‘Umar bin Abi Salama said: The Prophet, said to me, “Eat with your right hand.” [Bukhari]

I think I have a better picture of her eating with her right paw, but I haven’t uploaded it yet.  Anyone else’s cat play in their water dish?  It’s adorable – she’ll dip her paw in and then lick it off.  Ok, it’s adorable until she comes to sit on my lap and leaves a big wet spot on my skirt, lol.  This morning, she decided to take a stroll through the bathtub after I took a shower and then left wet little paw prints across the bathroom floor.  For a cat who hates to take a bath, she sure does enjoy water.

Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib (ra) said, “When the Messenger of Allah (saws) used to retire to his bed, he would lie on his right side and then say, ‘O Allah, I surrender my soul to You and I turn my face to You and I entrust my affair to You and I seek Your support with hope and fear of You. There is no refuge from You but to You. I have believed in Your Book which You sent down and Your Prophet whom You sent.’” [al-Bukhari]

SubhanAllah, can you imagine what a woman Khadijah (ra) was?  How blessed she was to be married to RasulAllah (saws)?  And how lucky he was to have such a woman to support and believe in him?

O Allah, exalt Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You have exalted Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim.  You are the Praised and the Glorious!  And bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You have blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim.  You are the Praised, the Glorious!

I believe I’ve mentioned before that there is a very polite Jehovah’s Witness who rides AbuS and my bus.  While I am totally not up for proselytizing or being proselytize to, AbuS has been more than happy to chat with her about the Bible. 

AbuS rode the bus home with her yesterday and someone the subject of my conversion came up.  AbuS talked about how the character of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (saws) was a large part of what drew me to Islam.

I’ve attempted to give her a copy of the Qur’an in the past, which she has always refused.  I’ve found that a little off putting, since we’ve accepted free bibles and watchtower magazines from her.  But now, a small breakthrough.

She has agreed to possibly reading a biography of the Prophet (saws)!  Alhamdulilah!  I plan on giving her Tariq Ramadan’s In the Footsteps of the Prophet and Submission, Faith and Beauty.

She is very much into the book of Revelations and the end times.  Are there any good books out there on the end times in Islam?  It’s never been something I have concerned myself much with, as I figure it will happen when it happens and what I really need to worry about is preparing for my own death.  However, she consistently sees signs of the end of times in the news.  I know I’ve mentioned a few of the signs from the hadith to her, but maybe a good book on the matter will also open her heart.

Please make dua to Allah (swt) open her heart to Islam through the beauty of our beloved Prophet Muhammad’s (saws) character.

• This is in no way a review of any sort, just my thoughts. A review would actually require concentration, and with little sleep, I have none.
• Alhamdulilah it was 90 minutes.  I wish it had been longer.
• On the other hand, that meant I was up past 11:00 p.m.  And I’m here at work with 5 hours of sleep.  And I don’t do good on anything less than 8.  Ur.
• loved the muslim version of ring around the rosy: Ring around the kaaba/follow the sahaaba/sajda, sajda/we all bow down.
• MashaAllah those brothers were rocking some awesome beards and thobes
• Ditto mashaAllah rocking those tasbih.
• Didya hear Imam Zaid? I’m pretty sure it was him introducing the event in Chicago.
• I was speculating from the beginning that the masjid was related to Uthman dan Fodio in some way. I was right.  I found an interview with Br. Hamza done last year after watching the movie that mentions it, but can’t find it now.  Dur.
• Now I have an urge to go dig up my african history books from my freshman year of college and reaquaint myself with muslim west africa. 
• Also, need to introduce AbuS to Uthman dan Fodio (ra), cuz he needs to know some kick butt sufis.
• The way Br. Hamza talked about the Prophet (saws) is exactly how I feel about him.  You read more, you change for the better and your love for him increases.
• The dawah Br. Hamza was doing in the prison was awesome.
• Can’t say I’m a fan of gender mixing crowds at hip hop concerts.
• Overall, I thought the movie presented muslims in a very positive light.

I am so tired of opening up the newspaper/turning on the tv/surfing over to cnn.com and seeing another harebrained, completely unislamic act of terrorism was being plotted against an innocent target.

Because we know blowing up a synagogue in NYis really exactly what the Prophet (saws) would have done had he lived in america.  Or not.

Please pick up a book of seerah and learn how a real man acts.

(not) sincerely,

UmmSqueakster

Sh. Faraz Rabbani has started an excellent podcast teaching from Fada’il al’A'mal by Imam Diya’ al-Maqdisi.  I’ve transcribed a most of the first short podcast that was posted on the 20th of April. 

A poster on a board I frequent announced today that she had recently left islam, due in part to the extras that muslims insisted needed to be followed outside the Qur’an.  SubhanAllah, how great is Allah (swt), that I put on my ipod over my lunch break and this very podcast plays?  In it, Sh. Faraz introduces the text and speaks about why we learn the sunnah.  Sh. Faraz speaks as follows:

Verily in the Messenger of Allah, the most beautiful of examples for whoever seeks Allah and the last day and makes much remembrance of Allah (33:21)

So what is our intention in learning the sunnah?  It is what Allah (swt) tells us in this verse “Verily in the Messenger of Allah the most beautiful of examples for whoever seeks Allah and the last day and makes much remembrance of Allah.”  So our goal in learning the prophetic guidance and learning our deen, what is it?  It is to seek Allah (swt), to become people of meaning.  We are seeking Allah.  We are seeking His absolute good pleasure.  We are seeking closeness to Allah (swt) in this life and the next.  We are seeking to be those beloved to Allah, of those who love Him, those who remember Him, those who are granted the contentment and serenity that only comes through being of those who remember Allah and live that remembrance.

