Thursday, November 20, 2014

Hijaab Series: Hijaab and Peer Pressure/Work

Bismillaah

We are still continuing the series on Hijaab and this time the topic we wish to tackle is of great importance. Many of us growing up in western countries like America and Canada all recognize the term "peer pressure" especially throughout high school when taking certain subjects.

Peer pressure is basically the influence of your surroundings, your peers. Peers can be friends, classmates, and those who you are around most of the time. What does peer pressure have to do with the hijaab?

Alooooot. Right now in almost every high school in America, where you do find Muslim students, there are always some sisters who do not wear hijaab at all. How is this so? We have all heard the stories through high school. "Oh so and so takes off her hijaab at school. I wonder if her parents know...shes too scared to wear the hijaab..." These are some similar words we would hear about those sisters who removed the hijaab at school. And then there is the other group of sisters who wear an improper form of hijaab. And these sisters you can tell they want to wear the hijaab and not completely remove it but at the same time they are affected by who they mostly hang out with so they do not pay good attention to their hijaab. And then alhamdulilah there are the sisters who do wear the proper hijaab (with or without niqaab but the conditions of the hijaab are met). May Allah reward these sisters for the struggles they go through and for not caring what others think of their way of dress. May Allah purify their intentions and keep them firm on the hijaab and may He also bless them with noble manners and strong Deen.

As for my sisters who remove their hijaab at schools and those who do not wear the proper hijaab then I also make duaa for you. I ask Allah to bless you and to have mercy on you and I ask Allah to make the hijaab easier for you and understanding this Deen in general.  I ask Allah to make your struggles and troubles with hijaab and other issues easy for you. Know my sister that you are not alone. Know that the shaytaan is our sworn enemy. Whether you are a practicing muslimah or not, the shaytaan will never leave in misguiding you until your last breath. Therefore, my sister look at your surroundings first and foremost. What is it that is preventing you from being firm on your Deen? Is it bad friends/companions? If so, please pick and choose your friends wisely my sister because the prophet (sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "A person is upon the religion (way) of his close friend, so beware whom you befriend!"[ Recorded in Sunans Abi Dawud and Tirmidhi]

 and he also gave us the example of a good and bad friend. As for the good friend, the prophet (sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "The case of the good companion and the bad companion is like that of the seller of musk and the blower of the bellows (iron-smith). As for the seller of musk, he will either give you some of the musk, or you will purchase some from him, or at least you will come away having experienced its good smell."

So when you surround yourself with good friends, they will always benefit you one way or another but only good influence will come out of being with them. You will always gain something from a good friend and the good friend will gain from you as well.  And even if you two have to part paths for some reason, you will at least take a lot of good with you from this friend. In other words, both sides benefited from each other. 


As for the bad friend, the prophet (sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, Whereas the blower of the bellows will either burn your clothing, or at least you will come away having experienced its repugnant smell." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]


Being around non-practicing individuals will definitely have its take on you whether you realize right away or not. Just like the good friend benefits you in a good way, the bad friend will have nothing but bad influence on you. Even if this person is good and you seem happy to always be around her but lets say she does not pray or she is always using curse words, this will definitely leave some traces on you sister. That is why the prophet used this example for the bad friend. When you happen to be around someone who is using fire for his work, if you are near him, your clothes may accidentally catch fire and if this does not happen then you will definitely leave him smelling of burnt material. 


So be careful my sister. Even if you are someone who guards her prayers and does not curse but you are always with an individual who does not pray and is involved in a lot of munkar (bad deeds) you must do one of two things. Either you benefit this sister and remind her of Allah and call her to the right way without letting her influence you. You have to be the one always reminding her of Allah and either she will listen to you or will leave you. Both are of good for you. If she listens to you then alhamdulilah you get the reward of guiding her and you have also earned a good friend; on the other hand, if she does not listen to you and chooses to leave you then alhamdulilah you do not have to worry about bad company any more.The other thing is, if you know she will not listen to you no matter how much you advice her then you must leave this person for the sake of Allah.

Public Schools:

Public schools are the worst places to send our Muslim kids too. There is so many bad influences surrounding our Muslim teens and it really becomes hard for their to practice their Deen properly in such a filthy environment. There is not only kufr(disbelief) taught in these schools, but  the muslim teen is exposed to many negativities such as boyfriends/girlfriends nonsense, bad language, music, drugs, zina, students and teachers who are homosexuals and thus promote their perversions among the students to make them accept gays, lesbians, bisexuals and other backward things. 


The parents have a huge responsibility when leaving their sons and daughters in such environments. Parents can't  leave them in these schools and not except them to get influenced somehow. Its like the example of one who tied the hands of a person and threw him overboard in the ocean and then says to him "make sure you don't get your clothes wet ok?" Does this make any sense? Of course not.


My sister, apart from choosing good friends, make sure to also renew your emaan (faith) and connection with Allah. The Deen doesn't just become hard on you for no reason, there must be a sin that you are committing thats making the hijaab hard on you as well. The prophet (sala allahu alayhi wasallam) said, "Be mindful of Allah and He will be mindful of you." [Sunan Tirmidhi]  So it can be drawn from this hadeeth the opposite of its meaning. If you do not remember Allah and do not guard yourself, then He will not be there for you. You have to remember in Allah in times of ease so and He will remember you in times of difficulty when you truly need Him. Many people often turn toAllah and start practicing when a calamity strikes them and right after Allah ta'ala helps them , they go back to their old ways. This is not correct. We should remember Allah all the time, in moments of ease and in moments of difficulty. 


Analyze yourself my sister. When was the last time you prayed Fajr? When was the last time you prayed 5 times a day and ON time? When was the last time you said a good word to your parents and listened to them? When was the last time you read the Quran? When was the last time you attended a halaqa or lecture?

Know and realize sister that Allah is always watching you. He is the Ever-Watchful.  Allah (swt) says, "Verily, your Lord is Ever-Watchful." [Surah al Fajr:14] and He (azza wa jall) also says, "And Allah is the All-See-er of what you do." [Surah al Hujurat:  18] 

Whether you are at home, school, club, hookah lounge, at your friends place, the mall, the movies, the masjid, and everywhere! Remember to FEAR ALLAH WHEREVER YOU ARE.

If you follow this rule throughout your life, wallahi you will see the bliss in obeying Allah and you will rarely fall from the straight path. Yes, guidance is from Allah alone and He alone turns the hearts as He pleases. But the more good you do and the more you do it for the sake of Allah, the more Allah will keep you strong on the right path. Never lose hope in Allah my sister.


