"What has happened to you,...."

Usamah bin Zaid (RadiAllaahu anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allaah (SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam) said,

" A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and will be cast into Hell, and his intestines will pour forth and he will go round them as a donkey goes round a millstone.The inmates of Hell will gather round him and say, "What has happened to you, O so-and-so? Were you not enjoining us to do good and forbidding us to do evil? He replied:

' I was enjoining you to do good, but was not doing it myself; and I was forbidding you to do evil, but not doing it myself."

 [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Two Statements

Abu Hurairah (RadiAllaahu anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allaah (SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam) said,

"There are two statements that are light for the tongue to remember, heavy in the Scales and are dear to the Merciful:

'Subhaan Allaahi wa bihamdihi, Subhaan Allaahil- Azim' [Glory be to Allaah and His is the praise, (and) Allaah, the Greatest is free from imperfection]."

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Remembering the Destination - A Cure for Weak Eemaan

Ibnul Qayyim al Jawziyyah

Madaarij us-Saalikeen


When o­ne’s mind is clear, he will be able to see clearly, thus giving such a person a light in his heart that will allow him to almost witness the Warning and the Promise, Paradise and Hell, and what Allah has prepared in this (Paradise) For His Awliyaa` (loyal friends) and in that (Hell) for His enemies. He will then witness people rushing out of their graves following the call of the Truth (Resurrection). The angels in the heavens will then descend and will surround them (creation). Allah will then come to judge (between creation) and His Kursi (literally a footstool or chair) will be raised. The earth will shine with the Light of its Lord (Allah, when He comes to judge between His creation), the Book (of Records) will be opened and the Prophets and the witnesses will be brought forward. The Mizan (Scale) will then be established, the books of (individual) records will fly around and the foes will converge, each holding to its foe. Al-Houdh (the pool that runs outside the gates of Paradise from a river inside it) will then appear and its cups will appear close by. Thirst will intensify, but those who are allowed to drink are few. Al-Jisr (the bridge over Hell that everyone must pass over into Paradise) will then be laid (over Hell) so that (mankind and the Jinn) can pass over it (as for the disbelievers and those whose sins outweigh their good deeds, they will fall into Hell, where o­nly the disbelievers will reside for eternity). People will then be gathered in its direction.

The Fire (Hell) will appear, each part harshly consuming the other parts beneath it. Those who fall into it are far more than those who are saved from it. Then, an eye will be opened in his (the man who is thinking about these scenes) heart with which he will be able to see clearly. His heart will then witness some scenes of the Last Life, along with imagining the various stages of the Last Life which will last for eternity, as compared to this Dunya (the life of this world) and its briefness.

The Correct Explanation of the Abbreviations in the Beginning of some Surahs

The correct explanation of the abbreviations in the beginning of some Surahs


Publishing Date : Monday 1 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1422 AH, corresponding 20 August 2001 AD. Fatawa Source : From the Fatawa Delivered by Shaykhul-Islam Ahmad Ibn Taymeeyah Fatwa Reference : Al-Fatawa, Page 444

Question: What is the correct explanation of Allah's saying: Hâ-Mîm.'Aîn-Sîn-Qâf and the like of this in the beginning of some Surahs?

Answer : There are twenty nine Surahs in the Holy Qur'an beginning with such letters, or what we call abbreviations, which are recited separately such as Alif Lam Mîm. Some of these Surahs begin with o­ne letter o­nly such as Sâd, Qâf, and Nûn. Some others begin with two letters such as Ta-Ha and Ya-Sîn. Still others begin with three letters like Alif-Lam-Mîm. The rest of these kinds of Surahs starts with more than three letters such as Kâf-Ha-Ya-'Aiyn-Sâd and Hâ-Mîm-'Aîn-Sîn-Qâf.

Hâ-Mîm-'Aîn-Sîn-Qâf are the letters with which Surat Ash-Shura begins. Surat Ash-Shura is o­ne of the seven Surahs beginning with Hâ-Mîm that known as the Hawamîm. It is worth mentioning that all the Surahs starting with such letters are from among the Makkan revelation to the exclusion of Surat Al-Baqarah and Surat Al-'Imran, which are Madinite. All the Makkan Surahs concentrate o­n manifesting monotheism, revelation, the Prophets' mission and the resurrection in the Hereafter. Surat Al-Baqarah and Surat Al-'Imran contain the debate with the People of the Book regarding their denial of the revelation that was descended o­n the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).

There are no distinct meanings for these letters in Arabic except their meanings within the words formed by these letters. There is no authentic Hadith reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that shows the meanings of these letters and therefore people differ among themselves regarding the meanings of these letters.

All the opinions in this subject can be summarized in two opinions:

First: The majority from among the Companions and the Successors said that the meanings of these letters are confined to Allah and thus none knows their meanings except Him.

Second: Some scholars claimed that these letters have different meanings with which the books of Tafsir are filled. Among these assumed meanings is that they are the Names and the Attributes of Allah. According to this opinion, every o­ne of the Names and Attributes of Allah is specified for the letter with which this Name or Attribute starts. For example, the letter Alif is specified for the Name Allah, the letter Lam is specified for the Name Latif, the letter Mim is specified for the Name Malik and so o­n.

Some others said that these letters are signs for events that will occur in the future recognized by the way of the famous calculation of the statements or by the narrations which are baseless or by the way of guessing.

