Remaining steadfast after Ramadhaan-Shaykh Fawzaan hafidhahullaah.

Sufyaan Ibn 'Abdillaah  said: "O Messenger of Allaah , tell me something about Islaam of which I will not ask anyone else besides you (after that)." He said: "Say: 'I believe in Allaah' and then be steadfast (upon that)." [1] 

This hadeeth is proof that the servant is obligated, after having Eemaan in Allaah, to persevere and be steadfast upon obeying Him by performing the obligatory acts and avoiding the prohibited ones. This is achieved by following the Straight Path, which is the firm Religion, without drifting away from it to the right or to the left. 

If a Muslim lived through Ramadaan and spent its days in fasting and its nights in prayer, and in that month he accustomed himself to doing acts of good, then he must continue to remain upon this obedience to Allaah at all times (after that). This is the true state of the servant (‘abd), for indeed, the Lord of the months is One and He is ever watchful and witnessing His servants at all times. 

Indeed, steadfastness after Ramadaan and the rectification of one's statements and actions are the greatest signs that one has gained benefit from the month of Ramadaan and that he struggled in obedience. They are tokens of acceptance and signs of success. 

Furthermore, the deeds of a servant do not come to an end with the end of a month and the beginning of another. Rather they continue and extend until one reaches death, for Allaah says: “And worship your Lord until the certainty (i.e. death) comes to you.” [2] 

If the fasting of Ramadaan comes to an end, then indeed the voluntary fasting is still prescribed throughout the entire year, and all praise is due to Allaah. If standing in prayer at night during Ramadaan comes to an end, then indeed, the entire year is a time for performing the night prayer. And if the Zakaat-ul-Fitr comes to an end, then there is still the Zakaah that is obligatory as well as the voluntary charity that lasts the whole year. This goes the same for reciting the Qur'aan and pondering over its meaning as well as every other righteous deed that is desirable, for they can be done at all times. From the many bounties that Allaah has bestowed upon His servants is that He has placed for them many different types of acts of worship and He provided many means for doing good deeds. Therefore, the enthusiasm and the zeal of the Muslim must be constant and he must continue to remain in the service of his Master. 

It is unfortunate to find some people performing worship by doing different types of righteous acts during Ramadaan – they guard strictly their five daily prayers in the masjid, they recite the Qur’aan abundantly and they give in charity from their money. But when Ramadaan comes to an end, they grow lazy in their worship. Rather, sometimes they even abandon the obligations, both generally, such as praying in congregation, and specifically, such as praying the Fajr prayer! 

And they (even) commit forbidden acts such as sleeping over the time of prayers, indulging in places of foolishness and entertainment, and mingling in parks, especially on the day of 'Eed! Obtaining help from these evils is only through the Grace of Allaah. Thus, they demolish what they have constructed and they destroy what they have established. This is an indication of deprivation and a sign of perdition. We ask Allaah for His safeguarding and protection! 

Indeed, these types of people take the example of turning in repentance and ceasing from committing evil deeds as something specific and restricted to (only) the month of Ramadaan. So they stop doing these (good) acts when the month stops. Thus, it is as if they have abandoned sinning for the sake of Ramadaan, and not out of fear for Allaah! How evil are these people who do not know Allaah except in Ramadaan! 

Truly, the success that Allaah grants His servant lies in the fasting of Ramadaan. And Allaah’s assisting him to do that is a great blessing. Thus this calls for the servant to be grateful to his Lord. And this understanding can be found in Allaah’s saying, after having completed the favor of the month of fasting: 

"(He wants that you) must compete the same number of days, and that you must magnify Allaah (by saying Allaahu Akbar) for having guided you, so that you may be grateful to Him." [3] 

So the one who is grateful for having fasted, he will remain upon that condition and continue to perform righteous deeds. 

