Assalamu Alaikum,

This covers two miracles of the Prophet Sallahu Alahi Wa Salam

Volume 5, Book 57, Number 46: Narrated Anas:

Allah’s Apostle ascended the (mountain) of Uhud with Abu Bakr and ‘Uthman and it shook. Allah’s Apostle said, “Be calm, O Uhud!” I think he stroked it with his foot and added, “There is none on you but a Prophet, a Siddiq and two martyrs.” (The two martyrs were Umar and Uthman) (See Hadith No. 24)

Volume 5, Book 57, Number 24:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

The Prophet once climbed the mountain of Uhud with Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and ‘Uthman. The mountain shook with them. The Prophet said (to the mountain), “Be firm, O Uhud! For on you there are no more than a Prophet, a Siddiq and two martyrs.

From this Hadith we see two very important facts, which also are two miracles.

First: The Prophet Sallalahu Alahi Wa Salam told the Mountain to stop shaking, and it listened. This is no less than a miracle, as no one other than the Prophhet Sallalahu Alahi Wa Salam could have done this.

Second: The Prophet Sallalahu Alahi Wa Salam foretold the fates of Umar and and Uthman, both of whom were martyered.

Martyrdom of Umar:

Volume 5, Book 57, Number 50:

Narrated ‘Amr bin Maimun:

I saw ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab a few days before he was stabbed in Medina. He was standing with Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman and ‘Uthman bin Hunaif to whom he said, “What have you done? Do you think that you have imposed more taxation on the land (of As-Swad i.e. ‘Iraq) than it can bear?” They replied, “We have imposed on it what it can bear because of its great yield.” ‘Umar again said, “Check whether you have imposed on the land what it can not bear.” They said, “No, (we haven’t).” ‘Umar added, “If Allah should keep me alive I will let the widows of Iraq need no men to support them after me.” But only four days had elapsed when he was stabbed (to death ). The day he was stabbed, I was standing and there was nobody between me and him (i.e. Umar) except Abdullah bin ‘Abbas. Whenever Umar passed between the two rows, he would say, “Stand in straight lines.”

When he saw no defect (in the rows), he would go forward and start the prayer with Takbir. He would recite Surat Yusuf or An-Nahl or the like in the first Rak’a so that the people may have the time to Join the prayer. As soon as he said Takbir, I heard him saying, “The dog has killed or eaten me,” at the time he (i.e. the murderer) stabbed him. A non-Arab infidel proceeded on carrying a double-edged knife and stabbing all the persons he passed by on the right and left (till) he stabbed thirteen persons out of whom seven died. When one of the Muslims saw that, he threw a cloak on him. Realizing that he had been captured, the non-Arab infidel killed himself, ‘Umar held the hand of ‘Abdur-Rahman bin Auf and let him lead the prayer.

Those who were standing by the side of ‘Umar saw what I saw, but the people who were in the other parts of the Mosque did not see anything, but they lost the voice of ‘Umar and they were saying, “Subhan Allah! Subhan Allah! (i.e. Glorified be Allah).” Abdur-Rahman bin Auf led the people a short prayer. When they finished the prayer, ‘Umar said, “O Ibn ‘Abbas! Find out who attacked me.” Ibn ‘Abbas kept on looking here and there for a short time and came to say. “The slave of Al Mughira.” On that ‘Umar said, “The craftsman?” Ibn ‘Abbas said, “Yes.” ‘Umar said, “May Allah curse him. I did not treat him unjustly. All the Praises are for Allah Who has not caused me to die at the hand of a man who claims himself to be a Muslim. No doubt, you and your father (Abbas) used to love to have more non-Arab infidels in Medina.” Al-Abbas had the greatest number of slaves. Ibn ‘Abbas said to ‘Umar. “If you wish, we will do.” He meant, “If you wish we will kill them.” ‘Umar said, “You are mistaken (for you can’t kill them) after they have spoken your language, prayed towards your Qibla, and performed Hajj like yours.”

