A Love Story

This is the love story between Zainab bint Muhammad and Abu El'Ass ibn Rabee'; Zainab was the daughter of the Prophet (PBUH) and her cousin Abu El'Ass, was Khadeeja's (RA) nephew. He was one of the nobles of the Quraish, and the Prophet (SAW) loved him very much.

One day Abu El'Ass went to the Prophet (SAW) before he had received his mission of Prophethood and said: "I want to marry your eldest daughter". So the Prophet replied: "I must ask her first". He (SAW) went to Zainab and asked her: "Your cousin came to me and he wishes to marry you, do you accept him as your husband?" Her face turned red with bashfulness and she smiled.

So Zainab married Abu El'Ass, the beginning of a great love story. They had two children; Ali and Umema.

Then Muhammad became a Prophet while Abu El'Ass was away from Makkah. Abu El'Ass returned to find his wife a Muslim. When he first came back, his wife said "I have great news for you". He stood up and left her. Zainab was surprised and followed him as she said, "My father became a Prophet and I have become a Muslim". He replied, "Why didn't you tell me first?" Hence a big problem began between the two; a problem of religion and belief.

She told him, "I wasn't going to disbelieve in my father and his message, he is not a liar, and he is "The Honest and Trustworthy". I'm not the only believer; my mother and my sisters became Muslims, my cousin Ali ibn Abi Taleb became a Muslim, your cousin Othman ibn Affan became a Muslim, and your friend, Abu Bakr, became a Muslim".

He replied, "Well, as for me, I don't want people to say, 'he let down his people and his forefathers to please his wife'. And I am not accusing your father of anything". Then he said, "So will you excuse me and understand?" She replied, "Who will excuse and understand you if I don't? I will stay beside you and help you until you reach the truth." And she kept her word for 20 years.

Abu El'Ass remained an unbeliever, and then came the migration. Zainab went to her father and asked him for the permission to stay with her husband. The Prophet (SAW) replied, "Stay with your husband and children".

So Zainab stayed in Makkah, until the battle of Badr occurred. Abu El'Ass was to fight in the army of Quraish against the Muslims. For Zainab, it meant that her husband will be fighting her father, a time Zainab had always feared. She kept crying out: "O Allah, I fear one day the sun may rise and my children become orphans or I lose my father".

So the battle started, and ended in victory for the Muslims. Abu El'Ass was captured by the Muslims, and news of this reached Makkah. Zainab asked, "What did my father do?" They told her, "The Muslims won". So she prayed to Allah, thanking Him. Then she asked: "What did my husband do?" They said: "He was captured". She said, "I'll send a payment to release him". She didn't own anything of much value, so she took off her mother's necklace, and sent it with Abu El'Ass's brother to the Prophet.

While the Prophet (SAW) was sitting, taking payments and releasing captives, he saw Khadeeja's necklace. He held it up and asked: "Whose payment is this?" They said: "Abu El'Ass ibn Rabee". He cried and said "This is Khadeeja's necklace". As soon as the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saw that necklace, he had a feeling of extreme compassion and his heart palpitated for the great memory. The Companions who were present there gazed in amazement having being captivated by the magnificence of the situation.

After a long silence, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) stood up and said "People, this man is my in-law, should I release him? And do you accept the return of this necklace to my daughter?" They answered in unison "Yes, Messenger of Allah".

The Prophet (SAW) gave the necklace to Abu El'Ass and said to him: "Tell Zainab not to give away Khadeeja's necklace". Then he (SAW) said, "Abu El'Ass, Can we speak privately?" He took him aside and said, "Allah has ordered me to separate between a Muslim and a disbeliever, so could you return my daughter to me?" Abu El'Ass reluctantly agreed.

Zainab stood on the gates of Makkah waiting for the arrival of Abu El'Ass. When he finally came he said, "I am going away". She asked, "Where to?" He replied, "It is not me who is going, it is you. You are going to your father. We must separate because you are a Muslim". She implored him, "Will you become a Muslim and come with me?" But he refused.

