Surah Al Ma’un 107:1-7

Have you seen him who denies the Recompense? (1)
That is he who repulses the orphan (harshly), (2)
And urges not on the feeding of AlMiskîn (the poor)(3)
So woe unto those performers of Salât (prayers) (hypocrites)(4)
Those who delay their Salât (prayer from their stated fixed times)(5) Those who do good deeds only to be seen (of men)(6)
And prevent Al-Mâ’ûn (small kindnesses like salt, sugar, water). (7)

Revealed in : Mekkah

The Surah

In this Surah Allah says to Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., “Have you seen those who denies the Deen?” 107 :1

In this verse, Deen means the HEREAFTER, the RECOMPENSE and the FINAL REWARD.

Then Allah gives the characteristics of these people

1. Those who repulses the orphans

- those who oppresses the orphans

- does not give him just due

- does not feed him

- nor is he kind to him

2. Those who urges not the feeding of the poor.

The hardness of the heart is a sign of disbelief of the Hereafter. This is because of the extreme stinginess and greed.

Allah says in Surah Al Fajr 89: 17-18 (Since H know this, he needs to quote this)

Nay! But you treat not the orphans with kindness and generosity (i.e. you neither treat them well, nor give them their exact right of inheritance)! (17) And urge not one another on the feeding of AlMiskîn (the poor)! (18)

3. Heedless of their solah

Then Allah continues the verse by cursing the deniers of the YAUMUDDIN. Allah curses those who are heedless of their solah. Of which in their solah are SAHUN.

Ibn Abbas says:

These are the hypocrites. Who pray in public but not in private.

They are those who pray and adhere to the prayer but yet are mindless of it.

Or  those who prayed outside the legislated time.

Or those who delay their prayer until the very last minute.

Or those who do not fulfill the pillars and conditions.

Those who do not pray in humility and contemplating its meanings.

Beware that that whoever has these characteristics then he has a share of this ayah. Be aware that Allah curses them.

The Qur’an

Malik :: Book 15 : Hadith 15.10.46

Yahya related to me from Malik that al-Ala ibn Abd ar-Rahman said, “We visited Anas ibn Malik after dhuhr and he stood up and prayed asr. When he had finished his prayer, we mentioned doing prayers early in their time, or he mentioned it, and he said that he had heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, the prayer of the hypocrites, the prayer of the hypocrites, the prayer of the hypocrites is that one of them sits until the sun becomes yellow and is between the horns of Shaytan, or on the horn of Shaytan, and then gets up and rattles off four rakas, hardly remembering Allah in them at all.’ “

The Book of Prayers (Kitab Al-Salat)

Muslim :: Book 4 : Hadith 1301

‘Ala’ b. ‘Abd al-Rahman reported that they came to the house of Anas b. Malik in Basra after saying the noon prayer. His (Anas) house was situated by the side of the mosque. As revisited him he (Anas) said: Have you said the afternoon prayer? We said to him: It is just a few minutes before that we finished the noon prayer. He said: Offer the afternoon prayer. So we stood up and said our prayer. And when we completed it, he said: I have heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) saying: This is how the hypocrite prays: he sits watching the sun, and when it is between the horns of devil, he rises and strikes the ground four times (in haste) mentioning Allah a little during it.

This hadith describes how a hypocrite prays. He waits until the last minute of asr, and in haste stand to pray. Pecking the ground like a bird. And when he prays, he doesn’t even remember Allah (except very little) in it.

He probably only stand so that people will see him pray and not seeking the face Allah. This is just as not praying at all.

Allah says in surah An Nissa’

Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allâh, but it is He Who deceives them. And when they stand up for As-Salât (the prayer), they stand with laziness and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allâh but little. (142)

4. Do good deeds to be seen

The sixth verse is a continuation of Allah’s curse. Allah curses those who do good deeds only to be seen.

However if one does a good deed solely for Allah, but people come to know of that and is pleased with it, then this is not considered as showing off.

And also there are times that we cannot avoid doing good deed without people seeing us do it. But we should NOT stop ourselves from doing good deeds just because we fear that people think we are showing off.  This is aso Shaytan’s trick. He tricks  in many ways

1. either to make him do a good deed in order to show off and for the sake of his reputation, and not sincerely for the sake of Allaah,

2. or to make him refrain from doing the good deed altogether.

Most important thing is we must be SINCERE to do a deed for Allah.

And the deed we are doing, are usually done even in private. For instance nawafil prayers.

And if we are praised by people, then it is glad tiding for you as long as you don’t get big headed for it.

Here is a good dua to say when one is praised,

Oh Allah do not call me into account for what they say and forgive me for what they have no knowledge of and make me better than what they imagine.

Al Bukhari Al Adab Al Mufrad

Example of good deeds
Fear of showing off

5. Withholding little kindness

These are people who do not lend little things that benefit others even though they can do it. These people are even stingier when it comes to giving zakah and charity.

According to Ibn Mas’ud, “It is what people give to each other, like axe, pot, bucket and similar items.”

Lessons

1. Allah curses those who are heedless in their solah.

2. Heedless in solah can mean

Who pray in public but not in private.

They are those who pray and adhere to the prayer but yet are mindless of it.

Or  those who prayed outside the legislated time.

Or those who delay their prayer until the very last minute.

Or those who do not fulfill the pillars and conditions.

Those who do not pray in humility and contemplating its meanings.

3. Great focus must be paid to one’s solah.

4. One of the signs of those who deny the Final day is that they are hard of heart with the weak and needy.

5. Islam places great emphasis on aiding the weak members of the society.

6. Allah curses those who only perform good deeds to be seen by others.

Hadith 3 : Islam is built upon five things

On the authority of Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar bin al-Khattab, radiyallahu ‘anhuma, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, say:

“Islam has been built upon five things – on testifying that there is no god save Allah, and that Muhammad is His Messenger; on performing salah; on giving the zakah; on Hajj to the House; and on fasting during Ramadhan.”

This hadith is similar to the second hadith. But this one stresses on the fundamental of Islam. And it compares the fundamental aspects to the pillars or structures of building. If one fulfills these pillars, he has laid a solid foundation of building his deen.

The other acts of Islam, which is not included as mentioned here is completes the fine touches of the deen.

Failing these obligations, the entire structure of the deen is threatened. The most important pillar is the shahadah. Not believing in it destroys the rest of the deeds.

Using Metaphors
The quran and hadith often use metaphors and similes to affirm a certain point. Or to make clear a certain meaning.

1. At Taubah 9:109

Is it then he who laid the foundation of his building on piety to Allâh and His Good Pleasure better, or he who laid the foundation of his building on the brink of an undetermined precipice ready to crumble down, so that it crumbled to pieces with him into the Fire of Hell. And Allâh guides not the people who are the Zâlimûn (cruel, violent, proud, polytheist and wrong-doer). (109)

comparing the sructure of a Mu’min’s deen which is solid compared to the weak structure of a munafiq. And the weak structure will bring to the collapse of his deen and thus hellfire.

