A monthly newsletter from Masjid Bani Hashim Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue#48 February 2018
A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #48 February 2018 بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم السالم عليكم و رحمة اهلل و بركاته [97 :﴾ ]النحل٩٧َسنِ مَا كَانُوا ْ يَعۡمَ لُون َ ۡن فَ َلن ُحۡ ِييَنَّهُۥ حَ يَ ٰوةٗ طَيِّبَ ٗ ۖة َو َلن َجۡ ِزيَن َّ ُه ۡم أ َجۡ َرهُم ِبأ َحٞ صَلِحٗ ا مِّن ذَ َك ٍر أ َ ۡو أ ُنثَىٰ َو ُه َو ُم ۡؤ ِم ٰ َ﴿ َم ۡن َعمِل «Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do» [An-Nahl: 97] Our daily life is faced with different challenges, different relationships and where there are certain expectations and deliverables in the various spheres of our lives, be it personal, family, social, professional, etc. What do I mean? Over the last year, I have realized that whatever is happening across me is very much related to the nurturing that I am going through. I have, to a certain extent, started to respond to people and situations by running to Allah The Most High; i.e. I have realized I am extremely weak and my responses and reactions will not be appropriate if not supported by Allah The Most High’s guidance. I have also realized by seeing it with my own eyes that Allah The Most High’s promises are true. In the Qur’an when He says that He will grant leadership to those that make sabr and yaqeen (refer to Surah As-Sajdah (32), ayah 24), then you are able to see that two factors that beidhnil Allah will make you succeed is to not give up in the face of difficult situations by having sabr, restraining yourself and persevering through the difficulty and secondly by having assurance, yaqeen that Allah The Most High, The True One(Al Haqq) will grant you the upper hand, if you are making sabr for His sake, i.e. knowing that His promise is true and you cannot see the full picture and He, Al Wakil (The Trustworthy Disposer of Affairs), is in control of our affairs. Probably, the key learning is that the world does not revolve around me, but I should be doing “tawaf” circumambulating around Al A’laa (The Most High) all the time, by remembering and referring my affairs and concerns to Him, Al Wakil. And finally, do not ever forget one of the most inspiring ayat in the Qur’an (highlighted in the beginning) about the promise of Allah, Al Haqq, that He will grant a good, pure life to those who have faith and do righteous good deeds (Surah An Nahal (16), Ayah 97). Hence rejoice in remembering Allah and asking for his support all the time and living a life in sujood (prostration/submission) to Him, The Most High only. Beidhnil Allah, everything else will fall into place. Subhanal Allahi wa be hamdehi. Alhamdulil Allah Rabb al alameen, wa Salato Wa salamo Ala Rasulil Allah.
A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #48 February 2018
This Issue Introduction: Page 1 The Real Superstars: Pages 3 - 4 The Best Remembrance: Pages 5 - 6 The Virtues of Knowledge: Pages 7 - 8 Cheer up: Pages 9 - 11 No Fear upon them nor do they Grieve: Pages 12 - 13 Rules for Life from the Qur’an: Pages 14 - 15 Surah Yusuf #102-107: Pages 16 - 22 On The Path of Seeking Knowledge : The Guiding Light: Pages 23- 27 Arabic Pronouns: Page 28 Surah Al Maryam: Pages 29 - 31 Masjid Bani Hashim: Pages 32 - 33
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and Zaynab bint Madhun. His siblings were Hafsa and AbdulRahman. He became a Muslim in Makkah along with his father while he was still a young child. When it was time for Hijrah, he migrated with his father (RA) and his sister Hafsa (RA) to Madina. Hafsa later became the wife of the Prophet (SAWS). Thus, he was the brotherin-law of the Prophet (SAWS).
