Category Archives: Shaban

Concerning the Night of Absolution [Lailat al-Bara`a], its special mercy, grace and merits

The following is taken from the al-Ghunya li-Talibi Tariq al-Haqq of Sayyid Abdul Qadir Gilani (Ghawth-i `Adham) on the Excellent Qualities of the month of Sha`ban

Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He) has said:

“Ha-Mim. By the Book that makes plain; We sent it down on a blessed night….” (44:1-3)

According to Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be well pleased with him and with his father), “‘Ha-Mim’ means that Allah has predetermined everything in existence till the Day of Resurrection. ‘The Book that makes plain’ is the Qur’an, which is also the object referred to in ‘We sent it down.’ The ‘blessed night’ is the night of mid-Sha`ban, which is the Night of Absolution.”

In the Qur’an, Allah (Exalted is He) calls many things ‘blessed,’ including the Qur’an itself, of which He has said:

“This is a blessed Reminder that We have revealed.” (21:50)

Part of its blessedness is that one who reads it and believes in it enjoys right guidance and salvation from the Fire, and these benefits are also passed by extension to his ascendants and descendants. As the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) has said:

When someone reads the Qur’an from the written text, Allah (Almighty
and Glorious is He) alleviates the torment of his parents, even if they were unbelievers.

One of the things Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He) calls ‘blessed’ is water, for He has said:

“And down from the sky We have sent blessed water.” (50:9)

Part of its blessedness lies in the fact that all life depends on it. In the words of Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He):

“And We made every living thing from water. Will they not then believe?” (21:30)

Water is said to contain ten subtle properties: delicateness, suppleness, energy, fluency, limpidity, mobility, moistness, coolness, humility and vitality. Allah (Exalted is He) has imbued the conscientious believer [mu’min labib] with these same properties, namely, refinement of the heart, flexibility of temperament, energy in obedient service, politeness of the personality, purity of behavior, movement in good works, moistness in the eye, coolness toward sinful transgressions, humility toward fellow creatures, and vitality in heeding the truth.

The olive tree is another thing called ‘blessed’ by Allah (Exalted and Glorious is He):

“From a blessed tree, an olive….” (24:35)

This was the first tree from which Adam (peace be upon him) ate when he was cast down to earth. It contains nourishment and enlightenment. In the words of Allah (Exalted is He):

“…and relish for the eaters.” (23:20)

Some say the ‘blessed tree’ is Abraham (peace be upon him), some say it is the Qur’an, and others say it is true faith. Still others say it is the tranquil soul of the believer, insistent on good conduct, obedient to commandment, restrained by prohibition, submitted to destiny, conforming to the Lord in what He has decreed and ruled.

Jesus (peace be upon him) is also among those Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He) calls ‘blessed’:

[Jesus said]: “And He has made me blessed wherever I may be.” (19:31)

His blessedness (peace be upon him) includes the sprouting of the fruit from the date palm for his faithful mother, Mary (peace be upon both mother and son), and the gushing forth of water beneath him.

In the words of the Almighty and Glorious One:

Then [a voice] cried to her from below her, saying: “Grieve not, for your Lord has placed a rivulet beneath you. And shake the trunk of the palm-tree toward you: It will cause ripe dates
to fall upon you. So eat and drink and be consoled.” (19:24-26)

Among other good deeds and miracles, he healed the blind and cured the leper, and brought the dead to life by his supplication.

The Ka’aba is one of the things called ‘blessed’ by Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He):

“The first House appointed for mankind was that at Bakka, a blessed place.” (3:96)

Part of its blessedness is that one who enters it, bearing a heavy load of sins, will come out having been forgiven. Allah (Exalted is He) has said:

“And anyone who enters it is safe.”(3:97)

So if someone enters the House as a believer, aware of his sins and repentant, Allah waives his punishment, accepts his repentance and forgives him. It is also said that anyone who enters it is immune to wrongdoing, as long as he remains within the Sacred Precinct. It is therefore unlawful to kill the game there, or to fell the trees.

