My wife and I live with my father; is one sacrifice sufficient on behalf of all of us, or do we have to offer two sacrifices?.
Praise be to Allaah.
One sacrifice is sufficient on behalf of all of you, because it is narrated in the Sunnah that one sacrifice is sufficient on behalf of a man and the members of his household.
Al-Tirmidhi (1505) narrated that ‘Ata’ ibn Yasaar said: I asked Abu Ayyoob: How was the sacrifice done at the time of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? He said: A man would offer a sheep on behalf of himself and the members of his family, and they would eat some and feed others with some.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.
The Standing Committee was asked:
If my wife lives in the same house as my father, is it sufficient for me to offer one sacrifice on Eid al-Adha on behalf of myself and my family, or not?
They replied:
If the situation is as you describe, with a father and son living in the same house, it is sufficient to offer one sacrifice on behalf of yourself, your father, your wife, your father’s wife and all the members of your household, in accordance with the Sunnah.” End quote.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 11/404.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Al-Faatihah is waived for the person praying behind the imam in two cases
If I enter the mosque when the imam is bowing and I bow with him, does that rak’ah count for me, even though I have not recited al-Faatihah? If I join him before he bows but then he says takbeer and bows when I have not completed al-Faatihah, what should I do? Should I bow with him and not complete al-Faatihah, or should I complete al-Faatihah and then bow?.
Praise be to Allaah.
In the answer to question no. 10995 we have stated that reciting al-Faatihah is a pillar or essential part of the prayer for everyone who prays, whether his is praying as an imam, behind an imam, or on his own, both in prayers when Qur’aan is recited out loud and those in which it is recited silently.
The evidence for that is the report narrated by al-Bukhaari (756) from ‘Ubaadah ibn al-Saamit (may Allaah be pleased with him), that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book.”
See al-Majmoo’ 3/283-285
The obligation to recite al-Faatihah is not waived for the one who is praying behind the imam except in two cases:
1 – If he catches up with the prayer when the imam is bowing, in which case he should bow with him, and that rak’ah counts for him even if he did not recite al-Faatihah.
The evidence for that is the hadeeth of Abu Bakrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said that he came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when he was bowing and he bowed before he reached the row. He mentioned that to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he said: “May Allaah make you more keen, but do not do it again.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 783.
The point here is that if catching up with bowing did not count as catching up with the rak’ah with the imam, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would have told him to make up that rak’ah in which he did not catch up with the recitation, but no such thing has been reported from him. This indicates that the one who catches up with bowing has caught up with the rak’ah.
See Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth al-Saheehah, p. 230.
The second case in which the obligation to recite al-Faatihah is waived from the one who is praying behind an imam is:
If he joins the imam in prayer just before he bows, and he is not able to complete al-Faatihah. In that case he should bow with him and not complete al-Faatihah, and that rak’ah counts for him.
Al-Shiraazi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Muhadhdhab: If he catches up with him when he is standing but he fears that he will miss out on reciting (al-Faatihah), he should leave the opening du’aa’ and focus on reciting al-Faatihah, because that is obligatory and he should not be distracted from it by something that is supererogatory. If he recites part of al-Faatihah then the imam bows, there are two scholarly points of view: one is that he should bow and stop reciting, because following the imam is more important; hence if he catches up with him when he is bowing, the obligation to recite al-Faatihah is waived. The second view is that he should complete al-Faatihah because he started reciting it and he should finish it. End quote. Al-Majmoo’, 4/109
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: If I join the prayer just before the imam bows, should I start reciting al-Faatihah or recite the opening du’aa’? If the imam bows before I complete al-Faatihah, what should I do?
He replied:
Reciting the opening du’aa’ is Sunnah and reciting al-Faatihah is obligatory for the one who is praying behind the imam, according to the correct scholarly opinion. If you fear that you will miss al-Faatihah, then start with it, and if the imam bows before you have completed it, then bow with him, and the rest of it is waived for you, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The imam has been appointed to be followed, so do not differ from him. When he says takbeer then say takbeer; when he bows then bow.” Agreed upon. End quote.
Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baaz, 11/243-244
The Standing Committee was asked: If a worshipper catches up with the congregation and the imam is reciting Qur’aan after al-Faatihah in a prayer where he recites out loud, such as Maghrib, should he recite al-Faatihah or not? If he catches up with the imam when he is standing, and he recites “Al-hamdu Lillaahi Rabb il-‘Aalameen (Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds)” only, then the imam says takbeer, should he bow with him or complete his recitation?
They replied:
Reciting al-Faatihah in prayer is obligatory for the imam, the one who is praying alone and the one who is praying behind an imam, in prayers where Qur'aan is recited silently and those where it is recited out loud, because of the general meaning of the evidence about reciting al-Faatihah in the prayer. If a person comes to the congregation and says takbeer with the imam, then he must recite it. If the imam bows before he has completed it, he has to follow the imam, and that rak’ah counts for him, as is the case when a person catches up with the imam when he is bowing – the rak’ah in which he caught up with the imam bowing counts for him, according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions, and the obligation to recite al-Faatihah is waived for him, because he is not able to recite it. That is based on the well known hadeeth of Abu Bakrah which is narrated in Saheeh al-Bukhaari. End quote.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 6/387
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about a person who joins the prayer after the imam has finished the opening takbeer and recitation of al-Faatihah, then he starts to recite al-Faatihah but then the imam bows. Should he bow too, or complete his recitation of al-Faatihah?
He replied:
If a person joins the prayer and the imam wants to bow, and the person praying behind him has not completed his recitation of al-Faatihah, if only one verse or so is left, and he can complete it and join the imam in bowing, that is fine. If he has a lot left and reciting it means that he will not catch up with the imam in bowing, then he should bow with the imam even if he does not complete al-Faatihah. End quote.
Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 15/106
See also al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 3/242-248.
Praise be to Allaah.
In the answer to question no. 10995 we have stated that reciting al-Faatihah is a pillar or essential part of the prayer for everyone who prays, whether his is praying as an imam, behind an imam, or on his own, both in prayers when Qur’aan is recited out loud and those in which it is recited silently.
The evidence for that is the report narrated by al-Bukhaari (756) from ‘Ubaadah ibn al-Saamit (may Allaah be pleased with him), that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book.”
See al-Majmoo’ 3/283-285
The obligation to recite al-Faatihah is not waived for the one who is praying behind the imam except in two cases:
1 – If he catches up with the prayer when the imam is bowing, in which case he should bow with him, and that rak’ah counts for him even if he did not recite al-Faatihah.
The evidence for that is the hadeeth of Abu Bakrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said that he came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when he was bowing and he bowed before he reached the row. He mentioned that to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he said: “May Allaah make you more keen, but do not do it again.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 783.
The point here is that if catching up with bowing did not count as catching up with the rak’ah with the imam, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would have told him to make up that rak’ah in which he did not catch up with the recitation, but no such thing has been reported from him. This indicates that the one who catches up with bowing has caught up with the rak’ah.
See Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth al-Saheehah, p. 230.
The second case in which the obligation to recite al-Faatihah is waived from the one who is praying behind an imam is:
If he joins the imam in prayer just before he bows, and he is not able to complete al-Faatihah. In that case he should bow with him and not complete al-Faatihah, and that rak’ah counts for him.
Al-Shiraazi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Muhadhdhab: If he catches up with him when he is standing but he fears that he will miss out on reciting (al-Faatihah), he should leave the opening du’aa’ and focus on reciting al-Faatihah, because that is obligatory and he should not be distracted from it by something that is supererogatory. If he recites part of al-Faatihah then the imam bows, there are two scholarly points of view: one is that he should bow and stop reciting, because following the imam is more important; hence if he catches up with him when he is bowing, the obligation to recite al-Faatihah is waived. The second view is that he should complete al-Faatihah because he started reciting it and he should finish it. End quote. Al-Majmoo’, 4/109
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: If I join the prayer just before the imam bows, should I start reciting al-Faatihah or recite the opening du’aa’? If the imam bows before I complete al-Faatihah, what should I do?
He replied:
Reciting the opening du’aa’ is Sunnah and reciting al-Faatihah is obligatory for the one who is praying behind the imam, according to the correct scholarly opinion. If you fear that you will miss al-Faatihah, then start with it, and if the imam bows before you have completed it, then bow with him, and the rest of it is waived for you, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The imam has been appointed to be followed, so do not differ from him. When he says takbeer then say takbeer; when he bows then bow.” Agreed upon. End quote.
Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baaz, 11/243-244
The Standing Committee was asked: If a worshipper catches up with the congregation and the imam is reciting Qur’aan after al-Faatihah in a prayer where he recites out loud, such as Maghrib, should he recite al-Faatihah or not? If he catches up with the imam when he is standing, and he recites “Al-hamdu Lillaahi Rabb il-‘Aalameen (Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds)” only, then the imam says takbeer, should he bow with him or complete his recitation?
They replied:
Reciting al-Faatihah in prayer is obligatory for the imam, the one who is praying alone and the one who is praying behind an imam, in prayers where Qur'aan is recited silently and those where it is recited out loud, because of the general meaning of the evidence about reciting al-Faatihah in the prayer. If a person comes to the congregation and says takbeer with the imam, then he must recite it. If the imam bows before he has completed it, he has to follow the imam, and that rak’ah counts for him, as is the case when a person catches up with the imam when he is bowing – the rak’ah in which he caught up with the imam bowing counts for him, according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions, and the obligation to recite al-Faatihah is waived for him, because he is not able to recite it. That is based on the well known hadeeth of Abu Bakrah which is narrated in Saheeh al-Bukhaari. End quote.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 6/387
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about a person who joins the prayer after the imam has finished the opening takbeer and recitation of al-Faatihah, then he starts to recite al-Faatihah but then the imam bows. Should he bow too, or complete his recitation of al-Faatihah?
