Why suicide? Do Wahhabis commit suicide?

Every breath of a human, every moment of his or hers life in all Religious traditions, their teachings, their guidance, their viewpoints, their perspectives is worth more than a priceless gem. These breaths the human being takes in order to survive in life and the moments of life itself are like the pearls of a necklace. Just as a pearl will embellish the appearance of that neck that wears the necklace of pearls, in the same way the life of a individual is enhanced by that person who looks after the moments of his life. No Treasure trove of any Ruler, no Sultanate of any Sultan, no Kingdom of any King, no Rulership of any Queen in tantamount is equal in value to one moment of an individuals life. Life in-fact in numerous places of the Quraan, either directly or indirectly, is described by Allah as a favour on human beings.
In one verse of the Quraan, Allah says,
" How can you disbelieve? Seeing that you were dead and He gave you life. Then He will give you death, then again will bring you to life (on the Day of Resurrection) and then unto Him you will return." (Surah Al-Baqarah Verse 28)

Out of all the bounties Allah has bestowed upon human beings, the most precious is the gift of life. Each one us should remember that this life Allah has granted us, it is not our personal possession or our personal property. In-fact it is a trust from Allah, making us merely trustees. Because we are trustees we should utilise each and every moment of our lives in the paths that please Allah.
In one verse of the Quraan Allah informs mankind,
"And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)". (Surah Adh-Dhariyat Verse 56)
From this verse we can learn the reason why Allah created mankind.
How precious is this gift of life, we can learn through the Holy Quraan, Ahadeeth (Traditions and Sayings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) and the Shariah (Islamic Law).
For instance, in one verse of the Quraan, Allah says,
"He has forbidden you only the carrion (flesh of dead animals), and blood, and flesh of swine, and that which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allah (or has been slaughtered for idols, on which Allah’s Name has not been mentioned whilst slaughtering). But if one is forced by necessity without wilful disobedience nor transgressing due limits, then there is no sin on him. Truly, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."(Surah Al-Baqarah Verse 173)
In the closing stages of this verse Allah talks about one who is forced to consume Haraam (unlawful) items due to the fear of death. Allah says, then there is no sin in him. For example, one is in severe hunger, such hunger that could lead to ones death, he consumes something that is Haraam (unlawful) e.g. Carrion, on the Day of Judgement he will not be questioned regarding these Haraam (Unlawful) items he consumed in order to save his life. Similarly one is fasting in the Month of Ramadhaan and severe thirst over-takes him, again it is permissible for him to break his fast in order to saves ones life. Even if he broke the fast by consuming Haraam (Unlawful) fluids e.g. Blood, Alcohol he will not be questioned regarding this. From this verse we can undoubtedly acknowledge how precious and valuable life is in the eyes of The Almighty Allah.

Life in many people’s opinion is a journey. Some even sees it as a pilgrimage. In the Islamic perspective it is a journey far beyond death. It is like a trip around the world. We stop in many different Continents, Countries, Cities, Towns and Villages. Some bring happiness and some give us grief. The white beaches, beautiful rainforests, buildings etc would force a smile on the face of many a person regardless of what grief he is in, but the sight of the poor, war-stricken and weak will give one intense grief. Life is a test from Allah, He tests people in various ways and times. He tests some by blessing them with countless bounties to see if the servant appreciates what he has been blessed with by Allah and he shows gratitude towards Allah for blessing him with these bounties. At times Allah in his infinite wisdom, puts a person in intense grief, to see if the servant turns to Allah and seeks guidance and help.
Excellent examples of both situations are found in the life and story of the Prophet of Allah, Ayyub (AS). Allah granted him many bounties, then he gave him such illness that the people around him could not bear. Prophet Ayyub (AS) turned to Allah for help and Allah in his infinite mercy returned all the past bounties upon him. In some narrations it has been said that Allah gave him more bounties than the amount he had before his illness.
In the Quraan Allah has mentioned the call for help of Prophet Ayyub (AS). Allah says:
"And (Remember) Ayyub (Job), when he cried to his Lord: "Verily, distress has seized me, and you are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy". So We answered his call, and removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his family to him (that he had lost) and the like thereof along with them as a mercy from Ourselves and a reminder for all those who worship Us. (Surah Al-Anbiya Verse 83-84)
In another Surah of the Quraan Allah says regarding Prophet Ayyub (AS):
"And remember Our slave Ayyub (Job), when he invoked his Lord (saying):"Verily Satan has touched me with distress (by ruining my health) and torment (by ruining my wealth)! (Allah said to him): "Strike the ground with your foot: This is (a spring of) water to wash in, cool and a (refreshing) drink". And We gave him back his family, and along with them the like thereof, as a Mercy from Us, and a Reminder for those who understand."And take in your hand a bundle of thin grass and strike therewith (your wife), and break not your oath. Truly, We found him patient. How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever oft- returning in repentance (to Us).
Like Prophet Ayyub, each and every one of us is tested by Allah in someway or another. Some turn to Allah and seek help, as in the case of Prophet Ayyub and others turn completely to the opposite side, which leaves many in grief. These people upon whom many grieve and mourn are the people who have turned to suicide.

Suicide, or self-killing, has been known throughout the whole of recorded history and has been a phenomenon in every culture and social setting. It was noted in the Biblical Times within the Jewish and Christian faiths. It is mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita within the Hindu faith, in classical Greece and Rome, and later throughout the Middle-Ages, when the reaction to the heresy of suicide was severe hostility from the Universal Church, whose later fathers railed against the canonical sin of despair.
Suicide occurs in every culture, not only in the Western developed world, but also in India, China and, despite severe theological prohibitions, in Islam.

Within the Judaeo-Christian tradition, there are eleven instances of suicide described in the Bible's Old Testament and one in the New Testament. Perhaps the most famous death in the former is the suicide of King Saul following his defeat in the hands of the Philistines, heard in David’s lament, and ‘how are the mighty fallen’. Saul had sought the assistance of his bodyguard to help kill himself. The soldier was horrified at the irreligious notion of killing his appointed King, and turned the sword upon himself. Saul, apparently aided by such an example, then followed suit. It appears that the avert prohibition against suicide was first formerly pronounced by Saint Augustine, who in his City of God describes the action as a ‘moral sin’.
The Church did not always condemn suicide when, for example, following some severe assault, such as rape, the victim took a ‘virtuous’ or honourable way out. She could then claim sympathy and the forgiveness of her society and family, in both Roman and Christian times.

