Jihad

by  Dr Y Mansoor Marican, Ph. D

“If anyone slew an innocent, it would be as if he slew the whole of mankind.” [The Qur’an 5:32]

Jihad is not terrorism.

Jihad is not killing innocent people.

Jihad is not the strong bullying the weak.

Jihad is not collateral damage.

Jihad is not tolerance of oppression.

Jihad is not silence against injustice.

Jihad is not imposing your values on others.

Jihad is not a man-made concept.

The Jihad of Self-defense

Jihad is the struggle to obey the command of Allah The Most Merciful.

We are on this planet as representatives of Allah The All-Merciful and All-Compassionate to establish peace and harmony through complete submission to His commands.

Jihad is a concept of The Creator, Who alone deserves all worship.

All efforts in the way of Allah are Jihad.

Fighting tyranny and injustice is Jihad.

Muslims are permitted to take up arms against those who wage war against them.

Armed jihad is therefore permitted only in self-defense.

The retaliation against the armed attacks must be measured and proportionate.

Armed jihad is temporary in that it ends when the enemy ceases its aggression.

Muslims must move quickly to establish peace when the enemy seeks peace.

From mini-skirts to burqas: Iran, Turkey clad as scientific powers

By Soroor Ahmed, TwoCircles.net

Iran took the wind out of the sail of the so-called US-sponsored move to impose sanctions when on May 17 it brokered a historic deal with Turkey and Brazil, the two emerging powers in different parts of the world. Surprisingly, the deal was signed under the patronage of Russia and had the moral backing of another permanent member of the Security Council, China.

As per the agreement Iran would be supplying low-enriched uranium to Turkey and Brazil in return for fuel rods for a medical research reactor. The first batch is due to arrive in Turkey within a month.

The news of signing of the deal came only a few weeks after a study showed that Iran and Turkey have registered fastest growth in the field of science in the world in the recent years.

The scientific output has grown 11 times faster in Iran than the world average, faster than any other country. A survey of the number of scientific publications listed in the Web of Science database shows that the growth in the Middle East––mostly in Iran and Turkey––is nearly four times faster than the world average. Only in February last Iran had sent mouse, turtles and worms into the space.

It is not any Iranian or Turkish agency but Science-Metrix, a data analysis company in Montreal, which has published a detailed report on “geo-political shift in knowledge creation” since 1980. Eric Archambault, the author of the report and president of Science-Metrix is of the view that “Asia is catching up even more rapidly than previously thought, Europe is holding its position more than most would expect. And the Middle East is the region to watch.”

If that study is to be believed the scientific output of North America––the United States is the most important country in this continent––has grown considerably slower than the world as a whole in the last two decades. World scientific output grew steadily from 450,000 papers in 1980 to 1,500,000 in 2009. Asia as a whole surpassed North America last year.

But one just need not be carried away by such studies as may be the scientific growth of the United States has reached a saturating point where growth can not be as fast as that of the new emerging powers.

Still the development of Iran and Turkey need to be viewed in a different context too. They have acquired this distinction when they have elected Islamic governments in power and do not have the secular and western-minded tin-pot dictators thrust on the people.
One may tend to disagree with Iran and Turkey on a number of counts but one will have to accept that these two countries are emerging as a scientific power––may be a long way to go––when they do not have military rulers like Mustafa Kamal Pasha and Raza Shah.

The progress made by these two powers are being recognized by countries like Russia and China, albeit for their own diplomatic and military interest. The United States, Israel and West Europe want to use sanctions to push back their development.

The people of Iran have exploded the western myth woven since the Khomeini-led Islamic Revolution in 1979; that the country of Ayatollahs cannot make any progress.

Now the western scholars are floundering for words to explain as to how “the Iran of Mullahs” and burqa-clad women are on the threshold of the space and nuclear age and has not travelled back to the stone age as they predicted. This notwithstanding all sorts of sanctions in the past and US backed and Saddam Husain-led eight year old war thrust on it (1980-87).

