| Practical Mustahibaat for Our Daily Lives |
[Nov. 26th, 2009|07:50 pm] |
http://islamicinsights.com/religion/religion/practical-mustahibaat-for-our-daily-lives.html
Practical Mustahibaat for Our Daily Lives
Tuesday, 24 November 2009 07:28 Farah Masood
Part I: The Recommended Acts
We have previously discussed the importance of keeping up our mustahab (recommended) acts of worship, along with detailing some specific suggestions. While those were more prayer-related, here we present to you a list of easy and practical mustahibaat that are also highly commendable and greatly beneficial. They are certainly not the only ones, but are of immense value nonetheless and can be easily incorporated in our daily routines.
Learning Fiqh on Friday
Learning the laws of jurisprudence is listed as one of the important recommended acts for Friday by Shaikh Abbas Qummi in Mafatih al-Jinan, alongside performing Ghusl, attending congregational prayers, giving charity, etc. He further narrates that Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said, "Pathetic is that believer who is so occupied with the affairs of the world that he does not spend even one day of the week, Friday, in learning the laws of jurisprudence."
In our quest to do well in school, university or work-related exams, are we neglecting the knowledge required of us to excel in (or even pass) THE exam of our life? Indeed, we spend hours and hours on end studying in order to make academic progress, and although this is ibaadat in itself, the worth and importance of learning the laws of Islam must be realized. Because while following the Islamic way of life was a choice, learning its laws is a responsibility.
Wearing Aqeeq
Several sacred traditions have emphasized the significance and benefits of wearing an Aqeeq (agate) ring, preferably on the right hand. Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said, "The one who wears an aqeeq ring, Allah seals for him peace and faith." He also said, "Wear aqeeq on your rings, you will be blessed and will be saved from afflictions". (Makarimul Akhlaaq)
In another tradition, Salman-al-Farsi (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates a conversation in which the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) was informing Imam Ali regarding the wearing of rings. The Prophet advised the Imam to wear the ring on his right hand, as by doing so, one would be included among the muqarrabin (those near to Allah). Imam Ali then asked which ring he should wear, and the Prophet advised him to wear a ring with a red aqeeq, as this stone had affirmed the Oneness of Allah, the Prophethood of Muhammad, the vicegerency of Ali, and paradise for the friends and Shias of Ali. (Hilyatul Muttaqin)
Things to Remember When Drinking Water
The simple act of drinking water has its own list of mustahibaat to be mindful of, which are as follows:
* Water should be drunk slowly, as if it were sucked.
* During daytime, one should drink water while standing.
* One should say Bismillah before drinking water and Alhamdulillah after drinking.
* One should drink water in three sips.
* One should drink water when one feels thirsty.
* After drinking water, one should remember Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) and his household, and curse the enemies who slew him.
Furthermore, it is unworthy to drink too much water, to drink water after eating fatty food, and to drink water while standing during the night. It is also unworthy to drink water with one's left hand, to drink water from the side of a container which is cracked or chipped off, or from the side of its handle. (Ayatollah Sistani, Islamic Laws)
Sadaqah and Charity
We all (hopefully) do our bit in paying out Khums and Zakat whenever it falls due. Yet what is sometimes forgotten is that true generosity comes from going above and beyond the obligations that are upon us – when one willingly contributes a part of their wealth for the sake of goodness and humanity. Numerous Qur'anic verses and traditions have stressed the importance of being charitable and taking out Sadaqah. Not only is it the key to sustenance, but traditions report that it wards off calamities, cures maladies, leads towards prosperity, and increases one's wealth, rewards, and lifespan.
We should make it a habit to take out sadaqah regularly, even daily, no matter how small the amount is, and we must always remember to take out the sadaqah of Imam Zamana (may Allah hasten his reappearance) first. Sponsoring an orphan is another great way to donate; many organizations provide the means to make this easier, such as the World Federation's Zainabiyya Child Sponsorship Scheme (ZCSS), information for which can be found here.
