The Moon And His Stars

New Address: www.tasheeltadrees.blogspot.com

2012-01-12T07:30:00.000-08:00

In the Name of Allah, the Benificent, the Merciful

As-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu

There will no longer be any posts on this blog. This does not mean that mention of ‘The Moon صلي الله عليه وسلم and his Stars’ will stop. The blog has been incorporated into the following blog, under the Seerah-Taareekh section:

www.tasheeltadrees.blogspot.com

May Allah Ta’ala send salutations and peace upon our Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم, and the family and companions of our beloved Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم, forever and ever. May their love and mention continue in the hearts of believers forever and ever.

Lastly, I would like to mention that our Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم’s beauty has astounded and continues to astound. The most beautiful creation we have observed is the full moon in its light and elegance. There have been comparisons with our prophet’s beauty to that surpassing the moon. However, it has been a mistake on my part to make such comparisons in the naming of this blog ‘The Moon and His Stars’. For the moon has craters, and my Nabi صلي الله عليه وسلم is free from blemishes!

Inscriptions of Sahaaba

2012-01-07T11:37:00.000-08:00

I found this amazing post on another website. I have abridged the post.

The following is an image of inscriptions from Mount Sal` in Medinah Munawwarah. This is where the Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم placed most of the Muslim army during the Battle of the Trench (al-Khandaq).

Studies have dated the inscriptions to two years before the battle, but Allah Ta'ala knows best. They could even have been inscribed over time.

There’s two sets of inscriptions, large ones on the right, which were written later, and smaller ones on the left. The large inscriptions on the right are cut off and we can only read words or phrases like “Wise” and “Bakr” and “Umar son of..” The ones on the left say the following:

10 Promised Paradise - العشرة المبشرون بالجنة

2011-10-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

The following is a list of the 10 Sahaabah granted the glad tidings of Jannah and the story of their embracing Islam, at whose hands. Isn't it amazing to know that 6 of them embraced Islam at Sayidina Abubakr [may Allah be pleased with him]'s hands! Surely, he is the hero of this Ummah. May Allah unite us with them in Jannah. Aameen.

Understading Usage Of 'Arab Names

2011-10-16T09:35:00.000-07:00

It can get confusing when first reading all the names in the Seerah of Nabi صلي الله عليه و سلم . Understanding why some Sahaabah were more famous by their names, whilst others by their titles, whilst others by their fathers' names requires understanding the 'Arab naming system. The following two diagrams show this.

Some important information regarding 'Laqab' and 'Kunyah':

لقب

A Laqab is a title or nickname that the person is known by. A Laqab can come before or after a person’s name. Not everybody has one. Two famous Alqaab [plural form of Laqab] that our Messenger صلي الله عليه و سلم was given before Prophethood were: Al-Ameen [The Trustworthy] and As-Saadiq [The Truthful].

To read more, here is the Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_name

كنية

A Kunyah is a teknonym; a type of epithet. It is a naming device used by the Arabs where a person takes the name of any of his children [usually the oldest] and uses it as his/her title. Rasulullah صلي الله عليه و سلم’s favourite Kunyah was ‘Abul Qaasim’ [The father of Qaasim]. His first born son was called Qaasim.

However, a person may have a Kunyah that does not necessarily relate to his/her children. Our Mother Aisha was called ‘Umm Abdillah’ [the Mother of Abdullah] after her nephew, Abdullah ibn Umar. A famous Sahaabi Suhaib Roomi’s Kunyah was ‘Abu Yahya’, yet he never had any children.

Some people are renown by their Kunyah to such a degree that even their name is forgotten! One of the ten Companions promised Paradise is renown by his Kunyah, Abu Ubaydah. His name was ‘Aamir.

Alternatively, some people are known only by their name whilst their Kunyah is not renowned. The third Caliph in Islam was Sayidina 'Uthman. His Kunyah was Abu Abdillah.

