Dhikr is the remembrance of Allah, and it’s something Allah (SWT) loves very much. Watch this video to find out about 9 important types of Dhikr, as well as their benefits! - aboutislam.net
Islam
Friday, 7 February 2025
Thursday, 6 February 2025
What is More Important: Being Kind or Being Right?
Bang! Tears were rolling down her cheeks as she slammed the door of communication and walked out of the room.
“Don’t they see this is wrong?” Amelia thought. After an argument with her dad, she felt so guilty. All she wanted was to bring him closer to God, instead, she had pushed him farther away.
As reverts and born Muslims alike, we are tested daily in our relationships with others. How can we find a way to communicate that is directly linked to our bond with Allah, the Most High?
Oftentimes, we seem to know better and forget even the simplest etiquette of communicating with others. Was Amelia winning the point? Had she failed at getting her point across?
For a good reason, it is said: “If you try to win the battle, you might lose the war.”
One of Allah the Almighty’s beautiful instructions to Muslims is to:
Invite (all) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and kind advice, and only debate with them in ways that are best and most gracious. (Quran, 16:125)
What are we doing when we argue? Each person is trying to change the opinion of the other, but in reality, the only individual we can change is ourselves.
Reflect for a moment. How many times have you expected others to see the world through your eyes? And how many times were they able to do so?
More often than not, people just don’t see things from our perspective, and we end up hurt by our expectations.
Another question: Did you really ‘win’ if your victory depends on the other person’s defeat?
What is the ideal way to communicate that would, in turn, please our Creator and better serve our relationships?
What’s More Important: Being Kind or Being Right?
Here is an action plan based on the advice of Allah, the Most High, on how to invite others and how to ‘argue’.
1. Be Wise (Use Hikmah)
Count to ten and ask yourself: What is my goal? Whatever I am going to say, will it draw that person closer to the truth?
2. Avoid Being Harsh and Speak Gently
We all know how gentle the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was with others, and how even his enemies could not deny this. Did you ever beg Allah, the Most High, to have such manners? Supplicate to Allah, the Almighty daily to help you to be a good communicator.
3. In Times of Disagreement, Try Your Best to Be Kind
Allah, the Most High, says: “Debate with them in ways that are ‘ahsan’”, which is the superlative of ‘hasan’ which means good. Supplicate for ‘ihsan’ (excellence) in dealing with your daily debates or arguments.
Instead of always trying to ‘win’ arguments, ask yourself, would you want people to feel judged, or that you care for them?
If you choose to be addressed as “Mr.” or “Mrs.”, rather than by your given name, know that it is likely to make people feel uneasy or tense when they’re around you. Is it worth it?
Focus – it is your responsibility as a believer when inviting others to the way of Allah the Almighty. It will be hard to fulfill if those you are addressing have closed themselves off to you.
Being kind is more important than being right.
Who is the Person in the Mirror?
In another verse, Allah the Most High, says:
Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma’ruf (monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful. (Quran, 3:104)
Firstly, internalize that inviting those who don’t believe in the way of Allah the Almighty, is a personal duty, instructed by your Lord. This means it should be a part of your daily life, one way or another. Remember, kindness is the key.
Secondly, internalize that another duty incumbent upon us as Muslims is to inspire those who already believe to continue on the straight path. And there are actual etiquettes for doing so. Shouting at someone that something is haram is not proper etiquette in communication.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used a beautiful metaphor to advise us:
A believer is the mirror of his brother. When he sees a fault in it, he should correct it. (Al Adab Al Mufrad)
Each one of us is like a mirror to one another and we should protect one another’s rights, whether they are present or absent.
So How Can You be Like a Mirror to Others?
1. Don’t Point Out and Look for the Weaknesses of Others
A mirror reflects the truth and doesn’t seek defects. A mirror doesn’t magnify or diminish any features. Sometimes we feel better by bringing others down. Ask Allah, the Most High, to protect you from disparaging actions.