A third group maintained that these letters stresses the challenge that the Holy Qur'an poses for the disbelievers in that it consists of the same letters from which their speech is composed and thus the material is neither strange nor hidden from them. Thus, their inability to produce something like it represents a concrete evidence that the Holy Qur'an is not the making of human beings but a revelation from Allah the Creator of all strengths and powers.

The most correct opinion is the first o­ne, which refers the meanings of these letters to the knowledge of Allah. Of course, there is some wisdom behind starting the Surahs with such letters. This wisdom can be derived from the distinctiveness of these letters and their positioning in the beginning of the Surahs as a proof of the significance of the Holy Qur'an because the disbelievers used to recommend each other to refrain from the listening to it. Allah said:

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَا تَسْمَعُوا لِهَذَا الْقُرْآنِ وَالْغَوْا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَغْلِبُونَ

"And those who disbelieve say: 'Listen not to this Qur'ân, and make noise in the midst of its (recitation) that you may overcome.'" [41:26]

They were astonished by the strange beginning of the Holy Qur'an which knocked their ears and pushed them to listen to it. So, these letters are similar to the stimulating letters in Arabic.

There is a narration reported by At-Tabari that [Hâ-Mîm-'Ain-Sîn-Qâf ] are letter that refer to the destruction of two cities which will be founded beside o­ne of the rivers in the east; as the river will take its way between them, etc. But this narration is not reliable. It is not proper to tell such narrations while explaining the Holy Qur'an as they are baseless, unreasonable and disturbed narrations.

The proper stand for the Muslim is to believe in these letters as he believes in the Holy Qur'an as a whole. It is the duty of the Muslim to believe that Allah [may He be Glorified] has special secrets in His Book about which none but He has the absolute knowledge as He has special secrets in His universe.

Allah said:

وَلاَ تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولـئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْؤُولاً


"And follow not (O man i.e., say not, or do not or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge. Verily! The hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those o­ne will be questioned (by Allâh)" [17:36]

Translation of this fatwa provided by The King Fahd Quran complex

Wala'

Q.What is Wala' (friendship, loyalty)?

 

A. Wala' (friendship, loyalty) is love and help of the faithful believers. Allaah says:

     "The believers, men and women, are Awliya' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another." (9:71)

The Prophet (SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam) said:

     "The faithful believers are as a brick structure, each supporting the other." (Muslim)

This was taken from "Islamic Creed Based on Qur'an and Sunnah" By Muhammad bin Jamil Zino

Do not express........

Wathilah bin Al-Asqa (RadiAllaahu anhu), said:

The Messenger of Allaah (SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam) said, " Do not express pleasure at the misfortune of a (Muslim) brother lest Allaah should bestow mercy upon him and make you suffer from a misfortune."

[At-Tirmidhi]

If you depend on Allaah with due reliance....

Umar (RadiAllaahu anhu) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam) saying:

"If you all depend on Allaah with due reliance, He would certainly give you provision as He gives it to birds who go forth hungry in the morning and return with full belly at dusk."

[At- Tirmidhi- Hasan]

When Can a Person be Criticised to his face?

When can a person be criticised to his face?

Question: What is the ruling upon speaking to a person’s face and informing him of his shortcomings whilst he listens – is this permissible?

Answer: It is permissible if it is from the aspect of advising him and reprimanding him so that he is prevented from disobedience, and that it is done with fine manners so that he accepts the advice. As for it being done from the aspect of malice, and abuse and insult, or to publicise his faults and the like of this, then it is not permissible. And with Allaah is the tawfeeq. And may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and his Companions.

Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz Shaykh `Abdullah bin Ghudayaan Shaykh `Abdullaah bin Qu`ood Shaykh `Abdur-Razzaaq al-`Afeefee

Question 6 from fatwa 5276 P342 Volume 12 Fataawaa of the Permanent Committee

Translated by Abu Abdir Rahmaan Nasser ibn Najam

Fitnah of Dajjaal

QUESTION:
We hear about the Dajjaal and the Fitnah (tribulations) surrounding him, from which the Messenger (peace be upon him) sought refuge (in Allah), and we have been commanded to seek refuge (in Allah) from his fitnah. So who is the Dajjaal? And what are his attributes?

ANSWER:
Dajjaal is a man who will appear towards the end of time, and Jews will follow him. His appearance is a sign of the Last Hour, and he will bring with him immense Fitan (tests and trials) which will have an adverse effect o­n the Iman (of Muslims). Quite possibly many people may perish because of his Fitnah, except those whom Allah protects.As for his attributes, he would be a Kafir man, blind in o­ne eye. He will seek to divert people from their religion by whatever means possible. So his Fitnah and danger will be immense. It is obligatory upon us to seek refuge in Allah from his Fitnah, as we have been commanded (to do so) by the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Shaykh Salih Bin Fawzaan;
Al-Muntaqaa Min Fatawa, vol. 2, pg. 97.

The Sinners or The Innovators?

Which One Has The Greater Punishment: The Sinners Or The Innovators?

The Noble Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan (may Allah preserve him) was asked, "Which o­ne has the greater punishment: The sinners or the innovators?"

Thus the Noble Shaykh answered:

The innovators have a greater punishment, for verily innovation is more severe than mutiny. Hence, innovation is more beloved to the Shaytaan than mutiny. For surely the sinner repents.

