AL-HIKMAT SERVICES INC. The Wisdom Website - Serving the Muslim and Non-Muslim Community for the past 32 years, through the distribution of publications, DVDS, CDS, radio & TV shows, lectures, seminars, dialogues etc.,establishing tolerance and better understanding among different faiths and cultures. AL QUR'AAN Ch: 16 V: 125 “Invite To the Way of Thy Lord With Hikmat” (Wisdom). 

ExtravaganT SPENDING

for

SHOW & PRIDE

Money spent on things that are not necessary is one of the major reason for the downfall in the economic balance of the world today. Our societies have become unnecessary consumers and our homes have become showrooms for all that is produced by the world’s factories and manufacturers. With the extravagant free spending in recent times, one wonders if people were created for nothing but shopping and wasting. Spending on necessities according to one’s means is permissible in Islam - e.g. traveling in first class for comfort to save oneself from inconvenience and to be able to relax due to the hectic travel conditions nowadays, would neither be extravagance nor a sin. However, if one travels in first class simply for show and pride, then it is extravagance and unlawful. Similarly, one who lives alone, without family,relatives and friends should spend on necessities that make one comfortable, and is sufficient to pass life in this world. If such a person, spends beyond one’s means and need for show and pride, then that would be unIslamic. On the other hand, one who has a family, relatives and regular visitors / guests etc., such a person’s standard of needs and extent of spending/requirements would be quite different and will not be counted as extravagance, The standard and spending in life differs from person to person. Allaah describes the squanderers as brothers of the devil, and Satan is well known for his ungratefulness to Allaah. Islam disapproves of extravagance and miserliness – Islam calls for moderation and a balance in spending and consumption. Al Qur’aan CH: 17 Verses: 26 & 27 “And render to the kindred their due rights as (also) to those in want and to the wayfarer, but squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the devil is to his Lord ungrateful.” Warning against extravagance does not mean abandoning the permitted good things of life. Allaah says, [The Servants of Allah are] “Those who, when they spend, are not extravagant and not stingy, but hold a just balance between those extremes.” (Ch:25V:67) “O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer. Eat and drink, but waste not by excess, for Allaah loves not those who waste.” (Ch:7V:31) If people were living according to the laws of God, there would not have been the extravagance in the world today, causing the downfall to the economic balance worldwide. People spend beyond their means, and mostly on luxuries, vainglorious and sometimes pretentious display. Some go to the extent of taking loans beyond their needs to purchase luxuries and imitate the wealthy. They spend lavishly as the rich do, and are always in a race to imitate the rich until they fall into the debt trap. Taking loans should be for meeting one’s needs, rather than luxury that cannot be afforded. A wise person should not allow himself to be carried away by the desires and whims of feeble-minded people in his family and those around him. Therefore, we should spend the way Allaah has commanded us to spend before disasters and calamities befall us, as we see happening in the world today. Allaah says,”Your riches and your children may be but a trial. Whereas Allaah, with Him is the highest reward. So fear Allaah as much as you can, listen and obey, and spend in charity for the benefit of your own souls. And those saved from the selfishness of their own souls, they are the ones that achieve prosperity.” (CH:64 V:15-16) “Oh believers, let not your wealth and children divert you from God’s remembrance, who ever does that, they are the losers. And spend from the sustenance We have given you, before death overtakes any of you, and he says, ‘O my Lord! if You grant me respite for a short while, then I would freely give and would be among the righteous’ Ch:63 Verses:9-10.