2. Surah An Nur 24:35

Allâh is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is as (if there were) a niche and within it a lamp, the lamp is in glass, the glass as it were a brilliant star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east (i.e. neither it gets sun-rays only in the morning) nor of the west (i.e. nor it gets sun-rays only in the afternoon, but it is exposed to the sun all day long), whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself), though no fire touched it. Light upon Light! Allâh guides to His Light whom He wills. And Allâh sets forth parables for mankind, and Allâh is All-Knower of everything. (35)

Using the metaphor of light as guidance in the heart of mu’min.

A metaphor used to condemn those who fail to fulfill the amanah (i.e. religious obligations) can be found in Surah Al-Jumu’ah (62): ayat 5. The Bani Israel, having failed to obey Allah’s commandments in the Taurah, are described as a donkey which is burdened with heavy books on its back but doesn’t understand anything from them. Scholars have said that this metaphor also applies to other nations, which fail to fulfill their amanah.

In one hadith the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, divided the status of his ummah into three categories: those who benefit from the Message, those who benefit partially and those who fail to benefit at all. He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, used the metaphor of rain (as the Message) falling down on different types of land, producing different results.

Using metaphors to convey the Message is a very important ‘tool’ and it is the methodology used in the Quran and by the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam. There are many modes of expression used in the Quran and Hadith and they are used for different purposes. E.g. Dealing with the misconceptions and false assumptions of the disbelievers, the Quran and Hadith use rational thinking. When describing Jannah and the Hellfire, the style used by the Quran and Hadith is the visual mode of expression – they are described in such detail that it is like we can actually visualize Jannah or the Hellfire in front of us.

One of the Sahabahs said that he had already seen Jannah and the Hellfire. The other Sahabahs were puzzled and asked him how this could be so as nobody is able to see them until the Hereafter. He replied, “I saw them through the eyes of the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam. If I were to be given the chance to see Jannah and the Hellfire with my own eyes, I would not trust my sight. I trust the eyes of the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, more than I trust my own eyes.” Here we can conclude that if we read and understand the Quran and the Hadiths we too can visualize the paradise and the Hellfire.

These modes of expression (thinking styles) used by the Quran and Hadith should be well understood and used by Muslims today to convey the Message of Islam when doing da’wah as it is the most effective way. Different styles should be used to reach/convince different people – some people are more emotional, some are more rational, etc.

First Pillar : The Shahadah

The first part of the Shahadah is testifying that there is none worthy of worship except Allah.

There are seven conditions of the Shahadah:

* Knowledge – to understand what it means
* Certainty – to have no doubt about anything confirmed in the Quran or Sunnah
* Acceptance – by the tongue and the heart of whatever the Shahadah implies
* Submission/compliance – the actual physical enactment by deeds
* Truthfulness – to say the Shahadah sincerely, with honesty, to actually mean it
* Sincerity – to do it solely for the sake of Allah
* Love – to love the Shahadah and to love its implications and requirements and what it stands for

The Shahadah is not simply saying it with our tongue. We need to adhere to these conditions. If we say the Shahadah sincerely and with honesty, we will not do anything which contradicts with or violates the Shahadah.

The second part of the Shahadah carries the following conditions:

* To believe in the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, and in whatever he told us and conveyed to us
* To obey him in whatever he commanded us to do
* To stay away from or avoid whatever he commanded us not to do
* To follow or emulate him in our ibadah, akhlaq and way of life
* To love him more than we love ourselves, our family and anything else in this world
* To understand, practice and promote his Sunnah in the best way possible, without creating any chaos, enmity or harm

Second Pillar: Solah

The hadith says iqamis salah yaani performing salah or establishing solah rather than praying.

Establishing solah means
* Doing the wudu in the proper way
* To do the salah in its time
* To do it in congregation (jama’ah) – where the reward is 27 times than praying alone
* To fulfill the six conditions of salah
* To observe the proper manners (adab) of doing it such as submission and humility
* To follow preferable actions (sunnan) in our salah

Let us strive to establish solah properly. Thus making our pillar strong.

Pillar no 3 : Zakat

Zakat must be taken out in certain percentages if we own a propert under certain condition. When we earn, we must learn how much we should give as zakat.

Pillar No 4 : Hajj

Pilgrimage (Hajj) to the House (Kaabah) is an obligation that we need to do only once in our lifetime – only if we meet certain conditions, e.g. if we have the financial means, a way of travelling peacefully, etc. If we meet these conditions then we should perform the Hajj as soon as possible and not to delay it.

Pillar No 5 : fasting

Fasting in ramadhan is obligatory to all Muslims.It’s also an intensive training programme for al Muslims. The month that we are more motivated to perform so many deeds possible.

Manners of Sleeping

And among His Signs is your sleep by night and by day, and your seeking of His Bounty. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who listen. Ar Room 30:23

And We have made your sleep as a thing for rest An Naba 78:9

We were talking about sleep the other day. The REM, dreams and how much sleep we all need. The need to sleep early and all. What better way is to tell the children about sleep if it is not an Islamic way. The sunnah way. Sleep is after all one of the major activity in our daily lives.

Manners of Sleeping

1. Do brush your teeth. This is not part of the sunnah (please correct me if I am wrong). But a good habit to do

2. Have wudoo on you. One should sleep as soon as one finishes their Isyak prayer. So try to keep your wudhu’ until you sleep.

With wudhu’ Shaytan will be less able to disturb us in our sleep, Insya Allah.

3a.  We must make sure all the doors are locked. And if we are using lamps, candles and fire, we must extinguish them before sleeping.

Asking Permission
Bukhari :: Book 8 :: Volume 74 :: Hadith 310
Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah:

Allah’s Apostle said, “(At bedtime) cover the utensils, close the doors, and put out the lights, lest the evil creature (the rat) should pull away the wick and thus burn the people of the house.”

3b. When we close the door, recite Allah’s name over it

Drinks
Bukhari :: Book 7 :: Volume 69 :: Hadith 527

Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah:

Allah’s Apostle said, “When night falls (or when it is evening), stop your children from going out, for the devils spread out at that time. But when an hour of the night has passed, release them and close the doors and mention Allah’s Name, for Satan does not open a closed door. Tie the mouth of your water-skin and mention Allah’s Name; cover your containers and utensils and mention Allah’s Name. Cover them even by placing something across it, and extinguish your lamps. “

Mention Allah’s name for Shaytan cannot open closed doors. We want to try our best so that Shaytan does not mix with us.

3c. From the hadith above, it is clear that we must also cover our containers and utensils even by placing something across it.

