Shade On The Day Of Judgement

The Prophet (PBUH) said:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

"Seven people will be shaded by Allah under His shade on the day when there will be no shade except His.

They are:

1. A just ruler;

2. A young man who has been brought up in the worship of Allah, (i.e. worship Allah (Alone) sincerely from his childhood),

3. A man whose heart is attached to the mosque (who offers the five compulsory congregational prayers in the mosque);

4. Two persons who love each other only for Allah's sake and they meet and part in Allah's cause only;

5. A man who refuses the call of a charming woman of noble birth for an illegal sexual intercourse with her and says: I am afraid of Allah;

6. A person who practices charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given (i.e. nobody knows how much he has given in charity).

7. A person who remembers Allah in seclusion and his eyes get flooded with tears."

Bukhari Vol. 2 : 504

Be Strong!

My dear sisters in Islam, a Muslim has got ONE goal in this life and it is to enter Jannah. All other goals are intermediary goals that should help us achieve that ultimate goal. So, whenever we set ourselves a goal, the first thing we should do is sincerely ask ourselves whether this will help us on our road to Jannah and this is a questionthat none of us will be able to answer but ourselves. Let’s take for example the goal of getting a degree.

One might take a degree in English to make da’wah and another one might take the same degree but with the goal of writing romance novels. The means are the same but the goals (and intention) are completely different.

The road to Jannah, however, is not rosy-rosy. Instead, it is made of hardships. The Prophet (PBUH) said (in the meaning):
"When Allah created Paradise, He said to Jibreel: Go and look at it. He went and looked at it, then came and said: O my Lord! By Your might, no one who hears of it will fail to enter it. He then surrounded it with disagreeable things, and said: Go and look at it, Jibreel. He went and looked at it, then came and said: O my Lord! By Thy might, I am afraid that no one will enter it.When Allah created Hell, He said: Go and look at it, Jibreel. He went and looked at it, then came and said: O my Lord! By Thy might, no one who hears of it will enter it. He then surrounded it with desirable things and said: Go and look at it, Jibreel. He went, looked at it, then came and said: O my Lord! By Thy might and power, I am afraid that no one will remain who does not enter it." [Abu Dawud]

In the meaning of another hadeeth,

"The (Hell) Fire is surrounded by all kinds of desires and passions, while Paradise is surrounded by all kinds of disliked undesirable things." [Agreed upon]

So, my dear sisters, if we want that noble ultimate goal that Jannah is, we must be ready for hardships and how to face them. And this is why we have to develop a strong faith and a strong character.

First of all, we have to believe and be convinced that things happen by the Will of Allah.

The Prophet (PBUH) said to Abdulllah bin Abbaas (RA):"Be Mindful of Allaah, and you will find Him in front of you. Recognise and Acknowledge Allaah in times of ease and prosperity, and He will Remember you in times of adversity. And know that what has passed you by [and you have failed to attain] was not going to befall you, and what has befallen you was not going to pass you by. And know that Victory comes with Patience, Relief with Affliction, and Hardship with Ease." [Tirmidhi]

In another version of the same hadeeth:
"And know that if the Nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what Allaah had already prescribed for you. And if they were to gather together to harm you with anything, they would not harm you except with what Allaah had already prescribed against you." [Tirmidhi]

Secondly, we have to seek Allah’s pleasure in good times and remember Him and Allah (SWT) will remember us in hard times.

Thirdly, we have to seek help with patience and prayer. Allah (SWT) says:"And seek help with patience and prayer." [al-Baqarah:153]

Fourthly, we have to be happy with what Allah (SWT) has given to us and “make do” with what we have. This does not mean that we have to live without a washing machine but, if the washing machine broke down when our husband was travelling and we had no money to either repair it or buy a new one, could we cope with it? If we had no car for a month, could we cope without it? If we couldn’t use our hand for a month, could we cope with that? If we had no running water for two days, would we be able to adapt?It is the promise of Allah (SWT) that He will test us with things like that. Allah (SWT) says:

"And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient). [Al-Baqarah: 155]

Fifthly, we, women, should be strong to raise our family. We are often tested by our children and this is a promise from Allah (SWT). He (SWT) says: "Your wealth and your children are only a Fitnah, whereas Allah! With Him is a great reward." [At-Taghabun:15]

Whether that test comes with a lack of children, or with lots of children, this is a test for us. We do not decide how many children we have but it is Allah who decides how many children we have. How many women have less children than they hoped for and how many women have more children than they hoped for? So ask Allah to give you children and make lots of du’a for them to stay on the right path.

