Ramadaan Kareem!!!!

I just wanted to wish everyone of you a lovely and happy (and healthy) inshaAllah, Ramadaan. Seek the benefits of this month, and carry them with you into the new year:).

TAG RESPONSE: "Taraweeha Prayers Are Bidah?" and "There is No Such thing as Good Bidah"

So I was tagged by Cindi Epona'Bri from her blog (which for some reason is not showing when I try to open it I think she must have one with a lot of slideshows or something since my blogger apparently doesn't like those very much lol) to list 5 Ramadan posts by five different bloggers that I loved. Can I just re-post to my favourite Ramadaan post so far, lol? And another favourite post by a fellow blogger that I think is important for sisters to read? Cuz I am rather lazy at tags? I love it x5 so.... here is Sarah from S.O.S [Save Our Sunnah] http://saveoursunnah.blogspot.com/ with an interesting and informative post on how Taraweeha prayers are part of the Sunnah:

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Taraweeha prayers are bidah?

Some Muslim groups claim that Taraweeha prayers are bidah...this accusation is from a lack of understanding how Taraweeha prayers started & were organized. When Umar, raddi Allaahu anhu, was the Khalifah, he collected the Muslims to pray in congregation for taraweeha prayers, and said, "What a good bid'ah this is." [Bukhari] From this, they derive their belief of a good innovation. [the first article will explain how taraweeha prayers were part of the sunnah and not a biddah and the second featured blogger will explain how there is no such thing as a good bid'ah] Firstly, it becomes necessary to explain the context of what happened.

When the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam first emigrated to Madeenah, the Muslims prayed taraweeha individually, and then for three nights they prayed in congregation behind the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam. After this, he stopped them doing so saying, "I feared that it would become obligatory upon you." So after this the Muslims would pray individually or in small congregations throughout the rule of Abu Bakr, and the beginning of 'Umar's rule. Then 'Umar came to the masjid and saw the Muslims praying in small groups behind different Imaams, so he collected them together in one congregation behind one Imaam and made the aforementioned statement [Bukhari]. So how can this action of 'Umar be understood to be a new act of worship when the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam did it during his lifetime?

Secondly, the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam gave the reason why he stopped the congregational prayer, because revelation was still descending, and he feared that praying in congregation might become obligatory upon his nation and hence make the religion hard upon them. After the death of Rasulallaah sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, revelation ceased so this concern was no longer necessary. Hence Umar raddi Allaahu anhu reinstated the taraweeha prayer in congregation during his rule because he knew that his action could not be made obligatory upon the Ummah.

Thirdly, all the companions agreed upon this action of 'Umar, thus there was a consensus (ijma) on it. And the scholars of Usool (fundamental principles) have stated that ijma cannot occur except when there is a clear text for it in the Sharee'ah. So what is the correct understanding of 'Umar's words, "a good bid'ah"?

The word bid'ah here is to be understood in its linguistic sense, "something new," because taraweeha in one congregation was not present during the rule of Abu Bakr and the beginning of 'Umar's rule, hence in that sense it was something new. The Sharee'ah sense (defined earlier) cannot be understood here because it does not fulfill the conditions of being a new act of worship. Abu Yusuf said, "I asked Abu Hanifah about the taraweeha and what 'Umar did and he said, 'The taraweeha is a stressed Sunnah, and 'Umar did not do that from his own opinion, nor was there in his action any innovation, and he did not enjoin it except that there was a foundation for it with him and authorisation from the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.'" [Sharh Mukhtaar as quoted from him in al- Ibdaa of Shaykh Ali Mahfooz p80]

To read the rest of the post, click here http://saveoursunnah.blogspot.com/2009/09/taraweeh-prayers-are-bidah.html .

And then this little gem of a blog on how people twist Umar's statement to allow anything they want to enter into Islam, even if it takes them from Islam (scarrrrrrryyyyyyy stuff!)Habayeb from "A Learning Muslimah", link here http://awakenedbytruth.blogspot.com/ .

Friday, May 8, 2009

"Good" Innovations?
As salaamu alaykum! I have always been confused when I see people promoting a Bida'a and calling it a "good" innovation. Innovations are innovations, good or bad. We have been given the freedom and opportunities to create innovations in our worldly affairs, yet we make innovations in our perfect Deen. I have been reading up on the topic and it's just so simply clear. Allah says that which translates as: “…This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as a religion…” (Al-Maa’idah:3) Imaam Maalik, rahimullah , said concerning this verse: "He who innovates a new Bid’ah in Islam considering it to be something good is in effect claiming that Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam did not fully convey the message of Islam… So whatever was not a part of the religion at that time (i.e.the time of the Prophet and his companions cannot be considered as a part of the religion today." Hudhayfah Ibn Al-Yamaan, radhiallahu anhu, said: "Do not perform any act of worship which was not practiced by the companions of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam because the early people (i.e. his companions) did not leave anything unaddressed…so follow the way of those who were before you." Sufyaan Ath-Thawri, rahimullah, said: "An innovation is dearer to Satan than a sin, for one can easily repent from a sin, but an innovation is not easily repented from (as an innovator thinks that he is on the correct path)."