Verily it is by the remembrance of Allah that hearts find rest (13:28).

And the way unto the love of Allah (swt) is by love of the Messenger (saws) and through living his radiant example.  Allah’s Messenger (saws) tells us that

 None of you believes until I am more beloved to them than their wealth, and their parents and their children and all people.

And Allah (swt) tells us about our condition of our love for Allah (swt) being true:

Say if you love Allah, then follow me, and Allah will love you (3:31).

This is an address to the Prophet (saws) to tell all humanity, say if you love Allah, if you love God, follow me, follow the messenger, and Allah will love you.

What do we seek in life?  We seek Allah, we seek to be beloved to Allah, to be pleasing to Allah and the way to that, the door to the Divine is the emissary of God, our beloved Messenger (saws). 

And so we should be very clear in our intention in this.  And we’re seeking knowledge that is of benefit, knowledge that we are bringing into our lives and that we strive to live in the most beautiful of ways with the sense of yearning for Allah (swt) and for our standing with our Lord.  So to be people who’s worship is characterized by excellence and beauty and who’s conduct in life is characterized by excellence and beauty, for that is that beautiful example, that excellent example that is the Messenger of Allah (saws).

visiting the beloved

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Sorry for the slacking off this weekend.  The outdoors called and I answered.

Love for the Prophet is a condition of Faith

At one level it seems clear why the faithful should love the Prophet: he is their teacher, guide and leader and it is impossible for him to teach, guide and lead them if they don’t love him. But there is a deeper meaning in the principle that love for the Prophet is essential for iman.

Love of the Prophet is love of all the beauty and nobility of character, truthfulness, justness, humility and inner strength of which man is capable and which the Prophet as al-insan al-kamil (the Perfect man) possessed in the utmost degree. Love for the Prophet means to acknowledge, cherish and glorify all the potential of goodness and greatness that God has created within Man.

It also means love of humanity,not just in regard to its potential for perfection but also despite its general inability to realize that potential and despite all kind of imperfections and weaknesses from which it suffers. For the Prophet is not only the Perfect Man but also the Representative Man who on the day of judgment will represent mankind and plead on their behalf for their imperfections and weaknesses before the throne of God.

Thus love of the Prophet, on the one hand puts us on the road to perfection by making us cherish it dearly and on the other hand it helps us accept our imperfect humanity and in this way to live in peace with ourselves as repentant servants of God hopeful of His mercy. This is why love for the Prophet is a condition of iman, for what is iman if it is not to acknowledge and repent for one’s imperfections and weaknesses and to cherish and strive for – even as an unachievable ideal – the perfection of which man is potentially capable?

The Beloved by Yusuf Islam (contains music).  This is the ringtone on my phone

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another sing along

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Alhamdulilah, we had a beautiful little mawlid at our apartment last night, just the husband and I.  We played nasheeds and sung along where we could.  We talked about what we love about the Prophet (saws).   I read from a book I love, The Prophet of Mercy – Muhammad – Scenes from His Life.  If you want to increase your love for the Prophet (saws), then get this book.  It presents aspects of the Prophet’s (saws) life within themes: his courtesty, his conduct, his humility, his sincerity, his loyalty and overall, his mercy as he was sent as the mercy to all mankind.

This is my favorite passage from the book:

The lifestyle of the Prophet is the best example for each and every human being.  He is the best example of a religious leader.  He is the finest example of a state leader.  He is the example to follow for those who enter the garden of divine love.  He is the highest example of gratitude and humbleness for those who are showered with the gifts of God.  He is the greatest example of patience and submission, in the most challenging times and places.  He is the best example of generosity and heedlessness towards collecting bounty.  He is the finest example of mercy towards the weak, the lonely and the slaves and he is exemplary in pardoning the guilty.

If you are wealthy, contemplate the humbleness and generosity of Prophet Muhammad, who gained the hearts of the leaders who controlled all of Arabia.

If you are weak, adopt the example of the Prophet during the period he spent in Mecca under the rule of the oppressive and usurping polytheists.

If you are a triumphant conqueror, take your example from the life of the courageous Prophet who defeated his enemies in Badr and Hunayn.

If you lose a battle, may Allah protect you,  and in that case, remember the example of the Prophet who walked with dignity, courage and reliance on Allah, among his martyred and wounded companions after hte battle of Uhud.

If you are a teacher, contemplate the exxample of the Prophet who taught God’s orders by conveying his soft and sensitive englightenment to the people of Suffa (ashab al-Suffa, the people of the bench)  in the school at his Mosque.

If you are a student, bring to mind the example of the Prophet who sat on his knees before the Archangel, the Trustworthy Gabriel.

