As Muslims, we believe in all the Prophets (may peace be upon them) of Allah (SWT), and the scriptures which were revealed to them.
“Say, (O believers), “We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims (in submission) to Him.”
(Quran chapter 2 verse 136).
However, how much of the knowledge that we 'think' we have about the Prophets (phut) have come from non-Islamic sources? A lot of the information we have has seeped into our knowledge from movies and TV and it becomes difficult to separate what is true and what is not.
Mufti Menk gave a lecture series on the Stories of the Prophets during Ramadaan 2011. I downloaded these lectures onto my cellphone and have been listening to them while commuting to and from work. It's really easy to listen to and understand. Mufti Menk explains the sources of his information, and draws lessons from the stories which we can apply to our lives today.
Here is a link to the audio download that I used:
http://www.salaahtimes.co.za/download/
May Allah (SWT) bless Mufti Menk in his efforts.
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
Monday, 16 July 2012
A Nurse Meets an Old Man
This is the most inspiational story I have read in a long time. It's about the faith of an old man who, due to Alzheimer's, appeared to have lost all memory of his life, but still remembered to pray his Salaah, and how that faith brought a young nurse to Islam.
http://www.everymuslim.co.za/index.php/articles-menu/inspiration-menu/1722-an-amazing-uplifting-story-a-nurse-meets-an-old-man
http://www.everymuslim.co.za/index.php/articles-menu/inspiration-menu/1722-an-amazing-uplifting-story-a-nurse-meets-an-old-man
Friday, 13 July 2012
Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) Last Sermon
After praising, and thanking Allah (The One True God) the Prophet (SAW) began with the words:
"O People! lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen carefully to what I am saying and Take These Words to Those Who Could Not Be Present Here Today.
"O People! just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that he will indeed reckon your deeds.
"Allah has judged that there shall be no usury (interest), therefore all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. And the first practice of usury that I abolish is that due to Abbas ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib (Prophet's (SAW) uncle). Now all usury is abolished.
"Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabiah ibn al-Harith.
"O Men! the unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calender in order to make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to prohibit which Allah has made permissible. With Allah the months are twelve in number. Four of them are holy, three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Shaban.
"Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
"O People! it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they must not allow someone you dislike into your home, as well as never to be unchaste. If they do so, you are within your rights to chastise them, but not severely.
"O People! listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast during month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat (obligatory charity). Perform Hajj if you can afford to.
"All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly.
"Do not therefore do injustice to yourselves. Remember one day you will meet Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
"O People! No Prophet or Apostle Will Come after Me and No New Faith Will Be Born. Reason well, therefore, O People! and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the QUR’AN and my SUNNAH (i.e., sayings, deeds, and approvals) and if you follow these you will never go astray.
"All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Now, if you are asked about me on the day of Judgement, how will you respond?"
The Prophet's companions replied, "We will testify that you have conveyed the message and fulfilled your mission."
The Prophet raised his index finger towards the sky and then pointed toward the people, "Be my witness O Allah, that I have conveyed your message. O Allah, be witness..."
After the prophet (SAW) had finished addressing the people, he received a revelation from Allah (SWT)
"O People! lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen carefully to what I am saying and Take These Words to Those Who Could Not Be Present Here Today.
"O People! just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that he will indeed reckon your deeds.
"Allah has judged that there shall be no usury (interest), therefore all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. And the first practice of usury that I abolish is that due to Abbas ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib (Prophet's (SAW) uncle). Now all usury is abolished.
"Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabiah ibn al-Harith.
"O Men! the unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calender in order to make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to prohibit which Allah has made permissible. With Allah the months are twelve in number. Four of them are holy, three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Shaban.
"Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
"O People! it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they must not allow someone you dislike into your home, as well as never to be unchaste. If they do so, you are within your rights to chastise them, but not severely.
"O People! listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast during month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat (obligatory charity). Perform Hajj if you can afford to.
"All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly.
"Do not therefore do injustice to yourselves. Remember one day you will meet Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
"O People! No Prophet or Apostle Will Come after Me and No New Faith Will Be Born. Reason well, therefore, O People! and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the QUR’AN and my SUNNAH (i.e., sayings, deeds, and approvals) and if you follow these you will never go astray.
"All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Now, if you are asked about me on the day of Judgement, how will you respond?"
The Prophet's companions replied, "We will testify that you have conveyed the message and fulfilled your mission."
The Prophet raised his index finger towards the sky and then pointed toward the people, "Be my witness O Allah, that I have conveyed your message. O Allah, be witness..."
After the prophet (SAW) had finished addressing the people, he received a revelation from Allah (SWT)
"...This day have I perfected for you your religion and fulfilled My favor unto you, and it hath been My good pleasure to choose Islam for you as your religion (Surah 5, Ayah 3).
