₦airaland Forum

Praise be to Allah.

What you did of taking money from your father without his consent is not permissible, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “It is not permissible to take the wealth of a Muslim except with his consent.” Narrated by Abu Ya‘la and others; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami‘ (7662).

The son has no right to take anything from his father’s wealth beyond what the father is reasonably required to spend on his maintenance, if the father is obliged to spend on his son’s maintenance because the son is poor.

The scholar Ibn Muflih said in al-Furoo‘ (5/595): He – that is, the father – is obliged to spend on his son in reasonable terms for what he needs of maintenance, or some of it, and to provide clothing and shelter, if his children are poor. End quote.

Now you have two choices:

Telling your father what you did, and he will either forgive you or ask you to pay back the money, and he has the right to do that.
Not telling him, especially if you fear that this will cause trouble, such as a dispute or conflict between you and your father, or his loss of trust in you. In that case, you must return the money to him, but it is not essential for you to inform him of that; rather the aim is to return the money to him by any means.

The scholars of the Permanent Committee for Iftaa’ were asked about the son taking from his father’s wealth more than the maintenance that the father allowed him to take as needed.

They replied: You must return what you saved of money that you took from your father for maintenance, because he allowed you to take according to household needs, but anything surplus that is not included in the permission he gave, so it is not permissible for you.

End quote from Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah li’l-Iftaa’ (21/175)

And Allah knows best.

https://islamqa.info/en/answers/99548/it-is-not-permissible-to-take-ones-fathers-wealth-without-his-consent

Question:

Before Allah guided me, I used to ask my father for money for private lessons. The cost would be, for example, 500, but I would ask for more, namely 600, and I would take the extra 100 to buy cards for my mobile phone and other things. Now, praise be to Allah, I have repented and stopped doing this. My question is: do I have to tell my father what I did and ask him to forgive me? Do I have to return this money to him when I get a job and start earning, or not?

Islam’s universal declaration of women’s rights would include the following:

1. Men and women have been given dignity by their Creator, but forces of immorality and darkness attack it in many ways. A prevalent form of this attack on women is pornography. Pornography is an affront to the respect and honor of women and produces an atmosphere where other crimes against them become possible. In many countries it has become an “industry” and they are exporting this filth to all parts of the world. Newer technologies, especially the Internet have also become mediums of choice for the purveyors of filth, posing a serious threat to morality everywhere. Pornography must be condemned and all trade in porn banned universally in the same way that dangerous drugs are banned.

2. Prostitution must be recognized as a despicable act of exploitation of women. No one who condones it can be taken seriously in their claims to respect women’s rights.

3. It is the responsibility of the husband to provide for the family. Islam has freed the women from this responsibility so she can take care of the home. All efforts to snatch this freedom and economic security from the women and forcing them out of the home into the labor force must be resisted.

4. Homemaking is a very honorable job and a serious responsibility; it is the foundation on which healthy societies can be built. The societies that disrespect homemaking lose the homemakers and result in broken homes as can easily be witnessed in many parts of the world. It should be recognized that the trend to belittle the task of homemaking is anti-family and anti-society and must be curbed.

5. It is a Muslim woman’s right to dress modestly, wear hijab, and refuse to be put on display. This right must be accepted universally and any effort to restrict this right must be recognized for what it is: Religious discrimination and/or persecution.

6. There is only one legitimate form of the family, that created by the union between a man and woman as provided in all revealed religions. Any other form is not only immoral, it poses a serious threat to the humanity.

7. Families should be protected from outside intrusion, especially intrusion by governments as much as possible. This also includes intrusion in the name of help. For resolution of family disputes, Islam suggests a three phase procedure.

A) Resolve the conflict within the home.

B) Resolve it within the family be involving elders from the families of husband and wife.

C) As a last resort resolve it through courts of law.

There is great wisdom in this approach.

Sayyiduna Umar, Radi-Allahu Anhu, said in a directive to the Qadis(Judges): “Refer the family disputes to the families (so they can resolve them within the family with the help of elders), for the judge’s verdicts create hatred and malice.”
Ignoring this scheme can only hurt the families that this new plan purports to help.


By: Khalid Baig as extracted from https://jamiat.org.za/equity-not-equality-feminism-islam/

Equality is a slick and catchy slogan. But what does equality actually mean? In mathematics if two variables are equal, one can be substituted for the other without changing the result in any way at all. If men and women are equal in this sense, then a woman can do anything a man can do and vice versa. You can substitute one for the other everywhere. Thus a woman can be a truck driver, a coal miner, a prison guard, or what have you. Similarly a man can become Mr. Mom, replacing the mother in taking care of the children.

That such mathematical equality is absurd is manifest to anyone who knows the biological and psychological differences between men and women. Yet this is precisely the direction that the so called gender equality campaign has blindly taken. It aims at replacing the complementary relationship between men and women with a competitive one. The result can only be a social upheaval of unprecedented scale.

Some people in the societies that for centuries refused to consider women as human beings or to give them any rights have gone to one extreme from the other. Islam has nothing to do with such nonsense. When women had no rights in the world, it declared: “And women shall have rights, similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable.” [Al-Baqarah 2:228]. That remains its Command today and forever.

Similar rights, not same rights. Equity, not a blind equality.


Both men and women are equal in their humanity, in their accountability before Allah, in their responsibility to perform their assigned tasks and be judged based on their performance. But their assigned tasks are not the same. They have been given different capabilities by their Creator and the tasks based on those capabilities. This differentiation is not an error that needs to be corrected. It is the only basis for building a healthy and prosperous society. Islam liberates a woman from the modern tyranny of having to become a man in order to get a sense of self worth and achievement.