If you are a preahcer or a sincere spiritual guide (murshid) for people, listen to the voice of the Prophet, who spread wisdom to his companions.

If you aim to defend the truth, convey it to others and lift it up, yet you do not even have a helper in this matter, then look at the life of the Prophet who proclaimed the truth in Mecca against the oppressors while inviting them to it.

If you defeated your enemoies, broke their resistance and triumphed over them, destroyed the superstitions and declared the truth, then imagine the example of the Prophet on the day he conquered Mecca.  He entered this holy city as triumphant commander, yet with great humbleness, sitting on his camel as if he were in the state of sajdah; that is prostration to God, as an expression of gratitude to Allah.

If you are a farmer, take your example from the Prophet whom, after conquering the lands of Bani Nadr, Khyabar and Fadak, choose excellent people to develop and manage these lands in the most productive way.

If you are lonely, with no relatives, bring to mind the example of the orphan of Abdullah and Aminah, their most beloved and only innocent son.

If you are an adolescent, pay attention to ther life of the Prophet who, as a young man and candidate for prophethood, served in Mecca as a shepherd for the sheep of his uncle Abu Talib.

If you are a business man and travelling for trade, think about the experiences of the Most Honored Person, Muhammad (saws) while leading the caravan going from Mecca to Syria and Busra.

If you are a judge or a referee, bring to mind his justice and foresight when he solved the conflict among the tribes of Mecca over the prestige of putting back the Black Stone (Hagar al-Aswad) as they were on the verge of killing each other.

Again, turn your eyes to history and consider the example of the Prophet as he, in his Masjid in Medina, treated equally the poor in distress and the wealthy, as he judged between them with utmost balance.

If you are a husband, look carefully at the pure life style, the compassion and the deep feelings of the Prophet as an examplary husband.

If you are a parent, learn about the example of the father of Fatimah al-Zahra, and the grandfather of Hasan and Husayn in his manners towards them.

Regardless of your qualitites and the state you are in, day or night, you will find him as the most perfect role model, teacher and guide for yourself.

He is so perfect a teacher that through following his example you can correct all your mistakes, eliminate chaos from your life and bring order to your life.  Through his light and guidance, you can overcome the difficulties of life and attain real happiness.

As a matter of fact, his life is a bouquet compoased of the rarest and most elegant flowers and roses with the finest of fragrances.

A 20 day campaign in Rabi` Awwal to introduce the Prophet (saws) to the world.

by eenisee at deviantart

Read!

I cannot read!

Read!

I cannot read!

Read!

I cannot read!

Read! In the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created,

Created man, out of a clot of congealed blood:

Read! and thy Lord is Most Bountiful,

He Who taught (the use of) the Pen,

Taught man that which he knew not . 

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Jaza ‘Llahu ‘anna Muhammadan salla’Llahu alayhi wa sallama ma huwa ahluh.

Allah reward Muhammad (saws) on behalf of us with what he is worthy of

Whoever recites this prayer, 70 angels will be given the task of writing virtues for him for a thousand days (Tabarani)

taken from Reflections of Pearls – a concise & comprehensive collection of prophetic invocations & prayers

almiskeenah

UmmBilal is living my dream – living in the city of the beloved (saws).  Her blog is a spectacular journal of Medina (and Mecca on occasion) and the Prophet (saws).  She mixes photographs of the city and the masjid an nabi with stories, ahadith and poems, often dedicated to the beloved.  Do visit her blog when you have a few hours to read it all.  It will be time well spent inshaAllah.

by Amina Malik

Hamza Yusuf – Allah & His Messenger in our Lives

In this lecture, Sh. Hamza says something that really resonates with me.  He speaks about how for those of us who are not native arabic speakers, it is the character of the Prophet (saws) rather than the Qur’an that draws us to Islam.  If we don’t speak arabic, we miss so much of the beauty and miracles of Allah’s (swt) words, but the character of the Prophet (saws) is readily accessable to us.

I totally agree.  While I struggle and strive to learn arabic to better understand the book of Allah (swt), I can easily open a biography of the Prophet (saws) and learn about his life.  And every time I do this, I grow to love him more.

Allah (swt) says “The Prophet is preferable for the believers even to their own selves” (33:6).

The Prophet (saws) said: “None of you becomes a believer until I am dearer to him than his children, his parents and all mankind.” (Bukhari and Muslim).

I was browsing through the catholic answers forum yesterday, masochist that I am, and came upon this thread that accuses the Prophet (saws) of commiting shirk. 

Is our love for the Prophet (saws) shirk?  Only if one does not understand what this love entails.  The Prophet (saws) was sent as a mercy to the worlds (21:107).  Notice the key word in this verse – sent.  He was sent.  He did not come on his own power.  Someone who is far greater than the Prophet (saws) sent him.  And it is only through the power of the Most Merciful (swt) that the Prophet’s (saws) mercy was given to us.  Without Allah (swt), the Prophet (saws) would be nothing.  And without Allah (swt), we would not be able to love the Prophet (saws).

So when you love the Prophet (saws), also love He (swt) who sent him, and thank Him (swt) for sending the Prophet (saws) to us, for providing us with the best teacher we could ever hope for.

