Watch live video from Islamic Foundation of Toronto on Justin.tv

Inshallah Sheik Fayaz will be delivering a thought provoking, habit-changing seminar on how the Prophet (PBUH) conducted his 24 hour day. This session will cover the Sunnah ingredients of having a successful day. From the time one wakes till the end of the day; there are many Prophetic components one must connect with in order to ensure the much needed happiness and contentment many of our lives are bereft of.  Remember! Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does! Get ready to instantly boost your spirituality through learning how to serve Allah and humanity by smiling, removing hazardous items from the path, the importance of oral hygiene and how to perfect your prayer. Please visit our website for program details.

REGISTER ONLINE

I once dropped by the MSA at the University of Tulsa and heard a very disturbing story. A man from the area had left Islam and had recently given a talk at a local church about his apostasy. He claimed that there was no love in Islam. He felt that the Islamic way of life is filled with hate, harshness and rigidity. I plan to touch on how this apostate and others like him are dead wrong. It is obvious to any common practicing Muslim that they have very little knowledge of the Qur’an and Sunnah (ways of the Prophet ﷺ). Before making such a judgment they should have based their decision based upon the scripture. The truth is that a problem common to all apostates I’ve heard of is in blaming Islam for the actions of people who happened to be called Muslim, yet aren’t necessarily practicing Islam correctly.

When talking about love in Islam let’s see what the Holy Qur’an say’s about it. First of all I would like to note two definitions of love found in the American Heritage Dictionary:

8a. God’s benevolence and Mercy toward man.

8b. Man’s devotion to or adoration of God.

These two definitions precisely describe the Islamic concept of the relation between God and man.

When reading the Qur’an, anyone can easily recognize the emphasis put on God’s love, compassion, graciousness, mercy and forgiveness. As a matter of fact, all chapters of the Qur’an except one begin with the phrase “in the name of God” who is described as Al-Rahman (the Benevolent) and Al-Raheem (the Merciful). This verse is often translated as “in the Name of God, the Benevolent and Merciful.” This fits the exact meaning of the definition for the love of God found in the English dictionary. These two descriptions are the most commonly used words by which Allah describes Himself in the Qur’an. These characteristics of Allah refer to His countless blessings, bounties and forgiveness He has bestowed upon us without us deserving anything. He does all of that even though we constantly break His commandments.

Similarly, when we look at the Arabic word muslim, we find that it is a person who is devoted to Allah, submitting to His will. This is exactly what the English dictionary has to say about the meaning of a person’s love for God.

Life is all about a test of realization and action. We are drawn to a realization of God’s love to us and leading a life of gratitude, which reflects our deep adoration and devotion to God. We do this hoping that our beloved Creator will be pleased with us and yearning to be with Him for eternity in the bliss of the hereafter. This well known concept of the purpose of life according to Islam perfectly reflects the meaning of the man’s love for God.

Islam enjoins the general concept of love between mankind as well. This is first and foremost done by promoting the love of God amongst our fellow man. This is manifested through our practice of the concept of “rahmah” which can be translated as love, mercy, compassion or forgiveness. The Prophet ﷺ told his companions as narrated authentically in al-Targheeb (3/210):
لن تؤمنوا حتى ترحموا قالو يا رسول الله كلنا رحيم قال إنه ليس بر حمة أحدكم صاحبه و لكنه رحمة العامة

“You don’t truly believe until you have rahmah for others.” His companions responded, “We all have rahmah.” The Prophet ﷺ then told them, “Verily, you don’t reach this level of faith by just having rahmah for those who are close to you, but you must have rahmah for everyone.”

In fact this was the sum of why Allah sent the Prophet ﷺ. He says in verse 107 of al-Anbiyaa in the Qur’an,

21:107  

And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds. (21:107)

In this category of general love for everything, we have another very important type of love. This is the love between the husband and a wife. So before continuing about this love and how it manifests itself between married couples, let’s talk about how one gets married according to Islam.

Finding a spouse in Islam is quite easy. It is actually much easier than in common western culture. Islam forbids anything that can possibly lead to fornication. First, let’s ponder over verse 32 of Surah al-Israa in the Qur’an,
“و لا تقربوا الزنى”

This verse means “Don’t even come close to fornicating.” (17:32)

As a result of this, it is prohibited to be alone with, flirt or touch someone from the opposite sex who isn’t your spouse or immediate family. The only mixed gender interactions should be with lowering the gaze, hijab, only speaking about a necessity like buying something, asking directions, discussing religious matters, etc… So you can see why Islam prohibits the modern concept of boyfriend/girlfriend relationships. This solves so many social problems prevalent in societies that don’t observe this seemingly strict code of mixed gender mingling. Many who were raised here in the west have many reactions to these rules, the most common of which is, “So how are we supposed to find a spouse?”

Back in the time of the Prophet ﷺ and even until today in some cultures, parents arranged marriage through their relationship with another family they know well. Best case scenario is that they might allow them to see each other once or show a picture, but then the parents would completely make the decision of compatibility as well as the marriage itself. Believe it or not, in the old days this would work the vast majority of the time for reasons which I will mention later.

Nowadays, people have become more critical and have an individualist opinionated outlook and women have taken a stronger role in society. For this reason, it would be wise upon parents not to force their children to marry someone without their full approval and acceptance. This advice is based upon firsthand knowledge of many arranged marriages which obviously were not arranged based upon compatibility and/or went sour.

It should be that the family and friends of a Muslim bachelor are those who are actually looking for a suitable spouse for him or her. If Allah’s will was that a Muslim bachelor meets, or personally knows of someone with whom he or she is interested, then he should immediately go to her family about it, preferably the father. Parents should allow their child to have some chaperoned meetings with someone in whom they are initially interested. These meetings should be strictly about learning about each other’s personality and expectations in their spouse. If after a few of these meetings they don’t feel compatible then they should break off all communication in that regard and go back to being a regular Muslim brother and sister. If after praying for Allah’s guidance (istikharah) they feel close and compatible then it is best to get married as soon as possible. There may be a small period of engagement, but even if they are culturally engaged that does not change the fact that in Islam there is no change in their relationship. It is just an inclination to marry down the road which either party can break free from at any time.

