ALLAH SAID....

If you never felt pain,

Then how would you know that I'm a Healer?

If you never went through difficulties,

Then how would you know that I'm a Deliverer?

If you never had a trial,

Then how could you call yourself an overcomer?

If you never felt sadness,

Then how would you know that I'm a Comforter?

If you never made a mistake,

Then how would you know that I'm forgiving?

If you knew all,

Then how would you know that I will answer your questions?

If you never were in trouble,

Then how would you know that I will come to your rescue?

If you never were broken,

Then how would know that I can make you whole?

If you never had a problem,

Then how would you know that I can solve them?

If I gave you all things,

Then how would you appreciate them?

If I never corrected you,

Then how would you know that I love you?

If you had all power,

Then how would you learn to depend on me?

If your life was perfect,

Then what would you need Me for?

Asalaamu alikum,

The following story made remember the importance of keeping life in it's proper order, and perspective:

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Praise be to Allah and prayer and peace be upon His Messenger, household and companions.

This is a true situation that I went through 3 months ago.

We all see entertainment in having fun (of course halal one) through joining friends for an ice cream, sandwich, or even a beach trip (without going to the water of course for females). We are living in a hard time full of fitnah; we certainly need to entertain ourselves. The Messenger of Allah (sallah Allahu a`alheyee wa sallam) also encouraged us to entertain our hearts for if they are to become tired they go blind.

3 months ago I asked my sister to take me on a two hour drive away from where we live to have breakfast in a restaurant well known with its quality of fava beans and falafel. The restaurant itself reminds me of my childhood and I like the place for many reasons. I haven't been there for quite sometime. Also, I'd like to tell you that Allah blessed me by living with my old mother and looking after her. Usually I simply just go out only for work and the necessary stuff like shopping or any other emergency, but not to visit friends or even family. They all know I prefer to stay with my mother and look after her, even just to give her company. Alhamdulelah who guided me for this and if it was not for Him I wouldn’t have been guided. On that day, I asked my sister to take me for breakfast on Sat. I told her as if talking to myself, will be back before my mother wakes up and thus will not miss anything of what I have to do for her. Deep inside I was feeling guilty but still wanting to go.

I told my mother she said fine, next day (Thu.) she said I feel uncomfortable about it. Mind you again I missed an important point. For 4 months I was suffering some health conditions, which I revealed to no one, I was tired all the time, unable to focus on my work, distracted most of the time and many more other symptoms. I just went on with my life and consulted no doctor about it. I had no time. But the suffering was increasing.

Any way back to that day, I told my mother to pray Istikharah on Fri and let me know.

Friday she prayed Istikharah and told me she is still uncomfortable. Immediately I told her I will cancel the trip. I said no point in going somewhere seeking entertainment while this will make her unhappy, I said this will not be blessed and thus will never attain what I seek. I told her I am fully happy and satisfied to do this in the name of Allah.

Wallahi, upon saying this I felt as if something was covering me from head to toe being removed, I regained my energy, focused, happy and content inside in a way never witnessed before, no symptoms of illness what so ever, without spending money on doctors, lab test or even going for the Fava beans.

Brothers and sisters, be sure when you observe the priorities as per Allah's order you are all safe and happy.

I know you like to see friends and talk to them, but what you attain of entertainment is only temporary I am sure you notice it. The minute you are out of whatever, you feel the same heaviness and tiresome again. Only when you abide by what Allah commands is when you attain an incomparable and permanent feeling that is even hard to describe.

Now what can we learn from this experience, in a hadeeth someone came asking the Prophet's permission to go for Jihad, he asked him do you have old parents, he said yes, the Messenger of Allah (sallah Allah a`alyhee wa sallam) said go and make jihad in them. Many other Ayahs of Quran and hadeeth regarding the value of obeying, being kind and attending to parents and the mother in particular.

Q: Do we postulate that a specific person who dies upon disbelief, like, for example Stalin or Lenin, are in the hellfire, i.e. we say: al-Khumayni is in hell-fire now being punished?

A: Whoever dies upon disbelief - and he is an original disbelief [not an apostate] - then we bear witness that he is in the hell-fire.

Due to the hadeeth, 'My father, and your father are in the hell-fire'.

And the hadeeth of the visitors of Bani al-Muntafiq, we read, 'If you pass by the grave of a Qurayshi or Doosi, then say, "Have news of what will dissapoint you, being dragged by your face into the hell-fire"'

[it is permissable], particularly if he is from the Jews or Christians, due to the hadeeth, 'By the One who's hand my soul is in, no Jew or Christian from this ummah [of da'wah] hears of me, and then doesn't believe in what I have been sent with, except that he enters hell-fire'.

Ibn al-Qayyim said, in Zaad al-Ma'aad, 'In it, is evidence that whoever dies a mushrik, is in the hell-fire'.

And also, due to His saying, the Most High, 'The fire, they are exposed to it, morning and afternoon'.

If he is an apostate - and died upon apostacy - then we witness that he is in the fire aswell.

As is narrated, authenticly from Abu Bakr regarding the ones who died from the apostates, when he made peace with them on the condition that they bear witness that their killed, from the apostates are in the hell. And this is the consensus of the companions.

[Translator says: there is some difference of opinion on this, and the evidence used towards the end (Abu Bakr's incident) is questionable, since it is not talking about a specific person. And Allah knows best.]