He replied:
If a person joins the prayer and the imam wants to bow, and the person praying behind him has not completed his recitation of al-Faatihah, if only one verse or so is left, and he can complete it and join the imam in bowing, that is fine. If he has a lot left and reciting it means that he will not catch up with the imam in bowing, then he should bow with the imam even if he does not complete al-Faatihah. End quote.
Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 15/106
See also al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 3/242-248.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Badr As Samaa - Atlas Medical centre - Royal Hospital - Badr As Samaa
Alhamdulillah recently i've been blessed with a baby girl and I named her Maryam after the most pious woman in history Maryam as ( mother of Issa as/ Jesus as)... My Mom told me that the name Maryam is good but she had to go through a lotta hardship and maybe my daughter will also go through a lotta hardship just because the name.. Subhanallah.. I dint take it seriously and just prayed to the Almighty to keep my daughter safe and maybe its just an old belief..
We were in Badr Samaa for a weekly visit to the pediatrician, who had asked us to visit him regularly until the baby hits the 3 kgs mark. So he said that the eyes seem to be still yellow and maybe we'll have to do blood test again to ensure the billirubin level in the blood is normal and the baby doesnt have a high level of Jaundice.
Incase you are wondering some babies have jaundice by birth and it reduces off as they grow in days..
So when he talked about blood test my wife and mom panicked, cause the last time they did the test for my daughter the sisters (hospital staff) really messed up.. They pricked her twice and after extracting the blood they stuck the bandaid a few inches away from the actual point where they had pricked.
Really unprofessional...
We finally refused to the blood test and left the place with a little advice from the Doctor.
A lotta people have been praisin Atlas Hospital and we decided to pay a visit to the pediatrician there.. When we visited him, he asked us to do the blood test immediately, so we were worried again but this time decided to go for it. When the results came we were informed that the bilirubin level was too high and hence they repeated the test. The result was same again and the Doc. informed us that the level is 35.xx mg/dl where as normal should be below 10 mg/dl and referred us to the Royal Hospital immediately.
So our worries increased ..... We entered the Royal Hospital and the doctors examined her and suggested they would have to do a blood test again as they do not believe in the report from Atlas as it didnt seem tht the bilirubin level was so high. More pain for my poor daughter, But as they say if a little pain brings about more good then you'll have to go for it and hence we did the blood test.. To our relief we discovered that the actual level is only 20-21 mg/dl and the report from ATLAS MEDICAL CENTRE was highly exaggerated, we were misguided..crapp...We breath a seigh of relief, But not for long as 21 mg/dl is still a high level but not as high as 30s mg/dl...
They decided to admit her and as we are expats we were expected to go meet the cashier first as he had already kept my ID card as a security so that i run away without paying the bills..Funny people.. When we met the cashier and we informed him that the patient has to be admitted he rudely asked for a deposit of 300 R.O. I was like wat the F*%k?? He was so presistent that he refused to return my ID card until i pay the deposit.. Really bad treatment for the expats I must say.I really didnt expect such a treatment in a hospital like ROYAL HOSPITAL.. Luckily my brother the had cash at the moment and he helped me out and paid the cashier 200/- which he accepted. May the Almighty reward my brother and make things easy for him..inshallah.
My daughter was diagnosed with Photo therapy for two days after which the Bilirubin level came down to 18mg/dl... Though it was still high but the Doctors decided to dischage her and asked us to do a blood test again in 24 hrs at any private clinic.
The next day we decided to go back to the Good Old Badr As Samaa- Al Khodh and visted the same old pediatrician who asked us to do the blood test immediately... This time the level had increased to 19mg/dl... The doctor showed signs of disagreement with the decision of the doctors at the Royal Hospital to discharge my daughter at the level of 18mg/dl..Again confusing us and diagnosed the poor little girl to the photo therapy once more...
Incase you are wondering what photo therapy is, Its just like lying under the Sun with your eyes covered....They use UV tubelights and keep the baby under it with her eyes covered...Trust me when i say this no baby likes that treatment.. They get really really irritated and my daughter was no different.
So my sweet little daughter was under the photo therapy for the next 36 hours after which the bilirubin levels had come down to about 11mg/dl which the doctor said is the safe zone and discharged her.
Meanwhil due to so much exposure to heat my daughter developed rashes on her face and was really suffering with pain and irritation combined.
We reached home and decided to clean the rashes with rose water and apply the cream which the doc. had prescribed.. But the rashes were still increasing and she was crying frequently. When we got back to the Doctor the next day they said the baby has got some allergy with baby oil and prescribed another cream.. Alhamdulillah after applying that she has felt a bit of relief now and is having a sound sleep .
I felt really sad not just because we were bounced from hospital to hospital like fools, not because the financial expenses were really high in this run BUT mainly because the pain the poor kid had to go through..
Please do pray for her, that she gets well soon and be careful with hospitals in town...
We were in Badr Samaa for a weekly visit to the pediatrician, who had asked us to visit him regularly until the baby hits the 3 kgs mark. So he said that the eyes seem to be still yellow and maybe we'll have to do blood test again to ensure the billirubin level in the blood is normal and the baby doesnt have a high level of Jaundice.
Incase you are wondering some babies have jaundice by birth and it reduces off as they grow in days..
So when he talked about blood test my wife and mom panicked, cause the last time they did the test for my daughter the sisters (hospital staff) really messed up.. They pricked her twice and after extracting the blood they stuck the bandaid a few inches away from the actual point where they had pricked.
Really unprofessional...
We finally refused to the blood test and left the place with a little advice from the Doctor.
A lotta people have been praisin Atlas Hospital and we decided to pay a visit to the pediatrician there.. When we visited him, he asked us to do the blood test immediately, so we were worried again but this time decided to go for it. When the results came we were informed that the bilirubin level was too high and hence they repeated the test. The result was same again and the Doc. informed us that the level is 35.xx mg/dl where as normal should be below 10 mg/dl and referred us to the Royal Hospital immediately.
So our worries increased ..... We entered the Royal Hospital and the doctors examined her and suggested they would have to do a blood test again as they do not believe in the report from Atlas as it didnt seem tht the bilirubin level was so high. More pain for my poor daughter, But as they say if a little pain brings about more good then you'll have to go for it and hence we did the blood test.. To our relief we discovered that the actual level is only 20-21 mg/dl and the report from ATLAS MEDICAL CENTRE was highly exaggerated, we were misguided..crapp...We breath a seigh of relief, But not for long as 21 mg/dl is still a high level but not as high as 30s mg/dl...
They decided to admit her and as we are expats we were expected to go meet the cashier first as he had already kept my ID card as a security so that i run away without paying the bills..Funny people.. When we met the cashier and we informed him that the patient has to be admitted he rudely asked for a deposit of 300 R.O. I was like wat the F*%k?? He was so presistent that he refused to return my ID card until i pay the deposit.. Really bad treatment for the expats I must say.I really didnt expect such a treatment in a hospital like ROYAL HOSPITAL.. Luckily my brother the had cash at the moment and he helped me out and paid the cashier 200/- which he accepted. May the Almighty reward my brother and make things easy for him..inshallah.
My daughter was diagnosed with Photo therapy for two days after which the Bilirubin level came down to 18mg/dl... Though it was still high but the Doctors decided to dischage her and asked us to do a blood test again in 24 hrs at any private clinic.
The next day we decided to go back to the Good Old Badr As Samaa- Al Khodh and visted the same old pediatrician who asked us to do the blood test immediately... This time the level had increased to 19mg/dl... The doctor showed signs of disagreement with the decision of the doctors at the Royal Hospital to discharge my daughter at the level of 18mg/dl..Again confusing us and diagnosed the poor little girl to the photo therapy once more...
Incase you are wondering what photo therapy is, Its just like lying under the Sun with your eyes covered....They use UV tubelights and keep the baby under it with her eyes covered...Trust me when i say this no baby likes that treatment.. They get really really irritated and my daughter was no different.
So my sweet little daughter was under the photo therapy for the next 36 hours after which the bilirubin levels had come down to about 11mg/dl which the doctor said is the safe zone and discharged her.
Meanwhil due to so much exposure to heat my daughter developed rashes on her face and was really suffering with pain and irritation combined.
We reached home and decided to clean the rashes with rose water and apply the cream which the doc. had prescribed.. But the rashes were still increasing and she was crying frequently. When we got back to the Doctor the next day they said the baby has got some allergy with baby oil and prescribed another cream.. Alhamdulillah after applying that she has felt a bit of relief now and is having a sound sleep .
I felt really sad not just because we were bounced from hospital to hospital like fools, not because the financial expenses were really high in this run BUT mainly because the pain the poor kid had to go through..
Please do pray for her, that she gets well soon and be careful with hospitals in town...
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Straightening the Rows and Joining the Feet
The other day we had an iftar party at my uncles house... Firstly, I had refused to go considering that my 15 DAYS old daughter would not be comfortable. But then MOM insisted and i had to attend the event.... Alhamdulillah Maryam ( my daughter ) was doing fine and i was happy about it... But the happiness was short lived as soon it was Iftar time, we broke our fast and stood for prayers in line. I stood next to my Uncle and is its the sunnah "adjoining shoulder with those of our companion and also (adjoining) our feet with those of our companion" I adjoined my shoulder with my uncles and before i could adjoin my feet to his, he shouted out " Dont let your feet, touch mine" I told its Sunnah and he said " Maybe tht sunnah is for you and not for me"... subhanallah.. I was sad, I was sad for him, cause for him his madhab his teaching is more important than the prophet's sunnah... Subhanallah..
So, i decided that i'll do some research online and yes i got people speaking for the hadeeths and those who spoke against it...