The basic difference between an Islamic marriage and a western marriage is that in the west a couple generally meets without any help from the family. Their meeting is usually a result of a man’s attraction and a woman’s being flattered and enjoying his charming company. Then they proceed as a married couple – sometimes for many years – until they decide that they want to live the rest of their life with each other. Then they get married. They feel like they were already in love for some time. So they live together after getting married and they get sick of each other and get a divorce for one reason or another. In Islam, the marriage is protected by the divine legislation of God. The first factor in this preservation is that the marriage – if done correctly – is first formed through real compatibility and not physical desires which can often get a man to act in whatever way will get him what he wants and by the girl being flattered and charmed by his fake façade – or as we say in modern terminology, “his game.”

Once a Muslim couple is officially married, they understand that even with compatibility they must work for the rest of their lives to preserve love, compassion, understanding, respect and forgiveness between them. They have entered into a covenant with Allah that carries rights and responsibilities between each other. The basic foundation of that bond is found in the Holy Qur’an in verse 21 of Surah al-Rum,

30:21     

“And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” (30:21)

That being said we are now coming close to the time in which most westerners celebrate Valentine’s Day. There is much mystery and folklore as to where this holiday came from, but the general story is that it was originally a pagan holiday. After the Roman Empire embraced Christianity, it was later named after a Catholic saint named Valentine. Folklore suggests that in the 3rd century C.E., the Roman Emperor Claudius II banned young healthy men from marriage. In defense of the divine union of marriage, St. Valentine allegedly protested this by secretly holding marriage ceremonies. He later was martyred on February 14th thus marking the date.

That being said, today this holiday has no religious affiliation and is common to both religious folk and atheists. It is a day that couples exchange cards, candy, chocolate, flowers and even jewelry as a token of their love. This is also a day where many premarital relationships happen or are forged.

So the question many Muslims have is, “What is the ruling on taking part in any of the traditional practices of this holiday?”

The vast majority of scholars hold it to be prohibited to buy, sell or take part in anything that is related to this holiday. They base this ruling on a few reasons:

They are seeing it lead to social problems in the Muslim world, especially the recent skyrocket in dating and romantic premarital relationships.
It is a day in which a lot of fornication happens and even small children are encouraged to start engaging in premarital relationships.
It is imitating the disbelievers in their religious practices. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”
It is rooted in the religious practices of non-Muslims so it is an innovation which must be rejected.
It is a holiday and all holidays except the two `Eids are innovations religious or not.

A handful of other scholars don’t feel that there is anything conclusive evidence that prohibits Muslim married couples from taking this opportunity to recognize and commend their love for each other and doing something special together. They argue against the five aforementioned proofs that celebrating this holiday isn’t necessarily what has caused Muslims to have illicit relationships, but that – Valentine’s Day or not – those people are going to follow their desires and prohibiting this day won’t solve that problem. They then contend that if some choose to do fornication and teach kids the path to fornication then that is their problem. They ask, “Why can’t we do what the Prophet ﷺ did when he told the Jews that the Muslims were more worthy of following Moses than them and thus he fasted with them?” These scholars contend that this holiday was originally named after St. Valentine who defended the sanctity of marriage which is something common between us and it isn’t related to polytheism or false worship. With that argument they also bring up the debate among the madhabs about al-Ateerah. Al-Ateerah was a feast in Rajab where people originally slaughtered animals for their idols. The Muslims later took the same practice in the same month, slaughtered for Allah’s sake, and gave some meat to the poor. Some scholars held that this allowance was later abrogated and prohibited while others held that it being a sunnah was abrogated and thus remained permissible. This is because many texts are hard to put together and make an easy ruling (for more info see the Kuwaiti Encyclopedia for Islamic Jurisprudence volume 29 under عتيرة). Furthermore, they argue that in the west this is a part of secular culture; even atheists take part in this holiday, and it is not seen as a Christian holiday, nor celebrated in churches like Christmas and Easter.

Allah knows best if there is sin in taking part in the tradition of this day, as both arguments have their proof, but let’s take our love seriously and live a life that reflects our love for Allah and His messenger ﷺ. This is indeed the true love; as Bob Marley correctly said, “One Love… Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right.”

FULL ARTICLE

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKET

TOPICS: Art of the Ages (Arabic Calligraphy & Islamic Arts)

INSTRUCTOR: Shaykh Yusuf Badat

DURATION: 1 Weekend

TIMING: 11 am to 4 pm (14 & 15 January, 2012)

START DATE: January 14, 2012  END DATE: January 15, 2012

COST: $80.00 early bird – $20 extra after Jan 6th (includes texts, material, refreshments & access to recorded audio and video of class sessions)

COURSE SUMMARY: Click Here LOCATION: Madinatul Uloom 670 Progress Ave.

10th RIS Canada Convention from December 23-25, 2011
Metro Toronto Convention Center

WE WILL BE AT BOOTH #816

FRIDAY 16TH DECEMBER @ 6PM – FREE EVENT – BROTHERS & SISTERS FULLY SEGREGATED

DESI NAWAB CONFERENCE HALL, 35-41 HIGHFIELD ROAD, ALUM ROCK, BIRMINGHAM, B8 3QD

BROUGHT TO YOU BY AL QADR MEDIA

http://www.facebook.com/BrMuhammadAbdulJabbar

All praises is due to Allah. We praise Him, ask him, and seek his forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from evils of ourselves and mischiefs of our deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides, cannot be misguided. Peace and blessings be upon the Final Messenger Muhammed, on his family and his noble companions , Ameen

Belief in Doomsday is one of the fundamentals and pillars of faith. It is the day when everyone is to get recompense and punishment for one’s work and has to go to heaven or hell according to one’s deeds. This is the reason each and every Prophet warned his people of the Day of Judgement.

