Alot have i incountered discussions where the prophet Mohammad has been condemned for his marriages, well here are a few information about the marriages of several of the prophet's wives that i managed to collect of the net:

Till his first wife Hazrat Khadija was alive, he never took a second wife. Hazrat Khadija passed away when the Prophet was of the age of 50 and only after this did he marry others. If he married eleven wives for sexual reasons, he should have had multiple wives in his youth, but history tells us that all the marriages with his remaining ten wives took place when he was between the age of 53 and 59. thats as far as saying that the prophet Mohammad was interested only in sex.

It was for a wisdom which was to nullify a pre- Islamic norm that the adopted sons were to be treated like natural sons. Allah wanted to teach His servants that adoption is prohibited in Islam. Thus, those formerly adopted sons are but strangers to their former adopting fathers. In order to stress this message Allah commanded His Prophet to marry noble Lady Zainab, the divorcee of his former adopted son.

Again, the way he married a 9-year-old girl was not out of the norms of both time and place, specially when you know that the girls of this region – desert - till now reach their puberty in an early time - nine and ten years old. So it was not an act of harassment to `A’isha or violation of her innocence, but it was a norm that would put a girl to shame if she waited any longer after this age without getting married. Please notice that her sister Asmaa was married to Az-Zubayr at the age of eleven, and so did most of the girls at that time without even considering the age gap between the bride and groom.

His wife Juwayriyya belonged to the Banu Mustaliq clan which was very powerful. The entire clan was a bitter enemy of Islam from the start. At last, they were suppressed by military action. But when the Prophet married Juwayriyya, the Muslims released all their prisoners saying that they could not keep the Prophet’s relatives in bondage and it was due to this marriage that the whole clan accepted Islam and became peaceful and obedient to the laws of the new Islamic state.

Maymunah also came from a very powerful clan from Najd and was the sister of the wife of the then chief. It was this clan which had brutally murdered 70 members of an Islamic missionary deputation. The Prophet’s marriage with Maymunah changed the whole atmosphere and Najd accepted Madinah’s authority under the leadership of the Prophet.

Umm Habibah was the daughter of the Qurayshi chief Abu Sufyan. It was after the Prophet’s marriage to Umm Habibah that Abu Sufyan never fought against the Prophet. This marriage was largely responsible for the conquest of Makkah. There is further significance. Umm Habibah was first married to a certain Ubaydullah and emigrated with him to Abyssinia where Ubaydullah became a Christian and a drunkard. Excess consumption of wine killed him. It was a double shock to her that her husband had become a Christian and later died, and she badly needed solace.

Safiyyah was the daughter of a very prominent Jewish chief, Huyyah ibn Aktab. In consideration of her family status, she could not be merged into an ordinary household. So the Prophet himself married her. After this marriage, the Jews did not dare to revive their opposition to the Prophet and his mission.

In the case of Hafsah, it was the Prophet’s desire to bind in relationship those of his great companions (sahabah) who were his advisers and who were trained for future leadership. He had married Abu Bakr’s daughter, married two of his own daughters to Uthman and one to ‘Ali (Fatima). ‘Umar could not be kept outside of this wide circle of relationship. By marrying his daughter Hafsah, the Prophet forged a strong bond of relationship within the Islamic movement thus strengthening the pillars of the Ummah.

The Prophet had married his first cousin, Zaynab, to his freed slave, Zayd ibn Haritha, whom he had adopted as his son. This was intended to break family and social barriers but the marriage did not prove a success and ended in divorce. When he saw that Zaynab was left alone, the Prophet felt his responsibility in the matter. He also had to break another convention according to which an adopted son became a real son. This difficult problem was solved by the Prophet’s marriage to Zaynab (as mentioned in the Qur’an in Surah Ahzab chapter no 33 verse 37) to annul that pre-Islamic conception and promulgate an Islamic law instead.

Another Zaynab, Umm al Masakin (mother of the poor and helpless), daughter of Khuzayma ibn Al-Haith, belonged to the Hawazin clan. Her husband gave the supreme sacrifice to the cause of Islam and was killed in the Battle of Uhud. To rescue her from widowhood, the Prophet took her as his wife.

