Islamic tools/ Salah learner & teacher

• Praying salah Tools to Learn and to Teach your Children.

Dear brothers and sisters of Islam, Just as we perform our Duties as Muslims we have to teach our children the ways of our beloved Religion.
Teaching children salah/Salat/Namaz  can be a challenge sometimes.
 Below you will find 2 very handy programs to help you and your child in the process.
Children Like to play on our computers etc. and these tools are a great software, with step by step directions and Audio.
You can download them for free, I provided links.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Step by Step Prayer Guide Flash Animations with Audio in exe format (2.34 MB)

Download,here: http://www.mediafire.com/download/98iz6ei82c9be6q/prayer_man_en.exe

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• The Right Way to Pray for Beginners Flash Animations with Audio (612 KB)

download here: http://www.mediafire.com/download/vpkwyhaq9rbehf3/The_right_way_to_pray.zip

Free Islamic Ebooks: Islamic studies: Islamic Knowledge

Below, Dear Brothers and sisters you will find Various Islamic Books, each book can be downloaded for free with the Links provided. You can download them to your computer, Tablet, or Phones.

  

please Subscribe and follow my blog for more Islamic content to come soon, and share the blog with all your family and friends.

Also I invite you all to follow our Page on Facebook and share it with everyone: https://www.facebook.com/IslamicContent

Jazak'Allah

	Title:	Stories of The Quran
	Author:	Ibn Kathir
	Category:	The Holy Quran  Islamic Resources and Hadith
	Filetype:	pdf
	Filesize:	361 KB
	Description:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/yq61z3msse0tmuc/stories_of_the_quran.pdf

	Title:	Memorize Surah Yasin By Heart Free EBook
	Author:	www.islamicbulletin.com
	Category:	The Holy Quran  'The Islamic Bulletin' Resources  Other
	Filetype:	pdf
	Filesize:	1.11 MB
	Description:	Click on The Link for PDF Book. .
http://www.mediafire.com/download/re7a1gaj5c8w461/yasin.pdf

	Title:	Holy Quran with Color Coded Tajweed Rules in PDF
	Author:	www.islamicbulletin.com
	Category:	The Holy Quran
	Filetype:	pdf
	Filesize:	201 MB
	Description:	The Tajweed Rule allows the reciter to emphasize the accent, phonetics, rhythm and temper of the Qura'nic recitation.This Quran is also ideal for students of hifz who will easily recognise the various rules of tajweed. http://www.mediafire.com/download/y22y6rqi6j7ycyv/quran_tajwid.pdf

	Title:	Abraham: The Friend of God
	Author:	Dr. Jerald F. Dirks
	Category:	The Holy Quran
	Filetype:	pdf
	Filesize:	11.8 MB
	Description:	Abraham, as a prophet and patriarch, is called "the friend of God" in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic scriptures, and has a place of eminence in the shared scriptures and histories of each of these 3 monotheistic, prophetic, and Middle Eastern religions. http://www.mediafire.com/download/895o6cu65lsm1h9/abraham_the_friend_of_God.pdf

	Title:	The Messenger Of Allah Mohammad (SAW)
	Author:	Mohammad Redha
	Category:	The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh)
	Filetype:	pdf
	Filesize:	29 MB
	Description:	Black and white, red and yellow, followers of the Prophet Muhammad come from all human races.His Life story and the Story of Islam is a matter of Pride for all Muslims , This Biography is just one of such books about the Beloved Prophet Muhammad. http://www.mediafire.com/download/bo7xs303a0sg18p/mohammad_redha.pdf

	Title:	The Islamic View of Jesus
	Author:	Ibn Kathir
	Category:	The Holy Quran
	Filetype:	pdf
	Filesize:	MB
	Description:	Jesus the Miracle Baby, The Prophet of Allah his Second Coming are amongst many of the issues discussed in this book by Ibn Kathir.As well as prophethood and apostleship, Jesus was honoured with many other great qualities and characteristics. http://www.mediafire.com/download/ub7ipsjskzupr6n/the_islamic_view_of_jesus.pdf

Islamic Wisdom

THE WISDOM IN ISLAM

“Wisdom In Islam” encompasses in its radiant
words the true goals that all of us must strive for.
Its bounty of mercy, forgiveness and guidance is
stunning in its clarity. Imagine using this wonderful
guidance on a regular basis? It is important to
endeavor to practice and then to invite others to
practice these beautiful words of wisdom.

A Bedouin came one day to the Prophet
Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) and said to
him,”O, Messenger of Allah! I’ve come to ask you
a few questions about the affairs of this life and
the Hereafter.”

Ask what you wish.

-I’d like to be the most learned of men.

Fear Allah, and you will be the most learned of

men.

-I wish to be the richest man in the world.

Be contented, and you will be the richest man in

the world.

-I’d like to be the most just of men.

Desire for others what you desire for yourself,

and you will be the most just of men.

-I want to be the best of men.

Do good to others and you will be the best of

men.

