AsSabiqoon # 41 by Masjid Bani Hashim

A monthly newsletter from Masjid Bani Hashim Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue#41 March 2017

A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #41 March 2017  ‫بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم‬  ‫السالم عليكم و رحمة اهلل و بركاته‬ As each day passes, we must realize that the journey of this life is limited and the hereafter is everlasting. May Allah SWT grants us a good life and a good end and make us enter Jannah without both, accounting and punishment. Ameen Ya Rabb al alameen. One thing is for sure, we have to be happy with Allah’s (SWT) help, to be happy in this world, during this limited journey. Islam has given us three key ingredients for happiness: 1.!Goal in life - Attain the pleasure of Allah SWT in everything you do. This is only possible by following the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet SAWS. 2.!Contribution to the society- fulfill your role in the society by advising the good and forbidding the evil; give charity, both Zakah and Sadaqah, to share the bounties that Allah SWT has given to you, with your needy brothers and sisters. 3. To love and being loved – if you are person of good, you will find love and if you long for the love of Allah, then surely Allah SWT will love you and will ensure the ones on the heavens (angels) and the ones on the earth love you and accept you respectively. All the above three ingredients require Sabr (patience, resilience) and Shukr (gratitude, contentment). Time has come for us to start fixing our life with the help of Allah SWT, Al Jabbar, The One who mends our broken hearts and broken affairs. Do not worry, just turn and run to Allah SWT all the time; have Allah SWT in front of you all the time, you can be sure you will be taken care by Allah, your Rabb. Tawaqalna alal Allah, we put our Trust in Allah SWT, our Khaliq, our Razaq, our Muddabir. I ask Allah SWT to extend our lives and to make us reach Ramadan in the best of eman, health, wealth and all goodness of dunya and akhirah and may He SWT make us witness Ramadan after Ramadan with all His Pleasure. I leave you in Allah SWT’s Care. Alhamdulil Allah Rabb al alameen. Mu’adh ibn Jabal reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “O Allah, I ask you for good deeds and avoidance of evil deeds and love of the poor. Forgive me and have mercy on me. If you intend to put people to trial, then take me away unscathed. I ask you for your love, the love of those who love you, and the love of good deeds that bring me closer to your love.” Source: Sunan alTirmidhī 3235

A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #41 March 2017

This Issue Introduction: Page 1 Names of Allah (SWT): Pages 3 - 10

NEW!

The Real Superstars: Pages 11 - 13 Arabic Pronouns: Page 14 No fear upon then nor do they grieve: Pages 15 - 17 Cheer up: Pages 18 - 21 Surah Yusuf #68 - 75: Pages 22 - 25 Shukr: Pages 26 - 28 A Message to Those Drowning in Sin: Page 29 Afdhal Al Dhikr 7: Pages 30 - 31 Surah Maryam #4: Pages 32 - 36 Winning Hearts: Page 37 - 40 Masjid Bani Hashim: Pages 41 - 43

ALLAH AS SALAM (‫ – )السالم‬PART 2

‫بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم‬  ‫السالم عليكم ورحمة اهلل وبركاته‬ Allah As Salam (‫ – )السالم‬part 2 Knowledge about Allah (‫)ﷻ‬ On the Day of Judgment, the deeds will be weighed and the belief of the person will be weighed. The stronger the faith, the heavier the scale. How much you believe in His names and attributes is how much your scale will be heavy with Him. How much do you believe that there is no space of four fingers except there is an angel prostrating to Allah (‫ ?)ﷻ‬How much do you discuss the impacts of Allah’s name? We had rain today, this is from Allah’s mercy. When you discuss everything this way then your faith and belief is strong. Therefore it’s important to learn about Allah (‫)ﷻ‬. There are many evidences in the Quran which testify to what we’re saying. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will not accept the deeds of the hypocrites and disbelievers. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬says these have no weight with Him because they disbelieved in Him; their deeds are fruitless. This is

an indication that the most important thing with Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is your belief in Him. When your belief in Him is correct then your behavior will be correct. A man will be brought on the Day of Judgment and he will see his deeds and think he will be perished. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬says ‘No dhulm today with Me’. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬brings a card of (‫ه اال اهلل‬:: : : : : : ‫ ;)ال ال‬when it’s placed on the pan of the Scale, this card will outweigh the 99 records on the other pan. What makes a person’s (‫ه اال اهلل‬:: : : ‫ )ال ال‬heavy on the scale? When you believe in (‫ه اال اهلل‬:: : : ‫ )ال ال‬with love, truthfulness, sincerity, acceptance, and submission. The hypocrites also say (‫ه اال اهلل‬:: : : : :‫ )ال ال‬but there is no weight. Belief is very important and it will be weighed. Many people when they become Muslim they focus on the actions of the limbs, but they neglect an important thing which is their faith in Allah (‫)ﷻ‬. Don’t think being born into a Muslim family guarantees you will die as a Muslim. Nothing is guaranteed, each one has to struggle and we need to increase our belief in Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬in order to make it heavy on the scale of the Day of Judgment. Musa (as) asked Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬tell me something with which I can remember You. He said say (‫ه اال‬:: : : : : : ‫ال ال‬ ‫)اهلل‬. Musa (as) said all of the creation says this. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬said if you placed (‫ه اال اهلل‬:: : : : ‫ )ال ال‬on the pan of the scale, it will outweigh everything else. All of this begins with knowledge. There is superficial knowledge and detailed knowledge. There are some Muslims with weak faith and there are those with perfect faith, why is there a variation in the faith? Because of the difference in knowledge. As the person knows more about Allah (‫)ﷻ‬, the more his faith increases. This means we need to take care of learning about Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬and the rest of the articles of faith. Therefore don’t compare yourself with others because everyone has a level of faith, and according to that level is how Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬deals with him. It’s your responsibility to teach your children about Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬because you will be asked about them. Surah An Nisa’a 11: (ۖ‫ ۡ‌م‬: ُ‫ ِدڪ‬: ٰ‫ىٓ أ َ ۡو َلـ‬: :‫ي ُك ُم ٱهللَُّ ِف‬:: ‫وص‬: : : :ِ : ُ‫( )ي‬Allâh commands you as regards your children's) – many parents say when they grow-up then they’ll learn and this is not correct. As a mother you’re responsible. Allah As Salam (‫)السالم‬ Surah Al Hashr 23: ‫ُش ِرڪُو َ ن‬ ۡ ‫سبۡحَ ـٰ َن ٱهللَِّ عَمَّ ا ي‬ ُ ‫ٱلس َلـٰ ُم ٱملۡ ُ ۡؤ ِم ُن ٱملۡ ُ َهيۡ ِم ُن ٱ ۡل َعزِيزُ ٱلۡجَ بَّا ُر ٱملۡ ُتَڪَبِّ ُ‌ۚر‬ َّ ‫ُّوس‬ ُ ‫ُه َو ٱهللَُّ ٱ َّلذِى َآلإِ َلـٰ َه إ َِّال ُه َو ٱملۡ َل ُِك ٱ ۡل ُقد‬ He is Allâh beside Whom is Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the AllMighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allâh! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is the True King, not like other kings. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬judges, commands and owns everything in the world. His commands are qudoos. He’s a Pure King free of defects, and His judgments are free 4