It is the same thing for the sister who works. Make sure to not be influenced by your co-workers whether they are non-Muslims or not so practicing Muslims. Make sure to maintain your Islaamic identity no matter what, do not change yourself to be accepted by others and to conform to the western ideals and so on. Your Islaam is your greatest blessing and your role as a Muslim woman who maintains the hijaab is your identity. A true friend will choose to be your friend and respect you for who you are. 


Tips for sisters dealing with bad influence at home, school, work:

- Surround yourself with good sisters


- Fix your obligations such as praying five times a day, and etc.


- Listen to lectures and attend halaqas at the masajid


- Read the Quran and its meaning


-Make lots of duaa and read the daily adhkaar (duaas, morning and evening duaas)


- Lessen your contact with people who are a negative influence in your life


-If they are family, advice them with wisdom and patience and do not let them influence you in a bad way but rather make sure you influence them :)


- Seek advice from good/religious family members and people you know of.



Allah knows best. 


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Hijaab Series: Why Hijaab? Part 1




This will be a series of hijaab related topics for sisters. The topics will range from hijaab (its purpose, ruling, virtues, hijaab related issues, niqaab, its ruling, virtues, and niqaab related issues)


First and foremost my dear muslim sister, you should thank Allah (swt) for blessing you with the greatest blessing of all, Islaam. You are part of the ummah of the final and greatest of prophets, Muhammad ibn Abdillaah (sala allahu alayhi wa sallam). This is the greatest honor, for one to be a Muslim and a member of the best of nations as Allah azza wa jall has stated in the Noble Revelation. You, my sister are a descendent of the greatest of women, Maryam, the mother of our noble messenger, Eesa (Jesus,alayhi salaam). You are a descendent of hers with this hijaab you carry with you. 
Hijaab is more than just a garment or covering your hair. Many sisters have a wrong perception of the hijaab. Hijaab is belief,manners and more than just mere clothing. When you wear this in public you are representing the believing women. Therefore, purifying your intentions is very important and necessary my dear sister.


So why should you wear hijab?


1. Because Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, your Creator and Maker, ordered you to



In both surahs where the order of Hijaab is mentioned, Allah swt addresses whom? Al Mu'minaat. This phrase means, "The Believing Women" or "The women of true faith" why did Allah not say, Al Muslimaat  (the Muslim women) ?  Yes, you may say, "well, believing women here also means Muslim women." However, we can also see that there is a deeper meaning. When the Muslim woman wears the hijaab in its correct form she is a woman of  faith because her belief in Allah is what is encouraging her to wear it.Which means that there is a connection between hijaab and emaan (faith). Hijaab increases the woman in Emaan because it is a divine order and realizing that you are obeying your Lord with it increases you in faith among other factors.


2. Because it is what the greatest of women wore.


Dear sister, know that you are a descendent of the best of women. Just like the companions were the best of men, the female companions were the best of women. They had the purest of hearts and never hesitated to obey Allah and His Messenger. A perfect example of this is when the ayah of hijaab came down, the mother of the believers, Aisha (radiya allahu anha) said:

“May Allaah have mercy on the first Muhaajir women. When Allaah revealed the words ‘and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)’ they tore their aprons and covered their faces with them.”  [Saheeh al Bukhari]
And the mother of the believers, Umm Salamah (radiya allahu anha) narrated: “When the words ‘to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies’ [al-Ahzaab 33:59] were revealed, the women of the Ansaar went out looking as if there were crows on their heads because of the covering.” [Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.] 
Look at the amazingly beautiful response of the women of faith. Both the Muhajiraat women (those who migrated to Al Madinah) and the Ansariyyat (the women of al Madinah) had a similar response.  May Allah allow us to be like these women and to follow in their footsteps. They did not argue and ask questions. This is because their understanding of Islaam was pure and their fitrah was clean. The kaafir society did not pressure them nor did they compromise their religion for this world.  In times like ours, the sister who takes on wearing the proper hijaab in a non-Islamic society is looked at as a stranger and "extremist" but remembering these noble women and how they immediately answered the call of Allah should encourage us even more. Hijaab is for all times, not just then. 

3. WHY are you wearing it? Because you are a believing woman.


Why do you wear the hijaab my sister? Is it because you are forced to, your mom and dad force you to, your family and relatives wear it so you wear it to conform, your friends wear it and you like to be part of their group and not be an outcast, your school requires you to wear it??? What are your intentions in wearing this hijaab? This is the first question you should ask yourself. 


The prophet (sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) says,

"Actions are based on intentions so each person will have what he intended..." [Agreed upon] 

 Are you wearing this hijaab out of sincerity and faith or you are wearing it to please others? Yes, our intentions count and we will be judged by our intentions. When you do something, always make sure you are doing it for the sake of Allah swt first and foremost. Of course this act has to be allowed (halal) to start with. 

Before you leave the house covered in makeup,wearing tight clothes, and smelling of perfume, ask yourself, "why am I wearing this? Who am I pleasing? Am I pleasing Allah dressed like this?

You are responding to the call of hijaab because you are a mu'minah, a woman of faith. You should not be covered to impress others but rather to please and gain Allah's pleasure and rewards. You love Allah and His Messenger and thus respond to their call! Our main aim should always be to please Our creator above anything else. People will never be pleased with you no matter what you do, here Allah rewards you even for thinking to do a good deed! Look at how merciful Allah is!

4. To help reduce the Fitnah.


We are in no doubt living in the ends of times. The Messenger of Allah has mentioned to us many signs of the Last Day, the Day of Judgment... the Hour. Some of these signs include; the increase of killing, zina, drinking of alcohol, increase in ribaa, increase in worldly competition, and some of the major signs which have been mentioned to us in the hadeeth include; the appearance of the Dajjal, Ya'juj and Ma'juj, the 3 Earth swallowings, and more.
One of these signs as is in the authentic hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim is, "And women who are dressed but naked..."  In this hadeeth the prophet (alayhi salatu wa salaam) talks about two types of people who will be in Hellfire he has not seen so far. The Messenger of Allah was show on different occasions the types of people of Hellfire. One of them as our Rasul(sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) said are the women who did not wear the proper hijaab and appear dressed but appear as though naked. 

Subhan Allah my dear sister! Any person whom Allah has given a good sense of understanding will instantly understand these words. If you are in such a state of the women described in this hadeeth, then you should fear for yourself my sister. How can you not be when in the same hadeeth, the prophet (pbuh) says, "..these women will not get to smell the scent of paradise let alone enter it!" Allahu akbar!  Do you not fear for yourself my sister? 

