Sunnahs of Eating

Sunnahs of Eating,by powersunisaifi

A few Hadiths on the Sunnah of eating.

Enquire About Your Food

Hazrat‘Abu Bakr (may ALLAH be pleased with him) had a slave who would give ‘Abu Bakr (may ALLAH be pleased with him) a portion of his daily income as the master’s share. Once he bought him some food, and ‘Abu Bakr (may ALLAH be pleased with him) took a morsel out of it. Then the slave remarked: ‘You always enquire about the source of what I bring to you, but today you have not done so.’
He replied: ‘I was feeling so hungry that I failed to do that. Tell me now, how did you come by this food”
The slave said: ‘Before I embraced Islam, I practised fortune-telling.

During those days I came across some people who I would practice some charms for. They promised to pay me later on, I met them and they were in a marriage ceremony, and they gave me this food.’
‘Abu Bakr (may ALLAH be pleased with him) said, ‘Achh! You would have killed me!’ he tried to vomit the food, but could not as his stomach was empty.

Someone suggested drinking water to the full and trying to vomit it. Somebody remarked ‘May ALLAH (The Exalted) have mercy on you! You put yourself to such trouble for one single morsel.’ He replied that ‘I would have thrust it out even if I had to lose my life. I have heard the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) say that the flesh nourished by haraam (strictly forbidden) food is destined for the fire of Hell. I therefore made haste to vomit this morsel, lest any portion of my body should receive nourishment from it.’

ALLAHu Akbar! We should make sure that our food is from lawful sources. Making sure the work we do is lawful, the food is lawful etc. if not then our supplications will not be accepted, nor our Salaah. Imam Ghazali (may ALLAH’s mercy be upon him) writes in Ihya ul uloom from a pious person that, When a Muslim eats the first morsel of lawful food, his previous sins are forgiven. SubhanALLAH!

Hazrat‘Abu Hurayrah (RA) And Hunger

Once, ‘Abu Hurayrah (may ALLAH be pleased with him) after wiping his nose with a piece of fine linen remarked to himself ‘Look at ‘Abu Hurayrah! He cleans his nose with fine linen, today. I remember the time when he would lie down between the pulpit and the Prophet’s (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) house. People took him to be suffering from epilepsy and put their feet on his neck. But there was no other illness with him, other than spasms of hunger.’

Hazrat-e-Anas (may ALLAH be pleased with him) reports that, ‘I asked the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) pray to ALLAH (The Exalted) that he make me mustajab ad-da’waat (someone whose prayers are always accepted). The Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) replied, ‘O Anas (may ALLAH be pleased with him) make sure your earnings are lawful, ALLAH (The Exalted) will accept your prayers. A person eats a morsel of unlawful and his prayers are not accepted for forty days.”

Washing The Hands

Hazrat‘Abd-Allah (may ALLAH be pleased with him) narrates the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) saying ‘Before and after eating perform ablution as it banishes poverty and is the practises of the Prophets (upon them all be peace).’
This means to wash the hands and rinse the mouth and not to perform ablution as one would do for Salaah.

Eating Whilst Seated On The Floor Is Sunnah

Hazrat Qataada (may ALLAH be pleased with him) states that, ‘The Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) would eat his food from a mat (laid out on the floor).’

How To Sit

The Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) used to often squat down on his knees and sit on his heels for the meal. At other times he would raise this right leg and sit on his left. He used to say, ‘I do not eat when reclining ‘ for I am but a slave, I eat as a slave eats and sit as a slave sits.’

The first principle of the law of Islam is that nothing can compare with any habit or act of the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace). Anyone who does not believe this should beware; for ALLAH (The Exalted) has stated that He does not favour those who disbelieve. Everything else can be open to criticism but not the Qur’an or the Sunnah. Wherever we are in the world when the time comes to eat, the food should be arranged on the floor on a mat and we should sit and partake of it from there. In many of our homes today this beautiful Sunnah has been neglected.

 Muslims are sitting on chairs and tables moving away from the Sunnah. Islam is simple but we have made it complicated. To sit on a table is an innovation as it is contrary to the Sunnah.

Covering The Head

The Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) would always cover his head when eating and he would wash both hands up to the wrist. The Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) sat on the floor at the side of a mat and ate with three fingers of his right hand. The three fingers include the thumb, index, and the middle finger and he would start with‘Bismillah’ and in between three morsels our master (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) would say ‘Bismillah’ and say‘Alhamdulillah.’

Recite Bismillah For Blessing

Hazrat Wahshi bin Harmat (may ALLAH be pleased with him) narrates from the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) that, ‘Eat together and recite ‘Bismillah’, there will be blessings for you in this.’

Food Becomes Lawful For Devil

Hazrat Hudhayfa (may ALLAH be pleased with him) said that, ‘He who does not recite ‘Bismillah’ before eating, that food becomes lawful for the devil.’

Eat together for blessing

The people said, ”O Prophet of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) we eat but are not satisfied,’ The Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘You may be eating separately,’ they said, ‘Yes,’ the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘Eat together and recite ‘Bismillah’ there will be blessing.’

People have become very busy in their lifestyle and need to understand that it is the Sunnah to sit together and eat. Love and blessings will increase in the family, Insha-ALLAH! Not reciting ‘Bismillah’ is a means of loosing out on the blessings.

Shaytan Partakes

Ummayya bin Makhshi (may ALLAH be pleased with him) narrates that, ‘A person was eating without reciting ‘Bismillah’ and just before he had finished and had one morsel left he recited ‘Bismillahi Awwalahu Wa Aakhirahu’, the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) smiled and said, ‘The Shaytan was eating with him, when he recited the name of ALLAH (The Exalted) whatever was in his stomach he vomited it out.’
If ever we forget to recite ‘Bismillah’ then recite the supplication which has been mentioned above and Insha-ALLAH the Shaytan will not take part in the food and will be full of blessings.

