Vol. 1 1^st, Dhee Qa'datun Najeeb 1416 March, 1996 No. 2

Topics In this Issue:

Virtues of The Month - - - Dhee Qa'datun Najeeb

Virtues of Unity

Virtues of Salat - - - Tahajjud

Virtues of Reciting The Holy Quraan

Virtues of Sunnah

Virtues of Everyday Du'aa - - - Supplication

Some Essential Advise From - - - Hadrat Shaikh Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat 'Ali Quddus Sirru Hul 'Azeez

Virtues of Knowledge of Fiqh & Shari'ah (Continued)

Salaatunnabi (Durood)

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VIRTUES OF THE MONTH Dhi Qa'datun Najeeb

It is reported in Hadith that anyone who fasts one day in this month Allaah Ta'laa writes for him for every moment acceptance of the thawaab (reward) of Hajj and for every breath as if he has given freedom to a slave (Risalah Fadailush shuhoor).

It is mentioned in a Hadith that one moment of worship in this month is better than 1,000 years of worship and to fast on a Monday this month is greater than 1,000 years of worship (Risalah Fadailush shuhoor).

It is mentioned in a Hadith that whoever offers 4 Raka'ahs of Salat on the first night of this month, and in each Raka'ah recites 23 times Surah Ikhlas, after Surah Fatihah, Allah Ta'la will reward him with 4000 houses made of red rubies and in each house will have thrones of jewels and on each throne will be sitting a hoor whose forehead will be brighter than the sun (Risalah Fadailush shuhoor).

According to one riwayah, anyone who offers every night of this month 2 Raka'ah nafl and each Raka'ah recites Surah Ikhlas 3 times after Surah Al Faatihah will receive every night thawaab of one Shaheed and one Hajj. Anyone who offers on Fridays of this month 4 Raka'ah and in each Raka'ah, recites Surah Ikhlas 21 times after Surah Al Faatihah, Allah Ta'ala writes for him thawaab of Hajj and Umra (Risalah Fadailush shuhoor).

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VIRTUES OF UNITY

In our issue of Shawwal Mukarram we quoted from Surah 3 verses 102-109. The command of Allaah Ta'laa about unity in this case begins with verse no: 102. Translation : "Oh you who believe, be in the Awe of Allaah as He should be held in awe and die not except in state of Islam ".

This holy verse reminds us to take the command of Allaah Ta'laa regarding unity (as verse 103 will make it clear) seriously. Allaah Ta'laa in His infinite mercy instills in us His Awe and Fear, so that we may desist from disobeying His commands. He also reminds us of death and not dying as disobedient slaves, but in a state of Islam which means to totally surrender to His Will and commands.

Verse 103 translation: "And hold fast, all together, by the Rope which Allaah stretches out for you and be not divided among your selves; and remember with gratitude Allaah's favor on you; for you were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace you became brothers and you were on the brink of the Pit of Fire and He saved you from it. Thus Allaah makes His Signs clear to you that you may be guided."

The command about unity is to hold fast all together by the Rope which Allaah has stretched out. The Rope of Allaah is His unity (the word unity means Oneness), His message, guidance, criteria of goodness and evil which is the Holy Quraan, and The Sunnah of The last Prophet and Messenger (The excellent model)

Please remember the word "Uswat ul Husnah" that Allaah Ta'laa has used in Holy Quraan for His beloved Prophet, Muhammad Mustafa. These two sources, The Quran and the Practices (Sunnah) of the holy Prophet Muhammad constitute the Rope of Allaah Ta'laa and the Siratul Mustaqeem (The Straight) Path (Allah knows best). By holding fast to this Rope, we shall know how to unite and become one ummah (unity) in practice; although conceptually it is already Haq (the Truth).

Allaah Ta'laa continues by reminding the Holy Companions (may Allaah be pleased with them all) and to us that although at one point they were enemies of each other, but acceptance of Islam, and holding fast to the Quran and the Teachings of His beloved Prophet Muhammad and his example (obedience to both Allaah Ta'laa and His messenger ), enabled them to receive the gift and the favour of love and joining of their hearts together and becoming brothers. One point to remember is that making the effort of holding fast to His Rope is our responsibility, the feelings of love and brotherhood are received as gifts from Allaah Ta'laa. The second point to note is that unity has been equated with love and a feeling of brotherhood. Unity therefore does not mean, we work together, we practice Islaam together, mechanically do our Salah together etc. etc. The real meaning and the only meaning of unity therefore (as mentioned in Ayah 103) is the feeling of love, compassion, and brotherhood among Muslims. Inshaallaah Ta'laa more on unity, verses 104 onwards will follow in our next issue.

