About Islam

When the Day of Judgment comes, we will without doubt all desire to steer clear from our sins and wish that we had done more good deeds that would be a cause for removal of our bad deeds.
Of much interest to us Muslims these days should be the fasting the 9th and the 10th of Muharram. The Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, said about the voluntary fasting on the Day of `Aashuraa:
( “It expiates the sins of the preceding year.”) [Saheeh Muslim]
Ibn `Abbas, radhiallahu `anhu, reported: “The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) ` came to al-Madeenah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of `Aashura. He asked them about that. They replied, “This is a good day, the day on which Allah rescued Baani Israaeel from their enemy. So Musa observed fast on this day.” The Prophet said, “We have more claim over Musa than you.” So the Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, observed fast on that day and ordered (the Muslims) to observe fast (on that day).” [Saheeh al-Bukhari, Muslim]
Ibn `Abbas also reported, “The Messenger of Allah fasted on the day of `Aashuraa and ordered the people to fast on it. The people said, “O Messenger of Allah, it is a day that the Jews and Christians honor.” The Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, said, “When the following year comes – Allah willing – we shall fast on the ninth.” The death of the Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, came before the following year.” [Saheeh Muslim, Abu Dawood]
So it is recommended to fast on the 10th of Muharram and the 9th along with it as well.
Qadi ibn Rushd says in that the scholars disagreed whether the fast is to be done on the 9th or the 10th of Muharram based on the above traditions [Bidayat ul Mujtahid]. And I have found a recommendation to fast on both days in various books, such as al-Hindees “Mukhtasar al-Ahkaam al-Fiqhiyyah”, Jameel Zenos “The Pillars of Islam and Iman”, and Dr. Jaafar Sheikh Idris “The Fast.”
As for the wisdom behind this fast, the following is stated in the mukhtasar version of Ibn ul Qayyims “Zaad ul-Ma`aad” “The day of `Aashuraa was the day when Musa and his men got freedom from the hands of the Pharaoh and it was in the sacred memory of this great event that the Muslims observed voluntary fasting. The idea underlying this is to stress the affinity amongst the messengers of Allah and to show that religious devotion is a constant flow from one generation to another. The Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, came not to abrogate all the earlier religious practices but to codify and preserve them for all times to come in ideal forms.”

✦ Plants ⇨ 1. Dates (22) ✦

 

Dates are nakhl () in Arabic.

1. Would any of you wish to have a garden with date-palms and vines, with rivers flowing underneath, and all kinds of fruits for him therein, while he is striken with old age, and his children are weak (not able to look after themselves), then it is struck with a fiery whirlwind, …so that it is burnt? Thus does God make clear His Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses) to you that you may give thought. [2:266]

2. It is He Who sends down water (rain) from the sky, and with it We bring forth vegetation of all kinds, and out of it We bring forth green stalks, from which We bring forth thick clustered grain. And out of the date-palm and its spathe come forth clusters of dates hanging low and near, and gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety and taste). Look at their fruits when they begin to bear, and the ripeness thereof. Verily! In these things there are signs for people who believe. [6:99]

3. And it is He Who produces gardens trellised and untrellised, and date-palms, and crops of different shape and taste (its fruits and its seeds) and olives, and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different (in taste). Eat of their fruit when they ripen, but pay the due thereof (its Zakât, according to God’s Orders 1/10th or 1/20th) on the day of its harvest, and waste not by extravagance . Verily, He likes not Al-Musrifûn (those who waste by extravagance), [6:141]

4. And in the earth are neighbouring tracts, and gardens of vines, and green crops (fields etc.), and date-palms, growing out two or three from a single stem root, or otherwise (one stem root for every palm ), watered with the same water, yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat. Verily, in these things, there are Ayât (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs) for the people who understand. [13:4]

5. With it He causes to grow for you the crops, the olives, the date-palms, the grapes, and every kind of fruit. Verily! In this is indeed an evident proof and a manifest sign for people who give thought. [16:11]

6. And from the fruits of date-palms and grapes, you derive strong drink (this was before the order of the prohibition of the alcoholic drinks) and a goodly provision. Verily, therein is indeed a sign for people who have wisdom. [16:67]

