The Muslim Woman: Her Status in the Ummah
By Shaykh ‘Abdul ‘Azeez Ibn Baaz (d.1420H) rahimahullah [1]

The status of the Muslim woman in Islaam is a very noble and lofty one, and her effect is very great in the life of every Muslim. Indeed the Muslim woman is the initial teacher in building a righteous society, providing she follows the guidance from the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of the Messenger (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wasallam). Since adherence to the Qur`aan and the Sunnah distances every Muslim – male or female – from being misguided in any matter. The misguidance that the various nations suffer from, and their being deviated does not come about except by being far away from the path of Allaah – the Most Perfect, the Most High – and from what His Prophets and Messngers - may Allah’s Peace and Prayers be upon them all – came with. The Prophet (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:

"I am leaving behind you two matters, you will not go astray as long as you cling to them both, the Book of Allah and my Sunnah." [2]

The great importance of the Muslim woman’s role – whether as wife, sister, or daughter, and the rights that are due to her and the rights that are due from her – have been explained in the noble Qur`aan, and further detailed of this have been explained in the purified Sunnah.

The secret of her importance lies in the tremendous burden and responsibility that is placed upon her, and the difficulties she has to shoulder – responsibilities and difficilties some of which not even a man bears. This is why from the most important obligations upon a person is to show gratitude to the mother, and kindness and good companionship with her. And in this matter, she is to be given precedence over and above the father. Allah the Exalted says:

"And We have enjoined upon man to be good and dutiful to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness upon weakness and hardship upon hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Show gratitude and thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination." [Soorah Loqmaan:14]

Allah the Exalted said:

"And We have enjoined upon man to be dutiful and kind to his parents. His mother bears him with hardship, and she brings him forth with hardship. And the bearing and weaning of him is thirty months." [Sooratul Ahqaaf:15]

A man came to the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wasallam) and said: "O Messenger of Allah! Who from amongst mankind warrents the best companionship from me?" He replied:

"Your mother."

The man asked, "Then who?" So he replied:

"Your mother."

The man then asked, "Then who?" So the Prophet replied again:

"Your mother."

Then the man asked, "Then who?" So he replied:

"Your father." [3]

So this necessitates that the mother is given three times the likes of kindness and good treatment than the father.

As regards the wife, then her status and her effect in making the soul tranquil and serene has been clearly shown in the noble aayah (statement of Allah), in His – the Exalted – saying:

"And from His signs is this: That He created for you wives amongst yourselves, so that you may find serentiy and tranquility in them. And He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in this are signs for those who reflect." [Sooratur Room:21]

Al Haafidh Ibn Katheer (d.774H) – rahimahullah – said whilst explaining the terms muwaddah and rahmah which occur in the above aayah:

"Al muwaddah means love and affection and ar rahmah means compassion and pity – since a man takes a woman either due to his love for her, or because of compassion and pity for her; by giving to her a child from himself…" [4]

And the unique stance that the Prophet’s (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wasallam) wife Khadeejah – radiyallahu ‘anhaa – took, had a huge effect in calming and reassuring the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wasallam), when the angel Jibreel (‘alayhis salaam) first came to the cave of Hiraa. So the Prophet (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wasallam) returned to Khadeejah (radiyallahu ‘anhaa) with the first Revelation and with his heart beating and trembling severely, and he said to her:

"Cover me! Cover me!"

So she covered him until his fear was over, after which he told Khadeejah (radiyallahu ‘anhaa) everything that happened and said:

"I fear that something may happen to me."

So she said to him:

"Never! By Allah! Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good ties with the relations, you help the poor and the destitute, you serve your guests generously and assist those who have been afflicted with calamities." [5]

And do not forget about ‘Aa`ishah (radiyallahu ‘anhaa) and her great effect. Since even the great Companions used to take the knowledge of Hadeeth from her, and many of the Sahaabiyaat (female Companions) learned the various rulings pertaining to women’s issues from her.

And I have no doubt that my mother – may Allah shower His mercy upon her – had a tremendous effect upon me, in encouraging me to study; and she assisted me in it. May Allah greatly increase her reward and reward her with the best of rewards for what she did for me.

And there is no doubt also, that the house in which there is kindness, gentleness, love and care, along with the correct Islaamic tarbiyah (education and cultivation) will greatly effect the man. So he will become – if Allah wills – successful in his affairs and in any matter – whether it be seeking knowledge, trading, earning a living, or other than this. So it is Allah alone that I ask to grant success and to guide us all to that which He loves and is pleased with. And may the Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his Family, his Companions and his followers.

