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great post OP ...

Alhamdulilahi brother , how about u? hope hajia is doing great? Amin ya rabbi

AlBaqir:
Wa iyyakum akhi. Hope you and your loved ones are fine. May Allah suffice us.

jazakallahu khaeran bro al baqir , will do the needful about the topic title...

AlBaqir:
Nice view of monumental and architectural designs. In as much as every Mosques where Allah's beautiful names are being glorified, and remembrance of Him (through salat, recitation of the Qur'an etc) are being engaged, that Mosque is "sacred" in its own rites. Even, a small spot in our house reversed for Ibaadat is "sacred" by virtue of those noble acts we do there.

However, what makes Masjidil Haram, Masjidil Nabawiy and Masjidil Aqsa unique in their Sacredness is to the fact that Prophets/Messengers and Awliyah (friends of Allah) either set their foundations or established the true monotheism there. Nabi Ibrahim, Nabi Ismail, Nabi Sulaiman...Nabi Muhammad (peace be upon them all and their household) have connectivity to these three afore-mentioned Mosques.

In addition to that, these Mosques are the resting place (Qabr - grave) for some of these Prophets and Awliyah. They were buried there. Surah al-Kahf explain a similar scenario: the actions of some believers who came after the "companion of the cave (as'ab al-Kahf)". They built "Mosque" where they died.

As for other Mosques mentioned above, no matter how adorned or beautiful they might be or constructed, they are not Sacred in that sense of Sacredness of those afore-mentioned three mosques (and some others).

The uniqueness of Jesus (Peace be upon him) as the Muslims see it is his miraculous birth, being born of the Virgin Mary. This was a greater miracle than arising out of Royal descent. But Mathew and Luke for some reason couldn't just see it that way, they were hell bent on fulfilling Old Testament prophecies, so what did they do; they manufactured one for him. The story begins at the annunciation.

Luke 1:34-35

Then said Mary to the angel,

"How shall this be, since I don't know any men?"

And the angel said,

"The Holy Spirit shall come on you,

and the potency of the Highest shall cover you..."

Jesus's followers claimed that he was GOD's illegitimate son, conceived out of wedlock and without a biological father. But, regardless, they say Jesus's mother's husband, Joseph, adopted him, so he had a real father after that.

BLUNDER: GUESS WHO ENTERS INTO THE DIVINE LINEAGE OF JESUS

The book of Genesis records in chapter 38 a story in which Judas (the father of the Jewish race) commits incest. He is tricked into sleeping with a harlot; who turns out to be his daughter-in-law. And word went around that she had a child by whoredom. Tamar, the prostitute was to give birth to twins whom would be named Pharez and Zarah. This clear act of illegitimacy and incest conception was in blatant violation of the Law. So when we read at Mathew 1:3

And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

A prostitute and the product of incest becomes honoured in the lineage of Jesus. Despite the many injunctions in Bible ostracising sinners from the house of God for generations.

A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the
congregation of the LORD.
Deuteronomy 23:2

ANOTHER BLUNDER, THE MESSIAH IS GIVEN A CURSED LINEAGE

But, St. Matthew felt that if the Messiah was to come, he had to be specifically descended through the bloodlines of kings David, Solomon, and Asa (see below), just to prove to the Jews that he was the specific Messiah mentioned in several prophecies. Being so eager to present Jesus as fulfilling this requirement, St. Matthew presents his readers with a lineage for Jesus going through his adopted father, Joseph, and through kings Asa and Solomon, all the way back to king David (Matt 1:1).

But, this presents him with a Trilemma, a Trinity of problems:

According to early Christian-Paulian doctrine regarding his birth to a virgin mother, Jesus is not really related to Joseph's (and therefore king David's) lineage, even todays Bible we read in Luke 3:23 "As was supposed".

The lineage Matthew presents conflicts flatly with the lineage that St. Luke came up with decades later (Luke 3:23). Luke's version has many more generations than Matthew's.

In trying to adopt Jesus into David's lineage (Matt 1:12), Matthew presents a family line that goes straight through the Cursed Branch of kings Jehoiakim and his son, Jeconiah (who is also known as Coniah/Jehoiachin). Matthew either intentionally or unintentionally omits king Jehoiakim in the list, which may confuse some Christians. But Jehoiakim (not Jeconiah) is undeniably the son of Josiah, and Jeconiah is the son of Jehoiakim.

Jehoiachin/Jeconiah/Coniah are all names for the same king, son of Jehoiakim, who was carried away into captivity/exile in Babylon, and succeeded by his uncle, king Zedekiah (who was the brother of Jehoiakim). See
1st Chronicles 3:15-19,
2nd Kings 24:6-17,
Esther 2:6,
Jer 22:24-30, 24:1, 27:20, 37:1.
Jeconiah is the father of Shealtiel, and the grandfather of Zerubbabel, etc.

In Jeremiah 22, both kings Jehoiakim and Jeconiah are damned and their descendents forbidden to succeed on the throne of David. (see also Isaiah 14:18 for references to the Abominable Branch)

Jeremiah 22:24,28-30

"As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;"
Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his
seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?
O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.

In modern translations of the Bible such as the NIV, we read
"Surely as I live," says GOD, "You, Jeconiah, the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, even if you were a signet ring upon my right hand, I would cast you off!"

Is this man Jeconiah a broken, abominable idol, an object for which no one cares?...

Write this man off as if childless, a man who shall not prosper in his days, because no one descended from him shall find success in sitting in the Kingship of David or ruling any more in Judah.

The Branch of Jeconiah is damned forever. Jeconiah was carried away into exile and died there. His grandson, Zerub'babel, returned, but, true to the curse, never returned to the throne. And, none from their lineage has ever since.

In a confused attempt to graft Jesus into a messianic line, the overeager Matthew ended up grafting Jesus into the cursed lineage branch. Ironically, for all their discrepancies, this is one of the few points at which Matthew's version of the genealogy and Luke's actually agree. Both gospel tales list Jesus's lineage as running through Zerub'babel and Sheal'tiel, two of the cursed descendents of Jeconiah. Also see Isaiah 14:18 for more Abominable Branch references.

Suspiciously, Matthew has omitted the name of King Jehoiakim in his list. He left Jeconiah in, though.

The Genealogy: Matthew and Luke Contradict

The fact of Jeconiah being in Jesus's adopted genealogy has caused an enormous headache for Christian-Paulian theologians over the past centuries, and still does till this day. Although the average person never learns of this because they rarely address this topic. This and the fact that Luke and Matthew contradict one another in the names of Joseph's ancestors has caused some frantic apologisers, in desperation, to claim that Luke's version of the lineage was "really" Mary's side of the family despite the fact that Luke states flatly that it is Joseph's, and that there is no evidence to support their suggestion (Luke 3:23):

And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,
There is no support for the notion that it is Mary's line. It is merely wishful thinking. But, deceptively, some bibles add a bit of misleading editorial commentary at the top of Luke 3:23 saying the genealogy is the "line of Mary". That's quite an assertion to make considering it has no scriptural support. The casual reader may accept this charade as if it's really part of the Bible, and moves on without question.

Still, pretending that the lineage that Luke gives is Mary's makes no difference. As we have already pointed out, it is part of the Cursed Branch of Jeconiah (remember, it runs through Jeconiah's son and grandson, Shealtiel and Zerubbabel), and thus makes Jesus an invalid candidate for being the messiah.

Others have tried to explain the contradictions between Luke's version of the line and Matthew's by speculating that perhaps the two men listed as Jesus' paternal grandfathers might have been brothers, and that a levirate marriage (a custom of having engaging in sexual intercourse with your dead brother's wife when he dies childless; the child was then considered to be the legal offspring of the dead man) may have been what gave us Joseph, the supposed father of Jesus. There is no biblical support for this speculation in this case, and this combined with the fact that it cuts Jesus off from the lineage from kings Solomon and Asa, has led most Christian theologians to abandon it.

