How to Dispose of Fallen Hair and Nails

 

There is no basis for saying that one must say bismillah (in the Name of Allah) three times over nails or hair before throwing them away, otherwise Satan will use them. It is also not correct to say that they must be buried. The hadith narrated concerning that is very weak.

It is permissible to throw fallen hair or nails in the garbage or down the drain or to bury them. If a person fears that they may fall into the hands of those who practice sihr (sorcery), then he should dispose of them in a place where they will not be able to get hold of them.

Allah Almighty knows best.

About Sheikh Muhammad Saleh Al-Munajjid

ًA well-known Saudi lecturer and author

- aboutislam.net

INTIMATE ISSUES (PART 1 OF 2): SEX AND MARRIAGE IN ISLAM

 

Islam is a holistic way of life.  It takes into account all of humankind’s needs; spiritual, emotional and physical.  Part of physical wellbeing includes sexual wellbeing and health.  God created sex not only for procreation but to fulfil humankinds need for intimacy.  Islam leaves no part of our lives unexplained and thus sexuality and intimacy are not topics that the Quran and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him, shy away from or neglect. 

Islam encourages marriage and has made it the only means through which one can satisfy their sexual needs.  There are well-known consequences if a person engages in premarital relationships or behaves in a promiscuous manner. These include unwanted pregnancies, the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, family breakdown in cases of adultery and emotional difficulties arising from relationships without commitment.  Islam is aware of these complications and cautions the person who does not take the matter seriously.  Islam defines pre-marital and extra-marital sexual relationships as great sins. 

“Nor come closer to illicit sexual intimacy for it is a shameful and immoral, opening the door (to other immorality).” (Quran 17:32)

When a man or woman is able to marry, they should be encouraged and aided in their attempts to get married.  Also when the intention has been made clear, the couple should marry as quickly as possible to discourage any temptation to fall into sin.  Prophet Muhammad encouraged marriage however he encouraged fasting for those who did not have the means to marry.  He said: “Whoever among you possesses the physical and financial resources to marry should do so, because it helps one to guard their modesty, and whoever is unable to marry should fast, as fasting diminishes one’s sexual desire.”[1]

God, in infinite wisdom guides us away from the potentially destructive behaviour of pre-marital or extra-marital relationships and towards behaviour that allows us to live God centred lives while enjoying the closeness of a loving relationship.  In fact God rewards us for intimacy with our lawful partner.  Prophet Muhammad told his companions that “In the sexual act of each of you there is charity.” The Companions asked, “When one of us fulfils his sexual desire, will he be given a reward for that?” And he said, “Do you not think that were he to act upon it unlawfully, he would be sinning? Likewise, if he acts upon it lawfully he will be rewarded.”[2]

Giving pleasure to one’s spouse is a highly rewarding deed. Marriage itself is viewed in Islam as the longest, most continuous act of worship a Muslim will perform in the course of their lives. It is a partnership between two who seek to please God; thus, sexual intimacy between spouses is the ‘spark’ that strengthens this bond. As each person strives to fulfil the rights and needs of the other, an affection and fondness is achieved.  God stresses that a person will find intimacy and comfort in a lawful union. 

“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy.  Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect.” (Quran 30:21)

Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him, was known as a loving husband and a family man.  He was known to speak frankly to his companions, both men and women, when they asked him about matters of a sexual nature.  For example his responses to questions included such wise advice as, “None of you should fall upon his wife like an animal; let their be a ‘messenger’ between you.” “And what is a messenger?” they asked, and he replied: “Kisses and words.”[3]

Prophet Muhammad said: “If one of you says, when he has intercourse with his wife: ‘I begin with the name of God, O God, keep Satan away from me and keep Satan away from that which You bestow upon us,’ if it is decreed that they should have a child, Satan will never harm him.”[4]  

Prophet Muhammad was never embarrassed and strove to provide clear and understandable answers about all sorts of subjects including menstruation and orgasm.  A woman once asked the Prophet if she needed to take a bath after a wet dream to which he replied, “Yes, if she sees liquid.”[5]

God has ordained that our spouses be like our garments and that the husband and wife protect each other and be close companions.  However marriage has many psychological, emotional and physical aspects to it and all matters relating to physical, emotional and spiritual health must be addressed, because all three areas are vital for the marriage to survive in a healthy way.  God has given permission for married couples to fulfil their desires in many and varied ways and positions.  

“Your wives are a tilth for you, so go to your tilth when and how you will, and put forth [righteousness] for yourselves.   And fear God, and know that you will (one day) meet Him…” (Quran 2:223)

The Quran and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad also educate and advise us of any prohibitions within the confines of marriage.  It is taken and understood from the above verse of the Quran that within a marriage both the man and woman have the right to enjoy each other’s bodies and intimate companionship however they must avoid  having sex when the woman is menstruating or bleeding after childbirth  and  they must never engage in anal sex.

