Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Kata-kata hikmah tentang cinta & wanita, buat renungan...


Jami' berkata,
"Ku tanya Sa'id bin Al-Musayyab mufti Madinah
adakah dosa karena cinta yang melimpah
Sa'id bin Al-Musayyab memberi jawaban
celaan bagi orang yang sebenarnya bisa menahan.
"Dunia ini adalah perhiasan, dan sebaik-baik perhiasan dunia adalah wanita shalihah." (Diriwayatkan Muslim)
Suwaid bin Sa'id Al-Hadatsany berkata, kami diberitahu Ali bin Mushir, dari Au Yahya Al-Qattat, dari Mujahid, dari Ibnu 'Abbas radhiyAllahu 'anhuma, dari Nabi shallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, beliau bersabda,
"Barangsiapa jatuh cinta, lalu menyembunyikan cinta, menahan diri, bersabar lalu meninggal dunia, maka dia mati syahid."
Al-Khara'ithy berkata, "Ada beberapa rekan yang menyenandungkan syair,
"Permulaan cinta indah menawan di hati
akhirnya kematian laksana permainan
ia bermula dari pandangan dan canda
menyala di hati laksana bara api
seperti api yang bermula dari percikan
jika membesar ia kan membakar semua kayu."
Syu'bah meriwayatkan dari Abdul-Malik bin Umair, dia berkata, "Saya mendengar Mush'ab bin Sa''d berkata, 'Sa'd mengajarkan doa ini kepada kami dan dia menyebutkannya dari Nabi shallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam,
"Ya Allah, aku berlindung kepada-Mu dari cobaan wanita dan aku berlindung kepada-Mu dari siksa kubur."
[Diriwayatkan al-Khara'ithy di dalam I'tilalul-Qulub, sebagaimana yang dikatakan As-Suyuthy.]
"Tiga perkara, siapa yang tiga perkara itu ada padanya, maka dia mendapatkan manisnya iman, yaitu: Siapa yang Allah dan Rasul-Nya lebih dia cintai daripada selain keduanya, Siapa yang mencintai seseorang, dia tidak mencintainya melainkan kerana Allah, Siapa yang enggan kembali dalam kekufuran setelah Allah menyelamatkannya dari kekufuran itu, sebagaimana dia enggan untuk melemparkan ke dalam neraka."
[Diriwayatkan Al-Bukhary, Muslim, At-Tirmidzy dan An-Nasa'y]
Abdullah bin Ahmad berkata di dalam Kitabuz-Zuhd bagi bapaknya, kami diberitahu Abu Ma'mar, kami diberitahu Yusuf bin Athiyah, dari Tsabit, dari Anas bin Malik RadhiyAllahu 'Anhu, dia berkata, "Rasulullah shallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam bersabda,
"Kesenanganku dijadikan di dalam shalat dan aku dijadikan menyenangi wanita serta wewangian. Orang yang lapar bisa kenyang dan orang yang dahaga bisa minum sepuasnya. Sedangkan aku tidak kenyang kerana mencintai shalat dan wanita."
[Diriwayatkan An-Nasa'y, Ahmad, Al-Hakim dan Ath-Thabrany]
(Nota: Asal hadith ini ada dalam Shahih Muslim, tanpa tambahan "Orang yang lapar...")
...disebutkan perkataan Thawus dari Ibnu 'Abbas radhiyAllahu 'anhu, dari Nabi shallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, beliau bersabda,
"Tidak ada yang bisa dilihat (lebih indah oleh) orang-orang yang saling mencintai seperti halnya pernikahan."
[Ditukil dari kitab Cinta dan Rindu Menurut Al-Qur'an dan As-Sunnah oleh Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jauziyyah.]

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Used to continuously pray 2 rak'ahs until the imaam ascended the pulpit...


Used to continuously pray 2 rak'ahs until the imaam ascended the pulpit...
*Please appropriately reference this quote to: www.fatwa-online.com, thankyou!*
Concerning the Imaam of Hadeeth, the Shaykh - Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee (rahima-hullaah), it has been narrated by Sameer ibn Ameen az-Zuhayree:
"Whenever he entered the masjid on the day of Jumu'ah, he would pray 2 rak'ahs (naafilah) and continue to do so until the imaam ascended the pulpit."
Muhaddith al-'Asr Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee – Page 39

May Allaah beautify you with that which he has beautified the man...


May Allaah beautify you with that which he has beautified the man...
*Please appropriately reference this quote to: www.fatwa-online.com, thankyou!*
Concerning the Imaam of Hadeeth, the Shaykh - Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee (rahima-hullaah), and how much importance he placed on enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, it has been narrated by Sameer ibn Ameen az-Zuhayree:
"I was with him once while he was ill (hospitalised) when one of the doctors (who was clean-shaven) entered (the room).
After giving the Shaykh his medication he hastened to leave, saying:
"Pray for me O Shaykh".
So the Shaykh (rahima-hullaah) said:
"May Allaah beautify you with that which he has beautified the man"."
Muhaddith al-'Asr Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee – Page 30
..........
Translators note: It is understood that the Shaykh's supplication implied the seeking of Allaah's Guidance for this man to keep a beard (which is obligatory), wAllaahu A'lam.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

"Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen! Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen! Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen!..."


"Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen! Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen! Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen!..."
*Please appropriately reference this quote to: www.fatwa-online.com, thankyou!*
Concerning the Imaam, the Shaykh - Muhammad ibn Saalih al-'Uthaymeen (rahima-hullaah), it has been narrated:

"A member of the Da’wah and Guidance Centre in Jeddah narrates that during the hajj of 1416A.H, he was in the company of the Shaykh at King ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Airport in Jeddah surrounded by the pilgrims who were arriving for hajj.
Here, the Shaykh undertook that which was obligatory upon him by giving da’wah to the arriving pilgrims. A large group of Russian pilgrims arrived and the Shaykh wanted to offer some words (of da’wah) to them. So he asked if there was a translator amongst them. Then, the (Russian) guide for the group came forward not knowing this was Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen.
After completing the translation, the guide asked who the Shaykh was. He was told that it was Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen. At this, he turned to embrace the Shaykh kissing him (on his forehead) whilst crying. He then grabbed hold of the microphone and addressed all the members of his group that this was Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen. At this, tears began falling from the eyes of each and every member of the group, whilst the guide was repeatedly loudly calling out on the microphone “Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen! Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen! Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen!...”
The members of the group then came (forward) and conveyed their greetings to the Shaykh and kissed him (on his forehead).
The guide for the group then turned to the Shaykh and said:
“These are your students. They used to read your books in shelters under the ground during the Communist rule.”
al-Jaami’ li-Hayaat al-‘Allaamah Muhammed ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen – Page 38