Sufyaan Ath-Thawree may Allah bestow mercy upon him said: "Innovation is more beloved to Iblees (Shaytaan) than mutiny; for verily mutiny is repented from and innovation is not repented from." [Majmoo Fatawaa vol.11 pg.472]

As for the innovator, then it is rare that he repents. Because he (the innovator) thinks that he is upon truth opposed to the sinner who knows that he is a sinner and commits mutiny. As for the innovator, he sees himself as being a follower, and that he is upon obedience. Thus, for that reason innovation - and the protection is with Allah - is more evil than mutiny. Hence for that reason the Salaf used to warn against sitting with the innovator.

Al-Hassan Al-Basree may Allah bestow mercy upon him said: "Do not sit with the companion of innovation; for verily he will sicken your heart." [Al-Bi'dah wan Nahee 'Anhaa pg.54]

Because they have an affect o­n those who sit with them and their danger is severe. Without a doubt innovation is more evil than mutiny, and the danger of the innovator is greater upon the people than the sinner and for this reason the Salaf said: "Thriftiness with the sunnah is better than perseverance upon innovation."[Al Ajwibah Al-Mufeedah q.5 pg.26]

Do not Belittle.....

Abu Dharr (RadiAllaahu anhu) reported:

The Prophet (SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam) said, " Do not belittle any good deed, even meeting your brother (Muslim) with a cheerful face.

[Muslim]

Papers with Allaah's Name on Them

Papers That Have Allaah's Name Written on Them

Question: Work-related papers come to at my desk that have Allaah's name written on them. What can I do to dispose of those papers?

Answer: You must protect those papers from abuse and degradation until you are finished with them. When you finish with them, you must do one of the following: bury them in pure ground, burn them or store them in a safe place, a place where they will be protected from debasement-for example, in a filling cabinet, draw, or shelf.

Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz

Fatawa Islamiyah Darussalam Vol 8 page no.99

Some Sins for which the Disobedient will be Punished

Some of the Sins For Which The Disobedient Will Be Punished


Chapter 5 of the book:The Grave (Its Punishment & Reward)
By Hussain al-Awayshah


It is necessary to bring this issue to the Muslims, as the grave, its punishment and its reward, is o­ne of the topics related to the aqeedah which o­ne must know of.

1) The punishment for those who had taken the Qur'aan and then ignored it and for the o­ne who sleeps through the time of the prescribed prayer.

We related the complete hadeeth o­n page 36 which was narrated by Samurah bin Jundub* and in it was...We came upon a man who was lying down, and another standing over him with a rock. He then hit him with the rock, split his head and the rock rolled away. So he followed the rock and retrieved it. When he returned to him his head had returned to how it was previously.The explanation came at the end of the hadeeth by the statement of the two angels to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam): As for the first man that you came upon whose head was being split with a rock; this was a man who had taken the qur'aan and then ignored it, and had slept through the time of the prescribed prayers. In another narration, he said:....So this will continue to be done to him until the Day of Resurrection.

2) The punishment of the liar

We also find in the hadeeth of Samurah bin Jundub:...We departed until we came upon another man who was lying flat o­n his back, while another stood over him with an iron hook.He approached the o­ne who was miserable looking. He faced him and ripped open his mouth up to his neck, and his nose up to his neck, and his eye up to his neck. He then went over to the other side and did the same as he had done to the first side. He had hardly completed this side when the other sidereturned to its normal state. He then returned to it and did what he done the first time.at the end of the hadeeth he said:...As for the man that you came upon who had his mouth ripped up to his neck, his nose ripped up to his neck, and his eyes ripped up to his neck; this was a man who used to leave his house, spreading lies and circulating them everywhere. In another narration it says: So this will continue to be done to him until the Day of Resurrection.

3) The punishment of the adulterer and the adulteress.

In the same hadeeth we also find mentioned: ...We departed until we came upon a clay lined pit. I think he said: There was much noise and clamour. We looked into it and saw naked men and women, and a flame was flaring from beneath them. Whenever that flame reached them, they screamed.The explanation about them came in the hadeeth: ...As for the naked men and women who were in the clay lined pit; they were men and women who committed adultery.

4) The punishment for the o­ne who consumes interest.

In the previous hadeeth this is also explained: ...We departed until we reached a river. (I think he said: It was red like blood). In this river a man was swimming and o­n the bank of the river there was a man who had gathered around him many rocks. The o­ne who who was swimming in the river, swam as much as he could, then he came to the o­ne who had all the rocks gathered around him.He opened his mouth for him, and the other man threw a rock into it. He left, and continued to swim. Then he returned to him; and every time he returned to him, he opened his mouth for him and the other man threw a rock into it.at the end of the hadeeth it said: ...As for the man whom you came upon swimming in the river, who had rocks thrown into his mouth; he was of those who consumed usury.*The hadeeth of Samurah bin Jundub being referanced is found in sahih Bukhari volume 2, Book 23, Number 468

5) The punishment for the o­ne who does not protect himself from urine.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) said: The most prevalent punishment of the grave is due to urine. [It is in Saheeh al-Jaami' (3866)]

6) The punishment is increased for the unbeliever because of the weeping of his family over him.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) said: "Allah increases the punishment for the unbeliever because of the weeping of his family over him." [Related by an-Nisaa'ee. It is in Saheeh al-Jaami (18930]

7) The dead is punished because of lamentation over him.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) said: "The dead is punished in his grave because of lamentation over him." [Related by Bukhari and Muslim. However if he advised them not to lament over him then he is not punished.]

