Archive for October, 2011

Virtues of First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah (i.e. NOW)

The Virtues of the First 10 days of Dhul Hijjah

by Shaykh Sa`d ash-Shitree حفظه الله
Albaseerah News letter Issue # 2 of Vol. 1

From the most virtuous of days are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah (the 12th month in the lunar calendar, one of the sacred months and the month of Hajj). A group of those from the People of Knowledge say: “Verily they are the best days of the year just as the last ten nights of Ramadaan are the best nights of the year.” Some of the various types of righteous actions which are done in these first ten days are mentioned below:

REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAAH

The first of the righteous actions is the remembrance of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى said: {…and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues – Allaah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).} [al-Ahzaab 33:35]

It is affirmed in a number of texts the encouragement of mentioning the takbeer. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى said: {…and mention the Name of Allaah on appointed days (i.e. 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th day of Dhul-Hijjah)} [al-Hajj 22:28]

It has been affirmed from the Sahaabah (Companions) of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and from him صلى الله عليه وسلم , that they increased in the takbeer (saying “Allaahu Akbar—Allaah is the Greatest) in the first ten days of the month of Dhul Hijjah and they raised their voice with it, each one of them saying the takbeer on his own. They raised their voices until the mountains shook from their takbeer but they did not say the takbeer in unison (in Jamaa’ah). Each of them said the takbeer on his own.

VOLUNTARY ACTS OF WORSHIP

One should implement the voluntary acts of worship – whether prayer, fasting or charity. It is reported in hadeeth that the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم encouraged fasting the ten days and it is reported that he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Whoever fasts the Day of Arafah will have his sins expiated for two years (the past year and the coming year).” [Ibn Maajah]

DO NOT CUT HAIR OR NAILS FOR THE ONE DOING THE SACRIFICE

From what is considered as righteous actions on these ten days is that the one who wants to do the Udhiyyah (sacrificial slaughter) should not cut his hair or nails during these ten days. As such it is desired that he commits himself before these ten days by cutting his hair and nails. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “When any one of you intending to sacrifice the animal enters in the month (of Dhul-Hijjah) he should not get his hair or nails touched (cut)”. [Muslim]

SUPPLICATE FOR THE HUJJAAJ

One should make du`aa (supplication) for the hujjaaj (pilgrims who have embarked upon the Hajj) that Allaah سبحانه وتعالى keeps them safe from all evil and that He returns them to their countries. This is because the hujjaaj are the guests of Ar-Rahmaan so they have a right upon us that we supplicate for them for ease in their affairs and their safe return.

UDHIYYAH – SACRIFICIAL SLAUGHTER

One should prepare to do the Udhiyyah (sacrificial slaughtering of an animal) and arranging distribution of the meat amongst family, friends, the needy etc. This is from the pious and righteous deeds. Abu Haneefah رحمه الله was of the opinion that it was from the obligatory acts but most of others say that it is desirable. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said “Who does not slaughter should not come to the salaah”. [Ibn Maajah]

ATTEND THE `EED SALAAH

From amongst the righteous actions is attending the salaatul `Eed, greeting one another, and leaving off fasting on the day of `Eed and on the days of Tashreeq (i.e. the 11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul Hijjah).

Based on a lectured by Shaykh Sa`d ash-Shitree (may Allaah preserve him).

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Making Him Love You

Making Him Love You.

by Rebecca Salman

I was sitting with a student of mine when she made a statement that blew me away in an Eman Rush. I’ll try to put it in her words as best as I can.

I have a cousin who has two children, a girl and a younger boy. And I told her that I felt she favored her son over her daughter. She said, “It’s not like that. I buy them things in equal amounts, I feed them equally, I give them the same amount of my time. But let me tell you a story. I was in the kitchen while the kids were watching TV with their dad. I burned myself, and I cried ‘Ouch!’ My husband and daughter didn’t bat an eyelash, as this is a normal occurrence in our home, but my son came running into the kitchen, asking if I was okay, demanding to see where I was hurt and telling me to be more careful.

I try to love them equally, but HE loves ME more, and so I I can’t help but love HIM more.”

My student looked at me and said words that I will never forget, Inshallah. She said, “Ma’am, I feel like that’s how we’re supposed to be with Allah (SWT), we should love Him so much that He loves us more because of our love.”

To love Him, we must know Him, remember Him, appreciate Him, speak (pray) to Him and obey Him.

Honestly, I think most of us don’t even know Him yet. Maybe that’s why we falter when it comes to the other parts.

May Allah SWT grant us the tawfeeq to be among His Favored Ones. Ameen, thumma Ameen.

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The Easiest Way to Memorize the Noble Qur’an

The Easiest Way to Memorize the Noble Qur’an

by AbdurRahman.org

The Easiest Way to Memorize the Noble Qur’ansalafyink.com
By: Shaikh ‘Abdul Muhsin Bin Muhammad Al Qaasim an Imaam and Khateeb in
the Masjid of Prophet (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam).

The Easiest Way to Memorize the Noble Quran“Similarly, utilize this method for every page of the Qur’an, however do not exceed eight verses in a day (or one page) so that the portion memorized will not increasewhich may result in a weakening of the memorization of said portion…”

The Methodology & Supplication for Memorizing the Qur’an
By: Shaikh Muhammad Bin Saalih Al ‘Uthaimeen (may Allah have mercy upon him)”the way in which an individual will memorize the Qur’an is by being consistent (upon memorizing it).

