9 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT THE PROPHET'S MOSQUE

9 Things You Didn’t Know About The Prophet’s Mosque

Seeing a scene of impeccable beauty, we often hear the term “Heaven on Earth!” But there is only one place that literally has the right to proclaim itself as such. There, deep in the mosque of the Prophet [saw] (Masjid Nabawi), covered by green carpets and the tears of millions, lies a “garden from the gardens of paradise.” [1] It is a place known to every Muslim who has ever lived, yet there’s still much we don’t know about it. Here are just some of the interesting facts and mysteries of the Prophet’s [saw] Mosque:

9. The first place in the Arabian Peninsula to have electricity

When the Ottomans introduced electricity to the Arabian Peninsula, the first place to be lit up was the mosque of the Prophet [saw]. [2] By some accounts, it would be a few more years before the Sultan himself had full electricity in his own palace in Istanbul. [3]

8. The current mosque is larger than the old city

The current mosque is more than 100 times the size of the original building. [4] [5] This means that the current mosque covers almost the entire area of the old city itself. [6] [7] This is evident from the fact that whereas Jannat Al-Baqi cemetery was on the outskirts of the city during the time of the Prophet [saw], [8] it now borders the precincts of the current mosque grounds.

7. There’s an empty grave in the Prophet’s [saw] room.

It has long been the stuff of legend that there is an “empty grave” next to where the Prophet [saw], Abu Bakr [ranhu] and Umar [ranhu] are buried. [9] [10] [11] This was confirmed, however, when the individuals who went in to change the coverings in the hujrah* in the 1970s noted the presence of an empty space. [12] Whether or not it is meant for Isa [alayhis] when he returns is a matter of debate. [13]

*Note from author: What is meant by “hujrah” in this case is not the actual burial chamber / original room of Aisha (Ra.) This is enclosed in a pentagonal structure with no doors or windows and has not been visible for centuries. The area meant is the entire grilled area encompassing the chamber and area of other rooms.

6. It was destroyed by fire

The majority of the old mosque, including the original mimbar of the Prophet [saw], was destroyed in a fire that swept through the mosque centuries after the Prophet [saw] died. The fire was so extensive that the roof and even some of the walls of the room of the Prophet [saw] collapsed, revealing his resting place for the first time in 600 years. [14]

5. There was no dome before, now there are two!

For more than 650 years after the Prophet [saw] passed away, there was no dome over his [saw] grave. [15] The first one was built in 1279 by a Mamluk sultan and was made of wood. [16] The green dome that we see today is actually the outer dome over the room of the Prophet [saw]. There is an inner dome that is much smaller and has the name of the Prophet [saw], Abu Bakr [ranhu] and Umar [ranhu] inscribed on the inside. [17]

4. The dome used to be purple!

Yup – purple. It turns out that the dome has been through various colors and renovations before it reached its current form and colour about 150 years ago. [18]  At one point it used to be white and for the longest period it was a purple-blue colour that the Arabs of Hijaz were particularly fond of. [19] [20]

3. It has 3 mihrabs

Most mosques only have one mihrab, but the Prophet’s [saw] mosque has three. The current mihrab is the one used nowadays for the imam to lead prayers. The next mihrab is set back and is called the Suleymaniye or Ahnaf mihrab. [21] It was made on the orders of the Sultan Suleyman the magnificent for the Hanafi Imam to lead prayers whilst the Maliki Imam lead prayers from the Prophetic mihrab. The Prophetic mihrab completely covers the area that the Prophet [saw] used to lead prayers from except where he placed his feet. [22]

2. What lies in the room of Fatima [ranha]?

Items belonging to the Prophet [saw] were housed in his room or the room of Fatima [ranha] which was incorporated into his room after a major expansion. [23] When Medina was under siege during World War I, the Ottoman commander had many priceless artifacts evacuated to Istanbul, hidden in the clothes of women and children. [24] [25] They can now be seen in the Topkapi Palace. However, intriguingly, some items still remain but are undocumented. [26]

1. It is FULL of secret signs

Yes, the mosque of the Prophet [saw] is covered with so many subtle signs and secrets that it makes the DaVinci Code look like a cheap puzzle for pre-schoolers. Each pillar, each dome, each window carries a story and indicates the location of events that carry historical and spiritual significance. The people who constructed the Prophet’s Mosque realized that it would be impossible to put up signs everywhere as it would distract from the main purpose of prayers. Therefore, they came up with an ingenious way of indicating a location of importance through minor changes in the design of surrounding objects. What are the secrets? Well, that is a story for another day inshaAllah.

The mosque of the Prophet [saw] was never just a mosque. It was the center of the first Islamic community and nation. It was the scene of our greatest triumphs and tragedies. It was a community center, homeless refuge, university and mosque all rolled into one.

