Do you Love reading your horoscope?

Say NO to THIS

Not only is the practice of astrology Haram, but also visiting an astrologist and listening to his predictions, buying books on astrology or reading one’s horoscope are also forbidden! Since astrology is mainly used for predicting the future, those who practice it are considered fortune-tellers. Consequently, one who seeks his horoscope comes under the ruling contained in the Prophet’s Sallaahu Alayhi wa salam statement: "The Salah (daily prayer) of whoever approaches a fortune-teller and asks him about anything will not be accepted for forty days and nights." (Sahih Muslim), vol. 4, p. 1211, no. 5440).]

The punishment in this Hadeeth is simply for approaching and asking the astrologist, even if one is in doubt about the truth of his statements. If one is in doubt about the truth or falsehood of astrological information, he is in doubt about whether or not others know the unseen and the future besides Allah. This is a form of Shirk because Allah has clearly stated:

"With Him are the keys to the unseen and none knows it except Him" [Soorah al-An`aa,m 6:59]

"Say: None in the heavens or earth knows the unseen except Allaah." [Soorah an-Naml 27:65]

If, however, one believes in the predictions of their horoscope, whether spoken by an astrologist or written in books of astrology, he falls directly into Kufr (disbelief) as stated by the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) "Whoever approaches an oracle or fortune-teller and believes in what he says, has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad." (Sunan Abu Dawud vol. 3, p. 1095, no. 3895).]  

Like the previous Hadeeth, this Hadeeth literally refers to the fortune-teller but it is just as applicable to the astrologist. Both claim knowledge of the future. The astrologist’s claim is just as opposed to Tawheed as the ordinary fortune-teller. He claims that people’s personalities are determined by the stars, and their future actions and the events of their lives are written in the stars. The ordinary fortune-teller claims that the formation of tea leaves at the bottom of a cup, or lines in a palm tell him the same thing. In both cases individuals claim the ability to read in the physical formation of created objects knowledge of the unseen.

Belief in astrology and the casting of horoscopes are in clear opposition to the letter and spirit of Islam. It is really the empty soul, which has not tasted real Eemaan (belief) that seeks out these paths. Essentially these paths, represent a vain attempt to escape Qadar (fate). The ignorant believe that if they know what is in store for them tomorrow, they can prepare from today. In that way they may avoid the bad and ensure the good. Yet, Allah’s messenger was told by Allah to say: "If I knew the unseen, I would surely have only sought the good. But, I am only a warner and a bearer of glad tidings for believers." [Al-Qur'an Soorah al-A`raaf 7:188]

True Muslims are therefore obliged to stay far away from these areas. Thus, rings, chains, etc., which have the signs of the Zodiac on them should not be worn, even if one does not believe in them. They are part and parcel of a fabricated system which propagates Kufr and should be done away with entirely. No believing Muslim should ask another what his sign is, or attempt to guess his sign. Nor should he or she read horoscope columns in newspapers or listen to them read. And, any Muslim who allows astrological predictions to determine his actions, should seek Allah’s forgiveness and renew his Islam.


* In Our Race To Jannah, we can not let something so silly as reading a false prediction take us away from the straight path so let us be more focus on where we are headed...
Allahu A'alam




Source  Al-Hidaayah Foundation

PURIFY YOURSELF: GIVE CHARITY

"Spend (in charity) out of the sustenance that We have bestowed on you before that time when death will come to someone, and he shall say: "O my Lord! If only you would grant me reprieve for a little while, then I would give in charity, and be among the righteous." - (The Holy Quran, 63:10) 

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once had several coins that he asked his wife to distribute in charity. But due to the Prophet's illness at the time, she did not have an opportunity to give out the coins. When the Prophet learned of this, he asked for the coins, placed them in his hand, and then said: "What would Allah's Prophet think if he were to meet God, who is Great and Glorious, while (still) possessing these?" - (Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 586)

The Prophet also said: "Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity." - (Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 589) 

The Importance of charity

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The believer's shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity." - (Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 604)

The Prophet also said: "Every act of goodness is charity." - (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 496)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Every Muslim has to give in charity." The people then asked: "(But what) if someone has nothing to give, what should he do?" The Prophet replied: "He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns)." The people further asked: "If he cannot find even that?" He replied: "He should help the needy who appeal for help." Then the people asked: "If he cannot do (even) that?" The Prophet said finally: "Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil deeds, and that will be regarded as charitable deeds."- (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 524)

