28 November 2010
*: May the Peace, Blessings & Mercy of Allah be upon him
TMQ: Translation to the nearest meaning of the Qur’an
Hadith:
Everyone discussed their favourite from the first 10 of Nawawi's 40 Hadith. These are listed below:
1: On the authority of Umar ibn al-Khattab, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah* say: "Actions are but by intentions and every man shall have only that which he intended. Thus he whose migration (Hijrah to Madina from Mecca) was for Allah and His Messenger, his migration was for Allah and His Messenger, and he whose migration was to achieve some worldly benefit or to take some woman in marriage, his migration was for that for which he migrated." [Bukhari and Muslim]
2: Also on the authority of Umar ibn al-Khattab, who said: One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah* there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no signs of journey were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He walked up and sat down in front of the Prophet*, with his knees touching against the Prophet's* and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs he said: “O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.”
The Messenger of Allah* said: “Islam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to perform prayers, to give zakah, to fast in Ramadan, and to make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to do so.” He said: “You have spoken rightly”; and we were amazed at him asking him and saying that he had spoken rightly.
He (the man) said: “Tell me about Iman.” He* said: “It is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in divine destiny (qadr), both the good and the evil of it.” He said: “You have spoken rightly.”
He (the man) said: “Then tell me about Ihsan.” He* said: “It is to worship Allah as though you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then (knowing that) truly He sees you.”
He said: “Then tell me about the Hour.” He said: “The one questioned about it knows no better than the questioner.”
He said: “Then tell me about its signs.” He* said: “That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, and that you will see barefooted, naked destitute shepherds competing in constructing lofty buildings.”
Then he (the man) left, and I stayed for a time. The he* said: “O `Umar, do you know who the questioner was?” I said: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He* said: “It was Jibreel, who came to teach you your religion.” [Muslim]
3: On the authority of Abu Abdur-Rahman `Abdullah, the son of Umar ibn al-Khattab, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah* say: Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the salah (prayer), paying the zakah (obligatory charity), making the Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House, and fasting in Ramadan. [Bukhari and Muslim]
4: On the authority of Abu Abdur-Rahman Abdullah ibn Masud, who said: The Messenger of Allah* and he is the Truthful, the Believed, narrated to us: Verily the creation of each one of you is brought together in his mother's womb for forty days in the form of a nutfah (a drop), then he becomes an 'alaqah (clot of blood) for a like period, then a mudghah (morsel of flesh) for a like period, then there is sent to him the angel who blows his soul into him and who is commanded with four matters: to write down his rizq (sustenance), his life span, his actions, and whether he will be happy or unhappy (i.e. whether or not he will enter Paradise).
By the One, other than Whom there is no deity, verily one of you performs the actions of the people of Paradise until there is but an arms length between him and it, and that which has been written overtakes him, and so he acts with the actions of the people of the Hellfire and thus enters it; and verily one of you performs the actions of the people of the Hellfire, until there is but an arms length between him and it, and that which has been written overtakes him and so he acts with the actions of the people of Paradise and thus he enters it. [Bukhari and Muslim]
5: On the authority Aisha, who said: The Messenger of Allah* said: “He who innovates something in this matter of ours [i.e. Islam] that is not of it will have it rejected [by Allah]”. [Bukhari and Muslim]
In one version by Muslim it reads: He who does an act which we have not commanded, will have it rejected [by Allah].