But, there are other problems with the lineage Luke gives Jesus.

The Messiah's Throne Line: David, Solomon, Asa

Besides contradicting Matthew's version, and besides running through the Cursed Branch, the lineage that St. Luke gives for Jesus is problematic because it does not go through kings Solomon and Asa. The messiah's lineage must run through these kings too, as we see in GOD's throne promise:

For your servant David's sake, turn not away the face of your messiah.

The Lord has sworn in truth to David, and he will not change his mind: "I will set the offspring of your body upon your throne.

"If your descendents keep my covenant and my law that I shall teach them, their descendents shall also sit upon your throne forever".

Psalms 132:10-12

Here, GOD is granting the same promise he made to David to David's descendents. The promise states that if David's descendents follow GOD, then the descendents of their line will have the right to David's throne. King Asa qualified because he was wholly true to GOD.

King Asa: A Man after King David's Heart

And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as did David his father...

Although the high places were not removed, Asa's heart was perfect with the LORD all his days.

1st Kings 15:11-14

King Solomon wasn't as good, but for the sake of the promise GOD had made to David, his descendents were assured too:

And when your days are done, and you lie with your fathers, I will set up your offspring after you, who shall come directly from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.

He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of HIS kingdom FOREVER.

I will be his father, and he shall be my son. WHEN HE SINS, I will spank him with the whips of men, and with the wounds of the children of men.

But I shall not withdraw my favour from him, in the way I took it from Saul, whom I cut off from you.

Therefore your house and your kingdom shall be established forever your throne shall be established forever.

2nd Samuel 7:12-16

Here, "offspring" is the Hebrew word, ZERA', which is always used in a physical sense, and often has a collective sense. However, the appended qualifier, "zaraka ... aser yese mimiika", or "who shall come directly from your own body", specifies that the offspring is one of the immediate sons of David (this is the same use of the word as in Genesis 15:4, and 2nd Samuel 16:11). And we see confirmation of this in 1 Chron 22:9-10. And, as it turns out, this son whose kingdom shall be eternal is Solomon:

Solomon Builds the House of GOD

Who is this house-building son, this immediate son of David? See 1st Chronicles 17:11 and 22:9-10, which both say this son will be David's own son, Solomon:

Behold, a son shall be born to you,

who shall be a man of peace,

for I will give him peace from all his enemies,

for his name shall be Solomon...

He shall build the HOUSE for my name,

and he shall be my son, and I will be his father,

and I WILL establish the throne of

HIS kingdom over Israel FOREVER.

1 Chron 22:9-10

In this instance, GOD unconditionally declares that Solomon's throne will be established forever. It is a statement of fact. Later, he also makes similar promises as a reward for Solomon's good behaviour. However, he has already promised David that when Solomon (his house-building, directly-from-your-body son) sins, GOD will punish him but not revoke his right to the Throne line (2nd Sam 7:12, above), and Solomon's Throne will indeed be established forever.

Whatever may be said of Solomon (he did not live up to the role model of his father, David), king Asa's throne lineage is undeniably eternal too, just as David's is. So, simply said, the lineage of the messiah must go through kings David, Solomon, and Asa, undeniably. The genealogy that Luke gives in his tale does not. And, both his version and Matthew's list Jesus as being part of the Cursed Branch of Jeconiah.
All of this presents serious problems for those wishing to attach Jesus to the royal Davidic Throne. It would have been better for them to have left the lineages out of the Gospels. Not because it would hide the discrepancies and confusion. But because the lineage is irrelevant to Jesus; as he was born miraculously. And attempting to foster a lineage upon him has only created more problems that it solved.


END OF DISCUSSION

barakallahu fihi sister...
Amin rabbil alamin..

Amin ya rabbil alamin @jamislaw

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These Moques not only provide the devotees spiritual satisfaction but are also masterpiece the Muslim architecture.

Mosque is a Holy place for Muslims. It refers to its Arabic name – Masjid. A Mosque is a place for worship for all the followers of Islam. Masjid is considered as Allah ka Gahr means no one is owner of Masjid except Allah (There are strict and detailed requirements in Sunni fiqh for a place of worship to be considered a Masjid, with places that do not meet these requirements regarded as musallas.) Quba Mosque is the first mosque in Islamic history and mosques have developed significantly since Quba mosque. Many mosques have elaborate domes, minarets, and prayer halls. Mosques all around the world are well known for the general importance to Muslims as well as for Islamic architecture and representation of Islamic culture. Although Mosque is the place where all the Muslims of the community come together and have their prayers, Mosque can also be the place of beautiful architecture that is famous all around the world.

Here Is The List Of 10 Most Beautiful Masjids in the world


1.Masjid al Haram (The Holy Mosque) – Saudi Arabia

Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām or the Grand Mosque surrounds Islam's holiest place, the Kaaba Shareef. It is located in the city of Mecca and is the largest mosque in the world. Muslims around the world turn toward Kaaba while performing any prayer. The current structure covers an area of 356,800 square meters including the outdoor and indoor praying spaces and can accommodate up to 4 millions worshipers during the Hajj period, one of the largest annual gatherings of people in the world. In 2007, the Masjid went under a extension project which is estimated to last until 2020. King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz plans to increase the Masjid's capacity to 2 million with two new minarets, bringing their total to 11 minarets. The cost of the project is 10.6-billion Us Dollars and after completion the mosque will house over 2.5 million worshipers. The mataf (the circumambulation areas around the Kaaba) will also see expansion and all closed spaces will be airconditioned.

2.Masjid Nabawi – Saudi Arabia

Al Masjid al Nabawi "Mosque of the Prophet" is a mosque built by the our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) Al Masjid al Nabawi situated in the city of Medina munawara. It is the second holiest site in Islam. It was the second mosque built in history and is now one of the largest mosques in the world. The site was originally adjacent to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s)'s house; he settled there after his Hijra (emigration) to Medina in 622. He shared in the heavy work of construction with his Sahabas. The original mosque was an open-air building. The basic plan of the building has been adopted in the building of other mosques throughout the world. The mosque also served as a community center, a court, and a religious school for the Muslims In 1909, it became the first place in the Arabian Peninsula to be provided with electrical lights. One of the most notable features of the site is the a beautiful , and vary attrictive Green Dome over the center of the mosque, originally (amman)Aisha's house where the tomb of Muhammad (s.a.w.s) is located. In 1279 AD, a wooden cupola was built over the tomb which was later rebuilt and renovated multiple times in late 15th century and once in 1817. The dome was first painted green in 1837, and later became known as the Green Dome.

