Friday 31 January 2014
Weighing Akhlaq: What Makes a Good Character ?By Nisaar Y. Nadiadwala
One of the most motivating hadith about Akhlaaq is in Tirmidhi :
“Among the heaviest things for a man in the scales on the day of Qiyamah, is his Good Character…”
Making Good Character a part of daee’s Character, Allah reminds the Prophet (pbuh) in Surah Imran verse 159…..
“And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah’s) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).“
In the above Qur’anic verse there are few lessons for those who want to raise the standard of their character.
1. Dealing gently is an important aspect of Akhlaaq:
The sahih hadith in Abu Dawood says :
“Aisha ! Allah gives for goodness what he does not give for harshness.. If goodness is removed from something it makes it very bad and if goodness is added to something, it beautifies it.”
2. If you are able to deal gently then know that it is a mercy from Allah: A beautiful hadith to motivate you to be merciful to others: Ifyou show mercy towards those on the earth, the one in the heaven will show mercy towards you.
3. Over look the faults of people : Allah declares it a virtue of those who are Mohsinoon.. Those who spend [in Allah's Cause - deeds of charity, alms, etc.] in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers). Surah al e Imran verse 134. Over .looking the faults of people is highly recommended in Islam.It generates respect and love for each other. It reflects the immense patience of the pardoner. Read the humble victorious march of the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa salaam) when he entered Makkah. He delcared a general amensty for all.
4. Ask forgiveness for the people who err : Besides forgiving, one should also ask Allah to forgive his Muslim brother. The Prophet himself prayed for those three sahaba who missed out Tabuk and committed a mistake. It is a sunnah to pray for the forgiveness of your dead Musilm brother. Besides, the Qur’an also emphasies the Believers to pray for the forgiveness for parents , after all, our parents deserves the most from our best conduct.
5. Consult people : Though the Prophet himself received revelation yet he consulted his companions in many issues. Consulting people gives a boost to the the collective efforts which is essential for the success of a team.
6. Put your trust in Allah. The ayah ends with an assuranc : Allah loves those who trust him…. But naturally if Allah loves you it means it is a certificate of merit to your character.
There are many things which remain essential component of a good character. Some of these qualities are mentioned directly in Surah Maryam
1. (Jesus pbuh said ): He (Allah) Has enjoined on me salah and charity as long as I live, he has made me kind to my mother and not overbearing or miserable verse 31 -32
2. And mention Ibrahim a.s. He was a man of truth…. verse 41
3. And mention in the book Moses… He was mukhlisan.. (a cystal clear hearted person doing good for Allah only) verse 51
4. And mention in the book Is’mail (alayhis salam).. He was true to what he promised… verse 54
When ever you come across the story of prophets in the Qur’an don’t forget to read what the particular paragraph speaks about their noble characters.. You will inshallah find a lot of things to learn from them..
Author : Nisaar Nadiadwala writes and speaks on socio-educational issues from Islamice perspective. He can be reached at nisaar_yusuf@yahoo.com
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Thursday 30 January 2014
The virtue of Takbeer
The virtue of TakbeerThe first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah are venerated days.
Allaah swore by them in His Book,
and swearing by a thing is indicative of its importance and great benefit.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“By the dawn;
By the ten nights
(i.e. the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah)”
[al-Fajr 89:1]
Ibn -Abbaas, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujaahid and others
among the earlier and later generations said:
This refers to the ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah.
Ibn Katheer said: This is the correct view.
Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 8/413
Good deeds during these days are beloved to Allaah,
because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“There are no days in which righteous deeds are
more beloved to Allaah than these ten days.”
They said, “O Messenger of Allaah, not even jihad for the sake of Allaah?”
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said,
“Not even jihad for the sake of Allaah,
except in the case of a man
who went out to fight, giving himself and his wealth up for the cause,
and came back with nothing.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 969; al-Tirmidhi, 757.
This version was narrated by al-Tirmidhi
and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 605.
