In Pursuit Of Allaah's Pleasure الفقيرة إلى رحمة الله

'I have surpassed him in Sins'

2009-08-05T19:05:00.001Z

The intelligent person is he who humbles himself in the presence of those who are older than him saying ‘He has surpassed me in Islâm’ and in front of those who are younger than him saying ‘I have surpassed him in sins’

Rawdhat al-Uqalâ
Page 24

'I Do Not Recall Playing In The Street With Other Children Nor Laughing Openly'

2009-05-04T16:45:00.003Z

Ibn al-Jawzi Rahimahullah said:

“Many of the favours bestowed upon me are not due to my own doing; rather they are the Sublimes plan for me, I do not recall myself except with a lofty & strong resolve - even when I was a mere boy of six years and associating with older children. I was bestowed with intellect and I would read profusely as a child. I do not ever recall playing in the street with other children nor laughing openly, when I was approximately 7 years old I would search for the circle of the Muhaddith, and he would relate easy things to me so I would memorise all that I would hear, then go home and write it down.”

Tarikh Ibn Kathir 13/29

Minor & Major Sins

2009-04-23T15:00:00.003Z

لا صغيرة مع الإصرار.. ولا كبيرة مع الاستغفار

No sin remains minor with persistance,

And no sin remains major after Istighfâr

Al-Nafs Ammarah

2009-04-06T18:32:00.012Z

إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ إِلاَّ مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّيَ
The Soul is certainly prone to Evil, Unless my Lord bestows His Mercy [12:53]

Al-Abbâs Ibn al-Ahnâf said:

My heart calls me to what harms me
It multiplies my sorrows and pains,
How can I guard against my enemy?
When my enemy is within my ribs

al-Iqd al-Farid

Your Own Muslim Brother Is Not Safe From You?

2009-04-03T14:38:00.006Z

وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا
...and do not speak bad of one another..[49:12]

Sufyân ibn Husayn al-Wâsitî narrates:

“I spoke ill of a person in the presence of Iyâs bin Mu’âwiyah al-Muzanî who was the judge of Basra, a Tâbi’î and a very intelligent person. He looked straight in my face and asked

Did you wage war against the Romans?’
I replied: “No”.

He asked, 'Did you wage war against Sind, India and the Turks?'
I replied “No”,

‘How is it then, that the Romans, the Sindis, the Indians and the Turks are safe from you whilst your own Muslim Brother is not safe from you?”

Sufyan narrates: I never did this again

Ibn Kathîr: al-Bidâyah wan-Nihâyah,
Volume 9: Page 336

They Would Contemplate On It In The Night..

2009-04-03T14:04:00.003Z

It is narrated that al-Hasan al-Basrî (May Allaah have mercy upon him) once said:

إنّ من كان قبلكم رأو القرآن رسائل من ربهم

فكانوا يتدبرونها بالليل وينفّذونها بالنهار

There were once a people before you

Who regarded the Qur’ân as a message from their lord;
Hence they would contemplate upon it in the night
and act upon it in the day…

You Know Yourself Better Than They Do..

2009-04-03T13:25:00.005Z

It is related that once in the presence of Imâm Mâlik somebody praised the governor – consequently Imâm Mâlik became angry and said:

“Beware lest these people beguile you through their praise of you. Whoever praises you and says good about you which is not in you is just as likely to say evil about you which is not in you.”

“Be on your guard about claiming for yourself or being pleased with what one of them says to your face…for you know yourself better than they do.”

“I have heard that a man praised another man in the presence of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم and the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said to him, ‘You have cut his back’ or ‘his neck’. If he had heard it, he would not have prospered.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “Throw dirt in the faces of people who praise too much”.

أبي أرقى جنان الخلد

2009-04-02T15:28:00.004Z

أعيش بلحظتي مسرور.. أحلق في سما الأفراح

وأضحك دون أي شعور.. ودمعي فوق خدي ساح

لأني حافظ القرآن.. وهمي عن سماي.. انزاح

كلام الله في قلبي.. ونور بدنيتي وضاح

أبي أرقى جنان الخلد.. وتاج لوالدي و وشاح

أبي الفردوس يا ربي.. هناك.. هناك أنا أرتاح

ألا يا الله وفقني.. بدنيا كلها أفراح

Ask From Your Lord...

2008-07-16T19:14:00.002Z

إلهي كيف أدعوك وانا عاص وكيف لا ادعوك وانت كريم

O Allâh, How can I call you when I am but a sinner
Yet how can I not call unto you when you are the Most Benevolent …

The Beauty Of A Person's Islâm...

2007-10-20T19:19:00.000Z

Ibn al-Jawzî رحمة الله عليه says:

“You should know that the beauty of a person's Islâm lies in his leaving those things that do not concern him. When Allâh wills evil for a person he puts him through the test of argumentation - when Allâh wills good for a person he inspires him to do good deeds.

If Allâh takes away your tongue and gives back to you your heart he has been extremely kind to you; but if he takes away from you your heart and gives you back your tongue then know that you are in a serious calamity.

al-Mutashâbihât fil-Qur’an – Page 11

Precious Naseeha..

2007-09-04T20:06:00.000Z

The Taabi'ee 'Ataa bin Abee Rabah رحمة الله عليه advised the king of his time Hishâm bin abd al-Malik with the following jewels..

What can I say...? Simply amazing.

...أتق الله في نفسك

...وأعلم أنك خلقت وحدك

...وتموت وحدك

...وتحشر وحدك

وتحاسب وحدك

Fear Allâh in regards to yourself,
Know that you were created alone...
...And that you will die alone,
Be resurrected alone....
.....And taken into account alone

....The Soul Is As A Grinding Stone

2007-08-28T14:58:00.000Z

Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

I'm back.

Yep that's right, After a short break of around 4 mental months Umm Shurahbeel is back on ze blogging scene.

I will InshaAllaah get back in the mode of posting interesting things here and there in the hope maybe ONE of you people will read; stop and think WOW, benefit and maybe make a change to yourself..

Will leave you with this for now be'idhnillah

Ibn al Qayyim رحمه الله said:

It is well known that man has not been given to power to kill his thoughts nor the strength to severe them. They invade him just as his breathing invades his body.

However the strength of Imân and intellect helps him to accept his best thoughts , to be pleased with them, to experience peace and tranquility from them. It also helps him to repulse his most evil thoughts and dislike and recoil from them.

Allâh created the soul similar to a grinding stone that goes round and round - one that does not stop; and always in need of something to grind. If seeds are placed therein it will grind them. If stones are placed therein it will still grind them.

So the thoughts that revolve in the soul are like a seed that is placed in a grinding stone. That grinding stone is never left idle. Something or the other has to be placed inside it. So from amongst the people are those whose grinding stone grinds seeds which comes out as flour - which he and others derive benefit from.

But most of them grind soil, stones, straw and so forth - so when the time of making the dough and baking comes; he sees the reality of what he ground.

al-Fawaa'id
Page 31 and 173-174

The Characteristics of the Seeker of Happiness...

2007-04-20T16:27:00.000Z

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

"...The seeker of Allah and the Hereafter - rather, the one who seeks to obtain all knowledge, productiveness, and leadership, such that he is a leader who is taken as an example in all of this - should be brave, bold, in control of his whims, and not under the control of his imagination.

He should be abstinent from everything except that which he is after, passionate about what he has turned his face towards, knowing the path to it, as well as the paths which lead away from it.

He should be bold in his aspiration, firm in his resolve, and not swayed from his goal by the blame of the blamers or the discouragement of the discouragers.

He should generally be tranquil, constantly in thought, and not be moved by the sweetness of a compliment or the pain of criticism.

He should be forthcoming in providing himself with what he needs to help him obtain his goal, and should not be incited by those who oppose him.

His slogan should be patience, and his rest should be his fatigue, and he should love to have the best manners.

He should make the best of his time, not mixing with the people except in a most cautious state, just like a bird that quickly comes down to snatch a morsel from between two people.

He should stand over himself, encouraging himself by way of hope and fear, and should seek to be outstanding amongst his group..."

