529. Gelatin And Istihaalah

By Asma bint Shameem 

There’s a difference of opinion among ulama about gelatin. 

But the stronger opinion is that it’s ALLOWED to eat gelatin because it changes into a new substance through a process called istihaalah.

Istihaalah is a process by which a substance undergoes complete transformation such that the new product is totally different from the original. 

Although istihaalah is a VALID process, issues come up when the original animal is a PIG. 

The ulama differed about whether pig fat ‘completely’ changes or the change through istihaalah is an ‘incomplete’ change where there are some remnants of it remaining. 

Those who say it changes completely, allow eating gelatin even from pigs. 

Those  who argue that istihaalah does not cause a ‘complete’ change say, you can eat gelatin from other animals except from pork. 

Here what Shaikh Bazmool said about this issue:

“Al-Istihaalah means to change from the state that it was originally to another state where it becomes something else.  The essence of it now is no longer the essence of what it was before. 

With maitah (dead meat), if after a while it decomposes and becomes part of the earth, it is no longer najasah.  It no longer holds the ruling of maitah because it is no longer that, in fact you may not even be able to say what it was. 

This can happen with dung, or feces, etc.  Whenever something changes from one property to another, then the ruling likewise changes and the examples are numerous 

The ruling applies upon what something ‘is’; not what it ‘was’. 

Istihaalah is from the mutahiraat (purifying).  It could have been impure at first but it becomes pure. 

For instance: soap- or any other product- if they used maitah but they put it through a process where the end result is different from what was started with. 

Proof from Sahabah 

Some of the sahabah used to eat the cheese of the disbelievers.  The cheese was made from a part of the calf's chest, the calf that was slaughtered by the kuffaar.  They knew that this was in the cheese, but they knew also that it went through istihaala. 

Gelatin: comes from bone of pig or animal but (it’s) no longer called bone, rather it is called gelatin, hence it is taahir and halaal.  

How, when it used to be najis and haraam?  

It has gone through istihaala and what it is ‘now’ is not what it ‘was’ before.

Proof from The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) forbade Muslims from making khamr into vinegar, but if we should come across vinegar that's made from alcohol without our doing, then that vinegar is halaal. 

Ibn al-Qayyim said regarding istihaalah:

“Based on this principle, alcohol is impure, even though its origin is pure. If the reason for its being regarded as impure is no longer present, then it is to be regarded as pure. This is the basis of sharee’ah and the basis of reward and punishment.  

Based on this, the correct analogy is that this principle may be applicable to all other impurities if they have gone through a process of change. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam removed the remains of the mushrikeen from the site of the masjid (Masjid al-Haraam), but he did not remove the soil. 

And Allaah says of milk that it comes “from between excretions and blood” [al-Nahl 16:66]. 

The Muslims are unanimously agreed that if an animal eats impure things, but it is then detained and fed with pure things, its milk and meat become permissible. 

The same applies to crops and fruits: if they are watered with impure water, but are then watered with pure water, they become permissible, because of the change (istihaalah) in the impure thing, which becomes pure. 

The converse also applies: if the pure thing changes into something impure, then it becomes impure (naajis), like water, and food when it changes into urine and faeces. 

So how can the change affect it when good turns into bad, but not affect it when bad turns into good, and Allaah brings forth pure things from impure things and impure things from pure things?   

It is not the ‘origin’ of a thing that matters, but what it is ‘NOW’. 

It is impossible for the ruling on impurity to remain when the name and character of the thing have changed. 

The ruling is connected to the name and character, and is present or absent depending on whether they are present or absent. 

The texts which deal with the prohibition on dead meat, blood, pork and alcohol do not deal with crops, fruits, sand, salt, soil or vinegar, whether in wording or meaning or text or analogy. 

Those who distinguished between the change (istihaalah) of alcohol and other things said that alcohol becomes naajis because of the process of change, then it may become pure because of a further process of change. It was said to them that blood, urine and faeces  became impure because of a process of change so they may become pure because of a further process of change. Thus analogy is in accordance with the text.”

(Audio tape  from Durar al-Bahiyyah)

Gelatin In medicine

The scholars said:

“With regard to medicine containing gelatin, the matter is subject to further discussion, depending on the type of gelatin used and whether it is of plant or animal origin.

If it is from an animal source, then the question is: is it from a halaal animal that was slaughtered in the prescribed manner; or from maytah (lit. “dead meat”), an animal that was not slaughtered in the prescribed manner; or from an animal that it is not permissible to eat, such as a pig?

1.With regard to haraam gelatin, it is not permissible to put it in medicine.

2.If it is in fact put in medicine, then if it has become transformed (istihaalah) into another substance during the manufacturing process, and there is no detectable trace of the haraam substance in terms of taste, color or smell, then there is nothing wrong with using the medicine that contains it.

3.If it is a small amount that has been completely absorbed and left no trace in the medicine, then there is nothing wrong with taking the medicine in that case. In these two cases, it is permissible to sell the medicine and to prescribe it to patients.

It says in a statement of the Islamic Organisation for Medical Sciences – which researched the topic of Haraam and Impure Substances in Food and Medicine, with the participation of al-Azhar ash-Shareef, the Islamic Fiqh Council in Jeddah, the regional office of the World Health Organisation in Alexandria, and the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health, 22-24 Dhu’l-Hijjah 1415 AH/22-24 May 1995:

“Istihaalah (process of transformation) means that the substance has turned into a different substance with different characteristics; this process turns an impure (najis) substance or a substance that is contaminated with impurity into a pure (taahir) substance, and turns a haraam substance into a halaal one.

