The Language Of The Friday Khutbah

Today, in our local mosque I think a young man led the Jumu’ah prayer the first time and it was a debut for me, too. Because I always heard about Jumu’ah Khutbahs in other languages than Arabic, but I never witnessed it live so to speak – until some hours ago. I don’t think my Jumu’ah Salah is now invalid, since it isn’t even invalid if you completely miss the Khutbahs. Never the less I want to clear this point: Jumu’ah Khutbahs have to be in Arabic language – if the crowd understands Arabic or not doesn’t matter. He did it exactly in the fashion explained below by Hadhrat Mufti Taqi Usmani (db) in his booklet “The Language of The Friday Khutbah”:

Filed under: 2. Fiqh, 3. Ibaadah, Books, Sunnah & Hadith

Preparation For Eid-ul-Adha

Eid-ul-Adha is just a few days away and to make this day of joy a complete success, we should learn about this days’ Sunnahs and how the Eid Salah has to be performed.

Sunnahs of Eid-ul-Adha
The following ten Sunnahs count for both Eids of the year:

1. To adorn oneself according to the Shariah.
2. To have a bath.
3. To use miswaak.
4. To wear the best of clothing which one possesses.
5. To apply perfume.
6. To wake up very early in the morning.
7. To go early to the eid-gaah.
8. To offer the Eid salaat in the eid-gaah. That is, one should not offer Eid salaat in the musjid without any valid reason.
9. To return from the eid-gaah taking a route that is different from the one that he had taken when going towards the eid-gaah.
10. To go to the eid-gaah on foot.

But still there are some differences: Before going to the eid-gaah it is preferable to eat something on Eid ul-Fitr. But this is not the case in Eid ul-Ad’haa. On Eid ul-Fitr, it is sunnah to say the takbeers softly while going towards the eid-gaah. But on Eid ul-Ad’haa the takbeers should be said in a loud voice. It is preferable to offer the salaat of Eid ul-Fitr a little late. But for Eid ul-Ad’haa it should be offered early. For Eid ul-Ad’haa there is no sadaqatul fitr. Instead, there is the sacrificing of animals for those who can afford it.

Filed under: 2. Fiqh, 3. Ibaadah, Seasonal, Sunnah & Hadith

Light Of The Heavens & The Earth

“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His light is, as it were, that of a niche containing a lamp; the lamp is [enclosed] in glass, the glass [shining] like a radiant star: [a lamp] lit from a blessed tree – an olive-tree that is neither of the east nor of the west the oil whereof [is so bright that it] would well-nigh give light [of itself] even though fire had not touched it: light upon light! Allah guides unto His light him that wills [to be guided]; and [to this end] Allah propounds parables unto men, since Allah [alone] has full knowledge of all things.” (24:35)

Subhan’Allah. No doubt, Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) speaks nothing but the truth. Sometimes we should take the time to ponder over Allah Ta’ala’s great attributes. This reminds me of the following story, that gets told by many people:

Filed under: 1. 'Aqaid

Making Pakistan Safe for Rapists

In November 2006, Pakistan’s military ruler steamrolled the Protection of Women Bill 2006 into law claiming to end injustices against women. It was promptly rubber stamped by the National Assembly. In reality, this bill makes it much more difficult to punish crimes against women and provides all kinds of protection to rapists and fornicators. In this blatant attempt to make Pakistan safe for rapists, one can see the true face of “Enlightened Islam” that General Musharraf has been tasked to introduce in Pakistan.

The account is important not just for the people of Pakistan; Muslim women everywhere can expect similar treatment from their “moderate” rulers.

This article on AlBalagh.net is based on an article in Urdu and an interview by Hadhrat Mufti Justic Muhammad Taqi Usmani (damate barakatuhu).

Filed under: 2. Fiqh

From Riyaa To Ibaadat

This is a wisdom (hikma) my father always tells. He says, our elders give the advice not to stop someone from his acts of goodness, even if you know he is doing it for showing (riyaa). Here is the complete wisdom behind it explained by Hadhrat Hajji Imdaadullah Muhaajir-e-Makki (r.a.):

“Even if you are doing an act (of goodness) for the sake of riyaa (show), don’t abandon it. While initially it will be riyaa, later (by constancy) it will be transformed into aadat (habit). Ultimately, the aadat will become ibaadat.”

[The Mashaikh Of Chisht by Shaikhul Hadith Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhalwi (r.a.)]

Filed under: 3. Ibaadah, Malfoozat

First Ten Days Of Dhul Hijjah

Verily, the praise belongs to Allah Most High, and may the blessings of Allah and Peace be upon His Messenger Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), and his family and companions, all of them.

Ibn Abbas (radhiAllaahu ‘anhumaa) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “There are not any days in which righteousdeeds done in them are more beloved to Allah than these days, i.e. the ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah).” They said, “O, Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the path of Allah?” He said, “Not even Jihad in the path of Allah Most High, except if a man goes out (for Jihad) with his self and his wealth, then he doesn’t return with anything from that.” [Bukhari]

Filed under: 3. Ibaadah, Audio, Seasonal

Kaaba: Brief History

The Kaaba with respect to the inhabited parts of the world is like the centre of a circle with respect to the circle itself. All regions face the Kaaba, surrounding it as a circle surrounds its centre; and each region faces a particular part of the Kaaba. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) adopted the Kaaba as a physical focus in prayer as well for other acts of worship such as burial of the dead, recitation of the Qur’an, announcing the call of prayer, the ritual slaughter of animals, etc. Thus, Muslims have been spiritually and physically oriented towards the Kaaba and the holy city of Makkah in their daily lives.

“And now verily We shall make you turn (in prayer) toward a Qibla which is dear to you. So turn your face toward the Inviolable Place of Worship (the Kaaba of Makkah).” (2:144)

Filed under: 6. History & Biographies

Du’a By Mufti Husain (db)

I know it’s already the third post today and there’s already enough to read for today, but this is just something I had to listen to a couple of times today. Mufti Husain (db) from the Darul Uloom Al Madania starts the Du’a in Arabic and then continues in Urdu after some minutes.

The reason I’m posting this is that it reminds me of something that Maulana Tariq Jamil Sahab (db) once said. He said, that Du’as are not supposed to be recited but rather begged from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. I think we all – first of all me of course – can learn a little what and how to beg from Allah Ta’ala from this Du’a by Mufti Husain Sahab (db).

Filed under: Audio, Zikr & Du'a