In Adversities? Seek Help in Solat.

It is said that in Koofah there was a porter who was well known for his honesty. People trusted him with their valuables and money, which he carried from one place to another. Once he was on his usual trip when a person met him on the way and asked him about his destination. When the porter gave him the required information, he said, “I am also bound for the same destination. If I could walk, I would have accompanied you on foot. Will you kindly give me a lift on your mule for one gold coin?” The porter agreed and allowed him to share the mule with him.

They came to a crossing on the way. The person said, “Now, which road will you take?” “The main road, of course,” replied the porter. The person said, “No, brother. We should go by the other road which is a shortcut and there is plenty of grass enroute to feed the animal.” The porter said, “I have never been on this path.” The person remarked, “But I have travelled by this route quite often.” The porter believed him and put the animal on that path.

After some distance, the path ended in a terrifying forest where a large number of dead bodies were lying about it. All of a sudden, the person jumped down from the mule and took out his knife with the intention of killing the porter. “Hold your hand,” cried the porter, “Take the animal and its load, but do not kill me.” The person refused to listen to his request and swore that he would first kill the porter and then take possession of the animal and the goods.

Seeing that his appeal fell on deaf ears and that his cruel heart would not melt, the porter said to him, “All right if you must kill me, then permit me to say only 2 rakaat solat.” The person agreed and remarked, “You can please yourself. All the dead you see over here made the same request, but their solat was of no avail to them.” The porter started the solat, but could not recollect any surah to connect with surah al-Fatihah, in spite of his best efforts. Meanwhile, the person grew impatient and pressed him hard to hurry with the solat.

All of the sudden, the following ayat came to his mind: 

The porter was reciting this ayat and tears came up in his eyes, when a horseman suddenly appeared on the scene. He was wearing a shining helmet and held a spear in his hand. He pierced the body of the pitiless rogue with his spear and killed him then and there. A flame of fire rose from the spot where the dead body fell.

The porter fell down in sajadah and thanked Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala. After finishing his solat, he ran towards the horseman and requested him to disclose his identity. He replied, “I am a slave to this ayat, “أَمَّن يُجِيبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ :You are now safe and can go wherever you like.” Saying this, the horseman rode away and disappeared. Indeed, solat is a great asset. Besides pleasing Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala, it often saves us from the calamities of this life and provides us with peace of mind. Ibn Seeren writes: “If I be allowed to choose between Jannah and solat of 2 rakaat, I would prefer solat. The reason is quite clear: Jannah is for my own pleasure, while solat is for the pleasure of my dear Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala.”

Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wassalam has said, “Enviable is the lot of that Muslim who is with least burden, whose main fortune is solat, who remains content with humble provisions throughout his life, who worships his Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala in a dutiful manner, who lives unknown and who dies an early death, leaving very little legacy and very few to mourn him.”

It is said in a Hadith that when somebody is faced with a need, whether relating to this life or the Akhirah or whether it concerns Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala or a human being, he should perform a perfect wudhu’, offer solat of 2 rakaat, glorify Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala, then ask blessing for Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wassalam, and then make du’a as follows:-

 “La ilaha illallahul Halimul karim, Subhanallahi Rabbil Arshil Azim, Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alamin, Asaluka Mujibaati Rahmatika Wa Azaa’ima maghfiratika Wal Ghanimata Min Kulli Birrin, Was salamata Min Kulli Ithmin, La Tada’ Li Zanmban Illa Ghafartahu, Wa la Hamman Illa Farrajtahu, Wa la hajatan hiya Laka Ridhan Illa Qadhaitaha, Ya Arhamar Rahimeen.”

Meaning: There there no god but Allah the Clement and Wise. There is no god but Allah the High and Mighty. Glory be to Allah, Lord of the Tremendous Throne. All praise is to Allah, Lord of the worlds. I ask you (O Allah) everything that leads to your mercy, and your tremendous forgiveness, enrichment in all good, and freedom from all sin. Do not leave a sin of mine (O Allah), except that you forgive it, nor any concern except that you create for it an opening, nor any need in which there is your good pleasure except that you fulfill it, O Most Merciful!

(Related by Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah. The Hadith has some weakness, but it is slight: such Hadiths are acted upon for virtuous deeds (fada’il al-a`mal) by general agreement of the scholars. Furthermore, it has been practiced over the years from the time of the Sahabah (Radiallahu Anhum) until now.)

REFERENCES

1. Salaah Helps in Adversities. Fadaa’il of Salah, Fadaa’il Amaal, 3rd Edition, Shaykh al-Hadeeth Mawlaana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawee, Kutub Khana Faizi, Lahore, Pakistan.
2. Simple Guide on Islamic Exorcism.http://islamicexorcism.wordpress.com/2011/11/12/salaatul-hajaat-a-powerful-prayer-for-every-need/. Accessed on 13th Sept 2013.