Thank you Allah (swt) for giving us the greatest example, the best of mankind in the Prophet Muhammad (saws).  Without You we are nothing and without him we would be lost.

Hilye-i Saadet by Mohamed Zakariya

The Hilye of the Prophet Muhammad

How does one describe the indescribable? How does one form an image of that which cannot be portrayed? That is what the hilye does–it gives parameters to the imagination so that one can think about the Prophet with a mental or spiritual image to hang onto, yet not attempt to visualize him or portray him in a painting. But the hilye is not an icon in words. As impressive and accurate as the many hilye texts are, they still remain vague, contrary to the claims of literalists, who would reject these texts as being visual portraits. That, of course, would not be acceptable to Muslims.

Hilye is the Turkish form of the Arabic word hilya, which has several meanings, including physiognomy, natural disposition, likeness, depiction, characterization, and description. But these dictionary definitions only begin to convey the real meaning of the hilye, which embodies the Prophet’s moral, behavioral, and spiritual qualities as well as physical appearance. Like most Arabic words, hilya carries multiple overtones, making it difficult to translate. It has connotations of ornament, beauty, finery, and embellishment. I like to think of a hilya as a beautiful and significant description.

 article continues at the link above

O Allah, bless Your servant and Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet Muhammad, and the family of Muhammad.  O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, with blessings that are the source of Your (with him), a reward for him and a fulfillment of his rights.  Grant him a seat near You, an excellent and exalted degree, and the worthy station You have promised him.  Grant him a fitting reward on our behalf, and grant him the best return You have granted any prophet on behalf of his people or any messenger on behalf of his nation, and bless all his brethren among the prophets and righteous, O Most Merciful of the merciful.

Sakhawi menions in Al-Qawl al-Badi that Abu Asim relates in one of his collections that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, “whoever makes this invocation seven times for seven fridays my intercession will be necessary for him.  There is a slight variation in the wording of the invocation in ‘Awwama’s edition of Al-Qawl al-Badi

Salat and notes taken from Salat & Salam, In Praise of Allah’s Most Beloved – A Manual of Blessings and Peace upon the Prophet Muhammad (saws).

I’ve had this book on my shelf for about a year and hadn’t picked it up more than a few times.  But this Rabi Al-Awwal, it is becoming my constant companion after the salat.  It contains 50 salats and salams on the Prophet (saws), as well as 99 invocations pairing a name of the Almighty (swt) with a name of the beloved (saws).   Five fard prayers a day, 50 salats and salams, that means there are 10 salats and/or salams after each prayer.  Alhamdulilah then in a day, I’ve praised the Messenger (saws) at least 50 times.

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Introducing the Burda of al-Busiri

A recitation of the Burda by women

Is it true that there is blatent shirk in the Qasida Burda?

Read it in english here

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Sing along with me in praise of the last Prophet (saws), the best caller to God’s way, the Mercy to all mankind, the beloved of Allah (swt).

Verily Allah and His angels bless the Prophet; O you who believe, you too should send blessings on him and salute him with peace. 33:56

…and tell me what you love about the Prophet Muhammad (saws).

Alhamdulilah, tomorrow marks the beginning of the month of Rabi’-al-Awwal.  Several important events in muslim history took place during this month, but most significantly for us and for all humanity, on the 12th of this month, the beloved Prophet (saws), the mercy to all mankind was born. 

click on the above image to purchase

inshaAllah I plan to post something every day relating to our beloved Prophet (saws).  Of course, you all know me.  I’ll probably get side tracked in a week or so, but I’ll do my best inshaAllah.

The 77 Branches of Faith

by Imam Ashraf Ali al-Tahanawi

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said “There are over 70 branches of faith. The highest is to bear witness that ‘There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’ (la ilaha illallahu muhammadur rasulullah). The lowest is the removal of harm from the road. Modesty is also of faith.” We will therefore mention these qualities.   

30 QUALITIES ARE CONNECTED TO THE HEART

1. Belief in Allah

2. To believe that everything other than Allah was non-existent. Thereafter, Allah Most High created these things and subsequently they came into existence.

3. To believe in the existence of angels.

4. To believe that all the heavenly books that were sent to the different prophets are true. However, apart from the Quran, all other books are not valid anymore.

5. To believe that all the prophets are true. However, we are commanded to follow the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) alone.

6. To believe that Allah Most High as knowledge of everything from before-hand and that only that which He sanctions or wishes will occur.

7. To believe that Resurrection will definitely occur.

8. To believe in the existence of Heaven.

9. To believe in the existence of Hell.

10. To have love for Allah Most High.

11. To have love for the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace)

12. To love or hate someone solely because of Allah.

13. To execute all actions with the intention of religion alone.

14. To regret and express remorse when a sin is committed.

15. To fear Allah Most High.

16. To hope for the mercy of Allah Most High.

17. To be modest.

18.To express gratitude over a bounty or favour.

