Three Intentions that can turn your earnings into 'Ibadah (worship)

There are always two ways of doing the same thing: For own leisure and pleasure or to please Allah. And anything we do as a Muslim and firm believer with the intention of pleasing Allah or walk they way as we have been commanded and directed by the Allah, we are blessed in many ways like increase in our earnings, shower of blessings on our families beside being rewarded in the hereafter.

In fact Islam is a unique religion in which everything done with the intention of thanking Allah for having given us the ability to walk His ways and to please Him by doing so. And one's earning money is no exception. If our intention to earn money, from legitimate means only, is to:

• Fulfill one's daily needs - This is important as if one if not healthy and energetic, he will not be able to sustain his dependent family.
• Take care of all needs of family dependent on him - this should include their needs like food, shelter, clothing, education, health and entertainment.
• Helping the poor and needy and spending in way of Islam. (And give them something yourselves out of the wealth of Allah which He has bestowed upon you. [ Al Quran Surah An-Nur, 24:33]) - We have already written a detailed post on charity, both obligatory (zakat) and voluntary. One should not forget one's poor relatives, neighbours and others in need of financial assistance. A part of one's earning should be devoted to this and one should make an intention that whatever one would earn, a portion of it will be diverted for the wellbeing and welfare of people not dependent on him. 

Then whatever we earn and spend in the rightful way will be considered as Ibadah (worship) for these three intentions to earn money and to sustain not only self, one's dependent family and helping the needy and the poor is in fact the only purpose of life of a believing Muslim. So have noble intentions of earning money with the aim that “I am earning so as to eat well to gain strength to be able to worship Allah and do good deeds for His sake and to earn His pleasure.” A Muslim is obliged to keep himself from abuse to fulfill the obligations as well as try to keep the priority in everything, including in money matters. 

However, if the intention of earning money is to amass wealth, even if earned through legitimate means, for one's leisure and worldly pleasures, or to to show off one's status based on one's wealth and with the intention of lowering others by such manner, one has lost the opportunity to make his earning turn into 'Ibadah (worship).

It must be remembered that whenever one transgress the limits to fulfill any desires other than the three listed above, one is likely to get into illegitimate means of earning money. Abu Huraira, one of the most revered companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), has narrated that the Prophet said: A time will come upon the people when one will not care how one gains one's money, legally or illegally. (Bukhari).And this would only happen when one is running after any means to earn money much beyond one's needs to squander it in acts of pomp and show and extravagance to over awe and impress others.

This is unfortunate that today many billionaire Muslims are seen squandering money by booking entire hotels, airplanes or ships for just a few of his family or friends. In one case for the foreign trip of a king of a Muslim country, the gold plated stair case had been transported so that the king could come down from the plane. In an other case, the brother of Muslim king has a such a big fleet of most expensive cars, that even if he he rides one car a day it would be years before the entire fleet would have been driven. 

Believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and spend of that whereof He has made you trustees. And such of you as believe and spend (in Allah’s Way), theirs will be a great reward. [ Surah Al-Hadid, 57:7]

So the extravagant rulers and others forget that they have been made trustee of the money which belongs to their the people and squander it away for their own ease and leisure. Such are the acts of  pomp and show which have the Prophet of Allah had us forewarned. and remember this money is not their earned money but usurped from the money from taxing people or taking profit from the natural resources Allah has given them to be used for the welfare of their people.

Abu Said related that the Prophet said: The truthful and trustworthy businessman will be in the company of Prophets, saints and martyrs on the Day of Judgment. (Darimi, Tirmidhi)

So think over what and how you earn and with what intentions. For any foul intentions, you will be certainly questioned on the Day of Justice. So cleanse your thoughts and intentions as regard to earning your livelihood and turn into in  'Ibadah (worship), rather than making it a bane for you not only in this world but in the hereafter too.

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Overview Surah Al Hadid - The Iron: 57th Chapter of the Holy Quran

Surah Al-Ḥadīd is the Fifty Seventh surah with 29 ayats with four rukus, part of the 27th Juzʼ  of the Holy Qur'an. It is one of those five undisputed surah which is known as "Al-Musabbihat," that is surahs begin with the glorification of Allah. The other four surahs are (1) Al-Hashr; (2) As-Saff; (3) Al-Jumu’ah; and (4) At-Taghabun. 