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Footnotes:

[1] He is the exemplary Scholar: Abu ‘Abdullah, ‘Abdul ‘Azeez Ibn ‘Abdullah Ibn Baaz. He was born in the city of Riyaadh on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah in the year 1330H. He began seeking knowledge by first memorizing the Qur`aan before reaching the age of puberty. After this, He began to study noble sciences such as ‘Aqeedah (beliefs), Fiqh (Islaamic Jurisprudence), Hadeeth (Prophetic Narrations), Usoolul-Fiqh (fundamentals of jurisprudence), Faraa`id (Laws of inheritance), Nahw (Grammar) and Sarf (morphology) – even though the Shaykh became permanently blind at the age of nineteen. He studied these sciences under some of the most prominent scholars of Riyaadh and Makkah of his time, including Shaykh Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdul Lateef Ibn ‘Abdur Rahmaan Ibn Hasan and also the former Grand Muftee and noble scholar, Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Ibraaheem – whom he studied under for ten years. He lived to be eighty-nine years old, he was mild, generous and forbearing in nature, yet firm, whilst wise while speaking the truth. He was a zaahid (one who abstains) with respect to this world and he was one of the foremost scholars of Ahlu Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah in his age. The noble Shaykh – by Allah’s grace – devoted his whole life to Islaam and it’s people, authoring many books and booklets, teaching and serving the masses, along with being very active in the field of Da’wah. May Allah forgive our noble father and Shaykh.

This article was a response to a particular question concerning the position and status of Muslim women and has been taken from his Majmoo’ul Fataawaa wa Maqaalaatil Mutanawwi`ah (3/348-350).

[2] Hasan: Related by Maalik in al Muwattaa (2/899) and al Haakim (1/93), from Ibn ‘Abbaas (radiyallahu ‘anhu). It was authenticated by Shaykh al Albaanee in as Saheehah (no. 1871).

[3] Related by al Bukhaaree (no. 5971) and Muslim (7/2), from Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anh).

[4] Tafseer Qur`aanil A’dtheem (3/439) of al Haafidh Ibn Katheer.

[5] Related by al Bukhaaree (1/22) and Muslim (1/139), from the lengthy narration of ‘Aa`ishah (radiyallahu ‘anhaa).

The Remembrance of Allah - ذكر الله

by Imaam al Madinah al Munawwarah 'Ali 'AbdurRahmaan al Hudhaifi

http://www.islaam.net/

Safar 10, 1422 (May 4, 2001)

All praise is due to Allah. I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his household and companions.

Dear Muslims! Fear Allah and obey Him. Beware of His wrath and retribution, for His punishment is severe and none of your actions or deeds are hidden from Him.

Allah says:

“O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance.” (Al Ahzaab:41).

Fellow Muslims! Allah enjoins you to remember Him, commands you to be consistent in your remembrance, makes His remembrance a means to achieve His pleasure, and promises a great reward and safety from punishment for those who remember Him. He says:

“And the men and women who remember Allah much (with their hearts and tongues), Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).”(Al Ahzaab:35).

Remembrance of Allah, though easy to do is nevertheless heavy on the scale (of one’s good deeds). The Prophet of Guidance told us that remembrance of Allah is the best and the purest deed. Aboo Dardaa narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:

“Shall I tell you of the best and purest of your deeds before your King, the one that elevates your position the most; that is better for you than meeting your enemies whose necks you strike and they also strike your necks?” The companions said, “O Yes.” The Prophet then said, “Remembrance of Allaah, the Exalted.” (Ahmad, Tirmidhee and others).

The meaning of remembrance of Allah is to Praise Him with His names and perfect attributes, to supplicate to Him and to deem Him free from all that does not benefit His greatness. Remembrance of Allah can be through physical acts of worship, or it can be with the tongue or in the heart. The best Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) is the one done with the body, tongue and heart; like prayer, hajj and jihad (fighting in the cause of Allah) followed by the one done with the tongue and heart alone. The best oral act of remembrance is recitation of the Glorious Qur’an, for the Qur’an is the life of the hearts and minds and the guide to Allah’s pleasure and the blissful Paradise. It is also the protection against the accursed shaytan. Recitation of it is an act of worship; reflecting on its meanings is victory and happiness. Ibn Mas’ood narrated that the Prophet said:

“Whoever reads a letter of the Book of Allah will have a good reward for that and ten more like it. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is one letter, rather that Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Meem is a letter.” (At-Tirmidhee).

