More than 707,000 pilgrims visit Madinah

saudigazette.com.sa

More than 707,000 pilgrims visit Madinah

MADINAH — A total of 707,685 pilgrims visited Madinah since the start of the Haj season until Monday, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday quoting a statistical report of the Private Establishment of Guides.

As many as 592,514 pilgrims have already left for Makkah while 115,094 are still present in the Prophet’s city. As many as 114,000 pilgrims will be sent to Makkah Wednesday.

According to the statistics, 10,956 contracts were signed by various departments to accommodate the visiting pilgrims in 590 hotels and furnished apartments.

It said 67 pilgrims are presently confined to hospitals for medical treatment.

Source: saudigazette.com.sa

Universal Lessons of Hajj

islamicity.org

Universal Lessons of Hajj

The current state of affairs both within and outside the Muslim world greatly increases the relevance of some of the spiritual and universal messages inherent in the Hajj.

Millions of pilgrims from all over the world will be converging on Mecca in the coming days. They will retrace the footsteps of millions who have made the spiritual journey to the valley of Mecca since the time of Adam.

Hajj literally means, “to continuously strive to reach one’s goal.” It is the last of the five pillars of Islam (the others include a declaration of faith in one God, five daily prayers, offering regular charity, and fasting during the month of Ramadan). Pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for those who have the physical and financial ability to undertake the journey.

The Hajj is essentially a re-enactment of the rituals of the great prophets and teachers of faith. Pilgrims symbolically relive the experience of exile and atonement undergone by Adam and Eve after they were expelled from Heaven, wandered the earth, met again and sought forgiveness in the valley of Mecca. They also retrace the frantic footsteps of the wife of Abraham, Hagar, as she ran between the hills of Safa and Marva searching for water for her thirsty baby (which according to Muslim tradition, God answered with the well of Zam Zam). Lastly, the pilgrims also commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son for the sake of God. God later substituted a ram in place of his son.

Yet, the Hajj is more than these elaborate rituals. The faithful hope that it will bring about a deep spiritual transformation, one that will make him or her a better person. If such a change within does not occur, then the Hajj was merely a physical and material exercise devoid of any spiritual significance.

As all great religions teach, we are more than mere physical creatures in that we possess an essence beyond the material world. Indeed, this is why all great religions have a tradition of pilgrimage. In the Islamic tradition, Hajj encapsulates this spiritual journey toward this essence.

As Islamic scholar Ebrahim Moosa asks rhetorically: “after paying homage to the two women Eve and Hagar in the rites of pilgrimage, how can some Muslims still violate the rights and dignity of women in the name of Islam? Is this not a contradiction?”

Indeed, the Qur’an teaches: “I shall not lose sight of the labor of any of you who labors in my way, be it man or woman; each of you is equal to the other.” (Quran 3:195)

Clearly, the white sea of men and women side by side performing tawaf (circling) around the Kaaba (the stone building Muslims believe was originally built by Adam and rebuilt by Abraham and his son Ishmael) should lay to rest any claim that Islam — as opposed to some Muslims — degrades women.

The fact that millions of Muslims transcending geographical, linguistic, level of practice, cultural, ethnic, color, economic and social barriers converge in unison on Mecca, attests to the universality of the Hajj. It plants the seed to celebrate the diversity of our common humanity. Pilgrims return home enriched by this more pluralistic and holistic outlook and with a new appreciation for their own origins.

One of the most celebrated Western Hajjis (one who has completed the Hajj) is none other than African-American civil rights leader El-Hajj Malik El Shabbaz, more commonly known as Malcolm X. The man who was renowned for preaching that whites were “devils” — especially the blond, blue-eyed ones — profoundly reassessed these views during the Hajj. This transformation, of course, sealed his break with the Black nationalist movement of the Nation of Islam.

Contrary to the teachings of the Nation, he concluded that Islam encompassed all of humanity and transcended race and culture. Malcolm X later said, “In my 39 years on this Earth, the holy city of Mecca had been the first time I had ever stood before the Creator of all and felt like a complete human.”

In Mecca, he discovered himself mixing with, “fellow Muslims, whose eyes were the bluest of blue, whose hair was the blondest of blond, and whose skin was whitest of white.” Malcolm X was so inspired by what he witnessed, that, in letters to friends and relatives, he wrote, “America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem.”

Upon returning to America, he embarked on a mission to enlighten both blacks and whites with his new views. Malcolm X understood that in order to truly learn from the Hajj, its inherent spiritual lessons must extend beyond the fraternal ties of Muslims to forging a common humanity with others.

In fact, as part of the spiritual experience, the pilgrimage links people across religions through a past shared by several Abrahamic traditions. This combined with the Islamic teaching of the common origin of humanity holds out much hope. Indeed, the Qur’an teaches: “We created you from a single pair of a male and female (Adam and Eve), and made you into nations and tribes that ye may know each other and not that you might despise each other. The most honored of you in the sight of God is the most righteous of you” (Quran 49:13). This is a great celebration of the differences and at the same time unity of all of humanity.

