Muslim Minds

Salamun ‘Alaykum.

First, I’d like to apologize to all the readers of this site as I failed to keep my promise (0f coming back soon…after Ramadan). It was impossible for me to start writing/posting again as I got involved with different activities and the other writers were increasingly less interested in getting back to the site. However, I wanted to revive the blog again. I’m looking for some people to help me out (to keep the site up!).

Alhamdulillah, I’m feeling ‘awesome’ to re-start the blogging. I hope I’ll be able to do my duties. Please make du’a for all of us here at Muslim Minds.

May Allah (SWT) keep us on the Siratul Mustaqeem and grant us Firdaws. Ameen.

Ma-as-salama.

– I admire the Pious but I’m not one of them

As-salamu ‘Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu,

I’m planning to start re-posting on Muslim Minds after hibernating for a while. All the contributors of this blog are currently busy with school. Insha-Allah, I will continue the series on the “Creed/’Aqidah of the four Imams” due to popular demand. Please hang on for a while and make lot of du’a for us. This is the noblest of months and the night of Qadr is the best night of the year. Insha-Allah, we will be busy in these remaining days of the Ramadhaan with some serious ‘Ibadah. Hope to see you soon.

- I admire the Pious but I’m not one of them.

Known in the West as Saladin Al Ayoubi, Salah-adeen Yusif ibn Ayoubi ibn Marwan was born in the year 1137 in the region of Iraq. Famous in the Western history books for his challenge against Richard the Lion heart, he is very seldom portrayed in his true light.

He was a man of good build, with a bright face, sharp eyes and a dark thick beard. He was known for his courage, strength of Iman and love of reading the Holy Qur’an. He was also famous for his eloquent speech and the kindness and mercy he had for his people. Although tough with the non believers he respected their creeds and allowed them to worship without facing any harm. Many of them holding good positions during his era.

Salah El Deen died and was, buried in Damascus on the 4th February 1197, leaving behind nothing more than 47 silver pieces and one gold coin.

During Salah El Deen‘s lifetime the Muslims suffered being disunited and subject to humiliation from anti-Muslim powers.

In the coming line we will shed light on how Salah El Deen set about liberating Palestine from the Christian crusaders after he had united the Muslim Nation under his leadership.

In 1169 Salah El Deen took rule of Egypt, and started to make a lot of changes to improve its situation and uniting the State. After establishing his army in Egypt he proceeded to unite the various smaller Arab States that had become semi-independent states. In particular he annexed these States surrounding Palestine. Salah El Deen considered it first necessary to unite Muslims before he facing the Christian kingdoms in the Holy lands.

In 1187 the Christian King of Karak, who was called Arnat, launched an attack against a number of pilgrims travelling to make the hajj. The attackers, showing no mercy, plundered, tortured men, humiliated women. Whilst killing the pilgrims Arnat said: “Go tell Mohammad and ask him if he can save you.” This event ended a period of temporary peace that had ensued between Salah El Deen and the Christians who were occupying Palestine. Salah El Deen who was always keen on setting free Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and Al-Aqsa Mosque, was now given the opportunity to face the Christians.

When the news of this event reached Salah El Deen tried to overcome his outrage and sent a polite message to King Arnat. In the letter he asked him to respect the peace agreement, to free all the hostages and to return whatever he had stolen. But the King refused Salah El Deen‘s request, leaving him no other choice but to teach him a good lesson.

After preparing his army in Damascus, in March 1187. Salah El Deen proceeded to Karak. After seizing Karak Salah El Deen’s next step was to move north towards Tabarieh to assess the reaction of the Christian armies.

The Christian army collected at Nazarate under the leadership of the King of Jerusalem. The battle commenced in May 1187 and ended in complete defeat for the Christians. The Christian army, now strengthened with reinforcements – including Richard, known as the Lion heart – were bent on seeking revenge. It appeared as if the whole Christian army collected at Safarid.

Salah El Deen, however, was always one step ahead of them. He decided to avoid Safarid and attack Tabarieh first. Salah El Deen’s plan was to push the Christian to leave their positions in Safarid so that they would be tired and exhausted by the difficult journey. In July 1187 Salah El Deen destroyed Tabarieh.

