Categories of Martyrdom

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, "The martyrs are of five kinds: One who dies of plague; one who dies of disease of his belly; the drowned; one who dies under the debris (of construction, etc.), and one who dies while fighting in the way of Allah."

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Commentary

In the hadith above four categories of people are mentioned that are considered martyr even without being slain in the battle field. The four categories are that of a person dying in plague, dying of belly diseases, the drowned and dying under the debris (of construction, etc.). Allah will bestow them with special grace on the Day of Judgment and award them with merits similar to those of martyrs who die in Jihad. One must not delude himself into believing that by simply desiring these deaths he will go to Jannah but he should also be a true believer and a practicing Muslim. 

In another hadith:

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, "Whom do you reckon to be martyr amongst you?" The Companions replied: "The one who is killed in Allah's way." He said, "In that case, the martyrs among my people would be few." The Companions asked: "O Messenger of Allah! Then who are the martyrs?" He replied, "He who is killed in the way of Allah is a martyr; he who dies naturally in the Cause of Allah is a martyr; he who dies of plague is a martyr; and he who dies of a belly disease is a martyr; and he who is drowned is a martyr."

Daughter – A Blessing

Daughters are a blessing from Allah Almighty. They are means of deliverance and a path to Jannah for their parents. Islam has set special merits for upbringing of girls and honors their births unlike the pre-Islamic era when people hated to have daughters and were grieved and angered by their births. The Holy Prophet (SAW) has narrated many ahadith regarding the blessings of daughter and his love for Fatima (RA) set an example for the followers of Islam. In a hadith it is stated that if parents are kind and generous towards their daughters, then they will be so close to the Holy Prophet (SAW) in Jannah, like one finger is to the next. Daughters are kind, sympathetic and bring great blessings to the house they are born. The Holy Prophet (SAW) has stated that when a boy is born, then he brings one noor (light) and when a girl is born, then she brings two noors.

In a hadith the Holy Prophet has indicated the paradise for those who upbring daughters in good ways. “Whoever has three daughters or sisters, or two daughters of two sisters, and lives along with them in a good manner, and has patience with them, and fears Allah with regard to them will enter Paradise.” [Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhi]

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) practically demonstrated to this ummah how a father should care for and treat his daughter. It was the vast perception of Allah that stated the descendants of Prophet (SAW) would continue only through his daughter Fatima (RA). Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had the profound love and compassion for her and thus said, "Fatima is a portion of my flesh, whosoever hurts her, certainly hurts me”. Whenever Fatima (RA) used to visit the Prophet (SAW), he would stand up to embrace and welcome her then kiss her on the forehead and make her sit beside him. The books of ahadith are full with stories of unique father-daughter and set an example for the world today.

Narrated by Aisha:  A lady along with her two daughters came to me asking (for some alms), but she found nothing with me except one date which I gave to her and she divided it between her two daughters, and did not eat anything herself, and then she got up and went away. Then the Prophet (SAW) came in and I informed him about this story. He (SAW) said, "Whoever is put to trial by these daughters and he treats them generously (with benevolence) then these daughters will act as a shield for him from Hell-Fire." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

Muslims should rejoice on the birth of daughters, consider them a blessing and do everything in their power in good upbringing. Give them that which is due to them from their belongings and do not deprive them of their inheritance. Daughters are a blessing and not a burden

Salah tul Istikhara

Istikhara is done by a person who intends to seek goodness from Allah in an important task. It is performed by the person to know Allah’s will in a certain matter whether it is good or bad for him or not.

Dua-e- Istikhara

Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah the Prophet (saw) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara, in all matters as he taught us the Surahs of the Quran. He said, "If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two Rakat prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer)

How to perform Salah tul Istikhara

Salat tul Istikhara is a normal two rakat nafil prayer. In the first raka' after Surah Fatiha recite Surah al-Kafirun and in the second raka' after Fatiha recite Surah al-Ikhlas. After finishing prayer recite the dua-e- istekharah.

Importance of Istikhara

Allah says in the Holy Qur'an: "And it is very possible that you dislike something whereas it is good for you; and (similarly) it is very possible that you like something whereas it is bad for you". (Baqarah 16)

We humans have incomplete knowledge and scarce intellect. Everything we desire is based on our feelings rather than our mind power to speculate what’s good and bad for us. As the above ayah says we may desire something, which may prove harmful to us, and on the other hand, we may dislike something, while it is good for us. So before making important decisions in life it’s better to do Istikhara because He is the solitary possessor of perfect knowledge and knower of the unseen. According to one Hadith: "It is from the good fortune of man that he makes Istikharah (seeks good) from Allah, and it is from his misfortune that he discards Istikharah."

Also, the Prophet (sws) said: "It is from the happiness of the son of Adam to practice Istikharah and be pleased with what Allah has ordained for him. And it is from the misery of the son of Adam to drop the Istikhaarah of Allah and be displeased at Allah's decrees." (Sunan at-Tirmidhee, hasan)

The Prayer of Need – Salat al Hajah

Salat al Hajah or the prayer of need is performed when a Muslim has a particular need or purpose to fulfill. It is offered to Allah for help in accomplishment and assistance.

How to Perform Salat al Hajah

Salat al Hajah is simple and easy to pray. Firstly do fresh ablution carefully with every step, make the niyat i.e. the intention and state the need in your mind and follow it by a calm prayer of two rak’ahs (or four). After the rak’ah make an earnest supplication that what you wish to accomplish and request Allah Ta'ala's help in its accomplishment.