If Muslims had done their job, they would be asking for universal rights for women as given by Islam and generally ignored in the world today. Based on our dismal performance, and the current discourse on the subject, that would be quite a revolutionary — and liberating —act

I think lalasticlala, Mukina2 and sissie should warn those guys that use to come and abuse our beloved Prophet here every Friday.

Austria – The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) passed the verdict on Thursday that insulting Islam’s Prophet Mohammed will be punishable offence and will not be counted under ‘freedom of expression’.

The court was compelled to pass the verdict after an Austrian woman Mrs. S insulted the Prophet in 2009 in two different seminars.

Panel of seven-judges said, defaming or demeaning the Prophet goes beyond permissible limits of an objective debate and could cause prejudice in the society and will risk religious peace.

The court said that the Mrs. S’ comments did not abide by freedom of expression, and stated that “the applicant’s statements had been likely to arouse justified indignation in Muslims” and “amounted to a generalization without factual basis.”

Austrian court trialed her in 2011 for disparaging religious doctrines and fined her 480 euros.

Based on Article-10 which permits freedom of expression, Mrs. S. complained that the domestic courts failed to address the substance of the impugned statements in the light of her right to freedom of expression.

However, ECHR today said,
On today’s ruling, the ECHR said “the domestic courts comprehensively assessed the wider context of the applicant’s statements and carefully balanced her right to freedom of expression with the right of others to have their religious feelings protected, and served the legitimate aim of preserving religious peace in Austria.”

Source:
https://millichronicle.com/2018/10/justice-insulting-prophet-mohammed-in-europe-can-land-you-in-jail-court-declares/

NYSC '18 Batch B: Warm Advise To Our Brethren On Camp

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps in Nigeria are not the same, thus activities (apart from normal drilling exercise) on each camp may be different from others. For example: what is allowed in Calabar may not be allowed in Katshina and vice versa. Prepare what to eat, though there is provision for food but it may not be enough or be your choice. Prepare what to wear; short and tight dresses are not our dress especially for the female. Get dresses of that color (especially white) and use it diplomatically. Remember, the best provision for the journey is taqwa (piety).

Muslim Corpers Association of Nigeria (MCAN) is on camp to guide you, register with them as soon as you enter. Stay in the mosque arena if it is allowed, for protection of your religion and attend their activities. And MCAN key members should follow protocol also for organizing activities.

On camp you’re living like a traveler; still don’t know your destination, Place of Primary Assignment (PPA). Jurists differed on the ruling but the most evidenced is to do Qasr till you reach your PPA. Please read about Salat Qasr.

It is haram to mix with opposite sex in the mosque which is the purest place on the face of the earth – then how about orientation camp that is not guided by shari’ah? Allah says: _“those who do not bear witness to falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity”_ (Q 25:72). My brethren, it is not a must to attend promiscuous and immoral gatherings on camp, don’t be fooled.

Islam strives to protect woman and guard them against the causes of temptation and deviation, it is not permissible for a woman to travel without a mahram. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: _“No woman should travel except with a mahram, and no man should enter upon her unless there is a mahram with her.”_ A man said: “O Messenger of Allah, I want to go out with such and such an army and my wife wants to go for Hajj.” He said: _“Go out with her.”_ al-Bukhaari (1729) and Muslim (2391), Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (12/178). So, what is your preparation for this?

Attacks on Muslim sister are frequent on camp. Listen brothers! Allah says: _”The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those – Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.”_ (Q9:71). Protect your sister diplomatically, who will protect her if not you?

Posting to a Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) is a lesson for all; it looks like the Day of Judgment. From different institutions, meet and become friends. Within that short time you will not like to leave your friend but the camping is over you need to go.

Collection of letter to PPA is touching; coper will line up in the same uniform. After collection of letter of PPA some will be happy and some will not be happy. You will see graduate crying! Why? He/she was posted to village while his/her friend was posted to town, thus feel frustrated. My brethren, don’t cry, ask Allah to give you the best, He knows you don’t know. Allah says: _“perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.”_ (Q2:216). Any place you’re posted to, your religion is the priority, if you’re still a believer, what makes you happy than that?!

Source: http://fiqhclass.org/index.php/2018/10/20/my-brethren-going-to-nysc-orientation-camp/

May Allah make piety part of your journey, forgive your sins and fulfil the purpose of the journey. I make Allah responsible for your deen, your trustworthiness and for the results of your actions.

Below here are the 20 responsibilities/roles of a father in Islam.

1. Become a family leader

The most important role of a father is as a family leader. As a leader, the father must set a good example to his family, both wife and kids. This is the word of Allah in the Holy Book of Quran.

“And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees (of rank) that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in the penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Verse 6:165)

2. Give all the best for the child

A father has rights to do for his children. These rights are giving them a good name, educating the child, and giving a good position. Below is one of the hadith that states this.

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam has stated,
“On the Day of Qiyaamah you will be called by your (own) names and the names of your fathers. Therefore keep good names.” Abu Dawood

3. Father as breadwinner

The role of father to be the backbone of the family was already written in the Holy Book of Quran. Father is obliged to support his wife and children with a lawful sustenance. Below here Allah Almighty says in the Quran.

“Men are in charge of women by (right of) what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend (for maintenance) from their wealth…….” (Verse 4: 34)

4. As a fair husband

The others important role of father as the husband is to be a fair husband. A husband must be fair to his wife. Especially if he has more than one wife. Allah Almighty says in the Quran.

