₦airaland Forum

is it permissible to offer them condolences at times of bereavement, to visit them when they are sick, and to console them when calamity strikes?

Praise be to Allah.

Yes, it is permissible to offer them condolences at times of bereavement, to visit them when they are sick, and to console them when calamity strikes. It was narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “There was a Jewish boy who used to serve the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). He fell sick, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to visit him. He sat at his head and said, ‘Become Muslim.’ (The boy) looked at his father who was with him, and he (the father) said to him, ‘Obey Abu’l-Qaasim ( (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)).’ So he became Muslim. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) left, saying, ‘Praise be to Allaah who has saved him from the Fire.’”

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1356)

And it was narrated from Anas that a Jew invited the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to eat barley bread and other food, and he accepted the invitation. (Narrated by Ahmad, 13201, with a saheeh isnaad).

It should be noted that if a Muslim does that, he should do so with the intention of calling them to Islam and softening their hearts towards Islam; he should call them in an appropriate manner and at an appropriate time.

It should also be noted that whilst consoling them he should not pray for forgiveness or mercy or Paradise for their dead, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allaah’s forgiveness for the Mushrikoon, even though they be of kin”

[al-Tawbah 9:113]

Rather he should pray for them in a way that is appropriate, encourage them to be patient and steadfast, and remind them that this is the way of Allaah with His creation. And Allaah knows best.

https://islamqa.info/en/answers/14229/offering-condolences-to-christians

During the last episode of my weekly explanation of the book "KA Stroud Engineering Mathematics" in Yorùbá, I started Program 5 from frame 1 (page 163). The author discussed linear equations and how to solve simultaneous linear equations involving two unknowns. Using his exposition, I explained how to apply substitution and elimination methods to solving these equations in Yoruba. You can watch the session here:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft3_21H571I

Don't forget to join us again tonight (9:30 pm Nigeria time) for our weekly online session on Zoom tagged "Mathematics is fun, come and see its beauties" with the explanation (in Yoruba language) of the popular mathematics book "Engineering Mathematics by KA Stroud and Dexter Booth".

Link below.
#########################
Topic: KA Stroud Engineering Mathematics
Meeting ID: 998 9814 3868
Passcode: 303132
########################

During the last episode of my weekly explanation of the book "KA Stroud Engineering Mathematics" in Yorùbá, I started Program 5 from frame 1 (page 163). The author discussed linear equations and how to solve simultaneous linear equations involving two unknowns. Using his exposition, I explained how to apply substitution and elimination methods to solving these equations in Yoruba. You can watch the session here:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft3_21H571I

You already know the answer, why asking?

See you tonight

Zuhd means to detached one's heart from this world. The following tips will assist you in keeping the world out of your heart and staying focused on the obedience of Allah.

1. Look at those who have less than you, not those who have more than you

This is taken verbatim from a Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It has also been proven true by modern psychological studies. The way it works is that whenever you feel the pull of this world, look at people who have less than you and are still content and happy.

You will find in the world many people who don’t earn much but are content and focused on the obedience of Allah. Looking at such people makes you appreciate your situation, and lowers your desire to pile up the things of this world. The next time you feel the pull of this world, try this. It works wonders for one’s faith and contentment.

2. Avoid sources of materialism
To avoid materialism, we must abandon its sources. In the modern world, this includes the advertisement industry. The advertisement industry revolves around getting people to desire and want things that they don’t need. These adverts are often designed by people who have studied NLP and they utilize this knowledge to make the adverts appeal to one’s mind. The result is that when one looks at such an advertisement (whether it is on television, radio, a billboard, or a poster) one feels the desire to purchase the item, even though you don’t need it and didn’t desire it before.

The way to avoid this is to stay in control of your mind and not allow the advertisements to affect you. Look at them objectively and decide rationally whether it is something you need or just something someone else is trying to convince you that you need.
Likewise, we should be careful of the salespeople’s tactics.

Salespeople are in the business of selling stuff, and they wouldn’t be good at their job if they were unable to convince you that you need what they have to sell. Too many people fall for marketing tactics too easily. When dealing with salesmen, be realistic. Objectively look at whether you need the item or not, and do not be afraid to say no if you do not want it. Sometimes it can be difficult to say no to a pushy salesperson but it is a skill that is needed to avoid clutter and piling up the things of this world.

3. Keep the right company
Avoiding the sources of materialism includes being careful about who we hang out with. We often take on the qualities of our closest friends and so if you are constantly hanging around snobbish materialistic people, this company will affect you. They may prod you into purchasing the latest expensive items, take a loan to keep up appearances, or feel bad and ungrateful for what you have because they have more than you. Staying in the company of such people is very dangerous for one’s Zuhd.

On the other hand, good company will keep you focused on the pleasure of Allah. If your friends are righteous people who are focused on the obedience of Allah, they will remind you accordingly. Their contentment and gratitude will rub off onto you, and their noble goals will inspire you to take up likewise noble goals.

4. Keep the Afterlife as your priority
While there is nothing wrong with earning well and enjoying the Halal things of this world, the key to maintaining Zuhd is to remain focused on the Afterlife and the pleasure of Allah. This keeps us in check and stops us from falling too deep into this world.

In every business deal, every purchase decision, every life decision, focus on the pleasure of Allah. This should be the overriding factor governing every aspect of our lives. If we make Allah’s pleasure our priority, every worldly decision of ours will be rightly guided and bring us closer to Him, even when we are making money and growing wealthy. Staying focused on the Afterlife includes remembering that on the Last Day, we will be responsible for every dollar we earned or spent. Allah will ask us how we earned it and how we spent it. This thought should keep us in check and keep our purchasing and business decisions guided in the right direction.

