As-salaamu 'alaykum,

Ya know, us Muslims have a beautiful rich history. But the fact that a large number of us don't even have a clue as to the beauty and glory of our history is sad..and its evident; look around. You see people who claim to be Muslims not obeying the commands of Allaah..you see hijaabless Muslims; Muslims who don't pray, who don't fast; Muslims who use interest; Muslims who eat/drink haraam things; Muslims who freemix, flirt and date; Muslims who've never given charity..etc. If we knew our history, we'd have this burning ambition to emulate the great figures of the past, we'd develop widom and insight, we'd be lil more farsighted and we'd have greater sense of caution.

I came across this interesting site which tells the summed-up, animated story of the Prophet Nuh [as], the prophet Lut [as] and prophet Musa [as] - the story of the punishment of their people. How these nations perished because of their sins.
All the Prophets had one clear message: abandon idol-worshipping and worship the one, true God. The people of prophet Nuh [as] mocked him, saying he was just an ordinary man - "why didn't your god send an angel to tell us then, why YOU, a human being? your god could have picked anyone of us..why you?!". They thought he was a liar. Basically, because of their arrogance and idol-worship, they were punished in the end by means of a huge flood that drowned them.
The prophet Lut [as] had the same message. His people were the first nation to introduce the sin of lewdness to the world. In the end, they were punished when there was a major eruption of a nearby volcano.
The people of Prophet Musa [as] were under the rule of a despotic, arrogant pharoah who claimed to be god. Musa [as] conveyed the message of Tawheed to this foolish pharoah, but he didn't take heed. In the end, the pharoah and his cronies were drowned in the sea. Allaah [swt] preserved the pharoah's body for us to see and take a lesson from.

These three stories are summed up here at PerishedNations.com


Peace.

What Do You See?

Take a good look around you,
What do you see?
People warring and dying,
Or people in harmony?

Take a good look around you,
What do you see?
Tyrants being punished,
Or tyrants walking free?

Take a good look around you,
What do you see?
People hungry and in poverty,
Or people in wealth and prosperity?

Do you feel any emotion
When you witness the commotion,
The chaos and the pain?

You are not barred,
Imprisoned or tortured;
You are not orphaned,
Terrorised or cornered.

Yet, you find it hard
To simply pray
For those children killed,
Whilst in innocent play.

Take a good look around you,
What do you see?
Are you prepared to let others suffer,
While you walk blind and free?

Kids. They can either make your day or break it. Its true. They're pure-hearted and can say the the most profound things sometimes (in very simple words, of course); yet, they can be so cruel, too. They can make you tired in a matter of minutes - and I mean mentally. They can cause you to become extremely angry...and extremely happy.

The other day...no actually it was the other week..no, actually, a few months ago. Yes. A few months ago an 11 year old student of mine gave me a home-made card. It was made out of that squared paper you get in maths books. Scrawled, in pencil, on the top it said "Dear Sister/Baji ******. You're the bestest teacher in the whole wide world. I know you get tired of teaching us sometimes and I'm really sorry if I upset you". It had hearts and stars all over the card. Cause and effect: Such a simple act...such a nice feeling of job satisfaction. Its so cool and refreshing to think that your efforts and hard work don't go unnoticed - even by a kid.
Just today the same student, when putting on her shoes to go home, saw me coughing and wheezing away and said: "InshaAllaah, you'll get better soon". InshaAllaah. :)
Kids are so perceptive. I've noticed they have such a clear judgment of things. Alot of the time, they see things and people for who they are...


In other news, I was playing around with the template html code stuff and I somehow managed to delete my archives. Great. I've messed up me Credits links, too. I need to sort me blog out one of these days. After my exams, inshaAllaah, if I can be bothered I'll sort everything out. Watch this space...

And with that, I say farewell.

Wa salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh.

As-salaamu 'alaykum.

The other day I was in Badial, buying my usual junk food...as I walked up to the counter to pay for my Aero and Transform-A-Snacks, I saw 2 Muslim ladies come in. One was quite young, the other was a lil older, most likely a mother and daughter. As I was waiting for the lady behind the till to come and serve me, I saw something that greatly disturbed me; something I only used to hear about occassionally and it always made me sick when I did used to hear of it. But that day, I actually saw it with my own 2 eyes. I watched in silent horror as the the older lady paid the for a lottery ticket, and then she proceeded to scratch the card..as you do. Both mother and daughter seemed to look in anticipation at their numbers (or whatever was supposed to be on that card).
"What the...?!" I thought. I wanted to ask them what they thought they were doing..I wanted to give 'em a good telling off and explain to them the fact that messing with lottery tickets and everything associated to it is haraam. Then the shopkeeper came, I paid for my stuff and walked past the two ladies slowly, debating with myself whether I should stop and speak to them or not. I ended up chickening out though...I knew I should've done *something* and I felt bad after that.

