AllahintheNameofWhoisMostMerciful,MostAffectionate.

1 786/92

MUSLIMGUIDE By

HakeemUlUmmatHAZRATMUFTIAHMEDYAARKHANNAEEMI(RadiAllahuAnhu)

Translation By SisterFirdaousIqbalKhan PublishedBy,

HabibiDarulIftaMobeniHeightsDurban.SouthAfrica Contact:ImamAhmadRazaAcademyDurbanSouthAfrica

PreparedBy: RafeeqAhmadMir ImamAhmadRazaIslamicMission

www.razaislamicmission.webs.com iarim@ymail.com

AllahintheNameofWhoisMostMerciful,MostAffectionate.2 PREFACE Alhamdulillah,thisbookisinyourhandsandIhopethatyoumakethemostofit.Theoriginalbook, IslaamiZindagiwaswrittenbyitsauthorforspecificsocialproblemsrelatingtotheIndiansub continent.Therefore,somechangesandomissionsfromtheoriginalhadtobemadeinthis translatedversiontosuitthepracticesofthiscountryandwhereverMuslimsarelivinginwestern countries. ItwasthevisionofHadratAllamaAlHaajShameemAshrafAzhari,whoistheKhateeboftheJumma MasjidinMauritius,thatthisbook,IslaamiZindagi,betranslatedinEnglish.Sothisworkhasbeen translatedunderhisinstructions.MayAlmightyAllahgrantTaufeeqandhelpusleadourlife accordingtotheShariah.Aameen. IwouldalsoliketothankBrotherImtiazKhanforhisinputandBrotherMahomedYunusAbdul KarrimRazviforproofreadingthebookandtothosewhocontributedtopublishthisbook.May AlmightyAllahrewardthemabundantly.Aameen. MuftiNaseemAshrafHabibi HabibiDarulIftaMobeniHeightsDurban.SouthAfrica FOREWORD ByMoulanaAbdunNabiHamidi ThisisasummarizedtranslationoftheUrdubookISLAAMIZINDAGIbyawellknownscholarand GreatMuffassiroftheHolyQuran,HakeemulUmmatHAZRATMUFTIAHMEDYAARKHANNAEEMI (radiAllahuanhu). HeadvicestheMuslimUmmahhowtoreformthemselves,especiallyouryouth,whoareinneedof thiskindofguidanceintheirdailylives,aswellastheproblemsthatarearisingdailywhichcanonly besolvedbyadoptingaproperwayofIslamiclifeanddiscipline,whichwasgiventotheUmmahby ourProphetMuhammad(sallallaahualaihiwasallam).DuetothelackofIslamicEducationthereisa conflictinthemindsofouryouth,betweentheschoolingenvironmentandthebeliefsandvaluesof Islam.ThisbookletisyourguidetoIslamicKnowledge.EveryMuslimhomeshouldhavethisbooklet andMuslimfamiliesshouldlearntherulesofShariah,whichappliestotheirdailylives.Bearinmind thosesocieties,whichgiveascendancetophysicaldesires,andanimalisticmoralscannotoffer peace,harmonyandsatisfactionoftheheart. SisterFirdaousIqbalKhanhastranslatedISLAAMIZINDAGIinEnglishinaverysimpleandbeautiful wayforreaderstounderstand.SheiswellqualifiedinbothEnglishandUrdu.Herdedicationisvery muchappreciated.

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AllahintheNameofWhoisMostMerciful,MostAffectionate.3 MayAlmightyAllahacceptthiseffortoftheHabibiDarulIftaandgranttheorganizerscourageto carryontheirconstructivework.Aameen. BismillahirRahmaanirRaheem BIRTHOFACHILD Itisgenerallyfoundthatpeoplecelebrateonthebirthofaboyandshowdissatisfactionwhenagirl isborn.Islamdisapprovesofthiskindofbehavior.ChildrenaregreatgiftfromAlmightyAllahandwe shouldbethankfulandrejoiceirrespectiveofthegenderofthenewbornchild.Thebirthofa daughterisablessingandtheProphetofIslam(sallallaahualaihiwasallam)saidthattheywouldbe ashieldfortheparentsfromHell. ItisstatedintheQuranShareef,SurahanNahl,Verse58:whennewsisbroughttooneofthem ofthebirthofafemalechildhisfacedarkens,andheisfilledwithinwardgrief.Thiswasthebelief oftheKufaarpriortoIslam. Thewomanthatgivesbirthtoagirlasherfirstchildisindeedfortunateasthefirstbornofthe ProphetMuhammad(sallallaahualaihiwasallam)wasagirl. Onthebirthofachild,giftsoralmsshouldbedistributedamongthepoor.Nafilsshouldberead insteadofhavingparties,playingmusicanddistributingsweetmeats,whichistotallyunnecessary. Whenachildisborn,heorsheshouldbegivenGhusalassoonaspossibleandtheAzaanmustbe readintherightearandtheTakbeerrecitedintheleftear.Theafterbirth(placenta,etc.)ofthe childshouldbeburied. ItisalsoSunnatthatsomepiouspersonchewssomethingsweetlikedates(Khajoor)andplaceinthe babyspalate(Thaneek).ItisestablishedfromtheAhadiththattheSahabastooknewbornstothe ProphetMuhammad(sallallaahualaihiwasallam)forThaneek. ItispreferabletohaveaMeeladShareeforFatehaonthebirthofababy.Allotherunnecessary customs,whichhasnobasisinIslam,shouldbecompletelystopped. AQEEQAANDCIRCUMCISION ItisSunnattomakeAqeeqaonthe7thdayafterthebirthofachild,butifthisisnotpossible,it shouldbedoneonthe15thor21stday. ItisrequiredtomakeAqeeqaoftwosheepforaboyandonesheepforagirl.TheAqeeqameat shouldbedividedintothreeparts:onepartistobegiventothepoor,onetofriendsandfamilyand oneparttobeusedinthehouse. Itispreferablethatthebonesshouldnotbebrokenbutbeseparatedbythejointsandburiedafter eating. Itisalsobetterthatthechildbenamedbythe7thdayfromthetimeofbirth.Agoodname, preferablyoneofthenamesoftheAmbiyaorofaSahabiwouldbeofBarakat.Mohammedisthe bestnameandnamessuchasthisshouldneverbemispronounced.