- I wish to be the most favored by Allah.

Engage much in Allah’s praise, and you will be

most favored by Him.

-I’d like to complete my faith.

If you have good manners you will complete

your faith.

-I wish to be among those who do good.

Adore Allah as if you see Him. If you don’t see

Him, He sees you. In this way you will be

among those who do good.

-I wish to be obedient to Allah.

If you observe Allah’s commands you will be

obedient.

-I’d like to be free from all sins.

Bathe yourself from impurities and you will be

free from all sins.

-I’d like to be raised on the Day of

 Judgment in the light.

Don’t wrong yourself or any other creature,

and you will be raised on the Day of Judgment

in the light.

-I’d like Allah to bestow His mercy on

 me.

If you have mercy on yourself and on others,

Allah will grant you mercy on the Day of

Judgment.

-I’d like my sins to be very few.

If you seek the forgiveness of Allah as much as

you can; your sins will be very few.

-I’d like to be the most honorable man.

If you do not complain to any fellow creature,

you will be the most honorable of men.

-I’d like to be the strongest of men.

If you put your trust in Allah, you be the

strongest of men.

-I’d like to enlarge my provision.

If you keep yourself pure, Allah will enlarge

your provision.

-I’d like to be loved by Allah and His

 messenger.

If you love what Allah and His messenger love

you will be among their beloved ones.

-I wish to be safe from Allah’s wrath on

 the Day of Judgment.

If you do not lose your temper with any of your

fellow creatures, you will be safe from the

wrath of Allah on the Day of Judgment.

-What will save me from sins?

Tears, humility and illness.

-What are the best deeds in the eyes of

 Allah?

Gentle manners, modesty and patience.

-What are the worst evils in the eyes of

 Allah?

Hot temper and miserliness.

-What assuages the wrath of Allah in this

 life and in the Hereafter?

Concealed charity and kindness to relatives.

-What extinguishes hell’s fires on the

 Day of Judgment?

Patience in adversity and misfortunes.

“I have never heard a tradition more comprehensive of the beauties of religion, and more
beneficial than this hadith. It collects all the
good things of Islam.” (Related by Imam Ibn
Hambal).

Learn The Quran/Quran Explorer

Wa nunazzilu mina al-qurani ma huwa shifaun wa rahmatun lil-mumineenAnd We sent down in the Quran such things that have healing and mercy for the believers (an-Najm, 17:82)

learn the Quran or memorize it for Free, No Teacher and at your own Pace. Click Below start:

Quran Explorer

Ramadan Live from Mecca -الحرم المكي

Watch Live Feed from The Holy Land of The Beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) Mecca Live

Praying in the last ten nights of Ramadan

Al-Bukhari and Muslim record from 'Aishah that during the last ten days of Ramadan, the Messenger of Allah would wake his wives up during the night and then remain apart from them (that is, being busy in acts of worship). A narration in Muslim states: "He would strive [to do acts of worship] during the last ten days of Ramadan more than he would at any other time."

Aisha reported that With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers. [Bukhari]

Zakat Al-Fitr / Sadaqah al-Fitr

Zakat Al-Fitr

Every Muslim is required to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr at the conclusion of the month of Ramadan as a token of thankfulness to God for having enabled him to observe fasts. Its purpose is to purify those who fast from any indecent act or speech and to help the poor and needy.


This view is based upon the hadith which reads, “The Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, enjoined Zakat-ul-Fitr on those who fast to shield them from any indecent act or speech, and for the purpose of providing food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakah for the one who pays it before the `Eid prayer, and it is sadaqah for the one who pays it after the prayer.”

Meaning 

Zakah al-Fitr is often referred to as Sadaqah al-Fitr. The word Fitr means the same as Iftar, breaking a fast and it comes from the same root word as Futur which means breakfast. Thus, Islamically, Zakah al-Fitr is the name given to charity which is distributed at the end of the fast of Ramadan. 

Classification 

Sadaqah al-Fitr is a duty which is Wajib on every Muslim, whether male or female, minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do so. The proof that this form of charity is compulsory can be found in the Sunnah whereby Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) made Zakah al-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims; one Sa` of dried dates or one Sa` of barley. [1] The head of the household may pay the required amount for the other members. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said, "On behalf of our young and old, free men and slaves, we used to take out during Allah's Messenger's (peace be upon him) lifetime one Sa` of grain, cheese or raisins". [2] 

Significance 

The significant role played by Zakah in the circulation of wealth within the Islamic society is also played by the Sadaqah al-Fitr. However, in the case of Sadaqah al-Fitr, each individual is required to calculate how much charity is due from himself and his dependents and go into the community in order to find those who deserve such charity. Thus, Sadaqah al-Fitr plays a very important role in the development of the bonds of community. The rich are obliged to come in direct contact with the poor, and the poor are put in contact with the extremely poor. This contact between the various levels of society helps to build real bonds of brotherhood and love within the Islamic community and trains those who have, to be generous to those who do not have.

