If someone asked how can we define failure, we can simply say that
Failure is an important part of your success, as much so, as not repeating your mistakes. :)
1. "Failing to act on the dreams and visions you have for yourself"
2. "Not picking yourself up after you mess up"
3. "Hurting others for personal gain, whether on purpose or accident"
4. "Failing to understand WHY you are on this planet in the first place"
5. "Failing to understand that you are here to serve others, and in exchange your needs will be taken care of"
6. "Failing to continually raise your standards each day"
7. "Accepting complacency"
Friday, August 19, 2011
A Letter From Satan
I saw you yesterday as you began your daily chores. You awoke without stopping to pray.
As a matter of fact, you didn't even bless your meals, or pray before going to bed last night. You are so unthankful, I like that about you. I cannot tell you how glad I am that you have not changed your way of living, Fool, you are mine.
Remember, you and I have been going steady for years, and I still don't love you yet. As a matter of fact, I hate you, because I hate God. I am only using you to get even with God. He kicked me out of heaven, and I'm going to use you as long as possible to pay him back. You see, Fool, GOD LOVES YOU and HE has great plans in store for you. But you have yielded your life to me and I'm going to make your life a living hell. That way we'll be together twice. This will really hurt God. Thanks to you.
I'm really showing Him who's boss in your life. With all of the good times we've had .. We have been watching dirty movies, cursing people, out partying, stealing, lying, being hypocritical, indulging in fornication, overeating, telling dirty jokes, gossiping, back stabbing people, disrespecting adults and those in leadership position, NO respect for the mosque, bad attitudes: SURELY you don't want to give all this up.
Come on, Fool, let's burn together forever. I've got some hot plans for us. This is just a letter of appreciation from me to you. I'd like to say "THANKS" for letting me use you for most of your foolish life. You are so gullible, I laugh at you. When you are tempted to sin, you give in HA HA HA, you make me sick. Sin is beginning to take its toll on your life. You look 20 years older, I need new blood. So go ahead and teach some children how to sin.
All you have to do is smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, cheat, gamble, gossip, fornicate, and listen to and dance to the top 10 jams. Do all of this in the presence of children and they will do it too. Kids are like that. Well, Fool, I have to let you go for now. I'll be back in a couple of seconds to tempt you again. If you were smart, you would run somewhere, confess your sins, ask forgiveness from Him, live for God with what little bit of life that you have left. It's not my nature to warn anyone, but to be your age and still sinning, it's becoming a bit ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, I still hate you...... IT'S JUST THAT YOU'D MAKE A BETTER FOOL FOR GOD.
So REMEMBER :
Quran [14:22] : " And Satan will say when the matter is decided ( The Disbelievers entered the hell ) : "It was Allah Who gave you a promise of Truth: I too promised, but I failed in my promise to you. I had no authority over you except to call you but ye listened to me: then reproach not me, but reproach your own souls. I cannot listen to your cries, nor can ye listen to mine. I reject your former act in associating me with Allah. For wrong-doers there must be a grievous penalty."
Tips for Memorizing the Qur’an
Allah says in the Holy Qur’an (interpretation of the meaning): “Those who recite the Book of Allah, establish regular prayer, and spend (in charity) out of what We have provided for them, secretly and openly, hope for commerce that will never fail” (Fatir 35:29)
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-As may Allah bless him reported: The Prophet peace be upon him said, "The one who was devoted to the Qur'an will be told on the Day of Resurrection: `Recite and ascend (in ranks) as you used to recite when you were in the world. Your rank will be at the last Ayah you recite.''' [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].
This Hadith mentions the merit of those who memorize part or all of the Qur'an. Some scholars, in explaining this Hadith, have mentioned that the number of ranks (levels) in Paradise is equal to the number of ayahs in the Qur’an, and that a believer will rise one rank for each ayah that he or she memorizes.
In another Hadith, Othman ibn Affan may Allah bless him reported that the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said, "The best amongst you is the one who learns the Qur'an and teaches it.'' [Al-Bukhari].
In what follows we list a few hints regarding memorizing the Qur’an, some of which were presented to us by the knowledgeable Sh. Osama Abdul-Azeem of Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt.
First, make sure to correct your tawbah (repentance to Allah), as sins do not leave any room for the Words of Allah. The Imam Al-Shafie has a famous verse of poetry in which he complained to his scholar about having difficulty in memorizing. His scholar advised him to abandon sins
Have your intention ready, and bear in mind the reward and virtues of this great deed as mentioned in the Hadiths above. Ask Allah sincerely to assist you in accomplishing this.
Dedicate a specific time each day (or every couple of days) for memorizing. This should be a time when you are not busy with other things.
Use the same copy of the Qur’an each time. This is because your mind takes a ‘snapshot’ of the pages.
Start with the surahs that are easiest to you. Many people recommend beginning with the last five juz’s (the 30th, then the 29th, and so on).
Other surahs to begin with are those that you enjoy reciting most of all, and those that you frequently listen to and thus probably already know part of by heart.
The younger you are, the easier it will be. As you grow older, you get busier and your capacity for memorizing decreases. However, it’s never too late in shaa Allah. If you haven’t memorized a lot during your childhood or teens, you can still catch up.
After completing a couple of ayahs, recite them in the next nafl (voluntary prayer) that you pray. Alternatively, practice them with a friend or your spouse.
Finally, it might be a good idea to work in groups, encouraging one another. If you are trying to get your children to memorize, you might want to create a sense of competition among them and then provide some reward to whoever memorizes best. May Allah guide us to all that pleases Him, Ameen.
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-As may Allah bless him reported: The Prophet peace be upon him said, "The one who was devoted to the Qur'an will be told on the Day of Resurrection: `Recite and ascend (in ranks) as you used to recite when you were in the world. Your rank will be at the last Ayah you recite.''' [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].
This Hadith mentions the merit of those who memorize part or all of the Qur'an. Some scholars, in explaining this Hadith, have mentioned that the number of ranks (levels) in Paradise is equal to the number of ayahs in the Qur’an, and that a believer will rise one rank for each ayah that he or she memorizes.
In another Hadith, Othman ibn Affan may Allah bless him reported that the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said, "The best amongst you is the one who learns the Qur'an and teaches it.'' [Al-Bukhari].
In what follows we list a few hints regarding memorizing the Qur’an, some of which were presented to us by the knowledgeable Sh. Osama Abdul-Azeem of Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt.
First, make sure to correct your tawbah (repentance to Allah), as sins do not leave any room for the Words of Allah. The Imam Al-Shafie has a famous verse of poetry in which he complained to his scholar about having difficulty in memorizing. His scholar advised him to abandon sins
Have your intention ready, and bear in mind the reward and virtues of this great deed as mentioned in the Hadiths above. Ask Allah sincerely to assist you in accomplishing this.
Dedicate a specific time each day (or every couple of days) for memorizing. This should be a time when you are not busy with other things.
Use the same copy of the Qur’an each time. This is because your mind takes a ‘snapshot’ of the pages.
Start with the surahs that are easiest to you. Many people recommend beginning with the last five juz’s (the 30th, then the 29th, and so on).
Other surahs to begin with are those that you enjoy reciting most of all, and those that you frequently listen to and thus probably already know part of by heart.
The younger you are, the easier it will be. As you grow older, you get busier and your capacity for memorizing decreases. However, it’s never too late in shaa Allah. If you haven’t memorized a lot during your childhood or teens, you can still catch up.
After completing a couple of ayahs, recite them in the next nafl (voluntary prayer) that you pray. Alternatively, practice them with a friend or your spouse.
Finally, it might be a good idea to work in groups, encouraging one another. If you are trying to get your children to memorize, you might want to create a sense of competition among them and then provide some reward to whoever memorizes best. May Allah guide us to all that pleases Him, Ameen.
Ten Things We Waste
Ten Things We Waste
1. Our Knowledge: Wasted by not taking action with it ..
2. Our Actions: Wasted by committing them without sincerity.
3. Our Wealth: Wasted by using on things that will not bring us ajr (reward from Allah). We waste our money, our status, our authority, on things which have no benefit in this life or in akhirah (hereafter).
