Music in Islam

Ibn Al-Qayyim said:

“From among the artful machinations and entrapment of Allah’s enemy [Satan], with which he has snared those possessing little good sense, knowledge and deen [faith], and by which he has stalked the hearts of the false and ignorant people, there is the listening to whistling, wailing, hand-clapping and song to the accompaniment of forbidden [musical] instruments.Such things block the Quran from people’s hearts and make them devoted to sin and disobedience. For song (to musical accompaniment) is the Quran of Ash-Shaytaan (Satan). It is a dense veil and barrier, preventing nearness to Ar-Rahmaan! (Allah)

By way of such song, Satan deceives vain souls, making it appear pleasing to them through his cunning appeal to their vanities. He insidiously whispers false, specious arguments suggesting the ‘goodness’ in song. These arguments are accepted, and as a result, the Quran becomes an object of neglect and abandonment.”

Source: Page 224, vol. 1 of Ighaathatul Lahfaan

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From the greatest things that strengthen satanic states is listening to song and music, this is none other than the listening of the polytheists about which Allah, the Exalted says:

“And their prayer at the House was nothing save whistling and clapping.”

[Al-Anfal (8): 35]

Ibn Abbas and Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them), and others from the Salaf said, “At-Tasdiya is clapping with the hands and al-Mukaa is like whistling. The polytheists used to do this as an act of worship” [As-Suyuti, ‘ad-Durr al-Manthur’ [3/183] referred it to al-Faryabi, Abd Bin Humaid, ibn Jarir, ibn al-Mundhir and Ibn Abi Shaybah from Ibn Abbas]

As for the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his Companions, their worship consisted entirely of that which was ordered by Allah such as salah, recitation of the Qur’an, Dhikr and the likes. They gathered together for those actions of worship legislated and therefore they never gathered to listen to song…done by clapping or drums. Never once did he (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) become overcome with spiritual ecstasy and never did his cloak fall off him – all narrations that mention this are lies by agreement of the scholars of hadeeth.

When the Companions of the Prophet  (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to gather, he would order one of them to recite and the rest would listen. [Refer to at-Turtushi, al-Hawadith wal Bida’a pp.161-167].

Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be please with him) used to say to Abu Musa al-Ashari: “Remind us of our Lord.” So he would recite and they would listen. [Reported by ad-Darimi and Abdur-Razzak al-Musannaf, with a Saheeh isnad]

The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) passed by Abu Musa while he was reciting and he said to him, “I passed by you last night while you were reciting, so I stood listening to your recitation.”  He replied, ‘If I knew that you were listening, I would have embellished it for you in the best of ways.’

Meaning that I would have beautified my recitation for you.

This is as the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Beautify the Qur’an with your voices”

[Abu Dawud and Nasa’i, with a saheeh isnad]

He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said to ibn Masud:

“Recite the Qur’an to me.”

He said ‘Should I recite to you when it was revealed to you?’

He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) replied:

“Indeed I love that I hear it from other than me.”

So I recited Surah an-Nisa to him until I reached this verse:

“So how [will it be] when We bring from every nation a witness and We bring you [O Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)] against these [people] as a witness?”

[An-Nisa (4): 41].

He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said,

“That is sufficient for you,”

and his eyes were overflowing with tears.

[Saheeh al-Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim]

The likes of this listening is the listening of the Prophets and their followers as has been mentioned by Allah in the Qur’an:

“Those were they unto whom Allah bestowed His Grace from among the Prophets, of the offspring of Adam, and of those whom We carried (in the ship) with Nooh (Noah), and of the offspring of Ibrahim (Abraham) and Israel and from among those whom We guided and chose. When the Verses of the Most Beneficent (Allah) were recited unto them, they fell down prostrating and weeping.”

[Maryam (19): 58]

Allah said concerning the People of Cognisance:

“And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they have recognized of the truth”

[Al-Maidah (5): 83]

He, Glorious is He, commended those who listen in this way due to what they attain of increase in faith, the trembling of their skins and the tears in their eyes.

He, the Exalted says:

“Allah has sent down the best statement; a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah”

[Az-Zumar (39): 23]

“The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord do they rely – the ones who establish prayer and spend from what we have provided them. Those are the believers truly. For them are degrees [of position] with their Lord, forgiveness and noble provision.”