We are also tested through their behaviour, whether this behaviour is good or no. Shall we be thankful? Shall we seek our reward from Allah (SWT)? Shall we be patient? However, at the same time, they are an immense source of rewards if we bring them up according to Allah’s laws. There is nothing better than leaving behind us a pious child. And if Allah (SWT) decides to test us by taking them away from us while still young, then this child will wait for us at the door of Jannah insha Allah.

So sisters, be strong in this life because this is the way to attain Jannah and, especially, Jannat-ul-Firdaus

and be strong for your children, ask Allah (SWT) to give you the patience and the wisdom to bring up your children in a way that pleases Him and to give you the strength to do so because you will be tested through them, there is no doubt about it (and the tests from them only get harder and harder until they become adult).

Ar-Riyaa (Showing Off)

Ar-riyaa is censured in the Book and the Sunnah. From them is the Statement of Allah, the Most High:

"So woe to the worshippers, who are neglectful of their prayers. Those who want to be seen (by men)." [Soorah al-Maa`oon: 4-6]

As for the ahaadeeth, some of them have already been mentioned in the chapter of shirk, since ar-riyaa is the minor shirk. Some will be mentioned here, insha Allah.

Know O Muslim, O slave of Allah, that the word riyaa is taken from the word ruyah (to be seen). So the one to be seen is viewed by the people as one seeking esteem amongst them. So at times one would seek self-esteem by one's actions in this world.

Riyaa is of many types and forms, its nature and tendency is that it invalidates the actions as stated in the Book and the Sunnah.

Allah, the Most High, says:

"Like those who spend from their wealth to be seen by men, and they do not believe in Allah and the Last Day. Their example is like the example of a hard rock on which is a little soil, then on it falls heavy rain which flows off it and they will not be able to do anything with whatever they have earned and Allah does not guide the disbelieving people." [Soorah al-Baqarah: 264]

The Prophet, (PBUH) said: "What I fear for you the most is the minor shirk, that is ar-riyaa. Allah will say on the Day of Judgment when He is rewarding the people for their actions: Go to those for whom you did riyaa for in the world then see if you find the reward with them." [Related by Ahmad (5/428, 429) and al-Baghawee in Sharh us-Sunnah (4135) from the hadeeth of Mahmood bin Lubaid, (RA), with an authentic chain upon the conditions of Muslim.]

The Prophet, (PBUH), said: "Shall I not inform you of what I fear for you more than the maseeh ud-dajjaal? It is the hidden shirk. It is when a man stands up for prayer, then beautifies his prayer for another to look at."
[Related by Ibn Maajah (2604) from the hadeeth of Aboo Sa`eed al-Khudree (RA). The hadeeth is hasan.]

So be warned my brother in faith, from riyaa as it is an evil tribulation annihilating the actions. Know O Muslim brother, that the Fire will be kindled first for the people who showed-off because they took the enjoyment from the results of their actions in the life of this world.

So flee, O slave, from riyaa as you would flee from a lion, as riyaa and one's hidden desires even weakened the stands of the senior scholars from its dangers, let alone the general masses.

The scholars and the active worshippers who made great efforts to tread the path to the Hereafter, were even put to trial by it. When they took control of their themselves and abstained from desires, they were not being allured to the apparent and open sins committed by the limbs.

However when they became relaxed, they began to pretend to show knowledge, actions and to present gatherings, to be observed by the people with reverence and esteem. They feel great delight and they looked down upon the idea of leaving sins.

So one of them thinks that he is from amongst the sincere worshippers of Allaah but he has been confirmed as one of the hypocrites. This is a great deception and no one is safe from it except the angels.

It was said in a poem:

Enemies of the soul and the shaitaan; resist them both,

If they both give sincere advice to you, then escape from them both.

O Allah, Lord of the Heavens and the earth, purify our hearts from hypocrisy and our actions from riyaa. Make us firm upon Your straight path so that we achieve certainty.