Shifa from Qur'anic Verses: Collective Surahs for Protection from Spell or Black Magic

These du’as from the Qur’anic verses were noted while watching an Islamic show on TV9 Malaysia “Tanyalah Ustaz” in 2012.

Ustaz Abu Hassan Din Al-Hafiz have mentioned in the show that Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wassalam once said, “Whoever practice these ayat from Surah Al-Baqarah, ayat 1 to 5, ayat 255 and the last 3 ayat from Surah Al-Baqarah, they will be protected from any black magic or spell.”

All the knowledge belongs to Allah, and those spell or black magic that were sent to you will be preserved by Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala and send back to the evil doers. Subhan’Allah. Allah knows best. And those who are not, then, these du'as shall act as a shield from such evil actions.

Recite these du’as to protect yourself from such spell or black magic. Recite ONE time before you go to sleep every night. May Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala protect us. In Shaa Allah.

These ayat to be practiced in order to nullify the spell or black magic.
Surah Al-'A'raf (7:117)  

وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ أَنْ أَلْقِ عَصَاكَ ۖ فَإِذَا هِيَ تَلْقَفُ مَا يَأْفِكُونَ

[117] And We inspired to Moses, "Throw your staff," and at once it devoured what they were falsifying.

Surah Yunus (10:81-83)

فَلَمَّا أَلْقَوْا قَالَ مُوسَىٰ مَا جِئْتُم بِهِ السِّحْرُ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَيُبْطِلُهُ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُصْلِحُ عَمَلَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ

[81] And when they had thrown, Moses said, "What you have brought is [only] magic. Indeed, Allah will expose its worthlessness. Indeed, Allah does not amend the work of corrupters. 

وَيُحِقُّ اللَّهُ الْحَقَّ بِكَلِمَاتِهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُجْرِمُونَ

[82] And Allah will establish the truth by His words, even if the criminals dislike it."  

فَمَا آمَنَ لِمُوسَىٰ إِلَّا ذُرِّيَّةٌ مِّن قَوْمِهِ عَلَىٰ خَوْفٍ مِّن فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَئِهِمْ أَن يَفْتِنَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ لَعَالٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَإِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الْمُسْرِفِينَ

[83] But no one believed Moses, except [some] youths among his people, for fear of Pharaoh and his establishment that they would persecute them. And indeed, Pharaoh was haughty within the land, and indeed, he was of the transgressors.

Practice this du'a to get rid of 'saka'.
Surah Al-Anbiya (21:87) 

 لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

La ila ha illa anta, subhanakainni kuntu minazzolimin 

[87] And [mention] the man of the fish, when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him. And he called out within the darknesses, "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers." 

REFERENCES

1. Tanyalah Ustaz, Ustaz Abu Hassan Din Al-Hafiz, TV9 Malaysia, 2012. 

2. Kerana Kasin Nabi blog - http://keranakasihnabi.blogspot.com/2012_07_01_archive.html. Accessed on 9th Sept 2013. 

3. Quran.com (selected surahs) 

5 Groups of People during Ramadan

Its Ramadan...Alhamdulillah.

As we all are aware of it, Ramadan is the month of fasting, standing (position or state), generosity (sadaqah and du'as), self-evaluation, patience and the Qur’aan.

In this month, often we will be able to see different groups of people and their attitude towards the Holy month.

Let’s see which group do we belong to.

The first group:

is a group that sees Ramadan as a time of restrictions and preventions; a time of prohibitions from desires and lust. They do not comprehend the benefits of Ramadan. You will find them lazy and tired. They fast with great difficulties while continuing in backbiting, lying and other sins. They see the fast as nothing more than an obstacle in front of their desires.

As for the second group:

it is a group that sees the month of Ramadan as a month of food and drink. Most of their time is consumed going and coming from the grocery store purchasing food for themselves, families and guests. Ramadan doesn’t increase them except in appetite. We know that consuming lots of foods will cause fatigue and laziness. The worst thing that the sons of Adam can fill is their stomachs. In addition, some from amongst them actually gain weight in Ramadan.

As for the third group:

they know nothing of Ramadan except that it is obligatory. Neither the days nor the nights are spent in worship rather they might not even perform the five daily prayers. They awaken with Allah’s displeasure and sleep with Allah’s displeasure.