The Superstar of this issue is someone who was known as the copycat of the Prophet (SAWS). He was also known as "the Good One, son of the Good One", according to Abu Musa alAshari. He (RA) was well known for his vast knowledge, his truthfulness, generosity, and humility amongst many other virtues. He was extremely devoted to the Prophet (SWS) and the cause of Islam. A’ishah (RA) noticed this devotion and remarked: "There was no one who followed the footsteps of the Prophet (SAWS) as closely as did Ibn Umar." He (RA) is the son of the Great Giant of Islam and the Second Khalifa, Umar ibn Khattab. He is Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA). Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) was born 610 CE in Makkah. He was the son of Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA)
From an early age, Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) showed his eagerness to be in the company of the Prophet (SAWS) and being associated with everything that he (SAWS) did. At the time of Battle of Badr, Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) was only around 10-12 years old, yet he wanted to take part in the Battle. But the Prophet (SAWS) sent him back because of his young age. Abdullah Ibn Umar was heartbroken but didn’t give up. The next year when it was Battle of Uhud, he went to the Prophet (SAWS) to let him take part, standing on his tiptoe to appear taller than he was, but the Prophet (SAWS) refused again. When it was the Battle of Khandaq, he was 15 years old and was finally allowed to take part in the Battles and expeditions. Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) had immense love for the Prophet (SAWS). He used to do as the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) did and carry out whatever he commanded him to do and abstain from whatever he forbade him from doing. He would follow and imitate each and everything that he (SAWS) did. For example, if Ibn Umar saw the Prophet (SAWS) performing Salah in a particular place, he would later pray in the same place. If he saw the Prophet (SAWS) making a supplication while standing, he would also do the same while standing. If he saw him making a du’a while sitting, he would do the same. 3
On a journey if he saw the Prophet (SAWS) descend from his camel at a particular place and pray two raka’t, and he happened to pass on the same route, he would stop at the same place and pray two raka’t. Once he saw the Prophet’s (SAWS) camel making 2 rounds before the Prophet (SAWS) dismounted and prayed 2 raka’t. It could have been that the camel did this action involuntarily but Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) when he happened to be in the same place at another time, made his camel complete two turns before making it kneel and dismounting. He (RA) then prayed two raka’t in precisely the same manner as he had seen the Prophet (RA) do. It is reported on the authority of Nafi' that Ibn 'Umar (RA) used to pray in every place where the Prophet (SAWS) prayed, to the extent that the tree that the Prophet (SAWS) sat beneath, Ibn 'Umar (RA) would care for that tree and pour water over its roots so that it would not become dry. He not only would sit beneath the tree that the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) used to sit, rather, he used to care for it by watering it.
be more beloved to me than any thing, but do you know from whom He accepts? He only accepts from the righteous ones.’ Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) was the second most prolific narrator of ahadith, with a total of 2,630 narrations. It was said that he was extremely careful about what he related, and that he narrated with his eyes full of tears. He was one of the most knowledgeable scholars from among the Companions Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) was the closest in looks to his father- Umar ibn Khattab (RA). Whenever people missed Umar (RA), they would come and meet Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA).
Like his father, he was brave and courageous. While on a journey, he saw a group of people gathered by the roadside. He approached them and asked why they had gathered. They explained that they were afraid to go any further as there was a lion ahead on the path. ‘Abdullah (RA) went ahead and approached the lion. He took it by its ear, spoke to it and walked it away from the path. When asked about such an act of Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (RA) was extremely charitabravery, he explained that one thing that he had ble. He was once given twenty-four dinar of gold and he distributed the whole amount in charity be- learned from the Messenger (SAWS) was that if you fear no one and nothing but Allah, Allah will fore departing from the gathering. Despite his always protect you (al-Jawâhir al-lu’luwiyya by charitable nature, he remained modest and fearMuhammad al-Jardâni al-Dimyâti) ful of Allah (SWT). On one occasion, a beggar came to him and ‘Abdullah (RA) told his son to give the beggar a gold dinar. When the beggar left, his son, ‘Abdul Rahmân, said to his father, ‘may Allah accept it from you, O beloved father.’ He (RA) said to him, ‘if I knew that Allah had accepted one prostration or charity of a single dirham, death would
to be continued...
