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The Prophet of Mercy

Translation of Sahih Bukhari

Translation of Sahih Bukhari

Newspaper wasn't sensitive to Muslims

Newspaper wasn't sensitive to Muslims

Wednesday,  October 8, 2008 3:10 AM

 

The Saturday Forum column "Suppressing speech is not the answer" by Dispatch Editorial Page Editor Glenn Sheller concerned complaints about the paper's acceptance of the DVD Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West as an advertising supplement.

Sheller said, "The discomfort of blameless Muslims, however, is not more important than the expression of free speech." He also said, "For many years, CAIR has waged a campaign to intimidate and silence anyone who raises alarms about the dangers of Islamic extremism."

I don't doubt Sheller's sincerity, but I would challenge him to document those assertions about the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Freedom of speech is essential in a democracy, and I would not deny Sheller's right to express his views, but I am disappointed that a great newspaper like The Dispatch would carry his characterization of the situation as "discomfort" and accuse CAIR of engaging in a campaign to silence its critics.

Why did The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer and Cincinnati Enquirer decline to accept the DVD ad ? Does The Dispatch believe those newspapers are silencing free speech?

I have appreciated the paper for a long time and have been a consistent advocate on its behalf, but I am convinced that Sheller's column unfairly minimized the understandable apprehension within the Muslim community and distorted CAIR's work on its behalf.

JOHN WAGNER
Westerville

The Fast (Sawm) is for Me

 

Know, that in the Fast (Sawm) is a special quality that is not found in anything else. And that is its close connection to Allah, such that He says: "The Fast (Sawm) is for Me ( All Merciful God, Allaah)and I will reward it." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]

This connection is enough to show the high status of fasting. Similarly, the Ka`bah is highly dignified due to its close connection to Him, as occurs in His statement:

"And sanctify My House." [Soorah al-Hajj:26]

Indeed, the fast is only virtuous due to two significant concepts:

The first: It is a secret and hidden action thus, no one from the creation is able to see it. Therefore riyaa' (showing off) cannot enter into it.

The second: It is a means of subjugating the enemies of Allah. This is because the road that the enemies (of Allah) embark upon (in order to misguide the Son of Aadam) is that of desires. And eating and drinking strengthens the desires.

There are many reports that indicate the merits of fasting, and they are all well known.

The recommended acts of fasting

The pre-dawn meal (suhoor) and delaying in taking it are preferable, as well as hastening to break the fast and doing so with dates.

Generosity in giving is also recommended during Ramadaan, as well as doing good deeds and increasing in charity. This is in accordance with the way of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam).

It is also recommended to study the Qur'aan and perform I`tikaaf during Ramadaan, especially in the last ten days, as well as increasing upon the exertion (towards doing good deeds) in it.

In the two Saheehs, `Aa'ishah said:

"When the (last) ten days (of Ramadaan) would come, the Prophet would tighten his waist-wrapper (izaar), spend the night in worship, and wake his family up (for prayer)." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]

The scholars have mentioned two views concerning the meaning of "tighten his waist-wrapper (izaar)":

The first: It means the turning away from women.

The second: It is an expression denoting his (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) eagerness and diligence in doing good deeds.

They also say that the reason for his (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) exertion in the last ten days of Ramadaan was due to his (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) seeking of the Night of Al-Qadr (Lailatul-Qadr).

An explanation of the inner secrets of fasting and its characteristics

There are three levels of fasting: The general fast, the specific fast, and the more specific fast.

As for the general fast, then it is the refraining of the stomach and the private parts from fulfilling their desires.

The specific fast is the refraining of ones gaze, tongue, hands, feet, hearing and eyes, as well as the rest of his body parts from committing sinful acts.

As for the more specific fast, then it is the heart's abstention from its yearning after the worldly affairs and the thoughts which distance one away from Allah, as well as its (the heart's) abstention from all the things that Allah has placed on the same level.

From the characteristics of the specific fast is that one lowers his gaze and safeguards his tongue from the repulsive speech that is forbidden, disliked, or which has no benefit, as well as controlling the rest of his body parts.

