327. Favoritism among children....an Injustice indeed

By Asma Bint Shameem

"My brother is the only one in the house who gets any attention. He always gets everything he wants!" 

"My Dad prefers our oldest sister to the rest of us. He always praises her, and no matter what good we do, he never appreciates it!" 

This is a common problem that we see among many Muslim households today. And that is the problem of favoritism among children.

Parents may show their favoritism for many reasons. Favoritism could be shown to the oldest or the youngest. 

It could be a preference of a son over a daughter or the preference of a child more beautiful than the other or simply for no apparent reason at all. 

Favoritism comes in many ways. It could be in the form of showing more affection to a child, or excessive praise of one to the neglect of others, giving gifts to one child only or giving better, more expensive gifts to one child in preference to others. 

It can even be  favoritism by simply ignoring one child as compared to the others.

Yet, Islaam condemns all kinds of biases and injustices and indeed, favoritism is a kind of injustice. A person is not being just if he shows favoritism. 

Allaah says:

"Verily, Allah enjoins justice, and doing good, and giving (help) to kith and kin." (Surah an-Nahl: 90). 

Justice must be maintained in everything we do, even in how often we look at or speak to each of our children.

The following Hadeeth shows us how important it is to avoid favoritism when dealing with our kids. 

Nu'maan ibn Basheer said: 

"My father gave me a gift of some of his wealth, but my mother, 'Amrah bint Rawaahah, said, 'I will not approve of it until you ask the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) to bear witness to it.' 

So my father went to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) to ask him to bear witness to the gift. 

The Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said to him, 'Have you done the same for all of your children?' 

He said, 
'No.' 

He said, 'Fear Allaah and treat your children justly.' So my father came back and took back that gift."

(Bukhaari, Muslim) 

In fact, it is one of the RIGHTS of our children that we treat them equally.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 

"Do justice among your sons (kids),' and repeated it thrice." (Muslim)

Why is it wrong??

Showing favoritism is wrong no matter how you look at it. It is injustice to the child who is being neglected, it is injustice to the one who is being preferred over the others and it is even injustice to the parent showing the favoritism in the first place. 

How is that

If we show preferential treatment to one child over the other siblings, this will nurture a kind of jealousy and even hatred in the heart of the one being neglected. 

They will secretly resent the one being preferred, even if they don't show it or express it. 

And as the experts tell us, this may lead to various psychological and social problems that can last well into adolescence and adulthood. 

And the one who is always preferred and praised over the others may think he/she is somehow superior or better than others and lead him/her to being arrogant, self-centered and spoiled.

And surely that is not fulfilling our responsibility in raising our kids in accordance with the way Islaam requires us to raise and educate them. 

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

"There is no person to whom Allaah has given responsibility and dies neglecting that responsibility, but Allaah will deny him Paradise."

(Muslim)

Subhaan Allaah! What a HUMONGOUS responsibility!

Just think about it! Being denied Jannah, because of failing to fulfill your responsibility!

By showing favoritism, we are being sinful and not fulfilling our duty as a parent according to the teachings of Islaam. 

In the meanwhile, if we, as parents are showing this favoritism, we are also not being just to our own selves either since we are supposed to be fair to ALL our children and we are answerable to Allaah as to how we treated our family. 

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

"Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock.....A man is the shepherd of the members of his household and is responsible for them. A woman is the shepherd of her husband's house and children and is responsible for them......Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock." (Bukhaari, Muslim) 

Are you one of them??

Many mothers and fathers who show preferential treatment to some of their children do so without realizing it. 

They do so unconsciously and if asked about preferring one child over the other, they will immediately deny it. 

However, since it is a matter about which we will have to answer to Allaah one day, each of us parent has to sincerely look deep into our souls to see if WE are guilty of this injustice or not. 

Look at this beautiful hadeeth of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam).

He said:

"The just will be with Allaah on thrones of light ....those who are just in their rulings and are fair with their families and those of whom they are in charge."(Muslim)

Remember my brother/sister, the Muslim parent is the one who fears Allaah in his dealings with his children, one who is just in his speech and judgments, the one whose sayings, actions and dealings with his children are based upon justice with no degree of discrimination or preference. 

Carve these words in stone for yourself and let the above hadeeth motivate you to be absolutely fair and just to all, especially your own children.

"O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones..." 

[Surah al-Tahreem :6] 

And Allaah knows best

326. Surah al-Kahf And The Dajjaal

By Asma bint Shameem 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam instructed us to read Surah al-Kahf every Friday. 

And he also told us to memorize certain Aayaat of this Noble Surah to 

seek Allaah’s protection from the trial of the Dajjaal. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever memorizes ten verses from the beginning of Surah Al-Kahf will be protected from the False Messiah.”

In another narration, “…from the last ten verses of Surah Al-Kahf.” (Muslim)

And he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“Whoever among you sees him (the Dajjaal), let him recite against him the opening verses of Surah al-Kahf.”  (Muslim).

So who is this Dajjaal after all?

What does he look like?

Where is he right now?

How to protect ourselves from his fitnah?

To answer all these questions, we must refer back ONLY to the Qur’aan and *authentic* ahaadeeth, since this is a matter of the Unseen. 

And we can only say about the Unseen that which is revealed to us from the Qur’aan and authentic ahaadeeth. 