of defects. Human beings have good and bad. Every human has wickedness and righteousness in him. Don’t say ‘I have no evil in me’ because Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬says so. This means we can never be qudoos and pure. We can never be free of defects. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬is teaching us in the supplications ‘O Allah I seek refuge with You from the evil of myself’. Even our good characters are deficient. For example, you might be generous, but it’s limited to your family, neighbors and community. You might be kind, but can you extend your kindness to the whole world? No. Even your protection is limited, your children are somewhere and you’re somewhere else. What is the impact when you know Allah is Al Malik, Al Qudoos, As Salam?Everything He commands is all good and full of wisdom. How do you explain every event you go through? Wisdom. He never decrees any evil upon me; everything is good, sickness is good, deprivation of money is good, having this kind of husband is good, having this kind of child is good. When we know the name in detail, we will think how much we didn’t think good about Allah (‫)ﷻ‬, astaghfar Allah. Allah is salam in all His attributes The name of Allah As Salam is a comprehensive name (‫ع‬:: : : : :‫ام‬:: : : : :‫م ج‬:: : : : :‫)اس‬, so it pertains to all of His attributes. Allah is salam in all of His attributes. He is salam in His wisdom, He is salam in His knowledge, He is salam in His mercy. Allah’s Life is salam Allah’s Life is salam, from what? From death, Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is Ever-Living never dies. He has no fatigue. Allah’s Qayoomiyah (standing in charge of everything) is salam Allah is Al Qayoom, He is standing in charge of the creation and He is Self-Sufficient; He’s providing the creation. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is Rich, His creation is need of Him and He’s in need of no one. By His permission, every moving creature moves. By His permission, every creature is silent. By His permission, He tells the fire to burn. By His permission, the wind blows. By His permission, He gives the command for clouds to form. By His permission, our blood flows and our hearts beat. He is able to give the command to our hearts to stop beating, subhan Allah. Allah’s Qayoomiyah is related to His ability which is perfect; His qayoomiyah is salam from fatigue to touch Him, or something to make Him fail, or weakness. Allah’s Knowledge is salam Allah is Al ‘Aleem and He’s attributed with perfect knowledge. His knowledge is salam from forgetfulness, need for reminder, need for time to think, need for consulting or information. When humans want to make a decision, they need time, consulting and information. His knowledge encompasses 5

the past, present and future. We don’t know the future, we don’t know what will happen in one minute and only Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬knows. Nothing escapes His knowledge; He knows everything in detail. Allah’s Will is salam Allah’s Will is based on wisdom and knowledge. Whatever He wills will happen, and whatever He doesn’t will will not happen. His will is salam of being void of wisdom or to do something for His own interests. He’s in no need of that; we might do things for self-interest. He’s the Most Rich so we should never think bad about Him. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬speaks and we affirm the attribute of speech to Him. He speaks whenever and whatever He wills. Allah’s words are of two kinds: Legal words (‫)كلمات شرعية‬: what He inspires to the messengers of commands and prohibitions. Universal words (‫ية‬:: : : : ‫ون‬:: : : : ‫لمات ك‬:: : : : ‫)ك‬: the words with which He decrees in the universe by saying ‘Be’ and it is. Surah Al Kahf 109: (‫ َددً۬ا‬: :‫جئۡن َا ِب ِمثۡلِهِۦ َم‬ ِ ‫ ۡو‬: ‫ى َو َل‬::ِّ‫لِمَ ـٰتُ َرب‬: :‫نفَ َد َك‬::َ‫ن َ ِف َد ٱ ۡلبَحۡ ُر َقبۡلَ أ َن ت‬: ‫ى َل‬::ِّ‫ َكلِمَ ـٰتِ َرب‬: ‫دَادً۬ا ِّل‬: :‫ا َن ٱ ۡلبَحۡ ُر ِم‬::‫ك‬:َ ‫ ۡو‬: ‫ل َّل‬::‫( ) ُق‬Say "If the sea were ink for (writing) the Words of my Lord, surely, the sea would be exhausted before the Words of my Lord would be finished, even if we brought (another sea) like it for its aid.") – Allah’s words never end because His speech is one of His attributes and we can never encompass His attributes. Allah’s Words are salam Allah’s Words are salam from lies and oppression. The Quran is the Speech of Allah (‫)ﷻ‬, what does He say? It’s truth and justice. Never allow doubts to come in your heart about Allah’s speech. Allah’s Richness is salam Allah is The Most Rich, He is Self-Sufficient and doesn’t need anything. Everything is in need of Him and He is in need of no one. His richness is salam from need, He doesn’t need food, drink, or rest. Allah’s Kingdom is salam Allah’s Kingdom is salam from having a partner with Him, or to have an opponent to Him, or having a helper or supporter or to have an intercessor. The kings of the world need ministers, but Allah (‫)ﷻ‬ doesn’t because He knows everything that’s happening in His Dominion. He doesn’t need someone to inform Him. No one can suggest in His Kingdom. Sometimes you have people at your house suggesting do this or do that; though it’s your house. Allah’s Divinity is salam Allah’s Divinity is salam from having another god with Him. He is the Only True God, there is no god sharing divinity with Him. There is no one worthy of worship except Allah (‫)ال اله اال اهلل( )ﷻ‬. Allah’s Pardoning, Forgiveness and forbearance are salam 6

Allah’s pardoning, forgiveness and forbearance are salam from needing others, or showing humility to others. When the children get older and they wrong their parents, the parents forgive them, why? Because they need them, they’re weaker now and the children are stronger. They might say ‘I want to live a peaceful life’, but it’s because they need them, subhan Allah. We need to be careful with our parents, especially when they become old. When they become old, they become different; they’re weak, they behave like children, and we need to understand them. Don’t even say ‘uff’ to them because this indicates being undutiful to them. When others forgive, it’s because they need something from the other or they feel inferior and don’t have the strength to fight so they forgive. Allah’s forgiveness is salam from need and humility and when He forgives, He forgives out of His beneficence, mercy, might and power. In Surah Al Maeda 118: (ُ‫زُ ٱلۡحَ كِيم‬: ‫تَ ٱ ۡل َع ِزي‬:: ‫ك أَن‬:َ : َّ‫ ِإن‬: َ‫ ُه ۡم ف‬: ‫بَاد َ‌ُۖك َو إِن تَ ۡغ ِف ۡر َل‬: :‫ہُ ۡم ِع‬: َّ‫ ِإن‬: َ‫ َعذِّبۡہُ ۡم ف‬: ُ‫"( )إِن ت‬If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily You, only You are the All¬Mighty, the All¬Wise) – Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will bring Eisa (as) on the Day of Judgment and ask him, ‘did you tell them to worship you and your mother?’. He will say ‘no’. Eisa (as) says, if you punish them, then they’re Your slaves and if You forgive them, then You are Al Aziz Al Hakeem. You are The Most Mighty, when You forgive them, it’s not out of Your Humility, but out of Your Honor and Might. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is Wise, He doesn’t punish Who deserves forgiveness, and He doesn’t forgive Who deserves punishment. Allah’s Punishment is salam Allah’s punishment is salam from oppression, harshness , strictness or gratification of desires. When human beings punish, they punish out of their own gratification; they want to take revenge and they’re quick in punishing because they’re afraid others will escape. When Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬punishes, He’s not afraid anyone will escape because they’re all in His dominion, so where can they go? Subhan Allah. He gives respite and time in order for them to repent, but if they don’t desist from oppression, Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will take them in punishment and no one can run away from Him. If Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬punishes someone; does that contradict the name of Allah As Salam? Never. Allah’s punishment is free of oppression and they deserve it. When Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬punishes; there’s good for it. It’s good for the wrong-doer so that he stops from the evil and it’s good for others because they will be saved from his evil and the righteous people will feel at rest so they will stay firm in their righteousness. It’s contrary to Allah’s wisdom to leave the wrong-doers without punishment. There might be people who are devouring other people’s money and they die and there’s no punishment on the land. If they don’t receive the punishment in the duniya then they will surely receive it in the hereafter. Allah is Salam, He never leaves the wrongdoers without punishment, sooner or later. When you see the delay, don’t have doubts in Allah’s punishment.

