Prophet’s (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) Amazing Advice to Abu Dharr (radhiyallaahu ‘anhu)

After delivering the Friday sermon this last week (1/6/2012) and the previous week (25/5/2012) in the discussion of the beautiful and lengthy hadeeth of Abi Dharr Al Ghifaari Radhiyallaahu Anhu who was advised by the Messenger – Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi wa salam – after asking him numerous questions, some of my beloved brothers (May Allaah reward them) requested that I send the hadeeth out for benefit.As I mentioned in the sermon, some parts of the hadeeth are saheeh, some parts hasan and some Da’eef (weak). For benefit I will mention firstly the authentic (whether saheeh or hasan) parts of the hadeeth as one text so that the reader benefits from the flow of the text, then I will follow that up by mentioning which parts are Saheeh and hasan and I will also add the da’eef sections of the hadeeth (inred) as they occur in the original text, that the reader may be aquainted with it, quoting in that regard, the rulings of Shaikh Al Albaani upon it.Thus here is the text of the Hadeeth, and I ask Allaah that He benefits my brothers and sisters with it.

–

Upon the authority of Abi Dharr – Radhiyallaahu ‘Anhu – who said: “I entered the masjid (on an occassion) and found the Messenger of Allaah – Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi Was Sallam – sitting alone. He said (to me): ‘Oh Abaa Dharr! Indeed the masjid has a greeting and its greeting is to pray two rak’ah, so stand and pray them.’ So I stood and I performed them.

Then I returned and sat with him and said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah!, Indeed you have commanded me with Salaah, so what is Salaah?’

He said: ‘The best (act of worship) sent down! So perform much of it or little!(meaning the choice is yours, but the more of its ‘legislated’ forms you perform the better).’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Which action is best?’

He said: ‘To have belief in Allaah and to make Jihaad in his way.‘

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Which of the believers is most complete in Faith?’

He said: ‘The one that has the best character.’

So I said: ‘Which of the believers has the best Islam?’

He said: ‘The one who the people are safe from his tongue and his hand.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah which Salaah is best?’

He said: ‘The one that has the longest standing (I.e for recitation).‘

So I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Then which migration is best?’

He said: ‘The one that migrates from evil deeds.‘

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah then what is fasting?’

He said: ‘A compulsory action that one is rewarded for, and with Allaah the reward is many times multiplied.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Then which Jihaad is best?’

He said: ‘The one in which one’s riding beast is injured and his (i.e. the warriors) blood is spilt.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Then which charity is best?’

He said: ‘The (Charitable) effort of the one who has little, given secretly to the poor.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Then what is the greatest of that which Allaah has sent down to you?’

He said: ‘Aayatul Kursi.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! How many were the Messengers?’

He said: ‘Three hundred and thirteen, a large amount.’

He said: I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! who was the first of them?’

He said: ‘Aadam – ‘Alaihi-salaam.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! was he a Prophet that was sent?’
He said: ‘Yes! Allah created him with his hand, then blew his spirit into him, and spoke to him directly! 
The intelligent person, as long as his mind has not been overcome (i.e. by mental illness) should have (a number of) periods. A period wherein he calls upon his lord, a period wherein he takes account of himself, a period wherein he reflects upon the creation of Allaah and a period that he spends seeking his needs from food and drink. 
Likewise the intelligent person should avoid travel except for three reasons, (to gain) provisions for the hereafter, seeking his livelihood or taking enjoyment in that which is not prohibited. 
It is likewise upon the intelligent person to have insight into his era, to proceed towards his affair (i.e. to head diligently towards the affairs that benefit him) and to guard his tongue. And whosoever evaluates his speech in comparison to his actions, will speak little except in that which concerns him.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! What were the scrolls of Musaa?’

He said: ‘They were all lessons (and admonitions).
I am amazed at the one who is certain of death, then he is happy. And I am amazed at the one who is certain of the (presence) of the fire then he laughs, and I am amazed at the one who is certain of pre-decree (concerning that which has been allotted to him) then he wears himself out. And I am amazed at the one who sees this world, and how affairs change for its people, then he is tranquil within it. And I am amazed at the one who has certainty that the reckoning is tomorrow yet he doesnt act.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! advise me!’

