Pearls of Islam

NEW YEAR

Calls me to look back and assess the losses

To asses personal losses on Spiritual ground
To consider moral losses on Ethical ground
To measure blood-shed on Human ground
To evaluate corruption on Moral grounds

And repenting for all my follies by trying to correct
myself as I am very sure that I cannot escape

From the wrath of the OWNER of this earth
From the punishment of the POSSESSOR of this globe
From the accountability in front of the LORD of Universe in Here-after

It is high time for me to repent, to correct, to assess my morals
As my term of life on this globe is not yet over.

And welcome NEW YEAR with promises:

To control my irritation in time of crisis
To control my anger at the time of provocation
To control my negatives at the time of aggravation

And be upright in the times of panic and test

As I know no excuse can avail me in front of my LORD
As HE informs in HIS Book, The Holy Qur’an 75/14-15

Indeed, man knows himself very well. However he puts forward excuses…

I wish you, your family and entire humanity
A Very Happy, Prosperous, Peaceful,
Thriving, Flourishing and Comprising

NEW YEAR

With Regards
A. Ghafoor Parekh

Two millenniums back on this Auspicious Day
A Great Messenger of Almighty born.

A Sign, a Symbol, a Token, a Miracle, a Spirit from ALLAH.
Deserves Great Admiration, Reverence & High Profile.
Pious & Holy Prophet Born Miraculously to Blessed Mary
The Most Chaste, Chosen, Pious & Revered Lady.
Jesus was Created like Adam & Eve, having no father.
So Happy Event to Muslims,
Christians & The Whole Humanity.

The Last Testament, The Holy Qur’an reminds the Faithful
In Glowing Words in many verses, few are quoted here,

Chapter 3 Verse 42:

“The Angel conveyed, “O Mary, indeed Almighty GOD has chosen you and made you pure, chaste, sanctified and exalted you above all the women-folk of the world.”

Chapter 21 Verse 91:

“And Mary who guarded her chastity, WE breathed to her OUR Spirit and WE caused her and her son Jesus to become a Symbol of OUR Grace to all the people to come.”

Chapter 57 verse 27:

“….And on the same traditions, WE send Jesus, the son of Blessed Mary. WE bestowed upon him the Gospel; and placed compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who truly followed him ……”

Chapter 5 verse 82:

“……….. And you will surely find close to affection for Muslims who claim that they are Christians. It is because there are people who have thirst of knowledge and there are God-fearing persons among them, and because they don’t behave arrogantly.”

Hope, Pray and Wish, the Spirit ever spread in its True Sense
Happy Many Christmas, Happy New Year

Courtsey : Janab Abdul Ghafoor Parekh

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

WORLD IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SITUATION IN WHICH JESUS WAS BORN

A great Messenger of Almighty GOD, who deserves Great
Admiration and Reverence, The Pious and Holy Prophet
Born miraculously to Blessed MARY, The most chaste, chosen,
Pious, Revered Lady out of the entire humanity. (3/42, Holy Qur’an)

Time was full of terror, oppressions, blood-shed, corruption, torture,
The Rich were happy in their worldly pleasures at the cost of suffering millions
It is high time to go back to the message and the works taken in hand by Jesus
Treating all with love and forbearance, facing the difficulties with positive approaches
Providing Healing touch to the bleeding humanity
Glad Tidings for the sufferers
Warnings to the tyrants

One can see works of Jesus in the New Testament, The Gospel
And The Final Testament, the Holy Qur’an which gives Jesus
Great regards, reverence and high esteem, a sign, a symbol
A token, a miracle, the Virtuous & Holy Prophet

Chapter 57 verse 27:

“….And on the same lines WE sent JESUS, the son of Blessed MARY. WE bestowed upon him the Gospel; and placed compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who truly followed him ……”

Chapter 5 verse 82:

“……….. And you will surely find close to affection for Muslims who claim that they are Christians. It is because there are people who have thirst of knowledge and there are God-fearing persons among them, and because they don’t behave arrogan

tly.”

Hope, pray and wish for a peaceful world, free from terror, corruption, oppression.
Let us discover the original of the Heavenly Messages in its true spirit.

Merry Christmas, Happy Coming Year

A. Ghafoor Parekh

MUHARRAM is the first month of the Islamic, Hijrah calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months about which Allah Ta’ala says, ‘The number of months in the sight of Allah are twelve (in a year) – So ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; Of them four are sacred: That is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves therein.’ (Surah Taubah).

