Zikr

A man once told the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam): “The roads to good are many and I am unable to take all of them, so please tell me something to which I can hold fast, but do not overburden me lest I forget it.” He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Make sure that your tongue is moist and supple with the remembrance of Allah, the Exalted.” [Tirmidhi]
A man once asked Salman (radi Allahu anhu): “Which deeds are the best?” He replied: “Haven’t you read in the Quran, ‘And the remembrance of Allah is greatest. (Surah 29, Ayat 45)?’”

There are several types of remembrance. The remembrance of the Names of Allah, Mighty and Glorious is He; the remembrance of His Attributes; praising Him and thanking Him; mentioning what He has commanded and what He has forbidden; and talking about His blessings. But the best type of remembrance is the recitation of the Quran.

Khabbab ibn al-Arat said to a man, “Draw closer to Allah as much as you can, and remember that you can do so by no means more pleasing to Him than using His own words.”

This hadith has been sent to me by dailyhadith.adaptivesolutionsinc.com

(Zikr or Dhikr) “Remembrance [of God]”

Meaning of the Word ‘Caliph’

The word ‘Caliph’ is the English form of the Arabic word ‘Khalifa,’ which is short for Khalifatu Rasulil-lah. The latter expression means Successor to the Messenger of God, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him). The title ‘Khalifatu Rasulil-lah’. was first used for Abu Bakr, who was elected head of the Muslim community after the death of the Prophet.

The Significance of the Caliphate
The mission of Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him), like that of the earlier messengers of God, was to call people to the worship of and submission to the One True God. In practice, submission to God means to obey His injunctions as given in the Holy Qur’an and as exemplified by Sunnah (the practice of the Prophet). As successor to the Prophet, the Caliph was the head of the Muslim community and his primary responsibility was to continue in the path of the Prophet. Since religion was perfected and the door of Divine revelation was closed at the death of the Prophet, the Caliph was to make all laws in accordance with the Qur’an and the Sunnah. He was a ruler over Muslims but not their sovereign since sovereignty belongs to God alone. He was to be obeyed as long as he obeyed God. He was responsible for creating and maintaining conditions under which it would be easy for Muslims to live according to Islamic principles, and to see that justice was done to all. Abu Bakr, at the time he accepted the caliphate, stated his position thus:

“The weak among you shall be strong with me until their rights have been vindicated; and the strong among you shall he weak with me until, if the Lord wills, I have taken what is due from them… Obey me as long as I obey God and His Messenger. When I disobey Him and His Prophet, then obey me not.”

The Rightly-Guided Caliphs (Al-Khulafa-ur-Rashidun)
Those Caliphs who truly followed in the Prophet’s foot steps are called ‘The Rightly-Guided Caliphs’ (Al-Khulafa-ur Rashidun in Arabic). They are the first four Caliphs: Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, Uthman and Ali. All four were among thc earliest and closest Companions of the Prophet (peace be on him). They lived simple and righteous lives and strove hard for the religion of God. Their justice was impartial, their treatment of others was kind and merciful, and they were one with the people – the first among equals. After these four, the later Caliphs assumed the manners of kings and emperors and the true spirit of equality of ruler and ruled diminished to a considerable extent in the political life of Muslims.

It should be clearly understood that the mission of Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him), and hence that of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, was not political, social or economic reform, although such reforms were a logical consequence of the success of this mission, nor the unity of a nation and the establishment of an empire, although the nation did unite and vast areas came under one administration, nor the spread of a civilization or culture, although many civilizations and cultures developed, but only to deliver the message of God to all the peoples of the world and to invite them to submit to Him, while being the foremost among those who submitted.

What About the Present?
The primary responsibility of an Islamic government is still the same as it was in the days of the early Caliphs: to make all laws in accordance with the Qur’an and the Sunnah, to make positive efforts to create and maintain conditions under which it will be possible and easy for Muslims to live an Islamic life, to secure impartial and speedy justice for all, and to strive hard in the path of God. Any government which is committed to such a policy is truly following the message delivered by the Prophet (peace be on him).
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The blessings Allah creates for believers in paradise

THERE IS GREAT WEALTH AND SPLENDORSeeing them, you see delight and a great kingdom.. (Surat al-Insan, 20)