He said: ‘I advise you with the fear of Allaah, for indeed it is the pinnacle of all affairs.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Increase me!’

He said: ‘Cling to reciting the Qur`aan and the remembrance of Allaah, for indeed it is light for you in the life of this world and it is preserved for you in the heavens.‘

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Increase me!’

He said: ‘Be aware of laughing excessively, for indeed it kills the heart and removes light from the face.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Increase me!’

He said: ‘Make Jihaad, since it is the monasticism of my Ummah’ (meaning that when monasticism revolves around abstention from the world and selflessness there is no greater form of this than that a person participates in battle).

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Increase me!’

He said: ‘Love the poor, and sit with them.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Increase me!’

He said: ‘Look to those who are lesser than you (i.e. are less well to do) and don’t look to those who are above you (i.e. have more than you) as it is better in preventing one from looking down with disdain at Allaah’ blessings upon you.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Increase me!’

He said: ‘Speak the truth even if it is bitter!’

Ruling on wiping over the Ka’bah (to seek blessings) – Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan

Question:

Ahsanal-Laahu ilaykum. Another questioner says: “Is the du’aa (supplication) in front of the Ka’bah from the places where du’aa is accepted? And what is the ruling on holding and wiping over the covering of the Ka’bah?”

Answer:

Holding and wiping over the covering or the stones of the Ka’bah has no basis [in the religion]. Nothing from the Ka’bah is touched except ar-Rukn al-Yamaanee (the Yemeni Corner) and al-Hajar al-Aswad (the Black Stone); this is touched and the Yemeni Corner is only touched. And the Black Stone is touched and is kissed if possible, or [only] touched or pointed to from far away if he faces it. As for the rest of the Ka’bah, then he should not wipe over or attach himself to anything of it, nor to its door. This is from the khuraafaat (myths or superstitions). Rather, the Ka’bah serves to make Tawaaf around it, to pray towards it and to supplicate near it, without attaching oneself to it or to its covering. He supplicates near it, especially in al-Multazam; what is between the Corner and the door or between the Black Stone and the door. He stands there and supplicates. This is a place where the du’aa is accepted, if Allaah — subhaanahu wa ta’aala — wills and if the supplicating person has a sincere intention. Na’am.

Issue of Mocking the Prophet (Peace and blessing be upon him) by Shaykh Saalim At-Taweel

The Eemaan of Aboo Bakr radiyallahu ‘anhu

Ishaaq ibn Ibraheem al-Handhalee (ar-Raawhawaih) said:
Ibn al-Mubaarak came to ar-Rayy and one of the worshippers stood up, it was thought he followed the way of the Khawaarij. He said to Ibn al-Mubaarak: ‘O Aboo ‘Abdur-Rahmaan! What do you say about someone who commits adultery, steals, and ddrinks alcohol? He said:

“I do not say he has left Eemaan. “ The worshipper said:

‘O Aboo ‘Abdur-Rahmaan, upon old ago you have become a Murjee? He replied:

“Do not call us Murj’ia. The Murjiah say, all of our good deeds are accepted and all of our sins are forgiven. If I knew that my deeds were accepted, I would have testified that I am going to Paradise. “

The he related from the Ibn Shawdhan, from the Muhammad ibn Juhaadah, from Salamah ibn Khaleel, from Hazeel ibn Sharkeel, who said: Umar ibn al-Khattaab, radiyallahu ‘anhu, said:

“If the Eemaan of Aboo Bakr was to be weighed, it would be greater than the Eemaan of all the people of the Earth.”

[Also related by ‘Abdullah ibn Ahmad in as-Sunnah[821]]

Source: The Creed of Pious Predecessors – The People of Hadeeth by The Great Imaam Aboo ‘Uthmaan Isma’eel ibn ‘Abudrrahmaan As- Saaboonee, Page 66

Is it permissible to offer two Witr prayers in one night?

Question:Is it permissible to offer two Witr prayers in one night?