Use The Right Hand

Hazrat ‘Abu Hurayrah (may ALLAH be pleased with him) narrates the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) states, ‘Eat with the right hand and drink with the right hand and take with the right hand and give with the right hand. This is because the devil eats with the left hand and drinks with the left hand and gives with the left hand and takes with the left hand.’

Hazrat Salmah bin Aku’ (may ALLAH be pleased with him) narrates that, ‘A person was eating with his left hand in the presence of the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace). The Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) said that, ‘Eat with the right hand.’ He said, ‘I can’t eat with my right hand.’ The Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘May your right hand not be used.’
Because of arrogance the person did not use his right hand and since that day he could not lift his right hand to his mouth.

Eat With Three Fingers

Hazrat ‘Abu Hurayrah (may ALLAH be pleased with him) narrates the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) said that, ‘To eat with three fingers is the practice of the Prophets (Peace be upon them).’

Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas (may ALLAH be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) said that, ‘Eat with three fingers as it is Sunnah and do not eat with five fingers as this is the way of the bedouins.’

Try to eat with three fingers, however, at times some foods do not allow you to do so, then eat with five as a last resort.
Hazrat Ka’ab bin Malik (may ALLAH be pleased with him) narrates that, ‘The Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) ate with three fingers and before wiping his hands he licked them.’
Abu Hurayrah (may ALLAH be pleased with him) narrates that, ‘To eat with one finger is the way of Shaytan, to eat with two is the way of the arrogant and with three is the way of the Prophets (upon them all be peace).’

Food which can not be eaten with the fingers such as soup etc. can be eaten with a spoon, however, we should try and eat with our fingers and follow the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) in foods that can be eaten with fingers.

No Accounting

Hazrat Hasan Basri (may ALLAH be pleased with him) states that, ‘Whatever a person eats and drinks and feeds his mother and father, will be accounted for, except for food eaten with friends.’
SubhanALLAH! We learn that to have food with friends is a greatly rewarded act and love will increase between the Muslim communities.

Wasting Food

Hazrat-e-‘Aisha (may ALLAH be pleased with her) states that, ‘I came to the Messenger of ALLAH’s (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) house, I saw a piece of bred, he picked it up wiped it and ate it and said, ”Aisha (may ALLAH be pleased with her) appreciate good things, once this (bread) has left (taken away) it has not returned.’

Respected brother/sister of Islam! Today we see in weddings and in other functions that we take more food than required and leave food in our plates, which will inevitably be thrown away. This is a sinful act and we will have to answer for it on the Day of Resurrection. We should take only small amounts of food and if we require more, we can always take more later. Always keep in your mind to clean the plates, save yourselves from sin, and fulfil the Sunnah of the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace).

Leaving Food For Shaytan

Ma’qal bin Yasaar (may ALLAH be pleased with him) was eating when a morsel fell from his hand. He picked it up, cleaned it and ate it. The bedouins indicated with there eyes (what a low graded act), someone remark ‘May ALLAH (The Exalted) favour our leader as some people are indicating that you have all this food present and you pick the food that has dropped.’

Ma’qal bin Yasaar (may ALLAH be pleased with him) said, ‘Because of the Bedouins I will not leave that which I have heard from the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace). As we were ordered to pick up the morsel that has dropped and not to leave it for the Shaytan.’

No matter who is present do not feel ashamed in following the Sunnah, your love for the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) will increase and ALLAH (The Exalted) will reward you for not wasting too.
Once ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar (may ALLAH be pleased with him) saw a piece of bread on the floor and said to his slave, ‘Clean it and save it.’ At the time of opening the fast he asked for it and the slave said, ‘I have eaten it.” Go you are free as I have heard the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) saying, ‘Whoever picks up and eats a piece of bread from the floor, before it reaches the stomach ALLAH (The Exalted) forgives the person. Now that the person is forgiven, how can I keep him as a slave” said ibn ‘Umar (may ALLAH be pleased with him)

The Plate Makes Supplication

It is mentioned in the hadith that the plate and other vessels which are wiped and licked using fingers, pray for the person doing this and say; ‘May ALLAH (The Exalted) free you from the Hell fire the way you have freed me from the devil.’ Another version of the hadith says, the plates ask for your forgiveness. SubhanALLAH!

Supplication Before Eating

‘Bismillahi Wa-’Ala Baraka Tillah’
‘ALLAH’s (The Exalted) name I begin with, and with the blessings of ALLAH (The Exalted)’

Nothing Will Affect You

Hazrat Anas (may ALLAH be pleased with him) states that ‘When you pray this supplication, you will have no illness (nor be affected by anything):
‘Bis-mil-lahi Wa Bil ‘la-hil La-dhi Laa Ya-durru Ma ‘As-mihi Shai-un Fil-ardi Wa-la-fis Samaa-i Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyoom’
ALLAH, the name I begin with, and ALLAH is He whose name nothing on earth nor in the heavens can cause harm. O the everlasting, O the self existent..’

If You Forget To Recite

Hazrat-e-‘Aisha (may ALLAH be pleased with her) narrates from the Messenger of ALLAH (may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace) that ‘Whoever eats food, remember ALLAH (The Exalted) meaning recite ‘Bismillah’ and if in the beginning you forget to pray ‘Bismillah’ then pray the following:
‘Bimillahi Fi Awwalihi Wa-aakhirihi’
‘ALLAH’s name I begin with at the beginning and end of it.’
One can also pray ‘Awwalahu’ and ‘Wa-aakhiraha’
Not reciting ‘Bismillah,’ the devil has an opportunity to partake in the food.