7. Or you have a garden of date-palms and grapes, and cause rivers to gush forth in their midst abundantly; [17:91]

8. And put forward to them the example of two men; unto one of them We had given two gardens of grapes, and We had surrounded both with date-palms; and had put between them green crops (cultivated fields etc.). [18:32]

9. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said: “Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight! [19:23]

10. And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you. [19:25]

11. [Fir’aun (Pharaoh)] said: “Believe you in him [Mûsa (Moses)] before I give you permission? Verily! He is your chief who taught you magic. So I will surely cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you on the trunks of date-palms, and you shall surely know which of us [I (Fir’aun — Pharaoh) or the Lord of Mûsa (Moses) (God)] can give the severe and more lasting torment. [20:71]

12. Then We brought forth for you therewith gardens of date-palms and grapes, wherein is much fruit for you, and whereof you eat. [23:19]

13. And green crops (fields etc.) and date-palms with soft spadix. [26:148]

14. And We have made therein gardens of date-palms and grapes, and We have caused springs of water to gush forth therein. [36:34]

15. And tall date-palms, with ranged clusters; [50:10]

16. Plucking out men as if they were uprooted stems of date-palms. [54:20]

17. Therein are fruits, date-palms producing sheathed fruit-stalks (enclosing dates). [55:11]

18. In them (both) will be fruits, and date-palms and pomegranates. [55:68]

19. Which God imposed on them for seven nights and eight days in succession, so that you could see men lying overthrown (destroyed), as if they were hollow trunks of date-palms! [69:7]

20. And olives and date-palms, [80:29]

Benefits:►

In the earth there are diverse regions side by side and gardens of grapes and cultivated fields, and date-palms sharing one root and others with individual roots, all watered with the same water. And We make some things better to eat than others. There are Signs in that for people who use their intellect. (Surat ar-Ra’d: 4)

Dates, a fruit mentioned in Surah Maryam , grow in dry soil in warm climates and have many benefits. Allah indicates their healing power by telling Maryam, who was in labor, to eat dates:

A voice called out to her from under her: “Do not grieve! Your Lord has placed a small stream at your feet. Shake the trunk of the palm toward you, and fresh, ripe dates will drop down to you. Eat and drink and delight your eyes …” (Surah Maryam: 24-26)

Allah draws our attention to dates for a purpose. Examining its properties gives us a better grasp this purpose.

Dates, which are more than 50% sugar, are extremely nourishing, for they contain fructose and glucose that are high in calories, and can be digested easily and quickly.30 Its sugar calms frazzled nerves and ensures psychological security. Giving birth involves the loss of blood, which obviously reduces the amount of blood sugar. As that sugar must be restored, dates are quite useful. In addition, dates prevent any reduction in blood pressure. Although meat is very beneficial, it may not be as beneficial as fresh dates in all cases. Eating too much meat, which contains an abundant amount of protein, at such a time may even cause poisoning. Thus, such light foods as vegetables and fruits, which are easy to digest, should be preferred.

In light of this verse, we see that dates are especially beneficial for pregnant and breast-feeding women. They promote healthy fetal development in the mother’s womb, prevent the mother from weakening, and make her milk abundant and nourishing.

At the same time, they are of great benefit to the brain. Dates, which consist of 2.2% protein, also contain vitamins A, B1, and B2. These proteins protect the body against disease and infection, enable body cells to regenerate, and balance bodily fluids. Vitamin A increases eyesight and bodily strength, as well as the strength of bones and teeth. Vitamin B1 facilitates the nervous system’s healthy functioning, helps the body convert carbohydrates into energy, regulates appetite and digestion, and enables the metabolism of proteins and fats. Vitamin B2 facilitates the burning of those proteins, carbohydrates, and fats required for supplying energy and cell renewal.

Apart from these, dates contain minerals that are essential to the body (e.g., potassium, sodium, calcium, iron, manganese, and copper). When potassium and sodium act together, they regulate the heart’s pulsation rhythm. By facilitating the transfer of oxygen to the brain, potassium enables clear thought. Furthermore, it provides the appropriate alkaline property for bodily fluids, stimulates the kidneys to excrete toxic metabolic wastes, helps to lower high blood pressure, and promotes healthy skin formation.