So what does our Deen say about the Dajjaal?

The meaning of the word ad-Dajjaal 

The scholars said:

“The root dajala means to mix. The word dajala is used to mean deliberately confusing matters and being vague and ambiguous.

The Dajjaal is the one who speaks in vagaries, who tells many lies and deceives many people. 

The word “Dajjaal” became a title given to the lying, one-eyed, false messiah. 

The Dajjaal is so called because he will conceal his kufr from the people by lying to them, deceiving them and confusing them.”

Also the word ad-dajal which means falsehood, because the Dajjaal is the one who is extreme in ad-dajal, falsehood, because he is a great liar to the extent that he will claim that he is Allaah. 

The belief of Ahl as-Sunnah wal Jama’ah about the Dajjaal:

Our belief as Muslims (Ahl 

as-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah) is that the False Messiah, the Anti-Christ, the Maseeh ad-Dajjaal is REAL. 

He is a human being and he exists as we speak. 

He will emerge when Allaah allows him to emerge.

He is the biggest fitnah mankind will every face.

He will spread this fitnah (tribulation) across the earth and will cause great chaos, confusion and falsehood. 

He will be one-eyed and the word ‘kaafir’ or the letters ‘ka’-‘fa’-‘ra’ will be written between his eyes. 

He will claim Divinity.

Eesa Alaiyhis-Salaam will eventually kill him at Ludd (Lod). 

 The biggest trial for mankind 

The greatest trial (fitnah) to hit mankind on earth is the fitnah of the False Messiah, ad-Dajjaal.

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam warned us about him and every believer must equip and prepare himself against this evil with sound knowledge, correct aqeedah and strong faith. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“It is other than the Dajjaal that I fear for you. 

If he comes forth while I am among you, I shall contend with him on your behalf, but if he comes forth when I am not among you, each person must contend with him on his own behalf, and Allaah  will take care in looking after every Muslim even after I have gone. Those of you who live up to his time should recite before him the opening verses of Surat al–Kahf, for they are your protection from his trial.” (Saheeh Muslim)

And he said:

“No Prophet was sent but he warned his people about the one-eyed liar. He is one-eyed, but your Lord is not one-eyed, and between his eyes will be written ‘kaafir.’” (al-Bukhaari) 

The Description of ad-Dajjaal 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said: 

“I have told you so much about the Dajjaal that I fear you will not understand. The Dajjaal will be a short man, pigeon-toed, with curly hair. He will be one-eyed, with his eye neither prominent nor sunken. If you become confused about him, then remember that your Lord is not one-eyed.” (Abu Dawood — saheeh by al-Albaani)

And he said:

‘… as for the false messiah, he will be one-eyed, with a wide forehead and broad upper chest, and he will be hunchbacked…’” (Ahmad 7564)

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam also said: 

‘The Dajjaal will be one-eyed, blind or defective in his left eye, with thick hair. He will have with him a paradise and a hell, but his hell will be a paradise and his paradise will be a hell.’” (Muslim)

“Written between his eyes will be ‘kaaf faa’ raa’.’” (Muslim)

Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu reported:

“This will be read by every believer, literate or illiterate.” (Muslim)

And he said:

‘‘From the time of the creation of Adam until the Hour begins, there will never be a bigger creation than the Dajjaal.’” (Muslim, 5239). 

The Dajjaal will not have any children:

 Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri radhi Allaahu anhu described what happened between him and Ibn Sayyaad, who said to him: “Did you not hear the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam say that he will have no children? …” Abu Sa’eed said, ‘I said, ‘Yes…’” (Muslim, no. 5209)

Where is the Dajjaal now?

The Dajjaal is very much alive and present on earth as we speak. 

He’s been here for a while. 

He was even present at the time of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

But where is he exactly right now?

All we know is that he’s at some island, according to the authentic  hadeeth of Fatimah bint Qays and Tameem ad-Daari radhi Allaahu anhumaa. (Saheeh Muslim 2942)

But we don’t know “which specific island” he’s at.

There are lots of opinions about that but there’s nothing that can be said for sure as a solid proof. 

All we know is that he’s at an island and he’s waiting for the time when Allaah will allow him to come out. 

Faatimah bint Qays radhi Allaahu anhaa said that after the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam led the people in prayer, he said:

“By Allaah, I did not call you together for an exhortation or for a warning. I have called you together because Tameem al-Daari was a Christian and he came and swore allegiance and became Muslim, and told me something which agrees with what I was telling you about the Dajjaal (false messiah). 

He told me that he sailed in a ship with thirty men of Lakhm and Judhaam and they were tossed by the waves of the sea for a month. 

Then they came to an island at sunset.

They sat in a small rowing-boat and landed on that island. 

They were met by a beast with a great deal of hair and they could not distinguish his face from his back because he was so hairy. 

They said: 
‘Woe to you, what are you?’ 

It said:
‘I am al-Jassaasah.’ 

They said: 
What is al-Jassaasah?’ 

It said: 
‘O people, go to this man in the monastery for he keen to know about you.’ 

He (the narrator) said: 

When it named a man for us we were afraid of it lest it be a devil. 

Then we set off, rushing, until we came to that monastery, where we found the hugest man we had ever seen, bound strongly in chains with his hands tied to his neck and his legs bound from the knees to the ankles with iron shackles. 