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Heartfelt advice to a friend by Imam Ibn Qayyim al- Jawziyya (d.751H) ِ ن الرَّحِ يم ِ ِسم ِ اهللَِّ الرَّحْ مَ ـ ْ ب In the name of Allah, The Lord of Mercy, The Giver of Mercy We thank Allah for this opening. In shaa Allah T’Ala we will continue sharing with you the translation in English of Ibn Qayyim’s “Risalatu Ibn al-Qayyim ila Ahadi ikhwanihi” “I have never regretted anything as much as my regret over a day on which the sun sets and my life span decreases while my good deeds have not increased” Ibn Mas’ud (radiy Allahu’anhu)” Alhamdulil Allah Rabb al alameen. In the last edition, we read Chapter 1: Patience (al-sabr) and certainty (al-yaqin). Now, we move to Chapter 2: Guiding people and calling them to Allah and His Messenger (Salal Allahu Alayhi Wasalam). Aside from the previously mentioned requirements [i.e. patience and certainty], the ayah brings to attention two other principles, the first of which is: calling people to Allah and guiding them, and the second one is: guiding people to Allah according to what He ordained and ordered through His Messenger (Salal Allahu Alayhi Wasalam), and not according to their intellect, opinions, policies, preferences, and blind following of their forefathers without having an evidence from Allah. That is because Allah said, in its meaning, » [﴾ ]السجدة٢٤َصبَرُو ۖا ْ َوكَانُوا ْ ِ ٔبَايَٰ ِتن َا يُو ِقن ُون َ ﴿وَجَ َع ۡلن َا ِمن ۡ ُه ۡم أَئِمَّ ٗة يَ ۡهدُو َن ِبأ َ ۡم ِرنَا ملَّ َا And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of Our signs» [[al-Sajdah (32):24] To recap, the ayah includes four principles. 9
1.Patience (al-sabr), which means to withhold oneself from what Allah made unlawful, to dedicate oneself in fulfilling what Allah made obligatory and ordained, and to avert oneself from complaining or being angry at Allah’s decrees. 2.Certainty (al-yaqin), which means to have a profound established faith (iman)1 – that is free of questions, hesitation and doubts in five tenets that Allah stated in the ayah, ٱأل ٓخِ ِر وَٱملۡ َ ٓلَٰ ِئ َك ِ ة ۡ ِ ۡسٱ ۡل ِب َّر أ َن تُ َولُّوا ْ وُجُ و َه ُك ۡم ِقبَلَ ٱملۡ َۡش ِر ِق وَٱملۡ َ ۡغرِبِ َو ٰلَ ِك َّن ٱ ۡل ِب َّر َم ۡن ءَا َم َن بِٱهللَِّ وَٱ ۡليَ ۡوم َ ۞ َّلي ﴾١٧٧َِني ۧ ِّ وَٱ ۡل ِكتَ ٰبِ وَٱلنَّب «Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets (177) » [alBaqarah (2): Part of ayah 177] [136 :﴾ ]النساء١٣٦ض ٰلَ ۢالَ بَعِ يدًا َ َّضل َ ٱأل ٓخِ ِر فَ َق ۡد ۡ ِ ُسلِهِۦ وَٱ ۡليَ ۡوم ُ َومَن يَ ۡكفُ ۡر بِٱهللَِّ َو َم ٓلَٰ ِئ َك ِتهِۦ َو ُكت ُ ِبهِۦ َور « And whoever disbelieves in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day has cer tainly gone far astray (136) » [al-Nisa’ (4): Part of ayah136] And it is also stated in the ayah, س ِم ۡعن َا َ ْ ُّسلِ ِهۦۚ َوقَالُوا ُ َني أ َحَ ٖد مِّن ر َ ۡ ُسلِهِۦ َال نُفَرِّقُ ب ُ َّسولُ بِمَ آ أ ُنزِلَ إِ َليۡ ِه مِن َّربِّهِۦ وَٱملۡ ُ ۡؤ ِمن ُو ۚنَ كُلٌّ ءَا َم َن بِٱهللَِّ َو َم ٓلَٰ ِئ َك ِتهِۦ َو ُكت ُ ِبهِۦ َور ُ ﴿ءَا َم َن ٱلر [285 :﴾ ]البقرة٢٨٥َُصير ِ َۡأَطَ ۡعنَاۖ ُغفۡرَان ََك َربَّن َا َو إِ َلي َۡك ٱمل «The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers”(285) » [alBaqarah (2): Part of ayah 285] Wherein believing in the Final Day is part of believing in the divine Books and Messengers. Umar Ibn al- Khattab (radiyAllahu’anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salal Allahu Alayhi Wasalam) said: “Faith (al-iman) is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers and the Last Day.” 2 Therefore, whoever does not believe in all the five tenets is not a believer. As for certainty. It is the state when belief in all these five tenets is so profound to the point that the heart can realize the five tenets and observe them just like how the eyes can see the re10