Like the Muslim community, it has grown over the years and become more modern with each passing generation. But despite the exponential growth and changes from the simple Hijazi date palm trunk interior to the marble and gold clad structure we have today – the inner core remains the same. Perhaps there’s a lesson in there for us all.

References

1. Sahih Bukhari – Book 30, Hadith 112
2. The holy cities, the pilgrimage and the world of Islam. Sultan Ghalib Al Quaiti, Page 439
3. http://www.kultur.gov.tr/EN,32815/dolmabahce-palace.html
4. History of Al Madinah Al Munawarah. Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri. Pg 68
5. http://www.arabnews.com/prophet%E2%80%99s-mosque-accommodate-two-million-worshippers-after-expansion
6.http://www.islamiclandmarks.com/saudi/madinah/masjid_e_nabwi/the_city_of_madinah.html
7. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the urbanization of Madinah. Assoc Prof Dr Spahic Omer. Research paper. Pages 89-90
8. Sabiq Al-Sayyid. Fiqh al Sunnah (Kitab Al-‘Ibadat) volume 2. Page 148.
9. Sahih Bukhari. Chapter 23, Hadith 474
10. http://islamqa.info/en/34464
11. Sultan Ghalib Al Quaiti, Op Cit. Page 144
12. http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2006/03/30/22439.html
13. http://ahmadjibril.com/articles/Isa.html
14. Sultan Ghalib Al Quaiti, Op Cit. Pages 124-125
15. Ibid Pages 125-127
16. Wafa Al-Wafa, Al Samhudi Pages 608-609
17. Ibid Pages 633 – 636
18. Fusul Min Tarikh Al-Madinah Al Munawarrah. Ali Hafiz. Pg 127
19. Diaries of Rifat Pasha, Vol 1, Page 464- 465
20. Sultan Ghalib Al Quaiti, Op Cit. Page 148
21. Ibid Page 144
22. Ibid Page 146
23. Ibid Page 125
24. Ibid Page 497
25. The Sacred Trusts: Topkapi Palace Museum. Hilmi Aydin
26. http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2006/03/30/22439.html

May Allah reward the author.

BEAUTIFUL POEM ABOUT THE HIJAB

Women, some say are built like hollow ground,
Our souls bruised and beaten with stares and frowns
Our Iman is safe, but make sure to look around
We are proud in our hijabs as others go without bounds
Allah is KING, my heart sings loud
As I wear my hijab for all to see, 
My khimar like a queen is my crown 
As my life and death is for Him no doubt…

Some sisters these days sell themselves too cheaply 
All cause some guy
Fools them into thinking that maybe they’re free!
Our lives entwined with desires and pain
We rush to celebrity seeking happiness and fame
Then trials and fitna from the media invade 
And pop music entraps us and our fortress fades

A wink and a shove in the streets between a brother and sister
Show the lack of hayat that has evaded our Ummah
The hijab you see, is not just a dress, in which we for others are meant to impress
But rather the feat in which our Iman behests 
To the Rahma of my Lord I indeed request
That on the Day of judgement our sisters are blessed 
For the choices we made and for passing this tremendous
Test…

MILGO MOHAMED

THE MAJORITY IN HELL ARE THE WOMEN

Praise be to Allah.
It was narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that women will form the majority of the people of Hell. It was narrated from ‘Imran ibn Husayn that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “I looked into Paradise and I saw that the majority of its people were the poor. And I looked into Hell and I saw that the majority of its people are women.”
(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 3241; Muslim, 2737)

With regard to the reason for this, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked about it and he explained the reason.

It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “I was shown Hell and I have never seen anything more terrifying than it. And I saw that the majority of its people are women.” They said, “Why, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “Because of their ingratitude (kufr).” It was said, “Are they ungrateful to Allah?” He said, “They are ungrateful to their companions (husbands) and ungrateful for good treatment. If you are kind to one of them for a lifetime then she sees one (undesirable) thing in you, she will say, ‘I have never had anything good from you.’” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 1052)

It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) went out to the musalla (prayer place) on the day of Eid al-Adha or Eid al-Fitr. He passed by the women and said, ‘O women! Give charity, for I have seen that you form the majority of the people of Hell.’ They asked, ‘Why is that, O Messenger of Allah?’  He replied, ‘You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religious commitment than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you.’ The women asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is deficient in our intelligence and religious commitment?’ He said, ‘Is not the testimony of two women equal to the testimony of one man?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Is it not true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?’ The women said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘This is the deficiency in her religious commitment.’”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 304)