5. Live within your means
The modern lifestyle entices people to live off credit. Instant gratification demands that we get what we want as soon as we want it, even if we can’t afford it. The result is a lifetime of debts to pay off and never experiencing inner peace. Living a debt-free life is crucial for attaining inner peace and it is directly related to Zuhd.

The key is to live within your means. If you mean $1000 a month, then live off $900 and save $100 a month (or save $50 and give $50 in charity). Likewise, if you earn $2000 a month, live off $1800 and save the rest or donate to charity. If you can’t afford something, save up for it. Only if it is a necessity should you borrow money. Then too it must be a Halal loan i.e. interest-free loan.

When you choose to live within your means, you are taming your Nafs (desires) and training yourself to be patient. In doing so, you reject the pull of this world and focus on the pleasure of Allah. This also helps you sleep better at night and attain inner peace as you do not carry around the psychological burden of owing people money.

6. Purchase only that which you are going to use
How many of us have entire storage units full of junk that we bought but don’t use? Many people can’t resist the urge to buy things and as a result, we pile up the things of the world. Because we spent so much money on these things, we feel bad to give them away. As a result, we pile them up and never use them.

These items remain in our lives as a sign of our lack of willpower, and our inability to let go of the world. If you want to experience Zuhd and inner peace, start by decluttering and simplifying your life. Let go of all the things that are piling up in your life but benefitting nobody. Don’t purchase such things in the future and put your wealth to better use instead. This takes us to the final point.

7. Spend time and wealth in the path of Allah
The concept of charity in Islam exists to purify our hearts from materialism and keep us grounded in the obedience of Allah, no matter how wealthy we become. This is why it is so important to have a habit of being generous.

Every time you spend time and resources in the path of Allah, you free your heart a bit more from this world and grow closer to your Creator. This is seen in the example of the companions. Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Abdur Rahman ibn Auf (RA) were all wealthy individuals but they were extremely generous and would always be willing to give large sums of wealth in charity.

They were never afraid to part with their wealth. They would spend on others and so Allah assisted them in both worlds and helped them attain success in this world and the Afterlife. Charity with a pure intention is one of the greatest ways to maintain Zuhd, no matter how wealthy or poor we are.

Extracted by Ismail Kamdar from his book "Earning Barakah" .

Sh. Muhammad Bazmool حفظه الله explained (during the explanation of Sunan Ibn Majah book) the description of the prayer. When he reached the rulings related to Sajdah, he mentioned the verse:

سِيمَاهُمْ فِي وُجُوهِهِم مِّنْ أَثَرِ السُّجُودِ ۚ
"The mark of them (i.e. of their Faith) is in their faces (foreheads) from the traces of prostration (during prayers." (48/29)

He clarified that the intended meaning of the "Sajdah Mark" is not an actual physical marking that you see on some people's forehead. Instead, it is a light, brightness, calmness, and peace in their faces. This is corroborated by the Tafsir of the Salaf.

If the intent was an actual marking, then it would have said in Arabic على وجوههم meaning "on their faces", but Allah said "in their faces

في وجوههم".

Additionally, we know that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was described in detail, yet, we have no narration that describes him with this mark on his forehead.

Transcribed by Abu Awzaa'ee Abdus-Salaam al-Makki al-Hanbali

It is another Thursday. Don't forget to join us again tonight (9:30 pm Nigeria time) for our weekly online session on Zoom tagged "Mathematics is fun, come and see its beauties" with the explanation (in Yoruba language) of the popular mathematics book "Engineering Mathematics by KA Stroud and Dexter Booth".

Link below.
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Topic: KA Stroud Engineering Mathematics
Meeting ID: 998 9814 3868
Passcode: 303132
########################

KA Stroud Engr Math 20 - Drawing graphs using spreadsheets | inequalities | Absolute values

In this episode, from frame 17, Program F4 (page 137) of the book, the authors explained how to use a spreadsheet to draw graphs. I showed this using Microsoft excel. In the last part of the session, I explained inequalities and absolute value graphs.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV7bkODNjro

Don't forget to join us again tonight on our weekly program, "Ale Isiro (Math night)" on this page.

In the program's first segment, we will debate how people perceive mathematics - easy or hard?. Hajjady Maths Class and Baba Professor will share their opinions on the topic. You can also call in to share your opinion on the topic during the program.

In the second segment, you will be allowed to call and pick a number to answer math questions for goodies/prizes.

It promises to be interesting... Don't forget to share. Thanks

PS: I will give five people the opportunity to promote their business tonight on the program FREE of charge.

"One of the things that stops me from praying Salaah is that my mother will taunt me,” said a college-going girl to me once, “I know I should pray, but I am afraid that she will say, “After doing so many wrong things, now you are praying?””
What this girl was saying is true, although it isn’t a good enough excuse to stop praying. Many people, often even your close friends and well-wishers, don’t let you forget your past misdeeds if they see you start to turn over a new leaf by praying regularly or donning the hijab. “Hundreds of men have seen you uncovered for years. Now you decide to cover yourself?” comes the taunt with a cocked eyebrow and a smirk."

One of the major obstacles that people face when they feel regret in their heart for disobeying Allah and then turn back to Him to start a new life with religious vigour, is that the people around them — their family and friends — most of whom were their companions and supporters in their “non-Islamic” lifestyle and habits — will ridicule them, throw their past in their faces, and outright relinquish their company.

Fear of people and of being socially ostracized keeps hundreds of believers from turning back to their Lord in sincere Taubah (repentance); the kind of repentance that brings about in them a permanent change for the better.