So Zainab took her son and daughter and traveled to Madinah, and for 6 years she refused to remarry, hoping that one day Abu El'Ass would come.

After 6 years, Abu El'Ass was traveling in a caravan from Makkah to Syria. During the journey, he was intercepted by some of the Prophet's companions. He escaped and asked for Zainab's home. He knocked on her door shortly before the dawn prayer. She opened the door and asked him "Did you become a Muslim?" He whispered "No, I come as a fugitive". She implored him once more "Can you become a Muslim?" Again his answer was a negative. "Do not worry." She said, "Welcome my cousin, welcome, the father of Ali and Umema".

After the Prophet (SAW) prayed the dawn prayer in congregation with the people, they heard a voice from the back of the mosque, "I have freed Abu El'Ass ibn Rabee". Zainab had granted Abu El'Ass' freedom. The Prophet (SAW)asked, "Have you heard what I heard?" They all said, "Yes, Messenger of Allah". Zainab said, "He is my cousin and the father of my children and I have freed him". The Prophet (SAW) stood up and said, "O people, I declare that this man was a very good son-in-law, he never broke his promise, and neither did he tell lies. So if you accept, I will return his money back and let him go. If you refuse it's your decision and I will not blame you for it." The companions agreed, "We will give him his money". So the Prophet (SAW) said to Zainab, "We have freed the one you have freed, O Zainab." Then he (SAW) went to her and told her "be generous to him, he is your cousin and the father of your children, but don't let him get near you, he is prohibited for you." She replied, "Sure, father, I'll do as you say".

She went in and told her husband, "O Abu El'Ass, didn't you miss us at all? Won't you become a Muslim and stay with us?" But he refused. Abu El'Ass then took the money and returned to Makkah. Once he returned he stood up and announced, "O people, here is your money. Is there anything left?" They replied, "No, Abu El'Ass, there is nothing left, thanks a lot." So Abu El'Ass said, "I testify that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammed is His Messenger." Then he went back to Madinah and ran to the Prophet (SAW) as he said, "Dear Prophet, you freed me yesterday, and today I say that I testify there is no god but Allah and you are His Messenger." He asked the Prophet, "Will you give me the permission to go back to Zainab?" The Prophet (SAW) smiled and said, "Come with me"; he took him to Zainab's house and knocked on her door. The Prophet (SAW) said, "O Zainab, your cousin came to me and asked if he can return to you". Just like 20 years before, her face turned red with bashfulness and she smiled.

The sad thing was, a year after this incident, Zainab died. Abu El'Ass shed hot tears because of her death and drove those who were around him to tears. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) came with eyes full of tears and a heart full of sorrow. Zainab's death reminded him of the death of his wife, Khadeejah. He told the women, who gathered around Zainab's corpse, "Wash her three times and use camphor in the third wash." He performed funeral prayers on her and followed her final resting place. Abu El'Ass returned to his children, Ali and Umema. Kissing them and wetting them with his tears, he remembered the face of his departed darling.

May Allah be pleased with Zainab, the Prophet's daughter! May He reward her with Paradise for her patience, endurance and struggle!

Abu El'Ass would cry so profusely that the people saw the Prophet himself weeping and calming him down. Abu El'Ass would say, "By Allah, I can't stand life anymore without Zainab". He died one year after Zainab's death.

Tiket has been confirmed!

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Ticket type:
One-way
Price: Absolutely free (booking confirmed)

Passenger Details
Name:One of the 'children of Adam'
Origins:From clay
Address: Planet earth

Conditions Of Travel:
Departure: from life on earth
Destination: eternal life
Stop-over: hotel (2 meters under the ground, for one person)
Duration of flight: from couple of seconds to several millions of years
Departure time: Time of death (exact time is unknown, but it can happen earlier than expected)
Arrival time: On the Judgment Day (not specified in the timetable)

Information About Interrogation:
On the arrival to the hotel (grave): incorruptible
Auditors - two angels: Munkar & Nakir, will immediately start questioning. Three questions will be asked:
1)Who is your God?
2)Who is your prophet?
3)What is your religion?
Questions will follow about your life on earth. For more information, refer to 27th Aya of Sura "Ibrahim" of the Holy Quran.