Period of Revelation:

This is unanimously a Madani Surah, and a study of its subject matter shows that it was probably sent down some time during the interval between the Battle of Uhud and the Truce of Hudaibiyah. This was the time when the tiny Islamic State of Madinah had been hemmed in by the disbelievers and the handful of the ill equipped Muslims were entrenched against the combined power of entire Arabia. In this state Islam not only stood in need of the sacrifice of Life from its followers, but it also needed monetary help and assistance. In this Surah a forceful appeal has been made for the same. This view is further strengthened by verse 10 in which Allah has addressed the believers to the effect "Those of you who would spend and fight after the victory can never be equal to those who have spent and fought before the victory." And the same is supported by the traditions that Ibn Marduyah has related on the authority of Hadrat Anas. In respect of the verse: Alam ya'n-i lilladhina aamanu an takhsha'a qulubu- hum li-dhikrillah-i, he says that 17 years after the commencement of the revelation of the Qur'an this verse was sent down to arouse the believers to action. Reckoned thus the period of the revelation of this Surah falls between the 4th and the 5th year after the hijrah.

Theme and Subject Matter:

The theme of this Surah is to exhort the Muslims to spend in the cause of Allah. At the most critical juncture of the history of Islam when it was engaged in a life and death struggle against Arab paganism, this Surah was revealed to persuade the Muslim's to make monetary sacrifices in particular, and to make them realize that Islam did not merely consist in verbal affirmation and some outward practices but its essence and spirit is sincerity towards Allah and His Religion. The faith of the one who was devoid of this spirit and who regarded his own self and wealth as dearer to himself than Allah and His Religion, was hollow and therefore of little worth in the sight of Allah.

For this object, first the attributes of Allah Almighty have been mentioned so that the listeners may fully realize as to Who is addressing them. Then, the following themes have been expressed in sequence:

The inevitable demand of the Faith is that one should not shirk spending one's wealth for the sake of Allah. This would not only be contrary to the Faith but also wrong realistically. For the wealth indeed belongs to Allah, on which man has been given proprietary rights only as His vicegerent. Yesterday this wealth was in other people's possession today it is with one particular man, and tomorrow it will pass into some one else's hand. Ultimately, it will go back to Allah, Who is the inheritor of everything in the universe. Only that much of this wealth will be of any use to a man, which he spends in the cause of Allah during the period it is in his possession.

Although making sacrifices for the sake of Allah is commendable in any case, the true worth of these sacrifices is determined by the nature of the occasion. There is an occasion when the power of paganism is overwhelming and there is a danger that it might subdue and overcome Islam completely; there is another occasion when Islam is in a stronger position in its struggle against un-Islam and the believers are attaining victories. Both these states are not equal as regards their respective importance. Therefore, the sacrifices that are made in these different states would also not be equal. Those who sacrifice their lives and expend their wealth to further promote the cause of Islam when it is already strong cannot attain to the rank of those who struggled with their lives and their wealth to promote and uphold the cause of Islam when it was weak.

Whatever is spent for the cause of the Truth is a loan on Allah, and Allah will not only return it increasing it manifold but will also give from Himself the best reward for it.

In the Hereafter the Light shall be bestowed only on those believers who would have spent their wealth in the cause of Allah. As for the hypocrites who watched and served only their own interests in the world, and who least bothered whether the Truth or falsehood prevailed will be segregated from the believers in the Hereafter although they might have lived in close association with them in the world. They will be deprived of the Light, and they will be counted among the disbelievers.

The Muslims should not behave like those followers of the earlier Books, whose lives have been. spent in the worship of the world and whose hearts have become hardened due to negligence with the passage of time. He cannot be a believer whose heart does not melt at the remembrance of Allah and does not bow to the Truth sent down by Him.

The sincere upholders of the Truth and the true witnesses of the Faith in the sight of Allah are only those believers who spend their wealth in His way sincerely, without any desire of show.

The life of this world is only a short lived spring and a means of pride and show. Its sports and pastimes, its adornments and decorations, its pride of place, its wealth and possessions, for which the people try to vie with one another, are transient. Its likeness is of the crop which flourishes and blooms, then turns pale and then finally is reduced to chaff. The everlasting life is the life hereafter when results of great consequence will be announced. Therefore, if one has to vie with another for something, one should strive for Paradise.

