Hijab: More than a headscarf

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Hijab: More than a headscarf

The hijab is the distinguished mark of a Muslim woman. Wearing the hijab is an act of faith; it is an act of worship, as Allah has commanded women to cover their bodies and hair, and to not reveal their beauty to strange men (men whom they can marry).

Contrary to widespread practices today, it is more than simply wearing a headscarf or putting an abaya on. There is more to the hijab than that. In recent years, we see women cloaked in an abaya, but they still lack the requirements of what the hijab should entail.

Many of us women, sometimes unintentionally, make hijab mistakes that could be avoided. Today’s article is a quick hijab recap, to make sure that we reconnect to our Islamic teachings and to make sure that our hijab is fulfilling its purpose and that we are gaining the highest rewards from Allah.

Makeup: Women put makeup on to amplify their beauty. Wearing makeup at home or in social gatherings in the presence of women or male relatives whom she cannot marry is not forbidden in Islam. However, wearing makeup when going out in public defies the purpose of the hijab, which is to not put our beauty on display. We should re-think our habits; I have seen young women in the mall with the full works: thick eyeliner, fake eyelashes, eye shadow, and glistening red lipstick while wearing the hijab!

Tight clothing: Whether it is clothes or the abaya, it should not be tight, in that it clings to the body and defines the body’s shape. Women should dress in loosely fitting clothing that cover her full body, revealing only the face and hands. And even when covered, the clothing should not be tight around a woman’s natural curves; breasts, waist, hips, legs.

Tight pants and a short shirt: The trend to wear skin-tight jeans or leggings with a top that barely covers the waist and stomach is in contradiction with the proper hijab. The ideal hijab is an abaya or jelbab (long coat-like dress). Second best is probably a long skirt with a blouse. If it is more convenient to wear pants because of your work or lifestyle, then choose, wide baggy pants, and wear a shirt that reaches down to your knees. That guarantees that you are not flaunting your body. It also guarantees your rewards from Allah, which is why we are wearing the hijab in the first place- for Allah to be pleased with us. We believe that following Allah’s commands and enduring some restrictions in this life is worth it because we are aiming towards a higher goal: Paradise which is as broad and spacious as the skies and land.

Leaving the neck exposed: There is a new fashion that seems to be in style these days, women wearing a wrap around their hair but leaving their neck and ears uncovered. This is incorrect because it breaks one of the conditions of the hijab, to cover all the body except for the face and hands.

Flashy colors: The hijab or the abaya does not necessarily have to be solid black. Although there is no color that is strictly speaking forbidden in Islam, the hijab should not be in striking colors that draw attention to the woman like iron to a magnet. For example, fiery red or dazzling golden or very bold and attractive patterns should not be worn as part of the hijab. Apart from these restrictions, when worn with modesty, there are several options that make good colors for hijab, such as blue, grey, beige, brown, plum, or cream color.

Thin, transparent material: The clothes and headscarf should not be transparent that it reveals the color of a woman’s skin or exposes her hair or body in any way.

Bare arms: The abaya fashion industry is producing abayas that are good at covering the body, but many of them have an overlooked flaw: the sleeves are flowing and they are not fastened at the wrists. When a woman lifts her arm at the supermarket to reach for an item on a high shelf, her entire arm is revealed. I learned a nice trick that helps; I ask a tailor to attach small snaps to the bottom of the sleeves of my abayas.

Jewel studded sandals, pedicured and painted toenails: The feet are part of the body which should also be covered, that includes the ankles, tops of feet, and toes. When selecting shoes to walk around in the mall, grocery store, park, or seaside, the shoes be the closed type, and worn with socks. There are plenty of stylish shoes to choose from that would look nice with the hijab attire. Sandals, slippers, and flip-flops are not the suitable footwear for hijab.

Perfume: When a woman wearing strong perfume walks in a store and her beautiful fragrance drifts around her, she is definitely turning heads and attracting people. Again, this goes against the purpose of hijab. The sense of smell is actually the most sensitive of all the senses. Using perfume and scented oils is encouraged to please your husband, but is prohibited to be worn where there will be strange (non-mahram) men.

Too ostentatious or too shabby: Some abayas have sparkling beads and sequences that look too extravagant. The ruling for both men and women on their dress is that it should not be showy because this could lead to arrogance. At the same time, a woman’s abaya should not look ugly, ragged, old, and frayed. The hijab dress should be modest, but at the same time it should be decent, presentable, tidy, and nice. The idea is that you wear your hijab with modesty, but you also should feel confident and good about yourself.

Article by: saudigazette.com.sa

Why ours is a different religion

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Why ours is a different religion

Islam is a religion without any mythology. Its teachings are simple and intelligible. It is free from superstitions and irrational beliefs. The oneness of God, the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the concept of life after death are the basic articles of its faith. They are based on reason and sound logic. All of the teachings of Islam flow from those basic beliefs and are simple and straightforward. There is no hierarchy of priests, no farfetched abstractions, no complicated rites or rituals.

Everybody may approach the Qur’an directly and translate its dictates into practice. Islam awakens in man the faculty of reason and exhorts him to use his intellect. It enjoins him to see things in the light of reality. The Qur’an advises him to seek knowledge and invoke God to expand his awareness: “Say ‘O, my Lord! Advance me in knowledge’.” (Qur’an, 20: 114)

God also says: “Are those who know equal with those who know not? But only men of understanding will pay heed.” (Qur’an, 39: 9)

It is reported that the Prophet (may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him) said that: “He who leaves his home in search of knowledge (walks) in the path of God.” (At-Tirmidhi) and that, “Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim.” (Ibn Majah and Al-Baihaqi)

This is how Islam brings man out of the world of superstition and darkness and initiates him into the world of knowledge and light.

Again, Islam is a practical religion and does not allow indulgence in empty and futile theorizing. It says faith is not a mere profession of beliefs, but rather that it is the very mainspring of life. Righteous conduct must follow belief in God. Religion is something to be practiced and not an object of mere lip service. The Qur’an says: “Those who believe and act righteously, joy is for them, and a blissful home to return to.” (Qur’an, 13: 29)

The Prophet is also reported to have said: “God does not accept belief if it is not expressed in deeds, and does not accept deeds if they do not conform to belief.” (At-Tabarani)

Unity of matter and spirit

A unique feature of Islam is that it does not divide life into watertight compartments of matter and spirit. It stands not for denial of life but for the fulfillment of life. Islam does not believe in asceticism. It does not ask man to avoid material things. It holds that spiritual elevation is to be achieved by living piously in the rough and tumble of life, not by renouncing the world. The Qur’an advises us to pray as follows:

“Our Lord! Give us something fine in this world as well as something fine in the Hereafter.” (Qur’an, 2:201)

But in making use of life luxuries, Islam advises man to be moderate and keep away from extravagance, God says: “…and eat and drink and be not extravagant; surely He does not love the extravagant.” (Qur’an 7:31)

On this aspect of moderation, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Observe fasting and break it (at the proper time) and stand in prayer and devotion (in the night) and have sleep, for your body has its right over you, and your eyes have rights over you, and your wife has a claim upon you and the person who pays a visit to you has a claim upon you.”

Thus, Islam does not admit any separation between “material” and “moral,” “mundane” and “spiritual” life, and enjoins man to devote all of his energies to the reconstruction of life on healthy moral foundations. It teaches him that moral and material powers must be welded together and that spiritual salvation can be achieved by using material resources for the good of man in the service of just ends and not by living a life of asceticism or by running away from the challenges of life.

