Benefits of Vinegar

“A household which has vinegar will never suffer from poverty”.
[Narrated by Umm, Tirmidhi, Baihaqi]

"Vinegar is a comfort for man” [Narrated by Muslim]

“Allah has put blessing in vinegar, for truly it was used by the Prophets before me.” [Narrated by Ayesha, Muslim and Ibn Maja]

‘The best of condiments or condiment is vinegar’. [Hadith]

Prophet Muhammad (saws) liked vinegar. Jabir narrated, “The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, took me one day with him to his house. He was served some bread. He asked: ‘Is there any dip?’ They replied ‘No, only some vinegar.’ He said, ‘Vinegar is a good dip.’Jabir used to say, “I have loved vinegar since I heard it from Allah’s Prophet”. Naf’a said, “I have loved vinegar since I heard it from Jabir.”
[Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i]

Vinegar has many beneficial uses. Some are:

·         To treat poisoning by alkaline (non-acidic) substances.

·         To help reduce fevers by applying a cold pad to the forehead soaked with vinegar and water.

·         To cure ‘black hairy tongue.’ a disease caused due to intake of antibiotics like penicillin, tetracycline by using vinegar once or twice daily for a week.

·         To soothe pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis by applying a pad soaked with vinegar and water to painful joints.

·         To treat bee and jellyfish stings by applying a mixture of equal amounts of salt and vinegar to the sting, relieving the pain and preventing inflammation.

“And of men is he who would give himself away to seek the pleasure of Allah.”

[Al-baqarah:207]

We should strive to become Allah’s sincere devotees. Every act should be done as a servitude to Allah. Our prophet Muhammad (saw) was Allah’s devote par excellence. All aspects of his life, most ordinary chores etc. were devotion to Allah. Therefore, it is important that every act of life should be for the sake of Allah and for His Pleasure alone, as the above verse says. We should designate our niyyah (intent) purely for Allah and strive always to keep it so. This brief and simple prescription is the idea of true religious faith and of the desire to shape our lives completely. It is also the most effective formula to remember Allah at all times. 

The most beloved Creatures of Allah

It is related that Ibn Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “The Messenger of Allah (saw) said,

“All creatures are dependants of Allah and the most beloved of creatures to Allah is the one who is best to his dependants.”

All creations are dependants of Allah. He provides livelihood, sustenance and protection to them. But the ones He loves most is the one kindest, generous and beneficial to His dependants. All creations are in need of Allah. He tends to them in every way. However, if someone depends on another for his needs and requirements then Allah hopes that his creation would help each other the same way as He does for them. The praise for such creations that help each other in time of need is very high and enormous. What more can a person ask for when he knows he has the love of Allah the great. Therefore, we being Muslims should help our needy brothers and seek for Allah’s love and reward.   

Sharing with Allah

The Prophet (saw) said: “O Allah! I complain to You about the weakness of my strength and the lack of my ability.” [Al-Haythami; Majma az-Zawa’id]

When afflicted by disaster it is permissible to complain to Allah as when Prophet Yaqub (AS) said: “I only reveal my distress and sorrow to Allah.” [12, 86].
To share one’s grief and worries with Allah is not inconsistent with perseverance. But it is not permissible to complain about affliction by objecting to its nature and character.

Spending time and effort in Allah’s worship

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Verily Allah says: O son of Adam, free yourself for my worship, I will (in turn) fill your chest with satisfaction and remove your poverty, and if you don’t, I will fill your hands with distraction and will not remove your poverty.” [Ahmad, Ibn Majah]

The explanation of this ayat is: “Free yourself of your interests in order to worship Me and do not busy yourself in earning that which exceeds your needs and the needs of those under your care.” That Is a person should not earn more than necessary to fulfill his needs and needs of those who are under his care. He should not acquire beyond requirement, but busy himself in Allah’s worship. If he gives more time to world then hereafter will be destroyed. Time should be equally divided between world and worship. Usually people run madly after worldly desires and by doing so they place themselves in difficulties and hardships. Our extra efforts should be spent in seeking Allah’s pleasure because if we do so then it would be beneficial to us. This hadith cautions us that if we act as though we do not have enough to meet our daily needs and we do not take time out to serve Allah’s religion, then Allah will truly make poverty our condition. If, on the other hand, we don’t forget Allah then He will not forget us either. We should thank Him for providing us with enough to meet our needs and spend our extra time and effort in seeking the Hereafter.http://islamicencyclopedia.org/public/index/topicDetail/id/636