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AllahintheNameofWhoisMostMerciful,MostAffectionate.4 DuringAqeeqa(7thday)thechildshaircanalsoberemovedandtheequivalentweightinSilver shouldbegiveninSadaqah.SoakedSaffroncanberubbedonthechildsheadafterthehairis removed. ItisalsopermissibletomakeAqeeqaofonecowforafewchildren,meaning2/7partofacowfora boyandonepartforagirl. OneshouldnotborrowmoneytomakeAqeeqaasitisnotcompulsoryonapersonthatcannot affordit.AqeeqaisnotFardhorWaajibbutitisaSunnat. CircumcisionisSunnatformalesbetweentheagesof7to12years.Tocircumciseaftertheageof12 isprohibited.Itisbesttocircumciseatanearlyage,evenduringAqeeqa(7thday)asthechildheals veryquicklyanddoesnotsuffermuch.Thereisnoneedtohavefunctionstocelebratetheprocess ofcircumcision. UPBRINGINGOFCHILDREN Achildshouldbeweanedoffbreastmilkattheageoftwo. Whenthechildislearningtospeak,firstteachhimorhertosaythenameofAllahandteachthe childKalimaTayyibahatalaterstage. Whenmakingachildsleep,mothersshouldreadNaathsorQasidainsteadofsingingsongsor playingtheradio. Trytosetagoodexampleandpracticewhatyoupreachaschildrenhaveahabitofimitatingwhat theysee. ReadyourNamaazintheirpresence,reciteQuranShareefandtakethemtotheMasjidwithyou. Readstoriesofgoodpiouspeopleaschildrenlovelisteningtostoriesandcanlearnvaluablelessons andformgoodhabitsfromHadithandsuchstories. Whenchildrenreachtheageof7years,theyshouldbeorderedtoperformNamaaz,learnthefive Kalimas,ImaaneMujmalandImaaneMufassil. SendchildrentoMadressatolearnDuas,toreadtheQuranShareefandotherIslamicBooksand magazines. Childrenshouldbetaughttokeeptheirbody,clothesandsurroundingspureandclean. Theyshouldbegivenresponsibilitiesaswellascertaindutiesortaskstoperforminthehouse. TheymustbetaughttodotheirownworkandshouldalsobetaughttomakeSalaamswhen enteringthehouseorwhenmeetingpeople.Theyshouldbetaughttheimportanceofrespecting theirelders. Encouragealifeofsimplicityincludingsimpledressingandeatinghabits.

