Ok. Maybe there's arguments for and against each opinion. But one thing is for sure, consistently leaving after 8 Rakats when the Imam has set out to pray 20 Rakats makes no sense at all. At least, I can't think of any explanation for this. If you want to pray 8 Rakats, find and go to a Masjid where they pray 8 Rakats, and, of course, vice-versa.
Those who leave after 8 Rakats in a 20-Rakat prayer are not only cheating the system but cutting themselves short. Think about it, if you leave every day after 8 Rakats, by the end of Ramadhan you will have heard only 8/20ths (i.e. only 40%) of the Qur'an. But then, I wonder, is it the difference of opinion that causes people to leave after 8 Rakats or just plain laziness?
Sunday 16 September 2007
Saturday 15 September 2007
Good memorisation
So you've memorised a sequence of Ayaat (verses) from the Holy Qur'an and can recite them in correct succession. What's more, when randomly given the first few words of an Ayah, you can reply instantaneously with the first few words of the following Ayah. That's good memorisation, maa sha Allah.
However, here's the test of great memorisation. When randomly given the first few words of an Ayah, can you state the first few words of the preceding Ayah? Try it. It's hard but a great technique to solidify your knowledge.
However, here's the test of great memorisation. When randomly given the first few words of an Ayah, can you state the first few words of the preceding Ayah? Try it. It's hard but a great technique to solidify your knowledge.
Monday 3 September 2007
9.2, Oppression and the Rights of Others over us
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
‘Umar bin Al-Khattab (RA) reported: On the day (of the battle) of Khaibar, some Companions of the Prophet (SAW) came and remarked: “So-and-so is a martyr and so-and-so is a martyr.” When they came to a man about whom they said: “So-and-so is a martyr,” the Prophet (SAW) declared, “No. I have seen him in Hell for a mantle (or cloak) which he has stolen.” (Muslim)
This Hadith tells us that violation of the rights of people will not be forgiven even by martyrdom.
Abu Qatadah Al-Harith bin Rib3ee (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Faith in Allah and striving in His Cause (Jihad) are the deeds of highest merit.”
A man stood up said: “O Messenger of Allah! Tell me if I am killed in the Cause of Allah, will all my sins be forgiven?”
He (SAW) replied, “Yes, if you are killed in the Cause of Allah while you are patient, hopeful of your reward and marching forward not retreating.”
Then the Prophet (SAW) said to him, “Repeat what you have said.”
The man said: “Tell me if I am killed in the Cause of Allah, will all my sins be remitted?”
He (SAW) replied, “Yes, if you are martyred while you are patient, hopeful of your reward and march forward without retreating, unless, if you owe any debt, that will not be remitted. Angel Jibril told me that.” (Muslim)
This Hadith again shows the importance of fulfilling the rights of people and in particular the repayment of loans, which will not be pardoned in any case. It is therefore essential that we exercise utmost care to fulfil our obligations in this matter (i.e. to avoid falling into debt and, if unavoidable, to clear any debts that we have at the earliest opportunity).
‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘aaS (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said, “A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hands the Muslims are safe; and a Muhajir (emigrant) is the one who refrains from what Allah has forbidden.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
A true Muslim is one who does not do any harm to others, overtly or covertly (openly or secretly). Similarly, a true Muhajir is one who avoids disobeying Allah. Thus, if a person leaves his home to emigrate to some other place but does not save himself from sins, his emigration is of no avail.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said, “He who has done a wrong affecting his brother’s honour or anything else, let him ask his forgiveness today before the time (i.e., the Day of Resurrection) when he will have neither a Dinar nor a Dirham. If he has done some good deeds, a portion equal to his wrong doings will be subtracted from them; but if he has no good deeds, he will be burdened with the evil deeds of the one he had wronged in the same proportion.” (Bukhari)
This Hadith tells us that if we do not compensate a person who we have harmed, and who has not pardoned us for it, then it will have a serious consequence in the Hereafter, as mentioned in this Hadith.
