Seeking Help From Allah Only

Life is the name of ups and downs. Happiness and sorrows,hardships and ease come and go. Every time when a difficult time comes, or some problem arrives we seek help. We run for the source of of peace. Every person finds his peace in one way or other.

Islam encourages us to make dua. Prophet Muhammad pbuh said that Dua is the weapon of the believer. Dua has the power to change the course of life. In fact, what cannot be achieved through any possible worldly mean, dua has the power to make it possible. In islam, there is no place for the word impossible due to dua. Allah swt is the only one who we worship. And He is the only one who can grant the wishes. He listens and He returns the dua. Some duas are accepted and fulfilled. Some duas are replaced with a betterment. And some duas are held. But it does not mean that a dua which is not fulfilled was not accepted. Allah swt knows what we do not know. So, He does the best for us concerning our lives.

Now, people go to shrines, they go to tombs, graves and peers and scholars to seek help. They give away money, give food, pray and make duas on the graves. And they offer sacrifices as per the command of living. People reply on these sources for the acceptance of their duas and betterment of their lives. But this is wrong. Allah swt has not commanded us to go to any one else for seeking help. In fact, prophet Muhammad pbuh taught us istikhara, a way to seek help of Allah swt in important matters. Our beloved prophet never left us a tradition of visiting graves and asking the dead or making a living man a source of help. Allah swt say in Quran;

[002:045] Seek help and solace through prayers and patience. Of course it is hard, except for those who are humble of heart.

Allah swt has already made it clear that help and peace can be found in salah and patience. It cannot be found any where else. Of course, the creator who has created us knows all about us. If we do nto turn to Him in our time of need, then what do we expect from our life? If we give importance to dead people or living people over the creator, then this is not the justice. On another place Allah swt say;

[002:153] Oh you who believe! Seek help through patience and prayer, (the �salat�). Indeed, Allah is with those who are steadfast! 

Muslims are not suppose to make any other being, god. If we cannot worship any other being, how can we go to any other being to seek help and peace? It is just the same thing as shirk to give the status of God to some one or something for the sake of seeking help. Prophet Muhammad pbuh forbade us from making tombs and graves as places of worship. Look around and see what people in the name of honor, respect and seeking help. They go to fake scholars, to magicians and to peers. When they are stopped from doing so, they say that they just want their duas to be accepted because of the barakah of these people and places. In reality, there is nothing like this in islam. If there was any truth in it, prophet Muhammad pbuh would have never stopped us from following Jews and Christians and pagans.

Allah swt is our creator. He has the knowledge about all things. In fact, according to a hadith, our fates have been written in loh-e mahfooz 50,000 years before our creation. So, just like we cannot leave everything to fate, we cannot go to beings other than Allah swt for help. The creator knows about his creation better than the creation. It is the trait of iman to seek Allah;s help as mentioned in Quran;

[001:005] You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help! 

Unmosqued - Muslims Unwelcome at the Mosque (Abu Yusuf)

The Forgotten Heroes Behind #ForgottenHeroines

 
 "Behind every great man is a woman,� the saying goes. The truth is, neither heroes nor heroines are created in a void. Neither men nor women are able to succeed and achieve greatness without the support of their loved ones, family and friends, teachers and mentors.

The forgotten heroines of our Ummah are no exception. For every female scholar, for every woman warrior, for every devout worshipper there was a loving guardian, a firm mentor or a supportive spouse.

The sahabah and tabi�een were well aware of their duties towards their womenfolk. Keeping in mind the hadith that they were shepherds who will be held accountable for their flocks on the Day of Judgement, they made every effort to empower their mothers, sisters, wives, daughters and anyone else under their guardianship.

The Sahabi Who Raised a Scholar

It is narrated from Ibn Jabir and �Uthmaan ibn Abi al-�Aatikah that:

�Umm ad-Dardaa� was an orphan under the guardianship of Abu ad-Dardaa�; she used to come to the mosques with Abu ad-Dardaa� in two garments (i.e. her head was not covered; she had not yet attained puberty) and she prayed in the men�s rows and used to sit in the circles of the teachers learning the Qur�an.� This continued until she reached puberty and she then joined the women�s rows in prayer. (Al-Muhaddithaat; Jaami� al-Hanabilah al-Muzaffaari).

This young orphan girl grew up to become a scholar of such knowledge that she would teach in the Grand Mosque of Damascus and the khalifah of the Islamic Empire, Abdul Malik ibn Marwaan, would sit at her feet as a student.

