Request for Dua'as

As-Salaamu-Alaikum

Please remember our brothers and sisters of Burma in your Dua'as.

To read more about their plight ---> clink on the below link.

http://www.columnpk.com/muslim-massacre-in-myanmar-dr-asjad-bokhari/

Revive Islam in Russia

Revive Islam in Russia

Earn Sadaqah Jariyah (perpetuating rewards) and educate the Muslims of Russia about their Deen by sponsoring Islamic literature.

A project managed by Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed of the Jamiat KZN Fatwa Department under the Auspices of Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Sponsor a book in the Russian language containing 300 questions and answers pertaining to Islam and the life and conduct of a Muslim. All questions were received from Russia and other former Soviet Republics and answered by the Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Fatwa Department under the auspices of Mufti Ebrahim Desai (Head of Darul Iftaa, Sherwood & Executive member of Jamiat KZN)

These questions and answers have changed the lives of many and attracted a significant number of people towards Islam in Russia.

Estimated cost per book: R37.00 (150 Rubles)

Banking details:

Standard Bank

Account Name: Askimam Russia

Account Number: 250550954

Branch: Overport

Branch Code: 043826

Swift Code: SBZA ZA JJ (For donors outside South Africa)

Lillah and optional Sadaqah only. Cash may be dropped off at Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) offices, 223 Alpine Road, The Darul Ifta, 35 Candella Road, Sherwood or handed over to Moulana Ahmed Padia (Madrasah Taleemuddeen, Isipingo Beach)

For further info, Contact:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai (031) 207 5772/072 786 4923

Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed (031) 207 7099 / 083 527 8672

Details related to the Russian project and an electronic copy of the English version of the book will be made available upon request. Email: fatwa@jamiat.org.za

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said: Every morning an angel is appointed to make Dua for those who spend in Allah’s path:

“O Allah, give more to those who spend for your pleasure”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith #: 1442 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah)

This is an ideal opportunity of Isaalus Sawaab for deceased friends and relatives.

Islam...A way of Life - Simple

We All LOVE Islam but we create our Own Rules on how to follow Islam...

Takabbur - Pride

TAKABBUR (PRIDE)
-------------------
Allah Ta'ala says: "Verily, Allah does not love the proud ones."

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: "He who has a grain of pride in his heart will not enter Jannah."

Takabbur is to consider oneself superior to others in attributes of excellence. There are many kinds of Takabbur. Most kinds are subtle, concealed and difficult to detect. Takabbur is to voluntarily and consciously regard oneself superior to others in religious or mundane excellence in a way which engenders contempt in the heart for others. This is the reality of Takabbur and this is Haraam. Takabbur consists of two ingredients, viz.,

* The feeling of superiority--considering oneself to be great.
* Contempt for others.

Takabbur not induced voluntarily, but entering the heart involuntarily is not sinful. Such non-volitional pride is merely the external dimension or form of Takabbur. Up to this stage Takabbur is not sinful. But when one voluntarily entertains the feeling of pride which had initially crept in involuntarily, then it will be sinful Takabbur. In this case the mere form of Takabbur is transformed into the reality of Takabbur.

Where the condition of contempt for others is non-existent, Takabbur -- will not be applicable. Mere belief in superiority and inferiority greatness and smallness -- is not Takabbur. For example: an old man regarding an infant to be small without the notion of contempt for it. But, the one who intentionally considers himself better than others, becomes arrogant. His Nafs swells up with pride, the consequences of which then manifest themselves.

Examples of pride are: to regard others with contempt; to take offence when others do not greet one first; to be offended if others do not offer you respect; to be annoyed when someone admonishes you; refusal to concede the truth even after having realized it. May Allah Ta'ala keep us under His Protection and save us from Takabbur, for indeed, it is the severest of maladies. It is the root of all spiritual ailments.

It was takabbur which made Shaitaan a deviate. The Hadith Shareef therefore sounds dire warnings in regard to Takabbur. Allah Ta'ala has warned that the abode of the proud ones will indeed be vile. Pride is the exclusive prerogative of Allah Ta'ala. Allah Ta'ala will destroy all those who desire to participate in this exclusive Attribute of greatness. Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said that the Mutakabbireen (The proud ones) will be encased in trunks of fire of Jahannam.

