Awake! 2013

CINNAMON AND HONEY FOR YOUR CURE_____________________________________ - 5 - A DEEP OCEAN ______________________________________________________________ - 7 - DIVINE MYSTERY ___________________________________________________________ - 7 - THE DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES OF DISRUPTING THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE ____ - 7 - LUXURY AND EXTRAVAGANCE ______________________________________________ - 8 - ENTERING JANNAT WITHOUT RECKONING! ___________________________________ - 8 - THIS WORLD ________________________________________________________________ - 9 - UNFORTUNATE MAN ________________________________________________________ - 9 - THE HARAAM CARRION CHICKEN INDUSTRY _________________________________ - 9 - THE BRUTAL SHOCKING ___________________________________________________________ - 9 - TORTURE IN THE TUNNEL AND TANK _______________________________________________ - 9 - STRICKEN WITH FEAR _____________________________________________________________ - 10 - UPSIDE DOWN SHACKLING ________________________________________________________ - 10 - PUNISHMENT FOR A LUSTFUL GAZE _________________________________________ - 10 - SILAH RAHMI ______________________________________________________________ - 11 - SOLITUDE AND HUNGER ____________________________________________________ - 11 - THE ANGELS OF THE HEAVENS ______________________________________________ - 12 - MOTHER IS YOUR NAFL HAJJ ________________________________________________ - 14 - NABI AADAM'S JANAAZAH _________________________________________________ - 14 - MAULANA BINNURI ON HARAM METHODS ___________________________________ - 14 - THE DARKNESS OF TASHABBUH_____________________________________________ - 15 - TEN MORONIC ACTS ________________________________________________________ - 16 - THE LIMIT OF THE MUQALLID _______________________________________________ - 16 - A SHAITAAN _______________________________________________________________ - 16 - DISEASE – THE INNATE ATTRIBUTE OF THE HARAAM PLASTIC CHICKEN INDUSTRY16 - FOUR AFFLICTIONS _________________________________________________________ - 18 - THE GHAIRAT OF A PIOUS QUEEN ___________________________________________ - 18 - THE SABR, FAQR AND FUTUWWAT OF MANSUR HALLAAJ _____________________ - 18 - HIJAAB FOR IN-LAWS AND THE DANGER OF RECKLESS MINGLING _____________ - 19 - DIMINISHING MUSHAARAKAH? _____________________________________________ - 20 - THE EFFECT OF ATHAAB ____________________________________________________ - 21 - DRINKING WATER AND THE SHAITAAN ______________________________________ - 21 - METHOD OF SHAITAANI DECEPTION _________________________________________ - 21 - A GRIEVOUS ERROR OF THE ASAATIZAH _____________________________________ - 22 - SUMMONING THE SOULS ___________________________________________________ - 22 - - 2 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 _________________________ - 23 - AISHAH AND THE 7 FUQAHA ________________________________________________ - 23 - ERRORS ARE NOT DALEEL __________________________________________________ - 24 - THE LIGHT OF THE FAQEER _________________________________________________ - 24 - JUBBUL HUZN AND THE QAARIS ____________________________________________ - 24 - YOUR PREFERENCE! ________________________________________________________ - 25 - FIVE ATTRIBUTES __________________________________________________________ - 25 - THE PREDICTED FITNAH HAS OVERTAKEN US ________________________________ - 25 - A PIOUS PERSON? __________________________________________________________ - 26 - THE FOUNDATION OF WORSHIP _____________________________________________ - 26 - EFFECTS OF ADULTERY _____________________________________________________ - 26 - RIZQ _______________________________________________________________________ - 26 - THE PRIMARY CAUSE FOR CANCER __________________________________________ - 26 - ARSENIC POISON IN CARRION CHICKENS ____________________________________ - 27 - SALAAT MASAA-IL _________________________________________________________ - 28 - THE RULE OF ITTISAAL____________________________________________________________ - 28 - LOGOS AND INSCRIPTIONS ________________________________________________________ - 29 - REVEALING THE FORM OF THE AURAH _____________________________________________ - 29 - FORMING THE SAFF (THE SALAAT ROW) ____________________________________________ - 29 - CONVERSATION __________________________________________________________________ - 29 - SPEAKING WHILST MAKING WUDHU _______________________________________________ - 29 - THE FEET ________________________________________________________________________ - 30 - RUKU' ___________________________________________________________________________ - 30 - STRAIGHTENING THE SAFF ________________________________________________________ - 30 - TILAAWAT (RECITING THE QUR'AAN SHAREEF) _____________________________________ - 30 - THE HUMILIATION OF THIS DEAD UMMAH ___________________________________ - 30 - THE POWER OF MUSLIMS ___________________________________________________ - 32 - THE SPIRITUAL LETHARGY OF THE PRESENT DAY MEN OF KNOWLEDGE _______ - 34 - THE PRIMARY CONSPIRACY AGAINST ISLAM _________________________________ - 37 - THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUNNAH __________________________________________ - 45 - THE HONEST TRADERS _____________________________________________________ - 45 - THE BROKEN HEARTS ______________________________________________________ - 46 - OVER-CONFIDENT __________________________________________________________ - 46 - WHEN ALLAH INTENDS GOOD _______________________________________________ - 46 - "THE DUMB SHAITAAN' _____________________________________________________ - 47 - A DEEP OCEAN _____________________________________________________________ - 47 - - 3 - LUQMAAN'S NASEEHAT TO HIS SON _________________________________________ - 48 - LUQMAAN'S LOFTY STATUS ________________________________________________ - 48 - THE BARKAT OF SURAH YAASEEN __________________________________________ - 48 - "I SEARCHED FOR FIVE THINGS" _____________________________________________ - 49 - THREE ADVICES OF THE AULYA _____________________________________________ - 49 - THE VALUE OF SERVICE TO A MU'MIN _______________________________________ - 49 - MOCKING THE PIOUS _______________________________________________________ - 50 - FLEE FROM MORONS _______________________________________________________ - 50 - BLADDER STONES __________________________________________________________ - 50 - PROTECTION AGAINST HARMFUL FOOD SUBSTANCES ________________________ - 50 - FOR PAIN __________________________________________________________________ - 51 - FOR HEADACHE ____________________________________________________________ - 51 - (COMMANDING VIRTUE AND PROHIBITING VICE) _____________________________ - 51 - TEN SURAHS _______________________________________________________________ - 53 - FOUR POISONS _____________________________________________________________ - 53 - THE MERCY AND JUSTICE OF ISLAM _________________________________________ - 53 - YOUR MOTHER'S RIGHT – NEVER CAN YOU FULFIL IT ________________________ - 53 - A MUHADDITH _____________________________________________________________ - 54 - THE EVIL EFFECTS OF AN EVIL SEED ________________________________________ - 54 - THE DUA OF THE MAZLOOM ________________________________________________ - 55 - TAQDEER – A WONDERFUL EPISODE _________________________________________ - 55 - IMAAM GHAZAALI'S NASEEHAT ____________________________________________ - 56 - A SLAVES' GENEROSITY ____________________________________________________ - 56 - THE DEEN AN 'EMBER' _____________________________________________________ - 57 - COKE – SOFT DRINKS! WHY WOULD THIS POISON NOT BE HARAAM? __________ - 58 - THIS WORLD – THE ARENA OF STRUGGLE AND CONFLICT _____________________ - 60 - THE TAABOOT _____________________________________________________________ - 61 - IN THE GRAVE _____________________________________________________________ - 62 - THE EARTH'S SURPRISE _____________________________________________________ - 62 - A PERFECT PARDON ________________________________________________________ - 62 - HUSBAND AND WIFE'S REWARD ____________________________________________ - 62 - THREE ATTRIBUTES EXPUNGED _____________________________________________ - 63 - MORAL CHARACTER _______________________________________________________ - 63 - PARENTS __________________________________________________________________ - 63 - AMR BIL MA'ROOF _________________________________________________________ - 63 - - 4 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 HONEY IS THE only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. What it will do is what some call 'turning to sugar'. In reality, Honey is always Honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will "crystallize". When this happens loosen the lid, boil some water and sit the Honey container in the hot water, but turn off the heat and let it liquefy naturally. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil Honey or put it in a microwave. This will kill the enzymes in the Honey. Cinnamon and Honey. Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of Honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept Honey as a very effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects for any kind of diseases. Today's science says that even though Honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, in its issue dated 17 January 1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by Honey and cinnamon, as researched by western scientists: HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of Honey and cinnamon powder, apply it on bread instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, when they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heartbeat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; Honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins. ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily (morning and night) one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of Honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally - 5 - relieved of pain -- and within a month, most of the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain. BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of Honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder. CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of Honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure Honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol. COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm Honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses. UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from its root. GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas. IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of Honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that Honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases. INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of Honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals. INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that Honey contains a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu. RAVAGES OF OLD AGE: Tea made with Honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of Honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft. RASPY OR SORE THROAT: When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of Honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms. PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of Honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root. SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying Honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections. WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink Honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet. CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of Honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month. - 6 - FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of Honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take Honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of Honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week. BAD BREATH: People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of Honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day. HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night Honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it! HADHRAT LUQMAAN (alayhis salaam), admonishing his son, said: "O my son! This world is a deep ocean. Many have drowned in it. Let the fear of Allah be your ship in this ocean; let its cargo be Imaan in Allah, and let its sails be Tawakkul (Trust) in Allah. Perhaps then you will be saved. But I do not see you being saved (from this dunya)." ONCE IN BYGONE ages a Nabi walking along the sea shore, observed a fisherman. While casting his net into the sea, the fisherman recited: 'Bismillaah! (In the Name of Allah!). When he retrieved his net, there was not a single fish. The Nabi walked on and came by another fisherman who said: 'In the name of shaitaan!' When he cast his net into the water. Soon he retrieved his net full of fish. The fisherman had to bend backwards while hauling the net due to the weight of the fish. The Nabi supplicated: "O my Rabb! Everything is in Your control. Unravel this mystery for me." Allah Ta'ala commanded the Angels: "Reveal to My servant the abodes of these two fisherman." When the veil of mystery was uplifted and he saw the lofty and honourable station (in Jannat) of the first fisherman, and the abode of humiliation and punishment (in Jahannum) of the second fisherman, the Nabi exclaimed: "O my Rabb! I understand. I am satisfied." Our created minds with their finite understanding are unable to fathom divine mysteries. The Mu'min should therefore never doubt in any of the decrees of Allah Azza Wa Jal. Always say: Allah knows best. THE MONTHLY MENSTRUAL cycle is a creation of Allah Azza Wa Jal designed to expel injurious and harmful filth, impurities and poisons from the female human body. Any interference to disrupt this natural cycle is fraught with serious health consequences. Many of the sicknesses from which women suffer could be attributed to their satanic interference in the natural creation of Allah Ta'ala. Such shaitaani interference is termed in the Qur'aan - 7 - LUXURY AND EXTRAVAGANCE Majeed, Taghyeer khalqillaah (changing the natural creation of Allah). The Qur'aan attributes this evil practice to shaitaan. The following is a report on the dangerous consequences of disrupting the natural menstrual cycle with haraam, poisonous pills and medication. PAINFUL DEATH CAN BE THE CONSEQUENCE "Recently this past week, Nicole Dishuk (age 31 …newly graduated student with a doctoral degree about to start her new career as a Doctor…) was flown into a nearby hospital, because she passed out. They found a blood clot in her neck, and immediately took her by helicopter to the ER to operate. By the time they removed the right half of her skull to relieve the pressure on her brain; the clot has spread to her brain causing severe damage. Since last Wednesday night, she was battling. They induced her into a coma to stop the blood flow, they operated 3 times… Finally, they said there was nothing left that they could do… They found multiple clots in the left side of her brain… The swelling wouldn't stop, and she was on life support. She died at 4:30 yesterday. She leaves behind a husband and a 2yr old Brandon and a 4yr old Justin… The CAUSE of DEATH – they found was a birth control she was taking that allows you to only have your period 3 times a year… They said it interrupts life's menstrual cycle, and although it is FDA approved…shouldn't be – So to the women – I ask you to boycott this product and deal with your period once a month – so you can live the rest of the months that your life has in store for you. Please send this to every woman you know – you may save someone's life…Remember, you have a CYCLE for a reason! For Your Information: The name of this new birth control pill is Lybrel. If you go to http://www.lybrel.com, you will find at least 26 pages of information regarding this drug. The second birth control pill is, Seasonique. If you go to the website of http://www.seasonique.com, you will find 43 pages of information regarding this drug. The warnings and side effects regarding both pills are horrible." SOMEONE ASKED Hadhrat Hasan Basri (rahmatullah alayh): "What do you say about a man to whom Allah Ta'ala has bestowed abundant wealth – he gives munificently in charity and with it he maintains family ties? Is it valid for him to enjoy his wealth (for luxuries)?" Hadhrat Hasan replied: "No! Even if he possessed the entire world, it would not be lawful for him to spend except for that which is absolutely necessary, and he sends it ahead for the day when he shall be in need of it (the Day of Qiyaamah)." Possession of an abundance of halaal wealth is not a licence for extravagance and unfettered indulgence in even permissible luxuries. The avenues for spending in the Path of Allah are innumerable. The objective of wealth is not for amassing and hoarding, but to dispose of it constructively to build up your capital in the Aakhirah. Every unnecessary expenditure, be it for the acquisition of a lawful luxury, will prove to be a calamity in the Hereafter. RASULULLAH (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "For him who strives to fulfil the needs of a brother Muslim, Allah rewards him with 70 good deeds for each step and wipes out 70 sins as long as he engages in this effort. At the end of - 8 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 the effort he is as sinless as the day his mother gave birth to him. If during his effort to fulfil the needs (of the Muslim) he dies, he shall enter Jannat without reckoning." A SAGE SAID: "The world is an abode of ruin and desolation, and the most desolate part of it is a heart which is inhabited by the world. The Hereafter is an abode of prosperity and success, and the most prosperous part of it is a heart which seeks it." HADHRAT HASAN BASRI (rahmatullah alayh) said: "Man is most unfortunate. He is pleased with an abode, the halaal of which is accountable, and the haraam of which is punishable. He regards his wealth to be little, but not his good deeds. He is unconcerned with any calamity which befalls him in his religious matters, but is distressed by a calamity in his worldly matters." "The birds heads and upper bodies are dragged through a splashing electrified water trough called a "stunner". This water, which is cold and salted to conduct the electricity, does not actually stun the birds. Its purpose is to immobilize them to keep them from thrashing on the slaughter line and to paralyze the muscles of their follicles so that their feathers will come out easily after they are dead." Millions of chickens are electrically shocked daily at the chicken-killing facilities in South Africa. While the Shariah prohibits the infliction of any prior slaughter injury, the electrical shocking is a cruel form of injury inflicted on the chickens. Heartless are the people who halaalize this brutal system, and heartless are the people who devour such carrion which reached their table after the infliction of a series of haraam acts of cruelty on the helpless chickens. Almost 80 years ago Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thaanvi (rahmatullah alayh) had explained that electrical shocking only immobilizes the animals causing them immense agony long before the actual slaughter takes place. Hadhrat Thanvi had said that acceptance of this kuffaar system of brutality is akin to kufr. "Still alive, they hang upside down for 90 seconds in a bleed out tunnel where they're supposed to die from blood loss. However, millions of birds do not die and many drown in pools of blood when the conveyer belt dips too close to the floor. Dead or alive, the birds are then dumped into tanks of scalding water. According to a former slaughterhouse worker when chickens are scalded alive, they "flop, scream, kick, and their eyeballs pop out of their heads. They often come out of the other end with broken bones and disfigured and missing body parts because they've struggled so much in the tank." (United Poultry Concerns) This is not an exclusively American phenomenon of brutality. It takes place daily at the chicken-killing plants halaalized by the MJC and SANHA. Cruelty is standard and accepted procedure at the chicken plants. Despite the haraam cruelty, the haraam killing system of the - 9 - PUNISHMENT FOR A LUSTFUL GAZE kuffaar with all its brutal effects have been issued with 'halaal' licences by SANHA and the MJC. When you sit down to devour the haraam carrion chicken then first reflect on the acts of brutality which the carrion chicken you are about to devour had to suffer in agony. Reflect on the chicken bleeding to death after improper cutting of its neck vessels, killed without Tasmiyah, the electrical shocking, the pools of blood in which it may have drowned, the scalding water into which the chicken went when it was perhaps alive, the popping out of its eyeballs in the scalding water, its kicking and screaming in the scalding water in which it gets partly cooked whilst alive with all its najaasat inside its body, its broken bones and disfigurement. After making some muraaqabah (meditation) on these issues, in all likelihood your heart will refuse consent for devouring the carrion of brutality. "Every chicken is bled out while still sentient. The chickens hang there and look at you while they are bleeding. They try to hide their heads from you by sticking it under the wing of the chicken next to them on the slaughter line. You can tell by them looking at you, they're scared to death." (Virgil Butler – Clarification on Stunner Usage. This is the condition of the chickens which are hung upside down, moved rapidly on a conveyer belt and killed with insufficient cutting of the neck vessels whilst they are hanging upside down. This is the haraam system halaalized by SANHA and the MJC. This is the haraam system which produces the haraam, diseased, rotten carrion which the Muslim public devours with relish. This is the evil system which Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) labelled: Shareetatush Shaitaan (the slaughter of the devil). It is the vile system whose products bear the MJC's and SANHA's 'halaal' labels. "At the slaughterhouse, the birds sit in the trucks without food or water 1 to 9 hours or more waiting to be killed. Inside the plant, in the "live-hang" area, they are violently jammed onto a movable metal rack that clamps them upside down by their feet. Suspending these heavy birds, most of them already crippled, upside down by their feet puts an intensely painful strain on their legs and hips. In addition, many birds are hung by only one leg, adding to their agony." (United Poultry Concerns) While the Shariah incumbently requires the birds to be gently laid down, facing the Qiblah and swiftly slaughtered in isolation from other chickens, the MJC's and SANHA's haraam system demands the brutality described above. HADHRAT ABU ABDULLAH Al-Jalaa' (rahmatullah alayh) was a renowned Wali during the early stage of Islam. He was the mureed of Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi (rahmatullah alayh). Narrating an episode which had happened to him during his early years of self-reformation, he says: "Once whilst walking in the bazaar I saw an extremely handsome Christian lad. I stared and wondered at the beauty of this lad. While I was admiring the lad's beauty, Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi (rahmatullah alayh) appeared on the scene. I said to him: "Hadhrat, will Allah Ta'ala punish such a beautiful form in the fire?" Hadhrat Junaid said to me: 'Did you look at the lad?' I said: 'Yes." He responded: "Your look was not a look of ibrat (to derive lesson). It was a look of lust. For deriving lesson there are thousands of universes into which you could look and contemplate to gain lesson. You shall taste the punishment of this lustful glance." - 10 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 So saying, Hadhrat Junaid departed. As he left me, suddenly the entire Qur'aan Majeed of which I was a Haafiz was snatched from my heart. I forgot the whole Qur'aan from the Alif of Alif Laam Meem to the Seen of Surah Naas. Shock, fear and grief overwhelmed me. Thereafter for years, I cried, repented and offered penances. Finally, Allah Ta'ala out of His Mercy restored the Qur'aan Majeed to my heart. Henceforth I never again looked at anything because in looking there are great dangers." Punishment on the Auliya settles almost immediately when they err, even if the error pertains to Mustahab practices. Their close proximity to Allah Ta'ala makes them liable for a loftier standard which does not apply to the rank and file. The slightest spiritual pollution severely tarnishes their souls, and Allah Ta'ala is swift in taking retribution from His close Devotees. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "When Allah intends goodness for a servant, He hastens his punishment in this world." "AMONG THE GREATEST acts of virtue is that a man be kind to the friends of his father after his (the father's) death." -- Hadith. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) described silah rahmi (kindness and assistance) to the friends of one's father to be among the greatest acts of virtue. From this Hadith it is simple to understand the greater virtue of silah rahmi with relatives. What is the Islamic concept of Silah Rahmi? A man came to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and said: "O Rasulullah! I observe silah rahmi with my relatives (being kind to them and aiding them). However, they sever ties with me. I am kind with them whilst they are harsh with me. I overlook their faults, but they revile me." Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "If indeed you are as you have explained, then you have humiliated them (i.e. their evil reaction to your kindness, etc. has humiliated them). A helper appointed by Allah Ta'ala is constantly with you. He wards off their mischief as long as you maintain your attitude (of silah rahmi)." In another Hadith Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) explaining the meaning of Silah Rahmi said: "A perfect person of Silah Rahmi is not a man who repays kindness with kindness. A perfect man of Silah Rahmi is he who is kind towards those who sever ties with him." Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) also said: "Whoever wishes for increase in his rizq (earnings) should be kind to relatives (i.e. practice silah rahmi). HADHRAT SHAIKH Fatah Bin Ali Musali (rahmatullah alayh) was among the very senior Auliya of the early period of Islam. He was the contemporary of Hadhrat Bishr Haafi (rahmatullah alayh). A salient feature of him was shedding tears in abundance. He would say when asked, that whenever he recalls his sins, he was overwhelmed by tears. Sometimes he would literally cry tears of blood. Hadhrat Fatah Musali said: "I acquired faidh (spiritual benefit) from 30 Auliya, all of whom were Abdaal. Every one of them exhorted me to flee from people and to eat less." Solitude and hunger are essential requisites for development of spiritual fibre. Hadhrat Zunnun Misri (rahmatullah alayh) said that Hikmat (spiritual wisdom) does not reside in a person whose stomach is full. Much eating of even halaal tayyib food hardens the heart and results in zulmat (spiritual darkness) engulfing the heart. - 11 - IN A LENGTHY Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) narrated by Allaamah Jalaaluddin Suyuti (rahmatullah alayhi) the following description of the various classes of Malaaikah (Angels) inhabiting the different levels of the Heavens is given: 1) The first heaven (Samaa-e-Dunya) has been created a powerful solid structure. The inhabitants occupying this heaven are powerful beings having the form of cattle. Each one has wings. Some have two, some three and some four wings. Their number equals the number of the stars. They perpetually recite Tasbeeh, Kalimah Tayyibah and Takbeer. 2) The Angels inhabiting the second heaven are as numerous as raindrops. They are in the form of scorpions. Neither do they sleep nor pause a moment in their recitation of Tasbeeh. 3) The Angels of the third heaven have human form and they are as numerous as the grains of sand. They perpetually seek refuge with Allah Ta'ala. 4) The Angels inhabiting the fourth heaven are in the form of Hoor-e-Een (Damsels of Jannat). They are as numerous as all the leaves on all the trees. They stand in rows shoulder to shoulder. Some are in Ruku' while others are in Sajdah. Noor emanating from the Tasbeehaat which they recite permeates the heavens and the earth. 5) The Angels of the fifth heaven are twice the number of the entire animal kingdom. They have the form of eagles. They are engaged in recording divine laws. Some are supervisors of others. 6) The Angels occupying the sixth heaven have the form of beautiful horses. They are called Hizbullaah (The Army of Allah). 7) The inhabitants of the seventh heaven are the Muqarrab Angels. They enjoy a very close relationship with Allah Ta'ala. Among them are the Angels who deliver the manuscrips of deeds. Above them are the Angels who bear aloft the Divine Throne. Above the seventh heaven is another huge, wondrous specimen of creation known as Karubi. There are many levels among them as well. QUESTION: The latest fad in the Musjids is so-called nasheed artists demonstrating their talents. The Ulama who organize these poetry and singing programs mention that it is one of the Sunnah practices to recite poetry. They quote Hadhrat Hassaan Bin Thaabit (radhiyallahu anhu) who had recited poetry for Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Further, mureeds sing in praise of their sheikh, extolling his virtues and greatness while all and sundry emit queer noises sounding like 'oohs and aahs' The latest in the Musjids now are good sound systems for the naa't (poetry) singers. The trend nowadays is like the devil singers of the west. Mikes are placed facing the crowd to pep the singer and the audience on the receivers in the ladies venue or at home. Please comment on this state of affairs. ANSWER: This trend in emulation of the 'devils of the west' come within the scope of the Hadith: "It is better that your stomach be filled with pus than with poetry." There is no justification for this latest evil trend of singing poetry in the Musaajid despite the fact that some Sahaabah would recite poetry which Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had condoned. The Ahadith and the Qur'aanic verses which condemn poetry are applicable to the new, satanic practice which some of the Ulama-e-Soo' have innovated and with which they pollute the sanctity of the Musaajid. - 12 - The Musaajid have been constructed and dedicated for the ibaadat of Allah Ta'ala. It is haraam to convert a Musjid into a venue for stupid, indolent, misguided singers who follow in the footsteps of the devil singers of the west. The Sahaabah did not make a profession or a vocation (mash-ghalah) of poetry. They did not organize poetry and singing sessions. There were no stupid poetry/singing sessions ever organized in either the Musaajid or elsewhere from the era of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to our age. It is only now that evil ulama, slaves of their bestial nafs, have initiated this satanic profession. It is tantamount to kufr to cite Hadhrat Hassan's poetry as a daleel for the evil which these miscreant molvis are perpetrating in the Musaajid. Reciting even the Qur'aan Majeed aloud in the Musjid is not permissible. Converting the Musjid into the likes of a dancehall or concert-hall where singing, poetry and evil are committed, with sound systems and silly 'oohs and aahs' emanating from stupid people overcome with nafsaaniyat, is an act of capital shaitaaniyat. The holy atmosphere of the Musjid is totally ruined and defiled by the devil singers, the sound systems and the silly 'oohs and aahs' emanating from the stomachs filled with a substance 'worse than pus', for the Hadith informs us that 'pus is better than poetry'. Regardless of the 'good' content matter of the song/poem, indulgence in poetry/singing is haraam. The occasional, unofficial and spontaneous recitation of good poetry is excluded from the prohibition. But the shaitaaniyat which is nowadays enacted in the Musaajid is haraam. The sheikhs who get transported into nafsaani ecstasy by the stupid praises which their stupid mureeds sing, should go to some Muhaqqiq sheikh for Islaah of their nafs. Their shows of ecstasy are specious. These 'shaikhs' who love aggrandizement and praises, have not even perceived the fragrance of Tasawwuf. They do not have the faintest idea of the meaning of Tasawwuf and of its objectives, hence they squander their time and ruin the morals of their 'mureeds' with singing and poetry. And, tomorrow will follow dancing – the so-called dervish dances which transport the stupid actors into Jahannum via their vehicle of nafsaani 'ecstasy'. The contention that poetry is Sunnah, and that too in an organized manner right inside the Musjid, is not only a despicable lie, but a lie blasphemed in the name of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). About such deliberate and despicable lies, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "He who speaks a lie on me (i.e. saying something is Sunnah when it is not), should prepare his abode in the Fire (of Jahannum)." The vile molvi who made this slanderous claim has implied that this 'sunnah' was dead right from the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), and had remained dead for fourteen centuries, and it is only now in this belated era in close proximity to Qiyaamah that some miserable molvi has unearthed this 'sunnah of singing and poetry' from some buried archives of Satanism. Is there a single instance in the entire history of Islam from Rasulullah's age down the long corridor of Islam's fourteen centuries, that any of the Sahaabah and the Ulama-e-Haqq had organized sessions of poetry and singing in the Musjid? Did they ever invite Muslims to come to the Musjid to participate in poetry and singing? The Qur'aan Majeed said: "The la'nat of Allah is on the liars.' And, the lie uttered in the name of the Deen is an aggravated sin of terrible proportions. It is haraam to pollute the Musaajid with performances in emulation of the devils of the west. It is haraam to sit in the Musjid to listen to the hypocritical poetry and singing. The Musaajid are Allah's Houses exclusively for His ibaadat. - 13 - A MAN LEFT from the City of Farghaanah (in Central Asia) with the intention of performing Nafl Hajj. When he reached Nishapur, he went to visit Hadhrat Abu Uthmaan Al-Khairi (rahmatullah alayh). He made Salaam, but Hadhrat Abu Uthmaan did not respond. Feeling annoyed, the man reflected in his mind: 'It is indeed surprising that a Muslim does not respond to the Salaam of another Muslim!' By kashf it was revealed to Hadhrat Abu Uthmaan what the man was thinking. He commented: "Does a person perform Hajj whilst abandoning his ailing and grieving mother?" Jolted by this truth, the man abandoned his plan for Hajj, and immediately set off to return to Farghaanah. He remained in his mother's service until her death. After his mother's demise he travelled to Nishapur to be in the company of Hadhrat Abu Uthmaam Al-Khairi. When Hadhrat Abu Uthmaan saw the man, he leapt up, embraced and honoured him. He remained in the company of Hadhrat Abu Uthmaan until the latter's demise. The rights of a mother, in fact the rights of parents, are sacred. The importance and sanctity of the rights of parents increase with age. The bond of parenthood becomes stronger with time. Even if the son reaches 60 years, he remains a child to his parents and it remains his obligation to keep them happy in all lawful things. It is not permissible for even the adult or elderly son to depart on a journey without the happy consent and blessings of his parents. And a journey in terms of the Shariah is a distance of 77 kilometres or more. Children should not deprive themselves of the wonderful Duas of their parents when they go on a journey. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) described the Dua of parents as 'Mustajaab (readily acceptable), without doubt'. Most people indoctrinated with western ideas are oblivious of the Waajib rights of their parents. The western cult of life is the life-style of animals. The parental bond fades into oblivion for animals. WHEN HADHRAT AADAM'S Maut arrived, Allah Ta'ala sent Malaaikah (Angels) with Hunoot (perfume) and Kafan from Jannat. After Nabi Aadam (alayhis salaam) died, the Malaaikah gave him ghusl with water in which was immersed leaves of a berry tree. His body was wrapped in three sheets of cloth. His son, Sheeth (alayhis salaam) who was the Nabi after his father's demise, requested Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) to lead the Janaazah Salaat. Hadhrat Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) instructed Sheeth to lead the Janaazah Salaat. He recited 30 Takbeer. The Malaaikah dug the grave, and he was buried in a cave in Mount Abu Qabees. Hadhrat Hawwaa (alayhas salaam), was also buried a year later in the same cave. COMMENTING ON THE employment of haraam methods ostensibly for the sake of the Deen and Tabligh, Hadhrat Maulana Yusuf Binnuri (rahmatullah alayh) said: "With regards to methods for Tabligh and Da'wat, I wish to present a principle. Allah Ta'ala has not obliged us to produce uprighteous Muslims by any means whatsoever. Yes, we have the obligation of harnessing all lawful ways of Tableegh which are within the scope of our acquisition and ability as best as we are able to. - 14 - Just as Islam has commanded us with the duty of Tabligh, it has also shown us the honourable ways and etiquettes of discharging this obligation. We are obliged only to execute the duty of Tabligh within the confines of these ways. If we are successful in our efforts of Tabligh whilst observing the lawful ways and means, then we have achieved the objective. However, assuming that we cannot accomplish the objective by employing these lawful methods, then we are not obliged to resort to unlawful methods to call people to the Deen, and to cast aside the rules and etiquettes of Tableegh. It is not permissible to adopt any methods whether permissible or not. If we manage to reform even one person by employing the lawful means of the Shariah, then the mission of our Tableegh is achieved and successful. On the contrary, if we convert a hundred people by the utilization of unlawful means, then this 'success' has no value by Allah Ta'ala. Tableegh which is executed by trampling on the ahkaam of the Deen is not Deen. It is the propagation of something other than the Deen. Films (as well as pictures, videos, television, etc.) are by themselves in conflict with the laws of Islam. Thus, we are not obliged to utilize such methods for Tableegh. If we do not adhere to this method (i. the lawful method), then today we shall utilize films to satisfy the whims of people. Tomorrow we shall begin to make use of semi-nude women for the objective of Tableegh. This will be followed by functions of singing and music to draw people towards the Deen. In this manner, in the name of Tableegh we shall be guilty of trampling on the laws of the Deen." (Hadhrat Maulana Yusuf Binnuri –rahmatullah alayh – presented the above naseehat in 1977 when he was requested to give a talk on television. The narrator of this naseehat is Maulana Muhammad Taqi Sahib who had accompanied Maulana Binnuri on the journey on that occasion. Maulana Muhammad Taqi had also commented as follows: "This was Maulana Binnuri's last address to the Council. On reflection, it will be understood that this was the final naseehat of Maulana Binniri to all workers of Da'wat and the Deen. It is most befitting to impress this naseehat on the tablet of the heart." TASHABBUH BIL KUFFAAR (emulating the kuffaar) is haraam. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Whoever emulates a people, becomes of them." Many aayaat in the Qur'aan prohibit even inclination towards the kuffaar. Hadhrat Mujaddid Alf-e-Thaani (rahmatullah alayh) in a letter to the sons of his Shaikh, Hadhrat Khwaajah Baaqi Billaah (rahmatullah alayh) said: "This Faqeer once went to visit a man who was in the throes of death. When I concentrated on his spiritual condition, I discerned that his heart was enveloped by clouds of zulmat (spiritual darkness). Despite all my endeavours (of Tawajjuh) to eliminate the zulmat from his heart, it was to no avail. Afterwards I discovered that these clouds of zulmat were the effects of the attributes of kufr which were hidden in him. These attributes of kufr were the consequences of association and friendship with the people of Kufr. By means of Tawajjuh the clouds of zulmat cannot be eliminated." This episode should be adequate admonition for those who follow the ways, styles and fashions of the kuffaar. The ultimate end could be kufr and departure from this dunya without Imaan. May Allah Ta'ala save our Imaan. - 15 - HADHRAT SUFYAAN THAURI (rahmatullah alayh) said: "There are ten moronic acts (acts which indicate the stupidity/lack of intelligence of a man)." (1) While making dua for oneself, one abstains from making dua for one's parents and for the Muslims at large. (2) Daily reciting less than 100 aayats of the Qur'aan Majeed. (3) Entering the Musjid and returning without having performed Tahyatul Musjid. (4) Passing through or near to the Qabrustaan (graveyard) without making Salaam to the inmates and without making Dua for them. (5) A person (musaafir –traveller) entering a city on the Day of Jumuah and departing without having performed Jumuah Salaat. (6) Refraining from learning something of the Deen from an Aalim in the neighbourhood. (7) Two persons becoming travelling companions, but not enquiring about each other's name. (8) Not responding to the invitation of a person (on condition that the function is without any haraam acts). (9) Despite affluence, to destroy one's youth by abstaining from the acquisition of knowledge and moral character. (10) Filling the stomach and leaving the neighbour hungry. LAYMEN AND EVEN Muqallid Ulama such as ourselves have no option other than to submit to the rulings of our Math-hab. We NEVER formulate masaa-il on the basis of Qur'aan and Hadith. It is not our function nor are we qualified for such a task. The age of Ijtihaad ended with the Khairul Quroon. We are followers. The limit of our knowledge is the Fuqaha of our Math-hab. We dare not transgress this boundary. Whoever transgresses the boundaries of the Math-hab, will land in Jahannum. RASULULLAH (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:  "He who remains silent regarding the Haqq is a dumb shaitaan." "If someone passes in front of you while you are performing Salaat, prevent him tenderly. If he persists, prevent him harshly, and if he (continues) to persist, fight him because he is a shaitaan." DISEASE is not a 'consequence' of the unnatural haraam 'plastic' chicken industry. It is a natural attribute inborn in the artificial chickens reared for devour by human beings turned demons. Commercial objectives of the kuffaar have spawned this industry of artificial diseased chickens. The history of this accursed industry is saturated in disease and brutality – disease of the rotten chickens transmitted to human beings devouring the filth yielded by this cruel industry. - 16 - * As early as 1771, " the Welsh traveller, Mathew Bramble, complains during a visit to London that 'the poultry is all rotten, in consequence of sewing up the gut, that they may be sooner fattened in coops, in consequence of this cruel retention." * "Kimber Farms (in the U.S.A.) in 1934 developed a line of vaccines to cope with the chicken diseases that sprang in all directions as a result of genetic hybridization which weakened disease resistance…….." * "Factory farming with its inherent filth, has produced specific diseases that penetrate parental immunity and disrupt the developing immune system….Impairment if these glands disrupts the production of antibodies, reducing or eliminating the bird's ability to resist secondary infections such as Salmonella and E.coli." * "Marek's disease is an infectious immunosuppressive cancer that fills the chicken's spinal chord and peripheral nervous system with malignant tumors, resulting in paralysis, blindness, and death." * "Gumboro is an acute, highly contagious viral infection of young chickens that has lymphoid tissue as its primary target…There it destroys the immune cells…..Afflicted birds develop severe liver and kidney disease and are listless, nervous, sleepy, dehydrated, and have a whitish diarrhoea…..Filthy houses and equipment promote the infection." * "Chicks are vaccinated at the hatchery against Mareck's disease and other contagious diseases by a combination of mechanical injectors, vaccine sprays, and manual strings. Manual vaccination is an ugly ordeal. Workers handling 7,000 to 8,000 birds a day – 2,500 to 3,500 chicks per worker – grab baby chicks and hold them while an automated vaccination needle punctures the back of their necks. Vaccination is a primary cause of infection in young birds. The puncture breaks and may even tear the skin during the rapid process, and the same needles are used over and over again, spreading contamination." * "Diseases and suffering are inherent features of the battery system… and produces diseases that are complicated by abnormal reproductive demands: muscle degeneration, poor blood circulation, accumulation of flaccid fat, oviducts clogged with masses and bits of eggs that can't be expelled, osteoporosis, and foot and leg deformities. The very filth of the debeaking machines, vaccination equipment, and overall living conditions has generated an incurable disease in laying hens known as Swollen Head Syndrome." * "Fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome is an ugly new disease characterized by an enlarged, fat, disintegrating liver covered with blood clots, and pale combs and wattles covered with dandruff…The liver is yellow, greasy, and of mush-like consistency." * "Swollen Head Syndrome: This incurable infectious disease, also known as facial cellulitis, attacks hens who are used for both breeding and commercial egg production in intensive confinement systems. The hen's face puffs out as a result of swelling of the layers of cellular tissue beneath her skin, which is full of pus underneath. Swollen Head Syndrome is accompanied by egg peritonitis, mucus congestion, nasal discharge, and cerebral disorientation. …..Basically, what this translates into is that these birds were kept in filth." * In recent decades, hens' oviducts have become infested with Salmonellae bacteria that enter the forming egg, causing food poisoning in consumers……Salmonella can now be found inside the intact egg shells." * "As if all this were not enough, certain mold toxins called mycotoxins, poison the mash in hot humid weather causing the hens to develop Mycotoxicosis or fungal poisoning. Egg production drops. Hens develop mouth ulcers, loss of appetite, pale facial appearance, high disease susceptibility, haemorrhaging of kidneys, lungs, and heart, bruising and bloody thighs." - 17 - FOUR AFFLICTIONS (Prisoned Chickens, Poisoned Eggs – by Karen Davis RASULULLAH (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: When Muslims cherish hatred for their Ulama, project the buildings of their business centres (e.g. malls, hypermarkets and the like), and marry for the sake of wealth, then Allah Azza Wa Jal inflicts them with four afflictions: Famine, oppression of the rulers, corruption of civil servants, and attacks of the enemy." (Mustadrak-e-Haakim) (Ulama in this context refer to the Ulama-e-Haqq, not to the Ulama-e-Soo' (evil molvies and BEGUM ZAIB BAANOO, the wife of Sultan Aurangzeb (Aalamghir), had developed a lump on her breast. The English doctor, Martin proposed that a female relative of his could attend to the Queen. His relative was also a doctor. The Queen agreed on condition that the English lady doctor is not a consumer of