It’s out of Allah’s wisdom to put everyone in their right place and this will be on the Day of Judgment; all praise to Allah (‫)ﷻ‬. Surah Saba 1: (ُ‫خبِير‬ َ ‫ َو ٱلۡحَ كِي ُم ٱ ۡل‬: : :‫ َر ِةۚ َو ُه‬: : :‫ٱأل َِخ‬ ۡ ‫ى‬:: : :‫ ُه ٱلۡحَ مۡ ُد ِف‬: : :‫ۡض َو َل‬ ِ ‫ٱألَر‬ ۡ ‫ى‬:: : :‫ا ِف‬:: : :‫سمَ ـٰوَٲتِ َو َم‬: َّ : : ‫ى ٱل‬:: : :‫ا ِف‬:: : :‫ ُه ۥ َم‬: : :‫ذِى َل‬: : :‫( )ٱلۡحَ مۡ ُد هللَِِّ ٱ َّل‬All the praises and thanks are to Allâh, to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. His is all the praises and thanks in the Hereafter, and He is the All¬Wise, the All¬Aware) – All praises to Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬here and the hereafter. The people of the hellfire will praise Allah (‫ ;)ﷻ‬their hearts will be filled with praising Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬because they will witness how Allah’s judged them with justice. They say ‘alhamdulilah’ because they know they deserve it. Even the people of paradise will say ‘alhamdulilah’ when they see the delights and blessings of Allah (‫)ﷻ‬. We ask Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬of His great favor. Ameen. The name of Allah As Salam will appear to all on the Day of Judgment. Allah’s Decrees are salam Allah’s decree and what He ordains is salam from play, oppression, and to think what happened is not out of wisdom. Day and night, Allah’s qadr is descending upon us and all His decrees are wise, but look at us, how do we deal with these decrees? Astaghfar Allah. We might be looking for something we really need and tomorrow we find it and say, ‘when I need it, I can’t find it, and when I don’t need it, I find it’, astaghfar Allah. Allah’s decree is free from play. Never think Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is playing with us. When we can’t find something, Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is testing our patience and when we find it, Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is testing our gratitude. It’s a major sin to think bad about Allah (‫)ﷻ‬. Or someone says ‘what’s this? Now there’s rain, now it’s dry, and now there’s wind. What’s this?’, astaghfar Allah. Sometimes we’re deprived of something and we think Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is being unjust to us, astaghfar Allah. Everything is already recorded in the Preserved Tablet 50,000 years before the creation of the heavens and the earth. Some people say ‘why am I single and they’re married, why do they have children and not me, why do they have a good life and I suffer?’. All Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬decrees for us is salam; it’s all good. Whatever is happening now is a test, if you past this test now in this life then on the Day of Judgment, you will receive all you want in the hereafter. If you don’t have a husband now, you will have a perfect husband in paradise. The hereafter is our real life. This life is a vanishing life so not everything you wish and desire you will get in this life. Surah Al Fajr 24: (‫ى‬:‫ن‬:ِ َ ‫ت‬:ۡ‫ي‬:‫ َل‬:ٰ‫ولُ يَـ‬:‫ ُق‬: : : : : : َ‫ي‬ ‫( ) َق َّدمۡتُ لِحَ يَاتِى‬He will say: "Alas! Would that I had sent forth (good deeds) for (this) my life!") You might be afflicted with weakness in your body or sickness, but on the Day of Judgment, paradise is Dar As Salam – it’s the abode of peace, soundness and free of defects, so focus on that Day and that place. All that Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is decreeing upon us is a test and we need to struggle and ask Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬to pass these tests and be admitted to paradise. Many people fail because of their thoughts about Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬before practicing patience and gratitude. How many times do we repeat this name, but look at our belief in this name? How many times do we say salam and say it after the prayers? Subhan Allah. 8

Allah’s Laws and Religion are salam Allah’s laws and religion is salam from contradictions, inconsistency, discrepancies, confusion and anything contrary to His wisdom, or lacking in benefit to the people, or fulfilling the needs of the people. Allah’s laws are full of wisdom and benefit to the human. Nowadays, you find people who defame the law of Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬by saying it’s not applicable now, they say this religion is only applicable when the Mohammed (‫ )ﷺ‬was there and there were camels, subhan Allah. And to say, now there are planes and a woman doesn’t need a mahram to travel. Saying this is defaming Allah’s knowledge and accusing Him of not knowing what will happen in the next thousand years, astaghfar Allah. All that Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬legislated is salam. There are those who say the woman in Islam is oppressed, though there is no religion that respects and honors woman more than Islam. You will not find a book with a title ‘An Nisa’a’ – ‘The Women’. The woman is not like a man, our build is not like a man; we have responsibilities suitable for us and they have responsibilities suitable for them. When they say a man needs to be equal to the woman then it’s being unjust to the woman. In Islam, whatever the woman earns, it’s for her, while the man has to spend on his wife, children, parents and sisters if they’re not married. The woman can do whatever she wants with her money. The man has to spend on his family and if he doesn’t then he will be asked on the Day of Judgment. Alhamdulilah for being Muslim. Islam came to be compatible to our fitra, our natural disposition and what we need. Islam is not a difficult religion; alhamdulilah Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬chose Islam for us and for guiding us. There’s a story of an English female judge who would always deal with marriage and divorce cases. When she studied the laws of divorce in Islam, she embraced Islam. She said this is the perfect rules which are taking care of the woman. When people try to put doubts, don’t say ‘how can I refute them?’. Just say ‘ I believe Allah is Salam, so go and may Allah guide you’. I want to keep my faith correct. ‘I believe, but I don’t know how to answer you, so go’. Don’t feel bad when you don’t know how to answer because this is not obligatory upon us to refute the claims of the people. Leave them to Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬and pray for them to be guided. Islamic Manners – Etiquette of Meeting People (1) Desirable to shake hands when meeting people Hadith: (. " ‫ا‬::‫فْت َ ِر َق‬:َ‫بْلَ أ َ ْن ي‬:‫هُمَ ا َق‬:‫ ِف َر َل‬:‫حَ انِ إِالَّ ُغ‬:َ‫َصاف‬ َ ‫يَت‬:َ‫ ْلت َ ِقيَانِ ف‬:َ‫ني ي‬ ِ ْ َ‫لِم‬:‫ُس‬ : ْ ‫ ْن م‬:‫ا ِم‬:‫م‬:َ " ‫لم‬:‫ليه وس‬:‫لى اهلل ع‬:‫ولُ اهللَِّ ص‬:‫َس‬ : : ُ ‫الَ ر‬::‫( ) َق‬The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said: Two Muslims will not meet and shake hands having their sins forgiven them before they separate.) - Sunan Abi Dawud 5212, Authenticated by Al Albani as Sahih 9

Shaking hands is a desirable sunnah and the Companions of the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬used to do it. When you shake hands, you’re affirming what you say with your tongue. When you say ‘assalam alaykum’, you’re declaring peace and how do you affirm it? By shaking hands, subhan Allah. Some people get up after the prayer and shake the hands of the imam or the people next to them, is this legal or not? No. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬or the Companions would not do this. It’s not prescribed to shake hands after offering the obligatory prayers in congregation. It’s considered innovation in the religion. If a person finishes the prayer and adhkaar and he’s meeting someone after the prayer then it’s fine. (2) Woman shaking hands to men unlawful to them Hadith: (. " ‫ن َِّسا َء‬: ‫حُ ال‬: ‫ف‬:ِ ‫ا‬::‫ُص‬ : : :َ ‫ي الَ أ‬::ِّ‫ْنت إِن‬ َ ُّ ‫ق‬: َ‫ْنت َوأَط‬ َ ُّ ‫تَطَع‬: ‫اس‬ : :ْ ‫يمَ ا‬::‫ن َا " ِف‬: ‫قَالَ َل‬: َ‫ ُع ُه ف‬: ‫بَا ِي‬: ُ‫س َو ٍة ن‬: ْ :‫ي ِن‬::‫لم ِف‬::‫ليه وس‬::‫لى اهلل ع‬::‫ن َّ ِبيَّ ص‬: ‫ئ ْتُ ال‬: ‫ج‬ : ِ ُ‫قُول‬: َ‫“( )ت‬I came to the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬with some other women, to offer our pledge to him. He said to us: ‘(I accept your pledge) with regard to what you are able to do. But I do not shake hands with women.’”) – Sunan Ibn Majah Book 24, Hadith 2984 We need to be careful with the manner of shaking hands between men and women. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬didn’t touch the hands of the woman and he was perfect, so what about men who have desires touching the hands of women? Subhan Allah. (3) Do not remove the hand when shaking hands Hadith: (ُ‫صرِف‬: ْ :َ‫ع َوالَ ي‬ ُ ‫ن ْ ِز‬: َ‫ذِي ي‬: ‫لُ ا َّل‬::‫َّج‬ :ُ ‫ر‬: ‫كُو َن ال‬: َ‫ت َّى ي‬: ‫ح‬ : َ ‫ ِد ِه‬: َ‫ ْن ي‬: ‫م‬:ِ ُ‫ َده‬: َ‫ع ي‬ ُ ‫ن ْ ِز‬: َ‫حَ ُه الَ ي‬::َ‫صاف‬: َ :َ‫لُ ف‬::‫َّج‬ :ُ ‫ر‬: ‫ت َ ْقبَ َل ُه ال‬: ‫اس‬ : :ْ ‫لم إِذَا‬::‫ليه وس‬::‫لى اهلل ع‬::‫ن َّ ِبيُّ ص‬: ‫ا َن ال‬::‫َك‬ ‫ ُه‬:‫ِيس َل‬ ٍ ‫ل‬:‫ج‬ :َ ‫د َْى‬:َ‫ني ي‬: َ ْ َ‫بَتَيْ ِه ب‬:‫ا ُر ْك‬:‫م‬:ً ‫ َق ِّد‬:‫ َر ُم‬:ُ‫ ْم ي‬:‫ ُه َو َل‬:ُ‫ص ِرف‬: ْ َ‫ذِي ي‬:‫ َو ا َّل‬:‫لُ ُه‬:‫َّج‬ : ُ ‫ر‬:‫كُو َن ال‬:َ‫ت َّى ي‬:‫ح‬ :َ ‫ ِه ِه‬:‫َج‬ :ْ ‫ ْن و‬:‫ َه ُه َع‬:‫َج‬ :ْ ‫"( )و‬When the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬would receive a man to shake hands with him, he would not remove his hand until he [the man]removed his, and he would not turn his face away from his face until the man turned and he would not be seen advancing his knees before one sitting with him.") – At Tirmidhi Book 37, Hadith 2678 When the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬would receive a man, he would shake his hands and he would not remove it until the man removes it. And he would not turn his face away until the person turns his face away from him. And he would not be seen advancing his knees or putting his feet in front of another’s face. This shows his great manners. If there is a situation where you are waiting to remove your hands and they are waiting to remove, the one who started the shaking of the hand should remove his hand first. May Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬increase us in faith and knowledge and help us apply what we learned. Ameen.