As for the knowledge of the time of Qiyamah (End of the World) , it has not been given to any angel or Prophet. Nobody besides Allah knows when the final hour is.

The Quran states, O Prophet the infidels ask you about the time of Qiyamah. So tell them that it’s knowledge is with Allah only. (Surah Luqman)

However certain events are going to take place prior to the coming of the final hour. These events are known as the Signs of Qiyamah. All the Prophets informed their people of the signs of the final hour. Our Prophet Muhammed being the last and the seal of Prophets, knowing that Doomsday is to come upon this very ummah, explained clearly and in considerable detail the signs of the final hour to the extent that sometimes he would lecture his companions all day on this subject.

Abu Zaid (R.A.) says, ‘The Holy Prophet sat down on the pulpit after Fajar Prayer and began a deliver a long sermon until the time for Zohr prayer came. After saying the Zohr prayer he again sat on the pulpit and began the sermon, which continued till Asr prayer. After the Asr prayer he resumed the sermon so much so that the sun set. he related whatever happened in the past and also related in detail whatever is to happen in the future. Those amongst us who had good memories retained many things.’ (Muslim)

The signs of the final hour can be divided into two groups.

1) Minor signs

Minor signs are events of normal nature prophesised by our Prophet Muhammed to take place before Qiyamah like the consumption of alcohol, lifting of knowledge and prevalence of ignorance and immorality and signs of this nature. The majority of the minor signs have appeared while some are occurring and some will appear with major signs.

2) Major signs

Major signs ae events of extraordinary nature prophesied by our Prophet to take place before Qiyamah like all the events mentioned in the following hadith narrated by Hudhaifa ibn Usayd that the Prophet said, ‘The last hour will not arrive till you have seen ten signs. He then mentioned the Smoke, Dajjal, Beast, Rising of the Sun from the place of it’s setting, the Descent of Isa, Ya’juj Ma’juj, Three Landslides, one in the East , one in the West and one in the Arabian Peninsula after that a Fire would spread from Yemen and drive the people to their place of gathering.’ (Muslim)

This book written by the Ulama of the Institute is a concise summary of only the major events leading up to the Day of Judgement. Each of the following signs: Mahdi, Dajjal, Descension of Isa, Ya’juj Ma’juj, Landslides, Smoke, Rising of the Sun from the east, Beast and the Fire are explained in detail. The supporting evidences are written at the end of every section and have been taken from various authentic Hadith collections.

All Praises belong to Allah, Lord of all the world.

THE MAHDI

The Coming of Imaam Mahdi is one of the signs of Qiyamah as is the belief of the Ahlus-Sunnah and he has yet to appear.

Abdullah-bin-Masood has reported that the Prophet said, “The world will not pass away before the Arabs are ruled by a man (referring to Mahdi) of my family whose name will be the same as mine.” (Abu Daud)

However, many people in the past falsely claimed to be Imaam Mahdi. One of these false claimants was Mohd-bin-Tomart, a tyrant who spread corruption and even buried some of his companions because they didn’t believe that he was the Mahdi described by the Ahadith of Prophet . Some believe it was Mohd-bin-al Askari who disappeared at the age of 5 and went into hiding and has been hiding for 10 centuries. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (The Cursed) was also one of those who claimed to be the Mahdi as well as many other people. Besides those mentioned there were many others who claimed the office of Mahdi, the most recent being somebody from Manchester who claimed the position for himself.

It should be noted that none of the above or anybody else who claimed to be the Mahdi in the past fulfilled the conditions laid down by the Prophet .

A list of some of the signs which will precede Imaam Mahdi and some that describe him have been gathered in this book so that we Muslims are not misled to believe in somebody claiming to be the Mahdi who in reality is a blatant liar.

Signs That Will Precede Him

1) A General Sign

There are many signs that will precede him; a general and very important sign is that he will come at a time when there is great confusion, intense disputes and violent death. When people are afflicted by disturbances and fear. Calamities will fall upon the people, so much so that a man shall not find shelter to shelter him from oppression. There will be many battles and fitnaas before his appearance. Every time a fitnaa has come to an end, another will start, spread and intensify. The people will be troubled to such extent that they will long for death. It is then that Imaam Mahdi will be sent.

Abu Saeed al-Khudri has reported that the Messenger of Allah said:

”He will be sent at a time of intense disputes and differences among people and earthquakes.” (Ahmad)

2) Note. The Double Eclipse In Ramadan statement quoted from Darequtni is NOT verified, indeed it’s authenticity is questionable. It is NOT to be considered as authentic Hadith.

3) The Battle in Mina

Before Imaam Mahdi emerges an inter-tribal fight will take place. In the same year Haji’s will be looted and a battle will erupt in Mina in which many people will be killed.

Amr-bin-Shuaib reported from his grandfather that the Messenger of Allah said, ”In Dhul-Qada (Islamic month) the tribes will fight, Hajis will be looted and there will be a battle in Mina in which many people will be slain and blood will flow until it runs over the Jamara-tul-aqba. Their companions (referring to Imaam Mahdi) will flee to a point between the Corner and the Maqaam and will be forced to accept people’s allegiance.” (Al-Fitan Nuaim-b-Hammad)

4) The Euphrates Will Disclose Mountain of Gold

The final hour will not come until the river Euphrates (which flows through Syria and Iraq and finally opens in the Gulf) will disclose a mountain of gold over which people will fight and die. It should be noted that this is a sign, which will precede Imaam Mahdi only according to some Ulama. Abu Huraira (R.A.) reported that the Messenger of Allah said, ”The hour shall not occur until the Euphrates will disclose a mountain of gold over which people will fight . Ninety- nine out of which hundred shall be killed and every one of them will say’ Perchance I shall be the one to succeed. ”(Muslim)

In another narration we have been told that whoever is present at the time when the Euphrates discloses a mountain of gold should not take the gold.

