Wednesday 22 June 2011

Lesson from Hadith #5

اذا كانوا ثلاثة فلا يتناجى اثنان دون الثّالث
“When there are three people, two should not converse together at the exclusion of the third.” (Adabul Mufrad: Hadith #1166 pg 722)

This is straight forward, two people should not exclude the third and speak because this will make him feel unwanted and lonely. Sometimes, two people sit together and begin a conversation in such a manner that the other feels that they are talking about him. The behaviour of a group of Muslims should be such that they make everybody feel wanted. In the modern day, this can also apply to the usage of mobile phones. For example, if two people are sitting and one of them gets a phone call, he should not have a half an hour discussion with the person on the phone and discard his friend in that period. Rather he should host the person whom he is with.

In the same manner, it is not permissible for a person who sees two people talking and then butts into their conversation. Once Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was speaking to a man privately when Sa’eed al Maqbari (may Allah have mercy upon him) entered upon them. Ibn Umar pushed him away and said, “When you see two men talk to each other, you should neither stand near them, nor should you sit there unless you have their permission to do so.

Wednesday 15 June 2011

Quran on iPhone (or any other smartphone)

The following has been taken from our sister site: Imaan Boost

Salaam,

I'm often asked by brothers for "The name of that app" when reciting the quran from my iPhone in the masjid.

It's not always easy to explain it as it's not as simple as that, so here I will explain how you can get it for yourself!

Firstly let me show you what it looks like:





and here's an actual screenshot taken with my iPhone:






..of course it works well on an iPad too, or any other smartphone/tablet device:






There are 2 simple steps really:

1. Get the pdf files.
2. View in a pdf reader on your device.

You can get the quran as a set of 30 pdf files from here.

Unzip the file to create a folder called Quran which has all the PDF files in it.

Then just get any app that can read PDF files from the app store.

I use "GoodReader". - Perhaps the best app on the iPhone in my opinion. It's not free though, so if you want a free PDF reader I would recommend "Files Lite"

You'll need to set up the app with your pc/mac to transfer files. It shouldn't be too difficult, just follow the instructions that come with the app.

Let me know if you have any probs.

Happy reading, and pass it on...

EDIT: I Have included surah yaseen + surah khaf inside the zipped folder

Friday 10 June 2011

Part 8 - Walking

When a student first begins his/her (Islamic) studies, the first thing which is taught to them is that they cannot expect to learn everything by simply reading a textbook. Many of the things which a student picks up comes from observing his teacher. Thus, when it comes to the time of graduating, a student has many sifaat (characteristics) which are incredibly similar to his teacher(s). This can be in the manner of dress, smiling, speaking, walking, talking and the list goes on. It is thus noticeable that those students who are extremely close to their teachers are the ones who are able to mirror their ways in totality and this is praiseworthy. So then what can be said in relation to the Sahabah radiallahu anhum who noted every movement and characteristic of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam? The reason they were so great was down to the fact that they spent their entire life reflecting the ways of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam. If you follow a great person then you too will become great.

With regards to the walking of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam; his movement was very swift and smooth. Hazrat Abu Hurayrah radiallahu anhu says, "I did not see anyone more handsome as Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam. It was as if the brightness of the sun had shone from his auspicious face. I did not see anyone walk faster than him, as if the earth folded for him. A few moments ago he would be here, and then there. We found it difficult to keep pace when we walked with him, and he walked at his normal pace." This hadith highlights a great lesson for us; many people loiter the streets so that they may be seen or walk in such a way that attracts attention. This was far from the ways of our beloved Nabi salallahu alayhi wasallam. His walk was immensely humble and he did not walk with his chest pushed outwards as many arrogant people do today. From reading the ahadith in relation to the walking of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam it can picked up that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam had a sense of calm to his walking, his body emitted a feeling of detachment from worldly interests.

Many people today like to take their time lingering up the road and enjoy having a good ogling session as they do so. Others like to stamp their feet to connote a sense of power and intimidation so that they can be observed and seen as people of dominance! Then there are some bechare, who like to walk up the street with a particular ‘bop’ and that is to make them look ‘gangster’. It is unfortunate that such characteristics have seeped into the lives of many Muslims! What makes it even worse is the fact that we have the example of the greatest man to have ever walked the earth (salallahu alayhi wasallam) yet we still remain heedless.

Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would lift his legs off the ground with vigour which would highlight that there is vitality in his body and he would not resort to dragging his legs on the ground. His head and shoulders would be slightly tipped forward and he would be swift in his movement. Those who saw him would say it is as if he was descending from a high place. The hadith mentioned above also highlighted that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would walk so quickly that if a person was to look away from him for a mere second, he would look back only to find Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam at a greater distance. This highlights the fact that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam didn’t hang around but he would get on with his business. In the other narrations it is mentioned that his eyes would be lowered and this too points towards the fact that he did not continuously stare at people. This is very beneficial for our times, we live in such a time that if we look at someone in the wrong way, it could result in a fight! May Allah Ta’ala protect us!

May Allah Ta’ala give us the ability to follow the Sunnah of our beloved Nabi salallahu alayhi wasallam meticulously. Ameen.

Friday 3 June 2011

Signs of Arrogance

Source: Ashrafiya

The arrogance (kibr) means that an individual considers himself superior to others regarding the excellent (and desired) qualities.

It is expected that when an individual has such an allusion about his grandeur the nafs bloats up and starts to manifest the signs (of kibr). They include,

1. Trying to be ahead of everyone while walking with others.

2. Preferring to be seated in a prominent place in a gathering.

3. Looking down on others with despise.

4. Being angry if others do not initiate to greet and welcome.

5. Being upset if others do not respect him/her.

6. Being visibly annoyed if others offer advice (nasiha).

7. Not accepting the truth even after being convinced.

8. Looking at the general public as though they are donkeys.

Allah save us all from these.(Amin!)

Taharat e qalb, page 165