The Reminder (Muharram 1436)

8/10/2019 The Reminder (Muharram 1436)

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TMC Aguda | THE REMINDER | FOREWORD 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD .......................................................................................................................... 3

MUNASABAH:Hijrah: Lessons & Reflections ........................................................ 4

AL-QURAN:Suratul Mursalaat 1-15 ....................................................................... 12

HADITH: Striving ............................................................................................................. 16

AQEEDAH:Intercession ................................................................................................ 20


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TMC Aguda | THE REMINDER | FOREWORD 3

FOREWORD

.

All praise is due to Allah who loved the pious among His slaves1and

raised the level of the knowledgeable among the believers2, He sent the

messengers and revealed guidance to them in order to save humankind

from the darkness and narrowness of ignorance to the light and vastness

of knowledge. We thank Him and appreciate His Will to assist us on

guidance.

At this age where promoters of falsehood are unrelenting in their

efforts, using all kinds of media and tools at their disposal to promote

misguidance; it is equally obligatory for those whom Allah has assistedon guidance and elevated with knowledge to promote the truth.

With the Help of Allah, we hope that the information contained in this

edition of the series will assist to inculcate and improve the habit of

reading in order to revive the moral foundations of Islamic cultures (i.e.

knowledge).

If you find anything to criticize in this volume, please do not let it

destroy your enjoyment of the rest. Your feedbacks and suggestions will

always be appreciated.

1Refer to Surat-ul-Imran 762Refer to Surat-ul-Mujadilah 11


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TMC Aguda | THE REMINDER | MUNASABAH: Hijrah: Lessons & Reflections 4

MUNASABAH: HIJRAH: Lessons & Reflections

Preamble

All praise to Allah Who made the migration of the prophet from

Makkah to Madinah a new starting point and a support for the

establishment of the Islamic State and a means of victory and blessings

on Islam and the Muslims. Allah said in His Glorious Book:

And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajireen and the Ansaar

and those who followed them with good conduct Allah is pleased with them

and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens

beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great

attainment.3

May the peace and blessings of Allah be on Prophet Muhammad, the

best of those who pray and fast and migrate and strive in the cause of

Allah.

Some portraits from the story of hijrah is required to better understand

the lessons and make reflections, however, the story is longer than what

can be contained in this article, you are advised to learn the story from areliable source and compliment it with this article. Nonetheless, a brief

summary will be given where it is inevitable to comprehend the lessons.

As we walk through this significant milestone in the history of Islam

and its foremost people, we pray that Allah grant us the strongest faith

to repel disbelief and the determination to remain steadfast and to

withstand the challenges of disbelievers in the most difficult times.

3Surat-ul-Tawbah (Q9:100)


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Definitions

Linguistically: To leave one land to another. Individual migration fromone place to another in search of sustenance.

4

Technically: The emigration of the prophet and his companions from

the city of Makkah to Madinah due to the severity of the sufferings they

suffered in the hands of the Quraysh polytheists and to execute the

command of Allah.

NB:This technical definition (i.e. definition in the Shariah) stated tworeasons for the migration, of which one cannot be isolated from the

other.

1. Hijrah is an old practice of the messengers

Migration from one land to another for the sake of Allah is not a new

practice started by the prophet ; rather it has been the commandment

of Allah to earlier messengers as a means to assist their belief in Allah.Hence, hijrah is a journey of faith.

It is a great sacrifice from the prophet that he left the city of his birth

most beloved to him for the sake of protecting his mission.

2. Conflict between truth and falsehood is old and continuous

Allah has narrated to us in the Quran the migration of earliermessengers in order to describe the nature of Dawahand to establish in

our minds that the conflict between truth and falsehood has been and

will remain for whoever undertakes such mission.

It is the tradition of Allah that will never change, but the inevitable

victory and success will surely be with the truthful ones.

