Enormous reward of sitting at the prayer mat and remembering Allah after one's As Salat (Prayer)

Muslims all over the world offer obligatory prayers, As Salat, five times a day. The As Salat is a means to communicate with the Master of the Universe, Allah. Therefore one should neither try to hurry up the prayer itself, nor should be in a hurry to get up from one's prayer mat after the As Salt is over. In fact the time after the prayer provides time for a servant of Allah to speak to Allah exclusively by oneself. Those who do so, have an enormous reward in waiting for them.

The reward is mentioned by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in one of his Hadiths as mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī  (Book 10 - Call to Prayers (Adhaan) /  كتاب الأذان / Chapter 36:  (The reward of a person) who waits for As-Salat (the prayer) in the mosque and the superiority of mosques / باب مَنْ جَلَسَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ يَنْتَظِرُ الصَّلاَةَ، وَفَضْلِ الْمَسَاجِدِ) as Hadith 659, given herein under:

Narrated by Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said,

"The angels keep on asking for Allah's Blessing and Forgiveness for anyone of you as long as he is at his Musalla (praying place) and does not do Hadath (passes wind). The angels say, 'O Allah! Forgive him and be Merciful to him.' Each one of you is in the prayer as long as he is waiting for the prayer and nothing but the prayer detains him from going to his family."

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ تُصَلِّي عَلَى أَحَدِكُمْ مَا دَامَ فِي مُصَلاَّهُ مَا لَمْ يُحْدِثْ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ، اللَّهُمَّ ارْحَمْهُ‏.‏ لاَ يَزَالُ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي صَلاَةٍ مَا دَامَتِ الصَّلاَةُ تَحْبِسُهُ، لاَ يَمْنَعُهُ أَنْ يَنْقَلِبَ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ إِلاَّ الصَّلاَةُ ‏"‏‏.‏

As Salat / prayer is a means of communication between the servant and his Master, Allah the Almighty. It is the time when one should shun all worldly thoughts and offer one's As Salat as if he is talking directly to Allah, praising Him, acknowledging the countless bounties he has been blessed with and supplicating to remain on the righteous path, As Siraat ul Mustaqeem.

Therefore, one should never be in a hurry to offer his prayer, and concentrate on his one to one connection with his Master. Still better would be to keep sitting at one's prayer mat and remember Allah by using His many attributes (99 Attributes of Allah) or reading Qur'an without getting up from his prayer mat, provided his wudu remains intact. As per the Hadith quoted above, the reward for doing so is enormous as angels keep asking Allah for the forgiveness of the servant of Allah. Let us bag the enormous reward of sitting on the prayer mat after our As Salat.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Please refer to our reference pages: Collections of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Rewards for more Hadiths on the subject and Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about As Salat - Prayers

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | Source of Hadith

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

A Supplication for forgiveness repeated 100 times by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Whenever we need to make a request to our company head or a superior, we rehearsed chosen words several times so that what ever we speak, every words is expressive of our earnest desire for request be accepted. In fact, it is the words that always matter. Carefully chosen words can eve melt a stubborn and least responsive boss.

Likewise, we should carefully select words when making a supplication to our Creator, the Lord of the universe. Some may ask why? The answer is that no one likes a ill worded request which really cannot be understood. Therefore, when we ask forgiveness from Allah, we should phrase our supplication in a way that not only we we put across our request for pardoning, but also we appreciate our Lord that He alone is the pardoner and no one else. 

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would often make supplications in the presence of others so that they should remember the well worded supplications for nothing could be better phrased by the revered Prophet of Allah.

This supplication is mentioned in Sunan Abi Dawud (Book # 8  Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Detailed Injunctions about Witr / كتاب  الاستسقاء / Chapter # 512 About Seeking Forgiveness / باب فِي الاِسْتِغْفَارِ

as Hadith number # 1515, quoted herein under:

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar:

We counted that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would say a hundred times during a meeting: "My Lord, forgive me and pardon me; Thou art the Pardoning and forgiving One".