The Book of Drinks (Kitab Al-Ashriba)
Muslim :: Book 23 : Hadith 4991
Jabir reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying:
Cover vessels, waterskins, close the doors and extinguish the lamps, for the Satan does not loosen the waterskin, does not open the door and does not uncover the vessels. And if one amongst you fails to find (something) to cover it well, he should cover it by placing (a piece of) wood across it. Qutaiba did not mention the closing of the doors in the hadith transmitted by him.

4. Dusting the bed before lying down

The Book Pertaining to the Remembrance of Allah, Supplication, Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness (Kitab Al-Dhikr)
Muslim :: Book 35 : Hadith 6554

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as say- ing: When any one of you goes to bed, he should take hold of the hem of his lower garment and then should clean (his bed) with the help of that and then should recite the name of Allah for he himself does not know what he left behind him on his bed, and when he intends to lie on bed, he should lie on his right side and utter these words:” Hallowed be Allah, my Lord. It is with Thine (grace) that I place my side (upon the bed) and it is with Thee that I take it up (after sleep), and in case Thou withholdst my being (if thou causest me to die), then grant pardon to my being, and if Thou keepst (this process of breathing on), then protect it with that with which Thou protected Thine pious servants.”

Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed)
Bukhari :: Book 9 :: Volume 93 :: Hadith 490

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said, “When anyone of you goes to bed, he should dust it off thrice with the edge of his garment, and say: Bismika Rabbi wada’tu janbi, wa bika arfa’hu. In amsakta nafsi faghfir laha, wa in arsaltaha fahfazha bima tahfaz bihi ‘ibadaka-s-salihin.”

From the hadith above we learned that

1. we should dust our bed before lying down to sleep

2. We should dust it three times

3. Mention Allah’s name when dusting

4. It is recommended to use the inside of the lower garment.

5. Sleep on the right side and place your cheek on your right hand

Invocations
Bukhari :: Book 8 :: Volume 75 :: Hadith 323
Narrated Al-Bara bin ‘Azib:

Allah’s Apostle said to me, “When you want to go to bed, perform ablution as you do for prayer, then lie down on your right side and say: ‘Allahumma aslamtu wajhi ilaika, wa fauwadtu Amri ilaika wa aljatu zahri ilaika, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilaika, lamalja’a wa la manja mink a ill a ilaika. Amantu bikitabi kalladhi anzalta wa bi nabiyyikal-ladhi arsalta’. If you should die then (after reciting this) you will die on the religion of Islam (i.e., as a Muslim); so let these words be the last you say (before going to bed)” While I was memorizing it, I said, “Wa birasiulikal-ladhi arsalta (in Your Apostle whom You have sent).’ The Prophet said, “No, but say: Wa binabiyyi-kalladhi arsalta (in Your Prophet whom You have sent).”

Invocations
Bukhari :: Book 8 :: Volume 75 :: Hadith 326
Narrated Hudhaifa:

When the Prophet went to bed at night, he would put his hand under his cheek and then say, “Allahumma bismika amutu wa ahya,” and when he got up, he would say, “Al-Hamdu lil-lahi al-ladhi ahyana ba’da ma amatana, wa ilaihi an-nushur.”

In these hadiths we learn that
1. To sleep on our right side
2. To place our right cheek on our right hand.

Masjid Quba’

Continuation from our last seerah session. We last talked about events at Jabal thawr and had special mentioning of our heroin Asmaa bint Abu Bakr r.a.

Today we continued the story of the journey up to the arrival at the outskirts of Madina i.e. Quba’ and the construction of the first masjid of Islam, Masjid Quba’. We read the children’s book, The Story of Muhammad s.a.w. in Madinah by Abu Zahir.

And I added extra punches from the book, “The Sealed Nectar (Ar Raheeq Al Makhtum”.

Highlights

Masjid Quba’s is the first masjid in Islam

Rasulullah s.a.w. himself help construct it with the companions.

Ash Shamus bint An Nu’man said that she looked at Allah’s Messenger s.a.w.  when he arrived and built the mosque and she saw him carry stones until he became bent over by the stones and she could see the whiteness of the dust on his stomach. A man from the Companions came and said, “May my father and mother be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah, give it to me and I will be sufficient.” But he replied, “No, take one like it.” He carried on working until it was built.

Reward of an Umrah

Sahl bin Hunaif r.a. narrated that Allah’s Messenger s.a.w. said,

Whoever went out until he came to the mosque, Quba’s mosque and prayed therein, it would be equivalent to performing Umrah (in reward)

Al mustadrak  by Al Hakim and was authenticated and confirmed by the researchers Allush.

Mentioning in The Quran

Masjid Quba was made reference in the Quran (Tawbah 9:108). Allah encourages His Prophet s.a.w. to pray in Masjid Quba’s, which, from the first day, was built on taqwa, obedience of Allah and His Messenger s.a.w., for gathering the word of the believers and as an outpost and a fort for Islam and its people.

This verse is also sent down to not allow the Prophet s.a.w. to pray in a masjid near Quba which was built by the hypocrites of Madinah as a fort against Islam.

Verily, the mosque whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety is more worthy that you stand therein (to pray). In it are men who love to clean and to purify themselves. And Allâh loves those who make themselves clean and pure (i.e. who clean their private parts with dust [which has the cleansing properties of soap) and water from urine and stools, after answering the call of nature]. (Tawbah 9:108)

Masjid Ad-Dirar and Masjid At-Taqwa

The reason behind revealing these honorable Ayat is that before the Messenger of Allah migrated to Al-Madinah, there was a man from Al-Khazraj called “Abu `Amir Ar-Rahib (the Monk).” This man embraced Christianity before Islam and read the Scriptures. During the time of Jahiliyyah, Abu `Amir was known for being a worshipper and being a notable person among Al-Khazraj. When the Messenger of Allah arrived at Al-Madinah after the Hijrah, the Muslims gathered around him and the word of Islam was triumphant on the day of Badr, causing Abu `Amir, the cursed one, to choke on his own saliva and announce his enmity to Islam. He fled from Al-Madinah to the idolators of Quraysh in Makkah to support them in the war against the Messenger of Allah . The Quraysh united their forces and the bedouins who joined them for the battle of Uhud, during which Allah tested the Muslims, but the good end is always for the pious and righteous people. The rebellious Abu `Amir dug many holes in the ground between the two camps, into one of which the Messenger fell, injuring his face and breaking one of his right lower teeth. He also sustained a head injury. Before the fighting started, Abu `Amir approached his people among the Ansar and tried to convince them to support and agree with him. When they recognized him, they said, “May Allah never burden an eye by seeing you, O Fasiq one, O enemy of Allah!” They cursed him and he went back declaring, “By Allah! Evil has touched my people after I left.” The Messenger of Allah called Abu `Amir to Allah and recited the Qur’an to him before his flight to Makkah, but he refused to embrace Islam and rebelled. The Messenger invoked Allah that Abu `Amir die as an outcast in an alien land, and his invocation came true. After the battle of Uhud was finished, Abu `Amir realized that the Messenger’s call was still rising and gaining momentum, so he went to Heraclius, the emperor of Rome, asking for his aid against the Prophet . Heraclius gave him promises and Abu `Amir remained with him. He also wrote to several of his people in Al-Madinah, who embraced hypocrisy, promising and insinuating to them that he will lead an army to fight the Messenger of Allah to defeat him and his call. He ordered them to establish a stronghold where he could send his emissaries and to serve as an outpost when he joins them later on. These hypocrites built a Masjid next to the Masjid in Quba’, and they finished building it before the Messenger went to Tabuk. They went to the Messenger inviting him to pray in their Masjid so that it would be a proof that the Messenger approved of their Masjid. They told him that they built the Masjid for the weak and ill persons on rainy nights. However, Allah prevented His Messenger from praying in that Masjid. He said to them,