Indeed, the true manner of a Muslim is that of one who praises and thanks his Lord for having been bestowed the ability to fast and make qiyaam (night prayer). His condition after Ramadaan is better than it was before Ramadaan. He is more ready to obey, desiring to do good deeds and quick to implement the obligatory acts. This is since he has acquired benefit from this prominent institute of learning. It is that of one who fears for having his fast not accepted, for indeed Allaah only accepts from those who have Taqwaa. 

The righteous predecessors would struggle to complete and perfect their deeds, hoping afterwards, that it would be accepted and fearing that it would be rejected. From the reports of 'Alee is that he said: "Be more concerned with having your deeds accepted than with the deed itself. Did you not hear Allaah say: 'Verily Allaah, only accepts from those who have Taqwaa?' [4]" [5] 

'Aa'ishah said: "I asked the Messenger of Allaah concerning the ayah: 'And those who give away that which they give (i.e. charity and other good deeds), while their hearts tremble with fear.' Are they the ones who drink alcohol and steal?" He said: "No, O daughter of As-Siddeeq. But rather, they are the ones who fast and pray and give in charity, yet fear that it won't be accepted from them. They are the ones who rush to do good deeds and they are the first to do them." [6] 

So be warned and again be warned – of turning backward after having attained guidance, of going astray after persevering! And ask Allaah to provide you with endurance in doing righteous deeds and continuity in performing good acts. And ask Allaah that He grant you a good end, in order that He may accept our Ramadaan from us. 

Footnotes: 

[1] Saheeh Muslim (no. 38) 
[2] Surat-ul-Hijr: 99 
[3] Surat-ul-Baqarah: 185 
[4] Surat-ul-Maa'idah: 27 
[5] Lataa'if-ul-Ma'aarif (pg. 246) 
[6] Reported by At-Tirmidhee and authenticated by Al-Albaanee in his Saheeh checking of it: (3/79-80)

Author: 'Abdullaah Ibn Saalih Al-Fawzaan 
Source: Ahaadeeth As-Siyaam: Ahkaam wa Adaab (pg. 155-157) 

Strive hard after Ramadhaan!

Imam Abdirisaq - TaHa (Taraweh Prayer at Dar-ul Hijra)

Beautiful recitation of Surah An Najm. Recitation style Khalaf

Surah Al `Alaa. Maa shaaAllaah.

Repentance

Repentance: is beloved to Allaah, as He says: "Verily, Allaah loves those who repent and those who purify themselves." [Surah Al-Baqarah: 222]

Repentance: means turning back from disobeying Allaah to obeying Him.

Repentance: is an obligation on every believer. Allaah says: "O you who believe! Turn to Allaah in sincere repentance!" [Surah At-Tahreem: 8]

Repentance: is from the means of attaining success.  Allaah says: "And O believers, all of you, repent to Allaah in order that you may be successful." [Surah An-Noor: 31] Success is when someone gets what he is looking for and is saved from what he is running from.

Through Sincere Repentance: Allaah forgives sins no matter how big they are and no matter how many they are.  Allaah says: "Say: O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (because of sins), do not despair from the mercy of Allaah.  Verily, Allaah forgives all sins.  Verily, He is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Surah Az-Zumar: 53] 

O my brother who has fallen into sins, do not despair from the mercy of your Lord, for indeed the door to repentance is open until the sun rises from the west.  The Prophet SallAllahu alayhi wa salam said: "Verily, Allaah extends His hand out at night in order to accept the repentance of the sinner by day.  And He extends His hand out during the day in order to accept the repentance of the sinner by night, until (the day) when the sun will rise from its west." [Reported by Muslim] 

And how many people have repented to Allaah from numerous and enormous sins and Allaah has accepted their repentance?  Allaah says: "And those who do not supplicate to another god along with Allaah, nor do they kill a person that Allaah has made forbidden (to kill) except with just cause, nor do they commit fornication.  And whoever does this shall receive the punishment.  The torment will be doubled for him on the Day of Resurrection and he will abide therein in disgrace.  Except those who repent and believe and do righteous deeds, for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds.  And Allaah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Surah Al-Furqaan: 68-70]

Sincere Repentance: must meet five conditions (in order to be accepted), which are:

1.     Sincerity to Allaah, the Most High: This is by the person doing it only for the sake of Allaah and seeking His reward and salvation from His punishment.