Even a Smile is charity

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Charity is prescribed for each descendant of Adam every day the sun rises." He was then asked: "From what do we give charity every day?" The Prophet answered: "The doors of goodness are many...enjoining good, forbidding evil, removing harm from the road, listening to the deaf, leading the blind, guiding one to the object of his need, hurrying with the strength of one's legs to one in sorrow who is asking for help, and supporting the feeble with the strength of one's arms--all of these are charity prescribed for you." He also said: "Your smile for your brother is charity." - (Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 98) 

Charity saves and purifies 

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Save yourself from hellfire by giving even half a date-fruit in charity." - (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 498)

 A man once said to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): "I have plenty of property, a large family, a great deal of money, and I am a gracious host to my guests. Tell me how to conduct my life and how to spend (my money)." The Prophet replied: "Give (regular charity) out of your property, for truly it is a purifier, and be kind to your relatives and acknowledge the rights of the poor, neighbors and (those in need who seek your help)." - (Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 3) 

The best form of Charity

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Shall I guide you to the best (form of) charity? It is to provide for your daughter when she (returns) to you (because of divorce or other circumstances) and has no one but you to provide for her." - Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1296 

"They ask you (O Muhammad) what they should spend in charity. Say: 'Whatever you spend with a good heart, give it to parents, relatives, orphans, the helpless, and travellers in need. Whatever good you do, God is aware of it.'" - (The Holy Quran, 2:215)

In our Race to Jannah let's make sure we give out what is due to others because the hands that give are always better than those who receive. And remember Allah's promise

For those who give in charity, men and women, and loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan, it shall be increased manifold (to their credit), and they shall have (besides) a liberal reward.” (Qur’an 57:18)

Allahu A'alam!

The Merits of making Du'aa

Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an: "When my servants ask you concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me." [2:186] The place of duaa is so high to Allah, that the Prophet  Sal Allahu Alayhi wa salam had said: "Nothing is more honourable to Allah the Most High than du`a." [Sahih al-Jami.5268].  He also said: "The most excellent worship is du'a." [Sahih Al-Jami 1133]; and in order to warn those who are arrogant, or careless in making dua, the Prophet said: "The most incapable person is the one who does not make du`a, and the most miserly person is the one who does not give salaam."  [Sahih Al-Jami no. 1055], and further, said: "If one does not ask Allah, He will get angry with him."  [Sahih al-Jami` no.2414]  Allah is the Glorious and the Mighty, the answerer of every person in need and every person with a request. Indeed Allah is free of all wants, and He is answerable to no one. We have no other god, but Him, whilst He has many servants other than us. Indeed Allah has revealed:  "O mankind! It is you who stand in need of Allah, but Allah is Rich (Free of all wants and needs), Worthy of All Praise." [Qur'an 35:15] So to fulfill our needs and wants, we must call on Him. Making Du'a to Allah, is a recognition of our weakness and His greatness. The Prophet Sall allahu alayhi wa salam had said: "Ask Allah for everything, even the lace of your shoes. If Allah does not provide, it will never be available."  [Ibn al-Sunni, no. 349 Tirmidhi 4/298 ]  And let not there be anyone who says: "... my Lord won't answer my prayer, because of this and that.. or because of so and so..". No! Indeed Allah is the Most Generous King. Is there anyone who met a king, and praised and glorified him, and then asked, yet the request was not granted? So what about Allah, the King of the Heavens and the Earth - who has total control over your life, your wealth and your future. Why would He not grant you your request? Indeed, our beloved Prophet (May peace and blessing be upon him) had said: "Verily your Lord is the One modest and Generous, and when His servant raises his hands to Him in supplication, He is diffident (in some wordings, shy or hesitant) from returning them empty."  [Ahmad, Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]  Any Muslim who makes a supplication containing nothing which is sinful or which involves breaking of ties of relationship will be given for it by Allah one of three things: 1) He will give him what he had asked, at that same time. 2) He will store it up for him in the next world. 3) He will turn away from him an equivalent amount of evil (Ahmad 1145/102) Still, in our Race to Jannah let us never get tired of making dua to Allah Subhannaha Wa Taala for everything inshaAllah.

When Backiting is really not backbiting....huh

In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful.

 We all know the ills of backbiting and the clear warnings of Allah The All Mighty in these words:"O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful." (Surat Al-hujarat 49:12).