After the revelation of the verse Surah Ahzab chapter 33 verse no 52 (33:52), the Prophet only married Mary, who was a slave girl sent as a present by the Christian Muqauqas of Egypt. Since the Christian chieftain of Egypt sent Prophet Muhammad a slave girl as a present, he could not refuse, then the refusal would have disturbed the political alliance. He could not keep her as a slave girl, since Prophet Muhammad preached that slaves should be freed. The only option left with him was to marry her since the Qur’an gave him the permission to do so. Later on she became the mother of Ibrahim who died in his infancy

Taken from "Al Wala' Wa'a Bara' According to the 'aqeedah of the Salaf" by Muhammad Saeed Al Qahtani

translated by:Omar Johnstone

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The following account illustrates the companions understanding and experience of the kalima. In 170 AH someone asked Imam Sufiyan ibn 'Uyaynah al- Hillali <b>[1]</b> about faith. He said:

"It is in both speech and action."

"But does it increase and decrease?" asked the man.

"It increases as He wishes until no more of it than this remains," and he held out his hand.

The man said,"So what should our attitude towards those among us who assert that it is speech and not action?"

"This is what the people used to say before the nature and limits of faith had been made clear. Of course Allah, Glorious and Mighty is He, sent his Prophet , may allah bless him and grant him peace, to all of humanity to tell them that there is No god but Allah and that he is the Messenger of Allah. Once they had accepted this , the security of their money and their lives was assured and they became accountable to Allah alone"

"When Allah was satisfied with their sincerity, He commanded his Prophet to order them to pray. He ordered them to do this and they did it. By Allah, if they had not done this their first act would not have helped them"<b>[2]</b>

"When Allah was satisfied with the sincerity of their prayers . He told his prophet to order them to migrate to Madeenah. By Allah if they had not done this neither their first act nor their prayers would have helped them."

"When ALllah was satisfied with the sincerity of their hearts in this. He commanded thim to return to Makkah to fight their fathers and brothers until these said the Word which they had said, established the same prayer and joined the same migration. He commanded them to do this and they did ti. One of them even came with the head of his father and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, here is the head of a leader of the disbelievers.' By Allah, if they had not done this their first act, their prayers and their migration would not have helped them."

"When Allah was satisfied with the sincerity of their hearts in this, He told His Messenger to order them to complete the rite of Tawwaf and to order shave their heads in humility, which they did . By Allah, if they had not done this their first act, their prayers, their migration, and their combat with their fathers would not have helped them."

"When Allah was satisfied with teh sincerity of their hearts in this He told the Prophet , may Allah bless him and grant him peace, to take a part of thieir money by which to purigy themselves. He commanded them to do this and they did, givinb much and giving little.By Allah, if they had not done this their first act, their prayers, their combat with their fathers and their tawwaf would not have helped them."

"When allah was satisfied with the sincerity of their hearts which were now in harmony with the nature and limits of faith, He said to them:

Quote:<b>This day have I perfected you deen for you and have completed my blessings to you, And have choosed nor you as your deen al-Islam</b>(5:3)

Report of a Netherlands Psychologist Van der Hoven.

A psychologist from Netherlands, Professor Van der Hoven, announced his discovery about the effect of reading the Quran and repeating the word ALLAH both on patients and on normal persons. The Dutch professor confirms his discovery with studies and research applied on many patients over a period of three years. Some of his patients were non-Muslims, others do not speak Arabic and were trained to pronounce the word "ALLAH" clearly; the result was great, particularly on those who suffer from dejection and tension. Al - Watan, a Saudi daily reported that the psychologist was quoted to say that Muslims who can read Arabic and who read the Quran regularly can protect themselves from psychologic al dis eases.

The psychologist explained how each letter in the word "ALLAH" affects healing of psychological diseases. He pointed out in his research that pronouncing the first letter in the word "ALLAH" which is the letter (A), released from the respiratory system, controls breathing. He added that pronouncing the velar consonant (L) in the Arabic way, with the tongue touching slightly the upper part of the jaw producing a short pause and then repeating the same pause constantly, relaxes the aspiration. Also, pronouncing the last letter, which is the letter (H) makes a contact between the lungs and the heart and in turn this contact controls the heartbeat. What is exciting in the study is that this psychologist is a non-Muslim, but interested in Islamic sciences and searching for the secrets of the Holy Quran. Allah, The Great and Glorious, says, We will show them Our signs in the universe and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that This (Quran) is the truth.