[Al-Anfal (8): 2-4]

As for the innovated listening which is the listening of clapping, drum, and wind instruments, none of the Companions, the Successors and any of the great Imams of this religion took this to be a route to Allah, the Blessed and Exalted. Not one of them considered it to be a means of drawing close to Allah and an action of obedience; instead they considered this to be a blameworthy innovation.

Ash-Shaafi’i said: “I have left behind me in Baghdad something that was innovated by the heretics that they called at-taghbir, which used to distract people from the Qur’an.” [Refer to al-Hafiz Diya ad-Din al-Maqdisi, ‘Juz Ittiba as-Sunan’ [pp.28-29] and Tablis Iblis [p.301 of the summary].]

Ibnul Qayyim in “Masalah as-Sama”, pp119-120, said, “Taghbir was where they struck stretched leather with the stick or a cushion which gave off a particular sound to which they would recite moving poetry that would incite one to asceticism. Now if this is what ash-Shaafi’i, may Allah sanctify his soul, thought of taghbir then what would he have said concerning listening to the types of poetry and singing that contains mention of the belover, the excellence of meeting him, the sweetness of his reprimand, communion in love, coming close to him, the bitterness of leaving…”

The Awliya of Allah know this fact well and know that shaytaan has a major role to play in it and this is why the best of them who used to attend such sessions later repented.

The further a person is from cognizance and completion in his closeness to and love of Allah, the greater the role that shaytaan has to play in misguiding him. This innovated listening [i.e. Music] is comparable to alcohol; rather its affect upon the soul is greater than the affect of alcohol. 

This is why when the intoxication of the listeners becomes strong the devils descend to them, speaking upon the tongues of some and carrying others through the air. 

It is also possible that enmity arise between the listeners in the same way that enmity appears amongst the drunk, the devils accompanying one person could be stronger than the devils accompanying another therefore when they fight, and they kill the opponent. 

…In reality such sessions take the person further away from Allah and are actually satanic states.

Taken from: “The Friends of Allah and the Friends of Shaytaan”, Shaykhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, Pages: 341-350

taken from: 

http://dawatussalafiyyah.wordpress.com/2014/09/23/music-from-among-the-artful-entrapments-of-allahs-enemy-satan/

http://dawatussalafiyyah.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/from-the-greatest-things-that-strengthen-satanic-states-is-listening-to-song-and-music/ 

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From a Christian woman (May Allah guide her)

This is a beautiful reminder that we should be so thankful for Islam and to never water down our religion or our standards and values as a Muslim woman. We strive so hard to be like the kafirs of today's society yet they secretly want to be like us and they are crying from unhappiness because they do not have the gift of life, the gift of Islam . Please take a moment to read this beautiful piece that was forwarded to me by a dear friend and take a minute to reflect and ponder upon your life as a Muslim woman and know what true freedom is and how Allah blessed us with it! Alhamdulillah . May Allah guide this woman to the beautiful truth and to allow her to taste the beauty of Islam !!!


To My Muslim Sisters – By Joanna Francis

joannafrancis wordpress com

By Joanna Francis
Writer, Journalist – USA


Between the Israeli assault on Lebanon and the Zionist "war on terror," the Muslimworld is now center stage in every American home. I see the carnage, death and destruction that have befallen Lebanon, but I also see something else: I see you. I can’t help but notice that almost every woman I see is carrying a baby or has children around her. I see that though they are dressed modestly, their beauty still shines through. But it’s not just outer beauty that I notice. I also notice that I feel something strange inside me: I feel envy. I feel terrible for the horrible experiences and war crimes that the Lebanese people have suffered, being targeted by our common enemy. But I can’t help but admire your strength, your beauty, your modesty, and most of all, your happiness. Yes, it’s strange, but it occurred to me that even under constant bombardment, you still seemed happier than we are, because you were still living the natural lives of women. The way women have always lived since the beginning of time. It used to be that way in the West until the 1960s, when we were bombarded by the same enemy. Only we were not bombarded with actual munitions, but with subtle trickery and moral corruption.