It was narrated that Jabir ibn ‘Abd-Allah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I attended Eid prayers with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He started with the prayer before the khutbah (sermon), with no adhan (call to prayer) or iqamah (final call to prayer). Then he stood up, leaning on Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him), speaking of fear of Allah (taqwa) and urging us to obey Him. He preached to the people and reminded them. Then he went over to the women and preached to them and reminded them. Then he said, ‘Give in charity, for you are the majority of the fuel of Hell. A woman with dark cheeks stood up in the midst of the women and said, ‘Why is that, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said, ‘Because you complain too much and are ungrateful to your husbands.’ Then they started to give their jewellery in charity, throwing their earrings and rings into Bilal’s cloak.”
(Narrated by Muslim, 885)

Our believing sisters who learn of this hadeeth should behave like those Sahabiyat (female Companions) who, when they learned of this, did good deeds which would be the means, by Allah’s leave, of keeping them far away from being included in that majority of the inhabitants of Hell.
Our sisters should be grateful to their husbands as well. May Allah save the believing women from hell-fire.

Extracted from; islamqa.info

BRIEFS ABOUT THE HERETICAL BELIEFS OF THE MAJOR DEVIANT SECTS

There are many sects which have deviated from the teachings of the religion of Islam, as in the Qur'an and Sunnah, claiming to be religious sects. Consequently, they are all misguided due to their heretical beliefs and Muslims must be aware of their misguidance so as to be careful and not to fall in the same errors. Allah's aid is sought.

The major sects among others are as follows;

1. THE RAAFIDITES (SHI'AH)
The Raafidites are those who went to extremes regarding the Prophet’s household. They declare the other Companions apostates or corrupt. They have many subsects. Among them are extremists who claim divinity for ‘Alee and others less than that. Their innovation first appeared during the Caliphate of ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib, when ‘Abdullaah ibn Saba said to him: “You are God,” and ‘Alee ordered that they be excuted by being burned to death. However, their leader, ‘Abdullaah ibn Saba fled to al-Madaa’in.
Their position regarding Allaah’s divine attributes is varied. Some of them are anthropomorphists, others deny the attributes, while others are moderate. They were named Raafidites (rejectors) because they rejected Zayd ibn ‘Alee, the son of al-Husayn ibn ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib, when they asked him about Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar and he prayed for Allaah’s mercy for them instead of cursing them as they wanted and expected. They rejected him as Imaam and distanced themselves from him. They named themselves Shi’ites, claiming that they were followers and supporters of the Prohet’s Household, and defenders of their right to leadership (Imaamate). (Sharh Lum‘atul-I‘tiqaad, pp. 161-2)

2. THE JAHMITES
The Jahmites are named after Jahm ibn Safwaan who was executed by Saalim ibn Ahwaz in 121AH. They are not a group or sect per se but the label was traditionally given to all who followed Jahm’s views.
Their position regarding Allaah’s attributes was that of absolute denial as held by the Mu‘tazilites, regarding Qadar was that of Jabriyyah or fatalism, regarding eemaan was that of the Murji’ites, that it was only in the heart and that deeds were not a part of it. (Sharh Lum‘atul-I‘tiqaad, p. 162)

3. THE KAARIJITES
The Khaarijites (Ar. Khawaarij, meaning “seceders”) were the first sect to appear among Muslims. The Khaarijite division occurred during the Battle of Siffeen (657CE) when Mu‘aawiyah presented a proposal to ‘Alee for the settlement of their differences concerning the punishment of the murderers of Caliph ‘Uthmaan, which had provoked civil war. Mu‘aawiyah suggested that the problem be referred to two arbitrators who would pronounce judgement according to the Qur’aan. The majority of ‘Alee’s army readily adopted this proposal. However, one group, mainly from the tribe of Tameem, vigorously protested against the setting up of a human tribunal above divine judgment on the battlefield. They split off from ‘Alee’s army, while loudly protesting that “judgement belongs to Allaah alone (laa hukma illaa lillaah)” and withdrew to a village not far from Kufah called Harooraa. There they elected as their chief an obscure soldier called ‘Abdullaah ibn Wahb ar-Raasibee and took the name Haaroorites or Muhakkimites. Their numbers increased due to successive defections. When the arbitration ended unfavourably, a large group of ‘Alee’s partisans defected and left Koofah to join Ibn Wahb’s camp along
the Nahrawaan canal. And it is in reference to this defection that the name Khawaarij or Khaarijites was given.
The fanaticism of the Khaarijites immediately manifested itself in a series of extremist proclamations and terrorist actions. They proclaimed the annulment of ‘Alee’s caliphate, condemned Caliph ‘Uthmaan’s conduct and branded ‘Alee and Mu‘aawiyah disbelievers along with anyone who did not accept their point of view. They committed many vicious acts of murder that included women and children. As their numbers grew their corruption spread. Eventually Caliph ‘Alee was forced to neutralize their threat by
attacking their camp. Ibn Wahb and most of his followers were killed in the Battle of Nahrawaan, July 658. However, the rebellion was far from being suppressed. It continued as a series of local uprisings in the following years. ‘Alee himself was assassinated in 661 by the Khaarijite, ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Muljam, whose wife had lost most of her family members at Nahrawaan. (Shorter Encyclopaedia of Islam, pp. 246-8.)