2.     Remorse: for the sin that was committed, such that he is sad he did it and wishes he had never done it.

3.     Ceasing: to commit the sin immediately.  If the sin was against Allaah, then he should (1) stop doing it if it was an unlawful act, or (2) hasten to do it if it was an obligation that he abandoned doing.  And if the sin was against a created being (such as humans), then he should hasten to free himself from it, whether by returning it back to him or seeking his forgiveness and pardon.

4.     Determination: to not go back to doing that sin again in the future.

5.     The repentance should not occur before the time when its acceptance is terminated, either by death or by the sun rising from the west.  Allaah says: "Repentance is of no effect for those who commit sins constantly until when death faces one of them, he says: Verily I repent now."The Prophet SallAllahu alayhi wa salam  said: "Whoever repents before the sun rises from its west, Allaah will accept his repentance." [Reported by Muslim]

O Allaah, grant us the sincere repentance and accept it from us, verily You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.

Written by Muhammad Ibn Saalih Ibn 'Uthaymeen(Rahimahullaah)

4/17/1406

Different levels of Innovation by Sheikh Rabee' (hafidhahullaah)

Question:

Is there a difference between the innovation that is considered a sin and the innovation that takes a person outside the fold of Islaam?

Answer:

Yes; there is innovation that takes a person outside the fold of Islaam such as denying that Allaah will be seen in the afterlife, denying that Allaah is above His creation, making supplication to other than Allaah, sacrificing to other than Allaah, these are all types of innovation that take a person outside the fold of Islaam, but we don’t declare a person to be outside the fold of Islaam until we have established the proof against him.

This is because some of the people have had the doubts heaped upon them and they are far removed from the era of the Prophethood and far removed from the light of Prophethood. As a result they fall into innovations such as these; and these innovations take the person outside the fold of Islaam. We say, denying that Allaah will be seen in the afterlife is disbelief, as is denying that Allaah is above His creation, and claiming that the Quraan is created is also disbelief, major disbelief.

But as for the one who says, I bear witness that no one has the right to be worshipped except and Allaah and Muhammad [sallallaahu `alayhee wa salaam] is the Messenger of Allaah and he prays and he fasts and he desires paradise and he believes in it etc, then perhaps some of the doubts of the people of falsehood came to him and piled up upon him until he fell into the aforementioned innovations.

Then we say to him, you fell into disbelief and the proof is this and that and we make it clear to him. So if Allaah gives him the success to return to the truth then all praises belong to Allaah, if not then we will say he is a disbeliever only after the proof has been established against him. As for the innovation that is sin then it is different than this.

For example I see him with rosary beads (dhikr beads) these rosary beads, oh my brothers, there origin is taken from the Christians and the Hindus! These beads are something which is foreign to the Muslims. Who were they taken from? (They were) taken from the Hindus and the Christians, the Christians took them from the Hindus. And I have seen for myself a Christian monk wearing these beads and a Hindu monk wearing these beads and they were using these beads and now the innovators from the Muslims have taken these beads from them. And other than this from the different types of innovations such as the different types of remembrance that have in them deviation from what is correct as for these types of innovations we don’t say they remove someone from the fold of Islaam. We don’t say that a person has left Islaam except with proof, and we don’t say that a person is a sinner (fasiq) except with proof. So although it is bid'ah you don’t automatically make him a sinner because of it, but he becomes a sinner after it has been made clear to him and he stays upon this bid'ah then he becomes a sinner (fasiq).