Interestingly, some people are given a Kunyah after an attribute that describes them. Abu Jahal was the worst enemy of Islam. Abu Jahal means ‘the father of ignorance’. On the opposite end, the friend of Islam, Sayidina Abubakr’s real name was Abdullah. Why was he nicknamed Abubakr? According some narrations, due to his love for camels as a child, he was named ‘the father of the camel foal’.In a similar way, Nabi صلي الله عليه و سلم named his close companion AbdurRahmaan ‘Abu Hurairah’ which means the ‘father of kitten’. This was because he had a kitten which he kept with much love. May Allah be well pleased with our beloved Messenger and his beloved Companions. Aameen.

To read more, here is the Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunya_%28Arabic%29

Love of Sayidina Abubakr and Sayidina Ali for each other

2011-09-22T07:01:00.000-07:00

It is recorded in Sunan ad-Daarimi, upon the authority of Abu Hurayrah (ra) that both Abu Bakr (ra) and Ali (ra) arrived at the door of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr (ra) said,

“Ya Ali, you go first.”

Ali (ra) replied, “Please you go before me.” Ali (ra) then said, “I will never go in front of a man of whom the messenger said the sun never rises or sets on any better man than Abu Bakr.”

Abu Bakr (ra) replied, “How can I go before whom the messenger (Peace be upon him) said the best woman (Fatima) was given to the best man.”

Ali (ra) then said, “I will never enter before a person whom the messenger (Peace be upon him) said on the day of judgement a call will come from Almighty Allah saying “O
Abu Bakr! You and the ones that love you enter Jannah!’”

Abu Bakr (ra) replied, “I will never go before you because you will come rising on the day of judgement and it will be said that “he was a good man, a good brother and a good father”.”

So Ali then said, “I will never go before you when the prophet said, ‘If the imaan of Abu Bakr was placed on one side of the scale and the imaan of the ummah on the other the imaan of Abu Bakr would outweigh it’.”

Abu Bakr (ra) replied, “I cannot go before the one who the prophet said on the day of judgement “Ali will come with his wife Fatima and their two children riding on a camel and the people will “Who is this O Prophet?” and the reply will be given, “This is the one whom Allah loves.””

Ali (ra) then replied that the messenger (Peace be upon him) said, “Allah said, “The one who brought sideq was rasoolullah and the sideeq is the one that follows.”

Jibreel (as) was then instructed to go to Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and say, “Allah sends His salam and all the malaaika are listening to the conversation between Abu Bakr and Ali go out and be the third one to resolve it! Allah sends his special rahma and has built a fence of imaan and adab between them.”

The prophet (Peace be upon him) then came out and kissed both of them and said, "By the one in whose hand lays my soul – if the sea was ink and the trees pens and the creations of the heavens and the earth were writing they would never be able to write about your virtues nor describe your words."

First Sahaaba to become Muslim

2011-09-09T06:32:00.001-07:00

Types of people who pray Qur'aan

2011-08-05T08:19:00.001-07:00

The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'aan; guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).

[al-Baqarah 2:185]

طلع البدرعلينا

2011-07-02T11:18:00.000-07:00

This is the beautiful song that was sung by the people of Madinah when the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be blessings, entered Madinah. Their joy and love for him had no bounds. No bounds at all. Can you imagine how we’d feel if we knew the Messenger of Allah was coming to our city?

Prophet Facts

2011-06-16T02:28:00.001-07:00

First batch of Prophets Facts

قل الحمد لله وسلام على عباده الذين اصطفى آلله خير أما يشركون

*Say: Praise unto Allah and Peace on his Servants that He has chosen [as Messengers]. Is Allah greater or that which they associate [with Him].* 27:59

The Prophets are alive in their graves praying. Hadith in Bayhaqi

The Prophets are paternal brothers. Their mothers are different but their religion is one. [They have different laws but preach the same message.]

There are 4 Prophetic requirements:

Sidq: Truthfulness

Amaanah: Trustworthiness

Tableegh: Spreading of the message

FaTaanah: Highest Intellect

If you see Nabi s in your dream giving you honey, you’ll memorise the Qur’aan. If you see him s giving you a Siwaak, you’ll live a long and healthy life.

