Sheikh Samir Al-Nass

Family part two of two

Sheikh Samir Al-Nass

Family Relations Part one of two

Sheikh Nuh ha mim Keller

Advice on food and health

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

Clip on Orphans

Imam Zaid Shakir

Back to the basics of the Deen parts one to three

Sheikh Abdullah Adhami

A link to a lecture "Our Community, Our values."

http://www.lightuponlight.com/islam/modules.php?name=Stream2&file=index&lid=353

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

Islamic social values parts one to six

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

Families and Individuals parts one to five

Sheikh Abdul Hakim Murad

Islam and Gender

The Rights that Muslims have over each other

Part four

Relations between each other
(Please see end note.)

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “To insult a Muslim is corruption and to wage war on him is disbelief.” (Bukhari 48, Muslim 64)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Allah has prohibited a believers blood, wealth, honour and to have bad thoughts about him.” (Al-Hakim)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Do not assist satan over your brother.” (Bukhari)

Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother, what he loves for himself.” (Muslim and Al-Bukhari)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "The annihilation of the world would be less grave in the sight of God than the unjustifiable killing of a single believer." (Bukhari 6785 and Muslim 65,1218)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Anyone who assists in the killing of a Muslim, even with so much as half a word, will meet God with the phrase 'Despairs of God's mercy' written between his eyes." (Ibn Majah 2761)

Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “A servant has not been given, after Islam, better than a righteous brother.” (Abu Talib Al-Makki Qut Al-Qulub vol 2 p.360)

Just reading these narrations would be sufficient for anyone trying to understand his relationship with his fellow Muslim. These include relations with the same and opposite gender.

A Muslim must be careful with all his dealings with people. He has to tread carefully because he has such a great responsibility towards his fellow man.

So a Muslim cannot harm his brother physically, mentally or otherwise nor cause loss of wealth. These are high values that people have to think about before opening their mouths or to be more precise before doing anything!

One of the famous sayings in Morocco is 'treat people well because anyone could be a wali / a person of Allah.' A similar saying is known in Yemen that they treat people well because any one of them could be Khidr (upon him peace).

Muslims need to consider that the person that they are speaking to may be a member of the blessed family of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). I have witnessed, several times, a member of this blessed family disagreeing with an opinion of a particular group then he has suffered verbal abuse. There were minor issues which there were more than one answer but because that person disagreed with him, because it went against their group, that person would then respond with insults. From being called a disbeliever, polytheist, innovator and even being struck!

This behaviour was from people who knew his lineage! Is what we shout from our pulpits false? Do we not talk about love The Family of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) or is it just lip service? If someone comes to you and says he is from the family then accept it. Do not question him about his family tree in an insulting manner. You can ask him about it but not in an insulting way. Please click here for a discourse on the Ahl Al-Bayt.

If there is a member of this family who is committing sins then advise them in a good way and do not insult them. Maintain respect for the sake of his grandfather. There are many members of this family who need our help and we should be there for them.


When I see gangs fighting and harming each other, it shocks me and I wonder if they know these narrations. I wish that they knew...



Part One
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/08/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each.html
Part Two
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/08/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each_19.html
Part Three
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/09/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each.html
Part Four
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/09/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each_08.html

The Rights that Muslims have over each other

Part three



Everyone is safe from the believer

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The Muslim is he whom the people are safe from harm of his hand and tongue.” Al-Bukhari

The hadith is not specific to the way a Muslim treats a believer or a non believer. There is no stipulation about who is mentioned, the good treatment is general to everyone. But people note there are different versions of this hadith. One saying Muslim, one people and one saying believer.

Some do translate it as Muslims but the word used is people. Are not people made of believers and non believers? Now that you agree you can see the far reaching meaning of this one hadith. People, whoever they are, should be safe from any harm from the Muslim. One Muslim cannot harm another Muslim because this of the bond of belief. In terms of the non believer, he has to be good to him, how else will that person come to Islam? Good character is one of the ways that a person enters into Islam. So a Muslim has a huge responsibility towards his fellow man, regardless of their faith.

After the conquest of Mecca, Wahshi came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) accepted Islam then someone recognised that he was the killer of Hamza (may Allah be pleased with him). He (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said, “Let him be.” “For one man’s Islam is dearer to me than the slaying of a thousand disbelievers.” (Martin lings Sira p.323)

Look how the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has complete control of his being and anger. Then look how the slayer of his beloved uncle is absolutely safe with him because he has become Muslim.



A Muslim should never lie

Lying is something that anyone who knows anything is bad. We all know how bad lying is, so we do we do it?

Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “O’ Messenger of Allah, can a believer lie?” He said, “No. No believer in Allah and the Final day, lies when he speaks.” (Ibn Abi Dunya Makarim Al-Akhlaq p.144)

In a more famous hadith the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked, “Can a Muslim be cowardly?”
“Yes.”
“Can a Muslim be miserly?”
“Yes.”
“Can a Muslim lie?”
“No.”
(Imam Malik)

Some of us do live in societies where lying is a norm and this has to change. Although we may not be able to change those around us, we must change ourselves. Children must be taught that lying is wrong. If we at least do that and that will be a lot.

Musa ibn Shayba reports that, “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) rejected the testification of a liar.” (Ibn Abi Dunya Makarim Al-Akhalaq p.120)

Do we want our testifications to be rejected? How will people know when a lair is telling the truth? Is that what we want? What will we do on the day of judgement?

When you know you are about to lie, stop yourself and think. Then tell the truth and do not perceive any lie as small or minor. All lies are major wrong actions.



Part One
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/08/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each.html
Part Two
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/08/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each_19.html
Part Three
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/09/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each.html
Part Four
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/09/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each_08.html

Sheikh Umar Al-Khatib

The hand that Allah loves

Sheikh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi

Advice on education of young children
http://www.sacredknowledgetrust.co.uk/education%20of%20young%20children-%20sheikh%20m%20yaqoubi.pdf

The Rights that Muslims have over each other

Part two

Religious aspect

This is a subject that I have been meaning to tackle for some time. We were reading the Quran and fell upon this verse:

“Whoever kills a Muslim, on purpose, will be recompensed with eternal punishment and Allah’s anger and curse is upon him. Prepared for him is a great torment.”
The Women 4:93

That verse should be enough for anyone  who want to kill another Muslim to think again and stop doing such a vile act. Killing anyone is unlawful and the person doing such action deserves the punishment of the full weight of the law.

There has been many examples of gang violence which is not just directly outwardly (which is bad enough) but also inwards. Any acts of unjustified violence are not allowed and are unwelcome.

Most of the violence that occurs within the Asian community is affecting itself and is self induced. We have Muslims beating each other up and even worse than that. It can be difficult to differentiate between the people doing the action and the reasons. There can only be one reason for gang violence, ignorance. It is pure and putrid ignorance, in its sickest form. The treatment of women is at times so bad that I cannot explain my disgust. Please click here for treatment of women.

This verse does not need to be explained, just to be understood. A Muslim cannot harm another Muslim, it is as simple as that. And if a Muslim (Allah protect us) kills another then the will receive a painful punishment. Tafsir As-Sharbini states, “The meaning is a long time as there is manifest proof that a sinful Muslim will not be punished forever; he is not mentioned in the verse.” (p. 385)

Are we so far away from our religion that people cannot see that the people have a right not to be harmed? We seem to enjoy segregating ourselves from like members of our own people, then form rivalries against them. Claiming that some areas are better than others then fighting over it. You have “lost the plot” if you think that is justified in any way.

If you have a problem about something then talk it out! Do not fight each other because as far as I am concerned the person who raises his fist first has already lost. Muslims have to be smarter than this and realise that the world’s media is looking at us. Any of our actions could be used against us then twisted to mean something that it is not. We need to be careful, may Allah protect us all.

Some of us may be feeling slighted by another and then retaliate in the most brutal manner. In the most inhuman manner possible. I was shocked to read the description of some of the events but it did not surprise me. We truly live in a time that madness is the norm. Where people listen to the one who screams the loudest not the one who possesses the truth.


As people, as a nation, the Western Muslims must learn to understand the areas and the times that they live in. I cannot exclude myself from this because my silence is enough of a sin and the fact that I have not done anything about it, is enough.


Part One
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/08/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each.html
Part Two
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/08/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each_19.html
Part Three
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/09/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each.html
Part Four
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/09/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each_08.html

The Rights that Muslims have over each other

Part one

This is an issue that I have wanted to speak about for some time. Not that I am someone who is giving the rights to his brothers and sisters. No, I have many deficiencies and I hope that from this I can remind myself about their rights and improve my self, myself. There are two aspects that I have identified: the social and religious aspect. (More parts will follow if Allah allows.)

From the social aspect

Recently, in my locality, there has been a spate of gang related violence. This is not limited to one area as other areas suffer from the same type of violence. They include attacks on people in the most brutal and shocking manner. This is something that many people including myself, find hard to understand and comprehend. Especially, when the participants are from the same place. This type of violence needs to driven out of our communities. I am tired of this “gangster” type mentality which breeds arrogance. This arrogance eventually leads to violence which leads to innocent people being harmed.

We do live in times where madness is the rule of thumb and whatever you do to make money is permissible. No matter the manner or the way it is obtained, how foolish.

