Document
Transcription
Document
Kitchen Showroom Advert.pdf C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 1 19/02/2014 14:28 Islam teaches us to utilise our time, our money and our knowledge for the sake of Allah. As Muslims we should not stay idle. We can do things to help improve our conditions, The intentions should be for the sake of Allah. We should endeavour to read the Holy Qur’an and its translation daily, read hadith, seek knowledge and simply implementing what we have learnt in our daily lives. Islamic scholars would travel the lengths of the world to gather hadith and learn knowledge, we should also spend our time reading Islamic books, attend bayaan programmes and taleem; as this will help us increase in knowledge. Choose good company – Prophet Muhammad said: “The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk, and the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows. So as for the seller of musk, either he will grant you some, or you buy some from him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows then either he will burn your clothes or you will get an offensive smell from him.” It is encouraged by the Prophet to accompany those who do good, who have noble manners, piety, knowledge and good culture (the muskseller) and he forbade us to sit with those who do evil, commit a lot of sins and other bad deeds, as well as those who innovate, backbite, and so forth. Give charity, help the needy and make dua, seeking Allah’s help – The importance of asking Allah for guidance and help is tantamount to the success of the believers, in this life and in the hereafter. We are powerless and Allah is the Powerful, He knows what we know not, and He plans for things that we know not. Without His mercy, we have nothing; thus only from Allah do we seek guidance. INSIDE THIS ISSUE... Message For The Youth 02 - 03 Rules Concerning a New Born Baby 04 The Wood Cutter 05 Practical Tips To Wake Up For Fajr 06 The Majlis Of Mufti Moosa Badat (D.B.) 07 Seeing the Prophet in A Dream 09 Poem 10 Kids Zone 11-12 In Praise of the ‘Homemaker’ 13 Q&A 14 Urdu Page 15 - 16 Al-Islah contains sacred verses of the Holy Qur’an and the Ahaadith of the Prophet . Please ensure its sanctity. Check the Latest Mehre Faatimi & Zakaat Prices Online: www.rabetah.org Spend some time doing dhikr - remembering Allah . Mehre Faatimi £654.92 * Nisaab of Zakaat £260.43 * “O Allah, advance me in knowledge” (20:114). Aameen Subscribe to Al-Islah Al-Islah is distributed for free but can be subscribed for an annual fee of £10.00 (incl p&p for 6 issues) Send in your name & address with a cheque payable to ‘Rabetah’ to the address below. * Figures are correct on 16th April 2015, Please note the above amount changes daily... Please Pass On To Others after Reading SPONSORS Al-ISLAH MAGAZINE Al-Islah is published bi-monthly by Rabetah Al-Ulama Al-lslamiyyah Views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily of Rabetah Editor: Al-Islah Team Published & Distributed by: Rabetah Al-Ulama Al-lslamiyyah Correspondence is welcomed and should be addressed to the Al -Islah Team Al-Islah Publication, 13 Wayne Close, Batley, West Yorkshire, WF17 0EU Email: [email protected] Website: www.rabetah.org Kids Website: www.alislahkids.com Al-Islah-Publication Al_Islah Alislahproduction This magazine is available online for download at www. rabetah.org/all-islah-magazine Issue 59 www.rabetah.org May / June 2015 1 MESSAGE FOR THE YOUTH Allah through his infinite grace and mercy has granted us all the opportunity once again to organise and participate in this 22nd annual youth conference of the Islamic Dawah Academy. Issue 59 be placed under the shade of the throne of Allah . They will be granted Jannah without reckoning. May Allah grant us all acceptance and make this gathering a means of forgiveness, guidance, soul purification and a means of acquiring the everlasting salvation in the hereafter. The hadith recited as part of the khutba, gives 3 very important instructions: 1. Tie the bond of kinship with those relatives who break this tie, be good to relatives and to those relatives who do not behave correctly with you. The prophet has said in a hadith "The one who breaks the tie of kinship this person will not enter Jannah." that means even if he leaves this world with Imaan he will not enter into Jannah without first going into Jahannam. Today friends are more important than family and relatives, the friends circle keeps changing because we are selfish and we are looking for enjoyment and change friends to find this. True friends will remain together until they depart this world, but on the day of judgement friends will become enemies in front of Allah blaming each other for wrongs committed in the world, only those 2 friends will be beneficial who are friends based on Deen. Their friendship is dependent on the pleasure of Allah . These friends will www.rabetah.org Let us learn to love each other for the pleasure of Allah . 