Another essential spiritual message of the Hajj is one of humility to God and His supremacy and control over all that we know. The multitude of people and their inner beliefs and practices are all to be judged by God and God alone in His infinite wisdom and full knowledge. Indeed, as the Qur’an insists, “Let there be no compulsion in matters of faith, truth stands out clear from error.” (Quran 2:256)

The result of a successful Hajj is a rich inner peace, which is manifested outwardly in the values of justice, honesty, respect, generosity, kindness, forgiveness, mercy and empathy. And it is these values – all attributes of God almighty — that are indispensable to us all if we are just to get along in this world.

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Source: islamicity.org

Harms of Delaying the Hajj

Harms of Delaying the Hajj

How could a faithful believer accept to leave off Hajj given his capability of fulfilling it with his property and body, when he knows that it is among the obligatory duties and fundamental pillars of Islam?

How could one greedily withhold his property from performing this obligatory duty, given that he spends it on what his soul desires?

How could one not want to tire himself in Hajj given that he tires and fatigues himself in worldly affairs?

How could one become too lethargic to fulfill this obligatory duty given that it is due only once in the lifetime?

How could one delay performing Hajj given that he does not know whether he would have the power to reach it after this year or not?
Beware  of  hoping to live long!

O you, whom Allaah The Almighty gave property and he has not yet performed Hajj! It should be known to you that life is short, what remains thereof is shorter (than what has elapsed), the appointed term is decreed but not known,   not available all the time and health is not assured perpetually.

1)- Have you not heard Allaah The Almighty saying to His Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) (what means): {Let them eat and enjoy themselves and be diverted by [false] hope, for they are going to know.} [Quran 15:3]

That is to say, let them live as cattle, interested only in food and desires and engaged in hope, as having excessive ambitions will divert them from obeying the Lord of the Worlds.

Have you not heard the statement of Allaah The Almighty (which means): {Do they not look into the realm of the heavens and the earth and everything that Allaah has created and [think] that perhaps their appointed time has come near?} [Quran 7:185]

2- Have you not heard Anas bin Maalik may Allaah be pleased with him saying, “The Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) drew a line and said:‘This is (the example of) man.’Then, he drew another line beside it and said:‘That is his lifetime.’Then, he drew a third line far from it (the first) and said: ‘That is (man's) hope, and while he is in this state (of hope), the nearer line (death) attacks him.’" [Al-Bukhaari]

3- The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), feared for us from having excessive hope of living too long. In this respect, it was narrated on the authority of Jaabir may Allaah be pleased with him that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: "Fancies and extensive hope (to live too long) are what I fear most for my Ummah (nation). As for fancy, it diverts (people) from the truth; and as for the extensive hope, it causes one to forget the Hereafter." [Al-Haakim]

4- So, talk yourself to account and hurry, O heedless one!.

Al-Hasan Al-Basri may Allaah have mercy upon him said, "Hurry, hurry (to do good things), for it is only breaths (which connect you with that life) and if they stop, your deeds which bring you closer to Allaah The Exalted would stop as well. May Allaah have mercy upon the man who looks at himself and then weeps for the number of his sins." Then, he recited the following verse (which means): {We only count out to them a [limited] number.} [Quran 19:84] He resumed, "The last number to be counted is your death, departure from your family and entering your grave."

You have a limited number of steps which you can never exceed and a fixed number of breaths beyond which you will never go.
For this reason, the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), urges us to hurry (to do good deeds) and avail ourselves of (the opportunity offered by) life and time.

1- It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah may Allaah be pleased with him that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: "Hasten to (good) deeds before (the coming of) seven (things): are you waiting for poverty that causes one to forget (remembering Allaah and the Hereafter), richness that causes one to transgress all due bounds, sickness that corrupts (the health), old age that brings about senility (by which one might lose reason), inevitable and sudden death, (the affliction of) Ad-Dajjaal, which is an absent but expected evil, or the Hour, and the Hour is more disastrous and more bitter" [At-Tirmithi]

2- It was further narrated on the authority of Jaabir bin ‘Abdullaah may Allaah be pleased with him that he said that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), addressed them in a Khutbah (sermon) saying: “O people! Turn in repentance to Allaah before you die, and hasten to do righteous deeds before you are occupied (by illness and the like of it), and maintain what is between you and your Lord (i.e. His right over you) by remembering Him frequently, and giving charity frequently in secret and public, so that you would be provided with sustenance and victory and your affairs would be mended." [Ibn Maajah]

3- It was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas may Allaah be pleased with him that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said to a man while instructing him: "Avail yourself of five (good benefits you have) before (the coming of) five (evil things you would suffer from): (avail yourself of) your youth before (the coming of) your old age, your health before (the coming of) your illness, your richness before (the coming of) your poverty, your leisure before (the coming of) your occupation and your life before (the coming of) your death." [Al-Haakim]

You have to show regret and turn in repentance today before you are forced to show regret on a day on which it would be of no profit to you to regret. At that time, man would say (what means):

• {"My Lord, send me back that I might do righteousness in that which I left behind."} [Quran 23:99-100]

• {Or [lest] it says when it sees the punishment, "If only I had another turn so I could be among the doers of good."} [Quran 39:58]

Put before your eyes the following Statement of Allaah The Almighty (which means): {And spend [in the Way of Allaah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, "My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous." But never will Allaah delay a soul when its time has come. And Allaah is acquainted with what you do.} [Quran 63:10-11]

At the time death approaches you, you would neither return to your World, nor add to your good deeds. You have to work for the Day of Judgment, the Day of grief and regret.

