Believer's response to trials (Fitna)

In these days, Muslims are going through a lot of trials in many places in the world. The trials in our life are means to test our Eeman (faith) and obedience to Allah Almighty and to seek reward in this world and the hereafter. How we can keep our heart firm with faith and bear trials with patient and stay positive during time of calamities?

Every Muslim who believe truly in Allah should know that all matters happened by the will of Allah. Allah says:

قُل لَّن يُصِيبَنَا إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّـهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوْلَانَا”

“وَعَلَى اللَّـهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُون

“Say, "Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector." And upon Allah let the believers rely.” (At-Tawbah:51).

All calamities and tribulations happen so Allah can test who is true believer. Allah says: “Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.” (Al-Ankabout:1-2).Thus, trough trials, one should have patient because one can be afflicted by disease, loss of member of family, loss of wealth as Allah Almighty say:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ

وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ

“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient,” (Al-Baqara:155).

Corona virus is one of the trials that are spreading in every country; people are dying and the number of people getting sick is in increase which make everyone so scared. When the prophet (Pbuh) was asked about plague, he said: “It is a punishment that Allah sends upon whoever he wills, but Allah has made it a mercy for the believers. Any servant who resides in a land afflicted by plague, remaining patient and hoping for reward from Allah, knowing that nothing will befall him but what Allah has decreed, he will be given the reward of a martyr.” (Al-Bukhari).

Sometimes calamities come because of the sin of people as Allah says: “And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.” (Al-Shoora: 30). So Allah punishes people with calamities that they may return in repentance. Allah says: And indeed We seized them with punishment, but they humbled not themselves to their Lord, nor did they invoke (Allah) with submission to Him” (Al-Mu’minoon:76).

It is part of the mercy of Allah that disasters befall sinners in this world, so that their souls might be purified and they might come back to Allah before they die. Allah says: “And verily, We will make them taste of the near torment (i.e. the torment in the life of this world, i.e. disasters, calamities) prior to the supreme torment (in the Hereafter), in order that they may (repent and) return (i.e. accept Islam)” (al-Sajdah:21).

True believer should turn to Allah with repentance, obedience and following what Allah commanded us to do and stay away from what Allah prohibited us from. The prophet (Peace be upon him) said to his cousin Ibn Abbas:  “Young man, I will teach you some words: Be mindful of Allah and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find him before you. If you ask, ask from Allah. If you seek help, seek help from Allah. Know that if the nations gathered together to benefit you, they will not benefit you unless Allah has decreed it for you. And if the nations gathered together to harm you, they will not harm you unless Allah has decreed it for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” (At-Tirmithi).

True believer should seek help from Allah by remembering Him morning and evening. The prophet (Peace be upon him) taught us how we can protect ourselves by making supplication. Some of the Du’aa one can make:

بسم الله الذي لا يضر مع اسمه شيء في الأرض ولا في السماء وهو السميع العليم، ثلاث مرات،  لم يضره شيء"‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who recites three times every morning and evening: 'Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma'as-mihi shai'un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama'i, wa Huwas-Sami'ul-'Alim (In the Name of Allah with Whose Name there is protection against every kind of harm in the earth or in the heaven, and He is the All-Hearing and All- Knowing),' nothing will harm him. )At-Tirmithi).

And He (pbuh) said: "He who recites the two Ayat at the end of Surat Al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him." (Al-Bukhari).

Ibn 'Umar said, "The Messenger of Allah, May Allah blesses him and grants him peace, did not omit saying the following words in the morning and evening: "O Allah, I ask you for well-being in this world and the Next. O Allah, I ask you for forgiveness and well-being in my deen and in this world and in my family and my property. O Allah, veil my faults and calm my fears. O Allah, give me protection in front of me and behind me, on my right and my left and above me. I seek refuge by Your might from being overwhelmed from under me." (Al-Albani).

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ‏.‏ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ، وَأَهْلِي وَمَالِي‏.‏ اللَّهُمَّ اسْتُرْ عَوْرَاتِي، وَآمِنْ رَوْعَاتِي‏.‏ اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيَّ وَمِنْ خَلْفِي، وَعَنْ يَمِينِي وَعَنْ شِمَالِي، وَمِنْ فَوْقِي، وَأَعُوذُ بِعَظَمَتِكَ مِنْ أَنْ أُغْتَالَ مِنْ تَحْتِي‏.‏

Scholars say that means: safety from sickness and calamities; or not being tested by them, and being granted patience in bearing them and acceptance of divine decree.

