In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

6:153 - Verily this is My Way leading straight: follow it: follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from His (great) path:

وَأَنَّ هَٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُمْ بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

IN  SEARCH  OF  THE  MESSAGE

51:55 - But teach (thy Message): for teaching benefits the Believers.

وَذَكِّرْ فَإِنَّ الذِّكْرَىٰ تَنْفَعُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ {55}

INTRODUCTION.

Praise is to Allah,  Lord of the worlds, and peace and Allah’s blessings are on the noblest of all prophets, our master Muhammad, his family and his companions, one and all.

FROM THE QURAN :

English Translation (by Abdulla Yusuf Ali)

“ The tremendous impact that this work has made upon the English reading Muslims (as well as many non-Muslims) of the world, has never been greater than it is today, and shall continue insha-Allah - for generations to come. It has enabled interested readers of English who do not have a proficiency in reading and comprehending Quranic Arabic to greatly enrich their understanding of the meaning  and the incomparable beauty and perfection of the Glorious Quran. It has given them a more authentic and reliable translation from which they could make a serious study.

It is the duty of every Muslim man, woman or child, to read the Quran and understand  it according to his own capacity. If anyone of us attains to some knowledge or understanding of it by study, contemplation and the test of life, both outward and inward, it is his duty, according to his capacity, to instruct others and share with them the joy and peace which result from contact with the  spiritual world. The English language being widely spread over the world, many people interested in Islam will get their ideas of the Quran from English translations. It is good that qualified Muslims should make the attempt to present the picture  which their own mental and spiritual vision presents to themselves.

How much greater is the joy and sense of wonder and miracle when the Quran opens our spiritual eyes! The meaning which we thought we had grasped expands. New worlds are opened out. As we progress, still never  and again newer  worlds “swim into our ken:. The miracle deepens and deepens and almost completely absorbs us. And yet we know that the ‘face of Allah’ - our final goal has not been reached. (Surely we) are fellow riders on a steed of research in a field that is unlimited in scope  and sublime compared to all ordinary  knowledge.” (Abdulla Yusuf Ali ).

29:45 - “Recite what is sent of the Book  by inspiration to thee, and establish regular prayer: for prayer restraints from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life without doubt).  And Allah  knows the (deeds) that ye do.”

NOTE; 3471 - “The TILAWAT  of the Quran  implies:  rehearsing or reciting it, and publishing it abroad to the world; (2) reading it to ourselves;  (3) studying it to understand it as it should be studied and understood (2:121);  (4) meditating on it so as to accord our knowledge and Life and desires with it.  When this is done, it merges into real Prayer, and Prayer purges us of anything (act, plan, thought, motive, words) of which we should be ashamed or which would work injustice to others. Such Prayer passes into our inmost life and being, for then we realize the Presence of Allah,  and that is the DHIKR ( or remembrance), for remembrance is the bringing to mind of things as present to us which might otherwise be absent to us. And that is the greatest thing in Life. It is subjective to us: it fills our consciousness with Allah.  For Allah is in any case always present and knows all.”

This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah; (al-Baqarah 2:2)

IN SEARCH OF THE MESSAGE - is the book I wish to present to the readers.. I have not attempted to reproduce the entire Quran by  any means. They are extracts from the Quran compiled under different subjects.  This should  enable the readers to see the Quranic injunctions more vividly, thus creating lasting impressions in their minds; without having to search for them all over which may sometimes turn out to be futile and frustrating. This should therefore serve as a ready reference to the seekers of divine knowledge, at least on some vital subjects.

I have  aired  no views of my  own, but followed the direct translations of the Quran by late Abdulla Yusuf Ali  and arranged them in alphabetical order  - from A – Z - under various subjects that have come to my mind as useful to the Readers, in this service to Islam, and  I do that only for Allah’s sake.

“The Quranic literature is voluminous that no single man can compass a perusal of the whole. Its meaning is so manifold we should be wise to concentrate on the matters that immediately help us”. Hence, this is an effort to guide - ‘in the application of spiritual truths to our own times and our own lives, and we must use every kind of knowledge, science and experience which we possess without obtruding on irrelevant matters.’ (A.YusufAli).

