Cityisoc.com [issue #01 (an Islaamic Magazine)]

Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

University Life: How to utilize your Time as a Muslim?

Extremism in Islam: The struggle in Islam Against extremism

Islamic Society: What services do We provide you?

LAMIC SOCIETY

c i t y IS o c . c o m university

Issue # 1

Ownership: City University Islamic Society
No copyright applies for usage in Islamic Da’wah only

Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

All praise is for Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds.

“O you who believe! Fear Allaah (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. [Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always], and die not except in a state of Islam (as Muslims) with complete submission to Allaah.” [Al-Qur’aan – Soorat Aal-‘Imraan (003:102)]

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university

Issue # 1

Ownership: City University Islamic Society
No copyright applies for usage in Islamic Da’wah only

Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Front Cover

01 02 03 04-05

Pearls of Wisdom #1 Magazine Contents Ameer’s Address

06 07-08 09 10 11 12 13-14 15

Pearls of Wisdom #2 About City ISoc Sisters at City ISoc About the Prayer Room Outside the Prayer Room Pearls of Wisdom #3 Shaykh ibn Jibreen (r) Qur’aan Behind Bars Pearls of Wisdom #4

16 17 18 19 20-21 22 23 24 25-26

Importance of Salaah Misconceptions of Salaah Virtues of Jumu’ah Salaat al-Istikhaarah Taraaweeh in Ramadhaan Pearls of Wisdom #5 Fornicating on Campus Conditions of Hijaab

27 28 29 30 31 32-33 34

Pearls of Wisdom #6 Extremism in Islam Muslim, Not Wahhaabi Words for Reflection Pearls of Wisdom #7 Preparing for Exams Recommended Book List

35 36 37 38 39 40 41

Pearls of Wisdom #8 ISoc Committee Online Competition About CityISoc.com We Want You! Disclaimer and References Pearls of Wisdom #9

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university

Issue # 1

Ownership: City University Islamic Society
No copyright applies for usage in Islamic Da’wah only

Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy All praise is due to Allaah and to Allaah alone. And may Allaah send peace and blessings upon the seal of the Prophets and Messengers, Muhammad the son of ‘Abdullaah. To proceed, Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh When a person is growing up, the schools that they attend are governed by rules and regulations that are generally inflexible in terms of developing a person’s outlook and ideas. Parents play a key role in how they want their children to think, what they would like for them to do and are thus very uneasy about letting them develop their own ideas for fear of how those ideas may evolve. However, there comes a stage in every individual’s life where one questions ones very identity, who they are, what they are, where they belong, and where they are going. This stage often coincides with the phase of University. University is the single most important part of an individual’s life. It is for the most part the first time when students are allowed the freedom to think and develop in a way that they would not have been able to do so before. Friends, colleagues and professors play a vital role in the development of people’s minds and how they ought to perceive and react towards certain problems or issues that may arise. Not only does this develop one to have the freedom, mentally and socially, but one is also exposed to a variety of ideas, methodologies and beliefs. In the standard university, one will find numerous societies, groups and clubs, all aiming to influence and indoctrinate the masses into understanding their cause and agreeing with their point of view. The Christian Society, the Hindu Society, the Jewish Society, the Socialist Party, Gay & Lesbian Society, Ahlul Bayt Society, Stop the War Society amongst many others form the list of societies found in university, all competing to impose their beliefs upon others. Studies have shown that 90% of the time, one will find that the ideas and values that a person accepts at their time at university will be the ideas and values that they adopt for life. At a lesser but still significant percentage, if a person has not adopted specific ideas and values by the time that they have graduated from university, exposure to certain ideas and values during university life will influence their paths further on in life. Such is the importance and status of the phase of University. It is because of this that from within every university their lies a group of people who are steadfast and sincere, firm and adamant, resolute and honest that forms a society by the name of the Islamic Society. The Islamic Society acknowledge that the most important issue in the life of every individual and every society is its identity, as it is only the identity that characterises the value and status of a person and a nation as a whole. It therefore behoves us to concentrate our mission in calling ourselves and others to the path of success, honour, dignity, righteousness, truthfulness and piety; the path of Islam. Allaah, the Exalted says: “Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and Faith) and set for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men, like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out? Thus it is made fair-seeming to the disbelievers that which they used to do.” [Soorat al-An’aam (006:122)] True glory can never be achieved in the absence of true faith, Islamic Monotheism and high moral values. It is pivotal that as educated Muslims, continuing or starting university for the first time, we do not blend into the society and take an apologetic approach for our faith which constitutes the essence of our soul and body. It is unfortunate to find that one would sometimes compromise his faith and his identity for his friends, studies or a respectable business opportunity. Yes it is true that Islam has with it many negative stereotypes around the world today, especially when the media labels this faith as ‘Islamic extremism’, and where all Muslims are ‘terrorists’, and the Arabs are ‘women beaters’ and Islam is a ‘barbaric religion’. However, the Muslim should never fall victim to these slogans of falsehood, and create for himself a feeling of shame if constantly the word Muslim is used synonymously with everything bad in the World, as all other faiths and beliefs are nothing but a mirage and a fantasy with no true and pure identity. Allaah, the Magnificent says: “Then, as for the foam it passes away as scum upon the banks, while that which is good for mankind remains in the earth. Thus Allaah sets forth parables (for the truth and falsehood, i.e. Belief and disbelief).” [Soorat ar-Ra’d (013:017)] Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam, the mission of the Islamic Society in aiding and supporting you to find, rediscover and preserve your Islamic Identity is indeed a great and noble mission, for ones Islamic Identity holds huge importance in this life and in the next. In fact, your Islamic Identity is taken to mean your creed that manifests itself in the way you live your life, - an all-encompassing set of beliefs, and actions as derived from the Qur’aan and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). This true Islamic identity is the status for which the righteous compete and strive. It is the nourishment of hearts and souls. It is the delight of the eyes. It is the life of which one who is denied it is dead. It is the light which the one who loses it is in deep darkness. It is the healing of which the one who is denied is sick, the joy which the one who is deprived of it lives in distress and pain, the spirit of faith and good deeds by means of which one may draw closer to Allaah, which, when it is absent, one is like a body in which there is no soul. Allaah, the Majestic says: “It is He (Allaah) Who has named you Muslims both before and in this (the Qur'aan), that the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind! So perform As-Salaat, give Zakat and hold fast to Allaah [i.e. have confidence in Allaah, and depend upon Him in all your affairs] He is your Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.), what an Excellent Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.) and what an Excellent Helper!” [Soorat al-Hajj (022:078)] True Islamic identity will fight despair and feeling of uncertainly with reliance upon Allaah. True identity gives a believer certainty, confidence and power to persevere. If he is in bliss and happiness, he will not be arrogant, but will rather praise his Lord and thank Him and if he is afflicted with calamity, he will not despair, but will rather have patience and be satisfied with that which was decreed for him. True Islamic identity entails belief in Allaah, which will cause determination and seriousness in affairs, meaning that no opportunity will arise to do a righteous deed, except that the believer undertakes it, hoping in Allaah’s reward. He would do his utmost to be empowered by acquiring knowledge first and foremost about his deen and the knowledge he would need to live an honourable life. He will enlighten his heart by being righteous and pious. True Islamic identity results in one to believe in the Allaah’s decree, thus causing mental relief and pure tranquillity of the heart. For indeed no-one has a healthier life, or a stress-free soul, or a greater sense of tranquillity, than a person who truly believes in the Divine Decree. The soul experiences no anxiety and the mind is free from confusion. So the person is pleased with Allaah as his Lord and Maintainer, and his Judge and Legislator. Hence his heart is at peace and his breast opens up to Islam. And he would not exchange his state for anything else in this universe. Allaah says: “Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allaah – Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allaah, verily in the remembrance of Allaah hearts find rest.” [Soorat ar-Ra’d (013:028)]

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Ownership: City University Islamic Society
No copyright applies for usage in Islamic Da’wah only

Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

True Islamic identity is identified when one who fears of Allaah so that he does not feel safe from the punishment of Allaah, Therefore he keeps his duties towards his Lord. He also has deep love for Allaah as well as the people of Allaah. He puts his Hope in Allaah so that Allaah would forgive him and admit him to the paradise. True Islamic identity is when one is content with whatever he has and he is patient, believing in Allaah’s Divine Decree. Even if the Decree goes against his wishes, as Allaah’s Decree can never be averted. Gratification lies in receiving the decree of Allaah with contentment whilst acknowledging that all things come from Allaah and that He has the ultimate command and absolute power over His creatures. True Islamic identity is when one gives Thanks to Allaah and shows his gratitude to his Lord; when one shows humility to Allaah, even after he acquires status and wealth, because this mercy is from Allaah, his Lord. True Islamic identity entails one to give da’wah to all in his community and where he studies. He knows that the best speech is inviting people to Allaah, with wisdom and best manners. He also knows that the best da’wah can be his own deed. So he perfects his own self first and foremost. Allaah says: “And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allaah’s (Islamic Monotheism) and does righteous deeds, and says: ‘I am of the Muslims’” [Soorat al-Fussilat (041:033)] A true believer is a courageous slave of Allaah, because the believer knows that his death is already written and it will not miss him. A true believer is charitable and he helps the needy from his fellow human beings. And he only wishes Allaah’s pleasure in his actions. Tawheed (Islamic Monotheism) is the only belief capable of salvaging mankind from its misery and despair it is the only guarantor of its happiness. As it was experienced by one of the pious people of the past who said “If the people of Paradise live like I am right now, then indeed they live in a kind life, and a happy life”. The faith that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) established its pillars is the source of all good and felicity for those who follow its guidance. This faith is the pure tree with ripe and everlasting fruits. Allaah says: ‘See you not how Allaah sets forth a parable? – A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky. Giving its fruit at all times by the leave of its Lord…” [(Soorat Ibraaheem (014:024-025)]. A nation that is established upon the correct Islamic identity and its life is controlled by the realities of faith is a powerful nation in itself; a completely independent nation that has natural immunity that enables it – with permission of Allaah – to overcome all hardships and trials. A nation that calamities and trials only increase it in good, reform and constructive life. And this identity nurtures the best rules of conducts and moral values to the nation. This identity teaches every individual the best of Akhlaaq and the best ways to deal with people and to be just even to the sworn enemies of the nation. Allaah says: “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allaah as just witnesses, and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety, and fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Well-Acquainted with what you do.” [(Soorat al-Maa’idah (005:008)] O Brother and Sisters in Islam, let us together strive to perfect our true Islamic identity through fulfilling the conditions of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. Let us not be deluded and deceived to find happiness through something that has no reality to it, nothing but an imagination. The rich amongst the people for example, think that happiness is their health and their wealth. And the poor of them, thinks that it is in gaining more money, garments and food. And the politician of them thinks that it is achieving his goals and the smartness of making injustice appear like justice. And the one in love thinks that happiness is the reunion with his beloved one and fascinations through illusions. The truth is O Servants of Allaah, that such people are ignorant and deceivers. They all live their lives with fear, uncertainty, humiliation and misery while having no true identity or individuality. But a true believer, with true identity, O Servants of Allaah, is the one who sees the reality of happiness, the eternal happiness. Allaah only required for us to respect ourselves by choosing us to practice our religion, and for doing that, He offers us everlasting peace and happiness. You see, He has already fit us into the crowd by making us a Muslim, so let us respect that by respecting ourselves and never, ever sell out for less than Paradise. O Brothers and Sisters in Islam, be true to your identity with Allaah. Feel pride in Islam, and never compromise your faith for anyone, whether it be your friends that you hang out with, or your degrees that request you to behave in a particular manner. Do not isolate yourself from the crowd or mix in a manner whereby you lose your very Islamic Identity. Rather I say you should stand out of the crowd. Be different. Be unique. Be the one who is identified as being a Pious, Righteous, Honest, Truthful, practising Muslim. Be a good student. Be the best in all that you do because you have been given the light of Eemaan, that most of humanity are deprived of. And you deserve to be the best because you have the faith of Islam. This is your identity that raises you above everyone else and so guard, cherish and protect it from all angles, clinging on to it with your molar teeth. Let your hearts beat with the illumination of Eemaan, your lungs breathe with the air of Taqwaa, and your souls swim in the Gardens of Paradise, the abode for those who maintain and strive to preserve their Islamic Identities. “Allaah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the land, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion, which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieves after this, they are the Faasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allaah).” [(Soorat an-Noor (024:055)] Your Brother in Faith, Saleh bin Ibraheem Patel

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Issue # 1

Ownership: City University Islamic Society
No copyright applies for usage in Islamic Da’wah only

Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Imaam Abu Haneefah (r) said: “When I say something contradicting the Book of Allaah the Exalted or what is narrated from the Messenger (saaws); then ignore my saying.” [Al-Fulaani – Eeqaaz al-Himam]

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Issue # 1

Ownership: City University Islamic Society
No copyright applies for usage in Islamic Da’wah only

Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

For the past decade; the Islamic Society of City University (ISoc) has been at the forefront of student activities. The ISoc is primarily an Islamic service for the sole purpose to cater the needs of Muslim students and to promote the ideals of Islam to the non-Muslims in all truth in the university. We are here for all Muslims – those who pray towards our Qiblah –, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or sect. The Islamic service we provide is upon the methodology of purifying (tafsiyah) Islam from that which is not from its sources and then cultivating (tarbiyah) the Muslims upon the Islam as it was understood by the first three generations of Muslims. We wish to inform our Brothers and Sisters of the guidance of the Qur’aan and the Prophetic Sunnah as it was understood by those blessed three generations that were closest to it. Indeed the Messenger of Allaah (saaws) said, “The best of my nation are those of this generation, then those that followed them.” [Bukhaaree and Muslim] City ISoc has a proud history of adhering to the Qur’aan and Sunnah and a strict policy whereby we always take matters of recourse to the people of knowledge present here within the UK, whenever issues requiring clarification arise. We are located in the basement of the Gloucester building and have two large Prayer Rooms with separate Wudu Facilities. All praises be to Allaah. Our Da’wah 1) We worship Allaah by way of Tawheed. So we do not supplicate to anyone besides Allaah nor do we seek refuge in anyone besides Him in matters of bringing about good or repelling some harm. We call to Tawheed first and we clarify that there is no Islam without Tawheed and that whoever calls unto other than Allaah has committed kufr (i.e. disbelief). 2) Our Creed is established upon the principle that, “Allaah is described with what He has described himself with in His Book and upon the tongue of His Messenger (saaws), without resorting to tahreef, tamtheel, tashbeeh, ta’teel or ta’weel.” [Refer to “Notes on al-‘Aqeedah al-Wasitiyah” for explanation]

3) We affirm for Allaah the best of Names, which He has affirmed for Himself and which He has praised Himself with, whether they are mentioned in the Qur’aan or the Sunnah.

best, most dutiful, most pious and purest of creation – and on his family and his companions (raa). General ISoc Services

4) We believe that there is no path towards achieving Allaah’s contentment, or a way towards Paradise, except through the Way of Allaah’s Messenger (saaws). And whoever seeks a way towards gaining Allaah’s contentment through other than the Way of Allaah’s Messenger, then he has gone astray and been blinded from the truth. And he has lost in this world and the next. 5) We believe that the Legislation of Allaah is what has been brought down through the two revelations: The Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (saaws). This is what our Lord has indicated in his saying: “Then we placed you on a Sharee’ah (Legislated System) based on Our Command, so follow it, and do not follow the desires of those who have no knowledge.” [Soorat Al-Jaathiyah – (045:018]

1) Prayer Rooms & Wudu facilities (strictly segregated for brothers and sisters). 2) Jumu’ah Prayers and Daily Salaah in Jamaa’at. 3) Free Iftaar (Hot Food) during Ramadhaan, Mondays & Thursdays and the 13th 14th & 15h of every Lunar month. 4) FREE literature, tapes, CDs, books, Qur’aan for both Muslims and non-Muslims . 5) Regular weekly study circles in the prayer room. 6) Course Representatives to help and give you guidance on your studies. 7) 5 A-Side football (on a weekly basis).

