Salaam! 😃

September 5th: Chapter 11 - The Wisdom Behind a Delayed Response

A very important chapter so PAY ATTENTION!

It is indeed a great trial for a muslim to make du'a, sincerely continually for a long period of time, and yet see no sign of response.

Here, a person's iman in Allah is truly tested and here is the opportunity that Shaytan uses to try to sow his whispers, and plants his doubt in a believer's heart.

In this way a person might start thinking evil thoughts about his Creator, or start doubting the wisdom of the Divine Decree.

So whoever falls into this, should immediately seek Allah's refuge from Shaytan and turn to Allah sincerely, making yet another du'a: that he be saved from Shaytan's evil plots, and that he be granted patience to withstand the test that he is undergoing.

At the same time, he should realise the great blessings that Allah has given to mankind when He guaranteed a response to all du'as, as long as the du'a conforms to all the necessary etiquettes, and there are no prohibiting factors found in the one making it.

So even when one's du'a is apparently not responded to, he should realise that the actual response might not be what he presumes, and it is in fact possible that his du'a has already been answered, without his even knowing it!

A muslim should understand that there are many wisdoms behind the delayed response of a du'a, whether he realises it or not.

All of Allah's decrees are wise, and although it is not possible that we fully and truly comprehend all the Divine Wisdom behind an act, it is possible that we can extract some of the benefits of a Decree. The following points have been mentioned by some scholars:

1. Allah is the Malik

Allah says in the Quran "He is not questioned regarding what He does, but rather they will be questioned (regarding what they do).

"And Allah judges, and there is none that can change His Judgement. And He is the Ever-Swift in Reckoning.

So the muslim does not question the Will of Allah, rather he accepts it, and is pleased with it.

2. Man Does Not Have a Right Over His Creator

The one making du'a should know that he does not have a right over his Creator that his du'a be responsed to, but that it is answered only through the Mercy of Allah.

Additionally, one should be wise enough to contemplate his own many shortcomings and faults with regards to the rights that Allah has over him. This will make him appreciate that he doesnt have ANY right over Allah.

Ibn al-Qayyim wrote: So one of the greatest matters of benefit to the heart is that it looks into the rights that Allah has over His slaves, because this will cause him to look at his own self in a despicable and lowly manner.

It will make him avoid self conceit and vanity concerning his actions, and instead open for him the door to humility and meekness.

He will be submissive before his Lord, and give up hope of his own self, for he will realise that success will only come about through the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings.

For His right (upon the soul) is that He be obeyed, and not disobeyed, and remembered and not forgotton, and thanked and not rejected. So whoever looks into into this right that his Lord has upon him, then he will know - a most certain knowledge- that he is not fulfilling the rights of his Lord in a way that he should, and that nothing can save him except divine aid and forgiveness.

So if he were to rely upon his own actions, he would be destroyed! So this is what those who have knowledge of Allah look upon, and this is what has caused them to give up hope of attaining any good from themselves, and made them put all of their hope in the Mercy of and Forgivenss of Allah.

But if you were to look upon the status of the majority of people, you will find them to be the exact opposite of this! They examine the 'rights' that they have upon Allah, and they the rights that Allah has upon them. And because of this, they have cut themselves off from Allah, and their hearts have been sealed up from recognising Him, or loving Him, or being eager to meet him. and this is the height of ignorance that a man can have with regards to his Lord, and even to himself.

3. A Delay in Response is a Trial

When the response is delayed, this is a type of test that is afflicted upon the servant. This necessitates his being patient during this trial. So a person should realise that, just like his entire life is a trial, so too is this delayed response. It is just one of the many trials that he has to face if he eventually wishes to enter Paradise and please his Creator. As Allah says "And We test you, with good and evil, as a fitnah. And to Us you will return."

So both good and evil is a test for us to see whether we are patient when afflicted with evil and whether we use the good that we have been given properly.

4. Allah is the Most Wise

Of Allah's many beautiful Names is al-Hakim, or The Most Wise. So to Allah belongs the greatest wisdom; all of His Decrees are Wise. When He gives, He gives with Wisdom, and when He prevents, He prevents with Wisdom.

So it is possible that what a person desires is not wise for him to have and because of this, he is not granted it, or it is delayed until such a time that it is suitable for him.

So the believer accepts the Divine Wisdom of Allah, and does not cause a delay in response to swerve him from the true iman in Allah.

