Majdi Muhammad Ash-Shahawi
This book will help you to overcome all your worries, and begin a new chapter in your life. Then you will be free to think clearly, act decisively and feel at peace with yourself and others. Just read through the book , following the instructions carefully, for three or six weeks in total. The Jinn are not very strong, they only take a grip when you show weakness in faith or religious duties, once you take command of your faith and follow it properly, they can never affect you.

Download the book here

or read it below:

A short ebook published by the Jamiat of South Africa. 100 easy to apply Sunnah (actions) of the Prophet Mohamed (pbuh) relating to everyday actions.

It is reported that Jundub b. ‘Abdillâh Al-Bajalî – Allah be pleased with him – was once asked for advice and instruction. He said:

I advise you to fear Allâh and obey Him (taqwâ) and I advise you to adhere to the Quran, for it is a light in the dark night and a guidance during the day, so implement it no matter how much struggle and poverty you have to face. If a calamity befalls you, put your wealth forward to protect your religion, and if the calamity continues, put forward your wealth and your life to save your religion [but never risk your religion], for the ruined is he whose religion is ruined, and the looted is he whose religion is taken. And know that there is no poverty after Paradise, and no riches after the Fire.

Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ` 3:174.

These are some timely narrations collected by Muhammad Musa Nasr in his book ‘al-Munafiqun’ (p. 95-98). They are all authentic.

1 – Jubayr bin Nufayr said:

“I went to visit Abu ad-Darda’ at his home in Homs, and I found him praying at his mosque. When he sat for the tashahhud, he began seeking refuge with Allah from hypocrisy. When he finished, I went to him and asked: “May Allah Forgive you, Aba ad-Darda’! What do you have to do with hypocrisy?”

He replied: “O Allah, Your Forgiveness! (he said this three times) Nobody who feels safe from tribulation will be safe from it! By Allah, a man can be tested for a single hour and turn back on his religion.”"

2 – ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr said:

“There will come a time when people will gather in their mosques, and there won’t be a single believer in them.”

3 – al-Hasan said:

“The Hour will not come until each people will be overwhelmed by their hypocrites.”

4 – Hudhayfah said:

“The hypocrites among you today are worse than the hypocrites who lived at the time of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم)!”

He was asked: “O Aba ‘Abdillah, how is this so?”

He replied: “They used to hide their hypocrisy. As for the ones today, they display it openly.”

source: http://iskandrani.wordpress.com/2009/10/03/the-hypocrites-of-today/

The Messenger of Allah Muhammad (Peace be upon him) sermon on the Last Day of Shabaan

Salmaan (Radhiallaho Anhu) report On the last day of Shabaan Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) addressed us and said: O people there comes over you now a great month, a most blessed month in which lies a night more greater in virtue than a thousand months.

It is a month in which Allah has made fasting compulsory by day and has made sunnah the Taraaweeh by night. Whosoever intends drawing near to Allah by performing any virtuous deed, for such person shall be the reward like the one who had performed a Fard[compulsory act] in any other time and whoever performs a Fard, shall be blessed with the reward of seventy faraaidh[compulsory acts] in any other time.

This is indeed the month of patience and the reward for true patience is Jannah (paradise). It is the month of sympathy with one’s fellowmen. It is the month wherein a true believer’s rizq[provisions] is increased.

Whosoever feeds another who fasted, in order to break the fast (at sunset), for the feeder there shall be forgiveness of sins and emancipation from the fire of Jahannam (hell) and for such feeder shall be the some reward as the one who fasted (who he fed) without that persons reward being decreased in the least.

Thereupon we said, ‘O messenger of Allah, not all of us possess the means whereby we can give a fasting person to break his fast’ Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) replied Allah grants the same reward to the one who gives a fasting person to break the fast a mere date or a drink of water or a sip of milk.

This is a month, the first of which brings Allah’s mercy, the middle of which brings His forgiveness and the last of which brings emancipation from the fire of Jahannam.

