Black Magic

As I listened to NPR the other day, a routine statement triggered a memory.

The guest on the show was a novelist from a Muslim country. For one of the questions, the host began by stating: “Many concerned Americans are saying that Trump’s rhetoric is radicalizing Muslims who would otherwise be pro-America” – the implication being that either you’re pro-America (the proper term for this is ‘Americanism’) or something is wrong with you. The guest seemed intelligent and was well-spoken. But his response was the standard reassurance that non-pro-America radicals constitute “only a fringe minority” of Muslims, everyone else is a moderate, and so forth.

While routine, this particular exchange triggered in me the memory of a young man I once lived with in another prison. I’d watch as he robotically paced the unit – back & forth, all day & everyday. He’d go weeks without showering or changing his clothes. Each day, he’d recklessly consume massive amounts of sugar despite being predisposed to diabetes. Anytime I’d try to intervene & advise him to snap out of it, he’d stare back at me as if I was the crazy one. What made it all the more bizarre was that I also knew him to be very intelligent & well-educated. He had studied to become an engineer. In fact, he once spent five minutes reciting to me from memory a very eloquent poem that he’d heard just one time in one of his dreams. After a few conversations & attempts at reciting the Qur’an over him, I came to understand that he was suffering from the effects of black magic that he’d been afflicted with since childhood.

The scholars explain that the effects of black magic generally continue so long as the object through which the spell was cast remains intact. During that time, black magic can muddle your mind and rob you of reason, even if you’re otherwise intelligent. The NPR interview reminded me of that young man because this is exactly how many minds are affected by the dominance of a taghut. Once that dominance ends, the spell is broken. Example after example of this is scattered throughout the Qur’an, throughout history, and in the present day:

Read the story of Qarun to see how people’s view of him completely changed between one day & the next: {“Those who desired the life of this world said: “Ah! If only we had what Qarun has been given. Indeed, he owns a great fortune!” But those who were given knowledge said: “Woe to you! Allah’s reward is better for those who believe & perform good deeds…” So I caused the ground to swallow him & his home… And those who wanted to be in his place just the previous day now said: “Don’t you know that Allah widens & restricts provision for those of His servants He wills? If not for Allah’s grace, He would’ve caused the ground to swallow us! Don’t you know that the disbelievers will never prosper?””} (28:79-82)

So once the taghut vanished, his spell over people was broken and they suddenly snapped out of it.

And long before Qarun, only after Prophet Ibrahim smashed their idols to bits did people snap out of it long enough to hear him out, and they even {“turned to each other and said: “Indeed, you are the wrongdoers!””} (21:64)

And long after Qarun, only after he found his idol thrown headfirst into a pile of filth with a dead dog tied to it did ‘Amr bin al-Jamuh snap out of it and thank Allah for guiding him by composing poetry which included:

He is the One Who saved me * Before I could become imprisoned in the darkness of the grave…

And in modern history, only after the Soviet Union collapsed did many in the Ummah snap out of it and realize how delusional they’d been attempting to harmonize between Islam & socialism.

But today, many claimants to Islam don’t yet realize their delusion in attempting to harmonize between Islam & Americanism. And when the “fringe minority” points this out and advises them to snap out of it, they stare back at them as if they’re the crazy ones. As I mentioned above, the scholars explain that the effects of black magic generally continue so long as the object through which the spell was cast remains intact.

The scholars explain one more thing: the practitioners of black magic themselves realize that they’re only truly effective against people with weak hearts, not those whom Allah has fortified with knowledge & Iman. This is why while those who were deluded about Qarun did eventually snap out of it, it was “those who were given knowledge” who never had to snap out of anything. Why? Because their knowledge & Iman protected them from the magic, allowing them to see Qarun for what he was long before he was swallowed into the ground.

Written by: Tariq Mehanna
Sunday, the 13th of Jumada al-Akhirah 1438 (12th of March 2017)
United States Penitentiary – Marion

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Our Rights To Moses (pbuh) – Written By Tarek

In the Name of Allah, I invoke peace and blessings on His Messenger.

Ibn ‘Abbas related that the Prophet came to Madinah and found the Jews fasting the 10^th day of Muharram. When he inquired about this, they replied: “This is a good day. It is the day that Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy. So, Moses fasted it.” The Prophet replied: “I have more of a right to Moses than you.” and he ordered us to fast it.

Several thousand years ago today, Allah saved one of His Prophets and his believing followers from the oppressive policies of the greatest tyrant on Earth. Prophet Moses and the Children of Israel he had come to protect were the target of a campaign of persecution so brutal, so continuous that there seemed to be no end to it in sight. When that end finally did come with Pharaoh’s watery demise, it was such a relief and mercy that it was legislated in our religion to mark that day by fasting, as a means of both gratitude to Allah and solidarity with fellow muslims who preserved their faith under tyranny.

As we continue to fast the 10^th of Muharram several millennia later, I thought it appropriate to extract some significance and relevance from the experiences of the Children of Israel at the hands of Pharaoh in order to appreciate exactly what it was they were rescued from. By touching upon a few examples of Pharaoh’s methods of persecution, perhaps we will be able to draw some parallels between the reality faced by the Children of Israel thousands of years ago and the reality faced by this Ummah today, leading us to recognize why it is we fast this day and what place it should have in our hearts.

 So let us look through the Qur’an and list some of these Pharonic methods.

1.) Demonization

 In Surat Ghafir, v. 26, Pharaoh said: {“Leave me to kill Moses, and let him call upon his Lord! I fear that he will change your way of life or bring about ruin and evil on Earth.”}

 Here, we see Pharaoh accusing Prophet Moses with two accusations: i) he wants to change their way of life, and ii) he is out to spread evil and destruction on Earth. Sound familiar? Moses was sent by Allah to Pharaoh, in fact, for two reasons: to end Pharaoh’s oppression of the Children of Israel, and to call Pharaoh to worship the Creator. So, he was on a mission to do the exact opposite of what Pharaoh accused him of, while it was in fact Pharaoh who was carrying out what he accused Moses of! This a classic case of what is known as psychological projection (look it up).

 Then, Pharaoh ironically sets himself up as the valiant  defender of his ‘good’ in the face of the ‘evil’ of Moses, in v. 29: {“I show you only what I see to be correct, and I only guide you to the right way!”} Just as Allah indicated in Surat al-Baqarah, v. 11: {“And if it is said to them: ‘Stop spreading evil on Earth!’ they say: We are only peacemakers!”}

 So, the practice of demonization and accusing the victim of violence, corruption, etc. is an ancient one. It’s just that nowadays, the fashionable terms to use are ‘extremism’, ‘radicalism’, and ‘terrorism.’ Had Pharaoh known of these words, he probably would’ve used them against Moses, too.

2.) Belittlement

 In Surat az-Zukhraf, v. 51-52, Pharaoh said: {“My people! Isn’t the kingdom of Egypt and all of these rivers flowing underneath me all mine? Don’t you see? Am I not better than this one who is despicable and can barely express himself?”}

 Moses went to Pharaoh for two reasons: to end his oppression of others and to call him to worship his Creator. Pharaoh had no moral or logical grounds for debate for either of the two of these challenges posed to him by Moses, and he knew it. So, his resort was to belittle Moses in order to draw the public’s attention away from this fact and distract them from the simple logic of what Moses was saying. Rather than directly address these challenges responsibly and honestly, he points to himself as the strong, civilized established authority facing the speech-imped, weak, helpless outcast who offers no prestige or status to anyone who would be unfortunate enough to choose to join him, all in an effort to counter the legitimacy and appeal of his words.

