MESSENGERS

Belief in Messengers:

We believe that Allah has sent to His people messengers who were "bringing good tidings and warning, so that mankind might have no argument against Allah after the Messengers. Allah is All-mighty, All-wise" (4: 165).

The First and Last Messengers:

We believe that the first among the messengers is Noah and the last is Muhammad, peace be upon them all: "We revealed to you as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him" (4: 163); and "Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets" (33:40).

The Best Messengers:

We believe that the best among the messengers is Muhammad, then Abraham, Moses, Noah, and Jesus, son of Mary. It is they who are meant by the following Qur'anic verse: "And when We took a compact from the prophets, and from you, and from Noah, and Abraham, then Moses, and Jesus, son of Mary. We took from them a solemn compact" (33:7).

We believe that Muhammad's message, peace be upon him, includes all the merits of the messages of those dignified messengers, because Allah says: "He ordained for you what He enjoined on Noah and what He revealed to you and what He enjoined on Abraham, Moses and Jesus; namely, establish this faith and be united in it" (42:13).

Messengers Are Human Beings:

We believe that all messengers are created human beings who have none of the divine qualities of Allah. Allah, the Exalted, said about Noah, who was the first among them: "I do not say to you, 'I possess the treasures of Allah.' I do not know the unseen, and I do not say 'I am an angel"' (11:31) Allah directed Muhammad, who is the last among them, to say: "I do not say to you I possess the treasures of Allah, nor do I know the unseen, and I do not say to you I am an angel" (6:50); and to say that "I have no power to bring profit or hurt for myself, but only as Allah wills" (7:188); and: "I have no power to hurt or benefit you. Say none can protect me from Allah, nor can I find any refuge besides Him" (72:91-2).

We believe that the messengers are among Allah's servants. He blessed them with the message and described them as servants, in the context of praising and honoring them. He says about Noah, the first among them: "You are the descendants of those whom We carried with Noah, he was a truly thankful servant" (17:3).

Allah said about the last among them, Muhammad, peace be upon him: "Blessed be He who sent down the Qur'an to His servant, that he may warn mankind" (25:1). As for some other messengers, he said: "And mention Our servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, men of might and vision" (38:45); "And remember Our servant David, who was a mighty and penitent man" (38: 17); "And to David, We gave Solomon, he was an excellent and penitent servant" (38:30).

Allah said about Jesus, son of Mary: "He is only a servant whom We blessed and We made him an example to the children of Israel" (43: 59).

We believe that Allah concluded all messages with the message of Muhammad, peace be upon him, to all people, because He said: "Say, 'O mankind, I am Allah's Messenger to you all. To him belongs the Kingdom of the Heavens and the Earth; there is no god but He. He ordains life and death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet who believes in Allah and His words. Follow him so that you may be rightly guided"' (7:158).

Islam: The Universal and Final Message:

We believe that the Shari'ah of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the religion of Islam, which Allah has chosen for His servants. He does not accept any other religion from anyone, for He, the Exalted, said: "Surely, the true religion in Allah's sight is Islam" (3:19), "Today I have perfected your religion for you and I have completed My favor upon you, and I have chosen Islam to be your religion" (5:3), and "Whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from Him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers" (3:85).

It is our opinion that whoever claims that any religion other than Islam is acceptable, such as Judaism, Christianity and so forth, is a non believer. He should be asked to repent.

It is also our opinion that whoever rejects the universal message of Muhammad, peace be upon him, rejects the message of all messengers, even if he claims that he believes and follows His Messenger. Allah, the Exalted, said: "Noah's people rejected the Messengers" (26:105). Thus, Allah considered them as rejecting all of the messengers despite the fact that there was no messenger before Noah. This is also clear from the following verses: "Those who disbelieve in Allah and His Messengers, and wish to make division between Allah and His Messengers, and say: 'We believe in some and disbelieve in others,' wishing to take a midway course. Those indeed are the unbelievers, and We have prepared for the unbelievers a humiliating punishment"(4:150-51).

We believe that there is no prophet after Muhammad, Allah's Messenger, peace be upon him. Whoever claims prophet hood after him, or believes in anyone claiming it, is a disbeliever and one who rejects Allah, His Messenger, and the Muslims' consensus.

The Rightly Guided Caliphs:

We believe that the Prophet, peace be upon him, has rightly guided successors who carried out his Sunnah in spreading knowledge calling to Islam, and managing the Muslims' affairs. We believe that the best among them and the most entitled to the caliphate was Abu Bakr as Siddiq, then 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab, then 'Uthman Ibn Affan and then 'All Ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with them all. Thus their succession to the caliphate was according to their virtues. Allah, the Exalted, who possesses infinite wisdom, would not appoint a ruler over the best of generations unless he was the most superior among them and had the best claim to caliphate.