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ مِغْوَلٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سُوقَةَ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ إِنْ كُنَّا لَنَعُدُّ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الْمَجْلِسِ الْوَاحِدِ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ ‏ "‏ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَتُبْ عَلَىَّ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Grade:  Sahih (Al-Albani)

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Please refer to our reference page: Supplications attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more prophetic Supplications attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

You may also  refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah, and our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | Source of Supplication

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Eclipse: The sun and the moon are two signs from Allah - Their eclipse is not related to birth and death

Whenever there is an eclipse of sun or moon, a  lot is written, mostly the expression of superstitions and their bad effect on man and the surroundings. In many cultures, people are forbidden to go out at the time of eclipse. even pregnant women are forbidden to go out, lest the eclipse effects the fetus. 

Although, many Muslims are to obsessed with the effects of eclipses, all this is superstition which has nothing to do with Islam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) says that the eclipse is a phenomenon that God has created. It does not happen for any human being's birth or death. He has taught us to offer a certain prayer during the eclipse, which is very special in its form and length.

Imam al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated that Ibn Mas’ud al-Ansari said: the sun was eclipsed the day Ibrahim, the son of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) died, and the people said, The sun is eclipsed because of the death of Ibrahim. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: The sun and the moon are two signs from Allah, and they do not become eclipsed for the death or the birth of anyone. If you see that, hasten to remember Allah and to pray.

The revered wife of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has been quoted as saying:

In the life-time of Allah's Apostle Muhammad ﷺ the sun eclipsed, so he led the people in prayer, and stood up and performed a long Qiyam, then bowed for a long while. He stood up again and performed a long Qiyam but this time the period of standing was shorter than the first. He bowed again for a long time but shorter than the first one, then he prostrated and prolonged the prostration. He did the same in the second Raka as he did in the first and then finished the prayer; by then the sun (eclipse) had cleared. He delivered the Khutba (sermon) and after praising and glorifying Allah he said, "The sun and the moon are two signs against the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse on the death or life of anyone. So when you see the eclipse, remember Allah and say Takbir, pray and give Sadaqa." The Prophet then said, "O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! There is none who has more ghaira (self-respect) than Allah as He has forbidden that His slaves, male or female commit adultery (illegal sexual intercourse). O followers of Muhammad! By Allah! If you knew that which I know you would laugh little and weep much.

In another Hadith, Abu Bakr narrates:

We were with Allah's Apostle when the sun eclipsed. Allah's Apostle stood up dragging his cloak till he entered the Mosque. He led us in a two-Rakat prayer till the sun (eclipse) had cleared. Then the Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of someone's death. So whenever you see these eclipses pray and invoke (Allah) till the eclipse is over."

Aforementioned Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, we should take eclipses as signs of Allah, which happen due to rotations of sun, earth and moon, and are part of normal celestial movements. These do not happen as a warning for a forthcoming calamity or death to someone. All we should do is remember Allah in such times and ask forgiveness. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is said to have led a four rakat prayer cycle, called Salat al-Kusuf as has been mention in the above referred hadiths.

“And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Prostrate yourselves not to the sun nor to the moon, but prostrate yourselves to Allah Who created them, if you (really) worship Him.” (Fussilat 41:37)

The eclipse prayer, Salat al-Kusuf, is an obligatory sunnah whenever there is an eclipse of the sun. [It is agreed that the Solar Eclipse prayer is a confirmed sunnah. There is disagreement about the lunar eclipse. The two famous positions are that the lunar eclipse prayer is recommended as al-Ujhuri stated.

Please watch an informative video by Mufti Menk on solar eclipse:

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ  for more Hadiths on the General Subjects.

Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Hadith References: | 1 | 2 |

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Reward of acts focused in this world and the Hereafter (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

Man has been created to be servant of Allah and it is expected that all his acts are focused on pleasing Allah, and none else. Yet we normally observe that the focus of our attention is this world and the worldly gains and not the bigger and far superior rewards in the life of the Hereafter as promised by our Creator. And certainly those who focus on gains and happiness of this world by any means, whether Halal or Haraam, with complete disregard to the accountability awaiting on the Day of Judgement, will be the ultimate losers, for they sacrificed the pleasures of the Hereafter to the worldly comforts.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has warned the believers of an attitude of focusing on worldly gains in one of his Hadiths mentioned in Sunan Ibn Majah /  Book 37 Zuhd / باب  الزهد) / Chapter 2: Being concerned with this world / باب الْهَمِّ بِالدُّنْيَا / as Hadith number # 4105 under:

‘Abdur-Rahman bin Aban bin ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan narrated that his father said:

“Zaid bin Thabit departed from Marwan at mid-day. I said: ‘He has not sent him out at this time of the day except for something he asked.’ So I asked him, and he said: ‘He asked me about some things we heard from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: “Whoever is focused only on this world, Allah will confound his affairs and make him fear poverty constantly, and he will not get anything of this world except that which has been decreed for him. Whoever is focused on the Hereafter, Allah will settle his affairs for him and make him feel content with his lot, and his provision and worldly gains will undoubtedly come to him.”

Arabic Text:‏

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ أَبَانَ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عَفَّانَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ خَرَجَ زَيْدُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ مِنْ عِنْدِ مَرْوَانَ بِنِصْفِ النَّهَارِ فَقُلْتُ مَا بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ هَذِهِ السَّاعَةَ إِلاَّ لِشَىْءٍ سَأَلَ عَنْهُ ‏.‏ فَسَأَلْتُهُ فَقَالَ سَأَلَنَا عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ سَمِعْنَاهَا مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ مَنْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا هَمَّهُ فَرَّقَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرَهُ وَجَعَلَ فَقْرَهُ بَيْنَ عَيْنَيْهِ وَلَمْ يَأْتِهِ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا إِلاَّ مَا كُتِبَ لَهُ وَمَنْ كَانَتِ الآخِرَةُ نِيَّتَهُ جَمَعَ اللَّهُ لَهُ أَمْرَهُ وَجَعَلَ غِنَاهُ فِي قَلْبِهِ وَأَتَتْهُ الدُّنْيَا وَهِيَ رَاغِمَةٌ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Grade: Sahih (Darussalam) 

The Hadith amply highlights the focus of our attention to whatever we do in this world and for a life in the Hereafter. Most of us, even true believers, fall for the worldly gains despite worshipping to Allah, keeping fasts, paying Zakat / charity or even going for Hajj and Umrah. There are people who go for Umrah almost every year with the money earned form Haraam means with complete disregard to the awaited wrath of Allah, who they think are pleasing Allah by their 'noble' acts.

Even otherwise, we resort to under the table deals in business, or willfully harm others for own gains so as to live a better life at the cost of rights of those who deserved better. Such focus of attention to worldly life will be accounted for and Allah promises to make their lives in this world miserable and difficult. 

So let us brothers and sisters in Islam, let us focus on the life of the Hereafter more than this temporary worldly life. so as to be blessed with permanent rewards in the Heavens.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Collections of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Rewards for more Hadiths on the subject

Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | Source of Hadith

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Muslim Festivals

Festivals are means to celebrate a happy occasion, be it be religious, cultural, harvest cutting or a follow up of an event coming down from the ancestors. These festivals are usually celebrated with much fanfare, loudness and merry making. When a new ready harvest is being cut, bands and bugles are beaten and blown to encourage the crop cutters and make it a day full of festivities.

Festivals when related to the religions are much simpler and less noisy. These are celebrated with religious zeal and fervour and every one joins hands to celebrate the day, with humility to thank Allah for having let us live to the day of festival, with entire families and friends.

As for Islam, there are two major festivals that are held in each lunar calendar. These are known as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. This reference page provides links to our earlier posts which give detailed information about each of these two festivals. 

Eid al Fitr: 

Eid al-Fitr is the first festival in a lunar year which is held and at the end of the month long fasting in month of Ramadan. one of two major holidays celebrated by Muslims and commemorates the end of the holy month of Ramadan and siting of the new moon of the next Islamic month Shawaal,  Since it is held after the end of month long fasting, the word Eid al Fitr means the festival of breaking the fast.. Eid al Fitr is also known as ʿĪd al-Fiṭr "عيد الفطر "- or Al-ʿĪd al-Ṣaghīr (العيد الصغير The smaller / lesser Eid). It is also known as Meethi (sweet) Eid in some countries as on this day sweetened dishes are prepared and devoured happily.

