First Published 1431 - 2010 All rights reserved General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowment www.awqaf.ae United Arab Emirates General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowment In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Forward Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings of Allah be upon the master of the forefathers and successors, our master Mohammad, son of Abdullah, and upon his noble Family, his honorable and auspicious Companions, and whoever followed their right guidance till the Day of Resurrection. Next, God, to Whom be ascribed all perfection and majesty, has kept mosques for Himself; He said, {Mosques belong to Allah, so do not call to anyone else, other than Allah} [Al-Jinn: v. 18]. Upon the honor of this ascription and distinction, they have become the centers that societies revolve around and where people meet, day and night, with humble hearts and submissive souls, and thus becoming the starting point of peaceful and reassured life. The attention of our wise leaders - may Allah protect them - for mosques, whether by building, maintaining or caring for them, was a great one. Some of the aspects of their care: they wanted mosques to be lighthouses for knowledge, politeness and education, and oases for serenity and peacefulness, as what they used to be in their first era. Believers come to them, then turn back with peaceful souls, purified hearts and 6 Lessons of the Mosques minds enlightened with knowledge, morals, and politeness when hearing verses of the Holy Qur’an being recited, and the Sunnah of the Prophet - Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him - narrated, and lessons of religious sciences spread and publicized. Hence, the General Organization of Islamic Affairs and Endowments sought to achieve this goal. Thus, it created methodical scholarly lessons, heard by prayers frequenting mosques embracing, in return, their content to their homes, families and all those around them. Their rays, as a result, would spread and have an impact throughout the country, God willing. These lessons are between (5 and 8) minutes only, given on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, after Asr prayer of each week. (kindly, refer to the index). The General Organization of Islamic Affairs and Endowments was keen to let these lessons distinguished by several issues: 1 - To be easy and plain in clear Arabic, suitable for the elite and the common, and base on verses of the Holy Qur’an, the correct Hadith of the Prophet - God’s blessing and peace be upon him, and the extraction of scholars’ sayings. 2 - To be varied and comprehensive of all issues of life and coexistence. They contain glimpses of belief, worship, religious rulings, Islamic ethics, high morals, and religious and national occasions, ... etc. They are distributed so that one lesson from each category is read per week, and this is the case most of the time. Forward 7 3 - Their subjects should be purposeful, direct, neither long and boring, nor short and imbalanced, so that a listener would attain their benefits easily. 4 - These lessons should be balanced and moderate, away from being excessive and strange. It should also lead to welfare and guide to the right path. 5 - There is a brilliant choice to introduce each lesson to match each occasion, and to refer to the subject. 6 - They take a good care of choosing the suitable guide for each subject, in addition to the arrangement of verses and Hadiths (sayings of the Prophet). This is achieved by presenting an evidence involved with an issue, then arousing interest in and intimidation of it. This would be the case in general. 7 - The lessons will be restricted to use only the correct Hadiths, and they are to be attributed to their most important resources in the footnotes of the book. If a Hadith is mentioned in both books of verified Hadiths or in one of them, then only a reference to them is enough. Unclear words are explained, definitions of terms that need defining are given, and words that need vowelizatoin are vowelized. A comprehensive index of subjects distributed on months, weeks and occasions is prepared, except for the month of Ramadan, as a separate book is specified for it. We humble ourselves before Allah, be He exalted, and pray that the benefit of the lessons will prevail and bring down rain and mercy on the country. We also pray that may Allah protect 8 Lessons of the Mosques His Highness, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, his deputy, His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashed Al Maktoom, the governors of the United Arab Emirates, and the trustworthy Crown Prince, His Highness, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. We pray Allah to have mercy upon the founder leader, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his late brothers, governors of the UAE, who passed away. And we pray Allah, be He exalted, to protect our country and all Muslims’ countries, and to guide our steps, all of us, in the right way. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, Jinn and all that exists), and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master Mohammad. The General Organization of Islamic Affairs and Endowments 1 - Faith in Allah, be He exalted 9 1 - Faith in Allah, be He exalted Praise be to Allah, Who bestowed upon us the gifts of faith and Islam, and His blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the best of mankind, and upon his noble Family and Friends. Great and Almighty Allah said, {When your Lord brought forth descendants from the loins of Adam’s children, and made them testify concerning themselves (He said): ‘Am I not your Lord’. They replied: ‘We bear witness (that You are). ‘ Lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘We had no knowledge of this”.} [Al-A’raf: v. 172]. Allah, be He exalted, also said, {Believers, believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), in the Book He has sent down to His Messenger, and in the Book He sent down before. Whosoever disbelieves in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, has surely gone astray into far error} [An-Nisa’a: v. 136]. Great and Almighty Allah also said, {The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from His Lord, and so do the believers. Each believes in Allah and His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers, we do not differentiate between any one of His Messengers. They say: ‘We hear and obey. (We ask) Your forgiveness Lord, and to You is the arrival} [Al-Baqarah: v. 285]. Omar Bin Al Khattab Prophet - Allah’s blessing and - (ABPWH) peace be was quoted saying that the upon him - said, “Faith is to Lessons of the Mosques 10 believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and Destiny with its blessings and harm”(1). Narrated Abu Hurayrah - (ABPWH) - that the Prophet - Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him - said, “Faith is some more than seventy or some more than sixty - ramifications; the best of which is: to say ‘There is no God but Allah, ’ and the least good is to move dirt away from the street; and diffidence is a ramification of faith”(2). The Overall Meaning Faith in Allah - be He exalted - is a fact that Allah has created and made all creations endowed with it since the first time of creation, and they have witnessed so upon themselves. It is the decisive belief that Allah, be He exalted, is the God of everything, His Lord and Creator. He, alone, deserves to be singled out in worship, whether through prayers, fasting, invocation, hope and fear, for there is no god but Him, and truly no other deity but Him. Allah, be He exalted, is characterized by the attributes of perfection, exaltedness, beauty, infallible and has no flaw. Faith includes belief in Angels, Books, Messengers, the Last Day, and Destiny with its good and bad acts. It is a belief in the heart, and confession by the tongue, and work by limbs. There is no happiness for a person in the present life or the hereafter but through faith. It is the light of life, illuminating a Muslim’s path, approaching him/her to His/Her (1) Narrated by Muslim: 8. (2) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 9, Muslim: 58, the utterance is Muslim’s. 1 - Faith in Allah, be He exalted 11 creator and Provider of subsistence, and to the One Who takes life from people and then endows them with it. Hearts should definitely move to Him with faith, submission, and belief in all what comes from Him, be He exalted. Thus, whomsoever believes in Him and has the happiness of faith infiltrate his heart, then it will be reflected upon his limbs; then he / she will submit and yield to Allah, and acquires characteristics that Allah and His Messenger, Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him, love. Of these characteristics that believers are attributed with is that they are {Indeed the believers are those whose hearts quake at the mention of Allah, and when His verses are recited to them it increased them in faith. They are those who put their trust in their Lord} [Al-Anfal: v. 2]. In order to achieve these attributes in our real life, we must achieve the branches of faith that the Messenger of Allah, Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him. They increase the level of faith and lead us to the content of the Most Gracious. Faith increases with obedience, and decreases with sins. And as faith is a great thing, Allah ordered the believers to straighten up on its path and to get more of it. Therefore, who obeys His orders will win in the real life and succeed in the hereafter. Benefits 1 - Faith in Allah is all a general welfare; there is no happiness for mankind but through faith, and it is the confession of Allah’s right. Lessons of the Mosques 12 2 - Faith has characteristics believers enjoy, of which is the fear of Allah and the realization of His observance. 3 - Faith increases with obedience, and decreases with sin, and the believers are commanded to preserve their faith and to benefit more out of it. 4 - Allah, be He exalted, has destined to believers success in the present life and the hereafter. D D D 2 - The Merit of Knowledge 13 2 - The Merit of Knowledge Praise be to Allah, Who raised the value of knowledge and scholars, and made them the heirs of Prophets, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the imam of the pure, and upon his faithful Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted said, {But say: ‘Lord, increase me in knowledge} [Ta-Ha: v. 114]. And He, be He exalted said, {Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge. And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do} [Al-Mujadilah: v. 11]. He, be He exalted, also said, {But it is only those amongst His worshippers that fear Allah who have knowledge} [Fatir: v. 28]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Say: ‘Are they equal, those who know and those who do not know? ‘ Only those with minds remember} [Az-Zumar: v. 9]. Narrated Anas Bin Malek (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger, (PBUH) said, “Seeking knowledge is a religious duty for every Muslim”(1). Narrated Abi Ad-Darda’a (ABPWH): “I heard Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) once said, “He who follows a path to seek knowledge by which, Allah will guide him to follow a path to Paradise. And Angels lower their wings with content for the scholar. All creation in heavens or earth, even whales in water, ask (1) Narrated by Ibn Majah: 224. Lessons of the Mosques 14 forgiveness for the scholar. The preference of a scholar over a worshipper is like the preference of the moon over the rest of planets. Scholars are the heirs of Prophets, for they did not bequeath a Dinar or a Dirham, but rather bequeathed knowledge. And whoever obtains it, gets a great deal of fortune”(1). Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): “I heard Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) once said, “The present life is cursed, and whatsoever in it is cursed, except for the invocation of Allah and what He supports, and a scholar or a learner”(2). Narrated Mu’awiyah (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whoever Allah wills that he gets welfare educates him in religion”(3). The Overall Meaning The texts that show the merit of knowledge are many. Islam imposes on its nation to be an educated one. Knowledge bequeaths fear, and elevates its owner to a high rank. Even more, Angels lower their wings for a scholar in content of what he / she makes, and all creatures ask forgiveness for him / her. This is a proof of blessing and welfare. The Companions (ABPWT) heard the Verses and Hadiths that awake the desire of seeking knowledge, and therefore they learned, educated others, spread this knowledge and carried it to the successors after them. Without such response to the commands (1) Narrated Abu Dawood: 3641, and At-Tirmizi: 2682. (2) Narrated At-Tirmizi: 2322, and Ibn Majah: 4122. (3) Al Muwata’a: 2623, and is agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 71, and Muslim: 1037. 2 - The Merit of Knowledge 15 of Allah and His Messenger (PBUH), none of this great and sublime knowledge would have reached us. Every educated Muslim must learn what makes his/ her belief correct, and what corrects his/ her worship, be it cleanliness, prayer and fasting. If he/she has an amount of money, then he / she should learn the rules of almsgiving. If one is able to perform Hajj, then its rules should be learnt. And if he/she wants to have some dealings, then their rules should be known, and one should distinguish between what is lawful (Halal) and prohibited (Haram). There is no excuse for anyone who is ignorant of such a thing. A Muslim has to teach his / her family, children and dependants issues of their religion. So, if someone carries out his / her responsibilities towards his/her family by raising the children and directing them to love knowledge and seek it, then that would be a reason for their happiness in the present life and the hereafter, and a reason for parents’ peace of mind (heartsease). Whereas if he / she neglects his / her responsibility and wasted the right of his / her family and children, all will grow up as ignorant, and get busy with other issues than knowledge. They will not be able to master anything, nor will they appreciate knowledge, their parents’ rights, or the rank and value of religion. Benefits 1 - Knowing the great merit of knowledge in our religion and the interest of religion in it. 2 - The necessity to put knowledge into practice, or else it would be an excuse against its holder on the Last Day. Lessons of the Mosques 16 3 - A Muslim should be keen on learning the useful kind of knowledge. 4 - A Muslim should revere scholars and appreciate them, not profane their honor. O Allah! Teach us what is useful for us, make us get benefit from what we have learnt, and increase our understanding and knowledge of religion, O Allah! And may Allah’s peace be upon our master, Mohammad, and all of his Family and Companions. D D D 3 - Purity 17 3 - Purity Praise be to Allah, Who loves those keen on purity, and Who made purity the half of believers’ faith, and (PBUH) our master, Mohammad, leader (imam) of the sent Prophets, and upon all of his Family and Companions. Allah, (BHE) said, {and purify your clothing,} [Al-Muddaththir: v. 4]. Allah, (BHE) said, {Allah loves those who turn to Him in repentance and He loves those who cleanse themselves} [Al-Baqarah: v. 222]. Allah, (BHE) said, {A mosque founded upon piety from the first day is worthier for you to stand in. In it are men who love to purify themselves. Allah loves those who purify themselves} [At-Taubah: v. 108]. Narrated Ibn Abbas, (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Purify these bodies of yours, may Allah purify you, for no servant of Allah goes in purity to bed but sleeps with an Angel in his inner garment saying, whenever the servant turns in his bed at any hour of the night, (O Allah! Forgive your servant for he slept in purity”(1). Narrated Abi Malek Al Ash’ari, said, “Purity is half of Faith”(2). (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) (1) Narrated Al Tabarani in Al Mi’jam Al Awsat 5/204, and Al Haythami approved its support in Majma’a Al Zawa’ed 10/128. (2) Narrated Muslim: 223. Lessons of the Mosques 18 Narrated Sa’ad Bin Abi Waqqas, (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Purify your courtyards”(1). Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whoever sleeps with fat on his hand without washing it, and gets affected with something, then he should blame himself only”(2). Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “If any of you performs his ablution, let him put water into his nose then sprinkle it out, and whoever cleans (his private parts) with stones should do it thrice. If any of you wakes up, he should wash his hand before starting ablution with it, for none of you would know where his hand was placed”(3). The Overall Meaning Islam is the religion of purity and cleanliness. It directed its followers to purity in all conditions. Therefore, it aroused the interest to keep purity according to the Islamic law, and commanded the purity of one’s garment, body and place. It also encouraged people to use cleaning sticks for teeth, trim fingernails, depilate the hair of an armpit, shave pubic hair, and avoid impurities. Islam saves no occasion when Muslims gather together to encourage them to purge, beautify, and perfume themselves. Thus, (1) Narrated Al Tabarani in Al Mi’jam Al Awsat 4/231, and Al Haythami said, in Majma’a Al Zawa’ed (1/286), “His men are authentic. Courtyards: Pl. of courtyard, which is a space in front of a house. (2) Abu Dawood: 3852, At-Tirmizi: 1859, Ibn Majah: 3297. (3) The first part in Al Muwata’a: 33, and it is agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 162, Muslim: 237. 3 - Purity 19 it ordered this on feast days, Fridays, and vigil of Hajj. It is so the case even after death where it is a must, according to Islamic law, to purge a dead person by washing him / her before praying on him / her. A Muslim should adhere to purity of all its kinds. So, one is not allowed to urinate in the shadow where people sit or live, on their roads or in their watering places. It would be unsuitable for a Muslim to go to a meeting place in a mosque, or to a different place while smelling bad, because this is a kind of harm to Muslims and Allah’s Angels. Benefits 1 - Purity is the basis of worship and a key for it. 2 - Allah loves those who are keen on purity. 3 - Islam is the religion of cleanliness and purity. 4 - A Muslim should care for the feelings of his/her fellow brothers/sisters, and would not harm them with his/her bad smell and other harmful things. 5 - Purity is half of faith. D D D 20 Lessons of the Mosques 4 - Benefits of Faith in Allah, be He exalted Praise be to Allah, Whom by faith guided the hearts of the confused and lighted the paths of the passers, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the leader of the submissive and upon all his Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Those who believe and have not confounded their belief with harm security belongs to them; and they are guided}[Al-An’am: v. 82]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good works that He will indeed make them successors in the land as He made those who were before them successors, and that He will indeed establish their religion for them; that which He has approved for them, and will exchange safety for them after their fear. They worship Me and associate nothing with Me. After that, those who disbelieve are the impious} [An-Nur: v. 55]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {For whosoever does a righteous deed, be they believing men or women, We shall recompense them with their wage according to the best of their deeds} [An-Nahl: v. 97]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Had the people of the villages believed and been cautious, We would have opened upon them 4 - Benefits of Faith in Allah, be He exalted 21 the blessings from heaven and earth. But they belied, and We seized them for what they earned} [Al-A’raf: v. 96]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Allah will defend those who believe. Verily, Allah does not love the ungrateful cheat} [Al-Hajj: v. 38]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Those who believe, and whose descendants follow in belief, We will join their descendants to them. And We will not reduce them of anything of their deeds. Everyone is pledged for what he has earned}[ At-Tur: v. 21]. Narrated Omar Bin Al Khattab (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “O Son of Al Khattab! Go and call people saying: None will enter Paradise save the believers”. Omar said, ‘I went out and called’, “None will enter Paradise save the believers”(1). Narrated Suhaib (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “How strange a believer’s matter could be. It is all good, and no one is gifted with such a thing but a believer; if he is blessed with happiness, he expresses gratitude, then it is for his good; and if he is inflicted with distress, he is patient, then it is for his good”(2). Narrated Abi Saeed Al Khadri (ABPWH): Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) said, “Residents of Paradise see those who dwell chambers above them just like how they see a glittering planet far away in the horizon to the east or west, and this due to their different ranks”. His Companions said, “O (1) Narrated Muslim: 114. (2) Narrated Muslim: 2999. Lessons of the Mosques 22 Messenger of Allah! Those are the ranks of Prophets, and no one else could reach them? “Verily! O He Whom my soul is in His hand! Those are men who believed in Allah and believed His Messengers”(1). The Overall Meaning Faith in Allah, glory to Him and be He exalted, is the basis of success in the two lives. A believer is serene in his heart, and has a peaceful mind. If he is gifted by Allah, then he expresses gratitude to Him. And if he is inflicted with a disaster, he is not worried nor does it make gets desperate. Contrary to this, he would be patient, sacrifices for Allah’s reward, and is certain of Allah’s grace and mercy. Therefore, you can find him happy and content in his life. He knows and is sure that Allah is with him, supports, takes care and guides him. He also believes that he and other believers like him will win at the end, and that Allah will gift and appoint them to rule on earth, and that He will strengthen and enable them to establish and perform his religion, so that they will be immortalized in Paradise on the Day of Resurrection. Benefits 1 - Faith is the basis for every success. 2 - Faith in Allah and praising Him a lot brings peace and tranquility to the heart. (1) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 3256, and Muslim: 2831. 4 - Benefits of Faith in Allah, be He exalted 23 3 - Happiness is gained in life by faith in Allah and virtuous work. 4 - Belief in Allah, surrender to Him and submission to His command all are reasons to sense security, facilitation of life matters, and driving anguish away. 5 - Allah bequeaths His believing and monotheistic servants who obey Him the earth. 6 - Only believers get into Paradise. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 24 5 - Ethics of a Scholar Praise be to Allah, Who granted success to whoever He wished in fields of science and work, and Who educated them the best of words and deeds, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master of noble traits, Mohammad, and upon all his Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {But say: ‘Lord, increase me in knowledge} [Ta-Ha: v. 114]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Moses said to him: ‘May I follow you so that you can teach me of that you have learned of righteousness? You will not bear patiently with me, ‘ He replied. For how can you bear patiently with that which you have never encompassed in your knowledge? He (Moses) said: ‘If Allah wills, you shall find me patient, I shall not disobey your order} [Al-Kahf: v. 66-69]. Narrated Osama Bin Shareek (ABPWH): ‘I came to Allah’s Messenger (PBUH). His Companions were sitting (without movement) as if birds were on their heads. I saluted them, sat down, then Bedouins came from different directions and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Shall we take medicines?’ ‘ He said, “Take medicines; Allah, may He be exalted, did not create a disease but made a medicine for it, save one disease: senility”(1). (1) Narrated Abu Dawood: 3855, and Al Tirmizi: 2038, and Ibn Majah: 3436. 5 - Ethics of a Scholar 25 Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whomsoever leans a science that Allah, be He exalted, is sought by it, only to gain a vanity of the world, then he will never smell the fragrance of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection”(1). Narrated Abi Mulaykah: A’isha, the wife of the Prophet, (PBUH), used to inquire about issues that she heard and did not know so as to have knowledge of them(2). The Overall Meaning The true Islamic law urged people to deal with sciences. There are many Verses and stories that indicate the merit of science, and motivate its acquisition. They also presented a set of ethics that a scholar should be endowed with: Of which: The scholar’s awareness of his need to request more science. Of which also: Devotion to Allah, be He exalted, or else one’s quest for knowledge would become a curse and an excuse against him on the Day of Resurrection. Whomsoever seeks knowledge just to boast in front of scholars, to argue with the foolish, or to arouse attention to him, then Allah will send him to Hell. Of which: Politeness with the teacher, for the Companions (1) Narrated Abu Dawood: 3664, and Ibn Majah: 252. (2) Narrated Al Bukhari: 103. Lessons of the Mosques 26 of Allah’s Messenger, (PBUH), used to sit without movement as if there were birds on their heads due to their extreme quietness. And of which: The scholar should be humble with his teacher. He should also be patient; knowledge is not attained but through high ambitions, and strong wills. The scholar should be characterized by continual fear of Allah, in public and in secret, and to seize all times to learn, because every hour that passes away cannot be substituted or replaced. He should stop being preoccupied with the differences of scholars’ approaches, and take each kind of knowledge from the people of experience. It is worthwhile for us to teach our children that they should respect teachers and tutors. Respect for teachers is a proof of high morals, perfect upbringing, and also a proof of the child’s respect for his parents. Benefits 1 - Sincerity is requested when seeking knowledge. 2 - Appreciation, veneration and respect for the teacher are of the most important ethics of the learner. 3 - Diligence in seeking knowledge is a means to attain it. 5 - Ethics of a Scholar 27 4 - Application of science and teaching it to others is a reason for its sustainability and increment. 5 - Morals are the ornaments of knowledge. 6 - Gradual quest for sciences, and starting with the most important first, then the less important, is a means to acquire and master them. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 28 6 - Ablution Praise be to Allah, Who loves the pure, Who makes ablution Muslims’ characteristic, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, leader of the honorable white-headed prayers (due to their well done ablution), and upon all his Family and Companions. Allah, (BHE) said, {Believers, when you rise to pray wash your faces and your hands as far as the elbow, and wipe your heads and (wash) your feet to the ankle. If you are in a state of impurity, cleanse yourselves. But if you are sick or traveling, or, if when you have just relieved yourselves or had intercourse with women and you cannot find water, touch the clean surface of the earth and rub your hands and faces with it. Allah does not wish to burden you, He seeks only to purify you and to complete His Favor to you in order that you may thank} [Al-Ma’idah: v. 6]. Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) said, “Allah does not accept the prayer of any of you if he / she makes minor ritual impurity until he / she performs ablution”(1). Humran, the servant of Uthman Bin Affan, narrated that he saw Uthman Bin Affan, (ABPWH), asking for a tumbler of water, then he poured water over his hands and washed them thrice. Then, he put his right hand in the ablution container and rinsed his mouth, washed his nose by putting water in it and then blowing (1) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 6954, and Muslim: 225. 6 - Ablution 29 it out. After that, he washed his face and hands up to the elbows thrice, passes his wet hands over his head and washed his feet up to the ankle thrice. Then, he said, ‘I saw the Prophet, (PBUH), perform ablution in the same way as I did, and he, (PBUH), said, “Whomsoever performs ablution like that of mine and prayed a two-prostration prayer during which he does not think of anything else (not related to his prayer), then Allah will forgive his past sins”.(1) Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “If a Muslim or believer servant performs ablution by washing his face, every sinful look of his eyes will be washed away by water, or with the last drop of water; if he washes his hands, every sin committed by his hands will washed away by water, or with the last drop of water; if he washes his feet, then every sinful step he walked with his feet will be washed away with water, or with the last drop of water, till he comes out pure of sins”.(2) Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) was told: ‘How would you know those of your nation who haven’t come yet, O Messenger of Allah?’ He replied by saying, “Imagine that a man has white-headed horses amongst black ones, wouldn’t he recognize his horses, then?” They said, ‘Verily, O Messenger of Allah’. He, then, said, “They (believers) come (on the Day of Resurrection) having a blaze on their foreheads because of their ablution, and I proceed and lead them at the (holy) basin”.(3) (1) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 164, and Muslim: 226. (2) Al Muwata’a: 67, and Muslim: 244. (3) 3 Al Muwata’a: 64, and Muslim: 249. Lessons of the Mosques 30 Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Amro (ABPWT), ‘We went back with Allah’s Messenger, (PBUH), from Mecca to Medina, and when we found water on our way back, some people hastened in the afternoon and performed ablution in a hurry. When we reached them, we found that their heel bones look like water did not reach them. The Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), then said, “Woe unto the heels (anklebones) for being punished in Hell. Perform your ablution perfectly”.(1) The Overall Meaning Ablution is the key to prayer. It is a light, a blessing, and brightness. Allah has made it as an indication of faith, and considered its preservation a cause for forgiveness. He also considered it a condition by which a prayer is correct. Thus, Allah does not accept a prayer without it. - Obligations of ablution: 1 - Intention. 2 - Rubdown. 3 - Succession. 4 - Washing the face. 5 - Washing hands up to elbows. 6 - Passing wet hands over the head. 7 - Washing feet to ankle bones (heel bones). (1) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 60, and Muslim: 241, and the expression belongs to Muslim. 6 - Ablution - Rubrics of ablution: 1 - Washing hands. 2 - Rinsing. 3 - Washing the nose (by putting water in). 4 - Blowing water out of the nose. 5 - Passing back wet hands over the head. 6 - Rubbing ears. 7 - Arrangement of obligations. - Desirable acts and merits of ablution: 1 - Naming (of Allah). 2 - Purity of place. 3 - Reducing the amount of water. 4 - Going to (Starting) with the right side of the tumbler. 5 - Washing in even repetitions. 6 - Washing thrice. 7 - Starting with right sides (limbs). 8 - Using a cleaning stick for the teeth. 9 - Starting to pass a wet hand over the head from its front. 10 - Allowing water through toes when washing feet. 11 - Arrangement (sequence) of its rubrics. 31 Lessons of the Mosques 32 Benefits 1 - Ablution is a condition for a prayer to be correct; it is not accepted without it unless with an excuse. 2 - Ablution is a cause for forgiving misdeeds, elimination of sins, and a sign of faith. 3 - Ablution is a sign for this nation by which it (the nation) is recognized on the Day of Resurrection. 4 - Threat is given to those who break the basic elements of ablution. D D D 7 - Sincerity of Work to Allah, be He exalted 33 7 - Sincerity of Work to Allah, be He exalted Praise be to Allah, Who made sincerity a way for salvation, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the sincerest of all creation who invoked and supplicated to Allah, and upon his Family, Companions and whoever supported him. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Say: ‘My prayers and my worship (for example, pilgrimage and sacrifice), my life and my death, are all for Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. He has no partner, with that I am commanded, and I am the first of the submitters (Muslims)} [Al-An’am: v. 162-163]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Yet they were ordered to worship Allah alone, making the Religion His sincerely, upright, and to establish their prayers and to pay the obligatory charity. That is indeed the Religion of Straightness} [Al-Bayyinah: v. 5]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {We have sent down the Book with the truth to you (Prophet Muhammad), therefore worship Allah, and make your religion sincerely His. Is it not that the sincere religion belongs to Allah? As for those who choose guardians, other than Him, (saying): ‘We only worship them so that they will bring us near to Allah, ‘ Indeed, Allah will judge between them concerning their differences. Indeed, Allah does not guide he who is an unthankful liar} [Az-Zumar: v. 2-3]. Narrated Abu Hurayra, Abdu Ar-Rahman Bin Sakhr, (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Allah does not regard 34 Lessons of the Mosques your figures and wealth, but rather regards your hearts and deeds”(1). Narrated Abu Hurayra, (ABPWH), ‘I heard Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) saying, “The first one to be judged on the Day of Resurrection is a man who was martyred, then was brought; Allah informed him of His blessings and he admitted them. Allah said, ‘How did you utilize them?’ The man said, ‘I fought for You until I was martyred’. Allah said, ‘You lied. You fought so that others would say, ‘He is a brave man, ’ and so was said’. Then, he was ordered to be dragged with his face to the ground until he was thrown in Hellfire. Another man to be judged is one that educated himself and taught others his science, and read the Qur’an, then was brought; Allah informed him of His blessings and he admitted them. Allah said, ‘How did you utilize them?’ The man said, ‘I educated myself and taught others my science, and read the Qur’an for Your sake’. Allah said, ‘You lied. You learned sciences so that others would say, ‘He is a scholar’, and read the Qur’an so others would say, ‘He is a reader, ’ and so was said’. Then, he was ordered to be dragged with his face to the ground until he was thrown in Hellfire. Also, another man to be judged is one that Allah, the Generous towards him, gave him all types of riches and money, then was brought; Allah informed him of His blessings and he admitted them. Allah said, ‘How did you utilize them?’ The man said, ‘I saved no path through which You like money to be spent but walked it for Your sake’. Allah said, ‘You lied. You did this so that others would say, ‘He is generous, ’ and so (1) Narrated Muslim: 2564. 7 - Sincerity of Work to Allah, be He exalted 35 was said’. Then, he was ordered to be dragged with his face to the ground until he was thrown in Hellfire”(1). The Overall Meaning The previous scriptures talked about one of the highest branches of faith, and of the greatest ranks to reach the Most Gracious, namely sincerity which is the character of believers, and Allah does not accept a deed without it. Sincerity is to devote works completely to Allah, and that none but Him is to be intended by them, be He exalted. It is a relation between the servant and his God, for it has calmness, peace, tranquility and certainty. Therefore, hearts should invoke Him only, with no other God to invoke, Glory to Him. Whoever devotes himself will be saved, and whoever becomes a polytheist wrongs and becomes a tyrant. A Muslim has to fear Allah and sense His observation in all his deeds, and has to pursue Him with his heart, and let it address none but Him alone. Sincerity is salvation, and its opposite is destruction. We supplicate Allah for sincerity in secret and public. Benefits 1 - Sincerity is to orient the heart and work only towards Allah, be He exalted, alone, with no other God to share His rule above creation. (1) Narrated Muslim: 1905. Lessons of the Mosques 36 2 - Sincerity is the method of Prophets and the virtuous. 3 - Sincerity saves its holders from every evil. 4 - Any deed not intended to be devoted to Allah, will be turned against its owner, even if it is lofty. 5 - Sincerity is the basis for acceptance of deeds. D D D 8 - Nobility of Character 37 8 - Nobility of Character Praise be to Allah, Who attributed great importance to nobility of character in the Balance, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master Mohammad whose character was the (embodiment of) Qur’an, upon his Family and Companions, and those who followed their path with performance of good deeds. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Surely, you (Prophet Muhammad) are of a great morality} [Al-Qalam: v. 4]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Who spend in prosperity and in adversity, for those who curb their anger and those who forgive people. And Allah loves the charitable} [Al-Imran: v. 134]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel with that which is most just, and see, the one whom there is enmity between you will be as if he were a loyal guide} [Fussilat: v. 34]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Accept the easing, order with fine jurisprudence, and avoid the ignorant} [Al-A’raf: v. 199]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {It was by that Mercy of Allah that you (Prophet Muhammad) dealt so leniently with them. Had you been harsh and hardhearted, they would have surely deserted you. Therefore, pardon them and ask forgiveness for them. Take counsel with them in the matter and when you are resolved, put your trust in Allah. Allah loves those who trust} [Al-Imran: v. 159]. Lessons of the Mosques 38 Narrated Anas Bin Malek, (ABPWH): “Allah’s Prophet, was the best of people in character”(1). (PBUH), Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Amro Bin Al As, (ABPWT): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Don’t you want me to tell you about those dearest and sitting closest to me on the Day of Resurrection?” His kinfolks remained silent; then he repeated the question twice or thrice and they said, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah!’ He said, “Those of you with the best character”(2). Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) was asked about the most frequent deed that enables people to enter Paradise; he said, “Piety (Allah-fearing), and nobility of treatment with people”(3). Narrated Abi Tharr (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Be Allah-fearing wherever you are, and follow a sin with a good deed to erase it, and treat people with courtesy and good morals”.(4) The Overall Meaning It is an command by the Lord of creation, and the quality of the master of Messengers to behave with a noble character which, in turn, weighs the Balance of believers’ (good deeds). It is a means to straighten society up, and his members to be merciful toward one another. Sympathy among people would (1) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 6203, and Muslim: 2150. (2) Narrated Ahmad: 6735, and Al Bukhari in Al Adab Al Mufrad 1/104, and Al Haythami said in Majma’a Al Zawa’ed (8/21): Its support is good. (3) Narrated Al Tirmizi: 2004, and Al Bukhari in Al Adab Al Mufrad 1/110 (4) Narrated Al Tirmizi: 1987. 8 - Nobility of Character 39 not happen but through the character of mercy. Beneficence amongst them does not happen, also, but through the character of generosity and bounty. If each one of us would advise others, then it would be to adhere to the character of honesty. And none would be keen on uniting and joining Muslims but a person characterized by philanthropy. A Muslim should be endowed with nobility of character, speak well to people, and wish for others what he wishes for himself. A person of a noble character does not mock others, nor despise or be arrogant with them. On the contrary, he associates with others, bears their harm, forgives those of them who do him wrong, overlooks the delinquent, advises those of them who err, and lead them to the good. Therefore, Verses and Hadiths clarify the value of this principle and its positive effects on individuals and society. Allah, be He exalted, designed the action of pushing back a wrong deed and replacing it with a good one as a means to implant cordiality and compassion among members of the society. The noble character is the title for perfection, and nations become righteous only through their noble characters and morals. A poet said, Nations are their morals as long as they last, If morals vanish, then they are a talk of the past. Benefits 1 - Allah’s Prophet in character. (PBUH) is the finest of people and most perfect Lessons of the Mosques 40 2 - The most perfect believers in faith are the finest in character. 3 - Good behaviors and noble characters are means to progress and advancement. 4 - Nobility of character raises the ranks and leads to entering Paradise. 5 - By virtue of noble characters, a Muslim can be close to Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) in Paradise. D D D 9 - Purity of the right hand 41 9 - Purity of the right hand Praise be Allah, Who bestowed faith upon us, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master Mohammad who loved going to the right in every matter, and upon his Family and Companions, and those who followed their path with performance of good deeds. Allah, be He exalted, said, {In the Messenger of Allah you have a fine example for he who hopes for Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah abundantly} [Al-Ahzab: v. 21]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Then, he who is given his Book in his right hand shall have an easy reckoning} [Al-Inshiqaq: v. 7-8]. Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whether you dress or perform ablution, start with your right hand”(1). Narrated Aishah (ABPWH) saying, “Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) liked to put his shoes on and off, to clean himself and perform all his duties using his right hand”(2). Narrated Anas (ABPWH) saying, ‘Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) came to our house, and asked for a drink. We milked an ewe for him, then I mixed the milk with water from our well. I gave it to him. Abu Bakr was sitting to his left, Omar in front him, and a Bedouin (1) Narrated Abu Dawood: 4141, and the last part of Ibn Majah’s, also: 402 (2) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 162, and Muslim: 268. Lessons of the Mosques 42 to his right. When he finished drinking, Omar said, ‘Here is Abu Bakr to drink, ’ but rather he gave the Bedouin the remnant of his milk, then said, “Those to the right, those to the right, start from the right”. Anas continued, ‘It is a rubric (Sunnah), it is a Sunnah... thrice’.(1) The Overall Meaning Being a right-handed (doing things with the right hand) is a noble Sunnah, and an Islamic law, based on specifying the right hand for doing noble and appropriate matters. And it is given precedence and works suitable for this idea are started with it. We are a nation that loves being right-handed in everything because the Prophet (PBUH) loved this. We follow in his steps, hoping that we would be, on the Day of Resurrection, a nation of the right-sided. People of the right side are the people of the truth. They take their books with their right hands, and the light on the path to Paradise will be from the right side. Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) liked to put his shoes on and off, to clean himself and perform all his duties using his right hand. The Prophet (PBUH) informed that the Devil eats and drinks with his left hand. Getting used to being a right-handed urges us to remember the Prophet’s rubrics, so we have to obey the guidance of our Prophet (PBUH) in order to win his company on the Day of Resurrection. (1) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 2571, and Muslim: 2029. 9 - Purity of the right hand 43 Benefits 1 - Using the right hand is a Sunnah. Therefore, we should follow the guidance of our Prophet (PBUH). 2 - We should prohibit ourselves from being similar to the Devil, and order its opposition. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 44 10 - Intention and its Rank Praise be to Allah, Who associated works with intentions to start them, and through which He doubled Muslims’ reward, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the finest of creations, and upon his Family and Companions who hold virtues and noble qualities. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Say: ‘Whether you hide what is in your hearts or reveal it, Allah knows it. He knows all that is in the heavens and earth and has power over all things} [Al-Imran: v. 29]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Indeed, We created the human. We know the whisperings of his soul, and are closer to him than the jugular vein} [Qaf: v. 16]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Whosoever, being a believer, desires the Everlasting Life and strives for it as he should those their striving will be thanked. For whosoever desires this fleeting life We hasten for him whatever We will and to whom We want. Then, We have prepared Hell for him where he will be roasted, condemned and rejected} [Al-Isra’: v. 18-19]. Narrated Omar Bin Al Khattab, Commander of the Faithful Muslims (Caliph”(ABPWH), saying, ‘I heard Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) once said, “Works are associated with intentions, and each Muslim is rewarded according to his intent; who seeks Allah and His Messenger, then he will find blessing, because he seeks Allah and His Messenger; who seeks worldly gains or 10 - Intention and its Rank 45 a woman for marriage, then he seeks no more than what he wished for”(1). Narrated Abi Ad Darda’a (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whomsoever goes to bed with the intention to stand to pray at night, and goes into sleep till the morning, then he will be rewarded as if he stood according to his intention. His sleep will be a charity endowed upon him by his God, be He exalted”(2). The Overall Meaning Intention means: intent and purpose, i.e. complete intent and aiming at something resolutely. Human beings lead their hearts towards what they love and want. Some of them seek Allah, the Messenger and the eternal abode; some others seek earthly gains and vanities. For that reason, virtuous intention earned a high rank and role in accepting people’s deeds. Therefore, those who intend to do something virtuous, they will be rewarded. And those who intend to do something evil will have it turned against them. Works are not accepted unless associated with righteous intentions. Allah rewards a Muslim according to his intention even if he did not do anything, if he was adhering to the action and only an excuse prevented him from achieving it. An example is that of a person who intends to stand to pray at night but gets tired and falls asleep. In this case, he is rewarded for the sake (1) Narrated Al Bukhari: 1, and Muslim: 1907, and Abu Dawood: 2201, and the utterance belongs to him. (2) Narrated Al Nasa’i: 1787, and Ibn Majah: 1433. Lessons of the Mosques 46 of his intention, and what he intended will be recorded for him. When people are resurrected, they are raised associated with their intentions. A Muslim should be keen on maintaining his intention as virtuous, for it comprises his salvation when he stands before His God on the Day of Resurrection. Benefits 1 - Intention is highly valued in Islam. 2 - A man may not accomplish a deed, but may be highly rewarded for his intention. 3 - People are resurrected associated with their intentions. 4 - The importance of virtuous intention does not mean to quit action if one is capable of doing it. D D D 11 - Humility, Ornament of the Pious 47 11 - Humility, Ornament of the Pious Praise be to Allah, Who raised His humble servants, and highly ranked them in the hearts of all humanity, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the imam of the devout, and upon his Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {And lower your wing to the believers who follow you} [Ash-Shu’ara’: v. 215]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {That is the Last Abode, We shall assign it to those who desire neither exorbitance in the earth, nor corruption. The outcome is for the cautious} [Al-Qasas: v. 83]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {People, We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you might know one another. The noblest of you before Allah is the most righteous of you. Allah is the Knower, the Aware} [Al-Hujurat: v. 13]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Do not turn your cheek in scorn away from people, nor walk proudly on the earth; Allah does not love the proud and the boastful} [Luqman: v. 18]. Narrated Iyadh Bin Himar (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Allah revealed to me that, ‘Be humble lest no one boasts himself arrogantly above others, and no one does others injustice”(1). Narrated Abu Hurayra (1) Narrated Muslim: 2865. (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, Lessons of the Mosques 48 “And whoever behaves humbly and modestly for the sake of Allah, Allah will raise him”.(1) Narrated Anas (ABPWH) saying, “Even a bondmaid of Al Medina kinfolk’s grabbed the hand of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) and let him walk with her wherever she wanted”.(2) The Overall Meaning Humility is a characteristic of believers who find themselves with no merits to excel above other people, and behaves not with arrogance against the worship Allah and submission to His commands. The commanded humility does not degrade the high-ranked, but rather adds to his high rank, respect and love of the people. A humble person follows the example of the Prophets’ leader (Imam), son of Adam, who used to sleep on a straw mat, and whose high rank did not prevent him from sitting, standing, eating and drinking with his Companions from one dish. Humility remedies soul calamities and limit its tyranny. How beautiful the merit of humility is, and how beautiful it is to practice it. Benefits 1 - Humility is a praiseworthy attribute, and a fine character that Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) love. (1) Narrated Muslim: 2588. (2) Narrated Al Bukhari: 6072. 11 - Humility, Ornament of the Pious 49 2 - Whoever behaves humbly and modestly for the sake of Allah, Allah will raise him. 3 - The most highly ranked people are those who do not see and boast of their ranks, and the most virtuous are those who do not see and boast of their virtues. 4 - Humility is a characteristic of the generous, and pride is that of the mean. O Allah, ornament us with the character of humility, and let us be of your happy servants, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, and upon his Family and Companions. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 50 12 - The Washing Praise be to Allah, Who ordered His servants to wash, and ornamented them with beautiful traits, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, who was sent with the best of speech, and upon his Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Believers, when you rise to pray wash your faces and your hands as far as the elbow, and wipe your heads and (wash) your feet to the ankle. If you are in a state of impurity, cleanse yourselves. But if you are sick or traveling, or, if when you have just relieved yourselves or had intercourse with women and you cannot find water, touch the clean surface of the earth and rub your hands and faces with it. Allah does not wish to burden you, He seeks only to purify you and to complete His Favor to you in order that you may thank} [Al-Ma’idah: v. 6]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {They ask you about menstruation. Say: ‘It is an injury. Stay away from women during their menstrual periods and do not approach them until they are cleansed. When they have cleansed themselves, then come to them from where Allah has commanded you. Allah loves those who turn to Him in repentance and He loves those who cleanse themselves} [Al-Baqarah: v. 222]. Narrated Mother of believers, Ayshah (ABPWH): ‘Allah’s Messenger, (PBUH), when starting to wash for major ritual impurity, used to start with washing his hands, pour water from his right hand to the left side and wash his private parts, 12 - The Washing 51 then take water and get his fingers through his hair and reach the skin of the head, until he was sure that water reached the roots of the hair. After that, he used to pour on his head three handfuls of water, then pour forth on his entire body, the wash his feet”(1). Narrated Um Salama (ABPWH) saying, ‘O Messenger of Allah! I am a woman that braids her hair; should I unbraids it to wash the major impurity?’ He said, “No, you only need to pour water thrice on your head, then pour it forth on your body, then you are purified”(2). The Overall Meaning The whole or the previous Verses and Hadiths show that purity is an obligation, according to Islamic law, for Allah, may He be exalted, has ordered it. He loves those who do it. The purity intended here is pouring water on the body in order to purify from major impurity. Purity has causes, among which are: 1 - Ejaculation of spermatic fluid. 2 - Sexual intercourse, even if there is no ejaculation. 3 - Monthly period. 4 - Confinement (the period after giving birth to a child). 5 - Childbirth. (1) Al Muata’a: 109, shortened, and it is agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 248, and Muslim: 316. (2) Narrated Muslim: 330. 52 Lessons of the Mosques - Washing duties and obligations: 1 - Intention. 2 - Rubdown. 3 - Succession. 4 - Pouring water and covering the entire outside body. 5 - Getting water through hair. - Rubrics of washing: 1 - Washing hands. 2 - Rinsing the mouth. 3 - Inhalation. 4 - Wiping the holes of the ears. - Preferences of washing: 1 - Naming. 2 - Starting with washing impurities. 3 - Washing the head thrice. 4 - Bringing forward and arrangement of limbs in ablution. 5 - Decreasing the amount of water. 6 - Starting from the top of the body. 7 - Starting from the right sides. Those who do not find water, or unable to use it, should wash with clean sand or earth. It is done by a Muslim hitting pure sand with hands, then wiping his face and hands with it. 12 - The Washing 53 Benefits 1 - Obligations of washing are two: intention and pouring water all over the body. 2 - Causes for washing are five: ejaculation of spermatic fluid, sexual intercourse, monthly period, confinement (the period after giving birth to a child), and childbirth. 3 - Purity is an obligation, according to Islamic law, and Allah loves the purged. O Allah, let us be of those pious purifiers, and Allah’s peace and blessings be upon our Master, Mohammad, and upon all his Family and Companions. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 54 13 - This Religion is easy Praise be to Allah, Who showed us the way to Islam, and made rulings easy for us, and made Al Haneefiyah (straight and true religion) the religion of our master Mohammad, the best of creation, Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his Family and noble Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Allah wants ease for you and does not want hardship for you} [Al-Baqarah: v. 185]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {and has not laden a burden upon you in your religion,} [Al-Hajj: v. 78]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Allah charges no soul except to its capacity} [Al-Baqarah: v. 286]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {TaHa. We have not sent down the Koran to you for you to be tired,} [Ta-Ha: v. 1-2]. Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The religion is easy, and anyone who disputes with it will be defeated. So, aim and approximate”(1). Narrated Aysha (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Allah has not sent me to be a constrainer or as a constrainer, but has sent me as a lenient and flexible teacher”(2). (1) Narrated Al Bukhari: 39. (2) Narrated Muslim: 1478. 13 - This Religion is easy 55 Narrated Aysha (ABPWH) as saying, ‘Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) was not enabled to choose between two matters, but chose the easiest of them unless it was a wrongdoing; if it was so, then he would be the most distant of people from it”.(1) The Overall Meaning Allah distinguished the law of Islam with facilitation, which is of the greatest purposes of religion, in order to push constraints away from the nation, and to remove its embarrassment. He established religion on good-heartedness and facilitation, in mercy for the assigned. Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) advised facilitation, and warned against being overstrict and constraining. Being overstrict is to be a stringent and rigid where rigidity is not needed. Three of the Companions (ABPWT) came to the houses of the Prophet’s (PBUH) wives, to ask about his worship. When they were told about it, as if they belittled its amount. One of them said, ‘I pray the whole night’; the other said, ‘I fast all the time and do not have a break (for days or months); and the third said, ‘I isolate myself from women and never marry’. Then, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) came and told them, “I swear to Allah that I am the most fearful, of you, of Allah, and the most pious, but I fast and break my fasting (rest), pray and sleep, and marry women. So, those who dislike my rubrics (Sunnah) do not belong to me”. Rules of Islamic law, of all different types, are kinds of worship and conduct based on ease and good-heartedness. There is no hardship or difficulty. (1) Al Muata’a: 2627, and it is agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 3560, and Muslim: 2327. Lessons of the Mosques 56 Some kinds of easiness are shortening prayers when travelling, breaking fast when it is difficult, and performing Hajj once in a lifetime when one is able to do it, and facilitating things for those having difficulties. Benefits 1 - Islam is the religion of good-heartedness and ease. 2 - Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) is the example and model of facilitation for people. 3 - Easiness is bound to the Islamic rules which are taken from the Qur’an and Sunnah. 4 - One of the great rules of the Islamic law is that (difficulty brings easiness), and that (if a matter gets harder, it will be easier afterwards). D D D 14 - Dispraise of Arrogance 57 14 - Dispraise of Arrogance Praise be to Allah, Who is peerless, holding the characteristics of glory and perfection, Who prohibited those who hold in their hearts the tiniest particle of arrogance to enter Paradise, and Who hated every arrogant and strutting person, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, who was sent provided with mercy, and upon his Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Do not turn your cheek in scorn away from people, nor walk proudly on the earth; Allah does not love the proud and the boastful} [Luqman: v. 18]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {He does not love the proud} [An-Nahl: v. 23]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {That is the Last Abode, We shall assign it to those who desire neither exorbitance in the earth, nor corruption. The outcome is for the cautious} [Al-Qasas: v. 83]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Enter the gates of Hell and live there for ever. Evil is the lodging of the proud} [Ghafir: v. 76]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Do not walk proudly in the earth. Indeed, you will never tear open the earth, nor attain the height of mountains} [Al-Isra’: v. 37]. Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Mas’oud (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “No one whose heart has a tiny particle of arrogance enters Paradise”. A man said, ‘One likes his garment 58 Lessons of the Mosques and shoes to be nice!’ The Messenger then replied, “Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty; arrogance is the ingratitude of rightness, and despising people”(1). Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Hell and Paradise argued; Hell said, ‘I was preferred for having the arrogant and haughty,’ and Paradise said, ‘Why are the weak, humble and incapable the only people to enter me?’ Allah replied Paradise, ‘You are My Mercy, by which I bestow Mercy upon whomsoever I wish of My servants,’ and replied Hell, ‘You are My Torture, by which I torture whomsoever I wish of My servants, and each one of you (Hell and Paradise) has its due amount to be filled with’. When Hell is not filled, He puts his foot on it, and it says, ‘Enough, enough’. Then, it will be full, and each of Hell and Paradise are gathered separately and closed”(2). Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “A man was walking in a garment, self-conceited, and well combed; when Allah sinks him down, he will be tortured till the Day of Resurrection”(3). Narrated Ibn Omar (ABPWT): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whomsoever glorifies himself, or becomes self-conceited, will meet Allah discontented with him”(4). (1) (2) (3) (4) Narrated Muslim: 147. Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 4850, and Muslim: 2846. Narrated Al Bukhari: 3485, and Muslim: 2088, and the expression is his. Narrated Al Bukhari in Al Adab Al Mufrad 1/193, and Ahmad: 5995, and Al Haythami mentioned in Majma’a Al Zawa’ed (1/98): his narrators are the men of the right Hadiths. 14 - Dispraise of Arrogance 59 The Overall Meaning Arrogance is a character that Allah hates for His servants. He considers it a cause for corruption, and no one will enter Paradise while still holding in his / her heart a tiny particle of arrogance, because arrogance opposes rightness, and despises creation. It is one of the marks of self-conceitedness. It is also a proof that the heart is full of ignorance and injustice, that its holder looks down on people, and walks amongst them strutting and swaggering. He / she treats them with monopolization, not with unselfishness and equity. He / she also looks down upon others and never starts greeting, and if he / she responds to others, he / she thinks that a great gift is given to others by him / her. His / her face never brightens for anyone, and others cannot bear his / her nature. He / she does not confess anyone else’s rights, and does not acknowledge anyone’s favor towards him / her. The right and favor is his / her upon other people. Therefore, he / she will be discontented by Allah, and will be at a great distance from people. The comfort of the hereafter is prepared by Allah for those who do not want to be arrogantly high above others on earth, and do not want any corruption. Torture is also prepared by Allah for the tyrannical and arrogant. The believer, on the other hand, accepts and acknowledges rightness, and is never arrogant with others because all people belong to Adam, and Adam is from dust, and dignity, for Allah, is gained by piety. One is not considered an arrogant person if he / she enjoys and ornaments himself/ herself by what Allah allows, whether by good garments or in other ways that a man does not boast of or Lessons of the Mosques 60 walks in pride wearing them, but rather wears them to show the gifts and blessings of Allah, and to talk about them because Allah is Beautiful and loves beautification. The thing which rids a servant of arrogance is knowing his God, and that He, may He be exalted, is the peerless owner of Pride and Greatness. Another thing which helps is that a servant knows himself/ herself very well, that he / she cannot benefit or harm himself/ herself, that he / she was nothing, and that what he / she possesses of gifts are only from Allah. One should, also, know the consequences of arrogance, and that if a person becomes arrogant, Allah will degrade and humiliate him / her in the present life. Benefits 1 - Arrogance is turning away from rightness. 2 - No one whose heart has a tiny particle of arrogance enters Paradise. 3 - Hell fire is the home of the arrogant. 4 - Pride belongs only to Allah, and whomsoever contends and tries to take it and becomes arrogant, Allah will throw him / her in Hell. 5 - Arrogance is reflected in sayings, deeds and shapes. 6 - When a servant knows his God, himself/ herself and the origin of his/her creation, then this will enable him / her to get rid of arrogance. D D D 15 - The Merit of the Call to Prayer 61 15 - The Merit of the Call to Prayer Praise be to Allah, Who made the call to prayer as a ritual of religion, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, and upon all his Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {When you call to prayer, they treat it as a jest and a pastime. That is because they are a people who have no understanding} [Al-Ma’idah: v. 58]. Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “If people knew what good a call to prayer and standing in the first line in a prayer hold, and find no other way but to argue to distribute them, then they would do that”.(1) Narrated Mu’awiyah (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Those who call to prayers have the (longest necks) highest status on the Day of Resurrection”.(2) Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “A caller to prayer is forgiven in as much as his voice reaches, and every wet and dry substance testify to his favor”.(3) Narrated Abdu Al Rahman Bin Abi Sa’sa’ah that Abi Sa’eed Al Khodri (ABPWH) told him, “I see that you like sheep and desert. So, if you were among your sheep or in the desert, (1) Al Muwata’a: 174, and it is agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 615, and Muslim: 437. (2) Narrated Muslim: 387. (3) Narrated Abu Dawood: 515, Al Nasa’i: 654, and Ibn Majah: 724, and the expression is Abu Dawood’s. Lessons of the Mosques 62 and called to prayer, then raise your voice with the call, for none who hears the echo of the caller to prayer’s voice, whether Jinn, humans or anything, will but confess his deed on the Day of Resurrection,” then Abu Sa’eed said, ‘I heard these words from Allah’s Messenger (PBUH)(1). Narrated Ibn Omar (ABPWT): Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) said, “Who calls to prayer for twelve years, then he is entitled to enter Paradise, and good deeds were credited and counted for his call, sixty merits for a day, and thirty for each prayer”(2). The Overall Meaning The call to prayer is a great Islamic ritual that Muslims are keen to attain its reward, and compete to perform it. Prayer callers are the announcers of the beginning of prayer times, for standing before the God of creation, be He exalted. The call is an invitation for Muslims to leave the present world and its earthly transient pleasures, and go to their Creator, invoking and praising Him. A Muslim’s response to this call is a response to Him Who created him and provided him with means of living, and created his vision and hearing. Whoever does not respond to the caller to Allah is doing injustice to himself/ herself. Callers to prayers are the highest in status on the Day of Resurrection, because the caller declares the greatness of Allah, His monotheism, and calls for His worship loudly and highly. Allah (1) Al Muwata’a: 176, and Al Bukhari: 609. (2) Narrated Ibn Majah: 728, and Al Bayhaqi in his Al Sunan Al Qubra 1/433, and Al Hakem in Al Mustadrak 1/204, and said, ‘this Hadith is correct on the condition of Al Bukhari. 15 - The Merit of the Call to Prayer 63 grants him a high status and raises his head for his calls, as an indication of his favor and honor. The reward of the call is not restricted only to the caller, but extends to those who hear him and repeat his words with belief and certainty, and will have their previous sins forgiven, and win the intercession of our Prophet (PBUH). Benefits 1 - A Call to prayer is a great ritual of Islamic rituals. 2 - Callers to prayer are the highest in status and long-necked people on the Day of Resurrection. 3 - The response to the caller and asking Al Waseelah (the highest rank in Paradise, assigned only for Allah’s Messenger, (PBUH), and blessin upon the Prophet (PBUH) are reasons to gain his intercession. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 64 16 - Fear of Allah or Godliness Praise be to Allah, Lord of the pious, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the best of all creations, and upon his Family, Companions and Followers, and those who followed them with good deeds, till the Day of Resurrection. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Believers, fear Allah as He should be feared, and do not die except as Muslims} [Al-Imran: v. 102]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Believers, if you fear Allah, He will give you a criteria and cleanse you of your sins and forgive you. Allah is the Owner of great bounty} [Al-Anfal: v. 29]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {The noblest of you before Allah is the most righteous of you. Allah is the Knower, the Aware} [Al-Hujurat: v. 13]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Whosoever fears Allah, He will appoint for him a way out, and provide for him from where he does not expect} [At-Talaq: v. 2-3]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {O you who believe, fear Allah and say sound statements, and He will mend your deeds for you and forgive your sins. Whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger shall win a great victory} [Al-Ahzab: v. 70-71]. Narrated Abi Umamah Sudei Bin Ajlan Al Bahili (ABPWH): ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say at the farewell Hajj, “Be pious to Allah, your God, pray your five prayers, fast your 16 - Fear of Allah or Godliness 65 month (of Ramadan), pay your charities (Zakat) for your money, and obey your Prince, and you will enter your God’s Paradise”. ‘(1) Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) was asked about the most thing that enables people to enter Paradise and he said, “Fear of Allah, and noble character”.(2) Narrated Abi Thar (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow a wrong doing with a good deed to erase it”.(3) The Overall Meaning The sum of the previous and other Verses and Hadiths show us the importance of fear of Allah which a Muslim should adhere to attain, and to be qualified for it. How could this be the other way round when it is the commandment of Allah to the first and last of creation, and the recommendation of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) to his nation, which is the recommendation of the virtuous people, and which believers still give and deliver to each other. Fear of Allah is to protect you from Allah’s punishment, by obeying his commands, avoiding his prohibitions, and abandoning the suspected matters. Piety has great benefits: Such as: Gaining the accompaniment of Allah, be He exalted. (1) Narrated Al Tirmithi: 616. (2) Narrated Al Tirmithi: 2004, and Al Bukhari in Al Adab Al Mufrad 1/110. (3) Narrated Al Tirmithi: 1987. Lessons of the Mosques 66 Such as: Allah’s love. Such as: It is a reason for abundance of livelihood. Such as: It makes matters easy. Such as: It reforms one’s conditions and is a means to make wrongdoings forgiven. Such as: It is a means to make deeds accepted. Such as: It is a means to salvation in the hereafter. Benefits 1 - Piety is a virtue and combines all types of common good. 2 - Piety is the rank of Prophets and the virtuous, and it is one of the best courses for passers-by. 3 - None is saved when he is saved but through sincere piety. 4 - Piety is the energy and supply of a believer to reach the Abode of the pious (Paradise). D D D 17 - Truth is Success and Prosperity 67 17 - Truth is Success and Prosperity Praise be to Allah, Who commanded people to accompany truthful people, and peace and blessings of Allah be upon the master of the Messengers, our master Mohammad, the Truthful and Faithful, and upon his Family, Companions and Followers. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Believers, fear Allah and stand with the truthful} [At-Taubah: v. 119]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Among the believers there are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah. Some have fulfilled their vow dying, and others await, unyielding to change,} [Al-Ahzab: v. 23]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Allah says: This is the Day the truthful shall benefit by their truthfulness. They shall live forever in Gardens underneath which rivers flow. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. That is the great winning} [Al-Ma’idah: v. 119]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Then, when the matter is decided, if they were true to Allah it would be better for them} [Muhammad: v. 21]. Narrated Ibn Mas’oud (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Truth leads to piety, and piety leads to Paradise, and a person keeps on telling the truth till he / she is reckoned a Lessons of the Mosques 68 truthful. And lying leads to dissoluteness, and dissoluteness leads to Hell, and a person keeps on telling lies till he / she is reckoned a liar by Allah”(1). Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Amro (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Four thing if you possess, then do not worry about what passed in your life: preserving honesty, a true speech, a good character, and chastity in food”(2). Narrated Hakeem Bin Hizam, (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The two sellers are still under choice unless separated - or said: until separated. So, if they are true and clarify issues, then they are blessed, and if they hide matters, and tell lies, then their blessing is abolished. The Overall Meaning Truth is the speech matching reality, without change, addition or omission. Allah, be He exalted, ascribed it to Himself for its sublime rank, and bestowed it upon His Prophets. Allah, may He be exalted, commanded people to be honest, and to keep to the company of the truthful, for keeping to the company of the truthful and living with them are great gifts only realized by happy people who tasted the sweetness of honesty and drank from its spring. Truth is in words and practices. Truth in practices is when a Muslim carries out commandments of the Islamic (1) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari 6094, and Muslim: 2607. (2) Narrated Ahmad: 6652, and Al Haythami considered his attribution (isnad) as good in Majma’a Al-Zawa’ed 4/145. 17 - Truth is Success and Prosperity 69 rules, following by that the example of the noble Messenger (PBUH). Truth in words: is holding one from saying wrong things. Benefits 1 - Truth is praised by Allah and people. 2 - Truth leads to doing every kind of good. 3 - Truth is a way to reach Paradise. 4 - One of the attributes of believers is Truth. 5 - Truth is in words, deeds and status. O Allah, let us be among the truthful, and bestow upon us the life of the good, and the end of the virtuous, by Your Mercy, O You Most Merciful. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 70 18 - The Status of the Mosque in Islam Praise be to Allah, Who raised mosques and made them places for worshipping and praising Him, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, and upon all his Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {And the mosques are for Allah (Alone); so invoke not anyone along with Allah} [Al-Jinn: v. 18]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {In houses which Allah has allowed to be raised up, and His Name to be remembered therein. In the morning and evening} [An-Nur: v. 36]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {None should inhabit the mosques of Allah except those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish their prayers and pay the obligatory charity, and fear none except Allah. May these be among the guided} [At-Taubah: v. 18]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Who does greater harm than he who prevents His Name to be remembered in the Mosques of Allah and strives to destroy them? Those, they will not enter them except in fear. And for them shame in this world and a great punishment in the next} [Al-Baqarah: v. 114]. Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The dearest of lands to Allah are their mosques”(1). (1) Narrated Muslim: 288. 18 - The Status of the Mosque in Islam 71 Salman (ABPWH) wrote to Abi Ad Darda’a (ABPWH): ‘My brother, let a mosque be your house, as I heard Allah’s Messenger, (PBUH) say, “The mosque is the house of every pious person, and Allah, the Great and Almighty, has guaranteed for those, whose houses are the mosques, relief, mercy, and passage and guidance on the Straight Way”(1). Narrated Uthman Bin Affan (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Who builds a mosque for the sake of Allah, then Allah will build a similar one for him in Paradise”(2). The Overall Meaning Allah has raised the status of mosques and attached them to Himself to honor them. And He also considered building them a proof of faith in Him and in the Day of Resurrection. At the same time, He considered obstructing its role and function extremely unjust, and therefore He threatened to impose punishment and disgrace upon those who do this. Thus, the first action that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) took after Hijra (migration to Madinah) is to build a mosque. A mosque is a place where all Islamic rituals are revealed and practiced; it has prayers, reading, and teaching sciences, and in which Muslims gather for what is important for their religion and worldly life. Islamic texts and scriptures, therefore, urged building mosques. And the early men of Islam and those who followed them later (1) Narrated Al Tabarani in Al Kabeer 6/254, and Al Munthiri considered its attribution as good, in Al Targheeb wa Al Tarheeb (Arousal of an Interest Intimidation) 7/113. (2) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 450, and Muslim: 533. Lessons of the Mosques 72 on were keen on building them, as one can find calmness and tranquility in them. They are Allah’s houses on His earth, and Allah bestowed upon their visitors a great deal of generosity. In fact, the one who visits them is visiting Allah, be He exalted, in His house. The visitor’s right is to be honored by the Host. The reward of walking towards mosques was great, as each of a Muslim’s steps towards the mosque raises his / her status by one level and eliminates one wrong doing. According to this, mosques had a great impact on Muslims’ souls, and on shaping their ways of thinking, in addition to their being an entrance to move forward to the wide world, supported by fear of Allah. Thus, they became a framework for every virtue, a shield protecting from every injustice, and a salvation from every vice (low deed). Benefits 1 - The dearest places to Allah on earth are mosques. 2 - Whomsoever builds a mosque for Allah, then Allah will build for him a house in Paradise. 3 - A mosque is the house of every pious. 4 - Visitors of mosques are the visitors of Allah, and they are honored and dignified. D D D 19 - Straightforwardness 73 19 - Straightforwardness Praise be to Allah, Who guided the straightforward people through paths of security and safety, and appointed them to a noble status of honesty in the Eternal Abode, and His blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the master of Prophets, and holder of praise flag on the Day of Resurrection, and upon his Family and Companions who first won honor and dignity. Allah, be He exalted, said, {go straight as you have been commanded and do not be insolent, indeed, He sees what you do} [Hud: v. 112]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Guide us to the Straight Path,} [Al-Fatihah: v. 6]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {This Path of Mine is straight. Follow it and do not follow other paths, for they will scatter you away from His Path. With such Allah charges you, in order that you be cautious} [Al-An’am: v. 153]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Those who say: ‘Our Lord is Allah, ‘ and follow the Straight Path shall have nothing to fear nor shall they sorrow. Those, they shall be forever the inhabitants of Paradise, a recompense for what they did} [Al-Ahqaf: v. 13-14]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {If they had followed the Path We would give to them abundant water to drink,} [Al-Jinn: v. 16]. Lessons of the Mosques 74 Narrated Sufyan Bin Abdu Allah Al Thaqafi (ABPWH): ‘I said: O Messenger of Allah!Tell me something about Islam that I do not ask anyone else but you about it, ’ and Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Say: ‘I believe in Allah, ’ and be straight”(1). Narrated Anas (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “A servant’s faith is not straight until his heart is straight (pure and faithful), and his heart would not be so until his tongue is straight (honest and true)”(2). The Overall Meaning Straightforwardness is to walk straight on the Straight Way and adhere to the straight religion, without any inclination off their course, to the right or left. It includes performance of all commanded deeds and leaving all the prohibited deeds. Allah commanded His Prophet (PBUH) to be straight in his application of religion, deliver its rules, and to call for the worship of Allah, Glory to Him! The Prophet (PBUH) became straight and adhered to His God’s Commands, and announced publically the Right that he was ordered to announce, and told his nation (PBUH) to become straight. Straightforwardness is divided into parts, some of which are: Straightforwardness of the heart, by directing it only to Allah, be He exalted, trusting in Him, asking and fearing none but Allah, and by not having any diseases, such as hatred, envy, being filled with rancor, and the like. (1) Narrated Muslim: 38 (2) Narrated Ahmad: 13079. 19 - Straightforwardness 75 Straightforwardness of the tongue, deviating not from what the Ruler has assigned it to say. So, there is no backbiting or obscenity, but rather praise, thankfulness, and advice for Muslims, and good speech to address people with. Straightforwardness of the limbs, by straightening them to be on Allah’s path and method, directing them to obey Him, and preventing them from disobeying Him. For the greatness of straightforwardness, Allah enabled and encouraged us to ask for it in each prostration in our prayers, promised us to gain a lot in our present life when we apply it, and to get security, winning and success in the hereafter. Benefits 1 - Straightforwardness is Allah’s command to his servants, and the advice of His Messenger, (PBUH) for them. 2 - Straightforwardness is the basis of all good and the cause of all blessings. 3 - Straight people do not become afraid when others do, and do not grieve if others do, and they will become immortal in Paradise. 4 - Straightforwardness is to follow Allah’s Method and Light. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 76 20 - Do not Get Angry Praise be to Allah, Who completed religion for us, granted us the greatest gift, and considered quitting anger a path to His content and Paradise, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, who was sent as a mercy for the Jinn and humanity, and upon his Family and Companions, whose minds are set at rest. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Those who curb their anger and those who forgive people. And Allah loves the charitable} [Al- Imran: v. 134]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {and, if they angered, they forgive;} [As-Shura: v. 37]. Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): A man told the Prophet (PBUH), ‘Advise me, ’ and the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Do not get angry”. The man repeated his question, and the Prophet said, “Do not get angry”(1). Narrated Abi Addarda’a (ABPWH): ‘I said: O Messenger of Allah, advise me of a work that leads me to Paradise,’ and the Messenger said, “Do not get angry, and Paradise is yours”(2). Narrated Humeid Bin Abd Arrahman Bin Auf: ‘A man came to Allah’s Messenger (PBUH), and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! (1) Narrated Al Bukhari: 6116. (2) Narrated Al Tabarani in Al Mu’jam Al Kabeer, and Al Awsat 3/25, and Al Haythami said in Majma’a Al-Zawa’ed (8/70): one of the two attributes of Al Kabeer has trusted people. 20 - Do not Get Angry 77 Teach me words to live with, and do not tell me too much for I might forget,’ ‘and Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Do not get angry”(1). Narrated Ibn Omar (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “There is no greater suppression rewarded by Allah than that of anger, when one restrain it for the sake of Allah”(2). Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “A strong man is not that who knocks people down and does that very often, but s strong man is the one who controls himself when angry”(3). The Overall Meaning Anger is one of the dispraised demerits, that holds a lot of evil, and in fact, holds all of evil. Just consider how many families were broken, how many souls were killed, and how many relations and ties were broken because of anger. Anger gathers all aspects of evil. And he / she who forsakes it, forsakes evil itself, and who forsakes evil enters Paradise. The fact that evil is embodied in anger is that anger, when takes hold of a human being, blocks his / her mind, and becomes the absolute master. Thus, all kinds of evil will befall on him / her. So, if a person tries hard to fight his / her evil soul, and complies with the commands of religion, his / her anger will end. A servant will not reach the level of philanthropy unless by quitting anger. (1) Al Muwata’a: 2636. (2) Narrated Ibn Majah: 4189. And Al Munthiri said in Al Targheeb Wa Al Tarheeb (12/42): its narrators are accredited as authoritative sources in Al Saheeh. (3) Al Muwata’a: 2637, and it is agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 6114, and Muslim: 2609. Lessons of the Mosques 78 When anger was that dangerous, there were multiple methods according to the law of Islam to cure it, such as: First: Bringing to the mind the great reward promised for quitting anger. Second: Commanding people to seek the protection of Allah when they feel angry. Third: Commanding people to sit or to lay down. Fourth: Commanding silence. Fifth: Fighting one’s self to push anger away. Sixth: Performing ablution, because anger is taken from the Devil, and the Devil is created from fire, and water extinguishes fire. Benefits 1 - Anger is all evil, unless one feels angry for the sake of Allah, and to support His religion, then it is justified and praised. 2 - Whomsoever suppresses his anger for the sake of Allah will enter Paradise. 3 - The strongest of people is the one who defeats and knocks down his anger. 4 - One of the greatest Commandments is that of quitting anger. 5 - A Muslim should follow the Islamic methods to treat anger. D D D 21 - Some of the Ethical Rules of Mosques 79 21 - Some of the Ethical Rules of Mosques Praise be to Allah, Who made mosques His abodes on His earth, and considered honoring them as praising and thanking Him, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, who was sent by Him and supported by His commands and prohibitions, and upon his Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {In houses which Allah has allowed to be raised up, and His Name to be remembered therein. In the morning and evening} [An-Nur: v. 36]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Children of Adam, take your adornment at every place of prayer} [Al-A’raf: v. 31]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {All that; and, he who venerates the way marks of Allah, surely it is from the piety of the hearts} [Al-Hajj: v. 32]. Narrated Ka’ab Bin Ajra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “If one of you performs ablution well, then goes out intending to go to a mosque, he / she should not cross his / her fingers, because he / she is considered to be within a prayer”.(1) In another narration, “If any of you is in a mosque, he / she should not cross his / her fingers because crossing belongs to the Devil. And any of you would remain in (1) Narrated Abu Dawood: 562, and Al Tirmithi: 386. 80 Lessons of the Mosques prayer as long as he / she is inside the mosque until he / she gets out of it”.(1) Narrated Salman (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whomsoever performs ablution well at home, and comes to a mosque, then he / she is a visitor of Allah, and it is his / her right to be honored by the Host”.(2) Narrated Jaber (ABPWH): Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever eats from this vegetable, garlic”, - and once said, “Whoever eats onion, garlic and leek”, - “should not come to our mosque, because angels are offended by what people get offended by”.(3) Narrated Samra Bin Jundub (ABPWH), ‘Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) ordered us to allot certain spaces in our houses for prayers, and also ordered us to clean them”.(4) Narrated Qutadah (ABPWH): Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) said, “If any of you enters a mosque, he / she should not sit down until he / she prays a two-prostration prayer”.(5) Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whoever hears a man seeking an object of his search in the mosque should say, “May Allah not return it to you, for mosques are not built for this reason”(6). (1) Narrated Ahmad: 11385, and Al Haythmi said in Majma’a Al Zawa’ed (2/25): its attribution is good. (2) Narrated Al Tabarani in Al Kabeer 6/253, and Al Haythami said in Majma’a Al Zawa’ed (2/31): one of its two narrators are the men of authentic sources. (3) Narrated Al Bukhari: 845, and Muslim: 564, and the expression is Muslim’s. (4) Narrated Abu Dawood: 456, and Ahmad: 20184, and the expression is Ahmad’s. (5) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 1163, and Muslim: 714. (6) Narrated Muslim: 568. 21 - Some of the Ethical Rules of Mosques 81 The Overall Meaning Mosques are the houses of Allah, the Great and Almighty, and He gave permission that they are built and that call to prayer is performed. He considered and allotted them to be the best places on earth, and considered their visitor, also, as a visitor of Allah, and has the right to be honored. He ordered his servants to be neat when going to them, and that serenity is necessary also. In addition, Allah prohibited them from crossing their fingers when they head for them, and when they wait for prayers there. He warned those having bad smell or breath not to go there, for such a thing offends both people and angels. He also commanded that spitting and phlegm are not allowed in mosques. Allah prohibited taking mosques as paths, places to seek lost objects, or to sell and buy in them, and He also forbade walking across people, already sitting, with legs moving over their heads and necks in order to be ahead of them. Another thing is that Allah prohibited one from settling in a certain place at the mosque whenever he / she are there for prayer, and from taking only it as a place to pray. In addition, Allah banned us from raising our voices there, urination at their doors, hanging pictures on their walls, and sitting down in them before doing their greeting, i.e. a two-prostration prayer. Allah encouraged and allowed people to say certain invocations when they enter and leave mosques, and multiplied the rewards of those who pray in them. There are so many Lessons of the Mosques 82 other important rules confirmed by the Prophet (PBUH), which a Muslim should learn and apply in order to glorify Allah’s houses, to obey His commands, and to follow His Messenger’s (PBUH) rubrics (Sunnah). Benefits 1 - Whomsoever comes to mosques is a visitor of Allah, and he / she should adopt the polite manners of the visit. 2 - Exaltation of mosques and adopting their ethical rules is part of Allah’s Glorification. D D D 22 - The Merit of ‘Al Ikhlas’ Surah 83 22 - The Merit of ‘Al Ikhlas’ Surah Praise be to Allah, the One, the Everlasting Self-Sufficient Master, Who is far above resemblance or having a son, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon His Prophet, Mohammad, infinitely and countlessly, and upon his Family and Companions, holders of glory, honor and sovereignty. Narrated Abi Sa’eed Al Khudri (ABPWH): Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) told his Companions, “Does anyone of you fail to read a third of the Qur’an in one night?!” The matter was hard for them, and they said, ‘Whom of us would tolerate that, O Messenger of Allah?!’ Then, he said, “Allah, the One, the Everlasting Self-Sufficient Master is the third of the Qur’an”.(1) Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): ‘I came with Allah’s Prophet (PBUH), and he heard a man reading: ‘Say (O Mohammad): ‘He is Allah, the One, Allah the Self-Sufficient Master’. Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) then said, “He deserves it”; I said, ‘What does he deserve?’, and he replied, “Paradise”.(2) Narrated Aishah (ABPWH): That Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) used to hold his palms close to each other when he went to bed every night, then spit lightly on them and read, facing them, ‘Say He is Allah, the One (Al-Ikhlas), Say I seek refuge with (Allah), the Lord (1) Narrated Al Bukhari: 5015. (2) Al Muwata’a: 558, and it has an addition of a story, and Al Tirmithi: 2897, and Al Nasa’ee: 994. Lessons of the Mosques 84 of the daybreak (Al-Falaq), and Say I seek refuge with (Allah), the Lord of mankind (An-Nas), ’ then wipe with his palms as much as he could of his body, starting with his head and face, and the front side of his body, doing this three times”.(1) The Overall Meaning ‘Al-Ikhlas’ Surah is one of the greatest chapters of the Qur’an, and of the loftiest ones in meaning. It describes (Allah) the One and Only, the Everlasting Self-Sufficient Master, Who is Peerless, and having nothing similar to or like Him. He is the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creations seek for fulfilling their needs. He is the One not begotten, nor born, and there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him. This is the peculiarity of the Most Gracious. The honorable Companion loved the Surah and read it within his prayer, and Allah loved him, and for its sake He admitted him to Paradise. The Prophet (PBUH) considered it the third of the Qur’an. So, anyone who reads it three times will be considered as having read the whole Qur’an. Whoever reads it twelve times, then Allah will erect for him a palace in Paradise. This Surah, together with the other two Surahs of (Al-Falaq) and (An-Nas), will serve anyone who reads them everything. Benefits 1 - Anyone who reads (Say He is Allah, the One) is as if he reads the third of the Qur’an and gets the same reward of reading a third. (1) Narrated Al Bukhari: 5017. 22 - The Merit of ‘Al Ikhlas’ Surah 85 2 - To love this Surah, and to keep reading and reciting it is a cause for entering Paradise. 3 - It forms, together with the other two protective Surahs of (Al-Falaq) and (An-Nas), an amulet and a means of protection against all types of evil. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 86 23 - Forbearance and Patience Praise be to Allah, the Omniscient and Forbearing, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the compassionate and merciful, and upon his Family and Companions, who area distinguished with noble characters. Allah, be He exalted, said, {For those who curb their anger and those who forgive people. And Allah loves the charitable} [Al-Imran: v. 134]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel with that which is most just, and see, the one whom there is enmity between you will be as if he were a loyal guide} [Fussilat: v. 34]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Surely, he who bears patiently and forgives indeed that is true constancy} [Ash-Shura: v. 43]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Accept the easing, order with fine jurisprudence, and avoid the ignorant} [Al-A’raf: v. 199]. Narrated Ibn Abbas (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) told Ashajj Abd Al Qays, “You own two characteristics that Allah love: forbearance and patience”.(1) Narrated Aishah (ABPWH): Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) said, “Allah is kind and loves kindness in all matters”.(2) (1) Narrated Muslim: 17. (2) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 6927, and Muslim: 2593. 23 - Forbearance and Patience 87 Aishah (ABPWH): Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) said, “You cannot find anything which kindness is added to but balanced and beautiful, and if it is removed from it, then it is disgraced”.(1) Narrated Abd Allah Bin Mas’oud (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Don’t you want me to tell you about who do not enter Hellfire - or Hellfire is forbidden to touch-?.. It is forbidden for every simple, lenient and easygoing person”.(2) The Overall Meaning Forbearance is the master of morals and ethics; it is patience with the ignorance of the ignorant, and not to respond in kind; and patience is to be resolute, steadfast and not hasty. Kindness is that a human being is led to good morals. Forbearance is good, and patience is mind and wisdom, and if forbearance, patience and kindness are combined in a person, then he is granted lots of good. Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) is the human being having the utmost forbearance for humanity, and the kindest person with people; His God commanded him to have the kind forgiveness, turn away from the ignorant, and to replace the wrong deeds of aggressors with good ones. He (PBUH) was the best example to be followed, and the best model to model after. He (PBUH) praised these characters, and guided people to mark themselves with them. So, he attested to Ashajj Abd Al Qays (1) Narrated Muslim: 2594. (2) Narrated Al Tirmithi: 2488. Lessons of the Mosques 88 forbearance and patience, and told him that they are causes to gain the love of Allah, be He exalted. Therefore, we should follow the example of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) and be keen to treat all people with forbearance and patience, because he / she who is deprived of kindness is deprived of all good. Benefits 1 - The Prophet to people. (PBUH) is the most forbearing person and kindest 2 - Good is not to have plenty of money and children, but it is to be of great knowledge and have great forbearance. 3 - The mind’s pillar is forbearance, the sum of good is patience. 4 - An hour’s forbearance pushes back a lot of evil. 5 - Kindness is all good, and whomever is deprived of it is deprived of many things. D D D 24 - Prayer is the Pillar of Religion 89 24 - Prayer is the Pillar of Religion Praise be to Allah, Who considered prayer to be the pillar of religion, and by which lighted the paths of the virtuous, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the master of sent Messengers, and upon his Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Establish your prayers, pay the obligatory charity, and bow with those who bow} [Al-Baqarah: v. 43]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {And preserve the prayers and the middle prayer, and stand obedient to Allah} [Al-Baqarah: v. 238]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Surely, prayer is timely written upon the believer} [An-Nisa’: v. 103]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Indeed, I am Allah. There is no god except Me. Worship Me, and establish the prayer of My remembrance} [Ta-Ha: v. 14]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {And establish your prayer at the two edges of the day and in part of the night. Good deeds will repel evil deeds. That is a remembrance for those who remember} [Hud: v. 114]. Narrated Ibn Omar (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Islam is founded on five (pillars): The testimony that ‘There is no God but Allah, and that Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah, ’ standing to perform prayer, payment of almsgiving, performance of Hajj and fasting the month of Ramadan”.(1) (1) Agreed upon, Al Bukhuari: 8, and Muslim: 16, and the expression is Al Bukhari’s. 90 Lessons of the Mosques Narrated Obadah Bin Al Samet (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Allah commanded five prayers; whomsoever performs their ablution well, prays them at their due time, and completes their prostration and submissiveness, then he is bestowed with Allah’s promise to be forgiven. Whomsoever does not do that, has no right for Allah’s promise. So, it is up to Him to forgive him, or to punish and torture him”.(1) Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The first of man’s deeds to be judged on the Day of Resurrection is his / her prayers. If they are right, he / she wins and succeeds. If they are marred, he / she fails and loses. If his / her obligatory prayer is incomplete, Allah, the Great and Almighty says, ‘check if my servant has any (voluntary) supererogatory prayer to be taken to complete the incomplete obligatory prayer. Then, the all of his / her deeds will be scaled in this manner”.(2) Narrated Uthman Bin Affan (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Any Muslim whose obligatory prayer time arrives, then performs ablution well, and master its submissiveness and prostration, will have it as an atonement for sins before it, unless grave offense. And that process will continue for good”.(3) Narrated Anas Bin Malek (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “.. And the joy and delight of my eye was embodied in prayer”.(4) (1) (2) (3) (4) Narrated Abu Dawood: 425, and Ibn Majah: 1401. Narrated Al Tirmithi: 413 and accepted it, and Al Nasa’ee: 465. Narrated Muslim: 228. Narrated Al Nasa’ee: 3940. 24 - Prayer is the Pillar of Religion 91 The Overall Meaning The rank of prayer in Islam is a great one. It is the pillar of religion, its solid corner, and the last of what the master of Messengers (PBUH) bequeathed. It was assigned as an obligatory duty in heaven, at the night of Ascension, for its great rank in this religion. It is the best, purest and most pious of deeds. It is the light of a person’s life, the cause for his / her salvation, and the connection to his / her God. Through which a believer invokes his / her God, asks for His forgiveness, renew his / her commitment five times at day and night. It is a cause for raising one’s level, atonement of wrongdoings, entering Paradise, abundance of livelihood and blessing, keeping away from fornication and abomination, and harmony of societies. It is a peace for the soul at misfortunes and crises, and it is the first of deeds that a servant is judged for on the Day of Resurrection, when no money or children will do him / her any good, unless the servant stands before Allah with his heart pure and humble. Thus, Allah commanded that we keep performing it, to order our families to perform it and to be patient with it. A Muslim should perform it well, and to adhere to performing it. Lessons of the Mosques 92 Benefits 1 - Prayer is the most important pillar of religion. Whoever performs it, practices religion, and who abandons it, abandons religion. 2 - A prayer is the connection between a servant and his God. 3 - A prayer prevents fornication and abomination. 4 - Standing to perform a prayer is a comfort for the heart, tranquility for the soul, and delight. D D D 25 - Love of the Prophet (PBUH) 25 - Love of the Prophet 93 (PBUH) Praise be to Allah, Who preordained the love of His Prophet on all hearts, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the dearly loved and dearest, and upon his Family and Companions, who supported him and pushed misfortunes away from him. Allah, be He exalted, said, {The Prophet has a greater right on the believers than their own selves,} [Al-Ahzab: v. 6]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Say (Prophet Muhammad): ‘If you love Allah, follow me and Allah will love you, and forgive your sins. Allah is Forgiving and Merciful} [Al- Imran: v. 31]. Narrated Aishah (ABPWH): a man once came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah. I swear to Allah that I love you more than myself, my family and my son. When I am at home and happen to remember you, I cannot wait to see you. If I think of my death and yours, I would know that if you enter Paradise, then you will be raised high with Prophets, and I fear that if I enter Paradise I will not be able to see you!’ The Prophet (PBUH) did not answer him until Gabriel descended with this verse, {Whosoever obeys Allah, and the Messenger, they are with those whom Allah has favored, the Prophets, the sincere, the martyrs and the righteous, and these are the best company} [An-Nisa’: v. 69](1). (1) Al Tabarani edited it in Al Mi’jam Al Awsat 1/153, and Al Haythami said in Majma’ Al Zawa’ed (7/7): its narrators are of the authentic sources, except for Abdu Allah Bin Imran Al Abidi, who is a trusted source. Lessons of the Mosques 94 Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Hisham, ‘we were with the Prophet (PBUH). He was taking Omar Bin Al Khattab’s hand. Omar told him, ‘O Messenger of Allah, you are dearer to me more than anything except for myself’. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “No, I swear to Allah, Whom my soul is in His hand, until I become dearer to you than yourself”. Omar then said, ‘It is, now, I swear to Allah, that you are indeed dearer to me than myself”. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Now, it is so, Omar”.(1) Narrated Anas (ABPWH) that a man asked the Prophet (PBUH) about the Hour of Resurrection, then he said, ‘When is the Hour of Resurrection?’ The Prophet said, “And what have you prepared for it?” The man said, ‘Nothing, except that I love Allah and His Prophet (PBUH)’. The Prophet then said, “You are with those whom you love”. Anas said, ‘We were not happy with anything more than we were with the Prophets (PBUH) as saying, “You are with those whom you love”.(2) The Overall Meaning Talking about the love of the Prophet (PBUH) has its sweetness in the hearts of the believers who knew Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) and his rank. It is one of the greatest signs of faith, and an obliging duty on every male and female believer, and faith is not completed except with it. And how come that we do not give priority to his love (PBUH), as he gained preference and priority of this merit? He loved his nation much more than a father would love his children. He (1) Narrated Al Bukhari: 6632. (2) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 6171, and Muslim: 2639. 25 - Love of the Prophet (PBUH) 95 called upon it and was kind with it, and prayed for its guidance and salvation. He wept for it, in compassion, mercy and love, and missed seeing those, of his nation, who did not come to existence yet. So, loving him was like blood running in the hearts of the nation, generation after generation. The aspects of the love of the Prophet (PBUH) are clear in giving him priority over any beloved one, honoring his rank, following and obeying him. Some of the clearest evidences of his love are patronizing him, feeling jealous for him, being keen on honoring his rubrics, and defending and reviving them, in addition to giving them presidency above anything else. Therefore, the noble Companions raced in his love, and set great examples of rare love and devotion. They gave him priority over themselves, gave their lives for him. And rather the merciful mothers and wives’ hearts won the race, by giving him priority over all kinships. What adds more to the love of the Prophet (PBUH) is the study of his biography, remembering his characters and merits, increasing blessing and peace upon him, longing to meet him, and wishing to see him. Allah guided us to Islam through him, and saved us from the abyss of death by him. Blood, souls, money and honor were preserved and protected. Therefore, his love dwelled deep down in the hearts. Even more, stones, trees, meadows, and mountains loved him. So, he was entitled to be sacrificed for with hearts and souls. All blessings and peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah, and may Allah reward you with the best a Prophet can be rewarded for his nation. Lessons of the Mosques 96 Benefits 1 - Loving Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) is a religion, a belief (doctrine), faith and following of his example. 2 - Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) should be dearer to us than ourselves, parents, children, our fortunes and all humanity. 3 - Loving the Prophet (PBUH) is glory, dignity, and highness in the present life and the hereafter. 4 - Allah warned against the bad consequences awaiting those who love their fortunes, family, and children more than Allah and his Messenger (PBUH), 5 - Anyone who loves Allah’s Messenger in Paradise. D D D (PBUH), will be with him 26 - Forgiveness and Tolerance 97 26 - Forgiveness and Tolerance Praise be to Allah, Who promised the reward for those who do things right and forgive, and Who commanded us to turn away from the ignorant and harsh, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon the Prophet, Mohammad, the Chosen, and upon his Family and Companions, holders of leniency and faithfulness. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Accept forgiveness, order with fine jurisprudence, and avoid the ignorant} [Al-A’raf: v. 199]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allah} [Ash-Shura: v. 40]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqun (the pious). Those who spend (in Allah’s Cause) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers)} [Al- Imran: v. 133-134]. Allah, be He exalted, said, addressing his Prophet (PBUH), {And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah’s) Forgiveness for them, and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah 98 loves those who put their trust (in Him)} Lessons of the Mosques [Al- Imran: v. 159]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel with that which is most just, and see, the one whom there is enmity between you will be as if he were a loyal guide. But none will receive it except those who are patient and, none shall receive it, except he who has a great share} [Fussilat: v. 34-35]. Narrated Mu’ath (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whoever suppresses his anger while he is able to release it, Allah calls upon him in front of all creation on the Day of Resurrection, and let him choose whoever he wishes of Paradise beautiful-eyed ladies”.(1) Narrated Jureyr (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “He / she who does not have mercy on others, will not be granted any mercy, and he / she who does not forgives, will not be forgiven”.(2) Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Al Zubeir (ABPWT) saying that, ‘when Allah, be He exalted, said, {Accept the easing, order with fine jurisprudence,} [Al-A’raf: v. 199], Allah commanded His Prophet (PBUH) to derive forgiveness from the morals and ethics of people’(3). Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Allah will increase one’s honor for the forgiveness (1) Narrated Abu Dawood: 4777, and Al Tirmithi: 2021. (2) Narrated Al Bukhari: 6013, the first part, and his words (PBUH), “and he / she who does not forgive, will not be forgiven, ” is narrated by Ahmad: 19244, and Al Tabarani in his Al Majma’ Al Kabeer 2/351. (3) Narrated Al Bukhari: 4644. 26 - Forgiveness and Tolerance 99 he / she shows, and whoever behaves humbly for the sake of Allah, Allah will raise him / her”.(1) Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Omar (ABPWT): a man came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! To what extent should we forgive a servant?’ The Prophet kept silent, then the man repeated the question, and the Prophet remained silent. On the third time, he said, “Forgive him seventy times a day”.(2) The Overall Meaning Forgiveness is to forsake blaming for a wrongdoing, and pardon is to forsake reproaching for it. So, pardon is greater than forgiveness. A human being might forgive but not pardon. These two are qualities of the good-hearted and merciful people. For that reason, Allah, the Great and Almighty, commanded His Prophet (PBUH) to show forgiveness and pardon, and turn away from the foolish. He was (PBUH) the most good-hearted of people and the greatest in forgiveness. He did not respond a wrongdoing in its kind, but rather used to forgive and pardon. He would not avenge himself ever, except if one of Allah’s sanctities was profaned. So, he took revenge only for the sake of Allah. It is a Muslim’s duty to follow the Prophet’s (PBUH) example, and obey his commands by suppression of his / her anger and (1) Al Muwata’a, (conditional and not narrated directly to the Prophet): 2855, and Muslim: 2588. (2) Narrated Abu Dawood: 5164. Lessons of the Mosques 100 forgiveness of those who did him / her wrong, to gain the reward of His God. A Muslim should not forget pardon and overlooking, even if the wrongdoer goes too far in his / her mischief. For example, when Abu Bakr Al Siddik (ABPWH) was deeply hurt because his daughter, Aishah (ABPWH), was falsely accused in the incident of Ifk (falsehood), he forgave Mistah, and returned back the expenditure he deprived him of. A Muslim should not consider that forgiveness is humiliation. The Prophet (PBUH) swore that he / she who would forgive, will get but more honor, eminence and status because of forgiveness. We should follow the example of our Prophet (PBUH), and his Companions (ABPWT). We should be tolerant, especially with our families, neighbors and kinships, in the hope that our God might bestow upon us a Paradise as wide as heavens and earth, and add to our honor and highness, in return for our forgiveness and pardon. He is the All-Hearing and Responsive. Benefits 1 - Forgiveness is a characteristic of the virtuous. 2 - To forgive when one is able to take revenge is not a kind of humiliation and submissiveness, but rather an honor for the one who forgives, both in the present life and the hereafter. 26 - Forgiveness and Tolerance 101 3 - Forgiveness earns the consent of the Most Gracious, and it is a defeat of the evil soul, and conquest of the Devil. 4 - A Muslim replaces a wrong deed with a good one, as a kind of correction and in the hope to gain Allah’s grace. 5 - Forgiveness is to implant love amongst members of the society. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 102 27 - The Merit of Group Prayer Praise be to Allah, Who Commanded us to adhere to prayers, and rewarded generously those who pray in groups, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, and upon all his Family and Companions, holders of virtues and noble characters. Allah, be He exalted, said, {And preserve the prayers and the middle prayer, and stand obedient to Allah} [Al-Baqarah: v. 238]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Establish your prayers, pay the obligatory charity, and bow with those who bow} [Al-Baqarah: v. 43]. Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH), I heard Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) say, “A man’s prayer in a group exceeds his prayer at home or in the market twenty five times. If he performs ablution well and goes out only to head for the mosque to pray, then with every step he walks his status is raised one level, and a wrong deed is effaced. When he prays, Angels continue to bless him as long as he is in his place of prayer, saying, ‘O God, bless him, O God have Mercy upon him’. And anyone of you is in prayer as long as he waits for the next one”.(1) Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “I swear to Allah, Whom my soul is in His Hands, I was intending to ask someone to gather wood, another to call to (1) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 647, and Muslim: 649. 27 - The Merit of Group Prayer 103 prayer, and another to lead people in it, and then I would go to some people’s houses to burn them down. I swear to Him, Whom my soul is in His Hands, that if anyone knows that he will find bones with meat on them, or two cloven hoofs, (a little bit of food), then he will attend for dinner at the mosque where there is a prayer”.(1) Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): A blind man came to Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I have no one to lead me to the mosque, ’ and he asked the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) for permission to pray at home, and the Messenger gave him permission; and when the man went away, he called him back and said, “Do you hear the call to prayer?” The man replied, ‘Yes’. Then the Messenger said, “You have to respond”.(2) The Overall Meaning Group prayer is one of the most important ritual of Islam, which a Muslim is ordered to perform it and keep it. Allah, may He be exalted, commanded that it is performed at all times and even the most difficult ones. This is only to show its importance and virtue. Allah’s Messenger kept it when he used to travel, or when he was at home, and whether he was good in health or sick. The Companions (ABPWT) were keen on praying behind the Prophet (PBUH) as a group at the mosque, because group prayer has a great reward, as it is one of the rubrics of the true religion. (1) Al Muwata’a: 343, and Al Bukhari: 644. (2) Narrated Muslim: 653. Lessons of the Mosques 104 We should be keen on it, and pray it in groups at the mosque, and raise our children and teach them to perform and keep it in order to gain our God’s reward, and to be happy with it when we meet Him. Benefits 1 - It is a great virtue to keep group prayer. 2 - Group prayer is one of the rubrics of the true religion, and a cause for atonement for wrongdoings. 3 - Group prayer is a cause for spreading love amongst Muslims. D D D 28 - The Necessity to adhere to Sunnah and to obey the Messenger (PBUH) 105 28 - The Necessity to adhere to Sunnah and to obey the Messenger (PBUH) Praise be to Allah, Who bestowed upon us the gift of Islam, and guided us to the Sunnah (rubrics) of our master Mohammad, the best of mankind, may Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him, his Family and honorable Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Whatever the Messenger gives you, accept it; and whatever he forbids you, abstain. And fear Allah; surely, Allah is Stern in retribution} [Al-Hashr: v. 7]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Whosoever obeys the Messenger, indeed he has obeyed Allah. As for those who turn away, We have not sent you to be their protector} [An-Nisa’a: v. 80]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Say (Prophet Muhammad): ‘If you love Allah, follow me and Allah will love you, and forgive your sins. Allah is Forgiving and Merciful} [Al- Imran: v. 31]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {In the Messenger of Allah you have a fine example for he who hopes for Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah abundantly} [Al-Ahzab: v. 21]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {so let those who disobey His command beware, lest they are struck by sedition, or, they are stricken with a painful punishment} [An-Nur: v. 63]. Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) 106 Lessons of the Mosques said, “What I forbid you to do, then avoid it, and what I ordered you to do, then do it to the best of what you can; those who were before you were doomed to death because of the many issues they had and because they disputed on their Prophets”.(1) Narrated Al Irbadh Bin Sariyah (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) once gave us an eloquent and impressive preaching after Noon prayer, so tears were shed because of it, and hearts feared. A man said, ‘This is a preaching of a person taking leave. So, what do you advise us to do, O Messenger of Allah?’ He (PBUH) said, “My advice to you to is to be pious and have fear of Allah, and to listen to and obey a person, even if he was a black Ethiopian former slave, for whomever of you that might live will find a great difference in matters. And beware of the new established issues as they are deviated from what is right. So, whomsoever of you that recognizes this, he / she has to cling to my Sunnah, and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Caliphs behind me; and you should seize to it with all your power, as if biting it with your molars”.(2) Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “All of my nation gets into Paradise, except for those who refuse”. His Companions said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, and who would refuse?!’ He replied, “Whomsoever obeys me enters Paradise, and whomsoever disobeys me, then he / she refuses”.(3) (1) Narrated Al Bukhari: 7288, and Muslim: 1337, and the expression is Muslim’s. (2) Narrated Abu Dawood: 4607, Al Tirmithi: 2676, and Ibn Majah: 43. (3) Narrated Al Bukhari: 7280. 28 - The Necessity to adhere to Sunnah and to obey the Messenger (PBUH) 107 The Overall Meaning Allah, be He exalted, sent Mohammad (PBUH) and supported him with the right guidance and the true religion. He commanded all humanity to follow him (PBUH) and take his example in all the things that he advise or prohibit. Allah, be He exalted, considered obeying the Messenger (PBUH) as obeying Him, be He exalted. The Companions, may Allah’s content be upon them, set the greatest examples of the quick response and obedience of his orders (PBUH). Allah, be He exalted, warned against disobeying the orders of the Messenger (PBUH), and threatened those who disobey him and promised them painful punishment. An example of this is what happened to the man that refused arrogantly to obey the Messenger (PBUH), and had his hand paralyzed. So, we should - my beloved in Allah - to adhere to the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH), and to commit ourselves, upon hearing his orders, to say, ‘We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all)’. Benefits 1 - Whomsoever obeys the Messenger He exalted. (PBUH) obeys Allah, be 2 - Adherence to the Sunnah is a protection against adversities and sins. Lessons of the Mosques 108 3 - Ordeal and torment is the punishment of those who disobey the Messenger (PBUH). 4 - Responding to the Prophet (PBUH) and taking him as an example is a cause for salvation in the present life and the hereafter. 5 - The Companions competed one another to obey the Messenger (PBUH). D D D 29 - Bring good News to Those Who walk a lot to Mosques 109 29 - Bring good News to Those Who walk a lot to Mosques Praise be to Allah, Who rendered mosques with intimacy and delight of souls, and prepared for those who intend to go to them a residence, whenever they come and go, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the example of success holders, and upon his Family and Companions, holders of piety and goodness. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Surely, it is We who revive the dead and write down what they have forwarded and what they have left behind; We have counted everything in a Clear Book} [Ya-Sin: v. 12]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {In houses which Allah has allowed to be raised up, and His Name to be remembered therein. In the morning and evening are men who exalt Him there, whom neither trade nor sale can divert from the remembrance of Allah, and establish the prayers, and pay the obligatory} [An-Nur: v. 36-37]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {None should inhabit the mosques of Allah except those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish their prayers and pay the obligatory charity, and fear none except Allah. May these be among the guided} [At-Taubah: v. 18]. Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whoever walks to and fro to the mosque, Allah will prepare for him a residence in Paradise whenever he goes to and fro”.(1) (1) Narrated Al Bukhari: 662, and Muslim: 669, and the expression is Muslim’s. Lessons of the Mosques 110 Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Don’t you want me to guide you to the action by which Allah erases sins, and raises people’s levels?” His Companions said, ‘Verily, O Messenger of Allah!’ He (PBUH) said, “to perform ablution perfectly, even when it is difficult to do so, to walk and go a lot to mosques, and to wait for the next prayer when the first finishes, and that is called the massing”.(1) Narrated Buraydah (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Bring good news to those who walk to mosques at night that they will be granted with perfect light on the Day of Resurrection”.(2) Narrated Abi Musa (ABPWH): Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) said, “He who gets the greatest reward of prayer is the remote and remoter, when walking, and he who waits for the prayer to perform it with the Imam has a greater reward than the one who prays then sleeps”.(3) Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whomsoever purifies himself at home, then walks to one of Allah’s abodes to perform one of Allah’s obligatory rituals, will find his steps regarded as of two types, one erases a sin, and the other raises his status by one”.(4) The Overall Meaning Believers are described as inhabiting Allah’s abodes. They glorify Allah day and night, stand to perform prayers, praise Allah (1) (2) (3) (4) Narrated Muslim: 251. Narrated Abu Dawood: 561, and Al Tirmithi: 224, and Ibn Majah: 781. Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 651, and Muslim: 662. Narrated Muslim: 666. 29 - Bring good News to Those Who walk a lot to Mosques 111 a lot, and recite His Book. They purify themselves at home and head for them, and walk a lot. Therefore, Allah bestowed upon them great rewards, whether in the present life or in the hereafter. By each step they step, they gain a good deed and have a wrongdoing effaced. Allah specified Dawn (Fajr) and Evening (Isha’a) prayers with greater merits, and gave good news to those who head for them and that they will gain complete light on the Day of Resurrection. We, my brothers, have to be keen on doing that to be winners and holders of that light on the Day of Resurrection. Benefits 1 - Walking to mosques is a great worship, by which Allah erases sins and raises levels. 2 - The more one’s house is far from the mosque the more his reward increases and doubles. 3 - Believers do not get distracted from praising Allah and walking to his abodes by their trade or selling. 4 - Only sincere servants of Allah keep on walking in the dark towards mosques. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 112 30 - Straightening Rows in Prayers Praise be to Allah, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the most honorable of all creation, and upon his good and pure Family and Companions. Narrated Anas Bin Malek (ABPWH): Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) said, “Straighten your rows, for the straightening of a row is a part of the perfection of prayer”.(1) Narrated Jaber Bin Samurah (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) came out to us and said, “Why don’t you draw yourselves up in rows as angels do in the presence of their Lord? We said: Messenger of Allah, how do the angels draw themselves up in rows in the presence of their Lord? He (the Holy Prophet) said: They make the first rows complete and keep close together in the row”.(2) Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Omar (ABPWT): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Straighten your rows, let your shoulders be next to each other, fill the gaps, be flexible in movement with your brothers, and do not leave any gaps for the Devil to intervene. Whoever perfects a row, Allah will honor him, and whoever keeps a row incomplete, Allah will desert him”.(3) Narrated Nu’man Bin Bashir (ABPWT): (1) Narrated Al Bukhari: 723, and Muslim: 433. (2) Narrated Muslim: 430. (3) Narrated Abu Dawood: 666. Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) 30 - Straightening Rows in Prayers 113 said, “Straighten your rows or Allah would create dissension amongst you”.(1) Narrated Al Bara’a Bin Aazeb (ABPWT), ‘We used to stand and straighten our rows for a while at the time of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) before he (PBUH) exclaim ‘Allah is the Great, ’ ‘ and he (the narrator) said, ‘He (PBUH) said, “Allah and His angels bless those who come next behind the first line; and there is no step dearer to Allah than a step a person would walk in order to complete a row”.(2) The Overall Meaning Allah, be He exalted, has commanded us to obey Him and His Messenger (PBUH). The Prophet (PBUH) was keen on unifying Muslims, externally and substantially, in all of their matters. Therefore, (Islamic) jurisprudence came up with everything that leads to this honorable issue, and straightening rows in a prayer is an example of it. The Prophet (PBUH) encouraged us to do this in many Hadiths, and showed us how straightening rows is part of the perfection of a prayer and its performance. Straightening up the rows is an imitation of angels who do not refuse Allah’s commandments and do as what they are commanded, and a reason for connecting a servant to Allah. However, when rows are not straight in a prayer, then this is a way leading to dissension amongst hearts. Straightening up the rows includes excellence of the first row then of the subsequent. It also means that a Muslim should not (1) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 717, and Muslim: 436. (2) Narrated Abu Dawood: 453. Lessons of the Mosques 114 leave a gap between him and his fellow brethren, should not stand ahead of his fellow brother, whether by his chest or feet, and should not start a second row until the first one is completed. If there happens to be a shortage or gaps, then let they be in the rear rows. It is a permissible Sunnah for the Imam (leader) to order his followers in prayer to straighten rows when he wills to call for the commencement of prayer. It would be found nice if each of the prayers guide anyone whom he sees breaking the straightness of the row to straighten it, as it is regarded as a kind of cooperation for benefaction and piety. Benefits 1 - Straightening rows is an affirmed rubric (Sunnah) of the prayer’s Sunnahs. 2 - Excellence of rows is to complete the first then the subsequent. 3 - Whoever completes a row, Allah will honor him, and whoever breaks it, Allah will desert (disregard) him. 4 - When rows are not straight in a prayer, it is a cause of dissension amongst hearts. May Allah, the Great and Almighty, bestow upon us the best standing in His presence, and the grace of dependence on Him, for He is the Excellent Patron, and the Excellent Helper. D D D 31 - The Advantage of Blessing the Prophet (PBUH) 31 - The Advantage of Blessing the Prophet 115 (PBUH) Praise be to Allah, Who considered blessing His Prophet as a praise, and raised his rank amongst creations, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon whom He made a support (reserve) for his nation, and upon his Family and Companions, the purest of all people. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Allah and His angels praise and venerate the Prophet. Believers, praise and venerate him and pronounce peace upon him in abundance} [Al-Ahzab: v. 56]. Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Pronounce peace upon me, for your blessings reach me whenever you are”.(1) Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Amro Bin Al Aas (ABPWT) that he heard the Prophet (PBUH) saying, “Whomsoever pronounces peace upon me once, Allah will bless him / her for that ten times”.(2) Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whomsoever I was mentioned in front of him and did not pronounce peace upon me will be disgraced”.(3) Narrated Ubay Bin Ka’ab (ABPWH) saying, ‘I pronounce peace upon you in abundance; so, how much of my free time should I dedicate my blessings upon you? (1) Narrated Abu Dawood: 2042. (2) Narrated Muslim: 384. (3) Narrated Al Tirmithi: 3545. Lessons of the Mosques 116 Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “As much as you can”. He (the narrator) said, ‘I say, quarter of it’. He (PBUH) said, “As much as you can, and the more you do the better will be for you”. He (the narrator) said, ‘I say, half of it’. He (PBUH) said, “As much as you can, and if you add more, it will be better for you”. The narrator said, ‘I say, the two thirds’. He (PBUH) said, “As much as you can, and the more you do the better will be for you”. The narrator said, ‘I dedicate all of my blessings for you’. He (PBUH) said, “So, you will be spared from your worries, and your sins will be forgiven”.(1) Narrated Malek Bin Al Huwayreth (PBUH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) went up the threshold of the tribune and said, “Amen”, went up another step and said, “Amen”, then went up yet another step and said, “Amen”. He said, “Gabriel (PBUH) came to me and said, ‘O Mohammad, whoever has his / her parents or one of them alive and does not serve them duly, and goes to Hell, then may Allah cast him / her away, say: Amen. I (the Messenger (PBUH)) said, Amen. Gabriel (PBUH) said, ‘Whoever reaches Ramadan without being forgiven, then may Allah cast him / her away, say: Amen. I (the Messenger (PBUN)) said, Amen. Gabriel (PBUH) said, ‘Whoever you were mentioned in his/her presence without him / her pronounce peace and blessings upon you, then may Allah cast him / her away, say: Amen. I (the Messenger (PBUH)) said, “Amen”.(2) (1) Narrated Al Tirmithi: 2457. (2) Narrated Ibn Habban in his authentic narration 2/140. 31 - The Advantage of Blessing the Prophet (PBUH) 117 Narrated Al Hussein Bin Ali (ABPWT): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The miser is the one who, if I was mentioned in front of him / her, would not then pronounce peace upon me”.(1) The Overall Meaning Pronouncing peace and blessing upon our master, Mohammad (PBUH), has a great reward and merit. It is one of Allah’s open doors, and of His gifts bestowed upon us. Who adheres to it will survive, and who repeats it abundantly will be spared from his / her worries, have his / her sins forgiven, his / her conditioned improved, and his / her invocation will be answered. Many Hadiths showed that Friday (Jumu’ah) has a merit above other days and treated with more care. Prayer on that day is offered to our master Mohammad (PBUH) for reviewing it. Hadiths also showed that the miser is the one who hears the mention of the Prophet in his presence and do not pronounce peace and blessings upon him, and more, he / she is deprived of the reward and credit of the blessing. Blessing upon the Prophet (PBUH) has many forms, such as, the (Ibrahimiah”(according to Prophet Ibrahim-Abraham (PBUH)) blessing, which is as follows, “O Allah, may Your peace be upon Mohammad, his Wives and descendants, as You have had your peace upon Ibrahim and his Family; and may Your blessings be bestowed upon Mohammad, his Wives and descendants, as You have had your blessings upon Ibrahim and his Family, You are the Most Praised and the Most Glorious”. (1) Narrated Al Tirmithi: 3546. Lessons of the Mosques 118 Pronounce, dear Muslims, much of your peace and blessings upon your Prophet, so that you gain his mediation for forgiveness, come to his holy basin, and drink a sip of water from his noble hand which you will never be thirsty after it. Benefits 1 - There is a great reward for pronouncing peace and blessing upon the Prophet (PBUH). 2 - The one who does not pronounce peace and blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH) when mentioned is the most miser of people, and he is cast away from Allah. 3 - The worthiest people to gain the Prophet’s consent (PBUH) are those who pronounce peace and blessings upon him the most. 4 - Blessing the Prophet (PBUH) is legitimate in any form, and the best forms would be those mentioned in the Sunnah. 5 - There are certain occasions where blessing upon the Prophet (PBUH) is confirmed, such as: when he is mentioned, at the call to prayer, before supplication, during preaches, when entering the mosque and going out of it, and on Friday day and night. D D D 32 - Hearts free from Grudges 119 32 - Hearts free from Grudges Praise be to Allah, Who commanded that hearts should be sincere and simple, and that they are freed from grudges and flaws, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, who is bestowed with intercession and mediation for forgiveness on the Day of Tribulations, and upon his pure-hearted Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Those who came after them say: ‘Forgive us our Lord, and forgive our brothers who were believers before us. Do not put in our hearts any spite towards those who believe. Lord, You are the Gentle, the Most Merciful} [Al-Hashr: v. 10]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {We shall strip away all rancor from their chests. Rivers shall flow underneath them, and they shall say: ‘Praise be to Allah who has guided us to this. Had Allah not given us guidance we should not have been guided. The Messengers of our Lord surely came with the truth. ‘ Then they are called: ‘This is the Paradise which you have inherited for what you did} [Al-A’raf: v. 43]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Do not follow what you do not know. The hearing, sight and heart about all these you shall be questioned} [Al-Isra’: v. 36]. Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Don’t nurse grudge and don’t bid someone out for raising the price and don’t nurse aversion or enmity; and don’t enter into a transaction when the others have entered into that Lessons of the Mosques 120 transaction and be as fellow-brothers and servants of Allah. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He neither oppresses him nor humiliates him nor looks down upon him. The piety is here, (and while saying so, he pointed towards his chest thrice). It is a serious evil for a Muslim that he should look down upon his Muslim fellow-brother. All things of a Muslim are inviolable for his brother in faith: his blood, his wealth and his honor”.(1) Narrated Al Nu’man Bin Basheer (ABPWH), ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “There is a small bit, if it is good, then the whole body will be good; and if it is corrupt, then the whole body will be marred. It is namely the heart”.(2) Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Amro (ABPWT): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) was asked, ‘What type of people is best?’ He (PBUH) said, “Everyone with a Mahkmoom heart and with true tongue and speech”. They said, ‘We know what a true tongue is, but what is a Mahkmoom heart?’ He (PBUH) said, “He / she is the pious and pure, with no sin or injustice, with no rancor or envy”.(3) The Overall Meaning The Islamic Law paid special attention the heart, as it is the center of interest of the Lord of creation, the Great and Almighty, and the essence of limb’s goodness. A servant’s faith will not straighten until his / her heart is heart is straightened. Nothing will (1) Narrated Muslim: 2564. (2) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 52, and Muslim: 1599. (3) Narrated Ibn Majah: 4216, and its narration was verified in Al Targheeb wa Al Tarheeb 2/87. 