How To Treat Your Sisters In Islam

1. She loves them for the sake of Allah :

This is a love untainted by any worldly interests or ulterior motives. True sisterly love is a relationship whose purity is derived from the light of Islamic guidance (Dr. Muhammad A. al-Hashimi). It is a bond that links a Muslims to her sister regardless of geographical origins, ethnicity, skin color, hair form, eye shape, or language. (It is) a bond based upon faith in Allah SWT Who is greater than all our little petty divisions. “The Believers are but a single brotherhood….” [Al-Hujuraat 49:10]

A love which is an expression of the sweetness of faith: “There are three things that whoever attains them will find the sweetness of faith: if Allah and His Messenger are dearer to him than anyone else; if he loves a person solely for the sake of Allah; if he would hate to return to kufr after Allah has rescued him from it, as much as he would hate be thrown into the Fire.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

So this is not love for the sake of status, notoriety, or fame. It is a love that requires a clean heart, a light heart, a soft and pliable heart.

In the hadeeth of Mu’adh reported by at-Tirmidhi, the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Allah said: ‘Those who love one another for My glory, will have minbars of light, and the Prophets and martyrs will wish that they had the same” [hasan saheeh hadeeth]

This kind of love is the only way to eliminate hatred, jealousy, and rivalry from peoples hearts.

2. She shows them kindness, faithfulness, and equity :

The importance of kindness is mentioned hundreds of times in the Qur'aan! Islam instills in its followers the characteristic of kindness and faithfulness towards one’s friends, including the parents of one’s friends. The seerah is filled with examples of kindness and faithfulness among the early believers. If you remember the story concerning our mother ‘Aaisha (RA) who used to become upset with Rasoolullah (PBUH) because he used to extend himself to the friends of his late first wife, Khadijah (RA). He (PBUH) spoke highly of Khadijah (RA) and sometimes he would slaughter a sheep and send a large portion to Khadijah’s friends.

3. She meets them with a warm, friendly, smiling face :

In Muslim it is reported our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said: “Do not think little of any good deed, even if it is just greeting your brother with a cheerful countenance.”

The act of smiling actually stimulates the secretion of certain chemicals (endorphins) that increase our sense of well-being.

“Your smiling at your brother is an act of charity (sadaqah)” [reported by at-Tirmidhi who said it is hasan gharib)

4. She is sincere towards them

Sincerity is one of the most basic principles of Islam and a central foundation of the faith. Without sincerity, a sister’s faith is invalid and her Islam is worthless. When the first believers gave allegiance (bay’ah) to the Prophet (PBUH), they pledged their sincerity. This is confirmed by the statement of Jarir ibn ‘Abdullah (RA): “I gave allegiance to the Prophet (PBUH) and pledged to observe regular prayer, to pay zakat and to be sincere towards every Muslim.”

Furthermore, our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said: “None of you truly believes until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself’ It is impossible to do this without sincerity.

5. She does not forsake or abandon her sister(s) :

The religion that calls for love, continued contact, and mutual affection is also the religion (Islam) that has forbidden sisters in faith to hate or abandon one another. The Prophet (PBUH) said “No two people who love one another for the sake of Allah, or for the sake of Islam, will let the first minor offense of either of them come between them.”

This hadith and others tell us that prolonged estrangement from our sister is not acceptable. The longer the estrangement lasts (3 days or more) the greater the sin and the more severe is the punishment that will befall the two who are split by the dispute. Reconciliation among sisters-in-Islam is encouraged and the better of the two (disputing) Muslimahs is the first to give salaam. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “There should be no breaking off of ties, no turning away from one another, no hating one another, and no envying one another. Be brothers, as Allah has commanded you.” [Muslim]

The great Sahabi Abu Darda (RA) used to say: “Shall I not tell you about something that is better for you than charity and fasting? Reconcile between your brothers, for hatred diminishes reward.” (reported by al-Bukhari in Ad-Adab al-Mufrad)

6. She is tolerant and forgiving towards them :

Sometimes it seems so easy to become angry with our sisters in Islam about just about anything. However, the true Muslim restrains her anger and is quick to forgive her sister, and does not see any shame in doing so. Rather, she recognizes this as a good dead that can bring her closer to Allah and earn her His love which He bestows only on those who do good:

“…[those] who restrain anger and pardon (all) men – for Allah loves those who do good.” [Al-‘Imran 3:134]

7. She does not gossip about or backbite them :

The believing woman does not gossip about or backbite her sisters in Islam. She knows that gossip is haraam as the Quran says:

“…. Nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, you would abhor it. But fear Allah: for Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.” [al-Hujuraat 49:12]