WE SHOULD NOT ONLY FAST

FROM

FOOD & DRINK

BUT FROM

Vain Talk & Foul Language

Al-Hamdulillaah, Allaah has once more favored us with another blessed month of Ramadhan. I pray that Allaah accept the fast and ibaadah of everyone in this holy and blessed month Inshaa Allaah. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, said: “The fast and the Qur’an are two intercessors for the servant of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The fast will say: ‘O Lord, I prevented him from his food and desires during the day. Let me intercede for him.’ The Qur’an will say: ‘I prevented him from sleeping at night. Let me intercede for him.’ And their intercession will be accepted.” Ahmad related this hadith with a sahih chain. Abu Umamah reported: “I came to the Messenger of Allah and said: ‘Order me to do a deed that will allow me to enter Paradise.’ He said: ‘Stick to fasting, as there is no equivalent to it.’ Then I came to him again and he said: ‘Stick to fasting.”’ This hadith is related by Ahmad, an-Nasa’i, and al-Hakim who classified it as sahih. Sahl ibn Sa’d reported that the Prophet said: “There is a gate to Paradise that is called ar-Rayyan. On the Day of Resurrection it will say: ‘Where are those who fasted?’ When the last [one] has passed through the gate, it will be locked.”

Now that we are aware of the virtues of fasting, it is very important for us to ensure that we do not loose the blessings derived from fasting, by vain talk and foul language. Fasting is not just refraining from eating and drinking, but it is also refraining from everything else that Allah has forbidden. Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet said: “Fasting is not [abstaining] from eating and drinking only, but also from vain speech and foul language. If one of you is being cursed or annoyed, he should say: “I am fasting, I am fasting.” This is related by Ibn Khuzaimah, Ibn Hibban, and al-Hakim. The latter said that it is sahih according to Muslim’s criterion. Abu Hurairah also reported that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said: “Allah does not need the fast of one who does not abandon false speech or acting according to his false speech.” This is related by the group, except for Muslim. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said: “Perhaps a fasting person will get nothing from his fast save hunger, and perhaps the one who stands to pray at night will get nothing from his standing except sleeplessness.” This is related by an-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah, and al-Hakim.

ALLAAH KNOWS BEST

PRESIDENT BUSH & PRESIDENT OBAMA

on

9/11 & BIN LADEN

Being the President of America since 9/11 hasn't been easy as many would think. President Bush has been criticized and condemned by many politicians and Americans for going to war in Afghanistan and Iraq, plus some Muslims have accused President Bush for a conspiracy over 9/11 and Bin Laden. Generally speaking, the Muslims who condemned President Bush, were more or less the same people who supported and voted for President Obama with the hope that Muslims wouldn't be selected at airports and treated badly plus with the hope and belief that President Obama will clear the conspiracy on 9/11 and Bin Laden, established by President Bush. Now with the death of Bin Laden, the same Muslims are against President Obama, for killing Bin Laden which confirms and certifies that President Bush's target on 911/Bin Laden was correct and not a conspiracy as some Muslims have been preaching and propagated. The point I am getting at, is that these Muslims need to get their facts right before making irresponsible statements and looking like fools all over the world, as some of the Muslim politicians are doing in Syria, Yemen, Pakistan, Egypt, Libya etc.- and if they have some of their facts right, then they need to know the right place and right time. Muslims are already faced with loss of jobs, profiling, hate crimes, insults and abuse while traveling within the USA and other countries - irresponsible statements would only make things worst for Muslims all over the world. Therefore, we need to let the President and law enforcement do their job. If we could be of help in a situation, then we should do our best in enjoining good and forbidding evil. President Obama is a good example to explain what I am saying - even though he is the President of America, he is still criticized by both Muslims and Non Muslims. Some Americans criticize him for being a Muslim/supporting Muslims, and some Americans demand that he produce his birth certificate - on the other hand, some Muslims criticize him for not supporting them and some Muslims demand that he produce a death certificate for Bin Laden. The point is - even though he is attacked and criticized everyday by the media, Muslims and Non Muslims - it is important that he continues to do his best and not say or make irresponsible statements as the President, otherwise it could cause more harm and consequences to him. Muslims today are more or less in a similar situation like President Obama - hence, with the attack on the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), the attack on Masjids, the attack on the Qur'aan and the attack on Muslims, etc., we need to spread peace and love in the world by enjoining the message of the Qur'aan and forbidding evil. However, in doing so, we also need to be very cautious and careful on what we say and what we do Inshaa Allaah.