Through Temptation

They bombarded us Americans from Hollywood, instead of from fighter jets or with our own American-made tanks. They would like to bomb you in this way too, after they’ve finished bombing the infrastructure of your countries. I do not want this to happen to you. You will feel degraded, just like we do. You can avoid this kind of bombing if you will kindly listen to those of us who have already suffered serious casualties from their evil influence. Because everything you see coming out of Hollywood is a pack of lies, a distortion of reality, smoke and mirrors. They present casual sex as harmless recreation because they aim to destroy the moral fabric of the societies into which they beam their poisonous programming. I beg you not to drink their poison. There is no antidote for it once you have consumed it. You may recover partially, but you will never be the same. Better to avoid the poison altogether than to try to heal from the damage it causes.

They will try to tempt you with their titillating movies and music videos, falsely portraying us American women as happy and satisfied, proud of dressing like prostitutes, and content without families. Most of us are not happy, trust me. Millions of us are on anti-depressant medication, hate our jobs, and cry at night over the men who told us they loved us, then greedily used us and walked away. They would like to destroy your families and convince you to have fewer children. They do this by presenting marriage as a form of slavery, motherhood as a curse, and being modest and pure as old-fashioned. They want you to cheapen yourself and lose your faith. They are like the Serpent tempting Eve with the apple. Don’t bite.

Self-Value

I see you as precious gems, pure gold, or the "pearl of great value" spoken of in

the Bible (Matthew 13: 45). All women are pearls of great value, but some of us have been deceived into doubting the value of our purity. Jesus said: "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you" (Matthew 7: 6). Our pearls are priceless, but they convince us that they’re cheap. But trust me; there is no substitute for being able to look in the mirror and seeing purity, innocence and self-respect staring back at you. The fashions coming out of the Western sewer are designed to make you believe that your most valuable asset is your sexuality. But your beautiful dresses and veils are actually sexier than any Western fashion, because they cloak you in mystery and show self-respect and confidence. A woman’s sexuality should be guarded from unworthy eyes, since it should be your gift to the man who loves and respects you enough to marry you. And since y
our men are still manly warriors, they deserve no less than your best. Our men don’t even want purity anymore. They don’t recognize the pearl of great value, opting for the flashy rhinestone instead. Only to leave her too!

Your most valuable assets are your inner beauty, your innocence, and everything that makes you who you are. But I notice that some Muslim women push the limit and try to be as Western as possible, even while wearing a veil (with some of their hair showing). Why imitate women who already regret, or will soon regret, their lost virtue? There is no compensation for that loss. You are flawless diamonds. Don’t let them trick you into becoming rhinestones. Because everything you see in the fashion magazines and on Western television is a lie. It is Satan’s trap. It is fool’s gold.

A Woman’s Heart

I’ll let you in on a little secret, just in case you’re curious: pre-marital sex is not even that great. We gave our bodies to the men we were in love with, believing that that was the way to make them love us and want to marry us, just as we had seen on television growing up. But without the security of marriage and the sure knowledge that he will always stay with us, it’s not even enjoyable! That’s the irony. It was just a waste. It leaves you in tears. Speaking as one woman to another, I believe that you understand that already. Because only a woman can truly understand what’s in another woman’s heart. We really are all alike. Our race, religion or nationalities do not matter. A woman’s heart is the same everywhere. We love. That’s what we do best. We nurture our families and give comfort and strength to the men we love. But we American women have been fooled into believing that we are happiest having careers, our own homes in which to live alone, and freedom to give our love away to whomever we choose. That is not freedom. And that is not love. Only in the safe haven of marriage can a woman’s body and heart be safe to love. Don’t settle for anything less. It’s not worth it. You won’t even like it and you’ll like yourself even less afterwards. Then he’ll leave you.

Self-Denial

Sin never pays. It always cheats you. Even though I have reclaimed my honor, there’s still no substitute for having never been dishonored in the first place. We Western women have been brainwashed into thinking that you Muslim women are oppressed. But truly, we are the ones who are oppressed; slaves to fashions that degrade us, obsessed with our weight, begging for love from men who do not want to grow up. Deep down inside, we know that we have been cheated. We secretly admire and envy you, although some of us will not admit it. Please do not look down on us or think that we like things the way they are. It’s not our fault. Most of us did not have fathers to protect us when we were young because our families have been destroyed. You know who is behind this plot. Don’t be fooled, my sisters. Don’t let them get you too. Stay innocent and pure. We Christian women need to see what life is really supposed to be like for women. We need you to set the example for us, because we are lost. Hold onto your purity. Remember: you can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube. So guard your "toothpaste" carefully!
I hope you receive this advice in the spirit in which it is intended: the spirit of friendship, respect, and admiration. From your Christian sister – with love…

Source: One Chinese Muslimah

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Advice to those afflicted by Waswaas (whisperings) – Shaykh Sulaymaan ar-Ruhaylee

Questioner:

A man has been afflicted by Waswaas Qahree (compulsive whisperings). So what is your advice? May Allaah preserve you.