Answer:No one should offer two Witr prayers in one night because the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: There cannot be two Witr prayers in one night. [1] And he (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) also said: Make the end of your prayer at night Witr. [2] And he (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Whoever feared that he will not get up at the end of the night should perform Witr at the beginning of it. And whoever desired to stand at the end of it should pray Witr at the end of the night. [3] If it is easy for the Muslim to perform the night prayer at the end of the night, he should seal his prayer with one Rakah of Witr. Whoever found difficulty in this should perform his Witr at the start of the night. And if Allaah makes it easy for him (after that) to stand in prayer, he should offer what he can in units of two Rakahs, and he need not repeat the Witr, for the first Witr is sufficient for him, according to the aforementioned Hadith which is: There cannot be two Witr prayers in one night. [4]

[1] Abu Dawud no. 1439 and At-Tirmithi no. 470

[2] Al-Bukhari no. 990 and Muslim nos. 151, 751

[3] Muslim no. 755

[4] Abu Dawud no. 1439 and At-Tirmithi no. 470

Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz

Fatawa Islamiyah Vol. 2 Page 298

DO PICTURES ON CURRENCIES PREVENT ANGELS ENTERING HOMES?

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, mentioned, “…As for taking pictures and entering them into the homes, this is also haram. The reason being that the angles don’t enter the home that has pictures or dogs therein. What do you think of a house where the angels do not enter? It is an evil house. So if there is a picture in the house or a dog, then the malaa’ikah, angels, do not enter, but however, what is made an exception for the pictures is that which is a daroorah, necessity, i.e., pictures on the dinaar and dirham (that which is found these days on our currencies) …Therefore, this affair is a daroorah, in which the people are not able to free themselves from, because it’s not possible for them to leave the money in the streets… So this is a daroorah, and also from this is the identification card (all of that is which is considered a daroorah, or an urgent need). Allah does not bear a soul over its capacity.”

Refer back to the book” Sharhul kabaa’ir” page 295
Another benefit in regards to pictures:

The Shaykh, may Allah have mercy on him, also mentioned, “As for newspapers that contain pictures in them; if your intention were to buy them for the purpose of the pictures than this would be considered to be haram. As for the written text found inside then laa baas, no there is nothing wrong with this.

Refer back to book “Sharhul kabaa’ir” page 295

Rewards for Dhikr Chart – Excellent One !!

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Where do we put our hands after Rukoo’? | Shaikh Zayd ibn Hadee al-Madkhalee

Published on 25 Jun 2012 by SalafiCentreUK

Question and Answer with Allamah Shaikh Zayd ibn Hadee al-Madkhalee during a Live telelink that took place on the 17 of December 2011 at Markaz as-Salafi, Manchester.

Translated by Abu Muaa’dh Taqweem Aslam (Graduate of Madinah University).

For the full lecture, visit:
http://www.learnaboutislam.co.uk/2011/12/18/seeking-knowledge-spreading-it-qu…

How one in Salat replies to Salaam, in accordance with Sunnah

Recently, someone asked Shaykh Saalih as-Suhaymee (hafidhahullaah) :
“How did the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) respond to someone giving (him) salams while he was praying?“

The Shaikh said the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) used to respond to the salaam – while engaged in prayer - by indicating with his hand without speaking.

Here are ahadeeth on this matter, and the sharh (explanation) from Umm ‘Abdillah al-Waadi’iyyah [hadeeth #177 [hadeeth #177]:

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu ‘anhumma): I asked Bilaal (radiallaahu ‘anhu), “How did you observe the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) replying to their (the Companions’) salutation while he was engaged in prayer?” He (Bilaal) said: “He used to do this way,” and he (Bilaal) demonstrated by spreading his palm. [Reported by Abu Daa`ud and At-Tirmidhi. The latter graded it 'Sahih.']

This hadeeth is from the way of Hisham ibn Sa’d Al Madani who is disagreed upon, what is most correct is that he is dha’eef. However, the hadeeth has other narrations that make it authentic, as is the hadeeth of Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah in Saheeh Muslim Vol.4 P.195, Ma’ Sharh Nawawee.

