Name : Samir - India


Title : A Piece of Advice to Welcome Ramadan


Question: Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. Can you please give us an exhortation for the beginning of Ramadan? Jazakum Allah khayran.


Date: 5/Oct/2004


Mufti : Sheikh Muhammad Saleh Al-Munajjid


Answer :


Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.


In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.


All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.


Dear brother in Islam, may Allah reward you abundantly for your desire to draw near to Him. We invoke Almighty Allah to enable us to reap the fruits of the blessed month, accept our acts of worship, and grant us forgiveness and immunity against the punishment of Hell-fire.


The month of Ramadan is a blessed month and an opportunity for every Muslim to draw near to Allah, increase his spirituality, and gain abundant reward.


Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, which is of paramount significance. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Islam is built upon five pillars: testifying that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing Prayer, paying the Zakah, making the pilgrimage to the Sacred House (Hajj), and fasting the month of Ramadan. (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)


Surely, the month of Ramadan is the best season for offering good deeds and gaining reward. It is the duty of every Muslim to prepare himself for that blessed month.


In his response to your question, Sheikh M. S. Al-Munajjid, a prominent Saudi Muslim lecturer and author, states:


Almighty Allah says: “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful.” (Al-Baqarah: 185)


This blessed month is a great opportunity for goodness, blessing, worship, and obedience of Allah.


It is a great month, a noble season, a month in which rewards for good deeds are multiplied and in which committing bad deeds is more serious than at other times. The gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the sinners’ repentance to Allah is accepted. It is a month whose beginning is mercy, whose middle is forgiveness, and whose end is redemption from the Fire.


So give thanks to Him for the season of goodness and blessing that He has bestowed upon you, and for the means of bounty and various kinds of great blessings for which He has singled you out. Make the most of this blessed time by filling it with acts of worship and leaving haram (unlawful) things so that you may attain a good life in this world and happiness after death.


For the sincere believer, every month is an occasion for worship, and his whole life is spent in obeying Allah. But in the month of Ramadan he has even more motives to do good, his heart is even more focused on worship, and he turns even more to his Lord. By His grace, our generous Lord bestows His bounty upon the fasting believers and multiplies the reward for them on this blessed occasion, so He gives abundantly and rewards generously for righteous deeds.


Time passes quickly


Days pass so quickly, as if they were mere moments. We welcomed last Ramadan, then we bade it farewell, and only a short period of time passed and we are welcoming Ramadan again. So we should hasten to do good deeds in this month and strive to fill it with what Allah is pleased with and with what will help us on the Day when we meet Him.


How can we prepare for Ramadan?


We can prepare for Ramadan by taking stock of ourselves and recognizing our shortcomings in living up to the Two Shahadahs (Testimonies of Faith, i.e., there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah), or our shortcomings in fulfilling our duties, or in not keeping away from the desires and doubts that we may have fallen into.


We should set ourselves straight so that in Ramadan we will have a higher degree of faith. For faith increases and decreases. It increases through obedience to Allah and it decreases through disobedience and sin. The first act of obedience that a person should achieve is that of being a true slave of Allah and believing that there is none that is rightfully worshiped except Allah, so he directs all kinds of worship to Allah and does not associate anyone else in worship with Him. Each of us should realize that whatever has befallen him could not have missed him, and whatever missed him could not have befallen him, and that everything happens by the will and decree of Allah.


We should avoid everything that could undermine our commitment to the Two Shahadahs. This means keeping away from bid`ah (innovations) and things that have been introduced into the religion. We should also follow the principle of al-wala’ wal-bara’ (loyalty and friendship vs. disavowal and enmity), by taking the believers as our friends and by regarding the unbelievers and hypocrites as enemies, and we should rejoice when the Muslims gain a victory over their enemies. We should follow the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions and adhere to the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the way of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs who came after him. We should love the Sunnah and love those who adhere to it and defend it, in whatever country they are and whatever color or nationality they are.


After that, we should take stock of ourselves and recognize our shortcomings in doing acts of worship such as praying in congregation; remembering Allah (dhikr); paying attention to the rights of neighbors, relatives, and the Muslims; spreading the greeting of salam; enjoining good and forbidding evil; urging one another to follow the truth and be patient and steadfast in doing so; being patient in avoiding evil actions and in doing good deeds; and accepting the decree of Allah with patience.