['al-Fawa'id'; p. 265]

Ya Allâh...

2007-04-13T17:02:00.000Z

JazakAllâhu Khayr to the person who passed this on. ..

O Allâh! Have mercy on us when our foreheads begin to sweat (on account of death) and inner cries of pain increase, and our beloveds shed tears over us, and our doctors lose hope.

O Allâh! Have mercy on us when we will be covered with earth and our companions will have wished us farewell and Your gifts will be separated from us and the soul will leave our bodies.

O Allâh! Have mercy on us when our names will be forgotten and our bodies will have disintegrated and our graves will have disappeared and our remembrance will be wrapped up (will be given up).

O Allâh! Have mercy on us when our secrets will be exposed and the thoughts of our minds will be revealed and our Book of Deeds will be opened, and the scale will be established (when our deeds will be weighed).

O Ever Living!
O all Established!
O the Most Beneficent!
O the Most Merciful! With Your
Mercy we seek your help.

Aameen…Allâhumma Aameen..

How Can We Reform...?

2007-03-05T19:18:00.000Z

Imâm Mâlik رحمه الله said:

The latter portion of this Ummah will not be revived except by the means of that by which the first portion of the Ummah became righteous, i.e the Qur’ân and the Sunnah.

The Sorrow In My Heart.....

2007-03-02T20:00:00.000Z

أحـزان قلبـي لا تـزول

حتـى أبشـر بالقـبـول

وأرى كتابـي باليمـيـن

وتقـر عينـي بالرسـول

The Sorrow in my Heart will Remain

Until I am given the Gladtidings of Acceptance into Jannah,

Till I behold my Book of Deeds in the Right,

And my Eyes are Cooled by the Sight of the Messenger

Listen/Download

Build Yourself A Palace In Paradise...

2007-02-24T15:20:00.000Z

Look at how many generations have passed away....

Did they take their wealth with them?

Did they takes their palaces and their high status?

Were they buried with their gold and silver?

Did they take their cars and planes with them to the hereafter?

No! They were stripped even of their clothing, and placed in their graves in their shrouds, then each of them was asked: Who is your Lord, who is your Prophet, what is your religion?

So prepare yourself for that day; do not grieve or despair about any worldly comforts, for they are cheap and transient. Nothing will abide except righteous deeds. Allâh, the Exalted says:

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ

“Whoever works righteousness – whether male or female – while he [or she] is a true believer [of Islâmic Monotheism] verily, to him We will give a good life [in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision], and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do [i.e Paradise in the Hereafter].” [Qur’an 16:97]

Short n Sweet Du'aa

2007-02-21T17:43:00.000Z

اللهم ارزقنا خلقا كخلق النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم

O Allâh bless us with character which is like the character of the Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam

Aameen allâhumma Aaameen..

In these days of fitnah we sure need 7usn al 5uluq...

Fal Yaqoolu 3an 7ijaab - Translation of Nasheed by Ahmed Bukhatir

2007-02-18T17:08:00.000Z

Nasheed - Fal Yaqoolu 3an 7ijaabi
Artist - Ahmed Bukhatir
Album - Fartaqi

This is the english translation of the Nasheed al-7ejâb which is originally in Arabic..

May Allaah swt strengthen all of the Muslimahs worldwide and keep us steadfast upon His Deen - Aameen

Let them say about my Hijâb, I swear I do not care,

Let them say about my Hijâb that it destroys my youth,

Let them increase in their rebuke, For I belong to the Deen

I swear I do not care, For my resolve is as the mountains

Can they really call it beauty; if it is something to be attained so easily?

They attempted to cheat me; so I screamed let me be

My pride will not be defeated I am a symbol of purity...

When I walk, Piety is my illumination, I follow the best of Prophets,

Proud of my purity, I have rejected immorality...

Surely my way O my Sister, is in the example of Sumayyah,

I nurture my soul with the light of the Deen, O Sister our source* is pure,

Our path is the path of chastity So walk upon it without fear,

Our religion is the religion of virtue...it is not content with vice

O daughter of this Majestic Deen you are of noble descent,

With my Hijaab and with my modesty, I have attained true dignity

And I will continue moving forward, I fear no rebuke.

*Source- Qur'an and Sunnah

Knowledge is an Imaam..

2007-01-31T17:15:00.000Z

"Knowledge is an Imaam which leads to Righteous actions. It is craved by the people destined for Paradise and shunned by people destined for Hell"

- Mu'adh bin Jabal Radiyallahu Ta'ala 'Anh

“Describe Abû Bakr.”

2007-01-16T18:21:00.000Z

‘Abdullâh bin Saîd narrates:

I said to Abû ‘Amîr, “Describe Abû Bakr.”

He said, “He had a wheatish- coloured complexion, thin tall body and his beard was not very thick.”

>>Read all<<

Let Him Beware Of Pre-Occupying Himself...

2007-01-14T17:41:00.000Z

“So the first thing he should begin with is memorisation of the mighty Qur‘an, which is the most important branches of knowledge. And the Salaf did not use to teach Hadeeth or Fiqh, except to one who memorised the Qur‘aan. So when he has memorised it, then let him beware of pre-occupying himself from it with Hadeeth, Fiqh or other things, to the extent that it leads him to forget anything of the Qur‘aan, or makes that likely.”

-al-Imaam an-Nawawi, from the introduction to al-Majmoo’ Sharh ul-Muhadhhab (1/38)

'Arabaat

2007-01-08T18:47:00.000Z

'Arabaat

عَرَبَاتٌ تَدَفَّقت ****تُشبهُ الهائجَ الخِضَم
Vehicles were overflowing (the roads),
Resembling the violence of the oceans,

وعليها تَكَوَّمَتْ ****زُمَرٌ طَيشُهَا احتَدَم
And on top of them are piled,
groups of restless, excited people.

وعلى كلُ ساعدٍ*** رَايَة زَاحَمَت عَلَم
On every forearm,

there are flags which unite the people.

حُشرَ الناسَ تَحتَها*** اُمَمٌ اُثْرِها اُمَم

The people are drawn under them,

One group following the next...

مَاجَتِ الارضُ بالوُرُو***دِ وَطيشُ الرَخَاء عَم

The land swells with the arrival,

And everyone increases in their excitement..

فتساءلتُ وَالاَسَى ****يُنذَرَ القلبُ وَالالم

So (trying to find out the reason for the excitement) I ask around,

With a sincere heart and sincere feelings,

هَل فلسطينُ حُررت ****وقِطَاف العَناءِ تَم

Has Palestine been freed,

and the harvesting of pain stopped..?

ام بشيشان دُمِّرَت**** قُوَّةَ الُملحِدَ الاذم

Or has Sheeshan overcome,

the power of the evil heretics?

قيل لا بل فريقنا ****فاز في لعبة القدم
It was said, No,
Rather our team has won the football match

اي سخف مدمر**** عن فساد الشعوب نم

Which demolishing stupidity,

from the decay of the (morals of the) people,

والى اي خيبة**** هبطت هذه الامم

And to which failure,

will these groups be destroyed?

انا اقسمت بالذي**** برء الكون من عدم

I swear by the One,

Who is free from the emptiness of the land,

وكسى ثوب عزة ****كل من بالهدى اعتصم

(I swear by the one) who clothed with a garment of ‘izza (dignity/honour),

all those who clung to guidance,

ان قنعنا بسخفنا**** وركنا الى النعم

That if we are heedless of our stupidity,

And we rely upon luxuries,

فخطا الخصم ماضي****ات من القدس للحرم

Then the advance of the adversaries,

will reach from the Quds to the Haram.

عندها يندم الجمي****ع ولا ينفع الندم

With it people will regret,

On a day where regret will have no avail.

Sabr 3la kol al Msa2eb

2007-01-03T21:04:00.000Z

The Higher your Imân is...

The Harder the Test...

....and the harder the Test...

The Greater the Reward

......and the second you give up hope

in Allah, you have failed the test.

Zawjatu Aymen...

2007-01-01T19:25:00.000Z

“We do not think there is anything better for two who love one another than marriage.” - Muhammad (Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam)

Assalamu 'Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh..