Whosoever lessens the burden of his servants (bondsmen) in this month; Allah will forgive him and free him from the fire of Jahannam.

And in this month four things you should continue to perform in great number, two of which shall be to please your Lord, while the other two shall be those without which you cannot do. Those which shall be to please your Lord, are that you should in great quantity bear witness that there is no deity to worship except Allah (i.e. recite the Kalimah Tayibbah Laa Ilaaha illallah) and make much Istighfaar (beg Allah’s forgiveness with Astaghfirullah) and as for those without which you cannot do, you should beg of Allah entrance into paradise and ask refuge in Him from Jahannam.

And whoever gives a person water to drink, Allah

Once there was a very handsome, pious, well educated young man, whose parents emphasized for him to get married. they had seen so many marriage proposals, and he had turned them all down. The parents thought it was becoming a little ridiculous or suspected that he may have someone else in mind.

However every time the parents left the girls house, the young man would always say “she’s not the one!”

The young man only wanted a girl who was religious and practicing, however one evening his mother arranged for him, to meet a girl, who was religious, and practicing.

On that evening, the young man, and girl, were left to talk, and ask each other questions. (As one would expect).

The young man, being a gentleman that he was allowed, the lady to ask first.

The young girl asked the young man so many questions, she asked about his life, his education, his friends, his family, his habits, his hobbies, his lifestyle, his enjoyment, his pastime, his experiences, his shoe size..

The young man replied to all of her questions, without tiring, and politely, with a smile the young girl took up nearly all of the time, over an hour, and felt bad, and asked the young man do you have any questions?

The young man said, it’s ok. I only have 3 questions…

The young girl thought, wow, only 3 questions okay, shoot.

The young man’s first question was, who do you love the most in the world, someone whose love nothing would ever overcome?

She said, this is an easy question; my mother, he smiled second question, he asked, you said that you read a lot of qur’an, could you tell me which surahs you know the meaning of?

Hearing this she went red and embarrassed and said, I do not know the meaning of any yet, but I am hoping to soon Insha’allah I’ve just been a bit busy. The third question the young man asked, was I have been approached for my hand in marriage, by girls that are a lot more prettier than you, why should I marry you?

Hearing this, the young girl was outraged, she stormed off to her parents with fury, and said I do not want to marry this man he is insulting my beauty, and intelligence. And the young man and his parents were once again, left without an agreement of marriage.

This time, the young man’s parents were really angry, and said what did you do to anger that girl, the family were so nice, and pleasant, and they were religious like you wanted. What did you ask the girl?? Tell us!

The young man said, firstly I asked her, and who do you love the most? She said, her mother,

The parents said so, what is wrong with that??

The young man said, “no one, is Muslim, until he loves Allah, and his messenger (saw) more than anyone else in the world”

If a woman loves Allah and the Prophet (SAW) more than anyone, she will love me and respect me, and stay faithful to me, because of that love, and fear for Allah (SWT) and we can share this love, because this love is greater than lust for beauty.

The young man said, then I asked, you read a lot of Qur’an, can you tell me the meaning of any Surah?

And she said no, because I haven’t had time yet. so I thought of that hadith “ALL humans, are dead except for those who have knowledge” She has lived 20 years and not found ANY time, to seek knowledge, why would I marry a woman, who does not know her rights, and responsibilities, and what will she teach my children, except how to be negligent, because the woman IS the madrasa (school) and the best of teachers. And a woman who has no time for Allah, will not have time for her husband.

The third question I asked her was, that a lot of girls, more prettier than her, had approached me for marriage, why should I choose you?

That is why she stormed off, getting angry. The young man’s parents said that is a horrible thing to say, whywould you do such a thing, we are going back there to apologise. The young man said I said this on purpose, to test whether she could control her anger.

The Prophet (saw) said “do not get angry, do not get angry, do not get angry” when asked how to become pious; because anger is from Satan.

