Fasting is a Shield

Fasting is a shield[Bukhari]Fasting is a shield for a person whichprotects them from Shaytan, Allah’s punishment and Jahannam. However, one needs to make sure the shield is not damaged in any way. Otherwise it will not be effective in doing its job. The actions that damage this shield and render it useless are sins like Backbiting, Lying, Evil Glance, Swearing, Nonsensical Conversation, Arguments, Slander, Haram Sustenance, and every other evil.Besides the compulsory fasting in themonth of Ramadan, one should try tofast during those days for which Rasoolullah (صلي الله عليه و سلم) has mentioned many rewards, for example:*.6 days of Shawwal*.Day of Aarafah*.Ashoora (9th & 10th or 10th & 11th of Muharram)Source: Riyadul Jannah Issue 2 Vol 13

Taubah

Al-Agharr ibn Yasar al-Muzani said that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,said,“O people! Turn in repentance towards Allah and ask His forgiveness. I turn towards Him a hundred times a day.”[Muslim]

Eye that Weeps

Anas said, “The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, addressed us with a speech whose like I have never heard.He said, ‘If you were to know what I know, you would laugh little and weep much.’The Companions of the Messenger ofAllah covered their faces and sobbed.”[Bukhari, Muslim]

Mystery of Dhaeef Hadeeth

A beautiful explanation by our Hazrat, shaykhul Hadith mawlana Yusuf Motala Saheb damat barakatuhum.“Many people get very charged up and excited at the mention of many ahadeeth and just cannot resist labelling anything they do not know or agree with as “DHAEEF”, meaning “WEAK”, without even knowing and understanding what the term means and implies especially if it is a narration from “Fazaile Aamal” written by Shaikhul-Hadeeth MolanaZakariyyah Kandhalvi rahimahullah.Firstly: The literal meaning of hadeeth is a “statement”. Any statement is literally a “hadeeth”. In Islamic literacy , hadeeth is implied to be a statement by or regarding Rasoolullah sallallaho alaihe wasallam.But in the Quran it also saysهل اتك حديث موسى ..“Did the hadeeth of Musa (alaihissalaam) reach you?”It also saysهل اتك حديث ضيف ابراهيم المكرمين“Did the hadeeth of the honourable guests of Ibraheem (alaihissalaam) reach you?”This is why in books of haddeth , there are statements or sayings of Rasoolullah sallallaho alaihe wasallam , of sahaabah , of tabi’eensand even people after them.Secondly. The term saheeh or dhaeef is used to describe the status of the chain of narration and not just the text. Hence in many cases although the chain by which a hadeeth has been narrated is weak but the subjectcontained therein is sound and supported by other narrations or even Quran.The hadeethانما بعثت معلما“I have been sent as a teacher”, has been classified as dhaeef but the message contained therein is supported by the Quran where Allah says about the prophet sallallaho alaihe wasallam ,ويعلمكم ما لم تكونوا تعلمون .“He teaches you what you did not know”.So the prophet sallallaho alaihe wasallam was obviously a teacher as well.Thirdly-Whether a hadeeth and a narration is saheeh(authentic) or dhaeef (weak) is not an absolute and divine classification but rather the opinion of a muhaddith regarding a particular narration as there is not and cannot be a single narration about which Allah or his beloved prophet have stated that this is saheeh or dhaeef.Hence there are many narrations which are classified as saheeh by one scholars but dhaeef or weak by another.Fourthly- if a hadeeth is unacceptable and ought to be rejected because it is weak and in Fazaaile Aamal and the author Shaikhul-Hadeeth Molana Zakariyya is criticised for including itin his book , then virtually every otherbook of hadeeth apart of Bukhari andMuslim will need to be done away with as well, because Sheikh Zakariyyah did NOT make up those narrations but rather just quoted them from other original books of hadeeth compiled over a thousand years ago by great Muhadditheen, like Imam Tirmidhi , Abu Dawood , Ibn Majah etc. They were all considered to be amongst the greatest Muhadditheen ever in the ummah.So if they thought it permissible and necessary to present dhaeef narrations in their compilations thenwhy have people a thousand years down the line got problems.So rejecting dhaeef hadeeth merely because they are dhaeef is NOT the way of the pious ancestors -salaf saliheen but against the practice of the salaf-saliheen , as long as they do not contradict the Quran and other saheeh narrations ,and even then sometimes there is a reasonableexplanation or interpretation to justify their inclusion in a book to support or prove a point and doesn’t necessarily mean that it should be rejected and ignored altogether.Athough, preference is given to Quran and then saheeh hadeeth in all matters but many scholars have also stated that,“A dhaeef hadeeth is still better than no hadeeth” and better than the opinion of someone.This was also the stand of Imam Abu Hanifah and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal rahimahumullah.Source:Shaykh Abdul Raheem