Luggage:
Despite the fact that the airplane transfers only one passenger at a time, there are some restrictions on the amount of baggage that you can take with you:
1) You can take with you 5 meters of white cloth
2) Any items of material life of earth are strictly forbidden.
3) Realistic luggage should consist of good deeds, modest behavior and of well spent time on calling people to Islam.

Important instructions:
All the passengers should remember that tickets are not exchangeable or refundable.
This journey is compulsory for representatives of all races, nationalities, religions and of all ages.
Delays are not stipulated.

Captain:
Angel of Death will not compromise on changing the date and time of departure.

For more information:
Read instructions, which you can find in The Holy Quran and Sunnah. You could also consult alims(scholars). Please do it as soon as possible.
During your journey you will not be provided with oxygen mask, as your breathing system will be terminated just before the departure time.


Additional instructions:
You don't need to take care of your boarding pass, passport and other travel documents. To prepare for the flight:
- Pray 5 times a day
- Read the Holy Quran
- Follow the sunna to the best of your ability
- and be ready for your flight, as you may have to depart any minute (even now)

Final warning:
Final destination depend on you! Please do not waste your time on planet earth. Remember, you have one-way ticket: Either to Hell or to Paradise.

Jahannam OR Jannah.


Courtesy: NJ

The Beautiful Muslim Hijab!

What do you see when you look at me?
Do you see someone limited, or someone free?
All some people can do is just look and stare,
Simply because they can't see my hair.
Others think I am controlled and uneducated.


They think that I am limited and not liberated,
They are so thankful that they are not me,
Because they would like to remain 'free'.
Well free isn't exactly the word I would've used,
Describing women who are cheated on and abused.


They think that I do not have opinions or a voice,
They think that being hooded isn't my choice,
They think that the hood makes me look caged,
That my husband or dad are totally outraged,
All they can do is look at me in fear,
And in my eye there is a tear.


Not because I have been stared at or made fun of,
But because people are ignoring the One up above.
On the day of judgment they will be the fools,
Because they were too ashamed to play by their own rules.

Maybe the guys won't think I am a cutie,
But at least I am filled with more inner beauty.
See I have declined from being a guy's toy,
Because I won't let myself be controlled by a boy,
Real men are able to appreciate my mind,
And aren't busy looking at my behind.


Hooded girls are the ones really helping the Muslim cause,
The role that we play definitely deserves applause
I will be recognized because I am smart and bright,
And because some people are inspired by my sight.


The smart ones are attracted by my tranquility,
In the back of their mind they wish they were me,
We have the strength to do what we think is right,
Even if it means putting up a life long fight.


You see we are not controlled by a mini skirt and tight shirt,
We are given only respect, and never treated like dirt.
So you see, we are the ones that are free and liberated,
We are not the ones that are sexually terrorized and violated.


We are the ones that are free and pure,
We're free of STD's that have no cure,
So when people ask you how you feel about the hood,
Just sum it up by saying 'baby its all good'



Submitted by a Muslim sister who is proud to be wearing a Hijab.
May Almighty Allah Bless you all.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm too busy

Everyday as i wake up at dawn
My mind start working the moment i yawn
There were many things to do, o dear!
That's why i hastily did my Subuh prayer
I didn't have the time to sit longer to
praise the Lord
To me rushing out after prayer is nothing odd...
Since school, i had been busy every minute
Completing my tutorials and handing it in
My ECAs took up most of my time always
No time did i have to Allah to pray
Too many things to do and zikir is rare
For Allah, I really had no time to spare..

When i grew up and started my career
Working all day to secure my future
When I reached home, I prefered to have fun
I chatted on the phone but i didn't read the Quran
I spent too much time surfing the Internet
Sad to say, my faith was falling flat...

