Abu Hurayrah radhiallahu `anhu has said that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam mentioned a man of the Bani Israel saying:
He asked another to lend him a thousand dinars. The lender asked him to bring witnesses but the borrower said, “Allah is sufficient as a witness.” The lender asked him to furnish a surety but the borrower again asserted, “Allah is sufficient as a surety.” The lender agreed, “You are correct,” and lent him money for a specified period.
The debtor went across the sea. When he had finished his work, he looked for a conveyance to take him back for the punctual repayment of his debt, but he did not find any conveyance. So he took a piece of wood and made a hole in it. He inserted in it the one thousand dinars and a letter to the lender and closed the hole tightly.
He took the piece of wood to the sea and said, “O Allah! You know well that I took a loan of one thousand dinars from so-and-so. He demanded a surety from me but I told him that Allah’s surety was enough and he accepted Your Guarantee. He then demanded a witness and I told him that Allah was sufficient as a witness. No doubt I have tried much to find a conveyance so that I might pay back his money but could not find one, so I hand this money over to you.”
Saying that, he threw the piece of wood into the sea till it went far out into it, and then he went away. Meanwhile he kept looking for a conveyance to take him to the lender’s place.
One day, the lender came out of his house to see whether a ship had arrived bringing his money, and all of a sudden, he saw a piece of wood in which was the money. He took it home to use as firewood. When he sawed it, he found his money and the letter inside it.
Shortly after that, the debtor came with a thousand dinars and said, “By Allah! I had been trying to get a boat so I could bring you your money but failed to get one before the one I have come by.”
The lender said, “Allah has delivered on your behalf the money you sent in the piece of wood. So you may keep your thousand dinars and go, guided on the right path.”
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Night Prayer - Must Read !!
The Time of the Night Prayer:
* The time for the Night Prayer is from the time after the ‘Ishaa Prayer up until the time for Fajr.
This is based on the Prophet’s saying:”Verily, Allaah has added a prayer for you, and it is Witr.(note 31)
So pray it between the ‘Ishaa Prayer up to the Fajr Prayer.”
* Praying in the last part of the night is better for anyone that has the ability to do it, based on the Prophet’s saying:
“Whoever fears that he will not be able to get up for the Night Prayer in the last part of the night, then let him pray in the first part of it. And whoever desires to pray in the last part of it, then let him perform the Witr in the last part of the night, for indeed praying in the last part of the night is witnessed (by the angels), and that is better.”
* If someone is faced with the choice of praying the first part of the night along with the congregation and praying the last part of the night alone, then praying with the congregation is better. This since it will be recorded for him as having prayed the entire night.
The Night of Al-Qadar and Its Fixed Time:
* The best night in Ramadaan is the Night of Al-Qadr, based on the Prophet’s saying:
“Whoever performs the night prayer on the Night of Al-Qadr [and is then granted
it] with firm faith and hoping to be rewarded, his past sins will be forgiven.”
* It is on the twenty-seventh night of Ramadaan according to the strongest opinion.
A majority of the ahaadeeth comply with this, including the hadeeth of Zurr bin Hubaysh who said: “I heard Ubay bin Ka’ab (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) say when it was said to him that ‘Abdullaah bin Mas’ood (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) said “Whoever performs the night prayer (every night) throughout the year will achieve the Night of Al-Qadr.” He (Ubay binKa’ab) said: “May Allaah have mercy on him, his intention was that the people not (grow lazy) and depend solely (on just one night). By the One of whom there is no deity worthy of worship beside Him, it is indeed in Ramadaan. And by Allaah I know on which night it is. It is on the night that Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) commanded us to perform the Night Prayer. It is on the twenty-seventh night. Its sign is that the sun rises on its following morning bright withno rays.”In one report this is raised to being a saying of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).
The Legality of Performing the Night Prayer in Congregation:
Performing the Night Prayer in congregation is legislated in the Religion.
In fact this is better than praying it individually due to the Prophet’s establishing it himself and due to his explaining its virtue in his saying, as is found in the hadeeth of Abu Dharr(radyAllaahu ‘anhu) who said:”We fasted Ramadaan with Allaah’s Messenger, but he did not lead us in(congregation) in the Night Prayer during any month until there only remained seven days, so then he lead us in Night Prayer until a third of the night had passed away.When the sixth night came, he did not lead us in the Night Prayer. Then when the fifth night (i.e. 25thnight) came, he lead us in prayer until half the night had passed. So Isaid: ‘O Messenger of Allaah! Can we finish the rest of the night praying?’ So he said:’Indeed when a man prays with the Imaam until he finishes, it is recorded for him that he prayed the entire night.’ Then on the fourth night, he didn’t establish the night prayer (in congregagtion) . On the third night (i.e. the 27thnight), he (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) gathered his family, his wives and the people and lead us in the night prayer until we feared that we would miss the falaah (success).” I said: “What is the falaah?” He (Abu Dharr) said: “TheSuhoor (pre-dawn meal). Then he did not lead us in the night prayer for the rest of the month.”
