Read Islamic Books

By Khalid Baig

(Author’s Request: Please turn off your television set as you read this article.)

Television has spread like a wild fire in the world, including the Muslim world. It seems to have overcome the limitations of space and time.

Consider place. In Saudi Arabia, one can find the imprints of Hollywood only a few yards away from the Haram, the most sacred of all sanctuaries of Islam. Videocassettes are easily available at stores. A hotel attendant, at a walking distance from the Haram al-Sharif in Makkah can be found busy watching English movies on the television in his office even as the prayers are going on. At the Jeddah airport, the Umrah pilgrims can watch a European beauty contest courtesy of an Egyptian TV channel being broadcast to the airport television sets.  Read more... (2604 words, estimated 10:25 mins reading time)

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam), one day delivered an address and in this address he praised some Muslims. Then he said, “How is that some people do not help their neighbors, in developing and understanding of religion and do not teach them religion and do not apprise them of the admonitory aspect of remaining ignorant of religion and do not restrain them from evil doings and how is that, that people do not learn religion from their neighbors and do not develop an understanding of religion and do not ascertain the consequences of remaining ignorant of religion. I swear by ALLAH, it is incumbent on people (Muslims) to impart religion reaching to their neighbors, to develop understanding of religion in them, to tender advice to them and to tell them good things. Even the people (Muslims) should necessarily learn religion from their neighbors, should develop an understanding of religion and should follow their counsels. [Tibrani, Ma’ariful Hadis]  Read more... (523 words, estimated 2:06 mins reading time)

Hadrat Abdullah bin Masud (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that the Messenger of ALLAH said,

“If through fear of ALLAH tears, even to the extent of a fly’s head, fall from any believer’s eyes and drop on some part of his cheek, he will be kept away from hell by ALLAH.

[lbn Majah, Ma’arif-ul-Hadis]

The Straight Path has been laid out. Our job is only to follow it, not to try to discover new paths.

By Khalid Baig

Once some Jewish scholars said to Sayyidna Umar bin Khattab, Radi-Allahu unhu, “The Qur’an contains a verse that if it had been revealed to us, we would have designated a day to celebrate its revelation.” Upon enquiry they mentioned the verse: “This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” [Al-Maida 5:3] “Yes, I know, the time and place when it was revealed,” he replied.  Read more... (1030 words, 3 images, estimated 4:07 mins reading time)

In a lengthy tradition, Hadrat Abu Sa’d al-Kudri narrated that one day, the Messenger of ALLAH came to the mosque from his home for performing Salaah and he saw people looking as if they were bursting into laughter (in the mosque) (and this was the sign of excessive carelessness). So the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said (for their guidance), “If you were to keep much in remembrance death which is the cutter-off of pleasures it would distract you from what I see. So keep death much in remembrance. [Jam-e-Tirmiz, Ma’arif-ul-Hadis]  Read more... (219 words, estimated 53 secs reading time)

Hadrat Jabir (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that the Messenger of ALLAH passed by a dead kid whose ears had been cut off. He said, “Who would like to exchange it for a dirham. The hearers said, (“Not to speak of a dirham) we would not like to have it even for the meanest thing. “The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, “By ALLAH, the world is more contemptible than what this is for you. [Muslim, Hayat-ul-Muslemin]  Read more... (612 words, estimated 2:27 mins reading time)

By Nakata Khaula

Do Muslim Women Have Rights?

Anyone whose sole source of knowledge about Islam has been the Western media, “knows” that Islam “oppresses” women. The hijab or veil, is the symbol of such “oppression.” To “liberate” Muslim women from such “oppression” has been the cherished goal of media pundits, Western “experts” on Islam, and the feminists.  Read more... (3577 words, estimated 14:18 mins reading time)

While seeing off Hadrat Mu’az bin Jabal after having appointed him as Qazi / Governor, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) gave him a few counsels and made bequests. He said to him:

O Mu’az! I may not be able to meet you after this year of my life…”

On hearing this Hadrat Mu’az began to weep due to shock of separation. The Messenger of ALLAH then turned his face from him and looking towards Madina said. (probably he himself was visibly moved and deeply impressed)  Read more... (122 words, estimated 29 secs reading time)

Hadrat Amr-bin-al-as (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated: The Messenger of ALLAH (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) delivered a sermon one day. In it he said, “Listen and remember that this world is temporary and momentary deal which is ready and available for the time being (it has no real worth or value). So everyone, good or bad, has a share in it and all are fed by it. Believe it firmly that the Day of Reckoning will come at its appointed time. This is an inevitable fact and on this day the Almighty Sovereign will decree reward or punishment to all (according to their deeds).  Read more... (186 words, estimated 45 secs reading time)

Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months about which the Holy Quran says, “The number of the months according to Allah is twelve (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on the day He created heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve months) there are four sanctified.”

These four months, according to the authentic traditions, are Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the commentators of the Holy Quran are unanimous on this point, because the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, in his sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj, declared: “One year consists of twelve months, of which four are sanctified months, three of them are in sequence; Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab.”  Read more... (1702 words, estimated 6:48 mins reading time)