The big question is why these two countries did not progress when the rulers––Mustafaa Kamal Pasha in Turkey and later Raza Shah in Iran––had been banning Fez caps and burqas and imposing and encouraging mini-skirts. Turkey under Pasha and successive secular and military governments till late in the 20th century remained “a sick nation of Europe”. Similarly, Iran till 1979, though an oil-rich country, had no international role to play––it was just a police outpost of the US.

A noble relation

Drsonnet Sonnet Cardiology specialist

This article s dedicated to all doctors helped me to regain my scientific self confiedence, thank you…

This relation between the juniors and professors is noble. I call some of my professors Pioneers and leaders as they have a guidance rule. They enlighten and pave the road for me during study and decision-making.

Should it be a take and give world, everyone should do his rule. Junior should do effort while learning, asking, studying, observing,…Pioneers should teach, answer, educate, and give the practical experience. But what is the benefit the professors are getting by giving their experience and data?

The normal human behavior is not built on to take only. There is a good sense of giving. The professors act as father bonding affect and brother help while giving. Also, their science and experience is transmitted from generation to the other and will not be lost especially they have a modern or unique science. Being a matter of respect from others is nice great feeling. By the way every junior will be a leader of others later on.

25 Tips for a Healthy Heart

1. Eat more of grains, vegetables, beans, greens, fruits, fish, seeds and yoghurt.
2. Eat less of milk, cheese and nuts.
3. Add garlic to your recipes.
4. Beta-carotene rich foods like carrots, cabbage, sweet potatoes and dark leafy vegetables.
5. Reduce sodium intake to no more than 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt per day.
6. Eat regular meals.
7. Drink water throughout the day.
8. Switch from coffee to tea.
9. Exercise regularly.
10. Take the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator.
11. Do housework. Take it as an extra chance to exercise.
12. Healthy weight should be maintained.
13. Quit smoking.
14. Avoid alcohol.
15. Sleep adequately.
16. Blood pressure should be monitored.
17. Cholesterol should be monitored.
18. Work schedule should be regular to avoid too much stress.
19. Practice stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing, Yoga and meditation.
20. Laughter is a good medicine.
21. Medical check-ups should be done regularly.
22. Control diabetes.
23. Family history of cardiovascular should be known.
24. Love – give it and receive it.
25. Medication prescribed by the doctor should be taken.

http://www.jsyedali.com/health_beauty/heart_tips.php

The Importance of Bayt Al-Maqdis

Written by http://www.alaqsa.org.uk

In the past it was a Sunnah of the Muslims that after having performed Hajj they would all travel to Medina and then to Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem) to pray there too. Now, millions continue to travel to Mecca and Medina, while Al-Aqsa cries at its abandonment and neglect by the Muslims. Indeed many Muslims are oblivious to its religious significance. One of the myths most commonly propagated by the Zionists is that Jerusalem is not mentioned in the Quran, and therefore it has no significance to Muslims and Islam.

Therefore quite possibly there will be not be much of an outcry when the Al-Aqsa Masjid will re-open to non-Muslim visitors, even if the Waqf (the Islamic religious trust on religious sites) refuses, as Israel’s Internal Security Minister Tzahi Hanegbi has announced. This will allow thousands of non-Muslim scantily dressed tourists to visit the Masjid Al-Aqsa. We need to consider would we to tolerate such a sight the Kaaba Sharif or Masjid ar-Rasool?!?! Never!

We as Muslims treat Mecca as being very holy as we should. But if we are to treat it as a holy place, then we must also know about those things that make Bayt al-Maqdis almost as holy.

Why do we believe Mecca to be holy?

Because Ibrahim (AS) brought his child Ismayeel (AS) and Hajar (AS) to Mecca when there was no one else there and left them there, and then he visited Mecca three times.

Mecca is holy because of him and because of Ismayeel (AS), from amongst whose descendants was Muhammad (SAW). So if Mecca is holy because of this, then imagine just how holy Bayt al-Maqdis and its surrounding regions are because Ibrahim (AS) made Hijra there from his home place of Iraq.