The same tactic is used today. We often hear parts of the Shariah being characterized as backwards, barbaric, uncivilized, inhumane, etc. We hear of how Muslims in certain parts of the world are in need of learning how to live under ‘freedom’ and so on. We are subtly taught that we need others to solve our problems for us, and how we are weak and dependent on the powerful, and how we can’t, we can’t, we can’t/ We are made to feel insignificant and defensive and apologetic, and act so.

 None of this is haphazard. It is a tactic borrowed from Pharaoh, and its purpose is twofold: to create an inferiority complex in the Muslim mind, as well as to create a smokescreen to block the non-Muslim mind from being attracted to the truth. The message of Moses was very clear and logical: Stop oppressing others and worship the Creator. Pharaoh’s belittlement was simply an act of desperation and a tactic of manipulation to make up for this, and as stated in v. 54: {“Thus, he fooled his people and they followed along …”}

 3.) Imprisonment

 In Surat ash-Shu’ara’, v. 29, Pharaoh said: {“If you choose a god besides me, I will make you a prisoner!”}

This threat came in the midst of a public confrontation with Prophet Moses, as he was making one eloquent presentation of Tawhid after another. People were beginning to hear this strange new message, and Pharaoh wasn’t liking it one bit. This was a radical message, as Webster’s dictionary defines radical as “Going to the  root or source,” and this is exactly what the call to Tawhid presented by Moses and all the Prophets does. It is an irresistible straight-to-the-point call to those who seek humility, but it was also a clear and present danger to this claimant to godhood, Pharaoh. The only way to silence Moses and lock away his message was to lock him up. The threat of incarceration has always been used to do away with undesired and unpopular speech and beliefs and those who manifest them, and the Muslim Ummah in particular is not bereft of examples throughout its history and present. So prison here was being used as a tool of suppression.

 However, prison has also been used as a means of coercing the commission of certain deeds, usually those shameful in nature. In Surat Yusuf, v. 32, Prophet Joseph was threatened with it if he refused to sleep with the King’s wife: {“… I did seek to seduce him , but he refused. Now, if he refuses to comply with what I demand, he will certainly be thrown into prison!”} Joseph’s response was simply to say: {“O Lord! Prison is more preferable to me than what they want me to do.”} And as it was, he was imprisoned when he refused to comply with that shameful, treacherous demand: {“The it occurred to them, after seeing proofs of his innocence, to imprison him for a time.”}

 May Allah free the imprisoned Muslims around the globe, amin.

 4.) Instilling Societal Fear

 In Surat yunus, v. 83: {“But none believed in Moses except some descendent of his people because of the fear of Pharaoh and their chiefs that they would persecute them …”}

 Fear is the most cost-effective method of countering an undesired presence simply because it is a preventative measure meant to keep an individual, group, or society in check. Rather than wait until the spread of a message or a movement that challenges the status quo, it is much easier to simply scare everyone into conforming. Rather than allow Moses the freedom to teach his message and lose the large number of subject enslaved to him, Pharaoh instead implemented a campaign of fear to dissuade anyone from being affected by this radicalism, lending an ear to Moses’ words, or even displaying sympathy to him or his followers. This way, not only would Moses not be able to spread his message, but there could be no hint of support for any of its tenets expressed openly throughout Pharaoh’s kingdom. Why? Because this message was a direct challenge to both Pharaoh’s arrogance and his oppression of others, and it had to be contained to preserve his authority. Any challenge or dissent from this authority had to be found, contained, weakened, outcast and eliminated. In essence, Pharaoh had mastered the ancient art of terrorism, which is defined in Webster’s dictionary as: “the political use of terror or intimidation.”

 The words of Sayyid Qutb apply well to Moses in this situation: “A society has a governing logic and a common mode, its pressure is strong and its weight heavy on anyone who is not protected by some powerful member of society or who challenges it without a strong power… The person who takes a stand against the direction of the society -its governing logic, its common mindset, its standards, its concepts, its error and deviations – will find himself a stranger and helpless unless his authority comes from a source which is more powerful than the people, more permanent than the Earth, and nobler that life …” This is exactly how Moses was, peace be upon him , in the midst of Pharaoh’s campaign against his message, his beliefs, his words, and his way of life – despite facing demonization, belittlement, threats of imprisonment and torture, and having the entire society too frightened to even be associated with him. As Emily Dickinson wrote:

“Much madness is divinest sense –

To a discerning eye –

Much sense – the starkest madness –

‘Tis the majority

In this, as all, prevail –

Assent, and you are sane –

Demur – you’re straight away dangerous –

And handled with a chain.“

 However, despite the intimidation by Pharaoh, there were a few individuals who cast aside their fears and boldly spike in defense of Moses, in fact accepting his message; as we learn in Surat Ghafir, v. 28: {“And a man who believed from Pharaoh’s household and had his his faith said: “would you kill a man because he says ‘My Lord is Allah’ and has come to you with clear signs from your Lord?””} So, this man who was from Pharaoh’s very bloodline came out in defense of the truth even though society at large was either too scared or too heedless to. In the same spirit, anyone who pays attention to current events involving Muslim affairs will note the many non-Muslims who appear even bolder in standing up for Muslims than the Muslims themselves. We have even witnessed a few of them, much like this man from Pharaoh’s household, choosing to actually become Muslims as occurred with a number of former guards who served at Guantánamo Bay, for example.

 These are just a few examples of many, but the statement of the Prophet to the Jews of Madinah: “I have more of a right to Moses than you” when he had the Muslims fast on this day should carry a greater significance with us as we observe the unmistakable similarities between what Moses and the Children of Israel were saved from  and what we are facing thousands of years later today. Likewise, we await the same aid and victory given to them by Allah, and we ask Allah to grant us the same faith, taqwa, and adherence to His Religion manifested by Moses as he watched the Red Sea part before his eyes.

 O  Allah, as You saved Moses from distress, save us from the distress of this life and the next …

______

Continue to make dua for our respected brother Dr Tarek Mehanna. May Allaah hasten his release, aameen.

www.freetarek.com

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One in Need of Allaah

The nature of torture

Torture practices include beatings such as jumping on the victim’s stomach; falacca or falanga, which involves beating the soles of the feet with rods; telephono, where the torturer claps flattened palms over the victim’s ears rupturing the tympanic membrane in the process; the use of electricity, including tying victims to a metal bed before applying a current and the use of pointed electrodes placed on the victim’s genitalia; burning; submarino, the submersion of the victim’s head in dirty water until the point of suffocation is almost reached; rape and forced sexual assault; suspension in mid-air with knees bent over a rod and tied tightly to wrists; deprivation of water; fake executions; the forced witnessing of the torture of the victim’s family or children; being held incommunicado; sensory deprivation; the forced injection of psychotropic drugs or ‘faecal matter’.