What is absolutely amazing is that the One being disobeyed has such a just system of retribution that He, despite being the Greatest Being of all, whose wrath is also the greatest, forgives in such an all-inclusive way that He erases a person’s sins and past misdemeanours entirely, without a trace, from their book of deeds. That person becomes as if he had never committed those sins in the first place. And this applies even to major sins, or “Kabaa’ir”, if their required expiation, if any, is given.

The pre-requisite for acceptance of repentance is that it is absolutely sincere and that the person compensate for his/her past misdeeds by rushing forth in good deeds.

However, one of the unique characteristics of Allah’s all-encompassing forgiveness is what no mortal or human system of justice, no matter how benevolent and lenient, could ever do: on the sincere repentance of a believer that is followed by an absolute turnaround and rushing forth in good deeds, Allah actually converts his or her past sins into good deeds!

Allah says in the Qur’an: “Except him who repents and believes and doth righteous work; as for such, Allah will change their evil deeds to good deeds. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.” (25:70)

So, for example, if someone used to lie a lot in their past, or a woman did not observe hijaab during most of her youth, then they sincerely repent and do the opposite, Allah will write off all their lies as truths, and replace the woman’s years of staying uncovered as having instead been spent in dressing modestly.

Is there any system of human justice today in this world that takes a convicted criminal’s past “criminal record” and converts it into a record of honorable achievements? Nay, the world and its inhabitants are, on the contrary, quick to permanently label and tarnish individuals who commit crimes or misdemeanours, so much so that once their vice or mistake is well-known and out in the open, people don’t let them forget it — ever. Media and publications record and report the event to all corners of the globe. History writes them off as people who did such-and-such crimes, even if they changed for the better before they died.

Consequently, criminals and sinners are forever judged for the wrong things that they did in the past, so much so that it seems useless and futile for them to even try to turn over a new life. Even if they have a rare flicker of hope for renewal, it quickly wanes as they give in to the insinuations of Shaitan when he tells them: “There is no going back now. You are tainted for life as a thief/prostitute/atheist/polytheist. You might as well continue as you are.”

It is only Allah’s magnificent forgiveness and His benevolent system of retribution that can provide solace and often the only hope to regretful people who have committed crimes and indulged in vices.

Consumed with guilt, as they slump with tears of regret pouring down their cheeks, they can feel peace descend in their heart just by the knowledge that, even if the world shuns them, labels them, tarnishes their past reputation and refuses to forgive or forget their mistakes, the One above has not just forgiven them and wiped out their misdeeds from their records, but — depending on their sincerity and steadfastness on the path of righteousness — He will convert their past sins into good deeds!

And yet, how many of us who have gone far, far ahead in a life of vice and disobedience to Allah, often get deluded by thinking: “But I can’t turn back now. Allah won’t possibly forgive all the wrongs I have done.”

Well, think again. It is never too late.

https://jamiat.org.za/forgiveness/

In fact, today, misconceptions, whims and innovations are our societies' fatal and destructive diseases. Creating innovations in the religion, believing in them and acting accordingly is not only a crime but also a sin and disobedience of Almighty Allah, through which we choose our own destruction both in this world and in the hereafter. On the other hand, it is the nature of human beings that Allah made them capable of using their common sense and searching for the reality of such beliefs and misconceptions in order to distinguish the right path from the wrong one in this temporary life and to save themselves from hell-fire in the afterlife.

The Month of Safar
Safar is the second month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Literally, it means empty or a house that is empty from items and goods. It also means empty handed. The Arabs (the pagan people of Makkah) believed in the sacredness of the holy months. The Arabs knew the sacredness of Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Ḥijjah, and Muḥarram and thus refrained from war & battle throughout this period. They did not indulge in war or any other crime in these months. However, as soon as the month of Safar started, they used to leave their houses empty and do their best to go to war and do raids to collect as much war-booty as they could. They used to wait for such holy months to be over so that they can be free from all sorts of restrictions and avail the opportunity to indulge in robbery, theft and war. Therefore, as soon as Muharram was over, and Safar began, they would start committing crimes – thefts, robberies, fighting other tribes, leaving their homes vacant, etc., which is why the month was named Safar.

There is a common belief that the month of Safar was named as such due to the fact that in the pre-Islamic times, people used to travel extensively during this month to gather food and other necessities, leaving their houses empty. This relates back to the word “Safar” which when translated from Arabic means empty.

The month of Safar is regarded as a month of ill-fortune and bad luck. The pre-Islamic Arabs believed Safar to be a serpent that dwells in the stomach of man. It stirs to life in this month and causes various types of illnesses and diseases. Thus, people are more prone to fall ill in this month.

What’s more striking is that some Muslims, even today, believe in this myth of the 14th century. The Meccans, during the Jahiliyyah period, were so skeptical about the month of Safar that they labelled this month as the month of misfortune. Therefore, the Meccans were not engaging in any good activities during the month, especially during the first 13-days of the month.

As Muslims, we cannot blame a certain time for a calamity or ill-fortune. Everything that occurs is from Allah. There is no such a thing as evil time or a month of bad luck. We create our own evil with our own superstitious.

There are no particular practices of this month in the light of the Quran and Sunnah, therefore a person should continue his or her daily routine practices. And as for the virtues of this month, it is the second month of the Islamic calendar. There is no bad luck or ill-omen in this month as most of the people think.