4. Our Hearts: Wasted because they are empty from the love of Allah, and the feeling of longing to go to Him, and a feeling of peace and contentment. In it's place, our hearts are filled with something or someone
else.
5. Our Bodies: Wasted because we don't use them in ibadah (worship) and service of Allah.
6. Our Love: Our emotional love is misdirected, not towards Allah, but towards something/someone else.
7. Our Time: Wasted, not used properly, to compensate for that which has passed, by doing what is righteous to make up for past deeds.
8. Our Intellect: Wasted on things that are not beneficial, that are detrimental to society and the individual, not in contemplation or reflection.
9. Our Service: Wasted in service of someone who will not bring us closer to Allah, or benefit in dunyaa.
10. Our Dhikr (Remembrence of Allah): Wasted, because it does not effect us or our hearts.
How to make your Wife happy ?
The following is a summary of the book "How to make your wife happy by Sheikh Mohammed Abdelhaleem Hamed.
Beautiful Reception
Beautiful Reception
After returning from work, school, travel, or whatever has separated you:Sweet Speech and Enchanting Invitations
- Begin with a good greeting.
- Start with Assalamau 'Aliaykum and a smile. Salam is a sunnah and a du'aa for her as well.
- Shake her hand and leave bad news for later!
- Choose words that are positive and avoid negative ones.
- Give her your attention when you speak of she speaks.
- Speak with clarity and repeat words if necessary until she understands.
- Call her with the nice names that she likes, e.g. my sweet-heart, honey, saaliha, etc.
- Spend time talking together.
- Spread to her goods news.
- Remember your good memories together.
- Joking around & having a sense of humor.
- Playing and competing with each other in sports or whatever.
- Taking her to watch permissible (halal) types of entertainment.
- Avoiding prohibited (haram) things in your choices of entertainment.
- Doing what you as an individual can/like to do that helps out, especially if she is sick or tired.
- The most important thing is making it obvious that he appreciates her hard work.
- Specifically in family matters.
- Giving her the feeling that her opinion is important to you.
- Studying her opinion carefully.
- Be willing to change an opinion for hers if it is better.
- Thanking her for helping him with her opinions.
- Choosing well raised people to build relations with. There is a great reward in visiting relatives and pious people. (Not in wasting time while visiting!)
- Pay attention to ensure Islamic manners during visits.
- Not forcing her to visit whom she does not feel comfortable with.
- Offer a warm farewell and good advice.
- Ask her to pray for him.
- Ask pious relatives and friends to take care of the family in your absence.
- Give her enough money for what she might need.
- Try to stay in touch with her whether by phone, e-mail, letters, etc..
- Return as soon as possible.
- Bring her a gift!
- Avoid returning at an unexpected time or at night.
- Take her with you if possible.
- The husband needs to be generous within his financial capabilities. He should not be a miser with his money (nor wasteful).
- He gets rewards for all what he spends on her sustenance even for a small piece of bread that he feeds her by his hand (hadeith).
- He is strongly encouraged to give to her before she asks him.
- Following the Sunnah in removing hair from the groin and underarms.
- Always being clean and neat.
- Put on perfume for her.
- It is obligatory to do it habitually if you have no excuse (sickness, etc.)
- Start with "Bismillah" and the authentic du'a.
- Enter into her in the proper place only (not the anus).
- Begin with foreplay including words of love.
- Continue until you have satisfied her desire.
- Relax and joke around afterwards.
- Avoid intercourse during the monthly period because it haram
- Do what you can to avoid damaging her level of Hiyaa (shyness and modesty) such as taking your clothes together instead of asking her to do it first while he is looking on.
- Avoid positions during intercourse that may harm her such as putting pressure on her chest and blocking her breath, especially if you are heavy.
- Choose suitable times for intercourse and be considerate as sometimes she maybe sick or exhausted.
Avoid disclosing private information such as bedroom secrets, her personal problems and other private matters.Aiding in the Obedience to Allah
- Wake her up in the last third of the night to pray "Qiyam-ul-Layl" (extra prayer done at night with long sujood and ruku'ua).
- Teach her what you know of the Qur'an and its tafseer.
- Teach her "Dhikr" (ways to remember Allah by the example of the prophet) in the morning and evening.
- Encourage her to spend money for the sake of Allah such as in a charity sale.
- Take her to Hajj and Umrah when you can afford to do so.
- Take her to visit her family and relatives, especially her parents.
- Invite them to visit her and welcome them.
- Give them presents on special occasions.
- Help them when needed with money, effort, etc..
- Keep good relations with her family after her death if she dies first. Also in this case the husband is encouraged to follow the sunnah and keep giving what she used to give in her life to her friends and family.
This includes:Admirable Jealousy
- The basics of Islam
- Her duties and rights
- Reading and writing
- Encouraging her to attend lessons and halaqahs
- Islamic rules (ahkam) related to women
- Buying Islamic books and tapes for the home library
- Ensure she is wearing proper hijab before leaving house.
- Restrict free mixing with non-mahram men.
- Avoiding excess jealousy.
Examples of this are:
1- Analyzing every word and sentence she says and overloading her speech by meanings that she did not mean
2- Preventing her from going out of the house when the reasons are just.
3- Preventing her from answering the phone.
- Problems are expected in every marriage so this is normal. What is wrong is excessive responses and magnifying problems until a marital breakdown.
- Anger should be shown when she exceeds the boundaries of Allah SWT, by delaying prayers, backbiting, watching prohibited scenes on TV, etc..
- Forgive the mistakes she does to you.
- First, implicit and explicit advice several times.
- Then by turning your back to her in bed (displaying your feelings). Note that this does not include leaving the bedroom to another room, leaving the house to another place, or not talking with her.
- The last solution is lightly hitting (when allowable) her. In this case, the husband should consider the following:
Pardoning and Appropriate Censure
- He should know that sunnah is to avoid beating as the Prophet PBUH never beat a woman or a servant.
- He should do it only in extreme cases of disobedience, e.g. refusing intercourse without cause frequently, constantly not praying on time, leaving the house for long periods of time without permission nor refusing to tell him where she had been, etc..
- It should not be done except after having turned from her bed and discussing the matter with her as mentioned in Qur'an .
- He should not hit her hard injuring her, or hit her on her face or on sensitive parts of her body.
- He should avoid shaming her such as by hitting her with a shoe, etc.
- Accounting her only for larger mistakes.
- Forgive mistakes done to him but account her for mistakes done in Allah's rights, e.g. delaying prayers, etc..
- Remember all the good she does whenever she makes a mistake.
- Remember that all humans err so try to find excuses for her such as maybe she is tired, sad, having her monthly cycle or that her commitment to Islam is growing.
- Avoid attacking her for the bad cooking of the food as the Prophet PBUH never blamed any of his wives for this. If he likes the food, he eats and if he doesn't then he does not eat and does not comment.
- Before declaring her to be in error, try other indirect approaches that are more subtle than direct accusations
- Escape from using insults and words that may hurt her feelings.
- When it becomes necessary to discuss a problem wait until you have privacy from others.
- Waiting until the anger has subsided a bit can help to keep a control on your words.
The grave is the first step to the Hereafter
Praise and thanks be to Allah, blessings be to His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him)
Allah say in the Holy Qur'an: “Allah keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word, in worldly life and in the Hereafter. And Allah sends astray the wrongdoers. And Allah does what He wills.” [Ibrahim 14:27]
Al-Bara' ibn 'Azib, May Allah be pleased with him, said: ''this verse is revealed to tell about torment in the grave''.