In this regard, I have, to the  best of my ability, collected and collated the various subjects that fell within my ken, and grouped them together, stressing special points of view, by means of the Commentaries, Hadiths, and Fiqh-us-Sunnah - where necessary.  For example, under “Virtue”, I have collated the many verses that speak of virtuous deeds to enable the reader to understand this more clearly. This tends to bring about repetitions of the verses and their notes, elsewhere in the Book. Such repetitions are intended to assist the readers to understand the spiritual matters from different angles.  Similarly, I have endeavoured to illuminate the readers’ minds on other topics by incorporating such items as:-

                                                     

                                                      (a)  Differences, discord, dispute, divided, distort, Hinder, Sects etc.

                                                      (b) Virtues, Wisdom, Good Deeds, Goodness, Manners, etc.

                                                      (c) Invite, Preaching, Proclaim, Recite, Rehearse, Teach, Call etc.

                                                      (d) Kindred, Kith and Kin, Kinsmen , etc.

                                                      (e) Serve, Strive, etc.

                                                      (f) Mission of Islam - under 35 Sub-Heads. Etc.

I wish to make it clear that I am not a scholar of the Quran by any means  It is the constant reading of the  Quran ( for over three decades) which seized my heart with the desire to carry its teachings in its own instructive style, in our efforts to understand the precepts of the Quran.

OF THE MESSAGE – (FROM THE QURAN)

21:10 - We have revealed for you (O men!) a book in which is a Message for you:  Will ye then understand?

21:50 - And this is a blessed Message which We have sent down:  Will ye then reject it?

21:106.Verily in this (Quran) is a Message for people who would (truly) worship Allah.  2761

Note: 2761 - The culmination of Allah’s  Revelation is in the Quran, which confirms previous Scriptures, corrects the errors which men introduced into them, and explains many points in detail for all who seek right worship and service  to Allah - whether they  inherit the previous Books (“People of the Book”) or not. It is a universal Message.

51:55 -But teach (thy Message): for teaching benefits the Believers.

71:5 - Then spread abroad a Message 5866

Note: 5866 – (5) they gave a Message, through which just men were justified through repentance, and evil men were warned of their sins.

96:1- Proclaim! (or Read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher Who created 6203 6204 اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ {96:1}

Note: 6203-Iqraa – read or recite or rehearse or proclaim aloud Allah’s Message when he must stand forth to the world and declare his mission.96:1

Note: 6204- The declaration or proclamation was  to be in the name of Allah and not for any personal benefit to the prophet. It was the call of Allah for the benefit of erring humanity.96:1

96:3-  Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ {3}

96:4-  He Who taught (the use of) the Pen 6206 الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ {4}

Note:6206-  The Arabic words for “teach” and “knowledge” are from the same root. It  is impossible to produce in a Translation the complete orchestral  harmony of the words for “read”, “teach”, ”pen” – (which implies reading, writing, books, study, research), “knowledge” (including science, self knowledge, spiritual understanding),and “proclaim”, an alternative meaning of the word for “to read”. This proclaiming or reading implies not only the duty of blazoning forth  Allah’s message, as going, with the prophetic office, but also the duty  of promulgation and wide dissemination  of the Truth by all who read and understand it. The comprehensive meaning of qaraa  refers not only to the particular person  and occasion but also gives a universal direction.  And this kind of comprehensive meaning, as we have seen , runs throughout the Qur-an for those, who will understand.

96:5-  Taught man that which he knew not. 6207 عَلَّمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ {5}

Note:6207-Allah  teaches us new knowledge at every given moment. Individuals learn more and more day by day; nations and humanity at large learn fresh knowledge at every stage. This is even more noticeable and important in the spiritual world. 96:5

97:1-   We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the night of Power: 6217إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ {97:1}

Note: 6217-  It is Allah’s  Power  dispelling the Darkness of Ignorance, by His Revelation, in every kind of affair  .97:1

97:3-The Night of Power is better than a thousand Months. 6218  لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ (97:3)

Note: 6218- One moment of enlightenment under Allah’s  Light is better than thousands of months or years of animal life, and such a moment converts the night of darkness into a period of spiritual glory. 97:3

