Islamic Quotes

You have not abandoned ignorance at all if you want something to take place in any moment other than what Allah has manifested in it.
- Ibn Ata'illah
[Hikam of Ibn Ata'illah, Trans. by A'isha Bewley]

Better to look at the defects hidden within you
than to look for the unseen worlds that are veiled from you.
- Shaykh Ibn Ata'illah

Whoever builds his faith exclusively on demonstrative proofs and deductive arguments, builds a faith on which it is impossible to rely. For he is affected by the negativities of constant objections. Certainty (al-yaqin) does not derive from the evidences of the mind but pours out from the depths of the heart.
- Ibn Arabi

Hope and fear are like the two wings of a bird, when its flying straight to its destination: if one wings fails, and if both fail, it dies.
Ab'ul Qasim Al Quraiyshi

Knowledge for us means knowledge of the allowance/dispensation (rukhsa).
As for strictness, anyone can show strictness.
- Sufyan ath-Thawri

Allah guards the justice loving government, even if it is the government of non-Muslims, and destroys the tyrant government, even if it is the government of Muslims.
- Ibn Taymeeyah

If something is wrong, fix it if you can. But train yourself not to worry. Worry never fixes anything.

To my view, the women in an Islamic society is just like a well-protected flower which is safe from the stray penetrating looks of the viewers. Whereas western society is devoid of the vision to appreciate this wisdom and philosophy.
- Jermaine Jackson I look everywhere for your love -
Then suddenly I am filled with it.
O Captain of my Heart,
Radiant Eye of Yearning in my breast...
- Rabia al-Adawiyya

Oh Beloved, take me. Liberate my soul. Fill me with your love and release me from the two worlds. If I set my heart on anything but you let fire burn me from inside. Oh Beloved, take away what I want. Take away what I do. Take away what I need. Take away everything that takes me from you.
- Jalaluddin al-Rumi

Think a bit on the following incident before we claim to be Ulema.
Once Hasan Basri Rahmatullahi alai (a tabiee), one of the greatest Aalims Islam has ever produced, was walking and a person called him thus, �Ya Faqeeh!� (O jurist!) Hasan Basri turned back and said, �A wa hal ra�ayta faqeehan qattu.� (Have you ever seen a jurist that you are calling me a jurist?)

The face of the one who sincerely loves Allah glows with spiritual radiance of Love. When some of the rulers from the Successors (Tabi'in) sent a delegation to collect the jizya (tax) from the disbelievers, the latter refused to pay. The officials asked, "Why do you refuse to pay us when you used to pay our forefather?" the disbelievers replied,
"When your forefathers used to come, their clothes were old and torn, their hair was disheveld, and their eyes were streaked with red due to worshipping throughout the night. Yet their faces were so awe-inspiring that we were able to raise our eyes toward them. Your characteristics are not like theirs, nor will be as just. Be Gone, we will not give you anything."
- Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad

Come, come, whoever you are.
Wonderer, worshipper, lover of leaving.
It doesn't matter.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vow
a thousand times
Come, yet again, come, come.
- Jalaluddin al-Rumi

Learn silence as you have learned speech.
Speech will guide you and silence will protect you.
- A scholar of Islam

Toward the latter days of indiscriminate violence, be like the first and better of the two sons of Adam who said, �If you raise your hand to kill me, I will not raise mine to kill you; surely I fear God, the Lord of the worlds"
- From a sound tradition of the Prophet salallahu alayhi wasalam narrated by Imam Tirmidhi 'The roots of blameworthy behaviour are three,
1. To be pleased with the Self.
2. To fear creation.
3. To be concerned about provision.

From the first comes desire, forgetfulness and disobedience. From the second come anger, rancor and jealousy. From the third comes greed and expectation and avarice.
To hold onto one thing will eliminate all of these and that is not to be pleased with the self in any state, and to beware of it at all times.
- Shaykh Ahmad Zarruq

Gratitude to God should be as regular as our heartbeat.

The sincere person is the one who hides his good deeds just like he hides his evil deeds.
- Ya'qub al-Makfoof

We've got spirals of advice,
thousands seas of wise words
but every human being,
every soul,
follows their own route,
their own destiny with a different velocity.

There are two kinds of Riya - Showing off-Ostentation ie pure ostentation and adulterated ostention. In pure ostentation "Riya" a man does a good deed only for worldly benefit. In Adulterated ostentation, a man does a good deed with the intention of reaping the benefits of the world as well as of the Hereafter.
- Abu Hamid Al Ghazali

Someone who seeks to travel the path of Allah should begin with a sound repentance from all his sins.
- Abdullah ibn Alawi Al Haddad

By Allah, whenever I endure any adversity I gain four blessings of Allah in exchange. The first of them is, when the adversity is not caused by my sin (virtue is earned). The second, when the adversity is not greater than my sin (virtue is earned). The third, when I am not deprived of contentment (virtue is earned). And the fourth, I hope for virtues thereby.
- Umar ibn Al-Khattab (radiAllahu anhu)

The wise man knows the only fitting price for his soul is a place in Paradise.
- Ibn Hazm

The mere physical man is like the ant crawling
on the paper, who observes black lettering and
attributes its production to the pen and nothing more.

- abu Hamid al Ghazali [Alchemy of Happiness]

You must be the change, you want to see in the world.
- Mahatma Ghandi

Believers see their sins as if they were sitting at the foot of a mountain and feared that it may fall on them, while the corrupt see their sins as if they were a mere fly that flew by their nose.
- Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) [reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]

To find a fault is easy; to do better may be difficult.

Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being.
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Abu Dharr once described the people of the world, says, "They breed what will they ultimately bury, they build what will eventually be destroy, they hold firm to what is emphemeral, and they forsake what is everlasting. Hence, blessed are the two cries people abominate most: Death and poverty.
- Abu Dharr
[narrated by Abu Muhammad Bin Hayyan]

Your heart mirrors not His love,
Rusty with your sins it is,
Remove this rust and you shall
Perceive how Glorious He is.
- Jalaluddin al-Rumi

Only someone who is sincere recognizes what showing off is.
- Imam Shafi' (rahimullah)

"if a rock falls on another rock on the other side of the moon, how does Islam explain it?"
"Who Cares?"
- Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller

The beginning of knowledge is the intention, then listening, then understanding, then action, then preservation, and then spreading it.
- Ibn al-Mubarak

Had there not been five bad qualities, all the people would have been righteous. Contentment with ignorance; love for worldly life; miserliness inspite of much wealth; ostentation in (good) deeds; and pride in their own intelligence.
- Ali ibn Abu Talib (radiAllahu anhu)

If someone desires to make a display, he is the slave of display, and if someone desires concealment, he is the slave of concealment. The slave of Allah is the same whether he is public or concealed.
- Abu'l-'Abbas al-Mursi

Doubt is a precipice on the way to God. Blessed is he who is freed from its bonds. He who fares without any doubt, adhere to his footprints if you do not know the way. Cleave to the footprints of the deer and advance with care that you may reach the musk-gland. By means of such trekking, even if you walk on fire, you will reach the luminous peak.
- Jalaluddin Rumi

I studied adab for thirty years and I studied knowledge for twenty years.
- Ibn al-Mubarak

The wound caused by fire heals in its time;
the burn inflicted by an inflamed tongue never heals.