Firstly about those who spoke against it,
Reading their posts was funny... Mainly because most of them quoted their own sheikhs and tried to give a twisted understanding of the hadeeths... The most important evidence they gave was that prophet only said "Straighten your rows and come close together, for indeed I see you behind my back"... The sahabaas acted and understood it as "...So I saw each of us adjoining our shoulder with those of our companions and also (adjoining) our feet with those of our companions"...
So, they try to create an understanding that this was the act of the sahabaa and not a command for the prophet and hence its not obligatory...
I would like to ask them that as the prophet stopped the sahabaa in other instances if they did something wrong.. why dint he stop them now??? and asked them to keep some distance between their feet???? Further his silence is an approval of this act.. and when he approved it, it means we must follow it... Further more we have to understand Islam as the Sahabaa understood it, not as any modern world innovator.....
Now for those who speak for the act.. This post will sum it all up, inshallah...
Straightening the Rows and Joining the Feet
Shaykh Muhammad Naasir ud-Deen al-Albaanee rahimahullaah
Translated by Oways al-Haashimee
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An Abandoned Sunnah that must be Revived [1]
There are many authentic Ahadeeth from the sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam concerned with the command to straighten the rows (for congregational prayer), and so this is rarely hidden from any of the students of (Islaamic) knowledge let alone their teachers. However it remains unknown to many that straightening the rows requires straightening it with the feet, not just the shoulders. Indeed we have often heard some of the Imaams of the Masaajid (Mosques) pointing out - when ordering the people to straighten the rows - that the Sunnah is to do so with the shoulders to the exclusion of the feet! Since this is contrary to what is established in the authentic Sunnah, I thought it necessary to mention some Ahadeeth that exist on this topic, as a reminder for whoever wishes to act in accordance with the authentic Sunnah, not being deceived by the widespread customs and habits present in the Ummah.
There are two authentic Ahadeeth on this topic: The first is the Hadith reported by Anas, and the second is that reported by An-Nu'maan ibn Basheer, may Allaah be pleased with them both.
As for the Hadith of Anas, then it as follows; The Hadith of Anas ibn Maalik. [The Prophet (SAAS) said:] "Straighten your rows and come close together, for indeed I see you behind my back" The Hadith is reported by al-Bukharee [2/176 - al-Fath, Boolaaq edition], Ahmad [3/182 and 263], and al-Mukhallis in al-Fawaa'id [1/10/2], all of them reporting via a number of transmission paths (turuq sing. tareeq) from Humayd at-Taweel who said Anas ibn Maalik narrated to us saying:
"The call for commencing of salaah was made, the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam turned to us and said..." (then he mention the above Hadith). Al-Bukhaaree adds in one narration of this Hadith: "(He turned to us and said) before pronouncing the opening takbeer..." Also adding at the end "...each of us would adjoin his shoulder with that of his companion (standing next to him) and his foot with that of his companion." This addition also occurs in the report of al-Mukhallis and Ibn Abee Shaybah [1/351] with the following wording: Anas said, "...So I saw each of us adjoining our shoulder with those of our companions and also (adjoining) our feet with those of our companions, but if you were to practice this today, a person would flee (from you) like a restless mule." Its chain of narration (sanad) is also Saheeh according to the conditions stipulated by the Two Shaykhs (al-Bukhaaree and Muslim).
Al-Haafidh (Ibn Hajr) ascribed this wording to Sa'eed ibn Mansoor and al-Ismaa'eelee. Al-Bukhaaree gave a chapter heading for this Hadith by saying: Chapter: 'Adjoining the shoulder with the shoulder and the foot with the foot in the row (for prayer).' As for the Hadith of an-Nu'maan (ibn Basheer) then it is as follows: The Hadith of an-Nu'maan ibn Basheer. [The Prophet (SAAS) said:] "Straighten your rows (he said it three times), by Allaah either you straighten your rows or Allaah will cause conflict between your hearts."
The Hadith has been selected by Aboo Dawood [no.662], Ibn Hibbaan [no.396], Ahmad [4/276] and ad-Doolaabee in al-Kunaa [2/86] from Abil-Qaasim al-Jadalee Husayn ibnil-Haarith who said; I heard an-Nu'maan ibn Basheer say: "The Messenger of Allaah turned to us and said..." (then he mentioned the above Hadith). Then an-Nu'maan ibn Basheer added: "...So I saw each man joining his shoulder; knee and ankle with that of his companion." The sanad of this Hadith is Saheeh, al-Bukhaaree quoted it in discontinuous (mu'allaq) form in a decided manner (indicating that he considered it authentic). Ibn Khuzaymah also connected its chain of narration in his Saheeh [1/82,83] and al-Mundhiree [at-Targheeb 1/176] and al-Haafidh [al-Fath 2/176] both confirmed this. Ibn Hibaanselected the Hadith in his Saheeh [14/396 - Mawaarid] reporting through the tareeq of ibn Khuzaymah. The text of the Hadith is also reported by ad-Doolaabee by way of Baqeeyah ibnil-Waleed who said: 'Hurayz narrated to us saying: I heard Ghaylaan al-Muqri' narrate from Abee Qutaylah Marthad ibn Wadaa'ah (who said: I heard) an-Nu'maan ibn Basheer say...', (then he mentioned the Hadith). There is no problem with the sanad for the purpose of supporting reports (mutaab'aat), its reporters are reliable apart from Ghaylaan al-Muqri' . Perhaps he is Ghaylaan ibn Anas al-Kalbee (their mawlaa) ad-Dimishqee. If that is the case then his condition (as a reporter) is unknown. A group of the reporters have narrated from him and al-Haafidh (ibn Hajr) said about him: 'He is acceptable (Maqbool).' Then it became clear that identifying this reporter in the sanad as al-Muqri' was a mistake, as al-Bukhaaree and ibn Hibaan had said, and that in fact he is Ghaylaan ibn Ma'shar al-Muqraa'ee [Lubaab 3/237]. Ibn Abee Haatim [7/53] has given a biography for him, mentioning that a number of people have reported from him, and Ibn Hibaan [5/290] declared him reliable.
The Fiqh of these Ahadeeth
In these two Ahadeeth there are a number of important points of benefit and fiqh.
1. The obligation to straighten the rows for salaah and to stand close together in them, due to the command mentioned in the Ahadeeth. The rule concerning such commands is that they constitute an obligation (wujoob) except if accompanying evidence (qareenah) proves otherwise as is well established in the science of fiqh principles. The qareenah here in fact emphasizes the obligation, and that is in the saying of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, "...or Allaah will cause conflict between your hearts", since such a warning is never given for leaving that which is not obligatory as is quite clear.[2]
2. The forming and straightening of the rows mentioned in the Hadith is only achieved by joining the shoulder and the side of ones foot with the shoulder and foot of the adjacent person. This is because that is what the Companions, Radiallaahu 'anhum, did when ordered to straighten the rows and stand close together in them. Hence al-Haafidh (ibn Hajar) said in al-Fath after mentioning the additional saying of Anas in the first Hadith that I have quoted above:
"This (wording) is an explicit explanation that the mentioned action (of the Companions) was done in the time of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. With this in mind the usage of this action as a pretext for explaining what straightening the row means becomes complete."
It is regrettable that many Muslims have neglected this Sunnah of straightening the row, or rather they have lost it altogether, except for a few of them. For I have not seen this practiced by any group amongst them except Ahlul-Hadith (the People of the Hadith). I saw them in Makkah in the year 1368AH enthusiastic and concerned with adhering to the Sunnah as with other Sunan of al-Mustafaa (Muhammad the Messenger of Allaah) sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. This contrary to others from the followers of the Madhaahib - and I do not exclude the Hanaabilah (Hanbalees), for this Sunnah has become utterly forgotten amongst the. In fact they have consecutively abandoned and turned away from it. This is because most of their Madhaahib state that the Sunnah in this regard is that a space of four fingers width should be kept between ones feet, and more than this is disliked, as is detailed in al-Fiqh 'alal-Madhaahib al-Arba'ah [1/207].
This spacing has no foundation in the Sunnah; rather it is based on mere opinion. If it were correct then it would be necessary to restrict this practice to the Imaam and the one praying on his own so that the authentic Sunnah (of standing close in the row) would not be opposed with this practice, as the fundamental principles of fiqh (al-Qawaa'id al-Usooleeyah) necessitates.
In short I appeal to the Muslims - especially the Imaams of the Masaajid, those who are concerned to follow the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and to acquire the virtue of reviving his Sunnah, I appeal to them to act by this Sunnah, have concern for it, and call the people to it until they unify upon it, and by what they will be saved from that warning "…or Allaah will cause conflict between your hearts." [3]
I add in this addition [4] (of my book): It has reached from one of the callers to Islaam (du'aat) that he belittles the status of the Sunnah that the Companions practiced, and which they did so with approval of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. He insinuates that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam did not teach them this practice. So he has not realized - and Allaah knows best - that (1) this was their understanding and that (2) the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam approved of their understanding and their practice. This is sufficient amongst Ahlus-Sunnah to affirm the legitimacy of this practice, because the witness sees what the absent does not, and the Companions are people whose followers will never be wretched (unsuccessful).
3. In the first Hadith there is an affirmation of a clear miracle (mu'jizah) given to the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and that was his ability to see behind him without turning his head. However it should be known that this was exclusively for the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam when he was in Salaah since nothing exists in the Sunnah that states that he used to see behind him without turning his head outside the Salaah. And Allaah knows best.
4. In the two Ahadeeth there is a clear proof for something that many people do not know about, although it has become recognized in the field of psychology, and that is the fact that outer (apparent) evil and corruption affects inner evil and corruption and vice versa. There are many Ahadeeth about this, perhaps we will undertake the task of gathering and referencing them at some later opportunity if Allaah, The Most High wishes.