Based on that, gelatin that is produced from the istihaalah of bones, skin and sinews of impure (najis) animals is pure (taahir) and it is permissible to eat it.”

4.If we assume that the haraam gelatin has remained as is, and is of a large quantity that has not been fully absorbed into the medicine, then it is not permissible to treat sickness with it or to prescribe it to the patient except in the case of extreme necessity, which is when there is no other medicine available.

Al-‘Izz ibn ‘Abd as-Salaam said: 

“It is permissible to treat sickness with impure substances (najaasaat) if there is no pure (taahir) substance that could be used instead, because the interests of well-being and good health are more important than the interest of avoiding impurity.“[Qawaa‘id al-Ahkaam (1/95)]”

(Islamqa Fatwa # 289422)

Bottom line:

If the gelatin is from animals we’re allowed to eat, like cows, chickens etc then we can eat the gelatin too, even if they were not slaughtered properly. 

As for gelatin from pigs, according to the opinion of Shaikh Bazmool, you may eat it. 

But if you want to follow the safer opinion, then it’s best to avoid it. But you may consume it, in cases of necessity (esp if there’s no other alternative available like in case of some medicines etc.).

And Allaah Knows Best

528. A Breath Of Jahannum

By Asma bint Shameem

These days it’s extremely cold....cold beyond imagination. 

It is so cold, they say such low  temperatures haven't been seen in more than decades.

Pipes are freezing and bursting, cars skidding, causing multiple road accidents, many people don’t have electricity and some have even died.

There’s ice everywhere...

 ice on the cars, ice on the trees, ice on the on the grass.

When the arctic wind blows, it cuts through to the bone. 

It hits across the face and numbs whatever it touches. 

 

And as I feel the chilling effects of these below-freezing temperatures, I think of Jahannum.

Yes, Jahannum.

Now, why would I remember Jahannum, one might ask, in this Siberian weather?

Isn't Jahannum fiery, burning and hot?

 

Yes, that's true. 

But, although Jahannum is a place known for its unimaginable heat, scorching blazes and sweltering fires, there are also places within it that are extremely cold, frigid and chilling....

So frigid are these places that it would burn and scorch and torture a person just as the severest fire would and worse. 

May Allaah protect us.

And this extreme state of coldness in Jahannum is called *Zamhareer*.

The coldness of Zamhareer is NOT a pleasure or any form of RELIEF from the heat of Hellfire.

Rather it is a severe punishment and burning torture which no one would ever be able to bear.

Ibnul Qayyim said about the following Aayah:

"Nothing cool shall they taste therein, nor any drink. Except boiling water, and Ghasaaqaa" [Al Naba: 24-25]

"It is Zamhareer, it burns them with its extreme cold just as it burns them with its heat. It was also stated by Mujaahid and Muqaatil that it is the peak of coldness."

(Badaa'i al Fawaa’id 2/244)

 

Allaah mentions this Zamhareer when he talks about the rewards of the people of Jannah and how they are saved from its cold torture, its extreme frigidity and biting frost.

 

Allaah says:

''They will recline on thrones. They will not see the excessive heat of the sun, nor "*Zamhareera*" (the extreme bitterness of cold)'

(Surah Insaan:13)

 

And the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

"The Fire says: 'Master, some of me eats other parts, so grant me a breath (respite).' 

Thus (the Fire) was granted a breath in the summer and a breath in the winter. 

So whatever you find of bitter cold or Zamhareer, thus it is from a breath of Jahannum, and whatever you find of heat or Haruur, thus it is from a breath of Jahannum". 

(Saheeh Muslim)

And Abdullah ibn Mas‘ood radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“Zamhareer is a kind of torture.”

So what did the righteous people before us do when they experienced extreme cold winters and low temperatures?

They remembered this hadeeth and asked Allaah to protect them from Jahannum and its bitter cold as well as its severe heat.

Ibn Rajab said: 

"And from the virtues of winter is that it reminds one of the extreme c " old of Hell and pushes one to seek refuge from it...

 

Zubayd al-Yami woke up one night to pray. 

So, he walked towards the bowl of water that he would wash up from and when he put his hand in it, the water was so cold that it was almost frozen. 

This reminded him of the extreme cold in Hell.

Zubayd al-Yami did not remove his hand from the bowl until later when his servant came to find him like this. 

His servant said: 

"What are you doing, sir? Why didn't you pray at night as you usually do? 

Why are you sitting here like this?" 

He replied: 

"I put my hand in this bowl and touched the cold water, and was reminded of the extreme cold of Hell. 

By Allaah, I did not feel the severity of its coolness until you came just now. So, go and don't tell anyone about this until I die." 

And nobody knew of this incident until he had died.

 

So when winter comes along and the arctic wind blows and temperatures drop, remember the Aakhirah....

When your fingers and toes are so cold and numb, that you can no longer feel them and when your shake and shiver in the frigid weather, remember Zamhareer and its bitter coldness....

These winds, these extremes of temperatures, this ice and snow are *signs* amongst the signs of Allaah. 

They are *reminders* of our life to come and of the Hereafter.

 

So seek refuge in Allaah from Jahannum and its heat and its coldness. 

Do all you can to stay away from it and do all you can to protect yourself from it. 

And never forget the Day when you will stand in front of Him and give account of all that you said and all that you did.

The famous worshipper Raabi'ah said:

"I have never heard the adhaan except that I remember the caller who will announce the Day of Resurrection;

And I never see the falling snow except that I imagine the flying pages of the records of peoples deeds (on that day);

And I never see swarms of locusts except that I think about the Great Gathering on the Last Day."