ALLAAH KNOWS BEST

Inshaa Allaah

Al-Hamdulillaah, on March 6th, 2011, brother Aleem, brother Nazir and myself were very fortunate to meet a group of Muslim Converts who are struggling to complete a Masjid. They are also seeking assistance to study Islam, so they could educate themselves and other converts in Jamaica, Inshaa Allaah.

Al-Hikmat has taken the responsibility to overseer the project, by getting generous brothers and sisters to assist these Muslim converts to complete the Masjid and to get financial assistance for some of the brothers to go abroad and study Islam, Inshaa Allaah. Therefore, I hereby kindly request readers to contribute generously towards these Muslim converts studying Islam and towards the completion of the Masjid, Inshaa Allaah. These Muslim converts are thirsty to learn more about Qur’aan and Hadith, but they don’t have the facilities, resources and teachers available for them to seek Islamic knowledge. The cost to sponsor one student would be approximately $300.00 US dollars monthly. The Masjid needs an average of $10,000 US dollars to be completed. Brother Aleem Ghany, who has seen the condition of the Masjid and the Muslim community has already pledged to get family and friends to pay the cost for the doors and windows.

The following are some of the materials needed to complete the Masjid, Inshaa Allaah.

1. Carpet & tiles for the Masjid

2. Painting the Masjid

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia

should change his title to

Custodian of The Guests of Allaah

While King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has been spending millions to maintain the facilities at the two Holy Mosques plus building of roads and tunnels etc. I think he should change his title to CUSTODIAN OF THE GUESTS OF ALLAAH, because pilgrimage is a pillar of Islam and pilgrims are the guests of Allaah. Therefore, it becomes mandatory upon him as the King of Saudi Arabia to be the CUSTODIAN OF THE GUESTS OF ALLAAH. I understand the fact that it is indeed a challenging task to manage millions of pilgrims in the Kingdom every year. But my concern is about basic nature and hygiene. The King spends millions in unnecessary buildings and luxury but have failed to provide sufficient toilet facilities and to maintain the few that exist for the millions of pilgrims. The lack of toilet facilities and it’s maintenance affect the health of pilgrims and make the Ihram of pilgrims unclean, which results in making one’s prayer invalid.

I have been performing Hajj since 1986, and in three of the major areas of performing Pilgrimage - Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa, the toilets are always insufficient, dirty and stink. People have to line for hours to use the toilets. The time spent in toilet lines, could have been used praying or reading the Qur’aan. The millions of pilgrims who travel from Madina to Makkah to perform pilgrimage, spend at least 6-8 hours on the road with check points etc., but yet there are no proper Masjid or rest area with clean toilet facilities to accommodate the pilgrims. We are in 2010, and I think it is time now for the King of Saudi Arabia to realize that he is supposed to be the CUSTODIAN OF THE GUESTS OF ALLAAH, and needs to change his advisors or hire some foreign consultants to design a better infrastructure to serve the pilgrims, Inshaa Allaah.

In an article published on Nov. 24th 2010, in the Saudi Gazette By Sameera Aziz, the following suggestions were made to the King Abdullah. “The host country and the home countries of Hajis can play a greater role in avoiding or at least minimizing accidents. The new SR4.5 billion multitier extension project of the Jamarat Bridge will indeed ease the flow of Hajis at that critical point of the pilgrimage,” said Eng. Syed Ehsan-ul Haque, a Pakistani expat in Jeddah who performed Haj in 2005, when thousands of pilgrims rushed to complete the stoning ritual, causing a stampede despite the attempts of the authorities to prevent such an incident.