Without the foresight of Abu ad-Dardaa�, without his deliberate and conscious choices not only to teach her himself but also to create opportunities for her to study from others, Umm ad-Dardaa� would never have become one of the greatest of the tabi�een. She was known not only for her depth of knowledge, but for the keenness of her mind and the intensity of her worship, even as an old woman.

Awn ibn Abdullah said of her, �We used to come to the assembly of Umm ad-Dardaa� and remember God there.� Yunus ibn Maysarah reports, �The women used to worship with Umm ad-Dardaa� and when they became weak from standing they would lean on ropes.�

Who was the man who raised such a prodigious woman? Abu ad-Dardaa� was a sahabi of Rasul Allah (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) - an Ansari man who was bound to Salmaan al-Faarsi when Rasul Allah r established the brotherhood (al-Mu�aakhaa�) between the Muhajiroon and the Ansaar.

The stories about his life are many: he was known for being dedicated to worshipping Allah with such fervor that Salmaan al-Faarsi grew alarmed and had to remind him that his wife and his body had a right over him as well. He was known to be courageous in battle, never forsaking an opportunity to offer his life for the sake of Allah I. He valued knowledge and is quoted as having said, �Be a scholar or a student or a person who loves [the scholars] or a follower [of the scholars], but do not be the fifth.� Humayd (one of the reporters) asked Al-Hasan (Al-Basri, who reported this from Ab� Al-Dard�`), �And who is the fifth?� He replied, �A heretic (mubtadi�, religious innovator).� (Ibn �Abd Al-Barr, J�mi� Bay�n Al-�Ilm 1:142.)

Who else but such a man as Abu ad-Dardaa� could have raised a woman such as Umm ad-Dardaa�?


Read the full excellent post @ The Salafi Feminist blog.

BJP's double-speak on welfare schemes for Muslims: Shouldn't party come clear on its policies regarding minorities or does it intend to extend 'Gujarat model' nationally?

This aricle was first published in an Urdu daily*and it raises important questions about BJP's policies and its intent regarding the welfare of Muslims.

The BJP being a national party should reflect on these issues and clarify its stand. On one hand, BJP leaders including PM candidate Narendra Modi quote** Sachar panel's findings in speeches to show the plight of Muslims.

But on the other hand, the same party in Gujarat is not ready to implement a central scheme that can benefit poor Muslims students and is adamant over it, even though BJP governments in other states have no objection to the scheme's implementation].

Now read this guest article:

By Dr Syed Zafar Mahmood

BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had recently said that if his party forms government at the centre, then it would implement the Sachar committee recommendations. Naqvi said it to journalists on March 20, in Rampur.

But Gujarat government has approached the Supreme court terming the Sachar panel as illegal and unconstitutional. The scholarship scheme for students belonging to minority communities was not implemented in Gujarat.

I took up this issue in my power point presentation before Chief Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad on June 29, 2013. After I gave my presentation, Modi came to me and said that Gujarat government intends to tell the Apex Court that 75% of the amount is borne by Centre and 25% by State under the scheme, but if Centre gives cent percent [100%] money for the scholarships, then it will be extended to the state.

When I said that BJP governments in Jharkhand, Uttarkahand and Chhattisgarh had implemented the same scheme as per 75%-25% formula, he thought for a while and said that it is about these (other, not Gujarat) state governments. Doesn't it clearly say that Gujarat government would not let Muslim students in the state, avail the facility of the scholarship scheme.

Later, in November 2013, Gujarat government, gave an affidavit in the SC, terming the panel's existence as illegal. It is apparent that BJP governments in many other states had no objection to the scheme and even BJP isn't wary of it, as Naqvi stated in Rampur, but Gujarat government has reservations about the implementation of the scheme.

Shouldn't Narendra Modi, who is now the Prime Ministerial candidate of the BJP, clarify the overall BJP stand on it.

If he doesn't do it, then the statement of party vice-president should be changed. If there is no clarification on this front, it can have an affect on Muslims and other religious minorities, who will be free to form their own opinion. Also, their voting pattern can be affected by it.

On ABP news' programme, Amit Shah said that BJP hasn't changed its policies and those coming to join us, support our policies.

Now, shouldn't Jagdambika Pal, Ram Vilas Paswan, Ram Kripal Yadav and such leaders clarify their position too on the Gujarat government's affidavit in the Supreme Court.