Some Prophets were given a Kitaab [Holy Book] and some were given one or more Sahifaa [Holy Scripture]. Sayidina Sheeth y was given 50 Sahifaas.

4 Prophets were Arab: Sayidina Hud u, Sayidina Saalih u, Sayidina Shu’ayb u and Sayidina Muhammad s.

A wife of a Prophet has never fornicated. Even if they were non-Muslim women like Sayidina Nuh u and Sayidina Hud u ’s wives.

Sayidina Adam u ’s epithet in the world is Abu Bashar [Father of Humanity]. In Jannah his epithet will be Abu Muhammad [Father of Nabi Muhammad s].

Society and the Sheep Syndome

2011-06-14T05:03:00.000-07:00

''He [Hud] said: O my people! I am no imbecile, but I am an apostle from the Cherisher of the Worlds. '' [Qura'an 7:67]

Metaphorical definition of sheep: a meek, unimaginative or easily led person

One Scholar said: ''When I read the Qura'an I notice that the pious were one against the rest.''

The Qura'an is full of these stories. A small group who dared to question the status quo. Moses, Mary, Abraham, Saalih, Noah, Lot, Aasiyah, Habib Najjaar [the man in Surah Yaaseen], Jesus, and off course our Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم and his Companions.

Sayidina Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allahصلى الله عليه وسلم said:

"Islam initiated as something strange and it would revert to its position of being strange so glad tidings to the strangers."

[Recorded by Muslim, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Ahmad]

Surah Fatah and Victory of Hudaybia from Jhalalayn

2011-05-08T04:50:00.000-07:00

Surah Fatah

Tafseer Jhalalayn: Hashiyah [margin] 6, page 423

The reason of revelation is that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم set out in the 6^th year hijrah with 1400 companions towards Makkah with the intention of Umrah.

They wore their Ihram in Thil Hulayfah and Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم took with him 70 animals for sacrifice whilst the people took 700.

When they reached Hudaybiah which is a village at one mile distance from Makkah, Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم sent Sayidina Uthman to the people of Makkah as an envoy so that he may inform them that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم had come to visit the House of Allah and did not intend war.

When Sayidina Uthman went they held him back/remanded him by them, then Iblees spread the news amongst the Sahaaba that Sayidina Uthman was martyred.

Thus, Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم took an oath with the Sahaaba that they’d enter Makkah to do war [in retribution, as killing an envoy of peace especially in the Sacred Sanctuary is treachery and war].

When the Meccans found out, they felt fearful, released Sayidina Uthman and sought out a treaty with Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم with the condition that he would return the next year and stay for a 3 day period.

So Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم and his blessed companions removed their Ihraams by shaving their heads and sacrificing animals.

They returned saddened and grieved and Allah wanted to comfort them and alleviate their grief. Thus, he revealed to Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم whilst he was praying to Allah all night at Kiraa’ Ulgameem -a valley infront of Asfaan between Makkah and Madinah- ‘Innaa Fatahnaa’.

Haashiyah 7

‘We Decreed the Victory of Makkah and others’

Like Khaybar, Hunain, Taaif and their like.

This Ayaah was revealed after the return of Hudaybiah in the 6^th year and Makkah was conquered in the 8^th year, so why had the past tense been used in ‘Fatahnaa?’

1. The answer is that using the past tense is in relation to ‘taqdeer azlee’ i.e. we commanded the open victory for you from the inception of time, so in this case referring to the past tense can be taken literally.

2. And it can be answered that using the past tense is for ‘majaaz’ [figurative speech] because it sure to happen. An example would be ‘wa nufikha fisoor’.

3. The answer could also be that the past tense is used literally because Hudaybiah is a victory, for more was gained in it than in any other situation.

Last of the Sahaabi Facts

2011-04-10T09:14:00.000-07:00

Sayidina Nuaym bin Abdullah used to burn incense in Masjid Nabawi; a form of Sadaqa because good smells brings joy.

Sayidina Arfaja bin Asad’s nose was made from gold because his original nose was shaheed in battle.

Sayidina ‘Amr [not Umar] was only 11 or 12 years older than his son Sayidina Abdullah.

