The Angels

Ability to take on Different Forms:

Allah has bestowed the angels with the ability to take on different forms. He sent Jibraeel (alaihi as-salaam) to Maryam (See, Soorah Maryam (19): 16-19), Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam) (see, Soorah Hud (11): 69) , Loot (alaihi as-salaam) (See, Soorah Hud (11): 77) in a human form. Jibraeel (alaihi as-salaam) used to come to Allah's Messenger PBUH in different forms; sometimes he came in the form of Dihyah ibn Khaleefah - a Sahabi who was of a handsome appearance, and sometimes in the form of a bedouin.

Narrated Aa'isha RA that she saw him (i.e., Prophet PBUH) placing his hand on the mane of Dihyah al-Kalbee's horse while talking to him. When she asked about it, he replied that it was Jibraeel (alaihi as-salaam) and he had sent greetings to her. [(Hasan) Musnad Ahmad]

It is narrated that Umar Ibn al-Khattab RA said, 'Whilst we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah, one day, a man came to us whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black. There were no signs of travel on him and none of us knew him. He sat down in front of the Prophet PBUH, with his knees touching his, and put his hands on his thighs and said, 'O Muhammad, tell me about Islam…' The Hadeeth states that he asked him about Eeman, Ihsan and the Hour and its signs…' [Saheeh Muslim (1/3, hadeeth no. 8)]


Great Number:

Angles are very great in number and none knows their exact number except He, Who created them as He said in the noble verse, 'None knows the hosts of your Lord except Him.'
[Soorah al-Mudhaththir (74): 31]

The Messenger of Allah PBUH said regarding the number of angels in the seven heavens, 'There is no space in the seven heavens a foot length or a hand-span or a palm's width which does not have an angel standing, bowing and prostrating. ' [At-Tabaree]

Jibraeel (alaihi as-salaam) said concerning the number of angels that visit al-Bayt al-Ma'moor (the Much-Frequented House) on the seventh heaven when Allah's Messenger PBUH inquired about it on the night of Isra wal-Miraj, 'This is al-Bayt al-Ma'moor; every day seventy thousand angels pray in it, and they never come back to it.' [Saheeh al-Bukharee (2207)]

It is also narrated in Saheeh Muslim about the angels that the Messenger of Allah PBUH said, 'On that Day (of Judgment), Hell will be brought with seventy thousand ropes, each of which will be pulled by seventy thousand angels.' [Saheeh Muslim, (4/2184, hadeeth no.2842)]

If one were to study the texts, which mention the role of angels in human life, he will realize how great their number is! From the moment, an individual is conceived in his mother's womb, until his death and beyond, angels play a variety of roles in all stages of human life.

Moreover, angels are also assigned duties in the functioning of the universe.

Celebrating Birthdays

It is not necessary that everything the West does is according to logic. The biggest proof that it is the invention of the west are the song words without which this function is not complete viz. 'Happy birthday to you.' No one says, 'Happy birthday celebration' or 'Happy Blessed birthday' or any other words of this kind. This disease of celebrating birthdays was never prevalent among Muslims before, but since Muslims started living alongside the non-Muslims, they have been influenced by them.

Birthdays are celebrated usually at the end of a year and not at the beginning of the year. For example, if one's birth date is on the 1st of January, then the birthday will be celebrated on the 1st of January and not the 2nd of January. Now just ponder, what intelligence is there in celebrating and showing happiness when a year has decreased in one's life.

During a birthday celebration, candles are lit on a cake, amounting to the years of the one's life. He extinguishes these candles by blowing them out and all present clap their hands. Hands are clapped at two occasions only, one at the time of joy for some achievement of his. Secondly, when someone acts foolishly, then to mock at him. Here a person is extinguishing the rays
of the years of his life by blowing them out himself. Then this is no happiness, nor is it any achievement. So the clapping of hands is only for mocking at this person's stupidity.

Ponder that this is a custom and sign of non-believers. When it is someone's birthday, one year of his life has decreased, and not increased.

This world is a field to work for the hereafter. Prophet PBUH Ummah has been sent in this world for a very great object. The example of this world is like a king who send a few people into his treasure room saying that shortly he will send them out, so at that time whatever they will be possessing will be their property. Inside the treasure room, on one side there are heaps of gold and silver, on another side are lying pearls and jewels, then at another place in the room, delicious food and soft beds are arranged. Now some people think that the king may send them out any minute. They quickly gather the gold, silver, pearls and gems. They feel they will go out from there and organise the food and beds for themselves afterwards. There is another group of people who think that they have just arrived. They feel, 'Let us enjoy the food, then lay down to rest. After that we will take from the treasures. There is ample time.' So they eat, sleep and pass their valuable time without taking from the treasures.
Suddenly the king sends everyone out. Now those who had collected the valuables can enjoy their lives eating and sleeping while those that wasted their time and did not accumulate anything will begin to regret.

