Yusuf Islam - Father & Son

Respecting Parents

I . PARENTS IN QUR'AN

A Muslim child should respect and appreciate his or her parents every day throughout the year. Allah asked human beings to recognize their parents after recognition Allah Himself. Throughout the Qur'an, we notice that parents are mentioned with appreciation and with respect, even if they are senile. In Surah Al-Isra' (Children of Israel) there is a very beautiful description of how parents are to be treated. Allah (swt) says:
"Your Lord had decreed, that you worship none save Him, and (that you show) kindness to parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age with you, say not "Fie" unto them nor repulse them, but speak unto them a gracious word. And lower unto them the wing of submission through mercy, and say: My Lord! Have mercy on them both, as they did care for me when I was young." [17:23-24]

The recognition and respect of parents is mentioned in the Qur'an eleven times; in every instance, Allah reminds children to recognize and to appreciate the care and love they have received from their parents. In one aspect, Allah demands that children recognize their parents by saying to them:

"We have enjoined on man kindness to parents." [29:8/46:15]

1. The demand for recognizing parents is made more emphatic when Allah says in the Qur'an Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) the following:

"And (remember) when We made a covenant with the children of Israel, (saying): worship none save Allah (only), and be good to parents..." [2:83]

2. In Surah Al-Nisaa' (The Women) Allah (swt) emphasized again that children should be kind to their parents.

"And serve Allah. Ascribe nothing as partner unto Him. (Show) Kindness unto parents... " [4:36]

3. In Surah Al An'Am (The Cattle), Allah (swt) reemphasized that people should be kind to their parents.

"Say: Come, I will recite unto you that which your Lord has made a sacred duty for you; that you ascribe nothing as partner unto Him and that you do good to parents..." [6:151]

II. MOTHERS

Although Islam recognized both parents, mothers are given particular gratitude and respect. This attitude of Islam is understood if we realize the hardships and the suffering that mothers experience in their lives. In this regard, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
It was narrated by Abu Hurairah (R) that a man came to the Prophet (pbuh) and asked him, 'Who is to be close to my friendship?' The Prophet (pbuh) answered:

Your mother, your mother, your mother, then your father, then the one closest to your kinship, and the one after.

Islam has endorsed respect for parents by their children even if the parents are non-Muslims. If parents strive very hard to convert their children to non-Islamic beliefs, they don't follow them, but they are to be good to them. In this regard, Allah (swt) says in Surah Luqman:

"And We have enjoined upon man concerning his parents--his mother beareth him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years--Give thanks unto Me and unto your parents. Unto Me is the journeying. But if they strive with you to make you ascribe unto Me as partner that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Consort with them in the world kindly, and follow the part of him who repents unto Me. Then unto Me will you return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.--" [31:14-15]

III. MORE RESPECT

Islam teaches us that respect for parents comes immediately after praying to Allah and before Jihad (struggle and striving in the way of Allah). In this respect, the Prophet (pbuh) said the following:
Narrated by Abi Abder Rahman Abdullah bin Massoud (May Allah be pleased with him) saying: I asked the Prophet (pbuh), "which deed is more liked by Allah?" He replied, "Prayers on time." Then I asked, "Which one is next?" He said, "Goodness to parents." Then I asked, "Then which one is next?" He said, "Jihad in the way of Allah." (Agreed)

In Islam, respect for parents is so great that the child and his wealth are considered to be the property of the parents. In this regard, the Prophet (pbuh) said:
Narrated by Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) that a person came to the Prophet (pbuh) to resolve his dispute with his father regarding a loan given to the father. The Prophet (pbuh) said to the person,” You and your wealth are to your father."

IV. FINAL REMARKS

We hope and we pray that all of us will respect our parents while they are alive and even after they are dead. You may honor your parents after they died through the following methods:

1. Make daily Du'a' for them
2. Give a charity on their behalf
3. Institute a perpetual charity on their behalf - such as a Masjid, an Islamic Center, an Islamic Library, an Islamic hospital, an orphanage, a senior citizen's home, etc.
4. Perform Hajj on their behalf or ask someone to do so.
5. Read Qur'an on their behalf
6. Distribute Islamic Literature on their behalf

Let us pray to Allah that we will do our best to respect our parents, to honor them, to be kind to them, to help them, and to please them for the love of Allah.
O Allah! Accept our humble prayers and make us obedient servants to you.
O Allah! Help us to be respectful children to our parents. Ameen.


source article:http://muslim.multiply.com/journal/item/1056/Respecting_Parents

Adzaan: The Amazing Phenomenon

Amazing as it sounds, but fortunately for the Muslims of the world, it is an established fact. Have a look at a map of the world and you will find Indonesia on the eastern side of the earth. The major cities of Indonesia are Java, Sumatra, Borneo and Saibil. As soon as dawn breaks on the eastern side of Saibil, at approximately 5:30 am local time, Fajar Azaan begins. Thousands of Muazzins in Indonesia begin reciting the Azaan.