Participating in Christmas

It is not permissible for Muslims to participate in the festival of Christmas. Muslims are not allowed to celebrate or participate in festivals or holidays of Jews and Christmas. It is obligatory to abandon them because:

“He who imitates a people is from them.”

Our Holy Prophet warned us against imitating and adorning ourselves with the ways and mannerism of non-believers. We are neither allowed to participate nor aid in any kind of celebration that has nothing to do with our religion Islam. All acts which are not in Islam are sins and Allah says about them:

Help you one another in Al­-Birr and At­-Taqwaa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression.(Al-Ma’idah 5:2)

So participating with the disbelievers in their holidays is a type of helping them upon sin and transgression. Hence, it is obligatory upon every Muslim male and female to abandon that and it is not befitting for the one who has intellect to be deceived by the people in their actions. 

Loan to Allah

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, “When this Ayah,

 (Who is he that will lend Allah handsome loan: then (Allah) will increase it manifold to his credit (in repaying),) was revealed,

Abu Ad-Dahdah Al-Ansari said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Does Allah ask us for a loan”

The Prophet said, “Yes, O Abu Ad-Dahdah.”

He said, `Give me your hand, O Allah’s Messenger,’ and the Prophet placed his hand in his hand.

Abu Ad-Dahdah said, `Verily, I have given my garden as a loan to my Lord.’ He had a garden that contained six hundred date trees; his wife and children were living in that garden too. Abu Ad-Dahdah went to his wife and called her, `Umm Ad-Dahdah!’ She said, `here I am.’ He said, `leave the garden, because I have given it as a loan to my Lord, the Exalted and Most Honored.’ She said, `That is a successful trade, O Abu Ad-Dahdah! ‘She then transferred her goods and children. The Messenger of Allah said,

 (How plentiful are the sweet date clusters that Abu Ad-Dahdah has in Paradise!)” In another narration, the Prophet said,

 (How many a date tree that has lowered down its clusters, which are full of pearls and gems in Paradise for Abu Ad-Dahdah!)

Ahadith related to Imam Mahdi

The following are the collection of Sahih (authentic) hadith regarding Mahdi.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas'ood (RA) reports from the Prophet (SAW), who said:

The world will not come to pass until a man from among my family, whose name will be my name, rules over the Arabs. (Tirmidhi Sahih, Vol. 9, P. 74; Abu Dawud, Sahih, Vol. 5, P. 207;

The Prophet(SAW) said:

Allah will bring out from concealment al-Mahdi from my family and just before the day of Judgment; even if only one day were to remain in the life of the world, and he will spread on this earth justice and equity and will eradicate tyranny and oppression. (Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Vol. 1, P. 99)

Hadhrat Ali(RA) narrates that Rasulullah(SAW) said:

Even if only a day remains for Qiyamah to come, yet Allah will surely send a man from my family who will fill this world with such justice and fairness, just as it initially was filled with oppression. (Abu Dawood)

Ali b. Abi Talib(RA) has related a tradition from the Prophet(SAW) who informed him:

The promised Mahdi will be among my family. God will make the provisions for his emergence within a single night. (Ibn Majah, Sahih, Vol. 2, P. 519)

Hazrat Umme Salmah(RA), Prophet's wife, narrates that she heard the Prophet(SAW) say:

The promised Mahdi will be among my progeny, among the descendants of Fatima. (Abu Dawud, Sahih, Vol. 2, P. 207; Ibn Majah, Sahih, Vol. 2, P. 519)

Rasulullah(SAW) announced:

The Mahdi will be of my family, of the descendants of Fatima (the Prophet's daughter). (Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol. 2, Tradition No. 4086