Every moment of this worldly life is very valuable. Here we have to earn for the long and everlasting life of the hereafter. Prophet PBUH has said that after entering into Jannat, the people of Jannat will not be sorry about anything of this world, except for that moment which was spent without the remembrance of Allah. It is apparent that when reward will be granted for remembrance of Allah in this world which is an abode of actions, then one must surely feel very regretful, that if they should have spent more time in the remembrance of Allah, they could be worthy of more rewards.

Hafiz Zain Siqti asked Hafiz Jurjani the reason for swallowing dry flour to which he replied that when he compared the time of swallowing dry flour and chewing roti then, in chewing so much time is spent in which say 70 times Subhanalla can be uttered. Therefore he left eating roti for the last 40 years.

How can it be permissible to waste time by celebrating birthdays and becoming happy that a big slice of one's life is put behind. This world is a prison for the believer and a Jannat for the disbeliever. Allah has bought the life and wealth of the believers for Jannat. This life is a trust of Allah by us.

Prophet PBUH said, 'A person will not be able to move from his place, until he does not reply to five questions:

* How did you spend your life?
* How did you spend your youth?
* Where did you earn your wealth from?
* Where did you spend your wealth?
* How much did you act upon your knowledge?

A person who is concerned of replying to these questions, how can he show happiness upon the years of his life decreasing?
Besides all this, Islam does not permit waste. This is the reason that the poor of this Ummat will enter Jannat 500 years before the wealthy, because the wealthy will be delayed by giving an account of their wealth. By spending on birthday parties, there is no benefit to Islam nor to the poor. It is stated in a Hadith the worst Walima feast is the one in which the poor and destitute are left out and the wealthy are only invited.
Another object of the birthday parties is show. Islam encourages simplicity. By this attitude of show, the poor feel inferior and deprived and the rich have a superiority complex.
aAlso, in these gatherings, music, singing, video filmingnd the taking of photographs and other un-Islamic and forbidden acts take place. May Allah SWT guide us and protect us from all these evils.

Spared From Hellfire Insha Allah

Allaahumma 'innee 'asbahtu 'ush-hiduka wa 'ush-hidu hamalata 'arshika, wa malaa'ikataka wa jamee'a khalqika, 'annaka 'Antallaahu laa 'ilaaha 'illaa 'Anta wahdaka laa shareeka laka, wa 'anna Muhammadan 'abduka wa Rasooluka.

O Allah, I have entered a new morning[1] and call upon You and upon the bearers of Your Throne, upon Your angels and all creation to bear witness that surely You are Allah, there is none worthy of worship but You alone, You have no partners, and that Muhammad is Your slave and Your Messenger. (Recite four times in Arabic)

[1] When you say this in the evening you should say, Allaahumma 'innee 'amsaytu........ "O Allah, I have ended another day....."

Allah will spare whoever says this four times in the morning or evening from the fire of Hell
(Abu Dawud 4/317. It was also reported by Al-Bukhari in Al-'Adab Al-Mufrad)

When Muslims Steal

Some Muslims today often display an admirable zeal in applying some parts of Islam that may not even be obligatory while they take on a complacent, self-satisfied attitude with respect to the essentials of the Deen. In one particular area, this results in Muslims stealing. The Prophet PBUH said: "The worst thief among men is the one who steals from his prayer." When his companions asked, "O Messenger of Allah, how does he steal from his prayer?", he replied, "He does not complete its rukoo (bowing) and sujood (prostration)."

In a related report, the Prophet PBUH, observing a man not completing his rukoo properly, and pecking in his sujood, warned that if the man were to die in that state, he would die on a faith other than Islam. In any mosque, one can observe Muslims pecking, bobbing down and quickly back up in rukoo and sujood. Some of us move so impatiently through our prostrations that one is left wondering how it was humanly possible for an individual to have said "subhaana rabbiyal a'laa" the minimum three times. And even if this was accomplished, what was its significance? Can we really reflect on our relationship with the Creator if we move through our prayer so quickly? Have we understood and pondered about what was said during any part of our Salah?

Allah SWT says in the Qur'aan, "Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their prayers with humility and attentiveness (khushoo')." [23:1-2] If we rush through our rukoo and sujood but spend long hours in idle talk or even in meetings regarding some activity we usually have, what have we achieved?