4Muhjam-ul-Waseet (An arabic dictionary)


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Those who have been evicted from their homes unlawfully - only because they

say, "Our Lord is Allah." And were it not that Allah checks (the excesses) of

people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished

monasteries, churches,synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allah

is much mentioned [i.e., praised]. And Allah will surely support those who

support Him [i.e., His cause]. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in

Might .5

Allah has decreed: "It is I and My apostles who must prevail": Verily, Allh is

All-Powerful, All-Mighty.6

3. Plot against the Dawah and its callers is ever continuous

The people who will undertake the mission of calling to the true path of

Allah must equip themselves with the strongest determination to

overcome the inevitable challenges of the people of falsehood; either by

mockery, imprisonment, killing, banishment or eviction from the land.

It is therefore incumbent upon the callers of Dawah to hope in the

reward with Allah and be reassured with it while relying on His Support

and the victory promised. The plots of the evil plotters is only for their

destruction.

And (remember) when the disbelievers plotted against you (Oh Muhammad) to

imprison you, or to kill you, or to get you out (from Makkah); they were

plotting and Allah was planning, and Allah is the best of the planners.7

5Surat-ul-Hajj (Q22:40)6Surat-ul-Mujaadalah (Q58:21)7Surat-ul-Anfaal (Q8:30)


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Another plot with which the disbelievers prevent the cause of Dawah

and its people is through finance. The disbelieving leaders of the

Quraysh announced 100 camels as reward for whoever will bring backthe prophet from his hijrah. This offer was too attractive for

Suraakah8to resist, he undertook the task until he approached the

prophet on his way to Madinah; thanks to the divine miracle of Allah

he was prevented from accomplishing his task. Suraakah returned to

Makkah with true belief and a promise of better reward.

The disbelievers had lost and will ever lose in their plans, for the plansof Allah are ever stronger.

Verily, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to prevent (people) from the

Path of Allah, and so will they continue to spend it; but in the end it will

become a regret for them; then they will be overcome; and those whodisbelieve will be gathered together to Hell.9

4. The belief in miracles

A Miracle is defined as an event that appears to be contrary to the laws

of nature and is regarded as an act of God.10

This definition is in

accordance with the definition in the Islamic Shariah.

Allah has always supported His messengers with various miracles at the

most difficult times of their mission to reassure them of the truth and to

foil the plots of their enemies. During the hijrah of the prophet to

Madinah with Abubakr , several miracles happened that ensured the

success of the journey: the horse of Suraakah was prevented from

reaching the prophet, the prophet promised Suraakah the jewelry of

8Suraakah is a man from the Quraysh who was a master of horsemanship.9Surat-ul-Anfaal (Q8:36)10MS Encarta Dictionary 2009


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Kisrah11

, the group of disbelievers commissioned to bring back the

prophet were prevented from seeing the prophet and Abubakr in the

cave of thawrwhere they took a strategic transit, these and many othermiracles happened. Muslims must believe that Allah will never forsake

them for enemies to overcome as long as they remain steadfast with the

truth on the right path.

Magic is been defined as conjuring tricks and illusions that make

apparently impossible things seem to happen, usually performed as

entertainment12

. Also defined as the use of supposed supernatural power

to make impossible things happen13

While miracles are a real and true support from Allah to guide mankind,

magic is false and a deception from shaytan to mislead mankind away

from guidance.

5. Strategic planning and the significance of competency

The hijrah of the prophet was the most significant and he was awarethat the Quraysh will devise all necessary plots to prevent him from the

journey. So he planned adequately putting all necessary strategies in

place to escape their plots while relying on Allah and hoping for His

support.

The prophet decided with Abubakr to take an alternative route to

Madinah not well known to many, the only available person with this

skill was a polytheist, who was trustworthy though. The prophet hiredhim for his competency as a guide for the journey.

6. The role of women in the hijrah

Many notable Muslim women contributed significantly to the success

and preservation of the hijrah.