The dangers of Bid’ah [and what bid'ah is] and their evil effects are as follows: bid’ah is a pre-cursor to disbelief, making unfounded statements on behalf of Allaah, correcting the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam or claiming that he had deficiencies, dividing the Muslim nation, abandoning the Sunnah, igniting disputes among the Muslims, accusing the Prophet of not completely conveying the message of Islam, competing with the Prophets in their prophethood, and altering the religion.

The claimed 'evidences' of the Innovators’ [on how a bid'ah can be good] and their refutations:

Claimed Evidence #1: Jareer Ibn ‘Abdullaah Al-Bujali may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Whoever introduces a good practice in Islam will get the reward of performing it and that of all those who perform it until the Day of Resurrection; Whoever introduces a bad practice in Islaam will get the punishment of performing it and that of all those who do it until the Day of Resurrection.” (Muslim).

Refutation: Imaam Ash-Shaatibi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, answered those who attempt to use this Hadeeth as evidence of the permissibility of innovating by saying: "Using this Hadeeth as an evidence (to innovate) implies that different evidences (Ahaadeeth) contradict one another (because in other Ahadeeth, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam unequivocally warned against innovating)." Then he said: "The context of this Hadeeth is that it was said in a situation where charity was being given, and charity is something already legislated. The proof of this is actually to be found in the very same Hadeeth, if you were to read it *all*, as Jareer Ibn 'Abdullaah Al-Bujali, radhiallahu anhu, said: "We were with the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam (in the Masjid) just after dawn one day when some people entered barefooted and clad in woollen matting (or covered with sleeveless woolen blankets) with their swords hung around their necks. Most of them belonged to the tribe of Mudhar. The face of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam turned pale due to their wretched condition. Then, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam went into his house, re-emerged and commanded Bilaal to call the Adhaan, and the Iqaamah and then he sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam led the prayer. After the prayer, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam stood up and addressed people saying (that which translates as): “O mankind! Fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men andwomen. And fear Allaah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allaah is ever, over you, an Observer.” (An-Nisaa’: 1) “O you who have believed! Fear Allaah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow – and fear Allaah. Indeed, Allaah is Acquainted with what you do.” (Al-Hashr: 18). Then, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Give in charity from (what you possess of) Deenaars (gold coins) Dirhams (silver coins) a Saa’ (a small measure of weight) of wheat or even a Saa’ of dates.” until he sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Give, even if it as little as half a date” Thereupon, a man from the Ansaar (residents of Madeenah) came with a bag of food which was so heavy that it was difficult for him to carry. Thereafter, people came successively until I saw two huge piles of food and clothes, and the Prophet’s face was bright as a glittering golden coin (due to his happiness). Then the Messenger sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Whoever introduces a good practice in Islam will get the reward of performing it and that of all those who perform it until the Day of Resurrection; Whoever introduces a bad practice in Islam will get the punishment of performing it and that of all those who do it until the Day of Resurrection.”" (Muslim). Therefore, it is obvious that this Hadeeth refers to deeds that are already legislated and proven to already exist in the religion, which in this case was charity given by a certain companion of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

Claimed Evidence: ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, remarked upon seeing people playing Taraaweeha in congregation that: "This is a good Bid’ah." (Bukhaari). Refutation: Imaam Ibn Rajab, rahimullah said: "Any words from the Salaf considering something as a good Bid’ah were meant in the linguistic and not the Islamic sense, such as the saying of ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, when he saw people praying Taraaweeh in congregation, that "This is a good Bid’ah."

Claimed Evidence:Ibn Mas’ood, radhiallahu anhu, said: "What the Muslims see as good is good in the sight of Allah and what they see as bad is bad in the sight of Allah." (Ahmad) . Refutation: As-Sindi, rahimahullah: "It is obvious that he was referring to the companions of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and he was talking exclusively about those things that they had a unanimous consensus on, it does not include others. This is besides the fact that these were the words of a companion and not the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam."

Claimed Evidence: Al-‘Izz Ibn ‘Abdus-Salaam, rahimahullah, divided Bid’ah into five categories: obligatory, recommended, permissible, disliked and prohibited. Refutation: Ash-Shaatibi, rahimullah, said: "This categorisation of Bid’ah is something new which has no supportive evidence to it, moreover, it contradicts the definition of Bid’ah, because any deed which has an evidence which legislates it to be obligatory, recommended or allowed is by definition not an innovation, and it would have been included in the general recommendation of good deeds. Therefore, considering a matter to be a Bid’ah yet claiming the existence of an evidence to recommend it is a contradiction in terms."

Reasons behind innovations are as follows: ignorance of the religion of Islam, following ones whims, clinging to doubts, the sole use of ration with no reference to the Islamic texts (Qur'aan and Sunnah), Islamic Scholars not fulfilling their expected role, dependence on weak or fabricated Ahaadeeth, extreme reactions to others errors, the failure to limit ones understanding of the Islamic texts to that of the companions of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, blind imitation of the masses, not following the instructions of sincere scholars.