Shaykh Sulaymaan bin Saleemullaah ar-Ruhaylee:

It is a way from the ways of Iblees (Shaytaan). And the principle regarding Waswaas is that it is a proof for the righteousness of the servant and the soundness of the heart. For verily, when Shaytaan sees that the servant is righteous and that he (Shaytaan) is not able to defeat him by way of actions, he starts whispering to him. This is why when this (affair of Waswaas) was mentioned to the Prophet -sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam– he said: “All praise is due to Allaah Who has reduced the plot of Shaytaan to al-Waswasah (whispering).” He (Shaytaan) wasn’t able to overcome us, so he came to us with Waswaas. And he (the Prophet) said: “That is a clear sign of faith.” This is the essence of Waswaas. Meaning: if Waswaas takes place, then that is a proof for this.

But this doesn’t mean that we praise those who are afflicted by Waswaas. For verily, answering to Waswaas is evil. It is obligatory to avoid and stay away from it. And those who are afflicted by Waswaas are of two categories.

The first category: that the Waswaas does not overpower him. Rather it comes to him and goes away. This is cured through making a lot of isti’aadhah (seeking refuge with Allaah). He seeks refuge with Allaah from it and he spits to his left side. And he recites the Qur’aan and the Ahaadeeth.

The second category: that the Waswaas is so much that it overpowers him. And this cannot be cured by any action, because the more actions he does, the more his Waswaas increases. Even if he recites Qur’aan, his Waswaas increases! So how is it cured? The Fuqahaa’ say that it is cured by completely turning away from it. What does this mean? It means that you do not perform anything because of it or leave off anything because of it. Even if it comes to you, consider it a crazy person speaking from behind you, while you are certain that he does not harm you. And do not perform anything because of it or leave off anything because of it.

Some people, when Waswaas comes to them, they open the Qur’aan to recite it. Then Iblees becomes (even more) eager in (overpowering) him, so he starts whispering to him with regards to the Qur’aan. He gets up and prays, so he (Shaytaan) whispers to him in his prayer.

And do not leave off anything because of it! If you are reading the Qur’aan and Shaytaan comes to you whispering, then do NOT leave off reciting the Qur’aan, rather continue! Leave it whenever YOU want to leave it. As for leaving it because of the Waswaas, then don’t. If you do this and you are patient… KNOW that this issue requires patience, because Iblees comes to the person who is afflicted with Waswaas in the form of an advisor, someone who has pity. In the prayer (Shaytaan says): “This is the prayer! And the prayer is the connection between the servant and his Lord! And if your prayer is nullified, then what remains for you? Beware! Leave (the prayer) and go perform Wudoo!” (He does this) in order to corrupt his prayer. And he is not an advisor, rather he is Iblees! So this requires patience. Be patient!

If Waswaas comes to you in Wudoo, then perform your Wudoo and leave. If Iblees then comes to you and says: “There remains something!” Then say: “There remains nothing.” Do not pay attention to him! And go pray! By Allaah, it will not harm you! By Allaah, it will not harm you. You are reciting the Qur’aan and Iblees comes to you whispering? Continue! And leave him (Iblees)! Continue reciting! By Allaah, it will not harm you! In fact, you will be rewarded! Because you are performing Jihaad against Iblees. Then Iblees will becomes hopeless of you and leave this door (of Waswaas), and he will start looking for another door.