19. To fulfill promises.

20. To exercise patience.

21. To consider yourself lower than others.

22. To have mercy on the creation.

23. To be pleased with whatever you experience from Allah Most High.

24. To place your trust in Allah Most High.

25. Not to boast or brag over any quality that you posses.

26. Not to have malice or hatred towards anybody.

27. Not to be envious of anyone.

28. Not to become angry.

29. Not to wish harm for anyone.

30. Not to have love for the world.

7 QUALITIES ARE CONNECTED TO THE TONGUE

31. To recite the testimony of faith (kalimah) with the tongue.

32. To recite the Quran.

33. To acquire knowledge.

34. To pass on Knowledge.

35. To make dua.

36. To make the zikr of Allah Most High.

37. To abstain from the following: lies, backbiting, vulgar words, cursing, singing that is contrary to the Shariah.

40 QUALITIES ARE CONNECTED TO THE ENTIRE BODY

38. To make wudu, ghusl, and keep one’s clothing clean.

39. To be steadfast in offering salaat.

40. To pay zakaat and sadaqatul fitr.

41. To fast.

42. To perform the Hajj.

43. To make i’tikaaf.

44. To move away or migrate from that place which is harmful for one’s deen.

45. To fulfill the vows that have been made to Allah.

46. To fulfill the oaths that are not sinful.

47. To pay the kaffarah for unfulfilled oaths.

48. To cover those parts of the body that are fard to cover.

49. To perform the ritual slaughter.

50. To enshroud and bury the deceased.

51. To fulfill your debts.

52. To abstain from prohibited things when undertaking monetary transactions.

53. Not to conceal something true which you may have witnessed.

54. To get married when the nafs desires to do so.

55. To fulfill the rights of those who are under you.

56. To provide comfort to one’s parents.

57. To rear children in the proper manner.

58. Not to sever relations with one’s friends and relatives.

59. To obey one’s master.

60. To be just.

61. Not to initiate any way that is contrary to that of the generality of the Muslims.

62. To obey the ruler, provided what he orders is not contrary to the Shariah.

63. To make peace between two warring groups or individuals.

64. To assist in noble tasks.

65. To command the good and prohibit the evil.

66. If it is the government. it should mete out punishments according to the Shariah.

67. To fight the enemies of deen whenever such an occasion presents itself.

68. To fulfill one’s trusts (amana).

69. To give loans to those who are in need .

70. To see to the needs of one’s neighbour.

71. To ensure that one’s income is pure.

72. To spend according to the Shariah.

73. To reply to one who has greeted you.

74. To say Yarhamukallah (Allah have mercy on you) when anyone says Alhamdulillah (All praise is Allah’s) after sneezing.

75. Not to cause harm to anyone unjustly.

76. To abstain from games and amusements contrary to the Shariah.

77. To remove pebbles, stones, thorns, sticks, and the like from the road.

I have a one and a half hour commute in the morning and evening, giving me three hours of time to fill.  Usually I’ll be listening to NPR podcasts, but alas, I’ve misplaced my ipod cord.  Thus, I can’t update or charge my ipod.  So, I’ve started to read again.  It’s mainly been fluffy novels my mom has picked up for me at goodwill, but there’s been some substance there too.  From that substance, I have two recommendations:

   Scattered Pictures: Reflections of an American Muslim

A collection of essays by Imam Zaid Shakir.  While many of them can be found online, there’s nothing quite like having a book in your hands instead of a bunch of lose sheets of printer paper.   Plus, the book contains an essay of his conversion narrative, that I haven’t found anywhere else.  That essay alone makes this book worth buying.

                      
The Heirs of the Prophets 

I’m actually not reading this one on the bus, since it’s a dense tome.  I tend to skim when I read, and this one requires a lot of concentration.  It’s a translation of ibn Rajab’s commentary on the hadith of Abu Darda

Abu Darda (ra) narrated that Kathir ibn Qays said: “I was sitting with Abu Darda’ in the mosque of Damascus.  A man came to him and said: “Abu Darda, I have come to you from the town of the Allah’s Messenger (saws) for a tradition that I have heard you relate from the Allah’s Messenger (saws). I have come for no other purpose.” He said: “I heard Allah’s Messenger (saws) say: ‘If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, Allâh will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise. The angels will lower their wings in their great pleasure with one who seeks knowledge, the inhabitants of the heavens and the Earth and the fish in the deep waters will ask forgiveness for the learned man. The superiority of the learned man over the devout is like that of the moon, on the night when it is full, over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets leave neither dinar nor dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion..’”  (Abu Daud 3634)

Although I’ve only just begun this book, mashaAllah I’ve benefited enormously.  It’s a kick in the behind for me to ramp up my seeking of sacred knowledge.  It made me want to leave everything where it was and hop a plane to Yemen or Jordan or Egypt to seek knowledge at the feet of the heirs of the Prophet (saws).  inshaAllah one day ya Rab!

As a child, family vacations consisted of each child carefully packing a box of books and colored pencils, my mom baking weeks worth of almond chocolate chip muffins and everyone piling into the family van for a 3 week road trip to some scenic and/or historic american destination.  On these family vacations, I developed a great love of history and it’s preservation.  Walking the battlefields at Yorktown and Gettysburg, viewing the Declaration of Independence and Lincoln’s stovepipe hat, following the Oregon Trail westward, earning countless junior ranger badges, american history came alive.  History wasn’t simply something printed on the pages of textbooks.  No, it was something to touch, to see, to experience, to live.   I feel my life is fuller having experienced the history of my country.  I better understand my country, and what it means to be an american.