What is Better?

“It is better to sit alone than in company with the bad; and it is better still to sit with the good than alone.It is better to speak to a seeker of knowledge than to remain silent; but silence is better than idle words.”(Bukhari)

Lustrous Night & Day

Rasulullah (Allah bless him & give him peace) used to say that the night of jumu’ah is a lustrous night, and the day of jumu’ah is a lustrous day.(Mishkaat)

Mother of All Days

Rasulullah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said:“Friday is the “mother” of all days and the most virtuous in the sight of Allah Ta’ala. In the sight of Allah Ta’ala it has more greatness thanEidul-FitrandEid ul-Ad’haa. ”(Imam Ibn Majah)

Best Character

‘Amr ibn Shu’ayb reported from his grandfather that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,said,“Shall I tell you about who among you I love the most and the one who will be seated closest to me on the Day of Rising?”The people were silent, so he repeated that two or three times.Then the people said,“Yes, Messenger of Allah.”He said,“The one among you with the best character.”Al-Adab al-Mufrad Al-Bukhari

Ihsaan

In the famous hadeeth of Jibril عليه السلام narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Huraira رضى الله عنه (Hadeeth 47, Abridged Saheeh al-Bukhari), Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.says ‘Ihsaanis that you worship Allah as though you see Him. Then, if you do not see Him then indeed He sees you’.This sentence of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. can be understood as follows;ihsaanis that you reach such a degree of devotion, sincerity, godliness, and awareness in your worship as well as in your very beingand existence, that you obey Allah and worship Him in such a state that your belief extends to your body and mind. Not only are you convinced of Allah سبحانه وتعالى and your relationship with Him but that belief and conviction, that faith in Allah عز وجل permeates your very body, nay your very existence. And thus with this state of mind, heart and spirit you worship Allah سبحانه وتعالى with such conviction and faith as though you are constantly seeing Allah سبحانه وتعالى Himself. That is your level of awareness. That is your state of obedience. Not only in salah, not only when you recite theQur’an, not only when you engage in thedhikr(remembrance) of Allah but throughout your life you reach that level of awareness, devotion and concentration in youribad’ahthat you behave respectfully towards Allah عز وجل and you behave in such a state as though you are constantly seeing Allah سبحانه وتعالى.[This short excerpt is based on Lesson 21 of the al Tajrid al Sarih series taught by Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq on 26th October 2001.For a more comprehensive understanding of this topic please refer to that lecture].Source:Content Soul

The Most Virtuous Day

Rasulullah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Of all the days, Friday is the most virtuous. It is on this day that the trumpet will be blown. Send abundant durood upon me on Fridays because they are presented to me on that day. ” The Sahabah radiallahu anhum asked: “O Rasulullah! How will they be presented to you when even your bones will not be present after your death?” Rasulullah (Allah bless him& give him peace) replied: “Allah Ta’ala has made the earth haraam upon the prophets forever . ” (Abu Dawud)