Then we should take stock of ourselves, our sins, and our following whims and desires. We should stop ourselves from persisting in that, whether the sin is great or small, whether it is a sin of the eye, by looking at that which Allah has forbidden; or by listening to music; or by walking to things that Allah does not approve of; or by using one's hands to strike in a manner that Allah is not pleased with; or by consuming things that Allah has forbidden such as riba (interest) and bribes, or any other means of consuming people’s wealth unlawfully.


We should never forget that Allah stretches forth His hand during the day to accept the repentance of those who sinned at night, and He stretches forth His hand at night to accept the repentance of those who sinned during the day. Almighty Allah says:


“And vie one with another for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who ward off (evil); those who spend (of that which Allah hath given them) in ease and in adversity, those who control their wrath and are forgiving toward mankind; Allah loveth the good; and those who, when they do an evil thing or wrong themselves, remember Allah and implore forgiveness for their sins — Who forgiveth sins save Allah only? — and will not knowingly repeat (the wrong) they did. The reward of such will be forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide for ever, a bountiful reward for workers!” (Al `Imran: 133-136)


“Say: My slaves who have been prodigal to their own hurt! Despair not of the mercy of Allah, Who forgiveth all sins. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (Az-Zumar: 53)


“Yet whoso doeth evil or wrongeth his own soul, then seeketh pardon of Allah, will find Allah Forgiving, Merciful.” (An-Nisa’: 110)


By taking stock, repenting and seeking forgiveness—this is how we should welcome Ramadan. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The smart man is the one who takes stock of himself and strives to do that which will benefit him after death, and the helpless one is the one who follows his own whims and desires and engages in wishful thinking, (assuming that Allah will forgive him regardless of what he does and that he does not need to strive to good deeds).”


The month of Ramadan is the month of great gains and profits. The smart trader is the one who makes the most of special occasions to increase his profits. So make the most of this month by doing lots of acts of worship, praying a great deal, reading the Qur’an, forgiving people, being kind to others, and giving charity to the poor.


In the month of Ramadan the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are shut. The devils are put in chains and a caller cries out each night, “O seeker of good, proceed! O seeker of evil, desist!”


So, O slaves of Allah, be among the people of good, following the path of your righteous forebears who were guided by the Sunnah of your Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), so that we may end Ramadan with our sins forgiven and our righteous deeds accepted.


We should note that the month of Ramadan is the best of months.


Ibn Al-Qayyim said in Zad al-Ma`ad,:


“Another of example of that [the differentiation between the things that Allah has created] is the fact that the month of Ramadan is superior to all other months, and the last ten nights are superior to the other nights.”


This month is superior to others in four things:


1. In it there is the best night of the year, which is Laylat Al-Qadr. Almighty Allah says: “Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Power. Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Night of Power is! The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, with all decrees. (That night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn.” (Al-Qadr: 1-5)


So worship on this night is better than worshiping for a thousand months.


2. In this month was revealed the best of Books to the best of the Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them all). Almighty Allah says:


“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).” (Al-Baqarah: 185)


“We sent it (this Qur’an) down on a blessed night [(i.e. the Night of Al?Qadr) in the month of Ramadan — the 9th month of the Islamic calendar]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments. As a Command (or this Qur’an or the Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messengers).” (Ad-Dukhan: 3-5)


Ahmad and At-Tabarani narrated in Al-Mu`jam Al-Kabir that Wathilah ibn Al-Asqa` (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The Scriptures of Ibrahim were sent down on the first of the month of Ramadan. The Tawrah was sent down on the sixth of Ramadan. The Injeel was sent down on the thirteenth of Ramadan. The Zaboor was sent down on the eighteenth of Ramadan, and the Qur’an was sent down on the twenty-fourth of Ramadan.”


3. In this month the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the devils are chained up.


It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are put in chains.” (Agreed upon)


An-Nasa’i narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When Ramadan comes, the gates of mercy are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the devils are put in chains.”


At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Ibn Khuzaymah narrated: “When the first night of the month of Ramadan comes, the devils and rebellious jinn are chained up and the gates of Hell are closed, and not one gate of it is opened. The gates of Paradise are opened and not one gate of it is closed. And a caller cries out: ‘O seeker of good, proceed! O seeker of evil, desist!’ And Allah has those whom He redeems from the Fire, and that happens every night.”


