Equality in Islam

January 18, 2009
equality

equality

O mankind! Reverence your Guardian-Lord, Who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, his mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women–fear Allah, through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you. (Qur’an 4:1)

Here we see in the Quran that men and women have mutual rights, between and from each other, and that we should give respect to our mothers.  Islam speaks specificaly about the rights that people have: rights of a husband upon his wife, the wife upon her husband, parents from their children and the children have rights upon their parents.  Islam is not just a religion but rather a way of life in which its followers should show respect and love and honor the duties and rights placed upon them.

“I shall not lose sight of the labor of any of you who labors in My way, be it man or woman; each of you is equal to the other (3:195)”

This verse shows plainly that before God there is gender equality especially concerning worship and righteous acts.  This should not be confused however with saying that men and women are the same, for they are not.  Each has been blessed with their own natures and characteristics which make their complementary roles productive in society.

“Verily for all men and women who have surrendered themselves unto God, and all believing men and believing women, and all truly devout men and truly devout women, and all men and women who are true to their word, and all men and women who are patient in adversity, and all men and women who humble themselves before God, and all men and women who give in charity, and all self-denying men and self-denying women, and all men and women who are mindful of their chastity, and all men and women who remmber God unceasingly: for all of them has God readied forgiveness of sins and a mighty reward.” (33:35)

|Again it is clear that both men and women stand in front of Allah and are accountable for their own actions and behaviors and that in the case of religious duties, they are equal.

Additionally, it is well known that race or ethnicity while a blessing from Allah so that we can know each other and learn about different cultures, does not mean that one race is better than another.


“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other.  Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.  And Allah has full knowledge and is well-acquainted.  (The Noble Quran, 49:13)

 It is also based on the statement of Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), “ Oh Mankind! Your Lord is One. Your (grand) father is one. All of you belong to Adam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Adam is created of soil (earth dirt). Truly, the most honorable person in the Sight of Your Lord, the Almighty Allah, is the most pious among you. There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab. There is no superiority for a non-Arab over an Arab. There is no superiority for a red (race) person over a white person. Likewise, there is no superiority of a white over a red (race) person except for the level of piety (mindfulness of God, the Almighty Allah in life and practices)”     Ahmad, Hadith No.411.

Pride in one’s family history or geneology is good only to a certain extent.  When it starts to balloon and create snobbery and distructive pride in which one tribe or nation feels superior over another, a falling away from the sunna occurs.  We read that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) says,“ The Almighty Allah has removed the false pride taking, which was practiced in the pre-Islamic period, where individuals took false pride with their ancestors (forefathers). All mankind belongs (in lineage) to Adam u. Adam is created of soil (earth dirt)”  AbuDaoud, Hadith No.5116.

One of the most beautiful aspects pilgrims find when making hajj and umra is that they are all dressed in simple clothing.  The rich and poor are dressed alike, and one is not better than the other except in levels of piety and righteousness.  Although this is all logical and reasonable, we still fail to impliment these ideals into our daily lives.  Women and men are refused in marriage due to lineage, foreign nationalities are treated with less respect and rights, minorities do not get the same privelages as the majority and the list can, and does, go on.  Only by implimenting the true sunna of the Prophet pbuh and rules that Allah swt has given us can we start to dispell racism and ethnic clicks among our population.

sakina-and-sara1

 



Sheikh Sudais from Mekka: Doa Qunoot

January 18, 2009

Du’a

January 18, 2009

The Pre-Conditions of Dua (Supplication)

When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me; Let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me; That they may walk in the right way. [Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 186]

We know that Dua (supplication) is a type of worship, so it is essential to discuss the pre-conditions that are necessary if we wish for our Dua to be answered. Just like our Salat (prayer) will not be accepted until we perform the necessary pre-requisites, such as wudu (ablution), facing the Qiblah and covering the body. Likewise our dua will likely not be accepted until some pre-requisites are met.

Let’s see what Allah (SWT) tells us about Dua for surely “Allah’s promise is the truth, and whose word can be truer than Allah’s?” (4:122)

praying pray dua supplication to god allah

The Realisation that Only Allah Responds to Dua

“Who else is there that responds to the call of the one in distress when he calls out, and He removes evil from him, and makes you inheritors of the earth ? Is there any other God besides Allah? Little is it that you remember!” (27:62)

We must fully believe that only Allah (SWT) is capable of hearing our prayer, and only Allah (SWT) has the power to grant us what we desire.