The Prophet(SAW) taught:

Al-Mahdi is one of us, the members of the household (Ahlul-Bayt). (Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol. 2, Tradition No. 4085)

Ayahs Related to the Last Day (Qiyamah)

[11:102-7]: In that is a Sign for those who fear the penalty of the Hereafter: that is a Day for which mankind will be gathered together: that will be a Day of Testimony. Nor shall We delay it but for a term appointed. The day it arrives, no soul shall speak except by His leave: of those (gathered) some will be wretched and some will be blessed. Those who are wretched shall be in the Fire: There will be for them therein (nothing but) the heaving of sighs and sobs: They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord willeth: for thy Lord is the (sure) accomplisher of what He planneth.

[69:17]: And the angels will be on the sides thereof, and eight will uphold the Throne of thy Lord that day, above them.

[50:20]: And the Trumpet shall be blown: that will be the Day whereof Warning (had been given). And there will come forth every soul: with each will be an (angel) to drive, and an (angel) to bear witness.

[39:68-69]: "And there shall be a blast on the Trumpet, and all who are in the Heaven and all who are on the earth shall expire, save those whom God shall vouchsafe to live. Then shall there be another blast on it, and lo! arising they shall gaze around them: and the earth shall shine with the light of her Lord."

[7:30]: He will return you (on the Day of Judgment) reverted back to when you were first created. A section guided, and a section will go astray.

[43:61]: And (Jesus) shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgment: therefore have no doubt about the (Hour), but follow ye Me: this is a Straight Way

Events on the Day of Judgment

Blowing of the Horn

Before the last bay begins, angel Israfil will blow out a horn marking the start of the qiyamate. All living beings will die on listening to the sound of the horn. Horn will be blown second time and all living beings will come to life again waiting to be judged for their actions.

Good Deeds vs. Bad Deeds

No deed either small or big will go wasted. Every deed will be counted. The Qur'an also states that even the smallest acts of the believers will not be wasted.

"Anyone who has an atom's worth of goodness will see it and anyone who has done an atom's worth of evil will also see it" (Qur'an 99:7-8). Those who do good if they are Muslims, will be rewarded not only in this world but also in the world hereafter. However, the final Judgment is up to God himself” [Qur'an 2:62]

The Gathering and duration

Alameen (humankind, the Jinn, and all other living beings) will be gathered upon a vast, white, featureless ground, under intense heat of the Sun overhead. They will be naked, uncircumcised and crowded together to the point where some are submerged in their own sweat, as in the beginning of creation. The degree to which one is submerged in sweat depends on the extent of one's piety and goodness. The faces of the believers will be nadirah (shining and radiant). On the other hand, the faces of disbelievers will be basirah (dark, sad and frowning). Qiyamah will last for 50,000 years.

Rejection of False Gods

Idols will assert that only Allah is Lord, and that they were wrongfully worshipped. The Qur'an and Hadith state that Jesus returns and denies he claimed he is God (Qur'an 43.61).

Al-Kawthar

Believers will be lead by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to the lake-fount called as Kawthar. Who so ever drinks it will never be thirsty again.

Redemption

In one Hadith, it is related that after the Intercession of Muhammad ﷺ, Allah Himself intercedes, repeatedly ordering His angels to fetch out of Jahannam (hell) any who sincerely professed the Shahada (Sahih Bukhari) until the angels are ordered to return and find anyone with even an atom's measure of goodness in his or her heart. Those who have worshipped false gods, or have participated in shirk (idol worship) are not rescued from Jahannam (hell) and instead remain there forever. After the Intercession, life resumes, either in Jannah (paradise) or in Jahannam (hell).

Signs before the Day of Resurrection

There are several major and minor signs that would appear before Qiyaamat.

·         The coming of Imam Mahdi

·         Appearance of Dajjal

·         Descending of Prophet Isa (AS)

·         Emergence of Yajood Majood (Gog Magog)

·         Emergence of the beast called Dab-bat Al Avd from the ground marking true Muslims

·         Rising of the sun from the west after which doors of forgiveness will be closed.