11The king of Persia (presently Iran)12MS Encarta Dictionaries 200913MS Encarta Dictionaries 2009


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Aisha (RA), mother of the believers, narrated the most part of the hijrah

to the ummah. She played an important role in the preservation of this

history of faith and sacrifice.

Umm Salamah (RA), mother of the believers, patiently endured all the

trials she encountered during the hijrah.

Asmau (RA), the daughter of Abubakr carried foods and water to the

prophet and her father during their three-days strategic transit in the

cave of thawr. She patiently endured the beatings of Abu Jahl and never

revealed their whereabouts.

Many women and youngsters were prevented from emigrating. Some

men managed to migrate to Madinah. The women were exposed to

increased severe sufferings in the hands of the Quraysh, yet they

remained steadfast with the strongest determinations until Islam was

established in Madinah and came to their assistance.

7.

Return the trust to the rightful owners

Although the polytheist disbelievers rejected Islam and sought all

means to prevent the prophet and his companions from the truth, they

still considered him as the most trustworthy and never worried abouttheir valuables under his care. When the prophet was about embarking

on the hijrah, he delegated his cousin, Alli ibn Abi Taalib to return

the belongings to their rightful owners.

This is a clearly surprising decision by the prophet at the time when

they not only belied him and rejected his message but insulted and

plotted to kill him. They killed his beloved companions, accused him of

magic and labelled him mad.

This was a clear demonstration of his ability to manage emotions and

actions in the most difficult times. This is a lesson and a source of

reflection from the prophet , a practical guidance to the instruction ofAllah:


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TMC Aguda | THE REMINDER | MUNASABAH: Hijrah: Lessons & Reflections10

.O you believers, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice,

and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that

is closer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with

what you do.14

8. Turning away from the wealth of men

The prophet is the head of this ummah, this is part of the Islamic

creed. There are some rules specifically for the prophet to maintain this

necessity. He has been prohibited from personally accepting charity.15

During preparations for the hijrah, Abubakr provided a ride for the

prophet but he never rode it until he paid for it. A lesson especially for

callers of Dawahto avoid seeking gratifications from beneficiaries of

their Dawah. The prophet could have received the free offer as a

permissible gift; instead, he paid the price in order to practically

demonstrate to his ummah one of the characteristics of the messengers:

.

And I did not ask you for any reward (to compensate my mission as

messenger), my reward is only from the Lord of the worlds.16

When the earth held the feet of Suraakahs horse as a miracle to prevent

him from approaching the prophet , he pleaded and offer his camel

and sheep to the prophet in promise, the prophet said: I have no need in

that.

The prophet supplicated to Allah to accept the repentance of Suraakah

and allowed the earth to release his horse. The generous will of the

prophet to forgive his enemy after the humiliation of the later

14Surat-ul-Maidah (Q5:10)15The impermissibility of charity for the prophet was among the signs described

by Salman al-Farsi in the story of his Islam as narrated to Ibn Abbas by himself.16Surat-ul-Shuaraa (Q26:109)


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TMC Aguda | THE REMINDER | AL-QURAN: Suratul Mursalaat 1-15 12

AL-QURAN: Suratul Mursalaat 1-15

() () ()

() () () ()

()

()

(

)

()

)) ()

() ()

Interpretation of the meaning

1.

By those [winds] sent forth in gusts2. And the winds that blow violently

3. And the [winds] that spread [clouds]

4. And those [angels] who bring criterion

5. And those [angels] who deliver a message

6. As justification or warning,

7. Indeed, what you are promised is to occur.

8.

So when the stars are obliterated9. And when the heaven is opened

10. And when the mountains are blown away

11. And when the messengers' time has come...

12. For what Day was it postponed?

13. For the Day of Judgement.

14. And what can make you know what is the Day of Judgement?

15.

Woe, that Day, to the deniers.


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Title

THE INEVITABLE EVENTS OF THE DAY OF JUDGMENT, ITS TIME

AND SIGNS

Explanations

1. The Day of Judgment is among the major component of Islamic

belief system. Creed or belief is of utmost importance becauseof the influence it has on actions. Any act of man is only a

manifestation of his belief, therefore Islam being the most

comprehensive way of life has placed much emphasis on its

belief system. This group of fifteen verses is a classical example

of such emphasis.

