Shi'aism Exposed

The sub-title "Spare a minute - Read - Save your Imaan" fits very well. Go here to read a list set up by Mufti Afzal Hoosen Elias exposing the non-sense in Shi'a belief and their fabrications. This is not a sunni scholar just in blind rage, rather there's reference attached to every single point. Let me just quote this part:

Fatawa by Rasulullah (s.a.w.)
There is a specific Hadith about Rafida: "A sect is going to emerge who will be known by a bad connotation. They will be called Rafida. They will come neither on Friday nor in the congregational prayers. They will vilify the first generation (of Ummah). You should neither keep their company nor dine with them, nor have matrimonial relationship with them. If they fall ill do not go to greet them and if they die do not participate in their funeral prayers."

Description Of Jannah

The idea and estimate of Heaven, and at that the Paradise which will be given to the Chief of the Prophets, the Pride of the Two Worlds can be had from this that the lowest man amongst the occupants of Paradise will get a garden ten times bigger than that of this world. Entering Paradise he will glance right and left and seeing the gardens will ask: "For whom are these"? He will be told that they are for him. When he will proceed further, a red ruby or a green emerald will be brought before him in which there will be seventy houses, each having seventy rooms and each room having seventy doors. He will be told: "Go on reciting and climbing," until he reaches his masnad (throne) on which he will sit and recline. Then his houris will come to him. Their condition will be such that one of them will come and sit down before him on the throne. She will be wearing seventy suits of clothes, each of a different colour, and she will be so beautiful that in spite of those clothes her flesh and blood and bones, even bone-marrow, will be visible. This lowly occupant of Paradise will ask her: "Who are you"? She will say: "I am the houri who had been preserved for you till now. Then he will continue making amorous glances at her for forty years and will not withdraw his eves from her.

Hazrat Abu Huraira reports: "We said: O Apostle of Allah! Describe to us how will be the construction of Paradise?” He said: "There will be bricks of gold and silver and the mortar will be of musk and its gravel will be of garnet and pearls and its dust of saffron.”

Hazrat Abu Huraira reports that there is a tree in Paradise, the trunk of which is of gold and its branches are of emerald and pearl. When the wind blows such a melodious sound is produced that the hearers have not heard a more melodious sound. Similarly, the Holy Prophet described the trees, canals, fruits, walls, doors, in brief, everything of the Paradise - things which neither any eye has seen nor any ear has heard about nor the thought thereof has passed any mind.

When such wonderful bounties are there for an ordinary occupant of Paradise, what must be there for the near ones, the favourites and the Chief of the Prophets Wrongdoers like us, through slave-hood to the Holy Prophet may receive the greatest bounty of his companionship and at that, with such bounties what can be a greater reward than this? May Allah Most High bestow upon us the ability to appreciate these bounties and create room in our hearts for his holiness's auspicious methods! Amen!

A hundred pities that action on these methods, in spite of such great promises, even the greatness of these methods has today departed from the Muslims' hearts! A hundred pities that action on these methods, in spite of such great promises, even the greatness of these methods has today departed from the Muslims' hearts!

[Ita'at-Ur-Rasul by Shaikh Yusuf Motala (db)]

Light Of The Heavens & The Earth

"Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His light is, as it were, that of a niche containing a lamp; the lamp is [enclosed] in glass, the glass [shining] like a radiant star: [a lamp] lit from a blessed tree - an olive-tree that is neither of the east nor of the west the oil whereof [is so bright that it] would well-nigh give light [of itself] even though fire had not touched it: light upon light! Allah guides unto His light him that wills [to be guided]; and [to this end] Allah propounds parables unto men, since Allah [alone] has full knowledge of all things." (24:35)

Subhan'Allah. No doubt, Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) speaks nothing but the truth. Sometimes we should take the time to ponder over Allah Ta'ala's great attributes. This reminds me of the following story, that gets told by many people:

A man always came to his local Imam and said: "What are you always talking about Allah?! What Allah?! Who Allah?!" Auzubillah (I seek refuge with Allah Ta'ala). Once the Imam took the man by his hand to the nearest beach, where he gave him a big spade and told him to start digging a hole in the sand. The man asked the Imam what the point of it is supposed to be, but after the Imam told him just to do it, he started. Hours of hard work passed and with the time the hole got quite large. As the sunset almost passed too, the Imam told him, that he could stop now. After he climbed out of the hole, the Imam ordered him to put all the water from the sea into his hole. Immediately the man's head turned red and he said: "Are you totally crazy now? How can all the water fit in this small hole?" The Imam explained, "Look, just like that the greatness of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala exceeds our head's capacity."