Adhere to that gain by availing yourself of those virtuous seasons, which cannot be substituted.

Hasten to do good and hurry before the attack of death;

Before the indulgent shows regret for his indulgence;

Before he asks to be sent back to life to do righteousness, and his question receives no answer;

Before death impedes the hopeful from realizing his hope;

Before one becomes in his hole, in pledge of the deed which he has sent forth.

You should know that if one does not avail himself of the opportunity, it would turn into a cause of grief. Means might be available to you today, but not tomorrow.

Thus, sow today to reap tomorrow, and tomorrow is very near.

You should know that if Allaah The Almighty wills good for a slave, He expands his breast to accept that in which there lies his prosperity and salvation, and uses his organs in doing what pleases Him.

The successful happy one is the one, who, if instruction is given to him, his heart is opened to it, and his organs become responsive to act upon it. Those have the glad tidings (of Paradise) as stated by the Lord who says (what means): {So give good tidings to My servants who listen to speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones Allaah has guided, and those are people of understanding.} [Quran 39:17-18]

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Article by: www.islamweb.net

Hajj: Lessons for Life

Hajj: Lessons for Life

There are many lessons that could be learned from Hajj and that have great benefits for individuals and the entire Ummah (Muslim nation).

Dear reader, the following are some of these lessons:

1.  Gaining piety (fear of Allaah The Almighty)

Piety is the aim of Hajj and the best of all matters as Allaah The Almighty Advised the former and the latter peoples Saying (what means):

·   {Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of Ihraam], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do - Allaah Knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allaah (piety). And fear Me, O you of understanding.} [Quran 2:197]

·   {Their meat will not reach Allaah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you.}[Quran 22:37]

·   {That [is so]. And whoever honors the Symbols of Allaah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.}[Quran 22:32]

The people of understanding whom Allaah The Almighty chose to fear Him draw lessons from Hajj to obtain piety. They look at the origin of the Divine legislation and its important status in religion, and realize that true love for Allaah The Almighty and slavery to Him are only achieved when one prefers what Allaah The Almighty wills to what he personally wills.

A good example of this is Prophet Ibraaheem may Allaah exalt his mention whom Allaah The Almighty ordered to slaughter his only son, Ismaa‘eel may Allaah exalt his mention the son that he was granted at an old age and the apple of his eyes.

This was a great trial that shows true faith and sincerity, as Prophet Ibraaheem may Allaah exalt his mention gave all Muslims a great lesson in being sincere to Allaah The Almighty by preferring what Allaah The Almighty decreed to what he wanted regardless of how precious this matter was. Ibraaheem may Allaah exalt his mention hastened to do what Allaah The Almighty ordered him to do despite his deep love and great mercy and pity towards his beloved son, so he succeeded and passed the test. Allaah The Almighty showed mercy to him and prevented the knife from cutting the throat of his son and ransomed Ismaa‘eel may Allaah exalt his mention with a great sacrifice and made this a confirmed act of the Sunnah for Muslims until the Day of Judgment. This was a great lesson for Muslims to treat Allaah The Almighty in the same way that they treat the ones they love and to sacrifice what they want for the sake of Allaah The Almighty and what He loves.

If pilgrims grasped this meaning and realized this great secret for which sacrifices were legislated, they would return after performing Hajj with these great lessons and they would never slacken or refrain from fulfilling the orders of Allaah The Almighty. They would never prefer the joy of sleeping to praying Fajr (Dawn prayer).

Love of money would never prevent them from abandoning cheating, injustice, Riba, giving less than what is due or selling merchandise by making false oaths.

Love of desires and women would never prevent them from lowering their gaze, maintaining their chastity and guarding their private parts in order to prefer what Allaah The Almighty loves to what their souls love seeking the reward and satisfaction of Allaah The Almighty in this life and the Hereafter.

Love of this life would not prevent them from spending money and sacrificing their soul in the Way of Allaah The Almighty.

You can compare many other matters to these ones.

This is how the people of understanding learn the great lessons of Hajj in order to gain piety.

2.  Getting used to Thikr (Remembrance of Allaah)

Thikr is the greatest aim of all acts of worship and it is greatly manifested in Hajj. This is because Tawaaf, Sa‘y and throwing the pebbles were all legislated in order to remember Allaah The Almighty according to the narrations of the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ).