Some may ask, why do we see many evil actions and sins committed in Ramadan, for if the devils are chained up that would not happen?


The answer is that evil actions become less for those who observe the conditions and etiquette of fasting; or that the ones who are chained up are some of the devils – namely the rebellious ones – not all of them; or that what is meant is that evil is reduced in Ramadan, which is a proven fact. If evil happens at this time, it is still less than at other times. Even if all of the devils are chained up, that does not necessarily mean that no evil or sin will happen, because there are other causes of that besides the devils, such as evil souls, bad habits, and the devils among mankind.


4. There are many kinds of worship in Ramadan, such as fasting, praying Qiyam Al-Layl (Night Vigil Prayer), feeding the poor, performing i`tikaf (religious retreat), giving charity, and reading the Qur’an.


I ask Allah, the Exalted, the Almighty, to help us all to do that and to help us to fast and pray Qiyam Al-layl, and to do acts of worship and to avoid doing evil. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful


<<October 5, 2004 ALERT>>


www.masnet.org


MAS Freedom & League of Women Voters Hold Election 20004 Workshop in Santa


Clara


MAS Freedom & Mainstream Civil Rights Groups to Monitor Polling Places for


Voter Intimidation


The Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation and the Santa Clara Chapter


of the League of Women Voters presented a workshop at the Muslim Community


Center in Santa Clara, CA, covering the following topics:


. Civic Participation Overview


. The Muslim Vote and Recommended Strategies


. Critiquing Candidates and Their Positions


. Dynamics of Presidential Elections


. Local and State Elections


. Muslims and Political Alliances and Coalitions


. Maintaining Islamic Integrity While Being Politically Active


. Voter Registration


. Voter Mobilization


. Voter Education


The presenters were Mahdi Bray, Executive Director of the Muslim American


Society Freedom Foundation and Virginia Holtz, President of the Santa Clara


League of Women Voters.


Both Bray and Holtz expressed concern that due to the projected highly


competitive nature of upcoming presidential and local elections, coupled


with the large amount of new voters - especially Muslims, African American,


and Hispanics - that there might be efforts to suppress votes through


dilatorily tactics. Hence, emphasis was placed on independent poll


monitoring, voter ID, advance registration checks, absentee ballots, and how


to challenge if one is not allowed to vote through the use of the


provisional ballot and formal complaint.


MAS Freedom is working with the NAACP, the Civil Rights Round Table, the


ACLU, organized labor and other major civil organizations in seeking to


protect and defend minorities' voting rights on November 2.


MAS Freedom Foundation is seeking volunteers to assist in monitoring the


polls, especially in battleground states.


Also, please report any and all election violations or voter intimidation to


MAS Freedom Foundation.


For more information, or to get involved, please contact MAS Freedom at:


202-496-1288.

DO YOU HAVE ANSWERS FOR THESE QUESTIONS?


While I was cruising a website I came across the following set of questions:


Who are you? Why are you here? What is life really about? Why is your life the way it is? From where you came?


What really comes afterward? How do you sort through all the bullshit? How do you find balance?


What’s the larger context of reality within which we experience? What is behind experience?


What are polarities about? How can I develop the discernment necessary to sort through all the confusion during this important period in history? Why are we being lied constantly?


What are light and dark polarities? How are peace marchers actually feeding the dark side?


How are wrong doers actually feeding the light side?


Why do you still feel unsatified no matter what books you seem to read out there, in your search for self and the meaning of life? What is the larger nature of reality and what are the real factions which grapple for control? Why? What’s the real deal with aliens'?


Why has the population of Earth been consistently thwarted from expansion into space? What’s the agenda? What is incarnation all about? What is the truth behind genderization of bodies?


What does it all mean?


Indeed if a person in faith, for him these questions seem some what funny? But for people without proper religious guidance, these questions are much more vital for them. Yes, people who are deviated from the true path are searching answer for these questions for centuries. But indeed answers are very nearer to them. People in my region used to say a proverb “having butter in his hand, he is searching for gee” if we heat the butter it will melt and it will became gee. Like this having answer to their question in their own hands they are searching for answer in other side with out any result, they never going to find answer from those dark sides. Who can answer their questions for which they are searching?