THE REMEDY
This malady is remedies by reflecting on the Splendour, Glory and Majesty of Allah Ta'ala. This reflection will produce in one a realization of one's own lowly position. Your own excellence will then recede into nothingness. Also, humble yourself in the presence of those whom you regard as your inferior. Be respectful to them so that you become imbued with humility.

Jannah...

If a person makes Dua'a for Jannah three times, Jannah requests Allah that, O Allah; make his entry into Jannah.
And if a person makes Dua'a for safety from Jahannum three times, the Jahannnum requests Allah that, O Allah; save him from Jahannum.

I'm so glad I am a Muslim! Truly no religion rewards its people more! Allahu Akbar! Subhanallah! Allhamdulillah!

It is so easy to gain sawaab!!!!!!!

1. I say a simple 'salaam' to someone (instead of 'hi'), I'm rewarded!
2. I smile at some one, I'm rewarded!
3. I say, 'sallallahualyhiwassalum' every time I hear the name of our Prophet, I'm rewarded ten times for each one time!
4. I pray in masjid, I'm 27 times rewarded.
5. If I could not go to masjid, I pray with my family members (not alone), I'm 27 times rewarded.
6. I teach my children good, I'm rewarded for all that I teach, all that they practise and for all who do the same looking at my kids!
7. I read a word of Qura'an, I get ten times reward for each letter of that word! (How much reward if we read a few pages everyday?????)
8. I begin anything with 'Bismillah' that action (good ones) of mine is rewarded.
9. I were my pant above my ankle, I'm rewarded.
10. I get rewarded for all the insult I take for wearing my pants so! (more the criticism, heavier my balance on the day of judgement!!!)
11. I grow beard, I get rewarded.
12. I wear Abaya and my friends copy me, I get rewarded for myself and for what they do!
13. I delete mails concerning movies, film star, etc; I'm rewarded.
14. I 'think' of doing a good deed, I'm rewarded.
15. I do that good deed, I'm ten times rewarded!!!
16. I get sawaab for all the bad, un-Islamic programmes I never see on TV.
17. I get rewarded for all the bad songs & music I never hear! (and just think how many songs are there 2day!)
18. I bother to read an Islamic message, I'm rewarded.
19. I bother to send such a message, I'm rewarded.
20. I get rewarded for all the people I send it to! (hey all I do is 'click'!!!)
21. I get Much more sawaab if I act according to the message! (after confirming it's the truth)
22. If I bother to confirm, find out if it's authentic? I get rewarded!
23. What if other people act according to what I sent? I get rewarded for all good they get rewarded for (life time reward!!!!!!!!! )
24. And what if those people forward it to other people and it goes on? I keep getting reward for as long as it's circulated! (reward even after my death!!!)
25. Even if they just read and delete, I get rewarded!
26. I control my temper, I get rewarded.
27. I buy my kids chocolate, I get rewarded.
28. I buy a good Islamic cassette, I get rewarded.
29. We watch it together as a family, we get rewarded.
30. We act according to it, many, many times rewarded!!!!!!!!
31. I fear Allah and do not buy film CDs, I'm rewarded.
32. I do not go to Theatre, I'm rewarded.
33. I hold the glass with my right hand while drinking, I'm rewarded.
34. I go shopping dressed in Islamic way, I get rewarded.
35. I go to school/college/work in proper clothing (Islamic way), I get rewarded as many times as all the male/ female who do not cover themselves properly!!!!!!
36. I write this, I get rewarded.
37. You read this, you get rewarded.
38. You mail this to all, we all get rewarded!!!!!!!!!! Subhanallah!

See how easy it is to gain so much sawaab? As easy as it is to gain, so easy is it to miss! You must know as you do, everything will be (Inshallah) rewarded. Nothing will go unseen.

I have only mentioned little things…think of all the sawab u will (Inshallah) get for praying, fasting, Hajj, preaching, spreading Islam……??????? SUBHANALLAH!!!!!!!

GLORYFY ALLAH ALWAYS…….

Subhanallah!