“And you will never be able to be equal (in feeling) between wives, even if you should strive (to do so). So do not incline completely (toward one) and leave another hanging. And if you amend (your affairs) and fear Allah then indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.” (Verse 4:129)

5. Looking for a groom for his daughter

In addition to being the backbone of the family, one important father role is to find a good groom for his daughter. Below here is one of the hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) narrated by Abu Daud.

“The Messenger of Allah Sallallahu ‘alaihi Wa Sallam said:” He who keeps three daughters (or two also), then he educates and marries them, and does well with them. then he will get heaven.” (Abu Dawud).

Source: https://jamiat.org.za/the-position-of-a-father-in-islam/


To be continued In shaa Allah

Introduction

The importance of the father is not less important than the mother. In Islam’s view, the father’s role is as the head of the family who is responsible to both his wife and children. The presence of a father figure is vital in the family system, especially as breadwinner.

Conclusion

Thus it is imperative that we remember death much and prepare for it. There is no guarantee for tomorrow. By then it may be too late. If we prepare NOW, we will meet death smilingly for then it will be for us that which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has described in the following words: “Death is a bridge that joins the lover (the righteous believer) with the BELOVED Allah Ta‘ala.”

Source: Jamiat KZN

https://jamiat.org.za/the-death-sentence/

lhaadi.org

Benefits and Harms

Abu Haamid Laffaaf (rahimahullah) has written: “The one who remembers death is blessed by Allah Ta‘ala with three favours:

1. He readily turns to Allah Ta‘ala in repentance.

2. He is granted contentment.

3. He shows greater devotion in all modes of worship.

The one who is heedless and unmindful of death is punished by Allah Ta‘ala in three ways:

1. He persists in sin and hesitates to offer repentance.

2. He is not contented with his income.

3. He becomes sluggish in the performance of his devotions. (Fazaail-e-Sadaqaat, pg. 655)

Imaam Ghazali (rahimahullah) says: “Death is a tremendous thing to fear, but most people are heedless of it. Many people do not even talk of death due to their absorption in worldly affairs. A few talk of death but their minds are occupied with other things and, therefore, it does them little good. It is important that, from time to time, one should concentrate upon death to the exclusion of all other things and imagine that death is staring one in the face. One should think of one’s friends and relatives and recall to one’s mind how they were placed on the bier, carried to the grave and buried under mounds of earth. One should imagine their faces and think of their high ambitions and the changes that dust might have brought on their handsome faces, and how their bodies might have decayed, how their children were orphaned, their wives were widowed, how their relatives were left to weep over their loss. One should think how their fortunes were distributed and how their clothes were left behind (never to be worn by them again)!

One should then say to oneself: “I shall have to suffer the same fate one of these days. How these people, who are lying in their graves, used to laugh and talk in meetings. How they indulged in lusts, but are now lying in the dust! They did not like to talk of death but have fallen prey to it. They were intoxicated by their youthful vigour, but are lying today in the graves, forsaken and uncared for. How deeply absorbed they were in the affairs of the world but now their hands and feet are scattered apart and worms are crawling on their tongues! Their bodies have become food for worms. How heartily they laughed, but now their teeth have decayed and fallen out. They made ambitious plans and arrangements for many years to come, though death loomed over their heads little did they know, on the last day of their life, that they were destined to spend that very night in the grave!” (Fazaail-e-Sadaqaat, pg. 661)

Falling into Vices

When a Muslim becomes unmindful of the certainty of death, he will easily indulge in many vices and sins. He will perhaps cheat, deceive, bribe and steal. Drugs may become his way of life. Gambling may become his past time. Taking interest may become his business. Adultery and fornication may become his habit. Amassing the world may become his object in life. Hankering after “the next valley of gold” may become his ambition. All this could happen, and much more, simply because a Muslim has become unmindful of death.

However, if a person is forever conscious that death could come at any moment, that irrespective of age and health one could “just collapse and pass away”, there will be a totally different picture. Then whenever he is tempted to sin, the voice from within will ask: “What if death comes to me while I am involved in that sin?” This is sure to restrain a person.

Remembering Death

Hence Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is reported to have said: “Remember excessively the destroyer of all passions – DEATH”. (Sunan Tirmizi #2307) Besides exhorting the Ummah to remember death excessively, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has declared those who do as the wisest of all people. It is reported that once Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was asked as to who is the wisest of all men. He replied: “The wisest of men are those who remember death more than everybody else. It is such people, indeed, who win distinction in this world and who will be raised to positions of honour in the Aakhirah”. (Majma‘uz Zawaaid #18157)

Visit the Graves

In order to keep the remembrance of death alive all the time, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) encouraged the Ummah to regularly visit the graves, to wash the dead and to attend the janaazah salaah. Visiting the graves is thus for the purpose of remembering one’s death. However, the sad state of affairs is that when we occasionally do end up at the graveyard at the time of attending a burial, the opportunity to remember death is wasted in talking of worldly matters with friends. This is actually an opportunity to visualize one’s own death and prepare for the day when one will be also laid in the darkness of that narrow pit.

Reading time: 4 minutes
Introduction

When a person has been sentenced to death, he suddenly loses all taste for the pleasures of this world. If he was engrossed to a life of sin, suddenly he begins to repent and remember his Creator who had blessed him with the gift of life. He now wishes that he had spent his life in obedience to the commands of his Sustainer and Nourisher. Remorse and regret overwhelm him for his past deeds. This drastic change suddenly takes place because he has been “sentenced to death” by some mortal being like himself called the judge.