In part 2 we will look at prohibitions in the bedroom and discuss sex education and its ability to teach children healthy Islamic attitudes towards marriage, sex and body image. - islamreligion.com

FOOTNOTES:

[1]Saheeh Muslim

[2]Saheeh Muslim

[3]Musnad Al Firdaus- imām Daylami

[4]Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim

[5]Saheeh Al-Bukhari

Harmony in Allah’s Universe

Allah says in the Noble Qur’an:  “And the heaven We built with Our own powers (aydin) and indeed We go on expanding it” (Qur’an 51:47).

The Universe is all of time and space,  including planets, stars, galaxies, contents of intergalactic space, the smallest subatomic particles, and all matter and energy.

Currently, the observable universe is about 28 billion parsecs or 91 billion light-years in diameter. Humankind do not know the size of the whole Universe and may be either finite or infinite.

Observations and the development of physical theories have led to inferences about the composition and evolution of the Universe.

In this interesting documentary, we’ll learn more about the universe we’re living in, the science of Cosmology and the theories which helped us in understanding some info about the place we’re living in which we call the Cosmos.

Observations of the distribution of these galaxies and their spectral lines have led to many of the theories of modern physical cosmology.

Expanding Universe

Observations in the late 1990s indicated the rate of the expansion of the Universe is increasing. This indicated that the majority of energy is most likely in an unknown form called dark energy. 

The majority of mass in the universe also appears to exist in an unknown form, called dark matter.

The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological model describing the development of the Universe. Space and time were created in the Big Bang.

Allah says in the Qur’an:  “Do not the unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were a closed-up mass (ratqan), then We clove them asunder (fataqna)?…”  (Qur’an 21:31)

These were imbued with a fixed amount of energy and matter. As space expands, the density of that matter and energy decreases.

After the initial expansion, it cooled sufficiently to allow the formation first of subatomic particles and later of simple atoms.

Giant clouds of these primordial elements later coalesced through gravity to form stars. Assuming that the prevailing model is correct, the age of the Universe is 13.799±0.021 billion years.

There are many competing hypotheses about the ultimate fate of the Universe. Science remains unsure about what, if anything, preceded the Big Bang.

This article is from our archive, originally published on an earlier date.

-aboutislam.net

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ANIMALS RIGHTS: CRUELTY TO IMPURE ANIMALS.

 

Islam is a religion devoted to the concept of mercy.  Muslims are encouraged to be merciful towards each other, towards all of humankind, towards animals, and even towards the environment.  God is the Most Merciful and all mercy originates from Him.  When Prophet Muhammad explained the quality of God’s mercy, he used the metaphor of a mother animal showing mercy towards her offspring[1].

“And We have sent you O Muhammad not but as a mercy for all of humankind, jinn, and all that exists.” (Quran 21:107)

Islam is also concerned with giving and securing rights.  The Sharia, or God’s laws as embodied in the Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad, endeavours to protect rights.  Human beings have both rights and responsibilities.   One of those responsibilities is to secure the rights animals have to safety, security, and kind treatment.  We are responsible before God to ensure that animal rights are upheld and respected.  Cruelty to animals is a grave sin and can result in severe punishment.

“A woman was tortured and put in Hell because of a cat which she locked up until it died from hunger.”  Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said:.“She  neither fed it nor let it drink when it was locked  up, nor did she set it free to eat the insects of the earth.”

It is true that God has decreed certain animals impure, specifically the dog, and the pig. This however is not a licence for cruelty.  Impurity simply indicates that there are certain precautions to take, and particular regulations to follow when dealing with these animals.  Treating animals, including dogs, with kindness can result in great reward; just as treating animals with cruelty can lead a person to the hell fire.

The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said, “While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it.  On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst.  The man said, ‘This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as me.  So he went down the well, filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth, climbed up, and gave the water to the dog. God thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him his sins.”  The people asked, “O messenger of God!  Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?”  He replied, “Yes, there is a reward for serving any living creature..”[2]

God has made it abundantly clear that the meat of the pig is impure[3]  and that the dog is an impure animal. Without doubt there is a divine wisdom behind all of this; however, a Muslim submits to God’s commands willingly, without needing to know the reason behind the divine rule.  Moreover, God has expressly stated that a believer hears the words of his Lord and obeys them.

