Cheating and Deception

Cheating and deception are despicable characteristics that are beneath a decent person. Intentionally distorting the truth in order to mislead others contradicts the values of honesty, which requires an attitude of sincerity, straightforwardness, and fairness that leaves no room for cheating, lying, trickery, or deceit. There are many texts from the Quran and the Sunnah conveying the meaning that cheating, whether the target be Muslims or non-Muslims, is forbidden.

Accepting the guidance of Islam leads a person to truthfulness, which means a person completely avoids cheating, cheating, and back-stabbing. The Prophet of Islam said:

“Whoever bears arms against us is not one of us, and whoever cheats us is not one of us.” (Saheeh Muslim)

According to another report, the Prophet passed by a pile of food in the market. He put his hand inside it and felt dampness, although the surface was dry. He said:

“O owner of the food, what is this?’

The man said, ‘It was damaged by rain, O Messenger of God.’

He said, ‘Why did you not put the rain-damaged food on top so that people could see it! Whoever cheats us is not one of us.” (Saheeh Muslim)

Muslim society is based on purity of feeling, love, sincerity towards every Muslim, and fulfillment of promises to every member of society. Its members are endowed with piety, truthfulness, and faithfulness. Cheating and deception are alien characters in contrast to the noble character of a true Muslim. There is no room in it for swindlers, double crossers, tricksters, or traitors.

Islam views cheating and deception as heinous sins, a source of shame to the one guilty of committing them, both in this world and the next. The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, did not merely denounce them by excluding them from the Muslim community in this world, he also announced that on the Day of Judgment every traitor would be raised carrying the flag of his betrayal. A caller will cry out from the vast arena of judgment, pointing to him, drawing attention to him:

Salvation from Hellfire

God has said in the Quran:

“Those who have disbelieved and died in disbelief, the earth full of gold would not be accepted from any of them if one offered it as a ransom. They will have a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers.” (Quran 3:91)

So, this life is our only chance to win Paradise and to escape from Hellfire, because if someone dies in disbelief, he will not have another chance to come back to this world to believe. As God has said in the Quran about what is going to happen for the unbelievers on the Day of Judgment:

“If you could but see when they are set before the Fire (Hell) and say, “Would that we might return (to the world)! Then we would not reject the verses of our Lord, but we would be of the believers!” (Quran 6:27)

But no one will have this second opportunity.

The Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said: “The happiest man in the world of those doomed to the Fire (Hell) on the Day of Judgment will be dipped in the Fire once. Then he will be asked, ‘Son of Adam, did you ever see any good? Did you ever experience any blessing?’ So he will say, ‘No, by God, O Lord!’”[1]

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Collected From:http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/243/

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The Pleasures of Paradise

The reality of Paradise is something which people will never be able to understand until they actually enter it, but God has shown us glimpses of it in the Quran. He has described it as a place essentially different to the life of this world, both in the very nature and purpose of life, as well as the types of delights which people will enjoy therein. 

 The Quran tells people about Paradise, which God offers to them, describes its great blessings, and proclaims its beauties to everyone. It informs people that Paradise is one of two ways of life prepared for them in the afterworld, and that every good thing will be theirs in Paradise to a degree that surpasses our present ability to imagine. 

 It also shows that Paradise is a place where all blessings have been created perfectly and where people will be offered everything their souls and hearts will desire, and that people will be far removed from want and need, anxiety or sadness, sorrow and regret. Every kind of beauty and blessing exists in Paradise and will be revealed with a perfection never seen or known before. God has prepared such blessings there as a gift, and these will be offered only to people with whom He is pleased.

But what is the nature of these delights in Paradise, and how will it be different from the delights of this world? We will try to highlight a few of these differences.

Pure delight without pain and suffering

The Pleasures of Paradise 2

The Eternalness of the Hereafter

The Pleasures of this world are transient whilst the joys of the hereafter are lasting and eternal. In this life when a person enjoys something, it is only a short while before they get bored with it and proceed to search for something they feel is better, or they may not feel a need for it altogether. As for the delights of Paradise, a person will never feel bored with anything, but rather, its goodness will increase each time they indulge in it.

Also, the life of this world is very short. Humans only live on this earth for a short while, and very few people reach the age of seventy.

“…Say: Short is the enjoyment of this world. The Hereafter is (far) better for him who fears God...” (Quran 4:77)

As for Paradise, people will live forever. God says:

“...its provision is eternal and so is its shade…” (Quran 13:35)

“What is with you must vanish, and what is with God will endure …” (Quran 16:96)

“(It will be said to them): This is Our Provision, which will never finish” (Quran 38:54)

Superior Delights

The delights of the people of Paradise, such as their clothing, food, drink, jewelry and palaces, will be far superior to their counterparts in this world. There is in fact no room for comparison, as even the smallest space in Paradise is better than this world and all that is in it. The Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said:

There Is No Place For Valentine's Day In Islam

On 14th February Every year many people celebrates Valentine's Day which is also called day of Love. It was a Roman Festival if we see its history. On this day Boys purpose Girls and gives flowers and gifts to them. Valentine's Day is part of Western Culture but unfortunately from last few years many people has started promoting it in our culture as well.

There is no place for events like Valentine's Day in Islam. Firstly its a festival of Non Muslims. Secondly celebrating such days spreads many problems in the society. Many boys uses this day as a chance to attack respect of girls. This day also becomes cause of wrong relationships between girls and boys outside the marriage. Islam has clearly set guidelines for us that only relationship of husband and wife is Halal.