Every single person walking on this earth has been sentenced to death by the Master of all mortal judges and by the King of all kings. Even before a person is born, the time and place of his death is decreed. The death sentence from above could be carried out at any time – it could be one year from now, perhaps a month or even the next moment. It could come on any pretext; an illness, accident or murder, or even without any pretext. How often have we heard of people who “just collapsed and passed away”. But alas, how unmindful we are of this imminent death.

Honesty in trade and business:

https://www.nairaland.com/4797026/honesty-trade-business#72218461


Regret: The Most Important Aspect Of Repentance

https://www.nairaland.com/4797052/regret-most-important-aspect-repentance


Complain to Allah and not to people
https://www.nairaland.com/4797071/complain-allah-not-people#72218957

The solution is simple – we should address all our complaints, big and small, to Allah Ta‘ala. If we complain to people, we will release our frustrations and gain some pity and consolation, but after perpetually complaining to people, a time will come when they will tire of our complaints.

By raising our hands before Allah Ta‘ala, crying from the depths of our hearts and placing every problem before Him, we will gain not only solace from our distress, but will also gain the help and assistance of Allah Ta‘ala. Furthermore, this act of complaining to Allah Ta‘ala in du‘aa is itself a form of ‘ibaadah for which we are greatly rewarded!

Nabi Ya’qoob (‘alaihis salaam) was extremely grieved and saddened over his separation from his beloved son, Nabi Yusuf (‘alaihis salaam). His grief was such that he cried until he even lost his eyesight! However, despite the extent of his grief and sorrow, Nabi Ya’qoob (‘alaihis salaam) mentioned, “I only complain of my anguish and grief to Allah Ta‘ala!”

May Allah Ta‘ala enable us all to sooth the ache of our grief with the tears of our du‘aa, and to turn our complaints to Him.

http://uswatulmuslimah.co.za from:
https://jamiat.org.za/complain-to-allah%E2%80%8B/

Reading time: 5 minutes

We all have our portion of problems in life. Whether it’s a toddler with a tantrum, unreasonable in-laws or nosy neighbours, peoples’ problems and challenges span all spheres of life. Moreover, problems do not make an appointment or give us ‘advance notice’ before stopping by – they arrive out of the blue and stay as long as they wish.

Being human, it is natural for us to be emotionally affected by circumstances. Depending on the nature of the problem, we may feel depressed, angered or even humiliated. In some instances, we may turn to someone and confide in them to seek advice. However, in other instances, many of us turn to our husbands and complain to them in order to ‘off-load’ and receive some sympathy.

Complaining to our husbands is undoubtedly therapeutic, as it allows us to vent our frustration and release our pent-up emotions.‘Off-loading’ on our husbands, however, burdens them with the ‘load’. While raising important issues in an appropriate manner is in order, and while perhaps a once-in-a-while reasonable ‘off-loading’ in a suitable time may not become a problem, we should nevertheless be considerate and also think of the effect that it has on them.



Often, a man enters the home after a tiring day, anticipating a warm welcome. Instead, he is instantly assaulted by a ‘tsunami’ of complaints. If the complaints are not ‘dished out’ as soon as he enters the door, then they are often served alongside the sweet-dish as he sits to enjoy his meal, thus souring the sweet-dish. Sometimes, the husband is happy and cheerful when he arrives at home, but with the commencement of the complaints, his happiness rapidly evaporates.

Whatever the case, if the husband is hearing constant complaints from his wife, or the complaints are coming at inopportune moments, it may, after some time, begin to depress him or even irritate him. Obviously, this is not at all conducive to a happy and healthy marriage.

If this is the case, however, then what should we do? After all, if we ‘bottle up’ our problems, we’ll eventually have a mental breakdown!

Reading duration: 5 minutes


Praise be to Allah

The conditions of valid repentance are as follows:
1. Giving up the sin

2. Regretting what one has done in the past

3. Resolving not to go back to it.

If the sin involved transgressing against people’s wealth, honour or lives, then there is a fourth condition, which is seeking forgiveness from the person who was wronged, or giving him his dues.

Regret is a main condition, or the greatest aspect, of repentance. Hence the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Regret is repentance.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.

One of the scholars even said:

Regret is sufficient to achieve repentance, for it implies giving up the sin and resolving not to go back to it, which stem from regret and do not occur independently of it

See: Fath al-Baari (13/471).

Al-Qaari (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“Regret is repentance”: because this will lead to the other essential components of repentance – namely giving up the sin and resolving not to go back to it, and restoring people’s rights wherever possible.… What is meant is remorse for having committed the sin because it is a sin, and for no other reason.

End quote from Mirqaat al-Mafaateeh (4/1637).

What is meant by regret (nadam) is sorrow, or deep sorrow, as is stated in Lisaan al-‘Arab (1/79, 6/4386).

The author explained regret as meaning sadness, then explained sadness as meaning sorrow or extreme sorrow.

In the words of al-Qaari quoted above, he explains regret as meaning remorse – that is, sorrow – for having committed the sin because it is a sin, and for no other reason.

What this means is that everyone who feels sorrow for having committed a sin has attained the regret that is referred to in the case of repentance. If this regret is sincere, then the sinner will give up the sin and will resolve not to do it again. Thus his repentance will be complete and will have met all the necessary conditions.