5. The entering of the Imaam into the opening takbeer for prayer when the mu'ahddhin says 'The Prayer is about to start.' (qad qaamati-salaah) is an innovation in the religion (bid'ah) due to its contradicting the authentic Sunnah, as these Ahadeeth prove - especially the first one. The Ahadeeth show us that after the Iqaamah has been called there is a duty upon the Imaam which he must fulfill, and that is commanding the people to straighten the rows, reminding them of that, for he is responsible for them and will be asked.
"...And all of you are shepherds and all of you will be asked about your flock."
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FOOTNOTES:
1. Translated from Silsilatul-Ahadeethis-Saheehah of Shaykh Muhammad Naasirud-Deen Al-Albaanee. Vol.1 pp70-74, Hadith no.31 and 32.
2. TRANSLATORS NOTE ~ Standing close in the row, filling the gaps and straightening the line carries a great reward and virtue as well as being obligatory. This is mentioned in a number of Ahadeeth, like the following: "The best of you are those who stand with their shoulders closest (to the one standing next to them) in the salaah, and there is no step greater in reward than that taken by a man toward a gap in the row thus filling it." Reported by at-Tabaraanee in al-Aswat, refer to Saheeh at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb (1/200). "Whoever fills a gap in the row, Allaah raises him up due to it a rank and builds a house for him in al-Jannah." Reported by at-Tabaraanee in al-Aswat and al-Asbahaanee in at-Targheeb, the Hadith is saheeh as occurs in Saheeh at-Targheeb (no.505).
3. TRANSLATORS NOTE ~ There are a number of Ahadeeth that explain the virtue of reviving the Sunnah and the calling the people to guidance and righteousness. For example the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "Whoever calls to guidance will have the same reward as all those who follow him in that guidance but this will not take anything away from their reward. Whoever calls to untruth will carry the same sin as the same sin as all those who follow him in that, but that will not take anything away from their sins." Reported by Ahmad in his Musnad, Muslim in his Saheeh and others.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Celebrating the night of the Isra’ and Mi’raaj
What is the ruling on Celebrating the night of the Isra’ and Mi’raaj, which is the twenty-seventh night of Rajab?.
Praise be to Allaah.
There is no doubt that the Isra’ and Mi’raaj (the Prophet’s Night Journey and Ascent into heaven) are two great signs of Allaah which point to the truthfulness of the His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and the greatness of his status before Allaah. They are also signs of the great power of Allaah, and of His exalted position above His creation. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allaah) [above all that (evil) they associate with Him]
Who took His slave (Muhammad) for a journey by night from Al‑Masjid Al‑Haraam (at Makkah) to Al‑Masjid Al‑Aqsa (in Jerusalem), the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad) of Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All‑Hearer, the All‑Seer”
[al-Isra’ 17:1]
There are mutawaatir reports from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that he was taken up into the heavens, and their gates were opened for him, until he passed beyond the seventh heaven, where his Lord spoke to him as He willed, and enjoined the five daily prayers upon him. At first Allaah, may He be exalted, enjoined fifty prayers, but our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) kept going back and asking Him to reduce it, until He made them five, so they are five obligatory prayers but fifty in reward, because each good deed is rewarded tenfold. To Allaah be praise and thanks for all His blessings.
With regard to this night on which the Isra’ and Mi’raaj took place, there is nothing in the saheeh ahaadeeth to indicate that it is in Rajab or in any other month. Everything that has been narrated concerning a specific date for these events cannot be proven to have come from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) according to the scholars of hadeeth. Allaah has wise reasons for causing the people to forget it. Even if the date were proven, it would not be permissible for the Muslims to single it out for particular acts of worship, and it is not permissible for them to celebrate it, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) did not celebrate it and they did not single it out in any way. If celebrating it was something that is prescribed in Islam, the Messenger would have told his ummah about that, either in word or in deed. If any such thing had happened, it would have been well known, and his companions would have transmitted the information to us. They narrated from their Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) everything that his ummah needs to know, and they did not neglect any aspect of the religion, rather they were the first ones to do anything good. If celebrating this night had been prescribed in Islam, they would have been the first people to do so. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was the most sincere of people, and he conveyed the message to the people in full, and he fulfilled the trust. If venerating and celebrating this night were part of the religion of Allaah, then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would have done that and would not have concealed it. Since no such thing happened, it is known that celebrating it and venerating it is not part of Islam at all. Allaah has perfected this ummah’s religion for it and has completed His favour upon them, and He condemns those who introduce things into the religion which Allaah has not ordained. Allaah says in His holy Book, in Soorat al-Maa’idah (interpretation of the meaning):
“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”
[al-Maa’idah 5:3]
And Allaah says in Soorat al-Shoora (interpretation of the meaning):
“Or have they partners with Allaah (false gods) who have instituted for them a religion which Allaah has not ordained?”
[al-Shoora 42:21]
In the saheeh ahaadeeth it is proven that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) warned against bid’ah (innovation) and stated clearly that it is misguidance, so as to show the ummah how serious the matter is and put them off it.
For example, it is narrated in al-Saheehayn from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected.” In a report narrated by Muslim it says: “Whoever does any action that is not part of this matter of ours will have it rejected.”
In Saheeh Muslim it is narrated that Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say in his khutbah on Friday: “The best of speech is the Book of Allaah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The worst of matters are those which are newly-invented, and every innovation is a going astray.” Al-Nasaa’i added with a jayyid isnaad: “and every going astray will be in the Fire.”
In al-Sunan it is narrated that al-‘Irbaad ibn Saariyah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) delivered an eloquent speech to us which melted our hearts and caused our eyes to flow with tears. We said: O Messenger of Allaah, it is as if it is a farewell address, so advise us. He said: “I advise you to fear Allaah, and to listen and obey, even if a slave is appointed over you. Whoever among you lives will see many differences, so I urge you to adhere to my Sunnah and the way of the rightly-guided caliphs who will come after me, and cling firmly to it. Beware of newly-invented matters, for every newly-invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is a going astray. And there are many ahaadeeth with a similar meaning.
Warnings against bid’ah (innovation) have been narrated from the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and from the righteous salaf after them, because this is no more than adding things to the religion and instituting a religion that Allaah has not ordained, and it is an imitation of the enemies of Allaah, the Jews and the Christians, in their additions to their religions and introducing into them things that Allaah had not ordained. It also implies that there is something lacking in Islam, and that it is not complete, and it is well known that this leads to great mischief and evil, and goes against the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”
[al-Maa’idah 5:3]
It also goes against the ahaadeeth of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) which warn against innovation (bid’ah).
I hope that the evidence we have quoted will be sufficient to convince the seeker of truth that this bid’ah is wrong, i.e., the innovation of celebrating the night of the Isra’ and Mi’raaj, and that it is not part of the religion of Islam at all.
Because Allaah has enjoined being sincere towards the Muslims and explaining what Allaah has prescribed for them in their religion, and because it is haraam to conceal knowledge, I thought that I should point out this innovation, which is so widespread in many regions that people think it is part of the religion, to my Muslim brothers. Allaah is the One Whom we ask to set the affairs of all the Muslims straight, and to bless them with knowledge of Islam, and to help us and them to adhere steadfastly to the truth, and to forsake everything that goes against it, for He is able to do that. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon His slave and Messenger, our Prophet Muhammad, and his family and companions.
Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him).
Praise be to Allaah.
There is no doubt that the Isra’ and Mi’raaj (the Prophet’s Night Journey and Ascent into heaven) are two great signs of Allaah which point to the truthfulness of the His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and the greatness of his status before Allaah. They are also signs of the great power of Allaah, and of His exalted position above His creation. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allaah) [above all that (evil) they associate with Him]
Who took His slave (Muhammad) for a journey by night from Al‑Masjid Al‑Haraam (at Makkah) to Al‑Masjid Al‑Aqsa (in Jerusalem), the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad) of Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All‑Hearer, the All‑Seer”
[al-Isra’ 17:1]
There are mutawaatir reports from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that he was taken up into the heavens, and their gates were opened for him, until he passed beyond the seventh heaven, where his Lord spoke to him as He willed, and enjoined the five daily prayers upon him. At first Allaah, may He be exalted, enjoined fifty prayers, but our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) kept going back and asking Him to reduce it, until He made them five, so they are five obligatory prayers but fifty in reward, because each good deed is rewarded tenfold. To Allaah be praise and thanks for all His blessings.
With regard to this night on which the Isra’ and Mi’raaj took place, there is nothing in the saheeh ahaadeeth to indicate that it is in Rajab or in any other month. Everything that has been narrated concerning a specific date for these events cannot be proven to have come from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) according to the scholars of hadeeth. Allaah has wise reasons for causing the people to forget it. Even if the date were proven, it would not be permissible for the Muslims to single it out for particular acts of worship, and it is not permissible for them to celebrate it, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) did not celebrate it and they did not single it out in any way. If celebrating it was something that is prescribed in Islam, the Messenger would have told his ummah about that, either in word or in deed. If any such thing had happened, it would have been well known, and his companions would have transmitted the information to us. They narrated from their Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) everything that his ummah needs to know, and they did not neglect any aspect of the religion, rather they were the first ones to do anything good. If celebrating this night had been prescribed in Islam, they would have been the first people to do so. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was the most sincere of people, and he conveyed the message to the people in full, and he fulfilled the trust. If venerating and celebrating this night were part of the religion of Allaah, then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would have done that and would not have concealed it. Since no such thing happened, it is known that celebrating it and venerating it is not part of Islam at all. Allaah has perfected this ummah’s religion for it and has completed His favour upon them, and He condemns those who introduce things into the religion which Allaah has not ordained. Allaah says in His holy Book, in Soorat al-Maa’idah (interpretation of the meaning):
“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”
[al-Maa’idah 5:3]
And Allaah says in Soorat al-Shoora (interpretation of the meaning):
“Or have they partners with Allaah (false gods) who have instituted for them a religion which Allaah has not ordained?”