Tortured in Syria by Italy

Mohammed Majid Shakir was tortured by the Syrians under the command of the Italians. He explains the torture methods used upon him by the Syrians.

“Their instruments of torture were :-

a. Blasphemy. They insulted Allah(swt), his messenger(saw), and tore up the Qu’ran

b. Beating with sticks. They attacked me with a hard stick, and if I tried to defend myself they attacked me harder. Whilst this was happening, I could hear the screams of the other brothers, and they haunt me still to this day.

c. In the winter, in the cell of torture the brothers were tied to a chair by their hands and feet, and into a cell that was freezing. They put an electric fan on us in our faces from morning to afternoon” (Help the Prisoners, 2010)

Tortured in Baghram

Moazzam Beg narrates his experience in Baghram prison, he states, “One particular month in May, I was subjected to some extremely harsh interrogation techniques, which included being – or having my hands tied behind my back to my legs like an animal, as they call in America ‘hogtied’, with a hood placed over my head so I was in a suffocating position, kicked and beaten and sworn at and spat  at, left to rot in this position for hours and hours on end and taken again into interrogation, and this lasted over a period of over a month. That wasn’t the worst of it, of course. The worst of it for me was the psychological part, because all of this time I had no communication with my family at all. I didn’t know what happened to my wife or my children. For all I knew they could have done terrible things to them. And that was my biggest fear. (Moazzam Begg, quoted in Democracy Now!, 2006)

Torture in Abu Ghraib

In 2004, the world witnessed the shocking institutionally sanctioned torture of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers in Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison. The vile images of grinning American soldiers standing over shackled, naked and hooded Iraqi men in demeaning, sexually humiliating and contorted positions stunned the liberal conscience of the Western world. Rather than the aberrant behaviour of an isolated few, it became clear that the nine soldiers who were court-martialled for the crimes were indeed responding to orders issued from the highest levels of military government.

Death at Camp Delta

On June 9, 2006, three detainees died while in custody at Camp 1 of the Guantánamo Bay detention facility. Yassar Talal Al Zahrani, Mani Shaman Turki Al Habardi Al Tabi, and Ali Abdullah Ahmed were reported to have been found hanging in their cells at approximately 00:20 on June 10. According to descriptions from the guards, medics, and autopsy reports, all three detainees were cold to the touch, bluish in colour, and in a state of rigor mortis, indicating that each had been dead for more than two hours at the time of discovery. Their eyes were rolled back in their sockets and they had no pulse. Rigor mortis locked their jaws and impeded resuscitation attempts. In the case of one detainee, his jaw had to be pried open with a metal instrument that broke his teeth. At that time, medical personnel discovered that he had a cloth deep in his mouth and down his throat. The same condition was discovered in the other two bodies. The investigations did not explain why the detainees had rags in their throats (Death in Camp Delta, 2009).

Guantanamo Bay

Binyamin Mohammed recalls his experience of prison in Guantanamo Bay, “It is still difficult for me to believe that I was abducted, hauled from one country to the next, and tortured in medieval ways – all orchestrated by the United States government…There are thousands of other prisoners held by the US elsewhere around the world, with no charges, and without access to their families. And I have to say, more in sadness than in anger, that many have been complicit in my own horrors over the past seven years. For myself, the very worst moment came when I realised in Morocco that the people who were torturing me were receiving questions and materials from British intelligence (BBC News, 23rd February 2009)

Implications of torture

There are a significant amount of detention centres around the world, specifically designed to torture victims. Cruel and callous methods of torture render the victims as helpless and in many cases, ultimately causing their deaths. The victims of torture are owed one thing above all else: justice. The perpetrators of torture must be exposed for who they are, and for what they have done. There is no statute of limitations on inhumanity. Those who designed and implemented the torture and illegal rendition programmes must be punished for their crimes or the laws forbidding these activities will be recognised as meaningless. These inhumane acts were committed against real people. Only the victims can forgive those who violated their human rights and stained the moral consciousness of humanity.

 

Intellectual Insurgency

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The Men Who Died

On the night of June 9, 2006, three detainees died in a maximum security section of the Guantánamo Bay Detention facility. The military‘s initial press releases reported not only that the detainees were found hanging in their cells but also that their actions were a conspiracy as part of ―asymmetrical warfare” against the United States. At the same time, the military ordered all media off the island and prevented all lawyers from visiting their clients.

Questions immediately arose about how three detainees, under constant supervision, were able to conspire effectively to commit coordinated suicides. The military soon announced that it was conducting an investigation, but the results were not published until more than two years later. In August 2008 a heavily redacted report of the investigation concluded that the detainees had hanged themselves in their cells and that one detainee, while walking the corridors that night, had announced, ―tonight‘s the night.

 

______________

 In the months prior to his death on June 10, 2006, Mani Shaman Turki Al-Habardi Al- Utaybi was cleared for transfer to his native Saudi Arabia.13 Because of delays by the Government, his lawyers were unable to tell him of the decision, and it is therefore unlikely he was ever informed of his pending release.14 According to Government press releases, Al-Utaybi was detained for the previous four years because of his involvement with Jama’at al Tablighi and other undisclosed groups.15 The Government characterized Jama’at al Tablighi as a “militant missionary group,” though in fact, Jama’at al Tablighi is a mainstream, worldwide religious community.

 Ali Abdullah Ahmed, a Yemeni national, was purportedly suspected by the U.S. Government of being a “mid- to high-level Al Qaeda operative” with access to “facilitators and senior membership,” particularly Al Qaeda coordinator Abu Zubaydeh. However, this claim was stated in a press release after Ahmed’s death, and cannot be corroborated by any available evidence. In 2005, his father obtained counsel for Ahmed and made a videotape asking his son to cooperate with those lawyers. The Government reported difficulty in identifying Ahmed, blocking any meeting with his attorneys prior to his death, so he never saw his father’s recorded plea. Nonetheless, there was a suit filed on Ahmed’s behalf in December of 2005.

 Yassar Talal Al-Zahrani was born on September 22, 1984, and was seventeen years old when he was arrested by anti-Taliban forces in late 2001.22 In press statements after his death, the Government accused Al-Zahrani of fighting on the front lines for the Taliban, facilitating weapons purchases for the Taliban, and participating in the prison uprising that occurred at Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan on November 25, 2001.23 Al-Zahrani did not have representation by counsel during his detention at Guantánamo.

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Day of ‘Aashuura

Bismillah ir Rahmaan ir Raheem

Alhamdullillah was Salaat was Salaam ‘Ala Rasuul Allah

This is the translation of some of the excerpts from a fatwa given by the Sheikh ul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah Rahimahullah, regarding ‘Aashuura.

