or down. Allah tells us who are the khashieen in Surah Al Baqarah 46: ‫جعُو َ ن‬ ِ ‫ٱ َّلذِي َن يَظُن ُّو َن أَنَّہُم ُّم َلـٰقُوا ْ َربِّہِ ۡم َوأَنَّ ُه ۡم إِ َليۡ ِه رَٲ‬ (They are those) who are certain that they are going to meet their Lord, and that unto Him they are going to re turn. They believe in their meeting with Allah SWT and they will return to Him. So they believe in Allah SWT and the Last Day. Your standing in prayer in this life is preparation for when you will really stand in front of Allah SWT in the hereafter. When you feel this you become humbled. We have to make these feelings activated outside the prayer so that Allah SWT helps us in the prayer itself. Know Allah SWT in times of ease and He SWT will know you in times of difficulty. May Allah SWT help us. Ameen. 30

Give us some naseehah? Learn about Allah SWT and His SWT names and attributes. Know Who is Allah SWT through the Quran and Sunnah. When you know Allah SWT you will love Him SWT, and when you love Him SWT you will want to do everything He SWT loves and stay away from everything He SWT hates. And the more you get to know Him SWT, the more this love increases. Everything you do is out of love foremost, and not force, because you will not last if you do things out of force. You will have feelings you have never experienced before because loving the creation is different from loving the Creator. You are loving Allah, subhan Allah. It’s a pure love and it’s as the scholars say, ‘paradise in my heart’. Your heart flies when it knows Allah SWT. Whether you go through moments of difficulties or ease, your paradise is in your heart. Your security and comfort is being with Allah SWT. The scholars also say there is a paradise in this duniya, if the person did not enter it in this life then how does it expect to enter it in the hereafter? If you were told to live in a house of someone you don’t know, would you do it? Of course not. So how do you expect to live in Allah’s SWT paradise if you don’t know Him SWT? Subhan Allah.   ‫ والعمل الذي يبلغني حبك‬،‫ وحب من يحبك‬،‫اللهم إني أسألك حبك‬ O Allah! I ask You for Your Love, the love of those who love You, and deeds which will cause me to attain Your Love.  ‫وعليكم السالم ورحمة اهلل وبركاته‬

Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-As RA said:The

Jabir RA said: The Messenger of Allah

Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Of

(peace be upon him) forbade that the

the major sins are: Associating anything

graves should be plastered (made into

in worship with Allah, disobedience to the

permanent structures), used as sitting

parents, killing without justification and

places (for the people) or building over

taking a false oath (intentionally)."

them.

(Bukhari)

(Muslim)

‫سورة يوسف‬ Surah Yusuf # 45 - 48 ‫ُون‬  ِ ‫َوقَالَ ا َّلذِي نَجَ ا ِمنْهُمَ ا وَا َّد َك َر بَ ْع َد أ ُ َّم ٍة أَنَا أُنَبِّئُكُم ِبتَأْوِيلِ ِه فَأَرْسِ ل‬ And the one who was freed and remembered after a time said : I will inform you of its interpretation, so send me forth. 12:45

‫أَنَا أُنَبِّئُكُم ِبتَأْوِيلِه‬

The trials of Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬began with jealousy that the brothers bore for him. His beauty made him end up in prison. The honor given to Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬was because of his knowledge. The server of drinks for the king listened quietly to the conversa?on. He did not say anything because the noblemen would have dismissed whatever he said. So he bided his ?me. Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬made the chiefs shrug oﬀ the vision of the king, making him desperate for an interpreta?on, no maDer who gave it.  ‫َوقَالَ ا َّلذِي نَجَ ا ِمنْهُمَ ا‬

I will inform you of its interpretation The servant stood bravely in front of all the noblemen, and spoke very brieﬂy, saying that he could give the interpreta?on of the vision. He did not give any details, because he was afraid they would dismiss him. So he uDered a sharp and ﬁrm statement which would shock them into accep?ng. The servant was sure Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬could give the interpreta?on of the dream. ‫ُون‬  ِ ‫فَأَرْسِ ل‬ so send me The word was actually ‫ارسلوني‬, but the ‫ ي‬was deleted and kasra added because of a grammar rule.