5) Emergence of the Suffyani

The Suffyani (a descendant of Abu Sufyan) will emerge before Imam Mahdi from the depths of Damascus. According to some weak narration his name will be Urwa bin Muhammed and his Kuniya ‘Abu-Utba’. The Ahadith regarding the Suffyani specify that he is a tyrant who will spread corruption and mischief on the earth before Imam Mahdi. He will be such a tyrant that he will kill the children and rip open the bellies of women. When he hears about the Mahdi, he will send an army to seize and kill him. However the Earth will swallow this army before it even reaches Imam Mahdi.

Abu Huraira (R.A.) has narrated that the Prophet said, ”A man will emerge from the depth of Damascus. He will be called Suffyani. Most of those who follow him will be from the tribe of Kalb. He will kill by ripping the stomachs of women and even kill the children. A man from my family will appear in Haram, the news of his advent will reach the Suffyani and he will send forth one of his armies. He (referring to Imam Mahdi) will defeat them. They will then travel with whoever remains until they come to a desert and they will be swallowed . None will be saved except the one who had informed the others about them. ” (Mustadarak)

6) The Emergence of Haris-Al-Harrath and Mansur

Hazrat Ali reported that the Prophet said, ”There will be a man from Transoxania who will be called Harith-Harrath and a man called Mansur will be at his vanguard. He will give abode to the family of Mohammad (referring to Imam Mahdi) just as the Quraish gave abode to the Prophet (Mishkat)

7) An army will perish in Baidah

Once he has appeared an army that has come to fight him will perish in Baidah (a flat piece of land next to Madinah facing the direction of Makkah).

Umme-Salama (R.A.) reported that the Prophet ”There shall be differences and intense dispute at the time of the death of a Khalifh. Then a man from the inhabitants of Madinah (referring to Imam Mahdi) will come out of the flee to Makkah (so that he does not get caught in the dispute and is not made the Khalifh). Some Makkans will come to him and take him out though he will be unwilling. They will then make him accept their Bayat between the Black Stone and the place of Ibrahim . An army will then be sent to fight him from Syria , however it will perish in Baidah, between Makkah and Madinah. When the people see and hear about this event ,the awliya (God fearing people) of Syria and Iraq will make Bayat with him.” (Abu Daud)

8 ) A star with a luminous tail will rise from the east before his emergence. (Al-Iza’ah).

9) A voice in Ramadhan will awaken sleeps and alarm those that are awake (Ibid)

10) The emergence of al-A’hraj al-Kindi, Abqa and Ashab before Imam Mahdi (Ibid)

11) The earth will swallow a village near Damascus (Ibid)

12) An army with black banners will come from the East (Ibid)

There are many other signs which will precede Imam Mahdi. For more information read the relevant Books

The Signs of Imaam Mahdi

1) He will be from the progeny of the Prophet and descendent of Fatimah (R.A). Umme Salama (R.A) reported: I heard the Prophet of Allah () saying, “The Mahdi will appear from my progeny, from the descendants of Fatimah.” (Abu Daud)

2) His name will be Muhammad or Ahmad and his father’s name will be Abdullah. Ibne Masood (R.A) reported that the Prophet said, “If there remains in the world but a day, the mighty Allah will greatly prolong that day till he will send there in a man from me or from the members of my house. His name will be similar to my name and his father’s name to my father’s name.” (Abu Daud)

3) He will resemble the Prophet in character. Hadrat Ali (R.A) once looked at his son and remarked, “This son of mine is Saiyid who was named by the Prophet and soon from his loins will come forth a man by the name of your Prophet and who will resemble him in conduct but not in appearance.” (Abu Daud)

4) He will have a shiny forehead and a high bridge nose. Abu Saeed reported that the Prophet said, “The Mahdi will appear from me, shining of forehead, long of nose.” (Abu Daud).

5) Once Hadrat Ali (R.A) was asked regarding his description. He replied, “He is a well built youth of average height and a handsome face, his hair reaches his shoulders and the light of his face is contrasted by the darkness of his hair and beard.” (Al-Isha’ah)

6) He will be slow of speech (a slight stutter) and when he is delayed, he will strike his left thigh with his right hand.” (Al-Isha’ah)

7) He will appear from the east. Thawban (R.A) reported that the Prophet said, “Three men will be killed at the place where your treasure is. Each of them will be the son of a Khalifah but none of them will get hold of the treasure. Then the black banners will come out of the east, and they will slaughter you in a way that has never been seen before. If you see him give him your allegiance, even if you have to crawl over ice, because he is the Khalifah of Allah, the Mahdi.” (Ibne Majah)

Only some of the signs that will precede Imaam Mahdi and of the Mahdi himself have been gathered in this book. The true Mahdi, the one referred to in the Ahadith of Prophet as one of the signs of Qiyamah, is the one in whom the pre-mentioned signs are found.

His Emergence and the People’s Bayat

After the death of a Khalifh there shall be intense dispute and difference of opinion in whom should become the next Khalifh. Fearing he may get caught up in the dispute and made the Khalifh, Imaam Mahdi will flee from Madinah to Makkah. However, to his surprise on reaching Makkah, some Makkans will bring him out of his house against his will and take him to Masjid Haraam and 313 as has been mentioned in the hadith reported by Imam Hakim in Al-Mustadrak will force him to accept their Bayat between the Rukn (corner of the Ka’aba containing the black stone) and the place of Ibrahim. The news of his allegiance will quickly spread and thus an army from Syria will be sent to fight him. However no harm will come to Imaam Mahdi nor his followers who will be supported by Allah. The earth will swallow up this army before it can get near to the Imaam in a place called Baidah (a flat piece of land between Makkah and Madinah). After seeing and hearing about this extraordinary event and sign, the Awliya (pious saints) of Syria and Iraq will come to Imaam Mahdi and swear allegiance to him between the black stone and the Maqam (the place of Ibrahim which is near the Ka’aba). (The above content can be found in the Hadith of Umme Salama/Abu Daud)

The First Battle

His first battle will be against the tribe of Kalb. A short period after the eminent saints of Syria and Iraq have sworn allegiance; a man from the Quraish will rise whose maternal uncle’s belong to the Kalb tribe and he will send an army to fight Imaam Mahdi. However this army will be overcome and defeated. This will be his first victory.