flection of the sun and the moon [on water]. This is why some of the righteous predecessors said, “Certainty is from Faith.” 3.Guiding people and calling them to Allah and His Messenger: Al-Hassan al-Basri used to comment after reciting the ayah, … In sha Allah T’Ala TO BE CONTINUED. 1 - Iman: The firm belief, complete acknowledgement and acceptance of all that Allah and His Messenger have commanded to have faith in, submitting to it both inwardly and outwardly. It is the acceptance and belief of the heart that includes the actions of the heart and the body, therefore it encompasses the establishment of the whole religion. This is why the Imams and Salaf used to say, “Faith is the statement of the heart and tongue, action of the heart, tongue and limbs.” Hence it comprises statement, action of the heart, tongue and limbs.” Hence it comprises statement, action and belief, it increases through obedience and decreases through disobedience. It includes the beliefs of faith, its morals and manners and the actions demanded by it. " 2 - Bukhari (1/22) and Muslim (1/36)
Abu Ayyub RA reported: A man said to the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam): “Direct me to a deed which may admit me to Jannah.” Upon this he (the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)) said, “Worship Allah and never associate anything with Him in worship, establish Salat, pay Zakat, and strengthen the
Abdullah bin Mas'ud RA reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to say: “Allahumma inni as’alukal-huda wat-tuqa wal`afafa wal-ghina (O Allah! I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity and self-sufficiency)." (Muslim)
ties of kinship.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
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it is easier not to deal with people. But the struggle
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Abu Huraira RA reported the Apostle of
Abu Hurairah RA reported: A person came
Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying:
to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi
None among you should observe fast on
wa sallam) and asked, “Who among people
Friday, but only that he observes fast be-
is most deserving of my fine treatment?”
fore it and after it. (Muslim)
He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Your mother”. He again asked, “Who next?” “Your mother”, the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) replied again. He asked, “Who next?” He (the Prophet (sal-
Abdullah bin Umar RA reported: The
lallaahu alayhi wa sallam)) said again,
Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)
“Your mother.” He again asked, “Then
said, "The finest act of goodness is that
who?” Thereupon he (sallallaahu alayhi wa
a person should treat kindly the loved
sallam) said,” Then your father.” (Bukhari
ones of his father." (Muslim)
and Muslim)
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Despite
the past goodness.
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reason or
so
Nu`man bin Bashir RA reported:
Aishah RA reported: Some bedouins came
Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa
to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi
sallam) said, “The least tortured man on
wa sallam) and asked: “Do you kiss your
the Day of Resurrection is one under-
children?” He said, “Yes”. They then said:
neath whose feet will be placed two live
“By Allah, we do not kiss them.” The
coal, and his brain will be boiling, and he
Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) re-
would think that he is the most tortured,
plied, “I cannot help you if Allah has
while he is the least tortured." (Bukhari
snatched kindness from your hearts”.
and Muslim)
(Bukhari and Muslim)
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into the well and they felt that they can only achieve the love of their father in the absence of Yusuf (AS).
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however shaitan beautifies it.
