Dear scholars, may Allah reward you generously for this distinguished and wonderful service you offer to tens of millions of Muslims around the world. I have a very important question to ask. Could you please furnish me with a detailed answer concerning the issue of Qawamah that is mentioned in Surat An-Nisaa’, verse 34? It will be very much appreciated if you send me a detailed answer with the opinions of both scholars and exegetes of the Qur’an.

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

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

Dear sister in Islam, thank you very much for having confidence in us, and we hope our efforts, which are purely for Allah’s Sake, meet your expectations.

As regard your question, we’d like to cite for you the following:

"Interpreting the word qawwamuna in the above verse is just such an ethical analysis, with human implications too tremendous to be left to amateurs. We will therefore turn to what some of the principal Imams of Qur'anic exegesis have said about it. One of the earliest tafsirs in print is by Imam Ibn Jarir At-Tabari (d. 310/923), who says:

Allah Almighty means by the verse 34 of the mentioned Sura that “men are caretakers of women” in the sense that they are in charge of their womenfolk, in disciplining and guidance, respecting the rights that they [women] owe Allah and to them.

The phrase “because of that by which Allah has favored one over another” means because of that through which Allah has favored men over their wives, since men must give them their marriage payment Mahr and spend of their wealth to support them, and save them their pains and effort: that is the favoring of Allah Most Blessed and Exalted of men over women, and is why they have become caretakers of them who have authority over them regarding those of their affairs that Allah has given them charge of ... (Jami` Al-bayan an tawil ay Al-Qur'an. 30 vols. Cairo n.d. Reprint (30 vols. in 15). Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, 1405/1984, 5.57).

Al-Tabari mentions, with a chain of transmission that ends with Hasan al-Basri (d. 110/728) that a man slapped his wife, and she went to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who wanted to let her take retaliation or Qisas against her husband [by striking him back in reprisal], but Allah revealed that “Men are caretakers (qawwamuna) of women, because of that through which Allah has favored one over another, and because of what they spend of their property…”, hence the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, summoned the man, recited the verse to him and said, "I wanted one thing, but Allah wanted another."

In fact, although the scholar of Hadith Imam Al-Baghawi (d. 510/1117) also mentions this event in his M`aalim At-Tanzeel, neither he nor At-Tabari can produce an acceptable chain of its transmission and trace it back to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, so for religious purposes, it is not well-documented enough to rely on for the verses interpretation, and At-Tabari's first interpretation is sounder.

But whatever the original occasion of revelation or Sabab An-Nuzulof the verse, the intended meaning is not confined to that alone. As the Yemeni Shari`ah scholar and judge Abdullah Mahfuz Baalawi says, "The interpretive principle established by the scholarly consensus or Ijmaa`of specialists in methodological bases or Usul of Sacred Law is that the point of primary texts (of the Qur'an and Sunnah) lies in the generality of their lexical significance, not the specificity of their historical context. (Al-Sunnah wa Al-bid'ah. Kuwait: Matabi al-Wazzan, 1404/1984, 33).

In light of this important principle, we will now examine and deduce the significance of this verse and its placement in the Qur'an (for the order is also divinely revealed), coming as it does after the provisions for Islamic estate division or Irth in surat An-Nisaa. The Arabic grammarian and exegete Abu Hayyan An-Nahwi (d. 754/1353) says of the verse "Men are caretakers of women":

Because Allah Almighty has mentioned [in preceding verses] the matter of men and women acquiring their appointed share and their estate-division inheritance, He [here] apprises them that men are in charge of the interests of women. The word “caretakers” (qawwamuna) is an intensive form [indicating something done much]. The phrase “because Allah has favored one over another” means because of Allah's favoring some men over others, this man having been given more sustenance than that man, this man being better off than that one", while the phrase “…and because they spend of their property” means "upon women". The word ma [lit. what, translated above in the citation of al-Tabari as "because of that through which Allah has favored," and secondly, "because of what they spend"] is [rather] ma masdariyya or "the indefinite pronoun signifying a verbal noun" in both instances. [Thus meaning "because of Allah's favoring the one," and "because of their spending of their property,"] (Tafsir al-nahr al-madd min al-Bahr al-muhit. 2 vols. in 3. Beirut: Dar al-Janan and Mu'assasa al-Kutub al-Thaqafiyya, 1407/1987, 1.45758).