Umar ibn al-Khattab (radiAllahu anhu) was on his way to take possession of the conquered city of Jerusa�lem. Along the journey he stopped at a place called Jaabiyah where he addressed the Mus�lims:

O People! Reform your innerselves (souls), then your outer-selves (worldly af�fairs) will be rectified (automatically). Prac�tise (righteousness) for your Aakhirah, then your worldly affairs will be seen to ....... Whoever intends to take the direction of the Path of Jannat should hold on to the Jama'ah (i.e. Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'ah). Verily shaitaan is with the lone person. He remains far from two persons. Never any of you be alone with a woman, for verily, the third one present is shaitaan. He who derives happiness from his virtuous deeds and is grieved by his evil deeds, verily, he is a Mu 'min.

Learn silence as you have learned speech.
Speech will guide you, and silence will protect you
- One of the scholars of Ihsan

Be a good man to Allah and a bad man to yourself (desires); and be one of the commoners among the people
- Ali ibn Abu Talib (radiAllahu anhu)

A servant should overcome his soul,
And be continuous in the remembrance of his Lord,
Establishing the rights of his Lord,
Focusing upon Him with his heart,
The light of fear setting ablaze his heart,
Whilst drinking from the vessel of pure love,
And certain hidden realities being unveiled for him.
So when he talks, it is due to Allah,
When he speaks, it is from Allah,
When he moves, it is by the Command of Allah,
And when he is serene, then it is from Allah,
He belongs to Allah, is for Allah and is with Allah
- al-Junayd

My friend, seize the chance to live, How many a corpse that came to them was revived; Never shall anyone be disappointed, never, Who comes with a true intention. Clear your heart for the theophany, Open your eye for true joy; Other than the Divine, my friend, abandon, And be annihilated in the exalted entity
- Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahman al-Shaghouri (rahimahullah)

Dhikr is the reason for the life of the heart and leaving it is the reason for its death.
- Ibn Ajiba

What can my enemies do to me?
I have in my breast both my Heaven and my Garden.
If I travel they are with me, and they never leave me.
Imprisonment for me is a religious retreat [khalwa].
To be slain for me is martyrdom [shahada]
And to be exiled from my land is a spiritual journey [siyaha].
- Ibn Taymiyyah

Bishr al-Hafi, a pious bachelor and teacher of Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (rahimahullah), appeared to someone in a dream, and was asked, �How has God treated you?� He responded, �I have been given a high rank in the Gardens of Paradise. And I was allowed to look upon the stations of the prophets (alayhum salam); yet I never attained to the ranks of the married.� When asked what had become of Abu Nasr al-Tammar, he replied, �He has been raised seventy degrees above me.� People were surprised, and asked how this could be, and he answered, �He earned that by his patience with his little daughters and his family burdens.�

A bachelor once asked Imam al-Ghazali: `Which should I choose: marriage, or total devotion to God? �Both�, he replied.

Seek knowledge. Seeking it purely for Allah�s sake is fearing Him; Pursuing it is worshipping Him; discussing it is remembering Him; searching for it is Jihad ; imparting it to others is charity and spending it for the benefit of the family is affinity. All this is because knowledge is the borderline between the lawful and the unlawful; the light to the inroads to heaven; the friend in isolation; the companion in travel, the person to discuss with in solitude, the guide in happiness and sorrow; bringer of peace to the enemy, and an ornament to the intimate friend. With the power of knowledge Allah raises a people and makes them leaders of virtues. Their footsteps and deeds are imitated and people conclude with their opinions. The angels show anxiousness in their friendship and spread their wings for them. Every animate and inanimate prays for their salvation; the fish and creatures in the sea, the animals and beasts on the land, all ask for repentance for the learned. This is so because knowledge is equivalent to praying through the night. Knowledge brings one closer to his relative and verses him with the facts of the lawful and the unlawful. Knowledge remains the leader while actions remain the followers. It inspires the fortunate and deprives the wicked.
- Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)
[reported by Mu�adh Ibn Jabal
from Ihya ulumud-Deen - Abu Hamid al-Ghazali]

"Say: Allah is my all. In Him do (all) the trusting put their trust."
- Qur'an, 39:38

The scholars of our time have been content with speech and with no practice! The Salaf use to practice but not speak. After them the people practiced and spoke being followed by a people who spoke but did not practice. There will come a time when people will not speak nor practice.
- Abu Hazim

Abu Darda (radhiAllahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah said:
Allah says: I am Allah besides whom there is no deity. I am the Master of kings. The hearts of kings are in the control of My hands. Verily, when My servants obey Me, I turn the hearts of the kings (rulers) towards them so that they rule over them with compassion and mercy. When My servants disobey Me, I turn the hearts of their kings (rulers) against them. Hence, they treat them harshly with anger and vengeance (thereby they mete out torture and oppression). Hence, do not occupy yourselves with praying for curses upon the kings. Instead turn to Me in remembrance and with humility. I will then protect you from the tyranny of the kings.
- reported in Mishkat

If you are good, be better.

Since you are not a prophet, follow the way taught by prophets.
Since you are not a king, be a loyal subject to The King.
Since you are not a captain, do not take the helm of the ship.
Since you do not possess every skill, have partners in your business.
Be as pliant as dough in the hands of others, that you may rise well.
- Jalaluddin Rumi [from Masnavi]

There are three indications of real generosity:
To remain steadfast without resisting,
to praise without the emotion of generosity,
and to give before being asked.
- Maruf Al Karkhi Abu Mahfuz Bin Firuz

The main focus of Muslim activists in the field of Da'wa should be on making people aware of the importance of learning the Deen, studying the Shari'ah, and diving into the depths of the Sacred Knowledge in order to ultimately live upon it. The key to the success and triumph of the Muslim Umma unequivocally lies in Sacred Knowledge. Only through studying the Sacred Knowledge may we increase the fear of Allah in our hearts and precisely emulate the exemplar of the Prophet salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam and follow the steps of the 'Ulama. In order for the Umma to regain its intellectual consciousness and reinstate its sense of civilization, we need, beside following the Qur'an and the Sunna, to adhere to the way of the 'Ulama that spans over fourteen centuries, a way that, in reflecting the Qur'an and the Sunna, articulated the corpus of fiqh and the exegeses of the Qur'an and Sunna, thus introducing the way to the following generations. Recognizing this legacy and digging out its treasures is vital to the recovery of the Umma. This can only be done through reviving the tradition of learning and teaching in Islam, where a teacher represents the spring of knowledge and the exemplar of righteousness, the continuation of the glorious past and the embodiment of the blessing and light of an unbroken chain of transmission. People should know that unlike political movements and sectarian groups, we do not call to our own way, nor do we have our own new agenda. The Deen is our agenda, and the way of the 'Ulama is our way.
- Shaykh Muhammmad al Yaqoubi sums up his way in these words.