This is going to be an extremely different post on my blog and most of the viewers will probably be like 'eh, am I on the same blog that I used to visit previously?' but ah well...this entry will be InshaAllaah dedicated to 'Zawjatu Aymen'..

وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from amongst yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.

Alf Alf Mabrook ya 7abeebty

May Allaah 'azza wa jall grant you barakah in your marriage - Aameen

May He shower you with his mercy - Aameen

May you be for Aymen how the Ummahaat ul-Mou2mineen were for Rasoolullah Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam - Aameen

May you follow in the footsteps of 'Aaishah & Khadijah & 'Aasiyah Radiyallahu ta'ala 'anhunna - Aameen

May Allaah 'azza wa jall make you from amongst those women who remember Him at every moment, those who are persevering at times of difficulty and thankful of His bounties in ease - Aameen

May He make you a mother of beautiful pious ab6aal (heroes) - Aameen

May He enable you to grow in His Deen with your husband - Aameen

May He grant you al-Firdaws - Aameen

“Your gold is your religion, your adornment is your moral attitude, and your wealth is your good manners.”

عيــــــــــــــدكم مبــــــــــــارك

2006-12-29T19:35:00.000Z

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

I learnt something interesting today and as 3eed is practically on our doorstep..(tomorrow InshaAllaah) I thought I would share it with you all..

The word '3eed' is derived from the Arabic word '3awdah' which means to return..at this point you're probably thinking 'eh, whats the connection..?' The reason why it is derived from such a word is because in the Islaamic Year 3eed occurs more than once...as in 3eed ul-Fitr & 3eed ul-Adha..and thus, 'returns'.

SubhanAllaah, were we to even look at this English year...(2006) we would see that 3eed occured three times..3eed ul-Adha first in January, 3eed ul-Fitr in October and again 3eed ul-Adha in December..

So you see the connection..?

Anyway..on the topic of 3eed - something else that I also came across which is worthy of pondering upon is a quote by the Mujahid Sheikh Aboo Yahya al-Libbi...

The Muslims have the right to rejoice on this day. But, O Brothers in Iman, how can we be happy? How can we be joyous? How can we be cheerful? How can happiness possibly enter our hearts when we watch our nation being torn apart by the spears of the Mujrimeen, and being slashed by the swords of the Kafireen, in the East and the West?

"The Book of my Lord! The Words of my Lord!"

2006-12-28T20:18:00.000Z

Ibn Abi Mulaykah narrated:

"'Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl used to press the Mushaf to his face and cry, saying: "The Book of my Lord! The Words of my Lord!""

[Reported by 'Abdullah bin al-Mubarak in 'al-Jihad'; # 56]

....Or Are They Tyrants With The Authority To Do As They Like?

2006-12-22T18:57:00.000Z

Jubayr bin Mut'im Radiyallahu 'Anh says:

"I heard the Messenger of Allâh recite 'at-Tur' in the Maghrib prayer, and when he got to the verses {"Were they created by nothing, or were they themselves the creators? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? No, but they have no firm Belief. Or are with them the treasures of your Lord? Or are they the tyrants with the authority to do as they like?"} [at-Tur; 35-37], my heart wanted to fly from my body out of awe."

['Tafsir Ibn Kathir'; 4/309]

Verily Each Verse Is Like A Date..

2006-12-20T18:27:00.000Z

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

Bishr bin as-Sirri (May Allâh have mercy upon him said:

"Verily, each verse is like a date: the more you chew it, the more of its sweetness is released."

Abû Sulaymân heard this and commented:

"True. It is the case with one of you that if he begins one chapter of it, he wants to read it to the end."

['al-Hadith fi 'Ulum al-Qurân'; p. 70]

If Our Hearts Were Truly Pure...

2006-12-19T18:30:00.000Z

'Uthman bin 'Affan Radiyalllahu 'Anh said:

"If our hearts were truly pure, we would never get enough of the Words of our Lord...and I hate that one day passes with me not looking in the Mushaf."

['al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah'; 7/215]

Other Blog Up & Running..Alhamdulillah

2006-12-18T13:59:00.000Z

Assalamu 'Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

Alhamdulillah, my other blog The Islamic Conquest of Syria is now up.

I figured rather than posting excerpts here & there on this blog and also posting other stuff I would make a blog specifically for the book Futuh ush-Shaam...and there it is^

To view it properly without weird characters make sure that the encoding is Unicode (UTF-8)

InshaAllaah it will be of benefit, as we Muslims are ignorant of the importance of Islâmic History so much so, that it seems we have begun to develop an inferiority complex towards the West.

In the past, many many great ‘Ulamâ of all Madhâhib rendered immense service to the science of Tareekh, yet we do not recognise its importance..

SubhanAllaah..as Ibn Jawzî al-Hanbalî noted,

“A Faqih has to have knowledge of other sciences like History…”

The great Mufassir, Ibn Kathîr ash-Shâfi’î put great effort into compiling his celebrated history book, ‘Al-Bidâyah wan-Nihâyah’ & Imâm al-Bukhâri also saw the need (and benefit of studying) and compiling works on history..

The Muhaddîth Ibn Hajr al-‘Asqalâni says in Nukhbatul-Fikr:

“Breaks in chains of narrators are discovered in knowing that the narrators did not meet. There is therefore a need to know History”.

Do we then still disregard its importance…?

One of the saddest events to take place in the History of Islâm is that of the loss of al-Andalus.. It was an Islâmic land with a majority muslim population. Yet still the Muslims were defeated and Islâm banished until not a single muslim remained in the land. Muslims were massacred, and over five hundred Masâjid were converted into churches..to this day, one cannot even go and pray in any of the remaining Masâjid..

We see that all the causes of al-Andalus’s collapse can be found in the Ummah today. Laziness for Jihâd, love of the Dunyah, lack of Da’wah, the Muslim governments not implementing Sharî’ah, the Muslims helping Kuffâr armies against other Muslims…the list is endless – i could go on and on..

Will we wake up, or will disaster hit us too?

May Allaah 'azza wa jall make the blog be a means of benefit and a means of raising awareness of the great History of Islâm - Aameen

Ws.

Women To The Rescue...

2006-12-15T20:02:00.000Z

During the battle of Al-Yarmûk, the Muslim women came and hit the horses of the Muslims in the face with tent pegs and called out –

“O men of Islâm, do you flee from your mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters?”
“Do you wish to give us to the Christians?”

Minhâl ad-Dawsî narrates:

The women were sterner against us than the Romans were. The Muslims returned from their fight saying to each other:

وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ
And they advise each other with Truth and they advise each other with patience. [103:3]

They turned back and fiercely fought the Romans. Qatâmah Bin al-Aysham al Kinânî was in the lead striking the Christians sometimes with a sword or sometimes with a spear until he broke three spears. All the while he was reciting:

I will attack the dogs of Rome who are barking,
With my metals edge I will be striking,
To please the giver of hope, Allâh’s messenger
Prophet of guidance for this dîn, the best advisor.

I Made My Hope A Stairway For Your Forgiveness..

2006-12-11T17:34:00.000Z

Assalamu 'Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

A few moving words said by Imam ash-Shafi'ee Rahimahullah whilst on his deathbed

وَلَمّا قَسا قَلبي وَضاقَـت مَذاهِبـي
When My Heart Was Hardened & My Courses Constrained

جَعَلتُ الرَّجا مِنّي لِعَفـوِكَ سُلمـا
I Made My Hope A Stairway To Your Forgiveness

تَعاظَمَنـي ذَنبـي فَلَمّـا قَرَنُـتـهُ
My Sin Burdened Me Heavily, But When I Measured It

بِعَفوِكَ رَبّي كَانَ عَفـوُكَ أَعظَمـا
By Your Forgiveness Lord, Your Forgiveness Was Greater.

'By Any Means Necessary'

2006-12-10T17:23:00.000Z

Assalamu 'Alaykom Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

A quote worthy of notice by our martyred brother Malik al-Shabbaz (Malcolm X) at a speech

"There is nothing in our book, the Qur'an, as you call it Koran that teaches us to suffer peacefully.Our religion teaches us to be intelligent. Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone;but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery. "

New Layout

2006-12-09T20:01:00.000Z

Assalamu 'Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh..