Imagine my disapointment then, when I first visited the Great Pyramids of Giza and found it was one big tourist trap.  Certainly, there were some highlights, such as the solar barque preservation building, but mostly, it was a bunch of ducking and avoiding men and boys trying to show you secret hidden chambers or get you to overpay for a ride on a poor, mangy camel.  Later trips to historic mosques like al Azhar were mared by janitors demanding enormous amounts of baqsheesh for special tours to places we could have gone to on our own.

But, at least the pyramids and these mosques were still there.  Muslim history, OUR history, has been steadily destroyed right under our very noses by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for decades.  Want to follow in the Prophet’s (saws) footsteps?  Good luck trying to find them.

Is the danger of grave worship and bida so dangerous that we must wipe our history from the face of the earth?  Should not future generations be able to visit these places where the blessed Prophet (saws) and his companions walked, to touch, to see, to experience, to live?  Companions of the Prophet (saws) strove to walk in the Prophet’s footsteps, literally.  They loved him so much that they followed him physically, with their bodies, as well as in their hearts.

Should not muslims today be allowed these same opportunities?  Do we not love the Prophet (saws) and want to imitate him as his companions did?  Cannot these brushes with our history increase our love for the Prophet (saws) and his sunnah, help us to better understand who we are, where we came from, and what it means to be a muslim?

Now, that rant aside, via 13 Martyrs, there is some good news:

The Supreme Council for Tourism plans to open a number of museums across the country including an Islamic museum in Makkah, a Qur’an museum in Madinah and a major one in Jeddah.

It is a very welcome development. Awareness both abroad and at home of the country’s heritage and history ranges, with one or two notable exceptions, from poor to abysmal. The consequences of that are seen in the way historic sites have been left to rot or destroyed altogether to make way for the new — with no concern whatsoever for what is being lost. For the past 40 years or so, the past has been studiously ignored. It was perhaps understandable in the rush for development.

The most notable feature of the Prophet’s Mosque is the green Dome of the Prophet, which rises higher amongst the sea of white domes. This is where the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad is located; early Muslim leaders Abu Bakr and Umar ibn al-Khattab are buried in an adjacent area as well.

At the heart of the mosque is a small area called ar-Rawdah an-Nabawiyah, which extends from the tomb of the Prophet to his pulpit. All pilgrims attempt to visit and pray in ar-Rawdah, for there is a tradition that supplications and prayers uttered here are never rejected. Entrance into ar-Rawdah is not always possible (especially during the Hajj), as the tiny area can accommodate only a few hundred people. Ar-Rawdah has two small gateways manned by Saudi soldiers charged with preventing overcrowding in the tiny area.

 http://www.sacred-destinations.com/saudi-arabia/medina-prophets-mosque.htm

Say (O Muhammad!): If you love God, follow me so that God loves you. (Al Imran, 3.31)

Once again, a crisis looms on the horizon.  People aiming to insult our beloved Book and beloved Messenger  are gathering forces.  How we respond reflects on our ummah and on HabibulAllah .  Will we show the patience and strength that the Prophet  showed in the face of adversity?  May Allah guide this ummah to follow his  example.

Ramadan wants Muslims to ignore far-right Dutch film on Koran

Respecting the Qur’an – from ISNA

The Ethical Standard of the Prophet Muhammad – by Imam Zaid Shakir

Clash of the Uncivilized: Insights on the Cartoon Controversy – by Imam Zaid Shakir

Sunnah of the Week 2

ÂMarch 17th through the 23rd, 2008; Rabi al-Awwal 9th through the 15th, 1429

Aisha, the blessed wife of the Prophet, may God be pleased with her, was asked to describe the character of the Prophet, . She responded:

He was not foul in his actions, nor in his speech; he was not boisterous in the marketplace; he did not retaliate in kind to vile acts perpetrated against him; rather he pardoned and forgave.

Imam Abu Isa Muhammad bin Isa at-Tirmidhi, Jami at-Tirmidhi (Riyadh: Dar As-Salaam, 1999/1420), p. 465, no. 2016.

with Suhaib Webb and later Sheikh Anwar al-Awlaki from the Islamic Broadcast Network

No matter how many times I read or listen to the seerah of the beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam), I always learn something new.

 

by Dawud Wharnsby Ali

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Alhamdulilah for youtube nasheed videos with lyrics.  The husband and I are having a "Praise of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) " sing along this weekend.  Granted, it will just  be the two of us, but I'm uber excited.

Any videos with lyrics out there that I haven't posted yet that we should include?