As for the fourth group:

it is a group who does not know Allah except and until the month of Ramadan. They attend the Jumu’ah prayer, frequent the Masjid and the women wear the hijaab for the duration of Ramadan. And when the month is over all of those good deeds come to end, that is until the next Ramadan.

As for the fifth group:

this group is a group who cannot wait for the arrival of Ramadan. And when it comes they roll up their sleeves even more and they work as hard as they can. This month rejuvenates and strengthens them.

Now lets evaluate ourselves. Which group do you belong to?

Source taken with minimal editing from:-
 http://www.haqislam.org/five-groups-of-people-during-ramadan/ 

Shifa from Qur'anic Verses : Prophet Ayub alaihi salam

If you are down with any sicknesses or disease, know that Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala Mercy and Assistance is always near. Praise Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala (Tasbih Fatimah, Asma'ul Husna, Astaghfar, etc) and seek for rewards solely rather than making intention to cure alone. In Shaa Allah, with much praises to Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala, the barakah will surround you and In Shaa Allah, you will be cured. Remember Kun Fayakun? Subhan'Allah!

With that, lets read the story of Prophet Ayub alaihi salam when he was afflicted with a skin disease. Masha'Allah.

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Prophet Ayub alaihi salam was one of the descendants of the Prophet Ibrahim alaihi salam and a nephew of Prophet Ya'qub alaihi salam. He was sent to reform the people who lived in the desert situated in the north eastern corner of Palestine. When Ayub alaihi salam was chosen to be the Prophet, he started to teach the people about God and His religion. He advised the people to do good and shun evil. As usual with all the Prophets very few people believed in him in the beginning but gradually the number of his followers began to increase.

Prophet Ayub alaihi salam was a prosperous man with firm faith in Allah. He possessed vast farms, enormous wealth, many cattle and valuable property but these things did not make him arrogant. His wealth provided him with a medium by means of which he sought Allah's grace.

The Prophet Ayub alaihi salam was a pattern of humility and faith in Allah. He was very patient. He suffered from a number of calamities but did not utter a single word of complaint. One day his big farm was attacked by the thieves. They killed many of his servants and carried away forcibly all his cattle. The Prophet Ayub alaihi salam did not feel sorry at this loss and thanked Allah. Shaytan was jealous of Prophet Ayu alaihi salam and

intends to find out when he suggests that Allah remove Ayub’s blessings of wealth, health and family.   Ayub alaihi salam was committed to daily prayer and would frequently thank Allah for blessings He had bestowed on him but Shaytan was convinced that Ayub would turn away from his Lord when he was faced with intense suffering, illness and distress.  Allah knew his faithful slave would never turn away from His faith so He allowed Shaytan to afflict Ayub with many calamities one after the other. 

Allah makes it very clear that children and wealth are merely adornments of this brief life and that He will test us through our love for them. 

Wealth and children are the attractions of this worldly life, but lasting good works have a better reward with your Lord and give better grounds for hope.  (Quran 18:46)

After a few years Prophet Ayub alaihi salam suffered from skin disease. His parts of body were covered with loathsome sores. He had many ugly looking ulcers on his face and hands. The sores were full of worms. It is narrated that he picked up those worms which fell from his abscess and praised Allah for creating them. He did not kill them nor toss them aside as he feared that he will not enter Jannah if those worms complains to Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala and also that the worms lived (also creations of Allah) while they were in his body. 

Various opinions state that Prophet Ayub suffered these afflictions for between 7 and 18 years. Throughout this time, he continued to praise and thank Allah. Never once did he complain, or begrudge the fate that Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala had decreed for him. Instead, he fell in prostration, making dua to Allah; ‘O Allah! By Your Honour, I will never lift my head till You release me from my suffering’. And he did not lift his head, praying and thanking Allah, until he was cured. 

Above all, his false friends attributed his calamities to his sins. They ridiculed and looked down upon him. All the persons deserted him with the exception of his faithful wife, Rahima. She also grew tired of him in the long run and prayed for his death. She cursed her husband for retaining integrity in Allah. Angels were around when he was having his prayers and saw those worms falling from his body. They then, went to Allah and ask from Him, what can Ayub alaihi salam do to heal. Angels came down and told Ayub alaihi salam to make du'a that Allah has asked him to. The Angels advised Ayub that Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala will only say, "Kun Fayakun" and you will be cured In Shaa Allah. Prophet Ayub alaihi salam recited this du'a that had cured him completely.

According to Ustaz Sharhan, when you recite this ayat, place your palm on the affected area and take a deep breath and tawakal to Allah. He also mentioned that even though you're not cured from any disease, always praise Allah for more rewards for the Hereafter In Shaa Allah.