·         True Muslims would all die with a fog that would last for forty days

·         Earthquakes will increase

·         The writings in Quran will vanish

·         Wine, bloodshed and illegal intercourse will increase

·         Knowledge will be taken away (by the death of people of knowledge) and ignorance will prevail.

·         Time will pass quickly

·         Tribulations will increase

·         The trumpet will be blown for the first time & all the animals and kafirs left alive will die also. The mountains and building will be crumbled.

·         The 2nd time the trumpet will be blown all of allahs creation will resurrect & meet on the plains of Arafath*(Judgement)

·         The sun will lower itself with earth

Being Beautiful with Islamic Ways

Trendy Haircut

Allah’sMessenger (saw) said “Whoever has hair should honor it.” (Abu Dawood)

Grooming or having a great hair cut is latest fashion and considered beautiful. But our Islam asks us to keep hairs and not cut them esp. ladies. Hair must be kept and honored.

Smile

Smiling makes a person beautiful. It brings shine and color to face.

Abdullaah Ibn Haarith said: “I never came across a person who smiled as much as the Prophet. The Prophet regarded smiling with a brother as an act of charity.” (Tirmidhi)

Clothes Covering the Body

Wear clothes that cover the whole body. Dressing modestly is in our religion. Short clothes is not modernism but against Islam.

“O ye children of Adam! We have bestowed clothing upon you to cover your shame as well as to be a beautification for you…” [Quran: A'raaf 26]

Pedicures and Hair Dyes

Pedicures have become a necessity in daily routine. Pedicures make hands look pretty. Nail polish is applied to the nails. Instead of all the hectic work use hennas to beauty your hands. Similarly use henna on your hairinstead of dyes. Henna is a natural dye and it doesn’t affect the hair texture as the chemicals do.

Women in Hell

The Prophet (saw) said;

“I saw hell and I saw that most of its dwellers/inhabitants were women.” [Bukhaaree & Muslim, via Ibn 'Abbaas]

Because they (women) are ungrateful to their husbands

The prophet (aw) said;

“O women, give in charity, for I have seen that you form the majority of the people of Hell.“

They asked, “Why is that, O Messenger of Allah? “

He (saw) answered, “Because you curse too much and are ungrateful for the good treatment (done to you by your husband’s).” [Bukhaaree & Muslim, via Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree]

Explanation:

Generally women are less wise when it comes to choosing between world and hereafter life. They are attracted to glamour and glitter of worldly materials. They are forgetful about the hereafter and need constant reminders. The world attracts the women and the women attract men. They distract men from hereafter world by attracting them to their beauty. Hence the men are inclined to desire them and they are not concerned with the Hereafter. The ultimate blame in all this is the emotion ‘deisre’. “Hell is surrounded with desires, and Paradise is veiled (in another narration ‘surrounded’) by hardships. “ Thus women should fear Allah and keep themselves away from all such acts and esp. desires that prevent them from doing righteous deeds. Moreover, they should not be a distraction for anyone too.

Blessed to be a MUSLIM

“And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, “Indeed, I am of the Muslims.”

(Surah Fussilat 41:33)

Allah's Path

Allah subhanawataala says in His instructions: If you follow my path you shall have no grief and no fear.

The path of life is filled with miseries, ridden with cactuses, tsunamis and the strong undercurrent of grief, anger or love. To overcome the tedious journey of life one has to be rough and tough. But Allah subhanawataala has a way out and it is by following His path i.e. following His religion and Messenger (PBUH). Allah’s path has no thorns and no zigzags. It’s even and straight. By following Allah’s commands and instructions no one grief’s or fears any mishap. A strong faith develops and every trouble in life seems nothing compared to love and belief in Allah. 

Everything is for Allah

“Say: Truly my prayers, and my actions, and my life, and my death are all for God, the Cherisher of the Universe.” -   Quran - 6:162

We humans own nothing and what we own is entirely for Allah. The above ayah asks the believers to say that their prayers, actions, life, death all are for Allah-the creator of the universe.  A person is born naked and empty handed. It is through Allah’s blessings and bounties that life becomes easy and leisure able. Possession of worldly materials makes us forget this and we often consider ourselves as the master. But a true believer never says so. A believer knows that everything is for Allah!!!