Rasulullah sallaAllualayhiwasallam performed Salaah behind 2 lucky Sahaaba: Sayidina Abubakr and Sayidina AbdurRahmaan bin ‘Awf.

Rasulullah sallaAllualayhiwasallam, Sayidina Abubakr, Sayidina ‘Umar and Sayidina ‘Ali all passed away when they were 63. Sayidina ‘Uthman passed away when he was 82.

Sayidina Abdullah bin ‘Amr [not ‘Umar] was ‘Reader of the Two Books’; Qur’aan and Torah. He found some unchanged papers of the Torah, not the one available now.

Sayidina Salman [the Persian] when asked about his lineage would say, ‘I am Salman ibn [son of]..........Islam!

Sayidina Hunain used to distribute Rasulullah sallaAllualayhiwasallam’s used Wudhu water amongst the loving Sahaaba.

During the expedition of Sayidina Abu ‘Ubaidah, they ate an ambar [whale] washed onto the shape. It lasted them 18 days and our Messenger sallaAllualayhiwasallam also partook of it.

During the expedition of Tabook, Sayidina 'Uthman fulfilled the need of 1/3 of the army. Rasulullah sallaAllualayhiwasallam prayed,

'May Allah forgive you Oh 'Uthman what you've done, what you'll do, what you've done in secret, in open, what you've hidden, what you've shown, whatever has come from you and what will come from you until the day of Qiyaamat.'

"Allah, Allah! Fear Him with regard to my Companions! Do not make them targets after me! Whoever loves them loves them with his love for me; and whoever hates them hates them with his hatred for me. Whoever bears enmity for them bears enmity for me; and whoever bears enmity for me, bears enmity for Allah. Whoever bears enmity for Allah, He will soon make him perish.''

Hadith in Mishkaatul Masaabeeh

Battle of Khaibar

2011-04-06T07:30:00.001-07:00

Treaty of Hudaibiyah - صلح الحديبية

2011-03-07T01:18:00.000-08:00

Siwaak/Miswaak benifits

2011-01-25T13:49:00.001-08:00

The tree in the background is the Peelu/Arak tree which is the best tree to use for siwaak according to the Hadith.

Why was Sayidina Abubakr called Ateeq and Sideeq?

2011-01-13T12:23:00.000-08:00

He Who Insulted Abubakr and Umar

2011-01-11T15:06:00.000-08:00

It is stated in Hayaatul Muslimeen [Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi رحمة الله عليه] on page 30 that Ismaaeel bin Hammad [Imam Abu Hanifa رحمة الله عليه 's grandson] says,

'There was once a Ghaalee [most extreme] Shia who
named his mules Abubakr and Umar [الله يحفظنا].
A while later, one of them kicked him to death.
My grandfather Imam Abu Hanifa said, 'It must have been the one he named Umar'.
We checked and matters were like he described.'

Indeed how beautifully our Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم says,

'Do not revile my companions, for by Him in Whose Hand is my soul, were one of you to spend gold equal to mount Uhud, you would not attain the reward of the handful of one of them or even half of it'.
[Bukhari and Muslim]

Sahaabi Facts

2011-01-11T15:04:00.001-08:00

Sahaabi Facts for 2nd week of December to 2nd week of Jan:

Sayidina Abubakr was called 'Caliph of Rasulullah' and Sayidina Umar was called 'Caliph of the Caliph of Rasulullah' sallaAllahu alayhi wasallam. Sayidina Adi bin Haatim and Sayidina Labeed bin Rabia were the first to call him 'Ameerul Mu'mineen [Leader of the Believers]. This was later used for all Caliphs.

Sayidatina Zaynab bint AbuSalamah's father was Rasulullah's foster brother and cousin. Her mother was Rasulullah's wife. He sweetly nicknamed her Zanaab. He once sprinkled water on her face; the result of which was that it always stayed youthful.

