Rajab & Shabe-Mairaj: What did the Prophet (s) do?

A very good presentation on the facts about the Month of Rajab, the rituals like fasting,Umrah, Koonday and the worship of the 27th of Rajab and the Mairaj Event.

By Asma bint Shameem

Indeed, one night the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) was granted the Night Journey of al-Israa’ wal Mi’raaj, when he was first transported from Masjid al-Haraam to Masjid al-Aqsa and then onwards, he ascended to the Heavens and Allaah spoke to him as He willed, and enjoined the five daily prayers upon him.
This is definitely part of our Aqeedah. It says so in the Qur’aan [al-Isra':1] and there is no denying that fact.

However, the big question to ask is…….
What did the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) do when the same day arrived the next year? Or the year after that? Or the year after that?
Did he EVER celebrate the night of al-Israa’ wal Mi’raaj, or fast the next day???
And what did he instruct the Sahaabah to do about his Night Journey?
Did he tell them to celebrate that night as a ’special night’ for worshipping Allaah?
Did he tell them to specifically fast the next day because it was ‘the day after the Journey’?
And what were the actions of the Sahaabah themselves?
Did THEY do any of the above??

The answer to all of the above is a big resounding NO!

Surely the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) did not omit or forget anything in the deen! Surely he did not hide anything from mankind!

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) said, “There is nothing that brings you closer to Jannah except that I have informed you about it and there is nothing that brings you closer to the fire of Hell except that I have warned you against it.” (at-Tabaraani–Saheeh)

Then why do we not have ANY Saheeh reports of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) or the Sahaabah worshipping Allaah especially on this night and fasting the next day?

ANSWER: BECAUSE THAT WAS NOT THE PRACTICE OF RASUL ALLAAH (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) OR HIS SAHAABAH!

If celebrating it was something that is prescribed in Islam, the Messenger (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) would certainly have told his ummah about it, either in word or in deed. If any such thing had happened, it would have been well known, and his companions would have transmitted the information to us. They narrated from the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) everything that we need to know, and they did not neglect any aspect of the religion, rather they were the first ones to do anything good. If celebrating this night had been prescribed in Islam, they would have been the first people to do so.

And if it wasn’t the practice of our Beloved Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) or his Sahaabah, then, why, O Muslim, do YOU insist on doing it???

Isn’t the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) the best example to be followed?

“In the Messenger of Allah you have a fine example for he who hopes for Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah abundantly.” (Surah al-Ahzaab: 21)

But everyone does so!!
Sure, I know, you have seen your fathers and grandfathers doing so. But, let me remind you, O Muslim, that it is NOT our forefathers that we are supposed to follow. Rather, our worship should be based on proofs from the Quraan and authentic Sunnah, and NOT culture or tradition.

“When it is said to them: ‘Follow what Allah has sent down,’ they reply: ‘We will follow that which we found our fathers upon,’ even though their fathers did not understand anything nor were they guided.” (Surah al-Baqarah: 170)

Is good intention enough??
I know beyond doubt, that in celebrating this night, your intention is good. But dear brother/sister, in order for our worship to be accepted, it also has to be prescribed in the Qur’aan and Sunnah. If it is not so, it will be rejected.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected.” (Bukhaari, Muslim)

Exact date unknown???
Also, do you know that even though the incidence of al-Israa’ wal Mi’raaj is an undeniable fact in history, yet the exact date or even the exact month in which this took place is not certain?

Shaykh ‘Abd al-’Azeez ibn Baaz said:
“With regard to this night on which the Isra’ and Mi’raaj took place, there is nothing in the saheeh ahaadeeth to indicate that it is in Rajab or in any other month. Everything that has been narrated concerning a specific date for these events cannot be proven to have come from the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) according to the scholars of hadeeth….” (Islam-qa)

But, what’s the harm in it???
Now, some of you will say, “What’s the harm in it? I am just worshipping Allah!”

But, the answer to that, O noble reader, is…..
“And whosoever opposes the Messenger (Muhammad Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers’ way, We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell – what an evil destination!” [Surah an-Nisaa:115]

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen says: “Fasting on the twenty-seventh of Rajab and spending that night in prayer is a bid’ah (innovation), and every bid’ah is a going astray.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa , 20/440)

So, remember, my dear brothers and sisters in Islaam, DO NOT single out the 27th for your worship because it was NOT the practice of the Prophet OR his Sahaabah.