Purpose 

The main purpose of Zakah al-Fitr is to provide those who fasted with the means of making up for their errors during the month of fasting. Zakah al-Fitr also provides the poor with a means with which they can celebrate the festival of breaking the fast (`Eid al-Fitr) along with the rest of the Muslims. Ibn Abbas reported, "The Prophet (peace be upon him) made Zakah al-Fitr compulsory so that those who fasted may be purified of their idle deeds and shameful talk (committed during Ramadan) and so that the poor may be fed. Whoever gives it before Salah will have it accepted as Zakah, while he who gives it after the Salah has given Sadaqah." [3] Hence, the goal of Sadaqah al-Fitr is the spiritual development of the Believers. By making them give up some of their wealth, the believers are taught the higher moral characteristics of generosity, compassion (sympathy for the unfortunate), gratitude to God and the righteousness. But, since Islam does not neglect man's material need, part of the goal of Zakah al-Fitr is the economic well-being of the poorer members of society. 

Conditions 

Zakah al-Fitr is only Wajib for a particular period of time. If one misses the time period without a good reason, he has sinned and can not make it up. This form of charity becomes obligatory from sunset on the last day of fasting and remains obligatory until the beginning of Salah al-'Eid' (i.e. shortly after sunrise on the following day). However, it can be paid prior to the above mentioned period, as many of the Sahabah [companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him)] used to pay Sadaqah al-Fitr a couple days before the `Eid. Nafi reported that the Prophet's companion Ibn `Umar used to give it to those who would accept it and the people used to give it a day or two before the `Eid.[4] Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) order that it (Zakah al-Fitr) be given before people go to make the Salah (al-'Eid). And Ibn `Abbas reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever gives it before the Salah will have it accepted as Zakah, while he who gives it after the Salah (will not, for it will only be considered as) ordinary charity. Therefore, one who forgets to pay this Zakah al-Fitr on time should do so as soon as possible even though it will not be counted as Zakah al-Fitr. 

Rate 

The amount of Zakah is the same for everyone regardless of their different income brackets. The minimum amount is one Sa` (two handfuls) of food, grain or dried fruit for each member of the family. This calculation is based on Ibn `Umar's report that the Prophet (peace be upon him) made Zakah al-Fitr compulsory and payable by a Sa` of dried dates or a Sa` of barley. The Sahabi, Abu Sa`id al-Khudri said, "In the Prophet's time, we used to give it (Zakah al-Fitr) as a Sa` of food, dried dates, barley, raisins or dried cheese". [5] 

The amount of Zakat is the same for everyone regardless of their different income brackets. The minimum amount is one sa` (four double handfuls ) of food, grain or dried fruit for each member of the family. This calculation is based on Ibn 'Umar's report that the Prophet made Zakat al-Fitr compulsory and payable by a sa` of dried dates or a sa` of barley. Cash equivalent (of the food weight) may also be given if food collection and distribution is unavailable in that particular country.

A companion of Mohammed, Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree said, "In the Prophet's time, we used to give it (Zakatal-Fitr) as a sa` of food, dried dates, barley, raisins or dried cheese". [Bukhari - Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582] . According to the majority of Sunni scholars One Sa'a is approximately between 2.6 kg to 3 kg

The distribution of Zakat al-Fitr is the same as that of Zakah, and is included within its broader sense. Those who may receive Zakat al-Fitr are the eight categories of recipients mentioned in Surat Al-Tawbah, [9: 60]. They include:

1. the poor
2. the needy,
3. collectors of Zakah,
4. reconciliation of hearts,
5. freeing captives / slaves(fee al-Riqab),
6. debtors
7. in the Way of Allah / Islamic causes (fee sabeel illah)
8. the traveler.

Zakat al-Fitr must go to the above-mentioned categories. The Zakat al-mal cannot be used for any other such things either.

Spreading The Word Of Islam

Islamic Knowledge Is A blessing, Follow and learn 

about Our Great religion and The REAL Hero's who 

Existed The Blessed Prophets and Their Ways. (PBUT) 

Being a Muslim Is A Great Gift.

Please Like And share Our Page On FaceBook:

Dear Brothers And Sisters Of Islam, Please Share Our 

Page and Invite Your Friends and Family:

https://www.facebook.com/IslamicContent?ref=hl

Allah says in Surah Ali Imran

...........
ولتكن منكم أمة يدعون إلى الخير ويأمرون بالمعروف وينهون 

عن المنكر

1) And there has to be a group of people from among 

you who call towards good and prevent from evil. and 

these are the people who will attain salvation. " 

(Surah Aal-i - Imran: 104)

Adam's (may The Peace and blessings of Allah be Upon him) Peak

Adam’s Peak

This footprint, measuring 5’7” by 2’6” is believed to be the footprint of the Prophet Adam (upon him be peace) who was said to be 60 cubits tall. It is located on the top of a mountain in Sri Lanka called Adam’s Peak (also known as Sri Pada – the Holy Footprint). It is the opinion of some scholars that when Adam (upon him be peace) was taken out of Paradise and placed in this world he landed in Sri Lanka. Buddhists believe the footprint to be that of Buddha and a place of worship (as shown above). Please note that this place has been shown for information purposes only; it is not a place of veneration for Muslims.

