How to Develope Imaan (Faith)

IMAAN means complete belief of one Allah(God) and His messenger Hazrat Muhammad(SAW).

What Happens in the Grave?

The Hadeeth of al-Baraa bin Aazib


The Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam gives us the answer!

Upon the authority of al-Bara' ibn `Aazib who said: We went out with the the Prophet (SAWS) to a burial of a man from the Ansar (original inhabitants of Madina) until we arrived at the grave, and he still had not been placed in the slot of the grave.

Then the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) sat down and we sat around him. You would have thought that birds were upon our heads from our silence, and in the hand of the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) was a stick which he was poking the ground with. [Then he started looking at the sky and looking at the earth and looking up down three times]. Then he said to us: "Ask Allah for refuge from the torment of the grave", he repeated this command two or three times. [Then he said O Allah I seek refuge in you from the torment of the grave] [three times]. Then he said: "Verily, the believing servant, when leaving this life and journeying to the hereafter angels will descend upon him, their faces will be white as if they were suns, they will have with them a shroud (kafan) from the shroud of Paradise), and an embalmment (HanouT) from the embalmments of heaven. Then, they will sit within eye-shot of him.

Then the angel of death (peace be upon him) will come and sit at his head and will say "O you virtuous soul; come out to a forgiveness and a pleasure from your Lord ". So it will come out as a drop comes out of the mouth of a jug (with ease), then he will take it, not leaving it in his hand for longer that a blink of an eye until they (he and the other angels) have placed it in that shroud and that embalmment. And there will emanate from it a smell like that of the most sweet smelling musk on the face of the earth. Then they shall ascend with it, and they shall not pass with it by any group of angels but they will say: What is this good and sweet-smelling soul?. Then they shall say to them (he is) "such" the son of "such" choosing the best of the names he used to be called in this life. Until they reach the lowest sky, then they shall ask permission to enter, and they shall be granted entry, until they end at the seventh heaven sky, then Allah, exalted and high, shall say: "write the book of my servant in `illiyeen (1) [And what will explain to you what Illiyeen is `illiyeen, there is a register fully inscribed to which bear witness those nearest to Allah (see 83:18)], and his book will be written in `illiyeen, and the shall be said "return him to the earth, for [I promised them] I have created them from it, and into it I shall return them, and from it I shall extract (resurrect) them a second time (20:55)". So [he is returned to earth and] his soul is returned to his body [he said and he will hear the footsteps of his friends who buried him when they leave him].

Then two [severe] angels shall come and [terrify him and] sit him up next to them and shall ask him: "Who is your Lord?". He shall reply "My Lord is Allah". Then they shall ask him: "What is your religion?". He shall answer them: "My religion is Islam". Then they shall ask him "Who is this man who was sent among you?". He will reply "He is the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) peace be upon him". Then they shall ask him "What have you done?". He shall reply: "I read the book of Allah, then I believed in it and accepted it". [The angel will terrify him and ask him "who is your Lord?", "what is your religion?" "who is your prophet?", and this will be the last trial on earth for the believer, it is then when Allah says : "Allah will establish in strength those who believe with the word that stands firm in this world", so he will answer my Lord is Allah, my religion is Islam and my Prophet is Mohammad salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam. Then a caller will call from the sky: "My slave has spoken the truth, so spread out for him from the heaven, and clothe him from the heaven, and open a door for him from the heaven (within his grave)", so it's goodness and its smell will come unto him, then his grave will be expanded for him as far as he can see.

Then a man will come to him. His face will be handsome, and his clothes will be handsome, and his smell will be sweet. Then he shall say unto him: I bring you glade tidings of that which will make you happy [Rejoice with a pleasure of Allah and delights that endure]. This is the day that you were promised (46:16). Then he will say [and may Allah give you glad tiding] "who are you?, for your face is the face of someone who comes with good news". He shall reply: "I am your good deeds, [by Allah, I did not know of you but that you were quick to the obedience of Allah and slow to His disobedience, so may Allah reward you good]". Then he shall say: "My Lord bring the hour so that I might return to my family and my wealth" [it will be said to him "be tranquil"].

He (Mohammed, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: { And the disbelieving [transgressor/wicked] servant}, if he is leaving this life and journeying to the hereafter then angels will descend upon him, their faces will be black, they have with them a coarse woolen fabric (sackcloth)[ made of fire]. Then they will sit within eye-shot of him. Then the angel of death will come and sit at his head and will say "O you wicked soul; come out to a anger from your Lord and a fury (from Him)". So it will be distributed (spread out) throughout his body, then it will be ripped away as a skewer/spit is ripped out of damp cotton [and in its way out it will tear and cut the nerves and blood vessels] [and then he will be cursed by all the angels between the earth and the sky and by all the angels in the sky, and the gates of heaven are closed. There is no gate in the heaven but its people supplicate that the wicked soul shall not be ascended to their side], then he will take it (the soul), not leaving it in his hand for longer than a blink of an eye until they have placed it in that sackcloth. And there will emanate from it a stench like that of the most evil smelling corpse on the face of the earth. Then they shall ascend with it, and they shall not pass with it by a group of angels but they will say: What is this wicked soul?. Then they shall say to them (he is) "such" the son of "such" choosing the most hated of the names he used to be called in this life. Until they reach the lowest heaven (sky), then they shall ask permission to enter, and they shall not be granted entry. Then the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) recited "The doors of the sky are not opened to them, nor shall they enter heaven until the camel passes through the eye of the needle" (7:40).

