Why was this world made? Why was man born into this world? Why, after a certain period of time, does he pass away? What will happen after death? These are the most important questions concerning the origins and fate of mankind, and they should never be far from people’s minds. Finding the correct answers to these questions has always been one of man’s most important quests.


Pondered over for thousands of years, these questions have been variously answered by different people. However, these answers can be placed in two broad categories: one, which holds the great array of wonders in this world to be purposeless, and the other, which asserts that man was created with a purpose and that he has a definite goal.


While the first view tends to be subscribed to by poets, philosophers and secular scholars, the second view is firmly upheld by that very special class of beings called prophets, or messengers of God. The most authentic testament to the second view has been provided by the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)


Many arguments can be put forward in support of the answers in both of these categories. It is very obvious, however, that the notion of purposelessness is not in keeping with the structure of life and universe. The idea, on the other hand, of purposeful creation, falls exactly into place, for the simple reason that it contains no inherent contradictions.


The world into which man is born is fraught with significance. There is nothing which is of a meaningless or random nature. It is quite unthinkable that man, with his meaningful life, born into a meaningful universe, should find no purpose in creation. Where there is meaningfulness, there will, of necessity, be purposefulness. This aspect of the universe is a clear verification of the Prophet’s answer.


By: Maulana Wahiduddin Khan


Source: www.alrisala.org

Here is something very nice, good to read at Fajr insha Allah. Let this be a reminder to us.


Islamic daily life


Have you prayed Fajr, every day with the group, in the Masjid?


Did you perform all of the prayers daily inside the Masjid, with the group?


Did you read from the Book of Allah (Quran) today?


Did you mention Allah and Glorify Him after each prayer?


Did you keep the extra prayers (Sunnah) before or after each prayer?


Were you concentrating daily on your prayers by meditating on what you said in your prayers?


Have you remembered Death and the Tomb today?


Have you thought about the Day of Judgment and its overwhelming hardship?


Have you asked Allah three times to permit you into Paradise? Because if you say: Oh Allah, permit me into Paradise- three times, the Paradise will reply: Oh Allah, allow him/her to enter me. (Tirmidhi)


Have you asked Allah to protect you from the Hellfire today, three times? If you did the Hellfire will say: Oh Allah, protect him/her from me. (Tirmidhi)


Did you read a Hadith about the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) today?


Haven't you thought about being away from those who are evil doers?


Have you tried to avoid laughing and joking too much or too often?


Did you thank Allah for bestowing on you the hearing, sight, good heart, and all the other gifts?


Did you pay charity today to the poor and needy?


Did you get angry for your own sake or for the sake of Allah?


Did you avoid arrogance and self-admiration?


Have you cried today out of the fearness of Allah?


Did you mention Allah after Fajr or Isha prayer?


Have you asked Allah to forgive you from the sins and transgressions that you have committed, by making (astaghfirullah) seeking forgiveness from sins?


Did you ask Allah sincerely and honestly today to grant you Shahadat (martyrdom)? The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said: "The one who asks Allah sincerely to grant him/her Shahadat, Allah will grant it to him/her


even though he/she dies in his/her bed. (Muslim)


Did you ask Allah to stabilize your heart and you religion?


Did you take the opportunity to make dua (supplication) in the hours that Allah accepts them?


Did you buy a new Islamic book for the sake of learning from it the knowledge of the religion?


Did you seek forgiveness for the Believers, men and women, alive or dead, because if you did, Allah will reward you for each of them.


Did you thank Allah for His Blessings on you, by making you Muslim and for the Blessings of Islam?


Did you visit a brother or sister for the sake of Allah?


Did you invite people to Allah, your family, your brothers, sisters, or neighbors, or those whom you have been in contact with?


Were you kind to your parents today?


Have you faced a problem and did you say: Inna lellaahi wa innaa ilaihir raaje'oon (By Allah we are created and to Him we shall return)?


Have you made dua by saying,"Oh Allah, I seek refuge in You, from the things I have committed wrongfully and knowingly. And I seek forgiveness for the things that I have committed without my knowledge." If you say this, Allah will wipe off the big sins and the small sins.