32 - Hearts free from Grudges 121 be of use in Allah’s view but to have a good heart. Therefore, Allah warned against all spiritual diseases of the heart, and specified some with more than others, such as rancor and envy, as they are causes for the anger of the Knower of the things unseen, and for dissention of hearts, and parting between the lover and the Beloved. He also prohibited enmity and hatred and considered them to shave and destroy religion. On the other hand, we find that Islam calls for freeing hearts from grudges, and refers to and praises the issue of good hearts full of love, purity and brotherhood. It related the perfection of faith to the idea that a person would love and wish for his / her fellow-brother or sister what he / she wishes for himself/ herself. The Prophet (PBUH) showed that the best of people is the pious and pure, who holds no grudges in his / her heart against anyone of Muslims. He (PBUH) promised that the reward for those having good hearts will be abundant, and witnessed for and guaranteed them to enter Paradise. In order to maintain pure hearts free from grudges, we should strengthen our relation with Allah. So, we should keep on reading the Book of Allah, praying for Him and invoking Him to save us from the diseases of our hearts. We should also read the biographies of the pious, and avoid things that lead to hatred, such as to let someone ask a lady for engagement after being asked by someone else, to enter into a transaction when others have entered into it, to bid others out and raise prices in order to harm them. Other examples would be to spy on others, and to backbite them. We should avoid, also, sitting with whose hearts are full of hatred, envy and enmity, so that we do not get infected by them. We should, on the other hand, trust Muslims, as mistrust leads to grudge and envy. If we do that, then love and Lessons of the Mosques 122 brotherhood will prevail in society, and people will live in total happiness, love, settlement and security, and they will survive the obsession (suspicion) of rancor and the rage of grudge and envy that leads to destruction and ruin. Benefits 1 - When hearts are free from grudges, then this will be a means leading to Paradise. 2 - Pure hearts indicate the perfection of faith and good Islam. 3 - Hearts free from hatred mean gaining blessings and pushing indignations away. 4 - Sincerity of hearts leads to Allah’s love then the love of people. 5 - When hearts are pure, they protect human beings from the danger of sins and wrong deeds, such as envy, hatred and other sins. D D D 33 - Supplications following Prayers 123 33 - Supplications following Prayers Praise be to Allah, Who rendered praising and supplicating Him a comfort for hearts, and made the supplications following prayers as atonements of sins, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the dearest and the beloved, and upon his pure-hearted Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Believers, remember Allah frequently, exalt Him at dawn and in the evening} [Al-Ahzab: v. 41-42]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {And exalt Him in the night, and at the ends of the prostrations} [Qaf: v. 40]. Narrated Thawban (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) used to ask Allah’s forgiveness thrice after prayers, then say, “O Allah, You are Peace, and peace is derived from You; All-Blessed You are, O You are the Most Exalted, and the Most Honorable”. Then, Al Waleed said, ‘I asked Al Awzaa’i, ‘How to ask for forgiveness?’ and he said, ‘You say: I ask Allah’s forgiveness, I ask Allah’s forgiveness’.(1) Narrated Al Mugheerah Bin Shu’bah (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) used to say immediately after every prayer, “There is no God but Allah, Alone with no other deity to share Him, the ruling is His, the Praise is His, and He is the Omnipotent. O Allah, there is nothing to obstruct what You have granted, and no one or anything can grant something if You will not (1) Narrated Muslim: 591. 124 Lessons of the Mosques to grant, and the rich will not make use of his fortunes when he / she stands before You, and the deeds he / she achieves for your obedience will be of use”.(1) Narrated Abdu Al Rahman Bin Ghanam (ABPWH): Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whomsoever says before leaving the mosque after Sunset (Maghreb) and Dawn (Subuh) prayers, ‘There is no God but Allah, Alone with no other deity to share Him, the ruling is His, the Praise is His, Benefaction is within His Hands, He endows creations with life and deprives them from it, and He is the Omnipotent,’ for ten times, then ten good deeds will be recorded for him / her, ten of his / her evil deeds will be effaced, and he / she will be raised for ten degrees. They (supplications) will also protect against every evil and against the cursed Devil, and a person’s sins will not be due except for polytheism. Such a person will be the best of people in deeds, except for another person who comes with better supplications and sayings than the first one”.(2) Narrated Ka’ab Bin Ajrah (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “There are expressions following each fixed prayer, whoever says or applies them will not be disappointed: to declare Allah’s Glory and Greatness thirty three times, to declare praise be to Him thirty three times, and to declare His Greatness thirty four times”.(3) Narrated Abi Umamah (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whomsoever reads the Verse of ‘Kursi (Chair)’ following (1) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 844, and Muslim: 593. (2) Narrated Ahmad, and Al Haythami said in Majma’ Al Zawa’ed (10/107): Its men are authentic except for Shahr Bin Hawshab, and his Hadith is correct. (3) Narrated Muslim: 596. 33 - Supplications following Prayers 125 each fixed prayer, then nothing will prevent him / her from entering Paradise except death”.(1) Narrated Uqbah Bin Aamer (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) ordered me to read the last three Surahs at the end of the Qur’an (namely, Al Mu’awwathat), after each prayer”.(2) The Overall Meaning Allah, be He exalted, commanded people to supplicate Him following the fixed prayers, and there are many Hadiths of the Prophet (PBUH) concerning this idea. Even all scholars, may Allah have Mercy upon them, were unanimous as regards favoring this. These supplications lead to raising degrees, effacing sins, increasing good deeds, protection against the Devil, and are reasons to enter Paradise and be saved from failure. They mean worship, praising Allah, and a servant’s confession that he / she is incomplete and weak, and needs Allah desperately. Therefore, they were as a kind of will from the lover to his beloved, when he (PBUH) told Mu’aaz (ABPWH): “Mu’aaz, I tell you the following as a will! Do not abandon, after each prayer, saying, ‘O Allah, help me to praise You, thank You, and to worship You perfectly”.(3) So, this introduction, offered by the Prophet (PBUH) makes one cling to this will, as it is the will of a lover and includes the most (1) Narrated Al Tabarani in Al Kabeer 8/134, and Al Awsat 8/93, and Al Haythami said in Majma’ Al Zawa’ed (10/102): Narrated Al Tabarani in Al Kabeer and Al Awsat, with attributes, and one of them is good. (2) Narrated Abu Dawood: 1523. (3) Narrated Abu Dawood: 1522, and Al Nasa’i: 1303. Lessons of the Mosques 126 precious and valuable issue. O Allah, help us to praise You, thank You, and to worship You perfectly. Benefits 1 - One of the most beneficial supplications for a Muslim is that mentioned after prayers. 2 - The Prophet (PBUH) kept on supplicating Allah after prayers, and ordered it to be performed. 3 - A Muslim is unable to obey unless there was aid from Allah, and success granted by Him. 4 - Supplication after prayers leads to raising degrees, effacing evil deeds, and increasing good deeds. 5 - Clinging to supplication following prayers is a cause that lead to Paradise. O Allah, let us be among the men and women supplicating Allah abundantly, and help us to keep on supplication after prayers, all by means of Your Mercy, O You the Most Merciful. D D D 34 - The Greatness of ‘Al Kursi’ (The Chair) Verse 127 34 - The Greatness of ‘Al Kursi’ (The Chair) Verse Praise be to Allah, Who made the verse of ‘Al Kursi’ (The Chair) the greatest verse of the Qur’an, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon His chosen Al Adnan Prophet, and upon his Family and Companions, holders of grace and gratitude. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Allah, there is no god except He, the Living, the Everlasting. Neither dozing, nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. Who is he that shall intercede with Him except by His permission! He knows what will be before their hands and what was behind them, and they do not comprehend anything of His Knowledge except what He willed. His Seat embraces the heavens and the earth, and the preserving of them does not weary Him. He is the High, the Great} [Al-Baqarah: v. 255]. Narrated Ubayy Bin Ka’b (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “O Abu’ al-Mundhir, do you know the verse from the Book of Allah which, according to you, is the greatest?” I said, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best’. He again said, “Abu’l-Mundhir, do you know the verse from the Book of Allah which, according to you, is the greatest?” I said, {Allah, there is no god except He, the Living, the Everlasting} Thereupon, he struck me on my chest and said, “May knowledge be pleasant for you, O Abu’l-Mundhir!”(1) (1) Narrated Muslim: 810. 128 Lessons of the Mosques Narrated Abi Umamah (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whoever that reads the verse of ‘Al Kursi’ after each fixed prayer, then nothing will prevent him from entering Paradise, except death”.(1) Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH), ‘Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) assigned me to keep the almsgiving of Ramadan. Then came a passer-by and started to pick something form the food. I took him and said: I swear to Allah, I will refer you to Allah’s Messenger (PBUH)’. The man said, ‘I am needy, and there are children behind me to support, and I need the food desperately’. He (the narrator) said, ‘I let him go, and the next day came’. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “O Aba Hurayra! What did your captive do yesterday?” He said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! He claimed a desperate need and that he had children to support, so I had compassion for him and let him go’. He (PBUH) said, “He lied to you and will come back”. He (the narrator) said, ‘I realized that he will come back, for the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said so’. The narrator said, ‘I awaited him, and he came and started to pick from the food, then I seized him and said: I will refer you to Allah’s Messenger (PBUH)’. The man said, Let me go, I am needy, and there are children behind me to support. I will never come back’. The narrator said: So, I had compassion for him and let him go, and the next day came. The Prophet (PBUH) said to me, “O Aba Hurayra! What did your captive do yesterday?” He said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! He claimed a desperate need and that he had children to support, so I had (1) Narrated Al Tabarani in Al Kabeer 8/134, and in Al Awsat 8/93, and Al Haythami said in Majma’ Al Zawa’ed (10/102): Narrated Al Tabarani in Al Kabeer and Al Awsat according to narrations, and one of them is good. 34 - The Greatness of ‘Al Kursi’ (The Chair) Verse compassion for him and let him go’. He to you and will come back”. 129 (PBUH) said, “He lied The narrator said, ‘I awaited him for the third time, and he came and started to pick from the food, then I seized him and said: I will refer you to Allah’s Messenger, and this is the last of the three times. You claim that you will never come back then come back. The man said, ‘Let me teach you some words that by which Allah will bestow benefit upon you’. The narrator said, ‘What are they?’ He said, ‘When you go to bed, read the verse of Al Kursi: {Allah, there is no god except He, the Living, the Everlasting,} until you finish the verse. By virtue of which, you will remain under the protection of Allah, and no devil will near you until you wake up the next morning’. The narrator said: So, I let him go, and the next day came. The Prophet (PBUH) said to me, “What did your captive do yesterday?” The narrator said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! He claimed that he would teach me words by which Allah will bestow benefit upon me. He (PBUH) said, “What are they?” The narrator said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! He said, ‘When you go to bed, read the verse of Al Kursi from the beginning until you conclude with: {Allah, there is no god except He, the Living, the Everlasting,}, and said to the narrator, ‘By virtue of which, you will remain under the protection of Allah, and no devil will near you until you wake up the next morning’. (The people at the time of the Prophet were the keenest to obtain the good). The Prophet (PBUH) said, “He told you the truth while he is always a liar. Do you know whom you were talking to the last three nights, O Aba Hurayra?” He said, ‘No’. Then he (PBUH) said, “That was a devil”.(1) (1) Narrated Al Bukhari: 2311. Lessons of the Mosques 130 The Overall Meaning The verse of ‘Al Kursi’ is the greatest verse in Allah’s Book, be He exalted. It is so, for the meanings of Allah’s Greatness, His Pride and the embrace of all His creation, that it contains. It makes the one who reads it protected against the cursed Devil, and enables him / her, if observed reading it, to enter Paradise. The Prophet (PBUH) considered it as a Sunnah (rubric) to read it in the morning and at night, after prayers, and when we go to bed. So, a Muslim should learn this great verse by heart, consider its meanings carefully, and let his family and children learn it, so that Allah will protect him and his family. Benefits 1 - The greatness of Allah’s words is derived from His Greatness, be He exalted. 2 - ‘Al Kursi’ verse should be learnt by heart, and keeping on reading it is a reason for entering Paradise, and to preserve its owner from devils. 3 - It is a Sunnah (rubric) to keep reading ‘Al Kursi’ verse after prayers, in the morning, the evening, and when going to bed. 4 - The Companions learning sciences. (ABPWT) observed doing good deeds and D D D 35 - Dispraise of Envy 131 35 - Dispraise of Envy Praise be to Allah, Who commanded Muslims to love each other and be loyal, and prohibited them from being envious and hating each other, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the noblest of Prophets, and upon his Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Or do they envy people for the Bounty Allah has given them? We gave the family of Abraham the Book and Wisdom, and a great kingdom} [An-Nisa’: v. 54]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {What, is it they who divide the Mercy of your Lord! (It is) We who divided between them their livelihoods in this life, raising some in rank above others, so that some may take the other into his service. Your Lord’s Mercy is better than all they gather} [Az-Zukhruf: v. 32]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Say: ‘I take refuge with the Lord of Daybreak, from the evil of what He has created, from the evil of the darkness when it gathers, from the evil of the blowers on knots; from the evil of the envier when he envies} [Al-Falaq: v. 1-5]. Narrated Anas Bin Malek (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Don’t nurse hatred amongst you, don’t nurse envy, don’t nurse dissension, and be, servants of Allah, fellow-brothers”(1). Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, (1) Al Muwata’a: 2639, and it is agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 6065, and Muslim: 2559. Lessons of the Mosques 132 “Two things do not come together in a servant’s heart: faith and envy”(1). Narrated Dhamra Bin Tha’alabah (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “People’s relations are good as long as they do not nurse envy”(2). Narrated Al Zubeir (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The disease that struck the nations before you has come to you: it is envy and hatred. It is effusive (a shaver). I don’t say: it shaves the hair of the head, but rather effaces religion. I swear to Him, that my soul is within His hand, you will never enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love each other. Don’t you want me to tell you about what emphasizes that for you? Spread peace and pronounce it amongst you”(3). The Overall Meaning Envy: It is to wish that bliss is cleared away from others. It was dispraised in the Qur’an and the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH). It is a disease that caused the destruction of other previous nations that denied the truth and envied its holders. Envy is an incurable disease that has many reasons: When faith in Allah fades away: A true believer knows that Allah, be He exalted, is the Divider of subsistence, and Granter of Bliss, according to His Utmost Wisdom. So, according to this (1) Narrated Al Nasa’i: 3109. (2) Narrated Al Tabarani in Al Kabeer 8/369, and Al Haythami said in Majma’a Al Zawa’ed (8/78): It men are authentic and trusted. (3) Narrated Al Tirmithi: 2510. 35 - Dispraise of Envy 133 Wisdom, He grants this for a reason, and prevents that for a reason. Whoever refuses this division is objecting Allah’s judgment and behaves proudly and arrogantly against it. Enmity: Enmity leads to envy, and no one can survive this but someone whom Allah protects. Pride (conceit): Whomever is proud of himself/ herself, when he / she sees people attracted to someone else other than him / her, he / she will wish that blessing to be taken away from others so that others will be attracted to him / her. The love of control and presidency: Anyone inflicted with such a disease cannot be saved from envy, as he / she wants control, leadership and prominence to be sustained within his / her hands. He / she might think that this will sustain his status, and does not know that it is up to Allah only to decide this issue. Malice (evil-mindedness): He / she who owns an evil soul, does not like others to be blessed or good, and this is one of the worst types of envy, for the evil-minded envies others not to make their blessings turn towards him / her, but the mere idea that others are blessed with Allah’s blessings tortures him / her. If he / she is told about the turbulence, degradation, loss of targets, and disturbance of others’ living, then he / she would be happy to hear that. You have to know, my fellow-brother, that envy does not benefit its owner, but rather does him / her harm, and does not harm the envied. It hurts the envier because he / she remains in a state of regret, depression and grief, and continues to be tortured on seeing every blessing bestowed upon others. Above all this, he / she will get the anger and discontent of Allah. Lessons of the Mosques 134 It does not harm or affect the envied because the blessing that he / she is granted is given from Allah, be He exalted, and what Allah grants will never be stopped or obstructed, and whatever Mercy Allah grants, then there is nothing to hold it. So, how come that a sane person exposes himself/ herself to the discontent of Allah without any benefit he / she might get, in addition to the harm he / she gets, and the pain that he / she suffers from, leading himself/ herself to destruction in both the present life and the hereafter in vain and purposelessly?! Benefits 1 - The envier befalls upon himself/ herself the discontent of Allah, and the hatred of people. 2 - Envy is a reason behind soul’ regret and body sickness. 3 - Envy brings indignation, effaces blessings, and is a source of evil deeds. 4 - Envy nourishes rancor and grudge, and leads to crime. 5 - It is a legitimate thing to seek refuge of Allah from the evils of the envier. We ask Allah to bestow upon us forgiveness and good health, to guard us against envy and rancor, and to protect us from enviers’ observing eyes, and the evil souls of the malicious. D D D 36 - Grace of Friday 135 36 - Grace of Friday Praise be to Allah, who made Friday the best of days and peace and blessings be upon our master Prophet Muhammad, the best of human beings and upon his precious family and companions, And then: Allah the Almighty said: {{Believers, when you are called to prayer on the Day of the Congregation (Friday), hasten to the Remembrance of Allah and put your trading to one side. That is the best for you, if you but knew} [Al-Jumu’ah: v. 9]. Aws bin Aws althaqafi (ABPWH) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) peace and blessings be upon him say: “The one who washes and has a bath on Friday, leaves his house early and walks and doesn’t ride, then approaches the Imam and listens to him and doesn’t say or do anything which spoils his prayer, but that he will get by each step he walks, the good of fasting and praying during the night in a whole year”(1). And Abu Hurairah (ABPWH) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said: “The one who has a ceremonial bath, the same bath he must have after having a sexual intercourse or sexual discharge in a wet dream, and goes to the mosque in the first hour, it is (1) Narrated by Abu Dawood:345. 136 Lessons of the Mosques as if he offered a camel as a sacrifice, and if he goes in the second hour, it is as if he offered a cow as a sacrifice and if he goes in the third hour, it is as if he offered a male sheep, and if he goes in the fourth hour, it is as if he offered a hen and if he goes in the fifth hour, it is as if he offered an egg, but when the Imam shows up to start his speech the angels gather to listen to Qur’an, and the magnifying of Allah”(1). Abu sa’ed Alkhudri and Abu Hurairah (ABPWT) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “The one who has a bath on Friday and wears the best of his clothes, and perfumes if he has any perfume, then goes to the Friday prayer and doesn’t surpass the necks of those who came before him and listens to the Imam until the end of prayer, but that this will be expiation for the sins he committed between this Friday and the previous Friday”. Abu sa’ed added: Abu Huraira says: “and extra three days”. And says: “One good will be considered ten”(2). Abu sa’ed Alkhudri said: The prophet (PBUH) said: Allah illuminates all what is between the two Fridays for the one who recites the Cave Chapter on Friday”(3). Abu ja’ad Aldamrey (ABPWH) said: The prophet (PBUH) said: “The heart of him who missed three Friday prayers just because he is remiss in them, will be sealed”(4). (1) (2) (3) (4) Almawtaa: 266, agreed on it: Albukhari: 881, and Muslim: 850. Narrated by Abu Dawood 343. Narrated by Alhakem in Almustadrak 368/2 and said it is verified. Almawtaa 297 mursilan and also narrated by Abu Dawood 1052, and Al Turmuzi: 500, and Alnisa’ee1369. 36 - Grace of Friday 137 The Overall Meaning Friday is one of the greatest days God has specified for Muslims out of His Bounty, and gifting and honouring this nation, and it is the weekly festival for Muslims. If one dies on Friday or Friday night, God keeps him from the sedition of the grave, and if one recites the Cave Chapter, it becomes a gleam of light for him, and if one fulfills its rules and has a bath, perfumes, goes to the mosque early and doesn’t hurt anybody, Allah will expiate his sins. And if one meets the moment at which God responds to those who pray to Him, God gives him what he asks. And it’s preferable to repeat the prayer “Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad” frequently on Friday and Friday night, and it was of the prophet’s (PBUH) guidance that he glorified and honored this day and he specified it with acts of worship not done on other days. So a Muslim must know the value of this day and to glorify it and learn its rules to get a great compensation from Allah, The Lord of Alamin (i.e. Mankind. Jinn and all that exist). Benefits 1 - Friday is the lord of days and the greatest for Allah Exalted is He. 2 - Saying Allah is the greatest is a reason for obtaining good and Allah’s blessing. Lessons of the Mosques 138 3 - There is sometime on Friday at which God fulfils one’s requests. 4 - It’s desirable to repeat the prayer “Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad” frequently on Friday and Friday night. 5 - From the tradition of Friday are to smarten up, to perfume and to wear nice clothes. 6 - The strong menace to those who leave Friday Prayer. We ask Allah to consider us in the groups that worship Friday and to accept our prayers; You are the All Hearing. D D D 37 - Good opinion of God Exalted is He 139 37 - Good opinion of God Exalted is He Praise be to Allah, who endowed the believers with having good opinion of Him, and peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad (PBUH) the greatest of all creatures for Allah, and upon his family and upon all those who followed his steps. And then: Allah Exalted is He said: Do not despair of the Comfort of Allah, none but unbelievers despair of the Comfort of Allah. ‘ Yusuf: v. 87 And Exalted is He said: {Say: ‘O My worshipers, who have sinned excessively against themselves, do not despair of the Mercy of Allah, surely, Allah forgives all sins. He is the Forgiver, the Most Merciful} [Al-Ankabut v. 53]. And Exalted is He said: {He replied: ‘And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord, except those that are astray} [Al-Hijr: v. 56]. Jaber (ABPWH) said: “I heard the prophet (PBUH) before his death in three days say: You should have a good opinion of Allah before you meet death”(1). And Wathelh bin AlAsqa’a (ABPWH) said: “The prophet (PBUH) said: “Allah, Glorified is He said: I am as good as how my slave thinks of Me, so he may think however he likes”(2). (1) Narrated by Muslim: 2877. (2) Narrated by Ahmad: 16016, Alhaithami said in Majma’a Alzawaaed (318/2): Ahmad’s men are trustful. Lessons of the Mosques 140 Anas bin Malek (ABPWH) said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say: ((“Allah, Blessed And Exalted is He said: {O, a human being, If you call me and beg me, I will forgive your sins, no matter how much they are, O, a human being, if your sins are accumulated to reach the sky, and you ask me forgiveness, I will forgive you, O, a human being, If you came to me with sins that could fill all the containers on earth, then you sought me believing in no Deity but in Me, I would forgive you”(1). And Anas, (ABPWH) said: That once, the prophet (PBUH) came to a young man dying and said” How do you see yourself?” The man said: “I swear by Allah! O, Messenger of Allah! That I beg Allah, and I’m afraid of my sins. The Messenger of Allah said: “(“No one can have these two things you say, but Allah gives him his begging, and lets his fear go away”(2). Abu Hirairah (ABPWH) said: “The Messenger of Allah said: “(“Good opinion is a good blessing”(3). (PBUH) The Overall Meaning Fear and hope are two wings with which a believer can fly to his God and with them he can pass the way to the life after death. Nothing can make the heart and the other parts of a human being worship God but good opinion in God and the hope to reach what is there at Allah, and nothing can prevent a (1) Narrated by AlTurmuzi: 3540. (2) Narrated by AlTurmuzi: 983, and by Inin Majah: 4261. (3) Narrated by Abu Dawood: 4993. 37 - Good opinion of God Exalted is He 141 human being from committing sins but the fear of Allah’s wrath and punishment. And good opinion can not be reached except by doing the things that lead to safety, and doing what Allah ordered and not doing what Allah forbade. Being eager to reach what is at Allah without doing the things that lead to that is not a god opinion but foolishness, arrogance and desires. Thus, having a good opinion of Allah makes human beings do their duties to reach what is at Allah and reach Heaven and keeps them from being desperate, and only a hard worker can hope to reach his aims, so do good things and you will have a good opinion of Allah. Good opinion of Allah is most required with those who have burdens of sins to a great level that they became desperate that they abandoned worship, so the cure for them is to have a good opinion of Allah and then they will feel refreshed and comfortable and so, they go back to worship. It is a kind of arrogance to abandon worship, and to indulge in sins depending on good opinion of Allah as this is just following false desires. If your inner soul tells you that it has a good opinion of Allah and still wants to commit sins, don’t believe your soul because it is just following false desires and what Satan orders to do. It is true what a poet once said: You can’t seek safety without following its route and a ship can not sail on land Lessons of the Mosques 142 Benefits 1 - A believer should be hopeful and not careless, and should fear Allah but without being desperate. 2 - Allah, Exalted is He, is as good as a believer thinks of Him. 3 - Good opinion of Allah should be accompanied with good deeds. 4 - A true Muslim should make balance between fear and hope. O our Lord, we truly have a good opinion of You, forgive us and expiate our sins You are the Generous, and peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad and upon his family and companions. D D D 38 - Etiquette on the road 143 38 - Etiquette on the road Praise be to Allah, who urged people to have tranquility and dignity and made forbearance one of the characteristics of good people, and peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad and upon his family and companions. And then: Allah the Almighty Exalted is He said: {Believers, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you} [An-Nisa’: v. 59]. And Exalted is He said: {No sooner does he leave than he hastens about the earth to corrupt there and destroy crops and cattle. Allah does not love corruption} [Al-Baqarah: v. 205]. And Glorified is He said: {Do not turn your cheek in scorn away from people, nor walk proudly on the earth; Allah does not love the proud and the boastful. Walk modestly, and lower your voice; the most hideous of voices is the braying of the donkey} [Luqman: v. 18 - 19]. And Exalted is He said: {And, (it is He) who has created all the pairs and appointed for you ships and the cattle on which you ride, so that you can sit upon their backs and then remember the Favors of your Lord and say: ‘Exaltations to Him who has subjected these to us otherwise, we ourselves were not capable of it} [Az-Zukhruf: v. 12 - 13]. Abu Saeed Alkhudri (ABPWH) said: The prophet (PBUH) said: “Do not sit on roads” They said: We can’t desist from sitting Lessons of the Mosques 144 and talking on the road. He said: “If so, keep the right of the users of the road” They said: And what is this right? He said “Keeping your eyes away from them and not harming them and answering their greeting and also ordering good deeds and inhibiting bad deeds”(1). Anas bin Malek (ABPWH) said: The prophet (PBUH) said: “A believer is the one whom people feel safe with, and a Muslim is the one who doesn’t use his tongue or hand to harm people”(2). And Huzaifah bin Osaid (ABPWH) said: the prophet (PBUHI) said: “The one who harms people on the road deserves their curse”(3). And Abul Rahman bin Abi Laila, may Allah have mercy on him said: The companions of the Messenger of Alah (PBUH) told us that the prophet (PBUH) said: “It is unlawful for a Muslim to terrify another Muslim”(4). The Overall Meaning Our true religion of Islam is comprehensive, covering all life issues, it is a religion of principles, values, morals, and good dealing with others it guaranties happiness, and settlement for all humanity. (1) Agreed on by: Albukhary: 6229, and Muslim: 2121. (2) Narrated by Abu Dawood:2836, and Alnisaey:4995. (3) Narrated by Altabarani in his Great Volume179/3 and Alhaithami in his Majmaa Alzawaied said: It is well predicated. (4) Narrated by Abu Dawood: 5004. 38 - Etiquette on the road 145 Islam was the antecedent in setting the ways of dealing with others and the duties concerning the road and its users, gave the right to utilize the road to all users. Allah Exalted is He and the prophet (PBUH) ordered us to be lenient, calm, self-controlled and humble when using the road. And forbade us from spoilage and from harming other people and from terrifying people especially on roads and at markets, so misusing the road annoying others speeding up on the road and turning the volume of the car stereo is outrageous and inhibited in Islam. A Muslim is called for avoiding all that may harm others. Accidents, causing death, and destroying others’ properties due to speeding up on roads and breaking traffic laws and rules show that heeding to these rules and laws is a judicial duty. Finally we recommend the drivers to thank God for the gift of vehicles we use and being thankful means to drive gently without harming other people, or else they will turn a kind of wrath and also we recommend them to take a lesson from what they see of terrible accidents on roads which occur frequently. Benefits 1 - Roads are for all users and they all have the right to benefit using them. 2 - Islam is a religion for all times and places. 3 - Obeying the rules and laws can keep souls and properties, and it is a judicial duty. Lessons of the Mosques 146 4 - A Muslim is called for avoiding all that may harm others. We beseech God to keep his gift of security and believing in Him in these countries O Allah. Most Merciful, and peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad and upon his family and all companions. D D D 39 - Grace of supererogatory prayer 147 39 - Grace of supererogatory prayer Praise be to Allah, who facilitated the way to his love by doing supererogatory prayer to show obedience. And peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad, who was supported with miracles, and upon his family and his gracious honorable companions. Allah the Almighty said: {O you who believe, bow down and prostrate yourselves. Worship your Lord and do good, in order that you prosper} [Al-Hajj: v. 77]. And Abu Huraira (ABPWH) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “The first thing people are judged for on Doomsday is ‘prayer’ he said: Allah says to his Angels and He knows best, check my servant’s prayer, if he did it perfectly or not, If he did, it would be written perfect for him, but if he did not do it as it should be, Allah says: check if he did supererogatory prayer, if so, Allah says: complete his obligatory prayer from his supererogatory prayer, and in the same way other deeds are considered too”(1). Abu Huraira (ABPWH) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Allah the Almighty says: I would release war on him, who would feud a holly man of mine, and (1) Narrated by Abu Dawood:864, and AlTurmuzi:413, and Ibn Majah:1425. But recited by Abu Dawood. 148 Lessons of the Mosques nothing is better for a servant to show obedience than to fulfill what I ordered him to do, and my servant still does the supererogatory prayers until I love him and if I loved him I would be his ear with which he could hear and his eye with which he would see and his hand with which he could fight and his foot with which he could walk and if he asked me anything I would give him and if he sought refuge in Me I would give him shelter”(1). Um Habiba, the prophet’s (PBUH) wife may Allah be pleased with her said: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah say: “The one who prays thirteen prayers during a day and night, will get a house built for him in Heaven”(2). Ibn Omar (ABPWH) said: I learned from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) ten Rik’as (kneeling), (i.e. A unit of prayer which consists of one standing, one kneeling and two prostrations) extra to the obligatory ones, two before Aldhuhur (noon) prayer and two after Aldhuhur prayer and two after Almughrib (after sunset) prayer and two after Alisha’a (about nearly an hour and a half after sunset) and two after Alghadat (after sunrise in at least twenty minutes, because it is unlawful to pray at sunrise time”(3). Um Habiba, the prophet’s (PBUH) wife may Allah be pleased wit her said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Allah forbade hell from burning him who kept doing four rik’as (1) Narrated by Albukhari: 6502. (2) Narrated by Muslim: 728. (3) Narrated by Ahmad: 5758. 39 - Grace of supererogatory prayer 149 before Aldhuhur (noon) prayer, and four rik’as after Aldhuhur”(1). Ibn Omar (ABPWH) said: “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “May Allah have mercy on him who prays four rik’as before AlAsser (between noon and sunset) prayer”(2). Aisha may Allah be pleased with her said: the prophet (PBUH) said: “The two rik’as of Alfajer (dawn) prayer are better than life and than anything in life”(3). The Overall Meaning These truly sayings reveal the grace of supererogatory prayers in general and especially the supererogatory prayers which the prophet (PBUH) never left. They complete the obligatory prayers and lead to Allah’s love and protection, and they take the one who fulfills them away from Hell and they are reason for Heaven, so a Muslim should be abiding doing them. The supererogatory prayers which the prophet (PBUH) never left are two rik’as before Dawn prayer and four before Aldhuhur (noon) prayer and four after it, and this is better than to pray only two rik’as after Aldhuhur prayer instead of four, and also four rik’as before Alasser prayer (between noon and sunset) and two after Almaghrib (after sunset) prayer and two after Alisha’a prayer and the best of all are the two rik’as of Dawn prayer, they are better than life and what is in life. (1) Narrated by Abu Dawood: 1269, and Alturmuzi: 428, and Alnisaee: 1816. (2) Narrated by Abu Dawood: 1271, and Alturmuzi: 430. (3) Narrated by Muslim: 725. Lessons of the Mosques 150 Benefits 1 - Doing alot of supererogatory prayers leads to Allah’s love Exalted is He. 2 - They complete any deficiency of obligatory prayers. 3 - Keeping doing supererogatory prayers is a reason to enter Heaven. D D D 40 - Fearing Allah Exalted is He 151 40 - Fearing Allah Exalted is He Praise be to Allah, who drove his slaves to Him by means of fearing Him, And made the prize for fearing Him two gardens (i.e. in Paradise) out of His Mercy, and peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad (PBUH) who was sent by Allah with His Message, and upon his family and companions, And then: Allah the [Al-Baqarah: v. 40]. Almighty said: {And. Me, you must fear} And Exalted is He said: {unless you have a fear of them. Allah warns you to be cautious of Him, the arrival is to Allah} [Aal-’Imran:v 28]. And Glorified And Exalted is He said: {Indeed, the seizing of your Lord is severe} [Al-Burooj: v. 12]. And Exalted is He said: {O people, have fear of your Lord. The earthquake of the Hour shall be a great thing. On that Day you will see every one that suckles shall forsake her. suckling, and every carrier shall miscarry, and you shall see mankind drunk although they are not drunk; dreadful will be the punishment of Allah} [Al-Hajj: v. 1 - 2]. And Exalted is He said: {And for he who fears the standing (before) his Lord there are two Gardens} [Ar-Rahman: v. 46]. Lessons of the Mosques 152 Anas (ABPWH) said: The Apostle of Allah (PBUH) gave a speech I had never heard such a speech before he said: “If you knew what I know, you would laugh a little and cry a lot”(1). Abu Thar (ABPWH) said: The Apostle of Allah (PBUH) said: “I see what you can not see, and hear what you can not hear; the sky groaned and it had to, because there is, on every space of four fingers, an angel prostrating to Allah, I swear by Almighty Allah, if you know what I know, you will laugh a little and cry a lot, and will not enjoy women in bed, and will go out in the open lands bellowing to Allah wishing you were a trunk of a tree for burning”(2). Abu Saeed (ABPWH) said: the Apostle of Allah (PBUH) said: “How can I enjoy my self while the angel who will blow into the trumpet has put it to his mouth and is ready and waiting the order to blow) This was like a heavy burden for the prophet’s (PBUH) companions so he said to them (say “Allah is sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer of affairs for us, in Allah we trust”(3).) Abu Huraira (ABPWH) said: The Apostle of Allah (PBUH) said: “Who fears Allah, works for what is at Allah, in the late night before dawn, what is at Allah is very dear, what is at Allah is Paradise”(4). (1) (2) (3) (4) Agreed on it by AlBukhari: 4621, and Muslim: 426. Narrated by AlTurmuzi: 2312. Narrated by AlTurmuzi: 2431. Narrated by AlTurmuzi: 2450. 40 - Fearing Allah Exalted is He 153 The Overall Meaning Fearing Allah is one of the most important reasons which urge Allah’s slaves to obey Him, watch for Him and fulfill His orders. Allah Exalted is He warned His slaves Himself, and ordered them to fear Him, and told them He has the Ultimate Power, and His taking is painful, and He will collect them all on the Day of resurrection, that day will be seen by the Angels and all creatures, they (Allah’ slaves) will be with no clothes or footwear, on one plane, standing for the Lord of Alamin (i.e.Mankind, Jinn, and all that exist) That Day is equivalent to fifty thousand years, the hearts will be tremulous, the eyes will be submissive, all creatures will be scared, surrounded with frightening aspects, their hearts will reach their throats, voices will be whispers, every one will be busy with what he is in, and will run away from his parents, spouse and children, then Allah comes to judge His slaves and calls out to them: Who is the owner of everything today? No one answers but He, Exalted is he. So, O slaves of Allah, fear Allah in this life so that you avoid his torment in the life after, and Allah then lets you enter His Heaven. Fearing Allah means doing good deeds with no hesitation. Benefits 1 - One must fear Allah and be ready to meet Him. 2 - Who fears Allah in this life will be safe in the life after. Lessons of the Mosques 154 3 - Fearing Allah prevents Allah’s slave from committing sins. 4 - Who fears Allah and controls himself, enters Paradise. 5 - Fearing Allah is a motivation to do good deeds, but the fear which leads to desperation is discommended. 6 - No one can harm him who fears Allah, and no one can help him who fears any except Allah. D D D 41 - Let not be Suspicious 155 41 - Let not be Suspicious Praise be to Allah, Who disciplined His slaves by rules, and made some of the suspicions sins, and peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad the best of all creatures, and upon his family and companions, And then: Allah the Almighty said: {Believers, abstain from most suspicion, some suspicion is a sin} [Al-Hujuraat: v. 12]. And Exalted is He said: {But conjecture does not help against the truth. Allah knows the things they do} [Yunus: v. 36]. And Glorified is He said discommending hypocrites: {you thought that the Messenger and the believers would never return to their families, and this was made to seem fair in your hearts so you harbored evil thoughts, and so you are a destroyed nation} [Al-Fat`h: v. 12]. And Glorified And Exalted is He said: {Had you heard it, and the believing men and women, thought good thoughts about one another said: ‘This is a clear falsehood!} [An-Nur:v 12]. Abu Huraira (ABPWH) said: The Apostle of Allah (PBUH) said: “Let not be suspicious, the worst of speech is about suspicion, do not spy on each other, do not trace each other’s secrets, and do not hate each other, and be brothers”(1). (1) Narrated by AlBukhari: 5143, and Muslim: 2563. Lessons of the Mosques 156 The Overall Meaning The Islamic society is built on good morals and noble values which solidify the meaning of brotherhood and stabilize the intimacy between individuals and between families and spread love, advice, and a good opinion of others. Bad morals in general can destroy the society and break Its bonds and cause hostility and abandonment between individuals and the worst of these bad morals is a bad opinion of others, and because of this, Allah the Almighty described the hypocrites being suspicious and having a bad opinion of others and warned His slave believers against that. Islam forbade having a bad opinion of other people and warned about it, because it leads to spoiling honors and violating sacredness and also spreads sedition between people which is unlawful and it is one of the worst sins for Allah the Almighty. And from having a bad opinion is to abuse and indict one’s family and relatives unlawfully. So, one must not have a bad opinion of another Muslim except when one is sure of it. A poet once said: “If one’s acts are bad, his opinion will be bad and what he has of illusion will turn true”(1) Benefits 1 - To have a bad opinion of others without being sure is destructive and is all evil. (1) Extracted from a poem by Almutanabi. 41 - Let not be Suspicious 157 2 - Associating closely with bad people leads to having a bad opinion of good people. 3 - Having a good opinion of others is good and gives happiness. 4 - If someone has a good opinion, what he has will be good. And if he has a bad opinion, then what he has will be bad. O Allah! We beseech You to keep our secrets and keep us safe and secure and to make us from those who have a good opinion, O Allah! The Most Merciful. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 158 42 - Praying during the night Praise be to Allah, who lit the night of those who pray to him during the night with His Knowledge and let them taste the sweetness of being obedient, and peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad and upon his family and companions, who stayed the nights up praying to Allah glorifying Him. And then: Allah the Almighty said: {Or, is he who is obedient that prostrates himself and stands during parts of the night, being afraid of the Everlasting Life but hoping for the Mercy of the Lord (to be compared to the unbeliever)? Say: Are they equal, those who know and those who do not know? Only those with minds remember} [Az-Zumar: v. 9]. And Exalted is He said: {whose sides forsake their couches as they supplicate to their Lord in fear and hope; who give in charity of that which We have given them. No soul knows what pleases the eye is in store for them as a recompense for what they used to do}[As-Sajdah: v. 16 - 17]. Allah Glrified is He said describing the slaves of His the Most Gracious: {who pass the night prostrating and standing to their Lord} [Al-Furqan: v. 64]. Abu Omamah Albahili (ABPWH) said: The Apostle of Allah (PBUH) said: “Pray during the night, as it is the habit of the holly men who lived before you, and since this makes you be close to Allah, and thus you will have your sins expiated, and it will let you not commit sins”(1). (1) Narrated by Al Hakem in Almustadrak: 308/1 and he said it is true according to AlBukhari. 42 - Praying during the night 159 Aisha may Allah be pleased with her (the prophet (PBUH)’s wife) said: the prophet (PBUH) used to stay the night up praying until his feet could not carry him, Aisha asked him: Why do you do this since Allah Exalted is He forgave all your sins? He said: “Do I not love to be a thankful slave?”(1). And Sahl bin Saad (ABPWH) said: The Angel Gabriel peace be upon him came to the prophet (PBUH) and said: “O Muhammad, it is an honor for a Muslim to stay the night up praying”(2). Abu Huraira (ABPWH) said: The Apostle of Allah (PBUH) said: “The best of prayers after the obligatory ones is the prayer during the night”(3). Abdullah bin Salm (ABPWH) said: the prophet (PBUH) said “Greet whoever you meet, give food, and pray while people are asleep and you will enter Paradise peacefully”(4). And Abdullah bin Amr bin Al’as (ABPWT) said: The Apostle of Allah (PBUH) said: “to me O Abdullah do not be like (x) he used to pray during the night but then he quit”(5). The Overall Meaning Praying during the night is an ornament for holly men and a habit of good people, and an aspect of true believers it is desired by Allah the Lord of Alamin (i.e. Mankind, Jinn and all creatures) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Narrated by Albukhari: 4837, and by Muslim: 2820. Narrated by Alhakem in Almustadrak: 323/4 and said: well predicated. Narrated by Muslim:1163. Narrated by Alturmuzi: 2485, and by Ibn Majah:3251, the version is his. Narrated by AlBukhari: 1152, and by Muslim1159. 160 Lessons of the Mosques the best of Messengers (i.e. Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him) used to do. The prophet (PBUH), as described by Aisha may Allah be pleased with her, used to pray during the night until his feet could not carry him. Praying during the night is like capital money for the winners, and an honor for the believers, and its best time is in the last third of the night, since blessings are sent down, mercy floods, people are given what they ask at this time, gates of Heaven are open to those who want to apostrophize and requests are shown to Allah the Lord of all creatures. If you can, O Muslim, to be one of those who glorify Allah at this time praying or reciting Qur’an or asking Allah what is good or anything else, seize the opportunity, Allah the Almighty has opened for his slaves the gates of His Mercy and Grace, and ordered them to request Him. To be able to stay up to pray needs some factors such as being holly and obedient and keeping away from sins, because sins are like a barrier between a slave and causes of mercy. Some of these factors are having a light supper, having a nap in the afternoon, and going to bed after Alisha prayer so that one can wake up at the last third of the night and knowing the grace of the prayer during the night, because when one knows the value of something he keeps it and reading about holly men and their deeds so that he follows them and asking Allah to make him be able to stay up to pray, and above all loving Allah because when one loves Allah, he will be eager to stay up and pray to Him. 42 - Praying during the night 161 Benefits 1 - The best of all supererogatory prayers is praying during the night. 2 - Praying during the night is a prominent aspect of holly men. 3 - The prophet (PBUH) used to stay the night up praying until his feet could not carry him. 4 - Time for prayer during the night is between Alisha prayer and dawn. 5 - Among things that help pray during the night is to eat light food, to have a nap in the afternoon and to sleep at the beginning of the night. D D D 162 Lessons of the Mosques 43 - Prohibition and unlawfulness of adultery Praise be to Allah, who ordered to avoid adultery and ways of seduction, and peace and blessings be upon who brought guidance to Alamin (i.e. Mankind, Jinn and all creatures) and upon his family and companions who rose the flag of this religion, And then: Allah the Almighty said: {Do not draw near to fornication, for it is an indecency, and its way is evil} [Al-Isra’: v. 32]. And Exalted is He said: {You shall lash the fornicates and the fornicator each with a hundred lashes. In the religion of Allah, let no tenderness for them seize you if you believe in Allah and the Last Day; and let their punishment be witnessed by a party of believers} [An-Nur: v. 2]. And Glorified is He said: {who do not call upon another god with Allah, nor slay the soul which Allah has forbidden except by right; who do not fornicate, for he who does this shall face punishment} [Al-Furqan: v. 68]. And Exalted is He said: {O Prophet, when believing women come to you and swear loyalty to you upon the condition that they will not associate anything with Allah, and will not steal, nor commit adultery, nor slay their children, nor fabricate slander between their hands and their feet, nor disobey you in any honorable thing, supplicate to Allah for forgiveness for them, Allah is the Forgiving and the Most Merciful} [Al-Mumtahinah: v. 12]. 43 - Prohibition and unlawfulness of adultery 163 Obadah bin Alsamet (ABPWH) said: The Apostle of Allah (PBUH) said: “I give you a pledge and you must worship none but Allah, and you must not steal or commit adultery or kill your chidden and do not invent lies about other people, and do not disobey me in a favor, and if one fulfills this, Allah will compensate him, but if one did any of these, either will be punished in this life or will be delayed to the life after and then he may be punished or forgiven it is Allah’s will”(1). And Abu Huraira (ABPWH) said: The prophet (PBUH) said: “Allah will give shelter to seven of people on the day when there is no shelter but His, these seven are: A man seduced by a beautiful woman and of a high position, but said: “I fear Allah the Almighty”(2). And also Abu Huraira (ABPWH) said: The Apostle of Allah (PBUH) said: “On the day of resurrection, Allah Exalted is He will not look at an old man who committed adultery or at an old woman who committed adultery”(3). The Overall Meaning Islam is a pure religion, teaches its followers sanctity, purity and chastity. Islam allowed Muslims to get married and prohibited adultery and homosexuality and ordered them to keep away from what may lead to adultery, because committing adultery is against the innate morals Allah the Almighty has created mankind with, and it belittles unlawful issues, and also wastes kinship, (1) Narrated by Al Bukhari: 6801, and by Mulim: 1709. (2) Almawta’a 2742. Said by Abu Saeed Al khudri and by Abu Huraira. Narrated and agreed on by AlBukhari:660, and Muslim: 1031. (3) Narrated by Altabarani in Almu’ajam Al Awsat: 202/8. Lessons of the Mosques 164 destroys families, breaks social bonds, spoils generations, ruins moral values, spreads corruption on earth and leads to dangerous diseases. And if anyone is afflicted by doing this he must keep it secret and quit doing it and must repent to Allah the Almighty true repentance. And who is honored by Allah Exalted is He with this true religion, must praise Allah the Almighty and keep his instincts and not to give rein to them doing unlawful things, and must keep away from suspicious places. Thus, keep your genitals and eyes away from unlawful things O mankind. Benefits 1 - Islam calls for chastity and purity and to watch Allah the Almighty secretly and in public. 2 - Adultery is a reason for affliction, diseases, pain and lack of pudency. 3 - One does not like adultery to be in his family, and others do not either. 4 - Adultery makes its committer receive punishment in this life and torment in the life after if he does not repent. 5 - A chaste person who is patient and does not commit adultery will get shelter at Allah the Almighty on the day of resurrection. D D D 44 - Who keeps the privacy and secrets of a Muslim Allah the Almighty will keep his privacy and secrets 165 44 - Who keeps the privacy and secrets of a Muslim Allah the Almighty will keep his privacy and secrets Praise be to Allah, the Most Forbearing who keeps the privacy and secrets of His slaves, and peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad the bearer of glad tidings, the Warner of Allah’s torment, and on his family and reverent companions. And then: Allah the Almighty said: {Those who love that indecency should be broadcast about those who believe theirs is a painful punishment in this world and in the Everlasting Life. Allah knows, and you do not know} [An-Nur: v. 19]. And Exalted is He said: {Believers, abstain from most suspicion, some suspicion is a sin. Neither spy nor backbite one another would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Surely, you would loathe it. Fear Allah, without doubt Allah turns (in mercy) and He is the Merciful} [Al-Hujuraat: v. 12]. Abdullah bin Omar (ABPWT) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Who keeps the privacy of a Muslim and covers his faults, Allah the Almighty will keep his privacy and will cover his faults on the day of resurrection”(1). Ibn Abbas (ABPWT) said: The prophet (PBUH) said: “Who keeps the privacy and does not reveal the faults of his Muslim brother, Allah will keep his privacy and will cover his faults (1) Agreed on Albukhari: 2442, Muslim: 2580. Lessons of the Mosques 166 on the day of resurrection, and who discloses the faults of his Muslim brother, Allah will disclose his faults and reveal them even inside his house”(1). And Abdullah bin Omar (ABPWT) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) went up and called loudly saying: “You, who said you are Muslims with your tongues, but believing did not reach your hearts, do not harm Muslims nor do make gibes about them nor do trace their faults, because Allah will trace the faults of the one who traces the faults of his Muslim brother, and if Allah traces his faults, they will be disclosed even inside his house”(2). The Overall Meaning The Islamic society is a society of purity and chastity, no suspicion is accepted, privacy is kept, and it is built on honor and keeping the privacy of others, away from filthy things, and who propagate filthy matters is punished, and if one traces the faults of others, he will get his faults disclosed, and if one keeps the privacy of others and does not reveal their faults, his privacy will be kept and his faults will be covered, in this life and in the life after. Allah loves keeping the secrets of his slaves. And O, our Muslim brothers, know that as a Muslim is required to keep other’s privacy, he is required to keep his own privacy by not telling others the filthy things he may commit. We beseech Allah to keep our privacy in this life and in the life after. (1) Narrated by Ibn Majah: 2546, Almunziri said in Altaeghib Wa Altarhib: (169/3) well predicated. (2) Narrated by Alturmuzi: 2032, and Rahlihi means his house in which he lives. 44 - Who keeps the privacy and secrets of a Muslim Allah the Almighty will keep his privacy and secrets 167 Benefits 1 - Who keeps the privacy and secrets of a Muslim, Allah the Almighty will keep his privacy and secrets. 2 - Penalty must be same as the action, and you will be treated in the same way you treat others. 3 - It is unlawful to violate the privacy of Muslims. 4 - Who discloses the secrets and faults of others, Allah will disclose his secrets and faults. 5 - Keeping others’ secrets is of the Muslims’ morals. 6 - A Muslim must not reveal his filthy secrets. We beseech Allah to keep our privacy in this life and in the life after, and peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad and on his family and companions. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 168 45 - Supererogatory Praise be to Allah, who destined the fates, knows the secrets, and created day and night. And peace and blessings be upon the chosen Muhammad and on his family and reverent companions. Allah the Almighty said: {But you may hate a thing although it is good for you, and may love a thing although it is evil for you. Allah knows, and you do not} [Al-Baqarah: v. 216]. And Exalted is He said: {it may be that you hate something which Allah has set in it much good} [An-Nisa’: v. 19]. Jaber, (ABPWH) said: the prophet (PBUH) taught us how to seek what is good before doing anything, he said: “If someone wants to do anything, he is to pray two rik’as as a supererogatory prayer then he is to say: “O Allah, I’m seeking your knowledge for what is good, and your might to give me strength, and your bounty, since You are able, but I am not, and You know, but I do not, and You know all what is hidden, O Allah, if You know this matter is good for me, for my religion and for my living, please destine it for me, but if You know it is bad for me, for my religion and for my living, please let it be away from me and destine, O Allah, what is good for me wherever it is and make me accept it, and one states his need”(1). (1) Narrated by Albukhari: 1162. 45 - Supererogatory 169 The Overall Meaning Al Istikhara is to seek what is good from Allah the Almighty in what He permitted for his slaves, and shows trustfulness of the slave in Allah and that he is close to Him, his heart is clung to what is at Allah the Almighty, he is content with his destiny, depending on Him, and this is why the prophet (PBUH) used to teach his companions to seek what is good in all their issues the same way he used to teach them a chapter (sorah) of Qur’an because they needed it in all issues as they need Qur’an in prayer, so this shows the importance of this prayer and this term. Thus, a Muslim is required before he does anything to pray two supererogatory rik’as and then to recite this term, and then to do what occurs to be good. Benefits 1 - Seeking what is good (AlIstikhara) is legal in lawful matters but illegal in unlawful matters. 2 - The prayer of ‘ Istikhara’ is of two supererogatory rik’as and reciting the term mentioned, before ending the prayer or after finishing it. 3 - The one who seeks what is good will never come to nothing, and the one who listens to counsels of other people will never feel remorse. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 170 46 - The merits of daughters’ care Praise be Allah, who made treating daughters well as a mantle which keeps their father from being burned in Hell, and a cause for entering Paradise with dutiful people, and peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad, the chosen prophet and upon his family and companions, And then: Allah the Almighty said: {To Allah belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He will. He gives females to whom He will and males to whom He will. Or, He couples them, both males and females, and to others, if He will, He makes them barren. Surely, He is the Knower, the Powerful} [Ash-Shura: v. 49-50]. Aisha (the wife of the prophet (PBUH)) may Allah be pleased with her said: A woman came to me with her two daughters asking me food, but I had nothing but one date, I gave it to her and she divided it in half between her two daughters then went out, and when the prophet (PBUH) came I told him about that woman, so he said: “If someone has any of daughters, and he treats them well, this will keep him away from Hell”(1). Ibn Abbas (ABPWH) said: The prophet (PBUH) said: “The one who has two sisters, and he treats them well as long as they live with him, he will enter Paradise for that”(2). (1) Narrated by Albukhari: 1418. (2) Narrated by Alturmuzi: 1916. 46 - The merits of daughters’ care 171 Anas bin Malek (ABPWT) said: The apostle of Allah (PBUH) said: “The one who raises and protects two daughters until they are adults, he will come on the day of resurrection with me”. and he put his fingers together(1). The Overall Meaning Islam ordered to look after children male and female, and to raise them with care, there is no difference in dealing with them and they all have same duties. Islam abolished all that happened before Islam such as burying daughters alive because they feared shame, and dishonoring daughters, spoiling their rights, and preventing them from inheriting their parents. Islam gave girls their rights and denied killing daughters out of feeling shame. The prophet (PBUH) made taking care of daughters, treating them well, raising them on good morals, spending money on them, of the reasons which lead to Paradise and to be with the prophet (PBUH). A daughter is put in the trust of her parents who must protect her from dangers or being used and Islam ordered to educate daughters and show them the straight way in religion and in life, Islam also ordered girls to put the cover to save their chastity and made fathers guards for their daughters keeping their inheritance, protecting their honor, looking for their happiness, counseling them to choose good husbands, not preventing them from getting married and not compelling them to marry out of their will. Daughters in Islam are honored, their rights are preserved and who look after them are compensated. (1) Narrated by Muslim: 2631. Lessons of the Mosques 172 Benefits 1 - Allah the Almighty discommended the hatred of the people before Islam and feeling ashamed of their daughters. 2 - Daughters are gifts from Allah the Almighty honoring his slaves according to His Will. 3 - Raising girls up is a reason to reach Heaven and Paradise. 4 - Hating daughters and preferring sons to them is forbidden in Islam. 5 - A Muslim is ordered to raise his daughter up, discipline her, educate her and spend money on her. D D D 47 - Reconciliation 173 47 - Reconciliation Praise be to Allah, who made the hearts of the believers get familiar, and peace and blessings be upon the leader of reconcilers our Master Muhammad and upon his family and all companions. And then: Allah the Almighty said: {have fear of Allah and set things right between you} [Al-Anfal: v. 1]. And Exalted is He said: {Believers are indeed brothers, therefore make things right among your two brothers and fear Allah, so that you will be subject to mercy} [Al-Hujuraat: v. 10]. And Glorified is He said: {There is no good in much of their confiding, except for he who bids to charity, honor, or reforms between people. Whosoever does that for the sake of the pleasure of Allah, We shall give him a great wage} [An-Nisa’: v. 114]. And Exalted [An-Nisa’: v. 128]. is He said: {for reconciliation is better} Abu Aldarda’a (ABPWH) said: The apostle of Allah (PBUH) said: “Do you want me to tell you about something better than fasting, prayer, or giving charity money? They said: Yes, he said: “Reconciliation, because hostility takes religion away like a razor takes the hair away”(1). (1) Narrated by Abu Dawood:4919, Alturmuzi: 2509. Lessons of the Mosques 174 And Abu Hraira (ABPWH) said: The apostle of Allah (PBUH) said: “Every joint in the body needs to give charity for it, so every, day if some one judged between two people fairly, it is charity, and if he helped another man to put the a burden on his sumpter (mule or camel) or to carry his luggage on it, it is also charity, saying nice words is charity, every step he takes to go to prayer is charity, to clear the way from things that may harm others is charity”(1). Anas bin Malek (ABPWT) said: the apostle of Allah (PBUH) said: “Do not hate each other nor do envy each other nor do disaccord, but be brothers, it is unlawful for a Muslim to abandon his brother for more than three days”(2). The Overall Meaning Our religion Islam, which is pure worshipping Allah alone nothing else, built the society on making hearts familiar, and on reconciliation and on purifying relations between brothers from hostility and antipathy and forbade abandonment or dispute and ordered to pass over trivial matters. And if one works on reconciliation between others, it is one of the best things which make one be close to Allah the Almighty, with it, hearts are purified, family members re-communicate with each other, thus, the one who works on reconciliation must devote his work for the sake of Allah Exalted is He, and to beseech Him to help him, to learn his religion very well, and to be just when reconciling between others. (1) Narrated by AlBukhari: 2989, and Muslim: 1009, the version is Albukhari’s. (2) Agreed on it. AlbuKhari: 6065, Muslim: 2559. 47 - Reconciliation 175 A reconciler should be skillful that he should beautify the image of those whom he is reconciling between, to each other and get their hearts ready and let the hatred pass away to accept reconciliation and to show them how much good they will get from Allah Exalted is He, and he should be patient because he is doing the act of holly men who seek Allah’s compensation for their work. If he is reconciling between a husband and wife he should know the legislative rights of the two spouses and should know their habits and customs and to preach them wisely using nice lovely words. Benefits 1 - Reconciliation between others is one of the best things which make one be close to Allah the Almighty. 2 - Hostility takes religion away like a razor takes the hair away. 3 - A reconciler should be devoted, just, wise and fair minded giving the rights to the one who deserves them. 4 - A good heart shows the true belief. 5 - Reconciliation is fulfilled with saying, acting, money and high standing. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 176 48 - Al -Duha prayer Al-Duha (i.e. the time after sunrise in at least twenty minutes until before noon in at least twenty minutes). Praise be Allah, Who urged his slaves to fulfill their duties, and made them a cause for His love and to be exalted to high levels, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the last of prophets and upon his family and honorable companions, And then: Abu Thar (ABPWH) said: the prophet (PBUH) said: “Every morning comes, and every joint needs to give charity for it, so every magnifying is charity, and every praising Allah the Almighty is charity, and every saying of “There is no deity but Allah, is charity, and every saying of “Allah is the Greatest, is charity, and ordering to do kind acts is charity, and inhibiting bad acts is charity and an equivalent to all these is two rik’as of AlDuha”(1). Missing Paragraph(2) (zeid ben arkam) Abu Huraira may Allah be ple1ased with him said: My intimate friend (i.e. Muhammad (PBUH)) recommended me three things, which I never forget or leave, not to sleep without praying the Witre (odd number) prayer, and to fast three days every month, and not to leave Alduha prayer, because it is the prayer of AlAwabin (those (1) Narrated by Muslim: 720. (2) Narrated by Muslim: 748. 48 - Al -Duha prayer 177 who return to Allah the Almighty, repentant”(1). Abu Murrah Altaefi (ABPWH) said: I heard the prophet (PBUH) say: “Allah the Almighty said: O mankind, pray to Me four rik’as at the beginning of the day and I will suffice you the end of the day”(2). Abu Omamah (ABPWH) said: The apostle of Allah (PBUH) said: “The one who goes out for the magnifying of Alduha, and for no other reason, will get the recompense of a pilgrim performing Omra (i.e. minor pilgrimage”(3). The Overall Meaning The best of a slave’s work is prayer, every time a slave prostrates, he is exalted one grade and a sin of his, is expiated and he is still doing supererogatory prayers until Allah the Almighty loves him. And the best supererogatory prayer, if one keeps doing he will be considered in the Awabin (i.e. repentant people) and it is charity one needs to give for his body, and one will get the recompense of a minor pilgrimage is “Alduha prayer”, thus the prophet (PBUH) recommended Abu Huraira and others not to leave the Duha prayer. The number of its rik’as is two, four, six or eight as one likes it is optional. Its time is between after sunrise (in at least twenty (1) Narrated by Ahmad: 10559, and Ibn Khuzaimah: 227/2. (2) Narrated by Ahmad: 22473, and Alhaithami said in Majama Alzawaed his men are men of a true man (3) Narrated by Abu Dawood: 558. Lessons of the Mosques 178 minutes because it is unlawful to pray at sunrise) until before noon (in at least twenty minutes) and it is best done when the sun starts feeling hot. What follows the Duha prayer is after sunrise prayer. Benefits 1 - The recompense of the Duha prayer is very great, it equals a minor pilgrimage and it is charity of the body one needs to give. 2 - The Prophet’s recommendation to keep the Duha prayer, and it is the prayer of the Awabin.