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AllahintheNameofWhoisMostMerciful,MostAffectionate.5 ItisadvisablethatatleastoneofthechildrenshouldbecomeHafizoranAalimasithasbeenstated inaHadiththatthreegenerationsofoneHafizandsevengenerationsofoneAalimwillbepardoned. Instillgoodconstructivehobbiesinthem,thosethatcanbemeansforthemtoearnaHalaalRozi (sustenance)atalaterstageintheirlives. AccordingtoIslam,childrenmustbeeducatedinreligiousandworldlyaffairs.Inthisconnection, thereisalsoafamousHadithoftheHolyProphet(sallallaahualaihiwasallam)whichsays:The acquisitionofknowledgeisincumbentoneveryMuslimmanandwoman.Buttheeducationofthe femalesshouldbeinaccordancewithhertemperamentandtheimmediateneedsofsociety.She shouldbeeducatedinsuchamannerascouldmakeheragoodMuslim,wife,mother,educatorand anidealcitizen.Girlsshouldbetaughthandicrafts,cooking,sewing,etc.Itisveryimportantthat withanycareeroneshouldgainIslamicknowledgeandpracticegoodIslamicwayoflifeandvalues. IfachildisnotgivenproperIslamictrainingandasaresultadoptsevilhabitsandcommitssins,the sinsthereofwillbeupontheparents. NIKAHORWEDDING ThequalitiesthatoneshouldlookforinamarriagepartnerarepietyandGodfearing. Neithertheboynorthegirlshouldbeforcedintoamarriage. Thebridesmothersconsentisjustasimportant. AccordingtotheShariahitisnecessarythatwhenpermissionisbeingsoughtfromthebridefor marriagethatthenameofthebridegroom,hisfathersnameandtheamountofMaher(dowry)be mentioned.Nikahonlytakesplacewhenthebrideacceptsthis. Someexcuseshouldbemadefortheboytoseethegirlwithoutthegirlsknowledge. TheQuranShareefstates:Theaffairsaccordingtotheconsultationamongstthem.Theeldersof bothpartiesshouldhaveadiscussionconcerningtheforthcomingunionsothatintheeventofa misunderstandingbetweenthecoupleaftermarriage,theirelderscanhelpinresolvingthematter. Anengagementisnotnecessary.ThepurposeofanengagementistoconfirmorpromiseaNikah,so ifinsomecasesithastotakeplace,itshouldbedonewithoutextravagance. WhensettingthedateforaweddingitisbetterthatitissetonaMondayorFridaysincethesedays areofBarakat. ThetraditionofHaldi(puttingTumericpowder)andofMehendi(puttingHennapowder)isalso unnecessaryandshouldbestopped,asthishasnobasisinourreligion.Everythingbesidesthe performingoftheNikahitselfhasnovalidityinIslam. TheweddingofBibiFathimaZahra(radiAllahuanha)shouldbeusedasaguideline.TheProphet Muhammad(sallallaahualaihiwasallam)couldhavehadanelaborateweddingforhisdearest daughterbuthemadeitasimpleaffair.HeknewthattheUmmahwouldusethisweddingasan

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AllahintheNameofWhoisMostMerciful,MostAffectionate.6 example.Therefore,thecustomofsongs,dancing,mixingofsexesandmanyotherwestern practicesshouldbestoppedastheseareallagainsttheteachingsofIslam. Unnecessaryfinancialexpensesshouldbeavoidedsothattherichandthepoormayhavesimilar weddings. Itisnotnecessarytoprovideamealduringtheweddingasthiswasnotdoneduringtheweddingof BibiFathimaZahra(radiAllahuanha).Yes,itisSunnattodistributedates. ItispreferabletohavetheNikahattheMasjidasthisisMustahab.Thebridesresidenceasavenue fortheNikahisalsoacceptable. AmanoncecametoHadratImaamMohammed(radiAllahuanhu)andrelatedthathehadpromised togivehisdaughtereverythinginthisworldasdowryandnowhefindsthistaskimpossible,aseven akingcannotaccomplishthis.HadratImaamMohammed(radiAllahuanhu)advisedhimtogivethe QuranShareefindowryaseverythingiscontainedintheHolyQuran. ItisSunnatforthebridegroomtohaveaWalimathedayafterthewedding.Thisshouldbedonein accordancewithhismeans.AloanshouldnotbetakentohaveaWalima.Thepoorandtheneedy shouldbeinvitedtotheWalima.ItisstatedinaHadiththatthemostblessedNikahistheonein whichtheleastexpensesareinvolvedandissimple. Afterthemarriagehastakenplace,thecoupleshouldgivetimetoadjustandbepolite,kindand understandingtoeachother.Ahusbandshouldprovideasbestmaintenanceashecanandalso showlove,affection,protection,comfortandhappiness.Heshouldencouragehiswifetofollowthe Islamicwayoflife.Heshouldnotspeakillofherparentsorrelativesandshouldallowhertovisit familiesoccasionally. Inthesametokenawifeshouldalsobekindtohisrelativesespeciallyhisparentsandtreatthem withrespect.Awifeshouldmanagethehouseholdaffairswisely. ThewifeisgiventherightofMaher,whichcanbeclaimedfromherhusbandatthetimeof marriage.TheMahershouldbesetwiththeconsiderationofthehusbandsfinancialstatusandthe wifeslivingstandards,herqualitiesandherfamilybackground.TheMaherisapersonalpropertyof thewifeandnobodycanclaimashareinitwithoutherconsent.Greedforexcessivedowryshould beavoided. Incaseofanydisagreements,ahusbandshouldnotbehastyingivingTalaaqasinmostcasestheact isimmenselyregrettedbringingaboutalotofpainandmisery.Inmostcasesofdifferencesor problems,itisthemanthatwalksout,getsmarriedagainandlivesahappylifeanditisthewife whoislefthelpless,asthemanrefusestogiveTalaaq. Therefore,duringNikahanaffidavitshouldbedrawnupbythebridegroomsayingthatifhegoes missingorremarrieswhilestillmarriedtohiswife,oriscruel,orunfairtowardsher,orevendoes notperformhisrightfuldutiestowardshiswife,etc.thenthewifehastherighttotakeTalaaq.This shouldbedoneaftermakingnecessaryaffirmationofNikah.TheQazi(MuslimJudge)shouldmake negotiationsfromthemanssideandthewomenmustacceptbylayingherconditions,thatincase ofsoandso,etc.sheshouldhavetherighttotakeTalaaqandbefreeofherhusband.InshaAllah,