(Holy Quran 42:53). Please forward this message to the rest of the Ummah!!!

Assalamu Alikum sisters , I received this email and this sister needs your help , remember she is amanah on your necks try to assist her , the following is the text and her email, sister muslimah I dont have to tell you more I know you are the one for this sister:

Salamu Alikom,

I am new to the faith. My husband led me to the path of truth, but

he has deployed out of the country. My friends and family do not

approve of me new life style, but I want to believe what my husband

believes. I want his ways to be my ways. Does anyone have any

advice for a new convert? I want to please my husband, but I have so

much to learn and due to his position, I do not feel comfortable

talking about our faith. I fear persecution.

empirical12000@yahoo.com

Assalaamu aleikom wa Rahmat Allah wa barakaatuh!

I received this on email ---> so beautiful that u can't stop reading it again and again and again...

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Chapter II On the necessity to love the Prophet,

salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam



Section I: Concerning the necessity of loving him,

salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam

-Allah ta`ala says, "Say: if your fathers, your sons, your brothers,

your wives, your tribe and you possessions you have earned, commerce

you fear may slacken, dwellings you love - if these are dearer to you

than Allah and His Messenger and to struggle in His way, then wait

until Allah brings His command." (9:25)

This enough encouragement, advice, proof, and indication of the

necessity of loving him and is sufficient to show that this duty is an

immensely important obligation which is the Prophet's right. Allah

ta`ala censures those whose property, famillies and children are

dearer to them than Allah ta`ala and His Messenger salla-Allahu

`aleyhi wa sallam. He threatens them by adding, "Wait until Allah

brings His command." At the end of the ayat He considers such people

as having done wrong and informs them they are among those who are

astray and not guided by Allah ta`ala.

Anas reported that the Prophet, salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam, said,

"None of you will believe until I am more beloved to him than his

children, his father and all people. There is something similar from

Abu Hurayra.

Anas reported that the Prophet, salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam, said,

"There are three things which cause anyone who takes refuge in them to

experience the sweetness of belief - that Allah and His Messenger are

more beloved to him than anything else; that he loves a man only for

Allah; and that he dislikes the thought of reverting to disbelief as

much as he would dislike being cast into Fire."-

Section II: On the reward for loving the Prophet,

salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam

It is related that a man came to the Prophet, salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa

sallam, and said, "Messenger of Allah, I love you more than my familly

and my possessions. I remember you and I cannot wait until I can come

and look at you. I remember that I will die and you will die and I

know that when you enter the Garden, you will be raised up with

Prophets. When I enter it, I will not see you." Allah ta`ala then

revealed, "Whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, those are with those

whom Allah has blessed among the Prophets, the true ones, the martyrs

and the rightdoers. They are the best on Companions." (4:68) The

Prophet, salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam, called the man and recited

the verses to him.

In another hadith we find, "A man was with the Prophet, looking at him

without turning away. The Prophet asked, "What is wrong with you?" He

replied, "My father and mother be your ransom! I enjoy looking at you.

On the Day of Rising, Allah will raise you up because of His high

estimation of you!" Allah ta`ala then sent down the ayat mentioned above.

In the hadith of Anas, the Prophet, salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam,

said, "Whoever loves me will be with me in the Garden."

Section III On what is related from the Salaf and the Imams about

their love for the Prophet and their yearning for him,

salla-Alalhu `aleyhi wa sallam

The hadith of `Umar, " I love you more than myself " has been cited.

There are similar things from other Companions.

`Amr ibn al-`As said, "There is no one I love better than the

Messenger of Allah"

'Abda bint Khalid ibn Ma'dan said, "Khalid never went to bed without

remembering how he yearned for the Messenger of Allah, salla-Allahu

`aleyhi wa sallam, and his Companions among the Muhajirun and Ansar,

and he would name them. He said, 'They are my root and branch, and my

heart longs for them. I have yearned for them a long time. My Lord,

hasten my being taken to You!'"