2. Forgive that person who wrongs you. To forgive a person who wrongs you is a very courageous action it is not easy. The Qur’an says the person who practices patience when a person abuses him, takes away his right, during such time to exercise patience and forgive such a person, this is an action that requires a lot of courage. The prophet has left Madinah to liberate Makkah Mukarramah, he meets two of his cousins who are staunch enemies and have left no stone unturned to cause harm to the prophet come and ask forgiveness from the prophet , the prophet turns his face away, the blessed wife of prophet says to the prophet will you turn these people away who are your cousins? Ali advices the cousins to go to the prophet and do what the brothers of Yusuf did. The person who abstains from sins and remains steadfast in the face of adversity May / June 2015 becomes Muhsin, a Wali of Allah , They said to Yusuf you have been chosen by Allah above us to guide us. whilst performing Tawaaf a person who had accepted Islam in hypocrisy, accepted Islam again after seeing the way prophet forgave the people. He came with the intention of assassinating the prophet and asked The cousins went to the prophet and said, Allah chose you above us and we have made an error of judgement, forgive us, the prophet smiled and forgave them. became cool and accepted Islam. Let us learn to forgive and forget. The prophet on returning to Makkah made an announcement that all who remain in their homes or enter the masjid will be forgiven. We should never violate the rights of the creator or the creation so we never need to apologise, but if we do violate these rights we need to ask for forgiveness and make sure that they are happy with us too. If anyone oppresses you forgive them The prophet said one who swallows his anger when he has the ability to punish the wrongdoer then Allah will call him in front of everyone on the day of judgement and will say to this person from all these hoors of Jannah take whichever you want. "One who forgives when he has the upper hand is most beloved to Allah ." One who wishes to elevate their status in the hereafter they should forgive the person who oppresses you. On returning to Makkah Mukarramah prophet sees all those who forced him to go into exile and caused him so much hardship and trouble, he says "what do you expect from me today" they replied you are a noble brother and the son of a noble brother, the prophet said may Allah forgive you, you are free all of you go, Issue 59 Fuzala what is in your heart? He replied Allah is in my heart, I am remembering Allah in my heart the prophet placed his hand on his heart and Fuzala’s heart 3. Be good to that person who does evil to you, not only forgive but be good. Shaykh Shibli was once persecuted by some people, he had to leave the town, he went out into the jungle and was tired, exhausted and was fatigued, he reclined on the trunk of a date palm, Allah gave the date palm the ability to speak. The date palm said, "Oh Shibli become like me," People hit me with stones yet I throw fruits at them, may Allah give us all the Tawfeeq. 3 Main Messages 1.Tie the kins of friendship, let us be good to our family. 2. Forgive those who oppress us. 3. Be good to those people who do bad to us. If we adopt these 3 lessons we will be successful in our grave and the hereafter but also in the Dunya we will find peace in our heart, these actions will soften the hearts of the people you associate with. May Allah enlighten our hearts with the knowledge of the Qur'an and Hadith. www.rabetah.org May / June 2015 3 Rules Concerning a New Born Part 3 By Aarif Billah, Hadhrat Moulana Abdur Rauf Sahib D.B. The wish of Allah surpasses all The Noble Qur'an clearly states that the heavens and the earth are under the influence of Allah . His ownership extends beyond the heavens and the earth. Allah states in the Noble Qur'an: ‘To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He grants females to whom He wills, and grants males to whom He wills. Or He combines for them couples, both males and females and makes whom He wills barren. Surely, He is All-Knowing, Very-Powerful.’ (Surah Shura: Aayah 49 & 50) Allah has the power and will to give as He pleases. He gives a daughter to whomsoever He wills and a son to whom He wills. To some, He may grant both; and if He chooses, He may not give any at all. His decision will be due to His limitless knowledge and foresight which we are unable to perceive. He is the Only One who knows what is best for each individual. As it is His will, we should remain happy whether we are granted a daughter, a son or even none at all. Nevertheless, if a couple has not been granted any offspring, it will still be right for them to seek permissible means of treatments, cures and solutions to their wish for offspring. Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat, Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi R.A has authored a Kitaab entitled ‘Aa’maal-e-Qur’aani’ and it contains verses of the Noble Qur'an intended to be used as a means of cure for many different ailments. Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat R.A would never have written such a book if such means of cure would have been impermissible in any way. Hence, any form of permissible Wazeefah, cure or treatment may be adopted; however, we must attribute the final outcome to Allah and be happy with whatever He decides for us. Surely, if it is good for us then Allah will grant us offspring; and if it is not ultimately good for us then only will He choose not to give. Coincidentally, Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat R.A. had two wives and yet he did not have any children at all. This was despite the fact that many people benefited from having children after practising upon the Wazeefah which he himself drew people’s attention to in his literary works. So, instead of being despondent and devastated upon not being