Here we shall quote more from Hadrat Shaikh Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat 'Ali, Quddusa Sirrahul 'Azeez, from his book Manifestations of the Stages of Excellence, the Words of Wisdom vol. 4

• No. 3588: Unity is the pillar of the Nation of Islam. Hold on to it strongly.

• No. 3589: Unity among Muslims is the life of the nation of Islam and the death of Kufr.

• No. 3590: Kufr is not shaken up with historical places and Titles of the past Muslim. It is shaken up when confronted with Unity. Unity is a death knell for Kufr.

• No 3591: If you do not believe it, do it and you will see this truth with your own eyes.

• No. 3592: Men will come and go, they will move from change to change but the call for unity among Muslims around the world will never change. It will rise higher and higher. Indeed this call for unity is the life of Islaam and the honor of the Nation of Islaam.
  

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VIRTUES of SALATUT TAHAJJUD Nafl - - 8 Raka'ah

The Rasoolallah has said that we should make Qiyamul Lail compulsory upon ourselves, in other words to offer the Salatut Tahajjud because this was the practice of the pious people before you and the Qiyamul Lail is a source of your closeness to Allaah Tabarak Ta'laa, expiator of Sins and prevents you from committing Sins. (Abu Amamah narrator,Tirmidhi, Mishkat Sharif, Pg. 241).

The Rasoolallah has said that you must stand up in the night {for Tahajjud} because this is a practice of the reformers of times before your time and becomes a source of closeness to Allaah Shubhanahu Wa Ta'laa, will get rid of evil and will protect you from sins. (Abu Amamah Tirmidhi, Tarteeb Shareef Pg. 241).

Hadrat Ibne Abbas has said that the Rasoolallah used to offer 13 Raka'ah during the night. (Details Are 8 Raka'ah Tahajjud, 3 Raka'ah Witr Wajib and 2 Raka'ah after Witr) (Ibn Abbas narrator, Tirmidhi, Tarteeb Shareef Pg. 241)

The Rasoolallah has said: When the first 1/3 of the night goes by then Allaah descends every night towards the lower heaven and calls out "I am The King, is there anyone who would want something and I would accept his dua {supplication}. Is there anyone who would want to ask from Me and I will give him and is there anyone who wishes to seek forgiveness and I will forgive him". Till the morning breaks Allah Tabarak Wa Ta'la 'Azzu Wa Jal Dhul Jalali Wa Ikram continues to say this. This riwayah is from Hadrat Ali Almurtada Karamallah Wajh, Hadrat Abu Sa'eed , Hadrat Ibne Mas'ood Hadrat Abu Hurairah . The same Hadith narrated by Hadrat Abu Hurairah says that The Rasoolallah said that Allah Azzu Jal Dhul Jalali Wa Ikram descends when the last 1/3 of the night remains. This riwayah is considered more accurate than the others

(Tirmidhi, Tarteeb Shareef Pg. 242)

The Rasoolallah has said: When a husband wakes up his wife in the night and they both offer Salah, the husband's name will be written among Dhakireen and the wife among you Dhakirat. The Holy Quran honors Dhakireen and Dhakirat thus:

Translation; Allaah has for them forgiveness and a great reward.

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VIRTUES of RECITING THE HOLY QURAN (continuation from the previous issue)

Before Sleeping

* once

* once

** once

*** once

**** once

Hadrat Jabir says that the Rasoolallah did not sleep till he recited Surahand Surah and Surah (Ahmad, Tirmidhi Darimi) (Imam Tirmidhi has said this is a Saheeh Hadith) (Mishkat, and Tarteeb Shareef Pg. 183)

* Hadrat Abu Hurairah narrates that the Rasoolallah said: the 30 Ayahs of Surah Al Mulk do so many recommendations for man that he is forgiven. (Ibne Habban Hasan Hussein, Tarteeb Shareef Pg. 83)

** Hadrat Ibn Mas'ood has narrated that the Rasoolallah said that the person who recites in the night Surah Yaseen for the pleasure of Allaah, , Allaah gives him salvation (Hadrat Jundab , Hadrat Abdullah Al Bajli and Ibn Habban , Tarteeb Shareef Pg. 184)

*** Hadrat Abu Hurairah narrates that the Rasoolallah has said: the person who recites in the night, he will make up in the morning in such condition that 70,000 angels will be wanting his salvation. (Tirmidhi , Mishkat)

**** Hadrat Ibn Mas'ood has narrated that the Rasoolallah said: The person who recites every night, he will never encounter hunger and other difficulties. Hadrat Ibn Mas'ood used tell his sons to recite this Surah every night.