Imam Fakhr Ad-Deen Ar-Razi is another exegete who considers the relation of the verse "Men are caretakers of women" to other verses, bearing in mind that Allah Almighty has said [two verses previously], ". . . and not to long for that with which Allah has preferred some of you above others" (Qur'an 4:32), a verse that we said was revealed because some women made remarks about Allah's favoring men over them in estate division inheritance [by certain male heirs receiving twice the share of their female counterparts].

So Allah mentions in this verse that He only favored men over women in estate division because men are the caretakers of women. Although both spouses enjoy the usufruct of each other, Allah has ordered men to pay women their marriage portion, and to daily provide them with their support, so that the increase on one side is met with an increase on the other--and so it is as though there is no favoring at all. This clarifies the verses arrangement and order (Tafsir al-Fakhr al-Razi. 32 vols. Beirut 1401/1981. Reprint (32 vols. in 16). Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, 1405/1985, 10.90).

Finally, the more Fiqh-oriented exegesis of Al-Kaya al-Harrasi notes that while Allah has mentioned men's support of women in verses such as the one in surat At-Tahrim "Let him who possesses plenty spend of his plenty; and let him whose provision is straitened spend of what Allah has given him" (At-Tahreem:7), in this verse “Men are caretakers (qawwamuna) of women, He mentions the necessary cause or `illa for this support, so scholars have naturally inferred from the two verses that whenever a husband is unable to support his wife, he is no longer her caretaker: she is not obliged to remain at home [should he request it] in any school of jurisprudence, and according to the Shafi`ie school of thought, she is entitled to have the marriage annulled. He is no longer a caretaker or entitled to oblige her to remain at home because he has vitiated the objective of protecting her by marriage, for the aim of marriage is her security (Ahkam al-Qur'an. 4 vols. Cairo n.d. Reprint (4 vols. in 2). Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyya, 1405/1985, 2.449).

The exegetes clarify how the meaning of qawwamuna or "caretakers" involves legal rights and obligations on the part of both men and women. It entails that women have the right to security, protection, and to be free from the thought of having to support themselves. Even if a woman has millions, she is entitled to be completely supported by her husband and can have her marriage annulled if he is unable to. And it entails that a man has charge of his wife's interests, supervision, and discipline.”

The above article is excerpted, with slight modifications, from http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/masud/ISLAM/nuh/nuh.htm

Still, if you have any further comments, please don’t hesitate to write back.

May Allah guide you to the straight path and direct you to that which pleases Him, Amen.

Allah Almighty knows best.

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

During the night, Abu Lu’lu’ Al Majoosi hid in the shadows in preparation for the Fajr Salah where he would execute his satanic mission: to Murder the Ameer of the Believers: Umar ibn Al-Khattab - Radi Allahu Anhu. Umar would lead the Fajr with a long surah, giving time for the community to join the congregation. As he led that Salah, Abu Lu’lu advanced from a dim pillar, a poisoned dagger hidden in his sleeve. He jumped in front of Umar Radi Allahu Anhu and tore open his stomach with the dagger. Abu Lu’lu’ then attempted an escape through the congregation, slashing left and right, murdering in his path many others. One Companion threw a cloth over and – realizing that he was caught – Abu Lu’lu’ killed himself. Umar completed the Fajr Salah and passed away later in his bed Radi Allahu Anhu.

