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Early Islamic Society

Self-effacement became second nature with the Companions. Ibn-i-Omar tells that, “We have seen days when none of us had a greater claim on his wealth than his Muslim brother.”

Consequently, many events took place which joined the frontiers of kindliness with those of fellowship, and which carried fellowship to the heights of altruism and self-sacrifice. It is related by Ibn-i-Omar that “Once a Companion of the Holy Prophet received the head of a goat as a gift. Thinking that such-and-such a person had a greater need of it, he sent it to him. But he, too, thought the same and sent it to another friend. The head of the goat, thus, travelled from one person to another till after making a round of seven homes it came back to the Companion who had received it first.”  Read more... (1869 words, estimated 7:29 mins reading time)

Q. Are women allowed to participate in congregational prayer led by a male? if it is allowed where they should stand? Similarly, is it allowed for women to arrange their own congregational prayer led by a female and participated by women exclusively? If it is allowed, what shall be the arrangement of the rows? Please also mention whether such type of congregational prayer can be held in the mosque or in the home. If it is possible for women to participate in a congregational prayer held in a mosque, how should a women observe the injunctions relating to Hijab?
(Muhammad Hassan Chand, Karachi)  Read more... (825 words, estimated 3:18 mins reading time)

Dislike of Unnecessary Goods

The Prophet did not like, even for a short time, to keep money or provisions in his house in excess of his needs. In the same way, he did not allow the goods of charity which were the property of common people to remain with him for a moment. He would have no peace of mind till they had been given away.  Read more... (1606 words, estimated 6:25 mins reading time)

Zakat, which Islam has enjoined upon Muslims, marks the lowest limit of the expression of human sympathy, kindness and compassion. It is a duty, the disregard or violation of which is not in any circumstances tolerable to God. The Shariah is emphatic in its insistence upon its observance. It has prescribed it as an essential requirement of Faith for Muslims.

But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then they are your brethren (Al-Tawba:11)  Read more... (973 words, estimated 3:54 mins reading time)

Q. A non-Muslim studying Islamics at a university is writing a project on the Tablighi Jamaat. Since I got to know him because of this, he frequently asks a thing or two concerning his project. One question is this :
“As far as I know “Dhikr” is not used in the Tablighi Jamaat in the same sense as Sufis use it, who use it often for mystical and spiritual exercises to attain a state of ecstasy. What is meant by “Dhikr” in Tablighi Jamaat and what is the difference between “Dhikr” and the Prayer (Salah)?”  Read more... (1328 words, estimated 5:19 mins reading time)

Q. (a) “Why is du’a of qunoot prayed during the ‘Isha’ Prayers (specially in the Witr). There must be a reason behind it.”

(b) “Since du’a qunoot is a du’a, can we use it to pay it in other prayers i.e. after finishing Fajr prayer?”  Read more... (412 words, estimated 1:39 mins reading time)

Q. “Is it necessary that the khutbah of Jum’ah is given in Arabic language or can it be given in some other language also. Some people say that if it is given in a local language it may be more useful to the audience.”.
(Shabbir Ali, Toronto)

A. The Khutbah of Jum’ah is not essentially a lecture meant for the people. Rather, it is a part of the prayer of Jum’ah. It is evident that the numbers of Rak’at in a Zuhr Prayer is four. On the Day of Jum’ah, the number of Rak’at has been reduced to two only, and the remaining two Rak’ats have been substituted by a Khutbah, which is basically a form of dhikr (ritual recitation of Allah’s name), and by this name it has been referred to in the Holy Qur’an (Surah al’Jum’ah).  Read more... (250 words, estimated 1:00 mins reading time)

Gentlemen! In my previous six lectures I have trIed to prove in the light of sound, and authentic arguments that of all the great men who have served humanity, only the Prophets of Allah are the ones whose noble examples ought to be followed And the most perfect and complete life available to us today is that of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) which makes him the best and eternal role model for all mankind. Once we have shown that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the eternal and perfect model the question arises— what are his universal teachings that lead to eternal success? What message has he brought to the world and what are the essential features of that message for which the last of God’s Messengers was sent to this world? How did this Message modify & and complete the messages sent down through the earlier Prophets?  Read more... (7146 words, estimated 28:35 mins reading time)

Allah SWT says: “And do not help each other in sin and aggression. Fear Allah. Surely, Allah is severe at punishment. (Al-Maida 5:2)

If some shopkeepers design something special for this occasion, red dresses, arranging red roses, selling red and white things of all sorts, then this act of his is also assisting the evils of Valentine’s Day. But alas, today’s Muslim does this all just to earn a few more bucks. Money is important to him, but not his faith. For him progress of this world is significant, the Emaan of Muslims is not of any significance to him.  Read more... (300 words, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)

(1) The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) used to enter the privy putting his left foot forward, and to come out putting the right foot out. [Tirmizi]

(2) While entering the privy, he used to say: (‘O Allaah! I seek refuge in thee from the foul male and female devils)

(3) On coming out of Privy, he would say: (‘I seek thine forgiveness Praise be to ALLAH, who has removed harm from me and kept me in health) [Zad -ul- ma’ad, Tirmizi, Ibn Majah}

(4) When he sat down to answer a call of nature, he would not raise his garments until he was quite close to the ground. [Zad-ul Ma’ad]  Read more... (357 words, estimated 1:26 mins reading time)