The Prophet PBUH said "The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is defective, then the rest of his deeds will be defective." If our prayer is no more than a no-impact, mildly aerobic workout, is it any wonder that the rest of our deeds, individual and collective, are often ineffective? Rukoo and sujood are symptomatic of the problems we have with our salah as a whole. The important thing to keep in mind is that each and every one of us, scholar or student, experienced imam or newcomer to Islam, man or woman, can and should improve our prayer from the day we learn it to the day we die. So the next time we prepare to bow down, let's make sure we don't get caught stealing.

Spreading The Greetings Of Salaam (Peace)

The Prophet PBUH said: "You shall not enter Paradise Until you belive, and you have not believed until you love one another. Shall I tell you of sumthing you can do to make you love one another? Spread the greetings of Salam (peace) amongst yourselves (that is between each other)" Muslim 1/74 and others

The Prophet PBUH said: "There are three things which whoever gathers all of them together, then he has gathered Iman (faith): justice with oneself, greeting people with greetings of Salam (peace), and freeing oneself from stinginess." Al Bukhari

Abdulla Ibn Umar RA said: A man asked the Prophet PBUH, "What is the best act of Islam?" He said, "To feed others and to give greetings of Salam (peace) to those whom you know and to those to whom you do not know" Al Bukhari and Muslim 1/65

Photography

Tanking pictures or making tasweer of living, animate moving beings, humans, animals etc. in islam is forbidden (Haraam) on the authority of the following ahadheeth.

'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet PBUH said: "Those who will be most severely punished by Allaah on the Day of Resurrection will be the image-makers." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, see al-Fath, 10/382).

Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet PBUH said: "Allaah, may He be exalted, says: 'Who does more wrong than the one who tries to create something like My creation? Let him create a grain of wheat or a kernel of corn.'" (Reported by al-Bukhaari, see Fath al-Baari, 10/385).

'Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: "Shall I not send you on the same mission as the Messenger of Allaah PBUH sent me? Do not leave any built-up tomb without levelling it, and do not leave any picture in any house without erasing it." (Reported by Muslim and al-Nisaa'i; this is the version narrated by al-Nisaa'i).

Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet PBUH said: "Every image-maker will be in the Fire, and for every image that he made a soul will be created for him, which will be punished in the Fire." Ibn 'Abbaas said: "If you must do that, make pictures of trees and other inanimate objects." (Reported by Muslim, 3/1871)

After reading all these ahadeeth nowadays people say "But I am not worshipping them or prostrating to them!". Whether you are not worshipping them or prostrating them, think about the consequences these pictures make today. It creates temptation in the hearts of men and women.

Whether they are humans or other creatures, whether they are three-dimensional or two-dimensional, whether they are printed, drawn, etched, engraved, carved, cast in moulds, etc. are haraam in islam. These ahaadeeth include all of these types of pictures.

The Muslim should not keep any pictures of animate beings in his house, because they will prevent the angels from entering. The Prophet PBUH said: "The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or pictures." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, see al-Fath, 10/380)

Unfortunately, nowadays in muslims homes we see statues of gods worshipped by the kuffaar (such as Buddha etc.) claiming that those are memories and antiques. Pictures should not be kept for memory's sake, because true memories of a Muslim relative or friend reside in the heart, and we remember them by praying for mercy and forgiveness for them.

Taking pictures with a camera involves human actions such as focusing, pressing the shutter, developing, printing, and so on. Other than this the camera or machines used for image making is being produced by humans. Before cameras were invented people used draw by their hands and make images. But now all that is done by pressing a button. So it is just a matter of technology. We cannot call it anything other than "picture-making" or tasweer.

Those who say that photography is permitted have "frozen" the meaning of the word "tasweer," restriciting it only to the meaning known at the time of the Prophet PBUH and not adding the meaning of photography, which is "tasweer" or "picture-making" in every sense - linguistic, legal, and in its harmful effects, and as is clear from the definition mentioned above. Years ago, I said to one of them, By the same token, you could allow idols which have not been carved but have been made by pressing a button on some machine that turns out idols by the dozen. What do you say to that?"
(Aadaab al-Zafaaf by al-Albaani, p. 38)

Photographs which are essential are permitted - such as those required for identity documents, or for identifying or pursuing criminals [e.g. "wanted" posters and the like - translator's note], or for educational purposes which cannot be achieved otherwise. The principle in sharee'ah is that we should not exaggerate about what is necessary

And Allah knows best!