3. Al-Aqsa Mosque (palestine)

Al-Masjid al-Aqsa, is also known as Al-Aqsa and Bayt al-Muqaddas, is the third holiest site in Islam and is located in the Old City of Jerusalem. The site on which the silver domed mosque sits, along with the Dome of the Rock, also referred to as al-Haram ash-Sharif or "Noble Sanctuary," is the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism, the place where the Temple is generally accepted to have stood. Muslims believe that Muhammad was transported from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to al-Aqsa during the Night Journey(Miraj). Islamic tradition holds that Muhammad led prayers towards this site until the seventeenth month after the emigration, when God directed him to turn towards the Ka'aba. The mosque was originally a small prayer house built by the Rashidun caliph Umar, but was rebuilt and expanded by the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik and finished by his son al-Walid in 705 CE. After an earthquake in 746, the mosque was completely destroyed and rebuilt by the Abbasid caliph al-Mansur in 754, and again rebuilt by his successor al-Mahdi in 780. Another earthquake destroyed most of al-Aqsa in 1033, but two years later the Fatimid Caliph Ali az-Zahir built another mosque which has stood to the present-day. During the periodic renovations undertaken, the various ruling dynasties of the Islamic Caliphate constructed additions to the mosque and its precincts, such as its dome, facade, its minbar, minarets and the interior structure. When the Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099, they used the mosque as a palace and church, but its function as a mosque was restored after its recapture by Saladin in 1187. More renovations, repairs and additions were undertaken in the later centuries by the Ayyubids, Mamluks, Ottomans, the Supreme Muslim Council, and Jordan. Today, the Old City is under Israeli control, but the mosque remains under the administration of the Palestinian-led Islamic waqf. The al-Aqsa Mosque is located on the Temple Mount, referred to by Muslims today as the "Haram al-Sharif" ("The Noble Sanctuary", an enclosure expanded by King Herod the Great beginning in 20 BCE. The mosque resides on an artificial platform that is supported by arches constructed by Herod's engineers to overcome the difficult topographic conditions resulting from the southward expansion of the enclosure into the Tyropoeon and Kidron valleys. At the time of the Second Temple, the present site of the mosque was occupied by the Royal Stoa, a basilica running the southern wall of the enclosure. The Royal Stoa was destroyed along with the Temple during the sacking of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 CE. Emperor Justinian built a Christian church on the site in the 530s which was consecrated to the Virgin Mary and named "Church of Our Lady." The church was later destroyed by Khosrau II, the Sassanid emperor, in the early 7th century and left in ruins. The rectangular al-Aqsa Mosque and its precincts are 144,000 square metres (1,550,000 sq ft), although the mosque itself is about 35,000 square metres (380,000 sq ft) and could hold up to 5,000 worshippers. It is 272 feet (83 m) long, 184 feet (56 m) wide dome

4. Faisal Masjid (Pakistan)

It is the largest mosque in South Asia and one of the largest mosques in the world, located in the Islamabad capital city of pakistan. In 1969, an international competition was held in which architects from 17 countries submitted 43 proposals. The mosque was designed by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay (who won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture with this project) to be shaped like a desert Bedouin's tent. The mosque's architecture is modern and unique, lacking both the traditional domes and arches of most other mosques around the world. The shape of the Faisal Mosque is an eight-sided concrete shell inspired by a desert Beduoin's tent and the cubic Kaaba in Mecca, flanked by four unusual minarets inspired by Turkish architecture Completed in 1986. It is situated at the North end of the City and at the Foot of Margalla Hills, the Westernmost Foothills of the Himalayas. It is located on an elevated area of land against a picturesque backdrop of the Margalla Hills. This enviable location represents the mosque's great importance and allows it to be seen from miles around day and night. The Faisal Mosque is conceived as the National Mosque of Pakistan and named after the late King Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia, who supported and financed the project. The Faisal Mosque was the largest mosque in the world from 1986 until 1993, when it was overtaken in size upon the completion of the Hassan II Mosque in, Morocco. Subsequent expansions of the Masjid al-Haram and Masjid al-Nabawi Saudi Arabia during the 1990s relegated Faisal Mosque to fourth place in terms of size.

5. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque (Brunei)

is a royal Islamic mosque located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of the Sultanate of Brunei. The mosque considered one of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia Pacific and a major landmark and tourist attraction of Brunei. The mosque unites Mughal architecture and Italian styles. The plans were done by Booty and Edwards Chartered Architects according to designs by the Italian architect Cavaliere Rudolfo Nolli. The mosque as a symbol of the Islamic faith in Brunei dominates the skyline of Bandar Seri Begawan. The building was completed in 1958 and is an example of modern Islamic architecture. The mosque's most recognizable feature, the main dome, is covered in pure gold. The mosque stands 171 feets high and can be seen from virtually anywhere in Bandar Seri Begawan. The main minaret is the mosque's tallest feature.

6. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Turkey Istanbul)

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is an historical mosque in Istanbul. The mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It was built from 1609 to 1616. Like many other mosques. While still used as a mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque has also become a popular tourist attraction. The design of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is the culmination of two centuries of both Ottoman mosque and Byzantine church development. It incorporates some Byzantine elements of the neighboring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period. The six minarets were a matter of contention and a first, since four minarets were the common maximum. Only after one more minaret was added to the Masjid al-Haram, Grand Mosque, in Mecca was the six minarets issue settled. Their colors have faded and changed (red turning into brown and green into blue, mottled whites) and the glazes have dulled. The tiles on the back balcony wall are recycled tiles from the harem in the Topkap Palace, when it was damaged by fire in 1574.
A heavy iron chain hangs in the upper part of the court entrance on the western side. Only the sultan was allowed to enter the court of the mosque on horseback. The chain was put there, so that the sultan had to lower his head every time he entered the court in order not to get hit. This was done as a symbolic gesture, to ensure the humility of the ruler in the face of the divine.

7. Ubudiah Mosque (Kuala Kangsar)

Masjid Ubudiah is Perak's royal mosque, and is situated in the royal town of Kuala Kangsar, Malaysia. Masjid Ubudiah Mosque is the Malaysia's some of most beautiful mosques, the Masjid Ubudiah (or Ubudiah Mosque) has golden dome and minarets creating a spellbinding sight, from near and afar. The mosque was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback, a government architect .This Masjid was Built in 1917 during the reign of the 28th Sultan of Perak, Sultan Idris Murshidul'adzam Shah. It was commissioned on the orders of the Sultan, who vowed that he would build a mosque of great beauty as thanksgiving for recovery from an illness which plagued him in those early days. The construction of the mosque was not without difficulties. Work was interrupted several times, once when two elephants belonging to the sultan's and Raja Chulan were fighting and ran over and damaged the imported Italian marble titles.

8. The Hassan II Mosque (Morocco)

Grand Mosquée Hassan II nicknamed "Casablanca Hajj" is a mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. It is the largest mosque in the country and the 7th largest in the world. Its minaret is the world's tallest at 210 metres (689 ft). Completed in 1993, it was designed by Michel Pinseau and built by Bouygues. The minaret is 60 stories high topped by a laser, the light from which is directed towards Makkah. The mosque stands on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic Ocean, the sea bed being visible through the glass floor of the building's hall. The walls are of hand crafted marble and the roof is retractable. A maximum of 105,000 worshippers can gather together for prayer: 25,000 inside the mosque hall and another 80,000 on the mosque's outside grounds. The mosque rises above the Atlantic Ocean. The building is built partially on land and partially over the ocean. This siting was accomplished by creating a platform linking a natural rock outcrop reclaimed from the sea. Where a swimming pool had previously been located. Its environmental advantage is that it is free of noise and pollution and receives a fresh breeze from the sea. Apart from the mosque, other structures in the area are a madrasa (Islamic school), hammams (bathhouses), a museum on Moroccan history, conference halls, and a very large library said to be the "most comprehensive in the Islamic world." The 41 fountains[2] in the courtyard are all well decorated. The garden around the mosque is well tended and is a popular location for family picnics. The traditionally designed madrasa occupies an area of 4,840 square metres (52,100 sq ft) including the basement. Two stories in height, it is constructed in a semi-circular shape, with abutting qibla wall and the mihrab section. During the most intense period of construction, 1400 men worked during the day and another 1100 during the night. 10,000 artists and craftsmen participated in building and beautifying the mosque. However, the building was not completed on schedule which delayed inauguration. The formal inauguration was subsequently chosen to be the 11th Rabi' al-thani of the year 1414 of the Hegira, corresponding to 30 August 1993, which also marked the eve of the anniversary of Prophet Muhammad’s birth. It was dedicated to the Sovereign of Morocco. Construction costs, estimated to be about 585 million euros, were an issue of debate in Morocco, a poor country. While Hassan wished to build a mosque which would be second in size only to the mosque at Mecca, the government lacked funds for such a grand project. Much of the financing was by public subscription.Every Moroccan family was forced to pay a set amount, enforced by the police, to finance construction. Another issue was the displacement of slum dwellers who lived in the vicinity of the mosque. Twelve million people donated to the cause, with a receipt and certificate given to every donor. The smallest contribution was 5 DH. In addition to public donations and those from business
establishments and Arab countries (such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia), western countries provided construction loans.