97:5 - Peace!... This until the rise of Morn! 6220  سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ {97:5}

Note: 6220- When the  Night of spiritual darkness is dissipated by the glory of Allah,  a wonderful  Peace and a sense of Security arise in the soul, and lasts on until this life closes, and the Glorious Day of the new world dawns, when everything will be on a different plane, 97:5

فَلَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَفْسَكَ عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِمْ إِنْ لَمْ يُؤْمِنُوا بِهَٰذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَسَفًا {18:6}

18:6- Thou wouldst only perchance fret thyself to death following after them in grief if they believe not in this Message. 2331

Note: 2331- In a reasonable world the preaching  of a reasonable Faith like that of Islam would win universal acceptance.  But the world is not altogether reasonable. It caused great distress to the unselfish; Preacher of Islam that his Message met with so much opposition.  He wanted to point the way to salvation.  He only got, in the Makkans period ,abuse from the chiefs of the Makkans-abuse and persecution, not only for himself but for the Truth which he was preaching.  A heart less stout than his might have been appalled at what seemed the hopeless task of reclaiming the world from falsehood, superstition, selfishness, wrong, and oppression.  He is here consoled, and told that he was not to fret himself to death; he was nobly doing his duty, and, as after-events showed, the seed of Truth was already  germinating, although this was not visible at the time, besides, these “chiefs” and “leaders” were only strutting in false plumes: their glory was soon to fade for ever. 18:6

قُلْ لَوْ كَانَ الْبَحْرُ مِدَادًا لِكَلِمَاتِ رَبِّي لَنَفِدَ الْبَحْرُ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَنْفَدَ كَلِمَاتُ رَبِّي وَلَوْ جِئْنَا بِمِثْلِهِ مَدَدًا {18:109}

18:109 - : If the ocean were ink (wherewith to write out) the words of my Lord. Sooner would the ocean be exhausted than would the words of my Lord, even if we added another ocean like it, for its aid.”2453

Note; 2453 - The Words and Signs and Mercies of Allah are in all Creation, and can never be fully set out in human language, however extended our means may be imagined to be. 18:109

وَلَوْ أَنَّمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ أَقْلَامٌ وَالْبَحْرُ يَمُدُّهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ سَبْعَةُ أَبْحُرٍ مَا نَفِدَتْ كَلِمَاتُ اللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ {31:27}

31:27 - And if all the trees were pens and the Ocean (were ink), with seven Oceans behind it to add to its (supply), yet would not the Words of Allah be exhausted (in the writing): for Allah is exalted in power, full of wisdom.3616

Note: 3616 - WORDS OF ALLAH;  His wonderful Signs and Commandments are infinite and cannot  be expressed if all the trees were made into pens, and all the wide Ocean, multiplied seven times, were made into ink. Any Book of His Revelation would deal with matters which man can understand and use in his life: There are mysteries beyond mysteries that man can never fathom. Nor would any praise that we could write with infinite resources be adequate to describe His power, glory and wisdom. 31:27

فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَقُلْ آذَنْتُكُمْ عَلَىٰ سَوَاءٍ ۖ وَإِنْ أَدْرِي أَقَرِيبٌ أَمْ بَعِيدٌ مَا تُوعَدُونَ {21:109}

21:109 - But if they turn back say: “I have proclaimed the Message to you all alike and in truth; but I know not whether that which ye are promised is near or far”.2764

Note:2764 - ‘If you do not realize the significance of the Message, I at least have done my duty. I have given the Good News for the Righteous and the Warning for the Unjust, without favour or partiality, and without abating one jot of the truth, openly and squarely for all. Do not ask me when the Good News and the Warning will be fulfilled. That is for Allah to decide, not for me or for you to know.’ 21:109

فَتَعَالَى اللَّهُ الْمَلِكُ الْحَقُّ ۗ وَلَا تَعْجَلْ بِالْقُرْآنِ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يُقْضَىٰ إِلَيْكَ وَحْيُهُ ۖ وَقُلْ رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا {11420:}

[20:114] High above all is Allah, the King, the Truth! Be not in haste with the Qur'an before its revelation to thee is completed, but say, "O my Lord! advance me in knowledge."2639