There is no doubt that trustworthiness is an important value to have, in fact it is essential to many areas of life. Living up to our commitments, following through whatever one is entrusted with is a necessary trait, loved not only by the people in dunya but also by Allah (SWT). From the Quran and the Hadith we gather that fulfilling promises and covenants are obligatory, and the one who breaks them or fails to fulfill them is sinful. The Prophet of Allah (SAWS) loved one Sahaba so much for his trustworthiness that he gave him the preference over everyone else. He was called “The Trustworthy One Of This Nation.” The Prophet (SAWS), Abu Bakr (RA), Umar(RA) and other sahabas held him in very high esteem and honor.

Once when the Najraan delegation arrived from Yemen after they had embraced Islam, they asked the Prophet (SAWS) to send someone to them to teach the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and Islam. The Prophet (SAWS) told them: “I will send you a trusthworthy man, a very trustworthy man.” When companions heard this praise, every one of them prayed that Prophet(SAWS) meant him this praise and sincere recommendation. ‘Umair Ibn Al-Khattaab (RA) narrated thus: “I have never craved command in my life except on that day, in hope that I would be the man whom Rasulullah (SAWS) held in such high esteem. Therefore, I went in intense heat to perform my Dhuhr Prayer. When Rasulullah (SAW) finished leading the prayer, he looked to his right, then his left. I stood on my toes to draw his attention to me, yet he kept on looking round until he saw Abu ‘Ubaidah Ibn Al-Jarrah and ordered him, “Go

with them and judge in truth between them in the matters in which they dispute.”

he moved a step further by shooting a moving target while riding an animal.

The Prophet (SAWS) said, "For every Ummah, there is an Ameen (man of trust), and the Ameen of my Ummah is Abu Ubaidah. (Bukhari, Muslim)

He was one of the early converts to Islam, some historians say he accepted Islam at the hands of Abu Bakr (RA) and there are other reports of him becoming a Muslim through the Prophet (SAWS) himself.

Abu ‘Ubaidah Ibn Al-Jarrah (RA) was the First Companion who was called “Commander of Commanders!” He was a strong, trustworthy man about whom Ùmar lbn Al Khattaab said on his deathbed, "If Abu Ùbaidah Ibn Al-Jarraah were alive, I would have entrusted him with the caliphate, and if Allah asked me about him, I would say, I assigned the caliphate to the trustworthy of Allah and His Prophet, Abu Ùbaidah Ibn Al Jarraah.” Such a strong and prominent personality but not many know about him. He also has the honor of being one amongst the 10 who were given the glad tidings of Jannah in their lifetime ('Ashara Al Mubashireen). Abu Ubaidah (RA) was born in 583 CE and his father was 'Abdullah ibn al-Jarrah, a merchant by profession. Abu 'Ubaidah belonged to the Quraysh and was considered to be one of the nobles of Quraysh and was famous for his modesty and bravery. He was one of the skilled archers of his time. His father put him through a grueling exercise right from the beginning. Before the age of 5, his father taught him to do squats by holding 2 heavy objects, then his father made him pull heavy objects while at the same time throwing a spear. By the age of 8, he knew how to shoot an arrow at a stationary target. By 10, he knew how to shoot an arrow while riding an animal, by 12

Abu Ubaidah (RA) was so skilled that he could scout an area where the enemy had been and by analyzing the animal dung and footprints, and other activities that had been going around the area he could know what had happened there. He could tell how many people had encamped in that area by looking at the footsteps. He could gauge how many animals were used for carrying luggage and how many were warrior ones by looking at the depth of their footprints and the kind of dung they left behind. This skill and talent was utilized by the Prophet (SAWS) in the diﬀerent battles that the Muslims were involved and he served the Prophet (SAWS) honorably. Abu Ubaidah (RA) was one of the Sahabas who had done 2 migrations, to Abyssinia and later to Medinah. He went through the oppressions and persecution that all the other early converts had to go through. He migrated to Medinah along with the Prophet (SAWS) in 622CE. He was paired with the Ansar of Medinah Mua’adh ibn Jabal making them brothers in faith. Abu Ubaidah (RA) took part in the first Battle that took place at Badr. It was one of the most trying one for him because his own father attacked him and he was forced to kill him in defense. 12

incisor, he extracted the other disc but lost that tooth also.

At the Battle of Uhud when the Muslims were being routed, one of the Mushrikeen started to shout, "Show me Muhammad, show me Muhammad." Abu Ubaidah was one of a group of ten Muslims who had encircled the Prophet to protect him against the spears of the Mushrikeen. When the battle was over, it was found that one of the Prophet's molar teeth was broken, his forehead was struck and two discs from his shield had penetrated into his cheeks. Abu Bakr (RA) went forward with the intention of extracting these discs but Abu Ubaidah sought permission of Abu Bakr (RA)to let him do it. Abu Ubaidah (RA) was afraid that he would cause the Prophet pain if he took out the discs with his hand so he used his teeth instead and bit hard into one of the discs. It was extracted but one of his incisor teeth fell to the ground in the process. With his other

Abu Bakr (RA) narrates this incident: When the Battle of Uhud reached the apex of fierceness and ferocity, the Prophet (SAWS) was wounded. As soon as I realized what had happened, I rushed to him. A man ran swiftly in the same direction and exclaimed, "Dear Allah, accept this deed as a sign of obedience." Then we both reached the Prophet (SAWS), but Abu `Ubaidah was there before me, so he pleaded with me, "Please, by Allah, Abu Bakr, let me pull them out of the Prophet's cheeks," so I let him. Abu `Ubaidah held one of the rings with his front teeth and pulled it out along with his upper front teeth. Then he pulled out the second along with his lower front teeth. Thus, he lost his teeth.” More on Abu Ubaidah (RA), The Trustworthy of the nation in the next issue in sha Allah…

ARABIC PRONOUNS

bring the evidence, if they are

and drinking, when done for the sake of Allah.

Reported by `Aishah (RA): The

Reported by Ka`b bin Malik (RA): I

Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

saw Messenger of Allah (peace be

“The two Rak`ah before the dawn

upon him) eating with three fingers

(Fajr) prayer are better than this

(i.e., the thumb, the index finger and

world and all it contains.”

the middle finger) and licking them

[Muslim - Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter

after having finished the food.

196, 1102]

[Muslim - Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter

109, 749]

Everybody is sleepy in the morning,

but surely this extra few minutes is

Let us try to imitate our Prophet

worth the amazing reward!

SAW, even in the smallest habits.