Monday, 11 June 2012
How time flies...
The Messenger PBUH has told us that closer to the Last Day, time will pass by faster and faster. A year will feel like a month, a month like a week, a week like a day and a day like an hour.
The other day, on one of our visits to the gym, my friend and I discussed how even though a full week had passed since our last step class, it seemed like just yesterday that we were at the gym. After clocking it up to old age (and my dread for our gym visits), we grabbed our steps and weights and had a good workout.
Barely two hours later, Mufti Menk tweeted the following:
"The Messenger PBUH has told us that closer to the Last Day, time will pass by faster and faster. A year will feel like a month, a month like a week, a week like a day and a day like an hour.
Amazingly we feel this prophecy today where the day goes by like a few minutes and before we realize, the week is over and then the month and the year too.
This is why we must ensure that we make the most of every valuable second at hand.
When we are not focused and have no proper goals in life, we waste our days and weeks, months and years in achieving nothing meaningful.
Let us set clear goals, focus on them, work hard towards achieving them and not give up. Bear in mind that although we may have many goals, our ultimate goal should be to please our Maker."
How often have we read or seen something that seems like a message sent just for us, just at the right time? I had one of those moments where I swore to change, where I felt, with all my heart, that I should heed the advice given, where I decided there and then that I would set proper goals and make the most of the time given to me to do the things that I know are compulsory for me. I know it won't be easy, but Insha'Allah, with the following dua, I will start my journey:-
The other day, on one of our visits to the gym, my friend and I discussed how even though a full week had passed since our last step class, it seemed like just yesterday that we were at the gym. After clocking it up to old age (and my dread for our gym visits), we grabbed our steps and weights and had a good workout.
Barely two hours later, Mufti Menk tweeted the following:
"The Messenger PBUH has told us that closer to the Last Day, time will pass by faster and faster. A year will feel like a month, a month like a week, a week like a day and a day like an hour.
Amazingly we feel this prophecy today where the day goes by like a few minutes and before we realize, the week is over and then the month and the year too.
This is why we must ensure that we make the most of every valuable second at hand.
When we are not focused and have no proper goals in life, we waste our days and weeks, months and years in achieving nothing meaningful.
Let us set clear goals, focus on them, work hard towards achieving them and not give up. Bear in mind that although we may have many goals, our ultimate goal should be to please our Maker."
How often have we read or seen something that seems like a message sent just for us, just at the right time? I had one of those moments where I swore to change, where I felt, with all my heart, that I should heed the advice given, where I decided there and then that I would set proper goals and make the most of the time given to me to do the things that I know are compulsory for me. I know it won't be easy, but Insha'Allah, with the following dua, I will start my journey:-
‘O Allah, I take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being over powered by men.’
Sunday, 4 December 2011
5 before 5
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before your preoccupation, and your life before your death.” (Al Hakim)
I came across this Hadith the other day, and it really struck a chord with me – It is a beautiful, succinct statement which encompasses what so many people today have forgotten – youth, health, wealth, free time and life are luxuries granted to us, and any one of these can be taken away from us at any time.
I have seen so many situations where people forget that one day, these luxuries will be taken away – the mother-in-law who alienates her daughter-in-law while she is fit and able – and in her old age spends her days alone; the wealthy man who does not want to help his brother pay his medical bills and forgets that the man lying helpless in hospital could have easily been him; the family who poured their life savings into their home and business which is destroyed by fire - it only takes a moment, a split second, a blink of an eye for your life to change completely.
Always remember that life is transient. Who you are, and what defines you today may be taken away tomorrow. So treat others with respect, take care of your health, share what you have with those less fortunate, and thank Allah (SWT) for all of His favors. You may not be around to do so tomorrow.
I came across this Hadith the other day, and it really struck a chord with me – It is a beautiful, succinct statement which encompasses what so many people today have forgotten – youth, health, wealth, free time and life are luxuries granted to us, and any one of these can be taken away from us at any time.
I have seen so many situations where people forget that one day, these luxuries will be taken away – the mother-in-law who alienates her daughter-in-law while she is fit and able – and in her old age spends her days alone; the wealthy man who does not want to help his brother pay his medical bills and forgets that the man lying helpless in hospital could have easily been him; the family who poured their life savings into their home and business which is destroyed by fire - it only takes a moment, a split second, a blink of an eye for your life to change completely.
Always remember that life is transient. Who you are, and what defines you today may be taken away tomorrow. So treat others with respect, take care of your health, share what you have with those less fortunate, and thank Allah (SWT) for all of His favors. You may not be around to do so tomorrow.
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