Ulama Articles
The Importance Of Deeni Education and the need of giving special Attention to the underprivleaged
Moulana Fazlur Rahman
Allah Ta’ala sent Nabi (SAW) with three basic duties for the complete guidance of mankind:
(1) Da’wah (missionary work)
(2) Tazkitah (purification)
(3) Taalim (teaching of the Qur’aan and Sunnah. The Qur’aan mentioned these three basic duties at various places.
When the hearts of people become replete with the greatness of Allah Ta’ala and the truthfulness of Prophet hood of Nabi (SAW) becomes established therein; the Yaqin (conviction) of the Aakhirah (hereafter) is developed and the hearts are cleansed of the impurities of doubt Shirk (polytheism) through the work of Da’wah, then the need of acquiring the knowledge of Qura’an and Sunnah arises so that the people could beautify themselves with the quality if servitude. Hence, after Imaan (belief), the first need is that this life could be spent according the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala.
The acquisition of knowledge begins with learning to recite the Qura’an. The pinnacle of knowledge is reached when proficiency is acquired in different branches of Islamic learning. Reaching the pinnacle depends on the initial phases of learning. Without the initial phases the pinnacle cannot be reached. Henceforth, the imparting of primary Islamic education, i.e. fundamental beliefs, recitation of the Qura’an and laws regarding the pillars of Islam (Salaah, Zakkaat, Saum and Hajj) is of paramount importance. It is extremely important and necessary for every Muslim boy and girl to acquire this knowledge. To some extent this need is being fulfilled amongst the wealthy class although there exist scope for improvement.
However, there exists a great deficiency of fulfilling this need amongst the underprivileged, especially the local people who are reverting towards Islam. There is a dire need to educate and train them. It is also necessary to arrange for the education of their children so that they may acquaint themselves with the pure and pleasant Islamic way of life. And thereby succeed in both the worlds.
Alhamdulillah, through the encouragement of the elders, efforts amongst this class of people has started. Amongst the elderly, the effort of Da’wah and tabligh is taking place. A concern to teach them Deen is taking place. An effort to teach their children in the form of maktib and madaris (Madrasahs) has started. The Ulema are fulfilling their obligation in this field of effort.
A need to establish a boarding house for them was felt because of the un-Islamic environment of their localities and the difficulty they face in attending classes daily. Living in an Islamic environment enables them to get Islamic training and the benefit of Islamic knowledge is achieved to a greater extent. Keeping this object in mind, with the mashwerah (mutual consultation) of responsible brothers of Azaadville this work has been started in our locality as well in the name of Madrasah Da’watul Haq. Alhamdulillah, with the help of our Muslim brothers and sisters this effort is carrying on; in fact, it is progressing tremendously.
Today, where every effort is made to stop the imparting of Islamic knowledge, it becomes even more necessary to help and encourage the establishment of madaris and makatib at every place. This Deen belongs to Allah Ta’aalah. He is protecting it and will always protect it in future. Fortunate is the person whose time, wealth, abilities and children are used for the service of Deen. May Allah Ta’ala accept us for this purpose and grant sincerity and acceptance. Ameen. May blessings and peace be upon Rasulullah (SallalahuAlaihiWasallam) and praises are solely for Allah, the Rabb of the entire universe.
Moulana Junaid Moolla
Salaah is the first form of obligatory worship; which was ordained by Allah Ta’ala. Undoubtedly this is the most beloved act of worship in the sight of Allah Ta’ala whereby man acknowledges his inferiority and recognises the supremacy of Allah Ta’ala by placing his forehead on the ground. The object of salaah is to recognise Allah Ta’ala not only while praying but to gain his consciousness at every given moment.
Salaah is the first command to be reckoned for on the day of qiyaamah. And success or failure will be dependent on it.