As shown, neither the Judaic nor Christian parts of the Bible are there direct injunctions against suicide. However, this is not the case in the traditions of the true religion, Islam, which continues to be a major influence upon many Islamic people.
There are a few quite specific sanctions expressed in the Quraan against self-killing. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) also assigns suicide to the lower levels of Hell.
Allah says explicitly in the Quraan,
"And do not kill yourselves. Surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you". (Surah An-Nisa Verse 29)
In another verse of the Quraan, Allah says:
"And do not throw yourselves in destruction". (Surah Al-Baqarah Verse 195)
The impact of this injunction still has considerable force in Islamic countries, and it may be one reason why, with the exception of Jordan and Turkey, there is no recorded suicide in national statistics of the Islamic Nations. But, in the last decade or so there has been a substantial increase of suicide in Muslims living in Non-Muslim countries, namely Britain and America.

The current attitude and dilemmas, unlike in previous times, suicide can be discussed relatively easily today, even within the mass media of the late twentieth century. For example, in the worldwide magazine Time there have been three major articles concerning suicide, which while acknowledging dilemmas, were mainly concerned with where firm baselines should be drawn, accepting without question the ‘obvious’ rationality of such actions in many situations. Yet a little more than 100 years ago, Robert Louis Stevenson, in what was considered to be a horrendous book, The Suicide Club, found himself almost at the extreme end of the case of language, because he could not describe in sufficiently villainous terms the leader of this ‘devilish’ club. Constantly, modern poets and novelist have almost celebrated suicide.

The reasons that lead a person to commit suicide are as numerous and complex as the thousands of people who do so every year. Below are a few contributing causes of suicide:
Unipolar affective disorder (Depression)
The mental disorder usually called ‘depression’ is now described as ‘unipolar affective disorder’. The term depression is of course problematic, in that a low mood, or sometimes a feeling of emotional glumness, of living ‘out of sorts’ or ‘fed up’, is a frequent experience for many people. In this sense it is ‘normal’ and many people can feel ‘depressed’ without having depression. There is another side to this coin, where a person can feel particularly well, ‘on a high’ or with a feeling of well being. This can be the experience of a large number of people without it being felt, thought or obseverd as a problem or a disorder. A person simply feels in a ‘good mood’.
The causes of depression are many:
1. Mood: There is a profound disturbance of mood, which is one of the prevailing sadness and misery.
2. Cognition (To think deeply): There is an important disturbance of cognition, so that everything around them is interpreted dismally. Sufferers can believe they are hateful, worthless and, at the extreme, that they are already dead and responsible for the evils in the world.
3. Energy: There are very often tell-tale changes in mood and energy, in which the mood is especially low in the early morning hours, with relative lighting of misery in the afternoon.
4. Sleep: There is a disturbance of sleep, where it is quite usual for a person to be able to sleep almost as soon as going to bed, but with early waking, sometimes accompanied by quite enclosed changes of mood.
5. Appetite: There is a loss in appetite, and an apparently liked food turns to such, that you cannot bear the sight of it.
6. Stress: Stress at work, home, school etc can cause severe depression which can lead to suicide.

Isolation and detachment
One of the most common sentiments expressed by many of those who resort to suicidal behaviour is a sense of detachment from others. This is not so much physical isolation but refers more to a sense of moral insulation, where the individual has come to define his, or her, situation as so hopeless that others cannot help to put it right.

Substance misuse (Drugs and alcohol)
Addiction to drugs and alcohol, in this day and age, has become a major factor, which leads a person to suicide. In the past few months the media around the world have shown many cases of suicide due to drug use. Some have also predicted if drugs like cannabis was to be made legal, the death toll will increase due to this. The media have shown the devastating effects suicide has on the society around the world through drug use.

Loss of family or friends
One may feel isolated after the death or separation from family members or friends. Loss of a relative/friend causes immense grief, which may cause one to think about suicide. Some commit suicide thinking they will join the dead in the grave.

Relationship break-ups
This many times has the same effect as the death of a loved one. Sometimes it may, make some feel life is not worth living.

Financial problems
One who is large debts, thinking he will never be able to pay-up and may resort to suicide, thinking he will no more have this burdensome responsibility on his head, leaving his next of kin this problem.

Sickness and disability
Severe sicknesses, which one cannot bear, can lead one to take his life. In many cases taking help from others in doing this act (Euthanasia).

(Above are only a few reasons why one may resort into taking his own life. Many others can be found through thorough research.)

Few events in life have the same impact on us as the suicide of a friend or a loved one. The loss of a loved one, from any cause, brings out intense grief and mourning. The response and emotions felt by the bereaved following suicide are very different to those felt after other types of deaths. The fact that a loved one's death appears to involve an element of choice, raise painful questions which deaths from natural or accidental causes do not. Bereavement by suicide is usually prolonged. The grief is characterised by agonising, questioning and the search for some explanation as to why the death of his loved one has happened. Bereavement in this way often encompasses strong feelings of abandonment and rejection.
The sense of shock and disbelief following suicide is very intense. The most common and disturbing aspect of grief after suicide is recurring images of death, even if it was not witnessed. The finding of the body can be a traumatic experience. Going over and over the very frightening and painful images of the death, and the feelings these create, is a normal process of grief.

Newly bereaved people always ask ‘why?’ However bereavement through suicide often involves a prolonged search for a reason or explanation to tragedy. Most people bereaved by suicide usually come to accept that they will never know the reason why a loved one did what they did. In the search for answers, different members of the same family may have different ideas as to why he/she took their life, it could strain family relationships, especially if an element of blame is involved.
Below, I have included statistics, which I have obtained for many different sources, including The Samaritans (www.thesamaritans.org).
· The World Health Organisation estimates that in the year 2002 approximately 1.1million people will die from suicide
· A global mortality rate of 17 per 100,000
· One death every 40 seconds from suicide
· In the last 45 years suicide rates have increased by 65% worldwide.
· Suicide is now among the three leading causes of death amongst those aged 14-44(both sexes)
· Suicide attempts are up to 20 times more frequent than completed suicide
· Although suicide rates have traditionally been highest amongst the elderly, rates among young people have been increasing to such a rate that they are now the group at highest risk in a third of all countries
· More people die from suicide than homicide in the USA, in 1997 there were 1.5 times as many suicides as homicide
· Mental disorders (particularly depression and substance abuse) are associated with more than 90% of all causes of suicide
· Males are four times more likely to die from suicide than women are. However , females are more likely to attempt suicide than males
· 2 suicides every day by young people in the UK and Republic of Ireland
· 80% of suicides by young men
· Suicide accounts for a fifth of all deaths of young people
· An estimated 24,000 adolescents self-harmed in 1998 – 3 every hour
· Alcohol and substance misuse are significant factors in youth suicide
· Contributory factors to youth suicide include unemployment, social isolation, recent inter personal life events and difficulties with parents, peers and partners
· 6,216 suicides in the UK, 439 suicides in the Republic of Ireland
· One suicide every 79 minutes in the UK and the Republic of Ireland
· More than two young people commit suicide every day in the UK
· Suicide figures are double the death toll from road traffic accidents
· Suicide is now the second most common cause of death in the UK for young people aged between 15-24
· People who make suicide attempts or threats are not just "attention seeking", but are at the risk of harming themselves
· Most suicidal people are undecided about living or dying, and try beforehand to let others know how they are feeling, or give clues or warnings
· Somebody tries to take his own life every three minutes
· In any given week, at least 463,000 people have serious thoughts about suicide
· Every year around 2500 children or young people phone child-line about feeling suicidal
· Overdosing accounts for 50% of female suicides and 25% of male suicides
· Under 25 year olds account for 9.26% of all suicides in East Lancashire. Of which 2.3% are of Asian heritage


Statistics about suicide are difficult to collate, and many are inaccurate because of the sensitivity of the issue. According to some research suicide rates are 50%-60% higher than the official rate.

