Few Sunnahs of Social Life

1. To greet with salaam is one of the great Sunnahs for a Muslim. Rasulullah Sallalahu Alayhe wasallam has laid a lot of emphasis on this. It increases love amongst people. Salaam should be made to every Muslim whether one knows him or not (Bukhari). Salaam is an Islamic right and to know the person is not a requirement.

2. It has been mentioned in the ahadith of Bukhari and Muslim that once Rasulullah Sallalahu Alayhe wasallam passed by a group of children and he (Sallalahu Alayhe wasallam) made salaam to them, hence we deduce that it is Sunnah to make salaam to children as well. (Muslim)

 3. The Sunnah method of making salaam is that one should say verbally. To make salaam with the wave of the hand, the nod of the head or the indication of the finger or to answer to the salaam in this manner is against the Sunnah. If salaam is being made from far then one should make salaam verbally as well as with the hand. (Mishkaat)

 4. When meeting a fellow Muslim, then it is Sunnah to shake hands with him after Salaam. (Mishkaat)

5. When joining any gathering, one should sit wherever a place is found. To make others stand up and to sit in their place is Makruh (disliked) and a sin. (Bukhari, Muslim)

6. When a person comes to meet you move a little even though there is ample place. This is also Sunnah and through it, the one arriving will feel honoured. (Zaadut‐taalibeen)

 7. If there are three persons together, it is not permissible for two persons from amongst them to engage in any conversation separately without the third person being able to hear. The third person may become suspicious and feel hurt. To hurt the feelings of any Muslim is a great sin. (Muslim)

8. When going to somebody’s house one should take permission before entering. (Mishkaat)

9. When yawning, it is Sunnah to prevent it as far as possible. (Bukhari). If the mouth cannot be kept closed despite making an effort to do so, then place the back of the left hand over the mouth.

First Dua Ever Made by a Human

The story of Adam (alayissalam) is of course well known to all of us. After Allah (swt) created Adam and told the Angels and Jinn to bow to him, Iblis refused.

Fast forward to the expulsion of Adam, Hawaa, and Iblis from Jannah after they ate from the tree, we learn about the first Dua ever made by a human. It is indeed the first human Dua ever recorded.

First and foremost, the fact that Adam (alayissalam) immediately responded and made Dua to Allah (swt) and asked for forgiveness, demonstrates why Adam (alayhissalam) is superior to Iblis. Adam (alayhissalam) acknowledged his mistake and made Dua to Allah (swt) for forgiveness, while Iblis was too arrogant to do the same. Rather, Iblis accused Allah (swt) of misguiding him.

Iblis said: “Because you have put me in error, I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path.” [7:16]

Worshipping Allah (swt) while being penitent and repentant is a sign of being a good Muslim. And turning away from Allah (swt) and refusing to worship or make Dua is a sign of arrogance. That is why simply making Dua is a sign of imaan.

Secondly, we see in the story of Adam (alayhissalam), is that Adam asked for a religious, spiritual need. He begged for forgiveness acknowledging that if Allah (swt) did not have mercy upon him, there would be no hope for him. In contrast, the Dua Iblis eventually made was for a long life that lasted until the Day of Judgement. He didn’t care for what came after. 

The key emphasis on the Dua of the believer is religion and spirituality; it is connecting with Allah (swt); it is Allah’s mercy, forgiveness and blessings. Whereas the primary Dua of those who do not have that connection is of this world alone.

Those who focus on the Dunya alone without focusing on the Akhira at all will not get any share in the afterlife.

Thirdly, both Adam (alayhissalam) and Iblis reached out to Allah (swt), and Allah (swt) in the end actually gave them both what they wanted. And this is from the Generosity and Nobility of Allah (swt). Allah (swt) answers the Dua even of Iblis, even of those who are arrogant. Out of Allah’s infinite Generosity, Allah (swt) answered the desperate call of the most despicable and hated creature.  So how can anybody despair in calling out to Allah when prayer of Iblis was answered?