Based on that, everyone who gives up a sin because it is disobedience to Allah, may He be exalted – in other words, out of fear of Allah and in obedience to Him – and hates the fact that he fell into sin and disobeyed the Lord of the Worlds, and wishes that he had obeyed Allah instead of disobeying Him, and resolves not to do it again, has definitely attained regret, and regret is what made him give up the sin.

Al-Ghazaali (may Allah have mercy on him) said in Ihyaa’ ‘Uloom ad-Deen (4/4):

Repentance is something that evolves from one stage to another in three stages: knowledge, awareness and action. Knowledge is the first, awareness is the second and action is the third.

The first leads to the second, and the second leads to the third in an inevitable sequence as ordained by Allah.

As for knowledge, it means coming to know of the great harm that sins may cause and the fact that sins form a barrier between a person and everything that he loves and aspires for.

Once he becomes certain of this knowledge at a level of certainty that overwhelms him, there will result from this knowledge remorse and pain in the heart for missing out on what he loves and aspires to, because when the heart realises what he has missed out on of what he loves, there will be pain. If his missing out on it was the result of some deed that he did, then he will feel sorrow for doing the deed that caused him to miss out on that. This pain is called regret.

Once this pain becomes so intense that it overwhelms the heart, it will lead to another emotion in the heart, which is called resolution and the will to do something that is connected to the present, the past and the future.

With regard to the present, he will resolve to give up this sin that he was committing.

With regard to the future, he will resolve to refrain for the rest of his life from that sin that caused him to miss out on what he loves and aspires to.

With regard to the past, he will resolve to rectify the situation and make up for what he missed out on, if it can be rectified.

… Knowledge, regret and resolution have to do with keeping away from sin now and in the future, and rectifying what happened in the past, and all of that together is called repentance (tawbah).


The word repentance is often used to refer to regret only, and awareness and knowledge are regarded as precursors, whilst giving up the sin is regarded as being the result and outcome. Based on that, we may understand what the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) meant when he said: “Regret is repentance,” because regret cannot take place unless one attains knowledge that leads to it, and it cannot but be followed by resolution, so regret has a precursor and an outcome. End quote.

He also said (3/144):

If fear results from something that one did in the past, it will lead to regret, and regret will lead to resolution. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Regret is repentance.” End quote.

Thus it becomes clear that your giving up the sin and resolving not to go back to it are indicative of the occurrence of regret in your heart. So you should ignore these whispers of the Shaytaan by means of which he wants to make you think that you have not repented yet, or that repentance is impossible, or that you will never be able to repent, which will create despair and hopelessness and make you think that the gate of repentance is closed to you.

We ask Allah, may He be exalted, to protect us all from the accursed Shaytaan, and to enable us to repent sincerely.

And Allah knows best.

Reference: https://islamqa.info/en/247976

Hazrat Abu Sa'eed Al Kudri (Radiyallah Aneehu (R.A)) narrates that the Prophet of Allah (SalaLohu Alae Wasalam (S.A.W)) said, "The truthful and trustworthy trader will be in the company of the Ambiya (Messengers), Shuhada (martyrs) and Siddiqeen (righteous) (Tirmidhi).

The rank of martyr is well known; his sins are forgiven before his blood touches the ground. It is good fortune of honest trader that he will be in such lofty company on the Day of Qiyamah.

With virtue, there are also warnings for the dishonest trader.

Ubaid ibn Rifa'ah narrates from his (R.A) that the Prophet of Allah (S.A.W) said, "The traders will be raised as sinners on the Day of Qiyyamah except the one who had Taqwa-was pious and truthful.'' (Tirmidh, Ibn Majah, Musnad Ahmad).

In conclusion, Honesty, truthfulness and trustworthiness earns one respect in the community. The benefits of honest trade are immeasurable whilst the harms of dishonesty are devastating.

Brethren, let us be honest!

Extracted from Darul Ihsan, South Africa poster.

Islam touches all aspect of man's life. The religion teaches all good norms needed to be a unique being in the society. Part of which is honest. We all know people (buyers and sellers) today, are now more transacting with honest. Some raise the price of goods to twice the marked price and insist he makes no profit.

So, this thread seeks to give virtues of being honest in business.

Reading period: 2 minutes

Ok, associate that good speech with me and sarki

If you can kill all those embezzling our money like this

In fact, the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) changed many names for the purpose of demonstrating the positivity of this beautiful religion of ours. He changed “Ghurab” (crow) into “Muslim”, “Harb” (war) into “Silma” (peace), “Ghaafil” (heedless) into “‘Aaqil” (intellectual), “Nakira” (unknown) into “Ma’roof” (well-known), “Al-Muddaji’” (he who reclines) into “Al-Munba’ith” (full of energy).

He would also change the names of tribes. He changed “Banu Mughwiya” (the tribe of erring) into “Banu Rishda” (the tribe of reason).

The Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) would even change the names of places. He once came across a land and asked about its name, they said: “‘Afrah” (the colour of dirt) he said, “It is ‘Khadira’” (green). He even once walked through a valley and was told it was called “Shi’b Ad-Dalaala” (the valley of misguidance). He changed its name into “Shi’bul Huda” (the valley of guidance).

Admittedly, attaining such an optimistic outlook to the trials of life is not easy, particularly when the factors involved seem to be massively disadvantageous to the reputation and welfare of Islām. So the question which poses itself is: What then was the source of the Prophet’s inspiration? How did he keep going when others would buckle? How would he smile when others wept? The answer is simple. He recognised the Creator whom he worshipped more than anyone else ever did.