So if Mecca is holy because he visited it, then Bayt al-Maqdis is just as important because that is where he lived, prayed, preached and that is where he died and was buried. And he was not the only one, Isa, Suleiman, Dawud, Yahya, Zakariya, Yaqub and Yusuf (AS) were all prophets who lived and died in and around Bayt al-Maqdis.

If Mecca and Medina are holy because the angels visited them, then so too did the angels descend upon Bayt al-Maqdis.

If we look at Medina before the Prophet (SAW) made Hijra there it was known as Yathrib and it was just an oasis, and it only became holy once the Prophet (SAW) and the Muslims emigrated to Medina and settled there.

But Bayt al-Maqdis did not just become holy at the emigration of Ibrahim (AS) or any other prophet for that matter. In fact it had been declared holy by Allah (SWT) at the time of creation, just like Mecca.

Abu Dharr al-Ghafari (RA) said, ‘I asked the Prophet (SAW) “YA Rasul Allah! Which was the first Masjid ever to be built on earth?” Rasul Allah (SAW) said “Al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.” I then asked “Ya Rasul Allah! What was the 2nd Masjid?” the Prophet (SAW) said “Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa.” I asked “what was the time between the 2?” he (SAW) said “40 years.” ‘ (Bukhari)

Allah (SWT) has described it as being blessed. In Surat al-Isra 17:1, He says, “Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allah) Who took His slave (Muhammad) for a journey by night from Masjid al-Haram (Mecca) to Masjid Al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem) the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed.”

In addition to this Abu Dharr al-Ghafari (RA) also said, “We were discussing in the presence of the Prophet (SAW) which of them was more virtuous, the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) or Bayt al-Maqdis. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said “one prayer in my Masjid is better than 4 prayers over there but it is still a good place of prayer. Soon there will come a time when if a man has a spot of land as big as his horses rope from which he can see Bayt al-Maqdis, that will be better for him than the whole world.” (Al-Haakim and Adh-Dhahabi)

One prayer in Masjid an-Nabi is equivalent to 1000 prayers elsewhere, while prayer in Masjid Al-Aqsa is 250 times better than elsewhere.

Bananas

Bananas

Bananas Contains three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes. But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet. Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. PMS: Forget the pills – eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood. Nemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia. Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert. Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives. Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief. Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness. Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation. Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Indian Centre for Islamic Finance launches its website

By TCN News,

New Delhi: The website of the Delhi-based Indian Centre for Islamic Finance (ICIF) was yesterday launched by noted Islamic economist Dr. Fazlur Rahman Faridi. Dr Faridi, who is also Chairman of ICIF, appreciated the work done on the website and hoped people in India and abroad will utilize this facility.

He further said that the website will create awareness among the students, scholars and the regulators about the need and relevance of Islamic finance, which has emerged as a possible alternative after the financial Tsunami in the west.

Dr. Fazlur Rahman Faridi, Chairman, ICIF (sitting in the middle), H Abdur Raqeeb, General Secretary, ICIF (extreme right), Dr. Waquar Anwar, Trustee, ICIF (extreme left) and others
ICIF website http://www.icif.in/ has besides other information some research papers on topics related to Islamic banking and finance such as Takaful (insurance), Sukuk and Shariah.

Introducing ICIF on the occasion, H Abdur Raqeeb, General Secretary, ICIF, said his organization is lobbying for introduction of Islamic banking and financial system in India.

“ICIF is striving to present Islamic economy and financial system as an alternative to the prevailing conventional system based on free trade and controlled economic systems. It is on the one hand creating awareness among the masses how Islamic financial system is humane, based on ethics and beneficial to all segments of the society and more particularly the marginalized and unorganized sector. It is networking the individuals and institutions working in this field to collectively present before the regulators, businessmen and the political leaders to accommodate Islamic banking along with conventional banking. For that it has conducted several seminars, workshops and interactive sessions and proposes to produce literature in English and Hindi apart from Urdu to create awareness among the masses,” he said.