The believing woman restrains her tongue and speaks only good of her sister, remembering the words of the Prophet (PBUH): “Do you know what gossip is? They said, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ He (PBUH) said, ‘It is your saying about your brother something which he dislikes.” He was asked, ‘What do you think if what I say about my brother is true?’ He said, ‘If it is true then you have gossiped about him and if it not true then you have slandered him.” [Muslim]

Being two-faced is an aspect of this. In fact the two-faced person is regarded as being one of the worst people in the sight of Allah. Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said: “You will find among the worst people in the sight of Allah on the Day of Resurrection, the one who is two-faced, who approaches some people in one way and others in another.” [al-Bukhari & Muslim]

8. She avoids arguing with them, making hurtful jokes, and breaking promises :

It is reported by al-Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad that our Prophet (PBUH) said: “Do not argue with your brother, do not joke excessively with him, do not make a promise to him then break it.”

Arguing leads to further misunderstanding, rigidity, and is an easy opening for Iblis; hurtful jokes often lead to hatred and loss of respect; and breaking promises upset people and destroys love. We need to learn to be able to “back off” to not have the final say, to sometimes just “agree to disagree” until the matter can be resolved by someone with more knowledge. The kind of posturing and gesticulation that poisons so many disagreements is leftover jahl (ignorance). We need to run away from this.

9. She is generous and self-sacrificing :

The Muslimah prefers friendship with a Muslim over the non-Muslim. The bond of common belief forms the foundation for generosity, a basic Islamic characteristic. We are entreated by Allah SWT to be

“… lowly [or humble] with the believers, mighty against the kafirun …” [al-Maidah 5:54]

10. She prays for her sisters in their absence :

The sincere Muslimah who truly likes for her sister what she likes for herself does not forget to pray for her sister in her absence. This is a practical demonstration of sisterly love and care. A sincere, pure prayer of this kind is the kind most quickly answered. It is reported by al-Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad that “The quickest prayer to be answered is a man’s supplication for his brother in his absence.”

11. She encourages her sisters in all that is pleasing to Allah

The Excellence Of Friday

Abu Huraira reported the Prophet(PBUH),as saying: ‘The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created, on it he was made to enter Paradise, on it he was expelled from it. And the Last Hour will take place on no day other than Friday.’

The Prophet (PBUH) also said on the occasion of Friday:
‘We who are the last shall be the first on the Day of resurrection, except that every Ummah (nation) was given the Book before us and we where given it after them.
It was this day (Friday) which Allah prescribed for us and guided us to it and the people came after us with regard to it, the Jews observing the next day and the Christians they day following that.’

With regard to Friday. The Prophet (PBUH) was also reported as saying: ‘There is no time on Friday at which no Muslim would stand, pray and beg Allah for what is good but He would give it to him’ and he pointed with his hand that (this time) is short and narrow." There is a good deal of difference of opinion among the scholars as to what exactly is that fortunate hour on Friday when the supplication would be granted. The best course is that this hour should be treated as hidden, and the whole day should be spent in supplication and glorification of Allah.

It was the Prophet’s (PBUH) practice to attach special significance and honour to Friday. Examples of this behaviour are numerous, however, the following could be cited: On that day, he recommenced reciting Soorah as-Sajdah (in fajr) [and al-Insaan] because it is inclusive of all affairs relevant to Friday; taking a bath, using perfume and miswak, going to Friday’s congregational prayer early, listening to the sermon, wearing one’s best clothes and remembering Allah all the time.

When the Prophet (PBUH) stood on the pulpit delivering Friday speech (sermon), his eyes would redden and his voice rise sharply with extreme anger. He (PBUH), however, used to shorten the speech but prolong the prayer following it.

"Will You Carry My Load on the Day of Judgment?"

Once Hadhrat Umar (RA), during his caliphate, was going on his usual rounds towards Harrah (a suburb of Madinah) with his slave Aslam, when he saw a distant fire in the desert. He said, "There seems to be a camp. Perhaps, it is a caravan that could not enter the town due to night fall. Let's go and look after them and arrange for their protection during the night."

When he reached there, he found a woman and some children. The children were crying. The woman had a pan of water over the fire. Hadhrat Umar (RA) greeted her with salaam and, with her permission, went near her. (The woman didn't recognize that it was Umar).

Umar, "Why are these children crying?"

The Woman, "Because they are hungry."

Umar, "What is in the pan?"

