ALMISKEENAH

From  Hayat Al-Hayawan The Life of Animals by al-Kamal ad-Damiri

In the chapter headed by the Arabic letter Shin, he states:

“Our Shaikh, the enlightened Imam Abu ‘Abdillah ibn As’ad al-Yafi (may Allah Ta’ala be pleased with him), has informed me: ‘It has reached me, on the authority of our master, the enlightened Imam Abu ‘Abdillah al-Qurashi, on the authority of his Shaikh, Abu ‘r-Rabi alMaliqi, that the latter once said:

“’”Shall I teach you something precious, from which you can always derive benefit, and which will never be exhausted?” [Shaikh Abu ‘Abdillah said]: “Yes of course!” said I, so he told me to say:

O Allah! O Unique One! O Originator!

ya Allahu ya Wahidu ya Mujidu

O Generous One! O Expander! O Noble One!

ya Jawadu ya Basitu ya Karimu

O Ever-Giving One! O Lord of Might!

ya wahhabu ya Dha’t-Tawli

O Self-Sufficing One! O Enricher! O Opener!

ya Ghaniyyu ya Mughni ya Fattahu

O Provider! O All-Knowing One!

ya Razzaqu ya ‘Alimu

O Ever-Living One! O Eternally Self-Sustaining One!

ya Hayyu ya Qayyunu

O All-Merciful One! O All-Compassionate One!

Ya Rahmanu ya Rahimu

O Creator of the heavens and the earth!

ya Badi’a ‘s-samawati wa ‘l-ardi

O Lord of Majesty and Honour!

ya Dha’l-Jalali wa ‘l-Ikramu

O Tender One! O Beneficent One!

ya Hannanu ya Mannan:

Blow upon me, from You, a breath of goodness,

Infah-ni min-ka bi-nafhati khairin

With which You will make me independent

tughni-ni bi-ha

Of everyone apart from You.

‘amman siwa-ka

If you sought a victory, now has the victory come to you.  (8:19)

in tastaftihu fa-qad ja’a-kumu ‘l-fath.

We have surely given you a clear victory. (48:1)

inna fatahna la ka fathan mubina

Help from Allah and a victory near at hand. (61:13)

nasrun mina ‘llahi wa fathun qarib

O Allah! O Self-Sufficing One! O Praiseworthy One!

Allahumma ya Ghaniyyu ya Hamidu

O Initiator! O Restorer! O Ever-Loving One!

ya mubdi’u ya mu’idu ya Wadudu

O Lord of the Glorious Throne!

ya Dha’l-‘Arshi ‘l-Majid:

O Doer of whatever He wishes!

ya fa’ilan li-ma yurid

Suffice me with Your lawful sustenance,

ikfi-ni bi-halali-ka

To the exclusion of what is unlawful in Your sight.

‘an harami-ka

And make me independent, by Your grace,

wa aghni-ni bi-fadhli-ka

From everyone apart from You.

‘amman siwa-ka

And protect me with that

wa ‘hfaz-ni bi-ma

With which You protected the Reminder.

hafizta bi-hi ’dh-Dhikra

And help me with that

wa ‘nsur-ni bi-ma

With which You helped the Messengers.

nasarta bi-hi ‘r-Rasul.

You are indeed Capable of all things. (22:8)

inna-ka ‘ala kulli shai’in Qadir.

“’”He said: ‘If someone makes a regular practice of reciting this, after every ritual prayer, especially the Friday congregational prayer [Jum’a], Allah will keep him safe from every cause of fear. He will help against his enemies, enrich him, and provide him with sustenance from sources he could never have imagined. Allah will make his life easy for him, and He will settle his debt for him. Even if he owes a debt as big as the mountains, Allah will discharge it for him, through His gracious favour and His noble generosity.”’”

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

Lots of links….some from current edition of Arab News (only because it covers the local news)…others I had archived, others instructional and explanatory regarding the forever controversial issue of MOONSIGHTING….. 