Zayd ibn Aslam said, 'Umar went out at night to observe the people and

saw a lamp in a house where an old woman was teasing some wool, saying:

"The prayer of the good be upon Muhammad, may the blessed bless him!

I was stabding in tears before dawn.

If only I knew, when death gives us different forms,

Whether the Abode will join me to my beloved!"

she meant the Prophet. `Umar sat down in tears.

It is related that a woman said to `A´isha, "Show me the grave of the

Messenger of Allah" She showed it to her and the woman wept until she

died.

Concerning the rights which people owe the Profet

salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam

Chapter II On the necessity to love the Prophet,

salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam

Section II The signs of love of the Prophet,

salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam:

Know that someone who loves a person prefers them and prefers what

they like. Otherwise, he is a pretender, insincere in his love.

Someone who has true love of the Prophet, salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa

sallam, will manifest the following signs.

1) The first sign is that he will emulate him, apply his Sunna, follow

his words and deeds, obey his commands and avoid his prohibitions and

take on his adab in ease and hardship, joy and despair. Allah

testifies to that, "Say: if you love Allah, then follow me and Allah

will love you." (3:31)

2) He will prefer what the Prophet, salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam,

has laid down as law and encouraged, over his own passions and

appetites. Allah ta`ala said, "Those who were already settled in the

abode, and in belief, before they came, love those who have emigrated

to them and do not find in their breasts any need for what they have

been given and prefer them to themselves even if they themselves are

in want." (59:9)

3) His anger against people will only be for the sake of the pleasure

of Allah ta`ala. Anas ibn Malik said, "The Messenger of Allah said to

me, 'My son, if you can be without any grudge in your heart against

anyone in the morning and evening, be like that.' Then he added, 'My

son, that is part of my Sunna. Whoever gives life to my sunna has

loved me and whoever loves me is with me in the Garden.'" (at-Tirmidhi)

4) Another of the signs of love for the Prophet, salla-Allahu `aleyhi

wa sallam, is to mention him often. Whoever loves something mentions

it a lot.

5) Another is great yearning to meet him, salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa

sallam. Every lover yearns for their beloved.

6) One of its signs is that as well as mentioning him often, someone

who loves him will exalt and respect him when he mentions him and

display humility and abasement when he hears his name. Ishaq at-Tujibi

said, "Whenever the Companions of the Prophet , salla-Allahu `aleyhi

wa sallam, heard his name after he died, they were humble, their skins

trembled and they wept. It was the same with many of the Followers.

Some of them act like that out of love and yearning for him, others

out of respect and esteem."

7) Another sign is love for those who love the Prophet, salla-Allahu

`aleyhi wa sallam, and the people of his house and his Companions,

both of the Muhajirun and Ansar, for his sake. Such a person will also

be hostile to those who hate them and curse them. Whoever loves

anyone, loves those he loves.

The Prophet, salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam, said about al-Hasan and

al-Husayn, "O Allah, I love them, so love them." In al-Hasan's

variant, "O Allah, I love him, so love the one who loves him." He also

said, "Whoever loves them loves me. Whoever loves me loves Allah.

Whoever hates them hates me. Whoever hates me hates Allah." (al-Bukhari)

8) Another sign is hatred for anyone who hates Allah ta`ala and His

Messenger, salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam, having enmity towards all

who have enmity towards him, avoidance of all those who oppose his

Sunna and introduce innovations into his Deen, and finding every

matter contrary to his Shari'a burdensome. Allah ta`ala says, "You

will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day who

having love for anyone who opposes Allah and His Messenger." (58:22)

9) Another sign of it is love for the Qur'an which the Prophet,

salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam, brought, by which he guided and was

guided, and whose character he took on so that 'A'isha said, "His

character was the Qur'an." Part of love for the Qur'an is its

recitation and acting by it and understanding it, and loving his sunna

and keeping within its limits.

Sahl ibn 'Abdullah said, "The sign of the love of Allah is love of the

Qur'an. The sign of love of the Qur'an is love of the Prophet. The

sign of love of the Prophet is love of the Sunna. The sign of love of

the Sunna is love of the Next World. The sign of love of the Next

World is hatred for this world. The sign of hatred for this world is

that you do not store up any of it except for provision and what you

need to arrive safely in the Next World."