Fatwa by Shaykh Rabee' ibn Haadee Al-Madhkalee (hafidhahullaah)

Translated by Abu Qayla Rasheed Barbee

LINK: http://rabee.net

Fahd al-Kanderi: Surah Al-Fajr, Al-Balad, Ash-Shams, Al-Lail, Ad-Dhuha

abdirahman sh abdirashid sh ali sufi

The blessings of marriage according to the Sunnah

Yahyâ b. Yahyâ Al-NaysâbûrÎ reports:

I was once with Sufyân b. ‘Uyainah – Allah have mercy on him, when a man came to him and said, “O Abû Muhammad, I complain to you of so-and-so”, meaning his wife, “I am the lowest and most despicable thing to her.” [Sufyân] lowered his head for a few moments, then said, “Perhaps you wanted her in order to better your status.” The man said, “Indeed, o Abû Muhammad.” Sufyân said, “Whoever goes for glory will be tried with ignominy, whoever goes for wealth will be tried with poverty, but whoever goes for religiousness, Allah will bring together for him glory and wealth with the religion.” He then started to narrate to him:

We were four brothers: Muhammad, ‘Umrân, IbrâhÎm and I. Muhammad was the eldest, ‘Umrân was the youngest, and I was in the middle. When Muhammad wanted to marry, he desired status and married a woman of higher standing, so Allah tried him with ignominy. ‘Umrân desired wealth, so he married a richer woman and Allah tried him with poverty: [her family] took everything from him and gave him nothing.

I pondered their situation. Mu’ammar b. Râshid once came to us so I consulted him on the situation and told him the story of my brothers. He reminded me of the hadÎth of Yahyâ b. Ja’dah and the hadÎth of ‘Â`ishah. The hadÎth of Yahyâ b. Ja’dah states that the Prophet – Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – said, “A woman is married for four things: her religion, her status (lineage), her wealth or her beauty; so take the religious one and be successful.” The hadÎth of ‘Â`ishah states that the Prophet – Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – said, “The most blessed woman is she who is easiest to maintain.”

Thus, I chose [to marry a woman of] religion and modest dowry, in accordance with the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger – Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, and Allah gave me status and wealth along with the religion.

Abû Nu’aym, Hilyatu Al-Awliyâ` 7:289, 290.

Note
The first hadÎth is recorded by Al-BukhârÎ and Muslim. The second is found in Al-Nasâ`Î and other collections but has been graded weak by scholars including Shaykh Al-AlbânÎ. However, scholars point out there is another narration that supports and adds to its meaning. This hadÎth states:
It is from the blessing in a woman that she has an easy dowry, an easy proposal [via her guardian] and an easy womb (i.e. she is fertile and bares children without difficulty). One of the reporters of this narration, ‘Urwah, said “And I say from myself, one of the first signs of evil from a woman is for her to have a high dowry.”
This hadÎth is recorded by Imâm Ahmad and others and is graded hasan by Shaykh Al-AlbânÎ.

http://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/index.php/the-blessings-of-marriage-according-to-the-sunnah/

Regarding the saying of "Mabrook"

Regarding the saying of "Mabrook"

"It is allowable to make a supplication for a person that they be blessed.

The correct way to do this is to say: 'Baaraka Allaahu laka' or 'Baarka Allaahu 'alayka' and 'hadhal amr mubaarak'.

The expression that is common upon the tongues of the general people is 'Mabrook 'ala fulaan' (may so and so be knelt upon); this is a blatant mistake and in opposition to the correct usage of the word in the Arabic language.

Mabrook comes from the verb Baraka and Mubaarak comes from the verb Baaraka, so don't use the word Mabrook; alternatively, use Mubaarak because it comes from Baaraka as we stated. The common people don't intend by their saying: 'Mabrook alayhi' to supplicate that this person be knelt upon, but this expression is incorrect, as they want to make a supplication for the person that they be blessed. So it is said 'Baaraka Allaahu alayka'... and 'Az-Zawaaj Mubaarak' (Allaah willing, the marriage will be blessed)."