They will be reclining on couches lined with rich brocade, the fruits of the Gardens hanging close to hand. (Surat ar-Rahman, 54)
THERE ARE RIVERS

An image of the Garden which is promised to those who guard against evil: in it there are rivers of water which will never spoil and rivers of milk whose taste will never change and rivers of wine, delightful to all who drink it, and rivers of honey of undiluted purity; in it they will have fruit of every kind and forgiveness from their Lord. Is that like those who will be in the Fire timelessly, for ever, with boiling water to drink which lacerates their bowels? (Surat al-Muhammad, 15)
THERE ARE SPRINGS

In them are two clear flowing springs. (Surat ar- Rahman, 50)

The heedful will be amid shade and fountains. (Surat al-Mursalat, 41)

In it there is a flowing spring called Salsabil.. (Surat al-Insan, 18)
THERE IS GREENERY

Shaded by spreading branches. (Surat ar-Rahman, 48)

Of deep viridian green.. (Surat ar-Rahman, 64)
IT IS NEITHER HOT NOR COLD, AND THERE IS JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF SHADE

But as for those who believe and do right actions, We will admit them into Gardens with rivers flowing under them, remaining in them timelessly, for ever and ever. In them they will have spouses of perfect purity and We will admit them into cool, refreshing shade. (Surat an-Nisa, 57)

Reclining in it (the Garden) on couches, they will experience there neither burning sun nor bitter cold.. (Surat al-Insan,13)
THEY LIVE IN LOFTY HALLS AND FINE MANSIONS

As for those who believe and do right actions, We will lodge them in lofty chambers in the Garden, with rivers flowing under them, remaining in them timelessly, for ever. How excellent is the reward of those who act.. (Surat al-Ankabut, 58)

But those who have fear of their Lord will have high-ceilinged Halls, and more such Halls built one above the other, and rivers flowing under them. That is Allah’s promise. Allah does not break His promise.. (Suraz az-Zumar, 20)
THERE ARE LOFTY THRONES

Reclining in it (the Garden) on couches, they will experience there neither burning sun nor bitter cold.. (Surat al-Insan,13)
On sumptuous woven couches… (Surat al-Wakia, 15)

Facing each other on Thrones (of Dignity):. (Surat al-Saffat, 44)
THERE ARE PILLOWS AND EXQUISITE COUCHES

They will be reclining on couches lined with rich brocade, the fruits of the Gardens hanging close to hand. (Surat ar-Rahman, 54)

Reclining on green quilts and exquisite rugs. (Suat ar-Rahman, 76)

(In the Garden are) lined-up cushions, spread-out rugs…. (Surat al-Ghasshiyya, 15-16)

And on Thrones (of Dignity), raised high.. (Surat al-Wakia, 34)
THERE ARE THE FINEST CLOTHES AND ADORNMENTS

And (Allah) will reward them for their steadfastness with a Garden and with silk. (Surat al-Insan,12)

They will wear green garments of fine silk and rich brocade. They will be adorned with silver bracelets. And their Lord will give them a pure draught to drink. (Surat al-Insan,21)

But Allah will admit those who believe and do right actions into Gardens with rivers flowing under them where they will be adorned with gold bracelets and pearls, and where their clothing will be of silk. (Surat al-Hajj, 23)
FOOD AND DRINK IN PARADISE

They are given the choicest sealed wine to drink. The seal thereof will be Musk: And for this let those aspire, who have aspirations: (Surat al-Mutaffifin, 25-26)

And a cup full (to the brim). (Surat an-Naba’, 34)

The truly good will drink from a cup mixed with the coolness of camphor, a spring from which Allah’s servants will drink, making it gush forth at will abundantly. (Surat al-Insan,5-6)

Sweet fruits (Delights); and they (shall enjoy) honour and dignity, (Surat as-Saffat, 42)

(In Gardens of Delight, believers will have) a cup from a flowing spring passing round among them. Crystal-white, of a taste delicious to those who drink (thereof), Free from headiness; nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom. (Surat as- Saffat, 45-47)

With goblets, (shining) beakers, and cups (filled) out of clear-flowing fountains: No after-ache will they receive therefrom, nor will they suffer intoxication: And with fruits, any that they may select: And the flesh of fowls, any that they may desire. (Surat al-Wakia, 18-21)