Ahadith regarding Salat al Hajah

Abullah ibn Abi Awfa (RA) relates that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Whoever has a need with Allah, or with any human being, then let them perform ritual ablutions well and then pray two rakats. After that, let them praise Allah and send blessings on the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). After this, let them say,

لا إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهُ الْحَلِيمُ الْكَرِيمُ
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِين
أَسْأَلُكَ مُوجِبَاتِ رَحْمَتِكَ وَعَزَائِمَ مَغْفِرَتِكَ وَالْغَنِيمَةَ مِنْ كُلِّ بِرٍّ وَالسَّلامَةَ مِنْ كُلّإِثْمٍ
لا تَدَعْ لِي ذَنْبًا إِلا غَفَرْتَهُ وَلا هَمًّا إِلا فَرَّجْتَهُ وَلا حَاجَةً هِيَ لَكَ رِضًا إِلا قَضَيْتَهَا يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ

There there no god but Allah the Clement and Wise.
There is no god but Allah the High and Mighty.
Glory be to Allah, Lord of the Tremendous Throne.
All praise is to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
I ask you (O Allah) everything that leads to your mercy, and your tremendous forgiveness, enrichment in all good, and freedom from all sin.
Do not leave a sin of mine (O Allah), except that you forgive it, nor any concern except that you create for it an opening, nor any need in which there is your good pleasure except that you fulfill it, O Most Merciful!” [Related by Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, although the hadith is weak yet it is acceptable by the Sunni thought of school]

Muslims are ordained to offer Salat al-Hajah for fulfilling any kind of need. A Muslim after performing salat al Hajah should have trust in Allah that He will fulfill his need.

The Difference between Naqir, Fatil and Qitmir

“And whoever does righteous good deeds, whether male or female, and is a true believer, such will enter Paradise and they will face no injustice, not even the size of a Naqir.” [al-Nisa: 124]

 “…So whosoever is given his record in his right hand, such will read their records, and injustice will not be done to them, [even] as much as a Fatil.” [al-Isra': 71]

“That is Allah, your Lord; to Him belongs sovereignty. And those whom you invoke other than Him do not possess [as much as] a Qitmir.” [Fatir: 13]

Quran is a miracle and a book of guidance for Muslims. It is descriptive, comprehensible and much of it can be easily visualized. Three words have been mentioned in the end of verses above i.e. naqir, fatil and qitmir. They’re all minute blistering components from the stone inside of a date and can be envisaged by looking at the picture below.

SubahanALLAH!! This is how Allah gives examples of tiny insignificant things to make us understand and believe the importance of doing good deeds, rewards and being a believer in his sovereignty

Virtues of Sacrificing

v  Zaid bin Arqam (RA) narrates that the companions of Rasulullah (SAW) enquired; "O Prophet of Allah, what are these sacrifices (of animals)." He replied; "It is the Sunnah of your father Ibrahim (AS)." The Sahaaba further enquired, "What benefit is there in it for us O Prophet of Allah." Rasulullah (SAW) replied; "You will be rewarded for every hair on it's (the sacrificed animals) body ... and for every fiber of wool." (Mishkaat Vol. 1 p. 129)

v  “We have made the sacrifice of camels and cows among the salient features of (the Deen) of Allah. There is benefit in it for you.” (Surah Hajj)

v  “Neither the flesh (of the sacrificed animals) nor their blood reach Allah. But, it is your taqwa (piety and sincerity of heart) which reaches Him. Convey glad tidings to the sincere ones.” (Surah Hajj)

v  Hazrat Ayesha (RA) narrates that Rasulullah (SAW) said: “During the days of Qurbani there is no deed of man more loved by Allah Ta’ala than sacrificing of animals. On the Day of Qiyaamah the sacrificed animal will arise with its horns, hair and hoofs. Allah Ta’ala accepts the sacrificed animal before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore, render the Qurbaani wholeheartedly and happily.” (Ibn Majah,Tirmizi, Hakim)

v  Hazrat Ayesha(RA) reported that Rasulullah (SAW) said that: ” For every hair of sacrifice, one virtue is recorded.” (Tirmizi)

Islamic App

The daily hustles and bustles of life can be quite risky for a Muslim because we get so tangled up in them that we often forget our religious obligations – salat and Quran being the most important. Islam is not a one day trip to masjid and seeking forgiveness of sins of life time. Islam needs to be practiced in every living moment of a Muslim. Starting a day from fajar salat and ending it on isha, everything that happens in between should be done keeping Allah and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in mind. Hence religious education is an important goal of the Muslim community.  Proper knowledge and practice helps to create fear of ALLAH in a Muslim's heart, leads to Allah’s favors, and finally the most desired destination of Akherat, the Jannat. But the problem is how to connect oneself and learn Islam amidst all the commotion. There is a solution and its right there in your hand!! Your smart phone. Everyone has a smart phone which they never part from. Using the phone for surfing and listening music is common. But if a Muslim uses it the right way he/she can benefit significantly from it. A Muslim can use it as a tool to keep himself close to Islam and incorporate regular practice.
      

So if you haven’t downloaded any mobile app regarding Islam. Then I would suggest you to download it for ‘free’ from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/islamic-encyclopedia/id532102369?mt=8. Learn and study Islam within your comfort zones. Download this free app for your mobile devices such as as iPhone, iPad, iPod. 

With this mobile app you can

·         Recite and listen to Holy Quran any time of the day.

·         Get an easy access to Islamic articles on distinguished Muslims of every age and land, on tribes and dynasties, on the crafts and sciences, on political and religious institutions, on the geography, ethnography, flora and fauna of the various countries and on the history, topography and monuments of the major towns and cities.

·        Get access to the whole article by keyword based searching option.