WA SALAAM POWERSUNISAIFI

19-2-13

Problems of the Ummah; Role of Ulama & Intellectuals

A Speech by Peer Syed Mohyuddin Mahboob Hanafi Qadri on the Current Condition of the Muslim Ummah in a Global Perspective

Problems of the Ummah; Role of Ulama & Intellectuals

 With the age of globalization at hand, advancement in technology and progress in every step of the way and in every field- right from the basics of medicine to space technology, from the betterment of the education stream to the masses involved in media- there is change and progress. But inspite of the world growing at a quantum rate- with facilities provided to man like they have never been provided before, improvement in basic health care services and in result of all this- we can see the average life span of a human increasing, the quality of style of living has increased for people above the poverty line- but inspite of all of these achievements in human life- we notice a perpetual decline in Humanity.

How do we measure the decline of Humanity? 

    By increase of loss of lives owing to terrorism in the name of religion, by unjustly not only usurping other’s land or riches but now even of countries.
    Like when Iraq violated Kuwait or Iran ?
    Like when Afghanistan was violated within its country by its so-called own people? Or like Pakistan is being terrorized perpetually by foreign countries on the pretext of eradicating terrorism?
    And what about Palestine ? - Why was it invaded and who raised their voices against it? Why is the world not raising issues of genocide against Israel ?
    What about the issues in Darfur ? Why is there no help being provided to them with the whole of the Western Nation going against them and blaming them of genocide?
    What about the killings in Afghanistan or Pakistan- why is that not called genocide?
    What about the environment issues-Global warming?-Are we as “khalifa’s” in this world doing anything to protect our natural resources?
    There has been an increase in cases of suicide because people are frustrated and can find no way out of their problems?
    There are gross violations happening of human rights- with the abuse of women and children on the rise.
    Moral Values have declined
    Social and economic values are declining
    Lifestyle if measured Just by materialistic means is definitely on the rise- but if measured in terms of core values- it has drastically fallen.
    Education is on the rise- but knowledge has diminished

So, what are the challenges being faced by the Muslim Ummah?

They are:

Difference in opinion between various sectors and  sects in Islam

 A Muslim today is more focused on going against his Muslim brother if he/she has a difference of opinion in Islam and sides with the kaafirs because they find them to be more trustworthy! Hasn’t ALLAH (SWT) warned us against becoming friend with Jews and Christians- that definitely they will go against us? But, because every Muslim today has his or her own opinion and forms their own school of thought- the core values of Islam is being lost.

Lack of a centralized body of Sharia or Fiqh

 Today-every government when appointed makes sure that the proper appointments are being held for the judicial body, for the legislature and for the economic welfare and so on. Little or no emphasis is given to the formation of an Islamic body of ruling-which applies the law of Sharia in the running of the Economy and Government at large. With the world progressing and new dangers emerging- there is no new term solution as still old thoughts are prevalent and old methods applied. But times have changed. A concept of ‘ijtihad’ and ‘ijtima’ needs to be done at a global level so as to better equip Muslim countries of the new dangers and new problems that have arisen- like in an economy –various money-lending concepts have come- where if we cannot apply Sharia to it- we simply copy whatever practices are being followed by the west- and such situations are disastrous in the long-run because being Muslims we are not following the Muslim way- as there is no ‘official body’ to guide us.

Old school teachings- Madrassahs

If we really want to play positive and meaningful role for the cause of Islam today, then we must know the problems of the day. We are trying to cure the ills of the day and, therefore, we must know today’s problems. During the last 100 years we ideologically confronted socialism, capitalism, secularism, and the ideas of Darwin and Freud and these are the issues even now. But our seminaries (Madrasas) still teach the philosophy of the Mutazilah and Asharites and other old philosophical issues. They do not teach current philosophical issues. The old issues have to be addressed alongwith the new issues raised in today’s’ world and society. Such topics should not be by themselves in the Mardasa textbooks.

The textbooks should also contain and discuss the contemporary problems, the burning philosophical questions and difficulties of the day as mentioned above. Today, a great deal of change has become apparent in the realm of politics. Parliamentary system has been introduced. The ballots are now being cast secretly. The issues like the decentralization of power, federal structure of government which shares powers with the autonomous units, the delegation of power to the local government etc. have come to the forefront. These issues and concepts are completely new which the old Fiqh books (books on law) do not discuss. The earlier Fiqh books do not contain any discussion on separation of power, as this is also a new concept. Previously the elite used to dominate politics and people had no role.

The situation has now changed. Today, the people play the most dominant role, which is reflected through the election though the elite also play a role. Likewise, a good deal of change has taken place in the economic arena.. Before concepts like Central Bank, Monetary Policy, Inflation etc. were absent. If we don’t properly realize the development in this field, we shall not be able to arrive at correct decision. In this backdrop, it is most essential to attain the knowledge of modern Economics and modern Political Science.  

Breeding of Extremism

Team-work and dialogue between the religious scholars (ulama) & the thinkers (muffakireen) of Islam- the muffakireen & the Ulamas should be brought together because the aalims know better whether certain act is permissible or forbidden and the Muffakireen, on the other hand, are advanced in the field of ideas even if they are not fully conversant with the Islamic Law (Shariah). They (Mufakkireen) think and deeply contemplate over the problems faced by the Muslim Ummah. The Alims very much need the opinion of the thinkers.