Then Allah, exalted and high, shall say: "write the book of my servant in Sijjeen (2)(83:7) in the lowest earth". [Then will be said "return my slave to the earth, for I promised them I have created them from it, and into it I shall return them, and from it I shall extract (resurrect) them a second time (20:55)"]. Then his soul shall be taken away [from the sky] with a mighty hurl [until it is cast into his body]. Then he (the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) read: "and those who associate partners with Allah, They are as one who falls from the sky then is snatched by the birds or is cast by the wind into a very low place (22:31)". Then his soul will be returned into his body, [he (the prophet) said : verily he will hear the footsteps of his friends who buried him when they leave him]. Then two harsh severe and fearsome angels shall come and [terrify him and] sit him up and shall ask him: "Who is your Lord?". He shall reply "Huh?, Huh (this is an expression of sorrow), I don't know". Then they shall ask him: "What is your religion?". He shall answer them: "Huh?, Huh?, I don't know". Then they shall ask him "Who is this man who was sent among you?". He will reply "Huh?, Huh?, I don't know [I heard people saying that!]". He (the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said "And then will be said to him don't ever know and don't ever recite!"].

Then a caller will call from the sky: "My slave has spoken falsely, so spread out for him from the hell fire, and open a door for him from the hell fire (within his grave)", so its heat and hot wind will come unto him, then his grave will be contracted upon him until his limbs are caught up among one another. Then a man will come to him. His face will be ugly, and his clothes will be ugly, and his smell will be vile. Then he shall say unto him: I bring you tidings of that which will harm you. This is the day that you were promised (70:44). Then he will say [and you, may Allah give you bad tiding] "who are you?, for your face is the face of someone who comes with evil". He shall reply: "I am your evil deeds [by Allah, I did not know of you but that you were quick to the disobedience of Allah and slow to His obedience, so may Allah reward you bad, and then will be assigned to him a blind, deaf and mute person who holds in his hand a hammer, if a mountain is hit with it, it would disintegrate, and he will beat him with it until he becomes dust, and then Allah will render him to his initial form, and he will beat him again, and he (the wicked) will cry of sorrow and pain a cry that will be heard by all creatures except humans and jinn, and a door of hell will be opened unto him within his grave and will spread out for him sheets of hell fire]". Then he shall say: "My Lord do not bring the hour".

This hadith is narrated by Ahmad Ibn Hambal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim. This text is the text of Ahmad, all text between brackets is from the other narrators and other narrations of Ahmad.

Notes
(1) `illiyin: comes from the root word of `uluww which means highness. It is a place in the (highest) seventh sky where the souls of the believers are gathered (Ibn `Abbas), it also carries the meaning of a very high and wide place (Ibn Kathir).

(2) Sijjin: comes from the root word of sijn which means narrowness. It is a place in the (lowest) seventh earth where the souls of the unbelievers are gathered (Ibn `Abbas), it also carries the meaning of a very low and narrow (Ibn Kathir).

Reading the previous hadith one may think that the punishment of the grave is reserved only for those who did not believe in Allah or associated with him someone else in worship, lordship, creation or in his names and attributes. It is not the case! the following authentic hadith tells us more! so let us read it carefully : Ibn Abbas (Radiya Allahu `anhuma) says that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, once, while passing by two graves, remarked : The inmates of these two graves are being tortured not for any serious sins, but in fact they are serious sins. One of them used to carry tales [gossiping] (nameemah) and the other used not to yastatir (1) when urinating. [Bukhari and Muslim]

(1) yastatir means both not covering or hiding himself from the sights of others as well as not cleaning himself after urinating.



There are many religions. Why do Muslims think that Islam is true. Is there any factual basis?
This is a reasonable enough question for one who has not entered Islam, but one who believes in and practices this religion already knows the blessings which are his because of this religion. There are many reasons for this, which include the following:

(1) The Muslim worships One God, Who has no partner, and Who has the most beautiful names and the highest attributes. Thus the Muslim’s focus and aim is concentrated, focused on His Lord and Creator; he puts his trust in Him and asks Him for help, patience and support; he believes that Allaah is able to do all things, and has no need of a wife or son. Allaah created the heavens and earth; He is the One Who gives life and death; He is the Creator and Sustainer from Whom the slave seeks provision. He is the All-Hearing Who responds to the supplication of His slave, and from Whom the slave hopes for a response. He is the All-Merciful and All-Forgiving, to Whom the slave turns in repentance when he has committed a sin or fallen short in his worship of Allaah. He is the Omniscient and All-Seeing, who knows all intentions and what is hidden in people’s hearts. The slave feels ashamed to commit a sin by doing wrong to himself or to others, because his Lord is watching over him and sees all that he does. He knows that Allaah is All-Wise, the Seer of the Unseen, so he trusts that what Allaah decrees for him is good; he knows that Allaah will never be unjust to him, and that everything that Allaah decrees for him is good, even if he does not understand the wisdom behind it.