Allhamdurilla! Allahuakbar! Lahowla wolakuvatha illa billa! May Allah make us all the winners of His Jannathul Firdous! Aameen!

The Kabah is Built

THE KABAH IS BUILT
--------------------
Ebrahim AS stayed away from Hajira & Ismael AS for a period as long as Allah wished and called on them again but did not find Ismael. So he came to Ismael's wife and asked her about Ismael. She said: 'he has gone in search of our livelihood.' Ebrahim AS asked her; 'how are you getting on?' asking her about their sustenance and living. She replied: 'we are prosperous and well off (we have everything in abundance).' then she thanked Allah. Ebrahim AS said: 'What kind of food do you eat?' she said: 'meat.' he said: 'what do you drink?' she said: 'water.' he said: 'O Allah! Bless their meat and water."

The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam added: "At that time they did not have grain, and if they had grain he would have also invoked Allah to bless it. If somebody has only these two things as his sustenance, his health and disposition will be badly affected unless he lives in Makkah."

The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam continued: "Then Ebrahim AS said to Ismael's wife: 'When your husband comes give my regards to him and tell him that he should keep firm the threshold of his gate.'

When Ismael came back he asked his wife, 'did anyone call no you?' she replied: 'yes, a good looking old man came to me,' so she praised him and added: 'He asked about you and I informed him that we were in a good condition.' Ismael asked her:' did he give you any piece of advice?' She said; 'yes, he told me to give his regards to you and ordered that you should keep firm the threshold of your gate.' on that Ismael said: 'It was my father, and you are the threshold of the gate. He has ordered me to keep you with me.'

Then Ebrahim AS stayed away from them for a period as long as Allah wished and called on them afterwards. He saw Ismael under a tree near Zam Zam, sharpening his arrows. When he saw Ebrahim AS, he rose up to welcome him (and they greeted each other as a father does with his son or a son does with his father). Ebrahim AS said: 'O Ismael! Allah has given me an order.' Ishmael said: 'Do what your Lord has ordered you to do.' Ebrahim AS asked: ‘Will you help me?' Ismael said: 'I will help you.' Ebrahim AS said: 'Allah has ordered me to build a house here,' pointing to a hillock higher than the land surrounding it.

"Then they raised the foundations of the House (the Kaaba). Ishmael brought the stones while Ebrahim AS built and when the walls became high Ismael brought this stone and put it for Ebrahim AS who stood over it and carried on building. While Ismael was handing him the stones, and both of them were saying: "Our Lord! Accept this service from us, verily; You are the All Hearer, the All Knower." (Ch 2:127 Quran) The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam added: "Then both of them went on building and going round the Kaaba saying: "O our Lord! Accept this service from us, verily; You are the All Hearer, the All Knower."; (Sahih Bukhari).

37 Points to Implement in Your Life

37 Points to Implement in Your Life.. Pray in the last third of the night Go for Fajr and Esha Salaah in congregation Say Adhkaar in the morning and evening Remember Death often Contemplate over the creation of Allah (swt) - how vast and beautiful His creation is Gain some knowledge of the Deen daily Remember the purpose of this life Fast Voluntarily Pray as if it is your last prayer Read Qura'an Give Sadaqa Read Dhikr Listen to Qura’anic recitations Read Seerah and listen to lectures about Nabi (saw) life and times Read about the life of the Sahabaah’s and listen to lectures about them Say often, "Laa ilaha illa Allah". When you have gained knowledge, inform others of it – daw’ah Try to go to regular circles to have discussions about Islam Smile for the sake of Allah, this is a form of Sadaqah Reading Surah Khaf with deep thought and understanding, until it awakens you to the Dajaalic system that we live in Always think about Allah (swt) Learn about science in light of Qura’an and Islam Call family and friends telling them you love them for sole pleasure of Allah (swt) Protect ourselves from Shaitan Make sincere Dua’a for the Ummah of Nabi (saw) Try to help others as much as you can Make reading of the Qura'an regular Read certain Surah's at specific times, i.e. Surah Mulk at night Thank Allah(swt) within your heart everyday till the day you die, then thank him yourself for everything ! Allahu Akbar Make Dua'a for your brothers /sisters Love for your brother what you love for yourself Discuss Islamic matters with believing brothers/sisters - share knowledge, educate each other Choose obedience over disobedience Uttering "Inna Lillahi wa inna Ileyhi raji'oon – “To Allah we belong and to Allah we return” whenever you are afflicted with anything whether it be small or big Allah (swt) says: “Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives and the fruits (of your toil) but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Those who, when misfortune strikes them, say: “Indeed we belong to Allah and to Him is our return. Those are the ones upon whom are blessings and mercy from their Lord and it is those who are rightly guided.” [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 155] The Prophet (peace be upon him)said: “No fatigue, illness, anxiety, sorrow, harm or sadness afflicts any Muslim, even to the extent of a thorn pricking him, without Allah wiping out his sins by it.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim] Look at how complex our bodies are (circulatory system, nervous system, etc) and realize that only Allah (swt) could have made something like that. Love for your brother what you love for yourself Make a point to do something good for someone else and leave the rest to the Almighty