When pilgrims remember Allaah The Almighty constantly while performing these acts of worship, they feel assured, have peace of mind and draw closer to Him. Consequently, this will get them accustomed to remembering Allaah The Almighty after Hajj.

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Article by: www.islamweb.net

Your wife is your friend

 saudigazette

Your wife is your friend

Picture this; you are heading to your friend’s house to watch a soccer game. Before you reach, your friend gives you a call.

He says, “Bro, don’t forget to stop by the market and bring some chips and soft drinks!”

You reply, “Good thinking, right away man!”

You watched the soccer match and had a great time hanging out with your buddies. Now, you’re heading home, and guess what?

Your wife calls. You grudgingly answer and she says, “Baby, we need some bread, and butter so I can make you a sandwich to take to work tomorrow.”
You reply, “What? I just bought some bread 3 days ago, what is wrong with you? You are just wasting my money!”

Reading different articles and different studies show that the divorce rate is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. According to one particular study, 1 in 5 marriages in Saudi Arabia end in divorce.

The definition of marriage in Islam is: A contract that results in the man and woman living with each other and supporting each other within the limits of what has been laid down for them in terms of rights and obligations.

The scholar, Ibn Othaimeen, says, “It is a mutual contract between a man and a woman whose goal is for each to enjoy the other, building a pious family and a sound society.”

Webster’s definition of marriage is: the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law.

In my opinion, if spouses treat one another with mutual respect and love, marriage is really living the dream; it is about helping one another to be a better person and to please the Creator.

Is marriage obligatory?

According to many Islamic scholars, marriage is recommended. However, for certain individuals it becomes wajib (obligatory). The general opinion is that if a person, male or female, fears that if he/she does not marry they will commit fornication, then marriage becomes obligatory. If a person has strong sexual urges then it becomes obligatory for that person to marry.
Marriage should not be put off or delayed, especially if one has the means to do so.

A man, however should not marry if he does not possess the means to maintain a wife and future family.

The general rule is that the Prophet (peace be upon him) enjoined people to marry.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “When one marries, they have fulfilled half of their religion, so let them fear God regarding the remaining half.” (narrated by Anas ibn Malik)

Islam greatly encourages marriage because it shields one from wrongful actions and upholds the family unit.

The wife has many rights which the husband is obligated to uphold.

Maintenance

The husband is responsible for the wife’s maintenance. This right has been established in the Qur’an and Sunnah.

It is inconsequential whether the wife is Muslim, non-Muslim, rich, poor, healthy or sick. It is the husband’s role to bear the financial responsibility of the family in a generous way so that his wife may be assured a decent living.

This entails the wife’s right to housing, clothing, food, and general care, like medication, hospital bills. He must provide for her, according to his means. The wife’s home must be adequate so as to ensure her privacy, comfort, and independence.

If a woman used to have a maid previously in her family, or if she is unable to attend to her household duties, it is the husband’s duty to provide her with a maid or domestic help if he can afford to do so.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The best Muslim is one who is the best husband.”

Mahr

The wife is entitled to a marriage gift that is her own. This may be prompt or deferred depending on the agreement between the parties. A marriage is not valid without mahr, and it is for the wife, not her father or brother or anyone else. It does not have to be money or gold. It can be non-material. Mahr is a gift from the groom to the bride. This is the Islamic law, unlike some cultures whereby the bride’s parents pay the future husband to marry the daughter. This practice degrades women and is contrary to the spirit of Islam. There is no specification in the Qur’an as to what or how much the mahr has to be. It depends on the parties involved.

Non-material rights

A husband is commanded by the law of God to treat his wife with equity, respect her feelings and show kindness and consideration. The Prophet’s last sermon that he gave to the Muslim community before his death stressed kindness to women.

As for the husband’s rights; among the wife’s obligations is to contribute to the success and happiness of the marriage. She should be attentive to the comfort and wellbeing of her husband, and vice-versa of course.

The wife should be trustworthy and honest. She cannot deceive her husband by deliberately avoiding conceiving. She should not have any sexual intimacy with anyone other than her husband. She should not receive or entertain strange males in the house without his knowledge and consent. She should not accept gifts from other men without his approval. This is meant to avoid jealousy, suspicion, and gossip. She should not dispose of his belongings without his permission.

A wife should make herself attractive to her husband and be responsive to his advances. The wife should not refuse her husband without reason as this may lead to marital problems. The husband, of course, should take into account the wife’s health and consideration of circumstances.

The best description that I have ever read describing the closeness of husband and wife to each other is the description in the verse in the Qur’an which says: {they are your garments and you are their garments}. (Chapter 2, verse 187)
Indeed, spouses are like garments to each other because they provide one another with the protection, comfort, cover, support, and the adornment that garments provide to humans.

There is always time and room for fun in the marriage too.

Remember that our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) found the time to go out to the desert and race with his wife Aisha. She outran him but later after she had gained some weight, he outran her.

