Asiya bint Muzahim

A real life example for the believers.

Asiya   also known as Asiya bint Muzahim, is revered by Muslims as one of the greatest women of all time. In Arabic the name Asiya has many meanings. It can mean the pillar, mediator, supporter, sorrow lifter and sorrow helper, and She was the wife of the     "Fir ‘awn" who reigned during   Musa( alai) time. The Qur'an chronicles her as a great person and she is respected all the more by Muslims as she was married to one of the most evil men in history, but never lost faith in God and remained steadfast in prayer and belief. She declared her faith in the message of God after witnessing the miracle of Moses in the Court of Pharaoh and  Pharaoh tried to turn her away from the God of Moses . But Asiya refused to reject the God of Moses. On Pharaoh's order, she was tortured to death.

 Muhammad (sal)  is said to have mentioned her as one of the four greatest women of all time, alongside Mary, the mother ofJesus, Muhammad's first wife Khadija, and his daughter Fatimah.

وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَى أُمِّ مُوسَى أَنْ أَرْضِعِيهِ فَإِذَا خِفْتِ عَلَيْهِ فَأَلْقِيهِ فِي الْيَمِّ وَلا تَخَافِي وَلا تَحْزَنِي إِنَّا  وَجَاعِلُوهُ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ  رَادُّوهُ إِلَيْكِ  

(28:7)

So We sent this inspiration to the mother of Moses: "Suckle (thy child), but when thou hast fears about him, cast him into the river, but fear not nor grieve: for We shall restore him to thee, and We shall make him one of Our messengers."      

Asiya and her maids were at the neighbouring Nile river one day. To their amazement, they found a crate floating in the river. Asiya immediately ordered the crate to be brought out on shore. Although the maids thought there was a treasure in the crate, they in fact found a baby boy inside. Asiya instantly fell in love with him and knew that this boy, Moses, was no ordinary baby. She told the Pharaoh about the baby and convinced her husband to allow the baby to live with them.  

The wife of Pharaoh said: 

وَقَالَتِ امْرَأَتُ فِرْعَوْنَ قُرَّتُ عَيْنٍ لِّي وَلَكَ لا تَقْتُلُوهُ عَسَى أَن 

يَنفَعَنَا أَوْ نَتَّخِذَهُ وَلَدًا وَهُمْ لا يَشْعُرُونَ

 "(Here is) joy of the eye, for me and for thee: slay him not. It may be that he will be use to us, or we may adopt him as a son." And they perceived not (what they were doing)! (Qur'an 28:9)

Asiya then offered Moses' mother to live in their household as Moses' wet nurse and paid her for her services, being unaware that the wet nurse was Moses' mother.Thus, mother and son were reunited again.

 The tradition holds that Asiya worshipped God in secret and praying in disguise fearing her husband. She died while being tortured by her husband, who had discovered her monotheism.

 وَضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلا لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا امْرَأَةَ فِرْعَوْنَ إِذْ قَالَتْ رَبِّ ابْنِ لِي عِندَكَ بَيْتًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَنَجِّنِي مِن فِرْعَوْنَ وَعَمَلِهِ وَنَجِّنِي مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ

Qatadah said, "Fir `awn was the most tyrannical among the people of the earth and the most disbelieving. By Allah! His wife was not affected by her husband's disbelief, because she obeyed her Lord. Therefore, let it be known that Allah is the Just Judge Who will not punish anyone except for their own sins.'' Ibn Jarir recorded that Suleiman said, "The wife of Fir`awn was tortured under the sun and     when Fir`awn would finish the torture    session, the angels would shade her with    their wings. She was shown her house in Paradise

Ibn Jarir said that Al-Qasim bin Abi Bazzah said, "Fir`awn's wife used to ask, `Who prevailed' When she was told, `Musa and Harun prevailed', she said, `I believe in the Lord of Musa and Harun.' Fir`awn sent his aides to her and said to them, `Find the biggest stone. If she insists on keeping her faith, throw the stone on her, otherwise she is my wife. When they came to her, she looked up to the sky and was able to see her house in Paradise. She persisted on the faith and her soul was then captured. The stone was thrown on her lifeless body.'' This is the meaning of her statement.