Its quite obvious that the lottery is a type of gambling...and all gambling is clearly forbidden and its one of the major sins in Islaam:

O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, and idols and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination of Shaytaan’s work, so avoid them, so that you may get salvation. Shaytaan’s only desire is to precipitate enmity and hatred between you by means of intoxicant and gambling and bar you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. Will you then not abstain? (5: 90-91)

I dunno how the 2 ladies missed that one..

Its really sad how there are SO many ignorant Muslims out there who are so clueless about so many aspects of their own religion. Either that or alot of people these days are being plain rebellious. But I've noticed how even the tiniest bit of knowledge about the simplest of things can cause huge ripples of curiousity about other things. That's why we should never give up hope. As someone wise once said: our duty is to convey the message, then its up to the person if they wanna follow or not.

Anyways, my blog is increasingly becoming boring and useless, so in an attempt to make it a lil useful...here's a short fatwa on the impermissibility of the national lottery in Islaam:

Q: The National Lottery starts next month. Can you please state the Shar'ee position of gambling supported by Qur'aan and Hadeeth, so that Muslim brothers
and sisters may become aware of the consequences of this sin?

A: Gambling falls within the category of major sins. Verses were sent down touching upon the subject of gambling and in each of them it was condemned until finally it was completely forbidden by the following verse of Soorah Maa'idah:



O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, and idols and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination of Shaytaan’s work, so avoid them, so that you may get salvation. Shaytaan’s only desire is to precipitate enmity and hatred between you by means of intoxicant and gambling and bar you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. Will you then not abstain? (5: 90-91)

It is clear from this verse that gambling has in it the following evils:

- It creates hatred and enmity amongst gamblers. Generally the loser will hold grudge and hatred in his heart for the winner who has deprived him of his wealth, which will result in feuds, killing, murder, etc. This is the material and worldly loss.
- It prevents the gambler from remembrance of Allah Ta’aalaa and he becomes heedless of devotion to Allah Ta’aalaa. This is a spiritual and religious loss.

If gambling consists of both internal and external harms, a Mu'min will definitely abstain from it. Allaamah Zahabi rahmatullahi alayh states,
"It (gambling) is a form of devouring people's wealth unlawfully which Allah Ta’aalaa has prohibited in the following verse: And do not eat up the property of one another amongst yourselves wrongfully. (2:188)
And it falls within the Hadeeth of the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam, "Indeed those men who interfere in the property of Allah (i.e. property of other people) without right, for them is Jahannam [Hellfire]."
And in Bukhaari, the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "Whoever says to his companion, come let us gamble, then he should give Sadaqah." If only the statement (of gambling) establishes the giving of Sadaqah, then what about the gravity of the act (of gambling)?

(Kitaab-ul-Kabaa'ir Page 88-89)

The Arabs in the days of ignorance had different forms of gambling. In modern times too, there are dozens of types of gambling of which a very common form
is lottery. It is therefore of utmost importance to abstain from such a grave sin. May Allah save us all from those things which brings His displeasure.

Aameen.

(by the way, the Islam Channel - ch. 836 - started broadcasting the real stuff yesterday!!)

As-salaamu 'alaykum,

Okay. I'm going to ask you all a favour. If you do this, I will be extreeeeeemely greatful (even though I won't be sure who did and who didn't...but Allaah knows all innit). Okay, you see, there's 2 weeks left for my exams - the AS exams. Very important. In fact, my life depends on it, right now. I'm going to sit exams for 5 subjects...most of which are 3 hour exams..most of which are squashed into one day...some of which are squashed into one morning/afternoon. I know there are other people out there who have exams aswell...but you see, my problem runs a little deeper. There's 2 weeks left...any sane person would be at least half way thru their revision by now. But, of course, I ain't sane, so I haven't even started any solid revision. I've flicked thru a few pages of a few subjects..others, I ain't even touched.

So, here's what I ask you all to do:

as soon as you finish reading this, and after you finish everything else...face towards Makkah, raise your hands and make mad du'aa for Traveller. Like, seriously mad du'aa. You never know who's du'aa is accepted. I'm just a sinner...maybe there's someone reading this who's Imaan is way up there right now, and who's pious...whether you think yourself pious or not, please, please remember me in your du'aas. Okay? OKAY?!?!

Jazaakumullaahu khairan.

Was-salaamu 'alaykum.

Muslim transmitted from the hadith of Abu Darda that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “A supplication which a Muslim man makes secretly for his brother is answered. At his head is a guardian angel. Whenever he makes supplication for good for his brother, the angel who guards him says “Ameen, and the same for you.”

http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/scarves/dua.html

As-salaamu 'alaykum,

[Warning: 'Queen's English' up ahead]

Hmm. the weahther's divine...goohd deay to jolly well goh out hiking or something. Don't you know? Well I say - hilaaaarrious how one can get all geaaared up to doh all these interesting things *just* when exams aare round the cornah. Dear, oh dear...