Many people tries to justify this day by saying that its a day of Love and peace. My answer to such people is that why you restrict love and peace to one day?? we should love and spread peace others 365 days of the year.

Famous Scholar Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer said about this day that "the sensual form of love is only allowed between Husband and wife in Islam. Valentine day does not promote love between husband and wife .It basically promotes extramarital relations which are not allowed in Islam .We as Muslims need to discourage these kinds of events to save our society from free mixing .If these kinds of events will be tolerated we will be victims of immodesty and ultimately will not be able to protect our society from adultery and fornication."

So we should keep ourselves away from such events and tries to follow Sunnah in every matter of life.

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Control Your Tongue To Protect Yourself From Sins

A Human uses different parts of his body for doing different types of sins. For Example a human uses his eyes to see Haram things, he uses his hands for doing different haram works, a human uses his legs to go towards a sin. One of the major part of human body which he uses for doing sins is his tongue.

Just think From this tongue how many times we uses bad words everyday which keeps on increasing our sins. We use this tongue to abuse others, to speak against others, to speak lie, to show anger on others and to spread hatred between people.

Now think if we start controlling our tongue from speaking all these bad things we will be able to save ourselves from how many sins?? A Hadith of Prophet Muhammad SAW says a person who guarantees me to guard his tongue i guarantee him about paradise. Another Hadith says remaining silent is better than speaking bad.

We should also remember that a person is known from how he speaks??? a person who speaks good from his language will also be liked and respected by others. on other hand a person who lies, abuses and speaks bad from his tongue is not liked by anyone. There is a famous quotation "first think then speak".

The Summary of this article is that if we will control our tongue from speaking bad we will not only get success and respect by the society in this world but we will also get success in hereafter. May Allah SWT help us all to use our tongues for right purposes.

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Wedding Expenses and Islam

Allah SWT says in the Quran “Those who, when they spend, are not extravagant and not niggardly, but hold a just (balance) between those (extremes);” From among the standards of islam for livelihood, one is to restrain from spending extra and also to restrain oneself from being a miser.

The verse mentions that the correct way to spend is to be balanced while spending. This golden rule is so affective that if all people start following it, the bad economic conditions will transform dramatically, but unfortunately, people do not consider them worth noting.

We see many examples of extravagance in our society in many forms. One of them is spending lavishly on weddings. No matter who, poor or rich, people spend money on weddings as if they are in some competition and they have to win it.

The lavish display of dowry and other wedding items have made it just like some exhibition. Wedding expenses are not only limited to the people who are going to be wed or their family members, but one wedding affects every person who wants to attend it. Females want new cloths jewelry and shoes for them, for their kids and for their husbands.

Thus one wedding becomes so expensive for a good number of people.

While arguing on this issue, some people say, this all is due to our cultural mix with Hinduism. Others say that people just want to have an upper hand over their relatives and wedding gives them a fair chance to do so. whatsoever the reasons brought forth, we being muslims should not forget that whatever we do is recorded instantly and will be shown to us when we will be raised again.

Our beloved prophet s.a.w.w could marry his daughters in the best way by spending as much as he could and people would help him any possible way, but the way he s.a.w.w married his daughters and himself got married should be taken as best examples for every person in muslim society.

Muhammad s.a.w.w never spent any extra money to show off. He found for his daughters best husbands, and he found for himself wives not because they were beautiful or rich. He s.a.w.w set for us a decent criteria of how to arrange marriages and how to look for a spouse on what basis.

All the righteous muslims followed this example until people started diverting from the right path. Islam does not asks believers whether they have given their daughters or sisters trucks of dowry or whether they served 10s of dishes on walimah.

The concept of barat is also not there in islam, simple nikah and walimah to validate nikah are two main events of marriage. Mehndi, obten and all other related events are not Islamic and they should not be celebrated because they are plain wastage of money.

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Jannat Mein Ley Ke Jaye Gi- Owais Raza Qadri- Urdu Naat 2012

Names of ALLAH with meanings

ALLAH- The proper name of ALLAH. Whoever reads this name of ALLAH 1000 times daily, all doubts and uncertainities will be removed from his heart and instead, determination and faith will become inborn in him- Insha-ALLAH

AR-RAHMAN- The Compassionate. If this Ism is recited 100 times daily after ever salah, if ALLAH wills, hard-heartedness and negligence will be removed from the reciter's heart.

AR-RAHEEM- Most Merciful. If recited 100 times daily, the reciter will be safeguarded from all calamities and the entire creation will become affectionate to him Insha-ALLAH

AlMalik- THE SOVEREIGN. If recited abundantly after Zawaal, the reciter will be given abundant wealth Insha-ALLAH.

AL-QUDDUS- THE HOLY ONE AND THE ONE WHO IS FREE FROM ALL BLEMISHES. ALLAH will cure all spiritual sicknesses from the one who recites it abundantly daily Insha-ALLAH.

AL-SALAM- GIVER OF PEACE OR THE ONE WHO IS IMMUNED FROM ALL DISTRESS. Anyone who recites this Isma continually, ALLAH will protect him from all calamities. If reace 115 times and blown on a sick person, Insha-ALLAH his health will be restored.