If a woman cannot control her anger with a stranger she has just met,do you think she will be able to control it with her husband??

So, the moral of this story is, a marriage is based on:

§  Knowledge, not looks,

§  Practice, not preaching,

§  Forgiveness, not anger,

§  Spiritual love, not lust.

§  and Compromise

One should look for a person who

§  Has love for Allah (swt) and the messenger (saw)

§  Has knowledge of the deen, and can act upon it.

§  can control their anger

§  and willing to compromise.

And it goes both ways, so women seeking a man, should look for the same things.

Insha’allah, may Allah make every marriage a success, and let us create Love for Allah and his Messenger(SAW) so that Allah can bless us, and create love in our lives.

There is no better structure founded in Islam other than marriage. – The Prophet of Islam (SAW)

SOURCE: http://millatibraheem.muslimpad.com

Alhumdoolillaah, as-salaatu was-salaam ‘ala Rasoolullaah.

Imaam Muslim recorded in his Saheeh under Book of Imaan, that Abu Huraira (ra) related Rasoolullaah sallaahu alaihi wa salam said (translation):

“Islaam began as something strange, and it will become strange again just like it was at the beginning, so blessed are the strangers.”

And he also reports it from bin ‘Umar (ra):

“Indeed Islaam began as something strange and it will become strange again just as it started, and it would recede between the two mosques just as the serpent crawls back into its hole.”

This is a well-known hadeeth which reaches the status of mutawatir, reported by around twenty Sahaaba (ra) with different wordings.

Imaam Tirmidhi collected the following wording from ‘Amr bin ‘Awf of Rasoolullaah sallaahu alaihi wa salam (translation):

“The deen will shrink back to the Hijaz like the snake shrinks back into its hole. It will cling to the Hijaz like the mountain goat clings to the mountaintop. The deen began as something strange, and it will become strange again just like it was at the beginning, so blessed are the strangers who restore what the people corrupt of my Sunnah.” And he graded it Hasan Saheeh.

And in Musnad Ahmed and bin Hiban’s collection, it was reported (translation):

“Islaam began as something strange and it will revert to how it began as something strange. So Tooba to the strangers” The people asked, “Who are they, Ya Rasoolullaah?” He answered, “Those who are pious and righteous when the people have become evil.”

In Imaam bin al-Mubarak’s ‘Kitab uz-Zuhd’ #775 the hadeeth ends with:

“They are righteous people among many evil people, who disobey them more than they obey them.”

Imaam at-Tabari in his famous tafsir reports that Rasoolullaah sallaahu alaihi wa salam explained “Tooba” as a tree in Jannah. The time it takes to travel it is 100 years and the clothing of the people of Jannah is taken from its lamina.

All of the above narrations are authentic by their own right or due to supporting chains.

Who exactly are these people?

Rasoolullaah sallaahu alaihi wa salam had mentioned that there will always be a group from his Umma fighting upon the truth. This was reported by many Sahaaba (ra), rising the hadeeth to the level of mutawatir. Some narrations are as follows (translation),

In Saheeh Muslim, under the Book of Government:

From Thauban (ra):

“A group of people from my Umma will always remain triumphant on the right path and continue to be triumphant (against their opponents). He who deserts them shall not be able to do them any harm. They will remain in this position until Allaah’s. Command is executed (Qayama).”

From Mughira (ra):

“A group of people from my Umma will continue to be triumphant over the people until the Command of Allaah overtakes them while they are still triumphant.”

From Jaabir bin Sumara (ra):

“This religion will continue to exist, and a group of people from the Muslims will continue to fight for its protection until the Hour is established”

From Jaabir bin ‘Abdullaah (ra):

“A group of people from my Umma will continue to fight in defense of truth and remain triumphant until the Day of Judgment…”

From Umair bin Umm Hani (ra):

“A group of people from my Umma will continue to obey Allaah’s Command, and those who desert or oppose them shall not be able to do them any harm. They will be dominating the people until Allaah’s Command is executed.”