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Virtues of Sunnah (continuation from the previous issue)

Sunnah and Adab (Etiquettes) of Islamic Greetings (Continued)

It is mentioned in the collection of Ahadith in Bukhari Shareef that Assalam is one of the beautiful names of Allaah and when a muslim greets you with Salaam, respond to him in a better manner (add something better like Rahmatullah) or respond in a similar manner.

Hadrat Abu Hurairah narrated that the Rasoolallah has said: O Muslims beware that the accursed thing does not happen among you which destroyed many previous Ummah, and that is jealousy and enmity. I take oath by my Lord in whose control my life is that you will certainly not enter paradise until you believe and you will not believe until you love one another. Let me tell you about one thing that you can do, and you will love one another, spread the greeting of peace among one another (Assalaamu 'Alaikum) {Muslim}.

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VIRTUES of EVERYDAY DUAS (supplication)

When You Leave Home

Hadrat Anas narrates that the Rasoolallah said: When a person leaves his home he should recite

Translation: In the name of Allaah (I depart). I trust in Allaah , there is now power (of any use) but help of Allaah . When he recites this the Angles of Allaah respond by saying

(This means : O slave of Allaah , you have been guided, you have enough of every thing, you have been protected). The Shaitaan moves away (after hearing this) and another Shaitaan tells him: how can you overpower this person when he has received guidance, provided for and protected from evil.

(Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Mishkat, Tarteeb Shareef Pg. 475)

When You Enter Your Home

Hadrat Mallk Maalik Al'ashari narrated that the Rasoolallah said: when (any person) entering his home should recite this dua and greet members of his household with Assalamu 'Alaikum.

Translation: O dearest Allah I seek from you goodness of coming in and goodness of going out. We enter in the name of Allah and go out in the name of Allaah and we put our trust only in Allaah . Peace be upon you and Mercy of Allaah and His blessings. (Abu Dawood, Hasan Husain.) Explanation: In the Baihaqi collection there is a riwayah that have said that at that time if there is no one at home then say:

Translation: Peace be upon you and on The pious slaves of Allaah .

(Hasan Husain, Tarteeb Shareef Pg. 477)

According to another riwayah after reciting the dua of entering home, if you add "Assalamu 'Alaina Min Rabbina" and enter your home with the right foot first, saying"" The Shiateen waiting out side your home, are blocked by the angels from entering your home.

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SOME ESSENTIAL ADVISE FROM - - -

Hadrat Shaikh Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat 'Ali, Quddusa Sirrahul 'Azeez.

• Adopt moderation in your deeds. Deeds though few must be done regularly (daily). Do not forsake any deed. Giving up practicing a deed (once started) is forsaking the deed.

• For men wearing gold and silk is haram (prohibited). Do not wear a gold ring. If you see any male wearing it persuade him to give up wearing it.

• Do not eat from silver or gold utensils.

• Do not hang pictures of live creatures in your rooms.

• Do not play cards, chess and do not gamble.

• Do not consume alcoholic beverages, do not offer nor fetch for others.

• Do not consume interest, pay it, neither get involved in it in any way.

• Your neighbors have many rights upon you. Your neighbors should not receive any grief of any kind from you. Consider your neighbor's respect and prestige as your respect and prestige. Beware that your neighbor never sleeps hungry.

• Keep good relationship with all your relatives. From "Ta'leem uddeen" by Shaikh Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat Ali; Mudda Zilluhu Pg. 186.

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VIRTUES OF KNOWLEDGE of FIQH and SHARIAH (Continued)

Meaning of Ijtihad.

Ijtihad is derived from the root word Jahada. Linguistically, it means striving or self exertion in any activity which entails any measure of hardship. As a juristic term, Ijtihad means exhausting all of one's efforts in studying a problem thoroughly and seeking a solution for it from the sources of the Shariah.

A person who performs Ijtihad is a Mujtahid; whereas, a person who knows the rules of Shariah in detail, but is unable to extract rules directly from their sources, is not a Mujtahid but rather a Faqih, Mufti, or a Qaadi.

The text of Quran and Sunnah which are Qatai (conclusive) in meaning provide only one understanding. Any ljtihad on these types of text will render only one meaning. The texts related to issues such as Riba or murder are clear in their prohibition of these things. No Mujtahid can claim that Riba or murder is allowed because the text only offers one meaning.