…And it has been established in the Saheeh of Muslim from the Prophet (saw) that he said:
“There will be in Thaqeef a liar and destroyer”
so the liar was Al Mukhtaar bin Abee ‘Ubaid At Thaqafee. And he used to manifest the alliance of the People of the House [of the Prophet], and aid for them and he killed ‘Ubaid Allah bin Ziyaad, the Commander of ‘Iraaq who equipped the company that killed Hussain bin ‘Alee (radiAllahu ‘Anhuma). Then he manifested falsehood and claimed the prophethood and that the Gibreel (alayhis Salaam). Until they spoke to Ibn ‘Umar and Ibn ‘Abbaas. They said to one of the two: Verily Al Mukhtaar bin Abee ‘Ubaid claims that he is visited. So he said, he spoke the truth. Allah the most High has said:
(trans. of the Meaning) “Should I tell you upon whom the Shayaateen (devils) descend? They descend upon ever Sinful Liar” (Surah As Shu’araa (26): 222).
And they said to the other: Verily Al Mukhtaar claims that he is revealed or inspired to. So he said he spoke the truth:
(trans.) “And verily the Shayaateen (devils) surely inspire to their allies so that they may argue and content with you” (Surah Al An’aam(6):121).
And as for the destroyer, then he is Al Hajjaaj bin Yousuf At Thaqafee. And he was averse from ‘Alee and his companions. So he was from the An Nawaasib [dissenting sect that hated ‘Alee and the people of the House]. While the first one [Al Mukhtaar] was from the Rawaafid [extreme shia’s]. And his Rafidee was greatest in terms of lie and forgery, deviation in the Deen because he claimed the prophethood. And the [latter] was greatest in terms of vengence for anyone who went out against his authority and revenge for anyone who accused him as a sin of his commander ‘Abdul Malik bin Marwaan. And in Kuufah between these there was tribulations, insurrections and fighting. So when Al Hussain bin ‘Alee (ra) was killed on the Day of ‘Aashuuraa, the transgressing oppressive faction killed him. And Allah honored Al Hussain with martyrdom. Like He honored with it one whom He honored from the people of his house. He honored with it Hamza, Ja’far, his father ‘Alee and other than them. And the Martyrdom was from what Allah raised with it his abode and elevated his rank. As he and his brother Al Hasan are the two masters of the youth of the people of paradise. And the elevated abodes are not reached except with the calamities.
Like what the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said when he was asked: Which of the people is more severe in terms of calamities. So he said:

“The prophets, then the Righteous, then the exemplary ones and then the exemplary ones [or then the likes thereof then the like thereof]. The man will be tried upon the extent of his religion. So if there was in his religion firmness, he is increased in calamity. And if there was in his religion weakness, then he is lightened upon. And the calamity will not cease to be upon the Believer until he walks upon the Earth while there is no sin or fault upon him.” At Tirmidhi and others narrated it.
So the Al Hasan and Al Hussain has preceded for them what preceded from Allah Ta’aala from the exalted station, while the calamity did not reach them what reached their purified predecessors. As they both were born during the might of Islaam and they were raised up in nobility and honor. And the Muslims magnify them and honor them. And the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam died while they had not completed the age of discernment. So it was the blessing of Allah upon them that He afflicted them with what reached them and the people of their household. Like one who was better than them was afflicted with, as ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib was better than both of them. And he was killed as a Martyr. And the killing of Hussain was from what the trials and the tribulations between the people were stirred up with. Like the killing of ‘Uthmaan Radi Allahu ‘Anhu was from the greatest of causes that necessitated trials amongst the people. And due to the cause of it, the Ummah is still divided.

And for this it came in the Hadith: “Three: one who was saved from them then indeed he was saved: my death, the killing of an oppressed Khaleefah and the Dajjal (Anti Christ).”
Thus the death of the Prophet (saw) was from the greatest of the causes that a large number of creation from mankind was tested with. And they apostated from Islaam. So Allah Ta’aalaa established As Siddeeq [The verifier of truth, Aboo Bakr] radi Allahu ‘Anhu. Until Allah made firm through him the Faith, and returned through him the affair towards where it used to be. So he entered the people of apostacy in the door that from which they had gone out. And the people of Faith settled upon the Deen they had entered in. And Allah made in him the might, jihaad, severity against the enemies of Allah, and leniency for the allies of Allah what was due with him and other then him that he was the Khaleefa (successor) of the Messenger of Allah. Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam.
Then he appointed ‘Umar as the successor (Khaleefah). Thus he (‘Umar) subdued the disbelievers from the Magians and the people of the book. And he gave strength and honor (‘Izzah) to Islaam, founded cities, allocated the grants, put in place secretariats and account books (Deewaan), spread justice, established the sunnah and manifested Islaam during his days in full glory.

Through him was the truthfulness of His the Most High’s statement:
(translation of the meaning)
{ He is the one who sent His Messenger with guidance and the Truthful Deen (way of life) so that He may manifest it upon all other deen (ways of life). And sufficient is Allah as a witness} (Surah At Tawbah 33).
and His the Most High’s statement: (translation of the meaning)
{Allah has promised those who Believe from amongst you and did good deeds that He will, of a surety, grant them succession on Earth (Khilaafah), like He granted succession to those who were before them. And He will strengthen for them their Deen that He approved for them. And He will surely exchange for them–After their fear–into peace and security. They will worship Me, while not taking any partners with Me in anything} (Surah An Nuur 55).
And the statement of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam)
{When the Kasra (Chosroses) dies then there will be no Kasra after him. And then Qaisar (Ceaser) dies then there will be no Qaisar after him. And by the One in Whose Hands is my soul, you will surely spend their treasures in the path of Allah} (Al Bukhaari: Chapter 31 from the Book of Faith. Muslim Hadith 76 from the Book of Trials. At Tirmidhi chapter 41 from the Book of Trials. Ahmad bin Hanbal in his Musnad).
So it was ‘Umar who spent the treasures of both of them. And he knew that he spent them in the path of Allah. And that he was a rightly guided and inspired Khaleefah. Then he put the command or affair as a consultation amongst the 6. So the Emigrants (Muhaajiroon) and the Helpers (Ansaar) unanimously agreed upon the advancement of ‘Uthmaan bin ‘Affaan without inclination that was forced upon them or a fear that they were threatened through. And they pledged allegiance to him in entirety, willingly and not compelled or unwillingly. And during the last of his days, the causes came about that the people of knowledge, ignorance and enmity manifested evil. And they did not cease to hasten in the trials until the Khaleefah was killed, oppressed, martyred without a cause that would make his killing permissible. And all the while he was patient and a seeker of reward [from Allah] (Muhtasib), he did not fight any Muslim.
So when he was killed, May Allah be pleased with him, the hearts were separated, the hardships were magnified, evils were manifested, the righteous were humiliated. And those who were useless regarding it hastened in the tribulation. And those who wanted the establishment of good and reconciliation were rendered incapable of it. Then they pledged allegiance to the commander of the faithful ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib- radi Allahu ‘Anhu. And he was the most rightful of the people for the khilafah at that time, and the most honorable of those who remained. However, the hearts were divided, and the fire of tumult was kindled, so the word was not unanimous and the community did not organize. And the Khaleefah did not get safely entrenched neither did the best of the nation, from all of those who wanted him from the good. And the people entered into sects and trials. Happened whatever happened. Until the Hururiyyah heretics appeared, along with the great number of their prayers and fasting and recitation of theirs. So they fought the commander of the Believers ‘Alee and who was with him. So he killed them by the Command of Allah and His Messenger. In obedience to the statement of the Prophet Sallallahu alay hi wasallam due to what he described them with his statement.