Aboo Saeed Al-Khudree said:

“The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Our Lord, the Exalted says: “Whoever is distracted by the recitation of the Qur’an from doing Dhikr and asking me (of his needs), I shall give him what is better than what I give those who ask me. The superiority of Allah’s Word (Qur’an) over other words is like the superiority of Allah over His creatures.” (At-Tirmidhee).

Dear Brothers! The form of your Dhikr should be in accordance with what is authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah, like saying Subhaan Allah (Glory be to Allah), Alhamdu Lillah (Praise be to Allah), Laa Ilaaha Illa Allah (there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah), Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), Laa Hawla wa laa Quwwata Illaa Billahil 'Aliyyil 'Atheem (there is no power and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great), and the like.

The Messenger of Allaah said:

“The most beloved words to Allaah are four: ‘Subhaan Allah, Al Hamdu Lillah, Laa Illaaha Illa Allah and Allahu Akbar.’ It does not matter with which one you start, nor in what order you say them.” (Muslim).

He also said:

“They (those four statements) are the best word after the Qur’an and they are from the Qur’an.” (Ahmad).

Aboo Moosa Al-Ash’aree narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:

“Say Laa Hawla Wa Laa Quwwata illa Billah, for it is one of the treasures of Paradise.” (Bukhaaree and Muslim).

Further, invoking blessings and peace upon the Prophet is also a form of Dhikr but it should be noted that acts of remembrance of Allah should be done according to the authentically reported forms and not in innovative forms. 'Aa’isha narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:

“Whoever performs a deed upon which there is no command from us will have it rejected.” (Muslim)

Brothers in faith! There are some Dhikr that are restricted to certain periods like the ones said after the five obligatory prayers, the ones said in the morning and the evening and the ones that have specific reasons. Also, there are some Dhikr that can be made any time. A Muslim should therefore remember Allah as frequently as possible in all conditions he may be.

Mu'aadh bin Jabal narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:

“The Son of Aadam (i.e. man) does not do a deed that saves him from the punishment of Allah more than remembrance of Allaah.” The companions said, “Even Jihad in the way of Allah?” He replied, “Even Jihad in the way of Allah except in the case of one who fights with his sword until it is broken.” (Ibn Abee Shaybah).

It is recommended for a Muslim to be constantly reciting Dhikr in its authentically reported forms. Juwayriyah (a mother of the faithful) narrated that:

The Messenger of Allah went out of her apartment after performing Fajr prayer while she was making Tasbeeh (i.e. Subhaan Allah etc.) then came back after performing Duhaa supererogatory prayer and still found her sitting. He then said, “Are you still in the same position in which I left you?” She answered, “Yes.” He said, “Since I left you I have said four statements three times; if weighed against all that you have been saying today, it will outweigh it. They are, “ Subhan Allah Wa BiHamdihi, ‘Adada Khalqihi, Warida Nafsihi, Wa Zinata ‘Arshihi, Wa Midaada Kalimaatihi.” (Muslim).

Aboo Umaamah narrated that the Messenger of Allah told him:

“Shall I inform you of what is more and better than remembering Allah in the night and day? You say, ‘Subhan Allah Wa BiHamdihi, ‘Adada Maa Khalaqa, Subhan Allah mil’a maa Khalaqa fissSamaa’, Wa Subhan Allah ‘adada maa Ahsaa Kitaabuh Wa Subhan Allah ‘adada maa Ahsaa Kitaabuh Wa Subhaan Allah ‘adada Kulli Shay’in, wa Subhaan Allah Mil’a Kulli Shay’in, Wal Hamduliilaahi Mil’a Dhaalik.’

Meaning,

“Glory be to Allah, as much as the number of all that He created; glory be to Allah, as much as His creatures can fill; glory be to Allah as much as the number of His creatures in heaven; glory be to Allah as much as his Book can keep count of; glory be to Allaah as much as the reckoning of His Book can fill; glory be to Allah as much as the number of all things; glory be to Allah as much as all things can fill; praise be to Allah in the like manner.”

Dear Brother! Know that however much you remember Allah and praise Him, you cannot enumerate His praise and cannot praise Him as is due. Also remember that all that is in the heavens and the earth do remember Him and glorify Him and there is nothing but glorifies His praise.

“But you understand not their glorification. Truly, He is ever-forebearing, Oft-forgiving.”(Al Israa’:44).

He also says,

“And remember your Lord by your tongue and within yourself, humbly and with fear, without loudness in words, in the morning and in the afternoon and be not of those who are neglectful.” (Al A’raaf:205).


Fellow Muslims! Fear Allah and do not be misled by your whims. Know that Allah gives in recompense for remembering Him inestimable rewards in this world and the next.