Whatever good man meets with and whatever hardship he suffers in the world, are pre-ordained by Allah. A true believer is he who does not lose heart in affliction and is not puffed up with pride in good times. It is the character of a hypocrite and disbeliever that he is puffed up with pride when Allah favors him with His blessings, behaved boastfully and shows stinginess when called upon to spend in the cause of the same God Who blessed him, and also counsels others to be stingy like himself.

Allah sent His Messengers with clear signs and the Book and the Law of Justice so that the people may adhere to justice; besides, He sent down iron also so that power may be used to establish the Truth and vanquish falsehood. Thus, Allah likes to see as to who from among the people would rise to support and succor His true Religion even at the risk of their lives. These opportunities Allah has created for man's own advantage and development; otherwise Allah does not stand in need of others for His works.

Prophets came from Allah in the past, and by their preaching some people adopted the Right Path, but most of them persisted in wickedness. Then the Prophet Jesus came, whose teachings brought about many moral improvements in the lives of the people, but his community invented monasticism. Now Allah has sent the Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be His peace and blessings). Those who affirm faith in him and pass their life fearing Allah's accountability, will be given by Allah a double share of His mercy and He will bless them with the Light by which they will see and walk the straight path among the crooked paths met with at every step in the life of this world. Although the followers of the earlier revelation regard themselves as the monopolists of Allah's bounties, the fact remains that Allah Himself controls His bounties He may bless with these whomever He pleases.

Please do consult following references to clearly understand this surah for a lot of explanation is required to understand its actual magnitude.

For detailed explanation / tafsir / exegesis, please click Here.

You may now like to listen to Arabic recitation of Surah Al-Ḥadīd with English subtitles:

You may refer to our post "114 Chapters (Sūrahs) of the Holy Qur'an" for translation, meaning and summary of other chapters (Though not complete but building up from 30th Part backwards for chapters in 30th Part are shorter and easier to understand). 

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 
An effort has been made to gather explanation of the surahs of the Holy Qur'an from authentic souses and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. However, those wanting detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to sites the references of which are given above.

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Kristiane Verena Backer 's Journey to Islam

Many centuries ago a man in his forties stood in front of the most powerful people of Makkah and proclaimed to them that he had been chosen by the Creator of the universe to be His prophet to spread His divine message to them so that they leave the life of polytheism, invited them to monotheism and to start worshiping none but one and the only Allah. He was not only mocked and laughed at by his audience but was severely ridiculed, teased and bodily harmed along with his meager companions to an extent that he was forced to leave Makkah and emigrated to Medina.  And from then on, his small group of devotees who chose to follow their new faith started to swell and a time came that they all under the patronage of that lone man, now called Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the prophet of Allah, entered Makkah to make it home of Islam.

And from then on, there has been no stopping people from embracing Islam and today, Alhamdollilah, Islam is not only the second largest religion after Christianity, but many non Muslims fear that one day it may overtake the Christianity - and the day doesn't seem to be very far.

In a series of posts on personal accounts of non Muslims reverting to Islam, I have tried to put across personal experiences and reasons why they chose to be Muslims. Each personal account is worth reading. 

While I shared experiences of ordinary people, I also shared personal account of famous Irish singer Sinead O'Connor. Today I am adding one more celebrity with a moving account from how from a top TV anchor and DJ of famous MTV Europe, the German born Kristiane Verena Backer, who proudly embraced Islam.

At the age of 24 Kristiane became one of the leading presenters on MTV Europe where she interviewed many celebrities, major artists and musicians of her time. But then came one person who changed the entire complexion of her future life. 

Kristiane Verena Backer with Imran Khan [Photo]

This man is Imran Khan, then a young talented cricketer and captain of Pakistan cricket team, and presently the prime minister of Pakistan. During their three years' association, Imran Khan gave her a number of books on Islam and she even traveled to Pakistan with him. And reading the books on Islam made her change and take shahada in 1995 and converted to Sunni branch of Islam after living here previous life as a devout Protestant. 

“I was convinced. I converted because I wanted to bring God into my life, and I wanted to purify myself to taste the spiritual fruits I was reading about,” she once told the HuffingtonPost.

I could narrate her experience and how she reached at this critical decision of her life, but it would be much better if you listen to her telling an audience about her journey to Islam. Her life experience provides a jump pad for those who have been inspired by Islam through reading books on Islam or interacting with Muslims, to take their decision to find the ultimate truth of their lives in Islam.