The thinkers, on the other hand, require the opinion of the Alims. This co-operation has to be there because in today’s world-what is happening is because of the lack of Proper understanding of the Quran and the Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet- People are just following the basic tenets with blinders. They do not put any thought into how and where every situation can be applied and/ or should be applied. Extremism breeds when people become preoccupied with very small matters, minor and side issues, forgetting or ignoring the core issues. These problems arise when we take no lesson from history. Such problems are created when we do not have sufficient deep knowledge and understanding of Shariah and other related essential subjects.

Everything has a sequence or a cycle; Allah has His Own Laws-which are definite and eternal and they are free from doubt. We have to understand all these; otherwise people are likely to take aggressive stand, hard line. Is anybody keeping a check on the level of understanding of one’s ilm that an Imam has to have to be in a masjid? Who supervises their appointments into roles which will affect the Muslim youth of today? Does anybody monitor their sayings in a khutba because their talks might be able to ignite the feelings and passions of the Muslim youth either in a positive way or it might even go towards a negative way? One major way of combating extremism is to bring together the ulama and the muffakireen and to streamline their thought processes as the difference in thinking is also a major cause that gives rise to extremism. The welfare of the Ummah, therefore, lies in avoiding the extreme path. The Muslims have indeed become victims in different countries because of extremism.

Eradicating Poverty

Poverty is one of the major causes of a multiple of problems affecting our Muslim Ummah today. Some ulama are of the opinion that by just establishing the laws of Zakat- we can remove poverty altogether. But its not Only the Correct implementation of Zakat which we require but also restore endowment (Wakf), and at the same time, we must regulate our monetary policy and banking system in harmonious way and coordinated manner and make overall economic development.

Status of Women in our Society

This is a major issue that we as a Muslim Ummah are facing because in Islam –every one’s roles are identified and allocated. When one’s role is not clear because of various practices imposed by religious leaders- then a break occurs with the harmony of a family- which is the core component of a Muslim society breaks- as then the new generations that come are also mixed-up in their identity and instead of bettering themselves and spreading the love and message of Islam-they fall into new practices and found new rules that make them acceptable in their own eyes-like we had recent cases of women insisting that “imamat” must be given to them so as to put them at par with men.

Because they have been raised with t the notion that women are inferior to man and Islam ahs not given them any rights- whereas Islam is the ONLY religion today that gave women their rights and treated them with dignity and respect as our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has taught us to do so. Certain ulamas have spoken up about the rights to be given to women. They are of the thought that Muslim cannot progress by keeping half of the members of the society in dark. They have stressed the need of giving women all rights. People still debate about the rights of women to attend mosque, whereas if women can attend mosque, they shall be able to acquire much knowledge of Islam, know much about the teachings of Islam.  We should, therefore, try to understand the problems of the women and the Alims should take initiative to help women so that they can move forward.

Misinterpretation or incorrect translation of religious books on Hadith or fiqh

Misinterpretation is another big problem before us. Large numbers of translations of the Quran and Hadith compilation are available in the market. Naturally people read them and many questions arise on different issues in the minds of those who read and study translations, particularly when it is a question of interpretation. They themselves, therefore, try to give explanation to these issues, whereas the problem is that these people do not know the underlying principles and the methods of interpretation (Usul).

Those who want to judiciously interpret Quran and Hadith must, therefore, learn Usul al Fiqh. They have to read books on Usul al Fiqh that is easy understandable. High-quality authentic books on the subject need to be translated in the local language from Arabic and circulated and publicized in the society, the teachings of such books must be disseminated to all those who intend to study Islam from the original sources and acquire the capacity of interpretation. Otherwise, individual efforts to interpret will create confusion in the society, particularly by those who try to interpret by reading only the translations. The Alims need to give attention to this matter and disseminate knowledge of Usul.

Establishment of Islamic Way of life in Muslim Countries

We should bring about an end to the debate on democracy. There is no place of dictatorship and autocracy in Islam, also no place of monarchy in Islam. Almost all Islamic parties and movements in the world are struggling for democratic rights. They consider election as a legitimate instrument to change government.  They all want that they be given legal rights so that they can enjoy the fruits of civic and political rights. If any restriction is imposed on the functioning of Islamic parties, they take recourse of the law, file petition in the Court so that they are allowed to function an as legitimate and law abiding organization.

We know that the Islamic parties in different countries are trying to form government by participating in democratic elections.  The democratic way of government is for the people, by the people and of the people-whereas that thought is not accepted in Islam- whereby –human beings have been appointed as “khalifa’s” and are to lead in the way of ALLAH and in the rules prescribed by ALLAH (SWT). What is the Khilafah? Khilafah means representation. It means representing the people, representing Allah. 

We are all vicegerent (Khalifah) of Allah. And the Khilafah means the government of the people. We all must realize and understand this. In a democratic person- the concept is “one person-one vote”. So, if in a democratic form of Government- a man wants to get married to a man- he is allowed to do so as this comes under freedom of speech and action- but as per the laws of Sharia’h –this is haram and is not allowed. Hence, we cannot interchange the terms “democracy” with the “ Islamic Political system” as they both are entirely two different systems- one is ruled by the people and for the people and the other is ruled as per the laws of ALLAH (SWT) and we act only as Khalifa’s.

Conclusion

"In conclusion-my view is that we must copy our earlier generations, like the way it was done during the Khulafa-e-rashideen where they solved their problems. But this is not easy as a lot of change has taken place in the society- in politics, economics, administration and communication- and the solution of today’s changed problems can be found in the practices of the earlier generations or opinions of earlier Fuqaha if we apply them in light of the new problems and challenges. We have to find out more solutions afresh of today’s problem in the light of the Quran and Sunnah. We have to identify the problems of the Muslim Ummah and properly evaluate its nature, depth and dimension and find out solution keeping the precepts of Islam uppermost in our consideration. We must utilize our intellect and must resort to Ijtihad to arrive at the solution. This is the most appropriate and correct way. This is the Asal approach or the original approach."
 