Expressing appreciation for security arrangements at the Jamarat site, he, however, said most of the personnel appeared to be too young and inexperienced. Recalling his Haj experience, Haque said that when he reached the edge of the Jamarat Bridge at 12:15 P.M. on 12 Dhul-Hijja, security officials stopped the crowd for about 40 minutes so that the earlier group of pilgrims could complete their round of stoning. “A computerized display instructed us to ‘wait for 30 minutes - Jamarat is crowded’. Eventually, when we were asked to proceed at 1 P.M., thousands of pilgrims ran towards the first bridge. Many people with their luggage and wheel chairs retreated when security forces pushed them and this led to a stampede,” he said. He said movement at the Jamarat site should not be stopped for a long time as doing so leads to pushing among the crowd. Rashad Ali, a Sri Lankan living in Jeddah, described the communication barrier between pilgrims and the authorities as a major issue. “Saudi authorities should seek volunteers and security personnel from other countries, who have some expertise in the handling of people, with the ability to communicate in several languages, particularly English,” he said.  Anwar Muhammad, an Indonesian expat, said that ‘muallims’ (Haj operators) need to be trained and must possess enough skills to facilitate the pilgrims’ stay. “They (Haj operators) should not behave as though they are the sponsors of Hajis, when in fact they are the caretakers or the guardians,” said Muhammad. Haque said that in Pakistan, Haj pilgrims are chosen through a lottery after which the Saudi Embassy issues visas to the selected persons following a few hours of training in ‘Haj camps’. “The Haj ministry of Pakistan should have training schools, where pilgrims are given two weeks of comprehensive audio/visual training and undergo a qualifying test (mainly oral) after their selection through the draw,” he said, adding that doing so would ensure that pilgrims learn the practical aspects of Haj. Rehan Khan, a Canadian expat living in Jeddah, stressed the importance of maintaining hygiene in toilets, kitchens and other utilities. “Enclosed toilets are not sufficient for all pilgrims. Additional open half-walled cubicles for urination occupy less space and serve more users in a shorter time. Hence, the need for enclosed toilets will be reduced.” Eng. Wali-ullah, chairman of the advisory board of the Engineers Welfare Forum Jeddah (EWFJ), said the hassle one faces at the Haj terminals at the time of landing and departure is a major inconvenience for pilgrims. “When a passenger comes out of the airport there are agents ready to grab his passport. The agent then disappears with the pilgrim’s passport for a long time leaving the pilgrim in a vulnerable position,” said Wali-ullah. He said the whole procedure should be made more pilgrim-friendly to avoid any confusion. “Pilgrims usually have to wait for as long as ten hours before they can go to Makkah. This can be very painful as they are carrying their luggage.” He said that lost and found points and relevant services should be improved by increasing the number of such points and by providing personnel who can communicate in more than one language. “There should be many guiding signs for various facilities and in many languages. For the elderly and sick pilgrims, proper vehicles, preferably small cars, must be provided at various points, such as, in Mina, Muzdalifa and Arafat.

Let us kill the desires

in our

HEARTS

The Prophet (S.A.W) mentioned that there is a reward attached for every hair or fibre of wool on the body of the sacrificed animal. Islam teaches a unique method of paying respect to a great personality. In some cultures a person of respect is remembered by his statue or portrait. Islam commands that the practical act of the individual be emulated. The sacrifice of Ibrahim Alaihis Salaam was virtuous and we are commanded to do the very same action every year. Likewise, the life of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was so beautiful that every Muslim has been instructed to live their lives in his mould. Similarly, the running of Bibi Hajira between Safa and Marwa is in the same way remembered by every Muslim who performs the Sa’ee during Hajj and Umrah. Ibrahim Alayhis Salaam had two choices : to follow his desire or to submit to the call of his Creator. He chose to submit. There was no logic in killing his own son, Ismail A.S., for no apparent reason. Ismail A.S. had not committed any sin or major wrong. But, this was a command from Allaah which needed to be followed whether it conformed to logic or not. Eid-ul-Adha hinges on the lesson of surrender and submission to the divine call. A true Muslim accepts every command of his Creator without question and without searching for loopholes and excuses. “It is not their flesh nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is your piety that reaches Him…” (Surah Hajj/Chapter 22 V:37) When Ibrahim Alaihis Salaam chose to sacrifice his son he taught us the golden lesson that love for Allaah in a man’s heart should be stronger than the love for himself, his family and his emotions. It is a reminder that Islam teaches sacrifice and hard work as opposed to a life of endless pleasure and comfort. People organize their loyalty to Allaah differently, to their family, their nation or the state. A secular mind owes absolute duty one’s family, whereas a religious conscience mind owes absolute duty to Allaah. Prophet Ibrahim(AS) therefore, instructs that we should owe absolute duty only to Allaah, and it is our relationship to Allaah which ought to transcend and determine out relation to family/nation etc. Prophet Ismail(A.S.) was the son of Prophet Ebraheem A.S.. But who or what is our Ismail? Is it our degree? Our reputation? Our position? Our money? Our home? Our car? Our beloved ? Our family? Our knowledge? Our title? Our dress? Our fame? Our Beauty? Our strength ? Or our career etc.? How do we know the signs of the Ismail in our life? Whatever is in our eyes which holds the place of Ismail in the eyes of Ibrahim! Whatever weakens us in the way of faith! Whatever leads us to compromise and justification! Whatever causes us to flee from our duty! These are some of the signs of our Ismail(A.S.). Let us kill these desires in our hearts, so we could fulfill our duties to Allaah the way Allaah expects us to obey his commands, Inshaa Allaah.