6) We believe that the Qur’aan is the Speech of Allah, which was revealed and not created, and that the Sunnah is what explains and clarifies it. The Qur’aan is interpreted by the Sunnah and by the interpretations of the Sahaabah (companions) and those who followed them in goodness. So the interpretation of the Qur’aan is by way of the narration, meaning by way of the Sahaabah, the Taabi’een and the Ahaadeeth concerning it. 7) We are obligated to take the Sunnah according to the way of the Muhadditheen – in terms of their authenticity or weakness. So we take what is found to be authentic and leave off what is weak.

8) ISoc trips, picnics, tournaments & other “fun” events. Most recently, in June 2009, after the final exams, the ISoc members (brothers only) paid an astounding visit to Alton Towers barefooted in “thawbs and turbans” (joking – jeans and tops… and trainers). We went on all the big rides – ALL –, ate there and prayed there and you are definitely coming next year if Allaah wills. 7) Exclusive ISoc discount-card for all your shopping needs around the Muslim London. And much more… wa’l-hamdulillaah.

8) We are obligated to worship Allaah through the Sunnah, by following it and by implementing it. This is based on the Prophet’s (saaws) saying: “Whoever does a deed, which is not in accordance to our affair (i.e. the Sunnah) is rejected.” And in another narration: “Whoever introduces into our affair (Sunnah) that which isn’t part of it is rejected.” [Bukhaaree and Muslim] This is a summary and some brief words on our da’wah. And may the peace and blessings of Allaah be on Muhammad – the best

Rita – Queen of Speed View from the queue

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Issue # 1

Ownership: City University Islamic Society
No copyright applies for usage in Islamic Da’wah only

Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Who runs the Islamic Society?

Information on Upcoming Events

station collections to raise the money.

The Islamic Society is run on a voluntary basis by students at City University (Committee). We are not a closed society and welcome all Brothers and Sisters to get involved and actively participate in the running of the ISoc. With your help inshaaAllaah, we can continue to provide for our members.

We pride ourselves on organising a whole host of halaal campus shenanigans. To keep yourself up to date on the latest at City ISoc, enter your email address into the “Subscribe” box on the City ISoc website and we’ll add you to our mailing list inshaaAllaah. Alternatively, check our City ISoc “Events sub-page for updates”.

Please get involved; come armed with all your friends – we will give you the resources, Hi-Viz and official fundraiser ID cards!

Committee

Everyone is welcome to all our events and we encourage Muslims to invite their nonMuslim associates to the events; this will be a good method of calling them to Islam and saving them from the eternal Fire. So if you care about their well-being, call them to Islam!

The goal is to get people to know about Islam and get Muslims to increase their Eemaan.

The ISoc Committee is a team of dedicated brothers and sisters at City University who look after the affairs of the Islamic Society. The committee members are here to serve the Muslims at City in any way they can. We are responsible to our members and try our utmost to run the society to the high expectations the students come to expect. Joining the committee isn’t the only way to get involved with the Islamic Society. Much of what we have accomplished is down to the hard work and dedication of non-committee members! So please, if you want to get yourself involved, drop us an email. The committee is divided into various groups; each group has its own team leader. Whenever possible, contact should be made with the team leader to whom you think your question would be best answered by. General enquiries should be emailed to [email protected]. As an ISoc we have a policy we try to adhere to of taking recourse to the people of knowledge, present here within the UK, whenever matters requiring clarification arise. We try to respond to all emails within 24 hours. Phone calls to any of the committee members should be made at a reasonable hour, between 9am and 10pm. ISoc Membership All students at City, regardless of religious affiliation, are welcome to join the society. To become a member just pop down to the prayer room and ask a committee member for a form or fill in the form attached on the website (soon to be uploaded). Members can also get registered at the Fresher’s Fayre.

ISoc Events and Courses 1) Regular lectures are given by Scholars and Students of Knowledge including Shaykh Haitham al-Haddad and Shaykh Shuhaib Hassan. Most of them, if not all are free entry and as always everyone is welcome to attend. 2) Regular courses are held on ‘Aqeedah, Fiqh, Purification of the Heart and Soul and Seerah. These are held solely for the development of the knowledge of the Muslim students in their religion, so one must attend and learn their religion. Knowledge of Islam is more important than any other knowledge and is obligatory upon the Muslim, as one must learn and know the methods of practicing their religion. Do not deprive yourself of these rare opportunities since you have both the time and youthful enthusiasm for these few years in university, before Allaah takes it away from you. 3) Major annual events “Charity Week” is a week or two where we raise money on a mass-scale for charity organisations (usually UWT) helping people around the globe. Our money-raising project throughout London accumulates £20,000+ and all proceeds go to charity as par UWT policy. May Allaah reward them for their commitments and efforts to serve the Ummah of Muhammad (saaws). The money raised depends on the volunteering of both Committee and non-Committee members. We hold various projects including train station

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“Discover Islam/Eemaan Week” is a week bustling with Islam all over the campus with ongoing lectures everyday throughout the week, exhibitions, stalls and much more!

“Annual Dinner” is the real deal – the crème de la crème of events – the biggest event of the year. It hosts the greatest number of guests and holds up the biggest plate for munch. Our most recent Annual Dinner ’09 was based on the Qur’aan with Shaykh Haitham al-Haddad, Ustaadh Murtaza Khan and Imaam Anwar al-Awlaki (pre-recorded message) as the key speakers, as well as a Qari with brilliant tajweed and a beautiful voice. All praise is for Allaah. 4) Da’wah Stall Every week we host a Da’wah stall for two hours in the main corridor of the Northampton Square Main Building (12pm – 2pm). Last year it was held every Tuesday throughout the year; as for this year the Da’wah stall day will be announced on the website soon inshaaAllaah. We encourage everyone to come and visit us there and get their free Islamic materials and to give da’wah to the non-Muslims alongside the brothers and sisters and save them from the eternal Fire. Always check the website for details on when events will take place and subscribe to the Mailing List to be the first to know about the latest Islamic activities and events! The ISoc committee base their decisions and judgements as par the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (saaws), by performing Salaat al-Istikhaarah and we encourage everyone to do the same in all their affairs inshaaAllaah. All praises be to Allaah.

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Ownership: City University Islamic Society
No copyright applies for usage in Islamic Da’wah only

Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

The Sisters’ section of City University Islamic Society seek to provide for you a friendly and welcoming environment to pray, relax, study and even socialize with your fellow sisters. This is our equivalent to the University’s ‘Wonder bar’ except that in the prayer room we provide a variety of valuable resources which will support your spiritual, social and educational needs, inshaaAllaah. For those sisters without hijaab, we provide hijaabs for you to pray in. So don’t worry! Please do not hesitate to visit the prayer room even if you don’t wear hijaab. Who knows? Maybe you would find yourself nice and worthwhile friends. We strongly believe that everybody feels welcomed and comfortable in the prayer room, no matter how ‘practicing’ they may or may not be. Within our large prayer room we organize many regular study circles and also very popular social get-togethers throughout the year (see our notice board for latest events). So I hope that our Society will inshaaAllaah form a cornerstone of your social life at university, not only increasing your knowledge but also providing many laughs and lifetime friends. I pray that your time at university be a prosperous occasion to instigate your potential in your studies and to inspire your continuous spiritual journey. May Allaah fill your days here with ease, peace and joy.

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ISoc.com LAMIC SOCIETY

university

Issue # 1

Ownership: City University Islamic Society
No copyright applies for usage in Islamic Da’wah only

Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

All praise is for Allaah who has honoured us with a place to worship Him (alone) in the midst of all acts of evil. All praise is for Allaah who has allowed (or willed or permitted) for people to lead themselves astray to a state of humiliation and intoxication in the university’s bars and pubs, whilst He has guided us and honoured us by allowing us to worship Him (alone). Both the brothers’ and sisters’ prayer rooms are located in the huge basement of the Gloucester building. Everyone needs to swipe in and swipe out using their ID cards. There are routine checkups done by security guards at the Gloucester Building entrance. So be warned!! Brothers, take a right through the door as you pass through the electronic gates, then go straight down the corridor and walk through the next set of doors and the prayer room door should be right in front of you. In the brothers’ prayer room we have a kitchen with useful appliances and so it sometimes gets “invaded” by sisters and brothers get locked out of the kitchen. Sisters, you may take a left as you pass through the electronic gates and walk down the stairs. Both the brothers and sisters have separate “en-suite” Wudu facilities in their respective prayer rooms. We also have libraries in both prayer rooms with abundant beneficial books. Feel free to borrow them.

Brothers’ Prayer Room (yes, that’s a leather sofa, thanks to “al-Lutonee”!)

Brothers and sisters do not exchange routes to the prayer rooms. In the prayer rooms and throughout the university and City ISoc activities we maintain strict segregation between the brothers and sisters. No communication is held between the brothers and sisters except through notes written down and passed over to the “other side”. Be sure to check out the notice boards in the prayer rooms for the latest news and activities etc. All this is done for your benefit so please take advantage of this and strengthen your submission to Allaah and increase your Eemaan. All praises be to Allaah.

Sisters’ Prayer Room

The red dot shows Gloucester Building

The prayer rooms are open from 8am till 7pm. So there should be plenty of time to pray Dhuhr, ‘Asr and even Maghrib in congregation with the brothers inshaaAllaah.

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Ownership: City University Islamic Society
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Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

This “snow-Masjid” was constructed by four ‘ISoccers’ at Northampton Square on the 2nd of February 2009, during the City ISoc Palestine Awareness Week. Not surprisingly, it drew positive attention of many non-Muslims. Some lent a helping hand, and others smilingly pointed out that “Muslims are always building mosques!” They even stated their condolences for the massacred Muslims of Palestine at the hands of the oppressive regime of “Israel”. May Allaah guide them to the light of Islam. All praises be to Allaah.

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Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Imaam Maalik ibn Anaas (r) said: “Truly I am only a mortal. I make mistakes (sometimes) and I am correct (sometimes). Therefore, look into my opinion, all that agrees with the Book and the Sunnah, accept it; and all that does not agree with the Book and the Sunnah; ignore it.” [Ibn ‘Abdul Barr – Jaami’ Bayaan al-‘Ilm]

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Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

May Allaah have mercy on his soul and gather him in J a n na t a l - Fi r d a w s with the scholars of the Ummah. Aameen. ‘Abd-Al l aah ibn ‘Amr (raa) related t ha t the Messenger of Allaah (saaws) said, “Verily, Allaah does not seize knowledge by force, taking it forcefully from people; instead He takes away knowledge by the death of the scholars, until their remains no scholar. The people will take ignorant leaders, who will be asked, and who will rule without knowledge. They are misguided and they will misguide others.” [Bukhaaree] The Muslim Ummah witnessed this taking away of knowledge at 2pm on the 20th of Rajab 1430 AH (corresponding to Monday the 12th of July 2009 CE) when Allaah’s Decree befell the great beloved scholar ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Jibreen – may Allaah have mercy on his soul. Muslims around the world accepted Shaykh ‘Abd al-Azeez ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz, Shaykh Muhammad Saalih ibn al-‘Uthaymeen and Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Jibreen – may Allaah have mercy on them all – as their three main scholars and now Allaah has taken them all away from us with the death of Shaykh ‘AbdAllaah ibn Jibreen. Indeed this is a great loss for this Ummah. With his death one can say that the last scholar of the previous generation has now passed away. Al-Hasan al-Basri (r) said, “The death of a scholar causes a hole (or a crack) in the body of al-Islam and that hole is not fixed throughout days and nights.” Allaah azza wa jall said, “Allaah is the Light of the heavens and the earth…” [Soorat an-Noor (024:035)] Scholars inherit the legacy of the prophets. This legacy is nothing but the Light of Allaah and the Light of Allaah is His guidance. If that Light is taken away, then mankind lives in darkness, as it is the scholars who are passing on the Light of Allaah azza wa jall. Thus it is a great tragedy when the Ummah loses its scholars and this great loss for humanity is realised only by those who live with the scholars.

There are four qualities that are particular to Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Jibreen and other great scholars which made them beloved to the people: 1) Extensive knowledge, 2) Strong Eemaan, 3) Very well rounded character, 4) Keenness to help people, mix with people and pass on knowledge. These four qualities are rarely seen embedded altogether in a student of knowledge or a scholar. A person may have one of these qualities and lack the other three or they may have three of these qualities but lack one and thus all four of these qualities are rarely seen as an integral part of a scholar. Indeed these three scholars – may Allaah have mercy on them all – were the rare gems of this Ummah whom Allaah had blessed with these honourable qualities. Allaah azza wa jall said, “And those foremost [(in Islamic Faith of Monotheism and in performing righteous deeds) in the life of this world on the very first call for to embrace Islam] will be foremost (in Paradise). These will be those nearest to Allaah.” [Soorat al-Waaqi’ah (056:010-011)] The main aim of knowledge is to come closer to Allaah by doing good deeds. The early scholars were the first people to practice so much of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (saaws) and so much of good deeds – attending masjid as early as possible, making tasbeeh, performing tahajjud, fasting voluntarily and so on and so forth; something which is lacking in the students of knowledge today.

Our Shaykh, ibn Jibreen used to have the utmost humbleness and people loved him for that. One cannot be a knowledgeable person, a scholar or a leader if they do not have humbleness. Force yourself to have humbleness as a quality, so whenever you become a leader or a scholar you will remain that way. It is a custom for the students to kiss the forehead of their scholar. It is well-known that Shaykh ibn Jibreen never accepted that someone kiss his forehead. One day a young student managed to kiss his hand, and then Shaykh ibn Jibreen managed to kiss him back on his hand, out of humbleness. Whenever Shaykh ibn Jibreen came to a place for a gathering or conference, he never liked that people stand up for him and greet him and he used to come quietly and sit at the back of the room. He never asked that a special place be reserved for him at the front. Many times he used to enter into gatherings so quietly, such that people would not even realise that he came! In Arabia, it is against the custom to eat from a plate that has already been eaten from; people would never eat like this as this is considered to be indecent – something low. One day Shaykh ibn Jibreen came late to a conference and the people had already eaten from the plates. So he sat down around one of those plates that were already eaten from and he ate from whatever was left on it and he commanded his students to eat from it as well. Shaykh ibn Jibreen – may Allaah have mercy on him – did not ask that another full plate be brought and this was out of his humbleness.