Prolongation in the adhaan



Question:
What is the ruling on tatweel (prolongation) in the adhaan?
Answer:
(Regarding) prolongation in the adhaan, we do not know of any basis for this. Rather the Sunnah is that he gives the adhaan with the legislated adhaan in such a way that it be moderate.
And with Allaah is the tawfeeq. And may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and his Companions.
Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts
Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz
Shaykh `Abdullah bin Ghudayaan
Shaykh `Abdullaah bin Qu`ood
Shaykh `Abdur-Razzaaq al-`Afeefee
Question 2 from fatwa 4160 P62 volume 6 Fataawa of the Permanent Committee
Translated by Abu Abdir Rahmaan ibn Najam

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Concerning the Hadeeths ''Whoever Listens to a Female Singer'' And ''Music Makes Hypocrisy Grow''



Question:
I read in a Hadeeth that the Prophet (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, "Whoever listens to a female singer, then molten lead will he poured into his ears." And another Hadeeth: "Music makes hypocrisy grow in the heart just as water makes grass grow. Are these Hadeeths authentic? And what is the ruling regarding someone who hears singing in a car or in a gathering, when he does not have the ability to turn it off?
Answer:
Listening to a voice implies that one is listening carefully, concentrating on what he is listening to. So in the case of singing, listening to it implies that one is listening carefully and concentrating on it.

As for hearing, it could be on purpose, the same as listening carefully and concentrating, in which case it is also called listening, and the same judgements apply. On the other hand, hearing could occur without it happening on purpose, without concentrating on the voice, then it is not called listening and the judgements related to listening do not apply.
Accordingly, listening to what the questioner mentioned, different types of singing, is unlawful for anyone who concentrates on it. This is the case, be it a man, a woman, in the home, or not in the home, in the car, or in gatherings, large or small. It is the same, whenever one chooses to do so, and is inclined to participate in what is unlawful according to the Shari'ah.
Allaah Almighty said:
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا أُولَئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
"And of mankind is he who purchases idle talk (Lahwul-Hadeeth) to mislead men from the path of Allaah without knowledge, and takes it by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment." [Luqman 31:6]

The singing that the questioner mentioned is part of Lahwul-Hadeeth. It tempts heart, and it leads it to evil, taking it away from good, and causing people to waste their time. So because of this it falls under the general meaning of Lahwul-Hadeeth, it is the same for one singing and the one who listens to singing, all of them fall under the general category of purchasing Lahwul-Hadeeth and misleading others from the path of Allaah. So there is prohibition and a warning of a sever punishment for doing so.

Just as the prohibition of singing and listening to it is proven in the Qur'aan, so too has the Sunnah. The Prophet (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said,

ليكونن من أمتي أقوام يستحلون الحر والحرير والخمر والمعازف ولينزلن أقوام إلى جنب علم يروح عليه بسارحة لهم يأتيهم يعني الفقير لحاجة فيقولوا ارجع إلينا غدا فيبيتهم الله ويضع العلم ويمسخ آخرين قردة وخنازير إلى يوم القيامة
"There will be from my Nation a people who will deem fornication, silk (for men), alcohol, and music to be permissible; and there will be a people who will camp beside a high mountain, when a poor man passes by them and asks for a need, they will say to him, 'Return to us tomorrow.' In the morning Allaah will make the mountain fall upon them and the others (who are saved) are transformed into apes and pigs, until the Day of Judgement." (Al-Bukhari no. 5990)

Music is the use of instruments of Lahw, and part of this is singing and listening to it. So Allaah's Messenger (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) condemned those who seek to legalize fornication, the use of silk for men, drinking alcohol, and such entertainment instruments and listening to them. Here he accompanied music with other major sins. In the end of the Hadeeth he threatened those who do that with a punishment.

This shows that listening to music is unlawful. But a person is not sinning when he accidentally listens to music, such as a person who is walking in the street and hears music being played in stores, or in a car, as long as he does not desire to listen to it. Such a person is not sinning because he has no choice; however, he must advise and warn those who are playing the music, he must do so with wisdom and good exhortation. And should avoid as much as possible going to places where music is played, and Allaah does not place a burden on a soul greater than it can bear.

A group of scholars use authentic proofs and then follow that with narrations that have some weakness in their chains of narration, or from the view of proving the objective. There is nothing wrong in this because they mention these narrations as secondary, narrations to be reflected upon, but they depend entirely on authentic Hadeeth for proof. An example of this regarding singing and listening to it, where scholars first mention the authentic narrations and then mention narrations that are weak. Here are some examples of the weak narrations:
1) Al-Hakim At-Tirmithi related from Abu Musa Al-'Ashari that the Prophet (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said,

من استمع إلى صوت غناء لم يؤذن له أن يسمع الروحانيين
(قراء أهل الجنة)

"Whoever listens to the sound of singing will not be permitted to listen to the spirits in Paradise." (Kanzu 'Ummal no. 40660, 400666 and Qurtubi no. 14/53-54)

2) Ibn 'Asakir relates from Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Prophet (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said,

من استمع قينة صب في أذنيه الآنك يوم القيامة
"Whoever listens to a female singer, molten lead will be poured into his ears on the Day of Judgement." (Dha'ifu-Jami' As-Saghir Lil-Albani no. 5410 and Ad-Dha'ifah no. 4549)
3) In Thamm Al-Malahi Ibn Abi Ad-Dunya' relates from Ibn Mas'ud a saying of the Prophet:

الغناء ينبت النفاق في القلب كما ينبت الماء البقل
"Singing makes hypocrisy to grow in the heart like water makes herbs grow." (Al-Baihaqi 10/223 and Abu Dawud no. 4927)

4) Al-Bayhaqi related from Jabir, may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Prophet (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said,

الغناء ينبت النفاق في القلب كما ينبت الماء الزرع
"Singing makes hypocrisy to grow in the heart like water makes plants grow." (Shua'bul-Iman no. 5100)
All of these Hadeeths are weak, but just because they are weak doesn't affect the ruling on singing and on listening to singing; both are unlawful because of other authentic proofs from the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. And with Allaah is the facilitation to do what is right.

Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts

Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 7, Pages 188-189, DARUSSALAM
Note: Music is nevertheless haram as explained by the Salafee mashaayikh. For more information, read the book "Singing and Music in the Light of the Qur'an and the Sunnah" by Abu Bilal Mustafa al-Kanadi or click onto the following link: http://members.tripod.com/oum_abdulaziz/music.html

Sheikh Ahmed an Najmee declares Saddam Hussain a Muslim!


