Embodying the Prophetic Character
Welcome to Sheikhy Notes, unique website that features, videos, notes given by traditional Muslim scholars. As well my posts/articles on particular subjects. Scroll down for various topics, scholars, links, quotes and monthly archives or use search engine to find posts. Please note that articles are copyright and cannot be copied without express permission. Allah Subhanu wa Ta’ala knows best. Est. 2005, ma sha Allah.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Forty Prophetic narrations on Tribulation, Affliction and Patience
You can download the document
http://www.scribd.com/doc/45711523/40-Prophetic-Narrations-of-Tribulation
40 Prophetic Narrations of Tribulation
Friday, June 25, 2010
Cutting Corners
Chapter Twenty Three
This is one of the traps of the student of knowledge. This happens when the student learns something and then performs that practice lazily. Instead of performing an action to the best of his ability he performs the basics of that action without trying. Unlike before and sometimes worse than before! What we mean is when a student learns a subject and finds out it all the details then they perform the action to its minimum. Rather than perform it to its maximum, as before.
Other people can see him performing actions and can see his errors but because he is doing just the basics; it looks as if he is not performing the action correctly. He knows himself that the action is valid but he is missing something yet he is not concerned. In this case the person who does not know what makes his action valid and invalid is better because he tries his best.
For example if the student knows that touching his knees makes his bowing/ Ruku valid and he does not have to have his hands on his knees and pause. Others, who only know the Sunna, may think that his action is invalid because he is doing something that they do not know is valid.
The student of knowledge has to be aware of this and try to perform actions as best as he can and not perform just the basics unless he is in a situation that stipulates it. For example he only has a few minutes to perform a prayer and if he tries to complete to the best of his ability then his prayer be invalid because he would’ve left the time. In this situation he can do the basics.
Just a general point, people need to find out what makes their prayers valid and invalid. This is a basic knowledge that people need to seek.
This is one of the traps of the student of knowledge. This happens when the student learns something and then performs that practice lazily. Instead of performing an action to the best of his ability he performs the basics of that action without trying. Unlike before and sometimes worse than before! What we mean is when a student learns a subject and finds out it all the details then they perform the action to its minimum. Rather than perform it to its maximum, as before.
Other people can see him performing actions and can see his errors but because he is doing just the basics; it looks as if he is not performing the action correctly. He knows himself that the action is valid but he is missing something yet he is not concerned. In this case the person who does not know what makes his action valid and invalid is better because he tries his best.
For example if the student knows that touching his knees makes his bowing/ Ruku valid and he does not have to have his hands on his knees and pause. Others, who only know the Sunna, may think that his action is invalid because he is doing something that they do not know is valid.
The student of knowledge has to be aware of this and try to perform actions as best as he can and not perform just the basics unless he is in a situation that stipulates it. For example he only has a few minutes to perform a prayer and if he tries to complete to the best of his ability then his prayer be invalid because he would’ve left the time. In this situation he can do the basics.
Just a general point, people need to find out what makes their prayers valid and invalid. This is a basic knowledge that people need to seek.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Islamic Outreach/Dawah
In the Merchant of Venice the Prince of Morocco said, "Mislike me not for my complexion." (Act 2 Scene 1). He knew that their eyes could clearly see a difference but here we are concerned with the differences that cannot be seen. The Prince of Morocco was speaking to the people of Europe and he addressed the differences in people in terms of skin colour and belief. Have we tried to address these?
Islamic outreach is something that I feel quite strongly about and it is something that we have failed to do in the West. Explaining Islam to its people in a way that can be digested and understand has not happened. This has to be our starting point, realising that we have failed in this matter. Only then can we begin to build for the future. If we do not accept this point then we are likely to continue making the same mistakes over and over again.
Is Islamic outreach something that we should be concerned about?
Well you should be concerned about this if you are a lover of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) because that is one of the main purposes of Prophethood. To call the people to the message of salvation; the message that will save them from everlasting humiliation. Most of the time there are only a few groups performing this obligatory action in the West. The Sunni “Sufi's” seem to have given up outreach with the exception of the scholars. Calling people to Islam is an obligation on the community.
Anyone who comes from the Indo-Pak background owes their Islam to Sufi's. This is no exaggeration, war did win over the political power but the hearts of the people was won over by Sufism. When we say Sufism or Sufi's we mean those who follow the sacred law correctly and follow a spiritual leader. We do not mean those who are called Sufis and are in many ways worse than those who do not pray!