And the one who was freed said The descrip?on Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬gave of the servant was not of his job of serving drinks, but of his being the one freed from prison, because that was the informa?on that maDered. The servant was asked by Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬to men?on him to the king, but he forgot. He was with the king every day, and s?ll did not remember. Allah ‫ سبحانه‬ ‫ وتعالى‬made him remember when the ?me was right. ‫وَا َّد َك َر بَ ْع َد أ ُ َّم ٍ ة‬ and remembered after a time The servant suddenly remembered Yusuf ‫عليه السالم‬, his kindness, truthfulness, knowledge. The good of a person remains in the minds of people. Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬was kept in prison, neglected but preserved, awai?ng an honorable discharge.

The words of the servant show his respect for the king and the noblemen. The servant trusted Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬not to blame him for forgeGng him for so many years. The impact that Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬had on his mind was very good. It seems that this prison was far from the city, in the desert. The king sent the servant to Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬immediately. ‫اف‬  ٌ َ‫سبْعٌ عِج‬ َ ‫سبْعِ بَ َقرَاتٍ سِ مَ انٍ يَأ ْ ُك ُل ُه َّن‬ َ ‫الصدِّيقُ أَفْ ِتن َا فِي‬ ِّ ‫ُوسفُ أَيُّهَا‬ ُ ‫ي‬ ‫َّاس َل َع َّل ُه ْ م‬ ِ ‫جعُ إِلَى الن‬ ِ ‫ِساتٍ َّل َعلِّي أ َ ْر‬ َ ‫خ َر يَاب‬ َ ُ ‫ُض ٍر َوأ‬ ْ ‫سنب َُالتٍ خ‬ ُ ِ‫َسبْع‬ َ ‫و‬ ‫يَ ْعلَمُ و َ ن‬ “Yusuf, O man of truth, explain to us about seven fat cows eaten by seven [that were] lean, and seven green 32

spikes [of grain] and others [that were] dry - that I may return to the people; perhaps they will know. 12:46 As soon as the servant saw Yusuf ‫عليه السالم‬, he explained his mission.  ‫الصدِّيق‬ ِّ ‫ُوسفُ أَيُّهَا‬ ُ ‫ي‬ Yusuf, O man of truth The servant remembered the name of Yusuf ‫عليه السالم‬, and addressed him thus, even though it had been years since they met, and they were together only for a short ?me in prison. Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬lived for Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬, not himself, so he was content in whatever situa?on Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬put him in. He accepted the nurturing, and was pa?ent. Any situa?on you are in is a nurturing and reforming for you. You must trust Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬that He does only what is best for you, even in diﬃcult circumstances. The Messenger of Allah ‫ صلى اهلل عليه و سلم‬said : ‫الصبْ ِ ر‬ َّ َ‫َّص َر َمع‬ ْ ‫أ َ َّن الن‬  ١٩ # ‫حديث أمام النووي‬ And know that victory comes with patience

preached first. But this was not his dream, he wanted the interpreta?on quickly, so he could go to the king and tell him. He did not tell Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬who had this dream, just implied that it was not his dream. He did not want to influence Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬by telling him that this vision was dreamt by the king, although is informa?on did not make any difference to Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬.Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬ understood when hearing the dream that this was not dreamt by any ordinary person, but by someone with authority, because the impact was vast, and would affect the whole na?on. Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬was protected by Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬to not be affected by anything that would change his inten?on. This is special mercy for the ‫أولياء اهلل‬, the companions of Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬. ‫َل َع َّل ُه ْم يَ ْعلَمُ و َ ن‬ So that they may know The servant wanted to go back to inform the king about the interpreta?on, and also about Yusuf ‫عليه السالم‬, his innocence, wisdom, and giO of interpre?ng dreams. ‫ِيال ِّم َّ م‬ ً ‫سنبُلِ ِه إ َِّال َقل‬ ُ ‫صدتُّ ْم فَذَرُوهُ فِي‬ َ َ‫ني َدأَبًا فَمَ ا ح‬ َ ‫سبْعَ سِ ِن‬ َ ‫قَالَ تَزْ َرعُو َن‬ ‫تَأ ْ ُكلُو َ ن‬ He said, “You will plant for seven years consecutively; and what you harvest leave in its spikes, except a little