We said: ‘
Woe to you, who are you?’ 

He said: 
‘You will soon find out about me; tell me who you are.’ 

They said: 
‘We are people from Arabia who embarked on a ship, but the sea became wild and the waves tossed us about for one month, then they brought us to this island of yours. 

We took to the rowing-boats and landed on this island. 

We were met by a beast with a great deal of hair and we could not tell his front from his back because he was so hairy. 

We said:
Woe to you, what are you? 

It said: 
I am al-Jassaasah. 

We said: 
What is al-Jassaasah? 

It said: 
Go to this man in the monastery for he is keen to know about you. 

So we came rushing to you and we fled from it because we could not be sure that it was not a devil.’ 

He (that chained person) said: 
‘Tell me about the date-palm trees of Baysaan.’ 

We said: 
‘What do you want to know about them?’ 

He said: 
‘I am asking you whether these trees bear fruit.’ 

We said: 
‘Yes.’ 

He said: 
‘Soon they will not bear fruit.’ 

He said: 
‘Tell me about the lake of Tabariyyah’ 

We said: 
‘What do you want to know about it?’ 

He said: 
‘Is there water in it?’ 

They said: 
‘There is a great deal of water in it.’ 

He said: 
‘Soon it will dry up.’ 

Then he said: ‘Tell me about the spring of Zughar (which is in the south of Syria).’ 

They said: 
‘What do you want to know about it?’ 

He said: 
‘Is there water in the spring and do the people grow crops with the water of the spring?’ 

We said to him: 
‘Yes, there is plenty of water in it and the people grow crops with its water.’ 

He said: 
‘Tell me about the Prophet if the unlettered; what has he done?’ 

We said: ‘He has left Makkah and has settled in Yathrib (Madeenah).’ 

He said: 
‘Do the Arabs fight against him?’ 

We said: 
‘Yes.’ 

He said: 
‘How did he deal with them?’ 

We told him that he had prevailed over the Arabs in his vicinity and they had shown obedience to him. 

He said to us: 
‘Has it really happened?’ 

We said: 
‘Yes.’ 

He said: 
‘If it is so that is better for them that they show obedience to him. 

Now I will tell you about myself. 

I am the Dajjaal and soon I will be given permission to emerge. 

So I will come out and travel in the land, and will not spare any town but I will stay for forty nights, except Makkah and Taybah (Madeenah). 

They are both forbidden to me; every time I try to enter one of them, I will be met by an angel with a sword in his hand, who will bar my way, and on every route there will be angels guarding it.’ 

She said: 
Then the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  struck the minbar with his staff and said: 

“This is Taybah, this is Taybah, this is Taybah,” meaning Madeenah. 

“Did I not tell you this before?” 

The people said: 
Yes. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
“I liked the story of Tameem because it agrees with what I used to tell you about him and about Makkah and Madeenah. 

But he is in the Syrian Sea (Mediterranean) or the Yemeni Sea (Arabian Sea). 

No, rather he is in the east, he in the east, he is in the east,” and he pointed towards the east with his hand. 

She said: 
I memorized this from the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam.”

[Saheeh Muslim (2942)]

From where will the Dajjaal appear?

The Dajjaal will appear from the east, from Khurasaan, from among the Jews of Isfahaan. 

 Faatimah bint Qays said that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said concerning the Dajjaal:  

“He will (emerge) from the direction of the Syrian sea or from the direction of the Yemeni sea… No, rather from the east…” – and he pointed towards the east.  (Muslim, 5228). 

Abu Bakr radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam told us: 

“The Dajjaal will emerge from a land in the east called Khurasaan.” (al-Tirmidhi 2163; saheeh by al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer 3398). 

 Anas radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: ‘The Dajjaal will emerge from among the Jews of Isfahaan, and with him will be seventy thousand Jews, wearing crowns.’” (Narrated by Ahmad, no. 12865). 

Places which the Dajjaal will never enter

The Dajjaal will travel quickly throughout the earth and enter every place EXCEPT Makkah or Madeenah.

From the hadeeth of Faatimah bint Qays radhi Allaahu anhaa:

The Dajjaal said: 
‘I almost have permission to emerge. Then I will emerge and will travel throughout the earth for forty days, and I shall not leave any town without entering it, apart from Makkah and Madeenah, which I will be prevented from entering because every time I try to enter,  there will be an angel with an unsheathed sword in his hand, preventing me from entering. On every gate there will be angels defending them.’” (Muslim 5228) 

Who will follow ad-Dajjaal?

Most of the followers of the Dajjaal will be from the Jews, Persians and Turks, and WOMEN!

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said: 

“The followers of the Dajjaal from among the Jews of Isfahaan will number seventy thousand, wearing heavy, striped garments.” (Muslim 5237) 

“He will be followed by people with faces like burnished shields.” (al-Tirmidhi 2136). 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam also said: 

“The Dajjaal will come to this pond in Marriqanaat – a valley in Madeenah – and most of those who go out to him will be women, until a man will come to his mother in law, his mother, his daughter, his sister and his aunt, and will tie them up strongly for fear that they will go out to him.” (Ahmad 5099) 

The fitnah of the Dajjaal 

The fitnah of the Dajjaal will be the greatest fitnah of all time; from the time of Adam Alaiyhis-Salaam until the day of Judgment.