Please watch a video of Kristiane Verena Backer in which she reveals her journey form her hay days of early life to the pinnacle of career with MTV and then taking her ultimate decision to become a Muslimah.  And this video can is so adsorbing, listening to a high profile show biz presenter and celebrity to bow down to oneness of Allah and change her high profile life to that of a devout Muslim. I would say it is a must listen-to video for those who are aspiring to embrace to Islam - this will surely guide them how it feels like taking one big step of their lives into the realm of blessings of Allah.

Please watch the video:

In 2001, she performed Umrah when she visited Madinah and in 2006 performed Hajj rituals after which she wrote her famous book “From MTV to Makkah: How Islam Inspired My Life,” she wrote about her eventful journey from entertainment to ‘inner-tainment’.. And she very proudly claims that she feel elevated and blessed for being a Muslim. Backer now lives in London and works as a fine art consultant.

I commend her for her boldness to step down from the ladder of show biz and start climbing another ladder at the end of which is shining the heavenly light that changes one's life for ever and for good. For whenever takes the first step on the ladder, the entire perspective of life changes and a new meaning is given to one's aspirations, life and goals. May Allah bless her the best of both worlds. Aameen.

To read personal accounts of many a celebrity who have reverted to Islam, please visit our page: Embracing Islam: Revert Experiences.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

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What is the Importance of Charity in Islam

Charity is one of the main pillars of Islam to ensure sustenance of those who cannot make their ends meet. Thus by means of charity those who have been blessed with wealth can look after those who cannot live a life and sustain their families. In fact, in Islam, charity is a way to bring balance in society, among poor and the riches. Charity thus is a responsibility of every Muslim to share his wealth with his poor Muslim brethren so that they too could live their lives comfortably. By sacrificing part of one’s wealth and giving it in charity, an individual can not only help in aiding needy from tragedy and misfortune, but can also hope to be protected from difficult times.

In the Holy Qur'an the Divine commandment reads:

“Those who spend their wealth in Allah’s cause are like grains of corn which produce seven ears, each bearing a hundred grains.” (Surah Al Baqarah, 2:261)

Zakat is an obligatory charity incumbent upon all those who earn wealth up to a certain threshold level or have gold, silver or property which is above a prescribed limit, which must be given to the state for equal distribution among the needy. Zakat amounts to 2.5% of all net yearly savings which includes the worth of jewelery. 

However, one must NOT restrict oneself to obligatory charity only, rather one who has any amount above one's needs should give away charity in the name of Allah to those who need it badly more than one himself. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), though hard pressed himself many a times, did not restrict his giving hand and always tried to help the poor Muslims around him. The Prophet of Allah has been oft quoted as saying: 

“Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

“A charity is due for every joint in each person on every day the sun comes up: to act justly between two people is a charity; to help a man with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it, is a charity; a good word is a charity; and removing a harmful thing from the road is a charity.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim) 

“Even Your smile for your brother is a charity. Your removal of stones, thorns or bones from the paths of people is a charity. Your guidance of a person who is lost is a charity.” (Bukhari)

Even a glass of drinking water to your thirsty brother is charity. 

The above hadith says it all. One doesn't have to be rich to give charity; even smiling at one's brother can be a charity or even removing a hurdle from a thoroughfare with the intention of paving way for others also comes under the purview of charity. And every act done to help other will have a reward in the hereafter. The Prophet said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Al-Tirmidhi).

So this is the spirit of giving charity in Islam that paves way to bring financial justice in any Muslim society. In one case one of the the governors in Caliph Umer's time started sending the money collected through zakat to the central treasury. The Caliph got annoyed on such reimbursement and asked the governor as to why he was not spending the charity money on his own people. The governor replied that he had been doing so but those receiving the charity have become so well off that they have themselves started giving charity. Sine there was no more people to be given charity to, he was reimbursing the surplus money so that it could be sued elsewhere. 

This is the very concept and philosophy of charity in Islam, which teaches us to look after each other, should make our giving hands always expendable to the poor and be thankful to Allah for being so fortunate that they are in a position to help others rather than always vying to fill up our coffers. and such acts of charity should be done quietly without boasting one's act of giving away as a show off of ones wealth. Rather such acts be undertaken in extreme humbleness for the rewards rests with Allah and no one else.