In the affidavit, Gujarat government maintains that if any scheme is made just for Muslims, then it is unconstitutional. But then, there is no mention about the Presidential order of 1950, which selectively targets Muslims and Christians, as it stops scheduled castes among them can't get benefit of reservation, which is also a selective order for certain groups and is clearly discriminatory on religious (communal) lines.

The communities excluded due to this order have suffered enormously in the last six decades. Gujarat government's stand is incorrect as Sachar committee made a comparison of different communities on a number of indicators before coming to the conclusion about backwardness of Muslims.

Not just the Sachar panel, but also the Justice Ranganathan Mishra commission report establishes that Muslims are the most socio-econominically backward group in the country and they don't get adequate representation in jobs and on other fronts.

Under article 16(4) of the constitution, it is states  that if a 'class' of citizens are not well represented, then reservation ought to be provided to them. Ranganath Mishra commission and Sachar committee have corroborated the fact taht Muslims don't get due representation. Hence, this class should be given reservation.

The Scheduled Castes (SCs) have also got the reservation under this clause. If Muslims can't get reservation because of their religion, then the Presidential order of 1950 should is also wrong, as it benefits adherents of particular religions. 

Gujarat government mentioned that the Sachar report put forth statistics about Muslims alone. Though the reality is different. In the report, through hundreds of charts and graphs, the Muslim community has been compared to Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, SCs and STs, on educational, socio-economical and other indicators.

In National Sample Survey report, the rate of poverty in Gujarat is 18% for OBCs, 17% for SCs, 3% for remaining  Hindus,  and 0% for non-Muslim minorities but it is 24% for Muslims. NSS' 66th report says that average urban monthly per capita income for is 1,797 for Hindus, 2,053 for Christians, 2,053 for Sikhs and a mere 1,272 for Muslims.

Either it is urban area or the rurla region, the income of Muslims is less than SCs (Dalits) too. Dr Tanvir Fazal's report 'Millennium Development Goals and Indian Muslims' tells that rate of poverty decline is least among Muslims, at just 3.1%.

If there is a comparison among states, then just three other states are behind Gujarat, as far as presence of Muslim childrne in schools, is concerned. Yet, the 'model' Gujarat government is taking all possible steps to deprive the poor Muslim kids from getting benefited by a welfare scheme! 

Isn't it a tragedy? We can only wonder about the India of our dreams, if a similar model is replicated at the Centre.

[*The article was published in the multi-edition Roznama Sahara, which is published from nine cities across the country]
[**Link to reports about Narendra Modi's speech in Bihar in which he used Justice Rajinder Sachar panel's findings to emphaise on plight of Muslims under Congress rule LINK 1 and LINK 2

I love the Righteous Khalifahs (rta) :)

Without knowledge action is useless and knowledge without action is futile. - Abu Bakr As-Siddiq

Haram Food In Islam

Food is the primary source of sustenance of life. Allah swt has provided us with so many edible items. We have been given wide choice in this regard. Also, we are allowed some of the food items which were not allowed to bni israel as part of punishment. But there are some restrictions put on us when it comes to food consumption. Allah swt say in Quran;

[002:168] Oh mankind! Eat the lawful and wholesome (food) that exists on the earth. Do not follow in the footsteps of Shaitan. Indeed, he is the professed enemy of yours!

We are given a wide variety of food items from which we can choose to eat whatever we like. But there are some food items, like wine, pork meat etc. which we cannot eat like the previous nations who were forbidden these and other things consume them. We are told to be different from previous nations. And when it comes to food, we are strictly forbidden to eat most of what they eat.

Muslims cannot eat with kuffar and mushriks. It is because kuffar and mushrik cook and consume food with the mind set that all the food is given by their false gods. While in reality, everything belongs to Allah and comes from Allah swt. So, muslims are not suppose to eat with mushriks and kuffar. There are some other restrictions put on us which are mentioned in the following hadith;

[002:173] What He has forbidden you (to eat) are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and anything (slaughtered and) offered in any other name except that of Allah. But there is no sin if one is compelled by dire circumstances (to eat the forbidden food), provided it is not out of habit or rebellion. Indeed, Allah is the most Forgiving and the most Merciful.

[005:003] Forbidden for you (to eat) are (un-slaughtered) dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine and animals slaughtered in the name of beings other than Allah. (Also forbidden are) animals that die as a result of strangulation, violent blows or fall from a height, as well as animals gored to death or (partially) eaten by wild beasts unless you salvage (and slaughter) them (before they die). Also forbidden are animals slaughtered before idols, altars and monuments (dedicated to beings other than Allah) as well as meat distributed by resorting to raffle. These are sins. Today, the unbelievers have given up hope about (wishing) your faith (away). Do not fear them; fear me! I have this day perfected your way of life for you, and I have completed My favor upon you. I have chosen Islam  (submission) to be your religion. If one is compelled by hunger (to eat the forbidden food) and not by a desire to deviate and debauch then of course Allah is the most Forgiving and the most Merciful.