Thus he (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) would say that Allāh said:

“I will be as my slave thinks of me so let him think of me what he wills.”[9]

To suspect good of Him is a branch of good knowledge of Him. The opposite is true as well.

Posted by: Ustādh Ali Hammuda
Source: www.islam21c.com

Notes:

[1] Sunan Abi Dawud 2501 graded Sahih by Al-Albani

[2] Sunan Abi Dawud 2597 graded Sahih by Al-Albani

[3] Sahih al-Bukhari 3533 (narrated by Abu Hurairah)

[4] Sahih al-Bukhari 5662

[5] Al-Haythami

[6] Sahih Muslim on the authority of Jabir rady Allahu ‘anh

[7] Sahih Muslim on the authority of ibn ‘Umar

[8] Al-Adab Al-Mufrad classes Saheeh by Al-Albani

[9] Ibnu Hibbaan on the authority of Waathil Ibnul Asqa’ rady Allahu ‘anhu

Reference: https://jamiat.org.za/prophet-muhammad-the-greatest-teacher-of-optimism-sall-allahu-%CA%BFalayhi-wa-sallam/

In the direst of times, the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) would persistently raise morale, boost confidence and steer attention to the bright side of any situation or condition that the believers would find themselves in. Sahl b. al Hanthalia reports:

“We travelled with the Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) and we journeyed for a long time until the evening came. I attended the prayer along with the Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam). A horseman came and said: Messenger of Allāh, I went before you and climbed a certain mountain where I saw that Hawazin had gathered all together with their women, cattle, and sheep, having gathered at Hunayn!!”

This, of course, is nothing less than harrowing news. But how would the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) respond?

The Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) smiled and said: “That will be the booty of the Muslims tomorrow if Allāh wills.”[1]

And he (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) would exclaim:

“If the enemy attacks you at night, let your war cry be ‘Ha-Mim. They will not be helped!”[2]

In fact, as the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) would walk the streets of Mecca, inviting to Islām, the pagans would hurl at him the most vile of insults, one of which included “Oh Mudhammam” (meaning the despised one) as opposed to Muḥammadan (the praised one). Did this burst his enthusiasm and weaken his morale? Not for one moment, for the shades of pessimism never covered his eyes. Upon hearing their spiteful words, he would say to his companions:

“Does it not astonish you how Allāh protects me from the Quraish’s abusing and cursing?! They abuse a man called Mudhammam and curse Mudhammam while I am Muḥammad.”[3]


It does not stop there. ʿAbdullāh b. ʿAbbas reports that the prophet went to visit a Bedouin who was ill and bed-bound. Rather than lament at his condition, or create for him a sense of despair, he uttered such beautiful words of hope:

“Do not worry, this will cleanse you from your sins if Allāh wills.”

But the response of the Bedouin was incredibly negative. He said:


“Cleans me from my sins?! No, it is a fever that is boiling an old man and will lead him to his grave!”

The Prophet then said:

“Then in that case, yes, it will.”[4]

By the evening of the next day, he was found dead.[5]

As far as the Bedouin was concerned, his fever was causing him nothing but pain and anguish, but the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) wisely covered the dark side of his suffering and showed him instead the bright side of it, for this will purify sins and raise ranks in Paradise! The Bedouin insisted however on negativity and thus he reaped what he desired.

In another narration the Prophet is reported to have said:

“Do not curse fever for it expiates ones sins just as the furnace removes the impurities of iron.”[6]

Amazingly, the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) would even go as far as changing names for the purpose of upholding optimism! Upon immigrating to Madīnah he would change its name for it was previously known as ‘Yathrib’, a term related to ‘at Tathreeb’ which means to reprimand or to blame. He changed it to Taaba or Tayba meaning ‘that which is good’.

Also, the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) once inquired about the name of a particular girl, they said she is: ‘Aasia (preceded with an ʿayn, which means sinner!), so he said: “you are (now) Jameela.”[7] which means the beautiful one.

Similarly, Saʿīd b. al-Musayyab reported that his grandfather went to the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam). On receiving him, the Prophet asked, “What is your name?” He replied, “Hazn (rough)”. The Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, “You are Saḥl (ease).” He said, “I will not change a name which my father gave me.” Ibn al-Musayyab (his son) thus concludes, “So roughness (Huzunah) remained with us until today!”[8]

Now, she has her degree,the Masters and PhD, but no one comes for her again. No one wants the crooked-faced, proud woman again. If only they know she's changed!

Oh! She had definitely trespassed. She would be 39 next year and not a man,not a single man has approached her for the past six years. But its not their fault. Its her own fault. She's the authour of her own misfortune. She had always wanted certificate,and now she has the certificates. She uses the best of cars. But she has no crown, no man she can call her own. The beauty self is not there anymore, probably, they might have considered that. she had had opportunities, even different ones at that, but this is her today,a 38 years old single lady, not a widow, not a divorcee.

Only Allaah knows she's repented. Anyone that comes her now,na jam she go jam am. Even if she will be the fourth wife, she doesn't mind. But that's only if, cos she heard men look for sweet sixteen nowadays,not a old school like her.
Its enough, yah Allaah!she cried. Enough is enough!Because If only she will lie,this life as a single isn't easy,its a very big torture!
Humn! she sighed again, dropping the pulse sized mirror she's been looking at, now with a tear-soaken face. If only she had listened to advice...

To all Fatimah Ewapo out there, please take heed before its too late. You can still become anything you wanna be in your marriage. It only requires you to be focused. Verily, life as a searching single is not easy,ka ma paro o. May Allaah grant every singles, widows and divorcees out there, their source of joy,Aamin.