It does not cease to shock me the lengths that people go to obtain something that will be worthless as soon as it is brought. One of the main problem is that people do not have the tools of education to better themselves nor do they perceive there being any reason to pursue qualifications. What’s the point? I have a job! There is a lot of difference between someone who has no qualifications and has a job and someone with qualifications who has a career.

Muslims must be smarter than this. We must think long term. Our children’s upbringing must be of utmost importance to us. The home is where learning begins. We all know the first language that a child speaks it the language of the mother. Why else is the language called the mother tongue? We need to be interested and focused on our children’s education. We cannot leave the children to the mercy of the education system and pray that they will be alright. We have to be actively involved in giving them the best education and add to it the balance of a religious education.

The problem of violence in our communities is not a new one but it is a brutal one that seems to be getting worse. It could be easy to condemn such people but it would be harder to try to understand their point of view. They have been brought into environments which they reject the English culture and then have an alienation against their own. So they are caught between two worlds, the East and the West, without belonging to either. This causes a tension and this tension can lead to adopting the ways of other “suppressed” peoples.

Muslims are not suppressed in the United Kingdom. Yes, we do face problems because external factors but on the whole we are quite lucky to be here. Chinese Muslims are facing stiff penalties for fasting in the month of Ramadan, All praise is for Allah, we do not have these problems.

The Asian youth is stuck because he does not know which way to turn. He can go to any numbers of ways. Religion seems not to be one of them despite the religious education that is received at schools and elsewhere. So the question now is, how come we have these children for many years but we do not affect them? How come we do not infuse them with love of the religion? Something is going wrong here. Most kids are dying to leave the extra education that they receive during the evenings.

The problem is not in the religion but in the manner that we are teaching it. We must seriously look into the teaching methods that are in place. We cannot relax and cannot afford to close our eyes. We have to bring in English speaking teachers who understand the cultures and can reach the children. Having someone who comes from an Asian village, who has never stepped outside his country until he was put on a plane, is not the answer.

We need to invest in teachers. We need to have homework clubs, football activities, sport activities, help centres, marriage guidance and places we can go to solve our problems. It does not have to be religiously centred but there must be support centres. We must have the door open for everyone. We owe our brothers and sisters that much and maybe more.


Part One
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/08/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each.html
Part Two
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/08/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each_19.html
Part Three
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/09/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each.html
Part Four
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/09/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each_08.html

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

Constructive Approaches to Building a Moral Society parts one to three

“A Muslim slave is better than a polytheist.”

“A Muslim slave is better than a polytheist.”
Quran - the Heffer 2:221

The prohibition of the female Muslim marring the non Muslim male is not about actions alone. The belief of Muslim is better that the non Muslim on any day of the week and on the most important day, the last day.


One of the principles of the sacred law is that it protects lineage and religion. A Muslim woman who marries a non Muslim man risks losing her religion and the religion of the child. A child that is brought into this environment can be nothing but mixed up and this could lead to disbelief.
This is not about being far or equality because men are allowed but look at the results. Many Muslim men who marry non-Muslim women have lost their children to disbelief.


Faith is the most important factor here and there cannot be any skating around the issue. If a Muslim woman marries a non-Muslim male then this is a major sin. As long as she does not believe that what she is doing is permissible then she is still a Muslim but if she says it is permissible then she has left Islam.


We have reached a time where there are many single female Muslims and do not forget that there are many single male Muslims.


A Muslim man has to respect the religion of his non-Muslim wife, he believes in her Prophet, Moses, Jesus and Yahya (upon them all peace). He respects her book and he has to by sacred law to pay for her daily needs: food, housing etc. A non-Muslim man on other hand doesn't believe in her Prophet or religion. So he could cause her to loss in her religious action. For example he might prevent her fasting because he doesn't like it or he might stop her praying. He may also refuse to pay for any of her daily needs; he is not obliged to do this. A person may find a non Muslims character better than a Muslims but what they have to bear in mind is that the non Muslim belief is what is important. Also do you want that person to be with you in paradise? Ask them to accept Islam even if it is just verbally.


The non Muslim female is able to complain to a shariah council because of her Muslim husband but neither the non Muslim or the Muslim wife (married together) have recourse in a shariah court of law as their marriage is not valid.

Also, how do they deal with the issues when a non-Muslim wants to bring alcohol and pork into the home? How can children be protected from these? When they see their parents do haram would not this encourage them to do similar?

So the reason here is that the non-Muslim man cannot fulfil her rights either worldly or religiously. If he did then he would be Muslim. This is in order to protect the woman from harm.


All this is academic because Allah (mighty and majestic) has stated in the Quran that:

"Do not marry unbelieving women (idolaters), until they believe: A slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman, even though she allures you. Nor marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe: A man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever, even though he allures you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the Fire. But God beckons by His Grace to the Garden (of bliss) and forgiveness, and makes His Signs clear to mankind: That they may celebrate His praise.”
The Heffer 2:221


The Quranic passage is clear marry a disbeliever and you are approaching the fire whilst God is calling you to paradise.