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With lyrics so you can sing along

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Lyrics from TurntoIslam

Tala3al-Badru 3alayna, The Full Moon has risen over us!
min thaniyyatil-Wada3 From the valleys of Wada3,
wajaba al-shukru 3alayna, Oh we must be grateful,
ma da3a lillahi da3 for the invitation of the preacher to [the way of] God
Ayyuha al-mab3uthu fina Oh You who have been sent to us,
ji2ta bi-al-amri al-muta3 You came with orders that [we have] obeyed [in advance]
Ji2ta sharrafta al-Madinah You came and honoured this town*
marhaban ya khayra da3 Welcome, oh greatest of preachersTala3al Noorul Mubeen The clear light has come out
Nooru Khairul Mursaleen The light of the best of Messengers
Nooru Amnin Wa Salaam The light of Security** and Peace
Nooru Haqqin wa Yaqeen The light of Truth and Awareness of God
Sadaqallahu Ta3aala Allah (Ta3ala^) has been truthful
Ra7matan Lil3aalameen [Muhammad PBUH is] a mercy to the worlds
Fa 3alal Barri Shu3aa3 So on Land there is a radiance
Wa 3alal Ba7ri Shu3aa3 and on the Sea there is a radiance../CHORUS/

There is indeed a good model for you in the Messenger of Allah – for the one who has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah profusely. (33:21)

Anas (ra) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) said, “Whoever brings the sunnah to life has brought me to life. Whoever brings me to life will be with me in the Garden.” (Al-Isbahn)

What do we know of our beloved Messenger of Allah (subhana wa tala)?  I’d be willing to bet (that is, if gambling weren’t haram) that we all know quite a bit.  We can probably rattle off something about his physical appearance, and his character.  We know how he dressed, how he fought, how he made peace, how he ate, how he slept, how he acted towards those around him (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam).

But to know is not enough.  His life, his example, his sunnah provides a framework for every aspect of our lives.  How much of his sunnah do we implement, and how much do we read or hear, smile, nod, and then ignore?  Are you like me, and focus on his character, while ignoring his outward acts?  Or are you like those I often scoffed at, who seem to obsess about imitating the Beloved (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) in dress while seeming to ignore his manners? 

I have been reading Martin Lings’ Muhammad, and listening to the Prophetic Characteristics class with Ustadh Yahya Rhodus.  The Slave (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) of Allah (subhana wa tala) is one of the major reasons I submitted to God in Islam.  The more I learn about this man (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam), the more I love him (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam).  But, I do not do much to bring his (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) sunnah to life.  I say subhanAllah, this man (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) was truely amazing in everything he did, and then I move on and forget.

So, I’ve decided to do something about that.  inshaAllah, each week I will pick a sunnah of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam).  I’ll post it here on the blog, and inshaAllah I will work to implement it in my life.  Please join me in this quest to really know the Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam), and to live as he did, the Beloved (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) of Allah (subhana wa tala).

Sunnah of the Week 1

March 10th through the 16th, 2008; Rabi al-Awwal 2nd through the 8th, 1429

from Riyad as-Saliheen, Abu Dawud and others

1394. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Every matter of importance which is not begun with, ‘Praise be to Allah’ is defective.”

If you began everything praising God, how would it effect your behavior?  Would you still act against Allah (subhana wa tala) and His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) if you began every action thinking of them?

I know I’ve posted this before, but it’s one of my favorite nasheed, it’s about the Prophet (saws), and it’s Rabi al-awwal.  Thus, it is the perfect time to post it again.

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on Tawassul

A petition has been popping up recently on message boards I frequent regarding the use of persian miniatures of the Prophet Muhammad (saws) on his wikipedia entry.  When I first saw the petition a few days ago, it had 60,000 signatures.  At the time of this entry, it’s up to 89,000.  All the fuss has even attracted the New York Times.

Several thoughts and questions have been bouncing through my mind on the subject, although none of them are too terribly profound:

1.  Compared to a lot of sources out there, Wikipedia at least tries to be neutral.   The article isn’t blatently anti-islam, unlike the infamous wiki-islam project.

2.  The pictures aren’t horrid.  All three that depict the Prophet (saws) are taken from muslim sources.  They’re not the danish cartoons, for heavens sake.  Well, at least they’re not in the main article.  They are included in the sub article regarding depictions of the Prophet (saws), but heck, this is suppose to be a neutral informative source.

3.  If one is creating a quasi neutral article, should the authors leave out pictures that are a part of muslim tradition, especially when other historical figures also have portraits in their articles? 

4.  What is the intent of the authors?  Was it to offend, bwahaha, let’s put up these pictures to piss off muslims?  Or was it more along the lines of, hmm, we’ve got an article about a historical figure, so let’s see what pictures we can include to make the article more comprehensive?

5.  How far does a secular, non muslim source have to go to not offend the sensibilities of a particular group?

6.  What good is a petition?  The whole image debate has been going on for years.

7.  I love miniature depictions of the Prophet (saws).  Heck, I love the general style of persian and ottoman miniatures that depict islam related content.  Does this make me a bad muslim?  Ok, no, don’t answer that.

All of this fuss and anxiety surrounding this issue makes me uncomfortable.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the Prophet (saws) as much as the next muslim.  Heck, his character is one of the chief reasons I made shahada.   I can’t pick up a story about the Prophet (saws) without getting a bit teary eyed.  He is my role model, and someone I love dearly.

But seriously, is this the best way we can defend the honor of our beloved Prophet (saws)?  Aren’t there better ways we could spend out time here in internet la la land?  Sure, it’s easy to sign a petition, one minute, type type type and you’re done. 

Wouldn’t it be better to join the wiki team and work on any one of the dozens of islam related articles that need fattening up?  Work within the wiki system, interact with the other wiki editors, wow them with our good adab and actually do something positive?