Fourthly, we learn from the Dua of Adam (alayhissalam) the etiquettes of Dua. The first etiquette of Dua is to use the Names of Allah, to ascribe Perfection to Allah and to ascribe imperfection and deficiency and sins to oneself.

The essence of Dua is humility to come to Allah in a state of humbleness recognizing you need Allah and that is the essence of Imaan. And the height of arrogance is to ask as if you don’t need. You need Allah (swt) for each and every issue and each and every prayer. So when our father Adam (alayhissalam) is asking, you can quite literally tell how desperate he is, how much he needs Allah (swt). If You don’t do this Oh Allah, if you don’t have Mercy then there is no hope for me.

Imagine that desperation. This pure sincerity is begging from the depths of your heart. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “Allah does not answer the Dua that comes from a heedless heart.” A heedless heart is simply opening up the book of Dua and reading as a simple ritual without concentration. Allah does not care about the air you expel from your lungs, Allah cares about your actual sincerity and your intention from the heart.

Don't Lower Your Standards, Raise Your Dua

10 Ahadith about Friday

Friday has many unique features and virtues that Allah swt has bestowed upon this day and not others. 

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah and Hudhayfah (may Allah swt be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah swt (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: “Allah swt led those who came before us away from Friday. The Jews had Saturday, and the Christians had Sunday. Then Allah swt brought us and Allah swt guided us to Friday. So there is Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and thus they will follow us on the Day of Resurrection. We are the last of the people of this world but we will be the first on the Day of Resurrection, and we will be dealt with before all others.” (Muslim)

1. Abu Hurairah (may Allah swt be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created; on it he was made to enter Paradise; on it he was expelled from it; and the [last] hour (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) will take place on no day other than Friday.” (Muslim).

2. Abu Hurairah (may Allah swt be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“The five [daily prescribed] Prayers, and Friday [prayer] to the [next] Friday [prayer], and Ramadan to the next Ramadan, is expiation of the sins committed in between them, so long as major sins are avoided.” (Muslim).

3. Abu Hurairah (may Allah swt be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said while talking about Friday,

“There is a time on it (i.e. Friday) at which Allah grants the request of any Muslim servant who, at this time, happens to be asking Allah for something while standing in Prayer” And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) pointed with his hand to indicate that this period of time is very short. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

4. Abu Sa`id A-Khudri (may Allah swt be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Whoever reads Surat Al-Kahf on the night of Friday, will have a light that will stretch between him and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka`bah).” (Al-Daarimi).

5. Aws ibn Aws (may Allah swt be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Among the best of your days is Friday. So, pray to Allah frequently on it to bless me, for such supplications of you will be presented to me.” (Abu Dawud).

6. Salman (may Allah swt be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“If a man takes bath on Friday, cleans himself as much as he can, oils his hair, applies perfume available in his house, sets forth for the mosque, does not separate two people (to make a seat for himself), performs as many Prayers as written [by Allah] for him, remains silent when the Imam speaks, his sins between that Friday and the following Friday will be forgiven.” (Al-Bukhari).

7. Ibn `Umar and Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with them) reported:

We heard the Messenger of Allah saying (while delivering Khutbah on his wooden pulpit), “Either some people stop neglecting the Friday prayers, or Allah will seal their hearts and they will be among the heedless.” (Muslim).

8. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If you say to your companion: Listen attentively on a Friday when the Imam is delivering the Khutbah, then you have engaged in idle talk.” (Muslim).

9. It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: “The best prayer before Allah swt is Fajr prayer on Friday in congregation.”(Narrated by al-Bayhaqi in Shu’ab al-Eemaan).

10. It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Amr said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There is no Muslim who dies during the day of Friday or the night of Friday but Allah swt will protect him from the trial of the grave.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

Itikaaf: Virtues, Purpose and Benefits

We praise Allah and send blessings and salutations upon His Noble Messenger Sallalahu Alayhe wasallam , his companions and those who follow him.