Auspiciousness of Tears

It is related by Abdullah bin Masood that the Apostle of God said:“The tears that fall from the eyes of a truthful Believer, out of the fear of the Lord, and, then, roll down his face, however little they are, even of the size of a fly [i.e., just one drop], shall prevent the Fire of Hell from [touching] his face.”[Ibn Majah]CommentaryIt shows that the face that gets wet, at any time, with tears shed in response to the fear of the Lord will remain protected from the Fire of Hell.As we have explained earlier, when the happy tidings of protection against the Fire of Hell are given in a Tradition, as a result of performing a virtuous deed, it, generally, means that it is the characteristic attribute ofthat deed, and God will keep him safefrom the infernal Fire who will carry it out provided that he is not guilty of a mortal sin which calls for the punishment of Fire, or if he has ever committed a sin entailing damnation, he has offeredsincere repentancefor it and resolved not to do it again.It must not be taken for an attempt at explaining away a difficulty but even in our common parlance such a condition is supposed to be implied with a promise or assurance of that kind.Source:Al Islam

The Best of days

Rasulullah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said:“Friday is the best of days. It was on this day that Hadrat Aadam alayhis salaam was created, it was on this day that he was granted entry into jannah, it was on this day that he was removed from jannah (which became the cause for man’s existence in this universe, and which is a great blessing), and the day of resurrection will also take place on this day.”(Sahih Muslim)

Chosen Bondsmen

It is narrated by M’aad bin Jabal thatwhen the Apostle of God sent him to Yemen, he gave him this advice: “O M’aad”, he said, “Avoid luxury. The chosen bondsmen of the Lord are notease-loving and self-indulgent.”-Musnad-i-AhmadCommentary:Though it is not forbidden to lead a life of ease and luxury, it does not befit the worthy bondmen of the Lord.They would better abstain from it. O Lord! There is no joy other than the joy of Futurity denotes the ideal rule of conduct for them.Source:Ma’riful Hadith

Company of the Pious

O Muslims, make it a point to sit with your elders, to seek clarification fromthe learned and to remain in contact with wise people.Tabarani

Demonstrating Love for Allah

Hajj is a demonstration of love for Allah. The flavour of love which permeates the acts of Hajj distinguishes it from other Ibaadat. Thus those who posses love for Allahis deficient, it will be strengthened by their engagement in the acts of love which belong to the Ibaadat of Hajj. Love for Allah established in the heart will solidify one’s Deen. The presence of love for Allah in the heart establishes one’s Deen on a firm basis. Hajj is specially efficacious forstrengthening one’s Deen.Hadhrat Aishah (radiallahu anha) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:“Making Tawaaf of Baitullah, to walkbetween Safa and Marwah and to pelt stones (at the Jimaar) have been ordained for establishing the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala.”(Abu Dawood)An observer might wonder at the wisdom underlying the circumambulation, the running and the pelting, but the Muslim should not be concerned about the wisdoms beneath these acts. Render these actsbelieving them to be the commands of Allah Ta’ala and that His Remembrance will be grounded in the heart by observing these acts. The relationship of the Believer with Allah Ta’ala is strengthened and his love is tested. Without understandingthe wisdom of these acts, the Muslim in love with Allah, executes them because of the Command of Allah Ta’ala. All Commands of Allah Ta’ala carried out because of His love.The acts of Hajj are permeated with love. Love overwhelms intelligence regarding the acts of Hajj. Idhtiba (baring the shoulder) and Raml (walking with shoulders swaying in soldier-like fashion) acts done in Hajj were initiated in the beginning as a display of physical strength when there was yet kuffaar domination over Makkah. However, these practices were retained even after Allah Ta’ala destroyed the power of the kuffaar and established Islam over Makkah.Source:Hayatul muslimeen

Six Fasts of Shawwal

Abu Ayyub (R.A) reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Anyone who fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six from Shawwal, it is as he had fasted the entire year.” [Muslim]