Or, better yet, why not get off the internet and work on implimenting ALL of the sunnah (not just the outward forms of dress etc) in our daily lives.  If “we” (ie the generic muslim masses) worked 1/10th as hard at being like our beloved Messenger (saws) in our character as “we” do over being outraged, what a wonderful world this would be.

Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah (ra):

Allah’s Apostle (saws) said, “Whoever after listening to the Adhan says,

‘Allahumma Rabba hadhihi-d-da’ watit-tammati was-salatil qa’imati, ati Muhammadan al-wasilata wal-fadilata, wab’ athhu maqaman mahmudan-il-ladhi wa’ adtahu’

‘O Allah! Lord of this perfect call  and of the regular prayer which is going to be established! Kindly give Muhammad the right of intercession and superiority and send him to the best and the highest place in Paradise which You promised him,’

then intercession for me will be permitted for him on the Day of Resurrection”).

Bukhari Volume 1, Book 11, Number 588:

Via Seeker’s Digest:

The Loss of Mercy — And Where To Find It

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) explained, too, that, “The merciful are shown mercy by the All-Merciful. Be merciful to those on earth and the Lord of the Heavens will be merciful to you.” [Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud, from Abd Allah ibn Amr; rigorously authentic] It is a sign of the way of traditional Islamic scholarship that this is the first hadith (Prophetic teaching) traditionally conveyed by a scholar to their students.

“You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a Beautiful Pattern (of Conduct)…” [Surah al-Ahzab; 33:21]
read about it here.

Tala’albadru ‘alayna
Min thaniyyati’l
WadaWajaba ash-shukru ‘alayna
Ma da’a lillahi da
Ma da’a lillahi da

The White Moon (track numbers 2 and 5, although 2 is the one that has been stuck in my head for the last half an hour)

Oh Allah send Your mercy on Muhammad, Your servant, Your Messenger and send mercy on all believing men and women and all Muslim men and women (Ibn Hibban)

Via Deenport, I found a beautiful turkish site dedicated to the Prophet Muhammad (saws). There is a lot to read, explore and see on this site, so take your time. Also beautiful Prophet related calligraphy.

Black Iris presents 2 contrasting letters, one from the Prophet Muhammad (saws) to the monks at St. Catherines, and another from his purported followers to a christian community in Pakistan.

*insert little pukey smiley here*

Ooo, my future library continues to grow. On my lunch time walk today, I wandered into the religion section of Barnes and Noble and came upon several books to add to my to read list.

One of the reasons I am a muslim is because I love the Prophet Muhammad (saws). When I picked up my first biography of the Prophet (saws), I felt an instant attachment to this man. His life is full of poweful examples of how a good person should live, full of compassion, mercy and justice. Tariq Ramadan’s new book In the Footsteps of the Prophet: Lessons from the Life of Muhammad highlights these moments in the Prophet’s life. inshaAllah non muslims will pick up this book, as opposed to say, ones by islamophobes, and will be introduced to this fantastic man and to Islam.

In every aspect of his life except his adopted faith, Abd-Allah shows, Webb was quintessentially a man of his place and time. It was because he was so typically American that he was able to serve as Islams ambassador to America (and vice versa). As Americas Muslim community grows and becomes more visible, Webbs lifeand the virtues he championed pluralism, liberalism, universal humanity, and a sense of civic and political responsibility exemplify what it means to be an American Muslim.

Sadly, there aren’t a lot of news pictures of the pilgrims at Arafat today.

According to a hadith in At-Tirmithi, the Prophet (saws) recommended this dua for the day of Arafat

Laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa Huwa ‘alaa kulli shay’in Qadeer.

None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things.

Today would also be a good day to re read the Prophet’s last sermon, which was delivered today at Arafat in the year 10 A.H., or 632 A.D.

“O People, listen well to my words, for I do not know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Treat others justly so that no one would be unjust to you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that HE will indeed reckon your deeds. God has forbidden you to take usury (riba), therefore all riba obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital , however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer inequity. God has judged that there shall be no riba and that all the riba due to `Abbas ibn `Abd al Muttalib shall henceforth be waived.
Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabi`ah ibn al Harith
ibn `Abd al Muttalib.

O Men, the Unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to make permissible that which God forbade, and to forbid that which God has made permissible. With God the months are twelve in number. Four of them are sacred, three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Sha`ban. Beware of the devil, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights over your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under God’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers. It is your right and they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste…

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship God (The One Creator of the Universe), perform your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your financial obligation (zakah) of your wealth. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves. Remember, one day you will appear before God (The Creator) and you will answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or messenger will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I am leaving you with the Book of God (the Quraan) and my Sunnah (the life style and the behavioral mode of the Prophet), if you follow them you will never go astray.
All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness O God, that I have conveyed your message to your people.

One of the first books I picked up on Islam (asside from the Qur’an) was Karen Armstrong’s A History of God – The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Ms. Armstrong is a strong ally of muslims in the west, and has written a number of books that are excellent introductions to Islam for the non muslim, including Islam: A Short History, and Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet.

This past October, she published a new book on the Prophet, Muhammad: A Prophet for our Times. You can read an excerpt from the book and listen to an interview with Ms. Armstrong at NPR.