There are many misconceptions, innovations and whims prevalent among the people concerning the month of Safar. On the other hand, bad lucks and ill-omens have been associated with this month. Some of these misconceptions were created by the Pagan people of Arabia and followed by some ignorant people of this Ummah, and they associated many others to them. The following are some of these misconceptions:

● Misplacing the Months
The pagans of Arabia were guilty of wrongdoings concerning the month of Safar. They used to play with it by making it earlier than its actual place or postponing it. The Noble Book of Allah indicates this in the following verse:
إِنَّمَا ٱلنَّسِىٓءُ زِيَادَةٌ فِى ٱلْكُفْرِ ۖ يُضَلُّ بِهِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُحِلُّونَهُۥ عَامًا وَيُحَرِّمُونَهُۥ عَامًا لِّيُوَاطِـُٔوا۟ عِدَّةَ مَا حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ فَيُحِلُّوا۟ مَا حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ زُيِّنَ لَهُمْ سُوٓءُ أَعْمَـٰلِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
Transposing a prohibited month is only an addition to unbelief, thereby the disbelievers are misguided. They make a certain month lawful one year and in another year, they make the same a forbidden month, so that they make up for the months which Allah has sanctified, thus making lawful what Allah has forbidden. Their evil actions seem pleasing to them. Allah does not guide the disbelieving people. [Tawbah 9: 37]

The polytheists of Makkah were well aware of that, but they knowingly used to postpone it or make it earlier according to their desires, superstitions and whims, such as assigning Safar in place of Muharram.

● Not Marrying In This Month
Some people think that marrying in this month (Safar) brings much bad luck, ill-omen and even destruction. Marrying in this month has no bad luck or ill-omen in the light of authentic teachings of Islam. One can perform Nikah (marriage) at any day, night, week, month and year without any restrictions, except when he/she is in the state of Ihram (during Ihram while performing Hajj and Umrah). Islam encourages us to marry; if such misconception was real, then why did the Prophet ﷺ, his Companions RA or the Salaf of this Ummah not inform us while the religion of Almighty Allah has been complete, centuries before inventing such misconceptions.

● Not Starting a New Business in This Month
This month is full of misfortunes and calamities. So, one should not start business or any other work during this month as it will bring bad luck. There is nothing to do or start new business during this month; it is only whims of the people and nothing else.

General incorrect beliefs regarding this month:
* The first to thirteenth of this month is evil and ill-fortune. Considering the 13th of this month as being unlucky or ill-omened.
* Considering this month to be hard for the dead.
* The one who distributes food or give money in charity on the 13 of this month will be saved from its bad luck and ill-fortune.
* Celebrating the last Wednesday of this month, regarding it as a holiday and praying particular prayer in it.
* Making 365 balls of flour and throwing them into the water so that ill-omens, bad lucks misfortunes are driven away and provision is increased and blessed.

In short, there are no bad lucks, ill-omens, misfortunes or calamities in any person, month, date or number in Islam. If something bad happens, it is due to our evils and bad deeds. We have to reform our deeds in order to remove calamities from our life. We should understand that all conditions which we face or befall us, good or bad, favourable or unfavourable are from our Lord (as a result of our bad or good deeds and actions).

What are Superstitions?
Superstitions and its incorrect beliefs and practises constituted an integral part of the belief system of the Pagans. Prior to the advent of Islam, the Arabs were steeped in superstitious beliefs, beliefs that regulated their social, economic and political activity. Superstitions created a mysterious value system that gave rise to fear, suspicion and enmity. It deprived man of rational thinking and every ailment, accident or calamity was attributed to some evil force bent on destroying their lives. The situation was further aggravated by wicked “Spiritual Doctors” who exploited the unwary masses and ran lucrative businesses treating and exorcizing the “evil forces”. Even today there are people who claim to know the future and try to impress people with their “divine powers”. Belief in superstition detracts from Imaan in Taqdeer and the Qudrat and Power of Allah.

The Holy Quraan states:
مَآ أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِى كِتَـٰبٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَآ ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ
No affliction can happen on earth nor to your souls, which is not recorded in a Book, before We bring it into existence; surely that is easy for Allah. [Hadid 57: 22]

Disaster and misfortune take place according to the Will and Plan of Allah. No other force or power can direct your destiny or cause harm to you except with the permission of Allah.

The alternation of day and night, the change of seasons is a great sign of the Power of Allah. This is also a great favour of Allah to human beings.

It is mentioned in the Quran:
وَهُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ خِلْفَةً لِمَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَذَّكَّرَ أَوْ أَرَادَ شُكُورًا
He is the One who made the day and the night following each other, for the one who wishes to be mindful or wishes to show gratitude. [Al Furqan 25: 62]

Undoubtedly, Allah made some days, nights, and months more sacred than others. The reward of good deeds at that particular time is much more than that at other times. But Allah did not make any day or night or any month evil. Time is Allah’s favour and kindness. By doing good deeds, anybody can make his time blessed and fruitful. It is a habit of Jahiliyyah to regard any day or night or month as evil or to take any particular time a carrier of misfortune for a particular work. Is there any month in a year when no great person was killed? Then, are all months of a year evil? Regarding the month of Safar people of Jahiliyyah thought that it was bad and evil. This type of misconception is undoubtedly superstition, which is refuted by Islam. Thus, Islam rescued people from a big danger and made the path to peace and happiness easy.

Superstition means to believe something only based on conjectures without any evidence and take its influence in real life. It is a dangerous disease that makes people’s minds full of imaginary things. It drowns people in depression and despair and imposes upon them different kinds of unbearable customs. Following these conjectures is not only the root cause of many false beliefs and many bidah (innovations), it is also the root cause of major sins like Shirk.

A great achievement of Islam is that Islam rejects conjectures without any evidence and gave the neat and clean belief of Tawheed (oneness of Allah) in which there is no room for blind belief and superstition.

Islam`s Holy Book, the Qur’an, strongly opposes all superstitious beliefs.