“If London, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong and Paris can become hub and house of Islamic Finance and Banking why not Mumbai?,” he wondered.

Dr. Faridi is one of the pioneers in the field of Islamic economics and finance in India. He is chairman of ICIF. Among the trustees of ICIF are Dr. Nejajatullah Siddiqui, King Faisal International Prize winner and pioneer of Interest Free banking in the world, Dr. Ausaf Ahmad, Syed Mohammed Jafar, Dr. Rahmatullah, Dr. Shariq Nisar, Syed Gulam Akbar, Dr. Obeidullah, Dr. Waquar Anwar, K M Abdul Salam, Noorullah Siddiqui and Abdul Rasheed.

Address:

Indian Centre for Islamic Finance

D-309, Abul Fazl Enclave,Dawat nagar,

New Delhi-110025

Ph: 011-29945946

E-mail: icif.trust@gmail.com/info@icif.in

http://www.twocircles.net/2010may28/indian_centre_islamic_finance_launches_its_website.html

Dress in Islam

Dress in Islam

by: Dr Y Mansoor Marican, Ph. D

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate

“I feel more intimidated by the flaunting of semi naked bodies in soft porn outfits,

than I do a fully covered Muslim woman.” [‘Piffle’]

“The very same headscarf revered as a sign of ‘holiness’ when worn by Catholic Nuns, is reviled as a sign of ‘oppression’ when worn by Muslim women.” [Sherif Abdel Azim]

Western politicians and media criticize Islam as anti-women.

They fear the growing trend amongst young, educated women all over the world to embrace Islam to reclaim their rights and dignity.

Just about everything that feminists in the West strived for in the ’70s was already available to Muslim women 1400 years ago.

Women enjoy more protection and respect within Islam compared to any other faith.

The rights of a Muslim woman include the right to have her survival and sexual needs met by her husband, a marriage contract, divorce, refuse a marriage proposal and maintain her name when entering marriage.

She also has the right to inheritance, own and run her own business, exclusive possession of her assets and dispose them in ways that she considers appropriate.

In the spiritual realm, women are equal to men as the only distinction amongst

the Believers is the level of their piety.

The status accorded to women in Islam is best exemplified in the reply of Prophet

Muhammad (upon him be peace) when asked about Paradise: “It is at the feet of the mother.” [Bukhari]

Western politicians and media portray Islam as anti-women’s rights by highlighting cultural and political practices in Muslim lands that have nothing to do with Islam.

Islam is not what some Muslims do but what all Muslims are supposed to do!

What Hitler, raised in a Christian family, did was not what Jesus (upon him be peace) preached!

Muslims regard the West’s attacks on Islam as nothing but hypocrisy as reflected

in their backing of groups that suppress human rights in Muslim lands.

The hegemonic control of the oil and natural gas reserves in Muslim lands is

the primary goal of the Western powers.

“On entering Baghdad on April 9, 2003, US forces stood by as looters burned and

ransacked government ministries – except the oil ministry which they guarded diligently.” [The Star, January 11, 2007]

Muslims view the attacks against Islam as ways to divide and weaken the Muslims to further the West’s hegemonic ambitions.

Every aspect of Islam is now under a magnifying glass – to search for subjects to distort and misrepresent Islam as backward and violent.

History of Al-Aqza

Written by Administrator

To Muslims Jerusalem houses one of the holiest Mosques, the Masjid al Aqza and represents a place of one of the greatest religious significance. This needs to be appreciated before a sincere bridge of mutual friendship, is built.

Muslims call to rule over Jerusalem is not driven by colonist, nationalist or material motives. The love of every grain in the Holy City is sacred to Muslims. As Muslims’ respect all the Prophets revered by Judaism and Christianity and their venerated places are also central to the ethos of Islam.

It is only by entrusting the custody of the Holy City to the Muslims can the present Judaisation of Jerusalem come to a halt and morally open the city to all the three faiths. To quote a few Qur’anic verses and sayings of Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] with regard to Jerusalem will indicate the importance Masjid al Aqsa and therefore Jerusalem has assumed upon the Muslims hearts.

