The Final Message

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem!

In the Name of Allah, the most Beneficent, The Most Merciful

Asaalam Mualaikum WaRahmatullahi Wabarakatahu!

The Final Message

1) A divinely revealed belief system

" And with truth We have sent it down (the Qur'an), and with truth it has descended. And We have sent you (O Muhammad (SAW)) as nothing but a bearer of glad tidings and a Warner" [The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 17, Verse 105]

"And truly, this (the Qur'an) is a revelation from the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists), which the trustworthy Ruh (Jibril(Gabriel{AS})) has brought down upon your heart (O Muhammad(SAW)) that you may be one of the warners, in the plain Arabic language." [The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 26, Verses 192-195]

2) A belief system centered on the laws of Allah

"Say (O Muhammad (SAW)): I am only a man like you. It has been revealed to me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God i.e. Allah)" [he Holy Qur'an, Chapter 18, Verse 110]

"Say (O Muhammad (SAW)): I possess no power over benefit or hurt to myself except as Allah wills. If I had the knowledge of the Ghayb (Unseen), I should have secured for myself an abundance of wealth, and no evil should have touched me. I am but a Warner and a bringer of glad tidings unot people who believe." [The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 7, Verse 188]


3) An ongoing or eternal miracle

"And they say: Why are not signs sent down to him from his Lord? Say: The signs are only with Allah, and I am only a plain Warner. Is it not sufficient for them that We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur'an) which is recited to them? Verily, herein is mercy and a reminder for a people who believe" [The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 29, Verses 50-51]

"We will show them Our signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Qur'an) is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a witness over all things?" [The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 41, Verse 53]

4) A message which addresses reason


"Verily, in these are Ayat ( prrofs, evidences, signs) for the people who understand." [The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 13, Verse 4]

"Thus do we explain the signs in detail to a people who have sense." [The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 30, Verse 28]

"Say (O Muhammad (SAW): I exhort you to one thing only, that you stand up for Allah's sake in pairs and singly, and reflect (within yourselves in the life history of the Prophet (SAW), there is no madness in your companion (Muhammad (SAW)). He is only a Warner to you of a severe torment." [The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 34, 46]

5) A message to all mankind

"O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and mad eyou into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourabl of you with Allah is that (believer) who has at-Taqwa ( i.e. he is one of the Muttaqun (the pious)). Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware."[The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 46, Verse 13]

"It (this Qur'an) is only a reminder for all the Alamin (mankind, jinn ad all that exists). And you shall certainly know the truth of it after a while."
[The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 38, Verses 87-88]

6) A balance between the spiritual and the material

"But seek, with that (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of lawful enjoyment in this world; and do good as Allah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah loves not the Mufsidun (those who commit great crimes, oppressors, tyrants, mischief makers)." [The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 28, Verse 77]

"Say (O Muhammad (SAW)): Who has forbidden the adornment with clothes given by Allah, which He has produced for His slaves, and At-Tayyibat ( All kinds of Halal(lawful) things) of food? Say: They are, in the life of this world, for those who believe, (and) exclusively for them (believers) on the Day of Resurrection. Thus We explain the Ayat (Islamic laws) in detail for people who have knowledge."
[The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 7, Verse 32]

7) An eternal message for every time and place

"So set you (O Muhammad (SAW)) your face towards the religion (of pure monotheism). Allah's Fitrah (Islamic Monotheism) with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Khalqillah ( the religion of Allah - Monotheism), that is the straight religion, but most of men know not." [The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 30, Verse 30]

8) A message protected by the One who revealed it

"Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (the Qur'an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption)." [The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 15, Verse 9]


And ALLAH (SWT) knows best.

Don't forget to have it shared to as many as ALLAH (SWT) wills. JazakAllah khair.

Ma Asaalam!

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The Question of Hijab: Suppression Or Liberation?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem!

In the Name of Allah, the most Beneficent, The Most Merciful

Asaalam Mualaikum WaRahmatullahi Wabarakatahu!

HIJAB

The Question of Hijab: Suppression Or Liberation?

"Why do Muslim women have to cover their heads?" This question is one which is asked by Muslim and non-Muslim alike. For many women it is the truest test of being a Muslim.

The answer to the question is very simple - Muslim women observe HIJAB (covering the head and the body) because Allah has told them to do so.

"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." [Noble Quran 33:59]

Other secondary reasons include the requirement for modesty in both men and women. Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skills instead of looks and sexuality. An Iranian school girl is quoted as saying, "We want to stop men from treating us like sex objects, as they have always done. We want them to ignore our appearance and to be attentive to our personalities and mind. We want them to take us seriously and treat us as equals and not just chase us around for our bodies and physical looks." A Muslim woman who covers her head is making a statement about her identity. Anyone who sees her will know that she is a Muslim and has a good moral character. Many Muslim women who cover are filled with dignity and self esteem; they are pleased to be identified as a Muslim woman. As a chaste, modest, pure woman, she does not want her sexuality to enter into interactions with men in the smallest degree. A woman who covers herself is concealing her sexuality but allowing her femininity to be brought out.