By Brother Syed Harith Ahmed.

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Prison Walls

Caged lions roar and you will never see
A true man of faith whimpering in captivity
The lion emerged slowly dragging the weight of his chains
And the years had exhausted his body of its strength
The chains had bitten into his flesh, blood stained
Sore, wounded, bruised, but with fire in his eyes
Passion instilled, and the desire to rise

An abode for the hearts of gallant men
Unjust man-made laws for its citizens
Save those who refuse to submit to injustice
Darkness prevails but the light of his emaan
Provides a flame which burns the oppressors evil schemes
And ashes linger as the lion continues to remain firm
His deen, his salvation becomes the salve of his wounds
“And release the Waves of Justice and answer the call
The call from the Echoes of the Oppressed”*
Break free these Prison Walls.

*Line from a poem written by brother Rakan.

– I.I

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Caged Lions

-Intellectual Insurgency

 

In the wake of the attacks on New York and the Pentagon in September 2001, the Republican Administration of George Bush, capitalising on the climate of fear and chaos, introduced a raft of repressive new security measures that undermine civil liberties. The PATRIOT Act 2001 enables the US Government to arrest and detain people in conditions of secrecy for indefinite periods if there are ‘reasonable grounds’ that may constitute a threat to national security. As an aftermath of the ‘war on terror’ many injustices are befalling the Muslim Ummah, and the battle between Truth and Falsehood has transpired, as the world continues to witness the oppression of Muslims whom are stripped of their dignity, their honour, and their freedom of faith.

Throughout history the oppressors have used incarceration as a means to silence the voice of Truth. As Ibn Taymiyyah is known to have stated, “What can my enemies do to me? My paradise and garden are in my chest, and do not leave me. My imprisonment is seclusion with Allāh, and my death is martyrdom, and my expulsion is tourism. If the people who imprisoned me were given the equivalent of this prison in gold, it would not do them as much good as what Allāh has given me with this prison.”

One of the most influential of Muslim scholars, Sayyid Qutb, was executed, and before his execution, he would repeat his famous statement: “Verily, the index finger that testifies to Allāh’s Oneness in the prayer rejects that it be used to write a single letter acknowledging the rule of a tyrant.” (‘Sayyid Qutb: Min al-Milād ilā al-Istishhād’ (p. 61-62, 462, 474, and 481))

The horrendous gulags set up world wide, in order to torture the believers, in an attempt to eradicate the ‘terror’ threat. The current day tyranny dehumanises the oppressed, and terrorises the innocent. If one was to know the duties of the Ummah over the Muslim Captives, then by Allaah, there would not be one single unjust imprisonment of a Muslim anywhere in the world. If one was to know the real meaning of the concept of ‘brotherhood’ in Islam, then by Allaah, the Ummah of Muhammed would not be in the state it is today.

Ibn Abbas reported that Umar (May Allaah pleased be with him) said, “Every Captive who is in the hands of the disbelievers, then the ransom to free him will be paid from the treasury of the Muslims (Narrated by Ibn Abi Shaybah in his ‘Musannaf’; 6/497)

Ibn Abi Shaybah also reported that Umar narrated, “For me to rescue a Muslim from the lands of the disbelievers is more beloved to me than the entire Arabian peninsula.” (Musannaf; 6/496)

Islam has demanded the freeing of the Muslim Captives from the hands of the enemies. It is from the Islamic rights and obligations which must be fulfilled in regard to Muslim Prisoners. Therefore if a Muslim falls into the prisons of the enemies then it becomes incumbent upon the Muslims to do all they can within their capacity to free the Muslim Captives, as the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) has stated, “free the prisoner, feed the hungry, visit the sick.” (Narrated by Bukhari).

 

 

The significance of the Muslim Prisoners is apparent, thus it is our duty to do as much as we can in order to assist them. One can be alone, but not lonely, thereby offering letters of support and keeping in constant communication with the prisoners, allows them to be empowered, and hold onto their sanity. It gives them hope and strengthens their faith. This is the least an individual can do. To ignore the plight of the prisoners is an abhorrent offence. To turn a blind eye whilst our brothers and sisters are kept alone in a cell is in direct violation of Tawheed.

“But, if you remain patient and become pious, not the least harm will their

cunning do to you. Surely, Allāh surrounds all that they do.” (Āl ‘Imrān; 120)

Muslims fear no one but Allaah. Many people neglect the Muslim prisoners because they are either too frightened of the authorities or they are too lazy to act. Such people need to reaffirm their emaan, and study the deen inherently closely. It is the responsibility and duty of every Muslim to defend his brother and sister in Islam. So what of the Muslim Captives? Our incarcerated Muslim brothers and sisters who spend years confined within the same four walls. The obligation of brotherhood in the Qur’an and Sunnah is unmistakably clear. We must be extremely cautious in correctly upholding this concept to prevent transforming this sacred relationship into a superficial bond, thus lacking the true essence of Islamic brotherhood.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “You will not enter paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not guide you to something which if you carry out you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves.” [Muslim]

It is necessary to let the Muslim prisoners know that we care for their well-being, that we sincerely love them as we do our own blood brothers, and that we are ready to help them in any way we are able to.

“And they plotted, and Allāh plotted, and Allāh is the best of plotters.” (Āl ‘Imrān; 53)

Surely, victory is with the believers. It has been narrated by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adaabul-Mufrad that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “If one of you loves his brother for Allah’s sake, then let him know, since it causes familiarity to endure and firmly establishes love.”

Preserving our Muslim character is both an obligation and a challenge at the same time. It is paramount for Muslims everywhere to remain attentive of the notion of brotherhood as a most critical tool in striving to keep their distinct identity. Therefore, it is an obligation to follow the lead of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and his Companions in this manner and do whatever is required to maintain it.

“Surely, Allāh wrongs not even of the weight of an atom. But, if there is any

good done, He doubles it, and gives from Him a great reward.” (an-Nisā’; 40)

“O you who have believed, when you encounter a company [from the enemy forces] stand firm and remember Allah much that you may be successful.” (Al Anfaal 45)

 

Verily the reward of the Muslim Captive lies only with Allaah.

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Repentance and Forgiveness

By Brother Sayed Haaris Ahmed.

 

Bismillah ir rahmaan ir raheem

Alhamdulillah was salaat was salaam ala Rasul illah

Dear Muslim brothers and sisters,

Assalaam Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu

And may you have a very blessed Eid along with your family, friends and loved ones.  And I ask Allah to lighten the burdens of those Muslims who are experiencing hardships.  May Allah provide for them an exit out of their difficulty,  Aameen.  Lately this ummah has been experiencing so much trials and tribulations that to some it might seem that there is no way out nor any relief for the Muslims.  But Know, O dear reader, that Allah has said (trans.) “Indeed, there is ease with hardship. Most certainly, there is ease with hardship.” (94:5,6).  So do not lose hope in the Mercy of Allah or in the Promise of Allah to provide aid to the Believers in this world and in the Hereafter.  Instead try to ponder over the possible reasons behind these hardships that have befallen this Ummah.  What does Allah want us to do and what does He want us to refrain from.  Allah said (trans.) “We shall certainly have them taste some chastisement in this world in addition to the greater chastisement (of the Hereafter); perhaps they will retract (from their transgression).” (32:21).  So Allah has promised us that sometimes Allah will punish a people a portion of the punishment rather than the full punishment so that they may take heed and return to Allah through obeying Him.  And this is from His mercy that He gives the sinners who deserve the full punishment the chance to repent and return to His obedience.