Al-MU'MIN- GIVER OF PEACE. Whoever says this Ism 630 times in times of fear, ALLAH will protect him from all calamities, mishaps and losses.

AL-MUHAYMIN- THE GIVER OF PROTECTION. Anyone who offers 2 rakaat salaah and reads this Ism sincerely for 100 times, ALLAH will purify him physically and spiritually. It is also said by some scholars that ALLAH wil acquaint one with the unseen if one reads it 115 times.

AL-AZIZ- THE MIGHTY. Anyone who says this name 40 times each day for 40 days, ALLAH will grant him honour and self-sufficient.

AL-JABBAR- THE COMPELLER, THE OVER POWERING LORD. Anyone who recites this name 226 times each morning and each evening, will be safe guarded from oppression of tyrants and despots Insha-ALLAH.

AL-MUTAKABBIR- THE SELF-GLORIOUS. The constant reciter of this name will be granted honour and greatness.

Al-KHALIQ- THE CREATOR. If one forms a habit of reciting it, ALLAH appoints an angel who will worship on his behalf.

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THE QUR'ANIC DEFINITION OF PATIENCE

O you who believe, seek help in steadfastness and prayer. Allah is with the steadfast. (Surat al-Baqara, 153)

Allah, Who has defined the best way of life for people and the most appropriate moral conduct for their nature, announces in "We send down in the Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy to the believers" (Surat al-Isra', 82) that patience is a mercy for the faithful.

People can gain Allah's approval and love by fully applying the Qur'an's truths in their lives. Allah requires the faithful to adhere to the Qur'an's morality as long as they are alive, without showing any weakness. To carry out this task successfully, the faithful must acquire the supreme characteristic of patience, which is the result of faith. Those who learn the secret of patience can demonstrate the required steadfastness in every act and prayer.

Attaining this secret is extremely easy. Allah manifests His attribute "Al-Sabur" (The Patient) on those who believe in Him and helps perfect the determination in their hearts.

The real source of this lifelong true patience is the believers' faith in Allah. They know that Allah encompasses all things in His knowledge, that everything occurs only with His permission, and that He hides thousands of blessings and benefits behind all events. In addition, they do not forget that Allah is the Friend, Guardian, and Helper of the faithful. Thus, although it may not seem so at first glance, all events are arranged to somehow benefit the believers. For this reason, patience is not a moral characteristic that makes life difficult for the faithful; rather, it is a form of worship that they accept wholeheartedly and with joy. Here is one point of difference between true patience and the view of patience as commonly understood in society.

Many people do not know the true meaning of patience, how truly patient people are required to behave, or how important this is in Allah's sight. They regard patience more as holding up one's head when faced with difficulties and problems, either overcoming or enduring them. Thus, they consider patience as the ability to withstand something, up to a certain point, and that an occasional loss of patience is quite normal. Moreover, according to this non-Qur'anic understanding, it is utterly futile to show patience in a matter from which no concrete benefit can be derived. And so when faced with such a situation, they give way to frustration and believe that being patient is useless.

The Qur'anic concept of true patience is quite different from this understanding of endurance. In the first place, people experience patience as the instruction of Allah and so can neither exhaust nor lose it. They carry out this form of worship joyfully and fervently and expect no concrete benefit in exchange for it, because they are patient solely to earn Allah's approval. What matters for them is the knowledge that they will earn His approval with their superior morality. For them, such a reward is enough.

Furthermore, the patience recommended by the Qur'an is not a moral characteristic employed only in times of hardship. True patience is shown in fully applying all of the Qur'an's teachings, in being scrupulous in guarding against all behavior that Allah warns against, and in being determined to live according to the Qur'an's morality as long as one is alive and with no thought of deviating from it, regardless of circumstances.

In "But, in your Lord's sight, right actions that are lasting bring a better reward and are a better basis for hope" (Surat al-Kahf, 46), Allah points out that proper behavior carried on with determination is regarded with approval and invites the faithful to be patient under all circumstances.

Therefore be patient with a beautiful patience. (Surat al-Ma'arij, 5)

"It may be that you hate something when it is good for you, and it may be that you love something when it is bad for you. Allah knows, and you do not know" (Surat al-Baqara, 216).

Those who are steadfast and put their trust in their Lord. (Surat an-Nahl: 42)

No matter what hardship they encounter, the faithful know that such hardship is a test from Allah and so do not lose their patience. How could they, knowing that they will face the Day of Judgment and receive their reward for their fine morality? Allah's Messenger (saas) also mentions that the believers remain patient when faced with calamity, since they always trust Allah, as follows:

The example of a believer is that of a fresh tender plant. From whatever direction the wind comes, it bends it. But when the wind becomes quiet, it becomes straight again. Similarly, a believer is afflicted with calamities (but remains patient until Allah removes the difficulty).

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Importance of Patience

O you who believe, be steadfast; be supreme in steadfastness... (Surah Al 'Imran, 200)

Allah has revealed in a verse, "This is a Book We have sent down to you so that you can bring mankind from the darkness to the light, by the permission of their Lord, to the Path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy" (Surah Ibrahim, 1), thus drawing attention to the Qur'an's attribute of bringing people from darkness to light.

The Qur'an defines patience as one of the paths that lead people from darkness to light and as an attribute of morality that is superior to, wide-ranging, and very different from the daily behavior of many people. True patience is a moral characteristic displayed in the face of difficulty and in every moment of life. Moreover, it requires the demonstration of determination and consistency during times of ease and hardship, and is a lifelong endeavor that never goes astray, even for a moment.