It is also interesting to note that a date’s content is especially beneficial for people who live in areas where it is generally grown. Its protein and sugar are the most nourishing nutrients for desert people.

✦ Plants ⇨ 2. Fruits (14) ✦

The word fakihah (), which means ‘fruit’, is mentioned 11 times in the Quran.

…1. And for them there is fruit, and for them there is what they ask for. [36:57]
2. Therein they will recline; therein they will call for fruit in abundance and drinks. [38:51]
3. Therein for you will be fruit in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire). [43:73]
4. They will call therein for every kind of fruit in peace and security. [44:55]
5. And We shall provide them with fruit and meat, such as they desire. [52:22]
6. Therein are fruit, date-palms producing sheathed fruit-stalks (enclosing dates). [55:11]
7. In them (both) will be every kind of fruit in pairs. [55:52]
8. In them (both) will be fruit, and date- palms and pomegranates. [55:68]
9. And fruit; that they may choose. [56:20]
10. And fruit in plenty, [56:32]
11. And fruit and Abba (herbage, etc.). [80:31]

The word fawakih (), which is the plural of fakihah, is mentioned three times in the Quran.

1. Then We brought forth for you therewith gardens of date-palms and grapes, wherein is lots of fruits for you, and whereof you eat. [23:19]
2. Fruits; and they shall be honoured, [37:42]
3. And fruits, such as they desire. [77:42]

Benefits:►

The Qur’an mentions several fruits that modern science has shown to have a preventive effect on several diseases. Fruits, which benefit the human body in many ways, also taste very good. In the Qur’an, Allah draws attention to their diversity and beauty and calls people to ponder upon their miraculous creation:

He sends down water from the sky from which We bring forth growth of every kind, and from that We bring forth the green shoots and from them We bring forth close-packed seeds, and, from the spathes of the date-palm, date clusters hanging down, and gardens of grapes and olives and pomegranates, both similar and dissimilar. Look at their fruits as they bear fruit and ripen. There are signs in that for people who believe. (Surat al-An’am: 99)

Allah creates various kinds of fruit, each of which have a different taste and smell although they grow in the same soil and are watered with the same water.
As well as their creation, the fact that fruits and vegetables are great sources of vitamins and essential nutrients also leads people to think. Fruits, which grow in black mud extract from the soil only those essential nutrients (minerals) that are beneficial to human health. But how could the soil know what nutrients to provide? Similarly, could the fruit have the ability and intelligence to break down the soil into its component parts in order to absorb from it the exact amount of what it needs? However, this system operates in such a perfect order that every plant species has a specific and unique color, taste, and smell and contains a fixed amount of minerals and vitamins. For instance, a watermelon is never blue or sour, nor does it smell like soil instead of the special and unique smell that we associate with it.
Allah, the sole owner and governor of the universe, created this order and displayed it to humanity so that people can reflect upon it and thank Him.
The Qur’an mentions so many kinds of fruit, which will be available for believers in Paradise. In this section, we will briefly discuss their benefits of the fruits that are referred to in the Qur’an.

Who is Aisha bint Abu Bakr?

Aisha (R.A) was the daughter of Abu Bakr (R.A), the Prophet (S.A.W.) close friend. When the Prophet (S.A.W.) first wife Khadija died, the Prophet (S.A.W.) felt very sad, and Abu Bakr (R.A.) because of his love for the Prophet (S.A.W.), offered him his daughter in marriage.

Aisha (R.A) was then still young. She was a lively and intelligent girl and the Prophet (S.W.A.) loved her and enjoyed her company. He liked to amuse her by playing with her, and sometimes they used to run races together. She said that sometimes she won and sometimes he did.

She learned much about Islam from the Prophet (S.A.W.) and used to question him about it. When she learned something she never forgot it . She was also a good speaker. Because of these qualities she became an important person in the community, and even before the Prophet’s (S.A.W.) death, people used to come to her to ask her questions about Islam.