The sanctity of the Ka’aba is due to the sanctity of Allah, the sanctity of the Mosque to the sanctity of the Ka⢡, the sanctity of the Mecca to the sanctity of the Mosque, and the sanctity of the Sacred Precinct to the sanctity of Mecca. As it is said: “The Ka’aba is a Qibla [direction of prayer] for the people of the Mosque, the Mosque is a Qibla for the people of Mecca, Mecca is a Qibla for the people of the Sacred Precinct, and the Sacred Precinct is a Qibla for the people of the earth.”

The Night of Absolution has also been called ‘blessed’, because it is a vessel for the mercy, blessing, benefit, pardon and forgiveness descending for the people on earth.

According to Abu Nasr, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) is reported as having said:

On the night of the middle of Sha`ban, Allah (Exalted is He) descends to the heaven of this lower world and forgives every Muslim, excepting only the idolater, the bearer of malice, the breaker of family ties, or the woman who is sexually promiscuous.

Again from Abu Nasr, we learn that `Aisha (may Allah be well pleased with her) once said:

“When it was the night of mid-Sha`ban, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) had removed a garment of mine.” Then she added, “By Allah! That garment of mine was not of silk, nor of raw silk, nor of linen, nor of silk and wool, nor of wool.” [The reporter said:] “‘Glory be to Allah!’ I said to her, ‘So what was it made of?'” She replied: “Its warp was of hair and its weft was of silk. I reckoned that he (Allah bless him and give him peace) might have gone to one of his [other] wives, so I got up and searched for him in the [darkness of the] apartment. My hand made contact with his feet, as he was prostrate in worship. Of his prayer (Allah bless him and give him peace), I remember these words:

Prostrate before You are my form and my spirit, and my heart is in Your safekeeping. I acknowledge Your favors, and to You I confess my sin. I have wronged myself, so forgive me; surely none forgives sins but You. I seek refuge with Your pardon from Your punishment, with Your mercy from Your vengeance, with Your approval from Your displeasure. I seek refuge with You from You. I do not tell Your praises, for You are as You have extolled Yourself.

She continued: “So he did not cease from worship, now standing and now sitting [on his heels], until morning came. Then his feet were put up, and as I massaged them I said: ‘My father be your ransom and my mother too! Surely Allah has forgiven your former and your latter sins? Surely Allah has dealt with you? Is it not so? Is it not so?’

“He replied (Allah bless him and give him peace): ‘O `Aisha, shall I not therefore be a grateful servant? Do you know what happens during this night?’ ‘What happens?’ I asked, and he said: ‘This is when all births are recorded for this year, and every death is registered. This is when provisions are allotted to mankind, and their deeds and actions are gathered up.’

“‘O Messenger of Allah,’ said I [‘A’isha], ‘Will no one enter Paradise except by Allah’s mercy?’ ‘No one will enter Paradise except by Allah’s mercy,’ he told me (Allah bless him and give him peace). ‘Not even you?’ I asked. ‘Not even I,’ said he (Allah bless him and give him peace), ‘unless Allah envelops me with His mercy.’ Then he rubbed his hand over his head and his face.”

 

Source: Al-Baz Publications

Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): Our Role Model

During the blessed month of Rabiul Awwal 1431, a women and youth conference was organized in the beautiful country of Bahrain by Sister Shagufta Ahmad Qadri, representative of the Islamic Educational and Cultural Research Center, IECRC USA and Canada, and Sister Zarine Riaz Shaikh Qadri, a long time active member and teacher of the Bahrain community. The Conference was titled “Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): Our Role Model” and attended by almost 200 women and children from around the island.