(2) The effects of Islaamic worship on the soul of the Muslim include the following:
Prayer keeps the slave in contact with his Lord; if he enters it in a spirit of humiliation and concentration, he will feel tranquil and secure, because he is seeking a "powerful support," which is Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted. For this reason, the Prophet of Islaam, Muhammad (PBUH) (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say: "Let us find relaxation and joy in prayer." If something distressed him, he would hasten to pray. Everyone who finds himself faced with disaster and tries prayer finds strength, patience and consolation, because he is reciting the words of his Lord, which cannot be compared to the effect of the words of a created being. If the words of some psychologists can offer a little comfort, what do you think of the words of the One Who created the psychologist?

Now let us look at zakaat, which is one of the pillars of Islaam. Zakaat purifies the soul from stinginess and miserliness, and accustoms people to being generous and helping the poor and needy. It will bring a great reward on the Day of Resurrection, just like other forms of worship. It is not burdensome, like man-made taxes; it is only 25 in every thousand, which the sincere Muslim pays willingly and does not try to evade or wait until someone chases him for it.

Fasting involves refraining from food and sex. It is a form of worship, and a way in which one can feel the hunger of those who are deprived. It is also a reminder of the blessings of the Creator, and it brings rewards beyond measure.

Hajj is the Pilgrimage to the sacred House of Allaah, which was built by Ibraaheem (Abraham, upon whom be peace). By performing Hajj one is obeying the command of Allaah and the call to come and meet Muslims from all over the world.

(3) Islaam commands all kinds of good and forbids all kinds of evil. It encourages good manners and proper treatment of others. It enjoins good characteristics such as truthfulness, patience, deliberation, kindness, humility, modesty, keeping promises, dignity, mercy, justice, courage, patience, friendliness, contentment, chastity, good treatment, tolerance, trustworthiness, gratitude for favours, and self-control in times of anger. Islaam commands the Muslim to fulfil his duty towards his parents and to uphold family ties, to help the needy, to treat neighbours well, to protect and safeguard the wealth of the orphan, to be gentle with the young and show respect to the old, to be kind to servants and animals, to remove harmful things from the road, to speak kind words, to forgive at the time when one has the opportunity to take revenge, to be sincere towards one’s fellow-Muslims, to meet the needs of the Muslims, to give the debtor time to repay his debt, to prefer others over oneself, to console others, to greet people with a smiling face, to visit the sick, to support the one who is oppressed, to give gifts to friends, to honour his guest, to treat his wife kindly and spend on her and her children, to spread the greeting of peace (salaam) and to seek permission before entering another person’s house, lest one see something private that the other person does not want one to see.

Some non-Muslims may do these things out of politeness or good manners, but they are not seeking reward from Allaah or salvation of the Day of Judgement.

If we look at what Islam has prohibited, we will find that it is in the interests of both the individual and society as a whole. All these prohibitions serve to safeguard the relationship between the slave and his Lord, and the relationship of the individual with himself and with his fellow-man. The following examples demonstrate this:

Islam forbids the association of anything in worship with Allaah and the worship of anything other than Allaah, because this spells doom and misery. Islaam also forbids visiting or believing soothsayers and fortune-tellers; magic or witchcraft that may cause a rift between two people or bring them together; belief in the influence of the stars on events and people’s lives; cursing time, because Allaah is directing its affairs; and superstition, because this is pessimism.

Islam forbids cancelling out good deeds by showing off, boasting or reminding others of one’s favours; bowing or prostrating to anything other than Allaah; sitting with hypocrites or immoral people for the purposes of enjoying their company or keeping them company; and invoking the curse or wrath of Allaah on one another or damning one another to Hell.

Islam forbids urinating into stagnant water; defecating on the side of the road or in places where people seek shade or where they draw water; from facing the qiblah (direction of prayer) or turning one’s back towards it when passing water or stools; holding one’s penis in one’s right hand when passing water; giving the greeting of salaam (peace) to one who is answering the call of nature; and putting one’s hand into any vessel before washing it, when one has just woken up.

Islaam forbids the offering of any nafl (supererogatory) prayers when the sun is rising, when it is at its zenith, and when it is setting, because it rises and sets between the horns of Shaytaan (Satan); praying when there is food prepared that a person desires; praying when one urgently needs to pass water, stools or wind, because that will distract a person from concentrating properly on his prayer.

Islam forbids the Muslim to raise his voice in prayer, lest it disturb other believers; to continue offering supererogatory prayers at night when one feels drowsy - such a person should sleep then get up; to stay up all night in prayer, especially one night after another; and to stop praying when there is doubt as to the validity of one’s wudoo’ - unless one hears a sound or smells an odour.

Islam forbids buying, selling and making "lost and found" announcements in the mosque - because it is the place of worship and remembrance of Allaah, where worldly affairs have no place.

Islam forbids haste in walking when the iqaamah (call immediately preceding congregational prayer) is given, and prescribes walking in a calm and dignified manner. It is also forbidden to boast about the cost of building a mosque; to decorate a mosque with red or yellow paint or adornments which will distract the worshippers; to fast day after day without a break; and for a woman to observe a supererogatory fast when her husband is present without his permission.

Islam forbids building over graves, making them high, sitting on them, walking between them wearing shoes, putting lights over them or writing on them. It is forbidden to disinter the dead or to take graves as places of worship. Islam forbids wailing, tearing one’s clothes or leaving one’s hair unkempt when a person dies. Eulogizing the dead in the manner of the times of Ignorance (Jaahiliyyah) is also forbidden, although there is nothing wrong with informing others that a person has died.