2. Don’t Criticize Someone in Their Absence
Can a mirror reflect someone who isn’t there? No. It’s not upon a believer to criticize others while they are not present to defend themselves or explain their side.
Tip: Do you know there is an actual dua’ to make for someone you insulted? The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said:
Allahumma fa-ayyuhuma mu’min sababtuhu, fa-j’al dhâlika lahu qurbatan ilayka yawma-l-qiyâmati. (O Allah, to any believer whom I have insulted, let that be a cause to draw him near You on the Day of Resurrection.) (Al Bukhari, Muslim)
3. If You Do Criticize, Do it for the Sake of Allah
Before criticizing something or someone, ask yourself: what is my motive? Is it to make myself or someone else look better? Is it for worldly gain? Beware of ulterior motives (it’s so easy to fall into Shaytan’s trap, justifying the way we criticize others).
Remember, a mirror does not entertain any revenge or grudge.
4. Criticize Sincerely, From Genuine Concern and Love
When you only advise someone because you are concerned about their ultimate accountability in the Hereafter, most bitterness caused by criticism is removed. Ask Allah, the Most High, to help you use wisdom and kindness to balance when criticism is needed and how to convey it.
O Allah, make us of those who call others to and advise others on Your way and aid us with communication skills that are most pleasing to You.
Ameen!
- aboutislam.net
Wednesday, 5 February 2025
Stop Striving for Perfection – That’s for Paradise
Has your life been a series of ups and downs? Have you ever found yourself going around living your best life then POW, a serious problem hits you? Perhaps you lose a job or the car breaks down. Maybe you made a mistake, even the same mistake over again.
Every single one of us have faced hardships and have made mistakes. Guess what? We are supposed to. Allah the Almighty tells us in the Quran:
{Do people think they will be left alone after saying ‘We believe’ without being put to the test?} (Al-`Ankabut 29:2)
All of us are being tested. This life we are living is a test. Life is incomplete without mistakes and hardships!
Striving for Perfection
Perfection only comes in Paradise. No tests, no hardships, no anxiety or stress….this is reserved for Paradise.
We struggle so much with hardships because we want to live a ‘perfect’ life. We want to have the perfect marriage, the most perfect child, be a perfect parent and have the perfect career.
When we don’t achieve perfection, we are left despondent and depressed. But this hardship you’re facing is from Allah. We are vulnerable humans who make mistakes.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Every son of Adam makes mistakes, and the best of those who make mistakes are those who repent.” (At-Tirmidhi)
Be perfect in what you do after you make a mistake, turn back to Allah. He knows about your mistake and He wants you to turn to Him in repentance.
Take a few moments to listen to Sheikh Yaser Birjas. He shares how recognizing the hardships in our life as tests from Allah Almighty, can help us reduce stress when they inevitably come.
Source: MASICNAConvention
Tuesday, 4 February 2025
HOW AL-FATIHAH SHOULD BE RECITED?
In Islam, Al-Fatihah should be recited clearly and with proper pronunciation (tajwid) in every rakaat of prayer, meaning it is mandatory to recite it in each unit of prayer, and it is considered invalid if left out; it should be recited aloud when praying alone, but silently behind the Imam in congregational prayer, ensuring correct pronunciation of each letter and observing the rules of tajwid; it is considered the essence of the Quran and should be recited with full attention and understanding of its meaning.
Video on how it is recited:
Monday, 3 February 2025
Helping Hijabis Understand Hijab
Understanding hijab is not always easy. We have to understand the purpose behind it in order not to be judgemental of a woman is not wearing Hijab properly. And at the same time, we should avoid going to the other extreme, which is behaving as if Hijab does not exist. Check this video for more insights from Ustadh Omar Suleiman! - aboutislam.net
Sunday, 2 February 2025
Qur’an: The Guardian of Faith
How does our faith increase through reading the Qur’an? The connection with the Qur’an allows us to grow our faith, because the Qur’an is the guardian of our faith. In this video, Sheikh Omar Suleiman urges us to make this a habit in order that we might keep our faith strong! - aboutislam.net
Saturday, 1 February 2025
Healing Power of Prayer Beads
Yahya related to me from Malik that Ziyad ibn Abi Ziyad quoted Abu’d-Darda as saying, “Shall I not tell you the best of your deeds, and those that give you the highest rank, and those that are the purest with your King, and are better for you than giving gold and silver, and better for you than meeting your enemy and striking their necks?“
They said, “Of course.” He said, “Remembrance (dhikr) of Allah, the Almighty” (Hadith Bukhari Book 15:7.24).
