Islam Concepts

There are too many people in our community who make there own rules. They do what they think that is right thing without any authorization. Women are marginalized, taking out of Islamic activities. You know Islam gave equal rights to men and women so how we stop them from doing any Islamic activity. This is totally against Islamic laws. How can women learn things if they don’t go to mosque because mosque is like a school for any Muslim.

If you don’t know what women did for Islam then read this below.

• First person who accepted Islam was a woman = Hazrat Khadija (Radi allah unha)
• First person who died (shaheed) for Islam was a woman = Hazrat Summiya  (Radi allah unha)
• Second most hadith reported by any person was a woman = Hazrat Ayesha (Radi allah unha)

And you can go on and on and see what women did for Islam in earlier days and still they are doing a leading role in various parts of the world.

back to topic! Actually there is not a single verse of holy Quran or hadith which prohibit women from praying in mosque. Infect there are several hadith which speaks the opposite. You know in Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) mosque (Masjid-e-Nabawi), when prophet was in mosque, women were also in that mosque. They kindly listen what He said and implemented on them and Prophet (PBUH) never prevent them from entering the mosque. That is the authentic mosque overview.

In Sahih Bukhari Vol.1: Hadith # 832: Ch # 84, it says : When your wife ask to go to the mosque, do not prohibit them.

In Sahih Bukhari Vol.1: hadith # 824: Ch # 80, it says : When the women ask you to go to the mosque at night allow them. (you can see even in night women can go to the mosque).

In Sahih Muslim Vol.1: hadith # 881: Ch # 175, it says : The best row for men is first row and worst is the last, and best row for women is the last row and worst is the first. (indicating that men and women can pray in the mosque). There are several other hadith.

In Sahih Muslim Vol.1: hadith # 884: Ch # 177, it says : Do not prevent servant of Allah to go to the mosque.

In Sahih Muslim Vol.1: hadith # 891: Ch # 177, it says : Do not take away the shade of mosque of the women.

Guidelines For Women & Mosque Administration:

This is clear till now that women can go to mosque, can pray in mosque, can do exact prayers as men but there are few guidelines that need to take care of from both sites: From women as well as from mosque administration.

There should be an equal and separate facilities for women in the mosque. There should be no enter-beginning of sexes, that how you have in other places of worship in other religions, if that so then chances are more for other things then worshiping Allah Almighty. There should be separate entering, separate ablution facility and such other things.

In various parts of the world, women allowed to pray in mosque and there are equal facilities for them as well. It is only in few countries like India and Pakistan that women are not allowed to pray in mosque or there should be only very less facility for women to go to mosque but this trend is changing now and hopefully women will go to mosque and take part in Islam like they are doing in other countries and they did in past.

Pictures Resource:

Pic 1 , Pic 2

Well, there are certain things involved in the issue. It is not so easy to answer as it look like because few Ulmah (Knowledgeable people of Islam) say that we can touch Holy Quran without ablution and some say that we can’t. I actually spent more than 2 hours continues research to solve this matter and surf time to found any authentic verse or hadith that will solve this issue but not able to found anything like this that clear cut this issue.

But in searching I found most of the scholars of various school of thoughts think that we can’t touch Holy Quran without ablution, so I think we need to play safe and be in ablution while touching Holy Quran. In the end all the famous scholars agree on this point that having ablution for touching Quran is more preferable for us. So why not we always play safe and do ablution before touching the Holy Quran!

I want your opinion on that what you think on this issue “Can we touch Holy Quran without ablution(Wadhu)?”. Tell others if you have any certain information on this issue. Help others, may God will help you.

We three friends Taimour Hashmi, Ammar Azhar and Me (Umer Hayat) made plan that we should pray taraveeh in world’s beautiful “Shah Faisal Mosque” in this Ramadan. You know it’s hard to show patience if you are talking about such beautiful place. So without further delay, we went to Shah Faisal Mosque for 2nd Ramadan’s taraveeh. It was a great journey, as we all live in Rawalpindi, almost 30-40 kilometers from Shah Faisal Mosque (which is situated in Islamabad), so we sat in taxi at 9 pm and went start to the mosque without further wait in only 200 PKR equals to $2.50.

In the way, we were thinking that we are late and as usual blaming each other for cause, but when we reached at the mosque’s door we found that we are on time. Mosque is so beautiful, total marble flooring, very neat and clean. It was too big that we don’t even remember where were the place for ablution. We did inquiry for that. That person was so nice, he guided us. Finally we were at the ablution point.