"O believers! Void not your charities by boasting of your favours conferred and injuring, like him who spent his wealth for showing to people and believes not in Allah and Last Day. Then the example of him is like that of a smooth rock on which is dust of earth; now a heavy rain fell upon it leaving it a bare stone. They shall have no control on anything of what they have earned and Allah guides not the infidels."[Surah Al Baqarah 2: 264]

There are many charity organizations around the world which receive charity, whether obligatory (zakat) or voluntary, and spend on the welfare of poor in some down trodden areas and even the war torn countries of the Muslim world. Some are doing very notable and admirable job. However, care must be taken to not to give charity to organizations which support terrorism, for supporting terrorism has never been propagated by Islam.

Recently I came across a video I am sharing below of a woman in Pakistan, who is sustaining poor people entirely on her own for last 35 years - something that I haven't seen well to do people who have money that can feed thousands of people everyday. These are the people who have their rewards resting with Allah and will be honoured for their charitable acts merely to please Allah and serve His people. 


Watch in wonder how this woman feeds hundreds of hungry people from her home, watch the video below with English captions:

Remember, it's not too late, we should be giving - give it a try !!

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Muslims in Non Muslim Countries: Brazil

I have been writing this series of Muslims and Non Muslim countries and have a mixed feeling of how Muslims are treated in most of the non Muslim countries. But Brazil, oh boy, what a fresh breeze I felt while reading about Muslims in Brazil, a South American secular country famous for its Football team and almost 60% of the entire Amazon rain forest, beside the Christ Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro is one of the 7 Wonders of the World. 

"Muslims in Brazil are in a state where they are proud of their faith and more concerned about sharing their belief with people than defending it. Though the general public has limited knowledge of Islam, Brazilians hold no prejudice towards Muslims despite the infiltration of rhetoric echoing American Islamophobia. Moreover, despite a trend of Brazilians changing their name when they become Muslim, they are very much proud of their cultural and national heritage as Brazilians. Almost all agreed that what they love about Brazil is its tolerance, hospitality, acceptance of others, and just happy attitude to life," writes Ammar Asfour who has been exploring Islam in different countries around the world. [1]

The history of Muslims in Brazil begins with the importation of African slave labor to the country in the 16th century. The Muslim uprising of 1835 in Bahia by Malês, as African Muslims were known in 19th-century Bahia. The revolt, the largest slave revolt in Brazil and the largest urban slave revolt in the Americas, left fifty to a hundred dead. Fearing the example might be followed, intensive efforts were made to force conversions to Catholicism and erase the popular memory of and affection towards Islam. However, the African Muslim community was not erased overnight, and as late as 1910 it is estimated there were still some 100,000 African Muslims living in Brazil. 

Brazil received a lot of Arab immigrants after the world wars, specially from Syria and Lebanon. Our current President is of Arabic ancestry. In spite of that, the majority of Arabs that came to Brazil were Christians, Maronites and Melkites mostly. Don´t expect to find a lot of Muslims among the Arabic Brazilian society.[5]

The number of Muslims in Brazil, according to the 2010 Brazilian census, was 35,207. Muslim associations in Brazil, however, gave higher numbers of adherents: from 400,000 to 1.5 million. [2] According to a census conducted by the Brazilian institute for geography and statistics, the number of Muslims living in Brazil has risen by 29.1 percent between the years 2000 and 2010. 

The Muslim culture cane be felt and seen in the architecture. As for the cuisine, the second largest fast food chain in Brazil is Habib's, which serves Arab food. The diversity of influence also stretches to businesses such as the textile industry, which is mostly run by merchants of Syrian-Lebanese origin. The São Paulo city council has a Muslim Councilor by the name of Mohammad Murad, a lawyer. A number of mosques dot the greater São Paulo area, the oldest and most popular of these being found on Avenida do Estado. Since its establishment, the mosque has added a Quranic school, library, kitchen and meeting hall for various functions.

During the past 30 years, Islam has become increasingly noticeable in Brazilian society by building not only mosques, but also libraries, arts centers, and schools and also by funding newspapers.A growing number of people have converted to Islam in recent years in Brazil. According to local Muslims and media reports, conversions to the religion have contributed significantly to its spread in the country. A recent Muslim source estimated that there are close to 10,000 Muslim converts living in Brazil. Significant Muslim communities are located in the industrial suburbs of the city of São Paulo and in the port city of Santos, as well as in smaller communities in Paraná State in the coastal region and in Curitiba and Foz do Iguaçu in the Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay triborder area. There are over 150 mosques in Brazil and the number is growing.

