Is prayer new? Is Islam new?

No. 

Here are some videos displaying the prayer and wudu of Christians and Jews

Last Link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJYvBJFb8CQ&feature=related 

Islam came to clarify not create anything new. 

Laillahillallah 

Laillahaillahuwa 

There is no God but Allah. 

30 Signs of a Hypocrite (16-30)

30Signs of a Hypocrite Part 2: (16-30)

16.  Bringing down the honor of the righteous

“They will smite you with sharp tongue , covetous of good”  33:19

The hypocrite will talk about the righteous believers, and their tongue is their weapon. Backbiting is a plain example of this attribute of the hypocrites.  

17.    Remaining away from congressional prayer

In Saheeh Muslim is the saying of Ibn Mas’ood: “None remained away from the congressional payer except a hypocrite whose hypocrisy if well known”

A hypocrite purposely does not attend prayers; The hypocrite is health , wholesome, strong, unoccupied, without an excuse, hears the call to prayer and foes not attend the congressional prayer. The book gets a little intense in saying that a man who prays at home with his children and does not go to masjid is a hypocrite; but when talking to someone who has studied Fiqh, I was informed that this is not applicable to everyone’s situation because for many, like myself (Americans), we cannot hear the call to prayer from our homes and cannot see the masjid either; but we should try and make congressional prayers and always remember Allah knows best. This is not the same for Jummah, a male should attend jummah service unless he is physically incapable of doing so. Again, Allah knows best.

18. Causing mischief whilst claiming to establish peace  

“When It is said to them: “Do not make mischief on the Earth,” they say, “Why? We only want to make peace.” Beware, they are ones that cause mischief but they not realize” 2:11-12

“There is a type of man whose speech about the life of this world will dazzle you and he calls Allah to witness as to what is in his heart, yet he is the most contentious of enemies, When he turn his back, his aim is to spread mischief everywhere thought the earth and to destroy crops and cattle. But Allah does not love mischief” 2:204-205

Causing mischief is a sign of hypocrisy. A hypocrite will see two men fighting and will say, “What happened between you two, this really bothers me, I couldn’t even sleep last night knowing you two were fighting.” But in reality he had a nice sleep and couldn’t care less. On the outside he claims that he desires nothing but peace but Allah knows his hidden intentions.

19. Outward behavior contradicting what is in the heart   

When the hypocrites come to you they say, “We witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.” Allah does know that you are indeed His Messenger and Allah witnesses that the hypocrites are indeed liars.” 63:1

The outward speech and actions of a hypocrite contradict what is inside their heart; they have a beautiful outside but wretched inside. But we must remember that Allah is the true judge of this.

20. Fear of unpleasant events, incidents, and happenings

“They think that every cry is against them” 63:4

The hypocrite is constantly in fear. There sole concern is the price of this and that, nature, the news, politics, and everything not dealing with Islam. It is not bad to care about how much gas is raising but when these thoughts and conversations surpass your thoughts and conversations in dealing with Islam, than this should be worrisome.  We should rejoice in Al-Islam. We must remember that there is a balance.

21. False Excuses

“Among them there is a man who says grant me exemption and do not put me through trial. Have they not fallen into trial already. Indeed hellfire encompasses the disbelievers from all sides”  9:49

“When it is said to them, “Come, the Messenger of Allah will seek forgiveness for you,” they turn their heads aside and you would see them turning themselves away in arrogance. It is the same to them whether you seek forgiveness for them or not, Allah will never forgive them.” 63:5-6

I think that the title is self-explanatory, but the hypocrite makes false excuses.

22. Commanding the Evil and preventing the Good

“They order that which is evil and forbid that which is good” 9:67

A sign of the believer is actually one who commands what is good and forbids what is evil, so a hypocrite is one that does the exact opposite.

23. Tying one’s hands back out of stinginess

“The hypocrite mean and women are from amongst each other. They enjoin what is evil and forbid what is good and they close their hands from spending in the way of Allah. They have forgotten Allah, so he has forgotten them” 9:67

This is not referring to people who do not have the means to help but those who are perfectly capable of contributing to goodness but do not. Hypocrites are greedy and greed is eternal poverty.