The world has suffered at the hands of the one-sidedness of many other religions and ideologies. Some have laid emphasis on the spiritual side of life but have ignored its material and mundane aspects. They have looked upon the world as an illusion, a deception, and a trap. On the other hand, materialistic ideologies have totally ignored the spiritual and moral side of life and have dismissed it as fictitious and imaginary. Both of these attitudes have resulted in disaster, for they have robbed mankind of peace, contentment, and tranquility.

Even today, the imbalance is manifest in one or the other direction. The French scientist, Dr. De Brogbi rightly says: “The danger inherent in too intense a material civilization is to that civilization itself; it is the disequilibria which would result if a parallel development of the spiritual life were to fail to provide the needed balance.”

Christianity erred on one extreme, whereas modern western civilization, in both of its variants of secular capitalistic democracy and Marxist socialism has erred on the other. According to Lord Snell: “We have built a nobly-proportioned outer structure, but we have neglected the essential requirement of an inner order; we have carefully designed, decorated and made clean the outside of the cup; but the inside was full of extortion and excess; we used our increased knowledge and power to administer to the comforts of the body, but we left the spirit impoverished.”

Islam seeks to establish equilibrium between these two aspects of life — the material and the spiritual. It says that everything in the world is for man, but man was created to serve a higher purpose: the establishment of a moral and just order that will fulfill the will of God. Its teachings cater for the spiritual as well as the temporal needs of man. Islam enjoins man to purify his soul and to reform his daily life – both individual and collective — and to establish the supremacy of right over might and of virtue over vice. Thus Islam stands for the middle path and the goal of producing a moral man in the service of a just society.

Islam, a complete way of life

Islam is not a religion in the common and distorted sense, for it does not confine its scope to one’s private life. It is a complete way of life and is present in every field of human existence. Islam provides guidance for all aspects of life – individual and social, material and moral, economic and political, legal and cultural, and national and international. The Qur’an enjoins man to embrace Islam without any reservation and to follow God’s guidance in all areas of life.

In fact, it was an unfortunate day when the scope of religion was confined to the private life of man and its social and cultural role was reduced to naught, as has happened in this century. No other factor, perhaps, has been more important in causing the decline of religion in the modern age than its retreat into the realm of private life. In the words of a modern philosopher: “Religion asks us to separate things of God from those of Caesar. Such a judicial separation between the two means the degrading of both the secular and the sacred ... That religion is worth little if the conscience of its followers is not disturbed when war clouds are hanging over us all and industrial conflicts are threatening social peace. Religion has weakened man’s social conscience and moral sensitivity by separating the things of God from those of Caesar.”

Islam totally denounces this concept of religion and clearly states that its objectives are the purification of the soul and the reform and reconstruction of society. As we read in the Qur’an: “We verily sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance, that mankind may observe right measure; and He revealed iron, wherein is mighty power and (many) uses for mankind, and that God may know him who helpeth Him and His messengers, though unseen. Lo! God is Strong, Almighty.” (Qur’an, 57: 25)

God also says: “The decision rests with God only, Who hath commanded you that ye worship none save Him. This is the right religion, but most men know not.” (Qur’an, 12: 40)

Thus even a cursory study of the teachings of Islam shows that it is an all-embracing way of life and does not leave out any field of human existence to become a playground for the forces of evil.

Article by: islamreligion.com

Haramain train test run in Jeddah mid-year

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 Haramain train test run in Jeddah mid-year

 JEDDAH — The Haramain High Speed Train, which is currently undergoing test runs between Madinah and Rabigh, will begin its trial run from the main station in Jeddah mid-year, according to informed sources.

The sources said work in the second stage of the project, which is being implemented by 12 Spanish companies, is going on smoothly and has been 90 percent completed.

They said the companies are currently installing electricity posts, extending underground cables, making train cushions and laying down rails on the suspended bridges which are 24 meters high and have combined lengths of 2,500 meters.

There are two bridges connecting the train’s station at King Abdulaziz International Airport with the railway track coming from Madinah and going to Al-Sulaimania station in Jeddah.

On its way from Jeddah to Makkah, the train will pass through a bridge which is 1,500 meters long and 15 meters high.

A new bridge, which is 70 meters wide, is currently being built. It will be the widest train bridge in the world.

The 447-meter track passes through a number of cities and towns. The train runs between Makkah and Madinah, passing through Jeddah and Rabigh crossing wide suburban areas and farms.

With the end of the first phase of the project, 429 km of rails have been built and handed over to the contractor who began the second stage extending from Madinah to the crossing on the Expressway leading to the Haj terminal in Jeddah.

The train is expected to be fully operational in 2017. When it enters service, the number of buses transporting pilgrims will be remarkably reduced. They will only be used to take pilgrims from railway stations in Makkah and Madinah to their accommodation.

The High Speed Train will be linked to the Makkah metro to provide pilgrims with easy and fast transportation to the Holy Sites.

As many as 12 carriages are being used now in the ongoing test runs between Madinah and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh.

A number of young Saudi men who were trained in Spain will be operating the train.

Article by: saudigazette.com.sa

10 Reasons Why Islam is the Religion of Truth

10 Reasons Why Islam is the Religion of Truth

1)  In 23 Years, Muslims Went from Being Powerless to Control the World.
When Islam started in Mecca, it was the prophet Mohammed by himself. A one man religion. He was exposed to punishments and oppression. The people who first entered Islam were weak and also were oppressed and tortured by the pagans of Mecca (their relatives). Forward 23 years later to see the transformation of these uneducated powerless individuals to the most powerful ones and to control the world.
The Arabs at the time of the prophet peace be upon him (6th century) were tribes and clans fighting each other. The Romans and the Persians were vast powerful empires. Forward 23 years later to see how some powerless individuals were able climb the mountain of world power to take over the Persian empire and the Roman empire and introduce new world order.
Not only did this transformation achieve miraculousness in its happenings but it’s also marvelous in its timing and its duration.
Had it not been to Islam, the world would be different (much worse). The heroes of Islam would not have been heroes but would have been forgotten.


2)  The Quran and its Eloquence as a Linguistic Miracle.
As the Arabs of that time were so linguistically gifted, a linguistic miracle was fit for the situation. Quran was sent to people who were so eloquent in the Arabic language. If the Quran was not a linguistic miracle, then any of the Arabs and Arab poets in Mekkah (where the prophet peace be upon him stayed for 13 years calling people to worship Allah alone) would come up and say some poetry to challenge the Quran (since the challenge to them was clear) but none was able to challenge the eloquence of the Quran.
The miraculousness of the Quran is an axiom to whomever studies Arabic academically.