Paid In Full

A little boy came up to his mother in the kitchen one evening while she was fixing supper, and he handed her a piece of paper that he had been writing on. After his mom dried her hands on an apron, she read it, and this is what it said:

For cutting the grass: $5.00

For cleaning up my room this week: $1.00

For going to the store for you: $.50

Baby-sitting my kid brother while you went shopping: $.25

Taking out the garbage: $1.00

For getting a good report card: $5.00

For cleaning up and raking the yard: $2.00

Total owed: $14.75

Well, his mother looked at him standing there, and the boy could see the memories flashing

through her mind. She picked up the pen, turned over the paper he had written on, and this is what

she wrote:

For the nine months I carried you while you were growing

inside me: No Charge.

For all the nights that I’ve sat up with you, doctored and

prayed for you: No Charge.

For all the trying times, and all the tears that you’ve caused

through the years: No Charge.

For all the nights filled with dread, and for the worries I

knew were ahead: No Charge.

For the toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your nose:

No Charge.

When you add it up, the cost of my love is: No Charge.

When the boy finished reading what his mother had

written, there were big tears in his eyes, and he looked

straight up at his mother and said, “Mom, I sure do love you.”

And then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote:

“PAID IN FULL.”

How To Lower Our Gaze

"If I were not a Muslim, I would have contracted AIDS" proclaimed my friend. "The ayats in Sura Nur about lowering our gazes doesn't affect me anymore," expressed another youth, talking about the intense temptations felt by today's young. Difficulty in lowering the gaze by both the young and old is readily perceived on the street, weddings, parties and even in the mosques.

What has gone wrong? How can Muslims, called by Allah, our Creator the model community, the custodians of Truth and the upholders of morality behave this way? Why are we adopting the attitudes and routes of the kuffar? How can we rectify ourselves? What follows is a series of practical, though graphic advises which can work for us and set us free from Satan's stronghold, Insha`Allah.

Prophet PBUH, by way of warning and as a reminder said, "There is nothing left after I go more dangerous to men than the temptations of women." Being optimistic, a ray of hope was also wisely provided during the prophet's PBUH Last Sermon "If the Ummah holds on to the Qur`an and Sunnah, it will never go astray."

We should realize that the fact the great sahabas were human beings also. Biologically there were no different from us. They had desires and temptations but yet, they controlled themselves in the best of ways. We can do the same, Insha`Allah. To possess sensual passions is human, to control them is Muslim.

When confronted with an alluring situation like passing by a non-mahram on the street, office or school, Satan is constantly tempting us to glare at her/him with evil thoughts. Satan is probably excitingly saying, with a big smile, 'yes, yes, yes,' when we steer into the bait he is setting. During these situations, immediately and consciously realize that when we give a second or following glances, we are obeying Satan. "O you who believe, follow not the footsteps of the devil " (24:21). By immediately averting our gazes and disobeying Satan, we are giving him a one-two punch in the face and leaving him frustrated and accursed.

Satan rebelled and was expelled by Allah, so let's all rebel against Satan and expel him from our hearts. Satan intends to fight a war against Muslims, so let's gather our forces behind the Qur`an and the Sunnah and defeat him. Remember that even if no human eye is watching us, the Ever-Watchful Allah is constantly monitoring the innermost regions of our hearts. Our eyes, limbs, tongue and private parts will be witnesses on the Judgment Day and not an atom's worth of deed will remain unexamined.

Our minds are conditioned to associate thoughts of stealing clothes from a store to being in handcuffs and hauled into a police van. Likewise we should condition our minds to bring the verses of Surah Nur in front of our eyes during any tempting situations and imagine that Allah is speaking to us directly "Say to the believing, men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty .O you believers! Turn you all together towards Allah that you may attain success" (24:30-31) If the Qur`an contained only these two ayats, it would be enough to convince me that it is the book of Allah.

With practice, these associations and the remembrance of Allah during tempting situations will prevent us from getting stuck by devilish arrows. Successfully controlling our gazes also deadens our avoidance of sinful situations. An Islamic idiom says, "Anything that leads to haram is haram in itself." To do a pious deed is a reward; to avoid a sin is a reward too.

One of the biggest culprits in this class is movies. In the name of entertainment, to please our peers and children and an excuse to do something together as a family, we astonishingly allow un-Islamic pictures and dialogues in front of our eyes and ears. Can we ever imagine (aozubillah) any sahaba renting the latest hit from Blockbuster Videos, or listening to music with alluring lyrics at high volume?

Likewise we watch news on TV and stare at the anchor women, adorned in heavy make-up, scanty clothing and seductive smile. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), was once approached by a woman with a proposal for marriage. He took a single glance at her face and turned his face away. Jabir bin Abdullah reported: "I asked Allah's messenger about the sudden glance on the face of a non-mahram. He commanded me that I should turn away my eyes." (Muslim) Thus, we are not supposed to stare at faces of non-mahrams, be they are our fellow students, our elders, saleswomen or someone on TV.