Always Staying in the State of Wudhu
The Prophet is narrated to have said, "Wudhu (ablution) performed on wudhu is as light upon light on the Judgment Day." (Adab as-Suluk) Being the means to spiritual purification, always remaining in the state of wudhu is highly beneficial to the body and soul, evoking inner enlightenment, and surely it serves as a shield against darkness and corruption. Traditions narrate that one who performs wudhu before going to sleep is as if he has stood up the entire night in prayers!
Our Prophet has encouraged us to be mindful of cleanliness at all times: "Try to be clean as much as you are able to. Verily, Allah has based the foundation of Islam on cleanliness; hence, never can a person enter Paradise but the clean ones." (Kanz ul-'Ummal)
Remembering the Tragedy of Karbala
Remembering the suffering of Imam Hussain is not exclusive to the months of Muharram and Safar alone, but is actually recommended to be done throughout the year, Thursday nights in particular. Its merits have been emphasized in a great many narrations, all imparting the countless benefits that come with it.
Imam Ali al-Ridha (peace be upon him) said that one who weeps for Imam Hussain such that tears roll down the cheeks, Allah would forgive all sins committed by that person, regardless of how many there were and whether they were great sins or minor sins. (Al-Amali) He also said, "He who sits in a gathering in which our affairs (and our path and aims) are discussed and revived, his heart shall not die on the Day of Judgment when hearts shall die (of fear)." (Bihar al-Anwar)
Majalis can easily be hosted at our homes or at the mosque on Thursday nights, and surely such regular remembrance of the suffering of our Imam and his family will allow us their intercession on the Day of Judgment and bring us closer to Allah.
Ghusl of Friday
Ghusl al-Jum'ah is so commendable that the Holy Prophet told Imam Ali, "O Ali, do ghusl every Friday, even if you have to sell that day's sustenance and go hungry in order to purchase water, because there is no greater sunnat than this [ghusl]." (Mafatih al-Jinan)
The ghusl can be performed at any time on Friday from sunrise till sunset, although the recommended time is before midday. And if missed on Friday, its qadha may be performed the following day.
Praying with Perfume On
Our Prophet was very fond of perfume and would always urge his friends and followers to make a habit of using it regularly. He spent much of his savings on purchasing perfumes, and especially encouraged its use on Fridays to prevent any bad odor from bothering others in the congregational prayers. Although striving to emulate our beloved Prophet is reason enough to practice this, narrations also tell us that prayer performed with perfume applied is better than 70 prayers without!
Brushing Your Teeth Often
This may be seem needless to mention, yet brushing the teeth is amongst the most recommended etiquettes enjoined by our Holy Prophet – so much that it could have been made obligatory! For he said, "If it were not hard upon my Ummah, I would enjoin them to brush (their teeth) with every prayer." (Bihar al-Anwar)
Traditions state that two units of prayer performed after brushing the teeth is superior to seventy units performed without it. It is further stated that if one forgets to brush his teeth before wudhu, it is mustahab to do so after it and to rinse the mouth three times with water. (Bihar al-Anwar) Not only before offering prayers, but brushing teeth is also recommended before performing wudhu, at the time of reciting the Qur'an, at daybreak, and on waking up from sleep.
Reciting Qur'an Regularly
The Holy Quran is not merely for us to recite during the month of Ramadan or following a loved one's death. It is a blessing from Allah, brought down for us to seek guidance and tranquility from not just a few times each year but constantly. Let's make it a habit to read at least a few pages each day.
The Holy Prophet has said, "Surely the recitation of the Qur'an is atonement for the sins, a protection from the hellfire, and a safety from the punishment. Mercy will descend upon the reciter, the angels will seek forgiveness for him, heaven will long for that person, and his Lord will be pleased with him." (Bihar al-Anwar)
He also said, "One who recites ten verses of the Qur'an every night will not be counted amongst the negligent ones (ghafilin); and one who recites fifty verses will be written as those who remember Allah (dhakirin); and one who recites one hundred verses will be written down as the obedient and worshipper of Allah (qanitin)." (Thawabul A'mal)
Purchasing Your Kafan
Ayatollah Sistani states in Islamic Laws that it is highly recommended to keep one's shroud (along with Sidr leaves and camphor) ready during one's lifetime. It is thus a good idea to purchase your kafan early in life, keeping it in your closet as a constant reminder of that which is inevitable and the time for which only Allah knows. (And if you are still alive a year after purchasing it, remember to pay the Khums due!)