Ablution place was so beautifully created with marble. It was like boxes in which water pore down. All in all that was quite beautiful and good looking. After that we went up to the mosque’s main hall. That was an awesome hall. If you go to that hall, I believe that you will say exactly the same as I said “O great Subhan-Allah”. Although it was not my first visit to Shah Faisal Mosque but still it was something really excited for me.

So we go in there and just sat on 6th row as there were 6 rows completed till then. After listening to mosque’s Imam for 5 min, we all started taraveeh. Imam was great in reciting Quran. We found great pleasure in listening the holy Quran.

Then suddenly after 10th taraveeh, I saw a new Imam took place. That person was also really nice even his speed of reciting Quran was too slow. So it was really easy in understanding the holy Quran.

All in all, we were quite happy. Prayer ended at 12:07 am. We did dua as well after finish. beg hundreds of things from Allah Almighty including the growth of this Islamic blog.

To summarize the story, we took another taxi and came back our homes at 2:00 am, that time driver took 230 PKR nearly equals to $2.90. bit nice though!

Hang on! Hang on!

If you think that I’ll only share my story with you and nothing else that you are completely wrong. This is not my style atleast. I want to share some very important fact and figures about the great “Shah Faisal Mosque” and it’s unique design with you as I’m a big fan of this quote “Everything at one place“.

Something knowledgable about Shah Faisal Mosque:

• Shah Faisal Mosque situated in Islamabad , capital city of Pakistan.
• Started building in 1976 and completed in 1986.
• Courtesy of Saudi King Shah Faisal as he gave this as a gift to Pakistan (you can see mosque is after his name).
• It is so unique in architecture, designed by world renowned Turkish architect “Vedat Dalokay”.
• Construction cost well over $120 million.
• The main prayer hall and courtyard can hold up to 1 hundred thousands people with total capacity of 3 hundred thousands.
• Each of the Mosque’s four minarets are 90 m (260 ft) high (the tallest minarets in South Asia) and measure 10 x 10 m in circumference.
• It was the largest mosque in the world from 1986 to 1993, now it’s on 3rd right after “Masjid al-Haram” and “Masjid-al-Nabawi”.
• One of the biggest mosque in the world with cover area of 53,821 square feet (5,000 sq m).
• The Islamic University is also located in the Mosque grounds and the first floor with facilities of Library, Conference Room, Printing Press and Cafeteria. An Islamic Research Institute is also associated with the University.

Click Here for a 3D view of this marvelous wonder.

Here are some great snapshots of “Shah Faisal Mosque”. Hopefully you will like it.

Here are some beautiful videos of that amazing mosque. Great to watch.

That’s it for now. Please tell us what you think about this story and especially about this great mosque. Looking forward to hear from you.:)

Everyone is saying that Ramadan is coming, Ramadan is coming,  but for those who don’t actually know what is Ramadan and how to describe it in a better way. I like to tell them, what is this all about.

Ramadan Definitions:

Actually the word “Ramadan” derived from the Arabic root word “Ramada” denoting intense scorching heat and dryness.
Here are some of the definitions from various resources, and what they say about Ramadan specifically…

• http://thepeninsulaqatar.com says: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every day during this month, Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast.
• http://about.com says: Each year, Muslims spend the ninth month of the Islamic calendar observing a community-wide fast. The annual fast of Ramadan considered one of the five “pillars” of Islam. Muslims who are physically able are required to fast each day of the entire month, from sunrise to sunset. The evenings are spent enjoying family and community meals, engaging in prayer and spiritual reflection, and reading from the Quran.
• http://wikipedia.org says: Ramadan or Ramazan (Arabic: sowm) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
• http://www.religioustolerance.org says: A Muslim period of daytime fasting and contemplation which lasts for a lunar month of about 28 days. It commemorates the transmission of the Qur’an by the archangel Gabriel to Muhammad.
• http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu says: Ramadan ((Islam) a fast (held from sunrise to sunset) carried out during the Islamic month of Ramadan).

As you know till now that Ramadan is the ninth month of Islamic calendar. (Just like Jews, Islamic month is also of 29-30 days). It is the holiest in all. Muslims spend almost 12-17 hours in fast each day and abstain from smoking, sexual activities, drinking, fighting, abuse language etc. As fasting is not meant only with your stomach, it is also for your hands, minds, eyes, tongue, feet infect for your every part of body. Commonly said: fasting is a fight between your body and soul. The basic purpose is only to purify your body and your soul as well.

What Prophet Muhammad said about month of Ramadan:

Hadith of Prophet Muhammad and verses was thankfully quoted at SoundVision.com So I’m just referring them for you here.

Prophet Muhammad said, “When Ramadan arrives the gates of heaven are thrown open and the gates of the fire (hell) are slammed shut, and the devils are shackled.” Al-Bukhari and Muslim Shareef.