How to Achieve Khushoo in Salah?

Once a righteous man named Hatim al Asam was asked how to attain concentration in prayer. He replied:

“I imagine that the Ka’bah is in front of me, Al Sirat is under my feet, Jannah (Paradise) is to my right and Jahanam (Hell) is to my left, that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is watching me praying and the Angel of Death is behind me waiting for me to finish praying so he can take my soul. Then I would stand between hope and fear. Carefully pronounce “Allahuakbar (God is Great)!” Then recite the Qur’an harmoniously, bow in humility and prostrate submissively. Then with a big hope in Allah’s mercy, I wonder if He accepted my prayer. Always perform prayer as if it’s your last one because you never know when you will die.”

Isn’t this great advice? This is a small but effect advice for the Muslims to who are seeking Khushoo in salah. Khushoo is concentration. Concentrate with full soul and mind towards Allah in salah. Allah doesn’t need salahs that are carelessly thrown at him without heart. Muslims who pray salah just to fulfill the obligation are doing wrong and should stop it as soon as possible. We don’t know about our life, maybe the salah we are praying might be our last one. So every salat is important and should be performed with khushoo and heartedly!!!   

Khushoo in Salah

Salah is the first pillar and an important practice of Islam. To do this practice Muslims are encouraged to perform it with concentration (Khushoo). Iblees, the enemy of Islam has made it his mission to divert Muslims from the right path. The best way he uses is to whisper immoral thoughts (waswass) to believers when they are standing in front of Allah during salah.

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning) in the holy Quran: “Successful indeed are the believers, those who offer their salah (prayers) with all solemnity and full submissiveness.” [Al-Mu’minoon 23:1-2]

Khushoo’ means calmness, serenity, tranquility, dignity and humility. It is the fear of Allah and the sense that He is watching your every step. As the ayat says that salah requires full submissiveness and earnestness in its performance and those who do this are the most successful believers. Obedience, humbleness, solemnest or submissiveness all combine to form i.e. khushoo. Khushoo lies in the heart and its effect is seen in the physical practice. Heart can be a home of many vile articles. It can be corrupted by negligence or insinuating whispers from Satan. The heart is like a king and the faculties are like his troops who follow his orders and go where they are commanded. If the king is deposed, his followers are lost, which is like what happens when the heart does not worship properly.

Our feelings, emotions, carnal desires and wishes are objects that deviate our attention. We think about worldly matters and forget what we are supposed to do actually. We and Satan are to blame partly for this behavior. Satan deviates us and we carelessly let him do it. If we keep ourselves focused then it might not be a problem at all. Khushoo is not hard to obtain. It can be obtained with patience and help from Quran and Hadith. 

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is an essential part of Islamic faith. It has a huge part to such an extent that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Cleanliness is 1/2 of faith”. Allah (swt) says: “Truly, God loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves.” (Quran 2:222)

The hadith and ayah further signify the importance of cleanliness. Muslims need to keep their bodies and surrounding clean. Any form of worship requires cleanliness. Salat, the foremost pillar of Islamic practice can only be done in pure cleanliness and purification. Salat requires the body and area to be neat and clean. Not only this but recitation of Quran and fasting also require purification.  Cleanliness is of two types: physical and spiritual. Physical cleanliness requires the environment; house, road and public places clean whereas spiritual cleanliness requires the body to be clean for any worship.

Cleanliness is the pathway to health and strength. Islam wants a healthy and strong Muslim society which is immune against infectious diseases and is capable of understanding and applying God's message and carrying it away to the whole world. Next time you’re cleaning, remember to make an intention that you’re cleaning because it’s sunnah and for Allah’s (swt) pleasure. 

Azan

Azanis call to Muslims for performing the Islamic ritual of salah. It is given by the muezzin of the masjid five times a day. It is given at fixed times. Azan is to notify a Muslim that it’s time for namaz and that he/she should quit the worldly chores and head towards Allah and supplication. Here’s is the content of azan.