«إِنَّا عَلَى سَفَرٍ وَلَكِنْ إِذَا رَجَعْنَا إِنْ شَاءَ الله»

(If we come back from our travel, Allah willing.)” When the Messenger of Allah came back from Tabuk and was approximately one or two days away from Al-Madinah, Jibril came down to him with the news about Masjid Ad-Dirar and the disbelief and division between the believers, who were in Masjid Quba’ (which was built on piety from the first day), that Masjid Ad-Dirar was meant to achieve. Therefore, the Messenger of Allah sent some people to Masjid Ad-Dirar to bring it down before he reached Al-Madinah. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said about this Ayah (9:107), “They are some people of the Ansar to whom Abu `Amir said, `Build a Masjid and prepare whatever you can of power and weapons, for I am headed towards Caesar, emperor of Rome, to bring Roman soldiers with whom I will expel Muhammad and his companions.’ When they built their Masjid, they went to the Prophet and said to him, “We finished building our Masjid and we would like you pray in it and invoke Allah for us for His blessings.”Allah revealed this verse,

[لاَ تَقُمْ فِيهِ أَبَدًا]

(Never stand you therein), until,

[الْظَّـلِمِينَ]

(…wrongdoers) ” Allah said next,

[وَلَيَحْلِفَنَّ]

(they will indeed swear), those who built it,

[إِنْ أَرَدْنَا إِلاَّ الْحُسْنَى]

(that their intention is nothing but good.) by building this Masjid we sought the good and the comfort of the people. Allah replied,

[وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَـذِبُونَ]

(Allah bears witness that they are certainly liars) for they only built it to harm Masjid Quba’, and out of disbelief in Allah, and to divide the believers. They made it an outpost for those who warred against Allah and His Messenger , such as Abu `Amir the Fasiq who used to be called Ar-Rahib, may Allah curse him! Allah said,

[لاَ تَقُمْ فِيهِ أَبَدًا]

(Never stand you therein), prohibiting His Prophet and his Ummah from ever standing in it in prayer.

Taken from Ibn Kathir tafsir At Tawbah 9:107

Lessons From This

1. May we be among those with ilmu and practise it.

2. Allah does not allow us to worship at a place where the purpose of built is to disunite the disbelievers.

3.Masjid Quba’s is the first masjid in Islam

4. Rasulullah s.a.w. himself helped build the masjid

5. Whoever  pray in Masjid Quba’ will be rewarded with an equivalent umrah

6. Masjid Quba’s is also referred as Masjid Taqwa in the Quran. Of which it is built on piety.

Pillars of Prayer : Standing

Still on Pillars of prayer. We have covered
1. Niyah
2. Takbeer al ihram

A reminder, if any of the pillars of prayer is omitted, the prayer is not accepted.

Prayers consists of

* pillars
* obligatory acts
* non obligatory acts

One must stand during obligatory prayers

Allah says in Surah Al Baqarah 2:238

Guard strictly (five obligatory) As¬Salawât (the prayers) especially the middle Salât (i.e. the best prayer ¬ ‘Asr).And stand before Allâh with obedience [and do not speak to others during the Salât (prayers)]. (238)

Also Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said

Shortening the Prayers (At-Taqseer)
Bukhari :: Book 2 :: Volume 20 :: Hadith 218
Narrated ‘Imran bin Husain:

I had piles, so I asked the Prophet s.a.w. about the prayer. He said, “Pray while standing and if you can’t, pray while sitting and if you cannot do even that, then pray lying on your side.”

This hadith also indicates that if one finds it difficult to stand for prayer than it is permissible for him to sit. And if sitting is also difficult, than it is permissible to lie down.

It shows the importance of performing solah. That as long as we are sane and conscious, we must pray irregardless of of our physical disability. And it is good to know that Islam makes it easy for us to perform solah and take consideration of one’s physical abilities.

Voluntary Prayer

However the necessity of standing for prayer id only for the obligatory prayer. It is not necessary for one to stand when performing the voluntary prayer.

Let’s read this hadith

Prayers (Salat)

Bukhari :: Book 1 :: Volume 8 :: Hadith 393
Narrated Jabir:

Allah’s Apostle used to pray (optional, non-obligatory prayer) while riding on his mount (Rahila) wherever it turned, and whenever he wanted to pray the compulsory prayer he dismounted and prayed facing the Qibla.

However in another hadith, the reward of not standing is lesser than when is standing. Thus if we can stand, we should make an effort to stand during the voluntary prayer even though it is allowed to do so.

Shortening the Prayers (At-Taqseer)

Bukhari :: Book 2 :: Volume 20 :: Hadith 216

Narrated ‘Imran bin Husain:

(who had piles) I asked Allah’s Apostle about the praying of a man while sitting. He said, “If he prays while standing it is better and he who prays while sitting gets half the reward of that who prays standing; and whoever prays while Lying gets half the reward of that who prays while sitting.”

Having said that, and after referring to fatwa in the ISLAM-QA, the lesser reward does not apply to one who is not able to stand during the obligatory prayer.

Standing in Prayer

Difficulty to stand in prayer

Al Khaliq الخالق

The Creator.

Allah is the Creator.

He made everything. He made everything out of N O T H I N G.

In Arabic, the word “khalaqa” means to make out of nothing, which is something that only Allah can do; it is impossible for anyone except Allah to do this.

Once upon a time there was nothing except Allah.

There was no sky.

There was no earth.

No flowers.

No animals.

No ocean.

No human.

Ask : Look above us. What do you see?

The sky. The sun. The moon. Stars. Galaxy. Lightness. Darkness. Cloud. Rain. Heat.

There are birds that fly above. Big and dangerous. Small and colourful. And then there are butterfly, bees wasps, flies, mosquitoes and small flying insects.

