Muslim babies' MMR jabs have traces of pork

Injections illegal under Islamic law, says imam

BY VICKY COLLINS

THOUSANDS of Muslim babies in Scotland have been injected with a

derivative of pork contained in a major child vaccine, The Herald can

reveal.

One of the two triple measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines used

by GPs in Britain are made using porcine gelatin, which is forbidden

in Islam.

Public health officials in Glasgow admitted that they had only begun

informing parents in the last week.

Strict Muslims can only use medicines containing derivatives of pork

in a medical emergency when there is no other option.

Muslim leaders across Scotland reacted angrily to the revelation and

are demanding that Muslim parents must be warned about any medication

that may contain pork derivatives to allow them to make an informed

choice.

Habib Rauf, imam at the Glasgow Central Mosque, said: "I did not know

it contained porcine gelatin. I have a three-year-old child who was

recently given the MMR vaccine and if I had known about this I would

not have let my child have the vaccination."

Generally, patients never see the full ingredients list for vaccines,

although doctors will check if there are any medical conditions that

lead to side- effects.

The vaccine with gelatin which is used widely in Britain is made by

Aventis Pasteur, while Merck makes another vaccine containing porcine

gelatin which is used widely across the world, but not in the UK.

Another vaccine used in the UK is made by Priorix and is free of the

material. However, usage of either one depends on availability.

Between them, Aventis Pasteur and Merck have offices in 41 countries

across the world, including Arab nations such as Egypt, the Gulf and

Saudi Arabia, as well as Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim

nation.

A spokesman for Aventis Pasteur admitted the company was aware of the

possible implications of using such ingredients for religious groups.

He claimed it was "not a problem" because the gelatin was broken down

into peptides, and was therefore refined and not pure gelatin. He

confirmed there was no vegetarian option. He declined to comment on

when the company first began using porcine gelatin in MMR. Merck was

unavailable for comment.

However, Muslims said the ingredient still would be a concern because

it was sourced from pig, and said an alternative to porcine gelatin,

such as agar, should be used, or a warning given to all parents who

were considering the jab for their child.

Mohammad Faroghul Quadri, imam at the Khazra Mosque, Glasgow,

said: "The gelatin may be broken down, but those ingredients still

come from pork originally. This gelatin from pork is totally illegal

under Islamic law."

Mohammed Sarwar, Labour MP for Glasgow Govan, said: "I am sure if it

is the case that MMR contains pork gelatin then that would be a

concern for the Muslim community."

Unlike Muslims, Jews are only forbidden to eat pork, and have no

concerns about its use in medicines, according to Judith Tankel, who

sits on the committee of the Glasgow Council of Christians and Jews.

She said: "There is no problem with us wearing shoes or clothes made

using pigs and certainly injections or medicine containing

derivatives of pig are no problem."

Dr Syed Ahmed, immunisation co-ordinator for Greater Glasgow NHS,

said he had been alerted to the problem by a Muslim GP and had

contacted all GPs in Glasgow asking them to warn Muslim parents and

offer the option of using the alternative MMR vaccine made by

Priorix.

Forbidden food

Strict Muslims are only allowed to eat foods not expressly forbidden

in the Koran and animals slaughtered "in the name of Allah" are

considered halal, or lawful, to eat.

The Koran says only animals which chew the cud and have cloven hooves

can be eaten, and as pigs do not chew the cud they are considered

haram, or forbidden.

Although Jews also consider pork to be unclean, kosher law only

covers animal products which are eaten.

-June 26th

This was in The Herald newspaper up in Scotland on June 26th 2003.

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem

How to Lower our Gaze

By Sabeel Ahmed

"If I were not a Muslim, I would have contacted AIDS!" proclaimed my friend. "The ayahs in Surah Nur about lowering our gazes doesn't affect me anymore", expressed another youth, talking about the intense temptations felt by today's youth. Difficulty in lowering the gaze by both the young and old is readily perceived on the street, weddings, parties and even in the Masjids.

What has gone wrong with our Ummah? Us Muslims, called by Allah, our Creator, as the best Ummah, Model Community, custodians of Truth and the Upholders of Morality behaving in this way? Why are we adopting the attitudes and routes of the Kuffar? How can we rectify ourselves?