If however, you pray every single night and it is part of your routine to stay up for worship, then there is no harm. Similarly, if you are in the habit of fasting Mondays and Thursdays, or during Ayyaam Beed (the 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Islaamic month), and the 27th of Rajab falls on one of those days, then it is OK to do so.

The problem arises when one thinks that this night is special and singles out this night or day for worship, thinking they are getting extra reward for their worship. But this is contrary to the Sunnah.

Audio Lecture by Dr.Farhat Hashmi

Rajab or Shab e Mairaj Part-1 Part-2

Flash Presentation in English: Rajab And Mairaj

Heart Breaking Stories of the IDPS

Al Huda International Relief Efforts For The IDPS

The tragedy that has unfolded in front of us over the past few weeks tells of heartrending stories of irreparable loss. Each family has a story to tell. Some experiences are shared here:

* An old man who belonged to Swat asked his family to leave their home in 10-15 minutes when he came to know about the orders of the Army. In the mean time, he rushed to pick his new born child who had been wrapped in a blanket. After covering some distance, the most shocking fact of his life became evident to him—in the panic and rush he had picked up a pillow instead of his baby! He could not go back to look for him because of the strict curfew there. All his life he will have to live with the bitter truth that his child was left there all alone waiting for his death.
* Another  old man who lived on top of one of the Swat hills had a disabled daughter who could not walk properly. The man was so old that it was not possible for him to lift her up and take her along. So, he left her with food and all the necessary items close by. He does not know whether she is alive or not, whether she is safe or became a victim of the bombings of the Talibaan or the Army.

* A pregnant lady who was leaving the area with her family started having labour pains during her journey in a truck. As there were a lot of males around, they were asked to get down in order to leave the pregnant lady alone with other females–this moment was also very embarrassing for the other females. The poor lady had no other choice–she delivered the baby in a truck wailing in pain.

* A woman at Yaar Hussain Camp was a proud mother back home of seven sons happily living together in the same house. After this operation started, she had to leave one of her sons with her disabled husband and crying miserably she told us that six of her sons were now missing and she was not aware whether they were alive or dead.

* An old lady at Pirpai Village had a swollen stomach. On interviewing her, we came to know that she had a wound and still had stitches in her stomach. She had only picked up her X-rays and medical reports while rushing out of her residence.

* An old woman at Jalozai Camp shared one of the most touching stories. She said that she was among those who had given charity to victims of previous disasters. She had donated almost eight trucks fully loaded with wheat and rice for the Bajaur affectees, and now she was sitting in a tent empty handed and all alone.

* A young girl at Jalozai Camp came from an affluent family with vast assets and wealth. She got married just a week before this shocking incident in her life. She shared that she lived such a luxurious life that her furniture amounted Rs one lakh. Yet, she came to the camps with nothing in her hands.

* The University Campus, Peshawar has accommodated 214 girls in different hostels. On asking the warden about their requirements, a pressing concern to which attention was drawn was the lack of adequate food for those girls. She also spoke about the absence of government support for them. After discussing this issue, the team thought of two options for solutions: they could coordinate with the government agencies through the Vice Chancellor to get help, or provide assistance independently from Al-Huda.

Al Huda International Welfare Team

Related Links:

Al Huda International Relief Efforts for the IDPS

Do Stars and Planets Influence Our Lives?

By Javeria

There are many people and even Muslims who regularly consult astrology columns, ask each other their astrological signs and regularly read their horoscopes in magazines or online.

Yet astrology is a system which rests entirely on belief that stars and planets are gods.

The Origin of Astrology

Belief that stars and planets can influence our lives “Comes from Babylonian times, when the seven moving heavenly bodies, (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn) were believed to be GODS roaming in the sky. To this day the planets still carry the names of ancient gods. These gods were thought to interact with mysterious star patterns that were apparently fixed on the Celestial Sphere and so influence life on earth. More particularly their configuration at the moment of birth – but somehow not before or afterwards – was thought to mould an individual’s character.

The most powerful “god” was believed to be the Sun and a person’s Sun sign – The constellation in which the Sun was positioned on their date of birth. From this have come the 12 well-known signs of Zodiac and their associated dates.