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AllahintheNameofWhoisMostMerciful,MostAffectionate.7 thehusbandwillnotilltreathiswifeandhewillbejustandfairtohersafeguardingherfrommisery. AccordingtoShariahthereisnoobjectiontothiskindofsolution. AwifeshouldnotbeforcedtoliveortoperformanyservicesforherinlawsasIslamoffersherthe righttochoose.Ifshechoosestodosoasafavourtoherhusband,shewillberewarded. IthasbeenstatedbytheProphetMuhammad(sallallaahualaihiwasallam)thatifitwasallowedto makeSajdah(prostration)toanyoneafterAlmightyAllah,hewouldorderthewomentomake Sajdahtotheirhusbands,andonthehusbands,rememberthatyouhavefourfathersinthisworld: oneisyourbiologicalfather,secondisyourfatherinlaw,thirdisyourUstaad(teacher)andfourthis yourPeer(spiritualguide).Ifyouspeakillofyourfatherinlaw,knowthatyouhavespokenagainst yourfatheraswell. Asuccessfulmanisonewhosewifeandchildrenarehappyandcontentwithhim.TheProphet Muhammad(sallallaahualaihiwasallam)hasdeclared:FearAllahregardingwomen.Verily,you havemarriedthemwiththetrustofAllah,theyhaverightsoveryouinrespectoftheirfood,clothing andlodging.(Bukhari) TheProphetMuhammad(sallallaahualaihiwasallam)hasalsosaid:Themostperfectofthe believersishewhoisthebestoftheminconduct,andthebestofyouarethosewhoarethebestto theirwives.(Tirmidhi) WomenenjoyaveryhighstatusofrespectandhonourinanIslamicSociety.Asawifesheisthe queenandmistressofthehouse.Shemanagesthehouseandbringsupandtrainsthechildren.She enjoysfullandcompletesocial,religious,cultural,legalandeconomicrights.Shehastherightsin herfathersandhusbandsproperties. ISLAMICATTIRE Inmanyprofessions,itisrequiredthatapersondressesinacertainmannerorhastoweara uniformtoidentifyhisprofession.Iftheserulesarenotfollowed,thenoneisdismissed.Similarly,in Islam,differentcodesofdressinghavebeensetasideforMuslimssothattheycanberecognized amongtheKufaars.Ifthisdresscodeisnotfollowed,thenwedeservetobepunishedaswell. AsMuslimseverythingaboutusfromourcharactertothedressingshouldserveasanexampleto people.WeshouldbeproudofshowingthatweareMuslimsbyadheringtotheIslamicwayof dressingandnotfollowingthewestblindlyandtryingtolooklikethem. ItisFardhonamaletokeeptheareabetweenhisnavelandkneescoveredatalltimes.ItisSunnat foramaletowearafullsleevedKurta.AMuslimmaleisrecognizedbyaTopi(hat). IfoneiswearingaTurban,aTopishouldbewornunderitaswell. ThekeepingofabeardisWaajib.Themoustacheshouldnobecompletelyshavedoffbutkeptwell trimmedsothatitdoesnotcomeontheupperlip. ItisalsoSunnattoshaveunderarmsandtheareabelowthenavel.

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AllahintheNameofWhoisMostMerciful,MostAffectionate.8 Thenailsshouldbeneatlytrimmedaswell.Thisshouldbedoneatleastonceaweekbutneverleft forlongerthen40days. Menhavebeencommandedtorestraintheirgazeandavoidlookingatwomenintentionally. Womenshouldwearclothingthatprovidecomfortandnotrestrictmovements,suchastightfitting clothes,seethroughclothesandclothingthatattractattentionshouldbeavoidedcompletely. WomenshouldalsonotrevealtheiradornmentinpublicorinfrontofanyNonMahram(onewhom Shariahallowsthemtomarry). Awomensclothingmustbesuchthatitcoversherfromheadtotoes(withexceptionofherface andpalmsinNamaaz). Shariahalsocommandsthatwomenshouldnotleavetheirhomeswithoutnecessity.When traveling,itisveryimportantthatawomanbeaccompaniedbyaMahram(onewhomShariahdoes notallowthemtomarry. TopreservehermodestyandhonouritisnecessarythatsheadopttheIslamicwayofdressing. ForaMuslimitisHaraamtowearanythingthatrepresentstheKufaars. Femalesshouldnotcutthehairtoresemblemales. FUNERALS Deathcancometoanyoneatanytimeandatanyplace.Therefore,itisveryimportantforevery MuslimtoknowtherulesandproceduresregardingGhusal,Kaffanandtheburial. Totalkofworldlymattersinthefuneralhouseiswrongandpeopleshouldratherengagethemselves inTilaawat(recitation)oftheHolyQuran,ZikrandtherecitationofYaseenShareef. Loudcrying,beatingofthechestorpullingofhair,etc.isprohibitedinIslam.Mourninginsilence andcryingsoftlyisacceptable. UnnecessarydelayingoftheMayyittoitsfinaldestinationbywaitingforpeopletoarrivefromafaris notpermissible.Thedeadshouldbeburiedassoonaspossible. WhenthefuneralprocessionisonitswaytotheMasjid,DuroodandKalimaTayyibahshouldbe recitedinsteadofindulginginworldlytalks. AftertheJanazaNamaazitisSunnattoreadFatehaandsendtheSawaab(reward)totheMarhoom (deceased)andmakeDuainabundancefortheMarhoom. Aftertheburial,itisalsogoodtogiveAzaanattheheadsideasthislessenstheAzaab(punishment) oftheQabar(grave)andmakesiteasytoanswerthequestionsaskedbyMunkarandNakeer. ItisalsoSunnattocookfoodandtakethefoodtothebereavedfamilyandfeedthem,insteadof expectingthemtofeedeverybody.Thisfoodshouldonlybeusedtofeedthebereavedfamily