To understand even an atom particle of the Creator's (Khaliq's) superiority over His creations (makhluqat), we have to improve our observations of the latter. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala created all we can see and all that has been hidden from our sight by a veil. He created this earth we walk on every day - and in the same solar system even planets of multiple size exist. Scientists found out that if someone wants to count just the stars which we know about, it would take him about 130 billion years - yes, 130,000,000,000,000 years. Now, there exist black holes again which can take the size of whole galaxies - and that's just what scientists found out so far about this universe. Allah knows best how far away from the boundaries we are, but it's sure that we can never reach them.

Now, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala created as well the unseen (ghaib) including angels (malaikah) for example. Just take Israfeel: Since Allah Ta'ala has created him he stands stable straight on his feet without moving his sight and when he once blows into the trumpet it will destroy the whole universe. Or let's take Jibraeel (a.s.), who can not even unfold one of his 600 wings in this world. But at the end Allah Ta'ala can't even be compared to His creations:

'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas (r.a.a.) narrates that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "The angel Israfeel is stable straight on his feet since Allah has created him without moving his sight. There are seventy curtains of light (Noor) laying between him and Allah, each one of them is enough to burn him (Israfeel) if he comes closer." (Masabeeh-al-Sunnah: 31/4)

Zurarah ibn Aufa (r.a.a.) narrates that the Prophet (s.a.w.) asked Jibraeel (Gabriel): "Have you ever seen your Lord?" Jibraeel moulted his wings in awe and said: "Oh Muhammad (s.a.w.)! There are seventy curtains of Noor between me and Allah. If I would come closer to any one, I would be burnt." (Masabeeh-al-Sunnah: 30/4)

Aw kama qala salatu 'alaihi wa salam!

Difference Between Sahabah And You & Me (#1)

Of course the huge gap between the Sahabah (r.a.a.) and us someone like me and you will never be able to cross: They were pleased with Allah Ta'ala and Allah Ta'ala was pleased with them. But still this series is an attempt to enlighten some spots of this dark ravine, because the Messanger of Allah (s.a.w.) told us, that his Sahabi are like the stars and if you follow a single one of them you'll be successful.

Let me ask you: Don't we see the same sun, moon, sky, universe and stars which they saw? Don't we walk on the same earth, that they walked on? Don't we read and study the same Ahadeeth and Qur'an, which they read and studied? Don't we make Hajj to the same sacred place, they made Hajj to? Don't we worship the same Lord they worshipped? Everyone who claims a little intellect will have to answer all these questions in the affirmative. But what makes the difference then? Well, neither our Iman nor our Amaal can be compared to the Iman or Amaal of our pious predecessors.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) taught his companions in one day how to offer their Salah, in one day how to fast and in five days how to perform Hajj. But in the 13 year long life in Makkah he strengthened their Iman in "La Ilaha Illallah, Muhammadur Rasulullah". They were 100% convinced, that Allah is the only Creator and everything else are His creation. That creation can't do anything without the permission and help of Allah. That Allah can do anything and everything without help of creation. And that Success in this world (before death) and Akhirat (life after death) is only in following the Orders of Allah according to the way shown by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).

We are not allowed to harbour any doubt in this Kalimah Tayyibah. All aspiring parents on the world hope that their children come to this world without anything missing. But is there any child that comes to the world with one eye, arm, hand, finger, foot or ear missing and can say, "Hey, I jump back into my mother's womb and complete my body"? Probably not. Just like that Allah Ta'ala expects us to complete our Iman in Allah Ta'ala himself, all the Prophets and Messengers (peace be upon them), the Books sent by Allah Ta'ala, the Angels, the Day of Judgement/Resurrection and Destiny before death hits us. After the Angel of Death has taken our soul there is no chance to go back and complete our belief or book of deeds.

