Sania Mirza as a brand ambassador of Telangana

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/countering-a-divisive-agenda/article6254913.ece

Countering a divisive agenda

It is easy to dismiss as a needless controversy the opposition from a Bharatiya Janata Party legislator to the appointment of tennis star Sania Mirza as a brand ambassador of the young State of Telangana, but one cannot afford to ignore the implications of his perverse remarks concerning her very nationality. By describing her as a ‘daughter-in-law of Pakistan’ because she is married to a Pakistani national, K. Lakshman, the floor leader of the BJP in the Telangana Assembly, was both questioning her ‘Indian-ness’ and insinuating that she has incurred some sort of disqualification for promoting his State because of her marriage. The fact that Ms. Mirza had to publicly avow her loyalty to India is not something our society can be proud of. The BJP leadership has, rightly, distanced itself from Mr. Lakshman’s remarks, but such issues have a tendency to find a resonance among fringe elements in the party and its cohorts. Questions are already being raised about Ms. Mirza’s suitability for the position, her residential status, and loyalty to the nation. While it is legitimate to suggest that other Hyderabad-based sporting icons such as V.V.S. Laxman and Saina Nehwal are also well-suited to represent the Telangana brand, there is little reason to question the State government’s choice, on communal grounds. However, by introducing a 1956 cut-off date to decide who among Hyderabad domiciles will be entitled to government benefits and schemes, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi regime may also have provided the context for a needless scrutiny of Ms. Mirza’s domiciliary status, forcing her to assert that her family has had links with Hyderabad for over a hundred years.

The plight of Ms. Mirza is a mere symptom of a larger malaise creeping into public life. It is the assertion of a distasteful combination of ultra-nationalism and communalism. It is doubtful if the question of divided loyalties would have been raised in the case of a non-Muslim person marrying a foreigner. And outside the nationalist and political domain, the issue also has a gender dimension. Looking at women as ‘daughters-in-law’ of another society after they marry outside it is an unsavoury example of an entrenched discriminatory mindset. It is quite unlikely that an Indian sportsman married to a woman from another country would have been described as that country’s ‘son-in-law’. Belligerent elements are finding means to mask their agenda, behind public issues that arise from time to time. The BJP in the Narendra Modi era has to decide whether it will continue to suffer the polarising tactics of some its members and its extended parivar, or intervene to arrest the retrogressive trend. No responsible leadership can afford to allow fringe elements to indulge in divisive behaviour.

(Courtesy: The Hindu dated 28th July 2014) 

Alas Tamil Scholar Janab Nainar Mohammed is no more.

Assalamu Alaikum

It is shocking to know that Janab Nainar Mohammed, a great Tamil scholar who served as a Tamil professor and principal of Jamal Mohammed College and enriched the Tamil language by his tongue and pen, is no more. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon. One feels that it is not his end but a passing away to the permanent abode. Insha Allah he will live in the hearts of people for long and Allah will continue to bless him as he has worked for the people. Allah's promise is that He loves those who love His creations. May Allah rest his soul in peace and give him Jannathul firdouse. Aameen.

I convey my heart felt condolences to the members of his bereaved family. 

V.M. Khaleelur Rahman,

Ambur 

Ramadan Kareem - one hadith daily - hadith on righteousness

Abu Hurairah, radiyallahu 'anhu, reported that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, said:

“Verily Allah the Exalted is pure. He does not accept but that which is pure. Allah commands the believers with what He commanded the Messengers. Allah the Almighty has said: "O you Messengers! Eat of the good things and act righteously" [23:51-53]. And Allah the Almighty also said: "O you who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided you with" [2:167-172].
Then he (the Prophet) mentioned (the case of) the man who, having journeyed far, is dishevelled and dusty and who stretches out his hands to the sky (saying): "O Lord! O Lord!" (while) his food was unlawful, his drink was unlawful, his clothing was unlawful, and he is nourished with unlawful things, so how can he be answered?”