The great scholar Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jowziyyah wrote the following words in a famous tract called <b>Al-Jawaab Al-Kaafi</b> in response to a letter written to him by an individual who was seeking advice on how to rid himself of major sin. We transmit here what he mentioned were the detrimental results of committing sins. Perhaps it will assist us, if we are wise, to realize what the true root of our problems as a whole today is and hopefully serve as an impetus to work for change and self-reform. We will perhaps mention specific sins and their evil consequences in articles to come. For now, we take a look at the dire consequences of committing sins in general.

One: The Prevention of Knowledge

Knowledge is a light which Allah throws into the heart, and disobedience extinguishes this light. Imaam Shaafi’ee said: I complained to Wakee’ about the weakness of my memory so he ordered me to abandon disobedience and informed me that knowledge is light and that the light of Allah is not given to the disobedient.

Two: The Prevention of Sustenance

Just as Taqwaa brings about sustenance, the abandonment of Taqwaa causes poverty. There is nothing which can bring about sustenance like the abandonment of disobedience.

Three: The Prevention of Obedience (to Allah)

If there was no other punishment for sin other than that it prevents one from obedience to Allah then this would be sufficient.

Four: Disobedience weakens the heart and the body.

Its weakening the heart is something which is clear. Disobedience does not stop weakening it until the life of the heart ceases completely.

Five: Disobedience reduces the life span and destroys any blessings.

Just as righteousness increases the life span, sinning reduces it.

Six: Disobedience sows its own seeds and gives birth to itself until separating from it and coming out of it becomes difficult for the servant.

Seven: Sins weaken the hearts will and resolve so that the desire for disobedience becomes strong and the desire to repent becomes weak bit by bit until the desire to repent is removed from the heart completely.

Eight: Every type of disobedience is a legacy of a nation from among the nations which Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, destroyed. Sodomy is a legacy of the People of Lot. Taking more than one’s due right and giving what is less is a legacy of the People of Shu’ayb. Seeking greatness in the land and causing corruption is a legacy of the People of Pharoah. Pride/arrogance and tyranny is a legacy of the People of Hud. So the disobedient one is wearing the gown of some of these nations who were the enemies of Allah.

Nine: Disobedience is a cause of the servant being held in contempt by his Lord.

Al-Hasan Al-Basree (radiallahu ‘anhu) said: <b>They became contemptible in (His sight) so they disobeyed Him. If they were honorable (in His sight) He would have protected them.</b>

Allah the Exalted said:

<b>And whomsoever Allah lowers (humiliates) there is none to give honor.</b> [Al-Hajj 22:18)

Ten: The ill-effects of the sinner fall upon those besides him and also the animals as a result of which they are touched by harm.

Eleven: The servant continues to commit sins until they become very easy for him and seem insignificant in his heart and this is a sign of destruction. Every time a sin becomes insignificant in the sight of the servant it becomes great in the sight of Allah. <b>Ibn Mas’ood (radiallahu ‘anhu) said: Indeed, the believer sees his sins as if he was standing at the foot of a mountain fearing that it will fall upon him and the sinner sees his sins like a fly which passes by his nose so he tries to remove it by waving his hand around. </b>[Al-Bukhaaree]

Twelve: Disobedience inherits humiliation and lowliness.

Honor, all of it, lies in the obedience of Allaah. Abdullaah ibn al-Mubaarak said: I have seen sins kill the hearts and humiliation is inherited by their continuity. The abandonment of sins gives life to the hearts and the prevention of your soul is better for it.

Thirteen: Disobedience corrupts the intellect.

The intellect has light and disobedience extinguishes this light. When the light of the intellect is extinguished it becomes weak and deficient.

Fourteen: When disobedience increases, the servant’s heart becomes sealed so that he becomes of those who are heedless. The Exalted said:<b> But no! A stain has been left on their hearts on account of what they used to earn (i.e. their actions)</b> [Al-Mutaffifeen 83:141]

Fifteen: Sins cause the various types of corruption to occur in the land. Corruption of the waters, the air, the plants, the fruits and the dwelling places. The Exalted said: <b>Mischief has appeared on the land and the sea on account of what the hands of men have earned; that He may give them a taste of some of (the actions) they have done, in order that they may return. </b>[Ar-Rum 30:41]

Sixteen: The disappearance of modesty, which is the essence of the life of the heart and is the basis of every good. Its disappearance is the disappearance of all that is good. It is authentic from the Messenger (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) that he said: <b>Modesty is goodness, all of it.</b> [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

A Poet said: And by Allah, there is no good in life or in the world when modesty goes.

Seventeen: Sins weaken and reduce the magnification of Allaah, the Mighty in the heart of the servant.

Eighteen: Sins are the cause of Allah forgetting His servant, abandoning him and leaving him to fend for himself with his soul and his shaytaan and in this is the destruction from which no deliverance can be hoped for.

Nineteen: Sins remove the servant from the realm of Ihsaan (doing good) and he is prevented from (obtaining) the reward of those who do good. When Ihsaan fills the heart it prevents it from disobedience.

Twenty: Disobedience causes the favors of Allah to cease and justify His retribution. No blessing ceases to reach a servant except due to a sin and no retribution is made desrving upon him except due to a sin. Ali (radiallahu ‘anhu) said: <b>No trial has descended except due to a sin and it (the trial) is not repelled except by repentance.</b>

Allaah the Exalted said:

<b>Whatever misfortune afflicts you then it is due to what your hands have earned and (yet) He pardons many.</b> [Ash-Shura 42:30]

And the Exalted also said:

<b>That is because never will Allah change the favor He has bestowed on a people until they change what is within themselves. </b>[Anfaal 8:53]

May Allah have mercy upon us and help us to abandon the sins that are the causes of our problems. Ameen.