In a hadeeth reported by Al-Bukhaaree:

"Whosoever does not abandon false speech and the acting upon it, Allah is not in need of him leaving off his food and drink." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, Abu Dawood, at-Tirmidhee and Ibn Maajah]

Another characteristic of the specific fast is that one does not overfill himself with food during the night. Instead, he eats in due measure, for indeed, the son of Aadam does not fill a vessel more evil than his stomach.

If he were to eat his fill during the first part of the night, he would not make good use of himself for the remainder of the night. In the same way, if he eats to his fill for suhoor, he does not make good use of himself until the afternoon. This is because excessive eating breeds laziness and lethargy. Therefore, the objective of fasting disappears due to one's excessiveness in eating, for what is intended by the fast, is that one savors the taste of hunger and becomes an abandoner of desires.

Recommended Fasts

As for the recommended fasts, then know that preference for fasting is established in certain virtuous days. Some of these virtuous days occur every year, such as fasting the first six days of the month of Shawaal after Ramadaan, fasting the day of `Arafah, the day of `Aashooraa, and the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram.

Some of them occur every month, such as the first part of the month, the middle part of it, and the last part of it. So whoever fasts the first part of the month, the middle part of it, and the last part of it, then he has done well.

Some fasts occur every week, and they are every Monday and Thursday.

The most virtuous of the recommended fasts is the fast of Dawood (`alayhis salaam). He would fast one day and break his fast the next day. This achieves the following three objectives:

The soul is given its share on the day the fast is broken. And on the day of fasting, it completes its worship in full.

The day of eating is the day of giving thanks and the day of fasting is the day of having patience. And Faith (Eemaan) is divided into two halves - that of thankfulness and that of patience. [Note: the hadeeth with a similar stament is unauthentic, see adh-Dha`eefah: 625]

It is the most difficult struggle for the soul. This is because every time the soul gets accustomed to a certain condition, it transfers itself to that.

As for fasting every day, then it has been reported by Muslim, from the hadeeth of Abu Qataadah, that `Umar (radhiallahu `anhu) asked the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam): 'What is the case if one were to fast every day?' So he (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "He did not fast nor did he break his fast - or - he did not fast and he did not break his fast." [Saheeh Muslim]

This is concerning the one who fasts continuously, even during the days in which fasting is forbidden.

Characteristics of the most specific fast

Know that the one who has been given intellect, knows the objective behind fasting. Therefore, he burdens himself to the extent that he will not be unable to do that which is more beneficial than it.

Ibn Mas`ood would fast very little and it is reported that he used to say: "When I fast, I grow weak in my prayer. And I prefer the prayer over the (optional) fast.

Some of them (the Sahaabah) would weaken in their recitation of the Qur'aan while fasting. Thus, they would exceed in breaking their fast (i.e. by observing less optional fasts), until they were able to balance their recitation. Every individual is knowledgeable of his condition and of what will rectify it.

Sweetness of faith

Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported:
Allah's Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) said: There are three qualities, whoever is characterized by them will relish the sweetness of faith: One to whom Allah and His Messenger are dearer than all else; one who loves a man only for Allah's sake; and one who abhors returning to infidelity after Allah has rescued him from it as he abhors being cast into Hell.

Hadith number in Sahih Muslim [Arabic only]: 60

Lets Prepare

 

Hadith Qudsi

On the authority of Abu Harayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said: Allah (mighty and sublime be He) says:

Fasting is Mine and it I who give reward for it. [A man] gives up his sexual passion, his food and his drink for my sake. Fasting is like a shield, and he who fasts has two joys: a joy whin he breaks his fast and a joy when he meets his Lord. The change in the breath of the mouth of him who fasts is better in Allah's estimation than the smell of musk.

It was related by al-Bukhari (also by Muslim, Malik, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah).