Ask : Look below. What do you see?

The earth. Grass. Trees. Flowers.

And big animals like elephants and also dinosaurs from the very old age. There are tigers and camels. Cats and dogs. Horses and ponies.

And then there are mountain. Big and small. There are ocean. And rivers and lakes. There are water and wind.

There are fishes in the ocean as big as whale and as small as plankton. There are creatures in  there that have lived for million of years only found today. And perhaps many more that we do not know.

And we have fruits that we can eat while some are poisonous. And animals we can eat while some are not permissible.

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُ ٱلۡبَارِئُ ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُ‌ۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ‌ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ۥ مَا

فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ (٢٤)

He is Allah, the Creator, the Shaper out of naught, the Fashioner. His are the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifieth Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise. (24) Al Hashr  59:24

Only Allah can create. Nobody else can create.

And how does Allah create?

Kun Fayakun and it became.

Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, “Be!” and it is! (Yasin 36:82)

And why do we need that Allah is Al Khaliq?
So that we understand that only Allah can create everything out of nothing.
Allah is most powerful.
Make us humble to Allah.
And we must understand that ALLAH is the one who CREATES us.

And why did Allah create you?

Reflect on this ayah. AdDhariyat 52:56

And I (Allâh) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). (56)

Remember, the reason Allah creates us so that we worship Allah alone.

That is the purpose you are created. Take the advantage of this knowledge and strive hard so that you can fulfill your purpose here and enter Jannah, Allah’s creation of an eternal life.

For Z and also other activities Ideas taken from Umm Ibrahim’s notes on Allah is the Creator. Allahummabareek.

People : To read up about different type of people n the world. race. Colour. Culture. Countries. And how some are not Muslims like us.

Reflect

O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allâh is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. he is one of the Muttaqûn (pious – see V.2:2). Verily, Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Aware. (Al Hujurat 49:13)

Animals :

Learn about different animals this week and always mention that Allah created them; learn about names for baby animals (kid, calf, etc) or what you call groups of a particular animal. Talk about farm animals; zoos, etc.

Nature :

Read about something different in nature each day, remembering that Allah created everything

People made house, car, computer and everything in it. People make it from wood, metal, stone, technology of which Allah created.

Activity for H is to listen to Surah Ar Rahman and reflect. To point out in this surah, among Allah’s signs and creations.

Reference

Surah Al Kawthar 108: 1-3

Verily, We have granted you (O Muhammad (SAW)) Al-Kauthar (a river in Paradise); (1)Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only) (2) For he who hates you (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)), he will be cut off (from every posterity good thing in this world and in the Hereafter). (3)

What is Al Kawthar

The Book of Prayers (Kitab Al-Salat)

Muslim :: Book 4 : Hadith 790

Anas reported: One day the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was sitting amongst us that he dozed off. He then raised his head smilingly. We said: What makes you smile. Messenger of Allah? He said: A Sura has just been revealed to me, and then recited: In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Verily We have given thee Kauthar (fount of abundance). Therefore turn to thy Lord for prayer and offer sacrifice, and surely thy enemy is cut off (from the good). Then he (the Holy Prophet) said: Do you know what Kauthar is? We said: Allah and His Messenger know best. The Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) said: It (Kauthar) is a canal which my Lord, the Exalted and Glorious has promised me, and there is an abundance of good in it. It is a cistern and my people would come to it on the Day of Resurrection, and tumblers there would be equal to the number of stars. A servant would be turned away from (among the people gathered there). Upon this I would say: My Lord, he is one of my people, and He (the Lord) would say: You do not know that he innovated new things (in Islam) after you. Ibn Hujr made this addition in the hadith:” He (the Holy Prophet) was sitting amongst us in the mosque, and He (Allah) said: (You don’t know) what he innovated after you”

This hadith summarises what Al Kawthar. Which is a river in paradise and it has abundant  of goodness.

On the judgment day there will be a pond. At which there will be many containers.

What is also important to note here is that, not everyone of the ummah is qualified to drink from this pond. Those who made innovations will be forbidden to drink it.

May Allah keep us in the straight path.

Description of Al Kawthar

Model Behavior of the Prophet (Kitab Al-Sunnah)

Dawud :: Book 40 : Hadith 4730

Narrated Anas ibn Malik:

When the Prophet of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) was lifted to the heavens (for travelling) in Paradise, or as he said, a river whose banks were of transparent or hollowed pearls was presented to him. The angel who was with him struck it with his hand and took out musk. Muhammad (peace_be_upon_him) then asked the angel who was with him: What is this? He replied: It is al-Kawthar which Allah has given you.

More description of Al Kawthar

1. The river bank is made of hollowed pearl

2. The river smell of musk

To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq)

Bukhari :: Book 8 :: Volume 76 :: Hadith 581

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr:

The Prophet said, “My Lake-Fount is (so large that it takes) a month’s journey to cross it. Its water is whiter than milk, and its smell is nicer than musk (a kind of Perfume), and its drinking cups are (as numerous) as the (number of) stars of the sky; and whoever drinks from it, will never be thirsty.”

1. takes a month’s journey to cross it

2. whiter than milk

3. smell nicer than musk

4. there are numerous drinking cups more than the starts in the sky

5. whoever drinks from it will never be thirsty

The Book of Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah)Muslim :: Book 2 : Hadith 479

Abu Huraira reported: Verily Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: My Cistern has its dimensions wider than the distance between Aila and Aden, and its water is whiter than ice and sweeter than the honey diluted with milk, and its cups are more numerous than the numbers of the stars. Verily I shall prevent the (faithless) people therefrom just as a man prevents the camels of the people from his fountain. They said: Messenger of Allah, will you recognise us on that day? He said: Yes, you will have distinctive marks which nobody among the peoples (except you) will have; you would come to me with blazing forehead and bright hands and feet on account of the traces of ablution.

To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq)

Bukhari :: Book 8 :: Volume 76 :: Hadith 582

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

Allah’s Apostle said, “The width of my Lake-Fount is equal to the distance between Aila (a town in Sham) and Sana’ (the capital of Yemen) and it has as many (numerous) jugs as the number of stars of the sky.”

To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq)

Bukhari :: Book 8 :: Volume 76 :: Hadith 591

Narrated Haritha bin Wahb:

I heard the Prophet mentioning the Lake-Fount (Al-Kauthar), saying, “(The width of the Lake-Fount) is equal to the distance between Medina and Sana’ (capital of Yemen).” Haritha said that he heard the Prophet saying that his Lake-Fount would be as large as the distance between Sana’ and Medina. Al-Mustaurid said to Haritha, “Didn’t you hear him talking about the vessels?” He said, “No.” Al-Mustaurid said, “The vessels are seen in it as (numberless as) the stars.”