What makes Me Muslim??

The Way the World Sees Muslims??

Qura'an

this is really amazing .. perfect to have at work ....

http://www.quranflash.com/en/index.html#

Etiquettes in Islam - Points to Ponder

As-Salaamu-Alaikum

A friend sent this to me, I thought its worth sharing....

1. Always make Salaam (“AsSalaamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh) whenever you enter or leave your home.
2. Respectfully stand whenever you see your parents approaching.
3. At least once daily, try to forgive your Islamic Brothers and Sisters as well as your own family.
4. Always keep your voice lowered in the presence of your parents.
5. Complete any duties your parents set for you immediately (except if they are against Shari’ah).
6. Address your mother / father, family and friends (and even newly born child) with utmost respect.
7. Make it a habit of sleeping early after Salaat-tul-Esha. [Ameer Ahle Sunnat says: ‘How I wish you would wake up for Tahajjud or at least early enough to read Salaat-tul-Fajr (with Jama’at) so that laziness does not occur at work].
8. If there is laziness in reading Salaah at home or laziness in Hijaab, or if there is interest in watching movies / sitcoms/ soapies, or listening to music, instead of arguing with family members, make them agree to listen to one of Ameer AhleSunnat’s Bayanaat (lectures), or read one of Ameer AhleSunnat’s Rasaa’il. (Booklets), Inshallah Azzawajal, through it’s blessings you would see a transformation within yourself and home.
9. Remove from yourself the habit of getting angry, getting irritated and rebuking others etc.
10. Make Dua'a for the betterment of your family’s worldly life and that of the Hereafter, as Dua'a is the weapon of the Believer.

May Allah (swt) grant us the ability to act upon these, Aameen

The Story of Dajjal

The Story of Dajjal
Narrated by Tameem al-Daari Radhi Allahu Anhu

Faatimah bint Qays Radhi Allahu Anha narrates: Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam completed the Salaah and sat on the mimbar.
He was smiling and he said: "Let each person remain where he had performed Salaah." Then he said: "Do you know why I called you together?"
The Sahabah replied: "Allah and His messenger know best."

Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: "By Allah, I did not call you together for any recommendation or for a warning. I have called you together because Tameem al-Daari was a Christian and he came, swore allegiance and became Muslim, and told me something which conforms with what I had told you about the Dajjaal. He told me that he sailed in a ship with thirty men of Lakhm and Judhaam and they were tossed by the waves of the sea for a month. Then they arrived at an island just as the sun was setting. They boarded a small rowing-boat and reached the island. They were met by a beast whose body was covered by so much of hair that they could not distinguish his front from his back.
They said: ‘Woe to you, what are you?’
It said: ‘I am al-Jassaasah.’
They asked: ‘What is al-Jassaasah?’
It said: 'O people, go to this man in the monastery for he is keen to know about you.’

The narrator says: 'When it took the name of a man before us we were afraid that it might be a Shaitaan (devil) so we quickly left until we entered the monastery, where we found the biggest man we had ever seen. He was bound strongly in chains. His hands were tied to his neck and his legs bound from the knees to the ankles with iron chains.