Pious ladies of the prophet's household were ordered to observe purdah (separation) in front of a blind sahabah. Asking the curious questions as to why cover/separate when the blind sahabah could not see them, the prophet PBUH wisely answered, "But you could see him."

In our wedding ceremonies and parties and even in many Islamic fundraising dinners, there is heavy free-mixing between brothers and sisters. Often the chairs of males and females are arranged facing each other, knowing that about 90 percent of our sisters do no wear hijab. It is often noticeable to see males and females peeking glances at each other from the opposite ends of the hall. A big curtain is not my intention, but a big iman and befitting Islamic manners is.

"A woman who applies perfumes and goes to a gathering is like an adulteress" said the Prophet PBUH. Compare this with our sisters who clad themselves with expensive perfume, one kilogram of makeup, and then come to mixed gatherings. Will this not attract the attention of males? Let's be real. We have lowered our moral guards so low that a humble word of truth often seems so awfully strange.

Let us contemplate the above humble advices and constantly make the supplication, "O Allah help us control our sensual desires until we get married, and even after we marry, let our desires be only towards our spouses."

On The Tip Of A Muslim's Tongue

By way of greetings - Assalaamu Álaykum (Peace be upon you)

In reply to the greetings - Wa alaykumus salaam (peace be upon you) -

Before beginning to do something - Bismillah (in the name of Allah)

For expression of thanks – Jazakallah Khair (may Allah reward you good)

Responding to someone's thanks - BarakAllah feekum (May Allah bless you)

By way of saying good-bye - Fi Amanillah (may Allah protect you)

For praising something - Subhaanallah (glory be to Allah)

For expressing a desire to do something - Insha Allah (if Allah wishes)

Repenting for sins before Allah - Astaghfirullah (I beg Allah for forgiveness)

For expressing appreciation of something good - Maa shaa Allah (as Allah has willed)

For showing gratitude to Allah after success or even after completing anything - Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah)

When in pain or distress, calling upon Allah and none else - Yaa Allah (Oh Allah)

The end of a Dua or prayer - Aameen (may it be so)

This is uttered as an expression of sympathy of the news of some loss or some one's death - Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji'oon (to Allah we belong and to Him is our return)

Whenever say the name of Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him (S.A.W.) - Sal allahu aleihi wasallam (Peace and blessing be upon him)

During the time of troubles - La hawla wala quwata illah billah (There is no strength nor power except Allah)

To show your dislike - Na'uzhu-bi-Allah (when we seek refuge in Allah)

When you say something you are not sure of - Allah Aalam (Allah knows best)

When you hear a good news - Tabarak Allah (blessed be Allah)

When Having Love For Someone - Lihub-Bullah (I love you for the sake of Allah)

Suggestions For Husbands

1. Dress up for your wife, look clean and smell good. When was the last time us men went shopping for designer pajamas? Just like the husband wants his wife to look nice for him, she also wants her husband to dress up for her too. Remember that Prophet PBUH would always start with miswak when returning home and always loved the sweetest smells.

2. Use the cutest names for your wife. Prophet PBUH had nicknames for his wives, ones that they loved. Call your wife by the most beloved names to her, and avoid using names that hurt their feelings.

3. Don't treat her like a fly. We never think about a fly in our daily lives until it 'bugs' us. Similarly, a wife will do well all day - which brings no attention from the husband - until she does something to 'bug' him. Don't treat her like this; recognize all the good that she does and focus on that.

4. If you see wrong from your wife, try being silent and do not comment! This is one of the ways Prophet PBUH used when he would see something inappropriate from his wives- radi Allahu 'anhunn. It's a technique that few Muslim men have mastered.

5. Smile at your wife whenever you see her and embrace her often. Smiling is Sadaqah and your wife is not exempt from the Muslim Ummah. Imagine life with her constantly seeing you smiling. Remember also those Ahadith when Prophet PBUH would kiss his wife before leaving for Salah, even when he was fasting.

6. Thank her for all that she does for you. Then thank her again! Take for example a dinner at your house. She makes the food, cleans the home, and a dozen other tasks to prepare. And sometimes the only acknowledgement she receives is that there needed to be more salt in the soup. Don't let that be; thank her!

7. Ask her to write down the last ten things you did for her that made her happy. Then go and do them again. It may be hard to recognize what gives your wife pleasure. You don't have to play a guessing game, ask her and work on repeating those times in your life.