After months of having the ready-made blogger template I decided to change the layout..and alhamdulillah this is the result.

Doesn't look too bad does it? :D

Wsalam.

Sayyid Qutb On Ayah 26 al-Baqarah

2006-11-29T17:43:00.000Z

يضل به كثيرا ويهدي به كثيرا ، وما يضل به إلا الفاسقين

>{"With it, He misguides many, and with it, he guides many, and He misguides with it only those who are rebellious."} [al-Baqarah; 26]

والله - سبحانه - يطلق الابتلاءات والامتحانات تمضي في طريقها ، ويتلقاها عباده ، كل وفق طبيعته واستعداده ، وكل حسب طريقه ومنهجه الذي اتخذه لنفسه .

"Allah - the Exalted - unleashes tests and trials and allows them to run their course. They are absorbed by His servants, and each reacts to them in accordance with his nature and level of preparedness, and each reacts to them in accordance with the methodology and way of life that he has chosen for himself.

والابتلاء واحد . . ولكن آثاره في النفوس تختلف بحسب اختلاف المنهج والطريق

The tribulation is one, but it's effect on the soul differs based on the methodology and path. For example:

الشدة تسلط على شتى النفوس ، فأما المؤمن الواثق بالله وحكمته ورحمته فتزيده الشدة التجاء إلى الله وتضرعا وخشية . وأما الفاسق أو المنافق فتزلزله وتزيده من الله بعدا ، وتخرجه من الصف إخراجا

Hardship overtakes all different types of souls. For the believer - the one who trusts in Allah and His Wisdom and Mercy - then this hardship increases him in his turning to Allah, his calling upon Him, and his humility before Him. As for the rebellious sinner (the fasiq), then it shakes him to the very core, and increases him in nothing but distance from Allah, and expells him from His rank.
والرخاء يسلط على شتى النفوس ، فأما المؤمن التقي فيزيد الرخاء يقظة وحساسية وشكرا . وأما الفاسق أو المنافق فتبطره النعمة ويتلفه الرخاء ويضله الابتلاء
<BR>Comfort and luxury can be presented to all different types of souls. For the pious believer, then this comfort and luxury increases him only in awareness, compassion, and gratitude. As for the fasiq or hypocrite, then he becomes overwhelmed with this bounty and luxury, and he becomes misguided as a result of this tribulation.

وهكذا المثل الذي يضربه الله للناس . . يضل به كثيرا . . ممن لا يحسنون استقبال ما يجيئهم من الله ، ويهدي به كثيرا ممن يدركون حكمة الله . وما يضل به إلا الفاسقين . . الذين فسقت قلوبهم من قبل وخرجت عن الهدى والحق ، فجزاؤهم زيادتهم مما هم فيه

So, this is the parable that Allah strikes for the people: {"With it, He misguides many"} - those who do not properly receive that which comes to them from Allah, and {"with it, he guides many"} - those who realize and understand the Wisdom of Allah, {"and He misguides with it only those who are rebellious."} - those whose hearts have become hard and avoiding of guidance and truth, so their recompense is an increase of what they are already in!"

Quote By Shaheed Sayyid Qutb

2006-11-20T19:03:00.000Z

Assalamu 'Alaykom Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

SubhanAllaah, until recently I have been busy with a number of things and thus was unable to post anything beneficial on this blog. Be'idhnillahi Ta'ala, I will InshaAllaah resume posting normally soon..for now I will leave a short quote to leave you all to ponder and contemplate upon..

On receiving his death sentence in court, Sayyid Qutb said,

'Alhamdulillah (all praise is for Allah) I performed Jihad for fifteen years until I earned this Shahadah (martyrdom).

'Sayyid Qutb was hanged on August 29, 1966

Extract From Fee Dhilaal el-Qur'an - Shaheed Sayyed Qutb

2006-09-14T20:02:00.000Z

.. . يخادعون الله والذين آمنوا

"...they seek to deceive Allah and those who believe..." [al-Baqarah; 9]

وفي هذا النص وأمثاله نقف أمام حقيقة كبيرة ، وأمام تفضل من الله كريم . .. تلك الحقيقة هي التي يؤكدها القرآن دائما ويقررها ، وهي حقيقة الصلة بين الله والمؤمنين . إنه يجعل صفهم صفه ، وأمرهم أمره . وشأنهم شأنه . يضمهم سبحانه إليه ، ويأخذهم في كنفه ، ويجعل عدوهم عدوه ، وما يوجه إليهم من مكر موجها إليه - سبحانه

"In this statement, we find ourselves standing before a mighty reality and bounty from Allah, the Generous. This reality is one that the Qur'an confirms and repeats often, and it is the reality of the connection between Allah and the believers: He makes their ranks His rank, their affair His affair, and their concern His concern. He - the Exalted - ascribes these believers to Him, takes them under His protection, makes their enemy His enemy, and makes whatever evil plots that are thrown at them to be thrown at Him as well - Glorified is He.

وهذا هو التفضل العلوي الكريم . . التفضل الذي يرفع مقام المؤمنين وحقيقتهم إلى هذا المستوى السامق ؛ والذي يوحي بأن حقيقة الإيمان في هذا الوجود هي أكبر وأكرم الحقائق ، والذي يسكب في قلب المؤمن طمأنينة لا حد لها ، وهو يرى الله - جل شأنه - يجعل قضيته هي قضيته ، ومعركته هي معركته ، وعدوه هو عدوه ، ويأخذه في صفة ، ويرفعه إلى جواره الكريم

And this is the mighty and noble bounty; the bounty that raises the rank and status of the believers to such a lofty and towering degree, and reveals that the reality of faith in this life is the mightiest and noblest of realities, and pours into the heart of the believer limitless confidence and reassurance, since he sees Allah - the Exalted - making his affair into His affair, and his fight into His fight, and his enemy into His enemy, and takes him and puts him on His side of the fight, and raises him to be in His Noble Presence.

فماذا يكون العبيد وكيدهم وخداعهم وأذاهم الصغير ؟

After realizing this, what should the believer think of the slaves and their puny plots, deceptions, and attacks, but little?

وهو في ذات الوقت تهديد رعيب للذين يحاولون خداع المؤمنين والمكر بهم ، وإيصال الأذى إليهم . تهديد لهم بأن معركتهم ليست مع المؤمنين وحدهم إنما هي مع الله القوي الجبار القهار . وأنهم إنما يحاربون الله حين يحاربون أولياءه ، وإنما يتصدون لنقمة الله حين يحاولون هذه المحاولة اللئيمة .

At the same time, it is a terrifying threat to those who even think about trying to deceive the believers, plot against them, or harm them. This is a threat to them that their fight is not with the believers alone; rather, it is with Allah - the Mighty, the Compeller, the Subduer - and that they are in reality making war on Allah when they are making war on His allies, and that they are simply exposing themselves to His Wrath every time they make such a wicked attempt.

وهذه الحقيقة من جانبيها جديرة بأن يتدبرها المؤمنون ليطمئنوا ويثبتوا ويمضوا في طريقهم لا يبالون كيد الكائدين ، ولا خداع الخادعين ، ولا أذى الشريرين . ويتدبرها أعداء المؤمنين فيفزعوا ويرتاعوا ويعرفوا من الذي يحاربونه ويتصدون لنقمته حين يتصدون للمؤمنين . .

And the nature of this reality is such that the believers must ponder over it in order to be assured and to increase in firmness and proceed upon their path without caring or worrying about the plots of the plotters, the deceptions of the deceivers, or the harm of the evildoers.Likewise, the enemies of the believers must also ponder over this reality in order to become filled with the appropriate level of terror and distress, and so that they know exactly who it is they are fighting and exactly Whose Wrath they are exposing themselves to when going after the believers."