And similar reports clearly show that this group of Strangers is, without a doubt, the Mujahideen. And to make things even clearer, Rasoolullaah sallaahu alaihi wa salam specifies to whom “Tooba” is for. The hadeeth is recorded in Saheeh Bukhaari and Sunan bin Maja, from Abu Huraira (ra), in which Rasoolullaah sallaahu alaihi wa salam mentions the destruction and humiliation for the worshipper of the dinar, dirham, khameesa and khamila. Than Rasoolullaah sallaahu alaihi wa salam mentions (translation):

“…Tooba is for the worshipper, taking the reins of his horse in the cause of Allaah; his hair flying, his feet dusty. If he is assigned the watch, then he remains on watch. If he is assigned the rear guard, he guards the rear. Yet if he asks permission, he is not permitted, and if he intercedes, his intercession is not granted.”

Hence, Tooba for the Mujahideen.

Growing up in a fairly conservative suburb we get told all sorts of things about Sufis and how deviated they are, bidah, etc. I was pleased to read this piece from Darul Ifta as one of their Q&A’s

Question

My question is regarding sufism, i have all the love and respect for the science of tassawuf, but ive been a bit confused, i just want to know why do they whirl and dance and do other unusual things?? is this allowed? and what is a tariqa?? and why do they have them? and what is a hadra? and are there any deviencies in some sufi tariqa’s? what about the naqshbandi?? and if one were to study tassawuf how would i know if what there doing devient? my biggest fear is doing something that puts me out of the fold of islam.

Answer:

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Alhamdulillah, we are pleased to receive your question regarding Tasawwuf and delighted to learn of your enthusiasm to learn about this blessed discipline. The word Tariqah linguistically means “manner” or “method” and in reference to the field of Tasawwuf, it refers to a school or order, e.g. the Chishti Tariqah, Naqshbandi Tariqah, Shadhili Tariqah etc. Tariqah in relation to Tasawwuf is analogous to the word “madhhab” in relation to the schools of Fiqh.

The science of Fiqh concerns itself with the external injunctions and regulations pertaining to things such as salah, fasting, stealing, interest etc., and the science of Tasawwuf concerns itself with the internal injunctions and regulations pertaining to things such as praiseworthy qualities, e.g. gratefulness, patience, sincerity etc. and reprehensible qualities, e.g. pride, ostentation and greed etc.

In essence, the goal of all the Tariqahs is one and the same, namely to cure spiritual maladies of the heart, elevate the spiritual status and ultimately gain closeness to Allah; the dissimilarities of the various Tariqahs mainly revolve around the difference of approach towards achieving this objective. Some Tariqahs implement one set of spiritual exercises whilst other Tariqahs implement a different set of exercises. Some differences in spiritual exercises stem from the differences of the Madhahib of the Shuyukh of each Tariqah. Considering the fact that the Shuyukh of Tasawwuf adhere strictly to the letter of the law, each Tariqah will differ in exercises of dhikr as well. This will be discussed later. At present, it should suffice to understand that this science pertains to the abstract metaphysical internal element of the soul, thus there exists many seemingly unusual practices and exercises prescribed by the Shuyukh to address such matters.

These exercises were implemented to kindle the burning love of Allah in the heart cleansing it from the rust caused by the passions of the ephemeral Dunya and all that towards which the lower self calls. Dhikr is the nourishment and sustenance of the soul. Just as there are various types of food with varying nutritional benefits, similarly, the various types of dhikr prescribed by the Shuyukh affect the spirit of a person in diverse ways. The field of Tasawwuf is usually likened to the field of medicine. Throughout history, man has discovered cures to various physical maladies, so to have the Shuyukh, the spiritual doctors, discovered cures for spiritual maladies. Some of the practices and cures are mentioned in the Qur’an, some in the Ahadith, and others have been discovered through the institution of tajrubah (personal experience). Generation after generation, the Shuyukh of Tasawwuf have dedicated their lives to this field, therefore, they know the effects of various adhkar upon the heart and soul. To those unfamiliar with Tasawwuf, such exercises may seem extremely peculiar and unusual.