8. Don't belittle her desires. Comfort her. Sometimes men look down upon the requests of their wives. Prophet PBUH set the example for us in an incident when Safiyyah RA was crying because, as she said, he had put her on a
slow camel. He wiped her tears, comforted her, and brought her the camel.

9. Be humorous and play games with your wife. Look at how the Prophet PBUH would race his wife Aisha RA in the desert. When was the last time we did something like that?

10. Always remember the words of Allah's Messenger PBUH: "The best of you are those who treat their families the best. And I am the best amongst you to my family." Try to be the best!

In conclusion: Never forget to make Dua to Allah - azza wa jall - to make your marriage successful. And Allah ta'ala knows best!!

Music In Islam

Music in Islam and why those who deny it is haram are commiting an act of kufar. (The rule in islam "denying something in islam that is haram to being halal or something halal to being haram is kufar" it renders one a non beliver.) The qur'an and hadeeth, along with the statements of the companions and salaf confirm the prohibition of music.

“And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music singing) to mislead (men) from the path of Allah without knowledge, and takes it (the path of Allah or the verses of the Quran) by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliationg torment (in the Hell-fire)” (31:06)

‘Idle Talks’ has been interpreted to mean singing, listening and playing of musical intruments by various scholars and companions including Abdullah Ibn Masood and Abdullah Ibn Abbas. Abdulla Ibn Masood when questioned about the term ‘Idle Talks’ replied “I swear besides whom there is no other God, that it refers to singing (ghinaa)”.

Abdullah ibn Abbas is considered to be the most knowledgeable of the Companions in tafsir. He has been called 'tarjuman al-qur'an', the interpreter of the Qur'an.

Contrary to popular belief there are a number of Sahih (Authentic) Hadeeth which clearly point to the fact that music, instruments, singing to the accompaniment of instruments etc. are prohibited by the Shari'ah.

“From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks, and the use of musical instruments as lawful. And (from them), there will be some who will stay near the side of a mountain, and in the evening their shepherd will come to them with their sheep and ask them for something, but they will say to him: `return to us tomorrow’. Allah will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and He will transform the rest of them into monkeys and pigs; and they will remain so till the day of resurrection.” (Sahih Bukhari 7/5590) The words, 'will consider as lawful', shows that music is not permissible. Furthermore the prohibition of music is mentioned along with major sins like drinking and fornication.

“A people of my Ummah will drink wine, calling it by other than it's real name. Merriment will be made for them through the playing of musical instruments and the singing of female singers. Allah will cleave the Earth under them and turn others into Apes and Pigs” (Ibn Majah, Abu Dawood and Ibn Habban)

There are Hadeeths by Haakim Al Mustadrak, Musad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal and Majma uz Zawaaid that say “Two cursed sounds are that of the wind instrument and that of wailing upon the occurrence of adversity”

There are those who will argue that the Prophet (PBUH) liked the sound of the Duff (a small hand drum without steel jingles) The beating of the Duff at weddings was not for the purpose of music, it was to announce the wedding.
”That which distinguishes the allowed marriage from the forbidden is the sound of the duff” (An Nasee & Tirmidhi). Though the scholars argue that the use of the duff was even only allowed for women. The duff was used by Arabs without rhythm, melody or any trace of immorality.

The great four imams, Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Shafi, Imam Malik bin Anas and Imam Ahmed bin Hambal all declared the playing and listening of music is Haram. And the most remarkable thing is that all the sheikhs in Maldives agree that songs and music is HARAAM.

And Allah knows best.

Paradise

Whatever we do, we’ll pay the price

In the depths of hell or in paradise

For the believer ,this life is just like a cage

For the unbeliever, it’s the ultimate stage

Little does he know about the awaiting reward

Which is full of luxuries, where no-one gets bored

You’ll enter the gate of paradise, if it’s in your fate

Your deeds and actions will determine by which gate

No worldly things will you ever miss

On entering the gate, you’ll be surrounded by bliss

Four rivers will be granted by the Divine
containing water and milk, honey and wine

People will live in mansions built high

Where they’ll live forever, no-one will die

It’s bricks will be made of silver and gold

The climate will be perfect, not hot and not cold

A hundred years it will take to circle a tree

Surrounded by loved ones for all eternity

There will be no calls of nature, no-one will sleep

There will be no worries, no one will weep

When people sweat, it will smell of musk

Allah SWT will be praised from dawn till dusk

Everyone will be aged 30 or 33

And they’ll stay at that age for eternity

The inhabitants will be wearing a beautiful green gown

Sitting on thrones, wearing a crown

People will be happy, there’ll be no remorse

To visit others, they’ll have a flying horse

Men will have 2 houris as their wives

Who will remain with them for the rest of their lives

On Friday there will be a dinner for people of all races

And a bazaar where people can exchange their faces!