Allaah azza wa jall said, “If My servant likes to meet Me, I like to meet him; and if he dislikes to meet Me, I dislike to meet him.” [Bukhaaree (A Hadeeth Qudsi)]

In Arabia, the usage of buses is not a common practice for people with high status or even normal people – people have cars etc. During his stay in Makkah, Shaykh ibn Jibreen used to always take the bus to go in and out of the Masjid al-Haraam. If it happened that the bus was full and people would see that it is Shaykh ibn Jibreen, they would offer him to sit, but he would refuse and stand alongside the other passengers throughout the whole journey to the Masjid. Shaykh ibn Jibreen, when he travelled, he travelled alone, without any entourage and if he travelled in cars, then he would open his own doors and would not allow anyone to open the door for him.

People love scholars because of these four qualities and in particular their humbleness. Their humbleness is a very amazing thing to be mentioned; something which the second generation scholars lack as opposed to their teachers.

Shaykh ibn Jibreen used to be invited to attend many functions – “luxurious” or not – and he used to attend all of them; whereas nowadays some students of knowledge require certain preconditions to be catered for before they attend.

Our Shaykh, ibn Jibreen – may Allaah have mercy on him – was no exception to this. He was a person of dhikr and contemplation. When one mixes with these scholars, they may feel that it is as if these scholars had left this world and were just waiting to meet with Allaah. Once you desire to meet Allaah, then you will not be sad because you are waiting for Allaah – the most beloved One to you.

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Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

One day Shaykh ibn Jibreen was invited to a masjid for a t al k , and he went with his son. The organisation of the event was very poor and there were no announcements made that the Shaykh would come, and there was nobody there to greet him. Then after Salaat some elderly people saw the Shaykh and they gathered around him and started to ask him questions and he sat there answering them as they wished. His son however was very upset about the situation, although the Shaykh did not have any problems with the situation. So the Shaykh mixed with the people by their own terms, without any demands and not according to his terms. Shaykh ibn Jibreen would visit the fathers of his students and even their far relatives if they were ill, and attend their funerals if they passed away. Often he would travel quite a long distance to attend. When he attended these places, he would always keep himself ready for any people who may approach him to ask questions etc. and he would never hide from the people to avoid answering their queries. The Shaykh used to visit many cities and whenever he visited them, he used to spend time with the elderly and the poor of those cities. When giving out sadaqah to the poor elderly in Makkah, he would always cover his face to avoid drawing the attention of the people. One day Shaykh ibn Jibreen was riding in the car of his student, who was speeding over the speed-limit. The police pulled them over and told off the student. Then he came over to the Shaykh’s window, and said “Yaa shaybah, why are you allowing him to cross the speed-limit?” The Shaykh had white beard and this term “yaa Shaybah” which means “O uncle” is not a term of respect. The student told the police officer that this is Shaykh ibn Jibreen. Upon hearing this, the Shaykh pressed his student’s hand to not say that. The policeman then let them go; then the Shaykh said to his student, “why did you tell him this?” He did not want any privileges because of his name – may Allaah have mercy on him. One day when the Shaykh came back to Riyadh (his home) from another city, it was very late and almost 2am. He used to have a scheduled long dars at 5am (on that very same day on a weekly basis) and the students thought that there would be no dars on that day because he is old and he may be tired and sleepy and so some of them did not attend, only to later find out that the ……………

Shaykh did attend the full dars, although having just returned from a long journey. Such was his dedication to pass on knowledge as opposed to some new students of knowledge today, who if struck by a little difficulty abandon their duties. On average Shaykh ibn Jibreen used to give at least twelve lessons a week and sometimes even more. During the summer dawrahs, he used to spend the whole day teaching from Fajr almost until 11am and then take a rest till ‘Asr. After ‘Asr, he would teach until 10/11pm at night, taking only breaks for Maghrib and ‘Ishaa’a. Shaykh ibn Jibreen would always want to help people, so much so that people would criticize him because he would write a reference for any person who would want to go to the rich people or charity organisations for help. Shaykh ibn Jibreen used to do nikaah for the people of his village and city, answer questions, and reconcile between people in every opportunity. Thus it is a great loss when anyone of the scholars passes away, but it is the Qadr of Allaah and this is a test from Allaah. One of the wisdom behind this is that Allaah is giving everyone a chance to excel and to become scholars. If Muhammad (saaws) was alive now, there would be no chance for anyone to excel, there would be no need for scholars; but he (saaws) passed away, so there could arise bands of scholars.

aakheerah. There is no point in wasting your time and your life in this World. Wasting a minute in this world is the same as wasting thousands of years in the aakheerah. This is why we should strive to become great people of the Ummah, to change the situation of the Ummah and to make the Word of Allaah supreme. Some scholars used to question how Shaykh ibn Jibreen had the ability to run all these duroos and help all these people, and they concluded that it is likely to be ikhlaas – sincerity. Allaah azza wa jall said: “And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” [Soorat Aal-‘Imraan (003:133)] This means that the person who knows that he has a very limited time, whenever he has any opportunity to do something that will give him something better in the aakheerah, he will be very hasty to do it and will not waste that opportunity to do it, because he knows that everything counts. We ask Allaah to make Shaykh ibn Jibreen amongst those who were the foremost in competing for the aakheerah for the sake of Allaah and were sincere in it. We ask Allaah to bestow His immense mercy upon him. We ask Allaah to increase his rank in Paradise and to gather him with the prophet (saaws). We ask Allaah to gather us with him and the righteous people in Paradise. Aameen. And Allaah knows best.

If ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (raa) was alive today, we would not need any scholars and nobody would attempt to become like ‘Umar because we already have him with us! However Abu Bakr and ‘Umar passed away, and so did Abu Haneefah and Ahmad, Izz ibn ‘Abd as-Salaam and ibn Taymiyah – may Allaah be pleased with them all. There is a chance for every single one of us to be one of the leaders in Islam. Our biggest problem is our lack of ambition. People like to live in their comfort zone and do not like to step out of it to become great people. Allaah is showing us that He is taking these great people away and leaving us a space to fill in and become great people as well. Their biographies are in our hands and we can follow these biographies in order to become great people.

Compiled from: Shaykh Haitham al-Haddad’s weekly dars in Manor Park, London. Check the City ISoc website’s “Ongoing-Courses” page for details on when and how to attend this free dars based on Ibn al-Qayyim’s (r) book Zaad al-Ma’aad.


 Know my brother that the Messenger of Allaah (saaws) said: “Whoever goes down a path searching for knowledge, Allaah will make easy for him the road to Paradise.” [Muslim] This ‘knowledge’ is the Knowledge of Allaah and His religion.

The real happiness is in the happiness in the ………

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Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Assalaamu ‘alaykum all, In this set of short blogs I will review the books that I had a chance to read while I was in jail. Here is the first: This was during my first two months in the Political Security Jail. This was a time when I was allowed no visitors, no contact with family, and no contact with other prisoners. In fact I wasn’t even allowed to speak to the prison guards except in whispers and only for urgent needs. This was a time of complete isolation from the outside world. I was in an underground solitary cell made up of four concrete walls with an iron gate on one side and on the opposite side a small window – rather a hole – covered with iron mesh to allow for some fresh air to come in. I couldn’t see much from it because it was about four meters high. Then there was the roof with a bulb hanging from it which was on continuously day and night. Then the floor with a mattress 2-3 inches thick, a blanket, a worn off pillow, a plastic plate, a bottle for water, and an empty bottle “just in case”. And then there was a Qur’aan… In this environment there is nothing to do and nothing to read but the Qur’aan and that is when the Qur’aan reveals it secrets. When the hearts are clean; when there is nothing clouding the spirit, the Qur’aan literally overwhelms the heart.

Ibn Taymiyah (r) wrote while he was in jail that he had been reciting Qur’aan and reflecting on its meanings and that Allaah has opened up the meanings of Qur’aan for him. He said he learned new meanings that scholars would wish to learn.

I have never in my life felt the Qur’aan so strongly. Thoughts, insights and feelings that I would fail to describe would come with every new verse that I would recite. Reading Qur’aan then was not something I would force upon myself but I would recite it with eagerness for hours at end and never lose my concentration.

He had learned from it meanings he had never thought of before and he went further to state that he regretted the time he spent in the past learning other aspects of knowledge and not focusing on the Book of Allaah. Within a short period he said that he had read the Qur’aan, from cover to cover, eighty times. This was due to the blessings of him being imprisoned. Allaah says: “You might dislike a thing and in it Allaah puts a lot of good.” [002:216]

“Indeed in that (i.e. Qur’aan) is a reminder for whoever has a heart or who listens while he is present (in mind).” [Soorat Qaaf (050:037)] By Imaam Anwar al-Awlaki.

The chapters of the Qur’aan would carry me outside of this world and I would completely forget about my situation until a warden would slam the door open for restroom time or to take me for interrogation. Then I would wake up again to the depressing reality of this world. So does the Qur’aan speak to us differently in jail? We approach Qur’aan with a more receptive heart when we are being tested. We also come to understand Qur’aan better when we are separated from the distractions of this world. Both these two elements exist in prison. One thing I came to realize is that the Qur’aan does not open up its secrets to you unless you open up your heart to it. Qur’aan does not spill its pearls to the undeserving.

During that blessed period of over two months when I was free of any distractions except for the interrogation worries, that is when I came to understand the statement of Uthmaan (raa) when he said: “If the hearts are pure they would never satisfy their thirst from the Book of Allaah.” Those moments are so strange to me now, and so different that they do not seem to be a reality, or even a far away memory, but rather seem to be a dream. We ask you O Allaah to make us of those who love your Words and contemplate them.

An excerpt from: [www.anwar-alawlaki.com]


 “The Qur’aan is the Arabic Kalaam (Speech) of Allaah, which He revealed to Muhammad (saaws) in wording and meaning, and which has been preserved in the mus-hafs (written copies of Qur’aan), and has reached us by mutawattir transmissions (reported by a large number of people, such that they cannot be mistaken or intentionally forge a lie), and is a challenge to mankind to produce something similar to it.” [az-Zaraqaanee] My brother, Muslims often fall victim to the ongoing attacks of the kuffaar, particularly with regards to the authenticity of al-Qur’aan. With your best interests in mind, we encourage you to read “An Introduction to the Sciences of the Qur’aan”, by Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi about the methodology of preserving the Qur’aan. This is truly an Eemaan booster.

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Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

It is narrated on the authority of Jabir bin ‘Abd-Allaah (raa) that he heard the Apostle (saaws) saying: “Verily between man and between polytheism and unbelief is the negligence of Salaah.” [Muslim]

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Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Imaam Ahmad (r) said that the one who does not pray because of laziness is a kaafir. This is the more correct view and is indicated by the evidence of the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, and by the words of the Salaf and the proper understanding. [From Al-Sharh al-Mumti’ ‘ala Zaad al-Mustanqi’] Anyone who examines the texts of the Qur’aan and Sunnah will see that they indicate that the one who neglects the prayer is guilty of Kufr Akbar (major kufr) which puts him beyond the pale of Islam. Among the evidence to be found in the Qur’aan is the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): “But if they repent [by rejecting Shirk (polytheism) and accept Islamic Monotheism], perform As-Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah) and give Zakaat, then they are your brethren in religion.” [Soorat at-Tawbah (009:011)]

of the prayer.” [Muslim] It was narrated that Buraydah ibn al-Husayb (raa) said: “I heard the Messenger of Allaah (saaws) say: ‘The covenant that distinguishes between us and them is the prayer, and whoever neglects it has disbelieved (become a kaafir).’” [Ahmad and Abu Dawood] What is meant here by kufr or disbelief is the kind of kufr which puts a person beyond the pale of Islam, because the Prophet (saaws) made prayer the dividing line between the believers and the disbelievers. It is known that the community of kufr is not the same as the community of Islam, so whoever does not fulfil this covenant must be one of the kaafireen (disbelievers). There is also the hadeeth of ‘Awf ibn Maalik (raa), according to which the Prophet (saaws) said: “The best of your leaders are those whom you love and who love you, who pray for you and you pray for them. The worst of your leaders are those whom you hate and who hate you, and you send curses on them and they send curses on you.” He was asked, “O Messenger of Allaah, should we not fight them by the sword?” He said, “Not as long as they are establishing prayer amongst you.”

The evidence derived from this aayah is that Allaah defined three things that the Mushrikeen have to do in order to eliminate the differences between them us: they should repent from shirk, they should perform prayer, and they should pay zakaah. If they repent from shirk but they do not perform the prayer or pay zakaah, then they are not our brethren in faith; if they perform the prayer but do not pay zakaah, then they are not our brethren in faith. Brotherhood in religion cannot be effaced except when a person goes out of the religion completely; it cannot be effaced by fisq (immoral conduct) or lesser types of kufr.

This hadeeth indicates that those in authority should be opposed and fought if they do not establish prayer, but it is not permissible to oppose and fight them unless they make a blatant show of kufr and we have evidence from Allaah that what they are doing is indeed kufr.

Allaah also says (interpretation of the meaning): “Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up As-Salaah (the prayers) [i.e. made their Salaah (prayers) to be lost, either by not offering them or by not offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times] and have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell. Except those who repent and believe (in the Oneness of Allaah and His Messenger Muhammad), and work righteousness. Such will enter Paradise and they will not be wronged in aught.” [Soorat Maryam (019:059-060)]

‘Ubaadah ibn al-Saamit (raa) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (saaws) called us and we gave bay’ah (oath of allegiance) to him. Among the things that we pledged to do was to listen and obey him both when we felt enthusiastic and when we were disinclined to act, both at times of difficulty and times of ease, and at times when others were given preference over us, and that we would not oppose those in authority. He said: ‘unless they made a blatant show of kufr and you have evidence from Allaah that what they are doing is indeed kufr.’” [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

The evidence derived from these aayat is that Allaah referred to those who neglect the prayer and follow their desires; “Except those who repent and believe”, which indicates that at the time when they are neglecting their prayers and following their desires, they are not believers.

On this basis, their neglecting the prayer, for which the Prophet (saaws) said we should oppose them and fight them by the sword, constitutes an act of blatant kufr for which we have evidence from Allaah that it is indeed kufr.