Among the rewards of the remembrance of Allah is what He says in this verse:

“Remember Me (by praying, glorifying, etc.) I will remember you, and be grateful to me (for my countless favours on you) and never be ungrateful to me.” (Al Baqarah: 152).

Further, the Messenger of Allah said:

“Allah says:‘Indeed I am as my servant presumes Me to be, and I am with him when he remembers Me. So if he remembers Me to himself, I remember him to Myself, and if he remembers Me amongst a company, I remember him among a company greater than it.” (Al Bukhari & Muslim).

Of the rewards of the remembrance of Allah is peace of mind. Allah says:

“Those who believe and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Ar Ra’d:28).

Among the rewards of remembrance of Allah also is that it makes one love Allah, increases him in faith, makes his affairs easy, and protects him from tricks and evil doings of shaytan. The Prophet said:

“Allah commanded Yahya son of Zakariah to enjoin five words on the children of Israel, one of which was the remembrance of Allah. A parable of that is like a man who is being hotly pursued by the enemy, who then enters a well-fortified enclave and thereby protects himself from them. A servant does not protect himself against shaytan except with the remembrance of Allah.” (At-Tirmidhee).

It is also part of the rewards of remembrance of Allah that it erases one’s sins and removes distress.

Bismillah

بِسمَ اللَّهِ الرَّحمَن الرَّحِيم

Every good action or deed should be started with reciting Bismillah

Below are quoted some Authentic Traditions of the Prophet Mohammad (salla Allahu 3alaihi wasallam) regarding Bismillah - In the name of Allah:

Saying Bismillah Is Recommended Before Eating:

The Prophet (salla Allahu 3alaihi wasallam) said:

"Say Bismillah, eat with your right hand and eat what is in front of you."

[Bukhari 7/88, Muslim 2/207, Ahmad 17/92, Muwatta Malik 10/32 and Ibn Majah 1/557]

When Drinking Water:

Ibn Abbas (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu 3alaihi wasallam) said:

"Do not drink in one gulp like a camel, but in two or three [Gulps]. Mention the Name of Allah when you start drinking and praise Him after you have finished [Drinking]."

[Fath al-Bari 12/197 and Al-Trimidhi]

At The Beginning Of Ablution:

The Prophet (salla Allahu 3alaihi wasallam) said:

"Make Wudu [Ablution] in the name of Allah."

[An-Nasai 1/11 and Ibn Khuzaimah 1/84]

Before Having Sexual Intercourse with one's wife:

The Prophet (salla Allahu 3alaihi wasallam) said:

"If anyone of you, when having sexual intercourse with his wife, says: In the name of Allah. O Allah! Protect us from Satan and also protect what you grant us [i.e. Coming offspring] from Satan and if it is destined that they should have a child, then Satan willnever be able to harm him."

[Sahih Bukhari 7/94 and Sahih Muslim 2/1058]


When Entering The House:

Jabir (radiAllahu 3anh) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu 3alaihi wasallam) saying:

"If a person mentions the Name of Allah upon entering his house or eating, Satan says, addressing his followers: `You will find no where to spend the night and no dinner.' But if he enters without mentioning the Name of Allah, Satan says [To his followers]; 'You have found [A place] to spend the night in, and if he does not mention the Name of Allah at the time of eating, Satan says: `You have found [A place] to spend the night in as well as food."

[Sahih Muslim 2/206]

When Leaving The House:

The Messenger Of Allah (salla Allahu 3alaihi wasallam) said:

"If anyone of you when leaving the house says In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah, there is no power and might except from Allah. Your needs shall be fulfilled, you shall be saved from difficulties and hardships. Shaitaan hearing these words leaves him."

[Al-Trimidhi 2/493]

When Slaughtering An Animal:

Anas (radiAllahu 3anh) reported that Allah's Messenger (salla Allahu 3alaihi wasallam) sacrificed two horned rams of white color with black markings over them. He also stated:

I saw him sacrificing them with his own hand and saw him placing his foot on their sides, and recited in the name of Allah and Glorified Him [Bismillah Allahu Akbar]

[Sahih al-Bukhari 7/133, Muslim 2/181, Abu Dawud 3/230, An-Nasai 7/231, Al-Trimidhi 5/76, Ibn Majah 2120]

When Fighting For The Cause Of Allah:

The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu 3alaihi wasallam) said:

"Fight in the name of Allah and in the way of Allah." [Sahih Muslim 2/69]

Recommended Because It Causes Humiliation To The Shaitan:

Abul Malih (radiAllahu 3anh) said: I was riding on a mount behind the Prophet (salla Allahu 3alaihi wasallam). It stumbled. Thereupon I said: May the devil perish! He said:

Do not say: May the devil perish! For if you say that, he will swell so much so that he will be like a house, and say: By my power. But say Bismillah for when you say that, he will diminish so much so that he will be like a fly.