(They will be) among Lote-trees without thorns, Among Talh trees with flowers (or fruits) piled one above another,- (Surat al-Wakia, 28-29)

Its shading branches will droop down over them, its ripe fruit hanging ready to be picked. (In the Garden of Paradise) vessels of silver and goblets of pure crystal will be passed round among them, crystalline silver–they have measured them very exactly. They will be given there a cup to drink mixed with the warmth of ginger. (Surat al-Insan, 14-17)

Gardens and grape vines. (Surat an-Naba’, 32)

In them are fruits and date-palms and pomegranates. (Surat ar-Rahman, 68)
THERE ARE PLEASANT-NATURED AND ATTRACTIVE WIVES

We have brought maidens into being. And made them virgin – pure (and undefiled), Beloved (by nature), equal in age,-(Surat al-Wakia, 35-37)

Give the good news to those who believe and do right actions that they will have Gardens with rivers flowing under them. When they are given fruit there as provision, they will say, ‘This is what we were given before.’ But they were only given a simulation of it. They will have there spouses of perfect purity and will remain there timelessly, for ever. (Surat al-Baqara, 25)

There will be dark-eyed maidens with them, with eyes reserved for them alone. (Surat as-Saffat, 48)
And (there will be) Companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes,-Like unto Pearls well-guarded.; (Surat al-Wakia, 22-23)
In them are sweet, lovely maidens. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?- Dark-eyed, secluded in cool pavilions. (Surat ar-Rahman, 70-72)

From the works of Harun Yahyahttp://harunyahya.com/en/Makaleler/36965/The-blessings-Allah-creates-for-believers-in-paradise
Source : http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2011/08/13/the-blessings-allah-creates-for-believers-in-paradise/

Polish Your Heart

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Temptations are presented to the heart, one by one. Any heart that accepts them will be left with a black stain, but any heart that rejects them will be left with a mark of purity, so that hearts are of two types: a dark heart that has turned away and become like an overturned vessel, and a pure heart that will never be harmed by temptation for as long as the earth and the heavens exist. The dark heart only recognizes good and denounces evil when this suits its desires and whims.” [Muslim, Kitab al-Iman]

Acts of obedience are essential to the well being of the heart of the servant of Allah, just in the same way that food and drink are to that of the body. All wrong actions are the same as poisonous foods, and they inevitably harm the heart.

The well being of the servant of Allah’s heart, however, is far more important than that of his body, for while the well being of his body enables him to lead a life that is free from illnesses in this world, that of the heart ensures him both a fortunate life in this world and eternal bliss in the next.

Giving in to temptations and disobeying Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) poison the heart and cause its sickness and ruin. Like an overturned bowl cannot hold any water in it, an overturned heart cannot hold any Iman in it.

Refusing temptations, on the other hand, polish and illuminate the heart, filling it with Iman and making it more beloved to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala).
This hadith has been sent to me by http://dailyhadith.adaptivesolutionsinc.com/

Muadh Ibn Jabal

Muadh ibn Jabal was a young man living in Yathrib as the light of Islam began to spread over the Arabian Peninsula.

He was a good-looking man with a unique personality, he used to impress whoever he meets very quickly. He was well known for his outstanding intelligence.

Muadh embraced Islam at the hands of Mus’ab ibn Umayr, the missionary whom Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) had sent to Yathrib before the Hijrah. He was one of the seventy-two Yathribites who went to Makkah, a year before the Hijrah, and met Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) at his home. They meet again at Mina where the famous second Aqabah Pledge was made when the Yathrib’s who had lately embraced Islam, including some women, vowed to support and defend Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) no matter what it takes. Muadh was one of those who enthusiastically pledged allegiance to Prophet Mohamed (PBUH).

As soon as Muadh returned from Makkah, he and some other men of his age formed a group to remove all the idols from the houses of the nonbelievers in Yathrib. One of the leaders of the city, Amr ibn al Jumuh embraced Islam after this campaign was launched.

Muadh stayed in the company of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH), he learned the Qur’an and the laws of Islam until he became one of the most well versed of all the Prophet’s Companions.

Muadh was the best pupil of the best teacher. His knowledge bore the stamp of authenticity. The best certificate that he could have get came from Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) himself when he said:

“The most knowledgeable of my people in matters of virtue and vice is Muadh ibn Jabal.”