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever praise during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: “Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord” (Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness (Darimi).

What Holy Quran said about month of Ramadan:

Allah Almighty said: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious)”.

(Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.” (2:183-84)

“The month of Ramadan in which Holy Quran revealed, a guidance for humanity and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days which one did not fast made up) from other days.

Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you grateful to Him” (2: 185).

“Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr is? The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Gabriel) by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees, Peace! until the appearance of dawn (97:1-5)

Conclusion:

Subhan-Allah! as you clearly understands that it’s a gifted month and loot sale of good deeds. So try to collect as many good deeds as possible and try to make yourself clean from all kind of sins. May Allah guide us a right direction and forgive our sins. Please pray for all the humanity in this world, hopefully with grace of this month, Allah Almighty give us the best as they think for us.

After a long hard thoughts, arguments, proofs and lot more in part 1 of “Is Smoking Haram or Halal in Islam”. Here is the part 2 of that episode.

We found the result from part 1 that smoking is haram so we don’t need to say more on that. In this part I will cover little advance topics like “if cigarette smoking is haram and everyone knows that, then why not any of the Muslim country ban that?” and “causes why people start smoking cigarette” and few more important points that everyone wants to know.

Causes why people start smoking cigarette:

Most people start smoking from their young life, especially in between 17-20 years. Start because they get a feeling of “grown up”. They started to test things up. They have this thing in their mind that this is just for checking, I will quit after testing but that thing continues and continues until they became chain smokers.

Second reason is, most of them start smoking in just enjoyment with their friends (as I get started), such as, If one of the friend smoke and he told to others that look, it is too cool, there is nothing wrong with it, just try once and that sort of things. I started with my friends, we have a  group of few friends, we were in college and saw 80% students smoke. One day we think that we need to test that. So we tested and found a result that it is totally an immoral activity, but after that we regularly smoke on the name of “thrill”. We were doing thrill. The most surprise thing is we all friends smoke first time in life. Back to the point, so I want to say is many people start cigarette smoking as a thrill and to show off that they are now grown up.

Another reason people start smoking cigarette is because they saw someone smoke when he depress. That type of person have the feeling that cigarette smoking can release tensions from his head, so when any tension arises, he used to of smoking cigarette but truly speaking, there is nothing like that. atleast not in my case. You are just imagining that yes, you smoked now there is no tension or yes, tension releases just because of smoking. But actually it releases because you think that it releases. It releases because your mind feels that it release.

When first time you smoke cigarette, there is very bad feeling but as you will smoke few more days, you will adjust with that flavor. Actually these smokers develop a level of tolerance and their bodies adjust with nicotine. When you addicted, if that certain level of nicotine not maintained in your blood, you will experience uncomfortable physical-psychological dependence problems. These uncomfortable feelings are classic drug withdrawal symptoms. Addictive drugs are psychoactive which create brain and nervous system dependence and lead to compulsive use. Abrupt discontinuation leads to physiological and psychological distress. The withdrawal symptoms are headache, stomach discomfort, nervousness, irritability, sweating, change in heart and blood pressure and lower excretion of some hormones affecting the nervous system.

If Cigarette Smoking Is Haram Then Why Not Any Of The Muslim Country Banned That?

As you know that the leaders of Muslim’s countries are in a deep sleep so they simply not care about these facts. They need these things for their own use and something like that. Another thing is cigarette market make a reasonable money for each and every country finance. Those cigarette companies pays a heavy tax to the governments. So why/how they ban them.

Muslim countries representatives need to understand that it is really important for them to ban these companies and ban all types of smoke addicted things if they want their sons to live a happy charming life, not life like an Ash-tray. So we expect from all the Muslim’s representatives to ban all that sort of things and save growing children’s future.

Allah almighty is very merciful, He always give us chances on just tiny things and want us to go back towards Him. This is truly a greatness of almighty Allah, that no one other can do that. Allah almighty offer us many short-cuts, yes! short-cuts to help us, He don’t want us to go with evils.

Month of Ramadan is also the same short-cut that Allah almighty give us so that we’ll think about ourselves, repair our bodies and souls. You can imagine, how He gave us whole full month in which all the evil forces are in Allah’s prison, so a man is free to do prayers and Allah help them in doing this.

We are very lucky yes! we are very lucky that Allah gave us chance again to perform prayers, keep fasts in yet another Ramadan. He is giving us chance so that we get rid from our regular sins that we used to do, in little easy way. EASY WAY? Yes, Ramadan is coming, It is a month in which Allah almighty gave us internal strength, courage, power to became a better man and be a better Muslim.Isn’t it an easy way?