[The bulk of this article was derived from Ibn Al-Qayyim’s Al-Jawaab Al-Kaafi English Translation by Abu ‘Iyaad and The Ill-Effects Of Sins by Muhammad Saalih ibn Al-‘Uthaimeen]

Hajj and Umrah Tips & Tricks

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: DO study the fiqh of Hajj & Umrah before you go, well in advance. (I mean really advanced, not the weeks before it'll be so hectic you won't be able to do it at your leisure. Think 2-3 months in advance.) Get some good books, tapes and videos. Look online and print everything out. Write all the Duas out on index cards. Try to memorize as many as you can BEFORE you go. Make flash cards whatever it takes!

DO NOT go there and expect to learn how to do everything from your guides/ppl with you. This is too important not to know for yourself. Remember if you do anything incorrect your umrah or hajj WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. There are many stories of the tour people taking people to do things too early or too late. Also, the crowd there is so enormous it is incredibly difficult when millions of people are all trying to do the same thing at the same time. This is where your fiqh of hajj knowledge comes in. It makes it much easier if you know things like you can pray your 2 rakats of Maqam Ibrahim all the way back in the Haram, or on the different levels or even anywhere in the Haram, or that you can do your Saiyy on the secod level or that you can throw your stones from after sunrise to anytime at night. If you know things like this you can avoid the crowds of people who will try to stick to only one thing because they don't know what else is allowed. Also if something happens you will know what you should do to compensate for it and you may save your hajj or umrah.

A NOTE about all the books and info. Everyone will tell you something a little different. Try to piece everything together so that you at least know what the required conditions you must fulfill are and what things would break your hajj or umrah absolutely or what things will necessitate compensation. Ask your Imam or local knowledgable people to help you understand the Fiqh and answer any questions you have.

Also VERY IMPORTANT: Learn the fiqh of praying a Janaza (funeral prayer). You will be doing it after every single prayer, no joke. (There was only one prayer in our entire 2 week stay that we didn't.) Learn the dua for it too. Praying at someone's janaza is a very good thing and you have ample opportunity of participating so take them. Also learn the different ways to send Salams on the prophet (saw) for the time you are in Madina. Another good suggestion is to draw a chart of the Kaaba (looking from above) and along each of it's walls (and along each of the special points), write the relevant duas.

The best times to visit the Haram of Makkah, do tawaf and saiyy, ibadah and to try to touch the black stone etc is from 1AM until Fajr and from about an hour after Fajr until 9 or so. A good schedule would be to sleep from Fajr until Dhuhr, pray Dhuhr in the Haram then go back to the hotel and eat and rest. (After Dhuhr about noon to 2 it is HOT.) Go back for Asr. Then go back for Maghrib and STAY there for Isha/Taraweeh. After you can take a few hours to go shopping if needed. Otherwise stay at the haram, alternating doing different things like Tawaf, reading Quran, praying until Qiyam which is about 1AMish Then stay until Tahajjud which is about an hour before Fajr. Then stay for Fajr. If you are going to Ziyara or doing multiple Umrahs and can't sleep after Fajr, take a few hours at night before Fajr to sleep. (You might say to yourself.. gee doesn't look like there is any time for sleep there! That's true.. don't waste your time sleeping.. you can always sleep when you come home But know when your body is tired and can't take it anymore. Don't make yourself sick. Naps of 3-4 hours worked for me.)The best spots in the Haram are right in front of the Kaaba on the marble surrounding it or on the second level at the front. If you want to be on the haram floor you have to go early and stake out a spot. Sisters should head towards the Zamzam area and sit right near there, otherwise you'll get kicked out of any other area after awhile. A really good spot I found for sisters is upstairs all the way in the front of the sisters section. You have an incredible birds-eye view of the entire haram and can still pray witht he Kaaba in sight. Remember to bring your prayer rug to sit on. This is so that people don't come and sit right in front of you or back of you so you'll have room to pray later. Two things that I wish I knew before hand about this.You can pray anywhere in the Haram without a sutrah ie people can walk in front of you without breaking your prayer. (This was extremely annoying to me at the beginning when people would walk right through my sutrah every time!) (But you should try your best not to do this to others). And you can also look at the Kaaba while you pray in the Haram.

PREPARE yourself mentally for alot of frustration, mental anguish, annoyance and anger. To obtain a Hajj Mabrur (one that is accepted and forgives all your sins) you must not let these things interfere with your goal.

PREPARE yourself physically for alot of walking and physical exercise. You may be walking back and forth from your hotel to the Haram at least 10 times a day, not to mention logging Tawafs and Sai'ys that come out to miles in the end.

DO NOT bring alot of clothes. All you need really is 3-4 jilbabs - mostly black for umrah time (lighter colors for hajj and summer season) and a few clothes underneath that you can mix and match. Bring enough socks and underthings. You can always wash clothes if you have to. But bringing alot of clothes just wastes your time and suitcase room. A regular travelling rule of thumb is to never pack more than you can carry for a trip!