If we want to know the working mechanism of any unknown, very new object in this world, from where we get the answer? From where? From its creator. In the same way, to know the answer about the universe, time, the day and night, purpose of creation, place from which we came, the place to were we are going to after our death, purpose of life, etc. we need to seek it from the Creator of those.


See what are the answers from the Supreme Creator about His creations and its purpose :


The main question is the origin of Universe. Get the answer.


Al-Quran (2:117) “To Him is due the PRIMAL ORIGIN of the heavens and the earth: When He decreeth a matter, He saith to it: "Be," and it is.”


Al-Quran (21:30) “Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?”


Al-Quran (51:47) “With power and skill did We construct the Firmament: for it is We Who create the vastness of space. “


A book which dates fourteen centuries before is answering the questions about the origin of the universes means, what’s the source of that Book?


Get the answer to the source and destination of human like, From where you came? What really comes afterward?


Al-Quran (10:4) “To Him will be your return- of all of you. The promise of Allah is true and sure. It is He Who beginneth the process of creation, and repeateth it, that He may reward with justice those who believe and work righteousness; but those who reject Him will have draughts of boiling fluids, and a penalty grievous, because they did reject Him.”


Al-Quran (22:5) O mankind! if ye have a doubt about the Resurrection, (consider) that We created you out of dust, then out of sperm, then out of a leech-like clot, then out of a morsel of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed, in order that We may manifest (our power) to you; and We cause whom We will to rest in the wombs for an appointed term, then do We bring you out as babes, then (foster you) that ye may reach your age of full strength; and some of you are called to die, and some are sent back to the feeblest old age, so that they know nothing after having known (much), and (further), thou seest the earth barren and lifeless, but when We pour down rain on it, it is stirred (to life), it swells, and it puts forth every kind of beautiful growth (in pairs).


Al-Quran (11:4) “To Allah is your return, and He hath power over all things."


Al-Quran (51:56) “And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me(alone).”


Al-Quran (49:13) “O mankind! WE CREATED YOU from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).”


Al-Quran (76:2) “Verily WE CREATED MAN from a drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: So We gave him (the gifts), of Hearing and Sight.”


Al-Quran (6:94) "And behold! ye come to us bare and alone as We created you for the first time: ye have left behind you all (the favours) which We bestowed on you: We see not with you your intercessors whom ye thought to be partners in your affairs: so now all relations between you have been cut off, and your (pet) fancies have left you in the lurch!"


The above mentioned verses clearly demonstrate about your source and destination.


And get the answer for the question Why are you here? What your purpose of being here? What is life really about? What is behind experience?


If we understand the above mentioned Quranic verses its very easy to get answers for these set of questions.


This world is nothing but a test; it’s just a resting place. Allah tests different people in different ways. He tests somebody with wealth, power somebody with poverty, disease, fear, loss in business, government etc.. Allah says in Quran about this world in this way


Al-Quran (67:2) “He Who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving;-“


Al-Quran (2:155) “Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere”


Al-Quran (21:35) “Every soul shall have a taste of death: and we test you by evil and by good by way of trial. to Us must ye return.”


Al-Quran (5:48) “…If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah. It is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute;”


Al-Quran (18:46) “Wealth and sons are allurements of the life of this world: But the things that endure, good deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best as (the foundation for) hopes.”


Consider the answers for the questions like what are polarities about?


How can I develop the discernment necessary to sort through all the confusion during this important period in history? Why are we being lied constantly? What are light and dark polarities? How are peace marchers actually feeding the dark side? How are wrong doers actually feeding the light side? And regarding the question why are we being lied constantly?


These questions arises because the planet we’re living now are in the hands of followers of saitan, the forerunners of dajjal (see my article forerunner of dajjal http://forums.gawaher.com/index.php?act=...3&t=21412), they are liars by profession. They are dominating the world events for past 2 centuries. They are following their bad intentions inspired by the saitan’s. We are being continuously lied because of this. They are the followers of the saitan the devil. Saitan inspired them to corrupt the world, because he is the sworn enemy of mankind.


Al-Quran (53:23) “They follow nothing but conjecture and what their own souls desire!- Even though there has already come to them Guidance from their Lord!”


Whenever the wrong doers get the upper hand on the earth they will never fail to corrupt the earth.