This world is full of remedies. But you have no remedy until God opens a window for you. You may not be aware of that remedy just now. In the hour of need it will be made clear to you. The Prophet said God made a remedy for every pain.
- Jalaluddin al-Rumi

When light engages the heart, it causes an illumation of the path,a purification of the consciousness, an enlightenment of the intellect and an establishment of the foundations of dhikr and shukr and of beautiful worship.
- Habib Umar Bin Hafiz

Do not try to run away from trials and tribulations, but endure them with patience. They cannot be avioded, and there is nothing for it but to endure them with patience, How can you expect the whole of this world, and all that has been created therein, to undergo change and transformation just to suit your convenience? The Prophets are the best of all creatures, yet they have always had to suffer afflication and so it is for their followers, those who tread in their footsteps as they walk along their highway, emulating their example.
- Abdul Qadir Jilani

True knowledge is not measured in relationship tohow much you memorize and then narrate, but rather, true knowledge is an expression of piety
- Ibn Mas'ud

What hurts the soul? To live without tasting the water of its own essence.
- Jalaluddin al-Rumi

Truth is Timeless, and returning to Truth is better than continuing in Falsehood.
- Umar ibn al-Khattab (radiAllahu anhu)

Anyone who refuses to marry is shrinking his farmwork, wasting the seed, and leaving idle the appropiate tools created by God; he sins against the purpose of creation and wisdom visible in the evidence of natural structure. The man who refuses to marry has severed a chain of being, a previously unbroken chain linking his own existence to that of Adam (alayhis salam).
- Imam abu Hamid al-Ghazali

When you're feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, confused, and frustrated...
"Know that Allah Most High is there. Know that He The All Seeing is watching. Know that He Most Wise is testing you. Know that He Most Kind and Merciful is waiting for you to call to Him. Know that He Most Powerful is Able to do All things. Whether it is from His Immense Love or His Wrath that you are feeling such anxiety, Know that His Mercy outsrips His Wrath. Know that when you call out to Him in desperation Your Beloved answers in ways you may not know. Oh faqir, call out to Your Lord Most High, oh faqir walk towards Your Beloved, Your Beloved will take strides towards you. Oh faqir, open your heart to Your Beloved, and your Beloved will open His Treasures to you.

Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of.

"Humankind, an admonition has been sent from your Lord. It is a balm for all that ails the heart, a source of guidance to grace the true believers. So let them rejoice in the bounty of Allah. It transcends what they hoard."
- Qur'an, Surah Yunus, 10:57-58

It was narrated that Anas (radiAllahu anhu) said:
On the Day of Uhud, some of the people fled and left the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), but Abu Talhah stood before him covering him with a shield. Abu Talhah was a powerful archer who broke two or three bows that day. When a man passed by carrying a quiver containing arrows, he would say, 'Give them to Abu Talhah'. Whenever the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) raised his head to look at the people, Abu Talhah would say, "O Prophet of Allah, may my father and my mother be sacrificed for you, do not raise your head lest you be struck by an arrow shot by the enemy. My neck is before your neck."
[Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Who has never killed an hour? not causally or without thought, but carefully: a predmeditated murder of minutes. The violence comes from a combination of giving up, not caring, and a resignation that getting past it is all you can hope to accomplish. So you killed the hour. you do not work, you do not read, you do not daydream. If you sleep it is not because you need to sleep. And when at last it is over, there is no evidence: no weapon, no blood, and no body. The only clue might be the shadows beneath your eyes or a terribly thin line near the corner of your mouth indicating something has been suffered, that in the privacy of your life you have lost something and the loss is too empty to share.

No one attains the reality of renunciation (Zuhd) until there are three characteristics in him: work without attachment, speech without personal motives, and honor without seeking position.
- Yahya bin Muadh

Its about You, Your Lord and the Grave � nothing else matters.
- Shaykh Nuh Keller

Guard your tongue from praise as you have guarded it from blame.
- Maruf al-Karkhi

Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

The month of Dhul-Hijjah is a season of worship, and seasons of worship bring along blessings, benefits and opportunities to correct one's faith and make up for shortcoming. Every one of these special opportunities involves some kind of worship, which brings the slave closer to his Lord. And Allah bestows His blessings and Favors on whom He wills. The fortunate person is he who makes good use of these special months, days, and hours, while worshiping Allah. He is most likely to be touched by the blessings of Allah. [Ibn Rajab, al-Lataa'if pp. 8]

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are marked blessed for both, the pilgrims and the non-pilgrims. Rewards of good deeds are multiplied in these days. Imaam Ibn Qayyim (rahimahullah) (d. 751H) said: �Indeed, its days are the most excellent of all the days with Allah. It has been confirmed in Saheeh al-Bukharee from Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: �No deed are more virtuous than deeds on these days.� The companions asked: 'Not even Jihad (fighting in Allah's Cause)?' He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) replied: �Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, unless a man goes out risking himself and his wealth for the sake of Allah, and does not come back with anything.� [Saheeh al-Bukharee vol: 2, no: 457] And it is these ten days, of which Allah takes an oath saying: �By the dawn; by the ten nights.� [Soorah al-Fajr (89): 1-2] This is why it is recommended to increase in making Takbeer, Tahlil and Tamhid during these days.� [Zaad al-Ma'aad vol: 1, pp: 56] 

Yawm al-Arafat: The 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah is the day of Arafat. It is this day when the pilgrims gather on the mountain plain of Arafat, praying and supplicating to their Lord.

The day of Arafat holds great importance in Islam since this is the Day when Allah completed his revelation on His Messenger (sallahu alaihe wa-sallam). It is reported in the Saheehayn (i.e. Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim), from Umar Ibn al-Khattab (radhi allahu anhu) that a Jewish man said to him: �O Ameer al-Mumineen (O head of the Muslims)! There is a verse in the Qur'aan, which if was revealed on us, the Jews, we would have taken that day as an Eid (festival).� Umar asked: �Which verse?� He said: �This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.� [Soorah al-Maidah (5): 3] Umar (radhi allahu anhu) said: �We know on which day and in which place was this verse revealed to Allah's Messenger (sallahu alaihe wa-sallam). It was when he was standing in Arafat on a Friday.� 

Arafat is the day on which Allah took the covenant from the progeny of Adam (alaihis-salaam), it was reported that Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu) narrated: �The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) related: �(When Allah created Adam (alaihis-salaam) Allah took covenant from him in a place Na'maan on the day of Arafat, then He extracted from him all the descendants who would be born until the end of the world, generation after generation, and spread them out in front of Him in order to take a covenant from them also. He spoke to them face to face saying: �Am I not your Lord?� and they all replied: �Yes, we testify to it.� Allah then explained why He had all of mankind bear witness that He was their Creator and only true God worthy of worship. He said: �That was in case you (mankind) should say on the Day of Resurrection, 'Surely, we were unaware of this. We had no idea that You, Allah, were our Lord. No one told us that we were only supposed to worship You.� �� [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah vol: 4, no: 1623] Indeed, the day of Arafat is a blessed day and there is no other covenant greater than this covenant!

Arafat is a day of Forgiveness from sins, freedom from the Hell-Fire for the people who are present in the plain of Arafat. Aa'ishah (radhi allahu anha) narrated the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saying: �There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the day of Arafat. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels saying, 'What do these people (the Hajis) want?'� [Saheeh Muslim] 

This Haadeeth mentions forgiveness for the pilgrims. In addition to this, fasting on the day of Arafat is a Sunnah and an expiation of sins for the residents.