One of the righteous deeds during these days is to remember Allaah
by reciting takbeer (saying “Allaahu akbar”)
and tahleel (saying “Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah”),
because of the following evidence.
1 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“That they may witness things
that are of benefit to them
(i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter,
and also some worldly gain from trade),
and mention the Name of Allaah
on appointed days”
[al-Hajj 22:28]
“The appointed days” are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah.
2 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And remember Allaah during the appointed Days”
[al-Baqarah 2:203]
These are the days of al-Tashreeq, i.e. the 11th, 12th and 13th of Dhu’l-Hijjah.
3 – The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“The days of tashreeq are the days of
eating, drinking and remembering Allaah.”
Narrated by Muslim, 1141.
The scholars differed concerning the form of the Takbeer.
1 – The first view is that it is:
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah,
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa lillaahi’l-hamd
(Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, there is no god but Allaah,
Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, and to Allaah be praise).
2 – The second view is that it is:
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar,
laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, Allaahu akbar,
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa lillaahi’l-hamd
(Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great,
there is no god but Allaah, Allaah is Most Great,
Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, and to Allaah be praise).
3 – The third view is that it is:
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar,
laa ilaaha ill-Allaah,
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa lillaahi’l-hamd
(Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great,
there is no god but Allaah,
Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, and to Allaah be praise).
The matter is broad in scope because there is no text narrated
from the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wassalam)
which specifies a particular form of the Takbeer.
The time of the Takbeer
The takbeer is divided into two categories:
1 – Takbeer at any time.
This is takbeer that is not limited to a specific time,
and it is Sunnah to say it all the time, morning and evening,
before prayer and after prayer, at all times.
2 – Takbeer at certain times.
This is takbeer that is limited to the time immediately after prayer.
It is Sunnah to recite takbeer at any time
during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah and all the days of Tashreeq,
starting from the beginning of the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah
(i.e., from sunset on the last day of Dhu’l-Qa’dah)
until the end of the days of al-Tashreeq,
which is when the sun sets on the thirteenth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah).
With regard to at certain times,
it starts from Fajr on the day of ‘Arafah
and lasts until the sun sets on the last day of the days of Tashreeq,
in addition to the takbeer that may be recited at any time.
So when a person says the tasleem at the end of the obligatory prayer,
he should pray for forgiveness (by saying Astaghfir-Allaah) three times,
and say, “Allaahumma anta al-salaam wa minka al-salaam,
tabaarakta yaa dhaa’l-jalaali wa’l-ikraam
(“O Allaah, You are al-Salaam
[the One Who is free from all defects and deficiencies],
and from You is all peace, blessed are You,
O possessor of majesty and honour)”,
then start the takbeer.
This is for those who are not on Hajj.
The pilgrims should start the takbeer recited
after prayer from Zuhr on the Day of Sacrifice
(the 10th of Dhu’l-Hijjah).
And Allaah knows best.
See Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him),
13/17; al-Sharh al-Mumti’
by Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him), 5/220-224.
Wednesday 29 January 2014
What Do I Say After the Adhan?
Many Muslims want to know – What To Say (prayer or dua) After Hearing the Adhan (call to the prayer)
Our prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, taught us a beautiful supplication (dua) to make after the adhan.
Learn it and teach it to the believers.
Learn it and teach it to the believers.
After hearing the adhan (prayer call), we say;
“Allahumma Rabba hathihid-Daawatit tammah, wassalatil Qa imah ati Muhammadan al waseelata walfadeelah, wa ib’ath-hu maqaman mahmoodan allathee wa’ad-tah, innaka laa tukhliful-me’aad.”
And it means: :
“O Allah, Owner of this perfect call and Owner of this prayer to be performed, bestow upon Muhammad al waseelah (a station in Paradise) and al fadeelah (a rank above the rest of creation) and send him upon a raised platform which you have promised him. Verily, You never fail in Your Promise.”
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