The benefits and effects of Salaah are not only for the hereafter but in this very world Allah Ta’ala promises easy Sustenance and great blessings. Salaah yhat act whereby man can draw from the treasures of Allah Ta’ala
May Allah Ta’ala grant the ability to perform our Salaah daily according to the way taught to us by the messenger of Allah Ta’ala Aameen.
How well do you know your Imaam?
Moulana Ismail Ibrahim
Rasulullah (Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “If Imaan was on the Thurayya (Pleiades) constellation of stars, a man from the people of Persia would find it there.” The famous Shaafi’ee scholar Allaama Jalaalud Deen Suyuti states that it was Imaam Abu Haneefah (Rahmatullah Alai) whom Rasulullah (SAW) was referring to in this Hadith.
Rasulullah (Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam) also said that the splendour of the world will be lifted away in the year 150A.H.” Imam Kurduri (Rahimahullah) is of the opinion that this Hadith also refers to Imaam Abu Haneefah (RA)because all the historians are unanimous about the fact that he passed away in the year 150 A.H.
Imaam Abu Haneefah (Rahimahullah) was born in the year 80 A.H. Although commonly called Abu Haneefah (RA), his name was Nu’maan bin Thaabit. He was born in Kufa, a city in Iraq which principally followed the teachings of Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas’ood. It was about the same Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas’ood (RA) that Rasulullah(SAW) said, “If I was to appoint a deputy without any consultation, I would appoint Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas’ood (RA). Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas’ood frequented the home of Rasulullah (Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam) so often that some of the Sahabah thought he was a member of Rasulullah (Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam)’s family.
Furthermore, Kufa was a seat of Islaamic knowledge. When Hadhrat Ali (RA)arrived in Kufa, he said, “May Allaah have mercy on the son of Ummu Abd Imaam Abu Haneefah (Rahimahullah )was a Taabi’ee and he met Hadhrat Anas bin Maalik (RA) several times. He was 22 years of age when the Sahaabi, Hadhrat Waathila bin Asqah (RA) passed away in the year 102 A.H. Imaam Abu Haneefah (RA) is famously referred to as “Imaamul A’zam” (“The Greatest Imaam”) by the eminent scholars of Islaam. He had an in-depth knowledge of some 500,000 Ahadeeth and the Muhadditheen accept and even quote his opinion concerning the reliability of narrators of Ahadeeth. When narrating a Hadith from Imaam Abu Haneefah (RA), the famous Muhaddith, Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan Al Muqri (RA) used to say that he was narrating from the king of kings in the subject of Ahadeeth. If he was deficient in the field of narrating Ahadeeth, as some uninformed people claim, renowned Muhadditheen like Imaam Abu Yusuf (RA) and Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mubaarak (RA)would have never been so devoted to his lessons. Hadhrat Yazeed bin Haroon (RA), a renowned Muhaddith, says, “I have sat before a thousand Muhadditheen to learn Ahadeeth and I have narrated Ahadeeth from most of them. Amongst all of these, there are five whom I found to possess the deepest understanding and to be the most pious. At the head of these five is Imaam Abu Haneefah (Rahimahullah).” Imaam Yahya bin Sa’eed Qattaan (Rahimahullah) was a Muhaddith of the highest calibre who initiated the science of Asmaa’ur Rijaal, which deals with the examination of every narrator of Hadith. He said, “I do not speak a word of lie when I say that I have never heard anyone with a better opinion than Imaam Abu Haneefah (Rahimahullah).” The distinction of the Hanafi Madh’hab as compared to other Madhaahib is that it is not a Madh’hab based on the personal opinions of a particular individual. Imaam Abu Haneefah (Rahimahullah) used to gather a body of approximately forty leading Ulema and a verdict was recorded only after deliberating upon an issue at length. If any eminent scholar held a different opinion, his opinion was also recorded. Therefore, together with the opinions of Imaam Abu Haneefah (Rahimahullah) , the Hanafi Madh’hab also quotes the opinions and rulings of his prominent students. Amongst the famous students of Imaam Abu Haneefah (RA) were Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mubaarak (RA), who is referred