From Fee Dhilaal el-Qur'an - In the Shade of the Qur'an: by Shaheed Sayyid Qutb

Poetry by Khâlid Bin Walîd رضي الله عنه - Part 2

2006-09-10T19:34:00.000Z

This is a poem that was recited by Khâlid bin Walîd رضي الله عنه before going to the participate in the battle of Yarmuk after Abû Ubaydah رضي الله عنه led the muslims in Salâtul Fajr

O my brethren, all of you give up your lives

Towards the enemy we go seeking strife

In that way we hope for triumph and success

When for that we give our lives in sacrifice.

Allâh will grant us goodness

Morning and evening He will help us.

- Page 276

Poetry by Khâlid Bin Walîd رضي الله عنه

2006-09-10T11:32:00.000Z

Poetry by Khâlid Ibn Walîd رضي الله عنه

O my Master! For every blessing I praise You

O Bountiful One! For all you give I thank You

After disbelief and darkness You have favoured us.

Taken us out of Doubts, and Wrong's darkness.

Through Muhammad [SAW] You saved us and removed what is blameable
And made us assisted, guided and honourable,
You have named us the best of all nations,
So fulfil our intentions, Let the disbelievers taste,
Their punishment with all haste!

- Page 63

Who will inform Abû Bakr that we

Are fighting the Roman army

Allâh has prohibited except that I break the Disbelievers

And relieve my spear’s thirst with blood of Roman leaders.

Many victims will I fling to the ground

Many will weep at a friend no longer found

- Page 70

I swear by the Great King that I have taken this banner

And that by carrying it I am the leader,

Because I am the chief of Makhzûm’s son,

And also am amongst Noble Ahmad’s companions

In setting out, It is like a reckless lion that I behave,

O Allâh! It is fighting the Romans that I do crave

- Page 183

Woe to the hordes of Rome on the day of fighting,

Indeed I see war in it blazing,

How many times have they met from us occasions of exhaustion

How many times have I left the Romans in destruction

- Page 244

It must be noted that in translating from Arabic to English the true meaning and essence cannot be completely matched and so sometimes the meaning is lost in translation.

Sa'id bin Khalids RA Touching Words

2006-09-08T17:51:00.000Z

Ruwaym bin ‘Amir narrates from Wâqis bin Sayf ash-Shabkâri:

I was with the army which Aboo Bakr رضي الله عنه had sent to Aylah and Palestine under the leadership of ‘Amr bin al-Aas رضي الله عنه , with Sa’id bin Khâlid bin Sâ’id رضي الله عنه as the flag bearer. I saw him waving the flag and reciting this poem:

We are marching with a small army from the best nation,
Against Disbelievers, Syria is our destination.

They worship the Cross, an evil people are they,

I will cut them to the ground, with my sword I will slay,

I will pierce them thoroughly with my spear,

On the battle-field there is nothing I fear

In this war Paradise is my aspiration

And that with the pious be my resurrection

Part 11 [Final]

2006-09-06T12:15:00.000Z

When Peter saw the Islâmic army arriving with all its splendour, with their spears all aligned and swords flashing his heart trembled and his shoulders shook. The men were alarmed and looked at each other. Peter said to the women, “Since we also have daughter-in-laws, daughters, mothers, sisters and aunts, my heart has been filled with love and pity for you. For the sake of the Cross I free you. When your men arrive you can tell them this.”

He grabbed his horse’s bridle intending to flee but before the horse could start galloping, he saw two riders coming from the Muslims towards him. One was wearing armour while the other was bare-chested. Riding an ‘Arab horse bare-back and carrying a spear. The first was Khâlid رضي الله عنه , the seond Dirâr رضي الله عنه.

When Khawlah saw her brother, she shouted, “Where were you all this time, my brother? Allâh has made us independent of your help”.

Peter then shouted at her, “Go to your brother even if it will break my heart, but I hand you over to him.”

He then wanted to leave, but she went to him and said, “That you (supposedly) extend your hand in harmony and then we turn away from you is not the way of us ‘Arabs. You are but a slave of your desires and seekers of pleasure”. She then went right in front of him.

Peter: My love for you has left my heart, I do not want to see your face.

Khawlah: O but I cannot ever let go of you

She then rushed towards him, while Khâlid رضي الله عنه and Dirâr رضي الله عنه came to join her, with the whole Muslim army coming in that direction

Peter: O ‘Arab, take your sister. Congratulations, I give her to you

Dirâr: Very well, I accept, but at the moment I have nothing to give in exchange except the point of the spear, So take it

When you are greeted with a greeting, greet back better than that or atleast return it equally. [4:86]

He attacked and struck at his heart while Khawlah struck the horse’s leg. Dizzy, it fell down and Allaah’s enemy was about to fall on the ground when Dirâr stabbed him in the side. The point wriggling from place to place until he fell down on the ground dead. Khâlid رضي الله عنه shouted ‘Congratulation. This is such a spear whose owner is never unsuccessful

Meanwhile the Muslims had surrounded the Romans and killed 3,000

That is pretty much all of what is mentioned about the courageous woman warrior Khawlah in Futuh ush-Shaam; there are other mentions of her but only slight scattered mentions here and there…so this is the last of which I will post in regards to Khawlah from Futuh ush-Shaam.

May Allaah swt grant the Muslim women of today the strength and courage of Khawlah – Aameen

Part 10 - From Futuh ash-Sham

2006-09-05T11:07:00.000Z

Râfi’ bin ‘Umayrah volunteered and went and returned to report on the women defending themselves.

Khâlid رضي الله عنه: It is amazing! These are the women of the tribes of ‘Amâliqah and Tubba’. Some are of Tubba’ bin Aqran, some of Tubba’ bin Abî Karb, some of Thu Ra’în, some of ‘Abdul Kalâ’ al-Mu’azhzham and some of Tubba’ bin Hassan bin Tubba’. Tubba’ bin Hassân bin Tubba’ was the man who bore witness to Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم being a Prophet before he was born. He said in his poem:

That Ahmad is Allâh’s Messenger is my testification

His Ummah is named in the Psalms as the Best Nation

If I live until his time, Serve him will I

And be minister to the son of his uncle

O Râfi’, these women are known for their fighting. If they are really displaying such feats of bravery which you describe, then they will permanently put their stamp on the ‘Arabs and will remove the brand of weakness from the foreheads of females.

The Muslims’ faces brightened with joy at Râfi’s report on the womens bravery and Dirâr رضي الله عنه leapt with joy. He threw off his old shawl he was wearing and grabbed his spear, intending to be the first to reach them, but Khâlid رضي الله عنه called out, “Wait a while Dirâr, Do not be hasty. He who does a job with patience completes it, while he who hastens hardly achieves more than intentions.”

Dirâr رضي الله عنه; O Commander, How can I be patient in helping my sister?

Khâlid رضي الله عنه: If Allâh wills, help and victory is at hand

He then lined up the horses, raised the flags and going to the centre said, “O Muslims – When you approach the enemy spread out and surround them. Have trust in Allâh that He will free our women and have mercy on our children.”

They cheerfully answered him and so he rode at their head.

The Christians were preoccupied with the women when the army arrived with flags fluttering. Khawlah called out, “O Daughters of Tubba’, Allâh has shown mercy to you and gladdened your hearts.”

Part 9 - From Futuh ash-Sham

2006-09-01T19:03:00.000Z

Peter expended great effort in fighting the women but achieved nothing except frustration. He saw Khawlah like a fierce lion reciting the following poem

Himyar’s and Tubba’s daughters are we

For us to kill you is quite easy

For we are the flames of war

We have for you great trouble in store

Peter listened to her and said, “O my Arab women, stop this now. I value you and will tell you my heart’s secret which is sure to please you – will it not please you that I be your master considering the fact that I am the object of desire of ever Christian woman. In addition, I have farms, orchards, wealth and cattle and hold a prestigious position with Heraclius. All this will be yours if only you stop destroying yourself with your own hands.”

Khawlah retored, “You wretched unbelieving son of an unchaste adulterer! By Allâh! I will take this peg and gouge your brains out. You are not even worthy of herding my camels and sheep let alone claim to be my equal.” Peter became enraged and said to the Christians, “What greater shame can there be in all Syria and ‘Arabia if a group of women manage to overcome you.
Fear Jesus Christ and Caeser Heraclius and kill them all.”