Sufi's like Sayyid Yusuf Al-Din (could that be Yusr al-Din?) a descendant of Sheikh Abdulqadir Jilani who saw a dream ordering him to leave Baghdad and go to Sind. He eventually won over seven hundred families who converted to Islam at his hands. (Spread of Islam in the World T. Arnold p.274)
In our times the so-called Sufi's come out for the Mawlid and are not interested in speaking about Islam to anyone. This is not the way of the Spiritual masters who have preceded us and or the one who gave us this religion.
The Preaching of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him)
He would supplicate for people to become Muslim and he would facilitate their Islam after they came into Islam. His prayer was one of the reasons that Umar ibn Al-Khattab became Muslim and he supported Salman the Persian (may Allah be pleased with them both) after he became Muslim. So this is the way of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) and it is nothing new. Dawah was something that he said he would continue to do until it became manifest or until he died trying.
According to the book Foreign policy of Muhammad by M. S. Qureshi he states that the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) sent thirty letters to kings and sent over eighty delegations to tribes explaining Islam.
“Thou wouldst only, perchance, fret thyself to death, following after them, in grief, if they believe not in this.” (The Cave 18:6)
The Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) was anxious that people enter into Islam.
Ponder the following narration:
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “The garden is the obligatory reward of anyone at whose hands someone becomes Muslim.” (Tabarani kabir 786, Awsat 3456 and Saghir 439)
Now we have established that we have to call people to Islam; we have to establish how:
“Invite (people) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good counsel. And argue with them in the best of manners. Surely, your Lord knows best the one who deviates from His way, and He knows best the ones who are on the right path.” (The Bee 16:125)
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (May Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “The Prophets were ordered to converse with people according to their intellects.”
We need to speak to people in the West using information in the way that they can digest. This does not mean we demean Islam, we should explain Islam, honestly.
Dawah
Come from a root Arabic word دعا which means to call or summon. دعوة which can mean to invite or to appeal. We are inviting them to the appeal of unchanged religion meaning that they will enter into endless bliss by becoming Muslim.
We are only responsible to deliver the message, once this is done our responsibilitly is over. It is up to them to become Muslim or not. In the Tibetan language Dawa means the moon. We want people to see the beauty of the man who is more beautiful than the full moon.
What should be our next step?
Our next step is to engage local Masjids into giving out the correct outreach to non-Muslims. If they are not willing to do anything for outreach then we have to engage groups outside the Masjids. This is something that is becoming increasing apparent. Many Masjids do not understand the environment that they are in and thus other centres have to be opened by like minded individuals who are ready to do this work.
Here are some points that we think are important:
1) We need to have English speakers who are open to speak about Islam to non-Muslims. Be that having open days for the public or for select groups of people like school groups.
2) We need to have soup kitchens that feed the poor.
3) We need events where people can come and ask questions.
4) This events where people can get together. Leeds new Muslims is a group of concerned Muslims who bring all those who have recently converted together to have a meal. This is normally a weekly event and this gives so many people chance to interact and make new friends. It is not easy to become Muslim and they need as much support as we can give them. Recently this program has been copied in Dewsbury and its results have been extremely positive. There are many Muslims in our communities who hide their Islam and live in areas where there is little hope of assistance. This program brings hope and brings them together with other Muslims who can help.
These are some things that we feel are important and need to be addressed. Of course there could be more.
The individual
Most of all we should be extremely careful of how we interact with other people because that can also have a bearing on whether people become attracted to Islam or not. If they see an enlighten human being who is a Muslim then Islam becomes attractive however this is not the case when they meet a rude and obnoxious Muslim.
Acts of kindness should not be seen as anything small they should be seen as ways of attracting people to enter Islam. We do have a collective and an individual responsibility concerning the outreach of Islam and this needs to be taken seriously. Muslims have to note that they can play a large role in making a new Muslim feel welcome. Even if they do not know much themselves as long as they know where to go to gain knowledge. Any small action is something that could be massive on a personal level.
We need to accept new Muslims into the fold and make them feel welcome. I have lost count the number of English Muslims who are seen as outcasts because they do not come from 'back home.' This is rubbish, Islam is not about a racist or tribal religion. Anyone can be a Muslim and they can be from any race of people. Also if you see a English Muslim in the Masjid who has finished praying, do not go up to him and ask him if he is Muslim! This is most stupid thing you can do! Invite them for some food and do not kill them with spices!
If you know or find a new Muslim in your area then support them as much as you can by encouragement. Get them the right books, prayer mats, invite them to good lectures and take them to teachers to learn. Do not sufficate them and if they have questions then pass them onto someone else knowledgable. They need support and avoid informing them that so and so group is the wrong group to follow, unless they are clearly wrong. As this may confuse them in the early stages of their development. Let them grow and let them learn at their own pace.