So, O brothers, the likes of this brother about whom it is said that he has Waswaas Qahree, meaning: the Waswaas overpowers him, the ONLY cure for him is completely turning away. And the meaning of completely turning away, is that he has CERTAINTY that it does not harm him, and that Allaah is Ever-Merciful, and that it is not possible that Allaah punishes his servants because of this, and that this isn’t from the religion! Allaah says: “And He has not laid upon you in religion any hardship…” (22:78) How can it be from the religion that a person has to perform Wudoo seventy times?! [unclear] So you should know this and be certain of it, and that’s it! You do what the people do, and you turn away. And you continue in your act and you don’t leave it because of Waswaas. And do not perform anything because of Waswaas. By Allaah, with the permission of Allaah he will be cured. And we know this by experience.

By Allaah, O brothers. A man came to me and Shaytaan used to always whisper to him with regards to his wife, that he is divorcing her. And if he goes with her to her family, and he says to her: “Go to your family,” then Iblees comes to him and says: “You just divorced her.” Sometimes he used to call me at two o’clock at night and three o’clock at night and say: “O Shaykh, right now she is next to me in bed, is she my wife or have I divorced her?” In the beginning we said to him: “Keep yourself busy with the remembrance of Allaah, until you leave this affair.” So he started keeping himself busy with the remembrance of Allaah, and then Iblees started coming to him; whenever he said “Subhaanallaah”, then Iblees said: “No! You are indirectly saying you have divorced her.” And whenever he said “Allaahu akbar”, then Iblees said: “You are indirectly saying you have divorced her! And this is a matter of honor!” When we saw that the affair became severe, we advised him to turn away (from this Waswaas). Then he used to turn away for a while and then return (to his state of Waswaas). He sometimes came to my house, and I used to throw him out of my house. Because as long as he knows that there is someone who can give him comfort, then he will continue with his Waswaas. But we gave him the principle. After a while, and to Allaah belongs all praise and blessing, his life became stable and this Waswaas was completely gone from him, because he was firm upon this principle. And I know many people, one of them had Waswaas for more than twenty years! And he came to us, so we advised him and we were patient with him for a while, and then Allaah cured through this way. So my advice to the brother is that he acts upon what I have mentioned, and Allaah knows best.

Source: http://drosuae.com//Download/maqate3/alwaswas_wa_3ilajuhu_shk_slaiman_r7aile.mp3

Translated by: Yasin Abu Ibrahim

Verified by: Raha ibn Donald Batts

Source : salaf-us-saalih.com

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MY NIQAB: MY NEW IDENTITY

'For some, it was just a Niqab. For me it was a reminder to skip the pleasures of this world, because Jannah is just far more tempting.'

GUEST POST BY SISTER TAWHIDA

I'm a 16 year old Asian Muslim girl, and my journey to wearing a Niqab was very spiritual, and forever memorable. :) I was living in America, and ever since just the age of 7, I always prayed 5 times a day and was good, but we all know how it's like these days.. Being the 'modern Muslim' is acceptable. I wore a Hijab with shirts and jeans from age 8 to age 11. And then seeing my sisters wearing the Abaya to school and all, I began wearing too, but only to school. I'd wear our traditional dress with no Hijab at all everywhere else. But then certain circumstances had us moving back to our home country, and that's when my journey started. 

In the beginning, I was just enjoying the new country, no Abaya to be seen, and a simple scarf placed on my head... lol not even wrapped. But anyway, this was going on for a year. After that I decided to wear full on Hijab, but sadly I would end up styling it, as it was a normal thing to do. The Abaya was on and off, as I went
to school and had to wear a uniform. But I would wear it wherever it would be 'suitable' like shopping. This went on for another 2 years. 

But then I got tired of all this... It would take hours dressing up. And take the rest of the day constantly fixing the hijab if it got 'out of place'. It was frustrating... I didn't want to care so much! And not to mention my prayers would get disturbed as I constantly thought of how many guys looked at me, or this and that. Then school began to be a real problem. Although I was shy and never had a slip-up of my morals, boys always bothered me, stalked me till my home even! It was really just disturbing. I eventually left school, and started home schooling instead. I was really depressed about staying home, as I would not be able to get out as often. But THIS is what changed my life, and I only know it now! I wanted to get closer to Allah, to get through my depressions, to just find peace. 

By now I wore Abaya and Hijab everywhere. But that just didn't cut it for me. I still got the same attention. I did not want to sin, because I knew my gaze would wander if I got such attention. Soon enough, Allah gave me a solution. My sister introduced to me the Niqab, the miracle, my peace. It was as if I was invisible, like I would get my work done with zero disturbances. Finallyy! 