Hunaydah ibn Khaalid reported from his wife that some of the wives of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: �The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) used to fast on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, on the day of Aashoorah, on three days of each month, and on the first two Mondays and Thursdays of each month.� [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in Saheeh Abi Dawood vol: 2, no: 462] 

It is reported in Saheeh Muslim that when the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was asked about the fasting on the day of Arafat, he said: �It expiates the sins of the previous year and that of the following year.� [Saheeh Muslim] This fasting is Mustahabb only for the non-pilgrims and not for the Hajis (the pilgrims) because it was not the practice of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) to fast on the day of Arafat during pilgrimage and in a narration he also forbade doing so. Imaam at-Tirmidhee (rahimahullah) (d. 275H) said: �The People of Knowledge consider it recommended (Mustahabb) to fast on the day of Arafat, except for those at Arafat." [Jaami'ut-Tirmidhee (3/377)]

Yawm an-Nahr: The tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah is the greatest day of Hajj. It is known as Yawm an-Nahr (the day of Sacrifice), since it marks the ending of the major rite of Hajj - the Sacrifice. And it is on this day that the Muslims commemorate the bounties and blessings of Allah. It was recorded in a Hadeeth by Imaam Ahmad (in his Musnad vol: 4, no: 350) that the day of Nahr is the most virtuous day to Allah. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: �The greatest day of Hajj (Pilgrimage) is the Day of an-Nahr (Slaughtering).� [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in Irwa al-Ghaleel (no: 1101). Abu Dawood no: 1945] 

Imaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728H) said: �The most excellent day of the week is the day of Jumuah (Friday), by the agreement of the Scholars. And the most excellent day of the year is the day of an-Nahr. Some of them said that it is the day of Arafat. However, the first opinion is the correct one, since it is related in the Sunan collections that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: �The most excellent days with Allah is the day of an-Nahr, then the day of al-Qarr (the day that the Muslims reside in Mina).� [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in Irwa al-Ghaleel (no: 2018). Related by Abu Dawood no: 1765].� [Majmoo al-Fatawa vol: 25, pp. 288]

The day of An-Nahr is also known as 'Eid al-Adhaa' meaning the festival of Sacrifice and it is one of the two festivals which Allah has granted to the Ummah of Prophet (sallahu alaihe wa-sallam). Anas (radhi allahu anhu) narrated, �Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) came to Medina and the people of Medina in the days of Jahiliyyah had two days of play and amusement. So, Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: �I came to you and you had in Jahiliyyah, two days of play and amusement. Allah has replaced something better for you. The Day of an-Nahr and the day of al-Fitr.� [(Saheeh) by Haafidh Ibn Hajr in Buloogh al-Maraam. Related by Musnad Ahmad vol: 3, no: 103]

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: �The day of al-Fitr, and the day of an-Nahr, and the days of at-Tashreeq (the three days after an-Nahr) are our days of Eid (festivity); and they are days of eating and drinking.� [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in Saheeh al-Jamee (no: 8192). Related by Musnad Ahmad (no: 1945)]

Glorifying Allah with Takbeer: (Takbeer al-Muqayyid): From the day of Arafat until the Asr prayer of the 13th day of Dhul-Hijjah, one should make Takbeer after every obligatory Salaat. Ibn Abee Shaybah relates that Alee (radhi allahu anhu) used to make the Takbeer beginning after the Fajr prayer on the day of Arafat, until after the Asr prayer on the last day of at-Tashreeq.� [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in al-Irwa. Related by Ibn Abee Shaybah in al-Musannaf] 

Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said: �The most correct saying concerning the Takbeer - that which the majority of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors), and the Scholars from the Companions and Imams were upon - is to begin making the Takbeer from Fajr (dawn) on the day of Arafat up until the last day of at-Tashreeq (the thirteenth of Dhul-Hijjah), after every Prayer.� [Majmoo al-Fatawa (24/220)]

Imaam al-Khattaabee (rahimahullah) (d. 456H) said: "The wisdom behind saying the Takbeer in these days is that in the times of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance), they used to slaughter for their Taaghoots (false objects of worship). So the Takbeers were prescribed in order to indicate that the act of slaughtering is directed to Allah alone, and by mentioning only His Name.� [Fath al-Baree] 

As regards to the actual wording of the Takbeers, then nothing authentic has been related from the Messenger of Allah. However, the following have been reported from the Sahabah:

1. Ibn Mas'ood (radiyallahu anhuma): �Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil-Hamd.� [(Saheeh) Irwaa al-Ghaleel (650), Daraqutne, Ibn Shaibah] (Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, There is none worthy of worship except Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest and to Allah belongs all praises)

2. Ibn Abbas (radiyallahu anhuma): �Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil-Hamd; Allahu Akbar wa-ajal, Allahu akbaru ala mahadana.� [(saheeh) - Bayhaqee (3/315)] (Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest and to Allah belongs all praises. Allah is the Greatest to that which He has guided us to)

3. Salman (radhi allahu anhu) : �Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar kabeera.� [(saheeh) - Bayhaqee (3/316)] (Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest)

�Increase in these days you Tahlil, Takbeer and Tamhid.� (Takbeer al-Mutlaq)

�...And mention the name of Allah on the appointed Days...� [Soorah al-Hajj (22): 28] This verse has been explained (by some) to mean the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Scholars consider it desirable to increase Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) in these days, because the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) is reported to have said: �There are no days that are greater to Allah or in which deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so increase your Tahlil, Takbeer and Tamhid during these days.� [Musnad Ahmad] Tahlil, Takbeer and Tamhid mean saying 'La ilaha illa Allah', 'Allahu Akbar' and 'al-Hamdu lillah', respectively.

Ishaaq narrates from the scholars of the Taabi'een that in these ten days they used to say: Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar; Laa-ilaaha-ill-Allah; waAllahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar; Wa-lillaahil-hamd.

It is a beloved act to raise the voice when saying the Takbeer in the markets, the houses, the streets, the masjids and other places, because of the saying of Allah Most High in Soorah al-Hajj verse 37: �...that you may magnify Allah for His Guidance to you...� Imaam Bukharee (rahimahullah) said in the book of al-Idayn in the chapter of the Virtue of good) deeds during the days of Tashreeq, Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhuma) would go out in the marketplace during the ten days and say Takbeer, and the people would say Takbeer when they said Takbeer.� [Saheeh al-Bukharee]

The Sunnah is to say the Takbeer individually. The saying of Takbeer in congregation, i.e., everyone pronouncing the Takbeer with one voice, is not permissible since this has not been transmitted (to us) from the early generations of the Sahaabah and those who followed their ways. .This is applicable for all Dhikr and supplications, except if the person doesn't know what to say. In that case he may repeat after someone else until he learns (the words to be said). 

 What You Can Do in these Blessed Days of Dhul-Hijjah?

The days of Dhul-Hijjah are the most blessed ones; therefore every Muslim should make much from this opportunity. Among the blessings of Allah is that He has given us many ways to perform good deeds and to worship Him, so that the Muslim may be constantly active and consistent in his worship of his Lord. Here are some out of many good deed, which you can perform in these days.

Remember, deeds, which are less preferred are made superior and more beloved to Allah in these days, than the superior deeds performed at other times!! This is indicated in the Hadeeth where the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said regarding Jihad which is the most superior of all deeds to be less superior than the voluntary fast in these days, except that the Mujahid, �goes out risking himself and his wealth for the sake of Allah, and does not come back with anything.� [Saheeh al-Bukharee]

Hajj and Umrah are the best deeds performed in Dhul-Hijjah.
 