Towards this goal many Muslims carry a sibhah, or prayer beads. Traditionally, prayer beads are used to keep track of how many times one has recited Subhan Allah, Alhamdulliah and Allahu Akbar. The most popular way is using them after the obligatory prayer to recite the dhikr [remembrance of] Allah:
Narrated Abu Ma’bad: (the freed slave of Ibn ‘Abbas) Ibn ‘Abbas told me, “In the lifetime of the Prophet it was the custom to celebrate Allah’s praises aloud after the compulsory congregational prayers.” Ibn ‘Abbas further said, “When I heard the Dhikr, I would learn that the compulsory congregational prayer had ended” (Bukhari Vol.1: Book 12: 802).
However, although the dhikr of Allah has been recited from the time of the Prophet, the sibhah as we now know it today has not been recorded as being in existence at that time.
Some accounts of history show that Muslims adopted the sibhah from India in the 2nd Islamic century and through them, in 1214, that the Christians adopted the idea and started using the rosary (Gulik).
Even though, methods of assistance have always been employed in religious devotion even before the sibhah.
Tradition states that before the sibhah, stones were sometimes used to recite. Other religions used knotted cords or woven shawls to keep track of recitations.
Modern technology, however, has added a new dimension to prayer beads when electronic sibhah were invented. Many people even prefer not to use a sibhah at all.
Even though, using a sibhah is not only helpful in keeping track of remembrances, but can be healing as well, depending on which wood or stone has been used to make the beads.
At the Islamic Shopping Network many kinds of prayer beads are available from Turquoise and Tiger Eye stone to Sandalwood and Rosewood beads.
A search of other sites reveals a number of sites dedicated to making custom stone beads for all religions. A search of the local markets of the Middle East reveal an even larger selection of sibhah.
And just as using beads for prayer is a long-standing tradition, so is healing with beads. Throughout history cultures have used gemstones and wood for healing.
Dr. Robert Frost, a physician in Basel, Switzerland, recently studied the scientific properties of these gems and woods and created a method of testing woods and gemstones that reveals their healing properties in scientific terms (Frost).
In his clinical work, Dr. Frost discovered that using the correct gemstone or wood could reduce pain, prevent allergic reactions, improve coordination and even increase muscle strength.
To give some examples; Tiger-eye is traditionally used to enhance understanding and strengthen belief. It is healing to the stomach area and is often used to assist with problems of the kidney, pancreas, liver, small intestine or stomach. It has also been found to have a calming effect on people who hold it.
Turquoise keeps the feeling of unconditional love in one’s heart and helps one feel more connected with Allah. It also assists in the digestion of proteins and thus aids digestion.
Turquoise also helps draw out negative feelings such as envy or anger from a person. It assists in healing ailments of the thyroid, throat, ears, neck and respiratory system. It can also help to combat allergies or heart problems.
Beads of amber can help lift the heaviness of burdens, amethyst can be spiritually uplifting or heal the stomach or liver, and black onyx helps one to change bad habits. There are many books and websites that speak about the healing power of gems.
Beware in your search, as some sites are mystical and foreboding. But there are an equal number of scientific books and websites that offer information on gems to the general public.
The healing power of wooden prayer beads is often in their scent, which is released and revived with usage. The scent of rosewood is traditionally used for nervous tension, frigidity, and headaches.
It also assists the immune system, helps to fight viruses and regenerate cells. It is good for jet lag and skin inflammations and has the ability to relax a person without making them drowsy.