What if you are counted among these women? Turn to Allah and change for His sake before it is too late my sister. You are here on this Earth and in this dunyaa to worship Allah alone. Wallahi this Deen is easy and simple and it only becomes difficult when you make it so for yourself.  

Hijaab has been reduced to...


Hijaab has been reduced to something more of a fashion nowadays. This is a great fitnah and we can see that this hadeeth taking place before our very eyes. We see women who are covered but their clothes are skintight and see-through. Ok. For the kaafir women this is understandable but for the Muslim woman??? How can a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day wear something skintight or see-through and then wear a scarf over her head and call that hijaab?? This makes no sense at all.

 Our societies have truly become corrupt especially when the people of knowledge and responsibility are not even addressing these issues. The parents let their daughters dress as they please and even some husbands let their wives dress in this manner. Where has our Islaam gone?The men do not lower their gaze and the women do not cover. What do you thus get? A corrupt society. The scholars of the past would say when the times become worse that is when the woman should even cover up more even if she is already covered up in the obligatory hijaab! We are in very bad times. Do not let the western society fool you my sister. The level of emaan has decreased in us and that is why the men are corrupt and the women too. Both have failed in disobeying Allah. You do your part my sister and wear the correct hijaab and wallahi it will make you feel so honorable and happy. Happy that you are reviving the sunnah and that your hijaab is a slap in the face to those lustful, diseased eyes!



To be continued...

Friday, November 7, 2014

Where is your shame my sister?

Abu Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, One of the things people have learnt from the words of the earliest prophecy is, "If you have no shame(hayaa), then do what you like." [Sahih Sunan Abi Dawud]

Yes, if you have no shame from Allah then do as you wish. If you have no shame for yourself and do not respect yourself, then yes, do as you wish. If you fail to realize who it is that you are disobeying then go ahead, do as you wish.

Hayaa is an element of faith. What exactly is alhayaa'? It is modesty, bashfulness, having shame, and overall to be shy. Hayaa is from the characteristics of the believer. The prophet (Sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) said in the hadeeth narrated by Imam al Bukhari in his Sahih, "Emaan (faith, belief) consists of more than sixty branches and hayaa is a part of faith." 

In another narration,the prophet(sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) passed by two men and one of them was admonishing the other for being too shy so the Messenger of Allah said to him "Leave him for hayaa is a part of faith."[Sahih al Bukhari]

Nowadays, we live in a time where sins and promotion of sinning has increased and the concept of hayaa has decreased. Rarely do you find people who have some shame from committing wrong. Ironically, instead we have many who have no problem showing the whole their involvement in a sin and seem to have no hayaa in exposing themselves when Allah covered their sins.  What happened to us? Where did our fear of Allah go?

The prophet (sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) also taught us that another virtue of hayaa is that it brings nothing but good. This is contrary to what western society preaches. "If you are shy, you are a failure. You will not get anywhere. Being shy prevents you from expressing yourself." Do not fall for these false concepts my dear sister. Believe the Messenger of Allah (sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) when he said, "Hayaa does not bring anything but good." [Al Bukhari]

and when he said, "Every religion has its characteristic and the characteristic of Islaam is AlHayaa(shyness, modesty)." [Sunan Abu Dawud]

Hayaa only increases the beauty of something or someone if it is used the right way. There is hayaa that is praiseworthy and hayaa that is wrong. We will first start with the greatest kind of hayaa that every individual should have.  And that is:

 Having Hayaa from Allah

One should first and foremost have shyness from Allah swt. This is by feeling ashamed to commit a sin and disobey Allah knowing that He (azza wa jall) is watching you. How is it that we can post pictures of ourselves without hijaab or  pics of us at someplace haraam and find some peace in our heart?? It makes no sense at all. Where did the fear of the Almighty go?

My dear sister, did you forget that there is a Lord who is Al-Samee' (All-Hearer), Al Baseer (All-See-er), Al Khabeer (Aware of all that is being done), Ar-Raqeeb (Ever-Watchful)? When, my sister, are you going to fear Allah, your Creator and Provider? When are you going to turn to Him?
Don't you realize death can strike you at any minute my dear sister? You don't know when you will meet Him. Do you wish to meet Him in this state you are in and if so, do you think He will be pleased with you?

Shyness(AlHayaa) left our hearts when the fear of Allah left us. Our fear of Allah decreased and so that opened up the doors to taking many sins lightly, as if there is no problem at all. Actually there is a BIG problem. Whether it be listening to music, smoking, drinking, zina, displaying our adornments (tabarruj), not praying and so on, the main cause for falling into these sins is partly due to lack of fear of Allah azza wa jall. Our hearts got harder and darker with sin when we failed to fear Allah and when we failed to realize who it is that we are disobeying.

When the sahabah were told to fear Allah, their hairs stood on end. They trembled at the weight of such words. Nowadays, a muslim tells his fellow muslim brother and sister to fear Allah and the reply is, "Stop judging me. You're not my judge. Allah is my judge...You don't know whats in my heart."

In the days when the Muslims had a state (khilaafah), the scholars would go to the rulers and admonish them , telling them to fear Allah and warning them of the punishment of Allah and reminding of their great responsibility. This would only increase the ruler in fear of Allah and being cautious to not fall into oppression. So when someone tells you to fear Allah my sister, KNOW that it is not an insult, it is an advice. And Islam is sincere advice (Naseeha) as our prophet(sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) taught us.

My sister, you should feel shy to disobey Allah and to sin. If you wish to sin then please go somewhere where you know Allah will not be able to see you. (impossible right?)

 Always think of who is that you are disobeying and now how big the sin is. You would feel shy and ashamed if your teacher caught you cheating during a test/exam. So how can we not feel ashamed when sinning especially when knowing that Allah (ta'ala) knows and sees everything?

The following hadeeth is a great reminder for us all, showing us the powerful connection between emaan (faith) and hayaa' and how when one goes, the other goes behind.

Abdullah ibn Umar narrated from the prophet (sws) that he said, "Indeed, alhayaa (modesty) and al-emaan (faith) are companions. When one of them is lifted, the other leaves as well (follows behind)." [Sunan al Bayhaqi]

Therefore, when you see that your hayaa is not as strong then realize this is a sign of weakness of faith. This is because emaan as Muslims believe, increases and decreases. It increases with obedience and good deeds and it decreases with disobedience. Therefore, the less hayaa one has, the weaker their faith is and the more hayaa one has the stronger their faith is. A person of strong faith will always have hayaa, meaning, he will avoid major sins and even the minor sins as much as he/she can.

to be cont'd...