Sayidina Zaid bin Haaritha was known as the 'Adopted Son of Rasulullah sallaAllahu alayhi wasallam' and his wife Sayidatina Umm Ayman was known as the 'Mother of Rasulullah' [because she took care of him when he was young]. The son of this couple, Sayidina Usama, was known as the 'Beloved of Rasulullah sallaAllahu alayhi wasallam'. A blessed family!

Sayidina Anas bin Maalik had 72 sons and 18 daughters. Rasulullah sallaAllahu alayhi wasallam had made a dua for him, for increase in wealth and children.

Sayidina Suhaib Roomi [Suhaib the Roman] was actually an Arab captured by Romans. Because he'd grown up there and spoke Arabic with an accent, he was mistaken for Roman and the nickname stuck. On top of that, he had blonde hair!

Young Companions

2010-12-03T05:19:00.000-08:00

Nowadays youngsters are often disregarded and patronised. However, in the time of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم they were honoured and taught excellently as they were the future generation of Islam.

Sayidina Usama bin Zaid at the age of 19-20 was made commander of a major army by the Messenger of Allah. Giants like Sayidina Khalid bin Waleed were under his command. When the Messenger of Allah passed away Sayidina Abubakr insisted on sending the army with Usama and only Usama as the leader. He was successful in his mission.

Below are the names of major major Sahaaba who were young when they accepted Islam. Most became Muslim before their families so it was Allah’s guidance and their own understanding that led them to faith.

Non-Arab Sahaaba

2010-12-03T05:15:00.000-08:00

Qais ibn Mutatia, a hypocrite, came to a gathering where Sayidina Salman al-Farisi (the Persian), Sayidina Suhaib Rumi (the Roman) and Sayidina Bilal Habashi (the Abyssinian) were present.

He remarked tauntingly, ‘Aws and Khazraj (Arab tribes) have rendered some service to this person (The Prophet of Allah) but I fail to understand what these Non Arabs have done to deserve this honour’.

Sayidina Mo'adh ibn Jabal was in that gathering. He took him to the Prophet of Allah and told him the racism he had uttered.

The Prophet of Allah, upon whom be blessings, became angry and went to the Masjid and gave a sermon:

"Your Lord is One. Your ancestor is one. Your religion is one.

Take heed. Arabism is not conferred on you through your mother or father. It is through the tongue (the language of Arabic) so whoever speaks Arabic, he is an Arab.”

Sahaaba's Real Names

2010-12-03T04:46:00.000-08:00

abridged from another website

Abu Usaid(died 60 A.H.) : His real name was Malik bin Rabi`ah. He participated in the Battle of Badr.

Abu Umamah (died 1 A.H.) : Real name: As`ad bin Zurarah. Companion from the Ansar, the representative of his tribe in the First and Second Pledges of Al-`Aqabah.

Abu Aiyub Al-Ansari (died 52 A.H./672 A.D.) : Real name: Khalid bin Zaid bin Kulaib. Hosted the Messenger in his home when he immigrated to Medina.

Abu Al-Darda' (died 32 A.H./652 A.D.) : Real name: `Uwaimir bin Malik. Abu Al-Darda' participated in all battles following the Battle of Uhud. IHe assumed the office of judge in Damascus and died during the caliphate of `Uthman bin `Affan.

Abu Burdah Al-Ansari (died 41 A.H.) : The uncle of Al-Bara' bin `Azib. His real name was Hani' bin Niar bin `Amr. He was present at the Battle of Badr.

Abu Barzah (died 65 A.H.) : His real name was Nadlah bin `Ubaid bin Al-Harith. He reported 46 Prophetic Hadiths.

Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (51 B.H.-13 A.H./573-634 A.D.) : Real name: `Abdullah bin `Uthman bin `Amir. The first Rightly-Guided Caliph (11-13 A.H./632-634 A.D.) He was the first man to believe have faith. Abu Bakr kept company with the Prophet before and after the Mission.

Abu Bakrah (died 52 A.H.) : His real name was Nafi` bin Al-Harith bin Kildah Al-Thaqafi. He was a Companion from Al-Ta`if. He reported 132 Prophetic hadiths. He died in Basra.