2. The Quran has many styles and methods of emphasis in

presentations; one of such methods was used to present these

verses. In order to limit the chances of denial. A presenter will

vow as many times as necessary with the most significant thing

to convince his audience. Allah is above everything, so therefore

He will vow by Himself mostly when presenting to those who

believe in Him or with what can be directly examined among

His creatures mostly when addressing disbelievers or acombination of the seen and unseen when addressing the

generality of human beings.

3. Belief in the Day of Judgment is required to maintain a stable

coexistence among all human beings. Through emphasis and

repetitions, Allah has established this core belief in the heart of

His righteous servants to shape their actions in a way that is

most suitable for better existence. It is the responsibility of

Muslims to take the message of the Quran to non-Muslims.


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4. Another amazing observation from these verses is the choice of

words used in the first five verses. Students of Arabic language

will appreciate how Allah used words that carry more than one

possible meaning of which all were compatible. This usual style

of Quranic presentation is not a coincidence; it has been

carefully worded for conciseness and compatibility. Scholars of

Quranic exegesis interpret those words with which Allah

vowed in different ways: a small group17

opined that it refers to

the angels that brought revelations to the messengers, themajority referred to it as winds, while others referred to it as the

messengers (see Tafsir ibn Kathir).

5. This conciseness has some compatible benefits: if interpreted as

the unseen angels, it will benefit mostly the believers; and if

interpreted as the perceivable winds, it will benefit the

generality of humanity. And who is more eloquent than Allah!

() ()()

1.The Most Beneficent (Allah)! 2.He taught (you mankind) the

Qur'an. 3.He created man. 4.He taught Him eloquent speech.18

6. The sixth verse connects the introduction to the main theme: all

of these vows are only warnings not to reject the instruction that

followed. The Day of accountability and recompense is a surepromise. When the hour comes, the trumpet will be blown, the

bodies will be resurrected, the earlier and later generations will

emerge in one place and the deeds of individuals will be

accurately measured on the balance and rewarded accordingly.

17This small group contained the most prominent interpreters and reciters of theQuran like the blessed interpreter Ibn Abbas, and the authorized reciter Ibn

Masud, and their students including Mujaahid, Qatadah, etc (Ibn Kathir 8/297).18Surat-ul-Rahman (Q55:1-4)


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7. The light of the stars19

will vanish and the ways20

into heavens

will become visible, that day, it will become certain that what is

above is most powerful.

8. The mountains are pegs that maintain the stability of earth.

When these mountains are scattered into pieces and the earth

begins to shake, the helplessness of man will be evident to

himself. That day, there will be no help except for those who

had believed in the realities of the day.

9.

The messengers are witnesses over their people. The nationswill queue behind their messengers; those who had belied them

will tremble in fear and collapse into the eternal punishments.

Prophet Muhammad came with the most convincing proofs after

Jesus; a claim to be part of Jesusnation at this time is only a

satanic deception that will soon be punished by the reality. Seek

the truth and embrace it before the time when it will be too late.

10.

For what day was it postponed? For the Day of Judgement: I am

well and fine as those believers, no punishments is visible in my

life, I am comfortable in affluence with wealth and children, if

these threats were real, why were they postponed? Some nations

have said such before and others will repeat same after. But the

reality only comes after all options have been exhausted. Let the

disbelievers and criminals count their excuses up to a million

and waste all their opportunities of repentance in arrogance. The

reality will be sudden and disastrous, inescapable.

19Including the moon and the sun.20The airways for objects that fly are only part of the natural setting. That day,

the real ways into the supernatural world of reality will be visible and clear.


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TMC Aguda | THE REMINDER | HADITH: Striving 16

HADITH: Striving

:

: -)

.

..