The Woman, "Only water to soothe the children, so that they may go to sleep in the belief that food is being prepared for them. Ah! Allah will judge between Umar (RA) and me, on the Day of Judgment, for neglecting me in my distress."

Umar (weeping), "May Allah have mercy on you! How can Umar know of your distress?"

The Woman, "When he is our Amir, he must keep himself informed about us."

Hadhrat Umar (RA) returned to the town and straight away went to the Baitul Mal (House of Charity) to fill a sack with flour, dates, fat, and clothes, and also drew some money. When the sack was ready, he said to Aslam, "Now put this sack on my back, Aslam."

Aslam, "No please, Amir-ul-Momineen! I shall carry this sack."

Umar refused to listen to Aslam, even on his persistent requests to allow him to carry the sack, and remarked, "What! Will you carry my load on the Day of Judgment? I must carry this bag, for it is I who would be questioned (in the Hereafter) about this woman."

Aslam most reluctantly placed the bag on Umar's (RA) back, who carried it with a swift pace right to the woman's tent. Aslam followed at his heels. He put a little flour and some dates and fat in the pan and began to stir. He blew (with his mouth) into the fire to kindle it.

Aslam says, "I saw the smoke passing through his thick beard."

After some time, the pottage was ready. He himself served it to the family. When they had eaten to their fill, he made over to them the little that was left for their next meal. The children were very happy after their meal and began to play about merrily.

The woman felt very grateful and remarked, "May Allah reward you for your kindness! In fact you deserve to take the place of Khalifah instead of Umar."

Umar consoled her and said, "When you come to see the Khalifah, you will find me there."

He sat for a while at a place close by and kept on watching the children. He then returned to Madinah. On his way back, he said to Aslam, "Do you know why I sat there, Aslam? I had seen them weeping in distress. I liked to see them laughing and happy for some time."

Virtues OF Martyr

"Think not of those, who are slain in the way of Allah, as dead. Nay, they are living. With their Lord they have provision. Jubilant (are they) because of that which Allah hath bestowed upon them of His bounty, rejoicing for the sake of those who have not joined them but are left behind: that there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. They rejoice because of favor from Allah and kindness, and that Allah wasteth not the wage of the believers.” (Quran- Al `Imran: 169-71)

Sayyidina Abu Hurairah RA reports that the Prophet PBUH has said that those who die in the path of Allah, suffer little pain of death just like the bite of an ant. (Tirmizi)

Sayyidina Anas RA reports that the Prophet PBUH has said that a martyr will be given the right of interceding for seventy of his relatives. (Abu Dawood)

Sayyidina Ka'ab bin Malik RA reports that the Prophet PBUH has said that the soul of martyrs go about relishing the fruits of Paradise, just like green birds. (Tirmizi)

Abu Hurayra RA , narrated that the Prophet PBUH said: “I swear by the One in Whose Hands my soul is, I wish that I would fight for the sake of Allaah (i.e., Jihaad) and get martyred, then return and fight again and get martyred, then return and fight again and get martyred” (Bukhaari & Muslim)

In a Hadeeth when Marwaan said: “We asked ‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood, may Allaah be pleased with him, about the following verse: (which translates as): “And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allaah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision.” (Aal-‘Imraan: 169).’ He, may Allaah be pleased with him, replied: “We asked the Prophet PBUH about this verse and he replied: “Their (i.e., the martyrs souls) will live inside green birds that dwell in designated lamps which hang on the throne of Allaah, they will roam freely in Paradise as they please, then return to these lamps” (Muslim)

A Shaheed has six other benefits; Al-Miqdaam Ibn Ma’di Karib, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet PBUH said: “A martyr has six bounties: He will be forgiven with the first drop of his blood that is spilt; He will see his place in Paradise (at the time of death); He will be saved from the ‘Great Horror’ (on the Day of Judgment): A Crown of Dignity will be placed on his head, which contains many corundums, each one being more precious than this life and all that it contains; He will have seventy two Women of Paradise; And, he will be allowed to intercede for seventy of his family members (who would have otherwise gone to hell).” (Tirmidhi & Ibn Maajah)

The pain that a martyr feels at the time of death will be reduced so greatly that he will only feel as if he was stung by a mosquito. Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet PBUH said: “A martyr only feels from the effect of being killed that which one would when being stung by a mosquito.” (Tirmidhi, Nasaa’i)