The four months, according to authentic Ahaadith, are the months of Zhul-Qa`dah, Zhul Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. The sanctity of these four months was observed in the Shari’ah of all the Ambiyaa (Prophets) (AS).

‘Allah Ta’ala made them (i.e. the four months) sacred and increased their sanctity. Hence declared a sin therein more severe and increased the virtue of good deeds and (also) the reward thereof.’ (Ibn Katheer).

THE MONTH OF MUHARRAM
The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadan is the fast during Allah’s month of Muharram and the best of Salaats besides the Fardh (obligatory Salaat) is the Tahajjud Salaah (performed after midnight). (Sahih Muslim).

THE DAY OF AASHURA (10th OF MUHARRAM)
The tenth of Muharram, known as the day of Aashura, is a very significant day in the Islamic calendar. The holy prophet Mohammed (SAW) has exhorted the Ummah to fast on this day. Hadhrat Aaisha (RA) reports that Nabi (SAW) ordered the observance of the fast of Aashura. However, when the fast of Ramadan became compulsory, Nabi (SAW) left the fast of Aashura (i.e. the compulsion). Thereafter, whosoever desired kept this fast and whosoever desired, (not to keep it) did not observe this fast’. ( Bukhari, Vol 1).

Ibn Abbaas (RA) says, ‘I did not see Rasulullah (SAW) anxiously await the fast of any day, which he gave preference to over other days, but this day (of Aashura) and the month of Ramadan ( Bukhari, Vol. 1).

VIRTUE OF THE FAST OF AASHURA
With regard to the blessing of this fast, Nabi (SAW) was asked regarding it’s virtue. He answered, ‘It is a compensation for the sins of the past year.’ i.e. the sins of one year that has just gone by will be forgiven. Muslim, Vol. 1).
Note: Only minor sins are forgiven. For the forgiveness of major sins, Towbah (repentance) is a prerequisite.

THE FAST OF AASHURA
Ibn Abbaas (RA) narrates that when Nabi (SAW) came to Madinah and found the Jews fasting on the day of Aashura, he inquired, ‘What is the significance of this day on which you fast?’ They replied, ‘This is the day Allah saved the prophet Moosa (AS) and his followers and drowned Fir’oun and his army, thus Moosa (AS) fasted on this day as a token of thanksgiving. Therefore we too fast on this day.’ ( Muslim, Vol 1).
Rasulullah (SAW) said, ‘We are more worthy of Moosa (AS) and nearer to him than you.’ Thereafter, he fasted on this day and ordered the Sahaabah (companions) to fast on this day. ( Muslim, Vol. 1)

Rasulullah (SAW) is reported to have said, ‘Observe the fast of Aashura and oppose (the way of) the Jews. Fast a day before it (also) or a day after it.’ (Baihaqi, Vol 4)

Hence, one should fast for two days: Either the 9th and 10th or the 10th and 11th. To fast only on the 10th of Muharram is MAKROOH (reprehensible) and bears semblance to the Jews.

GENEROSITY TO ONE’S FAMILY
Besides fasting on the day of Aashura, being generous to one’s family and spending more than what is normally spent on food, etc. is an act of great merit. It is mentioned in a Hadith, ‘He who will be generous to his family on the day of Aashura, Allah will be generous to him for the entire year.’

FALLACIOUS BELIEF
The day of Aashura is regarded by many people as the day of mourning the martyrdom of Sayyiduna Hussain (RA). To attribute the significance of Aashura to Sayyiduna Hussain (RA)’s martyrdom is totally baseless because the sanctity of Aashura is proven, beyond doubt, from the time of Rasulullah (SAW), whilst Sayyiduna Hussain (RA) was martyred fifty years after the holy prophet Mohammed (SAW) left this earthly abode. The fact that the martyrdom of Sayyiduna Hussain (RA) occurred on the Day of Aashura has absolutely no bearing on the significance of this day nor is the sanctity of this day derived from this event. On the contrary, it is one of the merits of Sayyiduna Hussain (RA) that he was martyred on the Day of Aashura.

RESPECT WHAT ALLAH HAS HONORED, FOR VERILY TO HONOR THINGS DUE TO VIRTUE WHICH ALLAH HAS ACCORDED THEM IS AMONG THE TRAITS OF THE INTELLIGENT.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HIJRAH (Islamic Year)
A religion contains within itself entirely all that it needs for its later growth and development. The ‘Hijrah’ migration of the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and those of his Sahaaba (companions) (Radhiyallaahuanhum) who were ‘the first to lead the way’ from Makkah Mukarramah to Madinah Munawwarah in order to settle down there was not only an important event but a turning point in the history of Islam which evidently contributed to the progress and generation of Islamic heritage.