The importance of the prayer in Islam cannot be understated. It is the first pillar of Islam that the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned after mentioning the testimony of faith, by which one becomes a Muslim. It was made obligatory upon all the prophets and for all peoples. Allah declared its obligatory status under majestic circumstances. For example, when Allah spoke directly to Moses, He said,

"And I have chosen you, so listen to that which is inspired to you. Verily, I am Allah! There is none worthy of worship but I, so worship Me and offer prayer perfectly for My remembrance." [Taha 13-14]

Similarly, the prayers were made obligatory upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during his ascension to heaven. Furthermore, when Allah praises the believers, such as in the beginning of surah al-Muminoon, one of the first descriptions He states is their adherence to the prayers. [successful are the believers, those that offer their Salah with all earnestness and full obedience] - Al Mu’minoon 23/1-2

The importance of prayer is demonstrated in many of the Prophet’s statements. For example, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

"The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad." [Recorded by al-Tabarani]

In reality, when the prayer is performed properly – with true remembrance of Allah and turning to Him for forgiveness – it will have a lasting effect on the person. After he finishes the prayer, his heart will be filled with the remembrance of Allah. He will be fearful as well as hopeful of Allah. After that experience, he will not want to move from that lofty position to one wherein he disobeys Allah. Allah mentioned this aspect of the prayer,

"Verily, the prayer keeps one from the great sins and evil deeds" (al-Ankaboot 45).

However amongst our community of Musalleen (those who perform Salah) we find some hazy actions that need to be brought back into focus.

· Some do not concentrate on what they are saying.

· Some speed when they pray

· Some wander with their gaze during Salah,

· The number of raka’aat performed is constantly forgotten.

· For some, the Dunya hugs their hearts during Salah and clouds their minds.

· Sometimes, before the Imam says Allahu Akbar, some in the congregation are already in the next prostration.

Compare this to those that came before us: People used to think that ar-Rabee' bin Khaitham, due to his constant lowering of his gaze and keeping his head low (in Salah), was blind. He used to live behind the house of Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood (RA) for twenty years and when his servant girl used to see him she would say: Your blind friend is coming, and Abdullaah used to laugh at her speech.

In Bukhari and Muslim, from Abu Hurayrah - Radi Allahu Anhu, a man entered the Masjid and the Messenger of Allah - Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam - was sitting. The man prayed (2 raka’) and then came to the Prophet - Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam - and said salam. The Prophet - Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam - replied the salam and then said, “Go back and pray for you have not prayed.” So the man went back, prayed (2 raka’) like he did the first time and then came back and repeated the salam. The Prophet - Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam - replied the salam and then said, “Go back and pray for you have not prayed.” So the man went back, prayed (2 raka’) like he did the first time and then came back and repeated the salam. The Prophet - Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam - replied the salam and then said, “Go back and pray for you have not prayed.” He said it three times until – on the third time the man said, “By He who sent you with the truth O Messenger of Allah, I do not know any better than this. Teach me.” The Prophet - Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam - then said, “If you stand up for Salah say ‘Allahu Akbar.’ Then read what comes easy for you from the Quran. Then bow until you are comfortable in your ruku’. Then stand up until you are standing up straight. Then prostrate until you are comfortable in your Sujood. Then sit until you are comfortable in your Juloos. Then prostrate until you are comfortable in your Sujood. And do this in your entire Salah.”

Let’s go back and do our Salah again. This is our topic for today.

· Why do we come to the Masjid, why do we perform Salah? We do it in application of the command of our Creater Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala. Why should we then lose the blessing and reward because of a wandering heart and an itchy hand? Concentration is the soul of our Salah. Concentration is the fruit of our Eeman. Yet regardless of this understanding, people still leave their Salah and only a small portion of it is written for them because of their imperfection of it.

The Prophet - Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam - said, “Verily, a man will leave from (his Salah) and only a tenth of his Salah is written for him, a ninth, an eighth, a seventh, a sixth, a fifth, a forth, a third, half.” – Abu Dawood and Tirmidhi.