able to conceive, we must always remain happy with whatever Allah decides for us. It is especially important that the elders in the family refrain from taunting the couple and passing snide remarks, or from concocting theories as to why the couple have not conceived a child yet despite having been married for a certain amount of time. After all, it is not really fair to punish them for what is beyond their power. Allah gives to whomsoever He wills and thus, the mother-in-law, father-in-law and grandmother-in-law etcetera should understand this. Children are a blessing from Allah ; whether He decides to give or not give, His decision will surely be the 4 Issue 59 best for all concerned. The term used for being happy and content with whatever Allah ordains for us is ‘Radha-bil-Qadha’. To conclude, there is no harm in trying out medication or any other type of permissible treatment. If Allah wills, then we will surely benefit from it; and if He does not will it, then all forms of treatment will be useless. Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat, Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi R.A. Hadhrat Haji Imdadullah Sahib R.A, the Shaikh of Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat R.A, was a very pious person. He had travelled from India to Makkah Mukarramah and it was there that he passed away. He lays buried in Jannatul Maa’la. Both of these illustrious people had no children of their own. Once, when Haji Sahib R.A was still in India, he had an opportunity to stay in Thana Bhawan (the hometown of Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat R.A.). The Aunt of Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat R.A. requested Haji Imdadullah Sahib R.A to make Dua that Allah endows Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat R.A. with children. In response to this request, Haji Imdadullah Sahib R.A later remarked to Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat R.A, “I have been requested to supplicate for offspring on your behalf, however, my wish is that you remain as I am (i.e. childless)”. When relating this incident, Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat R.A. added, “At this point, I accepted the fact that I will remain childless”. This remark may have been due to the fact that Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat R.A. has contributed to a lot of work for Deen. He has authored numerous books and orated many lectures; and this would certainly have been affected if he had become busy with children. Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat R.A was a Mujaddid. He has authored near to a thousand Kitaabs and has given services to numerous people on a daily basis. He was visited by people from all over; some to ask Masaa’il; some for rectification; and some just to attend his Khanqah. He himself also travelled to many places. The foundation for the building which currently houses Jamia Islamiyyah Talimuddeen, was also laid by Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat R.A. We owe a great debt to Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat R.A. His literature contains such a great volume of knowledge and wisdom that people are awestruck by it. His Kitaab, ‘Bahishti Zewar’ is especially a useful instrument for women. It has been widely accepted and has been translated into many different languages. It is highly unfortunate that sisters nowadays have no time to read such quality literature; they have plenty of time for gossip and idle talk. The least one could do is read the stories and incidents from it. It contains plenty of stories which relate to pious women and contains guidance on how to live with one’s husband, how to bring up children and numerous other excellent forms of advice. Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat R.A. has formed a collection of such good content that just by reading it, we become more aware of how Allah has ordained for us the best of His commandments. May Allah enable us to remain happy with His decisions at all times and may He make it easy for us to follow His commands. Aameen. www.rabetah.org May / June 2015 THE WOOD CUTTER Once upon a time, a very strong woodcutter asked for a job in a timber merchant and he got it. The pay was really good and so was the work condition. For those reasons, the woodcutter was determined to do his best. His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he supposed to work. The first day, the woodcutter brought 18 trees. “Congratulations,” the boss said. “Go on that way!” Very motivated by the boss’ words, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he could only bring 15 trees. The third day he tried even harder, but he could only bring 10 trees. Day after day he was bringing less and less trees. “I must be losing my strength”, the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologised, saying that he could not understand what was going on. “When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked. “Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees…” Reflection: Our lives are like that. We sometimes get so busy that we don’t take time to sharpen the “axe”. In today’s world, it seems that everyone is busier than ever, but less happy that ever. Why is that? Could it be that we have forgotten how to stay “sharp”? There’s nothing wrong with activity and hard work. But we should not get so busy that we neglect the truly important things in