9. James Asr Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque (Brunei)

Considered as one of the grandest monuments to Islam in the whole region, the magnificent Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque is the brainchild of His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah and Yang Dipertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam. Known locally as the Kiarong Mosque as it is situated in Kampong Kiarong, a few kilometres from the capital, it was built to commemorate the 25th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne. The Mosque was officially opened on a Thursday, 14 July,1994. The fine artistry of the structure's basic design as well as the interiors shows the meticulous attention to details and reveals the depth of the love that inspired the vision to build this splendid symbol of devotion to Islam . The stunning edifice with its artfully landscaped gardens and fountains that add to the serene ambience, is a memorable place to visit and certainly a must for visitors Visitors may enter the mosque but are asked to remove their shoes before entering and to exercise due consideration for people praying. Women are should cover their heads and dress conservatively.

10. Jumeirah Mosque (Dubai U.A.E)

Jumeirah Mosque is a mosque in Dubai City. It is said that it is the most photographed mosque in all of Dubai. Non-Muslims may not enter it without an organized tour. Over the past ten years, the Jumeirah Mosque has become renowned as the focal point of our “Open Doors, Open Minds” programme as it is the only mosque in Dubai which is open to the public and dedicated to receiving non-Muslim guests. Come and join a unique opportunity to learn about Emirati culture and religion in a relaxed, casual and open atmosphere at this landmark mosque. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding hosts visits of the Grand Jumeirah Mosque every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 10.00h. You do not need a reservation to attend this visit, but you must arrive at the main entrance to the Jumeirah Mosque by approximately 9.45am. Each tour lasts approximately 75 minutes. Modest dress is preferred, however traditional attire can be borrowed from the Mosque.

These Moques not only provide the devotees spiritual satisfaction but are also masterpiece the Muslim architecture.

Mosque is a Holy place for Muslims. It refers to its Arabic name – Masjid. A Mosque is a place for worship for all the followers of Islam. Masjid is considered as Allah ka Gahr means no one is owner of Masjid except Allah (There are strict and detailed requirements in Sunni fiqh for a place of worship to be considered a Masjid, with places that do not meet these requirements regarded as musallas.) Quba Mosque is the first mosque in Islamic history and mosques have developed significantly since Quba mosque. Many mosques have elaborate domes, minarets, and prayer halls. Mosques all around the world are well known for the general importance to Muslims as well as for Islamic architecture and representation of Islamic culture. Although Mosque is the place where all the Muslims of the community come together and have their prayers, Mosque can also be the place of beautiful architecture that is famous all around the world.

Here Is The List Of 10 Most Beatifull Masjids in the world


1.Masjid al Haram (The Holy Mosque) – Saudi Arabia

Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām or the Grand Mosque surrounds Islam's holiest place, the Kaaba Shareef. It is located in the city of Mecca and is the largest mosque in the world. Muslims around the world turn toward Kaaba while performing any prayer. The current structure covers an area of 356,800 square meters including the outdoor and indoor praying spaces and can accommodate up to 4 millions worshipers during the Hajj period, one of the largest annual gatherings of people in the world. In 2007, the Masjid went under a extension project which is estimated to last until 2020. King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz plans to increase the Masjid's capacity to 2 million with two new minarets, bringing their total to 11 minarets. The cost of the project is 10.6-billion Us Dollers and after completion the mosque will house over 2.5 million worshipers. The mataf (the circumambulation areas around the Kaaba) will also see expansion and all closed spaces will be airconditioned.

2.Masjid Nabawi – Saudi Arabia

Al Masjid al Nabawi "Mosque of the Prophet" is a mosque built by the our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) Al Masjid al Nabawi situated in the city of Medina e munwwara. It is the second holiest site in Islam. It was the second mosque built in history and is now one of the largest mosques in the world. The site was originally adjacent to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s)'s house; he settled there after his Hijra (emigration) to Medina in 622. He shared in the heavy work of construction with has Sahabas. The original mosque was an open-air building. The basic plan of the building has been adopted in the building of other mosques throughout the world. The mosque also served as a community center, a court, and a religious school for the Muslims In 1909, it became the first place in the Arabian Peninsula to be provided with electrical lights. One of the most notable features of the site is the a beautiful , and vary attrictive Green Dome over the center of the mosque, originally (amman)Aisha's house where the tomb of Muhammad (s.a.w.s) is located. In 1279 AD, a wooden cupola was built over the tomb which was later rebuilt and renovated multiple times in late 15th century and once in 1817. The dome was first painted green in 1837, and later became known as the Green Dome.

3. Al-Aqsa Mosque (palestine)

Al-Masjid al-Aqsa, is also known as Al-Aqsa and Bayt al-Muqaddas, is the third holiest site in Islam and is located in the Old City of Jerusalem. The site on which the silver domed mosque sits, along with the Dome of the Rock, also referred to as al-Haram ash-Sharif or "Noble Sanctuary," is the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism, the place where the Temple is generally accepted to have stood. Muslims believe that Muhammad was transported from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to al-Aqsa during the Night Journey. Islamic tradition holds that Muhammad led prayers towards this site until the seventeenth month after the emigration, when God directed him to turn towards the Ka'aba. The mosque was originally a small prayer house built by the Rashidun caliph Umar, but was rebuilt and expanded by the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik and finished by his son al-Walid in 705 CE. After an earthquake in 746, the mosque was completely destroyed and rebuilt by the Abbasid caliph al-Mansur in 754, and again rebuilt by his successor al-Mahdi in 780. Another earthquake destroyed most of al-Aqsa in 1033, but two years later the Fatimid Caliph Ali az-Zahir built another mosque which has stood to the present-day. During the periodic renovations undertaken, the various ruling dynasties of the Islamic Caliphate constructed additions to the mosque and its precincts, such as its dome, facade, its minbar, minarets and the interior structure. When the Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099, they used the mosque as a palace and church, but its function as a mosque was restored after its recapture by Saladin in 1187. More renovations, repairs and additions were undertaken in the later centuries by the Ayyubids, Mamluks, Ottomans, the Supreme Muslim Council, and Jordan. Today, the Old City is under Israeli control, but the mosque remains under the administration of the Palestinian-led Islamic waqf. The al-Aqsa Mosque is located on the Temple Mount, referred to by Muslims today as the "Haram al-Sharif" ("The Noble Sanctuary", an enclosure expanded by King Herod the Great beginning in 20 BCE. The mosque resides on an artificial platform that is supported by arches constructed by Herod's engineers to overcome the difficult topographic conditions resulting from the southward expansion of the enclosure into the Tyropoeon and Kidron valleys. At the time of the Second Temple, the present site of the mosque was occupied by the Royal Stoa, a basilica running the southern wall of the enclosure. The Royal Stoa was destroyed along with the Temple during the sacking of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 CE. Emperor Justinian built a Christian church on the site in the 530s which was consecrated to the Virgin Mary and named "Church of Our Lady." The church was later destroyed by Khosrau II, the Sassanid emperor, in the early 7th century and left in ruins. The rectangular al-Aqsa Mosque and its precincts are 144,000 square metres (1,550,000 sq ft), although the mosque itself is about 35,000 square metres (380,000 sq ft) and could hold up to 5,000 worshippers. It is 272 feet (83 m) long, 184 feet (56 m) wide dome