11) One of the signs of perfect love is that the one who aspires to it

does without in this world and prefers poverty.

The Prophet, salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam, said to Abu Sa'id

al-Khudri, "Poverty for those among you who love me comes quicker than

a flood from the top of the mountain to the bottom." (at-Tirmidhi)

In a hadith from 'Abdullah b. Mughaffal, a man said to the Prophet,

salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam, "O Messenger of Allah, I love you." He

said, "Take care what you say!" He said, "By Allah, I love you" three

times. He said, "If you love me, then prepare for poverty quickly."

There is a similar hadith from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri.

Section III On the meaning and reality of love for the Prophet,

salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam:

The reality of love is to incline to what one finds agreeable and

harmonious, either:

(1) by the pleasure in its perfection � like love of beautiful forms=

,

melodious sounds, delicious foods and drink to which one naturally

inclines because they are agreeable;

(2) or by pleasure in the perfection of its noble inner qualities

which is sensed by the intellect and heart�- like love for the

righteous, scholars and people of correct behaviour whose marvellous

lives and good actions have been related. Man's nature inclines to

intense love for these sorts of things to the point of fanaticism.

Such partisanship of one group against another and sectarianism within

a nation can result in homelands being abandoned, inviolable things

being dishonoured, and lives lost;

(3) or someone can love something because he finds it agreeable by

reason of gaining benefit and blessing from it. The self is naturally

disposed to love that which is good to it.

When you have understood this well, then examine these three causes of

love in respect of the Prophet and you will find that all three things

which inspire love apply to him.

As regards the benefit and blessing his community gain from him, we

have already mentioned the qualities of Allah ta`ala he possessed �

his compassion for them, his mercy for them, his guiding them, his

tenderness for them and his striving to save them from the Fire. He

is, "merciful, compassionate to the believers," (9:128) and "a mercy

to the worlds," (21:107) and, "a bringer of good news, a warner and a

caller to Allah by His permission." (33:45-46) "He recites its signs

to them and purifies them and teaches them the Book and the Wisdom,"

(62:2) and "guides them to a straight path." (5:16)

What goodness could be worthier or of greater importance than his

goodness to all the believers! What favour could be more universally

beneficial and of greater use than his blessing to all the Muslims

since he is their means to guidance, the one who rescues them from

blind error, and the one who summons them to success and honour? He is

their means to their Lord and their intercessor. He speaks up on their

behalf and bears witness for them and brings them to eternal life and

everlasting bliss.

So it should be clear to you that love of the Prophet, salla-Allahu

`aleyhi wa sallam, must be an obligation in the Shari'a because of the

sound traditions we have related and the nature of his overflowing

goodness and universal beauty we have just mentioned.

If a man can love someone who is generous to him just once or twice in

this world, as is well known to be the case, or someone who saves him

from destruction or harm even once, when that damage and harm are only

of a temporary nature, then the one who gives him undying bliss and

protects him from the eternal punishment of Hellfire should be loved

more. A king is loved when his behaviour is good and a ruler is loved

for his upright conduct. Someone who lives far away is loved for their

knowledge or noble character. Whoever possesses all these qualities in

total perfection is more entitled to be loved and more deserving of

attachment.

Ali, describing the Prophet, salla-Allahu `aleyhi wa sallam, said,

"Whoever saw him suddenly was in awe of him. Whoever mixed with him

loved him." We mentioned that one of the Companions could not turn his

eyes away because of his love for him.

Wa salaam

Soona

Mistakes and Contrary Acts of Pilgrims

There are some mistakes and contrary acts committed by some pilgrims when they perform the rites of Hajj and Umrah. We will mention them briefly so that pilgrims will avoid them:

1- Leaving his right shoulder exposed from the beginning of Ihram till the end of the ritual acts We call it in Arabic (Idtiba).

2- Leaving Talbiya loudly or leaving it all at once after Ihram and in Muzdalifa and Mina.

3- Reciting Talbiya in groups, commanded by a leader.

4- Innovation of special supplications when entering the Holy Mosque or seeing the Ka'ba.