Sincerity in Dua to Allah Alone

“Will you call upon other than Allah if you are truthful?” (6:40)

“Those whom you call besides Allah are slaves like yourselves” (7:194)

“And those who you ask besides Him can neither come to your aid, nor can they help themselves!” (7: 197)

After we realize that only Allah (SWT) can respond to our Dua, then it makes sense that we pray to Allah (SWT) alone. We must be careful only to ask Allah (SWT). Idols, the sun to trees, animals, men, pious people, prophets, or even angels have no power to grant any of our Dua’s.

Let’s see what Prophet Muhammad said about Dua in the authentic Hadiths. “And he speaks not of his own desire. It is but a revelation revealed to him.” (53:3-4)

The Presence of an Attentive Heart

Prophet Muhammad said “Make dua to Allah in a state that you are certain that your dua will be responded to, and know that Allah does not respond to a dua that originates from a negligent, inattentive heart” (Tirmidhi)

This shows that our Dua must be made with a mindful heart, such that we know exactly what we are asking for, and who we are asking from, for Allah (SWT) is the Lord of Honor!

Purity of One’s Sustenance

Prophet Muhammad said “Oh you who believe! Eat from the pure and good foods We have given you” Then the Prophet mentioned a traveler on a long journey, who is dishevelled and dusty, and he stretches forth his hands to the sky , saying “Oh my Lord! O my Lord!” – while his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothing his unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully; how can he be answered?” (Muslim, Ahmad)

Therefore, among the necessary conditions of our Dua to be accepted is the purity and lawfulness of our food.

Lack of Hastiness

Prophet Muhammad said “You will responded to as long as you are not hasty, meaning that a person says, ‘I have prayed and prayed and my prayer has not been answered!’” (Bukhari, Muslim)

This shows that Dua should be continuous, and that we should avoid giving up our Dua because it has not been responded to. For Allah (SWT) is The Wise and we know that no Dua is ever wasted! This does not mean however, that we cannot pray that our Dua be answered quickly, for it has been narrated that the Prophet prayed for rain and said “quickly, and not delayed..” (Ibn Majah)

Summary

The above are conditions that can aid us in getting our Dua responded to. The response of our Dua depends on the Will of Allah (SWT), and He responds to whom He pleases. Therefore it is possible that the Dua of a disbeliever who does not meet any of these conditions is responded to, and it is possible that a Muslim who fulfills all of these conditions is not responded to. However without a doubt, if we strive to fulfill and put into practice all of these factors we will have a much greater chance of our Dua being answered.

We also know that a Dua of a believer is never wasted. If our dua is not granted and we are patient then Allah (SWT) either turns away some evil that was going to inflict us, or Allah (SWT) reserves its rewards for the hereafter. On the day of judgement when we see the huge rewards we get for our Dua’s not being answered, we will wish none of our Dua’s got granted on earth! So even if our Dua in not answered in this life we should hope for its rewards in the next.

One of the main purposes of Dua is that we have an attentive heart towards Allah (SWT). That we turn to Him and acknowledge His Power. This however requires patience, purity and sincerity. We need to call out to Allah (SWT) with a sincere heart, for verily Allah (SWT) does not accept any Dua made from a neglectful heart. How sincere is our heart? Right now the choice is ours!

We ask Allah (SWT) the Most High, the All-Powerful, to teach us that which will benefit us, and to benefit us by that which we learn. May Allah (SWT) grant blessings and peace to our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.