(Courtesy: Fortyhadith.com) 

TAMIL NADU CHIEF MINISTER MS. J. JAYALALITHAA OPPOSES SANSKRIT WEEK

http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/jayalalithaa-opposes-sanskrit-week-celebrations-in-schools-writes-letter-to-pm-561249?curl=1405775399

Jayalalithaa Opposes Sanskrit Week Celebrations in Schools, Writes Letter to PM

Associated Press

File photo of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa

Chennai:  Taking strong exception to Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) Sanskrit Week celebrations in schools under its ambit next month, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today said it would be appropriate to have organised a 'Classical Language Week' in each state based on its linguistic heritage. (Read full letter here)

As per the communication sent by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), while the celebrations would be conducted by CBSE, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in all states between August 7th and 13th, state governments have also been requested to organise such events at the State, District and other levels. (Sanskrit Week: Tamil Nadu Schools Unhappy, Students Divided)

"Tamil Nadu has a rich cultural heritage based on the ancient Tamil language. There has also been a strong social justice and language movement in the state. Hence, any official celebration of 'Sanskrit week' in Tamil Nadu is highly inappropriate," Ms Jayalalithaa said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"It would have been much more appropriate to have organised a Classical Language Week in each state based on the linguistic heritage" she said and requested Mr Modi to advise officials to suitably modify the directive to enable each state, including the CBSE schools, to organise celebrations in tune with the language and culture of the state.

"This would be in keeping with the cultural and linguistic sensitivities in a diverse country like ours", she said.

(Courtesy: NDTV) 

Ramadan Mubarak- one hadith daily - Live in this world as a stranger or a traveller....

On the authority of Ibn 'Umar, radiyallahu 'anhuma, who said: The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, took me by the shoulder and said:

"Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler/wayfarer."
Ibn 'Umar used to say:
"When evening comes, do not expect (to live till) morning, and when morning comes, do not expect (to live till) evening. Take from your health (a preparation) for your illness, and from your life for your death."

[Al-Bukhari]

(Courtesy: Fortyhadith.com) 

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Ramadan Kareem - one hadith daily - Hadith on belief

On the authority of Abu 'Amr, though others call him Abu 'Amrah Sufyan bin 'Abdullah, radiyallahu anhu, who said:

I said: "O Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam which I could not ask anyone about save you." He answered: "Say: 'I believe in Allah', and then stand firm and steadfast."

[Muslim]

Courtesy: Fortyhadith.com)

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Badar Sayeed on S/C ruling on Darul Qaza - shariat court

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/SC-ruling-must-lead-to-a-Muslim-personal-law-code/articleshow/38350763.cms


'SC ruling must lead to a Muslim personal law code'

Badar Sayeed

The Supreme Court has once again come as a saviour to give a voice to the Muslim woman of our country. Though it has no objection to the continuance of shariat courts, the Supreme Court has ruled that their decisions will have no legal force. The Supreme Court has not touched upon Muslim personal law. But the court has ruled that fatwas that are often issued by shariat courts are not decrees and cannot be enforced. The court has also said that the fatwas are not sanctioned in our constitutional scheme.

Muslim women including in Tamil Nadu have been hit hard by the conservative, inhuman, cruel fatwas that are given on every aspect of their lives and that restrict their freedom and liberties. The Supreme Court has held that a fatwa has no legal validity. 

However the jamaaths and the khazis who derive their power from ill-defined sources continue to precipitate a situation where economically marginalised Muslim women are pressured into following their diktats. The women don't realize that the jamaaths and khazis are not the final court of appeal. Instead these fatwas are used by the khazis and the jamaaths to increment their hold on Muslim civil society without legal sanction. 

I must state here that the jamaaths are elected bodies under the supervision of the state Wakf boards and exert a significant influence on Muslim civil society. This is a situation which needs correction. 

The jamaaths take their toll on the individual insisting that their decision be obeyed and if this does not happen they hold the threat of excommunication and social boycott which is patently inhuman. 

Excommunication and social boycott has the effect of denying freedom of speech and movements, access to livelihood, freedom to bury their dead in the local graveyards and preventing those that have been excommunicated 

from participating in matrimonial functions of the family. Yet, despite court judgments that such social estrangement is not valid and against constitutional rights they continue to be practised. In Islam the "khazi" is considered as the keeper of the faith and the law since most khazis are highly educated and are scholars of Muslim law. This can hardly be held true in our country though there are exceptions. 

The khazis can conduct and register a marriage. But they are not legally authorised to finalise a divorce or perform judicial functions. Yet the reality is that the khazis validate and issue fatwas regarding divorces with total impunity towards the rights of Muslim women. But the final decree of divorce should carry the judicial stamp which will decide over all other allied issues that ariseout of a divorce.
The function of arbitration carried out by the sharia courts has not been inhibited by the Supreme Court. But the court makes it very clear that what emanates from the shariat courts has no legal binding. Yet due to patriarchal attitudes, societal pressures and lack of access to civil courts Muslim women are caught in the web of the khazis, jamaaths and the shariat courts to seek redress which they never achieve. 