Jabir reported: The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) sent me on an errand. I (having done the business assigned to me came back and) joined him as he was going (on a ride). Qutaiba said that he was saying prayer while he rode. I greeted him. He gestured to me. When he completed the prayer, he called me and said: You greeted me just now while I was engaged in prayer. (Qutaiba said): His (Prophet’s face) was towards the east, as he was praying. [Saheeh Muslim, The Book of Prayer, N0.1100]

Its origin is in Bukharee without the wording, “fa ashara eelaih”. (Saheeh Al Bukharee #1217)

Benefits from this hadeeth:

1. The impermissibility of talking in the salaah.

2. The permissibility of greeting the one who is praying with karaha; this is the saying of Ahmad (rahimahullaah). And the Majority of the People of Knowledge said it is not Makrooh, as in Fathul Baree #1217. The saying of those who say it is Makrooh to greet the one who is praying is refuted because the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) did not prevent them (the sahaaba) from doing so, but rather, he taught the one who is praying how to respond by gesturing with the hands and the reply is not verbalized.

Source: http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=10&Topic=12192

Careless with regards to the Fajr Prayer By Shaykh Abdur Razzaq Al Badr

Translated by Rasheed ibn Estes Barbee
Presented to you by Markaz Tawheed was-Sunnah in Durham, NC
http://mtws.posterous.com

Shaykh Abdur Razzaq: Perhaps some of the people may be frequently immersed in various fields of knowledge, memorization, and studying; but they are negligent, especially concerning the Fajr prayer; they are very negligent concerning it.

If this is an obligation, a great obligation, and it is the greatest pillar of Islam after the two testimonies of faith, and the first affair the person will be questioned about on the Day of Judgment; the first affair the person will be questioned about is the prayer; if the person is negligent concerning it, (negligent concerning) this obligation, then where are the effects of knowledge?!

He misses the Fajr prayer?! While the Companions may Allah be pleased with them, as it has been narrated by ibn Masood, he said:

If a man missed Fajr prayer they would accuse him of hypocrisy. The heaviest prayers upon the hypocrites are the Fajr prayer and Isha prayer.

And during this time of ours, the era of staying awake throughout the night, many people miss the Fajr prayer, and many people pray it alone.

And perhaps some of them spend the night engaged in knowledge based discussions concerning various issues or subjects then he sleeps through Fajr prayer.

If a person spent the entire night with the Quran, memorizing it and reciting it; if this is at the cost of the Fajr prayer, then his staying awake is haram and it is not permissible for him, and he is sinning for staying awake throughout the night.

And the prayer which is neglected the most during this day and time is the greatest of all the prayers without exception. Do you know which prayer it is?

It appears in a hadith, and Shaykh Al Albani has declared it hasan in some of his books.  The Prophet, prayers and peace are upon him said:

The best of all the prayers is the Fajr prayer on Friday, in congregation.

The Fajr prayer, on Friday, in congregation. Shaykh Al Albani declared it to be hasan with this wording.

The (Fajr prayer) on Friday in congregation is now the prayer which is neglected the most. And the Imaams of the Masjids will be asked about this.

This is because the night before Friday, is the night for relaxation, the night to stay awake. The people remain awake until late into the night then go to sleep late, and then they sleep through Fajr prayer.

And the best of them go to the Fajr prayer late, and in lazy fashion. He comes while his head is heavy with sleep, he is tired. Thus he does not perform this prayer as it is befitting.

And if he knows that the Imaam of that Masjid is going to recite Soorah Sajdah and Soorah Al Insaan, then he does not come until the end of the second rakat.

Where is the benefit of knowledge if he takes this position with the first thing he will be questioned about on the Day of Judgment?! As for the one who is negligent concerning it then he will be more negligent concerning other affairs.

On the authority of Abu Hurrairah (radiallaahu ‘anhu): The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:

The one who looks after a widow or a poor person is like a Mujaahid (fighter) who fights for Allaah’s cause, or like him who performs prayers all the night and fasts all the day.

[Bukhaaree; The Book of Supporting the Family]

Uthaimeen Asked About Someone Who Missed Months of Ramadaan and then Started Practicing, Should He Make Up Those Months?