The Great War

(The author of al-Isha’ah has mentioned that this battle will take place in Imam Mahdi’s time).

Imam Mahdi will have to fight many battles, the most important and difficult being the battle against the Christians in which a large number of Muslims will be martyred.

‘ Yusayr bin Jabir said, “A red sandstorm erupted in the city of Kufah. Afterwards, a man came shouting and repeating the same words, ‘O Abdullah bin Mas’ud! The hour has come.’ He (Yusayr) then said that he sat up after he was leaning (on his side) and said, ”The hour will not arrive until no inheritance will be divided and no war possessions will bring about satisfaction. ”He pointed with his hands towards Ash-Sham saying, ”An enemy will gather its forces against the followers of Islam.”I said, ”Do you mean Ar-Rum? He said ”Yes.”Then, during this war, fierce fighting will occur. Muslim will ask for a volunteer expedition that will vie to die or return victorious. They will fight until the night separates them. Both sides will return to their camps not yet victorious and the expedition will perish.

Muslims will then (in the third day) ask for volunteer expedition that will vie to die or return victorious. They will fight until the night separates them. Both sides will return to their camp not yet victorious and the expedition will perish. In the fourth day, the rest of the Muslim forces will turn against them (the disbelieves) and Allah will defeat them (the disbelieves). They will suffer casualties never heard of before or he said, ”Never seen before, even birds flying near them will not pass without falling down dead.

Afterwards, sons of the same fathers (from the Muslim side), who were near a hundred, will count the survivors and will find out only one of them survived. Therefore, what war possession will bring satisfaction and what inheritance will be divided? While they are doing this they will hear of an even bigger calamity; That is, a man will scream amongst them that the Dajjal has appeared among their families which they left behind. They will discard what they have in their hands and proceed. They will send ten horsemen as an expedition force.

The Messenger of Allah said, ”I know their names and their fathers name and the colours of their horses. They will be the best horsemen on the face of Earth, ”or (he said) ”(They) Will be amongst the best horsemen on the face of Earth.” (Muslim)

The cause of this great battle will be the Christians. The Christians and Muslims as allies will conquer a third enemy. However, the Christians will act treacherously as they will claim the victory on the strength of their religion, thus the Muslims will be driven to arms and will fight them.

Dhu Makhbar said, ”I heard the Apostle of Allah () say, ”You will make a secure peace with the Byzantines, then you will fight an enemy behind you, and you will be victorious, take the boot, and be safe you will the return and alight in a meadow with mounds and one of the Christians will raise the cross and say, ‘The cross has conquered’. One of the Muslims will become angry and smash it, and the Byzantines will act treacherously and prepare for battle.”

Conquest of Constantinople

The great war between the Christians and Muslims will result in the Muslims conquering Constantinople (which is modern day Istanbul) without army by the sheer force of Takbeer (Allahu Akbar).

Abu Hurairah reports that the Prophet said, ”Have you heard of a town of which a part is in the sea?”

”Yes” said they. He said: ‘The last hour shall not occur till 70,000 of the children of Isaac shall attack it. When they come to it, they (Muslims) will not fight with arms, nor throw arrows. They will only say: There is no god but Allah, Allah is the greatest, and then on of its sides will fall down. They will recite for the second time : there is no god but Allah, Allah is the greatest, and then another of its side will fall down. After that they will say it for the third time: there is no god but Allah and Allah is the greatest, and then it will be opened for them and they will enter and acquire booty. While they will be dividing the booty, a proclaimer will come to them and proclaim: ‘Verily Dajjal has come out. ‘Then they will leave everything and return. ‘ (Muslim)

It should be noted that the conquests will take place a very short period. Abdullah-b-Busr has reported that the Messenger of Allah has said: ‘Between the Great War and the conquest of the city (Constantinople) there will be six years, and the Dajjal shall appear in the seventh year,’ (abided)

Blessings at the time of Imam Mahdi

Once again the Quran and Sunnah will govern the people, this time by the rightly guided Khalifh, Imam Mahdi. Islam will gain an upper hand and will be firmly established in the land. The oppression, tyranny, and darkness that prevailed all over the globe will be replaced with justice, peace and equity. The smile, which was long forgotten, will be restored on the Muslim faces and the inhabitants of the Heaven and Earth will be pleased with him. Everybody will be happy to the extent that even birds an wild animals will rejoice in his rule. Heaven will end rain profusely, livestock will be in abundance, land will become fertile, the earth will become green and sprout with abundant fruit ad vegetation.

(The above content has been taken from various hadith, which can be found in Abu-Daud and from the hadith narrated by Abu-Saeed al-Khudri in Musnad Ahmad.)

Due to the booty gained from the various conquest everyone will have so much wealth that an eyebrow will not even be raised at somebody else’s wealth. Callers will proclaim in the street, ”Is anybody in need of anything?” Nobody will respond except one person. In the latter part of Abu-Saeed al-Khudri’s hadith it is mentioned ”A caller will call ‘Who is in need of wealth?’ Only one person will stand (and response to the call and say I am in need of wealth) he will be told to go to the treasurer and tell him that the Mahdi orders you to give some wealth. ‘Gather and take it’, he will be told. (He will begin to put it in his lap, when he realized that nobody else has come and he was the only one) he will regret it and say ‘I was the greediest from among the Ummah of Muhammed . The narrator says, he will return it but it will not be accepted and it will be said to him that we do not accept what we have given. (Ahmad)

Abu-Saeed al-Khudri has also reported that the Prophet said regarding Mahdi; that a man will come to him and say, ‘Give me, give me’. Then he will spread his cloth and put in it as much as he can carry.

His Reign as a Khalifh

There are different narration’s regarding his reign as a Khalifh. Some traditions indicate that is reign will be seven years like the hadith of Umme Salama in Abu-Daud, ”He will remain seven years, then die, and Muslims will pray over him. ” (Abu-Daud)

Other traditions indicate that his reign will last seven, eight or nine years like the Hadith of Abu Saeed in Mustadrak.