It is understandable for people to feel uncomfortable and queasy during their first experience with such exercises. However, to repel this discomfort, one should bear in mind that the Shuyukh don’t claim that these adhkar and spiritual exercises are new forms of worship where it would be classified as an innovation (bid‘ah) in Din. Only those bereft of the understanding of Fiqh and the subtleties of Din make such professions. These spiritual prescriptions should be seen and regarded as a form of treatment (tadawi) for the sicknesses of the heart. Just as the physical body must be put through certain therapeutic exercises for the benefit and rejuvenation of the body, so to do the Shuyukh put the spiritual patient under various exercises to strengthen and treat the soul.

To give you some examples of such exercises, the famous Hadith of Rasulullah (pbuh) describes the various stages of a believer, from Islam, to Iman to Ihsan.

Jibril (AS) asked Rasulullah (pbuh) regarding Ihsan to which Rasulullah (pbuh) replied,
“It is that you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him and if you are unable to see Him, then (know well) that He is seeing you.”

From this Hadith we come to know that there is an extremely high spiritual position known as Ihsan. The question that arises is that how does a person reach such a status. The next question that arises is to whom should one go in order to learn how to attain it. If a person goes to a Muhaddith, his field and preoccupation is to merely to tell the questioner whether the Hadith is Sahih, Hasan, Dha‘if, how many chains of narration exist for the Hadith, and which narrators transmitted the Hadith etc. In regards to the meaning of the Hadith, at best, they could offer only a literal translation. If a person goes to a Faqih, he would only explain the various rulings that could be extracted from the Hadith as it pertains to the external injunctions of the Shari‘ah.

The Faqih too could not advise the questioner how to attain such a status nor the reality of such a position because such a question does not pertain to his field of expertise. If a person wants to learn the reality of this spiritual position and experience it, he will have to go to a person who has himself reached it. He will have to go to such a person who has dedicated his life in perfecting his internal attributes and character. Only that person who has already reached the destination can direct the lost seeker to it. To acquire this state, some of the Shuyukh advise the Murid to sit in solitude and absolute silence with full concentration and in a state of wudhu, whilst closing his eyes, constantly repeating and deeply pondering over the verse,

“Does he not know that Allah is watching”

After continual practice, the Murid will ultimately establish the understanding and perception that Allah is watching him at all times, whether he is walking, talking, eating, praying etc. Only after exercising great patience and perseverance in acting upon the prescription of his Shaykh and continuously informing the Shaykh of his conditions and states will he understand and experience the quality of Ihsan.

Other peculiar forms of spiritual exercises include making loud dhikr with bodily motion whether standing, as in the case of hadrah as performed by the Shadhilis, or sitting, as performed by the Chishtis. Other exercises include certain breathing exercises like pas anfas as performed by the Chishtis and various forms of muraqabah (meditation) as done by the Naqshbandis etc.

The inherent permissibility or impermissibility of some of these exercises will rest upon the differences of the various Madhahib since some of these practices cross the boundary of a mere internal metaphysical sphere to the externally physical; thus, falling under the jurisdiction of the Fuqaha’. To present a brief example, the practice of hadrah, a type of spiritual bodily movement similar to swaying that some refer to dancing coupled with loud dhikr, is permissible for the followers of the Shafi‘i Madhhab since according to their ‘Ulama and Madhhab dancing is permissible with certain conditions.