(Sifah Al-Safwah)

 

And Ibrahim at-Taymee said: 

"I imagined myself in the Hellfire with its iron chains and blazing fire eating from Zaqqoom (a tree in hell with exceedingly bitter fruit), and drinking from its Zamhareer (a bitterly cold drink), so I said:

"O my soul what do you long for?" 

It replied "To return to the world and perform a righteous action by which I will be saved form this punishment". 

I also imagined myself in Paradise with its Hoori dressed in silken garments (of Paradise) with gold embroidery. 

I said "O my soul! What do you long for?" 

It said "To return to the world and perform a righteous action by which this reward will increase." 

So I said to myself "You are in the world and (surrounded by) aspirations".

 

O Allaah, we seek Your refuge from the torment of Jahannum, from its Zamhareer (coldness) as well as Haroor (heat). Ameen.

527. The Month Of Rajab And Its Misconceptions

By Asma bint Shameem 

Misconception #1: 

Starting the month with a particular duaa 

There’s a misconception that we should start the month of Rajab with a particular duaa:

" اللهم بارك لنا في رجب وشعبان و بلغنا رمضان ." 

“O Allaah, bless us in Rajab and Sha‘baan, and let us reach Ramadan”. 

However, this hadeeth is WEAK. 

And a weak hadeeth means that it’s highly doubtful that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam ever said that or did that or approved of that. 

Misconception #2: 

Making a specific kind of Istighfaar for a specific number of times in this month 

The ‘hadeeth’ often quoted is:

“Whoever says in Rajab ‘I ask Allah for forgiveness, there is no God but He alone, with no partner or associate, and I repent to Him’ one hundred times, and ends it with charity, Allah will decree for him mercy and forgiveness....”

And the so-called hadeeth goes on further. 

However this hadeeth is FABRICATED. 

It’s MADE UP. 

It’s simply NOT true. 

There is NO EVIDENCE from the Qur'aan or the Saheeh ahaadeeth of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi Wa Sallam to prove that. 

Yes, obviously it is good to make taubah and istighfaar ALL the time throughout the year. 

But to think that this month has some special rewards for those making istighfaar, then that is doing something that has no proof from the authentic sources.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi Wa Sallam) said:

"Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected." (al-Bukhaari)

Misconception #3: 

Thinking that fasting this month has special virtue. 

Again singling out this month for fasting, thinking that there's some special reward or merit is NOT according to the Sharee'ah that our beloved Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi Wa Sallam) brought and it is introducing something in the deen.

Ibn Taimiyyah said:

“As for fasting in Rajab in particular, the ahaadeeth concerning that are all weak, and in fact fabricated. The scholars do not rely on any of them.” [Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (25/290)]

Generally speaking, fasting is good. But to think that fasting specifically in Rajab has some special value is WRONG. 

Misconception #4: 

Performing umrah this month

Some might tell you that performing Umrah in the month of Rajab has special rewards. 

Again that's NOT CORRECT. 

There is no reason for someone to specifically pick out Rajab to perform Umrah because there's NO SPECIAL VIRTUE of doing that. 

 Misconception #5: 

Special Prayers 

Some people pray a special prayer called “Salaat al-Raghaa’ib” on the night of the first Friday in Rajab, between Maghrib and ‘Ishaa. 

Again, there’s no basis for this prayer in the Sharee’ah. 

Imaam an-Nawawi said:

“The prayer which is known as salaat al-raghaa’ib... and praying one hundred rak’ahs on the night of Nusf Sha’baan (halfway through Sha’baan) are both reprehensible innovations.May Allaah CURSE the one who fabricated and introduced that, for it is a reprehensible innovation, one of the innovations which constitute misguidance and ignorance, and it involves obvious evils.” 

 (al-Majmoo’ (3/548) and Sharh Muslim)

Subhaan Allaah! 

Allaah’s CURSE!

Some VERY STRONG words for people to ponder over!

Misconception #6: 

Doing Koonday 

Some people prepare special food and sweets in the month of Rajab and recite some verses and prayers on them. They then, invite friends, neighbors and relatives to eat this, and even distribute it among them, thinking there’s some special rewards for doing so. 

This is ALSO an INNOVATION in the Deen based on a fabricated story and is something that’s NOT PROVEN from the Sunnah of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam or his Sahaabah. 

Remember the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“EVERY innovation is going astray”

Misconception #7: 

Visiting graves

Many people visit graves specifically in Rajab, under the impression that it’s good to do so in this month. 

There’s no Aayah of the Qur’aan nor is there any authentic hadeeth of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam that proves that to be correct. 

More misconceptions:

There are other misconceptions associated with this month, such as  wearing special rings of silver to bring them ‘luck’ and other superstitions. 

However NONE of these are TRUE. 

Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: 

“There is NO SAHEEH HADEETH that speaks of the virtues of Rajab. 

The month of Rajab is NO DIFFERENT from the month of Jumaada al-Aakhirah that comes before it, except that it is one of the sacred months only. 

Otherwise there is no fast that is prescribed in this month, and no prayer or ‘umrah or anything else that is prescribed. 

* IT IS LIKE ALL OTHER MONTHS*.” 

[Liqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh (174/26)]

QUESTION?

What about al-Israa' wal Mai'raaj?

Yes for sure, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala caused the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi Wa Sallam to travel from Masjid al-Haraam to Masjid al-Aqsa and then to the Heavens on the night of al-Israa' wal Mi'raaj. 

That is definitely true and a part of our Imaan. 

However, there’s NO PROOF that the Prophet sal Allah alayhi wa sallam EVER specifically worshipped Allaah on the night of al-Israa' wal Mi'raaj, or fasted the next day. 