That’s because the Dajjaal will cause such chaos and confusion due to the miracles he will be able to perform but that all will be nothing but deception and lies.

Allaah will enable him to perform such miracles as a test for the people and that will bedazzle and impress people so much so that they will even believe that he is Allaah.

The authentic ahaadeeth tell us that he will have a paradise and a hell with him, but his paradise will be his hell and his hell will be his paradise. He will have rivers of water and mountains of bread. 

He will command the sky to send down rain, and it will rain, and he will command the earth to bring forth vegetation and it will do so. 

The treasures of the earth will follow him, and he will travel rapidly, like clouds driven by the wind. And he will do other extraordinary feats. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said: 

‘The Dajjaal will be one-eyed, blind in his left eye, and will have thick hair. He will have a paradise and a hell with him, but his paradise will be a hell and his hell will be a paradise.’” (Muslim 5222) 

 And he said: 

‘I know what the Dajjaal will bring with him: he will have two rivers flowing. One will clearly look like water and the other will clearly look like blazing fire. If any one of you sees that, let him choose the river which looks like fire, then let him close his eyes and lower his head and drink from it, for it will be cool water.’” (Muslim 5223) 

“He will come to some people and call them, and they will believe in him and respond to him. 

Then he will command the sky to rain, and the earth to bring forth vegetation, and their cattle will come back to them in the evening, with their humps very high, and their udders full of milk, and their flanks stretched. 

Then he will come to another people and will call them, but they will reject him. 

So he will leave them and they will be stricken with famine, with none of their wealth in their hands. 

He will pass by ruins and will say, ‘Bring forth your treasure!’ – and the treasure will follow him like a swarm of bees. Then he will call a man who is brimming with youth, and will strike him with a sword and cut him in two, then (he will put the pieces apart from one another) the distance of an archer from his target. Then he will call him, and the young man will come forward smiling, with his face shining.” (Muslim 5228) 

“Part of his fitnah will be that he will say to a Bedouin, Do you think that if I resurrect your father and mother for you that you will testify that I am your lord?’ 

He will say, 
‘Yes.’ 

So two devils will appear to him in the image of his father and mother, saying, ‘O my son, follow him for he is your lord.’” 

(Ibn Maajah 4067; saheeh by al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer, hadeeth 7752)

” The Dajjaal will say (to the people): 

“What do you think – if I kill this man then bring him back to life, will you have any doubts?” 

They will say, “No.” 

So he will kill him, then bring him back to life. 

Then he (the believing man) will say, “By Allaah, I have never been more sure about you than I am today.

The Dajjaal will want to kill him but will not be permitted to. “

(al-Bukhaari, no. 6599) 

How long will the Dajjaal live for?

The Sahaabah said: “O Messenger of Allaah, how long will he stay on the earth?” 

He said: 

“Forty days, a day like a year, a day like a month, a day like a week, and the rest of the days like your days.” 

We said: 
O Messenger of Allaah, on that day which is like a year, will the prayers of one day be sufficient for us? 

He said: 

“No. Work out the time (for prayer).”  [Muslim (2937)]

That shows that the people at that time would have to calculate the times of the five daily prayers according to a regular 24 hour day. 

And pray accordingly. 

 The Council of Senior Scholars said explaining the above hadeeth:

“He Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did not regard that day that will be like a year as being a single day in which five prayers would be sufficient, rather he enjoined praying five prayers every twenty-four hours, and he commanded them to space them out during the time based on the times on an ordinary day in their country. “

[Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz (15/292/300)]

The death of the Dajjaal

The fitnah of the Dajjaal will be very severe and most of the people of the world will follow him except those whom Allaah will protect. 

Then Allaah will bring down Eess Alaiyhis-Salaam from the heavens and he will kill the Dajjaal. 

The scholars said: 

“The Dajjaal will die at the hands of the Messiah ‘Eesa Alaiyhis-Salaam as is indicated by the saheeh ahaadeeth. 

The Dajjaal will appear on earth and will gain many followers, spreading his fitnah far and wide. No one will escape his fitnah except a few of the believers. 

At that point, ‘Eesa ibn Maryam will descend to the eastern minaret in Damascus, and the believing slaves of Allaah will gather around him. He will lead them towards the Dajjaal, who at the time of the descent of ‘Eesa will be heading for Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem). 

‘Eesa will catch up with him at the gate of Ludd (Lod), a place in Palestine near Bayt al-Maqdis. 

When the Dajjaal sees him, he will start to melt like salt melting in water, but ‘Eesa Alaiyhis-Salaam will say to him, “I have some business with you, you will not get away from me.” 

Then he will catch up with him and will kill him with his spear. 

His followers will flee, pursued by the Muslims, who will kill them, and trees and rocks will say, ‘O Muslim, O slave of Allaah, there is Jew behind me – come and kill him!” – apart from the gharqad (box thorn), for it is one of the trees of the Jews.”

(Islamqa Fatwa # 8806)

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“… Every kaafir who will smell the fragrance of (‘Eesa) will die, and his fragrance will reach as far as he will be able to see. He will then search for him (the Dajjaal) until he catches up with him at the gate of Ludd, where he will kill him.” 