RAJAB: The Sacred Month

Rajab (رَجَب) is the seventh month of Islamic calendar. This month is regarded as one of the four sacred months.  It was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave his Farewell Sermon and said: “Time has completed its cycle and is as it was on the Day when Allaah created the heavens and the earth. The year is twelve months, of which four are sacred, three consecutive months – Dhoo’l-Qa’dah, Dhoo’l-Hijjah and Muharram – and the Rajab of Mudar which comes between Jumaada and Sha’baan.”  (Al-Bukhari). The Quran mentioned these months without name. Allah says:

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّـهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّـهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ

“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them” (At-Tawba:36).

Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, Allah's statement, (Verily, the number of months with Allah...), is connected to (so wrong not yourselves therein), "In all (twelve) months. Allah then chose four out of these months and made them sacred, emphasizing their sanctity, making sinning in them greater, in addition to, multiplying rewards of righteous deeds during them.'' Other scholar said about Allah's statement, (so wrong not yourselves therein), "Injustice during the Sacred Months is worse and graver than injustice in other months. Verily, injustice is always wrong, but Allah makes things graver than others as He will.'' He also said, "Allah has chosen some of His creation above others. He chose Messengers from angels and from men. He also chose His Speech above all speech, the Masajid above other areas of the earth, Ramadan and the Sacred Months above all months, Friday above the other days and Laylatul-Qadr (The Night of Decree) above all nights. Therefore, sanctify what Allah has sanctified, for doing so is the practice of people of understanding and comprehension. As Allah said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُحِلُّوا شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ وَلَا الشَّهْرَ الْحَرَام"”

“O you who believe! Violate not the sanctity of the symbols of Allah, nor of the Sacred Month,…” (Al-Maida:2).  Meaning, you are required to respect and honor the Sacred Month and to refrain from what Allah forbade during it, such as fighting.

Innovation in month of Rajab

Innovation in religion is among the most dangerous matters that goes against the Quran and Sunnah. The prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) did not die until the religion was perfected. Allah says: “…This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…” (Al-Maida:3). And the prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours which is not a part of it, will have it rejected.” (Muslim).

During the month of Rajab, which is one of the sacred months, some Muslims make some wrong practices through which they intend to come closer to Allah Almighty and gain His forgiveness, love and pleasure. But they seek that through acts of worship which He did not permit nor legislate. Many practices were introduced during this month of Rajab which are not from religion. Such as:

-Umrah: people single out this month to perform Umrah which has no evidence from the Sunnah. Only month that the Umrah would have reward is the month of Ramadan because the prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Umrah during Ramadan equals performing Hajj with me" (Al-Bukhari).

-Araghaa’ib prayer: there is no authentic report from the Sunnah that talk about any special prayer during this month and all narration are fabricated

-fasting: fasting the month of Rajab is like any other month. The scholars said that there is no authentic hadith that says that fasting in this month has special virtue.

-Celebrating the night of Mi’raj:  there is no authentic report about when the Mi’raj took place exactly. Singling out this night to perform extra acts of worship such as night prayer or fasting during the day, or rejoicing and celebrating has no basis in Islam.

A Muslim should perform the act of worship according to the teaching of the prophet (Peace be upon him) and avoid those act that are innovated and not prescribed in His Sunnah.

O Allah, show us the truth as truth and guide us   to follow it and Show us the false as false and guide us to avoid it.

Love in Islam Versus Valentine's day

In recent time, the celebration of Valentine has become very widespread among Muslim. It is festival where people especially woman dress in red and exchange roses, flowers and gifts. What is the ruling concerning this celebration from Islamic view? what is the historical background of valentine's day? Does Islam deprive us from love?

Origin of Celebration

The Romans had a festival named Lupercalia and they used to celebrate it on the 15th February every year. On that day they offered sacrifices to their supposed god named "Lurks" in order to protect their cattle and the like from being killed by wolves. They celebrated this festival during the spring holidays according to their calculations.

During the thirteenth century the day of this festival was changed to February 14th. There was an incident that led to this change. In the thirteenth century a Roman Emperor Claudius II, forbade his soldiers to marry because marriage would involve them in family life and cause them to lose interest in fighting.

A catholic priest named Valentine revolted against this emperor's order and performed weddings for the soldiers secretly. After a while his disobedience was discovered and he was imprisoned. While in prison he fell in love with the jailer's daughter. On February 14th he was executed. After his death people believed that he had sacrificed himself for the sake of Christianity and to save lovers. Subsequently the church elevated him to Sainthood and February 14th came to be observed as Saint Valentine's Day.

Celebrating days and festival is part of religion. Allah Almighty says: "For every religion We have appointed rites which they perform" (Al-Maida:48).

Imitating non-believers in their celebration is prohibited as the prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

   "Whoever imitates a people is one of them." [Abu Dawood]

Love in Islam

Islam is religion of love, mercy and piety. Islam encourages us to express our love and emotion at all time and not only on one occasion. The prophet (Peace be upon him) said: 

      "If a man loves his brother, let him tell him that he loves                                     him."  [Abu Dawood]

and He (Pbuh) said: 

By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you truly believe, and you will not truly believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you of something that, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam (Islamic greeting) amongst yourselves." [Muslim]

the Prophet (Peace be upon him) recommended us to exchange gift because it generate and increase love. It is reported that He (Pbuh) said:

"Give each other gifts and you will love each other."

