Umar Bin Al Khattab (ra) once entered Prophet Muhammad ’s (saw) house and noticed the state of the furnishings in it. Rasulallah (saw) himself had only one sheet of cloth round him to cover the lower part of his body. There was one simple bed with one pillow filled with nut fiber. On one side of the room was some barley and in one corner near his feet was an animal skin. There were some water-skins hanging beside his bed. `Umar (ra) said that on seeing this, tears came into his eyes.  Allah ’s Messenger (saw) asked the reason for his tears. He replied…

“O Allah ’s Messenger! Why shouldn’t I cry! The strings of the bed have left marks on your body. This is a small room with all your furniture; I can see what there is. The Byzantine Emperor and the Persian Emperor enjoy luxurious living while you, the Messenger of Allah and the Chosen One, live like this.”

Allah ’s Messenger (saw) said, “Ibn al-Khattab! Don’t you like that they choose this world and we choose the Hereafter?”

Virtues of Jerusalem is a much awaited book detailing the sacredness of Jerusalem in Islamic history, theology and future prophesies. Classical sources have been used to present a wide range of information which explains why past and present Muslims revere this blessed city.

The city of al-Quds (Jerusalem) houses one of the holiest sites of Islam, the Al-Haram al-Sharif (al-Aqsa Sanctuary). The precincts of al-Aqsa have been used throughout the centuries as a place for worship, residence and meditation by many Prophets and their followers.

Many Quranic verses and the narrations of the Prophet Muhammad [saas] mention this sacred and blessed land. Al-Aqsa is also the site from which the Prophet Muhammad [saas] undertook his miraculous night journey to the heavens (al-Miraj). Al-Aqsa is the first qiblah (direction of prayer), the second house of worship built on earth and the only Masjid besides Ka’aba mentioned by name in the Holy Quran.

This book is essential reading for all Muslims and for all those who seek a better understanding of the struggle over Jerusalem today.

Virtues of Jerusalem: An Islamic Perspective provides:

referenced information from the Qur’an and ahadith

reflects on the historic position of Jerusalem in Islam

clarifies the Muslim attachment to Jerusalem

explains the position of Jerusalem at the end-of-time as prophesied in Islam

SPECIAL LAUNCH PRICE:
UK [inc p&p] 6.95

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Rest of the World [inc p&p] 8.00

Make cheque payable to: Friends of Al-Aqsa and post to: P.O. Box 5127, Leicester, LE2 0WU. England.

Alhamdulillah, the Al Kawthar Academy are pleased to announce that we will be able to present live streaming audio of the Friday dars; simply click the ‘Play’ button to launch the audio

CHAPTER 6. Sleeping in the last hours of the night.

 597. (Narrated Masruq): I asked ‘Aisha (ra)which was the most beloved deed to the Prophet(saw). She said, A deed done continuously. I further asked, When did he used to get up (in the night for the Salât (prayer)). She said, He used to get up on hearing the crowing of a cock. (2:232O.B)

Dars of Hadeeth

8:15 PM: Friday20th April 2007

Images from NASA

“And We have made the Guarded Canopy and (yet) they turn aside from its signs.” Qur’an (21:32)

“The Earth is protected by a powerful magnetic field which forces the solar wind to sweep around the planet. In the process, the magnetic field is shaped into a gigantic teardrop that typically extends about 65 000 km towards the Sun and more than two million km in the opposite direction.” NASA

Subahnallah! The atmosphere surrounding the earth serves vital functions for the continuity of life. Allah (swt) has created such an amazing protective shield around Earth that is serves to destroy many meteors large and small as they approach the earth, it prevents them from falling to earth and harming living things.

In addition, the atmosphere filters the light rays coming from space that are harmful to living things. Interestingly, the atmosphere lets only harmless and useful rays- visible light, near ultraviolet light, and radio waves pass through. All of this radiation is vital for life. Near ultraviolet rays, which are only partially let in by the atmosphere, are very important for the photosynthesis of plants and for the survival of all living beings. The majority of the intense ultraviolet rays emitted from the sun are filtered out by the ozone layer of the atmosphere and only a limited-and essential-part of the ultraviolet spectrum reaches the Earth.

The protective function of the atmosphere does not end here. The atmosphere also protects the earth from the freezing cold of the space, which is about minus 270° C.

Allahu Akbar!

tag: islam , god , religion , quran , science , space , Allah , truth , revelation

This is the latest installment of my ‘Carols to Nasheeds’ section.

Although this is not a carol, it is a very famous song entitled Amazing Grace. If you know the song sing the tune with the following words:

Oh, Rasulullah!

Rasulullah was sent by the

One in whose hand rests my soul

He came as a mercy to all

To guide us to our Lord

He came with all the qualities

Of all the Anbiya

His word was an inspiration.

His miracle: Al Qur’an.

No eyes have ever seen anyone

More handsome than our Nabi

No woman has given birth to one

More beautiful than he.

Allahummah salli ‘ala

Muhammadin-Nabiyil

Ummiyee wa ‘ala alihi

Wa salima taslima

A really nice story I thought I would share with you about the saint Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (ra)

It is related that as he was about to leave home on this momentous journey, his widowed mother sewed forty gold coins inside his coat as part of his inheritance, and as parting advice told him to be forever truthful. The caravan with whom he was travelling had gone as far as Hamadan when it was attacked by a gang of robbers. In the course of their loot, one of the robbers asked him whether he had anything with him and he truthfully replied that he had forty gold coins sewn in his coat. The robber obviously thought he was joking and narrated this incident to his chief who decided to come and see this young man. When his coat was torn open, sure enough there were forty gold coins. The gang leader was astounded. He asked Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani as to why he revealed this when he could have very well kept it secret. Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani told him that his mother had advised him not to lie and he was duty bound to obey his mother, Hearing this, the gang leader was overpowered with remorse, repented, accepted Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani as his Shaykh and so did all his followers and they went on to acquire wilayah (sainthood) themselves. This is how Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani came to be ranked among the Siddiqeen.