And he said: 

“The Dajjaal will emerge at a time when religious commitment is low and knowledge has decreased… Then ‘Eesa ibn Maryam will descend just before dawn and will call people, saying, ‘O people, what is stopping you from coming out against this evil liar?’ 

They will say, ‘This man is a jinn’, then they will set out. 

When they reach ‘Eesa ibn Maryam, the time for prayer will come the iqqamah will be given, and it will be said to him, ‘Go forward (to lead the prayer), O Spirit of Allaah.’ 

He will say, 
‘Let your imaam go forward and lead you in prayer.’ 

When they have prayed fajr, they will go out to meet him (the Dajjaal) and when they see the liar, he will start to dissolve like salt in water. ‘Eesa will go to him and kill him. 

Even the trees and rocks will call out, ‘O Spirit of Allaah, here is a Jew!’ 

And none of those who followed him will be left, they will all be killed.” 

(Ahmad 14426). 

 How to protect yourself from the Dajjaal 

1. Have CORRECT faith and sound knowledge about Islaam, including the correct understanding about the Dajjaal, Imaam Mahdi, Eesa Alaiyhis-Salaam and the signs before the Hour. 

Follow only the authentic ahaadeeth and don’t fall for inauthentic narrations. 

2.  KNOW Allaah, your Rabb, His Beautiful Names and Perfect Attributes.

Know that the Dajjaal is a human being who will eat and drink, and that Allaah is far above that; the Dajjaal will be one-eyed but Allaah is not one-eyed; no one can see his Lord until he dies, but the Dajjaal will be seen by all people, believers and kaafirs alike, when he emerges.

3. LIVE the life of a practicing Muslim  

Fear Allaah, pray on time, lead a life of uprightness and obedience to Allaah, fulfilling your faraa’idh (obligatory duties) and staying away from all haraam.

4. Make DUAA to Allaah to protect you from the fitnah of the Dajjaal, especially in your prayers.

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said: 

‘When any one of you says Tashahhud, let him seek refuge with Allaah from four things, and say:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ

 “Allaahumma inni a’oodhi bika min ‘adhaab jahannam wa min ‘adhaab al-qabri wa min fitnat il-mahyaa wa’l-mamaat wa min sharri fitnat al-maseeh al-dajjaal”

“O Allaah, I seek refuge with You from the torment of Hell, from the torment of the grave, from the trials of life and death, and from the evil of the fitnah of the Dajjaal).’” (Muslim 924)

5. Memorize aayaat from Soorat al-Kahf. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever among you sees him (the Dajjaal), let him recite against him the opening verses of Soorat al-Kahf.”  (Muslim 5228).

And he said: 

“Whoever memorizes ten aayaat from the beginning of Soorat al-Kahf will be protected from the Dajjaal” – i.e., from his fitnah. 

Muslim said: 
“Shu’bah said, 
‘from the end of al-Kahf.’ 

Hammaam said, ‘from the beginning of al-Kahf.’” (Muslim 1342)

6. If you hear about the Dajjaal, KEEP AWAY from him  

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever hears of the Dajjaal, let him keep far away from him, for a man will come to him and think that he is telling the truth because of the wonders that are sent with him.” 

[Ahmad (19118), Abu Dawood (3762) and al-Haakim (4/31)]

I ask Allaah to protect us all from the trials of ad-Dajjaal and save us from his fitan. Ameen. 

And Allaah knows best.

325. Wear Socks And Make Life EASY

By Asma bint Shameem

The five daily prayers are the most important thing in a Muslim’s life. 

And we have to offer them daily no matter what our circumstances. 

But sometimes it gets difficult to make wudhu, such while traveling, or at work, in college or at any time outside the home. 

And even at home, someone who’s sick or elderly might find it difficult to wash their feet again and again. 

But here’s a solution for all the above situations that will make wudhu and LIFE easy Alhamdulillaah. 

And that is... to put on SOCKS. 

How’s that?

After you make wudhu, PUT SOCKS ON right after that. 

Then in case you need to make wudhu again, all you have to do is wipe over the socks and there’s no need to remove them to wash your feet.

But I thought you can only wipe over Khuffain (leather slippers)?

You can wipe over shoes, socks or ANYthing that covers the foot completely. 

 Yahyaa al-Bakka’ said: 

“I heard Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu saying: 

“Wiping over the socks is like wiping over the leather slippers (khuffayn).” 

The socks do NOT have to be made only of leather in order for us to wipe over them. Rather they could be of ANY material, be it cotton, silk, nylon, wool, etc. just as long as the socks are thick enough that color of the skin underneath is not showing, making the feet appear naked.

 Ibn Hazm said: 

“Wiping over anything that is worn on the feet – of things that are permitted to be worn and which come up above the ankles – is Sunnah, whether they are slippers (khuffayn) made of leather or felt or wood, or socks made of linen, wool, cotton, camel hair or goat hair, whether leather is worn over them or not, or whether they are overshoes or slippers worn over slippers or socks worn over socks.” (Al-Muhalla, 1/321)

And Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem said: 

“It is permissible to wipe over socks and the like, whether they are made of wool, camel hair, goat hair, cotton or other materials, if they are thick and cover the place that it is obligatory to wash, and they fulfil all the necessary conditions.

But if the sock is thin and shows the skin, then it cannot be wiped over.”