Remember that the Prophet (peace be upon him) took his wife to watch the young Ethiopians playing and dancing their folk dances.

Caring about your spouse’s emotions is just as important as taking care of the physical needs. The show of emotions is necessary to keep the marital bond away from rusting and disintegrating.

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Article by: saudigazette.com.sa/

Hajj and the Invitation to Islam

Hajj and the Invitation to Islam

Hajj is a great pillar of Islam that does not need any clarification of its virtues, merits and rank in Islam. It is adequate to mention that Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. Allaah The Exalted placed it in a high status in the hearts of all Muslims.

Allaah The Exalted honored Makkah with the presence of the Sacred House, and therefore the hearts of all Muslims are inclined to it. People from the east and the west, in fact, from every corner of the globe come to Makkah with a longing heart. Some may have been waiting years for this moment. Unfortunately, some of the dwellers of Makkah do not realize the great virtues and merits of Hajj as other Muslims, who yearn to perform Hajj.

Some people have a lifetime wish to perform Hajj. They spend their lives saving money just to perform Hajj; just to perform the obligatory Hajj once in their lifetime. These Muslims may turn 50, 60, or 70 without being financially able to perform Hajj and may die before fulfilling this wish.

If you find yourself amazed at such people, allow me to relate a story about a man who was imprisoned in the USA. This prisoner was asked, “What caught your attention the most while serving your sentence in prison?” The prisoner replied, “There was a Muslim man from Nigeria who was imprisoned with me. I noticed that he was always sad, depressed, and distressed. I thought that he was suffering from a financial crisis or that his family was struggling with an ordeal or that he was sentenced to death. I had many thoughts about the reasons behind his distress and sadness, but they were very far away from the real reason. I had the chance to sit with him once; so, I asked him, “I see you always sad and depressed; what is saddening you?” He replied, “I am only concerned with one issue.” I inquired, “What is it?” He responded, “I am a Muslim and I have been sentenced to 50 years in prison, and I am now over 30 [or perhaps he said 40]. This means that if I serve my sentence, I will die in prison. This means that I will miss the chance of performing Hajj in my life.”

This was the biggest worry and greatest problem of a man who was imprisoned and exempted from Hajj, according to the Islamic Sharee‘ah (Islamic legislation).

This story highlights the great significance of Hajj in the hearts of Muslims.
Even sinners and dissolute persons, despite their sins and dissoluteness, yearn to perform Hajj. They long to go to the Ka‘bah. Some people are said to have admonished a poet who was known for his dissoluteness and drinking wine. When the poet got fed up with their admonishment, he composed a poem that means, “If I performed the five daily prayers, Allaah The Exalted Would Forgive my dissoluteness. I have not associated partners with Allaah and I hold on to the true religion of Islam. I [wish to] participate in Jihaad and earn some money in order to perform Hajj. This religion is plain and clear; so, spare me treading the hidden paths.”
 
Dear readers, despite this man’s dissoluteness, he yearned to perform Hajj and was willing to exert great efforts to fulfill that dream!

People from all over the world, from different countries, nationalities, languages, schools of Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), sets of beliefs, and ideologies, come to Makkah. Some of them are pious, devout, knowledgeable and active worshippers and others are the exact opposite. We should ask ourselves, what do we offer these pilgrims? What do we, the people of Makkah, do for pilgrims who come from every corner of the globe? What do we do? What do the callers to Allaah do for them? What do the seekers of knowledge do for these pilgrims? What do the scholars offer their fellow Muslims?
Dear reader, you should ask yourself these questions and ponder on the answer in real life. Then, you should compare it to the following narration that is cited in the Sunnah books. A year after the first Pledge of Al-‘Aqabah, during the season of Hajj, the second Pledge of Al-‘Aqabah took place. Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah may Allaah be pleased with him said,

“The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) spent ten years following the pilgrims while they were performing the rites of Hajj (in Majannah, ‘Ukaath, and Mina), saying to them: “Who would support me so that I can deliver the Message of my Lord to the people and he would be rewarded with Paradise?” However, he received no answer. A man would leave his home in Mudhar or Yemen and his people and relatives would warn him about the man of Quraysh, i.e. the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ). They would say to him, “Beware of this man of Quraysh so that he would not tempt you [to forsake the religion of your fathers and grandfathers].”

The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) used to walk by the tents of the pilgrims, inviting them to Islam and people would point at him and whisper among themselves. Then, Allaah The Exalted chose us from Yathrib [Madeenah] to believe in him. A man from Yathrib would come and meet with the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) listen to the Quran and embrace Islam. He would go back to his people and communicate the message of Islam to his townsfolk until there was not a single house in Madeenah except that some of its dwellers had proclaimed their Islam. Then, we identified leaders from among ourselves and seventy of us assembled. We asked ourselves, “How long will we stand still while the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is roaming in the mountains of Makkah and Muslims are afraid of the people of Quraysh?”