Abu Huraira, May Allah be pleased with him, said the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: ''do you know for whom this verse was revealed: “indeed, he will have a depressed life” [Taha 20:124]
They answered that God and his Messenger Know better. He said: 'it is revealed to tell about the torment of the unbeliever in his grave. By God, ninety nine dragons are assigned for him, do you know what a dragon is! It consists of ninety nine snakes, each snake has seven heads that bite and snap him till the Day of Judgment''. [Approved by al-Albany]
Uthman ibn 'Affan, May Allah be pleased with him, would not weep if paradise or hell were mentioned, but he would shed tears till soaking his beard if the grave was mentioned. He was asked: ''paradise and hell do not make you cry but mentioning the grave put you into tears, why?''. He answered: ''the grave is the first step to the Hereafter, if you survive the grave what follows is lesser, if you do not survive what follows is more difficult''. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: '' fearing that you would stop burying you dead I would have asked God to allow you to hear the torment of the grave''.
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, always asked God's refuge from the torment of the grave.
Did you contemplate the dark grave when closed, the enquiry of the tow angles; the inquiry of Munkir and Nakeer?
Umar Ibn Abdul-Aziz, may God rest his soul, told some of his companions: ''I have spent the night sleeplessly thinking of the grave and its habitant, if you saw the dead person three days after being buried you would hate being near it after your long lived intimacy. You would see a home of vermin, puss, worms instead of good shape, perfumed breath and clean garments''.
When Ali Ibn Abi-Talib returned from Seffin and was about the graveyards said: ''O people of lonely homes and empty places… houses have been dwelled, espouses have been married, money has been distributed; this is our news, what about yours?'' Then he turned to his companions and said: ''if they had permission to talk they would tell you that the best provision is piety''.
Ibn Abi-Aldunia said that the wife of Hesham al-Destwa'i said: ''if we turned off the lamp Hesham would be overwhelmed with uneasiness, I asked him why and he answered: because I remember the darkness of the grave''.
Khaled Ibn Khadash said: ''I used to sit with Ashyam al-Balkhy who was a blind man, he said: O! How dark is the grave! How tight is the coffin! What can I do?'' then he faints. When he recovers he would do the same over and over again''.
Al-A'mash said: ''we attend funerals not knowing who to console; they are all in grieve''.
It was told that Haroun al-Rashid chose and picked his shroud; looking at it saying: “My wealth has not availed me. (28) Gone from me is my authority” [Al-Haqqah 69:28-29]
When Al-Ma'moun was dying he lay over ashes and said: ''Oh God whose sovereignty would never perish, have mercy on him whose kingdom has already perished''.
Have you considered these great matters, have you contemplated them? By God tell me what it is like in the grave for prayer deserter, usurer, what about that who violated God's rulings? What about that who enjoyed listening to music and songs? What about unveiled women, fashion-followers, disobedient of God?
If we were to let be, death would be the comfort of every living man,
But when we die we are resurrected and held responsible for everything.
Compare between believes and unbelievers when dying and in their graves; it is a reminder for everyone who has a mind and a heart.
Al-Barra' Ibn 'Azib said: ''we went with the Prophet, peace be upon him, to a funeral of a man from al-Ansaar (people of Medina), we reached the grave and the man was not buried yet, the Prophet sat and we sat around him, as silent as dead, He had a small stick in his hand scraping the ground with it. He raised his head and said three times: ''ask God refuge from the torment of the grave'', then he continued: ''when a true believer is about to die, white faced angles, as bright as the sun, descend from heaven for him till they sit where he can see them, they bring along shrouds from paradise, and (hunut) embalmment of paradise, then the Angle of Death comes and sits by his head and say: ''O peaceful soul, come out to the forgiveness and blessings of God'', it comes out as smoothly as a drop of water flows, the Angle takes the soul and, with a blink of an eye, shrouds and embalms it in the shroud and embalmment of paradise, it comes out bearing the best smell of musk found on earth. The Prophet said: the angles ascend to heaven, whenever they pass by a group of angles they wonder: what is this good spirit? They answer: he is so and so, calling him with his favorable names, until they reach the first heaven and ask permission to enter. He is granted the permission and is accompanied by heavenly people of each heaven to the following one till he reaches the seventh heaven. God Almighty says: record his book of deeds in 'illiyyun (the highest of the highest), turn him back to earth, I have created them from earth, to earth I return them and from earth I will resurrect them''. The Prophet said: so his soul is returned to his body, two angles come and make him sit down, they ask: ''who is your God?'' he answers: ''my God is Allah''. They ask: ''what is your religion?'' he answers: ''my religion is Islam''. They say: ''who is this man who is sent for you?'', he says: ''he is the Messenger of Allah.'' They ask: ''what is your education?'', he answers: ''I have read the Holy Qur'an, had believed it and believed in it.''. Then a voice from heaven is heard saying: ''my slave has spoken the truth, furnish him with heavenly furniture, dress him in heavenly garments, and open for him a port to paradise''. He feels its smell and goodness, and his grave is widened. A good looking man; well dressed and nice-smelled comes and says: ''bear the good news; this is the day you had been promised before''. The dead man asks the good looking man: ''who are you? Your face is ambassador of goodwill''. He answers: ''I am your good deeds". The man asks God to be immediately resurrected to return to his family and belongings.
Poor soul! Look at unbelievers, so that you heart may soften, and that you repent, consider their state:
''when an unbeliever is about to die, black faced angles descend from heaven for him till they sit where he can see them, they bring along rags, then the Angle of Death comes and sits by his head and say: ''O wicked soul, come out to the wrath and anger of God'', it sinks in his body, the angle of Death brings it out, tearing veins and nerves just like skewers are separated from wet wool, the Angle takes the soul and, with a blink of an eye, puts it in the rags, it comes out bearing the stink of the most rotten corpse found on earth. The angles ascend to heaven, whenever they pass by a group of angles they wonder: what is this stinking soul? They answer: he is so and so, calling him with his worst names, until they reach the first heaven and ask permission to enter. They are denied the permission. Then the Prophet –peace be upon him- recited: “…the gates of Heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle...” [Al-A'raf 7:40]
God Almighty says: record his book of deeds in sijiin (the lowest of the lowest), turn him back to earth, I have created them from earth, to earth I return them and from earth I will resurrect them''. The Prophet said: so his soul is dropped fiercely. He recited: “…And he who associates other deities with Allah - it is as though he had fallen from the sky and was snatched by the birds or the wind carried him down into a remote place.” [Al-Haj 22:31]
Then his soul is returned to his body, two angles come and make him sit down, they ask: ''who is your God?'' he answers: ''ah ah I do not know''. They ask: ''what is your religion?'' he answers: ''ah ah I do not know''. Then a voice from heaven is heard saying: furnish him with hell furniture, dress him in hell garments, and open for him a port to hell fire''. He feels its smell and heat, and his grave is narrowed so that his ribs mingle together. An ugly looking man; bad dressed and stinky-smelled comes and says: ''bear the bad news; this is the day you had been promised before''. The dead man asks the good looking man: ''who are you? Your face is ambassador of evil''. He answers: ''I am your bad deeds". The man asks God that the Day of Judgment would never take place. [Declared Authentic by Al-Albany]
Al-Barra' Ibn Azib commented on this Qur'anic verse:"Allah keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word, in worldly life and in the Hereafter" [Ibrahim 14:27]
That keeping firm in worldly life is when the two angles come in the grave and ask the believer: ''who is your God?'' he answers: ''my God is Allah''. They ask: ''what is your religion?'' he answers: ''my religion is Islam''. They say: ''who is your Prophet?'', he says: ''he is Muhammad the Messenger of Allah''. The Prophet, peace be upon him said: ''the deceased is followed by three: his money, his folks and his deeds, two leave him and return and one stays with him; his money and folks leave, and his deeds stay''. [Narrated by Bukhari]
So, you must visit the graveyards. Whenever your heart falls asleep emerging in worldly matters, go and visit those lying in graves. They were, not long ago, as alive as you are; eating, drinking and enjoying life. Where are they now? They are under the mercy of their deeds, whether good or evil.
It is the every Muslim's duty to ask God refuge from the torment of the grave. It is our duty to get prepared for the grave by good deeds before entering it; when you are still alive it is easy, once you are inside the grave you would yearn for only one hasanah (good deed) but alas!