“‘We hear and we obey.’  And such are the successful (who will live forever in Paradise).” (Quran 24:51)

Hearing and obeying rules set down by God cannot be interpreted as a license to be cruel to any living creature.  Although pigs and dogs can cause obvious harm to human beings,  such as the meat of the pig  harbouring  diseases and bacteria harmful to man, or packs of dogs causing disease there is no justification for cruelty towards them.

Prophet Muhammad ordered the culling of the dogs of Medina[4] and the reason for this was that the dogs at that time were widely infected with rabies. Rabies, as is known, is an acute and fatal infectious disease that causes seizures in man and eventually leads to death. There were no animal shelters or vaccinations for diseased dogs; therefore killing the dogs was the only feasible way of protecting the people from harm.

“My father (one of Prophet Muhammad’s companions) said. “During the lifetime of God’s Messenger, dogs used to urinate, and pass through the Mosques (come and go...)”[5]

Islam is clear about the right of animals to be treated with mercy and kindness; however it is important to remember that animals were created for the benefit of humankind.  We are not permitted to either ill-treat animals or work them beyond their capacity.  On the other hand it is not acceptable to place the life of animals on an equal or higher status then the lives of humans. Thus it is permissible to slaughter certain animals for food or necessity; it is also permissible to use animals to advance medical science.  In both cases cruelty is forbidden.

Humankind is permitted to use animals to satisfy their legitimate needs but not to satisfy base desires.  Any experimentation done for the sake of luxury is forbidden.  A believer must be certain that the meat they eat was slaughtered in a humane way.

Umar ibn Al Khattab, the second leader of the Muslims after the death of Prophet Muhammad, saw a person dragging a goat by its leg to slaughter it.  He said to him, “May ruin overtake you; slaughter it in an appropriate manner.”[6]  Umar told the people that animals should not be treated harshly or unkindly.  He expressed his concern for animals,  and his fear of God questioning him about his treatment of animals, by saying, “If a camel was to stumble in Euphrates valley, I fear that God will question me about it”.[7]

Humankind was put on this earth to be the custodian of God’s creation.  Treating animals with kindness and mercy is just one of the responsibilities embedded in that custodianship.  The impure status of some animals has no bearing on their right to live a life free from pain and suffering. - islamreligion.com

FOOTNOTES:

[1]Saheeh Muslim

[2]Saheeh Al-Bukhari

[3]For more information see Why Pork is forbidden, parts 1 & 2 at (http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/2513/viewall/)

[4]Saheeh Muslim

[5]Saheeh Al-Bukhari

[6]Dr. Mustafa Al-Sabai. Some Glittering Aspects of Islamic Civilization, Sharif Ahmad Khan, trans. (Delhi: Hindustan Publication, 1983) p. 138

[7]Sheik Muhammed Karakkunnu, Farooq Umar (Malayalam), Calicut,India: IPH, 1984) p. 516.

TEN REASONS TO GET EXCITED ABOUT THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS

 

Five Reasons to Get Excited about the Dead Sea Scrolls

1)   They’re old.  So what? Yeah, well, I understand.  Grandpa’s old, but the only one who’s excited about him is grandma, and even there, the magic wore off twenty years ago.  But the key is not the age of the Dead Sea Scrolls.  Rather, it’s the bloody, tumultuous period in which they were hidden away.  It was 68 CE, and Judea was in the middle of its revolt against Roman rule.  Emperor Nero, infamous for his persecution of the Christian/Jews in the wake of the great fire of Rome, assigned General Vespasian to sweep the Roman legions across Judea and wipe out Jewish insurgency.  Midway through this campaign, Nero was deposed and committed suicide.  With the Roman Empire in upheaval and the Jews of Judea waging civil war as well as combating the Roman onslaught, the keepers of the scrolls hid their treasured scriptures in the caves at Qumran (the area of the Dead Sea where they were found).

2)   They’re incomplete.  Even the best preserved scrolls have holes in them and are missing sections of text.  The library of Dead Sea Scrolls looks like an unfinished jigsaw puzzle.  Who knows what essential information is missing? Nonetheless, the texts we have hint at mind-boggling religious concepts.

3)   There may be undiscovered scrolls still hiding out in the Holy Land.  Scholars estimate as many as twenty of the caves at Qumran were lost, together with their contents, due to collapse.  Being collapsed, these caves cannot be found unless excavated by accident.  Caches of scrolls may exist elsewhere in the Holy Land, as well.  However, Israel’s stranglehold on this flow of information has resulted in scholars leveling charges of academic and/or religious conspiracy.