The evidence of the Sunnah that proves that the one who neglects the prayer is a kaafir includes the hadeeth of the Prophet (saaws): “Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his neglect of the

Just as the one who neglects the prayer is deemed to be a kaafir on the basis of the evidence of the texts and reports, so he may also be deemed to be a kaafir on the basis of rational

rational analysis. How can a person be a believer if he neglects the prayer which is the pillar of religion, and when there are aayaat and ahaadeeth urging us to perform prayer which make the wise believer rush to do the prayer, and when there are aayaat and ahaadeeth warning against neglecting it, which make the wise believer scared to ignore the prayer? Once we have understood this, a person cannot be a believer if he neglects the prayer. So it is clear that the person who neglects the prayer with no excuse is a kaafir who is beyond the pale of Islam, on the basis of this evidence. This is the correct view according to Imaam Ahmad, and it is one of the two opinions narrated from al-Shaafa’i, as was mentioned by Ibn Katheer in his tafseer of the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): “Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up As-Salaah (the prayers) [i.e. made their Salaah (prayers) to be lost, either by not offering them or by not offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times] and have followed lusts” [Soorat Maryam (019:059)] Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned in his book Al-Salaah that it was one of the two views narrated from alShaafa’i, and that al-Tahaawee narrated it from al-Shaafa’i himself. This was also the view of the majority of the Sahaabah, indeed many narrated that there was consensus among the Sahaabah on this point. ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Shaqeeq said: the companions of the Prophet (saaws) did not think that neglecting any deed made a person a kaafir, apart from neglecting the prayer. This was reported by al-Tirmidhi and al-Haakim, who classed it as saheeh according to the conditions of (al-Bukhaaree and Muslim). Ishaaq ibn Raahawayh, the well known Imaam, said: It was reported with a saheeh isnaad from the Prophet (saaws) that the one who neglects the prayer is a kaafir. This was also the view of the scholars from the time of the Prophet (saaws) until the present day: that the person, who deliberately neglects the prayer with no valid excuse, until the time for that prayer is over, is a kaafir. Excerpts from: [www.islamqa.com]


 We seek refuge with Allaah from having our foreheads free off the dirt of prostrations before Him.

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Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

‫ﻮﻥﹶ‬‫ﻨ‬‫ﺆﻣ‬ ‫ ﺍ ﹾﻟﻤ‬‫ﺪ ﺃﹶ ﹾﻓﻠﹶﺢ‬  ‫ﹶﻗ‬ ‫ﻮﻥﹶ‬‫ﻌ‬‫ﺎﺷ‬‫ﻢ ﺧ‬ ‫ﻬﹺ‬‫ﻠﹶﺎﺗ‬‫ﻲ ﺻ‬‫ﻢ ﻓ‬ ‫ ﻫ‬‫ﻳﻦ‬‫ﺍﱠﻟﺬ‬ “Successful are the believers. Those who offer their Salaat (prayers) with all solemnity and full submissiveness.” [Soorat al-Mu’minoon (023:001-002)]] Misconceptions in Salaah are very common in masaajid all over the world and often times these errors are made due to unawareness. 1) Doing actions of Salaah before or at the same time as the Imaam. This is wrong.

and saw a man whose chest was not in line and he said to him: “It is incumbent upon you to perform Salaah shoulder-to-shoulder, for if you do not do so, verily, Allaah will place disarray in your hearts.” [Bukhaaree]

Rather, one should wait until the Imaam bows completely and completes the saying of takbeer; then the follower should bow after him. Likewise for standing back up from bowing, prostrating and so on and so forth, the follower should do the same, after the Imaam has completed his actions.

It is narrated from 'Umar (raa) that, he used to act as the Imaam and that he would not say the takbeer until a man came to him whom he had appointed to ensure that the lines were in order, and he would tell him, "They have straightened their rows", then he would make takbeer. [Tabari – Tareekh]

al-Barra' ibn `Azib (raa) said: “We used to perform Salaah behind the Prophet (saaws) and when he went down from a standing position to prostrate, not one of us would bend his back until the Messenger of Allaah had placed his forehead on the ground. Then we would follow him.” [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

So close the gaps O Muslims wherever you are and do not be negligent in your worship of Allaah!

to prostrate. This is wrong. He does the same when sitting between the two prostrations. These are unique components of Salaah by themselves with a particular recitation assigned for each of them, and they must be treated as such. 5) Uttering the intention out loud.

It is narrated from lbn 'Umar (raa) that he looked towards a man who anticipated the Imaam and said to him: "You have neither performed Salaah alone, nor with the Imaam. Then he struck him and ordered him to repeat his Salaah" Obviously if, in 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Umar's opinion, his Salaah was accepted, he would not have ordered him to repeat it. 2) Leaving of gaps between the feet and shoulders of people behind the Imaam. This is wrong. Does a Muslim hate to touch his feet to the feet of his brothers? If so, then how will this nation prosper with such animosity? The Prophet (saaws) said: “Form the lines standing closely together, shoulder-to-shoulder, and close the spaces – do not leave between you (even) a space the size of a lamb – for the devils will enter it.” [Bukhaaree and Ahmad] It is also narrated that he (saaws) turned one day not

3) It is also incumbent when one makes rukoo`, to grip his knees with his hands and space his fingers apart and lean upon his upper arms and his forearms and to keep his back straight (i.e. at a right angle to his legs) and he must not raise his head nor lower it. It has been narrated from the Prophet (saaws) that: “… when he made rukoo`, if a cup of water had been placed on his back, it would not have moved from its place.” [Ahmad] Adapted from: “Ahmad ibn Hanbal’s Treatise on Prayer” Translated by, Sameh Strauch.


 4) Making one’s motions continuous without any “pauses”. One should not make their actions continuous in motion. We find that people do not take a “break” between their actions even for a second. The person stands up from bowing and without even having stood up properly he goes straight down …………….

The intention when wanting to offer an act of worship such as the prayer does not need to be uttered verbally according to the consensus of the scholars of Islam. The place of the intention is the heart and no-one has mentioned any difference in this matter. It was not narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (saaws) or his Sahaabah (raa) uttered the intention out loud or that he commanded anyone amongst his Ummah to do likewise. That is not known from any of the Muslims. If that had been prescribed then the Prophet (saaws) and his companions (raa) would not have neglected it, as it has to do with worship which the Ummah does every day and night.


 My brother, do not ruin your Salaah by making these mistakes and there are many other mistakes like these. To avoid these we must educate ourselves in Islam and learn to pray as the prophet (saaws) prayed; and not blindly glue ourselves to what we were taught when we were young. Our teachers, they gave us the stepping stones on how to pray, but we must now advance and take the big leap and go teach ourselves the details and the more authentic methods of Salaah. The Prophet (saaws) said: ”The first thing that will be lost from your religion is trust and the last thing to be lost will be the Salaah. You will see people from amongst you praying, but they will receive no reward for it.” [Bayhaqi]

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Listening attentively to the khateeb on Friday is an obligation, and it is not permissible for the Muslims to be careless about that and fidget, talk or ignore the khutbah. The following ahaadeeth have been narrated concerning the virtues of listening attentively to the khutbah. 1) Expiation for sins committed between this Friday and the previous Friday. Muslim narrated from Abu Hurayrah (raa) that the Messenger of Allaah (saaws) said: “The five daily prayers, and from one Jumu’ah to the next, are an expiation for whatever sins come in between, so long as one does not commit any major sin.” It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (saaws) said: “Whoever does ghusl then comes to Jumu’ah, and prays as much as Allaah decrees for him, then listens attentively until the khutbah is over, then prays with him (the Imaam), will be forgiven for (his sins) between that and the next Jumu’ah and three more days.” [Muslim] Al-Nawawi (r) said: The scholars said that what is meant by his being forgiven between the two Jumu’ahs and three more days is that a good deed is worth ten like it, so he will be rewarded with ten hasanahs for each of the good deeds that he did on Friday. Some of our companions said: what is meant by what is between the two Jumu’ahs is from Jumu’ah prayer and the khutbah until the same time on the following Friday, so that it will be seven days, no more and no less, then three days are added making ten in all. End quote. 2) Coming early to Jumu’ah brings a great reward. Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim narrated from Abu Hurayrah (raa) that the Messenger of Allaah (saaws) said: “Whoever does ghusl on Friday like ghusl for janaabah, then goes to the prayer (in the first hour, i.e., early), it is as if he sacrificed a camel. Whoever goes in the second hour, it is as if he sacrificed a cow; whoever goes in the third hour, it is as if he sacrificed a horned ram; whoever goes in the fourth hour, it is as if he sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour it is as if he offered an egg. When the Imaam comes out, the angels come to listen to the khutbah.” 3) The reward for praying Jumu’ah depends on listening attentively. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (raa) that the Messenger of Allaah (saaws) said: “If you say to your companion, ‘Listen attentively’

on a Friday, when the Imaam is delivering the khutbah, then you have engaged in idle speech.” [Bukhaaree and Muslim] 4) If a person walks to Jumu’ah prayer, for every step he will have the reward of fasting and praying qiyaam for one year. It was narrated from Aws ibn Aws al-Thaqafi that the Messenger of Allaah (saaws) said: “Whoever does ghusl on Friday and causes (his wife) to do ghusl, and sets out early, and comes close to the Imaam and listens and keeps quiet, for every step he takes he will have the reward of fasting and praying qiyaam for one year.” [Tirmidhi] Ibn al-Qayyim (r) said in Zaad al-Ma’aad: “Causes (his wife) to do ghusl” means has intercourse with his wife. This is how it was interpreted by Wakee’.” End quote.

of the obligatory duties enjoined by Him, lest he expose himself to the punishment of Allaah; let him adhere to that which Allaah has made obligatory so that he may earn the reward of Allaah. And Allaah bestows His Bounty upon whomsoever He wills.“ [Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Barraak]


 My brother, know that when the call for Jumu’ah is made, you should attend even if you are sitting in your lecture hall learning the sciences of this world. Do not sit down in laziness or shyness, whilst your fellow Muslims march to worship their Creator. This will only lower your status in their eyes; and show disunity between the Muslims and their negligence of their obligations in the eyes of the non-Muslims and this is the peak of humiliation.

Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar (r) said, after quoting the ahaadeeth which speak of the virtues of Jumu’ah prayer: What we have quoted, when taken all together, indicates that the expiation of sins from one Friday to the next is subject to all the conditions mentioned above being met, namely doing ghusl, cleaning oneself, putting on perfume, wearing one's best clothes, walking in a calm and dignified manner, not stepping over people, not pushing between two people, not offending others, praying naafil prayers, listening attentively and avoiding idle speech. End quote.


 “If a person for whom Jumu’ah is obligatory does not attend and does not have a valid excuse, this is a major sin. Whoever does not attend three Jumu’ahs (in a row) out of negligence has a seal placed over his heart and is regarded as one of the ghaafileen (negligent, heedless). Muslim narrated in his Saheeh from Abu Hurayrah and Ibn ‘Umar (raa), that they heard the Prophet (saaws) say from his minbar: “People should definitely stop neglecting Jumu’ah, or else Allaah will most certainly seal their hearts and they will most certainly be among the ghaafileen.” According to another hadeeth: “Whoever neglects three jumu’ahs (in a row) out of negligence will have a seal placed upon his heart.” This is a spiritual punishment, which is more severe that a physical punishment such as imprisonment or flogging. The Muslim ruler should punish those who fail to attend Jumu’ah prayers with no excuse, as a deterrent. Let each Muslim fear Allaah and not miss performing one

The enemies of Islam say that the Muslims will only be able to defeat them again, when they attend the Fajr prayer in the same great numbers as they do for Jumu’ah. My brother, what then will happen now, if we also miss the Jumu’ah like we sinfully miss the Fajr? If you fear that your lecturer may tell you off or may not let you leave for Jumu’ah, then it is only a doubt in your heart and an act of cowardice. Seek permission of your lecturer and you will find him tolerant; if not then do you not live in the “free West”? Who is then going to stop you from practicing your “religious freedom”? This should be the case for all our daily prayers – five times a day. If we neglect our own obligations, the kaafir is not going to remind us, “O so and so isn’t it time for ‘Asr?” All praises be to Allaah.

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Istikhaarah in Arabic means seeking guidance to make a decision concerning something. It is said in Arabic “Istakhir Allaaha yakhir laka” (Seek guidance from Allaah and He will guide you (to the right decision). In sharee’ah terminology, Istikhaarah means seeking guidance (to the right decision), i.e., seeking guidance as to what Allaah knows is the best and most appropriate choice, by means of prayer or the Du’aa’ narrated concerning Istikhaarah. The scholars Istikhaarah is prescribed is Bukhaaree (r) who said:

are unanimously agreed that Sunnah. The evidence that it is the hadeeth narrated by alfrom Jaabir bin ‘Abd-Allaah (raa)

The Messenger of Allaah (saaws) used to teach his companions to make Istikhaarah in all matters, just as he used to teach them Soorats from the Qur’aan. He said: ‘If any one of you is deliberating about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two rak’ahs of non-obligatory prayer, then say: O Allaah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. And You know; I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allaah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (then it should be mentioned by name) is good for me both in this world and in the Hereafter (or say: in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge it is bad for me and for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs (or say: for me both in this world and the next), then turn me away from it, [you may add: and turn it away from me], and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it).” [Bukhaaree] In what circumstances should one pray Istikhaarah? The four madh-habs are agreed that Istikhaarah is prescribed in cases where a person does not know the right decision to make. In matters where it is known whether a thing is good or bad, such as acts of worship, doing good deeds, sins or evil actions, there is no need to pray Istikhaarah in these cases. But if a person wants to find out the right time to do something, such as whether to do Hajj this year, because there is the possibility of encountering an enemy or some tribulation, or whether to go with a certain person or not, then he may pray Istikhaarah with regard to such decisions. But there is no room for Istikhaarah when it comes to things that are obligatory, haraam or makrooh. Rather Istikhaarah has to do with things that are recommended or permissible. Istikhaarah is not ordinarily required with regard to things that are recommended, rather it should be done in cases where there is a conflict, i.e., when a person has

a choice of two things and must decide which one to start with or which one not to do. With regard to permissible things, he may pray Istikhaarah as a regular matter. The person who wants to pray Istikhaarah should have an open mind, and not have decided on a specific course of action. The phrase “If any one of you is deliberating” indicates that Istikhaarah should be prayed when one starts to think of the matter, when through the blessing of prayer and Du’aa’ what is good will become clear to him, in contrast to when the idea has taken root and his resolve to do it is firm, in which case his inclination will sway him, and there is the fear that wisdom may not prevail because he is inclined to do that which he has already decided to do. It may be that which is meant by deliberation here is resolve, because a passing thought does not matter. And a person should not pray istikhaarah except when he has decided to do something but does not have a strong inclination towards it. Otherwise, if a person were to pray Istikhaarah for every thought that crosses his mind, he would never stop and he would waste all his time doing that. Al-Nawawi (r) said: It is mustahabb, before praying Istikhaarah, to consult someone whom you know is sincere, caring and has experience, and who is trustworthy with regard to his religious commitment and knowledge. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “and consult them in the affairs” [Soorat Aal-‘Imraan (003:159)] The Hanafis, Maalikis, Shaafa’is and Hanbalis stated that the Du’aa’ should be recited immediately after the prayer. This is in accordance with what was stated in the hadeeth narrated from the Messenger of Allaah (saaws). Du’aa’ al-Istikhaarah in Arabic: Allaahumma inni astakheeruka bi ‘ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as’aluka min fadlika, fa innaka taqdiru wa laa aqdir, wa ta’lamu wa laa a’lam, wa anta ‘allaam al-ghuyoob. Allaahumma fa in kunta ta’lamu haadha’l-amra (then the matter should be mentioned by name) khayran li fi ‘aajil amri wa aajilihi (or say: fi deeni wa ma’aashi wa ‘aaqibati amri) faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma baarik li fihi. Allaahumma wa in kunta ta’lamu annahu sharrun li fi deeni wa ma’aashi wa ‘aaqibati amri (or say: fi ‘aajili amri wa aajilihi) fasrifni ‘anhu [you may add: wasrafhu ‘anni] waqdur li al-khayr haythu kaana thumma radini bihi. The translation of this Du’aa’ is in the previously mentioned Hadeeth.