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger () as saying:

A strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allah than a

weak believer, and there is good in everyone, (but) cherish

that which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help

from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of

trouble) comes to you, don't say: If I had not done that, it would

not have happened so and so, but say: Allah did that what He

had ordained to do and your "if" opens the (gate) for the

Satan.21

21Sahih Muslim: Book 46, Hadith 52


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Meanings of vocabularies

1.

A strong believer (

): A Muslim with a healthy,powerful and energetic body that is capable of executing the

tasks and responsibilities of Islam like standing in prayer,

embarking on pilgrimage and commanding good and forbidding

evils in the society.

2. Cher ish that which gives you benefi t (

): Admire

and aim to attain what has been described to you as valuable

goals, e.g. Paradise, pleasure of Allah, etc.

3. And do not lose heart (

):Do not relent from seeking what

will benefit you.

4. Opens the (gate) for Shaytan (

): It gives

opportunity to shaytans whisper until it destroys.

Explanations1. Islam maintains a beautiful balance between the spiritual and the

habitual. This valuable hadith describes the proper Islamic

perspective on how to manage between the strengths of faith and

body.

2. Our beliefs motivates our actions, our strength influence our

beliefs. There is a connection between the body and faith. An

unhealthy weak Muslim cannot perform some rites of the

religion properly; rites like hajj and jihad require a healthy

strong body.

3. A Muslim should be distinguished and identified with his

concise understanding of Islam. His ability to maintain balance

between two opposites is a good demonstration of his

understanding of the comprehensiveness of Islam. For example,he will be strong and patient, brave and compassionate,

intelligent and humble, etc.


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4. There is a deception with every might, faith is the solution to

that deception. It is possible to be strong, brave and intelligent

without faith; but such strengths will be destructive without the

regulations of patience, compassion and humility contained in

faith.

5. The people of Aad and Thamuud and the Pharaoh were

powerful and innovative in the land, but their rejection of faith

turned their powers and productivity into helplessness and

destruction.

() () ()

() () ()

()

() ()

6. did you (O Muhammad) not see how your Lord dealt with 'Ad

(people)? 7. who were very tall like lofty pillars, 8. the likeness of

which were not created in the land? 9.and (with) Thamuud (people),who carved out rocks in the valley (to make dwellings)? 10.and (with)

Fir'aun (Pharaoh), who had pegs (who used to torture men by binding

them to pegs)? 11.who did transgress beyond bounds in the lands (in

the disobedience of Allh). 12.and made therein much mischief. 13.

so your Lord poured on them different kinds of severe torment. 14.

Verily, your Lord is ever Watchful (over them).22

6.

The consequence of separating between might and faith is notpositive. Faith without might is not encouraged and it leads to

deficient worship, and might without faith is forbidden and leads

to destruction.

7. The strength of faith is measured by the actualization of the acts

of worship. Actualization of worship is supported with physical

fitness.

22Surat-ul-Fajr (Q89:6-14)


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TMC Aguda | THE REMINDER | AQEEDAH: Intercession 20

AQEEDAH: Intercession

Preamble

Intercession is part of the Islamic belief system with a significant

influence on actions. This belief and its consequences on actions is not

unique to Islam. However, the proper context in which Islam has placed

it explains the falsification and excesses of the pagans and the unislamic

practices of some traditionalists.

This article will define intercession in the proper context of Islam and

examine some excesses. Hence, the topic will be expanded to

Intercession: the myths and the reality.

Definitions

The Arabic term for intercession, As-Shafaaahwas derived from the

root word As-Shaf which means dual or even, this was because

intercession can only occur after an established duality, in other words,

the intercessor can only seek to intercede after there are two persons ortwo parties or one person and a party.

Linguistically, act of mediation between two persons/parties in order

lift or lessen some punishments for the one being interceded for.

Technically, to mediate on behalf of another person/party in order to

bring some benefits or lift some punishments. The definition is also the

same as the traditional definition.


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Perspectives of intercession

1.