We said: ‘Woe to you, who are you?’
He said: ‘You will soon find out about me. Tell me who you are.’
They replied: ‘We are Arabs who had set sail on a ship, but the sea became wild and the waves tossed us about for one month. Then they brought us to this island of yours. We used rowing-boats and landed on this island. We were met by a beast with a great deal of hair. He was so hairy that his front could not be made out from his back. We said: 'Woe to you, what are you?' It said: 'I am al-Jassaasah.' We said: 'What is al-Jassaasah?' It said: 'Go to this man in the monastery for he is keen to know about you.' So we came rushing to you and we fled from it because we could not be sure that it was not a devil.’
He (the chained person) asked: ‘Tell me about the date-palms of Baysaan.’
We said: ‘What would you like to know about them?’
He said: ‘I am asking you whether these trees bear fruit.’
We said: ‘Yes.’
He said: ‘Soon they will not bear fruit.’
He then said: ‘Tell me about the lake of Tabariyyah’
We said: ‘What would you like to know about it?’
He said: ‘Is there water in it?’
They said: ‘There is a great deal of water in it.’
He said: ‘Soon it will dry up.’
Then he said: ‘Tell me about the spring of Zughar (which is in the south of Syria).’
They said: ‘What would you like to know about it?’
He said: ‘Is there water in the spring and do the people grow crops with the water of the spring?’
We said to him: ‘Yes, there is plenty of water in it and the people grow crops with its water.’
He said: ‘Tell me about the Prophet from the unlettered. What has he done?’
We said: ‘He has left Makkah and has settled in Yathrib (Madinah).’
He said: ‘Do the Arabs fight against him?’
We said: ‘Yes.’
He said: ‘How did he deal with them?’

We told him that he had prevailed over the Arabs in his vicinity and they had become obedient to him.
He said to us: ‘Has that really happened to them?’
We said: ‘Yes.’
He said: ‘If this is so then it is better for them that they show obedience to him. Now I will tell you about myself. I am the Dajjaal and soon I will be given permission to emerge. I will come out and travel in the land, and will I not leave any town without staying for forty nights, except Makkah and Taybah (Madinah). These are both forbidden to me. Each time I will try to enter one of them, I will be confronted by an angel with a sword in his hand, who will stop me from entering. On every route towards each of these two cities there will be angels guarding it.’

Faatimah Bint Qais says: Then the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam struck the minbar with his staff and said: "This is Taybah, this is Taybah, this is Taybah," meaning Madinah. "Did I not tell you this before?"
The Sahabah answered: 'Yes.'
The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: "I liked the story of Tameem because it conforms with what I had told you about him and about Makkah and Madinah. Beware, he is in the Syrian Sea or the Yemeni Sea. No, rather he is in the east, he in the east, he is in the east," and he pointed towards the east with his hand. (Sahih Muslim)

Source: Muslims@Work

Dhikr

"There is a group of Allah's angels who move about the streets
searching for the people who mention Allah Ta'ala name. When they find a
group of people doing that, they cover that group with their wings right up to the sky."

When these angels return to the heavens,

Allah Ta'ala asks : "What were My Servants saying?"

The Angels : "They were describing Your holiness and greatness, and were busy praising and
glorifying You".

Allah Ta'ala then asks : "Have they seen Me?"

The angels : "By Allah! They have not seen You."

Allah Ta'ala says : "What would they have done if they could see me?"
The angels reply : "They would then be even more busy in their worship,
glorification, and praise."

Then Allah Ta'ala asks : "What did they want from Me?"

The angels reply : "They asked You for Jannah (Heaven)."

Allah Ta'ala says : "Have they seen it?"
The Angels : "No, by You! They have not seen it."
Allah Ta'ala says : "What would they have done if they had seen it?"
The angels answer : "Had they seen it, they would desire it more eagerly,
and would work harder to deserve it."

Allah Ta'ala asks : "From what thing did they want Me to protect them?"
The angels answer : "They wanted to be protected from Hell."
Allah Ta'ala says : "Have they seen it?"
The Angel answer : "No, by You! They have not seen it."

Allah Ta'ala says : "What would they have done if they had seen it?"
The angels answer : "Had they seen it, they would have feared it and run
from it even more."