8) The dead is punished because of what some of his family say about him.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) said: "There is no single person who dies and among his mourners o­ne stands up and cries: O you who we used to rely o­n! O you who used to support us! Except that two angels will be assigned to him saying: Were you like this." [Related by Tirmidhee. It is in Saheeh al-Jaami' (5664)]

9) The punishment for the o­ne who used to carry tales.

It was related from Ibn Abbaas that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) passed by two graves and he said: "Indeed these two are being punished; and they are not being punished for something major. No, o­n the contrary it is something very major. As for o­ne of them; he used to carry tales. As for the other, he never guarded himself from his urine." [Related by Bukhaaree and Muslim]

The Evil Effects of Zinaa'

Advice to the Muslims - The Evil Effects of Zinaa' (Fornication)


By Shaykh 'Abdullaah 'Ateeq al-Harbee
Source : Troid.org
Transcribed by : Umm Hasna Firdous Bint Jabir min Sri Lanka

Overview:

Who is Shaykh 'Abdullaah 'Ateeq al-Harbee

Shaykh 'Abdullaah 'Ateeq al-Harbee is o­ne of the professors in the University of al-Madeenah, he is a student of Shaykh Rabee' Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee. He recently traveled to America for the purpose of Da'wah.

From the Lecture :

"The Path to the Hell-fire is easy and may Allaah protect us from it, it is to do evil acts such as fornication and intoxicating o­neself."

Featuring the heinous evil of az-Zinaa' (the fornication), its causes, results and its prevention. Shaykh 'Abdullaah 'Ateeq states, 'From the greatest thing that will make the servant of Allaah corrupt, whether he is male or female is Zinaa'.'  Allaah says in the Qur'aan, 'And do not come close to lewdness, that which is apparent from it and that which is hidden'. This is a proof that all acts connected to Zinaa' are Haraam. It corrupts entire societies.

The Evil Effects

'From the corruption of Zinaa' is the increase in divorce and decrease in marriage.'

'Rape is increased in society.'

'An increase in diseases that result in death.'

'The great amount of orphans and children born out of wedlock. This also leads to an increase in crime due to the lack of love and care of parents during youth, as he grows he becomes nurtured o­n other than love and a lot of the time becomes a person of crime in order to avenge that society.'

'Zinaa' is not a relationship of muhabbah (passionate love) or emotion. It doesn't provide the strong ties of Marriage or bring forth the happiness of parenting.'

Women and Free Mixing

Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim said, 'And there is no doubt that to let the Women mix with the men is the asl (foundation) of every evil and it is from the greatest reason for Allaah sending punishment upon the people and likewise it is from free mixing that Zinaa' becomes manifest.'

'The whole of the Women is 'Awrah, when she leaves the home, the Shaytaan beatifies her. It is essential that the woman does not leave her home except for a pressing need.' Allaah says,

"And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance…." [Soorautl-Ahzab, 33:33]

And "O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or o­ne eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allaah is ever Oft­ Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Sooratul-Ahzab, 33:59]

It is important to understand that the voice of the Women affects the hearts of men since it is soft by nature.

The Evil of Music and Intoxicants and their connection to Zinaa.'

'It is also important that a person stays away from Music, it has a greater effect o­n the woman than the man. Music is accompanied with singing and instruments and dancing and it is from the great calls to Zinaa', Fudayl Ibn Iyyad said 'The music is the ruqyah (incantation) of Zinaa'.'

'Lower your gaze for it is an arrow from the arrows of Shaytaan. The first look is overlooked since it is unintentional, so Allaah had mercy upon us and forgave us for that and as for the second, the male and the female believer are both taken to account for that.'

'The intoxicants are from the mother of all evils and it leads to Zinaa' and killing, rather a person will fall into every type of lowly act.'

-----------------------------

Transcription  

The Shaykh began by giving his salutation after sending peace and blessings upon the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) and after praising Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

He says: O Muslims indeed Allah subhana wa ta'ala has created us and He has not left us to our own desires. Indeed He has prohibited us and He has given us command and He has made it clear to us the path of khair and the path of good and He has encouraged us to follow that. And He has made clear to us the path of evil and has prohibited us from following that. And indeed Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala is more knowledgeable concerning that which is good and that which has the best for His servant in this life and the Hereafter. And He is the Most Knowledgeable concerning that which will give them bliss and that which will give them good fortune in this life and in the Hereafter.

And indeed from the things that Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala has made it important and placed importance upon protecting it and upon making sure that the Muslims are mindful with regards to it and that He has prohibited us and made us something that we should be distant from corrupting and that is the honour of the Muslim and that is going to be the title of the talk. And indeed it has been established in a hadith in Saheeh al-Bukhari that the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said : 'indeed your blood, and your wealth and your honour, is haraam upon you (it is prohibited upon you) just as this day is haram or considered sacrilegious and just as this month is considered sacrilegious. And indeed the honour is something that should be protected by the Muslims in two ways :

1.        As for the first way, that which is apparent from the honour of the Muslims : and that is by clothing it using the garments that the Shariah has laid down and prescribed and what the Messenger has prescribed (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam).

2.        And as for the second type is that which is hidden from the honour : and that is to protect it from zina and to protect it from homosexuality and those types of affairs.

Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala has said : 'O you who believe, indeed Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala has sent down upon you a garment that will cover your modesty and He has given you a leash which is something other than from the standard covering. And indeed from the greatest of things that will make the honour of the Muslim corrupt whether they are male or whether they are female and indeed it is that which is referred to or known as 'zina.'

And indeed Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala has said, '.. and do not come close to zina. Indeed it is something that is lewd and it is an evil way.'
 
And indeed in this ayah Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala has made Haraam anything that leads to zina and that is never mind the actual committing of the act.

Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala has said, '… and do not come close to fawahish, do not come close to lewdness, that which is apparent from it and that which is hidden. And indeed the issue of fornication (may Allaah protect us all from it). Indeed along with it being prohibited it is something that likewise corrupts the society, corrupts the community. And indeed it is from the reasons for the spreading of corruption in and amongst the community.'

Insha-Allaah I am going to mentions some of the reasons and some of the things that corrupts the society. And from the first of the evils that come from zina is that it is o­ne of the causes for  the spread of many evils and many diseases connected to fornication, just like the sickness of AIDS and other in that from the sicknesses that destroy the lands and destroy the servants.

And likewise it is from the reasons that causes commotion in and amongst the family -- as far as it relates to the husband or as far as it relates to the wife and to the children and if the family indeed is split, that will lead to the splitting of the community and indeed they will fall into that which are of the lowly actions and will fall into corruptions.

And likewise from the evil effects of zina is that it is from the reason for talaaq (or divorce) being plentiful in the societies. Because you find after the marriage, after a small space of time you will find the people divorcing each other and sometimes this happens after a space of few hours. And likewise, from the evil effects of zina and fornication is that it lowers the marriage rates in the society.

So as for the person who commits fornication and is constant and regular in doing that, then he does not look to marriage except as another way of having a sexual relationship. Not that it is a beautiful way of uniting two bodies, neither it is a life that is built of love and emotions and raising a family and having children and indeed from bringing and having children, it is by way of those children our that lives become happy lives. And likewise it makes life easy with the presence of the children.

And likewise we see from the evil effects of zina and fornication is that we find the level of children and the level of having kids fall in that particular society. Because when zina is o­ne of the reasons for the spread of deadly diseases like AIDS and other than AIDS, we find as a result of that many people die in the society. And as a result of that we find people having children as a result of that die. And as a result of that also the strength of the community is lost.

And also from the evil effects of zina, is that it leads to much crime in that society. And from that the crimes that generate and likewise a person will enter into stealing and rape in order to satisfy his sexual desires. And likewise as a result of that we find people even killing each other and killing themselves as a result of this spread of this zina.

And likewise from the evil effects of zina, is that we find that we have many children, many offspring that are the children that have come as a result of that fornication. And this likewise is from the sins meaning these children have come about as a product of fornication. This is also from the sins that increases crimes, and increases evil doings in and among society. Because the child from a young age is in need of receiving the love and attention from both his parents. So when the child loses out o­n that care and loses out o­n that attention, and when he loses that love, then what happens is that he has a reactory feeling as he grows that he was not nurtured upon love and upon affection. So that breeds from him and lead him to haste and dislike to society and the surrounding that he lives in. So, when he reaches the age of maturity, we find that these individuals enough of time end up themselves being individuals that commit evil acts and committing different crimes in order to avenge that society.

And brothers and sisters from the things that we can utilize to protect this evil, to protect  ourselves from this evil is by following the message, and the measures and the means that al-Islam has laid down for us. The means have been laid down for protecting our 'ird -- lineage. So from the most important means for protecting the limits is the establishment of the belief of Allaah in the hearts of the servant. So if the slave then knows and believes that Allaah is the Creator of the creation, and He is the o­ne that is worshipped and there is none worthy of worship other than Him, then he would carry out his commands and he would stay away from his prohibitions.

And likewise he will believe in his heart that Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala knows the hidden things and knows those things which are apparent. And likewise he will know that Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala sees everything that takes place in this creation. And so this Imaan of his will carry him to be odd and over keeping in mind the presence of Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala. And it will lead him likewise, to be distant from disobeying Allaah and it will make him to carry out Allah's commands and the things that please Allaah.

So not o­nce will Allaah see him in a place where Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala dislikes to see him in and likewise he will not be absent from places that Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala loves for him to be in. And that is a condition with the mu'min and the believer who is sincere with his Imaan, the o­ne who is certain concerning his Lord.

Listen O brother and listen O sister, to the story of that great Sahabah – that Sahabi who before Islaam used to commit sins as of fornication and he used to visit prostitutes – look at his condition after his Islaam. Did he continue upon that which he was upon, in his days of Jaahiliyah before Islaam?  .. (not clear) .... And likewise he took upon himself chastity and distanced himself form all evil and all lowly acts.

This appears in the Sunnan of Tirmidhi that a person from amongst the Sahaba (radiallahu anhu) who was referred to as al-Martad. He used to carry the prisoners of war from Makkah until he reached Medina and there was a woman from amongst the Mushrikeen who was a prostitute or she was a fornicator and her name was 'Anaaq and she was his girl-friend before Islaam. And he had promised  a man from amongst the prisoners of war from the people of Makkah that he was carrying. He said to them radiallaahu 'I continued until I came to a wall from the walls of Makkah in the shade of a wall o­n the full moon night  man, so 'Anaaq (this woman) came to him and she had noticed that this man being detained near the wall. So when she came to me she realized that it was me. So I said, 'my name is Martad' and she said, 'welcome.' She then said, 'come and sleep with me tonight.' So she was calling him to the lewdness. So I said, 'O Anaaq, indeed Allaah has made zina Haraam. Allaahu Akbar!'