4)   Major interest groups don’t want you to know about them.  But let’s face it: If someone tells you not to look at something, isn’t that the first thing you want to do? Well, many interest groups don’t want you to look, or at least, not too deeply.  Visit the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibits, admire their preservation, appreciate their antiquity, but then move on to the Phoenician glass exhibit.  Do anything but delve into the scrolls’ history, their meaning.  Some scholars who have disclosed secrets contrary to the sanctioned “official version” have claimed the whistleblower punishment of academic persecution.  Are free-thinkers like Robert Eisenman and Michael Baigent quacks, as Israel’s religious authorities would like us to believe, or clear-minded scholars who sound the call of reason? Eisenman’s The Dead Sea Scrolls and the First Christians makes clear his lofty level of scholarship, while Baigent and Leigh’s The Dead Sea Scrolls Deception renders plausible the claim of a “conspiracy of consensus.” For several decades, scholars decried Israel’s delay in releasing the scrolls to the public; the work of these authors, among others, provides powerful evidence to support the theory of an academic scandal.  Why were Israel’s authorities so slow to release the Dead Sea Scrolls? If you believe the revisionist scholars, Judaic and Trinitarian Christian authorities have good reason to fear the secrets of the scrolls.

5)   The keepers of the scrolls were slaughtered after hiding them away in the caves.  In essence, they died to preserve the scrolls.  Sooo .  .  .  they must have held the scrolls with slightly more reverence than, say, the scriptural equivalent of comic books, right? So what was so precious about the Dead Sea Scrolls – not to us, but to their keepers? Was there a deep, dark secret they were willing to die for? Or were the scrolls just that holy? Either way, we should want to know.

Five More Reasons to Get Excited about the Dead Sea Scrolls

6)   Modern discoveries shed light on their importance.  The oldest and most authoritative New Testament manuscripts found to date, the Sinaiticus and Vaticanus codices (what’s a codex, plural: codices? A scriptural manuscript in book form, as opposed to scrolls), were discovered in the nineteenth century, long after the most popular version of the English Bible, the 1611 King James Version, was written.  These codices throw into question or, in some cases, frankly negate issues that were assumed by many to be religious certainties.  Given this new knowledge, biblical textual criticism is experiencing a resurgence of interest.  Many new facts have been exposed, some of which are of such importance as to be considered religiously revolutionary.  The Dead Sea Scrolls, like a critical piece of an unfinished jigsaw puzzle, helps to fill in our understanding of the Christian Bible.

7)   Modern biblical scholarship demands re-evaluation of the Old and New Testaments.  Scholars such as Bart D.  Ehrman and Bruce Metzger have exposed numerous errors and inconsistencies in both the Old and New Testaments.  Some of these errors are significant enough to challenge orthodox Jewish and Trinitarian Christian beliefs.  In the context of this scriptural and canonical uncertainty, every bit of evidence helps.  Again, the Dead Sea Scrolls help in this regard.

8)   The Dead Sea Scrolls excite the imagination.  They speak of a Teacher of Righteousness, believed by some scholars to refer to either Jesus or James.  They also speak of the Teacher of Righteousness’ antagonist, variously identified as the “Wicked Priest,” the “Man of Scoffing,” “The Man of the Lie,” “The Spouter of the Lie,” and “The Priest who Rebelled.” Some scholars believe these euphemisms refer to Paul, whom the scrolls describe as having been excommunicated from the early Christian church.  Now .  .  .  wait a minute.  If Paul was an enemy of Jesus or James, and was excommunicated from the early Christian church, what does that say about Trinitarian Christian canon, which is primarily based on the teachings of Paul?

9)   The Dead Sea Scrolls are fun! I mean, come on, those keepers of the scrolls? They were wild men! Talk about guys who really knew how to party, beginning of the first millennium-style.  Their sectarian scrolls describe their pure food and drink, daily ritual baths, and nighttimes spent studying scripture and praying.  If one of the “Sons of Light” so much as gestured with his left hand, he was punished, and anyone who even whispered against Mosaic law was exiled forever.  Giving up all worldly wealth, living a monastic life in the desert, this was a bunch of wool-robed, wild and crazy guys! But seriously, even if you don’t respect their convictions, you’ve simply got to respect their sincerity.  The keepers of the scrolls (believed by most scholars to have been Essene Jews) lived a tough life devoted to piety and worship.  So once again, what did they know about the scrolls that we don’t know?