It used to be the general practice of the Messenger of Allah Sallalahu Alayhe wasallam to perform Itikaaf in the Holy month of Ramadhan. At times he Sallalahu Alayhe wasallam  used to remain in the masjid for the whole month and in his final year, he Sallalahu Alayhe wasallam was in Itikaaf for twenty days. Because He  Sallalahu Alayhe wasallamusually secluded himself in the masjid for the last ten days of Ramadhan, the scholars consider it ‘sunnah muakkadah’ to perform Itikaaf for that period.

Ibn Abbas Radhiallahu Anhu relates that the Messenger of Allah Sallalahu Alayhe wasallam said, "The person performing Itikaaf remains free from sins and he is indeed given the same reward as those who do good deeds (in spite of not having done these deeds). (Ibn Majah).

This hadith mentions two great benefits of Itikaaf. The first is that the person performing Itikaaf avoids sins. The world around us is full of temptations and more often than not one falls into them. To commit sins in this blessed month is indeed a great injustice to ourselves. Through remaining secluded in the masjid, one completely avoids the temptation of doing a sin.

Another benefit is that when one is secluded in the masjid, one is apparently at a disadvantage by not being able to perform certain good deeds like joining in funeral prayers, attending burials, visiting the sick, etc. But according to this hadith, one is rewarded for even those deeds which he could not perform as a result of his Itikaaf. May Allah make it possible for us to fully benefit from Itikaaf.

Purpose:

Mankind has been created to worship Allah. Islam has designated many forms of worship for the fulfilment of this aim. Itikaaf enjoys kind of superiority over other methods of worship because it encompasses many other forms of worship within itself.

Benefits Of Itikaaf

Itikaaf makes it easy to perform salat with full devotion because the mutakif breaks all ties with the outside world and is in a state of tranquillity, where he is free from everything that diverts him from Allah’s remembrance. This leaves him to focus his mind solely towards Allah’s obedience and happiness.

More voluntary prayers will be performed by a mutakif because his aim is to worship Allah swt and to build up a close tie with Him and the best way of achieving this is by performing salat.

Another benefit of Itikaaf is that the mutakif can perform his prayer in the first row. It is very easy for him to derive the full benefit of offering prayer in this row. 

Abu Hurairah Radhiallahu Anhu narrates that the Messenger of Allah Sallalahu Alayhe wasallam said, "Had the people known the reward of azaan and the first row, they would most certainly draw lots (to decide who should give the azaan and stand in the first row). (Bukhari).

The mutakif gains the reward of waiting for salat. 

The Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe wasallam said, "You will be regarded as performing salat while you are waiting for salat and the angels supplicate saying, ‘O Allah forgive him and have mercy on him as long as he does not leave his prayer place or break wind." (Bukhari).

One benefit of Itikaaf is that it makes a person accustomed to staying in the masjid for a long period and creates an attachment between him and the masajid. 

The Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe wasallam said, "From amongst the seven whom Allah will give shade to on the day when there will be no shade except His shade, will be that person whose heart was attached to the masjid." (Bukhari)

It becomes easy to perform the Tahajjud prayer. Normally, this is very difficult for a person because Satan tries hard to stop a person from offering this prayer and deprive him of its great reward.

Under His Shade

Love for the sake of Allah is one of the most beautiful and strongest bonds of faith, and probably one of the most essential fundamentals on which Muslim community is based. It is the central point by means of which bonds of friendship and harmony among people are attained, so that they love one another, visit one another and are sincere towards one another. Through it people find the sweetness of faith in their interactions, companionship and friendship.

When people love each other for the sake of Allah swt then He swt gives them the sweetness of iman as mentioned in the ahadith books of both Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim (Rahimahumulla), narrated by Sayyiduna Anas Radhiallahu Anhu that the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wasallam said ,

" whoever  possesses the following three qualities will have the sweetness (delight) of faith: The one to whom Allah and his Apostle becomes dearer than anything else ,who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah's sake and who hates to revert to atheism(disbelief) after Allah has saved him from it, as he hates to be thrown into the fire ."