Beads made of sandalwood emit a scent that has been used for healing since the time of the prophet. Sandalwood is an antidepressant, antiseptic, insecticidal, and sedative wood.
It can assist in the healing of cells and is used to assist the immune system in any healing process or to prevent illness.
In the Tafseer of Ibn Juzayy, it is said that the Prophet Mohammad said in a message from Allah, “I am in my slaves opinion of Me and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I remember him in Myself.”
For this reason and the reason of easy transport, prayer beads are a popular gift from one Muslim to another. With a little more thought, this gift can be physically uplifting as well as spiritually.
References:
- Gottleib, Bill. “New Choices in Natural Healing.” Emmaus, Pennsylvania: Rodale Press.1995.
- Gulick, Robert Jr. “Muhammad the Educator.” Lahore: Institute of Islamic Cultures. 1953. p.61.
- Frost, Robert. “Gems and Woods.” Robertfrost.net. 2001.
- Hadith Bukhari
- Tafseer Ibn Juzayy
- Woodward, Valerie Ann. “The Fragrant Mind.” Novato, California: New World Library. 1996.
- aboutislam.net
Friday, 31 January 2025
Gratefulness Impacts Happiness
A time of embracing family and being nostalgic.
Gratitude is very much a spiritual benefit that enhances our mood, allows us to take account of our blessings, as well as enables us to see hardships as lessons.
This type of perspective encourages positivity and a greater quality of life.
Simply put, gratittude impacts happiness. Our perspective is our reality.
A grateful perspective is one that helps us on our path of spiritual awakening and appreciation.
“And, indeed, We granted this wisdom unto Luqman ,Be grateful unto God-for he who is grateful [unto Him] is but grateful for the good of his own self; whereas he who chooses to be ungrateful [ought to know that], verily, God is self-sufficient, ever to be praised.” Quran 31:12
Gratefulness Improves our Moods
As an advocate for positive psychology, I see the benefit of gratefulness as part of a healing process as well as an everyday lifestyle.
It also employs an element of optimism and happiness. Instead of seeing the pantry as half-empty, choose to see it as half-full and say THANK YOU to your higher power.
Be grateful and optimistic instead of negative and pessimistic.
Say Alhamdulillah, which means all thanks and praise to God.
These are the beginning steps towards working for self-actualization and happiness.
Appreciate even the smallest things and remember gratefulness impacts happiness as well as our spirituality.
When we show gratitude, we place more value on what is occurring. The more we value something, the more of an investment we will make.
Gratefulness Linked to Spirituality
We can look at humans as having four elements, which are all linked.
When we strive to be more conscious of this and self-aware, we can better improve our mental state.
The 4 elements, along with examples, are as follows:
Physical – (Our Behaviors)
Adam is grateful that William helped him study for his exams.
Adam walks up to William, shakes his hand, and says “Thank you so much for assisting me“.
Adam says alhamdulillah for the good grade. Adam later gives William a nice pen as a token of appreciation.
Mental – (Thoughts/Beliefs)
Adam believes that William is a great friend and deserves to be shown gratitude for his actions.
Adam thinks that William is becoming more trustworthy as a friend. Adam believes that William is a blessing to him.
Emotional – (Feelings)
Adam feels happier, and so does William.
Spiritual – (Our Soul, Which Encompasses All of These)
Adam’s heart opens more to William. Adam makes duaa for William and feels a brotherhood.
Adam’s inner self has a little more gratitude and a feeling of inner light.
Using that above example, William would be impacted positively by the gratefulness shown by Adam.
We can see that gratefulness impacts happiness as well as encourages trust with his friend through their hearts/spirituality opening up more to one another as a deeper bond develops.
William will reciprocate the gratefulness as he appreciates the friendship.
A cycle of gratitude, trust, and a deeper, more spiritual bond can develop.
“And when your Lord made it known: If you are grateful, I would certainly give to you more, and if you are ungrateful, My chastisement is truly severe.” Quran 14:7
Gratefulness Final Thoughts
We know that gratitude impacts happiness and overall well-being.