The question of Hijab for Muslim women has been a controversy for centuries and will probably continue for many more. Some learned people do not consider the subject open to discussion and consider that covering the face is required, while a majority are of the opinion that it is not required. A middle line position is taken by some who claim that the instructions are vague and open to individual discretion depending on the situation. The wives of the Prophet(SAW) were required to cover their faces so that men would not think of them in sexual terms since they were the

"Mothers of the Believers," but this requirement was not extended to other women.

The word "Hijab" comes from the Arabic word "hajaba" meaning to hide from view or conceal. In the present time, the context of Hijab is the modest covering of a Muslim woman. The question now is what is the extent of the covering

The Quran says:
"Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..." [Noble Quran 24:30-31]


These verses from the Quran contain two main injunctions:

A woman should not show her beauty or adornments except what appears by uncontrolled factors such as the wind blowing her clothes, and the head covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bosom.

Islam has no fixed standard as to the style of dress or type of clothing that Muslims must wear. However, some requirements must be met. The first of these requirements is the parts of the body which must be covered. Islam has two sources for guidance and rulings: first, the Quran, the revealed word of Allah and secondly, the Hadith or the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who was chosen by Allah to be the role model for mankind. The following is a Tradition of the Prophet:

"Aysha (RA) reported that Asma' the daughter of Abu Bakr (RA) came to the Messenger of Allah (SAW) while wearing thin clothing. He (SAW) approached her and said: 'O Asma'! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not proper that anything should remain exposed except this and this. He (SAW) pointed to the face and hands." [Abu Dawud]

The second requirement is looseness. The clothing must be loose enough so as not to describe the shape of the woman's body. One desirable way to hide the shape of the body is to wear a cloak over other clothes. However, if the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment is not necessary. Thickness is the third requirement. The clothing must be thick enough so as not to show the color of the skin it covers or the shape of the body. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) stated that in later generations of his Ummah there would be

"Women who would be dressed but naked and on top of their heads (what looks like) camel humps. Curse them for they are truly cursed." [Muslim]

Another requirement is an over-all dignified appearance. The clothing should not attract men's attention to the woman. It should not be shiny and flashy so that everyone notices the dress and the woman. In addition there are other requirements:

Women must not dress so as to appear as men.

"Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated: 'The Prophet (SAW) cursed the men who appear like women and the women who appear like men.'" [Bukhari]

Women should not dress in a way similar to the unbelievers.

The clothing should be modest, not excessively fancy and also not excessively ragged to gain others admiration or sympathy.

Often forgotten is the fact that modern Western dress is a new invention. Looking at the clothing of women as recently as seventy years ago, we see clothing similar to Hijab. These active and hard-working women of the West were not inhibited by their clothing which consisted of long, full dresses and various types of head covering. Muslim women who wear Hijab do not find it impractical or interfering with their activities in all levels and walks of life. Hijab is not merely a covering dress but more importantly, it is behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public. Dress is only one facet of the total being. The basic requirement of the Muslim woman's dress apply to the Muslim man's clothing with the difference being mainly in degree. Modesty requires that the area between the navel and the knee be covered in front of all people except the wife. The clothing of men should not be like the dress of women, nor should it be tight or provocative. A Muslim should dress to show his identity as a Muslim. Men are not allowed to wear gold or silk. However, both are allowed for women.

For both men and women, clothing requirements are not meant to be a restriction but rather a way in which society will function in a proper, Islamic manner.

III&E Brochure Series (Published by The Institute of Islamic Information and Education (III&E) and reproduced in electronic form by Islamic Academy for Scientific Research with permission)

And ALLAH (SWT) knows best

Don't forget to have it shared to as many as ALLAH (SWT) wills. JazakAllah khair.

Ma Asaalam!

Da'wah

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To seek Refuge in other than Allah is a part of Shirk

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem!

In the Name of Allah, the most Beneficent, The Most Merciful

Asaalam Mualaikum WaRahmatullahi Wabarakatahu!

To seek Refuge in other than Allah is a part of Shirk

Allah the Most Exalted said:
"And verily, there were men among mankind who took shelter with the male jinns, but they (jinns) increased them (mankind) in sin and disbelief" (72:6)

Muslim reports that Khawlah bint Hakim ((RA)) said, I heard Allah's Apostle (SAW) say:
"Whoever goes into a dwelling and says (while entering it): 'I seek refuge in Allah's perfect words from the evil (of those creatures) which He created', no harm shall befall him until he departs from that place." (Muslim)

Important issues of the Chapter

1) Explanation of the verse from Surah Al-Jinn (72:6).