Allah gives the most striking examples of patience in the lives of the Prophets, because they showed patience while teaching Allah's religion and leading a moral life. They never deviated from their devotion to Allah, and were patient people who sought only Allah's approval.

This book will define this high moral virtue taught by the Qur'an and invite people to acquire true patience. Inaccurate understandings of patience will be explained along with the kind of patience Allah requires, how Allah may test people so that they can acquire a more perfect patience, and the great return Allah promises to those who exhibit great patience.

Examples of how the Prophets showed patience in every area until the end of their lives will be presented in the hope that people will "be steadfast for our Lord" until the end of their own lives. (Surat al-Muddaththir, 7)

This book also will give the good news that Allah provided for those who respond to this call with the verse, "give good news to the steadfast" (Surat al-Baqara, 155). Moreover, emphasis will be placed on the facts that Allah is "with the steadfast" (Surat al-Baqara, 153) and that patience is a matchless key that opens doors to many fine things for the faithful. As Prophet Muhammad (saas) states:

Whoever remains patient, Allah will make him patient. Nobody can be given a blessing better and greater than patience. (Bukhari)

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Determination of the true age of Aisha (ra)

Determination of the true age of AishaIt appears that Maulana Muhammad Ali was the first Islamic scholar directly to challenge the notion that Aisha was aged six and nine, respectively, at the time of her nikah and consummation of marriage.

This he did in, at least, the following writings: his English booklet Prophet of Islam, his larger English book Muhammad, the Prophet, and in the footnotes in his voluminous Urdu translation and commentary of Sahih Bukhari entitled Fadl-ul-Bari, these three writings being published in the 1920s and 1930s. 

In the booklet Prophet of Islam, which was later incorporated in 1948 as the first chapter of his book Living Thoughts of the Prophet Muhammad, he writes in a lengthy footnote as follows: “A great misconception prevails as to the age at which Aisha was taken in marriage by the Prophet. Ibn Sa‘d has stated in the Tabaqat that when Abu Bakr [father of Aisha] was approached on behalf of the Holy Prophet, he replied that the girl had already been betrothed to Jubair, and that he would have to settle the matter first with him. 

This shows that Aisha must have been approaching majority at the time. Again, the Isaba, speaking of the Prophet’s daughter Fatima, says that she was born five years before the Call and was about five years older than Aisha. This shows that Aisha must have been about ten years at the time of her betrothal to the Prophet, and not six years as she is generally supposed to be. 

This is further borne out by the fact that Aisha herself is reported to have stated that when the chapter [of the Holy Quran] entitled The Moon, the fifty-fourth chapter, was revealed, she was a girl playing about and remembered certain verses then revealed. Now the fifty-fourth chapter was undoubtedly revealed before the sixth year of the Call.

 All these considerations point to but one conclusion, viz., that Aisha could not have been less than ten years of age at the time of her nikah, which was virtually only a betrothal. And there is one report in the Tabaqat that Aisha was nine years of age at the time of nikah. 

Again it is a fact admitted on all hands that the nikah of Aisha took place in the tenth year of the Call in the month of Shawwal, while there is also preponderance of evidence as to the consummation of her marriage taking place in the second year of Hijra in the same month, which shows that full five years had elapsed between the nikah and the consummation. 

Hence there is not the least doubt that Aisha was at least nine or ten years of age at the time of betrothal, and fourteen or fifteen years at the time of marriage. (Living Thoughts of the Prophet Muhammad, 1992 U.S.A. edition, p. 30, note 40.)

Islamic Hadees

Farmaya NABI_E_KAREEM (SAW)ne.qabr ka azaab barhaq hai.insaan ke paida hone se pehle uski maut muqarrer kardi jati hai.din me 4 martaba hamari qabr hame pukarti hai lakin ham maut ko kabhi yaad nahi karte.har momin ko chahia ke woh maut ko yaad kare.gunahaw se perhazz kare,maafi mange aur her din yeah dua 25 martaba padhe.Allahumma baarikli filmauti wafeema baadal maut.InshaAllah maut ki saqti aasan hogi ....

To protect yourself from the darkness of grave, read this dua as many times as possible through out the day "Inni Aamantu bi rabbikum fasmaoon".

Hadith Qudsi 25:

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Allah (mighty and sublime be He) said:

Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him.

When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks.

Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it.

I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him.

Best Times to make Dua

There are certain times dua (supplication)

is more likely to be accepted by Allah (SWT)

as mentioned by Prophet (SAW). These

times are as follows:

1. The Last Third Of The Night

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s

Messenger (SAW) said: 'In the last third

of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and

Sustainer) (Allah (SWT)) descends to the

lowermost heaven and says; "Who is

calling Me, so that I may answer him?

Who is asking Me so that may I grant

him? Who is seeking forgiveness from

Me so that I may forgive him?."'

[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]

Amr ibn Absah narrated that the

Prophet said: 'The closest any

worshipper can be to His Lord is

during the last part of the night,

so if you can be amongst those

who remember Allah at that time,

then do so.'[at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i,

al-Hakim - Sahih]

2. Late at night

When people are sleeping and busy

with worldly pleasures Allah (SWT)

gives the believers an opportunity,

or an answer hour if they can fight

sleep and invoke Allah (SWT) for

whatever they need. The Prophet

(SAW) said: 'There is at night an

hour, no Muslim happens to be

asking Allah any matter of this world

or the Hereafter, except that he will

be given it, and this (occurs) every night.'