Uthman ibn Abi Dahshah said, “I have never prayed a Salah that I have not asked Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala to forgive for my shortcomings in that Salah.”

· Someone who short changes his Salah is a thief. The Prophet - Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam - said, “The evilest thief is he who steals from his Salah.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how does he steal from his Salah?” He - Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam - said, “He does not perfect it’s ruku’ and Sujood.” – authentic

· Because of the speed some apply to their Salah, it is as if they are pecking up and down like a bird. Narrated Ahmad, Abu Dawood and others, the Prophet - Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam - forbade that someone should peck (in Salah) like a crow…”

Umar - Radi Allahu Anhu - once stood on the pulpit and addressed the community with a loud powerful voice, “A man may grow old in Islam and never have completed to Allah a single Salah!” They said, “How is this?” He said, “He does not perfect his concentration, nor his humbleness, nor his focus on Allah - Azza wa Jall.”

Once, Ma’roof Al-Karkhee – Rahimahu AllahimahUllah – stood amongst some of his students and one said to the other, “Please lead the Isha Salah.” The first student accepted but said, “I shall lead the Isha’ Salah on condition that you lead the Fajr Salah and not me.” Ma’roof Al-Karkhe was shocked at what he said and commented, “By Allah, if you think that you’ll be alive at Fajr then – by Allah – you have not yet perfected your Salah.”

a.s.w.k

ne one like the new style of the forum?

personallly i dont but we have no choice php's servers r down ... well thats what i heard ... lets have a vote if we want it back like it was .... this is slower as well

so all vote now .........

Assalamu alaykum

Please read the article @ the following link:

http://www.jewstoislam.com/Harun%20yahya%2...uper%20sufi.htm

Please read the article @ this link:

http://www.jewstoislam.com/Harun%20yahya%2...uper%20sufi.htm

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

أعجبتني القصة التالية كثيراً ... حتى أنني لم أستطع أن أمنع دموعي ..

بعد 21 سنة من زواجي، وجدت بريقاً جديداً من الحب. قبل فترة بدأت أخرج مع امرأة غير زوجتي، وكانت فكرة زوجتي حيث بادرتني بقولها: "أعلم جيداً كم تحبها"... المرأة التي أرادت زوجتي ان أخرج معها وأقضي وقتاً معها كانت أمي التي ترملت منذ 19 سنة، ولكن مشاغل العمل وحياتي اليومية 3 أطفال ومسؤوليات جعلتني لا أزورها إلا نادراً.

في يوم اتصلت بها ودعوتها إلى العشاء سألتني: "هل أنت بخير ؟ " لأنها غير معتادة على مكالمات متأخرة نوعاً ما وتقلق. فقلت لها:

"نعم أنا ممتاز ولكني أريد أن أقضي وقت معك يا أمي ". قالت: "نحن فقط ؟! " فكرت قليلاً ثم قالت: "أحب ذلك كثيراً".

في يوم الخميس وبعد العمل ، مررت عليها وأخذتها، كنت مضطرب قليلاً، وعندما وصلت وجدتها هي أيضاً قلقة. كانت تنتظر عند الباب مرتدية ملابس جميلة ويبدو أنه آخر فستنان قد اشتراه أبي قبل وفاته. ابتسمت أمي كملاك وقالت: " قلت للجميع أنني سأخرج اليوم مع إبني، والجميع فرح، ولا يستطيعون انتظار الأخبار التي سأقصها عليهم بعد عودتي"

ذهبنا إلى مطعم غير عادي ولكنه جميل وهادئ تمسكت أمي بذراعي وكأنها السيدة الأولى، بعد أن جلسنا بدأت أقرأ قائمة الطعام حيث أنها لا تستطيع قراءة إلا الأحرف الكبيرة. وبينما كنت أقرأ كانت تنظر إلي بابتسامة عريضة على شفتاها المجعدتان وقاطعتني قائلة: "كنت أنا من أقرأ لك وأنت صغير".