Meay one mentiohn, if anybody is interested in the weay one is speaking roysh noh (BAQ), doh feel free to check out >> this place.. Jolly good show old bean!

[Warning: Terrible Brummy accent up ahead]

This accent is dicpicable...it shud be woypd off the face of the urth, I tells yer! But then agen, the'er am sum folks who *loyke* this accent, if so, check this place ert.
Hehehee, the'er am other accents the'er, an' all..like da ali g accent, innit! an' the cockney rhymen slang...the irish, scouse, geordie, scottie accents. Thes scottie accent's kewl..i lake thes a body, aye!

Anyways (Sanity returns from holiday)...its the 12th of Rabee' al-awwal. This is the month in which the Seal of all the Prophets was born - Muhammad, salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. Here's a short article written by Umm Rashid - its a good read:

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…
Umm Rashid

A few days from now, many Muslims will “celebrate” the birth of their Prophet [SAW]. Ask anyone why they “celebrate” this occasion, when historians disagree on the certain date of the Prophet’s birth and there is no precedent of the Prophet [SAW] himself celebrating birthdays or the early Muslims doing so during his lifetime or after his death and most people answer: It is an expression of our love for the Prophet [SAW].



To love the Prophet….what did it mean to the early Muslims, that blessed generation chosen by Allaah for the privilege of having their lives illuminated by the Prophet’s physical presence among them? How did they express their overwhelming love for Allaah’s Messenger [SAW]?



The poetess Elizabeth Barrett Browning expressed worldy love in this way:

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight



For the ends of being and ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.



I love thee freely, as men strive for right.

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.



I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints. I love with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.


What did the early Muslims say?

They said:

“Let my parents be sacrificed to you , yaa Rasoolallaah [SAW]”

Anas narrated that when it was the day of ‘Uhud, the people left the Messenger of Allah [SAW] while Abu Talhah was in front of the Messenger of Allah [SAW] shielding him with his leather shield.



Abu Talhah was a skillful archer who used to shoot violently. He broke two or three bows on that day. If a man carrying a quiver full of arrows passed by, the Prophet [SAW] would say (to him), put (scatter) its contents for Abu Talhah. The Prophet [SAW] would raise his head to look at the enemy, whereupon Abu Talhah would say, “Let me father and mother be sacrificed for you! Do not raise you head, lest an arrow of the enemy should hit you…. my neck rather than your neck.”

[Saheeh Bukhari]



They said:

“May our lives and the lives of our children be sacrificed to you, yaa Muhammad [SAW]”

Abu Sai’eed al Khudri said that during his final illness, the Prophet [SAW] sat on the pulpit one day and said: “Indeed a slave was given a choice by Allaah between having anything that he desired from the attractions of the world and having what was with Allaah, and he chose what was with Allaah.”



With his deep perception and sensitivity, Abu Bakr [RA], who was in the congregation, realized that the Prophet [SAW] was referring to himself. Deeply moved and crying he said: But we would give our own lives and the lives of our children for you, Yaa Muhammad! [SAW]



They said:

“Yaa Rasoolallaah SAW, press toward that which Allaah has shown you. We are with you. By Allaah we shall never say to you as the Jews said to Musa [AS]: “Go alone with your Lord and fight with Him for us, while we remain here and wait your return. Rather, we say, “Go forth, you and your Lord to fight, for we are fighting with you.”

And: “By Him who sent you as a prophet, if you lead us toward the sea, we shall enter into it with you and not one of us will stay behind.”



In the prelude to the Battle of Badr, we learn that the Prophet [SAW] set out to intercept a caravan of the Quraysh. He was accompanied by only 300 men mounted on 70 camels. They continued their march from Madinah until they reached a valley called Dhafiraan where they camped. It was there that the news reached them that the Quraysh had come out in full force to meet them -- the noblemen of Makkah had come out to protect their trade.



The Prophet [SAW] consulted the members of the expedition concerning the course of action that they ought to adopt. After Abu Bakr and ‘Umar expressed their opinions, al Miqdaad al ‘Amr stood up with a strong expression of support. A moment’s silence reigned after Miqdaad’s speech, which the leader of the Ansaar’s, Sa’ad ibn Mu’adh correctly interpreted as a sign that the Prophet [SAW] was waiting to hear their point of view.



He said: “Does it seem, yaa Rasoolallaah, that you are seeking to hear our view?” The Prophet [SAW] answered: “Indeed”. Sa’ad affirmed the Ansaar’s position: “We have believed in you , and we have witnessed that what you have brought to us is the truth. We have covenanted with you to hear and to obey.”