Due to different traditions the period of Imaam Mahdi’s reign is disputed. Many Scholars have taken seven years to be the period of his reign due to the fact that the Ahadith which indicate seven years are the most authentic. Other Scholars like Shah Rafiud-din, after careful analysis have concluded that the first seven years if his reign will pass without worry, he will spend the eight preparing to fight the Dajjal and spend the ninth withProphet Isa (Jesus) He will thereafter die, Prophet Jesus will read his funeral prayer and bury him.

Dajjal

The emergence of the Dajjal is the most important sign as his trial and fitna will be the biggest ever seen on the Face of the earth and even those firm in faith will be shaken.

The Messenger of Allah said, “Between the creation of Prophet Adam and the coming of the last hour, their will arise no matter more serious than the Dajjal.” (Imran-b-Hussain/ Muslim)

Due to the severity of this turmoil, every Prophet from the first to the last warned and informed his people about, the Dajjal and his turmoil. (Anas / Bukhari, Muslim)

The Dajjal will appear once the Muslim army, have conquered Constantinople and reached Syria. Emerging from the east, moving from city to city he will perform unusual feat and cause fitna wherever he goes. Before we move onto his trials many important questions need to be answered. ‘Is he alive?’ ‘Which signs will precede him?’ ‘How will we recognise him?’ and so forth.

The story of Hadrat Tamim Dari and the Dajjal

The story of Tamim Dari which follows, answers the first and most important question, is the Dajjal alive? and whether Hadrat Tamim Dari and his companions have seen him when they were thrown by the waves on to some remote Island.

Fatimah-bint-Qais reported, “I heard the proclaimer of the Messenger of Allah proclaiming (for) ‘Congregational Prayer’. I went to the mosque and prayed with the Prophet . When he finished his prayer, he sat upon the pulpit smiling and said, ‘Let every man remain in his seat.’ He then asked, ‘Do you know why I have called you together?’ They replied, ‘Allah and his Messenger know best.’ The Prophet said, ‘By Allah, I have not called you together for hope or for fear, I have called you together because Tamim ad- Dari who was a Christian, came and embraced Islam.

He narrated a story to me, which agreed with the account I had given to you about the Dajjal. He informed me that he had embarked upon a sea-boat with thirty men of Lakhm and Jozam. Then the sea waves played with them for a month and threw them on to an island when the sun was about to set. They sat in a small side boat and landed on the Island. A beast with very coarse hair met them. They could not tell its front from its back due to its excessive hair. They asked, ‘Woe to thee! Who art thou?” It replied, ‘I am a spy. Go to this man in the monastery, as he is eager to receive the information you bring.

Tamim Dari said, ‘When it named a man for us, we fled away from it lest it might be the devil. Then we hurriedly went on until we entered the monastery and found a big-bodied man whom we had never seen before. He was firmly tied up, his hands tied to his neck, the place between his knees, and joints tied up with iron chains.’ We asked, ‘Woe to thee! What are thou?’ He replied, ‘You have the power to get my information. Inform me about yourselves.

They replied, ‘We are people from Arabia, we embarked upon a sea boat, but the sea waves played with us for a month and threw us onto this island. A beast of coarse hairs met us and said, ‘I am a spy. Go to the man in the monastery.’ So we approached you hurriedly. He asked, ‘Tell me about the trees of Baisan. Do they bear fruit?.’ ‘Yes’ We replied. He said, ‘Behold! Soon they will not yield fruit.’ He asked, ‘Inform me of the lake of Tiberias. Is there water in it?’ We replied, ‘It is full of water.’ He informed us, ‘Soon its water will disappear.’ He then asked, ‘Inform me of the fountain of Zugara. Is there water in it and do its inhabitants irrigate with the water of the fountain?’ ‘Yes, it is full of water and it’s inhabitants irrigate from its water. He asked, ‘Inform me of the Prophet of the illiterates. What does he do?’ We said, ‘He has just come out of Makkah and gone to Yathrib.’ He asked, ‘Have the Arabs fought with him?’ ‘Yes’ We replied. He asked, ‘How did he treat them’ We informed him that he had got the upper hand of those of the Arabs who opposed him and they obeyed him. He said, ‘Behold! It is better for them if they obey him. As for myself I am certainly the Anti-Christ and it is near that an order will be passed for me to come out. I shall then come out and travel the world. I shall leave no village at which I shall not land within 40 nights except Makkah and Taibah, which will be forbidden to me. Whenever I wish to enter one of the two, an angel with a sword in his hand will encounter me and prevent me therefrom. There will be angels on every side to guard it. The apostle of Allah struck his pulpit with his staff and said, ‘This is Taibah meaning Madinah. Behold! Did I not tell you?’ ‘Yes’ they replied. ‘Behold, he is in the Syrian sea or sea of Yemen; no, rather he is from the eastern direction. He then pointed out with his hand to wards the East.’ (Muslim)

Signs that will precede him

The coming of Imaam Mahdi

In light of many Ahadith the Ulama of the Ahlus-Sunnah are of the opinion that Imaam Mahdi will come before the Dajjal and the Dajjal will appear in the later parts of Imaam Mahdi’s reign.

The Great Famine

There will be a famine for three years before his appearance. In the first year of the famine the heaven will withhold one third of its rain and the earth one third of its crops. In the second year of the famine heaven will withhold two thirds of its rain and the earth will withhold two thirds of its crops. In the third year there will not be a single drop of rain and not a single thing will grow and thus all the animals with hoofs and biting teeth will die and the Tasbeeh will suffice the believers hunger. (Asma-b-Yauzeed-Mishkat)

Dajjal’s parents

His father will be tall and thin and his nose will be pointed like a beak while his mother will be fat with two long hands. They will both remain thirty years without a child. After thirty years a one eyed son with biting teeth and of little benefit will be born to them whose heart will remain awake while his eyes will sleep. (Abu-Bakara-Tirmidhi)

General signs that will precede Dajjal

From the hadith of Umme Shareek which can be found in Muslim we could conclude the Arabs will be less in numbers. At the same time we can conclude from the hadith of Jabir-b-Abdullah which can be found in An-Nihaya that religious learning will be at a low and very few people will be aquainted with religious principles and doctrines and thus ignorance will prevail.