(Fataawa wa Rasaa’il ash-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem)

Am I allowed to wipe over my socks even if I’m not traveling?

Yes absolutely!

We are allowed to wipe over our socks for up to one whole day (24 hours) if we’re not traveling and up to three days and nights as a traveler since the time of breaking wudhu. 

Proof:

When people asked Ali radhi Allaahu anhu about wiping over the socks, he said:

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam stipulated three days and nights for the traveler, and one day and night for the one who is not traveling.” (Muslim)

When does the timing start?

The timing during which wiping over the socks is allowed, begins when you make wudhu and WIPE over your socks and  NOT when you PUT ON your socks. 

So for example if you made wudhu and put socks on at Fajr time, and then you break your wudhu at 10 am, but then you made wudhu at 1 pm and wiped over your socks, the timing of 24 hours when wiping over the socks is allowed for a non-traveler, will start at 1 pm and NOT at Fajr time. 

 Imaam al-Nawawi said: 

“al-Awzaa’i and Abu Thawr said: The time starts from when he wipes over them after breaking wudhu. This was narrated from Ahmad and Dawood, and is the view which is most likely to be correct, based on the evidence. It was also the view favoured by Ibn al-Mundhir, and something similar was narrated from ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab radhi Allaahu anhu.”

(al-Majmoo’, 1/512)

What if my socks have HOLES?

As long as the holes are not HUGE, it’s allowed to wipe over them. 

Think about this....

Didn’t the Sahaabah’s socks have holes in them?

They were poor and not many of them had a drawer full of new socks at that time; Rather their socks were old and worn with holes in them. 

Yet there’s no report from the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam prohibiting wiping over socks with holes. 

Someone asked the Standing Committee about wiping over socks that had holes in them. 

They said:

“It is permissible to wipe over them instead of washing one's feet when doing wudhu, if they were put on when one was in a state of tahaarah, unless the holes are bigger than is ordinarily acceptable, or the socks are so thin that the feet would be judged to be naked because they show the colour of skin beneath them.”

(Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 5/246)

Do the ankles have to be covered? What about 

low-cut socks?

There’s a difference of opinion among the ulama about this issue but the safer and stronger opinion is that the socks should cover the ankles if you want to wipe over them.

That’s because the socks should cover the place that must be washed, and the place that must be washed goes from the ends of the toes to the ankles. 

Ibn Qudaamah said: 

“It is permissible to wipe over the khuffayn and the like if it covers the place that must be washed. If any part of the place that must be washed is not covered, then it is not permissible to wipe over it.”

(al-Mughni, 1/183)

HOW TO WIPE OVER THE SOCKS

Wiping over the socks is easy. 

When you want to renew your wudhu, and you have socks on from before, all you do is:

-Start off your wudhu EXACTLY like you would normally make wudhu. 

- When it’s time to wash your feet, you will simply run your WET fingers over your socks, on the TOP of the foot ONLY, starting from the toes back towards the part where the foot joins the leg. 

- Do this only ONCE wiping both feet SIMULTANEOUSLY

- Wipe the right foot with the right hand and the left foot with the left hand. 

- But if it’s not possible to wipe both feet simultaneously, for whatever reason, then do them one by one starting with the right foot. 

- There’s no need to wipe over the socks multiple times, or use both hands on each foot, or wipe all sides and underneath the foot. 

 Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: 

“This means that what should be wiped is the top of the sock, passing one's fingers from the toes to the shin only, and one should wipe with both hands over both feet together, i.e., the right hand should wipe the right foot and the left hand should wipe the left foot at the same time, just as one wipes the ears, because this is the apparent meaning of the Sunnah, as al-Mugheerah ibn Shu’bah said, ‘Then he wiped them both.’ He did not say that he started with the right, rather that he ‘wiped them both’. So this is the apparent meaning of the Sunnah. If we assume that he cannot use one of his hands then he should start with the right before the left. Many people wipe the right foot with both hands then the left foot with both hands, but there is no basis for this as far as I know. No matter how it is done, wiping the top of the slipper (or sock) is sufficient but what we have said here is best.” 

(See Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, vol. 1, p. 250) 

What if I take them off? Will that invalidate my wudhu?

If you want to take your socks off for whatever reason after wiping over them, that will not invalidate your wudhu. 

 Ibn Taymiyah and others said:

“If a person takes off the khufoof or socks after wiping over them, his wudhu does not become invalidated according to the correct scholarly opinion. That is because when a man wipes over his khufoof, he has completed his purification according to the shar’i evidence, and when he takes them off, this purification remains in effect, based on shar’i evidence, and it cannot be rendered invalid except with shar’i evidence. There is no evidence that taking off khufoof or socks that have been wiped over invalidates wudhu. Based on this, his wudhu remains in effect.” 

(Majmoo’ Fataawa Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah(21/179, 215) and Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Rasaa’il al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (11/179). 

Conclusion 

Alhamdulillaah wudhu couldn’t be easier, even when it’s difficult or inconvenient to wash the feet. 

All you have to do is to put socks on....

1. In a state of taharah, after wudhu 

2. Make sure the socks cover up to the ankles

3. Make sure the socks are not transparent showing the color of the skin underneath. 

4. Wipe over them for up to 3 days and nights if you’re traveling and for 24 hours if you’re not. 

And Allaah knows best

324. Love Your 'Own Beautiful Wives

*●Don’t shout* at your wife when you are talking. It really hurts her. 