Generally speaking, Brazil is much more tolerant than the United States or European countries when it comes to the coexistence with the Islamic religion. It is not common to see someone making the prejudiced association Arab-Muslim equals terrorism, as you see in other countries. The multicultural traces of Brazil (it is estimated that 15 million Brazilians have Islamic backgrounds) have shaped a society that can live just fine with differences, and this is not a cliché, but reality. [3]

As for Halal meat, something most Muslims look for when visiting a new country, Brazil is a big producer of halal meat, most part of it is exported. But despite that it is difficult to find the halal products, aside from metropolitan cities, such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, that are very well supplied with halal meat. The rising Brazilian halal meat industry employs a lot of Muslim skilled workforce. In terms of food, Brazil’s second largest fast food chain is Arabic style restaurant Habib’s and, in Rio, traditional Arabic dishes such as hummus, kafta and felafel can be found everywhere. Another place to taste Arabic food is Amir restaurant, situated on the seafront of Copacabana.

Education for Muslim children is not much of a problem as they can study wherever they or their parents decide. Although many Brazilian private schools still teach based on catholic values and have catholic names, yet, the schools cannot forbid a Muslim student to take lessons there, what configures religious discrimination, punishable by Law.

There is no prohibition when it comes to people's garment. So, the use of hijab, niqab or burka (and its variations from Islam's culture to culture) is not forbidden, but it draws a lot of attention and curious glances, as Brazilians are not used to these costumes and habits. Women in those garments are free to circulate through absolutely everywhere in Brazil, inclusive public institutions. It is not legal for a Muslim to miss work or school etc, based on the Islamic holidays, but, of course, this can be agreed between the parties. [3]

How do Muslims of Brazil feel describe Islam and being a Muslim, well the answers are generally positive and reassuring.[1]

• Kaab, a community leader who when asked about culture said, “I don’t really care much about culture. My culture now is my relationship with God and caring for the community.”  
• Leandro is an impressively knowledgeable 26-year-old Brazilian lawyer says, "Islam means three things. It means a serenity and comfort at heart. It means a way of life through connecting with God. And, lastly, it means a balance that he references with a short verse in the Quran, “Thus We have made you a middle nation.” His favorite thing about Brazilian culture that he maintains as a Muslim is the hospitality of Brazilians and their family values. He also thinks that Brazilian culture loves and appreciates food and he loves to maintain that as Muslim.
• Yousuf, a graphic designer, says he finds it reinforcing to his spirituality. It is as if his faith is a white dot in a sea of darkness which encourages him to focus on protecting it. For him, it is part of the Brazilian culture to have a strong guiding faith, regardless of what that religious belief is. “Brazilians have faith!” he says.

Sami Isbelle a spokesperson for SBMRJ [Sociedade Beneficente Muçulmana do Rio de Janeiro] in Rio de Janeiro, revealed in an interview with a Pakistani news network, “The number of Muslims in Brazil continues to grow and most are Brazilians who are converting. […] They are drawn to Islam for different reasons, such as marrying a Muslim, getting to know the religion through friends or the Internet or while searching for answers to spiritual questions.” [4]

31 year-old Fernando Celino, who converted to the Islamic faith from Catholicism in 2006, “It happened during my adolescence. I continued to believe in God but not religion. I first came across Islam through a Muslim friend and while at university I began to study the religion myself in greater detail. It explained things to me better than any other religion had.” [4]

I could go on and on sharing views of the Brazilian Muslims, but suffice to say all have similar experiences and aspirations as expressed by Kaab, Leandro and Yusuf above. So it is happy living for Muslims by and large, something not found in other non Muslim countries. They enjoy celebrating their religious events with full religious zeal and fervor. Herein under watch Muslims in Sao Paulo adapt for Ramadan:

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 |  4  | 5 |

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Prophet Idris as mentioned in the Holy Quran - Was he Biblical Enoch?

In the series of posts on Prophets mentioned in the Holy Qur'an, today we share the very scant mention of Prophet Idrīs and some correlations that some Muslim scholars make with the Biblical Prophet Enoch.

As mentioned before, there is only very scant information available in the Holy Qur'an as for Prophet Idris, may Allah's blessing on him, is concerned. However he is mentioned as a pious and upright man, man of truth and patience. 