Signs in the Dajjal

Dajjal’s Physical description

The Dajjal is a young1 fat 2 man, wheatish3 in complexion with a broad chest 4 and biting teeth. Resembling Abdul Uzzah bin Qatad from the tribe of Khuza’a his head is covered7 with curly hair8 with the letters “Ka’ “Fa” “Ra”9 written between his eyes which every believer will be able to clearly see and read literate or illiterate, he has a shining forehead10 and defect in both eyes. His left eye has a swelling pupil11 while he is blind12 from the right. He has a brisk walk13and no children14

Footnote:

1) Nawwas-b-Samaan / Muslim 8) Nawwas-b-Samaan / Muslim

2) Ibne-Umar / Bukhari /1 Muslim 9) Hudaifah / Muslim

3) Abdullab-b-Mugaffal / Kanzul-Ummal 10) Abu Huraira / Musnad Ahmad

4) Abu Huraira / Musnad Ahmad 11) Hudaifah / Muslim

5) Abu Bakara / Tirmidhi 12) Ibne Umar / Bukhari / Muslim

6) Nawwas-b-Samaan / Muslim 13) Ubiadah / Abu Daud

7) Hudaifah / Muslim 14) Abu Saeed al-Khudri / Muslim

Dajjal’s Emergence

Conquering Constantinople with Takbir, the Muslims will begin to take the booty. While they are distributing the war posses- sions a proclaimer will proclaim that the Dajjal has appeared and causing fitna in your homes. On hearing this cry the Muslims will leave the booty and head towards Syria1. It will come to their knowledge that this was a false rumour. However after reaching Syria the Dajjal will truly emerge. He will come out from a road between Syria and Iraq2 and his emergence will become known in Isfahan3 at a place called Yahoodah. Riding a white ass4, the two ears of which will be forty hands apart, 70,000 Jew’s of Isfahan will follow him with hoods on their heads. Also accompanied by Devils6 and Jewish magicians7 he will first claim Prophethood8 and then God hood. Travelling as fast as those clouds which are driven by the winds he will travel to east and west entering every country, carrying out murders, pillage, devastation and performing unusual feats wherever he goes.

Footnote:

1) Abu Huraira / Muslim

2) Nawwas-b-Samaan / Muslim

3) Anas / Al-Fathur-Rabbani

4) Abu Huraira / Baihaqi

5) Anas / Muslim

6) Jabir-b-Abdullah / An-Nihayah

7) Ibne Abbas / Kanzul-Umaal

8 ) Abu Umamah / lbn Majah

Dajjal’s Turmoil

Dajjal’s Deception

Two angels resembling two Prophets, one on either side will accompany him. This will be to test mankind. Hence Dajjal will ask, “Am I not your lord? Do I not give life and death?” One of the angels will reply, “You are a liar.” However nobody will be able to hear this reply besides the other angel. The second angel addressing the first angel will say, “You are speaking the truth.” Every body will hear what this second angel said and will think that an angel is testifying that the Dajjal is Allah though in reality this second angel was addressing the first and agreeing with his reply that you are speaking the truth that the Dajjal is certainly a liar. (Narrated by Safeena-Musnad Ahrnad)

He will come to a Bedouin whose parents have passed away and will say to him, “Will you believe that I am your Lord if I bring your parents back to life.” He will reply, “Yes.” The devils that are accompanying him will take the form of his parents and after resembling his parents will say to him, “Oh child believe in him and follow him, he is your Lord.’ The Bedouin will be deceived and forced into believing him. (Abu Umamah/Ibne Majah)

He will come to another Bedouin and say, “Will you believe in me as your Lord if I bring your camel back to life?” “Yes”, he will reply. He will make a figure for him like his camel, which will have a beautiful odour and a big hump. (Asma-b-Yazeed /Mishkat)

He will have water and fire with him. As for that which the people will see as water, in reality will be fire, which will burn and as for that which people will see as fire, in reality will be cold, sweet water. The Prophet’s advice is: “Whoever meets the Dajjal and sees the water and the fire, he should fall in the fire and not the water, as the fire in reality is water and the water in reality is fire.” (Hudaifah/Mishkat)

Believers in Allah will face hardship while The believers in Dajjal will temporarily rejoice

He will come to people and tell them he is Allah and they will believe him. The sky on his order will pour rain and the earth will grow crops for these people. Their animals will graze on his land and return to them in the evening with large udders and their flanks full. He will then proceed to some other people and call them but they will refuse to believe him. Without forcing them he will leave and carry on with his mission. However, when these true believers wake up in the morning they will find that they are penniless and all their properties have been destroyed. (Nawwas-b-Samaan/Muslim)

The Earth will disclose treasure at his command

Passing by a place in ruins, he will order it to take out its hidden treasure. The earth will immediately take out its hidden treasure. The earth will immediately take out its treasure and the treasure will literally follow him wherever he goes like bees following the queen bee. (Nawwas-b-Samaan/Muslim)