Being grateful is so much more than just saying thank you to a person or, alhamdulillah.
Being grateful is a lifestyle, an overall attitude and a choice to take a positive and spiritual perspective on life.
If we believe that all things happen for a reason, then surely we must be grateful for all things good and bad because they have a purpose.
We may not be able to determine what that purpose is and it may be difficult to accept, but the ability to say Alhamdulillah or “thank you” even in times of hardship shows a strong inclination towards positivity and a strengthening of our spiritual self.
Gratefulness Exercise
Let us work towards improving our gratefulness. Today, consciously scan your day for things you are grateful for and say Alhamdulillah.
After one of your 5 daily prayers today, before you stand up, sit and reflect on the blessings you have in your life, and with a heartfelt intention, make dhikr.
Try to think of something for each time you say Alhamdulillah.
***
- aboutislam.net
Originally published on the author’s blog.
Thursday, 30 January 2025
What is the Importance of Qadar as an Article of Faith?
First, we should understand what qadar means.
For understanding’s sake we may simplify it as thus: qadar is the belief that every happening in the universe occurs within the parameters of a system God has set in motion, and that He has prior knowledge of it and nothing can happen apart from His Will.
Your question arises from the point of view of a Christian who is content with the belief that he is saved on the basis of his faith in Christ’s redemptive death on the cross.
The Christian creed (i.e. the Nicene Creed or the Apostles’ Creed) does not have anything to do with Divine Decree (qadar) as such.
The Gospel (i.e. the recorded teachings of Jesus considered as the foundation of Christianity) and the Quran have a lot of difference between them, which also could be a hindrance for you in understanding the Muslim emphasis on qadar.
You have written that for Christians it is simple, as God doesn’t make it our responsibility to know where we will end up.
Humans in general do not know where they will end up ultimately.
It all depends on Allah’s grace and mercy. Qadar for Muslims is a matter of faith; because it is part of our understanding of Allah as the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of the universe.
Differing from the Gospel, the Quran gives a number of verses describing the Majesty and Power of God, such as the following:
{SAY: “O God, Lord of all dominion! You grant dominion unto whom You will, and take away dominion from whom You will; and You exalt whom You will, and abase whom You will, In Your hand is all good. Verily, You have the power to will anything.} (Quran 3:26) also (Quran 2:255)
I presume that a pious Christian would have little disagreement with the concept of God presented in the above verse. But of course, Christianity does not make the idea of believing in qadar as implied in the above verse, an article of faith.
Hence your question: “Why do I need belief in destiny as an article of faith?”
Submission to Allah’s Will
Islam is submission to God’s will.
God willed the universe and everything in it into being. When He means to create anything, He simply commands: “Be” and it is. And nothing happens except by the will of God.
A Muslim is a person who willingly accepts whatever is willed by Allah, no matter whether it is pleasant or unpleasant.
Remember what Jesus said to God:
[Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt.] (Mark 14:36).
This in fact is submission to the will of God, or Islam itself.
Qadar, in simple terms, is the will of God as realized in the universe, in the world around us and in our life.
An element of qadar is causation. Every event in the universe has a cause that is basically linked to qadar which is the natural corollary of the concept of the Creator.
The Quran gives us knowledge of the will of God and tells us that He created the human as His khalifah – vicegerent, ambassador, or deputy – on earth.
That is to say, human beings have the responsibility of managing their lives in the world following the commandments of God.
Allah says in the Quran that He created all that is on earth for the use of human beings:
{He it is who has created for you all that is on earth […]} (Quran 2:29)
Circumstances Beyond Our Control
As a human, gifted with God-given faculties, sets about changing the world around him/her; he/she becomes aware of the shortcomings and limitations which encumber his/her progress.
He/she is confronted by what one may call “circumstances beyond our control”, which makes a believer aware of how much he/she needs to seek the help and guidance of God even in the areas where we might foolishly think ourselves capable.
These are occasions in which we are face to face with qadar.