Thus, in conclusion, negligence in the case of public rights, which we take very lightly, is in fact ruinous and can easily become a source of much dishonour for us on the Day when no person will be wronged.
‘Umar bin Al-Khattab (RA) reported: On the day (of the battle) of Khaibar, some Companions of the Prophet (SAW) came and remarked: “So-and-so is a martyr and so-and-so is a martyr.” When they came to a man about whom they said: “So-and-so is a martyr,” the Prophet (SAW) declared, “No. I have seen him in Hell for a mantle (or cloak) which he has stolen.” (Muslim)
This Hadith tells us that violation of the rights of people will not be forgiven even by martyrdom.
Abu Qatadah Al-Harith bin Rib3ee (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Faith in Allah and striving in His Cause (Jihad) are the deeds of highest merit.”
A man stood up said: “O Messenger of Allah! Tell me if I am killed in the Cause of Allah, will all my sins be forgiven?”
He (SAW) replied, “Yes, if you are killed in the Cause of Allah while you are patient, hopeful of your reward and marching forward not retreating.”
Then the Prophet (SAW) said to him, “Repeat what you have said.”
The man said: “Tell me if I am killed in the Cause of Allah, will all my sins be remitted?”
He (SAW) replied, “Yes, if you are martyred while you are patient, hopeful of your reward and march forward without retreating, unless, if you owe any debt, that will not be remitted. Angel Jibril told me that.” (Muslim)
This Hadith again shows the importance of fulfilling the rights of people and in particular the repayment of loans, which will not be pardoned in any case. It is therefore essential that we exercise utmost care to fulfil our obligations in this matter (i.e. to avoid falling into debt and, if unavoidable, to clear any debts that we have at the earliest opportunity).
‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘aaS (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said, “A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hands the Muslims are safe; and a Muhajir (emigrant) is the one who refrains from what Allah has forbidden.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
A true Muslim is one who does not do any harm to others, overtly or covertly (openly or secretly). Similarly, a true Muhajir is one who avoids disobeying Allah. Thus, if a person leaves his home to emigrate to some other place but does not save himself from sins, his emigration is of no avail.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said, “He who has done a wrong affecting his brother’s honour or anything else, let him ask his forgiveness today before the time (i.e., the Day of Resurrection) when he will have neither a Dinar nor a Dirham. If he has done some good deeds, a portion equal to his wrong doings will be subtracted from them; but if he has no good deeds, he will be burdened with the evil deeds of the one he had wronged in the same proportion.” (Bukhari)
This Hadith tells us that if we do not compensate a person who we have harmed, and who has not pardoned us for it, then it will have a serious consequence in the Hereafter, as mentioned in this Hadith.
Thus, in conclusion, negligence in the case of public rights, which we take very lightly, is in fact ruinous and can easily become a source of much dishonour for us on the Day when no person will be wronged.
9.1, Oppression and the Rights of Others over us
In the Name of Allah, the Most Glorified and Exalted, who says in the Qur’an,
“There will be no friend, nor an intercessor for the Dhaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers), who could be given heed to.” (40:18)
And in another place, Allah says,
“And for the Dhaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers) there is no helper.” (22:71)
As we approach Ramadan, we will hear many reminders reminding us to use this time to purify ourselves and develop our relationship with our Creator. This will be by means of fasting, increasing in prayer, reading more Qur’an, and so on. In essence, such acts pertain to the rights of Allah upon us. I want to use this opportunity instead to discuss the other half of the religion, which is the rights of people upon us, so that we do not render our good deeds null and void without knowing it.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) asked, “Do you know who the bankrupt is?”
They said: “The bankrupt among us is the one who has neither money with him nor any property.”