Dajjal faces Opposition

On hearing about the Dajjal a true believer will head towards him. However, on the way he will be stopped by Dajjal’s soldiers and asked where he is intending to go. Replying that he is going to meet the person who claims that he is Allah, the soldiers doubting him will ask, ”Do you not believe in our Lord (Dajjal)?” He will reply there is nothing hidden about our Lord Allah so how can I take Dajjal as my Lord. Angry at his reply they will decide to kill him. But all of a sudden one of them will say, ”Hasn’t our Lord (Dajjal) prohibited us from killing anyone without his permission?” Thus they will take him to the Dajjal. On seeing the Dajjal he will shout, “O people this is the Dajjal the Prophet mentioned and warned the believers of”. Dajjal will order to kill him. He will be placed on his belly and severely beaten. He will be asked, “Do you still not believe in him?” “No! You are the lying Dajjal” he will reply. The true believer will then be sawn into two pieces, the Dajjal will walk in between the two pieces and address him, “Stand up.” The true believer will become alive and stand up in one piece. Yet again he will be asked, “Do you now believe in me?” He will reply, “It has only added to my insight concerning you that you are really the Dajjal.” The believer will then proclaim, “O people he will not be able to do anything to any man after me.” The Dajjal angry at his refusal will grab hold of him and place a knife between his neck and throat to slaughter him but he will be unsuccessful as Allah will place copper in that area and the knife will find no way to penetrate. The Dajjal will grab hold of his hands and legs and throw him into the fire. However, the fire will turn into a pleasant garden for him. This person will be the greatest martyr in the eyes of Allah and achieve the highest position due to his first death, which was caused by severance of the body in two pieces.(Abu Saeed al-Khudri /Muslim)

Dajjal’s Trickery

Doctors and surgeons are not able to restore the eyesight of those born blind or cure the leper. Dajjal will be able to cure those born blind, restore their eyesight and cure the leper. (Abdullah-b-Mugaffal-Kanzul-Unimal)

Dajjal’s Greed

He will have a mountain of bread with him but he will only give bread to those that believe and follow him. (Jabir-b-Abdullah-An-Nihaya)

Dajjal Lures the Women

The Dajjal will make a stop at a place called Markanat, near Taif. On hearing about his arrival the womenfolk will rush towards him, the men will be forced to tie their mothers, daughters, and sisters fearing they will believe in him and get caught up in fitna. (Ibne Umar-Musnad Ahmad)

Safe Haven of Makkah and Madinah

The Dajjal will remain on earth for 40 days, the first of which will be a year long, second a month , the third a week, and the remaining 37 days like our normal days, moving from city to another causing fitna1. Finally he will proceed towards Makkah and Madina2 but he will be unable to enter these holy cities, Masjid Tur and Masjid al-Aqsa3. Every time he tries to enter these holy places, angels guarding these holy cities with swords in their hand will encounter him and chase him away, leaving Dajjal stationed behind Uhud4. Meanwhile, earthquakes will hit Madinah thrice and all the hypocrites will be forced to leave5.

Footnote:

1) Nawwas-b-Samaan / Muslim

2) Fatimah-b-Qais / Muslim

3) Junaid-b-umaiya / Al-Fathur-Rabbani

4)Abu-Huraira / Bukhari

5)Amr-b-Sufyan / Ad-Darrul-Manthur

Death

Losing hope of entering these holy places, Dajjal will turn towards Syria. Imaam Mahdi will already have arranged a Muslim army and will be on the verge of leading the Muslims in morning prayer when Prophet Jesus will descend and Kill the Dajjal. (Usamah / Ibne Majah)

Protection from Dajjal

Reciting of Surah – Kahf

The recitation of Surah Kahf is a safe guard from the Dajjal’s turmoil. The Prophet (s) said, “Whoever memorises the first ten verses of Surah Kahf will be safe from the Dajjal’s Fitna.” (Abu-Darda / Muslim)

The Prophet said, ‘Whoever meets the Dajjal amongst you then he should recite the opening verse of Surah Kahf onto him.” (Nawwas-b-Samaan / Muslim)

Seeking refuge in Allah

Whoever seeks Allah’s refuge and protection from Dajjal’s fitna especially in Salah, Inshallah will be protected.

The Prophet would pray in Salah, “Oh Allah protect me from the punishment of the grave and protect me from Dajjal’s fitna.” (Aisha / Bukhari / Muslim)

Staying miles apart

When the Dajjal appears one should stay as far away from him as possible. The Prophet said, “Those who hear about the Dajjal should stay far from him. By Allah! A person will approach him thinking him to be a believer, but on seeing his amazing feats he will become his follower.” (Imran-b-Hussain / Abu Daud)

Safe Haven of Makkah and Madinah

One should try to migrate to Makkah or Madinah, as he will not be able to enter these two holy cities. Thus one will be protected from his fitna. (Fatimah-b-Qais / Muslim)

Knowledge of Allah’s Attributes

One should seek Islamic knowledge especially knowledge of Allah’s attributes. By possessing knowledge of Allah’s attributes one will not be misled by the Dajjal. This knowledge teaches that Allah is perfect, can’t be seen, and not in need of anything while the Dajjal is imperfect, can be seen by both believers and non-believers and in need of food and water.

By: Anisa Musa Hassan

READ ARTICLE

ENROLL ONLINE

Ashura is 10th of Muharram, and in our case will be on Tuesday, December 6, 2011. (Remember that Islamic days begin after Maghrib, so 10th of Muharram will be from Maghrib on Monday, Dec. 5 till Maghrib Tuesday, Dec. 6)

Practices To Be Observed On The Day of Ashura (10th of Muharram.)
1. To fast on the 9th and 10th or the 10th and 11th of Muharram.
a. This is a nafl fast.
b. The act of fasting is sunnah.
2. To spend freely on one’s family (without incurring debt and being wasteful.)

Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
“He who will be generous on his family on the day of Ashura, Allah Ta’ala will be generous on him for the entire year.” (Tabrani, Baihaqi).

Join Sh. Omar Subedar and Sh. Yusuf Badat this Sunday at Islamic Foundation of Toronto

from 1:15-4pm

“Reviving the Islamic Spirit” convention is an attempt by the youth to help overcome new challenges of communication and integration. The convention aims to promote stronger ties within the North American Society through reviving the Islamic tradition of education, tolerance and introspection, and across cultural lines through points of commonality and respect.

Furthermore, the convention will be a celebration of our identity and Islamic faith. To help attain these ideals, the convention will feature a wide range of voices from various parts of the world.

The convention showcases Islamic leadership from across the globe sharing a common platform before the widest cross section of our community. This program hopes to empower the youth across North America and inspire a true revival.

“A Unique Youth Effort”

www.revivingtheislamicspirit.com