أجبتها: "حان الآن موعد تسديد شيء من ديني بهذا الشيء .. ارتاحي أنت". يا أماه

تحدثنا كثيراً أثناء العشاء لم يكن هناك أي شيء غير عادي، ولكن قصص قديمة على قصص جديدة لدرجة أننا نسينا الوقت إلى ما بعد منتصف الليل وعندما وصلنا إلى باب بيتها قالت: "أوافق أن نخرج سوياً مرة أخرى، ولكن على حسابي". فقبلت يدها وودعتها ".

بعد أيام قليلة توفيت أمي بنوبة قلبية. حدث ذلك بسرعة كبيرة لم أستطع عمل أي شيء لها. وبعد عدة أيام وصلني عبر البريد ورقة من المطعم الذي تعيشنا به أنا وهي مع ملاحظة مكتوبة بخطها: "دفعت الفاتورة مقدماً كنت أعلم أنني لن أكون موجوده، المهم دفعت العشاء لشخصين لك ولزوجتك. لأنك لن تقدر ما معنى تلك الليلة بالنسبة لي أحبك". يا ولدي

في هذه اللحظة فهمت وقدرت معنى كلمة "حب" أو "أحبك" وما معنى جعلنا الطرف الآخر يشعر بحبنا ومحبتنا هذه. لا شيء أهم من الوالدين وبخاصة الأم . إمنحهم الوقت الذي يستحقونه .. فهو حق الله وحقهم وهذه الأمور لا تؤجل.

.............. ............................................................................................

بعد قراءة القصة تذكرت قصة من سأل عبدالله بن عمر وهو يقول: أمي عجوز لا تقوى على الحراك وأصبحت أحملها إلى كل مكان حتى لتقضي حاجتها .. وأحياناً لا تملك نفسها وتقضيها علي وأنا أحملها .. أتراني قد أديت حقها ؟ ... فأجابه ابن عمر: ولا بطلقة واحدة حين ولادتك ... تفعل هذا وتتمنى لها الموت حتى ترتاح أنت وكنت تفعلها وأنت صغير وكانت تتمنى لك الحياة"

Bismillahi, Ar Rahman, Nir Rahim!

As-salaamu alaikum wa rahmantu'llahi wa barakatu,

My Beloved Brothers,

we know we need our Sisters, to be happy, and their happiness can be fulfilled, by knowing and understanding more about how to deal with their husbands, children, and community. the happier they are the happier we can be too, and our children.

All women can't be content, but a righteous sister can, when given proper concern.

The Righteous Sisters (Servants of Allah ), need to know:

about polygamy:

We all who read, know that it is halaal, but it is acceptable and halaal, only under some conditions.

Some Brothers may say to me, "Brother why you go telling me, I don't have the right to get a second wife (some brothers think it is a joke), I'd said, "Man you have a striving wife it seems, a wife who helps you financially and maintain, do you feel right going for another, when your wife work so hard and give her all. Some brothers are humble and some get upset.

***Then I have alot of friends with more than enough for 2 wives (none can complain, not even their wives), then I have friends like myself (who realize i may have money, but it would hurt my wife so much, and i won't want to cause confusion in our marriage or the marriage of another. This is the wife who brings out the best in me, and I may be able to make it to Jannah to get the real wives( in paradise), no problems no headaches, etc. in Paradise*

INSHA'LLAH, BROTHERS PLEASE LET'S HELP OUR SISTERS TO UNDERSTAND, WHY WE WANT AND/OR NEED TO HAVE ANOTHER WIFE. WE CAN'T JUST SAY IT'S OUR RIGHT, WHEN WE ARE HARMING THE FIRST FAMILY, BECAUSE THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

I don't care which Brother is upset with me, I aim to Please Allah (swt). As for those who understand and heed where I'm coming from, I'm proud of you to admit, and have enough compassion to be imperfect and hurting one sister is enough, must you hurt the second, third, then fourth.