ALLAAH KNOWS BEST

Book burning by ideologues has a very long history accompanied by oppression, great strife and suffering. It has come to our attention that the Dove World Outreach Center, a non denominational Evangelical Church, in Gainesville, Florida will commemorate 9/11 with the burning of the Qur’an. This situation is not only a violation of our Constitutional rights but is a hateful act against any religion. Freedom of Speech must be balanced with the Freedom of Religion. Here, the Dove World Outreach Center seeks to infringe upon the practice and belief of the Islamic religion. Furthermore, in a society that advocates education and free thought, it is unacceptable to attempt to burn books, no matter what those books may be.Burning any religious text, goes against the tenets of every major religion in the world: Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. The actions of the Dove World Outreach Center violate everything that we, as Americans, stand for. The issue was discussed on the CNN segment “Rick’s List” with Rick Sanchez. We need to safeguard the freedom our Constitution guarantees us and see this book burning not only as a violation of our Constitutional rights but as a hateful act against one group of people. It is bigotry.We, the undersigned, are requesting the State of Florida to stop the “International Burn a Quran Day” in Gainesville, as well as in any other location here in Florida.Respectfully,The Interfaith Justice League* Pundit Baldath Maharaj of Florida Sevashram Sangha (Lake Worth, Florida)* Reverend Renwick Bell of Church of Our Savior MCC (Boynton Beach, Florida)* Rabbi Barry Silver of Congregation L’Dor Va Dor (Lake Worth, Florida)* Shokai Kathleen Bishop of Southern Palm Zen Group (Boca Raton, Florida)* Imam Shaik Shafayet Mohamed of Darul Uloom Institute (Hollywood, Florida)* Larry Stauber of 1st Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches (North Palm Beach, Florida)

FITNA

Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders recently released his new film called Fitna. The film portraits the Qur’aan as a book of violence with the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) as a terrorist. The film is causing a lot of commotion in Netherlands and other parts of the world. Geert Wilders claim that the film “Fitna” will prove to the world that the Qur’aan is a guide to terrorist attacks. I call on the Muslim world to pray and ask Allaah for guidance and protection against the hatred of people like Geert Wilders. Satan is using this film to create corruption and chaos in the world, which is the actual meaning of the word “Fitna.” Demonstrations and violence would only give justice to the movie and prove Geert Wilders right. Muslims should not act irresponsible and ignorant by misrepresenting the true meaning of the Holy Qur’aan and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). As the saying goes, we should just let “barking dogs bark.” Meanwhile, Muslims should spend their time and money studying the Qur’aan and practicing the Noble characteristics of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). Now is the time for us to wake up and stop sleeping as most Muslims of today are doing. We need to stop the cultural fights and Masjid politics. Instead, we should be using the pen and Qur’aanic knowledge to educate the world on the true teachings of Islam. The Qur’aan teaches us that “Truth will prevail and Falsehood would vanish.” Geert’s film is just another drop in the ocean of hatred and evil. There are many more representatives of Satan who are trying to criticize and tarnish the true teachings of the Holy Qur’aan. Unfortunately, there are some Muslim’s who are agents of Satan. Such are those who are fanatics, extremists, suicidal bombers and radicals who misrepresent the true teachings of the Holy Qur’aan and noble characteristics of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). They are those who have hijacked the religion of Islam for their own personal and political agenda.