life, like our personal life, taking time to get close to Allah Most High., our Creator, giving more time for our family, We all need time to relax, to think and meditate, to learn and grow. If we don’t take the time to sharpen the “axe”, we will become dull and lose our effectiveness. A NASEEHA for ME and YOU!! OUR PHONES ..... One of the hardest tasks in this 21st century is to spend 30 minutes without "touching" our phones! Almost everyone is now a phone addict. It's the last thing we touch before you sleep at night. network, perhaps to get comments! Some are so addicted to phones, they even chat when they are in the loo. Some chat in the exam halls while waiting for the paper. Some play games with their phones in the Masjid. It's the first thing we touch when we wake up. Some even put earpiece on their ears overnight. Some stay awake at night to download films, but they can't wake up for Tahajjud or Fajr. Some are always "online" chatting. As early as 6 am they are online and they remain online till midnight. They have thousands of friends online whom they chat with but they can't relate with their families at home. Some watch films in the Masjid. Astaghfirullah!!! They isolate themselves in their rooms. Some argue till midnight about Aqeedah issues, yet by Fajr time, they are sleeping and snoring. Immediately after the Salam in Salat, you see people pressing their phones again, no time for Istighfaar or Adhkaar! As if all their past and future sins have already been forgiven! When accidents happen, instead of saving lives, you see people snapping the victims with their phones. When a house is burning, instead of doing something, you see people snapping so as to be the first to upload it on social network. When a person loses a loved one, instead of thinking about the funeral issues, the first thing the person does is to upload the news on social Many divorces happen on Facebook or due to Facebook. Some use Suratul Asr to hasten their Salat because of their phones, not knowing that Suratul Asr is talking about spending time in righteous deeds. Many are those whose phones have made them "hypocrites". Many are those whose phones are leading them to hellfire. Because of your phone, you are the last person to come to Jumu'ah and you are the first person to leave! Allah said, 'Closer and closer to mankind comes their judgement, yet they don't take heed, and they turn away' (Surah Al-Anbiyaa vs 1) May Allah guide us on the right path and forgive our numerous sins, Aameen. Issue 59 What a fitnah befalling the Ummah. Along the road, some keep pressing their phones, until perhaps they narrowly dodge an accident or until a banana peel slips them. Even when we have guests, we still concentrate on our phones rather than our guest. Some ignore their spouses because they are chatting with "mere friends" on Facebook! www.rabetah.org May / June 2015 5 6 Issue 59 www.rabetah.org May / June 2015 From The Majlis of Mufti Moosa Badat (D.B.) On 01.02.15 Translated from Urdu by Brother Zameer Dabhad Taqwa, based on the lectures of Hazrat Mufti Taqi Usmani DB Previously regarding the explanation of Surah Hujarat we had 'Inna Akramakum 'IndAllahi Atqakum. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the one who is most deeply conscious (i.e. fearful) of Him. Again and again we find in the Qur’an and Ahadith that Taqwa is mentioned profusely, for example we have: Uu iddat lil mutaqeen That Jannat has been prepared or those of Taqwa In a hadith it is mentioned that two items will lead to large numbers of people entering Jannah, firstly Taqwa and secondly good character (Husne Akhlaq). Whilst two items will lead to a large numbers of people into Jahannam , firstly the tongue and secondly the private parts, may Allah protect us. In the explanations we find an amazing link between Taqwa and Husne Akhlaq. Taqwa is to adopt good dealings with people for the sake of our creator, in other words good society will be created when we have good dealings with the creation for the sake of Allah alone, this is Akhlaq and both these items will lead to large numbers entering into paradise. Thirdly we have that Taqwa where a person saves himself from all actions that are doubtful or confusing, you may even have a ruling from a Mufti granting its permissibility, but your heart is not content, to save oneself from even those actions is Taqwa and this is the highest form. In the hadith we find: Sins are those that create restlessness in your hearts, That what I just did was it correct or incorrect and in our temperament we find that a barrier is created to that action, even though the ruling states it is permissible for you, if this is the case then give up that action. In another hadith we have That item regarding which there is doubt with regards to it being Halal or Haraam then give it up and regarding that which there is no doubt keep hold to it. Nabi mentions: Many items are Halal and their being halal is clear, whilst many items are such that regarding their being Haraam is also clear. For example, the meat of Sheep and Lamb is Halal and everyone is aware of this, whilst Pork is Haraam , however between these you have items that are doubtful and unclear. There is a hadith that is narrated by Sulaim bin Jabir Juhainee , he mentions that he once arrived in the presence of Nabi and that Nabi was resting and had a shawl draped over his foot, I asked Nabi kindly please give me some advise. Nabi mentioned that whoever