Islaam forbids the consumption of riba (interest); all kinds of selling which involve ignorance (of the product), misleading and cheating; selling blood, wine, pork, idols and everything that Allaah has forbidden - their price, whether bought or sold - is haraam; najash, which is offering a price for something one has no intention of buying, as happens in many auctions; concealing a product’s faults at the time of selling; selling something which one does not own or before it comes into one’s possession; undercutting, outbidding or out bargaining another; selling produce before it is clear that it is in good condition and free of blemish; cheating in weights and measures; and hoarding. A partner who has shares in a plot of land or a date palm tree is forbidden to sell his share without consulting his partners. It is forbidden to consume the wealth of orphans unjustly; to bet or gamble; to take anything by force; to accept or offer bribes; to steal people’s wealth or to consume it unjustly; to take something for the purpose of destroying it; to undermine the value of people’s possessions; to keep lost property which one has found, or to keep quiet about it and not announce it, for it belongs to the one who recognizes it; to cheat in any way; to ask for a loan with no intention of repaying it; to take anything of the wealth of a fellow-Muslim, unless it is given freely, because what is taken because of another person’s shyness is haraam; and to accept a gift because of intercession.

Celibacy and castration are forbidden, as is marrying two sisters, or a woman and her aunt (paternal or maternal), whether he marries the aunt after marrying her niece or vice versa, for fear of breaking the ties of kinship. It is forbidden to make deals in marriage, such as saying "Let me marry your daughter and I will give you my daughter or sister in marriage." Such reciprocal deals are a form of oppression and injustice, and haraam. Islaam forbids mut’ah (temporary marriage), which is a marriage contract for a period of time agreed by the two parties, at the end of which the marriage expires. Islaam forbids intercourse with a menstruating woman, until she has purified herself (by taking a bath after her period ends), and also forbids anal intercourse. A man is forbidden to propose marriage to a woman when another man has already proposed to her, unless the other man withdraws his proposal or gives him permission. It is forbidden to marry a previously-married woman without consulting her, or a virgin without seeking her permission. It is forbidden to wish (a newly married couple) "Bi’l-rafaa’ wa’l-baneen (a joyful life and many sons)," because this is the greeting of the people of Jaahiliyyah, who hated daughters. The divorced woman is forbidden to conceal what Allaah has created in her womb (if she is pregnant). A husband and wife are forbidden to speak (to others) about the intimacies of married life. It is forbidden to turn a woman against her husband or to take divorce lightly. It is forbidden for a woman to ask for another’s divorce, such as asking a man to divorce a woman so that she can marry him. A wife is forbidden to spend her husband’s money without his permission, or to keep away from his bed without good reason, because the angels will curse her if she does that. A man is forbidden to marry his father’s wife, or to have intercourse with a woman who is pregnant from another man. It is forbidden for a man to practise ‘azl (coitus interruptus) with his free wife without her permission. It is forbidden for a man to return home from a journey late at night and startle his family, unless he has previously notified them when he will arrive home. A man is forbidden to take anything of his wife’s mahr (dowry) without her consent, or to keep annoying his wife so that she will give up her wealth.

Islam forbids women to make a wanton display of themselves (tabarruj). It also forbids extreme forms of female circumcision. Women are forbidden to admit anyone into their husband’s home without his permission; his general permission is acceptable so long as they stay within the limits of sharee’ah. It is forbidden to separate a mother and child (in case of divorce); to let one’s womenfolk behave foolishly (in an immoral fashion) and not say anything; to let one’s gaze wander everywhere; and to follow an accidental glance with an intentional glance.

Islaam forbids the eating of dead meat, regardless of whether it died by drowning, strangulation, shock or falling from a high place; eating blood, pork and anything slaughtered in a name other than that of Allaah or for idols; eating the flesh or drinking the milk of beasts that feed on filth and waste matter; eating the flesh of every carnivorous beast that has fangs and every bird that has talons; eating the meat of domesticated donkeys; killing animals by keeping them and throwing stones at them until they die, or detaining them without food until they die; slaughtering with teeth or nails; slaughtering one animal (for food) in front of another; or sharpening the knife in front of the animal to be slaughtered.

In the area of clothing and adornment, men are forbidden the extravagance of wearing gold. Muslim are forbidden to be naked or to expose their thighs; to leave their clothes long (below the ankles) and trail them on the ground for the purpose of showing off; and to wear clothes that will attract attention.

It is forbidden to bear false witness; to make false accusations against a chaste believing woman; to accuse someone who is innocent; to utter lies; to slander and backbite; to call people by offensive nicknames; to spread gossip and malicious slander; to make fun of the Muslims; to boast about one’s status; to shed doubts on a person’s lineage; to utter slander, insults and obscenities; to speak in an indecent or rude manner; or to utter evil in public, except by one who has been wronged.

Islaam forbids telling lies; one of the worst kinds of lie is to lie about dreams, like fabricating dreams and visions in order to prove one’s virtue, or make some material gains, or to frighten an enemy.

Muslims are forbidden to praise themselves, or to talk in a secret way: two may not converse secretly to the exclusion of a third, because this is offensive. It is forbidden to curse a believer or someone who does not deserve to be cursed.

Islaam forbids speaking ill of the dead; praying for death; wishing for death because of some suffering that one is passing through; praying against one’s self, one’s children, one’s servants or one’s wealth.