(Part of a longer hadith)

from which you will eat. 12:47  ‫أَفْ ِتنَا‬

explain to us  ‫ُضر‬ ْ ‫سنب َُالتٍ خ‬ ُ ِ‫َسبْع‬ َ ‫سبْعٌ عِجَ افٌ و‬ َ ‫سبْعِ بَ َقرَاتٍ سِ مَ انٍ يَأ ْ ُك ُل ُه َّن‬ َ ‫فِي‬  ‫ِسات‬ َ ‫َوأُخَر يَاب‬ about seven fat cows eaten by seven [that were] lean, and seven green spikes [of grain] and others [that were] dry He narrated the king's dream : The seven thin cows ea?ng the seven fat cows, the seven dried stalks surrounding and overcoming the seven green stalks.  ‫جعُ إِلَى النَّا‬ ِ ‫َّل َعلِّي أ َ ْر‬ that I may return to the people The servant remembered that Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬did not give the interpreta?on of his dream immediately, he

The dream had good and bad elements, the bad overtaking the good. Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬gave a solu?on for the problem in the dream as well as the interpreta?on.  ‫ني َدأَبًا‬ َ ‫سبْعَ سِ ِن‬ َ ‫قَالَ تَزْ َرعُو َن‬ He said, “You will plant for seven years consecutively Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬interpreted the seven fat cows and green shoots as seven consecu?ve years of intense growth and prosperity, when the yield of their crops would abundant. The main source of livelihood for the people of ancient Egypt was agriculture. Their source of water was the River Nile, which ﬂowed through the whole country; their land was green, there was no drought. The farming prac?ces of the ancient Egyp?ans allowed them to grow staple food crops, especially grains such as wheat and barley, and industrial crops, such as ﬂax and papyrus. 33

The dream spanned a ?me period of fourteen years, and the impact would remain for many more. Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬ now gives instruc?ons about what to do during these seven years of prosperity.

This is dunya, there comes a period of abundance and ease, followed by hardship, which changes back to ease in ?me. This dream is about the distant future.

‫سنبُلِ ِ ه‬ ُ ‫صدتُّم فَذَرُوهُ فِي‬ َ َ‫فَمَ ا ح‬ and what you harvest leave in its spikes

‫يَأ ْ ُك ْل َن مَا َق َّد ْمت ُ ْم َل ُهن‬ which will consume what you saved for them

When the grains are stored in their natural covering, they do not spoil for many years. Otherwise, there is danger of the humidity or insects and vermin destroying them. These words tell us that their crop was grains, because fruit and vegetables cannot be kept for many days without cold storage.  ‫ِيال مِّمَّ ا تَأ ْ ُكلُون‬ ً ‫إ َِّال َقل‬ except a little from which you will eat Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬instructed them to store the bulk of their crops yielded during these seven years of abundant growth, in their natural covering, and use only a minimum amount to eat.

Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬interpreted the 7 lean cows as 7 years of hardship. In these years, all the crop stored during the 7 years of abundant growth will be consumed. This resembles your good deeds. While you are alive, and have ?me and health, you have the opportunity to do good deeds, which you will need on the Day of Judgement. The Messenger of Allah ‫ صلى اهلل عليه و سلم‬said : ‫الش َّد ِ ة‬ ِّ ‫تَ َعرَّفْ إلَى اهللَِّ فِي ال َّرخَا ِء يَ ْع ِرفُك فِي‬  ٢٥١٦ # ‫جامع الترمذي‬ Recognize and acknowledge Allah in times of ease and prosperity, and He will remember you in times of adver