We went to Makkah in the season of Hajj and arranged a meeting with the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) in Al-‘Aqabah territory. We went to the place of meeting individually or in pairs until we all reached the place. We asked the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) about the principles over which he would take a pledge. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) answered:

• To listen and obey in all sets of circumstances.
• To spend in plenty as well as in scarcity.
• To enjoin good and forbid evil.
• In the service of Allaah, you will fear the censure of none.
• To defend me in case I seek your help, and debar me from anything which you debar yourself, your spouses and children. And if you observe those precepts, Paradise is in store for you.

When we started paying allegiance to the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) As‘ad ibn Zuraarah may Allaah be pleased with him who was the youngest of the seventy apart from me, stood up and gave the following short address: "Take it easy people of Yathrib! We have covered that long distance because we have deep belief that he (Muhammad) sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is the Messenger of Allaah. We are already convinced that following him entails departure from the pagan Arabs even if it were at the risk of our lives. Should you persevere in this course, hold fast to it, and your great reward is placed in the Hand of Allaah, but if you are caught in fear, I admonish you to give it up right now, and then you would be more excusable by Allaah.” We said, “Move your hand away from us, As‘ad. By Allaah we would never forsake or annul this pledge.” We started giving the pledge to the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) one by one. He repeated the terms of the pledge for us and guaranteed we would enter Paradise.” [Ahmad, Al-Bayhaqi, and Al-Haakim]
 
This is only part of the narration, but this part sheds light on the topic under discussion. Dear pilgrim who is determined to come from your faraway country to perform Hajj, let us ponder on the Sunnah of your Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), to find out how he seized this great blessed spiritual season. Then, let us ponder on its great fruits.

Is not humanity today in dire need for this guidance?
Do people not come to the Ka‘bah with longing humble submissive hearts?
Did Allaah The Almighty not make a covenant with the people of knowledge? Did Allaah The Exalted not command us to call to Islam? What did you do? What have you prepared for your Hajj?
Dear Muslims who are heading towards Makkah to perform Hajj, you should follow the example of the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ).

You should call to the religion of truth even if it is through a book or a tape. You should consult with the people of knowledge and wisdom about this. Do not deprive yourself by wasting such a great gathering that may not be given to some, or rather many, people except once in a lifetime. Make full use of this chance to benefit from those people whose knowledge and piety is worthy of benefiting from and help those who came with longing and humble hearts. Clarify doubtful matters for the ignorant people, advise the sinners and do righteous deeds so that you may prosper.

I would like to remind you to be courteous and hold on to wisdom in calling people to Allaah The Exalted who Says (what means): {Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best.} [Quran 16:125]

If you are unable to practice Da‘wah (inviting to Islam), then spare people your evil, help the pilgrims, receive them with a cheerful face, and deal with them kindly with the refined Islamic morals. This would in itself be one of the best forms of Da‘wah.

Article by: www.islamweb.net

The blessings of water

The blessings of water

Water is the most important liquid for human survival. Water has been on earth since its beginning. Without water there would be no life on earth. Water makes up about 71% of the Earth’s surface, while the other 29% consists of continents and islands. Did you know that that 96.5 per cent of all the earth’s water is salt water in oceans and seas? The remaining 3.5% is fresh water from rivers and lakes and frozen water in the polar ice tops. And, 69% of the 3.5% fresh water is in the form of ice. If we could melt all that ice, and the earth’s surface was perfectly smooth, the sea levels would rise to an altitude of 2.7 km. The human body consists of 75% water.

Water is one of the key elements responsible for life on earth. Water circulates through the land just as it does through the human body, transporting, dissolving, and replenishing nutrients and organic matter, while carrying away waste material. It also regulates the activities of fluids, tissues, cells, lymph, blood, and glandular secretions.

An average adult body contains 42 liters of water and with just a small loss of 2.7 liters a person can suffer from dehydration, dizziness, weakness, and headaches. The role of water is vital role in our health and essential for cell function.

The 75% of water in our body helps us swallow and digest food. Without water, all chemical reactions in our body would not take place, including carryingaway the substances that we do not need any more. Water regulates our body temperature and without water, we would be unable to live for a few days.

In our every day life we use water in our houses, to grow plants for food, in industries and factories, to produce energy and electricity, in transportation and trade. Whatever we think of to continue living, water is always there.

In the history of humanity, water has been the center of civilizations. Communities were established close to fresh drinking water sources such as wells, or in a region known of rain as a source of fresh water.

Traditional and modern medicine has been making use of the psychological and physiological diverse properties of water. Since early centuries and up until today, numerous healing springs located all around the world have been recognized for their benefits with historical records of how the water springs had curative properties.

Of the scientific marvels in the Holy Qur’an, water was mentioned as the source of all life.
“Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?” (21:30)

Fourteen centuries ago, the Holy Qur’an has revealed that water is a part of every living organism. Centuries later after the invention of the microscope, scientists discovered that the cytoplasm and the basic substance of the cell is made up of 80% water.