Then Umar was carried to his house, and we went along with him, and the people were as if they had never suffered a calamity before. Some said, “Do not worry (he will be Alright soon).” Some said, “We are afraid (that he will die).” Then an infusion of dates was brought to him and he drank it but it came out (of the wound) of his belly. Then milk was brought to him and he drank it, and it also came out of his belly. The people realized that he would die. We went to him, and the people came, praising him. A young man came saying, “O chief of the believers! Receive the glad tidings from Allah to you due to your company with Allah’s Apostle and your superiority in Islam which you know. Then you became the ruler (i.e. Caliph) and you ruled with justice and finally you have been martyred.” ‘Umar said, “I wish that all these privileges will counterbalance (my shortcomings) so that I will neither lose nor gain anything.”

When the young man turned back to leave, his clothes seemed to be touching the ground. ‘Umar said, “Call the young man back to me.” (When he came back) ‘Umar said, “O son of my brother! Lift your clothes, for this will keep your clothes clean and save you from the Punishment of your Lord.” ‘Umar further said, “O ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar! See how much I am in debt to others.” When the debt was checked, it amounted to approximately eighty-six thousand. ‘Umar said, “If the property of ‘Umar’s family covers the debt, then pay the debt thereof; otherwise request it from Bani ‘Adi bin Ka’b, and if that too is not sufficient, ask for it from Quraish tribe, and do not ask for it from any one else, and pay this debt on my behalf.”

‘Umar then said (to ‘Abdullah), “Go to ‘Aisha (the mother of the believers) and say: “Umar is paying his salutation to you. But don’t say: ‘The chief of the believers,’ because today I am not the chief of the believers. And say: “Umar bin Al-Khattab asks the permission to be buried with his two companions (i.e. the Prophet, and Abu Bakr).” Abdullah greeted ‘Aisha and asked for the permission for entering, and then entered to her and found her sitting and weeping. He said to her, “‘Umar bin Al-Khattab is paying his salutations to you, and asks the permission to be buried with his two companions.” She said, “I had the idea of having this place for myself, but today I prefer Umar to myself.” When he returned it was said (to ‘Umar), “‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar has come.” ‘Umar said, “Make me sit up.” Somebody supported him against his body and ‘Umar asked (‘Abdullah), “What news do you have?” He said, “O chief of the believers! It is as you wish. She has given the permission.” ‘Umar said, “Praise be to Allah, there was nothing more important to me than this. So when I die, take me, and greet ‘Aisha and say: “Umar bin Al-Khattab asks the permission (to be buried with the Prophet ), and if she gives the permission, bury me there, and if she refuses, then take me to the grave-yard of the Muslims.”

Then Hafsa (the mother of the believers) came with many other women walking with her. When we saw her, we went away. She went in (to ‘Umar) and wept there for sometime. When the men asked for permission to enter, she went into another place, and we heard her weeping inside. The people said (to ‘Umar), “O chief of the believers! Appoint a successor.” Umar said, “I do not find anyone more suitable for the job than the following persons or group whom Allah’s Apostle had been pleased with before he died.” Then ‘Umar mentioned ‘Ali, ‘Uthman, AzZubair, Talha, Sad and ‘Abdur-Rahman (bin Auf) and said, “Abdullah bin ‘Umar will be a witness to you, but he will have no share in the rule. His being a witness will compensate him for not sharing the right of ruling. If Sad becomes the ruler, it will be alright: otherwise, whoever becomes the ruler should seek his help, as I have not dismissed him because of disability or dishonesty.” ‘Umar added, “I recommend that my successor takes care of the early emigrants; to know their rights and protect their honor and sacred things.