The process advances towards West Indonesia. One and a half hours after the Azaan has been completed in Saibil, it echoes in Jakarta. Sumatra then follows suit and before this auspicious process of calling Azaan ends in Indonesia, it has already begun in Malaysia.


Burma is next in line, and within an hour of its beginning in Jakarta, it reaches Dacca, the capital city of Bangladesh. After Bangladesh, it has already prevailed in western India, from Calcutta to Srinagar. It then advances towards Bombay and the environment of entire India resounds with this proclamation. Srinagar and Sialkot (a city in north Pakistan) have the same timing for Azaan. The time difference between Sialkot, Quetta, and Karachi is forty minutes, and within this time, Fajar Azaan is heard throughout Pakistan. Before it ends there, it has already begun in Afghanistan and Muscat. The time difference between Muscat and Baghdad is one hour. Azaan resounds during this one hour in the environments of Hijaaz-e-Muqaddas (Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah), Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq.


The time difference between Baghdad and Alexandria in Egypt is again one hour. Azaan continues to resound in Syria, Egypt, Somalia and Sudan during this hour. The time difference between eastern and western Turkey is one and a half hours, and during this time it is echoed with the call to prayer.
Alexandria and Tripoli (capital of Libya) are located at one hour's difference. The process of calling Azaan thus continues throughout the whole of Africa. Therefore, the proclamation of the Tawheed and Risaalat that had begun in Indonesia reaches the Eastern Shore of the Atlantic Ocean after nine and half hours. Prior to the Azaan reaching the shores of the Atlantic, the process of Zohar Azaan has already started in east Indonesia, and before it reaches Dacca, Asar Azaan has started. This has hardly reached Jakarta one and half hours later, the time of Maghrib becomes due, and no sooner has Maghrib time reached Sumatra, the time for calling Isha Azaan has commenced in Saibil! When the Muazzins of Indonesia are calling out Fajar Azaan, the African Muazzins are calling the Azaan for Isha.


If we were to ponder over this phenomenon thoughtfully, we would conclude the amazing fact that there is not even a single moment when hundreds of thousands of Muazzins around the world are not reciting the Azaan on the surface of this earth. Even as you read this material right now, you can be sure there are atleast thousands of people who are hearing and reciting the Adzaan!!!


article source: http://muslim.multiply.com/journal/item/1363/ADZAAN

Night of Qadr

MUST READ !!

JAZAKALLAH KHAIR !!

Must Read !! Read Even if you are too busy !!

The unluckiest person in the world..
is the one who did not make it to forgive all his past sins in month of Ramadhaan.

How many people are laying in there Grave, who thought they can make it to Ramadhaan this year. They never made it !!

We are lucky we got a chance this year !!

The Prophet (SAW) said: "Whosoever reaches the month of Ramadhaan and does not have his sins forgiven, and so enters the Fire, then may ALLAH distance him."[Ahmad (2/246) and Bayhaqi (4/204)]

Its not too late, Also we have the 'Night of Power' ( Lailat-ul-Qadr ) in hand

The Messenger (SAW) said: "Whoever prays the Night of Qadr with Eemaan (faith) and hoping for its reward, ALLAH will forgive him all his previous sins." [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

'Lailat-ul-Qadr' or 'Night of Power' a very important occasion in the history of Islam and in our personnel lives.

The Night Of Power is better for you to live, to experience and to enjoy than one thousand months of your personal life. Even if you were to live one thousand months (83.3 years) with sincerity, dedication, and sacrifices and with good intentions and deeds, the Night Of Power is still far better for you to live and to enjoy.

ALLAH says in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Qadr:
"We have indeed revealed this (message) in the Night of Power. And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the spirit by God's permission, on every errand: Peace! This until the rise of Morn." (97:1-5)

The Night of Power is a night of blessings ALLAH has blessed this Night. Therefore whosoever is interested in receiving the blessings of ALLAH may look forward to the Night of Power.

Anyone who seeks the Night of Power and lives it, all his/her sin will be erased. This is, as if, he/she is, born again now free of all sin and mistakes.

Aa'isha (R) said: "When the last ten days of Ramadhaan arrived the Messenger (SAW) used to abstain (from contact a with his wives) and he would establish the nights. He would awaken (his family) to do the same also." [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

I am sure every one of us would like to live a life free of sins an free of mistakes. Everyone would like to meet ALLAH on the Day of Judgment without sins. Every one of us would like to feel that he/she is reborn today.. All of us wish to rejuvenate ourselves, and to start a new year with a fresh outlook and a fresh life. Every one of us wants to live a pure life and everyone wants to purify himself/herself without anguish or torment.

The Night of Power is one of the best way in which a person is to achieve all these ideals. For this reason may I suggest that you start looking for it, so you will be able to observe it and enjoy it.