I ntercession relating to creed and the Day of Judgment:24

Thisintercession as established in Islam, the greatest of which will be

granted to Prophet Muhammad . The prophets, the angels and

the devotedly righteous servants of Allah will also be permitted

to intercede when the two conditions has been met (to be

explained below).

2. I ntercession relating to worship and seeking help from the

dead:This intercession is the focus in this article.

Types

1. I ntercession approved by the rel igion: This is when we seek

assistance from somebody who is living, present, capable and

listening. Traditionally, the helping hands we give to ourselves

in our day-to-day life is a form of intercession acceptable in thereligion. Also, in very difficult situations

25, the companions of

the prophet will ask him to pray to Allah, this was only when he

was alive, and they never directed such requests after he

died. They asked him for mediation between themselves and

Allah because of his superior righteousness, Allah will be shy to

reject the supplications of His devoted servants.

2.

I ntercession not approved by the rel igion:Seeking intercession

through the dead or making request to somebody not present is

tantamount to associating partners with Allah. Sometimes in

Madinah, after the death of the Prophet , there was no rain and

the people will ask the uncle of the prophet, Abbas to

supplicate to Allah for rain. They never asked the prophet in his

24This intercession was explained in the past edition (R/Awwal 1435)25For example, when there was no rain for a long period and plants were not

growing and livestock dying.


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grave because he had died and could no longer act on the

request. Any request made to the dead is a useless and

misguided form of intercession.

Conditions for valid intercession

1. The interceder must be granted permission:Valid intercession

can only happen after Allah has granted permission to the

interceder. Intercession of the prophet or the angels or some

righteous servants of Allah cannot take place without thepermission of Allah.

And there are many angels In the heavens, whose intercession will

avail nothing except after Allah has given permission for whom He

wills and pleases.26

2.

Allah must be pleased with the one to be interceded for: Allahmust also be pleased with the one that is being interceded for.

Allah will never be pleased with the disbelievers who have

rejected his messengers and do not live according to the shariah

of Allah.

No intercession of intercessors will be of any use to them (i.e. the

disbelievers).27

For example, prophet Ibrahim sought forgiveness of Allah for

his pagan father because of the promise he had made, Allah was

not pleased with a pagan, and therefore the intercession was

rejected. Prophet Nuh (AS) sought Allah to save his son from

the destruction of the water, the intercession was rejected.

26Surat-ul-Najm (Q53:26)27Surat-ul-Mudathir (Q74:48)


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Reasons for intercession

1. Correct beli ef in All ah and sincere intention and actions:The

correct and true ways to belief in Allah is only contained in

Islam. Sincere intentions and actions (i.e. total submission to the

Will of Allah) is the way of Islam. Anyone who seeks otherwise

has denied himself the valid intercession. Prophet Muhammad

affirmed this in his statement that his intercession will be valid

for anyone who proclaimed sincerely from his heart that none

has the right to be worshiped except Allah.This absolute unityof Allah in worship can only be found in the Islamic belief.

2. Followership of the intercessor:Any Muslim who hopes at the

intercession of the prophet should stick to his ways and

tradition and avoid innovations in the religion of Allah.

Some misleading ways of intercessions

The excesses in intercession led to paganism. The Arab pagans wentastray by making idols as intercessors between themselves and Allah.

Their limited belief in the unseen led them to setting up idols as rival

partners with Allah aiming that the assumed spirits in those idols, when

worshiped, will mediate between them and Allah in order to bring

sustenance in life and avert some harms from reaching them.

Verily, the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allah only, and

those who take protectors and helpers besides Him (say): "We worship them

only that they may bring us near to Allah." Verily, Allah will judge between

them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allah guides not Him who is a

liar, and a disbeliever.28

Grave worship, saints and ancestral reference and prayer to Allah in the

name of the prophets are examples of misguidance related tointercession among some traditionalists.

28Surat-ul-Zumar (Q39:3)


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Documents

The Reminder (Muharram 1436)