When walking along there’ll be many meetings

With prophets and angels, exchanging greetings

Such is the ecstasy that will then prevail

When Allah SWT removes His veil

There will be no kings, there will be no peasants

And everyone will see the Divine Allah’s presence

There are 100 levels to paradise and we should pray

That Al Firdaus, the highest will be where we stay

Allah SWT has showered us with His grace

And we have to be worthy to show our face

Whatever we do, we’ll pay the price

In the depths of hell or in paradise

What Is Hell?

1. Hell is so deep that if a stone were to be thrown into it, it would travel for 70 years to reaching at the bottom.

2. The breadth of each of the four walls around Hell is equivalent to a distance covered by a walking journey of 40 years.

3. Hell has 7 gates.

4. Hell had been lit for one thousand years until its flames became red. Again it was heated for another thousand years till its colour became white. Still again it was burnt for further thousand years and its white color flames turned pitch black.

5. Even the most fierce fire of this world is 70 fold cooler than the fire of Hell.

6. The lightest punishment in Hell would be the wearing of " Fiery shoes which would cause one's brain to boil.

7. Hell in infested with venomous snakes and scorpions of the size of donkeys and if they were to bite a person then he or she willsuffer pain for 40 years.


8. For food, the dweller of Hell would be given Zaqqum which is a prickly tree, so bitter, that even if a single molecule of it were to spill onto this earth it would make all the foodstuff of the world bitter and unpalatable.

9. For drinking, the denizen of Hell would be provided with hot, boiling pus mixed with blood, matter, urine and tears etc. of the dwellers of Hell. If a bucket of this foul liquid were to be splashed over this earth, the entire world would be upset and disrupted by its most foul stink.

10. Boiling water would be poured over Jahannami's head and this will cause their internal organs to melt and leak out through their feet.

11.The inmates of Hell would be lashed with heavy clubs of iron. If one such club was to be placed upon this earth, the combined strength of all the human beings, as well as all the Jinns, would fail to lift it; and if a mountain is struck with one of these clubs it would cause the whole mountain to disintegrate.

12. The dwellers of Hell would be burnt daily for 70 thousand times. Every time, after the skin and flesh is burnt, they would be restored to life so that they can continuously taste this punishment..

13. A drunkard will be given blood, pus, sweat, filth, etc. to drink in Hell.

14. All the haughty people will be gathered in the Hereafter and driven towards Hell but their bodies would be reduced to the size of ants and they will be given to consume the excretions of the dwellers of Hell.

15. Some sinners would be made to climb " SAUD " which is a mountain of fire in Hell, and then dropped from its peak and this process would continue forever and ever.

16. The dwellers of Hell would be pound in chains which would be greater in length than the distance between the sky and the earth.

17. The clothes of sinners in Hell would be highly inflammable.

18. Beside physical torture, the dwellers of Hell would also be subjected to mental harassment through the taunting by the guardian of Hell who will remind them of their misdeed on earth and remarks "Now taste the fire" etc.

19. The sinners and disbelievers would be humiliate to such an extent that besides their revolting ugliness and pitch black faces, their upper lips would be touching their foreheads and the lower lip dangling around the navel.

20. The dwellers of Hell would weep so much and shed so much of tears and blood that furrows would be formed on their cheeks.

21. The tongues of Hell-inmates would be so long and protruding from there mouths that others would trample and step on them.

22. Shayateen will also rebuke the denizens of Hell.

23. The dwellers of Hell would display their rage and fury on those who led them astray.

24. The inhabitants of Hell would appeal to the guardians of Jahannam to intercede on their behalf in the court of Allah but their pleas would reject. They would make direct supplication to Allah but their prayers would not be granted.

25. They will then abide forever in Hell, continuously lamenting and braying like asses (jungle animals).

Whatever You Desire

Hasbiyallaahu laa 'ilaaha 'illaa Huwa 'alayhi tawakkaltu wa Huwa Rabbul-'Arshil 'Aleem.

Allah is sufficient for me. There is non worthy of worship but Him. I have placed my trust in Him, He is Lord of the Majestic Throne. (Recite seven times in Arabic).