It may be easy if you hate women, like your mom, sister, aunts, and daughters.

The Prophet (saaws) LOVED WOMEN, he (saaws) stayed with Khadjiah (ra) only til her death for a reason, I've read much of what Khadijah (ra) had done for him (saaws) and for the whole community. She was rich before marrying, (i don't know if she was poor when she died, al-hamdu'llah. All the care she put into the Prophet (saaws), from money to her hard work and time. She was the first human to believe in him (saaws), she support him (saaws) in his (saaws) mission.

I pray Allah (swt)forgive me for what's said wrong..amin!.

As-salaamu alaikum wa rahmantu'llah

As Salam Alykom

I received this very touching story on an email, found it useful to share.

After 21 years of marriage, I discovered a new way of

keeping alive the spark of love. A little while ago I

had started to go out with another woman. It was

really my wife's idea.

"I know that you love her," she said one day, taking

me by surprise. "But I love YOU," I protested.

"I know, but you also love her."

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was

my mother, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the

demands of my work and my three children had made it

possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I

called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.

"What's wrong, are you well?" she asked. My mother is

the type of woman who suspects that a late night call

or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

"I thought that it would be pleasant to pass some

time with you," I responded. " Just the two of us."

She thought about it for a moment then said "I would

like that very much."

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her

up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I

noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our

date. She waited in the door with her coat on.

She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress

that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding

anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as

radiant as an angel's.

"I told my friends that I was going to go out with my

son, and they were impressed," she said, as she got

into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our

meeting". We went to a restaurant that, although not

elegant, was very nice and cozy. my mother took my arm

as if she were the First Lady.

After we sat down, I had to read the menu to her. Her

eyes could only read large print. Half way through the

entree, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there

staring at me.

A nostalgic smile was on her lips. "It was I who used

to have to read the menu when you were small," she

said.

"Then it's time for you to relax and let me return

the favor," I responded.

During the dinner we had an agreeable conversation,

nothing extraordinary - but catching up on recent

events of each others lives. We talked so much that we

missed the movie.

As we arrived at her house later, she said "I'll go

out with you again, but only if you let me invite

you". I agreed.

"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got

home. "Very nice. Much more so than I could have

imagined," I answered.

A few days later my mother died of a massive heart

attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a

chance to do anything for her.

Some time later I received an envelope with a copy of

a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I

had dined.

An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance.

I was almost sure that I couldn't be there but,

nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and

the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant to

me. I love you."

At that moment I understood the importance of saying,

in time: "I LOVE YOU" and giving our loved ones the

time that they deserve.

Nothing in life is more important than Allah, your

family and friends.

Give them the time they deserve, because these things

cannot be put off 'til "some other time".

Someone once said "I've learned that, regardless of

your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them

when they're gone from your life.

Please pass this along to your friends and family.

Touch their hearts. It has touched mine. I am glad

that you are my friend.

This story reminded me of one who came asking Abdullah Ibn Omar, that his mother grew so old that he has to carry her on his back when she needs to respond to the call of nature. In some times, he added, she can not hold herself and she releases it on his back. He asked was I able to give her back what she deserves. Ibn Omar replied, not in return for just one contraction during labor. You are doing what you r doing hoping that she would die so that u gain comfort, while u did the same to her and she was wishing nothing for u but to continue living.

Sobhan Allah

Another very nice flash of Yusuf Islam

http://www.b4death.com/web/never.htm

Hope u'll find it as wonderful as I thought of it, when I first saw&heard it.

As-salaamu alaikum wa rahmantu'llah,

There was a Black-out, over there, in alot of major states, in northeast of usa.

No tv's, computers, water, light for about 24 hrs. what a ,

every drop of water was appreciated, so was the natural light from fire, and everyone was humbled.

as-salaamu alaikum wa rahamntu'llah