We should aware of this people who are the advocates of the devil the saitan advocating his teaching in this world continuously. See what the Best Creator says about him:


Al-Quran (35:6) “Verily Satan is an enemy to you: so treat him as an enemy. He only invites his adherents, that they may become Companions of the Blazing Fire.”


Al-Quran (15:39) “(iblis) said: "O my Lord! Because Thou hast put me in the wrong, I will make (wrong) fair-seeming to them on the earth, and I will put them all in the wrong,”


Al-Quran (7:17) "Then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their left: Nor wilt thou find, in most of them, gratitude (for thy mercies)."


Al-Quran (30:41) “Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that the hands of men have earned, that ((Allah)) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from Evil).”


And one important thing, if you are trapped in the myth of eternal world, (i.e.) no beginning no end, then every thing is seems like unanswerable, mystical, disguisable and unbeatable. Such a kind of attitude never give you tranquility, peace of mind, happy, braveness, it will only leads you to depression, deep sorrow, misery, engagement in worse habits, and etc…


Using such eternal concept the wrong doers, the powerful personalities, the partners of the sworn enemy saitan will easily deviate you from the truth. Only belief in one God can help you to lead a peaceful and courageous life. What ever may be, it will one day surely will come to light, Allah will surely uncover the all the things which was considered as top secrets, what every may be Allah knows all; He has power over all thing. So such thinking will help you a lot, you will never mind about the mystery, UFOs, Aliens etc... If any body threaten you with such mystery, you will easily overcome it by saying Allah know all, anything neither harm me nor benefit me with out His permission, if you are a true believer. And there is nothing is hidden from the Almighty Allah in the whole universe.


Al-Quran (3:5) “From Allah, verily nothing is hidden on earth or in the heavens.”


Al-Quran (31:16) "O my son! (said Luqman), "If there be (but) the weight of a mustard-seed and it were (hidden) in a rock, or (anywhere) in the heavens or on earth, Allah will bring it forth: for Allah understands the finest mysteries, (and) is well-acquainted (with them).””


Al-Quran (57:6) “….and He has full knowledge of the secrets of (all) hearts.”


Al-Quran (6:3) “And He is Allah in the heavens and on earth. He knoweth what ye hide, and what ye reveal, and He knoweth the (recompense) which ye earn (by your deeds).”


Al-Quran (6:59) “With Him are the keys of the unseen, the treasures that none knoweth but He. He knoweth whatever there is on the earth and in the sea. Not a leaf doth fall but with His knowledge: there is not a grain in the darkness (or depths) of the earth, nor anything fresh or dry (green or withered), but is (inscribed) in a record clear (to those who can read). “


And if you know value of this world you can indeed live a wonderful, fearless life.


Allah says


Al-Quran (3:14) :”Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: Women and sons; Heaped-up hoards of gold and silver; horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this world's life; but in nearness to Allah is the best of the goals (To return to).”


Al-Quran (57:20) ”Know ye (all), that the life of this world is but play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among yourselves, riches and children. Here is a similitude: How rain and the growth which it brings forth, delight (the hearts of) the tillers; soon it withers; thou wilt see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in the Hereafter is a Penalty severe (for the devotees of wrong). And Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the devotees of Allah.. And what is the life of this world, but goods and chattels of deception?”


(also see ‘An atomic bomb to arrogance http://forums.gawaher.com/index.php?show...21532&hl=)


And while you see the powerful nations and powerful leaders, who are capable of global domination, causing destruction whoever they wish, never let your heart to give room to have even smaller than an atom amount of fear. On the face of the Earth many number of great nations and powerful person came and wiped out from there because of their arrogance. See what Allah says about this:


Al-Quran (6:6) “See they not how many of those before them We did destroy?- generations We had established on the earth, in strength such as We have not given to you - for whom We poured out rain from the skies in abundance, and gave (fertile) streams flowing beneath their (feet): yet for their sins We destroyed them, and raised in their wake fresh generations (to succeed them).”.


Al-Quran (6:11) “Say: "Travel through the earth and see what was the end of those who rejected Truth."”


So there is no need to worry and feel sad or have fear for any thing. Whatever happens it’s already happened in our destiny.


Everything has a divine purpose created by Almighty Allah. Allah says in His divine book:


Al-Quran (57:22) “No misfortune can happen on earth or in your souls but is recorded in a decree before We bring it into existence: That is truly easy for Allah.”