‫ِيال ِّم َّ م‬ ً ‫سبْعٌ شِ دَا ٌد يَأ ْ ُك ْل َن مَا َق َّد ْمت ُ ْم َل ُه َّن إ َِّال َقل‬ َ ‫ثُ َّم يَأْتِي مِن بَ ْع ِد ذَٰل َِك‬ ‫صن ُو َ ن‬ ِ ْ‫تُح‬ Then will come after that seven diﬃcult [years] which

sity. (Part of a longer hadith) ‫صن ُو َ ن‬ ِ ْ‫ِيال مِّمَّ ا تُح‬ ً ‫إ َِّال َقل‬

will consume what you saved for them, except a little

except a little from which you will store

from which you will store. 12:48 ‫ثُ َّ م‬ Then After a time period, in this case, 7 years.  ‫يَأْتِي مِن بَ ْع ِد ذَٰلِك‬ will come after that

A small amount of the grain they preserved in the natural covering will be leO. When Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬gives you ?me, health and resources, don't waste them. As soon as the thought to do something good occurs to you, act upon it, do not delay it even a few minutes, or the shaitan will make you involved with some aﬀair of dunya.

‫سبْعٌ شِ دَا ٌ د‬ َ seven diﬃcult [years] Every terrain has diﬀerent circumstances which are considered hardship. For Egypt, it was drought; there would be no rainfall, the Nile would dry up, there a would be no water for irriga?on. This drought would go on for 7 years. 34

Shaddad bin Aus RA said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The best supplication for seeking forgiveness (Syed-ul- Istighfar) is to say: 'Allahumma Anta Rabbi, la ilaha illa Anta, khalaqtani wa ana 'abduka, wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu, a'udhu bika min sharri ma sana'tu, abu'u laka bini'matika 'alayya, wa abu'u bidhanbi faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta. (O Allah! You are my Rubb. There is no true god except You. You have created me, and I am Your slave, and I hold to Your Covenant as far as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge the favours that You have bestowed upon me, and I confess my sins. Pardon me, for none but You has the power to pardon).' He who supplicates in these terms during the day with firm belief in it and dies on the same day (before the evening), he will be one of the dwellers of Jannah; and if anyone supplicates in these terms during the night with firm belief in it and dies before the morning, he will be one of the dwellers of Jannah." (Bukhari)

‫السير إلى اهلل‬ Going to Allah SWT - Based on the lecture Abdul Razaq Al Badr All the believers are going on a road and you should go with a goal and this goal is obedience to Allah SWT and have certainty in Allah SWT. Our main job is to be a slave to Allah SWT. Without knowing Allah, how am I going to be a slave to Allah SWT? I need to know Allah SWT by knowing His Names and Attributes through the Qur’an and the Sunnah. When I know that this Rabb is Akbar, Khaliq, the heavens and the earth and my life also is in His Hand. There is one thing I should do: Surah An Al’ Anam 162-172. ‫ني‬  َ ‫ِيك َل ُه َو ِبذَل َِك أ ُ ِمرْتُ َوأَنَا أَوَّلُ املْ ُْسلِ ِم‬ َ ‫شر‬ َ ‫(ال‬162) َ ‫ني‬ َ ِ َ‫َاي َومَمَ اتِي هللَِِّ رَبِّ ا ْلعَامل‬ َ ‫ُسكِي َومَحْ ي‬ ُ ‫ص َالتِي َون‬ َ ‫قُلْ إِ َّن‬  . [172-162:‫]األنعام‬ In my daily life I should do nothing except worship Allah SWT. The road for the believer has a beginning and has an end. When he was born, he started worshiping Allah SWT moving from stage to stage, from worship to worship, from obedience to obedience, from worship to worship up till death. In the road to Allah SWT, no one is on the same level. There are numerous levels. So our question should be which stage we are in in the road to Allah SWT. He is born in fitrah, as Muslim/believer, then he will increase the knowledge until dies. Surah Al Hijr, ayah99   . [99:‫} وَا ْعبُ ْد َرب ََّك حَ ت َّى يَأ ْ ِتي ََك ا ْليَ ِقنيُ{ ]الحجر‬ The end is Jannah, which is promised to the Muttaqueen, ayah 133, Ale Imran.   ‫ني‬ َ ‫ْضأ ُ ِعدَّتْ لِلْمُ ت َّ ِق‬ ُ ‫َاألَر‬ ْ ‫السمَ اوَاتُ و‬ َّ ‫ْضهَا‬ ُ ‫} َعر‬   [133: ‫]آل عمران‬ The Jannah is where I will put my luggage and rest and then you will be happy. 43