Muslims are told not to eat the food that is directly in front of others or to eat from the centre of the dish or platter; rather they should eat from what is directly in front of them or thereabouts, because the barakah (blessing) comes in the middle of the food. It is forbidden to drink from a broken edge of a vessel, because this could cause harm; or to drink from the mouth of a vessel; or to breathe into it. It is forbidden to eat while lying on one’s stomach; to sit at a table where wine is being drunk; to leave a fire burning in one’s house when one sleeps; to sleep with Ghamr in one’s hand, like an offensive smell or the remainder of food (grease); to sleep on one’s stomach; or to talk about or try to interpret bad dreams, because these are tricks of the Shaytaan.

It is forbidden to kill another person except in cases where it is right to do so; to kill one’s children for fear of poverty; to commit suicide; to commit fornication, adultery or sodomy (homosexuality); to drink wine, or even to prepare it, carry it from one place to another, or sell it. Muslims are forbidden to please people by angering Allaah; to offend their parents or even to say "Uff" (the slightest word of contempt) to them; to claim that a child belongs to anyone but his real father; to torture by means of fire; to burn anyone, alive or dead, with fire; to mutilate the bodies of the slain; to help anyone commit falsehood; or to cooperate in wrongdoing and sin.

It is forbidden to obey any person by disobeying Allaah; to swear falsely; to swear a disastrous oath; to eavesdrop on people without their permission; to invade people’s privacy or look at their private parts; to claim something that does not belong to one or that one did not do, for the purpose of showing off; to look into someone’s else’s house without permission; to be extravagant; to swear an oath to do something wrong; to spy on others or be suspicious about righteous men and women; to envy, hate or shun one another; to persist in falsehood; to be arrogant or feel superior; to be filled with self-admiration; to be pleased with one’s arrogance. Islam forbids taking back one’s charity, even if one pays to get it back; employing someone to do a job without paying him his wages; being unfair in giving gifts to one’s children; bequeathing everything in one’s will and leaving one’s heirs poor - in such a case the will should not be executed; writing a will that concerns more than one third of one’s legacy; being a bad neighbour; or changing a will to the detriment of one or some of one’s heirs. A Muslim is forbidden to forsake or shun his brother for more than three days, except for a reason sanctioned by sharee’ah; to hold small stones between two fingers and throw them because this could cause injury to eyes or teeth; to include his heirs in a will, because Allaah has already given heirs their rights of inheritance; to disturb his neighbour; to point a weapon at his Muslim brother; to hand someone an unsheathed sword, lest it harm him; to come (walk) between two people except with their permission; to return a gift, unless there is some shar’i objection to it; to be extravagant; to give money to foolish people; to wish to be like someone to whom Allaah has given more of something; to cancel out his charity by giving offensive reminders of his giving; to wilfully conceal testimony; or to oppress orphans or scold one who asks for help or money. It is forbidden to treat with evil medicines, because Allaah would not create a cure for this ummah which includes something that He has forbidden. It is forbidden to kill women and children in warfare; to boast to one another; or to break promises.

Islam forbids betraying a trust; asking for charity that one does not need; alarming a Muslim brother or taking away his possessions, whether jokingly or seriously; changing one’s mind after giving a gift, except in the case of a gift from a father to his child; practising medicine without experience; or killing ants, bees and hoopoe birds. A man is forbidden to look at the ‘awrah (private parts) of another man, and a woman is forbidden to look at the ‘awrah of another woman. It is forbidden to sit between two people without their permission; or to greet only those whom one knows, because the greeting is to be given to those whom you know and those whom you do not know. A Muslim is forbidden to let an oath come between him and good deeds; he should do what is good and make expiation for the oath. It is forbidden to judge between two disputing parties when one is angry, or to judge in favour of one party without hearing what the other has to say. It is forbidden for a man to walk through the market-place carrying something - like a sharp weapon - that could harm the Muslims, unless it is properly covered. A Muslim is forbidden to make another person get up, so that he can take his place.

There are more commands and prohibitions which came for the benefit and happiness of individuals and mankind as a whole. Have you ever seen any other religion that can compare to this religion?

Read this response again, then ask yourself: is it not a great pity that I am not one of them? Allaah says in the Qur’aan (interpretation of the meaning): "And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85]


Pick Your Teeth!(Away from backbiting).

One of the greatest sins and yet it's something we do day after day.


Sometimes we don't even realise it. You're just chatting away with your friends and you begin to talk about somebody else. Our whole lives are based around 'Home and Away' and 'Neighbours', soaps based on lying, backbiting etc. But look at what the Prophet (SAWS) said about it:
The Prophet Salalahu Alayhi Wasallam was sitting with his companions
one day and one of them was speaking badly about someone who wasn't there. As the man got up to leave the Prophet (SAWS) said to him: "Pick Your Teeth!" "But I haven't eaten anything," the man protested. "No," the Prophet (SAWS) said "YOU HAVE EATEN THE FLESH OF YOUR DEAD BROTHER".
As Allah tells us in the Quran:"Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? No, you would hate it." (Al-Qur'an 49:12)

But What If It's True?!
The Prophet (SAWS) told us:"Backbiting is to say something about someone they wouldn't like said about them....If what bad you said about them is true, then you have backbited and if it is false then you have slandered them."(MUSLIM)

If you're still not convinced of how big a sin backbiting really is,
then look at the punishment Allah has in store for the backbiters.
The Prophet (SAWS) described:
"On the night of me'raaj I passed by some people who had metal hooks in their hands and were clawing at their faces and their necks with them. I asked Gabriel 'Who were these people?' He said 'These are the people who eat the flesh of human beings and disgrace them' (Abu Dawud).
This is how big a sin backbiting is looked upon and yet we continue to
backbite without a second thought. Next time you lie, talk about
somebody,remember Allah (swt) and the Prophet (SAWS) and put them in front of you before you speak.