Allah knows best.

Monday, November 3, 2014

Beautiful Statements from Ibn Taymiyyah

Assalamu alaykum

Here are some amazing and beautiful words of wisdom from the great scholar of Islaam, Taqiyudeen Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah):


"Every punishment from Him is pure justice and every blessing from Him is pure grace." [Majmoo al Fataawa 10/85]

"Sins are like chains and locks preventing their perpetrator from roaming vast gardens of Tawheed and reaping the fruits of righteous actions." [Majmoo al Fataawa 14/49]

"Whoever desires everlasting bliss, let him adhere firmly to the threshold of servitude(uboodiyyah to Allah)" [Madaarij al Saalikeen 1/531]

"In this world there is a paradise, whoever does not enter it will not enter the paradise of the Hereafter." [AlWaabil as-Sayyib pg. 69]

"Worship is founded upon the Legal Law and following it, not upon one's base desires and innovations." [Majmoo al Fataawa 1/80]

"The Jihaad against the soul is the foundation for the jihaad against the disbelievers and hypocrites." [Ibn Qayyim recorded in AlRawdah pg. 478]

"A man will never fear something besides Allah unless it be due to a disease in his heart." [Al Bazzar pg. 74]

"Guidance is not attained except with knowledge and correct direction is not attained except with patience." [Majmoo al Fataawa 10/40]

"Sins cause harm and repentance removes the harm." [Majmoo al Fataawa 10/255]


"Bearing witness to Tawheed opens the door of good and repentance from sins closes the door of evil." [Majmoo al Fataawa 10/256]

"Trials and tribulations are like feeling the heat and cold, when one knows that they cannot be avoided, he will not feel anger at their onset, nor will he be distressed or disheartened." [Ibn Al Qayyim in Al Madaarij al Saalikeen 3/289]

"The objective of asceticism (zuhd) is to leave all that harms the servant's Hereafter and the objective of worship is to do all that will benefit his Hereafter." [Majmoo al Fataawa 14/458]

"In this world, man finds in the remembrance of Allah, praising Him and worshipping Him, a delight that is incomparable to anything else." [ Minhaaj as-Sunnah 5/389]

"What can my enemies do to me? I have in my breast both my heaven and my garden. If I travel they are with me, never leaving me. Imprisonment for me is a chance to be alone with my Lord. To be killed is martyrdom and to be exiled from my land is a spiritual journey." [Ibn al Qayyim, AlWaabil pg. 69]

Source: Biography of Ibn Taymiyyah in his "Diseases of the Heart and their Cures" translated by DAAR US-SUNNAH Publications, Birmingham, UK

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Patience Upon The Path

Patience is to keep the nafs(self) on the obedience of Allah and to withhold it from disobedience and becoming displeased with the will of Allah the Most High. So the person withholds his nafs from displeasure, narrowness, and from slipping off the path. And the Muslim is always active in calling to the way of Allah even if he is harmed (in this path and dawah) because harming the callers to alkhayr (Good) is from the nature of mankind except he whom Allah has guided (from this). Allah says to His prophet,

"Verily, Messengers were denied before you, but with patience they bore the denial, and they were hurt, till Our help reached them." [Al An'aam: 34]

And whenever the harm increases, the closer victory gets and it is not a must that a person witnesses victory during his lifetime and the fruits of his da'wah (call) coming alive, rather victory can be even after his death. This is by Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) making the hearts of the people accept what he would call to. This in itself is considered a great victory for this caller although he died (his efforts will be proof for him on the day of judgment).

So it is upon the caller to remain patient on what he will face in his da'wah and here are the Messengers of Allah (peace be upon them all) who were harmed verbally and physically. Allah says,

"Likewise, no Messenger came to those before them, but they said: "A sorcerer or a madman!"[Adh-Dhaariyyaat: 52] and

"Thus We have made for every Prophet an enemy among the Mujrimoon (disbelievers and criminals). But Sufficient is your Lord as a Guide and Helper." [Al Furqaan:31]

Therefore, it is upon the daa'iyyah(caller) to face all these with patience and perseverance and look at His (Allah swt) words to His Messenger,

"Therefore be patient (O Muhammad-sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) and submit to the Command of your Lord, and obey neither a sinner nor a disbeliever among them."[Al Insaan:24]

-Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (rh) in his explanation of Usool ath-Thalatha

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Another Eid...

Another Eid and my Ummah continues to bleed.
We go on living our life of enjoyment and do not take any heed.


Did not the cries of the children reach you?
Did not the bombing of the houses and masaajid give you any clue?
Or did you just choose to ignore that and think "oh well there's nothing I can do"?
Woe to my ummah! They continue in their slumber and have not yet awakened.
They are not awakened by the news of  their brothers and sisters in the dark prisons of the enemies.

They are not awakened by the sounds of bullets and bombs and the sight of the killed
No! Instead they continue in their darkness of ignorance and do not wonder about the blood spilled.
If only they knew! If only they knew!
Instead, a part of them is awakened by the sound of music and continue to disobey their Lord day and night.
Are these the people who will give victory to this Deen? When will they use their heart and sight!
Until when? Until when O Ummah of Muhammad!

How can you not be shakened by the news of the day?
The enemies of Allah attack us from everything we do to everything we say.
They want a fake Islaam, an Islaam that continues to let the Muslims slumber and snooze.
They do not want us to win, but want us to lose.
They have indeed waged war on this mighty Deen.
Where are you O Muslim?Have you not heard of this or even seen?
The time to wake up and change is now!

And a part of us neglect our obedience to Allah and do not even pray.
And after all this, we wonder when will the victory come? "When? Enough!" we say.
Just look around you and you will see why.
The majority of us have the mentality of "Me,Myself and I"
A lie and deception the shaytaan used against you O servant!
And you continue to fall in his traps and serve him!
This life is a responsibility and you will be questioned so prepare an answer to Allah!

A life of humiliation and ignorance is not worth it at all.
We will soon be called to account by the Almighty and on that day there will appear a wall-
A wall that will separate between those who lived their lives for Ar-Rahmaan
and those who fell for the shaytaan.
O Ummah! The time is indeed now and only now.
Our sins are the reasons for our defeat and humiliation.
How can we continue to live under this oppression?
We once ruled this Earth with Tawheed and justice and walked with honor and such dignity.