Fasting as many days as possible, especially the day of Arafat, which is a Sunnah. Fasting is one of the best of deeds. Allah chose fasting for Himself from all the good deeds, as is stated in the Hadeeth Qudsee: �All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except for fasting, which is for Me and I am the One Who will reward him for it.� [Saheeh al-Bukharee (1085)]
 

Takbeer al-Muqayyid: The Takbeer, which is restricted to the time after the five obligatory Salaat. This begins from after Fajr prayer of the day of Arafat (for the non-pilgrims) until the Asr prayer of the last day of Tashreeq.
 

Takbeer al-Mutlaq: The unrestricted Takbeer; �Allahu Akbar�, at all times of night and day until Eid al-Ahda.

Perform plenty of Nafl (voluntary) prayers.
 

Recite and Memorize the Qur'aan.
 

Abstain from disobedience and sins, because disobedience is the cause of Allah's Anger. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: �Verily Allah has a sense of Ghayrah (honor, prestige and anger over it's violation), and Allah's sense of Ghayrah is provoked when a person does that which Allah has made prohibited.� [Saheeh Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim] Whereas, obedience and abstaining from all those things, which Allah has prohibited, is a form of worship and a means to achieve Allah's Love.

Hasten to make Sincere Tawbah (Repentance) to Allah because repentance means coming back to Allah. It is forgoing all those deed, which Allah dislikes in open and in secret, out of regret for what has passed, abandoning them immediately and being determined not to return to it again. When a Muslim combines repentance with good deeds during the most virtuous days, this is a sign of his success. Allah says: �But as for him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he will be among those who are successful.� [Soorah al-Qasas (28): 67]

Give Charity

Attend Salaat al-Eid and the Khutbah.  

Slaughter Udhiyah (Sacrifice) on the day of Eid al-Adha is another good deed which brings the slave closer to his Lord.

There is much to be gained, so make the most of this these invaluable and irreplaceable days.

Islamic Quotes

Upon your life! On the day that I carried the standard
So that the calvary of al-Lat could overcome the calvary of Muhammad
Like an uncertain person who sets out at night,
This was the time that I was offered guidance and was guided.
I was guided by someone other than myself;
I was guided to Allah by the very one I had striven so hard to drive away.
No camel has there been who ever bore upon its back
Anyone more righteous or more faithful in his pledge than Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)
- Sufyan ibn al-Harith (radiAllahu anhu)

We used to say that those amongst us with the most sins are those who spend their time talking about the sins of others. - Muhammad ibn Sireen

We have come to free the slaves of Allah from the slavery of the creation.

Purifying the heart, is equally if not more important then external ritualistic worship. It is something that we should not neglect.

Abu Bakr al-Katani said:
A discussion about mahabbah took place in Makkah, during pilgrimage season. The Shaykhs who were present spoke about this topic, and al-Junayd being the youngest of them. They said to him: What do you say, O Iraqi? So al-Junayd lowered his head and tears were gushing from his eyes, then he said:

"A servant should overcome his soul,
And be continuous in the remembrance of his Lord,
Establishing the rights of his Lord,
Focusing upon Him with his heart,
The light of fear setting ablaze his heart,
Whilst drinking from the vessel of pure love,
And certain hidden realities being unveiled for him.
So when he talks, it is due to Allah,
When he speaks, it is from Allah,
When he moves, it is by the Command of Allah,
And when he is serene, then it is from Allah,
He belongs to Allah, is for Allaah and is with Allah."

Upon hearing, the Shaykhs all started weeping, and they said:
There is nothing left to add to that, may Allah reward you O Crown of the Knowledgeable Ones.

Say Bismillah, In the name of God, as the shaykh does with a knife when he offers an animal. Bismillah your old self to find your real name. - Jalaluddin al-Rumi [from 'The Essential Rumi']

Expressing spiritual faith in physical practice is the key to life.

We did not acquire this level of tasawwuf just by talking about it; but rather, we acquired it through spending the nights awake in prayer, experiencing hunger from fasting the days, and going against our worldly desires.
- Imam Al Junayd

There are five signs of righteousness: a gentle disposition and a soft heart, shedding tears of regret, ascetism and not caring about the world, being unambitious, and having a conscience.
- Shaqiq al Balkhi (rahimullah)
[The secrets of secrets, p 62 by Sh. Abdul Qadir Jilani]

Whenever Allah gives a blessing to a servant, and then takes it back from him, and the servant patiently endures his loss, then He rewards him with a blessing which is better than the one which He took back.
- Umar ibn Abdal-Aziz

While holding the door of the Ka'bah, Abu Dharr told that he had heard the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) say,
My family among you are like Noah's ark. He who sails on it will be safe, but he who holds back from it will perish.
[at-Tirmidhi Hadith #6174, Musnad Ahmad bin Hambal]

A man with wisdom as soon as adversity appears does that which a foolish man does after a month (i.e. he resorts to patience)
- a wise man

The eye of contentment is blind to every blemish,
But the eye of rancor ferrets out mistakes.
- Abdullah ibn Mu�awiya ibn Abdullah ibn Ja�far ibn Abi Talib

It was not Muslims that had made Islam great; it was Islam that had made the Muslims great.
- Muhammad Asad

We came to liberate you from the submission and worship of people to the worship of the Lord of all people, and from the injustice of other deens to the justice of Islam, and from the anguish of this life to the bliss of this life and the hereafter.
- Ribay ibn Amir addressing the Persian Emperor

If you are looking for a friend who is faultless, you will be friendless.
- Jalaluddin Rumi

I saw myself in a wide green garden, more beautiful than I could begin to understand. In this garden was a young girl. I said to her, "How wonderful this place is!"
"Would you like to see a place even more wonderful than this?" she asked.
"Oh yes," I answered. Then taking me by the hand, she led me on until we came to a magnificent palace, like nothing that was ever seen by human eyes. The young girl knocked on the door, and someone opened it. Immediately both of us were flooded with light.

Only Allah knows the inner meaning of the maidens we saw living there. Each one carried in her hand a serving-tray filled with light. The young girl asked the maidens where they were going, and they answered her, "We are looking for someone who was drowned in the sea, and so became a martyr. She never slept at night, not one wink! We are going to rub funeral spices on her body."
"Then rub some on my friend here," the young girl said.
"Once upon a time," said the maidens, "part of this spice and the fragrance of it clung to her body -- but then she shied away."
Quickly the young girl let go of my hand, turned, and said to me:

"Your prayers are your light;
Your devotion is your strength;
Sleep is the enemy of both.
Your life is the only opportunity that life can give you.
If you ignore it, if you waste it,
You will only turn to dust." Then the young girl disappeared
-Rabia al-Basri

Be with Allah,
You will find Allah with you.
- Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi

Learn silence as you have learned speech.
Speech will guide you, and silence will protect you.
- One of the scholars of Ihsan

If I had known of any science greater than tasawwuf I would have gone to it, even on my hands and knees.
- Imam Junayd

Uthman (radiAllahu anhu), during the time of his Khilafah, came to visit Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (radiAllahu anhu) on his deathbed. He asked, "What is your ailment?"
"My sins", Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (ra) replied.
"And what do you desire?", Uthman asked.
"The mercy of my Lord"

For no single thing exists that does not have its source with Us; and naught do We bestow from on high unless it be in accordance with a measure well-defined
- Qur'an, Surah al-Hijr, 21