[al-Shoora 42:21]
In the saheeh ahaadeeth it is proven that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) warned against bid’ah (innovation) and stated clearly that it is misguidance, so as to show the ummah how serious the matter is and put them off it.
For example, it is narrated in al-Saheehayn from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected.” In a report narrated by Muslim it says: “Whoever does any action that is not part of this matter of ours will have it rejected.”
In Saheeh Muslim it is narrated that Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say in his khutbah on Friday: “The best of speech is the Book of Allaah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The worst of matters are those which are newly-invented, and every innovation is a going astray.” Al-Nasaa’i added with a jayyid isnaad: “and every going astray will be in the Fire.”
In al-Sunan it is narrated that al-‘Irbaad ibn Saariyah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) delivered an eloquent speech to us which melted our hearts and caused our eyes to flow with tears. We said: O Messenger of Allaah, it is as if it is a farewell address, so advise us. He said: “I advise you to fear Allaah, and to listen and obey, even if a slave is appointed over you. Whoever among you lives will see many differences, so I urge you to adhere to my Sunnah and the way of the rightly-guided caliphs who will come after me, and cling firmly to it. Beware of newly-invented matters, for every newly-invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is a going astray. And there are many ahaadeeth with a similar meaning.
Warnings against bid’ah (innovation) have been narrated from the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and from the righteous salaf after them, because this is no more than adding things to the religion and instituting a religion that Allaah has not ordained, and it is an imitation of the enemies of Allaah, the Jews and the Christians, in their additions to their religions and introducing into them things that Allaah had not ordained. It also implies that there is something lacking in Islam, and that it is not complete, and it is well known that this leads to great mischief and evil, and goes against the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”
[al-Maa’idah 5:3]
It also goes against the ahaadeeth of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) which warn against innovation (bid’ah).
I hope that the evidence we have quoted will be sufficient to convince the seeker of truth that this bid’ah is wrong, i.e., the innovation of celebrating the night of the Isra’ and Mi’raaj, and that it is not part of the religion of Islam at all.
Because Allaah has enjoined being sincere towards the Muslims and explaining what Allaah has prescribed for them in their religion, and because it is haraam to conceal knowledge, I thought that I should point out this innovation, which is so widespread in many regions that people think it is part of the religion, to my Muslim brothers. Allaah is the One Whom we ask to set the affairs of all the Muslims straight, and to bless them with knowledge of Islam, and to help us and them to adhere steadfastly to the truth, and to forsake everything that goes against it, for He is able to do that. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon His slave and Messenger, our Prophet Muhammad, and his family and companions.
Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him).
It is not permissible to exchange old gold for new gold and pay the difference in value
Is it permissible to exchange old gold for new gold, and pay the difference in value to the goldsmith?.
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not permissible to exchange worn-out gold for good gold and pay the difference. This is haraam and is not permissible. That is indicated by the reports proven in al-Saheehayn and elsewhere in the story of Bilaal (may Allaah be pleased with him), who brought some good dates to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he said to him: “Where did these come from?” Bilaal said: “We had some bad dates and I paid two saa’s of them for a saa’ so that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) might have some of it.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Oh! Do not do that, (it is) the essence of riba, the essence of riba.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3212.
The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) stated that giving more when equal amounts should be exchanged because of the difference in quality is the essence of riba, and it is not permissible to do that. But the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), as was his wont, pointed out the permissible way. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told him to sell the bad dates for money (dirhams) and then buy the good dates with the money.
Based on this we say: If a woman has some worn-out gold or gold that people no longer wear, she can sell it in the market and take the money, then buy good gold of her choosing. This is the way taught by our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him),
Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen , Majmoo’at As’ilah tahumm al-Usrah al-Muslimah, p. 26-27.
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not permissible to exchange worn-out gold for good gold and pay the difference. This is haraam and is not permissible. That is indicated by the reports proven in al-Saheehayn and elsewhere in the story of Bilaal (may Allaah be pleased with him), who brought some good dates to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he said to him: “Where did these come from?” Bilaal said: “We had some bad dates and I paid two saa’s of them for a saa’ so that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) might have some of it.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Oh! Do not do that, (it is) the essence of riba, the essence of riba.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3212.
The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) stated that giving more when equal amounts should be exchanged because of the difference in quality is the essence of riba, and it is not permissible to do that. But the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), as was his wont, pointed out the permissible way. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told him to sell the bad dates for money (dirhams) and then buy the good dates with the money.
Based on this we say: If a woman has some worn-out gold or gold that people no longer wear, she can sell it in the market and take the money, then buy good gold of her choosing. This is the way taught by our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him),
Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen , Majmoo’at As’ilah tahumm al-Usrah al-Muslimah, p. 26-27.
Monday, May 10, 2010
A letter to Sheikh Yousuf Yestes and the reply follows......
Assalamalaikum...
Dear Mr. Yousuf,
Hope you had a great time around muscat and it was productive visiting muscat.. I was a volunteer for your event on Thursday and mashallah you are indeed a good speaker.. But several questions had raised in my head after your talk ..which i wished i could meet up and ask you but i was so occupied with work that i dint even get the chance to attend the dinner on Saturday...Hence a volunteer (ramla, bint abdullah), passed me your email id and said that inshallah you would answer my questions..
Before the questions let me introduce myself a bit..I've been a muslim since birth, alhamdulillah but never practiced islam as a religion but rather i practiced it as a custom.. Alhamdulillah, 2 years back my brother sparked me a bit about islam and by the guidance of Allah swt, I accepted islam and since then i've been tryin to follow islam to the best i can.. I left the woman i loved ( as she was christian and refused to marry me), I left the friends i had.. But alhamdulillah Allah swt has rewarded me with things much much better then what i left...Am 22yrs old and am working as an "Assistant Finance Manager" in www.nafalco.com. I study while i work, I also teach and i workout regularly without comprimising with my islamic commitments...alhamdulillah..
So let me post the questions as follows:
1) Which are the 6 most authentic books of hadeeths to be followed?? I've heard Bukhari and Muslim are the most authentic books after Quran and 99% of the hadeeths mentioned their are saheeh and hence all can be followed.. But when i narrate the hadeeth to an Omani friend of mine he rejects and says that the narrator is not famous and hence he dosn't believe it to be saheeh... Wat do i do in this situation?
For ex. Am sure you are well aware tht according to the sunnah we most fold our hands and place them on the chest while standing in salaah.. But locally guys dont do tht and they leave their hands on their sides and when i narrate the hadeeths to them they give the same reason as mentioned above..Some tell me we are ibadis and not sunnis..what do you have to say about that???
2) I try to follow the Quran and Sunnah to the best possible way, alhamdulillah (sometimes i fail too) and also stop people from my family and friends who do otherwise and invite them to follow quran and sunnah. Some of them call me Salafi (those who respect me) those he get angry they call me "wahabi"..LOL..( wat do you i do in such a situation ) is it okay to call myself a salafi??
3) If i am giving a speech in public and i know there is some real wrong beliefs in the crowd (example majority is a muslim crowd with wrong beliefs), then would'nt it be my duty to talk about tht matter and clarify their heads before i do general dawah(though their exists a risk of being shouted at rather then receiving claps)??
4) Lastly a few people say that your are "Ikhwani" i.e. you call all muslims as brother if they are labelled muslims no matter they have saheeh aqeedah or not, you call all muslims to agree on common terms and ignore the differences.. is it true??
Please if you could kindly clarify my above doubts i shall be very thankful...
Thanks and salaamalaikum
Syed Ilyas
.......................................................REPLY..........................................REPLY............................................................REPLY.........................................................................................
Bismillah Rahman Raheem
Salam alaykum,
You have discovered the very same thing I discovered after coming to Islam years ago. The Muslims are divided up into groups. This is forbidden according to the Quran (Surah Al Imran 3:103)
The prophet, peace be upon him, warned us about the dangers of dividing up. He mentioned we would be divided more than the Christians and Jews and we are. He also said all of these divisions would be in Hell, except one: the one he and his companions were on at the time.
He used the term "salaf" referring to the first companions and many are taking this to justify their group called "salafi".
The group called "Wahabees" is having a number of problems with even the name itself. The people who were against a group of students of Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahab, hated him and called his students "Wahabees".
The "Shiites" claim to follow Ali, radiallahu anhu, and even exaggerate him up to the level of prophet and say "alayhis salam" after his name.
The "Sunnis" think they are right, but some are more like the "sufies" praying to people in the graves.
There are so many different groups and each one is claiming they are on the right path. It is sad to see them fighting and hurting each other and destroying families, communities and relationships.
There are some differences of opinions on where people can put their hands in prayer, but this is not as serious as having different beliefs and that is where the real problem comes in. Some of the followers of the Maliki fiqh do pray with their hands down, a do the Shiites, but this is not as serious as other problems.
The best way to handle the problem where you live is to leave them alone on these issues, as they will never leave it for you and not even for big scholars. Just drop it for now and focus on keeping the brothers close to Allah, inshallah.
We don't say Dawah is for Muslims. It is for Non-Muslims. The word for helping Muslims in learning and practicing Islam is "islah" not "dawah".
Just talk about getting closer to Allah and don't bring up the big topics until you are really skilled in this area.
That is my advise.
Regarding the hadeeth - ALL (not just 99%) of the Hadeeths in Bukhari and Muslim are correct. It was Imam Bukhari who actually invented the whole concept of verifying these hadeeth.
We are not allowed to pick and choose hadeeth according to what we like. That just doesn't work out.
Hadeeth have been preserved and passed on to us by word of mouth, generation upon generation.
Just think of yourself as a Muslim that really cares about all Muslims and make dua for them all, as we do here.