Exemplary Leadership  ‫أعوذ باهلل من الشيطان الرجيم‬ I seek refuge with Allah from Satan the accursed Surah Al Baqaarah (2), Ayat 124:  ﴾ ‫ني‬ َ ‫ع ْهدِي الظَّـلِ ِم‬ َ ُ‫َّاسإِمَامًا قَالَ َومِن ذُ ِّريَّتِى قَالَ الَ يَنَال‬ ِ ‫ك لِلن‬ َ ‫َو إِ ِذ ابْتَلَى إِبْ َرهِي َم َربُّ ُه ِب َكلِمَ ـتٍ فَأَتَمَّ ُه َّن قَالَ إِنِّى جَ ـعِ ُل‬ (124. And (remember) when the Lord of Ibrahim (Abraham) tried him with (certain) commands, which he fulfilled. He (Allah) said (to him), "Verily, I am going to make you an Imam (a leader) for mankind (to follow you).'' (Ibrahim) said, "And of my offspring (to make leaders).'' (Allah) said, "My covenant (prophethood) includes not Zalimin (polytheists and wrongdoers).'')  ِ ‫ن الرَّحِ يم‬ ِ ‫ِسم ِ اهللَِّ الرَّحْ مَ ـ‬ ْ ‫ب‬ In the name of Allah, The Lord of Mercy, The Giver of Mercy I am going to be talking about Prophet Ibrahim, PBUH. Above all because he was called a leader by Allah, Azzawajal in the Qur’an, 2:124, highlighted in the beginning of this email. Moreover he is known as father of the Prophets (Ismail and Isaac) and the grandfather of Prophet Jacob. He is also one of the ancestors of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and is highly regarded not only in Islam but in Christianity and Judaism. Foremost let’s define leadership. In my humble view, leadership is about believing in an ideal, in a goal… and then living this ideal in your life, in your personal and family dealings, in your profession, in whatever you do…because if you are a leader, then you must “walk the talk” and your talk and walk is based on high morals and integrity, you character is exemplary…so people will want to follow you. You you must recall a hadith reported by Mother of the Believers Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) “…The character of the Prophet (PBUH) was the Qur’an” … What this means is that he believed that the Qur’an was the Book revealed from Allah through angel Gabriel to guide the humanity. So, his preaching as commanded by Rabb al alameen (The Lord of the worlds) to be effective had to be based on practical application of the Book of Allah. How can you preach something you cannot practice? Even if you do that, that would not be effective! 18

The success of the Prophet’s (PBUH) leadership was due to his truthfulness to the Qur’an. He did not only receive the message, he did not only believe in it, but he also implemented it. The second point that I want to clarify is that leadership is not only applicable to politicians, business leaders, scholars but it is applicable to each and every believer because leadership is about taking responsibility of those around us, fellow human beings, whether they are countrymen, citizens, teams, families, you name it! Are we not told in the Qur’an to command good and forbid evil (Qur’an 9:71)? This is further emphasized by the following hadith narrated by Abdullah bin Umar narrated, the Prophet said, "everyone of you is a guardian and everyone of you is responsible (for his wards). A ruler is a guardian and is responsible (for his subjects); a man is a guardian of his family and responsible (for them); a wife is a guardian of her husband's house and she is responsible (for it), a slave is a guardian of his master's property and is responsible (for that). Beware! All of you are guardians and are responsible (for your wards)."Sahih Bukhari Now after this introduction, let’s go back to the Leadership of Ibrahim (PBUH). Ibrahim (PBUH) is known also as a Prophet of determination due to his resilience and steadfastness in performing the commandments of Allah, Azzawajal. He went through many tests. Most of these have been highlighted in the Qur’an: - The struggle against his people, who were idolaters as he was trying to preach them Islam (Submission to The God- Allah) and the favour of Allah upon him when they tried to burn him alive. Allah Azzawajal cooled the fire for him (Qur’an 21: 69-70). Subhanal Allah, amazing!!! What level of belief and trust in Allah and just see the appreciation of Allah for those who advise the truth and put their full trust in Allah, Allah turns around the laws of nature…the fire became cool…note that it was not extinguished! It became cool, Subhanal Allah! - Command of Allah to sacrifice Ismail (PBUH) and the submission of both father, Ibrahim and son Ismail. Subhanal Allah, how Allah Azzawajal rescued Ismail at the precise moment of sacrifice, upon fulfilment of submission (Qur’an 37: 102:111) - Building of Kabah by Ibrahim and Ismail (2:127) He succeeded in all the tests, this is what a true leader stands for! He went through each test with humbleness, realising that even if he did not like what was requested to do, he had to fulfil the Command from his Rabb (The Lord, The Nurturer, The Reformer), there was complete submission and reliance in Allah’s plan, Allah who is Al Aleem, Al Hakeem (All Knowing, All Wise) and Allah is Ash Shakir Ash Shakoor (The Most Appreciative, The Most Grateful). This is evident by how Allah SWT saved him in all the different trials he went through and honoured him with the title of imam (leader). So, what are the key traits in Ibrahim (PBUH) that made Allah give him the title of leader: 19

1. He realised that he was a humble slave of Allah, in total submission to the ABSOLUTE LEADER, Allah; at the end of the day is not Allah with the Most Beautiful Names and Attributes the best Example to follow (Qur’an 16:60). 2. His complete reliance in Allah Azzawajal 3. His submission to the laws and legislations as set by Allah, Al Wakil (The Trustee, the Disposer of Affairs) and avoidance of any acts of deliberate displeasure to Allah (resulting from consistent sinning without due repentance) 4. His submission to the decree, whether good or disliked. This is sabr (patience, resilience, steadfastness) 5. He was also not selfish and was thoughtful of future generations by asking Allah for leadership to be provided to his offspring. Please note that this leadership is not about acquiring power but it is about guiding humanity to the utmost Truth, which is lailah illal Allah (No One is Worthy of worship except Allah). However, Allah Azzawajal, clearly highlighted that He would not give the leadership of the religion to the oppressors (Quran 2: 124) In a nutshell, Ibrahim (PBUH) was truthful, truthful to the covenant of Allah Azzawajl and this truthfulness led him to being elevated by Allah to the title of leader. Subhanal Allah. Moreover, Allah Azzawajal honoured Ibrahim (PBUH) even further, for all the generations to come as we Muslims send salutation to Ibrahim (PBUH) in our daily prayers: “O Allah! Send Your Salah on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your Salaah on Ibrahim and on the family of Ibrahim, for You are the Most Praiseworthy, the Most Glorious. O Allah! Send Your blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent your blessings on Ibrahim and on the family of Ibrahim, for You are the Most Praiseworthy, the Most Glorious.” (Al-Bukhari, 3190) My final thoughts on leadership: Whatever you do in life, whether you are a housewife, a mother, a wife, a professional, a businessman/man, politician, scholar, student, retired etc.…you are a leader whether you realise it or not! 20

The question is whether you are a good leader or not? Key tips that I would like to share with you is that good leadership is about talking less, more action, more listening and taking advice from those around us. This does not mean we should not talk good or advise what is right, by no means! Talking good, advising what is right is better than silence and silence is better than talking vain, false or just for the sake of it, without any purpose! However, a great leader is one who after taking all fellows’ advice, He will ask Allah’s guidance and will rely ultimately on Allah’s guidance, which is the best advice. In shaa Allah this will then result in sound decision making and be reflected in sound behaviour and action. Alhamdulil Allah Rabb al alameen

Reported by Abu Hurairah (RA): The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “When a Muslim, or a believer, washes his face (in the course of Wudu’), every sin which he committed with his eyes, will be washed away from his face with water, or with the last drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin which is committed by his hands will be effaced from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin his feet committed will be washed away with the water, or with the last drop of water; until he finally emerges cleansed of all his sins.” [Muslim - Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter 185, 1028] If you feel that your wudu is becoming a dull routine, inspire yourself with this beautiful reminder! 21

You must rely on Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬because it is a worship. Do not wait for the result. This makes the reliance insincere. Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬decreed that the youngest son, for whom Ya'qub ‫ عليه السالم‬was concerned, would remain behind, as we will ﬁnd later in the surah. This was a test of the reliance of Ya'qub ‫عليه السالم‬. When you rely on Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬, clean your heart of all nega.ve thoughts, always remembering that He will do the best for you. ‫ِس‬  ْ ‫ُوك ف ََال تَبْتَئ‬ َ ‫َى إِ َليْ ِه أَخَاهُ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي أَنَا أَخ‬ ٰ ‫ُوسفَ آو‬ ُ ‫خلُوا َع َلىٰ ي‬ َ ‫وَملَ َّا َد‬ ‫بِمَ ا كَانُوا يَعْمَ لُو َ ن‬ And when they entered upon Yusuf, he took his brother to himself; he said, “Indeed, I am your brother, so do not