Just having a Laugh!
Maybe we think it's all right to take the mick out of someone so long
as we say it to their face. We'll make fun of the way someone talks, walks,or how they look. Allah warns us against such behaviour:
"O you who believe. Let not some men laugh at others, it may be the
that they are better than you. Nor let some women laugh at others it may be that they are better than you. Nor abuse each other, nor be sarcastic to eachother by using offensive nicknames..."(Al-Qur'an 49:11)
Don't forget that Allah made us the way we are, so how can you even
think of making fun of his creation?

Cool to Swear?
Listen to yourself and to your friends speaking one day - nearly every
sentence will have a swear word in it, thinking it's cool and macho to
swear, copying the idols of TV and the cinema. Is it really 'cool' to
swear?
The Hellfire is far from being cool. People will wish they were cool
then rather than being cool in this world. Remember! That every time you speak, an angel writes down what you say, and that one day you will have to answer for every single word you ever uttered. So if you swear at someone then it's written down as a sin against you. You're only harming yourself.
The Prophet (SAWS) said that:"Abusing a Muslim is a sin and fighting with him is disbelief."(MUSLIM).

'But sometimes you just have to swear'!
We've all been there - you're just so angry with somebody and the only way you can express yourself, is to swear at them. The solution? ...
Don't get angry in the first place.
A man came to the Prophet (SAWS) one day and said
"Advise me". The prophet (SAWS) said "Don't become angry. Don't become angry. Don't become angry".... "When one of you gets angry while he is standing up, he should sit down. Then anger will leave him, and if not then he should lie down" (Ahmad)

So let us follow this beautiful advice of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhi
Wasallam and remember that anger is from Shaytaan. If someone angers
you or swears at you, then don't harm yourself by doing the same but respond in a better way as Allah says in the Qur'an:
"Repel evil with what is better. Then he who was your worst enemy will
become your best friend." (Al-Qur'an 41:33)

"It wasn't me. Honest."
How often do we say such a phrase or say that "I was only joking". We
treat lies as being trivial.
However we are told that:"Allah's messenger did not hate anything more than lying"(Ahmed).
The Prophet (SAWS) was once asked "Can a Muslim be a coward?" He (SAWS) replied "Yes." and then asked
"Can a Muslim be a miser?" and the reply was "Yes." The Prophet (SAWS) was then asked "Can a Muslim be a liar?" The Prophet (SAWS) replied "NO! A Muslim can never be a liar".Furthermore, he said "Truth leads to virtue and virtue leads to paradise...Lying leads to wickedness and wickedness leads to the hellfire." (Bukhari).
As we know that one lie leads to another ten lies which lead to bad
actions.
Remember you can lie and think that you have got away with it but on
the day of Judgement your hands, tongue and feet will bear testimony against you and tell the truth.

But it's only words!
One day one of the companions asked the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhi
Wasallam "O Messenger of Allah. Will we be called to account for what we say?" He replied "May you be lost to your mother - people will be thrown, faces down into the hellfire, only on account to what their tongues said."
(Tirmidhi).

Indeed the tongue controls the rest of your body. A well-controlled
tongue will keep us within Islam but a loose tongue will destroy us. The Prophet (SAWS) said:
"When a person gets up in the morning, all the parts of his body make a plea to his tongue saying; 'Fear Allah regarding us, because we follow you. If you are right then we shall also be right , and if you are wrong then we shall also be wrong." (Tirmidhi)

Instead of swearing, lying and engaging in useless talk we can use our
tongues in better ways and what better than telling people about Islam.
Allah says:
"Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah and works
righteousness and says I am one of those who bow down in Islam" (41:33)

Your tongue can save you as well!.Indeed if you control your tongue and speak good then paradise can be yours. The Prophet (SAWS) said:"Whoever can guarantee me two things I can guarantee them Paradise." The companions asked "What, O Messenger of Allah?" He replied "What is between his jaws (his tongue) and his legs (private parts)."(Bukhari)

"I've lied and backbited, sworn and made fun of others. I must be doomed I must be going to hell!"
NO!Allah (swt) tells us in the Quran:
"O my servants who have wronged themselves, never despair of the mercy of Allah for truly he forgives all sins. He is the Forgiving, the
Merciful."(39:53)

So if you really repent and turn back to Allah and promise not to
commit the sin again then truly Allah's promise is true and He will forgive you.

If you've backbitten someone - go and tell the person whom you backbited and apologise sincerely and ask them to forgive you. But if you think that the situation will get worse then turn back to Allah sincerely begging for his forgiveness then to make up for what you said, go around and talk good of him.