Source: www.jannah.org

The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) said:


"There are seven whom Allah will shade in His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade: a just ruler; a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic; a man whose heart is attached to the mosques; two men who love each other for Allah's sake, meeting for that and parting upon that; a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position (for illegal intercourse), but be says: 'I fear Allah', a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity; and a man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears.'" (Abu Hurairah & collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (English trans.) vol.1, p.356, no.629 & Saheeh Muslim (English trans.) vol.2, p.493, no.2248)


In this beautiful Hadith, the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) spoke about small acts of worship which result in such a huge reward: shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His Shade. This may not seem like much at first but then reflect upon the following Hadith: 'On the Day of Resurrection, the sun would draw so close to the people that there would be left a distance of only one mile. The people will be submerged in perspiration according to their deeds, some up to their ankles, some up to their knees, some up to the waist and some would have the bridle of perspiration and, while saying this, the Messenger of Allah put his hand towards his mouth.' (al Miqdaad ibn Aswad & collected in Saheeh Muslim (Eng. trans) vol.4, p.1487-8, no. 6852}.


And in another Hadith, some will be submerged in sweat 'seventy arm-lengths in the earth.' (Abu Hurairah and collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (Eng. trans.) vol.8, p.353, no.539) and Muslim (Eng. trans.) vol.4, p.l487, no.6851)


So who would want more then, on this Day, than to be under the Shade and protection of Allah Azza wa Jall?


Let us examine now the characteristics and virtues of these seven categories of people who will be worthy of such an exalted position on the Day of Gathering:


1. 'A Just Ruler'


The concept of Justice in Islam is very important and it is something which the Muslim - Ruler and the ruled - must apply in all matters without exception. Justice means to give each the right he deserves: Muslim or non-Muslim, relative or stranger, friend or enemy. Allah says: '...And do not let hatred cause you to act unjustly, that is nearer to piety (al-Maa'idah 8).


Unfortunately, even if we admit this in theory, we quickly forget it in practice. So we find that when we speak about our friends and loved ones, we praise them beyond reason and when we speak about those whom we hold difference with, we can find no good in them and we just capitalize on their bad points. This is far removed from the justice which Allah loves and gives great reward for, as mentioned in the following Hadith: 'The doers of justice will be on thrones of light at Allah's Right Hand - and both of Allah's Hands are Right Hands" - those who were just in their Ruling, with their families and in all that over which they were given authority.


The Prophet assigning to Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud the open spaces in Madina between the dwellings and palm gardens of the Ansar, and when the Banu Abd Ibn Zuhrah said, "Remove from us the son of Umm Abd (Ibn Mas'ud)," replying, 'Why then did Allah send me? Allah does not bless a people among whom a weak man is not given his right.'" (Baghawi transmitted it in Sharh as-Sunnah. Sunan at-Tirmidhi no.3003)


The concept of justice is most important for the Ruler, since he is in charge of his people and the primary disposer of justice in the land. For this reason, the Ruler is given special mention as one of the seven who will be honored with Allah's Shade.


2 'A youth who grew up in the worship of Allah'


The great scholar, Ayyoob as-Sakhtiyaanee (d.131H) said, "From the success of a youth is that Allah guides him to a scholar of the Sunnah.(Hasan - Reported in Sharh Usoolis-Sunnah of al-Laalikaa'ee no.30).


Indeed, it is a great blessing from Allah for a youth to be guided towards worship and be befriended by the righteous, since it is in youth that a person is most vulnerable to the temptations of life and liable to drift away from the Islamic Path. This becomes apparent when we look at society around us and we see that most of the worldly distractions, such as music, games, clubs, fashion etc. are all specifically targeted at the young. "You're only young once!" they are told, which is why many Muslims nowadays waste their youth thinking that they will pray, wear Hijaab and go to Hajj, etc. when they are old, as if they have a guarantee of longevity from Allah! How well we would do to heed the Prophet's advice when he said: 'Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you are preoccupied and your life before your death.' Sahih - Narrated by Ibn Abbaas & collected in al-Haakim & others. Authenticated by Shaikh 'Alee ibn 'Abdul Hameed in Forty Hadith of the Call and the Caller.


3. 'A man whose heart is attached to the mosques'


There is great encouragement in the Sunnah for men to pray in the mosques and the reward associated with it is tremendous. Not only does it make the person eligible for Allah's Shade on the day of Judgment, but, 'he does not take a step towards the mosque except that because of it, he is raised by one rank and one sin is removed from him. Then when he prays, the Angels do not cease supplicating for him (for) as long as he remains at his place of Prayer (sayings): O Allah send blessings upon him, O Allah have mercy upon him...' (Abu Hurairah & collected in Sahih al-Bukhari (Eng. trans.) vol. 1 p.352 no.620).