[An-Nasai 6/142, Ahmad 5/59 and Abu Dawud 4946]

Recommended When Night Falls:

Allah's Apostle (salla Allahu 3alaihi wasallam) said:

"When night falls stop your children from going out, for the devils spread out at that time. But when an hour of the night has passed, release them and close the doors and mention Allah's Name, for Satan does not open a closed door. Tie the mouth of your water-skin and mention Allah's Name; cover your containers and utensils and mention Allah's Name. Cover them even by placing something across it, and extinguish your lamps."

[Sahih al-Bukhari 7/527 and Abu Dawud 3722]

When Placing The Body Of The Deceased In The Grave:

The Prophet of Allah (salla Allahu 3alaihi wasallam) said:

"When you are lowering the deceased in the grave you should say In the name of Allah and in accordance to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah."

[Ahmad 8/58 and Al-Hakim 1/366]

The Virtues Of Saying Bismillah:

Uthman bin Abu al-As Al-Thaqafi (radiAllahu 3anh) reported that he made a complaint of pain to Allah's Messenger (salla Allahu 3alaihi wasallam) that he felt in his body at the time he had become Muslim. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (salla Allahu 3alaihi wasallam) said:

Place your hand at the place where you feel pain in your body and say in the name of Allah three times and seven times I seek refuge with Allah and with His Power from the evil that I find and that I fear. [Muslim 2/280]

When Writing A Letter Bismillah Should Also Be Written:

Abu Sufyan (radiAllahu 3anh) said that the contents of the letter were as follows:

"In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, [This letter is] from Mohammad the slave of Allah and His Apostle to Heraclius the ruler of Byzantine. Peace be upon him, who follows the right path. Furthermore I invite you to Islam, and if you become a Muslim you will be safe, and Allah will double your reward, and if you reject this invitation of Islam you will be committing a sin by misguiding your peasants." [Bukhari 4/191, Muslim 2/91, Al-Trimidhi 7/500]

[Queen Sheba] said: "O chief! Surely an honorable letter has been delivered to me Surely it is from Sulaiman, and surely it is in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful." [Sorah Al-Naml, Ayaat 29-30]

When is the “hour of response” on Friday?

There are two opinions concerning the hour of response on Friday which are likely to be correct:

The first is that it lasts from after ‘Asr until the sun sets, for those who sit and wait for Maghrib, whether that is in the mosque or at home, making du’aa’ to their Lord, whether they are men or women; whoever does that is more deserving of seeing a response to his or her du’aa’. But men should not pray Maghrib or any other prayer at home unless they have a legitimate shar’i excuse, as is well known from the evidence of sharee’ah.

The second is that it lasts from the time when the imaam sits on the minbar to deliver the khutbah on Friday until he finishes the prayer. Du’aa’ at either of these times is deserving of being answered.

These two times are more likely to be the times of response on Friday, because of the saheeh ahaadeeth which indicate that. The hour of response may also be sought at other times of the day. And the bounty of Allah is great.

Among the moments when response may come to a du’aa’ in all prayers, obligatory and naafil alike, is the moment of sujood (prostration), because the Prophet (salla Allahu 3alaihi wasallam) said: “The closest that a person may be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so say a great deal of du’aa’ in sujood.” (Narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him), in al-Salaah, 482). And Muslim (rahimuhullah) narrated in his Saheeh from Ibn ‘Abbaas (radiallahu 3anhumaa) that the Prophet (salla Allahu 3alaihi wasallam) said: “As for rukoo’ (bowing), proclaim the greatness of your Lord in rukoo’ and strive in du’aa’, for you will be more deserving of being responded to.” (Muslim, al-Salaah, 479).

Shaykh Ibn Baaz, Majallat al-Buhooth, issue no. 34, p. 142

The Hajj - The Journey
by Ibn al Qayyim al Jawziyyah
translated by Usama Hasan

By Him whose House the loving pilgrims visit,
Responding with ihram at the appointed limit,
Uncovering their heads in total humility
Before One to Whom faces bow in servility.
They exclaim in the valleys, "We have responded to You -
All Praise is Yours, and Kingdom too!"
He invited and they answered, with love and pleasure;
When they called upon Him, nearer came the Divine treasure.
You see them on their mounts, hair dusty and dishevelled,
Yet never more content, never happier have they felt;
Leaving homelands and families due to holy yearning,
Unmoved are they by temptations of returning.
Through plains and valleys, from near and far,
Walking and riding, in submission to Allah.