to as “Ameerul Mu’mineen fil Hadith” (“The leader of the Mu’mineen in Hadith”) and who was one of the teachers of Imaam Bukhaari (Rahimahullah). Another of his famous students was Hadhrat Imaam Abu Yusuf( RA), who remained in his company for 17 years. Another was Hadhrat Imaam Muhammad bin Hasan Shaybaani (RA) about whom Imaam Shaafi’ee (Rahimahullah) says, “I have not seen anyone more intelligent, with more insight, more abstinent, more pious, more well spoken and more resolute than Muhammad bin Hasan.” Imaam Abu Haneefah (Rahimahullah) was conferred with the name of Watad (tent peg) because of standing long hours in salaah. He would not sleep at all at night for over thirty years and would recite the entire Qur’aan in one Rakaah. Too many scholars have noted that for 40 years, he performed the Isha and Fajr salaahs with the same wudhu. In Ramadhaan, together with the day and night of Eid, he used to complete a total of 62 recitations of the Qur’aan. He is reported to have completed the recitation of the Qur’aan 7000 times. Reports make it clear that he spend all his time between Fajr and Maghrib in teaching and would rest briefly only before Zuhr, as was the Sunnah practice of Rasulullah (Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam)) Such was the personality whose Madh’hab a vast number of Muslims prefer to follow, realising that they fall far short of his knowledge and piety and will obviously not be able to unravel the complexities of the Qur’aan and Ahadeeth as he was able to do. Mufti Attiqur Rahman Saheb Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur’aan, “And Hajj to the House (the Ka’bah) is a duty that people who are able to find a way there owe to Allah Ta’ala” (Surah Aal-Imraan) When Hadhrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hadhrat Ismail (AS) completed the construction of the Ka’bah, they made Duaa to AllahTa’ala that oh Our Lord! Accept this (the construction as well as other actions) from us. Indeed you are the All Hearing All Knowing. Oh Our Lord! Make us obedient to you and create from our descendants a nation that is also obedient to you and teach us the rites of Hajj and accept our repentance. Verily You are the Most forgiving, the Most Merciful. (Surah Baqarah verse 127-128) 1. It is honouring the Ka’bah because the Ka’bah is from amongst the symbols of Allah Ta’ala and Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur’aan, “and whosoever honours the Symbols of Allah Ta’ala, then it is truly from the piety of the hearts.” May Allah Ta’ala accept the Hajj of the Hujjaj that have just returned. Ameen Maulana Ashraf Docrat Whoever memorizes Qur’aan and acts upon it, Allah Ta’ala will reward him and honour him greatly for that, so that he will rise in status in Paradise to a level commensurate with what he memorized of the Book of AllahTa’ala.
1 [Muslim Vol.2 Pg.312]
2 [Tabyeedus Saheefa]
3 [one may refer to the book “Tadhkiratul Huffaadh” to see the count of these Huffaadh]
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates from Rasulullah (SAW) that whoever performed Hajj for Allah Ta’ala and did not discuss anything about relationships with women nor did he commit any act of sin, then he returns pure from sins just as he was the day he was born, (i.e. all his sins are forgiven.) (Mishkaat pg221)
Rasulullah (SAW) is also reported to have said that the reward for an accepted Hajj is nothing but Jannah. (Mishkaat pg221)
Rasulullah (SAW) is also reported to have said something to the effect that if a person has no apparent necessity, there is no oppressing ruler stopping a person nor is there any illness preventing a person and inspite of this, he does not go for Hajj, then if he wishes he can die as a Jew or as a Christian. (Mishkaat pg222)
Rasulullah (SAW) is also reported to have said that whoever intends performing Hajj, should hasten. (Mishkaat pg222)
When the construction of the Ka’bah was completed, Allah Ta’ala, by means of Hadhrat Ibrahim (AS), made the announcement for Hajj. (Surah Hajj verse 27)
Allah Ta’ala liked the running of Hadhrat Hajar (RA) between the Mountains of Safa and Marwa, in search of water for Hadhrat Ismail (AS), so much that Allah Ta’alamade this action an integral part of Hajj and Umrah for the Ummah of Rasulullah (SAW)
Now it is necessary for all those people who have the physical ability and financial capability, to perform Hajj as we deduce from the above mentioned verses and Ahaadith.