He (SAW) said, “The real bankrupt of my Ummah would be he who would come on the Day of Resurrection with Salat (prayer), Saum (fasting) and Sadaqah (charity), (but he will find himself bankrupt on that day as he will have exhausted the good deeds) because he spoke abusively of others, brought slander against others, unlawfully devoured the wealth of others, shed the blood of others and beat others; so his good deeds would be credited to the account of those (who suffered at his hand). If his good deeds fall short to clear the account, their sins would be entered in his account and he would be thrown in the (Hell) Fire.” (Muslim)
Thus we have to take strict care in the performance of obligations like prescribed Salat (prayers), Saum (fasting), Zakat (charity), and so on, but we have to take similar care in our dealings, manners and morals. Salvation lies in the proper fulfilment of all these requirements. Fulfilment of one at the cost of the other will not be sufficient for salvation. It is not sufficient for us to think ourselves safe and sound just because we are good at a few aspects of the Deen. We must strive to perfect ourselves in all aspects of this Deen; the rights of Allah, like prayer, fasting and pilgrimage, as well as the rights of people, like showing kindness, honesty and charity.
Jabir bin `Abdullah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Beware of injustice, for oppression will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection; and beware of stinginess because it doomed those who were before you. It incited them to shed blood and treat the unlawful as lawful.” (Muslim)
Also, Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, the rights will be paid to those to whom they are due so much so that a hornless sheep will be retaliated for by punishing the horned sheep which broke its horns.” (Muslim)
These two sayings of the Prophet (SAW) make it abundantly clear that there will be utmost justice on the Day of Resurrection. So much so that Allah will redress even the grievance of the aggressed animal against the aggressor. Thus, these teachings serve as severe warnings for people. When animals, which are devoid of sense, will not be forgiven, how will mankind be, which is gifted with senses? We will not be pardoned if we are guilty of having been unjust to anyone without adequately compensating them.
Aisha (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Whoever usurps unlawfully even a hand span of land, a collar measuring seven times (this) land will be placed around his neck on the Day of Resurrection.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
We see in this Hadith that even a minor injustice to anybody in this world can cause great trouble on the Day of Resurrection.
‘Adi bin ‘Umairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Whosoever among you is appointed by us to a position and he conceals from us even a needle or less, it will amount to misappropriation and he will be called upon to restore it on the Day of Resurrection.”
(‘Adi bin ‘Umairah added:) A black man from the Ansar stood up - I can see him still - and said: “O Messenger of Allah, take back from me your assignment.”
He (the Prophet (SAW)) said, “What has happened to you?”
The man replied: “I have heard you saying such and such.”
Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said, “I say that even now: Whosoever from you is appointed by us to a position, he should render an account of everything, big or small, and whatever he is given therefrom, he should take and he should desist from taking what is unlawful.” (Muslim)
In this Hadith people of positions of responsibility are warned to perform their duties with co-operation and integrity. If they neglect their duties or take undue advantage of their official positions, they will be held guilty by Allah for conscious neglect of their duties and misuse of power. Another point to note from this Hadith, for us all, is that we should keep account of everything we give and take to and from others, regardless of whether we consider the item big or small.
Abu Musa (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Verily, Allah gives respite to the oppressor. But when He seizes him, He does not let him escape.” Then he (SAW) recited,
'Such is the Seizure of your Rubb when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful (and) severe.'" (11:102) (Bukhari and Muslim)
We should not think respite and relief from harm to mean exemption and immunity, because we do not know when respite granted by Allah will come to an end and punishment will follow.
We ask Allah for the strength and desire to live in accordance with his Deen, and we ask Him out of His mercy to forgive us our sins and shortcomings.
“There will be no friend, nor an intercessor for the Dhaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers), who could be given heed to.” (40:18)
And in another place, Allah says,
“And for the Dhaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers) there is no helper.” (22:71)
As we approach Ramadan, we will hear many reminders reminding us to use this time to purify ourselves and develop our relationship with our Creator. This will be by means of fasting, increasing in prayer, reading more Qur’an, and so on. In essence, such acts pertain to the rights of Allah upon us. I want to use this opportunity instead to discuss the other half of the religion, which is the rights of people upon us, so that we do not render our good deeds null and void without knowing it.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) asked, “Do you know who the bankrupt is?”