He did NOT PRACTICE that. 

And he did NOT TEACH that. 

There are NO SPECIAL PRAYERS on the night of the 27th and NO FASTING on that day. 

Surely the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wa sallam) did not omit or forget anything in the deen. 

Surely he did not hide anything from mankind.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wa sallam) said, 

"There is nothing that brings you closer to Jannah except that I have informed you about it and there is nothing that brings you closer to the fire of Hell except that I have warned you against it."

(at-Tabaraani--Saheeh)

Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim said:  

“Every hadeeth which mentions fasting in Rajab and praying during some of its nights is FALSE and FABRICATED.” (al-Manaar al-Muneef, p. 96)

Exact date unknown!

Besides, it’s not even sure about the exact date or even the exact month in which al-Israa' wal Mai'raaj took place. 

There’s NO authentic PROOF to DEFINITELY say that this took place on the 27th of Rajab. 

Shaykh 'Abd al-'Azeez ibn Baaz said:

"With regard to this night on which the Isra' and Mi'raaj took place, there is NOTHING in the saheeh ahaadeeth to indicate that it is in Rajab or in any other month. 

Everything that has been narrated concerning a specific date for these events CAN NOT BE PROVEN to have come from the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wa sallam) according to the scholars of hadeeth...."

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen says: 

"Fasting on the twenty-seventh of Rajab and spending that night in prayer is a bid'ah (innovation), and every bid'ah is a going astray." (Majmoo' Fataawa , 20/440)

Then why is Rajab considered a ‘sacred’ month?

Yes it’s true that Rajab is one of the four ‘sacred’months. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“The year is twelve months, of which four are sacred: three consecutive months, Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab Mudar which comes between Jumaada and Sha’baan.” 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

However, being called ‘sacred’ does NOT mean that there are any special acts of ibaadah to be done that month. 

Rather, being ‘sacred’ means:

1. Fighting in one of the sacred months is forbidden unless initiated by the other side. 

2. Sinning is of a greater weight in these months than sinning at other times. 

That’s because Allaah says:

“wrong not yourselves therein” (Surah al-Tawbah 9:36)

Of course, we shouldn’t be sinning AT ALL. 

But disobedience to Allaah in the sacred months is MUCH WORSE in these four sacred months, than disobedience at other times. 

ALL the more reason we should stay away from all these innovations and misconceptions in the month of Rajab. 

May Allaah guide us to CORRECT knowledge and protect us always from all sins and all bid’ah. Ameen.  

And Allaah knows best.

526. The Month Of Rajab Is SACRED

By Asma bint Shameem 

Alhamdulillaah, we’re now in the month of Rajab. 

The seventh month of the Islaamic lunar calendar, Rajab is one of the *‘sacred’* months. 

Rajab, Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram are called sacred months  because Allaah Himself calls them so.

He says:

“Verily, the number of months with Allaah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allaah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein”

[al-Tawbah 9:36] 

How do we know which four months are these sacred months?

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam told us so in his Final Sermon at Hajj. 

He said:

 “The year is twelve months, of which four are sacred: three consecutive months, Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab Mudar which comes between Jumaada and Sha’baan.” 

(al-Bukhaari)

*So what does “SACRED” mean?* 

‘Sacred’ means that:

1. Fighting in these months is forbidden unless initiated by the enemy. 

2. Sinning and doing bad deeds is WORSE in these months than at other times. 

That’s because Allaah uses the words:

“wrong not yourselves therein”

[al-Tawbah 9:36]  

As it is, being involved in sin and disobedience is a very *GRAVE* issue. 

But doing bad deeds and committing sins in these sacred months is *especially WORSE* in the sight of Allaah, than in other months because these months are sacred. 

And the month of Rajab is one of them. 

Ibn ‘Abbaas said about the Aayah: “so wrong not yourselves therein” [Soorat at-Tawbah 9:36]: 

“(The command not to wrong yourself) applies in ALL months, then Allaah singled out four months and made them sacred, and emphasised their sanctity, and He made sin during these months more grave.”

Ibn Rajab said that some scholars regarded Rajab as *the MOST sacred* of ALL the months.” (Latā’if al-Ma’ārif)

So be CAREFUL NOT TO SIN, especially in this month. 

*Rajab is “PREPARATION”*

The month of Rajab is actually a “*preparation*” for the great and phenomenal month coming up soon In Shaa’ Allaah, the Blessed, Beloved Month of *Ramadhaan*. 

Abu Bakr Al-Balkhi said:

“Rajab is a month of planting seeds, 

Sha’baan is the month of irrigation and Ramadhaan is the month of harvest.”

He also said: 

“The likeness of the month of Rajab is that of the wind, the likeness of Sha’baan is that of the clouds and the likeness of Ramadhaan is that of the rain; whoever does not plant and sow in Rajab, and does not irrigate in Sha’baan, how can he reap in Ramadaan? Now Rajab has passed, so what will you do in Sha’baan if you are seeking Ramadhaan? This is how your Prophet and the early generations of the ummah were in this blessed month, so what will you do?” (Latā’if al-Ma’ārif)

So we should be *preparing* for the upcoming blessed month of Ramadhaan now and getting ready, mentally and spiritually, by taking account of ourselves, making sincere Taubah, and planning and anticipating the month of repentance, forgiveness and ibaadah. 

*Important Note*:

There are NO SPECIAL ibaadaat for the month of Rajab that are proven from the authentic practice or teachings of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

All the ahaadeeth about EXTRA fasting or any SPECIAL fasting in Rajab, doing any *special* *duaas* or *adhkaar* or *prayers* are either *WEAK* or *FABRICATED*.

Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim said:  

“Every hadeeth which mentions (special) fasting in Rajab and praying during some of its nights is FALSE and FABRICATED.” (al-Manaar al-Muneef, p. 96)

Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: 

“There is NO SAHEEH HADEETH that speaks of the virtues of Rajab. 

The month of Rajab is NO DIFFERENT from the month of Jumaada al-Aakhirah that comes before it, except that it is one of the sacred months only. 

*Otherwise there is no fast that is prescribed in this month, and no prayer or ‘umrah or anything else that is prescribed.*

* IT IS LIKE ALL OTHER MONTHS*.” 

[Liqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh (174/26)]

 *Conclusion*

1.Be EXTRA CAREFUL of sins throughout this sacred month of Rajab. 

*Train* yourself to control your eyes, ears, tongue, and hands. 

*Watch* your actions and your  thoughts. 

And “*prepare*” yourself for the upcoming blessed month of Ramadhaan 

2.There are no “Special” ibaadaat for the month of Rajab. 

But as for the ibaadaat that you do ROUTINELY throughout the year, there’s nothing wrong with continuing that. 

And Allaah knows best.

525. A New Year Gained....Or Another Year Lost?

By Asma bint Shameem

ZOOOM!!

Before we knew it, last year passed by like a flash and now the new year is here.

For some people, the beginning of the new year is marked by excited countdowns, popping of firecrackers, partying till the wee hours of the morning and dancing. 

And for some, it is a time for somber thoughtfulness and self accountability. 

Instead of celebrating, they are worried and scared. 

Instead of partying, they think and reflect. 

Their hearts tremble and their skins shiver. 

Why?

Because each year that passes means a year LESS from their lifetime.....

Each year that passes by is bringing them closer.... and closer.. to that Ultimate meeting with the Lord of the Heavens and the earth, when they will have to stand in front of Him and answer regarding all that they did.

These people know that each passing year....each passing month....each passing day.....and each passing second...is actually a LOSS, a DEPLETION of the valuable time they have on this earth.

They are aware that whatever time has passed will never come back. 

And, they know that if they did not make the most of their time, and if they did not use their time wisely, in the obedience of Allaah, then surely, they are the losers. 

That is because Allaah clearly says:

By Al-'Asr (the time).

Verily! Man is in loss

Except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth (i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds which Allah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allah has forbidden), and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allah's Cause).

REFLECT on this Surah my dear brothers and sisters! 

I know we've read it a thousand times! 

But this time...read it with the eyes of your HEART. 

Just THINK about what Allaah is telling us. 

With every moment that passes, realize that we are at a LOSS. 

We are LOSING PRECIOUS TIME, except those of us who are using this time to do good deeds, and trying to live a life of OBEDIENCE to our Creator.

How can we be *'partying'* when we realize that another year of our lives is gone? 

How can we be *celebrating* when we remember that we have to ANSWER to Allaah how we lived our life and how we spent our time?

The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said:

"The feet of the son of Adam shall not move from before his Lord on the Day of Judgement, until he is asked about five things: about his life and what he did with it, about his youth and what he spent it, about his wealth and how he earned it and what he spent it upon, and what he did with what he knew."

 (Tirmidhi-= saheeh by al-Albaani)

You see, your life is like the pages of a calendar. As the months go by, you flip its pages, never to flip the pages back. 

Similarly, as the days and weeks and months of your life go by, they too, will never come back.

That is why the righteous Predecessors were so careful about their time and how they spent it. 

They made sure that no time, however short it was, passed without doing something useful, like acquiring useful knowledge, doing good deeds, helping others, or advising someone. 

So they took ACCOUNT of themselves and their deeds at the end of the YEAR....and at the end of the MONTH.....and at the end of the DAY. 

They were not heedless of the passage of time or day. 

They were conscious of every second of their lives and how important it is to spend it usefully.

Describing the Salaf's care for time, Hasan al-Basri said:

 "I saw those people and how they were more careful about their time than about their Dirhams and Dinars (meaning, their money).

Regarding Imaam Hammad ibn Salamah, someone said: 

"It is unbelievable! I have never seen Hammad laugh at all. 

He was always busy explaining hadeeth, praying, reading or praising the Lord. This is how he spent his day." 

And:" If you were to tell Hammad, 'You are going to die tomorrow', there would be nothing he could add to what he is already doing." 

Subhaan Allaah! What consciousness of the value of time!

Ibn al-Qayyim says:

"The year is like a tree, months are its branches, days are the branch sticks, hours are its leaves, and the breaths are its fruits. 

Therefore, if one's breaths are in obedience [to Allaah and His Messenger], the fruits of his tree are good. If they are in disobedience, his fruits are bitter. 

The harvest is on the Appointed Day, when one's fruits are found out to be either good or bitter."

The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said:

"Make the most of five things before five others: life before death, health before sickness, free time before becoming busy, youth before old age, and wealth before poverty." (Saheeh al-Jaami')

This Hadeeth, like so many other ahaadeeth of the Prophet (sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam), is brief, yet it is so comprehensive and loaded with meaning. 

Not only does it point out the value of time, but it also points out the importance of its proper *utilization* during our youth, and health. 

It urges us to take the initiative, and not to delay good deeds. 

Imam Ahmad advised: 

"Whatever good you are able to do then do it- perhaps you will not be able to tomorrow. And do not postpone today's deeds for tomorrow, perhaps tomorrow will come and you are deceased."