‫سورة يوسف‬ Surah Yusuf # 68-75  ‫سنُرَا ِو ُد َعن ْ ُه أَبَاهُ َو إِنَّا َلفَا‬ َ ‫قَالُوا‬ ‫شيْ ٍء‬ َ ‫ث أ َ َم َر ُه ْم أَبُوهُم مَّا كَا َن يُ ْغنِي َعنْهُم ِّم َن اهللَِّ مِن‬ ُ ْ‫خلُوا ِم ْن حَ ي‬ َ ‫وَملَ َّا َد‬ ‫َضاهَا ۚ َو إِنَّ ُه َلذُو ِع ْلم ٍ ملِّ َا َعلَّمْ ن َاهُ َو ٰلَ ِك َّن أ َ ْكث َ َر‬ َ ‫ْسيَ ْعقُوبَ ق‬ ِ ‫إ َِّال حَ اجَ ًة فِي نَف‬ ‫َّاس َال يَ ْعلَمُ و َ ن‬ ِ ‫لن‬ And when they entered from where their father had or dered them, it did not avail them against Allah at all ex cept [it was] a need within the soul of Ya’qub, which he satisﬁed. And indeed, he was a possessor of knowledge be cause of what We had taught him, but most of the people do not know. 12:68 The brothers le+ Pales.ne, reached Egypt, with their youngest brother. They entered the city through diﬀerent gates, like their father had told them.They are now reformed, obeying the command of their father. The Messenger of Allah ‫ صلى اهلل عليه و سلم‬said: ‫سخَطِ ا ْلوَالِ ِ د‬ َ ‫ط الرَّبِّ فِي‬ ُ ‫خ‬ َ ‫َس‬ َ ‫ِضا ا ْلوَالِ ِد و‬ َ ‫ِضا الرَّبِّ فِي ر‬ َ ‫ر‬   ٢٠٢٠ ‫ حديث‬، ٢٧ # ‫ كتاب‬, ‫جامع الترمذي‬ The Lord’s pleasure is in the father’s pleasure, and the Lord’s anger is in the father’s anger. This would not avail them if Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬decrees something. The means cannot prevent even a .ny decree.

despair over what they used to do [to me].” 12:69 Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬had a plan in mind, a very complicated scenario, planned by Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬. All eleven brothers entered the place where Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬was together. The youngest brother, Binyameen, the one who was the full brother of Yusuf, could not be mistaken. Yusuf fed them and entertained them. When it was .me to re.re for the night, Yusuf put two brothers in each room, and the youngest in his own room. Imagine the mee.ng of the two brothers a+er so many years. Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬was in full control of his feelings; the focus in this story is not on emo.ons. Anyone else in this situa.on would have been uncontrollable. Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬introduced himself to Binyameen, who must surely have been apprehensive to be in the same room as the minister of Egypt. Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬spoke to Binyameen about the brothers, and then advised him not to react to their ac.ons, covering all the feelings from sadness to rejec.on in a few words. The brothers did not hurt Binyameen; it was only Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬who was harmed by them. Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬was a messenger, inspired by Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬. He did not live in the past nor complain about it. Even in the most diﬃcult situa.ons in his life, he was uncomplaining. The progression of the life of Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬was very gentle, from his home to the desert, to the well, to the house 22

of the Aziz, to the prison, and ﬁnally to the palace of the king. Through all this turmoil, Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬was doing ihsaan, not complaining. He was s.ll doing ihsaan while talking to his brother, not complaining. He is advising Binyameen to prepare him for the bad behaviour of the brothers towards him which would follow later. Before Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬puts you in a diﬃcult situa.on to test you, He prepares you, so that you have the tools to withstand the test. ‫السقَايَ َة فِي رَحْ ِل أ َخِ ي ِه ثُ َّم أَذَّ َن ُم َؤذِّ ٌن أَيَّتُهَا‬ ِّ َ‫فَلّمَّ ا جَ َّهزَهُم بِجَ هَا ِز ِه ْم جَ عَل‬   ‫َسا ِرقُو َن‬ َ ‫لْعِ ي ُر إنَّ ُك ْم ل‬ So when he had furnished them with their supplies, he put (the measuring bowl) into the bag of his brother.

create trouble for the brothers with their father either. Revenge is beyond the messengers. He had a measuring cup used to weigh the grains, and it was a very valuable one, made of silver, and encrusted with precious stones. He planted the measuring cup in the baggage of Binyameen, on the pretext of checking whether the camel was loaded properly. The brothers mounted their camels, and rode to the border of the city, when someone announced, you are thieves! The brothers had reached the 'border checkpoint'. Nowadays, the guards would announce the plate number of the car to be inspected. In the same way, they announced that the caravan was to be detained. They also announced their supposed crime. Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬didn't accuse the brothers directly of being thieves, because that would be a lie. The caller was probably given the informa.on by someone in the palace, searching for the cup. ‫قَالُوا َوأ َ ْقبَلُوا َع َليْهِم مَّاذَا تَفْ ِقدُو َ ن‬

Then an announcer called out, “O caravan, indeed you are thieves.” 12:70 Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬planned to keep his brother with him in Egypt. He prepared Binyameen in advance to expect the behaviour of his brothers which was to follow. There was some feeling in the heart of Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬ against his brothers. However much he was pious, he was s.ll human. His plan was actually to their beneﬁt, because they would all live in Egypt, away from the drought, instead of living a nomadic life in the desert. But for the .me being, Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬wanted the brothers to go back, leaving Binyameen with him. In the ﬁrst plan, when Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬planted the free grain in the baggage of his brothers, the servants were involved. That plan didn't look suspicious, so it was safe to involve them. But this .me, the plan was not clear cut, and would have given a wrong impression of Yusuf ‫ عليه‬ ‫ السالم‬to the servants. He was, a+er all, a minister, and did not want them to suspect him. So this .me, Yusuf ‫ عليه‬ ‫ السالم‬had to execute his own plan. All the eleven camels were loaded with food, ready to depart. Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬ came out with them and made sure that everything was loaded properly.

They said while approaching them, “What is it you are missing?” 12:71 The brothers turned towards the official who made the announcement, and the onlookers, to prove they were not thieves. If they had been guilty, they would not have had the courage to confront their accuser. Their body language showed their confidence. All the characters in the story are very smart and diploma.c. They responded to the accusa.on in a very posi.ve and diploma.c manner. Their words were a polite way of implying that before accusing them, they must make sure whether the Egyp.ans didn't accidentally misplace the cup themselves. They were also trying to give them excuses by overlooking the accusa.on. They were mature men, and were also actually innocent this .me. When they deliberately abandoned Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬in the well, they defended themselves aggressively. But this .me, they were very polite and diploma.c. This surah is a prac.cal lesson on how to deal with people. It also delves into the psychology of the different characters involved.

Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬did not plot to take revenge. He only wanted to keep Binyameen with him. He did not want to 23

‫ني‬  َ ‫سا ِر ِق‬ َ ‫ْض َومَا ُكن َّا‬ ِ ‫األَر‬ ْ ‫جئْن َا لِنُفْسِ َد فِي‬ ِ ‫قَالُوا تَاهللَِّ َل َق ْد َعلِمْ ت ُم مَّا‬ They said, “By Allah , you have certainly known that we did not come to cause corruption in the land, and we have not been thieves”. 12:73

‫ع املْ َلِكِ وَملِ َن جَ ا َء ِب ِه حِ مْ لُ بَعِ ي ٍر َوأَنَا ِب ِه زَعِي ٌ م‬ َ ‫صوَا‬ ُ ‫قَالُوا نَفْ ِق ُد‬ They said, “We are missing the measure of the king. And for he who produces it is [the reward of] a camel’s load, and I am responsible for it.” 12:72

The brothers were believers, whereas the Egyp.ans were not. They swore by Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬, because it was important for them that the people believe in their innocence. The Egyp.ans knew them, they had been there before. They didn't want a reward, because they could not produce the cup, and it was obvious they did not want to spread mischief, or make trouble. ‫ني‬  َ ‫قَالُوا فَمَ ا جَ زَا ُؤهُ إِن كُنت ُ ْم كَا ِذ ِب‬ The accusers said, “Then what would be its recom

The brothers suggested they had actually lost the cup, and the intensity of the accusa.on lowered instantly. The oﬃcer oﬀered a reward for its return, telling the brothers privately, so that if they had stolen it, they would quietly return it in lieu of the reward, which was a camel load of goods. That would make their baggage into 12 camels loaded with goods. They were offered the one thing that they needed, more food grains.

pense if you should be liars?” 12:74

This whole situa.on implies that the king was only a ﬁgure-head, and Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬was the one actually running the country. He could set this whole plot in mo.on without interference from anyone.

whose bag it is found - he [himself] will be its recom

The oﬃcials specify that the whole case will be closed if the cup is returned; no ques.ons asked. This could seem like a lure to snare the thief, so the oﬃcial said he was responsible for the reward if the cup is returned, and that the brothers would not be punished. The caller might have been given instruc.ons as to what to say by Yusuf ‫عليه السالم‬, which is why he was being so kind to the brothers. He did not tell Binyameen either, because he didn't want his brother to lie or cheat. He did give Binyameen general advice about not being hurt by the behavior of the brothers.

They asked the brothers what the punishment would be for the+ in their culture. This shows they are not fully convinced of their claim that the cup was misplaced. ‫ني‬  َ ِ ِ‫ج َد فِي رَحْ لِ ِه فَ ُه َو جَ زَا ُؤهُ ۚ َكذَٰل َِك نَجْ زِي الظَّامل‬ ِ ‫قَالُوا جَ زَا ُؤهُ مَن ُو‬ [The brothers] said, “Its recompense is that he in pense. Thus do we recompense the wrongdoers.” 12:75 The story of Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬took place in ancient Egypt, under the rule of the Hyksos, who were disbelievers. The brothers followed the ‫شريعة يعقوب‬, the legisla.on of Ya'qub ‫عليه السالم‬, who was based in Pales.ne. Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬was in charge of the rules of Egypt, upholding them, while believing in the legisla.on of Islam. The obvious solu.on is that the rules of the land be followed for any situa.on, but Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬honored Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬by giving him the power to command that the rules of Ya'qub ‫ عليه‬ ‫ السالم‬be used when dealing with this par.cular situa.on.

According to the rules of Egypt, the thief would be detained, beaten, and ﬁned the double of what he stole. In the legisla.ons of Ya'qub ‫عليه السالم‬, the thief would have to be the slave of the person whose property he took, for one year. The rule of Egypt was much more harsh. Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬did not want his brother to be beaten and ﬁned, all he wanted was to keep him in Egypt, with himself. For that purpose, the rule of Ya'qub ‫ عليه السالم‬was most suitable. The brothers tried their best to defend themselves, but it was of no use. The border police started searching their baggage. All civiliza.ons have had similar methods for the stability of society : a leader, police, lawyers, detec.ves. We see similar scenes at the airports nowadays. Someone from the queue is sidelined for rechecking, their baggage is rescanned, opened, ransacked, their shoes, belts, watches, jewelry asked to be removed. This process is very embarrassing. These safeguards for society have always existed, and must be followed. You cannot refuse to be searched at the airport if asked. All the universe has boundaries and rules. The planets go around their own orbit, the sun and moon rise and set at their prescribed .mes. The animal kingdom also has its own rules to safeguard their socie.es. The ants, bees and crows all expect their ci.zens to respect the rules. The search begins, the baggage is unloaded from the camels, and opened. The authori.es were following the orders of Yusuf ‫عليه السالم‬, step by step. The next step of the elaborate plan is being implemented.

"The zina of the eyes is the gaze (at that which is unlawful, eg. Nudity); the zina of the ears is to listen (to talks of nudity which excites the carnal desire); the zina of the tongue is to speak (what is evil); the zina of the hand is to touch (the female which is unlawful to you); the zina of the feet is to walk (towards immorality); the zina of the heart is to desire (what is unlawful), and it is the private parts which either commits or shuns the actual act of fornication." Muslim 4/1397, no. 6421, 6422

Reported by Abu Hurairah (RA): The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday. On that day Adam was created, he was admitted to Jannah, and he was expelled there-

Reported by Abu Hurairah (RA): The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Allah does not look at your physiques and wealth, but He looks at your hearts and deeds.” (Muslim)

from.” [Muslim - Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter 210, 1147] How will you spend this Friday?

A MESSAGE TO THOSE DROWNING IN SIN The Messenger of Allah ‫ صلى اهلل عليه و سلم‬said Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬will forgive whoever repents before the sun rises from the west - Muslim. Nothing prevents you from repenting, even if your sins reach the sky or fill the whole earth. As long as the human being is in this life, the door of repentance is open. You are in the midst of a battle between the call of faith in your heart, and the call of desire that is guided by Satan in your heart. The heart is not immunized from Satan except with the Zikr (remembrance) of Allah, the Exalted, and it does not have the strength to want good except by doing good deeds. Satan does not defeat the heart unless it is inattentive of the Zikr of Allah, the Exalted and unless it is weak because of vice and sins committed. Take it and maintain it as its results are guaranteed, Allah willing, if you persevere it honestly: Keep up the five prayers in congregation, especially the Fajr prayer and never miss it. Allah, the Exalted says "and the fajr reading of the Qur'an, verily the fajr recitation of Qur'an is witnessed," i.e. the Fajr prayer is witnessed by angels. After the Fajr prayer remain in the mosque to read the Qur'an until sunrise, and then offer two Rakahs (prayer units) 10 minutes after sunrise. Say Subhan Allah wa bi Hamdihi (may Allah be glorified and praised) 100 times a day at any time in the mosque or house, whether walking, sitting, in the car, etc. This Zikr wipes out sins. Ask forgiveness of Allah (SWT) one hundred times each day, saying Astaghfirullah wa atoobu ilayh (I ask forgiveness of Allah and I repent to Him), once again at any time you wish and in whatever condition you are in. Say this zikr: la ilaha illa Allahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulk wa lahul hamd wa howa ala kul shayin qadeer (there is no god but Allah; He has no partner; His is the dominion and praise, and He is capable of everything) one hundred times each day at any time you wish and in whatever condition you are. Between Maghrib (sunset prayer) and Isha (evening prayer) remain in the mosque and do not leave it, and recite as much as you can of the Qur'an, with full concentration. Continue this program by living with the Qur'an, reciting it with consideration, and acting upon what is in it; spending time alone for long hours for the Zikr of Allah, the Exalted. If the environment in which you live doesn’t support you, then change the environment abandon bad friends, and avoid places that encourage you to commit sins. Donate part of your money as a form of repentance to Allah, the Exalted, as charities given in secret are seen only by Allah, the Exalted. Try to perform Umrah with the intention of renewing your faith and cleansing your past with the water of this blessed trip. 29

SWT sends the rules & legislations.

believe in Him.

Reported by Abu Hurairah (RA): I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying, “When the Iqamah are pronounced, do not come to it running, you should walk calmly with tranquility to join the congregation. Then join in what you catch for and complete what you miss.” [Bukhari & Muslim - Riyad us Sali-

Reported by Thauban (RA): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When a Muslim visits his sick brother, he is as if he were there in the Jannah as much as his visit lasts.”   (Muslim)

heen, Chapter 93, 704] 31

He was special. He had a mission to fulfill - to carry the message of Allah SWT.

others?

The time of resurrection, when all mankind will be raised.