And [mention] Ishmael and Idrīs and Dhul-Kifl; all were of the patient..[Surah Al Anbya 21:85] 

(56) And mention in the Book, Idrīs. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet. (57) And We raised him to a high station.[Surah Maryam 19:56-57] 

So who was Prophet Idrīs? Well going by the information available in the Holy Qur'an, this is all what is given. However, in some history books, Prophet Idrīs has been described as the immediate descendant of Prophet Adam. Some relate him from the 5th generation of Prophet Adm and consider him to be the first prophet after Prophet Adam.

From the verse 56-57 of Surah Maryam, the 19th chapter of Qur'an, some scholars deduce that Prophet Idrīs was raised to the Heavens without his biological death "And We raised him to a high station." But only Allah knows the truth. 

Islamic tradition has unanimously identified Idris with the biblical Enoch, although many Muslim scholars of the classical and medieval periods also held that Idris and Hermes Trismegistus were the same person. [Hermes Trismegistus is the purported author of the Hermetic Corpus, a series of sacred texts that are the basis of Hermeticism.] In some history books, it is mentioned that After Idrīs, his son and successor Mehthusaleh continued in Allah’s path, calling His servants to him; his lifespan is said to have been 919 years. Methusaleh’s son Lamaq succeeded him and lived 780 years.

In the Hadith books, a mention of Prophet Idrīs is available which is related to the heavenly journey of Holy Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).  

A companion of the Prophet of Allah, Abu Dharr has been reported as saying: “Four – that is, messengers – were Syrians; Adam, Shiith, Nuh, and Idrīs, who was the first to write with a pen. Allah revealed 3 scrolls to him.”  (Tabari). From this hadith and saying of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) we  know of the quality of writing of Prophet Idrīs and him being the first one to have written with a pen. These attributes remain consistent with the identification of Enoch with Idris, as these attributes make it clear that Idris would have most probably lived during the Generations of Adam, the same era during which Enoch lived.

Prophet Idrīs is generally accepted to be the same as Enoch. Many of the early Qur'anic commentators, such as Tabari and Al-Baizawi identified Idris with Enoch. Al-Baizawi said: "Idrīs was of the posterity of Seth and a forefather of Noah, and his name was Enoch (ar. Uhnukh). However, later scholars do not concur with this identification because they argue that it lacks definitive proof. As Qur'anic translator Abdullah Yusuf Ali says in note 2508 of his translation:

Idrīs is mentioned twice in the Quran, viz., here and in Chapter 21, verse 85, where he is mentioned as among those who patiently persevered. His identification with the Biblical Enoch, may or may not be correct. Nor are we justified in interpreting verse 57 here as meaning the same thing as in Genesis, v.24 ("God took him"), that he was taken up without passing through the portals of death. All we are told is he was a man of truth and sincerity, and a prophet, and that he had a high position among his people.

As per Biblical details, Enoch is of the Antediluvian period in the Hebrew Bible. Enoch was son of Jared and fathered Methuselah. This Enoch is not to be confused with Cain's son Enoch (Genesis 4:17).

Whether Prophet Idrīs was Enoch or not, no one is very sure of the claims. For us, it is suffice to conclude that Idrīs was one of the very earlier prophets, perhaps second to Prophet Adam, and we should revere him as a prophet, whether related to Enoch or not. Allah knows the best.

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Surah of Quran Exclusively Revealed to Redress Grievance of a Pleading Woman

Women often ask why there is no mention of women in the Holy Qur'an and why all commandments are directly addressed to men. In fact all verses of the Holy Qur'an are addressed both to men and women, for message of the Holy Qur'an is for all people of all gender unless specifically specified. There are a number of women who are mentioned by name in the Holy Qur'an, a detail of which is already given in one of our earlier posts, beside exclusive posts on some of the revered and praiseworthy women.

But there is also one surah of the Holy Qur'an which was revealed exclusively to redress the grievance of a woman, who being victim of the pre-Islamic days tradition of Zihar considered it to be unfair to woman and petitioned Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), as ruler and judge in Medina, to revoke the divorce, using moral and legal arguments. Sūrat al-Mujādilah, the 58th surah of the Holy Qur'an, is that surah in which Allah the Almighty has Himself answered the question the woman victim of the tradition of Zihar, and through this surah all doubts regarding the notorious tradition of Zihar were brought to an end. Please refer to our exclusive post on Sūrat al-Mujādilah for details of the Divine revelation and other social issues discussed in the surah.