To make such changes was Alhamdulillah very easy for me because I had 2 other sisters who went through the same phases as me. We were always together where ever we would go, and it was easy to be bold. People who knew us from before looked at us with respect, respect for our brave decision. I'm proud of myself and how much I have evolved! It all took time, but I finally got the peace I was looking for. Because no guy wants to bother the 'too good girl'. I mean, there was no fun in that right? Heck, I say that's just GREAT! This is a part of me now, my identity. Now that I feel firm in my faith, I'm ready to go back to America, In sha Allah, and be an inspiration to all my sisters in Islam! What better way is there to do Jihad, than to show the harsh disbelievers how much pride I have in my religion? 

This piece of cloth sisters, changed my life! It made my faith strong in so many levels, it's just unexplainable! It's my protection, my reminder to be aware of my actions, and I won't doubt that this very well acts as a reminder to the brothers as well SubhanAllah! 

Thanks for reading my story and please make Dua for me :) May Allah give us all courage and guide us unto the straight path.

- Niqab lovers -

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O Miskeen!

Al Fudayl ibn ‘Iyaad said;

يا مسكين، أنت مسئ وترى أنك محسن، وأنت جاهل وترى أنك عالم، وتبخل وترى أنك كريم، وأحمق وترى أنك عاقل، أجلك قصير، وأملك طويل.
قلت: إي والله، صدق، وأنت ظالم وترى أنك مظلوم، وآكل للحرام وترى أنك متورع، وفاسق وتعتقد أنك عدل، وطالب العلم للدنيا وترى أنك تطلبه لله.

“O Miskeen! You are an evil-doer and you think yourself to be one who does good. You are an ignoramus and you think yourself to be a scholar. You are a miser and you think yourself to be generous. O foolish one! You see that you are intelligent. Your time is short, but your hope is long.”

[Adh-Dhahabi]: I say: Yes, by Allah, he has spoken the truth. And you are an oppressor and you think yourself to be the one who is oppressed. And you eat what is unlawful and you think that you are cautious and fearful (in this regard). And you are a sinner and you think yourself to be just and upright. And you seek the knowledge (of the religion) for the world, and yet you think that you seek it for Allaah.

Source of translation: tawheedfirst.wordpress.com

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This World is Nothing but a Facets of Garbage and Waste

Garbage. 

You can have it, really, I don’t mind.

That’s how we perceive garbage, we don’t want it, we don’t even want to come near it, we don’t even want to see it.

But then, it is what we actually chase, care, cling and want.

YES, you heard me right! This world is but pieces of junk and you will see this on the day when the world will be nothing but ashes! - the day when the whole world will perish. Authubillah.
_____

Let’s say you want to have a gadget so much so you go to your parents, Mama, Baba I want the latest iPhone, and your parents who are so loving gives you that, after few little drops, few malfunctions, its nothing anymore, then it becomes a waste as well as the money spent on it.

Or you want to gain fame, so you start uploading videos on youtube and doing whatever you think you are good at and intention is nothing connected to Allah Azza Wa Jall but for your own sake, few likes and you get to be little famous and boom comes the bashers, the haters and you want to end your life, so all your effort and time went into waste.

Astagfirullah.

These are just a bit of what is happening, really.

Well, if these are not enough (which I know aren’t) for you to realize that this world is nothing but a facets of garbage and waste, then here’s a bit of poignant words from ‘Umar Ibn Al Khattab Radiyallahu Anhu himself.
_____

Did you know that one of the best sermons and reminders that ‘Umar was known aside from salah [prayer] was about the dunya [world]?

It is related by Abu Al-Ashhab that one day, ‘Umar and a group of his Companions passed by a pit [trench or excavation] that was used for the disposal of garbage and sewage.

For some reason, ‘Umar was forced to stop for a short while beside that pit; he soon noticed looks of disgust and nausea on the faces of his Companions. And so he said to them,

"This is your world that you strive to gain and that you cry over (when you do not get something from it)."
_____

Subhan’Allah this is one of the stories of the life of ‘Umar that highlights the deep knowledge and wiseness that he had. Radiyallahu Anhu.