[Muslim #757]

3. Between Adhan and Iqamah

Anas (RA) narrated that Allah’s

Messenger (SAW) said: 'A supplication

made between the Adhan and Iqama

is not rejected.'

[Ahmad, abu Dawud #521, at-Tirmidhi

#212, Sahih al-Jami #3408, an-Nasai

and Ibn Hibban graded it sahih (sound)]

4. An Hour On Friday

Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA): Allah’s

Messenger (SAW) talked about Friday

and said: 'There is an hour on Friday

and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat

(prayer) and asks something from

Allah (SWT), then Allah (SWT) will definitely

meet his demand.' And he (the Prophet (SAW)

pointed out the shortness of that

particular time with his hands.

[Sahih al-Bukhari]

Some have said that this hour is from

the time the Imam (prayer’s leader)

enters the mosque on Friday’s prayer

until the prayer is over (ie between the

two khutbahs), whereas others have

said that it is the last hour of the day

(ie after the Asr prayer until the

Maghrib prayer).

Key to Islamic Concepts

In order to understand Islam it is necessary to know the meaning of certain key terms and the identity of some proper names. Most of them are in the Arabic language, and there is often no equivalent in English or in other tongues.

A

ALI

was a cousin of Muhammad and married to the Prophet's daughter, Fatima. He was elected fourth caliph of - conflict between the followers of Ali and Umayyads split Islam into the sects that exist today. His followers are called "Alids."

ALLAH

The true name for the creator of the Universe is called Allah. He is merciful, the Beneficent, the Knowledgeable, the Protector, the Mighty, the God, the Provider, the Exalted, the Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing, the Magnificent, the Wise, the Loving, the First, the Last, and the Eternal.

The Qur'an mentions 99 beautiful names for Allah through which Muslim do recognize Him, and His responsibilities for the whole Universe.

Many people ask why the term "Allah" is used instead of "God" and assume it's use implies that Muslims worship a separate God. There is only ONE GOD - a belief held by followers of each of the three main world religions : Islam, Christianity and Judaism.

ALLAH is the Supreme Being, the one and only God. Allah is the same God as that worshipped by the Jews and Christians, and Arabic-speaking Christians also use this name when referring to God.

Arab

Many equate Islam and Muslims to mean Arabs. Muslims may be any nationality. An Arab could be a Muslim, a Christian, a Jew or an atheist. Arabs constitute only about twenty percent of the Muslim population.

AYAH

The Arabic meaning of Ayah is a miracle and a sign. The Qur'an is considered to be a miracle itself. Each verse or sentence is called an Ayah or a miracle. The plural of Ayah is called Ayat, which means miracles.

AZAN

The call for the daily prayers are called Azan. The person who calls the Azan is called a Mu'azzin. A Mu'azzin calls the Azan five times a day before Muslims are to perform their daily Salah (Prayer).

The Azan is composed of specific words and phrases to be recited loudly in the Arabic language so that the neighbors can recognize the time schedule for the prayers.

B

BIRTH

Muslim believe that people are born free of sin. It is only after they reach the age of puberty and it is only after they commit sins that they are to be charged for their mistakes. No one is responsible for or can take the responsibility for the sins of others. However, the door of forgiveness through true repentance is always open.

BID'AT

Bid'at (innovation) is something that has no Islamic basis. A thing which is not proved from the Holy Quran and Hadith, as in practice at the time of the Holy Prophet, his companions, but is now done as religious duty.

The Prophet (saw) has condemned one who indulges in innovation and called them "destroyer of the religion".

C

CALIPH

From Arabic Khalifa, means deputy or successor and is the title of the theoretical leader of Islam. see also [KHALIFAH]

E

'EID

The word 'Eid is an Arabic name to mean a festivity, a celebration, a recurring happiness, and a feast. In Islam, there are two major 'Eids namely the feast of Ramadhan ('EId Al-Fitr) and the Feast of Sacrifice ('Eid Al-Adhha). The first 'Eid is celebrated by Muslims after fasting the month of Ramadhan as a matter of thanks and gratitude to Almighty Allah. It takes place on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the lunar calendar. The second 'Eid is the Feast of Sacrifice and it is to be celebrated for the memory of prophet Ibrahim trying to sacrifice his son Isma'il (Ishmael). This 'Eid lasts four days between the tenth and the thirteenth day of Zul-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the lunar calendar.

F

FESTIVITIES

Other than the two general feasts, there are few festivities that Muslims do enjoy. These are related to different activities or functions. Some of these activities are:

'Aqiqah: It is a dinner reception to be made after a child is born. Relatives, friends, and neighbors are invited for such an occasion.

Walimah: It is a dinner reception to be made after a marriage is consummated. It is offered by the parents and/or by the married couples. Friends, relatives, and neighbors are also invited.

FIQH

The meaning of the word fiqh is understanding, comprehension, knowledge, and jurisprudence in Islam. A jurist is called a Faqih who is an expert in matters of Islamic legal matters.

A Faqih is to pass verdicts within the rules of the Islamic Law namely Shariah.

The most famous scholars of Fiqh in the history Muslims are the founders of the four schools of thought in Islam: Imam Malik, Imam Ash-Shafi'i, Imam Abu Hanifah, and Imam Ahmad.