There are three areas where the law is relevant to suicide. First, while attempting to commit suicide has not been illegal in Britain since 1961, it is still a criminal offence under the ‘Suicide Act 1961’ to help someone commit suicide. Second, health professionals who do not take reasonable precautions to safeguard a suicidal patient who then goes on to commit suicide may be sued for negligence in the civil courts. Third, in some cases, people felt to be at grave risk of harming themselves can be detained for their own safety under the ‘Mental Health Act 1983’ (England and Wales), 1984 (Scotland), or ‘Mental Health Order 1986’ (Northern Ireland).

Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) mentioned suicide many times, a few of these incidents are recorded in Muhammad Ibn Ismael's, 'Sahih Al-Bukhari'. In one incident narrated by Thabit bin Ad-Dahhak (RA): the Prophet (SAW) said, "Whoever intentionally swears falsely by a religion other than Islam, then he is what he has said, (e.g. if he says, 'If such thing is not true then I am a Jew,' he is really a Jew if he is a liar). And whoever commits suicide with a piece of iron, he will be punished with the same piece of iron in the Hell-fire."
Narrated by Jundub: The Prophet (SAW) said, "A man was inflicted with wounds and he commited suicide, and so Allah said: My slave has caused death on himself hurriedly, so I forbid Paradise for him."
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA): The Prophet (SAW) said, "He who commits suicide by throttling shall keep on throttling himself in the Hell-fire (forever), and he who commits suicide by stabbing himself, he shall keep stabbing himself in the Hell-fire (forever)."
From the sayings of Allah and his Prophet (SAW), we can see suicide is not accepted in Islam and we can also see through other sources, it is also prohibited in other religions.

If one is thinking of committing suicide he should think about his friends and family, then he should turn to Allah and ask for his help. Talking to the Scholars and others would also help. Confidential information is also available through your GP. Many centres also offer help for people in these troubled times.

May Allah save us from this sin and give us all guidance to the straight path. May Allah save us from all types of grief and give us all entrance into Paradise.

Article taken from inter islam

Common mistakes in Salaah

Common mistakes in Salaah

Please fix mistakes in Salaah so ALLAH accepts

7 Common mistakes in Salaah

Mistake 1: Reciting Surat al-Fatiha fast without pausing after each verse.

The Prophet (SAW) used to pause after each verse of this surah. (Abu Dawood)

Mistake 2: Sticking the arms to the sides of the body, in rukoo' or sujood, and sticking the belly to the thighs in sujood.

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'Let not one of you support himself on his forearms (in sujood) like the dog. Let him rest on his palms and keep his elbows away from his body.' (Sahih Muslim) . The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to keep his arms away from his body during rukoo' and sujood that the whiteness of his armpits could be seen (Sahih Muslim).

Mistake 3: Gazing upward during prayer.

This may cause loss of concentration. We are commanded to lower our gaze, and look at the point at which the head rests during sujood. The Prophet (SAW) warned: 'Let those who raise their gaze up during prayer stop doing so, or else their sights would not return to them. i.e. lose their eyesight].' (Muslim)

Mistake 4 : Resting only the tip of the head on the floor during sujood.

The Prophet (SAW) said: 'I am commanded to prostrate on seven bones the forehead and the nose, the two hands [palms], the two knees, and the two feet.' (Sahih Muslim) Applying the above command necessitates resting the forehead and the nose on the ground during sujood.

Mistake 5 : Hasty performance of prayer which does not allow repose and calmness in rukoo' or sujood.

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) saw a man who did not complete his rukoo' [bowing], and made a very short sujood [prostration] ; he (SAW) said: 'If this man dies while praying in this manner, he would die upholding a religion other than the religion of Muhammad.' Abu Hurairah (RA) said:

'My beloved friend, Muhammad (SAW) forbade me to perform postures of prayer copying the picking of a rooster; (signifying fast performance of prayer), moving eyes around like a fox and the sitting like monkeys ( i.e. to sit on thighs).' (Imam Ahmad & at-Tayalisi) The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ' The worst thief is the one who steals from his own prayer.' People asked, 'Messenger of Allah! How could one steal from his own prayer?' He ( SAW) said: 'By not completing its rukoo' and sujood.' (At Tabarani & al-Hakim).

To complete rukoo' is to stay in that posture long enough to recite 'Subhana rabbiyal Adtheem' three times, SLOWLY, and 'Subhana rabbiyal-a'ala' three times, SLOWLY, in sujood. He (SAW) also announced: 'He who does not complete his rukoo' and sujood, his prayer is void.' (Abu Dawood & others)

Mistake 6 : Counting tasbeeh with the left hand

The Prophet (SAW) used to count tasbeeh on the fingers of his right hand after salah. Ibn Qudamah (RA) sai d: ' The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used his right hand for tasbeeh.' (Abu Dawood). The above hadeeth indicates clearly that the Prophet (SAW) used only one hand for counting tasbeeh. No Muslim with sound mind would imagine that the Prophet (SAW) used his left hand for counting tasbeeh. Aa'ishah (RA) said that the Prophet (SAW) used his left hand only for Istinjaa', or cleaning himself after responding to the call of nature. He never used it for tasbeeh. Yasirah (RA) reported: The Prophet (SAW) commanded women to count tasbeeh on their fingers.

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'They (the fingers) will be made to speak, and will be questioned (on the Day of Resurrection. )' (At-Tirmidhi) .. The above Hadeeth indicates that it is preferable to count tasbeeh on the fingers of the right hand than to do so on masbahah (rosary).

Mistake 7 : Crossing in front of a praying person.

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) warned: 'Were the one who crosses in front of a praying person to know the consequences of doing so, he would have waited for *forty better than to cross in front of him.' (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim). *The forty in the tradition may be days months or even years. Allah knows best.

Common Errors in Prayer That MUST Be Avoided

Please educate others also so their Salaah becomes better.

Questions Awaiting ur Answers

Please take your time and read, observe, analyze and practice it for the sake of Allah.

Its a simple Questions needed to be answered by every Muslim concerning his/her obligations and promises between he/her and his/her Creator.
-------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
Ever Ask yourself these?What if, Allah couldn't take the time to bless us today because we couldn't take the time to thank Him yesterday?

What if Allah decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow Him today?