The Reason why the Prophet did not continue performing the Night Prayer in Congregation:
* The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) only discontinued establishing Taraaweeh in Congregation for the remainder of the month out of fear that the Night Prayer would be made obligatory upon them in the month of Ramadaan, and thus they would not be able to do it. This is stated in the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah which is found in the two Saheehs and other collections. But this fear came to an end with his (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) death, after Allaah had completed the Laws of Islaam. And because of this, the effect caused by this fear, which was abandoning performingthe Night Prayer in congregation during Ramadaan, also came to an end. And its former ruling remained, which is the legality of praying it in congregation. This is why ‘Umar (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) revived it later, as is reported in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree andother collections
* The time for the Night Prayer is from the time after the ‘Ishaa Prayer up until the time for Fajr.
This is based on the Prophet’s saying:”Verily, Allaah has added a prayer for you, and it is Witr.(note 31)
So pray it between the ‘Ishaa Prayer up to the Fajr Prayer.”
* Praying in the last part of the night is better for anyone that has the ability to do it, based on the Prophet’s saying:
“Whoever fears that he will not be able to get up for the Night Prayer in the last part of the night, then let him pray in the first part of it. And whoever desires to pray in the last part of it, then let him perform the Witr in the last part of the night, for indeed praying in the last part of the night is witnessed (by the angels), and that is better.”
* If someone is faced with the choice of praying the first part of the night along with the congregation and praying the last part of the night alone, then praying with the congregation is better. This since it will be recorded for him as having prayed the entire night.
The Night of Al-Qadar and Its Fixed Time:
* The best night in Ramadaan is the Night of Al-Qadr, based on the Prophet’s saying:
“Whoever performs the night prayer on the Night of Al-Qadr [and is then granted
it] with firm faith and hoping to be rewarded, his past sins will be forgiven.”
* It is on the twenty-seventh night of Ramadaan according to the strongest opinion.
A majority of the ahaadeeth comply with this, including the hadeeth of Zurr bin Hubaysh who said: “I heard Ubay bin Ka’ab (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) say when it was said to him that ‘Abdullaah bin Mas’ood (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) said “Whoever performs the night prayer (every night) throughout the year will achieve the Night of Al-Qadr.” He (Ubay binKa’ab) said: “May Allaah have mercy on him, his intention was that the people not (grow lazy) and depend solely (on just one night). By the One of whom there is no deity worthy of worship beside Him, it is indeed in Ramadaan. And by Allaah I know on which night it is. It is on the night that Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) commanded us to perform the Night Prayer. It is on the twenty-seventh night. Its sign is that the sun rises on its following morning bright withno rays.”In one report this is raised to being a saying of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).
The Legality of Performing the Night Prayer in Congregation:
Performing the Night Prayer in congregation is legislated in the Religion.
In fact this is better than praying it individually due to the Prophet’s establishing it himself and due to his explaining its virtue in his saying, as is found in the hadeeth of Abu Dharr(radyAllaahu ‘anhu) who said:”We fasted Ramadaan with Allaah’s Messenger, but he did not lead us in(congregation) in the Night Prayer during any month until there only remained seven days, so then he lead us in Night Prayer until a third of the night had passed away.When the sixth night came, he did not lead us in the Night Prayer. Then when the fifth night (i.e. 25thnight) came, he lead us in prayer until half the night had passed. So Isaid: ‘O Messenger of Allaah! Can we finish the rest of the night praying?’ So he said:’Indeed when a man prays with the Imaam until he finishes, it is recorded for him that he prayed the entire night.’ Then on the fourth night, he didn’t establish the night prayer (in congregagtion) . On the third night (i.e. the 27thnight), he (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) gathered his family, his wives and the people and lead us in the night prayer until we feared that we would miss the falaah (success).” I said: “What is the falaah?” He (Abu Dharr) said: “TheSuhoor (pre-dawn meal). Then he did not lead us in the night prayer for the rest of the month.”
The Reason why the Prophet did not continue performing the Night Prayer in Congregation:
* The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) only discontinued establishing Taraaweeh in Congregation for the remainder of the month out of fear that the Night Prayer would be made obligatory upon them in the month of Ramadaan, and thus they would not be able to do it. This is stated in the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah which is found in the two Saheehs and other collections. But this fear came to an end with his (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) death, after Allaah had completed the Laws of Islaam. And because of this, the effect caused by this fear, which was abandoning performingthe Night Prayer in congregation during Ramadaan, also came to an end. And its former ruling remained, which is the legality of praying it in congregation. This is why ‘Umar (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) revived it later, as is reported in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree andother collections
Story of Three persons blocked in a Cave - Story from Hadith
Imams Bukhari and Muslim reported that the Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said:
“Three persons of a people before you, were on a journey when they were overtaken by a storm and therefore they took shelter in a cave. A rock slipped down from the mountain and blocked the exit from cave.