3)  Inheritance and Economic System in Islam
Not only that, but the Islamic heritage system was revealed in only 2 verses. The Islamic heritage system is one that is comprehensive and astonishing in its detail. It has covered all cases and all situations in the most fair way. Such system was not known at all at the time of the prophet peace be upon him. No other religion has such system. How can an illiterate man come up with such system? A system that had no equal at that time.
The Islamic economic system is also a system of wonders. It has the compatibility to encompass all types of old and new business maneuvers. It also has the ability to provide welfare for all people. It’s not a theory but a system which is implemented throughout the world and has been applied through history with ultimate success.
How can an illiterate man from the 6th century come up with such system? How can a Sheppard in the desert in the Arabic peninsula design such a system? A system that had no equal at its time. A system which competes with the most recent business and economics sciences and is proven to have more success.
The answer is: he couldn’t. It was revealed to him.
http://quranicteachi....uk/economy.htm
http://en.wikipedia....Islamic_Banking


4)  Islam is the Only Religion that Makes Sense in Terms of Spirituality and Materialism
In our world, religion becomes more of a shopping center where almost every person could come up with a religion or a version of a religion. It makes it hard to distinguish the true religion from the fake ones. Some have went all spiritual on the scale of spirituality. Others have gone all the way to materialism. Only Islam can gather both ends in a harmonic mixture. In Islam, Muslims are to build this earth and make it prosper be it in agriculture, industry, sciences, etc. We are ordered to protect life and property of all people who do not transgress and oppress us. We are ordered that if the day of Judgement comes and one has a plant in his hand to plant it. We are allowed to marry, have children and enjoy life.
On the other hand, we are also responsible for our actions and we will be accounted for them. We should always work for the hereafter and wish to please God our creator.
Islam is also a whole way of life. It deals with economics. It sets rules for dealings between humans and animals to dealings between humans and humans to rights of neighbors and parents to the relationship between human beings and the creator.

5)  Scientific Proof in the Quran and the Sunnah
Just to make it clear, the Quran is not a science book but it does not contradict with science.

6)  Quran is the Only Book which Has Been Protected from Altercations
Whether you are a Muslim or not, one thing all scholars have agreed upon: The Quran has been preserved as it was revealed to the prophet in the 6th century. Copies of the Quran are still available in Tashqand and Cairo. One of the properties of the Muslim Nation is “ISNAD”. Isnad means having narration chains where each person in the narration chain is well known and has his life recorded and studies.
The holy Quran has been narrated through narration chains where a large group of narrators who are of very strong memory and minds have narrated the same text from one generation to the next (with the condition of actually meeting each other and listening to each other with no time gaps). This large group of narrators cannot all agree on a lie. The names and the life stories of EACH person is recorded and studied. Each narrator has his whole family recorded.
These narrations have agreed with the copies from the Quran.
Compare that with the current bible for example where there is no recorded narration chains (without putting the condition of having no time gaps or even having names for those narrators). Compare the Quran with current bible where you have thousands of manuscripts; no two are the same. Compare that with the writers of the bible where you only have one name: John who? Luke who? What is their last name?
The Quran has been revealed in Arabic and it’s read in Arabic. For the first time, the people speak the language of the prophet not the other way around. There are translations of the Quran in different languages but the Quran is in Arabic and should be read in Arabic noting that ‘translations of meaning’ is different than a version.
The Sunnah or the traditions of the prophet are protected through the same narration chains.
That being said; the Quran and the Sunnah have two distinct styles which have never contradicted.


7)  God in Islam is the Creator
Most people who do not believe in God have an altered image of God. I do not believe in God who has human qualities. I do not believe in God who is born and can die. I do not believe in God who has human weaknesses. I do not believe in God who hisses and can manifest himself in his creations such as a cow. Hence, many Christians and other religious followers have doubts in their Gods and then some of them throw these doubts behind their backs and say we have faith while others just throw these doubts and refuse the idea of God.

I do believe in God who is the creator of the heavens and the earth. I believe in God who has created everything that lives. So who is God in Islam?
God describes himself in the Quran as: Allâh! Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), Al-Hayyul-Qayyum (the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists). Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursî [1] extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. [This Verse 2:255 is called Ayat-ul-Kursî ]

8)  Islam is the Largest Spreading Religion in this World
Islam is the largest spreading religion in the western world and not because Muslims have more children than others. More than 20000 Americans convert to Islam each year. 4000 have converted to Islam in Germany this year alone. Thousands are converting to Islam in Latin America. WHY? Where is my proof? hereis my proof and hereand hereand here.

9)  Have You Been to a Masjid?
If you have been to a Masjid, you would know what the word equality means. You would see Americans with Asians with Arabs with Hispanic all in one place; all are brothers who will protect each other and truly love each other. You would see all nations and colors in one place bowing down for the creator. Hundreds of years and millions of dollars would never gather these people together and make them brothers but Islam did. Don’t believe me; visit any Masjid near you and there is probably one near you.

10)  Consistency of Islam in Changing Times
Whether you are a Muslim or a person who attacks Islam such as Daniel Pipes, you would agree that Islam has been constant in these changing times. Nothing else has been constant. Muslims still think the old way; the way of the prophets and the way which God has revealed his book.

Article by: http://en.islamway.net

Rulings of Fidyah (Expiation)

Rulings of Fidyah (Expiation)

It is out of the mercy of Allaah The Almighty bestowed upon this Ummah (nation) that He removed from its people the chains and yokes that were upon the previous nations before them: He lightened for them the burdens that were heavy on the others and made easy for them the matter of worship. He The Exalted, The Almighty Says (what means):

    {And Allaah wants to lighten for you [your difficulties]; and mankind was created weak.} [Quran 4:28]
    {He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty.} [Quran 22:78]

For this reason, He The Almighty prescribed for the Muslims matters therewith to make up for the deficiency in their worship and expiate for the forbidden matters they commit during worship. From this perspective, Fidyah in Hajj has been made permissible under the Sharee‘ah.

Ransom is due on the one who is in the state of Ihraam (ritual consecration) if he does one of the following things:
1-       To commit one of the actions forbidden during Ihraam.
2-       To leave one of the obligatory acts of Hajj or ‘Umrah (lesser pilgrimage).
3-       To perform Hajj At-Tamattu‘ or Al-Qiraan; and in both these cases, the slaughtered sacrificial animal is offered by way of gratitude and not of amendment.
4-       To miss Hajj or be prevented from performing it.

As for the expiation that is due because of committing a forbidden action, then this differs according to the magnitude of the forbidden act that is committed. These forbidden matters may be divided into four divisions with respect to the expiation:

1-       That for which there is no ransom, which is conducting or being party to a wedding contract. If the pilgrim (during his Hajj) contracts for marriage or a wedding contract is made on his behalf, then the contract is invalid according to the opinion of the majority of scholars, and whoever contracts the marriage has sinned by his act, but no expiation is due on him.

2-       That for which the expiation is intensified, which is to have sexual intercourse while in the state of Ihraam. If one has sexual intercourse with his wife before the first termination of Ihraam in Hajj, then he has sinned and his Hajj becomes invalid, and so does her Hajj if she accords with him. It is incumbent upon them to nevertheless continue with the rites of their Hajj and complete the remaining acts which are due upon them and compensate for their Hajj the next year. Moreover, an expiation is due upon each of them, that is, to slaughter a camel and distribute its flesh among the poor of the Sacred Sanctuary (Makkah). Intercourse is the only forbidden thing which invalidates Hajj, but if it occurs after the first termination of Ihraam, then the Hajj is not invalid and it is due upon whoever has done so to slaughter a sheep and distribute its flesh in the Sacred Sanctuary.

3-       That for which the expiation is the equivalent or what is equal to it, which is to kill game. Whoever kills an edible hunted animal during the state of Ihraam, one of the following three is due upon him:

First: the equivalent, which is that the pilgrim should slaughter animals including camels, cows or sheep, equivalent to the game that he has killed. For an ostrich, for example, is a slaughter of a camel; for an onager is a cow, for a deer is a sheep, and so on. Such ‘equivalent’ animals should be slaughtered and its flesh be distributed among the poor of the Sacred Sanctuary.