While Geert Wilders is spending his time and wealth to tarnish the message of the Qur’aan, we Muslims should on the other hand spend our time and wealth in spreading the true message of the Qur’aan. In chapter 17 verse 82, Allaah says that the Qur’aan is a book of Healing and Mercy. Therefore, we ask readers to join our 100,000 Qur’aan Drive. For more details, please see page 2 or visit our website at www.alhikmat.com.

USA THANKSGIVING DINNER

vs

EID UL ADHA FEAST
BY: Shaikh Shafayat Mohamed

It is more virtuous to do the Qurbaani where you live

On Thursday 22 November Americans throughout the USA celebrated and commemorated THANKSGIVING DAY. Many Muslims also celebrated the THANKSGIVING DAY with their families here in the USA. This celebration has not only become a part of many Muslims of today, but will continue to be part of the future generations here in the USA. While this is a good practice and THANKSGIVING for the favors bestowed by God on the pilgrims to America, it is important to note that this commemoration exist basically due to the fact that the Americans of yesteryears have consistently kept the celebration alive with the Turkey dinner etc., hence the reason why THANKSGIVING DAY HAS BECOME A NATIONAL HOLIDAY. On the other hand, Eid Ul Adha is the FESTIVAL OF THE SACRIFICE ordained by Allaah to celebrate that great trial or test that Prophet Ebraheem A.S. passed. Therefore, it is important for Muslims of today to strive and make the effort to celebrate the EID UL ADHA FEAST, by bringing families and friends together to share in an EID FEAST at home or at Islamic Centers. If this doesn’t happen on a wide scale in all communities here in America, soon the future generations would lose the significance and practicality of Eid Ul Adha . Muslim children would grow up only knowing about THANKSGIVING DINNER rather than an EID FEAST.
Allaah in the Qur’aan commands and authorizes that the Eid Feast should continue for all times - Chapter 37 Verse 106-107 “For this was obviously a trial, and We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice, and We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times.
While, there are many Muslims who pray the Eid salaah and do the Eid feast here in the USA, there are still many who do not commemorate the EID UL ADHA FESTIVAL. There are some who only pray the Eid here in the USA, but perform the animal sacrifice in another country. This may be valid, but would not be fulfilling the true sacrifice and feast of Eid ul Adha . If Muslims want to help the poor and needy in foreign countries, they should send sadqa/charity for them rather than eradicating the practicality of the Eid FEAST here in the USA. If we compare the two Eids, we’ll see that a lesser number of Muslims celebrate Eid Ul Adha in the West.
The true Sunnah of the Holy Prophet S.A.W. was to do the sacrifice and feast oneself . This has great wisdom and virtues. The following sayings of the Prophet S.A.W certify the virtues and personal touch to the sacrifice and feast.
The Prophet (SAW) said to Fatima (RA): “O Fatima, stand and witness your sacrifice for verily all your sins are forgiven when the first drop of blood falls. And say: ‘Verily, my prayer and my sacrifice, and my life and my death, are only for Allah, the Lord of the Universe. He hath no partner. With that I have been commanded and I am the first of the Muslims.’ One of the companions then enquired: “O Messenger of Allah, is this only for you and your family, or for all the Muslims?” The Prophet (SAW) answered: “It is for all the Muslims!”
Hazrat Ibn Umar reported that the Holy Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. lived in Madinah for ten years and performed ‘Qurbani’ every year. (Tirmizi)
Hazrat Abu Hurairah reported that Rasoolullaah said, : “Whoever has the capacity to do the sacrifice and does not do so, should not come to the place where the Eid prayer is offered.” (Ibn Majah).