What follows are a series of practical, though graphic advice which can work for us and set us free from Satan's stronghold, insha Allah.

Prophet Muhammad, Sallallhu alayhi wa sallam, by way of warning and as a reminder said: "I have not left a fitnah (trial, calamity or cause for calamity) after me more than (the fitnah) with women for men" (Bukhari and Muslim). Also was related by our Prophet : "The world is sweet and verdant, and Allah having put you in it in your turn watches how you act; so fear the world and fear women, for the first trial of the Bani israel had to do with women" (Muslim)

Being optimistic, a ray of hope was also wisely provided during Prophet's Last Sermon on way to avoid the above pitfall: "If the Ummah hold on to the Quran and the Sunnah, it will not go astray".

When Allah created us humans will all the desires and urges, He also revealed to us sufficient and complete guidance to contain them through proper channels. All we need to do is seek this guidance, contemplate on it and implement it. "This day I have perfected you deen for you, completed my favors upon you and chosen Islam as your deen" (5:3)

Realize the fact that the great Sahabas were humans beings too. Biologically they were no different from us, they too had desires and temptations of the human species, and yet they controlled them in the best of ways. We can too, insha Allah. To posses sensual passions is Human, to control them is Muslim.

When confronted with a luring situation, like passing by a non-mahram on the street, office, or a school, Satan is constantly tempting us to glare at her with evil thoughts. Satan is probably excitingly saying with a big smile `Yes', `Yes', `Yes', when we steer into the bait he is setting. During these situations immediately and consciously realize that when we give a second or following glances, we are obeying Satan. "O you who believe, follow not the footsteps of the devil..." (24:21). By immediately averting our gazes and disobeying Satan, we are giving him a one two punch in the face which leaves him frustrated, accursed and defeated.

Satan rebelled and was expelled by Allah, so lets all rebel against Satan and expel him from our hearts. Satan intents to fight a war against the believers, so lets gather our forces behind Quran and Sunnah and defeat him.

Remember that even if no human eye is watching us, the ever watchful Allah is constantly monitoring the innermost regions of our heart. Our eyes, limbs, tongue and private parts will all be witnesses for or against us on the Day of Judgement and not an atoms worth of our deeds will remain unexamined.

Psychologically our minds are conditioned to associate our thoughts of stealing clothes from a store to being in handcuffs and hauled into a police van. Likewise, we should condition our minds to bring the verses of Surah Nur in front of our eyes during any tempting situation and imagine that during that particular instance Allah (SWT) is speaking to us directly: "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty, that will make for greater purity for them...Say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty...O you believers! Turn you all together towards Allah that you may attain success" (24:30,31). What a beautiful guidance and what a sublime reward for implementing it.

With practice, the above associations and the remembrance of Allah during tempting situations will prevent us from getting stuck by devilish arrows. Successful controlling our gazed also depends upon our avoidance of sinful situations. Al Islamic idiom (Usul Al-Fiqh) says: "Anything that leads to haraam is haaram in itself". Therefore cutting any unlawful situation in their bud is what we should strive for. Performance of a pious deed is rewarded and avoidance of a sinful deed is also rewarded, Al-Hamdulillah.

One of the biggest culprits which encourage us to disobey the ayahs in Surah Nur, are the movies. In the name of entertainment, to please our peers and children and as an excuse to do something together as a family, we astonishingly allow the development of un-Islamic scenes and dialogues in front of our eyes. Can we ever imagine (Na'udubillah) any Sahaba renting the latest hit from Blockbuster videos, or listening to music with luring lyrics at high volume?

Likewise, we watch news on TV and stare at the anchorwomen, female gymnasts, and female swimmers who are scantly dressed. Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, was once approached by a women with a proposal for marriage. He took a single glance at her and turned his face way. Jabir bin Abdullah reported: "I asked Allah's messenger about the sudden glance on the face of a non-Mahram. He commanded me that I should turn away my eyes" (Muslim). Thus we are not suppose to stare at the faces of non-Mahrams of opposite gender, be they our fellow students, elders, saleswomen or the one of TV.