What happened to the people of allegiance(alwalaa) and enmity(albaraa)?
We left the haqq and oppressed ourselves and so we sunk further into the ocean of defeat.
What happened to those who stood at the borders and looked forward to the day the armies meet?
What happened to the true scholars of La ilaha illa Allah?
Those who stood up for the Deen of Allah?


By Allah, if we did not oppress ourselves , we would have had the upper hand.
The takbeers of the Mu'mineen would have shaken every land!
Turn to Allah O Muslimeen and get up on your feet!
Answer the call of Allah and fear the Fire and its heat.
Paradise awaits you if you obey and are patient. Remember it is the only way.
There isn't anything left to waste. No minute, no day.

O Allah forgive my people for they do not know.

Friday, September 19, 2014

Heroines of Tawheed: Muaadha al Adawiyyah

The Sincere Worshipper of Allah and The Patient Mother

They say behind every great man is a great woman. This proves to be true in most cases.There was the prophet (sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) and because of his seerah, we have come to know of our dear mother, Khadeejah (radiyallahu anha), The one who supported the prophet (sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) with her utmost ability until she met her Lord. The one whom The Most High and the king of angels, Jibrail passed salaam to. May Allah be pleased with her. There is Aishah the daughter of As-Siddeeq(radiyallahu anhuma). She was the greatest female scholar of Islaam. If it weren't for her marriage to the best of creation, we would not know of many ahkaam related to fiqh which our beloved mother related to us. You will find her name in every fiqh or hadeeth book of the early scholars. The greatest of the companions came to her to inquire about the smallest details of the prophet (sala allahu alayhi wa sallam)'s life.

Maryam the daughter of Emraan, the woman whom Allah sent His angels to in her mihraab (place of worship) to inform her that she is the best of women of the Earth. She was the mother of one of the greatest men and the most controversial figure, Eesa (Jesus peace be upon him). No doubt, the greatness of Eesa (AS) should be no shock considering he was raised by the greatest woman to walk this Earth, Maryam (peace be upon her). Musa (Moses peace be upon him) is the most mentioned prophet in the Qur'an. Who was the woman who discovered him as a baby in the basket and chose to raise him as her own? It was none other than, Aasiyah the wife of the greatest tyrant of the world, Firawn. A woman who ended up giving her life and soul to earn the gardens promised by her Creator, a woman who left the comforts of this world and purchased for herself a glorious mansion in the peaks of Paradise.
And now we bring the story of a woman who was from the early generations of Islaam.

Muaadha the daughter of Abdullah, al Adawiyyah was a pious female worshipper and pious ascetic(zaahida) who was from the city of Basra,Iraq. She was from the generation of the first tabi'een. She was also among the well-known female students of umm almu'mineen, Aishah bint Abi Bakr. Muaadha use to worship Allah to a great extent and she would often ponder death. When the day would enter she would say, "This is the day in which I will die. " and therefore, she would not sleep. And when the evening would approach, she would say, "This is the night in which I will surely die." And so she would stay awake the entire night in prayer. And when the cold season of winter would begin, Muaadha would wear thin clothing (at night in her home) so that this may prevent her from sleep and neglecting her qiyaam. And she would also say, "Im amazed at an eye that sleeps while remembering the long sleep in the darkness of the grave." Meaning, remembrance of the grave should keep us awake out of fear of Allah and His punishment.

As for her husband, then he was none other than the great taabi'ee, Silla ibn Ashyam Al Adawi.  Silla was a great scholar of Islam and among the students of Hudhayfah ibn al Yamaan (radiyallahu anhu). He was a scholar and a mujaahid who fought in many battles to spread the message of Islaam and keep safe the borders of the Muslims.  Whats amazing about the story of Silla and Muaadha is just how Allah is the best of planners and brings together the people who are most similar. Silla and Muaadha were very similar. Both had renounced this world and detached themselves from it completely.

Silla and Muaadha got married and on the night of their wedding, both husband and wife spent the night in ibaadah (worship of Allah) until Fajr. From such a good foundation in these two individuals, Allah brought forth a strong home. Muaadha who was also known as Umm As-Sahbaa' had a son for Silla. As the years went by in the blessed household of worship and knowledge, Silla continued to fight in battles. After all, he was a descendant of the sahabah. Men who fought like lions in battle and who stayed awake in the darkness of the night, praying to their Lord.

In the 62nd year after the Hijrah,  Silla and his now grown son went out to one of the great battles in the lands of Khorasan. The battle was fierce between the Muslims and mushrikeen. The winds of victory blew towards the Muslims and they won a great victory and the enemies of Allah were disgracefully crushed. The victorious armies returned home and Muaadha did not see her husband or son among the soldiers. She was informed they had both, by the permission of Allah, attained martyrdom. What would the typical response of a woman be if she heard such news? Subhan Allah, she would scream, cry and be grief stricken. However, look at the response of this Mu'minah(female believer in Allah). Many women came to visit Muaadha in her home to give their condolences but they were surprised as she had a smile on her face and seemed happy. She said to the women who came to visit her, "if you have come to congratulate me then welcome to you but if you have come for other than that, then go back."

After that, Muaadha use to say, "By Allah, I dot not wish to stay in this world any longer except only to get closer to my Lord in worship. Perhaps He may bring me and Abi Sahbaa' (her husband) and my son together in Paradise."

She saw the death of her loved ones as victory and a celebration for what they had attained of great rewards and the way in which they left this dunya. The satisfaction in the decree of Allah and the immense patience and faith she had in her Lord kept her strong and firm.This kind of reaction can only come from a woman of emaan.A pious woman who not only accepts the decree of her Lord but is also pleased with it.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

The Power of Tawakkul (Reliance on Allah)!