Second: feeding, which is to evaluate the equivalent of the game’s value and buy with its price foodstuff to be distributed to the poor and needy, at a rate of half a Saa‘ (double handful) each.

Third: fasting, which is to estimate the number of the needy to be fed according to the second case, and then that number of days. The evidence for that is taken from the following statement of Allaah The Almighty (what means): {O you who have believed, do not kill game while you are in the state of Ihraam. And whoever of you kills it intentionally - the penalty is an equivalent from sacrificial animals to what he killed, as judged by two just men among you as an offering [to Allaah] delivered to the Ka‘bah, or an expiation: the feeding of needy people or the equivalent of that in fasting, that he may taste the consequence of his deed. Allaah has pardoned what is past; but whoever returns [to violation], then Allaah will take retribution from him. And Allaah is Exalted in Might and Owner of Retribution.} [Quran 5:95]
4- That for which the expiation for that of an ailment. This includes shaving the head, cutting the nails, a man covering his head with what would stick to it, or wearing form-fitting sewn clothes, applying perfume, and a woman wearing a Niqaab and gloves.

If one in the state of Ihraam commits one of those forbidden things, he is given the freedom to choose to slaughter a sheep and distribute its flesh among the poor of the Sacred Sanctuary, or feed six needy persons at a rate of half a Saa‘ each, or fast for three days. This is called the expiation of ailment and is mentioned in the statement of Allaah The Almighty (what means): {And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice.} [Quran 2:196]

It is noteworthy that if one in the state of Ihraam repeats the same forbidden thing several times before expiation, like cutting his nails more than once, for example, then only one ransom is due. However, if he commits different forbidden things, like cutting his hair and covering his head, for instance, then, an expiation for each is due. That does not include the penalty for killing game, according to which expiation for each hunted animal is due, even if they are of the same kind.

These are the rulings of expiation that ensue from committing one of the forbidden matters during the state of Ihraam. As for the ransom for leaving a duty, like the failure to assume Ihraam from the Meeqaat (designated points of assuming Ihraam), or the failure to combine both (some of the) night and day in the standing at ‘Arafah, or the failure to spend the night in Muzdalifah and Mina, or the failure to perform the Farewell Tawaaf, to the end of this series of the duties of Hajj, then the slaughtering of a sheep is due. If he cannot find it, then to observe fasting is something debatable as some scholars are of the opinion that he should observe ten days of fasting analogous to the case of not offering the slaughtered animal of Tamattu‘, while others do not make fast binding on such a person at all.

However, it is necessary to note that if a pilgrim has left one of the obligatory duties of Hajj, then an expiation is due on him regardless of whether he left it intentionally or forgetfully or ignorantly, for he has left a rite, unlike committing one of the things forbidden during the state of Ihraam which were previously mentioned, ignorantly, forgetfully or forcibly, in which case nothing is due on him according to the preponderant opinion, in view of the statement of the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ): “[The sin committed by] mistake, forgetfulness, or under compulsion is removed from my Ummah.” [Ibn Maajah and others]

If a pilgrim is performing Hajj At-Tamattu‘ or Al-Qiraan, and is not living within the area of Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, then it is due upon him to slaughter an animal, the least of which should be a sheep or one-seventh of a camel or one-seventh of a cow. That slaughtered animal is offered by way of gratitude. If he cannot find or afford it, then he should fast for three days during Hajj and seven days when he returns home, due to the statement of Allaah The Almighty (what means): {Whoever performs ‘Umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home]. These are ten complete [days]. This is for those whose family is not in the area of al-Masjid al-Haraam.} [Quran 2:196]

Expiation is also due on he who has missed Hajj after assuming Ihraam with the intention to perform it, or who was prevented from performing it by any of the impediments that detained him from reaching the Sacred Sanctuary. This matter has details which we have clarified in the rulings of missing or being prevented (from Hajj); and Allaah knows best.

Article by: www.islamweb.net

I embraced Islam by reading Qur’an

 I embraced Islam by reading Qur’an

Al-Haj Ibrahim Khalil Ahmad, formerly Ibrahim Khalil Philobus, was an Egyptian Coptic priest who studied theology and obtained a high degree from Princeton University. He studied Islam to find gaps to attack it; instead he embraced Islam with his children, one of whom is now a brilliant professor in Sorbonne University, Paris. He speaks about himself in this concluding narrative:

I TOOK my final decision. In the morning I spoke with my wife from whom I have three sons and one daughter. But no sooner than she felt that I was inclined to embrace Islam than she cried and asked for help from the head of the mission. His name was Monsieur Shavits from Switzerland.

He was a very cunning man. When he asked me about my true attitude, I told him frankly what I really wanted and then he said: Regard yourself out of job until we discover what has befallen you. Then I said: This is my resignation from my job. He tried to convince me to postpone it, but I insisted. So he made a rumor among the people that I became mad. Thus I suffered a very severe test and oppression until I left Aswan for good and returned to Cairo.

In Cairo, I was introduced to a respectable professor who helped me overcome my severe trial, and this he did without knowing anything about my story. He treated me as a Muslim, for I introduced myself to him as such although until then I did not embrace Islam officially. That was Dr. Muhammad Abdul Moneim Al-Jamal, the then undersecretary of treasury. He was highly interested in Islamic studies and wanted to make a translation of the Holy Qur’an to be published in America. He asked me to help him because I was fluent in English since I had got my M.A. from an American University. He also knew that I was preparing a comparative study of the Qur’an, the Torah and the Bible. We cooperated in this comparative study and in the translation of the Qur’an.

When Dr. Jamal knew that I had resigned from my job in Aswan and that I was then unemployed, he helped me with a job in Standard Stationery Company in Cairo. So I was well established after a short while. I did not tell my wife about my intention to embrace Islam, thus she thought that I had forgotten the whole affair, and that it was nothing but a transitory crisis that no more existed. But I knew quite well that my official conversion to Islam needs long complicated measures, and it was in fact a battle, which I preferred to postpone for some time until I became well off and after I completed my comparative study.

In 1955 I did complete my study and my material and living affairs became well established. I resigned from the company and set up a training office for importing stationery and school articles. It was a successful business from which I gained much more money than I needed. Thus I decided to declare my official conversion to Islam. On Dec. 25, 1959, I sent a telegram to Dr. Thompson, head of the American Mission in Egypt informing him that I had embraced Islam. When I told my true story to Dr. Jamal he was completely astonished. When I declared my conversion to Islam, new troubles began. Seven of my former colleagues in the mission had tried their best to persuade me to cancel my declaration, but I refused. They threatened to separate me from my wife and I said: “She is free to do as she wishes.” They threatened to kill me. But when they found me to be stubborn they left me alone and sent to me an old friend of mine who was also a colleague of mine in the mission. He wept very much in front of me. So I recited before him the following verses from the Qur’an: “And when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth: They pray: ‘Our Lord! We believe, write us down among the witnesses. What cause can we have not to believe in God and the truth which has come to us, seeing that we long for our Lord to admit us to the company of the righteous?’” (Qur’an, 5:83-84)

I said to him: “You should have wept in humiliation to God on hearing the Qur’an; and believe in the truth which you know but you refuse. He stood up and left me as he saw no use. My official conversion to Islam was in January 1960.