1. The miraculous journey of the holy Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] from Makkah to Masjid al Aqsa (al Isra) and his ascension through the heavens (al Ma’araj) has linked Jerusalem to the Muslims hearts and minds. The Holy Qur’an states:Glory to Allah who did take His Servant for a journey by night from the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) to the Al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem) whose precincts We did bless (al-Isra 17: 1)
   • The Lord Almighty had at in His power to have taken the Prophet Muhammad e from Makkah straight up to the heavens. However, to impress the importance of Jerusalem upon Muslims the Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] was first taken to Masjid al Aqsa in Jerusalem.
   • When in Masjid al Aqsa Haram Shareef the Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] led Salaah and was followed by all the previous Prophets peace be upon him. Hence the whole of Masjid al Aqsa precincts are unique in that this is the only place on earth where all the Prophets peace be upon him performed Salaah in congregation.
   • The Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) peace be upon him central to all the three faiths migrated to the land of Canaanite around 1805 BC. The Qur’an states:We said, O Fire! Be thou cool and safety for Ibrahim. Then they planned against him, but We made them the greater losers. But We delivered him and (his nephew) Lot (and directed them) to the land which We have blessed for the nations (Al-Anbiyaa 21: 69-71)

2. The sacredness of Jerusalem is emphasised on numerous places in the Holy Qur’an. The Apostles of Allah, Muhammad [peace be upon him] and also Prophet Musa (Mosses) [peace be upon him] alluded to it. The Holy Qur’an reports Prophet Musa [peace be upon him] telling his people:O my people! Enter the holy land…
   (Al-Maida 5: 21)

3. Further the Holy Qur’an states:(It was Our power that made) the violent (unruly) Wind flow (tamely) for Sulaman. To his order, to the land Which We had blessed…
   (Al-Anbiyaa 21: 81)

4. Masjid al Aqsa and therefore Jerusalem’s importance was further emphasized by the sayings of Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him]:
   • According to Islamic teachings there are only three places to which it is desirable to undertake a journey for the purpose of Salaah.Abu Huraira [ra] is quoted as saying that Allah’s Messenger [peace be upon him] said, ‘set out deliberately on a journey only to three mosques: this mosque of mine (in Medina), the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) and the Masjid al Aqsa (in Jerusalem) (Bukhari & Muslim)

   • The virtues of praying in Masjid al Aqsa are exalted:Abu Darda [ra] is quoted as saying that the Prophet of Allah Muhammad [peace be upon him] said, a prayer in the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) is worth 100, 000 prayers, a prayer in my mosque (in Medina) is worth 1, 000 and a prayer in Jerusalem is worth 500 prayers more than in an any other mosque. (Bukhari)As part of another tradition, on the authority of Maimunah bint Sa’d, it is reported that, upon being asked about a person who is unable to travel to the Masjid al Aqsa, the Messenger of Allah [peace be upon him] said, ‘He should make a gift of oil to be burnt therein, for He who gives a gift to the Masjid al Aqza will be like one who has prayed Salaah therein.’ (Ahmad & Ibn Majah)

   • The Masjid al Aqsa is the second house of prayer established on earth:Abu Dhar [ra] is quoted as saying, I asked the beloved Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] which was the first mosque on earth? ‘The Sacred Mosque (in Makkah),’ he said. And then which, I asked? ‘Masjid al Aqsa,’ he said. I further asked, what was the time span between the two? ‘Forty years,’ the Prophet [peace be upon him] replied. (Muslim)

   • Abu Umamah al Bahili [ra] reports that the Prophet of Allah [peace be upon him] as saying, ‘A group of my ummah will remain firm upon the truth, dominating their enemies. They will not be harmed by their opponents until Allah’s decree arrives upon them. They asked, ‘Oh Prophet of Allah [peace be upon him]! Where will they be?’ He replied, ‘In Bait al Maqdis and its surrounding areas. (Ahmad)
5. The Masjid al Aqsa was the First Qibla (the direction to which Muslims faced when praying Salaah):The centrality, historical and cultural significance of Masjid al Aqza is further emphasized by the fact that Muslims used to turn towards Jerusalem when they prayed. This was practiced until 16 to 17 months after hijra, when Allah I commanded in His wisdom, for the Muslims to face Makkah. The importance of Masjid al Aqza remained and all the worship performed facing Masjid al Aqza was good and valid.