In one of the relatively few places in the Qur’aan where Allah has threatened the Believers with a grievous penalty, Allah says (trans.):

“If you do not march forth, Allah will chastise you grievously and will replace you by another people, while you will in no way be able to harm Him. Allah has power over everything.” (9:39). This letter is not a call to invite people to march forth.  For those who have marched forth have already gone far ahead, while those who are preparing to follow in their footsteps are already well determined.   For Indeed it is Allah Himself who chooses those whom He wants to tread upon His path and those whom He wants to stay behind–All from His Wisdom and Justice.  Allah guides whom He wills and He misguides whom He wills.  This letter is for those of us who have been left behind, so that we may do our part in having the wrath of Allah and His punishment lifted from us and for the Muslim Ummah to be granted relief, aid, and victory.

All praises are due to Allah who granted us sinners hope through the example of those three companions who stayed behind the expedition of Tabuk even though their Imaan (faith) was sincere.  Allah delayed accepting their repentance and turning to them with forgiveness as an expiation and trial for them.  They were tested for their sincerity during the 50 days that Allah delayed the decision regarding them with a severe test, as Allah described their condition as (trans.):

“And He also relented towards the three whose cases had been deferred. When the Earth, for all its spaciousness, became constrained to them, and their own beings became a burden to them, and they realized that there was no refuge for them from Allah except in Him; He relented towards them that they may turn back to Him. Surely, it is Allah Who is Tawwaab (Much Forgiving), Raheem (Ever Merciful).” (9:118).

We too have a chance that if we ask for forgiveness and repent to Allah, then Allah will turn to us with His forgiveness and Mercy and remove the hardships afflicting the Muslims–collectively and individually.  Because when sins and oppressions become rampant and committed in public in a community, Allah’s punishment descends and engulfs all of community except the few whom Allah wishes.  And then the people will be raised up upon their intentions.  Allah has warned us that (trans.) “And guard against the fitna (mischief) that will not only bring punishment to the wrong-doers among you. Know well that Allah is severe in punishment. (8:25).  Our sins may not only be harming us, but also causing Allah’s punishment to descend upon us in such a way that those around us are also affected and harmed to some degree.  So it is our duty to ask for forgiveness and repent to Allah not only for ourselves but also for the benefit of the people around us and the ummah in general.  And the sins of the mankind are what cause the corruption to descend upon this Earth and on the waters.  Allah has said (trans.): “Evil has become rife on the land and at sea because of men’s deeds; this in order that He may cause them to have a taste of some of their deeds; perhaps they will turn back (from evil).” (30:41). So it is just a reminder for myself and the rest of the Muslims of the importance of repenting to Allah as Allah has said (trans.) ” … O Believers, turn all together towards Allah: it is expected that you will attain true success” (24:31).

In this ayah, Allah linked our repenting to Allah collectively to our attainment of success.

While for asking for forgiveness is linked to the removal of hardships and trials, as mentioned in a hadith by Imaam Aboo Dawood and Ibn Majah on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) that the Prophet (SAW) said (trans.):

“Whosoever steadfastly and continuously clings to Istighfaar (asking for forgiveness), Allah will make for him a way out of every distress and relief from every anxiety, and will provide for him sustenance from where he did not reckon.”

So  Istigfaar (asking for forgiveness) is the means to the lightening of our trials and tribulations, while Taubah (repentence) is the means to attaining success and bliss.  In this letter I will just mention some of the virtues and benefits that have been promised to those who ask for forgiveness and repent to Allah often InshaAllah.  I will keep it brief and to the point so as not to take too much of the respected reader’s time.

Allah has sent the messenger with the following message and promised (trans.): “That you may seek forgiveness of your Lord and turn to Him in repentance whereupon He will grant you a fair enjoyment of life (Mata’aan Hasana) until an appointed term, and will bestow favor (fadl) on everyone who merits favor. But should you turn away (from the truth), I fear for you the chastisement of an Awesome Day.” (11:3).

Allah has promised two things for those who ask for forgiveness and repent to Him in this ayah.  Mata’aan Hasana which is translated as fair enjoyment until a term appointed, which is generally understood to be goodness in the world, and Fadl which is translated as favor, which is understood as referring to His blessing in the Hereafter.  And we now turn to other places in the Qur’aan to get a better understanding of these words and what kind of blessings they include.

Allah said, mentioning to us the du’a and complaint of Prophet Nuuh (as) to Allah as:(trans.):  “I said to them: “Ask forgiveness from your Lord; surely He is Ghaffaar (Most Forgiving); He will shower upon you torrents from heaven; and will provide you with wealth and children, and will bestow upon you gardens and rivers. ” (71:10-12).

And Allah informed us of the message of Prophet Hood (AS) to his people, as (trans.):

“My people! Ask your Lord for forgiveness and turn to Him in repentance. He will shower abundant rains upon you from the heaven, and will add strength to your strength. Do not turn away as those given to guilt’ ” (11:52).

These are some of the meanings that fall under “Mata’an Hasana” which was translated as “fair enjoyment”.  But another meaning of this phrase is the arrival of Nasr (aid and succor) of Allah in this world.  In surah An- Nuur (24), in which Allah has commanded the Believers to repent to Allah collectively, Allah promised the Believers Tamkeen (establishment) and Khilafah (succession to rule) in this world.  He said (trans.):

“Allah has promised, to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds that He will, of a surety, grant them in the land inheritance, as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their religion–the one which He has chosen for them; and that He will change (their state), after the fear in which they (lived), to one of security and peace.  They will worship Me and not associate aught with me.  If any do reject faith after this they are rebellious and wicked” (24:55).

And in Surah Ghaafir (40), Allah (SWT) has said (trans.) :

“ Surely We shall help Our Messengers and the believers in the life of this world and on the Day when witnesses will rise to testify ” (40:51).  After Allah makes this promise of aid (Nasr) to the Messengers and the Believers in this world as well as the hereafter, Allah commands His Prophet (SAW) as such (trans.):  “Be steadfast, then, (O Prophet), Allah’s promise is true. Seek forgiveness for your shortcomings, and celebrate the praises of your Lord, evening and morning” (40:55).

And in this is a lesson for the believers.  If Allah (SWT) commanded His Prophet to ask for forgiveness, even though Allah had protected from sins and had already forgiven his mistakes and shortcomings, then how much more are we in need of asking for forgiveness?  The Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be on him, told his companions: “By Allah, I ask for forgiveness from Allah and repent to Him in a day more than seventy times” (Al-Bhukhaaree).

 

Through constantly asking for forgiveness from Allah, Allah’s punishment is averted, as Allah has said (trans.):  “ But Allah was not to chastise them while you are in their midst; nor was Allah going to chastise them while they sought His forgiveness” (8:33).