The Best Example
As we know that the best person to have ever lived is the Prophet
Muhammad (SAWS) and he is the best of example for mankind. If we follow him we can never go wrong. Ayesha RadiAllahu Ta'ala Anha the Prophet's wife described the Prophet's conduct as follows:"He was neither a obscene talker nor a user of bad words. He did not shout nor did he repay evil with evil. He used to forgive people and overlook their sins." (Tirmidhi)

Final Advice: A beautiful saying of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhi
Wasallam that will ensure the protection of our tongue.
The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said:
"Whoever believes in Allah and the Last day, LET HIM EITHER SPEAK GOOD OR KEEP SILENT"


Muslim (4831) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The one who calls to true guidance will have a reward like the rewards of those who follow him without that detracting from their rewards in the slightest, and the one who calls to misguidance will have a burden of sin like that of those who follow him, without that detracting from their burden of sin in the slightest.”

Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

The one who calls to true guidance will have a reward like that of those who follow him and the one who calls to misguidance will have a burden of sin like that of those who follow him, regardless of whether it is guidance or misguidance, and whether he is the one who started it or he was following someone else, whether it has to do with teaching knowledge or acts of worship or matters of etiquette or anything else. End quote.

Sharh al-Nawawi ‘ala Muslim, 16/227

We have previously discussed the ruling on celebrating innovated festivals in the answer to question no. 10070. See also the answers to questions no. 70317 and 125690.

And Allah knows best.



The way to unite the Muslims on the truth
Division, discord and disputes have overwhelmed the Muslim ummah. How can we unite the Muslims in following good and do away with division and disputes?.


Praise be to Allaah.

The way to unite the Muslims on the truth and do away with division and disputes is to adhere to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and to persist in that and to advise one another to do so, and to cooperate in righteousness and piety, and to refer all disputed matters to the Book of Allaah, may He be glorified, and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and to refer to them for judgement in all things, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم), if you believe in Allaah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination”

[al-Nisa’ 4:59]

“And in whatsoever you differ, the decision thereof is with Allaah (He is the ruling Judge)”

[al-Shoora 42:10].

“those of you (Muslims) who are in authority” are the scholars who have knowledge of the religion of Allaah and are known for good ‘aqeedah (belief) and conduct, and the Muslim rulers. If a dispute arises among them concerning any matter, it must be referred to Allaah and the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Referring to Allaah means referring to the Holy Qur’aan, and referring to the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) means referring to him during his lifetime and to his saheeh Sunnah after his death. What they or one of them rules is the ruling of Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted. What all Muslims, governments and people, scholars and rulers, must do is fear Allaah by obeying His commands and heeding His prohibitions, and referring to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in matters concerning which they dispute among themselves, in obedience to the two aayahs quoted above, and in accordance with the words of Allaah (interpretation of the meaning):

“But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission”

[al-Nisa’ 4:65]

“By Al‑‘Asr (the time).

2. Verily, man is in loss,

3. Except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth [i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al‑Ma‘roof) which Allaah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (Al‑Munkar) which Allaah has forbidden], and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allaah’s Cause during preaching His religion of Islamic Monotheism or Jihad)”

[al-‘Asr 103:1-3]

“And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allaah (i.e. this Qur’aan), and be not divided among yourselves”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:103]

We ask Allaah by His most beautiful names and by His sublime attributes to set straight the affairs of all the Muslims in all places, and to soften their hearts towards the truth, and to unite them in true guidance, and to grant them refuge from the tricks of the shaytaan and the plots of their enemies, and to guide their leaders and to appoint the best of them in authority over them, for He is All Hearing, Ever Near. End quote.

And Allaah knows best.

HOW TO BECOME MUSLIM:
To become a Muslim, simply say the following words:

Ash hadu alla ilaha illa Allah, wa ash hadu anna Mohammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu.

This means I testify and witness that there is no god worthy of being worshipped other than Allah and that Mohammad is His Messenger. You must say it and believe in it.

What's Next?

Becoming a Muslim was the most important decision you made in your life. One interesting fact about Islam is that it's not only a religion but a complete way of life. Allah (God) has shown us how to live our 24 hours daily life through the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The more you learn and practice Islam, the more you will attain closeness to God and inner peace. So, we advise you to learn the basics of Islam, such as, daily prayers, ablution, etc and start practicing them as soon as possible.

It may seem a little difficult in the beginning but rest assured that it's quite easy. A driving student who sits in the car for the first time gets really nervous. But after he drives more and more, it becomes so easy to him that he can drive with one finger (don't try this though).


Once, a Bedouin was asked what made an unsophisticated man like him believe in Allah.
Bedouin: "Do you see these marks in the sand?"
Man: "Yes."
Bedouin: "What do they tell you?"
Man: "A camel went by."
Bedouin: "Did you see the camel?"
Man: "No, but these footprints in the sand suggest that a camel made them."
Bedouin: "Do you see these mountains?"
Man: "Yes."
Bedouin: "They are indicative to me that Allah made them."


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Once Khalifa Haroon Rasheed asked Imam Malik: "What is the evidence (daleel) pointing to the existence of Allah (subhanahu wa ta`ala)?" Imam Malik replied: "Difference in languages, difference in pitches of voice, difference in singing are proof that Allah (subhanahu wa ta`ala) exists!"


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The same question was asked, by an atheist, of Imam Abu Hanifa and he replied, "Forget it! At the moment, I am busy thinking about this ship. People tell me there is a big ship, it contains different goods on board. There is no one to steer it, no one maintaining it. Yet, this ship keeps going back and forth; it even traverses big waves on the oceans; it stops at the locations that it is supposed to stop at; it continues in the direction that it is supposed to head. This ship has no
captain and no one planning its trips."