At the Ka’bah
When they see His House - that magnificent sight
For which the hearts of all creatures are set alight -
It seems they’ve never felt tired before,
For their discomfort and hardship is no more.
Now the eye of the Lover drowns in its streams,
It sees through its tears the goal of its dreams;
Now for Allah, how many tears are issued,
Each one being followed by a multitude?
When the eye perceives the House, its darkness clears,
And from the sorrowful heart, pain disappears;
Vision cannot encompass this beautiful sight:
Each glance returns with greater delight!
No wonder at this, for when the Merciful preferred
The House for Himself, it became most honoured.
He clothed it in Majesty, a magnificent garment;
Embroidered it with Beauty, a wonderful ornament!
The hearts all love the House therefore,
Awed and humbled, in respect and honour.

‘Arafah
Now to ‘Arafah, hoping for Mercy and Forgiveness
From the One overflowing with Generosity and Kindness;
Now for Allah is that Magnificent Standing
Like, though lesser than, the Day of Reckoning.
The Irresistible draws near, His Majesty manifest,
Boasting to His angels, for He is the Mightiest,
"My slaves have come to Me so lovingly,
I’ll be Generous and Merciful, willingly.
I have forgiven their sins, – to this you are witness –
Fulfilled their hopes, and showered them with goodness."
So joyous news! O people of that standing,
When sins are forgiven and Mercy is spreading;
How many slaves are set completely free?
Whilst others seek a cure, and heal will He.
Now Satan is never known to lose such face:
He’s blameworthy, rejected, in utter disgrace.
For he sees a matter that enrage him must:
He flees, slaps his face and covers it in dust!
Such Forgiveness he never did see
As granted by the Lord, and such Mercy!
He built his edifice from every temptation available
Till he thought it was complete, unassailable;
Then Allah struck his building at its very foundation,
So it fell upon him, tumbling in devastation;
What worth has his structure, this evil ploy,
That he does build, and the Lord does destroy?

Muzdalifah & Mina
Now to Muzdalifah, to spend the night
In the Sacred Area, then Prayer at first light;
Now on to the Great Pillar, which they need
To stone at the time of the Prayer of ‘Id;
Now to their tents for the sacrifice prepared,
Reviving the tradition of a Father revered.
If sacrificing themselves were Allah’s demand,
They would respond, submitting to the command;
Just as they’d expose their necks in Jihad
To Allah’s enemies, till these stream with blood;
They discipline themselves, presenting the head for a shave:
Bringing humility and happiness to the obedient slave.

The Tawaaf of Ifaadah/Ziyarah
So when they’ve removed those natural growths,
Completed their rites, and fulfilled their oaths,
He invites them again to visit His House:
What honour and welcome this visit allows!
By Allah, they visit it in so much splendour,
Receiving their rewards and plenty of honour;
There Allah bestows Grace, Favour and Kindness,
Showing Generosity, Mercy and Forgiveness.

Mina
Then they return to Mina, each to his tent,
Every minute wish is granted, and they are content;
They stay there a day, then another, then a third,
They’re allowed to depart early, but to stay is preferred;
They stone the pillars daily after the sun’s decline,
With a slogan of Takbir in the presence of the Divine!
If only you could see their standing there:
Palms outstretched, hoping for Mercy’s share!
"O Lord! O Lord! Knowing as You do
That we hope for no-one, only You!
Then grant our wish, O You All-Knowing,
We pray for Your Mercy overflowing."

The Farewell Tawaaf
When they’ve achieved at Mina all their gains,
Once more they fill the valleys and plains:
To the Ka’bah, the Sacred House, by the end of the day,
To circle it seven times, and then to Pray.
When departure nears and they are certain
That the bond of proximity is about to loosen,
There’s only a last stand for a final farewell:
Now for Allah are the eyes that swell,
And for Allah are the heavy hearts that turn
Into cauldrons of desire where fire does burn;
And the passionate sighs whose heat so vigorous
Nearly melts the Lover, ecstatic, rapturous!
Now you see those bewildered, perplexed in the throng,
Whilst others chant their sorrowful song:
"I depart, but there remains for You my yearning,
My fire of grief is raging and burning;
I bid farewell, but longing pulls my reins -
My heart is encamped in Your eternal plains!"
No blame today for saying what you feel:
No blame for expressing what you used to conceal!