liquor. However, it was established that the lady doctor was a drinker of alcohol as are all western non-Muslims. The Queen refusing to be treated by the English lady commented: "A faasiqah may not touch my body." The Queen chose sickness, but for a faasiqah to touch her was intolerable. She remained without being cured and died two years later. HADHRAT HUSAIN Bin Mansur Hallaaj (rahmatullah alayh) was imprisoned and was awaiting his execution for allegedly having uttered blasphemy (kufr). Ibn Khafeef went to visit him in prison. He asked Mansur Hallaaj permission to pose three questions. When Mansur Hallaaj consented, Ibn Khafeef said: "What is the meaning of Sabr (Patience)?" Hadhrat Mansur who was shackled in chains, said: "If I gaze at these shackles, they will break and fall off." So saying, he cast an intense look at the shackles which promptly broke and fell off. However, despite having the ability to unshackle himself with such ease, he chose that his hands and feet to be in shackles night and day. Then he cast a gaze at the wall of the prison. The wall split open, and miraculously both Mansur and Ibn Khafeef found themselves standing on the banks of the River Dajlah (Tigris River in Iraq). Despite possessing such miraculous powers, Mansur Hallaaj remained within the prison. He never attempted to escape. He demonstrated these miraculous acts to physically explain the meaning of Sabr – to bear hardships with patience and not to seek escape from hardships with miraculous powers. Ibn Khafeef asked: "What is Faqr (poverty)?" Hadhrat Mansur cast a gaze at a stone which immediately turned into gold. Despite having the power to convert stones miraculously into gold, he did not have a dime (cent) to buy oil for his lamp at home. By this act, he explained the meaning of genuine poverty which is self-induced, and which is not the consequence of deprivation and inability. Ibn Khafeef then asked: "What is Futuwwat (courage)?" Hadhrat Mansur said: "Tomorrow you shall witness it." Ibn Khafeef narrates: "That night I dreamt I was on the plains of Qiyaamah. An announcer was proclaiming: "Where is Husain Bin Mansur?" He - 18 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 was located and ushered into the Presence of Allah Ta'ala. It was then said: "Whoever loved you will enter Jannat, and whoever had hatred for you will enter Jahannum." Mansur responded (i.e. in Ibn Khafeef's dream): "No! O My Rabb! Forgive them all." Then in his dream he turned to me and said: "This is the meaning of futuwwat." Despite being shackled in thirteen chains, handcuffs and leg irons, Mansur (rahmatullah alayh) performed 1000 raka'ts daily in prison. Question: After the death of my father, my husband's father married my mother. He is therefore, both my father-in-law and stepfather. One day, whilst I was alone in the room, he entered and engaged me in conversation. Then suddenly he grabbed and hugged me. He tried having sex with me. I harshly admonished him and tried my best to physically ward him off. After screaming at him, he withdrew and went to take ghusl. He had groped me very immorally. Now what is the Shariah's command for us? ANSWER: When people ignore or scorn the Shariah, then they becomes entrapped in the snares which shaitaan and the nafs prepare for them. The Fuqaha have fourteen centuries ago warned that it is incumbent for a man to maintain a distance from his daughter-in-law and vice versa. The Shariah orders a degree of hijaab for them, and also for a man and his stepmother, and vice versa, and for a man and his stepdaughter, and vice versa. Whilst these kinds of relatives are mahram of a kind, the fitnah of sexual lust is ever present. If the man had not married the woman who is his wife, it would have been permissible for him to marry her mother. This clearly confirms the presence of the fitnah of lust which is kindled when hijaab is relaxed – when they become too friendly and when they are alone. Now see what has happened in this case. It is about the worst disaster. Your Nikah has terminated, and never can you ever live with your 'husband' as man and wife. There is no way in which your relationship with your now ex-husband can be repaired. The damage is irreparable and perpetual. In addition to your marriage having ended, the marriage of the devil (your father-in-law/stepfather) with your mother has also perpetually ended. Two marriages have been destroyed for life by the evil Satanism of a man who succumbed to the inordinate lust of his satanic nafs. Now, regret is of no avail. When the shaitaan (your father-in-law) had perpetrated his villainous immorality, he was fully under the spell of Iblees. When the nafs overshadows the Aql, then a man is incapable of thinking. Imaam Ghazaali said that when a man is overcome with lust – especially filthy lust of this type – then 75% of his brain cells become inoperative. After he has destroyed himself, shaitaan steps aside. The man then comes to his senses, and shaitaan mocks at him while the unfortunate slave of the nafs shed tears. But then it is too late. When we proclaim the Haqq of the Shariah – what the Fuqaha have ruled – and we say that a female may not travel alone with her father-in-law nor be alone with him, then some satanic 'molvis' disgorge considerable rubbish. Now let these moron 'molvis' unravel the rot in which these two woman and the devil are trapped. If you and your mother, because of fear and shame for people, sweep the filth under the carpet and continue to live with your ex-husbands, then know that you will pass the rest of - 19 - Q. Please comment on the Diminishing Mushaarakah concept. By this agreement a person simultaneously leases and buys the same property from the financier (the bank). The bank purchases the property and leases and sells it to the client. From the monthly rental a sum is deducted as a payment on the property. So each month the client's ownership increases a percentage while the ownership of the bank decreases by that percentage. At the end of the contract term, the client becomes the sole owner of the property. Is this deal permissible? According to Mufti Taqi Usmaani this deal is permissible A. There is no 'diminishing mushaarah' concept in the Shariah. Shorn of technicalities and legal terminology, the transaction is simply as follows: (1) Zaid approaches the bank to purchase a house for him. (2) The bank agrees to buy the house for him on the basis of the following conditions: (a) That Zaid gives a written undertaking that he will buy the house from the bank. (b) That Zaid undertakes to lease the house from the bank, and simultaneously purchase it. Thus this is a double deal in a single contract regardless of the different documents drawn up. It is a deal consisting of a lease and a purchase at the same time. (c) Zaid will make monthly payments. Part of his payment will be rental and part will be deducted as payment on the purchase price of the house. This is what the fabricators of this contract call diminishing mushaarakah, but in the Shariah there is no such transaction which is a combination of two transactions in a single deal. (d) With each monthly payment Zaid makes, his ownership increases proportionately, until at the end of the period he becomes the owner of the house. In essence – in reality, Zaid enters into 60 new sale transactions if the repayment period is 60 months. Each month he 'buys' a percentage of the house in lieu of the amount deducted from his monthly payment. Thus, in this deal, there is not only two transactions. There are 62 transactions. The first two are the initial purchase and lease agreement, and the 60 are the subsequent monthly acts of purchase. Contrary to the claim that the promise is not enforceable, it is indeed legally enforceable in terms of kuffaar law. The very purpose of the written undertaking is to oblige Zaid in the event he reneges from the promise. (3) Since the very initial contract is baatil it is superfluous to delve into the other issues. The bottom line is that the property is 'sold' and 'leased' to Zaid in a single deal His ownership is incremental over the 60 months. Every month he 'purchases' a small percentage of the property, and all of this is incumbent in terms of the initial agreement. (4) We observe that whenever the bankers are bereft of Shar'i argument, they resort to the taqleed of Mufti Taqi Usmani. Please be informed that we do not follow the venerable Mufti. We are in conflict with him on a range of issues. - 20 - your days in an adulterous union, and the resultant offspring will be illegitimate. Be more concerned of the ultimate humiliation and punishment in the Aaakhirah. What has happened to you, is happening on a large scale in the community all over the world. Almost total lack of fear for Allah Ta'ala coupled with ignorance of the Shariah induces people to conduct themselves recklessly and to plunge into immorality without any concern for the ensuing terrible consequences in this world and in the Hereafter. It is essential – Waajib – to exercise extreme caution for in-law relatives. (5) The contract may be made to conform to the Shariah by means of a simple agreement of sale. If the bank purchases the property for $50,000, for example, and if it wants to make a profit of $30,000 for example over a period of 5 years, the simple and straightforward way is to sell the property to Zaid for $80,000 payable over 60 months or whatever period is mutually agreed on. What is the need for the rigmarole and the laboriously worded contract which the banks usually fabricate, and which contains a number of Islamically corrupt conditions? We fail to understand why the Muslim banks are so intransigent in their insistence to follow the capitalist system. With a simple contract, as outlined above, the banks can make the same profit which they expect to make with the corrupt 'diminishing mushaarakah' contract. What then is the need to simultaneously enter into a sale-cum-lease agreement? Brothers, please give this issue further reflection to bring your dealings within the confines of the Shariah. Once a Buzrug (Sage) visited a town. The inhabitants informed him that there was an earthenware jug in which the water perpetually remained hot whether it was winter or summer. The water never became cold or even cool. The Buzrug requested the people to leave the jug with him that night. When the people came the next day, they were amazed to find that the water was cold. The Buzrug explained: This jug was made from the clay of a dead man. His body had disintegrated in the grave, and from the clay of that grave was this jug made. The man was being punished in the grave (Barzakh), and the heat in the water was the effect of the punishment. I supplicated to Allah Ta'ala to forgive the man. He was forgiven. The punishment ended, hence the water is now cold." Once when Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) saw a man standing while drinking water, he rebuked the man. The man asked what error he had committed. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Would you like a cat to drink with you?" The man said: "No." Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Someone worse than a cat was drinking with you, namely, the shaitaan." According to Imaam Shaafi' (rahmatullah alayh), even when drinking Zam Zam water one should sit. The Mashaaikh also warn of sicknesses developing when a person drinks water standing. Among the methods of deception employed by the shayaateen is to name haraam acts with attractive names. By changing the names of prohibited things, they succeed in gaining acceptance for haraam from Muslims. Thus, liquor is given a variety of names, and a variety of arguments are fabricated to render it permissible. Pictures are made permissible by means of baseless and irrational interpretation to exclude photo images, digital images and the like from the prohibition of pictures. Riba and baatil transactions are declared permissible with fancy names such as dividends, profit, shares, equities, etc. Haraam commercial transactions are claimed to be Shariah - 21 - compliant on the basis of nomenclature. Terms such as muraabah, mudhaarabah, ijaarah, etc. Carrion meat is made halaal by arguing the permissibility of subverting and displacing the Islamic system of Thabah. Music, singing, dancing and statues are rendered lawful by describing these prohibited evils to be art. Changing the names of prohibitions is a well-established ploy of the shayaateen. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has drawn attention to this satanic plot of shaitaan with which he has today ensnared the Ummah in general, and the Ulama in particular. It is with the active connivance and aid of the Ulama that the shayaateen have succeeded in entrenching prohibitions and immorality in the Ummah. GHEEBAH or speaking ill of a person in his absence even if be the truth, is worse than committing zina (adultery) according to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). This 'zina' is aggravated when an Ustaadh during dars (teaching in class) commits gheebat of other Ulama with whom he does not agree. Although the Ustaadh is aware that Allah Ta'ala states in the Qur'aan about gheebah: "Do not commit gheebah of one other. What, do any of you love to devour the flesh of a dead brother? (Most certainly) you will abhor it.", he succumbs to his nafs and becomes oblivious of this dire warning. The Ustaadh who speaks ill of other Ulama whilst teaching students should take cognizance of the following facts:  He commits khiyaanat (abuse of trust), for he steals the Madrasah time. He is paid a salary for the time he teaches. It is haraam for him to abuse the time with haraam gheebah or even with permissible personal needs.  He pollutes the moral character of his students, for he instils in them the insignificance of the major sin of gheebah.  His superior status as an Ustaadh is diminished in the minds of intelligent students. These students understand the error and peevishness of the Ustaadh. In consequence, the awe which a student should have for his Ustaadh is evaporated automatically. Students and even mureeds write to us regarding such demeanours committed by their Ustaadhs and Shaikhs respectively. Even the sheikh whose talks are supposed to be calculated solely for the moral reformation of his mureeds indulges in gheebah of Ulama with whom he is in disagreement. The talks and advices of such Asaatizah and Mashaaikh whose image is sullied by their own indulgence in gheebah, are involuntarily rebuffed by the hearts of their students and mureeds. ONE of the favourable stunts of deception and fraud perpetrated by some people with the aid of evil jinn is supposedly to summon the souls or spirits of dead persons to appear. When the 'souls' of the deceased appear, they speak and convey information about the unseen realm. Such a meeting with the 'spirits' or 'souls' is called a séance. Sometimes at the séance the 'dead' makes a visible appearance and speaks to those present. Sometimes the 'souls' of the dead denuded of physical form, speak through a medium who is  He is guilty of aggravated gheebah a human being in a trance. During the trance, it is said that the souls of the dead enter into the body of the person who is in the trance. All such demonstrations are satanic stunts of deception and fraud. Neither do the deceased persons appear nor their souls. All such displays are the effects of the shayaateen. Every person has a shaitaan called Qareen who constantly accompanies that person. Sometimes after the death of a person, Qareen assumes the appearance of the deceased and appears to people. Sometimes he does not make a visible appearance, but speaks through a medium in a voice which the observer recognizes to be that of the deceased person. This type of fraud leads people to believe that the dead truly appear on earth. The souls of the dead are either in the abode of Torment (Sijjeen) or in the abode of Bliss (Illiyeen). No human being or devil has the power to summon the deceased from these abodes. Evil jinn assume the forms of the deceased and in this way deceive and mislead people. Never be impressed with this type of seemingly supernatural fraud. Q. Some enlightened scholars say that Aishah (radhiyallahu anha) had taught the seven Fuqaha of Madina. On this basis they say that it is permissible for females to teach males. Please comment A. These modernist 'enlightened scholars' take things out of context, then add their own interpretations to justify their modernist deviated practices. When it is said, for example, 'Aishah (radhiyallahu anha) taught the first seven Fuqaha of Madina', it creates in the mind of the audience the absolutely false idea that Hadhrat Aishah (radhiyallahu anha) had operated a systematic madrasah where males and females would attend and where she would daily impart lessons in academic style. This idea is the furthest from the truth. Aishah (radhiyallahu anha) never taught the seven Fuqaha of Madina nor anyone else in the conventional style of teaching. What used to occur in that era was that people would come from far and wide to the Sahaabah to seek guidance and to hear from them the Ahaadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). They would come individually to the homes of the Sahaabah, and this included Hadhrat Aishah and the other Wives of Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). From behind a screen in her hut she would narrate to them what she heard and - 23 - (NaturalNews) Research has been steadily accumulating that olive oil, a main component of the Mediterranean diet, has extensive health-protective properties. For example, phytonutrient components of olive oil have been found to be effective against breast cancer cells and studies suggest the abundance of olive oil in the Mediterranean style of eating may be the reason that diet helps prevent depression. Now scientists have discovered that phenolic compounds in olive oil directly repress genes linked to inflammation. This could be especially important in halting the dangerous effects of metabolic syndrome. Characterized by excess abdominal fat, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood glucose levels, metabolic syndrome is linked to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and early death. The ability of olive oil's phenolic compounds to reduce or prevent inflammation also provides a molecular basis for the reduction of heart disease observed in Mediterranean countries, where virgin olive oil represents a main source of dietary fat. Q. Among our senior Ulama of Deoband there were some who listened to the qiraa't of clean-shaven qaaris. What is the answer for this? A. The errors of elders are never Shar'i daleel. The personal acts and attitudes of elders which conflict with the Shariah must be set aside. Such conflicts with the Shariah are not masaa-il on which to make amal. Allaamah Sha'raani (rahmatullah alayh) and numerous other Ulama said: "He who takes on to the rare/obscure views of the Ulama, verily he has made his exit from Islam." We do not make taqleed of the errors of the Ulama of Deoband. The attitude of elevating the errors of seniors to the status of Shar'i masaa-il is the way of the Barelwi graveworshippers. This is not our way. We are the Muqallideen of Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahmatullah alayh). Those who argue in favour of the fussaaq should present Shar'i dalaail, not stupidities and errors of seniors or the personal whims, fancies and idiosyncracies of seniors which conflict with the Shariah. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) once visited a Faqeer (a very poor Muslim). He had no possessions whatsoever with him. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) then commented: "If the noor (spiritual/celestial light) of this one man is distributed among the people of the world, it will encompass them all." saw from Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). After hearing the Hadith, they departed. They did not camp there to attend daily classes, etc. Her hut, style and methodology were bereft of the zina paraphernalia which accompany the 'educational' institutions of this age. This was the system of spreading knowledge in the early stages of Islam. For example, Imaam Bukhaari had more than a thousand Hadith teachers (Asaatizah). This does not mean that he sat in their company and acquired knowledge systematically on a daily basis. What happened was that if someone narrated to him a Hadith, then the narrator was automatically regarded as a teacher although Imaam Bukhaari may have met him only once in his lifetime for a few minutes. The same stupid and misleading impression is created by deviate modernists when they say women participated in Jihad during the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). We have explained this in some detail in our booklet, The Ladies Tabligh Jamaat It is not permissible to attend a gathering where a faasiq qaari recites. Shaving the beard is a kabeerah sin which renders the man a faasiq. Every moment the ghadab and la'nat of Allah Ta'ala descend on a person who is beardless as a result of shaving his beard. To attend such a gathering is to honour the faasiq. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "When a faasiq is honoured, the Arsh of Allah shudders." Furthermore, these qaaris with their belief that it is permissible to shave the beard are guilty of bid'ah, and regarding a man of bid'ah, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "He who honours a man of bid'ah, aids in the demolition of Islam." - 24 - When one goes to listen to the qiraa't of a faasiq qaari, one is in fact honouring him. The faasiq is given front stage, musaafahah(shaking hands) and muaanaqah (embracing) are made with him. He is respectfully addressed. In general he is treated as a guest of honour. Whoever denies this fact, is a liar. Thus the contention that he is not honoured is baseless. Regardless of whether one has the intention of honouring or not honouring, the mere attendance of the function is to aid, support and honour the faasiq qaari who shows absolutely no shame for Allah Ta'ala and the Makhlooq. The actions of the people clearly testify that they are honouring him. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that in Jahannam there is a valley which daily petitions Allah Ta'ala 400 times to save it from the heat of that valley. The name of this valley in the dregs of Jahannum is Jubbul Huzn. When the Sahaabah asked about those who are destined for entry into this terrible Valley of Torment, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that Jubbul Huzn has been prepared for the Qaaris who display their a'maal. This will be the ultimate destination of fussaaq qaaris who barter the Qur'aan Majeed for this dunya. Ibraaheem Bin Adham (rahmatullah alayh) said to a person: "What do you prefer: A dirham (a silver coin) in your dream or a dinar (a gold coin) while you are awake?' The man said: 'A dinar while I am awake.' Ibrahim said: 'You are a liar! Whatever you love in this world is like a dirham you love in a dream.' The world with its pleasures and comforts is like a dirham in a dream. Man hankers after this unattainable dirham while he abandons the dinar which is presented to him when he will be awake, that is, in the Hereafter. His love for this world signifies his abhorrence for the treasures of the Aakhirah. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "I command you with five attributes so that Allah Ta'ala may perfect for you your attributes of excellence: 1. Don't hoard what you cannot eat. 2. Don't build such mansions which you cannot occupy. 3. Don't hanker after that which tomorrow you will not retain. 4. Fear Allah unto whom you will be assembled. 