24. Forgetting Allah

“They have forgotten Allah, so he has forgotten them” 9:67

“Shaitan has gained mastery over them and has made them forget the remembrance of Allah” 58:19

A hypocrite remembers everything except Allah. He can bring up everything such as songs, family, goals, and everything other than the remembrance of Allah.

25. Denial of the promise of Allah and His, Messenger.

Allah says upon their tongues, “Allah and His Messenger have promise nothing but deception” 33:12

When the hypocrite and those in whose hearts is a disease said: Allah and His messenger promise us nothing but delusions 33:12

26. Concern for the outward Appearance and Neglect of the inner condition

When you look at them their exterior will look pleasing to you and when they speak, you listen to their words. They are worthless as hollow pieces of timber, propped up” 63:4

Again, they are beautiful on the outside but hollow on the inside. This does not mean that in order to be a believer you must wear torn clothes and not be concerned with outwards appearance but it should not consume you. Allah loves that which is beautiful but we must make sure that we are beautiful in and out.

27. Eloquence, Long-winded speech, boasting and bragging

When you they speak you listen to their words 63:4

This is also somewhat self-explanatory; but a hypocrite wants it to be known that he had understanding, possessed intelligence and that he is educated, pretty much the hypocrite shows off in order to make sure others know that he is extremely educated.

28. Lack of understanding of religion

But the hypocrite do not understand 63:7

The hypocrite can understand everything but religion is foreign to them, the sign of the believer is that he understands religion.

29. Not sinning in front of people (Due to Fear of Them) but showing boldness to Allah by Committing sins in secrecy

They seek hide their sins from the people but they do not seek to hide them from Allah whereas he is with them when they plot by day and night with words that he is not please by 4:108

A hypocrite does his evil actions in secret although Allah is the seer and knower of Allah things. The believer safeguards himself from Allah in secret and in open, and is more aware of Allah in private.

30. Rejoicing a the affliction of the believers with a calamity and being saddened at the their being touched by joy and pleasures

If some good befalls you it grieves them but if misfortune befalls you, they say, “we took our precautions beforehand and he turn away rejoicing”  9:50

The hypocrite is happy when something bad befalls the believers but grieves when something good happens to them.

*30 Signs of the Hypocrite, Aa’id din’ Abdullaah al-Qarnee

This the second half of the signs of the hypocrites; I would like to thank you very much for taking the time to read these because in order for us to stray away from hypocrisy we must know what a hypocrite is, I pray that Allah saves us All, inshallah, and we are amongst the believers. 

Heaven and Hell

Assalamalaikum wa Rehmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

Bismillah ir Rahman nir Raheem.

"Indeed, those who fear their Lord unseen will have forgiveness and great reward." [67:12]

“As for those who believed and did righteous deeds, for them will be the Gardens of Refuge as accommodation for what they used to do. But as for those who defiantly disobeyed, their refuge is the Fire. Every time they wish to emerge from it, they will be returned to it while it is said to them, “Taste the punishment of the Fire which you used to deny.” [32:19-20]

Jazakallahkhair

-Razz :)

Modesty- My Liberation

Asslamalaikum wa Rehmatullahi wa Barakatuh

Bismillah ir Rahman nir Raheem.

"It is narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar that Rasulullah, salla Allahu alayhi waslam said: Modesty and faith exist together. When one of them goes out, the other also goes out. [Bukhari]"

"O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful." [33:59]

Jazakallahkhair :)

-Razz

Unlimited Mercy; Limited Time

Assalmalaikum wa Rehmatullahi wa Baraktuh.

Bismillah ir Rahman nir Raheem.

"Allah (SWT) says: "Take one step towards me, I will take ten steps towards you. Walk towards me, I will run towards you." [Hadith Qudsi]"

"Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah . Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful." [39:53]

"My sins seemed very great to me but when I compared them to your forgiveness My Lord, I found Your forgiveness to be greater".

-Imam Shafi'i

Abu Dharr Ghifari related that Rasulullah (saws) said: Allah, who is Lord of Glory says: “The person who does one good deed shall be given ten rewards, or even more. The person who does one evil deed shall be given only one punishment, or I shall forgive him. When someone comes a hand’s width closer to Me, I come an arm’s length closer to him. When someone comes an arm’s length closer to Me, I come two arms’ length closer to him. When someone comes towards Me walking, I come to him running. And when someone comes to Me with as many sins as the whole world could contain, I come to him with as much forgiveness as that.” [Muslim]

Jazakallahkhair :)

-Razz 

30 SIGNS OF A HYPOCRITE (1-15)

Hypocrite is mentioned 37 times in the Quran.*

“I acquainted myself with evil not for evil but in order o avoid it. Whoever does not know the evil is deterring of falling into it”

You must know what a lie is in order not to tell one correct? This is the case with hypocrisy; we must know what it is to avoid it; we need to know the signs of the hypocrites in order not to display the character of one.