 

 

 

Riyad-us-Saliheen

	The book of Miscellany
	Book One- The Book of Good Manners
	Book Two- The Book about the Etiquette of Eating
	Book Three- The Book of Dress
	Book Four- The Book of the Etiquette of Sleeping, Lying and Sitting, etc.
	Book Five- The book of Greetings
	Book Six- The Book of Visiting the Sick
	Book Seven- The Book of Etiquette of Traveling
	Book Eight- The Book of Virtues
	Book Nine- The Book of I'tikaf
	Book Ten- The Book of Hajj
	Book Eleven- The Book of Jihad
	Book Twelve- The Book of Knowledge
	Book Thirteen- The Book of Praise and Gratitude to Allah
	Book Fourteen- The Book of Supplicating Allah to Exalt the Mention of Allah's Messenger (phuh)
	Book Fifteen- The Book of the Remembrance of Allah
	Book Sixteen- The Book of Du'a (Supplications)
	Book Seventeen- The Book of the Prohibited Actions
	Book Eighteen- The Book of Miscellaneous Adadith of Significant values
	Book Nineteen- The Book of Forgiveness

 

who is the one who is bankrupt

Who is the one who is bankrupt

 

Muslim narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah, said:

"Do you know who is the one who is bankrupt?" They said, 'The bankrupt is the one who has no money and no possessions.' He said, 'Among my Ummah, the one who is bankrupt is the one who will come on the Day of Resurrection with prayer and fasting and Zakah (to his credit), but he will come having insulted this one, slandered that one, consumed the wealth of this one and shed the blood of that one, and beaten that one. So they will all be given some of his hasanaat, and when his hasanaat run out, before judgment is passed, some of their sins will be taken and cast onto him, then he will be cast into the Fire.'" (Muslim: 4/1998, Hadith no. 2581)

rescue yourselves from the Fire

 

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported:
When this verse was revealed: And warn your tribe (O Muhammad SAW) of near kindred the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) called the Quraish; so they gathered and he gave them a general warning. Then he made a particular (reference to certain tribes) and said: O sons of Ka'b bin Lu'ai, rescue yourselves from the Fire; O sons of Murrah bin Ka'b, rescue yourselves from the Fire: O sons of 'Abd Shams, rescue yourselves from the Fire; O sons of 'Abd Manaf, rescue yourselves from the Fire; O sons of Hashim, rescue yourselves from the Fire; O sons of 'Abdul-Muttalib, rescue yourselves from the Fire; O Fatimah, rescue yourself from the Fire, for I have no power (to protect you) from Allah in anything except that I would sustain relationship with you.

Hadith number in Sahih Muslim [Arabic only]: 303

 

for more : Passing on Knowledge

Fasting is for Allah only

The prophet of Allah said:

"Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving then times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, 'Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.' for the fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk." [Al-Bukhaaree]

More saying of the Prophet: See: Next Hadith    See: Previous Hadith

 

Safe

 

Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated:
I asked Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) which (believer) in Islam is more excellent. Upon this he remarked: One from whose tongue and hand Muslims are safe.

Hadith number in Sahih Muslim [Arabic only]: 59

 

See: Next Hadith    See: Previous Hadith

Previous Hadith , Next Hadith

Previous Hadith

Next Hadith

Daily Hadith

'Imran bin Husain, may Allah be pleased with them, narrated: The Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) said: Pudency brings forth nothing but goodness.
Hadith number in Sahih Muslim [Arabic only]: 53

Two Persons Tortured in Grave

Narrated Ibn Abbas:

The Prophet once passed by two graves and said, "They (the deceased persons in those graves) are being tortured not for a great thing to avoid." And then added, "Yes, (they are being punished for a big sin), for one of them used to go about with calumnies while the other never saved himself from being soiled with his urine." (Ibn Abbas added): Then he took a green leaf of a date-palm) and split it into two pieces and fixed one piece on each grave and said, "May their punishment be abated till these (two pieces) get dry."

Volume 2, Book 23, Number 460

Cursing A Believer

Narrated Thabit bin Ad-Dahhak:

The Prophet said, "Whoever swears by a religion other than Islam, is, as he says; and whoever commits suicide with something, will be punished with the same thing in the (Hell) Fire; and cursing a believer is like murdering him; and whoever accuses a believer of disbelief, then it is as if he had killed him."

Volume 8, Book 78, Number 647