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AllahintheNameofWhoisMostMerciful,MostAffectionate.9 membersandtheirrelativeswhohavecomefromafarandnotfeedeverybodypresentatthe funeralhouse.Ifthefamilydoeswishtocookfood,itshouldbeforthepoorandneedy. SIGNIFICANTDAYSINISLAM MUHARRAM: ThemonthofMuharramisaveryauspiciousmonthespeciallytheDayofAshura,whichisonthe 10thofMuharram(onaFriday).Onthisday: HadratNooh(alaihissalaam)alightedfromhisArk. HadratMoosa(alaihissalaam)wasvictoriousoverFiraun TheMartyrdomofImaamHusain(radiAllahuanhu)occurredonthisdayinKarbala,andQiyaamat willalsooccuronthisday. Justastherewardforgooddeedsareawardedabundantlyonthisday,theAzaab(punishment)for yoursinscommittedonthisdaywillbegreater. ThepracticesoftheprocessionofTazia,Matam,followingofJaloos,firetramping,etc.arenot allowedasthesearetheactsofthefollowersofYazid.TheseactswerenotdonebytheAhleBait andareagainsttheteachingsofIslam.However,itisacceptableifonemakesarealcopyofthe domeofKarbalaasremembranceofHadratImamHusain(radiAllahuanhu),tomakeZiarat,topay theirrespectsandshowloveanddevotion.ItisalsoofgreatSawaabtohaveMajlis,QuranKhwaani andFatehainremembranceoftheAhleBait. Itisveryrewardingtofastonthe9thand10thofMuharram.ItisofBarakattospendonyourfamily andcooknicefoodonthe10th.TheBarakatremainsforthewholeyearonthecropsthathavebeen cookedonthisday,thereforeitisgoodtocookKichraorHaleemasitcontainsmanyingredients, grainsandcrops.FatehashouldbemadeontheseandtheSawaabsenttoImamHusain(radiAllahu anhu)andtherestoftheShuhadaeKarbala. RABIULAWWAL: ThismonthismostjoyousandcontainslotsofBarakat.ItisamonthofcelebrationasourProphet Muhammad(sallallaahualaihiwasallam)wasbornonthe12thofthismonth.ItisofgreatSawaab tofastandtocelebratethebirthdayofourProphetMuhammad(sallallaahualaihiwasallam).The hostingofMeeladorMouloodfunctionsorpartakinginitbringsaboutpeaceandlotsofBarakatin thehouseforthewholeyear.ItisrecommendedtohaveGhusal,wearnewclothes,applyattarand celebratethisnightbystayingupandrecitingNaathsandreadingDuroodsinabundance. RABIULAKHIR: TheFatehaofSheikhAbdulQaadir,HadratGhausPaakSarkaareBaghdad(radiAllahuanhu)ismade onthe11thofthismonth.ItisveryrewardingtohaveMajlis,givestalksonGhausPaak,make FatehaandfeedeverybodyincludingthepoorandneedyastheBarakatofthisstaysforthewhole year.