It goes without saying that you should bring some comfy shoes/sneakers for when you go on Ziyara or shopping. Also bring some good chappals/shibshib for when you are going to the haram. Don't overpack your suitcase. You won't be able to get it all back home especially if you buy things. You can always give away some of your clothes/shoes while there or try this well-known travelling tip: bring an extra empty suitcase/bag with you or buy one there.

A NOTE for Madina. The weather there is very different from Makkah. Madina is much cooler. We were in 80-90 degrees everyday in Makkah and then in Madina we were at 60-70s and it was extremely COLD around Fajr, so bring a sweatshirt/sweater and a few warm clothes so you don't get sick.

DO NOT bother bringing anything expensive, like jewelry or electronic equipment. If it's lost or stolen you'll never see it again.

DO NOT change money before you go. There are tons of exchanges there that you can go to on the streets and you'll get a better rate than the usual bank rate too. Bring enough cash for what you want to buy. Don't rely on using your credit card. There are finance charges of at least 2-3% and the exchange rate of Visa sux.

DO bring alot of medicine - Tylenol, asprin, Theraflu, Tums, Pepto Bismol, Midol, Chapstick/Vaseline. Believe me you'll be glad you did and if by some miracle you don't get sick other people in your group will.

DO bring some snack food like granola bars, goldfish, dried fruit. You'll be glad when your stomach starts doing loops or you are starving in the haram. Not to mention sometimes getting stuck for hours on a bus during heavy traffic or waiting for clearance.

DO bring a cheap plastic bag/canvas bag to put your shoes and janamaz (prayer rug) and quran in when you go into the haram.

Don't bring a janamaz from home. Just buy a nice one there. You can also bring a small bag/purse you can wear under your jilbab for your money/passport. Don't bother with big handbags- you'll get searched every time you enter the haram and will have to watch it all the time.

DO NOT waste your time shopping. You're only in Makkah once in your life (anything could happen and due to life circumstances, being busy, illness etc you may never return again).

Make a list of what gifts you have to give to whom beforehand and write down what you need to buy and quantities. That way you won't waste alot of time trying to decide what to get for who.

Some common gifts include:

Dates (yes they have chocolate covered dates )

Zamzam water

Tasbeeh Beads

Hijabs & Jilbabs

Prayer Rugs (called sajadahs there)

Jewelry (gold, fake and everything in between)

Metal work (tea sets etc)

Incense Perfumes & Perfume bottles

Thobes

Kufis

Cards

Desi (IndoPak) dresses

Books

Watches

DO NOT bother going any malls. They're usually WAY too expensive, but if you want to waste your time window shopping or looking at American and European designer stuff go ahead.

A NOTE about shopping, every shop owner and I mean EVERY (even those who are very nice and islamic and kind to you) will try to get every penny (riyaal) from you if they can. For your first time out just walk around and ask for prices of different things until you get a handle of how much things go for. (Brothers please ask your mothers/wives what a good price for gold/gram is before you try to buy anything there!)

DO NOT speak English or any foreign language in stores, just urduor arabic. . They will totally rip you off. Even if all you know is "Kam Hatha" and they know you don't speak Arabic as your native language because of your accent for some reason if you speak English they up the price 200% automatically. You must bargain for everything you buy. Everything is marked up as par for the course. A good trick is to offer half then work your way up. Remember to go to many stores to get an idea of price range. Sometimes they will tryto bully you into buying something by grabbing it and stuffing it into a bag. Don't let them.. take yourtime, get what you want and check it. If you feel that the guy is ripping you off but really want/need the stuff, buy it anyway because you'll regret it after. Anything there is cheaper than anywhere here. Don't let pride stand in your way

DO learn all the Arabic numbers (1 to 20, and every 5 after that till a hundred and you'll be set) and phrases like that "Kam Hatha?" - How much is that?, "BiKam?" How much?, "Shuayyeh" Move over, and "Laa..." No...

Don't tell them you're from America unless you're window shopping. Don't dress expensively, shop keepers there are extremely sharp. You can even wait a few days until everyone else has found the best places to buy things cheap - find out where they are and THEN save time and just get what you want.

SISTERS be careful about going shopping alone (as in, DON'T) always go with a bro (hate to say it but you're safer from harassment) or with a group of sisters.

DO be careful about taking pictures and bringing cameras.They don't let cameras into either of the Harams and they'll check your bags too.

DO agree on prices for cab rides, camel rides and any other service in between beforehand. A note about the camel rides. They will immediately go and take polaroids of you on the camel/horse and then force you to buy them. Tell them beforehand NO PICTURES please. (One guy cursed our group and made dua that Allah never answer our duas b/c someone refused to buy the pics !!)

BEGGARS - There are beggars everywhere. On the streets of Makkah, at historical sites like Uhud, Arafat etc. They'll even come up to you (to sisters too!) and tell you stories about how they lost all their luggage and possessions and need to get back to Jeddah/Makkah/Madinah. It's hard to figure out who is faking and who isn't. I would suggest deciding on an amount you would like to give as Sadaqah beforehandand. Then give that to a reputable Islamic relief agency or relatives you have in poor countries or even friends/ppl traveling back to their home countries.They would know better who is truly in need.