New Imams and billions of riyals on new projects in and around the Haramain:

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=98388&d=12&m=7&y=2007

And another SR20 billion for rail links between Makkah and Madinah and Jeddah:

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=98301&d=9&m=7&y=2007

And air conditioning to be installed throughout entire Masjid in Makkah:

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=93453&d=8&m=7&y=2007

Madinah is in summer festival mood….Insha’Allah will post on this later, after visiting some of the places:

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=98153&d=4&m=7&y=2007&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

MOONSIGHTING announcement, Saudi style!!

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=98392&d=12&m=7&y=2007&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

Befriend the moon….become aware of its phases and seek the correct knowledge for determining the new moon:

http://www.crescentmoonwatch.org/

An excellent detailed dissertation from Shaykh Hamza Yusuf…

http://www.zaytuna.org/articleDetails.asp?articleID=100

This paper advances several arguments and rebuts others in an effort to prove that the only acceptable basis for determining the lunar month is the actual sighting of the dawning crescent. At the root of the problem is a failure to recognize that the crescent moon’s appearance is a legal cause (sabab) determined by God in the Qur’an and through His Prophet’s words. That being the case, no scholar in the history of Islam has ever permitted calculation in lieu of sighting until the modern era. Moreover, predicting the new moon’s visibility with absolute certainty is impossible, even by modern scientific calculations, as opposed to the degree of certainty that has been attained in predicting the astronomical new moon, which is invisible to the naked-eye. Furthermore, the ability to predict the new moon’s probable appearance has not increased greatly from premodern times. For these reasons, and others discussed in this paper, actual sighting poses difficulties in terms of the scheduling requisites created by a modern industrial or postindustrial society.

The following is a video of Shaykh Hamza Yusuf sighting the new moon of Shawwal 2006, regardless of the dateand the locality the beauty of witnessing the birth of a new moon is moving, and the message he delivers is for all time and all places:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeItA_44Rgk

A moonsighting home page where you will find articles, facts, fatawa and much more. Every month an Islamic calendar will be uploaded which is produced using the criteria we use to sight the moon:

An audio:

http://www.alghazzali.org/display/audio scroll to number 6.

Shaykh Muhammad Afifi al-Akiti’s Definitive Reply to the Moonsighting Controversy:

http://www.masud.co.uk/ISLAM/misc/moonsighting.htm

Other sites offering insights and information: 

http://moonsighting.com/

http://islam.about.com/od/ramadan/a/moonsighting.htm

http://www.hilal-sighting.com/

http://www.madania.org/english/article_ramadan_moonsighting.php

JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

HOW WILL THE BALANCE TIP? 

We will set up the Balances of justice for the Day of Resurrection so that no one can be wronged in the least, and if there should be even the weight of a mustard seed, We shall bring it out, We take excellent account (21:47)

He has set the Balance so that you may not exceed in the balance, weigh with justice, and do not fall short in the balance. (55:7-9)

Bukhari and Muslim narrated that the Prophet SallAllahu alahih wasllam said: “Two words which are light on the tongue but will weigh heavily in the Balance, and they are beloved to the Most Merciful: ‘SubhanAllah wa bi Hamdi, SubhanAllah il-Azeem’ (Glory and praise be to Allah, Glory be to Allah the Almighty)

And “Purity is half of faith, and saying ‘Alhumdulillah ‘(Praise be to Allah) fills the scale, and saying ‘SubhanAllah wa’l-hamduLillah ‘(Glory be to Allah and praise be to Allah) fills what is between heaven and earth.”

And “Whoever keeps a horse for the sake of Allah, out of faith in Allah and believing in His promise, its eating and drinking, its defecation and urination, will all be hasanat in his Balance on the Day of Resurrection.”