Allah accepted his prayer. The Holy Quran affirms:

"Then We heard his prayer and removed that adversity from which he suffered, and We gave him his household and the like thereof along with them, a mercy from Our store and remembrance for the worshippers." (Surah 21: Verse 84)

Allah turned to him with mercy. He was commanded to strike the earth with his foot. He complied with the order and water from the spring gushed forth. He took a bath with the water and got cured from his evil disease. After this he was restored to prosperity. The Prophet Ayub alaihi salam knelt and prayed expressing a deep sense of gratitude to Allah. He never forgot His favours, mercy and love.

The Holy Quran affirms: 

"And surely we try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and crops, but give glad-tidings to the steadfast, who when a misfortune befalls them, say lo! we are Allah's (possession of Allah) and to Him shall we surely return. · Such are they on whom are blessings from their Lord, and mercy. Such are the rightly-guided." (Surah 2 : Verse 155-157)

REFERENCES

1. Al-Kuliyyah by Ustaz Sharhan Shafie, TV3 Malaysia-19th July 2013 -aired at 6p.m.

2. Prophet Ayub alaihi salam, http://www.itsislam.net/articles/prophet_ayub.asp. Accessed on 19th July 2013.

3. Glimpses from the Life of Prophet Ayub, http://www.newmuslims.com/lessons/172/. Accessed on 19th July 2013.

4. Prophet Ayub- Patience, Patience, Patience, http://www.ramadan.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=137&Itemid=125. Accessed on 19th July 2013.

5. Stories of the Prophets, Ibn Kathir, Ad-Damishqi 700-774H, pp 185, www.idaraimpex.com

Prayer is Better than Sleep

The Holy Prophet () has said: “Whoever proclaims the Adzan for 7 years, for the sake of reward, Allah keeps him secure from the Hellfire.” (Tirmizi, Ibn Majah)

While the Adzan is being said, one must not indulge in any talk, recite Quran etc., nor indulge in other activities. Listen to the “Azaan” attentively and reply to it. The same applies to the “Iqamah”.

For the one who stays engrossed in talk while the “Azaan” is being proclaimed,there is a danger of him dying an evil death.

While saying “Hayya alas-Salaah Hayya alal-Falaah” in the “Azaan” or in the “Iqamah”, one must face right and left respectively. Upon hearing the “Azaan”, it is commanded to reply to it - i.e. to repeat the words which the Caller (Muazzin) is saying, except for the words“Hayya alas-Salaah Hayya alal-Falaah”, for which one must say "Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa Billah" (There is neither power nor strength, except with Allah).

In the Adzan for the Dawn Prayer (Fajr salat), when the Imam says the following words twice,

"AsSalaatu Khairum-minun-Naum"

Translation : Prayer is better than sleep.

The response to these words is "Sadaqta wa bararta, wa bilHaqqi Nataqta"

Translation: You have confirmed the truth and you did well - and you have spoken a fact.

After hearing the adzan, the following du’a must be recited.

 

Allaa-humma Rabba Haazihid-Da'watit-Taaammati was-Salaatil Qaa-imati Aati Saiey-yidinaa Muhammada nil-Waseelata wal-Fadeelah wassharofawad-Darajatar Rafee'ah wab-As-hu Maqaamam Mahmooda nil-Lazee wa'Adtah, Innaka Laa Tukhliful-Mee'aad.

Translation: O' Allah! The Sovereign Lord of the ever-establishing prayer and of this perfect call, grant our leader Hadrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) "Al-Waseelah" (the loftiest position ofintercession) and "Al-Fadeela" (the singular Fee excellence), and the highest rank and elevate him to "Maqaam-e-Mahmood" (an exclusively praise-worthy primacy reserved only for the Holy Prophet) and bless us with his intercession on the Doomsday. Undoubtedly, You do not do anything against Your promise.

REFERENCES

Azan ka Jawab, http://www.quranrecites.com/scripts/azan-ka-jawab.php. Accessed on 19th July 2013. 

The Right and Perfect Way to answer Adzan, http://anime4nz.blogspot.com/2011/05/cara-azan-iqamah-dengan-betul-dan.html. Accessed on 19th July 2013.

Adzan and Iqamah, http://salamdarijogja.blogspot.com/p/adzan-dan-iqamah.html.  Accessed on 19th July 2013.

Call to Prayer, http://www.islamicacademy.org/html/Books/GLIS/cto.htm. Accessed on 19th July 2013. 

The Call of Prayer, http://www.alahazrat.net/islam/the-book-of-prayer-chapter-3.php. Accessed on 19th July 2013.

Excuse me, Salt & Bacon?