There are facts that mankind had not been aware of before the twentieth century yet they were mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.

Water in the seas and oceans regulates the temperature of the Earth, and it maintains marine life. The combination of hot and cold sea currents, the absorption of a great amount of sunlight and energy from the activities of the various marine life forms are all regulated by water.

When we study facts about water, we can see the amazing creative power that gave water a number of physical and chemical characteristics that are not found in other elements.

The low density of frozen water enables it to float on the surface of seas and oceans, otherwise if it sunk to the bottom of oceans and seas, it would interfere with underwater life. Moreover, the molecular structure of water with its double pole and resistance to dissolution and ionization, its freezing and boiling points and the high specific and latent heat, impressive viscosity and surface tension, its great ability in the processes of oxidation and reduction and to react with many chemical compounds help to crack the soil to facilitate the germination of plants. Water carries out a major role in all plants, animals and people. It is considered to be one of the great miracles of Allah.

Humans have been exploiting and abusing the sources of fresh water such as rivers, lakes, and also oceans and seas by contamination and pollution.
Water is a blessing from Allah, essential to all our bodily functions and life. We must conserve water and preserve it for ourselves and for the generations to come.

Abdullah ibn Amr reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) passed by Saad while he was performing ablution. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “What is this extravagance?” Saad said, “Is there extravagance with water in ablution?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Yes, even if you were on the banks of a flowing river.” Source: Sunan ibn Majah 425

Muslims should avoid wasting water.

Article by: saudigazette.com.sa

Messages from the Holy Qur’an: Taqwah

Messages from the Holy Qur’an: Taqwah

The Holy Qur’an is a book of guidance for all of humanity. Some verses of the Holy Qur’an were revealed to address a particular issue that occurred in the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Some verses of the Holy Qur’an serve as a direct message from Allah to the believing Muslims, regardless of their time in history or geographical place. Muslims should pay great attention to these verses. In several instances in the Holy Qur’an, Allah, glorified is He, explicitly calls out to the believers, {O you who have believed}.


Seven times in the Holy Qur’an, Allah instructs the believers to have taqwah.

Taqwah is one of those Arabic words that cannot be translated exactly into English. To have taqwah means to fear Allah; it means to have piety. A believer who has taqwah is constantly aware of the presence of Allah. A pious believer looks not to what the people would think or say about him/her, but this believer cares more of how he/she acts and behaves in the sight of Allah.

It is taqwah that stands between the believer and sin. A four-year old girl spilled a platter of food on to the kitchen floor; there is grease and tomato sauce everywhere. Her mother rushes in. None is in the house except mother and child. If her in-laws were present, the mother would have calmly wiped it up and reassured her frightened daughter. But now, they are alone in the house. The mother is so angry because it took hours of work to prepare that meal and now it’s splattered on the floor. The mother’s taqwah is what prevents her from hitting her daughter or even scolding her. Because of taqwah, the mother rushes over to hug her daughter, and she says, “It’s OK. It was an accident. Will you help me clean it up?”

Muslims should pay close attention to the messages in the Holy Qur’an that were meant for them. Each time Allah calls on the believers to develop taqwah, Allah also couples taqwah with another command in the same verse. Which are the seven verses in which Allah reminds the Muslims to have taqwah? What other lessons did Allah teach the Muslims in those verses? We will review the verses that have the same beginning: {O you have believed, fear Allah}.

The first verse:
{O you have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should believe.} (Chapter 2, verse 278)

Interest is prohibited in Islam. An economic system based on interest increases the gap between rich and the poor; it makes the rich richer and the poor poorer. According to an article in The Guardian, “The richest 62 people are as wealthy as half the world’s population.”

“In Islam, a person has to earn what he seeks to obtain. The lender of money does nothing thereby to entitle him to anything other than the money lent. In interest transactions there is no division of profit between the two parties on the basis of equality. A person lends his money to someone as a loan on the condition that the borrower has to pay a certain amount of money in addition to the principal within the given time period,” wrote Zahid Zamir, faculty member with the Department of Business and Accounting at York College of the City University of New York.

The second verse:
{O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him]} (Chapter 3, verse 102)

It is very important to be sincere and to remain steadfast in our faith no matter what tribulations we may face. Whatever comes our way, we pray to Allah to keep us in the fold of Islam. The scholars say that in our last moments, as death nears, a Muslim may experience a final test. Shaytan whispers evil to the dying Muslim and tries to trick him/her into abandoning the religion of Islam.

That is why it is recommended to repeat this supplication, “Oh Allah! Turner of the hearts, turn my heart towards your deen.”

The third verse:
{O you who have believed, fear Allah and seek the means [of nearness] to Him and strive in His cause that you may succeed.} (Chapter 5, verse 35)

So fearing Allah or having taqwah, guarantees success for the believer.

The fourth verse:
{O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true.} (Chapter 9, verse 119)

Honesty and truthfulness are admirable qualities of a good, pious Muslim. Not only should I strive to be honest under all circumstances, but I should also look for the company of those who are honest and truthful. The traits of friends rub off on one another.