To read the rest of the post, click here

http://awakenedbytruth.blogspot.com/2009/05/good-innovations.html

Personal Jihad

During the month of Ramadaan Shaytaan the accused and his shayateen are all locked up, so any bad that we do is of our own personal naafs. We have no one to blame for them. So I find it is a good time to assess one's personal jihads and faith, and bump themselves up with a booster shot of knowledge and imaan before Shaytaan returns to peck away at us with his accursed nagging.

There was recently alot of controversy on Ange's Mama I Married a Masri blog (with some sisters being downright rude, profane, and catty all on two sides of the same subject) since she admitted she struggles to fast because she didn't like grouchy fasting people, headaches from dehydration, and being hungry. But she still fasts people. Personally, I don't like complaints without solutions also presented (or what is the point) but some people are asking for advice in the same breath as their complaint? You shouldn't freak. I know some sisters struggle with the jihad of hijab (ex. my head gets hot, people know I'm a Muslim if I wear it and I am not acting like a Muslimah yet ect), some people struggle with the jihad of praying on time (ex. fajr, ugh, I cannot meet you unless I stay up for you, and asr, you can be so easy to miss coming home from work), some people struggle with Ramadaan. Alhamdulilah, I have never had trouble with fasting. Sometimes I get colds and I have to work while fasting and that SUCKS, but other than that, it I eat a full meal at Magraib, drink a tonne of water after taraweeah time (I mean four bottles of) and eat say, a thing of Mr. Noodles for filler), then wake up for sahoor and eat a small bit of sliced peaches, a croisant, and three dates, and drink another bit of three medium glasses of water, I hardly get hungry at all, and I don't get thirsty. If you are eating overly salted food at 11 o clock at night you might anyways (sometimes I like to indulge in Saudi capsa oversalted cuz I love my salt) but fasting doesn't feel like jihad for me in the same way as learning Arabic is for me. Where I physically squirm and lose attention span pretty quick after my eyes start swimming in fluid script and a the KH I can't make in my throat without reducing any Arabic speakers present to a fit of girlish giggles. While I hang my head in shame. On the otherhand, I am TOTALLY one of those people that runs around skipping and jumping a month before Ramadaan comes singing, Ramadaan is coming, Ramadaan is coming, I can't wait!

Because on top of the rewards of salat and Qu'ran and the peace of the month, I feel an extended community spirit among my friends and other sisters, as well getting to eat lots of foods from different countries :p

What is difficult for us, often brings the most reward for us, so never call a sister out for saying something is difficult for her. Give her tips. Tell her what you do to make it easy for yourself. I know alot of sisters struggle with hijab and jilbab so they like to read this blog, and maybe some of my tips for that help, because these things are easy for me (if you've noticed, I haven't started a "learn to read Arabic perfectly" blog yet lol). I am still struggling to convince m husband that me wearing niqab here is a good thing because he's afraid that someone will hurt me or that being alienated by so many prejudiced people will make me less good at dawah because I might become resentful of non-muslims. LOL, make dua for me to become an Arabic whiz and to protect me in mind and spirit.

Also, Ramadaan is not just about food and drink. Swearing breaks your fast. Backbiting breaks your fast. Gossiping breaks your fast. Arguing breaks your fast (as in raising your voice and not being patient). (Now please don't be embarrassed but a brother on an online forum didn't know this) masturbating breaks your fast. Physically fighting definately breaks your fast. Lying breaks your fast. Cheating breaks your fast. After Magraib, halal things you refrain from for the duration of your fast such as legal (married) sexual intercourse, food, and drink, become available for you again, but unlawful (haraam things) such as alcohol, fornication (unmarried), lying, cheating, backbiting/gossip, arguing, swearing, ect (still remain forbidden for you during Ramadaan even after you are allowed to break your fast).

And if your break your fast in anyway, you STILL have to continue to fast the rest of Ramadaan, AND make up the spoiled day of your fast, AND to repent from the sin you have to free a slave (and if you cannot do that) you have to fast for two consecutive months (and if you cannot do that) you have to feed sixty poor persons ( and note, you have to fast the two months OVER feeding the poor people since that is mentioned first, if you are physically healthy enough to). So no more swearing and backbiting online my sisters!

Ramadaan Kareem

As salaam alaykom ramatullah wa barakato sisters!

InshaAllah Ramadaan approaches and for most of us it is a mere matter of one or two days. InshaAllah if you have clear skies, try and go by when the moon is sighted by your local masjids. If there are no local masjids to go by, try and watch the news or find the closest Masjid or city on a look out of the web. I believe, should we see the moon hear, or in Vancouver, ect... Ramadaan should start Thursday or this friday.

InshaAllah we can all be worthy of the blessings of this month of mercy. I am so excited. Just letting everyone know, um, something is up with my computer which is making its internet usage kinda hazardous. It is freezing and randomly shutting down alot, so I am gonna try and get my husband to fix it when he time.