Shaikh Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, was asked that if a person never fasted Ramadaan for months after having reached the age of responsibility but then he started practicing, is it then incumbent upon him to make up those missed Ramadaans? So he replied, “The strongest opinion from the statements of the people of knowledge is that it is not incumbent upon him to make up those months which, without an excuse, he had left, based upon the fact that worship is scheduled [to be performed at certain times] and when a person delays it beyond its legislatively appointed time, then it is not accepted from him, and making it up later will not benefit him at all.”

Fiqhul-Ibaadaat, pp. 256-257.

Which is Better, Fasting the Six Days of Shawwaal or Fasting Mondays and Thursdays?

Shaikh Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, was asked, “Which is better, fasting the six days of Shawwaal or fasting Mondays and Thursdays?” So he replied, “Each of these days has its merit. So fasting the six days of Shawwaal–when a person fasts Ramadaan and then follows it up with these six days he will be like someone who has fasted a lifetime, and this is a merit which is not obtained by fasting Mondays and Thursdays. But if a person fasted the Mondays and Thursdays of the month of Shawwaal and through that intended that it was part of the [fasting of] the six days of Shawwaal too, he will obtain the reward.”

Fataawaa Nurun-alad-Darb, CD.

Uthaimeen’s Advice Concerning Friends

Shaikh Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “Beware of friends, don’t incline towards them until you know the truthfulness of their advice and affection.”

Tafsir Surah as-Saaffaat, p. 125.

Ibn Taymiyyah on How to Acquire Knowledge

The Shaikh of Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “Purifying the soul, acting upon knowledge, and fearing Allaah have a tremendous effect on obtaining knowledge.”

Mowqif Ibn Taymiyyah minas-Soofiyyah, vol. 1, p. 357.

The Names of the Qur-aan

Al Qur-aan.

Al Fuqraan - The Criterion.

Al Kitaab – The Book.

Al Hudaa - The Guidance.

An Noor - The Light.

Ash Shifaa – The Cure.

Al Bayaan – The Clarification.

Al Maw’dhah – The Exhortation.

Ar Rahmah – The Mercy.

Basaa-ir – The Clarity.

Al Balaagh – The Proclamation.

Al Kareem – The Noble.

Al Majeed – The Glorious.

Al ‘Azeez – The Honored.

Al Mubaarak – The Blessed.

Al Tanzeel – The Revealed or Sent Down.

Al Munzal - The Revealed or Sent Down.

As Siraat al Mustaqeem – The Straight Upright Path.

Habl Allaah – The Rope of Allaah.

Adh Dhikr – The Remembrance.

Adh Dhikraa – The Reminder.

Tadhkirah – The Admonition.

{ And Indeed it is a Reminder for those who have Taqwaa }

{ Indeed it is an admonition }

{ So let whoever pleases pay attention to/remember it }

{ A verification to what was revealed before it }

{ A Confirmation of what came before it }

{ A Guardian to what came before it }

{ A detailed clarification of all things }

{ An explanation of all things }

Al Mutashaabih - its parts resembling each other (in goodness and truth).

Al Mathaanee - oft-repeated.

Al Hakeem – Full of Wisdom;

{ These are the versus of the Book of Wisdom }

Muhkam – Evident.

Mufassal - Detailed.

{ it is He Who has sent down to you the Book, explained in detail }

Al Burhaan – the Evidence or Proof, according to one of the explanations.

{ Verily, there has come to you a convincing proof from your Lord; and We sent down to you a manifest light }

Al Haqq – the Truth according to one of two interpretations;

{ Indeed the truth has come to you from your Lord }

In a clear Arabic language

The best of speech.

The best of stories.

The Speech / Word of Allaah.

{ …Grant him protection until he hears the Word of Allaah }

Knowledge.

{ Then whoever disputes with you concerning him (Jesus) after the knowledge that has come to you }

Al ‘Alee al Hakeem – exalted, full of wisdom.

{ And verily, it (this Qur-aan) is in the Mother of the Book (i.e. Al-Lauh Al-Mahfoodh) with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom. }

Al Qayim – Upright or correct and straight.

{ reciting purified pages (the Qur-aan). Wherein are correct and straight laws from Allaah. }

{ Who has sent down to His slave (Muhammad [sal-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) the Book (the Qur-aan), and has not placed therein any crookedness. (He has made it) straight to give warning… }

Wahy - A Revelation.