Asiya (ra) was the wife of Pharaoh and she is a real life example for the believers of today on how we should deal with the difficulties. Allah (swt) made her an example and symbol of the religion for the women. For anyone wanting to seek guidance and follow the Sunnah this is an excellent example. She had maturity and understanding in the religion desiring only the akhirah. She said I do not want anything in this world and I want to be near to you Oh my Lord by having a house in Jannah.  

CELEBRATING VALENTINES DAY IN ISLAM

Celebrating Valentines Day in Islam.

It’s that time of the year again where an annual ritual takes the world by frenzy, and sweeps along the Muslims with it. Now it’s the turn of Valentine’s Day. Saint Valentine's Day, also known as Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine   is observed on February 14 each year. It is celebrated in many countries around the world, although it remains a working day in most of them .

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SAINT VALENTINE AND THIS FESTIVAL
Saint Valentine is a name which is given to two of the ancient “martyrs” of the Christian Church. It was said that there were two of them, or that there was only one, who died in Rome as the result of the persecution of the Gothic leader Claudius, c. 296 CE. In 350 CE, a church was built in Rome on the site of the place where he died, to perpetuate his memory. When the Romans embraced Christianity, they continued to celebrate the Feast of Love mentioned above, but they changed it from the pagan concept of “spiritual love” to another concept known as the “martyrs of love”, represented by Saint Valentine who had advocated love and peace, for which cause he was martyred, according to their claims. It was also called the Feast of Lovers, and Saint Valentine was considered to be the patron saint of LOVERS.
First of all, Celebrating Valentine’s Day is following the ways and traditions of the Romans, and the Christians. The Christians follow the Pagans as this Day is not included in their festivals. As Muslims we are prohibited from resembling the Christians in their religious practices, then how about an act which is invented and followed by pagans!!

وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الإِسْلامِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِي الآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ

And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers” [Surah Aal ‘Imraan, 3:85]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned us of our following the ways of the Jews and Christians and those who came before us:
Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him), narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “You will certainly follow the ways of those who came before you, span by span, cubit by cubit, until even if they were to enter a lizard’s hole, you would follow them.” We said, “O Messenger of Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and Christians?” He said, “Who else?!” [Sahih Bukhari
There is no religion which encourages its followers to love and care for one another more than Islam does. This applies at all times and in all circumstances, not just on one particular day. Islam encourages us to express our emotions and love at all times, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “If a man loves his brother, let him tell him that he loves him.” (narrated by Abu Dawood, 5124; al-Tirmidhi, 2329).
The Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you truly believe, and you will not truly believe until you love one another.
Shall I not tell you of something that, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread (the greeting of) salaam amongst yourselves.” (Narrated by Muslim)

Best Thing is Marriage

In Islam, it is not a sin if you feel a special inclination towards a certain individual since it’s a natural thing. But we are definitely responsible and accountable if we get carried away by such feelings and take specific actions or steps that might be forbidden.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “We do not think that there is anything better for those who love one another than marriage.” (Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 1847)
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas (Radiallahuanhu) Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “You have seen nothing like marriage for increasing the love of two people.’ (Al-Tirmidhi  )
Allah says in the Qur'an: "And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts). Verily in that are signs for those who reflect." [Ar Room 30:21] The key words in the verse are - Mawaddatan wa Rahmah - which translates as Love and Mercy. The interesting thing to note about this verse is to notice the location of this verse along with the verses that precede it and those that come after. Allah mentions His Signs (Night/Day, Heaven/Earth, and Man/Woman) and He puts the feeling of Love and Mercy between spouses in the same value as the creation of Heaven & Earth. Now then how can we ignore such a great Sign of Allah?