To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq)

Bukhari :: Book 8 :: Volume 76 :: Hadith 579

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:

The Prophet said, “There will be a tank (Lake-Fount) in front of you as large as the distance between Jarba and Adhruh (two towns in Sham).”

1. The pond itself is wider than the distance between Aila and Aden (I think it is somewhat in between Jordan and Yemen. Correct me if I am wrong). Aila is a seaport town in Akaba, Jordan while Aden is in Yemen. Or in another hadith, the width is as big as Medina and Sana in Yemen. Also in another hadith it is as wide as two towns in Shams Jabah and Adruh. Wallahualam.

2. The water is sweeter than honey diluted in water.

3. The drink is only for the ummah of Mohammad s.a.w.

To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq)

Bukhari :: Book 8 :: Volume 76 :: Hadith 585

Narrated Abu Hazim from Sahl bin Sa’d:

The Prophet said, “I am your predecessor (forerunner) at the Lake-Fount, and whoever will pass by there, he will drink from it and whoever will drink from it, he will never be thirsty. There will come to me some people whom I will recognize, and they will recognize me, but a barrier will be placed between me and them.” Abu Hazim added: An-Nu’man bin Abi ‘Aiyash, on hearing me, said. “Did you hear this from Sahl?” I said, “Yes.” He said, ” I bear witness that I heard Abu Said Al-Khudri saying the same, adding that the Prophet said: ‘I will say: They are of me (i.e. my followers). It will be said, ‘You do not know what they innovated (new things) in the religion after you left’. I will say, ‘Far removed, far removed (from mercy), those who changed (their religion) after me.” Abu Huraira narrated that the Prophet said, “On the Day of Resurrection a group of companions will come to me, but will be driven away from the Lake-Fount, and I will say, ‘O Lord (those are) my companions!’ It will be said, ‘You have no knowledge as to what they innovated after you left; they turned apostate as renegades (reverted from Islam).”

The Prophet said, “My Lake-Fount is (so large that it takes) a month’s journey to cross it. Its water is whiter than milk, and its smell is nicer than musk (a kind of Perfume), and its drinking cups are (as numerous) as the (number of) stars of the sky; and whoever drinks from it, will never be thirsty.”

To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq)

Bukhari :: Book 8 :: Volume 76 :: Hadith 588

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle said, “Between my house and my pulpit there is a garden from amongst the gardens of Paradise, and my pulpit is over my Lake-Fount.”

Turn to your Lord

To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq)

Bukhari :: Book 8 :: Volume 76 :: Hadith 580

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

The word ‘Al-Kauthar’ means the abundant good which Allah gave to him (the Prophet Muhammad). Abu Bishr said: I said to Said, “Some people claim that it (Al-Kauthar) is a river in Paradise.” Said replied, “The river which is in Paradise is one item of that good which Allah has bestowed upon him (Muhammad).”

The second verse is a command by Allah that as He had given Rasulullah s.a.w. and abundant of goodness in this life and the Hereafter, then perform the obligatory prayers and make sacrifices solely in the name of Allah. Worship Him alone and do not associate partner with him.

This is the opposite of the idolators, prostrating to other than Allah and sacrificing in other than His name.

This teaches us also, that when we are bestowed with goodness from Allah, we should continue to prostrate to Him alone and make prayers to Him.

Among the ibadah we can do to express our gratitude

1. Sujud syukur
2. Make extra nawafil prayers particulary the one late at night
3. Voluntary fasting
4. Giving out in Charity or energy to help out in Allah’s way.

Al Abtar

In the last verse of this surah Allah says,

[إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الاٌّبْتَرُ ]

(For he who hates you, he will be cut off.) meaning, `indeed he who hates you, O Muhammad, and he hates what you have come with of guidance, truth, clear proof and manifest light, he is the most cut off, meanest, lowliest person who will not be remembered.

Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr and Qatadah all said, “This Ayah was revealed about Al-`As bin Wa’il. Whenever the Messenger of Allah would be mentioned (in his presence) he would say, `Leave him, for indeed he is a man who is cut off having no descendants. So when he dies he will not be remembered.’ Therefore, Allah revealed this Surah.”

Shamir bin `Atiyah said, “This Surah was revealed concerning `Uqbah bin Abi Mu`ayt.”

Ibn `Abbas and `Ikrimah have both said, “This Surah was revealed about Ka`b bin Al-Ashraf and a group of the disbelievers of the Quraysh.” Al-Bazzar recorded that Ibn `Abbas said, “Ka`b bin Al-Ashraf came to Makkah and the Quraysh said to him, `You are the leader of them (the people). What do you think about this worthless man who is cut off from his people He claims that he is better than us while we are the people of the place of pilgrimage, the people of custodianship (of the Ka`bah), and the people who supply water to the pilgrims.’ He replied, `You all are better than him.’ So Allah revealed,

[إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الاٌّبْتَرُ ]

(For he who hates you, he will be cut off.)” This is how Al-Bazzar recorded this incident and its chain of narration is authentic.

It has been reported that `Ata’ said, “This Surah was revealed about Abu Lahab when a son of the Messenger of Allah died. Abu Lahab went to the idolators and said, `Muhammad has been cut off (i.e., from progeny) tonight.’ So concerning this Allah revealed,

[إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الاٌّبْتَرُ ]

(For he who hates you, he will be cut off.)” As-Suddi said, “When the male sons of a man died the people used to say, `He has been cut off.’ So, when the sons of the Messenger of Allah died they said, `Muhammad has been cut off.’ Thus, Allah revealed,

[إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الاٌّبْتَرُ ]

(For he who hates you, he will be cut off.)” So they thought in their ignorance that if his sons died, his remembrance would be cut off.

Allah forbid! To the contrary, Allah preserved his remembrance for all the world to see, and He obligated all the servants to follow his Law. This will continue for all of time until the Day of Gathering and the coming of the Hereafter. May the blessings of Allah and His peace be upon him forever until the Day of Assembling.

Some of the disbelievers were always mocking Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. because of the loss of all of his sons. It is common for people to say that when one has no son to inherit their name, the person will  be cut off and his name will be lost and forgotten.

Allah has promised that Muhammad’s s.a.w. name will not be forgotten until the day we will all be assembled.

A little description of the big journey

Insya Allah my husband and I will be going for hajj this year. Please pray that Allah makes it easy for us and that itwill be safe journey and may our hajj be accepted.

So I draft up a short explanation for the children of our schedule from leaving the home up to reaching back home Insya Allah.

1. Marking dates on map against schedule

They will be supplies with a Saudi map. The plan is to mark the dates on the map to match the schedule. And also for them to be aware of the route we will be taking and the places along the route. Insya Allah it would be easy for them for they have used the same map for our last umrah trip.