Indeed all events and actions occur only by the will of Allah. Whatever Allah wills, happens. And whatever He does not will, does not happen.
So according to Islamic teaching, to acknowledge qadar is part of a Muslim’s Submission to God.
You write: “God knows who are His, but we have forgiveness for past, present and future sins, but that is not possible outside of Christ.”
In this context, we can consider what Jesus taught a man who came seeking the way to eternal life:
[(16) And behold, one came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?” (17) And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” (18) He said to him, “Which?” And Jesus said, “You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, (19) Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.] (Matthew 19:16-19)
The foregoing means that keeping the commandments is the way to eternal life.
What commandments?
The answer is clear: the Ten Commandments given to Moses. And particularly remember the First and the greatest commandment given in the Torah:
[Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord; (5) and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.] (Deuteronomy 6:4)
And in the Gospel, Jesus reaffirms it:
[And Jesus declared, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and the greatest commandment.] (Matthew 22:37,38)
Where in the Gospel does Jesus say that he as God (or apart from God) is the Forgiver of sins?
On the contrary Jesus says:
[I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.] (John 5:30)
The Quran teaches that it is God who can forgive sins:
{To Allah belong all that is in the heavens and on earth. He forgives whom He pleases and punishes whom He pleases; but Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful} (Quran 3:129)
- aboutislam.net
Wednesday, 29 January 2025
Why is Honesty So Rare Nowadays?
“When honesty is lost, then wait for the Hour (the Day of Judgment)’’ (Al-Bukhari)
These are the noble words of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
They paint a picture of the time leading up to the Day of Judgment, when righteous people will be sorrowful due to the lack of honesty around them.
In the 21st century, we live in a world where honesty is still valued and yet shunned at the same time. We expect people to be honest in their dealings and transactions with us yet we watch and applaud television shows and movies that promote and encourage lying and deceitfulness in our society.
With our negligence, we teach our children that dishonesty is acceptable. When we expect our children to tell the caller on the telephone we are not home, this is a lesson in deceit for the leaders of tomorrow. When we refuse invitations and pretend we are busy, this is lying.
We admonish our children for lying, yet the reality is we have been their teachers. Whether we tell lies, or we allow our children to live in a world surrounded by deceit, the lesson is learned and the honesty begins to disappear from the hearts of the next generation.
Furthermore, honesty incorporates the concepts of truthfulness and reliability and it resides in all human thought, words, actions and relationships. It is more than just accuracy; it is more than just truthfulness, it denotes integrity or moral soundness. Islam commands truthfulness and forbids lying. God commands that a Muslim be honest.
O you who believe! Fear God, and be with those who are true (in word and deeds). (9:119)
Ibn Kathir, the renowned Quran scholar, explained the meaning of this verse. He said:
“Being truthful and adhering to truthfulness, means you will be among the people of the truth and be saved from calamity and that it will make a way out for you from your problems.”
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A true believer, one who is truly submitted to God, has many characteristics by which he can be identified. The most obvious of these noble characteristics are honesty of character and truthfulness of speech.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a perfect example of honesty. Even before his Prophethood, he had earned the titles of Al-Amin (the trustworthy one) and As-Sadiq (the truthful).
Al-Amin, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), once gathered all the people of Makkah and asked them:
“O people of Makkah! If I say that an army is advancing on you from behind the mountains, will you believe me?”
All said in one voice:
“Yes, because we have never heard you telling a lie.”
All the people, without exception, swore to his truthfulness and honesty because he had lived an unblemished and extremely pious life among them for forty years.