My wife left me at that time and took with her all the furniture of our house. But all my children joined me and embraced Islam. The most enthusiastic among them was my eldest son Isaac who changed his name to Osman, then my second son Joseph and my son Samuel, whose name is Jamal, and daughter Majida who is now called Najwa. Osman is now a doctor of philosophy working as a professor in Sorbonne University in Paris teaching oriental studies and psychology. He also writes in ‘Le Monde’ magazine. As regards to my wife, she left the house for six years and agreed to come back in 1966, provided that she keeps her religion. I accepted this, because in Islam there is no compulsion in religion. I said to her: I do not want you to become a Muslim for my sake but only after you are convinced. She feels now that she believes in Islam but she cannot declare this for fear of her family, but we treat her as a Muslim woman, and she fasts in Ramadan because all my children pray and fast. My daughter Najwa is a student in the Faculty of Commerce, Joseph is a doctor pharmacologist and Jamal is an engineer.

Since 1961, I have been able to publish a number of books on Islam. In 1973, I performed Haj and I am doing activities preaching Islam. I hold seminars in the universities and charitable societies.

My faith in Islam has been brought about through reading the Holy Qur’an and the biography of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him. I no longer believed in the misconceptions against Islam, and I am especially attracted by the concept of unity of God, which is the most important feature of Islam. God is only One. Nothing is like Him. This belief makes me the servant of God only and of no one else. Oneness of God liberates man from servitude to any human being and that is true freedom.

Article by: www.arabnews.com

Inauthentic Hadeeths related to Hajj

Inauthentic Hadeeths related to Hajj

Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam and one of its great foundations. There are many authentic Hadeeths (narrations) indicating the virtue as well as the relevant rulings of Hajj. Some of these Hadeeths are mentioned in our article titled "The Virtues of Hajj and ‘Umrah". In this article, we try to collect the Hajj-related Hadeeths that are ranked as inauthentic by the scholars in order not to be falsely attributed to the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ).

     "Indeed, Allaah The Almighty admits into Paradise three persons for a single Hajj: the deceased, the one who performs Hajj on his behalf and the executor of that." [Al-Bayhaqi]

This Hadeeth's Isnaad (chain of narrators) is ranked as Dha‘eef (weak) by Al-Bayhaqi may Allaah have mercy upon him. The Hadeeth is also judged as Dha‘eef by Al-Haafith Al-‘Iraaqi may Allaah have mercy upon him.

    "The Angels shake hands with pilgrims who are riding and embrace those who are walking." [Al-Bayhaqi]

This Hadeeth's Isnaad is ranked as Dha‘eef by Al-Bayhaqi may Allaah have mercy upon him. It is also ranked as Dha‘eef by Al-Munaawi may Allaah have mercy upon him in Faydh Al-Qadeer. Al-Albaani may Allaah have mercy upon him ranked it as Mawdhoo‘ (fabricated).

     "A Ghazwah (battle) for one who has performed Hajj is better than forty Hajjs." [Sa‘eed ibn Mansoor]

In Dha‘eef At-Targheeb wat- Tarheeb, Al-Albaani may Allaah have mercy upon him ranked it as Dha‘eef.

    "Iblees (Satan) has rebellious devils to whom he says, 'Your task is to mislead those who perform Hajj and Jihaad.'" [At-Tabaraani]

This Hadeeth is ranked as Dha‘eef by Al-Haythami may Allaah have mercy upon him in Majma‘ Az-Zawaa’id.

    "For Hajj to be perfect, one should assume Ihraam from the place (country) where his family lives." [Al-Bayhaqi]

In At-Talkhees, Al-Haafith may Allaah have mercy upon him ranked one of its narrators as Dha‘eef. Similar judgments are given by both Al-Bayhaqi and Ath-Thahabi. Some of the scholars, however, judged the Hadeeth as authentic and attributed it to ‘Ali may Allaah be pleased with him. 

    "Performing Hajj and ‘Umrah frequently prevents poverty." [Ad-Daylami] The author of Kanz Al-‘Ummaal attributed the Hadeeth to Al-Mahaamili may Allaah have mercy upon them. Al-Albaani may Allaah have mercy upon him judged it as Mawdhoo‘ in Al-Jaami‘ As-Sagheer.

    "Those who perform Hajj and ‘Umrah are the guests of Allaah, He gives them what they ask for, answers their supplication and compensates them for what they spend, a thousand thousand dirhams for each dirham." [Al-Bayhaqi in Shu‘ab Al-Imaan]

Al-Albaani may Allaah have mercy upon him judged it as Dha‘eef in Dha‘eef At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.
The authentic narration of this Hadeeth is: "Those who perform Hajj and ‘Umrah are the guests of Allaah. If they supplicate Him, He answers (their supplication), and if they ask for His forgiveness, He forgives them." [An-Nasaa’i, Ibn Maajah, Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hibbaan] In Saheeh At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb, Al-Albaani may Allaah have mercy upon him ranked it as Saheeh (authentic) Hadeeth.

    "Perform Hajj for it washes out sins as water washes out filth."

In Majma‘ Az-Zawaa’id, Al-Haythami may Allaah have mercy upon him said, "The Hadeeth is narrated by At-Tabaraani in Al-Awsat. It has a Dha‘eef Isnaad."

    "Perform Hajj before you are unable to. The Bedouins will stay at places where the valleys of water stop and none can reach Hajj." [Al-Bayhaqi]

It is judged as Dha‘eef by Ibn Al-Jawzi in Al-‘Ilal Al-Mutanaahiyah, Munkar (rejected) by Ath-Thahabi in Mizaan Al-I‘tidaal and Baatil (false) by Al-Albaani may Allaah have mercy upon them in As-Silsilah Adh-Dha‘eefah.

    "Hajj is Jihaad and ‘Umrah is a voluntary (act)." [Ibn Maajah]

The Hadeeth is ranked as Dha‘eef by Al-Haafith in At-Talkhees, Al-‘Ayni in Sharh Al-Bukhaari and Ash-Shawkaani in Nayl Al-Awtaar.

     "Hajj is the Jihaad of every weak person." [Ibn Maajah]

The Hadeeth is ranked as Mursal by Al-Bukhaari may Allaah have mercy upon him this was transmitted by Al-Munaawi on the authority of At-Tirmithi may Allaah have mercy upon them. It is narrated by Ash-Shawkaani in Al-Fawaa’id Al-Majmoo‘ah. Al-‘Ayni may Allaah have mercy upon him stated that it is Mursal Hadeeth. It is also narrated by the author of Al-Asraar Al-Marfoo‘ah. It is ranked as Dha‘eef by Al-Arnaa’oot in Tahqeeq Al-Musnad and Hasan by Al-Albaani may Allaah have mercy upon them.

    "(The position of) ‘Umrah to Hajj is like that of the head to the body and that of the Zakaah to fasting." [Ad-Daylami in Musnad Al-Firdaws]

In Dha‘eef Al-Jaami‘, Al-Albaani may Allaah have mercy upon him ranked it as a very weak Hadeeth.

    "Hajj takes precedence over marriage." [Ad-Daylami]

In Faydh Al-Qadeer, Al-Munaawi may Allaah have mercy upon him said, "The Isnaad includes Ghiyaath ibn Ibraaheem and he is a Matrook (rejected) narrator as Ath-Thahabi may Allaah have mercy upon him said. It also includes Maysarah ibn ‘Abd Rabbih and he is a famous Kaththaab (liar)."
In Dha‘eef Al-Jaami‘, Al-Albaani may Allaah have mercy upon him ranked it as a Mawdhoo‘ Hadeeth.