What if, we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when Allah sent the Rain?

What if Allah didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it
as His day?

What if, Allah took away the Quran tomorrow because we would not read it today?

What if,Allah took away His message because we failed to listen to the
messenger?

What if, the door of the Mosque was closed because we did not
open the door of our heart?

What if, Allah stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love
and care for others?

What if, Allah would not hear us today because we would not listen to Him?

What if, Allah answered our prayers the way we answer His calls .

What if, Allah met our needs the way we give Him our lives???

What if, We failed to send this message on?
--
May Allah continue to guide and protects us.

THE END

Sometimes I sipped my favourite wine,
With flirting women I sat to dine.

It was early in the morning at four,
When death knocked upon a bedroom door, Who is there? the sleeping one cried.
I'm Malakal Mauth, let me inside.
At once, the man began to shiver,
As one sweating in deadly fever,
He shouted to his sleeping wife,
Don't let him take away my life.
Please go away, O Angel of Death!
Leave me alone, I'm not ready yet.
My family on me depends,
Give me a chance, O please prepense!
The angel knocked again and again,
Friend! I'll take your life without a pain,
Tis your soul Allah requires,
I come not with my own desire.
Bewildered, the man began to cry,
O Angel I'm so afraid to die,
I'll give you gold and be your slave,
Don't send me to the unlit grave.
Let me in, O Friend! The Angel said,
Open the door, get up from your bed,
If you do not allow me in,
I will walk through it, like a jinn.
The man held a gun in his right hand,
Ready to defy the Angel's stand.
I'll point my gun, towards your head,
You dare come in, I'll shoot you dead.
By now the Angel was in the room,
Saying, O Friend! prepare for you doom.
Foolish man, Angels never die,
Put down your gun and do not sigh.
Why are you afraid! Tell me O man,
To die according to Allah's plan?
Come smile at me, do not be grim,
Be Happy to return to Him.
O Angel! I bow my head in shame,
I had no time to take Allah's Name.
From morning till dusk,I made my wealth,
Not even caring for my health.
Allah's command I never obeyed,
Nor five times a day I ever prayed.
A Ramadan came and a Ramadan went,
But no time had I to repent.
The Hajj was already FARD on me,
But I would not part with my money.
All charities I did ignore,
Taking usury more and more.
Sometimes I sipped my favourite wine,
With flirting women I sat to dine.
O Angel! I appeal to you,
Spare my life for a year or two.
The Laws of Quran I will obey,
I'll begin SALAT this very day.
My Fast and Hajj, I will complete,
And keep away from self conceit.
I will refrain from usury,
And give all my wealth to charity,
Wine and wenches I will detest,
Allah's oneness I will attest.
We Angels do what Allah demands,
We cannot go against His commands.
Death is ordained for everyone,
Father, mother, daughter or son.
I'm afraid this moment is your last,
Now be reminded, of your past,
I do understand your fears,
But it is now too late for tears.
You lived in this world, two score and more,
Never did you, your people adore.
Your parents, you did not obey,
Hungry beggars, you turned away.
Your two ill-gotten, female offspring,
In night-clubs, for livelihood they sing.
Instead of making more Muslims,
You made your children non-Muslims.
You ignored the Mua'dhin Adhaan,
Nor did you read the Holy Quran.
Breaking promises all your life,
Backbiting friends, and causing strife.
From hoarded goods, great profits you made,
And your poor workers, you underpaid.
Horses and cards were your leisure,
Money-making was your pleasure.
You ate vitamins and grew more fat,
With the very sick, you never sat.
A pint of blood you never gave,
Which could a little baby save.
O Human, you have done enough wrong,
You bought good properties for a song.
When the farmers appealed to you,
You did not have mercy, tis true.
Paradise for you? I cannot tell,
Undoubtedly you will dwell in hell.
There is no time for you to repent,
I'll take your soul for which I am sent.
The ending however, is very sad,
Eventually the man became mad
With a cry, he jumped out of bed,
And suddenly, he fell down dead.
O Reader! Take moral from here,
you never know, your end may be near
change your living and make amends
For heaven, on your deeds depends.
If this poem inspires you,
it can help someone too.

The story of a small step turning in to one GIANT leap

Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide.I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
Abu Dharr (Radiallahu anhu) along with his family settled in some place close to Macca. Abu Dharr said that, “My brother Unays went to do some business in Macca and he met a man who claims to be a prophet, he met Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam)” so Unays came back and said “I found a man who is preaching a new religion, worshipping Allah alone” Abu Dharr said that he at that time had already worshipped Allah for three years and revoked all of the worshipping of idols, he renounced it. Subhan-Allah, you see the fitra of these people which guides them and tells them that this is wrong, this is false. Abu Dharr said, “I’ve been praying to Allah for three years” so Abu Dharr was asked “How were you praying to Allah?” he said, “I would pray to which ever direction Allah would point me to, and I would pray in whatever way Allah would guide me to, and I would pray at night until I fall asleep and only the sun would wake me up in the morning”. So he would pray, though he didn’t know how to but he would pray to Allah for three years. Abu Dharr asked his brother Unays, “What does he teach?” so Unays mentioned some of the teachings of Islam that he learned from Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) and then he asked “What are the people saying about him?” Unays said that, “They are claiming that he is a sorcerer, a magician, a liar…” and he went down the list. Abu Dharr said, “maa ashfaita galeeli (You haven’t satisfied my hunger)” and then he said “I want to go and investigate the matter myself, what the people say might not necessarily be right”. The media of Macca, the CNN of the day or the ABC or whatever you call it had all of these labels that they would brand Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) with but Abu Dharr did not have trust in what the people were saying, he wanted to go and meet Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) and hear it from the messenger himself. And that is what a muslim is required to do. Allah says that, “When you receive some information verify it”- tabaiyyanu, and that’s where our scholars learn the science of hadith, they would verify it. It’s not just enough to hear a hadith narrated from someone. The scholars use to say, “haatu rijaalakum au sammu lana rijaalakum”, whenever they would hear a hadith they would say “Mention the names of your men. Where did you hear this from? Tell us the names we want to know who you got this information from. We just don’t follow any hearsay.” Abu Dharr said “I went into Macca and I asked the first man that I saw in front of me and asked him ‘Can you guide me towards Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam)?’ That man immediately started calling the men of Quraysh and they started pelting me with stones, rocks whatever they could get their hands on until I fell unconscious. By the time I woke up, I was like ‘Nusub Ahmar’ (the people of Quraysh use to have these idols which they would slaughter and sacrifice their animals over. So they would be soaked with blood)” that is the description Abu Dharr gave of himself- like a red pole, soaked with blood from head to toe. He said, “So I went to the well of Zamzam, I drank water and I washed the blood off my body. Then I went next to Al-Kaaba” in the narration of Imam Ahmed it says that he stayed there for 30 days not knowing where to meet Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) and Abu Dharr said “I did not have any food for the entire period except for drinking the water of Zamzam.” Now, I think physicians can tell us that a person can survive by drinking water for quite a while so may be that’s not such a surprise but the surprising thing is what comes next. Abu Dharr said “and I started picking up weight until I was getting folds on my stomach”. You know the Bedouins, they would have flat tummies. They were very fit. Abu Dharr said “I was gaining weight and the flesh of my stomach was folding”. You know when you sit down and the flesh of the stomach folds.