We believe that the inferior among those rightly guided companions can be superior in a specific virtue to those who were better than him but that he does not deserve absolute superiority, for the elements constituting superiority are varied and numerous.

We believe that the Muslim Ummah is the best among nations, and Allah, the Dignified and Exalted, has blessed it, because He said: "You are the best nation ever brought forth for mankind, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah" The Prophet's Companions:

We believe that the best among the Muslim Ummah are the Prophet's Companions, then their followers, and then those who followed them.

We also believe that a group of this Ummah will always remain victorious on the right path, unharmed by those who let them down or those who oppose them, until the Day of Judgment.

We believe that the disputes that took place among the Prophet's Companions were the result of sincere interpretations that they worked hard to reach. Whoever was right among them will be rewarded twice, and whoever was wrong among them will be rewarded once and his mistake will be forgiven.

It is our opinion that we should stop talking about their mistakes and mention what they deserve of beautiful praise. We should purify our hearts from hatred and malice against any of them, because Allah said about them: "They are not equal: those among you who spent and who fought before the conquest of Makkah. Those are higher in rank than those who spent and fought afterwards. But to all Allah has promised a great reward" (57:10). And Allah said about us: "And those who came after them say: 'Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith, and do not put in our hearts any malice against those who have believed. Our Lord, You are the most Kind, Most Merciful"' (59:10).

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Allah chooses Messengers

Allah (swt) need not come down personally for giving the instruction manual. He chooses a man amongst men to deliver the message and communicates with him at a higher level through the medium of revelations. Such chosen men are called messengers and prophets of God.

Some people are ‘blind’ and ‘deaf’:

Despite the absurdity of the philosophy of anthropomorphism, followers of many religions believe in and preach it to others. Is it not an insult to human intelligence and to the Creator who gave us this intelligence? Such people are truly ‘deaf’ and ‘blind’ despite the faculty of hearing and sight given to them by Allah. The Qur’an says:

"Deaf, dumb, and blind,

They will not return (to the path)."

[Al-Qur’an 2:18]

The Bible gives a similar message in the Gospel of Matthew:

"Seeing they see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand."

[The Bible, Matthew 13:13]

A similar message is also given in the Hindu Scriptures in the Rigveda.

"There maybe someone who sees the words and yet indeed does not see them; may be another one who hears these words but indeed does not hear them." 1

[Rigveda 10:71:4]

All these scriptures are telling their readers that though the things are made so clear yet many people divert away from the truth.

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The SUNNAH of Allaah's Messenger In the MONTH of SHABAAN

Shabaan is the eight month of the Islaamic calendar. It falls between two sacred months, Rajab and Ramadaan. Allaah's Messenger used to spend most part of Shabaan by fasting, Imaam Bukharee (rahimahullah) reports in his Saheeh that Aa'ishah said: “The Messenger used to fast until we thought he would never break his fast, and he would not fast until we thought he would never fast. I never saw the Messenger of Allaah fasting for an entire month except in Ramadaan, and I never saw him fast more than he did in Shabaan.” Ibn Rajab (rahimahullah) said: “Fasting in Shabaan is better than fasting in the sacred months (i.e. Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab - Soorah Tawbah (9): 36), and the best of voluntary fasts are those that are (observed in the months) closest to Ramadaan, before or after. The status of these fasts is like that of al-Sunan al-Rawaatib, which are done before and after fard (prayers) and which make up for any shortfall in the number of obligatory prayers. The same applies to fasts observed before and after Ramadaan. Just as al-Sunan al-Rawaatib are better than other kinds of voluntary prayers, so fasts observed (in the months) before and after Ramadaan are better than fasts at other times.” [Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif fimaa li Mawaasim al-'Aam min al-Wazaa'if, by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali]

When Allaah's Messenger was asked, why he fasted so abundantly in the month of Shabaan , he said: "That (Shabaan) is a month to which people do not pay attention, between Rajab and Ramadaan , and it is a month in which deeds are lifted up to the Lord of the worlds. I like for my deeds to be lifted up when I am fasting.” [an-Nisa'ee, see Saheeh al-Targheeb wa'l-Tarheeb, p. 425] This and other Ahaadeeth of Allaah's Messenger encourage performing good deeds when people are likely to become negligent of Allaah's remembrance and worship, like remembering Allaah in the market place, where people get busy in their dealings and in times of difficulty - Allaah's Messenger said: “Worship at times of tribulation (fitnah) is like Hijrah (migration) to me.” [Saheeh Muslim (2984)] The virtue and superiority of worshiping Allaah when people tend to become negligent of Allaah's remembrance is because worship at such times is more difficult than worshiping Allaah when everybody is engaged in the worship.