So the Shaykh is saying look then brother Muslim may Allaah guide you and myself to success. Look at the Imaan that Martad had concerning Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala and how it prevented him from committing zina even though it was easy for him to commit that act. So may Allaah have mercy upon him and be pleased with him. Look how his complete turn around came for him after he was a committer of major sins and major evil deeds prior to his Islaam? Look how Islaam turned the whole direction of his life. And he became the best of the people as regards to him being chaste, as regards to him having adab, and with regards to him having taqwa.

Therefore from the first of the things that we can utilize to protect ourselves from this sick disease, it is to have Imaan in Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala. As for the second affair is that we make sincere tawbah to Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala for all of our sins. Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala  has said, 'and those who when they commit a sin or when they run themselves, they remember Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala and make isthighfar for their sins. And who will forgive sins other than Allaah as long as they do not persist upon that which they did while they know.'

Likewise from the things that will protect ourselves and from the methods and means that have been laid down in the Shariah is that indeed Islaam is the deen of the fitrah and its way is the just way, balanced way. And it has affirmed for mankind that which he has established or that which he has within him a way of desire for sexual actions. But Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala has not made it absolute for him to utilize or enjoy his desire in any way that he pleases. And at the same time He has not prohibited him from enjoying sexual pleasures absolutely but rather it has reigns and orders for him that desire of his. And that sis with the connection of the link of marriage. Because when Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala created mankind, He created for him his wife so that he may receive tranquility from her.

Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala says, 'and indeed from His signs is that He has created for you wives so that you may receive tranquility and reside with them. And He has made between you love and He has made between you Mercy.' Therefore Allaah has made and prescribed marriage by way or which a person can increase in love and emotional feelings. And a way for him to protect himself from falling into evil deeds and lewd deeds. And for that reason Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) encouraged that we should marry.

In both Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim it is recorded that Ibn Mas'ud (radiallaahu anhu) that the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: 'O gathering of youth, whosoever from amongst you is able then let him marry. Because it is better for the lowering of the gaze. And it is better as a protection of the private parts. And whosoever is not able to do so then let him fast, because then indeed it is a protection for him.'

And likewise from the things that protect o­nes private parts (and things connected to that), that the method of protecting ---  that men not mix with the women. Ibn Qayyim rahimahullah mentions in his book, 'and there is no doubt  that to let the women mix with the men is the origin of every evil. And it is from the greatest reasons for Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala revealing or sending upon the people punishments and likewise it is from the reason that the general and the specific affairs become corrupt. And the men mixing with the women is a reason for zina, fawahisha, lewdness and evil act connected to sexual related acts being committed between men and women. And it is from the reasons for diseases and plagues when the prostitutes began to mix with the army of Musa, and evil deeds and lewdness began to spread among them. Indeed Allaah sent upon them at that point plague and diseases and 70,000 people died as a result of that. And we ask Allaah that He protects us.

And likewise from the protective reasons that has been laid down by the Shariah for the male Muslim and the female Muslim, that the women wear the hijaab and screen themselves from strange men. Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala says, '..and stay in your homes and do not display yourselves like the displaying of the days of Jaahiliyah' and Allaah azzawajal says addressing his message to his Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) : 'O Messenger, say to your wives, daughters and to the women from amongst the Muslimeen, that they should throw the jilbaabs over themselves, that is better for them not to be known or not to be recognized and they will not be harmed. And indeed Allaah is al-Ghaffoor ar-Raheem.'

And likewise from the reasons is that a woman stays in her home and that she doesn't leave her home except for a pressing need. Allaah says in the previous ayah, '.. stay in your homes and do not display yourselves like the displaying of jaahiliyah. And you know O servants of Allaah, (O female slave of Allaah) that the Shaitaan who is the major enemy for us utilizes the issue of the women leaving out of their homes, using her as a means of corrupting the men and utilizing the men for corrupting her. And indeed the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) has said, 'indeed the whole of the woman is an awrah. So if she leaves her home, then indeed the shaitaan beautifies her and makes her fall into some type of fitnah and attempts her to fall into some lowly deeds.

And likewise from that a person distances himself from music as it is established with the people who have intellect that the beautiful voice has a direct effect upon the heart especially the heart of the woman. Music has an effect more o­n the woman than it has o­n the men. And if that music is accompanied with singing and with the playing of musical instruments, the effect that it has o­n the hearts in calling that person to lewdness is indeed greater. And for that reason Fudayl Ibn Iyyad rahimahullah mentioned that music is the ruqya of zina —meaning it is the thing that will lead towards it and will draw towards it.

Indeed Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala says in the Qur'aan, 'and indeed from the people of those who buy lahwal hadeed (meaning music here) in order to misguide from the path of Allaah and Ibn Masood radiallaahu anhu swore three times by Allaah regarding the tafseer concerning this ayah and the explanation of the lahwal hadeed that it is ghina, it is music and likewise from the reasons that protect ourselves from this lewdness will be mentioned in a summarized form so that we don't spend too long here.