The only time i have left is weekends
During which i prefer window shopping with friends
I couldn't spare time to go to the mosque
I'm too busy, that's the BIG EXCUSE...

I did my five prayers but did so quickly
After prayer, I didn't sit longer to reflect quietly
I didn't have time to help the needy ones
I was loaded with work as my precious time runs

No time at all to visit a sick Muslim friend
To orphans and elderly, I hardly lent a hand
I'm too busy to do community service
When there were gatherings, I helped the least

My life was already full of stress
So i didn't counsel a Muslim in distress
I didn't spend much time with my family
B'coz i thought, doing so is a waste of time...

No time to share with non-Muslim about Islam
Even though I know, inviting causes no harm
No time to do Sunnah prayers at all
All these contribute to my imaan's fall..

I'm busy here and busy there
I've no time at all, that's all i care
I went for religious lessons, just once in awhile
Coz i'm too busy making a pile...

I worked all day and i slept all night
Too tired for Tahajjud and it seemed not right
To me, earning a living was already tough
so i only did basic deeds but that's not enough..

No time at all, to admire God's creation
No time to praise Allah and seek His Compassion
Although I know how short is my life
For Islam, I really didn't strive..

Finally the day comes, when the Lord calls for me
And I stood before Him with my Life's History

I feel so guilty b'coz i should have prayed more
Isn't that what a Muslim lives for?
To thank Allah and do more good deeds
And the Quran is for us all to read..

Now at Judgement Day, I'm starting to fret
I've wasted my life but it's too late to regret
My entry to Paradise depend on my good behaviour
But i've not done enough nor did proper prayer

My "good deed book" is given from my right
An angel opened my "book" and read out my plight.
Then the angel chided me....

"O You Muslim servant, you are the one,
Who is given enough time, yet not much is done
Do you know that your faith is loose?
saying "no time" is only an excuse.
Your "good deed book" should be filled up more
with all the good work you stood up for..

Hence, I only recorded those little good deeds
As I say this, I know your eyes will mist..
I was about to write some more, you see
But i did not have, THE TIME to list.......

[Extracted it from somebody's blog...Don't you guys think that's what happening these days?]

How to offer Eid-ul-Adha prayer.

In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate!

Eid is a special occasions and one of the things which makes it so is the Eid-ul-Adha congregational prayer. Since this prayer comes only once a year, there is often confusion about how to perform this prayer. Here is how to do it:

In general, when praying any Salah, always follow the Imam in prayer. Do not make your movements (i.e. bowing, prostrating, etc.) before he does or different from him.

Eid prayer consists of two units (Rakat in Arabic, singular is Raka). The main difference in the way this prayer and any other prayer of two Rakat is performed is the number of Takbirs that are done.Takbirs is an the Arabic word referring to when "Allahu Akbar" is said and the hands are raised to the ears.

Step 1: Make an intention of doing two Rakat behind the Imam for Eid prayer along with six additional Takbirs.

The First Raka

Step 2: After the Imam has said "Allahu Akbar" the first time, you should raise your hands and follow. This is the first Takbir of the prayer.
Step 3: There will be 3 Takbirs before the Imam starts reciting Quran. Each time the Imam says "Allahu Akbar", you should follow by raising your hands, then putting them on your sides. After the third Takbir, the Imam will begin reciting the Quran. At that point, you should put your hands on your chest, with your right hand on top of the left.
Step 4: Listen to the recitation of the Holy Quran. The Imam will recite Surah Al Fatiha (the first Surah of the Quran) and then another Surah.
Step 5: When the Imam says "Allahu Akbar" go into Ruku (the bowing position).
Step 6: Stand up straight when he says Sami Allahu liman Hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him), and say "Rabbana lakal Hamd" (our Lord praise be to You) in a low voice.
Step 7: When the Imam says "Allahu Akbar" go into Sujud (prostration). You will do two prostrations as in normal prayer.