We only claim to be "MUSLIM" nothing more.
Hope this helped, inshallah.
Jazakallah khair was salam alaykum,
Yusuf Estes
www.YusufEstes.com <> www.GuideUS.tv <> www.IslamNewsroom.com <> www.TubeIslam.com
Dear Mr. Yousuf,
Hope you had a great time around muscat and it was productive visiting muscat.. I was a volunteer for your event on Thursday and mashallah you are indeed a good speaker.. But several questions had raised in my head after your talk ..which i wished i could meet up and ask you but i was so occupied with work that i dint even get the chance to attend the dinner on Saturday...Hence a volunteer (ramla, bint abdullah), passed me your email id and said that inshallah you would answer my questions..
Before the questions let me introduce myself a bit..I've been a muslim since birth, alhamdulillah but never practiced islam as a religion but rather i practiced it as a custom.. Alhamdulillah, 2 years back my brother sparked me a bit about islam and by the guidance of Allah swt, I accepted islam and since then i've been tryin to follow islam to the best i can.. I left the woman i loved ( as she was christian and refused to marry me), I left the friends i had.. But alhamdulillah Allah swt has rewarded me with things much much better then what i left...Am 22yrs old and am working as an "Assistant Finance Manager" in www.nafalco.com. I study while i work, I also teach and i workout regularly without comprimising with my islamic commitments...alhamdulillah..
So let me post the questions as follows:
1) Which are the 6 most authentic books of hadeeths to be followed?? I've heard Bukhari and Muslim are the most authentic books after Quran and 99% of the hadeeths mentioned their are saheeh and hence all can be followed.. But when i narrate the hadeeth to an Omani friend of mine he rejects and says that the narrator is not famous and hence he dosn't believe it to be saheeh... Wat do i do in this situation?
For ex. Am sure you are well aware tht according to the sunnah we most fold our hands and place them on the chest while standing in salaah.. But locally guys dont do tht and they leave their hands on their sides and when i narrate the hadeeths to them they give the same reason as mentioned above..Some tell me we are ibadis and not sunnis..what do you have to say about that???
2) I try to follow the Quran and Sunnah to the best possible way, alhamdulillah (sometimes i fail too) and also stop people from my family and friends who do otherwise and invite them to follow quran and sunnah. Some of them call me Salafi (those who respect me) those he get angry they call me "wahabi"..LOL..( wat do you i do in such a situation ) is it okay to call myself a salafi??
3) If i am giving a speech in public and i know there is some real wrong beliefs in the crowd (example majority is a muslim crowd with wrong beliefs), then would'nt it be my duty to talk about tht matter and clarify their heads before i do general dawah(though their exists a risk of being shouted at rather then receiving claps)??
4) Lastly a few people say that your are "Ikhwani" i.e. you call all muslims as brother if they are labelled muslims no matter they have saheeh aqeedah or not, you call all muslims to agree on common terms and ignore the differences.. is it true??
Please if you could kindly clarify my above doubts i shall be very thankful...
Thanks and salaamalaikum
Syed Ilyas
.......................................................REPLY..........................................REPLY............................................................REPLY.........................................................................................
Bismillah Rahman Raheem
Salam alaykum,
You have discovered the very same thing I discovered after coming to Islam years ago. The Muslims are divided up into groups. This is forbidden according to the Quran (Surah Al Imran 3:103)
The prophet, peace be upon him, warned us about the dangers of dividing up. He mentioned we would be divided more than the Christians and Jews and we are. He also said all of these divisions would be in Hell, except one: the one he and his companions were on at the time.
He used the term "salaf" referring to the first companions and many are taking this to justify their group called "salafi".
The group called "Wahabees" is having a number of problems with even the name itself. The people who were against a group of students of Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahab, hated him and called his students "Wahabees".
The "Shiites" claim to follow Ali, radiallahu anhu, and even exaggerate him up to the level of prophet and say "alayhis salam" after his name.
The "Sunnis" think they are right, but some are more like the "sufies" praying to people in the graves.
There are so many different groups and each one is claiming they are on the right path. It is sad to see them fighting and hurting each other and destroying families, communities and relationships.
There are some differences of opinions on where people can put their hands in prayer, but this is not as serious as having different beliefs and that is where the real problem comes in. Some of the followers of the Maliki fiqh do pray with their hands down, a do the Shiites, but this is not as serious as other problems.
The best way to handle the problem where you live is to leave them alone on these issues, as they will never leave it for you and not even for big scholars. Just drop it for now and focus on keeping the brothers close to Allah, inshallah.
We don't say Dawah is for Muslims. It is for Non-Muslims. The word for helping Muslims in learning and practicing Islam is "islah" not "dawah".
Just talk about getting closer to Allah and don't bring up the big topics until you are really skilled in this area.
That is my advise.
Regarding the hadeeth - ALL (not just 99%) of the Hadeeths in Bukhari and Muslim are correct. It was Imam Bukhari who actually invented the whole concept of verifying these hadeeth.
We are not allowed to pick and choose hadeeth according to what we like. That just doesn't work out.
Hadeeth have been preserved and passed on to us by word of mouth, generation upon generation.
Just think of yourself as a Muslim that really cares about all Muslims and make dua for them all, as we do here.
We only claim to be "MUSLIM" nothing more.
Hope this helped, inshallah.
Jazakallah khair was salam alaykum,
Yusuf Estes
www.YusufEstes.com <> www.GuideUS.tv <> www.IslamNewsroom.com <> www.TubeIslam.com
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Brother left for Umrah this morning
My Brother, his wife and my Mom left for umrah this morning and i pray that their Joruney results fruitful, by Allah accepting their worship.
Though my brother went under a major surgery last year (june), he was still ambitious to take up long journey to Saudia, driving all by himself. Mashallah.. I appreciate my brother's courage and devotion to the religion of Islam which i think i lack a bit.. To me, I think am far away from pleasing my creator and makin Allah swt happy with me . I still have to do alot to make it to the list of people who are considred as true momins by the Almighty. I still commit sins, some intentionally and some unintentionally.. some open , some close.. and i dont even know whether I atleast repented for all the wrong things i've done in my 22 years of life..
YA ALLAH swt please please please forgive me for my sins and please help me follow the path of Islam prescribed by you, to my best.
Anyways coming back to my ambitious brother's journey. He left this morning in his brand new Mazda-3
He was so excited when he bought this car.. We also had a stupid episode due to his decision to shed out a lotta money for this vehicle.. Nonetheless Its Japanese and we hope its worth it, and so far its soo good.. Mashallah...
There trip is planned to be for a week and they should be back inshallah by the next friday i.e. 7th of May, 2010...inshallah...
Its a long drive and i request all to pray for him, May Allah swt accept their trip and may his trip be a safe, successful and a peaceful trip inshallah...
Thanks and take care...
Ilyas
Though my brother went under a major surgery last year (june), he was still ambitious to take up long journey to Saudia, driving all by himself. Mashallah.. I appreciate my brother's courage and devotion to the religion of Islam which i think i lack a bit.. To me, I think am far away from pleasing my creator and makin Allah swt happy with me . I still have to do alot to make it to the list of people who are considred as true momins by the Almighty. I still commit sins, some intentionally and some unintentionally.. some open , some close.. and i dont even know whether I atleast repented for all the wrong things i've done in my 22 years of life..
YA ALLAH swt please please please forgive me for my sins and please help me follow the path of Islam prescribed by you, to my best.
Anyways coming back to my ambitious brother's journey. He left this morning in his brand new Mazda-3
There trip is planned to be for a week and they should be back inshallah by the next friday i.e. 7th of May, 2010...inshallah...
Its a long drive and i request all to pray for him, May Allah swt accept their trip and may his trip be a safe, successful and a peaceful trip inshallah...
Thanks and take care...
Ilyas
Monday, March 22, 2010
Wife's resident card done, Aunt and Uncle arrived.. Most important Baby parrots are home!!!!
After following this admin. guy in my office for over two week, finally on thursday he got the paper work done for my Wife's finger prints and resident card..We were suppose to go on Saturday to get the work done but as my sister wanted to come along too for her finger prints to be done and her paper work wasn't ready, we postponed the program for a day ...
However saturday evening was exciting for me as i was about to go get my baby parrots from Mohammed.. Saturday evening, when i visited Mohammed's house, he first introduced me to Nepali green baby parrots.. They already had feathers all over their body but they were still babies..I was so excited when i saw these beautiful babies that i canceled my plan of getting the local parrot babies and bought one of these nepali parrots...However,I realized that the parrot was a bit scared and nervous and i feared that he might die and hence i returned him last evening and took 2 local babies instead..
These two babies seem to be less fearful as they are really small and dnt know who to fear from and who to befriend...But, alhamdulillah its easy to feed them and as of now i dint face any trouble and hope the same with them inshallah for the coming years...
My Mom's eldest sister and her husband arrived yesterday morning from India...I had first gone to get my wife's id card done and then headed for the airport to receive the couple...
My Mom was so so so happy to see her sister and since yesterday i can sense excitement in her..Mashallah.. good for her, alhamdulillah!!!!
That's all for now!!!
However saturday evening was exciting for me as i was about to go get my baby parrots from Mohammed.. Saturday evening, when i visited Mohammed's house, he first introduced me to Nepali green baby parrots.. They already had feathers all over their body but they were still babies..I was so excited when i saw these beautiful babies that i canceled my plan of getting the local parrot babies and bought one of these nepali parrots...However,I realized that the parrot was a bit scared and nervous and i feared that he might die and hence i returned him last evening and took 2 local babies instead..
These two babies seem to be less fearful as they are really small and dnt know who to fear from and who to befriend...But, alhamdulillah its easy to feed them and as of now i dint face any trouble and hope the same with them inshallah for the coming years...