Today, of course, we know that the Sun and Planets are not gods. Our Earth is a planet and Sun is a star, and the other stars are distant suns. There is no reason to suppose that they control our lives any more than do the trees or the mountains.

Furthermore, modern astrology still uses the constellation dates relating to theSun’s apparent position in 500 BC!. Since then, the slow wobble of the Earth’s axis has shifted the dates, but the astrologers have not adapted to this!!”

(Cape Town Planetarium’s Star Watching by Anthony Fairall)

What Quran Says About Sun ,Moon and the Stars

The Sun Moon and the stars are nothing but Allah’s creation. They are all working under Allah’s command and have been made for the purpose of serving mankind. There is no reason at all to believe that they can somehow control our destiny or effect our lives on earth because as Muslims we should be well aware that the knowledge of destiny is only with Allah and is written in Loh e Mahfooz. ( The preserved Tablet in the heavens)

The following are some of the purposes of creating Sun, Moon and Stars as mentioned by Allah Subhana Watala in the Quran.

Sun and the Moon are signs of Allah

“And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon.” (Quran 41:37)

Sun and Moon help in counting Years and Months

“It is He Who made the sun a shining thing and the moon as a light And measured out its (their) stages, that you might know the number of years and the calculation. (Quran 10:5)

Sun and Moon Help in fixing time of Prayers

“Perform As­Salât from mid-day till the darkness of the night (i.e. the Zuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, and ‘Ishâ’ prayers), and recite the Qur’ân in the early dawn.

(Quran 17: 78 )

Stars are for the beautification of the sky

“And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders.” (Quran 15:16)

Stars for decoration and guarding the Heavens

“And We adorned the nearest (lowest) heaven with lamps (stars) to be an adornment as well as to guard (from the devils by using them as missiles against the devils). Such is the Decree of Him the All-Mighty, the All-Knower.” (Quran 41:12)

Stars for finding direction in land and sea

“It is He Who has set the stars for you, so that you may guide your course with their help through the darkness of the land and the sea.(Quran 6:97)

Before GPS ships and people traveling in the desert used stars for finding their way. My father is a sailor and he showed me the instrument used in the olden days for finding direction using stars.

Consequences of reading horoscopes and Astrology Columns

Leads to Kufr – Disbelief

Astrology is considered Kufr because it destroys Tawheed Al Asma WasSifaat (The Unity of Allah’s Names and Attributes . Such beliefs give planets and stars some of God’s unique qualities, most prominent among them “Qadr” -Destiny.

Prophet Muhammad said “Whoever went to a fortune-teller and believed in what he said, has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad.” (Ahmed & Abu Dawood)

Belief in Stars is actually denial of divine destiny

Prophet Muhammad May Peace Be Upo n him said: “What I fear most for my nation after my time is: the injustice of their leader, the belief in the stars and the denial of divine destiny.”(Ibn Askeer)

The prayer is not accepted

Prophet Muhammad (May Peace be Upon him) said: “The Salaah of whoever approaches a fortuneteller and asks him about anything will not be accepted for forty days and nights” (Sahih Muslim)

Conclusion:

It is well established scientifically that stars and planets are not gods and thus there is no possible way that they can control life on earth. More so as Muslims we know very well from the Quran that destiny is controlled only by Allah and the knowledge of the future and the unseen only rests with Allah. Quran makes it very clear the purpose of creating stars and planets and the sun and the moon so there is no possible reason to believe that stars and planets influence our lives.

And most importantly believing in astrology leads to Shirk -Polytheism as it gives divine powers to stars. So all those Muslims who are just reading horoscopes for fun and trying to find out what is in their future through any means like cup reading, palmistry, numbers etc should know they are committing shirk “in fun”.

And Shirk is the one and only sin Allah will never ever forgive unless you Sincerely repent from it and never do such a thing again.

My Hysterectomy

letter to Dr.Farhat Hashmi from Sana Dossal

Dear Dr Farhat,

Alhamdulilllah by the grace of Allah I have come home now after a hysterectomy and am recuperating.After having an ultrasound in March, I was told I had a huge fibroid in my uterus and there was no other way but to have a hysterectomy since the mass was pressing on my bladder, I had swollen feet and there were possibilities that it could eventually lead to other complications.I did istikhara and left it up to Allah. There is a beautiful dua that we had been taught to us on the Khalwa (retreat).