The Second Raka

Step 8: The Imam will first recite from the Holy Quran (first Surah Al Fatiha and another Surah.
Step 9: After the recitation, before going into Ruku, there will be 3 Takbirs. Follow the Imam. Raise your hands after each "Allahu Akbar". After the third Takbir, go into Ruku (the bowing position).
Step 10: Stand up straight when the Imam says Sami Allah huliman Hamidah, and say "Rabbana lakal Hamd" in a low voice.
Step 11: When the Imam says "Allahu Akbar" go into Sujud. You will do two prostrations.
Step 12: After this, you sit for the complete Tashshahud.
Step 13: After the Imam ends the prayer by turning to his face to the right first and saying "Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullah" and then to his left and doing the same, you should follow.
Step 14: Do not get up right away. The Imam will give a short Khutbah (speech). Please stay still and listen. It is recommended to do so.

Eid Mubarak! May Allah guide us all. Ameen,

My sins!?

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Today, when I came back from shopping, I started telling everything to my Mommese. I was also imitating people with whom I talked to. I was making funny faces, creating stupid sounds, and all that while, I noticed, my Mommese's eyes were locked on my face. Strange! When I gave her questioning looks, she nodded and softly said "Beta, you've got a short life". Amazed? Yes, similarly, I was amazed on hearing that, when my brother borke the silence and said, "Amma aisay nahi kehtay" (Mom, don't say like that). My Mommese again looked at me and said "That's good, don't you think so? There will be angels all around there to make her live happy. Think, as she'd grow up, she'd earn more and more sins, as we do. Heavens would be a better place for her". Then, I got up from the bed (we were sitting there), walked to the washroom for 'wudu'. Her words clouded my brain. I was wondering what made her say that. My over-joyous state or what? But, then the word 'sin' was constantly popping up in my mind.
She said, I'd earn more sins when I'll grow older. But was she right? I dont know. All I know is that my sins have outweighed the number of days that I have actually lived (or even more). And who's responsible for all these sins? Yes, me, myself, and I. Daily, intentionally, and unintentionally I commit sins, I do wrong, I don't act nicely as Islam wants me to act, I get mad at the slightest of things, when Islam has strickly forbidden us to show anger. Why, then why, am I like that?
That day, my grandmother was telling me (and my little cousins, too) about Jannah and Dozakh. She said, that those people who have done, both, bad deeds and good deeds, will be first thrown in Hell and after that they will be allowed to enter Heaven. So, I was wondering where will I go? Heaven or Hell? Good or bad? Immaculation or filth? Right or wrong? Faultless or faulty? I don't know! I really don't know.
I don't know how many more years am I gonna live. I don't know how many more sins am I gonna commit. I don't know when the Angel of Death would come and take me away. I don't know will Allah forgive me, for all the sins, for all the wrongdoings that I have done. But, yes I know He will forgive me, if I ask Him, and make myself strong enough not to commit the sins again. Let's do Tauba. Let's ask for forgiveness and peace. Let's ask Him to guide us to the Straight Path. Let's ask Him to make us clean, to make our souls and hearts clean. Let's ask Him to make our faith strong, as strong as a rock. Let's ask him for forgiveness.
Please Allah, guide us, for we are nothing infront of You. Please Allah, forgive us, for You know our intentions.
Ameen.

[Listening to "you are never alone". Thankyou Ahmed. Surely, you are never alone. Just reach into your heart and Allah is always there. You are never alone. Through sorrow and grief, through happiness and peace, you are never alone]
For flash version of this nasheed, click here.
Please remember me in your prayers. Praying for you all.
Ma'assalamah.

Dress and Dietary Requirements

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

In Islam, clothing has two purposes; to cover the body and to modestly beautify one's appearance. Men are to dress modestly, not imitating women. Women's clothing must cover all of the body including the head, and should not be tight or transparent.