Part 8 - From Futuh ash-Sham

2006-08-30T16:41:00.000Z

Bravery of the Muslim Women

Peter gathered the Muslim women at the river. He regarded Khawlah bint al-Azwar as the most beautiful and so said to his men, “She is mine and I am her, none of you should object.” They accepted and so each one started choosing a woman and saying, “she is mine.” They gathered the sheep and loot and awaited Paulus. The women were detained in a tent. Most of them were aged women from the tribes of Himyar, ‘Amâliqah and Tubba’, who were used to riding at night and fighting ‘Arab tribesmen. Khawlah addressed them, “O daughters of Himyar! O valuable ones of Tubba’! Does it please you to be overcome by Roman disbelievers and be their slave-girls? What has happened to that bravery which was the talk of the slave-girls of ‘Arabs and the gatherings of the ‘Arabs? How sad that I now see you bereft of all bravery and honour. I consider death better than the humiliation of serving Romans.”

‘Afirah bint ‘Affâr al-Himyarîyah: Whatever you have mentioned, O daughter of Azwar, about our bravery, intelligence and rank is quite true. It is also true that we are accustomed to horse-riding and putting the enemy to difficulty. However, what can we do when we have neither horse, nor spear, nor sword; nor any other weapon? You know very well that they came suddenly and caught us like lost sheep when we had no weapons.

Khawlah: O daughters of Tubba’, your negligence is no excuse. We can uproot the pegs and pillars of the tent and attack the wretches therein. Perhaps Allâh will grant us victory, or else at least we will attain martyrdom. In this way we will wipe the mark of disgrace from our foreheads.

‘Afirah: By Allâh! What a wonderful and appropriate suggestion

So each woman uprooted a peg. Khawlah bound her waist and putting a peg on her shoulder, went ahead followed by ‘Afirah, Umm Abân bint ‘Utbah, Salamah bint Nu’man bin Muqirr and the others all shouting “Is there any challenger?”

Khawlah began instructing this female army on battle formation. “Be like the links of a chain, never separate for then spears will pierce your breasts, swords will cut your necks, your skulls will be cut off and heaped here. She went and hit her peg so hard on a Roman’s head that h e dropped down dead. The romans were thrown into confusion and started asking each other, “What is happening?”, when suddenly they saw peg carrying women advancing upon them. Peter shrieked at the, “What are you doing you wretches?”

‘Afirah replied, “We have decided that today we will rectify your brains with these tent-pegs and shorten your life-spans, thus removing a spot of disgraces from our ancestors’ faces.”

Peter laughed and said to his people, “Shame on you. Go, spread out and catch them alive, but whoever catches Khawlah should not get any ideas.”

The Romans encircled them, but as soon as anyone came near, the women would break his horse’s legs with the pegs and when he thus fell down, would smash up his face. In this way, thirty Romans were killed and none neared them. Peter became infuriated and followed by his companions, dismounted. They walked to the women shaking their fists and swords. The women hurried towards each other and said,

“Death with honour is better than life with disgrace.”

Part 7 - From Futuh ash-Sham

2006-08-19T13:58:00.000Z

Rifâ’ah bin Qays narrates:

As far as we know only 100 out of the 6,000 survived. It is reported that Dirâr رضي الله عنه was very upset to hear that his sister was captured and so went to Khâlid رضي الله عنه and informed him. He replied, “Do not worry, we have captured their leaders. We shall go to Damascus and free our women in exchange for the prisoners.”

The he said to Abû ‘Ubaydah رضي الله عنه “You move slowly with the women while I go and free the captives.” He selected 2,000 horsemen to go with him while despatching the rest with Abû ‘Ubaydah رضي الله عنه for fear of an encounter with Warden.

Râfi’ bin ‘Umayrah, Maysarah bin Masrûq al-‘Absi, Dirâr and other chiefs رضي الله عنهم rode ahead of Khâlid رضي الله عنه and they soon traversed the distance.

Dirâr رضي الله عنه was reciting this poem as they were going –

O Lord Remove that from which we suffer

Do not grant me death before I see my Sister,

This is my desire and my so

Come my friends, with me to the foe.

Then my intention will find completion

If I survive (unsuccessful) shave my beard (in humiliation)

Khâlid رضي الله عنه laughed at this.

They continued until they neared the Istiryâq River where they saw a dust-cloud wherein flags fluttered and swords glinted.

Khâlid رضي الله عنه : This is a strange sight.

Qays: Perhaps it is the remainder of the Damascus cavalry.

Khâlid رضي الله عنه: Everyone keep your spears ready until we find out what is happening.

They obeyed and went ahead.

Part 6 -From Futuh ash-Sham

2006-08-15T17:21:00.000Z

The Battle of Shakhûra

Abû Ubaydah رضي الله عنه and his men were mounted on camels when one of them saw a dust-cloud rising in the distance. He informed him and said, “As far as I can tell it is the dust of the enemy.”

When Abû Ubaydah رضي الله عنه saw this disaster he said, “Khâlid was right in wanting to stay”. Paulus advanced with marks and crosses hanging on his head. At that time, that Muslim women were very anxious while the boys were shrieking. Although, 1000 men were present, they had left to engage the Romans. Allâh’s enemy, Paulus, attacked Abû Ubaydah رضي الله عنه who fought back. The battle between the Sahâbah رضي الله عنهم and the Romans heated, dust was rising, swords were flashing so viciously that Shakhûra became a bed of tulips (fallen heads like tulips red with blood). Abû Ubaydah رضي الله عنه was in a difficult situation, but remained firm.

Suhayl bin Sabbâh narrates:

I was riding a Yamanî horse with white marks on its forehead and legs. I pulled the reins and let go so that it sped like a flash of lightning and, before I knew it, was close to Khâlid bin al-Walîd. I shouted at him, so he turned his horse in my direction and said, “What is wrong, Ibn Sabbâh?”

I said, “O Commander, go to Abû Ubaydah and the women. An army from Damascus has attacked them and captured some women and children. Abû Ubaydah is in a very tight situation and cannot hold out much longer.” He exclaimed “Verily we belong to Allâh and to Him we return. By Allâh! I wanted to stay at the back, but he did not listen. But in any case, none can question Allâh’s decree.”

He then ordered Râfi’ bin ‘Umayrah to immediately take 1,000 cavalry to protect the women and ordered ‘Abdurahman bin Abî Bakr to take 1,000 cavalry against the enemy. Then he dispatched Dirâr رضي الله عنه and Qays bin Hubayrah al-Murâdi with 1,000 men against them. Thereafter, he went forth with the rest of the enemy. Abû ‘Ubaydah رضي الله عنه was fighting Paulus when the Muslims arrived. They attacked the enemies of Allâh so forcefully that their crosses fell and they were convinced that they would be defeated. When Paulus saw Dirâr رضي الله عنه blazing towards him, he lost his wits and shivered because he had personally seen from the top of the city walls what had happened to great warriors like Calius and Uriel and what had happened at Bayt Luhyâ. He recognised Dirâr and said to Abû ‘Ubaydah, “O ‘Arab, I ask you for the sake of your religion to keep this devil away from me”. Dirâr said, “If I do not try and catch you, then I will be the Devil.”

Paulus, seeing him thrusting his spear in his direction, jumped off his horse and ran towards his army. Dirâr رضي الله عنه also dismounted to chase him and shouted “Where can you feel to when this devil is right behind you?”

Paulus said, “Spare me, O Bedouin, for in sparing my life you will be saving your women and children” So Dirâr رضي الله عنه spared him and captured him instead, while the Muslims launched such an attack which silenced the Romans.

Mâjid bin Ruwaym al-‘Ayni narrates:

I was in the army of ‘Abdurahman bin Abî Bakr at the battle of Shakhûra..We surrounded the 6,000 Romans and killed them.