Yazid Ibn Hawsheb said that he had not seen people more in fear than Al-Hasan Al-Basrey and Umar Ibn Abdul-Aziz, as if hell was merely created for them.
Whenever death was mentioned Umar Ibn Abdul-Aziz would tremble, it was narrated that one day he read: “And, [O Muhammad], you are not [engaged] in any matter or recite any of the Qur'an and you [people] do not do any deed except that We are witness over you when you are involved in it”[Yunus 10:61]
He cried so emotionally that his family heard him, his wife, Fatima came and cried with him, his son, Abdullah saw them crying, he asked: ''O father! What makes you cry!'' he answered: ''sonny, your father would rather have never been born, by God I fear that I am of the dwellers of hell''.
Oh you intimate with life, forgetting that death is coming by, you whose heart is dark, though hearts have light, empty from inside, hey you, if you remember graves and tombs, you will stop building homes. Oh brother! You will be asked about how you had spent your days.
Dear brother! Wake up! Realize that you are soon dead. These days however long are short. Whatsoever you do, you are leaving, and you are dead. “Then have you considered if We gave them enjoyment for years (205) And then there came to them that which they were promised (206) They would not be availed by the enjoyment with which they were provided.”[Al-Shu’ara’ 26:205-207]
May peace of God be availed on His Messenger, his household and his companions
Allah say in the Holy Qur'an: “Allah keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word, in worldly life and in the Hereafter. And Allah sends astray the wrongdoers. And Allah does what He wills.” [Ibrahim 14:27]
{يُثَبِّتُ اللَّـهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِالْقَوْلِ الثَّابِتِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ ۖوَيُضِلُّ اللَّـهُ الظَّالِمِينَ ۚوَيَفْعَلُ اللَّـهُ مَا يَشَاءُ}
Transliteration: Yuthabbitu Allāhu Al-Ladhīna 'Āmanū Bil-Qawli Ath-Thābiti Fī Al-Ĥayāati Ad-Dunyā Wa Fī Al-'Ākhirati Wa Yuđillu Allāhu Až-Žālimīna Wa Yaf`alu Allāhu Mā Yashā'uAl-Bara' ibn 'Azib, May Allah be pleased with him, said: ''this verse is revealed to tell about torment in the grave''.
Abu Huraira, May Allah be pleased with him, said the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: ''do you know for whom this verse was revealed: “indeed, he will have a depressed life” [Taha 20:124]
{فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنكًا}
Transliteration: Fa'inna Lahu Ma`īshatan Đankāan Wa Naĥshuruhu Yawma Al-Qiyāmati 'A`máThey answered that God and his Messenger Know better. He said: 'it is revealed to tell about the torment of the unbeliever in his grave. By God, ninety nine dragons are assigned for him, do you know what a dragon is! It consists of ninety nine snakes, each snake has seven heads that bite and snap him till the Day of Judgment''. [Approved by al-Albany]
«أتدرون فيما أنزلت هذه الآية {فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَعْمَىٰ}؟! ، قال : أتدرون ما المعيشة الضنكة ؟ . قالوا : الله ورسوله أعلم ! قال : عذاب الكافر في قبره ! والذي نفسي بيده ؛ إنه يسلط عليه تسعة وتسعون تنينا – أتدرون ما التنين ؟ سبعون حية ، لكل حية سبع رؤوس – يلسعونه ويخدشونه إلى يوم القيامة»
Uthman ibn 'Affan, May Allah be pleased with him, would not weep if paradise or hell were mentioned, but he would shed tears till soaking his beard if the grave was mentioned. He was asked: ''paradise and hell do not make you cry but mentioning the grave put you into tears, why?''. He answered: ''the grave is the first step to the Hereafter, if you survive the grave what follows is lesser, if you do not survive what follows is more difficult''. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: '' fearing that you would stop burying you dead I would have asked God to allow you to hear the torment of the grave''.
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, always asked God's refuge from the torment of the grave.
Did you contemplate the dark grave when closed, the enquiry of the tow angles; the inquiry of Munkir and Nakeer?
Umar Ibn Abdul-Aziz, may God rest his soul, told some of his companions: ''I have spent the night sleeplessly thinking of the grave and its habitant, if you saw the dead person three days after being buried you would hate being near it after your long lived intimacy. You would see a home of vermin, puss, worms instead of good shape, perfumed breath and clean garments''.
When Ali Ibn Abi-Talib returned from Seffin and was about the graveyards said: ''O people of lonely homes and empty places… houses have been dwelled, espouses have been married, money has been distributed; this is our news, what about yours?'' Then he turned to his companions and said: ''if they had permission to talk they would tell you that the best provision is piety''.
Ibn Abi-Aldunia said that the wife of Hesham al-Destwa'i said: ''if we turned off the lamp Hesham would be overwhelmed with uneasiness, I asked him why and he answered: because I remember the darkness of the grave''.
Khaled Ibn Khadash said: ''I used to sit with Ashyam al-Balkhy who was a blind man, he said: O! How dark is the grave! How tight is the coffin! What can I do?'' then he faints. When he recovers he would do the same over and over again''.
Al-A'mash said: ''we attend funerals not knowing who to console; they are all in grieve''.
It was told that Haroun al-Rashid chose and picked his shroud; looking at it saying: “My wealth has not availed me. (28) Gone from me is my authority” [Al-Haqqah 69:28-29]
{مَا أَغْنَىٰ عَنِّي مَالِيَهْ ۜ ﴿٢٨﴾ هَلَكَ عَنِّي سُلْطَانِيَهْ}
Transliteration: Mā 'Aghnaá `Annī Mālīh (28)Halaka `Annī SulţānīhWhen Al-Ma'moun was dying he lay over ashes and said: ''Oh God whose sovereignty would never perish, have mercy on him whose kingdom has already perished''.
Have you considered these great matters, have you contemplated them? By God tell me what it is like in the grave for prayer deserter, usurer, what about that who violated God's rulings? What about that who enjoyed listening to music and songs? What about unveiled women, fashion-followers, disobedient of God?
If we were to let be, death would be the comfort of every living man,
But when we die we are resurrected and held responsible for everything.
Compare between believes and unbelievers when dying and in their graves; it is a reminder for everyone who has a mind and a heart.
Al-Barra' Ibn 'Azib said: ''we went with the Prophet, peace be upon him, to a funeral of a man from al-Ansaar (people of Medina), we reached the grave and the man was not buried yet, the Prophet sat and we sat around him, as silent as dead, He had a small stick in his hand scraping the ground with it. He raised his head and said three times: ''ask God refuge from the torment of the grave'', then he continued: ''when a true believer is about to die, white faced angles, as bright as the sun, descend from heaven for him till they sit where he can see them, they bring along shrouds from paradise, and (hunut) embalmment of paradise, then the Angle of Death comes and sits by his head and say: ''O peaceful soul, come out to the forgiveness and blessings of God'', it comes out as smoothly as a drop of water flows, the Angle takes the soul and, with a blink of an eye, shrouds and embalms it in the shroud and embalmment of paradise, it comes out bearing the best smell of musk found on earth. The Prophet said: the angles ascend to heaven, whenever they pass by a group of angles they wonder: what is this good spirit? They answer: he is so and so, calling him with his favorable names, until they reach the first heaven and ask permission to enter. He is granted the permission and is accompanied by heavenly people of each heaven to the following one till he reaches the seventh heaven. God Almighty says: record his book of deeds in 'illiyyun (the highest of the highest), turn him back to earth, I have created them from earth, to earth I return them and from earth I will resurrect them''. The Prophet said: so his soul is returned to his body, two angles come and make him sit down, they ask: ''who is your God?'' he answers: ''my God is Allah''. They ask: ''what is your religion?'' he answers: ''my religion is Islam''. They say: ''who is this man who is sent for you?'', he says: ''he is the Messenger of Allah.'' They ask: ''what is your education?'', he answers: ''I have read the Holy Qur'an, had believed it and believed in it.''. Then a voice from heaven is heard saying: ''my slave has spoken the truth, furnish him with heavenly furniture, dress him in heavenly garments, and open for him a port to paradise''. He feels its smell and goodness, and his grave is widened. A good looking man; well dressed and nice-smelled comes and says: ''bear the good news; this is the day you had been promised before''. The dead man asks the good looking man: ''who are you? Your face is ambassador of goodwill''. He answers: ''I am your good deeds". The man asks God to be immediately resurrected to return to his family and belongings.