Salaam! 😃

September 4th: Factors that Prevent Du'as from Being Answered

One of the greatest trials that a muslim might be afflicted with is that his du'a is not answered. Hence why the prophet ﷺ would pray to Allah that his du'a not be amongst those du'as that are not responded to. In particular he(saw) would pray: "O Allah! I seek your refuge from knowledge that is without benefit, and from a heart that does not become fearful,and from a du'a that is not responded to!"

So the prophet(saw) would make du'a that his du'a be answered!

1. Haram Sustenance

2. Sins

3. Leaving Advice to Others

Part of one's iman is that one loves for one's brother what he loves for himself. This necessitates one's wanting good for one's brother and averting evil from him. So when one sees one's brother doing something that is not allowed, it becomes obligatory on one to try to prevent him, evn if he has to do so physically (if one is able to do so without any harm or adverse consequences). Similarly one has to advise and exhort him to do good deeds if he is being lax in performing them. The prophet(saw) said: " I swear by Him in whose Hands is my soul, you will of a surety command what is good, and forbid what is evil, or else it is very possible that Allah will send upon you His punishment, so you will make du'a to Him, and you will not be responded to."

4. Being Hasty

5. Becoming Tired

6. Asking for Something Prohibited

7. A man married to an evil woman
One who gave a loan but did not take precautions
And a man who gave his money to a fool

These three catgories of people in the following hadith: "Three people will make du'as, bu they will not be answered! (The first is) a man who had under him (in marriage) a woman who had an evil character, yet he did not divorce her. (The second is) a man who gave some money as a debt to another man, yet he did not use any witnesses. (The third is) a man wo gave his money to a fool, even though Allah says ' And do not give fools your money.'"

First case: A woman with lax morals. If this is the case and the man cannot correct her, then she should be divorced. If he does not divorce her, then he exposes himself to Allah's anger and his du'as are not responded to.

Second case: A person who is not wise in giving loans. He gives loans to people who are not trustworthy and on top of that he does not take the necessary precautions (2 witnesses). This ensures that no dispute arises if the two parties disagree about the amount of the loan.

Third case: A person who is not responsible with his money and enters in dealings with someone who is not wise or experienced in that area.

8. Abandoning the Etiquette of Du'a

A famous worshipper was once asked 'Why is it that we make du'a yet they are not responded to?'

He replied:

"Because you know Allah, yet do no obey Him
And you know that Prophet(saw) , but do not follow his sunnah
And you know the Quran, but do not act upon it
And you eat from the blessings of Allah, but you do not express gratitude for it
And you know Paradise, yet do not strive for it
And you know the Fire of Hell, yet do not run away from it
And you know Shaytan, but you do not fight him, and instead obey him
And you know death, but you do not prepare yourselves for it
And you bury the dead, but do not learn a lesson from it
And you have left your own faults, and instead busy yourself with the faults of others

EDIT: Next Chapter inshAllah - Chapter 11 The Wisdom behind a delayed response

Saudi government admitted there's been a mistake about the correct day of Id Al Fitr this year(2011). This occured due to misunderstanding of a particular phenomenon cause by planet Saturnus as before happened a couple of years ago caused by planet Mercurius. What it thought to be Hilal(new moon) is actually not. The Government gave order to the people and citizen of Saudi Kingdom to qodlo fasting day of one day because Ied Al-Fitr supposed to be on August 31/2011 and not on August 30/2011. As also there's news that Saudi Government will pay Kafarah money 1 Billion reyal for this mistake

Salaam! 😃

September 4th - Chapter 9: Factors that Aid a Person's Du'a in Being Answered

Some of these factors have already been mentioned, but they will be listen again here for the sake of benefit.

1. Sincerity

2. To Expect the Best from Allah

The prophet(saw) said that Allah said: "O My servants! If the first of you; if the jinn of you and the men of you were to stand on one plain, and ask Me, and I gave every single person what he wanted, then all of that would not decrease anyhting from My Kingdom, except like a needle (decreases the amount of water) when it is placed in the ocean (and then taken out)

This hadith is an indication of the completeness of Allah's Power and Kingdom.

The Companions understood this concept of expecting the best from Allah. Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra) said: "I am not worried about whether my du'a will be responded to, but , but rather I am worried about whether I will be able to make du'a or not. So if I have been guided (by Allah) then (I know) that the response will come with it)"

3. Doing Good Deeds

Once Anas ibn Malik was asked by someone to make du'a for him. He replied "Verily du'a is raised up (to Allah) by good deeds", indicating that the questioner should strive to do good deeds if he wants his du'as to be answered.