Beware of luxury, for the slaves of Allah are not luxurious.
- Ibn Masu'd

Neglect not your time, nor use it haphazardly; on the contrary you should bring yourself to account. Structure your litanies and other practices during each day and night. This is how to bring about the spiritual blessing (baraka) in each period. If each of your breaths is a priceless jewel, Be not like the deceived fools who are joyous because each day their wealth increases while their life grows ever shorter.
- abu Hamid al-Ghazali [in 'Bidayat ul-Hidaya']

You have not abandoned ignorance at all if you want something to take place in any moment other than what Allah has manifested it in.
- Shaykh Ibn Ata'illah

Whoever desires Paradise, proceeds towards goodness; whoever fears Hell, refrains from the impulses of passions; whoever believes firmly in death, detests wordly life; and whoever recognises the worldly life, the trials and tribulations (of life) become slight for him.
- Ali ibn Abu Talib (radiAllahu anhu)

Do not despair when in spite of intense supplication,
there is a delay in receiving the expected gift.
He has guaranteed that he will respond
in what He chooses for you,
and not what you choose for yourself,
and at the time He chooses
� not the time you desire.
- Ibn Ata'illah

Importance and benefits of Taraweeh Prayer and how it is performed.

• What is Taraweeh Prayer

The Taraweeh Prayer is an emphasised Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah( peace be upon him ) during the month of Ramadan.
Both al-Bukhaari (1129) and Muslim (761) narrated from �Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prayed one night in the mosque, and the people followed him in prayer. Then he prayed the next night, and many people came. Then they gathered on the third or fourth night, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not come out to them. The next morning he said: �I saw what you did, and nothing kept me from coming out to you except the fact that I feared that it would be made obligatory for you.� And that was in Ramadan
These hadith show that praying Taraweeh in congregation is prescribed in the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).  Umar during his Khilafah restablished this Sunnah of prayer in congregation.


It was narrated in al-Saheehayn from �Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would forgo doing something that he liked to do lest the people do it and it become obligatory upon them. (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1060; Muslim, Salaat al-Musaafireen, 1174).


al-Bukhaari (2010) narrated that �Abd al-Rahmaan ibn �Abd al-Qaari said: I went out with �Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) to the mosque one night in Ramadan, and the people were scattered, each man praying by himself. Some men would pray and have groups of people behind them following them. �Umar said: �I think that if I unite all these people with one reader, it will be better. Then he resolved to gather them behind Ubayy ibn Ka�b.

al-Haafiz said: Ibn al-Teen and others said that �Umar based this decision on the Prophet�s approval of those who prayed with him on those nights. Although he disliked that for them, that was based on the fear that it might be made obligatory for them. When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) died, there was no longer any fear of that happening, and �Umar thought, because of the potential division that might arise from people praying separately, and because uniting them behind one reader is more motivating for many people. The majority agreed with �Umar�s decision. End quote from Fath al-Baari.

• What is the difference between the Taraweeh prayer and the Tahajud prayer?

Both prayers are the same they are  both classified as part of qiyaam al-layl.
However the Qiyaam al-layl during Ramadaan is called Taraaweeh because the Salaf  used to rest (istaraahu) after every two or four rak�ahs,
because they made their prayers long in order to make the most of this season of great reward.

• The virtues of the Taraweeh Prayer

Abu Hurayrah said: Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said "He who prays during the night in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven" (Agreed Upon)

The Majority of scholars say that by all his pasts sins it means his minor sin not major sins if the person stand all the nights of Ramadan in prayer and not just a few nights . The scholars say in order for major sins to be forgiven a person is required to make  sincere toba (sincere repentance)

 Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: �Whoever stands with the Imam until he finishes, it is equivalent to spending the whole night in prayer.�

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 806; Abu Dawood, 1375; al-Nasaa�i, 1605; Ibn Maajah, 1327. Classed as saheeh by al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Khuzaymah (3/337), Ibn Hibbaan (3/340) and al-Albaani in Irwa� al-Ghaleel, 447.

• How to pray the Taraweeh prayer

Time for Taraweeh prayer

The time for Taraweeh prayer is between Isha and Fajr. Generally during Ramadan the taraweeh prayer is prayed after the Isha prayer in the Masjids in congregation.

• How is the Taraweeh prayer performed

1. The Number of Rakahs

There are two opinions as to how many rakkahs should be prayed. One opinion says that it should be 8 rakkahs followed by three rakkahs of witr. The proof of which are the following hadiths

This proof is hadith of Abu Salamah ibn �Abd al-Rahmaan, who asked �Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), �How did the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) pray during Ramadan?� She said: �He did not pray more than eleven rak�ahs in Ramadan or at other times. He would pray four, and do not ask how beautiful and long they were, then he would pray four, and do not ask how beautiful and long they were, then he would pray three. I said, �O Messenger of Allah, will you sleep before you pray Witr?� He said, �O �Aa�ishah, my eyes sleep but my heart does not.�� (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1909; Muslim, 738 )

�Aa�ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to pray eleven rak�ahs at night, and say the tasleem after each two rak�ahs, and he would pray Witr with one rak�ah. Saheeh, (agreed upon)

As to whether to pray 4 rakahs or 2 rakahs by 2 rakah. Scholars say that it should be 2 by 2 because there is a hadith of Ibn �Umar according to which a man asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) about prayer at night. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: �Prayers at night are to be offered two by two (two rakahs at a time). If any of you fears that the time of dawn is approaching then let him pray one rak�ah as Witr.� (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 846; Muslim, 749)

To explain the above hadiths the scholars have said that the hadith does not mean 4 with just one tasleem but rather 2 then tasleem and then two again and then tasleem and Allah knows best.

Some scholars opted for a different number of rakahs Imam Ahmad, Imam Abu Haneefah and Imam al-Shaafa�i said one should pray 20 instead of 8. Imam Maalik said it is thirty-six. However there is no authentic hadith to support 20 , 36 or unlimited number.

The Hadith of Aisha specifies how many rakahs were prayed in total.

• What is recited in the Taraweeh Prayer

So now that we have determined how the time of the Taraweeh prayer and the number of rakahs. Let us look at how it is actually prayer.

The Tarawi prayer is prayed two rakahs at a time and the prayer is a loud prayed rather than a quite prayer.

So you pray 2 rakahs and then another 2 rakahs and then another 2 rakahs and then another 2 rakahs and then finally 3 rakahs of witr prayer.

If you have memorised the whole Quran then after reciting Surah Fathiha in the first rakah of the first Taraweeh Prayer you should start reciting the beginning of the secound Surah of the Quran called Surah Baqarah. You can recite how much you want depending on your stamina. Then in the secound rakah, after you have recited Surah Fathiha, you should resume your recitation of the Quran from were you ended in the previous rakah. So in each rakah you start your Quranic recitation from were ended in the previous rakah. After the end of the 8 rakahs of Taraweeh you should make a note of were you finished of your recitation of the Quran in case you forget. So the next day you begin your recitation from were you finished your recitation the previous day. By the end of Ramadan you will probably have recited the whole of the Quran.

Most Masjids have Imams  who have  memorised the whole Quran. They will recite it in the taraweeh prayers and by the end of Ramadan the congregation will have listened to the recitation of the whole Quran.

If you are praying at home but have not memorised the whole Quran, then you recite what you have memorised of the Quran in the 8 rakahs and then pray 3 witr.