{ It is only a Revelation revealed. }

Hikmah - Wisdom.

{ And indeed there has come to them news (in this Qur-aan) wherein there is (enough warning) to check (them from evil). Perfect wisdom… }

Hukm - Judgment.

{ And thus have We sent it (the Qur-aan) down to be a judgment of authority in Arabic }

Naba – News according to one interpretation.

Nadheer – a Warning according to one interpretation;

{ This is a warning in the (series of) warnings of old }

In the Hadeeth of Abu Musa;

Shaafi’ – Interceeder.

Mushafi’

Shaahid – a Witness.

Musaddiq – a confirmation for what came before it.

The Messenger - صلى الله عليه وسلم – called it “A proof for you or against you.” .

In the Hadeeth of al Haarith on the authority of ‘Alee: “A protection for those who act upon it.”

The Three who Spoke in the Cradle

The Hadeeth:

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah - may Allaah be pleased with him - who said that the Prophet - صلى الله عليه وسلم - said:

“None spoke in the cradle except three:

1. ‘Eesa the son of Maryam,
   
2. Jurayj’s companion; Jurayj was a man of worship, he had a place of worship and while he was in it, his mother came in and called upon him. He said to himself; ‘My Lord, my mother or my prayer?’ So he continued praying and she left. The next day she also came and called upon him while he was in prayer, he said to himself; ‘My Lord, my mother or my prayer?’ So he continued praying and again she left. The following day she came again and called upon him while he was in prayer, he said to himself; ‘My Lord, my mother or my prayer?’ So he continued praying.
   She said: ‘O Allaah, do not allow him to die until he sees the faces of prostitutes.’
   The Children of Israel knew of Jurayj and his worship. There was a very beautiful prostitute who offered to seduce him. She attempted to do so but he did not pay her any attention to her. She then approached a herdsman who used to seek refuge in his place of worship, she offered herself to him and he slept with her. She became pregnant, and when she gave birth she claimed that it was the child of Jurayj. They went to him, invoked curses over him, destroyed his place of worship and attacked him.
   He said: ’Why are you doing this?’
   They responded: ‘You fornicated with this woman and she bore you a child.’
   He said: ‘Where is the child?’
   So they brought him the child.
   He said: ‘Leave me until I pray.’
   When he finished praying he came to the boy and poked him in his stomach. He said: ‘O child, who is your father?’
   The baby boy responded: ‘So and so the herdsman.’
   So the people turned to Jurayj, kissing him and asking him for forgiveness. They offered to rebuild his place of worship in gold, but he refused and asked them to rebuild it from mud just as it was before, and so they did.
   
3. There was also a baby who was being breast fed by his mother when a rider in fine garments passed by on an agile animal.
   His mother said: ‘O Allaah, make my child like him.’
   The baby stopped suckling and looked at him, he said: ‘O Allaah, do not make me like him.’
   He then continued suckling…”Abu Hurayrah - May Allaah be pleased with him - said: ‘It is as if I can see Messenger of Allaah - صلى الله عليه وسلم - right now, as he is illustrating the scene of the baby’s suckling with his forefinger in his mouth.’
   He continued: "They passed by a slave girl who was being beaten by people who were accusing her of committing fornication and theft.'
   She was saying: `Sufficient is Allaah is for me, and the best of Guardians He is’
   The mother said: `O Allaah, do not make my child like her.'
   Again the baby stopped suckling, looked at her and said: ‘O Allaah! Make me like her.'
   At this point they spoke to each other, the mother said: `A good looking man passed by and I asked Allaah to make my child like him, you asked Allaah not make you like him. We passed by this slave girl while she was being beaten and being accused of fornication and theft, I asked Allaah not to make my child like her, and you asked Allaah to make you like her.'
   The child said: `That man was a tyrant, so I asked Allaah not to make me like him. They were accusing the girl of fornication, while she did not commit it, and they were accusing her of theft, while she did not steal, so I asked Allaah to make me like her"

[Collected by both al Bukhaaree and Muslim.]