2639       Allah is above every human event or desire. His purpose is universal. But He is the Truth, the absolute Truth; and His kingdom is the true kingdom, that can carry out its will. That Truth unfolds itself gradually, as it did in the gradual revelation of the Qur-an to the holy Prophet. But even after it was completed in a volume, its true meaning and purpose only gradually unfold themselves to any given individual or nation. No one should be impatient about it. On the contrary, we should always pray for increase in our own knowledge, which can never at any given moment be complete.( see-20.114)

رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ {3:8}

3:8 - “Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate now after Thou hast guided us, but grant us Mercy from Thine Own

           Presence. For Thou art the Grantor of bounties without measure.”

رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا بِمَا أَنْزَلْتَ وَاتَّبَعْنَا الرَّسُولَ فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ {3:53}

3:53 - “Our Lord! We believe in what Thou hast revealed, and we follow the Messenger; then write us down

           among those who bear witness.”

 

 Every care and effort have been taken to be as precise and perfect in the production of this Book,  made only for Allah’s sake, as is humanly possible.  I do not however, claim to be above flaw or imperfection.  If I am right, it is from Allah;  if wrong, it is from me. I hope the readers will bear with me for any flaws found in the contents. I ask Allah  to protect us and you from any errors and from all that displeases Him.  In the name of Almighty Allah and His chosen Prophet Muhammad ( .) I dedicate this publication.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               .

All Praise is due to Allah , the Creator of all, the Giver of everything, and He is far exalted above what others ascribe to Him.  And may Peace and Blessing be upon the perfect worshipper of Allah , the final Messenger Muhammad ( ) and all those who follow him.

O our Lord! Accept this humble dedication.

 Abdul Rahemen Abedeen

Colombo, Sri Lanka.

hijri 1429

  

My Book In Search of the Message

51:55- But teach (thy Message): for teaching benefits the Believers.

وَذَكِّرْ فَإِنَّ الذِّكْرَىٰ تَنْفَعُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ {55}

IN SEARCH OF THE MESSAGE

from

THE HOLY QURAN

TRANSLATION AND COMMENTARIES

ABDULLAH YUSUF ALI

WITH

SELECTED EXTRACTS FROM SAHIH AL-BUKHARI,

SAHIH MUSLIM,

AL-MUWATTA, AL-TIRMIDHI, SUNAN of ABU-DAWOOD,

HADITH QUDSI, FIQH - US- SUNNAH.

Compiled and produced  By  Abdul Raheman Abedeen

FOREWORD

اللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابًا مُتَشَابِهًا مَثَانِيَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى اللَّهِ يَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ {39:23)

[39:23] Allah  has revealed (from time to time) the most beautiful Message in the form of a Book, consistent with itself, (yet) repeating (its teaching in various aspects): the skins of those who fear their Lord tremble thereat; then their skins and their hearts do soften to the celebration of Allah's praises. Such is the guidance of Allah:  He guides therewith whom He pleases, but such as Allah  leaves to stray, can have none to guide.

Taking into consideration that the Holy Quran was revealed for the purpose of the upliftment of mankind, Brother Abdur Rahman Abedeen has spent approximately 25 years of his life time to compile a publication in English under a topic IN SEARCH OF THE MESSAGE. (Allah’s Revelation described as the most beautiful Message in 39:23 above)

Main features of this publication is that the (English translated) verses in the Holy Quran are indexed in a manner that one can easily trace the side verses in separate headings followed by the respective commentaries as laid out in the English Translation of the Holy Quran . These side verses he has selected are mostly Quranic injunctions arranged in  alphabetical  order   from A – Z - which we have to refer to at various times in our day to day life and affairs; and this publication would therefore, also serve as a Quick Ready Reference Book for the seekers of the divine knowledge. Further, the relevant ahadith are mentioned in appropriate places and in some places the references of the ahadith are set out.  It is also significant that one can easily refer to six ahadith books through this publication. It is very helpful indeed to the readers of the arrangements in this book in incorporating and contrasting such subjects as:-

DIFFERENCES with Discord-Dispute-Divided-Distort-Hinder-Sects;

VIRTUES with Wisdom-Good Deeds- Goodness-Manners;

INVITE with Preaching-Proclaim-Recite-Rehearse-Teach-Call;

KINDRED with Kith and Kin & Kinsmen;

SERVE with Strive etc., and

MISSION OF ISLAM – under 35 sub-heads.