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (r) said in alFataawa al-Kubra:

Do not despair, if the results seem to have gone bad in this world; indeed in your supplication you asked the Lord of the Worlds for a matter that is good for you in this world and in the next.

(saaws). End quote.

Regular Sunnah prayers may be made up, and prayers for which there is a reason may be done during the times when prayer is not allowed. This is one of the two views narrated from Ahmad, and is the view favoured by a number of our companions and others.

It is mustahabb to offer two rak’ahs immediately after doing wudoo’, even if that is at a time when prayer is not allowed. This is the view of alShaafa’i.

Many people think that following Istikhaarah there has to be a dream or a feeling of ease in the heart, and so on, but that is not the case. Even if no such thing happens when a person has prayed Istikhaarah and done his best to find out what is best for him, such as consulting people, examining the issue and asking those who have experience, then he goes ahead and does it, then it is hoped that this will be what is best for him, even if he does not feel at ease in his heart in the beginning. Even if we assume that he does not succeed in this matter that he goes ahead with after praying Istikhaarah, it may be good for him even if he does not know it, but his Lord knows; may He be exalted.

End quote.

Ibn al-Haaj al-Maaliki (r) said:

It was narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (raa) said: The Messenger of Allaah (saaws) used to teach his companions to pray Istikhaarah in all things, just as he used to teach them Soorats from the Qur’aan. [Bukhaaree]

Some of them pray Istikhaarah as prescribed in sharee’ah and then wait until they see a dream from which they will decide whether they should go ahead and do whatever they prayed Istikhaarah about or not, or until someone else sees a dream for them.

Al-‘Ayni (r) said in ‘Umdat al-Qaari:

This does not count for anything, because the infallible one (saaws) told us to pray Istikhaarah and consult others, not to rely on what is seen in dreams. End quote. [Al-Madkhal]

Istikhaarah prayer may be performed at the time when prayer is not allowed with regard to something that is immediate and cannot be delayed until the time when prayer is permitted.

The words “in all things” are indicative of its general meaning, and that a man should not regard anything as too insignificant because it is small and not pay attention to it, and thus not pray Istikhaarah or pray for guidance concerning it. He may regard something as insignificant but doing it or not doing it may lead to great harm. Hence the Prophet (saaws) said: “Let one of you ask his Lord even with regard to his shoelace.” End quote. Thus it is clear that it is a mistake to limit Istikhaarah to rare cases or few issues. Rather the Muslim should turn to Allaah and seek His guidance in all his affairs concerning which he is hesitant. Zaynab bint Jahsh (raa) prayed Istikhaarah when she received a proposal of marriage from the Prophet (saaws), and alNawawi (r) commented on that by saying in Sharh Muslim: This shows that it is mustahabb to pray Istikhaarah for the one who is thinking about doing something, whether the matter is evidently good or not. This is in accordance with the hadeeth of Jaabir in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree: The Messenger of Allaah (saaws) used to teach us pray Istikhaarah in all things.” And perhaps she prayed Istikhaarah because she was afraid that she might fall short with regard to his rights ……..

“And your Lord said: ‘Invoke Me (i.e. believe in My Oneness and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation)…’” [Soorat al-Ghaafir (040:060)]

Whoever is sincere in turning to his Lord and delegating his affairs to Him, and prays Istikhaarah for guidance in some of his affairs, should go ahead and do it. If it becomes easy for him, this is a sign that it is good for him, but if he is stopped and it becomes difficult, then he should forget about it, and he should realize that being prevented from doing it is good inshaaAllaah. Excerpts from: [www.islamqa.com]


 My brother, before Allaah brings you to join us in this university, pray to Him and invoke to Him with the Du’aa’ al-Istikhaarah; such that He guides you to a path that is good for you, your religion, your livelihood and your affairs. Remember, that the best of counsel is Allaah. So invoke Him in all situations other than that which have been made an exception of, and He will be your Guide.

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Praying qiyaam in Ramadhaan is one of the greatest acts of worship by means of which a person can draw closer to his Lord in this month. Al-Haafiz Ibn Rajab said: Note that in the month of Ramadhaan the believer engages in Jihaad al-Nafs on two fronts: during the day by fasting and during the night by praying qiyaam. Whoever combines these two types of Jihaad will be given reward without limit. End quote. Taraaweeh prayer is Sunnah mu’akkadah (a confirmed Sunnah) which the Prophet (saaws) encouraged when he said: “Whoever prays at night in Ramadhaan out of faith and the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Bukhaaree and Muslim] The Prophet (saaws) led his companions in praying Taraaweeh for several nights; then he feared that it may be made obligatory for them, so he did not go out to them. Then ‘Umar (raa) united the people under one Imaam, and it has been prayed in congregation ever since. It was narrated that Ismaa’eel ibn Ziyaad said: ‘Alee (raa) passed by the mosques in which there were lamps during the month of Ramadhaan and said, ‘May Allaah illuminate ‘Umar’s grave for him as he illuminated our mosques for us.” Narrated by al-Athram; quoted in al-Mughni. Al-Bahooti said in Daqaa’iq Uli al-Nuha: It is better to pray Taraaweeh in the mosque than at home, because the Prophet (saaws) gathered the people to pray Taraaweeh for three consecutive nights, as was narrated by ‘Aa’ishah (raa)… and he (saaws) said: “Whoever prays qiyaam with the Imaam until he leaves, it will be as if he spent the whole night in prayer.” End quote.

The Prophet (saaws) also said: "Do not prevent your women from going to the mosque, even though their houses are better for them." [Abu Dawood] But there are conditions attached to the permission for the women to go to the mosque, as follows: 1) She should wear complete hijaab. 2) She should not go out wearing perfume. 3) She should have the permission of her husband. Her going out should not involve any other kind of prohibited acts, such as being alone in a car with a non-mahram driver. If a woman does something wrong like that, her husband or guardian has the right to stop her; in fact it is his duty to do so. Ibn al-Qayyim said in Zaad al-Ma’aad: When the Prophet (saaws) stood up to pray, he would say: “Allaahu Akbar,” and he did not say anything before that, or utter the intention (niyyah) out loud at all. He did not say, “I am going to pray such-and-such a prayer, facing the qiblah, four rak'ahs, as an Imaam or following an Imaam.” And he did not say “ada’an (on time)” or “qadaa’an (making up a missed prayer)” or “fard al-waqt (the obligatory prayer of this time).” These are all bid’ahs which were not narrated by any scholar with any isnaad, be it saheeh, da’eef, musnad or mursal… Neither was this narrated from any of the Prophet’s companions, and none of the Taabi’een or the four Imaams described it as mustahabb. End quote.

Al-Nawawi said in al-Majmoo’:

The Muslim should have the intention of praying Taraaweeh (or any other prayer) in his heart only, and not utter anything out loud.

Taraaweeh prayer is Sunnah according to scholarly consensus… it is permissible to pray it alone or in congregation, but which is better? There are two well-known points of view concerning this; the correct view according to the consensus of the Sahaabah is that it is better to pray it in congregation. End quote.

Night prayers are broad in scope, and there is no set number. Whoever wants to pray eleven rak’ahs may do so and whoever wants to pray more or less than that may do so. The same applies to Taraaweeh prayers in Ramadhaan. Ibn Taymiyah (r) said in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa:

So praying it in congregation in the mosque is better, but if a man prays it on his own at home, or in congregation with his family, that is permissible. Whenever a woman prays in a place that is more private and more hidden, that is better for her, as the Prophet (saaws) said: "A woman's prayer in her house is better than her prayer in her courtyard, and her prayer in her bedroom is better than her prayer in her house." [Abu Dawood]

One group said that it is proven in al-Saheeh from ‘Aa’ishah that the Prophet did not pray more than thirteen rak’ahs in Ramadhaan or at any other time, and some people were uncertain about this report, because they thought that it contradicted the saheeh hadeeth and because of the practice of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs and the actions of the Muslims. But the correct view is that all of that is good, as was stated by Imaam Ahmad (r). There is no set …..

number of rak’ahs for qiyaam during Ramadhaan, because the Prophet (saaws) did not set a number. End quote. Shaykh Ibn Baaz (r) said in Majmoo’ alFataawa: It is proven that ‘Umar (raa) told the one whom he appointed among the Sahaabah to pray eleven rak’ahs, and it is proven that they prayed twenty-three rak’ahs (three raka’ah witr) based on his command. This indicates that the matter is broad in scope and that the matter was flexible according to the Sahaabah. That is also indicated by the words of the Prophet (saaws): “The night prayers are two by two.” End quote. We should be keen to pray qiyaam al-layl in Ramadhaan in congregation, and to stay with the Imaam until he finishes praying. In this way the worshipper will attain the reward for praying the whole night, even if he only spends a short part of the night in prayer. And Allaah is the Owner of great bounty. Abu Dharr (raa) said: The Messenger of Allaah (saaws) said: “Whoever prays qiyaam with the Imaam until he finishes, will be recorded as having spent the whole night in prayer.” [at-Tirmidhi] Allaah knows best. Excerpts from: [www.islamqa.com]


 My brother, what is oftentimes seen is that the students of knowledge go to pray taraaweeh following the opinion that the night prayers are eleven rak’ahs. They leave after praying eight rak’ahs – after ten or fifteen minutes – and then go outside, eat some food and end up chatting amongst themselves and then finally return to Salaah when it is time for witr. Whilst the commoners who are not educating themselves to pass on the Light of Allaah strive utmost in their worship and pray behind the Imaam whatever amount he prays. Shouldn’t this be the worship of the bearer of knowledge? If they are still persistent that what they follow is the correct opinion, then shouldn’t they at least pray those eleven raka’ahs in the manner and spirit that the Prophet (saaws) prayed, which was according to ‘Aa’isha (raa) very lengthy and very beautiful, such that Ibn Mas’ood (raa) said that once the Prophet (saaws) prayed Soorat alBaqarah to Soorat an-Nisaa’ in one rak’ah! Practice the Sunnah, both in letter and spirit.

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Ibn al-Qayyim (r) said: “How strange! What type of faith, light, insight, guidance and knowledge can be gained from listening to tuneful verses and music in which most of what is said is haraam and deserves the wrath and punishment of Allaah and His Messenger?… How can anyone who has the least amount of insight and faith in his heart draw near to Allaah and increase his faith by enjoying something which is hated by Him, and He detests the one who says it and the one who accepts it?” [Madaarij as-Saalikeen]

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Zina (adultery, fornication) does not refer only to penetration, rather there is the zina of the hand, which is touching that which is forbidden, and the zina of the eyes, which is looking at that which is forbidden, even though zina that is committed with the private parts, is the zina which is punishable with the hadd punishment.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (raa) that the Prophet (saaws) said: “Allaah has decreed for every son of Adam his share of zina, which he will inevitably commit. The zina of the eyes is looking, the zina of the tongue is speaking, one may wish and desire and the private parts confirm that or deny it.” [Bukhaaree and Muslim] It is not permissible for the Muslim to long for the things that lead to zina, such as kissing, being alone, touching and looking, for all these things are haraam and lead to the greater evil which is zina. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And come not near to unlawful sex. Verily, it is a Faahishah (i.e. anything that transgresses its limits: a great sin, and an evil way that leads one to hell unless Allaah Forgives him)” [Soorat al-Isra’ (017:032)] Looking at that which is forbidden is one of the arrows of the Shaytaan, which leads a person to doom, even if he did not do it intentionally at first. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily, Allaah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts)” [Soorat al-Noor (024:030-031)] Think about how Allaah connects the issue of …….

lowering the gaze with the issue of protecting the private parts (guarding one’s chastity) in these Verses, and how lowering the gaze is mentioned first, before protecting the private parts, because the eye influences the heart.

is no hadd punishment for these haraam actions, such as kissing etc., the hadd punishment is only for intercourse (zina), but the judge may punish him with a ta’zeer punishment to deter him and others like him from committing these sins.

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (r) said: In these two Verses, Allaah commands the believing men and women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, which is because of the serious nature of zina and what it leads to of great corruption among the Muslims. Letting one's gaze wander freely is one of the causes of sickness in the heart and the occurrence of immoral actions, whereas lowering the gaze is one of the means of keeping oneself safe from that. Hence Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

Ibn al-Qayyim said: Ta’zeer punishments may be prescribed for every sin for which there is no hadd punishment or specific expiation (kafaarah), for sins are of three kinds: those for which there is a hadd punishment but no kafaarah is required; those for which kafaarah is required but there is no hadd punishment; and those for which there is neither a hadd punishment nor kafaarah. The first type includes such crimes as stealing, drinking alcohol, zina and slander. The second includes having intercourse during the day in Ramadhaan, or when in ihraam. The third type includes having intercourse with a slave woman who is owned jointly with someone else, kissing a non-mahram woman and being alone with her, entering the public baths without a waist wrapper, eating dead meat, blood and pork, and so on. [I’laam al-Muwaqqa’een]

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily, Allaah is All-Aware of what they do.” [Soorat al-Noor (024:030)] Lowering one’s gaze and guarding one’s chastity is purer for the believer in this world and in the Hereafter, whereas letting one’s gaze wander freely and not guarding one's chastity are among the greatest causes of doom and punishment in this world and in the Hereafter. We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound. Allaah tells us that He is All-Aware of what people do, and that nothing is hidden from Him. This is a warning to the believer against doing that which Allaah has forbidden and turning away from that which Allaah has prescribed for him, and it is a reminder to him that Allaah sees him and knows all that he does, whether it is good or otherwise. As Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Allaah knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the breasts conceal” [Soorat Ghaafir (040:019)] End quote. [al-Tabarruj wa Khataruhu] The Muslim has to fear his Lord in secret and in public, and keep away from that which Allaah has forbidden of being alone with a member of the opposite sex, looking, shaking hands, kissing and other haraam actions which lead to the immoral action of zina.

The person who has committed any of these actions has to repent to Allaah, for whoever repents Allaah will accept his repentance, and the one who repents is like one who did not sin. One of the greatest means of expiation for such sins is offering the five daily prayers regularly and on time. The Prophet (saaws) said: “The five daily prayers, and from one Jumu’ah to the next, and from one Ramadhaan to the next, expiates for the sins that come in between, so long as you avoid major sins.” [Muslim]


 Even after recognising that zina is looking, zina is touching, zina is kissing and zina is all other haraam actions leading to it; Muslims neglect the prohibition of their Creator and commit these horrendous acts under the pretence of “just friends” or that the prohibition is too extreme – “extremists” they say – or they say, “we are going to get married, we are not just fooling around, we can control ourselves” and what not. We seek refuge with Allaah from these acts of evil.

The sinner should not be deceived into thinking that he will not commit zina and that he will stop at these haraam actions and not go that far, for the Shaytaan will never leave him alone. There ….