For a Muslim, there are two types of food and drink; Halal (lawful) and Haram (unlawful).
Unlawful, forbidden (Haram) food and drink includes:

1- Meat from dead animals that died naturally through accidents [except fish], or by strangling, falling, beating, or being killed by wild animals.
2-Flesh of swine, such as bacon or pork, including all products and by-products (lard, pepsin, gelatin, etc.) prepared from swine. Only vegetable oil is used for frying and in the preparation of bread, salad dressing, desserts, muffins, other bakery products, etc. Blood that has poured forth (as distinguished from the blood adhering to flesh or organs).
3-Food upon which any other name has been invoked, besides that of God.
4- Intoxicants, including all types and varieties of alcohol and intoxicating drugs. The Islamic method of slaughtering an animal or bird follows these steps: First, the Muslim mentions God's name as a reminder that God has command over the life of all creatures. Taking life from an animal or a bird is done by God's permission for the sole purpose of obtaining food.

Hadith of the day:
"He is not a true believer who eats his fill while his neighbour is hungry"

Verse of the day:
“… This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…” [al-Maa’idah 5:3]

Ethics and Morality

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Islam has laid down some universal fundamental rights for humanity as a whole, which are to be observed and respected under all circumstances. To achieve these rights, Islam provides not only legal safeguards, but also a very effective moral system. Thus, whatever leads to the welfare of the individual or the society is morally good in Islam and whatever is injurious is morally bad. Islam attaches so much importance to the love of God and love of man that it warns against too much formalism. We read in the Qur'an:

It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East or West; but it is righteousness to believe in God and the Last Day and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the freeing of captives; to be steadfast in prayers, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which you made; and to be firm and patient in pain and adversity and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-conscious. (2:177)

We are given a beautiful description of the righteous and God-conscious man in these verses. He should obey salutary regulations, but he should fix his gaze on the love of God and the love of his fellow-men.
We are given four directions:
a) Our faith should be true and sincere,
b) We must be prepared to show it in deeds of charity to our fellow-men,
c) We must be good citizens, supporting social organizations, and
d) Our own individual soul must be firm and unshaken in all circumstances.

This is the standard by which a particular mode of conduct is judged and classified as good or bad. This standard of dudgement provides the nucleus around which the whole moral conduct should revolve. Before laying down any moral injunctions, Islam seeks to firmly implant in man's heart the conviction that his dealings are with God, who sees him at all times and in all places; that he may hide himself form the whole world, but not from Him; that he may deceive everyone but cannot deceive God; that he can flee from the clutches of anyone else, but not from God's.

Thus, by setting god's pleasure as the objective of man's life, Islam has furnished the highest possible standard of morality. This is bound to provide limitless avenues for the moral evolution of humanity. By making Divine revelations as the primary source of knowledge, it gives permanence and stability to the moral standards which afford reasonable scope for genuine adjustments, adaptations and innovations though not for perversions, wild variation, atomistic relativism or moral fluidity. It provides a sanction to morality in the love and fear of God, which will impel man to obey the moral law even without any external pressure. Though belief in God and the Day of Judgement, it furnishes a force which enables a person to adopt the moral conduct with earnestness and sincerity, with all the devotion of heart and soul.

It stipulates for man a system of life that is based on all good and is free from all evil. It encourages the people, not only to practice virtue, but also to establish virtue and eradicate vice, to bid good and to forbid wring. It wants that their verdict of conscience should prevail and virtue must be subdued to play second fiddle to evil. Those who not respond to this call are gathered together into a community and given the name Muslim. And the singular object underlying the formation of this community (Ummah) is that it should make an organized effort to establish and enforce goodness and suppress and eradicate evil.

May Allah help us understand our religion, and may He guide us to the staright path. Ameen.

Night of Mairaj

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Extracted from Sahi Bukhari(Book # 8, Hadith # 345)

On the 'Night of Mairaaj', Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihi Wasallam) was called upon Heaven by Allah to meet Him. Angel Gabriel came to take the Prophet with him. The Prophet described the happening in the following words:Narrated Abu Dhar: Allah's Apostle said, "While I was at Mecca the roof of my house was opened and Gabriel descended, opened my chest, and washed it with Zam-zam water. Then he brought a golden tray full of wisdom and faith and having poured its contents into my chest, he closed it. Then he took my hand and ascended with me to the nearest heaven, when I reached the nearest heaven, Gabriel said to the gatekeeper of the heaven, 'Open (the gate).'