5- Inventing special supplication to every course during Sa'ee or Tawaf while what is legal is recitation of Holy Quran and absolute supplication.

6- Praying loudly and in a group which disturbs and confuses the others who make Tawaf.

7- Pointing to the Kaba when climbing Safa.

8- Some women move quickly between the two green posts while it is permissible for men only.

9- Some of pilgrims think that the Sa'ee from Safa to Marwah and then return to Safa is a course, this is wrong, but the correct is that the Sa'ee from Safa to Marwah is one course, and returning to Safa is an other course.

10- Shaving some parts of the head and leaving an other part unshaved or cutting some areas of the head and leaving the rest.

11-Not facing Qibla during supplication in Arafah.

12- Insisting on climbing the mountain of Arafah for supplication.

13-Wasting time in Arafah, Mina and the nights of Tashreeq without any benefits.

14- Considering the picking up of pebbles from Muzdalifa is obligatory and thinking that washing them before pelting has excellence.

15- Neglecting standing for supplication (Du'a) after pelting of Al-Jamarat.

16- Sacrificing hady animals which are not of legal ages.

17- Many pilgrims at the last afternoon of Arafah look busy to leave Arafah where this time is the best time for supplication (Du'a). Allah is most pleased by His servants at this time.

18- Performing the prayers of sunset and evening (Maghrib and Isha) at Muzdalifa without being sure of the direction of the Qibla. It is a duty on them to ask about the direction of the Qibla.

19- Leaving Muzdalifa before mid night and leaving spending the night in it, although it is an obligation of Hajj.

20- Some strong people authorize others to throw on their behalf, where as the authoriztion is permissible for the weak people only and the like.

21- Pelting the Jamarat with shoes and big rocks.

22- Some pilgrims shave their beards on the Day of Eid, considering it as a kind of ornament where as it is disobedience at an excellent time and place.

23- Overcrowding for reaching and kissing the Black Stone to the extent of fighting and insulting which does not suit the manners of Hajj and the Holy Mosque.

24- Believing that the Black Stone is beneficial in itself, so that is why some pilgrims rub their bodies when they touch it. This is an ignorance because it is only Allah who brings benefit, so when Omar (may Allah be pleased with him) touched the Black Stone said “I know that you are a stone which brings no benefit and removes no harm and if I had not seen the Messenger of Allah kiss you, I would have never kissed you”.

25- Touching all parts of the Ka'ba and rubbing it by some pilgrims. This is plain ignorance for touching is a kind of worship that must be done according to the Holy Quran and the Sunnah.

26- Kissing the Yemeni corner which is wrong, for the Yemen corner is touched by hand.

27- Circumambulation of the Ka'ba from inside the Hijr which is wrong.(The Hijr is the low semi-circular wall next to the Ka'bah.)

28- Combining prayers together in Mina.

29- Some pilgrims start throwing Jamarat Al-Aqaba then the Medium Jamarah after that the Small Jamarah where as the correct is vice versa.

30- Throwing all the pebbles at once which is a terrible mistake. Scholars said that if he throws all the pebbles at once, it would be considered one pebble only. It is a duty on him to throw one by one as the Prophet Muhammad did (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

31- Some pilgrims leaving Mina for Makkah to make the Farewell Circumambulation (Tawaf Al-Wadah) and coming back to Mina to throw at Al-Jamarat which is contrary to the commandment of Prophet Mohammad, for (Tawaf Al-Wadah) is the last act of Hajj.

32- Staying in Makkah after Farewell circumambulation.

33-To beleive in the permissibility of visitiing the Prophet's grave in Madina i.e. One should have the intention of visiting the masjid as opposed to the grave while there.

* Conclusion:

The above mistakes should be avoided, and kept away from. The best guidance is the guidance of our Prophet Muhammad who said “Take from me your rites”.

Praise be to Almighty Allah

Some Supplications and Remembrances

* It was reported that the Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The best prayer is the supplication of the Day of Arafah and the best words that I said and the previous Prophets are:

“There is no God, but Allah, He has no partner sovereignty belongs to Him, and Praise too, He gives life and takes it. He has power over all things”.