*●Do not share* her love or affection with another woman. It is called Adultery. 

*●Never compare* your wife to another woman. If the other woman was good for you, God would have given her to you. 

*●Be gentle* and accommodating. She has sacrificed so much to be with you. It hurts her deeply when you are hash and irritating. Be tender. 

*●Hide nothing* from her. You are now one and she’s your soulmate. Let there be no secret you are keeping from her. 

*●Do not make* negative comment about her body. She risked her life and beauty to carry your babies. She is a living soul not just flesh and blood.

*●Do not let* her body determine her worth. Cherish and appreciate her even till old age.

*●Never shout* at her in the public and in private. If you have an issue to sort with her, do it in the privacy of your room. 

*●Thank and appreciate* her for taking good care of you, the kids and the house. It is a great sacrifice she is making.

*●All women* cannot cook the same way; appreciate your wife’s food. It is not easy to cook three meals a day, 365 days a year for several years. 

*●Never place* your siblings before her. She is your wife. She is one with you. She must come before your family. 

*●Make time* to play with her and enjoy her company. 

*●Never use* money to manipulate or control her. All your money belongs to her. She is a joint heir with you of the grace of God. 

*●Do not* expose her weakness. You will be exposing yourself too. Be a shield around her.

*●Honour* her parents and be kind to her siblings. 

*●Never cease* to tell her how much you love her all the days of her life. Women are never tired of hearing that.

And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.

(Al Quran 30:21)

323. Salaatul Travelling

You will shorten all the four rak’aat prayers to two. 

And the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam did not read the Sunnah associated with the five daily prayers while traveling except the Sunnah of Fajr and witr. 

So Fajr stays the same. 

Dhuhr is only two rak’aat. 

Asr is only two rak’aat. 

Maghrib is three rak’aat. 

Ishaa is two rak’aat plus witr. 

And Allaah knows best

322. Is The Voice Of A Woman Awrah?

By Asma bint Shameem 

The voice of a woman is not awrah in and of itself. 

But if a woman softens her voice or beautifies it or makes it flirtatious, or laughs etc., that’s when it becomes awrah. 

So when a woman talks to a nonmahram, it’s allowed to do so. 

However, she should not do that *unnecessarily*; 

and if she does need to talk to nonmahrams, she should keep her voice straight and firm yet polite, and not laugh or make her voice soft in any way. 

*Proof*

Allaah says to the wives of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam:

“O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allaah), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner”

[al-Ahzaab 33:32]

Subhaan Allaah!

If that’s what Allaah says to the most  pious and righteous of women, then what about ordinary people like me and you?!

Who could be more fearing of Allaah than the wives of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam, the Noble Mothers of the Believers?

And just think about “who” the Mothers of the Believers were talking to. The Noble Sahaabah...the pious of the pious. The best of the best. 

Yet Allaah tells them not to soften their voices when talking to nonmahrams. 

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

“The woman’s voice is not ‘awrah in principle, for women used to complain to the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and ask him about Islaamic matters. 

They also did that with the Rightly-Guided Khaleefahs (may Allaah be pleased with them) and the rulers after them. 

And they would greet non-mahram men with salaams and return greetings, and none of the Imaams of Islaam denounced them for that. 

But it is not permissible for a woman to speak in a soft or alluring voice, because Allaah says:

“O wives of the Prophet! 

You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allaah), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner”

[al-Ahzaab 33:32]

because men may be tempted by that, as is indicated by this aayah.” 

(Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Iftaa, 6/83). 

The scholars said about the above Aayah:

“Every Muslim reads and hears in the Book of Allaah a verse in which Allaah warned the purest of women and the most chaste of wives, and urged them to adhere to virtue, proper etiquette and chastity, and He says, guiding them: 

“O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allaah), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner”

[al-Ahzaab 33:32]

Allaah wanted to teach them the means of removing impurity and the means of purification, even though they were members of the Prophet’s household and were the purest women ever known on earth. 

Other women are in greater need of these means than those who lived in the household of the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam.

So He started by telling them of their high status and lofty position, and said “You are not like any other women”. 

This applies to every woman of honor and dignity who insists on (strives towards) reaching the status and position that was attained by the wives of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam.

When she hears the prohibition of addressing strange men in a soft voice, she understands that Allaah has great wisdom in all that He commands and forbids, and that He is the One Who has created men and women and He knows that the soft voice of a woman may provoke desire and stir up fitnah. 

This is part of man’s nature and there is no way of attaining purity and modesty except by keeping away from means of provocation altogether. 

*Sharee’ah, which is based on wisdom, closes the door to all kinds of fitnah or temptation, even if that temptation may have little influence on the individual level, but its influence on the society on the whole and in the long term is apparent and clear. Although it may be hidden from some people, it is not hidden from Allaah, may He be glorified, the Lord of all people, and He is the one who has commanded Muslim women to speak in a serious manner.”*

(Islamqa Fatwa # 103439)

In order to avoid this ‘fitnah’, the scholars say that it’s much better for a woman to avoid even reciting the Qur’aan in front of nonmahrams because she beautifies her voice with the recitation of the Qur’aan.