Adam (upon him be peace) is mentioned by name 25 times in the Quran

References:  Atlas of the Quran – Dr. Shauqi Abu Khalili, Geocities.com/islamimiracles4

Jannatul Baqi (Garden of Heaven)

Jannatul Baqi

Jannatul Baqi (Garden of Heaven) is the main cemetery of Madinah. Buried there are many members of the Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) close family, around ten thousand of his companions (Sahabah) and many prominent, pious personalities.

• Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported (that whenever it was her turn for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) to spend the night with her) he would go out towards the end of the night to al-Baqi and say: “Peace be upon you, abode of a people who are believers. What you were promised would come to you tomorrow, you receiving it after some delay; and God willing we shall join you. O Allah, grant forgiveness to the inhabitants of Baqi al-Gharqad.” [Muslim]

• Baqi means the land in which the roots of different trees are embedded, Gharqad is the name of a thorny tree (Boxthorn) which were abundant in Baqi. Hence the cemetery also came to be known as Baqi al-Gharqad.

• The first person to be buried in al-Baqi was As’ad Bin Zararah (may Allah be pleased with him), an Ansari companion who died soon after the Prophet ‘s (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) migration to Madinah. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) chose the spot to be a cemetery. The first of the Muhajirun (Emigrants) to be buried there was Uthman bin Mazoun who died shortly after the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) returned from the battle of Badr.

Some of the blessed personalities resting in Jannatul Baqi are:

• All the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), also known as the Mothers of the Believers including Aisha, Hafsa, Sawdah (may Allah be pleased with them) etc. except for Khadijah bint Khuwaylid who is buried in Makkah and Maymuna bint al-Harith who is buried in Sarif.
• The daughters of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), Fatima, Ruqayyah, Zainab and Umme Kulthum (may Allah be pleased with them)
• Ebrahim (may Allah be pleased with him), the infant son of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) by Maria al-Qibtiyya
• Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him), the grandson of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him)
• Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), the uncle of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him)
• The aunts of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), Safiyyah and Aatikah (may Allah be pleased with them)
• Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), the third Caliph and son-in-law of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him)
• Halimah Saadia , the wet-nurse of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him)
• Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him)
• Abdur-Rehman bin Auf (may Allah be pleased with him)
• Abdullah bin Mas’ood (may Allah be pleased with him)
• Abu Saeed Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him)
• Imam Malik (may Allah be pleased with him)

• The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said, “On the day of Qiyaamah my grave shall be opened first and I shall step forth. Then shall Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) step forth and then Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). Then shall I proceed to Baqi and take all its inmates with me. Then shall we await the inmates of the graveyard of Makkah, who shall meet me halfway between Makkah and Madinah.”[Tirmidhi]
   
• During different times of history many domes and structures were built or rebuilt over many famous graves in Al-Baqi in order to identify the inhabitants. On April 21, 1925, mausoleums, domes and structures in Jannatul Baqi were demolished by the order of King Abdul Aziz Al Saud with the objective of complying with the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) to not cover or build structures over any grave and to prevent people from seeking help from the dead.
   
• It is virtuous to visit Jannatul Baqi (preferably on a Friday) and supplicate to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) for all those buried in its noble earth.

References:  History of Madinah Munawwarah – Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani, Wikipedia, Virtues of Hajj – Sheikh Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhalvi

Birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him)

Birthplace of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allah be on him)

This library, in She’eb Banu Hashim in Makkah is sited on the place where the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was born on Monday 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal (April 22, 571 CE), in the Year of the Elephant. His ancestry can be traced back to the Prophet Abrahim (upon him be peace).

• The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him)’s father Abdullah died about six months before his birth. He had gone on a trading expedition to Gaza and Syria in the north and on the way back he had lodged with his grandmother’s family in Yathrib (later to be known as Madinah). He became ill, died and was buried there. Thus, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was born an orphan.

• While his mother Aminah was pregnant, she had a dream that a light was emitted from her lower body that illuminated the palaces of Syria. When she went into labour, Shifa bint Amr, the mother of Abdul Rahman bin Auf (may Allah be pleased with her) served as midwife. Abdul Muttalib received the news of his grandson’s birth with joy. He took the newborn to the Ka’bah and invoked Allah’s blessings and thanks. Believing his grandson would grow up to be highly praised, Abdul Muttalib named him Muhammad, which means “he who is praised.” In keeping with Arab tradition, he then shaved the baby’s head and circumcised him on the seventh day. Afterwards, he invited his fellow Makkans to a feast.

• According to the report of Abul-Fida, when the people asked Abdul Muttalib as to why he called his grandson Muhammad, preferring it to the names of his forefathers, he replied, “It is because I have a longing that my grandson should be praised and commended by one and all in the world.”

• Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was first nursed by his mother, and then by Umm Ayman, his father’s slave. An Abyssinian whose real name was Barakah, she embraced Islam and migrated to Madinah, where she died six months after the Prophet’s death. Barakah (may Allah be pleased with her) thus had the distinction of being the person who knew the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) for the longest period of time.

• Thuwaybah, the slave of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him)’s uncle Abu Lahab, also nursed the infant. At that time, Thuwaybah was also nursing her own child, Masrooh, as well as Hamzah bin Abdul Muttalib and Abu Salamah bin Abdul Makhzoomi. Hence, these three men became foster brothers because they were nursed at the same breast. Thuwaybah suckled the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) for seven days and on the eighth day he was entrusted to Haleemah of the Banu Sa’d clan to bring him up in the desert.

• Certain miraculous events are reported to have occurred at the time the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was born. However, most of them are not authentically related and therefore cannot be relied upon as decisive proof. This includes the narration which relates that some of the galleries of Kisraa’s (the Persian King’s) palace broke-up and collapsed, that the sacred-fire of the Magians, which had been burning for 1000 years in the Temple of Fars died-out and that some of the churches on Lake Saawah (in Syria) collapsed and sank down.

• However, it is authentically related that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said. “I am a result of the supplication of my father Ebrahim (upon him be peace) and the glad-tidings brought by Isa (upon him be peace). And my mother – when she bore me – saw that a light shone out from her, which lit up the palaces in Syria.” [al-Haakim]

References:  Muhammad the last Prophet – Sayyed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi, When the Moon Split – Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri, The life of Muhammad – Tahia Al-Ismail, Muslimaccess.com

Arafat

The above picture shows Jabal-ur-Rehmah (Mountain of Mercy) on the plain of Arafat. Standing at Arafat is the fundamental requirement of Hajj and pilgrims come here on the 9th Dhul Hijjah (second day of Hajj).

• The common meaning of the word Arafat is ‘to know’. After being taken out of Jannah and placed on Earth, it was here that Adam (upon him be peace) and Hawa (upon him be peace) met up.

• Standing on Arafat is an essential part of the Hajj; whoever misses the standing on Arafat has missed Hajj, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: “Hajj is Arafat.” [al-Hakim]

• The day of Arafah has many virtues, as was narrated in many Ahadith. Aisha (r.a) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said:“There is no day in which Allah sets free more souls from the fire of hell than on the day of Arafat. And on that day Allah draws near to the earth and by way of exhibiting His Pride remarks to the angels, ‘What is the desire of these (servants of mine)?” [Muslim]

• In another Hadith the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said:“Apart from the day of the Battle of Badr there is no day on which the Shaitan is seen to be more humiliated, more rejected, more depressed and more infuriated, than on the day of Arafat, and indeed all this is only because of beholding the abundance of descending mercy (on the day) and Allah’s forgiveness of the great sins of the servants.“ [Mishkat]

• A man from among the Jews came to Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and said:“O Amirul-Muminin, there is a verse in your Book which, if it had been revealed to us Jews, we would have taken that day as a festival.” Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, “Which verse?” to which the Jew replied,“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” [al-Maidah, 5:3]Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “We know the day and the place in which that was revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him); it was when he was standing on Arafat, on a Friday.” 

• There once existed a masjid on the right slope of Jabal-ur-Rehmah called Masid Sakhrah. It signified the spot where the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), after leading the Zuhr and Asr salahs faced towards the Qibla and engaged in dua till sunset. It was at this spot where the above verse of the Quran was revealed. Note that it is stated in a Hadith that no further verses were revealed after this one with regards to halal and haram.

• One of the virtues of the day of Arafah is that fasting this day expiates for the sins of the past and coming year. It was reported from Abu Qatadah that a man said:“O Messenger of Allah, what do you think of fasting on the day of Arafat?” He said: “It expiates for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year” [Muslim]

• This (fasting) is mustahab (desirable) for those who are not on Hajj. In the case of the one who is on Hajj, it is not Sunnah for him to fast on the Day of Arafat, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) did not fast on this day when he was in Arafat.

References:  The History of Makkah Mukarramah – Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani, Holy Makkah – Shaikh Safiur-Rahman Mubarakpuri, Virtues of Hajj – Sheikh Zakariyya Kandhalvi

Mount Hira

Jabal Hira

The main picture above shows Jabal Hira (the mountain of Hira), which lies about two miles from the Ka’bah. Near the top is a small cave, a little less than 4 meters in length and a little more than one and a half meters in width. It was here that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) received the first revelations of the Holy Quran during the month of Ramadhan in 610 CE. The mountain is also known as Jabal Noor (the mountain of light).

• The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) first began to have revelations in the form of good dreams which came true. Then he began to like solitude. He would go to the cave of Hira and meditate there in solitude for a number of days and nights. He would take provisions with him to stay for an extended period, and when he returned to Khadeejah (may Allah be pleased with him), he would stock up again and go back to the cave. This was his practice until Truth was revealed to him by an angel while he was in the cave of Hira.

