Bearing the Burdens of Others

One of the greatest privileges and favours which ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) enjoyed from Allah Ta‘ala was that he was raised in the care of none other than Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). The circumstances which led to him entering the care of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) are as follows:

Before Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was blessed with prophethood, there was a period during which the Quraish and other people of Makkah Mukarramah suffered a severe drought. In this difficult period, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) noticed that his uncle, Abu Taalib, had many dependents, and due to the drought, it was difficult for him to provide for them all. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thus went to his other uncle, ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), who was very wealthy, and said, “O ‘Abbaas, my uncle! Your brother, Abu Taalib, has many dependents, and as you can see, people have been afflicted by the drought. Let us approach him and offer to lessen his burden by each of us taking one of his dependents into our care.”

Blessed with Barakah​

 ‘Umaarah bin Hazm (rahimahullah) narrates the following incident from Sayyiduna Ubayy bin Ka’b (radhiyallahu ‘anhu):

On one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) sent me to collect the zakaat that was due on the people’s wealth. While collecting zakaat from the people, I passed by a Sahaabi who also needed to discharge his zakaat. Accordingly, this Sahaabi gathered all his camels and presented them to me so that I could calculate the zakaat due on the camels. After examining the camels, I determined that his zakaat on the camels amounted to a single one-year old she-camel.

I thus said to him, “You need to discharge a single one-year old she-camel as this is the zakaat due on your camels.” Hearing this, the man replied, “A one-year old she camel neither gives milk, nor can it be used as a conveyance (hence, there is very little benefit in it). Instead of a one-year old she camel, here is a young, strong, large and fat she camel. Take this camel.” I replied, “I cannot take that which I was not instructed to take. However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is nearby. If you wish to go to him and present to him what you presented to me, you may do so. If Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) accepts your offer (to give a better camel in zakaat), I will take the camel from you, but if he does not accept your offer, I will not take the camel.”

Misery in Being Miserly

 “Those who are miserly with that which Allah has given them should never think it (holding back due to miserliness) to be good for them; rather, it is bad for them. They will be made to wear on their necks as collars that which they were miserly with on the Day of Qiyaamah. And to Allah alone belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is All Aware of what you do. (Surah Aal ‘Imraan v180)

In this verse, Allah Ta‘ala mentions one of the evil traits which the Jews possessed – the quality of miserliness. He further explains the severity of miserliness and warns those who have this trait and practice on it.

My Jewellery and Zakaat

Many of us have gold and silver jewellery upon which zakaat is payable, but unfortunately we are not discharging our zakaat. Some have the incorrect notion that they are not earning themselves and do not have cash, hence they are not liable for zakaat on jewellery. This is incorrect. In such a case either the husband may pay the zakaat of the wife with her prior permission or she may sell a piece of her jewellery and pay her zakaat.

The same ruling applies to qurbaani (the sacrificing of an animal at ‘Eidul Adhaa). Although the wife does not have cash at hand, she does have jewellery to the value of nisaab. Here too the husband may perform the qurbaani on his wife’s behalf with her prior permission or she may sell some of her jewellery and offer her qurbaani. Let not our jewellery become a barrier and an obstacle in us reaching the pleasure of our Allah Ta‘ala. Discharging our zakaat and qurbaani will be clear signs of our bond with Allah Ta‘ala.

Burning Widows: The Basis of Sati in Hindu Religious Texts

Mufti Abdulla Moola 

Sati[1] (also called Suttee), i.e., widow burning, is a ghastly Hindu custom that was carried out upon the death of a husband. This savage and inhumane practice, drawn from a myth involving a Hindu god was implemented either voluntarily or by use of force throughout Hindu history.

The most well known form of Sati is where a woman burns to death on the funeral pyre of her husband. Other forms of Sati also exist, like being buried alive with the corpse of the husband and drowning.[2]

Traditional Hinduism deprives a widow of all inheritance from her deceased husband. Furthermore, burning alive or being viewed as a failed wife were the only two choices for these widows. What is even more heartbreaking is the fanfare with which Sati was done upon the decision of the woman to become Sati (a Chaste One)

Violence and Murder by Hindu Gods in Hindu Scriptures

Apart from committing rape and engaging in other such acts, Hindu gods are depicted in Hindu scripture as committing murder and matricide.

Hindu gods are depicted in books and online as weapon-wielding fierce figures. Whilst the media goes into a frenzy every now and then about ‘Mozlems’ and their “violence,” we find hardly any mention of the Hindutva mobs terrorizing innocent men, women, and children. Burning their homes and committing sexual assaults.