wishes to keep his faith pure should refrain from those actions that are doubtful and this is the third level of Taqwa. Nabi first advise was on Taqwa, that adopt the path towards the fear of Allah and acquire Taqwa. He explained Taqwa is to adopt the awe and respect of Allah at all times and to be fearful that it should not be that we adopt any actions that are means of angering Allah . This fear and thought, if it is created in man and that at all times decisions are made accordance to this; then this is the sign of Taqwa i.e. our talking and bodily actions should not be against the wishes of Allah. “The halal is clear and the haram is clear...” (Bukhari, Muslim) Three levels of Taqwa have been explained by our pious elders: Firstly, Alhumdulillah all believers posses this which is to avoid Shirk and Kufr due to the recitation of Shahadah Secondly we have that level, which requires all believers that they refrain from committing all sins, this is desired from all believers. When the first level is achieved and we are saved from disbelief, we are saved from everlasting punishment. However, after this if we are unable to save ourselves from sin and disobedience, then for a duration of time we will be punished due our shortcomings. Yes, after the punishment a person will be sent by Allah ’s mercy into paradise., however the requirement of the second level of Taqwa is that we save ourselves from all sins. Issue 59 Just yesterday Hadhrat Mufti sahib was asked regarding a biscuit or sweet in which there is no mention of Pork, but wordings in the ingredients leads to suspicion as to whether it contains pork gelatine, to this I replied leave that which is doubtful. Recently a Jamat came and one of the brothers was from Preston, he mentioned to me that he had worked in a leather factory for a number of years, as a result of which he can identify leather and which animal it is from. He mentioned that a number of shoes have pig skin used in their manufacturing. He asked regarding the ruling on this, I explained that if a person wears socks whilst wearing these shoes, then his Salah will be valid, however if he was to pray the Janazah prayer with his shoes on his Salah would not be valid. He then took me to the shoe rack area and showed me shoes which had been made using pig skin, where small dots were visible he explained that this was pig skin leather. For the non-Muslims the use of pig skin is permissible, whilst for a Muslim it is impermissible but due to lack of knowledge the Muslim is unaware. He then asked that should I tell people of this or not, I explained that when you know this is the case then you should make people aware of this. Continued in next issue… www.rabetah.org May / June 2015 7 Hazrat Sheikh Moulana Zakariyya (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) mentioned: Once a person wrote a letter to me asking, “What is the sign that pride no longer remains with a person?” I replied that if any person finds fault with you, then you are not overcome by anger. Instead you begin to examine within your heart whether what the person has said is true or not. If after pondering and reflecting over the situation, your heart tells you that the statement the person made was correct and you suffer from that weakness, then you are immediately prepared to accept your mistake and correct yourself. If this is your condition, then this is a sign that pride has left you. However, on the converse, if after hearing the statement of that person, you are overcome by rage and anger without even taking a moment to think whether what was said was correct or not, then this is a clear sign of you having pride. Hazrat Moulana Abdullah Sahib Kapaudri Sahib حفظه هللاhas said that there are two perspectives with regard to time. In English; we say; "Time is money" or "Time is gold" whereas in Arabic it is said: الوقت هوالحياةTIME IS LIFE Understand that money and gold are items that come and go; if they get finished, a person can work hard and regain them. But life is something which can never be retrieved once it is finished. If just one portion of one's life passes, it cannot be brought back. The Arabic saying is much more eloquent. Hazrat Ibrahim bin Adham has said that time is like a block of ice melting away. It is therefore our choice that we use the block of ice (TIME) effectively or we allow the block of ice (TIME) to waste away. Hazrat Mufti Shafi Sahib has compared time to liquid capital. Hazrat says that time is flowing all the time and it is thus up to us to use time appropriately. In another incident, Hazrat Ibrahim bin Adham shared an incident where an ice seller pleaded: "Purchase my ice or I will be destroyed." This is the reality and the sooner we acknowledge it the better. May Allah allow us all to use the bounty of time in such a manner that Allah is pleased with us. Aameen 8 54 Issue 58 59 www.rabetah.org July / August Mar April2014 2015 May // June Seeing The Prophet In A Dream Every Muslim has the desire to see the Holy Prophet in a dream. The desire increases more and more due to the love and affection. Many great saints have written various exercises and deeds out of their own experience, which may help, in seeing the Holy Prophet in a dream. seeing the Holy Prophet is the desire of the heart, abundant Durood Shareef and refraining from sins. May Allah enable us to see the Holy Prophet in our dream and give us the true understanding of Deen, Aameen. One of the students of