«خرجنا مع رسول الله فذكر مثله إلى أن قال فرفع لرأسه فقال استعيذوا بالله من عذاب القبر مرتين أو ثلاثا ثم قال إن العبد المؤمن إذا كان في انقطاع من الدنيا وإقبال من الآخرة نزل إليه ملائكة من السماء بيض الوجوه كأن وجوههم الشمس معهم كفن من أكفان الجنة وحنوط من حنوط الجنة حتى يجلسوا منه مد البصر ثم يجيء ملك الموت عليه السلام حتى يجلس عند رأسه فيقول أيتها النفس الطيبة أخرجي إلى مغفرة من الله ورضوان قال فتخرج فتسيل كما تسيل القطرة من في السقاء فيأخذها فإذا أخذها لم يدعوها في يده طرفة عين حتى يأخذوها فيجعلوها في ذلك الكفن وفي ذلك الحنوط ويخرج منها كأطيب نفحة مسك وجدت على وجه الأرض قال فيصعدون بها فلا يمرون يعني بها على ملأ من الملائكة إلا قالوا ما هذا الروح الطيب فيقولون فلان ابن فلان بأحسن أسمائه التي كان يسمونه بها في الدنيا حتى ينتهوا بها إلى السماء الدنيا فيستفتحون له فيفتح لهم فيشيعه من كل سماء مقربوها إلى السماء التي تليها حتى ينتهي بها إلى السماء السابعة فيقول الله عز وجل اكتبوا كتاب عبدي في عليين أعيدوه إلى الأرض فإني منها خلقتهم وفيها أعيدهم ومنها أخرجهم تارة أخرى فتعاد روحه في جسده فيأتيه ملكان فيجلسانه فيقولان من ربك فيقول ربي الله فيقولان ما دينك فيقول ديني الإسلام فيقولان ما هذا الرجل الذى بعث فيكم فيقول هو رسول الله فيقولان له وما عملك فيقول قرأت كتاب الله فآمنت به وصدقته فينادي مناد من السماء أن صدق عبدي فأفرشوه من الجنة وألبسوه من الجنة وافتحوا له بابا إلى الجنة قال فيأتيه من روحها وطيبها ويفسح له في قبره مد بصره قال ويأتيه رجل حسن الوجه حسن الثياب طيب الريح فيقول أبشر بالذي يسرك هذا يومك الذي كنت توعد فيقول من أنت فوجهك الوجه يجيء بالخير فيقول أنا عملك الصالح فيقول رب أقم الساعة حتى أرجع إلى أهلي ومالي»
Poor soul! Look at unbelievers, so that you heart may soften, and that you repent, consider their state:
''when an unbeliever is about to die, black faced angles descend from heaven for him till they sit where he can see them, they bring along rags, then the Angle of Death comes and sits by his head and say: ''O wicked soul, come out to the wrath and anger of God'', it sinks in his body, the angle of Death brings it out, tearing veins and nerves just like skewers are separated from wet wool, the Angle takes the soul and, with a blink of an eye, puts it in the rags, it comes out bearing the stink of the most rotten corpse found on earth. The angles ascend to heaven, whenever they pass by a group of angles they wonder: what is this stinking soul? They answer: he is so and so, calling him with his worst names, until they reach the first heaven and ask permission to enter. They are denied the permission. Then the Prophet –peace be upon him- recited: “…the gates of Heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle...” [Al-A'raf 7:40]
{…لَا تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَلَا يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّىٰ يَلِجَ الْجَمَلُ فِي سَمِّ الْخِيَاطِ…}
Transliteration: Lā Tufattaĥu Lahum 'Abwābu As-Samā'i Wa Lā Yadkhulūna Al-Jannata Ĥattá Yalija Al-Jamalu Fī Sammi Al-Khiyāţi God Almighty says: record his book of deeds in sijiin (the lowest of the lowest), turn him back to earth, I have created them from earth, to earth I return them and from earth I will resurrect them''. The Prophet said: so his soul is dropped fiercely. He recited: “…And he who associates other deities with Allah - it is as though he had fallen from the sky and was snatched by the birds or the wind carried him down into a remote place.” [Al-Haj 22:31]
{…وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَكَأَنَّمَا خَرَّ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَتَخْطَفُهُ الطَّيْرُ أَوْ تَهْوِي بِهِ الرِّيحُ فِي مَكَانٍ سَحِيقٍ}
Transliteration: Wa Man Yushrik Billāhi Faka'annamā Kharra Mina As-Samā'i Fatakhţafuhu Aţ-Ţayru 'Aw Tahwī Bihi Ar-Rīĥu Fī Makānin SaĥīqinThen his soul is returned to his body, two angles come and make him sit down, they ask: ''who is your God?'' he answers: ''ah ah I do not know''. They ask: ''what is your religion?'' he answers: ''ah ah I do not know''. Then a voice from heaven is heard saying: furnish him with hell furniture, dress him in hell garments, and open for him a port to hell fire''. He feels its smell and heat, and his grave is narrowed so that his ribs mingle together. An ugly looking man; bad dressed and stinky-smelled comes and says: ''bear the bad news; this is the day you had been promised before''. The dead man asks the good looking man: ''who are you? Your face is ambassador of evil''. He answers: ''I am your bad deeds". The man asks God that the Day of Judgment would never take place. [Declared Authentic by Al-Albany]
«وإن العبد الكافر إذا كان في انقطاع من الدنيا وإقبال من الآخرة نزل إليه من السماء ملائكة سود الوجوه معهم المسوح فيجلسون منه مد البصر ثم يجيء ملك الموت حتى يجلس عند رأسه فيقول أيتها النفس الخبيثة أخرجي إلى سخط من الله وغضب قال فتفرق في جسده فينتزعها كما ينتزع السفود من الصوف المبلول فيأخذها فإذا أخذها لم يدعوها في يده طرفة عين حتى يجعلوها في تلك المسوح ويخرج منها كأنتن جيفة وجدت على وجه الأرض فيصعدون بها فلا يمرون بها على ملأ من الملائكة إلا قالوا ما هذا الروح الخبيث فيقولون فلان ابن فلان بأقبح أسمائه التي كان يسمى بها في الدنيا حتى ينتهى به إلى السماء الدنيا فيستفتح له فلا يفتح له ثم قرأ رسول الله {لَا تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَلَا يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّىٰ يَلِجَ الْجَمَلُ فِي سَمِّ الْخِيَاطِ}[سورة الاعراف: 40] فيقول الله عز وجل اكتبوا كتابه في سجين في الأرض السفلى فتطرح روحه طرحا ثم قرأ{وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَكَأَنَّمَا خَرَّ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَتَخْطَفُهُ الطَّيْرُ أَوْ تَهْوِي بِهِ الرِّيحُ فِي مَكَانٍ سَحِيقٍ}[سورة الحج: 31] فتعاد روحه في جسده ويأتيه ملكان فيجلسانه فيقولان له من ربك فيقول هاه هاه لاأدري قال فيقولان له ما دينك فيقول هاه هاه لا أدري فيقولان له ما الرجل الذي بعث فيكم فيقول هاه هاه لا أدري فينادي منادي من السماء أن كذب فأفرشوه من النار وافتحوا له بابا إلى النار فيأتيه من حرها وسمومها ويضيق عليه قبره حتى تختلف أضلاعه ويأتيه رجل قبيح الوجه قبيح الثياب منتن الريح فيقول له أبشر بالذي يسوؤك هذا يومك الذي كنت توعد فيقول من أنت فوجهك الوجه يجيء بالشر فيقول أنا عملك الخبيث فيقول رب لا تقم الساعة»
Al-Barra' Ibn Azib commented on this Qur'anic verse:"Allah keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word, in worldly life and in the Hereafter" [Ibrahim 14:27]
{يُثَبِّتُ اللَّـهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِالْقَوْلِ الثَّابِتِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ ۖوَيُضِلُّ اللَّـهُ الظَّالِمِينَ ۚوَيَفْعَلُ اللَّـهُ مَا يَشَاءُ}
Transliteration: Yuthabbitu Allāhu Al-Ladhīna 'Āmanū Bil-Qawli Ath-Thābiti Fī Al-Ĥayāati Ad-Dunyā Wa Fī Al-'Ākhirati Wa Yuđillu Allāhu Až-Žālimīna Wa Yaf`alu Allāhu Mā Yashā'uThat keeping firm in worldly life is when the two angles come in the grave and ask the believer: ''who is your God?'' he answers: ''my God is Allah''. They ask: ''what is your religion?'' he answers: ''my religion is Islam''. They say: ''who is your Prophet?'', he says: ''he is Muhammad the Messenger of Allah''. The Prophet, peace be upon him said: ''the deceased is followed by three: his money, his folks and his deeds, two leave him and return and one stays with him; his money and folks leave, and his deeds stay''. [Narrated by Bukhari]
« يتبع الميت ثلاثة ، فيرجع اثنان ويبقى معه واحد: يتبعه أهله وماله وعمله ، فيرجع أهله وماله ويبقى عمله»
So, you must visit the graveyards. Whenever your heart falls asleep emerging in worldly matters, go and visit those lying in graves. They were, not long ago, as alive as you are; eating, drinking and enjoying life. Where are they now? They are under the mercy of their deeds, whether good or evil.