Then Allah Ta'ala says : "Be My witnesses: I have forgiven them!"
One of the angels then says : "But among them was a person who is not one of them. He had simply come for something he needed."

Allah Ta'ala says : "I have forgiven him too, just because he happened to sit with them. Anyone who sits with those people will not be a loser."

(Sahih Bukhari Volume 8:417)

Small Deeds that reap great rewards

Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam ) said:"Zikr causes houses to be built in Jannat by the angels .When zikr is stopped , the angels also stop construction of his houses.When asked why a particular construction was stopped by the angels ,they reply:`The construction had to be stopped because funds for it were stopped`.

(Fazaail Zikr ,Chapter 1,Hadith no. 64)

Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam )said:"Is there nobody amongst you who may be able to do daily, good deeds equal to the Mount uhud?"

The Sahaba (Radiyallahu Anhum ) said :"O Rasulullah !who has the strength to do so ?"Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam said :"Everybody has the strength to do so."The Sahaba (radiyallahu Anhum ) enquired how is it possible ?"Nabi (sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) explaied :The reward of reciting "Subhaanallah "is greater than Uhud,That of "Laa ilaaha illallah " is greather then Uhud and that of "Allahu Akbar " is greater than Uhud ." (Kabir )

Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam ) said :
"Recite "Subhanallah "one hundred times (x100) and you will attain a reward as if you have set free one hundred Arab Slaves;recite "Alhamdulillah " one hundred times(x100), which will give u a reward of presenting a hundred horses,fully equipped ,for Jihad;recite 'Allahu Akbar 'One hundred times(x100), which will reward you as if you sacrificied a hundred camels for the sake of Allah and recite 'Laa ilaaha illallah" one hundred times(x100),the reward of which will fill the whole space between the earth and sky .There is no other commendable action that can surpass it ."

(Ahmed - Nasai)

Uthman RA

Uthman RA said that he was surprised at the conduct of a person:
Who knows the world to be transient, [and still] loves it;
Who knows death to be certain, yet does not take it seriously;
Who believes in hell, [but still] commits sin;
Who believes in the existence of God, [but who nevertheless] seeks assistance from others,
Who is aware of paradise, [but is nonetheless] engaged in worldly pleasures;
Who knows Satan to be his enemy, [and still] obeys [the] dictates [of Satan].
Who believes in predestination, [but still] feels aggrieved with what happens;
Who knows that accounts [are] to be rendered on the day of resurrectionb [but even so] hoards wealth.

~ UTHMAN RA ~

Source Radio Islam Newsletter

Zainab Radhi Allahu Anha

Zainab Radhi Allahu Anha

The Daughter of Nabi Sallallahu Alahi Wasallam

Zainab Radhi Allahu Anha was the daughter of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam from his first wife, Khadija Radhi Allahu Anha. Zainab Radhi Allahu Anha was married to Abul Aas Ibn Rab'i. Abul Aas was a wealthy trader and businessman of Makkah and Khadija Radhi Allahu Anha was his maternal aunt. Zainab and Abul Aas had been married before the dawn of prophethood. Zainab had then accepted Islam but Abul Aas remained a disbeliever. In the battle of Badr, Abu Aas fought on the side of the Qureish. He was taken captive by the Muslims and brought to Madinah. As it was decided that the captives would be released on payment of a ransom, Zainab Radhi Allahu Anha sent some wealth as ransom which included a necklace given to her by her mother, Khadija Radhi Allahu Anha. When Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam saw the necklace, compassion overtook him and he asked the Sahabah if they were willing to return the necklace to Zainab Radhi Allahu Anha and return Abul Aas without payment of a ranson. They agreed. Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam instructed Abul Aas to allow Zainab Radhi Allahu Anha to come to him in Madinah in return for his freedom. He agreed.

When he reached Makkah, Abul Aas allowed Zainab Radhi Allahu Anha to leave Makkah. As Zainab Radhi Allahu Anha set out for Madinah she was stopped by the Qureish. A spear was thrown at her by Habbaar Ibn Aswad and she fell from her conveyance causing her to bleed severely. She was pregnant at the time and this led to a miscarriage. She never recovered from her wound and finally passed away during the 8th year of Hijri in Madinah. Nabi Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam entered her grave in great sadness and sorrow. When he emerged he appeared pleased. He explained : "I remembered Zainab and her weakness and I asked Allah to make it easy for her in the grave. My request was granted."