Part 5 - From Futuh ash-Sham

2006-08-14T11:05:00.000Z

Dirâr’s رضي الله عنه Rescue

Khawlah rode behind the men, who were riding in military formation, until they reached the Salamîyah Road. Râfi’ looked around and could not find any signs of an army having passed by nor any signs of hoof-prints, so he said, “Glad tidings my friends! The enemy have not yet reached here.” He then ordered them to hide in ambush in Wâdi al-Hayyât and while they were waiting they saw a dust-cloud coming. Râfi’ declared, “O young sons of Islâm, be alert.”

The enemy approached with Dirâr رضي الله عنه in their centre reciting this poem

Give this message to Khawlah and my family, O informer –

My hands are tied behind my back – I am a prisoner.

The Syrians surround me, Each a disbeliever

All of them wearing armour.

O heart, Sorrow and regret have made you dead

O tears of my manhood, Down my cheeks you are shed.

Do you know if ever I will see Khawlah and my family too

And remind her of the agreement between us two..?

Khawlah shouted from her hiding place, “Allâh has accepted you Du’â and heard your plea. I am your sister, Khawlah!” She then came charging out shouting, “Allâhu Akbar!” followed by Râfi’ and the rest all shouting “Allâhu Akbar!”

Humayd bin Sâlim narrates:

I was part of that force who, when we started raising our voices with “Allâhu Akbar! Allâhu Akbar!” Allâh inspired our horses to start neighing loudly. Each of us targeted a Roman and in a short while finished them off. Allâh freed Dirâr رضي الله عنه and granted us the Romans’ horses and weapons.

Râfi’ bin Qâdim narrates:

While we were engaging the Romans, Khawlah rescued her brother, untied him and made Salâm. He congratulated and welcomed her and then mounted a horse which was roaming around. He picked up a spear and recited the following poem

O Lord! I thank you for accepting my prayer

You have removed my sorrows, worry and care.

You have fulfilled my desires and united my sister with me

Today my heart will be satisfied against the enemy.

While Râfi’ bin ‘Umayrah was gathering the booty, Khâlid رضي الله عنه scored a resounding victory against the Romans. They began fleeing in such terror and loss of spirit that those in front did not even glance back at those behind them. Râfi’ saw them and understood what was happening. As they came he casually started arresting them one by one.

After Khâlid رضي الله عنه had dispatched Râfi’, he launched an attack in which it seemed as if every Muslim was madly rushing towards Martyrdom. The Romans immediately turned tail and fled, with Warden taking the unchallenged lead. The Muslim pursued them gathering booty, weapons and horses until they met Râfi’ and Dirâr رضي الله عنه at Wâdi al-Hayyât. Khâlid رضي الله عنه congratulated Dirâr رضي الله عنه and thanked and praised Râfi’. Overjoyed, they returned to Damascus, where they informed Abû Ubaydah رضي الله عنه of their victory. The conquest of Damascus was now a certainty.

Part 4 - From Futuh ash-Sham

2006-08-13T19:10:00.000Z

...Continued

Khâlid رضي الله عنه intended to launch another attack, but suddenly saw a group of Roman horsemen breaking off from the right-wing. They did not keep hold of their bridles and were coming in a hurry as if they were chasing something. Khâlid رضي الله عنه called the Muslims to arms and they swiftly gathered around them. When the Romans horsemen came near they threw down their arms and came on foot begging for safety. Khâlid رضي الله عنه ordered the Muslims to accept their plea and bring them to him.

Khâlid رضي الله عنه : Who are you?

Romans: We are soldiers of Warden and inhabitants of Hims. We are fully convinced that we can bring no power against you and do not have the strength to defeat you. Grant us, our families and our children protection on the same terms which you have granted other cities. State whatever indemnity you want and our people not oppose your terms.

Khâlid رضي الله عنه : We can only make an agreement once we have reached your city, not here. In the meantime, you will stay with us until Allâh makes a decision between us and the enemy.

He ordered them to be watched over and again spoke to them

Khâlid رضي الله عنه: Do you know anything about our warrior who killed your general’s son?

Romans: Are you asking about that bare-chested man who killed many of our men including the general’s son?

Khâlid رضي الله عنه : Yes, that is him

Romans: After his capture Warden put him on a mule and sent him with 100 horsemen to Hims. From there he will be sent to Heraclius to display his bravery.

Khâlid رضي الله عنه was pleased to hear this and summoned Râfi’ bin ‘Umayrah.

Khâlid رضي الله عنه : Râfi’, you know this regions roads and mountain passes well. Your planning and improvising helped us to easily cross the barren planes of such places as As-Samâwah. That is, when you kept the camels thirsty and then gave them to drink and tied their mouths shut so that you could slaughter ten daily to feed us and give the horses to drink from the water that then came from the bellies of the camels until we reached Arakah. You are thus a very experienced man and a distinguished planner. 100 horsemen are taking Dirâr to Hims. I am appointing you to pick whoever you wish to go with you in pursuit of them. I feel that you will be able to catch up to them soon and rescue him. If you achieve this you will cause great happiness and will solve a great problem.

Râfi’: I readily accept

He selected 100 horsemen and was about to depart when Khawlah found out. A wave of happiness swept her and so she prepared her weapons and went to Khâlid رضي الله عنه saying “For the love of Muhammad send me with them so that I can be of assistance.”

Khâlid رضي الله عنه said to Râfi’, “you are well aware of her bravery, so take her with you.”

Part 3 - From Futuh ash-Sham

2006-08-12T19:37:00.000Z

Search For Dirâr رضي الله عنه

‘Amir bin at-Tufayl رضي الله عنه narrates:

I was on Khâlid bin al-Walîd’s رضي الله عنه right side and Khawlah was in front of him attacking. All the Muslims followed the attack. Khawlah put them to such difficulty that they started saying to each other, “If all the ‘Arabs are as brave as this one then we will never be able to overcome them.”

When Khâlid رضي الله عنه attacked, the Romans lost their wits and trembled. They were close to being dislodged but Warden started shouting , “My people, be careful and stand firm, If you stand firm, they will flee and the Damascenes will help us. So the Romans started putting up stiff resistance. But when Khâlid and his men attacked, their feet could not remain firm and they scattered in disorder.

Khâlid رضي الله عنه attempted to reach Warden but a group of warriors who circled their leader prevented him. The Muslims also spread out with Muslim and Christian engaged in single combat. Râfi’ bin ‘Umayrah displayed exceptional bravery while Khawlah broke through several ranks to reach the centre striking out in all directions. She was searching for her brother everywhere while loudly reciting this poem:

Where is Dirâr, him I do not see

While he does not see my tribe and family,

O my one and only brother

And son of my own mother,

You have ended my peace of mind

And now sleep I cannot find…

All the Muslims who heard this poem wept.

The battle continued but despite extensive searching, no sign of Dirâr رضي الله عنه was to be found. When the sun set, the two opposing forces returned to their own camps with the scales tipped in the Muslims’ favour and the Romans suffering a heavy toll. The Muslim victory broke the Romans’ hearts and they would have fled had it not been for their fear of Warden. Khawlah questioned each Muslim soldier in the camp about her brothers, but none had seen him – dead or alive. When she had lost all hope, she began to weep bitterly and said, “O son of my mother! If only I had some news of you, even if it that you were left lying in some jungle or slaughtered somewhere. May your sister be sacrificed for you. It is most saddening that I do not even know if we will ever meet. By Allâh! You have left a burning ember in your sister’s heart that will never cool. Now go and meet your father, the slayer of Disbelievers, in the presence of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم. I bid you continuous salâm until Judgement Day."

This mourning reduced the Muslims to tears.

Part 2 - From Futuh ash-Sham

2006-08-08T14:57:00.000Z

While he was reciting this poem, he suddenly saw a tall, short-necked fawn horse upon which sat a rider with a glittering spear. The rider's behaviour and appearance projected a kind of wisdom and the riding-style showed bravery. The warrior held the bridle loosely but sat firmly in the saddle and wore armour covered inBlack cloth. A green girdle tied at the waiste was spread over both of his chest and back. Thus the rider road ahead of the army like a blazing flame.

Khâlid رضي الله عنه said, "I wonder who this is, By Allâh! He appears to be quite daring and brave."