There are many verses of the Quraan which clearly explains this.
عَـٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ فَلَا يُظْهِرُ عَلَىٰ غَيْبِهِۦٓ أَحَدًا
He Alone knows the unseen. He does not reveal His secrets to anyone [Al Jinn 72: 26]

There are also various Hadith in which the Prophet ﷺ had clearly and definitively rejected and refuted superstitions in all its various forms.
عَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏ لاَ عَدْوَى وَلاَ طِيَرَةَ وَلاَ غُولَ ‏
Jabir RA reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: There is no transitive disease, no ill omen, no ghoul (no evil-spirit or ghost). [Sahih Muslim 2222a]

The majority of scholars interpret this to mean that these things in and of themselves do not transmit or cause harm through supernatural or hidden means but that Allah is ultimately in control and any fearful superstition around these is false.
لا عدوى ولا طيرة ولا هامة ولا صفر
There is no contagiousness in diseases, no bad omens, no bad luck in an owl and no bad luck in the month of Safar [Bukhari and Muslim]

عَنْ أَبِي، هُرَيْرَةَ حِينَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ لاَ عَدْوَى وَلاَ صَفَرَ وَلاَ هَامَةَ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ أَعْرَابِيٌّ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَمَا بَالُ الإِبِلِ تَكُونُ فِي الرَّمْلِ كَأَنَّهَا الظِّبَاءُ فَيَجِيءُ الْبَعِيرُ الأَجْرَبُ فَيَدْخُلُ فِيهَا فَيُجْرِبُهَا كُلَّهَا قَالَ ‏”‏ فَمَنْ أَعْدَى الأَوَّلَ
Abu Huraira RA reported Allah’s Messenger ﷺ as saying: There is no infection, no safar, no hama. A desert Arab said: Allah’s Messenger, how is it that when the camel is in the sand it is like a deer-then a camel afflicted with scab mixes with it and it is affected by it? He (the Holy Prophet) ﷺ said: Who infected the first one? [Sahih Muslim 2220a]

Previously people regarded this month as an unlucky month.
Rasulullah ﷺ established the Deen of Islam and put an end to such incorrect beliefs. Unfortunately, these beliefs still lingers along with many people today.

It is against the grain of Imaan to believe in superstition which is tantamount to Shirk. There are various forms of Shirk (associating partners with Allah.) If a person believes that anything besides Allah has the power to do things, then it is equal to believing that, such a thing is equal to Allah in power. For example, some people believe that if a cat crosses the road whilst one is driving, it indicates that an accident will occur. This is regarded as superstition. Allah alone has the power of all things. All good and bad comes to us from Allah and a cat has nothing to do with it.

Source: JamiatKZN

I am sorry, I mistakenly posted this in a wrong thread. mynd44, please help me move to the Islamic for Muslims section. Thanks

If recanting the oath involves committing a sin

If recanting the oath involves committing a sin, it is not permissible to recant, such as if a person swore: I shall not commit zina or I shall not drink alcohol. In this case, he must fulfil the oath and it is haraam to break it.

Al-Qaadi ‘Iyaad said in Ikmaal al-Mu‘allim (5/408): “then [I] see something better than that” means something better than what he swore to do, whether that is doing something or refraining from something, that is better for his interests in this world or in the hereafter, or it is more in accordance with his inclinations and desires, so long as it is not a sin. End quote.

Breaking the oath or recanting the oath may be haraam, as in the example given above. Or breaking the oath may be obligatory, such as if someone swore not to pray or not to give zakaah, or not to uphold ties with his relatives. In that case it is obligatory to break the oath. And breaking the oath may be recommended (mandoob), disliked (makrooh) or permissible (mubaah), depending on the oath, so it may fall into one of these five categories.

In al-Iqnaa‘ (4/330), it says: Swearing an oath may be obligatory, such as if swearing the oath could save a human life, even if it is his own life, such as swearing an oath denying that he committed murder when an accusation has been made against him and he is innocent.

And swearing an oath may be recommended, as in cases when doing so serves an interest, such as reconciling between two disputing parties, or removing rancour from the heart of a Muslim towards the one who swears the oath or someone else, or warding off harm.

And swearing an oath may be permissible, such as swearing to do something permissible or to refrain from it, or swearing to confirm some news when it is true or thought most likely to be true.

And swearing an oath may be disliked (makrooh), such as swearing to do something that is disliked or to refrain from doing something that is recommended (mandoob); this category also includes swearing oaths when buying and selling.

And swearing an oath may be prohibited, such as swearing a false oath deliberately, or swearing to commit a sin or to refrain from doing an obligatory duty.

If the oath is swearing to do an obligatory action or to refrain from a prohibited action, then it is haraam to break the oath, and it must be fulfilled.

If the oath is swearing to do something that is recommended (mandoob) or to refrain from something that is disliked (makrooh), it is disliked to break the oath and it is recommended to fulfil it.

If the oath is swearing to do something that is disliked or to refrain from doing something that is recommended, then it is recommended to break the oath and it is disliked to fulfil it.

If the oath is swearing to do something that is prohibited or to refrain from doing something that is obligatory, then it is obligatory to break the oath and it is prohibited to fulfil it.

Breaking an oath to do something permissible is permissible, but fulfilling it is preferable. End quote.

But if what the questioner means by recanting an oath is that he has recanted it and decided not to fulfil it, without any consequences resulting from that, meaning that no oath has been broken, no expiation is required, and so on, that is not possible and no one says that. If that were the case, then the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) would have done it and would have told people about it when he explained how to recant an oath, if they saw that something else was better than it. But he did not do that; rather he advised them to break the oath, if that is better, but they must offer expiation for it.

And Allah knows best.

Source: https://islamqa.info/en/answers/324534/is-it-permissible-to-recant-a-vow-or-oath

A man swore an oath that he would not do such and such, but he wants to recant; what should he do? Should he offer expiation?