This judgement should precipitate rapid codification of Muslim personal law, which is the need of the hour. 

We owe it to our Muslim sisters that this happens. Silence on this subject will be catastrophic for Muslim society.

(Courtesy: The Times of India dated 14th July 2014)

Ramadan Kareem - one hadith daily - Purification half of Iman..........

 

On the authority of Abu Malik al-Harith bin 'Asim al-Ash'ari, radiyallahu 'anhu, who said: The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, said:

"Purification is half of iman (faith). Saying 'Al-Hamdulillah' (Praise be to Allah) fills the scales. Saying 'Subhanallah wa al-Hamdulillahi' (Exhalted be Allah and Praise be to Allah) fills the space between the heavens and the earth. Salah (prayer) is a light. Sadaqah (charity) is a proof. Sabr (patience) is a shining glory. The Qur'an is an argument either for you or against you. Everybody goes out in the morning and sell themselves, thereby setting themselves free or destroying themselves."                       

                                                                                                                       (Muslim)
(Courtesy: Fortyhadith.com)

Ramadan daily one hadith - Hidith on anger

Abu Hurairah, radiyallahu 'anhu, reported that a man said to the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam:

"Advise me! "The Prophet said, "Do not become angry and furious." The man asked (the same) again and again, and the Prophet said in each case, "Do not become angry and furious."

[Al-Bukhari; Vol. 8 No. 137]

Ramadan Kareem - one hadith daily - Today's hadith on the characteristics of a Muslim

Abu Hurairah, radiyallahu 'anhu, reported that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, said:

"Let whosoever believes in Allah and in the Last Day either speak good or be silent. Let whosoever believes in Allah and in the Last Day honour his neighbour. Let whosoever believes in Allah and in the Last Day honour his guest."

                                                                                                       [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

Ramadan Kareem - one hadith daily - Today's Hadith on good behaviour

Abu Dhar Jundub bin Junadah and Abu Abdul Rahman Mu’adh bin Jabal, radiyallahu anhuma, reported that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, said:

“Fear Allah wherever you may be; follow up an evil deed with a good one which will wipe (the former) out, and behave good-naturedly towards people.”

[Al-Tirmidhi relates it, saying: It is a good (hasan) Tradition. In some copies he says: It is a good and genuine 

(hasan and sahih) Hadith.]

Ramadan Kareem - Hadith on a believer's quality

Abu Hamzah Anas bin Malik, radiyallahu 'anhu, who was the servant of the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, reported that the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, said:

"None of you truly believes (in Allah and in His religion) until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself"

[Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

Ramadan Mubarak - one hadith daily - Hadith on purity.

Abu Hurairah, radiyallahu 'anhu, reported that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, said:

“Verily Allah the Exalted is pure. He does not accept but that which is pure. Allah commands the believers with what He commanded the Messengers. Allah the Almighty has said: "O you Messengers! Eat of the good things and act righteously" [23:51-53]. And Allah the Almighty also said: "O you who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided you with" [2:167-172].
Then he (the Prophet) mentioned (the case of) the man who, having journeyed far, is dishevelled and dusty and who stretches out his hands to the sky (saying): "O Lord! O Lord!" (while) his food was unlawful, his drink was unlawful, his clothing was unlawful, and he is nourished with unlawful things, so how can he be answered?”

[Muslim

Ramadan mubarak - one hadith daily - Importance of agreement

Abu Hurairah 'Abd al-Rahman bin Sakhr, radiyallahu 'anhu, reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, say:

“Avoid that which I forbid you to do and do that which I command you to do to the best of your capacity. Verily the people before you were destroyed only because of their excessive questioning and their disagreement with their Prophets.”

[Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

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WHITHER THE UNIFORM CIVIL CODE?

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-importance-of-piecemeal-reforms/article6167344.ece#comments

The importance of piecemeal reforms (The Hindu 2 July 2014)

FAIZAN MUSTAFA

The HinduCOMMUNAL HARMONY: The enactment of a uniform civil code will disrupt communal harmony. Picture shows Hindus and Muslims visiting the Jahangir Peer Darga in Mahboobnagar district, Telangana. File photo

TOPICS

parties and movements

political parties

politics

constitution

national politics

A uniform civil code cannot and should not be enacted at one go

In 1986, when I was travelling by bus from Aligarh to Moradabad, we stopped at a dhaba. An old man sitting there was reading loudly from an Urdu newspaper. “If the uniform civil code is enacted, then Muslims will not be allowed to bury their dead and they will be forced to burn them just like Hindus,” he said. I was shocked at hearing this, but it is true that most Muslims still do not know what the uniform civil code really means. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s victory has revived the age-old debate.