WINNING HEARTS Here are 11 pieces of advice to help you in winning others hearts. My pieces of advice are like arrows that aim at shooting hearts as its only target. I mean here, to be the virtuous merits, that captivate others hearts and help in overcoming imperfections. Actually, such merits have their own effective power in charming hearts. O you who is in love with Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and your brothers in Islam, here are the arrows; be careful with them, try hard to be a clever shooter… And pray to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) to help you. Smile : It is the first arrow and the fastest of them all. It is like the salt for food. It is also regarded as a kind of worship and alms-giving as is mentioned in a hadith “Smiling at your brother’s face is as charity (Sadaqa)”. - Sunan alTirmidhî (1879). Abdullah ibn al Harith tells us about the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying that he had never seen someone smile at the other’s face as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to do Sunan al-Tirmidhî (3574). Be always the one who initiates greetings: This arrow is the one that lets you to be in the innermost depths of the others hearts. This arrow needs a skillful shooter. The needed skills are the hearty smile, the warm shaking of hands and the friendly welcoming to the other. Umar al Nadi tells us that he went out once with Umar ibn al Khattab’s (RA) son. While walking, he found him saluting all whom he met, whether being old or young. Al Hasan al-Basri also said “Shaking hands strengthens brotherhood feelings”. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said “Do not ever waste your good deeds, even by meeting your brother with a frowning face.” He said also “Shaking hands removes hatred and exchanging presents enhances love and ends enmity”. The Presents: It has a strange charming affection that captivates all senses. Hence, exchanging presents and gifts in different occasions is a pleasant habit however gifts should be within one’s tolerable expenses. Ibrahim al Zahri tells us about his father saying “ My father got a sum of money as a reward, in due, he asked me to send donations to his family members and friends . As we were about to finish, he asked me “Have we missed any one?” I answered “No!” He said “I think that we did.” He continued ”We have missed someone whose welcome to me was really warm. Would you please send him this sum of money?” Look how he loved the man and wished to reward him for his warm welcome. Be silent….speak only what benefits. 37

Loud voice and chattering are bad merits. You have to be sweet-worded, tender in expressing yourself. Concerning this merit, The Prophet (peace be upon him) said “The good word is a charity (is a sadaqa).” If the good word has its own magic in winning the hearts of your enemies how powerfully it would work then with your brothers’ hearts!! Here the Prophet’s wife addresses the enemies saying “Damn you” and the Prophet (peace be upon him) prevents her saying “Calm down. Allah likes for the matters to be dealt with gently”. He also said: “Nobility of manners and taciturnity are the best of manners that people are ever characterized by”. Be a good listener: It is to listen patiently and never interrupt the speaker, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) never interrupted a speaker till he ended his speech. And he who fights for this merit gains others love and admiration, whilst on the contrary is the one who chatters and interrupts the other. Atta` tells us about how he behaves concerning this merit and says “When someone speaks to me , I listen to him as if it is the first time I have heard this subject, though I have heard it thousands of times before. Appearance and dressing well: You have to be careful with your appearance so as to be neat, well –dressed and sweet smelling as well. The Prophet (peace be upon him) says that Allah loves beauty to be in every thing. Umar Ibn Al Khattab said also “I like the young man who is sweetly perfumed and cleanly dressed.” Abdullah Ibn Ahmad Ibn Hanbal tells us about his father saying “ I’ve never seen some one who is as caring to the cleanliness of his dress , his hair , his moustache and other undesirable body hair as Ahmad Ibn Hanbal used to do” Being in others favor and helping them: Good treatment of the other is the only way of captivating his heart. Good treatment classifies you as an obedient, beloved slave of Allah (SWT) as the Prophet (peace be upon him) Muhammad says “The more you are in favor of others, the more you are beloved by Allah” as Allah says in the Quran “And spend of your substance in the cause of Allah, and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction; but do good; for Allah loveth those who do good” (Al-Baqarah: 195) “Be a dear friend to all, whom you know, For all, you should be as freshening as iced pure water” Being Generous : Offering money is the key for most of the closed doors that hinder you from reaching others hearts, especially in these days. In the conquest of Makkah, there was a man called “Safwan Ibn Umia”. That man ran away after making all possible means in hindering the people of Islam and after making conspiracies to kill the Prophet (peace be upon him). Later on, the Prophet (peace be upon him) forgave him and he came back asking the Prophet (peace be upon him) to give him the time of two months to think about Islam and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said “You can take four months, not just two”. In spite of being an atheist, he accompanied the Prophet 38

(peace be upon him) in the Hunain and Al Ta’if conquests. In Al Ta`if, while the Prophet (peace be upon him) was dividing the booties of the war, he noticed that man looking longingly to a vast land in which a large number of cattle were flocking. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked him “Do you like it?” The man eagerly answered “Yes.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said “It is for you then.” Safwan said “Only a prophet could behave as generously as you have to me. I believe that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His prophet.” Notice how the Prophet (peace be upon him) found the missing key and succeeded in moving his heart. Some people behave stingily as if they see the ghost of poverty waiting to attack them once they think about being generous in offering money. To have a good opinion of others and to give them an excuse : Keeping an eye on others behavior is a bad merit that blocks your way to their hearts. On the contrary is to have a good opinion of them. So, try hard to give your brothers the excuse as much as you can. Concerning this merit, Ibn Al Mubarak says also “The believer is he who gives his brothers the excuse, and the hypocrite is he who seeks their slips.” Express your feelings… instantly: If you loved someone, or felt good feelings about him, don’t wait, just tell him at once. Regarding this, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said “ If you felt the brotherly love of Islam towards any, you should immediately go and tell him about your feelings.” He added “It is the way relations are to be strongly indicated”. Such love is to be blessed by Allah if it is for Allah’s sake, not for any other personal affairs such as seeking high position, money, fame etc…. Unless this love is for Allah’s sake, it is a fruitless kind of brotherhood then. When they meet each other on the Day of Judgement, they are not brothers any more but enemies, as Allah says in the Quran “ Friends on that Day will be foes, one to another; except the Righteous.” (Az-Zukhruf: 67) The Prophet (peace be upon him) says “A man is in the company of whom he loved.” By this he means that on the Day of Judgment, a person will be with whom he loved. Hence, we find that the Prophet (peace be upon him) associated the Makkan immigrants and the Medinah followers as brothers. It was a rare kind of brotherhood that even two brothers were to be buried together in one grave after being martyred in the conquests. Means of brotherhood was always being indicated by the Prophet (peace be upon him) as he says “You are not allowed to enter heaven till you believe in Allah and you will not be true believers unless you love each other. Shall I tell you something to do that indicates love between you? It is to spread salutation of Peace among you.” The pity is that people are always either cruelly and harshly treating each other or extremely tender that they adore each other. Actually, it is a matter of striking a balance between heart and mind, something that differs according to the difference of characters and circumstances. It is absolutely a blessing given by Allah. Sociability : It is the art of being social. Here, a kind of misconception could exist between sociability and hypocrisy. Could you differentiate between the two meanings? 39

The Prophet (peace be upon him)’s wife, Aisha said “A man came to visit us, but to my surprise, once the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw him, he said “O…that ill- mannered man”, but the Prophet (peace be upon him) changed completely once he sat with him. He welcomed the man warmly, smiling in his face. When the man left, I asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about what had surprised me; how he considered this man as being bad, and how he talked to him in such warmth? The Prophet (peace be upon him) answered “Have you ever seen me behaving as a hypocrite?” He added “In the Day of Judgement, the worst degrees are for those whom people deserted for being mistreated by them.” Al Qurtubi differentiates between hypocrisy and sociability, regarding sociability as a desirable legal behavior, saying that sociability means sacrificing the worldly affairs for the sake of improving either life on earth or religion, or so as to improve both, while hypocrisy aims at sacrificing religion for the sake of the worldly affairs. Hence, being sociable for ill-mannered people is aiming to achieve two purposes: Firstly, to avoid being mistreated by them. Secondly, being good to them could be guidance for them to step the right way. Compliments should be within worldly affairs only, never in religious affairs, otherwise, it will be a matter of hypocrisy. The Prophet (peace be upon him) says “Being sociable, is as alms-giving.” Ibn Battal says also “Sociability is an ethic of the believers; it is to show open-mindedness in treating others and to delicately speak to them.

Reported by Anas (RA): A young Jewish boy who was in the service of the Prophet (peace be upon him) fell ill. The Prophet (peace be upon him) went to visit him. He sat down by his head and said to him, “Embrace Islam.” The little boy looked at his father who was sitting beside him. He said: “Obey Abul-Qasim (i.e., the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)).” So he embraced Islam and the Prophet (peace be upon him) stepped out saying, “Praise be to Allah Who has saved him from Hell-fire.” [Bukhari - Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter 144, 900] Saving one person’s soul is better than the whole earth and what it contains. May Allah give us the ability to do so, ameen.

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.