Ruling on recanting an oath
If a person swears an oath and wants to recant, that is permissible if recanting does not involve doing something that is prohibited, but he must offer expiation for breaking an oath (kaffaarat yameen).

Al-Bukhaari (6718) and Muslim (1649) narrated that Abu Moosa al-Ash‘ari said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “By Allah, if Allah wills, I do not swear an oath then see something better than that, but I expiate my oath and do that which is better.”

Al-Bukhaari (6622) and Muslim (1652) narrated that ‘Abd ar-Rahmaan ibn Samurah said: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “O ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Samurah, do not seek authority, for if you are given it when you ask for it, you will be left to your own devices [without the support of Allah], but if you are given it without asking for it, you will be helped [by Allah]. If you swear to do something then see that something else is better than it, then offer expiation for your oath and do that which is better.”

Muslim (1650) narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever swears an oath then sees that something else is better than it, let him do that which is better, and offer expiation for his oath.”

An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said in Sharh Muslim (11/108): These hadiths indicate that if someone swears an oath to do something or refrain from doing something, and breaking the oath is better than going along with it, it is recommended for him to break the oath, but he must offer expiation. There is consensus on this.

Then he mentioned the difference of scholarly opinion regarding offering expiation before breaking the oath, then he said:

They are unanimously agreed that he does not have to offer expiation before breaking the oath, and that it is permissible to delay offering expiation until after breaking the oath, and that it is not permissible to offer expiation before swearing the oath.

They differed as to whether it is permissible to do it after swearing the oath and before breaking the oath. Maalik, al-Awzaa‘i, ath-Thawri, ash-Shaafa‘i and fourteen of the Sahaabah, and several groups among the Taabi‘een regarded that as permissible, and it is the view of the majority of scholars, but they said: It is recommended (mustahabb) to do that after breaking the oath. Ash-Shaafa‘i made an exception in the case of offering expiation by fasting, as he said: It is not permissible before breaking the oath, because it is a physical act of worship, so it is not permissible to do it ahead of its time, as is also the case with prayer and the Ramadan fast. As for offering expiation by giving wealth, it is permissible to do that before breaking the oath, as it is also permissible to pay zakaah ahead of time.

One of our companions made an exception in the case of offering expiation for breaking a vow to commit sin, as he said: It is not permissible to offer expiation for that ahead of time, because that is helping in sin, but the majority are of the view that it is permissible, as in the case of vows that do not involve committing sin.

Abu Haneefah and his companions, and Ashhab al-Maaliki said: It is not permissible to offer expiation before breaking the oath in any circumstances. The evidence for the majority of scholars is the apparent meaning of these hadiths and analogy with giving zakaah ahead of time. End quote.

KA Stroud Engr Math 19 - Drawing graphs | Asymptotes | Discontinuities

In this episode, I continued with Program F4 with topics on Graphs from page 132, frame 8 of the book. I revised cartesian axes, products, and relations. I covered constructing a collection of ordered pairs of numbers against Cartesian axes and generating graphs. Also, I explained the terms asymptotes and discontinuities.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmr57KHtqxY

Sweetplum:
Let's say FG regulates the way they kill animals like how it's done in Saudi Arabia that the animals ll be slaughtered in the name of Allah. How do we Christians that doesn't share same faith or belief with Islam cope?
Christians aren't advocating for killing animals anyhow but when Qur'anic verses are read on animals before killing and you expect us to consume it, don't you think that's infringement of religious/human rights?
Lukgaf, how are you and how is the family?

Good question ma. I think we can have like two departments - one that kills with/without mentioning the name of Allah. You see what I mean ma?

Can we eat Turkeys and Domestic fowls?

No one can forbid you from eating Turkey (and Domestic fowls) if they are well-kept and slaughtered appropriately. If you are not the one who slaughtered it but you are sure that it was slaughtered in the name of Allaah for Allaah by a Muslim, it is permissible to eat it. Note the condition; it must be slaughtered in the name of Allaah for Allaah. It should not be slaughtered in the name of Allaah for a person. That is why we have to be watchful of the people who slaughter our animals. They (the lawful animals) must be slaughtered in the name of Allaah for Allaah. An animal can be slaughtered in the name of Allaah for an idol. Will you eat this kind of animal? No, you mustn’t eat it. An animal can be slaughtered in the name of Allaah for a Shaykh. Will you eat this kind of animal? No, you can’t. It must be slaughtered in the name of Allaah for Allaah. Allaah says, ‘Say, verily, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allaah, Lord of the Worlds [Soorah al-‘An’aam (6):162].

But if your question is regarding the Turkeys and Domestic Fowls imported from foreign countries, our advice is that you do not eat them except if you are certain about those who slaughtered it. This is because the whites show no concern about the rights of the Muslims regarding this, especially in this Nigeria where the government does not make the importers know these conditions.

The Arabian Lands had conquered problems like this for long. Saudi Arabia conquered this to the extent that they have representative in factories other than their country that supervise and give conditions of the meats that can be shipped into their country. This is from the consumers right which the Muslims desire. We should seek this so that we would be sure of the conditions of whatever is imported in, otherwise we mustn’t eat it. This is because these non-Muslims kill animals in ways that are contrary to the teachings of Islaam, and their aim is to make the Muslims violate the laws of Islaam. That is why they have made many Muslim consume pigs unknowingly. They may kill animals by electrocuting them, and that is why many of their meats appear excessively reddish because they died with blood in them.
Also, many of their cows are killed by striking them with huge sticks. There is a documentary which shows how domestic fowls were killed by cutting their necks with bare mouth. You can imagine! Yet they send this to the people for eating. May Allaah save us from eating unlawful meat! That is it.