The atheist who posed the question interrupted and exclaimed, "What kind of strange and silly thought is this? How can any intelligent person think that some thing like this can occur?"

Imam Abu Hanifa said, "I feel sorry about your state! You cannot imagine one ship running without some one looking after its affairs. Yet you think that for this whole world, which runs exactly and precisely, there is no one who looks after it, and no one owns it."

Hearing the reply, the atheist was left speechless but he found out more about Haqq (The Truth) and proclaimed Islam.


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Imam Shafi`i replied to the question in the following way, "The leaves of Toot (berries) are all but one. Each leaf tastes exactly the same. Insects, honey bees, cows, goats, and deer live off of it. After eating these the insects produce silk; bees produce honey; deer give musk (a special kind of scent), cows and goats deliver off-springs. Is this not clear evidence that one kind of leaf has so many qualities, and who created these qualities? It is the Khaliq (Creator) who we call Allah (subhanahu wa ta`ala) Who is the Inventor and the Creator."


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Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal reflected on the question in the following way. He said, "There is an incredibly strong fort, it has no doors, there is no way to get in. In fact, there is not even a hole in it. From outside it glows like the moon and from inside it shimmers like gold. It is sealed from all sides, matter of fact it is air tight. Suddenly one of its doors breaks down, a living thing with eyes and ears, a beautiful looking animal appears yelling and wandering all over. So is not there a creator who made it possible for life to take place in this secured and closed fort? And is not this Creator better than humans? This Creator has no limit." Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal was referring to an egg which is closed from all sides but Allah (subhanahu wa ta`ala) The Khaliq (Creator) puts life in it and a chick pops out.



We are all individually responsible to stand firmly upon the truth of Islaam. A little reminder now-and-then helps. Islaam as it was presented by the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and accepted, understood and followed by the companions is the noble saving truth we must all try to sincerely follow. We cannot do this without His help which we must seek with true humility.

I hope the small reminder below concerning an ayah of the generous Qur`aan is fruitful for us insha`Allaah. The tongue is to be feared.

In Soorah Hamim (chapter 41) ayah 30 we find:

In the case of those who say, "Our Lord is Allah", and, further stand straight and steadfast, the angels descend on them (from time to time): "Fear ye not!" (they suggest), "Nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of the Garden, the which ye were promised!" (Yusuf Ali's translation)

Let us see what Ibn Kathir says in his tafsir:

That is they make their actions purely for Allah and act in obedience to Allah according to His Shariah.

Al-Hafidh Abu Ya'la al-Mosuli narrates from Anas ibn Malik (radhiAllahu 'anhu) that the prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) read to us this ayah - In the case of those who say, "Our Lord is Allah", and further, stand straight and steadfast" - some people said "Our Lord is Allah" and then most of them became disbelievers. So he who kept saying it until he died then he has stood upright upon it (istiqam 'alaihi). [Nasai, al-Bazzar, at-Tabari]

Sa'id ibn 'Imran said: I read this ayah to Abu Bakr - In the case of those who say, "Our Lord is Allah"... - he said, they are those who do not associate anything with Allah. [at-Tabari]

'Ikrimah said, ibn 'Abbas was asked which ayah in the book of Allah is the softest/tenderest, and he said - In the case of those who say "Our Lord is Allah", and further, stand straight... - upon the testimony of La ilaha illallah.

Az-Zuhri said, 'Umar read the ayah upon the pulpit and then said, "By Allah, they keep straight for Allah by obedience to Him. They don't twist and turn like a snake."

Ibn 'Abbas said, "Thummastaqim means: upon carrying out the duties He has made obligatory."

Al-Hasan said, "O Allah! You are our Lord so grant us al-istiqamah."

Abul-'Aliyah said, "Thummastaqamu mean: They make their actions and religion sincerely for Him."

Sufyan ibn 'Abdullah al-Thaqafi said, "I said O Messenger of Allah, tell me an action which I can keep to (cling to with all my heart and soul). He (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: Say my Lord is Allah and adhere to it firmly. I said, O Messenger of Allah (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam)! What do you fear most for me? So he took hold of his own tongue and then said: This." [Ahmad, Tirmidhi, ibn Majah - Timidhi said it is Hasan Sahih]

In a narration - I said, "O Messenger of Allah! Tell me a saying in Islam which won't need to ask of anyone after you. So the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: Say I have believed in Allah and then keep steadfast." [Muslim, Nasai]

"... ... ... ..., the angels descend on them (from time to time): "Fear ye not!" (they suggest), "Nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of the Garden, the which ye were promised!"

"The angels descend on them" :

Al-Mujahid and al-Suddi say (explaining this), "At his death." Fear ye not - from what you are going towards in the next life. "Nor grieve" - do not grieve about what you have left (behind) from the affairs of this world, whether it be children or family, or wealth or debt, for we (take over the charge of them).

"But receive the glad ... ... were promised" :

They inform them of the going away of evil and the coming of good as occurs in the hadith of al-Bara ibn 'Azib, "Verily the angels say to the soul of the believer: Come out O good soul in the good body...come out to a repose, nice aroma and to a Lord who is not angry.

It is said the angels descend upon them the day when they come out of their graves. At-Tabari says this is what al-Suddi and ibn 'Abbas say so.

Zaid ibn Aslam says, "They give him the good news at the time of his death and in the grave and when he is raised up." This statement joins all the sayings together.