4. Faisal Masjid (Pakistan)

It is the largest mosque in South Asia and one of the largest mosques in the world, located in the Islamabad capital city of pakistan. In 1969, an international competition was held in which architects from 17 countries submitted 43 proposals. The mosque was designed by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay (who won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture with this project) to be shaped like a desert Bedouin's tent. The mosque's architecture is modern and unique, lacking both the traditional domes and arches of most other mosques around the world. The shape of the Faisal Mosque is an eight-sided concrete shell inspired by a desert Beduoin's tent and the cubic Kaaba in Mecca, flanked by four unusual minarets inspired by Turkish architecture Completed in 1986. It is situated at the North end of the City and at the Foot of Margalla Hills, the Westernmost Foothills of the Himalayas. It is located on an elevated area of land against a picturesque backdrop of the Margalla Hills. This enviable location represents the mosque's great importance and allows it to be seen from miles around day and night. The Faisal Mosque is conceived as the National Mosque of Pakistan and named after the late King Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia, who supported and financed the project. The Faisal Mosque was the largest mosque in the world from 1986 until 1993, when it was overtaken in size upon the completion of the Hassan II Mosque in, Morocco. Subsequent expansions of the Masjid al-Haram and Masjid al-Nabawi Saudi Arabia during the 1990s relegated Faisal Mosque to fourth place in terms of size.

5. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque (Brunei)

is a royal Islamic mosque located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of the Sultanate of Brunei. The mosque considered one of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia Pacific and a major landmark and tourist attraction of Brunei. The mosque unites Mughal architecture and Italian styles. The plans were done by Booty and Edwards Chartered Architects according to designs by the Italian architect Cavaliere Rudolfo Nolli. The mosque as a symbol of the Islamic faith in Brunei dominates the skyline of Bandar Seri Begawan. The building was completed in 1958 and is an example of modern Islamic architecture. The mosque's most recognizable feature, the main dome, is covered in pure gold. The mosque stands 171 feets high and can be seen from virtually anywhere in Bandar Seri Begawan. The main minaret is the mosque's tallest feature.

6. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Turkey Istanbul)

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is an historical mosque in Istanbul. The mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It was built from 1609 to 1616. Like many other mosques. While still used as a mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque has also become a popular tourist attraction. The design of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is the culmination of two centuries of both Ottoman mosque and Byzantine church development. It incorporates some Byzantine elements of the neighboring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period. The six minarets were a matter of contention and a first, since four minarets were the common maximum. Only after one more minaret was added to the Masjid al-Haram, Grand Mosque, in Mecca was the six minarets issue settled. Their colors have faded and changed (red turning into brown and green into blue, mottled whites) and the glazes have dulled. The tiles on the back balcony wall are recycled tiles from the harem in the Topkap Palace, when it was damaged by fire in 1574.
A heavy iron chain hangs in the upper part of the court entrance on the western side. Only the sultan was allowed to enter the court of the mosque on horseback. The chain was put there, so that the sultan had to lower his head every time he entered the court in order not to get hit. This was done as a symbolic gesture, to ensure the humility of the ruler in the face of the divine.

7. Ubudiah Mosque (Kuala Kangsar)

Masjid Ubudiah is Perak's royal mosque, and is situated in the royal town of Kuala Kangsar, Malaysia. Masjid Ubudiah Mosque is the Malaysia's some of most beautiful mosques, the Masjid Ubudiah (or Ubudiah Mosque) has golden dome and minarets creating a spellbinding sight, from near and afar. The mosque was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback, a government architect .This Masjid was Built in 1917 during the reign of the 28th Sultan of Perak, Sultan Idris Murshidul'adzam Shah. It was commissioned on the orders of the Sultan, who vowed that he would build a mosque of great beauty as thanksgiving for recovery from an illness which plagued him in those early days. The construction of the mosque was not without difficulties. Work was interrupted several times, once when two elephants belonging to the sultan's and Raja Chulan were fighting and ran over and damaged the imported Italian marble titles.

8. The Hassan II Mosque (Morocco)

Grand Mosquée Hassan II nicknamed "Casablanca Hajj" is a mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. It is the largest mosque in the country and the 7th largest in the world. Its minaret is the world's tallest at 210 metres (689 ft). Completed in 1993, it was designed by Michel Pinseau and built by Bouygues. The minaret is 60 stories high topped by a laser, the light from which is directed towards Makkah. The mosque stands on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic Ocean, the sea bed being visible through the glass floor of the building's hall. The walls are of hand crafted marble and the roof is retractable. A maximum of 105,000 worshippers can gather together for prayer: 25,000 inside the mosque hall and another 80,000 on the mosque's outside grounds. The mosque rises above the Atlantic Ocean. The building is built partially on land and partially over the ocean. This siting was accomplished by creating a platform linking a natural rock outcrop reclaimed from the sea. Where a swimming pool had previously been located. Its environmental advantage is that it is free of noise and pollution and receives a fresh breeze from the sea. Apart from the mosque, other structures in the area are a madrasa (Islamic school), hammams (bathhouses), a museum on Moroccan history, conference halls, and a very large library said to be the "most comprehensive in the Islamic world." The 41 fountains[2] in the courtyard are all well decorated. The garden around the mosque is well tended and is a popular location for family picnics. The traditionally designed madrasa occupies an area of 4,840 square metres (52,100 sq ft) including the basement. Two stories in height, it is constructed in a semi-circular shape, with abutting qibla wall and the mihrab section. During the most intense period of construction, 1400 men worked during the day and another 1100 during the night. 10,000 artists and craftsmen participated in building and beautifying the mosque. However, the building was not completed on schedule which delayed inauguration. The formal inauguration was subsequently chosen to be the 11th Rabi' al-thani of the year 1414 of the Hegira, corresponding to 30 August 1993, which also marked the eve of the anniversary of Prophet Muhammad’s birth. It was dedicated to the Sovereign of Morocco. Construction costs, estimated to be about 585 million euros, were an issue of debate in Morocco, a poor country. While Hassan wished to build a mosque which would be second in size only to the mosque at Mecca, the government lacked funds for such a grand project. Much of the financing was by public subscription.Every Moroccan family was forced to pay a set amount, enforced by the police, to finance construction. Another issue was the displacement of slum dwellers who lived in the vicinity of the mosque. Twelve million people donated to the cause, with a receipt and certificate given to every donor. The smallest contribution was 5 DH. In addition to public donations and those from business
establishments and Arab countries (such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia), western countries provided construction loans.

9. James Asr Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque (Brunei)

Considered as one of the grandest monuments to Islam in the whole region, the magnificent Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque is the brainchild of His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah and Yang Dipertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam. Known locally as the Kiarong Mosque as it is situated in Kampong Kiarong, a few kilometres from the capital, it was built to commemorate the 25th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne. The Mosque was officially opened on a Thursday, 14 July,1994. The fine artistry of the structure's basic design as well as the interiors shows the meticulous attention to details and reveals the depth of the love that inspired the vision to build this splendid symbol of devotion to Islam . The stunning edifice with its artfully landscaped gardens and fountains that add to the serene ambience, is a memorable place to visit and certainly a must for visitors Visitors may enter the mosque but are asked to remove their shoes before entering and to exercise due consideration for people praying. Women are should cover their heads and dress conservatively.