Besides, people (Muslims) who have poultry should buy turkey and breed them. You can kill them and package them for the Muslims. We would be at ease buying from you and you can distinguish your animals by writing halaal (permissible) on their packs after packaging. This will make people distinguish them from impermissible ones. I hope I have answered this question.

Answered by Dr Sharafuddeen Gbadebo Raji

[Source: Question and Answer session of the clip titled, "Explanation of Ma'aarijul Qabuul at Ibadan]
Translated by Aboo Aaishah Al Odeomeey

“Do not disparage (underestimate) any good deed (no matter how small it is), even if that deed was to meet your brother with a friendly countenance.” (Sahih Muslim).

Laughing moderately can act as a cure or as therapy for depression and sadness. It has a strong influence on keeping the soul light and the heart clear. Abu Darda’ (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I make it a practice to laugh in order to give rest and comfort to my heart. And the noblest of people, Muhammad (bpuh), would laugh, sometimes until his molars became visible.”

Laughing is an efficacious way to achieve comfort and light-heartedness. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:
“And if you smile in the face of your brother, then that is a form of charity.” (At-Tirmidhi)

https://jamiat.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Smile-04-11-13_0-500x330.jpg
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:

“Do not disparage (underestimate) any good deed (no matter how small it is), even if that deed was to meet your brother with a friendly countenance.” (Sahih Muslim).

Nothing causes the soul or the face to frown more often and with more intensity than despondency. If you want to be a smiling person, wage war with despondency and hopelessness. The door to opportunity is always open to you and to others, and so is the door to success. So indoctrinate your mind with hopes of prosperity in the future.

The smiling soul sees difficulties, and loves to surmount them. When it sees problems, it smiles, reveling in the opportunity to solve and overcome them. The frowning soul, when faced with a problem, magnifies it and belittles its own determination, while spending all its time justifying. It loves success in life, but is not willing to pay its price. On every path, it sees a grinning lion. It waits only for gold to shower down upon it, or to chance upon some treasure in the ground.

Difficult things in life are only relative, for everything is difficult for the ordinary person, while there is no great difficulty for the remarkable person. While the remarkable person increases in worthiness by overcoming obstacles, the weak person increases in meanness by running away from them. Problems are comparable to a vicious dog. When it sees you scared or running away, it barks and follows in pursuit. However, when it sees your scorn, your lack of concern, and when you shine your eyes in its direction, it gives way and draws back

https://jamiat.org.za/smile/

Shayk Dr Sharoffudeen Gbadebo Raji was asked whether If a wicked man dies, his children suffer the consequence of his evil acts. Below is his response.

According to the Sharee’ah, Allaah says, ‘…And never would We punish until We send a messenger.’ [Soorah al-Israa’ (17):15] If a person’s father is a criminal that does not mean that his child will suffer the consequence of his evil actions. Allaah will never make the son of Fir’aun (a wicked person in this context) suffer the consequence of his father’s evil actions since he does not follow suit.

Notwithstanding, from the piety and mercies of Allaah is that Allaah rewards a child with goodness due to the good actions of his father. Allaah rewards a child due to the good actions of his father, but does not make a child suffer the consequence of his evil actions. We are the one who view it as such. When we see a wicked man who dies and his children are suffering, we quickly say they are suffering the consequence of their father’s actions. This is wrong. Allaah is not unjust.

Source: Q&A session of the tape, “Extremism in Islaam”
Transcribed by Aboo Aaishah Al Odeomeey

The deadline is at the end of today

Lukgaf:
It's another Thursday. Don't forget to join us again tonight (9:30 pm Nigeria time) for our weekly online session on Zoom tagged "Mathematics is fun, come and see its beauties" with the explanation (in the Yoruba language) of the popular mathematics book "Engineering Mathematics by KA Stroud and Dexter Booth".

Meeting ID and password on the poster.

You can watch the previous episodes here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEU7m_RppLc&list=PLn0ZvdWhZVXfRYVqT-U32oOyBmwMAh7Re

See you all there! Thanks

It's another Thursday. Don't forget to join us again tonight (9:30 pm Nigeria time) for our weekly online session on Zoom tagged "mathematics is fun, come and see its beauties" with the explanation (in the Yoruba language) of the popular mathematics book "engineering mathematics by ka stroud and Dexter Booth".

I'd be featuring "Baba Professor" in the Q&A session. Watch him answering math questions here:

https://fb.watch/f0PStF45Hg/

Don't forget to join us tonight on our weekly online program, "Alé ìsirò" on facebook. It promises to be interesting!

Featuring:
- Discussion on mathematics-related issues.
- Interview sessions with Yoruba mathematicians.
- Q&A session where you can call live and win prizes.
- Inter-school math quiz competition.

nerdjared:
As a Christian I accept this verses as true

Then why do you reject other verses?

Brethren, do not compare yourself with others!

"
With the rise of social media, materialism and consumerism, the world is gripped by a desire to have everything instantly. Constantly desiring what others have can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and depression, especially when one cannot have what others have.

Allah Ta'ala says in the Noble Qur'an, “…And do not crave for what Allah has favoured some of you with over others.” (Surah An-Nisa – Verse 32)

Abu Hurairah (R) narrates that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Look at those who are less fortunate than you, not at those who are better off than you, as this will make you consider the bounties of Allah upon you to be insignificant.” (Muslim)

Ubaidullah bin Mushin Al Khitmi (R) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “One who wakes up in the morning and is safe in his dwelling, is in good health and has sufficient food for the day, it is as if the entire world has been given to him.” (Tirmizi)

Overindulgence in worldly pursuits is detrimental for our spirituality. It hardens the heart and detracts a person from good deeds. Living a life of extravagance and opulence leads to pride and arrogance. A Muslim should strive to be content with what Allah Ta'ala has decreed and exert oneself in accumulating good deeds instead of worldly possessions.

