Doing good deeds, as opposed to evil deeds.

Ibn Al-Hajr رحمه الله said:

'It is necessary that a person does not leave off doing good, even if it is a little, nor should he fall into sin even if it may seem small and insignificant, as one does not know which good deed will be the cause of Allaah's Mercy to be placed upon him, nor does he know which sin will be the cause Allaah's anger to befall upon him!

(Fath Al-Bari 11/321)

The Ruling Concerning Celebrating Birthdays.

 

Question: What is the ruling concerning celebrating birthdays?

Sheikh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz  رحمه الله

Answer: Celebrating birthdays has NO source whatsoever in the pure Shari’ah. 

In fact, it is an innovation, since the Messenger of Allaah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, 

“Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that does not belong to it shall have it rejected.”

(Bukhari & Muslim)

In a version recorded by Muslim and by al-Bukhari in definitive Muallaq form.

"Whoever performs a deed which is not in accord with our affairs, that deed is rejected.”

It is well-known that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) did not celebrate his birthday at all during his lifetime nor did he ever order it to be celebrated. Nor did he teach such to his Companions.

Therefore, the rightly-guided caliphs and all of his Companions did not celebrate it. They are the most knowledgeable of the people concerning his Sunnah and they are the most beloved to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). They were also the most keen upon following whatever the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) brought. 

Therefore, if one is supposed to celebrate the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) birthday, this would have been made evident at their time.

Encouragement to bear Difficulties

Encouragement to bear Difficulties, and the Command to Glorify your lord until comes to you certainty (i.e. death)

Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى said:

﴿وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ يَضِيقُ صَدْرُكَ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ - فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُنْ مِّنَ السَّـجِدِينَ  

(Indeed, We already know that your breast is constrained by what they say. So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him).) meaning `We know, O Muhammad, that you are distressed by their insults towards you, but do not let that weaken your resolve or cause you to give up conveying the Message of Allaah. Put your trust in Him, for He will suffice you and will support you against them. Keep yourself busy with remembering Allaah, praising Him, glorifying Him, and worshipping Him (which means Salah, or prayer)'

Hence Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى says:

﴿فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُنْ مِّنَ السَّـجِدِينَ ﴾

‘So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him’

Imâm Ahmad reported from Nu`aym bin Hammar that he heard the Messenger of Allaah صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم say:

«قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ لَا تَعْجَزْ عَنْ أَرْبَعِ رَكَعَاتٍ مِنْ أَوَّلِ النَّهَارِ أَكْفِكَ آخِرَه»

Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى said,

"O son of Adam! It is not too difficult for you to perform four Rak'at at the beginning of the day, (and if you do them,) I will take care of you until the end of it.''

Beware of Shaytaan in your HOME!!

Takbeerat

"An Explanation as to when to start & how to say Takbeer for Eidul-Adhaa"

By Nawwas Al-Hindi (حفظه الله) in Colombo, Sri Lanka

How should women go out on the Day of Eid??

Imâm Ibnu Qudama رحمه الله wrote:

"Verily it is recommended for them [the women] to come out not perfumed & not wearing a clothing of fame/popularity nor adornment. They should come out in the clothing they wear when serving/working due to the statement of the Prophet   صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم:

"but they may go out (to the Masjid) having not perfumed themselves.."

[Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood no. 565]

“They should not mix with the men, but be to the side of them".

[Mughni (2/116)]

Imam al-'Adheemabaadi رحمه الله explained the above Hadith saying:

"That is, not perfumed. It is said a woman is (تفلة) if her scent changes. That is what ibn Abdul Barr said and others said. That is what Shawkaani رحمه الله said. In al-Ma'aalim it states: (التفل) is a bad scent. A woman is said to be (تفلة) if she is not perfumed and women are called (تفلات) [end quote].

Verily, they were ordered that and prohibited from perfume as in the narration of Muslim ibn Zaynab so that they do not stir the men by their perfume. Connected to perfume is whatever takes its meaning from the things that stir the desires, like good clothing and jewelry whose traces are seen and luxurious adornment".

['Awn al-Ma'bood]

However, some of the Salaf interpreted the word (تفلات ) to mean without perfume, instead of smelling bad.

What is the goal of Udhiyyah (Sacrifice)?

 

The Goal of the Udhiyyah (Sacrifice) according to Allaah is the Sincerity and Taqwa of His Servant

لَن يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَكِن يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَى مِنكُمْ كَذَلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمْ لِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

  

“It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allaah, but it is Taqwa from you that reaches Him. Thus have We made them subject to you that you may proclaim Allaah’s greatness for His guidance to you. And give glad tidings to the doers of good.”

(Al-Hajj 22:37)

Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى says: this sacrifice is prescribed for you so that you will remember Him at the time of slaughter, for He is the Creator and Provider. Nothing of its flesh or blood reaches Him, for He has no need of anything other than Himself. During the time of Jahiliyyah, when they offered sacrifices to their gods, they would put some of the meat of their sacrifices on their idols, and sprinkle the blood over them. But Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى says:

(It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allaah): Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn Jurayj said, “The people of the Jahiliyyah used to put the meat of their sacrifices and sprinkle the blood on the House, and the companions of the Messenger of Allaah said, “We have more right to do that.” Then Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى revealed the words:

(It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allaah, but it is Taqwa from you that reaches Him.) That is what He will accept and reward for, as mentioned in the Sahih:

The Etiquettes of Slaughtering

By:  Imaam Muhammad bin Saalih Al-‘Uthaimeen

There are certain etiquettes one must abide by when slaughtering an animal for a sacrificial offering. However, these etiquettes are not conditional for the validity of a sacrifice. So the sacrifice is still valid even in their absence. Among these etiquette are:

1. He should face the Qiblah with the animal at the time of slaughtering.

2. He must slaughter the animal in a good manner, which is by quickly and firmly passing a sharpened blade over the neck area.

Some scholars hold the view that this etiquette is obligatory based on the implication found in the Prophet’s saying: 

“Verily Allaah has prescribed proficiency in everything. So when you kill, kill proficiently. And when you sacrifice, sacrifice proficiently. Each of you should sharpen his blade and lessen the pain inflicted on his sacrificial offering.” 

(Muslim)

This opinion is the correct view.

3. The slaughter of a camel must be done by cutting the area just below the neck and above the chest. This is known as nahr. As for all other types of animals, their necks should be sliced.

FASTING THE DAY OF ’ARAFAH

 

The ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah is the day of ’Arafah which will fall on the 23^rd of September 2015 inshaAllaah, since it is on this day that the pilgrims gather at the mountain plain of ’Arafah, praying and supplicating to Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى.

It is mustahabb (highly recommended) for those who are not pilgrims to fast on this day, since the Prophet (صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) was asked about fasting on the day of ’Arafah, so he said, “It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.” [4]

DO NOT CUT HAIR OR NAILS FOR THE ONE DOING THE SACRIFICE

From what is considered as righteous actions on these ten days is that the one who wants to do the Udhiyyah (sacrificial slaughter) should NOT cut his hair or nails during these ten days. As such, it is desired that he commits himself before these ten days by cutting his hair and nails. 

The Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم said:

"When any one of you intending to sacrifice the animal enters in the month (of Dhul-Hijjah) he should not get his hair or nails touched (cut)."

[Muslim]