Please understand this .Love each other for the sake of Allah swt. Do not hate each other. The Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wasallam said that Allah swt will say on the Day of Judgement,

" Where are those people who used to love for my Sake .Today, I will share them in my shelter, when there is no shade except My Shade.”(Sahih Muslim).

Where are those people? Stand up! Those who used to love each other for my Sake. Then a group of people will stand up .Then Allah swt will say ," O You, today I am going to give you the shade of my Throne when there is no shade but My Shade. Go in my Shade. "

For You and For Me

Imam Ghazali Rahmatullahi Alayhe wrote a beautiful story. It is more of an analogy rather than a story.

 He said that there was a person once in the forest and all of sudden he heard the roar of a lion coming from a certain direction .As he looked in that direction he found a lion was approaching him. Scared and frightened he looked around to see if there was any tree high enough to be climbed to avoid any harm. Unfortunately there was none .As the heart beat continued to roar he found a well close by. And for a moment a thought of jumping into the well crossed his mind with the intention of coming out when the lion will be gone.

As the roaring lion ran towards him and the man ran as fast as he could to escape from it and jumped inside the well hoping to escape from the lion. As he was falling inside the well, he grabbed onto the grass (roots) on the wall of well and saved himself. The man was so relieved but when he looked down he saw a big snake at the bottom of the well. It had its jaws wide open ready to swallow him up.

The man then looked up and saw two rats biting the grass (roots). A black rat and a white rat were both chewing into the grass (roots). The scary lion was still prowling outside the well.

The man's heart was pounding as he wondered how he could escape from this. Then he noticed a honeycomb in front of him which had delicious honey dripping from it. He stuck his finger into the honey and put it inside his mouth. It was delicious and for a moment he forgot about the lion, the snake and the two rats chewing at the grass.

Imam Ghazali Rahmatullahi Alayhe explained that the lion is like the angel of death which is always looming above us. The snake with its jaws open is like a grave which all humans will face. The black rat and white rat are like the day and night which are always nibbling at our life (the grass in this case). The honey is like this dunya which with its momentary sweetness makes us forget the death and the eternal life.

Sigh! Sadly we are so distracted, occupied and absorbed by this dunya and its temporary glitter that we lost sight of our purpose i.e. worshipping Allah swt, our main goal – the pleasure of Allah swt and afterwards Jannah.

“But you prefer the life of this world, while the hereafter is better and that which remains” (Al-Quran.

Indeed, the Akhirah (hereafter) is better for us; we need to use our time in this dunya to work for it.

We all still have this chance for extraordinary positions of Jannah – to meet the beloved Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him), to meet the blessed companions (May Allah swt be pleased with them all), and most of all to see Allah swt The Most High!

May Allah swt bless you all with the best of both worlds .Ameen.

The Importance of Friday In Islam

One of the blessings with which the Muslim Ummah has been gifted is the day of Jumu'ah, or Friday. The Messenger of Allah,Sallalahu Alayhe Wasallam, said:“The best day the sun rises over is Friday; on it Allah created Adam. On it, he was made to enter paradise, on it he was expelled from it, and the Last Hour will take place on no other day than Friday.”[Ahmad and At-Tirmizi].

The Day of Jummah is full of rewards and virtues as mentioned by our beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu Alayhe Wasallam that Any Muslim who dies during the day or night of Friday will be protected by Allah from the trial of the grave. [At-Tirmizi and Ahmad]. Giving in charity during this day is more virtuous than any other day. Ka'b, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger, Sallalahu Alayhe Wasallam, said: "Charity given during the day of Jumu'ah is greater (in reward) than any other day." Hell is fired-up during every day of the week except Friday, as a mark of honor and respect for the day of Friday.

There are some easy deeds which if performed on the day of Friday will bring rich rewards. Whenever it is Friday please don't miss the opportunity to perform following special deeds.