Kamaal al-Deen al-Siyoowaasi said:

“It is clearly stated in al-Nawaazil that the voice of a woman with a *“tune”*is ‘awrah. 

Based on that, for a woman to learn Qur’aan from a *woman* is better, in my opinion, than her learning Qur’aan from a BLIND man, because her voice with a tune is ‘awrah. 

Therefore the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

“Tasbeeh is for men and clapping is for women.” It is not right for a man to hear her.” 

[Sharh Fath al-Qadeer (1/260)]

If this is the position for someone who’s reciting the Book of Allaah, then imagine how bad it is when women laugh out loud, joke and talk flirtatiously with the opposite gender!

But if she’s talking in a straight voice without any softness in it when she’s dealing with nonmahrams, there’s nothing wrong with that.

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan said:

“If a woman speaks to the owner of the shop according to necessity and in a manner in which there is no fitnah, there is nothing wrong with that. 

Women used to speak to men about ordinary needs and matters in which there is no fitnah and within the bounds of necessity. 

But if it is accompanied by laughter or chitchat or an alluring tone, then this is haraam and is not permissible.” 

(Al-Muntaqa min Fataawa al-Shaykh al-Fawzaan)

And Allaah knows best

321. Extra Nawafil Namaaz

1. Tahajjud : any time from after ishaa till just before time for fajr 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night.” (Muslim)

And he said: 

“You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds.” 

(al-Tirmidhi- hasan by al-Albaani)

2.  Salaat ad-Duhaa 

Read any time from 15-20 minutes after sunrise up until few minutes before the sun reaches its zenith.

If you read it at its early time after sunrise, it’s called ishraaq. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

"Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah, complete, complete, complete."

(at-Tirmidhi -- hasan by al-Albaani)

If you read it at its later time before noon, it’s called Awwaabeen 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

*'Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the HEAT of the sand).*'" (Muslim)

3. Tahiyyatul wudhu 

Two rak’aat prayer read after making wudhu 

One day the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam was dreaming and he heard the footsteps of Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu In Jannah with him In his dream. So when he woke up, he asked Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu about it. 

“Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allaah) you  have done since your acceptance of Islaam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise.” 

Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu said : 

“I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make wudhu at any time of night or day, I offer salah for as long as was destined for me to offer.” (Al-bukhari and Muslim)

4. Tahiyyatul masjid 

Two rak’aat prayer 

Read when you enter the masjid 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

"When one of you enters the masjid, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak'ahs." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

And Allaah knows best

320. Book On Manzil

Manzil is a booklet found in the Subcontinent, containing different Aayat and Suwar from the Qur’aan. 

People read it as “protection” and “treatment” against magic, evil eye etc. 

Some of the Aayaat and Suwar that are found in “Manzil” are proven from the authentic ahaadeeth to be part of ruqyah. 

But some are not. 

So it’s best to avoid it and stay with those Aayaat and adhkaar that are proven from the authentic practice or teachings of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

The way to protect yourself  from ALL evil and harm is:

1. Have Taqwa of Allaah in ALL that you do and OBEY Him. 

2. Be vigilant of the five daily prayers. Guard them with your LIFE. 

3. Wear hijaab 

4. Stay away from all sins especially music 

5. Read Qur’aan daily with meanings. 

6. Read the morning and evening adhkaar REGULARLY 

7. Say Bismillaah when you eat or drink, and eat with your right hand. 

8. Read other adhkaar such as when entering or leaving the home, entering the bathroom, taking off your clothes, bedtime adhkaar, dhikr before marital intimacy, etc. 

9. Make wudhu before you sleep 

And for treatment purposes, read the ruqyah that’s proven from the Sharee’ah. 

319. Etiquettes Of Making Duaa

Shaytaan will always come with the whisper that your duaa isn't accepted because he wants to take your most powerful weapon from you. It is common to find people asking why their duaa is not accepted.

Firstly we must ensure our aqeedah is correct. Then we must ensure that our earnings are from halal sources. Then we must make duaa in the correct way - here are some etiquettes of making duaa:

1) Sincerity - you make duaa to Allah and not to any grave or peer or prophet - making duaa to anyone other than Allah is shirk akbar which removes one from the fold of islam

2) Face the qiblah if possible

3) Start with praising Allah, then sending salutations on the messenger (salAllahu alayhi wa sallam) then mention your need. End by sending praise on the messenger again

4) Mention your need three times

5) Be sure that Allah will answer your duaa

6) Do not be impatient in expecting what you asked for. Allah knows what is better for you than you do for yourself so trust in Him

7) Make duaa at times when it is accepted such as: in prostration / when it's raining / when travelling / last third of the night / jummuah / when fasting

8) Do not speak loudly in duaa. Whisper your needs rather than shout them

9) Never think "why me" - this is an extremely serious issue where you are in reality questioning the judgement of Allah.

10) Be patient and steadfast upon your duaa. It is from the highest forms of worship therefore carry it out with a focused heart and mind

What you must understand is that Allah loves to be asked. He loves when His slave calls out to Him and breaks in front of Him. He is the One who tests His slaves to bring them closer to Him and make them realise that they are in need of Him more than anything.

Every time you make duaa, shaytaan is humiliated. He was ordered to prostrate yet he refused due to his arrogance and disobedience so he hates it when we obey Allah and our hearts tremble in front of Him.

Turn back to Allah.