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Shaykh al-Albaani (r) listed the following conditions of hijaab as par the Qur’aan and the Sunnah: (1) “It should cover all the body apart from whatever has been exempted”. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allaah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Soorat al-Ahzab (033:059)] This aayah clearly states that it is obligatory to cover all of a woman’s beauty and adornments and not to display any part of that before non-mahram men (“strangers”) except for whatever appears unintentionally, in which case there will be no sin on them if they hasten to cover it up. Al-Haafiz ibn Katheer (r) said in his Tafseer: This means that they should not display any part of their adornment to non-mahrams, apart from that which it is impossible to conceal. Ibn Mas’ood (raa) said: such as the cloak and robe, i.e., what the women of the Arabs used to wear, an outer garment which covered whatever the woman was wearing, except for whatever appeared from beneath the outer garment. There is no sin on a woman with regard to this because it is impossible to conceal it. End quote. (2) “It should not be an adornment in and of itself”. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “… and not to show off their adornment…” [Soorat an-Noor (024:031)] The general meaning of this phrase includes the outer garment, because if it is decorated it will attract men’s attention to her. This is supported by the aayah in Soorat al-Ahzaab (interpretation of the meaning): “And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance” [Soorat al-Ahzaab (033:033)].

It is also supported by the hadeeth in which

which the Prophet (saaws) said: “There are three, do not ask me about them: a man who leaves the jamaa’ah, disobeys his leader and dies disobedient; a female or male slave who runs away then dies; and a woman whose husband is absent and left her with everything she needs, and after he left she made a wanton display of herself. Do not ask about them.” [al-Haakim and Ahmad]

bones.’” [Ahmad]

(3) “It should be thick and not transparent or “see-thru””.

Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari (raa) said: the Messenger of Allaah (saaws) said: “Any woman who puts on perfume then passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance, is an adulteress.”

This is because it cannot cover properly otherwise. Transparent or “see-thru” clothing makes a woman more tempting and beautiful. Concerning this the Prophet (saaws) said: “During the last days of my Ummah there will be women who are clothed but naked, with something on their heads like the humps of camels. Curse them, for they are cursed.” Another hadeeth adds: “They will not enter Paradise or even smell its fragrance, although its fragrance can be detected from such and such a distance.” [Muslim] Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr (r) said: what the Prophet (saaws) meant was women who wear clothes made of light fabric which describes and does not cover. They are clothed in name but naked in reality. [as-Suyooti – Tanweer al-Hawaalik] (4) “It should be loose, not tight so that it describes any part of the body”. The purpose of clothing is to prevent fitnah (temptation), and this can only be achieved if clothes are wide and loose. Tight clothes, even if they conceal the colour of the skin, still describe the size and shape of the body or part of it, and create a vivid image in the minds of men. The corruption or invitation to corruption that is inherent in that is quite obvious. So the clothes must be wide. Usaamah ibn Zayd (raa) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (saaws) gave me a thick Egyptian garment that was one of the gifts given to him by Duhyat al-Kalbi, and I gave it to my wife to wear. He said, ‘Why do I not see you wearing that Egyptian garment?’ I said, ‘I gave it to my wife to wear.’ He said, ‘Tell her to wear a gown underneath it, for I am afraid that it may describe the size of her bones

(5) “It should not be perfumed with bakhoor or fragrance”. There are many ahaadeeth which forbid women to wear perfume when they go out of their houses. We will quote here some of those which have saheeh isnaads:

Zaynab al-Thaqafiyyah reported that the Prophet (saaws) said: “If any one of you (women) goes out to the mosque, let her not touch any perfume.” Abu Hurayrah said: the Messenger of Allaah (saaws) said: “Any woman who has scented herself with bakhoor (incense), let her not attend ‘Ishaa’ prayers with us.” Moosa ibn Yassaar said that a woman passed by Abu Hurayrah and her scent was overpowering. He said, “O female slave of alJabbaar, are you going to the mosque?” She said, “Yes,” He said, “And have you put on perfume because of that?” She said, “Yes.” He said, “Go back and wash yourself, for I heard the Messenger of Allaah (saaws) say: ‘If a woman comes out to the mosque and her fragrance is overpowering, Allaah will not accept any prayer from her until she goes home and washes herself.’” These ahaadeeth are general in implication. Just as the prohibition covers perfume applied to the body, it also covers perfume applied to the clothes, especially in the third hadeeth, where bakhoor (incense) is mentioned, because incense is used specifically to perfume the clothes. The reason for this prohibition is quite clear, which is that women’s fragrance may cause undue provocation of desires. The scholars also included other things under this heading of things to be avoided by women who want to go to the mosque, such as beautiful clothes, jewellery that can be seen, excessive adornments and mingling with men. See Fath al-Baari, 2/279.

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Ibn Daqeeq al-‘Eed said: This indicates that it is forbidden for a woman who wants to go to the mosque to wear perfume, because this causes provocation of men’s desires. This was reported by alManaawi in Fayd al-Qadeer, in the commentary on the first hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah quoted above. (6) “It should not resemble the clothing of men”. It was reported in the saheeh ahaadeeth that a woman who imitates men in dress or in other ways is cursed. There follow some of the ahaadeeth that we know: Abu Hurayrah said: “The Messenger of Allaah (saaws) cursed the man who wears women’s clothes, and the woman who wears men’s clothes.” ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (saaws) say: ‘They are not part of us, the women who imitate men and the men who imitate women.’” Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The Prophet (saaws) cursed effeminate men and masculine women. He said, ‘Throw them out of your houses.’” He said: “The Prophet (saaws) expelled so and so, and ‘Umar expelled so and so.” According to another version: “The Messenger of Allaah (saaws) cursed men who imitate women and women who imitate men.” ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr said: “The Messenger of Allaah (saaws) said: ‘There are three who will not enter Paradise and Allaah will not even look at them on the Day of Resurrection: one who disobeys his parents, a woman who imitates men, and the duyooth (cuckold, weak man who feels no jealousy over his womenfolk).” Ibn Abi Maleekah – whose name was ‘AbdAllaah ibn ‘Ubayd-Allaah – said: “It was said to ‘Aa’ishah (raa), ‘What if a woman wears (men’s) sandals?’ She said: ‘The Messenger of Allaah (saaws) cursed women who act like men.’” These ahaadeeth clearly indicate that it is forbidden for women to imitate men and vice versa, This usually includes dress and other matters, apart from the first hadeeth quoted above, which refers to dress only.

Abu Dawood said, in Masaa’il al-Imaam Ahmad: “I heard Ahmad being asked about a man who dresses his slave woman in a tunic. He said, ‘Do not clothe her in men’s garments, do not make her look like a man.” Abu Dawood said: “I said to Ahmad, Can he give her bachelor sandals to wear?” He said, “No, unless she wears them to do wudoo”. I said, “What about for beauty?” He said, “No”. I said, “Can he cut her hair short?” He said, “No.” (7) It should not resemble the dress of kaafir women. It is stated in sharee’ah that Muslims, men and women alike, should not resemble or imitate the kuffaar with regard to worship, festivals or clothing that is specific to them. This is an important Islamic principle which nowadays, unfortunately, is neglected by many Muslims, even those who care about religion and calling others to Islam. This is due either to ignorance of their religion, or because they are following their own whims and desires, or because of deviation, combined with modern customs and imitation of kaafir Europe. This was one of the causes of the Muslims’ decline and weakness, which enabled the foreigners to overwhelm and colonize them. Allaah said (interpretation of the meaning): “…Verily, Allaah will not change the condition of a people as long as they do not change their state themselves …” [Soorat ar-Ra’d (013:011)]

Umm Salamah (raa) said: “When the aayah ‘… to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies…’ [Soorat al-Ahzaab (033:059)] was revealed, the women of the Ansaar came out looking as if there were crows on their heads, because of their clothing.” [Abu Dawood] “The author of ‘Awn al-Ma’bood fi Sharh Sunan Abi Dawood said, commenting on this phrase: “Their veils were likened to crows because of their black colour.” However, it is not a condition of hijaab that the clothes should be black, but it may be better because it is more concealing. “ [Shaykh Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid] Excerpts from: [www.islamqa.com]


 My sister, the way you are, the way you talk, the way you walk and the way you present yourself, plays a big (if not the bigger) role in the prevention of zina. If you want to please Allaah by wearing the hijaab, then know that this can only be achieved by wearing the hijaab in the manner He commanded you to wear it. Even then your wearing of hijaab is not where pleasing Allaah ends (in terms of personal conduct) but you must also be aware of your conduct with the men who are lawful for you (to marry).

If only they knew. It should be known that there is a great deal of saheeh evidence for these important rules in the Qur’aan and Sunnah, and that the evidence in the Qur’aan is elaborated upon in the Sunnah, as is always the case. (8) It should not be a garment of fame and vanity. Ibn ‘Umar (raa) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (saaws) said: ‘Whoever wears a garment of fame and vanity in this world, Allaah will clothe him in a garment of humiliation on the Day of Resurrection, then He will cause Fire to flame up around him.’” And Allaah knows best. [Hijaab al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah]

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Imaam Abu Ja’far at-Tahaaweeh (r) said: “We love the companions of Allaah’s Prophet (saaws), without going overboard in our love of anyone of them or remaining aloof (Tabarra) from any of them. We hate those who hate them or speak ill of them; and we only speak well of them. Loving them is a religious act, and an expression of faith and righteousness; while hating them is an act of disbelief, hypocrisy and transgression.” [al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahaaweeyah]

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (raa), who said: The Messenger of Allaah (saaws) said: “Those who go to extremes are doomed.” He said it three times. [Muslim] The scholars have many explanations for what is meant by extremism and those who go to extremes, all of which are in harmony with one another and do not contradict one another. All of them may be summed up as meaning one thing; it boils down to overburdening oneself and being too strict in matters where strictness is inappropriate. These meanings include the following: 1) Going to extremes in worship which leads to excessive hardship. Islam does not enjoin anything but that in which there is ease and tolerance. It forbids excessive strictness in religion. The forms of extremism that people have invented in religion and were listed by the scholars as being examples of extremism are virtually innumerable. Al-Nawawi (r) said in Sharh Muslim: i.e., those who delve too deep and go to extremes, and overstep the limits in both word and deed. End quote. 2) Introducing innovations into religion, by forbidding that which Allaah did not forbid, and introducing forms of worship and commitments that did not exist at the time of the Prophet (saaws).

the extremism that the Prophet (saaws) criticized when he said: “Those who go to extremes are doomed” and “If the month were made longer for me, I would have continued to fast without a break so that those who delve too deep would give up their attitude”, such as extreme hunger and thirst which harm the mind and body, and prevent one from doing obligatory or mustahabb actions that are better than that. The same applies to walking barefoot and naked, which harms a person and brings no benefit, as in the hadeeth about Abu Israa’eel who vowed to fast, and to stand always and never sit, and never seek shade, or speak. The Prophet (saaws) said: “Tell him to sit down, and seek shade, and speak, but let him complete his fast.” Narrated by al-Bukhaaree. This matter is broad in scope. End quote. 3) Exaggerated and affected speech, by trying to select words which attract people’s attention, with no meaning or benefit. Ibn Abi’l-Dunya narrated this hadeeth in his essay al-Gheebah wa’l-Nameemah (Backbiting and malicious gossip) in which he narrated from ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (raa) that the Messenger of Allaah (saaws) said: “That which I fear the most for my Ummah is every well spoken hypocrite.” It was also narrated by Ahmad in al-Musnad and classed as hasan by the editors of alMusnad. He also narrated that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (raa) said: “The prattling of speech is the prattling of the shaytaan.”

is better. End quote. With regard to adhering to outward signs of religious commitment and observing the sacred limits of Allaah, and obeying His commands, these are obligations of Islam, and the way to enter the Paradise of the Lord of the Worlds, and no one regards them as going to extremes except one who wants to free himself from the rules of sharee’ah and attack the established rulings. The blameworthy kind of going to extremes is that which goes beyond the laws and etiquette of sharee’ah. How can adhering to it and following it and clinging tightly to it be going to extremes?? The decisive factor with regard to that is the evidence from the Qur’aan and Sunnah. That for which there is saheeh evidence which clearly shows that something is obligatory – such as covering the face and letting the beard grow – or that something is forbidden – such as the prohibition on musical instruments and mixing with women and so on – it is not permissible to describe it as going to extremes or harshness, because that implies accusing the Prophet (saaws) – who enjoined us to do it – of going to extremes. God forbid that he (saaws) should be like that. As for that concerning which there is no text, and is one of the four aspects of extremism mentioned above, then this is what should be criticized and avoided, and should not be confused with the proven, clear rulings of Islam. Allaah knows best.

4) Indulging in that which does not concern one, asking about that which is inappropriate, and delving too deeply into that which is of no benefit. Ibn Rajab (r) said in Jaami’ al-‘Uloom wa’lHukam:

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (r) said in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa: Monasticism and innovated forms of worship which were not prescribed by Allaah and His Messenger are akin to the cases where the mushrikeen and others forbade good things that Allaah has permitted, and examples of have

The one who goes to extremes is the one who delves too deeply and looks into that which does not concern him. Examining and asking too much about the ruling on something that is not mentioned among obligatory duties or haraam things may lead to thinking that it is haraam or it is obligatory, because of its similarity to some duties or prohibitions. Accepting pardon for it or refraining from asking too much about it ………

An excerpt from: [www.islamqa.com]


 My brother, do not stoop as low as to point fingers at Muslims and label them like the dogs of the kuffaar do – who understand nothing about the religion of Allaah and do not seek to do so either – and bark as their masters pull on their leash. May Allaah unleash these dogs against their own masters. All praises be to Allaah.

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

“Wahhaabism is a name given by the opponents of Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhaab (r) to his call (which is) to cleanse Tawheed off all elements of shirk and to abolish all ways except the way of (the Prophet) Muhammad ibn ‘AbdAllaah (saaws). What they intend thereby is to put people off his call and block them from what he promoted. But it was not harmed by that, rather it caused it to spread even further and caused more people to come to it whom Allaah guided to look into what the da’wah was all about and what evidence it had from the Qur’aan and Sunnah. So they adhered to it, clung firmly to it and started calling other people to it, praise be to Allaah.” [Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah] Shaykh Salih al-Fawzaan stated in al-Bayaan li Akhta’ Ba’d al-Kuttaab about “wahhaabism": This label is wrong with regard to wording, and with regard to the meaning. With regard to wording, that is because the da’wah is not being attributed to the one who started it, namely Shaykh Muham-mad, rather it is being attributed to ‘Abd al-Wahhaab (editor: Shaykh Muhammad’s father), who had no-thing to do with it. The proper na-me for it would be al-Da’wah al-Muhammadiyyah (“the Muhamma-dan call”).

the Shaykh, and it is their opponents who gave them this offensive nickname. Indeed, they gave this name to everyone who follows the way of the salaf, even in India, Egypt, Africa and elsewhere. By giving it this label, its opponents wanted to isolate the da’wah from the right path. So they excluded it from the four madh-habs and counted it as a fifth madh-hab, “out of envy from their own-selves, even after the truth has become manifest unto them” [al-Baqarah (002:109)]. End quote. The call of Imaam Muhammad ibn ‘Abd alWahhaab in the twelfth century AH was a continuation of the call of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah which appeared in the seventh and eighth centuries AH. The Imaam was influenced by it because it was in agreement with the basic principles of Islam with regard to beliefs and rulings. These principles included the following: 1) Relying on the Holy Qur’aan and the saheeh (authetic) Sunnah as the primary sources of …….