The Prophet (PBUH) once said about Khadija (RA),” I was verily filled with love for her.” This is how expressive our Prophet was, when he talked of love for his wife. However, today we find that many of us are shy to express our love. In fact, many consider it a sign of weakness to say "I love so and so" and they consider it a blow to their pride to tell their spouse, "I love you". But the Messenger (saw) was not shy to express his love of his wife. And notice that he didn't simply say, "I love her", but he said, "I was filled with love for her".

There is no such thing as love being forbidden in Islam, which encourages Muslims to love each other for the sake of Allah and express your love to your brother, but of course there are limitation to this, let us see Concept of Love in Islam Love is that beautiful feeling Allah (SWT) puts in the heart of a sincere, pious and god fearing couple at the time of their nikah. And this is a serious, long-term relationship in which both individuals are content and comfortable with one another.
Additionally, it is forbidden for a Muslim to assist or help in this Valentine's Day, or any other of the forbidden/illegal celebrations in any way whatsoever - whether by food or drink, selling or buying, production, gift-giving, correspondence, announcements, etc. All of these things are considered as co-operating in sin and transgression and disobedience of Allaah and His Messenger. Allaah, the Glorious and Most High, says:
وَلاَ تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

 and co-operate with one another in righteousness and piety, and do not co-operate in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah! Verily Allaah is severe in punishment," [Soorah al-Maa.idah, Aayah 2] 

Rizq is (Sustanance) From Allaah (SWT)

As Muslims, we believe that our relationship with our Provider determines the extent of toil, energy and time required to earn what has been decreed for us. Your relationship with your Provider also determines the level of barakah (blessings) that you will enjoy in your earnings. When Maryam Radhi-Allahu anhu devoted her entire existence to developing her relationship with her Creator and Provider, Allah provided her with 'out of season' sustenance. Out of season sustenance means getting your rizq beyond the usual manner and outside the standard time. “Whenever Zakariyya Alayhis Salaam entered her chamber, he found her supplied with sustenance. He asked: O Maryam! Where does this sustenance come from? She replied: “It is from Allah – certainly Allah provides sustenance to whom He wills without any measure” (3:37) Conversely, Allah constricts our rizq when we incur His displeasure through the commission of sin. Nabi r said: “A person is deprived of sustenance on account of sin that he commits.” (Ibn Majah) As Muslims we accept that Allah is the provider of Rizq and that we are merely tasked with its acquisition. The ease or difficulty with which we acquire our rizq and the extent of benefit we can draw from it very much depends on our relationship with our Provider and Creator. “If a person's main concern is the Hereafter, Allah places richness in his heart, makes his affairs manageable for him and the world will come to him in a subdued state. If a person's main concern is this world, Allah will linger poverty before his eyes and will make his affairs beyond his control, yet he will not get of this world save what has been decreed for him.”(Tirmidhi) What is your relationship with your Provider? Do you only live for this world or are your endeavours centred around the hereafter? How does your daily efforts in acquiring your rizq impact on your connection with Allah and on your character? We need not only to 'earn' rizq through continuous toil; we also need to supplement our efforts by improving our relationship with Allah. This we can do through: Tawbah (Repentance): 'Ask forgiveness from your Lord, verily, He is Oft-forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance, and give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.}(71: 10-12) • Taqwa (Allah consciousness): “And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine.” (65:2-3) • Silat-ur-rahem (Fostering family ties) "Whoever is pleased that he be granted more wealth and that his lease (span) of life be prolonged, should keep good relations with his kin." (Bukhari & Muslim) • Sadaqah (Charity): “And whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah's cause), He will replace it. And He is the best of providers.” (34:39) “'Show mercy to those on earth so that He who is in heaven will have mercy on you.' (Tirmidhi) • Ibaadah (Worship): “Allah says, 'O son of Adam! Take time out to constantly worship me, I will fill your heart with richness and remove your poverty. And if you do not do so. I will make your hands filled with occupation, and will not remove your poverty” (Ahmad & Tirmidhi ) • Tawakkul (Reliance upon Allah): “If you rely on Allah with due reliance, He would provide for you as He provides for the birds. They set out in the morning with empty stomachs and return in the evening with full stomachs.” ( Ahmad & Ibn Majah) • Du`a (Supplication): Umm Salamah states that Nabi (saw) would make the following dua after the Fajr salaah: “O Allah I ask you for beneficial knowledge, good provision and accepted action.” (Ibn Majah) 