The Khaarijite's Beliefs: The Khaarijites held that major sins make the sinner an apostate. Their extreme wing, the Azraqites held that anyone who became a disbeliever in this way could never re-enter the faith and should
be killed for his apostasy along with his wives and children. All non Khaarijite Muslims were regarded as apostates. On the basis of this they developed the principle of isti‘raad (religious murder), which was
applied from the beginning of the movement’s appearance, even before it had been formulated in theory. This ferocious principle formed a strange contrast with the spirit of tolerance shown by the Khaarijites to
non-Muslims. They also held that it was a religious duty to revolt against an Imaam who has sinned. (Shorter Encyclopaedia of Islam, p. 248, The Concise Encyclopaedia of Islam, pp. 222-3, Maqaalaat al- Islaameeyeen, vol. 1, pp. 167-8, al-Milal wan-Nihal, p. 106-110, and Wastiyyah Ahlis-Sunnah bayna al- Firaq, pp. 291-2.)

4. THE QADIRITES
The Qadarites denied destiny and declared human will free and human action independent of Allaah’s will and power. The first to make this claim openly was Ma‘bad al-Juhanee who did so towards the end of the era of the Companions. He learned it from a Magian in Basra. This sect consists of two main branches. There is one extreme branch, which denies Allaah’s knowledge, will and power, and His creation of human actions. This branch has virtually died out over the centuries. The other less extreme branches believe in Allaah’s prior knowledge of human actions but deny that human actions occur according to His will, by His power and due to His creation. This philosophical school of thought settled on the latter position. (Sharh Lum‘atul-I‘tiqaad, p. 162)

5. THE MURJ'ITES
The Murji’ites are those who do not consider deeds to be a part of eemaan (faith). In their view, eemaan consists of acceptance in the heart alone. Consequently, according to them, a corrupt and sinful person’s
faith is complete, regardless of the sins he commits and the righteous deeds he abandons. Furthermore, if he is judged a disbeliever for abandoning some religious rules, it is due to the lack of conviction in his
heart and not because of his abandonment of a deed. This is the school of thought of the Jahmites, and it is on the other end of the creedal spectrum from the Khaarijites. (Sharh Lum‘atul-I‘tiqaad, pp. 162-3.)
Murji’ism comes from the term Irjaa found in verse 106 of Soorah at-Tawbah (9):136
“Others are made to wait for Allaah’s decree, as to whether He will punish them or forgive them, and Allaah is All-Knowing All-Wise.”
The Murji’ites appeared in reaction to the Khaarijites, who denied the possibility of forgiveness for major sins. The main thesis of the Murji’ites was the ineffaceable character of faith, in opposition to the Khaarijites. Their second thesis was, where there is faith, sins will do no harm. On account of the latter doctrine they were called the adherents of the promise (ahlul-wa‘d), in contra-distinction to the Mu‘tazilites who were called the adherents of the threat (ahlul-wa‘eed). [Shorter Encyclopaedia of Islam, p. 412; The Concise Encyclopaedia of Islam, pp. 288-9]

6. THE MU'TAZILITES
The Mu‘tazilites are followers of Waasil ibn ‘Ataa who excluded himself from the circle of al-Hasan al-Basree and asserted that sinners are in limbo between belief and disbelief and that they will remain forever in the hellfire. ‘Amr ibn ‘Ubayd followed him in this belief. They denied the divine attributes like the Jahmites, and denied Allaah’s Qadar relative to human actions like the Qadarites, and they claimed that one who does major sins will be eternally in hell. (Sharh Lum‘atul-I‘tiqaad, p. 163.)

7. THE KARRAMITES
The Karraamites leaned towards anthropomorphism and Murjiite thought. Muhammad ibn Karraam’s main theological doctrine, which led to his sect’s inclusion among the mushabbihah (anthropormophites), was that Allaah was a “substance (jawhar ),” for which some of his followers substituted “body (jism),” though without human body parts, and in contact with the Throne, which is located in space. His followers maintained that Allaah was speaking before He spoke, and could be worshipped before there were any worshippers. Ibn Karraam held that Allaah has power, but not over the world and the objects in it, which were created not by His will, but by the word kun (be).
His other doctrine was that eemaan is constituted by a single utterance of the two declarations of faith, and involves neither conviction (tasdeeq) nor works. This view, though similar to the chief thesis of the Murji’ites, is said to have been held by no one before him. (Shorter Encyclopaedia of Islam, pp. 223-4.)