Abu Dharr states that he then saw two women making tawaf and they would touch Isaf an- Naeela on every turn. What’s the story of Isaf an-Naeela? Isaf an-Naeela were a man and a women who were in love and they couldn’t get married and they had an appointment or a date to meet next to al-Kaaba and they intended to fornicate next to the house of Allah ‘Aoozubillah. Allah (Subhahana wa ‘Ta’ala) turned them in to stones on the spot. After the passage of some time the mushrikeen of Quraysh started worshipping these two stones- Isaf an-Naeela .To show you how when you open the flood gate for shaitan you can’t close it, he just throws you in dungeons of darkness and can never get out of it. You just get in and never come out. Darkness over darkness, one veil over another. Now, the story of idol worshipping actually started as erecting statues after righteous men die. Shaitan came to the people of Nuh (‘Alaihiassalam) then told them after the righteous man have passed away, “Why don’t you erect statues of these righteous men so that they would remind you about Allah?” so they did that. Then after a few generations he started telling them “Worship them” and that’s how the idol worshipping grew. So here you have Isaf an-Naeela being worshipped and these two women would make tawaf and they would touch Isaf an-Naeela on every turn. Now Abu Dharr, he despised idol worshipping, so he threw out a comment. He said, “Why don’t you make one of them have intercourse with the other?” Either the women did not understand what he said or they didn’t believe what they heard, they continued. When Abu Dharr saw that his words did not deter them, he threw out an even more vulgar comment. Now the women were sure of what they heard. They immediately just started running and screaming, wailing down the streets of Macca. And who did they run in to? - Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) and Abu Bakr (Radiallahu anhu). Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) and Abu Bakr were seeing these two women running in the street screaming, he asked, “What’s wrong with you?” they said, “That heretic over there!” Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) asked “What’s the issue with him?” they said, “He spoke a word that fills the mouth!”- “Fa imla ul faan” in other words something that is unspeakable. Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) and Abu Bakr went to meet this man- Abu Dharr (Radiallahu anhu) and they started the conversation. Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) asked Abu Dharr, “Where are you from?”- “Min ayna ar- rajar?” he said “Ana min Gheefar (I am from Gheefar)”. After hearing this Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) placed his hand on his forehead. Abu Dharr said, “Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) was surprised and amazed to see somebody from Gheefar coming to Macca in search of the truth”. From Gheefar, these people who rob caravans, the ones who do not follow any rules or any customs; and he is searching for the truth in Macca and the people of Macca, the ones who are considered to be the religious authority of Arabia are rejecting Rasulullah’s (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) message. Abu Dharr said “Fakariha an intasabtu ila Gheefar (I felt he might have disliked that I have mentioned that I am from Gheefar) so I extended my hand to pull his hand from his forehead. But Abu Bakr slammed my hand and told me to put my hand down”. And then the conversation continued and Abu Dharr ended up embracing Islam. Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) told Abu Dharr, “Uktum Iman (Keep your iman secret)”. Abu Dharr, he went out the next day, rather than keeping his iman secret he went in front of the people of Quraysh and said “Ashhadu al laa ilaha Illa Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadur Rasulullah!”. He didn’t care about the consequence. He said, “They gathered around me and they beat me up so bad that I was going to die” until ‘Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib came in and he said, “Do you know where this man is from? He is from Gheefar!” Abu Dharr said “Immediately they just ran away”. They were fleeing, running away from him. But he did the same thing the next day and he did the same thing on the third day and everyday the same thing would happen, they would come and beat him up until Al ‘Abbas comes and tells this new group of people who are hitting him that this man is from Gheefar. Al ‘Abbas said, “And you know, if this man gets killed by you, none of your trade will make it safely to Syria. They are going to take revenge of you”. Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) then told Abu Dharr “Go back to your people and convey the message to them and when you hear that I prevailed, come back to me”.

How long did Abu Dharr stay with Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam)? - For quite a short time. How much did he learn from him? – Probably not a lot. A few verses, a few hadith here and there and that was it. Abu Dharr went back to his people in Gheefar and he started giving them da’wah. Slowly and slowly people were accepting Islam among the people of Gheefar. He said, “By the time Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) made hijrah, almost half of my tribe was Muslim. Then we decided to go and visit Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) and the rest of the tribe have said, ‘When Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) arrives and when we go and meet him, we will become Muslim’” So now the whole tribe is Muslim. All of them are Muslim. The other half just said that, “We are going to wait, it is a matter of time and then we will become Muslim” and they did. So when Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) was in Medinah they saw in the horizon this dust cloud, sign of an army approaching, large group of people. So some of the sahaba rushed to their weapons thinking that an army is approaching towards them. But Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) said “Qun Aba Dharr (Be Abu Dharr) and the prophecy of Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) was true. It was Abu Dharr and all of his tribe of Gheefar coming to pledge their allegiance to Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam), the entire tribe. Now there was rivalry between two tribes, Gheefar and Aslam. When Aslam heard that Gheefar became Muslim and they went and pledged their allegiance to Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam), they immediately went to Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) and said that “We also want to become Msulim”, two tribes. Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) said, “Gheefar, Ghafara Allahu laha wa Aslam SalamahuAllah (Gheefar! May Allah forgive them and Aslam! May Allah give them peace)”. All of it started by the work of one man and how much did this man know? Was he a scholar at that time? No, he just knew a few ayat. Later on Abu Dharr came to know a lot. But at that stage, he just spent a few days with Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) and that was it. All of Gheefar became Muslim. The last people in the desert that you would expect to accept Islam, they did become Muslim Subhan-Allah.