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On The Path of Seeking Knowledge: The Guiding Light One of the greatest miracles seen in Islam was the emergence of an illiterate man who became a mercy to mankind. This man, who was also known as “Al-Amin” – the trustworthy one in Arabic – grew up as an orphan, did not have any money to his name (despite his wealthy relatives and comrades) and was also uneducated. Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) at the age of 40, spent time contemplating the meaning of life in the cave of “Hira” when he found tranquility beyond the materialism that surrounded the pagan Arab culture. Married to a successful business woman and father to four daughters, he pursued a simple and blessed life, his loving and caring wife, the noble Khadija Radiyal Allahu Anha and their family. Allah Subhanau wa T'Ala had other plans for him. Prophet Mohammed’s (SAWS) fate changed, with a sudden guiding light through 23 years worth of Quran’s revelations from the Creator, who holds infinite wisdom. (٤) ِ ع َّل َم بِٱ ۡل َق َلم َ ( ٱ َّلذِى٣) ٱأل َ ۡك َر ُم ۡ ك َ ُّ( ٱ ۡق َرأ ۡ َو َرب٢) ٍع َلق َ ِنسـٰ َن ِم ۡن َ ٱإل ۡ َخ َلق َ (١) َخ َلق َ ك ٱ َّلذِى َ ِِّٱسم ِ َرب ۡ ٱ ۡق َرأ ۡ ب (٥) ِنسـٰ َن مَا َل ۡم يَ ۡع َل ۡم َ ٱإل ۡ ع َّل َم َ {Read in the name of thy Lord who created; created man from a mere clot of blood; read and your Lord is the most generous; the one who taught (them to write) by the pen; taught man what he knew not,} (Al-‘Alaq 96: 1-5). These were the first revelations of the Quran upon the illiterate Prophet (SAWS), who was shaking with fear and shock at the same time. But Prophet Mohammed (SAWS), through the intermediary of Jibrail (AS), relayed the verses of the entire Quran to his companions who could read and write – carefully compiling the guiding light of knowledge into a single book that Muslims read today. Reading, as we often hear, marks the foundation of any robust path to seeking knowledge. A person who is an avid reader is known to have an active brain, one that is always thinking, reflecting, contemplating and making decisions based on rational judgement. A person who reads a lot is also known to be more calm, concise in speech, knowledgeable in conversation, humble in handling discussions and disagreements, and confident in presenting his or her own point of view. 23
A person who loves reading also harbors the love to attain knowledge, to learn of another’s perspective, is driven to form ideas, takes time to appreciate the intrinsic details around him or her and often takes creative measures to accomplish his or her goals. From the first word of revelation of the Quran was “Iqra’” or read, Allah SWT continues to remind believers that seeking knowledge is the best way to attain success in the world and hereafter. َِٱنشزُوا ْ يَ ۡرفَع ُ ٱنشزُوا ْ ف ُ َۡسحِ ٱهللَُّ َل ُك ۡۖم َو إِذَا قِيل َ ۡسحُ وا ْ يَف َ ِس فَٱف ِ َسحُ وا ْ فِى ٱملۡ َجَ ـٰل َّ منُوٓا ْ إِذَا قِيلَ َل ُك ۡم تَف َ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱ َّلذِي َن ءَا (١١) ٌخبِي ۬ر َ ن َ ٰت وَٱهللَُّ بِمَ ا تَعۡمَ لُو ٍۚ۬ منُوا ْ مِن ُك ۡم وَٱ َّلذِي َن أ ُوتُوا ْ ٱلۡعِ ۡل َم َدرَجَ ـ َ ٱهللَُّ ٱ َّلذِي َن ءَا {Allah will raise up, to (suitable) ranks and (degrees), those of you who believe and who have been granted knowledge. And Allah is well-acquainted with all you do,} (58:11) Although the mind of a human being, even the most intelligent of minds, will never be able to contend with the wisdom of Allah SWT, it still falls as an obligation upon each person to seek knowledge. In a compelling hadith, Prophet Mohammed (SAWS) relays: “Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim (male and female),” (Ibn Majah, 224) Why the resounding obligation? In a world full of destruction today, it is obvious that there is so much negativity that causes wars, indifference