Consequently, it will be permissible for the Shuyukh and Murids who follow the Shafi‘i Madhhab to participate in the hadrah. On the contrary, it will not be permissible for the Shuyukh and Murids of the Hanafi Madhhab to participate in the dancing or swaying of the hadrah since no form of dancing is permitted in the Madhhab unless one is overtaken by an uncontrollable state of ecstasy. It is for this reason that the majority of Shuyukh of the Ahnaf prescribe a different form of dhikr that produces the same result and effect as produced by the hadra. In the Chishti Tariqah, the Shuyukh prescribe loud dhikr of the Kalimah, La Ilaha illa Allah where the Murid sits and focuses his concentration on his heart with his head turned towards the direction of his heart. Then, with full devotion, absorption and zeal he recites La ilaaha (there is no deity) while moving his head towards the back and left intending thereby the negation and purging of everything other than Allah from the heart. Thereafter, with full vigor and force, he recites illa Allah (except Allah) while meditating that the love of Allah is flooding his heart. The similar effect of the hadra, namely, that of purification of the heart and spiritual vigor is thus produced which are some of the main ingredients for reviving the diseased heart.

It is important to bear in mind that unfortunately, there has always existed groups of self-centered, worldly motivated pseudo-Sufis who misrepresented Tasawwuf and used some of the practices of the Sufis, not to mention concocted some of their own, to suit their nafsani (selfish) desires. Some of them feign being Sufis in order to gain fame and popularity, others to engage in singing and dancing and others to earn money etc. It is from such people that deviances began to crop up in this pristine and praiseworthy science. Examples of their innovations include the Qawali where singing and music are rampant under the guise of Dhikr, grave-worship where people commit shirk by prostrating to the inmates of the grave, Salami where people stand up to offer salutations upon Rasulullah (pbuh) with the belief that Rasulullah (pbuh) visits the gathering and other similar practices that have no real connection with Tasawwuf. Because of the existence of such perfidious people and their impermissible practices, it has become a daunting task for sincere people such as you to find a true Shaykh and Tariqah. Every Tariqah has these imposters in their midst preying upon the ignorant masses; therefore, one must be cautious as to who one takes as a Murshid (guide). You should ensure that before taking formal bay‘ah to any Shaykh or entering into any Tariqah, that the Shaykh is a complete adherent of the Shari‘ah and upholds its dictates. Anyone who intentionally and openly breaks a single commandment of the Shari‘ah is not worthy to be a Shaykh. A qualified Shaykh is he whose outward and inward appearance and actions conform to the Sunnah of Rasulullah (pbuh) A pious and righteous Shaykh is he in whose company a person feels the urge to act upon the dictates of the Shari‘ah not disregard them. We advise you to continuously make du‘a to Allah Ta‘ala to guide you to a pious and upright Shaykh who will guide you in the field of Tasawwuf. You should make Mashwarah with pious local ‘Ulama if any for their views on finding a genuine Shaykh. It is also important to understand that aside from the Shaykh being firm upon the Shari‘ah, it is imperative that one have some congeniality with the Shaykh so that one can gain spiritual benefit from him. Without the existence of this congeniality and amiability, it will be difficult to consult with one’s Shaykh and follow his advices. Once you have found such a Shaykh who is strict in adherence to the Shari‘ah and the Sunnah and you have an amicable relationship with him, you should place all your trust in him and follow all of his instructions without any doubt. Inshallah, in this manner you will ascend the stages of Tasawwuf with relative ease and obtain your objective.

And Allah knows best

Wassalam u Alaikum

Ml. Yusuf bin Yaqub,
Student Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In’aamiyyah

I have received this email numerous times, many know this is NOT dajjal and its merely a poor baby born with medical condition and deformed developments.

Below is a more official answer to this

The ahadith relating to physical features and appearance of Dajjaal are quite clear. The baby shown on the email pictures cannot be Dajjaal because of the following reasons :

1. Dajjaal was present at least from the time of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. A hadith exaplains the expererience of Tamim al-Daari Radhi Allahu Anhu where he saw Dajjaal chained on an island.
2. Dajjaal has been described in the ahadith as having two eyes. One of them will be blind and one will protrude like a grape.
3. The word “kaafir” will be seen on his forehead.