So, instead of *partying* and *celebrating*, let us reflect on how we spent this past year. 

Let us think about our deeds and our actions. 

Were they in obedience to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala? 

Or were they lacking?

Were they in accordance with our purpose here in this dunya? 

Or did we waste yet another year of our lives?

Dear brothers and sisters, man's life is not free from impediments, obstacles and calamities, which can prevent him from accomplishing what could have been done earlier. 

However, *wise* are those who grab available opportunities before being handicapped by obstacles.

So let us VALUE our time here in this world. 

Let us appreciate what time really is. 

It is our chance to earn good deeds and make a place for ourselves in the Aakhirah. 

Each second that passed away is an opportunity LOST, and NOT something to celebrate about. 

Let us leave behind those people who move aimlessly in their fake pleasures and ponder over a better and sublime competition....... a competition that is encouraged by the Glorious Qur'aan. 

It is a race towards the Pleasure of Allaah and Jannah....a competition in the field of *righteous deeds*. 

It is a competition in which the participants are smart people who are AWARE that this life is SHORT hence they compete with one another in investing their lives in acts of obedience to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala. 

If Allaah has blessed you with another day, another week, another year...SEIZE the opportunity and make sure it's *well spent* in His remembrance and obedience

"Therefore, race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden as wide as heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allaah and His Messengers. 

Such is the Favor of Allaah; He gives it to whom He will. Allaah is the Owner of GREAT FAVOR." (Surah Hadeed: 21). 

And Allah knows best.

524. Wake Up, O Ummah

By Asma bint Shameem 

First it was something about reading a Surah 250,000 times. 

Then came something about seeing the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam in a dream, telling the people to read such and such X amount of times. 

Then arrived some nonsense about finding the hair of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam in your Qur’aan!

I mean, seriously?!

You truly believe that there will be a hair of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam in your Qur’aan?!

La Hawla wa la Quwwata illa billaah!

What have we come to?

What have we reduced the Deen of Allaah to?

To some “magic ‘wazeefah’ spell”?!

To some dream?!

To some hair??!!

Wake up O Ummah!

Is this the way to turn to Allaah?

Is this the way we hope for Allaah’s Mercy?

Is this the way to protect against diseases and harm?

By inventing new ways of ibaadah in the Deen?

By doing these kinds of collective "khatams" and "duaas" amd "wazeefas"?!

Do you know that inventing NEW ways of worship is an extremely SERIOUS sin?

It is CONTEMPT of Allaah’s Deen.

It is the ULTIMATE DISRESPECT to the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.

Because you are REJECTING what Allaah has taught and you’re doing something that Allaah has NOT legislated.

Because by doing ibaadah in a way that was NOT taught by the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam, you’re saying you can worship Allaah BETTER than what he taught.

Astaghfirullaah!

You think you know better than the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam?

Is your knowledge better than his?

Is your guidance better than his?

What has happened to your common sense?

Think my brother, my sister...

THINK!

ASK yourself this...

1.When the plague hit at the time of Omar radhi Allaahu anhu, did the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam come in Omar radhi Allaahu anhu’s dream?

Did he “teach” him some “special dhikr” to be read X number of times?

NO.

He did not.

Is this “pious person” who’s claiming that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam taught him a “special dhikr” in his dream, MORE PIOUS than Omar radhi Allaahu anhu?

If there was ANY ONE *more deserving* to see the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam in his dream, and be taught a “special secret wazeefah” then it, most certainly, would have been Omar radhi Allaahu anhu. 

2.And when the plague spread in Shaam, did Abu Ubaidah Ibn Al-Jarraah, one of the TEN promised Jannah, find a HAIR of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam in his Mus-haf?

He did NOT.

Then does the one who claims that there’s a hair of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam in his Mus-haf DARE SAY that he’s BETTER than Abu Ubaidah radhi Allaahu anhu ?

Or is more “FAVORED” than him?

3.And when the plague spread at the time of Omar radhi Allaahu anhu, did the Sahaabah ALL “GET TOGETHER” and pray COLLECTIVELY to “coincide” their duaa and prayers to get rid of the plague?!

Did they read “La ilaaha illa anta subhaanaka inni kuntu min adh-Dhaalimeen” 250,000 times?

Or did they read some dhikr 313 times? 

Or some Surah 1000 times?

Or some Durood X number of times?

to “save” Mu’adh Ibn Jabal radhi Allaahu anhu from the plague?

Did they organize to FAST ALL TOGETHER?

Two of the MOST NOBLE of Sahaabah, Abu Ubaidah and Mu’adh radhi Allaahu anhumaa DIED in this plague, along with MANY others. 

YET, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam did NOT come in anyone’s dream. 

There was NO HAIR to be found. 

There were NO COLLECTIVE DUAAS. 

No coordinated FASTS. 

No unified PRAYERS of Haajah. 

There was NO reading of Durood Tunajjeena. 

NO ONE went around wearing ta’weedh around their necks. 

Or anything else similar to that. 

Ever wonder why?

That’s because THEY KNEW this was NOT PART of the Sharee’ah. 

They KNEW this was NOT the WAY of the PROPHET Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam. 

They KNEW that the Deen is COMPLETE. 

Allaah said:

“This day, I have *PERFECTED your religion for you, COMPLETED My Favor upon you*, and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion.” 

(Surah al-Maa’idah:3)

They KNEW the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam had said:

"There is NOTHING that brings you CLOSER to JANNAH except that I have INFORMED you about it and there is NOTHING that brings you CLOSER to the FIRE of Hell except that I have WARNED you against it."