Pious ladies of the Prophet's household were even ordered to do purdah in front of a Blind Sahaba. Upon the curious question as to why purdah when the blind Sahaba can't see them, Prophet wisely replies: "But you could see him" (Ahmed, Trimidhi, Abu Dawood)

Each one of us may have become culprit of not obey the ayahs in Surah Nur. It is not too late to realize these short comings and work at rectifying ourselves. Above all, we should always ask forgiveness of Allah (SWT). Indeed blessed are those Muslims who are able to check their gazes, thus conserving their precious time and energy, and working in the cause of Allah to reclaim our positions as the superpowers of the world.

Let's contemplate on the above humble advises and constantly make the following supplication: "O Allah help us in controlling our sensual desires until we get married, and after our marriage, let our desires be only towards our spouses...ameen"

Salaamu Alaikum,

Here is a forward from another group:

It's going to be a rare sight so remember - don't miss the opportunity

to view 2 moons in the sky -> 27 AUGUST 2003.

Never again in your lifetime will the Red Planet be so spectacular!

This month (July) and next month(August) the Earth is catching up with Mars, an encounter that will culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287.

Due to the way Jupiter's gravity tugs on Mars and perturbs its

orbit, astronomers can only be certain that Mars has not come this close to Earth in the last 5,000 years but it may be as long as 60,000 years.The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles and will be (next to the moon) the brightest object in the night sky. It will attain a magnitude of -2.9 and will appear

25.11 arc seconds wide.

At a modest 75-power magnification Mars will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. Mars will be easy to spot. At the beginning of August, Mars will rise in the east at 10p.m. and reach its azimuth at

about 3 a.m. By the end of August when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise at nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30 a.m. That's pretty convenient when it comes to seeing something that no human has seen in recorded history. So mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars grows progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month

Salaamu Alaikum

Here are a few links for Islamic wallpapers for your desktop.

In case you have never saved one before just right-click your mouse

on the photo you like and a menu will appear. Choose "Set as

Wallpaper" or "Set as background" and you should then have the photo

on your main computer screen. With some pics it works better to

actually click on the pic you like to open it up to full screen size

then right-click it with your mouse.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/y.patel480/wa...aper/page1.html

Has 2 pages of pics

http://www.madyan.com/desktop/

Has 60 different ones.........very beautiful Masha'Allah

http://www.almosamem.com/msm/msm/givepictures.php3

This has about 32 on first page and then if you want a bigger size

pic for your screen scroll down and choose the link that says

"? 768 x 1024.........."

This is all in Arabic obviously but there are some that have pics

only or for those with Arabic-reading hubbies they can traslate for

you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seize the Day, Tomorrow is not Yours

Sumayyah bint Joan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upon hearing about the death of a fellow Muslim, it suddenly struck

me how

very fleeting life is, and that I was only a twinkling of an eye away

from

where he is now.

Death is the reality from which none of us can escape. It draws

nearer every

day, every hour, every minute. So I had to ask myself, if I were to

die

today, would I have done all that I could to ensure Allah's Favor,

and to

evade His Wrath? Unfortunately for me, the answer was a resounding

NOOO.

At the end of the day, I ask myself, what good have I sent ahead for

the

benefit of my soul? And again, the answers usually, very little.

Time, it

seems, is moving by so quickly. It seems just like yesterday that we

started

the "New Year," yet we're already almost a third of the way through

it. A

month seems like a week, a week seems like an hour and an hour feels

like

just minutes. This is why I've resolved to try my utmost, with the

aid of

Allah to take advantage of every opportunity to do good deeds, and

not to put

off until later, what I can do now. Death is coming, are you ready?

Allah says, "Every soul shall have a taste of death, and only on the

Day of

Judgement shall you be paid your full recompense. Only those who are

saved

far from the Fire, and admitted to the Garden will have succeeded.

For the

life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception." [3:185]

It is so easy for us to get caught up in the comings and goings of

our

everyday lives, that we tend to forget that we don't have forever in

this

worldly life, and get distracted away from our true aim and purpose.

We tend

to forget that we are here to worship Allah and to avail ourselves of

the

various opportunities He gives us to store up for ourselves treasures

in

Heaven. For He, subhanahu wa taala, also says,

"O you who believe! Revere Allah, and let every person look to what

he has

sent forth for the morrow; and revere Allah. Allah is well Aware of

what you

do. And be not like those who forgot (disobeyed) Allah, and He caused

them to

forget themselves. Those are the disobedient. Not equal are the

dwellers of

the Fire and the dwellers of Jannah. It is the dwellers of Jannah who

will be

successful." [59:18-20]

He also tells us that we do not know the hour of our own deaths, or

in what

land we will die. But He through His unending Mercy toward us, has

given us

ways to prepare for the inevitable now, because once we've passed

from this

life to the next, there is no coming back to do the things we should

have

done. For Allah says,

"Until death comes to one of them, he says, 'My Lord, send me back.