Abdullaah al-Qarnee has covered the essence of the signs and characteristics of hypocrisy which I will list below: (we should evaluate our soul and clean our impurities)

1.       Falsehood and lying

“Allah does witness that the hypocrites are indeed liars” 63:1

A hypocrite lies in jest and seriousness; committing this sin is minimal to the hypocrite.  In verses 2:8-10 and 63:1; it narrates the hypocrites as liars. The foundation of hypocrisy is lying. Inshallah we all avoid this sin whether in jest or in full sincerity.

2.       Treachery

“…and when he makes a covenant with somebody he acts treacherously (or is disloyal)”  Al-Bukari

When a hypocrite gives his trust to his wife, friends, family, children, or the leader he deceives them and acts treacherously.

3.       Showing Insolence and Licentiousness in Argumentation

“…and when he argues he behaves insolently” Al-Bukari

A hypocrite when speaking to a believer constantly argues and behaves immodestly in his argumentation

4.       Breaking one’s promise

A hypocrite is one who makes promises and breaks them for the sake of breaking them, there isn’t a reason to why they have broken the promise.  This is a sing of the hypocrite, this is why it is safe to not make promises one cannot keep.  May Allah protect us and save us from the attributes of a hypocrite.

5.       Laziness In Worship

“When they stand for prayer, they stand without earnestness (laziness)” 4:142

A hypocrite is idle in his approach to prayer, to the remembrances of Allah, inviting people towards Islam, towards knowledge or to good sittings.  A hypocrite perform salah with laziness and feebleness; they do not know what is firmness and being steadfast nor did they know that being firm and  steadfast in their duty towards Allah would be prosperous and life-giving.

6.       Showing off (look at the note about Riyaa at missiondawa.blogspot.com)

“When they stand for prayer, they stand without earnestness, to be seen of men, but they do not old Allah in remembrance but little” 4:142

What is showing off? A person is humble, nice and “religious” in front of people but when he is alone and in secrecy he prays quickly, without humility and submissiveness. He speaks of full renunciation of the wordly things and engaged in worship but he behaves when he is alone without no one watching him, he commits unlawful things. 

7.       Lack of the Remembrance of Allah

“…but they fo not hold Allah in remembrance except a little” 4:142

A hypocrite does not completely forget the whole concept of Allah, but remembers Allah lightly, infrequently, and glorifies him seldom.  A hypocrite does not desire or is enthusiastic for Allah’s remembrance. Although with Allah is our hearts at ease. If you remember Allah, Allah will remember you.  A sign of the believer is that they engage in the remembrance e of Allah.

8.       Hastiness in Prayer

“That is the prayer of a hypocrite…he stands and strikes the ground four times and he does not bring Allah to mind within them except a little” Reported by Muslim

A hypocrite performs their salah with hastiness and speed, they are inattentive and unaware of what is being said in payer and make no effort in trying to. Also within the prayer they remember Allah a little and purposely recite short surahs in order to be done with prayer faster.   “The believers will be successful. Those who are submissive and humble in their Prayer” 23:1

9.       Slandering Those Who Give themselves Freely to Good Deeds From Among  the Believers and the Righteous

A hypocrite draws out their tongues against the believers and the righteous.  The hypocrite has no other concern than bringing down the righteous, he spread evil and suspicion. The righteous are from the friends of Allah, the hypocrite talks about them and slanders them whenever he is in a gathering and mocks and ridicules them.

10.   Mocking the Quran, the Sunnah, and the messenger (sws)

The hypocrite mocks the verses of the Quran, the Sunnah, and the messenger but not only the messenger himself but any aspect of the messenger such as his clothes, his miswak or his thawb. The mockery of the religion is concealed in the mockery on the mockery of the Sunnah of the messenger of Allah, sws.