People (generally) have two ways of going about memorizing (the Qur’an).

The First: is to memorize verse by verse, or two or three verses at a time, depending on the length of the verses.
The Second: is to memorize page by page

… Furthermore, it is incumbent whether, (one memorizes) by the first or second method, that they do not proceed (to the next verse or page) until they have excellently memorized (that verse or page that they are currently on)…”

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Quran for Busy People

Three Secrets to Learning Qur’anic Arabic!

CLICK AND SHARE!!

http://www.time-for-quran.com/

ITS FAST AND IT’S FREE — YOU DON’T BELIEVE ME? …Try it out!

Won’t cost you money, but will cost you some real effort and time ;-)

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Leaving That Which Does Not Concern You

As-Salamu Alaykum (peace be upon you),

Leaving That Which Does Not Concern You

by Nathim Sultan

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated:

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said, what translated means, ‘A sign of one’s excellence in his Islam, is ignoring what does not concern him.’ [Related by Ahmad, Malik & At-Tirmidhi]

The Status of this Hadith

Ibn Rajab said,

‘This Hadith is a basic and an important source of good behavior in Islam.’

Mohammad ibn Zayd, a great scholar of the Maliki Madthab, said,

‘Four Hadiths comprise a perfect code of conduct. One of them is, ‘Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger should say that which is useful or keep silent.‘ Another Hadith is when the Prophet said to the man who sought his advice, ‘Avoid getting angry.’ A third is the Hadith, The believer loves for his (believing) brother what he loves for himself.’ The fourth is the above Hadith.’

A Sign of Excellence in Islam

A sign of one’s excellence in the religion is his ignoring what does not concern him, including all things said or done. The Muslim should only participate in what concerns him, such as anything that is his property, right, obligation or under his control. To be concerned with something entails preserving and taking care of this thing that one is allowed to be concerned with.

As for the matters that do not concern one, they are in abundance. Usually, when a person tries to interfere in such matters that do not concern him, the tool frequently used for this is the tongue. Muslims are ordered to utter only good words, for Allah said, what translated means,

‘Not a word he (man) utters, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).’ [Noble Quran 50:18]

Many people ignore the fact that in Islam, words are considered actions. Such people care not to preserve their tongues from uttering evil or nonsense. Mu’adth ibn Jabal did not know the importance of discretion in the words one utters, so he asked the Prophet,

‘Are we going to be held responsible for what we say’ The Prophet answered, ‘May your mother lose you! What else will lead people to be dragged in the Fire on their faces, but the result of what they utter with their tongues.’ [Irwa’ al-Ghalil]

An-Nawawi said in his book, ‘Riyadh as-Salihin’,

‘Know that everyone should only talk about what might lead to benefit. When talking and being silent are equal in benefit, then the Sunnah is to be silent. This is because to be talkative will usually lead to uttering evil, even if it starts with seemingly harmless words. One should always be on the safe side, a state that is indeed desired.’

When a person utters only good words, he gains respect in his community. Likewise, if he is talkative and nosy, disrespect and a bad reputation are the result.

This Hadith indicates that ignoring what does not concern one, is a sign of his excellence in the religion. Being successful in working the righteous deeds and gaining an increase in the number of good deeds are all results of this better behavior. The number of sins will also decrease if one protects his tongue from uttering evil. Abu Hurairah said,

‘If you improve your Islam, then every good deed you work will increase (and will be multiplied) by ten folds to seven hundred times in reward. On the other hand, each sin is recorded according to its weight, until one meets Allah, the Exalted One.’ [Muslim]

Ignoring What Does Not Concern You

The only way to know right from wrong is through the Islamic Shari’ah (Law). What one wishes and desires do not count in this regard. The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) has considered the one who ignores what does not concern him to be an excellent Muslim. Therefore, Islam alone must be consulted to define what does or does not concern a Muslim. Because many Muslims do not depend on the Shari’ah to define what they can or cannot participate in, they sometimes abandon their obligations or what they are supposed to do or say, thinking that this is not of their concern. They sometimes defy the rules of the religion by not advising their Muslim brothers, thinking that this also is not of their concern. Or, they indulge in what does not concern them, thinking that this is their concern. To get out of this confusion, one should always consult the Shari’ah to know what he is supposed to do or say.

Benefits from the Hadith

1. This Hadith encourages Muslims to use the time in a manner that brings about their benefit in this life and in the Hereafter

2. Muslims should always be concerned with what is beneficial and constructive, and should avoid what does not bring about benefit and what does not preserve the honor

3. This Hadith also encourages Muslims to strive hard to discipline their behavior, and to reject and abandon sins, dishonor and what brings about disrespect

4. This Hadith also ordains avoiding interfering with other people’s affairs, for unwarranted interference with other people’s business causes divisions and hatred among Muslims

Khadejah Jones
Share Islam Team
ShareIslam.com

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The Best way to memorize Quran (Page by Page, yo)

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Knowledge…(Quote by Mu’aadh ibn Jabal)

“…Knowledge is the discerning proof of what is right and what is wrong, and it is the positive force that will help you surmount the trials of comfort, as well as those of hardships. Knowledge is your most powerful sword against your enemy, and finally, it is your most dignifying raiment in the company of your close companions.”
— Mu’aadh ibn Jabal, radi’ Allaahu ‘anhu

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Make the Most of Life by Muhammad Mukhtar Ash-Shinqitee

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