Hadith: Is there anything better than Jannah? The Ziada, which is the ability to see the Countenance, The Face of Allah SWT in Jannah as per the hadith below in Muslim. ‫ف‬  ُ ِ‫ فَيَكْش‬:َ‫ِّضوُجُ و َهن َا أ َ َل ْم تُدْخِ ْلن َا الْجَ ن َّ َة َوتُن َجِّ ن َا ِم ْن الن َّا ِر قَال‬ ْ ‫شيْئ ًا أَزِي ُد ُك ْم فَيَقُولُو َن أ َ َل ْم تُبَي‬ َ ‫» تُرِيدُو َن‬ : - ‫حيح مسلم‬  « َّ‫شيْئ ًا أ َحَ بَّ إِ َليْ ِه ْم ِم ْن النَّظَ ِر إِلَى َربِّ ِه ْم َعزَّ وَجَ ل‬ َ ‫الْحِ جَ ابَ فَمَ ا أ ُ ْعطُوا‬ This walking needs power, be quicker towards Allah SWT. The real mumeen/ believer should have love, hope and fear. The love (is the power) makes you go to siratul mustaqueem and to keep moving. The hope is the leader that leads you in the siraat. The fear stops you from disobeying. Surah AL Isra ayah 57  ‫}أ ُو َلئ َِك ا َّلذِي َن يَ ْدعُو َن يَبْتَغُو َن إِلَى َربِّ ِه ُم ا ْلوَسِ ي َل َة أَيُّ ُه ْم أ َ ْقرَبُ َويَرْجُ و َن رَحْ مَ ت َ ُه َويَخَافُو َن َعذَابَ ُه إِ َّن َعذَابَ َرب َِّك كَا َن مَحْ ذُو ًرا‬   [57:‫]اإلسراء‬ While you are going to Allah SWT, you should do what Allah SWT loves the most. What He loves most: faraid, in particular the salah. While you are moving towards Allah SWT, you should know the obstacles and should go over the obstacles. When you are going to Allah, you have to be fearful of these obstacles. What those obstacles are? 1.Shirk bil Allah, so build ikhlaas 2.Bida’a, so follow the Prophet SAW 3.Sins, all kinds/ to go over it do taubah and fulfil the conditions of the taubah In the road, there are thieves, which can steal your eman and mislead you and you will lose the purpose of your journey. You should be careful; the biggest thief is the shaytan. Allah SWT in the Qur’an is always telling us that he is the only enemy so take him as enemy. The shaytan comes from all the directions. He is sitting in the siraat. He wants to push you out of siratul mustaqueem. Any good that you want to do, he will bring obstacles. He shows you the bad as good and the good as bad. In each road leading to the Mercy of Allah, you will find the shaytan trying to drag you away from the siraat. Second enemy are the people who are way away from the straight path.

Conclusion: On this road, you should not slow down or play dead or be lazy. But you should race towards the khayrat. We have now the time, are we using it properly? Avoid wasting it and fill every minute with obedience to Allah SWT, especially as the month when doors of Jannah are open, is coming closer. We should do the best eﬀort and ask from Allah SWT to help us and ask : “eyya kana’bodu wa eya ka nastaeen” Our time is limited, you cannot extend your lifetime. When death comes, you cannot ask for 1 minute. The happy one is the one who prepares and gets his luggage ready with eman and amale saleh, i.e. with belief and good deeds. May Allah Grant is His ridaa, may Allah guide us in the seeratul mustaqueem. Ameen.