WA SALAAM POWERSUNISAIFI

19-2-13

. عَنْ أبِي سَعِيْدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رضی الله عنه يَقُولُ : بَعَثَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أبِي طَالِبٍ رضی الله عنه إِلَی رَسُولِ اﷲِ صلی الله عليه وآله وسلم مِنَ اليمن بِذُهَيْبَةٍ فِي أدِيْمٍ مَقْرُوْظٍ لَمْ تُحَصَّلْ مِنْ تُرَابِهَا. قَالَ : فَقَسَمَهَا بَيْنَ أرْبَعَةِ نَفَرٍ بَيْنَ عُيَيْنَةَ ابْنِ بَدْرٍ وَ أقْرَعَ بْنِ حَابِسٍ وَ زَيْدِ الْخَيْلِ وَ الرَّابِعُ إِمَّا عَلْقَمَةُ وَ إِمَّا عَامِرُ بْنُ الطُّفَيْلِ، فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أصْحَابِهِ : کُنَّا نَحْنُ أحَقَّ بِهَذَا مِنْ هَؤُلَاءِ قَالَ : فَبَلَغَ ذَلِکَ النَّبِيَّ صلی الله عليه وآله وسلم، فَقَالَ : ألاَ تَأمَنُوْنِي وَ أنَا أمِيْنُ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاءِ يَأتِينِي خَبَرُ السَّمَاءِ صَبَاحًا وَ مَسَاءً، قَالَ : فَقَامَ رَجُلٌ غَائِرُ العَيْنَيْنِ، مُشْرِفُ الْوَجْنَتَيْنِ، نَاشِزُ الجَبْهَةِ، کَثُّ اللِّحْيَةِ، مَحْلُوقُ الرَّأسِ، مُشَمَّرُ الإِزَارِ. فَقَالَ : يَارَسُولَ اﷲِ، اتَّقِ اﷲَ، قَالَ : وَيْلَکَ أوَلَسْتُ أحَقَّ أهْلِ الأرْضِ أنْ يَتَّقِيَ اﷲَ؟ قَالَ : ثُمَّ وَلَّی الرَّجُلُ، قَالَ خَالِدُ بْنُ الوليد : يَا رَسُولَ اﷲِ! ألاَ أضْرِبُ عُنُقَهُ؟ قَالَ : لاَ، لَعَلَّهُ أنْ يَکُونَ يُصَلِّي. فَقَالَ خَالِدٌ : وَ کَمْ مِنْ مُصَلٍّ يَقُولُ بِلِسَانِهِ مَا لَيْسَ فِي قَلْبِهِ، قَالَ رَسُولُ اﷲِ صلی الله عليه وآله وسلم : إِنِّي لَمْ أوْمَرْ أنْ أنْقُبَ عَنْ قُلُوبِ النَّاسِ، وَلاَ أشُقَّ بُطُونَهُمْ، قَالَ : ثُمَّ نَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ وَهُوَ مُقَفٍّ، فَقَالَ : إِنَّهُ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ ضِئْضِيئِ هَذَا قَوْمٌ يَتْلُوْنَ کِتَابَ اﷲِ رَطْبًا لَا يُجَاوِزُ حَنَاجِرَهُمْ يَمْرُقُوْنَ مِنَ الدِّيْنِ کَما يَمْرُقُ السَّهْمُ مِنَ الرَّمِيَّةِ. وَ أظُنُّهُ قَالَ : لَئِنْ أدْرَکْتُهُمْ لَأقْتُلَنَّهُمْ قَتْلَ ثَمُوْدَ. مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ.

الحديث رقم 1 : أخرجه البخاري في الصحيح، کتاب : المغازي، باب : بعث علي بن أبي طالب و خالد بن الوليد رضي اﷲ عنهما إلي اليمن قبل حجة الوداع، 4 / 1581، الرقم : 4094، و مسلم في الصحيح، کتاب : الزکاة، باب : ذکر الخوارج و صفاتهم، 2 / 742، الرقم : 1064، و أحمد بن حنبل في المسند، 3 / 4، الرقم : 11021، و ابن خزيمة في الصحيح، 4 / 71، الرقم : 2373، و ابن حبان في الصحيح، 1 / 205، الرقم : 25، و أبو يعلي في المسند، 2 / 390، الرقم : 1163، و أبو نعيم في المسند المستخرج، 3 / 128، الرقم : 2375، و في حلية الأولياء، 5 / 71، و العسقلاني في فتح الباري، 8 / 68، الرقم : 4094، و حاشية ابن القيم، 13 / 16، و السيوطي في الديباج، 3 / 160، الرقم : 1064، و ابن تيمية في الصارم المسلول، 1 / 188، 192.