Perhaps I

may do good in that which I have left behind.' No, it is but a word

that he

speaks, and behind them is a barzakh until the day when they are

raised up."

[23:99-100]

Allah has given us ways to protect ourselves from the punishment of

the

grave. One of these ways is by fighting in the Cause of Allah. It is

reported

that a man asked the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, "O

Messenger of

Allah, why are all the believers tested in the graves except a

martyr?" He,

sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, "The flashing of swords over his

head was

a sufficient test for him." (An-Nasai)

This may be difficult for most of us to do in this day and age, but

Allah has

provided us with many other ways to earn ease in the next life. These

include

reciting Surat ul-Mulk, because the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa

sallam,

said, "Surat Tabarak is the protector from the torment of the grave."

(Al-Hakim) He, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, also said, "When a human

being

dies, all of his deeds are terminated except for three types: an

ongoing

sadaqh, a knowledge of Islam from which others benefit, and a

righteous child

who makes du'a for him." (Muslim)

Another way to earn a continuing reward is by reviving a lost Sunnah

of the

Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam. He, sallallahu alayhe wa

sallam, said,

"He who initiates in Islam a good way gets his reward for it, as well

as

rewards similar to those who follow him into it, without reducing any

of

their rewards." (Muslim) For those of us who know of fellow Muslims

who have

already begun their journey, or who are about to enter, into the next

life,

there are things we can do to make the transition easier,

insha'Allah. These

include performing the Janazah prayer for the deceased, fulfilling

the

deceased's vows, payment of the deceased's debts and the

supplications of the

Muslims.

This life is fleeting. Death is coming. Let us get ready.

Aqeedah - <b>Important Principles Concerning Allah's Names and Attributes</b>

The Text: Before entering into the core of this book, I would first like to introduce some important principles related to Allah's Names and Attributes.[1]

<b>The First Principle:</b> What is obligatory from the texts of the Qur'aan and Sunnah regarding Allah's Names and Attributes.

With regard to the texts of the Qur'aan and the Sunnah, it is obligatory (concerning Allah's Names and Attributes) to leave their proofs and implications upon their literal meanings, without changing them. This is because Allah revealed the Qur'aan in a plain Arabic language and the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to speak with the Arabic language. Therefore, it is obligatory to leave the implications of the words of Allah and the words of the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, as they are, in that language. Also, changing it from its literal meaning is speaking about Allah without knowledge and this is forbidden, due to the statement of Allah:

"Say: 'The things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are the great evil sins, whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with Allah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge.'" [2]

An example of this principle is found in the statement of Allah:

"Nay, both His hands are widely outstretched." [3]

Indeed, what is literally apparent from this ayah is that Allah has two actual hands. Thus, affirming that is obligatory, due to this principle. So if someone were to say that the meaning of His hands is "power", then we must say to him that this is changing the word from its literal meaning. And saying this is not permissible, for it is speaking about Allah without knowledge.

<b>The Second Principle:</b> Concerning Allah's Names

There are several subdivisions included in this principle:

<b>The first subdivision:</b> All of Allah's Names are the best

This means that they all possess the highest extent of goodness. This is since they are comprised of perfect attributes. There are no deficiencies to be found in them in any way whatsoever, for Allah says:

"To Him belong the best of Names." [4]

An example of this is the name Ar-Rahmaan, which is one of the Names of Allah, for it demonstrates a magnificent attribute – which is (His) vast mercy.

