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

ISLAM ..Its path is EASY !

PATH OF ISLAM

Surah Al-A'la

87:8 And We will make it easy for thee (to follow) the simple (Path).

6087 - The Path of Islam is simple and easy. It depends on no abstruse mysteries or self-mortifications, but on straight and manly conduct in accordance with the laws of man's nature as implanted in him by Allah (xxx. 30). On the other hand, spiritual perfection may be most difficult, for it involves complete surrender on our part to Allah in all our affairs, thoughts, and desires: but after that surrender Allah's Grace will make our path easy. (87.8)

6086 ….While the basic principles of Allah's Law remain the same, its form, expression, and application have varied from time to time, e.g., from Moses to Jesus, and from Jesus to Muhammad. It is one of the beneficent mercies of Allah that we should forget some things of the past, lest our minds become confused and our development is retarded. Besides, Allah knows what is manifest and what is hidden, and His Will and Plan work with supreme wisdom and goodness. (87.7)

Surah Ar-Rum

30:29 Nay the wrong-doers (merely) fellow their own lusts being devoid of knowledge. But who will guide those whom Allah leaves astray? To them there will be no helpers. 3539

30:30 So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the Faith: (Establish) Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not. 3540 3541 3542

3541 As turned out from the creative hand of Allah, man is innocent, pure, true, free, inclined to right and virtue, and endued with true understanding about his own position in the Universe and about Allah's goodness, wisdom, and power. That is his true nature, just as the nature of a lamb is to be gentle and of a horse is to be swift. But man is caught in the meshes of customs, superstitions, selfish desires, and false teaching. This may make him pugnacious, unclean, false, slavish, hankering after what is wrong or forbidden, and deflected from the love of his fellow-men and the pure worship of the One True God. The problem before the Prophets is to cure this crookedness, and to restore human nature to what it should be under the Will of Allah. (30.30)

3542 Din Qaiyim here includes the whole life, thoughts and desires of man. The "standard Religion," or the Straight Way is thus contrasted with the various human systems that conflict with each other and call themselves separate "religions" or "sects" (see verse 32 below). Allah's standard Religion is one, as Allah is One. (30.30)

Surah Al-A'la

87:7 Except as Allah wills: For He knoweth what is manifest and what is hidden. 6086

87:8 And We will make it easy for thee (to follow) the simple (Path). 6087

87:9 Therefore give admonition in case the admonition profits (the hearer). 6088

87:10 The admonition will be received by those who fear (Allah):

87:11 But it will be avoided by those most unfortunate ones.

Surah Al-Fathiha 1

1:2 Praise be to Allah the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds.

20 – Rabb, usually translated Lord, has also the meaning of cherishing, sustaining, bringing to maturity. God cares for all the worlds He has created. (1.2)

1:5 Thee do we worship and Thine aid we seek.

21 - On realizing in our souls God's love and care, His grace and mercy, and His power and justice (as Ruler of the Day of Judgment), the immediate result is that we bend in the act of worship, and see both our shortcomings and His all-sufficient power. The emphatic form means that not only do we reach the position of worshipping God and asking for His help, but we worship Him alone and ask for His aid only. For there is none other than He worthy of our devotion and able to help us. The plural "we" indicates that we associate ourselves with all who seek God, thus strengthening ourselves and strengthening them in a fellowship of faith. (1.5)

6092- The first process in godliness is to cleanse ourselves in body, mind, and soul. Then we shall be in a fit state to see and proclaim the Glory of Allah. That leads us to our actual absorption in Praise and Prayer. (87.14)

Surah Al-Fajr-

89: 27 - To the righteous soul will be said:) "O (thou) soul in (complete) rest and satisfaction!

89:28 "Come back thou to thy Lord well pleased (thyself) and well-pleasing unto Him!

89:29 "Enter thou then among my Devotees!

89:30 "Yea enter thou my Heaven"! 6129

THE CLIMAX !

6129 - The climax of the whole is: "Enter My Heaven!" Men may have imagined all kinds of heaven before, and many types are used in the sacred Word itself. But nothing can express the reality itself better than "My Heaven"-Allah's own Heaven! May we reach it through Allah's grace! (89.30)

c-268 – Yusuf Ali:

ills Hills