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AllahintheNameofWhoisMostMerciful,MostAffectionate.10 RAJAB: Onthe22ndofthismonth,FatehashouldbemadeforHadratImaamJafar(radiAllahuanhu).To havethisFatehaisverygoodasitbringsaboutlotsofBarakatandmanyproblemsaresolvedwith theBarakatofthisFateha.GenerallysweetPurisarecookedtomakeFatehaonthisdayandlikeany otherFatehathesecanbedistributedoutofthehouseaswell. Tofastonthe13th,14thand15thofthismonthisveryrewardingastheSawaaboftheseRozasare equivalenttotheSawaabofonethousandRozas. The27thofRajabisthecelebrationofMerajunNabiortheAscensionofourProphetMuhammad (sallallaahualaihiwasallam).Onthisnight,theProphetMuhammad(sallallaahualaihiwasallam) wascalledbyAllahSubhanahuwaTaalatojourneytotheHeavens.Onthisnight,oneshould celebratebyhavingJalsa,recitingNaathsinthepraiseofourProphet(sallallaahualaihiwasallam) andreadingNafils. SHABAAN: The15thnightofShabaanisknownasShabbeBaraat.Thisnight,thenightofforgivenessand blessingsisthemostauspiciousnight.OnthisnighttheAmaalNama(BookofDeeds)ofaperson containingallhisdeedsofthepastyearareclosedandnewonesarestarted.Thedoorsofmercy andforgivenessareopened,andthosewhosincerelygrieveandrepentfortheirpastsinsandseek forgivenessfromAlmightyAllah,theyarepardonedandmanyneedsaregrantedaswell. Onewhofastsonthe13th,14thand15thofthismonth,thenonesallpastsinsareforgiven.One shouldalsopayoffloansonthisnight,visitthecemeteryandreadFateha.ItisalsoSunnattomake Fatehaonsomethingsweetanddistributeittothepoor.OneshouldengagethemselvesinZikr, Istighfaar,Tilaawat,WazaaifandNafilstillthenextmorning. RAMADAAN: EverymomentofthisauspiciousmonthisfullofBarakat.Inthismonth,Ibaadatismadeexcessively atalltimes.TokeepFasts,makeTilaawatoftheHolyQuran,performTaraweeh,andpartakeinSehri arethedailypracticesofthismonth.ThelastFriday(JumatulWida)isalsoaveryauspiciousday. ThegivingofSadaqahandFitraisalsoveryimportant.Theneedsofthepoorshouldbeconsidered andtakencareof. The27thofRamadaanisthenightofShabbeQadr(NightofPower).Oneshouldstayupthewhole nightrecitingQuranShareefandcompletingit,offeringspecialprayersandreadingNafils.Oneis rewardedseventytimesmoreforIbaadatmadeonthisnight.ThereadingofSalaatulTasbihonthis nightisalsoveryrewarding.OneshouldtakeadvantageofthisnightandmakelotsofDuas. OnthedayofEiditisSunnattomakeGhusal,wearnewclothesandusefragrance.Towisheach otheronthisdayisalsoverygood.OneshouldeatdatesbeforegoingtoEidGaahandreadTakbeer softlyontheway.ItisbettertousedifferentwaysforgoingtoandreturningfromEidGah. IMPORTANCEOFSUITABLEOCCUPATIONS

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AllahintheNameofWhoisMostMerciful,MostAffectionate.11 TheonlyreasonthatwearesavedfromtheAzaab(punishment)ofAlmightyAllahandarestillalive todayisbecausewearefromtheUmmatofProphetMuhammad(sallallaahulaihiwasallam). Wearecommittingmoresinsthanthepreviouslydeadtribes.ThetribeofNabiShuaib(alaihis salaam)wasguiltyofcheatingbyweighinglessduringbusiness.ThetribeofLoot(alaihissalaam) wasguiltyofforbiddenacts,particularlyadulteryandfornication.Butwearetheworsttribeofallas weleftourancestorsfarbehindandcrossedallthelimitsinbadbehaviorandlivingalifeofdeceit.It isabouttimethatweasMuslimsconsiderthismatterseriouslyandthinkoftheconsequences. ProphetMuhammad(sallallaahulaihiwasallam)hasstatedthatthebestfoodisthatwhichcomes fromoneshardearnedmoney.ItisstatedinBukharithatNabiDawood(alaihissalaam)alsoate fromhishardearnedmoney. ProphetMuhammad(sallallaahulaihiwasallam)hasstatedthatthemostscentedthingcomesfrom yourearningsandyourchildrenareyourearnings,thereforeparentscanliveontheirchildrens earning. ProphetMuhammad(sallallaahulaihiwasallam)saidthattherewillcomeatimewhennothingelse besidesyourmoneywillbeofhelp. ProphetMuhammad(sallallaahulaihiwasallam)hassaidthatHalaalearningisFardhafterFardh, meaningafterNamaazandRozaaHalaalprofessionisFardh. JustasAlmightyAllahcommandedHisMessengers,hehasorderedthesamefortheMuslims.He hadorderedtheMessengers:OPaigambars,eatfromyourHalaalearningsandperformgood,pious deeds. AndheorderedtheMuslims:OMuslims,eatHalaalthingsthatisgivenbyus. ManypeoplemakeDuasandaskAlmightyAllahtogranttheirwishes.But,howcantheirDuasbe fulfillediftheclothesthattheywearandthefoodthattheyeatcomesfromHaraamearnings. ItisstatedbyProphetMuhammad(sallallaahulaihiwasallam)thatbesidesthreepeople,itisnot JaizforanyonetoaskforanythingFirstly,onewhohastopayhisdebts,secondarethosewhose goodsaredestroyedbynaturalcauses,andthirdly,thosethathavebeenstarving. BENEFITSOFWORK: ItisSunnatePaigambar(SunnatoftheProphets)toearnaHalaalliving. Byyouearningaliving,thereisanincreaseinwealth,whichcanbeusedforSadaqah,Khairat,Haj, Zakaat,andthebuildingofmosquesandIslamicInstitutes.HadratUthman(radiAllahuanhu)bought Jannatwiththeaidofhiswealth.Whenoneisoccupiedwithwork,heissavedfrommanydisasters andsinssuchasstealing,gossiping,gettingintofightsandunnecessaryargumentsandother mischiefwhichhappenswhenoneisidle. Whenworking,onegetsaccustomedtohardworkanddoesnothavepride. Whenearning,onelivesalifeofpeaceunlikeinpovertywhichbringsaboutlotsofpainandmisery.