All that glitters is not gold but the gold we have can be shared without deminishing.
Is Islamic outreach something that we should be concerned about?
Well you should be concerned about this if you are a lover of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) because that is one of the main purposes of Prophethood. To call the people to the message of salvation; the message that will save them from everlasting humiliation. Most of the time there are only a few groups performing this obligatory action in the West. The Sunni “Sufi's” seem to have given up outreach with the exception of the scholars. Calling people to Islam is an obligation on the community.
Anyone who comes from the Indo-Pak background owes their Islam to Sufi's. This is no exaggeration, war did win over the political power but the hearts of the people was won over by Sufism. When we say Sufism or Sufi's we mean those who follow the sacred law correctly and follow a spiritual leader. We do not mean those who are called Sufis and are in many ways worse than those who do not pray!
Sufi's like Sayyid Yusuf Al-Din (could that be Yusr al-Din?) a descendant of Sheikh Abdulqadir Jilani who saw a dream ordering him to leave Baghdad and go to Sind. He eventually won over seven hundred families who converted to Islam at his hands. (Spread of Islam in the World T. Arnold p.274)
In our times the so-called Sufi's come out for the Mawlid and are not interested in speaking about Islam to anyone. This is not the way of the Spiritual masters who have preceded us and or the one who gave us this religion.
The Preaching of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him)
He would supplicate for people to become Muslim and he would facilitate their Islam after they came into Islam. His prayer was one of the reasons that Umar ibn Al-Khattab became Muslim and he supported Salman the Persian (may Allah be pleased with them both) after he became Muslim. So this is the way of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) and it is nothing new. Dawah was something that he said he would continue to do until it became manifest or until he died trying.
According to the book Foreign policy of Muhammad by M. S. Qureshi he states that the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) sent thirty letters to kings and sent over eighty delegations to tribes explaining Islam.
“Thou wouldst only, perchance, fret thyself to death, following after them, in grief, if they believe not in this.” (The Cave 18:6)
The Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) was anxious that people enter into Islam.
Ponder the following narration:
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “The garden is the obligatory reward of anyone at whose hands someone becomes Muslim.” (Tabarani kabir 786, Awsat 3456 and Saghir 439)
Now we have established that we have to call people to Islam; we have to establish how:
“Invite (people) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good counsel. And argue with them in the best of manners. Surely, your Lord knows best the one who deviates from His way, and He knows best the ones who are on the right path.” (The Bee 16:125)
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (May Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “The Prophets were ordered to converse with people according to their intellects.”
We need to speak to people in the West using information in the way that they can digest. This does not mean we demean Islam, we should explain Islam, honestly.
Dawah
Come from a root Arabic word دعا which means to call or summon. دعوة which can mean to invite or to appeal. We are inviting them to the appeal of unchanged religion meaning that they will enter into endless bliss by becoming Muslim.
We are only responsible to deliver the message, once this is done our responsibilitly is over. It is up to them to become Muslim or not. In the Tibetan language Dawa means the moon. We want people to see the beauty of the man who is more beautiful than the full moon.
What should be our next step?
Our next step is to engage local Masjids into giving out the correct outreach to non-Muslims. If they are not willing to do anything for outreach then we have to engage groups outside the Masjids. This is something that is becoming increasing apparent. Many Masjids do not understand the environment that they are in and thus other centres have to be opened by like minded individuals who are ready to do this work.
Here are some points that we think are important:
1) We need to have English speakers who are open to speak about Islam to non-Muslims. Be that having open days for the public or for select groups of people like school groups.
2) We need to have soup kitchens that feed the poor.
3) We need events where people can come and ask questions.
4) This events where people can get together. Leeds new Muslims is a group of concerned Muslims who bring all those who have recently converted together to have a meal. This is normally a weekly event and this gives so many people chance to interact and make new friends. It is not easy to become Muslim and they need as much support as we can give them. Recently this program has been copied in Dewsbury and its results have been extremely positive. There are many Muslims in our communities who hide their Islam and live in areas where there is little hope of assistance. This program brings hope and brings them together with other Muslims who can help.
These are some things that we feel are important and need to be addressed. Of course there could be more.
The individual
Most of all we should be extremely careful of how we interact with other people because that can also have a bearing on whether people become attracted to Islam or not. If they see an enlighten human being who is a Muslim then Islam becomes attractive however this is not the case when they meet a rude and obnoxious Muslim.
Acts of kindness should not be seen as anything small they should be seen as ways of attracting people to enter Islam. We do have a collective and an individual responsibility concerning the outreach of Islam and this needs to be taken seriously. Muslims have to note that they can play a large role in making a new Muslim feel welcome. Even if they do not know much themselves as long as they know where to go to gain knowledge. Any small action is something that could be massive on a personal level.