Abu Juhaifah (74 A.H.) : A Companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him). 'Abu Juhaifah' was his nickname; his real name was Wahb bin `Abdullah bin Muslim. The Prophet (peace be upon him) died while Abu Juhaifah was still a teenager. He was appointed treasurer of the public treasury by `Ali bin Abi Talib. Last Companion to die in Kufa.

Abu Hudhaifah bin `Utbah (died 11 A.H.) : Full name: Abu Hudhaifah bin `Utbah bin Rabi`ah bin `Abd Shams bin `Abd Manaf. Abu Hudhaifah participated in the Battle of Badr and was killed in the Battle of Al-Yamamah.

Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (died 74 A.H.) : Real name: Sa`d bin Malik bin Sinan. Narrated many Prophetic Hadith and was one of the most knowledgeable Companions. Abu Sa`id participated in 12 battles, and assumed the position of Mufti in Medina, where he died.

Abu Sufyan bin Harb (died 31 A.H./652 A.D.) : Real name: Sakhr bin Harb bin Umaiyah. Abu Sufyan converted to Islam on the day of the Conquest of Mecca. He was the father in law of the Messenger.

Abu Salamah Al-Makhzumi (died 4 A.H.) : Real name: `Abdullah bin `Abd Al-Asad. He was the Prophet's foster-brother and one of the first to adopt Islam. Abu Salamah migrated to Abyssinia and then to Medina. He participated in the Battle of Badr and died in Medina.

Abu `Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah (died 18 A.H./639 A.D.) : Real name: `Amir bin `Abdullah. One of the ten Muslims who were given the glad tidings that they would enter Paradise. The Prophet gave him the title "The Trustee of Muhammad's Ummah. "

Abu Mas`ud Al-Ansari (died 40 A.H.) : His real name was `Uqbah bin `Amr bin Tha`labah. He pledged allegiance to the Prophet (peace be upon him) at Al-`Aqabah Pledge and took part in the Battle of Uhud. In addition, he was an active participant in subsequent Islamic events. `Ali bin Abi Talib appointed him his successor at Kufa when he headed for Siffin to fight Mu`awiah. Abu Mas`ud reported more than 100 Prophetic hadiths.

Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (died 44 A.H.) : Real name: `Abdullah bin Qais. Abu Musa immigrated to Abyssinia, then moved to Medina after the conquest of Khaibar. `Uthman bin `Affan appointed him governor of Kufa.

Abu Hurairah (died 59 A.H./678 A.D.) : Real name: `Abdul-Rahman bin Sakhr Al-Azdi. One of the greatest Muftis of his time. Greatest narrator of Hadith. He died in Medina.

Abu Waqid Al-Laithi (died 68 A.H.) : His real name was `Auf bin Al-Harith Al-Laithi. He participated in the Battle of Badr. He was from Medina but died in Merv in Turkmenistan during the caliphate of Sayidina Mu`awiah.

May Allah be pleased with them all. Aameen.

Sahaabi Facts

2010-12-03T03:31:00.000-08:00

Sahaabi facts from 2nd week of October to 1st week of December:

Before Rasulullah's arrival in Madinah Sayidina Saalim Maula [freed slave and adopted son of] Sayidina Abu Hudhayfa used to lead the prayers.

Sayidina Muawiyah is known as 'Khal ul Mu'mineen, the maternal uncle of the believers. This is because he was the brother of Sayidatina Umm Habiba, the wife of our Messenger. All his wives are 'Ummahaatul Mu'mineen', the Mothers of the Believers. Therefore, our mother's brother is our uncle! Not literally offcourse.

Sayidina Abu Musa Al-Asha'ari was called 'Hakeem Ummati', 'the Wise man of my nation/followers' by the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be blessings.

Sayidina Thabit bin Qays is the only person whose will was executed through a dream. One of his friends saw him in a dream after he was martyred. He told the dreamer the name of the person who stole his armour and various other points. He also mentioned that the Caliph Sayidina Abubakr should handle the matter.

Rasulullah's closest friends before Prophethood were:
Sayidina Abubakr
Sayidina Dhimaad bin Th'alaba
and Sayidina Hakeem bin Hizaam. All embraced Islam.