2. To be aware of the hijrah dates particularly during hajj season.

It is important that they take notes of the hijrah dates during Dzulhijjah. Especially more so for the first ten Dzulhijjah. They are also to mark the hajj rite and the whereabout I am against the hijrah dates and gregorian dates.

3. Hajj Rite Map

We talked of the rite to spend the night in Mudzalifah under the million starts (Insya Allah) and stoning ane making tawaf.  So this map would be useful for them to at least have a clue of our whereabouts.

4. The farewell Sermon

I also printed out the farewell sermon for them (H particularly) to read on the 9th Dzulhijjah.

May Allah protect my children and keep their hearts strong. Itaqullah my children.

I leave you in the care of Allah, who nothing in His care is lost.

Islam, Iman and Ihsan

Also on the authority of ‘Umar, radiyallahu ‘anhu, who said:

“While we were one day sitting with the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, there appeared before us a man dressed in extremely white clothes and with very black hair. No traces of journeying were visible on him, and none of us knew him.

He sat down close by the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, rested his knee against his thighs, and said, O Muhammad! Inform me about Islam.” Said the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, “Islam is that you should testify that there is no deity save Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, that you should perform salah (ritual prayer), pay the zakah, fast during Ramadan, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka’bah at Makkah), if you can find a way to it (or find the means for making the journey to it).” Said he (the man), “You have spoken truly.”

We were astonished at his thus questioning him and telling him that he was right, but he went on to say, “Inform me about iman (faith).” He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, “It is that you believe in Allah and His angels and His Books and His Messengers and in the Last Day, and in fate (qadar), both in its good and in its evil aspects.” He said, “You have spoken truly.”

Then he (the man) said, “Inform me about Ihsan.” He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, ” It is that you should serve Allah as though you could see Him, for though you cannot see Him yet He sees you.” He said, “Inform me about the Hour.” He (the Messenger of Allah) said, “About that the one questioned knows no more than the questioner.” So he said, “Well, inform me about the signs thereof (i.e. of its coming).” Said he, “They are that the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, that you will see the barefooted ones, the naked, the destitute, the herdsmen of the sheep (competing with each other) in raising lofty buildings.” Thereupon the man went off.

I waited a while, and then he (the Messenger of Allah) said, “O ‘Umar, do you know who that questioner was?” I replied, “Allah and His Messenger know better.” He said, “That was Jibril. He came to teach you your religion.”"

The Book of Faith (Kitab Al-Iman)
Muslim :: Book 1 : Hadith 1

This hadith contains comprehensive description about the Deen which comprised the three concepts of

• Islam
• Iman
• Ihsan

This hadith has been called Umm as Sunnah that is the foundation of sunnah.

THE STORY

The Prophets s.a.w. were gathering (as they always do) to discuss religion matters. When the angel Gabriel approached them, they were not surprise or particularly excited for Gabriel appeared in the form of a man. So no one thought he was other than a man.

What was noted of Gabriel was his immaculate appearance. For he was a stranger, they would guess that he had been traveling. However the effects of traveling did not appear on him.

what are the general effects of traveling on us?

• looking tired
• ruffled clothes and hair
• if it’s hot, we’d probably look sweaty and tan
• looking unfamiliar with things
• looking lost.
• famish

When the “man” began to question the Prophet s.a.w., the sahabahs found strange that the “man” approve each answer as if he already had the knowledge of the matter. As the “man” is more of an examiner than an inquirer, their attention sharpened.

MUSLIM AND MU’MIN

The Prophet s.a.w described Islam here as execution of Allah’s commands.Mostly what we can see outwardly.

Iman is the correct and complete inner belief.

Both include deeds. But those who are a mu’min (true believer) is far more superior than a Muslim.

Every mu’min is a muslim but not every Muslim is a mu’min.

ISLAM AND IMAN

As we know, besides the five pillars here, Islam also includes other visible actions such as good manners, honesty, refraining from harmful activities, kindness to people and many more.

But these actions can only be done for other reason other than faith. It can merely be done because of wanting to be accepted by society. Fear of embarrassment or worldly punishment.

Allah mentioned in Surah Hujurat 49: 14-15, about the difference between Islam and Iman.

The bedouins say: “We believe.” Say: “You believe not but you only say, ‘We have surrendered (in Islâm),’ for Faith has not yet entered your hearts. But if you obey Allâh and His Messenger (SAW), He will not decrease anything in reward for your deeds. Verily, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (14) Only those are the believers who have believed in Allâh and His Messenger, and afterward doubt not but strive with their wealth and their lives for the Cause of Allâh. Those! They are the truthful. (15)

Islam or the outward submission is the minimum degree giving the rights of a Muslim. Allah will reward his deeds and intentions. Preferable to Allah is the mu’min the Muslim who has true faith.

1. Belief in Allah
that is in His existence. His perfection and absolute attributes. His superiority over all creation and that there is nothing similar to Him

2. Belief in His Angels
noble creatures created from light who have no free will but execute commands of Allah and worship Him continuously

3. belief in His Books
Allah revealed scriptures to some of His Messengers, and He revealed the Quran as the final message to mankind

4. Belief is His Messengers
That they were truthful in what they conveyed about Allah. That they were supported by miracles and that they faithfully deliver His messages to the people.

5. Belief in the last day
The day of resurrection and what was revealed concerning it.Destruction of the present universe, renewed creation, emergence from the garve, the gathering of judgment day, paradise and hellfire

6. Believe in Al Qadr
In Allah’s knowledge in all that to be ad in the fact that He has orginated and is the primary cause of all things and occurrences.

IHSAN

The third and the highest degree of the deen is “ihsan”.

Rasulullah s.a.w described ihsan as worshipping Allah as though ypu can see him which is a reminder that He sees you. Thus worship must be accompanied by the consciousness of Allah thus should lead to sincerity and correct intention.

Ihsan perfects every deed. It is an outward expression of taqwa and awareness of the Craetor’s knowledge and power.

THE HOUR

Rasulullah s.a.w. response on the question of when the Hour is shows that the knowledge is only wth Allah. This indicates to us that no one possess this knowledge regardless what they claim.

However there are signs indicating that the Hour is getting nearer. There are many signs in other hadith, but in this hadith, Rasulullah s.a.w. mentioned two.

1. The slave woman will give birth to her mistress.

2. Poor people or specifically barefooted, naked and destitute shepherds competing in the loftiness of constructions.

WHO WAS THE “MAN”

Umar who narrated this hadith, stayed after the departure of the man. rasulullah s.a.w informed that the questioner is the angel Jibraeel who came for the purpose of instructing.

SEEKING KNOWLEDGE

One of the methods of seeking knowledge is by asking questions.

The type of questions should be MEANINGFUL. Questions that will lead the questioner, the listener and the one answering to valuable knowledge and good action.