The following is an extracted from an email from Akh Talha Shahid who received the email from Authentic Statements:
From: Authentic Statements General Announcments <info@authenticstate ments.com >
Date: Jan 7, 2007 12:16 PM
Subject: Sheikh Ahmed an Najmee declares Saddam Hussain a Muslim!
To: (Akh Talha Shahid's email has been removed. To contact him, please refer to his blog: www.puresalaf.blogspot.com)
Al-Hamdulillaah was-Salaatu was-Salaamu 'alaa Rasoolillaah,
Sheikh Ahmed an Najmee declares Saddam Hussain a Muslim!
This question was presented to Sheikh Ahmed an Najmee concerning SaddamHussain on Saturday the 18th of Dhul Hijjah/ 6th January, 2006.
It reads:
Many questions have been asked concerning Saddam Hussain and the position ofthe Muslim with regards to him, (and the fact that) he declared theshahadatan (declaration of Islam) as was seen (video recording), and other than that. (The question is) what is the (correct) position of the studentof knowledge in this matter, and should one send peace upon him or not?
The Sheik responded:
All praise is for Allah, and may much peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, and upon (the Messenger's) family and companions.In reality, the belief of the communist is a disbelieving belief. I haveread what Saddam did in Iraq from the spilling of blood (killing) and the closing of the masajid from the worshippers and forbidding them fromentering them, as well as the spreading of evil and other than that ofaffairs that took place from him. There is no doubt that these sort of actions are disbelief because the communist belief is disbelief. But thefact that he was jailed for an extended period of time and he declared theshahadatan (declaration of Islam) before being hung at the time of his death, based on that, we declare him to be a Muslim and we leave his affairto Allah -Aza wa Jel. We also say that there is no harm in praying over him.If a person is a student of knowledge in a land where the ruler orders prayer to be performed (janazah prayer performed in a distant land) overhim, than a person should pray over him and leave his (Saddam's) affair to Allah.

Friday, January 05, 2007

Praying the Tahiyyatul-Masjid whilst the adhaan for Jumu'ah is being called


Praying the Tahiyyatul-Masjid whilst the adhaan for Jumu'ah is being called
*Please appropriately reference this fatwa to: www.fatwa-online.com, thankyou!*


Question: Should he pray the Tahiyyatul-Masjid (2 rak'ah prayer) when he enters the masjid whilst the adhaan for Jumu'ah is being called?

Response: Yes. If a Muslim enters the masjid whilst the adhaan for Jumu'ah is being called, then he should pray the Tahiyyatul-Masjid and not wait until the mu.adhdhin has finished (calling the adhaan).


Shaykh 'Abdur-Razzaaq 'Afeefee
Fataawa wa Rasaa.il Shaykh 'Abdur-Razzaaq 'Afeefee - Page 404, Fatwa No.7

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Saudi Prison Director Disputes Conflicting Human Rights Watch Statements

26/12/2006

By Turki Al-Saheil


Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat- Members of the US Human Rights Watch delegation (HRW) that concluded its mission in Saudi Arabia last week made conflicting statements to the press regarding the way in which Saudi authorities dealt with the delegation during its visits to the country's prisons and detention centers.

Hassan al-Masri, a member of the delegation, said in remarks that were carried by the local media that Saudi authorities had allowed the delegation to visit Al-Ha'ir prison and speak with the detainees with complete freedom.

In contrast the Executive Director of the HRW Kenneth Roth claimed in a statement posted on the organization's website, that Saudi "authorities allowed the delegation members to visit only one wing of the prison and prevented them from making a second visit to it."

The inconsistency between the two statements made by the two HRW officials is evident. Al-Masri said that the delegation's visit to the prison lasted for five hours, during which they were able to tour all its sections and to speak with the prisoners in private and with total freedom, while their online statement that the Saudi authorities allowed the delegation to visit a small number of prisoners in one single wing, the one that was best maintained.

The Human Rights Watch delegation has ended its Three week visit to Saudi Arabia.

Commenting on the conflicting statements, Maj Gen Dr Ali al-Harithi, director of Saudi prisons, rejected the HRW's claims that the authorities refused to allow the delegation to visit the prisons and detention centers.

"Naturally we did not prevent them from carrying out their mission," Al-Harithi told Asharq al-Awsat. "The delegation visited Al-Ha'ir jail on its members' request. They were able to meet with the detainees in private. They also visited the solitary detention wing." He added.

Al-Harithi was also disappointed by the delegations refusal to provide his office with their assessment of the Al-Ha'ir jail. "We asked the delegation members to provide us with their impressions they got during their visit to this prison, but they declined."

Al-Harithi expressed astonishment that the human rights delegation refused to express its opinions openly. He said that he would have liked the persons in charge of the prison to learn from the human rights delegation's assessment in order to have a discussion between the two sides and learn of their observations.

The director of Saudi prisons explained that his office staff sought to make the Human Rights Watch delegation members feel that the task they were carrying out was a commendable humanitarian action. He remarked: "In this country we are closer to human rights than they are."

He added that his office has taken note of certain negative aspects in the country's prisons and corrected them, proceeding from the wish to provide a suitable environment for all prisoners.

[Extracted from: http://www.asharqalawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=7451]