The gatekeeper asked, 'Who is it?'
Gabriel answered: 'Gabriel.'
He asked, 'Is there anyone with you?'
Gabriel replied, 'Yes, Muhammad I is with me.'
He asked, 'Has he been called?'
Gabriel said, 'Yes.'

So the gate was opened and we went over the nearest heaven and there we saw a man sitting with some people on his right and some on his left. When he looked towards his right, he laughed and when he looked toward his left he wept.
Then he said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious son.'
I asked Gabriel, 'Who is he?'
He replied, 'He is Adam and the people on his right and left are the souls of his offspring. Those on his right are the people of Paradise and those on his left are the people of Hell and when he looks towards his right he laughs and when he looks towards his left he weeps.'

Then he ascended with me till he reached the second heaven and he (Gabriel) said to its gatekeeper, 'Open (the gate).'
The gatekeeper said to him the same as the gatekeeper of the first heaven had said and he opened the gate.

Anas said: "Abu Dhar added that the Prophet met Adam, Idris, Moses, jesus and Abraham, he (Abu Dhar) did not mention on which heaven they were but he mentioned that he (the Prophet ) met Adarn on the nearest heaven and Abraham on the sixth heaven.

Anas said, "When Gabriel along with the Prophet passed by Idris, the latter said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious brother.'
The Prophet asked, 'Who is he?'
Gabriel replied, 'He is Idris."
The Prophet added, "I passed by Moses and he said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious brother.'
I asked Gabriel, 'Who is he?'
Gabriel replied, 'He is Moses.'
Then I passed by jesus and he said,'Welcome! O pious brother and pious Prophet.'
I asked, 'Who is he?'
Gabriel replied, 'He is jesus.
Then I passed by Abraham and he said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious son.'
I asked Gabriel, 'Who is he?'

The gatekeeper asked, 'Who is it?'
Gabriel answered: 'Gabriel.'
He asked, 'Is there anyone with you?'
Gabriel replied, 'Yes, Muhammad is with me.'
He asked, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel said, 'Yes.'
So the gate was opened and we went over the nearest heaven and there we saw a man sitting with some people on his right and some on his left. When he looked towards his right, he laughed and when he looked toward his left he wept. Then he said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious son.' I asked Gabriel, 'Who is he?' He replied, 'He is Adam and the people on his right and left are the souls of his offspring. Those on his right are the people of Paradise and those on his left are the people of Hell and when he looks towards his right he laughs and when he looks towards his left he weeps.' Then he ascended with me till he reached the second heaven and he (Gabriel) said to its gatekeeper, 'Open (the gate).' The gatekeeper said to him the same as the gatekeeper of the first heaven had said and he opened the gate.

