Cover your vessels

I came across the article : Never Drink the Water from your Nightstand that explains how drinking from a water left overnight, can be harmful because it is susceptible to particle dusts or air-borne bacteria.  

This immediately reminded me of the the hadith about leaving water vessels uncovered at night :

Jabir b. 'Abdullah reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) having said:

When the wings of the night (spread) or it is night, restrain your children (from going out), for the Satan is abroad at that time, and when a part of the night is passed, free them and shut the doors. making mention of God's name, for the Satan does not open a closed door; and tighten the (mouths of waterskins and mention the name of Allah, cover your utensils and mention the name of Allah even though you should just put something on them, and extinguish your lamps.

Reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/36/124

It proves to me yet again - how following sunnah and especially God's commands - are only for our own benefit.  God knows best what is good for us and what may be harmful for us.

How long is 'Id-ul-Fitr (Hari Raya Puasa)?

Narrated Aisha:
Abu Bakr came to my house while two small Ansari girls were singing beside me the stories of the Ansar concerning the Day of Buath. And they were not singers. Abu Bakr said protestingly, "Musical instruments of Satan in the house of Allah's Apostle !" It happened on the 'Id day and Allah's Apostle said, "O Abu Bakr! There is an 'Id for every nation and this is our 'Id."

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 15, Number 72


Selamat Hari Raya and maaf zahir batin. :):)

How long is Hari Raya Puasa?, my youngest daughter Nadhrah asked.

In actual fact, Hari Raya Puasa or 'Id-ul Fitr is only ONE day - the day right after the last day of fasting. It is a day to celebrate the achievements of Ramadhan. To go out in the morning to offer the Eid prayer, to offer alms...

Narrated Ibn Abbas:

The Prophet offered a two Rakat prayer on the Day of Id ul Fitr and he did not pray before or after it. Then he went towards women along with Bilal and ordered them to pay alms and so they started giving their earrings and necklaces (in charity).

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 15, Number 81

...and to eat (in moderation) after a whole month of fasting. As such it's prohibited to fast on Hari Raya - Eid.

Narrated Anas bin Malik,:

Allah's Apostle never proceeded (for the prayer) on the Day of 'Id-ul-Fitr unless he had eaten some dates. Anas also narrated: The Prophet used to eat odd number of dates.

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 15, Number 73

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Narrated Abu 'Ubaid:

(the slave of Ibn Azhar) I witnessed the 'Id with 'Umar bin Al-Kattab who said, Allah's Apostle has forbidden people to fast on the day on which you break fasting (the fasts of Ramadan) and the day on which you eat the meat of your sacrifices (the first day of 'Id ul Fitr and 'Id ul-Adha).

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 211


HOWEVER, it is a custom of (ONLY) the Singaporean and Malaysian Malays to make use of this month as a month of visiting relatives and friends. It is important for us to KNOW the difference.

Having said that, I personally believe, as long as we do not think that it is some kind of syariah, to celebrate eid a month long - then it's ok for us to continue to use this month as a month of more frequent visiting and catching up, as it really fosters relationships amongst families and friends, which is encouraged in Islam too.

It is also interesting to note that, this does not happen else where in the world (as far as I know). In Indonesia, they start celebrating on the eve of Raya - even start visiting neighbours on eve of Raya, and next day, they go out as a family for picnics etc. In Jeddah I hear, they have fireworks and carnivals, but even that lasts for only 3 days. :p I wonder how it is in other areas.

And I have a feeling that this 'prolonged' celebration is somewhat influenced by the 15 days Chinese New Year celebration (which I have no idea how it's celebrated else where in the world). But I was 'comparing notes' with my Chinese colleague about what we do on Hari raya and Chinese New Year... apart from the reunion dinner (which equates to our big feast on actual day), we do exactly the same thing.. like go to parents/grandma's place.. visit aunts/uncles/cousins.. etc.

Anyway, it's always good to keep in touch.. so have a fun month of open houses, visitings, feastings every weekend, for the next 2-3 weeks. :p

perfect, I'm not

Shuts. I think I've been saying quite a few redundant things. Or passing a comment that will not do any good, other than to just say something.

No, actually I DO have an idea in mind - the intention was to stir the mind and heart, create awareness. But I need to work on my approach and the words chosen. Some words may sound too extreme. 'blind', 'ignorant'?