There are well-defined positions on the uniform civil code. Human rights advocates, feminists and Sangh Parivar supporters favour it while Muslim fundamentalists simply oppose it. No one is willing to look at the problem rationally. Muslim backwardness is often attributed to the religion’s personal law. Most Hindus continue to be backward and earn just Rs.20 per day in spite of reforms in Hindu law. Several Muslim countries have made radical changes in Muslim law but they are still quite backward. So how will enactment of the uniform civil code help in improving the community’s backward status? It will not lead to employment generation or economic growth.

Not related to development

Generally, three arguments are put forth in favour of enacting a uniform civil code: that it will lead to national integration and draw minorities into the mainstream, encourage communal harmony and work towards improving the status of women. While these arguments concede that the minorities are not in the national mainstream, terms such as ‘national integration’ and ‘mainstream’ are vague.

Moreover, no one can say with certainty that communal riots take place because Hindus perform satpadi and Muslims nikah or that Hindus have one law of divorce while minorities have another. Similarly personal law has no relationship whatsoever with the development or backwardness of any community.

The point which is often missed in this debate is that we have already reformed Hindu law. Has it resulted in the upliftment of Hindu women? How many Hindu women get a share in property? The amount of land actually inherited by Hindu women is only a small fraction of the amount of land they are entitled to under the reformed Hindu law. Even when women inherit land, it is invariably less than an equal share. Women are likely to get more land as widows than as daughters. Even though women want to inherit land, they prefer to inherit land from their husbands rather than from their parents, in order to avoid offending the harmonious relationship with their family. Taking advantage of the reduced registration fee and stamp duty, men purchase land in the name of their wife or daughter-in-law, but retain the title documents and control the land. Normative changes in law certainly do not bring about necessary social reform.

Further, the directive principles are positive obligations of the state. Why then has no government prepared any blueprint of a uniform civil code? Did not even the BJP under Atal Bihari Vajpayee abandon it just to stay in power? In the absence of a blueprint, ignorance over the matter is being misused by fundamentalists to state that a uniform civil code will lead to uniform ceremonies such as rites of death. Present day Hindu law should not and cannot become the uniform civil code. If the new BJP government takes up this issue soon, the much-needed conducive environment for the enactment of a code can never be created; only an emotional outcry will be heard from different quarters.

It is also disgusting to note that while the directive principle of a uniform civil code is emphasised, no one speaks of the non-implementation of other directive principles that are far more important : the right to work, living wages, avoiding the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, protection of monuments, etc. Amending a community’s personal law with a view to bringing about changes for its betterment is one thing, but to tinker with the enactment for the sole purpose of introducing ‘uniformity’ is another issue altogether. The former may be an act of reform, but the latter is an arbitrary action that may attract disapproval.

Accepting a uniform civil code

The Muslim law has been reformed in several countries. Then why have Muslims opposed reforms in India? The answer lies in the ‘minority psyche’ of Indian Muslims, which is tied to the question of their identity. Let them be convinced that a uniform civil code has nothing to do with their distinctive identity, let them develop faith in the new government, let them have a fair and equitable share in the power structure of the state and let culprits of communal violence not be rewarded with ministerial berths. Accepting a uniform civil code would then become far easier. Muslims in India should also realise that in spite of uniform family laws in the West, Islam is growing at a very fast pace. Thus, a uniform civil code is not a great threat to the religion as it is perceived by many.

It is also disturbing to note that no one ever points out that many Hindus take advantage of their own personal law under the Hindu joint family system, causing losses worth millions of rupees to the income tax department. Will the BJP take the first step of withdrawing this benefit?

The enactment of a uniform civil code will disrupt communal harmony. The better course would be to bring about piecemeal reforms. There are already several reforms that go against personal laws. The British introduced a number of changes in Muslim Law: slavery was abolished, the loss of civil rights on apostasy was abrogated, Islamic Criminal Law was abolished and replaced with the Indian Penal Code, a comprehensive Evidence Act was enacted which made the Islamic law of evidence obsolete, etc. A uniform civil code cannot and should not be enacted at one go.

(Faizan Mustafa is vice-chancellor of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, and former registrar, Aligarh Muslim University.)

Ramadan Mubarak - one hadith daily - Hadith No.7

On the authority of Tamim Al-Dari that the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, said:

"Religion is nasihah." We said: "To whom?" The Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, said: "To Allah and His Book, and His messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk."