    "Hajj and ‘Umrah are two obligations and there is no harm to start with anyone of them." [Ad-Daaraqutni]

It is ranked as a Dha‘eef Hadeeth by Ibn Al-Jawzi and Ibn Taymiyyah. Al-Haafith ibn Hajar may Allaah have mercy upon him said, "The Isnaad of this Hadeeth is Dha‘eef." A similar judgment is given by Al-‘Ayni may Allaah have mercy upon him in Sharh Al-Bukhaari. 

     "There is no male or female servant of Allaah who refrains from giving a charity for the pleasure of Allaah but he will spend manifold for the displeasure of Allaah; there is no servant who abandons Hajj (the obligatory Hajj) due to a worldly pleasure but he will see destruction before getting that worldly pleasure; there is no servant who abandons providing for his (Muslim) brother's need (whether it is fulfilled or not) but he will be put to trial by helping a person whom for helping he will be deemed guilty, not rewarded." [Ad-Daylami in Al-Firdaws]

The Hadeeth is ranked by Al-Albaani may Allaah have mercy upon him as Dha‘eef in Dha‘eef At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb and Munkar in As-Silsilah Adh-Dha‘eefah.

    "There are six (deeds), a person who does one of them will come on the Day of Judgment and with him will be a covenant, and each one of them (the deeds)will say that he used to do me: prayer, Zakaah, Hajj, fasting, fulfilling the trust and maintaining kinship ties."

In Majma‘ Az-Zawaa’id, Al-Haythami may Allaah have mercy upon him said, "It is narrated by At-Tabaraani in Al-Kabeer. Its Isnaad includes Yoonus ibn Abi Hathmah and I do not know anyone who mentioned him (i.e. he is unknown)."

     "The two ‘Umrahs expiate the sins in-between; the reward of the valid and accepted Hajj is Paradise; whenever the pilgrim says "Glory be to Allaah" "There is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah" or "Allaah is The Greatest" but the glad tidings are given to him." [Al-Bayhaqi in Shu‘ab Al-Imaan]

The Hadeeth's Isnaad is ranked as Dha‘eef by Al-Munaawi may Allaah have mercy upon him. In Dha‘eef Al-Jaami‘, Al-Albaani may Allaah have mercy upon him judged the Hadeeth as Dha‘eef.
The authentic narration of this Hadeeth is: "The reward for the valid and accepted Hajj is Paradise, and the two ‘Umrahs expiate the sins in-between." [Ahmad] This narration is ranked as Saheeh by Al-Arnaa’oot may Allaah have mercy upon him.

Another authentic narration of the Hadeeth: "The two ‘Umrahs expiate the sins in-between, and the reward for the valid and accepted Hajj is Paradise." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

    "‘Umrah before Hajj is forbidden." [Abu Daawood]

This Hadeeth's Isnaad is ranked as Dha‘eef by Al-Khattaabi may Allaah have mercy upon him.
This is a group of Hadeeths relevant to Hajj. It is not proved that they were said by the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ). Therefore, we wanted to alert to that, and Allaah The Almighty is the One Who guides to the straight path.

Article by: www.islamweb.net

Characteristics of the Sanctuary of Makkah

Characteristics of the Sanctuary of Makkah

Allaah The Almighty takes oath by the Sacred City in two places in the Quran. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

· {And [by] this secure city [Makkah]   } [Quran 95:3]

· {I swear by this city, Makkah -}[Quran 90:1]

Allaah The Almighty did so because of the virtue of this blessed spot of land. There is no other place on earth that Allaah The Almighty orders His servants to leave for except Makkah. No wonder then that it is the most beloved place to Allaah, to the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), and to the sincere believers.

Reviewing the Quranic and Sunnah (Prophetic traditions) texts, we find that there are specific characteristics that make Makkah distinguished from other places, and certain rulings should be taken into consideration in Makkah. Therefore, we find ourselves obliged to present part of these characteristics. They are summarized in the following points:

1- It is the Qiblah for Muslims as they pray in its direction. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

·  {We have certainly seen the turning of your face, [O Muhammad], toward the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a Qiblah with which you will be pleased. So turn your face toward Al-Masjid Al-Haraam. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer].} [Quran 2:144]

·   {So from wherever you go out [for prayer, O Muhammad] turn your face toward Al- Masjid Al-Haraam, and indeed, it is the truth from your Lord. And Allaah is not unaware of what you do.} [Quran 2:149]

2- Allaah The Almighty made it the Mother of Cities. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {that you may warn the Mother of Cities and those around it.} [Quran 6:92] Ibn Katheer may Allaah have mercy upon him said, “Makkah was named the Mother of Cities because it is more honored than all cities.” All cities are subordinate to it.

3- Multiplication of the reward for good deeds in it. The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “A prayer in Al-Masjid Al-Haraam is better than one hundred thousand prayers in other mosques.” [Ahmad (Al-Arnaa’oot: Saheeh)] According to many scholars, such multiplication of good deeds in Makkah is on the basis of the sacredness and high status of this city before Allaah The Almighty.

4- Gravity of committing a sin in it: Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Whoever intends [a deed] therein of deviation [in religion] or wrongdoing - We will make him taste of a painful punishment.} [Quran 22:25] There is a threat for the mere intention to commit a sin in the sanctuary of Makkah. Ibn Al-Qayyim may Allaah have mercy upon him said, “Committing a sin in the Sanctuary (of Makkah) of Allaah and His City is graver than committing it in any other place on earth. Therefore, whoever disobeys a king in his court is not like the one who disobeys him in a place far away from his house and court.”

5- Allaah The Almighty made it a secure, sacred place: It is forbidden to kill people in it, cut its trees or chase game in it. In it, people feel secure for themselves and properties. It is the perfect secure place for every creature of Allaah. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

·  {And whoever enters it shall be safe.} [Quran 3:97]

·  {[Say, O Muhammad], "I have only been commanded to worship the Lord of this City, who made it sacred and to whom [belongs] all things. And I am commanded to be of the Muslims [those who submit to Allaah ]} [Quran 27:91]

Ibn ‘Abbaas may Allaah be pleased with him said that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Allaah has made Makkah a Sanctuary (sacred place) the day He created the Heavens and the earth; it is sacred by the Order of Allaah until the Day of Judgment. It was a sanctuary before me and will be so after me. It was made lawful for me (to fight in it) only for a few hours. None is allowed to chase its game or uproot its thorny shrubs or to cut its trees.” [Al-Bukhaari] There is no exception but the plant of Ithkhir because of the need for it as indicated in other Saheeh Hadeeths.

6- Being the most beloved spot of land to Allaah The Almighty: ‘Abdullaah bin ‘Adiyy may Allaah be pleased with him said, “I saw the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) on his mount at Al-Hazwarah, saying: “By Allaah, you are the best land of Allaah and the most beloved land to Allaah; had I not been driven out of you, I would have never left you.” [At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah]

7- Being a place where supplication is most likely to be answered: The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Those who perform Hajj and ‘Umrah are the guests of Allaah. If they supplicate Him, He would answer them and when they seek His Forgiveness, He would forgive them.” [An-Nasaa’i and Ibn Maajah (Al-Albaani: Saheeh)]

8- Impermissibility for polytheists to enter it: Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who have believed, indeed the polytheists are unclean, so let them not approach Al-Masjid Al-Haraam after this, their [final] year.} [Quran 9:28]

9- Impermissibility to pick up the found fallen things in it except for those who want to make a public announcement for them without claiming possession of them: Ibn ‘Abbaas may Allaah be pleased with him said that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “It is not allowed to pick up its fallen things except by a person who announces it publicly.” [Al-Bukhaari]

10- Impermissibility of facing the Qiblah or turning one’s back to it when one relieves oneself: The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “If anyone of you goes to an open space for answering the call of nature he should neither face nor turn his back to the Qiblah; he should either face the east or the west.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] According to scholars, this ruling is specific for those who are in an open place unlike those who are inside buildings.