• During Tahajjud time one night, when he was alone in the cave, there came to him an angel in the form of a man. The angel said to him, “Recite!”. “I cannot read”, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) replied. The angel took hold of him a second time and pressed him until he could not endure it any longer. After letting him go, the angel again said, “Recite!”. Again the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) replied “I cannot read”. The angel further embraced him again until he had reached the limit of endurance and said “Recite!” for the third time the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said “I cannot read”. The angel released him and said:“Read in the name of your Lord, the Creator. He Who created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Bounteous. Who taught by the Pen, taught man what he knew not.” [96:1-5]

• This was the first day of his Prophethood and these were the first verses of the Quran revealed to him. He recited these words after the angel, who thereupon left him; and he said; “It was as though the words were written on my heart.” He was very alarmed by the experience and feared that he had become possessed.

• The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) fled from the cave, and when he was halfway down the slope of the mountain he heard a voice above him saying: “O Muhammad, thou art the Messenger of God, and I am Jibraeel (Gabriel)”. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) stood gazing at the angel; then he turned away from him, but whichever way he looked the angel was always there on the horizon, whether it was to the north, east , south or west. Finally the angel turned away. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was terrified and his heart was pounding hard. He returned home to Khadija (may Allah be pleased with her) and said,“Cover me!” Khadija (may Allah be pleased with her) covered him and helped him calm down.

• The Quran tells us that the first revelation descended in Ramadan on the ‘Night of Power’.“The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed.” [2:185]
  “We have indeed revealed this message during the Night of Power.” [97:1]

References:  The History of Makkah Mukarramah – Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani, When the Moon Split – Shaikh Safiur-Rahman Mubarakpuri, Muhammad – Martin Lings

The Well Of ZAMZAM

Zamzam Well

The photo shows the source of the Zamzam water within its well. The Zamzam well has provided some 4000 years of almost continuous water supply, a living miracle.

• Ebrahim (upon him be peace) took his son Ismail (upon him be peace) and the child’s mother Hajrah (upon her be peace) to Makkah where he left them with only some water and dates as provisions. Once the provisions ran out, mother and son became thirsty and restless. Hajrah (upon her be peace) climbed up Mount Safa to see whether she could sight any people from whom she could get water. When she saw nothing, she crossed the valley and then climbed up Mount Marwah for the same reason. When she saw nothing here either, she started running from Safa to Marwah and back again in her anxiety. When she had done so seven times and was atop Mount Marwah, she heard a sound. When she returned (to where her son lay), she saw that an angel had struck his wing on the ground, causing water to gush forth from the spot. The name of the well comes from the phrase ‘Zome Zome’, meaning ‘stop flowing’, a command repeated by Hajra (upon her be peace) during her attempt to contain the spring water.

• When the Jurhum tribe from Yemen arrived in Makkah some time afterwards, they settled there and Ismail (upon him be peace) married one of them. It was the children of Ismail. (upon him be peace) who had the honour of looking after the Ka’bah and after them, the Jurhum tribe assumed responsibility. However, once these people started violating the sanctity of the place, the Zamzam well dried up as a form of punishment for them and eventually no sign was left of it. For centuries, people did not even know where it was located.

• Abdul Muttalib’s son, Abdullah, the father of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), was a handsome youth. He was called “Dhabih” (the sacrificed) in reference to the rediscovery of Zamzam . When Abdul Muttalib was digging beside the Ka’bah in search of the old well, the Quraysh watched him idly. Once he began to reach wet soil, they insisted on sharing in his discovery, and they raised a great clamour. Abdul Muttalib vowed to Allah that he would sacrifice one of his ten sons if he were allowed to uncover the well. In the end, Abdul Muttalib continued excavating and discovered the old well.

• Afterwards, he drew lots to determine which son he would sacrifice and Abdullah was chosen. Abdul Muttalib took Abdullah to the Ka’bah and was prepared to sacrifice him, but the Quraysh, particularly Abdullah’s brother and maternal uncles, were opposed to the sacrifice. Finally, it was decided that one hundred camels should be sacrificed in his place. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) is called the descendent of the “two sacrificed ones” for Ismail (upon him be peace) was ransomed for a ram and his father for a hundred camels.

• When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was a young boy and playing with other children near Haleemah As-Sadiyah’s house, Jibraeel (upon him be peace) appeared and made him lie down. He then opened up the boy’s chest, took out his heart and extracted a lump of flesh from it, saying: “This is the portion of Shaitan in you”. Then he put his heart in a golden tray filled with Zamzam water, washed it and replaced it in his chest. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) later said that he saw the scar on the Prophet’s chest where it had been sewn back together.