Abu Sufyan described his honesty. When Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent a letter to the Emperor of Byzantium inviting him to Islam, the Emperor, Heraclius, sent for the Makkan trader, Abu Sufyan. Even though he was, at that time, a dire enemy of Islam, he spoke the truth about Prophet Muhammad when he said:
“He neither tells lies nor betrays others, he bids people to worship God Alone and orders us to observe prayer, honesty and abstinence”
This honesty, an essential ingredient of the Muslim character, includes being truthful towards God by worshipping Him sincerely; being truthful to oneself, by adhering to God’s laws; and being truthful with others by speaking the truth and being honest in all dealings, such as buying, selling and marriage. There should be no deceiving, cheating, falsifying or withholding of information, thus a person should be the same on the inside as he is on the outside.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned us of the dangers inherent in dishonesty, and the benefits of living in an honest way. He said:
“Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. In addition, a man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to wickedness and evil-doing, and wickedness leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man may keep on telling lies till he is written before God, as a liar”. (Al-Bukhari)
A true Islamic society is based upon honesty and justice, and is intolerant of dishonesty in all its various forms. Honesty in all business transactions is emphasized and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exhorts Muslims to be scrupulously honest in all their dealings.
Abdullah ibn Umar was once described as the “brother of the night.” He would stand at night performing prayer, weeping, seeking God’s forgiveness and reading Quran. One day, he was sitting among some close friends and he read the following verses:
Woe unto those who give short measure, those who, when they are to receive their due from people, demand that it be given in full but when they have to measure or weigh whatever they owe to others, give less than what is due. Do they not know that they are bound to be raised from the dead (and called to account) on an awesome Day, the Day when all men shall stand before the Sustainer of all the worlds? (83:1-6)
Then, Abdullah wept until he was faint and kept repeating the words “the day when all men shall stand before the Sustainer of all the worlds.”
He was amongst the most honest and trustworthy men, but being reminded of the punishment for those who are deceitful filled him with fear.
Therefore, a Muslim seeking to please God and follow the path of righteousness should be aware of the dangers of deceit and dishonesty. However, equally he should know that God is All-Merciful and All-Loving, willing to forgive even the gravest sins for those who strive for His sake. Honesty is very important in the life of a believer.
“Honesty descended from the Heavens and settled in the roots of the hearts of men (faithful believers), and then the Quran was revealed and the people read the Quran, (and learnt it from it) and also learnt from the sayings and traditions. Both the Quran and the traditions strengthened their honesty.” (Al-Bukhari)
This is from among the many sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), many of which forbade deceit and enjoined honesty among people. For those who wish to be among the truthful, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has left us with these words of guidance:
“Let he who believes in God and the Last Day either speak good or keep silent”. (Muslim)
Source: The Religion of Islam.
Tuesday, 28 January 2025
Prophet Muhammad’s Miraculous Night Journey: A Divine Gift
Have you ever been through a difficult time in life when you were surrounded with many hardships?
At that time, did you feel like all doors were closed and the whole world was against you?
That is how Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) must have felt when he returned from Ta’if to Makkah. Prior to that, he had lost his two main supporters – his wife and uncle. But he never lost hope in the mercy and help of Allah.
And one night, Allah opened the doors of Heaven for him. It was indeed an amazing and miraculous night.
First was the miraculous Night Journey from Makkah to Jerusalem. Then, the ascension of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to Heaven. And finally, his return to Makkah.
Some people claim that this journey was all a dream that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had. But the truth is that these two journeys, the Israa and the Miraj, occurred in both body and spirit. They were one of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) physical miracles.
Focus Issues for New Converts
There are many details of this miraculous journey which would be difficult to study all at once. For those interested, these details can be found in this special folder on the night journey.
As an introduction, what should be the main focus of new converts to Islam studying this miracle?
After outlining and describing the journey in this article, we will focus on Salah, the second pillar of Islam.
Al-Isra’: The Miraculous Night Journey to Jerusalem
As mentioned in authentic Hadiths, one night Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sleeping at the Ka’bah. Angel Gabriel descended with other angels. They first prepared him for the journey with open-heart surgery and washed his heart with Zamzam water. Then, Angel Gabriel accompanied him to Jerusalem.
At that time, it took a normal traveler around thirty days to reach Jerusalem from Makkah. The distance is more than 900 miles. But the speed of Al-Buraq, which the Prophet (peace be upon him) rode, got him there in no time. This animal could take a stride as far as it could see. With one leap, Al-Buraq could cover an incredibly vast distance.