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AllahintheNameofWhoisMostMerciful,MostAffectionate.12 Whosoeverleaveshomeinordertoearnmoney,theAngelsthatwritehisdeedsmakeDua,asking AlmightyAllahtomakeBarakatinhisearnings,andalltheAngelssayAameentothisDua. THEOCCUPATIONSOFTHEAMBIYAS: AlltheProphetsthatcame,engagedthemselvesinsomekindofwork.HadratAdam(alaihissalaam) weavedclothesandlaterstartedfarming,HadratNooh(alahissalaam)occupiedhimselfwith carpentry,HadratIdrees(alaihissalaam)didtailoring,HadratHud(alaihissalaam)andHadratSaleh (alaihissalaam)weretraders,HadratIbrahim(alaihissalaam)didfarmingasahobby,HadratShuaib (alaihissalaam)ranadairyfarm,HadratLoot(alaihissalaam)wasalsoafarmer,HadratMoosa (alaihissalaam)tookgoatsforgrazingforyears.AlthoughHadratSulaiman(alaihissalaam)wasa kinghemademadefansoutofleaveswithhishands.AsalittleboyProphetProphetMuhammad (sallallaahulaihiwasallam)wasashepherd(tookthegoatsforgrazing)andlaterwasatraderfor HadratKhatija(radiAllahuanha).Therefore,anyformofHalaalearningisSunnateAmbiyaandto degradeitisfoolish. GOODOCCUPATIONS: ThebestoccupationisJihad,thentradingandthenfarming.Anyoccupationthatisbeneficialforthis worldandtheHereafterisrecommended.Weavingofclothesandtailoringisgoodasitisusedto coveronesbody.Makingthingsthatgiveslightisalsogoodasitsanecessity.Anoccupationof buildingandconstructionisjustasimportantasitgivespeoplearoofovertheirhead.Makingof thingsthatarenotnecessaryinlifehasnotmuchvalueinIslam.AlmightyAllahhasprovideduswith handsandfeetforapurposeandweshouldbethankfulanduseitforconstructivework.Tositidle isacrimeanddotosinfulworkorHaraamoccupationisevenworst.Inanyoccupationoneshould notgoagainsttheprinciplesorteachingsofIslam. IMPERMISSIBLEOCCUPATIONS: Theoccupationsofsinging,dancing,music,photography,sellingofliquor,gambling,takingof interestandbeingafalsewitnessareallHaraam.Previously,itwasevenMakroohtoacceptsalary forImaamatorforanyworkdonefortheMosque,butwhentheUlemaoftheearliertimesrealised thattheMosqueswillthenbedesertedifitwasallowed.Anotherreasonforitnotbeingallowed wastoattractMuslimstotheMosqueandincreasethespreadofknowledgeofourDeen. Anyoccupationthatrequiresapersontohavenoconscience,beinsensitiveandruthless,aperson thatwashesdeadbodiesbeforeburial(asthisrequiresatotallyhonestperson,onewhodoesnot discloseormocksandsecretsordefectsfoundduringtheGhusalofthedeadbodybecauseitis completelyprivatematterwhichheorsheshouldkeeptothemselves),beinganattorneyora brokerisMakrooh,butintimeofneedthelattertwoisacceptableontheconditionthatheis honestandtruthfulatalltimes. TRADING: TradingistheoccupationofourAmbiyaandhasmanyadvantages.ItismentionedinaHadith ShareefthatatraderisMarzooq(onewhohasbeengivensustenancebyAlmightyAllah)andone whostoresgoodsanddoesnotsellitintimeofneedbutwaitsforthepricestoriseandthensellsit