This would no doubt enable the readers to understand the spiritual meanings from different angles. Similarly, when one reads  -

ALLAH’S  ATTRIBUTES – His Powers, His Qualities, His favours, His Punishments, which have been sorted out separately, he should be able to understand Allah  better. Under  JUDGEMENT DAY   – One could clearly see The Hour, The Day, The Scene, The warnings, The Commotions, The Trumpet, The People’s Appearance, The Rejecters, The Help, The Punishment, The Rewards and so on.

Under CONTRASTS – you will find the Contrasts between Earthly Power & Divine Power; Day & Night; Light and Darkness; Garden & Fire; Good Tree & the Evil Tree; The Saved and the Doomed; Good & Evil; Right & Wrong; High & Low; Living & the Dead; Distress & Prosperity; Believers & the Unbelievers; Righteous & the Hypocrites; Faithful & the Faithless; Arrogant & the Humble; Misery & Blessing; Trust & Mistrust; Hidden & Open; Deaf & the Blind; Truth & Untruth; etc.,

Under CONTRAST OF ( JUDGEMENT DAY)  you can see the contrasts of the Beast, Earth, Faces, Firmament, Fleeing, Graves, Heaven, Moon, Mountain, Noise, Ocean, Sky, Stars, Sun, Souls, and Rewards etc. Then there are the Contrasts, in the SUBLIME CREATION; Contrasts in the SYMPHONY OF DUALITY; Contrasts in the INEVITABLE. There is the Contrast of  PREACHING by  Messengers – Noah, Hud, Salih, Lut, Shu’ayb, and Moses followed by Punishments.  All the QUESTIONS - raised in the Quran ( Surahs 1 – 107) have been highlighted under Contrast and end up the subject of  Contrast with the EMPHASIS or DUPLICITY found in the Quran-viz:( 102:3 - But nay ye soon shall know (the reality).102:4 -Again, ye soon shall know!)

This method has been adopted in most of the Quranic injunctions quoted in this book and this is very commendable indeed as this makes it easy for the readers to understand the subjects more vividly.

The importance of this book lies in the fact that in one compact volume a wealth of details has been packed and presented in chronological order throwing a flood light on many facets of Islam to public gaze – at least to the English - reading public. As a ready reference book on Islam, this volume is a treasure chest and no one can afford to miss it.

This was no ordinary task as the compilation of this book IN SEARCH OF THE MESSAGE in its present form entails great strain and only one with  a sense of mission can embark on it and accomplish the task. The enormous amount of work that has gone into this book speaks volumes about brother Abedeen’s  determination, devotion and dedication which have brought about this interesting narrative, informative, instructive and authoritative book which would become handy among  all Muslims and non-Muslims as well.

Brother Abedeen was known to me from the time he was in government service.  He was very keen that he should study and understand the religion with authentic ahadith. He has already published ‘Du'as’ from the Holy Quran (in four languages) and various other publications, such as - Friday, Jumu’ah and Adhan,  True Worship, Janaza Regulations, Punishments in Al-Qur’an,etc. with the sole intention of educating the Muslims in this country who are raging in disputes by aligning themselves to various Sects that is taking a deep root among them.  The enemies of Islam with the propaganda at their disposal are maligning Islam and brother Abedeen always speaks to me on this subject  and would proclaim that we  should not be heedless and neglectful of combating this malicious propaganda. It is with this intention he has launched  this Book and I pray to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala to benefit those people who read this book and to give them truthfulness and clear insight into Islam.

When I first noticed his genuine effort, my wish was that with the Grace of Almighty Allah,  he should achieve his object to compile this publication. I was able to give any assistance that I could give. Today I am very happy to see that with the Grace of Almighty Allah,  brother Abedeen is achieving his object.  In addition to the  publication  of his work  in the form of books, he has fed all the enormous notes that he had made, into his computer and is now in the process of turning out C.D’s for distribution, and his intention to open up a Web site in this regard is commendable indeed.