But I'm sure, those who know me, and Allah, knows all, know that I mean no harm. Anyhow, I have to try to be sure, that what I do and what I say, is only for the better. Refrain from thoughtless speech or deeds, and especially refrain from any negative intention. And it should apply everywhere, even at home with my family. InsyaAllah.

Perfect, I'm definitely not. But work on it, I must.

Yoda, I'm not.
Even if it seems like I'm beginning to sound like him. :S

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah:
The Prophet Muhammad SAW said: “Anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbor, and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should entertain his guest generously, and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet.“
Sahih Al Bukhari, Vol: 8 Hadith 47.

What I know about the hijrah year.

Salam Ma'al Hijrah 1429

1. Who established the Islamic Year and when was it established?
Saiyidina Umar Al-Khattab established it, marking the year of the hijrah as the start of the Islamic calendar, because it was an important turning point for the Muslims. It was established about 17 years after the actual hijrah, with the consensus of his scholars and advisors.

2. What should we do at the start of the new Hijrah year?
We COULD reflect on the event of the hijrah and together try to understand the REAL meaning of Hijrah.

3. What about that do'a awal tahun akhir tahun.
As far as I know, and can (can't) see, there isn't ANY hadith mentioning this. Especially on the 'fadhilat' of doing the supplication 3 times and so on. So, doing it with the i'tikad that you'll get the fadhilat is bid'ah like concocting a new ibadah in your religion, not instructed by Allah SWT or Rasulullah, and this is forbidden. I believe it's only among the Malays.

I imagined how it may have started. Maybe some fella asked his ustaz.. what shud we do on the start of the new islamic year. Like the Westerners, they celebrate the New Year.. can we?. So maybe the ustaz said.. we shouldn't celebrate like the westerners especially with booze and immoral behaviours. If you want to do something.. why don't you just supplicate, doa - that the past year and the coming year brings good to you.. etc.. PERHAPS when you read it, the syaitan will 'blah blah blah' (see the 'fadhilat' baca doa). And so the man did.. and passed on this to his family and children.. and VERY soon, it became a die-die-must-do tradition. MAYBE. Yes, I have wild and great imaginations.

Anyhow, if you want to continue reading the doa, just because you want to doa - not for any specific reasons, I guess it's ok to do so, but NOT because you THINK it is something expected of a Muslim on the Muslim New Year.

4. Anything special about the month of Muharram?
It is mentioned by the Prophet, to be one of the 4 sacred months, mentioned in the Quran. On the 10th of Muharram, day of Asyura, we are encouraged to fast for 2 days, 9th and 10th. This is to differentiate our practise, from the practise of Jews and Christians.

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The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year)- so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred: that is the straight usage. So wrong not yourselves therein, and fight the Pagans all together as they fight you all together. But know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.

Al Quran, At-Tauba 9:36

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Narrated Abu Bakra:

The Prophet said. "(The division of time has turned to its original form which was current when Allah created the Heavens and the Earths. The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul-Qa' da, Dhul-Hijja and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumadi-ath-Thaniyah and Sha ban."
(Sohih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 54, Number 419)

****************

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:

When the Prophet came to Medina, he found (the Jews) fasting on the day of 'Ashura' (i.e. 10th of Muharram). They used to say: "This is a great day on which Allah saved Moses and drowned the folk of Pharaoh. Moses observed the fast on this day, as a sign of gratitude to Allah." The Prophet said, "I am closer to Moses than they." So, he observed the fast (on that day) and ordered the Muslims to fast on it.
(Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 55, Number 609)

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Narrated 'Aisha:

The people used to fast on 'Ashura (the tenth day of the month of Muharram) before the fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory. And on that day the Ka'ba used to be covered with a cover. When Allah made the fasting of the month of Ramadan compulsory, Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever wishes to fast (on the day of 'Ashura') may do so; and whoever wishes to leave it can do so."
(Sahih Bukhari Volume 2, Book 26, Number 662)


Sources :
IslamOnline : Umar Al-Khattab
About.com : Islam : What is the Hijrah Calendar?
IslamOnline : Can we celebrate Hijrah
IslamOnline : Fasting the 9th and 10th of Muharram

ps: This is as far as I know. Correct me if I'm wrong, advise me if I miss anything. But please provide authentic dalil and/or sources with it.
Allahu'alam.