4x	الله أكبر	Allahu Akbar	God is greatest
2x	أشهد أن لا اله إلا الله	Ash-hadu an-la ilaha illa llah	I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except for Allah.
2x	أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله	Ash-hadu anna Muħammadan-Rasulullah	I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
2x	حي على الصلاة	Hayya 'ala s-salah	Hasten to the prayer ('salat').
2x	حي على الفلاح	Hayya 'ala 'l-falah	Hasten to success.
2x	الله أكبر	Allāhu akbar	Allah is greatest.
1x	لا إله إلا الله	La ilaha illa-Allah	There is none worthy of worship except Allah.

Islam after Ramadan

Ramadanhas a spiritual sense of holiness that makes a Muslim spend it in prayers, supplications and doing good deeds. But the tough part starts right after Ramzan when the Satan is unleashed. Satan starts performing its duty to mislead believers from the right path and engaging them in evil and vile acts. It’s easy to observe salat or any form of worship in congregation. Unfortunately, for some Muslims Islam ends with Ramzan. It’s difficult to maintain the improvements and practices made in Ramzan throughout the year but following certain guidelines we do so willingly and zesty.

·         Fast the six days of Shawwal. Fasting in this month is like fasting for the whole year. Make up your mind and remind yourself about the benefits of doing yourself. Ask your family or friends to fast with you; the more the merrier.

·         Don’t quit the habit of offering salat five times a day. At the time of any salah tell yourself that the world will go on even without you, this time for the particular salah will not come again; remind yourself that you prayed in the Ramzan you can do it again.

·         Women’s should up keep their makeup fasts as soon as possible. Make up fasts should be delayed throughout the year. The longer you delay, the harder it gets.

·         Read Quran just like you did in Ramzan. Don’t by any chance miss this habit. If the daily chores are making it harder then read it little daily.

·         Continue listening to Islamic lectures and don’t opt for music instead.

·         Stay away from evil deeds by reminding yourself that next Ramzan has yet to come and I have to keep myself clean from sins.

Ramadan is gone, but our practice should not come to an end.  We are held accountable for our actions all year round. We need to remember this and keep our focus on Allah no matter what the month is.

Celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-ul-fitr is the holy festival of Muslims. It is celebrated after the Islamic month Ramzan ends and the month Shawwal starts. 'Eid' means festivity in Arabic so the festival is all about celebration from the core of your heart. Here’s a list of things that Muslims should do on eid to make it joyous and enjoyable while remembering Allah.

·         Take Bath and dress in clean (new if available) clothes.

·         Give zakaat al fitr  to the needy and pure

·         Exchange gifts esp. sweet food items

·         One should not come out to the prayer-place on Eid al-Fitr before eating some dates, because of the hadith narrated by al-Bukhaari from Anas ibn Maalik who said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would not go out on the morning of Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates… and he would eat an odd number.”(Bukhaari, 953)

·         Offer salah in Eid Gha. After the prayer greet all the Muslims.

·         After eid prayer eat sweets, sawaiyan etc and visit the relatives esp. the sick

·         Give eidi to children happily

·         Women esp. girls decorate their hands with mehndi and buy bangles.

·         Socialize with everyone including your neighbors and non Muslim. Eid is the best day to know them.

·         Arrange a huge feast in your house and invite all the relatives. Have a blast!!!

·         Amidst all the happiness don’t forget to thank Allah and offer the regular salahs. 

Modest Dressing

Islam commands its believers to dress appropriately and modestly. The dress worn by a Muslim should humbly cover all the body parts; no private parts should be shown in dressing that has been prohibited by Islam. Islam does not like the spreading of vulgarity and exploitation of human flesh publically through improper dressing that the modern world calls as latest trend in fashion. Modern society assumes showing human body especially of women is modernity and liberty. But in doing so they forget animals don’t wear clothes too hence they are more modern and advance then humans. West think Islamic way of dressing especially for Muslim women is severe and punishment. They reflect that unless a women’s flesh is not put to display in public she is being punished and oppressed. The real extreme is the constant exploitation and disfigurement of our bodies that Allah has blessed us with. Let us now discuss the dress of a Muslim women and men.