• There is healing power in Zamzam. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said,“The best water on the face of the earth is the water of Zamzam. In it is complete nourishment and healing from sickness.” [At-Tabarani]

• Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) says, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) say: ‘Zamzam is a cure for any purpose for which it is drunk’.” Another Hadith states,“If you drink it to quench a thirst, it will do so, and if you drink it to fill the stomach in place of food, it will do so, and if you drink it for a cure from some illness, it will do so.” [It-Haaf]

• Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) drank Zamzam he said the following prayer: “O Allah, grant me beneficial knowledge, abundant sustenance and a cure from all diseases.”

• The Bible makes a reference of the miracle of Zamzam when it talks about the passing through of Ismail (upon him be peace) and his mother through the valley: “Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee; in whose heart are the ways of them who passing through the valley of Bacca make it a well.” [Psalm 84:5-6. Note that the Quran also refers to Makkah as Bakkah]

• The Zamzam well is approximately 30m deep. Up until 1953 water was drawn by bucket, electric pumps now pump water into tanks.

References:  The History of Makkah Mukarramah – Dr Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani, Holy Makkah – Shaikh Safiur-Rahman Mubarakpuri, When the Moon Split – Shaikh Safiur-Rahman Mubarakpuri, Virtues of Hajj – Sheikh Zakariyya Kandhalvi, Muhammad – Martin Lings, Wikipedia

Safa/Marwah

Safa and Marwah are the two mountains between which Hajra (upon her be peace) rushed seven times to see if she could spot any water or anyone from whom she could get some in order to give to her infant Ismail (upon him be peace). This action is copied by all pilgrims performing Hajj or Umrah and is known as Sa’ee. The strip of ground between Safa and Marwah is referred to as the Mas’aa.

• Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) makes mention of the Safa and Marwah mountains in the Quran in Surah Baqarah:“Verily Safa and Marwah are among the landmarks (distinctive signs) of (the Deen of) Allah.” [2:158]

• When Hajra (upon her be peace) was passing through the valley between Safa and Marwah in her search for water she kept her eye on her baby son, Ismail (upon him be peace). However, for part of the valley he was hidden from view and she ran this length. It is in emulation of this action that men are required to rush through the same section of the Mas’aa. The area where she ran is today clearly demarcated by green lighting.

• Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) climbed up Mount Safa when Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) revealed the verse in Surah Shu’ara:“And warn your tribe (O Muhammad) of near kindred.” [26:214]

• After ascending the Safa mountain he shouted: “Ya Sabahah!” (an Arabic expression when one appeals for help or draws the attention of others to some danger). When the people of Makkah had gathered around him the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said to them, “If I told you that horsemen were advancing to attack you from the valley on the other side of this mountain, will you believe me?”. “Yes”, they replied,“We have always found you truthful.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said, “I am a plain warner to you of a coming severe punishment.” After this vivid analogy the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) asked them to save themselves by declaring that Allah was one and that he, Muhammad, was his messenger. He tried to make them understand that if they clung to polytheism and rejected the message he had brought to them, they would face Allah’s punishment. Abu Lahab (his uncle) said, “May you perish! You gathered us only for this reason? “ Then Abu Lahab went away. Upon this ‘Surah al-Lahab’ (Perish the hands of Abu Lahab!) was revealed.

• After conquering Makkah, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) went to the Hajar al-Aswad and then started performing Tawaaf. After completing the Tawaf, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) climbed Mount Safa, faced towards the Ka’bah and after praising Allah, he started making du’aa. It was from here that he announced (to the local Makkans), “Whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyaan has amnesty and whoever closes the door of his house has amnesty.”

• Abu Sufyaan (may Allah be pleased with him)’s house was situated close to Marwah.

References:  The History of Makkah Mukarramah – Dr Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani, When the Moon Split – Shaikh Safiur-Rahman Mubarakpur

the Ark of Prophet Noah/Nuh (upon him be peace)

Resting place of the Ark of
Prophet Nuh (upon him be peace)

Mount Judi is the resting place of the Ark built by Nuh (upon him be peace) by the command of Allah. It is situated in south-east Turkey, close to the Syrian and Iraqi borders. The Quranic account of the Flood and Noah’s Ark agrees with that given in the Bible, with a few variations. One of these concerns the final resting place of the Ark. According to Genesis, the Ark grounded on the “mountains of Ararat”; while according to Surah 11:44 of the Qur’an, the final resting place of the vessel was called Mount Judi:

“Then the word went forth: “O earth! Swallow up thy water, and O sky! Withhold (thy rain)!” and the water abated, and the matter was ended. The Ark rested on Mount Judi, and the word went forth: “Away with those who do wrong!” [11:44]

The picture above is believed to be the current remains of the Ark on the mountain.

The Body/Mummy of Pharoah (Ramses II) -Fir’awn

Body of Fir’awn

This is the body of Fir’awn (Rameses II), believed to be the Pharoah in the time of Musa (upon him be peace). His mummy is preserved and is currently on display in the Royal Mummies Chamber in Cairo Museum, Egypt.