I also recommend that he be kind to the Ansar who had lived in Medina before the emigrants and Belief had entered their hearts before them. I recommend that the (ruler) should accept the good of the righteous among them and excuse their wrong-doers, and I recommend that he should do good to all the people of the towns (Al-Ansar), as they are the protectors of Islam and the source of wealth and the source of annoyance to the enemy. I also recommend that nothing be taken from them except from their surplus with their consent. I also recommend that he do good to the ‘Arab bedouin, as they are the origin of the ‘Arabs and the material of Islam. He should take from what is inferior, amongst their properties and distribute that to the poor amongst them. I also recommend him concerning Allah’s and His Apostle’s protectees (i.e. Dhimmis) to fulfill their contracts and to fight for them and not to overburden them with what is beyond their ability.” So when ‘Umar expired, we carried him out and set out walking. ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar greeted (‘Aisha) and said, “‘Umar bin Al-Khattab asks for the permission.” ‘Aisha said, “Bring him in.” He was brought in and buried beside his two companions.

When he was buried, the group (recommended by ‘Umar) held a meeting. Then ‘Abdur-Rahman said, ” Reduce the candidates for rulership to three of you.” Az-Zubair said, “I give up my right to Ali.” Talha said, “I give up my right to ‘Uthman,” Sad, ‘I give up my right to ‘Abdur-Rahman bin ‘Auf.” ‘Abdur-Rahman then said (to ‘Uthman and ‘Ali), “Now which of you is willing to give up his right of candidacy to that he may choose the better of the (remaining) two, bearing in mind that Allah and Islam will be his witnesses.” So both the sheiks (i.e. ‘Uthman and ‘Ali) kept silent. ‘Abdur-Rahman said, “Will you both leave this matter to me, and I take Allah as my Witness that I will not choose but the better of you?” They said, “Yes.” So ‘Abdur-Rahman took the hand of one of them (i.e. ‘Ali) and said, “You are related to Allah’s Apostle and one of the earliest Muslims as you know well. So I ask you by Allah to promise that if I select you as a ruler you will do justice, and if I select ‘Uthman as a ruler you will listen to him and obey him.” Then he took the other (i.e. ‘Uthman) aside and said the same to him. When ‘Abdur-Rahman secured (their agreement to) this covenant, he said, “O ‘Uthman! Raise your hand.” So he (i.e. ‘Abdur-Rahman) gave him (i.e. ‘Uthman) the solemn pledge, and then ‘Ali gave him the pledge of allegiance and then all the (Medina) people gave him the pledge of allegiance.

Martyrdom of Uthman:

Ibn al-Musayyib related that a group of seven hundred Egyptians came to complain to `Uthman about their governor Ibn Abi Sarh’s tyranny, so `Uthman said: “Chose someone to govern you.” They chose Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr, so `Uthman wrote credentials for him and they returned. On their way back, at three days’ distace from Madina, a black slave caught up with them with the news that he carried orders from `Uthman to the governor of Egypt. They searched him and found a message from `Uthman to Ibn Abi Sarh ordering the death of Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr and some of his friends. They returned to Madina and besieged `Uthman. The latter acknowledged that the camel, the slave, and the seal on the letter belonged to him, but he swore that he had never written nor ordered the letter to be written. It was discovered that the letter had been hand-written by Marwan ibn al-Hakam. `Uthman was besieged for twenty-two days during which he refused both to give up Marwan and to resign. He was killed on the last day of Dhu al-Hijja, on the day of Jum`a, by several men who had crept into his house.

Ibn `Umar related from `Uthman that the previous night the latter had seen the Prophet in his dream telling him: “Be strong! Verily you shall break your fast with us tomorrow night.” When his assailants came in they found him reading the Qur’an. `Uthman was first stabbed in the head with an arrow-head, then a man placed the point of his sword against his belly, whereupon his wife Na’ila tried to prevent him with her hand, losing several fingers. Then `Uthman and Na’ila’s servant were killed as the latter fought back. She ran out of the house screaming for help and the killers dispersed. It is narrated that `Uthman was killed as he was reading the verse “And Allah will suffice you for defense against them. He is the Hearer, the Knower.” (2:137) Several reports state that at the time of `Uthman’s siege and death Zayd ibn Thabit had marshalled three hundred Ansâr in his defense together with Abu Hurayra, Ibn `Umar, al-Hasan, al-Husayn, `Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr, but `Uthman forbade all of them to fight.

