All thanks be to
Allah, the Lord of the worlds, peace and prayer be upon the most honorable
of all messengers, Muhammad.
Allah
May He
be Exalted creates what He
wishes and He
chooses whom He
pleases. He
created the heavens and chose the seventh out of them. He
created the gardens and selected the Ferdose. He
created all angels and selected Gabriel, Michael and Israel. He
created people and selected the believers. From the believers He
selected the prophets and messengers. From the messengers He
selected the ones with the firm well or determination. And from those He
selected the two to call colleagues, and of those two He
selected Mohammed (ppbu). He
created all earth and He
selected Mekkah. He
created time and days. Of all the months He
selected Ramadan. Of all of the days He
selected Friday as the best day. Of all the nights He
selected the night of the Qadr. Of all the hours He
selected the Friday hour. And as a group of days, He
selected the first ten days in the month of Thel-Hejjah.
A Muslim lives with
blessings in his deed and his time. The greatest blessing in the deed is
obedience. Allah says: ((Allah writes good deed and sins. This who comes up
with a good deed he will have ten times of what it is worth)). It is said
((Allah writes good and bad deeds. Who ever go intending to do a good deed
but he doesn’t get round to doing it, Allah will write it with him/her as a
full done good deed. And who ever goes intending to do a good deed and he
does actually do it, Allah will write it with him as up to ten times worth
of that deed, or up to 700 times worth or even more times worth. Yet, this
who goes intending to do a bad deed (or a sin) but he doesn’t do it or backs
off, Allah will write it with him as a full good deed. And this who goes
intending to do a bad deed (or a sin) and he does actually do it, Allah will
write it with him as one bad deed. With Allah, no one will really be
destroyed except one with a mind set to self destruction))
Obedience to Allah in
itself is a blessing when words are spoken or when deeds are done. A word spoken
in obedience is worth ten good deeds. Obedience to Allah by deed is a blessing
as in the worship acts. A prayer is rewarded as ten prayers, fasting for the
month of Ramadan is like fasting ten months. Charity is rewarded as 700 times
its worth. And a good pilgrimage (Hajj) has no reward but Paradise.
The first ten days in the
month of Thel-Hejjah have great status with Allah. Allah loves them and values
them greatly. They are blessed, with great rewards, and with great many good
deeds, and with fewer sins, and with multiple acts of obedience. Their
advantages are too many to count.
Allah used them when He
made an oath when in the Surah Al-Fajr He says: {and the ten nights}. Allah only
makes an oath using great creations of His, like the heavens, the earth, the
sun, moon, stars and the wind. Oath is made with great time-related terms such
as dawn, 3asr {ÚÕÑ}, forenoon, the night and the day, the Ten. His creations can
creatures like us can make an oath using only Allah’s name.
One of the virtues of
those ten days is that Allah had it tied with other great and important periods
of times like Fajr of the time when life goes back to the semi-dead bodies; and
light after darkness. The Shaf3 and Watr at night. The Fajr is the time
associated with times when angles are gathered; close to the time when Allah
descends closer, round the last third part of the night. It is also the time
that differentiates the believers from the hypocrites.
Another virtue of the
first ten days of Thel-Hejjah is that in those days Allah did complete his
blessings when the Quran descent came to an end. A Jewish Rabbi once said to the
Khalifa Omar: “you have an ayah in your book, if it was brought down to us we
would have made the day it came down a day of celebration”, and he quoted the
third Aya of the suraht Alma-edah: {Today I have for you, fulfilled your
religion. And finalised my blessing on to you. And I have accepted Islam to be a
religion for you }. Omar said: “I know when and where this Aya was revealed; it
was on the day of Arafa on a Friday”.
The first ten days of
theel-hejjah have more virtues. All worship can take place during those days.
One can pray, give charity, make fasting and do Hajj. Hajj can only be performed
in those ten days and in no others. Making prayers (duaa), praising and
rejoicing Allah.
The prophet peace and
prayer be upon him said:{There are no other days during which a good deed is
more loved to Allah than on those days} meaning the first ten days of
Thel-Hejjah. They asked “Not even the Jihad in line of Allah?” He said: {Not
even a jihad in the line of Allah, except for when a person goes out for jihad
with his life and all his money and came back with non of that}
One of the greatest
virtues of the first Ten of Thel-Hejja is that it contains the day of Arafah. It
is a day with much blessings and forgiveness. The prophet (ppbu) said {The best
duaa is the duaa on the day of Arafa}. It is the day that Satan is so humiliated
and reduced. It is called the great day of Hajj. And the prophet (ppbu) said
{Pilgrimage Hajj is Arafh}. And for the non-hajj, fasting that day cleanses sins
for two years; the previous year and the next year.