8. THE SAALIMITES
The Saalimites are named after an individual by the name of Ibn Saalim and they are anthropomorphists.

9. THE ASH'ARITES
The Ash‘arites who were followers of Abul-Hasan ‘Alee ibn Ismaa‘eel al-Ash‘aree (873- 935). He was born and raised in Basra, where he espoused Mu‘tazilite thought as a student of al- Jubbaa’ee, until he reached the age of forty and he publically announced his repentance from it and explained its falsehood. Then he adhered firmly to the way of the People of the Sunnah. As for those who name themselves after him, they continue following a particular sect, which only recognizes seven divine attributes that, according to them, the human intellect indicates. They interpret the remaining attributes as manifestations of the seven mentioned in the following line of poetry.

"Living, knowing, able and speech He has *** Will and likewise hearing and sight"

They also have many other innovative statements regarding the meaning of speech, ability, etc. (Sharh Lum‘atul-I‘tiqaad, p. 163.)

10. THE MAATUREEDITES
The Maatureedites named after Aboo Mansoor Muhammad (d. 944), a scholastic theologian born in Samarkand, who, together with the Ash‘arites and others were the founders of scholastic theology (‘Ilm al-Kalaam.) Little is known about the man himself as his school became established as the result of the writings of his disciples, in particular an-Nasafee. The doctrinal differences between the Maatureedite and Ash‘arite schools are traditionally listed as thirteen, of which seven are semantic. The most important difference is that al-Maatureedee held that the just are saved on account of their justice, whereas the Ash‘arites held that Allaah’s will is unfathomable; He may send the just to Hell. (The Concise Encyclopaedia of Islam, p. 262.)

We ask Allaah to protect us from innovation and turmoil and bewitchment, and to keep us alive following Islaam and the Sunnah, and that He make us among those who follow the Messenger of Allaah (r) in this life and gather us in his group after death, by His mercy and grace. Aameen.
(Dua by Ibn Qudaamah (may Allah have mercy on him) in his book "Radiance of Faith" point 95)

Extracted from; A Commentary on Ibn Qudaamah al-Maqdisee’s "Radiance of Faith" by Dr Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips (may Allah preserve upon goodness)

Abdulahmid Azeez

WHAT A MUSLIM SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE ANTI-CHRIST (DAJJAL)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) informed us that the trial of the Anti-Christ, Dajjaal, would be the greatest trial of all times saying in a narration related by Hishaam ibn ‘Aamir and collected by Muslim:

 “There is no trial from the time of Aadam’s creation until the Last Hour greater than Dajjaal.”

 ( Sahih Muslim, vol. 4, p. 1525, no. 7037.)

The Prophet also said;

“The Hour will not arrive until about thirty lying dajjaals appear, each claiming that he is a messenger of Allaah.”

About him;

Name

The title “dajjaal” is taken from the Arabic verb, dajala which means “to deceive”. He is also referred to

in Hadeeth literature as “a‘war” which means “blind in one eye; having a defective eye”

Description

1. Blind in the right eye which will be like a floating grape, unstable, not in a fixed position.

2. The left eye will also be defective having a thick film and will be green like glass. It will be bulging

and it will have a glassy glint to it.

3. His complexion will be ruddy white.

4. His forehead will be prominent and his neck wide.

5. He will be a short and stout young man with a powerful build, whose back will be slightly hunched

 and his feet will be set unusually wide apart. He will have a lot of very curly hair, like small-headed snakes coiled on each other.

6. He will be sterile, having no children.

7. According to the Prophet, he most resembles ‘Abdul-‘Uzzaa ibn Qatan, from the Mustalaq clan of the Khuzaa‘ah tribe who died in pre-Islamic times. This statement of the Prophet is proof that Dajjaal is a man and not as some suggest, a symbol for Western Civilization, the television, etc. Muhammad Abduh claimed that Dajjaal was symbolic of superstition, deception and abominations (shameful deeds).

8. The word “Disbelief” will be written between his two eyes which will be recognizable for both literate and illiterate believers.

 “Disbeliever will be written between his two eyes which will be read by every literate and illiterate believer .”