They said:

“Every fortune is negligible if you are safe”

In the Muslim’s reversal of fortune during the battle of ‘Uhud, a woman from Bani Deenar was among those waiting to hear news from the battlefront. One by one the returning soldiers informed her of the loss of her father, her brother and her husband in the battle. She, radiyallaaho anha, kept saying innaa lilllaahe wa inna il’ayhe raajeoon, while anxiously asking the returning soldiers about the wellbeing of the Prophet [SAW]. When he was pointed out to her and she saw for herself that he was safe, she gave thanks to Allaah swt and sobbed with relief, “Every fortune is negligible, now that you are safe.”



They said: “By Allaah! I certainly prefer that Muhammad [SAW] be where he is , safe from all harm.”

Some time after the battle of Uhud, a group of tribesmen came to the Prophet [SAW] and said: “There are some Muslims among us. Please send with us some of your companions to teach us the law of Islaam and to recite the Qur’aan.” Acceding to their request, the Prophet [SAW] sent six of his companions with them. When they were camping in a place called al-Raji’, their host betrayed them to the hostile Hudhayl tribe. The six Muslims arose to find that they were surrounded by enemies with drawn swords. They drew their swords too and prepared for battle. But the Hudhayl tribesmen said: It is not our intention to kill you but to sell you as captives to the people of Makkah. Lay down your swords and we solemnly promise that we shall not kill you.”



Knowing that a humiliating captivity in Makkah was far worse than life, the Muslims decided to fight. Four of them were killed and the other two made captives and taken to Makkah where they were sold. Zayd ibn Dathinah was purchased by Safwaan ibn Umayyah in order to avenge the death of his father Umayyah ibn Khalaf; Khubayb was publicly crucified.



When Zayd was being brutally tortured, Abu Sufyaan asked him: “Tell me, O Zayd, would you not prefer that Muhammad was here in your place to receive this last punishment while you were at home with your people?”



He replied: “No! By Allaah I certainly prefer that Muhammad be where he is , safe from all harm. That is more preferable to me than re-union with my people.”



They said:

What I would not give for your sake yaa Rasoolallaah [SAW]

When Abu Bakr [RA] heard the news of the Prophet’s demise, he entered Aishah’s [RA] quarters. He came up to where the Prophet was lying, uncovered his face and said: “What I would not give for your sake yaa Rasoolallaah! You have tasted the death which Allaah has decreed for you. Now you will never be afflicted with death after that.”



He went to the masjid, where the people were being addressed by ‘Umar [RA] and motioned that he wanted to speak to them. After praising Allaah, he said: “O people, whoever worshipped Muhammad [SAW] then know that he is dead. But whoever worshipped Allaah, then know that Allaah is alive and will never die.”



Then he recited:

Muhammad is but a messenger,

Messengers have passed away before him.

Will it be that if he dies or is slain

You will turn on your heels?

He who does that does not harm Allaah

And Allaah will reward the thankful.”

[3:144]



One of the glaring differences in the stature of those who preceded us in Islaam and us today, is the difference in our expression of our professed love for the Prophet [SAW]. They,[radiyaallaaho anhum ajmaeen] were ready to sacrifice the lives of their dear ones, their own selves for the love of Allaah and His Prophet.

We, on the other hand, have a hard time sacrificing even our base desires, our nafs for the pleasure of Allaah in the pursuit of the Prophet’s way.



Abu Huraira RA narrates: “Allah's Apostle said, “By Him in Whose Hands my life is, none of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father and his children.” [Saheeh Bukhari]



Anas RA reported: The Prophet [SAW] said, “Whoever possesses the following three qualities will have the sweetness (delight) of faith:

1. The one to whom Allah and His Apostle becomes dearer than anything else.

2. Who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah's sake.

3. Who hates to revert to Atheism (disbelief) as he hates to be thrown into the fire.

[Saheeh Bukhari]



How can we claim to have tasted the sweetness of faith when we hold our desires dear? How can we claim to have tasted the sweetness of faith when we fail to love Allaah with the all-encompassing, overwhelming love that is due to Him, making the love of His beloved Prophet an offshoot of that love?



Once a bedouin came to the Prophet [SAW ] and confessed that he did not exert himself in good deeds beyond that which was compulsory, but added that he loved Allaah and His Prophet. The Prophet [SAW] assured him: “You will be with those whom you love”. [Saheeh Bukhari]



These words inspire endless hope in my heart. While I will never measure up to those who were the personification of love, I dare to pray that I might be the recipient of Divine Mercy and one day be in the hallowed company of those whom I dearly love .



Allaahummaa urzuqnaa hubbaka, wa hubba rasooleka , wa hubba man yanfa'u hubbuhu [ Our Allaah! Grant us Your love and the love of your Prophet and the love of those whose love benefits].