10. Jumeirah Mosque (Dubai U.A.E)

Jumeirah Mosque is a mosque in Dubai City. It is said that it is the most photographed mosque in all of Dubai. Non-Muslims may not enter it without an organized tour. Over the past ten years, the Jumeirah Mosque has become renowned as the focal point of our “Open Doors, Open Minds” programme as it is the only mosque in Dubai which is open to the public and dedicated to receiving non-Muslim guests. Come and join a unique opportunity to learn about Emirati culture and religion in a relaxed, casual and open atmosphere at this landmark mosque. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding hosts visits of the Grand Jumeirah Mosque every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 10.00h. You do not need a reservation to attend this visit, but you must arrive at the main entrance to the Jumeirah Mosque by approximately 9.45am. Each tour lasts approximately 75 minutes. Modest dress is preferred, however traditional attire can be borrowed from the Mosque.

where she go see hand wash?

elantraceey:
She nor try jare, she for use hand

she is so on point

.qq

Salam aleikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh brother, the topic has been treated in the link below...


https://www.nairaland.com/247096/how-u-realy-perform-ghusl

barakallahu fihi bro al baqir...

Amin ya rabbil alamin

it goes down to discipline and timing, i would advise you all start preparing for jummah earlier than you do @least 2hrs ahead and should leave for the mosque 30mins before the khutbah starts... because the khutbah substitute for the two rakahs of Zuhr...

kemiola89:
Masha'Allah! I have a challenge though, I don't usually catch up with time on Friday khutbah, I'm 'always' minutes late, after the Imam must've started the sermon.

May Almighty Allah make it easy for us. Interesting piece!

Friday is the sixth day in Islamic week. The literal meaning of Friday is congregation. In islam, this day is given the most importance than any other days of the week. Every Friday, Prayer of Jummah is offered and for this prayer special time is taken. Imams of all masjids deliver khutbah on a special topic every Friday.


FACT #1
Even if we wanted to, we couldn’t count the blessings of Allah. An obvious blessing is the day of Jumu’ah (congregational prayer for Muslims). Friday is called Jummah. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The best day the sun rises over is Friday. On it Allah created Adam. On it he was made to enter paradise, on it he was expelled from it, and the Last Hour will take place on no other day than Friday.”
[Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi].

FACT #2
“It was named Jumu’ah because it is derived from the word Al-Jam’ in Arabic which means to gather, as Muslims gather on this day every week, and Allah has commanded the believers to gather for His worship, as He says that which means: “Oh you who believe! When the call is proclaimed for Jumu`ah (Friday prayer), come fast to the remembrance of Allah.”
(meaning be keen to go and attend it)
[Quran 62: 9]

FACT #3
The congregational prayer (Jumu’ah prayer) is one of the obligatory acts in Islam and one of the great gatherings of Muslims. The angels sit in wait for the arrival of people.
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “On the day of Jummah, the angels stand at the entrance of that masjid in which Jumuah salat is to be offered. They write down the name of the person who enters the masjid first, and thereafter the name of the person who follows, and they continue doing this. The person who entered first will receive the reward of sacrificing a camel in the path of Allah; the one who followed him will get the reward of sacrificing a cow, thereafter a chicken, thereafter the reward of giving an egg as charity in the path of Allah.Once the khutbah commences, the angels close the register and begin listening to the khutbah.”
[Bukhari and Muslim]

FACT #4
The day of Jumu’ah includes an hour during which all supplications are accepted. Abu Hurayrah, narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), said: “On (the day of) Jumu’ah is an hour during which Allah gives to a Muslim servant standing in prayer whatever he asks for.”
[Bukhari and Muslim]

FACT #5
Giving your charity on Jummah carries more virtue than other days. Ka’b, narrated that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Charity given during the day of Jumu’ah is greater (in reward) than any other day.”

FACT #6
It is an Eid for muslims. This holiday happens regularly and frequently. Ibn Abbas, narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Jumu’ah is a day of celebration, so whoever attends it should perform ghusl beforehand.”
[Ibn Majah]

FACT #7
It is a day on which sins are forgiven.
Salman narrated Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Any man who performs ghusl on Friday, perfumes himself if he has perfume, wears the best of his clothes, then goes to the mosque and offers as many prayers as he wishes while not harming anybody, then listens quietly while the Imam speaks until he offers the prayer, will have all his sins between that Friday and the next forgiven.”
[Al Bukhari]

FACT #8
When walking to attend the Friday sermon, a Muslim gets the reward of both praying qiyam (the night prayer) and fasting a full year. Aws ibn Aws narrated Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever performs ghusl on Friday after having sexual intercourse with his wife, then goes early to the mosque and attends from the beginning of the khutbah and draws near to the Imam and listens to him attentively, Allah will give him the full reward of fasting all the days of a year and observing night-vigil on each of its nights for every step that he took towards the mosque.”
[Ahmad]

FACT #9
Dying on Friday, during the day or night, is a sign of a good end. Allah The Almighty will enable the person to be steadfast during it. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Any Muslim who dies during the day or night of Friday will be protected by Allah from the trial of the grave.” [At Tirmidhi and Ahmad]

Subhanallahi!!! what a blessed day we should never miss

wa iyyak

mzzkismet:
Ameen. Jazakum lahu khairan

Midnight.

I had been in bed since 10pm.

But I was still tossing and turning.

I hadn’t eaten since 2pm, and my stomach was screaming for food.

So I got out of bed, and made my way towards the kitchen.

I opened the fridge, and out tumbled a glass jar.

SMASH!

It crashed on the ground and broke into pieces.

“Oh great! Just what I needed Now what do I do?” I thought to myself.

It was dark & I didn’t have any footwear on. One wrong move and I would have sharp glass pieces in my foot. So I began to tread with careful steps towards the switch.

My senses were heightened. My mind was on full alert. And I was completely in the present moment.

I had no thoughts other than the single purpose of getting to the light switch unharmed.


With slow & steady steps, I made it!

After the incident I reflected, what if I performed my prayers in the same way?

With clear purpose. Being fully alert. And having no thought other than the words I use to communicate with God.

The Lord of Universe has invited us to talk to him. How much more enjoyable our prayers would be if we performed our prayers with that awareness...

May Allah guide us to straight path and grant us taqwa .... Amin

Pls sit down and ask yourself the following question

What am i doing wrong that makes my hubby to keep committing adultery? maybe its your dressing, u re not satisfying sexually etc..when u get the answer, You can proceed to making amend

Secondly, is your hubby well informed about Adultery in islam ? if he isn't then you should get to find a respected and pious cleric to preach to him and tell me wat Allah (swt) says about Adultery in Quran.

Lastly, you can talk to him when sober about his behaviour and the effect of his promiscious attitude on you and urge to marry a second wife if that will stop him from his regular sex with random ladies

May Allah grant you patience and wisdom to handle the situation...Amin

Great Write Up OP....Jazakallahu kheran...

Great WriteUp OP....Jazakallahu kheran...

Salam aleikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh sister,

First of all, you should try to highlight the cause of the break in your marriage. either its fault from you or your hubby then you should get the elders from both families to settle the matter amicably...

If its not of the above, and you feels its of the handiwork of some evil forces, you should increase your dhikr, recitation of the quran and try to observe qiyam layl i.e standing in prayer @ night...IN SHAA ALLAH, all will be well...

Lastly don't forget to increase your steadfastness and patience, Surely, Allah is with the patience...

y

f

.e

yes but we should always strive to been in an islamic gathering where remembrance of our deen is in quick succession. like you said already i think joining a local masjid really is one of the best option in the western world..May Allah make it easy for us

Justfollowit:
@OP, interesting topic.
It is harder for those in foreign lands especially the western world. The most important thing is to join the local mosque and try to engage in their various Islamic activities.

Salam aleikum...i think they should be a positive word in the english dictionary to use instead of envy/jelousy e.g compete because envy/jealousy specifically define negative competition, YES muslims can always strive to a be or be better than a other muslims in doing righteous deeds, healthy competition had been in occurence since the time of the companions...May Allah make the deen easy for us...

kemiola89:
Masha'Allah. I have a question though! Is there anything as a healthy/constructive envy in Islam? In a case where a Muslim envies another Muslim fellow definitely not in a destructive way, and strive to be like them, does that also count as sin?

"Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim (male and female)." (Hadith)

THE VIRTUES OF KNOWLEDGE

Allah (Most Exalted is He), Who created us and gave us sustenance, has also given us guidance. He said:

"Verily We have created man into toil and struggle… Have We not made for him a pair of eyes; and a tongue, and a pair of lips; and shown him the two ways (obedience and disobedience)?"

(Qur'an, Al-Balad 90:4-10)

After providing us with the capability to contemplate, think and differentiate between things, He instructed us to know Him, to know his Prophets and to know His Deen, Islam. He said:

"So know that there is no god save Allah, ask forgiveness for your sins and for the believing men and the believing women. Allah knows well your moving and your place of rest."

(Qur'an, Muhammad 47:19)

This verse shows the importance of knowledge and the virtues that Allah has given to it. It also shows that knowledge comes before deeds, since Allah instructed His Prophet to know that He is One and the only One worthy of worship. After that, He commanded him to ask forgiveness for himself, his family and for his Ummah.

If Muslims truly realise the importance Islam places on knowledge and its virtues, they will definitely be keen to learn and teach others. They would start with themselves and their families; then their neighbours and the community at large. Once Mu'awiyah Ibn Abi Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with her) gave a sermon in which he said, "I heard Allah's Messenger saying, "If Allah wants to do good to a person, he makes him very knowledgeable in the Deen." (Related by Bukhari and Muslim)

This is because knowledge is the basis of all good; it generates actions that are based on the commandments of Allah and the instructions of the Prophet . Hence, every Muslim must instil in his mind a desire to seek knowledge. Allah (Most Exalted is He) instructed His Prophet -- and thus all Muslims -- to ask Allah to increase him in knowledge. He said:

"And say: My Lord increase me in knowledge."

(Qur'an, Ta-Ha 20:114)

Though, initially, all Muslims are equal in the sight of Allah, those who believe, have taqwah (fear of Allah and righteousness), and have been granted knowledge move up to higher ranks. Allah says about those who have taqwah:

"Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who has most taqwah."

(Qur'an, Al-Hujurat 49:13)

And He said about those who believed and acquired knowledge:

"Allah will raise up, to (suitable) ranks and (degrees), those of you who believe and who have been granted knowledge. And Allah is well-acquainted with all you do."

(Qur'an, Al-Mujadilah 58:11)

When a servant of Allah is granted knowledge, he appreciates Allah's creation more, and becomes more acquainted with Allah's attributes and qualities. Consequently, he wholeheartedly witnesses that his Creator is the only one worthy of worship, and then submits to Him humbly. This, in return, generates in his heart a fear, which is akin to a full appreciation and love of His Lord. Allah (Most Exalted is He) has witnessed in favour of His learned servants these qualities, full appreciation of His Oneness and fear of Him. He stated in two verses, to be recited until Doomsday:

"There is no one worthy of worship but He: That is the witness of Allah, His angels and those endowed with knowledge, Standing firm in Justice (or maintaining His Creation in Justice). There is no god but He, the Exalted in power, the Wise."

(Qur'an, Al-'Imran 3:18)



"It is only those who have knowledge among His servants that fear Allah."

(Qur'an, Fatir 35:28)

The Messenger of Allah gave glad tidings to anyone who undertakes the task of seeking knowledge. Abu Hurayrah relates that the Prophet said, "For him who embarks on the path of seeking knowledge, Allah will ease for him the way to paradise." (Related by Muslim) If no Hadith on the importance of knowledge besides this one had been uttered by the Prophet , it would have been enough for Muslims. Yet the Prophet did more than that:

He used to stimulate his companions to seek knowledge: Ibn Mas'ud relates that the Prophet said, "Only two persons are worthy of being envied; a person upon whom Allah bestows riches and gives him the power to spend it in a righteous cause; and a person upon whom Allah bestows wisdom by which he judges and which he teaches." (Related by Bukhari and Muslim)

He used to congratulate the companions whenever they issued a right judgement or correctly answered a question. Imam Muslim narrates that once the Prophet asked Ubayy Ibn Ka'b, "Do you know which verse in Allah's Book is the greatest?" Ubayy answered by reciting Ayat-ul-Kursi (the verse of the Throne, i.e. Al-Baqarah, 2:255): "Allah! None has the right to be worshiped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists…) The Messenger kindly patted him on the chest, saying, "Congratulations, Abul-Munthir for this knowledge".

He used to call upon Allah to grant them the correct knowledge and understanding of this Deen: Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated, "Once the Prophet embraced me and said, 'O Allah! Bestow on him the knowledge of the Book (Qur'an)." (Related by Bukhari)

He ordained all his companions and, thus, every Muslim who possesses some knowledge -- even as little as one verse -- to disseminate what they know to others: He said, "Convey (what you learn from me) even if only one verse…" (Related by Bukhari)

He made special du'a (supplication) for those who learn his sayings and transmit them to others: Zayd Ibn Thabit narrated that the Prophet said, "May Allah brighten the face of the person who hears what I say and retains it, then conveys it to others: for sometimes one who hears from another remembers it better than the original hearer himself." (Related by Ahmad and Tirmithi)

He assured all those who disseminate his knowledge that they will get the same reward of any Muslim who acts upon that knowledge: Abu Hurayrah relates that the Prophet said, "He who calls another to guidance will have a reward equal; to the reward of him who follows him without diminishing the reward of either of them." (Related by Muslim)

He showed to us the noble status of the learned people of His Ummah: Abu Umamah relates that the Prophet said, "A learned one is as much above an (ordinary) worshiper as I am above the least of you; and he added: Allah, His angels and all those in the heavens and in the earth, even the ants in their holes and the fish in the water, call down blessings on those who instruct people in beneficent knowledge." (Related by Tirmithi)

Better still, he declared that the 'Ulama' (those who have Islamic knowledge) are his heirs: Abu Darda' said that he heard the Prophet saying, "The 'Ulama' are heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets do not leave an inheritance of Dirhams and Dinars but (they left) only knowledge. He who acquires knowledge acquires a vast portion." (Related by Abu Dawud and Tirmithi)

After reading all these promises and glad tidings, one might ask, what more do we need to awaken our consciousness? We have been promised an easy way to paradise; the inheritance of our Prophet; a lofty rank, high and noble in status; a blessing from Allah and a supplication of all that exists in the heavens and earth; a face beaming in brightness and beauty on the Day of Judgement, when other faces will be sad and dismal. So, let us embark on the road to paradise; let us seek knowledge today.


http://www.missionislam.com/knowledge/seekknow.htm

The dire consequences of the absence of Islam as the governing system of today's society are manifesting themselves in all aspects of our lives. The detrimental effects of not having the Islamic social system can be felt regardless of whether we live in the Muslim lands or elsewhere. There is nothing more painful than seeing our youth grow up amidst a non-Islamic atmosphere leading, in some cases, to Muslim youth losing their Islamic identity, their values and even their Deen.


When one examines why some youth deviate, a simple but terrifying fact is brought to light - most of the time, the cause is the influence of the friends that surround them. The task of choosing the right friends and companions is essential to preserving our identity. Befriending righteous and virtuous Muslims is one of the prerequisites for staying on the Straight Path and pleasing Allah سبحانه وتعالى.

Although most of us would strive to maintain our Islamic identity within our family, we sometimes overlook who our youth are associating with when they are outside the house or on the computer. Islam has given us a road map to navigate through our lives in order to succeed both in Dunya and Akhirah. We must always abide by the hukm sharai' in all aspects of our lives and choosing the right friends is no exception.