Just ask these questions from yourself, Why Allah almighty doing this! Why Allah providing us special days and nights and even whole months and why He offered too much gifts on those occasions to us. You can understand simply. No need to say any further word except Thanks so much Allah, You gave us alot.

You know there are almost half of Muslims as well as the world’s population smoke cigarette and this trend is increasing day by day especially in youngsters and teenagers. The interesting thing is everyone knows that it is not good for their own health but they still smoking. Smoking is spreading like a forest’s fire. There are few countries already declared that cigarette smoking is the worst drug addiction problem for them and it is still growing in their men and women.

Now the question arises that “Is smoking haram or halal in Islam?”. Actually on this issue there are many fitwahs from various ulmah who said that cigarette smoking is haram. Previously they said that smoking cigarette is makruh but now most of them said that smoking is haram. There are many reasons to believe in that concept, I’ll come to these in a while but first I like to mention some of the things that prove scientifically that cigarette smoking is way more dangerous for us then our expectations.

Scientific reasons to avoid cigarette:

According to a leading health research institute of the world, WHO (World Health Organization), They said that smoking is really a part of these things as stated below. They proved these points that

• More than 1 million people who only die each year just because of cigarette smoking.
• Out of 95% of people who die each year due to lungs cancer is because of cigarette smoking.
• Out of 70% of people who die because of lungs disease known as Bronchitis is because of smoke cigarette.
• Smoking cigarette is nothing but smoke poisoning.

The chemicals in cigarette like most of the other drugs hits chemistry of nervous system, our brain and create dependence and lead to compulsive use.

Australian government publish a report in 1977 with name “Drug problem in Australia – An intoxicated society” and it stated that “It need to recognize that smoking is a form of drug dependence, but one with especially insidious characteristics.”

The former U.S. Surgeon General, C. Everett Coop, says, “smoking Cigarette is clearly identified as the chief preventable cause of death (more than 340,000 deaths per year in U.S.A.). In our society it is a major reason of many cases of cancer, heart trouble, chronic lung and respiratory diseases and other ailments. Smoking causes more illnesses and death than all the other drugs.”

Islamic proves that cigarette smoking is haram:

You may think at this point that cigarette is haram but if you still have doubt on this then here are some Islamic evidences that will tell you the fact.

In Islam hygiene and cleanliness are emphasize to the extent that it has been consider a part of Iman (faith). It is very well known fact that a smoker’s mouth continuously spreading smell, it is unclean “like a cigarette ash-tray.” Now please concentrate on these versus and hadiths and compare them to smoking, you may well understand that cigarette smoking is haram or halal.

In holy Quran, Allah Almighty says: “And forbid them what is bad.” – Surah Al-’Araf, 7:157

“0 ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling are abominate Satan’s handiwork. Eschew such abominations that ye may prosper.” -  Surah Al Ma’idah, 5:93

The word intoxicant has most likely three meanings here:

• To induce, especially the effect of ingested alcohol.
• To stimulate or excite.
• To poison.

The latter two meanings are very valid and applicable to nicotine.

Smoking is nothing but a form of slow suicide.

The Quran says:
“And slay not the life which God hath forbidden…” – Surah, Al-Isra, 17:33

“And make not your own hands contribute to your destruction.” – Surah, Al-Baqara, 2:195

“Nor kill or destroy yourselves for verily God hath been to you most Merciful.”    Surah, An-Nisa, 4:29

Prophet Mohammad said:
“Nor be hurt or injure others.” It is scientifically proven now that the exhaled smoke is hazardous to non-smokers around them. Even it is way more dangerous for his/her health then a person who is smoking at that time.

Also research shows us that the amount of money a smoker spends on cigarette smoking in a period of 30 years calculated approx Two Hundred Thousand Dollars. All this money is simply wasted, in this amount, they didn’t include the money spent on smoker’s health care.

Allah says:
“But squander not your wealth in the way of a spend thrift, verily spendthrifts are brothers of evils.” – Surah, Al-Isra, 17:26, 27

The body polluted by smoking. Hence smokers cannot pray until they have clean themselves.

According to Quran:
“0 you who believe! Draw not near unto prayer when you are drunken, till you know that which ye utter, nor when you are polluted save when journeying upon the road, till you have bathed.” – Surah, An-Nisa, 4:43

The Christians consider the human body a sacred trust given to man by God because it has the spirit breathed into it by God.

Even the Quran says
“So, when I have made him and have breathed unto him of My spirit, do ye fall down, prostrating yourselves unto him.” – Surah, Al-Hijr, 15:29.