It must be emphasized here however, that all the Hadith encouraging the men to be attached to the mosques are not intended to lead one to the conclusion that Islam is a religion which should be confined to the mosques, as many people imagine. Nonetheless, the mosque should be at the heart of the Muslim community, and the role of those in authority of the mosques is vital here. They are the ones mainly responsible for making the mosque a welcome refuge for the Muslims, rather than an arena for politics and power struggles as many seem to have become these days. And we seek Allah's refuge from this!


4. 'Two men who love each other for Allah's sake, meeting for that and parting upon that'


Having mutual love for the sake of Allah is one of the great doors leading to the good of the Hereafter and a cause of tasting the sweetness of Eemaan in this world. Loving one another for Allah's sake means that the Muslim does not love another except for the correctness of his Deen. So it does not matter what the person looks like, what he wears, how rich or poor he is, where he comes from, or what the color of his skin is - perhaps you dislike everything about him, but you love him for his Eemaan: this is loving for Allah's sake.


'Allah, the Mighty and Magnificent says: 'Those who have mutual love for the sake of My Glory will have pillars of light and will be envied the Prophets and martyrs.' (Sahih - Collected in Sunan at-Tirmidhee & Musnad Ahmad: 5/336-7).


Subhan Allah! Imagine being envied by Allah's chosen Messengers and those who were slain in His Path! Such is the reward of those who love one another for Allah's sake.


5. 'A man who is called by a woman of beauty and position but he says: 'I fear Allah'


This world is full of temptations which lead to burning in the Fire and amongst them is that which comes from women. Many a man has led his soul into destruction on account of the lure of a woman which is why the Prophet warned his Ummah specifically about this. He said, "The world is sweet and green and verily Allah is going to install you as successors upon it in order to see how you act. So avoid the allurement of women: verily the first trial for the Children of Israa'eel was caused by women." (Aboo Sa'eed al-Khudree & collected in Saheeh Muslim (Eng. trans.) vol.4, p.1432, no.6606)


The most important provision which we need to protect ourselves from this and all other temptations in life is the fear (khawf) of Allah. This fact is alluded to in the following Quranic Ayah: "And as for him who feared standing before his Lord and restrained himself from impure evil desires, verily Paradise will be his abode." (an- Naazi'aat:40-41)


6. 'A man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity'


This describes the type of person who goes to great lengths to protect himself from ar-Riyaa. Ar-Riyaa means to do deeds in order to earn the praise and recognition of people. This sin destroys all the benefits that lie in righteous deeds and brings on a serious punishment for the one who commits it. It is particularly dangerous because it is in man's nature to desire and enjoy the praise of others. Thus, great care has to be token to ensure that one's intentions begin and remain pure whenever good actions (such as charity) are being done. Not like what we see today where we have mosque notice boards announcing who gave what to whom, why and when! Allah warns: "O you who believe! Do not render vain your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men and he does not believe in Allah nor in the Last Day." (al-Baqarah:264). May Allah preserve us from this.


7. 'A man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears.'


Our noble Prophet (p.b.u.h.) informed us: "If you knew what l knew, you would laugh little and weep much." (Aboo Hurairah and Anas & collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (Eng. trans.) vol.8, p.326-327, nos.492 and 493)


Crying is not a sissy thing to do. The Prophet, who was the best of all creations, would weep as would all of his Companions. Tears are a genuine expression of fear of Allah's Punishment and of our sincere love and awe of Him. But how often do we remember Allah in seclusion and are then moved to tears? How much do we laugh and how little do we weep? The Prophet said, 'There is nothing more beloved to Allah than two drops and two marks: A tear shed due to fear of Allah, and a drop of blood spilled in the path of Allah. And as for the two marks, then a mark caused in the path of Allah, and a mark caused by fulfilling one of the duties made obligatory by Allah." (Hasan - collected by at-Tirmidhee and al-Mishkaat: 3837)


Alhamdulillaah, through these seven types of people mentioned in the Hadith, we have been given clear signposts of the way to attain Allah's pleasure and satisfaction. So dear brothers and sisters in Eemaan, devote yourself to being one amongst those seven, for indeed fortunate will be those who are granted Allah's Shade on the Day when there will be no shade but His.


Source: www.jannah.org

THE GREAT JOURNEY


TICKET: One-way (return ticket not available)


COST: absolutely free


RESERVATION: confirmed


ELIGIBILITY: Tickets will be issued to the following:


Name: Child of Adam


Identification: piece of clay


Address: Surface of the Earth


DETAILS OF JOURNEY:


Departure Point: Anywhere on Earth


Destination: Second World


Hotel to be temporarily accommodated: two meters space


Duration: few seconds or few minutes


Time of Departure: Time of Death


IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS:


All passengers are requested to keep in mind that the tickets are nonnegotiable and nontransferable. Therefore, everyone must be ready and keep an eye to the pilot of the plane - IZRAIL Alaihis Salam, THE ANGEL OF DEATH.