Sunday, December 31, 2006

Takbir Pada Hari Raya 'Ied


[Ditukil daripada kitab Meneladani Rasulullah shallAllaahu 'alaihi wa sallam dalam Berhari Raya tulisan Syaikh 'Ali Hasan bin 'Ali al-Halabi al-Atsari, terbitan Pustaka Imam Asy-Syafi'i. Judul asli: Ahkaamul 'Iedain fis Sunnah al-Muthahharah, terbitan Daar Ibnu Hazm, Bairut, Libanon]
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala berfirman:
وَلِتُكْمِلُواْ الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ اللّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
"Dan hendaklah kalian mencukupkan bilangannya dan hendaklah kalian mengagungkan Allah atas petunjuk-Nya yang diberikan kepadamu, supaya kalian bersyukur." (QS. Al-Baqarah: 185)
Telah tetap suatu riwayat bahwa Nabi shallAllaahu 'alaihi wa sallam biasa berangkat menunaikan shalat pada hari raya 'Ied, lalu beliau bertakbir hingga sampai di tempat pelaksanaan shalat, bahkan sampai shalat akan dilaksanakan. Dan jika shalat dilaksanakan, beliau menghentikan bacaan takbir. [1]
Seorang ahli hadits, al-Albani mengemukakan: "Di dalam hadits tersebut terkandung dalil yang menunjukkan disyari'atkannya apa yang dikerjakan oleh kaum muslimin berupa takbir dengan suara lantang selama dalam perjalanan menuju ke tempat pelaksanaan shalat (tanah lapang), meskipun banyak dari mereka mulai meremehkan Sunnah ini."
Dan pada kesempatan yang baik ini, perlu juga diingatkan bahwa bertakbir dengan suara keras tidaklah disyari'atkan secara bersama-sama dengan satu suara (koor), sebagaimana yang dilakukan oleh sebahagian orang. Demikian juga setiap dzikir yang disyariatkan untuk membacanya dengan suara keras mahupun tidak, maka tidak disyari'atkan untuk dilakukan dengan bersama-sama seperti yang telah disebutkan tadi. Hendaklah kita berhati-hati untuk tidak melakukan hal tersebut. [2] Dan hendaklah kita senantiasa mengarahkan pandangan kita kepada keyakinan bahwa sebaik-baik petunjuk adalah petunjuk Muhammad shallAllaahu 'alaihi wa sallam.
Syaikhul Islam Ibnu Taimiyyah rahimahullah pernah ditanya tentang waktu pelaksanaan takbir pada shalat 'Iedul Fithri dan 'Iedul Adh-ha, maka ida pun memberikan jawapan: "Segala puji hanya bagi Allah, pendapat yang benar mengenai pelaksanaan takbir ini dan yang menjadi pendapat Jumhur (mayoritas) ulama salaf dan fuqaha (para ahli fiqih) dari kalangan Sahabat dan Tabi'in adalah bertakbir dari waktu fajar pada hari 'Arafah sampai akhir hari Tasyriq, setiap kali selesai shalat. Dan disyari'atkan bagi setiap orang untuk membaca takbir denga suara lantang pada saat berangkat menuju tempat shalat 'Ied. Yang demikian itu dengan kesepakatan empat imam madzhab." [3]
Penulis katakan: "Pendapat Ibnu Taimiyyah rahimahullaah yang menyebutkan: 'Setiap kai selesai shalat,' -secara khusus- adalah tidak berdalil sama sekali, dan yang benar adalah setiap waktu, tanpa adanya pengkhususan."
Dan hal tersebut diperkuat oleh apa yang dikemukakan oleh Imam al-Bukhari di dalam kitab al-Iidain dari kitab Shahihnya (II / 461), bab Bertakbir Pada Seluruh Hari di Mina (hari-hari Tasyriiq) dan Apabila Menuju 'Arafah.
'Umar radhiyAllaahu 'anhu biasa bertakbir di kemahnya di Mina sehingga terdengar oleh orang-orang yang hadir di masjid lalu mereka pun bertakbir. Juga orang-orang yang sedang berada di pasar ikut bertakbir sehingga Mina bergemuruh oleh bacaan takbir.
Dan Ibnu 'Umar juga bertakbir di Mina pada hari-hari tersebut, setelah selesai shalat, di atas tempat tidur, lantai, tempat duduk, dan dalam perjalanannya selama hari-hari itu.
Maimunah juga bertakbir pada hari raya kurban. Dan kaum wanita pun ikut bertakbir di belakang Abbas bin 'Utsman dan 'Umar bin 'Abdil 'Aziz selama malam-malam hari Tasriq bersama kaum pria di masjid.
Dan Ibnu 'Umar jika berangkat ke tanah lapang pada hari raya 'Iedul Fithri dan 'Iedul Adh-ha membaca takbir dengan suara lantang sehingga sampai di tempat pelaksanaan shalat, dan kemudian bertakbir sampai imam datang. [4]
Sebatas pengetahuan saya (penulis), tidak ada satu hadits Nabi pun yang shahih dalam menjelaskan sifat takbir. Akan tetapi ada riwayat dari sebagian Sahabat Nabi shallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam, seperti Ibnu Mas'ud radhiyAllaahu 'anhu pernah mengucapkan:
الله أكبر الله أكبر, لا إله إلا الله والله أكبر, الله أكبر ولله الحمد
"Allah Mahabesar, Allah Mahabesar, tidak ada ilah yang berhak diibadahi kecuali hanya Allah semata. Dan Allah Mahabesar, Allah Mahbesar, dan segala puji hanya bagi Allah." [5]
Ibnu 'Abbas juga pernah mengucapkan:
الله أكبر الله أكبر, الله أكبر ولله الحمد, الله أكبر وأجَلَّ, الله أكبر على ما هدانا
"Allah Mahabesar, Allah Mahabesar, Allah Mahabesar, segala puji hanya bagi Allah. Allah Mahabesar lagi Mahaagung. Dan Allah Mahabesar atas petunjuk yang telah diberikan kepada kita." [6]
Dan diriwayatkan oleh Abdurrazzaq [7] yang di antara jalannya terdapat pada al-Baihaqi di dalam kitab as-Sunan al-Kubraa (III / 316), dengan sanad shahih dari Salman al-Khair radhiyAllaahu 'anhu, dia mengatakan:
كَبِِِّرُوْا الله: الله أكبر, الله أكبر, الله أكبر كبيرًا
"Agungkanlah Allah dengan menyebut: Allah Mahabesar, Allah Mahabesar, Allah Mahabesar."
Cukup banyak orang awam yang menyalahi dzikir yang bersumber dari kaum Salaf, dengan membaca dzikir-dzikir lain, melakukan penambahan, serta membuat lafazh-lafazh baru yang tidak memiliki dasar sama sekali. Sehingga al-Hafizh Ibnu Hajar rahimahullaah mengatakan di dalam kitabnya, Fat-hul Baari (II / 536): "Dan pada zaman sekarang ini telah terjadi penambahan [8] dalam hal takbir tersebut yang tidak memiliki dasar sama sekali."
_____________
Nota kaki:
[1] HR. Ibnu Abi Syaibah di dalam kitab al-Mushannaf, dan al-Mahamili di dalam kitab Shalaatul 'Iidain, dengan sanad yang sahih, tetapi berstatus mursal. Akan tetapi ia memiliki beberapa syahid (penguat) yang memperkuatnya. Lihat di dalam kitab Silsilah al-Ahaadits ash-Shahiihah (170). Dan permulaan takbir pada hari raya 'Ied adalah waktu berangkat ke tempat pelaksanaan shalat (tanah lapang).
[2] Silsilatul al-Ahaadtis ash-Shahiihah (I/121). Syaikh al-'Allamah Hamud at-Tuwaijiri rahimahullah memiliki satu risalah khusus mengenai penolakan takbir yang dibaca secara bersama-sama dan telah dicetak.
[3] Majmuu' al-Fataawaa (XXIV / 220). Lihat juga kitab Subulus Salaam (II / 71-72).
[4] HR. Ad-Daruquthni, Ibnu Abi Syaibah dan lain-lainnya, dengan sanad shahih. Lihat juga kitab Irwaa-ul Ghaliil (650).
[5] HR. Ibnu Abi Syaibah (II / 168) dengan sanad shahih.
[6] HR. Al-Baihaqi (III / 315) dan sanad shahih.
[7] Dan saya (penulis) tidak mendapatkannya di dalam Mushannaf-nya.
[8] Bahkan tambahan yang sangat banyak sekali.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Why Grow a Beard?


"If God had wanted you to have a hairless chin, He would have given you one." (Marvin Grosswirth)[82]

"He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man." (Willian Shakespear (1564-1616) Much Ado About Nothing, act 2, sc.1)

[Extracted from Growing a Beard: In Light of the Qur'an,Sunnah and modern Science by Dr. Gohar Mushtaq.]