One of the greatest contributions of Muadh to the people of Mohamed (PBUH) was being one of the six who collected the Qur’an during the lifetime of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH). Whenever a group of companions gathered and Muadh was among them, they would look at him with fear and respect. The Prophet and his two Khalifahs after him used this unique gift and power in the service of Islam.

After Makkah was liberated, the Quraysh tribe embraced Islam. The Prophet (PBUH) at once saw the need of those new Muslims for teachers to instruct them and teach them the fundamentals of Islam. He (PBUH) appointed Attab ibn Usay as his deputy in Makkah and he asked Muadh ibn Jabal to accompany him and teach people the Qur’an and instruct them.

Not long after Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) returned to Madinah that the messengers of the kings of Yemen came to him announcing that they and their people have embraced Muslims. They asked for a teacher to instruct them and teach them everything about Islam. Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) appointed a group of competent missionaries and made Muadh ibn Jabal their leader. He then asked Muadh this question:

“What will you base your judgement on?”

“According to the Book of God,” replied Muadh.

“And if you find nothing therein?”

“According to the Sunnah of the Prophet of God.”

“And if you find nothing therein?”

“Then I will exert myself to form on own judgment.” The Prophet was pleased with this reply and said:

“Praise be to Allah who has guided the messenger of the Prophet to that which pleases the Prophet.”

Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) bade farewell to those missionaries of guidance and light and walked for some distance next to Muadh as he rode out of the city. Finally he said to him:

“O Muadh, perhaps you shall not meet me again after this year. Perhaps when you return you shall see only my mosque and my grave.”

Muadh and those with him wept. And feeling of sadness and desolation overtook him as he parted from his beloved Prophet (PBUH).

The Prophet’s inner feeling was correct. Muadh never saw the Prophet after that moment. The Prophet died before Muadh returned from Yemen. There is no doubt that Muadh wept when he returned to Madinah and found out that the blessed Prophet passed away.

During the caliphate of Omar, Muadh was sent to the Banu Kilab to apportion their stipends and to distribute the sadaqah of their rich people. When he finished his mission, he went back to his wife with his saddle blanket around his neck, empty handed, and she asked him:

“Where are the gifts which commissioners return with for their families?”

“I had an alert Supervisor who was checking over me,” he replied.

“You were a trusted person with the messenger of God and with Abu Bakr. Then Omar came and sent a supervisor to check on you!” she exclaimed. She told this to the women of Omar’s household and complained to them about it. The complaint very soon reached Omar, so he called for Muadh and said:

“Did I send a supervisor with you to check on you?”

“No, Amir al-Mu’mineen,” he said, “But that was the only reason I could find to give her.” Omar laughed and gave him a gift, saying:

“I hope this pleases you.”

Also during the caliphate of Omar, the governor of Syria, Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan sent a message saying:

“O Amir al-Mu’mineen! The people of Syria are many. They need people to teach them the Qur’an and instruct them with their religion.”

As soon as Omar received this message he gathered the five men who collected the Qur’an in the lifetime of the Prophet (PBUH). They were Muadh ibn Jabal, ‘Ubadah ibn as Samit, Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, Ubayy ibn Ka’b and Abu adDardaa. He said to them:

“Your brothers in Syria have asked me for help, they want me to send them who can teach them the Qur’an and instruct them in the religion. Please appoint three among you for this task and May God bless you. I can select three of you myself if you do not want to put the matter to the vote.”

“Why should we vote?” they asked. “Abu Ayyub is quite old and Ubayy is a sick man. That leaves three of us.”

“All three of you go to Hums first of all. If you are satisfied with the condition of the people there, one of you should stay there, another should go to Damascus and the other to Palestine.”

So ‘Ubadah ibn as-Samit was left at Hums, Abu ad-Dardaa went to Damascus and Muadh went to Palestine. During Muadh’s stay over there he fell ill with an infectious disease. As he was on his death bed, he turned in the direction of the Ka’bah and repeated this refrain:

“Welcome Death, Welcome. A visitor has come after a long absence . . .”

And looking up to heaven, he said:

“O Lord, You know that I did not desire the world and to prolong my stay in it . . . O Lord, accept my soul with goodness as you would accept a believing soul . . .”

He then died, far from his family and his clan, a missionary in the service of God and an immigrant in His path.