MAKE SURE to go to Ziyara. Ziyara is visiting the local historical sites in Makkah or Madina. It's extremely important to visit those sites, give your salams to the dead, to really get a feeling and understanding of how Islam began in this place. I would say it should be almost as important to you as making sure you do your Umrah. (But please don't think it's fard or anything else. ) Don't go there thinking it's part of any worship practices. Many people do go to those sites and commit strange innovative practices (you'll see all the Saudi signs in Arabic, English, French, Urdu and Turkish!! telling ppl not to). This is where learning some Seerah (study of the life of Muhammad (saw) and the early Muslims) is extremely important before you go so you can actually feel where you are visiting. Just take one day after fajr and have some cab driver take you out to the different places. Get a map of Jannat al-Baqi` and make sure you say salam to all the sahaba/saliheen buried there. For both Ziyara's go immediately AFTER Fajr at the haram, come back BEFORE dhuhr, pray dhuhr at the haram and then rest at the hotel for awhile.

DO NOT forget what gate you enter the Haram from and the hotel you are staying at.

DO make multiple Umrahs. It's not hard to take theshort cab ride to TAN'IM sometime after Fajr. (The place you'll need to go to state your intention andre-enter Makkah in Ihram). Make ghusl and change into your ihram before you go. Then at Tan'im you just pray 2 rakats and make your intention for umrah again. Comeback before Dhuhr and perform your second (or third orfourth) umrah... Remember you can also make umrah on behalf of another person, a dead relative or someone back home who could not make it.

DO NOT look at pictures of the Kaaba before you go. From now until you see it with your own two eyes It RUINS the impact it has on your heart.

REMEMBER you are there to worship. Shopping, eating, etc are all just a waste of time. Food: it will be tempting to eat all this food there, but remember this much: the more you eat, the more tired you will get and in Makkah you will NEED your energy.

Take all this advice with a grain of salt. Every situation/time is different. Most of the information here is suitable for umrah. Hajj may be a completely different experience!

Some Tips from Br. Khalid:

HOTEL - Choose one within 5 mins walking distance of Haram if you can. When the crowds descend it will take you 20-30 mins to get to the Mosque.

JUMAH - Go EARLY!!!! Our first Jumah in Makkah the Adhaan was 12:05 or something and we got to Masjid Al Haram at 11am. BIG mistake. The concourse outside the Masjid was full let alone trying to get in there. We sat in the beating sun for over an hour and prayed. The next week we got there at 9 am !!!

TAWAF - There are large groups who perform Tawaf together and link hands. If you see them approach you, then let them pass or step aside and give them way. Also watch out for the elderly who are being carried around the Kabah and people taking their relatives around in wheelchairs. As a rule the nearer the Kabah you perform your Tawaf the more squashed you will get and I mean squashed. This is especially true when going around Maqam Ibrahim because of the people trying to pray.

ARAFAT - Make the most of this day as possible. Don't eat too much after Zuhur. The last thing you want to do is feel sleepy from having over eaten

MUZDALIFAH - You have to pray Fajr on the morning of Eid before you go back to Mina. Make sure you make a note of what time Fajr was when you were in Makkah. Some people make the Adhaan too early in an attempt to get to Mina early. Don't let them make you pray your Fajr before time.

MINA - For those of you who haven't been there are three Jamarat all in a line with each other separated by 200m or so. The Saudi authorities have created what I can only describe as a flyover so that you can perform your stoning from the above tier as well as the lower tier. There is also a one way system on the top tier so that everyone starts from one end and moves to the other. Each Jamarat is surrounded by a circular wall and it is this circle that your stones have to enter after you've thrown. We were very fortunate enough to be on the side of the mountain and we could see how the Hajjis were performing the stoning. On the top tier most Hajjis walk in a straight line and reach the front of the circle, consequently there is a HUGE crowd at the front of the circle as people wait for those in front to finish. Because of this you should walk at the sides hugging the fence and avoid the front entirely. Walk PAST the Jamarat and then double back on yourself and throw from the back of the circle.Alhamdulillah we were able to place our hands on the circle wall and throw from there using this piece of advice.

SHOPPING - Check out the many bookshops. Lots of good stuff out there

PATIENCE - You'll understand the meaning of that word when you encounter the crowds, the queues, the long waits etc etc etc

© Jannah.Org || Islam: The Eternal Path to Peace

Hajj of a woman

Hajj is obligatory for a woman providing that she is accompanied by her husband or some other person whom it is, forever, impossible for her to marry. There is no consensus among scholars as to the prerequisites for her companions. However, he must escort her in her travel to Hajj and back home. Abu Hanifa, Al-Hasan, Annakha'e, Ishaq, Ibn Al Mondher and Ahmad are of the opinion that a woman is obligated to perform Hajj on the condition that she is accompanied by her husband or a Muhrim.

Otherwise, she is considered as one of those whom Allah has not given the means to perform Hajj. If a woman performed Hajj notwithstanding, she is guilty of sin. However, her Hajj is considered valid. It is reported that Ahmad is of the opinion that a woman can perform Hajj without a Muhrim, she can travel in the company of trusted companions.

Ibn Serean, Malik, Al Awzaa'e and Ash-Shaf'i are of the same opinion which does not hold the accompaniment of a Muhrim as obligatory for the validity of Hajj. It is allowed for a woman to perform Hajj with trustworthy companions. Malik followed a middle course for he was of the opinion that it is allowed for a woman to perform Hajj without a Mahram provided that she is accompanied by a group of trustworthy women. Ash-Shaf'i was of the opinion that it is allowed for a woman to travel to perform Hajj accompanied by a free trustworthy Muslim woman if she has no husband, Mahram or trustworthy group of women to travel with. Al Awzaa'e stated that a woman is allowed to perform Hajj with a group of women. Needless to say, these rulings dealt with obligatory Hajj. A woman's Mahram is the one who can never legally marry her e.g. her son, brother, grandson or nephew. A Mahaim must not be an evildoer, he must also be an adult or at least an adolescent.