The Prophet (S.A.W.) was pleased with her intelligence and said to his people:

“You can get half your religion from this rosy-cheeked girl.”

As well as providing the Prophet (S.A.W.) with love and companionship at home, she often accompanied him on journeys and expeditions.

When the Prophet (S.A.W.) felt his death was near he asked to be taken to Aisha’s apartment beside the mosque. There she nursed him until at last he died in her arms. He was buried at the very place where he died, and what was Aisha’ (R.A.) apartment is now part of the Great Mosque in Medinah

After the Prophet’s (S.A.W.) death Aisha (R.A.) kept her position of respect among Muslims. She used to teach other women, and both men and women came to her to learn what the Prophet (S.A.W.) had said and how he had behaved. In this way she became one of the most important of the reporters of Hadith (the Tradition of the Porphet).

Her life shows how a Muslim girl can use her intelligence and scholarship to make a very great contribution to the cause of Islam.

It also shows how, like Khadija (R.A.) before her, Aisha (R.A) was able to give the Prophet that love and understanding which helped him through all those years of struggle and fighting in the years after the Hijra to Medinah.

The Mother Who Was Not A Muslim

WHO IS ASMA

Asma, the sister of Aisha (R.A.) who was the wife of Prophet (S.A.W.) was very excited because her mother who was departed from her for seven years will come to see her in Medinah. It was a very long time since Asma migrated to Makka and was separated from her mother so she was very much anxious to see her mother again, but there was a very serious problem.

Although Asma’ father, Abu Bakr (R.A.) [first caliph), was a very devout Muslim, he never succeeded in persuading her mother to share his faith. She was still a “KAFIR”, and like all kafirs still worshipped idols. She refused to submit herself to Allah (S.W.T.) alone, The One God.

“She is my mother”, these were the words Asma told to herself. Her mother has to make a long journey just to meet her so she should have to welcome her with open heart and show her all the love that is due to a mother.

But she is a kafir, she does not believe in Allah (S.W.T.), and as a true Muslim we must love Allah (S.W.T.) more than anything else in this world. So how can she welcome a kafir with love and joy?

For some time Asma’s mind was occupied by this problem. She cannot make a wise decision so she decided to go to Prophet’s (S.A.W.) house to seek for his advice. She told the Prophet (S.A.W.) about her mixed emotions and feeling but to her surprise,

The Prophet (S.A.W.) replied to him; “So what’s the problem?” So she repeated; :How can I welcome her with love and joy if she is a kafir?”

The Prophet (S.A.W.) against replied; “She is your mother so she deserves to be treated kindly and show her your love and care that is all due to her. If she had fought with you because of your being a Muslim and she drove you away from your home because of your faith, then that would be another matter but, since your mother has never done to you such a thing, Allah (S.W.T.) enjoins that you must be just and kind to her and give her the love a daughter should give to a mother.

Allah (S.W.T.) forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah (S.W.T.) loveth those who are just. [Sura Al-Mumtahanah (60:8) ]

“But if they strive to make thee join In worship with Me things of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not; Yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to Me (in love): In the end the return of you all is to Me,and I will tell you the truth (and meaning) of all that ye did.” [Sura Luqman (31:15) ]

This story, I dedicate to those Muslims who have encountered the same problem as Asma. As what mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith (Tradition) of Prophet (S.A.W.), as long as our parents is not interfering with our faith, we have to show them all the love and care, a child should give to his parents. We should always remember the pain and agony they suffered in bringing us up.

We should always put in our mind the sacrifice our mother did while giving birth to us and the period of weaning us.

Once a man went to the Prophet (S.A.W.) and asked, “O Messenger of Allah, Who of all the people, is entitled to my kindness and good company?”

The Prophet (S.A.W.) answered, “Your mother”

The man asked, “Who comes next?”

The prophet (S.A.W.) replied, “Your mother”

Again the man asked, “Who come next?”

Again the Prophet (S.A.W.) replied, “Your mother”

The man asked one more time, “Who come next?”

The Prophet (S.A.W.) replied, “Your father” [Related Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

“And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: In travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command) , “Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal.