Herein under are links to our earlier posts which give detailed information about how this type of Eid is celebrated and how special charity is doled out to help those who cannot afford to buy new clothes or prepare special dishes exclusive to the day:

• Eid al Fitr: The festival of breaking the fast
• Eid ul Fitr عيد الفطر Mubarak / Eid greetings to everyone around the world 
• Zakatal Fitr: Why, when and to whom it is given 
• The minimum scale of Zakatul Fitr 
• Five Most Favoured Sunnah of the Prophet of Allah on Eid Day 
• Sunnah of the Prophet of Allah on Eid Day

Eid al-Adha:

Eid ul-Adha "عيد الأضحى" or العيد الكبير (Eid-al-Kabir) is the latter of the two Islamic festivals, celebrated soon after the performance of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah. This Eid is celebrated to honour the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to God's command. And his son also willingly obeyed what his father had been asked to do. However, when Prophet Ibrahim was about to cut the throat of his son, Allah accepted Prophet Ibraheem's willingness obedience and replaced his son with a lamb to sacrifice instead. While those performing Hajj, sacrifice an animal, which may be a lamb, goat, cow or camel. Muslims all over the world also emulate the sacrificing of animals to be part of the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim. 

Herein under are links to our previous posts on Eid al-Adha:

• What is Eid al Adha - How it differs from Eid al Fitr
• Why do Muslims Sacrifice Animals on Eid al Adha 

In Sha Allah (God willing) we will continue to add more substance so that the spirit of celebrating these two festivals is well understood.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand basics of Islam as enunciated in Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Eid al Fitr: The festival of breaking the fast

The month of Ramadan is a month of test for the Muslims, for it is a month in which every Muslim undergoes a strict test of patience, hunger and thirst besides abstaining from many a Halal things for the love of Allah. The rigours of fasting from dawn to dusk, specially in summers, is really telling. Yet Muslims endure all hardships of the month lovingly and faithfully. In fact the month of Ramadan, the 9th month Islamic lunar calendar, is much awaited rather eagerly by the Muslims every year, and after fasting for the entire month, they bid farewell rather sadly and a heavy heart for the month carried special blessings and rewards that no other month carries.

With the end of the month of Ramadan, the new moon of the Shawaal, the tenth Islamic month, brings in the glad tidings of a festival of breaking the fast. That is life return to normal as was before entering into the month of Ramadan a month ago.  Due to dependence on the lunar calendar, the month of Ramadan can be of 29 or 30 days.

If the moon is not observed immediately after the 29th day of the previous lunar month (either because clouds block its view or because the western sky is still too bright when the moon sets), then the holiday is celebrated the following day. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for one to three days, depending on the country.

The first day of Shawaal is thus known as the Eid al-Fitr / ʿĪd al-Fiṭr "عيد الفطر "- the festival of breaking the fast. It is also called Al-ʿĪd al-Ṣaghīr (العيد الصغير The smaller / lesser Eid). It is also known as Meethi (sweet) Eid in some countries as on this day sweetened dishes are prepared and devoured happily.

The celebration of Eid al-Fitr originated by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ when he migrated from Makkah to Medinah. Anas, a well-known companion of the Islamic prophet, narrated that, when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ arrived in Medina, he found people celebrating two specific days in which they entertained themselves with recreation. At this, Muhammad remarked that God had fixed two mandatory days of festivity: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (The second of the canonical festivals of Islam).

Muslims start to prepare for celebrating the Eid al Fitr in the last days of the Ramadan and an increased hustle and bustle is observed in the markets, families buying new clothes and shoes. For girls, the preparations also include buying glass bangles, gaudy coloured dresses with matching shoes and purses/bags.

The Eid day dawns with the special Eid prayer congregation at central places, rather than small masjid, so that Muslims en mass could join their brethren on this happy day. It is forbidden to keep fast on the Eid day. For this very reason, one must eat something, even a piece of date, before proceeding for the Eid prayers.