It is the every Muslim's duty to ask God refuge from the torment of the grave. It is our duty to get prepared for the grave by good deeds before entering it; when you are still alive it is easy, once you are inside the grave you would yearn for only one hasanah (good deed) but alas!
Yazid Ibn Hawsheb said that he had not seen people more in fear than Al-Hasan Al-Basrey and Umar Ibn Abdul-Aziz, as if hell was merely created for them.
Whenever death was mentioned Umar Ibn Abdul-Aziz would tremble, it was narrated that one day he read: “And, [O Muhammad], you are not [engaged] in any matter or recite any of the Qur'an and you [people] do not do any deed except that We are witness over you when you are involved in it”[Yunus 10:61]
{وَمَا تَكُونُ فِي شَأْنٍ وَمَا تَتْلُو مِنْهُ مِن قُرْآنٍ وَلَا تَعْمَلُونَ مِنْ عَمَلٍ إِلَّا كُنَّا عَلَيْكُمْ شُهُودًا إِذْ تُفِيضُونَ فِيهِ}
Transliteration: Wa Mā Takūnu Fī Sha'nin Wa Mā Tatlū Minhu Min Qur'ānin Wa Lā Ta`malūna Min `Amalin 'Illā Kunnā `Alaykum Shuhūdāan 'Idh Tufīđūna Fīhi He cried so emotionally that his family heard him, his wife, Fatima came and cried with him, his son, Abdullah saw them crying, he asked: ''O father! What makes you cry!'' he answered: ''sonny, your father would rather have never been born, by God I fear that I am of the dwellers of hell''.
Oh you intimate with life, forgetting that death is coming by, you whose heart is dark, though hearts have light, empty from inside, hey you, if you remember graves and tombs, you will stop building homes. Oh brother! You will be asked about how you had spent your days.
Dear brother! Wake up! Realize that you are soon dead. These days however long are short. Whatsoever you do, you are leaving, and you are dead. “Then have you considered if We gave them enjoyment for years (205) And then there came to them that which they were promised (206) They would not be availed by the enjoyment with which they were provided.”[Al-Shu’ara’ 26:205-207]
{أَفَرَأَيْتَ إِن مَّتَّعْنَاهُمْ سِنِينَ ﴿٢٠٥﴾ ثُمَّ جَاءَهُم مَّا كَانُوا يُوعَدُونَ ﴿٢٠٦﴾ مَا أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا يُمَتَّعُونَ}
Transliteration: 'Afara'ayta 'In Matta`nāhum Sinīna (205) Thumma Jā'ahum Mā Kānū Yū`adūna (206) Mā 'Aghná `Anhum Mā Kānū Yumatta`ūnaMay peace of God be availed on His Messenger, his household and his companions
Ya'juj Ma'juj (Gog and Magog)
The emergence of the mighty tribes of Ya'juj and Ma'juj is also a major sign of Qiyamah.
Allah says in the Qur'an, "When Ya'juj and Ma'juj are let loose (from their Barrier) and they swiftly swarm from every mound" (Surah Al-Anbiya)
Allah says in the Qur'an, " (Zulqarnain) said, 'This is a mercy from my Lord, but when the promise of my Lord comes, He shall level it down (the barrier) to the ground. And the promise of my Lord is ever true." (Surah Al-Kahf)
Zainab-b-Zahash says: "Once the Prophet awoke from such a sleep that his face was red and these words were on his tongue, "There is none worthy of worship but Allah. Destruction is upon the Arabs on account of that evil which has come close to them. Today a hole as big as this has opened in the wall of Yajuj and Ma'juj. (The Prophet indicated the size of the hole with his finger and thumb)" (Bukhari/Muslim)
In the lengthy Hadith of Nawwas-b-Saman it has been mentioned, "And Allah will send Yajuj and Ma'juj and they will come from every lofty place." (Muslim)
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Ya'juj Ma'juj and Zulqarnain
Many thousands of years ago the barbarous tribes of Yajuj and Ma'juj were imprisoned behind an iron wall built by Zulqarnayn. Referred to in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Kahf. Zulqarnayn was a Muslim Arab (fathul bari) who lived at the time of the Prophet Ibraheem and not Alexander the Great as it is commonly known. From amongst one of the four that ruled the entire world (the other three being Prophet Sulayman, Nimrod & Buktnasr) he was a pious and just king, provide with all forms of strength through which he was able to carry his conquests and missions.
Once he carried a mission in three directions, the far west, far east, and then in a northerly direction. Travelling first in the westerly direction, he conquered the lands he passed through establishing the laws of Allah therein until he reached the setting of the sun. There he met people that didn't believe in Allah. Given a choice of punishing them for their kufr or being lenient by inviting them first to Islam; he chose the latter and addressed them, ''Those evil-doers who do injustice to themselves by rejecting Allah will be punished by death in this world and the hereafter, the fire of hell is their abode. As for those who accept the invitation and believe in Allah they will be treated leniently and in the hereafter Jannah is their place of rest.''
After the journey towards the west he made preparation for the journey towards the east. Conquering the lands he passed through, establishing he laws of Allah therein. He continued travelling in the easterly direction until he reached the rising of the sun. In this area of the east he saw a nation receiving the sunshine without any obstruction and they were dealt with like the previous people in the west.
After the journey to the east he started his northern Journey, he kept on travelling until he reached the midst of two mountains, it was here he came across a tribe who complained to him about the tribes of Ya'juj and Ma'juj. Ya'juj and Ma'juj inhabited the land behind the mountains, plundered them, committed bloodshed, and then ran away. Observing Zulqarnain's power they asked to set a barrier in return for a wage for their protection from the disaster and bloodshed, which they often bore at the hands of Ya'juj Ma'juj. Refusing to accept any wealth he built an iron wall with their help which Ya'juj Ma'juj could not cross or pierce. (Qurtubi/ Ibne-Kathir)
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The wall of Zulqarnain
Many different opinions have been expressed as to the location of the iron wall of Zulqarnain. Having read many books, the best on the subject I came across was Sheikh Hifzur-Rahman's "Stories of the Qur'an" and thus have chosen to share a brief summary of what he has written.