10)  And finally, what is the main reason we should get excited about the Dead Sea Scrolls? The same reason the world’s great religious and political powers are excited about them! Nowhere in the Bible do we find the gospel of Jesus.  In fact, modern Christian scholarship acknowledges that all four of the New Testament gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) were written anonymously.  The religious world would love to find the true gospel of Jesus .  .  .  well .  .  .   maybe.  Perhaps I should say, the religious world would love to find the true gospel of Jesus, but only if it says what they want it to say.  If the true gospel of Jesus were ever found, consider the consequences.  A gospel that unequivocally proves Jesus’ prophethood would destroy Judaism and negate Israel’s political purpose of creating a Jewish state.  If Jesus teaches the monotheism of Unitarian Christianity rather than the Trinitarian mysteries derived from Paul’s teachings, it would tear down the canon of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as that of all other Trinitarian denominations.  At the same time, it would challenge the faith (and political support) of all so-called Christian nations.  We’re talking major upheaval of the world’s religions and religion-based superpowers.  Consequently, if the gospel of Jesus were ever found, these world powers would fight to possess it or kill to suppress it, depending on what it contains.  Now that is definitely worth getting excited about. -islamreligion.com

 

About the author:
Laurence B. Brown, MD, has authored several articles and books and his official website is www.leveltruth.com where he can also be contacted through the ‘Contact’ page.

Asiyah, Wife of Pharaoh – The Change Maker

 

A tyrant rises to power, ruling his nation with cruelty and hatred.

In one fell swoop, he creates a giant chasm between two segments of society: those to whom he belongs and those whom he has declared outsiders.

For years, he considered himself successful in enforcing his agenda of prejudice and discrimination… until revolution arises from the very heart of his land, kindled in the heart of the person he least suspects.

Some three thousand years ago, the Pharaoh of Egypt was one of the most notable individuals to implement hatred and murder as public policy.

{Ta, Sin, Mim. These are Verses of the Book that makes (things) clear. We recite to you from the account of Moses and Pharaoh with truth for people who believe.Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the earth and made its people castes. A tribe among them he oppressed, killing their sons and sparing their women. Indeed, he was of the corrupters.} [Surat Al-Qasas, 28:1-]

Even as he sent his soldiers throughout Egypt to massacre infants, considering himself safe for as long as babies’ blood flowed as regularly as the Nile, a woman of Bani Isra’il cradled her son and then cast him into the river.

{And We inspired to the mother of Moses, “Suckle him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him [one] of the messengers.”} [Surat Al-Qasas, 28:7]

From the cradle of one mother into the embrace of another, Allah caused the Nile to carry young Musa straight into the arms of ‘Asiyah, the wife of Pharaoh.

{And the wife of Pharaoh said, “A comfort of the eye for me and for you! Do not kill him; perhaps he may benefit us, or we may adopt him as a son.” And they perceived not.} [Surat Al-Qasas, 28:8-9]

In these moments, Musa gained his second mother, who did not birth him but who raised him from infancy to become the man he was to be—a man of nobility and ethics with a keen sense of justice.

In the heart of Pharaoh’s palace, ‘Asiyah, the queen of Egypt, held her adopted son close and gave him the spiritual and intellectual education he needed to bring forth a revolution unlike any other.

Surrounded by wealth and luxury, protected by the privilege of his adopted parents’ power, Musa could have grown up to be spoiled and arrogant, entitled and apathetic to the plight of those who shared his blood.

Undoubtedly, it was ‘Asiyah’s wisdom and compassion that guided him to be aware of himself as far more than just a pampered prince of Egypt.

Perhaps she sat at his bedside when he was a child and murmured to him the tale of how he was brought into her arms, the Nile River depositing the basket carrying its unexpected gift of a son.

Perhaps it was she who answered his questions about why he didn’t look like the other children, why he carried the stamp of Bani Isra’il on his features, and why he was still alive and safe in the Pharaoh’s palace while every other year, the land was witness to a massacre of infant boys and the rivers flooded with the tears of their mothers.

Perhaps her heart broke every time she gazed upon the young boy who was the coolness of her eyes, remembering that her beloved almost-son had very nearly been one of those slaughtered children.

Perhaps she told him, her voice wavering with emotion, that the only power she had to stop the bloodlust of her husband lay in that moment when she held baby Musa in her arms and beseeched Pharaoh to, just once, save an innocent life.

No doubt that she treasured him all the more for it.

No doubt that in that one moment of unimaginable courage in the face of a murder, ‘Asiyah taught Musa what it meant to stand up against injustice.

It was ‘Asiyah, more than anyone else, who knew that silence and inaction from those in positions of influence would only lead to more horror.

It was ‘Asiyah who raised Musa: a queen who raised a Prophet; a woman who raised one of the greatest revolutionaries the world has ever known.

Today, we must be ‘Asiyah

Today, as we witness murderers and madmen ruling our lands, we must be the ‘Asiyahs.

We must be the parents who raise our children to be aware of the injustice around them.