It is actually haram (prohibited) to fast on Eid day, as stated in a Hadith: He [the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)] forbade fasting on the day of 'Eid) al-Fitr and the day of al-Nahr (the day of sacrifice, i.e., 'Eid al-Adha).

After the prayers are over, all greet each other by embracing and wishing Eid Mubarak (greeting). Special dishes are prepared at homes by the ladies, specially sweet dishes. Sheer Khurma is one of the most favourite sweet dish of the day. Sheer means milk in Persian and khurma means dates; it is a delectable and nutritious mix of Seviyan (a form of vermicelli), dates and milk. This simple yet delicious dessert is versatile as it can be served hot or cold.

Cognizant of the fact that the poor may not have enough money to also participate in the festivities of the day, it is a obligatory Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to pay Zakatal Fitr, also called Fitrana or Sadaqat-Ul-Fitr,  before the Eid prayers, much better if it is paid a day or two earlier so that poor could also buy clothes or at least some sweets for their families.

In order to include the poor in the festivities of the day, a obligatory charitable donation known as Fitrana is given before the Eid prayers to the poor so that could also buy clothes for their children and cook special food for the day. Fitrana  or Fitra is also called Zakat-Ul-Fitr, also called Sadaqat-Ul-Fitr, is a charity that has to be paid for by every household. Unlike Zakat, where only the individuals who have savings above the nisaab amount are required to pay Zakat, Zakat-Ul-Fitr applies to every member of the household as well.

Read our previous posts to know more about Eid al Fitr:

• Eid ul Fitr عيد الفطر Mubarak / Eid greetings to everyone around the world 
• Zakatal Fitr: Why, when and to whom it is given 
• The minimum scale of Zakatul Fitr 
• Five Most Favoured Sunnah of the Prophet of Allah on Eid Day 

Soon after reaching home after Eid prayers, fathers and elder give "Eidi" to the children. Eidi is a usually paid in cash so that the children can celebrate the day by buying chocolates or other eatables, sometimes toys as well, to join in the celebrations of the day. Thereafter the sweetened dishes are served by the ladies of the house. The entire day is then spent in welcoming guests / friends and families who come to wish the Eid greetings. Children also get Eidi from the visiting guests and the day continues as a thankfulness for successfully braving the rigours of the fasting during the month of Ramadan.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is said to have encouraged this practice saying: “Give gifts to one another, you will love each other.”

Please watch an introductory video on Eid al Fitr:

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) accept our fasting during the month of Ramadan and help us not to forget our Muslim brethren with Zakatul Fitr so that they also join in the festivities of the Eid day.  

May Allah help us to understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah by assisting them in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

To know more about fasting and importance of month of Ramadan, please consult our reference page: Ramadan - A month of fasting and Blessings. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

May Allah show us the right path so that we do not go astray due to what man has interpreted verses of religious scriptures to suit their own religions and faith. Aameen.

Photo | Reference: | Wikipedia | Britannica |

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Not their eyes but hearts that are blinded (selected verses from Qur'an)

Accepting and bowing to the truth has always been contested since time immemorial. No one wants to deviate what one knows or what one's ancestors have passed down to the coming generations. The arrogance of being superior has always tried to overshadowed the humility which one attains when truth dawns upon them. 

And this has been so when it comes to accepting the Divine truth that has been revealed to the messengers and prophets. The history is replete with such denials of truth right from the Prophet Nuh (Noah) to all the following prophets including Ibraheem (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Eesa (Jesus) and the last of the prophets Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. That is why it is said in Qur'an: O Muhammad, "you are not the only one being denied, all Prophets were denied before you."

When it comes to believing, one can see the truth from one's naked eye, like all the Divine creations all around us, proving to us that such creations are even beyond the comprehension of a human being, for how can a creation can create something. Yet their hearts do not accept the truth and the remain oblivious and blinded of the truth that prophets and messengers of Allah have tried to bring home to them.