Let us be thankful for the bounties Allah Ta'ala has blessed us with and not compare ourselves to others. At times a person may be blessed with less of the world, but Allah Ta'ala grants that person much more contentment, peace and happiness than others."

https://darulihsan.com/index.php/social-etiquette/item/9412-do-not-compare-yourself-with-others

Is it permissible to say “Ash-hadu anlaa ilaaha illaLlaah wahdahu laa shareekalah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rosuuluh…” after making Tayammum?

Ustaadh Ibraaheem bn ‘Abdur-Rauf (hafidhohuLlaah) was asked this question and below is his response:

Where is the evidence? If you say yes, (then) where is the evidence? Because what he [the Prophet (sollaLloohu ‘alayhi wa sallam)] told ‘Ammaar Ibn Yaseer and ‘Umar Ibn al-Khottoob is that, “This (Tayammum) would be sufficient…” And he rubbed his hands and his face. They did not say after it (that) he said “Ash-hadu anlaa ilaaha illaLlaah…” So Allaah knows best. There is no any “Ash-hadu”. When you rub your hand and your face for your Tayammum, (you should) go. He didn’t say make “Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illaLlaah…” If you say “Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illaLlaah…”, it is simple; just ask where is the proof! That’s all. When you provide the proof it ends. And Allaah knows best.
[SOURCE: The explanation of Usool-us-Sunnah of Imaam Ahmad bn Hanbal, TAPE 1; LANGUAGE: English]

Posted by Aboo Aaishah Al Odeomeey

When there is no water, or you are not in a state you can use water for ablution (e.g, extreme cold and you can not get warm water), then Islam permits you to do Tayammum (sand ablution). Below from IslamQA summarises how to perform it.

Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated the hadeeth of ‘Ammar ibn Yasir describing tayammum. Al-Bukhari narrated it in a number of places in his Sahih. One of these reports (no. 347; 1/455 of Fath al-Bari) says: “ ‘It would have been sufficient for you to do this’ – then he struck the palms of his hands on the ground, then dusted them off, then wiped the back of each hand with the other, then he wiped his face with his hands.”

Abu Dawud (317; 1/515 of ‘Awn al-Ma’bud) narrated it with the same isnad as al-Bukhari, apart from the Shaykh of al-Bukhari (Muhammad ibn Salam), instead of whom he mentioned Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Anbari, of whom al-Hafiz said in al-Taqrib (2/167): he is saduq (truthful). This version of the report says: “He struck his hands on the ground and dusted them off, then he struck his right hand with his left hand, and his left hand with his right hand, then he wiped his face.”

Al-Hafiz mentioned in al-Fath (1/457) that al-Ism’ili narrated it with the wording: “It would have been sufficient for you to strike your hands on the ground, then dust them off, then wipe your right hand over your left and your left hand over your right, then wipe your face.”

What should be wiped first in tayammum?
Al-Shanqiti said in Adwa’ al-Bayan (2/43):

“This hadith of al-Bukhari states that the hands should be wiped before the face.”

Shaykh al-Islam said in al-Fatawa (21/423):

“The report of al-Bukhari clearly shows that the back of the hand should be wiped before the face. The fact that in another report he said ‘the back of the hand’ indicates that he wiped the back of each with the palm of the other.” He also said (21/425: “But the report which was narrated only by al-Bukhari shows that he wiped the backs of the hands before the face.” (See al-Fatawa, 21/422-427)

Based on this, the way in which tayammum is done is to say Bismillah with the intention of doing tayammum , then strike the ground once with the palms of the hands, then wipe the back of the right hand with the palm of the left, and the back of the left hand with the palm of the right, then wipe the face with both hands. Then the same du'as that are recited after wudu’ should be recited after tayammum.

And Allah knows best.


In summary, this is what you should do!

1- Say Bismillah.
2- Strike the ground once with the palms of the hands.
3- Wipe the back of the right hand with the palm of the left, and the back of the left hand with the palm of the right.
4- Wipe the face with both hands.
5- Recite the same dua's that are recited after wudu.

Can the marriage contract be a verbal contract or must it be in writing ?

Praise be to Allah.

Writing down the contracts and agreements that people make among themselves is a way of confirming and formalizing them, but it is not a condition for the validity of the contract. The marriage contract may be made verbally by means of an offer on the part of the bride’s wali or guardian (e.g. “I marry my daughter to you”) and acceptance on the part of the groom (e.g. “I accept”). Writing it down is not a condition, but it does serve to document and confirm the contract, which is a good thing, especially nowadays. And Allaah is the source of help.

https://islamqa.info/en/categories/very-important/1/answers/364/marriage-contract-verbal-or-written

Please note that our weekly class will not hold tonight because I'm in transit. Kindly bear with me. Any inconvenience is regretted. Thanks and talk to you next week.

*KA Stroud Engr Math Episode 18 - Graphs


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umnAgswp-j8

I started Program F4 in this episode with topics on Graphs from page 129, frame 1. I covered cartesian axes, products, and relations. Ultimately, according to the Program learning objectives, we should be able to construct a collection of ordered pairs of numbers against Cartesian axes and generate graphs at the end of the Program. So, in the next two episodes, I hope to cover asymptotes, discontinuities, graphs of inequalities, and how to use spreadsheets to draw Cartesian graphs of equations.

Previous sessions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEU7m_RppLc&list=PLn0ZvdWhZVXfRYVqT-U32oOyBmwMAh7Re