Muslims: What Did You Learn In Islam Recently?

                                                     
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MERCIFUL, THE COMPASSIONATE

All praise is due to Allah who has guided us to follow the Noble Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the leader of the Messengers; who has granted us the capacity to remain steadfast on the pillars and essential principles of Deen Al-Islam; who has made it easy for us to follow the footsteps and way of our pious predecessors, to the extent that our hearts have been illuminated with the knowledge of the Shari'ah and the conclusive argument in favour of the evident truth; and who has kept our internal souls free from the contamination of falsehood.

We praise and thank Him for having blessed us with the light of certainty, and for having granted us strength and courage to continuously hold fast to His strong rope. These favours are all out of His Bounty and Grace. We testify that there is no deity besides Almighty Allah, who is alone, and has no partner or associates, and that, without doubt, our Beloved Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the Servant and Messenger of Allah, the Leader of those who are first and those who are last. May Allah send His Salaams and Blessings upon him (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), his Household and Progeny, his Companions and those who follow their path until the Day of Judgement (ridwanullahi ta'ala ajma'in).

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says in the Holy Qur'an: "O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and (always) say a word directed to the Right".

Allah's Messenger (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Hereafter should either say what is good, or otherwise remain silent".


Birthday from Islamic Point of View

 

In fact, commemorating the birth of a distinguished person has never been prescribed by any religion attributing itself to divine revelation. It was originally a custom prevalent in pagan communities only. Even Christmas, the famous Christian feast commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ finds no mention in the Bible or in the early Christian writings."

 
"In original Islamic resources, also we cannot find any instruction about the celebration of birthdays or death anniversaries.

Islam teaches Muslim to have a unique character and to be distinguished. A Muslim is weaned on morality and avoiding blind imitation.

 The experience shows that the celebration is ultimately mixed up with an element of merrymaking and rejoicing and is generally confused with secular festivals and the secular, and often sinful, activities creep into it gradually

 Birthdays are celebrated yearly and Muslims only celebrate the 2 Eids yearly those are our two annual festivals and that’s all the Prophet (saw) celebrated.
 
Furthermore birthday's usually consist of cake, candles, and the giving of gifts which are an imitations of the Jews and the Christians The Prophet (saw) said, warning us against following their ways and traditions: “You would follow the ways of those who came before you step by step, to such an extent that if they were to enter a lizard’s hole, you would enter it too.” They said, “O Messenger of Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and Christians?” He said, “Who else?” ( by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.

Principally, birthdays are not something that should be celebrated or to be happy about. When it is someone's birthday, one year of his/her life has decreased, and not increased. As such, what intelligence is there in celebrating and showing happiness when a year has decreased in one's life?

Before understanding the legal ruling with regards to birthday celebrations, it is worth remembering here that imitation of the unbelievers (Kuffar) is something that Islam strictly disapproves of.

In a Hadith recorded by Imam Abu Dawud (Allah have Mercy on him) and others, The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said:

“Whosoever imitates a nation is amongst them”. (Sunan Abu Dawud,)

It should be remembered here that not everything what the non-Muslims wear and do, is Haram and unlawful. Imitation, which is prohibited, is effected in one of the following two ways:

a) One does something with the intention of imitating the Kuffar, meaning one does so because one wants to be like a particular non-believer or non-believers.

Doing something that is unique and exclusive to the non-believers or it is part of their faith. This will also be considered imitation, thus Haram (unlawful).

In light of the above, there are few situations with regards to the Shariah (legal) ruling on celebrating birthdays:

1.       If it is celebrated by imitating the Kuffar in that all or some of the customs that are unique with the Kuffar are adopted, or acts that are unlawful in Shariah are committed, then there is no doubt in its impermissibility. The lighting of candles on a cake that number the years of one’s life and then blowing on them, playing of music, singing, extravagant and lavish spending, showing off, etc are all unlawful and forbidden practices.

Thus, if birthdays are celebrated by adopting the above-mentioned customs, it will not be permissible.
 