Anything or action in Islam falls within the following five categories of Fiqh:

Fardh (Must): This category is a must for the Muslim to do such as the five daily prayers. Doing the Fardh counts as a good deed, and not doing it is considered a bad deed or a sin.

It is also called Wajib except for Imam Abu Hanifah who makes Wajib a separate category between the Fardh and the Mubah.

Mandub (Recommended): This category is recommended for the Muslim to do such as extra prayers after Zuhr and Maghrib. Doing the Mandub counts as a good deed and not doing it does not count as a bad deed or a sin.

Mubah (Allowed): This category is left undecided and left for the person, such as eating apples or oranges. Doing or not doing the Mubah does not count as a good or bad deed.

Intention of the person can change Mubah to Fard, Mandub, Makruh, or Haram.

Other things could also change the status of the Mubah. For example, any Mubah becomes Haram if it is proven harmful, and any necessary thing to fulfill a Fardh is a Fardh too.

Makruh (Hated): This category is a detested and hated such as growing fingernails or sleeping on the stomach. Not doing the Makruh counts as a good deed and doing it does not count as a bad deed.

Haram (Prohibited): This category is prohibited for the Muslim to do such as stealing and lying. Doing the haram counts as a bad deed and not doing it counts as a good deed.

Imam Abu Hanifah also puts another category between the Makruh and the Haram. It is called Karahah Tahrimiyyah which means hated almost to the level of Haram.

H

HADITH

Meaning communication or narrative, it is the record of an individual saying or action or approvals of Muhammad (s.a.w.) taken as a model of behavior by Muslims.

The sayings and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) are called Hadith. These are the real explanation, interpretation, and the living example of the Prophet (s.a.w.) for teachings of the Qur'an. His sayings are found in books called the Hadith books.

Some famous collectors of Hadith are Imam Al-Bukhari, Imam Muslim, Imam An-Nasa'i, Imam Abu Dawood, Imam At-Tirmizi, and Imam Majah. There are many others.

HAJJ

Hajj is an Arabic word which means the performance of pilgrimage to Makkah in Arabia. It is one of the five pillars of Islam. A Muslim is to perform Hajj at least once in his/her life, if means and health allow.

There are rules and regulations and specific dress to be followed. It is to take place during the last month of the lunar calendar called the month of Zul-Hijjah.

HALAL/HARAM

These are two Arabic words to mean lawful an unlawful respectively. The standards are based on the Qur'an and the Hadith; and Muslims are to abide in their daily life activities by the teachings of their standards.

These two concepts are very important when one talks about moral, physical, spiritual, medical, biological, and dietetic aspects of Islam. Muslims talk regularly about Halal and Haram for anything they do.

When Muslims talk about meat, for example, they use the terminology of Zabihah to mean Halal; hence be lawful to be eaten.

HIFZ

The Arabic root of this word is Hafiza which means to memorize. In the religious sense, Muslims try to memorize the whole Qur'an. Any person who achieves this task is called Hafiz. A Hafiz is recognized by his community and is given certain privileges. There millions of Muslims who make Hifz of the whole Qur'an.

I

IJTIHAD

Exerting the sum total of one's ability attempting to uncover Allah's rulings on issues from their sources (Qur'an, Sunnah, Ijma', etc.). Sometimes divided into complete ijtihad (the ability of one to independently arrive at Allah's rulings in all areas of fiqh) and partial ijtihad (the ability of one to do so only in certain areas of fiqh in which they have exerted such efforts).

IMAM

Imam is a religious leader. Any person who leads a congregational prayer is called an Imam. A religious leader who also leads his community in the political affairs may be called an Imam, an Amir, or a Caliph. However, an Imam is not infallible. He is responsible for his mistakes to all the members of the community and above all he is responsible for his mistakes to all the members of the community and above all he is responsible to Almighty Allah.

IQAMAH

Iqamah is an Arabic word that refers to the second call for the prayer which follows the first call (Azan). Iqamah means that the prayer is ready to start. It is to be recited in Arabic before every obligatory prayer. It is composed of specific words and phrases very closely related to the Azan.

ISLAM

Islam is an Arabic word the root of which is Silm and Salam. It means among others: peace, greeting, salutation, obedience, loyalty, allegiance, and submission to the will of the Creator of the Universe.

Islam is the last and final religion to all mankind and to all generations irrespective of color, race, nationality, ethnic background, language, or social position.

It is incorrect and objectionable to call Muslims Muhammadans, as Muhammad is not worshipped in the way Christians worship Christ.

J

JIHAD

It is an Arabic word the root of which is Jahada, which means to strive for a better way of life. The nouns are Juhd, Mujahid, Jihad, and Ijtihad. The other meanings are: endeavor, strain, exertion, effort, diligence, fighting to defend one's life, land, and religion.

This word has been in frequent use in the Western press over the past several years, explained directly or subtlely, to mean holy war. As a matter of fact the term "holy war" was coined in Europe during the Crusades, meaning the war against Muslims. It does not have a direct counterpart in Islamic glossary, and Jihad is certainly not its translation.

Jihad is not a war to force the faith on others, as many people think of it. It should never be interpreted as a way of compulsion of the belief on others, since there is an explicit verse in the Qur'an that says:"There is no compulsion in religion" Al-Qur'an: Al-Baqarah (2:256).