And we Also know that the Prophet (May Peace Be Upon Him.) defined backbiting as: "You mention your brother with something that he hates." 

Backibiting is usually a result of being envious or hateful to others and its cure is to have fear in Allah and to make sincere repentance to Him.

 Today we will talk about the  five exceptions that make backbiting... not backbiting.

1.A person who was unjustly treated. 

He can go to who is in position to remove the unjustness, like a judge or leader, and talk about how the other person took away his rights. Because the people cannot preserve their rights except this way. This is not backbiting because Allah (Subhana Wa Ta'ala.) said: "Allah does not like that the evil should be uttered in public except by him to whom injustice has been done." (Surat An-Nisa’ 148)

Also reported by Imam Bukhari that the prophet (May Peace be upon him) said, "Not paying a loan back, when able to do so, allows a person, the loaner to mention it publicly, and the lender be punished." 

The point here, then, is that complaining to whom is in position to remove the unjustness, is not considered backbiting.

2. Asking for fatwah, (an Islamic legal opinion) from a person with knowledge.

In such a request, he might mention things that happened between him and somebody else. Some of the things might not be good. But, Islam allows you to mention them as long as your intention is to know the hukum, (legal Islamic ruling) in those matters. The proof comes in the following of the prophets tradition, reported by Imams Bukhari and Muslim that Hind, the wife of Abu-Sofian said to the prophet, "Abo-Sofian is a stingy man, and he does not spend enough money on me and my child; except if I take from his money without his knowledge. The Prophet (May Peace be upon Him) told her, "Take what is enough for you and your child, with fairness." In this narration, Hind mentioned Abu-Sofian, her husband, in a bad manner as a stingy man, yet the Prophet (May Peace be upon Him.) allowed it.

3. Advising the Muslims about what is good for them in their daily life. 

For example, if somebody asks you about a man or women whom he intends to marry or is a partner in business. You are required to tell what you know about him in terms of his suitability for what you are asked about.

Imam Bukhari reported , that Fatemah, daughter of Ques came to the Prophet (May Peace Be Upon him.) and said, "Abo-Jahm and Moa’weyah both proposed to marry me who should I accept?" The prophet (may peace be upon him) replied that, "Moa’weah is a poor man, and Abo-Jahm beats his woman." In this tradition, the Prophet mentioned something that the two men hated to be mentioned; yet he said it because he was trusted for an advice.

4. Warning Muslims and raising up their awareness of the enemies of Islam, especially if the enemies are from inside, such as they might be Muslims but they work, think, and plan against Islam. The proof comes from the prophet’s tradition, reported by Imams Bukhari and Muslim, that a man asked for permission to enter to see the prophet (May Peace be upon Him). He said, "Let him come in. What evil, he is." (That person was a Muslim, but he’s not a good person). The Prophet (May peace be Upon him.) said so, to warn the Muslims around him from that man. 

Imam Bukhari also reported that the Prophet (May peace be upon him.) said about two persons mentioning their names, "I do not think that those two persons know anything about our dean". He means that they are hypocrites, who show Islam, yet hide their unbelief.

The point then, is we are allowed to tell about the enemies of Islam.

5. Identify someone as the blind, deaf, mute, and handicapped person. 

The objective is not to put him down, but only to identify him as he is known. However, if we can avoid mentioning his handicap, and finding other ways to identify him, such as his name, then this would be better.

In our Race to Jannah, let’s be careful and watch our tongues from any backbiting. 

Indeed the tongues are one of the main reasons that make many people to enter the Hell Fire.


Allahu A'alam!!!

source:

Subul As-Salaam 4 Volume page 553-554 Maktabatu Ma'aarif, it's found in Imam al Nawawi's Riyad al Saliheen in the chapter of backbiting.

Not going to Hajj? Get closer to Allah in these Blessed Days of Dhul Hijjah

The Blessed Days of Dhul Hijjah

In what follows, we will highlight some of the Sunnah regarding these days, hoping by this to provide an incentive to make the best out of them and gain Allah’s reward, insha’ Allah.

Righteous actions in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

"There are no days in which righteous deeds are dearer to Allah than these ten [days of Dhul Hijjah]." They said, "O Messenger, even jihad in the way of Allah? " He said, "Not even jihad in the way of Allah, except for the man who leaves with his wealth, and does not return with any of it (life or wealth)." [al-Bukhari].