11- The Antichrist cannot enter Makkah or Madeenah: Anas may Allaah be pleased with him said that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “There will be no town that the Antichrist will not enter except Makkah and Al-Madeenah.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

12- Allaah The Almighty defends it: This happened during the Year of the Elephant and would happen again at the end of time. ‘Aa’ishah may Allaah be pleased with her said that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “An army will raid the Ka‘bah and when it reaches a desert land, all of them will be swallowed up by the earth.” [Al-Bukhaari]

13- Hearts are attached to this city and people like it because Allaah The Almighty answered the supplication of our father Ibraaheem (Abraham) may Allaah exalt his mention which is stated in the Quran where Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people incline toward them.} [Quran 14:37]

Article by: www.islamweb.net

Performing 'Umrah During the Hajj Months

Performing 'Umrah During the Hajj Months

Allaah Says (what means): {And when you are secure, then whoever performs 'Umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals}[Quran 2:196]

After mentioning what the person in the state of Ihraam (sacral state) who was prevented from performing (or completing) Hajj or 'Umrah, must do, Allaah mentioned what he should do when he is secure. Allaah mentioned the ruling of Tamattu` during the Hajj days, which means performing both 'Umrah and Hajj during the Hajj season [there are additional details in this regard which was explained by the Islamic jurists].

We will only discuss the part of the verse which states when the pilgrim who has completed the rites of Hajj, whether he commenced his state of Ihraam with the intention of performing both 'Umrah and Hajj (Qiraan Hajj) or performing 'Umrah and then Hajj after finishing the 'Umrah (Tamattu` Hajj). The person performing any of these two types must offer a sacrificial animal (as Hady). This sacrificial animal must be a sheep at least, according to the preponderant opinion of scholars. However, a camel or cow suffices for seven.
‘Imraan bin Husayn may Allaah be pleased with him said, “The verse of Tamattu` Hajj  (i.e. {then whoever performs 'Umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj …}) was revealed in the Book of Allaah, and we performed Hajj accordingly withthe Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) then nothing was revealed in the Quran prohibiting it, nor did the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) prohibit it until he died.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

This Hadeeth proves that Tamattu` Hajj, i.e. performing 'Umrah during the months of Hajj followed by Hajj is permissible.

It is noticed that the Arabic word “Tamattu`” that came in the verse was used in its linguistic meaning which is “benefiting”. The verse also referred to what the Islamic jurists call “Tamattu`” and “Qiraan”, which are two forms of Hajj in the Islamic Sharee‘ah (legislation) that invalidated the legislation of Jaahiliyyah (the pre Islamic era) in this regard.

According to the Islamic jurists, Tamattu` means that a pilgrim commences the state of Ihraam with the intention of performing 'Umrah only, during the Hajj season. Then, after finishing his 'Umrah and ending the state of Ihraam, he commences the state of Ihraam again and performs Hajj during the Hajj season of the same year before returning to his country. With regard to Qiraan Hajj, it means that a pilgrim commences the state of Ihraam with the intention of performing both 'Umrah and Hajj with one Ihraam (i.e. without terminating the state of Ihraam after finishing his 'Umrah).

Allaah Says (what means): {And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home]. Those are ten complete [days].}[Quran 2:196] This sentence of the verse is conjoined to the sentence {whoever performs ‎‎'Umrah [during the‏Hajj months] followed by Hajj}. The meaning:

‎Whoever performs both 'Umrah and Hajj, must offer a ‎sacrificial animal. If he could not, then he has to fast ten days; ‎three days during Hajj and seven when he returns home
Scholars say that it is better for such a pilgrim to fast the ‎three days during the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah before the Day of ‘Arafah. However, scholars of Tafseer (exegesis) mentioned other opinions regarding the best time for fasting these three days.

Allaah made fasting a substitute for the sacrificial animal and a further concession and facilitation. That is why they were divided into two groups three days during Hajj and seven after returning home‎.

Allaah Says (what means): {Those are ten complete [days]}[Quran 2:196] Scholars interpreted this verse in different ways:

-  Some of them said that it is meant for stressing and confirming the meaning, the same as the verse in which Allaah says (what means): {or bird that flies with its wings …} [Quran 6:38] Also, the same as when the Arabs say, “I saw with my own eyes.” or “I heard with my own ears”.
-  Other scholars said that “complete” here means that these days must be completed and fulfilled. At-Tabari may Allaah have mercy upon him adopted this opinion.
-   Others said that “complete” here means that these days serve as a complete substitute for the sacrificial animal. 

Some scholars said:

Fasting was ordained partially (three days) during the Hajj to perform part of the worship immediately upon occurrence of its cause (inability to offer a sacrificial animal). The ten days were divided into two groups consisting of three days and seven days, because those two numbers ( three and seven) were used a lot for regulating other religious and jurisprudential matters.

 Allaah Says (what means): {This is for those whose family is not in the area of Al-Masjid Al-Haraam.}[Quran 2:196] The word “This” refers to the sacrificial animal or its substitute of fasting.

{“Those whose family is not in the area of Al-Masjid Al-Haraam”}i.e. those who are not residents of Makkah. The meaning of this part of the verse is:

Offering the sacrificial animal is obligatory upon those who are not residents of Makkah, because the permissibility of offering 'Umrah at the time of Hajj relieves them from travelling again to perform 'Umrah. However, this is not the case with the people of Makkah, who do not face any difficulty in making 'Umrah at any time.

Allaah concluded this verse saying (what means): {And fear Allaah and know that Allaah is Severe in penalty}[Quran 2:196]

Allaah commanded us to fear Him after stating the rulings of Hajj, which must include exertion and effort, in order to warn against negligence regarding them. Hence, the meaning of this part of the verse is:

Fear Allaah in all what He commanded and forbade. Allaah affirmed the observance of fearing Him when He Says (what means): {and know} in order to draw people’s attention to what He will say next, and affirming the fact that whoever violates His commands or commits whatever He has forbidden him from will thus be severely punished.

Article by: www.islamweb.net

The Hajj and Women's Dress

image by: flickr

 The Hajj and Women's Dress

I am not particularly religious but when you’re arriving in a country that has strict codes for women, stipulating what they should wear you have no choice but to abide by them. I have never worn an abaya, a long black coat like garment worn over your clothes, with a matching headscarf before and it’s been a really interesting experience.

A colleague recommended a shop in downtown Cairo, where I am based, and when I arrived all of the women in the store were wearing a hijab. Feeling out of place, I sheepishly told them about our upcoming coverage of the Hajj and was immediately pointed in the direction of some bejeweled abayas. I quickly learnt that just because you have to cover up doesn’t necessarily mean you have to look like you’re wearing a tent. So, needless to say, I bought three of them, all had different designs. Apparently, in some countries in the Arabian Gulf, there are designer ones on offer.