Darul Uloom asked our Patron, Hadhrat Moulana Yusuf Motala sahib, "Why do I not see the Holy Prophet in my dreams even though I pray Durood Shareef regularly." Hadhrat replied, "It is our duty According to the book ‘Virtues of Durood to keep reciting and it is not right for us to call him to our Shareef" (written by Hazrat Sheikh Zakariya sahib dream. If he wishes he will come. It is not right to try and rahmatullahi alaihe). Sheikh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dahalwi force a king to visit your home. Similarly we should just rahmatullahi alaihe writes that if a person offers two keep up our rituals and hope that one day the rituals will rak`aah’s nafl Salah and recites twenty five times Surah prove faithful and we will achieve our goal." Ikhlas after Surah Al-Fatiha in each rak’aah thereafter recites one thousands times the following Durood, O Lord! Shower thy Blessings and send eternal peace in صلى هللا على النبى االمى continuation, he will (Allah willing) see the Holy Prophet in his dream. upon Thy Beloved (Prophet ) who is the best of all creation. However, it should be kept in mind that the main cause of I would like to mention one way which will assist in seeing the blessed Prophet in a dream. DO WE REALLY for us to direct ourselves to it. Hadhrat Moulana Shah Wasiyyullah Sahib used to say, "Just as we make Taqleed of his opinions, we ought to make Taqleed of his spiritual condition." History bears testimony to our Akaabir showing us how to fear Allah . ALLAH ? It has been mentioned that Hadhrat Imam Abu Haneefa performed Isha Salah and the Imam read Surah Zilzaal in it. After Salah, the Imam of the Masjid departed but Hadhrat Imam Abu Haneefa held his beard and continued saying this until the morning: "O the Being who will give reward for a good deed even if it equals an iota, and will mete out punishment for an evil deed even if it equals an iota! Save this servant, Nu'maan (referring to himself), from the Hell-fire." This was obviously Hadhrat Imam Sahib's spiritual condition which is worthy of emulation. There is a need Issue 59 Once an Imam read: ان بطش ربك لشديد SURELY THE GRIP OF YOUR LORD IS SEVERE (Surah Al Burooj) - Hazrat Moulana Shah Wasiyyullah Sahib screamed out as if the roof was about to fall! Such was the condition of our Akaabir; but we do not possess these qualities nor do we have a yearning to developing this noble traits. No doubt, we have deprived ourselves of purity and reformation because of our negligence. May Allah inspire us to acquire the sublime qualities of our Akaabir so that we may be granted salvation in this world and the Aakhirah. Aameen. www.rabetah.org May / June 2015 9 M O R F TO Submitted by a Student of Al-Markazul Ilmi, Dewsbury Has this ayah ever echoed through your mind. Travelled through your body? Have you ever just stopped. Paused your life and read. Contemplated through this one ayah. "every soul shall taste death" Silence! No sound of chatter. No breaks of laughter can be heard amongst us today. All I hear is hitched breathing consolidating reality. Hold tight! Before I begin this journey with you. My greeting are upon you O slave of Allah. Now. I wish for you to imagine. Close all the doors behind you Erase the worldly thoughts out of your brain for these few minutes. Clear your mind Breathe Relax! And enjoy the ride. Knock Knock My fingers curl around the door, no hesitance for I am sure. The sound echoes throughout room. I see you tossing Turning Eyes pierced to the phone Ears filled with the whispers of the devil. My heart aches. Seeing you in this state when you were warned. Though it is time. Time for me You call for your family No reply accept your own echoing cries. I grip you side by side. Tightening your soul with my grasp. 10 Issue 59 “Until, death comes to one of them, he says My Lord! Send me back so that 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 Barrier until The day when they will be resurrected.” You scream Gaudily '' let me go" I chuckle whispering "I'm sorry my beloved you are no more" All I hear is now is silence. No sound. No scream. No cackle. No grin Just an eclipse of silence. Faintly I leave the room, your poor soul in my arms. Ringing the signal to your household. Picture this Your body sprawled on the cold floor. Breathless Lifeless Motionless. Your eyeballs are risen to the sky. Your lips part a little to the side I hiss harshly the words of Allah towards your Lifeless body. “And if you could see when the angels take away the souls of those whom disbelieve (at death), they smite their faces and their backs, (saying): Taste the punishment of the blazing Fire. This is because of that which your hands had forwarded. And verily, Allah is not unjust to His slaves.” And that is the end. The end of you now. Dragged away towards your final abode. I am deeply Sorry for any Inconvenience I may have caused. Though now your files of the Dunya are closed. So my dear sisters. Take heed begin to pray. Don't let it be that the first time you think about death is when the angel pulls your soul away. www.rabetah.org May / June 2015 Abu Hurairah’s Mother Abu Hurairah was from the tribe of Daws. After he accepted Islam he went and met Prophet Muhammad . After a short while he moved to Madinah to be close to Muhammad and learn from this great teacher of piety. Abu Hurairah was a very pious Muslim but the one thing that troubled him most was that his mother would not accept Islam. He would