6: On the authority of Abu Abdullah an-Numan, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah* say: That which is lawful is clear and that which is unlawful is clear, and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honour, but he who falls into doubtful matters [eventually] falls into that which is unlawful, like the shepherd who pastures around a sanctuary, all but grazing therein. Truly every king has a sanctuary, and truly Allah's sanctuary is His prohibitions. Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh, which, if it be whole, all the body is whole, and which, if it is diseased, all of [the body] is diseased. Truly, it is the heart. [Bukhari and Muslim]
7: On the authority of Tamim Al-Dari that the prophet said: "Religion is sincerity". We said: "To whom?" He said: "To Allah and His Book, and His messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk". [Muslim]
8: Abdullah bin Umer narrated that the messenger of Allah said: "I have been ordered to fight against people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammed is the messenger of Allah and until they perform the prayers and pay the zakat, and if they do so they will have gained protection from me for their lives and property, unless [they do acts that are punishable] in accordance with Islam, and their reckoning will be with Allah the Almighty." [Bukhari and Muslim]
9: On the authority of Abu Hurairah, who said: I heard the messenger of Allah say: "What I have forbidden to you, avoid; what I have ordered you [to do], do as much of it as you can. It was only their excessive questioning and their disagreeing with their prophets that destroyed those who were before you." [Bukhari and Muslim]
10: On the authority of Abu Hurairah, who said: the messenger of Allah said: "Allah the Almighty is good and accepts only that which is good. Allah has commanded the faithful to do that which he commanded the messengers, and the Almighty has said: "O ye messengers! Eat of the good things and do right". And Allah the Almighty has said: "O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you". Then he mentioned [the case of] a man who, having journeyed far, is dishevelled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the sky [saying]: "O Lord! O Lord!" - while his food is unlawful, his drink unlawful, his clothing unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can he be answered!" [Muslim]
Seerah of Muhammed*
The Death of Abu Jahl: Some possible reasons why Abu Jahl was killed in Battle
A short explanation from Ibn Kathir as to why Allah may have ensured Abu Jahl died at Badr. Abu Jahl's death came about at the hands of two youth of ansar and then finished off by a former shepherd and son of a slave so as to 'satisfy the hearts/breasts of the believers'. It would be easy for Allah to strike down the enemies of Islam by a bolt of lightning or a roof falling on them, or in their sleep - but Allah chose the death to occur by the believers. Not relying on strength or training, but on taqwa and conviction. There may be an element of revenge following the years of persucution and the exile the Muslims had to face, but this outcome was the most favourable for the Muslims. This brought a sense of contentment to the Muslims in Medina.
What happened to the nobles in the well (Kulaib)
Dispute of the Spoils of war (Ghanima)
The peace and quiet of the camp was soon broken by voices raised in anger, for those who had stayed behind to guard the Prophet demanded a share of the booty, and those who had pursued the enemy and captured men and armour and weapons were unwilling to give up what their own hands had taken. But before the Prophet had time to restore harmony by ordering an equitable distribution of all that had been captured, the desired effect was achieved more simply and more immediately by a Revelation: “They will question thee concerning the spoils of war. Say: The spoils of war are for God and the messenger,” So the Prophet ordered that everything that had been taken, including the captives, should be brought together and no longer be considered as the private property of any individual. The order was at once obeyed without question. This was a new situation as the Muslims had never before had any spoils of war as this was the first real fighting between the Muslims and non-Muslims. Hence, Allah sent down revelation to clarify the situation for the believers.
Allah also went on to say in Surah Anfal (which was revealed following Badr): “So fear Allah and amend that which is between you, and obey Allah and His Messenger if you should be believers”. Hence, this ayah is telling the Mujahideen (fighters in Jihad) that they should have taqwa, unity and discipline and obedience to the leader if they want to succeed. The spoils of war are then divided into fifths: 20% going to “to Allah, and to the Messenger, and to the near relatives [of the Messenger], (and also) the orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor) and the wayfarer.” The remaining 80% were divided amongst the fighters with 3 portions/shares to the cavalry and 1 portion/share to the infantry.
News Topic
Rising tension between North and South Korea
TMQ: Translation to the nearest meaning of the Qur’an
Hadith:
Everyone discussed their favourite from the first 10 of Nawawi's 40 Hadith. These are listed below:
1: On the authority of Umar ibn al-Khattab, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah* say: "Actions are but by intentions and every man shall have only that which he intended. Thus he whose migration (Hijrah to Madina from Mecca) was for Allah and His Messenger, his migration was for Allah and His Messenger, and he whose migration was to achieve some worldly benefit or to take some woman in marriage, his migration was for that for which he migrated." [Bukhari and Muslim]
2: Also on the authority of Umar ibn al-Khattab, who said: One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah* there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no signs of journey were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He walked up and sat down in front of the Prophet*, with his knees touching against the Prophet's* and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs he said: “O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.”
The Messenger of Allah* said: “Islam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to perform prayers, to give zakah, to fast in Ramadan, and to make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to do so.” He said: “You have spoken rightly”; and we were amazed at him asking him and saying that he had spoken rightly.
He (the man) said: “Tell me about Iman.” He* said: “It is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in divine destiny (qadr), both the good and the evil of it.” He said: “You have spoken rightly.”
He (the man) said: “Then tell me about Ihsan.” He* said: “It is to worship Allah as though you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then (knowing that) truly He sees you.”
He said: “Then tell me about the Hour.” He said: “The one questioned about it knows no better than the questioner.”
He said: “Then tell me about its signs.” He* said: “That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, and that you will see barefooted, naked destitute shepherds competing in constructing lofty buildings.”