Al-Quran (57:22) “In order that ye may not despair over matters that pass you by, nor exult over favours bestowed upon you. For Allah loveth not any vainglorious boaster,”


Only a true Mumin (believer) can have such peaceful, fearless, happy life in both the world, because his weapon is two as said by our beloved prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him).


The Prophet(PBUH) said: "I am leaving you two things and you will never go astray as long as you cling to them -- they are the Book of Allah and my Sunnah." [Reported by Al- Haakim - Sahih].


Inshallah soon I will meet you in another article


Wassalam


Yours brother in faith


M. A. Hashim Munawar M.C.A.

I fast but i don't know if it is the same as Ramadan. Can someone explain this to me briefly? Also is there a difference between Arab-americans and Muslim-americans? I just finished reading in one of these forums about the sins and wow. What is Hajj?I feel these are very good guildlines to live. How does this clash with american way of life though, i mean if you were to live here it would be hard to follow this or no? There is so much temptations here, and many don't follow even their own beliefs. But i do believe that this religion could teach us very good things and america needs this. We lack the love of God, i am not saying all lack it but where i come from not much love for God. God willing that one day i am serve God and do his will.

There is a torture chamber in which the punishment and tortures are so severe and Unimaginable that the inmates of the other 6 levels in Hell pray Four hundred times a day to avoid it.


Burnt Your Tongue?


There is a well in Hell called the Well of Sorrow. (its called WAYL, like in waylul musalleen) It is a well in which in it is only PUS and POISON in which the inmates of Hell fire must drink from it. There is a also a lake in which it is SO hot that the person made to drink it feels fire burning down his throughout into his body. The prophet once said if a drop if this muck would fall on this world......the whole Earth would be polluted.


Why Go To A Massage Therapist?


Bodies will be stretched pulled and broken repeatedly and then the process will start all over again. They will be Crushed to pieces in the lowest level of Hell. (There are 7 levels in hell) Bodies are restored before the next round.


Hungry?


The sinners will be made to eat from a horrifying tree in Hell whose fruity is BARBED WIRE DEVIL HEADS that stick in your throat as you eat it. The roots reach down to the lowest level in Hell itself.


Scared Of Dogs?


There will be creatures and beasts running around in Hell-some will look like snakes and scorpions other even more hideous-and they will run after you. Stinging, harassing, biting, and eating you!


A Mention Of Hell's Shower


Boiling lava will be poured over there heads and they will be chained. Others will be yoked and it will rain STEEL CHAINS on them-and they are helpless to it.


Take A Deep Breath


Darkness wails screams. And cries of pain will be all that is heard. There will be NO fragrances except for rotting, blood flesh, death, and pus. Nothing cool or refreshing to drink either-just boiling muck mixed with pus and blood.


No Breaks


There will be no let ups*hanging out with Alexander or Shakespeare*NO BREAKS! Any time they ask for a break their punishment is doubled for another thousand years of doubled tortures.


1. Hypocrites-will have there cheeks ripped out Repeatedly, they will receive a punishment worse than the kuffar


2.Woman Who Had No Modesty-Will be deformed and dragged and hung by her hair


3. Arrogant/Snobs-Will be shriveled to the size of ants-and be made to drink the blood and pus of hell's floor!


4.Those Who Missed Their Prayers-will have their heads smashed with Huge rocks repeatedly, from the time of the beginning of the salat they missed, till the salat time expiered


5. Gossipers And People Who Talk Too Much-Will have their lips Cut off with Sharp razors!


6. People Who Backbite-Will be made to cut of chunks of their Body and Eat it!


7. People Who Always Find Faults With Others - Will have their fingernails made of copper and they must scratch their faces and tear it apart with their nails!


8. People Who Practiced Riba -Will have squirming snakes in their bellies and that will be chained to the burning floor of hell and will be trampled over by beasts and inmates!


9. A Person Who Cheats On His Spouse - Will be made to sit between to piles of meat. One pile will be fresh and tasty while the other will be rotten. They will be made to eat the rotten meat.


___________________________


The list is endless. And horrific. Why bother to let the devil lead you to this ETERNAL home? If you are young-this is the perfect time to start, We always say: O we are young*I'll change later in life, I'll pray later. I'll think of Allah later.