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Footnotes
(1) Taken from: Awdah al-Masalik ila Ahkam al-Manasik by 'Abd al-'Aziz al-Muhammad al-Salman, Riyadh, 12th edition, 1403 H, pp. 265-272.
Rendered into English, with apologies for not doing justice to the Arabic original, by Usama Hasan. Many thanks to 'Abd al-Rahman al-Helbawy and Shaykh Suhaib Hasan for their help with some difficult words.

Muharram 1423 / March 2002.

Beautiful description of Paradise!

from the amazing and beautiful book Haadi al Arwaah ilaa Bilaad il Afraah by Ibn al Qayyim, pg. 193

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Ibn al-Qayyim said, in regards to the description of the Paradise and the delights that it contains:

"And if you ask about its ground and its soil, then it is of musk and saffron.

And if you ask about its roof, then it is the Throne of the Most Merciful.

And if you ask about its rocks, then they are pearls and jewels.

And if you ask about its buildings, then they are made of bricks of gold and silver.

And if you ask about its trees, then it does not contain a single tree except that its trunk is made of gold and silver.

And if you ask about its fruits, then they are softer than butter and sweeter than honey.

And if you ask about its leaves, then they are softer than the softest cloth.

And if you ask about its rivers, then there are rivers of milk who's taste does not change, and rivers of wine that is delicious to those who drink it, and rivers of honey that is pure, and rivers of water that is fresh.

And if you ask about their food, then it is fruits from whatever they will choose, and the meat of whatever birds they desire.

And if you ask about their drink, then it is Tasneem, ginger, and Kaafoor.

And if you ask about their drinking cups, then they are crystal-clear and made of gold and silver.

And if you ask about its shade, then a fast rider would ride in the shade of one of its trees for a hundred years and not escape it.

And if you ask about its vastness, then the lowest of its people would have within his kingdom and walls and palaces and gardens the distance that would be travelled in a thousand years.

And if you ask about its tents and encampments, then one tent is like a concealed pearl that is sixty miles long.

And if you ask about its towers, then they are rooms above rooms in buildings that have rivers running underneath them.

And if you ask about how far it reaches into the sky, then look at the shining star that is visible, as well as those that are far in the heavens that the eyesight cannot possibly reach.

And if you ask about the clothing of its inhabitants, then they are of silk and gold.

And if you ask about its beds, then its blankets are of the finest silk laid out in the highest of its levels.

And if you ask about the faces of its inhabitants and their beauty, then they are like the image of the Moon.

And if you ask about their age, then they are young ones of 33 years in the image of Adam, the father of humanity.

And if you ask about what they will be hearing, then it is the singing of their wives from among the Hoor al 'Ayn, and better than that are the voices of the Angels and the Prophets, and better than that is the Speech of the Lord of the Worlds.

And if you ask about their servants, then they are young boys of everlasting youth who resemble scattered pearls.

And if you ask about their brides and wives, then they are young and full-breasted and have had the liquid of youth flow through their limbs; the Sun runs along the beauty of her face if she shows it, light shines from between her teeth if she smiles; if you meet her love, then say whatever you want regarding the joining of two lights; he sees his face in the roundness of her cheek as if he is looking into a polished mirror, and he sees the brightness from behind her muscles and bones; if she were to be unleashed upon the World, she would fill what is between the Heavens and the Earth with a beautiful wind, and the mouths of the creation would glorifiy, praise, and exclaim greatness, and everything between the East and the West would be adorned for her, and every eye would be shut from everthing but her, and the light of the Sun would be outshone just as the light of the Sun outshines the light of the stars, and everyone on the face of the Earth would believe in the Ever-Living, the One who Sustains and Protects all the exists.

And the covering on her head is better than the World and all that is in it, and she does not increase with age except in beauty; free from an umbilical cord, childbirth and menses, and pure of mucous, saliva, urine and other filthy things; her youth never fades, her clothing is never worn out, no garment can be created that matches her beauty, and no one who is with her can ever become bored; her attention is restricted to her husband, so she desires none but him, just as his attention is restricted to her so she is the sole object of his desire, and he is with her in utmost safety and security, as none has touched her before of either humans or Jinn.

And if you ask about the Day of Increase (in reward) and the visit of the all-Mighty, all-Wise, and the sight of His Face - free from any resemblance or likeness to anything - as you see the Sun in the middle of the day and the full Moon on a cloudless night, then listen on the day that the caller will call: 'O People of Paradise! Your Lord - Blessed and Exalted - requests you to visit Him, so come to visit Him!' So they will say: 'We hear and obey!'