Abu Hurairah RA reported: Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "You will covet for getting a position of authority, but remember that it will be a cause of humiliation and remorse on the Day of Resurrection." (Bukhari)

Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'as RA reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "The just will be seated upon pulpits of light." Those who are fair with regards to their judgement and their family and those who are under them." (Muslim)

Abu Hurairah RA said: The Messenger

Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari RA reported: The

of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "It

Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The

is much better for one of you to sit on

similitude of one who remembers his

a live coal, which will burn his clothes

Rubb and one who does not remember

and get to his skin than to sit on a

Him, is like that of the living and the

grave."

dead."

(Muslim)

(Bukhari and Muslim)

ALLAH CREATED THE UNIVERSE THE SUN COMPLETES ITS LIFE-CYCLE Stars are born, live for a certain period of time, and then die. Our Sun has a limited lifetime. Before the universe meets its end, the Sun might have completed its life cycle, which, in turn, means that Earth will have to die as well. The Sun is an estimated 5 billion years old. Every second, it converts 564 million tons of hydrogen into 560 million tons of helium.17 The remaining 4 million tons of matter is converted into energy. When it reaches the phase in which it will burn up and use up its hydrogen, Earth's end will have come. At this stage, the abundant hydrogen in the Sun's core will be replaced by helium, and the core's temperature will increase from its present 20 million degrees to 100 million degrees Centigrade. While the Sun's core overheats, its outer layers will expand and its color will take on a red hue instead of its usual yellow. In this way, the Sun will become a "red giant." Scientists make the following predictions: The Sun, so vital for earthly life, will bloat and expand in space; our solar system's planets will catch fire; and those small planets near to it will be destroyed. Despite the Sun's outer temperature remaining the same, nearby planets will be greatly affected by its heat radiation, which is caused by its increased volume. First Mercury and then Venus will burn up.Â The continuation of life on Earth depends on the preservation of the universe's many existing balances. For instance, if Earth were to come a little closer to the Sun, all life on it would die. Thus, Earth will be greatly affected by the expanding Sun way before its outer fringes reach it. By the time Mercury and Venus are engulfed in flames, all of Earth's natural conditions will have been destroyed and all life on it will have been destroyed. In a very short time, the extreme heat will evaporate the oceans and melt the rocks and mountains, which soon will become gases. In a moment, the planet will burn up and become a handful of ash scattered across the universe. Scientists reached this conclusion after studying stars that have a similar size to our own Sun. Many distant stars are becoming "red giants," which cause many extraordinary events in the universe.18 When the giant Sun uses up its fuel, it will no longer be able to support the weight of its inner layers, and they will begin to collapse toward the core, eventually producing a small, dense, cool star called a white dwarf. After it becomes a white dwarf, it will cool slowly for billions of years, eventually becoming so cool that it will no longer emit light. Professor of Theoretical Physics and renowned science writer Paul Davies expresses his concerns about the Sun's decreasing energy levels in the following way: As far as the sun is concerned, it clearly cannot continue burning away merrily ad infinitum. Year by year its fuel reserves decline, so that eventually it will cool and dim. By the same token its fires must have been ignited only a finite time ago: it does not have unlimited sources of energy. 46