Anas said: "Abu Dhar added that the Prophet met Adam, Idris, Moses, jesus and Abraham, he (Abu Dhar) did not mention on which heaven they were but he mentioned that he (the Prophet ) met Adarn on the nearest heaven and Abraham on the sixth heaven.
Anas said, "When Gabriel along with the Prophet passed by Idris, the latter said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious brother.'
The Prophet asked, 'Who is he?'
Gabriel replied, 'He is Idris." The Prophet added, "I passed by Moses and he said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious brother.' I asked Gabriel, 'Who is he?'Gabriel replied, 'He is Moses.' Then I passed by jesus and he said, 'Welcome! O pious brother and pious Prophet.' I asked, 'Who is he?' Gabriel replied, 'He is jesus. Then I passed by Abraham and he said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious son.' I asked Gabriel, 'Who is he?'
Gabriel replied, 'He is Abraham.
The Prophet added, 'Then Gabriel ascended with me to a place where I heard the creaking of the pens."
Ibn Hazm and Anas bin Malik said: The Prophet said, "Then Allah enjoined fifty prayers on my followers when I returned with this order of Allah, I passed by Moses who asked me, 'What has Allah enjoined on your followers?'
I replied, 'He has enjoined fifty prayers on them.'
Moses said, 'Go back to your Lord (and appeal for reduction) for your followers will not be able to bear it.' (So I went back to Allah and requested for reduction) and He reduced it to half. When I passed by Moses again and informed him about it, he said,\'Go back to your Lord as your followers will not be able to bear it. So I returned to Allah and requested for further reduction and half of it was reduced. I again passed by Moses and he said to me: 'Return to your Lord, for your followers will not be able to bear it.
So I returned to Allah and He said, 'These are five prayers and they are all (equal to) fifty (in reward) for My Word does not change.'
I returned to Moses and he told me to go back once again.
I replied, 'Now I feel shy of asking my Lord again.'
Then Gabriel took me till we reached 'Sidrat-il-Muntaha' (Lote tree of; the utmost boundry) which was shrouded in colors, indescribable. Then I was admitted into Paradise where I found small (tents or) walls (made) of pearls and its earth was of musk."

Gabriel replied, 'He is Abraham. The Prophet added, 'Then Gabriel ascended with me to a place where I heard the creaking of the pens." Ibn Hazm and Anas bin Malik said: The Prophet said, "Then Allah enjoined fifty prayers on my followers when I returned with this order of Allah, I passed by Moses who asked me, 'What has Allah enjoined on your followers?' I replied, 'He has enjoined fifty prayers on them.' Moses said, 'Go back to your Lord (and appeal for reduction) for your followers will not be able to bear it.' (So I went back to Allah and requested for reduction) and He reduced it to half. When I passed by Moses again and informed him about it, he said, 'Go back to your Lord as your followers will not be able to bear it.' So I returned to Allah and requested for further reduction and half of it was reduced. I again passed by Moses and he said to me: 'Return to your Lord, for your followers will not be able to bear it. So I returned to Allah and He said, 'These are five prayers and they are all (equal to) fifty (in reward) for My Word does not change.' I returned to Moses and he told me to go back once again. I replied, 'Now I feel shy of asking my Lord again.' Then Gabriel took me till we reached 'Sidrat-il-Muntaha' (Lote tree of; the utmost boundry) which was shrouded in colors, indescribable. Then I was admitted into Paradise where I found small (tents or) walls (made) of pearls and its earth was of musk."

Ramadan Kareem

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

My dear brothers and sisters in Islam, alhamdulillah (praise be to God), we have lived another year to see and experience Ramadan. The Sahaba's (Companions of the Prophet), due to their strong Iman and conviction, would often have an urge to return to their Lord and they had no desire to remain in this world, except that they wished for two things. They would say ‘Oh Allah, let us live to see Ramadan for another year.’ Subhan Allah! How wonderful, they wanted to experience Ramadan because they knew! They knew what was waiting for them. Indeed, the mercy and compassion of Allah (SWT) is at its utmost in Ramadan, where “the doors of Hell are sealed and the doors of Heaven are opened,” Subhan Allah! May Allah enable us to use our time well in Ramadan for as the hadith of our dear Mu’allim Muhammad (SAS) says “whoever fasts sincerely hoping to receive Allah’s pleasure and prays during the last ten nights of Ramadan hoping to gain His favour will have ALL of his sins forgiven.” Dear brothers and sisters, lets us pray like we’ve never prayed before during Ramadan. Let’s make this Ramadan even more special and memorable than our previous ones. Let’s repent for ALL our sins for He (SWT) will forgive us (insha Allah) because He is oft-forgiving, (Ar-Rahim, Ar-Rahman) and he forgives ALL sins. I recall a truly beautiful hadith Qudsi where Allah (God) Says:
“O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great at it."
Ramadan Mubarak and I beg Allah to forgive us our sins and to make us among those who will be worthy to see the smiling face of our dear teacher, Prophet, role model, guide and beloved Muhammad (SAS) – Amin.