Bismillaah,

Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'ala) says in His noble revelation,

ومن يتق الله يجعل له مخرجاً ويرزقه من حيث لا يحتسب

Meaning, "And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out ( from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine." [At-Talaaq: 3-4]

Allah ta'ala also says, الله لا إله إلا هو وعلى الله فليتوكل المؤمنون

Meaning, "Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but He and in Allah (alone), let the believers put their trust." [at-Taghaabun:13]

وتوكل على العزيز الرحيم الذي يراك حين تقوم وتقلبك في الساجدين إنه هو السميع العليم

Meaning, "And put your trust in the All-Mighty, Most-Merciful. Who sees you (O Muhammad, sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) when you get up (for night prayers, tahajjud). And your movements among those who fall prostrate. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, All-Knower." [Ash-Shu'ara: 217-20]

Trust and reliance upon Allah is one of the most beautiful and amazing aspects about Islaam. Indeed, as the prophet (sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, the affairs of the believers are amazing! If you place your trust in Allah and solely depend on Him in all of your affairs, then you have nothing to worry about. All that is required of the believer is sincerity and not doubting the promise of Allah and the beautiful characteristic of the believers, patience! Ya'qoob (alayhis salaam), a noble prophet of Allah and a loving father of many sons, underwent so many trials from losing His beloved Yusuf and being separated from Him for many years, to losing his next youngest, Benyameen, and then finally losing his sight. Nevertheless, his trust and reliance upon His Creator did not waver in the least and towards the end of the story of Yusuf, we see him advising his sons (the very ones who plotted against their blood),

إن الحكم إلا لله عليه توكلت وعليه فليتوكل المتوكلون

"Verily, the decision rests only with Allah. In Him, I put my trust and let all those that trust, put their trust in Him." [Yusuf: 67]

And there are many examples of the righteous men and women who placed their trust in their Lord until the very end even when others doubted their decision as was the case with our prophet and messenger, Musa (alayhis-salaam) when he and the children of Israail fled Firawn and were on the shores of the Red Sea. The sea was before them and the army of the disbelieving tyrant was behind them. Musa (alayhis-salaam) did his part as he was told and had complete faith and trust in the promised victory of Allah. Meanwhile, the Jews (except those whom Allah had mercy on) were yelling at their prophet and calling him a liar and accusing him of bringing them to death.  What was Musa's response,

كلا إن معي ربي سيهدين

"Nay, verily! With me is my Lord,, He will guide me!" [Ash-Shu'ara: 62]

The prophet (sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) was also the supreme example in what true tawakkul on Allah is. On the day of Badr, he (sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) did his utmost in preparing the muslim army and setting up the ranks of the soldiers and when the armies of disbelieving Quraysh began to appear, the prophet (sala allahu alayhi wasallam) stood on a small hill and began to pray and make duaa for victory saying, "O Allah these are the only people who believe in you and worship you. If they are destroyed today, you will be worshipped no more." 

And before that when the prophet (sws) and Abu Bakr assideeq where on their way to Al Madinah during the Hijrah, they were at the cave of Thawr for some days and the mushrikoon finally caught up to them,  Abu Bakr (ra) was a bit worried and the prophet (sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) noticed that, so he said to him, "What do you think of two Abu Bakr and Allah is their third."

And there are many more examples one can find from the Quran and Sunnah.

The fruits of tawakkul on Allah are many, but here are some for the reader:

1. Victory. With patience and trust in Allah comes victory. This has always and will always be the case. It was the case for the believers of yesterday and today. The enemies of Allah may gather against the believers with the utmost power and strength, but they can never defeat them as long as the hearts of the believers are attached to Allah and relying on Him. So keep firm and strong O Ghurabaa'!

2. Protection from the accursed shaytaan. The shaytaan runs away from the strong believer and as we know from the authentic hadeeth, "The strong believer is more beloved to Allah than the weak believer." In our duaas for entering and exiting the home, we mention our trust in Allah. The shaytaan can not harm the believer as these adhkaar are like a barrier between him and the mu'min.

3. Courage. Having placed one's reliance on Allah completely, who else is there to fear. When you place your trust in Allah, you do so recognizing His power and mightiness. The true believer fears none but Allah. When the disbelievers told the prophet (sws) and the companions that the coalition of kufr (Quraysh and various Arab tribes gathered to fight the Muslims in Al Madinah, aka Al Ahzaab) the munaafiqeen and others who had lost faith in Allah tried to strike fear and doubt in the hearts of the muslims and told them "the people have come to fight you!" What was the response of the believers?

They said, "Hasbuna Allahu wa ni'mal wakeel!" Meaning, "Allah is enough for us and He is the best disposer of affairs!"

Bring your armies, tanks, and so called manpower. You can never defeat a people whom the angels of the Most High have descended to fight along side.

And we finish with a beautiful, must-listen-to story for all:

The Story of  Al Qaadhi Maaristan and the Necklace narrated by Shaykh Ahmad Musa Jibril (May Allah be with him and his family)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWQeDUzifAU

Monday, July 14, 2014

The Muslimah and Ramadhan

**The Muslimah and Ramadhan**

Ramadhan, the month of mercy, turning to Allah, and perseverance in worship. It is the month in which the Noble Qur'an was first revealed to mankind as a guide for those who seek guidance. It is the month of immense ibadah by which the servant engages in to get closer to his or her Lord.

Ramadhan is not just the month of worship for the Muslim man but also the same if not more for the Muslimah,  Unfortunately it has become the norm in many muslim homes that the Muslim women cook and waste much of their time during the days of fasting in Ramadhan.  Ramadhan has become a month in which the individual avoids eating and drinking for a few hours, sleeps in during the day, eat a load of food during the night, and go for taraweeh some nights of Ramadhan if not the entire month. Ramadhan has become a culture of the Muslim and less of a serious opportunity to get to know one's creator.  We have been informed that  before Ramadhan would approach, our righteous Salaf would ask Allah to allow them to reach it and when it had arrived they would ask Allah to assist them in performing righteous acts of worship, and when it had left they would ask Allah to accept their good deeds from them for that beautiful month.

My dear sister, know and realize that you are no different than any other servant of Allah in this month. It is upon you to realize that Ramadhan is not just taking a break from eating, drinking, marital relations, backbiting, lying and sinning. Ramadhan is also a great time to turn to Allah and raise your ranks among the righteous women. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala chose Maryam the daughter of Emraan as the the best woman on the face of the Earth. Why? Did she sit around and just earn this status or did she just earn this status due to her noble prophetic lineage? Far from it! Maryam (May Allah be pleased with her ) was a great worshipper of Allah. Her acts of worship and sincere faith definitely played a major role in earning her this mighty rank which every woman and human should envy.

My sisters, do not be among the losers of Ramadan. They are those who gain nothing from this blessed time except hunger and thirst. They are those who waste their hours in sleep, music, and video games during the day and movies and wasting their blessed time during the nights. How can someone spend this blessed month this way when Allah (SWT) promised to forgive our past sins if we fast and pray with sincere belief and hoping for His reward? How can someone not read the Quran during this month when the Messenger of Allah read the most Quran during this month?

