Islam Concepts

My dear readers, today is Layla tul-Qadr. It is an Arabic word which means “night of Value” & “Night of Power”. It is also known as Shabe- Qadr. Holy Quran was revealed in this night is in itself explains its excellence, needless to mention all other blessings and virtues which are indeed. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m these days trying to explain Islamic concepts to people to educate them and show them what really Islam said on everyday issues. You know many people don’t have too much Islamic knowledge so they simply hear things from here and there and start implementing on them. Islam Concepts motto is to tell actual Islamic teachings to people and bring Islam’s awareness in them.

Back to topic, Today we will discuss Islamic prospective on beard, how long beard will be, any recommended style, trimming is allowed or not and some other important points.

According to Islamic scholars, Beard is considered as Wajib (Mandatory) to Muslims. It is known as beauty of a Muslim. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Verily, Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty”. Allah Almighty only choose best and beautiful things for us. So we should need to obey His orders, as He knows better than anybody.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that Beard is the one that distinguish you as a Muslim with Non-believers. So it is a sign of righteous people.

How Long Beard Will Be:

Some people have misunderstanding in this part but Islam said really clear things on length of beard. Muslim beard should need atleast one hand, greater the better. Here are some very clear proofs on beard length.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says: “Trim closely the moustache, and let the beard flow (Grow).” – Narrated Ibn Umar (R.A.) in Muslim Shareef, Hadith # 498. Same thing said in Hadith # 499, 500, 501, 449.

Tirmidhi narrated that Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (R.A) used to cut the beard which was exceeded then his hand grip.

Also all the four Imam of Islam agreed on this point that beard length should not less than one hand. So if your beard is less than one hand, it is considered as Makrooh-e-Tehrimi (close to haram).

Shave Is Haram In Islam:

Let be clear, shaving is totally haram in Islam without any doubt. Check this Hadith as a clear evidence, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Anyone who shaves has no claim to the mercy of Allah” – Reported by Ibn Abbas (R.A.) in Tibrabi. According to Scholars, “To shave off the beard is unlawful (Haram) and one who shaves his beard is legally speaking an unrighteous fellow (FASIQ); hence, it is not permissible to appoint such a man as an Imam. To say Taraweeh behind such an Imam is Makrooh-e-Tehrimi (near prohibition)” (Shami Vol.1, p.523).

I think it is very clear that shaving is haram in Islam without any doubt.

Trimming Is Allowed or Not:

If your beard is more than one hand then you can trim it. But it should not less than one hand. “Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ordered us to trim the moustache closely and spare the beard” says Ibn Umar. – Muslim Shareef, Hadith no. 449.
“Hazrat Jaabir (R.A.) said: “We used to grow long beards and only during Hajj and Umrah did we trim them to the required length (i.e. fist length).”

As I previously said, beard known as male beauty in Islam. So you can trim to get a better shape. Beard should not let grow in a way that makes a person look disgusting to people. In other words, the Muslim should make sure that his beard adds to his smartness and looks cool. But (again saying) what ever you do, it should not cut it down to less than one hand.

Misconceptions Among Muslims on Beard:

These days people are getting more and more westernized especially the youth. They follow their latest styles. But it is not good for us and Islam teachings is totally different from that.

Another thing is while argument, people agreed that beard is Wajib, but length of beard is not mentioned in any hadith, Hence, if you have bit of hair on your face, it would be fine, because it is also called as a beard – This is totally wrong.

Hopefully above proves are more than enough for any person who have any misconceptions on beard. You can read more in details about Misconceptions on beard.

Why I’m in French Cut Below:

This is interesting, you can think that I’m saying these things but in below picture, I’m in French cut so what I’m doing. Actually you are right. But the fact is I’m only 19 years of age and my beard is still not completed. It is only on chin area. So it is my natural look not custom-made. When it will complete, I’ll surely grow it according to teachings of Islam.

You might know this Burying dead body vs Burning dead body is a great debate in countries where Hindus, Muslims Or Christians live together, especially in India. Hindus and Sikhs follows burning while Muslims and Christians follows burying process. Here I like to mention 5 prove that why burying dead body is far better than burning. In today’s science world where many people only believes in scientific theories, I also like to raise some scientific points so it’s easy for anyone to understand.

1)  Soil Fertilized in Burying Dead Body

Our body particles are very similar to particles of our soil, when body remain there for few years, that will dissolves in soil. So that soil will be more fertile.