"The wandering Arabs say: We believe. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Ye believe not, but rather say "We submit," for the faith hath not yet entered into your hearts. Yet, if ye obey Allah and His messenger, He will not withhold from you aught of (the reward of) your deeds. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." (49:14)

In this ayaat Allah Ta'ala clarifies that there are different stages of Iman. Hadhrat Maulana Muhammad Yousuf Kandhalvi Sahab (r.a.) writes, "Beautification of life with Islam is interpreted as, the heart be enlightened with Noor of Iman and the body, be subjected to obey the command of Allah." The Iman of the Sahabi definitely reached such a stage, that they obeyed Allah's commands in every aspect of life. They didn't just recite the Kalimah from their tongue, but further more their mind was always attached to the thought of how to obey to Allah's command and how to make Muhammad (s.a.w.)'s Sunnah alive.

Once a Sahabi entered the mosque with his left foot and immediately after realizing, that he acted against a Sunnah of Muhammad (s.a.w.) he fell unconscious. Now, we today say it's just a small Sunnah. But the Sahabi saw their success of this world and the hereafter in every single Sunnah. There are tons of traditions supporting the view, that the Sahabi followed Rasulallah (s.a.w.) blindly.

Talha ibn Ubaidullah (r.a.a.) narrates from Rasulallah (s.a.w.) that he said, "I know a Kalimah, if a person recites it at the time of death, surely his soul would get relief till it departs the body and the Kalimah would turn a light (for him) on the Day of Resurrection." (That Kalimah is Lailaaha illallah). (Majma-al-Zawaid: 67/3)

The problem is that at the time of death, what's in your mind will not leave your mouth, but instead what is in your heart will leave your mouth. So, if the love for Makhluq (creations) and this Dunya are in your heart, then your family, your money, your vehicle, your house etc. will be on your lips, but if the inhabitant of your heart is the love for the Khaliq (creator) of the whole universe, than the Kalimah Tayyibah will relief your soul just as the Hadith above states.

We all should aim to increase our Iman, but unfortunately this won't happen in front of the computer or by learning Sahih Bukhari by heart. Our Ulemma say that Iman increases only through Mujahida. Put the sword down young warrior, I'm talking about Mujahida in the sense of doing good deeds, that the Nafs doesn't like, and participating in the gatherings, which refresh your Iman, just like the Sahabi did.

Hadhrat Ataa bin Yasaar narrates that Hadhrat Abdullah bin Rawaaha (r.a.a.) once said to one of his companions, "Come here so that we may believe for a while." "Are we not already believers?" the other asked. "Certainly," Hadhrat Abdullah bin Rawaaha (r.a.a.) replied, "but let us talk about Allah so that our Iman can be increased."

I know this is very brief and I could write way more, but the purpose is to convey a message, that reminds first off all myself, and not to win the award '06 in the novel's category. If I left out any important points tell me and Insha'Allah I can complete this subject in the second article of this series. May Allah grant us the Iman, which makes us recite the Kalimah at our time of death and which makes it possible to obey Allah and his Rasul in every aspect of life, too.

Aqaa'idul Islam

"Islamic Beliefs" is an english translation of Shaykhut Tafseer Allama Muhammad Idris Saheb Kandhlavi (r.a.)'s "Aqaa'idul Islam" translated and prepared by Madrassa In'aamiyyah Camperdown, South Africa. The forward of Mufti H. Elias gives you a better insight of the great content then I possibly could.

In this age of trials and tribulations, every so often, one hears and reads about a new unheard of fabricated belief floating around or denial of a standard belief of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat.

Furthermore, due to our world becoming a global village because of the latest advanced communications system at large, there erroneous and fallacious beliefs circulate viciously and rapidly. We have translated, "Aqaaidul Islaam", of Hadhrat Moulana Idris Khandhelvi (A.R), who was a senior authority in Darul Uloom Deoband for many years. He wrote extensively on most aspects of Islaam. Later he migrated to Lahore.

Thus in this book, the original (Beliefs) of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat have been listed and explained. It is essential for every Muslim to have valid, reliable and authentic beliefs in conformity to the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat.

>> Read this eBook! (PDF)

Amir-ul-Momineen Without Momineen?!

Before I explain my views on this heated subject, let me make it crystal clear that I don't know a single Muslim who wouldn't welcome a Khilafah (including me). But the way some Muslims strive to achieve this goal seems just wrong to me and to many Ulamas, too. This is a thing I wanted to speak out about for a week now, because not only in the Internet, but as well in real life lately I've been confronted by the opinion that a Khilafah is needed by all means, even by force if necessary. Although Almighty Allah says in his own words:

"Allah has promised those who bring faith and do righteous deeds that he will make them Khalifas on earth and He will strengthen them their religion which Allah chose for them."