The irony is those who claim, “Hinduism is a peaceful religion, you don’t understand, Read in the proper context.”

Hinduism and the Killing of Female Infants

By: Mufti Abdulla Moola

One of the great signs of the magnificence and grandeur of Allāh Ta’ālā is that He created us in pairs, male and female. In His infinite wisdom, Allāh Ta’ālā grants marriage partners to us and male and female offspring to whomever He wants. In Islam, society is encouraged to look at sons and daughters with the same level of joy, pray regularly for them, and rear them in righteousness.

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.[1]

On the other side, many Hindus look down with disgust, shame, and ignominy upon the birth of a girl into the home. Hindu scriptures like the Vedas have thousands of verses praying for sons, but not a single one praying for the birth of a daughter.

Padma Purana VII.6.89 “The purpose of having a wife is to have sons. The purpose of having a son is to receive Pindas from him at the Sraddha ceremony. For this purpose only the wise take a wife.”

The Drunken, Cow-Slaughtering Gods: Alcohol in Hinduism

By: Mufti Abdulla Moola

Religious Hindus like to display an image of righteousness and high morality, whilst the reality is quite something else.

Hindus rank very high on the drinkers’ list compared to other religious groups. This makes them prone to alcohol-related health problems and crime.

About 30% of the Indian population drinks regularly, where Hindus contribute to the number the most. The average Indian consumes 4.3 liters of alcohol per year while the average rural Indian consumes 11.4 liters of alcohol per year which is 5.2 liters more than the international norm of 6.2 liters per year.[1]

Looking at this, it comes as no surprise to find that India has a very high rate of alcohol-related deaths annually: 260,000 deaths per year.[2] 

No More Magz and News

By and large, the magazines and newspapers of today are filled with the same things. Nearly every edition must have:

· How to lose weight (which gives or reinforces the complex within people that they will never be happy or successful unless they are slim and trim).

· Advertisements of the latest products and trendiest homes (which creates discontentment and greed in the heart as we fell that what Allah has already given us is not good enough).

When the Gods Won’t Take No for an Answer: Rapist Gods in Hinduism

By:Mufti Abdullah Moolla

India has a long and dark history of sexual violence, most notably, rape. According to one study, a girl is raped every 20 minutes in India.

Most incidents go unpunished. Horrific details are covered up and flushed away by Hindu officials. Rape stats reveal an increase in rape cases in India from 2018 to 2019, with seemingly no foreseeable decline.[1]

What has created this kind of situation? How could an entire religion tolerate such crimes and disregard for human beings?

The Nursery Rhymes Epidemic: Young Muslim Minds Are at Stake

It’s not just adult Muslims who are addicted to their screens. Young children have started experiencing this problem too, with equally, if not far more, devastating effects. And one of the biggest culprits behind this epidemic is the kids’ animated YouTube channel Cocomelon:

“Cocomelon is so hyperstimulating that it actually acts as a drug, as a stimulant. The brain gets a hit of dopamine from screen-time and it seems that the stronger the ‘drug’ aka the level of stimulation a show delivers, the stronger the ‘hit.’

Stay-At-Home Moms: Ignore All the Noise

By: Umm Khalid (Muslimskeptic.com)

If you are a stay-at-home mom and you are struggling with feelings of worthlessness or insignificance, I completely understand you.

If you feel like you are all alone, stuck at home with the kids, constantly changing diapers; cooking meals which are only half-eaten; always cleaning up messes all over the house; and nursing the baby, you are not alone.

You probably feel like the world is passing you by, while you stay home, barefooted in your pajamas and tending to toddlers, whereas others are out there in “the real world” going to prestigious jobs, earning money and “contributing to society,” and that makes you feel very small.

Swift Entry into Jannah​

Sayyiduna Abu Umaamah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who recites Aayatul Kursi after every fardh salaah, nothing will prevent him from entering Jannah besides passing away.” (As Sunanul Kubra - Nasai #9848)

The recitation of Aayatul Kursi is extremely easy as it will take perhaps only half a minute and can thus be recited comfortably after every salaah. The benefit of reciting Aayatul Kursi after every salaah is that after passing away, the reciter will be admitted into Jannah extremely swiftly.