11.   The Protective Oath

A hypocrite makes excessive oaths and swears but what is not true. Most of the excessive oaths that’s they make are broken.

12.   Disliking in the matters for his own self interest.

Hypocrites spend, give charity, and donate money, build mosques; but no in the way of Allah actually the hypocrite hates spending in the way of Allah but rather for his own self- interest.

13.   Desertion and Abandonments (of the muslims)

Hypocrites flee from the ranks of Muslims, they have a pessimistic view of the Muslims and question the capability of the Muslim ummah. The hypocrite thinks against/negatively about the muslim.

14.   Originating false rumors and causing sedition

“Truly the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a deisease and those who stir up sedition in the city….” 33:60

Hypocrites rumor all the time, truth and lie and causes trouble wherever he or she go.

 15.   Finding Fault with Allah’s Decree

“The ones that say while themselves sit at ease: “if only they had listened to us they would not now have been slain” 3:168

There is more backgroup behind this one. When the Muslims went out towards Uhud, the hypocrites said to them “Don’t go out and fight but remain with us” They did not listen to them and went out and were slain as martyrs in the path of Allah. After the hypocrites aluded to the point that if the people would have listened to them, it would have never happened. But later in the verse Allah says

“Say: Avert death from your own seves if you are indeed truthful”

 Finding faults with in the “divine decree” is a sign of hypocrisy.  The above example is really confusing but was included in the book and I wanted to put it in here because it might clarify this for someone.  Also this sums up the point that hypocrites are not satisfied with the blessing of Allah and question Allah.

More Quran Verses about Hypocrites:

“They make their oaths a shelter, and thus turn away from Allah's way; surely evil is that which they do.” 63:2

O! Prophet Muhammad (Sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) strive hard against the unbelievers and the hypocrites and be unyielding to them; and their abode is hell, and evil is the destination.  9:73

“The hypocrites think that they are deceiving Allah, but he is deceiving them” 4:142

*30 Signs of the Hypocrite, Aa’id din’ Abdullaah al-Qarnee 

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO YOU: 

We should all stray away from the attributes of a hypocrite and the best way to do this is by knowing what a hypocrite is. 

-jazak! jazz :)  

Allah is the root to everything

Bismiallah-

"Allah is full of bounty to mankind but most of them are ungrateful” 2:43

Allah has given us life.

Allah has given us food.

Allah has given us shelter.

Allah has given us the ultimate mercy.

Allah has given us the most grace.

yet when the call to prayer is announced, we ignore it.

when it is time for salah, we delay it.

when it is time to eat, we forget "bismiallah"

it is a burden to read the book of Allah.

it is a burden to pray five times a day.

it is a burden to give charity

it is a burden to follow what is prescribed by our lord.

Allah has given us so much, so much.

I can not bear to even tip-toe on the amount of blessings we have been given.

look around us, would we have anything if it were not for the blessing of Allah.

anything?

Show your gratitude.

pray.

give charity.

follow the words of our lord.

this is the least of what we could do.

Allah has given us the world, not to worship its worldy things, but to worship him in thanks and praise. Dunya is the means to Allah, Allah is not the means to Dunya.

We must be thankful!

Today we are surrounded by the dunya, I mean come on, with our ipods, computers, unnatural light, cars, grocery stores, etc. I am not saying this is bad, alhumduiallah to advancing technologies, but as I said alhumduiallah-All praise is due to Allah. Do you think you would have that ipod, if allah has not created the hands which made it, or the mind which thought of it...no. This is the key which is being lost today. Back then, everything was "ground deep"; their food was from the earth rather than H-E-B (local food market), their enjoyment was outside rather than inside and their watch was the sun and the moon. The link between them and the bounties of allah were close rather than far fetched like the ipod. This is not a call for the ban of all technology but rather a call for praise of your lord. 

if you would rather listen to your ipod more than pray, listen to your ipod less.

if you would rather be on facebook than pray, limit your facebook time.

if you would rather so anything that takes you away from the praise of your lord, stay clear of it.

All praise is due to Allah.

solely.

Lets not get hooked in the dunya.

remember there will be a day,

when no praise will be accepted

and forgiveness will not be given.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU: 

We should not only take but thank :) :) This concept is important for muslims and nonmuslims; if you accept whoever you do as your lord, how do you repay him for all of the things that are provided for you? 

jazak :) 

-jazz