The issues related to the Aqeedah are based on AdiUa Qataiya (decisive evidences) and there is only one correct understanding for it, not several. Thus, no Mujtahid can deduce another Aqeedah of Islaam. There is only one correct view in regards to these matters and anyone who differs from it is a Kafir.

8.1 Qualifications for performing Ijtihad

• The Mujtahid must be a Muslim male or female of sound mind who has attained a high level of intellectual competence.
• Since the text of the Quraan and Sunnah were revealed in the Arabic language, ljtihad can only be performed based on the Arabic text. One must have knowledge of the Arabic language to the extent that it enables a correct understanding of the Quran and the Sunnah. A complete command in Arabic is not a requirement for some kinds of Mujtahideen, but the Mujtahid must, at least, know the fine points of the language related to the subject at hand. He must also be able to comprehend the sources accurately and deduce the rule from them.

• The Mujtahid also needs to be knowledgeable of the Quran, the Makki and the Madini contents of the Quraan, the occasion of their revelation (Asbab al Nuzul) and must have a full grasp of the legal contents of the Quraan, but not necessarily of the narratives and parables of the Quran and its passages relating to the Hereafter. The knowledge of the Ayat ul Ahkam (verses regarding rules) includes knowledge of the related commentaries (Tafsir) with special reference to the Sunnah and the views of the Sahabah (raa) related to the subject at hand.

• The Mujtahid must possess an adequate knowledge of the Sunnah, especially the part relating to his Ijtihad and be familiar with the rulings of the Sunnah. The Mujtahid must also know the incidents of abrogation in the Sunnah and the reliability of the narrators of the Hadith.

• He must have knowledge of Usul al Fiqh so that he will be acquainted with the procedures for extracting the rulings from the text and the implications.

• The Mujtahid should be aware of the different opinions of different Mujtahideen, if any exists. It is essential for the Mujtahid to be familiar with the Daleels of other Mujtahideen, on a particular issue as well as how the other Mujtahid understood the Daleel and the issue.

• Finally, he must have a comprehensive knowledge of the issue on which Ijtihad is being performed. To extract any ruling one has to understand the subject thoroughly. If the Mujtahid doesn't understand the issue, he is not allowed to do Ijtihad regardless of where he lives. To understand the issue, the Mujtahid can go to experts. For instance, there might be a issue in genetic engineering. To understand the process of genetic engineering, the Mujtahid can go to a expert in this field. Therefore, these criteria are enough to qualify one to do Ijtihad, and it is incorrect to say that each issue requires the Mujtahid to reside in that environment. The Mujtahid can reside anywhere and do Ijtihad as long as he is familiar with the issue being dealt with. If the Mujtahid is not familiar with the issue, he is not allowed to do Ijtihad, even if the issue occurs in the same environment that the Mujtahid is residing in.

(Studies in Usul ul Fiqh, Iyad Hilal Pg. 72 through 74)

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Salaatunnabi (Durood) recited by Hadrat Sayyidinaa UWAIS QARNEE Transliteration Allaahumma Salli 'alaa Sayyidinaa Muhammadiun Wa Aalihee Wa'itratihee be 'Adadi Kulli Ma' loomillaka Astaghfirullaa Halladhi La ilaahaa illaa huwal Hayyul Qayyoomu Wa Atoobu ilaih. Yaa Hayyu Yaa Qayyoom Translation Dear Allaah, bestow Your Choicest Blessings upon our Master Muhammad and upon his extended family and his progeny according to the number of all things known to You. I seek the forgiveness of the One but for whom there is no God, The Truly and Perfectly Alive and The Self Sustained and I turn to Him with repentance. O The Truly and Perfectly Alive O The Self Sustained This is the Salaatunnabi (Durood) recited by Hadrat Sayyidinaa UWAIS QARNEE , and the inherited Durood Shareef of the Honorable chain of Quadariyyah; Mujaddidiyyah; Ghafooriyyah; Raheemiyyah; Kareemiyyah and Ameeriyyah. It is highly recommended that those who seek the love and closeness to the Beloved of Allaah, Hadrat Muhammad make it mandatory upon themselves to recite this Durood Shareef according to their capacity and the time they have available. For instance at least 11 times after each Salaat. It should be recited more frequently after Ishaa, Tahajjud and Fajr. 100,300,500 times or even more. Remember though, once the frequency is fixed, be steadfast upon it!   Wile donations are welcome they are not solicited. All our publications, and programs which include Da'wah and Tableegh, holding seminars and lectures through the United States and distributing food and other essentials to the needy non-denominationally are Fee Sabeelillah, to seek the pleasure of Allah.

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