Now, what can we learn from the story of Abu Dharr? First, “Wa Alladheena ahtada wa zada humuAllah hada” (The ones who search fro guidance, Allah will give it to them). Abu Dharr investigated the matter and Allah showed him the light, showed him the truth. Second, Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) said “Balighu anni wa Al-ayah” (Convey even one verse from me). Whatever you have convey it, share it, teach it. Don’t keep it to yourself. Third, that is courage. Abu Dharr is an example of a person who has courage; he wasn’t intimidated by the fact that he was a foreigner in Macca. He stood and he said, “I am a Muslim” and he was proud and he paid for it dearly. Then he went to his people and he preached the message to them. So this shows you the courage and the personality of Abu Dharr which is shown again and again by the sahaba of Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) which was the one of the qualities that they had and this is one of the reasons why Allah (Subhahana wa ‘Ta’ala) chose them to be the bearers of the message. They had simplicity, they had courage, they had honesty and they had commitment to a cause. When they believed in something they would commit their lives to it. Fourth, verifying the truth. Just because the people said that he is a sorcerer, a liar, a magician etc doesn’t mean anything. You have to go to the source and verify the information yourself. Allah has given you a mind, Allah has given you intelligence- use it. Don’t just follow what the people are saying. Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) said that “Don’t be an Imma’” and when he was asked what is the meaning of Imma’, he said, “Whenever the people say ‘Yes’ you say ‘Yes’ and whenever they say ‘No’ you say ‘No’”. Don’t just follow. Fifth, “La tahtiranna min al ma’rufi shai an wa la antalka hakabi wajab hasan al falq” Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihiwassalam) says in this hadith “Do not belittle any good deed even it is as small as smiling in the face of your brother”. Don’t belittle anything. Whatever good there is don’t consider it to be insignificant because everything good is significant and may be that small thing will make a difference on the Day of Judgment for you and it will be the criterion between Hell fire and Paradise. May be one small deed that you would do which you don’t pay any attention to will take the scale to your side for your favor. And how do we derive this lesson from the story of Abu Dharr? Abu Dharr (Radiallahu anhu), he learned very little and all what he wanted was to propagate the message and may be he never expected that this small effort of his would end up causing the whole tribe of Gheefar and the whole tribe of Aslam to become Muslim. May be he only thought that he could convince a few group of people, may be a few of his relatives but for this work to end up bearing the fruits of two major tribes becoming Muslim couldn’t have crossed Abu Dharr’s mind. But you throw the seed and Allah (Subhahana wa ‘Ta’ala) will make it grow. There is a hadith by the way that says that – A person might speak a word that might please Allah and they don’t pay attention to it but Allah (Subhahana wa ‘Ta’ala) will raise them up levels because of that and a person might speak a word that will anger Allah and because of that they will be thrown in Hell fire. It’s a matter of a word here or there.

From the transcription of Imam Anwar Awlaki's lecture (The life of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'alaihiwassalam- the Maccan period)

SO AM I GOING TO HELL?

I woke up suddenly one night and saw a strange light in my room.
The problem is that the lights are off I saw the clock, it was 3.30 in the morning
Okay…so where is all this light coming from??
I turned around and saw something very strange..My body was half way through the wall (??!)
I immediately pulled it out and sat down to see if i’m okay This is strange…
I tried to push onto the wall, but MY ARM GOES THROUGH
I heard a sound,I turned to my brother’s bed to see him sleeping
I was really scared of what was happening to me…so I tried to wake him up….but….he doesn’t reply!!
I went to my parent’s bedroom..I tried to wake up my mother…and father…I just wanted somebody to react to me… but nobody did.
I tried to wake my mother up again…she woke up this time…she got up … but didn’t communicate to me
She was saying “In the name of Allah, most Merciful, most Gracious” (بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم) again and again…
She woke my dad up saying ‘get up, man, I want to check up on the kids.’
My dad replied in disinterest .. ‘it’s not time for this, let me sleep and inshAllah tomorrow i’ll get to that’ But she was insisting..so he woke up.
I was THERE. I was screaming..’dad’, ‘mum’ … nobody was replying.I held mother’s clothes to grab her attention..but she didn’t recognise my existence.I followed her ’till she got to my bedroom.They got into the room and turned on the lights…
it wasn’t making any difference to me anyway because there was a strong light there.
I then saw the strangest thing in my life…

my OWN BODY.…on my bed.
I was trembling…how can there be two of me??
how can that person look so much like me??
and what is he doing on my bed????
I started hitting/slapping myself to wake up from this nightmare…
but it was too real to be a nightmare.
Dad said ‘Yalla, see the kids are sleeping. Let’s go back to bed.’
but mother wasn’t at all confident…she went to the person sleeping in my bed and said
‘Khalid, wake up!! … WAKE UP!!’
but he wouldn’t reply.She tried again and again….but no reply.
Then i turned to see my dad tearing.Today witnesses the first time in my life that I have seen my dad’s tears.The place was shaking with the screaming,…
My brother woke up…“What’s going on??!”
In a very sad tone, with tears rolling down her cheek, mother replied
‘your brother’s dead! Khalid is DEAD!!’
I went to mother and said ‘please mum…don’t cry..I’m right here look at me!’

But nobody’s replying to me..WHY??
I turned to Allah and asked Him to wake me up from the nightmare!
quickly following my dua was a voice saying (Quran):

” You were in negligence from this, so We uncovered the blinds and today your sight is (like iron) “
لقد كنت في غفلة من هذا فكشفنا عنك غطاءك فبصرك اليوم حديد
Suddenly two creatures held my arm..they weren’t human!!
“Leave me ALONE! Who are you and what do you want from me??”
‘We’re your grave’s guards‘
I said ‘but I’m not dead yet! let go of me!!‘ I can still see, hear, touch, and speak..I’m not dead!

They replied with a smile : “You humans are fascinating! You think that by dying your life ends, while in fact life on Earth is a small dream compared to the Here after; a dream that ends at your death.”

They started pulling me towards my grave…On the way I saw people just like me, each had two guards like mine.Some were smiling, others crying, others screaming.
I asked the guards ‘why are they all doing that?‘
They replied ‘These people now know their fate…some were in ignorance so they–’
‘–so they go to Hell??!’
I interrupted They said ‘yes.‘ and continued.‘and those laughing are going to Heaven’
I quickly replied: ‘What about me..where will I go??‘
They said ‘you were at times a good Muslim, while other times not. One day you obey Allah, the next you disobey Him. And you weren’t clear with yourself and your fate will remain so: lost.‘
I replied, shaking: ‘SO AM I GOING TO HELL??‘
They said: ‘ Allah’s mercy is great, and the journey is long ‘
I turned to see my family carrying my dead body in a coffin..so i ran to them ..
I said: ‘make dua for me‘.but nobody replied..
I went to my brother and warned him .
‘be careful with what you do in this life… don’t be a fool like myself!’

I was really hoping that he could hear me…
The two angels (guards) tied up my soul on top of my body ..
I saw my relatives pouring sand over me ..at that moment I was hoping that I would be in their place…
that I can turn to Allah and do as much as He wants from me…
that I would ask for forgiveness and once and for all repent my sins that angered Him…
but unfortunately I couldn’t.
I shouted ‘ People, don’t let this life tempt you! Wake up to the truth… one day you will DIE, and you never know when..or how. ‘
I hoped for somebody to hear me….nobody there did

but YOU . DID YOU HEARD ME ??
Save Your Self.
Smile to others, forgive them when you have the power to punish them. Allah forgives those that forgive others. Do your prayers regularly with an open heart. Let Allah guide your life, not Satan. Read the Quran regularly and let the Prophet (p.b.u.h) be your role model in life.