By:
Faatimah Luqman (Lukfat)

Faatimah let out a sigh,but not a sigh of relief as it's in most books it's a sigh of exasperation. She's fed up with everything, with every fucking things!

She looked at the mirror again,for the umpteenth time. Oh! This is not her,this is not Faatimah Adegbenle Ewapo. She can't be this trash. I mean, the beauty she's been boasting of, and proud of can't go like that,it just can't.

She looks again at the face in the mirror. That old crooked face she wished the concealer would have helped her conceal. But she was wrong, the concealer even makes it worse.

Faatimah can still remember vividly how her friends used to endorse her beauty then, like indomie. Especially, Jaleelah,her best friend out of the five friends she kept then. Jaleelah will say in her tiny,Bell's voice, Ewapo, Omo to dara bi egbin, onimu bi imu larubawa (a praise of beauty).

She smiled at the memory, if she's asked her greatest wish now, it'll be to return to that prime days of her. That days when she would blush deep inside her when different brothers approached her. They had wanted her so badly them, as a wife. Many of them visited her father then, and his father accepted them very well. But none of them was her crush. She didn't like any of them, in fact, she hated them. Most especially, Alfa Rufai,who would not let her rest and always sent her gifts through her father. But she would reject them,all of them. She remembered how she had called the brother, onímú òpá ìwàkà. All she had wanted then was her masters degree and PhD. Nothing less! And all advice from her parents,especially, Mama Tooke,her mum, that lady's time is so short,had fallen into her deaf ears. She had called her mum the enemy of progress then. Little did she know that its for her own sake.

Jalal-al-Dīn Rumī also explains this fact as follows:

“The wise, indeed, make lamentations at first and smile later; the foolish, on the other hand, smile at first and beat their heads at the last. O people! From the beginning of the affair discern the end (thereof), so that you may not be remorseful on the Day of Judgment.”

In this regard Imam Ghazālī narrates the following story.A man asked his brother, who was laughing exaggeratedly:

“What is the matter? Did you get news that you have been saved from Hellfire?” His brother said: “No, I did not.” The man asked again: “Then how can you laugh so much?” (Ghazālī, Iḥyā, III, 288)

None of the servants of Allah except His prophets are guaranteed to enter the Paradise. Wahb b. Ward (may Allah have mercy his soul) gave the following advice to the people, when he saw them laughing on a holiday:

“If your sins are forgiven, this is not the manner of those who feel gratitude. If your sins are not forgiven, then this is not the state of those who are afraid of Divine Punishment.” (Ghazālī, Iḥyā, III, 288)

Muhammad b. Waṣī (may Allah have mercy his soul) says that:

“The laughs of those, who do not know whether they will be in heaven or in Hell are as weird as the cry who is already accepted in Heaven.”(Ghazālī, Iḥyā, III, 289)

This conduct consists of an important aspect, which Islamic ethics helps its followers to gain. Therefore even if a believer has great volcanoes boiling in his heart, his face should spread serenity like a peaceful harbor. He should neither be too relaxed with joy nor be pessimistic with extreme grief.

A believer should develop a moderate state in his heart between khawf (fear or awe of Allah) and raja’ (hope in Allah’s mercy). Khawf means not to be spoiled from good deeds and to be in a state of both continuous supplication and fear Allah’s punishment. Raja’, on the other hand, means to be hopeful of His mercy and not to be pessimistic.

Khalid al-Baghdādī explains this state of the heart to one of his disciples in a letter:

“I swear Allah that I do not believe that I have performed a single action which is acceptable by Allah and won’t be questioned before Him since the day I was born… (I only hope my Lord’s mercy) …Please do not forget to pray for this poor servant’s success and for him to have a good last breath.”

A smiling face, which is an essential characteristic of a believer, also shows the level of this state of moderation. However, even a praised behavior, such as smiling, has dangers and the danger of smiling is to do it with wrong intentions. Smiling out of wrong intentions such as pride, scoffing, looking down to brothers in Islam will have serious consequences in the Hereafter.

When Ibn Abbas (r.a) was interpreting the word “small or large” in the verse “They will say, “Woe to us. How come this book leaves nothing, small or large, without counting it?”…” (18; 49),

he says that: “small means smiling when mocking with a believer, while large sin, on the other hand, is laughing meanwhile.” (Ghazālī, Iḥyā, III, 294)

By: Osman Nuri Topbaş (https://jamiat.org.za/smiling-a-blessed-thing/)

Excessive laughter sometimes impels a person to heedlessness and makes him forget that he is being tested in this world. Forgetting that the real happiness is in the Hereafter results in slavery to the mundane pleasures of the self. Long and continuous laughs poison the soul, darkens the heart, and causes it to lose its sensitivity.Omar t makes the following warning about the dangers of excessive laughing:

“Those who laugh excessively lose their dignity. Those who make too much jokes are teased. Everybody gets to be known with the things they do most. Those who talk too much make too much mistakes. Those who make too much mistakes lose their shame. Those who lose their shame avoid the questionable things less. The hearts of those who avoid the questionable things die.” (Ghazālī, Iḥyā, III, 288)

Heedlessness, which is the most significant spiritual disease, deceives human by showing him that his happy life in this world is eternal. Heedlessness distracts his attention and makes him forget the main problems of a human being in this world like death, resurrection, judgment day, and afterlife.