From Tirmidhi, from Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas RadhiAllahu anhu who said he heard the Prophet say:  “Allah will select a man from my Ummah before all creation on the Day of Resurrection, and will spread out for him ninety-nine books of records of his deeds, each one extending as far as the eye can see. Then He will say, “Do you deny any part of this? Have My recording scribes been unjust towards you?” The man will say, “No O Lord.” Allah will say, “Yes indeed, you have Hasanat stored with Us, and there will be no injustice this Day.” And He will bring forth a piece of paper on which is written Asshadu an laa ilah ill-Allah wa asshadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah. He will say, “Weigh this.” The man will say, “O Lord, what is this piece of paper compared to all these records?” Allah will say, “You will not be wronged.” Then the records will be placed in one pan of the Balance and the piece of paper in the other; the pan with the piece of paper will weigh heavily, and nothing will outweigh the name of Allah.”

And another narration in Muslim: “The Qur’an will come forth on the Day of resurrection with its people who used to act in accordance with it. Surah al-Baqarah and Surah Aal’Imran will come forth like two clouds, or two patches of shade with light in between, or like two flocks of birds spreading their wings, defending their companions.”

Abu Dawood and Tirmidhi narrate a Hadith from Abu Darda RadhiAllahu anhu in which the Prophet SallAllahu alahih wasllam said: “Nothing will be placed in the Balance on the Day of Resurrection which will weigh more heavily than good manner and attitude.”

And it is narrated concerning Abdullah ibn Mas’ud RadhiAllahu anhu, who was a slim man with thin calves, who when it was windy he would be buffeted about causing people to laugh at him. The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasllam asked: “What are they laughing at?” They said: “O Prophet of Allah, they are laughing at his thin calves.” He said: “by the One in Whose hand is my soul, they will weigh more heavily than Uhud in the Balance.”

How Will the Balance Tip?

Will good deeds pour as raging floods of shimmering diamonds drenching the Heavens, perfuming the already heady fragrance of Angel’s wings?

Will deliriously coated efforts of yearning for the ultimate favour of the One become hunks of lead buckling the Pan of the Scale?

Will tears, scorching eye sockets for the suffering, mutilation and horror of mankind accumulate; bursting in one huge catatonic gush, cleansing all remnants of atrocity?

Will letters that majestically multiply upon recitation, exquisitely scrolled and dotted by the Ruby Pen, pile so high they spontaneously combust, vaporous scents floating towards the Arsh?

Will the selfless serving of others match Umar’s carrying sacks of flour to the needy in the Madian dark secret of nights?

Will the slavish obedience to The Commands be so illumed they ignite, eclipsing all gloom with glitter?

Will movements of the tongue drunk with praise and adoration for the Prince of Peace shiver tremulously obliterating all but Him and His Habib?

Will cries of repentance be so copious and sincere creating rivers to snuff Jahannam?

Will gratitude for belonging to the Al-Mustafa’s Ummah crash and tumble, thundering and vibrating the remains of existence?

Will lust for the bliss of Jannah ecstatically bubble ephemerally wafting across the Seven Heavens?

Will diligence, determination and steadfastness spill over filling the harmonic spaces between prostrating Creations of Light?

Will sincerity be weighed as a golden opalescent glow obliterating galactic matter?

Will the heart be rejoicing in the knowledge that it belonged to a kind person the Noble Prophet will be yearning to meet on Yaum ul Qiyamah, more than the yearning to meet him SallAllahu alaihi wasallam?

How will the Balance tip if it were this Juma’ah?

JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

(11:6)

Juma’ah, such a Mubarak day for begging! The day when our begging through Du’a is accepted. 

We beg of Allah Ta’ala because only He can give. He Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala who is not answerable to anyone, but everyone is answerable to Him. His is the dominion over everything, while nothing can overpower Him. His is the infinite knowledge, while ours is infinitesimal. He is the Lord, we the beggars. Our begging may be rewarded here, or awaiting us in the Hereafter, or we may be the recipients of something greater than what we have begged for.

Our Beloved Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, the best of mankind, the best of beggars, his pleading in Du’a reflected a total reliance and submission to Allah Ta’ala, the Giver, the Listener, the Bounteous, the Conferer, the Sustainer, the Bestower, the Just, the Kind, the Magnificent.