2)  Wood Save in Burying Process

Burning process is really playing it’s part in forest cutting. It is the only cause which consumes more than 100 ton wood per day in India alone. If we compare this with Burying, then that is really straightforward.

3)  Air Polluted in Burning Dead Body

Burning dead bodies is one of the ordinary cause in air pollution. When you burn a body, smoke really hurt your environment as well as damage your health. But in burying process, nothing like this.

4)   Much Less Expense in Burying

Buying wood, buying oil is an expensive task in burning dead body. Annually hundreds and thousands of dollars serve in this, only because Hindus burn their dead bodies in India. As compared to this, burying dead bodies is very cheap and simple. It cost you less than half from burning.

5)  Human Body Components Present In Soil

It’s scientifically proved that most of the elements that are present in human body are also in minor or higher quantity in the soil. Hence it is more reasonable, as it’s really easy to get decompose and mix in soil. So Burying process is always a winner in any case.

What is Terrorism?

• Terrorism is a policy or ideology of violence intended to intimidate or cause terror for the purpose of exerting pressure on decision making by state bodies.

It is the systematic use of terror or unpredictable violence against governments, publics, or individuals, to attain a political goal. Terrorism is not new, and even though it has been used since the beginning of recorded history it can be relatively hard to define. Terrorism has often been an effective tactic for the weaker side in a conflict.

Definition of Terrorism by Different Resources:

• The United Nations produced this definition in 1992; “An anxiety-inspiring method of repeated violent action, employed by (semi-) clandestine individual, group or state actors, for idiosyncratic, criminal or political reasons, whereby – in contrast to assassination – the direct targets of violence are not the main targets.”
• FBI defines terrorism as the unlawful use of force and violence against person or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.”
• The Oxford English Dictionary defines terrorism as “a policy intended to strike with terror those against whom it is adopted; the employment of methods of intimidation; the fact of terrorizing or condition of being terrorized.”
• The United States Department of Defense defines terrorism as “the calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological.”
• Webster’s New International Dictionary defines terrorism as the “act of terrorizing, or state of being terrorized; specify.: A mode of governing, or of opposing government, by intimidation.”

Islam and Terrorism:

What Quran says on Terrorism:

The Holy Quran, which Muslims believe to be the last revelation from Allah, revealed through Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) who Muslims believe to be the last prophet and Messenger of Allah, Allah says
“He who killed one person, unless it be a person guilty of man-slaughter (murder) or of spreading chaos (mischief) in the land, should be looked upon as though he has slain all mankind, and he who saved one life should be regarded as though he has saved the lives of all mankind.”  (5:32)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) condemns Terrorism:

It is narrated by Ibn ‘Umar that a woman was found killed in one of these battles; so the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) forbade the killing of women and children.

(Sahih Al Bukhari Chapter : Prohibition of killing women and children in war.)

The verses of the Holy Quran and the saying (Hadith) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) are absolutely clear and leave no room for any ambiguity whatsoever.

Suicide Attacks, what Islam says?

Narrated by Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) a companion of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

“The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘He who commits suicide by throttling shall keep on throttling himself in the Hell Fire (forever) and he who commits suicide by stabbing himself shall keep on stabbing himself in the Hell Fire.’”

Biggest Terrorists in history:

• Adolf Hitler:

Adolf Hitler: the biggest terrorist in the history of mankind killed almost 0.6 million Jews and between 11 million to 17 million peoples were the victims of Holocaust. Adolf Hitler was not a Muslim, he was a christian, it is not justice that on wild action of Adolf Hitler I blame whole Christianity religion or labeled all Christian as terrorist.

• Benito Mussolini:

Benito Mussolini the second biggest terrorist in the history of mankind killed 300,000 people, imagine 300,000 people, again he was not a Muslim, he was also a Christian.

Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and Europe:

Today the fastest growing religion in America is Islam. The fastest growing religion in Europe is Islam. Which sword is forcing people in the West to accept Islam in such large numbers? read a post: 20 thousand people converting to Islam in America every year.

Islam means peace

Islam is derived from the word ‘salaam’ which means peace. It is a religion of peace whose fundamentals teach its followers to keep up and promote peace throughout the world.

Thus every Muslim should be a fundamentalist i.e. he should follow the fundamentals of the Religion of Peace: Islam. He should be a terrorist only towards the antisocial elements in order to promote peace and justice in the society.