2.       If the above-mentioned evils are avoided, then there are two possibilities:

a) If one celebrates birthdays with the intention of imitating the Kuffar meaning one does so because one wants to be like the Kuffar, then, as stated previously, it will be considered imitating the Kuffar, thus unlawful.

b). If there is no intention of imitating the Kuffar (and also the above mentioned evils are avoided) then the ruling on celebrating birthdays will depend on whether it originated from the religious customs of the non-Muslims and it is part of their faith. (It can not be considered to be unique with the Kuffar, for celebrating birthdays has become a widespread phenomenon that is carried out in many different parts of the world). I am personally unaware of whether celebrating birthdays has a connection with the Christian faith or other wise, thus I am unable to give a decisive ruling.

However, the criterion of which the ruling will be based have been mentioned. If the origins of birthday celebrations are connected to a particular faith, then there is no doubt in its impermissibility. If, however, it has no connections with the faith of the non-Muslims, then (and Allah knows best) it seems that it would be permissible to celebrate it (provided the evils mentioned above are avoided).

3.       If one thanks Allah and shows gratitude for being blessed with one more year of his life, thus expresses happiness and joy, then there is nothing wrong with that. 

Shedding more light on the issue, the prominent Muslim scholar Sheikh Tajuddin Hamid Al-Hilali, Mufti of Australia and New Zealand, states:

"A Muslim has a distinguished personality. He should not imitate others in evil things and leave the good ones. Talking to our children about their birthdays, we should remind them that on such days they should remember the blessings of Allah and praise Him for giving them life and guidance. It would be better if we ask them to offer something in charity as a form of showing gratitude.

Still there is nothing wrong if we try to make them feel happy on that day as long as we are using lawful things. It is better if we make it a day ahead or a day after.

We need to be alarmed and never allow Western traditions that are based on individualism, to ruin our families. Thus, calling birthdays is not accepted, for this has no basis in Islam. At the same time, there is nothing wrong if we use these occasions to inculcate Islamic principles in our children, like showing gratitude to Allah, praising Him and seizing the chance of this life in performing good deeds since the older we grow the nearer to the grave we come."

Islam supports the celebration of birthdays if it is an expression of gratitude to Allah for His bounties, sustenance and blessings in man’s life, as long as that celebration does not include anything that may displease Allah, the Almighty. In this context the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about fasting on Mondays, and he answered: “It is the day on which I was born.” Muslim scholars take this hadith and the hadith of fasting on the Day of `Ashura’ (10th of Mharram) as evidence on the permissibility of celebrating good occasions, which have special significance in our religion such as occasions like the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

In this context, people must be aware that celebrating such occasions, e.g. the Prophet’s birthday, is no more than a matter of habit, and by no means a religious requirement. However, if it entails any forbidden practices, such a celebration becomes forbidden for that reason alone.

And Allah knows best


Maa Salam

Nothing is dearer to Allah than "a drop of blood shed in the path of Allah"?   

see how you guys have turned it to ur own way

haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

must you guys always turn  everything your own way

i wont leave me alone

Yes Sir David

I am  gone o .   

"Allah's Apostle said, "If a husband calls his wife to his bed (i.e. to have sexual relation) and she refuses and causes him to sleep in anger, the angels will curse her till morning." -- Bukhari, 4.54.460

   

Women take note!

 I like this too       

Killings and trials of Muslims

Hadith collection from Sahih Muslim on prophecies of Prophet Muhammad (sws) on events to come regarding Killings among and fitan (trials) of Muslim ummah:
Chapter 4:
WHEN TWO MUSLIMS CONFRONT EACH OTHER WITH SWORDS