“O Allah! You hear me and see me and know everything that I reveal or conceal. None of my affairs is hidden from You. I am a person in distress, a needy person, a beggar, a fearful person. I confess my short comings. I entreat You like a humble needy person. I beseech you like a sinful lowly person. I ask You like a person in tribulation whose neck bows before You; who cries in front of You; whose whole body trembles before You. O Allah ! Do not leave me frustrated in my  prayer , and be the Most Merciful and the Most Gracious to me. O the best of those who are beseeched! O the best of those who give!” Such moving, sublime words from our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam on the Plains of Arafat. May we too turn to Allah Ta’ala in such humility, as needy beggars, relying only on His Mercy.   

Friends, a family with three children, drove from Kuwait last week for Umrah, travelling as needy beggars seeking Allah Ta’ala’s mercy and favours. They arrived in Makkah in the morning of Juma’ah and performed their Umrah.

Tariq shares his Umrah, depicting his experience of Tawaf, with the arched Safa Marwa in the background, the minbar on the left, Maqam Ibrahim to the right and fellow pilgrims circling around the Ka’abah. He experessively represents women with triangular abayas, and chose to draw the Black Stone as bright yellow. Maybe symbolic of its Mubarak significance through his innocent eyes, his pure heart sensing the Heavenly origin of this once glowing stone. SubhanAllah!

However their plans changed while walking the streets of Makkah on this Mubarak day when the armies of “beggars” are out in force accosting and assaulting the pilgrims. The children were so distressed by the experience they decided not to remain in Makkah and drove directly to Madinah after Salatul Juma’ah. The presence of these beggars has reached epidemic levels, and I deliberately mention it, so you may be aware of the problem and be able to deal with it in the most appropriate manner, whether here or in your Du’a from afar.

The authorities are trying to lessen the incidence, but feel that the problem will persist while people continue to give to these “beggars” thinking that they are destitute. But unfortunately, evidence reveals that the majority of these people, including the severely deformed ones all belong to “gangs”, who are fleecing unsuspecting pilgrims of millions. Some of the stories are horrific where parents “rent” their deformed offspring out to the gang leaders, or cases where the parents deliberately maim their children to ensure an income, or threaten their young children with beatings and denial of food if they do not return each day with so much money. Hundreds of children have been rescued from such abuse, some as young as three and four.

And then there are the scams! Beware! They are ingenious, and before one realizes you are tricked and robbed, or tricked into giving. As harsh as it may sound, the advice is not to respond to any pitiful drama being played out where someone fakes having been robbed, or pretends to be in distress and needs to use your cell phone…it will be snatched in seconds, or who pretends to be so desperate that they offer to sell you the latest model cell phone for a few hundred riyals….and with such sleight of hand exchange it for an empty replica while you are distracted getting your money for such a “bargain”. Or, more a warning for sisters, while in the Saff and praying Fardh, gangs of children run along grabbing handbags.

Our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam referred to begging many times in his teachings:

Samurah ibn Jundab RadhiAllahu anhu related that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: Begging is an injury that someone inflicts upon his own face, except in the case of asking a ruler or asking for something when one is in extreme need.

Thu’ban RadhiAllahu anhu reported: When the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, “I will guarantee Paradise for the person who gives me guarantee that he will never ask anyone for anything,” I gave this promise to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and I never asked anyone for anything after that.

Abu Kabsha al-Anmari RadhiAllahu anhu reported that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: be the One in whose hand my soul is, had I been an oath taker, I would have taken oaths about three things: one, no wealth diminishes because of charity, two, no man pardons an oppressor, seeking the pleasure of Allah, without Allah increasing his honour on the Day of Judgement and three, no one opens the door of begging for himself without also opening the door of poverty for himself.

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar RadhiAllahu anhu: I heard Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam while he was on the pulpit speaking about charity, to abstain from asking others for some financial help and about begging others, saying, "The upper hand is better than the lower hand. The upper hand is that of the giver and the lower hand is that of the beggar." 