Work in this timed life for your salvation in an eternal one.
And … make dua for me because I’m not perfect.
And I point the above to myself just as much as I do to my friends.

MARK THE WORDS,I DO SAY !
WHO KNOWS TOMMOROW COULD BE YOUR DAY!
AT LAST ,IT COMES
HEAVEN OR HELL

Please take a moment to relax your mind and humble your heart

If we can take the time to read long jokes, stories, etc.,we should give the same respect tothis DUA. Friends that pray together, stay together. Let's pray... OH ALLAH, I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are forgiving and understanding. Oh Allah! You have done so much for me & You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask YOU now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through YOUR eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent,and receive YOUR forgiveness. And when this world closes in on me, let me remember YOU - to slip away and find a quiet place to make DUA. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't make DUA, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I make DUA for those that are lost and can't find their way. I make DUA for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I make DUA for those who don't know You intimately. I make DUA for those that will delete this without sharing it with others. I make DUA for those that don't believe. But I thank you that I believe. I believe that Allah changes people and Allah changes things. I make DUA for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I make DUA for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I make DUA that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than Allah. Every battle is in your hands for You to fight. I make DUA that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly. This is my DUA n This is Yours Too . Aameen

Importance of teaching subject of islam in Maldives

"There he saw some people atop the date palms pollinating them. Since dates were not grown in Mecca the Prophet had to ask what these people were doing to the trees. He thereupon forbade them to do this, and the following year date crop was very poor as compared to previous year. When the Prophet asked the reason, he was told that the yield depended on pollination. He then told the date-growers to resume this practice, admitting that they knew more about "worldly matters" than he did."

The field of education, covering ethics, religion, skills and general knowledge, is a very broad and very vital one. The importance of learning in enabling the individual to put his potentials to optimal use is self-evident. Without education, the training of the human minds is incomplete. No individual is a human being in the proper sense until he has been educated.

Education makes man a right thinker and a correct decision-maker. It achieves this by bringing him knowledge from the external world, teaching him to reason, and acquainting him with past history, so that he may be a better judge of the present. Without education, man, as it were, is shut up in a windowless room. With education, he finds himself in a room with all its windows open to the outside world.

This is why Islam attaches such great importance to knowledge and education. The Qur’an, it should be noted repeatedly asks us to observe the earth and heavens. This instills in man the desire to learn natural science. When the Qur’an began to be revealed, the first word of its first verse was ‘Iqra!’ that is, ‘Read.’ Education is thus the starting point of every successful human activity.

All the books of hadith have a chapter on knowledge (ilm). In Sahih Bukhari, there is a chapter entitled, "The virtue of one who acquires ilm (learning) and imparts it to others.} In the hadith, the scholar is accorded great respect. According to one tradition, the ink of a scholar’s pen is more precious than the blood of a martyr, the reason being that while a martyr is engaged in the task of defense, an alim (scholar) builds individuals and nations along positive lines. In this way, he bestows upon the world a real life treasure.

The very great importance attached to learning in Islam is illustrated by an event in the life of the Prophet. At the battle of Badr, in which the Prophet was victorious, seventy of his enemies were taken prisoner. Now these captives were all literate people. So, in order to benefit from their erudition, the Prophet declared that if each prisoner taught ten Medinan children how to read and write, that would serve as his ransom and he would be set free. This was the first school in the history of Islam, established by the Prophet himself. It was of no matter to him that all its teachers were non-Muslims, all were prisoners of war, and all were likely to create problems again for Islam and Muslims once they were released. This Sunnah of the Prophet showed that whatever the risk involved, education was paramount.

Islam not only stresses the importance of learning, but demonstrates how all the factors necessary to progress in learning have been provided by God. An especially vital factor is the freedom to conduct research. Such freedom was encouraged right from the beginning, as is illustrated by an incident which took place after the Prophet had migrated from Mecca to Medina. There he saw some people atop the date palms pollinating them. Since dates were not grown in Mecca the Prophet had to ask what these people were doing to the trees. He thereupon forbade them to do this, and the following year date crop was very poor as compared to previous year. When the Prophet asked the reason, he was told that the yield depended on pollination. He then told the date-growers to resume this practice, admitting that they knew more about "worldly matters" than he did.

In this way, the Prophet separated practical matters from religion, thus paving the way for the free conduct of research throughout the world of nature and the adoption of conclusions based thereon. This great emphasis placed on exact knowledge resulted in the awakening of a great desire for learning among the Muslims of the first phase. This process began in Mecca, then reached Medina and Damascus, later centering on Baghdad. Ultimately it entered Spain. Spain flourished, with extraordinary progress made in various academic and scientific disciplines. This flood of scientific progress then entered Europe, ultimately ushering in the modern, scientific age

Is it permissible for a woman to be a judge?.

This indicates that women are not qualified to be judges.

Praise be to Allaah.
The majority of scholars are of the view that it is not permissible for a woman to be appointed as a judge, and if she is appointed, the one who appointed her is sinning, and her appointment is invalid, and her judgements carry no weight, no matter what ruling she passes. This is the view of the Maalikis, Shaafa’is and Hanbalis, and of some of the Hanafis.

See: Bidaayat al-Mujtahid (2/531); al-Majmoo’ (20/127); al-Mughni (11/350).

They quoted a number of texts as evidence for that:

1 –Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allaah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means”

[al-Nisa’ 4:34]

So the men are the protectors and maintainers of women, in the sense that they are in charge of them. So the verse may be understood as meaning that women cannot be appointed in charge, otherwise women would be the protectors and maintainers of men, which is the opposite of what the verse says.

2 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them”

[al-Baqarah 2:228]

Allaah has granted men a degree over women ,and if a woman were to be appointed as judge that would contradict the degree that Allaah has given men in this verse, because in order for a judge to judge between two disputants, he must have a degree over them.

3 – It was narrated that Abu Bakrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) heard that the people of Persia had appointed the daughter of Chosroes as their ruler, he said: “No people will ever prosper who appoint a woman in charge of their affairs.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (4425).

The fuqaha’ quoted this verse as evidence that it is not permissible to appoint a woman as a judge, because lack of prospering is a kind of harm, the causes of which must be avoided. The hadeeth is general in meaning and applies to all positions of public authority. So it is not permissible to appoint a woman, because the word “affairs” is general in meaning and includes all the public affairs of the Muslims.

Al-Shawkaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

There is no stern warning greater than stating that they will never prosper, and the most important issue is to rule according to the rulings of Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, and therefore this warning applies more emphatically to women. End quote.