’’حضرت ابو سعید خدری رضی اللہ عنہ فرماتے ہیں کہ حضرت علی رضی اللہ عنہ نے یمن سے رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم کی خدمت میں چمڑے کے تھیلے میں بھر کر کچھ سونا بھیجا، جس سے ابھی تک مٹی بھی صاف نہیں کی گئی تھی۔ حضور نبی اکرم صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم نے وہ سونا چار آدمیوں میں تقسیم فرما دیا، عیینہ بن بدر، اقرع بن حابس، زید بن خیل اور چوتھے علقمہ یا عامر بن طفیل کے درمیان۔ اس پر آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم کے اصحاب میں سے کسی نے کہا : ان لوگوں سے تو ہم زیادہ حقدار تھے۔ جب یہ بات حضور نبی اکرم صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم تک پہنچی تو آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم نے فرمایا : کیا تم مجھے امانت دار شمار نہیں کرتے؟ حالانکہ آسمان والوں کے نزدیک تو میں امین ہوں۔ اس کی خبریں تو میرے پاس صبح و شام آتی رہتی ہیں۔ راوی کا بیان ہے کہ پھر ایک آدمی کھڑا ہو گیا جس کی آنکھیں اندر کو دھنسی ہوئیں، رخساروں کی ہڈیاں ابھری ہوئیں، اونچی پیشانی، گھنی داڑھی، سر منڈا ہوا اور اونچا تہبند باندھے ہوئے تھا، وہ کہنے لگا : یا رسول اللہ! خدا سے ڈریں، آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم نے فرمایا : تو ہلاک ہو، کیا میں تمام اہل زمین سے زیادہ خدا سے ڈرنے کا مستحق نہیں ہوں؟ سو جب وہ آدمی جانے کے لئے مڑا تو حضرت خالد بن ولید رضی اللہ عنہ نے عرض کیا : یا رسول اللہ! میں اس کی گردن نہ اڑا دوں؟ آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم نے فرمایا : ایسا نہ کرو، شاید یہ نمازی ہو، حضرت خالد رضی اللہ عنہ نے عرض کیا : بہت سے ایسے نمازی بھی تو ہیں کہ جو کچھ ان کی زبان پر ہے وہ دل میں نہیں ہوتا۔ رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم نے فرمایا : مجھے یہ حکم نہیں دیا گیا کہ لوگوں کے دلوں میں نقب لگاؤں اور ان کے پیٹ چاک کروں۔ راوی کا بیان ہے کہ وہ پلٹا تو آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم نے پھر اس کی جانب دیکھا تو فرمایا : اس کی پشت سے ایسے لوگ پیدا ہوں گے جو اللہ کی کتاب کی تلاوت سے زبان تر رکھیں گے، لیکن قرآن ان کے حلق سے نیچے نہیں اترے گا۔ دین سے اس طرح نکل جائیں گے جیسے تیر شکار سے پار نکل جاتا ہے۔ میرا خیال ہے کہ آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم نے یہ بھی فرمایا تھا کہ اگر میں ان لوگوں کو پاؤں تو قوم ثمود کی طرح انہیں قتل کر دوں۔‘‘

WA SALAAM POWERSUNISAIFI

18-2-13

SIGNS OF THE LAST DAY MUST READ

SIGNS OF THE LAST DAY MUST READ

Ibn Hajar Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Aalamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, 

A Hand from the Skies

	The sign of that day: A hand will be extended from the sky, and people will look and see it. (Ibn Hajar Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Aalamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 53)