pray for her so much and hoped that she would become a Muslim as well. One day he was telling his beloved mother about Allah and His messenger when his mother uttered some words. This made Abu Hurairah feel very sad. Abu Hurairah went to see our Prophet with tears still flowing from his eyes. When the Prophet asked him why he was so upset, Abu Hurairah related the whole story. Abu Hurairah then asked our Prophet to make Dua for her. Abu Hurairah was very pleased when prophet Muhammad made Dua for his mother. He was sure that his mother would accept Islam one day soon. When Abu Hurairah got home, he heard the splashing of water and then his mother told him to come into the house. When Abu Hurairah entered, his mum said, “La-ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasoolullah” which means she had accepted Islam. Last Issue’sCompetition The tears began to flow from Abu Hurairah’s eyes but this time they were tears of joy! Muhammad Jet (Age 6) Leicester Taahirah Khalifa (Age 7) Batley Visit: www.alislahkids.com Maariyah Ugradar (Age 11) Preston You should receive your prizes very soon! Issue 59 www.rabetah.org May / June 2015 11 For the nine months I carried you while you were growing inside me: No Charge For all the nights that I've sat up with you, doctored and A little boy came up to his mother in the kitchen one evening prayed for you: No Charge while she was fixing supper, and handed her a piece of paper that he had been writing on. After his Mum dried her hands on For all the trying times, and all the tears that you've caused through the years: No Charge an apron, she read it, and this is what it said: For all the nights that were filled with dread, and for the worries I knew were ahead: No Charge For the toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your nose: No Charge Son, when you add it up, the cost of my love is: No Charge. mother’s love When the boy finished reading what his mother had written, there were big tears in his eyes, and he looked straight at his mother and said, "Mum, I sure do love you." And then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote: "PAID IN FULL". Lessons: - You will never know how much your parents are worth till you become a parent - Be a giver not a taker, especially with your parents. there is a lot to give, besides money. Well, his mother looked at him standing there, and the boy could see the memories flashing through her mind. She picked up the pen, turned over the paper he'd written on, and this is what she wrote: BECAUSE MONEY IS THE WORST WAY OF MEASURING HAPPINESS… The Messenger of Allah said: “One who pleases his parents has verily pleased Allah, and one who has angered his parents has verily angered Allah.” Kanzul `Ummal, Volume 16, Page 470 Q1. Is Tahaara (Purification) a pillar of Islam? a) Yes b) No Q2. What is the Arabic term for ablution? a) Ghusl b) Wudhu c) Salah Q3. What is meant by Ghusl? a) Bathing of the whole body b) Purity (state of cleanliness) Q4. Is Wudhu compulsory for performing Salah? c) To perform ablution a) Yes b) No c) yes, only on Friday Q5. With which foot should a Muslim enter the Toilet? a) left b) right c) any Q6. For which action is Wudhu compulsory? a) To perform Salah b) Entering the Masjid c) Reciting the Qur'an from memory Q7. What is the first act that we will be questioned on the Day of Judgement? For your chance to WIN, simply send your poster with your Name, Address and Age (Age Limit 11) to; Al-Islah Competition, 13 Wayne Close, Batley, West Yorkshire, WF17 0EU or Email: [email protected] a) Salah b) Wudhu c) Hajj Q8. When is the Witr Salah performed? a) Last prayer at night b) Midday c) After sunrise All Entries Must Be Submitted By 30/05/2015 12 Issue 59 www.rabetah.org May / June 2015 In praise of the ‘Homemaker’ (Housewife) It's an icy cold winter's morning sitting in the comforts of my home and enjoying a hot cuppa coffee. Suddenly feelings of inner contentment and serenity engulf me. It dawns on me far too many women feel unimportant, unrecognised and apologetic for being full-time housewives. I prefer the term 'homemaker' - an infinitely better description of a tremendously important role. And so, as an occasion arises with its heavy demands on women, let us reflect upon the vital art of homemaking. How special you feel in a home that is always open with a warm welcome. The kind of old-fashioned home with enough love to spare for outsiders, which beckons you to sit down and relax. In it you'll find a wise blend of order and flexibility. A mother who doesn't fuss if her children and friends run in and out... who is never too busy to sit down for a chat with a friend, a confused teenager or a lonely widow. Not that she isn't busy or creative. She probably is, but she recognises one of the advantages of being the Queen of the Home; of having flexitime, which allows her to set aside plans in order to help someone in need, or to rush into the garden to share a small wonder with a child. Lifestyles and options are changing. Many women need, or prefer to work. But full-time home making is a career option, which allows you to make of it what you will. It requires many skills ranging from communication and management to cookery and economics. She'll find time to listen to her family, to friends young and old, rendering invaluable emotional "first-aid." A good homemaker knows the home is the heart of society a place where family and friends can be nurtured. In swiftly