One of them said: “The only way for deliverance left is to beseech Allah in the name of some virtuous deed.” Thereupon one of them supplicated, “O Lord, my parents were very old, I used to offer them their nightly drink of milk before my children and the other members of the family. One day I went astray far away in search of green trees and could return only after my parent had gone to sleep. When I had milked the animals and brought their nightly drink to them, They were fast asleep, but I did not like to disturb them, nor would give any part of the milk to my children and other members of the family till after my parents had their drink. Thus, with the vessel in hand, I awaited their awakening till the flush of dawn, While the children cried out of hunger at my feet. When they woke up, they had their drink. O Lord, if I did this thing seeking only your pleasure, then do relieve us of the distress wrought upon us by this rock.” Thereupon, The rock moved a little but that not enough to let them pass out.
Then the second man supplicated: “O Lord, I had a cousin whom I loved her more passionately than any loves a woman. I tried to seduce her but she would have none of me, till in a season of great hardship due to famine, she approached me (for help) and I gave her one hundred and twenty Dinars on condition that she would have sexual intercourse with me. She agreed, and when we got together and I was just going to have intercourse with her, she pleaded: ‘Fear Allah, and do not break the seal unlawfully’; whereupon I moved away from her, despite the fact that I desired her most passionately; and I let her keep the money I had given her. O Lord, if I did this thing seeking only your pleasure, then do move the distress in which we find ourselves.” Again the rock moved a little but not enough to let them pass out.
Then the third supplicated: “O Lord, I hired some laborers and paid them their dues, but one of them left leaving behind what was due to him. I invested it in business and the business prospered greatly.” After a time the laborer came Back and said: ‘O servant of Allah, hand over to me my wages.’ I said to him: ‘All that you see is yours - camels, cattle, goats and slaves.’ He said: ‘Don’t play joke with me, O servant of Allah.’ I assured him: ‘I am mot joking.’ So he took all of it sparing nothing. O Lord, If I did this seeking only for your pleasure, do relieve us of our distress.”
The rock then moved away, and all the three came out of the cave safe and sound.
“Three persons of a people before you, were on a journey when they were overtaken by a storm and therefore they took shelter in a cave. A rock slipped down from the mountain and blocked the exit from cave.
One of them said: “The only way for deliverance left is to beseech Allah in the name of some virtuous deed.” Thereupon one of them supplicated, “O Lord, my parents were very old, I used to offer them their nightly drink of milk before my children and the other members of the family. One day I went astray far away in search of green trees and could return only after my parent had gone to sleep. When I had milked the animals and brought their nightly drink to them, They were fast asleep, but I did not like to disturb them, nor would give any part of the milk to my children and other members of the family till after my parents had their drink. Thus, with the vessel in hand, I awaited their awakening till the flush of dawn, While the children cried out of hunger at my feet. When they woke up, they had their drink. O Lord, if I did this thing seeking only your pleasure, then do relieve us of the distress wrought upon us by this rock.” Thereupon, The rock moved a little but that not enough to let them pass out.
Then the second man supplicated: “O Lord, I had a cousin whom I loved her more passionately than any loves a woman. I tried to seduce her but she would have none of me, till in a season of great hardship due to famine, she approached me (for help) and I gave her one hundred and twenty Dinars on condition that she would have sexual intercourse with me. She agreed, and when we got together and I was just going to have intercourse with her, she pleaded: ‘Fear Allah, and do not break the seal unlawfully’; whereupon I moved away from her, despite the fact that I desired her most passionately; and I let her keep the money I had given her. O Lord, if I did this thing seeking only your pleasure, then do move the distress in which we find ourselves.” Again the rock moved a little but not enough to let them pass out.
Then the third supplicated: “O Lord, I hired some laborers and paid them their dues, but one of them left leaving behind what was due to him. I invested it in business and the business prospered greatly.” After a time the laborer came Back and said: ‘O servant of Allah, hand over to me my wages.’ I said to him: ‘All that you see is yours - camels, cattle, goats and slaves.’ He said: ‘Don’t play joke with me, O servant of Allah.’ I assured him: ‘I am mot joking.’ So he took all of it sparing nothing. O Lord, If I did this seeking only for your pleasure, do relieve us of our distress.”
The rock then moved away, and all the three came out of the cave safe and sound.
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