- Clipping of nails and cutting of moustaches

- Ghusl (Bath)

- Oil to hair and beard

- Kohl

- Itr (Perfume)

- 2 Rakah of Salah for Tawbah and Istiqamah

- Tahiyyah al-Wudhu, Ghusl and Masjid

- Khutbah al-Jumuah

- Jumuah Salah

- Adhkar al-Jumuah

- Surah al-Kahf (18th Surah)

- Lots of Salawat and Duas especially  in Sa'ah al-Hasan (Time between Asr and Maghrib, when Duas are accepted.

- Duas for Ummah.

                                                                                                                                          

May Allah bless our Ummah with Hidayah, Istiqamah, Taqwah, Itihad and Khilafah...

Today being Friday let's try to earn reward for one year’s fast and one year’s Tahajjud Salaah

Sayyiduna Aws Ibn Aws (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah Sallalahu Alayhe Wasallam said:

Whoever (does the following on a Friday):

1.Takes a thorough bath.

2.Goes very early to the Masjid.

3.Goes walking, not riding.

4.Sits close to the imam (not against the back wall).

5.Listens attentively to the khutbah (sermon).

6.Does not engage in futile activity (like, talking to someone or fidgeting with his hair, clothes or cellphone etc)

Will receive for every step:

The reward for one year’s fast and one year’s Tahajjud Salaah.

(Sunan Abi Dawud & Tirmidhi, classified as Sahih by Imams: Ibn Khuzaimah, Ibn Hibban and Hakim)

There’s Nothing Better.

One cannot imagine the amount of reward achievable for this weekly deed. 👌🏼

No wonder according to some experts, there is no other Sahih (authentic) Hadith with greater virtue than this one!

Love for Allah SWT and His Beloved Messenger Sallalahu Alayhe Wasallam .

Love is the essence of worship. A servant’s love for Allah swt and His Messenger Sallalahu Alayhe Wasallam means following them and submitting to their command. As beautifully said by Al-Baydaawi: “Love is the will to obey.” Man’s love for Allah swt  and His Messenger sallalahu alayhe wasallam is to obey them and to accept what Allah swt  has commanded and the Messenger of Allah sallalahu alayhe wasallam  has brought.

Say, [O Muhammad], "If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and jihad in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people." (9:24).

O you who have believed, whoever of you should revert from his religion - Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him. (5:54).

But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah. (2:165).

It is related from Anas Bin Malik Radhiallahu Anhu that the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhe Wasallam) said, “Whoever possess the three attributes will experience the sweetness of belief: that he loves Allah Swt and his Messenger Sallalahu Alayhe Wasallam more than anything else: that he love someone for the sake of Allah swt alone; and that he would hate to revert to disbelief as much as he would hate to be thrown into the fire.” (Bukhari,Muslim).

From Anas Bin Malik Radhiallahu Anhu, who said, “The Messenger of Allah Swt (Sallalahu Alayhe Wasallam) said, ‘None of you will believe until he loves me more than his parents, children and all the people ‘”. (Bukhari).

It is related from Anas Bin Malik Radhiallahu Anhu that the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhe Wasallam) said, “None of you will believe until he loves me more than his family, his property and all the people ”.(Muslim).

A man asked the Prophet (ﷺ) about the Hour (i.e. Day of Judgment) saying, "When will the Hour be?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "What have you prepared for it?" The man said, "Nothing, except that I love Allah and His Apostle." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "You will be with those whom you love." We had never been so glad as we were on hearing that saying of the Prophet (i.e., "You will be with those whom you love.") Therefore, I love the Prophet, Abu Bakr and `Umar, and I hope that I will be with them because of my love for them though my deeds are not similar to theirs. (Bukhari).

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah the Exalted has said: 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of mine. And the most beloved thing with which My slave comes nearer to Me is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (prayer or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him. When I love him I become his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks (something) from Me, I give him, and if he asks My Protection (refuge), I protect him"(Bukhari).