_________________
Footnotes:
[82] Grosswirth, Marvin, The Art of Growing a Beard (New York: Jarrow Press, Inc., 1971)

Friday, December 08, 2006

A Pakistani Cricket Player and his Beard


The name of Saeed Anwar in the history of Pakistan's cricket team will not easily be forgotten; he was one of the most prolific of those to make runs. Saeed Anwar surprised the cricket world in 2001 when "he turned up with a long, thick beard in a sport dominated by men who are clean-shaven."[97]

Saeed Anwar, a computer engineer by profession, used to be a materialist until September 2001 when his daughter, Bisma, died. That changed his whole outlook on life. He realised the temporary nature of this world.

In an interview, when he was asked about the initial reaction of cricket players on his appearing at the cricket ground with a beard, he said:

"People were very surprised to see me. But I was numb with pain because only recently, I had lost my daughter Bisma. I did not like anything. I felt very empty but I was surprised by people's reaction. They came up to me and started asking me about the beard, about who I was.

Also, I was respected more than ever before. Australian cricketers are famous for their rudeness and bad language. On a tour last June, the fast bowler Glenn McGrath collided with me.

Normally he would hurl some abuse at me but instead he put his arms around my shoulders, and said, 'It's my fault. I'm sorry.'

The beard has had a strange spiritual effect on me which I cannot describe. When you wear a sweater, it gives you warmth inside. Also, my beard has affected the people around me. They never utter a filthy word in my presence. So my five senses are protected from exposure to bad things."[98]

[Taken from the book, "Growing a Beard: In Light of the Qur'an, Sunnah and Modern Science" by Dr. Gohar Mushtaq.]


____________________
Footnotes:
[97] Khan, Sameem (16 January 2003). "Saeed Anwar: 'It is all from Allah'." Arab News. www.arabnews.com

[98] Ibid.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Why Lincoln Grew a Beard


A young girl wrote a Letter to Lincoln persuading him to grow his beard since it would increase his popularity with the public

Today, when we think of Abraham Lincoln, immediately an image of Lincoln wearing a beard appears. However, for many years, Lincoln did not allow his beard to grow. Members of his own political party suggested to him to allow it to grow because they were afraid of his gangling appearance.

However, a young girl convinced Lincoln to grow his beard. The name of that eleven year old girl was Grace Bedell. She was from Westfield, a village in New York state.

Grace admired Lincoln but when her father brought a picture of Lincoln home during the election campaign of 1860, she was frightened by the grotesque, clean-shaven appearance of Lincoln with is crooked jaw-line. Since she was worried about Lincoln's look, she wrote him the following letter. It inspired Lincoln to grow his beard:

"I hope you won't think me bold to write to such a great man as you are but want that you should be the President of the United States very much. I have got four brothers and part of them will vote for you anyway [since they were Republicans], and if you will let your whiskers [beard] grow, I will try to get the rest of them to vote for you. You would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you and then you would be President."[103]

Lincoln replied to Grace and thanked her for the suggestion but stated that it might be regarded as unwise since he had never before grown his beard. Nevertheless, Lincoln acted upon the advice of Grace Bedell, began to grow his beard and a few weeks afterwards he won the election.

The following February when he went from Illinois to Washington for his inauguration, he stopped at the village of Westfield, New York. When Lincoln came out of his train, he addressed the cheering crowd and told them that a young girl from the town had sent him an inspiring letter. Lincoln further said:

"She asked me to let my whiskers grow, as it would improve my personal appearance. Acting upon her suggestion, I have done so. And now, if she is here, I would like to see her."[104]

After saying this, Lincoln stepped down from the train and went into the crowd where Grace was standing and thanked her for the advice she had given him to grow his beard. The bearded image of Lincoln proved important in the years to come when there was a bloody civil war. The Americans regarded their leader not as a rough, beardless leader but as a statesman whom they called "Father Abraham".[105]

[Taken from the book, "Growing a Beard: In Light of the Qur'an, Sunnah and Modern Science" by Dr. Gohar Mushtaq.]


______________________
Footnotes:
[103] Holzer, Harold (1989). "Why Lincoln Grew a Beard". Cobblestone 10(1): 14 - 15

[104] Ibid.

[105] Holzer, Harold (1989). "Why Lincoln Grew a Beard". Cobblestone 10(1): 14-15

Reflections of an American Muslim about his beard


Dr. Shahid Athar, an American Muslim, in narrating the story of his beard, writes that twenty years ago when he came back to the USA, he was surprised to observe that many non-Muslims, including musicians, hippies, and even intellectual professors, had beards.[100] Therefore, he decided to grow his beard but later shaved it off. when one of his old patients saw him, he said to him:

"Doc! You look naked without your beard."

Dr. Athar writes that he did feel naked. Finally, Dr. Athar decided to grow his beard again as a result of a question which he asked himself: "How do I want to look when I am being laid to rest in the earth."[101]

Dr. Athar writes: "I looked at my former picture and the mirror and the answer was obvious. I am fully clothed now!"[102]

[Taken from the book, "Growing a Beard: In Light of the Qur'an, Sunnah and Modern Science" by Dr. Gohar Mushtaq.]


______________
Footnotes:
[100] Athar, Shahid, M.D. The Story of My Beard. http:www.kuwaitonline.com/islam/story/tsomb.htm

[101] Ibid.

[102] Ibid.

Logic on the Importance of the Beard


The Logic Used by Imam Farahi to convince Shaykh Islahi about the Importance of the Beard

Once Imam Hameed ud-din Farahi was trying to convince Shaykh Ameed Ahsan Islahi about the importance of the beard. Shaykh Islahi argued that the beard does not hold a pivotal position in Islam. Imam Farahi explained to him the meanings of the traditions of the Prophet sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam about allowing the beard to grow. When Imam Farahi felt that Shaykh Islahi was still not convinced, he said to him:

"Let's suppose that the beard does not hold an important position in Islam. But can you deny the fact that this small thing informs you of big things."

Shaykh Islahi asked: "How?" Imam Farahi replied:

"Just as throwing a pinch of ashes in the air tells us about the direction of such a huge thing as the wind, similarly, based on the presence or absence of the beard on a Muslim's face, we learn whetehr that Muslim has an inclination towards Islam or not."

When Shaykh Islahi heard this reply, he was convinced and became silent. He afterwards wrote:

"As far as a Muslim is concerned, the beard serves as a barometer for the preferences and predilection of his heart for Islam. Based on that there is no doubt that the beard holds a very important position in Islam and it deserves that position."[99]

[Taken from the book, "Growing a Beard: In Light of the Qur'an, Sunnah and Modern Science" by Dr. Gohar Mushtaq.]