They said: “The bankrupt among us is the one who has neither money with him nor any property.”
He (SAW) said, “The real bankrupt of my Ummah would be he who would come on the Day of Resurrection with Salat (prayer), Saum (fasting) and Sadaqah (charity), (but he will find himself bankrupt on that day as he will have exhausted the good deeds) because he spoke abusively of others, brought slander against others, unlawfully devoured the wealth of others, shed the blood of others and beat others; so his good deeds would be credited to the account of those (who suffered at his hand). If his good deeds fall short to clear the account, their sins would be entered in his account and he would be thrown in the (Hell) Fire.” (Muslim)
Thus we have to take strict care in the performance of obligations like prescribed Salat (prayers), Saum (fasting), Zakat (charity), and so on, but we have to take similar care in our dealings, manners and morals. Salvation lies in the proper fulfilment of all these requirements. Fulfilment of one at the cost of the other will not be sufficient for salvation. It is not sufficient for us to think ourselves safe and sound just because we are good at a few aspects of the Deen. We must strive to perfect ourselves in all aspects of this Deen; the rights of Allah, like prayer, fasting and pilgrimage, as well as the rights of people, like showing kindness, honesty and charity.
Jabir bin `Abdullah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Beware of injustice, for oppression will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection; and beware of stinginess because it doomed those who were before you. It incited them to shed blood and treat the unlawful as lawful.” (Muslim)
Also, Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, the rights will be paid to those to whom they are due so much so that a hornless sheep will be retaliated for by punishing the horned sheep which broke its horns.” (Muslim)
These two sayings of the Prophet (SAW) make it abundantly clear that there will be utmost justice on the Day of Resurrection. So much so that Allah will redress even the grievance of the aggressed animal against the aggressor. Thus, these teachings serve as severe warnings for people. When animals, which are devoid of sense, will not be forgiven, how will mankind be, which is gifted with senses? We will not be pardoned if we are guilty of having been unjust to anyone without adequately compensating them.
Aisha (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Whoever usurps unlawfully even a hand span of land, a collar measuring seven times (this) land will be placed around his neck on the Day of Resurrection.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
We see in this Hadith that even a minor injustice to anybody in this world can cause great trouble on the Day of Resurrection.
‘Adi bin ‘Umairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Whosoever among you is appointed by us to a position and he conceals from us even a needle or less, it will amount to misappropriation and he will be called upon to restore it on the Day of Resurrection.”
(‘Adi bin ‘Umairah added:) A black man from the Ansar stood up - I can see him still - and said: “O Messenger of Allah, take back from me your assignment.”
He (the Prophet (SAW)) said, “What has happened to you?”
The man replied: “I have heard you saying such and such.”
Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said, “I say that even now: Whosoever from you is appointed by us to a position, he should render an account of everything, big or small, and whatever he is given therefrom, he should take and he should desist from taking what is unlawful.” (Muslim)
In this Hadith people of positions of responsibility are warned to perform their duties with co-operation and integrity. If they neglect their duties or take undue advantage of their official positions, they will be held guilty by Allah for conscious neglect of their duties and misuse of power. Another point to note from this Hadith, for us all, is that we should keep account of everything we give and take to and from others, regardless of whether we consider the item big or small.
Abu Musa (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Verily, Allah gives respite to the oppressor. But when He seizes him, He does not let him escape.” Then he (SAW) recited,
'Such is the Seizure of your Rubb when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful (and) severe.'" (11:102) (Bukhari and Muslim)
We should not think respite and relief from harm to mean exemption and immunity, because we do not know when respite granted by Allah will come to an end and punishment will follow.
We ask Allah for the strength and desire to live in accordance with his Deen, and we ask Him out of His mercy to forgive us our sins and shortcomings.
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