This is the very theme of the 46th verse of Surah 22. Al Hajj that we share today and see how eminent Muslim scholars have explained this very thought provoking verse:

اَفَلَمۡ يَسِيۡرُوۡا فِى الۡاَرۡضِ فَتَكُوۡنَ لَهُمۡ قُلُوۡبٌ يَّعۡقِلُوۡنَ بِهَاۤ اَوۡ اٰذَانٌ يَّسۡمَعُوۡنَ بِهَا​ ۚ فَاِنَّهَا لَا تَعۡمَى الۡاَبۡصَارُ وَلٰـكِنۡ تَعۡمَى الۡـقُلُوۡبُ الَّتِىۡ فِى الصُّدُوۡرِ‏ 

(22:46) So have they not traveled through the earth and have hearts by which to reason and ears by which to hear? For indeed, it is not eyes that are blinded, but blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts.

The words “blinded are the hearts” have been used in the metaphorical and not in the literal sense. Since the heart is regarded as the center of emotions, feelings and of mental and moral qualities, these words have been used to imply that their obduracy has inhibited them from feeling and acting rationally.

The word for "heart" in Arabic speech imports both the seat of intelligent faculties and understanding as well as the seat of affections and emotions. Those who reject Allah's Message may have their physical eyes and ears, but their hearts are blind and deaf. If their faculties of understanding were active, would they not see the Signs of Allah's Providence and Allah's Wrath in nature around them and in the cities and ruins if they travel intelligently?

Tafsir Ibn-Kathir: 

(أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ Have they not traveled through the land,) means, have they not traveled in the physical sense and also used their minds to ponder? 

That is sufficient, as Ibn Abi Ad-Dunya said in his book At-Tafakkur wal-I'tibar, "Some of the wise people said, 'Give life to your heart with lessons, illuminate it with thought, kill it with asceticism, strengthen it with certain faith, remind it of its mortality, make it aware of the calamities of this world, warn it of the disasters that life may bring, show it how things may suddenly change with the passing of days, tell it the stories of the people of the past, and remind it what happened to those who came before.'" 

Walk through their ruins, see what they did and what became of them, meaning, look at the punishments and divine wrath that struck the nations of the past who belied,

(فَتَكُونَ لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ يَعْقِلُونَ بِهَا أَوْ آذَانٌ يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَا and have they hearts wherewith to understand and ears wherewith to hear) meaning, let them learn a lesson from that.

(فَإِنَّهَا لَا تَعْمَى الْأَبْصَارُ وَلَٰكِن تَعْمَى الْقُلُوبُ الَّتِي فِي الصُّدُورِ Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind.) means, the blind person is not the one whose eyes cannot see, but rather the one who has no insight. Even if the physical eyes are sound, they still cannot learn the lesson.

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation:

Since the hearts are qualified by blindness, it shows that the eyes are qualified by words to the effect: “of the face.” It has been expressed in the translation. The Qur’ān is couched in literary Arabic; its language is not that of science. In literary Arabic, most actions of the mind are ascribed to the heart. Imām Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī writes:

Here since people who lack insight are being described, it was essential that the heart be portrayed with respect to its locus: real blindness is the blindness of the heart and the rejecters of the messenger are inflicted by this blindness. People should not think that they can see if the eyes on their face are open because the radiance of insight in the eyes comes from the heart and the eyes of their hearts are totally blind. (Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī, Tadabbur-i Qur’ān, vol. 5, 265)

Qur'an Wiki Explanation:

Here, Allah poses yet another rhetorical question about their effects on unbelievers: Have they never journeyed through the lands, letting their hearts gain wisdom, and their ears hear? It is not eyes that go blind; but blind indeed become the hearts that are in people’s breasts. (Verse 46) Emphasis is here placed on the location of hearts in people’s bodies, which serves to amplify the blindness of those hearts in particular. Had those hearts been able to reflect on the scenes portrayed, they would have remembered and people’s eyes would have been tearful. They would have moved towards faith, at least as a result of fearing an end like the ones that befell other communities.