Then he (the man) left, and I stayed for a time. The he* said: “O `Umar, do you know who the questioner was?” I said: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He* said: “It was Jibreel, who came to teach you your religion.” [Muslim]
3: On the authority of Abu Abdur-Rahman `Abdullah, the son of Umar ibn al-Khattab, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah* say: Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the salah (prayer), paying the zakah (obligatory charity), making the Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House, and fasting in Ramadan. [Bukhari and Muslim]
4: On the authority of Abu Abdur-Rahman Abdullah ibn Masud, who said: The Messenger of Allah* and he is the Truthful, the Believed, narrated to us: Verily the creation of each one of you is brought together in his mother's womb for forty days in the form of a nutfah (a drop), then he becomes an 'alaqah (clot of blood) for a like period, then a mudghah (morsel of flesh) for a like period, then there is sent to him the angel who blows his soul into him and who is commanded with four matters: to write down his rizq (sustenance), his life span, his actions, and whether he will be happy or unhappy (i.e. whether or not he will enter Paradise).
By the One, other than Whom there is no deity, verily one of you performs the actions of the people of Paradise until there is but an arms length between him and it, and that which has been written overtakes him, and so he acts with the actions of the people of the Hellfire and thus enters it; and verily one of you performs the actions of the people of the Hellfire, until there is but an arms length between him and it, and that which has been written overtakes him and so he acts with the actions of the people of Paradise and thus he enters it. [Bukhari and Muslim]
5: On the authority Aisha, who said: The Messenger of Allah* said: “He who innovates something in this matter of ours [i.e. Islam] that is not of it will have it rejected [by Allah]”. [Bukhari and Muslim]
In one version by Muslim it reads: He who does an act which we have not commanded, will have it rejected [by Allah].
6: On the authority of Abu Abdullah an-Numan, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah* say: That which is lawful is clear and that which is unlawful is clear, and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honour, but he who falls into doubtful matters [eventually] falls into that which is unlawful, like the shepherd who pastures around a sanctuary, all but grazing therein. Truly every king has a sanctuary, and truly Allah's sanctuary is His prohibitions. Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh, which, if it be whole, all the body is whole, and which, if it is diseased, all of [the body] is diseased. Truly, it is the heart. [Bukhari and Muslim]
7: On the authority of Tamim Al-Dari that the prophet said: "Religion is sincerity". We said: "To whom?" He said: "To Allah and His Book, and His messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk". [Muslim]
8: Abdullah bin Umer narrated that the messenger of Allah said: "I have been ordered to fight against people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammed is the messenger of Allah and until they perform the prayers and pay the zakat, and if they do so they will have gained protection from me for their lives and property, unless [they do acts that are punishable] in accordance with Islam, and their reckoning will be with Allah the Almighty." [Bukhari and Muslim]
9: On the authority of Abu Hurairah, who said: I heard the messenger of Allah say: "What I have forbidden to you, avoid; what I have ordered you [to do], do as much of it as you can. It was only their excessive questioning and their disagreeing with their prophets that destroyed those who were before you." [Bukhari and Muslim]
10: On the authority of Abu Hurairah, who said: the messenger of Allah said: "Allah the Almighty is good and accepts only that which is good. Allah has commanded the faithful to do that which he commanded the messengers, and the Almighty has said: "O ye messengers! Eat of the good things and do right". And Allah the Almighty has said: "O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you". Then he mentioned [the case of] a man who, having journeyed far, is dishevelled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the sky [saying]: "O Lord! O Lord!" - while his food is unlawful, his drink unlawful, his clothing unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can he be answered!" [Muslim]
Seerah of Muhammed*
The Death of Abu Jahl: Some possible reasons why Abu Jahl was killed in Battle
A short explanation from Ibn Kathir as to why Allah may have ensured Abu Jahl died at Badr. Abu Jahl's death came about at the hands of two youth of ansar and then finished off by a former shepherd and son of a slave so as to 'satisfy the hearts/breasts of the believers'. It would be easy for Allah to strike down the enemies of Islam by a bolt of lightning or a roof falling on them, or in their sleep - but Allah chose the death to occur by the believers. Not relying on strength or training, but on taqwa and conviction. There may be an element of revenge following the years of persucution and the exile the Muslims had to face, but this outcome was the most favourable for the Muslims. This brought a sense of contentment to the Muslims in Medina.