to suffering, environmental pollution, crimes against children, the breakdown of family values and the tearing apart of close-knit communities. These problems occur from negative energy that is propagated by the Satan, encouraging human beings to turn away from knowledge and to dwell in fear, ignorance, selfishness, corruption and greed. Knowledge is able to block out all of these negative sentiments, and to place core focus of attaining Allah's Subhanahu wa t'Ala pleasure above everything else. Prophet Mohammed (SAWS) said: "Whosoever pursues a path to seek knowledge, Allah will thereby make easy for him a path to Paradise. No people gather together in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, without tranquility descending upon them, mercy enveloping them and angels surrounding them, and Allah making mention of them to those (angels) who are with Him." (Muslim, 36) Unfortunately in the Muslim world today, illiteracy remains a vogue. As the Muslim population weighs heavily upon the Arab region and generally in the continents of Africa and Asia, there
are many communities that are not privy to an educational structure that comprehensively binds knowledge in its different strands – spiritually and from the secular point of view. Because many of these Muslims live in Muslim-majority countries that gravitate heavily towards culture, traditions and politicized Islam, the true teachings of the religion are sometimes lost or distorted through this form of understanding. However, as more people come to Islam in the West, which is predominantly known as the non-Muslim world, it shows that Islam still lives on strongly through the greatest book ever written, the Quran. This is a resounding call for Muslim communities to rethink the importance of their studies and allow themselves to open their hearts up to the Quran and the invaluable messages that lie within, for them to succeed and gel as a single Muslim nation. At the same time however, many Muslims make the mistake of seeking knowledge for the wrong reasons. Allah SWT reminds that: (٢٨) غفُو ٌر َ ٌعزِيز َ ََّن ٱهلل َّ ِۡشى ٱهللََّ ِم ۡن ِعبَا ِد ِه ٱ ۡل ُعلَمَ ـٰٓؤُ ۗا ْ إ َ ك إِنَّمَ ا يَخ ۗ َ ِۥ َكذَٲل ُختَلِفٌ أ َ ۡلوَٲنُه ۡ م ُ ِ َٱألَنۡ َعـٰم ۡ َّاس وَٱل َّدوَآبِّ و ِ َو ِم َن ٱلن «And among people and moving creatures and grazing livestock are various colors similarly. Only those fear Allah, from among His servants, who have knowledge. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Forgiving» [Fatir: 28] ََّن ٱهلل َّ ِم ُك ۡم عِن َد ٱهللَِّ أَتۡ َقٮٰ ُك ۡۚم إ َ ن أَڪۡ َر َّ ِشعُوبً۬ا َو َقبَآٮِٕلَ لِتَعَا َرفُوٓا ْۚ إ ُ خ َل ۡقنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَ َك ٍ۬ر َوأ ُنثَىٰ وَجَ َع ۡلنَـٰ ُك ۡم َ َّاس إِنَّا ُ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلن (١٣) ٌخبِي ۬ر َ علِي ٌم َ «O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted» [Al-Hujurat: 13] With knowledge comes “taqwa” (Allah’s SWT consciousness), knowing that every iota of wisdom, every moment of reflection, is only granted with the permission of Allah SWT; those who truly believe spend their time reflecting in awe at the grandiosity of their Creator with every new drop of knowledge that they gather. Without “taqwa”, a person in pursuit of knowledge can fall into the trap of becoming arrogant, proud, harbor self-absorbed obsessions like immortality and infallibility: considering him/herself superior to others, often belittling others. It is said that one of the signs that the Day of Judgement is close is when humans rush to attain knowledge for material gains, recognition and power, instead of the love of learning for the sake of God. In many societies school children are taught that the only way to succeed would be to score straight A’s and outdo their classmates, and ultimately to be recognised as the best student of the class.