The purpose of the Conference was to bring forth the foundational element of holding on to the Sunnah (practices) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the way to improving our lives, societies, countries and the world at large. The spiritual gathering began with a recitation from the Holy Quran followed by its English translation. Both reminded the audience through the beautiful chapter of Ar-Rahman, that truly “which of the favors of our Lord can we deny”? The greatest favor upon humanity is the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through whom we received the religion of Islam. It is a point to ponder that if Allah Almighty Willed it He could very easily have guided each of our hearts to Islam by revealing the Holy Quran into it. However, this honor of being the mediary to humanity as its perpertual guide was reserved for none other than the “Rahmatul lil Aalameen” in whose praise and devotion this blessed gathering of Dhikr (remembrance) was organized as a measure of thanks for the great gift of Islam.

The gathering continued with the recitation of the Qaseedah Burdah Shareef of the great 12th CE scholar Imam Sharafuddeen Al-Busiri rahmatullah alayh which he wrote in honor of the Holy Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa Aalihi wa sallam which then became the cause of his paralysis becoming cured. The youth group presented some verses of this 160 couplet poem. Writing and reciting poetry (Naat) in praise of Holy Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa Aalihi wa sallam is a confirmed practice of many great Sahaba (Companions) of the Holy Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa Aalihi wa sallam, the most well known being Hazrat Hassan ibn Thabit radi Allahu anhu, the author of the famous Naat “As-subhu bada min tala’atihi”.

Many enlightening speeches were given by Bahrain’s illustrious youth on the topics of “Importance of Dhikr Allah,” “Importance of Knowledge in Islam,” “Rights of Parents in Islam,” and “Patience and Forgiveness in Islam.” Below are links to all the speeches and Naats that were a part of this program. We pray that Allah Almighty accepts this spiritual gathering which was organized purely for the sake of His Pleasure. Aameen.

The organizers would like to thank the dedicated volunteers of this event: Sister Shabana Zain, Sister Sadia Naiman, Sister Shabina, Sister Uzma and the many others whose name we couldn’t mention but Allah is well aware of their contributions and everyone’s reward is with the Almighty!

Links to items presented at the above Conference:

Surah Ar-Rahman Recitation by Brother Muzammil

Surah Ar-Rahman translation by Sister Mubashshira

Hamd by Sister Nazreen

History of Qaseeda Burda Shareef by Brother Alim

Qaseeda Burda Shareef by Youth Group

Importance of Dhikr Allah by Brother Shaiz

Importance of Knowledge in Islam by Sister Sadaf

Rights of Parents in Islam by Sister Danya

Dua after Adhan by Brother Inshaal

Lab pe aati hai dua by Children’s Group

Patience and Forgiveness in Islam by Sister Sadia

History of Tala’al Badru ‘alayna by Brother Aaqib

Tala’al Badru ‘alayna by Youth Group

Aaminah Bibi ke Gulshan Mein by Sisters Group

Jashne Aamade-e-Rasool (pbuh) by Sisters Group

As-subhu bada by Sister Zarine

Importance of Durood Shareef by Sister Zarine

Durood Shareef

Har ek sham-o-sahar se pehle by Sister Shagufta

Adab in Islam by Sister Shagufta

Salam by Sisters Group

Dua by Sisters Group

Nabi-e-Karim (pbuh) Ki Zindagi Namoona-e-Amal by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ahmed Qadri, Founding Director, IECRC

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd4m-DDjfoQ]

A Tribute to the Beloved of the Beloved of Allah

In the Name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful
Countless and Choicest Prayers and Salutations upon The Holy Prophet Muhammad
Upon his Blessed Family and Noble Companions and Pure Wives
(May Allah be well pleased with them all)
 

https://www.iecrcna.org/site/classes/the-history-of-karbala-english/

 
 
 
 
“And say not those who are killed in the path of Allah as dead; but they are alive yes, you are unaware.”
[The Holy Quran, Chapter Al-Baqarah, 2:154]
 
Hadeeth: “I saw that the Holy Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa Aalihi wa sallam used to carry Imam Husayn radi Allahu anhu on his shoulders and say, ‘O Allah! I love him. You too love him.’” [Mishkaat Shareef]

 

“Your best friend is your Din (religion)”
“We live for others and not for ourselves.”