Indeed, ‘Umar was a man who preferred the Hereafter over the dunya, and he was such a stern person on this principle.

One day, Saalim Ibn Abdullah said that ‘Umar would talk about various delicious foods and drinks; and that he would then say that, while he and his companions could have eaten and drank delicious foods and drinks, they preferred not to, desiring instead to save their share of pleasures and good things for the Hereafter.

'Umar would then recite the following verse, as if to say that he didn't want to be among the people regarding whom it was revealed:

"You received your good things in the life of the world." Qur’an 46:20
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'Umar didn't just say and reminded people of giving up dunya for the akhirah but he also portrayed that.

Once, after he became the Leader of the Believers, he was seen delivering a sermon while wearing a lower garment that was patched in 12 different places, meaning it was very old and had become teary. 

He was also seen with the same garment when he was performing Tawa’f around the Ka’bah.
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O my dear brothers and sisters in Islam, we are ordained to strive as we are ought to strive but for the akhirah and not this world, make this world a means of gaining pleasures in the akhirah.

This world is temporary, it will perish, do not let it delude you of your sole purpose. Protect yourselves, at the end of the day, no one can truly motivate you but yourself, so yearn for the Hereafter, yearn for Jannah, yearn for Allah Azza Wa Jall.

So let me ask you once again, what can this garbage give you that you strive so much for it?
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And we pray that this story of ‘Umar enlighten the hearts of everyone that we may realize that there is so much more in Jannah, and that not even a single percent can this world come near to the beauty and pleasures that Jannah has. 

Amin.

-Zohayma-
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Story taken from Az-Zuhd by Imam Ahmad, p. 118 and Al-Hilyah: 1/50

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The Wedding of 'Ali & Fatimah - Love Letters by the Sand

The beauty of halal marriage is beyond wonderful, the effect it leaves on the readers is so poignant that one would motivate on finding such same way of getting into marriage- this is what the story of the wedding of ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib Radiyallahu Anhu with Fatimah Bint Muhammad Radiyallahu Anha is all about.

My dear brothers and sisters in Islam, if any of you are seeking for a spouse or is on a verge on doing nikkah then this story is for you, and I pray that each one of us would learn from this beautiful story.

(Tho for those who have gone through nikkah and are happily married now, then for sure the brothers would be able to narrate to the experiences of ‘Ali and the sisters on the experiences of Fatimah)

I will no longer go into full detail of who they are as we all have knowledge about them, what I am trying to focus on is the story of how they got into nikkah.
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On the day that a marriage proposal was sent to the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam for the hand of Fatimah Radiyallahu Anha, a female mawla (freed slave) of ‘Ali came to him and persistently encourage him to go and seek for the hand of Fatimah.

The mawla said: "Do you know that Fatimah’s hand has been sought from the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam?"

'Ali said: "No."

The mawla said: "Her hand has been sought (in marriage). What prevents you from approaching the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam so that he may marry her to you?"

'Ali answered: "Do I have anything with which to marry?" 

The mawla said: "If you go to the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam he will marry her to you."

And the mawla kept urging ‘Ali and she succeeded and made ‘Ali go and see the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam.

When ‘Ali arrived and was sat infront of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam, he was totally dumbfounded as ‘Ali said "By Allah I was unable to say anything due to awe and fright." (Ma sha Allah)

So the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam asked him: "What has brought you? Do you have any need?"

'Ali then kept quiet, not a single word and he was very nervous. (Ma sha Allah)

So the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam asked again: "Perhaps you have come to seek Fatimah’s hand in marriage?"

With this, ‘Ali answered so fast like without any doubt and said, "Yes."

"Do you have anything with which you will marry her?" asked the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam.

'Ali answered: "By Allah, no, O Messenger of Allah."

What about the shield I gave you?” ‘Ali said: "It is with me."

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam then said: "I have married her to you. Send it to her and I have made her permissible for you with it."

Thus, the shield of ‘Ali became the mahr of Fatimah.

The following morning, the wedding day commenced, Asma Bint Umays Radiyallahu Anha was there and narrated the following.

"The Prophet came to the door and said: "O Umm Ayman, invite my brother for me.”

She said:"He is your brother and you are marrying (your daughter) to him?" 