We know that Ad-Dahr (time) is not one of the Names of Allah, for it does not possess a meaning that reaches the highest extent of goodness. As for the Prophet's, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, statement: "Do not curse time, for indeed, Allah is Ad-Dahr (time)", [5]then its meaning is that He is the "Owner of time – the One who dispenses it". This change occurs based on the evidence found in his, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, statement in the second narration (of this hadeeth) in which Allah said: "In My hand is the Command. I turn (in cycles) the night and the day." [6]

<b>The Second Subdivision:</b> The Names of Allah are not confined to a fixed and definite number

This is based on the famous hadeeth: "I ask You, O Allah, by every one of Your Names by which You have named Yourself or revealed in Your Book. Or (those which You have) taught to one of Your creatures or appropriated for Yourself in the knowledge of the Ghaib (Unseen) that is with You." [7]

Specifying and grasping whatever Allah has appropriated for Himself in the knowledge of the Ghaib (Unseen) that is with Him, is impossible to attain.

The way to combine between this hadeeth and the other authentic hadeeth: "Verily, to Allah belong ninety-nine names, (by which) whosoever takes account of them (i.e. memorizes, learns and supplicates by them), will enter Paradise" [8] is that the meaning of this (latter) hadeeth is:

"Verily, from among all the names of Allah are ninety-nine names by which if someone takes account of them, he will enter Paradise."

It does not mean that Allah's names are restricted to this number (of 99).

The equivalent of this would be if one were to say: "I have one hundred dollars which I have counted out for the purpose of giving in charity." This does not negate that he has other dollars in his possession, which he has counted out for a purpose other than charity.

<b>The Third Subdivision:</b> The Names of Allah are not affirmed by the intellect – they can only be affirmed by Revelation

The Names of Allah are based upon Revelation and as such, their affirmation is dependent upon what is reported in the revealed texts concerning them. Therefore, nothing can be added to them nor subtracted. This is because the intellect is not able to itself ascertain which names Allah is most deserving of. So it is obligatory to depend upon the revealed texts for determining that. Also, naming Allah with that which He did not name Himself or rejecting what He did name Himself with, is a crime against Him and a perpetration of His right. Thus, abiding by the proper etiquettes with regard to that is obligatory.

<b>The Fourth Subdivision:</b> The meaning of each of Allah's Names applies to 1) Allah Himself, 2) the attribute that such a Name implies, and 3) the effect of such an attribute, if it is transitive.

Faith in Allah's names cannot be complete without affirming all of this.

An example of those names that are not transitive is the name Al-‘Adheem (The Most Great). One’s Faith is not complete until he believes that it is a name of Allah whose meaning applies to Him Himself, as well as the attribute that it encompasses, which is His magnificence (‘adhamah). An example of a name that is transitive is Ar-Rahmaan (the Most Merciful). One’s Faith is not complete until he believes that it is a name of Allah that applies to 1) Himself, 2) the attribute that it encompasses, which is his mercy, and 3) what results from that, which is that he grants mercy to whom He wills.

<b>- Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-'Uthaimeen</b> (rahimahullaah)

Source: Sharh Lum'atul-'Itiqaad (20-23) [Dar Al-Istiqamah Printing]

Footnotes: From the Checking of Ashraf Ibn 'Abdil-Maqsood to the Shaikh's book

Translator: Abu Maryam Taken from http://islamcanada.com/

assalamalyakum

I am not sure about how authentic this email is I received from a muslim tike in Egypt. But, I will pass it along to all of you to judge or maybe some of you know about this already and can give us more imformation on the subject.

Quote:Believe it or not

 

From CIA official statistics:

 

1. Total World Population : 6.5 Billion.  

2. Total Muslims in the world : 2 Billion.  

3. Total Smokers in the world : 1.15 billion.  

4. Total muslim smokers in the world : 400 million.  

5. Largest Cigarette maker is Phillip Morris.  

6. Phillip Morris donates 12% profits to Israel.  

7. Total Muslim money to Morris $800 million DAILY.  

8. Average profit margin is 10%.  

9. Average profit for Morris is $80 million DAILY.  

10. Thus $9.6 million of Muslim money goes to Israel every single DAY.  

 

....... yes DAY !!!  

 

Pass this on to all the muslims you can and don't help funding the Jews to  

kill our brothers.  

 

May ALLAH forgive us all.  

 

 

مشاركة عضو المجموعة : على صالح

 

شبكة أخبــــــــــــــار \"الحـــقـيـــــقـة\"

 

TNNetwork · TNN (Truth News Network)

 

 

To Join Us, Click On The Link Below.