The Fog is Lifting ([Full])

Surah Duha

The greatest way to feel good in your heart is to read surah Duha .because it is the most amazing surah in the Quran that tells you to be positive and feel good about Allah (SWT)  

The Virtues of Fasting in the Summer

The Virtues of Fasting in the Summer

Ramadan ,The month of glory almost upon us,and all too soon it will be over,Ramadan is derived from the root word “Ramad” which indicates”heat”and this is perhaps why in one of his traditions our holy prophet (sal) has said that “Ramadan burns the sins and shortcomings as fire burns wood.  “…And from the acts of worship whose reward is multiplied during the heat is fasting, and this is because of the thirst that one experiences in the mid-day heat.

This is why Mu’adh bin Jabal expressed regret on his deathbed that he would no longer experience this mid-day thirst, as did other early Muslims.

And it was related that Abu Bakr would fast in the summer and not fast in the winter, and ‘Umar advised his son ‘Abdullah on his deathbed: “Try to obtain the characteristics of faith,” and the first one he mentioned was fasting in the intense summer heat.

al-Hasan said: “A maiden of Paradise will speak to the Wali of Allah while he is laying with her on the shore of a river of honey in Paradise while she hands him a glass of the sweetest drink, and she will ask him: “Do you know what day Allah married me to you? He saw you on a long summer day while you were thirsty in the mid-day heat, and He called the Angels and said: “Look at My slave. He has left his wife and pleasure and food and drink for Me out of his desire for what I have for him. Bear witness that I have forgiven him,” and He forgave you on that day and married you to me.””

Al-Qasim b. Muhammad relates that ‘A’ishah, may God be pleased with her, would fast in the searing heat. It was asked of him: What made her do that: He said: “She would take advantage of [the days before] death.” … And one of the pious women [of the past] would choose the hottest days to fast. On being asked why, she replied: “If the price is cheap, then everyone would purchase it.” What she meant was that she wanted to do those deeds that very few people would be able to do, because of the huge difficulty involved. And this was from her lofty resolve (‘uluw al-himmah). …

Abu’l-Darda would say: “Fast on the days that are very hot, in preparation for the heat of the Day of Resurrection. Pray two rak‘ahs in the darkness of night, in anticipation of the darkness in the grave.”When those who fast for Allah in the heat are patient despite their intense thirst, He will set aside a specific gate of the gates of Paradise for them. This is the gate called Rayyan, and whoever enters through it will drink, and whoever drinks after entering it will never be thirsty again. When they enter through it, it will be locked for those after them, and none will enter through it except them…”

The Miraculous Night Journey

 The Miraculous Night Journey

 

The Isra and Mi'raj   are the two parts of a Night Journey that, according to Islamic tradition, the Islamic prophet Muhammad took during a single night around the year 621On 27th Rajab. It has been described as both a physical and spiritual journey.  A brief sketch of the story is in sura 17 Al-Isra of the Quran  and other details come from the Hadith, supplemental writings about the life of Muhammad. In the journey, Muhammad travels on the steed Buraq to "the farthest mosque" where he leads other prophets in prayer. He then ascends to heaven where he speaks to God, who gives Muhammad instructions to take back to the faithful regarding the details of prayer

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلاً مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ

Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.