[Muslim)

Ramadan Mubarak -one hadith daily - Hadith No.6

On the authority of Abu 'Abdullah al-Nu'man bin Bashir, radiyallahu 'anhu, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, say:

"Truly, what is lawful is evident, and what is unlawful is evident, and in between the two are matters which are doubtful which many people do not know. He who guards against doubtful things keeps his religion and honour blameless, and he who indulges in doubtful things indulges in fact in unlawful things, just as a shepherd who pastures his flock round a preserve will soon pasture them in it. Beware, every king has a preserve, and the things Allah has declared unlawful are His preserves. Beware, in the body there is a flesh; if it is sound, the whole body is sound, and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt, and behold, it is the heart."

[Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

Ramadan Mubarak -one hadith daily -Hadith No.5

It is narrated on the authority of the Mother of the Believers, Umm 'Abdullah 'Aishah, radiyallahu 'anha, that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, said:

"Whosoever introduces into this affair of ours (i.e. into Islam) something that does not belong to it, it is to be rejected."

[Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

According to the version in Muslim, (it reads): "Whosoever works a work which has for it no command of ours is to be rejected."

"GEMS" OF PROPHET MOHAMMED (SAL-AM)

1. HEART: Prophet Mohammed (Sal-am) said, ‘Listen carefully, there is a lump of flesh in the body. If it is set right and made good, the entire body becomes good and healthy, but if it becomes diseased, the entire body becomes diseased. Remember well: it is the Heart.’ (Muslim, Bukhari: Nu’man ibn Bashir)

2. LIVING IN GOD’S PRESENCE: Someone asked: ‘How can one purify and develop himself, O Messenger of God, pbuh? He replied: ‘He should always remember that God is with him wherever he is.’ (Tirmidhi: Abdullah ibn Busr)

3. SEEKING GOD’S LOVE: Hazrat Mohammed (Sal-am) said: ‘ Anyone who possesses three qualities finds thereby the sweetness of faith: that he loves God and His Messenger, pbuh, more than everything else; that when he loves a human being he loves him for God’s sake alone; and that he abhors returning to unbelief from which God has rescued him, as he abhors being thrown into fire.’ (Bukhari, Muslim: Anas)

4. FINDING GOD BY SERVING MANKIND: Prophet Mohammed (Sal-am) said: God will say, ‘Son of Adam, I fell ill but you did not visit Me.’ He will say, ‘O Lord, and how could I have visited You! You are the Lord of the worlds!’ He will say, ‘Did you not know that My so and so servant had fallen ill and you did not visit him? Did you not know that had you visited him you would have found Me with him?’‘Son of Adam, I asked you for food but you did not feed Me’. He will say, ‘O Lord, how could I have fed You! You are the Lord of the worlds!’ He will say, ‘My so and so servant asked you for food and you did not feed him? Did you not know that had you fed him you would surely have found that with Me?’‘Son of Adam, I asked you to give Me to drink but you did not give Me.’ He will say, ‘O Lord, how could I have given you to drink! You are the Lord of the worlds!’ He will say, ‘My so and so servant asked you to give him to drink and you did not give him. Had you given him to drink you would surely have found that with Me’. (Muslim: Abu Hurayrah)

5. OUTWARD RELIGIOSITY AND OSTENTATION: The Messenger of God, pbuh, said: Many a one fast, but gain nothing from their fasting except hunger and thirst, and many a one pray all night, but gain nothing from their night prayers except sleeplessness.’ (Darimi: Abu Hurayrah)

6. HYPOCRISY: The Messenger of God, pbuh, said: ‘Three characteristics are the signs of a hypocrite, even if he fast, performs the Prayer and claims that he is a Muslim: when he speaks, he lies, when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays his trust.’ (Bukhari, Muslim: Abu Hurayrah)

7. MERCY TO GOD’S FAMILY : The Messenger of God, pbuh, said: ‘Allcreatures are God’s family; and God loves them most who treat His family well and kindly.’(Baihaqi: Anas)

8. The Messenger of God, pbuh, said: ‘Only those who are merciful will be shownMercy by the Most Merciful. Show mercy to those who are on earth, He who is in heaven will show mercy to you.’ (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi; Abdullah ibn ‘Amr)

9. THIS TOO IS CHARITY : The Messenger of God, pbuh, said: If a Muslimplants a tree or sows a crop, then whatever bird eats of it, or a human being, or an animal, it counts as charity for him. He also said: ‘Whatever is stolen from it, that too counts as charity.’ (Bukhari, Muslim: Anas, Jabir)