The Muslim woman must meet the expenses of her companion e.g. husband or Mahram, who went through the hardships of travel for her sake. A group of scholars agreed that if she cannot afford the expenses of a companion e.g. her husband or Mahram, she is not obligated to perform Hajj. A husband or the Mahram is not obligated to travel with a woman so that she might perform Hajj if there is no one else but him even if he is to travel at her expense. No one is obliged to give up his convenience and go through the hardships of Hajj so that another person might do what is required unless he is legally obligated, rather, he has the choice. A husband should not forbid his wife from proceeding for obligatory Hajj. He has no right to prevent her from doing what is her obligatory duty. He may prevent her from performing Hajj voluntarily. It is desirable for a woman to seek her husband's permission for the prescribed Hajj. If he grants her his permission, she may leave for Hajj but even if he refuses, she may still proceed for Hajj. The same applies to Hajj in fulfillment of a vow. Imam Ahmad was of the opinion that it is unlawful for a widow in 'Edda - the prescribed time in which she must abstain from marriage for four months and ten days after the death of her husband - to perform Hajj.

Fifty Things to Do @ Hajj

By Muhammad Alshareef

As salamu alaykum

Many of those going for Hajj may find themselves sitting in a tent thinking to themselves, ‘now what do I do’. Some pick themselves up and go around doing things pleasing to Allah – others may not capture the moment due to inexperience.

Here is a jot list of beneficial things to do during your Hajj trip. If you are not going for Hajj, why not forward it to someone who might benefit from it on his or her journey. At least they can practice number 26.

After reading through the 50, reply this email with some suggestions of your own, from your own experience. In sha’ Allah, maybe we could increase the suggestions to 500 or something for next year.

May Allah ta'ala make it a safe journey for all the Hujjaj. Ameen.

“Life is what happens to you while you are making other plans”

1.Smile in another Muslims face

2.Say Salam to strangers

3.Shake someone’s hand and ask about their health

4.Buy tea for someone

5.Offer to get someone’s groceries

6 Sit with a Hajj group from another country and ask about Islam in their village

7 Carry someone’s bags for them

8 Guide someone ill to the infirmary

9 Shun vain talk

10 Recite talbiyah loudly, encouraging others

11On the days of Eid, walk through the tents reciting talbiyah loudly reminding others

12 Gather stones for people

13 Offer to throw on behalf of unable Hajjis

14 Guide people to the Jamarat

15 Lower your gaze

16 Remind people of the lives of the Sahaabah

17 Read Qur’an with the Tafseer

18 Do the authentic Dhikr of the morning and evening

19 Make dua during your Sajdah

20 Stand to the side of a gate and offer people water/tea as they leave

21 Give major attention to shy people in your group

22 Remind people of patience, why they came here, and the example of our Ulumaa’ in Hajj

23 Explain a Hajj Khutbah you may have heard to those around you

24 Explain the importance of purifying ones actions for the sake of Allah

25 Phone relatives (from Makkah) on Eid day

26 Make dua for forgotten friends (and the author of this list)

27 Don’t allow Muslims to fight during Hajj

28 Help people find a place to sleep

29 Remember – during the heat – the unending torment of hellfire

30 Say ‘Laa ilaaha illa Allah, wahdahu laa sharika lah, lahul Mulk wa lahul hamd, wa Huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in Qadeer’ 100x

31 Say the dua of entering the market place when you go there

32 Give charity to those who sell meager things (sandals/eggs)

33 Attend the Halaqahs that are given in Mina

34 Stay for the 13th of Dhul Hijjah

35 Remind people to go home as better Muslims

36 Forgive people that wrong you

37 Talk to 10 different people from 10 different countries

38 Compliment someone sincerely

39 Visit the hospital and thank Allah for all that he has given you

40 Take young Muslims and invite them to sit with the elders.

41 Make them the center of attention.

42 Give a tafseer class after Salah / ask someone knowledgeable

(For men) On the days of Eid, offer perfume to those around you

43 Ask about the health of senior women in your group. Make sure they are attended to.

44 Focus hard on helping those immediately near you

45 Take people to the slaughter house and help them / Or assist them in purchasing their slaughter coupons

46 Remember specific blessings Allah has bestowed upon you and say Alhamdulillah

47 Pray to Allah using his 99 most beautiful names (al Asmaa’ al Husna)

48 Use a Miswak

49 Fill your pockets with candies and give to the children that you meet

50 Always intend reward from Allah for everything you go through during Hajj

Ne1 gt ne other things that u can do at hajj pls add them

Superior Days For Righteous Deeds

Shaykh Abdullah Ibn Abdur-Rahman al-Jibreen

Verily, the praise belongs to Allah, the Most High, and may the Blessings of Allah and Peace be upon His Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, all of them. It is narrated from Ibn Abbaas (RAA) that the Prophet (PBUH) of said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds done in them are more beloved to Allah than these days, ie the ten days (of Zul-Hijjah). They said: O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihaad in the path of Allah? He said: Not even Jihaad in the Path of Allah, the Most High, except if a man goes out (for Jihaad) with his self and his wealth, then he doesn't return with anything from that."