	The sign of that day is a hand extended in the sky and people stopping to look at it. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 69) In these hadiths, the Arabic word for "hand" is yad. This word also has other meanings, such as "power, force, strength, and means." These hadiths probably use yad in these senses. The idea of a "power, force, strength, or means" extending from the sky and looked upon by people might not have made much sense in the past. However, in our own time, it sheds considerable light on the television, camera, and computer, which have become indispensable parts of modern life. In other words, the "hand" is used in the sense of "force," thereby clearly pointing to television broadcasting in the form of pictures coming down from the sky in waves. Some other relevant hadiths are very interesting: A voice will call him by name and even people in the east and west will hear it. (Ibn Hajar Haythami, Al Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, pp. 54-55) This voice will spread over the entire world, and every tribe will hear it in their own language. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 51) A voice from the sky that everyone will hear in his own language. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-zaman, p. 37) Evidently, this refers to radio, television, and other such methods of modern communication. This miracle, unimaginable 1,400 years ago, only became a reality a little over 100 years ago. When Bediuzzaman Said Nursi interpreted these hadiths, he explained that they miraculously foretold the advent of radio, television, and other such communication devices. Hearing One's Own Voice There will be no Judgment... until a person's own voice speaks to him. (Mukhtasar Tazkirah al-Qurtubi, p. 471) The message here is quite clear: a person's hearing his own voice is a characteristic of the End  Times. For this to become a reality, one's voice first has to be recorded. Such recording and reproduction technology was developed during the twentieth century. This turning point in the advancement of science enabled the birth of the communications and media industries. Voice recording has now reached its apogee via the latest developments in computer and laser technology. In short, such electronic devices as microphones and speakers have made it possible to record and listen to a person's voice, and thus have fulfilled the above hadith. People Talking through the End of the Whip The Last Hour will not come before the end of a man's whip speaks to him. (Tirmidhi) In ancient times, the whip was widely used while riding saddle beasts, especially camels and horses. In this hadith, the Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) is making a comparison. Thus, "what speaking object can we compare to the shape of a whip?" The most likely answer would be a cell phone or similar communication devices. Such wireless communication devices as cell phones and satellite phones are very recent developments, and are more indications that the Judgment Day is drawing near. Markets Draw Closer ... The Day of Judgment will not come until the markets draw close by. (Mecmauz-zevaid, vol. 7, p. 327) Current opportunities for shopping are now incomparably more advanced than they were in the past. Even villages and small towns have supermarkets and shopping centers in which people can shop at will. In addition, improved methods of transportation allow them to shop in previously inaccessible places. The Internet has opened up even more opportunities for shopping. While sitting at home, people can buy whatever they want from anyplace in the world. Looked at in these terms, it is as if the markets were actually in peoples' homes. The Construction of Tall Buildings There will be no [Day of] Judgment until very tall buildings are constructed. (Narrated by Abu Hurayra) When the shepherds would vie with one another in constructing buildings, it is one the signs of the Last Hour. (Sahih Muslim) Multistoried buildings began to be constructed only toward the end of the nineteenth century. Technological developments, the growing use of steel and elevators accelerated the construction of skyscrapers, which became an important part of architecture during the last 100 years. Today, they are symbols of prestige for some people. Some of the tallest buildings are as follows: CNN Tower (Canada) - 555 m. Oriental Pearl TV Tower (China) - 467 m. Petronas Tower 1 & 2 (Malaysia) - 449 m. Sears Tower (Chicago) - 443 m.39 This hadith has been fulfilled, for people now compete in building tall buildings, and nations compete in building the tallest skyscrapers. It is surely a miracle that our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) informed us that this would be an important sign that we are living in the End Times, the period before Doomsday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Rise in Urbanisation "O Anas! People will build cities. Some of those cities will be called 'Basra and Kusaire'." (Mukhtasar Tazkirah al-Qurtubi) Especially with the Industrial Revolution, the influences of which began to be felt after the 1850s, rural people started settling in cities. Since then, the world's urban population has increased steadily. Research reveals that by 2020, Turkey will be 80 percent urbanized.38 This previously unseen development is an obvious sign of the End Times. Building, city Year Stories Height Rank m ft 1. Burj Khalifa (formerly Burj Dubai), Dubai, The United Arab Emirates 2010 160 828 2,716 2. Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan 2004 101 508 1,667 3. World Financial Center, Shanghai, China 2008 101 492 1,614 4. Petronas Tower 1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1998 88 452 1,483 5. Petronas Tower 2, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1998 88 452 1,483 6. Greenland Financial Center, Nanjing, China 2009 66 450 1,476 7. Sears Tower, Chicago 1974 110 442 1,451 8. Guangzhou West Tower, Guangzhou, China 2009 103 438 1,435 9. Jin Mao Building, Shanghai, China 1999 88 421 1,381 10. Two International Finance Centre, Hong Kong 2003 88 415 1,362 11. Trump International Hotel, Chicago, U.S. 2009 96 415 1,362 12. CITIC Plaza, Guangzhou, China 1996 80 391 1,283 13. Shun Hing Square, Shenzhen, China 1996 69 384 1,260 14. Empire State Building, New York 1931 102 381 1,250 15. Central Plaza, Hong Kong 1992 78 374 1,227 16. Bank of China Tower, Hong Kong 1989 70 367 1,205 17. Bank of America Tower, New York City, U.S. 2009 54 366 1,200 18. Almas Tower, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2009 68 363 1,191 19. Emirates Tower One, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 1999 54 355 1,165 20. Tuntex Sky Tower, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 1997 85 348 1,140 21. Aon Centre, Chicago 1973 80 346 1,136 22. The Center, Hong Kong 1998 73 346 1,135 23. John Hancock Center, Chicago 1969 100 344 1,127 24. Rose Tower, Dubai 2007 72 333 1,093 25. Shimao International Plaza, Shanghai 2006 60 333 1,093 26. Minsheng Bank Building, Wuhan, China 2007 68 331 1,087 27. Ryugyong Hotel, Pyongyang, N. Korea 1995 105 330 1,083 28. China World Trade Center, Beijing, China 2009 74 