The Ulema have mentioned numerous benefits and wisdoms of Hajj. A few are mentioned below:
2. Emulating Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) and other Prophets because numerous Prophets and Angels made Tawaaf (circumambulation)
3. There is a great gathering of the Ummah of Nabi (SAW) as a result of which a lot of interacting and learning and teaching takes place.
4. This is a perfect and easy opportunity for Da’wah. Rasulullah (SAW) used to go to Mina etc. to call people towards Islam.
5. Emulating those Angels who keep on making Tawaaf of the Throne of Allah Ta’ala and those who are constantly in the worship of Allah Ta’ala. A Haji is also constantly in the worship of Allah Ta’ala.
6. One gets the opportunity of visiting blessed places and deriving benefit from them.
7. During the journey of Hajj, a person experiences spiritual as well as physical upliftment.
8. It is a perfect example of ‘equality’. People of different languages and different backgrounds get together in one place and worship Allah Ta’ala.
9. It is a test for the true lovers of Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (SAW). Those who true lovers sacrifice all their comforts and bear all the hardships to go for Hajj, whereas those who are not true in their love make excuses to stay away from this journey.
10. It is a scene of the Hereafter. The sheet of Ihraam is also like a kafan and the Hajji’s appearance is also such that as if he going around to and fro looking for his Master.
Al-Tirmidhi (2914) and Abu Dawood (1464) narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr that Rasulullah (SAW) said : “It will be said to the companion of the Qur’aan: Recite and rise in status, recite as you used to recite in the world, for your status will be at the last verse that you recite.” Note that what is meant by the “companion of the Qur’aan” is the one who memorizes it by heart, as Rasulullah (SAW) said: “The one who knows more Qur’aan should lead the people in prayer,” meaning the one who has memorized the most.The differentiation in status in Paradise will depend on how much was memorized in this world, not how much one will recite on that day as some people imagine. This clearly points to the virtue of the hafiz who has memorized the Qur’aan, but that is subject to the condition that he memorizes it for the sake of Allah Ta’ala, not for worldly purposes or financial gain. Otherwise Rasulullah(SAW) )said: “Most of the hypocrites of my Ummah are among those who have memorized Qur’aan.”
Concerning the virtue of the hafiz who memorizes the Qur’aan, al-Bukhaari (4937) narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that Rasulullah(SAW) said: “The likeness of the one who reads Qur’aan and memorizes it is that he is with the righteous honourable scribes. The likeness of the one who reads it and tries hard to memorize it even though it is difficult for him, he will have two rewards.”
For the hafiz who has memorized the Qur’aan, praying qiyaam al-layl is easy. And the Qur’aan will intercede for him on the Day of Resurrection, because Rasulullah (SAW))said: “Fasting and the Qur’aan will intercede for a person on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say, ‘O Lord, I deprived him of food and desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.’ The Qur’aan will say, ‘O Lord I deprived him of his sleep at night, so let me intercede for him.’ Then they will both intercede for him.” Narrated by Ahmad, al-Tabaraani and al-Haakim. And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
It should be noted here that there is a hadeeth that is quoted by al-Bayhaqi in Shu’ab al-Eemaan (The Branches of Faith) from Jaabir concerning the virtue of memorizing Qur’aan. This hadeeth says, “The bearer of the Qur’aan, if he regards what it permits as halaal and what it forbids as haraam, he will intercede for ten of his family members on the Day of Resurrection, all of whom deserved to enter Hell.”