Surah al-Fateha

AlhamdulilLah! Mufti Ismail ibn Musa Menk outlined the significance of Surah al-Fateha, which is also known as As-Swolah. QS al-Mu’minoon 23: 1-2 states, “Successful indeed are the Believers, who are humble (khashi’un) in their prayers”.

Khashi’un comes from the root words Kha-Shiin-Ayn = Lowly, humble, submissive, still and low, to lower the eyes or voice, become lean, feign lowliness or humility in demeanour or voice or eyes, bow or bend down the head and body, be fearful.

There are many levels of khushu’, the bare minimum is to establish the 4 rukun in swolah. I’m reminded of what Ummi said about the manner in which a lover speaks to the Beloved i.e. not to rush the process of the direct communion subhan-Allah!

How can we rush it when Hadith Qudsi highlights Allah’s response to our supplication? – “Allah SWT have divided the prayer (Al-Fatehah) into two halves between Myself and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for.

If the servant says, ‘All praise and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of existence’, Allah says, `My servant has praised Me.'

If the servant says, ‘The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful’, Allah says, `My servant has glorified Me.'

If the servant says, ‘The Owner of the Day of Recompense’, Allah says, `My servant has glorified Me,' or `My servant has related all matters to Me.'

If the servant says, ‘You (alone) we worship, and You (alone) we ask for help’, Allah says, `This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall acquire what he sought.'

If the servant says, ‘Guide us to the straight path. The way of those on whom You have granted Your grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray’, Allah says, `This is for My servant, and My servant shall acquire what he asked for.' '' 

Wa-Allahu a’lam :) 

Quality of Ummah

[Source courtesy of Al Maghrib Institute]

Sheikh Navaid Aziz, as he unfolds the sirah of the last few days of our beloved Prophet's life, he outlined the legacy of Prophet SAW, so that we keep them in mind as we go about our daily lives:
- do not worship the Prophet SAW the way the Christians worship Jesus AS i.e. grave worship (tawhid)
- fear the day every individual willl return to Allah SWT i.e. reinstate honour, purify self on earth
- honour convenant (agreement) by holding on to al-Quran and Sunnah (straight path in era of fitan)
- hold on to your solat and that which your right hand posses i.e. zakah (consistency to purify oneself)
- die in the hope to meet Allah SWT (have hope in the mercy of Allah SWT)

Sajda

The Holy Prophet SAW said, "Prayer is a cure for many diseases… Perform Ruku’ (bowing) and Sajda (prostration) properly.” [Source: Hadeeth in Ibn Maja & Hadeeth narrated by Anas bin Malik RA]

A person who does Sajda (Prostration), comes nearest to Allah SWT. The knowledge of that nearness, gives relief and in supplication, man gets at least a transient refuge from the worldly problems.

Sajda (Prostration) is unique because it is the only position in which the brain (or head) becomes lower than the heart and hence for the first time the blood gushes towards the brain with full force whereas in all other positions (even when lying) brain is above the heart when it has to work against gravity to send blood to the brain.

Due to the increased blood supply, the brain receives more nourishment and it has good effect upon memory, vision, hearing, concentration, psyche and all other cognitive abilities.

While going into Sajda and getting up from it, the back muscles contract actively and they become stronger, resulting in lesser incidences of backache. It is also uncommon that a man who offers his prayers regularly will get the usual neck myalgias or cervical spondylosis as the neck muscles particularly become very strong due to the 34 sajdas (Prostrations) offered daily in five prayers.

A man who offers his prayers regularly have more will power and can cope with the difficulties of life in a much better manner. He has less headaches, psychological problems and other defects of cognitive function and appears calm and in control.

The best blessing is the peace of mind, which a person derives by the accomplishment of his duty to Allah by fulfilling an obligation.

[Source courtesy of Dr. Muhammad Karim Beebani, Saudi Gazette]

True 'Aqidah

"The most beautiful names belong to Allah, so call on Him thereby. Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah, for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction." [Surah al-Araf: 180 and Surah al-Rad: 28]

Many recite Surah al-Ikhlas during their daily prayer. Many acknowledge there is one Rabb (Tawheed Uluhiyyah) but only some truly worship Allah alone (Tawheed Rububiyah). To know the true meaning of this Surah, read this tafseer. 

In view of this, we are compelled to not only know the Asma ul-Husna (the 99 attributes of Allah SWT) but also to acknlowledge, at a deeper level, how these attributes will instil true Tawheed Rububiyah in us:

‘Abd (from the stem "`a - ba - da,") means to submit, to worship and to obey, creatively expressed in `ibadah (worship), `ubudiyyah (pure worship and trust - a specific type and a general type), and `ubudah (ultimate perfect worship and internal unlimited submission and denial of the share of the self). [Source: Ibn `Ajeebah, `Iqadh Al-Himam fi Sharh Al-Hikan. Cairo, 1985, p.8]

Download The Belief of the Ahlul Sunnah wal-Jama'ah, a must read containing important Ilm' (knowledge) for True Muslims.

References:
- The meaning of 'abd.
- Types of 'ubudiyyah. 

The Opening Chapter

It is our fitrah to affirm that every word of the Surah al-Fatihah is the compulsive voice of our syahadah. I was compelled to pick up this book - The Opening Chapter of the Quran: Surah Al-Fatihah by Mawlana Abdul Kalam Azad - about the Quranic concept of God, the role of Islam not as a new religious doctrine but as the reminder of the Divine Message proclaimed by numerous Prophets in different places and at different times. 