May Allah swt save us from these tortures and let us say NO to the Devil and YES to Allah and His Rasool (S.A.W).................Aameen

What is expected of women and men as a muslim in usa? How are the childern expected to behave? As you might know USA childern are pretty wild and don't listen to their parents well. How are your elders treated? I been doing so much reading my eyes hurt. But i will share one thing with you it is a secret. hahaha i never saw such love for God in my life. I will start to read the Quran and find out what all the religious/spiritual beliefs and practices are. I am glad i found this islam message board it is opening my eyes towards God.This is great i am so happy. and thankyou for your reponse.

Quote: surah 2: al bagarah #207
And there is the type of man who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah;and Allah is full of kindness to (his) devotees.

I am learning about culturalism in the united states. So that i may become an honest and decent teacher to all races and enthic groups. Well i chose the arab-american religion because i am interested your cultures ways of life. And i definetly don't want to be rude. I need to know some history. Why did arabs start to come here in usa? What kind of experiences did you experience in your home countries? When Arabs entered our country how did the US law treat you? examples; permission to immigrate, citizenship, voting rights.status, treaties signed and either kept or broken.

Losing someone you love a friend or a member of your family is probably one of the worst experiences of life.


It doesn't matter how strong you are; nothing can prepare you for the death of a loved one.


When you first hear about what's happened you're in denial you can't believe that someone you know and love is dead. You can't bear the thought of never seeing, hearing or talking to them again. You feel numb even fearful at the thought. You keep expecting and hoping


against hope to see them somewhere even if it was for a second to say the things you didn't say but fate is cruel and you don't get a second chance to say sorry, thank you or I love you.


When you lose someone you start to think about your life and how there are so many things that you say and do that are wrong and a waste of valuable time. You start to consider questions like am I using my time wisely? If I die tomorrow will I have said everything I've wanted to say to the people in my life? Have I done everything I should've done, did I prepare well for the after life? Most of the time the answer to these questions is "no", because we never think of the prospect of dieing we never think what if there is no tomorrow.


We argue with those closest to us and don't forgive them for mistakes. We let our anger take control of us and say things in the heat of the moment without ever seriously considering what we are saying. We never take the time to pray or to offer thanks to our creator for everything he has blessed us with. We always worry about material things but never consider the soul the only thing we will be taking with us from this world. We never satisfy the soul our passport to paradise.


We fear losing our friends and family because we feel such strong love for them but do they know that? Do we ever take the time to be sentimental or do we consider feelings as uncool? We never take the time to say those nice things or to just give a smile to show that we love them. We lead such fast and busy lives that we don't have the time to even say salaam in some cases we don't think what if the next time I see this person it's too late or what if there is no next time?


In conclusion I would like to say that life is too short for arguments mistakes and waiting for tomorrows that never come. We should make the most of our lives and say salaam, thank you, sorry and I love you more often or just give a smile to make someone's day because a smile says a lot more than a silence. We should live each day as our last and live our life so that we are prepared for our death. We should satisfy our souls and pay as much attention to our soul as we do to everything else and not get caught up in this fast and busy world because this is just a journey to our final abode.


Live your life as a good Muslim and ensure that you have secured your place in paradise. Always remember Allah first thing in the morning and last thing at night for you never know when you may have to leave this world and go to the afterlife where excuses are irrelevant, where you stand before Allah alone and answer to your mistakes.


Remember Allah is merciful and it is never too late to change your life.


We should smile more often and not get angry with those we love so easily because at the end of the day we are all humans and inclined to make mistakes that hurt and cause pain to the ones we love. We should always let them know we didn't mean it because most of the time we don't and we should always give the ones we love a second chance because death doesn't wait for us to say bye or I love you. You have one chance at this life and it is up to you to live your life correctly and to please Allah who has blessed you so much. Death


comes without warning and gives no second chances.

The Arabic word for repentance is Taubah which translated literally means ‘to return’. Repentance means to leave what Allaah has prohibited and to return to what he has commanded.


Allaah has encouraged the believers to repent with sincere repentance.


O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance!


[surah At-Tahrim Ayah: 8]


In another ayah Allaah has said


But as for him who repented (from polytheism and sins, etc.), believed (in the Oneness of Allah, and in His Messenger Muhammad saws), and did righteous deeds (in the life of this world), then he will be among those who are successful.