2) Seeking refuge in others than Allah is a part of Shirk (polytheism).

3) Using this Hadith as a proof: For, the scholars use it to prove that the Words of Allah are not creatures. They say this because to seek refuge in creatures is Shirk.

4) The superiority of this invocation despite its being short.

5) Though it may be that one can achieve some worldly benefit from a thing, as prevention from a harm or evil, or gaining some advantage or good, but it does not mean that it (dependence on such) is not Shirk.

Reference: Kitab At-Tauhid Chapter #: 13 by Sheikh-ul-Islam, Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhab.


http://www.islambasics.com.

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Ma Asaalam!

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Equality of Men and Women

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem!

In the Name of Allah, the most Beneficent, The Most Merciful

Asaalam Mualaikum WaRahmatullahi Wabarakatahu!



Equality of Men and Women


My brothers and sisters everywhere! Islamic law [Shari'ah] - that Allah (SWT) sent down to His Messenger Muhammad (SAW) - came to announce that women (exactly like men) are full human beings. Women (like men) are therefore required to follow the way appointed by Allah (SWT).

A woman (like a man) is therefore obligated with all three degrees of this religion: Islam (outward submission to Allah), Iman (inward faith in Allah), and Ihsan (perfection of worship of Allah).


Islam (outward submission to Allah)

It is thus required for every woman to testify that there is none deserving worship but Allah and that Muhammad (SAW) is Allah's Messenger; to pray; to give charity; to fast; and to make a pilgrimage to Allah's House if she has the means.

Iman (inward faith in Allah and the unseen [Al Ghaib])

It is likewise required for every woman to believe in Allah, His angels, His scriptures, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in Allah's decree (and that the good and evil consequences thereof are from Allah).

Ihsan (perfection of worship of Allah)

It is likewise required for every woman to worship Allah as if she sees Him. For although she cannot see Allah, she must believe that He sees whatever she does in secret and in public.

Women (exactly like men) have been commanded with these three levels of the religion (Islam, Iman, and Ihsan).

Women, like men, are also obligated to enjoin good and forbid evil; to strive and struggle by saying that which is truthful; and to adhere to all noble behavior, like: truthfulness, trustworthiness, courage, modesty, and self-respect.

Every Muslim woman, just like every Muslim man, is commanded to be steadfast in her religion and not to be negligent with her faith. It is not permissible for her - under any pressure or compulsion - to open her heart to accept the word of disbelief. Hence every Muslim woman, like every Muslim man, falls under Allah's statement:
"Whose disbelieves in Allah, after he has believed - excepting him who has been compelled, and his heart is still at rest with the Faith - but whosoever's breast is expanded in unbelief, upon them shall rest anger from Allah, and there awaits them a mighty chastisement." [Noble Quran 16:106]

Clearly when Islam charged women with all these duties and in all these obligations made her equal to men, the intent was to honor her and permit her to reach the highest degree of perfection of her being.

The duties that Allah has obligated humanity with are but a means to honor us. Prayer, as well as fasting, is an honor for the servant and a means to raise his rank. To adhere to Allah's straight path and the manners of Islam are, without doubt, a means to honor us and not to humiliate us as imagined by those who are ignorant of Allah and follow their desires.

Such people think and imagine that a human being who does not believe in Allah, does not uphold the trust of these duties, and does not perform what Allah has commanded him is of a higher standing than the believer who adheres to the obligations of Islam. Such an idea is ignorance and renders human beings on par with the animals.

Humans have been created to be tried by Allah and have been charged with fulfilling these duties to Allah (SWT) and His creatures. As for animals, while they have been created by Allah, they have not been charged with this trust.

Whoever considers that a human being who does not uphold what Allah has obligated as equal to those who fulfill what Allah has obligated is like those who consider humans and animals to be equal. For this reason, Allah has said:

"Shall we treat that those who have surrendered (as Muslims) as We treat the guilty?" [Noble Quran 68:35]

And He has said:
"We have crated for Hell many of the jinn and humanity; they have hearts, but understand not with them; they have eyes, but perceive not with them; and they have ears, but they hear not with them. These are like cattle; nay, rather they are further astray! Those - they are the heedless." [Noble Quran 7:179]

The disbeliever in Allah (whether a man or a woman) is a guilty criminal, for he or she does not know whom to worship, i.e., The Creator, The Protector, The Lord, and He Who created this universe in which he or she lives. The disbelievers enjoy what Allah has blessed them with and yet they forget the One Who blessed and preferred them with such blessings. As for the believers, they are the honorable servants who know their Lord and Creator, Allah, Whom they worship. They fulfill what Allah has obligated and travel upon the path that Allah has delineated for them.

And ALLAH (SWT) knows best.

Don't forget to have it shared to as many as ALLAH (SWT) wills. JazakAllah khair.

Ma Asaalam!

Da'wah

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Posted in: Islamic Articles