What happened to the nobles in the well (Kulaib)
The outcome of the battle was as rout for the Mushrikeen (polytheists) and a clear victory for the Muslims. Fourteen Muslims were killed, of whom six were from the Emigrants (Muhajir) and eight from the Helpers (Ansar). The polytheists sustained heavy casualties, seventy were killed and a like number taken prisoners. Many of the principal men of Mecca
On the third day, the Messenger of Allah* went out to look at the slain polytheists in the well, and started to call them by name and by the names of their fathers, saying: "What an evil tribe you were as regards your Prophet, you belied me but the others have believed; you let me down while the others have supported me; you expelled me, whereas the others have sheltered me. Would it not have been much better for you if you had obeyed Allah and His Messenger? Behold, we have found that our Lord’s promise do come true; did you (also) find that the promises of your Lord came true?" Thereupon, ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab said: "O Messenger of Allah! Why you speak to bodies that have no souls in them and are decomposing?" The Prophet* answered: "By Him in Whose hand is Muhammad’s soul! You do not hear better what I am saying than they do." This was a miracle to add to the punishment of the Quraish.
Dispute of the Spoils of war (Ghanima)
The peace and quiet of the camp was soon broken by voices raised in anger, for those who had stayed behind to guard the Prophet demanded a share of the booty, and those who had pursued the enemy and captured men and armour and weapons were unwilling to give up what their own hands had taken. But before the Prophet had time to restore harmony by ordering an equitable distribution of all that had been captured, the desired effect was achieved more simply and more immediately by a Revelation: “They will question thee concerning the spoils of war. Say: The spoils of war are for God and the messenger,” So the Prophet ordered that everything that had been taken, including the captives, should be brought together and no longer be considered as the private property of any individual. The order was at once obeyed without question. This was a new situation as the Muslims had never before had any spoils of war as this was the first real fighting between the Muslims and non-Muslims. Hence, Allah sent down revelation to clarify the situation for the believers.
Allah also went on to say in Surah Anfal (which was revealed following Badr): “So fear Allah and amend that which is between you, and obey Allah and His Messenger if you should be believers”. Hence, this ayah is telling the Mujahideen (fighters in Jihad) that they should have taqwa, unity and discipline and obedience to the leader if they want to succeed. The spoils of war are then divided into fifths: 20% going to “to Allah, and to the Messenger, and to the near relatives [of the Messenger], (and also) the orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor) and the wayfarer.” The remaining 80% were divided amongst the fighters with 3 portions/shares to the cavalry and 1 portion/share to the infantry.
News Topic
Rising tension between North and South Korea
There have been numerous incidents across the border between the two Koreas in recent months and there is a sense of rising tension and war could break out. With North Korea having nuclear weapons, there is a chance of a conflict becoming a serious issue for all peoples.
As Muslims, we should take interest in what is happening around the world. War should always be the last resort - only after all other attempts have been used. This is not what happened with the recent Iraq war. War usually tends to be evil - with soldiers and non-fighters often dying. It shatters lives and ruins countries and in recent conflicts - it is the ordinary civilian that pays the price. Islam has strict rules about war and only fighting for the sake of Allah is allowed.
Homework from 28 November 2010:
1. Discuss the reaction in Medina to the news of the great victory at Badr. Some people welcomed it whilst others didn't....
2. What do you understand from the next (number 11) of Nawawi's 40 Hadith: On the authority of Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, the grandson of the Messenger of Allah*, and the one much loved by him, who said: I memorised from the Messenger of Allah*: Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt. [at-Tirmidhi and an-Nasai]
3. News Topics from this week: Any interesting news articles from the week that relate to Islam or the Muslims? Bring a clipping or print out if you can...
As Muslims, we should take interest in what is happening around the world. War should always be the last resort - only after all other attempts have been used. This is not what happened with the recent Iraq war. War usually tends to be evil - with soldiers and non-fighters often dying. It shatters lives and ruins countries and in recent conflicts - it is the ordinary civilian that pays the price. Islam has strict rules about war and only fighting for the sake of Allah is allowed.
Homework from 28 November 2010:
1. Discuss the reaction in Medina to the news of the great victory at Badr. Some people welcomed it whilst others didn't....
2. What do you understand from the next (number 11) of Nawawi's 40 Hadith: On the authority of Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, the grandson of the Messenger of Allah*, and the one much loved by him, who said: I memorised from the Messenger of Allah*: Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt. [at-Tirmidhi and an-Nasai]
3. News Topics from this week: Any interesting news articles from the week that relate to Islam or the Muslims? Bring a clipping or print out if you can...