330 1,083 29. The Index, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2009 80 328 1,076 30. Q1, Gold Coast, Australia 2005 78 323 1,058 31. Burj al Arab Hotel, Dubai 1999 60 321 1,053 32. Chrysler Building, New York 1930 77 319 1,046 33. Nina Tower I, Hong Kong 2006 80 319 1,046 34. New York Times Building, New York 2007 52 319 1,046 35. Bank of America Plaza, Atlanta 1993 55 317 1,039 36. U.S. Bank Tower, Los Angeles 1990 73 310 1,018 37. Menara Telekom Headquarters, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1999 55 310 1,017 38. Emirates Tower Two, Dubai 2000 56 309 1,014 39. AT&T Corporate Center, Chicago 1989 60 307 1,007 40. The Address Downtown Burj Dubai, Dubai, U.A.E. 2008 63 306 1,004 41. JP Morgan Chase Tower, Houston 1982 75 305 1,002 42. Baiyoke Tower II, Bangkok 1997 85 304 997 43. Two Prudential Plaza, Chicago 1990 64 303 995 44. Wells Fargo Plaza, Houston 1983 71 302 992 45. Kingdom Centre, Riyadh 2002 41 302 992 46. Aspire Tower, Doha 2006 36 300 984 47. Arraya 2, Kuwait City, Kuwait 2009 56 300 984 48. One Island East Centre, Hong Kong, China 2008 69 298 979 49. First Bank Tower, Toronto 1975 72 298 978 50. Shanghai Wheelock Square, Shanghai, China 2009 58 298 978 51. Eureka Tower, Melbourne 2006 91 297 975 52. Comcast Center, Philadelphia, U.S. 2008 57 297 975 53. Landmark Tower, Yokohama, Japan 1993 73 296 971 54. Emirates Crown, Dubai, U.A.E 2008 63 296 971 55. 311 South Wacker Drive, Chicago 1990 65 293 961 56. SEG Plaza, Shenzhen, China 2000 71 292 957 57. American International Building, New York 1932 67 290 952 58. Key Tower, Cleveland 1991 57 289 947 59. Plaza 66, Shanghai 2001 66 288 945 60. One Liberty Place, Philadelphia 1987 61 288 945 61. Columbia Center, Seattle, U.S. 1985 76 285 937 62. Millennium Tower, Dubai 2006 59 285 935 63. Sunjoy Tomorrow Square, Shanghai 2003 55 285 934 64. Chongqing World Trade Center, Chongqing, China 2005 60 283 929 65. Cheung Kong Center, Hong Kong 1999 63 283 929 66. The Trump Building, New York 1930 71 283 927 67. Bank of America Plaza, Dallas 1985 72 281 921 68. United Overseas Bank Plaza, Singapore 1992 66 280 919 69. Republic Plaza, Singapore 1995 66 280 919 70. Overseas Union Bank Centre, Singapore 1986 63 280 919 71. Citigroup Center, New York 1977 59 279 915 72. Hong Kong New World Tower, Shanghai 2002 61 278 913 73. Diwang International Commerce Center, Nanning, China 2006 54 276 906 74. Scotia Plaza, Toronto 1989 68 275 902 75. Williams Tower, Houston 1983 64 275 901 76. Moscow, Moscow 2009 73 274 900 77. Wuhan World Trade Tower, Wuhan, China 1998 60 273 896 78. Cullinan North Tower, Hong Kong 2007 68 270 886 79. Cullinan South Tower, Hong Kong 2007 68 270 886 80. Renaissance Tower, Dallas 1975 56 270 886 81. China International Center Tower B, Guangzhou, China 2007 62 270 884 82. Dapeng International Plaza, Guangzhou, China 2006 56 269 883 83. One Luijiazui, Shanghai, China 2008 47 269 883 84. 21st Century Tower, Dubai 2003 55 269 883 85. Naberezhnaya Tower C, Moscow 2007 61 268 881 86. Al Faisaliah Center, Riyadh 2000 30 267 876 87. 900 North Michigan Ave., Chicago 1989 66 265 871 88. Bank of America Corporate Center, Charlotte 1992 60 265 871 89. SunTrust Plaza, Atlanta 1992 60 265 871 90. Al Kazim Tower 1, Dubai, U.A.E 2008 53 265 871 91. Al Kazim Tower 2, Dubai, U.A.E 2008 53 265 871 92. BOCOM Financial Towers, Shanghai 1999 52 265 869 93. 120 Collins Street, Melbourne 1991 52 265 869 94. Triumph Palace, Moscow 2005 57 264 866 95. Tower Palace Three, Tower G, Seoul 2004 73 264 865 96. Trump World Tower, New York 2001 72 262 861 97. Shenzhen Special Zone Daily Tower, Shenzhen, China 1998 48 262 860 98. Water Tower Place, Chicago 1976 74 262 859 99. Grand Gateway Plaza I, Shanghai 2005 52 262 859 100. Grand Gateway Plaza II, Shanghai 2005 52 262 859 This figure is certainly the highest in human history. The Shortening of Time (Buhari, Fiten: 25; Ahmed bin Hanbel, Müsned, 2/313)The Hour will not arrive until time gets shorter and vehicles make distances short. (Sahih Bukhari) The Hour will not come until a person who travels on his mount feels no fear other than losing his way between Iraq and Makkah. (Muntakhab Kanz al-`Ummal, vol. 2, pp. 370-71) The Last Day will not be established until time will pass quickly. (Sahih Bukhari) Great distances will be traversed in short spans of time. (Ibn Ahmad Hanbal, Musnad) In our time, supersonic aircraft, trains, and other advanced vehicles can carry us to a certain place in hours instead of months. Moreover, they can do so more easily, comfortably, and safely. In this sense, this sign has come true. The Qur'an mentions vehicles that are the product of modern advanced technology: And horses, mules, and donkeys both to ride and for adornment. And He creates other things you do not know. (Surat an-Nahl, 16:8) Other hadiths mention the contraction of time, as follows: Time gets closer, and the day and the night approach one another. (Mukhtasar Tazkirah al-Qurtubi, p. 374, no. 681) The Hour will not take place before time shrinks. One year will be like a month, one month will be like a week, a week will be like a day, and a day will be like an hour; and an hour will be like a burning flame. (Ibn Ahmad Hanbal, Musnad) Abu Hurayra quoted that the Prophet of God (may God bless him and grant him peace) as saying: The Last Hour will not happen until time draws close, a year will be like a month, a month will be like a week, a week will be like a day, a day will be like an hour, and an hour will be like burning and combustion of palm leaves. (Ibn Ahmad Hanbal and Ibn Hibban) These hadiths also indicate that people will save lots of time. International communication that used to take weeks now takes a couple of seconds, thanks to the Internet and other modern communications technology. Goods that took months to reach their destinations can now be transported far more quickly. Today, millions of books can be published in the time it took to write just one book a few centuries ago. Daily things we now take for granted, such as hygiene, methods of food preparation, and child-care, no longer require as much time, thanks to modern technological inventions. We could easily provide many more examples. However, what is important here is that we realize that the signs revealed by the Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) are now coming true. Increased Literacy It is of the conditions of the Hour that the learning will be raised up and illiteracy will be prevalent... (Mishkat-ul-Masabih, vol.4, no 58) A significant difference that distinguishes the twentieth and the twenty-first centuries from previous ages is the advance in literacy. In earlier times, this ability was restrictedto a particular group of privileged people, whereas, toward the end of the twentieth century, UNESCO and other government and private organizations organized worldwide campaigns to promote literacy. This mobilization of educational resources, with its attendant technological innovations and humanitarian services, has born great fruit, for according to one UNESCO report, the average literacy rate in 2003 was 84%.,,,,,,,,                       ALLAH HO AKBAR WASALAAM POWERSUNISAIFI 27-2-2011