THE DEVINE INSPIRATION

A’ishah (the mother of the faithful believers ) said:

• “The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah’s Messenger was in the form of righteous vision (good dreams) which would come as true as the breaking of the light of the dawn,
• And then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him, He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Mount Hira where he used to worship (Allah alone) for many days before his return back to see his family. He used to take with him food for the stay and then come back to khadija (his wife) to take his food likewise again,
• Till suddenly the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira. The angel came to him and asked him to read. The prophet (S.A.W.) replied, “I am not reader.”
• The Prophet (S.A.W.) added, “The angel embrace me forcefully and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, ‘I am not a reader.”
• Thereupon he embraced me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read but again I replied, ‘I am not a reader (or what shall I read)?’
• Thereupon he embraced me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said, “Read in the name of your Lord, who has created (all that exists), has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.”
• Then Allah’s Messenger returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely. Then he went to Khadija bint Khuwailid and said, “Cover me! Cover me!” She covered him till his fear was over and after that he told her everything that had happened
• And said, “I fear that something may happen to me.” Khadija replied, “Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with you kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones.”
• Khadija then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin ‘Abdul ‘Uzza, who, during the pre-Islamic Period became a Christian and used to write the writing with Hebrew letters. He would write from the Gospel in Hebrew as much as Allah (S.W.T.) wished him to write.
• He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadija said to Waraqa, “Listen to the story of your nephew, O my cousin!” Waraqa asked, “O my nephew! What have you seen?” Allah’s Messenger described whatever he had seen.
• Waraqa said, “This is the same one who keeps the secrets (angel Gabriel) whom Allah (S.W.T.) had sent to Prophet Moses (S.A.W.) I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out.” The Prophet (S.A.W.) asked, “Will they drive me out?” Waraqa replied in the affirmative and said, “Anyone who came with something similar to what you have broght was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly.”
• But after a few days Waraqa died and the Divine Inspiration was also paused for a while.
• Jabir bin ‘Abdullah Al-Ansari narrated while talking about the period of pause in revelation reporting the speech of the Prophet (S.A.W.) “While I was walking, all of a sudden I heard a voice from the sky. I looked up and saw the same angel who had visited me at the cave of Hira sitting on a chair between the sky and the earth. I got afraid of him and came back home and said, ‘Wrap me (in blankets).’
• And then Allah (S.W.T.) revealed the following Verse (of Qu’ran) : O you (Muhammad)! wrapped up in garments!
• Arise and warn (the people against Allah’s Punishment). And magnify your Lord. And cleanse your garments. And desert the idols.’
• After this the revelation started coming strongly, frequently and regularly.”

Before the mission of Islam, Prophet (S.A.W.) had so many gifts from Allah (S.W.T.) as a preparation for the prophethood.

1. Allah (S.W.T.) guided him and protected him from the corrupted life style of his people.

Ibn Katheer reported that before the mission of Islam, Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) used to dislike the corrupted life style of his people and not take part in it.
He used to go for seclusion in the cave of Mount Hira according to the traditional old practices the Arabs inherited from the religion of their father Abraham. In his retreat in the cave of Mount Hira he used to worship Allah (S.W.T.) alone and contemplate His creation and signs in the universe.
2. The clouds that used to shade him in hot days.

3. The righteous visions which would always come true.

4. The greeting of trees and stones:

Prophet (S.A.W.) said that before the mission he would pass by no stone or tree but he would hear them saying ‘Peace be on you O Messenger of Allah’.
Prophet (S.A.W.) said: “I verily know a stone in Mecca which used to salute me saying ‘Peace be on you O Messenger of Allah’ before the mission; I verily know it now”.
5. Seeing angel Gabriel in his sleep

Shortly before the beginning of the Divine Inspiration Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) saw in his sleep angel Gabriel giving him a book rapped in a piece of silk”. And then his vision came true afterward.
Shortly after the mission of Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) the heavens were heavily guarded with stern guards and flaming fires in order to make them inaccessible to evil Jjinn as an extra precaution measure to keep Islam, the last message and religion of unity, clear from all mysteries, and falsehoods.