Muslim Women Dressing

Islam protects a believing women honor and dignity that why it commands them to dress decently in a way she does not attract a men’s attention.

 Here are some guidelines to follow for women’s dress. Clothing should cover the entire body i.e. abbaya like thing should be worn. Face and hands are exceptional; one can hide them according to their will. The outer clothing (abbaya or chaadre) should hang loosely and not show the women’s figure. No clothes resembling man clothing or western type should be worn outside the home. Bright colors and bold designs should be worn at home. Clothing should not be worn to affirm your social stance. It is also advised that women outside of her home should not where perfume that can be smelled at a distance, makeup to enhance her beauty or where shoes that make sounds when she walks (bells, metal plates and etc.

Muslim Men Dressing

The believing men should also not expose the area of their body from the navel to the knee. Men should also not wear tight or see through clothes.  Indeed, in many Muslim societies the traditional clothing for men includes long, flowing robes, or long tunics that fully cover the body. Modesty is the deen of a Muslim. These are a few other conditions of the male dress. Men are not to where gold or silk. Men are required to grow a beard; it is Wajib (mandatory). The Prophet (PBUH) who commanded men to grow their beards. Saying "contradict the non-believers, grow the beards and cut the moustaches" [Bukhari and Muslim]. 

Rituals of Hajj [3]

There are four pillars or rituals of Hajj

1.      Ihraam 

2.      Tawaaf

3.      Sa'y between as-Safaa and al-Marwa 

4.      Staying in Arafah from Dhuhr to Maghrib 

4. Arafah

The Prophet (S) said, “Hajj is 'Arafah.” [Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi]

The most important pillar of Hajj is Arafah. The pilgrim must be at 'Arafat on the ninth of dhil Hijjah after Dhuhr time. Anyone, who misses Arafaat day, his, or her, Hajj is void.

The Prophet said, "Hajj is only valid by attending `Arafah." [At-Tirmidhi]

Aishah (RA) reported that the Messenger (SAW) said:  "There is no day on which Allah (swt) frees people from the Fire as He does on the Day of 'Arafah. He comes close and then He boasts to His angels: 'What are these people seeking?'" [Muslim, an-Nasaa'i, Ibn Maajah] 

Before Arafat the pilgrims go to Mina on the 8^th of Zilhaj. They pray Dhur to Isha and Fajr of the 9^th Zilhaj in Mina. In his report describing the Hajj of the Prophet (S), Jabir said: "Then, the Prophet (S) rode for Mina where he performed the Noon, Afternoon, Sunset, Night and Dawn prayers.” [Muslim]

The pilgrim should not waste his, or her, time during these great days of Dhul Hijjah. Ibn Abbas (RA) reported that the Messenger (SAW) said:

"There are no other days on which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than on these (Ten) Days." Somebody asked: "O Messenger of Allah! Not even Jihaad in Allah's way?" He replied: "Not even Jihaad in Allah's way; except for a person who went out (for Jihaad) with his self and wealth and came back with none." [Al-Bukhaari, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, ibn Maajah, Ahmad and ad-Daarimi]

The Messenger (SAW) also said: "There are no other days that are greater before Allah (swt), or that good deeds are more beloved to Him in them, than these Ten Days, so say in plenty Tahleel (laa ilaaha ill-Allah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar), and Tahmeed (al-Hamdu lillaah)." [Ahmad & at-Tabarani; authentic] 

On the 9th of Dhul-Hajjah, the pilgrim goes to 'Arafat and prays Dhuhr and 'Asr with the Imam.

Obligatory actions:

- The presence in Arafaat on the 9th of dhul-Hijjah between Dhuhr and Maghrib is essential.
- Sleeping in Muzdalifah after spending the day in 'Arafaat.
- Throwing pebbles at Jamrat al-'Aqabah on the 10th day of dhil-Hijjah.
- Shaving off the hair of the head or cutting some of it after the stoning at Jamrat - al-'Aqabah. After this, the pilgrim ends his state of Ihraam and can wear regular clothes and put perfume and clip the nails…etc, but intimate intercourse is not allowed until the Ifaadah Tawaaf is performed.