Narrated Al-Mughira bin Shu’ba RadhiAllahu anhu: The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "Allah has forbidden for you, (1) to be undutiful to your mothers, (2) to bury your daughters alive, (3) to not to pay the rights of the others (e.g. charity, etc.) and (4) to beg of men begging. And Allah has hated for you (1) vain, useless talk, or that you talk too much about others, (2) to ask too many questions, and (3) to waste the wealth by being extravagant.

 

The presence of beggars in this City of Radiance and Light is far less than Makkah, and rarely does one see the deformed ones, however they are here with a more subtle style, especially women who suddenly appear at your side, hand outstretched, or as I have experienced, the ones trying to trick you into giving over your cell phone on the pretext of some sob story.

I am not saying do not give, but be aware and be selective. There are thousands of workers here on such miserly wages, working long honest hours in the hot sun, or are cleaning the Haramain for our comfort. These are deserving of our sadaqah, Insha’Allah.

The following are links to various archival articles addressing the beggar issue here.  

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=13&section=0&article=62379&d=19&m=4&y=2005&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Local%20Press

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=96533&d=23&m=5&y=2007

http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093147845

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=82709&d=25&m=5&y=2006

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=96434&d=21&m=5&y=2007

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1420494.stm

(11:6)

 May our begging be as our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam begged:  "I am a person in distress, a needy person, a beggar, a fearful person. I confess my short comings."

JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

“O Muslims! Allah Most High has made this day a day of Eid. So have a bath on this day, whoever has perfume should apply it, and use the miswak." (Ibn Majah)

…..and use MISWAK 

Salvadora persica, or Arak, is the gnarled scrubby tree most commonly used for Miswak. Other types of wood that are suitable are the Peelo, Bitam Zaitun, Walnut, and any bitter variety, but not the poisonous wood of Pomegranate, Bamboo, Raihan or Chambelie. Both the twigs and the flexible roots can be used for the Miswak. It truly is a miracle brush.

It is a long held tradition for brothers patiently sitting at strategic positions selling Miswak outside the Haramain. The art of displaying and preparing the various types having been handed down from father to son for generations. The best type is called Hanash, which is usually wrapped in brown paper to maintain its freshness, and one needs to ask to inspect the pungent lengths for the prime pieces. They can be purchased as one long piece, or cut to your required length by the brother. Many of the locals buy large quantities when they discover some of good quality and freeze it, ensuring its freshness for even months later. it is not advised to buy the pre-packaged bundles, which are often dry and brittle and often moldy from the inside as they are often soaked in water to try and maintain their freshness, but this is not conducive for the best Miswak. The best option for those who want to purchase good Miswak to take back to their home countries are the individually vacuum packed ones, available in boxes as well as in assorted flavours, which some people prefer. There are now numerous competitive online companies dealing in Miswak and its offshoot products.

•         It is one of the practices of the Ambiyyah, from the time of Adam Alihis Sallam

•        It purifies the mouth

•         It is a pleasure for our Creator, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala

•         It increases the reward of Salat, some narrations say from seventy times, up to four hundred times, and Allah Ta’ala knows best

•         Jibreel Alaihis Sallam exhorted the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam to use it regularly, so much so that he feared that its use would be decreed obligatory the Ummah. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam would have made using miswak compulsory but feared it would be a hardship on his Ummah. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to Aishah Ummul Mu’minin RadhiAllahu anha that Miswak is a Sunnah for you and Fardh for me.

Times when our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used Miswak:

•         When reciting the Qur’an and Hadith

•         When the mouth emits an odour

•         For teaching or learning the virtues of the Deen

•          When engaged in Dhikrullah

•         After entering one’s home

•        Before entering a Deeni gathering

•         When experiencing pangs of hunger or thirst

•         After the signs of death are eveident

•          At the time of Sehri

•         Before meals

•          Before embarking on a journey, and upon returning from a journey

•          Before sleeping

•          Upon waking
  

Adab of Miswak:

• The Miswak ideally is a straight twig devoid of roughness.