At the same time I do have a lot of sympathy for single brothers and sisters but we cannot sell ourselves short. A partner from the Indo - pak world, despite all their apparent problems, is better than a disbeliever. Although, this is a secondary option that must be considered.


Most important of all we should not sit here and debate the Quran - this is prohibited for people to do. If there is an unclear meaning then we go to the scholars but what we do not need to do this seen as the meaning is clear.

Please note we cannot abrogate a ruling of the Quran as this is God's ruling for us. What would we be if we ignore this ruling? Who are we following then? The whims of our caprices?


If you are a Muslim lady in this situation then ask your husband to convert even if he just says it verbally and does not act on it. This will change your whole situation and if he will not convert to save your marriage then was he worth it in the first place?

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

Our Family parts one to six

Sheikh Umar Al-Khatib

Trodden path
Bradford 2008 Part one of two
Translated by Sheikh Ibrahim Osi Efa

Is from the family Hahab ibn Bishir a companion

It is incumbent for believers to reflect on the tie to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

All the moments that Allah extents to him especially in this month

The Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said, “A Muslim is he that people are safe from his tongue and hand.”

A believer is who doesn’t not inflict harm in their blood or wealth (for anyone)

The one who does not do this how can he considered a believer

Many examples of before and after prophecy he was a trustworthy person

Even those who rejected him still trusted him

He charged Ali with returning all the items trusted to him when he left for Medina
He did not harm people in any way

He (peace and blessings of Allah be him) did not consider for a minute of stealing their properties even though they had fought him and opposed him

One of the people who opposed him was ill and he visited him then advised to accept Islam before death, he looked at his father he said, “Obey, Abu Qasim.” He said it and died upon faith, the father was a Jewish man

Khubayb ibn Arad who on sacred engagement was taken prisoner. He was about to executed so he requested a razor to groom himself, from a lady. He begins to groom himself; he is in chains; her child crawls into his lap. Many thought that this was an opportunity to either kill the child or use it as means of escape. But a Muslim is a source of security for others. When the mother came back and saw the child playing with Khubayb she began to quiver, in fear for her child. When Kubayb looked at her and saw her fear then realised that he had a knife in his hand and her child in his lap. He said, “Are you fearful of me? The companions of Muhammad do not kill women or children, take your child.” Then he directed the child towards her. She said, “I have not seen any prisoner like Khubayb.”

In a hadith the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah upon him) said, “Whoever defrauds is not one of us.” (This enters into many chapters of the buying and selling)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asked, “Can a believer be a coward?”
he replied, “Yes.”
“Can a believer be miserly?”
“Yes.”
“Can a Muslim cheat?”
“No. Those who invest lies are not believers in Allah.”

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “I swear by Allah, he does not believe. I swear by Allah, he does not believe. I swear by Allah, he does not believe.” The companions shocked asked, “Who is he?”
“The one whose neighbour is not safe from his hands.”

Anyone around him is in fear even his household. If the women and children are fearful of man then you should ponder the faith of this person; all we know about him is that he threatens his wife with divorce and his children with a beating even his friends are fearful.

Umar asked someone how he enters his house he said, “All voices fall silent, all movements fall still...” Umar said, “You are one of the tyrants.”

A person will be raised amount the tyrants when all he had responsibility for was his family

Once a camel acted wildly and everyone fled, scared. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asked to go to it. They said, “We fear for you.” He replied, “Leave it to me open the gates.” He went to it and it prostrated near him; his put his ear near the camel and heard him speak. Then he asked, “Who is the owner of the camel?” “I am.” Said, one of the companions. “The camel is complaining that you are overbearing the camel and overbearing it.”
He said, “After today I will not do this and care for it.”

So he even cared for animals

The scream of the tree that he used to lean on and give sermon could be heard when his was made a minbar to climb to give sermon. When it started to scream he comforted it until it became silent.

Hassan Al-Basri, “Here is a date palm tree and he was distant from it a few cubits; how about the hearts of the believers not yearn and weep for him when they are so far away.”

Our tears for him are tears for his character, noble qualities etc

Look at the security that he gave others. Some would hurt him, wives would stay away from him one night; how could they do this if they were not sure that they were safe from him

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), “I know when you are angry with me and when you are happy.”
She asked, “How do you know that?”
“When you are angry you say by the one who sent Ibrahim with the Truth and when you are happy with me then you say by the one who send Muhammad with the truth.”
“By the one who possesses my soul I will not leave your name.”

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The one who instils fear into a heart of believer; Allah will instils fear into him on the Day of Judgement.”

Likewise removing someone’s property without their knowledge

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

Removing the Silence on Domestic Violence