(people who return to Allah the Almighty repentant). 3 - The grace of magnifying Allah exalted is He after Dawn prayer until after sunrise and praying two rik’as (Salat). D D D 49 - Advice is an aspect of the religion 179 49 - Advice is an aspect of the religion Praise be to Allah the Almighty, who ordered his slaves to give advice and put a generous recompense to good advisers and reformers, and peace and blessing be upon our Master Muhammad, Master of Messengers, and upon his family and all companions, And then: Allah the Almighty said: {By the time of the afternoon! Surely, the human is in a (state of) loss, except those who believe and do good works and charge one another with the truth and charge one another with patience} [Al-Asr: v. 1 - 3]. And Exalted is He said of Noah: {I deliver to you the messages of my Lord and I am your honest adviser} [Al-A’raf: v. 68]. Tamim Aldari (ABPWH) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Religion means advice”, we said: For whom? He said: “for Allah, His Book, His Messenger, leaders of Muslims and all Muslims”(1). Abu Huraira (ABPWH) said: The apostle of Allah (PBUH) said: “A Muslim has six rights on another Muslim” We said: What are they O Messenger Of Allah? He said: “If you meet him, greet him, and if he invites you, accept, and if he asks your advice advise him, and if he sneezes and says, Praise (1) Narrated by Muslim: 55. Lessons of the Mosques 180 be to Allah, say May Allah have mercy on you, and if he is ill, visit him, and if he dies, walk in his funeral)(1). Jarir bin Abdullah (ABPWT) said: I made a vow to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) to perform the prayers, give charity money and to give advice to every Muslim(2). The Overall Meaning Advice: means giving good to the one being advised, it is a comprehensive word for all aspects of the religion. The prophet (PBUH) showed that it is for Allah’s sake, if one is obedient to Allah the Almighty, fulfilling His ordering and what is in His Book, and following His Apostle (PBUH), believing in him and following his tradition and Muslim Leaders, by obeying them in what is good, and helping them and being in their group and showing them what is good for them and for all Muslims by counseling them, educating them and reconciling between them. Advice is a general obligation for those who can advise well, and it has some etiquette: 1 - An adviser should be devoted when advising. 2 - To be lenient, (which is very important for not spoiling the advice). 3 - If one can not give the advice frankly, he can give hints through talking. (1) Narrated by Muslim: 2162. (2) 49 - Advice is an aspect of the religion 181 4 - Giving advice should be in privacy, one of the holly men said: To give advice in privacy is well advising, but to give advice in public is scolding. 5 - To follow the best ways in talking to convince the one you are advising. 6 - An adviser should be doing the thing he is advising others to do, this is best accepted. So each of us should be good for himself and to give advice to his brother and it may help him to survive. We ask Allah the Almighty to make this devoted for His sake. Benefits 1 - Advising is one of the essential bases of the religion. 2 - It is best, to do what you advise. 3 - To give advice in public is like scolding. 4 - A believer is trusted to give advice, so he should be honest when advising. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 182 50 - THE RIGHT OF THE MUSLIM UPON THE MUSLIM Praise be to Allah who reconciled between the hearts of the believers, and made it imperative upon a Muslim to fulfill the rights of his Muslim brothers, prayers and peace be upon our master prophet Muhammad the Imam of the messengers, and upon his family hold, his followers and successors: Allah says: {Believers are indeed brothers, therefore make things right among your two brothers and fear Allah, so that you will be subject to mercy} [Al-Hujuraat: v. 10]. Abu Huraira (ABPWH) narrated: that messenger of Allah (PBUH): “The right of the Muslim upon the Muslim are six” they inquired what are they Oh messenger of Allah? He said “If you meet him to salute him, if he invites you to accept, if he asks you an advice to advise him, if he sneezes to bless, if he falls to visit him, and if he passes away to walk in the funereal procession”(1). Abu Mussa (ABPWH) that the messenger of Allah (PBUH) said “The believer to the believer is like a well cemented body strengthen each other” and He crossed his fingers together(2). Abu Mussa (ABPWH) that The messenger of Allah (PBUH) said “If anyone passes near our mosque or through our market (1) Narrated by Muslim 2162. (2) Agreed upon Albukhari: 2446 and muslim 2585. 50 - THE RIGHT OF THE MUSLIM UPON THE MUSLIM 183 carrying arrows, let him hold their blades with his palm not to do any harm to any Muslims or said to grasp its blades”(1). By Nouman ben Bashir (ABPWH) narrates that the messenger of Allah (PBUH) said “The likeness of the believers in their affinity love and mercy is like one body, if any organ complains then the whole body will suffer vigilance and fever”(2). By Abi Hurraira (ABPWH) narrates that the messenger of Allah (PBUH) said “Never envy, or deceive nor hate or turn your back, don’t compete the sale price of others, and be Oh servants of Allah brothers, the muslim is the brother of muslim. He never oppresses him or fails him nor does he contempt him, piety is here - and he points to his chest three times - It is too big enormity that a muslim contempts his muslim brother. Everything that belongs to a Musilm is impermissible to be taken by other muslim: his life, wealth and family”(3) In other text: “Beware thinking ill in others because it is the falsest narration. Never divulge the secret matters of others. never steal the news of others or compete to harm others, nor envy or hate or turn your backs. And be oh servants of Allah brothers”(4) in other text “No man should ask a girls hand for marriage if his brother asking her hand till he marries or leaves”(5). (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Agreed upon Albukhari: 7075 and muslim 2615. Narrated by Muslim 2586. Narrated by Muslim 2564. Narrated by Muslim 2563. Narrated by Albukhari: 5144. Lessons of the Mosques 184 The Overall Meaning The rights of the muslim upon his muslim brother the muslim are numerous and great. It is imperative upon the muslim to observe these rights to salute him if you meet him And to answer him if he calls you, to bless him if he sneezes, to pay him a visit if he were sick, to walk in the funereal procession if he passes away, to fulfill his oath if he swears to perform something, to offer him the advice if he asks for it, to preserve his fame if were away, to love for him what you love for yourself and to hate what he hates. The muslim shouldn’t do any mischief to any Muslim in word or action to humble himself to every Muslim and should not be haughty over him, Allah doesn’t like each conceited and proud, muslim shouldn’t listen to the slander against each other and shouldn’t confer what he hears from people to others and doesn’t abandon whom he knows more than three days whatever he grew angry from him, to be beneficent to all whom he has authority on, to treat all people with good morals, to honor old people, to have mercy upon young men, to be optimistic with smiling benign face with all creatures, and shouldn’t promise muslims anything but to fulfill it, to reconcile among muslims however by any means he could reach his goal, to cover the iniquities of all muslims, to avoid all demerits to save the dignity of all people from misunderstanding, and to prevent their tongues from backbiting, to intercede to every needy muslim at those who have a high position, to seek to perform his needs as much as he could, to safeguard his brothers family himself and his wealth from the tyranny of others as much as possible. 50 - THE RIGHT OF THE MUSLIM UPON THE MUSLIM 185 The right of the muslim upon the muslim includes: to guide him to his benefits, to teach him the affairs of the here and hereafter and not to deceive him, not to betroth at the expense of his betrothal, not to compete the prices of his sale and so on. Benefits 1 - The rights of muslim upon his brother are numerous. He has to execute what is possible. 2 - Out of such duties are requisite and others are recommended Sunna. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 186 51 - The privilege of reciting Quran and learning it Praise be to Allah who raised us by virtue of Quran, and he promised us paradise for reciting it, prayer and peace be upon our master Mohammad, his household, his companions, and people of remembrance and Quran. Allah high majestic said: {Recite what is revealed to you in the Book of your Lord. No one can change His Words. You shall find no refuge other than Him} [l-Kahf: v. 27]. Allah majestic the great said: {Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah and establish their rayers and spend, in secret and in public of that which We have provided them, look for a trade that does not come to nothing, so that He may pay them in full their wages and enrich them from His bounty. Surely, He is the Forgiver and the Thanker} [fatir: v. 29 - 30]. Allah majestic the great said: {It is a Blessed Book that We have sent down to you (Prophet Muhammad), so that those possessed with minds might ponder its verses and remember} [Saad: v. 29]. By Abi Oumama (ABPWH) said: I heard the messenger of Allah (PBUH) said “read the Quran, in the day of judgment it comes interceding to its `readers”(1). (1) Narrated by Muslim 252. 51 - The privilege of reciting Quran and learning it 187 By Othman Ben Afan (ABPWH) narrates: “the messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: (the best among you is he who learns Quran and teaches it”(1). By Aisha (ABPWH) narrates: the messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “the excellent in Quran is with the company of the benign honored traveling angels, and he who recites the Quran and stammers through recitation and it is hard for him will have two rewards”(2). By Abdullah Ben Amru Ben AlAS (ABPWT) by the prophet (PBUH) said: “the reader of the Quran is addressed read and elevate and recite as you were reciting in the here, your rank is at the final verse you recite”(3). The Overall Meaning Quran is the speech of Allah (majestic the great) and it is the strong robe and he who grasped it will be guided to the straight path, it is a book to be applied and followed to be guided, and a book of contemplation and recitation, he who makes his Imam will lead him to paradise and protected him from misguidance, Allah made the book interceder and interceding and truthful defendant, it is the best remembrance and the best speech, Allah guaranteed to he who read the Quran and worked upon it that he will not be deviated in the here, and will not be miserable in the hereafter. The religious texts were numerous illustrating the rank of this book and the grate meed of its recitation and learning and the (1) Narrated by Albukharri: 5027. (2) Agreed upon: Albukharri: 4937, and Muslim 798. (3) Narrated by Abu Dawood: 1464. and termezy: 2914. Lessons of the Mosques 188 best among this nation is he who learned and taught Quran, and the people of Quran are the people of god and his chosen and the recitation of Quran is light to servant in the here and a crown of prestige in paradise, and a gown of dignity to his parents, he who reads one letter will have ten goods. And this will lead to great virtues which provoke muslim to recite and acquire knowledge and `educatio. Benefits 1 - learning Quran to approach nearer to Allah and the greatest obedience. 2 - the people of Quran are the people of Allah and his elite. 3 - it is imperative upon the reader of Quran to work upon book of Allah to be clue and interceder in the day of judgment. 4 - reader of Quran elevates to the ranks of paradise till he reaches the final verse he recited. 5 - muslims must take great care in the book of Allah and to raise their children upon it. Oh! Allah bestow us memorizing your book and working upon it, and admit us in paradise Oh! Lord of the worlds and peace be upon our master Mohammad his household and all his companion. D D D 52 - The obligations to obey the guardian 189 52 - The obligations to obey the guardian Praise be to Allah who made the obedience of the guardian is part of His obedience, and made him prosperous whom He wills thanks to his mercy, prayer and peace be upon he who treated all servants through his wisdom, and made safety through his Sunna our master Mohammad, his household and companions Allah says: {Believers, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. Should you dispute about anything refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is better and the best interpretation} [An-Nisa’: v. 59]. Allah says: {When a matter comes to them, be it of security or fear, they broadcast it, whereas if they returned it to the Messenger and to those in authority among them, those of them whose task is to research it would have known it. If it was not for the Bounty of Allah and His Mercy, all but a few of you would have followed Satan} [An-Nisa’: v. 83]. Allah says: {And hold fast to the Bond of Allah, together, and do not scatter. Remember the Favor of Allah bestowed upon you when you were enemies, and how He united your hearts, so that by His Favor you became brothers. And how He saved you from the Pit of Fire when you were on the brink of it. And so Allah makes plain to you His verses, in order that you will be guided} [Aal-’Imran: v. 103]. By Ibn Omar (ABPWH) by the prophet (PBUH) said: “it is imperative upon the muslim hearing and obeying in what he likes and dislikes, unless he is ordered to commit Lessons of the Mosques 190 disobedience, if he were ordered with such a thing then no hearing no obedience”(1). By Abi Bekra (ABPWH) narrates: I heard messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “governor is the shade of Allah on earth. He who honors the governor, Allah will honor him. And he who humiliates the governor, Allah will humiliate him”(2). By Abi Hurira (ABPWH) narrates: the messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “he who obeys the prince has obeyed me, and he who disobeys the prince has disobeyed me”(3). And (PBUH) says: “He who contributes in disobedience will meet Allah in the day of judgment will have no evidence, and he who deceased with no loyalty he has died an infidel death”(4). The Overall Meaning Hearing and obedience to the governors of the muslims is one of the fundamentals of Islam. It had been necessarily conveyed in our religion that no religion but in congregation, and no congregation but through leadership, and no leadership but through hearing and obedience. The religious texts concerning obedience and abiding congregation have multiplied even if man abhors that unless he is ordered with such obedience. The prophet (PBUH) has warned severely against leaving the group and quitting the obedience. (1) (2) (3) (4) Narrated by Muslim: 1839. Narrated by Ibn Abi Asem in 492/2. Agreed upon: Al Bukhari 2957, and Muslim 1835. Narrated by Muslim: 1851. 52 - The obligations to obey the guardian 191 The prophet (PBUH) informed that he who does that will meet Allah with no evidence The obedience of governors within good deeds is obedience to Allah and his messenger it is impermissible to any one to disobey governors if they command with good deeds or ignore them or demonstrate against them in any form, sometimes Allah grants authority to governor which is not implemented in the Quran, governor may support the oppressed, and take the right of weak from strong and evil and sedition are pushed back, and the whole nation is gathered upon one question and takes the hand of the society to progress and civilization, and through him Allah preserves to people the question of their religion and life Benefits 1 - The obedience of the governor is the obedience of Allah and his messenger(PBUH) 2 - The question of people will not be restored but through a governor, and there is no government but through obedience. 3 - If anyone shared in disobedience he will die in an infidel death 4 - One of the rights of the governor is obedience for the good deed, and giving him advice secretly and to support, to assist and to pray for him. Oh! Allah guide governors of affairs to what please and satisfy you and peace be upon our prophet Mohammad, his household and companions. D D D 192 Lessons of the Mosques 53 - The effect of worshiped on the behavior of muslim Thanks to Allah who creates creatures to worship Him and commanded them with His obedience and peace be upon our prophet Mohammad the best of his creatures, and upon his household and companions: Allah (most majestic) says: {For whosoever does a righteous deed, be they believing men or women, We shall recompense them with their wage according to the best of their deeds} [Quraish: v. 97]. Allah (most majestic) says: {Recite what has been sent down to you of the Book, and establish the prayer. Prayer forbids indecency and dishonor. The remembrance of Allah is greater, and Allah knows what you do} [Al-Ankabut: v. 45]. Allah (most majestic) says: {Believers, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you; perchance you will be cautious} [Al-Baqarah: v. 183]. Allah (most majestic) says: {Take charity from their wealth, in order that they are thereby cleansed and purified, and pray for them; for your prayer is a comforting mercy for them. Allah is Hearing, Knowing} [At-Taubah: v. 103]. By Al Abas Ben Abdul Mutaleb (ABPWH): That the messenger of Allah (PBUH) says: “He has tasted the taste of faith he who 53 - The effect of worshiped on the behavior of muslim 193 satisfied with Allah as Lord, with Islam as religion, and with Mohammad as a messenger”(1). By Abi Huraira (ABPWH): narrates that the messenger of Allah (PBUH) says: “he who doesn’t quit forgery testimony and acting upon it, there is no need to god to abandon his food and drink”(2). By Abi Bakra (ABPWH): narrates I heard The messenger of Allah (PBUH) says: “I heard the messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: governor is the shade of Allah on earth. He who honours the governor, Allah will honor him. And he who humiliates the governor, Allah will humiliate him”(3). By Abi Huraira (ABPWH): narrates that the messenger of Allah (PBUH) says: “Allah says: he who is hostile to a godly man, so I have launched a war against him, and there is nothing that brings my servant nearer to Me more dear than what I have obligated upon him, My servant is still getting nearer to Me through supererogatory till I love him, whenever I love him I will be his hearing faculty through which he hears with, his sight faculty through which he looks, and his hand by which he strikes with and his leg on which he walks, if he prays to Me I will grant him and if he commends Me I will protect him. I have never hesitated about a thing I am fulfilling in the same measure as I hesitated about taking the believer’s soul, he hates death, and I hate doing mischief to him”(4). (1) (2) (3) (4) Narrated by Muslim: 34. Narrated by Al Bukhari: 1903. Narrated by Iben Abi Asem in the year 2/492. Narrated by Al Bukhari: 6502. Lessons of the Mosques 194 The Overall Meaning No single kind of worship but the sacred law has imposed some impacts upon the servant’s life, such impacts differ according to the varieties of worship, in the first verse we find that worship is the cause of good life, and in the second verse the prayer forbids from shameful and evil deeds, and in the third verse there is clarification to the result of fasting and of course piety. In the fourth verse purification to one’s self through welfare due and charity. He will never taste the taste of faith but he who satisfied with Allah as Lord, with Islam as religion, and with Mohammad as a prophet and a messenger. He who tastes the taste of faith he moves in action accordingly, and his organs subjected to the command of their lord, and this is the caption of happiness and dignity in the here and hereafter. Therefore, he who dignified the governor abiding to the command of Allah, he has dignified Allah, and gained honor from Allah. And he who approaches to Allah through obligatory and multiply of supererogatory gained the love of Allah His preservation and care. Abiding to worship entails success in the here and hereafter. Benefits 1 - Each kind of worship has its impact on the Muslims’ life differs accordingly to the variety of worship. 53 - The effect of worshiped on the behavior of muslim 195 2 - He who discovers the impact of worship upon him let him praise Allah for the success he has got. 3 - Through worship spirit elevates, self is purified and morals are beautified. Oh! Allah honor us to be of faithful, saved, close worshipers and prayer and peace be upon our master Mohammad, his household and companions. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 196 54 - Allah remembrance and its merits Thanks to Allah who made His remembrance the best provision to spirits, and made heaven eternal reward that never expire, prayer and peace be upon our master Mohammad the best servant, and upon his household and companions continuous prayer till the promised day: {Believers, remember Allah (most majestic) says: Allah frequently, exalt Him at dawn and in the evening} [Al-Ahzab: v. 41 - 42] Allah (most majestic) says: {Those who remember Allah when standing, sitting, and on their sides} [Aal-’Imran: v. 191]. Allah (most majestic) says: {Remember your Lord in your soul with humility and fear, and not with a loud voice, morning and evening, and do not be among the inattentive} [Al-A’raf: v. 205]. Allah (most majestic) says: {men and women who remember Allah in abundance, for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a mighty wage} [Al-Ahzab: v. 35]. By Abi Huraira (ABPWH): narrates that the prophet (PBUH) said: “The foremost are the unique”, they asked who are the unique Oh! Messenger of Allah? He replied “those males and females who remember Allah much”(1). (1) Narrated by Muslim: 2676. 54 - Allah remembrance and its merits 197 By Abdullah ben Boser (ABPWH): that a man said: Oh! Messenger of Allah the legislations of Islam has become too much to me, inform me some thing I abide with, he said: “keep your tongue moist through remembrance of Allah”(1). By Abdullah ben Shadad that the prophet(PBUH) said: “no one is better at the sight of Allah than a believer who grew old in Islam due to praising, glorifying and making litany”(2). By Abi Huraira (ABPWH): narrates that the prophet (PBUH) said: “no ever a group terminates a meeting and does not remember Allah in it, as if they departed from a meeting similar to a donkey’s carrion, but it was a severe contrition”(3). The Overall Meaning remembrance of Allah has great importance and magnificent benefit, Allah has commanded his slaves, motivated them, praised them highly and entailed for that forgiveness and high rank together with a great reward in the here and the hereafter and made occupying with remembrance supersedes many deeds. Benefits (1) Narrated by Termezy: 3375, and Ibn Maja 3793. (2) Narrated by Ahmad: 1401. (3) Narrated by Abu Dawood: 4855. Lessons of the Mosques 198 1 - Remembrance satisfies the Merciful and expels Satan. 2 - Remembrance removes of sadness and depression from heart and incurs sustenance. 3 - Much remembrance Much of Allah is a proof of heart’s attachment with Allah and his love. 4 - Remembrance of Allah is the easiest kind of worship, and it is possible all times. D D D 55 - The believe in angels 199 55 - The believe in angels Praise be to Allah who surrounded us by the guardian angels, prayer and peace be upon whom Allah has revealed the manifest Quran and upon his household, companions and successors: Allah (most majestic) says: {The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from His Lord, and so do the believers. Each believes in Allah and His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers, we do not differentiate between any one of His Messengers. They say: ‘We hear and obey. (We ask) Your forgiveness Lord and to You is the arrival} [Al-Baqarah: v. 285]. Allah (most majestic) says: {Praise belongs for Allah, the Originator of the heavens and earth, who appointed the angels to be Messengers, with wings, two, three, and four. He increases the creation as He wills. Allah has power over all things} [Fatir: v. 1]. By Aisha (ABPWH) that the prophet created from light”(1). (PBUH) said: “Angels were By Jaber (ABPWH) that the prophet (PBUH) said: “I was permitted to talk about one of angels of Allah who are carrying the throne that the distance between his ear’s lobe to his shoulder is seven hundred years walking”(2). (1) Narrated by Muslim 2996. (2) Narrated by Abu Dawood 4727. Lessons of the Mosques 200 By Abi Huraira (ABPWH): narrates that the prophet (PBUH) said: “Day angels and night angels succeed on you, and meet at dawn and afternoon prayer then. Those angels who spent the night among you ascend, then He asks them and He is the most knowing about them: How did you leave my servants? they say: we left them praying and came back to them praying”(1). And it is narrated in the long tradition about the night journey from narration of Malek Ben Sasaah (ABPWH): narrates that the prophet (PBUH) said: “… Albait Al Mamour (a house in the seventh firmament which is continuously visited by seventy thousand angels) was raised up to me, then I asked Gabriel, he said; “This is Albait Al Mamour every day seventy thousand angels pray in it, and when they get out they never come back”(2). By Abi Zer (ABPWH): narrates that the prophet (PBUH) said: “I could see what you can not, and hear what you do not, heaven cracks and has the right to crack. There is no place equal to four finger area but there is an angel placing his forehead prostrating to Allah”(3). The Overall Meaning Angels are great unseen light of god creatures, they were made by Allah with good innate nature, obeying the commands of Allah, glorifying worshipers, they never get bored from His worship, and never repose. (1) Agreed upon:Al Boukhari 555, and Muslim 632. (2) Agreed upon:Al Boukhari:3207 and Muslim 164. (3) Narrated by Termezy: 2312 and Ibn Maja: 4190. 55 - The believe in angels 201 Allah trusted them some tasks they are executing, belief in them is an essential integral, and it is an obligation imposed by Allah upon the Muslims.He who denies their existence then he denies the holy book and Sunna. They are numerous and none knows their exact number but Allah, Gabriel the trustful spirit is one of them and a messenger to the chosen messengers, Among the angels are the Throne holders. Some are entrusted to drag, and some to register the deeds of the servants, others take the souls, others are treasurers of paradise and treasurers of hell, and preservers. There is no single servant but has an angel to preserve him thanks to Allah’s command. Among them are the mobile angels that put on notice the messenger of Allah peace and greeting from his people. They enjoy good merits including chasteness. Among their attributes are humbleness and abideness to His commands. Belief in them has its profound impact on the souls of believers, so the believer feels the greatness and the power of Allah the greatness of the created indicates the greatness of the creator. Benefits 1 - The believe in the angels is the main pillar among the Integrals of faith. 2 - Angels are created from light and they are impeccable. Lessons of the Mosques 202 3 - Angels are damaged from the same that damages Adam’s children. 4 - Angels are great creatures and their creation indicates the greatness `of creator. 5 - Following the good example of the angels in their worship and shunning the disobedience. Oh Allah! we have firmly believed in Thee, your angels and messengers. Register us of those who bear testimony. D D D 56 - Family relationship 203 56 - Family relationship Praise be to Allah who created man from water, then he has established relationships of linage and marriage, and imposed to maintain the family relations and rewarded for that greatly. Prayer and peace be upon our master Mohammad of the highest esteem among people and upon his household and companion who enjoy the greatest prestige among the successors: Allah (most majestic) says: {And (fear) the wombs (lest you sever its relationship). Allah is ever watching over you} [An-Nisa’: v. 1]. Allah (most majestic) says: {Who join together what Allah has bidden to be united; who fear their Lord and dread the evil reckoning. Patient men, desiring the Face of their Lord, establish their prayers, and spend of what We have given them in private and in public; and who ward off evil with good. Theirs shall be the Ultimate Abode. They shall enter the Gardens of Eden together with the righteous among their fathers, their wives, and their descendants. From every gate the angels will come to them, ‘Peace be to you, for that you were patient. ‘ Best is the Ultimate Abode} [Ar-Ra’d: v. 21 - 24]. Allah (most majestic) says: {As for those who break the covenant of Allah after accepting it, who part what He has commanded to be united and worked corruption in the land, a curse shall be laid on them, and they shall have an evil abode} [Ar-Ra’d: v. 25]. 204 Lessons of the Mosques Allah (most majestic) says: {Could it be, that if you turn away, you might make corruption in the land and break the ties of kinship? Such are those whom Allah has cursed, making them deaf and blinding their eyes} [Muhammad: v. 22 - 23]. By Abi Huraira (ABPWH): narrates that the prophet (PBUH) said: “he who believes in Allah and the day after let him be hospitable to his guest, and he who believes in Allah and the day after let him establish blood kindered relations, he who believes in Allah and the day after let him say good or keep silent”(1). By Abi Huraira (ABPWH) says: I heard the messenger of Allah (PBUH) says: “He who is pleased to have increase in his sustenance, and to enjoy long life let him establish his blood kindered relations”(2). By Abi Huraira (ABPWH): that a man said: “Oh messenger of Allah! I have relatives, I always establish family relations with them and they cut me off I do good to them and they always do mischief to me, and I show clemency to them and they show toughness to me”. The messenger said: “If you were true as you have said then you are as if throwing dust of hell on them, and you will enjoy support from Allah as long as you maintain that toward them”(3). By Abi Huraira (ABPWH) says: the messenger of Allah says: “Allah had created creatures and when He had perfected their creation kith and kin stood up and said: “This is the (1) Al Bukhari: 6138. (2) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari:2067, and Muslim: 2557. (3) Narrated by Muslim: 2558. 56 - Family relationship 205 status of he who commends in Thee from being cutting off the blood kindered relationships.” Then Allah said: “Yes, wouldn’t you be pleased to connect he who connects you (blood kindered relationships)? And cut off he who cuts you off?” she said: “Yes, I would.” Then Allah said: “Then its your’s!” Then the messenger of Allah (PBUH) went on to say: “Read if you like this verse”:{then is it to be expected to you, if you were put in authority that you will do mischief in the land and break your ties of kith and kin}”(1). The Overall Meaning The blood kindered relationship was the first command the messenger (PBUH) called for together with the oneness of Allah (most majestic) and it is one of the basis of constructing the power, guarantee and integration of society. Therefore, cutting off family relations is spreading corruption on earth. It was an omen to ill anger and a cause to incur damnation and to expel bless, and Allah links who links kith and kin, and cuts off who cuts off kith and kin, and he whom Allah links will suffice him, and he whom Allah cuts off will perish. Relatives, my brothers, are those whom there is linage with them and relation even if it were remote. And the relation with them will be following traditions and what people do. The nearest the relation is the most confirmed. Links can be established by money, paying visits, benevolence, tolerance in words, forgiveness in actions, and through affinity (1) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari:4830, and Muslim: 2554. Lessons of the Mosques 206 through love and meeting, and other things that may contribute to the meaning of communication and mercy, and this of course to the living people, but those who deceased the relation with them is established by invoking forgiveness, praying to them and implementing their wills. Be acquainted Oh Muslims! That he who maintains the relations is not he who pays a visit for a counter visit, but it is he who initiates links with relatives even if they cut him off. His links should be for the sake of Allah not a reward to servants of Allah. Man should hold patience on relatives and be benevolent, communicate with them and forbear mischief. Benefits 1 - Family relation increases sustenance and prolong life. 2 - He who establishes his family relations Allah will revive his memory, and Allah preserves his good deeds after death. 3 - Cutting off family relations is the cause of corruption and causing others to corrupt. 4 - Penalty of cutting family relationship is fast in the here before the day after. D D D 57 - Going to bed and waking up remembrance of Allah and their etiquette 207 57 - Going to bed and waking up remembrance of Allah and their etiquette Praise be to Allah who made the night and the day to follow each other: for such as desire to be mindful or to show their gratitude Praying and peace be upon our master Mohammad (PBUH) who was sent as a bringer of glad tidings and a warner and upon his house hold, companions and peace be upon them all. Allah (most majestic) says: {Surely, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are signs for those with minds. Those who remember Allah when standing, sitting, and on their sides, and contemplate upon the creation of the heavens and the earth (saying:) ‘Lord, You have not created these in falsehood. Exaltations to You! Guard us against the punishment of the Fire} [Aal-’Imran: v. 190 - 191]. By Aisha (ABPWH): that prophet Mohammad (PBUH) “When he goes to bed every night, he joins his palms together, breathes in them and reads in them (chapters of holy Quran) namely: “Say He is Allah the One, Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of dawn, and Say: I seek refuge with the Lord and Cherisher of mankind. Then the prophet wipes his body as much as he could starting with his head and face and the front of his body. He does that three times”(1). By Baraa Ben Azeb (ABPWH)that prophet Mohammad (PBUH) “If you intend to go bed make ablution as if preparing for prayer, then lie down along your right side, then say: Oh Allah! I set up my (1) Narrated by Al Bukhari: 5017. 208 Lessons of the Mosques face to Thee, and deposited my affairs to Thee, and placed my back to Thee, in persuasion and in dissuasion to Thee, There is no asylum and no safety from Thee but to Thee, Oh God! I have believed in your book which you revealed, and your prophet whom you have sent. If you pass away at that night then you are on the innate nature, make such words as your final speech”(1). By Ali Ben Abi Taleb (ABPWH): that Fatima (ABPWH) came to the prophet (PBUH) demanding a servant to her, then he said (PBUH) “shall I till you better than this to you? Praising Allah in your bed thirty three times, thanking Allah thirty three times and glorifying Allah thirty three times”. Then Soufian said: one of them is thirty four. Then I had never left that later, then it is asked: Even in Safin night? He answered nor in Safin night(2). By Huzifa (ABPWH) narrated: that prophet(PBUH) used to put his hand under his cheek when he goes to bed and says: “Oh Allah! In your name I die and live” And when he wakes up says: “Praise be to Allah who gives us life after He has taken our souls and to Him is the resurrection”(3). By Abi Huraira (ABPWH): that the messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “The Satan ties on the head of each of you three knots, He fastens each knot in its place, (and says) lie down you have a long night, When he wakes up and remembers Allah a knot is loosen, when he makes ablution another knot is loosen, when he establishes prayer all his knots are solved and becomes active and in good humor, otherwise he has an evil self and default”(4). (1) (2) (3) (4) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 247, and Muslim: 2710. Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 5362, and Muslim: 2727. Al Bukhari: 6314. Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 3269, and Muslim: 776. 57 - Going to bed and waking up remembrance of Allah and their etiquette 209 The Overall Meaning Out of the beauty and perfection of this religion that it illustrates to the people the question of the here and the hereafter, and it units them with their creator in their wake up and sleep, they wake up in obedience and sleep in obedience to win the pleasure of their Lord(most glorified) and preserves them from any evil and mischief. In the previous traditions the messenger of Allah (PBUH) teaches us the good morals of when we go to bed and wake up. It includes remembrance of Allah when we go to bed and wake up and to have ablution before going to bed, the Muslim has to be keen to have this remembrance and morals and to pursuit on doing them to be on continuous perfect obedience and permanent protection. Benefits 1 - To follow example of the prophet (PBUH) in bed and wake up 2 - It is recommended to sleep in ablution and rememberance. 3 - It is recommended to have rememberance when you wake up. 4 - It is recommended to Muslim to abide to the morals of going to bed in order to be preserved in the here and gain meed and reward in the hereafter. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 210 58 - Kindness to the parents and its fruits Praise be to Allah who recommended to be kind with the parents and made its reward the bliss of heaven and pleasure of Allah, Prayer and peace be upon our master Mohammad the most perfect creature, and on his household and companions and all his brothers: Allah (most majestic) says: {Your Lord has ordered you to worship none except Him, and to be good to your parents. If either or both of them attain old age with you, do not say: “Fie on you”, nor rebuke them, but speak to them with words of respect. And lower to them the wing of humbleness out of mercy and say: ‘My Lord, be merciful to them, as they raised me since I was little} [Al-Isra’: v. 23 - 24]. By Abi Huraira (ABPWH): narrates that a man came to the messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said: Oh messenger of Allah! Who is the most deserving of my best company? He said; “your mother”, then the man said “Who is next” then he repeated “your mother”, and asked again Who is next he repeated “your mother”, then he asked “Who is the next?” he replied “Then your father”(1). Abi Huraira (ABPWH) by the By prophet (PBUH) said: “He is a great loser, he is a great loser, he is a great loser”, They asked “Who is it?”, He said: “It is he who attains one or (1) Agreed upon:: Al Bukhari: 5971, and Muslim: 2548. 58 - Kindness to the parents and its fruits 211 both of his parents in old age and has not been admitted to paradise”(1). The Overall Meaning To be kind to one’s parents is an unquestionable obligatory upon each one of us, It is to extend goodness to the utmost extent, to shun evil from them. Allah made such duty a gate to heaven, and hastened its reward as well as He hastened the punishment to he who abandon it. Be acknowledged Oh brother, that to be dutiful to your parents will grand you valuable fruits such as: First : It is a cause to release stress. Second : It is a cause to have responsive supplications. Third : it is a cause to make sons dutiful to fathers because reward is of the same kind of deed, as well as being undutiful to fathers is the cause to have undutiful sons. Fourth : It is a cause to be admitted to paradise. Fifth : it is a cause to prolong age and increase wealth. Therefore Oh Muslims!you have to care for this great duty to win the garden of your Lord the cherisher of the world, Survival of parents is a great favor on man from Allah. If any man lost one or both let him pray and ask forgiveness for them very much. (1) Narrated `by Muslim: 2551. Lessons of the Mosques 212 Benefits 1 - To be kind to your parents is the greatest deed that brings you nearer to Allah 2 - The pleasure of parents is from the pleasure of Allah and his messenger(PBUH). 3 - Lowering the wing of humbleness to parents is a religious obligation. 4 - It is a duty to pray and supplicate Allah for them during their life and death. 5 - He is a great loser, he who has two parents and weren’t the cause for being admitted in paradise. D D D 59 - Care to the old age 213 59 - Care to the old age Praise be to Allah who ordered us to be kind to the old aged people. Prayer and peace be upon who called us to respect the grey haired people and to have mercy upon the young, his household and his chaste companions. Allah (most majestic) says: {Your Lord has ordered you to worship none except Him, and to be good to your parents. If either or both of them attain old age with you, do not say: “Fie on you”, nor rebuke them, but speak to them with words of respect} [Al-Isra’: v. 23]. Allah (most majestic) says: {When he came to the water wells of Medina he found there some people drawing water, and he found two women apart from them who were keeping back (their flocks). ‘What is your business? ‘he asked. They away (their flocks), and our father is an elderly man} [Al-Qasas: v. 23]. Allah (most majestic) says: {They said: ‘Mighty prince, his father is old, advanced in years, take one of us instead of him. We can see you are amongst the good doers} [Yusuf: v. 78]. By Abi Mousa Al Ashari (ABPWH) by the prophet (PBUH) said: “It is a part of Allah’s veneration to honor the grey haired Muslim”(1). By Abdullah Ben Amrou Ben Alass (ABPWH) by the prophet (PBUH) said: “He doesn’t belong he who doesn’t have mercy upon the young and doesn’t know the prestige of the old”(2). (1) Narrated by Abu Dawood: 4843. (2) Narrated by Abu Dawood: 4943. Lessons of the Mosques 214 By Abi Huraira (ABPWH) that the prophet (PBUH) said: “If any establishes a prayer with people, let him not takes too long because among them there is found the sick, the old and the one of need”(1). The Overall Meaning The old age Muslims enjoy in Islam high rank, respect and uplift position together with mercy, passion, kindness, gratitude, loyalty and benignity. Since the end of man is toward old age, fragileness and weakness, so Allah gave him dispensation in his acts of worship, and honoring the elders is the most supreme sign in the social warrant and the civilized progress and strengthen the family and society links in Islam.This, of course, is their right upon the new generation which had benefited from their experience and energy of their youth. The most who deserve benignity and loyalty are the fathers and mothers. Old age has its psychological impacts where could be noticed in benign feelings, an increase in criticizing the present, speaking much about the past, suffering from separation of the children and from the forsake of the beloved, so they deserve entertainment, familiarity and what brings pleasure and delight to their hearts. As for their health, we have to pay great attention to their medical care. (1) Almoutaa: 355, and Abu Dawood 795. 59 - Care to the old age 215 It is imperative upon us to alleviate their sufferings especially the patients, to treat them, to provide them with medicine, to spend money on them, to provide them with food, drink, and suitable dwelling, to prepare an asylum for the old especially those who don’t have a guardian.Islam took consideration to the non Muslims, as history attests. He who serves and supervises them has to hold patience and show pleasure by their service as they were happy with their kids, it is not of faithfulness to neglect them or abandon them, but the home that contains an old aged is more blessed and stable, and more unifying and maintaining to the family relation. Benefits 1 - Old aged enjoy the right of loyalty, benignity, estimation, and respect. 2 - Old aged enjoy the right of medical and social care and financial support. 3 - The necessity to be skillful in the ways of treating and to be cordial with them, and observing to their feelings and to be familiar with them and permit pleasure to dwell in to their hearts. 4 - Utilize their experience and to benefit from their experiments. 5 - Ignoring and deserting old people is an ingratitude that is rejected by Islamic law and is renounced by the faith morals. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 216 60 - Invocation and its merits Praise be to Allah who made invocation the believers’ arm, and release the stress of those who are in necessity, prayer and peace be upon the Imam of messengers, his household and all his companions: Allah (most majestic) says: {Your Lord has said: ‘Call on Me and I will answer you. Those who are too proud to worship Me shall enter Hell utterly abject} [Ghafir: v. 60]. Allah (most majestic) says: {When My worshipers ask you about Me, I am near. I answer the supplication of the suppliant when he calls to Me; therefore, let them respond to Me and let them believe in Me, in order that they will be righteous} [Al-Baqarah: v. 186]. Allah (most majestic) says: {To Allah belongs the Finest Names, so call Him by them, and keep away from those who pervert them. They shall be recompensed for the things they did} [Ar-Ra’d: v. 180]. Allah (most majestic) says: {Supplicate to your Lord with humility and in secret. He does not love the transgressors} [Ar-Ra’d: v. 55]. By Al Nouman Ben Bashir (ABPWH) that the prophet (PBUH) said: “Invocation is worship,” and recited: your Lord says: Call on me ;I will answer your (prayer”(1). (1) Narrated by Abu Dawood: 1479, and Al Thurmazy: 2969, and Ben Maja: 3828. 60 - Invocation and its merits 217 By Abi Huraira (ABPWH) that the prophet (PBUH) said: “there is nothing more honorable to Allah than invocation”(1). By Abi Huraira (ABPWH) that the prophet (PBUH) said: “He who is pleased to be answered by Allah in time of difficulty and stress, let him pray much in time of relief”(2). By Salman (ABPWH) that the prophet (PBUH) said: “Your Lord most high and blessed, is coy and bounteous, He feels a shame from his servant if he raises his hands unto Him, and Allah rejects them empty”(3). By Abi Huraira (ABPWH) that the prophet (PBUH) said: “He who doesn’t pray to Allah, He gets wrathful on him”(4). The Overall Meaning Invocation is a great question. There is nothing more honorable to Allah than invocation, Allah combined in it all kinds of worship. It is humiliation, subjection satisfaction with Allah, and exposition of a need to Him, so he who doesn’t invocate Allah incur His wrath upon him. By its virtue Allah eliminates `tribulation, and pushes away misery, How often tribulation was released due to invocation, and how many disobediences pardoned, how many gates of goodness were opened, how many needs were answered, how many favors were bestowed, Allah is coy and bounteous, He feels a shame from a servant if he raises his hands unto Him and Allah doesn’t answer them. (1) (2) (3) (4) Narrated by Al Thurmazy: 3370 and Ben Maja: 3829. Narrated by Al Thurmazy: 3382 Narrated by Abu Dawood: 1488, and Al Thurmazy: 3556, and Ben Maja: 3865. Narrated by Al Thurmazy: 3373, and Al Bukhari in AlAdab Al Mufred: 658. Lessons of the Mosques 218 Oh servants of Allah! I recommend `you with invocation, and be acknowledged that invocation entails conditions, morals and provisions including: First : Servant shouldn’t supplicate but Allah. Second : Not to supplicate him for illicit thing Third : Invocator should believe that Allah is The One, the Able to respond to his prayer, and should pray Him ascertain with heart presence, that Allah will respond. Fourth : Not to provoke immediate response. Fifth : To avoid to have illicit food Sixth : Supplicator should start his invocation by praising Allah (most majestic), and prayer upon his prophet (PBUH). Seventh : Suplicator should raise his hands while praying as we said previously. Eighth : To be firm in his prayer, and confirm with the question and not to suspend it by the will. Ninth : Suplicator should start with himself and repeat supplication three times, because prophet Mohammad (PBUH) used to do so. Tenth : prior should confess with his sin and admit his weakness. Eleventh : Suplicator should make ablution and to receive the place of worship (Qubla) and to terminate his supplication with one of the beautiful names of Allah that suits the status such as: Oh Allah, forgive me, you are the oft-forgiver, the merciful. 60 - Invocation and its merits 219 The best time for invocation is in the final third of night, and at the end of establishing prayer especially before terminating the prayer with AlSalam Alikum, and in between the call for prayer and the call for establishing prayer, during hearing the call for prayer prayer, when it rains, and on Friday, valid are all the traditions of messenger of Allah (PBUH). Benefits 1 - Prayer is worship. 2 - The most honorable thing to Allah is invocation. 3 - He who doesn’t pray Allah, incurs His wrath. 4 - The meanest creature is he who is mean in invocation. 5 - Invocation has moral and rules must be observed. D D D 220 Lessons of the Mosques 61 - The believe in the books and its merits Praise be to Allah who sent the messengers bringers of glad tiding and warners, and He revealed with them the book with clear evidence to truth, Prayers and peace be upon our master Mohammad (PBUH) the seal of prophets and messengers, and his household and companions: Allah (most majestic) says: {Believers, believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), in the Book He has sent down to His Messenger, and in the Book He sent down before. Whosoever disbelieves in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, has surely gone astray into far error} [An-Nisa’: v. 136]. Allah (most majestic) says: {Allah! There is no god except He, the Living, the Everlasting. He has sent down to you the Book with the truth, confirming what preceded it; and He has sent down the Torah and the Gospel (of Prophet Jesus which has been lost) before, as a guidance for people, and He sent down the Criterion. As for those who disbelieve in the verses of Allah, for them is an intense punishment. Allah is Mighty, Owner of Vengeance} [Aal-’Imran: v. 2 - 4]. Allah (most majestic) says: {We have sent Our Messengers with proofs, and sent them with the Book and the Scales} [Al-Hadid: v. 25]. Allah (most majestic) says: {Say: ‘We believe in Allah and that which is sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the tribes; to Moses and Jesus and the 61 - The believe in the books and its merits 221 Prophets from their Lord. We do not differentiate between any of them, and to Him we are submissive (Muslims)} [Al-Baqarah: v. 136]. By Omar Ben Alkhatab (may Allah please by him) narrates: that the messenger of Allah (PBUH) says: “faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the day after fate as a whole good and evil”(1). The Overall Meaning The books: is a plural of a book. It is meant all books revealed from Allah to his messengers as mercy and guidance to them. Each messenger has a book but we do not know all books. Some of the books that Allah mentioned to us: Torah, Bible, Psalms, Quran and scrolls of Abraham and Moses. The belief in books is one of the six pillar of faith through which faith would not be valid unless we believe in it and it is the firm belief that there are books belong to Allah were revealed upon his prophets and messengers for the guidance of His servants and these are the speech of Allah (the high), and these confirm each other, and abrogating the early books by others is a truth, as some of Torah dispensation were abrogated by the Bible. The Quran is overwhelming all the preceding books, and controlling them, and no other book comes after it, and if any belies any verse he is considered belying all holy books, and Allah doesn’t preserve any book but Quran. He who denies any letter of it or added it to the book or canceled it then he has blasphemed, and all the holy books are abrogated by the Holy Quran. (1) narrated by Muslim: 8, and Ahmad: 367. Lessons of the Mosques 222 Upon that, it is impermissible to act upon its rules, and it is impermissible too to prosecute any upon them. The belief in the holy books gives many valuable fruits: First : To have a profound belief that Allah’s care is covering all his servants where Allah revealed to every people a book to guide them. Second : The knowledge that Allah’s wisdom is great concerning his laws, where He ordained to every people what appropriate their status. Third Praising Allah (most majestic) for His grace for the revelation of the holy books. : Benefits 1 - It is obligatory to believe in all the holy books, and all of them are from Allah be High. He who belies any of them he belies all of them. 2 - The holy books confirm each other, and all of them were abrogated by the Quran 3 - The belief in the holy books motivates Allah’s love and gratitude. D D D 62 - Benevolence to the widow and orphan 223 62 - Benevolence to the widow and orphan Praise be to Allah who command us with benevolence, and promised the good doer with paradise. Pray and peace be upon our master Mohammad (PBUH) his household and companions the people of the supreme of achievement and pleasure: Allah (most majestic) says: {Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him. Be kind to parents and near kinsmen, to the orphans and to the needy, to your neighbor who is your kindred, and to the neighbor at your far side, and the companion at your side, and to the destitute traveler, and to that which your right hands owns. Allah does not love he who is proud and struts} [An-Nisa’: v. 36]. Allah (most majestic) says: {Have you seen he who belied the Recompense? It is he who turns away the orphan, and does not urge others to feed the needy} [Al-Maa’oon: v. 1 - 3]. Allah (most majestic) says: {Those who consume the wealth of orphans wrongfully, only consume fire in their bellies, and they shall roast in the Blaze} [An-Nisa’: v. 10]. Allah (most majestic) says: {Do not oppress the orphan} [Ad-Duha: v. 9]. Allah (most majestic) says: {They will question you concerning orphans. Say: ‘Doing good for them is best. If you mix their affairs with yours, remember they are your brothers. Allah knows the corrupter from the reformer. If Allah willed He could have brought hardship upon you. He is Almighty and Wise} [Al-Baqarah: v. 220]. Lessons of the Mosques 224 By Abi Huraira (ABPWH) that the prophet (PBUH) said: “Oh Allah I prohibit the right of the two weak to be usurbed: the orphan and the woman”(1). By Sahel (ABPWH) that the messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “I and the guardian of the orphan in paradise like these” He pointed to the first and the middle fingers and separated between them a little(2). By Abi Huraira (ABPWH) that a man complained to the messenger of Allah (PBUH) the hardness of his heart then he told him: “If you want to keep your heart soft, feed the indigent and wipe orphan’s head”(3). The Overall Meaning The Muslim society is virtues and cooperative one. It is like one body, if an organ complains an ailment the whole body will suffer fever and vigilance. Allah (most majestic) has preserved all rights, particularly the rights of the weak such as widows and orphans. Allah (most majestic) has guaranteed that the widow takes her right from the wealth of her spouse if he passed away, and it is illicit that any one transgress the boundary of Allah and hinder her to take her share from her deceased husband. (1) Narrated by Ben Maja: 3678. (2) Narrated by Al Bukhari: 5304. (3) Narrated by Ahmad: 7576 and AlHaithmi narrated in Majma Al Zawaid (8/160): narrators are valid. 62 - Benevolence to the widow and orphan 225 Allah (most majestic) recommended goodness to the orphan in order not to feel orphanhood and loneliness, but He has preserved his right, and decreed that if any one usurps orphan’s money unjustly he is considered as if he is putting blazing fire in his stomach. We seek refuge from that. The prophet (PBUH) has considered he who guards the widow and the indignant exactly as he who prays the night long non rest, or like he who fasts all time without breakfast, and prophet Muhammad stressed the sinfulness of he who is heedless to the widow and indignant’s right. Benefits 1 - Benevilonce to the widow and orphan will be rewarded by Paradise 2 - The guardian of the affairs of the orphan is with the messenger (PBUH) in paradise 3 - Islam is the religion of warrant and cooperation, and the religion that preserves all rights. 4 - It is impermissible to usurp the wealth of the orphan and the indignant even if that man was their guardian. Oh Allah!make us of the good pious benevolents and prayers and peace be upon our prophet Muhammad, his household and companions all. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 226 63 - The favor of paying visits to the patient and its morals Praise be to Allah who guided us to what pleases Him and loves, and made it an emphasized Sunna to pay visits to the patients, and prayer and peace be upon his chosen prophet, his household and companions and whom He pleased with: By Al Baraa Ben Azeb (ABPWH) narrates: “The messenger of Allah (PBUH) ordered us to pay visit to the sick”(1). By Thouban (ABPWH) by the prophet (PBUH) said: “When a muslim pays a visit to his muslim brother, he will enjoy the pleasures of paradise” then he was asked Oh messenger of Allah (PBUH)! what are the pleasures of paradise? He said “its beautiful harvest”(2). By Ali (ABPWH) said: I heard `the messenger of Allah (PBUH) says: “no single muslim pays a visit to a muslim in the morning seventy thousand angels celebrate blessing him till he is benighted, and if he pays him a visit in dusk seventy thousand angels celebrate blessing him till morning breaks up, and he will be rewarded with a ripe dates in paradise”(3). By Aisha (ABPWH): that messenger of Allah (PBUH) whenever he pays a visit to a patience used to say: “May Lord of people (1) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 5635, and Muslim 2066. (2) Narrated by Muslim: 2568. (3) Narrated by Al Termezy: 969. 63 - The favor of paying visits to the patient and its morals 227 expel ailment, Oh Allah! heal him! you are the true healer, and there is no healing but Yours. May Allah bestow on him permanent healing that never encounter sickness”(1). By Abi Huraira (ABPWH) narrates: The messenger of Allah (PBUH) says: “Allah (Most Majestic) says in the day of judgment Oh son of Adam!, I was sick and you did not pay me a visit, the servant inquires how is that my lord, and Thee are the Lord of the worlds? Allah says: Hadn’t you known that my servant so and so was sick and you did not pay him a visit? Hadn’t you known that if you had paid him a visit you would have found me there with him?”(2). The Overall Meaning Visiting patients is one the right of the muslim upon his brother, Islam has urged us to fulfill it to let the muslim feel during his ailment with the Islamic fraternity spirit, as well as it relieves him from suffering, and compensates some of what he has been deprived, and let him feel the love of his brethrens. His brethrens’ condolence fills his heart with happiness, and he will have more trust in Allah when he sees his brothers’ palms raised, and their tongues were busy in prayer and supplication to him. Paying visit to the patient has its own morals that have to be observed such as: − To visit the patient for the sake of Allah not for worldly aim, and not to be safe from blame, but pays him a visit to perform the fraternity right. (1) Narrated by Al Bukhari:5675, and Muslim: 2191. (2) Narrated `by Muslim: 2569. Lessons of the Mosques 228 − Not to prolong the visit in order not to make him and his family suffer, unless he had known that the patient feels more familiar with such visit. − To pray him with the well known supplication forms and others. − It is recommended that the visitor relieves the patient by saying: may Allah assist you, may Allah make it a means to purify you (from sins). The prophet (PBUH) used to say such words. It is permissible to pay a visit to the nonmuslim. The prophet (PBUH) paid a visit to the Jewish boy and presented Islam to him then the boy embraced Islam due to the tolerance of Islam and its reverence to human being in general. Benefits 1 - The right of muslim upon his brother is to pay him a visit when he falls sick. 2 - Visiting patients compromises alleviation of suffering and familiarity. 3 - Patient is close to Allah and his supplication is responded. Oh Allah! We pray Thee to heal our patients and all the muslim patients. D D D 64 - Neighbor’s right 229 64 - Neighbor’s right Praise be to Allah who recommended us to be kind to our neighbors, and prayer and peace upon our master Mohammad (PBUH) the chosen prophet, his household and his chase companions: Allah (most majestic) says: {Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him. Be kind to parents and near kinsmen, to the orphans and to the needy, to your neighbor who is your kindred, and to the neighbor at your far side, and the companion at your side, and to the destitute traveler, and to that which your right hands owns. Allah does not love he who is proud and struts} [An-Nisa’: v. 36]. By Abi Shuraih Al Khouzaie (ABPWH) that the prophet (PBUH) says: “he who believes in Allah and the day after let him treat his neighbor kindly”(1). By Ben Omar(ABPWH) narrates that he heard the messenger of Allah (PBUH) says: “Gabriel went on and on recommending me with neighbor till I thought he will make him inherit me”(2). By Abi Zer Al Ghafari (ABPWH) narrates: that my close friend (PBUH) recommended me: “when you cook food with soup increase water, then look for a family neighbor and give them some”(3). (1) Narrated by Al Bukhari: 6019, and Muslim: 48. (2) Agreed upon, narrated by Al Bukhari: 6015, and Muslim: 2625. (3) Narrated by Muslim: 2625. Lessons of the Mosques 230 By Abi Shuraih Al Khouzaie (ABPWH) narrates that the messenger of Allah (PBUH) says: “he is not a believer, he is not a believer, he is not a believer “they asked: who is he Oh messenger of Allah! he says: “he whose neighbor does not feel safe from his plotting intrigues”(1). The Overall Meaning Allah (Most High) commanded us to be kind to our neighbors, as he did order us to be kind to the parents and relatives, being neighbor is a kind of family relation, kin and kith their relation is due to pedigree, and neighbor relation is due to place and dwelling, man may feel familiar with his close neighbor, more than, some times, than far relative, neighbors need cooperation and support that some times far relatives may not need, if every neighbor were not kind to his neighbor they would not have goodness to all people, on the other hand, the noble prophet (PBUH) warned against doing mischief to the neighbor, but more than that (PBUH) denied the perfect faith from the neighbor whose neighbor does not feel safe from his evils. The chosen prophet (PBUH) indicated that being kind to neighbor is a cause to be admitted in heaven, even if the good deed is little after implementing the obligatory, doing harm to neighbor whatever kind is sufficient cause to be cast into hell whether harm is by hand or by tongue, even if the doer of harm is practicing many obedience and worship deeds. (1) Narrated by Al Bukhari: 6016. 64 - Neighbor’s right 231 Among the multiforms of doing harm against neighbor:to follow up his iniquities, to transgress on his wealth, to raise high his building or to block air and sunshine. Oh Muslims! preserve rights of your neighbors, may Allah bless you. Benefits 1 - Preservation right of neighbor and not doing harm is the perfection of faith and having good Islam. 2 - Forms of being kind to neighbor are numerous and multi, and each man is according to his ability. 3 - Good neighborhood is one gate to paradise, and ill neighborhood is one gate to hell. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 232 65 - The merits of following funeral procession Praise be to Allah Who prescribed annihilation to all living people in this life and moved them to the world of survival and eternity. He motivated walking in funerals, so that, people of discernment get admonition. Prayers and peace be upon the master of all creatures, Muhammad, the chosen prophet, his household and his elite companions: Abi Huraira (ABPWH) narrated: that the prophet said: “The rights of the Muslim upon the Muslim are six “among them “If he passes away he walks in his funereal ”(1). By Abi Huraira (ABPWH) narrates that the prophet (PBUH) says: “He who established the funereal prayer and hasn’t followed it then he will be rewarded with one karat, and if he followed it he will be rewarded with two karats”. They asked: what are the two karats? He said: “the smaller one similar to the size of Uhud mountain”(2). By um Attiya (ABPWH) said: we have been banned to follow funeral and we have not been invited(3). By Abi Said Al Khudri (ABPWH): that the prophet (1) Narrated by Muslim: 2162. (2) Narrated by Al Bukhari: 1325, and Muslim: 945. (3) Agreed upon Al Bukhari: 1278 and Muslim 938. (PBUH) says: 65 - The merits of following funeral procession 233 “pay a visit to patient, follow funerals, it reminds the hereafter”(1). By Abi Said Al Khudri (ABPWH) that he heard the messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying: “Five things if one does, Allah will register him among paradise dwellers: he who pays a visit to a patient, follows a funeral, fasts a day, attends a Friday ceremony, sets a slave free”(2). The Overall Meaning Following funerals is a recomended right, a cause to soften hearts, and eliminating sins. Following funerals is a feature of muslim society, its cooperation and coherence. A Muslim is one who follows the funeral of his brother fulfilling his right and consoling his family recalling his fate and his end, and at the same time praying for the deceased. Following funerals has its own morals and rules, among them are: to seek Allah pleasure in following funerals, and muslim should abide himself with humbleness. Today he is carrying the funeral and tomorrow he will be carried, and from the morals of following funeral is to avoid talking about the wordly life, to avoid laughing and entertainment, he has to recall the day of judgment and prepare himself to meet Allah (The High), to walk quickly with the funeral and not to follow it carrying fire, no lamentation and not to raising the voice. (1) Narrated by Al Bukhari: in Al Adab Al Mufred: 518 and Ahmad: 11270. (2) Narrated by Ben Hayan in his Sahih 7/6. Lessons of the Mosques 234 Benefits 1 - The great reward for following funerals. 2 - Following funerals soften hearts and remind with the other life. 3 - Following funerals is the right of muslim upon his brother the muslim. 4 - Funeral prayer, carrying and burying it is a communal obligatory. Oh Allah have mercy upon us, you are the most merciful, and don’t torture us you are the most able, and be benign to us of what you have destined. D D D 66 - Etiquette of Visiting Graves 235 66 - Etiquette of Visiting Graves Praise be to Allah who made the graves a dwelling place for the inhabitants of the earth, and made visiting them an admonishment and a reminder. And peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad, his noble family and his companions both al-Muhajirin (immigrants from Makka) and al-Ansar (people of Madina). Anas bin Malek (ABPWH) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “I had forbidden you to visit graves, and then I found that it softens the heart, fills the eyes with tears and reminds of the Hereafter. So visit them and do not say anything bad (like wailing)”(1). Buraidah (ABPWH) narrated: The Prophet (PBUH) taught us that when we visited graves we should say, “Peace be upon you, O believing men and women, O dwellers of this place. Certainly, Allah willing, we will join you. You have preceded us and we are to follow you. We supplicate to Allah to grant us and you security’’(2). Abu Huraira (ABPWH) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “It is better that one of you should sit on live coal which would burn his clothing and come in contact with his skin than that he should sit on a grave”(3). (1) Reported by AnNisai: 2033. (2) Reported by Muslim: 975. (3) Reported by Muslim: 971. Lessons of the Mosques 236 The Overall Meaning These texts indicate that the visitation of graves is desirable for the sake of admonition and because of the benefits it brings both for the living and the dead. This visitation is beneficial for the living because it reminds them of death and the hereafter, and because of the reward they get when they supplicate for their dead brothers in Islam. As for the dead, they benefit from the blessings of their living brothers’ supplication for them. Visiting graves has specific etiquettes and rubrics: − Greeting the dead by saying: “Peace be upon you, believers and Muslims, dwellers of this place. Certainly, Allah willing, we will join you. I ask Allah to grant us and you security”. − Praying to Allah to grant them mercy and forgiveness. − Avoiding fruitless talk like wailing. − Respecting the sanctity of the graves by not stepping, sitting and leaning on them. Benefits 1 - Visiting graves is a confirmed sunna of the Prophet (PBUH). 