He continued behind the stranger heading towards the Christian camp. Râfi' bin 'Umayrah was steadfastly holding out against the Romans when he saw Khâlid's رضي الله عنه reinforcements. The mysterious warrior pounced on the enemy like a mighty hawk on a tiny sparrow in an attack that wreaked havoc in the Roman lines and by perpetrating a massacre penetrated to their very centre. It was like lightning - striking the heads of two or four youths, then burning to ashes another five or seven and then flashing yet again. Reaching the centre, the warrior displayed clear signs of frustration and anxiety and then began attacking again, ripping the christian lines apart and advancing until the Muslims lost sight of this champion who all the while was growing ever more anxious.

Râfi' bin 'Umayrah and his men thought that that could only be Khâlid رضي الله عنه. Râfi' then saw him with his men and so he called out, "O brave one, who is this horseman who risks his life in Allâh's Path and slays the enemy without hesitation?"

Khâlid رضي الله عنه:By Allâh! I do not know. I am myself astonished at his daring and bravery.

Râfi': What an amazing man who penetrates the Roman ranks and kills them left, right and centre..

Khâlid رضي الله عنه : O Muslims, Rise for the defence of Islâm and attack together.

The Muslims straightened their bridles, readied their spears and advanced in battle formation with Khâlid رضي الله عنه in front. They were about to attack when they saw the stranger flashing at the heart of the Roman army soaked in blood and mounted on a horse drowning in perspiration. Despite trying to turn away from the approaching Romans, the Mujâhid was still single-handedly facing several Romans at the same time. Khâlid رضي الله عنه and his men attacked them until they managed to bring the stranger to the Muslim ranks.

The Muslims gazed at the Visible top part of the stranger's face and found it to be like a crimson rose-petal dipped in blood. Khâlid رضي الله عنهsaid, "You have offered your life in the Path of Allâh and vented your anger upon the enemies - May Allâh reward you well. Now remove your mouth-cover so that we can see who you are."

They too received no reply, so Khâlid رضي الله عنه personally went and said, "How very sad that I and in fact all the muslims wish to know about you but you could not care, Who are you?"

He repeatedly insisted until eventually a feminine voice replied "O commander, I have not avoided you out of disobedience, but out of modesty for I am of those who have secluded themselves behind the veil. My sorrow and broken heart forced me here."

Khâlidرضي الله عنه : Who are you?

Stranger: The Captive Dirâr's sister, Khawlah bint al-Azwar. I was sitting with the women of the Mathhij tribe when I heard of Dirâr's capture. So I immediately mounted and came here. The rest you already know.

Hearing this, Khâlids رضي الله عنه heart was struck with wonder and tears welled out profusely.

Khâlid رضي الله عنه :We will attack together. I have firm conviction that Allâh will lets us reach your brother and free him.

Khawlah: If Allâh wills then I shall be in the front line

Khawlah - The Mysterious Warrior - From Futuh ash-Sham - Part 1

2006-08-03T14:45:00.000Z

The Mysterious Warrior

The Sahâbah took Dirâr’s capture very hard and launched a fierce attack to save him but were unsuccessful. They were dislodged and started fleeing when Râfi’ bin ‘Umayrah shouted, “Memorisers and bearers of the Qurân, where are you going? Do you not know that those who flee out of fear of the enemy are showered with Allâh’s anger and with defeat? That most of the gates of Paradise are open for Mujâhidîn and patient ones? O bearers of this Dîn, be patient and attack the worshippers of the cross. Bear in mind that even if your leader has been captured, Allâh is still Ever-Living and watching you and I am present to take the lead in front of you.” The Muslims were galvanised and gathered under his leadership. They launched an attacks in which many men and most of the Roman leaders were killed. When Khâlid رضي الله عنه heard about Dirâr’s رضي الله عنهcapture and the Muslim’s martyrdom he was beside himself with grief and asked, “How many Romans are there?” The informer replied, “12,000”.

Khâlid رضي الله عنه : By Allâh! Had I known that there are so many then I would never have sent my people to destruction…who is their general?

Informer: Warden, governor of Hims, Dirâr killed his son, Hamran.

Khâlid رضي الله عنه: There is no ability to avoid evil and no power to do good except with Allâh’s help, the Most High, the Most Mighty.

Then he sent a messenger to seek Abû `Ubaydah’s رضي الله عنهopinion. His reply was, “Place a reliable man in charge of some men to continue the siege of the Eastern Gate while you yourself lead the attack on the enemy. I am confident that you will grind them like a mill in no time at all.”

Upon receiving this message Khâlid رضي الله عنه said, “By Allâh! I am not of those who are miserly in spending their lives in the Path of Allâh.”

He then said to Maysarah bin Masruq al-‘Absi, “I am leaving you in charge of 1,000 horsemen. Do not leave your position but make Du’â and place your trust in Allâh.”

Maysarah bin Masruq al-‘Absî: I accept wholeheartedly.

Khâlid رضي الله عنهthen addressed the army, “Let go of the horses’ bridles and hold your spears firmly instead. When we are close to the enemy, and then attack altogether. Perhaps we will rescue Dirâr if he is still alive or else if they have martyred him, we will certainly avenge him if Allâh wills. I hope that Allâh will not cause us grief with regard to Dirâr.”

So saying, he rode ahead of his men reciting this war-poem..

Today the truthful one will attain his goal
He is not afraid when death snatches his soul,
My spear’s thirst quench will I
With blood flowing from the eye

I will pierce both shield and helmet

And get that which yesterday the predecessors did get

A Poem By Khalid Ibn Waleed

2006-07-29T17:25:00.000Z

Assalamu 'Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah...

I was reading the excellent book Futuh Ush-Sham and I came across this beautiful short poem that Khalid Ibn Waleed Rahimahullah recited whilst going to rescue Dirar Radiyallahu 'Anh

اليوم فاز فيه من صدق*** لا ارهب الموت إذا الموت طرق
لأروين الرمح من ذوي الحدق *** لأهتكن البيض هتكا والدرق

عسى أرى غدا مقام من صدق *** في جنة الخلد وألقى من سبق

Today the truthful one will attain his goal
He is not afraid when death snatches his soul,
My spear’s thirst quench will I
With blood flowing from the eye
I will pierce both shield and helmet
And get that which yesterday the predecessors did get

New Gitmo Documentary

2006-07-27T18:37:00.000Z

GITMO - The New Rules Of War

By ATMO productions

In the wake of 911 2001 terrorist attacks, the USA opened a prison camp at Guantanomo Bay. The Hundreds of prisoners believed to be detained there are not afforded prisoner of war status according to the Geneva Convention

They are labelled unlawful combatants, held indefinitely with no right to a lawyer or a trial.

“You really need to treat them like dogs, or else if you treat them any better then that you have effectively lost control of the interrogation”

This documentary looks at the link between Guantanomo Bay and the torture methods used in Iraq and the roots of how US forces tackle the task of retrieving information from the detainees.

Ex detainee Mehdi from Sweden breaks his vow of silence and talks about his time at Cuba. Interviews with senior officers within the Cuban base. An Ex officer from within the Iraqi prisons speaks of how she was misled on treatment of prisoners and how direct orders from the top were given authorising torture methods.

“nickname GITMO by US officers”

Running time approx 100 minutes

Only £7.50

Buy

Download

A Poem By Imam Ash-Shafi'ee

2006-07-23T19:08:00.000Z

There's this amazing poem by Imam Ash-Shafi'ee found in his Deewan called The Love Of Those Who Are Pious 'حب الصالحين ' which as you can prolly tell is in regards to the pious...it's only two couplets but SubhanAllaah - very deep - pretty much sums up my whole life and how I feel...

أحب الصالحين ولست منهم *** لعلي أنـال بهـم شفاعـة

وأكره من تجارته المعاصي *** ولو كلنا سواء في البضاعة

The first couplet meaning...

"I love those who are pious but Alas! I am not from amongst them..Maybe Allaah will bestow upon me (due to my love for them) Piety.."

May Allaah 'Azza Wa Jall increase us in our Taqwa and piety - Aameen

There goes my first ever post on my blog...*wonders why I didn't start a blog earlier*...it's a pretty nifty thing..:)