This characteristic of a human being is stated in the following verse:

“And will you laugh and not weep? While you are indulging in varieties.” (53; 61)

In this respect, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) says that:

“If you but knew what I know then you would have laughed little and wept much.” (Bukharī, Tafsīr, 5/12)

Life in this world continues with its ups and downs. Human soul is like a guest house. Not just sorrows and afflictions but also happiness and goodness of this world are like its guests. None of them are permanent. This is why a believer should not disrupt the order and tranquility of this world by feeling too much happiness or sadness in the face of varied incidents of this mundane world.

The perfect life of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is full of manifestations of sadness and suffering. Further, he states this in the following saying

“No one has suffered in the way of God as much as I have.” (Tirmidhī, Qiyāma, 34/2472)

However, none of his suffering hindered his balance and resolution. He (pbuh) confronted all of them with maturity and contentment. Even though his soul was full of sorrow, his face never went without a smile. Nobody ever saw him frown or with sullen face; because, he was always smiling in peace and tranquility for being in the presence of Allah the Almighty and manifesting the smiling face of Islam under any circumstances.

The goodness of the inner beauties of the Companions of the Prophet (pbuh) and the friends of Allah, who were annihilated themselves in the Prophet (Fanaa fi al-Rasūl), has manifested in their faces. Umm al-Dardā (r.a) narrates that:

“When Abū al-Dardā was talking, he always smiled. One day I told him:

“I am worried about that people might think your smile weird and admonish you” and he replied:

“The Messenger of Allah ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) certainly smiled, when he was talking about something.” (Aḥmad, V, 198, 199)

Constant smile of the Messenger of Allah ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) is the best manifestation of his restful unity with Allah the Almighty.

Every human being feels pleasure from being happy; however, like in everything else, there has to be a balance and an appropriate limit in feeling happiness. Just like it is wrong to destroy one’s self because of the suffering faced in this world, it is also wrong to show too much joy and pleasure before the felicitous incidents of the world.

Both of these states damage the human dignity and personality. A believer should always have a sensitive and delicate heart. And he should always have smile on his face. Smile is the dignity of a believer in comparison to the levity of laughing. On the other hand it is also the charm of a believer contrary to the repulsiveness of a sullen face.

Jalal al-Dīn Rumī makes a subtle warning about that even an ordinary act like smiling may give clues about the character of a person and says that:

“From how he smiles, I understand the quality of his manners; and from what he smiles at, I understand his level of his intelligence.”

What to do:

1. To shun all types of erroneous beliefs regarding the blessed month of Safar.

2. To understand that the most unfortunate person is he who disobeys Allah Ta’ala’s commandments e.g. does not perform the five daily salaah etc. It is narrated in a hadith that Rasoolullah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) said: “Pray, 0 Allah! Cause not anyone of us to be a wretched destitute.” He then asked: “Do you know who is a wretched destitute?” Upon the request of the Sahabah (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhum) he replied, “A wretched destitute is he who neglects his salaat.”

3. We should understand that all conditions which befalls us, good or bad, favourable, or unfavourable are from Allah Ta’ala, (as a result of our actions). Allah Ta’ala says: ” Whatever misfortune befalls you, it is due to the things your hands have wrought, and He forgives many a sin.” (Surah 42 – Verse 30).

This can also be confirmed by the following Hadith:

Sayyadina Jabir (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) has said that, “I have heard Sayyadina Rasoolullah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) saying, the descending of illness and evil superstition befalling in the month of Safar is untrue.”

To believe that the Month of Safar is inauspicious, and particularly to believe that its first thirteen days are ‘bad luck’ or that it is harmful to marry or propose to marry or undertake a journey, etc., during these days are beliefs which are against the teachings of Islam.
In pre-Islamic days people considered the Month of Safar to be evil and ominous. Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam strongly rejected such beliefs and ideas. The truth is that no time, day, month or date is in itself evil, but the deeds of people are either good or bad. The time spent in the performance of good deeds will be auspicious and the time spent in sin and the disobedience of Allah Ta’ala will be evil and ominous.

The Month of Safar is not ominous. Evil deeds and incorrect beliefs are ominous and should be given up and repented for. It is incorrect to postpone or delay marriage or its proposal or a journey, etc. because of such beliefs.

Rejecting the false beliefs of the days of ignorance Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam said, ‘Belief in ill-omen is Shirk (polytheistic) (he said this thrice) and the owl’s ominousness is nothing.’ The Mushriks of Arabia used to believe that a house near which an owl screeches will be ruined, hence, Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam refuted this belief as false. Thereafter, he said, ‘There is nothing ominous about the Month of Safar’. (Bukhari vol.1 pg.857)

The polytheists believed the Month of Safar up to the 13th day to be inauspicious, hence, Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam rejected this superstition. It is therefore wrong for Muslims, who are the followers of Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam, to adopt the ways of the non-Muslims and to entertain the very beliefs which he had come to change.

May Allah Ta’ala grant all Muslims the ability to accept and practice upon all the beautiful teachings of Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam, Aameen.

Source: Fataawa Raheemia (https://jamiat.org.za/the-month-of-safar-2/)

Incorrect Beliefs:

Today too, there are some Muslims who hold incorrect beliefs regarding the month of Safar.
1. A nikah performed in this month would not be successful.
2. This month is full of misfortune and calamities.
3. To commence any important venture, business etc. during this month will bring bad luck.
4. The first to the thirteenth of Safar is ill-fortune and evil.
5. The person who distributes food or money on the 13th of Safar will be saved from its ill-fortune.
6. To celebrate the last Wednesday of Safar and regard it as a holiday.