Al-Sayl al-Jaraar (4/273)

The Fatwa Committee of al-Azhar said:

The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not intend by this hadeeth only to state that the people who appoint a woman in charge of their affairs will not prosper, because his task was to explain everything that is permissible for his ummah, so that they may succeed and prosper, and everything that is not permissible for them so that they may be safe from evil and loss. Rather he intended to forbid his ummah from imitating those people (the Persians) by delegating any of their public affairs to a woman, and he used this incident to convey this message to the people who were keen to be prosperous so that they would comply with this advice. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used definitive language to state that lack of prosperity is inevitable when a woman is appointed in charge of any affairs. Undoubtedly the prohibition that is derived from this hadeeth applies to any woman in any era; women are not to be appointed to positions of public authority. This general meaning is understood from the wording of the hadeeth. End quote.

4 – Moreover, the nature of woman means that a woman should not be appointed to a position of public authority.

The Fatwa Committee of al-Azhar said, after mentioning the arguments based on the hadeeth:

This ruling is based on this hadeeth, which is that the ruling that women should not be appointed to positions of public authority is not a ruling which is to be followed as a religious ritual without necessarily understanding the wisdom behind it, rather it is one of the rulings that are based on reasons which are obvious to those who understand the differences between the two types of human beings, men and women. This ruling is not connected to anything other than the femininity which is indicated by the word “woman” in the hadeeth. So femininity alone is the reason. … Because of her nature, woman is designed to fulfil the mission for which she was created, which is the role of mother and caring for and raising children. This means that she is likely to be affected by emotion. In addition to that she is faced with natural events that happen repeatedly over the months and years, which may weaken her strength and resolve in forming opinions and adhering to them and in fighting for them. This is something which women themselves cannot deny, and we do not need to quote examples and evidence to prove the emotional nature of woman throughout the ages. End quote.

5 – Practical experience in some countries indicates that women are not fit to play the role of judge. When Islam forbade women to be appointed to positions of public authority, it brought something that would protect people’s rights and ward off corruption, which is something that is not understood by those who are short-sighted.

In one of the Muslim countries the Ministry of Justice opened the door for talented women to become judges, but after five years they dismissed all of these female judges and banned women from entering the graduate school for judges because of their failure despite the opportunities they had for learning and training, and despite the fact that they got higher grades than the men in the theoretical field.

In another Muslim country women were given the opportunity to become judges, but after they failed the state had to remove them from the courts to the technical and research fields.

This indicates that women are not qualified to be judges.

6 – The judge is required to be present among men’s gatherings and to mix with disputants and witnesses, and may need to be alone with them. Islam seeks to protect women and preserve their honour and dignity, and protect them from those who would toy with them. So Islam tells women to stay in their homes and not go out except in cases of necessity. And it forbids them from mixing with men and being alone with them, because that poses a threat to women and their honour.

7 – The position of judge requires a high level of intelligence, insight and reason, and women have less of these qualities than men, and they have little experience in the affairs of life and disputes.

In addition to that, women are faced with natural phenomena during certain days, months and years, namely menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding etc, which weakens their bodies and affects their understanding of things, which is incompatible with the position and status of a judge.
See: Wilaayat al-Mar’ah fi’l-Fiqh al-Islami (p. 217-250) – Master’s Thesis by Muhammad Anwar.

Taken from most authentic islamic website on the internet. And this website is not corrupted with mixed syllabi and mixed cultures and mixed flavours of western ideologies.

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Ex-US Marine's journey to Islam

My name is Jacian Fares. I come from the Al-Fares family of Hebron. My father was born in Lebanon, my mother is a Spaniard. I was the first generation born in America (Dearborn, Michigan in fact).My father took no stock in religion nor did he live it, although my grandparents are devout Muslims, I do imagine his choice and path in life had saddened their hearts. Needless to say my siblings and I were born without a specific religion. We were to be raised as American kids.Under odd circumstances I was the only one of the three of us to go live in Lebanon for six years, during which I was a teenager. I shall call this time period my first encounter with Middle East culture.

My second phase of encounter came when I was in the U.S. Marine Corps. I led the invasion into Iraq - not a war I agreed with, but I was a soldier just doing his job.

In Fallujah and other areas of the Al Anbar province, I came to know locals. I had witnessed other Arabs during Ramadan over the years. I had watched how devoted to their religion they were.

Unfortunately I was shot in Iraq and lost a kidney - but it is as Allah wills. I had always believed everything happens for a reason. When I had come home I was depressed and feeling like I had nothing to follow in life.

I was used to having routine and now it was taken from me. My relationship at the time went downhill. So I was alone. My grandparents had hinted at Islam, as well as my aunt. Finally a girl I had met from Kuwait suggested it,too.

During August of 2008 I read the Quran. And it just clicked. It made sense to me, more so than the Bible or the Torah. It was very straight to the point. Muslim life has routine. I needed this change in my life, to find my true self.

[This Quran does indeed show the straightest way. It gives the faithful who do right the good news that they will have a great reward.] (Al-Israa17:9)

Finally I had routine. I had reasons to live for and make my life that much better.

I can say I had made many friends over the past year, all of different Middle Eastern countries. From Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, and Qatar. And these friends helped in developing who I am now. And for that I am forever thankful.

There is even a woman in my life who is Muslim and Palestinian. And she inspires me to be a better Muslim, and to get in touch with my roots. My grandparents are thankful for this also.


This year I have witnessed my second Ramadan. Sadly, I could not fast because I am a juvenile diabetic. But I donated food, money, and time to people in need for all thirty days. And this year is special, my birthday falls on Eid al-Fitr.

And while I am stuck here in America, alone, I am not alone. People in the Muslim communities treat me as any other family member.

And I have to say this life we live, the deen (Islamic way of life) we live, it brings us all together. It brings us together and makes us brothers and sisters every day of our lives; even without feasts.

So I promise I will always treat everyone as my brother or sister, help out ones in need, even in times without special purpose. I will do this every day of my life.

[Worship God; join nothing with Him; and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and to your slaves: For God does not like arrogant, boastful people.] (An-Nisaa4:36)

I love Ramadan and what it represents. It reminds us what being a good Muslim is. But I propose that we make everyday of our lives like Ramadan and share with our fellow man and woman.

As Muslims we can make this world a better place, no matter how the media tries projecting us as, no matter how ignorant people believe we are, we can honestly make this world a better place.

[Show forgiveness, speak for justice and avoid the ignorant.](Al-Aaraf 7:199)

We should never push our God onto anyone, but we should inform the ones interested correctly. That's how it was done with me; I've come a long way with the support and help of my brothers and sisters, my friends and family in Islam.

I choose Islam because it's part of who I am. I've reverted back to what my family has believed. I now live how they live. This is all because reading the Quran was suggested to me. I'm happy and proud of myself for doing so. The Quran has led me to finding my true self. And now my God has a name: Allah.

I suggest to non-believers to keep an open mind and just look at what the Quran has to say. There is more there to it, if read with open eyes. The Quran is simply a tool and guide that we should use to live a correct path. It promotes peace, love, and a strong trust in Allah.

[What will explain to you what the steep path is? It is to free a slave, to feed at a time of hunger an orphaned relative or a poor person in distress, and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion.] (Al-Balad 12-17)