Undoubtedly the Hijrah took place according to Allah Almighty’s Will; since the Prophet of Allah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) would take no such step except under Allah’s instructions in Whose Knowledge migration must have been the required course. In the eyes of the Muslims, the birth of the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and forty years later, the beginning of the revelation of the Noble Qur’an were two events of singular importance but the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) signified neither of the events as the commencing epochs of a calendar reckoning. Before the Hijrah to Madinah Munawwarah, a number of companions of the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) had migrated to Abyssinia and were there when the Hijrah took place. But the migration to Abyssinia too was not made the starting point of the Islamic calendar. Thus, after the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) having signified the beginning of the calendrical reckoning from Hijrah (migration from Makkah to Madinah). The second Khalifah, Hazrath Umar (Radhiyallaahuanhu) made it compulsory for the dates to be inscribed on all official correspondence.

Basically the Hijrah institutioned three important aspects of life: social, economics and political.

In the social aspect when the first revelation was made to Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) a period of twelve (12) years was devoted by him to inculcate religion in the minds of individuals while no pattern of a collective life based on true religious concepts could be presented to the world. The situation in Makkah Mukarramah during the earlier part of the Prophet’s (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) career was that in a house-hold while the father was a believer, the son was an infidel, or the wife a believer and the husband an infidel. There were only a few houses where the entire family were Muslims. The status of the Muslim individuals in Makkah Mukarramah gave rise to the misconception that Islam, or believing in, the Noble and in the prophet was one’s personal affair; it pertained only to the hereafter and had nothing to do with collective life.

It was only after Hijrah that people began to see clearly that Islam is a way of life which pays attention to and reforms every facet of human existence, giving directions regarding almost every moment of one’s conscious time. The Hijrah also made the Arabs in particular, to see as to what was a Muslim house-hold and a Muslim society. Hence, only after this event the world could see the aspect of social decency and decorum under Islam.

A second reason for the importance of Hijrah is in view of its economic aspect. The economic effects were due to the permanent migration to Madinah Munawwarah by the Muslims. The matchless hospitality of the people of Madinah Munawwarah to the migrating Muslims, not only provided a shelter and a new peaceful home for the newcomers, but the Ansars (of Madinah) with a note-worthy passion of self-sacrifice accepted the incoming Muslims with great zeal and love. When after Hijrah, the companions and the followers of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) shifted from Makkah Mukarramah to Madinah Munawwarah, trade came into contact with agriculture and artisanship resulting in an economic revolution for the place. The migrants from Makkah having been taught and reformed by Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) himself for nearly 13 years, were not carefree and irresponsible men; they were God-fearing and righteous. The Ansars helped the migrants to the extent of being ready to divide all their belonging between themselves and the Muhaajirs. But the latter were not prepared to accept a status of mere idle dependants; so every one of them adopted ways and means to earn righteously for their own selves and did not like to be permanent burden on others.

Initially, the Muhaajirs worked as laborers in the fields and gardens and construction works. Later they, being traders, started small trading activities which brought them into an economic competition with the Jews of Madinah Munawwarah. One aspect of the economy revolution was that the Muhaajir traders paid the right price to the growers for their produce since Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) had forbidden the practice of acquiring products on reduced prices in return of loans given to the artisans or to the cultivators.

Thus, it was only after Hijrah that agriculture, industry and trade freely helped one another to bring about an integrated, balanced and unfettered economy for the Muslims.

The third reason which made the Hijrah a very important event is the political freedom for the Muslims. Before Hijrah the Muslims had no say in any matter, internal or external. They were a minority against whom the hearts of the majority were full of enmity – the Muslims were an insignificant part of a set of dominating unbelievers in Makkah Mukarramah.

The Hijrah made the Muslims masters of their internal affairs, external relations and matters relating to war and peace. There was great understanding among the Muslims, for instance, in case a difference occurred between the Muslims and non-Muslims, the final decision was to be made by the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). This showed that an autonomous Muslim set up was coming into existence. This was a beginning of a city-state which, within the life-time of the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) or within a period of ten (10) years, expanded so as to encompass the entire Arabian peninsula. It is thus evident that the event of Hijrah turned a few hundred persons into a highly successful society. The expansion of Muslim dominations during the following centuries is a historical record. All this was possible due to the shaping of events as the result of Hijrah.