May Allah accept this sincere effort of  brother Abedeen as a pure endeavor entirely for the sake of Allah so as  to benefit its readers.  Every effort  in this field is undoubtedly a great contribution towards the propagation of Islam and its shari’a . May Allah  make this publication a great success to all Muslims and non-Muslims throughout the world and bless the author to make his future efforts more successful.

 

 

Hijab.

In  H i j a b  (Khimar)means

“Women’s - head-covering”

In addition to the whole body except face and hands (below wrists) to be covered.

A must when ‘abroad’

It  is  worn  in  obedience  to  Allah.

It is haraam to show them.

Dear Sister, Dear Mother, Dear Daughter. Everyone is looking for happiness and fun, and I am sure you are not excluded. Where is that happiness and fun though? And where and when do you want that happiness? Do you want happiness; do you want to have ‘fun’ in this life at the expense of the hereafter? Or is it in the hereafter, when you meet Allah that you want to be happy? The virtues of modesty and chastity are the main reasons for Muslim women to wear head coverings.  Observant faithful Muslim women wear head coverings, scarves and veils, and of course why they cover their entire bodies with modest clothes (is the Command of Almighty Allah) to avoid the lecherous glances of those that have sickness in their hearts, and need a cure. 

From the Quran

Al-Ahzaab (The Clan)     :

33:33 -          And stay quietly in your houses and make not a dazzling display like that of the former Times of  ignorance;  and establish  regular  Prayer  and  give  regular Charity; and obey Allah and His Apostle. And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you ye Members of the Family and to make you pure and spotless. 

Al-Ahzaab (The Clan)

33:59 -          O prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient that they should be known (as such) and not molested: and Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful. 3764 3765 .

3764  This is for all Muslim women, those of the Prophet’s household, as well as the others.  They were asked to cover themselves with outer garments when walking out of doors.  (33.59)

3765  Jilbab, plural Jalabib: an outer garment; and long gown covering the whole body, or a cloak covering the neck and bosom.  (33.59)

an-Noor (The Light)

24:31-           And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof;  that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands their fathers their husbands’ fathers their sons their husbands’ sons their brother or their brothers’ sons or their sisters’ sons or their women or the slaves whom their right hands posses or male servants free of physical needs or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah that ye may attain Bliss.  2985   2987.

2985  Zinat means both natural beauty and artificial ornaments. I think both are implied here, but chiefly the former.  The woman is asked not to make a display of her figure except to the following classes of people: (1) her husband, (2) her near relatives whom a certain amount of neglige is permissible; (3) her women, 4) slaves, male and female,  as  they  would  be  in  constant  attendance;  but this item would now be blank, with the abolition of slavery; (5) men who are free from sexual desire and who usually frequent the houses; and (6) infants or small children before they get a sense of sex. Cf.also xxxviii.59 (24.31)

2987  While all these details of the purity and good form of domestic life are being brought to our attention, we are clearly reminded that the chief object we should hold in view is our spiritual welfare. All our brief life on this earth is a probation, and we must make our individual, domestic, and social life all contribute to our holiness, so that we can get the real success and bliss which is the aim of our spiritual endeavour. (24.31)

The Prophet’s standard was black and his banner white.

The clothing must hang loose so that the shape / form of the body is not apparent.
3765  Jilbab, plural Jalabib: an outer garment; and long gown covering the whole body, or a cloak covering the neck and bosom. 
(33.59)     It is permissible for a woman to let her garment down below the ankles, or by wearing socks

FOR HIJAB:

1.  Avoid thin clothing which exposes the body and reveal its shape,

2.   This should be loose enough so as not to reveal the shape of the woman’s body – preferably a cloak over other clothes. If the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment will not be necessary.

3    Wear thick clothes so as not to show the colour of the skin or the shape of the body.

4.  The hijab should give an over - all dignified appearance – not attracting men’s attention, not shiny and flashy. (preferably black).

5.  Avoid dressing like men and avoid dressing like the unbelievers.

6.  Be modest, not excessively fancy and also not excessively ragged to gain admiration or   sympathy.

7.  One’s  behaviour, manners, speech and appearance in public goes hand in hand with hijab.

Yes-  YES NO-   NO(hands & Neck open!)