Sayidina S'ad bin Abi Waqqas is the last of the people of Badr to pass away [according to some sources] and most def the last of the '10 promised Paradise' to pass away. The only person to whom the Messenger of Allah used the affectionate expression 'may my father and mother be your ransom'.

Imam Haakim says that the 1st affectionate nickname in Islam was used by the Messenger of Allah for Sayidina Abubakr: Ateeq.

Baanat Su'ad: Burda of K'ab bin Zuhayr

2010-11-28T09:47:00.000-08:00

Sayidina K'ab ibn Zuhayr, son of one of the greatest Arab poets, was a man from Muzayna who inherited his father’s talents. K'ab used his talent against the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم and his companions by writing vilifying poems.

Once Makkah had been conquered by the Messenger of Allah, K'ab left. His brother Bujayr was a Muslim. He sent K'ab a message about the compassion and leniency of the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم.

Sayidina K'ab accepted Islam. When he went to meet Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم he composed this famous poem as an expression of love.

The Cloak

The Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم took his cloak off his blessed shoulders and put it on K'ab, signalling his approval of Sayidina Ka’b and his poem.

It became the most valuable piece of clothing ever since (Imam Shihabuddin Suhrawardi in his 'Awaarif ul Ma'aarif p. 158). The Muslims would take it with them in a casket in Jihad and would have success by Allah’s power. This cloak is preserved in Topkapi Palace, Turkey.

‘Qasida Burda’: Ode [Poem] of the Mantle

It begins with the words ‘Baanat Suad’ and is called the original Qasida Burda (distinct from the famous Qasida Burda tu'l Madeeh of Imam Sharafuddin Muhammad al-Busiri who also received a Burda from the noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in a dream after he had composed a Qasida in his praise).

It is his longest qasida with 58 verses all of which rhyme in the letter "laam", hence it is a "laamiyyah". After listening to the Baanat Su'aad in which the Muhajireen (Emigrants) had been praised by Sayidina Ka'b, the beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam out of his love for the Ansar (Helpers) said that it was only fair that he should praise them too. Sayidina Ka'b composed a "raaiyyah" in praise of the Ansar with 33 verses all rhyming in the letter "raa".

Four verses from his poem have become so popular that they are oft quoted:

ان الرسول لنور يستضاء به - مهند من سيوف الله مسلول

Surely the Messenger is a light with which people get illuminated. A Indian sword, an unscathered sword of Allah.

(Indian swords were the best type in those days. The line Indicates towards the compassion of the Messengerصلى الله عليه وسلم who despite having power never harmed anyone.)

The written poem is inshaAllah availabe here. The explanation is available here inshaAllah.

A True Leader's Advice

2010-11-28T03:01:00.001-08:00

Sayidina Abubakr walked by Sayidina Usama’s side whilst Sayidina Usama rode a horse. He had come to bid Sayidina Usama farewell for the Campaign of Syria.

Sayidina Usama said, "O successor of the holy Prophet, you get on the horse and allow me to get down."

"By Allah," replied Sayidina Abu Bakr, "I will agree to neither of the two things. What harm is there is there if a little dust falls on my feet, while I go some steps in the way of Allah? For every step one takes in Allah's way, one gets the reward of seven hundred good deeds."

The wonderfully humble man gave the young leader powerful advice in parting:

''Be not dishonest.
Do not deceive anyone.
Do not hide the booty you get.
Do not mutilate anyone.
Do not kill the aged, the children and the women.
Do not set fire to date palms.
Do not cut down fruit trees.
Do not slaughter a goat, or a cow, or a camel, except for purposes of food.
You will come across people who have give up the world and are sitting in monasteries.
Leave them alone."

This is the policy of the Muslims. We derive not our policies from Machiavelli or Nietzsche but men such as these; who in turn received it from the Messenger of Allah.

Two leaders; one young and one old. Both were known as ‘the Beloved of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم ’. Yet each one was humble and intent on justice and kindness. May Allah reward them well from us. Aameen.