Surah al-Fatihah is referred to as Al-Kafia (the Sufficient), Asasul-Quran (the Basis of the Quran), Sab’a al-Mathani (the Oft-repeated 7), ’Umm-ul-Quran (the Core of the Quran). If one reads this Surah and grasps its true meaning, he, with the Grace of Allah SWT, will understand the essence of the Islamic Faith which forms the subject of detailed explanation in the Quran – the human devotion to God and all that it implies presented via 7 brief phrases, each of not more than 5 words, every word crystal clear and impressive. Every word reveals the great purposes which underlie the Deen (way of life) sponsored by the Quran, Subhan Allah.

According to Bukhari and Muslims, the Islamic form of prayer is incomplete without a recitation of this Surah – When one recites it in the daily prayers, it brings to mind, everyday, the substance of his beliefs and his program of righteous living. The prayer form helps to voice the inward condition of one who, in sincerity, invokes Allah SWT. During salah, Allah SWT will reply to us:

When one recites the first ayat and pauses, Allah SWT replies:

“My servant has praised me.”

When one recites the second ayat and pauses, Allah SWT replies:

 “My servant has extolled me.”

When one recites the third ayat and pauses, Allah SWT replies:

“My servant has glorified me.” 

(On 1 occasion, Allah SWT says: “My servant has submitted to My power.”)

When one recites the fourth ayat and pauses, Allah SWT replies:

“This is between Me and My servant and My servant shall have what he has asked for.”

And when one recites ayat 5 to 7 and pauses, Allah SWT replies:

“This is for My servant and My servant shall have what he has asked for.”

[Source: Hadith Qudsi]

Afternote: From Deen Show's Library, download The Spiritual Cure.  

Truth vs. Falsehood

AlhamdulilLah wa Syukran to Sheikh Abdul Halim for sharing this with me :)

In return, I'm sharing this doa that guides us towards living our lives in the light of truth. This becomes critical in today's world where 'false leaders' are a bounty; it becomes a challenge for us to differentiate truth (haq) from falsehood (bathil).

As we continue to strive to increase our knowledge in Islam, it becomes essential for us to include in our daily prayer especially during Fajr prayer (as we start our day) so that Allah SWT protects us from these 'false leaders" - the long version of the doa can be found here.

For a start just recite (and memorise) these ayat or lines:

اللهُمَّ أَرِنَا الحَقَّ حَقّاً وَارْزُقْنَا التِبَاعَةَ وَأَرِنَا البَاطِلَ بَاطِلاً وَارْزُقْنَا

اجْتِنَابَهُ، بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.

"Allahumma arinal-haqqa haqqan warzuqnat-tiba'ah, wa arinal-batila batilan warzuqnaj-tinabah, bi rahmatika ya arhamar-rahimeen."

"O Allah! Let us see the good as good, and bless us with following it. And show us the falsehood as falsehood, and bless us with staying away from it, with Your mercy, O Most Merciful!"

Afternote: Grams, Aunt Sofie, and mum constantly remind me that our religion is complete and RasululLah has prescribed for us a set of doa for daily living and that we should first and foremost (for the love of Allah SWT and RasululLah SAW) recite and memorise these BEFORE we start adding the rest prescribed by others. Truly, who would know what is best for us if not Allah SWT and RasululLah SAW?...

Salat - A Direct Contact with Allah

"I have not created jins and humans but, for my worship" - Holy Quran

What is Salat (Prayer)?
A medium (through worship) where a man establishes a direct relationship with his Creator.

Why Salat?
It is one of the main doors which leads to man's complete submission to Allah's will. It is a guarantee from Allah that if a worshipper observes his salat, with all its conditions, it will prevent him from wrongdoings.

Allah says:"Surely prayer restrains one from indecency and manifest evil."

The Holy Prophet (peace be on him) asked to the companions, "If one of you had a stream running by his door and he takes a bath in it five times a day, would any dirt be left on him?."

They replied, "No dirt would be left on him".

The Holy Prophet said: "This is the case with Salat (the five daily prayers) Allah makes the Salat wipe out his sins".

Who do I worship during my salat?
When we reflect on the creation of the universe and the law that governs it and the design and variety that pleases our eyes, we naturally are convinced of existence and greatness of Allah.

Allah says in the Holy Quran: "In the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of the night and the day there are indeed signs for men of understanding;"

Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and ponder over the creation of the heavens and the earth: "Our Lord, Thou hast not created this in vain; nay, Holy art Thou; save us, then, from the punishment of the Fire." (Aal-e-Imran, v19l-192)

This verse implies that when a worshipper reflects upon the structure of the Universe, he becomes overwhelmed with the greatness of its Creator. The ENTITY Who created such an awe-inspiring structure with such detailed arrangement and accuracy. He is alone to be worshipped and so right for protection.

How many times must I salat in a day?
There are five daily prayer services participation in which is obligatory. This may seem a little too much, but it is all a matter of comparative values. Those who realize the true value of prayer through experience are convinced that time spent in it is occupied much more beneficially than that spent in other pursuits.

Find out more about:
Wudhu (Ablution)
Types of Salat
Rakaats in Salat