Allahummaj ‘alna min-as-Siddiqeen, Aameen Yaa Rabbal ‘Aalameen.

Slandering and abusing the Messengers of Allah (swt) has always been prevalent in Christianity and I have always been puzzled by it – even as a Christian, it left a bitter taste in my mouth, mostly because it was such a contradiction.

On the one hand, these mighty Messengers are to be revered and honoured yet at the same time they were evil, currupt and sinful. The reason I am compelled to write about this is two fold; firstly, we should all come to know of the slanders the Christians throw upon many noble, pious and blessed Prophets and Messengers of Allah (swt) and secondly for us all to learn these things and use the knowledge to defend their honour when we see them being abused and slandered.

Here, a strong practicing Christian speaks about Allah ’s beloved Prophets (as)

“The bible is full of, and written by real human beings – pretty poor ones too! Moses lacked faith, Noah was a drunk, David was an adulterer and a murderer…..” read

Moses (as) is also accused of weak faith “He was tired and discouraged. And he often lacked faith that God would provide” read

In the Bible 1 Kings 11:1-14 Prophet Suleman (as) is regarded as a manic, someone who ascribed partners to Allah (swt), someone who blatantly and openly sinned, and someone who committed adultery and had an unquenchable thirst for the flesh of women, they say he (as) abused his position as King and ruler. Nauthubillah read

they even teach their children this slander read

In the Bible, 2 Samuel 11,12; Psalm 51,32 it is written that Prophet Dawud (as) committed adultery and then lied about it. read

I don’t think there was a Prophet that the Christians do not slander and it is very shocking. We as Muslims should defend their honour for the sake of Allah (swt). Far from being the sinful people the Christians think these mighty Prophets and Messengers of Allah (swt) were, we know and Allah (swt) knows that they were perfect human beings in character, behavior, morals and in every way. They had such conviction and firmness in faith in their Lord that they would never once even have a passing doubt. They were sinless and are from the best of creation.

tag: christianity , prophets , slander , moses , david , solomon , aaron , religion

The Catholic Church has yet again fallen fowl of public opinion by admitting that the doctrine of ‘Limbo’ is to be removed from Catholic teachings. For centuries it has been the stated position of the Catholic Church that babies who die without being baptised go to hell (or at the very least they would spend eternity in a state of “natural happiness” but not in the presence of God) because of the sins inherited by man though the deeds of Adam (as) and Eve (as).

The idea of original sin is so central to Christian and Catholic doctrine that without it the whole purpose of their faith is rendered null and void. It would mean that there was no need for God to come to Earth and die on the cross for the sins of mankind….! There is actually no point of Christianity or Catholicism without this doctrine.

I grew up a Catholic; I went to two private Catholic primary schools and then moved onto a private Catholic secondary school, all of which were run by the Catholic Church. We had priests and nuns teaching at our school and on the grounds of the schools were convents. I grew up with the knowledge of limbo and original sin, so you can understand my amazement that ‘Limbo’ is to be scrapped.

Why and how?

The reason is simple; it does not sit well with the people the Catholic Church wish to convert to their religion, especially in the African and Asian world. It is not befitting a God of mercy that He would send babies to the hellfire!!! Well that’s true – you will not find me arguing against that – But hold on a second, wait a minute; the doctrine of limbo is either true or it is false and Catholic teachings states that the Pope is infallible in matters of religious doctrine.

So what about all the many Popes in history who were all adamant that that ‘limbo’ was real, true and without question the reality of our existence? If the Pope is infallible how then can this doctrine change in 2007 thus implying that all the previous Popes were incorrect in this belief?

It is rather like the Scholars of Islam all coming together and stating in unison that the life of the grave is not true! There would be such uproar and I am surprised that there isn’t in the Catholic community. The Catholic Church are saying that it was a theological hypothesis and not concreted into the faith…..! This is very convenient and actually nonsense; Catholics grow up practicing this doctrine in full belief of its reality

You may be wondering why, as a Muslim, am I getting so irate at an internal Catholic issue. The truth is, my whole family are Catholics and I have many friends who are Catholic and they are all being deceived in their faith by the hypocritical scoundrel that is the Catholic Church. Moreover, they are converting Muslims too, so people should take a critical look at the Catholic Church and see it for what it is – opportunistic liars.

Catholics should really take on board what the position of their Church is and if they do they will see the black deceit that so embraces every facet.

I am mad too, because not asking questions, remaining silent; not thinking will lead one down the path of eternal destruction….and that is the truth!

tag: catholic , pope , church , limbo , doctrine

What is it with the Muslims and the love of everything that is western? Some of our brothers and sisters in the Middle East are so obsessed with western culture that they give western culture priority of Islam in many cases.

I am reading a news article at the moment about two sisters in Egypt who happen to be television news readers; but one day Allah (swt) inspired them to cover themselves, thereby fulfilling their Islamic obligation. They wore the Hijab to work only to find themselves shunned and excluded from doing their job.

I am so mad, I can’t continue….!

Here is the report

Can anyone explain this mentality?

tag: islam , Hijab , Egypt , work ,

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I remember Shaykh Ya’qoubi getting us to recite this salawat…! Allahu Akbar! Inshallah, he will be back in the UK soon!