In Jerusalem, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) tied Al-Buraq to a ring in the gate of Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa. Then, he (peace be upon him) said:
I was brought the Buraq; a tall, white beast bigger than a donkey, smaller than a mule. It could place his hooves at the farthest boundary of its gaze. I rode it until I arrived at Bayt Al-Maqdis. And I tied it to the ring where the prophets had tied it before (i.e., Buraq Wall or the Western Wall). I entered Masjid Al-Aqsa Sanctuary and prayed two rak’ahs there… (Muslim)
When he (peace be upon him) entered, he was greeted by a number of the earlier prophets, whom he led in prayer.
Jerusalem is a very important city for believers. Many of God’s prophets lived and preached there. For Muslims, it was the first qiblah (direction for prayer) before Allah later commanded that it be changed to Makkah.
Allah mentioned it in the Qur’an in the context of the night journey. Allah also mentioned the Furthest Mosque (Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa) by name. He (SWT) said:
Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing. (17:1)
While in Jerusalem, Angel Gabriel presented Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with two drinks to choose from. They were wine and milk. He (peace be upon him) chose milk, and the angel said:
Thanks be to God, who guided you to the fitrah; if you had taken the wine, your followers would have gone astray. (Al-Bukhari)
The Ascension (Al-Mi’raj)
Together, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Angel Gabriel continued their amazing journey. Their Ascension to Heaven (in Arabic, Al-Mi’raj) started from Jerusalem. Their first stop was the gate of the first sky.
When Angel Gabriel asked permission to enter, the angels recognized Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and welcomed him. In the first sky, he met Adam (peace be upon him), the father of mankind. Adam greeted him and called him his pure son and prophet.
The journey continued through the seven skies in a similar pattern at each gate. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) met a total of eight prophets, as detailed in Hadith. In the second sky, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) met Prophet Jesus and Prophet John (peace be upon them both).
And in the third sky, he met Prophet Joseph (peace be upon him). In the fourth sky, he met Prophet Idris (Enoch) (peace be upon him). And in the fifth sky, he met Prophet Aaron (peace be upon him).
The last two prophets he met in his ascension were Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) in the sixth sky and Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) in the seventh sky.
Beyond the Seventh Sky
Angel Gabriel continued the journey with Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) till they reached the Lote Tree (Sidrat Al-Muntaha). God mentions this briefly in the Qur’an:
Near Sidrat al-Muntaha (lote-tree of the utmost boundary). Near it is the Paradise of Abode. (53: 14-15)
From this place, Angel Gabriel could go no further. For him, it was the limit.
Sidrat Al-Muntaha is called the uttermost boundary. Everything that comes up from the earth or the heavens stops there, and everything that comes down stops there (Muslim). In addition, the knowledge of the angels stops at that point. No one has gone beyond it except Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). (An-Nawawi)
God gave Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) permission to ascend beyond that tree. We don’t know many details of what happened in that meeting. But we know that God commanded the Prophet (peace be upon him) and all Muslims to perform fifty daily prayers.
The Five Daily Prayers
On his return, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) met Prophet Moses (peace be upon him). He told him, from his experience as a prophet, that people would be unable to pray fifty prayers a day. He suggested that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) ask God to reduce the number.
After consulting Angel Gabriel, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) returned to make this request. And God agreed. But Prophet Moses (peace be upon him, still found them to be too many. After returning for a further reduction, the number of daily prayers was commanded to be five in number. But they would be fifty in reward, as God multiplies good deeds by ten.
Many new Muslim converts may at first think that praying five times each day it too demanding. But they are golden opportunities.
The best way to approach Salah is to see it as a time for the soul to find peace. The soul of believers ascends to Allah during prayer, when the heart is focused on prayer.
So, forget the worries of this world five times each day and seek closeness to your Lord. And ascend in faith and spirituality, as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) ascended to receive this command.
It’s a golden opportunity, so don’t miss or neglect your Salah. It will help you recharge your faith batteries and find peace. - aboutislam.net
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