Habbaar Ibn Aswad came to Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam during the conquest of Makkah. He was from amongst those who the Muslim army had been commanded to kill. As he entered the gathering of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam a Sahabi wanted to attack him but Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam commanded the Sahabi not to do so. Habbaar then addressed Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam : "Peace be upon you, O Prophet of Allah. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah and I bear witness that Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is the prophet of Allah. I had fled from you, intending to join up with another tribe but I remembered your kindness to family and your forgiveness to those who were ignorant of you. O Prophet of Allah, we were a nation steeped in disbelief, but Allah guided us and saved us from destruction through you. Please pardon my ignorance and the harm I have inflicted upon you. I confess my evil action and I admit to my sin."

Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied : "I have forgiven you. Allah has surely been kind to you by guiding you to Islam."

Lessons

Numerous incidents of this nature show that Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was very forgiving and merciful. He overlooked the harm people had done to him despite the magnitude. To forgive an enemy who has harmed one physically and emotionally is no easy task. Ask yourself : Would you be prepared to forgive the murderer of your daughter the moment he shows remorse? This is what Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam did. Without doubt, as the Quran mentions, Nabi Sallallahu Alaihis Sallam was Rahmatul lil Aalameen - 'a mercy to all creation'.

References :

1. Al-Isaabah
2. Ar-Rawdhul Unf
3. Al-Istiaab
4. Usd al-Ghaabah

Courtesy Muslims At Work

"The strong man is on who controls himself from Anger"

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"Prayer is the salvation of true believers, the pillar of faith and the light of heaven and earth."

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Marriage diverts your attention from others and is a safeguard against lust. Those who cannot marry should observe fasts, for fasting too is a safeguard.

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Do not keep away from a brother for more than three nights or turn your faces away from each other when you meet. The one who greets the other first is the better one

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The Almighty is closest to his creations during the last phase of the night. Remember Him during this period

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Every prayer must be performed as if is is one's last prayer in this world

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The truthful Ones are the one who when they are seen Allah is remembered

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Avoid what id forbidden and do what is permitted. It was only their excessive questioning and their disagreeing with their Prophets that destroyed those who were before you

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Righteousness is good morality, and wrong doing is that which wavers in the soul and which you dislike people finding out about

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The Almighty accepts the repentance of a man right is his last breath

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Unite with whoever breaks with you, pardon whoever wrongs you, give whoever deprives you and be good to whoever is bad to you

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Whatever I command you to do will bring you close to Almighty and whatever I prohibit you is what would distance you from your Almighty

From the Vatican to Al Azhar

Idris Tawfiq, a British Catholic priest who became a convert to Islam, is a source of fascination in his adopted home in Cairo . Mary Fitzgerald spoke to him about his personal journey of discovery.

A De La Salle brother for 15 years, Idris later studied for the priesthood in Rome . Doubts about his vocation eventually led him to leave the priesthood, triggering a period of uncertainty about what direction his life would take.

He decided to take some time off, booking a charter flight to Hurghada, a package holiday resort that hugs Egypt 's Red Sea coast. Soon bored of the beach, he headed to Cairo and experienced a culture shock quite different to what he had expected. For the first time in his life he met and talked to Muslims, observing their rituals up close. Hearing the call to prayer and watching people stop everything to turn towards Mecca left a deep impression.

"That week's holiday more than anything else changed my life," he explains. "It began to sow the seeds of Islam within me. It was the first time I had spoken to, or even met, Muslims. I saw that they weren't sabre-rattling fanatics, they were just ordinary people. More than that, they were very gentle people and faith-filled in a way I had never seen before."

“On my return I resumed my old job of teaching religion. The only compulsory subject in British education is Religious Studies. I was teaching about Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and others. So everyday I had to read about these religions to be able to teach my lessons to the students, many of whom were Arab Muslim refugees. In other words, teaching about Islam taught me many things.