All good deeds can be done during these days and the early generations of Muslims used to exert themselves excessively in worshipping Allah. In particular, fasting and dhikr (mentioning and remembering Allaah) are to be done in plenty on these days.


Dhikr

Ibn Abbas commented on the verse "…and to mention Allah’s name [plentifully] on Known days" [22:28] by saying: "…these known days are the ten days [of Dhul Hijjah]." [Tafseer ibn Katheer]

Fasting

One of the wives of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa salam, said: "Allah’s Messenger used to fast the (first) nine days of Dhul Hijjah, the day of Ashora, and three days of each month. [Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood #2129]

Fasting on all these days, however, is not a wajib (compulsory), nor is it a constant sunnah that the Messenger, sallallaahu alayhi wa salam, never dropped. Aishah said: "I never saw the Messenger, sallalahu alayhi wa salam, fast the ten days." [Muslim Book #006, Hadith #B2645]

The Day of Arafah - The Best Day of the Whole Year

The day of Arafah is the day when the pilgrims stand in worship on the Mountain of Arafah.

"Fasting the day of Arafah expiates the [minor] sins of two years: a past one and a coming one. And fasting the day of Ashora expiates the sins of the past year." [Muslim]

"There is no day on which Allah azza wa jall frees people from the Fire as He does on the day of Arafah. He comes close (to those standing on `Arafah) and then revels before His angels, saying: "What are these people seeking?" [Muslim]

The Day of  Eid al-Adha

The tenth of Dhul-Hijjah is Eid ul-Adha or the day of an-Nahr (slaughtering). It marks the conclusion of the major rites of Hajj, and commemorates Allah’s bounty on His Messenger Ibrahim, when He gave him a ram to sacrifice as ransom for his son Ismael, alayhimassalam.

"The day of al-Fitr [i.e. Eid ul-Fitr], the day of an-Nahr, and the days of Tashreeq are Eid days for us Muslims. They are days of eating and drinking." [Ahmad, an-Nasae, Saheeh ul-Jaami #8192]


Allahu Aalam!

7 reasons why Read the Qu'ran

1. Inimitable

It dares you to disprove it. How? It says that humans cannot write a book like this even if they pooled all their resources together and got help also from the spirits. The Quran said this fourteen hundred years ago and yet no one has been able to disprove it. Billions of books have been written-but not another one like the Quran.

2. Incorruptible

It is the only religious sacred writing that has been in circulation for such a long time and yet remains as pure as it was in the beginning. The Quran was kept intact. Nothing was added to it; nothing was changed in it; and nothing was taken away from it ever since its revelation was completed 1400 years ago.

3. Unsurpassable

The Quran is Allah's final revelation to humankind. Allah revealed the Torah to Moses (AS), the Psalms to David(AS), the Gospel to Jesus(AS), and finally the Quran to Muhammad ( Peace and Blessing upon him). Peace be upon Moses, David, Jesus and Muhammad. No other book will come from God to surpass His final revelation.

4. Indisputable

The Quran withstands the test of time and scrutiny. No one can dispute the truth of this book. It speaks about past history and turns out right. It speaks about the future in prophecies and it turns out right. It mentions details of physical phenomena which were not known to people at the time; yet later scientific discoveries prove that the Quran was right all along. Every other book needs to be revised to accord with modern knowledge. The Quran alone is never contradicted by a newly discovered scientific fact.

5. Your Roadmap for Life and Afterlife

The Quran is the best guidebook on how to structure your life. No other book presents such a comprehensive system involving all aspects of human life and endeavor. The Quran also points out the way to secure everlasting happiness in the afterlife. It is your roadmap showing how to get to Paradise.

6. God's Gift of Guidance

Allah has not left you alone. You were made for a reason. Allah tells you why he made you, what he demands from you and what he has in store for you. If you operate a machine contrary to its manufacturer's specification you will ruin that machine. What about you? Do you have an owner's manual for yourself? The Qur'an is from your Maker. It is a gift for you to make sure you function for success, lest you fail to function.

It is a healing from God. It satisfies the soul, and cleans the heart. It removes doubts and brings peace.

7. Your Calling Card to Communicate with your Lord

Humans are social creatures. We love to communicate with other intelligent life. The Quran tells us how to communicate with the source of all intelligence and the source of all life-the One God. The Quran tells us who God is, by what name we should address Him, and the way in which to communicate with Him.

How many verses have you read today??