Staying in the Correct Atmosphere

Maintaining the correct atmosphere is vital for a Muslim to be able to avoid deviation from the right path. The type of atmosphere that exists amongst some of the youth today is corrupt, where the topics of discussion usually revolve around the opposite sex and ‘showing off' to each other. This type of atmosphere only serves to agitate the nafs of people and can potentially lead them further away from Islam.

It was narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "The example of a good companion in comparison with a bad one is like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith's bellows (or furnace); from the first you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn your clothes, or you get a bad nasty smell thereof." [Bukhari]

Islam recognizes that friends have a strong influence on people and that their presence will affect the strength of their relationship with Allah سبحانه وتعالى.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "A person follows the Deen (way of life) of his close friend; therefore let each of you look carefully at whom he chooses for friends." [Tirmidhi]

A Muslim should choose friends who will advise him and remind him of Allah سبحانه وتعالى rather than lure him to the path of Shaytan. It is therefore important for a Muslim to choose good friends. The love between two Muslim friends is such that they will confide in each other, help each other in times of need and difficulty, and strengthen each other's commitment to the Deen of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم encouraged Muslims who have love for each other not to keep it to themselves.

It has been narrated by al-Bukhari that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "If one of you loves his brother for Allah's sake, then let him tell him since it causes familiarity to endure and firmly establishes love." [Bukhari]

Role of Parents

Part of staying in the right atmosphere is the role that parents play in their daughters' and sons' lives. Parents are responsible for watching who their kids associate with and who their friends are. They must strive to gain their children's trust by actively involving themselves in their lives while encouraging extra-curricular activities that give their children the chance to meet and become friends with righteous peers. Such friends will plant the seeds of belonging to the wider Muslim community, and preserve their identity as Muslims. Parents should always strive to promote in their kids the Islamic standards of Halal and Haram as the natural reference point in their livong. The most common mistake Muslim parents make is limiting their own roles in the family to only that of the provider which leads, in so many cases, to dysfunctional relationships with their teens as it leaves the youth vulnerable to the influences and pressures from their peers.

Characteristics of an Islamic Friendship

Islam has defined friendship in a manner that many of us in the West are not accustomed to. Islam bases ties and relations not on benefitting each other in worldly affairs but rather in our struggle for success in the Akhirah by seeking the pleasure of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Islam recognizes the importance of such relationships and has set guidelines for us to follow on how to maintain them:

Loving Friends for the sake of Allah سبحانه وتعالى - This means that we would undertake actions to help a friend or further our relationship with them for the sake of Allah even though they may go against our personal interests.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Whoever would like to taste the sweetness of Iman (belief) then let him love a person only for Allah's sake." [Ahmad]

Generosity and Kindness - Sharing wealth with others is greatly encouraged in Islam. This builds trust and closeness amongst people. It can be difficult for Muslims to grasp this principle especially when they are affected by Western concepts that promote selfishness and irresponsibility towards others. Giving without expecting anything in return is uncommon in the West even amongst friends.

Imam Bukhari narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "None amongst you believes (truly) till one likes for his brother, that which he loves for his himself." [Bukhari]

Giving gifts has also been recommended by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and he explained that it strengthens the relationship between people.

It was narrated by al-Bukhari that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Give gifts and you will love one another." [Bukhari]

Kindness to our friends, helping them in need and consoling them in times of grief should become natural to us for everyone needs help, a shoulder to cry on and someone to share their joy.

Concealing the Faults of Friends - It is important to conceal the faults of a friend. This does not mean that we ignore them; it means that we advise our brothers of their faults in private and help them overcome their shortcomings.

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "He who conceals (the faults) of a Muslim, Allah would conceal his faults in the world and in the Hereafter. Allah is at the back of a servant so long as the servant is at the back of his brother." [Muslim]

Prohibition of Backbiting, Slander, Envy, Jealousy & Grudges - The relationship of friendship is one of trust as a good Muslim is trustworthy and not deceitful. He does not betray nor backbite. In reality this makes the relationship between friends in Islam stronger than friendship according to Western concepts as there is no constant worry about whether your friend is speaking ill of you to other people or betraying you. Islam has prohibited backbiting and slander - thus removing the cause of suspicion and doubt amongst people:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اجْتَنِبُوا كَثِيراً مِّنَ الظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيمٌ

"O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother. You abhor that (so abhor the other)! And keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is Relenting, Merciful." [Al-Hujraat, 49:12]

Islam also forbids envy and jealousy which are the common causes of problems amongst friends.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Do not have malice against a Muslim; do not be envious of other Muslims; do not go against a Musliand forsake him. Oh the slaves of Allah! Be like brothers with each other. It is not violable for a Muslim to desert his brother for over three days." [Muslim & Tirmidhi]

Relationship with non Muslims

As Muslims living in the West, we interact with non-Muslims on a daily basis whether at work, university, college, school or in society at large. It is incorrect for us to cut ourselves completely from them and live in isolation. We should aim at building relationships with them in order to give them da'wah to embrace Islam. It is important to always remind ourselves that our purpose in this life is to carry Islam to everybody and show them the right path - to rid themselves of the misery of man-made systems, thereby achieving the pleasure of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. We have to be aware of our purpose in this life and what may influence our adherence to Islam. Friendship plays a major influence in our lives, and so choosing good friends is not a trivial matter. Allah سبحانه وتعالى revealed,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تَتَّخِذُواْ بِطَانَةً مِّن دُونِكُمْ لاَ يَأْلُونَكُمْ خَبَالاً وَدُّواْ مَا عَنِتُّمْ قَدْ بَدَتِ الْبَغْضَاء مِنْ أَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَمَا تُخْفِي صُدُورُهُمْ أَكْبَرُ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ الآيَاتِ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

"O you who believe! Do not take for intimate friends from among others than your own people; they do not fall short of inflicting loss upon you; they love what distresses you; vehement hatred has already appeared from out of their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater still; indeed, We have made the communications clear to you, if you will understand." [Al-Imran, 3:118]

Weakness is part of human nature and being surrounded by friends who have no ties to the values of Islam is a slippery slope with one known outcome - slipping away form the right path and losing one's Deen. The pressure from the circle of friends is far stronger than the pressure from family. Without strong understanding of the values of Islam and a constant reminder from our friends, our youth will find themselves forced to "blend in". Such a Muslim would find himself in a situation wherein he/she is willing to hide his/her Islam in front of those who despise it (those that he/she considers as friends) and to separate from the believers. When this situation occurs, a point is reached when there is little difference between the Muslim and his wrong-doing companion. Such a companionship is one of the causes of sickness of one's heart and loss of one's Deen.

Instead of making friends with the misguided people we should befriend the righteous and treat the rest in a gracious and just manner. Staying at a sufficient distance is necessary; yet treating everybody in a noble and kind manner is also required. So let us take heed before the inevitable Day when we are called to account for our actions. Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:

الْأَخِلَّاء يَوْمَئِذٍ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا الْمُتَّقِينَ

"Friends on that Day will be enemies one to another, except al-Muttaqoon (i.e. those who have Taqwah)." [Az-Zukhruf, 43:67]

Valuing Your Youth

Whilst we are young we have the potential to follow Islam by advancing our understanding and carrying Islam to others. Youth doesn't last forever so we must make good use of it before it is gone. We have to ensure that we follow the footsteps of the great Muslim youth of the past who were luminaries of humanity. Let us remember the words of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم who said,

"Value five things before five other things: Youth before old age; health before sickness; affluence before poverty; leisure before becoming too busy; and life before death." [Tirmidhi]

May Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless us with righteous friends and make them our support in carrying Da'wa under the shade of Khilafah Rashidah. Ameen.

http://www.missionislam.com/family/myouthstruggle.html

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