Until, when they finally reach the wide valley where they will all meet - and none of them will turn down the request of the caller - the Lord - Blessed and Exalted - will order His Chair to be brought there. Then, pulpits of light will emerge, as well as pulpits of pearls, gemstone, gold, and silver. The lowest of them in rank will sit on sheets of musk, and will not see what those who are on the chairs above them are given. When they are comfortable where they are sitting and are secure in their places, and the caller calls: 'O People of Paradise! You have an appointment with Allaah in which He wishes to reward you!' So they will say: 'And what is that reward? Has He not already made our faces bright, made our scales heavy, entered us into Paradise, and pushed us away from the Fire?'

And when they are like that, all of a sudden a light shines that encompasses all of Paradise. So, they raise their heads, and, behold: the Compeller - Exalted is He, and Holy are His Names - has come to them from above them and majestified them and said: 'O People of Paradise! Peace be upon you!' So, this greeting will not be responded to with anything better than: 'O Allaah! You are Peace, and from You is Peace! Blessed are You, O possessor of Majesty and Honor!' So the Lord - Blessed and Exalted - will laugh to them and say:'O People of Paradise! Where are those who used to obey Me without having ever seen Me? This is the Day of Increase!'

So, they will all give the same response: 'We are pleased, so be pleased with us!' So, He will say: 'O People of Paradise! If I were not pleased with you, I would not have made you inhabitants of My Paradise! So, ask of Me!' So, they will all give the same response: 'Show us your Face so that we may look at it!' So, the Lord - Mighty and Majestic - will remove his covering and will majestify them and will cover them with His Light, which, if Allah - the Exalted - had not Willed not to burn them, would have burned them.

And there will not remain a single person in this gathering except that his Lord - the Exalted - will speak to him and say: 'Do you remember the day that you did this and that?' and He will remind him of some of his bad deeds in the Worldy life, so he will say: 'O Lord! Will you not forgive me?' So, He will say: 'Of course! You have not reached this position of yours (in Paradise) except by My Forgiveness.'

So, how sweet is this speech to the ears, and how cooled are the righteous eyes by the glance at His Noble Face in the Afterlife...

{Some faces that Day will be shining and radiant, looking at their Lord...} (al-Qiyaamah:22-23)

The Reality of Tawheed

by Imaam Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah

Translated by Abu Rumaysah

The Relief of the Heart and Body Lies in the Obedience of Allah

In this lies a great secret from the secrets of Tawheed. This is that the heart cannot become firm, it cannot find satisfaction and it cannot find tranquillity except by reaching out to Him. Everything that is loved and desired besides Him then it must be desired for other than His sake. The One Who is desired, the One Who is beloved in and of Himself, with Whom all matters find their final goal is only one. It is impossible that the final goal be to two destinations just as it is impossible that the beginning of the creation be from two sources.

So the one whose love, desire, will and obedience ends at other than Him then it will be rendered null and void, it will disappear and split off from him no matter how great his need be of it. However the one whose love, desire, will, obedience, awe and reverential fear ends at Him, far removed is He from imperfection, will find himself winning His favours, bliss and rapture, magnificence and splendour, and felicity for eternity.

The servant continuously finds himself altering between the laws of commandments and the laws of decree. Therefore he is perpetually in need of aid to fulfil the commandments and in need of kindness and leniency at the onset of the calamity. It is the extent to which he establishes the obligations that determine how much kindness the servant will receive at the onset of the calamity. Therefore if he completes his obligations both inwardly and outwardly then he will attain kindness and leniency both inwardly and outwardly. If, however, he merely establishes the outward form [of the commandments] without establishing their reality [inwardly] then he will receive an outward kindness and his portion of inward kindness will [greatly] diminish.

So if it is asked: what is this inward kindness?

[I say in reply:] It is what the heart attains of tranquillity and satisfaction at the onset of the calamity and the removal of unrest, confusion and despair. Therefore the servant surrenders and submits himself before his Lord and Master and he emerges in a state of complete rest and tranquillity - looking on at Him with his heart, and his soul at peace. His witnessing His Kindness has distracted him from the severity of the situation. His knowledge of Allah's excellent choice and decision for him diverts him from feeling the calamity just as does his knowledge that he is nothing but a mere servant upon whom the decrees of his Master take effect, and he can either be pleased with them or angry with them. So if he is pleased then he will attain Pleasure and if he is displeased then his portion is nothing save Displeasure. Therefore this inward kindness is the fruit of this inward action [of being pleased with the decree of Allah], it increases with its increase and decreases with its decrease.