“Allahumma innee laa ureedu an ureeda illah ma tureed.”

Oh Allah, indeed I do not will to will except that which You Will.

Alhamdulillah it was tawakkaltu al Allah and I left it up to Allah.
My appointment with the doctor on the 2nd of April led to the finalization of my surgery date for Wednesday the 8th. I was to “check in” at the Agha Khan Hospital on Tuesday the 7th so that that they could prepare me for surgery which was to take place the next day.

Alhamdulillah I completed all the outstanding work with Rakshanda and Waqar sahab at 2/A by Tuesday afternoon and sorted out all my commitments that would need to be put on hold for the next month. It seemed that the days were too short leading up to my surgery. I had been told that I would need time to convalesce for at least two to six weeks, after the surgery and I would need to be watchful and vigilant for eight weeks, not climbing stairs, driving lifting etc. So it was quite hectic to wrap up everything that I could physically get done before I went to the hospital.

Mummy insisted on staying with me during the time I was there. There was to be no “ifs” and “buts” about it! By the time I reached the hospital, weighed,  given my hospital gown and pyjamas and “shown my room” it was about six in the evening. It was a beautiful evening and a beautiful room.

From my window I could see the most beautiful date palms, and during salah times, the sound of the muezzin was crystal clear as was the jamaat. I was truly blessed. Mummy Amena and I said our prayers in our own Jamaat for Maghrib, and Ishaa. When Mummy and I were up for tahajjud, that night,  Alhamdulillah it was Allah’s will that while I  was reciting the tenth para at the time He chose that I should recite in my Salah, the Ayat, “la Tahzan innallaha ma’ana ……” I kept reciting the words over and over again, and Allah was reaffirming to me that all would be well and there would Insha Allah be sakeenah.

The feeling that Allah was talking to me and comforting me was immense at that moment. Those words remained with me as I lay in the pre operation room waiting for the doctors and nurses to wheel me in. I was overwhelmed by the feeling of closeness to Allah and my eyes welled up uncontrollably. If anyone was to notice my face at that point would have probably thought that I was scared and sorry for myself. But my heart and my soul felt a certain closeness to Allah in those moments that I had never felt before. Feelings of love and thankfulness abounded and I felt so rich in every way imaginable.  A replay of events and conversations and people were just passing randomly through my mind at their own will and throughout Allah was with me in those moments, I felt it, and I knew it. How fortunate I was.  I was grateful and thankful that all that I could remember saying continuously was Alhamdulillah.

I was wheeled in for surgery at 1:00. By the time I was conscious and able to ask the time again it was 5:00 in the evening. I was drowsy and disoriented and kept falling in and out of sleep. How I reached my room or how I made it there I only have a brief  recollection of being told to slowly move my self sideways on to the  bed in the room  that  lay parallel to the one I had been wheeled in on. I had been told before the surgery that I would have a “pump” with non narcotic pain killers that I could press at ten minute intervals. In my mind I had thought that I was being given a drip of pain killers and the pump was there for me if I required an extra dose. Being quite comfortable I had not used the pump and with the grace of Allah the amount that I required was barely negligible, 6 pumps in the entire twenty four hours. I was later told that there had been no pain killers and the relief was only when I would press the pump. SubhanAllah! Whenever I felt any discomfort, or when I would turn on my side, I would say, Rabbi yassir walaa tuassir wa tammim bil khair.

These words brought strength and comfort to me and the pain or anxiety that I would be feeling would completely dissipate and I would be calm once more.
My recuperation was steady, but I had lost a lot of blood. I had been fortunate in that my doctor had worked hard to save my ovaries which were the reason my surgery had taken longer than usual.  I had to have two iron drips to stabilize my hemoglobin which had gone down to seven.
Throughout my time at the hospital I was taken good care of, the nurses were always smiling, and there for me whenever I needed them. The first day was the most difficult, but to me it seemed that I was not in as much pain as I had thought I would have been. Mummy kept asking me, “Are you in pain?” to which with all honesty I would reply, “Not really”.