My Mom's eldest sister and her husband arrived yesterday morning from India...I had first gone to get my wife's id card done and then headed for the airport to receive the couple...
My Mom was so so so happy to see her sister and since yesterday i can sense excitement in her..Mashallah.. good for her, alhamdulillah!!!!
That's all for now!!!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Baby Parrots to be introduced tonight
It all started last year when i met Mr. Shanlung.. A Singaporean guy highly talented with alotta love for animals.. Specially Birds.. He seems to have this inbuilt talent with handling birds.. He currently has an Afican Grey Parrot named "RIAMFADA".. When I first visited him and he called out to the parrot "Riamfaadaaaa", It sounded like "Grandfather", I was like excuseme, what's the name again...LOL.. But later on I realized tht the name sounded pretty well and suitable for the African Parrot...
I had visited him a few times and was really eager to get a parrot for myself but situations dint allow it to happen.. I was always on the move and dint have the time to meet him more regularly and learn about parrots... I did a few researches on the web about parrots, read alot about em.. My knowledge about parrots compared to Mr. Shanlung's would be a drop in the ocean...Another reason why i was scared to get a parrot home was because of very little time i would be able to give it.. I am outta the house from morning 8am all the way upto 10pm in the night... But now alhamdulillah, My wife is here and she'll be able to give some time to the parrots too in my absence and hopefully inshallah the parrots would be good with her and me too...LOL.
However they say you have to start from somewhere to get there... So being the season of baby parrots hatching, I planned to get two baby parrots and monitor their growth... Feed them and care for them and see whether i can handle em....I hope i can, inshallah...
So tonight i am going to get these baby's and i pray to the Almighty to give me the strength and understanding so that i can take care and give these parrots a good life...Inshallah....
I had visited him a few times and was really eager to get a parrot for myself but situations dint allow it to happen.. I was always on the move and dint have the time to meet him more regularly and learn about parrots... I did a few researches on the web about parrots, read alot about em.. My knowledge about parrots compared to Mr. Shanlung's would be a drop in the ocean...Another reason why i was scared to get a parrot home was because of very little time i would be able to give it.. I am outta the house from morning 8am all the way upto 10pm in the night... But now alhamdulillah, My wife is here and she'll be able to give some time to the parrots too in my absence and hopefully inshallah the parrots would be good with her and me too...LOL.
However they say you have to start from somewhere to get there... So being the season of baby parrots hatching, I planned to get two baby parrots and monitor their growth... Feed them and care for them and see whether i can handle em....I hope i can, inshallah...
So tonight i am going to get these baby's and i pray to the Almighty to give me the strength and understanding so that i can take care and give these parrots a good life...Inshallah....
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Short Trip to Hyderabad....
Well i thought about it on sunday morning. Noon, i decided. Evening, i booked the tickets. Night, I boarded the plane...WOW.. This was the first time i ever did this on such a short notice..
It sounded an exciting idea at the begining.. But after work when i went back home i was half dead as usual and was so lazy to pack ma bags.. Nonetheless i got my luggage ready and my kind brother dropped me at the airport....
There was a big rush at the airport, and i was scared already that i might miss my flight as it was already over half an hour since the reporting time had started.. I just acted smart pulled my trolley bag through all the rush and walked fast as if i was in an emergency and alhamdulillah reached the counter at time and got my luggage checked in....
In the terminal alhamdulillah i found a prayer hall, performed my salaat- ishan in islolation. Then had my dinner at the Subway outlet, bought some chocolates for the families and finally boarded the plane...
Me being an Indian i personally do not like India much... Dont get mad at me, relax... I love the weather , i love the food... But some people have made such a mess of a beautiful coutry like India that there's hardly a place where there is no polution.. Population can be a liability, But if you smartly lead the country this same population can be one of the biggest ASSET.. And am sure its because of a few hard working, resistant , tolerating Guys back in India because of whome the coutry is heading for developtment, Alhamdulillah....And i hope it wont be far one i would seriously be proud of my country from all aspects...
Anyways getting back to my topic, Finally i boarded the plane (Oman Air) and i was under an impression that now i can sleep for a few hours peacefully..But the dream to be in a dream land stayed only as a dream.. The sound of the engine was so loud that i couldnt sleep no matter how hard i try...
Hey hold on, suddenly i spoke about India in an earlier paragraph and now i remember why i did that..LOL...Though personally am not a big fan of my hometown, Hyderabad due to the above mentioned reasons and other political games played, and recently these guys are killing each other for seperate states....Damn it...Imagine killing each other, suiciding etc. For what?? Only to get another state with a name "Telangana"...LOL... I dont understand wether you're state is called Telangana or Anjana or Nikomama what difference does it make..You are still an Indian, and when you fly abroad they are still going to call you an Indian... Its only the politicians who would benefit, ie some junior guy will get a senior post, thats it... Why kill yourself for somebody elses benefit?? IF you dont value your life, how can you expect others to value you..
So, i was seated besides these two guys, who were local Omani guys and they seemed to be decent and good to talk to.. I asked them the purpose of their visit, and they said they are going for studies...Mashallah... I was really surprised when they told me that they like Hyderabad alot...subhanallah... But guess what they liked the most?? FOOD...FOOD....FOOD... which i love the most too in my hometown... its beautifull...
Anyways there was no sleep and we landed even more tired at the Hyderabad airport...
In a brief summary this what i did in HYD..
- Met the homeopathic, Unani, Aleopathic doctors for my migrain... and all of them had diffrent approaches to cure it..mashallah..So i got a head application paste from the Unani, i got some drops and tabs from homeopathy and i got regular medicines from Alepathic.. Amazing thing i can use all of them simultaneously and inshallah they wont neutralise each other's affect...
- Met almost all my aunties and cousines... Had to face a bit of family politics there, but alhamdulillah handled it...
-Met some admiring brothers in islam...
-Got my wife back with me.....(:-))))
The two days i spent in India were so so hectic that i couldnt have a gud night sleep there either...The mosquitos, damn..... They love to suck my blood... So every time i go back to Hyderabad, i have to get bitten by them at unimaginable body parts a number of times...LOL...
We had to catch a flight back to Muscat via dubai this morning and hence last night's sleep was also messed up, partially due to so many parcels handed by all back home for their loved ones here in the family and i was confused which ones to take as i was overweight already and secondly, i had to report to the airport by 1:10 am...So there you go, third night without gud sleep..
We had a three hours hault at DxB airport, but the airport was so big, by the time we move from one terminal to the other it was time for boarding and i had to stand in a que for about 20 mins before i could use the toilet, damn..imagine the crowd... Blonds, Africans, Asians all of em....
Finally we boarded the flight at landed at Muscat at 9:30 am... Again another que for getting my wife's passport stamped with the new visa.....
Now am back in the office cant wait to get back home and sleep real real tightttttttt..
Please forgive me for any gramatical mistakes made above as you know am sleeeepppy.....Zz zz Zz Zz Zzzzzzz
It sounded an exciting idea at the begining.. But after work when i went back home i was half dead as usual and was so lazy to pack ma bags.. Nonetheless i got my luggage ready and my kind brother dropped me at the airport....
There was a big rush at the airport, and i was scared already that i might miss my flight as it was already over half an hour since the reporting time had started.. I just acted smart pulled my trolley bag through all the rush and walked fast as if i was in an emergency and alhamdulillah reached the counter at time and got my luggage checked in....
In the terminal alhamdulillah i found a prayer hall, performed my salaat- ishan in islolation. Then had my dinner at the Subway outlet, bought some chocolates for the families and finally boarded the plane...
Me being an Indian i personally do not like India much... Dont get mad at me, relax... I love the weather , i love the food... But some people have made such a mess of a beautiful coutry like India that there's hardly a place where there is no polution.. Population can be a liability, But if you smartly lead the country this same population can be one of the biggest ASSET.. And am sure its because of a few hard working, resistant , tolerating Guys back in India because of whome the coutry is heading for developtment, Alhamdulillah....And i hope it wont be far one i would seriously be proud of my country from all aspects...
Anyways getting back to my topic, Finally i boarded the plane (Oman Air) and i was under an impression that now i can sleep for a few hours peacefully..But the dream to be in a dream land stayed only as a dream.. The sound of the engine was so loud that i couldnt sleep no matter how hard i try...
Hey hold on, suddenly i spoke about India in an earlier paragraph and now i remember why i did that..LOL...Though personally am not a big fan of my hometown, Hyderabad due to the above mentioned reasons and other political games played, and recently these guys are killing each other for seperate states....Damn it...Imagine killing each other, suiciding etc. For what?? Only to get another state with a name "Telangana"...LOL... I dont understand wether you're state is called Telangana or Anjana or Nikomama what difference does it make..You are still an Indian, and when you fly abroad they are still going to call you an Indian... Its only the politicians who would benefit, ie some junior guy will get a senior post, thats it... Why kill yourself for somebody elses benefit?? IF you dont value your life, how can you expect others to value you..
So, i was seated besides these two guys, who were local Omani guys and they seemed to be decent and good to talk to.. I asked them the purpose of their visit, and they said they are going for studies...Mashallah... I was really surprised when they told me that they like Hyderabad alot...subhanallah... But guess what they liked the most?? FOOD...FOOD....FOOD... which i love the most too in my hometown... its beautifull...
Anyways there was no sleep and we landed even more tired at the Hyderabad airport...
In a brief summary this what i did in HYD..
- Met the homeopathic, Unani, Aleopathic doctors for my migrain... and all of them had diffrent approaches to cure it..mashallah..So i got a head application paste from the Unani, i got some drops and tabs from homeopathy and i got regular medicines from Alepathic.. Amazing thing i can use all of them simultaneously and inshallah they wont neutralise each other's affect...
- Met almost all my aunties and cousines... Had to face a bit of family politics there, but alhamdulillah handled it...