As a natural consequence of this process, the disaster issuing from the Sun is unavoidable. In addition, research reveals many other factors that could destroy Earth. METEORS The universe contains millions of moving large and small meteors. The consequences of a collision between these and a planet vary, according to the mass of the meteor involved. Scientists estimate that 1,000 tons to more than 10,000 tons of meteoritic material falls on the Earth each day. However, most of this material is very tinyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in the form of micrometeoroids or dust-like grains a few micrometers in size.20 And most of the rest is reduced to ash partly because of the friction they encounter upon entering the atmosphere.. In other words, Earth's atmosphere protects us from possible catastrophes day after day. Somewhat distressingly, however, some meteors are large enough to destroy all life on Earth. Scientists have shown that meteor strikes in Earth's past have altered its geological and ecological landscape significantly.Â One meteorite, estimated to have a diameter of 60 kms (37 miles), exploded in the atmosphere above Tunguska in Siberia in 1908 and destroyed some 2,000 km2 (770 square miles) of forest. Its explosive force was 1,000 times more powerful than the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima . Fortunately, it exploded above a largely uninhabited area. If it had exploded above the Eiffel tower, it probably would have killed over 10 million people. This event brought home to people the great threat of catastrophic natural disasters. This is how it happened: In the early morning hours of June 30, 1908, in Central Siberia , a giant fireball was seen moving rapidly across the sky. Where it touched the horizon, an enormous explosion took place. It leveled some 2,000 square kilometers [770 square miles] of forest and burned thousands of trees in a flash fire near the impact site. It produced an atmospheric shock wave that twice circled the Earth. For two days afterward, there was so much fine dust in the atmosphere that one could read a newspaper at night by scattered light in the streets of London , 10,000 kilometers [6,200 miles] away. Eyewitnesses can give us clues about other potential disasters: I was sitting on the porch of the house at the trading station of Vanovara at breakfast time and looking towards the north.. I just raised my axe to hoop a cask, when suddenly... the sky was split in two, and high above the forest the whole northern part of the sky appeared to be covered with fire. At the moment I felt a great heat, as if my shirt had caught fire... I wanted to pull off my shirt and throw it away, but at that moment there was a bang in the sky, and a mighty crash was heard. I was thrown on the ground about three sajenes [about 7 meters or 23 feet] away from the porch and for a moment I lost consciousness. My wife ran out and carried me into the hut. The crash was followed by a noise like stones falling from the sky, or guns firing. The Earth trembled, and when I lay on the ground I covered my head, because I was afraid that stones might hit it. At that moment when the sky opened, a hot wind, as from a cannon,

blew past the huts from the north. It left its mark on the ground... We do not know from where the next meteor might come or strike. According to scientists, every 2 centuries a meteor the size of the Tunguska one collides with Earth, a fact that illustrates the proximity of such disasters. There is no reason why the next impact should not occur on a densely populated area. At present, scientists are very concerned about such an impact's potential consequences, for: If such an impact occurred today it might be mistaken, especially in the panic of the moment, for a nuclear explosion. The cometary impact and fireball would simulate all effects of a one-megaton nuclear burst, including the mushroom cloud, with two exceptions: there would be no gamma radiation or radioactive fallout. The impact of such a massive object on a large city could kill millions of people. If it fell in the ocean, it would still be devastatingly dangerous, for its velocity and mass would create tidal waves that would destroy the shoreline's populated areas. Furthermore, the likelihood of much larger meteors colliding with Earth is highly probable and gives food for thought. Scientists consider such an event inevitable, and say that it would be able to destroy whole continents and fill the atmosphere with toxic gases. They also readily admit that they are still fervently looking for a solution. to be continued...

Abu Hurairah RA reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used

Abu Hurairah RA reported: Messenger

to say in his prostration: Allahum-

of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "A

maghfir li dhanbi kullahu: diqqahu wa

Miskin (needy) is not the one who can

jillahu, wa 'awwalahu wa akhirahu, wa

be turned away with a date-fruit or

alaniyatahu wa sirrahu (O Allah! Forgive

two, or a morsel or two. The true Mi-

all my sins, the small and the great,

skin is one who, despite his poverty, ab-

first and the last, the open and the se-

stains from begging".

cret)." (Muslim)

(Bukhari and Muslim)

Masjid Bani Hashim At Jumeirah Islands, Dubai

Masjid Bani Hashim by the Grace of Allah (SWT) ‫عز وجل‬, opened its doors on 2nd Ramadan 1434; July 10th, 2013 and is a Non-Profit Organization. It envisions to offer intensive courses, lectures, workshops, Tafseer el Quran with Taddabur, Tajweed, Seerah of the Prophet ‫ & صلى اهلل عليه وسلم‬other important subjects in Islamic Studies. Our Mission Masjid Bani Hashim’s mission is to provide authentic understanding of Islam based on Qur'an & Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Mohammed (‫)صلى اهلل عليه وسلم‬. Masjid Bani Hashim welcomes all and provides a golden opportunity to access Islamic Courses to all seekers of Ilm. Without rushing back home, you can make a stop at Masjid Bani Hashim to nurture your soul, pray and recite The Quran.