When You Come to the Masjid

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “When anyone of you enters the Masjid, he should not sit before offering two Rakaat of prayer.” [Muslim, Musafireen]

Abu Qatada (radi Allahu anhu) had gone to Masjid-e-Nabawi. When he saw the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) sitting among his Companions, he went towards them and joined the group.

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) turned to Abu Qatada (radi Allahu anhu) and asked him, “What prevented you from offering two Rakaat of prayer?”

Abu Qatada (radi Allahu anhu) replied, “O Rasulullah, I saw that you and your Companions were sitting.”

Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “When anyone of you enters the Masjid, he should not sit before offering two Rakaat of prayer.” [Muslim, Musafireen]

Although the earth, everything on it – indeed everything in the universe and beyond – belongs to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala), yet Masjids have been designated as houses of Allah. It is not thinkable that I go to the house of someone very dear to me and not greet them on entering.

Therefore, when I enter a Masjid I should honour my being in Allah’s house and greet Him with two Rakaat of prayer.

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

Who Am I?

By:
Sajid Iqbal

I’m a father, a mother, a husband, a wife, a brother, a sister, a son and a daughter. I’m a child, a teenager and an adult. I’m a neighbour, team mate, work colleague and soul mate. I’m a student, a graduate and a teacher. I’m soap mad, a football fan, a food fanatic and a shopaholic. I’m normal, special, ambitious, creative and fun.

So what am I? I’m a Muslim.

Yep that’s right. It’s me you sit next to on the bus everyday. It’s me you see on the train to work. It’s me who smiles at you at the coffee shop. It’s me that you see bringing my kids from school. It’s me that leads the team meetings at work. It’s me that celebrates with you when United score.

And I’m still the same Muslim.

Do you recognise me? No. Why not?

Did you think I was the terrorist? Did you think I was a wannabe suicide bomber? Did you think I was the fanatic? Did you think I was the fundamentalist? Did you think I only attended angry marches? Did you think I burnt effigies? Did you think that I hate you? Did you think I was intolerant of others?

Did you not think that I was normal?

But I’m still the same old Muslim I’ve always been.

When 9/11, 7/7, and the recent bomb threats in Glasgow and London took place did you think it was me? Did you look at me suspiciously? Were you afraid of me? Did you start hating me? Did you think I should ‘go home’? Did you think I was the enemy within?

But I’m still the same old Muslim I’ve always been.

What is it about me that makes you uncomfortable?

Is it my beard or my headscarf? Is it my long robe? Is it my hat or my turban? Is it because I pray? Is it coz I don’t drink or go clubbin’? Is it because I’m different to you? Is it because I speak a second language? Is it because you think I’ve got your job? Is it because my name is foreign to you? Is it because I go to the mosque?

Have You Removed the Arrow?

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whenever anyone of you offers Salaat, he is speaking in private to his Lord.” [Sahih Bukhari]

During a battle, Ali (radi Allahu anhu) was shot in the foot by an arrow. It sank so deep into the bone that no one could easily remove it. The surgeon, having examined the wound, told Ali (radi Allahu anhu):

“Master, I can remove the arrow only if I put you to sleep through anaesthesia. I have to do it; otherwise you cannot bear the excruciating pain.”

Ali (radi Allahu anhu) replied: “There is no need for any medicine to dull my nerves. Wait for a while until the time for prayer arrives. When I stand to pray then you can remove the arrow.”

When the time for prayer arrived, Ali (radi Allahu anhu) got himself ready and stood to pray in utmost love and respect towards his Lord. He was enraptured with the fulfillment of worship of the Almighty Allah. Meanwhile, the surgeon removed the arrow and dressed up Ali (radi Allahu)’s wound.

When Ali (radi Allahu anhu) completed his Salaat, he asked the surgeon: “Have you removed the arrow?”

What is my Salaat like? Am I conscious of being in Allah’s presence when I am praying?

Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) describes the prayer of the hypocrites in the Quran with these words: “And when they stand up for the Salaat, they stand with laziness and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allah but little.” [Surah An-Nisa, Ayat 142]

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