Medical doctors have further confirmed that the case of the baby, in question, with one eye is actually a physical deformity.

One should be particularly careful about circulating emails of this nature because they cause misconceptions and unnecessary confusion. As Muslims we believe completely in the words of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam regarding the emergence of Dajjaal. Our faith in this should not hinge upon images or chain emails.

We should further prepare ourselves from falling prey to the deception of Dajjaal, if we live to see him, by following the prescriptions mentioned in the Quran and ahadith.

And Allah knows best.

Courtesy of : Madrasah Mazaahir al-Uloom. For all Shariah related queries contact Mufti Muhammad Abubakr Minty at almazaahir@gmail.com

Seems ALOT of older Muslims in South African believe in this absurd superstition. Insha’allah this article will clear up this once and for all.

Superstition and The Month of Safar

Superstition constituted an integral part of the belief system of the Pagans. Prior to the advent of Islam the Arabs were steeped in superstitious beliefs, beliefs that regulated their social, economic and political activity. Superstition created a mysterious value system that gave rise to fear, suspicion and enmity. It deprived man of rational thinking and every ailment, accident or calamity was attributed to some evil force bent on destroying their lives. The situation was further aggravated by wicked “Spiritual Doctors” who exploited the unwary masses and ran lucrative businesses treating and exorcizing the “evil forces”. Even today there are people who claim to know the future and try to impress people with their “divine powers”. Belief in superstition detracts from Imaan in Taqdeer and the qudrat of Allâh Ta’ala.

The Holy Qur’ân states: “No misfortune can happen on earth nor (afflict) your souls, but is recorded in a Book (long) before We bring it into existence; that is truly easy for Allâh”.

Disaster and misfortune take place according to the Will and Plan of Allâh. No other force or power can direct your destiny or cause harm to you except with the permission of Allâh. Some of the superstitious beliefs that filtered down from Jahiliyyah to us are:

The Month of Safar

The month of Safar is regarded as a month of ill-fortune and bad luck. The pre-Islamic Arabs believed Safar to be a serpent that dwells in the stomach of man. It stirs to life in this month and causes various types of illnesses and diseases. Thus people are more prone to fall ill in this month. Because of the various evil omens attached to this month some Muslims regard:

• Nikâh contracted in this month to be bad luck and ill-fated.
• Any important business venture initiated in this month bound to collapse.
• The first thirteen days of this month to be specifically evil and bad luck.

Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam condemned such superstitious beliefs in various ahadîth.

A hadîth narrated in Muslim states: “There is no (ill-fortune) in the month of Safar nor do evil spirits (exist)”

Another hadîth states: “Do not revile time (i.e. do not regard any particular day, week or month to be bad, for I (Allâh) am the (embodiment) of all time”

Soothsayers – Fortunetellers

There are certain impostors who pretend to know the future through contact with the “spirits”. The Holy Qur’ân rejects the notion that anyone besides Allâh knows the future in the following verse: “Say – No one in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allâh”.

The Holy Qur’ân states: “If I had knowledge of the unseen I should have had abundance of good and no evil should have touched me. Truly I am a Warner and a Giver of glad tidings to those who have faith”.

Concerning the Jinn who laboured for Sulaiman alayhis salaam the Qur’ân states: “It became clear to the jinn that if they had known the unseen, they would not have continued in the humiliating punishment of their task”.

Horoscopes and Astrology

The Pagan Arabs used three arrows to ascertain whether they should proceed with a task or not. The words “My Lord has commanded me” were inscribed on one arrow; “My Lord has forbidden me” inscribed on the second arrow and the third arrow was left blank. If they planned a journey, or a marriage or to raid the enemy, etc., they would go to the temple and draw out an arrow. If they drew the arrow with the positive inscription they would proceed with their plans. The negative inscription meant that they should abort their plans. A blank arrow meant that they should repeat the process till they received a clear directive. This practice is akin to modern day horoscopes, astrology, palm reading and other similar practices. Islam prohibits all such practices and considers them sinful.