We need to accept new Muslims into the fold and make them feel welcome. I have lost count the number of English Muslims who are seen as outcasts because they do not come from 'back home.' This is rubbish, Islam is not about a racist or tribal religion. Anyone can be a Muslim and they can be from any race of people. Also if you see a English Muslim in the Masjid who has finished praying, do not go up to him and ask him if he is Muslim! This is most stupid thing you can do! Invite them for some food and do not kill them with spices!
If you know or find a new Muslim in your area then support them as much as you can by encouragement. Get them the right books, prayer mats, invite them to good lectures and take them to teachers to learn. Do not sufficate them and if they have questions then pass them onto someone else knowledgable. They need support and avoid informing them that so and so group is the wrong group to follow, unless they are clearly wrong. As this may confuse them in the early stages of their development. Let them grow and let them learn at their own pace.
All that glitters is not gold but the gold we have can be shared without deminishing.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Monday, June 07, 2010
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Friday, June 04, 2010
Thursday, June 03, 2010
The reality of tests
We are in the season of exams for all those in education. Many are asking for supplications to succeed. Students are either working hard revising or chilling out thinking that they do not need to revise. We were thinking about tests and wondering why we need tests.
Exams are in place to make sure that you have learnt the lessons that you have been taught. So the exam is a reflection of your understanding or lack of. If you fail then you cannot progress with your chosen educational field. You may need to resit the exam or you may need to take another route to a job.
Similarly, the tests of the world are exactly the same. We are given tests to see if we have learnt how to deal with a situation. And if we have learnt to deal with them then we are elevated to a higher grade and this helps us progress. If we fail then we are stuck until we get the message and or get another test.
So when you face a test know this is your chance to reach another level and pass with flying colors. Do not curse the test because you think that its too difficult to bear; if you make it then be aware that that you have reached a new level in this lifetime and in the next.............
See previous post
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-understand-tribulations.html
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Marrakesh Trips
One of my friends asked me to post this:
"Salamo alaykom everybody
I'm brahim from Marrakesh, Morocco.
Anyone who wants to visit seven man awliya of Marrakesh then I am an English speaking guide ready to take you. They are:
Sidi Youssef ben Ali
Sidi Al Qadi Iyad
Sidi Abu l'Abbas As-sabti
Sidi sulayman al-jazouli (Imam Jazouli)
Sidi Abdelaziz attabaa
Sidi Abdellah al-Ghazwani
Sidi Imam As-Souhayli
There are other awliya outside Marrakesh like :
Moulay Abdessalam ben Mashish in tetouan
ibi yaaza in khnifra
Sidi Abdel-Aziz adabagh and Moulay Idriss in Fes and others....."
Please email him for prices.
Brahim is a resident of Marrakesh so he can show you those sights easily.
For further details please email him not me!
sidibrahim1@hotmail.fr
"Salamo alaykom everybody
I'm brahim from Marrakesh, Morocco.
Anyone who wants to visit seven man awliya of Marrakesh then I am an English speaking guide ready to take you. They are:
Sidi Youssef ben Ali
Sidi Al Qadi Iyad
Sidi Abu l'Abbas As-sabti
Sidi sulayman al-jazouli (Imam Jazouli)
Sidi Abdelaziz attabaa
Sidi Abdellah al-Ghazwani
Sidi Imam As-Souhayli
There are other awliya outside Marrakesh like :
Moulay Abdessalam ben Mashish in tetouan
ibi yaaza in khnifra
Sidi Abdel-Aziz adabagh and Moulay Idriss in Fes and others....."
Please email him for prices.
Brahim is a resident of Marrakesh so he can show you those sights easily.
For further details please email him not me!
sidibrahim1@hotmail.fr
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
The superiority of the Companions of the Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings)
Quran and Prophetic narrations of the superiority of the companions of the Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) please continue reading:
“God has turned towards the Prophet and the Emigrants and the Helpers who followed him in the hour of difficulty, after the hearts of a part of them well-nigh swerved aside; then He turned towards them; surely He is Gentle to them, and All-compassionate.”
The Repentance 9:117
“God has turned towards the Prophet and the Emigrants and the Helpers who followed him in the hour of difficulty, after the hearts of a part of them well-nigh swerved aside; then He turned towards them; surely He is Gentle to them, and All-compassionate.”
The Repentance 9:117
“God was well pleased with the believers when they were swearing oath to you under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquillity upon them, and rewarded them with a manifest victory.”