Hence the physical body should not polluted or injured or destroyed in any way by smoking or taking of alcohol or any type of habit-forming drugs.

Hopefully now you understand that cigarette smoking is haram in Islam and our religion not allow us to do that. Its my humble request to all of my dear brothers to leave this habit. I have to admit at this stage that I were also used to of cigarette smoking for minimum 6 months when I was of just 18 years old but I quit smoking as I found no benefit of that. Trust me it is not very difficult to quit smoking if you have will, courage and complete dedication.

If you are a chain smoker then it is really hard to quit, as I have personal experience (I was not too much addicted but still had routine) but I’m damn serious you definitely can. you will feel uncomfortable in earlier days, little restlessness and you will feel that there is something missing in you but as the time passes almost 1-2 week you will OK with that situation. and then there will a time happen when you will laugh on yourself that hahahahahaha, OO man I done it. It is not too difficult as I imagined.

There is also a second part for you as well in which I will mention to you the causes, why people start cigarette smoking and If smoking is really haram then why not any of the Muslim country ban that? Very informative discussion there, so don’t miss to read that as well at  Is Smoking Haram or Halal In Islam part 2.

Few people asked this question that “Can We Give Quran to Non Muslims?”. Well you can but there are some limitations that need to take care before doing this. We are going to discuss these limitations below.

As you know The Holy Quran is a word of God and it demands respect. If you think that the person whom you are going to give a Holy Quran will respect it and he/she is really serious to learn what exactly Quran is? What is in Quran? Want to understand Islam as a religion then it is allowed because this is a great way to spread Islam’s message to non believers, He/She can also compare Holy Quran with there own religion books,

If non-Muslim don’t understand the Arabic then it would be better if you only give holy Quran’s translation to him/her and not the Arabic Quran with translation. If in some case you are going to give him/her Arabic Quran with translation then recommend them to purify before touching it. Tell them the way to purify themselves, how to handle Quran in best way and teach them as best as you can so after that if there any neglection happen then there is no blame on you.

But it is extremely not allowed to give Quran to non-Muslims, if you think that he/she is a narrow-minded person and there might be a chance of disrespect to Holy Quran and Islam as well. You just need to check these things first before doing anything.

Most of the Muslims already know that listening music is Haram(prohibited) in Islam and there is no other opinion in that point But in today’s topic I like to discuss about “Is Music Therapy Halal or Haram?”.

Well most of the Islamic scholars on this topic says that “Music Therapy is haram”. But for medical reasons, it can allowed in certain limitations. We can use music therapy only in much needed situations. If that is only way to safe the patient or it is under compulsion, then we can use that.

I’m going to explain this fact little deeper as you know alcohol is haram in Islam but in few drugs infect in many drugs, alcohol included and it is also not haram under compulsion. Same is the case with music therapy.

You know in most of the special children schools, teachers use music therapy to play with them and this trend is rising really fast. The thing is they don’t check is that right for that specific children or no, they are simply doing with each one. We first need to check whether that specific children have any other way or not.

Yes, I write this title after deep research and completely believe that I’m totally right. After 9/11, there is approx 20 thousands people converting to Islam each and every year in United States and this figure is continuously increasing day in and day out. This is not my wording, CNN as well as NBC quoted in their news telecast and also many famous Newspapers also highlighted this fact. and if we talk about whole world, we can guess there are more than 1 million people converting to Islam each year and this ratio is increasing every year. Subhan Allah

But Why They Are Converting To Islam!

It is an open truth that people converting to Islam in high speed but the thing is why in such present situation where being an Islam’s believer is some sort of abuse in those modern civilized countries.

Actually as far as I understand it is something that people who have some creative, research oriented mind, they want to know what actually Islam teaches or what is real Islam. They start reading the holy Quran and listening to various famous scholars and you know already that Islam have something absorbing into it, that anyone whether non-believer from any faith or Muslim as well, they attract towards Islam, as truth always shows its power in various shapes. So those people likely to digg into it more and more until they found a right path. Islam has such that absorbing power that no other religion has. So I think this is the reason people converting to Islam more and more each and every year as they understand what real Islam is.

Islam teaches us peace, politeness, principles, respect, discussion, governess, ruling, science, infect it is not only a religion it is a whole system. It tells us each and everything what to do and what not to do. I think these are the things that people see while converting to Islam and came on actual track.

As I mentioned earlier here is a video proof of NBC telecast which shows us that it’s absolutely true that 20 thousands people are converting to Islam each year in only United States and this amount is still rising each year. Surprisingly 75% from those are women, So you can tell, if Islam is against women so why they are converting. If you have even 1% thinking power, you can understand that.