(at-Tabaraani--Saheeh)

And he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“EVERY innovation is a MISGUIDANCE and every misguidance leads to the HELLFIRE.” (saheeh Muslim)

The word “Kullu” means EACH and EVERY newly invented thing in the religion is WRONG.

You think Allaah’s Mercy will come if you invent NEW WAYS of worshipping Allaah?

You think Allaah will help us while we  DISOBEY the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam ?

And GO AGAINST his teachings?

NO!

That won’t happen. 

Actually, this is inviting the WRATH of Allaah!

And the CURSE of Allaah!

Allaah says:

“And whoever *OPPOSES* the Messenger, AFTER guidance has become CLEAR to him and *FOLLOWS OTHER than the WAY of the believers* (meaning the Sahaabah)– We will turn him where he wants to turn and ROAST him in HELL! 

And EVIL it is as a destination" 

(Surah an-Nisaa':115)

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

"Whoever innovates or accommodates an innovator then upon him is the CURSE of Allaah, His Angels and the whole of mankind." 

[al-Bukhaari (12/41) and Muslim (9/140)]

My dear Muslim brother and sister!

You want Allaah’s Help and Mercy?

You want these trials and sicknesses to go away?

You want His Rahmah to descend upon you?

Your life back to its hustle bustle?

Your health and well-being restored?

Your fears taken away?

Then COME BACK to Allaah. 

Come back to the PURE, “ORIGINAL” teachings of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam, WITHOUT ADDING NEW WAYS of worship. 

Come back to Tawheed. 

The ONLY and ONLY thing that will bring relief and mercy of Allaah is SINCERE REPENTANCE and TAUBAH from ALL SINS. 

We need to take a hard LOOK at ourselves.  

We need to IDENTIFY our sins. 

Then make FIRM RESOLVE NEVER to return to them again. 

PROMISE Allaah to change for the better. 

IMPROVE our relationship with our Rabb. 

BEG Him for His Mercy. 

BE BROKEN in front of Him. 

And CRY. 

CRY over our sins and shortcomings. 

We need to HOLD ON to the PURE teachings of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam and NOT INNOVATE. 

ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Remember dreams are NOT a source of LEGISLATION for us. 

It’s only the PROPHETS of Allaah  who are exclusively selected for that. 

And that counts as Wahy 

And Wahy has ended. 

Don’t get fooled by the Shaytaan. 

ALWAYS ALWAYS go back to the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Noble Sahaabah and see what THEY did, when you come across ANY act of ibaadah. 

If they did it, we should do it too. 

If they didn't do it, that means it's bid'ah. 

NO MATTER “WHO” says to do it. 

If we stick to this principle, we will NEVER get confused. 

We will NEVER go astray 

What the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam taught is ENOUGH for us. 

We can ONLY worship Allaah the way HE worshipped Allaah. 

If we ADD a NEW way to worship Allaah that’s NOT proven from the Sharee’ah, that’s considered bid’ah. 

And bid’ah is DESTRUCTION, EVEN IF it “seems” good. 

Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said:

"EVERY innovation is MISGUIDANCE, EVEN  if the people see it as something GOOD."

Sufyan ath-Thawree said: 

“Innovation is MORE PLEASING to IBLEES THAN SIN, since a person makes repentance from sin but does not repent from innovations!”

Enough of bid’ah. 

Enough of misguidance. 

Come back to Allaah.

Come back to the pure teachings of the PROPHET Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam. 

And ar-Rahmaan will relieve you of your problems. 

And have mercy on you. 

And guide you to the best. 

And bless you. 

May Allaah open our hearts and enable us to follow our beloved Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam in the TRUE sense of the word, to the beat of our ability. Ameen. 

And Allaah knows best

523. Don’t Be So Quick To BLAME OTHERS

By Asma bint Shameem

 I remember the first time I went for Umrah was when I was about 16 or 17 years old. 

That was the time when my family was not really a 'practicing' Muslim family. 

Yeah sure, we prayed and fasted, but that was about the only thing I knew about Islaam ...nothing much more than that. 

Included in that was my ignorance of the rules of Hijaab. 

I didn't cover myself except when I prayed and that also, not too well. 

I didn't know that Allaah required of me to cover myself, not just when I prayed; rather, all the time, in front of all non-mahram men, and I didn't know exactly how I should cover myself, either. 

You see, I had grown up with the erroneous understanding that it is 'backward' and 'uneducated' to cover yourself, and indeed, those who observed hijaab were looked down upon. 

 

So there I was, in front of the Haram, the House of my Lord, with my tight shalwar kameez and a small scarf just barely covering my head and shoulders....the rest of me exposed.

 

As I stood by the main entrance of the Masjid, I looked at the throngs and throngs of women who passed by me, fully covered from top to toe, in their 'abaayas and niqaabs with nothing but their eyes showing. 

And as I looked at them, several emotions were going through my young and ignorant mind......emotions of amazement, pity and scorn, all mixed together. 

These poor women...I thought to myself. 

Aren't they HOT in all those coverings? 

Poor illiterate things, they are so BACKWARD and suppressed. 

They are living in a world of their own. 

They have no idea where the rest of us are going.....

 

But as I took pity on them and shook my head with hopelessness and disdain, I also noticed something else. 

I noticed that _”they”_ were glaring at me TOO, as they passed me by....each and every one of them!

Wow! I thought to myself. *_What's the matter with them?!!_*

And just when I thought I had had enough of their awful looks and glares, one of them stopped abruptly and sharply tugged at my hair that was showing from underneath my short scarf in the back. 

"OUCH! Stop that!" I snapped at her. 

"Why in the world did you do that to me?!!"