My readers may ask why I  have selected this verse today? Well, it is a message for all those, specially atheists, who see the truth and creations which are simple mind blogging, yet their hearts fail to acknowledge the truth and they remain adamant to respond to the truth they see, and thus remain ignorant forever.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may read more posts on similar theme in our series of posts related to: The Utter Losers (in worldly life and the Hereafter) in the light of Qur'an

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Tafsir References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In order to augment and add more explanation as already provided, additional input has been interjected from the following sources: 

• Tafsir Ibn Khatir
• Muhammad Asad Translation
• Yusuf Ali Translation
• Translation Javed Ahmad Ghamidi / Al Mawrid
• Qur'an Wiki
• Verse by Verse Qur'an Study Circle
• Towards Understanding the Quran

In addition, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

All you should know about Laylatul Qadr – لیلة القدر

The hallmark of the month of the Ramadan is the Night of the Qadr - Laylatul Qadr "لیلة القدر". It is the most blessed night of all the nights of the Islamic calendar. It is the night that comes on any of the odd nights of the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. The blessings and rewards for those who found this night while being awake and in worship in the odd nights of the last tend days are unimaginable.

In Qur'an, in the opening verses of Surah 44. Ad Dukhan (Smoke), Allah mentions of a blessed night in which Qur'an was revealed:

( 2 )   By the clear Book,  ( 3 )   Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind].

Having said this, then a complete Surah / Chapter of Qur'an was revealed, namely Surah 97. Al Qadr in which Allah explains the night when we revealed the Qur'an is the blessed night which is better than the worship of 1000 months, or the worship of 84 years (83 years and 4 months exactly). 

According to a tradition related in Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of Abu Hurairah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The one who remained standing in worship in the state of belief and for the sake of rewards from Allah during Laylatul Qadr, would have all his previous sins forgiven.

We have already posted on the subject which should be read for additional input:

Believers!! Look for the night in last ten odd nights of Ramadan which is better than 1000 months of worship

We should not while away this night if we are lucky to to have found it. In fact we should concentrate more on our forms of worship on all odd nights for we would never know for sure when it would occur. Thus we should seek the night in worship and spend the whole of the odd nights in complete submission and devotion. We should offer Tahajjud prayers and read Qur'an as much as we can. It is said that the Prophet ﷺ used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than any other time. Thus, this night is to be used for soul searching, evaluating the dark patches of our life, repenting and seeking Divine forgiveness. In fact we should be bowing down with more humility than before in front of our Lord and seek His mercy, for one never knows whether we will be alive to catch up the next Ramadan and this blessed night.

While our odd nights should be spent in worship and recitation of Qur'an, our following days should see us more charitable, humble and loving. 

The Imam of Masjid Al-Haram, Shaykh Abdur Rahman Al, has given an excellent formula for the last ten days of Ramadan.

• Donate one dirham (one rupee) every day, if the day falls between Lailatul Qadr, you will get the reward of donating one rupee every day for 84 years or 1000 months.
• Perform two rak'at nafal prayers daily, if the day falls in the middle of Lailatul Qadr, you will get the reward of performing two rak'at nafal prayers daily for up to 84 years.
• Recite Surah Ikhlas three times daily, if the day falls in the middle of Lailatul Qadr, you will get the reward of reciting one Khatam Qur'an every day for 84 years.

He also said, spread these words among the people, those who will listen to your words and do deeds, you too will get rewards equal to their deeds, inshallah.  Because the Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant him peace, said, "The one who guides good deeds will receive the same amount of reward as the doer, but there will be no deficiency in the reward of the doer."  (Muslim, 2674)

Today we share an enlightening video by eminent Muslim scholar Nauman Ali Khan in which he elaborates the importance of this night and some hints as to how can one find this night, if so lucky. Please watch the video:

Nouman Ali Khan, born to a Pakistani family, is an American Muslim speaker and Arabic instructor who founded the Bayyinah Institute for Arabic and Qur’anic Studies, after serving as an instructor of Arabic at Nassau Community College. He has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre of Jordan.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is our duty to convey only to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and help us to act upon the commandments of Allah contained therein. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the video above are those of the scholar concerned. We have shared this view as added information in better understanding of Islam. The reader may or may not agree with the view owing to their own perception. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

| Photo | 

For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam.

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

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More