5. Covet that towards which you are proceeding and where you shall reside forever. (i.e. Jannat). Narrating a Hadith, Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Mas'ood (radhiyallahu anhu) said: "How will you be when such a fitnah engulfs you, which will make senile the elders, and cause the little ones to grow swiftly,( i.e. age swiftly), and people will regard such fitnah to be Sunnah. If anything of the fitnah is left out, they will say that a Sunnah has been abandoned. They said: 'When will it be so?' He said: 'When your Ulama have disappeared, your qurraa' have become abundant, your Fuqaha have become extremely few, your rulers have become abundant, your trustworthy have become few, and when the dunya is pursued with the amal of Aakhirah." - 25 - A PIOUS PERSON? Observe the ulama-e-soo' and the evil qaaris of this age, and you will realize that this Hadith has now materialized. On the Night of Mi'raaj, Allah Ta'ala said to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam): "O Ahmad! If you desire to be the most pious person, then detach yourself from this world." Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "O my Allah! How should I detach myself from the world?" Allah Ta'ala responded: "Take from this world food, drink and clothing only what suffices for you. Do not store for tomorrow, and be constant in My remembrance." Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "O Allah! How can I be constant in Your thikr? Allah Ta'ala said: "By secluding yourself from people. Make Salaat your sleep and hunger your food." "The foundation of worship rests on three pillars: the eye, the heart and the tongue. The eye is for gaining admonition. The heart is for contemplation, and the tongue is for honesty, tasbeeh and thikrullah." - Abul Hasan Zunjani (rahmatullah alayh). "Beware of adultery! It entails six effects. Three in this world and three in the Hereafter. The three effects in this world are: (1) Decrease in rizq (sustenance) (2)Shortening of one's lifespan (3) Zulmat (spiritual darkness) engulfing the face. The three calamities in the Hereafter are: (1) The Wrath of Allah Ta'ala (2)A severe reckoning (3) Entry into Jahannum." -- (Hadith) When Nabi Musa (alayhis salaam) asked Allah Ta'ala to describe the punishment for adultery, Allah Ta'ala said: "I shall clad him with armour of fire. If this armour is placed on top of a high mountain, it will reduce the mountain to ashes." "Whoever wishes that his Rizq be increased, should observe family ties." (Hadith) THE DISEASED, POISONOUS 'HALAALIZED' CARRION-CHICKENS YOU ARE DEVOURING!!! "WARNING SOUTH AFRICA: THAT'S NOT CHICKEN YOU'RE EATING" Sapa 13 September 2012 – Times LIVE "Consumers have been warned about the incorrect labelling of some frozen chicken products sold across the country. The health department said the warning applied to frozen chicken portions, also referred to as "Individually Quick Frozen (IQF)" chicken portions. "The description fails to inform the consumer that the product purchased by them is a composite foodstuff, consisting of chicken portions to which the processor added a brinebased mixture or solution," health spokesman Fidel Radebe said. - 26 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 The brine-based mixture consisted of water, salt and food additives, including thickeners and flavourants, and was injected into the chicken portions. Hadebe said in some cases the percentage of the brine-based mixture added to the chicken portions was as high as 30 percent, of which 29 percent was water. He said this negatively affected quality from a nutritional perspective, and increased the amount of salt present. "It is considered important that consumers are made aware of the situation regarding the actual contents of these products and to thus allow them the opportunity to use their discretion when purchasing these products." "Inorganic arsenic is considered one of the prominent environmental causes of CANCER mortality in the world. Arsenic is a human carcinogen linked to liver, lung, skin, kidney, bladder and prostate CANCERS. It can also cause neurological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and immune system abnormalities. Diabetes has also been linked to arsenic exposure. The feeding of arsenic to chickens in the U.S. releases hundreds of tons of arsenic into the environment every year in the form of poultry manure which is spread on fields as fertilizer." (Vegan Health) "Astonishing laboratory results of antibiotic residue in the flesh of supermarket chickens have been presented to South Africa's national Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, by Compassion I World Farming (South Africa)." According to laboratory tests, some of the carrions chickens "appeared to be sick with a slimy, sticky mucous beneath the skin, and they were teeming with 100% antibiotic resistant bacteria on the skin surface including staphylococci and ebterobacteriaacuae." "The overuse of antibiotics in the giant farm industry is said to be largely responsible for new 'supergerms', which have the potential to cause yet unknown human suffering and deaths." (Jotg Mardian RHN, CPT) "Nearly two thirds of chicken sold in supermarkets carry the bug that causes most cases of food poisoning in Britain. 62.5% of all fresh chicken sold in supermarkets across the country is contaminated with campylobacter. An estimated 440,000 people fall ill and 80 die each year after becoming infected." (The Daily Mail) "A type of salmonella found in eggs is turning up more in chicken meat according to the Agriculture Department. From 2000 through 2005, there was a fourfold increase in positive test results for salmonella enteritis on chicken carcasses. Salmonella sickens at least 40,000 people and kills about 600 every year in the United States…..Now the germ is turning up in broiler chickens…" (Washington (AP). "The infection (salmonella) of this bacteria leads to fever, causes stomach cramps and diarrhoea, and when this bacteria invades the bloodstream in some cases, it may be fatal." (Home Medicine News) - 27 - The Qur'aan and the Sunnah emphasize the consumption of only Halaal-Tayyib food. But in this age Muslims have degenerated to a sub-human level, having become like animals devouring just any type of disease-causing filth dubbed as 'halaal' food by the Carrion purveyors. All the commercially killed diseased broiler chickens which these miserable halaalizing outfits pass off as 'halaal', are HARAAM, not fit for feeding even dogs according to the Shariah. Yet Muslims are devouring the haraam najaasat with relish. There is no need to wonder at the steep rise in cancer cases in the community. Cancer is a mild punishment for consuming diseased, rotten, stinking carrion chickens which perhaps even vultures will shun. How can Muslims who devour deluges of rotten Maitah ever gain an inclination for A'maal-e-Saalihah (Virtuous Deeds)? The haraam filth which Muslims are ingesting under cover of haraam 'halaal' certificates have destroyed the Akhlaaq and ruined the Imaan of the community. The addiction to carrion-consumption is indeed terrible among Muslims. According to the Qur'aan, those who devour haraam 'food', follow in the footsteps of shaitaan. Haraam, rotten, diseased chemically-pumped broiler chickens utterly destroy every vestige of spirituality. A Muslim is supposed to be an embodiment of Noor. But, the haraam rubbish people consume has totally darkened their hearts and fossilized their brains. Thus, every haraam act appears pleasing to them. The many kinds of diseases which doctors nowadays fail to diagnose, are the consequences of the filth, especially carrion chickens, which are devoured by the ton. Once you have been diagnosed with CANCER, it will then be too late for remedy and for tears. When your internal organs rot and putrefy whilst you are still alive, in consequence of these haraam carrion chickens and other haraam rotten junk, so-called 'food' which you consume, you will be panic-stricken, but to no avail. Have mercy on your body and soul. Abandon the addiction of devouring haraam 'halaalized' diseased carrion chickens. "O People: Eat from the earth that which is halaal and tayyib, and do not follow in the footsteps of Shaitaan. Verily he instructs to with immorality and evil." (Qur'aan) ITTISAAL means to join. In the context of Salaat it means to perform the Sunnatul Muakkadah Salaat immediately after the Fardh without delay. It is incumbent to engage in the Sunnatul Muakkadah Salaat immediately after the short Dua which is usually made after the Fardh Salaat. After Zuhr Fardh, follow two raka'ts, after Maghrib Fardh, 2 raka'ts and after Isha' Fardh follow two raka'ts Sunnatul Muakkadah. It is Sunnat and necessary to engage in the performance of these Sunnatul Muakkadah Salaat as soon as the Dua has be completed. It is improper to engage in lengthy dua after the Fardh of these three Salaats. It is bid'ah (impermissible innovation) to engage in a bayaan/talk/lecture after these Fardh Salaat, and also before the Dua after the Fajr and Asr Salaat. It has been observed that a new bid'ah of giving a bayaan has been innovated immediately after the Fardh Salaat. This is not permissible. It is a treble evil in that: (1) It displaces the Sunnat of Ittisaal. (2) It disturbs the musallis who are performing the Sunnat Salaat - 28 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 (3) It pressurizes unwary Musallis to remain seated to listen to the talk. Musallis should not feel pressurized when someone engages in this bid'ah. They should simply stand up and perform their Sunnatul Muakkadah without any concern for the talk which is inappropriately conducted. An exceptionally evil and haraam practice is to perform Salaat dressed lewdly. Dressed with jeans, T-shirts with or without logos and inscriptions and jackets with logos is not permissible. The Salaat performed in such Islamically obscene attire is Makrooh Tahrimi. The effect of Makrooh Tahrimi is that the thawaab (reward) of the Salaat is destroyed. It is also necessary to repeat such Salaat. That is, you have to change your haraam attire and repeat the Salaat which you had performed with the obscene garments. The Aurah of a male is from the navel to just below the knees. Some people perform Salaat dressed in such obscene pants/jeans which are so tight that the shape of the aurah is visible. Let it be known that Salaat performed with such obscene pants is not valid. Not only is the thawaab destroyed. It is sinful and the Salaat is just not valid. It is incumbent to first fill one Saff before beginning the second Saff. Some people have formed the habit of standing even alone despite there being place available in the Saff. Others form a second Saff when there is still space in the first Saff. To do so is not permissible. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Conversation in the Musjid consumes good deeds just as cattle consume grass." In another narration, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that among the Signs of Qiyaamah is "the raising of voices in the Musaajid." People are extremely careless in this regard. Even the Muballigheen and the learned men pay scant regard for the prohibition of speaking in the Musjid. Voices are raised. In fact, they indulge in even laughter. This is a sign of the hardness of the heart. Speaking in the Musjid is defilement of the sanctity of the Musjid. It is essential to understand that the process of Salaat, according to the Hadith, commences when you set out from home with the intention of going to the Musjid for Salaat. With this intention you receive rewards for every step taken towards the Musjid, provided that you do not engage in futility and nonsense on your way to the Musjid. When you engage in making Wudhu, then you are almost in your Salaat. It is not permissible to engage in conversation whilst making Wudhu. Numerous people are extremely deficient in this regard. A special Shaitaan whose name is Walhaan is tasked to induce one to engage in talk whilst making Wudhu. The thawaab of Wudhu is utterly destroyed when one indulges in conversation. The Musjid is not the place for conversation and discussion. Wait until you are outside the Musjid. - 29 - THE HUMILIATION OF THIS DEAD UMMAH In Salaat, the feet should be about 8 centimetres (five inches) apart, and the toes must point towards the Qiblah. Many people place their feet slanting away from the Qiblah. This stance is in conflict with the Sunnah. When making Ruku' the back and the legs should be straight. It is improper to press on the knees, which leads to the legs being bow-shaped. It is also improper to bend the knees forward. The legs should be perpendicular (held straight) without any slant. It is Wajib (Compulsory) to form absolutely straight rows without any gap between two musallis. The straightness of the Saff is achieved by placing the heels in line, not the toes. The sizes of feet differ, hence the row will not be straight if the toes are placed in line. The heels have to be placed in line. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that a gap between two musallis in the Saff is filled by shaitaan. In order to ensure that Shaitaan does not stand next to you, ensure that your shoulder touches the shoulder of the musalli alongside you. It is not permissible to recite the Qur'aan Shareef loudly in the Musjid when musallis are present. Some are in Salaat whilst others engage in silent thikr and dua. It is not permissible to distract and disturb them with your loud tilaawat. THE CALAMITY of humiliation which the Ummah is suffering in the wake of kuffaar domination is the chastisement of Allah Ta'ala which we have invited, and still are inviting with our reckless and drunken stupor of gross disobedience, transgression and immorality. The abandonment of the Shariah and the Sunnah has made this Ummah a rudderless shipwreck tossing violently and sinking to its destruction. Torn from our Imaani bearings, Muslims are now believing that respect, honour and success on earth are inextricably interwoven with the Way of the West. Believing that the political power and domination of the West are the consequences of their technology and immoral culture depicted as 'enlightenment', Muslims are drunkenly aping every cultural norm of obscenity and stupidity of their western masters. In every sphere of life, the rabid disease of kuffaar emulation has entered into every vein of Muslims, hideously contorting their thinking, and inducing them to believe that it is honourable to follow the Yahood and Nasara into "the lizard's hole' (Rasulullah's description of Muslim emulation of the kuffaar). Predicting this attitude of morbid kuffaar-emulation by Muslims, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Soon will there be nations in my Ummah who will be gripped by these (evil) lusts just as the disease of rabies penetrates every vein and joint." The idea that honour is in crass and stupid aping of the West in every facet of life has acquired 'religious' significance in the fossilized brains of the so-called 'Muslim intelligentsia'. Condemning this insane craving for honour from the kuffaar, the Qur'aan Majeed says: "..Verily, for them is the painful punishment. They are those who take the kaafireen as friends besides the Mu'mineen. What! Do they search for honour by them? Verily, all honour belongs to Allah." (Aayat 139, An-Nisaa') They hopelessly fail to understand that despite their total embrace of westernism, their fate of humiliation and slavery is incremental. There is no dearth among Muslims of the material instruments of technology which have propelled the kuffaar to the political stage of dominance. Muslims have long ago plunged headlong in 'baboonic' emulation of the western kuffaar. Every facet of kuffaar life is vigorously emulated. Every norm and culture of the West has been incorporated into the daily life of Muslims. There is no shortage of kuffaar universities and institutions imparting secular education to the Ummah. Muslims are diligently pursuing western technology. There is no lack of military hardware in the Muslim countries. The biggest arms deal in history has been concluded between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. There is no shortage of wealth in the Ummah. Despite the total emulation of the West, this Ummah recedes further into the abyss of disgrace and serfdom. Whatever the zanaadiqah (the 'enlightened' heretics in the Ummah) are demanding in the sphere of aping the West, is fully available to Muslims, and they are doing just that. But, the humiliation continues unabated. All the crank reformers with all their stupid solutions fail to put a brake to the downward slide of the Ummah into disgrace and destruction. Every Muslim country is ruled by modernists, zanadiqah and kuffaar in Muslim guise who are implementing every demand of westernism, yet, the impotency of the Ummah increases. The lands of Islam are not governed by primitive Molvis of the Camel Age. Modernists, secularists, downright atheists, fussaaq and fujjaar bereft of any Islamic hue and attitude, are at the helm of all affairs in Muslim lands. In fact, even the Musaajid are in the control of these morons. All the plans of 'progress', 'enlightened' democracy and capitalism disgorged into their mouths by the U.S. and the West have not brought succour to the Ummah. Dwelling in total mental subjection, Muslims continue to submissively lick up the najaasat-e-ghaleezah which their western masters excrete into their mouths. Their hearts and brains are incorrigibly corrupted by all the rijs (filth) of the kuffaar which they lap up like mad dogs with relish. But the tide of humiliation and impotency does not change. The condition of the Ummah at all levels in all spheres of life, even in the Madaaris and the Khaanqahs, is dismal and deplorable. The disease of westernization has disfigured the brains of even the Ulama and the 'spiritual guides' in charge of the khaanqahs. The Ummah is grounded in the quagmire of intellectual, moral and spiritual decadence. There remains no affinity between the Ummah of this era and the Sahaabah of the noble Camel Age who had raised aloft the Standard of Islam, and planted the Flag of Tauheed on the hilltops of the world. This Ummah is afflicted with some debilitating disease which has incapacitated it in every field of material, moral and spiritual life. The Ummah is rotten to the core. This disease has brought the Ummah crashing from its former honourable pinnacle of grandeur and glory to its present state of degeneration. Muslims remain dumb and stupid, unable to understand the cause and the disease for their humiliation. They fail to understand that their formed elevated status of honour and glory was structured on the foundations of morality and spirituality, not on materialism or on mundane progress. The spirituality and morality which constituted the springboard from which the Ummah took off its flight of glory, was the Rope of Allah – that Hablullaah about which the Qur'aan states: "And hold on firmly all of you to the Rope of Allah, and do not split up." The foundation is the Shariah of Islam – the Deen. It is not stupid conferences, conventions and ludicrous talkshops, all moronic paraphernalia of the western kuffaar. - 31 - Without clinging to Hablullah in the way the Personalities of the Camel Age had clung, there will never be success, prosperity and victory for Muslims. THE BEDROCK OF the power of the early Muslims – Sahaabah, Taabieen and Tab-e-Taabieen was Roohaaniyat or their lofty status of spiritual elevation and divine proximity. The power of the early Ummah, which ushered them to the hilltops of the world never was materialism or economic and military power. On the contrary, they were always inferior in the latter fields. Economically, numerically and militarily, the Sahaabah were always inferior. Despite this inferiority, they became the dominant political power of their times. The bastion of their power is not a secret or a mystery. The Sahaabah had accepted Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) as their leader, and they offered him total obedience in every sphere of their lives. Since they had appointed Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) as their leader, Allah Ta'ala made them the rulers of the earth. In direct opposition to their tareeqah (way), the Muslims of later ages and of the present age, have appointed the western kuffaar as their leaders, hence Allah Ta'ala has appointed them as our rulers. When Allah Ta'ala appointed Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam) as the Nabi, and to warn the emperor Fir'oun to desist from oppression and to set free Bani Israaeel whom he had enslaved, he was forlorn and fearful. One man was sent alone, without an army, without political power, a veritable pauper in worldly terms. Fir'oun was proverbial for his cruelty and persecution of Bani Israaeel. Fir'oun had ordered the massacre of all the male babies of Bani Israaeel. Every infant boy was forcibly taken from its mother and slaughtered mercilessly. Besides this, Fir'oun had committed great oppression and injustices against Bani Israaeel. The answer for opponents was always death. It was to such a brutal tyrant that Allah Ta'ala sent one man who totally lacked in worldly power of any kind. In fact, so weak and inadequate did Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam) feel himself to be, that he implored Allah Ta'ala to appoint his brother, Hadhrat Haroon (alayhis salaam) as his deputy so that he could gain moral strength from his support. When Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam) arrived in Fir'oun's court of splendour with his brother Hadhrat Haroon (alayhis salaam), he proclaimed Allah's Tauheed and delivered the divine command to emancipate Bani Israaeel. Fir'oun already had a charge of murder against Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam) who had been sentenced to death some years ago. But now in his presence right in his court, surrounded by Fir'oun's soldiers and noblemen, Fir'oun was overwhelmed by awe for Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam). What prevented him and his army from apprehending Nabi Musaa (alayhis salaam) and killing him? But Fir'oun dared not do anything of this sort. He was overcome with an inexplicable fear which this one man instilled in his heart. This was the Roohaaniyat which Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam) wielded. The emperor and the men with the military might were rendered impotent. - 32 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 THREATS Although Fir'oun, in order to display his imaginary power, issued threats, he could not follow up such threats with action. He threatened Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam): "If you worship a god other than me, I shall most certainly cast you among the prisoners." But Nabi Musaa (alayhis salaam) fiercely proclaimed that your Creator is "the Rabb of the east and the west and of whatever is in between, if indeed you (Fir'oun and your people) have any intelligence (to understand this reality)." When Fir'oun was rendered helpless by the spiritual power of Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam), he turned to his cabinet and appealed to them to assemble all the expert sorcerers of Egypt to defeat the spiritual power of Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam). All of them together could not harm Musaa (alayhis salaam) who left the court of Fir'oun safely. The story is long. However, in the end, all the sorcerers of Fir'oun were defeated by the Roohaaniyat of Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam) in the presence of Fir'oun, his cabinet, his military and thousands of spectators. The manifestation of Roohaanivat constrained all the sorcerers to proclaim the Tauheed of Allah, and to fall into prostration. Along with them, thousands accepted the Deen in open defiance of Fir'oun and his military. But the proud and arrogant emperor could not accept the humiliation he suffered and Hadhrat Musaa's (alayhis salaam) triumph over all the sorcerers of Egypt. The inevitable showdown had thus to come. Although Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam) had no army, not even a rag-tag militia, Fir'oun was apprehensive of whatever power Musaa (alayhis salaam) had. Hadhrat Musaa's followers, Bani Israaeel, were the slaves of the Egyptians. They were not soldiers. They were weaklings and totally unarmed. Inspite of Hadhrat Musaa's and Bani Israaeel's worldly insignificance and weakness, Fir'oun deemed it prudent to muster a large army to once and for all settle the issue with Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam). Thus