Among the Arabs it often so happened that during a family quarrel, the husband in the heat of the moment would say to his wife: "Anti alayya ka-zahri ammi" which literally means: "You are for me as the back of my mother." This is called zihar. But its real meaning is: To have sexual relations with you would be like having sexual relations with my mother.

Zahr in Arabic is metaphorically used for riding and mounting. Thus, the conveyance is called zahr, because man rides on its back. As this word was employed in order to make the wife unlawful, it was termed zihar. In the pre-Islamic days this was looked upon as tantamount to the pronouncement of divorce, even of greater effect than that, for they took it to mean that the husband was not only severing his marital relations with his wife but was also declaring her to be unlawful for himself like his mother. On this very basis, the Arabs thought reunion could be possible after a divorce but it was impossible after zihar.

It may be added here that Surah At-Talaq, though placed at chapter number 65 due to its size, but actually stands at number 12 as per the order of revelation had already ;aid down clear cut procedure for divorce under Islamic law in detail. But some Muslims continued to give divorce as per old tradition of Az Zihar. And the Arabs thought reunion could be possible after a divorce but it was impossible after zihar.

Now coming over the woman who came pleading to have her grievance redressed and how was she respected after the revelation of Sūrat al-Mujādilah.

The Divine answer which was revealed in Sūrat al-Mujādilah was to redress the grievance of one Khaulah bint-Thalabah of the Khazraj tribe, wife of Aus bin Samit Ansari who was brother of Ubadah bin Samit, the chief of the Aus tribe. It so happened that her husband expressed words that were tantamount to Zihar. So she came to the Prophet of Allah and Allah heard her grievance and the matter was resolved.

Why she was later respected after the revelation of Sūrat al-Mujādilah is that fact that her complaint had been heard by Allah Almighty and the coming down of the divine command immediately to redress her grievance was an event that earned her a place of honor and esteem among the companions. 

Ibn Abi Hatim and Baihaqi have related that once Umar bin Abdel Khatab, a revered companion of the Prophet of Allah wh also rose to be the second caliph of Islam, was on his way out with some companions. On the way he came across a woman, who stopped him; he immediately stopped and listened to what she had to say patiently with his head bent down, and did not move till she had finished. One of the companions said: O commander of the faithful, you held back the Quraish chiefs for so long for the sake of this old woman! Umar said: Do you know who she is? She is Khaulah bint- Thalabah, the woman whose complaint was heard at the seventh heaven. By God, even if she had kept me standing till the night, I would have kept standing. I would only have excused myself at the prayer times. 

Ibn Abdul Barr has related in Al-Istiab this tradition from Qatadah: When Umar came across this lady, on the way, he greeted her. After answering his greeting, she said: O Umar, there was a time when I saw you at the Ukaz festival. Then you were called Umair. You tended goats with the shepherd’s staff in your hand. Then, not very long after this, you began to be called Umar. Then a time came when the people began addressing you as commander of the faithful. So, fear Allah with regard to your subjects, and remember that the one who fears Allah’s punishment, for him the stranger also is like a close kinsman, and the one who fears death, may well lose that very thing which he wants to save. At this Jarud Abdi, who was accompanying Umar, said: O woman, you have talked insolently to the commander of the faithful. Thereupon Umar said: Let her say whatever she has to say. Do you know who she is? She was heard at the seventh heaven. So, she deserves to be heard longer and with greater attention by Umar. Imam Bukhari has also related briefly a story resembling to this.

So Muslim women should take pride from the fact that not only many revered women, beside a few condemned too, have been mentioned by name in the Holy Qur'an, but Sūrat al-Mujādilah was revealed concerning women in resolution of their matrimonial matters. Besides in Holy Qur'an there are explicit instructions for giving women the share as lawful heirs of their fathers and husbands, something about which there were was no concept with Jews and Christians. In fact it was much later that women were finally allowed this social status given to Muslim women by Islam in the 7th century.

So rejoice for being granted a blessed status as Muslims and share your rights with your non Muslim friends who often claim Islam chains women. In fact Islam gives more respect, honour and dignity to Muslim women by safeguarding their rights that no other religion has given to their women, nor even their societies and social system.

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