Jihad is not a defensive war only, but a war against any unjust regime. If such a regime exists, a war is to be waged against the leaders, but not against the people of that country. People should be freed from the unjust regimes and influences so that they can freely choose to believe in Allah.

Not only in peace but also in war Islam prohibits terrorism, kidnapping, and hijacking, when carried against civilians. Whoever commits such violations is considered a murderer in Islam, and is to be punished by the Islamic state. during wars, Islam prohibits Muslim soldiers from harming civilians, women, children, elderly, and the religious men like priests and rabies. It also prohibits cutting down trees and destroying civilian constructions.

The term may be used for/by Muslims as well as non-Muslims.

JINN

These are spiritual beings that inhibit the world and are required to follow the orders of Allah and are accountable for their deeds. They can be good or bad, just like people. The word Jinn in Arabic means hidden, which indicates that they are invisible creatures. They were created by Allah from fire.

K

KALAM

Talk or speech as in "kalamu Allah"; has also been used through the ages to mean logic or philosophy.

KA'BA

Meaning "cube" in Arabic, is the principal shrine of Islam, located in Mecca. It is the center of the Muslim pilgrimage and the point towards which all Muslims the world over face in prayer.

KHALIFAH

The word Khalifah or Caliph is a person who is a vice gerent of someone else. Man is considered to be the Caliph of Almighty Allah on earth. He is to represent him and execute His wishes. The title Amir Al-Mu'minin is also used to refer to the Chaliph, which means the leader of the believers.

Those persons who succeeded Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) were called Caliphs. They were selected and appointed to assume the responsibility of leadership of Muslims.

The immediate Caliphs were Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, Omar Ibn Al-Khattab, Othman Ibn 'Affan, and 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib. These were given the nickname of Al-Khulafa'Ar-Rashidun (The Guided Chaliphs).

Why Jesus is not Son of God? - Dr. Zakir Naik - Questioner accepts

VIRTUES OF RAMAZAN...

"When the month of Ramazan starts

The gates of Jannah (Paradise) are

Opened and the gates of hell are

Closed and devils are chained"

Hazrat Muhammad (Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam)

In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Ever-Merciful. All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon our master, the most noble Prophet.

Are you ready for Ramadan? Are your ready for a new year that is full of hard work and more worshiping to Allah (SWT[1]), in order to get closer to Him? Are you ready with your intentions?
Can you imagine the value of the days in Ramadan.I would like to remind you of the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) in which he said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of Jannah (Paradise) are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained."[3] Hence, be watchful to the virtues of this month. So what is the thawab (reward) of Ramadan?

Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said, "… whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah (SWT), then all his previous sins will be forgiven."[4] Hence, there are two conditions that would make your sins to be forgiven, no matter what they are. First, to fast out of sincere faith, which means that you are fasting not out of a habit, but rather out of your love for Allah (SWT)? Second, to fast out of hope for the reward of Allah (SWT).

However, one may say," It is too hard to keep on being that sincere during the whole 30 days". so,here is another chance for forgiveness ,Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said, "Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."[5] Hence, you can have all your previous sins forgiven only by keeping on praying at night the whole month, and under the same previous two conditions.

One may also say, "What if I missed one night prayer or more because of sleep?" so,here is another chance, Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said, "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."[6]

The prophet (SAWS) says, "And there are those who Allah frees from hellfire in Ramadan, and this occurs every night."[7] Allah (SWT) looks into the hearts of his servants to see their truthfulness. Every night in Ramadan, angles write the names of those who are saved from hellfire. Only Allah (SWT) Knows who they are. This is not restricted to scholars. It might be a truthful 17 year old girl, whose religious knowledge is limited. It could even be an old man whose sins are numerous, yet he has truthfully intended to get closer to Allah (SWT) in this month, hoping for His mercy.

Moreover, if Allah (SWT) saves you from hell in this month, this would mean that you have guaranteed you will be saved from hellfire, for He is the Generous. When a noble Arab frees a slave, he would never take him into capture again. What if it is Allah (SWT), who is the most Noble and Generous. Even if you sin after Ramadan, it will not be as bad as it was before Ramadan. Your good deeds then will surpass your bad deeds.

Rewards are multiplied in Ramadan

With a simple calculation, you will recognize the enormous amount of rewards you can gain in Ramadan. Just take Zuhr prayer (Noon prayer) as an example. By praying Zuhr you would be credited with 10 virtues. If you are to pray it in gama'a (amongst others), your virtues would be higher with 27 degrees than they are when you pray alone. If you are to multiply it by 70, and sum the virtues of the five obligatory prayers, then you would be credited with 94500 virtues. It is almost 100,000 virtues, which are equal to those of praying in the Holy Mosque. This is what you would gain out of the prayers of just one day of Ramadan.

As for reciting Qur'an, whoever recites a letter from the Qur'an, he will be credited with one virtue, and a virtue gets a ten-fold reward.If you are to multiply it by 70 and count it when reciting the whole Qur'an in Ramadan, it would reach an enormous amount of virtues.

As for the thawab of fasting itself, nobody knows what it is but Allah (SWT). Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said, "Allah said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it."[8] Thus, you will know the reward of your fasting only on the Day of Judgment. It is enough to know that the unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. Here you can imagine the reward that is waiting for you. One may ask, "Why is Allah (SWT) granting us all these rewards?" Simply because He is the Generous. He Wants to Spread His mercy on us. You have to utilize all what He offers you in the blessing days of Ramadan.