 

 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TNNetwork

As Salam Alykom wa Rahmatullah wa barakatuh

Dear members, we would like to inform u that our site went through a major problem during the last couple of days. However, all the praise be to Allah, we overcame the crisis, managed to retrieve the databases and operate on a new server.

Changes u see on the forum Insh a Allah serve for the best helping us and you to push forward. I will now briefly explain some of the changes.

Actually as u may notice, it is not only the general look of the forum that changed, but when we retrieved the data we managed to transfer it on a more advanced kit that offers multiple functions you will learn about as u use it. About the forum theme, some members, like myself would feel uncomfortable about. But I would like to inform u that we can simply provide various themes for each member to choose what is adequate. This is just one of the many advanced functions of the new kit.

At the end I would like just to remind our dear members, that we can never achieve all at the same time, so just be patient with us and together we can work in order to enhance this site.

Hassan Alwan

In the Name of Allah: Most Gracious, Most Merciful

MASMedia - Live Dialogues

Please come and participate in MASMedia's Live Dialogues on the Muslim

American Society (MAS)'s website (http://www.masnet.org/).

Live Dialogue services include "Ask the Imam", where site visitors may ask

questions of Muslim scholar guests on issues of religion, and "Discussion",

where MASMedia invites experts within the fields of politics, counseling and

social services, to answer questions on specific and general topics of the

day.

Please visit the website and click on the flashing "Live" button when the

session starts at its scheduled time, where you will be taken to the Live

session and where you can Submit Questions.

Live Dialogue Schedule:

Previous sessions:

General Fatwa Session - Muhammad Al-Hanooti

http://www.masnet.org/askimam_runsess.asp?id=20

Family & Raising Children in the West Fatwa - Abdel-Azim M. El-Siddig

http://www.masnet.org/askimam_runsess.asp?id=19

Discussion

Subject: Muslims and the 2004 Elections

Guest Name: Raeed Tayeh

Profession: MAS Freedom Foundation Public Affairs Director

Start Date/Time: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 2:00 PM ET

End Date/Time: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 3:00 PM ET

Previous Discussions:

Parenting - Ekram and Mohamed Rida Beshir

http://www.masnet.org/discussion_runsess.asp?id=15

Live Counseling Session - Majd Kam-almaz

http://www.masnet.org/discussion_runsess.asp?id=10

Challenges Facing Muslims in the U.S. - Souheil Ghannouchi

http://www.masnet.org/discussion_runsess.asp?id=5

----------------------

Please join us and submit questions to our guests.

MASMedia is the media division of the Muslim American Society (MAS), a

national religious, civic, and educational organization. For more

information, please visit http://www.masnet.org/.

The Prophet said: “There are seven whom Allaah will shade in His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade: a just ruler; a youth who grew up in the worship of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic; a man whose heart is attached to the mosques; two men who love each other for Allaah’s sake, meeting for that and parting upon that; a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position [for illegal intercourse], but be says: ‘I fear Allaah’, a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity; and a man who remembered Allaah in private and so his eyes shed tears.”

Narrated by Abu Hurairah & collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (english trans.) vol.1, p.356, no.629 & Saheeh Muslim (english trans.) vol.2, p.493, no.2248

In this beautiful Hadeeth, the Prophet spoke about small acts of worship which result in such a huge reward: shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His Shade [1]. This may not seem like much at first but then reflect upon the following Hadeeth: “On the Day of Resurrection, the sun would draw so close to the people that there would be left a distance of only one mile. The people will be submerged in perspiration according to their deeds, some up to their ankles, some up to their knees, some up to the waist and some would have the bridle of perspiration and, while saying this, the Messenger of Allaah put his hand towards his mouth.”

Narrated by al Miqdaad ibn Aswad & collected in Saheeh Muslim (eng. trans) vol.4, p.1487-8, no. 6852}.

And in another Hadeeth, some will be submerged in sweat “seventy arm-lengths in the earth.”

Narrated by Abu Hurairah and collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (eng. trans.) vol.8, p.353, no.539) and Muslim (eng. trans.) vol.4, p.l487, no.6851

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

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

1. “A Just Ruler...”

The concept of Justice in Islaam is very important and it is something which the Muslim - Ruler and the ruled - must apply in all matters without exception. Justice means to give each the right he deserves: Muslim or non-Muslim, relative or stranger, friend or enemy. Allaah says: “...And do not let hatred cause you to act unjustly, that is nearer to piety [soorah al-Maa’idah (5):8].