We have to teach them that the privileges we enjoy are a responsibility to do more, to fight against the horrors surrounding us, to dedicate ourselves to changing the world for the better, to speak against the pharaohs of our nations.

We have to be determined to do everything possible—even the impossible—for the sake of Divine Justice.

The likes of ‘Asiyah are the ones who will raise the likes of Musa.

So we are to live like ‘Asiyah, that we may die like ‘Asiyah, with absolute conviction in our beliefs, with love for our Creator burning so strongly in our hearts that no human injustice can break us.

Knowing that even when we pass away, our legacy of faith, justice, and revolution will live on in our children and our children’s children.

It is ‘Asiyah who teaches us, just as she taught Musa the meaning of courage and conviction, in her life and even in her deat.

She was killed by Pharaoh for her belief in Allah, Allah elevated her amongst all of humankind and immortalized her final prayer in the Quran:

{And Allah presents an example of those who believed: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, “My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people.”} [Surat Al-Tahrim,  66:11]

From the archives.

About Zainab bint Younus

Zainab bint Younus is a young woman who finds constant inspiration in the lives of the Sahabiyaat and other great women in Islamic history. She hopes that every Muslimah is able to identify with the struggles of these inspirational women and follow in their footsteps to become a part of a new generation of powerful Muslim women. She blogs at http://www.thesalafifeminist.blogspot.com

- aboutislam.net

OUT OF EGYPT: THE STORY OF PASSOVER IN THE QURAN

 

Many Jews may be surprised to learn that Islam as preached by Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, was the same religion preached by Abraham, as well as of all other prophets mentioned in the Torah and the Bible.  Muslims honor all the prophets of the Jews – Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David and Solomon among others – as their own prophets and believe that they all preached on message, that is the belief in the Oneness of God. 

Here is how God ordered Muhammad to uphold the belief in the Oneness of God, which was upheld by Prophet Abraham:

“Then We revealed to you, [O Muhammad], to follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with Allah. .” (Quran 16:123)

It is particularly noteworthy that in the Quran, there is no story that is recounted as many times and with as much emphasis, as the story of the bondage of the Children of Israel and their subsequent deliverance from Egypt’s Pharaoh.  The Quran quotes Moses as saying to his people:

“O my people!  Remember the blessings which God bestowed upon you when he raised up prophets among you, and made you your own masters, and granted unto you favors such as He had not granted to anyone else in the world.” (Quran 5:20)

It was Moses, with the help and guidance of God Almighty, who led them out of Egypt towards a land of promise.  God in the Quran says what means: 

“O children of Israel! Remember those blessings of Mine with which I graced you, and how I favored you above all other people.  And guard yourselves against a day when no soul will in aught avail another, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be received from it, nor will they be helped.  And remember the time when We saved you from Pharaoh’s people, who afflicted you with cruel suffering, slaughtering your sons and sparing only your women — which was an awesome trial from your Sustainer; and when We cleft the sea before you, and thus saved you and caused Pharaoh’s people to drown before your very eyes.” (Quran 2:47-50)

The story is narrated elsewhere in the Quran, where we may read these verses:

“And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them in tyranny and enmity until, when drowning overtook him, he said, "I believe that there is no deity except that in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims." Now? And you had disobeyed [Him] before and were of the corrupters? So today We will save you in body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless. And We had certainty settled the Children of Israel in an agreeable settlement and provided them with good things. And they did not differ until [after] knowledge had come to them. Indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ” (Quran 10:90-93)

The torments inflicted on the Children of Israel by the Pharaoh were continuous and harsh; and so God sent His prophets Moses and Aaron (peace be upon them) to warn the tyrant that he should stop the oppression of the Children of Israel and free them.

But he was arrogant and refused to free the Jews, until the last of the plagues God sent as punishment.    

Under guidance from God, the Israelites fled Egypt; while the Pharaoh and his men pursued them.  It seemed like their journey would end at the Red Sea which prevented their escape.

But a miracle happened when Moses struck the water with his staff: The waves of the Red Sea parted and the Israelites hurried along the passage between the parted waves.  Pharaoh and his soldiers followed; but by the time the Israelites reached the other shore, the sea closed in engulfing their pursuers.  Thus the Israelites were delivered from bondage, and the Pharaoh and his people perished.   

When the Prophet Muhammad came to Madinah on the tenth of the lunar month of Muharram, he found that the Jews there were fasting.

“The Prophet asked them why they were fasting on this day, and they explained that it was the day that God saved the Children of Israel from the Pharaoh, and that Moses fasted in thanks on this day.  The Prophet said, “We have more claim to Moses than you.” He fasted on that day and commanded Muslims to fast on the day.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

- islamreligion.com

Why Are Women Ordered to Wear Hijab While Men Aren’t?