• Fir’awn was a mighty tyrannical ruler who greatly persecuted the Bani Israil (Children of Israel). Musa (upon him be peace) was sent to invite him towards the truth but he rejected his teachings, considering himself to be God. Musa (upon him be peace), accompanied by his brother Harun (upon him be peace) and Yusha (upon him be peace) led the Bani Israil out of Egypt, Fir’awn and his army pursued them but were drowned in the Red Sea.

• There is great debate as to the identity of the Pharoah in the time of Musa (upon him be peace) with some identifying him as Merneptah. However, most of the evidence backed up by verses of the Holy Quran point towards him being Rameses II. The Quran and the Bible [Exodus 14:21-30 and Exodus 15:19-21] state that the Pharaoh was drowned in the sea. However, the Qur’an differs from the Bible and it makes a very unique statement that the body of the drowned Pharaoh was saved as a sign for future generations. The Quranic statement about rescuing Pharaoh’s body would be in total agreement with the fact that the body of Rameses II has survived in a mummified form. It was discovered in 1881 among a group of royal mummies that had been removed from their original tombs for fear of theft. Priests of the 21st Dynasty had reburied them in a cache at Deir al-Bahari on Luxor’s west bank. Nothing whatsoever was known at the time of the revelation of the Quran about the mummy of Rameses II.

• With regards the end point of his life, Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) makes mention in the Holy Quran in Surah Yunus:“We brought the tribe of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his troops pursued them out of tyranny and enmity. Then, when he was on the point of drowning, he [Pharaoh] said: “I believe that there is no god but Him in Whom the tribe of Israel believes. I am one of the Muslims.” [10:90]

• However, this last-minute conversion was not accepted, for it was not sincere. According to the Quran, Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) further exclaimed: “What, now! When previously you rebelled and were one of the corrupters? Today we will preserve your body so you can be a Sign for people who come after you. Surely many people are heedless of Our Signs.” [10:91-92]

References:  Islamic-awareness.org

Salaatul Tasbeeh

Salaatul Tasbeeh Step by Step:

Benefits of Salaatul Tasbeeh:
Our Beloved Prophet Mohammed SalAllahu 'alayhi wa Sallam said to his uncle Sayyiduna Abbass RA, "Oh uncle shall I not give you Shall I not grant you Shall I not award you Shall I not do mercy on you When you do 10 things Allah will forgive your sins: of the future and of the past; new and old; those you have forgotten and those you did knowingly; big and small; hidden and revealed." Then he SalAllahu 'alayhi wa Sallam explained and taught him the way to pray Salatul Tasbih and then said "if you can pray this salah once a day, if you can not pray once a day then every Friday, and even if this is not possible then once a month and even if this is not possible then once a year and even if this is not possible then at least once in a lifetime." (Abu’Dawood & Tirmidhi)

How to perform Salatul Tasbeeh?

This salaah is offered in four rakat at a time and can be read in any part of the day and night besides Zawal and Sunrise and Sunset makrooh times, keeping in mind the forbidden times for performing Salaah.

The Tasbih to be read in Salaat-Ul-Tasbeeh:
" Subhaan Allahi Wal Hamdulillahi Wa Laa ilaha illal Laahu Wallahu Akbar "

Method:
Goal is to recite above Tasbih 300 times in Four Rakah with the following method.

1) In the first rakaat, after reading thana "SubhaanakAllahumma...", read the above tasbih 15 times.
2) Now recite ta'awwudh "Aoodhubillah...", Bismillah "Bismillah...", Then read surah Fatiha & a Surah then read the tasbih 10 times again.
3) Go to ruku saying Takbeer (Allah u Akbar), after reciting "Subhaana Rabbiyal Azeem" minimum of three times read the tasbih 10 times in Ruku.
4) After saying "SamiAllahu Liman Hamidah Rabbana Lakal Hamdh" get up from ruku into qiyam position.
Now read the tasbih 10 times.
5)Go to Sajdah saying Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and after reciting "Subhaana Rabbiyal A'la" minimum of three times read the tasbeeh 10 times in Sajdah.
6)Now go after first Sajdah go to Jalsa (sitting position) saying Takbeer (Allahu Akbar). Sitting in Jalsa read tasbih 10 times.
7) Go to sajda again saying Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and after reciting "Subhaana Rabbiyal A'la" minimum of three times read the tasbih 10 times in Sajdah again.
 Get up to begin 2nd rakat saying Takbeer (Allahu Akbar).
Do rakah #2 in the same fashion, but before reading Bismillah "Bismillah...", and Surah Fatiha, read the tasbih 15 times. Follow the rest as you did in first Rakat.
After second Sajdah of Second Rakat sit in Qaidah Oola (first sitting) read Attahiyat, Durood and Dua then get up for 3rd rakaat without saying Salam.
9) Begin third Rakat, read the above tasbih 15 times. Follow the rest as you did in first Rakat untill you sit for Qaidah Akihra (last sitting) after second sajdah of fourth Rakah. In Qaidah Akihra Attahiyat, Durood, Dua finish Salah with Salam.