(Al-Bukhaaree, Abu Daawood and others. The exact wording is that of Abu Daawood)

It is narrated from Ibn Umar that the Prophet Muhammad (Blessings of Allah and Peace be upon him) said:

"There aren't any days greater, nor any days in which deeds done in them are more beloved to Allah, the Most High, than these ten days (of Zul-Hijjah). So, increase in them the saying of Tahleel (La Ilaaha illa Allah), and Takbeer (Allah Akbar) and Tahmeed (al-Hamdu li-llah)" [Musnad Imaam Ahmad]

The Types of Deeds in These Ten Days:

First: The performance of Haj and Umrah, and these are the best of deeds that may be done. And what indicates their superiority are a number of Ahaadith, one of which is the saying of the Prophet (PBUH).

Performance of Umrah is an expiation of the sins committed between it and the previous Umrah, and the reward of the Haj which is accepted by Allah, the Most High, is nothing but Paradise. (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)

Second: Fasting during these days - as many of them as may be easy (for one to fast); especially the Day of Arafah. There is no doubt that the act of fasting is one of the best deeds, and it is from what Allah, the Most High, has chosen for himself, as in the Hadith Qudsee: Fasting is for Me, and it is I who give reward for it. Verily, someone gives up his sexual passion, his food and his drink for My sake..." (Al-Bukhaaree, Muslim, Maalik, at-Tirmidhee, Nasaa'ee and Ibn Maajah)

Also, from Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree who said that the Messenger of Allah said: No servant (of Allah, the Most High) fasts one day in the Path of Allah, except that Allah, the Most High, removes his face from the Fire because of it (the distance of travelling) seventy years. (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)

From Abu Qatadah that the Prophet said: Fasting the Day of Arafah will be credited with Allah by forgiving one's sins of the previous year and the following year. (Muslim)

Third: At-Takbeer (Allah Akbar) and adh-Dhikr (the remembrance of Allah through different words of praise and glorification) in these (ten) days, Allah said "And mention the name of Allah on the appointed days"(12:28).

This has been explained (by some) to mean the ten days (of Zul-Hijjah), and the scholars consider it desirable to increase adh-Dhikr in these days, based upon the hadith of Ibn Umar narrated by Ahmad, which contains the words:

... so increase in these days the Tahleel and Takbeer and Tahmeed...

It is reported about Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah that: the two of them used to go out to the market place during the ten days (of Zul-Hijjah) saying: Allahu Akbar, causing the people also to say it. (Al-Bukhaaree)

Ishaaq narrates from the scholars of the Taabi'een that in these ten days they used to say:

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Laa Ilaaha illa 'llah Wa 'llahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Wa li'llahi al-hamd.

It is a beloved act to raise the voice when saying the Takbeer in the markets, the houses, the streets, the Masjids and other places, because of the saying of Allah, the Most High, in Surah al-Hajj, verse 37: "... that you may magnify Allah for His Guidance to you"

The saying of Takbeer in congregation, ie everyone pronouncing the Takbeer with one voice, is not permissible since this has not been transmitted (to us) from the early generations of the Sahabah and those who followed their ways. Verily, the Sunnah is for everyone to say the Takbeer individually. And this is (generally) applicable to Dhikr and supplications, except if the person doesn't know what to say. In that case he may repeat after someone else until he learns (the words to be said). It is also permissible to make Dhikr with all the different wording of Takbeer and Tahmeed and Tasbeeh, and the rest of the Islamic legislated supplications (from the Qur'an and Sunnah).

Fourth: At-Tawbah (repentance) and abstaining from disobedience and all types of sins, since forgiveneand mercyare the results of deeds. Disobedience is the cause of being far away (from Allah, the Most High) and repulsion, while obedience is the cause of being near (to Allah, Most High) and His love. In the hadith of Abu Hurairah he said that the Prophet said: Verily Allah has a sense of Ghaira, and Allah's sense of ghaira is provoked when a person does that which Allah has prohibited. (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)

Fifth: Doing plenty of voluntary (nafl) righteous deeds of worship like Prayer, Charity, Jihaad, reading the Qur'an, Commanding what is Good and Forbidding what is Evil, and other such deeds.

Verily, these are amongst the deeds that are multiplied in these days. It is during these days that even deeds that are less preferred, are superior and more beloved to Allah than superior deeds done at other times. (These deeds are superior) even to al-Jihaad - which is one of the most superior of all deeds - except in the case of one whose horse is killed and his blood is spilled (loss of life in Jihaad).

Sixth: It is legislated in these days to make at-Takbeer al-Mutlaq at all times of night and day until the time of the Eid Prayer. Also, at-Takbeer al-Muqayyad is legislated, and it is done after the (five) obligatory prayers that are performed in congregation. This begins from Dawn (Fajr) on the Day of Arafah (the 9th of Zul-Hijjah) for those not performing Haj, and from Noon (Zhur) on the Day of Sacrifice (10th of Zul-Hijjah) for those performing Haj (pilgrims); and it continues until Asr prayer on the last day of the days of Tash-reeq (13th of Zul-Hijjah).