changing times it can be provide a sense of security and continuity where children soak up happy experiences and memories that will affect their whole lives. If you're a bride, anticipate your career as a homemaker with joy. If you're a mature woman who has spent years learning the art of home-making, never be apologetic about being 'only a housewife.' Glow with pride at having chosen such a vital role. I have come to value this 'way of life' through the will and grace of ALLAH by blessing me with a stay-at-home mother who showered me with guidance, compassion, generosity and love. And I in turn will do the same to my kids. May ALLAH give us all women the faith of Aasiyah , purity of Maryam , love of Khadija , affection and knowledge of Aa'ishah , and the favour of being with them in Jannah. Aameen There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. N O S S E L When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfilment. The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up. If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfilment of your fall. Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time or later. Issue 59 www.rabetah.org May / June 2015 13 Answered by Rabetah Iftaa Panel Question: Please kindly explain custody rights of the mother? Answer: According to Shariah, the mother has the right of custody of her female child from birth until puberty. The father has the right of custody from puberty until marriage. With regards to a male child, the mother has the right of custody from birth until the age of seven while the father has the right of custody from age seven until puberty. (Hidayah) A mother loses the right to custody if she marries a nonmahram relative of the child. In this case the right to custody will move on to the maternal grandmother. Question: Will the wife have to pay Zakaat on her own or can her husband pay on her behalf? Answer: Zakaat is liable on the owner. The owner is the person who bought it, was gifted it or inherited it. Therefore, if the wife owns the wealth, she is responsible to pay the Zakaat on it. However, the husband may pay its Zakaat on her behalf.( Fatawa-i-Qazi Khan) Question: I would like to know if it is correct to give Zakaat and take a receipt. Then submit the receipt as a donations tax and receive a rebate? Answer: It is permissible for one to give Zakaat and submit the receipt as donations tax and receive a rebate. The Zakaat will be discharged. (Mufti Ebrahim Desai) Question: Regarding the proceeds, doesn’t the money have to be in your possession for a year before it is Zakaatable? Answer: Zakaat becomes compulsory on a Zakaatable asset that is equal or more than the Nisaab, once it has remained in one’s possession for over a lunar year. However, this is for 14 Issue 59 a person who did not possess a Nisaab prior to acquisition of this Zakaatable asset. If one’s nett savings were equal to the value of Nisaab at the beginning of the lunar year, and thereafter he acquired another Zakaatable asset, then the value of this newly acquired Zakaatable asset will be added on to his savings. He will not have to wait for a year to pass on this newly acquired asset in order for it to be considered for his zakaat calculations. At the end of the current year, if he still possesses the nett savings equal to value of Nisaab, then he will simply give out 2.5% of his nett savings as a zakaat for this year, regardless of the fact that the acquired asset was in his possession for less than a year. Question: Someone who is eligible to take Zakaat owes me some money. I understand that it is not going to be returned to me. I also give my Zakaat to that person. Can I adjust some Zakaat to that person without giving? Answer: The Zakaat will not fulfilled by forgiving the debt. If you want to recover your debt, one way would be to give your Zakaat money to the debtor who is eligible for Zakaat, thereafter you can recoup your debt from him. In this manner your Zakaat will be fulfilled and your debt will be recovered. (Ahsan Ul Fataawaa) Question: Do I have to pay Zakaat on the market value or investment value of shares? Answer: One is obligated to pay Zakaat on the current value of the shares that one owns in a company and the dividends that accrued thereof. (Nurul Izzah) www.rabetah.org And Allah Knows Best. May / June 2015 NOW OPEN MEAT CUTTING PLANT Mullaco House, 7 Wellington Street, BATLEY, West Yorkshire, WF17 5BH Email: [email protected] • www.mullaco.com Tel: 01924 663399 • Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 9am to 7pm • Sun 11am to 5pm Fully Licensed FSA Approved “2596”. HMC Approved. Brand new facility with latest packing equipment. Best Quality Meat (Award Winners). Prepared in the most Hygienic environment. High standard of Customer Service. We supply: Cafes, Restaurants, Steak Houses, Schools, Colleges, Academies, Madresahs, Caterers, HMC Frozen Beef Quarter Pounder Burgers available. Try our Premium Quality Beef Steaks, Matured/Aged Beef – Melt in the mouth. Want to sell Fresh Halal Meat in your store, but don’t have the space. Come and talk to us about our range of Long Life (MAP-Modified Atmosphere Packaged) Lamb, Beef, Chicken & Marinated products. Buy online at www.mullaco.com for all your home supplies. You will be surprised at our superior quality, excellent service and reasonable prices. Come visit our Cash & Carry in Batley Orderline: 01924 470989 Bedmill, The Chapel, Hick Lane, Batley, WF17 5TD, UK