Asking good questions that will result in others to learn also. Ask good questions so we can share knowledge.

Don’t ask questions that are only meant to boast one’s knowledge or belittle the answerer.

Ibn Abbas, one of the great scholars among the sahabahs, when asked how he obtained all his knowledge, he replied, with an inquisitive tongue and a contemplating heart.

TEACHING KNOWLEDGE

Posing questions is also a good form of teaching. A teacher should answer the question even he thinks the questioner already know the answer.

In many hadith, rasulullah s.a.w. himself will ask questions before he imparts knowledge. Asking questions will prepare the mind and heart to be ready to accept knowledge. Ready to absorb and learn.

In this hadith, rasulullah s.a.w. refer to Jibril as  “the questioner” which imples full appreciation and encouragement of asking questions especially the one that will lead to knowledge.

There are many question form in the Quran as well. To serve different purposes. To provoke the mind of the reader and force one to think about what one reads.

Rasulullah s.a.w set an example in this hadith, to admit when he does not of a certain knowledge.

Al Imam Malik was asked forty questions by a man who had travelled a distant to see him, and he answered most of them by , “I don’t know and Allah knows better”. Seeing the man surprised, Imam Malik told him that when he goes back to his town, to tell the people that he met and asked al-Imam Malik questions and Imam Malik said he didn’t know the answers. Al-Imam Malik didn’t want to be accountable for giving wrong answers. Thus, if we are to become an educator or a scholar, we should have the courage to admit what we do not know. We should not give an answer which may contain incorrect information.

Lessons
1. The deen comprise of three things which are Islam, Iman and Ihsan.
2. A muslim performs the pillar of Islam. Which are the shahadah, Solat, giving zakat, fasting and performing hajj
3. The pillars are the outward actions of a Muslim.
4. It should be built by faith i.e. iman.
5. Because we believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, The Judgment day and Qadr by Allah, we want to become a better Muslim.
6. A mu’min is more superior than just a Muslim.
7. We must have ihsan that is we must serve Allah like as f we could see Him. This will increase our taqwa and awareness of our actions.
8. Asking questions is part of learning process.
9. Posing question is a good technique in teaching.
10. Angel can come in the shape of a man and be seen by people.
11. The occurrence of the Hour is not revealed to Allah’s messengers or His Angels. Thus no one will know when it will happen.
12. But Allah revealed the signs for us to be aware and prepare ourselves.

Reciting the Quran Before Sleeping

Prophet Muhammad saw would not go to sleep without reciting something form the Quran. When one recites the quran before going to sleep, he is protected from Shaytan, Insya Allah, and his dreams become truer in the meanings.

Check list of reading
1. Ayatul Kursi

Narrated by Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle deputed me to keep Sadaqat (al-Fitr) of Ramadan. A comer came and started taking handfuls of the foodstuff (of the Sadaqa) (stealthily). I took hold of him and said, “By Allah, I will take you to Allah’s Apostle .” He said, “I am needy and have many dependents, and I am in great need.” I released him, and in the morning Allah’s Apostle asked me, “What did your prisoner do yesterday?” I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! The person complained of being needy and of having many dependents, so, I pitied him and let him go.” Allah’s Apostle said, “Indeed, he told you a lie and he will be coming again.” I believed that he would show up again as Allah’s Apostle had told me that he would return. So, I waited for him watchfully. When he (showed up and) started stealing handfuls of foodstuff, I caught hold of him again and said, “I will definitely take you to Allah’s Apostle. He said, “Leave me, for I am very needy and have many dependents. I promise I will not come back again.” I pitied him and let him go.

In the morning Allah’s Apostle asked me, “What did your prisoner do.” I replied, “O Allah’s Apostle! He complained of his great need and of too many dependents, so I took pity on him and set him free.” Allah’s Apostle said, “Verily, he told you a lie and he will return.” I waited for him attentively for the third time, and when he (came and) started stealing handfuls of the foodstuff, I caught hold of him and said, “I will surely take you to Allah’s Apostle as it is the third time you promise not to return, yet you break your promise and come.” He said, “(Forgive me and) I will teach you some words with which Allah will benefit you.” I asked, “What are they?” He replied, “Whenever you go to bed, recite “Ayat-al-Kursi”– ‘Allahu la ilaha illa huwa-l-Haiy-ul Qaiyum’ till you finish the whole verse. (If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you and no satan will come near you till morning. ” So, I released him. In the morning, Allah’s Apostle asked, “What did your prisoner do yesterday?” I replied, “He claimed that he would teach me some words by which Allah will benefit me, so I let him go.” Allah’s Apostle asked, “What are they?” I replied, “He said to me, ‘Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat-al-Kursi from the beginning to the end —- Allahu la ilaha illa huwa-lHaiy-ul-Qaiyum—-.’ He further said to me, ‘(If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no satan will come near you till morning.’ (Abu Huraira or another sub-narrator) added that they (the companions) were very keen to do good deeds. The Prophet said, “He really spoke the truth, although he is an absolute liar. Do you know whom you were talking to, these three nights, O Abu Huraira?” Abu Huraira said, “No.” He said, “It was Satan.”

Sahih Al Bukhari : Volume 3 : Book 38 : Hadith 505

2. Suratul Falaq – Al Mu’awwadhatain
3. Suratun Nas – Al Mu’awwadhatain
Both these surahs to be read three times with a dry spit on the hand one one cycle and to be wiped all over the body.

Book of Medicine

Bukhari :: Book 7 :: Volume 71 :: Hadith 644

Narrated ‘Aisha:

Whenever Allah’s Apostle went to bed, he used to recite Surat-al-Ikhlas, Surat-al-Falaq and Surat-an-Nas and then blow on his palms and pass them over his face and those parts of his body that his hands could reach. And when he fell ill, he used to order me to do like that for him.

4. Al Kafiroon

General Behavior (Kitab Al-Adab)
Dawud :: Book 41 : Hadith 5037

Narrated Nawfal:

The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said to Nawfal: Say , O infidels! and then sleep at its end, for it is a declaration of freedom from polytheism. (Al Albaanee ruled that it is authentic)

4. Al Mulk

5. As Sajdah

Jabir said, “The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did not sleep until he had recited, ‘Alif-Lam-Mim. The Sending-down’ (32) and ‘Blessed is the One in whose hand the kingdom is’ (67).’”
Related by Bukharee in Al Adab Al Mufrad. Al Albanee said it is authentic lighairihi

6. Recitation of the last two verses from Al Baqarah

Military Expeditions led by the Prophet (pbuh) (Al-Maghaazi)
Bukhari :: Book 5 :: Volume 59 :: Hadith 345

Narrated Abu Masud Al-Badri:

Allah’s Apostle said, “It is sufficient for one to recite the last two Verses of Surat-al-Baqara at night.”