In fact, mankind’s need for forgiveness is so great yet they are so heedless of this need and are not fulfilling its rights, that Allah (SWT) has appointed angels to the task of asking for forgiveness for the people of the Earth so that the Heavens and the Earth are not destroyed due to Allah’s punishment for the sins of mankind.  Our Lord–The Most Merciful of all those who show mercy–has informed us (trans.):

“The angels that bear the Throne and those that are around to extol your Lord’s glory with His praise, they believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for the believers, saying: “Our Lord! You encompass everything with Your Mercy and Knowledge. So forgive those that repent and follow Your Path, and guard them against the chastisement of Hell” (40:7).

 

And “The heavens may well nigh rend asunder from above while the angels proclaim the praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on Earth. Lo, it is Allah, and He alone, Who is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful” (42:5).

 

All of the above mentioned benefits were included in the phrase which was translated as ” fair enjoyment of life until an appointed term” in the ayah of Surah Hood which was mentioned in the beginning of the essay.  As for the phrase which was translated as “favor” may include the blessings of the Hereafter and non materialistic value, which are far more valuable.  Allah has said (trans.): “Believers, turn to Allah in sincere repentance; maybe your Lord will expunge your evil deeds and admit you to the Gardens beneath which rivers flow. This will be on the Day when Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who have embraced faith and are with him; their light will be running before them and on their right hands, and they will say: “Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Surely You have power over everything” (66:8).

 

But the greatest of the grace of Allah is the Love of Allah.  And those who ask for forgiveness from Allah and repent to Him will be granted the Love of Allah.  Allah has said (trans.): “Indeed Allah loves those who repent and He loves those who seek to purify themselves” (2:222).

And Allah conveyed to us the speech of Prophet Shu’aib (AS) to his people as (trans.): “And ask for forgiveness from your Lord, then repent to Him.  Indeed my Lord is Merciful (Raheem), Loving Beloved (Waduud)” (11:90).

In this ayah, Allah mentions asking for forgiveness and repenting to Him with His names Raheem and Waduud., so as to indicate that His Mercy and Love are linked to the slaves’ asking for forgiveness and repenting to Him.

And Allah said (trans.):

“And He is Forgiving (Ghafoor), Loving Beloved (Waduud)” (85:14).

In this ayah, He linked his attributes of forgiveness and His Love by mentioning His names Ghafoor with the name Waduud.

So who amongst those who believe in Allah and claim to Love Him does not want to acquire the Love of Allah?

And even if after all these blessings that are promised for those who asking forgiveness from Allah and repent to Him, if someone rejects and turns away from that, then he deserves the severest of punishments.

It is narrated that the Prophet (SAW) was asked regarding ‘Abdullah bin Jad’aan, that he used to entertain the guest, free the slaves and give charity.  So will that benefit him on the Day of Resurrection?  He (SAW) replied: “No! He never said on any say: ‘O my Lord forgive me my faults on the Day of Judgment’ ”  (Muslim.  quoted in “saheeh seeratun nabawiyyah of Ibn Katheer” by Naasir al Deen al Albaanee, pg 26).

 

So O Believers in Allah, O seekers of Allah’s Face and Mercy, O Ummah of the Prophet of Forgiveness, ask for forgiveness for yourselves and those before you and those around you.  Allah has mentioned one of the qualities of those Believers who come after the time of the companions as being (trans.): “And those who came after them say: O Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who came before us (preceded and advanced us) into the faith. And leave not, in our hearts, rancor and grudge against those who have Believed.  Our Lord! You are indeed full of Kindness (Ra’oof), Most Merciful (Raheem)” (59:10).

 

If we ask Allah for forgiveness sincerely and often then Allah will lift the tribulations from this Ummah, ease its hardships and release it from its trials.  And if we repent to Him sincerely and collectively, by avoiding His disobedience and through His obedience, then He will grant us His Nasr (Aid) and Fath (victory) like He did to the first generations of this ummah.  And my brothers and sisters in faith, remember to never lose grip of this firm handhold of the remembrance of Allah, asking for forgiveness and repenting to Allah until you meet your Lord, and do not neglect it even when you see the aid and victory of Allah approaching, but rather increase it many fold.  As Allah told His Prophet (SAW) at the conquest of Makkah (trans.):

 

“When the help comes from Allah, and victory (is granted), and you see people entering Allah’s religion in multitudes, then extol the praise (Hamd) of your Lord and pray to Him for forgiveness. For He indeed is ever disposed to accept repentance (Tawwaab)” (Surah 110).

 

I write these words of mine, and any good that is therein is from Allah.  And any shortcoming and mistakes are from me and shaytaan.  And I seek the forgiveness of Allah for myself and for you and for the rest of the Muslims.  I leave you with the speech of Prpphet Shu’aib (AS) as he addressed his ummah, as mentioned in the Qur’aan by Allah (trans.):

“…I desire nothing but to set things right (Sulh) as far as I can. My succor (Taufeeq) is only with Allah. In Him have I put my trust, and to Him do I always turn.” (11:88).

Wasalaam Alykum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakaatuhu.

Seeker of Allah’s Mercy and in desperate need of His Forgiveness,

S. Haarith Ahmed

28th Dhul Qa’adaah 1431H

November 5^th,  2010

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Ramadhaan Message from Brother Syed Harith Ahmed

In the Name of Allaah, Most Merciful, Ever Merciful

All Praise be to Allaah. Peace and Blessings of Allaah be on Allaah’s Messenger, his family, Companions and Whoever follows them with goodness until the Day of Judgment.

What is to proceed:

To any Muslim this letter may reach,

Assalaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullaah

May you find this letter in the state of good Imaan and health, and Ramadhaan and Eid Mubaraak to you and your loved ones.

It has been reported that the Prophet sallallaahu alahyi wa sallam said: (which is translated as) “Verily the Deen began in an estranged state, and it will return to the state in which it began. So Tooba (glad tidings) for the strangers. They are those who will reform the corruption caused in my Sunnah by people after me.” (Tirmidhi)

And thus is the case that the Muslims are strangers amongst the disbelievers. And the people of the hadith and Sunnah are strangers amongst the People of the innovation and heresies on the Deen. They are those who stand firm upon Tawheed when the people around them fall down to Shirk. They are those who hold on the Sunnah when the People waver in doubts. They are those who remember Allaah much when the People are lost in their heedlessness.

It is to them that I remind of the story of Musa alayhi salaam and Bani Isra’eel – who were the strangers amongst the disbelievers of Egypt under the tyrant Pharoah. Allaah azza wa jal has related to us the stories of the Past Messengers so that they may Strengthen the resolve of the Believers and Provide guidance and serve as reminders in out trials and tribulations.

In Surah Younus Allaah mentions to us their story as such: (translation of the meaning) “But none believed in Moses except some Children from his People because of the fear of Pharaoh and his Chiefs, lest they should persecute them; and certainly Pharaoh was haughty on earth he was certainly one who transgressed all bounds” (Younus: 83)

And similar is the case now that the youth of this Ummah are coming to the Deen in far greater numbers than that of the generations preceding them. And these youth, under the guidance and leadership of the scholars of the Sunnah, form the vanguard of the revival of this Deen and this Ummah. And it is these scholars of the truth and these youth – the Lions of Tawheed – who are feared the most by the tyrants of this era. And thus they are the ones who are most persecuted by these tyrants and Pharaohs.