So prayers are over. I say, hey, who's going to recognize me? So I start to mingle like I'm one of the brothers, and I'm walking into the mosque and a brother says,"Assalamualaikum."

And I thought, did he say,"Salt and bacon?"

"Assalamualaikum."

There's another guy who said "salt and bacon" to me. I didn't know what in the world they were saying, but they all smiled.Before one of these guys noticed that I was not supposed to be there and took me to the torture chamber, or beheaded me, I wanted to see as much as I could. So, eventually I went to the library, and there was a young Egyption brother; his name was Omar. God sent him to me.

Omar comes up to me, and he says,"Excuse me. This is your first time here?" He has a real strong accent.

And I said, "Yeah, it is".

"Oh, very good. You are Muslim?"

"No, I'm just reading a little."

"Oh, you are studying? This is your first visit to mosque?"

"Yes"

"Come, let me show you around." And he grabs me by the hand, and I'm walking with another man - holding hands. I said, these Muslims are friendly.So, he shows me around.

"First of all, this is our prayer hall, and you take your shoes off right here"

"What are these things?"

"These are little cubicles. That's where you put your shoes."

"Why?"

"Well, because you're approaching the prayer area, and it's very holy. You don't go in there with your shoes on; it's kept real clean."

So he takes me to the men's room.

"And right here, this where we do wudhu."

"Voodoo!! I didn't read anything about voodoo!"

"No, not voodoo. Wudhu!"

"Okay, because I saw that stuff with the dolls and the pins, and I'm just not ready for that kind of commitment yet."

He says, "No, wudhu, that's when we clean ourselves."

"Why do you do that?"

"Well, when you pray to God, you have to be cleam, so we wash our hands and feet."

So I learned all these things. He let me go, and said, "Come back again."

Raphael Latino,Former Jehovah's Witness minister, Los Angeles, USA.

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Source copied from:

In Search of Excellence in Life - Experiences from the well known persons which include scientists, scholards, intellectuals and priests from all over the world,  2008, pp 71-73. Edited by Shaya'a Othman, ISBN 978-98-4422-0-1, Majlis Agama Islam Selangor. 

You ask QUESTIONS - the Al-Quran ANSWERS.

EVERY SINGLE thing in this life has its origins, its creators.

Who created the desk you're sitting at today? Surely someone did.. a carpenter perhaps?

Who designed the house you're living in today? Surely the engineers and the architects did...

Now, who created the UNIVERSE? And for what PURPOSE??Ask yourself.... WHO created YOU??

This beautiful earth is not created for you to adore its beauty alone, but to understand that this serves as a proof of the Creator.Why do we worship the sun, the trees, or idols made of stones? Why do we worship the people whom we claimed the saints?

Does Allah SWT command us to worship Prophet Muhammad sallalahu alaihi wassalam (s.a.w) or Prophet Isa (Jesus Al- Masih) or Maryam a.s.? Do this Creations of Allah created Heavens and Earth? The Days and Nights?Why do we worship His Creations?

We must worship Him, The Almighty, The Ahad, the One and Only, Allah SWT.

Does your replies return the same answers to the following questions?

1. WHO created the Heavens and Earth? Surah Al- Ankabut (29:44)

"Allah says to His Prophet Muhammad s.a.w, Allah (Alone) created the heavens and the earth with truth (and none shared Him in their creation). "Verily!Therein is surely a sign for those who believe."

2. WHO created the Days and the Nights? Surah Al-Anbiya (21:104)

"And (remember) the Day when We shall roll up the heaven like a scroll rolled up for books. As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it. (It is) a promise binding upon us. Truly, We shall do it" 

3. WHO created YOU? Surah Al-Mukminoon (23:14)

"Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So Blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators." 

4. WHO created the perfect circle of life in this world? The universe was created as a proof of the Creator.  - Surah Al-Baqarah (2:164)

"Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, and the ships which sail through the sea with that which is of use to mankind, and the water (rain) which Allah sends down from the sky and makes the earth alive therewith after its death, and the moving (living) creatures of all kinds that He has scattered therein, and in the veering of winds and clouds which are held between the sky and the earth, are indeed Ayat (proofs, evidence, signs, etc) for people of understanding.)

5. WHO is the Creator? - Surah Al-A'raf (7:54)

" Indeed your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth  in Six days, and then He rose over (Istawa) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty). He brings the nigth as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly, and (He created) the sun, the moon, the stars subjected to His command. Surely, His is the Creation and Commandment. Blessed is Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists!).

"So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?" Surah Al-Rahman(55:13)

REFERENCES

[1] Al-Quran (quran.com)

[2] http://www.slideshare.net/Xenia111/the-creation-verses-from-the-quran-4633266