• It should be clean and not too hard and not too soft

• It should not be used while lying down
  

• The length of the Miswak to be no longer than a span, that is the maximum distance between tips of the thumb and the little finger, and the thickness of the forefinger

• When using the Miswak hold it in such a way that the thumb and the little finger are under the stick, while the remaining fingers are above it.

• Place the Miswak vertically, the brush end uppermost, when not in use.

• It should be washed before use and washed after use, and not be sucked

• Brush the upper teeth thrice with a vertical motion (not horizontal), wash the lower teeth thrice, also in a vertical motion.

• Do not use the Miswak from both ends.

Benefits of Miswak:

• It eliminates bad mouth odour and improves the sense of taste. (a scientific evaluation)
  

• It sharpens the memory and intelligence

• It eliminates slime

• It is a cure for illness

• It creates a fragrance in the mouth

• Strengthens the gums

• Prevents tooth decay

• Is a cure for headaches

• It creates Nur on the face of the one who is constant with using it

• It causes the teeth to glow and removes the yellow stain

• It strengthens the eyesight

• It assists in the process of digestion

• It clears the voice

• It facilitates the appetite

• It increases the eloquence of one’s speech

• Its constant use eases the pangs of death, making it easy for the Ruh to depart from the body when its appointed time arrives

• Its use is a factor which will earn higher ranks in Jannah

• The Angels sing the praises of the one who uses Miswak

• Use of Miswak displeases Shaytan

• Use of Miswak graces one with the companionship of the Angels

• The greatest benefit is that the habit of using Miswak is pleasing to Allah Ta’ala and was used so much by our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Du’a for using Miswak:  O Allah, purify my mouth, enlighten my heart, purify my body, and make my body unlawful to the Fire.

JUMA’AH MUBARAK and happy brushing to higher and higher in Jannah! Insha’Allah. How blessed we are to be of the Ummah of Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Alhumdulillahi Rabbil Aalameen.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.  May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

JUMA’AH in JANNAH!

The Bazaar in Jannah.

14. Our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said:

“A Bazaar will be held in Jannah and the people of Jannah will visit this Bazaar every Juma’ah. And when these people enter the Bazaar, the northern breeze (Al-Mutheerah) will blow and sprinkle various perfumes on their faces and garments and this breeze will have a special effect; it will make heavenly people more beautiful than ever. After having made their round of the Bazaar, they will return to their abodes where their companions will enquire: “You have become more beautiful since you went out. What is the reason for this?” These people will reply: “By Allah, in my absence your beauty has also grown more bewitching and extremely attractive. Why is this so?”

The reason the companions who did not go to the Bazaar becoming more attractive will in all probability be the same as in the case of the heavenly people going to the Bazaar. (Muslim)

15. ‘Ali RadhiAllahu anhu reports the following tradition: “The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam

Stated that there would be a Bazaar in Paradise, but there will be no buying or selling of any kind in this Bazaar. Herein there will be nothing else except the statues of men, and should the people of Paradise happen to like a certain statue that heavenly person will enter the same state, that is, they shall be changed into the same shape and form that he likes the best.” (Tirmidhi)