As the great scholar Imam Al-Shafi’e said in his poem:
“I love the righteous, although I’m not of them
Perhaps I shall receive intercession through them
And I hate he who trades in sins
Although we are both dealing in the same trade.”

The fifth verse
{O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice.}(Chapter 33, verse 70)

Again, having taqwah is equated with speaking the truth and dealing with people fairly and justly. How many of us have truly tried to incorporate honesty and justice in our lives?

The sixth verse
{O you who have believed, fear Allah and believe in His Messenger; He will [then] give you a double portion of the His mercy and make for you a light by which you will walk and forgive you; and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.} (Chapter 57, verse 28)

In this verse having taqwah and fearing Allah is coupled with believing in Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This verse is very promising to the Muslims. If Muslims filled their hearts and consciousness with taqwah or piety, the rewards are mercy and forgiveness from Allah, and a light and radiance in the life of the believer.

The seventh verse
{O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow – and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Aware of what you do.}  (Chapter 59, verse 18)

What have we prepared for tomorrow? The tomorrow in this verse does not mean the future in this world or our retirement plan. The tomorrow in this verse means the Day of Judgment.

How we can prepare for this tomorrow? We can prepare through acts of worship and acts of goodness: prayer, fasting, reading the Holy Qur’an, defending the weak, helping the poor, giving to orphans, speaking kindly, being good to our neighbor, visiting the sick.

The richness and depth of the meaning of the world taqwah as used in the Qur’an amazes me. Read those verses again and again, and reflect on the messages in the Holy Qur’an which state, {O you who have believed, fear Allah [have taqwah].}

Article by: saudigazette.com.sa

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, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) 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

Holy sites may remain open for Umrah pilgrims all year

Holy sites may remain open for Umrah pilgrims all year

MAKKAH — The Haj Ministry is presently considering to keep the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah open throughout the year for Umrah pilgrims, minister Bandar Al-Hajjar has said.

In an exclusive interview with Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Hajjar said the holy sites will remain open for Umrah pilgrims on condition that there are no excessive religious practices and under the rules to be approved by the government.

“We are considering the step in coordination with 20 other ministries and government departments which are involved in the Haj services,” he explained.

The minister also said his ministry will next Haj season make it obligatory on each pilgrim to wear the electronic bracelet which contains all data about him/her including name, Haj mission, address in the holy sites and other information that can be automatically retrieved any time.

He said the ministry will also introduce smart electronic applications to provide better and more comprehensive services to the Guests of Allah.

“We will complete our electronic portal which has so far been implemented by about 80 percent,” he added.

Hajjar said, under the portal, the ministry now has complete information about the real or fake service-providing companies inside the Kingdom and abroad.

“Thanks to the portal, we now have a complete blacklist of the violating companies,” Hajjar said threatening to withdraw the license of any company which is found to be substandard.

He advised external pilgrims to browse the ministry’s e-portal to know all the travel and tourism agencies which are licensed in their own countries to provide Haj services so as not to fall prey to the fake companies which will only embezzle their money.

He said the ministry will also next Haj season start enlightening pilgrims via text messages on their mobile phones about the correct methods of doing the rituals and the legal safe conduct they should closely observe during their stay in the Kingdom.

Hajjar asked all the Muslim countries and the Muslim communities in non-Islamic countries to enlighten their pilgrims to stay away from all publicity actions, secret meetings, demonstrations, tampering with the security of pilgrims, raising banners and flags containing unacceptable slogans, organizing political symposia or spreading sectarianism.

He also urged them to ask their pilgrims to be committed to the program of ascending from Makkah to Mina and Arafat, the grouping from their tents to the Jamrat and the Grand Mosque, regulations preventing squatting on the Haram plazas or the streets in Mina and to strictly observe good behavior.

Al-Hajjar said the ministry is currently considering to establish a new single institutional entity to represent  the 48 Umrah companies before the ministry and other concerned Haj authorities.

“The companies welcomed the idea which will open the door for the licensing of new Umah companies which may reach at least 100 firms in the coming days,” the minister said.

Article by: saudigazette.com.sa

How does Hajj contribute to solving the problems of Muslims?

How does Hajj contribute to solving the problems of Muslims?

Fatwa
 
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) is His Slave and
Messenger.

Among the most important means that help in making the best of the Hajj season regarding the stated aim is that Muslim leaders and scholars should do their utmost to communicate and discuss such problems with each other. Exchanging ideas and consultations regarding the important matters actually lead to ideal solutions. Pilgrims should also do their utmost in supplicating Allah Almighty in order to obtain right guidance for themselves and the affairs of the Islamic Nation and to guard themselves from the evil of His and their enemy. This is so because Du‘aa’ is one of the most important means in achieving the desired aims and warding off the feared matters. We ask Allah Almighty to give Muslims right guidance for their affairs.

Article by: www.islamweb.net

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

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