10. GOLDEN RULES FOR HUMAN RELATIONS: The Prophet (Sal-am) said: ‘No one among you attains true faith, until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself.’ (Bukhari, Muslim: Anas)

11. CARING FOR THE FAMILY: The Messenger of God, pbuh, said: Anyone who desires his earnings to grow and his life to be prolonged should treat his relatives well.’ (Bukhari, Muslim: Anas)

12. Hazrat Mohammed (Sal-am) said: ‘One who breaks the ties of relations with his relatives shall not enter Paradise.’ (Bukhari, Muslim: Jubayr)

13. The Messenger of God, pbuh, said: ‘A person who merely reciprocates when doing good, is not really the one who maintains ties with his relatives, but the one who does good and maintains relations even if others do not do good, is a good relative.’ (Bukhari: Abdullah ibn ‘Amr)

14. CARING FOR CHILDREN: The Messenger of God, pbuh, said: ‘No father can give a better gift to his children than providing them with a good education.’ (Baihaqi: Ayub ibn Musa)

15. CARING FOR WOMEN: Prophet Mohammed (Sal-am) said: ‘The most perfect in faith among the believers are those who possess the best morals, and the best among you are those who are kindest to their wives.’ (Tirmidhi: Abu Hurayrah)

Ramadan Mubarak - one hadith daily - Hadith No.4

Abu 'Abd al-Rahman 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud, radiyallahu 'anhu, reported: The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, the most truthful, the most trusted, told us:

"Verily the creation of any one of you takes place when he is assembled in his mother's womb; for forty days he is as a drop of fluid, then it becomes a clot for a similar period. Thereafter, it is a lump looking like it has been chewed for a similar period. Then an angel is sent to him, who breathes the ruh (spirit) into him. This Angel is commanded to write Four decrees: that he writes down his provision (rizq), his life span, his deeds, and whether he will be among the wretched or the blessed.

I swear by Allah - there is no God but He - one of you may perform the deeds of the people of Paradise till there is naught but an arm's length between him and it, when that which has been written will outstrip him so that he performs the deeds of the people of the Hell Fire; one of you may perform the deeds of the people of the Hell Fire, till there is naught but an arm's length between him and it, when that which has been written will overtake him so that he performs the deeds of the people of Paradise and enters therein."

[Al-Bukhari & Muslim

Ramadan Mubarak - One hadith daily - Hadith No.3

On the authority of Abu 'Abd al-Rahman 'Abdullah bin 'Umar bin al-Khattab, radiyallahu 'anhuma, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, say:

"Islam has been built upon five things - on testifying that there is no god save Allah, and that Muhammad is His Messenger; on performing salah; on giving the zakah; on Hajj to the House; and on fasting during Ramadhan."

[Al-Bukhari & Muslim

RAMADAN MUBARAK - ONE HADITH DAILY - HADITH NO.2

Also on the authority of 'Umar, radiyallahu 'anhu, who said:

"While we were one day sitting with the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, there appeared before us a man dressed in extremely white clothes and with very black hair. No traces of journeying were visible on him, and none of us knew him.

He sat down close by the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, rested his knee against his thighs, and said, O Muhammad! Inform me about Islam." Said the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, "Islam is that you should testify that there is no deity save Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, that you should perform salah (ritual prayer), pay the zakah, fast during Ramadan, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah), if you can find a way to it (or find the means for making the journey to it)." Said he (the man), "You have spoken truly."

We were astonished at his thus questioning him and telling him that he was right, but he went on to say, "Inform me about iman (faith)." He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, "It is that you believe in Allah and His angels and His Books and His Messengers and in the Last Day, and in fate (qadar), both in its good and in its evil aspects." He said, "You have spoken truly."

Then he (the man) said, "Inform me about Ihsan." He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, " It is that you should serve Allah as though you could see Him, for though you cannot see Him yet He sees you." He said, "Inform me about the Hour." He (the Messenger of Allah) said, "About that the one questioned knows no more than the questioner." So he said, "Well, inform me about the signs thereof (i.e. of its coming)." Said he, "They are that the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, that you will see the barefooted ones, the naked, the destitute, the herdsmen of the sheep (competing with each other) in raising lofty buildings." Thereupon the man went off.

I waited a while, and then he (the Messenger of Allah) said, "O 'Umar, do you know who that questioner was?" I replied, "Allah and His Messenger know better." He said, "That was Jibril. He came to teach you your religion.""