This is information from*

http://www.islamonline.com/cgi-bin/news_service/profile_story.asp?service_id=940
http://www.mohammad-pbuh.info/3/binjabal.htm

Mosque demolished in Um Fagarah

Villagers from Um Fagarah in the southern West Bank sitting on the rubble of their mosque, which was demolished on Tuesday – for the second time. Israeli authorities say such demolitions are carried out due to lack of planning permission, but the UN and other international agencies say Palestinians are rarely granted building permits in Area C (the majority of the West Bank.) Local resident Joma’a Rabai told the EAPPI team: ”We don’t have freedom of religion here, we cannot practice our religion any more. What you have seen here is the truth, and we want all the world to know.”
Photo by J. Roko, EAPPI South Hebron Hills Team

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” My Lord! Increase me in Knowledge.”

A Letter to non-Muslims

Dear Brother/Sister,

We kindly request you to spend a few moments of your time reading this letter because it just might be possible that this letter will open before you a new dimension of your role as a human being in this universe. We hope that you are a free thinking, broadminded, and prejudice-free human being whose goal is to find the truth. Before we continue, let us state to you the purpose of this letter- that this is an introduction and invitation to the way of life known as Islam.

1. WHAT IS ISLAM

Islam, unlike most other religions, is not named after any man. Instead Islam means the submission of one’s will to the only true god worthy of worship “Allah” and anyone who does so is termed a “Muslim”. The word also implies “peace” which is the natural consequence of total submission to the will of Allah. Islam is the religion that was given to Adam, the first man and the first prophet of Allah, and it was the religion of all the prophets sent by Allah to mankind like Jesus and Moses.

2. THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM

The most important message of Islam is the absolute Unity of God-that there is only One Supreme Being who has no partners and is not dependent on anyone or anything. He is the creator of everything and the whole universe is under His control. Since the total submission of one’s will to Allah represents the essence of worship, Islam is the worship of Allah alone and the avoidance of worship directed to any person, place or thing other than Allah. In essence, Islam calls man away from the worship of creation and invites him to worship only its Creator. Allah is the only one deserving man’s worship as it is only by His will that prayers are answered. Hence prayers to the non-living such as the sun, fire, and to humans whether they be Jesus, Moses or even Muhammad (pbut) are rejected, as Allah informs us in the opening chapter of the Qur’an, known as Soorah Al-Faatihah, verse 4:

“You alone do we worship and from you alone do we seek help.”

A Muslim believes that Allah and His creation are distinctly different entities. Neither is Allah His creation or a part of it, nor is His creation Him or a part of Him. Ultimately, it is the belief that the essence of Allah is everywhere in His creation or that His divine being is or was present in some aspects of His creation, which has provided justification for the worship of creation. Islam, hence, is a clear call to the worship of the Creator and the rejection of creation-worship in any form.

3. THE MIRACLE OF QUR’AN

“And if you are in doubt as to what We [Allah] have revealed…then produce a Soorah (chapter) like thereunto”(Soorah Baqarah 2:23)

This was the challenge put forth by Allah in the Qur’an 1400 years ago. As of yet, none has or will ever come close to meeting this challenge. Hence, as a result, multitudes throughout the centuries have believed and continue to believe in the Qur’an as a revelation beyond any human capacity. Modern scientists, for instance, have been amazed by the accuracy of scientific information presented in the Qur’an. Here are just a few examples:

In his book of embryology-‘The Developing Human’ [W.B. Saunders Publishing, 1982], Dr. Keith Moore added a whole chapter to discuss the scientific accuracy of the Quranic discussion of this science. Another eminent scientist, Dr. Maurice Bucaille wrote in his book-‘The Bible, the Qur’an and Science”:

“I could not find a single error in the Qur’an…if a man was the author of the Qur’an how could he have written facts in the 7th century A.D. that today are shown to be in keeping with modern scientific knowledge”

Facts about astronomy, the animal world and other natural phenomenon, that were alien to modern science not long ago, are scattered among the messages of Allah’s Unity and His Attributes throughout the miracle that is known as al-Qur’an.

I thank you for your time. May Allah guide all of us to the truth.

(This letter from thedeenshow.com was edited and posted)
http://www.ethirkkural.com/p/blog-page_27.html