The ‘Undo’ Button

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that he heard Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mention, “There is no slave (of Allah Ta‘ala) who commits any sin (whether major or minor), and thereafter performs wudhu, stands and performs two rakaats of salaah, and then repents to Allah Ta‘ala, except that Allah Ta‘ala will forgive him.” (Sunan Abu Dawood #1521)

In the ‘olden days’, when the typewriter was in vogue, if a person made a typing mistake, there was no way to undo it. Hence, to correct the mistake, the entire document would have to be retyped. Thereafter, correction fluid (Tipp-ex) was invented, making life much easier for typists around the world. Finally, the time came when word processing shifted to computers. Now, it is easier than ever to ‘undo’ a mistake by simply pressing the ‘undo’ button.

Hajj from Home

We all have the burning desire in our hearts to present ourselves at the doorstep of the Ka’bah and fulfill the blessed rites of hajj. Some are fortunate enough to perform hajj once in a lifetime, some twice in a lifetime, and there are the select few who are extremely fortunate as they perform hajj annually.

However, Allah Ta‘ala, in His infinite kindness, has made it such that even those who cannot journey to Makkah Mukarramah to perform hajj are able to acquire the reward of hajj. Furthermore, they can do it from the comfort of their own homes!

Powerful Prescription

Sayyidah Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha) once came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and requested, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Teach me some words to recite through which I will make du‘aa to Allah Ta‘ala.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) answered, “Recite Subhaanallah ten times, Alhamdulillah ten times and Allahu Akbar ten times. Thereafter, ask your needs of Allah Ta‘ala, for He will say, ‘I have done so! I have done so! (I have fulfilled your needs)’” (Musnad Ahmad #12207)

The prescription given to Sayyidah Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha) by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is one that is both easy to recite and extremely powerful. We all have needs, and every person is totally dependent on Allah Ta‘ala alone for the fulfillment of his needs. Hence, before supplicating to Allah Ta‘ala and presenting our needs to Him, let us strive to recite the zikr prescribed above. It will take only a few moments, but the effect of the du‘aa that is answered will be long lasting.

Islamic Considerations Regarding the Education of Women

Here is a list of problems that come with educating women for the purposes of gender equality and female empowerment/social advancement. (These problems do not arise when the purpose of education is to teach religion or become better mothers.)

Problem 1: It decreases the happiness and life satisfaction of women.

Problem 2: It increases the number of unmarried women because educated women generally prefer to marry even more educated, powerful men. But there is a limited supply of such men. So more women are competing for a smaller pool of men, meaning most of those women will not find a match.

Du‘aa of Seventy Thousand Angels

Often, we have the perception that ‘earning great reward’ from Allah Ta‘ala is something that will require immense effort, energy and action. However, Allah Ta‘ala, out of His infinite mercy, has blessed us with numerous avenues through which we can easily earn immense rewards with a minimum effort. One of these avenues is the sunnah of visiting the sick.

In this regard, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has mentioned, “There is no person who visits someone who is sick in the evening, except that seventy thousand angels come out with him, making du‘aa for his forgiveness until the morning, and he will receive a garden in Jannah. And there is no person who visits someone who is sick in the morning, except that seventy thousand angels come out with him, making du‘aa for his forgiveness until the evening, and he will receive a garden in Jannah.” (Sunan Abi Dawood #3098)

Kick Feminism to the Curb! Contentment in Marriage and Motherhood

I am happy to be a traditional housewife.

I’m content with being a homemaker, a wife who plays a supporting role to my husband’s lead role. I’m busy enough in my position as a stay-at-home, as a mother homeschooling five children, alhamdulillah, that I do not wish for any further responsibilities to be placed upon my shoulders.

I feel completely fulfilled and at peace within my feminine frame, alhamdulillah. Thus, I have no desire to warp my essence or defy my fitrah (natural innate disposition) by trying to assume a masculine frame; or by competing with my husband; or by becoming independent of him.

Hayaa within the Home

When many of us think back and remember our grandmothers or even great-grandmothers, the picture that comes to mind is of an old woman wearing a shapeless, loose, long, flowing garment that also covered her arms and part of her neck. These standard and generic ‘nanima outfits’ were certainly not stylish, but they definitely represented the treasure which many Muslims of today have lost – hayaa, shame and modesty.

By and large, the old women hailing from that era had not received an advanced education (if any formal education at all), and even their Deeni knowledge was rudimentary due to the scarcity of maktab madrasahs. However, most of them possessed the core values of Islam in their lives, such as generosity, selflessness, humility, and most importantly – hayaa.