From Shaykh Ubayd aj-Jaabiree's Explanation of the Three Fundamental Principles : page 113-114

Etiquette of a Righteous Husband‏

Khutbah from Shaykh ‘Abdul Muhsin Al-Qasim, Imaam of Masjid An-Nabawee

Whoever comes from a kind and compassionate background will have a tender heart and so such men must bear in mind that their wife is the one who gave birth to his children, takes care of his wealth and maintains his secrets. So be kind to your wives and openly express your joy for smiling livens the heart and wipes away hatred and praising the wife for her appearance, cooking and adornment wins her heart. Moreover, Islaam has allowed husbands to lie to their wives in order to increase the love between them.

• Exchanging gifts is the key to winning a heart and is a reflection of ones love.
• Being easy upon ones wife, abandoning ambiguity and bad communication and arrogance are ways to achieve a lasting happy marital life. ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “A man should be like a child with his wife, happy and easy going, but when he sits with men, he should act as they do.”
• Be an upright and straightforward man and your wife will thereby also improve and become more righteous, by the will of Allaah;
• do not look at that which is unlawful for you to do so, because the evil consequences of this sin will impact upon your house; Watching women on satellite television causes ones wife to appear ugly and unpleasant, and lowers ones rank in her sight, which is a reason why hearts become distant and love diminishes, which in turn causes conflicts to emerge.
• Deal with your wife as you would like her to deal with you in all areas, because it is natural that she would like you to be with her as you would like her to be with you, Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “I like to take care of my appearance for my wife just as I would like her to beautify herself for me.”
• Listen to your wife’s criticism with an open mind and heart because the wives of the Prophetsallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, would to discuss his opinions without him becoming angry.
• Also a husband should not take from his wife’s wealth without her permission, because it belongs to her;
• treat her kindly and be generous with her and do not be stingy; remember that your wife likes to talk to you regarding all her affairs, so be attentive and listen to her, indeed this is a reflection of perfect manners;
• never go home with a gloomy face because your children need to clearly see your love and sympathy; be kind to your children and make them enjoy your presence, guidance and instructions and always listen to them. Whenever the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallamwould see Faatimah, may Allaah be pleased with her, he would say “Welcome, O my daughter!” then he would seat her to his right or left. (Muslim).

Being kind to the members of ones household reflects real manhood, as Al-Baraa’, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “I entered upon Abu Bakr, may Allaah be pleased with him, in his house; he saw his daughter ‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, lying down with a fever, so Abu Bakr, may Allaah be pleased with him, kissed her on the cheek and asked: ‘How are you feeling my daughter?’ (Bukhaari).

Helping at home is a sign of ones faithfulness; ‘Aa’ishah may Allaah be pleased with her, was asked what the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam would do while at home, she replied, ‘He was just like any other human being, he would sew his garment, milk the sheep and serve himself.’ (Ahmad).

Being generous with ones family is the best charity that one can give and time spent with ones friends should not be at the expense of that with ones family, for they are worthier to spend ones time with.

• Never remind your wife with mistakes that she may have made, nor hint about her shortcomings;
• conceal your problems from the children because it has a negative affect on them and reduces the respect they have towards their parents.
• Anger is the cause of all disputes, and the relation between a man and his wife is far too valuable to ruin in a moment of anger; remain silent whenever you become upset and remember that forgiveness is closer to piety and wisdom, ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “Women should be kept at home and their anger dealt with by remaining quiet.”

Surah Maryam- CabdilHakim Ali Suufi

Praying Taraweeh as well as Tahajjud in the Masjid

7. Question: Could we still pray our tahajjud prayers in the last third of the night after we pray Taraaweeh and the Witr prayers in the masjid, or should we postpone our witr until after the last third?

Answer: It depends, if you are praying in the masjid and the Imaam is doing the witr, it is better for you to do the witr with him and when you return home you don’t pray the witr but you pray two raka’aat, two raka’aat etc. However, if you are praying behind an Imaam who doesn’t do the witr at Taraaweeh but he does the witr at Tahajjud it is better for you to do the Taraaweeh with him, and if you want to do more raka’aat when you go home, you do more and then return to Tahajjud with them (in the masjid) and do the Tahajjud and the witr there. If you cannot return for any reason you do whatever raka’aat you can do and then you do the witr on your own.