Source: Jamiatul Ulama (JHB) & Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)

Original link at : http://www.islamcan.com/cgi-bin/increaseiman/htmlfiles/static/114600822027229.shtml

Hadith 1

Anyone who befriends another
or makes an enemy,
gives or withholds,
has perfected his faith,
if what he does is done for the sake of
the Almighty.

(Hadith of al-Bukhari
on the Authority of Abu umamah.)

Hadith 2

When the Prophet Mohammed (SAW) was
asked by Amr ibn Abasah what was
meant by faith, he replied,
‘self-restraint and gentleness.’

(Hadith of Muslim)

Hadith 3

One who is willing to accept
God as his Lord,
Islam as his religion
and Mohammed as God’s Messenger
has savoured the taste of faith.

(Hadith of al-Bukhari and Muslim
on the Authority of ‘Al-Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib.)

Haidth 4

Simplicity, too, is a part of faith.

(Hadith of abu dawud on the Authority of Abu umamah.)

Hadith 5

A man without trust
is a man without faith.
And a man who does not fulfill his
promises is a man without faith.

(Hadith of ahmed ibn hanbal on the authority of Anas ibn malik)

Haidth 6

Greed and faith can never co-exist
in the human heart.

(Hadith of an-nasa’i on the authority of abu hurayrah.)

Islam has been built on five pillars:
testifying that there is no god but Allah
and Mohammed (PBUH) is His Messenger;
performance of prayers;
fasting during Ramazan;
alms-giving (Zakat);
pilgrimage to the Ka‘abah.

(Hadith of al-Bukhari and Muslim
on the Authority of Abdullah ibn umar.)

Economy!! Recession !! Meltdown!!

The CREATOR & OWNER of the Globe says:

“And how many habitations exulting on their economy
with reckless life style, We wiped them out!
So are their ruins for you to take lessons…!”
(From The Quran 28/58)

“….the example of a habitation, once secure, safe, abundantly coming its livelihood & consumables from all qwarter but ungrateful towards the CREATOR,
Not valuing NATURE & its laws,
WE caused them to taste misery, hunger and horror
in result of their own undertakings….”

(From The Quran 16/112)

Crisis!! Slump!! Decline!!

Man-Made or God-Made…..?

Are we responsible or the Nature…..?

Dont we Mercilessly Destroy & Pollute Natural Resources like
Forest, Water, Environment etc for our own lust & show off!!!
Not taking care of Deprived ones of the society,
forming an atmosphere of
rich becoming richer & poor becoming poorer.

Will the Owner of Universe
let the Nations escape without penalizing…..???

It is high time for us to abide with NATURE
and avaoid wrath of ALMIGHTY
Then only can truly enjoy

Here are some tips to follow when shopping for a Halaal product:
Make sure that the products your buy have ingredients on their labels. If a product doesn’t have a label with ingredients, DON’T BUY IT!!!

Always check the ingredients. Some ingredients to look out for are E120 (Cochineal-red color from insects), E441 (Gelatin), E542 (Edible Bone Phosphate) & E904 (Shellac). Other Haraam/doubtful ingredients are Ester, L-Cycteine, Alcohol, animal fat, codeine, enzymes, glycerin, lard, pepsin, rennet, whey powder, shortening, tallow, lecithin, etc.

Note: The above ingredients are merely listed as a guide. Some of them are Haraam and some are doubtful (source needs to be clarified). For specific ingredients and E-number queries, please contact ZAMHA offices.

Be especially cautious in buying the following products: Cheese, cakes, cookies, French fries, candies, soups, sauce, margarine, crisps, yogurt etc. If you are not sure about a product, contact the Zamha offices.

Do not buy any meat products from outlets which are not supervised by a reputable certifying body. Remember, money hungry abattoir owners will not think twice before compromising Halaal standards. Many a times, a Muslim is employed merely to give the outlet a “Halaal mark”!! Therefore, avoid such doubtful sources of meat.

Food cooked in the hygienic and pleasant surrounding of the home definitely contains more blessings and nourishment as opposed to take-away food. Therefore, as far as possible, take-away food should be avoided. However the “eating-out” trend is something which has become a start reality in our community. Therefore, if one has to eat-out, then avoid non-Muslim owned restaurants & take-aways unless they are adequately supervised by a reputable Halaal Certifying body.

Avoid restaurants and take-aways which sell alcohol and other haraam items such as port, etc.

Remember the golden rule: “If in doubt, leave it out!”