For more information, read instructions to be found in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. You can also consult the learned Ulema (Muslim scholars). IT IS IMPORTANT this is done as soon as possible. You are reminded no oxygen mask will be given as it is not required, in fact your respiratory system will be closed down before the journey begins.


LUGGAGE:


Even though each plane carries only one passenger, restrictions are imposed on the luggage that can be taken with you. You are allowed to carry 5 meters of white clothes and small amount of cotton. The real luggage must be good deeds, good conduct, time spent in inviting mankind to good deeds and prohibiting evil, Ilm (knowledge) obtained and used properly, children raised and educated to be good Muslims. Apart from these and luggage of these types, other luggage will be at your own risk.


There is no need for any boarding pass, passport or other travel documents, just get ready. To get ready attendance of the 5 daily prayers in the Masjid or with Jamma'at is highly recommended. Study the Quran and Sunnah and put them into practice. This ticket may be called in at any time so prepare now!


Source: www.jannah.org

<b>BROTHERS BUKHARI COMPLETION & GRADUATION CEREMONY </b>


SUNDAY 26th SEPTEMBER 2004


The final year students of Darul Uloom Bury and Madinatul Uloom Kidderminster, United Kingdom’s longest established and most distinguished Islamic Universities are approaching the end of a classical course of Islamic theology taught by expert scholars in a traditional manner. The end of the academic year will be culminating with the final lessons of hadeeth taught from the six most authentic books of hadeeth. A joint completion and graduation ceremony has been organised by both institutions so that brothers from across the UK can have the opportunity to participate in the final lesson of hadeeth.


A cordial invitation is extended to all brothers to attend this auspicious gathering for verily there is a shower of blessings when the words of the Prophet are recited, just as when the words of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta`ala are recited.


<b>A Unique Oppurtunity</b>


The Bukhari Graduation Ceremony has been held annually since 2001 and the gathering has been a source of guidance and inspiration for the thousands who have partaken in this unique opportunity.


In addition to participating in the final lesson of hadeeth of Sahih al Bukhari, the annual gathering is an opportunity to benefit from the intellectual and spiritual attentions of the Ulama, spending a day in the tranquil and natural surroundings of Madinatul Uloom, which is situated in the Worcestershire countryside.


The following hadeeth underlines the great benefit in travelling in search of knowledge, and it is hoped that the following words of the Prophet will inspire all to attend.


Kathir ibn Qays said: I was sitting with Abu Darda in the mosque of Damascus.


A man came to him and said: Abu Darda, I have come to you from the town of the Apostle of Allah for a tradition that I have heard you relate from the Apostle of Allah . I have come for no other purpose.


He said: I heard the Apostle of Allah say: If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, Allah will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise. The angels will lower their wings in their great pleasure with one who seeks knowledge, the inhabitants of the heavens and the Earth and the fish in the deep waters will ask forgiveness for the learned man. The superiority of the learned man over the devout is like that of the moon, on the night when it is full, over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets leave neither dinar nor dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion. [sunan Abu Dawood]


<b>Programme</b>


1st Session: 9.30 AM – 12.00 PM


2nd Session: 1.30 PM


The programme for the Bukhari Completion and Graduation Ceremony will include recitation by different Qurra, speeches in English and Urdu, concluding with the final lesson of hadeeth from Sahih al Bukhari.


<b>Venue and Contact Details</b>


Madinatul Uloom Al Islamiyyah


Butts Lane


Summerfield


Kidderminster


DY10 4BH


UK


Tel: 01562 66894


Fax: 01562 86233


<b>For further information please visit:</b>


www.inter-islam.org


www.shariah-institute.org

<b>BROTHERS BUKHARI COMPLETION & GRADUATION CEREMONY </b>


SUNDAY 26th SEPTEMBER 2004


The final year students of Darul Uloom Bury and Madinatul Uloom Kidderminster, United Kingdom’s longest established and most distinguished Islamic Universities are approaching the end of a classical course of Islamic theology taught by expert scholars in a traditional manner. The end of the academic year will be culminating with the final lessons of hadeeth taught from the six most authentic books of hadeeth. A joint completion and graduation ceremony has been organised by both institutions so that brothers from across the UK can have the opportunity to participate in the final lesson of hadeeth.