— Hazrat Imam Husayn radi Allahu anhu

 

Hazrat Imam Husayn radi Allahu anhu’s martyrdom on the 10th of Muharram is the ultimate tribute to sacrificing oneself for the sake of the greater good. When Imam Husayn radi Allahu anhu was confronted with the call for pledging allegiance to Yazid, the ruler at that time, he radi Allahu anhu refused on account of the fact that Yazid was a tyrant and transgressor. Imam Husayn radi Allahu anhu’s confrontation with Yazid was a call for justice and restoration of the Shari’ah. Yazid had done many anti-Shari’ah acts just one of which was that he had committed the sacrilegious act of tying horses to the Mosque of the Holy Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa Aalihi wa sallam, and they had soiled the blessed mosque. Imam Husayn radi Allahu anhu exhorted and warned Yazid three times to give up his tyrannical and blasphemous ways and to pledge allegiance to the family of the Holy Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa Aalihi wa sallam. However, this call for rectification fell on deaf ears.

Some 72 lovers of the Holy Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa Aalihi wa sallam were forced to take on the huge army of Yazid that had laid siege upon them. The martyrdom of Imam Husayn radi Allahu anhu and the rest of the martyrs of Karbala was the price paid for the fortification and safeguarding of Islam and the guarantor for this religion having reached us today.

Seventy thousand angels alighted in the grave of Imam al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali (may Allah Almighty be pleased with them both) on the day when he was mortally wounded, and they will continue to weep over him until the day of Resurrection. [Al-Ghunya li-Talibi]

Allah, The Most Exalted chose martyrdom for the grandson of our Beloved Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa Aalihi wa sallam on the most noble of all days, the most glorious of them, the most majestic of them, and the most exalted of them in His sight. In doing so, the purpose of Allah Almighty was to grant our great Imam radi Allahu anhu increased elevation in degrees and tokens of special favor over and above the special favor he already enjoyed. By way of martyrdom, He Almighty caused him radi Allahu anhu to reach the stations of the rightly guided Khalifas, who died as martyrs. [Al-Ghunya li-Talibi]

Like the angels, those who have love in their hearts for Imam Husayn radi Allahu anhu weep tears and feel pain on this sad day. However, it must not be observed as a day of tragic misfortune. Instead it must be regarded as an remarkable day full of blessings and opportunities to reap plentiful rewards from the Merciful One, The Most Exalted and attempt to perform as many righteous deeds as possible.

If it had ever been permissible to observe this day as the day of tragic misfortune, the Noble Companions and Successors (may Allah be pleased with them all) would have observed it as such, because they were more closely in touch with it than we are, and better qualified to understand its true significance. In actual fact, as we know from traditional reports about them that they used to urge people to treat their dependants with special generosity on that day and to observe it as a day of fasting. [Al-Ghunya li-Talibi]

It is highly recommended to fast on both the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar
Ali Sher-e-Khuda aap ke hain pidar
Kar de Aaqa karam ki hum par ek nazar
Ummat-e-Naana aaj badi pareshan hai
Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar

Syeda Fatima ki aankhon ki thandak hain aap
Hazrat Hasan ke Mubarak bhai hain aap
Us Panjtan Pak ke chamakte sitaare hain aap
Jinki muhabbat is Ummat par farz hai
Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar

Aapne haq Karbala ka ada kar diya
Is Ummat par azeem ehsaan kar diya
Haq-o-baatil mein vaaze furqaan kar diya
Is Ummat ko aap par bada naaz hai
Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar

Raah-e-Haq mein aapne apni jaan di
Raaza-e-Ilahi pe har cheez qurban ki
Istiqamat-o-sabr ki aala taaleem di
Is Ummat ke aap pesh-o-imam hain
Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar

Naazil huay farishte sattar hazaar
Chali jab us pak gardan par talvaar
Bahaate hain aansoo vo zaar-o-qattaar
Har sachche Ummati ka bhi yahi haal hai
Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar
De Aaqa karam ki hum par ek nazar
 

Radi Allahu anhu!