My advice is to always try and be in the masjid, as Imaam Ahmad in the book Masaail Abu Daawūd mentioned that Abu Daawūd as-Sajistani the imaam of the Sunan said “I asked Ahmad ibn Hanbal, is it more beloved to you that the man stands in his house in the last third of the night in Ramadaan or that he stands with the people in the masjid?” He (Ahmad ibn Hanbal) said, “No, the Sunnah of the Muslims is more beloved to me”, meaning that he prays in the masjid with the Believers. And ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab رضي الله عنه after he gathered the people with Ubayy ibn Ka’ab to lead them in Taraaweeh he came and said:

نعم البدعة هذه والتي ينامون عنها خير من التي يقومون

“What a great bid’ah” – meaning here the linguistic meaning it does not mean bid’ah in the religion because the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had previously done the Taraaweeh – and then he said “and the one that sleeps at this time is better than the one who is doing it now”[29] which means that the prayer in last third of the night is better than praying at the beginning of the night, but if the people are sleeping this is good although some people say there is no sleeping as it is not from the sunnah. I do not know from where they get these statements as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not specify certain times nor did he say “don’t sleep”. However, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that “whoever prays at night and falls asleep let him go to sleep” [30] meaning he gets rest and when he awakes he continues, so how can they say that one cannot sleep?

It is better that it is in the last third (of the night). If all the people of the mosque agree to pray ‘Eeshaa then go home and return in the last third of the night this would be better, but if they cannot because some people are busy or some cannot stay awake then why don’t they pray at the beginning of the night, especially there in the West. We here in the East and especially in Saudi Arabia, the king Jazaahullaahu Khairan (may Allaah reward him) has given holidays to everyone Jazaahullaahu Khairan to allow them to be free for worshipping in the last ten nights of Ramadaan. May Allaah reward him for all whom he gave holidays to, whether they worship or they don’t – May Allaah reward him (on behalf of) all of them based on his intention. But in the West there isn’t this (free) time – the people are working and tomorrow morning they have to work and they go early in the morning. We cannot say “No, you have to stay awake all night.” Let them pray if they can stand for an hour before Fajr – that is best and if they cannot then they can do Taraaweeh after ‘Eeshaa together in the masjid and witr and then go to sleep. After that whoever awakes he may pray two raka’aat, two raka’aat as much as he likes. Wallaahu A’lam. 

Shaykh Muhammad Al-Malkee

Source: www.albaseerah.org

The pleasures of this World‏

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen `rahimahullah said:"The more people increase in comfort and luxury and the more they open up before the people [with the Dunya], the more evils will open up before them. It is comfort and luxury that destroys a person. 

Because if a person was to concern himself with comfort and luxury and providing enjoyment to his body, he will become negligent of providing enjoyment to his heart, and his greatest worry will become providing enjoyment to this body that is doomed to become worms and rotten.

This is the ordeal, and this is what has harmed people today. 

You can hardly find anyone except that they say: "What is our palace? What is our car? What is our furniture? What is our food?" Even those who study [Islamic] knowledge, some of them only study in order to gain rank or status to reach the blessings of the Dunya. As if man was not created for a significant purpose. The Dunya and its blessings are only a means, nothing more. We ask Allah to make us and you use it as a means.

Ibn Taimiyyah,rahimahullah,said: "A person should use money as he uses a donkey to ride, and as he uses the toilet to relieve himself."These are the ones who know money and its value. So do not make money your greatest worry, rather ride on money, for if you do not ride on it, it will ride on you, and your worry will become the Dunya.

For this, we say, that the more the Dunya opens up before the people, and they end up concerning themselves with it, they will lose as much of the Akhira as they have gained from the Dunya. The Prophet `sallAllahu alaihi wa sallam said: "By Allah, I am not afraid of your poverty," meaning I am not afraid of poverty for you, for the Dunya will open up before you, "but I am afraid that you will lead a life of luxury as past nations did, whereupon you will compete with each other for it, as they competed for it, and it will destroy you as it destroyed them." [Bukhari & Muslim].