Forced into leaving their positions Salah El Deen’s plan proved its success. The Christians wore bulky armour and heavy weapons, the intense heat and shortage of water combined with the difficult terrain, weakened the Christian soldiers. And what was awaiting them? Courageous Muslim fighters were awaiting them, willing to sacrifice their life for the sake of Allah.

On the 4th July 1187, the Muslim army had surrounded the Christians and when the heat was unbearable and the fighting reached its climax, Salah El Deen ordered his soldiers to set fire to the grass and shrubs surrounding the enemy’s army. Their suffering complete, Salah El Deen inflicted on them a resounding defeat.

After this defeat the Christians amassed a strength of 50,000 fighters to do battle at Hiteen. The Christians lead by the Kings of Jerusalem, Karak and Tripoli were again defeated. Many of their princes and knights were taken as prisoners. It was Allah’s will that Salah El Deen should meet face to face with King Arnat of Karak, the butcher of innocent pilgrims. Before killing him with his own hands Salah El Deen told him he was killing him for defaming the honor and dignity of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and for murdering innocent Muslims.

From Hiteen Salah El Deen opened the Castle at Tabarieh. He then moved on to Akka and on a Friday he opened it peacefully. After performing the first Friday prayer he left the city to his son Al-Abdal. Salah El Deen then went to north to Sida and Beirut. All this occurred in one month.

At the outset Salah El Deen ‘s aim was setting free Al-Quds, the eradication of the Christian Kingdom and the uniting of the Muslim Ummah. With Jerusalem his target he moved to Askalan. This enabled him to cut off Jerusalem from the Mediterranean sea and by so doing isolating Jerusalem. He accomplished this on the 5th September 1187.

Before moving on Jerusalem he arranged with the well known Egyptian sailor, Hussain Uddeen El Hajeb, to move the Egyptian navy close to Palestine so as to prevent the Christian navy from approaching the coastline.

On the 19th September 1187 Salah-a-deen approached Jerusalem and proceeded to lay siege on the City. He bombarded the City with fire and projectiles until the Christians surrendered. The Muslim army led by Salah El Deen entered the City peacefully on Friday the 2nd October 1187. He put the Islamic flag and took down the large cross from the Dome of the Rock.

Salah El Deen expressed in the most practical way the kindness, and mercy of Islam when, at the peak of his victory and power he gave freedom for all inhabitants of Jerusalem to leave the City unharmed. When the Crusaders defeated Jerusalem in 1099 the streets of the City flowed with the blood of 70,000 slaughtered Muslims.

After Jerusalem, Salah El Deen opened negotiated with the Christians to leave the Islamic lands. The last stronghold of the Christians, Akka, was removed by the hand of Salah El Deen’s successor Zahir Babers.

Indeed Salah El Deen was both a kind merciful man and a great warrior.

by Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah

Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, says in the Noble Qur'aan:

"Allaah bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but He, and the angels, and those having knowledge (Oolul-'llm) (also bear witness to this; (He is always) maintaining His creation in justice. None has the right to be worshipped but He. the All-Mighty. the All-Wise." (Soorah Aal-'Imraan (3):18)

This verse shows the superiority of knowledge ("ilm) and its people; the following points can be inferred from this verse:

1. Allaah chose the people of knowledge (Oolul 'ilm) to bear witness to His Oneness (Tawheed) over and above the rest of His creation.

2. Allaah honoured the people of knowledge by mentioning their testimony along with His testimony.

3. He raised high the status of the scholars by associating their testimony with the testimony of the angels.

4. This verse bears witness to the superiority of those who possess knowledge. Allaah does not make any of His creation bear witness except the upright amongst them.

There is a well-known narration from the Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam), who said: "The upright in every generation will carry this knowledge, rejecting the distortions of the extremists, the false claims of the liars, and the (false) interpretations of the ignorant." (hasan)

5. Allaah, the One free from all defects. Himself bears witness to His Oneness, and He is the greatest of witnesses. Then He chose from His creation the angels and the scholars – this is sufficient to show their excellence.

6. Allaah made the scholars bear witness with the greatest and the most excellent testimony and that is, "None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah." Allaah, the One free of all defects and the Most High, does not bear witness except to matters of great importance and only the greatest from Allaah's creation bear witness to this.