The foretelling of Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu Alahi Wa Salam proved true, and this should be a great sign of the truth of Islam for all.

Assalamu Alaikum,

The Importance of being good to your girls (daughters)

Volume 8, Book 73, Number 24:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

(the wife of the Prophet) A lady along with her two daughters came to me asking me (for some alms), but she found nothing with me except one date which I gave to her and she divided it between her two daughters, and then she got up and went away. Then the Prophet came in and I informed him about this story. He said, “Whoever is in charge of (put to test by) these daughters and treats them generously, then they will act as a shield for him from the (Hell) Fire.”

Upon reading this hadith we immediately notice the character of Aisha and the woman who came to her house.

1) There was NO food in the house of the Prophet sallalahu alahi wa salam EXCEPT for a date. SubhanAllah… think about that. If you go to your pantry at home…. you have enough food for months…STILL Aisha gave her date to this woman. Could we ever do that?

2) Look at the mother….she did NOT eat the date. Rather, she broke into two halves and gave it to her daughters…subhanAllah.. think of the ajr she will get…

Then The Prophet Sallahu allahi wa salam said

“Whoever is in charge of (put to test by) these daughters and treats them generously, then they will act as a shield for him from the (Hell) Fire.”

Why is the Prophet saying “Put to test by?”

There are several reasons:

1) In the Jahaliyah days before Islam came and enlightened the populace, the Arabs used to hate daughters. They were viewed as ways in which to lose honor (by their daughters committing actions without modesty) people who would leave the family, and also physically inferior (not able to help defend, fight, etc). So to raise a girl for them was difficult and something they did not want to do

2) Girls need to be nurtured, taken care of, and looked after. You have to listen to and understand their problems and emotions otherwise they will not let you into their heart and mind. Girls have deeper and more sensitive emotions and moods than boys do, and thus you need to treat them with kindness, and be sensitive and caring with them.

3) Especially in the west, it’s HARD being a good muslimah! Wearing hijab in a country where the population both doesn’t wear it and understand it, having to deal with all the problems a teenage girl goes through (problems with friends, school life, etc), Wallahi it is difficult.

So for these reasons, The Prophet Sallalahu allahi wa salam said “Put to test by”

AND what is the REWARD?

“then they will act as a shield for him from the (Hell) Fire.”

SubhanAllah.. this doesn’t apply to guys, by raising us it isn’t a special protection against the Hellfire. This only applies to girls… through successfully loving your daughter and turning her into a good muslimah your daughter will act as a SHIELD against the HELLFIRE for you.

Also…. the daughters today will turn into the mothers of our Ummah in 20 years. If you raise your daughter correctly, she as a mother will raise HER daughter and her community correctly. Think of the Ajr.

This doesn’t mean you should make dua for many girls and no guys….

You should just be pleased and content with what Allah gave to you:

if Allah gave you 7 daughters this is a blessing from Allah, even though the test will be harder… the reward is so great.

Assalamu Alaikum,

InshAllah I will be posting tasfeer of a Hadith most days of the week. The Tafseer will originally be done by Sheikh Chao of Nueces Mosque, and I will add in my own notes and additions to it. Hopefully this will be beneficial.

I’ll start with two I have done already.

First, from two days ago.

The Importance of Praying Qiyam-ul-Layl

Praying Qiyam ul Layl offers protection for us from the Hellfire, and is an excellent way to increase our imaan, gain ‘ajr, and show our love of Allah.

Narrated Ibn `Umar: If a man saw a dream during the lifetime
of the Prophet he would narrate it to the Prophet. Once I
wished to see a dream and narrate it to the Prophet I was
young, unmarried, and used to sleep in the Mosque during the
lifetime of the Prophet. I dreamt that two angels took me and
went away with me towards the (Hell) Fire which looked like a
well with the inside walls built up, and had two side−walls
like those of a well. There I saw some people in it whom I
knew. I started saying, “I seek Refuge with Allah from the
(Hell) Fire, I seek Refuge with Allah from the (Hell) Fire.”
Then another angel met the other two and said to me, “Do not
be afraid.” I narrated my dream to Hafsa who, in her turn,
narrated it to the Prophet. He said, “What an excellent man
`Abdullah is if he only observes the night prayer.”