-Met some admiring brothers in islam...
-Got my wife back with me.....(:-))))
The two days i spent in India were so so hectic that i couldnt have a gud night sleep there either...The mosquitos, damn..... They love to suck my blood... So every time i go back to Hyderabad, i have to get bitten by them at unimaginable body parts a number of times...LOL...
We had to catch a flight back to Muscat via dubai this morning and hence last night's sleep was also messed up, partially due to so many parcels handed by all back home for their loved ones here in the family and i was confused which ones to take as i was overweight already and secondly, i had to report to the airport by 1:10 am...So there you go, third night without gud sleep..
We had a three hours hault at DxB airport, but the airport was so big, by the time we move from one terminal to the other it was time for boarding and i had to stand in a que for about 20 mins before i could use the toilet, damn..imagine the crowd... Blonds, Africans, Asians all of em....
Finally we boarded the flight at landed at Muscat at 9:30 am... Again another que for getting my wife's passport stamped with the new visa.....
Now am back in the office cant wait to get back home and sleep real real tightttttttt..
Please forgive me for any gramatical mistakes made above as you know am sleeeepppy.....Zz zz Zz Zz Zzzzzzz
Monday, February 15, 2010
My Dad had an attack last wednesday...
It was 6am in the morning, time for fajr, but i was still in bed and my alarm would usually ring at tht time but if i dint wake it would snooze for another 15mins.. Suddenly i heard somebody banging hard on my door... I woke up immediately in a state of shock and found my mother crying and yelling "your father fail down in the toilet and fainted and i tried to pick him up and i cant come fastttt" and she was crying and shouting non-stop and i rushed down with her to find my Dad seated on the stairs...... On hearing my Mom yelling so hard somehow my Dad woke up and managed to walk upto the stairs and he was shouting to Mom asking what happened....
He did'nt even realise that he had fainted in the toilet and because he couldnt hold himself upstraight he sat on stairs and was calling out to Mom asking what happened, why was she shouting so much...
My mom calmed down a bit and as my Dad tried to stand up he was about to fall again.. Lost his consiousness and was a bit stiff too, i held him tightly and picked him up and slowly laid him down on his bead and Mom started yelling all over again in fear.. I put a pillow under his head and planned to call the ambulance right away but somehow, alhamdulillah he was back to his senses and stopped me from callin the ambulance..My mom was still crying... By the way he hates hospitals and doctors and is scared of needles big time.. No wonder am scared of needles too..LOL..
So there he was lying on the bed a with a few minor brusies on his body (due to the fall in the toilet) and refusing to go to the hospital not even allowing us to check his blood sugar level...(fear of needles again).. Somehow we convinced him and check his blood sugar level and it was 265 something and the normal is suppose to be around 120..
My Mom suffers from diabetes too and she also has thyroid problems and has already gone though a number of surgeries..hence a little tension or depression messes up her health, but some how she was going thru all of this and running up and down the stairs, trying to pick my Dad in the toilet during which she fell down herself too...Subahanallah..I actually was more worried about her then my father....
Then my Mom asked me to make some almond milkshake for dad, he drank, took a tablet to reduce his blood sugar level and said tht he would like to sleep and he'd be better, inshallah..
However my mom wasnt too convinced and at 10 am she called my uncle and we had some breakfast and took him to the hospital.. There we met a neurologist who wrote all kinds of tests for him ( EEG, ECG, Blood Test, Urine test etc) and found that everything was pretty okay except the blood sugar level which had now increased to 295...Well we finally concluded that because he was'nt regular in his eating and sleeping habits and was'nt interested in taking tablets on time either, this may have happened... But the doctors said that if it happens again then they may need to do the MRI...
Though he dint faint again but he's not been feeling too gud for the past couple of days.. I hope inshallah he shall recover soon....
May Allah swt have mercy on my parents as they did bring me up when i was jst a kid...inshallah..
He did'nt even realise that he had fainted in the toilet and because he couldnt hold himself upstraight he sat on stairs and was calling out to Mom asking what happened, why was she shouting so much...
My mom calmed down a bit and as my Dad tried to stand up he was about to fall again.. Lost his consiousness and was a bit stiff too, i held him tightly and picked him up and slowly laid him down on his bead and Mom started yelling all over again in fear.. I put a pillow under his head and planned to call the ambulance right away but somehow, alhamdulillah he was back to his senses and stopped me from callin the ambulance..My mom was still crying... By the way he hates hospitals and doctors and is scared of needles big time.. No wonder am scared of needles too..LOL..
So there he was lying on the bed a with a few minor brusies on his body (due to the fall in the toilet) and refusing to go to the hospital not even allowing us to check his blood sugar level...(fear of needles again).. Somehow we convinced him and check his blood sugar level and it was 265 something and the normal is suppose to be around 120..
My Mom suffers from diabetes too and she also has thyroid problems and has already gone though a number of surgeries..hence a little tension or depression messes up her health, but some how she was going thru all of this and running up and down the stairs, trying to pick my Dad in the toilet during which she fell down herself too...Subahanallah..I actually was more worried about her then my father....
Then my Mom asked me to make some almond milkshake for dad, he drank, took a tablet to reduce his blood sugar level and said tht he would like to sleep and he'd be better, inshallah..
However my mom wasnt too convinced and at 10 am she called my uncle and we had some breakfast and took him to the hospital.. There we met a neurologist who wrote all kinds of tests for him ( EEG, ECG, Blood Test, Urine test etc) and found that everything was pretty okay except the blood sugar level which had now increased to 295...Well we finally concluded that because he was'nt regular in his eating and sleeping habits and was'nt interested in taking tablets on time either, this may have happened... But the doctors said that if it happens again then they may need to do the MRI...
Though he dint faint again but he's not been feeling too gud for the past couple of days.. I hope inshallah he shall recover soon....
May Allah swt have mercy on my parents as they did bring me up when i was jst a kid...inshallah..
Dinner with Abdur Raheem Green
One of the reverts and students of Islam and an active person in Dawah activties was invited to Muscat to give a series of lectures.... On listening to his lectures on thing was remarkable about the person, he was patient enough during the question and answer session and replied well, mashallah...
Some so called scholars make up their speeches and speak well and some times they do not where they got the hadeeths from , is it saheeh hadeeth or weak.. But thts not the problem.. The problem is when they are asked about the hadeeths they just simply say they got it from Bukhari or Muslim or wateva.. But Abdur Raheem Green stated a hadeeths which i had never heard before and on the dinner table i asked him where he got that hadeeths from and he was truthful enough to say that he does not which book of hadeeths was the hadeeths from ..But he mentioned that the hadeeths was "Sound".. I hope inshallah the hadeeths is sound and if its not may Allah swt forgive the one who claimed the hadeeths was sound...
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
"Service" from the point of view of a customer
The other day my company bought the vehicle i chose for myself. It was a very imprssive evening when everybody praised my new FORD FUSION... I felt so proud and thanked the Almighty for blessing me with such a beautiful vehicle (so i remember).. nonetheless in a few days i realised the vehicle makes a funny mechanical noise, Its like someone whistling in your ears(really soft but irritating).. If am driving in a silent night the sound is more prominent... When i contacted the service station he smartly switched on the other old vehicle and said the noise is from the Fuel tank and its normal.. NORMAL wtf??? I personally have history of migrain and any such noise or high beam of light or unpleasing smell really irritates me alot... So he showed me a couple of vehicles and said the sound is in all the vehicles and its normal... I dint argue much with him cause i wanted to get hold of the sales manager who sold us the car and have a word with him...
So here it goes what do you really mean by service??/ What differentiates a product from service??
Well yeah the good old difference would be that product is tangible and service is intangible...Righttt...
But if i give in my Car for service and when I get it back they change the OIL which is tangible, the Filter is tangible etc. etc.
Then why do we call it service and not product or better we can just call em "maintenance" centre, cause they maintain your vehicle..Thats wat they do for a high price...
I think the most important difference between a product and Service would be that "SERVICE" has to be tailor made as per the requirements of the customer... You go for a haircut, you tell the barber the hair cut you desire and then he proceeds accordingly... You go to a tailor and he takes your measurements and stitches accordingly... I would call all of them as "service"...
But vehicle service centre, I dont think they should be called as service centre's anymore.. they should be called "Maintenance Centres".. I was frank enough to tell the service guy that I have a migrain history and still he dint do anything about it.. he could have installed some cover or something atleast to reduce the noice but Nahh.. He dint give a shit cause probably he was getting late to check his mail...Nonetheless am going to get back to this Sales person and ask him watsup... lets see what they say.....
So here it goes what do you really mean by service??/ What differentiates a product from service??
Well yeah the good old difference would be that product is tangible and service is intangible...Righttt...
But if i give in my Car for service and when I get it back they change the OIL which is tangible, the Filter is tangible etc. etc.
Then why do we call it service and not product or better we can just call em "maintenance" centre, cause they maintain your vehicle..Thats wat they do for a high price...
I think the most important difference between a product and Service would be that "SERVICE" has to be tailor made as per the requirements of the customer... You go for a haircut, you tell the barber the hair cut you desire and then he proceeds accordingly... You go to a tailor and he takes your measurements and stitches accordingly... I would call all of them as "service"...
But vehicle service centre, I dont think they should be called as service centre's anymore.. they should be called "Maintenance Centres".. I was frank enough to tell the service guy that I have a migrain history and still he dint do anything about it.. he could have installed some cover or something atleast to reduce the noice but Nahh.. He dint give a shit cause probably he was getting late to check his mail...Nonetheless am going to get back to this Sales person and ask him watsup... lets see what they say.....
Monday, February 1, 2010
First Post...
Well i created this Blog exclusively to post things about my life.. Just want to keep posting randomly anytime, anywhere, ANYTHINGGG....
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