The Messenger `sallAllahu alaihi wa sallam spoke the truth. 

This is what has destroyed the people today. What has destroyed the people today, is their competing with one another for the Dunya, and them being as if they were only created for it, and not it created for them. So they have preoccupied themselves with what was created for them over what they were created for. This is backwardness. We ask Allah for protection." 

Explanation of Riyadh-us-Saliheen [Chapter 10: Hastening to do Good Deeds, Hadeeth #92]

Large Dower Price

Question: What is your opinion of the large dowers and expensive parties and honeymoons that cost a great deal of money? Does the Shariah approve of such things? 

Answer:

Having very expensive dowers and extravagant wedding parties is something that goes against the Shariah . The marriage which has the greatest blessing is the one with lesser financial burden. Any time the burdens are lessened, the blessings are increased.
This is a matter that is many times caused by women. Women are the ones that often insist upon their husbands to set very high dower [for their daughter]. If a lesser dower is offered, they will say their daughter is deserving of such and such. Furthermore, expensive and luxurious wedding parties are prohibited by the Shariah . they fall under the command of the verse.

''But be not extravagant. Verily, He loves not those who are extravagant (Surah Al- Anam 7:141)

Again, many times it is the women who force their husbands to do such things. They say that so and so's party they had this and that. However, such gatherings must be according to the Shariah .The person should not spend what is beyond his means. He must also never be extravagant for Allah has prohibited extravagance.

'' Verily, He loves not those who are extravagant . (Surah Al- Anam 7:141)

Honeymoons are worse and even more evil. This is because they are an imitation of the non-Muslims. They are a waste of lots of wealth. It also leads to people being lax with respect to their religious duties when such honeymoons take place in non- Muslim areas. The people come back with customs and behaviour that are harmful for them and for the Muslim community . This is something that is to be feared for the Ummah . However there is no harm, Allah Willing, if a man travels with his wife to make Umrah or to visit Madinah.

Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen

[Islamic Fatawa Regarding Women - Darussalam Pg. 193-194]

Juhany surat yasin VERY EMOTIONAL

MATRIMONY AT AN EARLY AGE AND ITS BENEFITS

MATRIMONY AT AN EARLY AGE AND ITS BENEFITS: SHAYKH FOWZAN

Taken from: ISLAAM’S SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEMS FACING TODAY’S YOUTH, Pgs. 44-48

From among the benefits of getting married at an early age is the obtaining of children, which make the youth delighted at their presence.

Allah says:

And those who say: “Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders for the Muttaqûn ” (pious – see V.2:2 and the footnote of V.3:164).” (Al-Furqan 25:74)

Wives and children are a deligh; Allah prmised that marriage brings about pleasure. This pleasure encourages and persuades the youth to take an interest in matrimony.

This is also similar to how Allah mentioned that childred are a share of this world’s beauty.

Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds (five compulsory prayers, deeds of Allâh’s obedience, good and nice talk, remembrance of Allâh with glorification, praises and thanks, etc.), that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope. (Al-Kahf 18:46)

Therefore, this world is adorned by children. The human-being seeks out adornment the same ways he tries to obtain wealth. Similarly, he craves for children, because they are equal to wealth in their existence. This is in this world. Then in the hereafter, righteous children can benefit their fathers as the Prophet sallalahu ‘alayhe wasallam said:

“Whenever the son of Adam dies his action stop except three: Knowledge that benefits people, a recurring charity, and a righteous child that supplicates for his parent .”

(Hadeeth Saheeh, Collected by Muslim #1631)

The second benefit of matrimony at an early age is that it produces children increasing the Muslim Ummah and Islaamic society. The Prophet sallalahu ‘alayhe wasallam said

“Marry the loving and fertile, for verily I want to have the largest Ummah on the Day of Resurrection.”