Allah will grant whoever recites this seven times in the morning or evening whatever he desires from this world or the next.
(Ibn As-Sunni no.71 and Abu Dawud 4/321. Both reports are attributed directly to the Prophet PBUH. The chain of transmisson is sound (sahih))

The Virtues Of Hijab

The Hijab is an act of Obedience

The hijaab is an act of obedience to Allah and to his Prophet PBUH, Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an:

'It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, has indeed strayed in a plain error'. (33:36)

Allah (SWT) also said: 'And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc) and not to show off their adornment except what must (ordinarily) appear thereof, that they should draw their veils over their Juyubihinna.' (24:31).

Juyubihinna: The respected scholars from As-Salaf As-Saleh (righteous predecessors) differed whether the veil cover of the body must include the hands and face or not. Today, respected scholars say that the hands and face must be covered. Other respected scholars say it is preferable for women to cover their whole bodies.

One view held by the scholars is that the Niqaab (covering the face) is wajib (compulsory) and other scholars hold the view it is Mustahab (recommended and the best thing to do but not compulsory). Niqaab (covering the face) is from the Quraan and Hadith and even if you hold the view of it not being wajib it is still THE BEST thing and recommended and anyone who wears it is to be respected. And if anyone discourages the wearing of Niqaab (covering the face) or denies it being in Islam or makes fun of someone who wears it they should fear ALLAH and take their shahadah over.

The Hijaab is IFFAH (Modesty)

Allah (SWT) made the adherence to the hijaab a manifestation for chastity and modesty. Allah says:

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allaah is Ever Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”
(33:59).

In the above Ayaah there is an evidence that the recognition of the apparent beauty of the woman is harmful to her. When the cause of attraction ends, the restriction is removed. This is illustrated in the case of elderly women who may have lost every aspect of attraction. Allah (SWT) made it permissible for them to lay aside their outer garments and expose their faces and hands reminding, however, that is still better for them to keap their modesty.

The Hijaab is Tahara (Purity)

Allah (SWT) had shown us the hikma (wisdom) behind the legislation of the hijaab:

'And when you ask them (the Prophet's wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and their hearts.' (33:53).

The hijaab makes for greater purity for the hearts of believing men and women because it screens against the desire of the heart. Without the hijaab, the heart may or may not desire. That is why the heart is more pure when the sight is blocked (by hijaab) and thus the prevention of fitna (evil actions is very much manifested. The hijaab cuts off the ill thoughts and the greed of the sick hearts:

'Be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy or evil desire for adultery, etc) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner.' (33:32)

The Hijaab is a Shield

The Prophet PBUH said: "Allah, Most High, is Heaven, is Ha'yeii (Bashful), Sit'teer (Shielder). He loves Haya' (Bashfulness) and Sitr (Shielding; Covering)." The Prophet PBUH also said: "Any woman who takes off her clothes in other than her husband's house (to show off for unlawful purposes), has broken Allah's shield upon her." The Hadeeth demonstrates that depending upon the kind of action committed there will be either reward (if good) or punishment (if bad).

The Hijaab is Taqwah (Righteousness)

Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an:

'O children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc) and as an adornment. But the raiment of righteousness, that is better.' (7:26).

The widespread forms of dresses in the world today are mostly for show off and hardly taken as a cover and shield of the woman's body. To the believing women, however the purpose is to safeguard their bodies and cover their private parts as a manifestation of the order of Allah. It is an act of Taqwah (righteousness).

The Hijaab is Eeman (Belief or Faith)

Allah (SWT) did not address His words about the hijaab except to the believing women, Al-Mo'minat. In many cases in the Qur'an Allah refers to the "the believing women". Aisha (RA), the wife of the Prophet PBUH, addressed some women from the tribe of Banu Tameem who came to visit her and had light clothes on them, they were improperly dressed: "If indeed you are believing women, then truly this is not the dress of the believing women, and if you are not believing women, then enjoy it."

The Hijaab is Haya' (Bashfulness)

There are two authentic Hadeeth which state: "Each religion has a morality and the morality of Islam is haya." AND "Bashfulness is from belief, and belief is in Al-Jannah (paradise)." The hijaab fits the natural bashfulness which is a part of the nature of women.

The Hijaab is Gheerah

The hijab fits the natural feeling of Gheerah, which is intrinsic in the straight man who does not like people to look at his wife or daughters. Gheerah is a driving emotion that drives the straight man to safeguard women who are related to him from strangers. The straight MUSLIM man has Gheerah for ALL MUSLIM women In response to lust and desire, men look (with desire) at other women while they do not mind that other men do the same to their wives or daughters. The mixing of sexes and absence of hijaab destroys the Gheera in men. Islam considers Gheerah an integral part of faith. The dignity of the wife or daughter or any other Muslim woman must be highly respected and defended.

And ALLAH (SWT) knows best.