Unfortunately, even if we admit this in theory, we quickly forget it in practice. So we find that when we speak about our friends and loved ones, we praise them beyond reason and when we speak about those whom we hold difference with, we can find no good in them and we just capitalise on their bad points. This is far removed from the justice which Allaah loves and gives great reward for, as mentioned in the following Hadeeth: “The doers of justice will be on thrones of light at Allaah’s Right Hand - and both of Allaah’s Hands are Right Hands" - those who were just in their Ruling, with their families and in all that over which they were given authority [2].

The Prophet assigning to Abdullah ibn Mas'ud the open spaces in Medina between the dwellings and palm gardens of the Ansar, and when the Banu Abd ibn Zuhrah said, "Remove from us the son of Umm Abd (Ibn Mas'ud)," replying, "Why then did Allah send me. Allah does not bless a people among whom a weak man is not given his right."

Baghawi transmitted it in Sharh as-Sunnah. Sunan at-Tirmidhi no.3003

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

2 “A youth who grew up in the worship of Allaah...”

The great scholar, Ayyoob as-Sakhtiyaanee (d.131H) said, “From the success of a youth is that Allaah guides him to a scholar of the Sunnah.”

Hasan - Reported in Sharh Usoolis-Sunnah of al-Laalikaa’ee (no.30).

Indeed, it is a great blessing from Allaah for a youth h be guided towards worship and be befriended by the righteous, since it is in youth that a person is most vulnerable to the temptations of life and liable to drift away from the Islaamic Path. This becomes apparent when we look at society around us and we see that most of the worldly distractions, such as music, games, clubs, fashion etc. are all specifically targeted at the young. “You’re only young once!” they are told, which is why many Muslims nowadays waste their youth thinking that they will pray, wear hijaab and go on Hajj, etc. when they are old, as if they have a guarantee of longevity from Allaah! How well we would do to heed the Prophet’s advice when he said: “Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you are preoccupied and your life before your death.”

Saheeh - Narrated by Ibn Abbaas & collected in al-Haakim & others. Authenticated by Shaykh ‘Alee ibn ‘Abdul Hameed in Forty Hadeeth of the Call and the Caller. AHYA Dawah Series, Booklet no.8

3. “A man whose heart is attached to the mosques...”

There is great encouragement in the Sunnah for men to pray in the mosques and the reward associated with it is tremendous [3]. Not only does it make the person eligible for Allaah’s Shade on the day of Judgement, but, “he does not take a step [towards the mosque except that because of it, he is raised by one rank and one sin is removed from him. Then when he prays, the Angels do not cease supplicating for him [for] as long as he remains at his place of Prayer [sayings]: O Allaah send blessings upon him, O Allaah have mercy upon him...”

Narrated by Abu Hurairah & collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (eng. trans.) vol. 1 p.352 no.620).

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

4. “Two men who love each other for Allaah’s sake, meeting for that and parting upon that....”

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

“Allaah, the Mighty and Magnificent says: “Those who have mutual love for the sake of My Glory will have pillars of light and will be envied the Prophets and martyrs.”

Saheeh - Collected in Sunan at-Tirmidhee & Musnad Ahmad (5/336-7).

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

5. “A man who is called by a woman of beauty and position but he says: ‘I fear Allaah...”

This world is full of temptations which lead to burning in the Fire and amongst them is that which comes from women. Many a man has led his soul into destruction on account of the lure of a woman which is why the Prophet warned his Ummah specifically about this. He said, “The world is sweet and green and verily Allaah is going to install you as successors upon it in order to see how you act. So avoid the allurement of women: verily the first trial for the Children of Israa’eel was caused by women.”

Narrated by Aboo Sa’eed al-Khudree & collected in Saheeh Muslim (eng. trans.) vol.4, p.1432, no.6606

The most important provision which we need to protect ourselves from this and all other temptations in life is the fear (khawf) of Allaah. This fact is alluded to in the following Qur'aanic Aayah:

“And as for him who feared standing before his Lord and restrained himself from impure evil desires, verily Paradise will be his abode.” [soorah an- Naazi’aat (79):40 1].