______________________
Footnotes:
[99] Sheikh Ameen Ahsan Islahi, Biography of Imam Faraahi quoted in Faraahi, Hameed-ud-din, Majmooa Tafaaseer Faraahi (Lahore, Faraan Foundation, 1991)

Monday, November 13, 2006

The Intention for the Prayer



The Intention for the Prayer: By Shaykh Nassir ud-Deen Al-Albaanee

Articles - Acts Of Worship
Written by Administrator
Tuesday, 07 November 2006


The Intention for the Prayer
Taken from the
'Original Sifat as-Salah
'By Shaykh Muhadith
Muhammad Nasir- Deen Al-Albaani

At-Takbeer

Then the Messenger - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – used to begin the prayer by saying: 'Allaahu Akbar.'
__________________________________
In this is an indication that the Messenger - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – never used to say anything before the Takbeer, like pronouncing the Niyyah (intention).

Like some people say: 'I have intended to pray for Allaah Ta'ala so many Rakat facing the Qiblah….....' to the end of what is well-known amongst many of the people!

All of that is Bida'; it has no foundation in the Sunnah. This is something which the scholars are in agreement about.

It was not narrated on anyone of the Companions, nor did one of the Tabieen regard it as appropriate. Nor did any of the four Mujtahid Imaams. But rather it was mentioned by some of the companions of Imaam Shafi'ee, when he said about the Hajj:

'It is not necessary for the one who enters into the state of Ihraam and makes his intention with his heart, that he mentions it with his tongue. Not like the prayer which is not correct except by an utterance.'

Ar-Raafi'ee said in 'Sharh al-Wajeez' (3/263):

'The majority - i.e. From the scholars of the Shafi'eeyah - said: that Imaam Shafi'ee - may Allaah have mercy on him- did not intend by his statement the pronunciation of the intention with an utterance, rather he intended pronouncing the Takbeer; since the prayer is begun by this, and in the Hajj a person can become Muhrim without pronouncing the intention.' It is similarly mentioned in 'al-Majmoo' 3/276-277

Indeed he has indicated this in 'al-Muhadhib' by saying: 'And from amongst our companions there are those who say: Make an intention with the heart, and an utterance with the tongue. This is nothing since the Niyyah is the intent with the heart.

'Allaama Shaykh muwafiq ad-Deen Ibn Qudamaah al-Maqdasee said in his book 'Dhum al-Moowasweseen' p.7:

'Know, may Allaah have mercy on you, that the Niyyah is the intent and decision to do an action and its place is the heart. It has no connection with the tongue.

It has not been narrated on the authority of the Prophet - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – nor his Companions that they uttered the Niyyah in any situation.

These types of worship are ones which have been innovated at the beginning of purification and prayer, are not derived from the principles of worship.

So, the Niyyah is the intent of performing an action. Therefore, everyone who is decided on performing an action, then he has an intention. And everyone who aims to perform an action, then he has an intention. It is inconceivable to separate the intent from the Niyyah, because that is its true nature. So, the absence of the Niyyah is inconceivable when it is present.

Therefore, the one who sits to perform Wudu, then he has indeed intended to perform Wudu. The one who stands to pray, then he has indeed intended the prayer. An intelligent person will not perform an action from his worship or any other action without an intention (Niyyah). So, the Niyyah is a matter which is inherent in actions which a person intends, and the Niyyah is not something that needs to tire a person out, nor does he need to acquire it since it is inherent.' summarised.

So, if you know that it was not from the guidance of the Salaf as-Salih to pronounce the Niyyah; then it is obligatory upon you to follow them; since they are the example.

All good is in following the Salaf

And all evil is in the innovating of the Khalaf

Taken from the Original Sifat as-Salah vol 1 p.175-176
Translated by: Abass Abu Yahya

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 07 November 2006 )

[Extracted from http://www.minhaj-us-sunnah.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=102&Itemid=2]

Monday, November 06, 2006

Shaikh al-Albaanee on Jihad



Jihad in the Quran and Sunnah
Shaikh al-Albaanee on Jihad
Author: Shaikh al-Albaanee

Article ID : IBD170003


The following is a translation from 'Fataawaa al-Albaanee' (a transcription of some of the cassettes of the shaikh) when the shaikh was asked his opinion on jihaad.

The Answer:

"With respect to Jihad, O my brother, in this time and before this time it is fard ayn, because the problem at hand is not a problem of Bosnia (alone) which has again moved the emotions of the muslim youth. For here we have neighbouring us, the Jews who have occupied Palestine, and not a single Islamic country has moved to establish the obligation of making Jihad with them, and evicting them and throwing them in the sea, as some of or one of the presidents of the Islamic lands used to say.

And the point is that Jihad is fard ayn, because many of the muslim lands have been occupied in the past and the present by the kuffaar. And the likes of this occupation is not hidden from the muslim who concerns himself with the affairs of the muslims, not to speak of the Islamic groups or Islamic sects or Islamic lands.

But Jihad has pillars and conditions, and we - the group of muslim scholars - believe that the obligatory Jihad is only obligatory upon those muslims who would help one another to establish what Allaah has obligated upon them from the jihad against the kuffaar, and evicting them from the lands they have occupied.

And we do not need now to relate the evidences from the Book and Sunnah, for this point has no difference of opinion over it between the scholars - that jihad is fard ayn when an area of the muslim land is occupied, so how about when the occupation has occurred in many lands?!

But, unfortunately I wish to say that this jihad which is fard - rather fard ayn - is not possible to be established by individuals as occurs in the question, rather not even by some of the Islamic groups. Because the likes of this jihad, especially in our times in which the means of fighting have become many, is not possible to be established by the Islamic groups not to speak of individuals! But the obligation is upon the countries, and those Islamic countries that have the strength to prepare for war, and the means of modern day warfare, by which if they gathered together sincerely for this jihad they would establish the fard ayn. But, very unfortunately, these countries have not moved a limb to establish this.

So maybe they refer the matter of this jihad to the various Islamic groups and sects, while these are not capable of doing anything to stop the advance/attack of the kuffaar. And the current affairs bear witness to the fact that any Islamic group that tries, either to fight the aggressor as occurred in Afghanistan for example, or by revolting against the ruler whose kufr has become clear, like in Algeria for example - then these unfortunate occurrences indicate that the individual jihad or group jihad does not produce the expected fruit, and that is that the Word of Allaah be made supreme.

So therefore, we believe that this Jihad is not possible except under an Islamic authority firstly, and under an Islamic group comprising of people from different lands, not just one land or one region.

And add to this the necessity that taqwa of Allaah be present, by staying away from what Allaah has prohibited from the matters that are well known amongst the muslims, but unfortunately they are very far from putting into practice.