And while we are going through our trials and tribulations, we should consider what Musa alayhi salaam and his people said during their own trials and persecutions. Allaah relates to us their words as such: (trans. Of the meaning : “Musa said: O my People! If you do believe in Allaah, then in Him put your trust if you are Muslims.” (Younus 84)

And in another place, Allaah relates it as: (trans. Of the meaning) “Musa said to his People: Seek help with Allaah and Patiently persevere: for the earth is Allaah’s, to give as a heritage to such of His Servants as He pleases; and the End is for The Righteous.” (Al A’raaf:128)

And the Believers amongst the Children of Isra’eel replied (as is revealed in the Quran): “They said: In Allaah do we put our trust. Our Lord! Make us not a trial for the Unjust oppressors; and deliver us by Your Mercy from the disbelieving people.” (Younus: 85-86)

Instead of granting them what they were seeking, Allaah’s reply to their Du’a was a new set of Commandments, which the Qur’an relates to us as: (trans.) “We inspired Musa and his brother that you provide dwellings as Qiblah and establish the prayer. And give glad-tidings to the Believers.” (Younus: 87)

Thus Bani Isra’eel were to live amongst the disbelieving oppressive people for a while more, as long as Allaah willed. Yet during their state, they were to take their dwellings as a Qiblah.

It is reported by Al-Faryaabee, Ibn Jareer, Ibn al Nubdhir, Ibn Abi Haatim, Abu as Sheikh and Ibn Marduwih on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas radhiyallaahu anhu that he said regarding the verse: They were commanded that they take their houses as Masaajid.

While in another narration by Ibn Abi Haatim from Ibn ‘Abbaas radhiyallaahu anhu: he said, Some of them facing some others.
[Tafseer Fath ul Qadeer by Imam Al-Shawkaanee]

Applying the lessons from this verse, it may be said that Muslims who are living in lands of disbelievers should live in proximity to each other. So to form a close-knit and cohesive community. And to provide a safe haven for them and their children to live in an Islamic environment even in the midst of the sea of disbelief around them.

Since the individual homes are the basic unit of the community, for the community to become a bastion of Islam in this onslaught of Kufr, the individual homes will need to become houses of worship of Allaah alone and be purified of all evil as we would purify the true Qiblah – the Ka’abah.

Allaah took a covenant from our forefathers for the purification of the Qiblah.

“Remember we made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of safety; and take you the station of Ibraaheem as a place of Prayer, and We covenanted with Ibraaheem and Isma’eel, they they should Purify My House for those who compass it round , or use it as a retreat, or bow or fall down in Sujud (in Prayer).” (Al-Baqarah 125)

Imam Ibn Katheer narrates in his tafseer from Mujaahid, ‘Ataa’ and Qataadah: That Purification of the house means through “Laa ilaaha illallah” from Shirk (taking partners with Allaah). While he narrates from Ibn Jareer that purification from the idols and the worship of the statues and from (all) Shirk.
And Imaan Ibn Katheer mentions another meaning of the Purification of the House to mean Purification form idols, obscenity, evil and false speech and impurity.
Thus we should purify our houses from all forms of shirk, obscenity, evil speech and impurity of every kind. Let us remove all statues or idols or pictures from our houses as they prevent the entry of angels of mercy from entering. As it has been reported by both Bukhari and Muslim that Abu Talhah reported that the Prophet sallallaahu alahyi wa sallam said: The angels do not enter a house in which there are dogs and pictures.

Let us remove all sources of obscentity and immorality from our homes. Let us hld off our tongues from evil and false speech and instead keep it busy in the remembrance of our lord. And let us build and maintain our homes with pure wealth, free from any usury income from sales of alcohol, gambling and other vices, because impurity of sustenance is one of the major factors in the dua’s not being responded to.

Imaam Ahmed and Imaam Muslim narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah radhiyallaahu anhu that he said, the Prophet of Allaah sallallaahu alahyi wa sallam said: (translation) “O you people, indeed Allaah is Tayyib (Pure), He does not accept except Tayyib (Pure). And indeed Allaah has commanded the Believers with what He commanded the Messengers. Thus He said {O you Messengers, eat from the Tayyibaat (Pure things) and act righteously. Certainly I am aware of what you do} (Al Mominoon: 51) And He said: {O you Believers, consume from the Tayyibaat of what We have Provided you with} (Al Baqarah: 176). Then he mentioned a man of a long journey, dishevelled hair and dust laden – while his food is haraam, his drink is haraam, his dress is haraam and he feeds with haraam – raising his hands to the sky (saying): O Lord, O Lord, So how can one like that be responded to?”

And thus when we purify our dwellings and wealth from all major impurities, then our prayers – both the ritual salat and invocations are more likely to be accepted and responded to. This is what we see in the set of Verses from Surah Younus that deal with the story of Bani Isra’eel. After Allaah commanded Prophets Musa & Haaroon alahyi salaam to convey the commands of taking the dwelling places as a Qiblah and of establishment of the salah, Allaah commanded them to convey glad-tidings to the Believers.

And the first good news that is mentioned in the surah is the acceptance of the Du’a as Allaah revealed: (trans)

“He said Answered is the Du’a of you both. So stand both of you straight and follow not the path of those who know not” (Younus: 89)

Then came the miraculous delivery of the Believers from their persecutors and the destruction of their enemies. And finally the granting of a land of their own. As Allaah said, (translation of the meaning)

“We settled the Children of Isra’eel in a Truthful dwelling Place and Provided for them sustenance of the Pure and best…” (Younus: 93)

So if we too act upon the Commandments of Allaah as He orded Bani Isa’eel with when they were being persecuted in the land of disbelief by the tyrant Pharaoh, we can hope in the similar response from Allaah as Bani Isra’eel received, since the Sunnah of Allaah is unchanging.

If we want deliverance from tribulations, destruction of our enemies, establishment of a Land upon which the Law of Allaah is Supreme and pure sustenance in amplitude, we should purify ourselves, our dwellings, wealth, and all belongings from disobediences to Allaah and bow down with those who bow down to Allaah in congregational salah.

And I end this message with the following verses from the Book of Allaah, the Mighty, the Sublime,
“Say: Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him and you for that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on right guidance. The Messenger’s duty is only to preach clear illuminating message. Allaah has Promised to those among you who Believe and work righteous deeds, that He will, of a surety, grant them in the land, inheritance (of Power), as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their Deen – the one that He will change (their state), after their fear to one of security and peace. ‘They will worship Me and not associate aught with Me.’ If any do reject faith after that, they are rebellious and wicked. So establish prayer, and give regular charity and obey the Messenger that you may receive Mercy.” (An Nur: 54-56)

May this Ramadhaan be a purification for us. I do not desire except Islaah as much as is in my power. And my success is not except from Allaah, upon Him do I place my trust and towards Him do I turn in penitence. May Peace and Blessings be on Allaah’s Messenger.

Your brother in Islaam,

Syed Harith Ahmed

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