Consistency in Deeds

“The best of deeds are those carried out regularly even if they are little deeds. ” – HadithNever underestimate the reward of punctuality upon a small deed that isvery easy to fulfill or achieve. Regularity or punctuality upon little deeds, is much more rewarding than huge deeds that are not fulfilled except haphazardly. Do not be from those who have a tendency to start off something really good, but give up after a while.Be strong and keep going.May the Almighty strengthen our resolve to be regular in fulfilling our good deeds even if they are little. Aameen.Mufti Ismail Menk

Consistency in Deeds

“The best of deeds are those carried out regularly even if they are little deeds. ” – HadithNever underestimate the reward of punctuality upon a small deed that isvery easy to fulfill or achieve. Regularity or punctuality upon little deeds, is much more rewarding than huge deeds that are not fulfilled except haphazardly. Do not be from those who have a tendency to start off something really good, but give up after a while.Be strong and keep going.May the Almighty strengthen our resolve to be regular in fulfilling our good deeds even if they are little. Aameen.Mufti Ismail Menk

Meeting another Muslim with a cheerful countenance

When one Muslim meets another he should confront him with a smile and cheerful countenance and physically express his delight in meeting him. This will entail a fortification of love and affection between them. If you confront a grieved person with a cheerful countenance, you might just allay hisgrief or at least pacify him. A person feels unrestrained in expressing himself if he is confronted cheerfully thereby aiding him in fulfilling his needs.Hadhrat Abu Dhar (رضى الله تعالى عنه) narrates that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:“Don’t ever belittle any of your good deeds even though this may be meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance.” [Muslim]The Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:“When two Muslims meets and clasp each others hands, their sins are shed as a tree sheds it’s leaves.”Together with a buoyant confrontation, clasping each others hands is also mustahab (preferable) as this increases mutual love and affection.Hadhrat Qatadah (رضى الله تعالى عنه) relates that he enquired of Hadhrat Anas (رضى الله تعالى عنه) if the companions of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) grasped each others hands whilst meeting. Hadhrat Anas (رضى الله تعالى عنه) replied: “Yes of course!” [Fathul Baari]Hadhrat Baraa (رضى الله تعالى عنه) narrates that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:“When two Muslims meet one another and clasp each others hands, they are forgiven even before they separate from one another.” [Abu Daud]Source: The 40 Pathways to Jannah by Sheikh Khalid Sayyid Ali

Flavour of Faith

It is related by Abbas bin Adbul Muttalib that he heard the Apostle of God say: “He tasted the flavour of Faith and experienced its sweetness who agreed with a truthful heart to accept God as His Cherisher, Islam as his religion, and Muhammad as his Prophet.” [Bukhari]Commentary:Just as all delicious foods posses a flavour but can be perceived only when one’s faculty of taste has not been lost or become perverted due to illness or any other cause, there is also a special sweetness in faith which can be enjoyed by those alone who have, willingly and earnestly, made Allah their Lord and Master, Muhammad (PBUH) their prophet and guide, and Islam their religion and way of life, and whose hearts have bowed in submission to God and yielded in obedience to the prophet and assented to be the adherents of the path of Islam. In other words, their bond with God, the prophet and Islam is not merely formal, hereditary or intellectual but real, sincere and genuine.Anas related to us that “Only he will taste the sweetness of faith who has these three qualities: the love of God and the prophet that comes to him before everything else, he loves whom he loves solely for the sake of God, and the idea of going back to apostasy after he has embraced Islam is as repugnant to him as being thrown into fire.”[Bukhari and Muslim]Commentary:The subject matter of this tradition is almost identical to that of proceeding one. It says that the sweetness of faith can only be perceived by him whose love for God and the Apostle is stronger that for anyone or anything else in the world, so much so that when he loves somebody, it is wholly for the sake of God, and who is so deeply devoted to the Islamic faith that the very idea of leaving it and reverting back to the apostasy is as painful to him as being cast into fire.Source: Bilal Academy