And we have mentioned - and I am trying to summarise my words as much as possible - many times that what has befallen the muslims today, this humiliation and abasement/ignominy that has not been known in the history of Islaam at all, is that the muslims have misapplied, at the very least, one verse of the Quraan....and that is the saying of Allaah, "if you help Allaah, Allaah will Help you."

And there is no doubt that this Help of the muslims from Allaah, is Help in making the Laws of the Shariah an observable reality, and this unfortunately is not realised in the majority of the Islamic lands, or in the muslim individuals. And those amongst the muslim lands that do have some remnants of ruling by the Law of Allaah have not, uptil now proclaimed the call to Jihaad.

And due to this the muslim individuals and nations will remain weak as long as none of the Islamic lands lift the flag of Jihad, and that Jihad which calls for fighting those nearest them, not those that are far far away. For the muslims, with their lands, and groups, and sects, and as individuals, if they cannot establish Jihad with those that neighbour them or are close to them then they are not capable of making Jihad with those that are distant from them....for example Eritrea, ,Somalia, Bosnia and Cechnya.

And due to this we mention now, that it is upon the Muslim youth as individuals and groups and sects that they spread the correct Islamic awareness in the lands firstly, and then in the rulers secondly - and that (correct understanding) is that all of these people rule by what Allaah has revealed.

The ruler that he rules by what Allaah has revealed and ordered. The individual that he rules by what Allaah has revealed... I know that today many of the individuals, and groups and sects, throw the responsibilty (of the state of affairs) onto the rulers only, while in my certain belief the responsibility equally falls upon these individuals, groups and sects, as it falls upon these rulers! This is because these governments arose from the lands of these muslims.....these muslims who were addressed by two hadeeth from the Messenger (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) ....the first his (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) saying, 'when you deal with interest, and hold fast to the tail of the cow, and become contented with agriculture, and you leave Jihad in the Way of Allaah, Allaah will permit your humiliation and will not lift it from you until you return to your deen.'

And the second hadeeth, his (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) saying, '"the nations summon each other upon you as you call guests to eat from a plate of food", they said , "will we be few in number on that day O Messenger of Allaah?" He said, "no rather you will be many on that day, but you will be like the foam on the ocean. And Allaah will remove the fear in the hearts of your enemies and place in your hearts al-wahn". They said, "what is al-wahn O Messenger of Allaah?" He said, "love of this world and hatred of death."'

And these occurrences which are mentioned by the Messenger (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) in this hadeeth have now occurred in every muslim society, and they are from the clear afflictions that necessitate the descent of this humiliation upon the muslims until the hearts of the rulers, and individuals become totally covered in black (due to their sins).

The muslim lands do not rule by what Allaah revealed, and if there is one amongst them that does (claim to) rule by what Allaah revealed, then the first clear indication that it does not rule by what Allaah revealed is that it does not raise the call for Jihad.

So if this time is not the time in which Jihad in the Way of Allaah does not become obligatory, and many of the muslims lands have been occupied, then when will this Jihad become obligatory?

But the problem - and this is the heart of the matter - is that there is no one amongst us who is capable of undertaking (this jihad), why?.....Because we are drowning in sins, and drowning in sectarian differences and national differences, and we know that one of the doorways to weakness and defeat is that the muslims differ amongst themselves.

And we have been tried recently with a very sad trial, and that is the Afghani Jihad, where we were hoping that its endpoint would be victory for the muslims, and there were strong signs for placing the seed of the Islamic state. Then the end and result turned out to be totally opposite (to what was hoped) due to the early signs of victory over the enemy, the communists (shuyuiyyeen), diminished when the differences between the tribes made them split into seven groups, and their Islam which they took as deen did not prevent them from doing this, and our Lord says, "and do not be from the mushriks. From those that split their deen and became sects, each sect rejoicing in what it has."

Therefore, it is upon the one who desires to go on Jihad that he gets the means of jihad, and the means of aquiring victory, and that is not realisable in our times unfortunately. And Allaah says in the Noble Quran, "indeed Allaah will not change the state of a people until they change what is in themselves."

Therefore we call the Muslim individuals, and groups and sects, not to speak of the governments that they concern themselves by spreading the purified, authentic Islam, purified from every spurious element that has entered it with the passing of time, and then bring up the muslims on this purified Islaam.

The day when these signs begin, and become clear in this vast Islamic land, that day shall the signs of getting ready to establish this fard ayn Jihaad begin.

These anxious individuals that go to many of the muslim lands invaded/attacked by the kuffaar like Bosnia and Chechnya for example..... what are the weapons that they have with them? who are the leaders who can discipline them and make them fight under one authority and under one flag? So if there was a single authority then we would see the (fruits) of the Jihad as we saw them in Afghanistan (i.e victory over the aggressor).

Therefore Allaah says, "and prepare for them what you can from stength and weapons to strike fear into the hearts of the enemies of Allaah and your enemies".

Where is this preparation?! And who is the one capable of this preparation? The individual?! No, the governments?...yes the governments, and it is possible for us to say that they do establish a small amount of this preperation.....but this preparation is taken from their enemies..... so if there was a jihad established between the kaafir and muslims, then soon these muslims would not be capable of supplying their armies with the necessary weapons except by buying them from their enemies.

So can their be victory and Jihad by buying weapons from the enemies of the muslims?!

This is impossible, and due to this, this preparation ordered us, cannot be established even by the Islamic countries, because the Islamic countries buy their weapons of destruction from their enemies and aggreviated states. And there are ways of making these weapons malfunction when they (the muslims) intend to use then against the kaafir enemy. And due to this I say, and I finish my words and reply upon this question that Allaah, when He said, "And prepare for them what you can...." this address was to the Companions of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) , then the address is directed to the generality of muslims due to the generality of the text. But this address was directed to the Sahaabah after they were brought up on the authentic Islamic upbringing until it was possible for them to establish the likes of this address - preparing the worldly might after preparing the spiritual might in themselves or with themselves, due to the upbringing they went through at the hands of their Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) .

And history repeats itself.....So there has to be an upbringing of a nation from the Islamic nations so that is may be possible for this nation to establish this worldly preparedness, and we today do not find a nation that has established this obligation which we can depict in two words: tasfiyyah (correction) and tarbiyyah (education/cultivation).

(Rather) we see us as scattered individuals here and there. And if there were a group, and over this group a leader who has the allegiance of all the muslims, and he raises the flag of Jihad against the enemies: this has not happened yet, and due to this we call for the existence of this introduction/predicate to this holy Jihaad.

And as for running (of these people) behind emotions when the spiritual jihad has not even been realised in them - and that is the correct understanding of Islaam, and applying it collectively, and that there be over them a leader after that, and he enjoins them to prepare what they can from strength and weapons: So the day we see the likes of this, that day the muslims will rejoice in the victory of Allaah, and Allaah Helps whom He Wills. This is my answer to your question."