If you want to test your faith then work with this great hadith. Actually Prayer is a light & Charity is proof of your faith, if you are doing these then this is the proof that you are good Muslim and your faith is strong on Almighty Allah.

Just read this beautiful hadith quoted in [Sahih Muslim : Book 2 'Al-Taharah' , Number 0432]
“Abu Malik at-Ash’ari Radi Allah Anhu)  reported: The Messenger of Allah  (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) said: Cleanliness is half of faith and al-Hamdu Liliah (Praise be to Allah) fills the scale, and Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah) and al-Hamdu Liliah (Praise be to Allah) fill up what is between the heavens and the earth, and prayer is a light, and charity is proof (of one’s faith) and endurance is a brightness and the Holy Qur’an is a proof on your behalf or against you. All men go out early in the morning and sell themselves, thereby setting themselves free or destroying themselves”.

Simple translation of this Hadith: If you implement on Holy Quran then this will be your biggest Intercession to lead you to heaven but if you don’t implement on the Holy Quran then it is also the first one to leads you towards hell. Common man after awake, busy in work, those works will lead him to way of peace and also those works who lead him to the hell  where fire everywhere.

So decide yourself, if you want to go to hell fire then continue your routine, just wake up, start doing this life work and forget Allah Almighty, who created you OR live your life as He advised us to live.

This is our test, check yourself and grab the result. If it is OK then make it to good, if good then make it to excellent, and continue your journey towards betterment. but if you fail in till now test then start your journey towards right path from now. Don’t waste a single second, do sorry to Allah Almighty, as He is the greatest and very merciful.

A man superiority is totally based on his deeds. While distinguishing/ranking a person, Allah Almighty will not see towards his face and wealth. He always look towards its deeds. As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Said in the Hadith quoted in (Sahih Muslim: Book 32, Number 6219)

“Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sal-allahu-alleihi- wasallam) as saying: “Don’t nurse grudge and don’t bid him out for raising the price and don’t nurse aversion or enmity and don’t enter into a transaction when the others have entered into that transaction and be as fellow-brothers and servants of Allah. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He neither oppresses him nor humiliates him nor looks down upon him. The piety is here, (and while saying so) he pointed towards his chest thrice. It is a serious evil for a Muslim that he should look down upon his brother Muslim. All things of a Muslim are inviolable for his brother in faith: his blood, his wealth and his honor.”

In simple form Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that don’t do anything wrong with your brothers. This is not only about your blood related brothers, this is also about all the Muslims, as every Muslim is a brother of other. Then Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) looked towards his chest thrice and said Godliness belongs to your heart not your apparent deeds.

And in very next Hadith from above (Sahih Muslim: Book 32, Number 6220), He (Prophet Muhammad) said:
“Verily Allah does not look to your bodies nor to your faces but He looks to your hearts.”

In just next hadith, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said almost the same like above (Sahih Muslim: Book 32, Number 6221)
“Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) as saying: “Verily Allah does not look to your faces and your wealth but He looks to your heart and to your deeds.”

Here I found a very nice video lecture on this discussion. Hopefully you like it.

May Allah the greatest, give us chance to work on our souls, as working on them are much more greater then working on our external body.

One of the very nice hadith that I found on Alquranic . It talked about 7 types of people who Allah will protect them in His massive shade. This hadith is at [Sahih Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 11, Number 629]

Narrated by Abu Huraira (R.A): The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said, “Allah will give shade to seven, on the day when there will be no shade but His. These seven persons are

1. A just ruler.
2. A youth who has been brought up in the worship of Allah (i.e. worships Allah sincerely from childhood and still remains in the time when they have most power).
3. A man whose heart is attached to the mosques (i.e. to pray the compulsory prayers in the mosque in congregation).
4. Two persons who love each other only for Allah’s sake and they meet and part in Allah’s cause only.
5. A man who refuses the call of a charming woman of noble birth for illicit intercourse with her and says: I am afraid of Allah Almighty.
6. A man who gives charitable gifts so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given (i.e. nobody knows how much he has given in charity),
7. A person who remembers Allah Almighty in seclusion and his eyes are then flooded with tears.

Beloved Prophet (PBUH) told us great benefits to these people. May Allah Almighty give us chance to enter in atleast single category, so Allah will give us a great blessings in this world and in here after.

Also found a cool video on this topic from YouTube:

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.

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.