The first of them the Shaykh mentions is that a person both men and women lowers their gazes. Because the sight that it takes to look is from the arrows from the arrows of Iblees. And for that reason the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) explained, 'that the first look that you take for a woman is for you i.e it is overlooked and the second o­ne is against you. And that is because the first look that a person took was not intentional i.e he did not intentionally take that look of that woman. So Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala had mercy upon us and forgave us for that. And as for the second look then the mu'min the male and the female believer are both taken to account for that.

Likewise, the woman should not perfume herself when she leaves from her house. Indeed Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) prohibited that. And likewise from the reasons that will protect the society from this is that a woman does not show her beautification or that which she wears underneath her jilbaab except to those individuals who are from her mahrim (Mahram) who are lawful from her relatives.

Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala has said that she should not show anything of her beautification except that which is apparent from her. And likewise from the reasons that will protect us bi-iznillaah that a woman does not enter in her speech i.e she does not go into too much depth with her speech and that she does not soften her speech to strange men. Whether that is upon the telephone or upon other than the telephone. And this is indeed from the greatest of reasons that leads to that evil. Because indeed if she is soft in her speech, then that o­ne who has something from sickness from his heart , will enter into his heart to have something with her by way of evil actions or by way of adultery or fornication.

And likewise from the reasons that we can protect, is that a person distances himself from intoxicants. Because indeed the khamr and the intoxicant are the mother of all evils. And by way a person would fall into zina and likewise it is a stealing and likewise it is a killing these souls that have been prohibited for us to kill. Rather a person would fall into every type of lowly act.

And likewise from the things that will protect us is that we keep clear from touching in any way a strange woman except in extreme necessity. O Servants of Allaah, indeed when the believer believes in Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala there is no doubt that he is going to be tested and that he is going to be under trial. And for that reason Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala when he created the Jannah, He surrounded it with the distasteful things. It was surrounded by things that are distasteful like Jihaad because a person may possibly die and it is something that is difficult for a person.

And likewise he wakes up at night at the time that it is very cold, and that you make wudhu and you pray. As for the tareeq or path to the Hellfire may Allaah protect us and you from it, is something that is easy iyaazu billaah. By doing those things that have connections with our desires like zina and drinking khamr and consuming wealth unlawfully and other than that from the evil act. Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala has said, 'Alif Laam Meem, do the people believe that they are going to be left alone saying that we believe and that they will not be put under trial. Indeed we put to trial those who came before them and Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala will know those who were truthful in their Imaan and Allaah  tabarak wa ta'ala will know by way of those that who are liars – the kaazibeen.


And likewise Allaah tabarak wa ta'ala has said, 'do you believe that you are going to enter Jannah and it did not come to you that which came to those who came before you? They were struck with hardships and calamities and they were shook until the Messenger and those who believe along with him said, 'when is the aid of Allaah going to come? Indeed the aid of Allaah is near.'

So you O my brother Muslim, and you O my sister Muslimah indeed you have chosen al-Islaam as your religion and this is the way of the anbiya alaihissalaatu wassalam and it is upon you that you remain firm upon the religion of Allaah and that you are not shaken in your Imaan and that you are not deceived by the duny and by its beautification and by Allaah you don't know when you are going to die. And you don't know when that thing that thing that stops all of o­ne's desires and stops all of o­ne's pain is going to end and going to come, so die while you are upon Islaam and while you are upon Imaan and while being in a state of being distant from the lewd deed and the evil deeds.


'O Allaah make us to see the Haqq and bless us to follow it. O Allaah make us see the baathil and the falsehood and bless us to stay away from it. And do not make it something that is not clear to us, so that we go astray. O Allaah make the best of our deeds of the dunya the last of our deeds, and the best of our action the last of our actions and the last of our days the day that we meet you.' 

The Reality of Death

The Reality of Death

By Dr. Saleh As-Saleh
Published Daar Al-Bukhari   
Life in this world has an appointed term, and the end of the term will definitely come... 

The righteous will die and the wicked will die...
The worriers for just causes will die and those who run from death will die
Those who busy themselves with correct belief will die...
and those who treat people as their slaves will die...
The brave who rejects injustice will die, and the coward who seeks to cling o­n to the life at any price will die...
The people of great concern and lofty goals will die, and wretched people who live o­nly for cheap enjoyment will die...
Wherever we will be, in a fortress or in a tent, we will die...

All will die:

Allah (God) says:

Everyone shall taste death...
[Quraan 3: 185]

No o­ne will escape death. Allah says:

Say: Verily, the death from which you flee will surely meet you, then you will be sent back to (Allah), the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, and He will tell you what you used to do.
[Quraan 62: 8]

This life is a period of trials and tests. Allah says:

He (Allah) has created death and life, that He may test which of you is the best in deed. He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving.
[Quraan 67:2]

Man is called to exert the right efforts to achieve the true success in this life and in the hereafter. When exerted according to Allah's way, the outcome is:

Whoever works righteousness whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (in the o­neness of Allah), verily to him (or to her) We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise).
[Quraan 16: 97]

But those who disbelieve and belie Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) such are the dwellers of the Fire, they shall abide therein forever.
[Quraan 2: 39]

Those who invoke other than Allah even if they call themselves "Muslims", o­nce evidences are established upon them that they are setting up rivals with Allah, and they die insisting o­n that, they exit the fold of Islam because they have committed shirk (worshipping or associating others with Allah). Prophets, themselves, are warned to keep away from Shirk in all its forms. In fact after mentioning the names in the good ranks of eighteen Prophets