16. Sai’id ibn Musiyyab RadhiAllahu anhu met Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu in the Bazaar of Madinah.  Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu said: “O Sa’id, I pray to Almighty Allah that you and I should meet in the Bazaar of Paradise, and you and I should get together there.” Upon this Sa’id RadhiAllahu anhu enquired: “Will there be a Bazaar in Jannah?” Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu replied: “Yes indeed. I was informed by the Prophet of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam that when the companions of Jannah shall enter therein they shall lodge in various sections according to their deeds. Those whose deeds will be better and numerous will get better and lofty abodes. Every Juma’ah the heavenly people shall be commanded to set out from their places. On receiving the command these people shall be honoured with the vision of their Lord and that day Allah Ta’ala shall bestow upon them immense bounties of His pleasure and special blessing. Allah Almighty will hold a special court in the biggest Garden of Jannah. Various types of seats will be arranged there according to the protocol of honour and position. Some seats will be made of light; some made of pearls; some of rubies; some of emeralds; some made of gold; and some others made of silver. Each heavenly person will take his seat according to his position. The most inferior among them will be seated on mounds of musk and camphor and the wonderful thing would be that people seated on the mounds will not feel whether those seated on the chairs are superior to them in position or vice versa. For each one of the heavenly people will content in his status and will be thankful and will never aspire for a higher estate.” After this Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu states: “I submitted to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, shall we have a vision of our Creator and Provider?” He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam replied: “Yes indeed, you shall see Him. Do you doubt having sighted the sun and the moon of the fourteenth night?” I submitted, “No, I do not doubt having sighted the sun and the moon of the fourteenth night.” The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam replied: “Likewise, you shall not doubt having the vision of your Creator and Provider, and there shall be none in that assembly with whom the Almighty Allah will not converse directly. They will be seated face to face with their Lord in an informal manner and there shall be no inhibitions between them. During the conversation the Lord Almighty will ask a man, “O son of so and so, dost thou remember the day when you said this and you spoke thus?” And then Allah Ta’ala shall remind him of some of his acts of breach of faith which the person had committed during his lifetime. This man will submit, “O Lord, has Thou not forgiven my sins?” Allah Ta’ala will declare, “Why, yes I have forgiven thee. You entered this state due to the vastness of My Mercy and My Generosity.” In the meantime a cloud will come and will shower such perfume that its scent will never have been smelt before. And during this shower of perfume, Allah the Almighty shall command: “Stay and reach for the thing which I had already prepared for thee and take freely of whatever you wish for.” Upon hearing this command of Allah Ta’ala we will come to a Bazaar. The Angels will be posted on all four sides of the Bazaar. We shall see in these Bazaar things unseen and unheard of before, nor will such things have entered our imagination before this time. Thereafter we shall be given our favourite things free of charge, for there shall be no trade of buying or selling in this Bazaar. The companions of Jannah will meet each other in this Bazaar. When a heavenly man of higher rank shall see a man of lower rank, neither of them will feel the difference of quality in their apparel, the superior one will have no feelings of superiority, and the inferior one will be free from distress on account of feelings of inferiority because he will have no such feelings. In my humble estimation the state of affairs seems to be that as soon as the two heavenly men meet each other the apparel of the inferior one will be made as resplendent as the superior person, so that neither the inferior one should suffer distress on the account of inferiority, nor the superior person entertain any pride of superiority. Thereafter when we reach our respective abodes our women shall see us and say: “Allah bless you! Welcome! How is it that you look so handsome? When you went forth you wer not as attractive and charming as you look now?” In the answer to this we will say: “Today we have been in the presence of Almighty Allah Ta’ala. Hence due to our presence in the company of Allah Ta’ala we have been beautified and we have returned to you in a more beautiful state.” (Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah)

Excerpt taken from this book. 

O Allah send blessings and peace upon our master Muhammad, the one who You chose for the great intercession. When he prostrates to You, You will say to him: “Lift your head and ask, for you will be granted, intercede and your intercession will be accepted.” You have forbidden Paradise for all the prophets, until he enters it, and You have forbidden it to all nations until his nation enters it. May the blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, companions and his wives to the extent of Allah’s pleasure and his pleasure.  (From The Key to Arriving at the Door of the Messenger, Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq Alawi )

May the deeds we perform this Juma’ah gain Allah Ta’ala’s Mercy and Grace.  May we all be seated, facing each other on thrones of rubies, pearls, emeralds, gold and silver, and Al-Mutheerah sprinkling us all with dust of musk, as we wander the Bazaar in Jannah every Juma’ah. And sway in ecstasy as our gaze rests on our Lord Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala and we drink from the hand of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ya Rabb, Insha’Allah. Ameen Ameen Ameen.

 JUMA’AH MUBARAK! 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.  May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.