Surah Yaseen

All the virtues of Soorah Yaa – Seen are either based on Weak or Fabricated Ahadeeth. The following are few of the (many) commonly quoted ‘Virtues’ and their authentication done by Scholars of Ahadeeth.

Hadeeth One:

Narrator- Anas (r) that the Messenger of Allaah (sal) said,

“Indeed for everything there is a heart, and the Qur’aan’s hearet is Yaa – Seen.

Whoever recites Yaa – Seen, then for its recitation, Allaah writes for him that he recited the Qur’aan ten times.”

Refutation by: (1) Imaam Tirmithee : “Haaroon Aboo Muhammad (one of the narrators) is a sheikh who is Majhool (unknown).”(Ref. Jaami’ at – Tirmithee, Volume 5, Book 42, Hadeeth Number 2,887, p. 225)

(2) Haafiz Aboo Taahir Zubayr ‘Alee Za’i classed its Isnaad (chain) as Da’eef (weak).

(3) Sheikh al – Albaanee in( As - Silsilah al – Ahaadeeth ad-Da’eefah, Number 169 and Da’eef Taghreeb was Tarheeb, Number 885) Classed as Mawdoo’ (fabricated)

Hadeeth Two:

Narrator: Aboo Hurayrah(r) :Messenger of Allaah (sal) said:

“Allaah recited Ta-Ha and Ya-Seen one thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth

Refutation: . Sheikh al – Albaanee said, in( As - Silsilah al – Ahaadeeth ad-Da’eefah, Number 1,248,) “[it is] Munkar (Denounced) [a form of Da’eef or weak Hadeeth].”

Hadeeth Three

Narrated: Anas ibn Maalik (r): the Messenger of Allaah (sal) said:

“Whoever enters the graveyard and recites Soorat Yaa – Seen, (the torment) will be reduced for them that day, and he will have hasanaat equivalent to the number of people in the graveyard.”

Refutation: Narrated by al – Tha’labi in his Tafseer (3/161/2). Sheikh al – Albaanee said, in Silsilah Ahadeeth Ad-Da’eefah, Number 1,246, “It is Mawdoo’ (fabricated).”

Hadeeth Four

Narrated: Ma’qil bin Yasaar (r): that the Messenger of Allaah (sal) said: “Recite Qur’aan near your dying ones,” meaning Yaa – Seen.

Refutation: ( Sunan Ibn Maajah, Volume 2, Book 6, Hadeeth Number 1,448, p. 369. Haafiz Aboo Taahir Zubayr ‘Alee Za’i ) states: that Aboo ‘Uthmaan (one of the narrators) is Majhool (unknown) and classed the Hadeeth as Da’eef (weak).

In a slightly different wording: It was narrated from Ma’qil bin Yasaar (r) that the Messenger of Allaah (sal) said, “Recite Yaa – Seen for your dying ones.”

Sunan Aboo Daawood, Volume 3, Book 20, Hadeeth Number 3,121, p. 568. Haafiz Aboo Taahir Zubayr ‘Alee Za’i states that Aboo ‘Uthmaan (one of the narrators) is Majhool (unknown) and classed the Hadeeth as Da’eef (weak). He comments, “…The narrations concerning the recitation of Soorah Yaa – Seen are not authentic. We should instead supplicate to Allaah to grant the deceased ease.

Hadeeth Five

Refutation: Narrated: ‘Ataa ibn Abee Rabah (r) that Allaah’s Messenger (sal) said, “If anyone recites Yaa – Seen at the beginning of the day, his needs will be fulfilled.”

Narrated: al – Daarimee, Number 3,281. Classed as Da’eef (weak), by Sheikh al – Albaanee, in Mishkaat al – Masaabih, Number 2,118.

Hadeeth Six

[It is claimed] the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Yaa – Seen is for that for which it is read.” meaning that reading Soorat Ya – Seen may cause needs to be met and may make things easier, according to the intention of the reader when he reads it.

Refutation: Al – Sakhaawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said of this hadeeth: “There is no basis for this version.” Al-Maqaasid al-Hasanah, Number 741. Al-Qadi Zakariya said in Haashiyat al-Baydaawi: “It is Mawdoo’ (fabricated),” as it says in Kashf al-Khafa’ (2/2215).