“Unlike many troublesome teenagers, these students set a good example of what a Muslim could be. They were polite and kind. So a friendship developed between us and they asked if they could use my classroom for prayers during the fasting month of Ramadan. “Luckily, my room was the only one with a carpet. So I got accustomed to sitting at the back, watching them praying for a month. I sought to encourage them by fasting during Ramadan with them, even though I wasn’t yet a Muslim. “Once while reciting a translation of the holy Qur’an in class I reached the verse: ‘And when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth.’ To my surprise, I felt tears welling up in my eyes and I tried hard to hide it from the students.”

A chance meeting with Yusuf Islam, formerly Cat Stevens, at London 's Central Mosque, proved pivotal. "I found myself asking him 'What do you actually do to become a Muslim?'. He answered that a Muslim should believe in one God, pray five times a day and fast during Ramadan. I interrupted him saying that I believed all this and had even fasted with my Muslim students during Ramadan. "So he asked, 'What are you waiting for? What is holding you back?' I told him I didn't intend to convert. "At that moment the call to prayer was made and everyone got ready and stood in lines to pray. I sat at the back, and I cried and cried. Then I said to myself, 'Who am I trying to fool?'"

The formal process of conversion in Islam is simple. In front of witnesses, the would-be Muslim recites the Shahada, or declaration of faith, acknowledging the existence of one God, Allah, with Mohammed as his prophet.

Idris formally converted in the venerable surroundings of Cairo 's Al Azhar mosque, Sunni Islam's oldest seat of learning. He later took the Muslim name Idris Tawfiq - Idris, the name of a prophet, and Tawfiq, the Arabic word for good fortune.
"People and events led me to Islam," he says. "What made me leave the church was not any problem I had with it. And it wasn't about belief or anything like that. "I cherish my past in the church, I enjoyed what I did, I love all those people I worked with and treat what they believe with reverence. I just wasn't happy inside."

He falters when asked what he sees in Islam that Catholicism lacked. "That's a very loaded question," he says, grimacing.
The biggest difference, then? "I would say that Islam is completely God-centred," he answers tentatively. "It is not about what Jesus did for me and it's not about offering prayers for myself. The whole thing revolves around Allah.

"The other thing is that Islam covers every aspect of life. It's not a going-to-church-on-Sunday religion, it's not even a going-to-Mass-every-morning and leading a good and holy life religion. "Islam tells you how to greet people, how to eat your food, how to enter a room - how to do everything in life. Whilst Muslims are not saints, Islam encourages Muslims to think about God all the time. Islam, in its essence, attributes everything to God. For Muslims, Islam is everything."

Did he experience periods of doubt leading up to his conversion? "No, none at all," he answers. "Although one of my barriers to becoming a Muslim was the story of Abraham. The Bible says Abraham was going to sacrifice his son Isaac, the Koran says it was Ismael. "It may seem odd, but I wrestled with this for a long time. I thought one of them must be wrong, both cannot be right. But at the end of the day, as with any faith, you have to take that leap and accept the essence of what Islam says. "I have no problem with 'There is no God but God' - I've always believed in that. And Muhammad is his messenger? I have learned and come to understand that core."

There is little data available on the number of converts to Islam. One survey in the US claims 100,000 people convert every year. The same research found that for every male that converts to Islam, four women do the same. A recent study by Yahya (formerly Jonathan) Birt, son of Lord Birt, former director-general of the BBC, used census figures to conclude that there are now 14,200 white converts in Britain .

"I think people who embrace Islam see a calmness and simplicity that many have not experienced before," says Idris. "I don't see it as rigid, it's empowering. Islam is beautiful, sweet and gentle. "All the values that used to exist in Britain and Ireland 30 or 40 years ago - respect for your parents, your elders - they all exist in the Muslim world still."


Idris Tawfiq’s website can be accessed at www.idristawfiq.com

Primary Source:
‘On the road from the Vatican to Al Azhar’ by Mary Fitzgerald. Mary Fitzgerald is the winner of the Douglas Gageby Fellowship. Her reports on the "The Faces of Islam" appear in Friday's Irish Times.
Secondary source:
‘One man’s journey to Islam’ by Manal Abdul Aziz