Quran, Chapter 17 (Al-Isra) verse 1

The whole incident of Isra and Mi'raj is mentioned in great details in the following hadith narrated by Anas ibn Sa'sa'a:

The Prophet said, "While I was at the House in a state midway between sleep and wakefulness, (an angel recognized me) as the man lying between two men. A golden tray full of wisdom and belief was brought to me and my body was cut open from the throat to the lower part of the abdomen and then my abdomen was washed with Zam-zam water and (my heart was) filled with wisdom and belief.

Al-Buraq, a white animal, smaller than a mule and bigger than a donkey was brought to me and I set out with Jibreel. When I reached the nearest heaven. Jibreel said to the heaven gate-keeper, 'Open the gate.' The gatekeeper asked, 'Who is it?' He said, 'Jibreel.' The gate-keeper,' Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel said, 'Muhammad.' The gate-keeper said, 'Has he been called?' Jibreel said, 'Yes.' Then it was said, 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!' Then I met Adam and greeted him and he said, 'You are welcomed O son and a Prophet.'

Then we ascended to the second heaven. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Jibreel said, 'Jibreel.' It was said, 'Who is with you?' He said, 'Muhammad' It was asked, 'Has he been sent for?' He said, 'Yes.' It was said, 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!" Then I met Isa (Jesus) and Yahya (John the Baptist) who said, 'You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet.'

Then we ascended to the third heaven. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Jibreel said, 'Jibreel.' It was asked, 'Who is with you? Jibreel said, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been sent for?' 'Yes,' said Jibreel. 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!' (The Prophet added:). There I met Joseph and greeted him, and he replied, 'You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet!'

Then we ascended to the 4th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met Idris and greeted him. He said, 'You are welcomed O brother and Prophet.'

Then we ascended to the 5th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in previous heavens. there I met and greeted Aaron who said, 'You are welcomed O brother and a Prophet".

Then we ascended to the 6th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met and greeted Moses who said, 'You are welcomed O brother and a Prophet.' When I proceeded on, he started weeping and on being asked why he was weeping, he said, 'O Lord! Followers of this youth who was sent after me will enter Paradise in greater number than my followers.'

Then we ascended to the seventh heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met and greeted Ibrahim who said, 'You are welcomed o son and a Prophet.'

Then I was shown Al-Bait-al-Ma'mur (i.e. Allah's House). I asked Jibreel about it and he said, This is Al Bait-ul-Ma'mur where 70,000 angels perform prayers daily and when they leave they never return to it (but always a fresh batch comes into it daily).'

Then I was shown Sidrat al-Muntaha (i.e. a tree in the seventh heaven) and I saw its   fruits which resembled the clay jugs of Hajr (i.e. a town in Arabia), and its leaves were like the ears of elephants, and four rivers originated at its root, two of them were apparent and two were hidden. I asked Jibreel about those rivers and he said, 'The two hidden rivers are in Paradise, and the apparent ones are the Nile and the Euphrates.'

Then fifty prayers were enjoined on me. I descended till I met Moses who asked me, 'What have you done?' I said, 'Fifty prayers have been enjoined on me.' He said, 'I know the people better than you, because I had the hardest experience to bring Bani Israel to obedience. Your followers cannot put up with such obligation. So, return to your Lord and request Him (to reduce the number of prayers.' I returned and requested Allah (for reduction) and He made it forty. I returned and (met Moses) and had a similar discussion, and then returned again to Allah for reduction and He made it thirty, then twenty, then ten, and then I came to Moses who repeated the same advice. Ultimately Allah reduced it to five. When I came to Moses again, he said, 'What have you done?' I said, 'Allah has made it five only.' He repeated the same advice but I said that I surrendered (to Allah's Final Order)'" Allah's Apostle was addressed by Allah, "I have decreed My Obligation and have reduced the burden on My slaves, and I shall reward a single good deed as if it were ten good deeds.

 Sahih al-Bukhari, volume 4,Book 54, Hadith number 429

 IPC blogger.rizmiya