Another virtue of the
first ten days of Thel-Hejja is having the tenth day as the day of the
sacrifice. A person in Hajj will stone the devil, shave the hair, sacrifice the
lamb, make the Tawaf walk round the Ka’ba, do the walk between Safa and Marwa
hills, perform the Eid-prayer, meet with other fellow Muslims in great
congregations. And Muslims congratulating each other.
Dear Muslims, make the
most of those ten blessed days. Start by repenting to Allah. That is return to
Allah in what is visible and what is hidden.
Some of the poor in
Madinah complained to the prophet (ppbu) about their fellow rich. They said
those with the money are claiming all the rewards from Allah and the higher
places in paradise and the ever lasting comfort and well being. They said they
pray as we do and they fast as we do. But better than we, they have money they
make charity and we do not, and they go to do Hajj and we do not. The prophet (ppbu)
said {shall I let you know of something if you do it then you will catch up with
those who went ahead of you (meaning to do Hajj), and you will be ahead of those
who are with you. And no one will get to be like you will except someone who
does the same}. They said: “Yes”. He said: {Praise Allah 33 times ÓÈÍÇä Çááå,
and thank Allah 33 times ÇáÍãÏ ááå, and magnify Allah 33 times Çááå ÃßÈÑ}.
Read a lot of the Quran,
do a lot of the voluntary prayers (nawafel). Give charity a plenty. Make fasting
even the entire first 9 days. In those ten days refrain from cutting or trimming
your hair and finger nails until the day of the sacrifice.
Assalam Alaikum -
The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace
be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching
it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during
leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
Aya (or Ayah):
is a verse of the Koran.
It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
is a mountain
outside the city of Mecca
that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing
Hajj must stay at this location on the same
day.
Badr
- The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the
pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph
- A Muslim ruler. See:
(Khalifa)
Dajjal
- Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah
- The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din)
- Religion or way of life.
Duaa:
a prayer in the form of
talking to Allah;
praising him and asking him for help.
Fatwa
- Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are
the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose:
is the highest level of
the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh
- Religious law.
Hadeeth:
is something reported
that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave.
It is usually narrated or told by one
of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are
reported and checked to be genuine. No
more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar -
The Black Stone set into the corner of the
Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj -
The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in
the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas:
is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith
- The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his
followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is
the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or
Hejrah):
the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This
event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12
months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a
name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah -
Worship. All the words and deeds with which
Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese):
On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used
by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar
or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn
Omar.
Imam
(or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman:
belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) -
The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the
Christians.
Islam
- Submission, the religion of all the
prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah -
The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of
the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad:
is striving in the
line
of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving
oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection
of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the
fight one's self against temptations.
It also means "holy war."
Jinn
-
Supernatural, invisible beings race of
beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst
them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on
Judgment Day.
Ka'aba:
A cube shaped building in
Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say
Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by
Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers.
Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage
in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa:
is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation:
"Successor".
Khutbah -
A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr -
Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for
anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran
- Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book
of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran
literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to
the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the
Arabian
peninsula
(in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to
immigrate to.
Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid -
A
center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah -
A
sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah:
is
the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous
black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim
house of worship.
Muhajir -
(Muhajireen)
Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It
was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median
and Ethiopia.
Muhammad -
the final messenger and
prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He
received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in
Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad
ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim
- One who holds faith to the religion of
Islam.
Nafilah:
a voluntary prayer other
than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara -
Christians. Nasrani:
A Christian individual. Nasraniah:
Christianity.
Ommah:
is the Arabic word for a
nation. It usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise -
Another word for heaven. A
garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and
imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels.
All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty
Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise
is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU
(P.B.U.H.) :
Peace and Prayers Be
Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the
messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar -
Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all
things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr):
The night when the first
revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the
last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to
the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and
few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the
holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla -
The direction which Muslims turn for daily
prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish -
An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger
Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan -
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which
is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat -
Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of
worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is
performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa:
A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion
leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants
of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who
ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk -
Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with
Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of
Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam-
Fasting
Sunni:
is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life
style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah):
Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he
dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought.
Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered
the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an
important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes.
It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all
Muslims.
Surah -
A
chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf:
part of the pilgrimage (Hajj)
ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise
direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed -
Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that
there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement
of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new
Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah -
Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person
to understand God.
Taurat: The old
Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah -
the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah):
A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to
Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic
year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual
done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor -
The
Psalms
Zakat -
The
third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