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AllahintheNameofWhoisMostMerciful,MostAffectionate.13 isMaloon(cursed).ItisalsomentionedthatontheDayofQiyamatatruthfulandhonesttraderwill beamongtheMartyrs. Theworlddependsoncommerceandtrading.Thetowns,markets,etc.arelivenedbecauseof trading.ThematerialsrequiredforconstructionofaMosque,Musallas,Kaffan,papersneededfor publishingofIslamicbooks,etc.areallboughtfromatrader.Thus,tradingisaveryimportantaspect ofourlives. Whenoneisinthebusinessoftrading,oneshouldbefriendly,honestandtruthfulatalltimes. Customersshouldbeabletotrusthim.Heshouldknowwaysofattractingcustomers.Nothinginthis worldisachievedeasily.Onehastomakeeveryeffortandworkhard.Tradingrequiresonetobe veryhardworking,efficientconsistentandclever.Onecannotachievesuccessthroughlazinessor frombeingidle.TomisleadorcauseconfusioninordertoattractcustomersisnottheIslamicwayof trading. CONCLUSION MuslimsshouldkeepstudyingtheIslamicHistory,SeeratandBiographyoftheHolyProphet Muhammad(sallallaahualaihiwasallam),hisSahaba,theAwliyaandthepiousservantsofAlmighty Allah.Bydoingsoonewillbegrantedwiththespirituallinkwithallthepioussuccessors. Muslimsshouldalsokeepawayfrombadcompanyandtrytokeepothersawayfrombadcompany andfromanenvironmentthatwilldeterthemfromprogress.Adailytimescheduleshouldbe establishedinsuchamannerthatfulfilsyourownrights,therightsofyourfamily,yourneighbours andyourfriendsrights,andnotforgettingtherightsofAlmightyAllahaswell. Ifoneearnswealthtosuchanextentthatitbecomesunnecessaryandthatwhichmakesyoubusy allthetimeinbusinesswilldepriveyoufromtherealtestoffamilylifeandwillmakeyouselfish.To adoptsimplicity,prudenceandhonestyinallyourdealingswillgrantyouBarakat,peaceand satisfaction.Thereshouldbeabalancebetweentheloveformaterialpossessionsandforthe Hereafter. MaulanaJalaaluddeenRumi(radiAllahuanhu)hasfurnishedabeautifulexampleinhisfamous Masnavi.Hesays:Humanlifeissimilartoaboatwhichneedssufficientwatertokeepafloatand waterissimilartohumannecessities.Thiswatershouldalwaysbeundertheboatinalimited quantitytohelpkeepitafloat.Ifthewaterincreases,floodsandentersinsidetheboat,thenthe boatandallthepassengerswillbeinrisk.ThetragedyofthismodernageisthatthisDunyaandall itsmaterialstrappingshavebecomethemainobjectofourlives.Ithasblindfoldedtheheartsofthe peopleandmadethemoblivioustodeathandoftheHereafter.ForaMuslim,tobelieveinthe Hereafterandtothinkaboutdeathispartofourfundamentalbeliefs.Muslimswillfindinthisbook writtenbyHakeemulUmmat,HazratMuftiAhmedYaarKhanNaeemi(radiAllahuanhu).

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AllahintheNameofWhoisMostMerciful,MostAffectionate.14 AlaHazratImamAhmadRazaKhanRadiAllahuAnhu.

In1915hewroteatreatisedescribing160typesofwaterwhichareacceptableforwudu (ablution),and146typesofproscribedwater. Heidentified181acceptableand130unacceptablematerialsforTayammum(alternativesto waterforablution). HewasabletofilluptheNaqshiMurabba(asixteencolumnquadrilateral)by1152 methods. Heknew800namesofMuhammadfrombooks,andwasabletogather1400more. HeanalysedwhetheritwascrediblethatImamHussainwasabletotravelfromMeccato Kerbalaon3rdZilhijandreachthereon2ndofMoharram.Heinvestigatedthetypesof horses,theloadstheycarried,therouteofthecaravan,thetypesofterrain,andother factors,andfinallyconcludedthatthecaravancouldfeasiblyhavereachedKerbalabythe 2nd. RazaKhanopposedthebeliefinaHeliocentricuniverse,insteadstatingthatthesunand mooncirculatearoundtheEarth.

DuringtheperiodoftheIndianKhilafatMovement,Gandhiwasadvisedthatheshouldmeetwith AhmadRazaKhan.WhenhewastoldthattheGandhiwishedtomeetandspeaktohim,AhmadRaza Khansaid,"Whatwouldhespeakabout?Religionorworldlyaffairs?Ifitisworldlyaffairs,whatcanI partakein,forIhaveabstainedfromtheworldandhavenointerestinit. QuranandHadithstudies:ImamAhmedRazaKhantranslatedtheQuranintoUrdu,whichwasfirst publishedin1912underthetitleofKanzulImanfiTarjumaalQuran.Theoriginalmanuscriptis preservedinthelibraryofIdaraTahqiqatiImamAhmedRaza,Karachi,andanEnglishtranslationof KanzulImanhasalsobeenpublished.AhmedRazaKhanalsowroteseveralbooksonthecollection andcompilationofhadiths.

Fatwas: Imam Ahmad RazaKhan'smainworkwasFatawaRidawiyyawhichrunsin12volumesof over1000pageseach.TheRazaFoundationundertheleadershipofAbdulQayyumHazarwirevised thework,translatingallthePersianandArabicsentencesinUrdu,andpublisheditin30volumes, runningacross90,000pages.

Beliefs:AhmedRazaKhanpromulgatedseveralbeliefsregardingtheIslamicprophetMohammed:

HeisNoor(light)aswellasbashar(human),thatis,NoorulBashar("bothlightandhuman") HeisHaazirNaazir(presentinmanyplacesatthesametime,asopposedtoGod,whois everywherebydefinition) GodhasgrantedhimIlmeGhaib(theknowledgeoftheunseen)

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AllahintheNameofWhoisMostMerciful,MostAffectionate.15

GodhasmadehimMukhtaarkul(havingtheauthoritytodowhateverhedesired)

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