His story is as follows: He will appear on a road between Syria and Iraq and invite people to worship him. Most of his followers will be Jews, women and bedouins. He will traverse the whole earth like wind-driven rain, entering every town and city except Makkah and Madeenah. He will rule for forty days, the first of which will be like a year, the second like a month, the third like a week, and the remaining thirty-seven days like normal days. He will be blind in one eye and the word “disbeliever” or “disbelief” will be written on his forehead visible to the believers only. He will command the skies to rain

and the earth to bear fruit and they will. He will be accompanied by what will appear like paradise and hell. However, his paradise will be hell and his hell paradise. He will eventually corner the Muslim forces led by the Mahdee in Jerusalem.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned Muslims to run from him if they meet him. And he said; 

“Allaah, Most Great and Glorious, never sent a prophet without them warning their nation about Dajjaal.” (Sunan ibn Majah, no. 4128 and authenticated in Saheeh al-Jaami‘, no. 7875)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us how to seek refuge from the trials of Dajjal. Ibn ‘Abbaas related that Allaah’s Messenger used to teach them this prayer (du’aa) the same way that he used to teach them a chapter (soorah) from the Qur’aan. So much stress was placed on it that Ibn ‘Abbaas’ student, Taawoos, was reported to have asked his son on one occasion whether he had made the supplication in his prayer and when he told him that he had not, Taawoos told him to repeat his prayer (Sahih Muslim, vol. 1, pp. 291-2, no. 1225) 

The du‘aa was reported by a number of the Companions of the Prophet (r). Aboo Hurayrah quoted the Prophet (r) as saying:

 “O Allaah, I seek refuge with You from the punishment of Hell, the torment of the grave, the trials of living and dying and from the evil trials of the Anti-Christ (al-Maseeh ad Dajjaal).”

(Sahih Muslim, vol. 1, p. 291, no. 1217 and Sahih Al Bukhari, vol. 1, pp. 441-2, no. 795.)

May Allah save us from the trials of Dajjal.

Extracted from; A Commentary on Ibn Qudaamah al-Maqdisee’s

"The Radiance of Faith"

by Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips. Page 78

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF DR. ABU AMEENAH BILAL PHILIPS

DR. ABU AMEENAH BILAL PHILIPS

Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, born Dennis Bradley Philips, is a Canadian Muslim Scholar, Speaker, and Author who lives in Qatar.

Dr. Bilal Philips reverted to Islam in 1972 after being into Christianity and Communism. And the book that won his heart over was “Islam, The Misunderstood Religion” by Muhammad Qutb.

After accepting Islam, he felt the need to understand the religion from it source, so he preceded to Saudi Arabia where he studied under scholars and received his B.A. degree from the College of Islamic Disciplines (Usul ad-Deen) at the Islamic University of Madina in 1979, and his M.A. in ʿAqīdah (Islamic Theology) from the King Saud University in Riyadh in 1985, and also in University of Wales, St. David's University College (now University of Wales, Trinity Saint David) in the Islamic Studies department. There at the Lampeter Campus where he completed his 1993 PhD thesis, Exorcism in Islam.

After his graduation from Madina, Dr. Bilal became a teacher of Islamic studies for 10 years in an Islamic High School, Manaret Riyadh, and a lecturer of Arabic and Islamic studies in the American University in Dubai, UAE, for another 10 years. During his 10 years in the UAE, he founded and taught at the Islamic Information Center in Dubai, and during his subsequent years in Qatar he has been an Islamic consultant and lecturer for the Islamic Information wing of Sh. Eed Charit. He also lectured M.Ed. students in the Islamic Studies department of Shariff Kabunsuan Islamic University in Cotabato City, Mindanao, Philippines. In 2002 Dr. Bilal Philips founded and headed the Islamic studies department of Preston University, Ajman, UAE, and in 2007 he founded and headed the Islamic Studies Academy, Doha, Qatar.

Subsequently, Dr. Bilal founded and headed, in 2008, the English medium Islamic studies department of Knowledge International University, who’s Chancellor is Shaikh Dr. ‘Abdur-Rahman ibn ‘Abdul-Azeez Al Sudais and who’s President of the board of trustees is Shaikh ‘Abdul-Azeez ibn ‘Abdullah Al Shaikh, Mufti of Saudi Arabia. Also in 2009, Dr. Bilal Philips founded and headed the College of Da’wah and Islamic Culture (English Section) in Omdurman Islamic University, Sudan, and established and directed Preston International College in Chennai, India.

He launched the Islamic Online University, an online distance-learning institute in March 2010, which was the first university in history that launched an accredited tuition-free BA in Islamic Studies degree course. Currently, the Islamic Online University offers Degree, Master’s, Doctorate and Diploma courses in various fields of knowledge like Islamic Studies, Arabic language and Linguistics, Information Technology, Islamic Economics, Banking and Finance, Psychology, Business Administration, and Education. The University also offers free diploma courses in Islamic Studies which is of benefit especially for the newly reverted Muslims.