Samurah Ibn Jundub, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet PBUH said: “Last night I was inspired (through a dream); I saw two men come to me and take me up a tree (in Paradise) then into a dwelling which was the best I have ever seen; they informed me that it was the dwelling of the martyrs.” (Bukhaari)

Among all the dwellers of Paradise, only the martyrs would wish to return to this life. This is due to the immense rewards and respect that have been mentioned in the previous Ahadeeth. Anas bin Maalik, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet PBUH said: “Nobody who enters Paradise would ever wish to return to this life again, even if he was to be given the whole world and everything in it – except for a martyr; for he would wish to return and get killed ten times due to the honour that he received (in Paradise).” and in another narration: “For what he finds as virtues of martyrdom.” (Bukhaari & Muslim)

Al Riba

"Riba` is a loan with the condition that the borrower will return to the lender more than and better than the quantity borrowed."

Allaah SWT says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Those who eat Ribaa will not stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by Shaytaan (Satan) leading him to insanity. That is because they say: ‘Trading is only like Ribaa,’ whereas Allaah has permitted trading and forbidden Ribaa. So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and stops eating Ribaa, shall not be punished for the past; his case is for Allaah (to judge); but whoever returns (to Ribaa), such are the dwellers of the Fire — they will abide therein.

Allaah will destroy Ribaa and will give increase for Sadaqaat (deeds of charity, alms). And Allaah likes not the disbelievers, sinners” [al-Baqarah 2: 275-276]

‘Ubaadah ibn al-Saamit (RA) narrated that the Prophet PBUH said: “Gold is to be paid for by gold, silver by silver, barley by barley, dates by dates, like by like, payment being made hand to hand. He who made an addition to it, or asked for an addition, in fact dealt in usury [ribaa].” (Narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh).

It was narrated that Jaabir (RA) said: “The Messenger of Allaah PBUH cursed the one who consumes ribaa, the one who pays it, the one who writes it down and the two who witness it. He said they are all the same.” (Narrated by Muslim).

Note that riba is a very serious and grave issue, seeing that Allah SWT did not declare war in the Qur'an against anyone except the one who accepts riba.

Is it halal or haraam to work in an interest based bank?

You will find the answer in the hadeeth of Jaabir, may Allaah be pleased with him, who said: "The Messenger of Allaah PBUH cursed the one who consumes riba (interest or usury), the one who gives it, the one who writes it down and the one who witnesses it. He said: 'All of them are equal in sin.'" (Reported by Muslim, may Allaah have mercy on him, in his Saheeh, no. 1598)

Commenting on this hadeeth, al-Nawawi, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: This is clearly a prohibition of the writing down or witnessing of a contract between the two parties involved in a riba-based deal. It also includes a prohibition of helping others to commit wrong acts. And Allaah knows best.

It is inevitable that the employee in a riba-based bank will play a part in riba dealings one way or another, even if he is just a security guard. Maybe Allaah will help you, all brothers and sisters, if you are patient, to find halaal employment. (Interpretation of the meaning) "… And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty)." [al-Talaaq 65:2]

Time Is NOT Money

The Muslim's Duty Regarding Time

Islam encourages Muslims to care for time, to utilize it and not to waste it. Besides, it holds them responsible for their time. Calling on Muslims to utilize their time, to benefit from it and not to waste it, the Prophet (PBUH) said,

"On the Day of Resurrection the feet of the son of Adam [man] will not move away till he is questioned about four matters: how he spent his lifetime, how he spent his youth; from where he acquired his wealth and how he spent it, and what he did with his knowledge." Sunan at-Tirmidhi, no. 2417

He (PBUH) also said, "Grab five things before five others: your youth before your decrepitude, your health before your illness, your wealth before your poverty, your leisure before your work, and your life before your death." [Al-Hakim, “Al-Mustadrak”, Book No. 44, 4/341]

This Hadith is a direct call on Muslims to invest their time as early as possible when conditions are favourable, i.e., youth, health, wealth and time before being handicapped by impediments, such as old age, sickness, poverty or preoccupation.