 [Al-Bukhari]

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen, on his fatwa regarding celebrating the Valentine's day, said:

Celebrating Valentine’s Day is not permissible for a number of reasons.  

1-     It is an innovated festival for which there is no basis in Islam.

2-     It promotes love and infatuation.

3-     It calls for hearts to be preoccupied with foolish matters that are contrary to the way of the righteous salaf (may Allaah be pleased with them). 

It is not permissible on this day to do any of the things that are characteristic of this festival, whether that has to do with food, drinks, clothing, exchanging gifts or anything else. 

The Muslim should be proud of his religion and should not be a weak character who follows every Tom, Dick and Harry. 

I ask Allaah to protect the Muslims from all temptations, visible and invisible, and to protect us and guide us. 

End quote from Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (16/199) 

The Evil of lying

Lying is one of the major elements of corruption in human society, and the cause of the destruction of social structure and ties, lying are an immoral and a bad conduct, and it causes a lot of harm in the society. Hence Islam commanded us to speak the truth and stay away from making false statement. 

Allah says: “O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in word and deeds).” (Al-Tawbah: 119). Allah warned about telling lies in many verses “And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it]." (Al-Baqara:42). And also Allah said “…Indeed, Allah does not guide one who is a transgressor and a liar” (Ghafir:28).

From the Sunnah, Abd-Allah ibn Mas’ood (RA) said: “The Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said: ‘You must be truthful, for truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man will keep speaking the truth and striving to speak the truth until he will be recorded with Allah as a siddeeq (speaker of the truth). Beware of telling lies, for lying leads to immorality and immorality leads to Hellfire. A man will keep telling lies and striving to tell lies until he is recorded with Allaah as a liar.” (Muslim,book 32, Had. 6309). In another hadith the prophet (Pbuh)  gave strict warning about people who lie, It was narrated from Abu Dharr (RA) that the Prophet (Pbuh) said: “There are three to whom Allah will not speak on the Day of Resurrection and He will not look at them or praise them, and they will have a painful torment.” The Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) repeated this three times. Abu Dharr said: “May they are doomed and lost, who are they, O Messenger of Allah are?” He said, “The one who lets his garment hang below his ankles, the one who reminds others of his favors, and the one who disposes of his goods by swearing a false oath.”(Abi Dawud, book33, Had.4076). Lying is a major sin. When a person lies, he has to come up with a lot of made up stories to convince others, to cheat and deceive, and to gain worldly favor.

In  the Story of Yusuf alayhi salam, his brothers tried all these motives to convince their fathers that Yusuf is dead so that they gain his love toward them but they did not know the consequences. First, they came crying which shows that crying is not an evidence for truth. They started making up the story by saying: “We went racing with one another”.  Next, they added “and left Yusuf by our belongings” then they used the same statement that the father said before he sent him with them “and a wolf devoured him” and they came with proof to help them to deceive their father “And they brought his shirt stained with false blood”.

Not only the brothers of Yusuf made a lie in the story, the wife of Al-Aziz also lied about him when she tried to seduce him and her husband came. She made false accusation against Yusuf by saying:"What is the recompense of one who intended evil for your wife but that he be imprisoned or a painful punishment?" (Yusuf:25). And the end of the story, Yusuf brothers again accused Him that he was thief while they were unaware of his identity “They said, "If he steals - a brother of his has stolen before." But Yusuf  Alayhi Salam kept it within himself and did not reveal it to them.” (Yusuf:77).    

There is a situation where person can lie and that is also explained by the prophet (Pbuh), He said: “It is not permissible to tell lies except in three cases: when a man speaks to his wife in a way to please her; lying in war; and lying in order to reconcile between people.” (At-Tirmidi, Vol.4, book1, Had.1939).

Hadith of Jibril: Pillars of Islam

Among the hadith that should be learned by every Muslim is the hadith of Jibril that is known by the scholars of Islam as the mother of the Sunnah because of its importance as it explains the entire religion as it was told by the Prophet (Peace be upon him)  “That was Jibril, who came to teach you your religion.” This hadeeth explains Islam, Iman, Ihsan, Hour and its signs. This incident took place close to prophet's death and Jibril (Alayhi salam) came to summarize to the companions of prophet (Pbuh) the mission and message of Islam.