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Noah, David Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, Aron, Zachariah, John, Jesus, Elias, Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah, and Lot together with thier fathers, their progeny, and their brethren.

in Surat (Chapter) of Al-An'aam (Chapter 6 in the Quraan), Allah warned that:

But if they had joined in the worship others with Allah, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them.
[Quraan 6:88]

A similar note was made clear to the last Messenger of Allah, Muhammad , in which Allah says:

And indeed it has been revealed to you (O Muhammad ), as it was to those (Allah's Messengers) before you: "If you join others in worship with Allah, (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers.
[Quraan 39:65]

One of the close and learned companions of the Prophet Muhammad by the name of Abdullah bin Mas'oud, may Allah be pleased with him, said: The Prophet said o­ne statement and said another. The Prophet said: "Whoever dies while still invoking anything otherthan Allah as a rival to Allah, will enter Hell (Fire)." An I said "Whoever dies without invoking anything as a rival to Allah, will enter Paradise."
[Shahih Al Bukhari Volume 6 Hadeeth 24]

When the appointed term of each soul is concluded, the o­nly thing that counts then, is its stand towards its Creator. At the time when the soul examines the actual death it will be too late for anyone to repent:

And Allah will never grant reprieve to any soul when its appointed time has come, and Allah is aware of all that you do.
[Quraan 63: 11]

Until, when death comes to o­ne of them (those who join partners with Allah and those who persist in their rejection of the Resurrection), he says: " My Lord! Send me back (to life) so that I may work in righteousness regarding things left behind!" But no! It is o­nly a word he says; and behind them is Barzakh (a barrier) until the day they are raised up.
[Quraan 23: 99-100]

Before it is too late, all people are called to reflect o­n their way of life, about the purpose of existence and the end. Certainly to Allah will be the return. He made His Message clear and said:

There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut (all froms of false deities) and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower
[Quraan 2: 256]

In his Farewell Pilgramage to Makkah, Prophet Muhammad  addressed the people o­n Friday, the 9th day of the 12th month of the 10th year of the Islamic Hijrah calendar, corresponding to the year 632 of the western calendar: He said:

"... I have left you among you the Book of Allah and if you hold fast to it, you will never go astray. And you will be asked about me (on the Day of resurrection), (now tell me) what would you say? They ( the audience) said, conveyed (the Message), discharged (the ministry of prophethood) and given wise (sincere) counsel."

The Prophet then raised his forefinger towards the sky and pointing at the people (said):

"O Allah be withness, O Allah, be witness, saying it thrice."
[Sahih Muslim V.2 pp. 611-617]

Marriage with the intention to divorcing after a Time Period

Marriage with the intention to divorcing after a Time Period.

Question: A person is going abroad to study and he wants to protect his chastity there by getting married for a specific period of time. Afterwards, he will divorce his wife although he does not inform her that he is planning on divorcing her after a specific time period. What is the ruling concerning such behaviour?

Answer: Marriage with the intention of divorce must fall into one of two cases. First, it is explicitly stipulated in the marriage that the marriage is for a month, a year or until he finishes his studies and so forth. This is known as Mut'ah. This is forbidden. The second case is where the person has that as his intention [in his heart] but it is not put as a stipulation in the contract. The widespread opinion among the Hanbalis is that that is forbidden and that the contract is void. They say that what is intended is equivalent to what is actually stipulated, since the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi-wasallam) said, "Indeed actions are based upon intentions and for everyone is what he intended." [1] They also say that if a man marries and plans on divorcing a thrice-divorced woman simply in order to make her permissible for her previous husband, that marriage is not valid even if what was intended is not stipulated in the marriage contract. Again, this is because what is intended is like what is stipulated. So if the intention of making the wife “legal” for her previous husband makes the contract null and void, the intention to perform [something similar to] Mut'ah also makes the contract null and void. The second opinion among the scholars is that it is permissible for the man to marry that women with the intention that he will divorce her after he leaves her land, such as those who got o the West to go to study or for other purposes. They say that it is sound because it is not stipulated in the contract and this distinguishes it from Mut'ah. Furthermore, in the case of Mut'ah, as soon as the period finishes, the two are separated whether they still want that or not. In this case, though it could be the case that he desires his wife and decides to remain with her. This is one of the opinions of held by Shaykhul Islaam ibn Taymiyyah. In my opinion, such a marriage is not Mut'ah since it does not meet the definition of Mut'ah. However, it is still forbidden since it is a type of deception of the wife and her family. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi-wasallam) has forbidden deception and mendacity. If the women knew that the man only intends to be married with her for that specific time, she would not agree to the marriage nor would her family. In the same way, he would not be pleased to marry his daughter to a man who intends to divorce her when he has fulfilled his need from her. How can he be pleased with doing to others what he would not be pleased to have done to himself? This goes against the foundation of faith. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi-wasallam) has stated, "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself" [2] I have also heard that this opinion has led some people to do something that none of the scholars would be in agreement with. That is, some people travel to such lands with the sole purpose of performing such a marriage and then they return to their countries. This is also a greatly forbidden act. Therefore, one must close the door that leads to such a possible practice. Furthermore, the act contains deception and cheating. It opens a very dangerous door since people, in general are ignorant and most of the peoples desires will not keep them from violating what Allah has prohibited. ________________________ [1] Recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim. [2] Recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen

Islamic Fatawa Regarding Women - Darussalam Pg. 190-192

http://www.fatwaislam.com