Wahb ibn Munabbih also said "The example of the one who makes du'a without doing any deeds is like the one who tries to shoot without a bow". So the person who wishes to have his du'a responded to should increase the quantity and quality of the good deeds that he does.

4. Fulfilling the Rights of Parents

Umar ibn al-Khattab narrated " I heard the prophet(saw) say: 'There will come to you (a man by the name of) Uways ibn Amir with some people from Yemen....He has a mother to whom he is very dutiful. If he were to swear by Allah, Allah would fulfill his oath. If you are able to ask him to seek your forgiveness, then do so.'"

This hadith shows that being dutiful to one's parents is a cause of one's du'a being accepted, as the reason that Uways' oath was responded to was because of the devotion he used to display to his mother.

(Also the story of the three people in the cave further proves this point as one of them mentioned his good character to his parents as a means of tawassul which is mentioned in a later chapter)

5. To Make Du'a at All Times

6. To Do Extra Voluntary Acts After the Obligatory Ones

When a person increases his voluntary good deeds, such as prayer and fasting and giving charity, then Allah loves him and when Allah loves him all his du'as are answered

7. Repenting From Previous Sins

Sins are one of the factors that prevent a person's du'as from being accepted.
This repentance must be a sincere one, for all the previous sins he has committed, by having sincerity towards Allah, feeling guilty for the sins he has performed, asking for Allah's forgiveness and making a sincere determination not to return to that sin.

8. Having a Humble Appearance

This shows a person's poverty and need of Allah and that he is not concerned with his appearance or looks, but rather about the response to his du'a.

However this does not mean that a person should purposely tear his clothes up before making a du'a. What is meant is that when such a condition exists - the result of factors beyond the control of the person himself - then such a du'a is more likely to be responded to.

9. Making Du'a at Holy Places

Allah has blessed certain places over others, so one of the ways that a person can increase his chances of being answered is by making du'a in these places.

For example, mosques are preferred over houses and likewise the places of Hajj during Hajj time (Mina, Muzdalifah and 'Arafat) etc.

It is important thought not to exaggerate in this regard, by considering places that are not blessed as blessed, such as mosques that are built on graves of famous saints, or have such graves inside them or connected to them.

10. Conforming with the Etiquette of Du'a (mentioned previously:

Ibn al-Qayim said: "If the du'a is combined with the following factors:

- The presence of the heart,and its full concentrations on the du'a

- Making du'a at one of the times of response

- A meek heart in the presence of Allah, full of humbleness and softness

- Facing the qiblah

- In a state of wudu

- Raising one's hands to Allah

- Starting the du'a with the praise of Allah

-Following that up with the salutations on the prophet(saw)

- Preceding the du'a with repentance and seeking forgiveness for past sins

- Preceding the du'a by giving some charity

- Finally, being persistent in asking Allah and calling upon Him in a state of fear and hope and performing tawassul with His Names and Attributes

the this du'a is hardly ever left, but rather responded to.

A blind imam who died in suspicious circumstances at a mosque in north London was killed after taking morning prayers, it has emerged.

The religious leader, understood to be Sheikh Maymoun Zarzour, was found at the Muslim Welfare House in Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, on Friday.

A man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. A post-mortem examination is being arranged.

The Metropolitan Police said it was not believed to be a faith hate crime.

Officers believe the suspect attended the mosque.

Read more @ BBC News

Turkey to challenge Gaza blockade at International Court of Justice

Turkish announcement appears to rebuff attempts by UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon to end its row with Israel

Turkey is to challenge Israel's blockade on Gaza at the International Court of Justice, amid a worsening diplomatic crisis between the once close allies.

The announcement by Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu appears to rebuff UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon's attempt to defuse the row over Israel's armed assault on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in which nine people were killed.

Read more @ The Guardian

Read all about it.

Salaam! 😃

September 2nd - Chapter 8: Conditions During Which Du'a is Answered

1. The Person Who Has Been Wronged

The prophet(saw) mentioned in numerous ahadith that a muslim should fear the du'a of he who has been wronged, for he(saw) said: "Fear the du'a of he who has been wronged, for verily it ascends to the skies faster than sparks (of light)."