Initiating Salam
An act so simple, and yet forsaken too many a time by many of us. Imam Hussain said, "Seventy rewards is the share of the one who initiates a greeting, and only one reward belongs to the one who returns the greeting" (Bihar al-Anwar)
The Holy Prophet said: "When you meet each other, then initiate greeting and embrace, and when you separate from each other, then depart with seeking forgiveness." (Bihar al-Anwar)
Making Peace Among People
Bringing people together and implementing love and harmony among them is among the greatest acts. In fact, the Holy Prophet said that to make peace between two individuals is worthier than one's entire prayers and fasting. (Bihar al-Anwar)
We are living in a world where people enjoy watching (and sadly, inciting) arguments and conflict among others, and while the task of making peace becomes a rather grueling one, it is important to try. With the right conduct and intentions, even the seemingly impossible can become possible.
Inviting Believers to Our Homes
Numerous narrations have conveyed the worth of having believers as guests and of treating them to food, drink, etc. It is one of the characteristics of the prophets, and one tradition states that when seven days had passed and Imam Ali did not have a single guest, he said amidst sobs, "I fear lest the Lord has removed this mercy from me." Amazing, ours is a religion so gratifying that to meet and socialize with friends cheerfully and inviting them to meals are considered virtuous and charitable acts.
Are there any practical and easy-to-do mustahibaat that we missed and you think should be on this list? Feel free to share your favorite ones below! |
|
|
| Twisted Humor : Why, Angelina Jolie? |
[Oct. 26th, 2009|01:25 pm] |
Bush & Obama were sitting in a bar.
A Guy approaches and inquires: “What are you guys up to?”
Bush: “We are planning for World War III."
Guy: “Really, what's going to happen?"
Bush: “Well, this time we are going to kill 140 Million Muslims and Angelina Jolie..!"
Guy: "Angelina jolie? Why, Angelina Jolie?"
Bush Turns To Obama and says: “See! I told you, no one would worry about 140 Million Muslims!!!!! !!!!” |
|
|
| This World Is A Deep Ocean |
[Jul. 15th, 2009|08:26 am] |
“This world is a deep ocean in which many knowledgeable people have drowned. In this ocean, piety (Taqwa) should be your ship; Your cargo should be Iman (true faith); Your sail on this ship should be Tawakkul (complete reliance on Allah); The captain should be reason (Aql); Your guide should be Knoweldge (Ilm); Your anchor should be patience (Sabr).”
Imam Musa al Kadhim (AS) |
|
|
| Enemies and Friends of Shaytan |
[Jun. 24th, 2009|10:32 am] |
There are 15 enemies and 11 friends of Shaytan. Here is the list.
ENEMIES OF SHAITAN (THE CURSED ONE)
1. O Prophet of Allah, my first enemy is you and your Ahlul-Bait (progeny) because if it wasn't for you and your AhlulBait, my mission would be quite successful. There would have been not even a single believer (follower of right path shown by Allah). You bought the religion of Allah (al-Islam) to this world, You made people believers of Allah's communication.
2. O Prophet of Allah my second enemy is that just ruler who rules a nation with complete justice.
3. O Prophet of Allah, my third enemy is that rich person who does not have any ego or feel superior to other poor people around him.
4. O Prophet of Allah, my fourth enemy is that business man who perform his business with justice.
5. O Prophet of Allah my fifth enemy is that Aalim (scholar) who fears Allah and practice what he preaches.
6. O Prophet of Allah, my sixth enemy is that specific Mo'min (believer) who work on showing other the path of truth. Who offer other the knowledge of Wajibats (obligatory) and Haram (forbidden) duties of Allah. This person is undoing all my hard work.
7. O Prophet of Allah, my seventh enemy is that person who does not listen to what is forbidden, does not see what is forbidden, and does not eat what is forbidden.