Hadeeth of Jibril was narrated by Omar Ibn Khattab (RA) who said: “One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), there came before us a man with extremely white clothing and extremely black hair. There were no signs of travel on him and none of us knew him”. In this part of Hadeeth, Sheikh Al-Uthaymeen, said that we should learn from this hadith the good character of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) being in the company of His companions (RA) . It is appropriate for a Muslim to mix with people and not to be separated from the group.  Another point from the Hadith is the appearance of Jibril in form of man with good looking which show that it is important for the person who is seeking the knowledge of religion to be clean and have good appearance. 

The narrator went on to say “He approached and sat down by the Prophet resting his knees to his and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs.” We learn from this part of HAdith that the seeker of knowledge should act with the teacher to be humble and close enough to listen and understand from the teacher. 

Then Jibril starts asking the Prophet (Pbuh) “O Muhammad! Inform me about Islam." The Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) replied: "Islam is that you should testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger (ﷺ), that you should perform prayer, pay the zakah, fast during Ramadan, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka`bah at Makkah).” 

The response of the Prophet (Pbuh) clarifies that Islam is built upon five pillars:

  1-Shahada: To testifying that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

     ⁂The declaration that Allah alone deserves to be worshiped and affirmed that He has no partner, no rival, no son; He is the creator of everything. Shahada is key to paradise as the prophet (Pbuh) said: "Whoever dies knowing that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah shallenter Paradise". But, there are conditions that must be met in order for a Muslim to be in paradise:

                    

     * Knowledge of Allah: Allah says: "So know, [O Muhammad], that there is no deity except Allah...." (Mohammed:19).                

    *Certainty: one should have no doubt about the shahada. Allah says: "The believers are only the ones who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful." (Al-Hujurat:15).             

    *Submission: one should submit to the will and command of Allah. Allah says: "And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped."(Az-Zumar:54).

     The second part of Shahada is to bear witness that the Muhammad (Peace be upon him)

    is the messenger of Allah.One must believe that is obligatory to follow His commands and prohibitions. Allah says: “And whatever the Messenger has given you – take it and what he has forbidden you - refrain from. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.” (Al-Hashr: 7).

     

 2-Establishing prayer by performing it on its time and with perfection as it was taught by the Prophet (Peace be upon him), He said to his companion: "pray as you see me praying". The Salah is very important because the prophet (Pbuh) said: "The first matter that the slave of Allah will be called to account about on the Day of Judgement is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad.” The main purpose of Salah is to remember Allah. Allah says:"... and establish prayer for My remembrance." (Taha:14). it also keeps one away from evil deeds as Allah says: "...Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing,..." (Al-Ankabut: 45). Prayer must be done with khushu'a (Humbleness). Allah Almighty says: "Certainly will the believers have succeeded, they who are during their prayer humbly submissive" (Al-Mu'minun:1-2).

     

3   3-Giving zakat is obligatory upon the one who has wealth that reaches the nissab.  Allah says: “Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase…”(At-Tawba:103). Zakah is as important as salah. In Quran, Allah enjoined zakah and prayer in many verses: "The believers, men and women, are helpers and supporters of one another, they enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil, they offer their prayers perfectly, they give the zakat and they obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will bestow His mercy on them. Surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” (Al-Taubah:71). Zakat has an important role in the Muslim community because it helps those who are in need and strengthens the ties of brotherhood and sisterhood. It also removes stinginess and it shows that the believers know that all that they have come from Allah Almighty and they will not suffer if they give wealth for His sake but they will be rewarded as Allah says: "The likeness of those who spend in the way of Allah is like a seed of grain, which grows seven spikes, in each spike is a hundred grains, and Allah multiples His reward for whom He wills. And Allah is All Encompassing, All Knowing.” (Al-Baqarah: 261).

   4 -Fasting the month of Ramadan is obligatory and it is refraining from food, drink and desires. Allah says: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.”(Al-Baqara: 183). 

     The fasting is very important as it will come on day of judgement as an intercessor. The prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "The fast and the Qur’an shall come as intercessors on the Day of Resurrection. The fast shall say, ’O Lord, I prevented him from his food and drink during the day, so let me intercede for him’. The Qur’an will say, ‘I kept him from sleep during the night, so let me intercede for him.’ Then they will be allowed to intercede.”

The one who fasts the month of Ramadan with sincerity, having faith in Allah and seeking the reward, Allah will forgive his previous sins. the The prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan with faith and hoping for its reward shall have all of his previous sins forgiven for him.” 

5- Performing Hajj is duty that should be made by every Muslim who has ability to do so. Allah says: “And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find there to a way.” (Al-Imran: 97). The hajj has great reward as the prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "“And the Hajj that is accepted by Allah and performed properly has no reward other than Paradise.” 

The one who performs hajj sincerely to Allah abandons all worldly material and submit himself only to Allah to please Him and seeks His forgiveness and the great reward. Hajj is time of unity between Muslim and it is way to develop patient.