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book 041, Number 6898:
Ahnaf b. Qais reported: I set out with the intention of helping this person (Hadrat 'Ali) that Abu Bakra met me. He said: Ahnaf, where do you intend to go? I said: I intend to help the cousin of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him), viz. 'Ali. Thereupon he said to me: Ahnaf, go back, for I heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: When two Muslims confront one another with swords (in hands) both the slayer and the slain would be in Fire. He (Ahnaf) said: I said, or it was said: Allah's Messenger, it may be the case of one who kills. but what about the slain (why he would be put in Hell-Fire)? Thereupon he said: He also intended to kill his companion.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book 041, Number 6899:
Ahnaf b. Qais reported on the authority of Abu Bakra that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: When two Muslims confront each other with their swords, both the slayer and the slain are doomed to Hell-Fire.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book 041, Number 6900:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hammad through another chain of transmitters.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book 041, Number 6901:
Abu Bakra reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: When two Muslims (confront each other) and the one amongst them attacks his brother with a weapon, both of them are at the brink of Hell-Fire. And when one of them kills his companion, both of them get into Hell-Fire.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book 041, Number 6902:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) many ahadith and one of them was this: The last Hour will not come until the two parties (of Muslims) confront each other and there is a large-scale massacre amongst them and the claim of both of them is the same.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book 041, Number 6903:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The last Hour will not come unless there is much bloodshed. They said: What is harj? Thereupon he said: Bloodshed. bloodshed.



Chapter 5: THIS UMMAH WOULD BE DESTROYED BY KILLING ONE ANOTHER


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book 041, Number 6904:
Thauban reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Allah drew the ends of the world near one another for my sake. And I have seen its eastern and western ends. And the dominion of my Unimah would reach those ends which have been drawn near me and I have been granted the red and the white trea- sure and I begged my Lord for my Ummah that it should not be destroyed because of famine, nor be dominated by an enemy who is not amongst them to take their lives and destroy them root and branch, and my Lord said: Muhammad, whenever I make a decision, there is none to change it. Well, I grant you for your Ummah that it would not be destroyed by famine and it would not be dominated by an enemy who would not be amongst it and would take their lives and destroy them root and branch even if all the people from the different parts of the world join hands together (for this purpose), but it would be from amongst them, viz. your Ummah, that some people would kill the others or imprison the others.


@ Cush
Salaam

Babs no case

@ Cush, Babs  anyother muslim


when i was in DK i had an arguement with a cousin about tasbeer .what are your opinions on it . ?

for me i told her it was not necessary as long as the Salaam as been made in Prayer
and the fingers should be used instead of beads . what do you guys think?

The stuff is that there's a high tendency mistakes 'll be made using the hands instead of the tasbirs.





 

I prefer doing my tasbeeh with my fingers too

Salam to you all

Quite an interesting topic.




I prefer using my hands too. The most acceptable means is the use of hands because the hands will bear witness on that day but considering a situation where you have to recite like 1,000 Astaghfir-Lah, 1000 Subhanah Lah etc. To make it easier, you use your Tasbir and have something like 10 stones by your side to aid you in counting without making mistake.

You can as well use the tasbir but it is being frown at if it for show off in which Allah does not like.

Any other input please?

@Mustay

Where have you been hiding. I am still expecting my meat o.

@mukina


Thanks for calling my attention to your post but let me quickly attend to your post before jetting out to religious threads to see what pilgrim.1 is up to





Salam sister.

I am not against the use of hands which I even said  that I prefer but you have to consider the fact that you are bound to make mistake easily by using hands particularly if you are making any supplication up to 1,000 or more. You will easily make mistake when using hands because you may not be able to count accurately, besides, it may slow down your supplication.

Abi what do you think?

@cushman



Salam brother

Yes one can become perfect using fingers but at the same time one is bound to make mistakes using fingers than the use of hands especially when making duah of like 1,000 Astaghfirlah. It is not written anywhere that one cannot use tasbir but it is not good if it is for show off.

May Allah increases our knowledge.

Salaam Babs, Muctarr and Cush


@ Babs

I know but the fingers are more accurate . .

- those beads are very tiny . .you can make mistakes easily if you go too fast

as long as you concentrate on your fingers you can never make mistakes