Beautiful statement of al-Imaam 'Umar ibn 'Abdil-'Azeez



'Umar bin 'Abdil-'Azeez rahimahullaah said:

Become a scholar if you are able. If you are not able, then be a student. If you can not, then show love for them. If you are unable to do that, then (at least) do not hate them.

Collected by Ibn Abdil-Barr in Jaami'u Bayaanil-'Ilmi wa Fadlihi( #143)

Friday, November 03, 2006

Chicken Rice and Shark...


It was raining when the khaatib was delivering the Friday sermon. It continued to rain heavily even after the Friday prayers. SubhaanAllaah...

There's a saying among the Malays, "Hujan itu rahmat (dari Allah)." [Rain is a mercy (from Allaah).]

Hmm.. Perhaps Allaah sent the rain to clear the air from the haze.. Wallaahu a'lam.

Nevertheless, the rain has always been a mercy and a ni'mah (blessing) from Allaah 'Azza wa Jalla. Other than providing a cool weather after a few hot days, it is the rain that enables the growth of plants and vegetation.

وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ الْمُعْصِرَاتِ مَاء ثَجَّاجًا
And have sent down from the rainy clouds abundant water. (An-Naba 78:14)

لِنُخْرِجَ بِهِ حَبًّا وَنَبَاتًا
That We may produce therewith corn and vegetations, (An-Naba 78:15)

وَجَنَّاتٍ أَلْفَافًا
And gardens of thick growth. (An-Naba 78:16)


SubhaanAllaah..

فَبِأَيِّ آلَاء رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ
Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny? (Ar-Rahman 55:13)

After the rain subsided, I went to a hawker centre to have my lunch.

Rex Nasi Ayam (Chicken Rice) is indeed delicious [though it definitely cannot compete with Evertop's Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice (at Tanglin Halt)].

It's been quite some time since I last at the chicken rice, it is as though I'm craving for it.

As I took a sip of the soup, Maashaa-Allaah.. it's really tasty that I can be satisfied just by having the soup alone..

Then, followed by the chicken and rice.. Yummy.. the softness of the chicken, especially the skin.. (I know it's not healthy to eat the skin but it's irresistable..)

To supplement it, along with it I had Shark (Redbull's cousin.. hehe..) Maashaa-Allaah.. Such deep taste..

As I was enjoying the savour in my mouth, it suddenly striked my mind how a great ni'mah it was..

Yes, delicious and tasty food is a great ni'mah from Allaah, especially when we are eating it..

Imagine that you're having a cold and taste buds seem not to be functioning.. You are not able to taste the delicious food.. You're temporarily deprived of that ni'mah..

And it's even worse if you're having a toothache.. Ouch..

See, dearest readers.. the ni'mah, the blessings of Allaah.. they're all around us.. Do we actually noticed them?

The ni'mah of sight, hearing, and many more.. they're all around us.. we're enjoying those ni'mah all the time..

Even being able to answer the call of nature well is a ni'mah.. imagine if you are sick, having diarrhoea for example.. it's a "torture".. you're deprived of the ni'mah of answering the call of nature well..

But because all those ni'mah are all around us and we're enjoying them all of the time, we took them for granted until they're taking away from us, either temporarily or permanently..

More importantly, how much thanks do we give Allaah for all those ni'mah?

قُلْ هُوَالَّذِي أَنشَأَكُمْ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَالْأَفْئِدَةَقَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ
Say it is He Who has created you, and endowed you with hearing (ears), seeing (eyes), and hearts. Little thanks you give. (Al-Mulk 67:23)

Indeed, the blessings of Allaah upon us is so great that it is uncountable. Even His Blessings upon a single human being in a day is uncountable.

So.. how much thanks do we give or have given to Allaah?

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
And I (Allâh) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). (Adh-Dhariyat 51:56)

That's the least that Allaah asks from us as His servants.. that is, for us to worship Him Alone..

To worship Him as the Lord, One and Only.. there is no ilaah (god worthy of worship) other than Allaah Alone.. Hence, we should not associate partners to Him in our worship..

Allaah is not in need of our prayers.. rather, it is us, as His servants.. we are in need of Allaah.. we need His Satisfaction, we need His Mercy, we need His Forgiveness.. to worship Him alone and strive to be among His righteous servants.. that's what we need..

The prayer (as-Salaah) is a form of gratitude to Allaah.. Leaving the prayer is kufr (disbelief), the opposite of shukr (gratitude)..

So leave not the prayer (as-Salaah).. is it so difficult to perform the five daily prayers?

What's the value of our five daily prayers compared to all the blessings that Allaah Has Bestowed upon us? Almost negligible. A lifetime of worship is still of extremely little value compared to just a single blessing from Allaah, such as the blessing of sight..

Let's say we take 5 minutes to perform a single prayer.. that would mean we only spend 25 mins in a day to pray to Allaah.. whereas we have 24 hours in a day, which is equivalent to 1,440 mins.

Hence, 25 mins of prayer is barely 2% of the time given to us in a day.. so why is it difficult for us to perform the five daily prayers?

Nevertheless, Allaah The Most Gracious, Most Merciful, He only asks of us to worship Him, such as by performing the five daily prayers, as a sign of gratitude to Him for all His Blessings that He Has Bestowed upon us, as well as to attain His Satisfaction, Mercy and Forgiveness..

SubhaanAllaah.. Laa ilaaha illaa Anta, subhaanaka innee kuntu min al-Zaalimeen..

Which is why a righteous servant would lengthen his prayer, perform naafilah prayers and lengthening them.. along with other acts of worship, be it obligatory or optional.. all these are being performed out of gratitude to Allaah 'Azza wa Jalla.

So let us strive to better ourselves, to be among the His righteous servants, by increasing our acts of worship in accordance to the guidance of the Messenger of Allaah sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, not just to attain His Mercy and Forgiveness, but more importantly to express our gratitude to Him..

For when we worship Allaah as a form of gratitude to Him, we will be able to attain ikhlaas (sincerity) in worship.

Wallaahu a'lam wa al-Musta'aan.

Kicauan burung di pagi hari, kelalaian manusia sebagai hamba Ilahi


Burung-burung berkicauan
Tatkala masuk waktu subuh
Seolah-olah itulah ibadah mereka
Kepada Yang Maha Esa

Akan tetapi manusia pula
Sebaik-baik ciptaan
Kepadanya wahyu diturunkan
Kepadanya solat diperintahkan
Masih dalam ketiduran

Hayya 'ala as-Salaah
Hayya 'ala as-Salaah
Hayya 'ala al-Falaah
Hayya 'ala al-Falaah
As-Salaatu khairum minan-naum
As-Salaatu khairum minan-naum

Kicauan burung di pagi hari
Manusia lalai sebagai hamba Ilahi...