The Righteous Salaf were extremely careful about occupying their time with useful deeds, and they hated laziness and unemployment. Umar Ibn-Al-Khattab was reported to have said, "I do hate to see any of you unoccupied, doing nothing for this world or the Hereafter." [Abul-Qasim Azzamakhshari, “Al-Kashshf “, in Arabic, investigated by Mohamed A. Shaheen, 4/761]

An important requirement for a Muslim's life is to be careful about time, to invest it wisely and to benefit from it. In this regard, Ibn-ul Qayyim says, "The highest, most worthy and most useful of reflection is what is intended for Allah and the Hereafter. There are various forms of reflection intended for Allah. One of them is reflecting on time duty and function and focusing entirely on it, for the knowledgeable one is the breed of his time. If he wastes it, all his interests are wasted, for all interests arise from time. If he wastes his time, he can never regain it."

Also, Imam Shafi'i said, "Out of my company with Sufis, I benefited only two things, one of which is their saying: like a sword, time will cut you if you do not cut it. ..." In other words, if you do not spend time doing something useful, you are the loser by wasting it.

As expressed by Imam Hassan Al-Banna, "Time is life itself." This reflects Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah's saying: "One's time is in fact his age. It is the material of his eternal life either in everlasting joy or painful torture. It passes more quickly than clouds do. It is only the time one dedicates to Allah that constitutes one's real life and age. The rest does not count; the life he leads in it is only animal life. Compared to a life of indulgence in appetitive activities, false aspirations and negligence of Allah's remembrance - and at best in sleep and being idle - death is a much better alternative."

Time is considered a vehicle for work. According to Ibn-ul-Qayyim, "The year is like a tree, months are its branches, days are the branch sticks, hours are its leaves, and the breaths are its fruits. Therefore, if one's breaths are in obedience [to Allah and His Messenger], the fruits of his tree are good. If they are in disobedience, his fruits are bitter. The harvest is on the Appointed Day, when one's fruits are found out to
be either good or bitter."

Such is the Islamic view of time, and such were the ways of the Salaf ways with it. How do we compare with them now?! Obviously, there is a big gap between the way they cared for time and the way we are wasting it.

The sad and painful thing about us now is that "our nation has been improvising ways of wasting time at the public and the private levels. As a result, the world is already proceeding to the future without us, as if we were the 'orphans of history'. If such improvisation is not directed to investing and utilizing our time properly, the gap between us and the future will widen further, and we will remain importers and consumers of cultural products. Eventually, our survival will be entirely dependent on the producers of those products."
[Khuldun Al-Ahdab, "Reflections on the Value of Time"]

Therefore, Muslims must unite their efforts to identify weaknesses for treatment, and must give time its due attention as demanded by Islam.

The following are some of the most important duties demanded of Muslims:

1. Ensuring benefiting from time
2. Utilizing leisure time
3. Racing for good deeds
4. Learning from the passage of time
5. Seeking the superior times
6. Planning and organizing time
7. Fulfillment of time commitments
8. Necessary awareness of time wasters

Ten Ways Of Protection From Shaytan

1. Seeking refuge with Allah from Shaytan. Allah the Most High said, “And if there comes to you from Satan an evil suggestion, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.” [41:36]

2. Recitation of the two soorahs al-Falaq and an-Nas, as they have wondrous effect in seeking refuge with Allah from his evil, weakening Shaytan and protection from him. This is why the Messenger, (PBUH) said: “No person seeks refuge with anything like the Mu`awwidhatayn (soorahs al-Falaq and an-Nas)”. [an-Nasaa’i, 5337]

3. Recitation of Ayat al-Kursi (2:255).

4. Recitation of Soorah al-Baqarah. The Messenger, (PBUH) said, “The house in which al-Baqarah is recited is not approached by Shaytan.” [Muslim]

5. The final part of al-Baqarah. The Messenger, (PBUH) said, “Whoever recites the two last verses of al-Baqarah at night they will suffice him.” [Muslim]

6. Recitation of the beginning of Soorah Mu’min (Ghafir), until His saying, “wa ilayhi-l-maseer” (to Him is the destination). (i.e. “Ha. Meem. The revelation of the Book is from Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Knowing, the forgiver of sin, acceptor of repentance, severe in punishment, owner of abundance. There is no deity except Him; to Him is the destination.” [40:1-2])

7. Saying “la ilaha ill Allah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa `ala kulli shay’in qadir” (there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, He has no partner, His is the Dominion and Praise, and He is able to do all things) a hundred times.

8. The most beneficial form of protection from Shaytan: Abundance of remembrance of Allah, the Exalted.

9. Ablution and prayer, and they are from among the greatest means of protection, especially at the time of emergence of anger and desire

10. Abstinence from excess speech, food and mixing with people.