 

Allah is never unjust

Allah (swt) is The Most Knowing (Al ‘Aleem), the All-Wise (Al Hakeem), The Purifier (Al Qudoos),and He instructs all that is good and pure for both men and women in this life and the next.

Allah (swt) is never unjust, not even in the slightest. He ordered both men and women to take some measures that will lead them to live an honorable, dignified life.

Why dress code?

If you are thinking: “but why is He ordering certain clothing in the first place?”, then let me share with you some excerpts from a university’s dress code guidelines that staff, employees and students are obliged to adhere to. Mind you, this is an American University:

“This policy sets guidance [for what’s expected from staff and employees].

Failure to comply with guidelines will result in disciplinary actions.

Clothing should be appropriate and not display profanity.

Shorts are not appropriate and cannot be worn.

Attires should not distract or disrupt work environment.”

The guidelines go on to say what exactly is acceptable and what isn’t.

This is not restricted to the university, but also work places/job interviews/sports clubs/ some restaurants. There are laws, regulations and guidelines designed by different authorities to inform people of what’s acceptable and what isn’t.

In the university example we mentioned earlier, they have imposed laws to make sure that no one is dressed in a manner that is distracting, disrupting or disrespectful.

As an authority, the university decided what is best for its community.

Allah know what is best and purest for us

Now, as the Supreme Authority, doesn’t Allah (swt) also know what is best and purest for His created beings?

{Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Acquainted?} (Quran 67:14)

In His Wisdom, Allah (swt) also informed us of what is best for our communities and our learning journeys on this earth.

In the Chapter called ‘The Light’ in the Noble Quran, Allah says (as translated into English):

(Note: instructions are given to both men and women)

{Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their head-covers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers,
their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.} (Quran 24: 30-31).

So, instructions are given to both men and women to lower their gaze and behave modestly.

Both men and women have rights and responsibilities according to their unique natures; their physiological, psychological and biological compositions.

Why Are Women Ordered to Wear Hijab While Men Aren’t?

Now, with regards to your question, what exactly are we suggesting? That men also wear hijab that covers their heads and chests? Are we suggesting that men and women’s chests are the same and/or seen in the same light? Really? So, if men covered their heads and chests, this will make them less fitnah as you mentioned?

Let us be honest.

Women are more desirable and more concerned with adorning themselves and accentuating their beauty. Who are the largest consumers of the beauty industry, men or women? It is largely women.

So, the point for a woman with regards to the hijab is not to give up her beauty, but rather to be in control of it; to force others to listen to her and know her for who she is, not how she looks.

Now, I was just having a conversation with a colleague of mine about the hijab. I asked her the question you asked. Her most sincere, spontaneous, instantaneous answer was rather beautiful. She said:

“It is so simple, look at who is being used the most to sell products in advertisements… is it men or women? It is women, of course. Women are the most beautiful. Allah asked both men and women to lower their gaze and dress modestly. But women are more beautiful. So, when they’re asked to cover a bit more, NOW they can be equal to men, and now both men and women can equally strive to lower their gaze.”

It is a complementary effort that aims to create pure, modest societies.

Allah has elevated women

Women’s full beauty are meant to be enjoyed within the settings mentioned in the verses. Those are basically the settings where the woman is with those who love, cherish and honor her, not objectify or exploit her.

You can do academic research on how women are objectified, exploited and sexualized in advertisements and the media; how the woman’s body is used to sell products and allure audiences for different purposes.

Now, Allah (swt) doesn’t allow for women to be degraded, objectified or descended to that level. Women are much nobler than that. A woman’s body is sacred. Allah has elevated women. Paradise is under the feet of women.

The example of Mariam’s purity and modesty

Allah (swt) dedicated an entire chapter in the Quran for a woman (chapter 19 titled Mary). Why? Because of her purity and modesty… her purity elevated her.

This is Mary (peace be upon her) one of our most noble models to emulate.

{O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer].} (Quran 3: 42-43)

I remember listening to a lecture about Mary (peace be upon her). The sheikh was mentioning the incident when Angel Jibreel (peace be upon him) was revealed to her. When this happened, Mary (peace be upon her) was a young lady, probably in her teens. Angel Jibreel was revealed to her in the form of a well-proportioned, good looking man.

{And mention, [O Muhammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east.And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then We sent to her Our Angel, and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man.} (Quran 19: 16-17)

The minute she saw him, she (peace be upon her) said:

{Indeed, I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, [so leave me], if you should be fearing of Allah.} (Quran 19: 18)

Unlike some women who complain about ‘fitnah’, she (peace be upon her) knew what to do. She worked on her own modesty and on lowering her own gaze.