[surah Al-Qasas Ayah:67]


So we should repent to Allaah and submit before him. Indeed even the Prophet (saws) used to ask Allaah for his forgiveness even though he was the Prophet and was sinless. We see that despite this he used to repent to Allaah more than 70 times a day.


"O people, make tawbah to Allah. By Allah, I make tawbah to Him more than seventy times each day."


[bukhari]


Even though the Prophet (saws) was never displeasing to Allaah he asked Allah for His forgiveness, how much more so should the sinners?


The Prophet (saws) encouraged everyone to repent to Allaah as a means of purification from the sins. The Prophet (saws) used to say every morning he used to ask Allaah for forgiveness at least 100 times.


Abdullah ibn `Umar said: We counted in a single sitting the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, saying one hundred times:


"Rabbi-ghfir-lee wa tub `alayya innaka anta-t-tawwabu-l-ghafoor."


(My Lord, forgive me and accept my repentance, verily you are Acceptor of Repentance, Oft-Forgiving.)


[Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Ibn Maajah]


And the best time for repentance is in the morning and the night, in that we may start our day with repentance and end our day with repentance.


The Prophet (saws) has said


Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, stretches out His Hand during the night so that the people repent for the fault committed from dawn till dusk and He stretches out His Hand during the day so that the people may repent for the fault committed from dusk to dawn (He would accept repentance) before the sun rises in the west (before the Day of Resurrection).”


[Muslim]


So we should endeavour to keep our hearts pure and our tongues moist with repentance to Allaah in that he may forgive us our sins.


Shaddad Ibn 'Aus (RA) narrated, the Prophet (PBUH) said:


"The most superior way of asking help (forgiveness) from Allah is to say:


'Allahumma Anta Rabbii la ilaha illa Anta, Khalaqtanii wa ana 'abduka,


wa ana alaa 'ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu,


a'udhu Bika min sharri ma sana'tu, abuu'u Laka Bini'matika 'alayya,


wa abuu'u bidhanbii, faghfirlii fa'innahu la yaghfiru Adh-dhanbu illa Anta.'


What translated in English means,


O Allah, Thou are my Lord! There is no god but Thee, It is Thee Who created me, and I am Thy servant, I am faithful to my covenant and my promise to Thee to my best ability, I seek refuge with Thee from all the evil I have done, I acknowledge before Thee all the blessings Thou have bestowed upon me, and I confess to Thee to forgive my sins, for nobody can forgive sins but Thee.


The Prophet (PBUH) then added:


‘If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of the Paradise.’"


[bukhari]


Thus the Prophet (saws) advised us to repent to Allaah and also to ask Him for his forgiveness.


Allaah has encouraged and ordered us to repent to Allaah, surrendering to him completely before we face him on the day of judgement. Thus we need to repent and seek Allaah’s forgiveness before we face death for at the time of death repentance will be of no benefit to us.


Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:


The Prophet (saws) said, "Amongst the men of Bani Israel there was a man who had murdered ninety-nine persons. Then he set out asking (whether his repentance could be accepted or not). He came upon a monk and asked him if his repentance could be accepted. The monk replied in the negative and so the man killed him. He kept on asking till a man advised to go to such and such village. (So he left for it) but death overtook him on the way. While dying, he turned his chest towards that village (where he had hoped his repentance would be accepted), and so the angels of mercy and the angels of punishment quarrelled amongst themselves regarding him. Allah ordered the village (towards which he was going) to come closer to him, and ordered the village (whence he had come), to go far away, and then He ordered the angels to measure the distances between his body and the two villages. So he was found to be one span closer to the village (he was going to). So he was for given."


[sahih Muslim]


There are numerous hadith abound with stories of the sahabah before they became Muslims who used to fight against Allaah and his Messenger (saws), and after accepting Islaam we see that they went on to become leaders of the Muslims. Rather, we should repent to Allaah because as is mentioned in the hadith above that Allaah opens his hand during the day for the sinners of the night to repent to him and he opens his hand during the day for the sinners of the day to repent to him.


O Allaah grant us the sincere repentance and accept is from us, verily You are the All Hearing, the All Knowing. Ameen.


Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?(13: Sura e Rehman)

What kind of a world are we living in?


Its OK to for Israel to have Nuclear weapons and for America to use them on Iraq and other Muslim countries, BUT when a Muslim county has the technology it’s a threat to the whole World.


Fi Amaan ALLAH


Your Brother


Haffeez