the Qur'aan says: "Then Fir'oun sent (his) men in all the cities (of Egypt) to assemble (his army)." Meanwhile Fir'oun, addressing his commanders and cabinet, said: "Most certainly they are an insignificant group." He assured his army of sure victory over the insignificant unarmed group of Bani Israaeel led by Nabi Musaa (alayhis salaam). But Allah Ta'ala had plans for the destruction of Fir'oun and his empire. Thus, says Allah Ta'ala in His Qur'aan: "We then brought them (Fir'oun and his huge army) out from their orchards and fountains and from their treasuries and palatial palaces." Allah Ta'ala utterly destroyed Fir'oun along with his army. The whole lot of kuffaar were ignominiously drowned in the Red Sea. And, Allah Ta'ala declaring the victory for Musaa (alayhis salaam), said: "In this way did We grant Bani Israaeel control (and power) over the land (of Fir'oun)." "We saved Musaa and those who followed him. Then We drowned all the others (Fir'oun and his army). Most assuredly, in this (manifestation of spiritual might) is a sign (for people of Imaan and intelligence)." Like the present day Ummah has become the scum of the earth, so too were Bani Israaeel considered to be. About this 'scum' who were made the rulers of the earth on the basis of Hadhrat Musaa's Roohaaniyat, the Qur'aan Majeed says: "And remember when you were an insignificant - 33 - THE SPIRITUAL LETHARGY OF THE PRESENT DAY MEN OF KNOWLEDGE group oppressed in the land (of Egypt). You feared that the people (Fir'oun and his armies) would snatch you (and destroy you). Then Allah gave you refuge and aided you with His help, and He bestowed wholesome rizq to you so that you may be grateful (for His bounties)." When Bani Israaeel repeatedly complained to Musaa (alayhis salaam) of their hardships and the persecution of Fir'oun, he admonished them: "O my People! Seek forgiveness from your Rabb and turn to Him (in obedience). He will then send upon you from the skies abundant beneficial rain, and He will add power to your strength. Therefore, do not turn your backs as transgressors." The solution prescribed by the Nabi was Istighfaar, Taubah and Inaabat. They were spiritually and morally weak, hence any worldly plan of action was doomed to failure, just as all the worldly plans of present-day Muslims end in total failure and anarchy. The solution was only the cultivation of Roohaaniyat. Explaining further the solution, Nabi Musaa (alayhis salaam) said to his people: "Seek aid from Allah and have patience. Verily. the earth belongs to Allah. He will grant its sovereignty to whomever He desires among His servants. And (remember that) the ultimate result of victory is only for the Muttaqeen (the people of Taqwa )... ......Soon will Allah destroy your enemies and make you the political masters in the earth. Then, He will watch how you acquit yourselves." The solution for the present decadent and disgraceful condition of the Ummah is nothing but the very same solution which Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam) had offered to Bani Israaeel. When the desired degree of Roohaaniyat has been attained by the Ummah, Allah Ta'ala will create the circumstances for the defeat of the enemies and for the victory of Muslims. There is absolutely no other solution for this Ummah. All methods which Muslims have adopted in this age for their extrication from their morass of political slavery are doomed to failure. The same Rabbul Aalameen Who had granted the Sahaabah their wonderful victory at Badr is here today for us. Nuclear technology and nuclear might cannot thwart the Plan of Allah Azza Wa Jal. A SALIENT CHARACTERISTIC of the majority of the Maulanas and Sheikhs of the present-day is their spiritual lethargy and indifference to the very important and significant acts of ibaadat. The lackadaisical attitude of these learned men in regard to ibaadat is not restricted to Nawaafil (plural of Nafl), but extends to Waajib (compulsory) and Sunnatul Muakkadah (Near compulsory) acts of ibaadat as well. This deplorable lethargy, in fact indifference, is flagrantly displayed in the matter of Jama'at Salaat. In many places, the Maulanas show scant regard for Jama'at Salaat. They arrive at the Musjid the very last moment, late or absent themselves totally. They seek to justify their lethargy and indifference by the presentation of lame excuses -extremely lame - excuses which are not valid in the Shariah. Due to their indolence and high rate of absenteeism from the Musjid or their lamentable late arrivals after the Salaat has commenced, these learned men lack the moral integrity to give naseehat on the significance, importance and Wujoob of Jama'at Salaat in the Musjid. They - 34 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 know that the musallis will look askance should they deliver bayaans on this subject. They know that the Qur' aanic rebuke, "Why do you say that which you are not practising.", will be hurled at them, hence they cannot muster up the courage to speak on the fadhaail (virtues) of Jama'at Salaat whereas the importance of this ibaadat can never be exaggerated. Whatever virtues are explained of this vital ibaadat will always be an understatement. What actually is the cause for this attitude of spiritual lethargy of the learned men? This type of attitude is totally unexpected and highly unbecoming of Ulama and Huffaaz. The Qur'aan Majeed declares: "Verily, of the servants of Allah only the Ulama fear Him." Humility and fear are the natural attributes of Ilm-e-Deen or should be so. But, why are the present-day `Ulama' lacking so terribly in these imperative attributes of Ilm-e-Deen? It is not difficult to trace the root cause of this evil malady from which so many learned men suffer. This spiritual lethargy has been inherited from the Madaaris. In the present system of the Madaaris, the Waajib and vital branch of knowledge, viz., Islaah and Tarbiyat-e Baatin (moral and spiritual reformation and training) has been excised. No importance whatsoever is accorded to this goal which is among the vital Maqaasid (Aims and Objects) of the knowledge of the Deen. The emphasis nowadays in the Madaaris is only on the external dimension of Ilm, i.e. mere textual knowledge. Practical application in daily life of the Qur'aan and Hadith is not assigned any importance whatsoever in the Madaaris. Minus amal (practice of the Deen), the acquisition of true Ilm based on Taqwa is a virtual impossibility because Ilm is a Noor from Allah Ta'ala which settles in the heart of the uprighteous Taalib-e-Ilm (Searcher of Knowledge). And, this is possible only by means of strict observance of the Shariah and meticulous adoption of every dimension of the Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). But, the Madaaris nowadays are emulating the spiritually bankrupt and immoral secular institutions of the western world. Instead of instilling the importance of ibaadat in the hearts of the Talaba (Students), the method of teaching detracts from the significance of ibaadat and concentrates on only the external facade of knowledge, namely, the texts. Ahaadith are explained in such a way which leads the students to gain the idea that Nawaafil is insignificant, unimportant and that there is nothing wrong in the wholesale neglect of Nafl acts of Ibaadat. To compound this false impression, the students are led to believe by the system of Dars (teaching) that they need not practise Nawaafil while they are engaging in the pursuit of Deeni studies. While this is not overtly proclaimed, the lackadaisical approach of the Ustaadhs and their indifference to the moral reformation of their students, ingrain in the minds of the Talaba that it is okay to discard Nafl since such discarding is not sinful as the definition of Nafl goes or as it is interpreted to them by their Ustaadhs. But it is a great deception to neglect Nawaafil on the basis of this misconception. The idea that because there is no sin in abstention from Nawaafil, this category of ibaadat is unimportant and may be discarded at whim and fancy – at the behest of the nafs – is spiritually ruinous. It is this idea which is gradually extended to Sunnatul Muakkadah and Waajib acts. This idea induces the student to become neglectful of fostering his bond with Allah Ta'ala. The Hadith emphasizes that the servant gains proximity to Allah Ta'ala by - 35 - THE SPIRITUAL LETHARGY OF THE PRESENT DAY MEN OF KNOWLEDGE virtue of his abundance of Nawaafil. This is not to say that Nawaafil is the only requirement for Divine Proximity. Nevertheless, it is a vital requirement for coming closer to Allah Ta'ala. Abstention from Nawaafil not being sinful is only initially. After Nawaafil has been commenced, the order with regard to abstention changes. If a Nafl ibaadat is invalidated or ended prior to its completion, then its rendition becomes Waajib. Thus, if Nafl Salaat or Saum is invalidated, i.e. after beginning, it is not completed, then to make Qadha of it is Waajib. It is Waajib to complete the Nafl ibaadat once it has been initiated. Discontinuance of a Nafl ibaadat after its adoption is Makrooh Tahrimi (prohibited and sinful). In this regard Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said to Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Umar (radhiyallahu anhu): "O Abdullah, do not be like that person who used to stand at night (i.e. he was in the practice of Tahajjud Salaat), then he abandoned it." While it is not sinful to abstain from Nawaafil prior to commencement, such abstention is nevertheless, deprivation. The one who abstains from Nawaafil will bemoan his fate in Qiyaamah when he will see and understand the harm he had caused himself with his neglect of Nawaafil. It is this indifferent attitude to Nawaafil which students acquire nowadays at the Madaaris, which engenders in them spiritual lethargy in all acts of ibaadat throughout their life. The indifference shown for Nawaafil is gradually extended to Sunnatul Muakkadah, then to Waajib. This is the manner in which Shaitaan operates to weaken the roohaani (spiritual) fibre of the student of the Deen. Later, after the student has bid farewell to the Madrasah, he displays his indolence and indifference even for the Waajib Jama' at Salaat. Thus, we find so many learned men feeling no pangs of conscience for missing Salaat with Jama'at in the Musjid. Arriving late for Jama'at and missing a raka't or two are not viewed with any seriousness despite the fact that such acts are among the Kabaair (major) sins. When the Talaba come across Ahaadith on the significance of Ilm and on the superiority of knowledge over worship (Nafl acts of ibaadat), they gain the destructive impression that in view of their engagement in the pursuit of Ilm, there is no need for Nawaafil ibaadat. They are students of Deeni knowledge, hence there is no need for Nawaafil. Subhaanallaah! This corruption in their thinking is further solidified by the method of teaching and the lack of Taqwa of the Ustaadhs. The superiority of engagement in Ilm over Nawaafil is accepted. But this superiority does not or should not produce indifference to Nawaafil. After all, the purpose of Ilm is amal (i.e. to give practical expression to the ahkaam of the Deen). The Hadith which says that an hour in the night spent in Ilm is better than spending the entire night in Nafl ibaadat does not apply to present day Talaba whose relationship with Ilm is extremely weak. The students in the Madaaris of this age have considerable time for indulgence in futility, kuffaar sport, holidays, nonsensical discussions, reading newspapers, listening to nafsaani radio programmes and other activities which are not only unrelated to the pursuit of Ilm, but decidedly harmful for the acquisition of the Noor of Ilm. It is a monstrous deception of shaitaan for these types of students to believe that the Ahaadith in this regard are applicable to them. The Ahaadith which mention the superiority of spending some time in Ilm are for such pious, Muttaqi students who do not differentiate between night and day in their pursuit of Ilm. They do not know what is the meaning of holidays. Sickness does not constrain them to be absent - 36 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 from classes. Their total immersion in Ilm makes them oblivious of their surroundings. The Ahaadith apply to such true Talaba, never to the type of students we find in the Madaaris nowadays. It is imperative for the Asaatizah and the Talaba to understand that their failure to attend to their moral reformation and their abstention from the Masnoon acts of Nawaafil deprive them of the Noor of Ilm. The vile consequences of such deprivation will be properly understood in Qiyaamah. "THOSE WHO DISPUTE in the aayaat of Allah after it has been accepted, their disputation is utterly baseless by their Rabb. For them there is a severe punishment." (Surah Shuraa, aayat 16) "None but those who have become kaafir dispute in the aayaat of Allah. Therefore, do not allow their (arrogant) strutting in cities to deceive you." (Surah Mu'min, aayat 4) "Before them the nation of Nooh had denied (the Deen), and many groups after them. And, every group plotted to grab (and neutralize) him (their Nabi), and they disputed (with him) with falsehood to subvert with it the Haqq (of the Deen) Then (suddenly) I apprehended them. Behold! How (terrible) was My punishment." (Surah Mu'min, aayat 5) Islam is today encircled by a variety of enemy forces — human and jinn shayaateen. The conspiracy of the combined forces of Shaitaan-in-Chief (Iblees) is to destroy Islam and its Ummah. Towards this end, he has harnessed his forces and positioned them on a wide variety of fronts. In this onslaught against Islam, the least potent or the weakest is the enemy on the political front. In fact, the political ascendancy of the kuffaar and their domination of the lands of Islam are not really part of the conspiracy of Shaitaan. Rather, this phenomenon is part of the Athaab of Allah Ta'ala. Thus, the threat is not the political domination of the kuffaar and the punishment they are meting out to Muslims. They are simply a manifestation of Allah's Punishment on us. We have on the one side the menace of the Christian missionaries who have made huge inroads in the Ummah with their kufr which they have succeeded to implant in numerous backward and remote Muslim regions. But this too is not the primary enemy. These overt enemies while constituting a threat, are not as great a menace to Islam as the enemy which lurks within the Ummah. The most poisonous and lethal enemy for Islam in this century consists of the munaafiqeen and murtaddeen who are concealing within the folds of the Ummah. - 37 - THE PRIMARY CONSPIRACY AGAINST ISLAM The Munaafiqeen (Hypocrites) and the Murtaddeen (Apostates —those who have reneged from Islam, albeit covertly) — are classified by the eternal Shariah of Allah Ta'ala as Mulhideen. They are such notorious villains who proclaim themselves to be Muslim, in fact authorities of Islam while they cannot even recite the Qur'aan Majeed properly nor are versified with the elementary rules of Tahaarat and Salaat. They advertise themselves as being the 'intelligentsia' while they grovel in abject jahaalat (ignorance). They profess to be Muslim while at heart they are kaafir. These Mulhideen and apostates are the products of kuffaar universities. They have studied under kuffaar or apostate professors and have acquired scrap degrees in a secular branch of kufr learning called 'Islamic Studies'. On the procurement of their scrap PH.D degrees doled out by kuffaar masters wallowing in constant impurity – spiritual, ceremonial and physical najaasat — they believe in their jahaalat that they have superseded the illustrious Sahaabah and Aimmah-e-Mujtahideen in the various branches of Shar'i Uloom. These Mulhideen are the greatest enemies of Islam and the Ummah, not Mr.Bush and Mr.Blair. The latter two fellows will soon disappear from the scene by an Act of Allah Azza Wa Jal Who has dispatched them to fulfill a specific purpose. On the contrary, the main enemies, the apostates from within, like rats are gnawing at the foundations of Islam. Their methodology inherited from their kuffaar and zindeeq university masters is to create confusion in the minds of ignorant people with the idea that the Immutable Shariah of Allah Ta'ala is not Islam. The massive falsehood which these apostates are working on to confuse, deviate and mislead unwary Muslims is that the Shariah with its Qur'aanic and Sunnah Fiqh is a centuries later product — an accretion — which has no origin in the Qur'aan and Sunnah. The disputation of these Mulhideen and Munaafiqeen come squarely within the scope of the Qur'aanic aayat: "Those who dispute in the aayaat (Shariah) of Allah after the acquisition of acceptance (for this Shariah), their disputation is false (baatil, baseless), and for them there is a severe Athaab (the Punishment of Hell-Fire)." They are the fuel of Jahannum. About these apostates Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'aan that they and stones will be the fuel of Jahannum wherein they will be scorched and scalded everlastingly with no hope of escape. They are worse than outright kuffaar who are waging a political war against the nations of Islam. These enemies from within are the worst kind of spiritual vermin leeching on the Body of Islam. Deep in their hearts they do understand their apostasy. But since they suffer from incorrigible nifaaq, they cannot bring themselves to acknowledge what they conceal in their breasts. It is this guilty conscience of apostasy which has constrained one such miserable apostate to moan that the penalty for irtidaad (apostasy) is not death, and that the death penalty for kufr and irtidaad has been introduced by the later Fuqaha. His ignorance is staggering and mindboggling. His stark ignorance of this acknowledged Divine Decree testifies to his own jahaalat, irtidaad and kufr. - 38 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 The aayat cited at the beginning, explicitly clarifies that the criterion of immutability is the Acceptance of the Shariah by the Ummah. Whoever denies any aspect of the Shariah after it has been accepted by the Ummah and after it has been operative in the Ummah for fourteen centuries since the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), is a murtadd for whom the aayat announces Allah's "severe punishment". It is simple logic to understand this Qur'aanic criterion for recognizing the Haqq —the Shariah of Allah Ta'ala. The Qur'aan clearly states "after its acceptance". Disputing in the Deen and denying the realities of Islam and the transcendental truths of the Immutable Shariah after these have been accepted by the Ummah is clear-cut kufr which renders the denier a confirmed and a confounded apostate, for which the prescribed Shar'i punishment is a disgraceful execution —the ultimate penalty which the apostate denies in vindication of his own apostasy. The colossal stupidity of the apostates who pretend to be Muslims is conspicuously displayed by their denial of the Ahaadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) while at the same time acknowledging that there are five compulsory Salaats every day. They deny the Ahaadith, but acknowledge the number of raka'ts of Salaat. They acknowledge what they term "the basic rituals of Islam", but they deny the very Ahaadith on the basis of which all these "basic rituals of Islam" are structured. The Qur'aan Majeed is silent on the details of these rituals —details which so far the apostates overtly accept and even profess to follow. Their colossal stupidity and mental derangement are vividly portrayed by the fact that they claim that the text of the Qur'aan, not its meanings, is sacred and immutable while in the same breath they deny the Ahaadith on which is based the authenticity of the Qur'aan itself. Minus Ahaadith, there is no Qur'aan. The Qur'aan was not revealed to these apostates nor to anyone else besides the Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). The momentous endeavour to compile the Qur'aan into its present Book form was the sacred task of the Sahaabah who had established the authenticity of each aayat by means of Saheeh Ahaadith. They did not compile the Qur'aan in its existing form as a consequence of Wahi having come to them. It is precisely for this reason that the Qur'aan repeatedly commands the Ummah to follow the Ahaadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). In fact, these apostates portraying themselves with Muslim hues, have no alternative other than to turn to the Fuqaha and the Fiqh they left for posterity in order to glean the rules and the methodology for the "basic rituals of Islam". They cannot acquire these innumerable masaail from the Qur'aan. They are too stupid to understand the science of Hadith which is Wahi in another form, hence wholly incapable of deducting any masaail from the sacred compilations of Hadith. They are therefore, forced to gain the elementary rules of the "basic rituals of Islam" from simple text books which the Ulama whom they despise have compiled for Madrasah kids. The writings of the apostates, the mulhideen and zindeeqs, are restricted to a clamour — making much noise. They blabber a lot, but their blabbering is devoid of substance. They simply lump together vocabulary to impress and confuse unwary and ignorant people. But - 39 - THE PRIMARY CONSPIRACY AGAINST ISLAM anyone who possesses some degree of intelligence will not fail to discern the utter barrenness of their statements. They are adept in only one art, viz., shouting claims. They make vociferous claims which are products of their stupid opinions. But every claim they put forward lacks in entirety in evidence of the Shariah. One jaahil belonging to the clan of apostates and munaafiqeen makes the claim that a striking feature of contemporary Muslim society is its failure to have kept up with the contemporary world. This ridiculous claim is a manifest assertion of his ignorance. What precisely is meant by this stupid claim? Let it be known that the ills and woes of contemporary Muslim society are the consequences of having kept abreast with the contemporary world. If Muslims had remained anchored to the Sunnah of Rasulullah's Camel Age, they would still have been the masters and rulers of the world which they had dominated and reigned during the epoch of the Khulafa-eRaashideen. But the curse of 'having kept up with contemporary society' has utterly ruined the Ummah. Who precisely is the "contemporary society" the apostate has mentioned? It is no other than kuffaar society. This society whom the apostates desire the Muslim Ummah to emulate and follow is the society of the kuffaar, the western kuffaar to be precise. On the contrary, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) warned the Ummah on the very issue of 'keeping up' with the kuffaar, especially the western kuffaar —the Yahood and Nasaaraa. The Qur'aan and the Sunnah repeatedly warn the Ummah against what the apostates of this age are propagating. Hence, in one Hadith Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Whoever emulates a people is of them." The apostates irrationally attempt to explain to their kuffaar masters and to the ignorant masses that the cause of the Ummah's present humiliation and fall from their former pedestal of glory is to be attributed to Muslims lagging behind the west in the secular spheres of life. Then they descend to the falsity of claiming that the cause of this lagging behind is the Ulama who teach the masses about the events which will transpire below the earth in the grave and above the heavens in Jannat. But, any person with a decent degree of pure Aql will understand that the Sahaabah rose to their pedestal of glory and brought the world at their feet in subjugation to Islam when they propagated the things which transpire beyond the grave and above the heavens. It was when they had eliminated hubb-e-dunya (love of this material world) and inculcated in themselves an aversion for the pleasures and wealth of the world, that Allah Ta'ala elevated them to the heights to which history testifies. When the Ummah abandoned this spiritual Path of the Sahaabah and vied with