 

see more at: http://noorslist.com/2008/02/09/the-pre-conditions-of-dua-supplication/


Righteousness is to believe…..Bakarah 2:177

January 18, 2009

 

   لَّيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَلَكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَالْمَلآئِكَةِ وَالْكِتَابِ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَآتَى الْمَالَ عَلَى حُبِّهِ ذَوِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَالسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَاهَدُواْ وَالصَّابِرِينَ فِي الْبَأْسَاء والضَّرَّاء وَحِينَ الْبَأْسِ أُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ 

 

 


Transliteration Laysa albirra an tuwalloo wujoohakum qibala almashriqi waalmaghribi walakinna albirra man amana biAllahi waalyawmi alakhiri waalmalaikati waalkitabi waalnnabiyyeena waata almala AAala hubbihi thawee alqurba waalyatama waalmasakeena waibna alssabeeli waalssaileena wafee alrriqabi waaqama alssalata waata alzzakata waalmoofoona biAAahdihim itha AAahadoo waalssabireena fee albasai waalddarrai waheena albasi olaika allatheena sadaqoo waolaika humu almuttaqoonadoa2 


Abdullah Yusuf Ali It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah.fearing. Mufti Taqi Usmani Righteousness is not (merely) that you turn your faces to the East and the West; but righteousness is that one believes in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets, and gives wealth, despite (his) love for it, to relatives, and to orphans, the helpless, the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and (spends) in (freeing) slaves and observes the Salah (prayers) and pays Zakah___and (the act of) those who fulfill their covenant when they enter into a covenant, and, of course, those who are patient in hardship and suffering and when in battle! Those are the ones who are truthful, and those are the God-fearing. Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces to the East and the West; but righteous is he who believeth in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Scripture and the Prophets; and giveth his wealth, for love of Him, to kinsfolk and to orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask, and to set slaves free; and observeth proper worship and payeth the poor due. And those who keep their treaty when they make one, and the patient in tribulation and adversity and time of stress. Such are they who are sincere. Such are the God fearing. Sahih International Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous. French La bonté pieuse ne consiste pas à tourner vos visages vers le Levant ou le Couchant. Mais la bonté pieuse est de croire en Allah, au Jour dernier, aux Anges, au Livre et aux prophètes, de donner de son bien, quelqu’amour qu’on en ait, aux proches, aux orphelins, aux nécessiteux, aux voyageurs indigents et à ceux qui demandent l’aide et pour délier les jougs, d’accomplir la Salat et d’acquitter la Zakat. Et ceux qui remplissent leurs engagements lorsqu’ils se sont engagés, ceux qui sont endurants dans la misère, la maladie et quand les combats font rage, les voilà les véridiques et les voilà les vrais pieux ! Japanese 正 しく仕えるということは,あなたがたの顔を東または西に向けることではない。つまり正しく仕えるとは,アッラーと最後の(審判の)日,天使たち,諸啓典と 預言者たちを信じ,かれを愛するためにその財産を,近親,孤児,貧者,旅路にある者や物乞いや奴隷の解放のために費やし,礼拝の務めを守り,定めの喜捨を 行い,約束した時はその約束を果たし,また困苦と逆境と非常時に際しては,よく耐え忍ぶ者。これらこそ真実な者であり,またこれらこそ主を畏れる者であ る Portugese A virtude não consiste só em que orientais vossos rostos até ao levante ou ao poente. A verdadeira virtude é a de quem crê em Deus, no Dia do Juízo Final, nos anjos, no Livro e nos profetas; de quem distribuiu seus bens em caridade por amor a Deus, entre parentes, órfãos, necessitados, viajantes, mendigos e em resgate de cativos (escravos). Aqueles que observam a oração, pagam o zakat, cumprem os compromissos contraídos, são pacientes na miséria e na adversidade, ou durante os combates, esses são os verazes, e esses são os tementes (a Deus). Russian Благочестие состоит не в том, чтобы вы обращали ваши лица на восток и запад. Но благочестив тот, кто уверовал в Аллаха, в Последний день, в ангелов, в Писание, в пророков, кто раздавал имущество, несмотря на свою любовь к нему, родственникам, сиротам, бедным, путникам и просящим, расходовал его на освобождение рабов, совершал намаз, выплачивал закят, соблюдал договора после их заключения, проявлял терпение в нужде, при болезни и во время сражения. Таковы те, которые правдивы. Таковы богобоязненные. German Es ist keine Frömmigkeit, wenn ihr eure Angesichter in Richtung Osten oder Westen wendet; Frömmigkeit ist vielmehr, daß man an Allah glaubt, den Jüngsten Tag, die Engel, das Buch und die Propheten und vom Besitz obwohl man ihn liebt den Verwandten gibt, den Waisen, den Armen, dem Sohn des Weges, den Bettlern und (für den Freikauf von) Sklaven, daß man das Gebet verrichtet und die Zakah entrichtet. Es sind diejenigen, die ihr Versprechen einhalten, wenn sie es gegeben haben; und diejenigen, die in Elend, Not und in Kriegszeiten geduldig sind; sie sind es, die wahrhaftig und gottesfürchtig sind. 