This Ramadan my dear sisters, make sure to strive in perfecting your belief and creed. Knowledge of tawheed (the oneness of Allah) is extremely important.  If we do not know our Creator, what He requires from us, and what we should avoid then what good is our prayer and fasting? It is better to meet Allah with a mountain full of sins than to meet Him with a corrupt aqeedah (belief).  There are many beneficial books of belief the Muslimah can benefit from and go back to gain knowledge of Her Sustainer (Ar-Razzaaq) and Creator (Al Khaaliq):

- Kitaab at-Tawheed by Shaykh al Islaam Muhammad ibn AbdulWahhab (rahimahullah)
- Thalatha Usool (The 3 Fundamentals) by the same author
- Al Waajibat al Mutahatimaat also by Ibn AbdulWahhab
- Khud Aqeedatak (meaning "Take Your Aqeedah") by Muhammad ibn Jameel Zeno (rahimahullah)

and many other books.

After Aqeedah, it is important and necessary that you my sister gain knowledge of the basic fiqh of taharah and worship. The Messenger of Allah (sws) said that Allah does not accept the prayer without purity (taharah). (Sunan Ibn Majah and others). The Muslimah is in dire need of obtaining knowledge of these important and obligatory matters. Many sisters take the issue of learning the fiqh of taharah very lightly and end up in bad situations. Fiqh of Taharah entails knowledge of ghusl. The Muslimah should know what requires ghusl (bath) and what difference between the state of the junub and haa'idh is. The sister should know the differences between the different bloods of nifaas, haydh, and istihaadhah.  Alhamdulilah, the scholars have written tons of books on these issues and the Muslimah should benefit from these books because as mentioned before, this is obligatory/required knowledge.

Some basic books on some important knowledge of the fiqh of worship:

-Fiqh Made Easy by Shaykh Saalih Sadlan

http://www.islamhouse.com/207459/en/en/books/Fiqh_Made_Easy

-Fiqh as-Sunnah by Sayyid Saabiq

http://www.islamhouse.com/51828/en/en/books/Fiqh_us-Sunnah

Learning these things are all a form of worship and one of the means of getting closer to Allah swt with. Ramadhan is a month of worshipping Allah swt extra more and being involved in more good deeds than usual. So my sister, make this blessed month a means of getting closer to Allah whether its through extra prayers,  recitation of the Quran, seeking knowledge of the important matters mentioned previously, and in general, getting to know your Creator. Allah swt stated that the main objective of fasting during Ramadhan is to gain one main thing: Taqwaa (Being conscious and aware of Allah swt). If we can not gain taqwaa in this blessed month then something is seriously wrong and we are incomplete.  If are engaging in sins during Ramadhan and yet fasting, then there is a really great need to go back to Islaam and we should ask ourselves, "Are we true submitting to Allah?"

May Allah accept our fasting and other worship from us and make us from the successors!




Friday, May 23, 2014

A Paradise on Earth

The great imaam and fountain of knowledge, Ibn al Qayyim(May Allah be pleased with him) relates in his book Al Waabil al Sayyib that he heard his respected teacher, Shaykhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (May Allah be pleased with him) say,

"In this world is a paradise, whoever does not enter it will not enter the paradise of the Hereafter. " [page 67]


Subhan Allah, the wisdom and beauty in these short words are so great that they should be written in gold! What is this paradise on Earth that Ibn Taymiyyah speaks of? Can there be a paradise in this temporary abode? If there is, how can we truly enter this paradise?


The believer in Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala always seeks and yearns for His pleasure. For the believer, it is never a matter of just gaining rewards for a good deed. The Mu'min constantly performs  good deeds and remains patient upon the truth and obedience of the Creator solely to seek His pleasure! 


For most of us, it is an easy thing to start a good deed, but to stay consistent and remain patient on it is where the true test of faith lies.


Ibrahim (AS) was thrown in the fire for what reason? He decided to confront his own father and the very people he grew up with over one concept. TAWHEED. What kind of faith would make a young man be thrown in the midst of a blazing fire and not have him weaken nor quiver in fear except the love and pleasure of Allah!


When a person reaches a level of faith where they forget about their own pleasure and are constantly encouraged and motivated to please the Creator then this person is living in a paradise on Earth that others are not really aware of. 


Nowadays people dress and express themselves to please others but who is better than the one whose heart and mind is always set on pleasing the Most High? The answer is simple and clear. No one is better than such an individual.


The magicians who served Firawn (Pharoah) for years and years and were part of the political influence for Firawn's satanic and tyrannical government were completely taken aback by Musa's performance when he threw his staff on the ground and it turned into a living, breathing serpent. They knew this was not magic as they were taught to control the people's minds with and that Musa was indeed on the truth.


It was then that they turned to Allah the Most High and fell in sujood before Musa and Haaroon,submitting themselves to Allah, affirming their oneness and negation of disbelief and shirk, the same disbelief and shirk they had been promoting just moments before.


Firawn gaped at them in shock and threatened to punish them, accusing them of treachery by plotting with Musa prior to the showdown. They bravely replied,



قالوا لن نؤثرك على ما جاءنا من البينات والذي فطرنا فاقض ما أنت قاض انما تقضي هذه الحياة الدنيا. انا آمنا بربنا ليغفرلنا خطايانا وما أكرهتنا عليه من السحر والله خير وأبقى


Meaning, They said: "We prefer you not over the clear signs that have come to us, and to Him (Allah) Who created us. So decree whatever you desire to decree, for you can only decree (regarding) this life of the world. [Surah Taha ayah 72]


In other words, "Do as you please oh tyrant! The truth is dearer to us than anything!" 


Once realizing the truth Musa was upon, that truth became dearer to these sorcerers more than anything  and they readily embraced it! And they were ready to give up their own lives for it and they indeed did so generously and willingly.  For what? For nothing less than to please Allah swt. 


 They saw their paradise before they even entered it! May Allah be pleased with them. 


That is what pure faith and yaqeen(certainty) does to a believer in this world. That is the paradise of the dunya one experiences and lives in and the paradise of the next life is even greater, if they but knew. This kind of believer has the greatest feeling of happiness and tranquility that others would fight for to obtain.

It is with contentment and being pleased with the will and decree of Allah that one experiences and in  this Paradise on Earth. With all the current problems in the world today where people complain of depression, anxiety and stress, the believer who is content with the qadar of Allah and makes it his or her aim to seek His pleasure day and night is free of all these mental problems. They sell and manufacture pills to relieve suffering individuals of these illnesses but they do not realize that the solution and cure is in true emaan and submission to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. 