If you are to scrutinize the Ayahs of fasting, which are mentioned in Surat Al-Baqara, you will find that the last ayah of it is what can be translated as, "And when My bondmen ask you concerning Me, then, surely I am near; I answer the invocation of the invoker when he invokes Me; so let them respond (to) Me, and let them believe in Me, so that possibly they would respond right-mindedly. (TMQ, 2:186).[9] These Ayahs demonstrate the relation between fasting and answering supplication.

Therefore, you should keep on supplicating to Allah (SWT). . The companions used to do so. They said," We used to supplicate to Allah (SWT) in Ramadan, and we never reached the next Ramadan without our supplications being answered." Let us all supplicate to Allah in this Ramadan that we would bring about the revival of our Ummah (the Muslim nation). A thousand months equal 84 years, which is –on average- your lifetime. If you worship Allah (SWT) at the Night of Determination, as you should, it would be as if you have been worshipping Him for 84 years. This is applied not only to prayers, but also to shedding a tear out of fear from Allah (SWT), kissing your parents' hands or charity. He proudly talks of them to the angels. This is quite enough to make us keen on hastening to please Allah (SWT), for we do not know how much time we have left in this life.

Nevertheless, all these rewards are not available for those who fast only with their stomach, for there are three kinds of fasting. The first is leaving food and drink. The second is when all your limbs are fasting too. It means that all your limbs do not commit sins during the whole month. Everyday, after dawn, you will break your fast by eating and yet you would not be able to smoke, accept bribe, watch a sinful program, backbite, lie, go to a sinful place or insult anybody. Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)"[10]

Fast for real this year. Fast with all your body, even with your heart. It is much better when your heart is fasting. Therefore, first, we have people whose bellies are fasting, we do not need those, and they will probably not be saved from hellfire (Only Allah knows for sure). Then there are those whose bodies are fasting, yet there is a better kind: those whose hearts are also fasting. There is nothing else that occupies their heart except Allah, all month long. "I am all yours Allah", they say. Can you make it? Can you fast all the thirty days with your heart? How can this be? It means to speak about Allah, to talk for Allah, to be silent with Allah. It means that your life should be about, with, and for Allah. This does not mean that you will not perform your daily duties, but it means that your whole being would be dedicated for pleasing Allah.

Let us set ourselves a slogan in Ramadan. Whenever the prophet (SAWS) was about to embark on a serious matter, he used to set his companions a slogan and make them think about it and work for it. I will propose some slogans for you to choose from. Consider Musa's (AS) "Moses" slogan: "I have hastened on to You, Lord, that You may be satisfied (with me)" (TMQ: 20:84). Or that of Ibrahim (AS) "Abraham": "And he said, "Surely I am going to my Lord, soon He will guide me" (TMQ: 37:99). Consider the prophet's slogan: "Here I am at Thy service, and Grace is to Thee and the whole of good is in Thine hands, and one cannot get nearnests to Thee through evil"[11]. Or let our slogan be the ayah that can be translated as, "And vie swiftly with one another for forgiveness from your Lord"(TMQ: 3:133). Let your slogan be: "no one will reach Allah before me", let us set a slogan that says: "I will worship you my Lord, like I have never done before."

After we have known Ramadan's reward, now let us see what we are going to do in Ramadan this year. First, let us set up a schedule to which we would all abide wherever our circumstances are. Our schedule will contain six columns, and thirty rows. On each day of Ramadan, you will mark either with OK or with an X. Imagine your happiness when you achieve everything on the schedule. Imagine our reward if we all unite and do it together, what a reward! None of us will be alone but we will move together for Allah to be proud of us among His angels.

These six things are the prophet's formula. What are the six things we are going to put?

1.Praying all the five prayers in a group, whether men or women, all along the month.

2.Daily Sadaqa (charity). Our prophet (SAWS) was very generous, and he was even more generous in Ramadan. He used to be compared to the wind that leaves nothing behind, for he used to give away everything he had and leave nothing behind. Therefore, imitate your prophet and set yourself an amount of money to be given away in Ramadan.

3.Working on your Kinship ties or being dutiful to your parents everyday. Go and kiss your parents' hands, call a relative, or reconcile with someone with whom you had a conflict. Do it for Allah's mercy.

4.Daily Dua'a (supplication).Ask for anything you want,ask to be saved from hellfire, and that the revival of our Ummah would be achieved with our hands. This is our hope, Ramadan this year can be a turning point in our history.

5.Read the whole Qur'an in your prayers.

6.Perform a positive deed every day.Ramadan is the month of hard work. All our victories took place in Ramadan. Let us learn from the companions (RA) how to do this balance.


Ramadan can be compared to the winter season on earth. Winter comes with benevolence, with rain, to provide the earth with all its needs. With its grace, plants grow and creatures drink. The earth is also very smart; it stores these graces inside in order to use it all year long. In parallel, Ramadan comes to provide the Ummah with the spiritual and ethical force it needs. However, will the Ummah store such a power in order to use it along the whole year? This is our hope for this year. Ramadan is like the ebb and flow. When it comes, it is accompanied with a fall of desires, laziness, and miserliness, and a rise of obedience, force, and generosity.

"Whoever guides [another] to a good deed will get a reward similar to the one who performs it." Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)[Sahih Muslim]
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