2 - One of the etiquettes of this visit is to greet the dead and supplicate for them. 3 - Visiting graves softens the heart, reminds of the hereafter and motivates preparing for it. D D D 67 - Believing in the Messengers 237 67 - Believing in the Messengers Praise be to Allah who chose from his slaves a succession of messengers with glad tidings and warnings, and made believing in them one of the basic elements of religion. And peace and blessings be upon the imam of the messengers, our master Prophet Muhammad, his noble family and all his companions. Allah, be He exalted, said: {O you who believe! Believe in Allah, and His Messenger (Muhammad), and the Book (the Qur’an) which He has sent down to His Messenger, and the Scripture which He sent down to those before (him); and whosoever disbelieves in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, then indeed he has strayed far away} [An-Nisa’: v. 136]. And He, glory be to Him, said: {The Messenger (Muhammad) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say, ) “We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers” - and they say, “We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all)} [Al-Baqarah v. 285]. And He, glory be to Him, said: {Verily, those who disbelieve in Allah and His Messengers and wish to make distinction between Allah and His Messengers (by believing in Allah and disbelieving in His Messengers) saying, “We believe in some but reject others, ” and wish to adopt a way in between} [An-Nisa’:v 150]. Lessons of the Mosques 238 Narrated Abu Huraira (ABPWH): One day while the Prophet was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Gabriel came and asked, What is faith? Allah’s Apostle replied, “Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in resurrection”(1). Abu Huraira (ABPWH) narrated that the prophet, peace be upon him, said: “My similitude in comparison with the other prophets is that of a man who has built a house completely and excellently except for a place of one brick. When the people enter the house, they admire its beauty and say: But for the place of this brick (how splendid the house will be)!’ I am that brick and I am the seal of the prophets”(2). Abu Huraira (ABPWH) also narrated that the prophet, peace be upon him, said: “The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one”(3). The Overall Meaning The messengers are men chosen by Allah to convey His religion and sharia (law) to His creatures. He sent them as bearers of good news as well as of warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allah after their coming. Believing in the messengers includes: Believing that their message is truly from Allah, for disbelieving in any of them means disbelieving in all of them. (1) Reported by Al-Bukhari: 50 and Muslim: 9. (2) Reported by Al-Bukhari: 3535 and Muslim: 2286. (3) Reported by Al-Bukhari: 3443 (paternal brothers means that they had the same belief but their teachings were different). 67 - Believing in the Messengers 239 Believing in the messengers whose names were revealed to us in particular and believing in the other messengers whose names are unknown to us in general. Believing all the true information that we were told about them, following the teachings of the one that was sent to us the seal of the prophets, Muhammad, PBUH - and believing that he was sent to all mankind. Believing that they are infallible. They should be defended and honored and none of them should be despised of or belittled. This is because the call of all the prophets springs from one source. Benefits 1 - The prophets are all brothers sent by Allah, be He exalted, to guide mankind. 2 - It is not permissible to belittle any prophet. 3 - The seal of the prophets is Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and he was sent to all mankind. 4 - Disbelieving in any prophet means disbelieving in all of them. O Allah! Show us truth as truth and help us follow its path, and show us falsehood as falsehood and help us avoid its path. Peace and blessings be upon our prophet Muhammad, his noble family and his companions. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 240 68 - Hospitality Praise be to Allah who associated hospitality to guests with faith and made it one of the traits of charity, and may peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad, who was sent as a mercy to mankind and jinn. Allah, be He exalted, said: {Has the story reached you, of the honoured guests (three angels; Jibrail (Gabriel) along with another two) of Ibrahim (Abraham)? When they came in to him and said: {Salam (peace be upon you)! He answered: Salam (peace be upon you), and said: You are a people unknown to me. Then he turned to his household, and brought out a roasted calf (as the property of Ibrahim was mainly cows). And placed it before them (saying): Will you not eat?} [Ath-Thariyat:v 24 - 27]. Allah, glory be to Him, also said: {And those who, before them, had homes (in Al-Medina) and had adopted the Faith, love those who emigrate to them, and have no jealousy in their breasts for that which they have been given (from the booty of Banu An-Nadir), and give them (emigrants) preference over themselves even though they were in need of that. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be the successful} [Al-Hashr: v. 9]. Abu Huraira (ABPWH) narrated that Allah’s Apostle said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should show hospitality to his guest”(1). (1) Reported by Al-Bukhari: 6018 and Muslim: 47. 68 - Hospitality 241 Khadija (ABPWH) said to prophet Muhammad (PBUH): “By Allah, you join ties of relationship, you speak the truth, you bear people’s burden, you help the destitute, you entertain guests, and you help against the vicissitudes which affect people”.(1) The Overall Meaning Hospitality to guests is one of the noble characteristics in Islam and it is a sign of iman (faith). Allah is generous and gracious and He loves generosity and graciousness. Therefore, Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) used to be more generous than the fast wind. He used to give others without any fear of poverty. And generous people in our nation have always competed with regard of this great character and set very wonderful examples of it. They gave preference to others over themselves even if they were poor and needy. Benefits 1 - Being hospitable to guests is a sign that indicates faith in Allah. 2 - Hospitality to guests is one of the traits of Allah’s prophets and messengers (peace and blessings be upon them). 3 - Altruism is one of the highest levels of generosity and graciousness. D D D (1) Reported by Al-Bukhari: 3 and Muslim: 160. Lessons of the Mosques 242 69 - Marriage and its Benefits Praise be to Allah Who has created man from water, and has appointed for him kindred by blood, and kindred by marriage. And may peace and blessings be upon the one who filled the earth with chastity and purity, Prophet Muhammad, his noble family and companions, the best people ever mentioned. Allah, be He exalted, said: {O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women; and fear Allah through whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you} [An-Nisa’: v. 1]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {And among His Signs is that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect} [Ar-Room: v. 21]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {And indeed We sent Messengers before you (O Muhammad), and made for them wives and offspring} [Ar-Ra’d: v. 38]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {And marry those among you who are single (i.e. a man who has no wife and the woman who has no husband) and (also marry) the Salihun (pious, fit and capable 69 - Marriage and its Benefits 243 ones) of your (male) slaves and maid-servants (female slaves). If they be poor, Allah will enrich them out of His bounty. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knowing (about the state of the people} [An-Nur: v. 32]. Abdullah Bin Mas’ud (ABPWH) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “O young men, those among you who can support a wife should marry, for it restrains eyes (from casting evil glances) and preserves one from immorality; but he who cannot afford it should observe fast, for it is a means of controlling the sexual desire”(1). Abu Huraira (ABPWH)) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “A woman is married for four things, i.e., her wealth, her family status, her beauty and her religion. So you should marry the religious woman (otherwise) you will be a loser”(2). Abu Huraira (ABPWH)) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “If a person who is pious and righteous comes to you (proposing marriage), marry him. If you don’t, this will lead to an affliction and a widely spread turpitude”(3). Aish (ABPWH)) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “It is a blessing for a woman to facilitate her engagement, her dowry, and her kinship”(4). (1) (2) (3) (4) Reported by Al-Bukhari: 5066 and Muslim: 1400. Reported by Al-Bukhari: 5090 and Muslim: 1466. Reported by Al-Tirmithi: 1084 and Ibn Maja: 1967. Reported by Ahmad: 24478. Lessons of the Mosques 244 The Overall Meaning Allah created human beings and appointed them as his successors on earth. He enacted laws that lead them to a high standard of living, which can’t be achieved unless they fulfill the trust of Allah and maintain their existence on earth. Therefore, Allah provided them with instincts and innate motives for marriage. This bond has benefits and advantages that are plain for every sane person. It harmonizes with the human nature and tendency for peace of mind, breeding and continuation of existence. It also leads to spreading chastity, purity and righteousness in society, which is considered one of the main purposes of marriage. The prophet’s saying, “O young men, those among you who can support a wife should marry”, is an exhortation for them to get married, and a direction of great value that contributes to protecting the nation as a whole, and as individuals, by directing them to worship Allah and get closer to His satisfaction by doing various pious acts that cultivate their behavior -one of which is marriage because it helps them maintain their purity and chastity. The youth are in greater need of this sunna (the prophet’s tradition), and this is something no one denies; therefore, it is our duty to facilitate this legal act for them and minimize its expenses to help them protect themselves from wrongdoing and wasting their energies and capabilities fruitlessly. Moreover, studies show that the more the percentage of marriages declines, the more vulnerable a nation becomes to the prevalence of adultery and destruction. So, if we achieve the virtue of marriage, we guarantee the protection of our society form crimes resulting from eyesight and temptation. And those who were deceived by poisoned thoughts 69 - Marriage and its Benefits 245 and turned away from marriage without an excuse to avoid its responsibilities and costs are being aggressive against themselves and their societies. A marital relationship is supposed to be governed by faith, not by trial and error. This enables couples to achieve forbearance and continuity in their relationships, and enjoy the fruits of cordiality and mercy. It turns marriage into a path to unmatched happiness and a turning point from bachelorhood to an oasis of peace and security. Benefits 1 - Marriage is a comprehensive responsibility, an indispensable necessity, nurturing fatherhood and compassionate motherhood. 2 - It encourages people to work hard to make living and avoid idleness. 3 - People who turn away from marriage deprive themselves of mercy and passion. 4 - Protecting the youth by marriage leads to protecting virtue, chastity and purity in the whole nation. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 246 70 - A Husband’s Rights Praise be to Allah who bestowed the blessing of marriage, and husbands and wives with intimacy and mercy. May peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad, the leader of leaders, his noble family and his companions, the guides of this nation. Allah, be He exalted, said: {And among His Signs is that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect} [Ar-Room: v. 21]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means} [An-Nisa’: v. 34]. Abd Al-Rahman Bin Auf (ABPWH) narrated that the prophet (PBUH) said: “If a woman performs the five (daily) prayers, fasts the month of Ramadan, guards her chastity and obeys her husband, this is what she will be told: “Enter paradise from whichever of its gates you wish to”(1). Abu Huraira (ABPWH) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “When a man invites his wife to his bed and she does not come, and he (the husband) spends the night being angry with her, the angels curse her until morning”(2). (1) Ahmad: 1661. (2) Al-Bukhari: 3237 and Muslim 1436. 70 - A Husband’s Rights 247 Al-Husain Bin Al-Muhsin narrated that his aunt went to the prophet for some purpose and when she got the help she needed, the prophet asked her: “Are you married?” She said: Yes. He asked: “How do you treat him?” She said: I never keep anything from him unless that which is not in my power. He said: “See that you take care of what you are to him. For he is your heaven and he is your hell”(1). The Overall Meaning From the previously mentioned texts it is obvious that good treatment and good company between a husband and a wife is one of the most important teachings of Islam that helps to maintain the entity of a family and the bonds within it. Islam organizes the relationship of a husband and a wife and gives each one of them rights and duties. Some of the rights of a husband that a wife must keep are the following: She must obey him and avoid treating him with arrogance. She is not supposed to leave her house or let anyone in it without his permission. It is better for her not to fast voluntarily while her husband is present unless she asks him first. She is not supposed to spend any of his money unless he approves it. She must grant her chastity and take good care of her husband’s children and money. She must be thankful to him and avoid denying his favour. She must treat him, his parents and relatives well. She must do her best to always keep looking good in his presence. So, wives ought to obey their husbands in obedience to Allah and his prophet (PBUH). If they do so, family matters will straighten, (1) Reported by Ahmad: 19002 and Al-Hakem in the Mustadrak 2/198. Lessons of the Mosques 248 security and serenity will prevail, and happiness both in this world and in the hereafter can be achieved. Benefits 1 - Compliance with the rights and duties of marriage leads to family happiness. 2 - Negligence of the rights and duties of marriage leads to family destruction. 3 - A husband’s rights that should be respected by his wife are above the rights of all other people. 4 - Islam gives a husband the right of being obeyed by his wife amicably and appoints him to be her protector and maintainer. 5 - Obedience of the husband is not a discomfort or a difficulty. It is a complementarity and construction. 6 - Obedience of a husband paves the way for a wife to achieve the pleasure of Allah and the entrance of paradise D D D 71 - With the Prophet At Home 249 71 - With the Prophet At Home Thank Allah for guiding us to Islam and sending his prophet (PBUH) as an ideal to mankind, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his noble family and his companions. Allah, be He exalted, said: {And verily, you (O Muhammad) are on an exalted (standard of) character} [Al-Qalam: v. 4]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {And We have sent you (O Muhammad) not but as a mercy for the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)} [Al-Anbiya’:v 107]. Narrated by Al-Aswad: I asked Aisha: “What did the Prophet use to do at home?” She said, “He used to work for his family, and when he heard the Adhan (call for the prayer), he would go out”(1). Narrated by Aisha (ABPWH) that once some Ethiopians entered the mosque and started playing, then the prophet (PBUH) asked: “Hey, Reddish! Would you like to have a look at them?” I said: Yes. He went to the door and I followed him. I put my chin on his shoulder and I leaned my face against his chick. Some of the words they were saying then were: “Long live Abal-Kasem [one of the prophet’s titles].” Then he asked: “Is this enough?” I asked: “What’s the hurry, prophet of Allah?” Then he stood up and asked: “Is this enough?” I asked: “What’s the hurry, (1) Reported by Al-Bukhari: 676. Lessons of the Mosques 250 prophet of Allah?” And I wasn’t interested in looking at them, but I wanted other women to know what he was to me and what I was to him(1). Anas (ABPWH) narrated: While the Prophet (PBUH) was in the house of one of his wives, one of the mothers of the believers sent a meal in a dish. The wife at whose house the Prophet was, struck the hand of the servant, causing the dish to fall and break. The Prophet gathered the broken pieces of the dish and then started collecting on them the food which had been in the dish and said, “Your mother (my wife) felt jealous”. Then he detained the servant till a (sound) dish was brought from the wife at whose house he was. He gave the sound dish to the wife whose dish had been broken and kept the broken one at the house where it had been broken(2). The Overall Meaning Scrutinizing these texts shows that the prophet (PBUH) was a wonderful exemplar when it comes to dealing with his wives. He was the best husband and no other husband in the whole world compares to him. The prophet’s treatment with his wives, kids and all other people was the most graceful and perfect, and throughout history, no one was equal to him in this regard. He used to work for his family and treat them gently, wisely, fairly and nicely. He used to give them generously, amuse them and call them with names they liked. He used to overlook their faults and forgive their slips. He (1) Reported by Al-Nasai in Al-Sunan Al-Kubra 8/181. (2) Reported by Al-Bukhari: 5225. 71 - With the Prophet At Home 251 was loyal to his wife Khadija her friends. (ABPWH) and he used to send gifts to Therefore, brothers and sisters, to obtain happiness in this world and in the hereafter, we should follow in the footsteps of the prophet (PBUH) and hold on to his Sunna. Benefits 1 - The good treatment of the prophet how perfect his manners were. (PBUH) to his wives indicates 2 - It is important to be kind and gentle towards women in order to gain their amiability. 3 - If a man works for his family and helps them do the housework, this doesn’t conflict with his manliness. 4 - A man’s good treatment of his family is one of the basic elements that lead to happiness, and the best way to attain constancy within his family. 5 - The prophet was faithful to his wives even after their death. D D D 252 Lessons of the Mosques 72 - Faithfulness, A trait of the believers Praise be to Allah who made faithfulness one of the traits of the believers, and ascribed it to Himself and the prophets He sent. And Allah’s peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad, the seal of the prophets, his family and all his companions. Allah, be He exalted, said: {...And fulfill (every) covenant. Verily, the covenant will be questioned about} [Al-Isra’: v. 34]. Allah, be He exalted, said describing men of understanding: {Those who fulfill the Covenant of Allah and break not the Mithaq (bond, treaty, covenant..)} [Ar-Ra’d: v. 20]. Allah, be He exalted, said describing those who are honest and pious: {…and who fulfill their covenant when they make it, and who are patient in extreme poverty and ailment (disease) and at the time of fighting (during the battles). Such are the people of the truth and they are Al-Muttaqun (the pious)} [Al-Baqarah. v. 177]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {And of Ibrahim (Abraham) who fulfilled (or conveyed) all that (Allah ordered him to do or convey)} [An-Najm: v. 37]. Narrated By Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “The signs of a hypocrite are three: Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie. Whenever he promises, he always breaks it (his promise). 72 - Faithfulness, A trait of the believers 253 If you trust him, he proves to be dishonest (If you keep something as a trust with him, he will not return it)”(1). Ubada Ibn As-Samet (ABPWH) narrated that the prophet (PBUH) said: “Guarantee to commit yourselves to six things and I guarantee that you enter paradise. Be truthful when you speak, keep your promises, fulfill your trusts, grant your chastity, lower your gaze and restrain your hands”(2). Anas Ibn Malek (ABPWH) said that every time the prophet (PBUH) delivered a speech he said: “He who has no honesty has no faith, and he who breaks conventions has no religion”(3). The Overall Meaning Faithfulness is a great trait that Allah ascribed to himself, his prophets and the true believers who followed their steps. This characteristic is very important because it imparts discipline to people’s lives and brings them pleasure and happiness both in this life and the hereafter. It paves the way to building a virtuous civilized society in which rights are kept and conventions are fulfilled. Therefore, Islam stresses that its followers should be of those who fulfill their conventions and praised them for this. They were promised to enter paradise as a reward and Allah set prophet Ibraheem as an example of this kind of people so that others can follow and imitate him. (1) Reported by Al-Bukhari: 33 and Muslim: 59. (2) Reported by Ahmad: 22757 and Al-Hakem in Al-Mustadrak 358/4. (3) Reported by Ahmad: 12383 and Ibn Habban in Al-Sahih 1/423. Lessons of the Mosques 254 Islam also warned people who don’t fulfill their conventions and break their promises. It ascribed these traits to hypocrites and considered them as signs of the departure of one’s religion. Dear brothers! We ought to be faithful to Allah by worshipping Him, abiding by his orders and avoiding his forbiddances. We ought to be faithful to our prophet by following in his footsteps and clinging to his Sunna. The world has never known a person that is more faithful than Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He was faithful to Allah and His religion. He was faithful to his family and to Muslims. He was faithful to all mankind. Hence, we should follow in his footsteps to gain happiness in our present life and to be with the winners in the hereafter. Benefits 1 - Faithfulness is a genuine character in a Muslim’s life. 2 - Faithfulness is one of the traits of the prophets and pious people. 3 - Breaking promises and not fulfilling conventions are signs of hypocrisy and hypocrites. 4 - The most faithful person in the world that fulfills his conventions and sticks to his promises is Prophet Muhammad. D D D 73 - Faith in the Divine Decree 255 73 - Faith in the Divine Decree Praise be to Allah the maker of destiny, who subjected the day and the night. Peace and blessings be upon our master, Prophet Muhammad, the most pious of all, his family and his righteous companions. Allah, be He exalted, said: {Know you not that Allah knows all that is in the heaven and on the earth? Verily, it is (all) in the Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz). Verily, that is easy for Allah} [Al-Haj: v. 70]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {But you cannot will, unless Allah wills. Verily, Allah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise} [Al-Insan: v. 30]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainments of all things before their creation as written in the Book of Decrees - Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz)} [Al-Qamar: v. 49]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz) before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah. In order that you may not grieve at the things over that you fail to get, nor rejoice over that which has been given to you. And Allah likes not every prideful boaster} [Al-Hadeed: v. 22 -23]. Jaber Bin Abd-Allah (ABPWT) narrated that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “No servant is a believer unless he affirms his 256 Lessons of the Mosques faith in the Divine Decree about good and evil, and believes that what happens to him wouldn’t miss him, and what misses him wouldn’t happen to him”(1). Narrated Ibn Abbas (ABPWT) said: Once I was behind the Prophet who said to me: “Young boy! I’m going to teach you words. Obey Allah and he will protect you. Obey Allah and He will be there for you. If you ask, ask Allah. If you seek help, seek the help of Allah. And be sure that if the whole nation gathers to benefit you, they won’t benefit you but that which Allah has written for you. And if they gather to harm you, they won’t do you any harm but that which Allah has written for you. The pens have been lifted and the records have dried”(2). Narrated Ibn Al-Dailami (ABPWH): Once I met Ubai Bin Ka’b and said: “I have become a bit skeptical about fate. Tell me something that might help me get rid of this”. He said: “If Allah tortures all that resides in the heavens and the earth, He would do this and remain far from being unjust to them. If He has mercy on them, His mercy would be much greater than their deeds. And if you spend gold equal to the bulk of (the mountain) Uhud in the way of Allah, be He exalted, He would not accept it unless you affirm your faith in the Divine Decree, and believe that everything that happened to you was supposed to happen, and everything that didn’t happen to you wasn’t supposed to happen. If you die believing something else, you would be in hell”. He (the narrator) said: “I went to Huthaifa and he told me the same, then I went to Ibn Mas’ud and he told me the same, (1) Reported by At-Tirmithi: 2144. (2) Reported by At-Tirmithi: 2516. 73 - Faith in the Divine Decree 257 and then I went to Zaid Bin Thabet and he told me the same ascribed to the Prophet (PBUH)(1). The Overall Meaning Allah, glory to Him, preordained the destinies of his creatures before He created them. He preordained the duration of their lives, their resources, and their deeds. He wrote their fortunes and misfortunes. Destiny is one of the secrets that Allah, the Omniscient and All-Aware, concealed and kept for Himself. It is, for a wise purpose, unreachable by people’s minds or learning abilities, and no sent messenger or close angel was allowed to know it. Only that which Allah wills happens, and that which he does not will can never happen. Nothing in the whole universe takes place except according to his will and power. This great element of belief gives a believer a feeling of security. He doesn’t grieve for any worldly loss like money and position. He doesn’t grieve if he gets hurt because he knows that everything happens according to Allah’s fate and divine decree. If he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks Allah, thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble, he endures it patiently, thus there is good for him in it. And those who might think that faith in the divine decree leads to weakness and depreciation of one’s deeds are totally wrong because it leads to strength and induces hard work and diligence. (1) Reported by Abu Dawud: 4699. Lessons of the Mosques 258 Benefits 1 - Faith in the divine decree is one of the six pillars of faith. 2 - No one’s faith is complete and no one enters paradise unless he has faith in the Divine Decree. 3 - It is not permissible to curse fate and become bored with it. 4 - A believer accepts what Allah has preordained because he knows for sure that everything that happens to him, is supposed to happen, and everything that doesn’t, is not supposed to. D D D 74 - A wife’s Rights over Her Husband 259 74 - A wife’s Rights over Her Husband Praise be to Allah who enjoined fairness and charity, and made the mutual respect of rights between a husband and a wife an indication of faith. Peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad, the one Allah chose from the offspring of Adnan, his family and companions, the people of virtue and grace. Allah, be He exalted, said: {O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will; and you should not treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dowry you have given them, unless they commit open Fahishah (illegal sexual intercourse or disobey their husbands); and live with them honorably. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing through which Allah brings a great deal of good} [An-Nisa’: v. 19]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {And give to the women (whom you marry) their dowry (obligatory bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage) with a good heart…} [An-Nisa’: v. 4]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {…And they (women) have rights (over their husbands) similar to those (of their husbands) over them to what is reasonable…} [Al-Baqarah. v. 228]. Narrated Abu Huraira that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “I advise you to take care of women, for they are created from a rib and the most crooked portion of a rib is its upper Lessons of the Mosques 260 part; if you try to straighten it, it will break, and if you leave it, it will remain crooked, so I urge you to take care of women”(1). Mu’awia Bin Haida narrated that he once asked the Prophet: O Allah’s Apostle, What rights does one’s wife have over him? He (the Prophet) said: “Feed her when you feed yourself, clothe her when you clothe yourself, do not hit the face, do not humiliate, and do not abandon her except in the house”(2). Abu Huraira (ABPWH) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “A believing man should not hate a believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another”(3). The Overall Meaning Marriage is founded on intimacy, mercy, and honorable companionship. It is one of Allah’s signs, praise be to Him. And this family felicity becomes more complete when each one of a married couple performs their duties towards each other. A wife’s rights over her husband are many. Some of them are: 1 - He should pay her full dower. 2 - He is not allowed to take a part of her dower unless she agrees. (1) Reported by Al-Bukhari: 3331 and Muslim: 1348. (2) Reported by Abu Dawud: 2142 and Ibn Maja: 1850. (3) Reported by Muslim: 1469. 74 - A wife’s Rights over Her Husband 261 3 - He should live with her honourably. For example, He should give her her full share of expenditure and portioning. He should avoid hurting her with harsh words, shunning her or showing preference of another wife over her. He should avoid frowning and glowering at her without a reason, etc. 4 - She has the right to be provided with a proper place of residence and proper expenditure. 5 - She has the right to have him stay overnight with her and to take good care of his looks just as he likes her to do so. 6 - She has the right of being treated with equity if he has more than one wife. 7 - She has the right of having her secrets kept from others, her defects concealed and her faults overlooked. Good advice must be given to her when she makes a mistake. She shouldn’t be abandoned without a reason. Her husband shouldn’t travel away and leave her for a long time unless she agrees. 8 - She has the right over her husband that he seeks her pleasure and happiness both in words and in action by spending time with her, listening and talking to her. His concern for the rights of his relatives and friends should not be given more attention than the rights of his wife. 9 - A husband’s kind treatment and amusement of his wife is a beneficent act. Lessons of the Mosques 262 Benefits 1 - One of the rights of a wife over her husband is honorable living. 2 - Money spending is best rewarded for the money one spends for his family. 3 - It is permissible for a woman to waive some of her rights. 4 - It is forbidden for a man in any way to insult or curse his wife. 5 - A man’s effort to make his wife happy is a kind of obedience to Allah. 6 - If a man has more than one wife and he deals with them with inequity, he comes half-paralyzed on the Day of Judgment. D D D 75 - The Position of Women in Islam 263 75 - The Position of Women in Islam Praise be to Allah, who bestowed a respectable status on women. Peace and blessings be upon the one who recommended the good treatment of women, and his honorable family and companions, the highest-ranked people ever mentioned. Allah, be He exalted, said: {And wish not for the things in which Allah has made some of you to excel others. For men there is reward for what they have earned, (and likewise) for women there is reward for what they have earned, and ask Allah of His bounty. Surely, Allah is Ever All-Knower of everything} [An-Nisa’: v. 32]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {Verily, the Muslims men and women (those who submit to Allah in Islam), the believers men and women (who believe in Islamic Monotheism), the men and the women who are obedient (to Allah), the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and the women who are patient (in performing all the duties which Allah has ordered and in abstaining from all that Allah has forbidden), the men and the women who are humble (before their Lord - Allah), the men and the women who give Sadaqat (i.e. Zakat and alms), the men and the women who observe Saum (fast”(the obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the optional Nawafil fasting), the men and the women who guard their chastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues - Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)} [Al-Ahzab: v. 35]. Lessons of the Mosques 264 Narrated Al-Miqdam Bin Ma’di Karib that the Prophet once made a speech. He thanked and praised Allah and then said: “Allah advises you to take care of women, Allah advises you to take care of women, for they are your mothers, daughters and aunts”(1). Narrated Aisha (ABPWH) that the Prophet said: “Women are counterparts of men”(2). Narrated Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (ABPWH) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “He who has three daughters or three sisters or two daughters or two sisters, and takes good care of them, will be rewarded with paradise”(3). The Overall Meaning No religion, law or statute throughout history honored women and held a high-ranking position for them the way Islam did. In Islam, a woman is highly respected in every stage of her life. She is honored in her childhood, and taking care of her is greatly rewarded. She is honored as a sister, and Allah unites the one who unites his sister’s tie of kinship and severs the one who severs it. She is honored as a mother, and the advice of fine treatment of a mother in the Prophet’s Hadith is repeated three times to stress its importance. She is honored as a wife, for Islam advises men to be kind to their wives, whose rights must be fully respected, and warns against debasing and humiliating her. (1) Reported by Al-Tabarani in Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabeer: 20/247. (2) Reported by Abu Dawud: 236 and Al-Tirmithi: 113. (3) Reported by Al-Tirmithi: 1916. 75 - The Position of Women in Islam 265 Allah, be He exalted, in several verses of the Quran, mentions men and women and views them as equal regarding practical ethics and dignity as human beings, and gives each of them rights and duties that harmonize with their nature. And one of the longest Soorahs of the Holy Quran is named Al-Nisa’ (women). In order to help women live happily with dignity, and play their role in society positively, all we have to do is commit ourselves to Allah’s Sharia (law) which guarantees happiness for every human being everywhere through the ages. Benefits 1 - Islam honored women and protected their rights. 2 - Men are recommended to treat women with charity. 3 - Men and women are equally bound by Allah’s Sharia (law) and will be held accountable before Allah. 4 - Women’s dignity, honor and happiness can only be obtained by commitment to Allah’s Sharia (law). D D D Lessons of the Mosques 266 76 - Generosity and altruism Praise be to Allah whose generosity to those who are munificent is without limits, and who promised to immediately recompense those who spend. Peace and blessings be upon our master, Muhammad, the most generous of those who give alms and spend, and his noble family and companions, whose deeds were devoted to Allah. Allah, be He exalted, said: {Those who spend their wealth (in Allah’s Cause) by night and day, in secret and in public, they shall have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve} [Al-Baqarah: v. 274]. Allah, be He exalted, said describing those who are truthful and pious: {…and gives wealth in spite of love for it, to the kinsfolk, to the orphans, to the needy, to the wayfarer, to those who ask, and to set slaves free…} [Al-Baqarah: v. 177]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {And they give food, in spite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to the needy, the orphan and the captive} [Al-Insan: v. 8]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {And those who, before them, had homes (in Al-Medina) and had adopted the Faith, love those who emigrate to them, and have no jealousy in their breasts for that which they have been given (from the booty of Banu An-Nadir), and give them (emigrants) preference over themselves even though they were in need of that. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be the successful‘ [Al-Hashr: v. 9]. 76 - Generosity and altruism 267 Asma (ABPWH) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “spend (in charity) and do not spend reluctantly lest Allah should give you in a limited amount; and do not hoard, otherwise Allah would be withholding from you”(1). Narrated by Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al-’As: The Apostle of Allah (PBUH) preached and said, “Abstain from avarice, for those who had been before you were annihilated due to avarice. It (avarice) commanded them to show niggardliness so they showed it; it commanded them to cut off their relationship with their nearest relatives, so they cut off. It commanded them to show profligacy, so they showed it”(2). Abu Huraira reported that a person came to Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) and said: ‘I am hard pressed by hunger.’ He sent (a message) to one of his wives (to procure food for him), but she said: ‘By Him Who has sent you with Truth, there is nothing with me (to serve him) but only water.’ He (the Holy Prophet) then sent (the same message) to another, and she gave the same reply, until all of them gave the same reply: ‘By Him Who has sent thee with the Truth, there is nothing with me but only water.’ Whereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: “Allah would show mercy to him who will entertain this guest tonight”. A person from the Ansar stood up and said: ‘Messenger of Allah, I (am ready to entertain).’ He took him to his house and said to his wife: ‘Is there anything with you (to serve the guest)?’ She said: ‘No, but only subsistence for our children.’ He said: ‘Distract their attention with something, and when the guest enters extinguish the lamp and give him the impression that we are eating.’ So they sat down and the guest (1) Reported by Al-Bukhari: 2591 and Muslim: 1029. (2) Reported by Abu Dawud: 1698. Lessons of the Mosques 268 had his meal. When it was morning, he went to Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) who said: “Allah was well pleased with what you both did for your guest this night”(1). The Overall Meaning Those who are generous gained the highest positions and through altruism they acquired the highest ranks. If generosity means giving away your money secretly and publicly in spite of your love of it, altruism means giving others preference over yourself even though you are in need. Benefits 1 - Generosity and altruism are characters of Allah’s messengers and the believers who follow them. 2 - Generous people are close to Allah, close to Paradise and close to other people. 3 - Altruism is the highest level of generosity and munificence. 4 - Altruism unites the nation as if it was one body, and makes it self-sufficient. O Allah, the most merciful. Pave the way for us to generosity, munificence and altruism. Purify our souls from avarice and selfishness. Make us love pious deeds and hate wrongdoing and sins. D D D (1) Reported by Muslim: 2054. 77 - Gratefulness and its Virtues 269 77 - Gratefulness and its Virtues Praise be to Allah, Who promised the grateful servants more of His blessings. Peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad, the master of the grateful, and his family and companions. Allah, be He exalted, said: {O you who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism)! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you with, and be grateful to Allah, if it is indeed He Whom you worship} [Al-Baqarah: v. 172]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: “If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allah), I will give you more (of My Blessings); but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily, My punishment is indeed severe} [Ibraheem: v. 7]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {…Work you, O family of Dawud (David), with thanks! But few of My slaves are grateful} [Saba’: v. 13]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {…and Allah will give reward to those who are grateful} [Aal-Imran: v. 144]. Abdullah Ibn Ghannam narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “If anyone says in the morning: “O Allah! Whatever favour has come to me, it comes from Thee alone Who has no partner; to Thee praise is due and thanksgiving, he will have expressed full thanksgiving for the day; and if anyone Lessons of the Mosques 270 says the same in the evening, he will have expressed full thanksgiving for the night”(1). Al-Nu’man Bin Basheer (ABPWH) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) was on the rostrum and said: “He who does not thank for that which is little does not thank for that which is much. He who does not thank people does not thank Allah. Proclaiming the grace of Allah is gratefulness and not mentioning it is ungratefulness”(2). Al-Mughira Bin Shu’ba narrated that Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) kept standing in prayer (for such long hours) that his feet were swollen. They (his Companions) said: ‘Verily, Allah has pardoned for you the earlier and the later of your sins.’ Thereupon he said: “Should I not prove myself to be a grateful servant (of Allah)?”(3). The Overall Meaning Gratefulness is a great position and a high status. It is half the belief. Gratefulness is the manifestation of the impact of Allah’s favours on a servant’s tongue in the form of praise and recognition, on his heart in the form of love, and on his limbs in the form of submission and obedience. Gratefulness is based on five points: submission of the grateful to the one he is grateful to, showing love towards him, admission of his grace, praising him for it, and not using it in a way he does not approve of. (1) Reported by Abu Dawud: 5073. (2) Narrated by Abd-Allah Bin Ahmad in Zawa’ed Al-Musnad: 18450 and Al-Munthiri in At-Targheeb Wat-Tarheeb: 2/46. (3) Narrated by Al-Bukhari: 1130 and Muslim: 2819. 77 - Gratefulness and its Virtues 271 Allah has bestowed countless blessings on his servants that if they spend their whole lives worshipping Him by praying, fasting and glorifying Him, they can’t be thankful enough for any of them. Praise be to Him for all the favours He bestowed on His creation. Gratefulness has many impacts, some of which are: − Retaining and continuation of Allah’s favours. − Bestowal of more favours from Allah. − It leads to granting success, guidance and assistance from Allah. − It helps Muslims to train themselves and become accustomed to showing thankfulness and gratitude, and it is a constraint of Satan who menaced to turn people away from being grateful. And some of the proper behaviors related to dealing with Allah’s favours are: − A believer should admit the inability of thanking Allah enough for his favours on him. − He should not use any of Allah’s blessings in disobedience or wrongdoing. Benefits 1 - We must avow Allah’s favours on us and thank Him in return. 2 - Gratefulness is the use Allah’s favours obediently. Lessons of the Mosques 272 3 - It is grateful to submit to Allah, love Him and seek His nearness through His favours. 4 - It is grateful to manifest the impact of Allah’s favours on us without arrogance or boasting. 5 - Thanking people means thanking their Lord (Allah). It is a courtesy to avow the good deeds of those who are graceful. D D D 78 - Meeting other people’s Needs 273 78 - Meeting other people’s Needs Praise be to Allah who made helping other people overcome their worries and trouble one of the loftiest ways of obeying Him. Peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, the source of good deeds, his family and companions, the people of noble deeds and qualities. Allah, be He exalted, said: {…Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment} [Al-Ma’idah: v. 2]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {O you who have believed! Bow down, and prostrate yourselves, and worship your Lord and do good that you may be successful} [Al-Hajj: v. 77]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {…So hasten towards all that is good. Wheresoever you may be, Allah will bring you together (on the Day of Resurrection). Truly, Allah is Able to do all things} [Al-Baqarah: v. 148]. Abdullah Bin Omar (ABPWH) narrated that Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) said, “A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor. Whoever fulfills the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs; whoever relieves a Muslim from hardship, Allah will relieve him from the hardships of the Day of Resurrection, and whoever screens a Muslim, Allah will screen him on the Day of Resurrection”(1). (1) Reported by Al-Bukhari: 2442 and Muslim: 2580. Lessons of the Mosques 274 Al-Nu’man Bin Basheer narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “The similitude of believers in regard to mutual affection, mercifulness and fellow feeling is that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever”(1). Abd-Allah Bin Amro Bin Al-‘As (ABPWT) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “The best friends in the sight of Allah are those who treat their friends best, and the best neighbours in the sight of Allah are those who treat their neighbours best”(2). The Overall Meaning A Muslim society would be wonderful if all its members work together and cooperate to spread good and charity and refrain from sins and abominable acts. It would be an ideal society in which people fulfill each other’s needs, relieve each other from hardship, the strong ones help the weak ones, the educated ones teach the illiterate ones, and the rich ones help the poor ones by paying their debts and providing them with what they need. The pure Islamic Shari’a (law) aims at building a society in which people are united as if they were one body. If any limb in it aches, the whole body aches. There are a lot of incidents in the history of Islam which talk about Muslims competing to help their brothers overcome hardships and trouble. (1) Reported by Muslim: 2586. (2) Reported by At-Tirmithi: 1944. 78 - Meeting other people’s Needs 275 Benefits 1 - Meeting other Muslims’ needs is a genuine noble Islamic character. 2 - He who fulfills his brother’s needs gets his needs fulfilled by Allah. 3 - An Islamic society cooperation. is based on joint solidarity and 4 - Fulfilling other Muslims’ needs indicates their noble feelings and tender hearts. We ask Allah to make us of those who give without limits and fulfill other people’s needs. Peace and blessings be upon our master, Prophet Muhammad, his family and all his companions. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 276 79 - Raising Children in Islam Praise be to Allah who bestowed upon us the blessing of children, and commanded us to guide them to the straight path that leads to happiness. Peace and blessings be upon our master, Prophet Muhammad, the best of Allah’s servants, and upon his family and companions till the Day of Resurrection. Allah, be He exalted, said: {O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded} [At-Tahreem: v. 6]. Allah, be He exalted, said: {And (remember) when Luqman said to his son when he was advising him: “O my son! Join not in worship others with Allah. Verily, joining others in worship with Allah is a great (wrong) indeed. 13 And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. 14 His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years - give thanks to Me and to your parents. To Me is the final destination. 15 [ But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not; but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do. 16 O my son! If it be (anything) equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the 79 - Raising Children in Islam 277 earth, Allah will bring it forth. Verily, Allah is Subtle (in bringing out that grain), Well-Acquainted (with its place). 17 O my son! Perform prayers, enjoin (on people) all that is good, and forbid (people) from all that is evil and bad, and bear with patience whatever befalls you. Verily, these are some of the important commandments (ordered by Allah with no exemption). And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not any arrogant boaster. 18 And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the braying of the asses} [Luqman: v. 13 -19]. Abd-Allah Bin Amro (ABPWT) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Command your children to pray when they become seven years old, and beat them for it (prayer) when they become ten years old; and arrange their beds (to sleep) separately”(1). Narrated Ibn Abbas (ABPWT) said: Once I was behind the Prophet who said to me: “Young boy! I’m going to teach you words. Obey Allah and he will protect you. Obey Allah and He will be there for you. If you ask, ask Allah. If you seek help, seek the help of Allah. And be sure that if the whole nation gathers to benefit you, they won’t benefit you but that which Allah has written for you. And if they gather to harm you, they won’t do you any harm but that which Allah has written for you. The pens have been lifted and the records have dried”(2). Anas (ABPWH) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Everyone will be held responsible in front of Allah for that with which he was entrusted whether he kept it or not”(3). (1) Reported by Abu Dawud: 495. (2) Reported by At-Tirmithi: 2516. (3) Reported by An-Nisai in As-Sunan Al-Kubra: 8/267. Lessons of the Mosques 278 The Overall Meaning Children are a gift from Allah to us. They are the adornment of the life of this world. They are precious to the hearts and they bring delight to the eyes. But this gift remains incomplete if they don’t get a proper upbringing that protects them from Allah’s displeasure and punishment. Allah the Great and Almighty praised his prophets and pious servants for raising their children righteously. For example, Ismail (PBUH) used to enjoin on his family and his people the prayers and the obligatory charity, and his Lord was pleased with him. Ibraheem (PBUH) used to advise his sons to follow the straight path of Allah. Wise Luqman warned his son against joining others in worship with Allah. He advised him to be dutiful and good to his parents, to be a God-fearing man both covertly and overtly, to observe the prayer, to follow Allah’s orders, not to be arrogant and to respect other people’s rights. These are the basic principles according to which children should be raised. Abiding by these principles protects one from Allah’s punishment and enables him to enjoy Allah’s favours. Not abiding by them exposes one to be held responsible for his negligence before Allah. Carelessness about looking after children and not giving them proper upbringing deprives their parents from their devotion and goodness when they grow up, and the children become unable to be helpful neither to themselves nor to their parents. Therefore, dear brothers, we must set an example to our children and do our best to give them righteous upbringing so they might be the comfort of our eyes both in life and after death. 79 - Raising Children in Islam 279 Benefits 1 - Prophet Muhammad children. (PBUH) is our exemplar in raising our 2 - Righteous Upbringing of young children is a main reason that leads to making them helpful when they grow up. 3 - We must command our children to perform the prayer and train them to. 4 - The danger of neglecting children’s upbringing and the damages that result from doing so in this world and in the hereafter. 5 - The virtue of righteously upbringing children and how this benefits their parents even after their death. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 280 80 - Equity with Children Praise be to Allah who commands us to be just and facilitates the way to it to whomever he wills. Peace and blessings be upon the one who judged with justice and kept away from desires, Prophet Muhammad, his family and his companions. Allah, be He exalted, said: {Verily, Allah enjoins justice and kindness, and giving (help) to kith and kin, and forbids fahsha’ (i.e. all evil deeds like illegal sexual acts), and Al-Munkar (i.e. all that is prohibited by Islamic law), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression). He admonishes you, that you may take heed} [An-Nahl: v. 90]. An-Nu’man Bin Bashir (ABPWT) narrated, My father gave me a gift but ‘Amra Bint Rawaha (my mother) said that she would not agree to it unless he made Allah’s Apostle as a witness to it. So, my father went to Allah’s Apostle and said’, ‘I have given a gift to my son from ‘Amra Bint Rawaha, but she ordered me to make you as a witness to it, O Allah’s Apostle!’ Allah’s Apostle asked, “Have you given (the like of it) to every one of your sons?” He replied in the negative. Allah’s Apostle said, “Fear Allah, and observe equity in case of your children”. My father then returned and took back his gift”(1). In another expression it was narrated that the Prophet asked him: “Bashir, Do you have other sons besides him?” He said, ‘Yes.’ The Prophet said, “Have you given gifts to all of them (1) Reported by Al-Bukhari: 2587. 80 - Equity with Children 281 like this?” He said, ‘No’. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said, “Then don’t call me as a witness, for I cannot be witness to an injustice.”(1) In another expression it was also narrated that the Prophet said, “Call someone else besides me as a witness”. And he further said, “Would it please you that they (your children) should all behave virtuously towards you?” He said: ‘Yes.’ He (the Holy Prophet) said: “Then don’t do that (i.e. don’t give a gift to one and exclude another”(2). It was also narrated that the Prophet said, “Observe equity when you donate to your children just as you like them to observe equity with you in filial dutifulness and kindness”(3). The Overall Meaning Allah, be He exalted, commands us to be just with all people, for life does not straighten without justice. Undoubtedly, our children deserve our just treatment most. This is because of two things, their close relationship to us and the rights they have over us. In the previously mentioned Hadith, the Prophet emphasizes the importance of equity when parents deal with their children. He warns against inequity and giving preference to one of them over another, even in gifts. Inequity with children, dear brothers, generates enmity and hatred, and spreads grudge and bitter feelings which induces ingratitude and disobedience of the children to their parents. (1) Reported by Muslim: 1622. (2) Reported by Muslim: 1622. (3) Reported by Ibn Habban. Lessons of the Mosques 282 It is fair, dear brothers, to give everyone what befits his needs. A person who is sick needs things a healthy person does not need. A person who is dedicated to learning needs things a working person who has an income does not need. The needs of a person in an early stage of education are not the same as the needs of someone in an advanced stage. Equity with children is not restricted to gifts and donations. It should also be observed in a child’s upbringing, education, nurturing and all kinds of treatment, even in smiling, kissing and suchlike. Benefits 1 - We must always seek the advisory opinion of a trusted scholar when we deal with something we are not sure of, exactly as Bashir Bin Sa’d did when he asked Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) about the gift he gave to his son. 2 - Equity with children induces dutifulness and obedience towards the parents. 3 - Inequity with children leads to family destruction and spreads enmity and animosity. Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us patterns for all that are pious. And may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon our master, Prophet Muhammad, his noble family and all his companions. D D D 81 - The Prophet’s (PBUH) Journey by Night and Ascension 283 81 - The Prophet’s (PBUH) Journey by Night and Ascension Praise be to Allah, Who took His slave (Mohammad (PBUH)) for a journey by night from the Holy Mosque (Al Masjid al Haraam) at Makkah) to the Holy Mosque (Al Masjid al Aqsaa) at Jerusalem, then ascended him to the highest skies and greatest rank, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, whom His God appeared to him at the night of his journey, in an indescribable way, and upon his Family and Companions who believed in the miracle of the night journey and ascension, and did not have affliction and trial. Thus, their faith became stronger by means of that, and they rejoiced. Allah, be He exalted said, {Exalted is He who carried His worshiper (Prophet Muhammad) to travel in the night from the Sacred Mosque to the Furthest Mosque which We have blessed around it so that We might show him some of Our signs. He is the Hearer, the Seer} [Al-Isra’: v. 1]. Allah, be He exalted said, {What, will you dispute with him about what he sees! 12 Indeed, he saw him in another descent 13 at the Lote Tree (Sidrat tree) of the ending 14 close to the Garden of Refuge. 15 When there comes to the Lote Tree, that which comes 16 his eyes did not swerve, nor did they stray 17 for indeed he saw one of the greatest signs of his Lord} [An-Najm: v. 12-18]. Lessons of the Mosques 284 The Overall Meaning The journey by night and ascension is a great miracle of our master Mohammad’s (PBUH) miracles. Allah honored him with it, and made him superior over all prophets and messengers. He (PBUH) is their Imam in religion, and closest and dearest in rank to Allah, Lord of all creation. Allah, be He exalted said, {Of these Messengers, We have preferred some above others. To some Allah spoke; and some He raised in rank} [Al-Baqarah: v. 253]. Know that - dear audience - the event of the journey by night and ascension happened at a time when disbelievers conspired against Allah’s Messenger (PBUH), and his call (message). In addition, they hurt his Companions and Elite, the thing which forced them to migrate to Al Habasha (Ethiopia). His wife, Khadijah (ABPWH), who was like a lofty tree and a source of love, died, and his uncle, Abu Taleb, who was like his inaccessible armor protecting him against the disbelievers’ harm, also died, until that year was called the Year of Grief… But that thing did not shake the Prophet’s (PBUH) stability, but on the contrary, his resolution to continue with his message and the power of his determination increased. He headed to Al Taif, hoping that he might find the acceptance of any its residents for his message, and a way to support him, after the residents of Makkah turned away from him. Unfortunately, he was faced with rejection, severity and refusal. Even more, they exceeded in this, and tempted the foolish and servants to scorn him, and throw stones at him, till they caused 81 - The Prophet’s (PBUH) Journey by Night and Ascension 285 his honorable feet to bleed. It was painful for him (PBUH) that he comes to them with a heavenly Message, and get rejected and shunned. He, therefore, referred to Allah and prayed humbly and with reverence, complaining of his weakness, scarcity of skill and planning, and humiliation by people. He asked Him to direct his people to the right way, as they did not know, and these pure breathes raised up to the heavens as such, “If You are not angry with me, then I do not care (about my grief and humiliation”(1). Allah responded to the prayer of His servant, and honored him with the miracle of the journey by night and ascension, as an honor and esteem of his rank and status, and to comfort and console him (PBUH), when he was taken in a journey by night from Al Masjid Al Haraam in Mkkah to Al Masjid al Aqsaa in Al Cham, where he was received by the Prophets and Messengers and given the leadership to be their Imam; and he prayed as their Imam. When the prayer was finished, Prophets and Messengers received him, and thanked their God. Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “All of you have praised His God, and I praise My God: Praise be to Allah, Who sent me as a Mercy upon creations, and for all humanity as a bearer of good news and warnings, Who sent the Holy Qur’an down to me, wherein everything is detailed, Who made my nation as the first and the last one, Who comforted me and removed my burden from me, and raised higher my praise and fame, and made me the beginner and the finisher (the first one and the seal”.(2) (1) Narrated Al Tabarani; and Al Haythami mentioned it in Al Majma’a, and said: Narrated it Al Tabarani, and there is mention of Ibn Isaac, and he is trusted, and the rest of its narrators are trusted. (2) Narrated Al Bayhaqi in Dala’el Al Nubuwwah; and Al Haythami mentioned it in Al Majma’a, and said: narrated it Al Bazzar, and his narrators are trusted. Lessons of the Mosques 286 Abraham (PBUH) then said, ‘For this, Mohammad upon you’. (PBUH) was favored Then, the route of ascent went up to the highest of heavens, near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (a lote-tree of the utmost boundary over the seventh heaven beyond which none can pass), and there was Paradise. He (PBUH) saw Paradise and its bliss that Allah prepared for his true believing servants, and saw Hell, its torture and kinds of its punished. He (PBUH) knew the deeds that lead their doers to Hell, such as usury, adultery, backbiting, and taking an orphan’s money. Then, he (PBUH) came much closer, and His God revealed to him, and commanded upon him and his nation after him to pray, being as a gift and benefaction form Him. When the Prophet (PBUH) came back from his celestial journey to earth, and after His God bestowed upon him all that honoring and esteem, he came back to continue his message and complete his mission. He told his people about his journey, and what scenes and great miracles of His God he witnessed in his night journey and ascension. Therefore, this miracle strengthened the believers, and caused conflict to hypocrites and disbelievers. Benefits 1 - The journey by night and ascension is a Godly miracle bestowed upon Allah’s Messenger (PBUH). 2 - The Prophet and body. (PBUH) was journeyed and ascended both in spirit 3 - The journey by night and ascension event was a great test to select true and honest faith. 81 - The Prophet’s (PBUH) Journey by Night and Ascension 287 4 - The event has a great effect and result of dependence on Allah, and seeking His refuge when struck with hardships and tribulations. 5 - The importance of prayers’ value, as they were enjoined in the highest heavens. 6 - This miracle refers to the rank of the Prophet God, the Great and Almighty. (PBUH) to His 7 - The journey by night and ascension was a turning point in the life of the Messenger (PBUH). O Allah, guide us to fulfill the best of deeds, and to have good faith in You, and help us to have the true trust in You, O Lord of Creations. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 288 82 - Caring for Children in Islam Praise be to Allah, Who bestowed upon us the gift of having children, and made them a comfort and joy for the soul and heart, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the best of worshippers, and upon his Family and Companions till the Day of Calling. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Wealth and children are the ornament of this present life} [Al-Kahf: v. 46]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Order your family to pray and be patient in it. We do not ask you for provisions, rather, it is We who provide for you. And the final outcome is for the cautious} [Ta-Ha: v. 132]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Mothers shall suckle their children for two years completely, for whoever desires to fulfill the suckling} [Al-Baqarah: v. 233]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Allah has given you wives from among yourselves, and has given you and your wives, sons and grandsons and He has provided you with good things. What, do they believe in vanity; do they disbelieve in the favor of Allah?} [An-Nahl: v. 72]. Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Amr (ABPWT): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “It is sinful enough for a person to withhold from those he / she owns their sustenance”(1). And in another narration, (1) Narrated Muslim: 996. 82 - Caring for Children in Islam 289 “It is sinful enough for a person to neglect those he / she sustains”(1). Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Amr (ABPWT): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Order your children to pray at the age of seven, and hit them for doing it at the age of ten, and separate them in beds”(2). The Overall Meaning Allah created children and made them a blessing and ornament for the present life, and made their parents love them, sympathize with them, and wish to offer goodness to them, especially in childhood. Modern laws demand these rights, according to their views, for the noticeable negligence of children’s rights. But, as human nature varies in knowledge and appreciation of this goodness, the Divine Law came to clarify the best ways and methods to protect children and care for them. Hence, a child’s rights are permanent since he / she is shaped as an embryo in a mother’s womb. When the soul is breathed into him / her, transgression against him / her is forbidden in consensus (of Moslem legal scholars). Islamic jurisprudence forced a penalty upon his / her killer called Al Gharrah; it is: a slave whose price is worth half of the blood-money’s tenth value. Once he / she comes out to life, the Islamic jurisprudence affirms his / her inheritance and bequest right. It also affirms his / her nursing and expenditure. The first thing of all that is to affirm the right of natural nursing and suckling for an adequate (1) Narrated Abu Dawood: 1692. (2) Narrated Abu Dawood: 495. 290 Lessons of the Mosques period of time in order to let him / her grow up psychologically and physically. The Islamic jurisprudence also affirms expenditure until puberty, so that he / she does not have to work and earn a living and get exploited or abused psychologically or physically. It also considers negligence of those whom a person sustains as one of the worst sins. On the other hand, the Islamic Law obligated that a child’s money is to be preserved from spoiling, and encouraged to grow his money as a voluntary work on the part of the rich, and as a reward for the poor. On the other hand, the Islamic Law warned against sexual discrimination among children, pointing to the fact that both sexes are gifts of Allah, the Great and Almighty, without any distinction between a male and a female. Then, the Prophet’s (PBUH) directed people to the ways through which one praises to Allah, thanks Him for this gift, and affirms the child’s rights. He (PBUH) set the Sunnah of Aqiqah (slaughtering a sheep or two for the occasion of a baby’s birth, and giving away parts of them as almsgiving), and ordered that a child’s name should be good. Then he (PBUH) directed people to relate the children with Their Creator when they are very young, and directed that they be ordered to perform prayers at the age of seven. There is an important and a kind act of the Islamic jurisprudence, which states that a child’s right of life is preserved by the Islamic Law, even if he / she was not a result of a legal marriage. An adultery-pregnant woman came to ask the Prophet (PBUH) to enact the penalty of adultery upon her to purify her from 82 - Caring for Children in Islam 291 her sin, but the Prophet (PBUH) sent her back home and gave her a time limit to give birth to the child, then sent her back once again, till she nurses the baby until it can depend on itself. Throughout these Islamic teachings, we find that Islam gained precedence in showing the child’s right and his / her care. We pray to Allah, be He exalted, that He sets our children right, and preserve them against every misfortune. Benefits 1 - Childhood has a preserved right that should not be neglected. 2 - Treating children equally unify their hearts. 3 - A child should not be permitted to obtain his / her money until maturity, so as to preserve his / her money. 4 - A child is not to be blamed for the sins of others. 5 - Islam gained precedence in affirming children’s rights and their care. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 292 83 - Prohibition of Drugs Praise be to Allah, Who permitted the legal delights, and forbade impurities and intoxicants, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him who was sent to preserve brains from conflicts and misleading matters, our master, Mohammad, and upon his Family and Companions who won the highest degrees. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Believers, wine and gambling, idols and divining arrows are abominations from the work of Satan. Avoid them, in order that you prosper} [Al-Ma’idah: v. 90]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {and to those who shall follow the Messenger the Unlettered Prophet (Muhammad) whom they shall find written with them in the Torah and the Gospel. He will order kindness upon them and forbid them to do evil. He will make good things lawful to them and prohibit all that is foul} [Al-A’raf: v. 157]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Believers, do not consume your wealth among yourselves in falsehood, except there be trading by your mutual agreement. And do not kill yourselves. Allah is the Most Merciful to you} [An-Nisa’: v. 29]. Narrated Um Salamah (ABPWH) said, ‘Allah’s Messenger forbade every intoxicating and weakening liquors’.(1) (1) Narrated Abu Dawood: 3686. (PBUH) 83 - Prohibition of Drugs 293 Narrated Abi Sa’eed Al Khidri (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “One is forbidden to do harm and to cause damage to others”.(1) Narrated Ibn Omar (ABPWT): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Every intoxicant is wine, and every intoxicant is forbidden”.(2) Narrated Jabir (ABPWT): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Every intoxicant is forbidden. Verily Allah, be He exalted, made a covenant to those who drank intoxicants to make their drink Tinat al-Khabal”. They said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger, what is Tinat a]-Khabal?’ He said, “It is the sweat of the inhabitants of Hell or the extraction of the inhabitants of Hell”.(3) The Overall Meaning Allah honored mankind with minds, and sent down a revelation to advance and develop them. He forbade everything that causes them harm, disables and impairs them. Good and evil are distinguished by means of them. They are entrusted with the assignments they are created for. Weakness of faith makes sick personalities search in the mirage of wines, intoxicants and drugs for what compensates them. So, they become victims of psychological, nervous and mental diseases. Therefore, the Islamic jurisprudence was keen on forbidding everything that causes harm. (1) Al Muwatta’a: 2171, (not narrated directly to the Messenger (PBUH)), and Ibn Majah: 2341. (2) Narrated Muslim: 2003. (3) Narrated Muslim: 2002. 294 Lessons of the Mosques When a person breaks down his / her own body, harms it, and impair it with what intoxicates the mind, wastes money, and corrupts morals, then it is a great sin. Addiction to drugs is a flagrant crime. They lead to and causes weakness, laziness and inactivity, and drowns the mind in fantasies. They weaken memory, blunt the mind and cause lack of concentration, damage senses, make one lose control over himself/ herself. They also lead one to be violent, and takes away one’s bashfulness, sense of honor, and jealousy. They destroy social ties as they spread evil, and motives of corruption, delude one from praising to Allah, and from performing prayers. Through which the Devil sow enmity and hatred among their addicted; therefore, they deprive the addicted of wisdom and reason, and of the ability to arrange things and think. As a result, accidents, quarrels, and dissensions increase, in addition to crimes being committed, secrets disclosed, homes and families broken and impoverished with their reputation abused. In addition to this, the effects of drugs are devastating to economy, for a drug addict is a sick person who needs medication and treatment, in addition to his / her being poor, unemployed and unproductive, and rather needs to be assisted financially. Everything that blocks the mind, intoxicates it, and drives it away from its distinguishing and aware nature, is forbidden, be it edible or drinkable. It is also forbidden to plant, trade and merchandising it. When Allah, be He exalted, forbids something, He forbids its price also. Hence, it is apparent that taking drugs is an act of transgression against the five necessities that the Islamic Law came to preserve. 83 - Prohibition of Drugs 295 It is well known that the overall rule in the Islamic Law is based on the forbiddance of impurities and permission of legal delights. So, all people should work together to preserve and keep minds pure and clear, through religious awareness, and adherence to the pure and chaste morals. Benefits 1 - Taking drugs of all kinds, and in any way is considered of the greater sins. 2 - Parents and guardians should protect their children from bad companies. 3 - All classes of a society should cooperate to fight this destructive Disease and addiction. 4 - The one who is afflicted with this disease should repent quickly, stop it, and undergo medical treatment. Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our Prophet, Mohammad, and upon all of his Family and Companions. D D D 296 Lessons of the Mosques 84 - The Merit of The Month of Sha’aban Praise be to Allah, and His blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, and upon his Family and Companions. Narrated Aishah, Mother of Believers (ABPWH), ‘Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) used to fast until we come to say, ‘He will not break his fast’, and break his fast until we come to say, ‘He never fasts’. And I never saw Allah’s Messenger complete a month’s fasting except for Ramadan, and I never saw him fast in a month more than in Sha’aban’(1). Narrated Anas Bin Malek (ABPWH), ‘Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) used to fast with no break, until we say, ‘He (PBUH) does not intend to break his fast this year,’ then break his fast with no fasting, until we say, ‘He (PBUH) does not intend to fast this year,’ and the most favorable time for him to fast was during the month of Sha’aban’(2). Narrated Usama Bin Zaid (ABPWT), ‘I said: O Messenger of Allah! I haven’t seen you fast in a month like you do in Sah’aban’. He (PBUH) replied, “That is a month people don’t pay attention to it, between Rajab and Ramadan, and it is a month in which deeds are raised and referred to the Lord (1) Narrated Al Bukhari and Muslim. (2) Narrated Imam Ahmad in Al Musnad; and Al Tabarani in Al Awsat, and in which there is Othman Bi Rasheed Al Thaqafi, and he is a weak narrator. I said: He is mentioned in the two Correct Hadiths, narrated by Aishah as previously said. 84 - The Merit of The Month of Sha’aban 297 of Creation, so, I love to have my deeds raised while I am fasting”(1). Narrated Mu’az Bin Jabal (ABPWH), Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Allah looks down at His servants at the night of the mid of Sha’aban; and He forgives all of His creation, except for an atheist or an argument maker or a trouble maker”(2). The Overall Meaning The month of Sha’aban is an introduction and preparation for the month of Ramadan, therefore fasting in it was allowed so that a person gets ready to receive Ramadan, and train his soul to obey Allah, the Great and Almighty. It is one of Allah’s gifts bestowed upon his believing servants. It also has many good benefits and merits, and through which great awards descend. Therefore, the Prophet (PBUH) distinguished it with more care and attention, and fasted as much as he could of it; and it is a month most of people don’t pay attention to (are inattentive of) between Rajab and Ramadan, where deeds are raised and referred to Allah, the Great and Almighty, during which. You have to know - dear audience - that the event of changing the direction of the Qiblah (direction of Muslims in prayer) occurred during the month of Sha’aban, from Al Masjid al Aqsaa to Al Masjid al Haraam. The Prophet (PBUH) kept on (1) Narrated Ibn Abi Shaybah, Al Nasa’i and Al Maqdisi, and said: its narration is accepted. (2) Narrated Ibn Hibban in his Saheeh; and Al Tabarani in his two Mu’jams: Al Kabeer and Al Awsat; and Al Haythami mentioned it in Al Majma’, and said: Narrated it Al Tabarani in Al Awsat, and their narrators are trusted. Lessons of the Mosques 298 praying for a while, directing himself to the Qiblah of Al Masjid al Aqsaa, wishing that Allah, be He exalted, permits him to change the Qiblah. He was waiting for this, and turning his face towards the heaven, expecting a revelation to descend. So, Allah comforted his eye, and fulfilled his wish, and there descended the revelation of Allah, {We have seen you turning your face towards the heaven, We shall surely turn you to a direction that shall satisfy you. So turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque (built by Abraham); wherever you are, turn your faces to it. ‘ Those to whom the Book was given know this to be the truth from their Lord. Allah is not inattentive of what they do} [Al-Baqarah: v. 144]. So, let us please Allah, the Great and Almighty, and be near Him in this month by adhering to obedience and doing good deeds, such as fasting, praying at night, supplication, reciting the Qur’an, maintaining relations with the kindred, and consolation of orphans. Benefits 1 - The month of Sha’aban is a blessed month. 2 - The month of Sha’aban is a preparation for the month of Ramadan. 3 - The alteration of the Qiblah from Al Masjid al Aqsaa to Al Masjid al Haraam occurred during the month of Sha’aban. 4 - It is preferable to fast in Sha’aban. 5 - Deeds are raised and referred to Allah, be He exalted, in Sha’aban - the annual raise and referral. 84 - The Merit of The Month of Sha’aban 299 O Allah, bless for us the month of Sha’aban, and we pray to You that we reach the month of Ramadan, and help us to observe fasting and night prayers, O Lord of Creation. O Allah, we pray to You to grant us success to observe what You love and be content with, and bestow upon us good deeds which You be content for our doing them by virtue of Your Mercy, O You the Most Merciful. D D D 300 Lessons of the Mosques 85 - Trust in Allah, its Essence and Fruits Praise be to Allah, Who responds to him / her who supplicates to Him, Who wipes out the anguish of him / her who invokes Him, and he / she who refers and entrusts his / her issues to Him, then He will suffice him / her, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon he whom He chose, our master, Mohammad, and upon his Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Put your trust in the All Living who never dies, and exalt with His praise, He is sufficiently aware of His worshipers’ sins} [Al-Furkan: v. 58]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {and in Allah believers put all their trust} [Al-Imran: v. 122]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Those to whom the people said: ‘The people have gathered against you, therefore fear them, ‘ but it increased them in belief and they said: ‘Allah is Sufficient for us. He is the Best Guardian’.} [Al-Imran: v. 173]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Allah is Sufficient for whosoever puts his trust in Him. Indeed, Allah brings about whatever He decrees. Allah has set a measure for all things} [At-Talaq: v. 3]. Narrated Anas Bin Malek (ABPWH), ‘A man said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Shall I have control over issues, and put my trust in Allah, or shall I leave them, and put my trust in Allah?’ He 85 - Trust in Allah, its Essence and Fruits 301 said, “Have control over them, and put your trust in Allah”(1). (PBUH) Narrated Omar Bin Al Khattab (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “If you truly and verily had put your trust in Allah, you would have got your subsistence just like birds; they go in the morning with empty stomachs (seeking subsistence), and come back full and sufficed”(2). Narrated Anas Bin Malek (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “If someone goes out of his house, saying: ‘In the Name of Allah, I put my trust in Allah, and there is no Power nor Strength but with Allah,’ he said (PBUH), ‘then, he will be answered: ‘You have been guided, sufficed, and protected, and devils retreat from him,’ then another devil comes and says: How can you seduce someone who has been guided, sufficed and protected?!”(3). The Overall Meaning Trust in Allah is one of the origins of faith, and bases of religion. It is the truthful dependence of the heart on Allah and trust in Him, be He exalted, for obtainment of interests and good deeds, and pushing away evils, in regard to all matters of the present life and the hereafter. It is, also, the certainty that there is none but He Who gives and takes, ordains hardship or bestows bliss upon people, with the importance to take the necessary means needed for doing things. (1) Narrated Al Tirmithi: 2517. (2) Narrated Al Tirmithi: 2344, and Ibn Majah: 4164. (3) Narrated Abu Dawood: 5095, and Al Tirmithi: 3426, in a shortened form. Lessons of the Mosques 302 Whomever neglects the means and causes of things, with the ability to take them, then his / her trust and dependence will be an incapacity. Trust is a character of the sent Messengers, and an inseparable attribute of believers. So, when someone takes all measures and means and seeks them with all his powers, then this is considered as an obedience to Allah; and when the someone puts his trust in Allah with his / her heart, then this is considered as believing in Him. Trust is of two types: The First: Trust in Allah for having one’s needs granted, and the worldly evils pushed away. The Second: Trust in Allah for seeking and getting what He loves and becomes satisfied with is considered as having faith in Him. Trust has great fruits and results, such as: First: It is a reason for letting its holder enter Paradise. The Prophet (PBUH) mentioned, among other characteristics, the characteristics of those who enter Paradise without judgment or torture, that they put their trust in Their Lord. Second: It is a reason for increasing faith and the strength of certainty. Third: It is a reason for eliminating grieves and worries. Whomever his / her heart is directly related to Allah, and refers back his / her matters of life to Him, and empties his / her heart from loving but Him, Allah then will respond to him / her with His Kindness, Gratitude, Mercy and Benefaction, and granted him / her his / her needs, eased his matters, and blessed his / her living. 85 - Trust in Allah, its Essence and Fruits 303 And whomever does not put his / her trust in Allah, will gain no hope, feel unrest, and will toil in the present life without achieving any hoped goal, and without having any supply for the hereafter. So, put your trust in Allah, O believers, and you will have your subsistence obtained for you with the simplest reason, just as they are obtained for birds, only and merely because they go and come back. Benefits 1 - Trust in Allah is one of the origins of faith, and bases of religion. 2 - The real trust entails taking the necessary means needed for doing things. 3 - Trust is a reason for heart’s ease, and termination of worries. 4 - True and real trust brings forth steadfastness against hardships. D D D 304 Lessons of the Mosques 86 - An Employee’s Characters in Islam Praise be to Allah, Who commanded people to have righteous work, and to earn their living legally, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, characterized with the best of qualities, and upon all of his Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Believers, do not betray Allah and the Messenger, nor knowingly betray your trust} [Al-Anfal: v. 27]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {One of the two women said: ‘Father, hire him. The best who you can hire, is the strong, the honest’} [Al-Qasas: v. 26]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Allah orders justice, and good deeds, and giving to one’s kindred. He forbids indecency, dishonor and insolence. He admonishes you in order that you take heed} [An-Nahl: v. 90]. Narrated Ka’ab Bin Ujrah (ABPWH), ‘A man came to the Prophet (PBUH), and the Companions of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) saw his endurance and patience, so they said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! If only that was for the sake of Allah?!’ Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “If he went out seeking to support his little children, then he went for the sake of Allah, if he went out seeking to support elderly parents, then he went for the sake of Allah, if he went out to seek chastity and purity for himself, then he went for the sake of Allah, but if he 86 - An Employee’s Characters in Islam 305 went out for hypocrisy and boasting, then he went for the sake of the Devil”(1). Narrated Aishah (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Allah love that if any of you did something, that he / she masters it”(2). The Overall Meaning Islam is the religion of work and mastery. It urges its followers to work and reject laziness. Employment and work are kinds of worship which a Muslim uses to become near to Allah, if he / she intends by it to fulfill the needs of his / her family, abstain from asking others for help, or intends to seek the worship of His God. Employment has characteristics and ethics that a Muslim employee should be marked with. Of these characteristics and ethics are: potency and mastery, and carrying out the work with the utmost determination and resolution. One of the most important things that a Muslim should be endowed with at his / her work is: faithfulness. A Muslim employee should perform his / her works by virtue of piety and Allah’s observance of him / her in his / her work. One of the qualities of a Muslim employee is: justice and being far from injustice. (1) Narrated Al Tabarani in Al Mi’jam Al Kabeer 19/129, and Al Munthiri said in Al Targheeb wa Al Tarheeb (10/75, 165): and his narrators are of the correct Hadith. (2) Narrated Al Tabarani in Al Mi’jam Al Awsat 1/275. Lessons of the Mosques 306 What distinguishes a Muslim employee is the good manners and treatment that he / she shows to his / her directors, colleagues and clients. So, dear employee, be easy, tender, modest, merciful and kind. Benefits 1 - Work is considered as a worship, and the Muslim is rewarded for if he / she sacrifices it for Allah’s reward. 2 - Mastery of work is a duty. D D D 87 - Bribe and its Danger 307 87 - Bribe and its Danger Praise be to Allah, Who forbade bribe and considered it one of the abominations, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon he who threatened against it with the severest penalties, and upon his Family and Companions, holders of noble qualities. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Do not consume your wealth between you in falsehood; neither propose it to judges, in order that you sinfully consume a portion of the people’s wealth, while you know} [Al-Baqarah: v. 188]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {They are listeners to lies and devourers of the unlawful. If they come to you, judge between them or turn away from them. If you avoid them they cannot harm you in anything; but if you judge, judge between them with fairness. Allah loves the just} [Al-Ma’idah: v. 42]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {You see many of them race with one another in sin and transgression and eat illegal things [as bribes and Riba (usury)]. Evil indeed is that which they have been doing} [Al-Ma’idah: v. 62]. Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Omar (ABPWT), ‘Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) cursed the bribe giver and bribe taker(1). Narrated Abu Hurayra (ABPWH), ‘Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) cursed the bribe taker and bribe giver in a law judgment”(2). (1) Narrated Abu Dawood: 3580, and Al Tirmithi: 1337. (2) Narrated Al Tirmithi: 1336. Lessons of the Mosques 308 Narrated Abi Humayd Al Sa’idi (ABPWH), ‘Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) assigned a person to collect the alms of Bani Suleim, and he was called Ibn Al Lutabiyyah. When he turned back, he (PBUH) settled the account with him. The man said, ‘This is your money, and this is a gift’. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) then said, “Why don’t you stay at your parents’ house, till your gift comes to you, if you are honest?” He (PBUH) started a speech, and praised Allah and exalted Him, then said, “I assign one of you to work according to what Allah appointed me to do, and he comes back saying, ‘This is your money, and this is a gift given to me! Why doesn’t he stay at his father’s and mother’s houses till his present comes to him? I swear to Allah, that if any of you takes something without its due right, then he will stand before Allah holding it, as a punishment, on the Day of Resurrection”(1). The Overall Meaning Bribe is taking money to confirm the wrong and abolish the right. It is a crime and a vice that deprives a person of his personality, degrades his dignity, and makes him / her fall down to the lowest level of lowness and disgrace. Because of which, rights are lost, scales are imbalanced, and the society will face a wide range of corruption, due to the death of conscience and corruption of fidelity. Therefore, Islam warned us against it, forbade it and fought against it everywhere. Islam stressed on its extreme penalty, by cursing the one who takes it, the one who gives it, and the one who mediates to let it happen. (1) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 6979, and Muslim: 1832. 87 - Bribe and its Danger 309 Bribe is treason and injustice. It wastes the efforts of the faithful, and frustrates the aspirations of the creative. The Muslim society should fight against this crime, for its damage exceeds to others, thus corrupting the society and causing rights to be wasted. Benefits 1 - The bribe causes the anger of the Lord, and brings torture and curse. 2 - It is a corruption of society, and an obstruction facing development and civilization. 3 - The bribe abolishes the rights of the weak and spreads injustice. D D D 310 Lessons of the Mosques 88 - Only Allah knows the Ghaib (All that is hidden) Praise be to Allah, All-Knower of the Unseen and its secrets, Who integrated night and day within a cycle, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the chosen Prophet, and upon his pious Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Say: ‘None in the heavens or the earth knows the Unseen except Allah, and they are not aware when they shall be resurrected’.} [An-Naml: v. 65]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {With Him are the keys of the unseen, none knows them but He. He knows that which is in the land and sea. No leaf falls except He knows it, and there is no grain in the darkness of the earth, fresh or withered, but is recorded in a clear Book} [Al-An’am: v. 59]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {To Allah belongs the unseen of the heavens and the earth. The matter of the Final Hour shall be like the twinkling of an eye, or even less. Allah has power over all things} [An-Nahl: v. 77]. Narrated Ibn Omar (ABPWT), Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The Keys of the Ghaib are five, and only Allah knows them: Only Allah knows what the wombs hold, only Allah knows what will happen tomorrow, only Allah knows when it is going to rain, only Allah knows in what land one’s 88 - Only Allah knows the Ghaib (All that is hidden) 311 life will cease to be, and only Allah knows when the Hour (Day or Resurrection) will be established”(1). Narrated Safiyyah (ABPWH), narrated some of Allah’s Prophet’s (PBUH) wives, that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever goes to a soothsayer, and asks him about something, his / her prayer will be rejected for forty nights”(2). The Overall Meaning Only Allah knows the Ghaib. Whoever alleges that he / she knows the Ghaib, then he / she denies the Qur’an. Allah has hidden the knowledge of the Ghaib even from the closest angels, and sent Prophets, besides other creations. What Allah has told His Prophets of Ghaib news, and what would happen on the Day of Resurrection and the like, is only by means of His telling them thus, and not according to their own knowledge. Messengers do not know the Ghaib, nor do angels, unless they are told by Allah about part of it. This belief makes a Muslim feel confident and sure of his God, depend on Him, and refute those who allege Ghaib, fortune-tellers, soothsayers, palmists, fortune tellers who read lines on cups, and people of witchcraft and sorcery. In addition to them, there are people who deal with luck, ascendant, horoscope and stars, who slanderously and falsely allege knowing Ghaib, and manipulate the minds of the naïve, for Ghaib belongs to Allah only, and the Commandment and Order of matters are within His power only. (1) Narrated Al Bukhari: 7379. (2) Narrated Muslim: 2230. Lessons of the Mosques 312 Benefits 1 - Only Allah knows the Ghaib. 2 - Whoever alleges knowing the Ghaib denies the Qur’an. 3 - Whoever believes that Ghaib belongs to Allah, then this will protect him / her from the plays and tricks of sorcerers and the like. D D D 89 - Motivating People to Work 313 89 - Motivating People to Work Praise be to Allah, Who commanded His servants to work and master their work, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, who was supported with the Qur’an, and upon his Family and Companions, and those who followed them in piety. Allah, be He exalted, said, {It is He who has made the earth submissive to you. Walk about in its land and eat of His provision. To Him is the Resurrection} [Al-Mulk: v. 15]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {so that they might eat of its fruit and the labor of their hands. Will they not give thanks?} [Ya-Sin: v. 35]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Then, when the prayer has ended, disperse in the land and seek the favor of Allah, and, remember Allah often, so that you prosper} [Al-Jumu’ah: v. 10]. Narrated Al Miqdam Bin Ma’ad Yakreb, (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “There is no better food for a person than to eat from what he earns by his hand’s work, and Allah’s Prophet Dawood (PBUH) used to eat only from the work of his hand”(1). Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “It is betters for a man to gather wood, bundle it, and put (1) Narrated Al Bukhari: 2072. Lessons of the Mosques 314 it on his back than to ask people for alms, where he might be given or not”(1). Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger “Zakariya (Zachariya) was a carpenter”(2). (PBUH) said, The Overall Meaning Work in Islam has a great value; it is useful to populate the earth, to suffice servants, and also useful for obeying Allah, Glory be to Him. The Prophet (PBUH) urged believers to work and ordered them to do so. He was the ideal example of this. He worked as a shepherd for the people of Makkah, worked in trade for Khadijah Bint Khuwayled (ABPWH). He showed that the best kind of food is that which a person earns and eats from the work of his / her own hand, and that this was a rubric adopted by all previous Prophets. Allah’s Prophets, Dawood, Zakariya and others (PBUT), all used to eat from what their hands earn. So, work is useful for populating earth and increasing reward. Benefits 1 - Prophets, Messengers and the pious all ate from the work of their hands. 2 - The advanced and virtuous society is the one which residents are keen on work and productivity. (1) Al Muwatta’: 2853, Al Bukhari: 2074, and Muslim: 1042, and the expression is Al Bukhari’s. (2) Narrated Muslim: 2379. 89 - Motivating People to Work 315 3 - The best people are those who work for themselves with their hands in order to spare themselves of asking assistance humbly from others. 4 - Mastering one’s work is a duty for a Muslim. 5 - Seeking work and means of subsistence is requested by the Islamic Law, and has many reasons. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 316 90 - The Rights of Servants and Laborers Praise be to Allah, Who commanded prevailing justice and piety, and Who considered rendering and fulfilling rights as part of faith, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, who was sent as a mercy upon the human kind and Jinn, and upon his Family and Companions throughout the ages. Allah, be He exalted, said, {People, We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you might know one another. The noblest of you before Allah is the most righteous of you. Allah is the Knower, the Aware} [Al-Hujurat: v. 13]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {What, is it they who divide the Mercy of your Lord! (It is) We who divided between them their livelihoods in this life, raising some in rank above others, so that some may take the other into his service. Your Lord’s Mercy is better than all they gather} [Az-Zukhruf: v. 32]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {and do not diminish the goods of the people, and do not make mischief in the earth, working corruption} [Ash-Shu’ara’: v. 183]. Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Omar, (ABPWT): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Give the laborer his due right before his sweat dries out”(1). (1) Narrated Ibn Majah: 2443. 90 - The Rights of Servants and Laborers 317 Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “There are three types of people that I am their adversary on the Day of Resurrection: a man who gave something on my behalf, then betrayed, and a man who sold a free man as a slave, then ate his price in his stomach illegally, and a man who hired a laborer and got what he needed without paying him his wages”(1). Narrated Abi Mas’oud Al Ansari (ABPWH), ‘I was hitting a slave boy of mine, when I heard a voice from behind me saying, “Aba Mas’oud, make known that Allah is more Able to control you than you do to him”. I turned around and it was Allah’s Messenger (PBUH), so I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Then he is free for the sake of Allah’. He (PBUH) then said, “Have you not done this, Hell fire would have scorched or touched you”(2). The Overall Meaning Allah, be He exalted, has divided sustenance amongst people, and raised some of them above others in degrees in the present life. He appointed them to work for each other, so that matters and interests of life would be fulfilled, kindness will exist among human beings, earth will be populated and utilized. Their status in Allah’s view is in as much as they have faith in Him and as much as they are pious. Verily, there are so many servants in Allah’s view who are better than their masters. So, if someone has servants or workers working for him, he / she should not disdain nor despise them. On the contrary, he / she should do (1) Narrated Al Bukhari: 2270. (2) Narrated Muslim: 1659. Lessons of the Mosques 318 them good, and treat them as the Prophet servants. (PBUH) treated his If a person’s power and ability allowed him to be unjust to whom Allah made him / her a servant for him / her, then he should remember Allah’s Omnipotence, Strength, and Might. A Muslim should render rights back to the concerned people. Thus, he / she gives the laborer his wages before his sweat dries out. A Muslim is not allowed to do him / her injustice, use his / her weakness to hit him / her, to assign him / her with unbearable work, or to delay his / her wage. A Muslim should overlook a laborer’s mistakes, or his / her falling short of work, as much as he / she could, and should advise him / her if he / she slipped, and teach him / her if he / she was ignorant. Injustice to non-Muslim servants is forbidden. On the contrary, one should invite them to Islam, with his / her good manners, and kind treatment, and should not alienate them from Islam and make them hate it by means of his / her ill-treatment. Benefits 1 - Islam orders us to render back the rights to every person who has right kept with us. 2 - A laborer or a servant is not to be assigned with unbearable work, and if he / she is assigned, then he / she should be helped. 3 - The nation should embrace the example of the Messenger’ (PBUH) treatment with servants. 90 - The Rights of Servants and Laborers 319 4 - One should be wary of the consequences of injustice imposed upon servants and laborers. 5 - Whomsoever is deceived by his power should remember Allah’s Might over him. 6 - Whomsoever prevents a laborer from taking his wages, the Prophet (PBUH) will be his adversary on the Day of Resurrection. D D D 320 Lessons of the Mosques 91 - The Danger of Witchcraft and Sorcery Praise be to Allah, Who repelled the deceit of corruptors and magicians, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon who forbade believing soothsayers and fortune-tellers, our master, Mohammad, and upon his truthful and pious Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {And follow what the devils recited over the Kingdom of Solomon. Solomon did not disbelieve, it is the devils who disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was sent down upon the angels Harut and Marut in Babylon. They did not teach anyone, until both had said: ‘We have been sent as a trial; do not disbelieve’. From them they learned how they might separate a husband and his wife. However, they did not harm anyone with it, except by the permission of Allah. Indeed, they learned what harms them and does not profit them, yet they knew that anyone who buys it would have no share in the Everlasting Life. Evil is that for which they have sold their souls, if they but knew!} [Al-Baqarah: v. 102]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {For that which they made is but the guile of a sorcerer. Wherever he goes the sorcerer does not prosper’.} [Ta-Ha: v. 69]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {(Then) Pharaoh said: ‘Bring every skilled sorcerer’. *When the sorcerers came, Moses said to them: ‘Cast down what you will cast’. *And when they had cast, Moses said: ‘What you have brought is sorcery. Surely, Allah will render it as nothing. Allah does not put right the work of the corrupt’.} [Yunus: v. 79-81]. 91 - The Danger of Witchcraft and Sorcery 321 Allah, be He exalted, said, {from the evil of the slinking whisperer} [Al-Falaq: v. 4]. Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Avoid the seven noxious things”. Those around him said, ‘What are they, Messenger of Allah?’ He replied, “Associating anything with Allah, magic, killing of one whom God has declared inviolate without a just cause, consuming of usury consuming the property of an orphan, and turning back when the army advances, and slandering chaste women who are believers, but unwary”(1). Narrated Safiyyah (ABPWH), narrated some of Allah’s Prophet’s (PBUH) wives, that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever goes to a soothsayer and asks him about something, his / her prayer will not be accepted for forty nights”(2). Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whoever goes to a fortune-teller or a soothsayer, and believes what he says, then he disbelieves in what was descended upon Mohammad (PBUH”(3). The Overall Meaning Islam has implanted faith in Allah’s Ability in the hearts. It affirmed that Allah, the Great and Almighty, is the Knower of the Hidden, and the Ruler of the world of causes and causatives. Islam directed Muslims towards the reality of things, and closed (1) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 2766, and Muslim: 89. (2) Narrated Muslim: 2230. (3) Narrated Abu Dawood: 3904. 322 Lessons of the Mosques the doors of illusion and ignorance. It rejected the information of the fortune-tellers who allege knowing Ghaib, and the conditions and secrets of creatures in the future. Islam forbade magic and dealing with it, and going to sorcerers and magicians, for magic is based on polytheism, and rapprochement to devils. As magic is a disease that affects bodies and causes them to get sick, separates a man from his wife, then it is legitimate to seek means for cure, and to take the permissible measures leading to recovery. The most important of which is using the Qur’an as protective means, i.e. Al Ruqya, where the Qur’an is a cure for every disease. Also, one can benefit from invocations and using Prophetic supplications which are great in number. There is no harm, also, in taking the permitted medications. But curing diseases by resorting to magic, fortune-tellers and sorcerers, and using what they talk about, is denied and forbidden, as they tell lies about what they allege to know about Ghaib, and drown the naïve in illusions. So, people should be cautious not to go to those who allege knowing Ghaib, disclosure of stolen properties, separation of married couples and of brothers, and to those who throw stones. We should be content with Allah’s destiny, be He exalted, and solve our problems by means of what Allah permits us to use, such as reading the Qur’an, Prophetic supplications, supplication and invocation to Whom all matters are within His hand. We should adhere to certain expressions of praise to Allah in the morning, at night, when going to bed, and after prayers, and avoid to walk in the path of the inattentive and sorcerers. 91 - The Danger of Witchcraft and Sorcery 323 Benefits 1 - Practicing magic is forbidden; it is polytheism and seeking the help o the Devil. 2 - Magic is one of the noxious things, and it thwarts works. 3 - It does not harm anyone, except if Allah wills. A human being shoul seek Allah’s refuge in supplication against its evils. 4 - One should not believes what magicians and sorcerers say. Going t them and paying them money is forbidden. 5 - A magician does not spoil nor fix, but rather arouse enmity amon people. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 324 92 - Injustice is Darkness on the Day of Resurrection Praise be to Allah, the All-Powerful and Almighty, Who forbade injustice and made Hell-fire the abode of the unjust, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the chosen Prophet, and upon his Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Indeed, Allah does not wrong mankind a thing, but they wrong themselves} [Yunus: v. 44]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {As for those who believe and do good works, He will pay them their wages in full. Allah does not love the harm-doers} [Al- Imran: v. 57]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Indeed, the harm doers shall have no helpers} [Al-Hajj: v. 71]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Do not think that Allah is unaware of the harm doers work. He only gives them respite till the Day on which all eyes will stare, *when they shall run with their necks outstretched and heads erect, their glances never return to themselves, their hearts are empty} [Ibrahim: v. 42-43]. Narrated Abi Tharr (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) narrated of what he narrated of Allah, be He blessed and exalted, as saying, “My servants! I have forbidden injustice on Myself, and have forbidden it on you all, so do not be unjust”(1). (1) Narrated Muslim: 2577. 92 - Injustice is Darkness on the Day of Resurrection 325 Narrated Jaber Bin Abdi Allah (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Guard yourselves from injustice; injustice is darkness on the Day of Resurrection”(1). Narrated Abi Musa (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Allah grants respites to the unjust, and when He seizes him, He will never let him escape”. The narrator said, “Then he (PBUH) recited, {Such is the seizing of Your Lord, when He seizes the evildoing villages. His seizing is painful, stern}[Hud: v. 102]”(2). Narrated Abi Hurayra ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whomever has a grievance for his fellow-brother against him, related to his honor or anything else, then let him pay it back today before the time comes when no Dinar nor Dirham is of use. If he had a good deed, it will be deducted from him in as much as the grievance is, and if he did not have any good deeds, then some of his fellow-brother’s wrong deeds will be taken and given to him”(3). The Overall Meaning Injustice is darkness on the Day of Resurrection. Allah, be He exalted, forbade injustice on Himself, and deemed it forbidden on His slaves. The greatest injustice is associating others in worship with Allah, be He exalted. This is the case with regard to Allah’s due right. As for injustice on Allah’s servants, then this revolves around three things, namely, blood, money, and honor. (1) Narrated Muslim: 2578. (2) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 4686, and Muslim: 2583. (3) Narrated Al Bukhari: 2449. Lessons of the Mosques 326 Injustice has a bad consequence, and the unjust will lose in the end. So, guard yourselves against injustice - slaves of Allah - for rights must be rendered back. One type of injustice - slaves of Allah - is when one does himself/ herself injustice by deserting Allah’s commandments, such as prayers, almsgiving (Zakat), fasting, and the like, and through committing the sins that Allah forbids. So, fear Allah slaves of Allah - and call yourselves to account before you are called to, and send good deeds, or ask Allah to bestow upon you pious offspring for your own selves beforehand. Benefits 1 - Allah, be He exalted, forbade injustice on Himself, and deemed i forbidden on His slaves. 2 - Injustice is darkness on the Day of Resurrection. 3 - One should be aware of the call and supplication to Allah by th wronged, for nothing stands between it and Allah. 4 - Injustice has a very bad and unfavorable end, in the present life and th hereafter. D D D 93 - Almsgiving (Zakat) 327 93 - Almsgiving (Zakat) Praise be to Allah, Who deemed Zakat a purification for the rich’s money, a consolation for the poor, and a treatment of the disease of miserliness and stinginess, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the herald of good news and warning of Allah’s disobedience, and upon his Family and Companions, holders of donations and facilitation (ease). Allah, be He exalted, said, {Establish your prayers, pay the obligatory charity, and bow with those who bow} [Al-Baqarah: v. 43]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Take charity from their wealth, in order that they are thereby cleansed and purified, and pray for them; for your prayer is a comforting mercy for them. Allah is Hearing, Knowing} [At-Taubah: v. 103]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {And do not let those who are greedy with what Allah has given them of His Bounty think it is better for them, but rather, it is worse for them. They will be coiled in that which they were greedy on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Aware of what you do} [Al- Imran: v. 180]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Believers, many are the rabbis and monks who in falsehood defraud people of their possessions and bar people from the Path of Allah. Give glad tidings of a painful 328 Lessons of the Mosques punishment to those who treasure gold and silver and do not spend it in the Way of Allah. *On that Day they (the treasures) will be heated in the fire of Hell, and their foreheads, sides, and backs will be branded with them, and told: ‘These are the things which you have treasured. Taste then that which you were treasuring!’} [At-Taubah: v. 34-35]. Narrated Abu Allah Bin Omar (ABPWT): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Islam is founded on five pillars: the testimony that there is no God but Allah and that Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah, observing prayers, paying Zakat, performing Hajj, and fasting the month of Ramadan”(1). Narrated Jaber (ABPWH), ‘One of the people said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! What (would you say) if a man pays his Zakat?’ ‘ Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whoever pays his fortune’s Zakat, then his evils will depart him / her”(2). Narrated Abi Kabshah Al Anmari (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Three things I swear upon them, and I tell you something so learn it by heart - he said - a servant’s fortune will not decrease in quantity by paying Sadaqa alms”(3). Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whomever Allah grants him money (fortune), and does not pay its Zakat, then it will be embodied on the Day of Resurrection in the shape of a bold snake (serpent) with two horns, and it will wrap him on the Day of Resurrection, take hold of his two (1) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 8, and Muslim: 16. (2) Narrated Al Tabarani in Al Mu’jam Al Awsat 2/161, and Al Haythami in Majma’ Al Zawa’ed (3/63): it narration is good. (3) Narrated Al Tirmithi: 2325. 93 - Almsgiving (Zakat) 329 - Lihzimah - corners of the mouth, then say: I am your money, I am your treasure (amassment); then he (PBUH) recited:” {And let not those who covetously withhold…}(1) [Al-Imran: v. 180]. Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “None who owns gold or silver without paying their due right, but will have them, on the Day of Resurrection, molded as molds of fire, heated in Hell Fire. Then his side and forehead are burned with them in addition to his back; and whenever the parts of body cool, they are turned healthy to be tortured, and that occurs in a day that equals fifty thousand years, until all servants are given their judgments. Then, he / she will see their path: either to Paradise, or to Hell”(2). The Overall Meaning Zakat is a basic pillar of religion’s pillars, and one of the obligations that Islam obliged people to fulfill. Allah paralleled it with prayer in eighty two positions. Islam deemed it a cause for purifying money and its growth. Allah will efface the evils of the money for whomever pays it. Whoever pays it will taste the sweetness of faith. It is, also, an essential thing for the solidity, mercifulness, and sympathy in society. When its reward was that great, ignoring it had also a great punishment. So, a Muslim should know the boundaries and limits of what revelations and orders Allah sent down to His Messenger, and fulfill Allah’s rights duly. Then, good news of great reward will be brought to him / her. (1) Narrated Al Bukhari: 1403. (2) Narrated Muslim: 987. Lessons of the Mosques 330 These tables show the Zakat of livestock cattle (sheep and goats, camels, and cows): Number of sheep and goats Its due Zakat 1 to 39 There is no due Zakat for it. 40 to 120 A sheep that completed one year of age. 121 to 200 Two sheep 201 to 399 Three sheep 400 to 499 Four sheep 500 to 599 Five sheep 600 to 699 Six sheep And this is the system for each hundred sheep. Zakat of Camels Zakat of Cows No. of camels Their due Zakat No. of cows Their due Zakat 1 to 4 Nothing 1 to 29 No due Zakat for it 5 to 9 1 sheep (male or 30 to 39 Tabee’ female) completed a year. 10 to 14 2 sheep 40 to 59 Musinnah 15 to 19 3 sheep 60 to 69 2 Tabee’ 93 - Almsgiving (Zakat) 20 to 24 4 sheep 331 70 to 79 1 Musinnah and 1 Tabee’ 25 to 35 Bint Makhadh 80 to 89 2 Musinnah 36 to 45 Bint Laboun 90 to 99 3 Tabee’ 46 to 60 Hiqqah 100 to 109 2 Tabee’ and 1 Musinnah 61 to 75 Jatha’ah 110 to 119 1 Tabee’ and 2 Musinnah 76 to 90 2 Bint Laboun 120 to 129 4 Tabee’ or 3 Musinnah 91 to 120 2 Hiqqah 130 to 139 3 Tabee’ and 1 Musinnah 121 to 129 2 Hiqqah or 3 Bint 140 to 149 Laboun 130 to 139 Hiqqah and 2 Bint 2 Tabee’ and 2 Musinnah 150 to 159 5 Tabee’ 160 to 169 4 Tabee’ and Laboun 140 to 149 2 Hiqqah and 1 Bint Laboun 1 Musinnah or 4 Musinnah 150 to 159 3 Hiqqah 170 to 179 3 Tabee’ and 2 Musinnah 160 to 169 4 Bint Laboun 180 to 189 6 Tabee’ 170 to 179 1 Hiqqah and 3 190 to 199 5 Tabee’ and Bint Laboun 1 Musinnah Lessons of the Mosques 332 180 to 189 2 Hiqqah and 2 Bint Laboun 200 to 209 5 Musinnah 190 to 199 3 Hiqqah and 1 Bint Laboun 210 to 219 7 Tabee’ or 3 Tabee’ and 3 Musinnah 200 to 209 4 Hiqqah or 5 Bint Laboun 220 to 229 2 Tabee’ and 4 Musinnah Zakat of Camels No. of camels Their due Zakat 210 to 219 1 Hiqqah and 4 Bint Laboun 220 to 229 2 Hiqqah and 3 Bint Laboun 230 to 239 3 Hiqqah and 2 Bint Laboun 240 to 249 6 Bint Laboun or 4 Hiqqah and 1 Bint Laboun 250 to 259 5 Hiqqah 260 to 269 2 Hiqqah and 4 Bint Laboun 270 to 279 3 Hiqqah and 3 Bint Laboun 280 to 289 4 Hiqqah and 2 Bint Laboun 290 to 299 5 Hiqqah and 1 Bint Laboun 300 to 309 6 Hiqqah 310 to 319 3 Hiqqah and 4 Bint Laboun 320 to 329 4 Hiqqah and 3 Bint Laboun 330 to 339 5 Hiqqah and 2 Bint Laboun 93 - Almsgiving (Zakat) 333 Benefits 1 - Zakat is one of the bases of Islam, and a pillar of religion. 2 - Zakat is a purification of the soul, a cure for miserliness, a blessing fo the money, and a protection against its evils. 3 - The one who feel pleased with the payment of Zakat will find and tast the sweetness of faith. 4 - Every type of money which Zakat is paid is not considered as treasure. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 334 94 - Channeling The Zakat Praise be to Allah, Who showed how to channel Zakat according to His Knowledge and Wisdom, and who deemed its payment to its due people as performing His religious duty, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the one sent bestowed with His Mercy, and upon his Family, Fellow-Brothers, and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {The obligatory charity shall be only for the poor and the needy, and for those who work to collect it, and to influence hearts (to belief), for ransoming captives, and debtors in the Way of Allah and the destitute traveler. It is an obligation from Allah. Allah is Knowing, Wise} [At-Taubah: v. 60]. Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Amre (ABPWT): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Alms should not to be given to the rich, nor to the (healthy in body and mind) one free from any defect in body and mind”(1). Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The poor is not the one who is sufficed by a meal or two, but the one who does not have any riches and is shy, or does not ask people with importunity”(2). Narrated Abdi Al Muttalib Bin Rabi’a Bin Al Harith (1) Narrated Abu Dawood: 1634, and Al Tirmithi: 652. (2) Narrated Al Bukhari: 1476. (ABPWH): 94 - Channeling The Zakat 335 Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “These alms are the dirt of people, and they are not permissible for Mohammad nor for Mohammad’s Family”(1). The Overall Meaning The verse and Hadiths indicated that channels of Zakat are restricted in the following categories: 1- The poor: Who does not have money and has nothing to earn a livin from. 2- The needy: Who has money or an earning, but hardly sufficient fo him / her, such as a person who owns or gains seven or eight and is not sufficed but with ten. 3- Collectors of Zakat: Those who undertake collecting, calculating an delivering the Zakat to its due people. They get paid for their work, even if they are rich. 4- The newly converts into Islam: Those who converted into Isla newly, and faith is not yet firmly established in their hearts. They get paid from the Zakat to attract their hearts, strengthen their faith, and to arouse the Interest of this religion in their hearts. 5- Slaves (captives): They are the owned slaves. Those slaves who ca pay their masters a price in exchange for their freedom - according to a mutual contract between them are given a sum according to their needs, and as scholars would judge so. (1) Narrated Muslim: 1072. Lessons of the Mosques 336 6- The indebted: Who is indebted and has a dept to pay for others, bu does not have money to pay. 7- For Allah’s Sake. 8- Wayfarer: He is the traveler whose means of survival to continue hi travel are cut off. He is to be given from the Zakat as needed to reach him to his country, even if he is rich in his country. Benefits 1 - The Zakat is not permissible to be paid to other than the eigh categories. 2 - Who is more in need, then he / she is given priority to get the Zakat. 3 - The one who pays Zakat is not permitted to give it to dependant whom he should support and spend money for, such as the wife, children and parents. 4 - The Zakat is not permissible to be paid to our Prophet nor t his Family, as it is deemed the dirt of people. D D D (PBUH), 95 - The Merit of Alms 337 95 - The Merit of Alms Praise be to Allah, Who rewards those who offer alms, and Who does not allow the good works of the charitable to be lost, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon the faithful Messenger, the most generous of all people, and upon his Family, Companions, and Followers. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Believers, spend of the good you have earned and of that which We have brought out of the earth for you. And do not intend the bad of it for your spending; while you would never take it yourselves, except you closed an eye on it. Know that Allah is Rich, the Praised} [Al-Baqarah: v. 267]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {The example of those who give their wealth in the way of Allah is like a grain of corn that sprouts seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah multiplies to whom He will, Allah is the Embracer, the Knower. *Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and do not follow their spending with reproach and insults shall be rewarded by their Lord; they shall have nothing to fear or to regret} [Al-Baqarah: v. 261-262]. Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “There is no day which Allah’s servants receive at dawn, but two angels descend in it; and one of them says, ‘O Allah, may You grant whoever spends money (for Your Sake) more as a replacement,’ and the other says, ‘O Allah, may You give whoever abstains from spending money damage”(1). (1) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 1442, and Muslim: 1010. Lessons of the Mosques 338 Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Verily, alms do not ever reduce an amount of money”(1). Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whomever gives alms for the amount of a date, as earned by honest and good work, and Allah does not accept but the honest and good, then Allah receives the alms with His Right, grow them for their owner, just as anyone of you would raise his child, until they increase and become great as a mountain”(2). Narrated Adi Bin Hatem (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Avoid Hell-fire even with one half of a date (given as alms”(3). Narrated Uqbah Bin Aamer (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Every person is shadowed under his / her alms, until people are judged (on the Day of Judgment”(4). The Overall Meaning One of the best types of obedience (pious deeds) that Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) aroused interest in it is: paying alms, and spending them for Allah’s Sake. They are as such, for the great benefit they include in the present life and the hereafter. They are causes to obtain blessing for money, to be saved from destruction in the present life; and they efface sins, (1) (2) (3) (4) Narrated Muslim: 2588. Narrated Al Bukhari: 1410, and Muslim: 1014. Narrated Al Bukhari: 1417, and Muslim: 1016, repeated. Narrated Ahmad: 17333, and Al Haythami said in Majma’ Al Zawa’ed (3/110): the narrators of Ahmad are trusted. 95 - The Merit of Alms 339 bring benefits to people, and preserve the society. They also extinguish the rage of Allah, be He exalted, and protect people from the terrors of the Day of Resurrection. Make known, my Muslim brother, that Allah, be He exalted, accepts alms from pious and good earning, grows them for their owner till the Day of Resurrection, and then rewards him / her for them the best reward. Benefits 1 - Righteous spending is deemed part of faith perfection and fineness o Islam. 2 - Giving alms is a reason for gaining the love of Allah, be He exalted, and the love of creation. 3 - The amount of money that a Muslim gives as alms is what remains fo him / her after his / her death. 4 - Alms are deemed as a consolation for the poor and the needy, an satisfaction for the needs of those in need of them. 5 - Giving alms is a means of spreading mercy and goodwill in society. D D D 340 Lessons of the Mosques 96 - Chastity and Abstinence from Begging Praise be to Allah, Who appreciated and commended the chaste, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him whose chastity was an example for all creation, our master, Mohammad, and upon his Family, Companions and Followers. Allah, be He exalted, said, {(Charity is) for the poor who are restrained in the way of Allah, and are unable to journey in the land. The ignorant take them to be rich because of their abstinence. But you can recognize them by their signs. They do not persistently beg people. Whatever good you give is known to Allah} [Al-Baqarah: v. 273]. Narrated Thawban (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whom of you would take upon himself that he would not ask people (for help), so that I guarantee Paradise for him?” Thawban said, ‘I would; and he never asked anyone for anything’(1). Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Omar (ABPWT): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Anyone who keeps asking people will stand before Allah with no piece of meat left on his face”(2). Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Richness is not realized through having lots of goods, but rather it is one’s own chastity”(3). (1) Narrated Abu Dawood: 1643. (2) Narrated Al Bukhari: 1474, and Muslim: 1040, and the expression is for Muslim. (3) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 6446, and Muslim: 1051. 96 - Chastity and Abstinence from Begging 341 Narrated Hakeem Bin Hizam (ABPWH), ‘I asked Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) for money and he gave me, then I asked him and he gave me, then again I asked him and he gave me’; then he (PBUH) said, “O Hakeem! This money is a good plant; whoever takes it with a noble and generous manner, then it will blessed for him; and whoever takes with greedy manners, then it will not be blessed for him, just like the one who eats without becoming satisfied; the upper hand is better than the lower hand”(1). Narrated Qabeesah Bin Mukharek Al Hilaly (ABPWH), ‘ I carried something, then came to Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) to ask him for its wage’. He (PBUH) said, “Stay here till we get alms and pay you back”. The narrator said, ‘Then he (PBUH) said, ’ “O Qabeesah! Mendicancy (begging for money) is not permissible except for one of three types: a man who was assigned to carry something, then asking for its money is permissible, until he gets it, then he should stop asking. The second type is a man who was inflicted with a disaster that ruined all his money. Asking for money, then, is permissible until he earns something that would suffice him for a living - or he said earns something appropriate for a living. The third is a man who was inflicted with poverty, until three wise people of his folk would say, ‘Poverty has struck that man’. Then, asking for money is permissible for him, until he earns something that would suffice him for a living - or he said - earns something appropriate for a living -, and any other type of begging, Qabeesah, is an ill-gotten money, gained illegally by whomever that asks for it”(2). (1) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 1472, and Muslim: 1035. (2) Narrated Muslim: 1044. Lessons of the Mosques 342 Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Mas’oud (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whomever is inflicted with a calamity, and refers the solution of this disaster to people, then it will not be resolved; and whoever refers it to Allah, then Allah is just about to enrich him, either by his quick death (with modesty and honor), or quick richness”(1). Narrated Omar (ABPWH), ‘Allah’s Messenger used to give me a grant, and I used to say, ‘Give it to whom is poorer than me!’ Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) then said, “Take it. If part of this money came to you, without throwing yourself on it greedily, nor asking and begging for it, then take it. If it came otherwise, then don’t think about asking it”(2). The Overall Meaning Allah, the Great and Almighty, wants his slaves to be honored and dignified. Allah created human beings, dignified them and distinguished them above all creations. And our noble Messenger (PBUH) clarified to us that richness is the richness of ourselves (morals and personalities), and that success is attained through satisfaction. He also clarified that a Muslim is not allowed to beg people without a pressing need, for the humiliation that accompanies it, and for it leads to the love of worldly pleasures, and asking more of them. Whomsoever does this, gathers more of Hell embers, and attends on the Day of Resurrection without having a piece of meat on his face. Therefore, the Companions (ABPWT) did not ask people for anything but, rather, those who (1) Narrated Abu Dawood: 1645. (2) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 1473, and Muslim: 1045. 96 - Chastity and Abstinence from Begging 343 did not know about their conditions would think that they are rich, due to their excess chastity and abstinence. But if a man is granted some money without being alms, or asking for it, then it would be permissible for him to take it, because it is a subsistence that Allah deemed it to be delivered to him. Benefits 1 - Allah, be He exalted, guaranteed subsistence for his slaves, and non will die until he / she takes due subsistence in full. 2 - Forbidding begging people without a pressing need, and warnin against that strongly. 3 - Islam teaches its followers to honor themselves and be dignified. 4 - Whomever refers his / her need to Allah, then Allah will suffice him / her that need, and whomever refers it to people, then his / her need will not be satisfied. D D D 344 Lessons of the Mosques 97 - Hastening to do good deeds Praise be to Allah, Who calls for His forgiveness and Paradise, and commands contesting in doing good deeds, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, who was supported with miracles, and upon his Family and Companions, holders of merits and noble deeds. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Race with one another in good works, to Allah you shall all return and He will declare to you what you were a variance} [Al-Ma’idah: v. 48]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {And hasten to a forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as wide as heaven and earth, prepared for the cautious} [Al- Imran: v. 133]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Therefore, race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden as wide as heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His Messengers. Such is the Favor of Allah; He gives it to whom He will. Allah is the Owner of great favor} [Al-Hadid: v. 21]. Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH), ‘A man came to Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) and said: O Messenger of Allah! Which charity is the best?’ He (PBUH) said, “It is when you give charities when you are healthy, short of resources, afraid of poverty, and hoping to be rich; and don’t wait (postpone) till the last moments of life left in you to say: this is for so-and-so, 97 - Hastening to do good deeds 345 and that is for so-and-so, and surely there was something for so-and-so (after his death”(1). Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Initiate deeds. Fear of the afflictions of dark nights, where a man starts his day as a believer and when it is night, he turns into a disbeliever, or is a believer at night and when the next day begins, he becomes a disbeliever, selling his religion for one of the worldly (vanities) goods”(2). Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Who of you received this day with fasting?” Abu Bakr (ABPWH) said: I did. He (PBUH) said, “Then, who of you walked in a funeral today?” Abu Bakr (ABPWH) said: I did. He (PBUH) said, “Then, who of you provided food and fed a poor man?” Abu Bakr said: I did. He (PBUH) said, “Then, who of you visited a sick man?” Abu Bakr said:I did. Then, Allah’s Messenger said, “When these attributes are all gathered in one person, then Paradise will verily be his reward”(3). Narrated Ibn Abbas (ABPWT), ‘Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) told someone while preaching him, “Seize the chance to get five things before other five: your youth before your senility, your health before illness, your richness before your poverty, and your (leisure) free time before becoming occupied and your life before your death”(4). (1) (2) (3) (4) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 1419, and Muslim: 1032. Narrated Muslim: 186. Narrated Muslim: 1028. Narrated Al Hakem in Al Mustadrak 4/ 306, and said: It is a correct Hadith on the condition of th two Sheikhs. Lessons of the Mosques 346 The Overall Meaning Allah, the Great and Almighty, calls us to hasten for forgiveness and Paradise by competing in doing good deeds, committing ourselves to doing righteous and religious deeds. This competition is an initiative to do good deeds before it is too late, for the present life is but a race field where only those who are granted success by Allah will excel, and only the pious will gain. And as the worldly pleasures and vanities take hold of a person, distracting him / her from doing good deeds, and making him/ he offer excuses related to expectations, there came the Divine Direction to the competition and hastening to take the path leading to Paradise. The direction of the Prophet also came to clarify some of the obstacles that prevent a servant to carry out a good deed. Those things could be: the temptation of following one’s desire that might lead him / her to polytheism, the temptation of tyranny as a result of the abundance of money, the ordeal of poverty and destitution, one’s defeat by illness and senility, the sudden death and end of life, and the most extreme ordeal and temptation, namely the ordeal of the Antichrist, which is the worst and most bitter of all ordeals. The sane is the one who initiates good deeds, and seizes the opportunity of his richness, power, health, leisure, and the extended life. In addition to this, one of the most important aspects of hastening to do good deeds that the Chosen (PBUH) directed us to follow is to hasten to spend money while still healthy and rich, because one clings strongly to money and life in this very 97 - Hastening to do good deeds 347 situation. So, if someone battles against himself/ herself and spends during this period and in this situation, and does not wait for death approach signs, then his / her charity will be at the highest levels of content and acceptance by Allah. Benefits 1 - Hastening to do good deeds is the perseverance of the pious. 2 - The wise and sane seizes the opportunities for doing good deeds and t gaining the content of Allah, be He exalted. 3 - Initiating good deeds before death comes. 4 - There are plenty ways to do good deeds. We pray to Allah, the Most Generous, to let us be of those who hasten to do good deeds. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Replier. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 348 98 - Extravagance Praise be to Allah, Who commanded people to be moderate, and just, and forbade stinginess and extravagance, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the master of the noble, and upon his Family and Companions who rejected extravagance and deviation. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Children of Adam, take your adornment at every place of prayer. Eat and drink, and do not waste. He does not love the wasteful} [Al-A’raf: v. 31]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Give to the near of kin, the needy and the destitute traveler their rights and do not squander, * for the wasteful are the brothers of Satan; and Satan is ungrateful to his Lord} [Al-Isra’: v. 26-27]. Narrated Amr Bin Shu’ayb (ABPWH), that his father narrated, that his grandfather narrated, Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Eat, give alms, and clothe, without extravagance and conceit”(1). Narrated Al Mugheerah Bin Shu’bah (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Allah hated three things for you: gossip, wasting money, and begging too much”(2). (1) Narrated Al Bukhari, the Book of Clothing, Section 1, and Al Nasa’i: 2559, and Al Bukhari has a addition: and narrated Ibn Abbas: “Eat whatever you like, and wear whatever you like, unless two things happen to you: extravagance or conceit. (2) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 1477, and Muslim: 593. 98 - Extravagance 349 The Overall Meaning Extravagance: It is using something unsuitably, exceeding the limit of moderation and balance. It is an attribute of the predecessors who were losers. On the contrary, believers are not extravagant and spend more than they need, nor miser and restrict what they need, but rather they adopt justice, and adhere to moderation. A Muslim avoids being one of the extravagant, who are the devils’ brothers. Extravagance is inappropriate excess. And it is affirmed that the Prophet (PBUH) prohibited extravagant use of water even if it was for ablution. The Islamic Law prohibited excessive eating and luxurious banquets, and the like, and also forbade wasting the money which the whole nation makes use of, and by means of which people’s lives become better. So, we need, more than anything else, to be economical and balanced in matters. Benefits 1 - Allah does not love the extravagant. 2 - The extravagant takes the devil’s path of spoiling money. 3 - The extravagant is a foolish spendthrift that does not act right. 4 - Extravagance ruins money, throws mercy away, and causes discontent. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 350 99 - Eating Etiquettes Praise be to Allah, Who provided subsistence and sufficed us, and Who facilitated goodness for us and blessed us with it, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the noblest Prophet and upon all his Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Children of Adam, take your adornment at every place of prayer. Eat and drink, and do not waste. He does not love the wasteful} [Al-A’raf: v. 31]. Narrated Omar Bin Abi Salamah (ABPWH), ‘I was a boy in the lap (guardianship) of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH), and my hand was messing (playing) with the plate, then Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) told me, “O lad! Name in the Name of Allah, eat with your right, and eat from what is near you”.. And that was my way of eating food (Ti’mati) since then’(1). Narrated Aishah (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “When any of you starts eating, then he / she should mention the name of Allah, and if he / she forgets to mention the name of Allah at the beginning, then he / she is to say: In the Name of Allah at its beginning and end”(2). (1) Narrated Al Bukhari: 5376, and Muslim: 2022, and the expression is Al Bukhari’s. His narration, “Ti’mati” means describing my way of eating food. Fath Al Bari 15/247. (2) Narrated Abu Dawood: 3767, and Al Tirmithi: 1858. 