Imam Bukhari reports from 'Aishah that the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) would tighten his waist-cloth (i.e. detach himself from his wives), spend the night in worship and awake his family, during the last ten nights of Ramadan.

As far as determining the Night of Power (Lailat-ul-Qadr) is concerned, it has been reported to be during one of the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadhaan, i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. It has been emphasized that it is most likely to be the 27th night. But this doesn't mean you should stick to 27th night only.

The Signs of the Night of Qadr.

The Messenger of ALLAH (SWT) described the morning of the night of Qadr so that the muslims can know which night it is.

Ubayy (R) said : "On the morning of the night of Qadr the sun would rise without any beams; (it is like) a wash basin until it raises." [Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (R) said : "We mentioned the night of Qadr to the Messenger of ALLAH (SWT) and he said: "Which of you remembers when the moon rises and it is like half a bowl." [Muslim]

Ibn Abbaas (R) said that the Messenger of ALLAH (SWT) said : "The night of Qadr is a night of generosity and happiness, it is not hot and neither is it cold. The sun comes up in its morning weak, reddish." [Tabaranee, Ibn Khuzaimah and Bazzaar]
To summarize, I would like to mention the following:

1. The sun rises early in the morning without rays.
2. Rain may fall either during the night or during the day of that night.
3. During night the sky will be lightly foggy.
4. The sky will be slightly lighted without reflections and without rays.
5. The angels and Gabriel all descend down onto earth for many purposes.

If you are interested in living the Night of Power, let me remind you of some of the things that you might have to do.

a. Recitation of the Our'an.
b. Prayers-Nafl after Taraweeh.
c. Remembrance of ALLAH or zikr
d. Supplication or Du'a for you and for others.
e. Reading books of Hadeeth so as to enjoy the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

In Sahih Bukhari (6/521), there is an amazing piece of advice from the Prophet (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace): "Recite the Quran as long as your hearts agree on it; if you disagree about it, stop reciting it (for the time being)" -- studying the Quran should bring people together!

Ten days are the last part of the month and a person's actions are based on his last ones. So perhaps, he will encounter the night of Al-Qadr, while standing in prayer for ALLAH and thus have all his past sins forgiven.

The Night of Power is a very important occasion in Islam. Everyone is asked to live it and to enjoy it. This Night is a 'Night of Mercy', a 'Night of Blessing', a 'Night of Peace' and a 'Night of Guidance'.. It is a 'Night of Unification' between the finite world of ours and the Infinite Universe of the Unseen.


May ALLAH give us the strength, the power, the courage and the effort to do our best to obey ALLAH and to follow His teachings. May ALLAH guide us and may ALLAH strengthen our Emaan May ALLAH help us to live another year with sincerity and devotion. May ALLAH make us realize that one year of our life is over and that we are one year closer to our graves.

Let us wake up and do our best to please ALLAH in our daily life. Let us ask Almighty ALLAH forgiveness. Ameen.

And one must incite, animate and persuade his family to perform acts of worship, especially in these great times in which no one neglects it except that he has been deprived. What is more incredible than this is that while the people are performing prayer and making tahajjud, some individuals spend their time in forbidden gatherings and sinful events. This is indeed the greatest loss. We ask ALLAH for his protection.

So we ask ALLAH to grant us the ability to change ourselves for the better, during this blessed month, and not to be of those who are prevented from His Mercy and forgiveness. Indeed He is the One who Hears and He is the One to Respond.

Take a vacation for ALLAH

We take a break from our jobs for almost everything in life. Why not this time to focus on worshiping and thanking our Creator.

If this is not possible at least take a few days off if you can. This can make it easier to stay awake at night to do extra Ibadah. Whatever you loose is very negligible in front of whatever you gain from this Night.

Brothers and sisters in Islam!

Fear ALLAH Ta'ala and beware of wasting your life away in futile activities. Make use of your time by being positive and constructive. This may well be your last Ramadaan, your last opportunity to benefit from the special blessings and forgiveness that accompanies this month. Know that Ramadaan is a manifestation of ALLAH Ta'ala's bountiful blessings on His slaves. Use it as a turning point in your life; a time for transformation towards a better way of life.

Yaa ALLAH ! We are full of sins. We ignore you in our life, Please don't ignore us and guide us towards your path with the help of Prophet Mohammed (SAW). And open our hearts to understand our Deen.. Ameen

May ALLAH Subhanahu wa Ta'ala weigh your prayers in gold, count your blessings with stars and ease your every effort like a gentle summer breeze.

Compiled from various sources

JazakALLAH to all those who are involved directly and indirectly in this article.


source article: http://muslim.multiply.com/journal/item/1364/LAILATHUL_QADR_--_--_--_Night_of_Qadr

-BISMILLAH-

HOPEFULLY THIS BLOG WILL GIVE BENEFIT TO ME AND ALL MUSLIM IN THE WAY OF OUR LIFE TO FIND THE BLESSING