While I slept, mummy would read the Quran, or say her prayers. Waking in and out of my drowsiness, I could see my brothers, my husband, my daughter, my sister, my relatives, I realized how fortunate I was that Allah had blessed me with so many loved ones who were concerned for my health and well being, and most of all my parents’ presence, love and duas. I could not thank Allah enough, for all His blessings in every way possible.
Before going in for surgery I had been worried about my hya. The hospital gown and pyjamas were comfortable and decent and I was covered with a sheet as well, all the way to the pre operation room, where they covered my hair with a cap and I had to return my chadar with which I had draped my hair and face. I returned my chadar to the nurse once they covered my hair with a cap and I covered my face with the sheet that covered my body. The sheet was soon replaced with the oxygen mask on my face. After the surgery, when I returned to my room I was still dressed in the very comfortable white gown and pyjamas and a sheet. It was covering and at no time did I feel exposed in anyway. It was Allah’s grace on me that He looked after my hya. Alhamdulillah.

I was told by my doctor that I could leave on Saturday but my family insisted that I stay two more days and leave on Monday instead. Amena spent the night with me on Saturday night; once mummy was sure that I was better and more able. Amena left in the morning and I spent most of Sunday on my own and Sunday night as well. I had wanted to hear the tafseer of Surah Sajdah and I really want to learn this surah by heart. May Allah give me the ability to do so, ameen. On our retreat we had been reminded about the importance of surah Sajdah, and that Rasul Allah (saw) never went to sleep unless he had recited it. The opportunity was perfect. I had saved the Canada tafseer on my Ipod which I had packed to take with me to the hospital along with my duas and Quran. I was fortunate enough to listen to the entire tafseer of the surah in my room. There was no disturbance except when the nurses would check in on me. And it was so serene and quiet, except for the sound of the azaan and the occasional pigeons that would coo peeping in through the low window sill. I could hear the baby beds being moved outside in the corridor but I was blessed with time and peace. It was truly moving hearing the meanings the elaboration of the Ayaat and then the qiraat made my heart and soul soar with understanding and I felt so close to Allah. The word Dhukkiru really touched me because this year has been an awakening from Allah for me. And really there are so many things that I had forgotten that resurfaced with such clarity. May Allah reward you for enabling me to understand the words of the Quran. There is no feeling or pleasure that can match the feeling of a soaring soul. May Allah open vistas to you, may He always bless you with the ability to open the treasures of this book and share your in depth knowledge with others, ameen. May all who hear it, submit to the One. Truly Allah is the Greatest. Allahu Akbar.

Love, hugs and duas to you.
As always inspired and grateful,
Sana

The Eclipse

By Hira Hasan

Eclipse- the darkness of the objects considered to be the brightest in our universe. The darkness that is not actually there, but is an effect of the alignment of the two bright objects which results in the object dependant on the fluorescent to become dull too. A paradox… an enigma… what it all seems. The beauties, the enrichment and the perfection is distorted not because of a confusion or a mistake, but because it was meant to be. The slow process of the moon/sun being shadowed casts fear in us with the same rate. Fear that is unknown and hidden, fear that has nothing to do with our personal beings… a fear truly unknown.

The peak of the eclipse calls for the level of desperateness. Confusion arises amongst the species which do not understand. During a solar eclipse, the creatures of the night come out of their homes to have what is in store for them as a treat by the dark. Nocturnal plants blossom, not knowing that there will be light in just a little more time. Happiness, that is just a lie, flourishes for the creatures of the dark. The moon setting in between the source of light and the beggar of light creates discrepancies and incongruity.

Human beings, most of which are the ‘creatures’ of the dark, are living in the eclipse of life. For those who admire the Light and are dependant on it, find it hard to cope during the dark times. They know that the darkness is just there for a short time. The ‘dark’ and ‘evil’ creatures have a treat through out this period, enjoying what ever they want fulfilling their dirty wishes, craving for the materialistic things, screaming and acting insane when they don’t get them, fighting each other for possessions and in fact blooming in the darkest of conditions. This is beauty for them. This is life for them. The light is soon coming. When they are struck with the harsh reality that what they enjoyed was merely a shadow, not an object, they try to go back and find a refuge. But it’s too late.

A panic is created. For those who venerated the Light, the Truth is splendor. They achieve what they awaited for years. Their sixth sense which used to save them from the deceptions proved worth while and they are given what they wanted. The Light… the Truth… the Reward.