http://islam.thetruecall.com/modules.php?name=Quran&func=goto&gotoparam=2%3A177&at[]=999&at[]=50&at[]=3&at[]=6&at[]=1&at[]=5&at[]=10&at[]=11&at[]=13&at[]=12&at[]=14


 



No Power on Earth Except by leave of Allah

January 18, 2009

Asalaamu alaakum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh brothers and sisters. Trust in Allah (swt) Two seeds lay side by side in the fertile spring soil. The first seed said, “I want to grow! I want to send my roots deep into the soil beneath me, and thrust my sprouts through the earth’s crust above me…. I want to unfurl my tender buds like banners to announce the arrival of spring… I want to feel the warmth of the sun on my face and the blessing of the morning dew on my petals!” And so she grew.

The second seed said, “I am afraid. If I send my roots into the ground below, I don’t know what I will encounter in the dark. If I push my way through the hard soil above me I may damage my delicate sprouts… what if I let my buds open and a snail tries to eat them? And if I were to open my blossoms, a small child may pull me from the ground. No, it is much better for me to wait until it is safe.” And so she waited.

 

 

A yard hen scratching around in the early spring ground for food found the waiting seed and promptly ate it. Those of us who refuse to risk and grow get swallowed up by life. “Put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).” [Surah al-Imran; 3:159]


AMAZING SCIENTIFIC MIRACLES WITHIN THE QURAN

January 18, 2009

ONE OF THE MOST WONDERFUL AND AMAZING THINGS THAT VERIFIES THE PURITY AND GODLY ORIGIN OF THE QURAN, ARE THE SCIENTIFIC PROOFS THAT WERE TOTALLY UNKNOWN WHEN THE QURAN WAS WRITTEN, YET ARE PERFECTLY SPELLED OUT WITHIN THE QURAN.  ONLY GOD ALMIGHTY COULD HAVE GIVEN THIS INFORMATION AT THE TIME THE QURAN WAS REVEALED.

KEEP IN MIND THAT THE QURAN IS ONLY IN ARABIC FORM AND TRANSLATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED AS QURAN RATHER MERELY TRANSLATIONS OF THE MEANINGS.  THE ORIGINAL QURAN IS THE SAME AS THOSE THAT ARE PRINTED TODAY AS THERE ARE FOUR ‘ANCHIENT’ QURANS STILL AVAILABLE IN THE WORLD TODAY.


Hadith: Whoever gets up at night…

January 18, 2009

 

 

 
 

Narrated ‘Ubada bin As-Samit: The Prophet “Whoever gets up at night and says: –

‘La ilaha il-lallah Wahdahu la Sharika lahu Lahu-l-mulk, waLahu-l-hamd wahuwa ‘ala kullishai’in Qadir. Alhamdu lil-lahi wa subhanal-lahi wa la-ilaha il-lal-lah wa-l-lahu akbar wa la hawla Wala Quwata il-la-bil-lah.’

(None has the right to be worshipped but Allah. He is the Only One and has no partners . For Him is the Kingdom and all the praises are due for Him. He is Omnipotent. All the praises are for Allah. All the glories are for Allah. And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, And Allah is Great And there is neither Might nor Power Except with Allah).

And then says: –

Allahumma, Ighfir li(O Allah! Forgive me). Or invokes (Allah), he will be responded to and if he performsablution (and prays), his prayer will be accepted.”  

(Book #21 Prayers at Night (Tahajjud), Hadith#253)

 

Stationery by UZ Creations

A-DUA-A-DAY@googlegroups.com


January 18, 2009

A young woman, Tanya becomes muslim after some considerable thought and struggle.  


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