When she did that and said what she said, Angel Jibreel (peace be upon him) immediately returned to his angelic form. He returned to being a creation of light.

Her modesty brought out the light in him, the angel in him.

Time for reflection

Now, what do we bring out of those who look at us? The light in them, the remembrance of Allah and the purpose of life… or something else?

What are we, women today, trying to do– seriously and honestly?

Can we look deep down, have a sincere moment with ourselves and think about what are we really after, what desires do we have and what are we trying to achieve?

We, the carriers of life to this earth. We, the creations that are honored and chosen by Allah (swt) to be the carriers of life into existence.

A woman’s womb in Arabic (rahm) is extracted from the name of Allah ArRahman (The Most Merciful). In-and-of itself, this is a sign of elevation and closeness that the woman has with The Creator, The King of kings, and the Giver of Life.

The hadith says: “The word ‘Ar-Rahm‘ (womb) derives its name from ‘Ar- Rahman‘ (i.e. Allah, The Continuously Merciful). So whosoever keeps good relations with it (womb i.e. Kith and kin), Allah will keep good relations with him, and whosoever will sever it (i.e. severs his bonds of Kith and kin) Allah too will sever His relations with him.” [Sahih Al Bukhari]

This is the woman, the source and the foundation of the society, the link that ties the community together.

If her beauty is displayed everywhere, wouldn’t that bring unwanted attention, distraction, envy, jealousy and other aspects that destroy homes, families and relationships… and ruin the foundation of the society that should be strong, pure and united?

It is only befitting for her to be honored and elevated, with clothing revealed from above seven heavens. Is there anything more elevated?

Now let us think: If we are not following Allah (swt), who exactly are we following? Which designer, which brand….? Who is dictating what’s ‘in’ and what isn’t for us, what’s ‘hot and what’s not’? Who is putting pressure on women globally to abide by certain standards of beauty, certain measurements, body types, skin types…. you name it.

The real liberation

If anything, what Allah is calling us for is a sign of His mercy. He is helping us liberate ourselves from having to follow certain standards that change every day. He is making us leaders not followers; independent and dignified. We choose what to cover/uncover, when and to whom.

We’re not meant to be subjugated to whims, desires and trends, or have our bodies; arms, legs, chests revealed and exploited on this magazine or the other.

Why make women easily-accessible objects of desire in such manner when they’re such noble, precious, elevated beings?

Note that veil and modesty have also been prescribed in earlier Scriptures (in Judaism and Christianity).

And the covering that is mentioned in the Quran is in a chapter called “The Light”. In essence, it is a means for women to accentuate the light in their hearts.

Yes, it might be difficult since women love beauty and love beautifying themselves. But, again, we’re not required to give up beauty, but rather discipline when and where it is showcased. It is a means of self-purification and overcoming the nafs and connecting with a higher purpose.

It does bring, for those who are sincere, immense feelings of satisfaction, honor, elevation, spirituality, protection, love, warmth… and other feelings maybe I can’t put them into words.

Men as Fitnah

If men are fitnah, then maybe we should remember and follow Mary (peace be upon her), let us lower our gaze, practice haya’, and help others also work on lowering their gaze… the believing men and the believing women are allies! We’re not competing with one another, fighting or trying to overpower one another.

{The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those – Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.} (Quran 9:71)

The attitude of “why do I have to do this, not him” or “why do I have to do that, not her” ….This is not mature for us and this is not befitting. There is no room for this between us. We are allies. We are building communities together; pure, dignified communities. We are meant to raise children and serve humanity. Why open doors for distractions, break our homes and create unnecessary fitan for one another.

Men and women complement each other. We don’t need to ask: why are men obligated to spend their money on their families while women aren’t? Or why are women given the ability to give birth and men aren’t? Each of us have rights and responsibilities. Women are the center and the foundation of the family, the community and the Ummah.

Men are maintainers and protectors of women

Men are maintainers and protectors of women. Together they complete and complement each other. While they’re unique in their roles and responsibilities, but in the Sight of Allah, they’re equally valued and rewarded…

{Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so – for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.} (Quran 33: 35)

May Allah make us among them!

May Allah grant us humility and grant us light from His light

May He purify us and help us live a life that is most pleasing to Him, and elevate us to the best of statuses in this life and for eternity.  Ameen.

(From Ask About Islam archives)

About Dina Mohamed Basiony

Dina Mohamed Basiony is a writer based in Cairo, Egypt. She specializes in Islam and spirituality. Dina holds an MA and BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the American University in Cairo.

- aboutislam.net