The Ten Ways to Expiate Your Sins

If a believer falls into sin, it’s punishment would be repelled from him in ten ways:

1. He repents and therefore Allah would accept his repentance. The one who repents from a sin is as the one who hasn’t sinned.



2. He asks for forgiveness and he would therefore be forgiven.



3. He performs acts of righteousness that would erase his sins, for indeed righteous actions erase sins.



4. His brothers supplicate for him; that his sins be forgiven - while he is alive and after his death.



5. His brothers gift the reward of their actions to him so that Allah may benefit it him through them [Translator’s note: Not all actions can be gifted as reward, only those that were specified by the Qur-aan and Sunnah].



6. That his prophet Muhammad - صلى الله عليه وسلم - intercedes for him.



7. That Allah puts him through trials in the life of this world that would expiate his sins.



8. That Allah puts him through trials in the Barzakh and the Sa’iqah that would expiate his sins.



9. That Allah puts him through the trials of the Day of Resurrection and its horrors, that which would expiate his sins.



10. Or that the Most Merciful of the merciful has mercy over him.

Whoever lets these ten pass him by, then let him blame no one but himself, as Allaah the Elevated said in a Hadeeth that was narrated by His Messenger:

“O My servants, they are only your own deeds, I take them into account for you, and then give (their reward or punishment) back to you. So whoever finds good then let him praise Allah. And whoever finds other than that then let him blame no one but himself.”

[Collected by Muslim: #2577]

I Never Missed the Congregation in Forty Years

Al Qaadee ibn Samaa'ah said: For forty years I never missed the first Takbeer of the congregational prayers except on one occasion; my mother died and I missed it. So I got up and prayed twenty seven times in order to make up the reward.

When I slept, it was said to me in my dream; 'Indeed you have prayed, but what about the Angels saying Ameen?'

[Ie he made up for the reward of the congregation by praying twenty seven times, as the congregational prayer is twenty seven times greater in reward than a prayer on your own, but how is he going to make up for the angels saying Ameen at the same time that the people in congregation say Ameen, as this cannot be made up when one prays on their own.]

On the authority of 'Ubaydullah ibn' Umar al-Qawareeree, may Allah have mercy upon him, who said: I never used to miss a prayer in congregation, but one time I had a guest and was preoccupied with hosting him so I missed the 'Ishaa at the Masjid. I left to pray with the congregation at the Masjid but found that all the Masaajid had finished the prayer and closed.

I returned home, feeling sad that I missed the congregation; I said to myself; In the Hadeeth it states that a prayer in congregation is better than twenty seventy prayers alone, so I prayed the 'Ishaa twenty seven times.

I went to sleep and saw myself in a dream riding a horse with other people in front of me also riding horses. I pushed my horse to catch up to them but I wasn't able to.

I looked at one of them, he said to me; 'Do not tire your horse, you will not be able to catch up with us!'

I said to him; 'Why, my brother?'

He said; 'Because we prayed the' Ishaa in congregation and you prayed by yourself. '

So I woke up in a state of sadness and worry.

[Al-Waafee bil Wafayaat by as-Safde: 3/116]

Haatim al Asam said; I missed the prayer in congregation one time, and only Abu Ishaaq al Bukharee gave me his condolences. If a child of mine were to pass away, more than ten thousand people would have given me their condolences; a calamity regarding religion is lighter to the people than a calamity in worldly life.

[Az-Zawaahir 'an Irtikaab al-Kabaa-ir by al-Haythamee: 1/277]

Causes of the Hardening of the Heart

The causes for the hardening of the heart are:

• Sinning and disobedience to Allah.
• Excessive heedlessness (of the religion).
• Accompanying the heedless and the sinful.

All of this is from the causes of the hardening of the heart.

As for the causes that soften, purifiy and put the heart at rest:

• Obedience to Allah the Mighty and Magnificent.
• Accompanying the righteous.
• Spending one's time with Dhikr, reading the Quran and seeking forgiveness.

Whoever spends his time by (verbally) remembering Allah, reading the Quran, accompanying the righteous and distancing oneself from the heedless and the sinful, his heart would be in a good state and soften, Allah the Elevated said:

{It is with the remembrance of Allah that hearts find tranquility}