As Allah swt said, 


ألا بذكر الله تطمئن القلوب 


Meaning, "Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest(tranquility, peace)!" [Surah ar-Ra'ad ayah 28]


They've failed to realize that the real illness is in the heart. The disbelief and deviation that has corrupted and taken over their souls is what causes them to feel anxious, depressed and empty. Their turning away from the truth and not realizing the true purpose in life is what has caused them to suffer emotionally and psychologically.


After all, The Lord of the Worlds did say,


فانها لا تعمى الأبصار ولكن تعمى القلوب التي في الصدور 


Meaning, "Verily, it is not the eyes that have become blind, but it is in the hearts that are in the breasts (that have become blind)." [Surah al Hajj ayah 46]


The heart is a piece of flesh, if it not used for the worship of Allah and His pleasure, it can be used for all kinds of corruption. The prophet (sala allahu alayhi wa sallam) spoke the truth when he said,


"Verily, there lies within the body a piece of flesh. If it is sound, the whole body is sound; an if it is corrupted, the whole body is corrupted. Verily, this piece (of flesh) is the heart!" [Al Bukhari and Muslim from the hadeeth of Nu'man ibn Basheer]



So know oh believer, if they take away your wealth, resources, and even your body then you still have your paradise as long as you have kept your certain faith and trust in Allah. You will always be happy and content with your life. 


Thursday, May 15, 2014

**Five Categories of Fear**


Shaykh Muhammad ibn AbdulWahhab ibn Ali al Yamani al Wasaabi  in his book, Al Qawl al Mufeed fee Adillati Tawheed, explains that there are five categories of fear:


1) The first kind of fear is considered worship (ibaadah):


And it is fear from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and this kind of worship is a worship of the heart with which we worship Allah.


Allah (swt) says:  ((But for him who fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens.)) [Ar-Rahman: 46]


And Our Creator also says, ((But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires, and lusts.Verily, Paradise will be his abode.)) [Al Naazi’aat: 40,41]


Allah(swt) also says describing the worship of the angels: ((They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.)) [Al-Nahl: 50]


Allah the Most High also says, ((Those who convey the Message of Allah and fear Him, and fear none save Allah. And Sufficient is Allah as a Reckoner.)) [Al Ahzaab:39]


And, ((so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers.)) [Aal Emraan: 175]


And, ((... to invoke their Lord in fear and hope..)) [AlSajdah: 16]


And there are more similar ayaat.


The prophet (sala Allahu alayhi wa sallam) also addressed this kind of khawf in many ahadeeth.
In the hadeeth of the seven kinds of people who will be under the shade of Allah, the prophet (sala Allahu alayhi wa sallam) mentioned, “And a man who was called on by a woman of noble status and beauty but instead says, “ Truly, I fear Allah. [Agreed upon, from the narration of Abu Hurayra-ra-]


Shaddaad ibn Aws (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sala Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, Allah says, "By my honor and glory, I will not combine two fears upon my slave nor will I combine two securities. If he feels safe from Me in this life,I will make him fear on the Day of Judgment. And if he fears Me in this life, I will give Him safety on the Day of Judgment." [Recorded by Abu Nu'aym, also in Al Saheehah Hadeeth no. 742]


2) The second type of fear is considered SHIRK (associating partners with Allah)


And it is for the servant to fear other than Allah such as fearing the jinn or the dead or other than them by fearing these similar to his fear of Allah,  or worse.


Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says, (( Have you not seen those who were told to hold back their hands (from fighting) and perform As-Salat, and give Zakat, but when the fighting was ordained for them, behold! a section of them fear men as they fear Allah or even more.)) [An-Nisaa’: 77]


And, ((It is only Shaitan (Satan) that suggests to you the fear of his Auliya' [supporters and friends] so fear them not, but fear Me..)) [Aal Emraan: 175]


((Therefore fear not men but fear Me...)) [Al Maedah:44]


3) The third kind of fear (khawf) is a sinful act and disobedience to Allah the Most High.
This is when the servant fears a human being or people and as a result of fearing them leaves a waajib (obligatory act, like shaving the beard, removing the hijaab, not praying at work for fear of being fired) or does a forbidden act due to fear of them while not even reaching the level of being coerced to do the act. This is form of khawf is a sin.


Allah ta’ala says, ((It is only Shaitan (Satan) that suggests to you the fear of his Auliya' [supporters and friends] so fear them not, but fear Me if you are indeed believers.)) [Aal Emraan:175]


And, ((..so fear them not, but fear Me! - And so that I may complete My Blessings on you and that you may be guided.)) [Al Baqarah:150]


And, ((..so fear them not, but fear Me…)) [Al Maedah: 3]


4) The fourth kind of khawf is the natural fear like for the person to fear from the enemy or predatory beasts and snakes, and etc. And this form is permissible as long as the person does not transgress or go beyonds in his/her natural fear.


Allah azza wa jall says concerning His servant and messenger,  Musa (alayhis-salaam):


((So he became afraid, looking about in the city..)) [Al Qassas:18]


((So he escaped from there, looking about in a state of fear. He said: "My Lord! Save me from the people who are Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)!")) [Al Qassas:21]


And Musa(as) said, (("My Lord! Verily, I fear that they will belie me..”)) [Al Shu’ara: 12, Al Qassas: 34]


And Musa also said, (("My Lord! I have killed a man among them, and I fear that they will kill me..)) [Al Qassas:33]


And Musa and Haarun (peace be upon them both) said, (( "Our Lord! Verily! We fear lest he should hasten to punish us or lest he should transgress (all bounds against us)."
He (Allah the Most High) said: "Fear not, verily! I am with you both, hearing and seeing.”)) [Taha:45,46]


And the Most Exalted said, ((So Musa (Moses) conceived a fear in himself.We (Allah) said: "Fear not! Surely, you will have the upper hand.”)) [Taha: 67,68]


5) The fifth and final form is the imaginary fear which has no basis or has a weak cause.  This is unpraiseworthy and the person who has this fear falls into the characteristic of the cowardly and indeed, the messenger of Allah (sws) sought refuge in Allah from cowardice for it is the manners of the despicable. And for this reason, complete faith, reliance and trust upon Allah and bravery protect from this kind of fear.

-Also see, Shaykh AbdurRahman ibn Naasir As-Sa’dee’s Al Qawl alSadeed fe Maqasid at-Tawheed, pg.116