 

The lady angrily muttered something to me in Arabic and left and I just stood there, hurt, angry, bewildered and disgusted. 

These Arabs are SO RUDE!! 

I hatefully and bitterly thought to myself. 

I did NOT understand the hostility, the angry looks, the resentment. 

When I told someone about what happened, they said, 

"Oh, you don't know. 

These Arabs are so racists! 

They don't like Pakistanis!" 

 

And that's what I believed. 

That these Arabs are not only illiterate, suppressed, and uncivilized, but they are also racist, rude and mean....

Fast forward several years. 

Allaah gave me another chance to go for Umrah, Alhamdulillaah. 

Only this time, it was DIFFERENT.

To my amazement, everyone was so NICE to me!

The sisters smiled at me and treated me with respect. 

When they spoke to me, their voice was soft and their manners were the best. 

They said salaam to me, and hugged me and kissed me, even though they didn't even know me. 

They shared their food with me. 

They made space for me in the saff for prayer, when there was no space to be seen. 

In other words, they treated me like one of their own....they treated me like their sister.

 

Wow! Amazing!

"Surely, these Arabs have certainly changed!" I thought, so pleasantly surprized and thankful. 

"They are no longer rude and mean. They have actually become civilized, polite and courteous!" 

 

"What made them change....??" I wondered. 

"Why is it so different from the LAST time?"

 

And then, an awful, bitter reality dawned upon me. 

The painful and distressing realization crept upon me and made me shudder...the disturbing awareness that it was NOT THEM who had changed. 

Rather, it was ME. 

 

It was not THEY who were different after all these years. 

“I” was different.

 

Alhamdulillaah, Allaah had guided me to wear Hijaab. 

Now, I was covered, from head to toe.....just like these other women, just like the way Allaah has told us Muslim women to cover. 

And THAT was the difference.

 

It became clear to me, as bright as day, that, it was never “me” that these Arab sisters were angry at, when I had first come for Umrah many years ago.

 *It was the laws of Allaah that I was defying that they were upset about.*

*_All those years back, the fault was with ME, NOT with THEM._*

When Allaah made me realize that it is an order from Him to cover myself and wear proper hijaab..... *that* was the difference.

 

I had realized that it is _NOT_ backward or uncivilized to dress modestly and wear Hijaab 

And it is _NOT_ a sign that I am oppressed. 

I recognized the fact that it was not “them” who were suppressed or illiterate. 

Rather, it was “ME” that was so, when I disobeyed Allaah and didn't do what I was supposed to do. 

“THEY” didn't need to be pitied. 

*“I”did*

 

When I realized that it is a sign of me obeying my Lord and an honor and a dignity that He bestows on whomever He wishes... THAT was the difference.

 

I also realized that these Arabs are NOT racist and it is NOT about us being 'Pakistani' or Indian or non-Arab. 

Rather, it is our own ACTIONS that make people like us or respect us or honor us...or dislike us. Or disrespect us. 

 

It also made me aware of the fact that so many times, we are so QUICK to blame others. 

We RUSH to see the FAULTS that lie with OTHERS that we FORGET, that perhaps the fault, in fact, lies with US  and NOT with THEM.

Just like me.... I was so quick in condemning and blaming my Arab brothers and sisters for being mean and rude and racist and I didn't realize that it was MY actions, MY deeds, MY way of dressing, that was the reason for their dislike and nothing more. 

 

Remember, when you pick up your hand to point a finger at somebody, do realize that there are three (fingers of your own hand) pointing at you too. 

May Allaah forgive our previous mistakes and guide us always to the straight path and enable us to see the Truth as the Truth and falsehood as falsehood. 

May He allow us to see our own mistakes and enable us to make taubah and rectify our shortcomings. Ameen.

522. Can I Drink Water Standing Up?

 By Asma bint Shameem 

Although it’s *better* and more *recommended* to drink water while sitting, it is also ‘permissible’ to drink it while standing. 

*PROOF*:

Ibn Mas’ood radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“I brought water to the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

from Zamzam and he drank whilst standing.”

(Al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

*Argument #1*:

BUT wasn’t that ONLY for drinking Zam Zam?

That’s not the correct understanding of the hadeeth. 

In order for us to understand ANY matter fully, we have to look at ALL the authentic evidences related to the subject. 

Let’s see what the Sahaabah said.

Ali radhi Allaahu anhu drank while standing then he said: 

*“Some people say it is makrooh for one of you to drink whilst standing, but I saw the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam doing what you have seen me do.”* 

(al-Bukhaari)

Ibn ‘Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

*“We used to eat at the time of the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam whilst walking, and we used to drink whilst standing.”* 

(at-Tirmidhi-saheeh by al-Albaani)

*Argument #2*:

BUT didn’t the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam forbid drinking while standing?

It’s true that there are authentic ahaadeeth, that forbid drinking while standing. 

For example:

Anas and Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri radhi Allaahu anhumaa reported that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam forbade drinking whilst standing.” (Muslim)

But there are also equally authentic ahaadeeth that say that he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam also drank while standing, (quoted above)

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam actually did that to show that although it’s BETTER to drink sitting down, it is ALSO PERMISSIBLE to drink standing up if such a situation arises. 

The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas said:

“The basic ruling is that one should drink whilst *SITTING*, and this is *preferable*, but one may drink whilst standing. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did BOTH to demonstrate that there is a lot of room for maneuver in this matter.” 

[Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (22/133)]

So it’s *RECOMMENDED* to sit down and drink but IF there’s a situation where you may need to drink while standing, that’s ALSO okay. 

And Allaah knows best.