Dr. Bilal Philips has authored, translated and commented on many published books on various Islamic topics which are available in English Language and are beneficial for the Muslims and non-Muslims. Among the books he authored are “Fundamentals of Tawheed”, "Evolution of Islamic Law", "Through Repentance", "Islamic Studies", "Hajj and Umrah According to Quran & Sunnah", "Islamic Rules on Menstruation", "Arabic Reading & Writing Made Easy", "Arabic Grammar Made Easy", "and The Purpose of Creation" and so on. And among the author's published works he translated are "Ibn Taymiyyah's Essay on the Jinn", "The Devil's Deception" and “Arabic Calligraphy in Manuscripts”.

Pactising his Tai Chi skills

Sheikh's Childhood Picture

At the Islamic University of Madina

May Allah preserve Sheikh Dr. Abu Ameena Bilal Philips upon goodness.

His website: www.BilalPhilips.com

AbdulAhmid Azeez. 

BEAUTIFUL STORY OF MALIK IBN DINAR AND THE BURGLAR

A burglar scaled the wall of Maalik Bin Dinar’s house one night and easily managed to get inside. Once inside the house, the thief was disappointed to see nothing worth stealing. Maalik was busy performing prayer. Realizing he was not alone, he quickly ended his prayer and turned around to face the thief. Without showing any signs of shock or scare, Maalik calmly extended greetings of peace and said, “My brother, may Allah forgive you. You entered my home and found nothing worth taking, yet I do not want you to leave without taking away some benefit.”
He went in another room and came back with a jug full of water. He looked into the eyes of the burglar and said, “Make ablution and perform two units of prayer, for if you do so, you will leave my home with a greater treasure than you had initially sought.”
Humbled by Maalik’s manners and words, the thief said, “Yes, that is a generous offer indeed.”
After making ablution and performing two units of prayer, the burglar said, “O Maalik, would you mind if I stayed for a while, for I want to stay to perform two more units of prayer?”
Maalik said, “Stay for whatever amount of prayer Allah decrees for you to perform now.”
The thief ended up spending the entire night at Maalik’s house. He continued to pray until morning. Then Maalik said, “Leave now and be good.”
But instead of leaving, the thief said, “Would you mind if I stayed here with you today, for I have made an intention to fast?” “Stay as long as you wish,” Maalik said.
The burglar ended up staying for a number of days, praying during the late hours of each night and fasting in the day. When he finally decided to leave, the burglar said, “O Maalik, I have made a firm resolve to repent for my sins and for my former way of life.”
Maalik said, “That is in the Hand of Allah.”
The man did mend his ways and began to lead a life of righteousness and obedience to Allah. Later on, he came across another burglar who asked him, “Have you found your treasure yet?”
He replied, “My brother, what I found is Maalik Bin Dinar. I went to steal from him, but it was he who ended up stealing my heart. I have indeed repented to Allah, and I will remain at the door (of His mercy and forgiveness) until I achieve what His obedient, loving slaves have achieved.”

(Al-Mawaa’idh wal-Majaalis: 85)
Adapted from ‘Stories of Repentance’ published by Darussalam

THE BEAUTIFUL HADITH OF THE THREE MEN

Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu) narrated that he heard Allah's Messenger (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) saying:

"Allah willed to test three Israelis who were a leper, a blind man and a bald headed man. So, He sent them an angel who came to the leper and said, 'What thing do you like most? He replied, 'Good color and good skin, for the people have a strong aversion to me.' The angel touched him, and his illness was cured, and he was given a good color and beautiful skin. The angel asked him, 'What kind of property do you like best?' He replied, 'Camels'. So he (i.e. the leper) was given a pregnant she-camel, and the angel said, 'May Allah bless you in it.'
The angel then went to the bald headed man and said, 'What thing do you like most?' He said, 'I like good hair and wish to be cured of this disease, for the people feel repulsion for me.' The angel touched him and his illness was cured, and he was given good hair. The angel asked (him), 'What kind of property do you like best?' He replied, 'Cows.' The angel gave him a pregnant cow and said, 'May Allah bless you in it.'
The angel went to the blind man and asked, 'What thing do you like best?' He said, '(I like) that Allah may restore my eyesight so that I may see the people.' The angel touched his eyes and Allah gave him back his eyesight. The angel asked him, 'What kind of property do you like best?' He replied, 'Sheep.' The angel gave him a pregnant sheep. Afterwards, all the three pregnant animals gave birth to young ones, and multiplied and brought forth so much that one of the (three) men had a herd of camels filling a valley, and one had a herd of cows filling a valley, and one had a flock of sheep filling a valley.
Then the angel, disguised in the shape and appearance of a leper, went to the leper and said, 'I am a poor man who has lost all means of livelihood while on a journey. So none will satisfy my need except Allah and then you. In the name of Him who has given you such nice color and beautiful skin and so much property, I ask you to give me a camel so that I may reach my destination'. The man replied, 'I have many obligations (so I cannot give you).' The angel said, 'I think I know you. Were you not a leper to whom the people had a strong aversion? Weren't you a poor man, and then Allah gave you (all this property).' He replied, '(This is all wrong), I got this property through inheritance from my forefathers.' The angel said, 'If you are telling a lie, then let Allah make you as you were before.'
Then the angel, disguised in the shape and appearance of a bald man, went to the bald man and said to him the same as he told the first one, and he too answered the same as the first one did. The angel said, 'If you are telling a lie, then let Allah make you as you were before.' The angel, disguised in the shape of a blind man, went to the blind man and said, 'I am a poor man and a traveler, whose means of livelihood have been exhausted while on a journey. I have nobody to help me except Allah, and after Him, you, yourself. I ask you in the name of Him who has given you back your eyesight to give me a sheep, so that with its help, I may complete my journey'. The man said, 'No doubt, I was blind and Allah gave me back my eyesight; I was poor and Allah made me rich; so take anything you wish from my property. By Allah, I will not stop you for taking anything (you need) of my property which you may take for Allah's sake.' The angel replied, 'Keep your property with you. You (i.e. three men) have been tested and Allah is pleased with you and is angry with your two companions.'

[Sahih Bukhari: Volume 4, Book 56 Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) and his Companions, Number 670]

Lesson:
1. Allah is pleased with the blind man because he is appreciative, charitable, honest, and God fearing.
2. The leper and bald headed man earned Allah's anger because they forgot Allah's favor upon them, they were arrogant, and selfish.

ARROGANCE

All praise to Almighty Allah. We praise Him, seek His help and seek His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from evils within our souls and harms of our deeds. Whomever Allah guides, none can misguide. And whomever He sends astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah alone with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad (pbuh) is His Messenger.

Arrogance is a disease of the heart; it makes one feel superior over others, and leads one to destruction. One who lacks humbleness and humility is cursed by Allah and prevented from entering paradise on the Day of Judgment. Allah subhaanah gave us example of Fir’awn and of those whom were destroyed due to their arrogance nature, for indeed Allah hates an arrogant person. 

…….Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful. Q3: 36

According to Sahih Muslim, arrogance means “to reject the truth and look down on people”. No one rejects truth and still hold on to falsehood after the truth has been made clear other than an arrogant person, Allah dislikes them.

Allah humiliates and disgraces the boastful people, and Allah warns us to avoid such attitude, He gives us as parable from the Quran when the Angels were ordered to bow down to Adam (AS), Iblis refused and said “I am better than him, you created me from fire and created him from clay”, Allah said, “Descend from Paradise, for it is not for you to be arrogant therein. So get out; indeed, you are of the debased. Q7: 11-12.

So Iblis was cursed by Allah and faced his fate for his arrogance and feeling of superiority.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “No one who has an atom’s weight of pride/arrogance will enter into Jannah (paradise)”. (Sahih Muslim).

This means paradise is forbidden for an arrogant person, and then what is the benefit of arrogance in the life of a man who lives today and dies tomorrow. Ibn Taymiya (RA) says, “How can a person who passes from the passage of urine twice have arrogance in his heart.”

Pride and boastfulness is an attribute which only befit The Creator (Allah) and not for the creation, for Allah alone owns the dominion of the heavens and the earths and unquestionable for anything He does.

There are cures for arrogance, and by which one heart can be free from pride. We should strengthen our relationship with Allah by obeying Him and pleasing Him with deeds which are obligatory and voluntary, we should perceive the knowledge of our purpose in life and realize that we are nothing but a collection of decreasing days which will soon come to an end.

Today we take pride in having wealth, health, education and luxuries in life, look down upon others and tomorrow we are nowhere to be found, the people of honor and contempt, people of arrogance and humbleness of yesterday are nowhere today but in the their various graves, and the question we should ask ourselves is that “of what benefit is my arrogance and pride on the surface of this earth?, does it really worth it?”, because whether we like it or not, we will be nowhere other than the grave soon, so let’s be humble and let’s live this life like a visitor.

Let’s be grateful to Allah for everything, and not to become arrogant, boastful and not forget that Allah is the One bestowing all favors upon us. There are many people more favored than we are but are very humble, and this tells us our arrogance and pride are of no worth.

 Allah says, “Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny.” Q55: 13.
We pray to Allah to protect us from such a disease of the heart and make us be among the humble servants.

Abdullah Khan.