A cordial invitation is extended to all brothers to attend this auspicious gathering for verily there is a shower of blessings when the words of the Prophet are recited, just as when the words of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta`ala are recited.


<b>A Unique Oppurtunity</b>


The Bukhari Graduation Ceremony has been held annually since 2001 and the gathering has been a source of guidance and inspiration for the thousands who have partaken in this unique opportunity.


In addition to participating in the final lesson of hadeeth of Sahih al Bukhari, the annual gathering is an opportunity to benefit from the intellectual and spiritual attentions of the Ulama, spending a day in the tranquil and natural surroundings of Madinatul Uloom, which is situated in the Worcestershire countryside.


The following hadeeth underlines the great benefit in travelling in search of knowledge, and it is hoped that the following words of the Prophet will inspire all to attend.


Kathir ibn Qays said: I was sitting with Abu Darda in the mosque of Damascus.


A man came to him and said: Abu Darda, I have come to you from the town of the Apostle of Allah for a tradition that I have heard you relate from the Apostle of Allah . I have come for no other purpose.


He said: I heard the Apostle of Allah say: If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, Allah will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise. The angels will lower their wings in their great pleasure with one who seeks knowledge, the inhabitants of the heavens and the Earth and the fish in the deep waters will ask forgiveness for the learned man. The superiority of the learned man over the devout is like that of the moon, on the night when it is full, over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets leave neither dinar nor dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion. [sunan Abu Dawood]


<b>Programme</b>


1st Session: 9.30 AM – 12.00 PM


2nd Session: 1.30 PM


The programme for the Bukhari Completion and Graduation Ceremony will include recitation by different Qurra, speeches in English and Urdu, concluding with the final lesson of hadeeth from Sahih al Bukhari.


<b>Venue and Contact Details</b>


Madinatul Uloom Al Islamiyyah


Butts Lane


Summerfield


Kidderminster


DY10 4BH


UK


Tel: 01562 66894


Fax: 01562 86233


<b>For further information please visit:</b>


www.inter-islam.org


www.shariah-institute.org

<b>Learning to Get Up</b>


Bringing a giraffe into the world is a tall order. A baby giraffe falls 10 feet from its mother's womb and usually lands on its back. Within seconds it rolls over and tucks its legs under its body.


From this position it considers the world for the first time and shakes off the last vestiges of the birthing fluid from its eyes and ears. Then the mother giraffe rudely introduces its offspring to the reality of life.


In his book, A View from the Zoo, Gary Richmond describes how a newborn giraffe learns its first lesson.


The mother giraffe lowers her head long enough to take a quick look. Then she positions herself directly over her calf. She waits for about a minute, and then she does the most unreasonable thing. She swings her long, pendulous leg outward and kicks her baby, so that it is sent sprawling head over heels.


When it doesn't get up, the violent process is repeated over and over again. The struggle to rise is momentous. As the baby calf grows tired, the mother kicks it again to stimulate its efforts. Finally, the calf stands for the first time on its wobbly legs.


Then the mother giraffe does the most remarkable thing.


She kicks it off its feet again. Why? She wants it to remember how it got up. SubhanaAllah.


In the wild, baby giraffes must be able to get up as quickly as possible to stay with the herd, where there is safety. Lions, hyenas, leopards, and wild hunting dogs all enjoy young giraffes, and they'd get it too, if the mother didn't teach her calf to get up quickly and get with it.


Great people don't get to that stage without fighting and struggling for it. But every time they're knocked down they stand up. You cannot destroy these people. And at the end of their lives they've accomplished some modest part of what they set out to do.


The Road to Jannah isn't easy. It is only with strrugles and hard-work that it is achieved.

Salam Alaeikum. When is 1th Ramadan? Will be there different starts of Ramadan?

If you haven't already come see the video of the beheading of an innocent man. You'll feel a whole lot better if revenge is what you seek. www.orgish.com


This is the reason George W Bush will get re-elected. He invaded 2 countries in his first term. Wait till he doesn't have to worry about getting re-elected. He'll probably decide to use the nuclear arms.


After watching that video nuclear arms made sense for half a milisecond.

Dear fellow bros/sisters,


Do u think taking one's own life and the lives of innocent victims, women and children is allowed for in the Quran? In the afterlive, e.g. if the innocent victims were muslims as well. Will they be accorded a place in paradise. What will happen to their dependents if the sole breadwinner is gone. Is the muslim community responsible to provide for them? How do we answer the questions of their children when they asked how their father/mother died? An accident?


I am disturbed by all these human tragedies. Please help me with an explanation.


Thank you.


Revelation