Seventh: The slaughtering of a sacrificial animal (Adhiyah) is also legislated for the Day of Sacrifice (10th) and the Days of Tashreeq (11th, 12th and 13th). This is the Sunnah of our father Ibraaheem - when Allah, the Most High, redeemed Ibraaheem's son by the great sacrifice (of an animal in his place). It is authentically reported that The Prophet Muhammad slaughtered (sacrificed) two horned rams, black and white in colour, and said Takbeer (Allahu Akbar), and placed his foot on their sides (while slaughtering them). (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)

Eighth: Offering animal as Udhyia It has been narrated from Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet said: If you see the Hilal (new moon) of Zul-Hijjah, and any one of you wants to make a sacrifice, then he should not cut (anything) from his hair and his nails. (Muslim and others) . And in one narration, he said: .Then he should not cut (anything) from his hair, nor from his nails, until he performs the sacrifice. Perhaps this is because of the similarity with the one who is bringing a sacrificial animal for slaughter (in Haj). As Allah, the Most High, said: And do not shave your heads until the Hady (sacrifice) reaches the place of sacrifice...

The apparent meaning of this prohibition is that it is particularly for the one whom the sacrifice is for, and does not include the wife or children, unless there is an individual sacrifice for one of them. There is no harm in washing the head, or scratching it, even if hairs may fall out.

Ninth: It is incumbent for the Muslim (who is not performing Haj) to make every effort to perform the Eid Prayer wherever it is performed, and to be present for the Khutbah and benefit.

He must know the wisdom behind the legislation of this Eid (celebration). It is a day of thankfulness and performing deeds of righteousness. So, he must not make it a day of wildness, pride and vanity. He should not make it a season for disobedience and increase in the forbidden things like music and singing, uncontrolled amusement, intoxicants and the like - those things which could cause the cancellation of the good deeds done in these days (of Zul-Hijjah).

Tenth: After what has been mentioned, it is fitting that every Muslim, male and female, take advantage of these days by obeying Allah, the Most High, remembering Him, thanking Him, fulfilling all the obligatory duties, and staying far away from the prohibited things. He must take full advantage of this season, and the open display of Allah's gifts, to attain the pleasure of his Lord.

Surely, Allah, the Most High, is the One Who grants success, and He is the Guide to the Straight Path. And may the blessings of Allah, the Most High, and peace be upon Muhammad and his family and companions!

Ghaira: A sense of honour and prestige, and the anger caused by its being violated.

At-Takbeer al-Mutlaq: the Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) which is unrestricted to specific times or any specific form.

At-Takbeer al-Muqayyad: The Takbeer which is done at a particular time and in a specific manner.

salam

I have been experiencing alot of problems at home. By this i mean espcially with my mum. We always argue over the smallest things that occur. Its like she thinks dat everything i do is wrong wen it isnt. I mean like sumtimes i will go with my dad to my uncles house my dad brother and i will get tld off for doing this. She will tell me off for going and say thing like i cnt go there this and that and if ur dad wnt s to go he can but u cnt.

Sumtimes wen things like this happen i dnt knw wt to do. I knw dat in Islam your not meant to have ne enemies or keep nething against sum1. You shld forgive and forget. In situations lyk this i really dnt knw wt to do. My dad doesnt really say nethin to me, but both of my parents end up argiuin over this and ne other things dat happen.

I want to knw wot am i meant to do b.c sumtimes my mum puts me in the position dat u shldnt listen to ur dad kind of thing.

I knw dat im not perfect and stuff but sum issues to do with Islam me and my mum dont agree on. For instance i knw dat you shld only do wots in the Quran and Sunnah, but wen she says sumthing which i dnt agree with, my mum strts to cast me out and say im on thw wrong path and stuff. I will tell her that its a tradition or sumthing ppl have made up and have been following and it doesnt mean if sum1 else does sumthing its neccsarily rite. But still she will be like no u gt to listen to me. How do i over cme this problem.

I read a post abt kathams here which i see another sister has posted and i knw dat sumtimes ppl do these but with bidah. They tk kathams and do things they shldnt. I perosnally dnt belive in kathams and my mum does so we have big arguments.

I want to knw wot am i meant to do in situations lyk this sumtimes i keep quiet and dnt say nething but then its like im still in the wrong b.c i dnt say nething, but wen i do say sumthing its like im still in the wrong.

Can ne1 give me ne advice on this and also tell me the islamic piont of view especially wen it cmes to ur family and ur realtives.

I dnt knw if i shld be posted it here but as its for the Muslim youth i thought as i shld maybe there are others who experience similar problems lyk i do.

salam. I'm realy sad. I'm thinking of some muslims who has ruinedme. I'm talked some of them, but I was much sad. Since so long years I suffer of some deal against me, now i shld pretend and I should go topsychatrist. It is sad or shame for this person? The reason is still they of my suffer and give me advice to go psychatrist. Its like this, when I shoot with a (gun) weapon a person and say you have to go doctor.

This world is still boored.

I think if I were in at shabaees, maybe i was not so.

Or if Allah swt decided that I study islam it would not so with me.

I were not at this chatroom with these muslims. I cant belive also now, when I read how should muslims handle with eachother, in quran or hadiths. I cant hate them they are my brothers and sisters but I have this pain in my hearth and will this pain take until Judgemend day.

When I had different start in this life maybe it would be not so.

I try to get why this all happen. I know some of you will say that all is test but this answer is known for me. But i dont know, it is only for me.

If I have rest of my life, I will write my whole story, my thougts, my true and honest thougts and what I have got as price all of these good thoughts from my brothers and sisters..

wassalam.good by..

PS: I would not come in but I would share , I M realy sad these days..