[005:005] This day all wholesome things are made lawful for you. The food of the people of the scriptures is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them.

The above verses explain a good deal of all that is forbidden for us and all that is permissible to eat. From these verses, the important thing that we learn is that, any meat that is offered in any other name than Allah is not permissible for us to eat. According to scholars, same goes for other food items. We cannot eat any food which has been used any religious ceremony of other religions. Similarly, the modern day biddah and the food associated with them is also not consumable because all that food is cooked with the intention of either to remember some one or to provide sawab from food. There is no such a thing in islam. Allahu Alam.

Similarly, these verses tell us that the food from people of book is permissible for us and our food is permissible for them. That is, we can consume there cooked food because they have received the divine message which has been the same throughout the life of earth.  Thus, we can consume all permissible things in a lawful manner. But all permissible things become unlawful as soon as they are dealt with unlawfully.

Istikhara Dua and Method

Istikhara is an act of asking help of Allah swt in the matters of decision making. Just like we consult our elders and wise people when a decision is to be made, we should ask Allah swt about it before making a final decision. When we involve Allah swt in our matters, we get a sure guarantee of positivity and goodness in them. Prophet Muhammad pbuh used to tell sahab r.a. to do istikhara in all matters. How should it be done is going to be discussed later in the article, first we will look at how even istikhara has been molded into something it never was.

It has been become a trend in last decade that these are people available to �do� istikhara on �your behalf�. And there istikhara takes only a few seconds before the tell you what you should do and what not. An important question here is, how can anyone but us be more concerned and want a correct opinion and guidance with all our heart? Secondly, how can an act of worship be only of a few seconds. Third, why would one make you make your personal life matters public? These are the questions which need to be pondered upon. There are a few tv channels and a few people in disguise of scholars in subcontinent who are experts of telling lies in the name of religion.

This quick istikhara is also their made. They do not only tell lies but they use magic to answer the questions. While many people might never agree with that, but it is the wide use of magic which has made people enable to do this kind of tricks. Secondly, some tv channels host full programs on daily and weekly basis for this kind of stuff. This is totally shirk and biddah because none of this was ever part of islam and this kind of tricks are not possible without taking help from satan.

Now coming back to istikhara, prophet Muhammad pbuh said:

�If any one of you is concerned about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two rak�ahs of non-obligatory prayer, then say:  O Allah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allaah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (then it should be mentioned by name) is good for me both in this world and in the Hereafter (or: in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge it is bad for me and for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs (or: for me both in this world and the next), then turn me away from it, [and turn it away from me], and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.�

al-Bukhaari, 6841

Thus, the correct way of doing istikhara is to do it yourself, because it is your matter and it is you who want an opinion. Why would you ask someone other than Allah swt about your issues? Then there are other myths and man made things associated with istikhara. People think that istikhara cannot be done at any other time but after isha salat. And they believe that soon after praying salat of istikhara, the person should sleep. And in his dream Allah swt will guide him what to do and what not. So, mostly decisions are solely based on dreams. Now one might see a bad dream and take his decision without knowing that bad dreams come from satan. Allah swt is the source of all the goodness. How can something bad come from him at all?

The reason of doing istikhara in islam is not to know about future. But it is an act of worship which brings a man closer to his Lord. Through ibadah, we feel secure, and near to Allah swt. This noble verse explains how the relationship of Allah swt and his man should be. This is the dua of prophet Yaqub a.s which he made when he lost his son, prophet yusuf a.s. This verse tells us that no matter whoever we are, we are to ask Allah swt and no other. And we should really look forward to see the positive no negativity.

 "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah , and I know from Allah what you know not." (12:86). 

Parenting. You're doing it right. :)

Maysoon Zayid: I got 99 problems... palsy is just one

My daughter, Malala

Pakistani educator Ziauddin Yousafzai reminds the world of a simple truth that many don�t want to hear: Women and men deserve equal opportunities for education, autonomy, an independent identity. He tells stories from his own life and the life of his daughter, Malala, who was shot by the Taliban in 2012 simply for daring to go to school. "Why is my daughter so strong?� Yousafzai asks. �Because I didn�t clip her wings."