To show you that I don't stand alone with this opinion, let's see what Mufti Ebrahim Desai said in regard of this quote above.

"The prescription for Khilafah is abundantly clear in this verse. Strength in Imaan and good deeds. Muslims throughout the world should strengthen their faith in Allah and perform righteous deeds that will be a means of attracting people to Islam. Muslims have lost great empires due to weakness in faith and laxity in righteous deeds.

Any effort to establish running an Islamic country without the above two referred fundamentals is baseless and an exercise in futility. That is also evident from the position of the many so-called 'Islamic' countries who have hopelessly failed in their responsibilities of promoting Islam from their positions of strength."

And I agree 100%. I never heard of or read about Muhammad planning a Khilafah or striving for it. It was a gift by Allah for the hard work in Mecca that he received an Islamic State in Medina. At that time the companions (r.a.a.) of our beloved Prophet possessed the clearly required standard of Imaan and good deeds. But what's the state of the Ummah today? How many brother and sisters do you know that don't even have a firm believe in Allah? Leave alone the Muslims that are not praying. And I've seen with my own eyes groups of Muslim teenagers who don't know how to make Wudu, how to pray or how a mosque looks from the inside. Forcing the whole Shariah (Islamic law) upon anyone except yourself will not result in the expected success, but will be much more of a bite in the dust. I know we shouldn't talk about the illnesses of the Ummah, but that's the reality.

So, instead of worrying about the establishment or re-establishment of a Khilafah, we should engage ourselves with re-establishing strong yakeen and good deeds in the Ummah. When there are enough momineen Allah will insha'Allah gives us the Khilafah, we have been seeking for so long.

From what I've seen most Muslims on the Internet carry around this misconception of a Khilafah, but still I want to know everyone's opinion on this topic.

FAQ On Islam By Dr. Zakir Naik

Most of you probably know Dr. Zakir Naik, Ahmed Deedat's stundent, who is popular around the whole world for preaching on video.

"Invite to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious."

(16:125)

Definitly that's what Zakir Naik does in an amazing manner when he argues with clerics of comparative religions in front of hundreds or even thousand of people.

"A medical doctor by professional training, Dr. Zakir Naik is renowed as a dynamic international orator on Islam and Comparative Religion. Dr. Zakir Naik clarifies Islamic viewpoints and clears misconceptions about Islam, using the Qur'an, authentic Hadith and other religious Scriptures as a basis, in conjunction with reason, logic and scientific facts.", says his biography on his website.

Dr. Zakir Naik is the President of the Islamic Research Foundation, which has a special Da'wah Training Programme to form new Da'is and whose orators are big names like Ahmed Deedat, Bilal Phillips, Israr Ahmed & Yusuf Islam.

Besides giving lectures Dr. Zakir Naik is as well engaged in writing literature and I want you to take a look at his FAQ on Islam. Wherein he gives replies to the most common questions asked by non-muslims. Beginning with questions that we all heared already enough like why it is allowed for man to be married with 4 wives at the same time and not scared from responding to christian missionaries who preach against Islam. This is a really important read, especially for Muslims not living in islamic countries and being confrontated with these questions and other misconceptions in the daily the life.

>>Download 'FAQ on Islam' by Dr. Zakir Naik

On the official website of the IRF you can download even more eBooks not only authored by Dr. Zakir Naik, but by Ahmed Deedat and Bilal Phillips, too. And the video gallery contains downloads from many other international orators next to notorious videos of Dr. Zakir Naik. Definitly worth a peak.

IRF Links: eBooks

eBooks Written By Deobandi Ulama

These eBooks are really good if you want to expand your knowledge about islamic regulations and they can anwser a few questions, too... if not many. And the authors aren't just your average practising muslims, but they are highly respected ulama from the Darul Uloom Deoband (India) like Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (r.a.), who is still remembered as 'Hakeem-ul-Ummah' even years after his death. By the way if you're interested in more Masail (islamic regulations) lecture, you should get your own copy of his classic work named 'Bahishti Zewar' (Heavenly Ornaments) in Urdu or translated into English.

Now, here are the links to the free eBooks I found on the website of Darul Uloom Deoband:

They are really worth the time to read them. It's very important that we learn our religion, so we can practise it right and show the real Islam to others. Not the Islam that we often see mixed with culture and traditions especially in our islamic countries.

May Allah save us from Jahaliyat and the fire of Hell and grand us entry to the gardens of Paradise. Ameen.