Fasting in Shabaan serves as training before Ramadaan. However, fasting the whole month of Shabaan is Makrooh (dislike) and against the Sunnah of Allaah's Messenger . Ibn Abbas said: “The Messenger of Allaah did not fast any entire month apart from Ramadaan.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee] It is also prohibited to fast at the end of Shabaan with the intention of not missing the first days of Ramadaan, except for those who have the habit of fasting regularly and the last day of Shabaan coincides with a day when the person habitually fasts, those who are bound by vows or have to make up some obligatory fasts. It is reported in Saheeh al-Bukharee from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said: “Do not pre-empt Ramadaan by one or two days, except for those who have the habit of fasting regularly, in which case they may fast.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee (1983)] Fasting at the end of Shabaan
is prohibited to maintain distinction between the obligatory and voluntary fasts - it is also a precaution to prevent the people from falling into the trap of Shaytaan, who persuaded the People of the Book to add more fasts to that which Allaah had made obligatory for them. For this same reason, it is also prohibited to fast on the 'day of doubt.' A day of doubt is when people are not sure about the start of Ramadaan, because of cloudy weather, or some other reason.


15th Shabaan: Is there any reality?

Some ignorant people have themselves specified particular nights of the year, when they stay awake all night and worship Allaah. It is believed that anyone who worships Allaah in these specific nights, it will recompense for his yearly deeds and will be enough for his salvation and entering Jannah. One among these nights is the night of mid
Shabaan (15th Shabaan), which is popularly known as 'Shabb-e-Baraa't' in the Indian sub-continent.

Specifying particular nights for worshiping Allaah is against the Sunnah of the Prophet . In fact, he has strictly forbade specifying particular nights for worship, he said concerning Friday: “Do not single out the night (preceding) Friday among the nights for prayer and do not single out Friday among days for fasting but only when anyone among you is accustomed to fast (on dates) which coincide with this day (Friday).” [Saheeh Muslim (no. 2546)]

Friday is the best day of the week and it is also greatly encouraged to perform good deeds on Friday. If it had been enough to worship Allaah during some specific nights, and then become negligent of Him throughout the year, then Allaah's Messenger would have specified the night of Friday for worshiping Allaah, but he forbade it. This clearly proves that worshiping Allaah only during some particular nights in the whole year does not fulfill the slave's obligation of worshiping his Lord. The slave is required to worship Allaah at all times until his death, because worship is the sole purpose of man's creation. Allaah says, “Glorify, the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him). And worship your Lord (O Muhammad ) until there comes to you death.” [Soorah al-Hijr (15): 99] It was the practice of Allaah's Messenger to worship Allaah all throughout the year, all his nights and days were spent in the worship of Allaah.

The Sunnah of Allaah's Messenger during the month of Shabaan was to fast and he said concerning the virtue of Shabaan, “…it (Shabaan) is a month in which deeds are lifted up to the Lord of the Worlds. I like for my deeds to be lifted up when I am fasting.” [an-Nisa'ee, see Saheeh al-Targheeb wa'l-Tarheeb, p. 425] Also, it is reported in Bayhaqee, Ibn Hibban and Tabaranee with authentic (Saheeh) chain of narrators that Allaah's Messenger said: “On the 15 night of Shabaan, Allaah, the Exalted, looks upon His slaves (with Mercy) and forgives everybody except the disbeliever and he, who holds malice for anybody.”

Apart from this, most narrations that are commonly spread among the people concerning the virtues of the month of Shabaan or specifically the night of 15th Shabaan are weak and fabricated. Scholars like ash-Shawkani, Ibn Jawzi, Ibn Hibban, al-Qurtubee (rahimahumullah) have greatly condemned these narrations. (For details refer to 'al-Fawaaid al-Majmoo'ah', 'Moudhoo'aat al-Kubra ' and Tafseer Qurtubee'). From among the fabricated Ahaadeeth are those which mention, on this day (15th Shabaan) Allaah descends in the night of mid-Shabaan to the heaven of the world and then
forgives people more than the number of the hair of the sheep of Banu Kalb , anyone who prays fourteen Rakahs of Salaah on the night of 15th Shabaan will get the reward of accepted fasts and Hajj of twenty years, etc. Anybody who relates such fabricated Ahaadeeth should be reminded of the authentic Hadeeth of Allaah's Messenger , which says, “Whosoever narrated a lie on my behalf, let him make his place in Hell-Fire.” [Bukharee]

The night of 15th Shabaan has also been given the status and virtues of Laylatul-Qadr by misinterpreting Qur'aanic verses. It is claimed that the laylatim-mubarakah (blessed night) mentioned in Soorah ad-Dukhan (44): 3, refers to the night of 15th Shabaan , when Allaah forgives the sins of His slaves, increases their ages and provisions. Therefore, people stay awake all night and say innovated supplications in loud voices.