[Hadeeth Saheeh, Collected by Abu Dawud in his Sunnan (#2050), An-Nisa'i in his Sunnan As-Sughara (#3227), Al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak (#2/162), and Ibn Hibban in his Saheeh (#4057), Al-Baghawee in his Sharh-us-Sunnah (#9/17), Al-Bayhaqee in his Sunnan AL-Kubara (#7/81) on the authority of Ma'qal Ibn Yasaar. Graded Saheeh by Al-Albani in his checking of Abu Dawud.] 

Great blessing result from marriage. From among them are the ones we previously mentioned. So if these virtues and blessings are explained to the adolscents, then the fallacious problems that hinder people from getting married will disappear.

As for the saying that, getting married at an early age diverts from gaining knowledge and from studying, this is not the case. Rather, the opposite of this is correct because tranquility, peace of mind, and pleasure never cease to be obtained through marriage. These things help the student to reach his goal because, he has peace of mind, and his thoughts are not cluttered due to discomfort and this helps him study.

Now on the other hand abstaining from marriage in reality blocks whatever knowledge he wants to attain, because it is not possible to acquire knowledge in a state of confusion and anxiety. However, if he gets married, his mind is at rest and his soul is at ease. He gets a house to take as a shelter and a wife who relaxes and helps him. These things help him to attain knowledge.

If Allah makes it easy and this marraige becomes a source of comfot to become a relationship, then this is from among the things which make it easy for the student to pursue knowledge. Matrimony does not block the path to knowledge as some believe. For that reason, having children is an enormous blessing in this life and in the next.

As for the statement that marriage at an early age burdens the adolsecent to supply provisions for his children, wife and other responsibilities, this also is not correct. Along with marriage comes blessings and well-being. Matrimony is obedience to Allah and His Messenger sallalahu ‘alayhe wasallam and there is good in every act of obedience. So if the youth gets married following the orders of the Prophet sallalahu ‘alayhe wasallam by seeking the blessings that have been promised with the correct intentions, then this marriage will be a reason for his blessings. The provisions are in the hands of Allah.

Allah, the Mighty and Majestic states:

وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِي الأَرْضِ إِلاَّ عَلَى اللّهِ رِزْقُهَا

And no (moving) living creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allâh.

(Hud 11:6)

Consequently, if Allah makes it easy for you to get married, then He will make providing for your children easy.

نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكُمْ وَإِيَّاهُمْ

We provide sustenance for you and for them. (Al-An’am 6:151)

Marriage does not burden the young man above his ability as some of the people think. Marriage brings benefits and blessings. Matrimony is a necessary Sunnah of Allah for the human-being. Matrimony is not a horrible nightmare. It is only a door from the doors of righteousness for the person with the correct intention.

As for the excuses about the obstacles placed in the path of marriage, then this is from their evil behavior. Marriage in itself does not require such things as a plump dowry, parties which amount to more than required or other expenses with no authority from Allah. Rather, what is required is a wedding with ease.

Hence, it is a duty to clarify to the people that these extravagances placed in the path to a wedding bring about evil consequences for their sons and daughters. These extravagances are not from their well-being. Therefore, it is a must to remedy these problems, so that matrimony can return to its ease and convenience.

We ask Allah the Glorious and Most High to grant us the safety of success, guidance and to rectify the condition of all of us. We ask Allah to rectify the Muslim youth and to return the Muslims to their rank and honor the same way Allah gave the Muslim honor before. We ask Allah to return this honor and to rectify the Muslims state.

Allah says the Most High:

وَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَكِنَّالْمُنَافِقِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

But honour, power and glory belong to Allâh, His Messenger (Muhammad Sallalahu ‘Alayhe Wasallam), and to the believers, but the hypocrites know not. (Al-Munafiqun 63:8)

We ask Allah to give the Muslims insight in their religion and to protect them from the evil of their enemies. Peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, his family and all his companions. Praise be to Allah.

Taken From aa.trinimuslims.com

Via: aloloom.wordpress