There is no set limit as to how much Quran is recited in each night of the tarawi prayers

The Prophet peace be upon him recitation used to vary, sometimes it would be long, at other times short. Sometimes in every rakah he would recite the equivalent of �Yaa ayyuha�l-muzammil, which is twenty aayaat; sometimes he would recite the equivalent of fifty aayaat. He used to say, �Whoever prays at night and reads one hundred aayaat will not be recorded as one of the negligent.� According to another hadeeth: ��and reads two hundred aayaat, will be recorded as one of the devout and sincere believers.�

When he was sick, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) recited the seven long soorahs in his night prayers, i.e., al-Baqarah, Aal �Imraan, al-Nisaa�, al-Maa�idah, al-An�aam, al-A�raaf and al-Tawbah.
In the account of Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamaan praying behind the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), in one rakah he recited al-Baqarah, al-Nisa� and Aal �Imraan, and he recited them in a slow and measured tone. It is proven with the soundest (most saheeh) of isnaads that when �Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) appointed Ubayy ibn Ka�b to lead the people in praying eleven rakahs in Ramadan, Ubayy used to recite aayaat by the hundreds, so that the people behind him would be leaning on sticks because the prayers were so long, and they did not finish until just before Fajr.

It is also reported in a saheeh account that �Umar called the readers during Ramadan, and told the fastest of them to recite thirty aayaat, the moderate ones to recite twenty-five aayaat, and the slowest ones to recite twenty aayaat.

• Witr Prayer

Each day after the 8 rakahs of the Tarawi prayers the witr are also prayed.
In Qiyaam of Ramadan Sheik Albaani said

It is Sunnah to recite Sabbih ismi Rabbika al-�A�laa in the first rakah, Qul Yaa ayyuha�l-Kaafiroon in the second rakah, and Qul Huwa Allaahu ahad in the third rak�ah. Sometimes Qul a�oodhu bi Rabbi�l-Falaq and Qul a�oodhu bi Rabbi�l-Naas may be added as well.

It was reported in a saheeh report that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) once recited one hundred aayaat of Soorat al-Nisa� in one rakah of witr

A person may also humble himself before Allah by reciting the du�aa� which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) taught to his grandson al-Hasan ibn �Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), which is:

�Allaahumma�hdinee fiman hadayta wa �aafinee fiman �aafayta wa tawallanee fiman tawallayta wa baarik lee fimaa a�tayta wa qinee sharra maa qadayt, fa innaka taqdee wa laa yuqdaa �alayk. Wa innahu laa yadhillu man waalayta wa laa ya�izzu man �aadayt. Tabaarakta Rabbanaa wa ta�aalayt. Laa majaa minka illa ilayk

(O Allaah, guide me along with those whom You have guided, pardon me along with those whom You have pardoned, be an ally to me along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless for me that which You have bestowed. Protect me from the evil You have decreed for verily You decree and none can decree over You. For surety, he whom You show allegiance to is never abased and he whom You take an enemy is never honored and mighty. O our Lord, Blessed and Exalted are You. There is no refuge from You except with You).�

Sometimes one may send blessings on the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and there is nothing wrong with adding other du�aa�s that are known from the Sunnah.

There is nothing wrong with reciting Qunoot after rukoo�, or with adding curses against the kuffaar, sending blessings on the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) or praying for the Muslims in the second half of Ramadan, because it is proven that the imaam used to do this at the time of �Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). At the end of the hadeeth of �Abd al-Rahmaan ibn �Ubayd al-Qaari mentioned above, it says: �� They used to curse the kuffaar in the middle, saying,

�Allaahumma qaatil al-kafarata alladheena yasuddoona �an sabeelik wa yukadhdhiboona rusulak wa laa yu�minoona bi wa�dik. Wa khaalif bayna kalimatihim wa alqi fi quloobihim al-ru�b wa alqi �alayhim rijzaka wa �adhaabak ilaah al-haqq

(O Allaah, destroy the kuffaar who are trying to prevent people from following Your path, who deny Your Messengers and who do not believe in Your promise (the Day of Judgement). Make them disunited, fill their hearts with terror and send Your wrath and punishment against them, O God of Truth).� Then he would send blessings on the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and pray for good for the Muslims as much as he could, and seek forgiveness for the believers.

After he had finished cursing the kuffaar, sending blessings on the Prophet, seeking forgiveness for the believing men and women and asking for his own needs, he would say:

�Allaahumma iyyaaka na�bud wa laka nusalli wa najud, wa ilayka nas�aa wa nahfud, wa narju rahmataka rabbanaa wa nakhaafu �adhaabak al-jadd. Inna �adhaabaka liman �aadayta mulhaq

(O Allah, You do we worship, to You do we pray and prostrate, for Your sake we strive and toil. We place our hope in Your Mercy, O our Lord, and we fear Your mighty punishment, for Your punishment will certainly overtake the one whom You have taken as an enemy.� Then he would say �Allah hu akbar� and go down in sujood.

• What should be said at the end of witr

It is Sunnah to say at the end of witr (before or after the salaam):

�Allaahumma innee a�oodhu bi ridaaka min sakhatika wa bi mu�aafaatika min �aqoobatika, wa a�oodhu bika minka. La uhsee thanaa�an �alayka, anta kamaa athnayta �ala nafsik

(O Allah, I seek refuge in Your good pleasure from Your wrath, and in Your protection from Your punishment. I seek refuge with You from You. I cannot praise You enough, and You are as You have praised Yourself.�
When he gave salaam at the end of witr, he said: �Subhaan il-Malik il-Quddoos, subhaan il-Malik il-Quddoos, subhaan il-Malik il-Quddoos (Glory be to the Sovereign, the Most Holy), elongating the syllables, and raising his voice the third time
.

• Two rak�ahs after witr

 A person may pray two rakahs after witr if he wishes, because it is proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did this. Indeed, he said, �This travelling is exhausting and difficult, so after any one of you prays witr, let him pray two rakahs. If he wakes up, this is fine, otherwise these two rakahs will be counted for him.

 It is Sunnah to recite Idha zulzilat al-ard and Qul yaa ayyuha�l-kaafiroon in these two rak�ahs.

From Qiyaam Ramadaan by al-Albaani
End of quote

Women may also pray Taraweeh  in congregation. Most large Masjids have facilities to accommodate woman. They may also bring children for the prayers.

The Ten Most Common Misconceptions about Islam

Islam is probably the least understood and most demonized religion today. The critics of Islam have created this persona based primarily on misconceptions, ignorance and malice. You�ve probably heard of some of the following common misconceptions about Islam.

Misconception # 1: Violence and Terrorism is the Muslim Creed

Islam and Muslims have become synonymous with terms like terrorism, extremism and fundamentalism. The involvement of some so-called Muslims in the acts of terrorism in the past few decades does not justify the labeling of a whole faith and its people as terrorists. Nobody called Timothy McVeigh a Christian terrorist after the Oklahoma bombing in the 90�s, neither is the IRA labeled as a Christian terrorist group, so why is it that when a Muslim does something wrong it is the fault of his religion?