7. Allaah made the testimony of the people of knowledge a proof against the rejecters. Thus they are its proofs and its signs, indicating His Oneness (Tawheed).

8. Allaah, the Most High, used a single verb (shahida) to refer to His testimony and the testimony of the angels and the scholars. He did not use an additional verb for their testimony; thus he connected their testimony to His. This shows the strong link between their testimony and Allaah's testimony, as if He himself bore witness to His Oneness upon their tongues and made them utter this testimony.

9. Allaah, the One free from all defects, made the scholars fulfil His right (that none has the right to be worshipped but Him) through this testimony and if they fulfill it then they have fulfilled and established this right of Allaah upon them. Then it is obligatory upon mankind to accept this testimony which is the means to reach happiness in this life and in their final return (to Allaah). Whosoever takes this guidance from the scholars and accepts this truth because of their testimony, then for the scholars there is a reward equal to them. And none knows the value of this reward but Allaah.

- The brotha from anotha motha.

by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-`Uthaymeen

Allah's Rights upon His creation are the rights that must be kept the most. Allah is the sole Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is the Almighty who created everything with absolute wisdom. Allah is the One who initiated every being from nothing. He is the One who protects humans in their mothers' wombs, as infants, as children and as adults. He, alone, sustains all humans and provides them with food and every aspect of life. Allah said, what translated means, "And Allah has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you know nothing. And He gave you hearing, sight and hearts that you might give thanks (to Allah)." [16:78]

If Allah refuses sustenance to anyone he will be instantly destroyed. Allah's mercy is what keeps humans and everything else alive.

Allah's control over his slaves is perfect. His bounties are countless. If this is His role in the life of humans, then His rights are what one must keep the most. Allah does not need sustenance from His slaves. He said, what translated means: "We ask not of you a provision. We provide it for you. And the good end is for the Muttaqeen (the ones who fear Allah)." [20:132]

Allah only wants one thing from His slaves. "And I (Allah) created not the Jinn and mankind except they should worship Me (alone). I seek not any provision from them nor do I ask that they should feed Me. Verily, Allah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong." [51:56-58]

Allah only wants mankind to worship Him alone and ascribe no partners with Him in worship, and truly be His slaves. He wants them to surrender to His will, as they surrender to His control for the means of their lives. It is only fair to worship only the One who holds the existence of everything and everyone is in His Hands. One should thank Allah who, alone, provides for him by worshipping Him alone. Allah said, what translated means: "And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah. Then, when harm touches you, unto Him you cry aloud for help." [16:53]

What Allah requires His slaves to do is easy. He does not want hardship to come to those striving to worship Him. He said, what translated means: "And strive hard in Allah's cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity). He has chosen you (to convey Islam), and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship, it is the religion of your father Abraham (Islam). It is He (Allah) who has named you Muslims both before and in this (the Quran), that the Messenger (Mohammad) may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind. So offer prayer perfectly, give Zakat (compulsory charity), and hold fast to Allah, He is your Lord, what an excellent Lord and what an excellent helper!" [22:78]

What Allah wants from us is to worship Him with sincerity, and to perform religious deeds. Five prayers a day bring forgiveness from Him and purity in the heart. Muslims must try to perform prayer in the best form: "So keep your duty to Allah as much as you can." [64:16]

The Prophet said, what translated means, "Stand while praying, if you cannot then while sitting, and if you cannot then while laying on your side." [Al-Bukhari] Allah also wants His slaves to pay a small amount of their money to the poor, the needy, strangers who have no money, the indebted and to others who are eligible to take money from Zakat. Zakat is so minimal that it does not harm the rich, yet it provides tremendous benefits for the poor. Allah also requires fasting in the lunar month of Ramadhan. He said, what translated means: "So whoever of you sights the (crescent on the first night of the) month (of Ramadhan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days he misses) from other days." [2:185]

Also, Hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah once in lifetime is obligatory upon all Muslims, if they are able to do so. In general, we have the obligation to abide by all of Allah's orders, and stay away from all He had made forbidden upon us.

Above mentioned are the duties of Allah's slaves towards Him. They are not difficult to perform. The reward outweighs the requirements by far. The reward is "And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception." [3:185]

- The brotha from anotha motha.