Children as young as 9 or 10 are taught that the yardstick to success is a material one – purely revolving around individual success – rather than seeking knowledge for the betterment of their own selves from within, and to share the same knowledge with friends and loved ones. This type of educational system is also deemed deficient in the eyes of Islam. Instead of rushing to school to learn out of passion and excitement, children are bombarded with yards of homework, the stress of exams and the ultimate need to outperform the rest. In a culture that is wrapped with the need to be on top, in power and to be recognized, humans are losing the basic values of humanity with respect to education – to use knowledge to help others, to acquire wealth to contribute towards the betterment of the society. Through the revelations of the Quran, Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) took time to explain each and every verse, discussing them amongst his educated companions, taking time and patience to teach those who wanted to learn, helping those who were in the wrong turn back to the right path and holding inter-community dialogues with people of other nationalities, cultures and religions who came to seek knowledge. There was no self-obsessed practice in garnering wisdom and keeping it for himself or a certain few. Knowledge was for everyone, and for Muslims who observe the five daily prayers and recite the Al-Fatihah chapter seventeen times a day, within it are verses that say: ٥ني ُ َِستَع ۡ َّاك ن َ َّاك نَ ۡعبُ ُد َو إِي َ إِي «It is You we worship and You we ask for help(5)» ٦َُستَقِيم ۡ ۡط ٱمل َ َٱلص ٰر ِّ ه ِدنَا ۡ ٱ «Guide us to the straight path(6)» [Al-Fatihah: 5-6] As a single nation, Muslims are united to worship one God, and as a single nation, Muslims are encouraged to seek His (SWT) pleasure by continuously seeking knowledge as that is truly the route to the success. It comes from the highest form of authority that they should use their knowledge to acknowledge their humility, help others and become active and progressive members of society for the betterment of the nation.
Knowledge is also not confined to Islamic thought - though much, if not all of education – revolves around Islamic principles. Muslims are encouraged to develop their skills and know how in every professional realm possible that would contribute to the building of a community. With knowledge comes great responsibility and although the knowledge of a single Muslim can only be compared to the dust on a grain in comparison to the vast wisdom of the Lord, Muslims are still obliged to seek knowledge from their cradles until the graves. Knowledge blocks out ignorance, violence, complacency and laziness – traits that are frowned upon in Islam - but most importantly, knowledge allows a person’s status to be elevated in the eyes of Allah SWT: ن وَٱ َّلذِي َ ن َ َستَوِى ٱ َّلذِي َن يَ ۡعلَمُ و ۡ ٱأل َخِ َرةَ َويَرۡجُ وا ْ رَحۡ مَ َة َربِّ ِهۦۗ قُلۡ هَلۡ ي ۡ ساجِ دً۬ا َوقَآٮِٕ ً۬ما يَحۡ ذَ ُر َ هوَ َقـٰنِتٌ ءَانَآ َء ٱ َّليۡ ِل ُ م ۡن َّ َ أ (٩) ِٱأل َ ۡلبَـٰب ۡ ْ ن إِنَّمَ ا يَتَذَ َّك ُر أ ُ ْولُوا َۗ َال يَ ۡعلَمُ و «Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding(9)» [Az-Zumar: 9] So seek knowledge, as it was through the miracle of literacy that sprung forth the perfected way of life, Islam, chosen for the mankind by Allah SWT the Creator, the highest level of authority.
Jundub bin Abdullah RA reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who performs the Fajr (dawn) prayer comes under the Protection of Allah, so beware lest Allah questions you about what you owe Him. For if He questions anyone of you and he falls short of fulfilling the duty which he owes Him, He will requite and then throw upon his face into the Hellfire”. (Muslim)
Abu Hurairah RA reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you shall not believe until you love one another. May I inform you of something, if you do, you love each other. Promote greeting amongst you (by saying As-salamu `alaikum to one another)”. (Muslim)
ARABIC PRONOUNS ISM ISHAARAH
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dependent on the will of Allah SWT
blessed
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helped
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and be saved from sinning on anyone. None of the
The Injeel was very easygoing and light which made many Jew reject it.
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Masjid Bani Hashim At Jumeirah Islands, Dubai
Masjid Bani Hashim by the Grace of Allah ()سبْحَ انَ ُه َو تَعَالَى ُ 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.
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