Comment by Maulana Sadiq Hasan Qibla: This person does not look any Na-Mehram women/men (a women with whom a man can marry or a man with whom a woman can marry), does not watches movies or shows. This person prevent himself or herself from listening to Music, Songs, lies, or Geebath (Backbiting). This person does not eat forbidden food (meat which is not cut according to the Islamic ways such as meat cut by non Muslim business men, etc.) and that food which is not purchased with the halal (allowed) earnings (such as earnings from selling alcohol, from gambling, from selling drugs and from many other sources which are forbidden in Islam.)
8. O Prophet of Allah, my eighth enemy is that believer who keeps himself clean all the time. A person who stays in Wuzu and who wears clean clothes.
9. O Prophet of Allah, my ninth enemy is that person who has a big heart. Who spents his/her money for the sake of Allah.
Comment by Maulana Sadiq Hasan: Once Prophet of Allah asked his companion did you know that one Dinar can be more than One Lakh (hundred thousand) Dinar? Prophet's companions replied no O Prophet of Allah. Then, (our beloved) Prophet of Allah said, "If a person who owns for instance ten lakhs and gives one lakh in charity is less than that poor man who owns two dinnar and gives one dinnar in charity."
10. O Prophet of Allah, my tenth enemy is that person who gives Sadqa (charity) only for the name of Allah.
11. o Prophet of Allah, my eleventh enemy is that person who reads, memorizes, and act according to Quran.
12. O Prophet of Allah, my twelfth enemy is that person who recites "Namaz-e-Shab" (prayers recited after the midnight and before namaz Fajr). I am always afraid of this person.
13. O Prophet of Allah, my thirteenth enemy is that person who offers his wajib (obligatory) Khums, wajib Zakat, and other wajib sadaqas.
14. O Prophet of Allah, my fourteenth enemy is that woman who observes Hijaab (Veil) and safeguards her Hijaab.
15. O Prophet of Allah, my fifteenth enemy is that who performs his "Ibadat" (such as prayers) without having thoughts except for the thoughts of Allah.
After hearing the list of fifteen enemies of Shaitan, our beloved Prophet of Allah (may the peace of Allah be upon him and his progeny) asked Shaitan to name his eleven friends. Upon which, the cursed Shaitan named the following eleven people:
THE FRIENDS OF SHAITAN (THE CURSED ONE)
1. The first friend of mine is that leader who is a oppressor (Zalim).
2. My second friend is that business man who does his/ her business by deceiving his / her customers.
3. My third friend is that "Mo'min" (believer) who drinks alcohol.
4. My fourth friend is that rich person who is proud of his wealth and who angrily refuses to give money in charity to poor and needy.
5. My fifth friend is that person who does backbiting (Geebat), who talks to people in such a way that enemity increases between people and who reveals the defects of people.
6. My sixth friend is that person who kill other human being for any reason other than for Allah.
7. My seventh friend is that person who snatches away the belongings (such as wealth) of an orphan.
8. My eighth friend is that person whose livelihood is based on collecting interest.
9. My ninth friend is that person who gives more important to his worldly life rather than giving important to his life after death. This friend of mine prefers to performs those deeds which he know, will bring benefits in this world but in hereafter such deeds will bring loss.
10. My tenth friend is that person who keep long hopes and delays in asking for forgiveness from Allah.
(Here Maulana gave the example of that person who delays in asking forgiveness from Allah. For instance he said, "people refuse to ask forgiveness from Allah because they say we are young and angel of death is not running after us yet. Therefore these people, who delay in asking for repentance, say we are not going to quit listening to music, we are not going to observe Hijab, or we are not going to keep the beard. These people say that they will do all this after ten or more years. These are the tenth friends of Shaitan, because they keep long hopes and delay in asking for forgiveness from Allah.")
11. My eleventh friend is that person who helps women to increase their interest in performing "Jaadu" (magic) on people. |
|
|
| The Four Questions |
[Sep. 30th, 2008|07:55 am] |
Imam Ali (A.S.) was always available when the three khalifa sought his advice on religious matters. His position as the jurist was on the top of the list among the companions of the Holy Prophet (saw). Umar Ibne Khattab the 2nd Caliph had given clear instructions that when Ali was present in the mosque of the Prophet no one should take precedence over him in answering questions on religious matters. In one such encounter during the time of the 2nd Caliph, a group of Jewish scholars approached the caliph and said, 'We have a few questions. If we get the answers to these questions correctly, we will accept the Islamic faith.