He writes "The Yajuj Ma'juj caused destruction and blood- shed in a vast area, and because of their oppression many barriers and walls were erected in different times and places by different kings. Four being the most famous:
1) The Great Wall of China which was built by the Chinese King Fagfor 3460 years after Prophet Adam was put on the Earth.
2) The wall in central Asia near Bukhara and Tirmidh in a place called Derbent.
3) The wall in Dagistan Russia also known as Derbent near the Caspian sea.
4) The wall which is in the westerly direction to the third in the region of the Caucasus.
Because these walls were built for one purpose and are all situated in the North, it has always been very difficult to determine exactly the wall built by Zulqarnain."
He further writes, "The biggest out of the four is the great wall of China and nobody is of the opinion that this is the wall built by Zulqarnain as it is in the easterly direction while the Qur'an indicates the wall of Zulqarnain is in the Northerly direction."
Thus leaving walls 2, 3, and 4.
He writes, "Historians like Masoodi, Istakhari and Hamawi are of the opinion that the wall of Zulqamain is wall number 3 or 4. Those that have said it is wall number two have confused the issue due to the location of Derbent which is near Bukhara and also in Degistan.''
He finally writes, ''Out of two, the historians are of the opinion that it is wall 3 or 4, the master of hadith Allama Anwar Shah Kashmiri in his book Aqeeda-tul-Islam holds the opinion that the wall of Zulqarnain is wall number 4, the one in the region of Caucasus.' (Stories of the Qu'ran)
After this short summary I find myself inclined to Allama Aloosi's opinion I conclude with his words, ''We do not know the location of this wall and it is very probable that great seas and mountains stand between us and the wall, and between Ya'juj Ma'juj and the rest of the world.''
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Trying to break free
Abu Huraira (R.A.) narrated that every day Ya'juj Ma'juj try to break free through the wall of Zulqarnain until they reach the end of it to the extent that they could actually see the light on the other side. They then return home saying, ''We will break through tomorrow. '' However, Allah causes the wall to revert to its original thickness and the next day they start all over again. This process continues each day as long as Allah wills for them to remain imprisoned. When Allah wishes for them to be released, then at the end of that day they will say, ''If Allah wills, we will break through tomorrow.'' The next day they will find the wall as they left it the previous day and after breaking through the rest they will escape. (Ahmed, Tirmidhi, Ibne Majah)
Note: Some ulama have written that this hadith is weak and has been taken from the Jews as it contradicts with the verse from the Qur'an, ''They are not able to cross it or pierce it.'' ( Surah Al-Kahf)
However, if found that it is a Marfoo hadith, it still does not contradict the Qur'an as the Qur'an is referring to the time Zulqarnain built the wall and secondly the word ''naqb'' means a complete hole through which they are able to break free.
The great master of Hadith Ibne Hajr al-Askalani giving reference of Ibne Hibban and Abd- b-Humaid has mentioned this Hadith and not raised any doubt or indicated that this hadith is not Marfoo but positively mentioned that Ibne Arabi has said three miracles are evident from this Hadith and then mentioned the three miracles:
1) It never occurs to these tribes that they must continue work throughout the night. After all, they are in such large numbers that they can easily delegate the work amongst themselves and work in shifts. However, Allah does not allow this thought to occur to them.
2) It does not occur to them that they can merely cross the mountain or scale the wall, which they can do through the aid of equipment they possess in large numbers. According to a narration by Wahb-b-Munabbah it is known that these tribes are agriculturists and artisans possessing various types of equipment.
3) The thought of saying, "Insha-allah (if Allah wills)" never enters their minds and it will only occur to them when Allah wills that they be released.(Fathul-Bari)
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Myths
Many myths surround Ya'juj and Ma'juj. One being that the common people believe that Ya'juj and Ma'juj are not human beings but some kind of third being. How interesting it may be to believe that they are a third being, the reality is that they are human beings just like yourself and I, constitute nine-tenths of mankind and are from the progeny of Prophet Nuh.
The Holy Prophet said, "Ya'juj and Ma'juj are the children of Prophet Adam and not one will die until thousand are born to him.'' (Abdullah-b-Amr/Fathul-Bari).
The Messenger of Allah said, "Allah divided mankind into ten parts. Nine tenths constitute Ya'juj and Ma'juj while the remaining one tenth constitutes the rest of mankind." (Abdullah-b-Amr/Fathul-Bari).
Hadrat Abu Saeed Khudri narrates that the Messenger of Allah said, "On the Day of Judgement, Allah will tell Adamto pick out the Jahanamis from his progeny. Adam will ask, "O Allah, who are they?" Allah will say,"999 out of 1000 are Jahanamis while the one is a Jannati." On hearing this the Sahaba over taken by fear asked, "Who will the ONE Jannati be?" The Prophet replied, "Do not grieve the 999 will be Yajuj Ma'juj while you will be the one Jannati." (Bukhari/Muslim)
A second myth is that people believe that Ya'juj and Ma'juj were created from Adam without Eve (Hawa) on the basis of Ka'ab's narration, "They are from the children of Adam. That is Adam had a wet dream, the semen intermingled with the earth and they were created from that Earth." (Fathul-Bari)
It should be noted that this narration is very weak and objectionable as it is proven from many Ahadith that the Prophets of Allah do not have wet dreams because the wet dream is from the devil and the Prophets of Allah are protected from the devil.
Secondly there is a hadith which can be found in Fathul-Bari that clearly states that they are from the progeny of Prophet Nuh. The Prophet Nuh was definitely from the children of Adam and Eve.
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Physical Appearance of Ya'juj and Ma'juj
There are many different narration's regarding their appearance. These different narration's suggest that Yajuj and Ma'juj are of three types.
1) Some are as tall as the tree Arz - that is 120 ft.
2) Some are four arm lengths tall and four arm lengths wide.
3) Some spread one ear to sleep on and cover themselves with the other. Some also state that they are two spans tall and the tallest amongst them are three spans. (Fathul-Bari)
It should be noted that all the narration's above are weak and should not be taken. The authentic Ahadith like the Hadith of Nawwas-b- Saman in Muslim suggests that they are very strong and powerful people whom nobody has the power to fight. It has also been narrated that they have wide faces, small eyes, grey hair and their faces are like shields covered with skin. (Musnad Ahmad)
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Allah says in the Qur'an, "When Ya'juj and Ma'juj are let loose (from their Barrier) and they swiftly swarm from every mound" (Surah Al-Anbiya)
Allah says in the Qur'an, " (Zulqarnain) said, 'This is a mercy from my Lord, but when the promise of my Lord comes, He shall level it down (the barrier) to the ground. And the promise of my Lord is ever true." (Surah Al-Kahf)
Zainab-b-Zahash says: "Once the Prophet awoke from such a sleep that his face was red and these words were on his tongue, "There is none worthy of worship but Allah. Destruction is upon the Arabs on account of that evil which has come close to them. Today a hole as big as this has opened in the wall of Yajuj and Ma'juj. (The Prophet indicated the size of the hole with his finger and thumb)" (Bukhari/Muslim)
In the lengthy Hadith of Nawwas-b-Saman it has been mentioned, "And Allah will send Yajuj and Ma'juj and they will come from every lofty place." (Muslim)
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Ya'juj Ma'juj and Zulqarnain
Many thousands of years ago the barbarous tribes of Yajuj and Ma'juj were imprisoned behind an iron wall built by Zulqarnayn. Referred to in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Kahf. Zulqarnayn was a Muslim Arab (fathul bari) who lived at the time of the Prophet Ibraheem and not Alexander the Great as it is commonly known. From amongst one of the four that ruled the entire world (the other three being Prophet Sulayman, Nimrod & Buktnasr) he was a pious and just king, provide with all forms of strength through which he was able to carry his conquests and missions.