Have a great day!

bakal doktor haiwan...

i'm sure some of you all may have gotten this email, that has made quite a few rounds. I received it like 3 times already.

In it, are quite a few pictures of a few muslimah girls in tudung, having their picture taken in a pig's pen, and in some pic, holding one.

Do you know that it's dosa? to be distributing this email, when we know that the intention is to 'humiliate' these girls?

I'm not very sure about the intention of the originator of this email. The girls ARE quite attractive and perhaps future vetenarian. Alhamdulillah. Maybe nak tolong cari kan jodoh?

So what is the big deal? Salah ke diorang pegang babi?

So ok, kita TAK boleh MAKAN babi, but there is no hukum on touching or holding one. Tak haram, tak dosa. Lain lah kalau u masak nak kasi kawan u makan.

Else, if it's just touching a pig for whatever reason other than abetting a person to EAT it, there is no larangan. Lepas pegang babi or anjing, as you may know, just wash yourself accordingly - according to hukum syara' that you berpegang with. Anyway, memang pegang binatang APA pun, you're suppose to wash yourself after that. It's not hygienic to touch food right after touching a cat or a rat.

Soal geli or tak geli - tu perasaan masing2 and has got nothing to do with hukum syara'.

So in this whole situation, siapa yang salah? My ustaz said, kalau pun seorang tu buat benda yg jelas haram sekalipun, Islam suruh kita TUTUP keaiban saudara kita dan menegur dgn cara baik. Bukan dgn mengedar-edarkan gambar yg seperti ini ke mana-mana = mendedahkan dan memalukan org berkenaan.

Actually somebody did ask ustaz haniff about this before, and this is his reply.

pekerjaan doktor haiwan adalah satu pekerjaan yg mulia. merawat babi, anjing dan segala keturunannya yg sakit dapat pahala besar di sisi Allah taala.

bahkan, mendiskriminasikan babi dan anjing dari mendapat rawatan = dosa.

dalam sebuah hadis menceritakan Allah mengampunkan dosa seorang pelacur kerana memberi minum anjing yg kehausan* = takkanlah ubatkan babi dan anjing yg sakit dapat dosa kan?

cuma lepas rawat tu sucikanlah diri. tapi ttg sucikan diri bukan hanya lepas rawat babi dan anjing, lepas rawat apa jua binatang pun kan kena sucikan diri gak?

* the hadith mentioned by ustaz is the following :

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said, "While a dog was going round a well and was about to die of thirst, an Israeli prostitute saw it and took off her shoe and watered it. So Allah forgave her because of that good deed."

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 56, Number 673

May we all be guided. Ameen. :)

one goal

bukan goal soccer eh..

today, this ayat, set me thinking:

وَلِكُلٍّ وِجْهَةٌ هُوَ مُوَلِّيهَا فَاسْتَبِقُواْ الْخَيْرَاتِ أَيْنَ مَا تَكُونُواْ يَأْتِ بِكُمُ اللّهُ جَمِيعًا إِنَّ اللّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

To each is a goal to which Allah turns him; then strive together (as in a race) Towards all that is good. Wheresoever ye are, Allah will bring you Together. For Allah Hath power over all things.

Al Quran, Al Baqarah 2:148

So, every Muslim has a role and a goal to which he is inclined to. We can strive to be excellet Muslims, enjoining the good, for everyone around them, making lives better for people in one way or another, in no matter what we do.
From the scientist, to the road-sweeper.

So like, if most Muslims and Muslim countries have this in mind, this race towards good, insyaAllah, Muslims can excel in this world, and Hereafter, together.

So then, there is no difference between one Muslim and another, other than their iman.

Cakap pasal road-sweeper.. teringat one hadith about removing harm from a path. In that sense, the road-sweeper ada more chances to do the bolded part, in his line of work. :)


'A'isha reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Every one of the children of Adam has been created with three hundred and sixty joints; so he who declares the Glory of Allah, praises Allah, declares Allah to be One, Glorifies Allah, and seeks forgiveness from Allah, and removes stone, or thorn, or bone from people's path, and enjoins what is good and forbids from evil, to the number of those three hundred and sixty-four, will walk that day having removed himself from Hell.

Sahih Muslim, Book 005 Number 2199


Have a sweet week.