But these opponents realized that this would be a good name that wo-uld not put anyone off, so they ch-anged it to this distorted name. With regard to the meaning, that is because this da’wah did not drift away from the way of the righteous salaf, namely the Sahaabah, Taabi’een and their followers. So it should rightly be called the Salafi da’wah, because the one who founded it did not introduce any innovation in that which was named after him, as the promoters of misguided sects such as the Ismailis and Qarmatiyyah introduced innovations. If those misguided sects had called themselves salafis, the people and the historical record would have rejected this name, because they are outside the path of the salaf and were introduced by their founders. The correct name, both in wording and meaning, for the call of Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abd alWahhaab is the Muhammadan da’wah or the Salafi da’wah. But because this name annoys the enemies, they used an incorrect name. Therefore the word Wahhaabi was not known among the followers of …….

legislation. 2) Keenness to adhere to the way of the righteous salaf, namely the Sahaabah (companions of the Prophet (saaws)), Taabi’een (the generation after the Sahaabah), the four Imaams and those who followed them. 3) Calling people to Tawheed and rejection of shirk. 4) Affirming that which Allaah has affirmed for Himself and denying that which He has denied for Himself with regard to the divine Names and Attributes. 5) Rejection of fanaticism in following Imaams and calling for adherence to the truth based on evidence. 6) Promotion of the Sunnah and fighting innovation. Shaykh Ibn Jibreen (r) said: The Muslim is obliged to accept the teachings of Islam, and act upon them. When he hears of some word or deed which is based on evidence,

(daleel) from the Qur’aan or Sunnah, then he has to accept it and give it priority over anything else. He should check what people say against the evidence of sharee’ah and only accept those views which are in accordance with that evidence. It is known that Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abd AlWahhaab (r) called people to Tawheed and he wrote his famous book on that topic which is called Kitaab al-Tawheed. In this book he limited himself to quoting only the clear evidence from the verses of the Qur’aan and the saheeh ahaadeeth of the Prophet (saaws). Commentaries on this book were written by his grandson ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Hasan and other scholars. Hence none of his opponents can refute this book or claim that his evidence is false. They fabricated lies and believed them, so they believed that he was misguided. They gave the same label to the scholars of the Muslims such as Shaykh ibn Baaz and Shaykh al-Albaani (r). It is known that the shaykhs whom we have mentioned did not deviate from the correct view with regard to beliefs and actions; they followed the same path as the Sahaabah and Taabi’een, the four Imaams, the authors of the Six Books and ot hers. Those who do not acknowledge them do that either out of ignorance, blind imitation of others, jealousy, stubbornness or fol l owi ng their own whims and desires, or adherence to traditions, bid’ah (innovation) and evil actions that go against the evidence (of sharee’ah). Earlier and later scholars have proven such people to be wrong. So we must follow the evidence and give it priority over the views of all people. End quote.


 My brother, know that Shaykh Muhammad’s (r) call was a call of Tawheed, based on authentic evidences from Qur’aan and Sunnah. Read his books – the most famous being al-Kitaab atTawheed or even the smaller “The Four Principles of Shirk” – and you will come to realise the truth that the deluded grave-worshippers wish to hide from you. The Arab poet said, “If claims are not supported by proof, they are used only by the fools as evidence.” [Mar’aat al-Sharq wa’l- Gharb] The da’wah of Shaykh Muhammad (r) was nothing but evidence from Qur’aan and Sunnah. All praises be to Allaah.

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

When I was 4 Yrs Old: My father is THE BEST… When I was 6 Yrs Old: My father seems to know everyone… When I was 10 Yrs Old: My father is excellent but he is short tempered… When I was 12 Yrs Old: My father was nice when I was little… When I was 14 Yrs Old: My father started being too sensitive… When I was 16 Yrs Old: My father can't keep up with modern times…

disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: "My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small." [Soorat al-Israa’ (017:023-024)] "Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents, and (all) the believers on the Day when the reckoning will be established." [Soorat Ibraaheem (014:041)] Excerpts from: [www.lutonmuslims.co.uk]




When I was 18 Yrs Old: My father is getting less tolerant as the days pass by…

“’Amr ibn Salamah narrated:

When I was 20 Yrs Old: It is too hard to forgive my father, how could my Mum stand him all these years…

We used to sit at the door of ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood before the morning Prayer, so that when he would come out we would walk with him to the mosque.

When I was 25 Yrs Old: My father seems to be objecting to everything I do… When I was 30 Yrs Old: It's very difficult to be in agreement with my father, I wonder if my Grandfather was troubled by my father when he was a youth… When I was 40 Yrs Old: My father brought me up with a lot of discipline; I must do the same… When I was 45 Yrs Old: I am puzzled, how did my father manage to raise all of us… When I was 50 Yrs Old: It's rather difficult to control my kids, how much did my father suffer for the sake of upbringing and protecting us… When I was 55 Yrs Old: My father was far looking and had wide plans for us; he was gentle and outstanding… When I became 60 Yrs Old: My father is THE BEST… Note that it took 56 years to complete the cycle and return to the starting point "My father is THE BEST." Let's be good to our parents before it is too late and pray to Allaah that our own children will treat us even better than the way we treated our parents. Aameen. "And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of …………

They replied: “O Abu ‘Abd ar-Rahmaan! These are pebbles upon which we are counting takbeer, tahleel and tasbeeh.” He said to them: “Rather, count up your evil deeds. For I assure you that none of your good deeds will be lost. Woe be to you O Ummah of Muhammad (saaws)! How quickly you head into destruction! These are the Companions of your Prophet (saaws) and who are widespread. There are his clothes which have not yet decayed, and his bowl which is unbroken. By Him in whose Hand is my soul! Either you are upon a religion better guided than the Religion of Muhammad (saaws), or you are opening the doors of misguidance.” They said: “O Abu ‘Abd ar-Rahmaan! By Allaah! We only intend good.”

One day Abu Moosaa al-Ash’aree came to us and said: “Has Abu ‘Abd ar-Rahmaan (i.e. Ibn Mas’ood) come out yet?” We replied: “No! So he sat down with us until he came out”. When he came out we all stood along with him, so Abu Moosaa said to him: “O Abu ‘Abd arRahmaan! I have just seen something in the mosque which I deemed to be evil, but – and all praise is for Allaah – I did not see anything except good”. Ibn Mas’ood inquired: “What did you see?” Abu Moosaa replied: “If you live, you too will see it. In the mosque I saw people sitting in circles awaiting the Prayer. In each circle they had pebbles in their hands and a man would say: repeat “Allaahu Akbar” a hundred times. So they would repeat it a hundred times. Then he would say: repeat “Laa ilaaha illallaah" a hundred times. So they would repeat it a hundred times. Then he would say: repeat “Subhaanallaah” a hundred times. So they would say it a hundred times.”

He said to them: “How many there are who intend good, but do not achieve it. Indeed Allaah’s Messenger (saaws) said to us: “A people will recite the Qur’aan, but it will not pass beyond their throats.” By Allaah I do not know, but perhaps most of them are from you.” Then he left. (‘Amr ibn Salamah) said: “We saw most of those people fighting against us on the day of Nahrawaan, alongside the Khawaarij.” [ad-Daarimee, at-Tabaraanee and Abu Nu’aym. Authenticated by al-Haythamee]


 My brother, how many mosques do we see today, where people sit there and commit these exact same acts, intending only good yet earning nothing but the Wrath of Allaah? Treat your parents well and avoid all innovations.

Ibn Mas’ood then asked: “What did you say to them?” Abu Moosaa said: “I did not say anything to them. Instead I waited to hear your view, or what you declared”. Then we went along with him, until he came to one of these circles and stood up and said: “What is this I see you doing?”

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Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Imaam Muhammad ibn Idrees (r) said: “For everything I say, if there is something authentic from the Prophet (saaws) contrary to my saying, then the hadeeth of the Prophet (saaws) comes first, so do not follow my opinion.” [Ibn Abi Haatim]

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Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

‫ﺍﻟﻠﻬﻢ ﻻ ﺳﻬﻞ ﺇﻻ ﻣﺎ ﺟﻌﻠﺘﻪ ﺳﻬﻼ ﻭ ﺃﻧﺖ ﺗﺠﻌﻞ ﺍﻟﺤﺰﻥ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺷﺌﺖ ﺳﻬﻼ‬ Allaahumma laa sahla illa maa ja’altahu sahlan, wa anta taj’alul ĥazna idhaa shi’ta sahlan “O Allaah! There is no ease other than what you make easy. If you please you ease sorrow.” [Fortress of the Muslim (Ibn Hibbaan and Ibn as-Sunni)] The Muslim student puts his trust in Allaah when facing the tests of this world, and he seeks His help whilst following the prescribed means, in accordance with the words of the Prophet (saaws): “The strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allaah than the weak believer, although both are good. Strive to attain that which will benefit you and seek the help of Allaah, and do not feel helpless.” [Muslim] Among those means are the following: 1) Turning to Allaah by making Du’aa’ in any way that is prescribed in Islam, such as saying, “Rabbiy ishrah li sadri wa yassir li amri (O my Lord, expand my chest and make things easy for me).” 2) Getting used to sleeping early and going to exams on time. 3) Preparing all required or permitted equipment such as pens, rulers and setsquares, calculators and watches, because being well prepared helps one to answer questions. 4) Reciting the Du’aa’ for leaving the house: “Bismillaah, tawakkaltu ‘ala Allaah, wa laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah. Allaahumma inni a’oodhu bika an adilla aw udalla, aw azilla aw uzalla, aw azlima aw uzlama, aw ajhala aw yujhala ‘alayya (In the name of Allaah, I put my trust in Allaah, and there is no strength and no power except with Allaah. O Allaah, I seek refuge with You lest I should stray or be led astray, lest I slip (commit a sin unintentionally) or be tripped, lest I oppress or be oppressed, lest I behave foolishly or be treated foolishly).” Do not ….

forget to seek your parents’ approval, for their Du’aa’ for you will be answered. 5) Mention the name of Allaah before you start, for mentioning the name of Allaah is prescribed when beginning any permissible action; this brings blessing, and seeking the help of Allaah is one of the means of strength. 6) Fear Allaah with regard to your classmates, and do not be affected by their anxiety or fear just before the exam, for anxiety is a contagious disease. Instead, make them feel optimistic by saying good words as prescribed in Islam. The Prophet (saaws) was optimistic when he heard the name of Suhayl (which means “easy”) and he said: “Things have been made easy for you.” He used to like to hear the words ‘Yaa Raashid, when he went out for any purpose. So be optimistic that you and your brothers will pass this exam. 7) Remembering Allaah (dhikr) dispels anxiety and tension. If something is too difficult for you, then pray to Allaah to make it easy for you. Whenever Shaykh al-Islam ibn Taymiyah (r) found something too difficult to understand, he would say, “O You Who taught Ibraaheem, teach me; O You Who caused Sulaymaan to understand, cause me to understand.” 8) Choose a good place to sit during the exam, if you can. Keep your back straight, and sit on the chair in a healthy manner. 9) Look over the exam first. Studies advise spending 10% of the exam time in reading the questions carefully, noting the important words and dividing one’s time between the questions.

10) Plan to answer the easy questions first, then the difficult ones. Whilst reading the questions, write notes and ideas which you can use in your answers later. 11) Answer questions according to importance. 12) Start by answering the easy questions which you know. Then move on to the questions which carry high marks, and leave till the end the questions to which you do not know the answers, or which you think will take a long time to produce an answer or which do not carry such high marks. 13) Take your time to answer, for the Prophet (saaws) said: “Deliberation is from Allaah and haste is from the Shaytaan.” [Saheeh al-Jaami] 14) Think carefully about the answer and choose the right answer when answering multiple-choice questions. Deal with them in the following manner. If you are sure that you have chosen the right answer, then beware of waswasah (insinuating whispers from the Shaytaan). If you are not sure, then start by eliminating the wrong or unlikely answers, then choose the correct answer based on what you think is most likely to be correct. If you guessed at a correct answer then do not change it unless you are sure that it is wrong – especially if you will lose marks for a wrong answer. Research indicates that the correct answer is usually that which the student thinks of first. 15) In written exams, collect your thoughts before you start to answer…

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Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

… Write an outline for your answer with some words which will indicate the ideas which you want to discuss. Then number the ideas in the sequence in which you want to present them. 16) Write the main points of your answer at the beginning of the line, because this is what the examiner is looking for, and he may not see what he is looking for if it is in the middle of the page and he is in a hurry. 17) Devote 10% of the time for reviewing your answers. Take your time in reviewing, especially in mathematical problems and writing numbers. Resist the desire to hand in the exam papers quickly, and do not let the fact that some people are leaving early bother you. They may be among the people who have handed in their papers too early. 18) If you discover after the exam that you answered some questions incorrectly, then take that as a lesson in the importance of being well prepared in the future, and not rushing to answer questions. Accept the will and decree of Allaah and do not fall prey to frustration and despair. Remember the hadeeth of the Prophet (saaws), “If anything befalls you, do not say, ‘If only I had done such and such.’ Rather say, ‘Qadar Allaah wa maa sha’a kaan (the decree of Allaah and what He wills happened),’ for saying ‘if only’ opens the door for the Shaytaan.” [Muslim] 19) Note that cheating is haraam whether it is in foreign language tests or any other tests. The Prophet (saaws) said, “Whoever cheats is not one of us.” It is wrongdoing and it is a haraam means of attaining a degree or certificate, etc., that you have no right to. The consensus is that cheating is a kind of cooperation in sin and transgression. So do without that which is haraam, and Allaah will suffice you from His bounty. Reject all offers of haraam things that come to you from others. Whoever gives up a thing for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will compensate him with something better. You have to denounce and resist evil, and tell the authorities about any such thing that you see during the exam, or before or after it. This is not the forbidden kind of slander rather it is denouncing evil which is obligatory. Advise those who buy or sell questions or .post them on the Internet etc., or who prepare cheat notes. Tell them to fear Allaah, and tell them of the ruling on what they are doing and on the money they earn from that. Tell them that the time they are spending in preparing these haraam things, if they spent it in studying, or answering previous exams, or helping one ………….

another to understand the subject before the exam, that would be better for them than doing these haraam things. 20) Remember what you have prepared for the Hereafter, and the questions of the examination in the grave, and how to be saved on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever is saved from the Fire and admitted to Paradise will indeed have succeeded. We ask Allaah to make us succeed in this world and cause us to be among those who are victorious and saved in the Hereafter, for He is the All-Hearing Who answers prayer. By Shaykh Muhammad Salih al-Munajjid. An excerpt from: [www.islamqa.com]


 As a student in the first year of university, the lifestyle may seem different to the one at school or even at college. In university, nobody chases after you to do your homework or your coursework. If you do it, you have done it; if you don’t do it, nobody cares. As Muslims we should be motivated to achieve our goal, which is ultimately to worship Allaah and our being here to get an education is not only to provide for ourselves but also to provide for our large family that we will raise; just so that they too can worship Allaah (alone) and spread His Word by all means.