As soon as we landed at Jeddah airport and before disembarking the plane, I, for the first time, put on an abaya. I was not prepared for the heat and because the cloth is black, I was soon perspiring. I began, and still am, having issues with the headscarf. I have not found a way to secure it on my head, the sheer cloth keeps slipping off forcing me to keep fiddling with it. I have been told to invest in some safety pins to keep it in place.

The real test came on the day we were shooting outside the Al Haram mosque in the holy city of Mecca. With the sun beating down and running around talking to people, I was more than ready to scream. There’s a sense of helplessness and some frustration because there was nothing I could do about it, orders are orders and you have to respect the culture and beliefs of the country you are working in especially when you’re on the grounds of a holy site. As I looked around and saw that all the women, young and old, were wearing one and performing the grueling rituals of the Hajj pilgrimage, it put the issue in perspective and I continued with my work.

I have now grown accustomed to it and funnily enough, it alleviates the pain of wearing a matching outfit and certainly answers the question I am faced every morning -- what do I don today? In Jeddah, it doesn’t matter because no one can see what you’re wearing under your abaya.

article by: blogs.abcnews.com

Nelson Mandela’s grandson converts to Islam

image by: saudigazette

Nelson Mandela’s grandson converts to Islam

Mandla Mandela, the grandson of former South African president Nelson Mandela, reportedly converted to Islam about 2 months ago.

He married a Muslim woman, Rabia Clarke, this weekend in Cape Town. “I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Rabia’s parents, her extended family and the Muslim community, for welcoming me into their hearts,” Mandela said in a statement.

“Although Rabia and I were raised in different cultural and religious traditions, our coming together reflects what we have in common: We are South Africans,” he said.

Courtesy of African Spotlight

Hajj and Its Influence on Boosting Faith

Hajj and Its Influence on Boosting Faith

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and it is obligatory for every Muslim who has the physical and financial ability, as Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And [due] to Allaah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way.} [Quran 3:97]

The rituals of Hajj have a great influence on boosting faith, because it is an established fact that Faith (Eemaan) increases through good deeds and decreases through sins and misdeeds.

Hence, every Muslim, whether or not he has performed Hajj, should contemplate the sublime meanings of these rites to reap the fruits of increasing Faith and strengthening his trust in Allaah The Almighty.

Ihraam:

Why do men wear two pieces of white cloth, and avoid form-fitting clothes when they enter the state of Ihraam?

The clothes of Ihraam are similar to the shroud, so, they remind us of death so we can prepare ourselves for it.

These clothes also remind us of the Resurrection when we will be barefoot and naked without any dress or shroud.

These clothes also remind us of the Blessings of Allaah The Almighty upon us, as He Says (what means): {O children of Aadam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment….} [Quran 7:26]

This is the clothing in this world, but what about our clothing on the Day of Resurrection, when we will be naked? The answer is in the last part of the verse in which Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {But the clothing of righteousness - that is best.} [Quran 7:26]

Just as we leave the sewn clothes when we enter the state of Ihraam, we have to make all our good deeds fully devoted to Allaah The Almighty without associating anyone with Him.

Talbiyah: 

Talbiyah means saying “Labbayak Allaamumma Labbayk Labbayka La Shareek Laka Labbayk (Here I am at Your service O my Lord. Here I am. Here I am at Your service and under Your Command and You have no partners.)”

Talbiyah is an acknowledgment of servitude and absolute submission to the Mighty Lord.

Before Islam, the disbelievers used to perform Hajj and make Talbiyah but they used to add, “At Your service. You have no partner except the partner that You have. You own Him and whatever he owns.”

Tawaaf (circumambulation around the Ka‘bah):

When one performs Tawaaf around the Ka‘bah, he should remember that this is the first House of Allaah The Exalted on earth and that:

-      Whoever enters it shall be safe.

-      Allaah The Almighty made the House a place of return for the people and a place of security.

-      Ibraaheem (Abraham) and Ismaa‘eel (Ishmael), may Allaah exalt their mention, raised its foundations.

-      Hearts long for it and when they leave, they always wish to return.

-      ‘Abdul Muttalib, the grandfather of the Prophet, said, “The house Has a Lord, and He Will Protect it.”

-      The Quraysh used to live around it. They were polytheists and used to circumambulate it naked.

-      It is the birthplace of the call of Islam. 

Kissing the Black Stone: - The Black Stone is nothing but a stone, i.e., it can neither harm nor benefit. - Kissing this stone is an act of Sunnah (Prophetic tradition), but believing that it can benefit, harm, or do anything is an act of Shirk (polytheism). -  Fighting other people to reach it is a sin. Kissing the Black Stone is an act of the Sunnah for whoever can reach it without harming other people or intermixing with men (for women); however, kissing any other stone opens the doors of Shirk. The believer kisses the Black Stone while his heart is attached to Allaah The Almighty rather than the stone itself.
Drinking the water of Zamzam: This is a stressed act of the Sunnah, but when the believer drinks it, his heart should be attached to the blessing of Allaah The Almighty, along with the belief that Allaah The Almighty has endowed this water with the ability to cure diseases. Nevertheless, the believer always knows that Allaah The Almighty can cure him through any other water or medicine, and that He can also delay the recovery of a person even if he drinks the water of Zamzam.  These are some of the indications and meanings that are implied in the Quranic verse in which Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {And if Allaah should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him. And if He touches you with good - then He is over all things competent.} [Quran 6:17]
Hence, whoever attaches his heart to Allaah The Almighty alone has fulfilled true monotheism, which is the right of Allaah The Almighty over His slaves. Sa‘y (ritual running) between Mount As-Safa and Mount Al-Marwah: Pilgrims and those who perform ‘Umrah run between these two hills, to remember and to contemplate.
Near As-Safa, Ibraaheem may Allaah exalt his mention left his wife and young child in a barren valley in obedience to Allaah The Almighty, but we, on the other hand, find it difficult to leave our sins!
The believing wife obeyed her Lord and then her husband regarding an issue that may have led to her death along with her baby.
The mother of Ismaa’eel may Allaah exalt his mention ran between As-Safa and Al-Marwah hoping that she would find some water for her baby who was about to die of thirst.
This demonstrates sheer faith when its sweetness penetrates the heart!  Standing at ‘Arafaat: This is the greatest pillar of Hajj and every pilgrim must stand at ‘Arafaat; otherwise, his Hajj will be invalid. The gathering of the pilgrims on ‘Arafaat reminds us of the Day of Assembly: {The Day He will assemble you for the Day of Assembly} [Quran 64:9]
Whoever remembers the Day of Assembly should prepare himself well for it.
On the Day of ‘Arafah, the pilgrim may face difficulty in obtaining water. So, when he gets it, he should remember the verse in which Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And the companions of the Fire will call to the companions of Paradise, "Pour upon us some water or from whatever Allaah has provided you." They will say, "Indeed, Allaah has forbidden them both to the disbelievers."} [Quran 7:50]
During the Farewell Pilgrimage, a man fell while he was riding his she-camel and making Talbiyah and he broke his neck. Thereupon, the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Wash him with water and lotus leaves, and shroud him in his two garments, but do not apply perfume to him or cover his head, for he will be raised on the Day of Resurrection reciting Talbiyah.”
He died while making Talbiyah, which is an act of worship; hence, he will be resurrected while performing the same act of worship.
So what about those who die while committing sins?
This is a fact that many people have become heedless of, namely: there is no refuge and no place of safety from Allaah The Almighty but with Him.

Article by: www.islamweb.net