Apparently, logical arguments do not carry any weight in this debate, which is fueled by sensationalism and vested interests at the highest levels of governments. Citing verses of the Qur�an out of the context is the favorite tactic of the proponents of this misconception. There are several verses in the Qur�an that clearly state the opposite of this misconception. For example, �Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors.� (Qur�an 2:190). Another verse says, �If they seek peace, then seek you peace.� (Qur�an 8:61)

Misconception #2: Jihad Means Killing Non-Muslims

If opposition to Islam can be summarized today in one word, it is �Jihad�; the all-inclusive term for Islam bashing. Disregarding its true meaning and historical perspective, jihad is decisively equated with the violence that has been perpetrated in the last few decades in the name of Islam by individuals. There are several forms of Jihad; an armed struggle which may involve killing the enemy is �Qital�, which is considered by most non-Muslims to be the only form of Jihad. However, according to Islam, one of the most important types of �Jihad� is �Jihad bil nafs� (struggle against the self), every other struggle stems out of this. Jihad bil nafs involves constantly struggling to overcome and control our animal desires.

Misconception #3: Women are Oppressed in Islam

Saving Muslim women from the �tyranny� of Islam is one of the favorite rallying cries of the people who consider Islam an evil force. Just like many other misdeeds wrongly attributed to Islam rather than to the individuals who commit them, unfair treatment of women is also considered to be the Islamic way of treating women. Setting aside the malicious propaganda, the reason behind this misconception is probably the fact that Islamic teachings about the role, responsibilities, status and treatment of women are judged according to the western practices and beliefs. If anything, Islam liberated the women in Arabia by giving them rights that were unheard of at that time in most nations. The stereotype of veil wearing, home-bound Muslim woman is used to argue that women are oppressed. However, this viewpoint is completely devoid of the knowledge of the status and rights of Muslim women. If we look into how other major religions look at women, we will find surprising revelations. In the New Testament, St. Paul declares, �A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I don�t permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.� In contrast, this is what Qur�an has to say, �Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily to him/her we will give a new life that is good and pure, and we will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.� (16:97)

The right to hold property is considered to be fundamental for human beings, yet no major religion other than Islam actually allowed women to have property. Not only this but Muslim women have full control of their property and their husbands have no share in it.

Misconception #4: Muslims don�t Believe in Jesus

Many Christians are made to believe that Jesus (peace be upon him) and other prophets are not considered by Muslims as God�s messengers. A cursory reading of Qur�an or other Islamic literature shows that Muslims remember all of the prophets mentioned in the Christian and Judaic scriptures with great respect and reverence. Jesus has been mentioned in Qur�an in several places such as �O Mary, God gives you good news of a word from Him whose name shall be the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, honored in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near to God. He shall speak to the people from his cradle and in maturity, and shall be of the righteous.�(Qur�an chapter 3)

Misconception #5: Propagation of Islam is the result of Force

This misconception may be the result of making wrong inferences from the early Islamic history about the expansion of the Muslim state up to the time of Caliph Umar Farooq. The Muslim state indeed spread very quickly in the early years, but the conversion to Islam was never forced upon the people of the conquered territories. If anything, the Qur�an instructs Muslims to deal with them in a kind and just manner �God forbids you not, with regards to those who fight you not for [your] faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God loveth those who are just.� (Qur�an 60:8). The most clear-cut statement against conversion by force or coercion comes straight from the Qur�an, �There is no compulsion (or coercion) in the religion (Islam)� (2:256)

The comments of T.W. Arnold on this matter are evidence of the folly of this misconception �� of any organized attempt to force the acceptance of Islam on the non-Muslim population, or of any systematic persecution intended to stamp out the Christian religion, we hear nothing. Had the caliphs chosen to adopt either course of action, they might have swept away Christianity as easily as Ferdinand and Isabella drove Islam out of Spain �.So that the very survival of these Churches to the present day is a strong proof of the generally tolerant attitude of the Mohammedan governments towards them.�

Another historian De lacey O�Leary also negates this myth, �History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated.�

Furthermore, it must be pointed out that Muslims ruled and fully controlled India for 800 years and Egypt for even longer than that. Yet the vast majority of the population in India remains Hindu till today, and a small minority of Coptic Christians remains in Egypt today. If Muslims practiced forced conversions there is no way such communities could have survived for over a millennium.

Misconception #6: Islam is Intolerant of Other Religions

Religious intolerance is high on the charge-sheet against Islam and Muslims. Many non-Muslims believe that Islam does not tolerate other religions and it instructs Muslims to kill all the infidels. Equating the actions of a handful of bad apples with the teachings of Islam about people of other faiths is a grave injustice. There are numerous examples throughout Islamic history that clearly show the extent of religious tolerance in Islam. What could better exemplify it than the verses from the Qur�an and ahadith of Muhammad (pbuh).

�There is no compulsion (or coercion) in the religion (Islam)� (2:256)

�Beware! Whoever is cruel and hard on a non-Muslim minority, or curtails their rights, or burdens them with more than they can bear, or takes anything from them against their free will; I (Prophet Muhammad) will complain against the person on the Day of Judgment.� (Sunnan Abu Dawud)

Misconception #7: Muslims are Savages with no Regard for Culture and Civilization

Many texts portray Muslims as uncivilized and barbaric people but nothing could be further from the truth. Even a cursory glance at history proves otherwise. War is one instance where showing no mercy is considered to be a tactic. Islam, on the other hand, does not allow Muslim armies to mutilate the dead, kill children or elderly, destroy crops, trees, livestock etc., demolish buildings, harm civilians and break agreements/pacts. With clear rules of engagement like these for war, it would be grossly unfair to call Muslims barbaric.

The influence and contributions of Muslims towards culture and science are widely known and acknowledged by scholars. �It is highly probable that but for the Arabs, modern European civilization would never have arisen at all; it is absolutely certain that but for them, it would not have assumed that character which has enabled it to transcend all previous phases of evolution,� Robert Briffault, a social anthropologist.

Misconception #8: Islam was founded by Muhammad (peace be upon him)

Despite an abundance of literature on Islam, there are some who believe that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) founded Islam and Muslims worship him as well as Allah. Any serious attempt to learn about Islam will right away debunk this misconception. In order to enter into the fold of Islam, a person must pronounce the Shahadah (the testimony of faith); the meaning of which is

�I bear witness that there is no God worthy of worship except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad (SAW) is His slave and messenger�..

Also in chapter 33 of the Qur�an it is stated, �O Prophet, verily We have sent you as a witness and a bearer of glad tidings and a warner and as one who invites unto God by His leave and as an illuminating lamp.�

Misconception #9: At least Four Wives for Muslim Men

Some aspects of Muslim culture have been universally accepted as the defacto standard such as four wives for Muslim men. Most westerners believe that every Muslim has a �harem� with at least four wives. First of all, it should be clearly understood that it is an option not a compulsion. There are social and cultural reasons behind the practice of polygamy which can only be understood with the knowledge of Arab society at that time. There are strict conditions that must be met such as equal treatment of the wives. It surprises me that the people who make a huge fuss about polygamy in Islam, have no issue with promiscuity in western cultures where extra-marital relationships and children born out of wedlock are accepted with open arms.

Misconception #10: The Crescent and Star is the Symbol of Islam

It is a common misconception even among Muslims that the crescent moon and star is the official symbol of Islam. However, in the days of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Muslims did not have a symbol and they used solid-colored flags. In fact, the crescent was adopted as a symbol by the Turks during Ottoman Empire�s conquest of Constantinople.