99 - Eating Etiquettes 351 Narrated Jaber (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “When a morsel falls from anyone of you, then he / she should pick it up, remove the dirt that is on it, eat it and should not leave it for the Devil. One should not also wipe his hand with a cloth, until he / she licks his / her fingers, for one does not know where in his / her food the blessing lies”(1). Narrated Abdu Allah (ABPWT): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “When any of you eats, then let him / her eat with his / her right, and if he / she drinks, then let him / her drink with his / her right, for the Devil eats with his left and drinks with his left”(2). Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH), ‘The Prophet (PBUH) never criticized any food; if he felt appetite for it, he ate it, or else he left it’(3). Narrated Mu’az Bin Anans (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whoever eats a type of food then says: Praise be to Allah, Who has fed me of this food, and has provided it for me without any ability or power by me, then his preceding and recent sins are forgiven”(4). The Overall Meaning The previous texts presented a number of nice and useful eating etiquettes, such as: not to be extravagant in eating and drinking, that a person should eat with his / her right hand, not (1) (2) (3) (4) Narrated Muslim: 2033. Narrated Muslim: 2020. Narrated Al Bukhari: 3563, and Muslim: 2064, and the expression is Muslim’s. Narrated Abu Dawood: 4023, and Al Tirmithi: 3458. Lessons of the Mosques 352 the left, so that he / she would not be likened to the Devil, and that a person should never criticize any food. Some other eating etiquettes are: one should not eat while leaning on something, should eat from what is next to him / her and not from the middle of the plate, except if that in the middle is different from what is in front of him / her. It is unpleasant, also, to near one’s mouth to the food, and to spit and blow one’s nose when eating with other people. It is unpleasant to breathe and blow in a vessel, and it is pleasant drink while sitting. It is unpleasant to drink from the mouth of the bottle, and it is preferable to wipe the vessel (with fingers) and lick fingers. It is preferable, also, to eat the food that fell on the ground after removing dirt off it, and that food is not to be blown at. It is better for one to clean in between his / her teeth (with a stick), but not to swallow what is cleaned in that way. It is preferable for one to eat food not when it is hot, but when its heat drops, and not to belch during his eating or drinking. And it is preferable to drink in three breaths. Benefits 1 - Mentioning the name of Allah when eating, and who forgets th mention, then he / she would mention the name of Allah when remembering this during eating, by saying: In the Name of Allah, at its beginning and end. 2 - Eating with the left hand is a resemblance of the Devil. 3 - It is preferable for one to eat from what is next to him / her, if the foo is of one kind. 99 - Eating Etiquettes 353 4 - It is preferable for one to eat from the sides of the plate, not the middle, so as to be blessed. 5 - It is a Sunnah not to criticize food, and rather to eat it when one feel appetite for it, or else leave it. 6 - It is preferable to praise and thank Allah after eating. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 354 100 - Visions of Sleep Praise be to Allah, Who deemed pious visions as of good omens, and deemed them as a consolation for male and female believers, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the most perfect of creations, and upon his Family and Companions, holders of virtues and noble deeds. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Indeed, Allah, in truth, has realized His Messenger’s vision. You shall enter the Sacred Mosque in security if Allah wills, with hair shaven or cut short and without fear. He knew what you did not know, and granted you a near victory} [Al-Fath: v. 27]. Allah, be He exalted, said, (Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) narrated) {And when he reached the age of traveling with him, he said: ‘My son, while I was sleeping I saw that I shall slaughter (sacrifice) you, tell me what is your opinion. ‘ He replied: ‘Father, do as you are ordered (by Allah). Allah willing, you shall find me one of those who are steadfast’.} [As-Saffat: v. 102]. Allah, be He exalted, said, (Prophet Yusuf (PBUH) narrated) {When Joseph said to his father: ‘Father, I saw eleven planets, and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating themselves before me’.} [Yusuf: v. 4]. Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “There is none left of Prophecy but good omens 100 - Visions of Sleep 355 (Al Muba’shirat”. His audience said, ‘And what are the Muba’shirat?’ He (PBUH) said, “The good visions of sleep”(1). Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “When the Hour (Day of Resurrection) draws near, a Muslim’s vision would almost become true (without any trait of lying), and the truest vision owners of you is the most honest in speech. A Muslim’s vision is one of a forty five parts of Prophecy. Vision is of three types: A good vision, which is a good omen from Allah, and a saddening vision from the Devil, and a vision of what a person tells him / herself about; so, if any of you sees what he / she hates, then let him / her stand, pray, and not talk about it to people”(2). Narrated Awf Bin Malek (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The visions are three: one is a frightening vision from the Devil, to sadden a human being by which. Another is what a person thinks of while awake and sees it in his / her sleep. The other is one of a forty six parts of Prophecy”(3). Narrated Abi Salamah (ABPWH), ‘I used to see visions, and get sick because of them, until I heard Aba Qatadah say, ‘and I used to see visions and get sick because of them until I heard the Prophet (PBUH) say, “A good vision is granted by Allah; so, if any of you sees what he / she likes, then he / she should not talk about it but to someone whom he / she loves; if he / she sees what he / she hates, then he / she should seek Allah’s refuge against its evils, and the Devil’s evils. Next, (1) Al Muwatta’: 2749, unchained, and Al Bukhari: 6990. (2) Narrated Muslim: 2263. (3) Narrated Ibn Majah: 3907. Lessons of the Mosques 356 he / she should spit three times, and never tell anyone of it, for it will not harm him / her”(1). Narrated Jaber (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “If any of you sees a vision that he / she hates, let him / her spit to his left three times, seek Allah’s refuge against the Devil thrice, and turn to the other side of his / her sleep”(2). The Overall Meaning No one stops seeing visions and dreams, the good ones of them are parts of Prophecy. Visions are of Allah’s divine, hidden, secrets, which He allows His servants to see in their sleep. If a Muslim sees a good vision, then he should thank and praise Allah for it, to expect good news out of it, and tell those whom he / she loves about it. Other types of vision are either things that one tells him / herself about, or nightmares by the Devil. If it is soliloquy, and it is: what a person thinks of over and over while awake, and sees it in during one’s sleep, then it has no explanation, and is not to be drawn attention to. If it is a dream, which is a hateful and frightening thing to see, then it is not told and is not explained, but rather one should, in this case, obey what Islam orders him / her to do, such as seeking Allah’s refuge against its evils, and those of the Devil thrice, spitting to the left side thrice, turning to other side of sleeping, standing up for prayer, and never to tell anyone of it. If one does so, then nothing of what he / she has seen will happen, and if it happens, then no harm will happen, Allah Willing. (1) Al Muwatta’: 2750, and it is agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 7044, and Muslim: 2261. (2) Narrated Muslim: 2262. 100 - Visions of Sleep 357 What is interpreted is a good vision of good omen, by narrating it to a scholar specialized by interpretation of visions, and other than that one should not tell about. A Muslim is not allowed to lie in narrating visions, and should not make visions the center of his / her attention. Deviation might happen because of them, and the Devil might get in through them, then a man would be deceived by them, thinking that they are from Allah. Benefits 1 - Prophets’ visions are true. 2 - Good visions are of good omens, and they are part of Prophecy. 3 - There is a severe punishment for those who lie in telling the vision, fo they are considered as lying to Allah. 4 - If a Muslim sees what he / she hates in his / her sleep, then he / sh should adhere to what Islamic Law has stated. May Allah bestow good visions upon us all, and give us glad tidings of entering Paradise, He is All-Able of everything. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 358 101 - Mercy Praise be to Allah, Who extends His Mercy beyond everything, and Who spreads His bliss over every creation, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him, whose God sent him as a mercy for all creation, and upon his Family, Companions, Strain, and all those who walked in his path. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Write for us what is good in this life and in the Everlasting Life. To You alone we turn. ‘ He replied: ‘I will smite with My punishment whom I will; yet My Mercy embraces all things. I will write it (My Mercy) to those who are cautious, give the obligatory charity, and believe in Our verses;} [Al-A’raf: v. 156]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {We have not sent you (Prophet Muhammad) except as a mercy to all the worlds} [Al-Anbiya’: v. 107]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {so that he becomes one of those who believe, charge each other to be patient, and charge each other to be merciful} [An-Nahl: v. 17]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {It was by that Mercy of Allah that you (Prophet Muhammad) dealt so leniently with them. Had you been harsh and hardhearted, they would have surely deserted you. Therefore, pardon them and ask forgiveness for them. Take counsel with them in the matter and when you are resolved, put your trust in Allah. Allah loves those who trust} [Al- Imran: v. 159]. 101 - Mercy 359 Narrated Abdu Allah Bin Amr Bin Al As (ABPWT): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Those who have mercy upon others, the Most Merciful will have Mercy upon them; have mercy upon those on earth, then He in the Heaven will have Mercy upon you”(1). Narrated Abu Musa (ABPWT): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “You will not be good believers in Allah until you become merciful and join your kinship”. They (the audience) said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! But we are all merciful’. Then he (PBUH) said, “It is not the mercy of one of you upon his kin, but rather the mercy for the common people”(2). Narrated Jareer Bin Abd Allah (ABPWT): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Allah will not bestow Mercy upon those who are not merciful with people”(3). Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH), ‘I heard Allah’s Messenger (PBUH), the truthful, trustworthy, Aba Al Qasem, and owner of Al Hujrah (noblest chamber) say, “Mercy is not taken away but from an unfortunate”(4). (1) Narrated Abu Dawood: 4941, and Al Tirmithi: 1924, in which there is an addition: “Kinship is branch of the Most Merciful, and who connects it, Allah will support them, and those who break it, Allah will end His relation with them”. (2) Narrated Al Tabarani, and Al Haythami said in Majma’ Al Zawa’ed (8/187): its narrators are of th true Hadeeth. Al Hafez Bin Hajar said in Fath Al Bari (17/146): Its narrators are authentic. (3) Narrated Al Bukhari: 7376, and Muslim: 2319, and this is Al Bukhari’s expression. (4) Narrated Abu Dawood: 4942, and Al Tirmithi: 1923. Lessons of the Mosques 360 The Overall Meaning Allah has created (implanted) Mercy in the hearts of His servants. By means of which, a person feels sympathy with the pains of other creations, and seeks to remove them, seeks to console others, wishes that they become guided, and excuse them. It is a form of perfect nature, and great manners, that urges its holder to be philanthropic, and to treat all creations with kindness and compassion. Allah, be He exalted, is characterized with Mercy. He is the Most Merciful, and the Best Merciful, His Mercy extends over everything, and He committed Himself to it; and one of the greatest aspects of Allah’s Mercy for his creation is that He sent His Messenger, Mohammad, as a Mercy upon the creation. And He (PBUH) was the most merciful of creation upon them. Parents are the most prioritized and worthiest of people to be granted mercy, then the children, then the kinship. Being compassionate and merciful is not conclusive to parents, children and kinship, but we are commanded to treat all creation with mercy. We should have mercy upon everything on earth, whether humans or other creatures. The adult should have mercy upon the young, feel compassionate for him / her and sympathizes with him / her. The rich should have mercy upon the poor, pay charities for him / her and suffice him / her. The strong should have mercy upon the weak, thus supports him / her and not assault him / her. The sustainer should have mercy upon the subjects, thus give them his advice, seeks to fulfill their needs, have mercy upon those astray and seeking guidance, and lead them to the right path of guidance. The scholar should have 101 - Mercy 361 mercy upon the ignorant, and teach him / her and guide him / her. A parent should have mercy upon his child, the husband upon his wife, and even one should have mercy upon animals, for we are rewarded if we have mercy and compassion upon them. And if having mercy upon a dog was cause for forgiveness of the disobedients’ sins, then what would we say about having mercy upon human beings?! Benefits 1 - Allah’s Mercy is great and wide. 2 - Those who have mercy upon other, the Most Merciful will have Merc upon them; so, if someone prays for Allah’s Mercy, then he / she shoul be merciful upon other creations. 3 - Mercy in Islam is general and comprehensive, and is not restricted t anyone apart from the others, nor to some type apart from others. 4 - Mercy is one of the characteristics and attributes of Allah, the Grea and Almighty. D D D 362 Lessons of the Mosques 102 - Payment of Debts and Respiting the Distressed Praise be to Allah, Who pays debts for the indebted, and doubles the reward for those who respite, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon our master, Mohammad, the leader of Messengers and upon all of his Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Believers, when you contract a debt for a fixed period, put it in writing} [Al-Baqarah: v. 282]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Allah orders you all to hand back trusts to their owners, and when you judge between people you judge with justice. Indeed, the best is the exhortation with which Allah exhorts you. Allah is the Hearer, the Seer} [An-Nisa’: v. 58]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {If he should be in hardship, then a postponement until ease; while if you give charity it is better for you if you know} [Al-Baqarah: v. 280]. Narrated Uqbah Bin Amer (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Do not intimidate yourselves after being secure”. They said (audience): ‘and how is that, O Messenger of Allah?’ He (PBUH) said, “The debt”(1). Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever takes the money of other people in order to pay (1) Narrated Ahmad: 17320, and Al Haythami said in Majma’ Al Zawa’ed (4/127): Narrated Ahmad with two men, narrators, and one of them is trusted. 102 - Payment of Debts and Respiting the Distressed 363 them duly, Allah will pay them for him / her, and whoever takes people’s money in order to waste them, Allah will ruin him / her”(1). Narrated Abd Allah Bin Abi Qatadah (ABPWH), ‘Aba Qatadah (ABPWH) sought a debtor of his, and the other hid himself from him. Then he found him and the man said, ‘I am in hardship’. Abu Qatadah said, ‘Do you swear to Allah?’ The other said, ‘I swear to Allah’. Then Abu Qatadah said: I heard Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) say, “Whoever wishes that Allah would save him / her the anguish on the Day or Resurrection, then let him / her relieve the sorrow of those in hardship, or remove the burden from them”(2). Narrated Abi Mas’oud (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “A man of those who lived before you was judged. There was not any good deed for him, except that he used to mix with people and was rich. He used to order his servants to overlook those in hardship. He (PBUH) said: Allah, the Great and Almighty said, ‘We are worthier to do this more than him. Forgive him his sins”(3). The Overall Meaning Islamic Law is based on justice, beneficence, and guaranteeing rights. A Muslim should be just and beneficent. He / she should be just in his treatment with all people, in handing back their due trusts, and should treat them the way they wish him / her (1) Narrated Al Bukhari: 2387. (2) Narrated Muslim: 1563. (3) Narrated Muslim: 1561. Lessons of the Mosques 364 to treat them with, whether he / she was a creditor or a debtor. A debtor should work hard to pay his debt back after taking it with the intention to do this, not with the intention to waste it. If he does this, then Allah will help him to pay it back. The creditor, on the other hand, should sympathize with his fellow brother and have mercy upon him, should be beneficent as much as he can, and kind with people. If he has a debt, given to a man is in hardship and poor, and who cannot pay him back, then the creditor is supposed to respite him and postpone claiming it until Allah makes him solvent (able to pay the debt back). The Messenger (PBUH) told us that the one who respites a man in hardship, and makes things easy for him, then Allah will let him stand under His Shadow, when there is no shadow but His. Benefits 1 - A Muslim should determine to pay back his debts, and take al measures to do this. 2 - There is a merit in respiting those in hardship. 3 - Warning against taking people’s money with the intention not to pa them back. 4 - Reward (or punishment) is of the kind of the deed. D D D 103 - Belief in the Day of Resurrection and its Effect 365 103 - Belief in the Day of Resurrection and its Effect Praise be to Allah, Who predetermined extinction to this mortal life, and deemed the hereafter to be the Abode of Settlement, and Allah’s blessing and peace be upon the chosen Prophet, and upon his pure Family and Companions. Allah, be He exalted, said, {Who believe in that which has been sent down to you (Prophet Muhammad) and what has been sent down before you (to Prophets Jesus and Moses) and firmly believe in the Everlasting Life} [Al-Baqarah: v. 4]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {That is because Allah is the Truth; He revives the dead and has power over all things. * And the Hour is sure to come there is no doubt. And Allah will raise up those in the graves} [Al-Hajj: v. 6-7]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {O my nation, the life of this world is nothing but an enjoyment, but surely, the life of the Everlasting Life is the stable abode.* Those who do an evil deed shall only be rewarded with its like, but those who believe and do good works, either men and women, shall enter the Gardens of Paradise and are provided for without reckoning} [Ghafir: v. 39-40]. Allah, be He exalted, said, {People, fear your Lord, and fear the Day when no father shall ransom a thing for his child nor a child for his father. The promise of Allah is surely true. So do not let the life of this present world delude you, nor let the deluder (Satan) delude you concerning Allah} [Luqman: v. 33]. Lessons of the Mosques 366 Allah, be He exalted, said, {The unbelievers think that they will never be raised up. Say: ‘By my Lord, yes indeed, you shall assuredly be raised up! Then you shall be told of all that you have done. That is easy for Allah’.} [At-Taghabun: v. 7]. Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH), ‘Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) came out to people, when a man came to him walking, then said: O Messenger of Allah! What is Faith? He (PBUH) said, “Faith is: to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Messengers, Standing before Him, and to believe in the Day of Resurrection”(1). Narrated Abi Hurayra (ABPWH): Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Day of Resurrection must not harm his / her neighbor, whoever believes in Allah and the Day of Resurrection should be generous to and honor his guest, and whoever believes in Allah and the Day of Resurrection should say good things or else keep silent”(2). The Overall Meaning Faith in the Last Day is one of the origins of Faith, and of its Pillars. Allah sent Messengers with it, and descended Books with it. The Last Day is the Day of Resurrection, and it was called the Last Day because there is no other day after it. It is the last of all stages, where the residents of Paradise settle in their abodes, and those of Hell in theirs. (1) Narrated Al Bukhari: 4777, and Muslim: 9. (2) Agreed upon: Al Bukhari: 6018, and Muslim: 47. 103 - Belief in the Day of Resurrection and its Effect 367 Faith in the Last Day includes three issues: The first: Faith in Resurrection: It is the resurrection of the dead, when the Trumpet will be blown. People, then, will rise to stand before Allah, bare footed, shoeless, naked and uncovered, with foreskins and uncircumcised. Resurrection is a affirmed truth. The second: Faith in Judgment and Reward, where a slave of Allah is judged for his / her deeds, and rewarded for them. The third: Faith in Paradise and Hellfire, and that they are the eternal end for creation. Paradise is the Abode of Bliss, which Allah created for believers, wherein there is what eyes have never seen, and what ears have never heard of, and what has never occurred to humans’ minds. Hellfire is the Abode of torment, which Allah prepared for disbelievers, wherein there are kinds of torture and exemplary punishment which never occur to one’s mind. Associated with faith of the Last Day is faith in everything that is to happen after death, be it the test and trial of the tomb, its torture and bliss. Faith in the Last Day gives great results and fruits: 1 - The wish to do good deeds of obedience, to adhere to them, hopin for and praying to gain the reward of that day. 2 - The awe of doing a wrong deed and accepting it, for fearing of the punishment of that day. 3 - Consoling the believer for what he / she misses in the present life, as with the bliss and reward of the Hereafter that he / she hopes and prays for. Lessons of the Mosques 368 Benefits 1 - A servant’s faith is not accepted until he / she believes in the Last Day. 2 - Belief in Resurrection after death, the Judgment, Paradise and Hell, ar kinds of faith in the Last Day. 3 - Faith in the Last Day results in one’s being keen on work, bein cautious and aware of wrongdoings, and the consolation for believers. D D D 104- Justice 369 104- Justice Praise be to Allah, the Giver of all good, who commanded justice and benevolence and who promised paradise to just people. I send my bessing and salute on Mhammad, his family and companions; the people of victory and consent. Allah, Golrified and Exaulted be He, has said: {Allah orders justice, and good deeds, and giving to one’s kindred. He forbids indecency, dishonor and insolence. He admonishes you in order that you take heed} [An-Nahl: v. 90]. Allah, the Honourable, the Majestic, has said: {When you speak, be just, even if it affects your own kinsmen. Fulfill the covenant of Allah. With such He charges you, in order that you remember}[Al-An’am: v. 152]. Allah, Mighty and Sublime be He, has said: {Believers, be dutiful to Allah and bearers of just witness. Do not allow your hatred for other people to turn you away from justice. Deal justly; it is nearer to piety. Have fear of Allah; Allah is Aware of what you do}[Al-Ma’idah’: v. 8]. Allah, the Honourable, the Majestic, has said: {and when you judge between people you judge with justice. Indeed, the best is the exhortation with which Allah exhorts you. Allah is the Hearer, the Seer} [An-Nisa’: v. 58]. Lessons of the Mosques 370 Abdullah Ibn Omar, (ABPWT), narrates: The messenger of Allah, Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Those who observe justice sit on thrones of light on the right of the Compassionate, Allah, Mighty and Sublime be He, to whom belongs might and majesty, and both His hands are right. Those who are just to their families, in their judgements and posts”(1). Abdulla Ibn Abi Awfa, (ABPWT), narrates: The Messenger of Allah, PBUH, said: “Allah is always with the judge, unless he deviates, but if he deviates, He abandons him and Satan gets hold of him”(2). Mo’awiyah, (ABPWH), also narrates: The Messenger of Allah, PBUH, said: “No people who are not fair in their judgements can acquire holiness and among whom the weak can not take their rights from the strong without hinderance”(3). The Overall Meaning Justice is the entire religion, the basis of the straightness of life, the head of every moral, the source of all good and it is the fair average between the two excesses. The Muslim must be fair in his speech and judgement, must also seek justice in all his affairs until justice becomes his moral and distinguishing merit. These necessiate Allah’s love and (1) Narrated by Muslem 1827. (2) Narrated by Termethi 1330 and Ibn Majah 2313. (3) Narrated by Tabarani in the large dictionary 19\ 385. Al-Hayathami 5\ 209. 104- Justice 371 satisfaction with him and His dignity and pleasure. The Glorious Allah tells that He loves just and fair people. The Messenger of Allah, PBUH, told us about their reward on the Resurrection Day. Among the aspects of justice are: − Justice with the glorious Allah: Not to combine anybody in His worship or characteristics, and that He must be obeyed not disobeyed, remembered not forgotten and thanked not denied. − Justice in judgement among people: By giving the right to everyone who has it. − Justice among wives and children: Not to prefer anyone to another or to love some more than the others. − Justice in Speech: Not to give any false witness or not to tell lies or untrue things. The consequences of justice are numerous among them are the spreading of love and tranquility among people and security and satability of society. The Islamic history is full of examples of these. A muslim, whatever he is, must be characterised with justice and fairness and be far from oppression and tyrany and must follow our good predecessors. Lessons of the Mosques 372 Benefits 1 - Justice is the basis of the straightness and reform of life. 2 - Justice means to be fair even with enemies and adversaries. 3 - Those who are fair are on thrones of light near the Merciful Allah and are His beloved. OH! Thou Our Allah make us fair people in our judgements and families. D D D 105 - He who cheats is not one of us 373 105 - He who cheats is not one of us Praise be to Allah who imposed truth and clarity on Muslims and forbade them form cheating, deceit and falsehood. I bless and salute the one whose moral is the Koran and his family and honest and handsome companions. Allah, Golrified and Exaulted be He, says: {Those who hurt believing men and believing women undeservedly, shall bear the guilt of slander and a major sin} [Al-Ahzab: v. 58]. Allah, Golrified and Exaulted be He, has said: {Believers, fear Allah and stand with the truthful} [At-Taubah: v. 119]. Allah, Mighty and Sublime be He, has said: {Woe to the diminishes, who, when people measure for them, take full measure, but when they measure or weigh for others, they reduce!} [Al-Mutaffifin: v. 1 - 3]. Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) passed by a pile of food. He entered his hand in it and felt something wet, so he said: “What is this you owner of the food?” The man said: It caught some rain from the sky, so the Messenger said: “Can you put it on the top of the pile, so that people can see it? Those who cheat are not from my followers”(1). (1) Narrated by Muslem 102. Lessons of the Mosques 374 The Overall Meaning Deceit means mixing, impurity and exposing things in untrue forms. Deceit has many forms in buying, selling, friendship and company. 1 - One form of deceit is accusing men and women believers of other things than what they have committed. 2 - To push the sale of things by false swearing. 3 - Exposing the good things and hiding the bad ones. This is what has been practiced by some tradesmen where they exaggerate in showing the merits and hiding the demerits, thus deceiving the people with their tongues, and no one can avoid their evil. 4 - Untruthfulness: Where someone brings immitated or not original goods and sticks on them different information or swear that these are good and original items. So let us stick our prophet’s (PBUH) Allah may bless us the Muslim society, Non-Muslim society, to the morals of our religion and obey teachings as our predecessors did. Then and love and intimacy link our heart.In some always advise the others and in some cheat the others. 105 - He who cheats is not one of us 375 Benefits 1 - Those who deceive Muslims certainly leave away their teachings. 2 - Deceit is a reason for the absence of confidence among dealers and falling in lies, traits and betrayal. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 376 106 - The Intercession of the Prophet (PBUH) Praise be to Allah who honored and raised the position of His Prophet and endowed him alone with the great intercession on the Doom’s Day and my blessing and salute to him whose good and benefit overwhelmed everything and on his family, companions and followers. Allah, Glorified, and Exaulted be He, says: {As for the night there is a voluntary deed for you to keep vigil in part it. Perhaps your Lord will raise you to a praiseworthy station} [Al-Isra’: v. 79]. Allah, the Honourable, the Majestic, says: {Your Lord will give you, and you will be satisfied. Al-Hassan said, this means intercession} [Ad-Duha: v. 5]. Ibn Omar, (ABPWT), says:”On the Doom’s Day people form groups and each group follows its prophet and say:” Thou so and so please intercede with Allah for us until intercession reaches the Prophet (PBUH). On that day, Allah grants him the honored position”(1). Anas Ibn Malek narrates: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “I am the first to intercede for paradise and I am the most followed one”(2). Omran Ibn Husein narrates: The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Some people get out of the fire of hell due to Mohammad’s (PBUH) (1) Narrated by Al-Bukhari 4718. (2) Narrated by Muslem 196. 106 - The Intercession of the Prophet (PBUH) 377 intercession and enter the paradise. Those are called the Hellish people”(1). Al-Abbas Ibn Abdul Muttaleb, (ABPWT), said to the Prophet (PBUH): Haven’t you tried to save your uncle? He used to treat you as a son and get angry for you? He said: “He is in a higher layer of Hell, and without my intercession, he would have been in the lowest layer of hell”(2). The Overall Meaning Allah, Mighty and Sublime be He, has given His Prophet (PBUH) an advantage on all His prophets and made him one of His favoured and patrons. He endowed him with many properties and great favours which expressed themselves in his call to Islam and spread of his eternal message. Allah, mighty and sublime be He, has promised him the favoured position, i.e. the great intercession. When it is Doom’s Day, and all necks lean to Allah in humiliation, and the oppressors are disappointed and lost and every pious who used to do good actions is saved and winning and the rest of the people remained puzzled and afraid asking their prophets to intercede for them. At this stage, our prophet (PBUH) falls down in adoration under the throne, Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, addresses him saying: “Raise your head and speak, you will be heard and intercede, you will be granted intercession. Allah accepts His Messenger’s (PBUH) intercession and judges among them. (1) Narrated by Al-Bukhari 6566. (2) Agreed upon: Al-Bukhari 3883 and Muslem 209. Lessons of the Mosques 378 Evidences show that intercession has two conditions: 1 - Allah’s permission to the interceder to intercede. 2 - Allah’s satisfaction with the interceded. In order to win the Messenger’s many reasons of which: (PBUH) − The Unificaion of the glorious Allah. − Multiplicity of blessing on the prophet the call to prayer. − Multiplicity of Alms. − Living in Al-Madina and dying there. intercession, there are (PBUH) especially after The Muslim has to seek these reasons which enable him to win the Intercession of Mohammad, Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Benefits 1 - The position of Messenger great. 2 - His care (PBUH) (PBUH) at the glorious Allah is for his followers. 3 - To provoke the desire to get this intercession. 4 - The great intercession on the great day is special for the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). D D D 107 - Some Aspects of Oaths 379 107 - Some Aspects of Oaths Praise be to Allah who made oaths an emphasis to the right and blessing and salutation on him whose words were right and actions truthful and on his family and companions whom Allah made truthful. Allah, glorified and exaulted be He, says: {Do not make Allah a deterrent through your oaths, that you be righteous, cautious, and reform between people. Surely, Allah is Hearing and Knowing} [Al-Paqarah: v. 224]. Allah, the Honourable, the Majestic, has said; {Allah will not take you to account for a slip in your oaths. But He will take you to account for the? oaths which you solemnly swear. Its expiation is the feeding of ten needy (people) with such food as you normally offer to your own people; or the clothing of them; or the freeing of a slave. He who does not have must fast three days. That is the expiation of your oaths when you have sworn; but keep your oaths. Allah makes plain to you His verses, in order that you are thankful} [Al-Ma’idah’: v. 89]. Ibn Omar, (ABPWT), was with Omar Ibn Al-Khatab in a group of travellers. Omar swore by his father. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) heard it and called for him: “Allah prevents you from swearing by your fathers. If you want to swear, then swear by Allah or keep silent”(1). (1) Agreed upon: Al-Bukhari 6108, and Muslim 1646. Lessons of the Mosques 380 Abdulla Rahman Ibn Samra narrates: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “If you have sworn an oath and found a better one, then take the better one and atone for it”(1). Abdullah, (ABPWH), narrates: The messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Anyone who takes an oath (and he knows it is a false one) to take part of a Muslim’s property, will meet Allah’s anger later”(2). Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), narrates: The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Three people Allah would neither speak to on the Doom’s Day nor look at: A man who swore that he has been given a better price for a thing than what is being offered to him and he is a liar, and another swore a false oath in the afternoon in order to take some of a Muslim’s property…”(3). The Overall Meaning Oaths are the plural of an oath. An oath is an emphasis put on something by swearing by the glorious Allah, by any of His characteristics or by one of His names. Thus swearing can not be verified unless it is by the glorious Allah, one of His names or one of His characteristics. It shouldn’t be spontaneous talk as to say: Yes, by Allah, or No, by Allah and what runs on the tongue unintentionally. Such oaths are not real ones and need not to be atoned for. (1) Agreed upon: Al-Bukhari: 6722, and Muslim 1652. (2) Agreed upon: Al-Bukhari: 2416, and Mslim 138. (3) Narrated by Al-Bukhari 2369. 107 - Some Aspects of Oaths 381 The rules of oaths differ from one case to another: It might be forbidden such as the case when one swears to cut his relations with his family members. This oath is forbidden and one is punished for it, so one doesn’t have to fulfill it and has to atone for it. It might be a duty if one has to justify an oppressed person or to disclose a right. It might be allowed such as the case when someone swears to pray at dawn or not to tell lies. It might be for a definite purpose when the oath is sworn to influence the listeners and to make them believe a lesson one is giving. Anyone who cannot realize one’s oath has to do one of the following things: First: To free a slave, a man or a woman slave, if there is slavery at the time. Second: To give food to ten poor people from the food that the majority of the people of that country eat. Third: Giving full clothes to ten poor people from the kind that people usually wear. If he was unable to fulfill anyone of the above -mentioned things, he has to fast for three days. A Muslim has to know that an aspect of misbehaviour with Allah, the Honourable, the Majestic, is to make Allah’s name a means to push the sale of his goods or to fulfill his aims. Lessons of the Mosques 382 Such things are considered degradation of the name of the Glorious Allah and making it an ordinary thing to swear by every now and then, because much use of it leads to carelessness of the oath. One who is used to swearing a lot finds it easy to intend lying in his oath. Benefits 1 - A Muslim mustn’t swear by anything except for the Glorious Allah, one of His names or one of His characteristics. 2 - A Muslim must respect his oath and never leave it without atonement if he fails to realize it. 3 - It is not convenient to a Muslim to swear for every big of small matter. 4 - One who swears an oath, and afterwards, finds a better one, has to take the better one and atone for the previous oath. 5 - The deadly oath is that which immerses the person in the depth of hell. D D D 108 - Revival of Religious Endowment Practice 383 108 - Revival of Religious Endowment Practice Praise be to Allah who showed his subjects some devotion which may make them win His satisfaction and raise their position in Paradise and I bless and salute him whom Allah bestowed his benevolence on and on his family, companions and followers. Allah, golorified, and exaulted be He, says: {[3.92] You shall not attain righteousness until you spend of what you love. Whatever you spend is known to Allah} [Aal-’Imran: v. 92]. Allah, the Honourable, the Majestic, says: {O you who believe, bow down and prostrate yourselves. Worship your Lord and do good, in order that you prosper} [Al-Hajj: v. 77]. Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), narrates: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “When a person dies, his good actions cease except for three things: a continuous alms, knowledge which people can make use of and a pious son who will pray Allah for him”(1). Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), narrates: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “The good actions that follow a believer after his death are knowledge he taught and spread, a pious son he left, a copy of the Holy Koran he left as inheritance, (1) Narrated by Muslim 1631. 384 Lessons of the Mosques a mosque he built, a house for the homeless he built, a stream of water he constructed or some money he gave to charity during his life and good health”(1). Abdullah Ibn Omar, (ABPWH), narrates: Omar got a piece of land in Kheibar, so he came to the prophet (PBUH) to seek advice and said: My Master, the prophet of Allah, I have got a piece of land in Kheibar which is dearer to me than any other thing I have. So what do you command me to do with it?” The Messenger(PBUH) said: “If you like, you endow its origin and give it to charity”. Abdullah said: Omar gave it all to charity and its origin not to be bought, sold, inherited and granted”(2). Anas Ibn Malek, (ABPWH), narrates: Abu Talha was the richest man in Al-Madina in plam trees. The most favoured property to him was a water well in Baruha’a. It was opposite to the mosque. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to enter it and drink from its fresh water. Anas said: When this verse was revealed: You won’t get the godliness unless you spend of what you adore”. Abu Talha stood up and said: Messenger of Allah, (PBUH) the glorious Allah says: {You won’t get the godliness unless you spend of what you adore}. And the dearest property I own is that piece of land and its water well in Ha’a and I grant it to Allah and expect His favour and reward. Please, Messenger of Allah, put it where Allah has shown you. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Ok, that is an increasing property, that is an increasing property. I have heard what you said, but I see that you give it to your relatives”. Abu Talla said: I’ll do that. So he divided it among his cousins and relatives(3). (1) Narrated by Ibn Majah-242, and Ibn Khuzeimah 4\ 120. (2) Narratred by Bukhari 2737 and Muslem 1632. (3) Al-Mawta’ 2845. Agreed upon, Al-Bukhari 1461 and Muslem 998. 108 - Revival of Religious Endowment Practice 385 The Overall Meaning Endowment is to designate money or property to be used in any good way. Keeping its origin to get the doer closer to glorious Allah and win His satisfaction. Endowment is one of the best alms and greatest obedience actions. The more useful to people the endowment is, the more blessings it has, and the more gratitude one gets. Allah gives its consequences to the doer in and after his life time. In life, He compensates him and in afterlife He continues the consequences after one’s death. No doubt, that what one gives as alms to charity is the thing that remains because life is perishing, but afterlife is not. The companions of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) took the initiative to endow part of their money, houses and real estates to comply with the orders of Allah and His Messenger and to win His satisfaction and aspire to the great reward. It is our duty to comply with the orders of Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) and follow the practice of the Messenger’s companions, to revive this great teaching. Every Muslim can take part in supporting the religious endowment with his money (much or little). He can participate in supplying the projects especially in the field of teaching the Holy Koran, sponsoring scholars, building and maintaining mosques, helping the poor, spending money on orphans and widows and treating the sick and lessening their suffering. Lessons of the Mosques 386 Benefits 1 - Endowment is one of the greatest good and benevolence actions for the glorious Allah. 2 - The companions of the Messenger (PBUH) were quick in complying with the orders of the glorious Allah and His Messenger (PBUH). 3 - Nowadays, any Muslim can participate in philanthropic endowments. 4 - The reward of endowment is great in life and afterlife. 5 - Islamic endowment has combined all social, humanistic and learning aspects of life. D D D 109 - Description of the Fire of Hell 387 109 - Description of the Fire of Hell Praise be to Allah who prepared paradise to those who obeyed and satisfied Him and made hell to those who disagreed with and disobeyed Him. Blessing and salute on whom He selected; our master Mohammad (PBUH) and his family and followers. Allah, glorified, and exaulted be He, says: {Believers, guard yourselves and your families against the Fire the fuel of which is people and stones, over which there are harsh, and stern angels who never disobey Allah in that which He orders and do what they are ordered} [At-Tahrim: v. 6]. Allah, the Honourable, the Majestic, says: {and the nation of Abraham and the nation of Lot; and the inhabitants of Median, to Moses they also belied} [Al-Hajj: v. 43 - 44]. Allah, Mighty and Sublime be He, says: {No, in truth, it is a Furnace! It snatches away by the scalps, and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back} [Al-Ma’arij: v. 15 - 17]. Allah, glorified and exalted be He, says: {Those are two who disputed concerning their Lord. Garments of fire have been prepared for the unbelievers. Boiling water shall be poured over their heads, and that which is in their bellies and their skins shall be melted; for them are hooked rods of iron. Whenever in their anguish they try to get out of it, they are restored to it. (It will be said): ‘Taste the punishment of burning} [Al-Haj 19- 22]. Lessons of the Mosques 388 Abdulla Ibn Mas’oud, (ABPWT), narrates that the prophet (PBUH) said: “On the Doom’s Day, Hell is brought with seventy thousand reins each pulled by seventy thousand angels”(1). Ibn Abbas, (ABPWT), narrates that the prophet (PBUH) said: “If a drop of Zachum oil fell on earth, it would spoil the life of people. What is the case for those who have it as their only food?”(2). Abu Hurreira, (ABPWH), narrates that the prophet (PBUH) said: “The heat of the fire you make is one of seventy times of the heat of hell”. Some listeners said: We swear by Allah that it is enough Messenger of Allah. He said, “Hell is sixty nine times hotter than it each of which is as hot as your fire”(3). Al-No’man narrates: I heard the prophet (PBUH) saying: “The least suffering dweller of hell is someone with a spark of fire under his heels which makes his brain boil”(4). The Overall Meaning Allah has made the afterworld a reward; the one who does the good gains it and the other who does the evil pays for it. Allah, glorified and exaulted be He, has warned us of the fire of hell and whatever actions or words which push people near (1) (2) (3) (4) Narrated by Muslem 2842. Narrated by Muslem 2843. Narrated by Al-Termethi 2585 and Ibn Majah 4325. Narrated by Muslem 211. 109 - Description of the Fire of Hell 389 to it. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) described to us some of its aspects which make us feel chilly. Its heat is severe’ its bottom is far down, it has iron shackles and on the Doom’s Day it says: Do you have more…..? Its dwellers drink boiling water only. Its flames roast the faces and boil in stomachs like boiling water. Its dwellers feed on Zachum tree leaves and wear tar clothes. Each of their teeth is as big as the mount of Ohod, the distance between his shoulders is three-day walk and the thickness of his skin is eighty two arms. The least suffering dwellers are those who stand on two sparks which make their brains boil. Some of them are immersed in the fire to their waists and others to their necks. When someone is immersed in it, he forgets the blessings of life. The doors of hell are firmly closed. The sinners are drawn to it. On the Doom’s Day, it has seventy thousand reins, each one is pulled by seventy thousand angels, who are stuff and severe. The hell gives a breath causing all people to kneel down on their knees. The prophets call: Our Lord save … save… Now you subjects of Allah: Save yourselves from the fire of hell and prepare yourselves for this day. Take care!! You are warned of the fire of hell and the good paths have been shown to you. Benefits 1 - We must be careful of any deed that brings us near to the fire of hell. 2 - Allah has made hell a home for criminals and the disobedient. Lessons of the Mosques 390 3 - Lascious actions lead to the fire of hell. 4 - Hell has seven gates each of which is specialized for its party of the disobedient. Oh! Thou Our Lord! Save us from fire and grant us Your forgiveness, Thou the forgiver, and blessing of Allah is on our Master Mohammad (PBUH) and his family and all companions. D D D 110 - Shyness 391 110 - Shyness Praise be to Allah who made shyness among the morals of Islam and a barrier to sins and adultery. Blessing and Salute on our prophet Mohammad (PBUH) the best of mankind and on his family and his honored companions. Abdulla Ibn Omar, mayAllah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) passed by a man giving advice to his brother on shyness. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Leave him because shyness is a part of faith”(1). Omran Ibn Husein, (ABPWT), narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Shyness results in nothing except for good”(2). And in the saying: “Shyness is all good”(3). Zaid Ibn Talha, (ABPWT), narrates: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Every religion has a nature and the nature of Islam is shyness”(4). Abdulla Ibn Omar, (ABPWT), narrates: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Shyness and faith are inseparable, and if one of them is taken away, the same thing happens to the other”(5). (1) (2) (3) (4) Al-Mowata’ 2635 and Al-Bukhari 24. Agreed upon: Al-Bukhari 6117 and Muslem 37. Narrated by Muslem 37. Al-Mowata’ 2634, Ibn Maja 1481 and narrated by Anas Ibn Malek 1482 by Ibn Abbas. (5) Al-Bukhari 1\445. Lessons of the Mosques 392 Aisha, the wife of the prophet (PBUH) said: “Mildness in anything is an advantage and its absence from anything is a disadvantage”(1). Abi Sa-id Al-khudari, (ABPWH), said: “the prophet shyer than a virgin maid in her house”(2). (PBUH) was The Overall Meaning Shyness is the nature of Islam and it is the head of the good morals. Shyness is somewhat like life itself. The stronger the heart is, the more powerful the nature of shyness becomes. Less shyness is from the death of heart. It is the moral that encourages doing the good and avoiding the evil and prevents reluctance in giving the rights to their owners. The worst punishment is the disappearance of shyness because when shyness expires, the heart dies and the good vanishes, sins accumiliate, thus, consequently, the religion goes away. Shyness is the best of actions and it is the whole good. The prophet (PBUH) was the shyest among his people. The more shy a subject is, the stronger his faith becomes. But there is no shyness in avoiding asking questions about what you don’t know about your religion, in not giving the people their full rights or leaving ordering them to do the good and avoid the evil. How great the poet who says: If thou aren’t shy and don’t fear the consequences of nights, Then do whatever you like. (1) Narrated by Muslem 2594. (2) Al-Bukhari 3562 and Muslem 2320. 110 - Shyness 393 I swear by Allah that there is no good in life or world if shyness goes away. As long as a person is shy, he lives happily And a branch lives as long as its rend is o. Benefits 1 - Shyness is all good, resulting in nothing except good. Its disappearance means the vanishing of the whole good. 2 - Shyness is from faith. Faith is Paradise. 3 - Shyness is the head of the best morals. D D D 394 Lessons of the Mosques 111 - The Advantage of Pilgrimage Praise be to Allah who dictated to His slaves the pilgrimage to His Holy House and made it a cause to raise their positions and erase their sins. Blessings and Salute on the best of mankind who was the best of mankind who went round the Holy House and on his family and honored companions. Allah, glorified, and exaulted be He, has said: {Pilgrimage to the House is a duty to Allah for all who can make the journey. And whosoever disbelieves, Allah is Rich, independent of all the worlds}[Aal-’Imran: v. 97]. Allah, Mighty and Sublime be He, has said: {Proclaim the pilgrimage to the people. They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they shall come from every deep ravine; that they witness profitable things for them and mention the Name of Allah on well known days over the flocks which He has provided them. Eat thereof, and feed the wretched poor. Then, let the pilgrims accomplish their acts of cleansing, and let them fulfill their vows, and circumambulate the Ancient House} [Al-Hajj: v. 27 - 29]. Abdulla Ibn Mas’oud, (ABPWT), narrates: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Continue doing a pilgrimage and minor Hajj to Mecca, they both send away poverty and sins as the bellows send away the gangue from iron, gold 111 - The Advantage of Pilgrimage 395 and silver. A complete pilgrimage has no reward but Paradise”(1). Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), also narrates: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Anyone who made a pilgrimage to the House and does not say evil, will return home as chaste as he was on the day of his birth”(2). Jaber also narrates: The Messenger of Allah said: “Pilgrims and visitors to Mecca are the delegate of Allah. He invited them, and they came. They asked Him, and He granted them”(3). The Overall Meaning Pilgrimage is a great Islamic ritual and an important pillar of the religion. It is dictated by Allah to be done once in lifetime. It is one of the best actions. The complete pilgrimage is that which is not stained with any sins. Its reward is Paradise. Pilgrims are lucky to have their sins forgiven and be the guests to Allah who knows the unknown. They are the delegate of Allah. He invited them and they responded. They asked Him and He granted. (1) Narrated by Termethi 810 and Nisa’I 2631. (2) Agreed upon, Al-Bukhari 1521 and Muslem 1350. (3) Narrated by Al-Bazzar and Al-Haithami 3\211. Lessons of the Mosques 396 Benefits 1 - The complete pilgrimage has no reward but paradise. 2 - The pilgrim who has not done or said and evil, will return home as chaste as he was on the day he was born. 3 - The Muslim must learn the rules of the pilgrimage before he goes to Mecca. 4 - Among the advantages of a pilgrimage is that it sends away poverty and sins. D D D 112 - The Paradise and its Blessings 397 112 - The Paradise and its Blessings Praise be to Allah who made paradise the house of blessings and honoured its dwellers with looking at His gracious face. Blessing and Salute on him who brought the right religion and on his family and companions who have good heart. Allah, glorified, and exaulted be He, says: {Indeed, for those who feared (Allah) is a secure placeamidst gardens and fountains, dressed in silks and brocade, set face to face. As such, We shall wed them to wide-eyed (houris”(the virgins of Paradise). There in security, they will call for every kind of fruit. There they shall not taste death, except the first death, and He will shield them from the punishment of Hell, as a bounty from your Lord. That will be the mighty triumph}[Ad-Dukhan: v. 51 - 57]. Abu Hurreirah, may Allah be please with him, narrates: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Allah says: I have prepared for my pious subjects a thing that an eye has never seen, an ear has never heard of, or it has never occurred to a human heart. Read if you like: {No soul knows what pleases the eye is in store for them as a recompense for what they used to do} [Sajda v. 17](1). (1) Narrated by Al-Bukhari 3244 and muslem 2824. Lessons of the Mosques 398 The Overall Meaning Paradise is the house of blessings and eternity prepared by Allah to His pious subjects. No one can describe paradise, but true evidence mentioned that its width is as much as that of heavens and earth. It has eight gates the width of each is forty-year walk and will be greatly crowded one day. It has one hundred steps and the distance between each two is one hundred years. Its canvas is pearls, its rivers are flowing on earth without grooves, one bank is pearls and ruby, its mud is fragrant musk and its trees have golden trunks. One can walk one hundred years in its shade and can not pass it. The dwellers of paradise eat from its fruit in any position they liked; standing, sitting and lying. These are some of the blessings, you people! Prepare yourselves and work hard. Those who fear Allah may find the right path, and those who find the path will reach the house. But Allah’s reward is very dear; Allah’ reward is Paradise. Benefits 1 - Paradise is true. It is created, prepared and decorated by Allah to His believing slaves. 2 - In Paradise there is what an eye has never seen, an ear has never heard of or it has never occurred to the heart of a human being. 3 - The greatest blessing in paradise is seeing the glorious Allah. 112 - The Paradise and its Blessings 399 4 - The blessings of paradise are eternal and not perishing. 5 - Little things in paradise are very great and the least thing in it is ten times as much as that of the world. 6 - The good actions are the way to win the paradise of the Lord of Worlds. D D D 400 Lessons of the Mosques 113 - The Sanctity of Mecca and Madina Praise be to Allah who honored Mecca and Madina and made them a place for security and tranquility. Blessing and Salute on our Master Mohammad (PBUH) and his family and companions, the people of piety and tranquility. Allah to whom belongs might and majesty says: {And when We made the House (Ka’bah) a visitation and a sanctuary prayer. ‘And We made a covenant with Abraham and Ishmael: ‘Purify My House for those who circumambulate around it, and those who cleave to it, to those who bow and prostrate} [Al-Baqarah: v. 125]. Allah, glorified, and exaulted be He, says: {In it, there are clear signs; the station where Abraham stood. Whoever enters it let him be safe. Pilgrimage to the House is a duty to Allah for all who can make the journey. And whosoever disbelieves, Allah is Rich, independent of all the worlds} [Aal-’Imran: v. 97]. Allah, glorified, and exaulted be He, says: {[2.191] But do not fight them by the Holy Mosque unless they attack you there; if they fight you, kill them. Like this is the recompense of the unbelievers} [Al-Baqarah: v. 191]. Allah Mighty and Sublime be He, says: {The unbelievers who bar from the Way of Allah and from the Holy Mosque which We made equal for all peoples, he who cleaves to it and the tent dweller alike, and whosoever seeks to violate it wrongfully, We shall let him taste a painful punishment} [Al-Hajj: v. 25]. 113 - The Sanctity of Mecca and Madina 401 Allah, the Honourable, the Majestic, says: {Believers, the idolaters are unclean. Do not let them approach the Sacred Mosque after this year. If you fear poverty, Allah, if He wills, will enrich you through His bounty. He is Knowing, Wise} [At-Taubah: v. 28]. Ibn Abbas, (ABPWT), narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Allah has made Mecca sacred, never unsacred to anyone before me or after me, but given to me an hour of a day during which no evil is commited, no trees to be cut down, no birds to be frightened and no waif to be picked up unless to give to its owner”. Al-Abbas said: It is the safest place for our gold and tombs. The Messenger of Allah said: “Yes, it is the safest”(1). Abdulla Ibn Zeid Ibn Asem, (ABPWT), said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Abraham made Mecca sacred and prayed for its dwellers. I have made Al-Madina sacred. Abraham had made Mecca sacred and I have prayed for Madina’s people and Land twice as Abraham had done for the people of Mecca”(2). The Overall Meaning Mecca and Al-Madina are the greatest and the most honored lands to the glorious Allah. He blessed them and chose for His Messenger (PBHU). Any one who enters them will be secure. No fight is allowed in them. No birds are to be frightened. No trees are to be cut down and no waif is to be picked up. The prayer in the mosque of Mecca equals one hundred thousand ones, and (1) Narrated by Bukhari 1833. (2) Narrateed by Muslem 1360. Lessons of the Mosques 402 in the Messenger’s mosque equals one thousand ones. The one who is patient with the difficulties and hardships of Al-Madina is reputed by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) on the Doom’s Day. Anyone who dies in it is interceded for on the Doom’s Day. Anyone who frightens its dwellers, Allah will frighten him and the curse of Allah, the angels and all the people falls upon him. Allah doesn’t accept anything from him. Faith sneaks into it as does a snake to its hole. Neither plaque nor charlatan can enter it. It sends out its evils as bellows send out the gangues of iron. Allah has called it Taba and endowed it with double the blessings He gave to Mecca. All these came with evidence by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). We have to acknowledge the sacredness of these two honored places and enoble them and thank Allah for his blessings. Benefits 1 - Mecca and Al-Madina are two secure places endowed with Allah’s security, glorified and exaulted be He. 2 - A Muslem has to observe the sacredness of these two places and avoid committing sins in them. 3 - Urging ourselves and others to live in Al-Madina because it has twice the blessings of Mecca. Its dwellers and those who are patient with its difficulties are promised the intercession of the prophet (PBUH) on the Doom’s Day. D D D 114. From the Ethics of Travel 403 114. From the Ethics of Travel Praise be to Allah who put benefits in travel and urged us to adopt the ethics which result in good things. Blessing and Salute on our master the prophet Mohammad (PBUH) the wise man and on his family, companions and good followers. Allah to whom belongs might and majesty says: {And, (it is He) who has created all the pairs and appointed for you ships and the cattle on which you ride, ] so that you can sit upon their backs and then remember the Favors of your Lord and say: ‘Exaltations to Him who has subjected these to us otherwise, we ourselves were not capable of it, indeed, to our Lord we are turning.} [Az-Zukhruf: v. 12 - 14]. Ibn Omar, (ABPWT), narrates that the prophet (PBUH) said: “If people knew what I know about loneliness, no one would travel alone at night”(1). Anas, (ABPWH), narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “You have to depart very early in the morning because the land is rolled up at night”(2). Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), narrates: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) once said good-bye to me saying: “I leave you in the care of Allah whose charges are never lost”(3). (1) Al-Bukhari 2998 repeated. (2) Abu Dawood 2571. (3) Narrated by Al-Nasa’I 9\189 and Ibn Majah 2825. Lessons of the Mosques 404 Jaber Ibn Abdullah, (ABPWT), narrates: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) bought a camel from me. When he came to Al-Madina, he ordered me to come to the mosque and pray two rok’as (bows)’(1). Sahl Ibn Amr Al-Ansari- known also as Ibn Al-Hanthalyeh who is one of the Redwan pledge of allegiance people narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) passed by a camel whose back was very close to its abdomen and said: “Fear Allah for these weak animals, ride on them in a good way and eat its flesh in a good way”(2). The Overall Meaning Travel is a blessing in which a person increases his knowledge, education, judgement and virtues. In travel, morals are disclosed and companions are known. That is why Islam has given good and clear care to it. Allah directed Mulems to the good intentions in travel and distinguished the duty travel, the favoured travel and the allowed travel; as travelling on a pilgrimage, to look for knowledge, to make one’s living or to visit somebody or treatment or recreation. Allah has not limited the movements of His slaves but He was merciful and kind to them. Allah has made ethics and procedures for travel through which the good is completed and the difficulties are left out. Travel is a piece of suffering because it needs much efforts and results in exhaution. (1) Al-Bukhari 3089 and Muslem 715. (2) Narrated by Abu Dawood 2548. 114. From the Ethics of Travel 405 Among the religious ethics which the prophet (PBUH) has taught to his nation is that when one wants to travel, one has to consult someone who knows and is trustworthy and experienced. One has also to seek the consultation of Allah and repent of all his sins and shortcomings, help the wronged people, pay back as much debts as he can, return the charges, ask the consent of his parents and look for a good-doing, evil-hating, suitable companion. If they were three or more, they have to make one of them leader. It is preferred to set off on Thursdays and if not on Mondays and to say good-bye to his family, friends, neighbours and all his beloved people. They say good-bye to him and everyone says: I leave your religion, truthfullness and finals of your actions in the care of Allah. May Allah provide you with Allah-fear, forgive your sins, facilitates the good to you wherever you are. It is also preferred to pray two bows before setting off and to start at the beginning of the day. It is also preferred that the traveller should beseech Allah to keep him away from the dangers and difficulties of the road. He seeks Allah’s protection from travel mischief, ugliness of appearance and bad consequences on money, family and son. Keeping Allah in mind is the dearest aim and the most requested purpose. Lessons of the Mosques 406 Benefits 1 - Fear of Allah is the best supply to the traveller. 2 - Preference of prayer at travel time and multiplicity of Allah-mentioning. 3 - Keeping the ethics of travel. 4 - The traveller should return the charges and deposits to their owners, and pay debts to the debtors. D D D 115 - Seeking the Permissible is a duty 407 115 - Seeking the Permissible is a duty Praise be to Allah who allowed His subjects to enjoy the good things and commanded them to supply themselves with the right actions. Blessing and Salute are on our Master Mohammad (PBUH) who was sent with evidence and on his family and companions who were the first in good morals. Allah, the Honourable, the Majestic, says: {They ask you what is lawful to them. Say: ‘The good things are lawful to you} [Al-Ma’idah’: v. 4]. Allah, glorified, and exaulted be He, says: {Believers, do not consume your wealth among yourselves in falsehood, except there be trading by your mutual agreement} [An-Nisa’: v. 29]. Allah, Mighty and Sublime be He, says: {He will make good things lawful to them and prohibit all that is foul} [Al-A’raf: v. 157]. Allah to whom belongs might and majesty says: {Eat of the lawful and good things with which Allah has provided you and be thankful for the favors of Allah if it is He you worship} [An-Nahl: v. 114]. Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), narrates that the prophet of Allah (PBUH) said: “You people, Allah is kind and accepts only the lawful. He has commanded His believers with the same thing he commanded his messengers and said: Messengers! {Eat of that which is good and do good deeds; I have knowledge of the things Lessons of the Mosques 408 you do}. and said: {Believers, eat of the good with which We have provided you}. Then added somebody is mentioned who used to travel a lot with dusty clothes and untidy hair, raises his hands to heaven saying: Oh… My Lord. His food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothes are unlawful, nourished with unlawful food; How can he be answered”(1). Jaber, (ABPWH), narrates: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Oh! You people, Be afraid of Allah and request kindly. No one dies before he takes what is alloted to him, but when it is slow, fear Allah and request kindly. Take what is allowed and leave what is not allowed”(2). Ka’b Ibn Ajra, (ABPWT), narrates:”The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “You Ka’b Ibn Ajra! Any flesh fed with ill-gotten property will not increase, but the fire of hell has a proirity for it”(3). The Overall Meaning Our true religion dictated to us to seek the allowed and leave the unallowed. The Glorious Allah has made it clear that seeking the allowed is a characteristic of messengers and prophets. Looking for the allowed is aduty and inevitable command. On the Doom’s Day, a person can not move away until he is asked about his money, where he got it from and where he spent. The Prophet’s companions and wonderful examples of this practice. (1) Narrated by Muslem 1015. (2) Al-Mawta’ 2625. Narrated by Ibn Majah 2144. (3) Narrated by Al-Termethi. ancesstors had given 115 - Seeking the Permissible is a duty 409 Benefits 1 - Seeking the allowed is a duty on every Muslim. 2 - Seeking the allowed is a cause of blessings. 3 - One who wants God to comply with his request, has to eat allowed food. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 410 116 - The Ethics of Asking Permission Praise be to Allah who commanded faith and showed us the ethics of asking permission and blessings and Salute on our Messenger Mohammad (PBUH), the Master of Adnan’s progency and those who followed him in benevolence. Allah, to whom belongs might and majesty says: {Believers, let those your right hand owns and those who have not come of age ask permission of you three times before the dawn prayer, when you put aside your garments, in the heat of noon, and after the night prayer. These are the three occasions of privacy. There is no fault in you or them, apart from these, that they go about you, you are of each other. As such Allah makes plain to you His verses, Allah is the Knower, the Wise} [An-Nur: v. 58]. Allah, the Honourable, the Majestic says: {Believers, do not enter houses other than your houses until you first ask permission and greet with peace the people thereof; that is better for you in order that you remember. And if you do not find anyone there, do not enter it until} [An-Nur: v. 27 - 28]. Sahl Ibn Sa’d, (ABPWT), said: A man peeped through a hole in a wall on the prophet (PBUH), when he had a wooden stick in his hand rubbing his head so he said: “If I had known that you were looking, I would have plucked your eyes with it. Asking permission is just for the sight”(1). (1) Agreed upon: Al-Bukhari 6241 and Muslem 2156. 116 - The Ethics of Asking Permission 411 Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), narrates that the prophet (PBUH) said: “Anyone who peeped into some people’s house without their permission, these people have the right to pluck out his two eyes”(1). Kilda Ibn Hanbal, (ABPWT), said I entered a place where the prophet (PBUH) was sitting. I didn’t salute or ask permission. The prophet (PBUH) said: “Go back and say: Peace be on you! Can I come in”(2). Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari, (ABPWH), camt to Omar Ibn Al-Khattab’s house and called: Peace be on you, this is Abdulla Ibn Keis. Nobody answered him. Then said Peace be on you, this is Abu Musa, peace be on you, this is Al-Ash’ari, then went away. He said: Answer me………. Answer me. Omar came and asked him why he went away. We were busy. Al-Ash’ari said: I have heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying: “Asking permission is three times, if you are answered, come in, otherwise go back”(3). Jaber, (ABPWH), narrates: I came to the house of the prophet (PBUH) and called. The prophet (PBUH) said: “Who are you?” I said: It’s me. The prophet went out saying: “It’s me…. It’s me….”(4). The Overall Meaning Asking permission is a moral given to us by Allah in His book and the prophet (PBUH) directed us to it in his practice. It (1) (2) (3) (4) Narrated by Muslem 2158. Narrated by Abu Dawood 5176 and Termethi 2710. Al-Mawata’ 2768, narrated by Muslem 2154. Agreed upon. Al-Bukhari 6250 and Muslem 2155. Lessons of the Mosques 412 respects the rights of others and observing their privacy and covering what they don’t want to show. Asking permission has ethics which should be observed. Among them are: − If you asked permission to enter anybody’s house, and you were sure that they didn’t hear you, you repeat it until you are heard. − It is preferable to ask permission with an audible voice, without shouting and to knock at the door gently as much as can be heard. − The visitor should not stand in front of the gate. If it was open, he stands a little to the right or left in order not to see what is in. This is the teaching of the prophet (PBUH). The visitor should not look inside the house because houses have their sacredness. The practice for somebody who wants permission is to salute first, then ask permission. Among these ethics are the following: To choose the suitable time for the visit, not to be very early in the morning for example or at the time of seista in the afternoon or at a later hour. The visit is not preferred at these times: If the owner of the house is not in, the visitor shouldn’t get in. It is also dictated that the visitor should sit in the place chosen by the owner of the house, and not stick to a certain 116 - The Ethics of Asking Permission 413 place where he might see some of the things that the owner of the house doesn’t want to disclose to anybody. Many of the ethics we have mentioned are the same for the relatives and non-relatives. So children must ask permission to get into their parents’ rooms in order not to see what they shouldn’t see. Benefits 1 - Asking permission is a moral which we should stick to and teach to our children. 2 - Asking permission has ethics which we should learn and practice. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 414 117 - Responsibility Praise be to Allah who distinguished man with mind and responsibility. Blessing and Salute on the prophet (PBUH) who carried the responsibility with good intention and on his family and companions the best among mankind. Allah, to whom belongs might and majesty says: {We offered the trust to the heavens, and the earth, and the mountains, but they refused to bear it, and were afraid of it, and the human carried it. Surely, he is a harm doer, and ignorant} [Al-Ahzab: v. 72]. Allah, the Honourable, the Majestic says: {Say: ‘Obey Allah and obey the Messenger. If you turn away, upon him only rests what is laid upon him, and upon you rests what is laid on you. If you obey him, you shall be guided. It is only for the Messenger to deliver a clear message} [An-Nur: v. 54]. Allah, Glorified and Exaulted be He says: {And keep your promise. Surely, the promise will be questioned} [Al-Isra’: v. 34]. Allah, the Honourable, the Majestic says: {so by your Lord, We will question them all. about what they did} [Al-Hijr: v. 92 - 93]. Abdulla Ibn Omar, (ABPWT), said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying: “Everyone of you is a guardian and is responsible for his people. An Emam is a guardian and is responsible for his people. The husband is a guardian of his family and is responsible for his family, the wife is a guardian of her husband’s house and is responsible for it, the servant 117 - Responsibility 415 is a guardian of his master’s property and is responsible for it”. I thought he also said: “A man is a guardian of his father’s property and is responsible for it and everyone is a guardian and responsible for his subjects”(1). Abu Barzah Al-Aslami, (ABPWH), said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “On the Doom’s Day, no subject can move away until he is asked about his age and how he used up, his knowledge and what he has done with, about his money, where he has earned and how he has spent and about his body and how he has worn out”(2). Ma’kel Ibn Yasar, may Allah be please with them, says: I heard the prophet (PUBH) saying: “Anyone, who is granted the responsibility of some subjects and does not carry it well enough, wouldn’t smell the adore of paradise”(3). Al-Hasan, (ABPWH), narrates that the prophet (PBUH) said: “Allah will ask every guardian about his charge, whether he kept or lost it, until the man is asked about the memebers of his family(4). Abu Thar, (ABPWH), narrates: I said to the Messenger of Allah: Won’t you find a job for me? He said: He hit me on my shoulder and said: “Abu Thar! You are a weak person and the job is a very big charge. It is a shame and reluctance on the Doom’s Day except for the person who gave it its rights and fulfilled all its duties”(5). (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Narrated by Al-Bukhari 2409 and Muslem 1829. Al- Termethi 2417. Narrated by Al-Bukhari 7150. Ibn Habban 10\ 344. Narrated by Muslem 1825. Lessons of the Mosques 416 The Overall Meaning He must look after the stability and security of his society and pay attention to its morals and fame. He treats people with justice and benevolence. On the Doom’s Day, everybody is responsible. Those who take care of the charge will win the reward and safety, but those who don’t will have repentance and sorrow. Man has to know that his value is equal to the responsibility he burdens and that Allah has not created him in vain and will not leave him without accounting. He has to fear Allah and burden his responsibility as exact as he can. Benefits 1 - The burden of responsibility is great. 2 - A muslim is responsible for everything he is given, so he must prepare answers to these questions. 3 - The misuse of responsibility is deceit and treasion. 4 - A muslim has to take the promise of those whom he sponsors as a wife, child and others. D D D 118 - The Trust 417 118 - The Trust Praise be to Allah who commanded paying back trusts and made it a characteristic of men and women believers. Blessing and Salute upon our Master Mohammad (PBUH) who was inspired with miracles and wonders and on his family and companions, the people of virtues and favour. The Glorious Allah says: {“Allah orders you all to hand back trusts to their owners, and when you judge between people you judge with justice. Indeed, the best is the exhortation with which Allah exhorts you. Allah is the Hearer, the Seer} [An-Nisa’: v. 58]. Allah, to whom belongs might and majesty says: {We offered the trust to the heavens, and the earth, and the mountains, but they refused to bear it, and were afraid of it, and the human carried it. Surely, he is a harm doer, and ignorant. Allah punishes the hypocrites, men and women alike, and the idolaters, both men and women alike; and Allah turns to the believers, men and women alike. Allah is the Forgiver, the Most Merciful} [Al-Ahzab: v. 72 - 73]. He also says: {Prosperous are those) who preserve their trusts and pledges} [Al-Mu’minun: v. 8]. Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Pay the charge back those who gave it 418 Lessons of the Mosques to you and never betray those who betray you”(1). Abdulla Ibn Omar, (ABPWT), narrates that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “One who has these four characteristics is a complete hypocrite and he who has one of them has a characteristic of hypocracy until he leaves it: If he is given a charge, he betrays, if he talks, he lies, if he promises, he breaks his promise and if he gets angry, he exaggerates”(2). Hutheifah, (ABPWH), narrates: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) talked to us about two things, I have seen the first happening and I am still waiting for the occurrence of the other. He said: “Trust has been revealed in the roots of men’s hearts, then the Koran has been revealed, so they learned from it and from the Sunna”, (the teaching of the prophet). Then he talked to us about the expiration of the trust and said: “A man goes into deep sleep, so the trust will be partly taken from his heart leaving tiny traces, then he goes into deep sleep again, the trust is taken away from his heart leaving like those of ulcers, like a spark of fire rolling on your leg. Then you see it swelling without any traces. - Then he took a small pebble and rolled it down on his leg - Then comes a time when people buy and sell without observing truthfulness until someone says: There is a truthful person in the family of so and so, then people say: How patient he is! How kind he is! How wise he is!, although he might not have the weight of mustard seed of faith in his heart”. I passed through times (1) Narrated by Abu Dawood 3535 and Al-Termethi 1264. (2) Agreed upon. Al-Bukhari 34 and Muslem 58. 118 - The Trust 419 when I didn’t know which one of you I had bargained. If he were a Muslim, his religion would send him back to me and if he were a Christian or a Jew, his practice would send him back to me. But nowadays, I will not bargain anybody except Mr. so.. and so..(1). The Overall Meaning Trust is a good moral of prophets and messengers. No messenger was sent without being true to himself, true to his people and true in conveying the message of his Lord. The best one who was trustworthy and he conveyed his message is the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). His fellow people had called him the truthful and trustworthy. The believers follow the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) in this moral, that is why they deserve Allah’s praise to them. People are obliged to pay the trusts back to their owners. Those who don’t do that in their lives, will have to pay for it on the Doom’s Day. Benefits 1 - Trust is a characteristic of prophets, messengers and good subjects of Allah. 2 - A society, in which trust is common, is a good and blessed one. (1) Agreed upon. Al-Bukhari 6497 and Muslem 143. Lessons of the Mosques 420 3 - By means of trust, the rights are preserved and duties are performed. 4 - Those who don’t give trusts back have a characteristic of deceit. 5 - Those who give trusts back will inherit the gardens of paradise. D D D 119 - Excellence in Islam means Leaving what doesn’t concern 421 119 - Excellence in Islam means Leaving what doesn’t concern Praise be to Allah who commanded His subjects to keep their tongues, and made its straightness an evidence for faith. Blessing and Salute on our Master Mohammad (PBUH), the noblest human being and on his family and prominent companions. Allah, to whom belongs might and majesty, says: {There is no good in much of their confiding, except for he who bids to charity, honor, or reforms between people. Whosoever does that for the sake of the pleasure of Allah, We shall give him a great wage} [An-Nisa’: v. 114]. Allah, the Honourable, the Majestic, says: {Believers, do not ask about things that if they appeared to you, would only upset you; but if you ask about them when the Koran is being sent down, they shall be made plain to you. Allah will pardon it; Allah is Forgiving, Clement} [Al-Ma’idah’: v. 101]. Allah, Glorified and exaulted be He, says: {[25.72] and those who do not bear false witness, and when they pass by idle talk, pass by with honor} [Al-Furqan: v. 72]. Allah, Mighty and Sublime be He, says: {whatever phrase he utters, an observer is present} [Qaf: v. 18]. Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), narrates that the Messenger of Allah Lessons of the Mosques 422 said: “Excellence in one’s Islam is to leave what doesn’t concern him”(1). (PBUH) Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), also narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “One who believes in Allah and the Other Day doesn’t do harm to his neighnour. One who believes in Allah and the Other Day must be generous with his guests. One who believes in Allah and the Other Day must say good or keep silent”(2). Anas, (ABPWH), narrates: A man died, so one of his friends said: Allah’s tiding will take him to paradise. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “You don’t know. Prehaps he talked in what doesn’t concern him or was mean in spending from what he has lots”(3). The Overall Meaning What a Muslim must direct his attention to is what directly concern his causes of life and living and what is related to his safety in the afterworld. Any other extra worldly affairs shouldn’t attract much of his attention. Islam considers leaving what doesn’t concern an evidence for the excellence of one’s Islam, the perfection of faith and truthfulness, and a cause to enter paradise. It also makes setting the tongue free to say nonsense and busying oneself in what doesn’t concern a reason for deprivation (1) Al-Mawta’ 2628 and narrated by Al-Termethi 2318. (2) Agreed upon. Al-Bukhari 6018 and Muslem 47. (3) Narrated by Al-Termethi 2316. 119 - Excellence in Islam means Leaving what doesn’t concern 423 and entering hell. These might not be known to many people who don’t keep their tongues and control their words. Busying oneself in what doesn’t concern has many consequences among which are: being a reason to hard-heartedness and evoking enemities and disputes among people. It is also a reason for wasting much time. One who wants safety and salvation in the two lives has to keep his tongue and leave trivial and base things. Benefits 1 - Leaving what doesn’t concern and keeping the tongue are a cause to enter paradise. 2 - Leaving what doesn’t concern is an evidence for the excellence of someone’s Islam and perfection of belief. 3 - Leaving nonsense results in a good position and dignity among people. 4 - A Muslim has to abstain from sitting with indecent people and hypocrites. D D D 424 Lessons of the Mosques 120 - The Favour of the First Ten Days of Thee - Al -Hijja Praise be to Allah the forgiver and thankful who rewards the good deeds with the best wages. Blessing and Salute on our Master Mohammad (PBUH) so long as days and ages roll on. May Allah be pleased with his relatives, companions and followers in benevolence until the day of resurrection. Allah, to whom belongs might and majesty, says: {By the dawn. and ten nights (of pilgrimage or the last ten days of Ramadan} [Al-Fajr: v. 1 - 2]. Ibn Abbas, may Allah be please with them, narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “No other days on which the good deeds are more favoured by Allah than these days”. i.e The first ten days”(1). In another narration: “No action is better for Allah, to whom belongs might and majesty, or more wage-paying than the good you do on the ten days preceding Al-Adha Day”. The narrator contiues: When these ten days start, Sa-id Ibn Jubeir worked very much hard and did what he nearly couldn’t”. Jaber Ibn Abdullah, (ABPWT), narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “The best of the days of life. He means the ten days in Thee-Hijja”(2). (1) Narrated by Al-Bukhari 969 and Abu Dawood 2436. His pronunciation. (2) Al-Bazzar 2\28 No. 1128 and Al-Haythami 4\17. 120 - The Favour of the First Ten Days of Thee - Al -Hijja 425 The Overall Meaning These are the best days of the year and even the best days of life. Allah, to whom belongs might and majesty, swore with them and doubled the rewards of good actions on them. No other days on which the good deeds are more favoured by Allah, to whom belongs might and majesty, than these ten days. The best of these days is the tenth, and the best deed man can do to get him closer to Allah is slaying the sacrifices. Sacrifice is a ritual of Islam, which the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) kept doing during all his stay in Al-Madina. The nineth day is that ofArafah. The people who are not on pilgrimage can fast it. It erases the sins of two years. The rest of the days are dedicated to good deeds especially fasting and Allah-mentioning. A Muslim has to make use of these days and make a lot of various kinds of good deeds such as prayer, giving alms, benevolence. Fasting, Allah-mentioning and others. Benefits 1 - The favour of the good deeds on the first ten days of the month of Thee-Hijja. 2 - The importance and favour of these days for Allah to whom be ascribed all the perfection and majesty. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 426 121 - The Sacrifice Praise be to Allah who founded rules to his subjects and made sacrifices rites to Muslims. Blessing and Salute on our Messenger Mohammad (PBUH), the best of mankind, and on his family and gracious companions. Allah, to whom be ascribed all the perfection and majesty, says: {So pray to your Lord and sacrifice} [Al-Kauthar: v. 2]. Allah, the Great and Almighty, says: {For every nation We have appointed a holy ritual, that they pronounce the Name of Allah over the beast of flocks which He has provided them. Your God is One God; to Him surrender yourselves. Give glad tidings to the humble} [Al-Hajj: v. 34]. Allah, Glorified and exaulted be He, says: {And the camels We have made a part of the way marks of Allah. In them is good for you. Pronounce over them the Name of Allah, when they are hobbled; and when they have fallen down on their sides, eat of them and feed the impoverished non-requestor and the requestor. As such We have subjected them to you, in order that you give thanks. Their flesh and blood does not reach Allah rather it is piety from you that reaches Him. As such He has subjected them to you, in order that you exalt Allah for guiding you. And give glad tidings to the generous} [Al-Hajj: v. 36 - 37]. Anas, (ABPWH), narrates: the Prophet (PBUH) sacrifices two full-grown and well-fed sheep. He slew them with his hand, 121 - The Sacrifice 427 mentioned the name of Allah on them and glorified Allah. He put his leg on their backs(1). Al-Bara’, (ABPWH), narrates: My uncle slew a sacrifice before the prayer. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH), said: “This goat is just for meat”. He said: Oh Messenger of Allah! I don’t have many goats. The Messenger said: “Sacrifice another one. It is not suitable to anyone except you. “Then he said: “One who sacrifices before the prayer of Eid, does it for himself, and one who slays after the prayer, he gets the full rite and follows the practice of Muslims”(2). Jaber, (ABPWH), narrates: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH), said: “Slay a full-grown old sheep, but if it were difficult slay a full-grown young one”(3). Om Salama, may Allah be pleased with her, narrates that the Prophet (PBUH), said: “If the first ten days, started, and one of you wanted to give a sacrifice, he mustn’t cut any of his hair of scratch his skin”(4). The Overall Meaning Giving a sacrifice is an apparent Islamic ritual and a holy worship which the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), kept doing during all his stay in Al-Madina because shedding its blood brings people nearer to Allah, to whom be ascribed all the perfection (1) (2) (3) (4) Agreed upon. Al-Bukhari 5565 and Muslem 1966. Agreed upon. Al-Bukhari 5556 and Muslem 1961. Narrated by Muslem 1963. Narrated by Muslem 1977. Lessons of the Mosques 428 and majesty, will not be satisfied with the blood or flesh of these sacrifices, but with His subjects’ fear of Him, their love to Him and getting nearer to Him with what He loves. It is from the cattle’ camels, cows, or sheep, male or female. A Muslim who intends to give a sacrifice mustn’t cut any of his hair or nails starting on the first day of Thee-Al-Hijja. He has to choose the best and the most perfect of the sheep as a sacrifice. The Sacrifice must be safe from any defect. The Muslim has to take into consideration the age of the sacrifice which is five years for camels, two years for cows and one year for sheep. The best colours of these animals are the white and grey and the least is the black. The Muslim has to buy and slay the sacrifice by himself if he can and has also to eat from its meat and feed the others. The time of slaying the sacrifice starts after the prayer of Eid and finishes at the sunset of the fourth day. It is possible during the four days, day and night. Benefits 1 - The sacrifice gets us nearer to the Glorious Allah. 2 - The better the sacrifice is, the more reward we get. 3 - Slaying cattle for Allah is one of the great forms of worship that He loves and His Messenger, (PBUH), urged us to do. 4 - The sacrifice is not slain before the prayer of Al-Adha Eid. D D D 122 - The Favour of the Day of Arafah 429 122 - The Favour of the Day of Arafah Praise be to Allah who perfected the religion of Islam to us. Blessing and Salute upon the best one who was a pilgrim to the Holy House, our Master Mohammad (PBUH), the best of mankind and upon his family and gracious companions. Allah, to whom be ascribed all the perfection and majesty, says: {It shall be no offense for you to seek the bounty of your Lord. When you surge on from Arafat, remember Allah as you approach the Holy Mountain of Mash’ar. Remember Him as it is He who guided you though before that you were amongst the astray} [Al-Baqarah: v. 198]. Allah, to whom belongs might and majesty, says: {This day I have perfected your religion for you and completed My favor to you. I have approved Islam to be your religion. (As for) he who does not intend to commit a sin but is constrained by hunger to eat of what is forbidden, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful} [Al-Ma’idah’: v. 3]. Abdul Rahman Ibn Ya’mor Al-Daily, (ABPWH), narrates that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “The Pilgrimage is Arafah”(1). Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, narrates: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “There is no other day on which Allah frees more subjects from fire than the day of Arafah. He (1) Narrated by Termethi 889 and Al-Nassa’I 3016. Lessons of the Mosques 430 comes nearer to the pilgrims and vies with glory his angels saying: What do all these want?”(1). Talha Ibn Obeid Allah Ibn Kureiz narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), said: “The best prayer is the prayer on the day of Arafah”(2). Abu Kotada, (ABPWH), narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah and said: “It erases the sins of the last year and the present one”(3). The Overall Meaning The day of Arafah is the nineth day of Thee Al-Hijja. It has more favour and reward than any other day. It is the day on which the religion was completed and the blessings were revealed. The day of Arafah is the great noticeable day by which Allah has sworn. It is prefereable for a Muslim to glorify this day by fasting on it, because fasting on this day erases the sins of two years. A pilgrim on Arafah shouldn’t fast because the Prophet (PBUH), did not fast on it. It is also a day on which Allah responds to the prayers, frees subjects from the fire of hell, forgives sins and vies with glory his angels for the large crowds. We have to be careful to fast on it, and do the most repentace and Allah’s mentioning and glorifying. (1) Narrated by Muslim 1348. (2) Al-Mawta’ 572 and 1270. (3) Narrated by Muslim 1162. 122 - The Favour of the Day ofArafah 431 Benefits 1 - The day of Arafah is the day of religion perfection and blessing revelation. 2 - Fasting on the day of Arafah is prefereable because it erases the sins of two years. 3 - The day of Arafah is the day on which sins are forgiven and necks of subjects are freed from fire. Allah vies with glory his angels because of the crowds of pilgrims. 4 - It is prefereable to say much prayer, God-mentioning and asking for forgiveness on this day. We beseech Allah to help us to obey Him, worship Him well. He is the most knowing. Blessing and Salute be upon our Messenger Mohammad (PBUH) and his family all his companions. D D D 432 Lessons of the Mosques 123 - Patience is Enlightenment Praise be to Allah who made patience enlightenment and made paradise a reward to its bearers. Blessing and Salute be upon our Master, Mohammad (PBUH) the most eloquent and upon his family and companions, the most sacrificing people. Allah, to whom belongs might and majesty, says: {Believers, be patient, and race in patience, be steadfast, fear Allah, in order that you will be victorious} [Aal-’Imran: v. 200]. Allah, to whom be ascribed all the perfection and majesty, says: {surely, those who are patient will be recompensed in full without count} [Az-Zumar: v. 10]. Allah, Glorified, and exaulted be He, says: {We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, and decrease of goods, life and fruits. Give glad tidings to the patient, who, in adversity say: ‘We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.} [Al-Baqarah: v. 155 - 156]. Allah, Glorified, and exaulted be He, says: {Believers, seek assistance in patience and prayer, Allah is with those who are patient} [Al-Baqarah: v. 153]. Soheib Ibn Sinan, may Allah be please with them, narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), said: “How wonderful the believer is! All his affairs are good, nobody else is like him. If he gets something good, he thanks God and it is good for 123 - Patience is Enlightenment 433 him, and if he gets something bad, he is patient and it is good for him”(1). Abu Sa’-id Al-Khudari, (ABPWT), narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), said: “One who seeks patience is granted patience by Allah. No one is given a better or wider gift than patience”(2). Al-Harith Ibn Asem Al-Ash’ari, (ABPWT), narrates that the Prophet of Allah (PBUH), said: “Patience is enlightenment”(3). The Overall Meaning The patience requested in religion is that with Allah’s obedience until it is performed, that with Allah’s disobedience until we evade it, that with the world’s disasters and mischief and not to show dissatisfaction with Allah’s fate. Patience is keeping close to the Book and Sunna, acting according to them and bearing fate with pleasure and satisfaction. Because of the great value of patience, Allah has commanded his Prophet (PBUH), and the other powerful messengers to stick to it. He ordered the believers to stick to it and made it a help to do their affairs and slove their difficulties and hardships. Allah is with patient people, and those have all the good in their hands. Patient people are hailed on the Doom’s Day by angels: (1) Narrated by Muslem 2999. (2) Agreed upon Al-Hukhari 1469 and Muslem 1053. (3) Narrated by Muslem 223 Lessons of the Mosques 434 {Peace be to you, for all that you patient, Blessed is the reward of Paradise} [Ra’d v. 24]. We, believers, have to stick to patience because it lightens the Muslim’s life and expels despair, bordum and hopelessness. Patience is the road to the reward which nobody except Allah knows its value. We have to be patient with the obedience to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, follow the prophets and messengers and to seek the winning of the great favour. Benefits 1 - Allah loves patient people. 2 - Patience is the moral of prophets. 3 - Patience is a help in doing the affairs and solving the problems. 4 - Nobody is given a wider and better gift than patience. 5 - Patience is the road to success. 6 - The patient have the better afterlife. Blessing and Salute upon our Master Mohammad (PBUH) and his family and companions. D D D 124 - The Favour of Asking for Allah’s Forgiveness 435 124 - The Favour of Asking for Allah’s Forgiveness Praise be to Allah the honourable and forgiver who ordered his subjects to repent and ask for His forgiveness, the reward of which is paradise with its rivers flowing beneath. Blessing and Salute upon the chosen prophet and upon his family and pious companions. Allah, to whom be ascribed all the perfection and majesty, says: {and ask for forgiveness of your sins} [Muhammad: v. 19]. Allah, the great and Almighty, says: {He who does evil or wrongs himself and then asks forgiveness of Allah will find that Allah is the Forgiver, the Most Merciful} [n-Nisa’: v. 110]. Allah, the Honourable, the Majestic, says: {Ask for forgiveness of your Lord, ” I said. “Surely, He is the Forgiver. He will let loose the sky upon you in abundance and give to you wealth and sons, and provide you with gardens and rivers} [Nuh: v. 10 - 12]. Allah, Glorified and exaulted be He, says: {But Allah was not to punish them whilst you were living in their midst. Nor would Allah punish them if they repeatedly ask forgiveness of Him} [Al-Anfal: v. 33]. Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), narrates that: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), saying: “I swear by Allah that I ask for His forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times a day”(1). (1) Narrated by Al-Bukhari 6307. 436 Lessons of the Mosques Anas, may Allah be please with him, narrates: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying: “Allah, Be He the exalted and blessed says: Oh Thou son of Adam! Every time you ask and beg Me, I have forgiven all your sins and I don’t care, Thou… son of Adam! If your sins accumiliate to reach the highest sky, and you ask for My forgiveness, I will forgive you and I don’t care. Thou…. Son of Adam! If you have world-wide sins and you come to Me without polytheism, I will give you world-wide forgiveness”(1). Shaddad Ibn Aws, may Allah be please with them, narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), said: “The best way for requesting Allah’s forgiveness is to say: O Allah Thou art my Lord. There is no Allah but You. You have created me and I am Your subject. I will stay on Your promise and convection so long as I live. I pray you to protect me the consequences of the sins I have done. I admit to You Your blessing on me and I admit my sins. Forgive me! No one except You forgives sins”. And also said: “Anyone, believing in it, says it during daytime and dies before evening comes, will be one of Paradise dwellers. Anyone, believing in it, says it at night and dies before day breaks, will be one of Paradise dwellers”(2). Al-Zubeir Ibn Al-Awwam, (ABPWT), narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), said: “One who likes to be pleased with his record of deeds has to do much asking for Allah’s forgiveness”(3). (1) Narrated by Al-Termethi 3540. (2) Narrated by Al-Bukhari 6306. (3) Narrated by Al-Tabarani in the Medium Dictionary 1\256 and Al-Haythami 10\208. 124 - The Favour of Asking for Allah’s Forgiveness 437 The Overall Meaning No son of Adam can avoid committing sins and wrongs. The Glorious Allah has made asking for Allha’s forgiveness a weapon for believers to defend themselves against the evils of disobedience and bad actions. Asking for Allah’s forgiveness may also be a cause for the blessings in life and Paradise in the afterworld. It is also a cause for begetting rain, increasing the property and number of children, increasing strength and lifting the mischief. So, dear brothers, we have to continue asking for Allah’s forgiveness, admitting committing sins, and returning to Allah. Benefits 1 - The person who continues asking for Allah’s forgiveness will win the good of the life and that of the afterworld. 2 - Asking for Allah’s forgiveness is a weapon for the believers to fight the devil and to protect themselves from the consequences of sins. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 438 125 - Some of the evils of the tongue Praise be to Allah who created man, taught him eloquence and blessed him with a tongue and two lips. Blessing and Salute on him who secured paradise to those who kept their tongues, our Master Mohammad (PBUH), his family and companions who deserve favour and benevolence. Allah, to whom be ascribed all the perfection and majesty, says: {There is no good in much of their confiding, except for he who bids to charity, honor, or reforms between people. Whosoever does that for the sake of the pleasure of Allah, We shall give him a great wage} [An-Nisa’: v. 114]. Allah, the Great and Al-Mighty says: {whatever phrase he utters, an observer is present} [Qaf: v. 18]. Soheil Ibn Sa’d, (ABPWT), narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “I will guarantee paradise to anyone who guarantees what is between his two legs and what is between his two jaws”(1). Mo’athe Ibn Jabal, (ABPWT), narrates: I said: You Messenger of Allah! Shall we account for what we talk? The Messenger of Allah (PBUH), said: “May your mother lose you, Mo’athe! What throws people on their faces or noses on fire other than the evils of their tongues?!”(2). (1) Narrated by Al-Bukhari 6474. (2) Narrated by Al-Termethi 2616 and Ibn Majah 3973. 125 - Some of the evils of the tongue 439 Sofian Ibn Abdulla Al-Thakafi narrates: I said: O Messenger of Allah! Please tell me something of Islam which I will never ask anyone after you”. He said: “Say I believe in Allah and be straight”(1). Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “A person, unintentionally, says a word to please Allah for which Allah raises his position to a higher level. A person, unintentionally, says a word which Allah hates for which he falls down in the fire of hell”(2). The Overall Meaning The tongue is one of Allah’s greatest blessings and kindest gifts. It is small in size but great in crime, since there is no distinction between belief and disbelief without mentioning by tongue the two witnesses which are the highest grade of obedience and disobedience. Because the tongue has this great position, all the organs of the body address it with advice every morning. The evils of the tongue are numerous among which are: − Talking about what doesn’t concern you. One who knows the value of time and that it is one’s capital, has to keep his tongue from involving in what is not useful. − Plunging into falsehood which is talking about disobedience. Plunging into falsehood may include arguing for mere show-off and fanaticism. (1) Narrated by Muslem 38 and Ahmad 15416. (2) Al- Mawta’ 2819 and narrated by Al-Bukhari 6478. Lessons of the Mosques 440 − Cursing, Swearing, shamelessness and the like are all forbidden and defamed. It is shameful and vulgar to express disliked matters with their frank expressions. Good people always avoid doing that. − Mockery, satiring others and mentioning their faults for the purpose of arising people’s laughter at them and diminishing their values. − Lying, pretence, the disclosure of secrets, breaking promises, deciet, hypocracy, harming the others and uncovering their defects. − Backbiting. The Holy Book mentions prohibiting it and described those who do it as eaters of dead flesh. Backbiting is to say something about an absent Muslim which he does not like if he knows it, such as a defect in his body. It is similar to saying: One-eyed, cross-eyed, hairless, tall or short, or in his family or his morals etc. − Praising others for what does not really exists in them, as if to say he is pious and ascetic. Or one may exaggerate in praise leading to lying or one might praise people who should be defamed. Benefits 1 - The tongue is a blessing of Allah which one should use in good words. 2 - The evils of tongue are numerous and a Muslim must avoid them. D D D 126 - The Day of Resurrection 441 126 - The Day of Resurrection Praise be to Allah who gathers people on the day of resurrection and blessing and salute on him who was sent with the Book and evidences, our Master Mohammad (PBUH) and his family and companions. Allah, to whom be ascribed all the perfection and majesty, says: {Indeed, to Us they shall return, then upon Us shall rest their reckoning} [Al-Ghaashiyah: v. 25 - 26]. Allah, the Great and Almighty, says: {Then, they are returned to Allah their Guardian, the True. Surely, the judgment is for Him, He is the Swiftest of reckoners} [Al-An’am: v. 62]. Allah, Mighty and Sublime be He, says: {We shall set up just scales, so that no soul shall in the least be wronged, even though it be the weight of a grain of mustard seed, We will bring it We Suffice as reckoners} [Al-Anbiya’: v. 47]. Allah, Glorified and exaulted be He, says: {who join together what Allah has bidden to be united; who fear their Lord and dread the evil reckoning} [Ar-Ra’d: v. 21]. Allah, to whom be ascribed all perfection and majesty, says: {And to every human? We have fastened to him his bird of deeds upon his neck; and on the Day of Resurrection We shall bring forth to him a book spread open wide} [Al-Isra’: v. 13]. 442 Lessons of the Mosques Allah, the Honourable, the Majestic, says: {The Horn shall be blown and all who are in heavens and earth shall swoon, except those whom Allah wills. Then, the Horn will blow again and they shall stand and gaze. The earth will shine with the Light of its Lord, and the Book (of deeds) will be set (in place). The Prophets and witnesses shall be brought and the matter will be justly decided between them, and they will not be wronged} [Az-Zumar: v. 68 - 69]. Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), said: “No one is called to account (for his acions) can avoid destruction”. Then she said: I said: Oh Messenger of Allah, I grant my life for your safety, “Doesn’t He, to whom belongs might and majesty, say: {Then, he who is given his Book in his right hand. shall have an easy reckoning} [Al-Inshiqaq v. 7 - 8] The Messenger said: “They are exposed to Allah, but those whose accounts are discussed, go to hell”(1). Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), said: “On the Doom’s Day, you will have to pay the rights back to their owners, even a hornless goat will take revenge on the horned one”(2). Odei Ibn Hatim, (ABPWT), narrrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), said: “Everyone of you will be talked to by Allah and there is no interpreter between them. He looks right and sees what he has done, looks left and sees (1) Narrated by AlBukhari 4939 and Muslem 2876. This is muslem’s pronunciation. (2) Narrated by Muslem 2582. 126 - The Day of Resurrection 443 what he has done and looks in front of him and sees nothing except the fire of hell. Protect yourselves from this fire even with half of date”(1). The Overall Meaning The Glorious Allah has made this world a home for action, and counted what His subjects done in it, and made the other world a home for reward. There is a great wisdom in this in order ot distinguish the believer who has paid the rights of Allah and His creatures from those who indulged in non-feasance and who oppressed and lost. This accounting and reward is a call for good work and self-accounting in this world and a deterrent from committing oppression and losing the rights. Benefits 1 - Allah is all-knowing and well-informed, no atom’s weight on earth or in heavens can be hidden from Him. 2 - Allah does not oppress people at all. If He forgives them, it is His favour, and if He punishes them, it is His justice. 3 - The wise Muslim judges and reforms his own actions and corrects his mistakes and repents before it is too late. (1) Agreed upon: Al-Bukhari 7512 and Muslem 1016. Lessons of the Mosques 444 4 - The one whose accounting was discussed will suffer. 5 - Repentence from sins saves us from the severe accounting. Allah’s blessing and salute on our Master, Mohammad (PBUH) and his family and companions. Praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. D D D 127 - Accusing the Chaste Women 445 127 - Accusing the Chaste Women Praise be to Allah who ordered covering the sins and prohibited distress among the Muslims. Blessing and Salute on our Master, Mohammad (PBUH) who was sent as a mercy to the worlds and on his family and all companions. Allah, to whom be ascribed all the perfection and majesty, says: {Surely, those who defame chaste, unsuspecting, believing women, shall be cursed in this world and in the Everlasting Life, and for them there is a mighty punishment. On the Day when their tongues, hands and feet shall testify against them concerning what they were doing.Upon that Day Allah will pay them their due in full, and they will know that Allah is the clear truth} [An-Nur: v. 23 - 25]. Allah, Glorified, and exaulted he He, says: {Those who love that indecency should be broadcast about those who believe theirs is a painful punishment in this world and in the Everlasting Life. Allah knows, and you do not know} [An-Nur: v. 19]. Allah, Glorified, and exaulted he He, says: {Those who accuse chaste women, and cannot produce four witnesses, you shall lash them with eighty lashes. And never accept their testimony, for they are evildoers, except those among them that afterwards repent and mend their ways. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful} [An-Nur: v. 4 - 5]. Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), narrates that the prophet (PBUH) said: “Keep yourselves away from the seven deadly sins”. They said: What are they; Messenger of Allah!? He said: “Polytheism, magic, killing the 446 Lessons of the Mosques souls without having the right to, eating the interest of money, eating an orphan’s property, running away on a battle day and accusing the chaste and unknowing women believers”(1). Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), also narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Do you know who is the bankrupt?” Somebody answered: The bankrupt is someone who doesn’t have a penny or a property. He said: “The bankrupt among my nation is somebody who comes on the Doom’s Day with much prayer, fasting and Zakat, but he has cursed someone, accused another, eaten that person’s property, shed another’s blood and beaten others. All those are given amounts of his good deeds until they all vanish, and he still has to pay.Then, some of their sins are taken from them and thrown on his own (sins) and then he is kicked into the fire of hell”(2). Anas Ibn Malek, (ABPWT), narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “When I ascended the heavens, I passed by a group of people who had copper nails with which they scratched their faces and chests. I said: Gabriel! Who are these? He said: “These are the people who used to eat the flesh of dead people and accuse them in their chastity”(3). Abdulla Ibn Omar, (ABPWT), narrates that the prophet (PBUH) said: “Anyone who accuses a believer of what is not in him, will be dumped by Allah in the dirtiest liquid until he repents of what he has said”(4). The dirtiest liquid is the sweat that flows out of the dwellers of fire. (1) (2) (3) (4) Agreed upon. Al-Bukhari 2766 and Muslem 218. Narrated by Muslem 2581. Narrated by Abu Dawood 4878. Narrated by Abu Dawood 3597. 127 - Accusing the Chaste Women 447 The Overall Meaning It is a very big deadly sin to slander the virtuous chaste women who are very far from any suspicion or fornication. A Muslim is not allowed to accuse a woman believer with fornication or deny a man’s fatherhood to a son. The Glorious Allah has put a very harsh penalty for those sinners such as the immorality of the doer, refusing his witness and being beaten eighty whips because he spreads obscenity in the society. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) considered accusing the chaste people one of the deadly sins resulting in big penalty to those who commit them. Greater still, is the curse of Allah and severe suffering to the doers. A believer must be careful not to mention any accusation. It is a very serious matter. The Muslim is the person who all people are safe from his tongue and hand. Perhaps a word may lead the one who says it to deadly ends. A subject of Allah might say a word carelessly which evokes Allah’s anger and might lead him to fall into the fire of hell for seventy autums (years). Benefits 1 - Slander is accusing chaste men and women with adultry and obscenity. 2 - Slander is among the biggest deadly sins. 3 - The honor of Muslims is conserved. No one may talk about. Lessons of the Mosques 448 4 - The penalty of slander, if not repented, is in life and the afterworld. 5 - The conservation of the honour of society is among the targets of Islamic Law. Oh God! Save us, and save our religion for us! Save our honour and that of the Muslims! Protect our tongues from prejudicing the honor of others! You Lord of the Worlds! D D D 128 - Repentance 449 128 - Repentance Praise be to Allah who opened the gate of repentance to His subjects. Blessing and Salute on our Master, Mohammad (PBUH) who calls for beneficence and straight guidance and on his family and companions up to the day of resurrection. The Glorious Allah says: {And, O believers turn to Allah all together, in order that you prosper} [An-Nur: v. 31]. Allah, The Great and Almighty says: {Ask the forgiveness of your Lord and turn to Him in repentance. Indeed, my Lord is the Most Merciful, Loving} [Hud: v. 90]. And Allah, the Honourable, the Majestic, says: {Believers, turn to Allah in sincere repentance} [At-Tahrim: v. 8]. The Glorious Allah says: {(Allah accepts) the repentance from only those who commit evil in ignorance and then quickly turn to Him in repentance. Allah will relent towards them. Allah is Knowing, Wise} [An-Nisa’: v. 17]. Ibn Omar, (ABPWT), narrates that the Prophet, (PBUH) said: “Oh you people! Repent to Allah! I repent to Allah one hundred times a day”(1). Anas Ibn Malek, (ABPWH), narrates that the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH) said: “When one of you repents to Allah, He (1) Narrated by Muslem 2702. 450 Lessons of the Mosques is happier than one of you who is on a camel in a waste land, his food and drink are on the camel which goes astray and he loses every hope to find it. He sits in the shadow of a tree and falls asleep. All at once, it comes and stands near him. He holds its reins and screams happily: Oh Thou God, You are my subject and I am your Lord. He makes a mistake because of great happiness”(1). Abu Mosa Al-Ash’ari, (ABPWH), narrates that the prophet, (PBUH) said: “God, to whom belongs might and majesty, stretches His hands at night so as the sinners of the daytime repent to Him, and stretches His hands at daytime so as the sinners of the night repent to Him, until the sun rises after having set”(2). Anas Ibn Malek, (ABPWH), narrates that the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH) said: “All Adam’s progeny make mistakes and the best of mistake makers are those who repent”(3). Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), narrates that the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH) said: “Anyone who repents after the sun rises after its setting, gives a cause to Allah to accept his repentance”(4). Ibn Omar, (ABPWH), narrates that the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH) said: “God accepts the repentance of his subjects unless they are in the throes of death”(5). (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Narrated by Muslem 2747. Narrated by Muslem 2759. Narrated by Al-Termethi 2499. Narrated by Muslem 2703. Narrated by Al-Termethi 3537. 128 - Repentance 451 The Overall Meaning Repentance is leaving the defamed deeds for the praised ones. The true repentance is regret in heart, asking for Allah’s forgiveness with the tongue, giving up this body’s action and determination not to return to this evil at all. Most scholars find it as an immediate duty, because in its delay, there is insistance on it. If this evil is between the subject and his glorious God and does not involve any rights of the people, it has three conditions: The first is to give up this sin. The second is to regret doing it, and the third is to determine not to return it at all. If any of these conditions is lacking, the repentance is not true. However, if the evil concerns a human, it has four conditions, the above-mentioned three and to admit the right of its owner, if it were money or the like, he has to return it to him, if it were a slander, he has to ask for forgiveness or enable the owner to punish him, or if it were backbiting, he has to ask for forgiveness. What helps to repent is leaving the bad companions and getting rid of the disobedient who beautify sins and disgust obedience. Then he has to keep the company of good truthful people whose company will be a fence protecting from returning to the life of evils and breaching. A truthful believer does not approach any sin however big or small it is because he does not see the sin itself but the greatness of the glorious God whom he is not obedient to. If a Lessons of the Mosques 452 believer scrutinises his life and its shortcomings, he will weep in sorrow for what he has missed doing in his life and in grief for what he has neglected of Allah’s rights. Then he looks back at his faults and reforms them, at neglegeance and redresses it and at his soul and chastens it. After that he has to do much obedience and charity. Benefits 1 - The befefit Repentance of all sins is a duty. 2 - It is better to repent immediately. D D D 129 - The Day of Union 453 129 - The Day of Union Praise be to Allah who granted us unity and union and guided us to the right path. Blessing and salute on our Master, Mohammad, the best guide and his family and great companions. Allah, the Great and All-mighty, says: {And hold fast to the Bond of Allah, together, and do not scatter. Remember the Favor of Allah bestowed upon you when you were enemies, and how He united your hearts, so that by His Favor you became brothers. And how He saved you from the Pit of Fire when you were on the brink of it. And so Allah makes plain to you His verses, in order that you will be guided} [Aal-’Imran: v. 103]. Allah, be He blessed and exalted says: {And between them is a veil, and on the ramparts there shall stand men who will know each by their marks. To the companions of Paradise they shall call: ‘Peace be upon you! ‘ Yet they did not enter it on account of their eagerness}[Al-A’raf: v. 46]. Allah, to whom be ascribed all the perfection and majesty, says: {Do not follow the example of those who became divided and differed with one another after clear proofs had come to them. For those, there is a great punishment} [Aal-’Imran: v. 105]. Ibn Omar, (ABPWT), narrates that the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH) said: “You have to adhere to the group and keep away from the separation, the devil is with the one and is farther with Lessons of the Mosques 454 the two. One who wants to indulge in paradise, has to adhere to the group”(1). Abu Hurreirah, (ABPWH), narrates that the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH) said: “Allah likes three things for you and hates three things for you, He likes you to worship Him alone, not to be polytheistic and all of you to hold the rope of Allah and never separate. He hates three things for you; talking nonsense, multitude of questions and spendthrifing of your money”(2). Abdullah Ibn Mas’oud, (ABPWH), narrates that the Prophet, (PBUH) said: “Three things, a Muslim’s heart can not dislike; the sincerity of actions to Allah, advising the imam’s of Muslims, and adhering to their congregation. The mission lies behind them all”(3). The Overall Meaning The group is Allah’s rope which He addressed us to hold firmly. It is one of the greatest blessings which Allah grants to his subjects. The Prophet, (PBUH) mentioned thanking these blessings and thanking those who cause them. He showed that the group is mercy and separation is suffering, because through the group, people’s religion, houses, properties, honors and security are preserved. Our group and union are among Allah’s greatest blessings on us. Praise be to Allah we enjoy the blessings which nobody (1) Narrated by Al-Termethi 2165. (2) Al-Mawta’ 2833, and Muslem 1715. (3) Narrated by Al-Termethi 2658. 129 - The Day of Union 455 but Allah knows its number. We have prosperous living, luxury, peace and security. Our rulers are the best ones thank God. This is Allah’s favour and an act of our Late Sheikh Za-‘id, Allah’s blessing and mercy be upon him and that of his brothers and sons who work and have worked hard to the advantage of every religious and worldly good. May Allah keep them safe, take care of them and make them successful. When blessings- you people!- are thanked, they increase and continue and decrease and vanish if unthanked. One who doesn’t thank the little, doesn’t thank the great. One who doesn’t thank people, doesn’t thank Allah. Talking about Allah’s blessings is a gratitude and leaving them is ungratitude. The group is Mercy and separation is suffering. People will stay in a good condition so long as they glorify their Sultans and adhere to congregation. Benefits 1 - The group is mercy and separation is suffering. 2 - One who wants the wide gardens has to adhere to the group. 3 - The good and strength are in unity and reconciliation. 4 - Allah has forbidden conflicts because they are the road to failure. D D D 456 Lessons of the Mosques 130 - The Prophet’s Honorable Emigration Praise be to Allah, the Lord of Worlds and blessing and Salute on our Master, Mohammad, and on his family and all companions: The Glorious Allah says: {Some He has guided, and upon some justly is the straying; for they had chosen the Satans for supporters instead of Allah and suppose themselves to be guided} [Al-A’raf: v. 30]. Allah, glorified and exaulted be He, says: {If you do not help him, Allah will help him as He helped him when he was driven out with one other (Abu Bakr) by the unbelievers. When the two were in the cave, he said to his companion: ‘Do not sorrow, Allah is with us. ‘ Then Allah caused His tranquility (she china) to descend upon him and supported him with legions (of angels) you did not see, and He made the word of the unbelievers the lowest, and the Word of Allah is the highest. Allah is Mighty, Wise} [At-Taubah: v. 40]. Al-Bukhari narrates that Aisha, May Allah be pleased with her, said: The Messenger of Allah, God’s blessing and peace be upon him said to the Muslims: “I have seen the land of your emigration with a lot of palm trees between two hot places”. Some of the Muslims emigrated in the direction of Al-Madina, and most of those who had emigrated to Habasheh (Ethyopia) have returned to Al-Madina. Abu Bakr has prepared 130 - The Prophet’s Honorable Emigration 457 himself to leave for Al-Madina but the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH) said to him: “wait a little! I am still waiting for Allah’s permission”. Abu Bakr said to him: Do you really want that? (I grant my father’s life to save you). The Messenger said: “Yes”. Abu Bakr insisted that he would accompany the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH). So he foddered two of his camels well for the period of four months. Aisha said: One afternoon, while we were sitting in Abu Bakr’s house, somebody said to Abu Bakr: This is the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH) disguised coming here at a time which he has never done before”. Abu Bakr said: I grant my parents life to save him. I swear that he has not come at such a time except for a serious matter. She said: The Messenger of Allah, (PBUH) arrived at the gate and asked permission to enter the house. He was allowed in and he entered. The Prophet, (PBUH) said to Abu Bakr: “A word in secret with you”. Abu Bakr said: These are your family. The Prophet said: “I am allowed to emigrate”. Abu Bakr asked: With a companion, Prophet?” He said: “Yes”. Abu Bakr said: Take one of these two camels. The Prophet, (PBUH), “for a price”. Aisha continues: We prepared the fastest supplies for them and put the food in a knapsack. Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, cut a piece of her belt and tied the mouth of the knapsack with it. That is why she is called: The woman of two belts. She adds: The Messenger of Allah and Abu Bakr went to a cave in Thour Mountain where they stayed for three days. With them was Abdullah, son of Abu Bakr, a clever young man who stayed with them at night, and before dawn, he went down to Kureish as if he had spent the night in Mecca. Whenever he 458 Lessons of the Mosques heard news or conspiracy Kureish were weaving, he listened carefully and later told it to the Prophet and Abu Bakr when night came. Amer Ibn Faheira, a servant to Abu Bakr, who looked after a herd of Abu Bakr’s sheep used to let the sheep have some rest near them an hour after sunset(1). Al-Bukhari narrates that Abu Bakr Al-Siddeek, (ABPWH), said: I was with the Prophet, (PBUH) in the cave. I raised my head a little and saw the feet of the Kureish people. I said: Oh Messenger of Allah! If one of them looked down a little, he would see us. The Prophet said: “Silence Abu Bakr. We are two whose third is Allah”. In another narration: “What do you think Abu Bakr about two the third of whom is Allah?” Anas Ibn Malek, May Allah be please with him, narrates: We, witnessed the day on which the Messenger of Allah, entered Al-Madina, when everything in it was lit, and on the day of his death, everything in it was dim. When we removed the dust from our hands after the burial of Messenger, (PBUH) we felt that we nearly repelled our heart”(2). Soheib Ibn Sinan, who was a Roman, emigrated after the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH) when he wanted to emigrate, he was stopped by some heathen people of Kureish who said: You came to us poor and inferior. You r money increased here and you have become what you are now. Now you want to go away with your soul and money. We swear that can not be done! Soheib said: If I leave you my money, will you let me (1) Narrated by Al-Bukhari. (2) Narrated by Al-Termeth. 130 - The Prophet’s Honorable Emigration 459 go? They said: Yes, He said: I have left all my money for you. When the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH) was infored of this, he said: “Soheib has won! Soheib has won!”(1). The Overall Meaning When the prophet, (PBUH), determined to emigrated to Al-Madina, he was prepared for that, put a clever plan, took the causes into account and depended on God, to whom belongs might and majesty. Gabriel, Peace be upon him, descended on the Prophet, (PBUH) with God’s revelation and told him about Kureish’s conspiracy to kill him, and that God has allowed him to emigrate. The Prophet, (PBUH) went at the hottest hour of the afternoon when most people relax at home to Abu Bakr to brief him about the stages of their emigration. Despite the greatest care and attention, Kureish dramatically failed in their plan. The Messenger of Allah, (PBUH) left his house, penetrated their raws, took a handful of earth and sprinked it on their heads. Allah has directed their sights away from him, so they couldn’t see him. He was reciting: {We have set a barrier before them and a barrier behind them, and, We have covered them so that they do not see} [Yasin v. 9]. No one of them could deny having some soil on his head”(2). He went to Abu Bakr’s house and left through a side door at night heading to the cave of Thour on the road to Yamen. (1) Narrated by Ibn Hibba. (2) Narrated by Ibn Issac. Ibn Al-Munther. Ibn Abi Hatim and Abn Na’i. Lessons of the Mosques 460 The Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), and his companion arrived in Al-Madina on the twelfth day of Rabee’s Al-Awwal. When the people of Al-Madina saw him, they were very happy and then youngesters played their tambourines andchanted: The full Moon hath risen on us from the Wada’. Curve We must be thankful whenever a caller calls for Go You, who were sent to us hath come with the obeyed order. Whenever he (PBUH), passed in front of any of Al-Ansars’ houses (the people of Al-Madina), an owner of the house, came and held the reins of his camel, but he said: “Leave it alone, it is ordered”. Until it reached the house of Abu Ayyoub Al-Ansari, it knelt down. There he, (PBUH) built his mosque and made the people of Al-Madina and the emigrants brothers and put the items of the agreement between Al-Madina dwellers and other Muslims. Benefits 1 - The Prophet’s emigration is a civilized starting point. 2 - The Prophet’s emigration is an important event in the history of Muslims. We have to take many lessons and maxims from it. 3 - The necessity of combining dependence on God with taking the reasons into consideration and the necessity of planning every act. 4 - One who leaves something for God is compensated better than it by God. 130 - The Prophet’s Honorable Emigration 461 5 - Considering the important role of women in growth and construction. 6 - Considering the great role young people can play in supporting the rights and future making. 7 - The consequences of brotherhood in establishing the relations of love and cordiality among the individuals in a society. 8 - The highest level of emigration is the subject’s emigration from evil to good, from darkness to enlightenment and from the bad behaviour to the good morals. Oh! Thou our Lord, forgive our sins, cover our faults and make us among those who are truthful and loving you and your Prophet Mohammad. You Lord of the Worlds. D D D Lessons of the Mosques 462 131 - Fasting on the Day of Ashoura Praise be to Allah who favoured some months to the others and specialized Al-Muharram with great rewards. Blessing and Salute on our Messenger, Mohammad, the thankful prophet and his family and companions so long as there is life. Abu Hurreiuah, (ABPWH), narrates that the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH) said: “The best fasting after Ramadan is Allah’s Muharram Month”(1). Ibn Abbas, (ABPWT), narrates: I have never seen the Prophet, (PBUH) looking for fasting on a day which he preferred to anyother one except for this day, the tenth of Al-Muharram(2). Abu Kutada, (ABPWH), narrates that the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH) was asked about fasting on the tenth day of Ashoura and said: “It erases all the sins of the previous yrear”(3). The Overall Meaning Allah’s month of Al-Muharram is the month of fasting and the best day in it is its tenth, the day of Ashoura, that is why the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH) looked for it to fast on it and ordered his followers to do the same. (1) Narrated by Muslem 1163. (2) Narrated by Al-Bukhari 2006. (3) Narrated by Muslem 1162. 131 - Fasting on the Day of Ashoura 463 When the prophet, (PBUH) was in his latest days and Islam gained strength, he said: “If I lived to the next year, I would fast on the ninth also” i.e. besides the tenth. It is from the Sunna to fast on the ninth and tenth, but it is possiblle to fast on the tenth only. It is preferrable to fast on a day before it and on a day after it, a precaution if we are not sure about the first day of Al-Muharram. Benefits 1 - The best fasting after Ramadan is in Allah’s Month of Muharram. 2 - Fasting on the day of Ashoura erases the sins of a previous year. 3 - It is preferrable to fast the ninth and the tenth days. D D D Finally This book: “The Lessons of Mosques” is the fruit of hard human work done by the scholars of the general Corporation of Islamic Endowments and Affairs, on the level of the offices of the corporation in the Emirates and under the sponsorship of office editors. That is why we urge the imams and readers of this book to provide us with their suggestions to develop this effort for the purpose of realizing the general benefit. With the best regards of The General Corporation for Islamic Endowment And Affairs D D D Monthly Lessons Monthly Lessons Third week Fourth week MUHARRAM Second week First week Monthly week lessons 469 Day Subject page Sunday Faith in Allah, be He exalted 9 Tuesday The Merit of Knowledge 13 Thursday Purity 17 Sunday Benefits of Faith in Allah, be He exalted 20 Tuesday Ethics of a Scholar 24 Thursday Ablution 28 Sunday Sincerity of Work to Allah, be He exalted 33 Tuesday Nobility of Character 37 Thursday Purity of the right hand 41 Sunday Intention and its Rank 44 Tuesday Humility, Ornament of the Pious 47 Thursday The Washing 50 Lessons of the Mosques 470 Fourth week Third week SAFAR Second week First week Monthly week lessons Day Subject page Sunday This Religion is easy 54 Tuesday Dispraise of Arrogance 57 Thursday The Merit of the Call to Prayer 61 Sunday Fear of Allah or Godliness 64 Tuesday Truth is Success and Prosperity 67 Thursday The Status of the Mosque in Islam 70 Sunday Straight forwardness 73 Tuesday Do not Get Angry 76 Thursday Some of the Ethical Rules of Mosques 79 Sunday The Merit of ‘Al Ikhlas’ Surah 83 Tuesday Forbearance and Patience 86 Thursday Prayer is the Pillar of Religion 89 Monthly Lessons Second week Third week Fourth week RABI AL–AWAL First week Monthly week lessons 471 Day Subject page Sunday Love of the Prophet (PBUH) 93 Tuesday Forgiveness and Tolerance 97 Thursday The Merit of Group Prayer 102 Sunday The Necessity to adhere to Sunnah and to obey the Messenger (PBUH) 105 Tuesday Bring good News to Those Who walk a lot to Mosques 109 Thursday Straightening Rows in Prayers 112 Sunday The Advantage of Blessing the Prophet (PBUH) 115 Tuesday Hearts free from Grudges 119 Thursday Supplications following Prayers 123 Sunday The Greatness of ‘Al Kursi’ (The Chair) Verse 127 Tuesday Dispraise of Envy 131 Thursday Grace of Friday 135 Lessons of the Mosques 472 Second week Third week Fourth week RABI AL–TANI First week Monthly week lessons Day Subject page Sunday Good opinion of God Exalted is He 139 Tuesday Etiquette on the road 143 Thursday Grace of supererogatory prayer 147 Sunday Fearing Allah Exalted is He 151 Tuesday Let not be Suspicious: 155 Thursday Praying during the night 158 Sunday Prohibition and unlawfulness of adultery 162 Tuesday Who keeps the privacy and secrets of a Muslim Allah the Almighty will keep his privacy and secrets 165 Thursday Supererogatory 168 Sunday The merits of daughters’ care 170 Tuesday Reconciliation 173 Thursday Al -Duha prayer 176 Monthly Lessons Second week Third week Fourth week JAMADA AL-AWLA First week Monthly week lessons 473 Day Subject page Sunday Advice is an aspect of the religion 93 Tuesday The right of the muslim upon the muslim 97 Thursday The privilege of reciting Quran and learning it 102 Sunday The obligations to obey the guardian 105 Tuesday The effect of worshiped on the behavior of muslim 109 Thursday Allah remembrance and its merits 112 Sunday The believe in angels 115 Tuesday Family relationship 119 Thursday Going to bed and waking up remembrance of Allah and their etiquette 123 Sunday kindness to the parents and its fruits 127 Tuesday Care to the old age 131 Thursday Invocation and its merits 135 Lessons of the Mosques 474 Second week Third week Fourth week JAMADA AL-AKHIRA First week Monthly week lessons Day Subject page Sunday The believe in the books and its merits 220 Tuesday Benevolence to the widow and orphan 223 Thursday The favor of paying visits to the patient and its morals 226 Sunday Neighbor’s right 229 Tuesday The merits of following funeral procession 232 Thursday Etiquette of Visiting Graves 235 Sunday Believing in the Messengers 237 Tuesday Hospitality 240 Thursday Marriage and Its 242 Sunday A Husband’s Rights 246 Tuesday With the Prophet At Home 249 Thursday Faithfulness, A trait of the believers 252 Monthly Lessons Fourth week Third week RAJAB Second week First week Monthly week lessons 475 Day Subject page Sunday Faith in the Divine Decree 255 Tuesday A wife’s Rights over Her Husband 259 Thursday The Position of Women in Islam 263 Sunday Generosity and altruism 266 Tuesday Gratefulness and its Virtues 269 Thursday Meeting other people’s Needs 273 Sunday Raising Children in Islam 276 Tuesday Equity with Children 280 Thursday The Prophet’s (PBUH) Journey by Night and Ascension 283 Sunday Caring for Children in Islam 288 Tuesday Prohibition of Drugs 292 Thursday The Merit of The Month of Sha’aban 296 Lessons of the Mosques 476 Fourth week Third week SHABAN Second week First week Monthly week lessons Day Subject pages Sunday Trust in Allah, its Essence and Fruits 300 Tuesday An Employee’s Characters in Islam 304 Thursday Bribe and its Danger 307 Sunday Only Allah knows the Ghaib (All that is hidden) 310 Tuesday Motivating People to Work 313 Thursday The Rights of Servants and Laborers 316 Sunday The Danger of Witchcraft and Sorcery 320 Tuesday Injustice is Darkness on the Day of Resurrection 324 Thursday Almsgiving (Zakat) 327 Sunday Channeling The Zakat 334 Tuesday The Merit of Alms 337 Thursday Chastity and Abstinence from Begging 340 Monthly Lessons Third week Fourth week SHAWAL Second week First week Monthly week lessons 477 Day Subject page Sunday Hastening to do good deeds 344 Tuesday Extravagance 348 Thursday Eating Etiquettes 350 Sunday Visions of Sleep 354 Tuesday Mercy 358 Thursday Payment of Debts and Respiting the Distressed 362 Sunday Belief in the Day of Resurrection and its Effect 365 Tuesday 104- Justice 369 Thursday He who cheats is not one of us 373 Sunday 106 - The Intercession of the Prophet (PBUH) 376 Tuesday Some Aspects of Oaths 379 Thursday Revival of Religious Endowment Practice 383 Lessons of the Mosques 478 Third week Fourth week THU AL–KI'DA Second week First week Monthly week lessons Day Subject page Sunday Description of the Fire of Hell 387 Tuesday Shyness 391 Thursday The Advantage of Pilgrimage 394 Sunday The Paradise and its Blessings 397 Tuesday The Sanctity of Mecca and Madina 400 Thursday From the Ethics of Travel 403 Sunday Seeking the Permissible is a duty 407 Tuesday The Ethics of Asking Permission 410 Thursday Responsibility 414 Sunday The Trust 417 Tuesday Excellence in Islam means Leaving what doesn’t concern 421 Thursday The Favour of the First Ten Days of Thee Al -Hijja 424 Monthly Lessons Second week Third week Fourth week THU AL-HIJJAH First week Monthly week lessons 479 Day Subject page Sunday The Sacrifice 426 Tuesday The Favour of the Day of Arafah 429 Thursday Patience is Enlightenment 432 Tuesday The Favour of Asking for Allah’s Forgiveness 435 Thursday Some of the evils of the tongue 438 Sunday The Day of Resurrection 441 Tuesday Accusing the Chaste Women 445 Thursday Repentance 449 Sunday The Day of Union 453 Tuesday The Prophet’s Honorable Emigration 456 Thursday Fasting on the Day of Ashoura 462
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