The Holy Qur’ân states: “And (also forbidden) is predicting the future by means of divining arrows, for that is impiety”.

Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam has stated: “If anyone acquires any knowledge of astrology, he acquires a branch of magic (which is totally forbidden)”

He also stated: “The astrologer is a diviner, the diviner is a magician and the magician is an unbeliever”.

Another tradition states: “Whoever goes to a fortuneteller and believes in what he says has denied what was revealed to Mohammed”.

Omens and Charms

The same prohibiton applies to hanging charms, beads and amulets, in the belief that they will protect the bearer from evil spirits, bad luck or the evil eye.

The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam stated: “May Allâh not fulfill the hopes of the one who wears a charm; may Allâh not protect the one who hangs seashells (used as a charm in those days)”. (Ahmed)

Another narration stated; “Whoever wears a charm will be left to rely on it”. (Tirmidhi)

Abdullah bin Masûd radhiallahu anhu once saw his wife wearing a knotted thread around her neck. He pulled at it and broke it saying, “The family of Abdullah is free from associating anything with Allâh for which He has sent no authority”. He then said: “I heard the Messenger of Allâh sallallahu alayhi wasallam say ” Incantations, amulets and spells are shirk”.

Drawing evil omens from a black cat, the number thirteen, a pregnant woman, using a knife at the time of an eclipse, etc., is no more than weird superstition. The disbelievers frequently attacked the Prophets saying “Indeed we augur an evil omen from you”, The messengers would reply: “Your auguring of evil omens is with yourselves”. This implied that, the cause of your evil omens lies in your attitude which stems from superstition, disbelief and stubbornness.

Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam stated: “He is not of us who seeks evil omens or for whom evil omens are sought …..” (Tabraani). Another tradition states: “No one is free from three things: suspicion, auguring evil omens and envy. Thus if you have a suspicion, do not pursue it, if you augur an evil omen, do not turn you back, and if you are envious do not transgress”. (Tabraani)

Sihar – Magic – Jadu

Practicing magic is tantamount to kufr in Islam. Just as it is haraam for Muslims to consult with diviners or fortune tellers, it is likewise haram for them to seek the help of magicians, sangomas, witch-doctors etc.

Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam disowned such person saying: “Anyone who goes to a diviner, a practitioner of magic or a soothsayer, asking something and believing in it, denies what was revealed to Mohammed”.

Another tradition states: “The alcoholic, the believer in magic and the one who breaks ties of kinship will not enter Jannat”. (Ibn Hibban)

Corrupt Sufis

“Sufis who treat people as cheap profit making commodities and call towards themselves rather than towards Allâh and ask them to respect and love them, instead of loving Allâh, were, infact the robbers, the liars, traders in religion, cheaters and thugs.” (Shah Wali-Allâh)

Conclusion

Hazrat Umar Abdul Aziz (known as Umar, the second) states: “I advise you to observe piety and fear Allâh, to maintain a balanced life by obeying the commandments of Allâh and following the Sunnah of Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam. I also admonish you against innovation introduced by the ‘Ahle – Bidat’ and advise you to detach yourselves from them ….”. (Abu Dawood)

Islam is not a religion based on superstitious dogma. To attribute every ailment, calamity and hardship to “evil spirits” is to be a defeatist. We ultimately become the victims of suspicion, hatred and fear. We become blind to our own weaknesses and shortcomings and simply attribute all our ills to some external forces.

If we ourselves have set our garden on fire with our own hands, why do we complain against the enemy. No one is our enemy except our ownselves. Fie upon us that we proved to be the enemies of our ownselves.

from DarulIhsan