the kuffaar in an attempt to "keep up" with their products and concepts of kufr, fisq and fujoor as the apostates are propagating, Allah Ta'ala cast them from the pinnacles of glory into the depths of humiliation to lick the boots of the kuffaar as the apostates are presently doing. - 40 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 Westernized Muslims, apostates, zindeeqs, mulhids and munaafiqs who are all awed and enamoured by the technological advancement of their kuffaar masters and leaders fail to understand why they (i.e. the conglomeration of mulhideen) are unable to attain similar strides of progress in the fields in which the kuffaar excel. They emulate the kuffaar 100% in every aspect of their lives to the extent of having jettisoned Imaan from their hearts and embracing kufr and irtidaad. In order to gain the advancement in the secular spheres which the kuffaar have achieved, the apostates sulking within the Ummah have accepted every rule and law in the book of kufr. They are the victims of mental colonization imposed on their brains by their western kuffaar masters. They live like these kuffaar. They dress like them. They devour haraam like them. They believe like them. They imitate and ape the kuffaar in every aspect and sphere of life. But inspite of all their efforts in the realm of emulation of the kuffaar they fail miserably to reach the technological heights of advancement attained by their masters. They remain the slaves of these western masters, licking their vomit and their boots. When they feel hopelessly lost in the mire of confusion unable to fathom the cause of their rot and backwardness, shaitaan in the plot to divert them from reality and to keep them anchored and rooted in their mire of spiritual mess and in the morass of immorality — western immoralityin which they grovel, whispers into their spiritually darkened and corroded hearts that the cause of their decadence and retrogression is the Ulama whom these apostates slander and accuse of fostering 'fossilization' and the 'backwardness' in which these very apostates are sinking deeper by the day. The absurdity of their contention will be manifest to any unbiased Muslim who cares to examine even superficially this fallacious claim. The Ummah, by far and large, has cast off the sacred Fetters of the Shariah and the Sunnah. Muslims by the millions have plunged headlong into the abyss of kuffaar emulation and have sold their souls to shaitaan to become the slaves of the west. While retaining their Muslim names, they have abandoned their Muslim identity. Secular universities and other institutions which are the bastions of western liberalism, apostasy, kufr, fisq and fujoor, flourish in all the Muslim lands. Modernism and liberalism with all their concomitant consequences of vice and immorality have overrun the Muslim world. The World of Islam is today ruled and held in the captivity of kufr and crass materialism by apostates who are all products of western secular institutions. The Hosnis, Gaddaafis, Musharrafs and the like are all members of the breed of apostates spawned by western kuffaar institutions. They are at the helm of Muslim affairs, not the Ulama, not the orthodox Madaaris, not the Mashaaikh of the Khaanqahs. The masses inhabiting Muslim countries all have the outward appearances of kuffaar. Thus, the Muslim inhabitants of Pakistan by far and large look like Hindus. The Muslim inhabitants of Palestine, almost all of them, are in appearance replicas of the Yahood of Israel. The Muslims in western countries look like the Yahood and Nasaaraa of those lands. Not only do they look like them, they live and die like these kuffaar. The field of the Ulama is severely confined and their influence is curtailed. Their platform is restricted to the Musaajid which are frequented on a daily basis by about 10% of the Ummah, Fridays and Eid Days excluded. Even those Muslims who are not kaafir at heart, and who - 41 - subscribe to the orthodox doctrines and rituals of Islam as propagated by the Ulama of the Camel Age of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), in their practical life have adopted the lifestyle of the western kuffaar. So while they do not unite with the apostates in their apostasy, they are at one with them in practical life. How can any fair-minded Muslim now blame the Ulama for the retrogression of the Ummah when almost the entire Ummah is desperately slogging to keep pace with the western kuffaar in material progress. In wealth, the Muslims are the wealthiest. In the love of the world with its material pleasures and comforts, their love is second to none. In the establishment of western institutions of learning such as universities and colleges, there is a proliferation of such accursed appendages of shaitaan in all the Muslim lands. In armaments, every Muslim country has a gigantic stockpile of surplus of an array of sophisticated weaponry which they acquire from their western masters. Their lagging behind in production of weapons, computers and the paraphernalia which accompany technological advancement despite having kept abreast in the establishment of westernized institutions of technological learning, is a mystery for them. By what line of logic can any fair-minded person attribute this gross failure of the westernized apostates to the preachings of the Ulama who confine themselves to the propagation of morality which most Muslims hardly bother about? In which way does the propagation of the Ulama retard the technological progress of the Ummah? Assuming that the Ulama teach opposition to scientific study and the study of technology, how did such teaching affect and retard the worldly progress of Muslims, when more than 90% of the Ummah follow the lifestyle and the calling of the West in defiance of the ta'leem and naseehat of the Ulama? Consider the example of Turkey which has been held in the steel grip of its kuffaar rulers since the time the Khilaafate was dismantled and the Empire of Islam was dismembered and devoured by the kuffaar. Did the Ulama from that time have any grip on the masses? Did orthodoxy or kufr materialism preponderate Turkish society or did the Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) govern the lives of the Turkish masses? In fact, with the dismantling of the Khilaafate, the process of the dismantling of the Deen with all its orthodox institutions, was ushered. The process of modernization in total emulation of the western kuffaar is the state religion to this day. The Deen and its Ulama representatives had absolutely no say in that unfortunate miserable land of Islam. Islam was outlawed and even today the law has banned Madrasah ta'leem, yet they call themselves Muslims notwithstanding their flagrant flaunting of apostasy. Turkey has followed the western path in a way that has superseded even the communist USSR and other backward western nations such as Spain, Portugal and Greece. Has Turkey become a world power? Has its materialist kufr technological ideology achieved for it the glory of the old orthodox Ulama influenced Ottoman Empire? Similar transformation has occurred in every Muslim land. Apostasy has dominated and is dominating. Materialism is the goal of almost 100% of the inhabitants of the Muslim lands. Western education and technology are being pursued by Muslims in all lands of Islam. But, by the day they are retrogressing. In which way are the Ulama responsible for this corrupt state of affairs? What role did the Ulama play in holding back a people who are in hot pursuit of all and everything that western technology and science have to offer? No reasonable person will concur with the absurdities which the mouths of the apostates gorge out in their venomous outpourings against the Deen of Allah Ta'ala. - 42 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 Now just view the undermentioned bunkum of one apostate: "What it implies is that Muslims are behind in their understanding of Islam and operationalizing its principles in the contemporary world today." We reiterate that these apostates and zindeeqs blow a lot of hot air signifying absolutely nothing. In plain and simple terms, they speak bunkum, to put it respectfully. The aforementioned sentence consists of words with a meaningless equation. Let the apostate spell out the meaning of this stupid, empty theory devoid of substance. In which way are they behind in their understanding, and in which way has this type of understanding contributed to the backwardness and humiliation of the Ummah. The apostate needs to offer a rational explanation for the bunkum he has gorged out from his throat. Consider the example of this type of apostate who has totally aligned himself with westernism and whatever goodness in his opinion westernism stands for. They follow the west and so have their progenitors in this race of emulation done for more than half a century. Yet, we see no progress inspite of their ascendancy to the helm of the political affairs in every land of Islam. Apostates are holding the reigns of political power in all Muslim countries. Apostates in control of Muslim affairs have established western institutions and opened up the way for the avalanche of every evil accompanying western material and technological advancement. But what are we witnessing? Despite the glut of immorality, filth, lesbianism, homosexuality, rape, plunder, murder, robberies, etc., etc. the worldly progress and the technological successes and advancements of these immoral kuffaar nations have continued unabated while the Muslim nations who have plunged madly after their western masters aping them in all walks of life, including technology, are lagging far behind their western masters. What is the mystery in this? What is the secret of kuffaar material success and what is the underlying cause for the gross failure and abject humiliation of the Muslim people who have made the western kuffaar their masters and guides? Only those men can answer these questions about whom Allah Ta'ala states in the Qur'aan-e-Kareem: "Only the Men of intelligence take lesson (and can understand)." Men of kufr, irtidaad and nifaaq — mulhideen — can never fathom this mystery. How is it possible for these apostates to understand this contradiction and mystery when apostasy blights the intelligence and blinds the spiritual senses? How can these human shayaateen ever comprehend the cause of their own backwardness and retrogression despite their western PH D degrees when Allah Ta'ala has cast a veil on their aql in consequence of their irtidaad and kufr? For them, the Qur'aan declares the "severe punishment of Allah" because they dispute about the Shariah of the Qur'aan with the motive of rejecting Allah's Deen. They are like the people of Nooh (alayhis salaam) mentioned in the second aayat at the beginning of this discussion, and like the people of the other Ambiya (alayhimus salaam). They all had disputed in the Deen of Allah Ta'ala, hence His Athaab overtook them. The very first step in the System of Divine Punishment is the imposition of the domination of their kuffaar masters who will maintain them under their boots of grinding oppression and in disgrace. This is the Sunnah of Allah to which the Qur'aan testifies. The Qur'aan Majeed declaring Mr.Bush and his alliance as a manifestation of Allah's Athaab, in Surah Bani Israaeel: "We had declared with clarity to Bani Israaeel in the Kitaab: 'Most certainly, you will spread corruption on earth twice, and most certainly you embark on great rebellion. (Aayat 4) - 43 - THE PRIMARY CONSPIRACY AGAINST ISLAM Then when the first Prediction (of Allah) materialized, We sent against you, Our servants (like Nebucanazzer, Mr. Bush and Sharon) who are powerful in warfare. Then they fanned out (overran) the centres of the cities. And that was a promise decreed." (Aayat 5) Then when the second prediction materialized (Allah sent other people of war against you) to disfigure your faces and to penetrate the Musjid (Al-Aqsa) as they had penetrated it the first time, and they utterly devastated every place they overran." (Aayat 7) The apostate contends that the closure of the doors of Ijtihaad has had a devastating effect on Muslim development. This is an old grouse of the disgruntled fraternity of modernists and apostates. It is a monotonous theme they sing without ever having managed to explain just how the 'closing of the doors of Ijtihaad' has retarded Muslim development. The apostate stating his grouse in a paper of fisq, cites the examples of the penalty for apostasy and stoning to death for adultery. But he miserably fails to explain just how these rulings which the Ulama have 'fossilized' in consequence of having closed the doors of Ijtihaad have retarded Muslim development and had a devastating effect on it. How many adulterers had been stoned to death in the time since the closure of the doors of Ijtihaad? And, how many apostates have been executed since that time? If there were a handful of such executions, how did these devastate the Ummah and retard its technological progress and prevent it from gaining political ascendancy and domination? In the last sixty years since the process of independence of Muslim countries was initiated and the West had succeeded in its scheme of installing apostates and modernist fussaaq and fujjaar to govern all the lands of Islam, how many people had been executed for apostasy and stoned for adultery in the Muslim lands? One, two, three or none? Can the humiliation of the Ummah and the abject corruption, impotency and decadence of these lands and their people be sensibly attributed to this 'fossilization' of Fiqhi Laws? The lands of Islam under the sway of apostates and fussaaq modernists have produced innumerable technocrats, scientists, nuclear physicists, engineers, doctors, lawyers, technicians, etc., etc. University education fostering apostasy, liberalism and spawning immorality abound in the Muslim world. Only a small minority of the one and half billion Muslims on earth engage in advanced 'fossilized' Madrasah education which rigidly keep the doors of Ijtihaad shut and prevent the infiltration of the apostates and mulhideen into the domain of the Shariah, and this small minority is confined to regions such as Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. All over the Muslim world the system of Islamic education has been 'revolutionized' and the syllabi of the apostates operate in the so-called Islamic universities. But why do we see no technological progress akin to western advancement in the Muslim lands held in subjugation under the yoke of apostasy, kufr, fisq and fujoor of the apostate rulers and their myriads of supporters? What role did the closing of the doors of Ijtihaad play in this backwardness and impotency of the apostate-dominated Muslim lands? "Do not let the arrogant strutting of the kuffaar in the cities deceive you. (Their material prosperity) is slight benefit (for them). Then their abode will be Jahannum. Indeed, it is an evil abode." (Qur'aan) - 44 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 The task of levelling accusations and slander against the Ulama is simple. Lumping together vocabulary to produce meaningless contentions is an easy exercise for those bereft of wisdom and aql. But the apostates lack in entirety in the ability to back up their fallacies with rational and intelligent argument. WHAT IS THE meaning of the Sunnah? The following episode will present a better understanding of the meaning of the Sunnah. A Buzrug once came to Hadhrat Mujaddid Alf-e-Thaani (rahmatullah alayh) and said: "I was in a state of Qabdh (spiritual depression) pertaining to Nisbat with Allah Ta'ala for a number of years. I went to Hadhrat Khwaajah Baaqi Billah (rahmatullah alayh) and complained of my state of Qabdh. By the tawajjuh (spiritual focus) and dua of Hadhrat Baaqi Billah my state of Qabdh vanished and was replaced by the state of Bast (spiritual exhiliration). I implore you to also direct tawajjuh on me. Hadhrat Khwaajah (rahmatullah alayh) has entrusted all his khulafa and mureedeen to you." In response, Hadhrat Mujaddid Alf-e-Thaani (rahmatullah alayh) said: "I have nothing besides Ittibaa-e-Sunnah (following the Sunnah)." This statement exercised such a profound effect on the Buzrug that an extremely lofty spiritual haal (state) overcame him. The effect of his spiritual power and Nisbat caused the entire land to tremble. A tremor was felt throughout the land. Hadhrat Mujaddid (rahmatullah alayh) instructed a mureed to bring his miswaak from the shelf. When the miswaak was brought, Hadhrat Mujaddid took it and fixed it into the ground. Immediately, the tremor ceased and along with it the spiritual state of the Buzrug terminated. Hadhrat Mujaddid Alf-e-Thaani (rahmatullah alayh) then commented: "By your karaamat (miracle) the land of Sarhind trembles. If this Faqeer (referring to himself) makes Dua, then Insha-Allah, all the dead in Sarhind will become alive. However, making miswaak during Wudhu according to the Sunnah is infinitely superior to both these acts of Karaamat." This is the conception of the Sunnah according to the Sahaabah and the Auliya. Nothing is better and more meritorious than acting in accordance with the Sunnah, regardless of the Fiqhi classification of the Sunnah act, be it Mustahab or be it an Adab. The Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in every detail is for practical implementation. The Sunnah is not for mere study and for relegation to the kitaabs. Since the Madaaris no longer impart the correct knowledge of the Sunnah, the Asaatizah themselves lacking in proper comprehension of the Sunnah, today we find even the Ulama frowning askance when forgotten and dead aspects of the Sunnah are revived. By Ulama in this context, is meant sincere Ulama. As far as the flotsam of ulama-e-soo' is concerned, they are beyond the scope of this naseehat. The Qur'aan Majeed says: "None but the people of intelligence ponder (and derive lesson)." Mujaddid Alf-e-Thaani was the Mujaddid (Reviver of the Deen) of the second Islamic millennium. At the beginning of each century, Allah Ta'ala dispatches a Mujaddid whose function it is to combat and weed out the accretions of bid'ah and baatil which have become attached to the Deen like parasites. THE BROKEN HEARTS 3. Saalih (Halaal) wealth is good for a Saalih (pious) man. (Ahaadith)  "VERILY, Allah is with every grieving heart."  "I (i.e. Allah Ta'ala) am by those whose hearts are broken."  Nothing can contain ME (Allah Ta'ala), but the heart of the Mu'min. (Ahaadith)  "When Allah loves a devotee, He increases his grief with the remembrance of the Aakhirah and with his deficiency regarding his Deeni matters." (Fudhail Bin Iyaadh) "WHAT! Are the inhabitants of the cities confident that Our punishment (of Allah) will not overtake them during the night whilst they are sleeping? What! Are the inhabitants of the cities confident that Our punishment will not overtake them during the day whilst they are indulging in play (and amusement)? What! Are they confident of Allah's Plan (that His Punishment will not suddenly apprehend them)? It is only a nation of losers who are confident of Allah's Plan (i.e. it will not apprehend and destroy them)." (Surah A'raaf) ONCE A SAHAABI came to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and explained that he had cast a lustful glance at a woman. Soon thereafter he bumped his head in a wall and suffered much pain. The Sahaabah were simple and honest. He understood that he had sinned, hence he reported to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to obtain moral guidance for his own reformation. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "When Allah intends goodness for a servant, He expedites his punishment in this world." Allah Ta'ala purifies His devotees here on earth by means of bearable hardships and calamities. Provided that they understand and accept the misfortune with patience, and then repent, they will meet Allah Ta'ala in Qiyaamah completely purified. There will then be no need for the unbearable process of purification of Jahannum. It is not always that Allah Ta'ala purifies His servants by means of worldly punishment. The simplest and easiest method of purification is a sincere Taubah. When the sinful servant regrets and sincerely repents, the sin is obliterated and he is purified. What could have happened with the Sahaabi mentioned in this episode is that he did not hasten with Taubah, or he derived lingering pleasure from his lustful glance, hence the Divine Reprimand in the form of collision with the wall. It is Waajib to make haste with Taubah (Repentance) after having committed a sin, whether major or minor. Procrastination with regard to Taubah is Haraam. - 46 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 RASULULLAH (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "He who is silent regarding the Haqq, is a dumb shaitaan." "Verily, most people who are supposedly people of the Deen are such people who are most lacking in the Deen. And we seek the aid of Allah. What Deen and what goodness can there be in a person who sees the Mahaarim (commands and prohibitions) of Allah being violated, His limits being destroyed, His Deen being abandoned and the Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) being ignored, yet his heart remains cold and his tongue silent? He is a dumb shaitaan just like a speaker of baatil is a vocal shaitaan. Misfortunes for the Deen emanate from these people who have absolutely no concern for whatever happens to the Deen as long as their food and leadership are assured." (I'laamul Muaw-wiqeen) "Silence (abstention) from objecting (and criticizing baatil) despite having the ability is haraam even with regard to the haqq (right) of someone who is not a Nabi. How (notorious) then is it (i.e. this evil silence) with regard to the haq of the Nabi (alayhis salaam) who said: "The one who remains silent regarding the Haqq is a dumb shaitaan." In the scope of this Hadith is also to procrastinate in stating (the Truth) at the time of need, for verily, silence regarding baatil creates the impression of permissibility or abrogation (of the Haqq). This (attitude of silence) is by consensus (of the Ulama) not permissible." (Kashful Asraar) "Abul Qaasim Al-Qushairi (rahmatullah alayh) said: "I heard Aba Daqqaaq (rahmatullah alayh) saying: "He who maintains silence regarding the Haqq, is a dumb shaitaan." (AlAthkaar) The solemn advice and admonition of this Hadith should be adequate warning to jolt the conscience of those sincere Ulama who act like Dumb Devils when their relatives, friends, paymasters and donors to their project transgress the limits of the Shariah and abandon the Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Contemplating on Maut and the Reckoning in the Aakhirah, will Insha'Allah kindle in the sincere, but silent Ulama concern for the Haqq. OFFERING ADVICE to his son, Hadhrat Luqmaan (alayhis salaam) said: "O my son! This world is a deep ocean in which numerous people have drowned. In this ocean of the world make Taqwa your ship; fill it with Imaan and let its sail be Tawakkul (Trust) on Allah. Then, perhaps you may be saved from the disasters of the world. Without this, salvation is not possible." Allah Ta'ala has made this world a trial and a temptation, and He has commanded us to purify ourselves here in preparation for meeting Him on the Day of Qiyaamah. The one whose ship of life is not strong and sturdy will be buffeted in the stormy waves of this deep ocean of the world. His ship will toss violently and rudderless in the stormy waters and the depth of the ocean will ultimately claim him. We are required to purify ourselves with Istighfaar and A'maal-e-Saalihah. The only way of achieving purification after departing from this world contaminated with earthly pollution is the Fire of Jahannum. Thus, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that the most intelligent person is the one who makes preparation for the sojourn after Maut. - 47 - O MY SON! * Allah Ta'ala protects the one who admonishes himself. Allah increases the honour of one who deals justly with people. * Disgrace in the wake of obedience to Allah, brings about proximity to Allah Ta'ala, and