Once he carried a mission in three directions, the far west, far east, and then in a northerly direction. Travelling first in the westerly direction, he conquered the lands he passed through establishing the laws of Allah therein until he reached the setting of the sun. There he met people that didn't believe in Allah. Given a choice of punishing them for their kufr or being lenient by inviting them first to Islam; he chose the latter and addressed them, ''Those evil-doers who do injustice to themselves by rejecting Allah will be punished by death in this world and the hereafter, the fire of hell is their abode. As for those who accept the invitation and believe in Allah they will be treated leniently and in the hereafter Jannah is their place of rest.''
After the journey towards the west he made preparation for the journey towards the east. Conquering the lands he passed through, establishing he laws of Allah therein. He continued travelling in the easterly direction until he reached the rising of the sun. In this area of the east he saw a nation receiving the sunshine without any obstruction and they were dealt with like the previous people in the west.
After the journey to the east he started his northern Journey, he kept on travelling until he reached the midst of two mountains, it was here he came across a tribe who complained to him about the tribes of Ya'juj and Ma'juj. Ya'juj and Ma'juj inhabited the land behind the mountains, plundered them, committed bloodshed, and then ran away. Observing Zulqarnain's power they asked to set a barrier in return for a wage for their protection from the disaster and bloodshed, which they often bore at the hands of Ya'juj Ma'juj. Refusing to accept any wealth he built an iron wall with their help which Ya'juj Ma'juj could not cross or pierce. (Qurtubi/ Ibne-Kathir)
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The wall of Zulqarnain
Many different opinions have been expressed as to the location of the iron wall of Zulqarnain. Having read many books, the best on the subject I came across was Sheikh Hifzur-Rahman's "Stories of the Qur'an" and thus have chosen to share a brief summary of what he has written.
He writes "The Yajuj Ma'juj caused destruction and blood- shed in a vast area, and because of their oppression many barriers and walls were erected in different times and places by different kings. Four being the most famous:
1) The Great Wall of China which was built by the Chinese King Fagfor 3460 years after Prophet Adam was put on the Earth.
2) The wall in central Asia near Bukhara and Tirmidh in a place called Derbent.
3) The wall in Dagistan Russia also known as Derbent near the Caspian sea.
4) The wall which is in the westerly direction to the third in the region of the Caucasus.
Because these walls were built for one purpose and are all situated in the North, it has always been very difficult to determine exactly the wall built by Zulqarnain."
He further writes, "The biggest out of the four is the great wall of China and nobody is of the opinion that this is the wall built by Zulqarnain as it is in the easterly direction while the Qur'an indicates the wall of Zulqarnain is in the Northerly direction."
Thus leaving walls 2, 3, and 4.
He writes, "Historians like Masoodi, Istakhari and Hamawi are of the opinion that the wall of Zulqamain is wall number 3 or 4. Those that have said it is wall number two have confused the issue due to the location of Derbent which is near Bukhara and also in Degistan.''
He finally writes, ''Out of two, the historians are of the opinion that it is wall 3 or 4, the master of hadith Allama Anwar Shah Kashmiri in his book Aqeeda-tul-Islam holds the opinion that the wall of Zulqarnain is wall number 4, the one in the region of Caucasus.' (Stories of the Qu'ran)
After this short summary I find myself inclined to Allama Aloosi's opinion I conclude with his words, ''We do not know the location of this wall and it is very probable that great seas and mountains stand between us and the wall, and between Ya'juj Ma'juj and the rest of the world.''
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Trying to break free
Abu Huraira (R.A.) narrated that every day Ya'juj Ma'juj try to break free through the wall of Zulqarnain until they reach the end of it to the extent that they could actually see the light on the other side. They then return home saying, ''We will break through tomorrow. '' However, Allah causes the wall to revert to its original thickness and the next day they start all over again. This process continues each day as long as Allah wills for them to remain imprisoned. When Allah wishes for them to be released, then at the end of that day they will say, ''If Allah wills, we will break through tomorrow.'' The next day they will find the wall as they left it the previous day and after breaking through the rest they will escape. (Ahmed, Tirmidhi, Ibne Majah)
Note: Some ulama have written that this hadith is weak and has been taken from the Jews as it contradicts with the verse from the Qur'an, ''They are not able to cross it or pierce it.'' ( Surah Al-Kahf)
However, if found that it is a Marfoo hadith, it still does not contradict the Qur'an as the Qur'an is referring to the time Zulqarnain built the wall and secondly the word ''naqb'' means a complete hole through which they are able to break free.
The great master of Hadith Ibne Hajr al-Askalani giving reference of Ibne Hibban and Abd- b-Humaid has mentioned this Hadith and not raised any doubt or indicated that this hadith is not Marfoo but positively mentioned that Ibne Arabi has said three miracles are evident from this Hadith and then mentioned the three miracles:
1) It never occurs to these tribes that they must continue work throughout the night. After all, they are in such large numbers that they can easily delegate the work amongst themselves and work in shifts. However, Allah does not allow this thought to occur to them.
2) It does not occur to them that they can merely cross the mountain or scale the wall, which they can do through the aid of equipment they possess in large numbers. According to a narration by Wahb-b-Munabbah it is known that these tribes are agriculturists and artisans possessing various types of equipment.
3) The thought of saying, "Insha-allah (if Allah wills)" never enters their minds and it will only occur to them when Allah wills that they be released.(Fathul-Bari)
Back to content
Myths
Many myths surround Ya'juj and Ma'juj. One being that the common people believe that Ya'juj and Ma'juj are not human beings but some kind of third being. How interesting it may be to believe that they are a third being, the reality is that they are human beings just like yourself and I, constitute nine-tenths of mankind and are from the progeny of Prophet Nuh.
The Holy Prophet said, "Ya'juj and Ma'juj are the children of Prophet Adam and not one will die until thousand are born to him.'' (Abdullah-b-Amr/Fathul-Bari).
The Messenger of Allah said, "Allah divided mankind into ten parts. Nine tenths constitute Ya'juj and Ma'juj while the remaining one tenth constitutes the rest of mankind." (Abdullah-b-Amr/Fathul-Bari).
Hadrat Abu Saeed Khudri narrates that the Messenger of Allah said, "On the Day of Judgement, Allah will tell Adamto pick out the Jahanamis from his progeny. Adam will ask, "O Allah, who are they?" Allah will say,"999 out of 1000 are Jahanamis while the one is a Jannati." On hearing this the Sahaba over taken by fear asked, "Who will the ONE Jannati be?" The Prophet replied, "Do not grieve the 999 will be Yajuj Ma'juj while you will be the one Jannati." (Bukhari/Muslim)
A second myth is that people believe that Ya'juj and Ma'juj were created from Adam without Eve (Hawa) on the basis of Ka'ab's narration, "They are from the children of Adam. That is Adam had a wet dream, the semen intermingled with the earth and they were created from that Earth." (Fathul-Bari)
It should be noted that this narration is very weak and objectionable as it is proven from many Ahadith that the Prophets of Allah do not have wet dreams because the wet dream is from the devil and the Prophets of Allah are protected from the devil.
Secondly there is a hadith which can be found in Fathul-Bari that clearly states that they are from the progeny of Prophet Nuh. The Prophet Nuh was definitely from the children of Adam and Eve.
Back to content
Physical Appearance of Ya'juj and Ma'juj
There are many different narration's regarding their appearance. These different narration's suggest that Yajuj and Ma'juj are of three types.
1) Some are as tall as the tree Arz - that is 120 ft.
2) Some are four arm lengths tall and four arm lengths wide.
3) Some spread one ear to sleep on and cover themselves with the other. Some also state that they are two spans tall and the tallest amongst them are three spans. (Fathul-Bari)
It should be noted that all the narration's above are weak and should not be taken. The authentic Ahadith like the Hadith of Nawwas-b- Saman in Muslim suggests that they are very strong and powerful people whom nobody has the power to fight. It has also been narrated that they have wide faces, small eyes, grey hair and their faces are like shields covered with skin. (Musnad Ahmad)
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