The Prophet said: "Yes, Umm Ayman." So ‘Ali came and the Prophet sprinkled some water on him and prayed for him and then said: "Invite Fatimah for me."

Fatimah then came stumbling due to shyness, so the Prophet told her: "Be calm, I have married you to the most beloved of my household to me." The Prophet sprinkled water on her and supplicated for her as well.

As to the wedding feast, as narrated by Buraidah Radiyallahu Anhu ‘Ali and Fatimah had a sheep and a group of Ansar gathered for him some measures of sorghum (sweetener syrup).

On the night of consummation, the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam said: "O ‘Ali do not do anything till you meet me." Then He Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam requested for water performed ablution with it and then poured the remainder on ‘Ali and then supplicated: "O Allah, bless both of them, shower Your blessings on them and bless their children."

The marriage of Ali and Fatimah happened during the 2nd year of Hijrah after the Battle of Badr and she bore him Hassan, Hussain and Umm Khultum.
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Such a beautiful narration on the path to marriage, this is how our marriages should be, before asking about what did you finish, what is your work or so, it was the piety as the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam knew the piety that ‘Ali had.

There are few points in this story that we should all reflect upon:

1) My sisters, be inspired to the fact that the most beloved daughter of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam had only the shield of ‘Ali as her mahr on her wedding. 

It is not healthy for us to go and ask for such extravagant mahr, we know that most of the time it is the parents that ask for these things but what I am trying to point out is that we should be clean of that thought, know that the best nikkah is the one of less expense.

2) My brothers, if you are really attracted to this sister to whom you really think would be the person who would help you get closer to Allah Azza Wa Jall then have tawwakul and ask for her hand in the most halal way, not on text nor on facebook or twitter or tumblr, but go tell your parents and let the arrangements be done.

If right now all you need is a push, then AKHI I AM PUSHING YOU, I am being the mawla and will persistently urge you to go and marry the sister, make her your queen and I pray Allah Azza Wa Jall blesses you both with wonderful pious children and good life ahead!

3) The Hayaa should intensify than deteriorate, the gheera (protective jealousy) should be present.

Yes, not because you are already going into marriage or that nikkah has been done then you can go out to the world and post on facebook and every single social networking site that he gave your flowers, he bought you dress, and all that.

And I mean people who flaunt their spouses, like the ones that go viral with shirts "wallah he’s mine and wallah she’s mine." (no offense). Rather than flaunting your spouse, you should be more careful with him or her, do not talk to anyone about family matters or things between the two of you too.

Also most of all, the hayaa and the gheera will help you become more sensitive to others, as hayaa would prevent you from asking about when will your friend get married or so and gheera would prevent you from talking about your spouse to a friend.

I have pointed this out as these days nikkah is prolonged until the walimah unlike with the Sahabah Radiyallahu Anhum, walimah or the wedding feast follows the next day.

4) This story is a reminder and a message to the parents who look for status in life rather than status in deen.

Beloved parents if you really want to see your offsprings settled down in good hands then choose the one who fears Allah the most.

By Allah, we do understand the need for assurance for good life for your children, but yes you will get to marry your daughter or son to a wealthy person yet do you think that good life is promised to them? Let me remind you that Allah Azza Wa Jall promised Hayaatan Thayibah (good life) to those who Fear Him, to the Believers.(See Qur’an 16:97)

I am not the one who promises you that if you give your son or daughter to a Believer of Allah then good life is given, I really do not, but Allah promises that, and we all know that the Promise of Allah is True.
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And we pray to Allah Azza Wa Jall that he makes the path to marriage easy for those who find it hard and that He bestows upon us guidance and wisdom on making decisions about nikkah. May Allah Azza Wa Jall shower you all with Hayaatan Thayibah. 

Amin.

-Zohayma-
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Stories were taken from:

• At-Tabaqaat, Ibn Sa’ad
• Dalaa’il An-Nubuwah, Al Bayhaqi 3/160
• Bihaar Al-Anwaar, Al-Majlisee, p.39
• Fadaa’il As-Sahabah 2/955, no. 342 (Sahih) } 2/858 (Sahih)
• Al Mu’jam Al Kabir, At Tabari 1153

Note: Some were paraphrased as to what I have read, nevertheless all references are stated so for further details kindly direct yourselves to the dalil. Jazakallahu Khayran.

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