6. The resting place of Prophets [peace be upon him] and Prophet’s companions [ra]:The land of Palestine has in it some of the noblest souls the earth has seen. The graves of many Prophet’s are in Palestine. Including Ibrahim peace be upon him, Yakub peace be upon him, Ishaq [peace be upon them] and according to some commentators there are over 100 Prophets buried in Palestine.Palestine also has the bodies of some of the closest companions of the Prophet e and thus the first generation Muslims. Included in these are the graves of Ubada ibn al Samit, Shaddad ibn Aws ibn Thabit al Ansari and Tamim al Dari [ra].

7. Merits of Performing Haj or Umrah from Masjid al Aqsa:Umm Salamah [ra] narrates that she heard the Prophet [peace be upon him] saying, ‘whosoever starts his Umrah or Haj from Masjid al Aqsa his wrong actions will be forgiven, both past and future.’ In another version, he is reported to have said that Paradise would be his reward. (Targheb)

8. Freedom of the Holy City.After the battle of Yarmuk the Muslim forces under the command of Abu Ubaydahr alay siege to Jerusalem. The inhabitants consented to surrender on condition the Khalifa, Umar ibn al Khattabr acame in person. Umar [ra] travelled to Palestine and formally received the keys to the city in 637 AC. On his arrival, he concluded the famous peace treaty with the people of Holy City. This opened the doors to the Jews, who were denied access for thousands of years and for the first time Jerusalem under Muslim rule became truly an OPEN CITY to all the three faiths. Throughout Muslim rule of over one thousand two hundred years of Jerusalem, members of Jewish, Christianity and Islam found a heaven to prosper from. Muslim rule enabled the city to live up to its rightful title of ‘The Holy City’ as it encompassed all the believers in One God to go about their business without hindrance.

To Muslims Jerusalem houses one of the holiest Mosques, the Masjid al Aqza and represents a place of greatest religious signific-ance. This needs to be appreciated by the West before a sincere bridge of mutual friendship, is built.

Muslims’ call to rule over Jerusalem is not driven by colonist, nationalist or material motives. The love of every grain in the Holy City is sacred to Muslims. As Muslims’ respect all the Prophets revered by Judaism and Christianity and their venerated places are also central to the ethos of Islam.

Best Times to make Du’a

There are certain times dua (supplication) is more likely to be accepted by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) as mentioned by Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam). These times are as follows:

1. The Last Third Of The Night:
Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)) descends to the lowermost heaven and says; “Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?.”‘ [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]Amr ibn Absah narrated that the Prophet said: ‘The closest any worshipper can be to His Lord is during the last part of the night, so if you can be amongst those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.'[at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa’i, al-Hakim – Sahih]

2. Late At Night
When people are sleeping and busy with worldly pleasures Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) gives the believers an opportunity, or an answer hour if they can fight sleep and invoke Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) for whatever they need.

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘There is at night an hour, no Muslim happens to be asking Allah any matter of this world or the Hereafter, except that he will be given it, and this (occurs) every night.'[Muslim #757]

3. Between Adhan and Iqamah
Anas (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘A supplication made between the Adhan and Iqama is not rejected.’ [Ahmad, abu Dawud #521, at-Tirmidhi #212, Sahih al-Jami #3408, an-Nasai and Ibn Hibban graded it sahih (sound)]

4. An Hour On Friday
Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) talked about Friday and said: ‘There is an hour on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat (prayer) and asks something from Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), then Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) will definitely meet his demand.’ And he (the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands.[Sahih al-Bukhari]Some have said that this hour is from the time the Imam (prayer’s leader) enters the Masjid on Friday’s prayer until the prayer is over (ie between the two khutbahs), whereas others have said that it is the last hour of the day (ie after the Asr prayer until the Maghrib prayer). (Note: when we say an hour here we do not mean the hour everyone knows (60 minutes) but an unspecified period of time because the time counters which we use today came after the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) had died.