'Ask whatever you want to ask,' said the caliph.
They asked the following questions:
1. What are the locks and keys of heaven?
2. Who was the messenger who was neither of the human nor of the Jinn and who warned his people?
3. Which are the 5 beings who were created without ! the aid of ovaries?
4. What are one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven and twelve?
The caliph thought over these questions for a time, then said, 'I do not know the answers to these questions. I will take you to a man who is most knowledgeable in the commandments of Allah and the Holy Prophet and the greatest among us.
The caliph then brought the Jewish scholars to Ali (a.s.). They asked the same questions to him. Ali (a.s.) answered thus:
1. The locks of the heavens are beliefs in more than one god, and its keys are the letters of 'La Ilaha Illallah, Muhammad- Ur - Rasulallah. '
2. The messenger who warned his people is the ant who, when Solomon's army was passing by, said to his people, ' Enter your houses so that the army may not stamp you out (without intention)'. So Allah states in the Holy Qur'an, ' Until they came to the valley of the Ants, said an ant (addressing the other ants of the valley) O' you ants' enter into! your dwellings, so that Solomon and his hosts may not crush you while they know it not'. (Sura An-Naml. V 18)
3. The five beings who were not born of ovaries are: Adam, Eve, the staff of Moses which used to change into a python, the camel of Saleh, and the sheep of Ibrahim (which was sent by Allah to become a ransom of the life of Ibrahim's son Ismael).
4. One is Allah who has no partners, Two are Adam and Eve, Three are the substances ( i.e. non-living matter, plants and animals), Four are the Heavenly books: Torah of Moses, Bible of Jesus, Zubur of Dawood and the Qur'an of Hadhrat Muhammad (saw).
Five are the daily prayers.
Six are the days of creation of the heavens and earth, as per the verse of the Qur'an: ' And indeed We created the heavens and the earth and what is between them two, in six periods and touched us not any fatigue.' (Sura Qaf V. 38).
Seven are the seven heavens, in the light of the Qur'anic Verse: ' And we have erected above you the seven strong ones.' (Sura An-Naba V12)
Eight are those angels who bear the heavens, as per the Qur'anic Verse: ' And the angels shall be on the side of it; and above them shall bear that day `Arsh' (the throne of authority). of your Lord, eight of them (Sura Al-Haaqqah. V.17)
Nine are the nine signs given to Moses as stated by God: 'And indeed we gave Moses nine clear signs (miracles); so ask the children of Israel when he came to them, Pharaoh said to him; 'Verily I deem you O' Moses one bewitched. '(Sura Bani Israel , V 101).
Ten are the ten days, i.e. God had promised Moses that he would stay on the mountain of Toor for thirty days, and later added ten more days to this duration, as it is stated in the Qur'an.' And we made an appointment with Moses for thirty nights and completed it with ten more;' Thus was completed the term of his Lord, forty nights, and (before he went up) Moses said to his brother Aaron: You take my place among my people, act rightly and follow not the path of the mischief-makers. ' (Sura Al-A'araf. V.142).
Eleven are the brothers of Joseph, son of Jacob, as the Qur'an states, 'When said Joseph to his father, O' my father; Verily I did see (dream) eleven stars and the sun and the moon,, I saw them all prostrating to me.' (Sura Yousuf. V.4).
Twelve are the Twelve water-springs manifested by the staff of Moses, as God states, ' And (remember) when Moses sought water for his people; said We, `Strike the rock with your staff' Then gushed out therefrom twelve springs; each people knew their drinking place; 'Eat and drink God's provision, and commit not evil in the earth acting mischievously. '(Sura Al Baqarah V60).
When the Jewish scholars heard the replies of Hadhrat Ali (a.s.) they said, 'We bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (saw) is His Messenger and Ali (a.s.) is the 'Wasi' and successor of the Messenger of Allah as Aaron was the Wasi of Moses. They all embraced Islam, went back to their tribe and converted all of them to Islam.
|
|
|
| navigation |
| [ |
viewing |
| |
most recent entries |
] |
| [ |
go |
| |
earlier |
] |
| |
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
saaridunya's journal