* Prophet Muhammad said: “The most beloved speech to Allah are four words:- ‘How perfect Allah is, and all praise is for Allah- None has right to be worshipped except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest'.”

* Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘There are two words (which are) light on the tongue, heavy on the scale and beloved to the Most Gracious:

“How perfect Allah is and I praise Him, How perfect Allah is, The Supreme”.’

* “O Allah, I have indeed oppressed my soul excessively and none can forgive sin except You, so give me forgiveness from Yourself and have mercy up on me. Surely, You are the Most-Forgiving, The Most-Merciful”.

* ‘O Allah, by Your knowledge of the unseen and Your power over creation, keep me alive as long as You know such life to be good for me and take me if You know death to be better for me. O Allah, make me fearful of You whether in secret or in public and I ask You to make me fair in speech, in times of pleasure and anger. I ask You to make me moderate in times of wealth and poverty and I ask You for ever lasting bliss and joy which will never cease. I ask You to make me pleased with what You have decreed and for easy life after death. I ask You for the sweetness of looking up on Your Face and a longing to encounter You in a manner which does not entail a calamity which will bring about harm nor a trial which will cause deviation. O Allah, beautify us with adornment of faith and make us of those who guide and are rightly guided’.

* ‘O Allah I ask you every goodness that Your Prophet Muhammad asked You and I seek refuge with You from every evil that Your Prophet Muhammad sought refuge with You from it, but is You on Whom we depend and seek help and there is no might nor power except with Allah’.

* You should ask forgiveness very often and repent sincerely and ask Allah the goodness of this world and the Hereafter and send blessings on the Messenger of Allah. The Prophet Muhammad used to say this prayer very often:

“O Allah give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and guard us from the torment of Fire”.

Important Notes

1- Some pilgrims lack good behaviour and understanding of Islamic teachings, that is why you may see them committing some unlawful things and performing rites of Hajj and Umrah in the wrong way, they show no interest to change their bad manners committed before Hajj. Actually, this is a sign that their pilgrimage is incomplete, if we do not go so far as to say that it is unacceptable. There is no might nor power except with Allah.

2- The pilgrim should seize the opportunity during the Day of Arafah, for it is the day in which Allah forgives sins, releases people from fire and the angels boast of the pilgrims standing in Arafah.

3- When throwing the seven pebbles at each Jamra, it is required that the pebbles should fall in the throwing place (the basin).

4- You are not allowed while you are in state of Ihram to wash your hands and body with soap that is made of musk and other kinds of perfumes.

5- Whoever does not find `Hady' (sacrifice) or cannot afford it, he shall have to fast for three days during Hajj season and seven days after returning home. You can fast these days successively and intermittently. The population of Haram are exempted from offering `Hady' (sacrifice).

6- You will have a great reward when you serve pilgrims and are patient and over look their mistakes.

7- The pilgrim is allowed to change Ihram dress and take a bath when ever it is needed.

8- It is a Sunnah to visit the Prophet's Mosque before or after Hajj. The prayer in it is better than one thousand prayers in any other mosque. It is preferable to visit the Prophet's grave and his two companions and make salam (peace) to them, then you visit Quba Mosque and pray two rak'at in it.After that you visit Baqi` where the graves of the companions are and pray for them. After that, the graves of the martyrs of Uhud and pray for them.

It is not allowed to call the dead or seek help from them, for it is a kind of polytheism which nullifies the deeds.

13th Day of Zul-Hijjah

* After you stay the night in Mina, you pelt the three Jamarat exactly as you did on the 11th and 12th Day.

* If you intend to go back home, perform Farewell Circumambulation (Tawaf Al-Wada). Women in the state of menstruation or puerperium (child birth bleeding) are exempted from performing this final circumambulation.

* By this, you have finished your Hajj and praise be to Allah.

12th Day of Zul--Hijjah

* During staying nights in Mina, you should make use of your time by remembering Allah and doing good deeds.

* After mid day you throw pebbles at each of the three jamarat successively as you did before.

* After throwing, if you want to leave sooner, you are allowed to do so.

You have to leave before sunset and make Farewell Circumambulation.

* It is better for the pilgrim to stay late for throwing.

* It is better to pray during your stay in Mina on the Days of Tashreeq in Al-Khaif Mosque.