5. While Drinking Zamzam Water
Jaber (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Zamzam water is for what it is drunk for.’ [Ahmad 3: 357 and Ibn Majah #3062] This means that when you drink Zamzam water you may ask Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) for anything you like to gain or benefit from this water such as healing from illness…. etc.

6. While Prostrating
Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), said: ‘The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) much in it. [Muslim, abu Dawud, an-Nasa’i and others, Sahih al-Jami #1175]

When a Muslim is in his Salat (prayer) he is facing Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and when he prostrates he is the nearest he can be to Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) so it is best to invoke Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) at this time.It is said that while in prostration, one should not ask for worldy needs (ie a nice car, a new job, etc), but for the Hereafter.

7. When Waking Up At Night
Narrated Ubada Bin As-Samit that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Whomever wakes up at night and says La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shrika lahu lahulmulku, wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ala kulli shai’in qadir. Alhamdu lillahi, wa subhanallahi wa la ilaha illallahu, wallah akbir, wa la hawla wala quwata illa billah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) He is the only one who has no partners. His is the kingdom and all the praises are for Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) All the glories are for Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) is the most Great and there is neither might nor power except with Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and then says, Allahumma ighfir li (O Allah! Forgive me) or invokes Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), he will be responded to and if he makes ablution and performs Salat (prayer), his Salat (prayer) will be accepted. [Sahih al-Bukhari]

8. At The End Of The Obligatory Salat
Narrated Abu Omamah (radiAllahu anhu): that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was asked, O Messenger of Allah, which supplication is heard (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), he said the end of the night and at the end of the obligatory Salat (prayer) [at-Tirmidhi] This time is after saying ‘At-tahyat’ , and before making Tasleem (finishing prayer)

9. The Night Of ‘Qadr’ (Decree)
This night is the greatest night of the year.. This is the night which the almighty Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) said about it, “The night of Al-Qadar (Decree) is better than a thousand months.” [Surah al-Qadr, 97: 3]The Night of Decree is one of the odd nights of the last ten nights of the blessed month of Ramadan. The angels descend down to the earth, and the earth is overwhelmed with peace and serenity until the break of dawn and when he doors of Paradise are opened, the worshipper is encouraged to turn to Allah to ask for his needs for this world and the Hereafter.

10. During The Rain
Narrated Sahel Ibn Sa’ad (radiAllahu anhu): that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Two will not be rejected, Supplication when the Adhan (call of prayer) is being called, and at the time of the rain’. [Al-Hakim 2: 114, and Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah] ‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls'[reported by Imam al-Shafi’ in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469] The time of the rain is a time of mercy from Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) so, one should take advantage of this time when Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) is having mercy on His slaves.

11. At The Adhan
‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls'[reported by Imam al-Shafi’ in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469] In another hadith; ‘When the prayer is called, the doors of the skies are opened, and the du’a is answered'[al- Tayalisi in his Musnad #2106, al-Sahihah #1413]

12. The One Who Is Suffering Injustice And Opression
The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said to Mua’ad Ibn Jabal (radiAllahu anhu), ‘Beware of the supplication of the unjustly treated, because there is no shelter or veil between it (the supplication of the one who is suffering injustice) and Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)’ [Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim] The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared,’Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.'[ Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi – Hasan] In another hadith; The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared:’Three du’as are surely answered: The du’a of the oppressed, the du’a of the traveler, and the du’a of the father/mother (upon their child)’The One who is suffering injustice is heard by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) when he invokes Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) to retain his rights from the unjust one or oppressor. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) has sworn to help the one who is suffering from injustice sooner or later as the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said.