(Salem, a sub−narrator said, “Abdullah used not to sleep at night but
very little hence forward.”

From this we see that the Prophet sallalahu alahi wa salaam recommended we read Qiyam ul Layl to protect us from the Hellfire and from the fate of the Quraish (the people hanging in the well).

Start slowly, but be committed to what you are doing. If you try and start doing Qiyam ul Layl every single day, the disappointment you will feel if you fail might adversely impact you. A good analogy is running a marathon. You don’t decide one day to run a marathon without having practiced and done training before. Rather, you gradually increase the amount until you are able to run a marathon without too much hardship.

This brings to mind another Hadith:

Book 006, Number 2588:

Yahya reported: I and ‘Abdullah b. Yazid set out till we came to Abu Salama. We sent a messenger to him (in his house in order to inform him about our arrival) and he came to us. There was a mosque near the door of his house, and we were in that mosque, till he came out to us. He said: If you like you may enter (the house) and, if you like, you may sit here (in the mosque). We said: We would rather sit here and (you) relate to us. He (Yahya) then narrated that ‘Abdullah b Amr b. al-’As (Allah be pleased with them) told him: I used to observe fast uninterruptedly and recited the (whole of the) Qur’an every night. It (the uninterrupted fasting and recital of the Qur’in every night) was mentioned to the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) or he sent for me, and I went to him and he said to me: I have been informed that you fast continuously and recite (the whole of the Qur’An) every night. I said: Apostle of Allah, it is right, but I covet thereby nothing but good, whereupon he said: It suffices for you that you should observe fast for three days during every mouth. I said: Apostle of Allah, I am capable of doing more than this. He said: Your wife has a right upon you, your visitor has a right upon you, your body has a right upon you; so observe the fast of David, the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him), for he was the best worshipper of Allah. I said: Apostle of Allah, what is the fast of David? He said: He used to fast one day and did not fast the other day. He (also) said: Recite the Qur’an during every month. I said: Apostle of Allah, I am capable of doing more than this, whereupon he said: Recite it in twenty days; recite it in ten days. I said: I am capable of doing more than this, whereupon he said: Recite it every week, and do not exceed beyond this, for your wife has a right upon you, your visitor has a right upon you, your body has a right upon you. He (‘Amr b. ‘As) said: I was hard to myself and thus I was put to hardship. The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) had told me: ‘You do not know you may live long (thus and bear the hardships for a long time), and I accepted that which the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) had told me. When I grew old I wished I had availed myself of the conces- sion (granted by) the Apostle of Allah (may-peace be upon him). This hadith has been narrated by Yahya b. Abu Kathir with the same chain of transmitters and he made this addition after these words: During every month, (fasting) for three days, there is for you ten times for every good and that is perpetual fasting (for three days would bring a reward for full thirty days). I said: What is the fast of the Apostle of Allah, David? He said: Half of the age (observing fast on alternate days for the whole life). And in the hadith no mention has been made of the recital of the Qur’an, and he did not say: Your visitor has a right upon you, but (instead) he said: Your son has a right upon you.

From this we see the wisdom of the Prophet sallalahu allahi wa salam, he knew our limits and advised us accordingly.

Similarly, we should not strive to pray Qiyam ul layl every night, but do that which we know we can. Start off with once every two weeks, then once a week, then try and get it to the point where it becomes a ritual to do it several times a week. The Prophet Sallallahu alahi wa salam used to read 7-8 jhuz a day… can you even imagine that? inshAllah we should strive to just wake up 30-40 minutes before fajr, read 2-4 rakat and then read some short surahs from the 30th juhz. The emphasis is on DOING it…. not exceeding our limits.

You should be able to see the effects. InshAllah you will be saved from the hellfire, and it will aid you in your daily life with energy and less drowsiness. InshAllah you will be able to focus throughout the day.