Victory 48:18
“And the Outstrippers, the first of the Emigrants and the Helpers, and those who followed them in good-doing -- God will be well-pleased with them and they are well-pleased with Him; and He has prepared for them gardens underneath which rivers flow, therein to dwell forever and ever; that is the mighty triumph.”
The Repentance 9:100
“It is for the poor emigrants, who were expelled from their habitations and their possessions, seeking bounty from God and good pleasure, and helping God and His Messenger; those - they are the truthful ones. And those who made their dwelling in the abode, and in belief, before them; love whosoever has emigrated to them, not finding in their breasts any need for what they have been given, and preferring others above themselves, even though poverty be their portion. And whoso is guarded against the avarice of his own soul, those - they are the prosperous.”
Exile 59:8-9
“God has sent down the fairest discourse as a Book, consimilar in its oft-repeated, whereat shiver the skins of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts soften to the remembrance of God. That is God’s guidance, whereby. He guides whomsoever He will; and whomsoever God leads astray, no guide has he.”
The Troops 39:23
“Only those believe in Our signs who, when they are reminded of them, fall down prostrate and proclaim the praise of their Lord, not waxing proud. Their sides shun their couches as they call on their Lord in fear and hope; and they expend of that We have provided them.”
The Prostration 32:15-16
“Of the believers are men who are true to that which they covenanted with Allah. Some of them have paid their vow by death (in battle), and some of them still are waiting; and they have not altered in the least; That Allah may reward the true men for their truth, and punish the hypocrites if He will, or relent toward them (if He will). Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” The clans 33:23-24
It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allah ibn Mas’ud that the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, "The best of the people are my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them."
Bukhari 2652 and Muslim 2533
Three generations mentioned here the companions, the successors and the followers of the successors.
The Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessing upon him) said, "When my Companions are mentioned then refrain." (Tabarani)
This is the best policy when the companions are mentioned in an disrespectful manner.
Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, "Do not abuse my Companions, do not curse my companions. I swear by Him who possess my soul, that if any of you were to spend gold equal to (mountain of) Uhud in charity, it would not equal a few handfuls of one of them or even half of that." (Bukhari 5 and Muslim 221)
The Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, "The sign of faith is love of the Ansar and the sign of hypocrisy is the hatred of Ansar." Bukhari and Muslim.
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, "Whoever abuses my Companions, upon them is the curse of Allah, the angels and all the people." (Tabarani)
Abdullah ibn Mughaffal narrates that the Messenger of God (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, “Allah, Allah, refrain from using bad language about my Companions! Allah, Allah, refrain from using bad language about my Companions! Do not make them a target of your attacks after me! Whoever loves them loves them on account for his love of me; whoever hates them; hates them on account of his hatred to me. Whoever hurts them hurts me; whoever hurts me “hurts” Allah.” (Tirmidhi 58, Ibn Hibban 9:189, Imam Ahmed 5:57)
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, “The Stars are a means of security for the heavens. When they are scattered, what was promised from the heavens fall. I am the means of security for the companions. When I leave the world, what was promised for my companions will befall them. My Companions are a means of security for my nation. When they leave the world, what was promised for my nation befall them.” (Muslim 207)
The Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, "Allah chose me and choose for me companions then made from them ministers from the helpers and the Asshar (son in laws); whoever curses them has the curse of Allah, the angels and the people upon them. And Allah will not accept anything from them on the day of judgement." (Al-Haytami in Al-Mujama Az-Zawaid, Tabarani and Al-Hakim).
These are some Quranic passages and Prophetic narrations that speak about the virtue of the Companions. This is by no means the only list, this is just an attempt to remind our hearts about their virtues. Individual narrations about the virtues of particular Companions would be enough to fill this blog up!
For further reading about the companions read the section on the Companions (from p.369 onwards) in M. Fethullah Gulen’s book Muhammad the Messenger of God (my Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings). Also try Encyclopaedia of Muhammad's Women Companions by Sheikh Hisham Kabbani and The Companions of the Prophet by Abdulwahid Hamid, it’s in two volumes.
Imam Ahmad said, "If you see anyone speaking ill of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, doubt his Islam."
Also note that cursing the companions is a major sin but someone does not leave Islam by doing such a wretched thing. They are like a ballet dancer on a knife edge spinning on the spot! The rank of the companion is something no one can attain because this has already been decided.
Imam Ahmad said, "If you see anyone speaking ill of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, doubt his Islam."
Also note that cursing the companions is a major sin but someone does not leave Islam by doing such a wretched thing. They are like a ballet dancer on a knife edge spinning on the spot! The rank of the companion is something no one can attain because this has already been decided.
(The picture is of the grave of the Companion Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) in Turkey.)
Sunday, May 30, 2010
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