– An article published in Halaal Gazette, Volume 1 Issue 4, June 2005
zamha@zamnet.zm

Narated By Abu Bakra :
The Prophet said, “Time has come back to its original state which it had on the day Allah created the Heavens and the Earth. The year is twelve months, four of which are sacred, three of them are in succession, namely Dhul-Qa’da, Dhul Hijja and Muharram, (the fourth being) Rajab Mudar which is between Juma’da (ath-thamj and Sha’ban. The Prophet then asked, “Which month is this?” We said, “Allah and his Apostle know better.” He kept silent so long that we thought that he would call it by a name other than its real name. He said, “Isn’t it the month of Dhul-Hijja?” We said, “Yes.” He said, “Which town is this?” We said, “Allah and His Apostle know better.” He kept silent so long that we thought that he would call it a name other than its real name. He said, “isn’t it the town (of Mecca)?” We replied, “Yes.” He said, “What day is today?” We replied, “Allah and His Apostle know better.” He kept silent so long that we thought that he would call it by a name other than its real name. He said, “Isn’t it the day of Nahr?” We replied, “Yes.” He then said, “Your blood, properties and honour are as sacred to one another as this day of yours in this town of yours in this month of yours. You will meet your Lord, and He will ask you about your deeds. Beware! Do not go astray after me by cutting the necks of each other. It is incumbent upon those who are present to convey this message to those who are absent, for some of those to whom it is conveyed may comprehend it better than some of those who have heard it directly.” (Muhammad, the sub-narrator, on mentioning this used to say: The Prophet then said, “No doubt! Haven’t I delivered (Allah’s) Message (to you)? Haven’t I delivered Allah’s message (to you)?”

Sahih Bukhari – Volume 007, Book 068, Hadith Number 458.

An article by Sheikh Jamal Shaker Abdullah

Dear Muslims, Our prophet peace be upon him talked about seven men whom will be included in his mercy that was described as a shade when there is not mercy but Allah’s mercy in the day after. One of these seven men is a man who heart loved Masjids. There is a strong, healthy, Islamic relationship between the Muslim’s heart and the Masjid. Masjids are considered to be the best and the modest spots on the earth by Allah. Angels of Allah surround Masjids and make prayer to those Muslims who meet and pray. In addition to that, Allah sends his mercy to purify Muslims hearts in these Masjids in which they gather to pray and bow to the only God.

Dear Muslims, going to Masjids on regularly basis is a great cure for all of our hearts diseases. It is the perfect cure for the one who wants to have a pure soul for Allah. During the last days of our prophet’s life, he forced himself to walk to the Masjid and pray regardless of how much pain he had. His wife, Ayesha, described him walking to the Masjid as a man pulling and dragging his feet on the ground because of the fact that his feet could not hold him anymore.

When you leave your home going to the Masjid to perform a prayer, you will be under Allah’s mercy and guidance. If you perform wudhu (ablution) before you leave, Allah will consider this good deed as a person performing Hajj.

Dear Muslims, Praying until midnight is a difficult thing to do; however, praying Isha in the Masjid is considered by Allah as a person who prayed half a night. Staying awake for the whole night praying is also difficult thing to do; yet, Allah awards the man who prays Fajr in the Masjid as a man who stayed up al night praying and worshipping. If a Muslim performed two hundred prayers in forty days considering that all the prayers have been reached from heir beginnings this Muslim will have two great rewards. Those rewards are not form humans; they are from creator of the earths and the skies. The first reward is the innocence from hell, and the second reward is the innocence from hypocrisy. But how does a Muslim reach the prayers from their beginnings? Two aspects have to be performed and taken into consideration; the first is standing in the lines among the Muslim brothers in the Masjid when the Imam begins the prayer. The second is to start the prayer as soon as the Imam starts it. If a Muslim performs that for fully forty days he will receive those two rewards. Muslims, throughout the history, who perform their prayers this way, have indicate4d that this way is a main reason for their strength in their religion. It was mentioned in the Islamic History that a man named Al-Harith bin Hassan married a woman. At the night, he was seen in the Masjid praying Fajr. His Muslim brothers asked him “Do you leave your house during your first night?” He replied, “A woman prevents her husband from praying in the Masjid shall be a bad woman”.

Dear Muslims, Enemies of Allah have known the remarkable moral value of the Masjids and its impact upon our lives. Unfortunately, they have known that more than we have. Therefore, they planned as well as possible to destroy them by destroying our morals and desire toward them. As a result, visiting and praying in the Masjid is a great need which all Muslims are require to satisfy. It is our responsibility to protect the Masjids from being forgotten and overlooked.