Allaah says in Soorah ad-Dukhan:“By the manifest Book (this Qur'aan) that makes things clear, We sent it (this Qur'aan) down on a blessed night (laylatim-mubarakah). Verily, we are ever warning.” [Soorah ad-Dukhan (44): 2] Allaah informs us in this verse that He sent down the Qur'aan in laylatim-mubarakah (the blessed night). The Qur'aan itself identifies laylatim-mubarakah in other verses, it is mentioned in Soorah al-Qadr (97): 1, “Verily, We have revealed it (the Qur'aan) down in the Night of al-Qadr.” So, according to this verse laylatim-mubarakah is not the night of 15th Shabaan but it is the Night of al-Qadr, which comes in Ramadaan. Allaah says in Soorah al-Baqarah (2):185, “The month of Ramadaan in which was revealed the Qur'aan…”

Another deviant belief related to the night 15th of Shabaan is that the mention of the descent of Ruh in Soorah al-Qadr (97): 4, means that the souls of the dead people return back to the world and meet their wives and relatives. For this reason, widows prepare food liked by their husbands and wait for their arrival. People also visit graves and seek forgiveness for all those people who have died between the last Shabaan and the present one.

Allaah says in Soorah al-Qadr, “Therein (in the Night of Qadr) descend the Angels and the Ruh by Allaah's Permission with all Decrees.” [Soorah al-Qadr (97): 4] Firstly, this verse refers to the Night of al-Qadr and not 15th Shabaan as explained earlier. Secondly, descending of the Ruh in this verse means the descending of Angel Jibreel with other Angels and not souls of the dead people (see Tafseer Ibn Katheer). Besides, believing that souls of the dead can return back to the world and meet with their relatives is itself an incorrect belief. The teachings of the Qur'aan and the
Sunnah clearly state that the souls of the dead do not return back to the world. To Learn about this in details 'Do Souls of the Dead Return Back to the World?' Click Here.

As far as visiting the graves is concerned, a weak narration of Aa’ishah reported in Sunan at-Tirmidhee (in the book of fasting) is often brought forth to support the visiting of graves on the night of 15th Shabaan. The Hadeeth reads as follows, One night (i.e. night of mid Shabaan) I found the Messenger of Allaah absent from my apartment. I therefore, went out to search him out and he was in Baqi raising his head towards the heaven.' He said, “O Aa’ishah were you afraid that Allaah and His Messenger will wrong with you”? She said, 'I replied: I had not such a low opinion about Allaah and His Messenger, but I presumed that you had gone to some of your wives for some need.' He
said, “Verily, Allaah descends in the night of mid-Shabaan to the heaven of the world and then forgives people more than the number of the hair of the sheep of Banu Kalb.” A similar Hadeeth is also found in Saheeh Muslim, but it does not mention the night of 15th Shabaan. However, the Hadeeth of Sunan at-Tirmidhee is not authentic and thus does not have any proof for visiting graves specifically on the night of Shabaan.

Allaah's Messenger has permitted the men to visit the graves at any time and make Du'aa for the engraved. He said, “I used to forbid you from visiting graves, but now you should visit them, for surely they are reminders of the next life.” [Saheeh Muslim (2131)] And he also taught us the Du'aa of visiting graves, “Peace be
upon the Believers and Muslims among the inhabitants of these dwellings. May Allaah have mercy on those who have gone ahead of us, and those following us. And we shall, Allaah willing, be joining you.” [Saheeh Muslim
(2127)] But to specify certain days for visiting graves was neither the practice of Allaah's Messenger , nor the Sahaabah therefore, visiting graves specifically on 15th Shabaan should be avoided, as it falls under the category of innovations and Allaah's Messenger said about innovations, “…the worst of affairs are the
newly invented matters, every newly invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is mis guidance and every mis guidance is in the Hell-Fire.” [An-Nasa'ee]

Many people also light candles on graves, which has no basis from the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. In fact, lighting candles is an imitation of the fire worshipers and Ibn Abbas narrated that Allaah's Messenger cursed the women who visit the graves. He also cursed those who set up mosques and lights over graves.” [(Hasan) Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah, at-Tirmidhee and an-Nas'aee]