Whoever reads Soorat Ya-Seen (36) in one night will be forgiven in the morning. (weak)

Whoever continues to read it every night then dies, will die as a martyr. (weak)

In conclusion: there is no doubt that Soorah Yaa – Seen is a beautiful Soorah. However, to attribute such erroneous claims to it is wrong and dangerous. And Allaah knows best.

DU'A

Du’aa - - Beseeching, & humbling - seeking Allah’s Blessings

.Within ten years after the death of the Holy Prophet, the kingdoms of Persia, Rome Egypt, Syria and Yemen came under the sway the Saracens due to the unflinching devotion of the Muslims to the Holy Book and sacred Sunnah of the Prophet. We are now brooding over our decadence and thinking of the last Renaissance at the hands of the Promised Messiah.

Muslim centres are now hot-beds of religious controversies even in educational institutions, Madrasahs and Schools !

4:146 – Except for those who repent, mend their life, hold fast to Allah,AND PURIFY THEIR RELIGION AS In ALLAH’S SIGHT; if so they will be numbered with the Believers

474 - If Uhud was a reverse to the Muslims, they had inflicted a reverse twice as great on the Makkans at Badr. This reverse was not without Allah's permission, for He wanted to test and purify the faith of those who followed Islam, and to show them that they must strive and do all in their power to deserve Allah's help

If they disobeyed orders and neglected discipline, they must attribute the disaster to themselves and not to Allah. (3.165)

40:5-The Prayer of those without Faith is nothing but (futile wandering) in (mazes) of error!

Our Muslim brothers are now agitating for fair play and justice, in the Mosques they are resorting to lenghty supplications, reciting Qunoot, crying and begging Allah’s help for themselves and for world peace and for those in distress.

62:5 –The similitude of those who failed… in those (obligations) is that of a donkey which carries huge tomes (but understands them not). Evil is the similitude of people who falsify the Signs of Allah: and Allah guides not people who do wrong.

With what face can a man ask for Mercy or Love from Allah when he is unwilling to believe in Him and His Messenger in full ? WILL THEIR PRAYERS BE HEARD AND ANSWERED. DO THEY DESERVE TO BE HEARD AND HELPED BY ALLAH ? HAVE WE NOT DISOBEYED ALLAH’S ORDERS AND IGNORED THE PROPHET’S SUNNAH ?

Innovations ( BID’AH) galore in many masjids and among many Muslims, appears beyond correction, and any such attempts meets resistance and disputes and displeasures. Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“Du’aa’s and ta’awwudhaat [prayers seeking refuge with Allaah] are like a weapon, and a weapon is only as good as the person who is using it; it is not merely the matter of how sharp it is. If the weapon is perfect and free of faults, and the arm of the person using it is strong, and there is nothing stopping him, then he can lay waste the enemy. But if any of these three features is lacking, then the effect will be lacking accordingly.”

(al-Daa’ wa’l-Dawaa’, p. 35)

Beseeching, humbling oneself, hoping for Allaah’s reward and fearing His punishment. This is the spirit, essence and purpose of du’aa’.

Other aspects of the etiquette of making du’aa’, although they are not waajib (obligatory), are: to face the Qiblah; to make du’aa’ in a state of tahaarah (purity); to start the du’aa’ with praise of Allaah and blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). It is also prescribed to raise the hands when making du’aa’.

One of the things that helps to bring a response to du’aa’ is to seek the best times and places.

Among the best times is the time just before Fajr (dawn), the last third of the night, the last hour of Jumu’ah (Friday), when rain is falling, and between the Adhaan and iqaamah.

Among the best places are mosques in general, and al-Masjid al-Haraam [in Makkah] in particular.

The reason why one’s du’aa’ is not answered may be because he has done something that Allaah has forbidden, such as having haraam wealth – whether it be food or drink or clothing or accommodation or transportation, or he has taken a haraam job, or the stain of sin is still in his heart, or he is following bid’ah (innovation) in religion, or his heart has been overtaken by negligence, or when the person who is making du’aa’ is weak in himself, because he is faint-hearted in his turning towards Allaah.

Prayers from Al-Quran