"Fear the du'a of he who has been wronged, even if he is a disbeliever, for there remains no veil between it." - meaning there is no veil between it and Allah

In another narration we are told " three people du'as are never rejected:....and the one who has been wronged. Allah raises it above the clouds, and the doors of the skies are opened for it, and the Lord says 'By My Honour and Glory! I will help you, even if it be after some time!"

This is a warning to the one who has wronged others and a comfort and solace to one who has been wronged. Allah has sworn that He will, of a surety, come to the aid of the one who has been wronged.

2. The One in Severe Circumstances

When a person finds himself in a grave crisis, and his heart is about to shatter with grief and fear. The quality of sincerity that a person displays, and the desperate need that he feels for the Mercy of his Lord, is so strong and pure, his du'a will be answered wether the person is a muslim or not.

3. After a Calamity

However it is necessary that the person displays patience and satisfaction at Allah's decree and not wail or lament over his misfortune. Imm Salamah narrated that the prophet(saw) said: "There is no muslim that is afflicted with a calamity, and he says what Allah has commanded him to say: 'To Allah we belong and to Him we will return! Oh Allah! Give me the rewards (of being patient over) this calamity,a nd grant me something better than it to replace it' except that Allah will give him something better to replace it."

4. The Traveller

"Three are the du'as that are responded to, there is no doubt concerning them: the du'a of he who has been wronged, the traveller, and the du'a of the father for his son."

If this is the case of the average traveller who is travelling for wordly reasons, then it applies even more when the person is travelling for religious reasons, such as desiring to increase his knowledge, or visit his parents or a muslim brother/sister

5. The Father Against/For His Son

The du'a of the mother is also included in this, for the right of the mother is even greater than that of the father and the du'a of the parents for their daughters comes under this hadith as well since the rulings applicable to men also apply to women unless there exists evidence to the contrary.

6. The Son for The Father

The prophet(saw) said: When a person dies, all of his actions are cut off except, from three matters: a sadaqah jariyah, or a pious son that prays for him, or some knowledge (that he gave) that others still benefit from."

This does not mean that a person should not pray for his parents when they are alive, for of course this too is one of the rights that the parents have over the child.

7. The One Who is Fasting

8. The Person Reciting the Quran

It has been authentically narrated that peace and tranquility descend on the one who recites the Quran as do the angels. Therefore, after reciting any portion of the Quran, we are encouraged to make du'a, as it is more likely to be responded to.

9. The Person Performing Hajj, 'Umrah or Jihad

The prophet(saw) said: "The people performing Hajj and 'Umrah are the delegates of Allah. He called them and they responded, and they asked Him, so he gave them (their requests)

10. The Du'a for a Person in His Absence

The prophet(saw) used to say: "The du'a of a muslim for his brother in his absence is responded to. There is an angel in front of him that has been assigned to him; every time he makes a du'a for his brother with good, the angel assigned to him says 'Amin' and to you the same'"

In this situation, the du'a must be purely for the sake of Allah, since a muslim will love his muslim brother only for the sake of Allah.

11. The One Who Remembers Allah Constantly

It is only befitting that the one who remembers Allah constantly be remembered by Allah in his time of need.

12. The Just Ruler

Chapter 9: Factors that aid a person's du'a in being answered 😃

Killed for a free breakfast

Joshua Davies lured 15-year-old Rebecca Aylward into woodland near Bridgend in South Wales and tried to strangle her.

When that failed, he smashed her skull with a rock the size of a rugby ball.

Davies, 16, left Rebecca face down in the pouring rain in the new clothes she had bought for their meeting.

He later returned to the wood with a friend to show him the body. At his trial, Davies tried to blame the friend for the killing

http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16061450

Assalamu alaikum 😃 Jummah Mubarak.

It is recommended to recite Surat al-Kahf completely the night before Friday, and it is also recommended to do so Friday itself, before Maghrib time. Ibn Abidin said, �And it is best to do so early on Friday, in order to rush to the good and to avoid forgetting. � [Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, �Bab al-Jumu`ah�]

The evidence for it being recommended includes the hadith related by Hakim and Bayhaqi, from Abu Sa`id (Allah be pleased with him), �Whoever recites Surat al-Kahf on Friday, light shall shine forth for him between the two Fridays.� [Ibn Hajar, Talkhis al-Habir]

Here's the link insha Allah http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=782&CATE=3