respect in the wake of disobedience distances one from Allah Ta'ala. * The punishment the father metes out to his son, is like fertilizer for the farm. * Beware of debt. Debt causes disgrace during the day, and worry during the night. * Lies eliminate (spiritual) glitter from the face. An evil character afflicts one with considerable worry. * It is easier to move rocks than to convince a moron. * I have lifted rocks, iron and many load. No load is heavier than an evil neighbour. * Nothing is as bitter as dependence on others. * Participate much in Janaazah (funerals), and abstain from participating in weddings. * Do not eat to satiation (i.e. do not fill your stomach to capacity). At the time of satiation it is better to give your food to a dog than to eat it. * There is no goodness in acquiring further knowledge if you do not practically implement your existing knowledge. * Before befriending someone, observe his conduct in anger. If in anger he acquits himself with justice, then befriend him otherwise maintain your distance from him. ONCE WHEN Hadhrat Luqmaan (alayhis salaam) was asked to explain how he had attained such a lofty status, he said: "The basis for my status is several acts. If you adopt these acts, you too will attain a lofty status: (1) Lower your gaze. (2) Restrain your tongue. (3) Eat halaal rizq. (4) Guard your modesty. (5) Protect your neighbour. (6) Honour your promises. (7) Be hospitable and kind to the guest. (8) Speak the truth, and, (9) Abstain from futile talk. ONCE IMAAM Naasiruddeen (rahmatullah alayh) during an illness lapsed into a deep coma. He was considered to have died, and was buried. During the night time he came out from the coma, and realized that he was buried in a grave. Extreme grief and fear overcame him, but he did not panic. He remembered that during times of calamity Surah Yaaseen should be recited 40 times. Thus he began reciting Surah Yaaseen. After he had completed the recitation 39 times, he heard digging above. A kafan-thief was busy digging with the intention of stealing the kafan of the newly buried 'deceased'. Imaam Naasiruddeen (rahmatullah alayh) realized that the digging is by a kafan thief. He thought that if the thief became aware that the person inside was alive, he would flee in shock and abandon the task of opening the grave. In order not to frighten him, the Imaam recited the 40th Yaseen silently so that the thief could not hear. Spontaneously with the completion of the 40th Yaaseen, the grave was opened up. The thief had completed his digging. As Imaam Naasiruddeen emerged from the Lahd of the - 48 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 Qabr, shock and fear overwhelmed the thief. He collapsed and died on the spot. The Imaam was overwhelmed with grief at this development. Reproaching himself, he said: 'I should have waited and pretended to be dead until he had completed his task of stealing the kafan. Only then should I have climbed out.' Then he thought: 'If I return home immediately, the people will be shocked and overwhelmed with fear.' People will think that he was a ghost or some unnatural apparition. He waited until nightfall. Then went into the town. Stopping outside each house, he proclaimed loudly: "I am Imaam Naasiruddeen. You buried me whilst I was in a coma. I am alive.' HADHRAT SHAQEEQ Balkhi (rahmatullah alayh) said: "I searched for five things, and found them in five locations: (1) The barkat of Rizq I found in Salaatudh Dhuha (Chaasht Namaaz). (2) The light of the Qabr I found in Tahajjud Salaat. (3) The answers to the questions of Munkar and Nakier I found in Tilaawat of the Qur'aan. (4) For crossing the Siraat (the Bridge over Jahannum) with ease I found in Saum (Fasting) and Sadqah. (5) The Shade of the Arsh I found in solitude." The acquisition of the benefits, blessings and rewards mentioned in these five advices are dependent on following the Sunnah in entirety. It is essential to submit fully to the Shariah. Only then will one benefit from these advices. For example, the barkat of Rizq will not be acquired if one pursues one's rizq in haraam ways. The benefits of Tilawaat mentioned here will be denied to one who lives a life in conflict with the Shariah. The Deen operates like an engine which will function smoothly and correctly only if all the parts in the engine are in good working condition. The malfunctioning of even a small part can lead to the stalling of the engine. One should not expect the benefits of these advices if one for example indulges in television, interest, consuming carrion, etc. (1) WHOEVER engrosses himself in the activities of the Aakhirah, Allah Ta'ala sets in order his worldly affairs. (2) Whoever reforms his baatin (spiritual condition), Allah Ta'ala reforms his zaahir (physical actions and deeds). (3) Whoever corrects his affairs with Allah Ta'ala, He (Allah Ta'ala) corrects his affairs with people. RASULULLAH (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Whoever walks (a path for assisting) in a need of a brother, and he makes effort in the service, it is better for him than ten years of I'tikaaf. He who spends one day in I'tikaaf searching for the Pleasure of Allah, Allah will place between him and the Fire three ditches. The distance between two ditches is the equivalent of the distance between the heaven and - 49 - the earth.". From the thawaab of one day's I'tikaaf, the massive thawaab of ten years of I'tikaaf may be understood. MOCKING THE PIOUS Mocking the Auliya and Sulaha is a sign of impending disgrace with which the mocker will soon be afflicted. In a Hadith-e-Qudsi, Allah Ta'ala says: "He who distresses My Wali, I give him notice of war." Such a vile person will soon be humiliated by Allah Azza Wa Jal. ONCE NABI ISAA (alayhis salaam) was seen running towards a mountain. One of his followers, exclaimed: "O Rasul of Allah! Why are you fleeing? I do not see any enemy behind you?" Nabi Isaa (alayhis salaam) responded: "I am fleeing from a moron. I want to be safe from the company of a moron." The follower said: "O Rasul of Allah! "You are the Maseeh who heals the blind and the deaf." He implied that since Nabi Isaa (alayhis salaam) could cure even the blind and the deaf with Allah's permission, why should he fear a moron. Nabi Isaa (alayhis salaam) said: The disease of stupidity is Allah's Wrath. Blindness is not a punishment. It is a trial from Allah Ta'ala, which brings in its wake His Mercy. The moron eliminates the light of your intelligence." Allah Ta'ala says: "Why do their Ulama and Mashaaikh not prohibit them (the masses) from their sinful statements (such as saying television is halaal), and from eating haraam (such as carrion and riba). Indeed vile is it which they used to perpetrate." (Qur'aan) Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Every one of you is a shepherd, and every one of you will be questioned about his (or her) flock." Numerous Ahadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) emphasize the absolute importance of Amr Bil Ma'roof Nahy Anil Munkar. Commanding virtue and prohibiting vice is the obligatory duty of every Muslim, male and female commensurate with his/her ability and jurisdiction. The ruler's jurisdiction extends over the entire country and all its inhabitants. The Ulama's jurisdiction also extends over the entire nation with regards to Naseehat – advice and admonition. A man's jurisdiction is over his flock (wife, children, and other close relatives). A woman's jurisdiction is over her children. The employer's jurisdiction is over his employees. In brief, everyone has some kind of jurisdiction and control over others. Abandoning this obligation is haraam. In this age, most people have completely abandoned Amr Bil Ma'roof Nahy Anil Munkar. The worst culprits in the commission of this haraam act are the Ulama who have betrayed the Allah Ta'ala, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and the Ummah. In the Qur'aan, Allah Ta'ala severely reprimands the Ulama of Bani Israaeel who had abandoned this obligation for gaining worldly benefits from the people. - 51 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 Purely for the sake of the pleasure of the people, to gain favours from them and to be saved criticism, most of the Ulama of the day are abstaining from this Waajib obligation. They justify their evil silence and abstention from Amr Bil Ma'roof on the basis of misconceived 'hikmat' (wisdom) which in reality comes within the scope of Talbeesul Iblees (Deception of Shaitaan). Since the maulana/sheikh is desirous of being praised and loved by the people, he ensures that he says nothing which could cause annoyance to them. He basks in the false notion of his piety since the people in large numbers participate in his public programmes of bid'ah halqah thikr, and other haraam programmes which are pleasing to the nafs. Regarding such miscreant 'pious' ulama, Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) said: "Soon will there dawn an age in which a pious person will be considered to be one who abstains from Amr Bil Ma'roof and Nahy Anil Munkar. People will comment that they only see goodness in him." This is the deception in which most Ulama of the day are dwelling. With their forked tongues they desire to be in the good books of all and sundry regardless of the damage their silence and complacency cause the Deen. Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) said: "Soon will there come a time when those who will say evil is evil will be less than one tenth of the people. Then this stage too will come to an end, and there will remain no one to say that an evil is evil." Undoubtedly, we have already landed in that age predicted by Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu). According to Hadhrat Anas Bin Maalik (radhiyallahu anhu), those who do not prevent evil, will rise on the Day of Qiyaamah with their ears cut off. Severely condemning such persons, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "He who remains silent regarding the Haqq is a dumb shaitaan." The silence of the vast majority of the Ulama is responsible for much of the transgressions and corruption which are destroying the Muslim community. Hadhrat Abu Dardaa' (radhiyallahu anhu) said: "Continue with Amr Bil Ma'toof Nahy Anil Munkar otherwise Allah Ta'ala will appoint over you a tyrannical ruler who will neither respect your elders nor have mercy on your little ones. Then, the pious among you will supplicate (make dua) to Allah Ta'ala, but their duas will not be accepted. You will appeal (to Allah) for help, but you will not be aided. You will repent, but it too will be rejected." In bygone times Allah Ta'ala had destroyed entire cities which were also inhabited by thousands of pious people. Since they had abandoned Amr Bil Ma'roof Nahy Anil Munkar, the universal punishment of Allah Ta'ala which settled on the cities earmarked for destruction, also hemmed them (the pious) in and utterly destroyed them along with all the evil people. Wherever the calamity of genocide has descended on Muslim communities it is the consequence of flagrant transgression and total abstention from Amr Bil Ma'roof which has today become the profession of the Ulama. Instead of discharging their obligation for the sake of gaining Allah's Pleasure and for saving the masses from Allah's universal punishment, they (the Ulama) have blended in with the evils of society. They seek the pleasure of the people, hence they adopt silence whilst the Shariah of Allah Ta'ala is flagrantly trampled on in front of their eyes. Let all Muslims understand that no community is safe in this age from the punishment which uproots and brutalizes entire communities. Mass destruction, genocide and the pillaging and plundering which kuffaar mobs unleash on Muslims are cogs in Allah's Machinery of Athaab. - 52 - (1) Surah Faatihah prevents the Wrath of Allah Ta'ala (2) Surah Yaaseen prevents the thirst of the Day of Qiyaamah (3) Surah Dukhaan prevents from the terrors of Qiyaamah (4) Surah Waaqiah prevents from poverty (5) Surah Mulk prevents from the punishment of the grave (6) Surah Kauthar prevents from the disputes of adversaries (7) Surah Kaafiroon prevents from kufr at the time of Maut (8) Surah Ikhlaas prevents from nifaaq (hypocrisy) (9) Surah Falaq prevents from the hasad (jealousy) of envious people (10) Surah Naas prevents from waswaas (the shaitaan who cast evil thoughts in the mind). (Al-Kanzul Madfoon) (1) The world is a fatal poison. Its antidote is Zuhd (abstinence from its adornments). (2) Wealth is a fatal poison. Its antidote is Sadqah. (3) Speech in abundance is a fatal poison. Its antidote is Thikrullaah. (4) Kingdom (political power) is a fatal poison. Its antidote is justice. Once Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) during his khilaafate saw an old blind man begging. Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) asked: "Who are you?" The old man said: "I am a Yahudi (Jew)?" Hadhrat Umar: "What has constrained you to beg?" Yahudi: "Paying Jizyah, needs of life and old age." Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) gently held the old man's hand and took him to his (Hadhrat Umar's) home where he gave the Yahudi whatever he had.. Then, he issued the following instruction to the treasurer of the Baitul Maal: "Investigate this oldman and other poor and destritute persons like him. By Allah! We cannot be just if we take from them (Jizyah) during their youth and abandon them when they are old.." Thereafter, Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) exempted all poor Zimmis (non-Muslim citizens) from payment of the Jizyah tax. A Buzrug saw a man carrying an aged woman and making Tawaaf of the Ka'bah. The Buzrug asked him about the old lady he was carrying. He explained that she was his mother and that for the past seven years he has been carrying her due to her extreme weakness. He asked the Buzrug: "Hadhrat, have I fulfilled the right of my mother?" The Buzrug responded: "No, Never! If your age reaches even a thousand years and you carry her around in this manner, then too you will not be able to fulfil your mother's right of - 53 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 even a single night she sat up holding and breast-feeding you." The man cried profusely when he heard of the greatness and importance of the mother's rights. Similar rights of the father extend over the children. Even and entire life's of service will not be able to fulfil the rights of the father. Almost all people miserably fail to honour the rights of their parents. This is one of the prime reasons for so many calamities settling on people. Nowadays, parents are treated like cattle. The relationship is generally the kind of ties which animals have with their parents. Hadhrat Imaam Abu Zur'ah Ubaidullah Raazi (rahmatullah alayh) was among the greatest Muhadditheen. He was the contemporary of Imaam Bukhaari (rahmatullah alayh) and the Ustaadh of Imaam Muslim, Imaam Tirmizi and Imaam Nasaai (rahmatulah alayhim). Imaam Ahmad Bin Hambal (rahmatullah alayh) commented about him: "There are more than 700,000 Saheeh (Authentic) Ahaadith. This young man (Abu Zur'ah) had memorized 600,000 Ahaadith." The Maut of this great Imaam of Hadith was wonderful. When he was in his final moments of life, a group of Ulama had gathered by his bedside. Among them were Abu Haatim, Muhammad Bin Muslim, Munthir Bin Shathaan. Since Imaam Abu Zur'ah (rahmatullah alayh) was in his final moments, the Ulama desired to make talqeen of the Kalimah. However, they could not muster up the courage, hence no one made talqeen. Finally they decided to engage in a discussion on the Hadith pertaining to Talqeen. This was their strategy devised to remind Imaam Abu Zur'ah of the Kalimah. Muhammad Bin Muslim initiated the discussion and said to the others: "Dhuhhaaq Bin Mukhlid narrated from Abdul Humaid Bin Ja'afar ….." Then he stopped, simulating that he had forgotten the narration. All the others remained silent. Whilst in his very last moments, Imaam Abu Zur'ah (rahmatullah alayh) began narrating the Hadith, saying: "Bindaar narrated to us that Abu Aasim narrated that Abdul Humaid Bin Ja'far narrated that Saalih Bin Abi Areeb narrated that Katheer Bin Murrah Al-Khidhrami narrated from Muaaz Bin Jabal (radhiyallahu anhu) that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: ' He whose last words are Laa ilaha il lallaah…." As he mentioned Laa ilaha il lallaahu, his blessed Rooh took flight from this transitory abode. These were his last words. The entire Hadith is: "He whose last words are 'Laa ilaha il lallaah' will enter Jannat." The mind-boggling memory coupled to the Taqwa of the Muhadditheen and Fuqaha of the Khairul Quroon era are evidence for the fact that Allah Ta'ala had created those illustrious personalities and lumanaries specifically for systematizing and codifying the Shariah. Ijtihaad in this sphere therefore terminated with the ending of Khairul Quroon (the Three Noble Ages of Islam). In Bani Israaeel there were two persons with the name of Musaa. Both were born during the time when Fir'oun was slaughtering all the male infants of Bani Israaeel. Both were hidden by their mothers. The one was Nabi Musaa (alayhis salaam). The other one was an illegitimate child. Fearing that he would be put to death, his mother hid him in a cave and closed the mouth of the cave with rocks. Then she departed. Allah Ta'ala dispatched Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) to tend to the abandoned infant. Hadhrat Jibraeel - 54 - (alayhis salaam) appeared in human form in the cave. From one finger the baby was nourished with milk; from the second finger with Honey and from the third finger with butter. Hadhrat Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) nourished and protected the baby until he was of age. Then he emerged from the cave. This child was Saamiri mentioned in the Qur'aan. He had constructed the golden calf and induced Bani Israaeel to worship it. This was the consequence of his illegitimacy. The fruit of an evil seed is likewise evil. Since Saamiri was cared for by Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) during his childhood, he had acquired a spiritual attachment to Hadhrat Jibraeel (alayhis salaam). Therefore, he was able to rcognize Hadhrat Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) when he had visited Nabi Musaa (alayhis salaam) in human form on horseback. When Saamiri saw that grass would instantaneously sprout out wherever the horse's hooves made contact with the earth, he understood that the 'person' on horseback was Jibraeel (alayhis salaam). He gathered some of the soil on which the horse had trampled. After he had built the golden calf, he poured this sand into the calf and it started to make incomprehensible sounds. By this ruse Saamiri deceived Bani Israaeel into believing that the golden calf was a living god. "Beware of the curse of the mazloom (oppressed), for verily there is no barrier between it and Allah Ta'ala." (Hadith) Regardless of whether the oppressed is a Muslim or a non-Muslim, a human being or an animal. The call/curse of the distressed reaches Allah Ta'ala swiftly. A forest in Afghanistaan was infested with a variety of wild animals which plundered the nearby orchards and farms. One day the inhabitants resolved to eliminate all the animals. They set fire to the forest on all sides. The animals were all hemmed in by the huge fire. When all the animals were engulfed by the fire, a pig managed to slip out from the net of the fire. Eyewitnesses saw the pig looking towards the sky and squealing loudly. Simultaneously, dark clouds gathered and rain poured in torrents. The entire fire was swiftly extinguished, and the besieged animals emerged safely. In this episode is a solemn lesson. Even a pig's cry is heeded. Qaadhi Abu Bakr Bin Muhammad Bin Abdul Baaqi (rahmatullah alayh) who lived during the 5th Islamic century, narrated: "Once I took up residence in Makkah Mukarramah. One day I was overwhelmed with extreme hunger. I had absolutely nothing with me to buy some food. Coincidentally, I found a lost silken purse. The string with which it was tied was also of silk. I picked it up and took it to my room. When I opened it, I beheld a wonderful necklace of pearls. I had never seen such pearls before.. Leaving the purse with its contents, I went out of my room. I found an old man announcing that he had lost a silken purse. Whoever returns it to him will be rewarded with 500 dinars (gold coins) which he was carrying in a cloth. I asked him to accompany me to my room. I questioned him about the purse and asked him to identify it and its contents. He identitified it in the minutest detail. Satisfied that he was the owner, I gave him the purse, and he presented the gold coins to be, but I refused to accept it, - 55 - explaining that it was merely by obligation to return the purse to him. Despite his persistence, I refused to accept the reward. Then he left. After some time I departed from Makkah by sea. I was aboard a ship which was caught in a storm and wrecked. All the passengers drowned. I was the only survivor. I clung to a piece of timber from the ship and floated aimlessly for days on the water. Finally, I floated up against an island which was inhabited by people. When I found a Musjid, I went inside and remained there reciting the Qur'aan majeed. Soon the entire populace of the small island had assembled in the Musjid to listen to my recitation. The people lauded me with gifts of considerable money. After a few days when the people learnt that I could write, they asked me to teach them. The young and old came to learn. In the process I accumulated substantial wealth which the people brought as gifts. One day the people said to me that on the island was a wealthy young woman whose parents had died. They requested that I marry her. Despite my refusal, they persisted and practically compelled me to marry her. After the Nikah when they brought the young lady to me, I stared intently at her. I was astonished, for I saw around her neck the very same pearl necklace which I had found in the silken purse. As I stood there transfixed staring at her necklace, the people said: "Hadhrat! You have hurt her heart. Instead of looking at her, you stare at the necklace." I then told them the story of the necklace. As I completed the story, the entire gathering in unision loudly exclaimed the Takbeer. They exclaimed the Takbeer so loudly that all the people on the Island heard it. In surprise, I asked: "What is the matter?" They said: "The old man who had retrieved the necklace from you is the father of this young lady. He frequently said that he had found only one true Muslim, the one who had returned his necklace. He used to make dua, imploring Allah Ta'ala to unite him with you as he wished his daughter to be married to you. Now that wish has been fulfilled in this wonderful way." I lived on the island with my wife for a considerable period of time. Two sons were born. Then she died. After a few days, both sons also died. I became the sole inheritor of the pearl necklace. I sold it for 100,000 dinars (gold coins). All the wealth which I today have in my possession has been acquired from that necklace." Imaam Ghazaali (rahmatullah alayh) said: "Listen attentively! Allah has concealed His pleasure in His obedience. Therefore, regardless of how insignificant and act of obedience and ibaadat may appear, never view it with disdain. Perhaps His Pleasure is concealed it it. He has concealed His Wrath in sin. Therefore regardless of how small the sin may appear, never consider it insignificant. Perhaps His Wrath is concelead in that sin. He has concealed His Friendship and Proximity in His servents. Therefore, never despise any one regardless of him being a sinner. Perhaps Allah's Pleasure is concealed in some excellence of the sinner, and it (His Pleasure) may suddenly become manifest at the time of the person's death. Once, the Sahaabi, Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Ja'far (radhiyallahu anhu) was walking towards the forest. Along the way he passed by an orchard where an African slave was engaging in - 56 - his work. Someone brought some bread for the slave. At the same time a dog entered and stood near to the slave. The slave placed one of the bread rolls in front of the dog. After eating the bread, the dog remained standing. The slave cast another bread roll, and the dog ate it and waited for more. The slave gave the third bread roll which was the last one, also to the dog. Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Ja'far (radhiyallahu anhu) in surprise asked the slave: "How many bread rolls do you receive daily? "The slave said: "Three". Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Ja'far: "Since you had only three bread rolls, why did you give all three to the dog?" Slave: "There are no dogs in this locality. It seems that this dog came from some distant place and is hungry. I did not deem it proper to let him go without feeding him." Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Ja'far (radhiyallahu anhu) said to himself: "People always say that I am very generous. But this slave is more generous than me." He went to the owner of the orchard and purchased the orchard and the slave. Then he emancipated the slave and made a gift of the orchard to him. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "There shall dawn a time when holding on to the Deen will be like holding on to an ember." An 'ember' is a burning coal. Just as it is almost impossible to hold a burning coal in one's hand, so too will become the Deen in the times in close proximity with Qiyaamah. We have already entered into that crucial phase of life. Today Islam is strange and alien to even the Ulama who are supposed to be its exponents, defenders and protectors. In fact, many misguided persons known as ulama are in the forefront of misguiding and misdirecting Muslims. These so-called cranks masquerading as ulama have transformed the Shariah and the Sunnah into foreign concepts. True Islam has been antiquated by them. Thus, when the Haqq of the Deen is presented to the masses, they frown askance and with disbelief. Those who attempt to practise the Sunnah, find it extremely difficult. To them it seems like holding embers in their hands. Due to this delicate situation in which the 'scholars' have made rubbish of the Shariah and the Sunnah, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) promised: "Whoever clings to my Sunnah at the time of the corruption of my Ummah will receive the reward of a hundred Shuhada (Martyrs)." The reward of a 100 Martyrs cannot be acquired on a platter and gratis. Sacrifices have to be made. However, the sacrifices are quite simple. The sacrifice of these times is not life and wealth. It is only the sacrifice of corrupt friendship along with whatever mundane benefits such as donations and gifts, are concomitant to such confounded friendship. Remember that every worldly 'friendship' will terminate acrimoniously. It is only Deeni friendship which will endure into the Aakhirah. Hence the Qur'aan Majeed states: "Friends on that Day will become mutual enemies except the Muttaqeen." One is only required to practise according to the Sunnah and proclaim the Haqq, and accept the disappearance of the smiles of former 'friends'. For these simple 'sacrifices' there awaits the reward of a 100 Shuhada. For those who find it no problem to portray an external appearance in conformity with the Sunnah (dress, beard, etc.), regulating their business affairs in terms of the Shariah poses an almost 'impossible' hurdle. Their 'deeni' portrayal is simply a simulacrum by which they deceive others and delude themselves with the belief that they are people of the Sunnah merely on the basis of their outward appearance or their participation in Tabligh Jamaat - 57 - activities, or in their bid'ah forms of halqah thikr and the like. It never occurs to them that their trading practices and their social affairs are corrupt – rotten to the core. Muslim traders with long beards and long kurtahs, contributing relatively large amounts to charity, think nothing of freely interacting with female staff. They think nothing of sitting alone in an office with a female so-called 'receptionist' or a semi-clad sales-lady. All forms of lesser zina acts have become the norm. Even wives have no objection to such devilish stunts of moral turpitude perpetrated by their husbands in their business environs. The men who portray an outward facade of the Deen have no qualms regarding kuffaar trade practices which they incorporate into their businesses. Whilst they participate in Tabligh and Khaanqah activities, masquerading as buzrugs, in their shops and factories they are veritable shayaateen in attitude and in their hearts. Besides their outward appearance, there is not a semblance of the Deen in the conduct they display when they go about their business activities and other mundane affairs. These people should consciously read stories of the Sahaabah to understand the type of attitude which they had infused into their businesses and worldly affairs in general. To relegate the ahkaam of the Shariah to the dustbin, the wealthy do have their friends in the ulama-e-soo' fraternity who are adepts in the satanic hermeneutical science of tampering, mutilating, abrogating and making rubbish of the sacred tenets, commands and prohibitions of the Shariah, and of the Sunnah lifestyle. For many, their subliminal comprehension of Sunnah is restricted to external appearance which nowadays provides a cover for internal (baatini) corruption. This state of corruption of Muslims is indeed a sad indictment on those who vociferously proclaim that we are "the best of nations". Yet, what makes Muslims the "best of nations" is an unknown factor in the equation. May Allah Ta'ala have mercy on us. Without His guidance, never can we ever be extricated from the morass of moral, spiritual and social decomposition and degradation. "And, turn (in repentance and obedience) to Allah before there comes to you a sudden (and swift) Punishment whilst you are oblivious." (Qur'aan) By M. Alireza This is a subject that has been on my mind for sometime, but what delayed me to tackle it is the lack or little research on these empty-nutrient and damaging-to-health soda and cola beverages, whether they contain added sugar or sugar substitutes. What is sad is that millions of unaware people not only drink them casually, but also take them in shocking quantities. Most of the heavy drinkers are unconsciously addicted to them. They need to take them in the morning, with meals, in between meals and at every opportunity. They have come to substitute even water. In the US, young mothers not only drink them excessively, but also bottle-feed their babies and toddlers coke or other soda drinks. I have read about mothers-to-be who gorge themselves with such "offensive" beverages. Children, teenagers and adults around the world and unfortunately in this country too, guzzle down a supersized glass in one shot and order refills in one sitting. - 58 - The debate about soda drinks is very much alive, but who can stand in the way of the giant beverage industry, especially if they are supported by the silent consent of government health agencies. If it were not for some dedicated scientists', researchers', health seekers' and activists' proactive and outspoken work and movements, we would never have heard of the downside of such "artificial," harmful and nutrient-empty drinks. Because more and more research and studies are surfacing and disclosing the damaging effects of soda drinks, I finally decided to explore this "hot" subject. My intention is to create awareness among children, adolescents, parents, adults and schools who are under the impression that such beverages are inoffensive. I, for one, was a coke drinker in my early adolescent years. My ignorance, at that time, led me to feel cool to drink it, but then I started noticing unusual reactions in other kids when they drank more than one bottle of Coke or Pepsi. They would go wild, hyper or haywire and some got hooked on it. I could not figure out why, but my instinct told me that it was not the right thing to drink and I did not want to become a "slave" to anything. Little did I know that it was due to the huge amounts of sugar and caffeine in those little bottles. I decided to quit it cold turkey when I was 15 and I never put a drop of the liquid in my mouth since then. No regrets!!! Coincidentally some months after that, I visited a dentist who sincerely advised me NOT to drink colas or smoke tobacco. He said they are corrosive, staining and damaging to teeth. He said he could tell a coke drinker from a non-drinker. His advice reinforced my resolution and from then on; I knew that I had made the right decision when I quit soda drinks. Unfortunately, nobody listened to me then, but years later I applied the restriction on my own immediate family. I banned all coke and soda drinks from my house; hence my children were raised cola-free (maybe one or two bottle out of temptation or peer pressure). My guests were also denied such beverages in my house. I offered them fresh juices instead. With this said, I will begin to reveal to you the different ingredients that makes soda drinks harmful to health and mood. Colas are beverages, which seem inoffensive, yet they are harmful and also devoid of nutrients or anything good. They contain excessive quantities of simple sugar (9 to 12 sugar cubes per container) or even worse artificial sweeteners (aspartame, sucralose, saccharin). The sugar exceeds the recommended daily allowance. The huge amounts of caffeine, sugar, high fructose corn syrup and additives (synthetic colorings, flavors, or preservatives) make adults overly stimulated and children overactive and disturb mood and sleep. Let us see what happens to the body when one can of cola goes into the system. When a large amount of sugar is suddenly dumped into the stomach, messages are sent to the pancreas to release adequate quantities of insulin, the hormone that metabolizes sugar and gets it absorbed into the bloodstream in order to distribute it to cells, brain and tissue. More insulin is pumped into the bloodstream, attempting to make use of the swimming sugar. Once the insulin is released, it metabolizes sugar very rapidly, leaving the body suddenly low in sugar and weak. The limbs start to shake and the heart to beat rapidly. Because the body demands more sugar, the victim goes for another bottle of soda. More sugar puts the body in turmoil i.e. stress. It becomes a vicious circle. The above condition, which is called hyperglycaemia, is very stressful on all the systems, especially the glandular system and pancreas, depleting the adrenal glands, stress hormones and insulin. Too much insulin triggers the release of cortisol, the stress hormone. When both are left roaming in the body, they damage health and make the victim eventually gain weight and feel depleted. With obesity, the cells become engorged with fat, so they close their insulin receptors, stopping the hormone from entering them; hence they become insulin resistant and blood - 59 - sugar remains roaming in the bloodstream. The excess sugar converts to fat and the victim starts gaining weight or becoming obese with a concentration of fat around the waist, conditions, which lead to diabetes type 2 and metabolic syndromes. At the same time, the immune system also becomes compromised and weakened and the body depleted of nutrients, making the individual receptive to fungal infections, pathogens and metabolic disorders (diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular and heart diseases). According to a study, high amounts of sugar also depress white blood cell count for several hours after consumption, weakening the defenses against bacterial and viral infections. Eventually, kidney problems, tooth decay and even cancer start emerging. Studies have shown that rats on a high sugar diet were more prone to breast cancer than their counterparts on normal diets. Sugar and carbonated drinks also rob the bones of calcium, resulting in bone loss and eventually osteoporosis. This is only an introduction of the harm and pain resulting from excessive and long-term intake of these beverages. Each ingredient in cola, soda and soft drinks leaves its own damaging mark on the body, organs, or systems in different ways. Now, I shall leave you to imagine the amount of injury they inflict on you and your children collectively. There is much more information from recent research on the subject that deserves elaboration in order to enlighten the unaware consume especially when such beverages are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Saudi FDA and other health organizations. "Thus shaitaan caused them (Hadhrat Aadam and Hadhrat Hawwaa) to slip (into error) by means of it (the forbidden tree), expelling them from that (heavenly abode) in which they were. We said to them: 'Get down as enemies to each other. For you on earth will be a (temporary) abode and provision for a while." "Verily, this world is but play and amusement while the Abode of the Aakhirah is best for those who have Taqwa. What, do you not understand?" (Qur'aan) Allah Ta'ala has dispatched man to earth for an extremely short sojourn. He created man physically weak, hence the Qur'aan says: "Man has been created weak." All animals are physically stronger than man. Along with his physical weakness, Allah Ta'ala created in him a thoroughly evil nafs. Describing this Nafs, Nabi Yusuf (alayhis salaam) said: "I do not exonerate my nafs. Verily, the nafs is a greater commander of evil." (Qur'aan) Further compounding the problems for man, Allah Ta'ala created shaitaan, our avowed enemy. About this enemy, the Qur'aan says: "Do not follow in the footsteps of shaitaan. Verily, he instructs you with only evil and immorality and that you fabricate on Allah what you know not." The nafs, shaitaan, man's weaknesses and deficiencies and the variety of mundane impositions and hardships which he has to encounter in this worldly life constitute a formidable array of forces lined up against him. Alone, man can never confront and overcome this coalition. But all these forces have been placed in this arena of life by Allah - 60 - (Qur'aan) Ta'ala. Allah Ta'ala has sent man into this world to combat and vanquish all these evil and destructive forces which are constantly attacking him. Despite his inherent weakness and the formidable coalition of forces against him, Allah Ta'ala has equipped man with adequate means to combat and defeat them. Along with man's superior Aql (intelligence), Allah Ta'ala has promised His aid for those who sincerely struggle against these forces and maintain their focus on the original abode of the Aakhirah. Thus, the Qur'aan says: "Those who struggle in Our Cause, verily, We shall guide them to Our avenues. Verily, Allah is with the Muhsineen (those who practise virtue)." This world is the field for struggle and battle against the nafs and shaitaan. It is in Allah's Scheme that man should struggle in this world which is a veritable minefield of evil. If Allah Ta'ala had desired only comfort and pleasure for us, He would not have sent us into this defective world nor would He have created in us an evil nafs nor would He have created shaitaan and allowed him to mislead us. Allah Ta'ala would have created us all in Jannat where our ancestors, Aadam (alayhis salaam) and Hawwaa (alayhas salaam) were created and resided for a while. Since conflict between vice and virtue and struggle are requisites of life on earth, there should be no surprise and no panic when calamities overtake us. People are surprised and lapse into a quandary when difficulties and hardships settle on them. It is unintelligent to expect life to progress smoothly and happily on earth. Earth is not the abode of happiness. It is the abode of struggle and hardship. Happiness, comfort and pleasure are the ingredients of life in Jannat. Trials are integral constituents of worldly life. Allah Ta'ala says: "Most assuredly, We shall test you with some fear, hunger, and reduction in wealth, life and provisions. Give glad tidings to the Saabireen (the patient ones)." People are baffled when difficulties settle on them. They fail to realize that all such developments are divine enactments designed for life on earth. The difficulties are even more in the moral and spiritual path. The desires of the nafs for worldly comforts lightens the struggle for the attainment of material pleasures and worldly success. However, in the moral and spiritual spheres, it is a lifelong struggle which has to be sustained until Maut. All requirements for moral reformation and spiritual perfection are abhorrent to the nafs, hence the struggle is uphill and constant, and no one should be surprised nor feel dejected in this process. There is no achievement without struggle. With struggle against the nafs, the Mu'min emerges victorious and at the end of life, the war against shaitaan and the nafs is decisively won. "Their Nabi said to them: 'Verily, the sign of his kingship is that the Taaboot will come to you. In it is peace from your Rabb, and the remnants (memorabilia) which the Family of Musa and the Family of Haaroon had left. The Angels will be carrying it." (Baqarah, aayat 245) The Taaboot or a wooden trunk was a relic of Bani Israaeel. Hadhrat Nabi Musaa (alayhis salaam) as well as other Ambiya of Bani Israaeel would keep the Taboot in the frontline of the battlefield. By the barkat of the Taaboot, they would achieve victory. However, due to the gross transgression of Bani Israaeel, they were defeated by Jaloot who carried away the Taboot. - 61 - When Allah's decree for the return of the Taaboot to Bani Israaeel was about to materialize, the kuffaar under Jaloot were struck by pestilence wherever they took the Taaboot. In this manner five cities were destroyed and became desolate. They understood that the Taaboot was the cause of the calamities which had befallen them. Therefore they loaded the Taaboot onto two bullocks and drove them away. The Malaaikah then steered the bullocks and directed them to the doorstep of Taaloot who was appointed the king of Bani Israaeel. According to Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Abbaas (radhiyallahu anhu), the Angels carried aloft the Taboot and placed it at the doorstep of Taaloot. Among the contents of the Taaboot were the Asaa (Staff) of Nabi Musa (alayhis salaam), the Amaamah (Turban) of Nabi Haaroon (alayhis salaam) and two tablets of the Tauraah. Wahab Bin Munabbih (rahmatullah alayh) narrated that the meaning of As-Sakeenah (The Peace) mentioned in the aayat refers to the head of a dead cat which was in the Taaboot. In the battlefield, when the cat's head mewed from within the Taaboot, Bani Israaeel would be confident of Allah's aid and victory over the enemy. Once when Nabi Isaa (alayhis salaam) passed through a Qabrustaan (graveyard), he heard a Voice exclaiming: "Many of those who were handsome and healthy are today groaning and screaming within the soil." Ahmad Bin Harb (rahmatullah alayh) said: "The earth expresses surprise at two persons. When a man prepares a comfortable bed for sleeping, the earth says: 'O Son of Aadam! Why do you not remember that you will have to lie and decompose within me.' When a man disputes with another person over some land/property, the earth exclaims: 'Why do you not reflect on those who had owned this land before you? Many had been its owners, and have departed. Soon it will be your turn." Abu Saeed Al-Muqbari (rahmatullah alayh) said: "A perfect pardon is to refrain from extracting vengeance from an oppressor and to be merciful to him. When Imaam Maalik (rahmatullah alayh) was lashed, he forgave the oppressor even before the whip struck him. This was also the attitude of Imaam Ahmad Bin Hambal (rahmatullah alayh). He forgave the oppressors who had him lashed. He said: "What harm is there for a man if Allah Ta'ala does not punish anyone because of him (i.e. on account of the oppression on him)?" Hadhrat Ka'b Ahbaar (rahmatullah alayh) said: "Allah Ta'ala will confer reward as much as the reward of Nabi Ayyoob (alayhis salaam) to the husband who tolerates the distress his wife causes him, and Allah Ta'ala will reward like the reward of Aasiya Bin Mazaahim (rahmatullah alayha) the wife who patiently bears the injustice of her husband." (Hadhrat Aaasiya was the wife of Fir'oun. She was brutally tortured to death for having accepted Imaan.) - 62 - AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1434 / JULY – AUGUST 2013 THREE ATTRIBUTES EXPUNGED Hadhrat Haatim Asam (rahmatullah alayh) said: "People have expunged three attributes from moral character: (1) To appreciate the kindness of friends (2) To conceal the faults of friends (3) To tolerate when they distress and inconvenience you. Hadhrat Yahya Bin Muaaz (rahmatullah alayh) said: "Evil indeed are those people who honour men when they are wealthy, and despise those who are poor. A junior who walks ahead of a senior is deprived of good deeds." Once some people were praising a man who refrained from consuming delicious food. Hadhrat Fudhail Bin Iyaadh (rahmatullah alayh) commented: "Of what worth is abstention from delicious food? Look at his observance of family ties; at his swallowing of anger; at his relationship with neighbours; at his kindness to the orphans and widows, and at his conduct with his friends." These are the essentials of a virtuous moral character. Hadhrat Hasan Basri (rahmatullah alayh) commenting on the aayat which commands kindness to parents said that it is an act of disobedience for the child to walk in front of his parents except when there is a genuine need. Once a man complained to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhu wasallam) that his father was taking his wealth. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "You and your wealth belong to your father." The following Ahaadith illustrate the lofty rank of parents and the Waajib obligation of honouring them and being kind to them.  "The pleasure of Allah is in the pleasure of your father."  "Your father is your central gate into Jannat. Therefore, if you wish destroy that portal (with disobedience) or guard it (with obedience)."  "Of the noblest deeds is to be kind to the family of your father's friends after his death." Looking at parents with affection is the equivalent of one Hajj in reward. This is the reward for looking once. For every look of affection is the thawaab of a Hajj. On the other hand, neither the Fardh nor the Nafl ibaadat are accepted of children who displease their parents. Allah Ta'ala sent Wahi to Nabi Daawood (alayhis salaam): "O Daawood! When the Ulama abandon Amr Bil Ma'roof Nahy Anil Munkar (commanding virtue and prohibiting vice), their awe (and honour) disappears. Then, despicable people will be held in awe and honour." Hadhrat Ali Khawwaas (rahmatullah alayh) said: "Regard Amr Bil Ma'roof Nahy Anil Munkar Waajib on you, for this is the Zakaat of Knowledge." An Aalim who refrains from - 63 - abstains from fulfilling the Zakaat of the treasure of Knowledge he possesses. Hadhrat Umar Bin Khattaab (radhiyallahu anhu) said: "Soon will there dawn a time when a man who abstains from Amr Bil Ma'roof Nahy Anil Munkar will be regarded as a pious person. People will say that nothing but piety ensues from him because he never displayed anger for the sake of Allah Ta'ala." We are presently in the age predicted by Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu). The Ulama are silent whilst kufr, bid'ah, fisq and fujoor are committed in the presence. Their silence is interpreted as hikmat (wisdom) when in reality it is shaitaaniyat (Satanism). Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that those who abandon Amr Bil Ma'roof, maintaining silence whilst the Haqq is being trampled on, are "Dumb Devils". Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) said that there will come an age when not even one tenth of the people will command virtue and prohibit evil. Then, this one tenth too will disappear, and there will not remain a single person to uphold the obligation of Amr Bil Ma'roof Nahy Anil Munkar. Hadhrat Uwais Qarni (rahmatullah alayh) said that a man who is firm on the Haqq loses all friends." It is mentioned in the Hadith that one who abstains from Amr Bil Ma'roof will rise on the Day of Qiyaamah with his ears cut off. - 64 -