Observing fast in this day is very well recommended for those who are not in Hajj. The Prophet (SAW) said,
"Fasting the Day of 'Arafah expiates the sins of the past year and the subsequent one. And fasting the Day of 'Aashooraa' expiates the sins of the past year." [Muslim and others]

Rituals of Hajj [2]

There are four pillars or rituals of Hajj

1.      Ihraam 

2.      Tawaaf

3.      Sa'y between as-Safaa and al-Marwa 

4.      Staying in Arafah from Dhuhr to Maghrib 

2. Tawaaf

Allah Almighty says, "Then let them complete the rites prescribed for them, perform their vows, and (again) circumambulate the Ancient House." (22:29)

Tawaaf is the act of circuiting and circumambulating seven times around the Ka'bah in an anti-clockwise direction. Intention and wudu are necessary conditions for tawaf. The seven rounds should be continued without interruption except in case of necessity.

3. Sa'y between as-Safaa and al-Marwa:

Sa'y is to walk between as-Safaa and al-Marwa hills back and forth with the intention of dedicating this act of obedience to Allah. Allah (swt) says,

"Behold! As-Safaa and al-Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the House in the Season or at other times, should compass them round, it is no sin in them. And if any one obeys his own impulse to Good, be sure that Allah is He Who recognizes and knows." (2:158)
Describing the Hajj performed by the Prophet (SAW), Jabir (RA) narrated, "Then, he - the Prophet (S) - got out from the door heading for As-Safaa, then, recited the above Qur'anic aayah. Then, he (S) said, "We begin with what Allah began." Then, he mounted as--Safaa until he faced the House and there he glorified Allah (i.e. raised his voice) saying "Allahu Akbar!" three times then" Laa ilaaha illa Allah wahdahu laa shareeka lah. Lahul-Mulku walahul- Hamdu wa huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer. Laa ilaaha illa Allahu wahdahu, Sadaqa Wa'adahu, wa nasara 'abadahu wa hazamal-Ahzaaba wahdah!."
"There is no god but Allah. He is One and has no partner, to Him is the dominion and all praise is due to Him. We are returning, repenting, worshipping, prostrating, and to Allah we are very grateful. Allah is true to His promise, He gave victory to His servant and defeated the confederates all by Himself."

Habibah bint Abi Taghrah (r) heard the Prophet (S) saying to his companions,

"Perform Sa`ay for Allah Almighty has ordained it upon you." [Ahmad]

Virtues and Benefits of Hajj

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is obligatory for every Muslim to perform hajj once in their life time. There are many virtues related to hajj that our Holy Prophet enlightens us about. Let’s have a look at the hadith about the great blessings and rewards of performing Hajj.

·         Best Deed in Allah’s Eye

When companions of Prophet asked him about the absolute best deed in the eyes of Allah.He replied saying "Belief in Allah and His Messenger." Then he was asked: "what else?" He said, "Striving and struggling for the sake of Allah" Then he was asked: "what else?" He said, "Performing Hajj, which is free from vice - accepted and complete." (Bukhari and Muslim)

·         Hajj wipes the previous sins

Muhammad (saw) said "Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity and wrongdoing, he, or she, will come out as the day he, or she, was born - pure and sinless." (Bukhari and Muslim)

·         Reward of Accepted Hajj is Paradise

The Prophet (saw) said "A Mabroor Hajj - complete and accepted - has no reward for it but Jannah." (Bukhari and Muslim)

·         Guests of Allah

Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said "Those who are performing Hajj or Umrah are the guests of Allah. If they ask Him something He answers them and if they ask him forgiveness He forgives them."

·         The Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said "When you meet anyone who has performed Hajj, greet him, shake hands with him, and beseech him to pray for the forgiveness of your sins before he reaches his home, because he is in the state that decision of forgiveness has been taken for him." (Musnad Ahmed)