This is the primary knowledge in Islam – not engineering, physics or mathematics and most definitely not subjects on how to make the most of usury and interest. We must make a timetable for ourselves and stick by it – today afternoon I have Arabic class, tomorrow Tajweed, the day after I have Fiqh and so on. Around this timetable we should also fit in slots for our worldly courses, dedicating a significant portion of each day to each module. Now for the secondary knowledge – if we can even call it that – we must organise ourselves – and a Muslim is well-organised. Just like the mujahideen in the battlefields are organising themselves, forming various strategies to solve the many obstacles encountered in Jihaad, we too must solve the many problems in attaining any knowledge. These strategies vary from person to person and know that mimicking the strategy of another person, or relying on the notes of others and revising from them will not bring success to us, and will only prove us to be lazy and lacking in motivation to succeed. We must recognise our own strategy and act upon it; whether it be drawing mind-maps, writing Q&A on pieces of cards or gathering all the information onto a piece of A3 paper and there are many others, which are more suiting to each individual. One must memorize what they learn, even if it is something temporary that they learn for a particular exam; then they should memorize it, answer the exam and then forget it. As for the memorising of topics of Islam, these should be scribed in the hearts and minds forever. Memorising the books of Islam will increase one’s capability of memorization, and thus aid in the memorization of revision notes! They say that memorising whilst young is like carving in stone and memorising whilst old is like carving in water.

To raise that family upon Islam, we must educate ourselves in Islam; and know my brother that attending the random lecture on the massacres in Palestine, is not educating ourselves in Islam. Educating ourselves in Islam is to chase after the books of Knowledge, that our scholars compiled and studying them years on with our teachers who are upon the path of our righteous predecessors and memorising them.

So make use of your memory before Allaah takes your memory away from you and may Allaah grant you success in this world and success in the next and raise you amongst the ranks of those who strive for the benefit of the Muslims. All praises be to Allaah.

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Ownership: City University Islamic Society
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Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Fortress of the Muslim [Published By Darussalam] [Available for Free At the City ISoc Da’wah Stall]

Usool al-Hadeeth [By Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Phillips] [Available for Free Online]

Evolution of Fiqh [By Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Phillips] [Available for Free Online]

Ahmad ibn Hanbal’s Treatise on Prayer [Translated By Sameh Strauch] [Available for Free Online]

The Reality of Shi’ism [By Shaykh Muhibbudeen al-Khateeb] [Available for Free Online]

The Prophet’s Prayer Described [Shaykh Naasir-ud-Deen al-Albaani] [Available for Free Online]

The Mirage in Iran [By Dr Ahmed al-Afghaanee [Available for Free Online]

An Introduction to the Sciences of the Qur’aan [By Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi] Tafsir ibn Katheer [10 Volumes] [Abridgement Supervised By Shaykh Safiur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri] [Available for Free Online]

Book of the End [Translated By Faisal Shafiq] [Available for Free Online] Shaykh Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen’s Notes on al- ‘Aqeedah al-Wasitiyyah [Translated By Shakiel Humayun]

The Fundamentals of Tafseer [By Shaykh Muhammad Saalih ibn al-‘Uthaymeen]

Love and Hate for the Sake of Allaah [By Shaykh Saleem al-Hilaalee] Al-Walaa wa’l-Baraa [3 Volumes] [By Shaykh Muhammad Sa’eed al-Qahtaani] [Available for Free Online]

Commanders of the Muslim Army [By Mahmood Ahmad Ghadanfar The Sealed Nectar [By Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri] [Available for Free Online]

An Explanation of ‘Kitaab at-Tawheed’ [By ‘Allamah ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Sa’di] An Explanation of ‘Four Principles of Shirk’ [By Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi] An Explanation of ‘A Critical Study of Shirk’ [By Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi] Explanation of the ‘Three Fundamental Principles’ of Islam [By Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen]

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A Summary of Islamic Jurisprudence [2 Volumes] [Dr. Saalih al-Fawzaan] [Available for Free Online]

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Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (r) said: “Do not follow my opinion, neither follow the opinion of Maalik, nor Shaafi’ee, nor Awzaa’ee, nor Tahwri, but take from where they took.” [Ibn al-Qayyim – I’laam]

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Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Role

Contact (Email)

Name

Executive Committee Ameer & President

[email protected]

Saleh Patel

Vice Ameer

Salahuddeen Khan

Vice President

Hasib Hussain

Head-sister

-

[email protected]

Team Leaders Charity & Fundraising Team Leader Da’wah Co-ordinator

Naveed Saber Imran Nazir

Editor in Chief of Newsletter Head of Recreational Activities

Uthman Luton -

Khateeb Master

Kawkab al-Sakib

Librarian

Kawkab al-Sakib

Magazine Leader

-

Minister of Events, Lectures and Speakers Prayer Room Caretaker

Hasib Hussain Ilyas

Public Relations

Imran Nazir

Tarbiyah Leader

Saleh Patel

Technical Productions Leader Treasurer Webmaster

Naveed Saber Bilal Canada i-Slaam

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Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Currently this competition is only for the students at City University London. If Allaah wills, in the future editions we may extend it to the “outsiders”. We still encourage everyone to have a go, and we will reveal the answers on the website after the competition deadline is over inshaaAllaah (if Allaah wills), which is at 11:59pm on the 18th of October 2009. You must answer all of the first five Questions correctly to be considered for entry into the prize draw. The winner (from the people who answered all five questions correctly) will then be picked randomly from the “hat”. Also there is a chance for the winner to “double” the prize by answering at least two of the three bonus questions correctly.

Question #3

Question #6 [Bonus]

What is the Arabic name given to an ill person who is on the verge of death?

What are the four questions that you will be asked in the grave?

a) Al-Mayyit b) Al-Muhtadir c) Al-Mareed

Question #7 [Bonus]

[Is there a word in Urdu similar to it? We are not sure… Anyways, there are free Arabic classes at Masjid al-Tawheed in Leyton every Thursday at 7pm – beginner, intermediate and higher levels; if you attend you can find out the answer and learn much more!]

Which one of the following has first priority to the inheritance money (from the deceased)? a) Legal heirs of the deceased b) Donations to charity c) Debtors of the deceased

Question #8 [Bonus] Question #4

The prize will be given in the prayer rooms… no ceremonies unfortunately. Both the prizes will be excellent inshaaAllaah.

What is the first food of the people of Paradise? The Prophet (saaws) said: “The rights of one Muslim over another Muslim are six…”

The first five questions are fairly easy but one of the bonus questions may be a killer!

Name these six rights.

Question #1

[Stuck on one of them? Try “shaykh google”.]

a) Whale liver b) Deer meat c) Ox meat [Can’t wait for the munch!]

What is the command that can be found in Soorat al-Muzzammil, Verse 004 regarding the recitation of the Qur’aan? a) To recite in a state of purity b) To recite with reflection c) To recite in a slow and pleasant style [That’s an easy one. Quick! Run to the bookshelf!]

[The first two questions were taken from a recent Zaad al-Ma’aad test paper] Question #5 What is the date of Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Jibreen’s (r) death? a) 20th July 1430 AH b) 20th Rajab 1430 AH c) 20th Rajab 2009 AH [The answer is in this magazine!!!]

Question #2

[The first four questions were taken from a recent Zaad al-Ma’aad test paper.]

It is Sunnah to make ‘Talqeen’ at the side of the terminally ill patient who is on the verge of death. What is ‘Talqeen’? a) Encouragement to say the shahaadah b) Encouragement to make a will c) Encouragement to say farewell to close family

Now that you got them all right, have a go at the bonus questions to double your prize! We feel generous so you will be qualified for the bonus prize if you get only two bonus questions correct…


 Send your answers to [email protected] with your name at the top of the message. Please insert [Magazine Competition] as the email subject. For the multiple questions, write the number of the question (1, 2, 3 etc.) and the answer word for word as stated in the question. If you do not want your name to be announced on the website after you win (inshaaAllaah), then please mention that in the email. City ISoc reserves the right to cancel the competition at any time without rewarding the winner. Don’t worry though, we won’t be cruel!

[Don’t let the word confuse you.]

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Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

Now we will inform you about the website and its services that are designed to cater to the need of the Muslim students and make the City ISoc more accessible and beneficial in terms of providing knowledge on Islam and current affairs. Changeable Theme If you click the pencil on the bottom left corner of the website, you can change the background theme of the website to suit your own taste. All praise is for Allaah. Login You can also log in and log out of your ISoc account by clicking on the pencil. Remember you must be logged in to comment on posts and pages. About Us All the info you need about the ISoc are on the “About Us” main page, and its sub-pages. Left lick the “About Us” icon to access its main page and just place the pointer on the “About Us” icon for a few seconds (without clicking) to see its sub-pages. The same goes for all other following pages and sub-pages. Events We have created a few sub-pages there with one main page. The main page includes information on the status of Knowledge in Islam and the etiquettes of seeking Knowledge. The sub-pages include regular updates on free one-off events in the UK, free ongoing Islamic courses and classes in London (Arabic, Muslim belief, Islamic Law etc.), regular free ISoc courses and activities and free ISoc one-off events and courses. Please make use of these services for your own benefit and attend these courses.

Contact Us

Blog

If you have any queries and want to contact the ISoc Ameer or have any general enquiries, then please use the “Contact Us” form, in the “Contact Us” main page. It also has information on how to mail things to the City University Islamic Society, if such a need arises.

The blog is visible the moment you enter the City ISoc website on the “Home Page”. With this blog we keep you up-to-date with the latest information on Islam, and the latest articles of knowledge. Everyone is welcome to leave comments and start discussions on the post pages.

The Sidebar It contains the “Subscribe” option, information on important notices, a list of the latest blog posts, any ISoc research polls, post categories, links to websites of scholars, trustworthy online fataawa websites, and reliable downloads websites and much more. Registration To comment and participate in the discussions on the blog, you must be registered with the ISoc. Registering with the ISoc will aid us in providing you with better and efficient services. Registration form can be found by clicking on the “graceful” pencil.

Subscribing to the mailing list will also automatically update you on the latest posts on the City ISoc website. Islam This is the real deal and the most important part of the City ISoc website. This is where we feed you information on Islam based on Qur’aan and Sunnah. It has a main page, where we give information on how not to understand Islam and then there are many sub-pages, one of which gives a comprehensive outlook on Islam in all truth as par Qur’aan and Sunnah excluding any apologetic contents; suitable for giving da’wah to the nonMuslims.

Websites YouTube There are a few sub-pages and a main page (with a message from Dr Bilal Phillips) where we have shared a collection of websites that work under the garment of Islam but are really harmful to the Muslim and his beliefs. These websites contain heretical and deviant ideologies that have strayed away from the Qur’aan and Sunnah.

We also have a YouTube channel where we regularly upload our ISoc media from events and other activities. Please subscribe so we can update you with the latest uploads inshaaAllaah. www.youtube.com/user/cuisoc Disclaimer

Know them. Avoid them. Salaah Time A simple main page showing the times for Salaah with a downloadable timetable acquired from Regents Park Masjid.

The information on the City ISoc website (cityisoc.com) does not necessarily represent the views of the City University Islamic Society. Wa’l-hamdulillaah.

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The reward is with ALLAAH! So make sure you are doing it for the right reason, with the right intention. i.e. for the sake of ALLAAH.

Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

[Page 01] [Women in Burqa’] http://www.watan.com/en/images/stories/Niqaab.jpg [Page 03] [Desert SalaahPicture] http://muslimmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/salah.jpg [Qur’aan-Child Picture] http://islamgreatreligion.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/little-boy-reads-quran2.jpg [Malcolm X Salaah Picture] http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2005/05/13/arts/malcom.large1.jpg [Women in Burqa’] http://www.watan.com/en/images/stories/Niqaab.jpg [Deviant Dancers Picture] http://wondersofpakistan.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/sufi_dervishes.jpg [Calculator Picture] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01241/exam-revision-pill_1241350c.jpg [Books Picture] http://www.davidrobertbooks.com/books.jpg [Page 09] [Groups of Women] http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/11_02/muslimDM1511_468x310.jpg [Page 10] [Gloucester Building Entrance Picture] http://www.city.ac.uk/law_media/images/lawdept/entrance2s.jpg [Gloucester Building Picture] http://www.city.ac.uk/law_media/images/lawdept/buildingsh.jpg [Gloucester Building Map] http://www.city.ac.uk/marcoms_media/images/maps/buildings/Gloucester%20Building%20-%20Map.gif [Page 13, 14] [Diagonal Reel Template Picture] http://www.itsperfection.net/TheFilmReel2.jpg [Ibn Jibreen] http://www.alhejazi.net/images/ibn_jibreen_210.jpg [Ibn Jibreen Mike Picture] http://www.alriyadh.com/ [Ibn Jibreen Funeral] http://www.alriyadh.com/2009/07/15/img/157314.jpg [Page 15] [Qur’aan Reading] http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_S0RxRnE5fGU/STn3WXBmy7I/AAAAAAAADio/opcT1dFxTLM/s400/quran_reading.jpg [Page 18] [Salaah in Oppressive Captivity] http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/5188/42329953prayerap416up3.jpg [Page 19] [Guantanamo Bay Salaah Picture] http://blog.cleveland.com/world_impact/2008/11/large_Guantanamo_Detainees_at-prayer-Meye.JPG [Page 20] [Malcolm X Salaah Picture] http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2005/05/13/arts/malcom.large1.jpg [Page 21] [Taj Mahal Du’aa’] http://egyptiangumbo.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/dua.jpg [Page 24] [Dead Rose Picture] http://www.quizilla.com/user_images/D/DI/DIS/DISTURBER45/1229977605_3350_full.jpeg [Page 28] [Grave Worship Picture] http://www.osmanische-herberge.de/Bilder/scheikh%20damascus/NazimAdnanHisham.jpg [Page 29] [Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul Wahhaab’s Books Picture] http://www.al-hidaayah.co.uk/ [Page 30] [Mawlid Bid’ah Picture] http://www.dar-sirr.com/MawlidMeknes.jpg [Page 32] [Man Du’aa’ Picture] http://jamericanmuslimah.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/dua.jpg [Woman Du’aa’ Picture] http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PGM5komqCws/R6qIjVOOioI/AAAAAAAAAV4/5fJx8vv5aiA/s400/Dua.jpg [Page 33] [Stress Definition Picture] http://www.unf.edu/dept/counseling_center/Stress%20Definition.jpg [Page 34] [All book pictures and information have been collected from various sites for the benefit of the Muslims] [Page 37] [Win Picture] http://www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/upload/23704/images/win.jpg [Page 39] [Background Picture] http://blog.peta2.com/Col_Sanders_Wanted.jpg [Cat Journalist] http://blog.bioethics.net/journalist.gif [All Background Pictures (except Page 39’s), Cover Design and Unreferenced Pictures] CityISoc.com Magazine Editor Disclaimer: All data and links on this magazine are for information purposes only. They do not necessarily represent the views of the City University Islamic Society. This magazine is for free distribution only and has not been and cannot be produced for any profitable purpose. Any cityISoc.com magazine must not be altered in any way. All praises be to Allaah, the Lord of the ‘Alameen (all that exists).

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Aug 15, 2009

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

And may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon the Muhammad; the seal of the Prophets and Messengers (saaws), his family, his companions (raa) and upon all those who follow his way. Aameen.

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