"From Dusk 'Til Dawn"

MAS-IE

Presents

"From Dusk 'Til Dawn"

3rd Annual New Years Eve Program

A MAS Youth Revive Event

With Guest Speaker Br. Munir Qtaish

An All Night Event with Various Activities:

Prayers

Lectures

Sports Activities

Plays

Games

Much more....

Refreshments and Breakfast will be provided

Thursday December 31st 2009

From 8:00 to 6:00 am (Friday) 2010

MAS Center

8423 Rochester Ave.

Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

For more information log onto www.mas-ie.com or call 951-440-5270

Kind Treatment

'A'isha(rAa) reported:

"A poor woman came to me along with her daughters. I gave her three dates. She gave a date to each of them and then she took up one date and brought that to her mouth in order to eat that, but her daughters expressed desire to eat it. She then divided the date that she intended to eat between them. This (kind) treatment of her impressed me and I mentioned that which she did to Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him). Thereupon he said: Verily Allah has assured Paradise for her, because of (this act) of her, or He has rescued her from Hell-Fire."

[Sahih Muslim- Book 032, Chapter 44: The merit of according benevolent treatment to daughters, Number 6363.]

Conditions for the Acceptance of Actions

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-'Uthaymeen (d.1421H) - rahimahullaah - said,

“Sincerity (ikhlaas) towards Allaah means that the person desires by his worship closeness to Allaah the Exalted and reaching His Abode of Nobility (i.e. Paradise), such that the servant must be sincere towards Allaah the Exalted in his intended purpose. He must be sincere towards Allaah the Exalted in his love. He must be sincere towards Allaah in his exaltation. He must be sincere to Allaah the Exalted outwardly and inwardly. He does not seek anything with his worship, except for the Face of Allaah the Exalted and reaching His Abode of Nobility.”

[Refer to Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa (7/112) of Ibnul-’Uthaymeen.]

Stated al-’Allaamah Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen (d.1421H) – rahimahullaah,

“And in order that it will be known – O brothers – that al-mutaaba’ah cannot be actualized, except when the action is in agreement with the Sharee’ah in six affairs:

1. The First: as-Sabab (reason, motive); So when the person worships Allaah with act of worship that is accompanied by a motive that is not legislated by the Sharee’ah, then it is an innovation that is rejected back to its doer. An example of that is when some of the people commemorate the twenty-seventh night of Rajab under the pretence that it was the night in which the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) ascended. So tahajjud (the night Prayer) is worship. However, when it is accompanied with this motive, it becomes an innovation. This is because this action of worship is built upon a motive that has not been confirmed in the Sharee’ah. And this description – the conformity of the worship to the Sharee’ah in motive – is an important affair that clarifies many innovations from amongst those that are thought to be from the Sunnah, yet they are not from the Sunnah.
2. The Second: al-Jins (type); so it is inevitable that the act of worship be in conformity to the Sharee’ah in its jins (type). So if the person worships with an act of worship whose type is not legislated, then it is not accepted. An example of that is if a man were to slaughter a horse, then this sacrifice would not be correct, because it has opposed the Sharee’ah in the type. So the blood sacrifices cannot be done, except with cattle, grazing livestock, camels, cows and sheep.
3. The Third: al-Qadr (quantity); so if the person increases in the Prayer that is obligatory, then we say that this is an innovation that is not accepted, because it opposes the Sharee’ah in quantity. With all the more reason, if the person prays the noon Prayer for example as five units, then his Prayer is not correct by agreement.
4. The Fourth: al-Kayfiyyah (manner, mode); so if a man performs ablution, and he begins with washing the feet, then he wipes his head, then he washes his hands, then his face, then we say that his ablution is null and void, because it opposes the Sharee’ah in manner.
5. The Fifth: az-Zamaan (time); so if the person slaughters in the first days of Dhul-Hijjah, then his blood sacrifice will not be accepted due it opposing the Sharee’ah in time. And I have heard that some of the people slaughter sheep during the month of Ramadaan in order to draw closer to Allaah with blood sacrifice. So this action in this manner is an innovation, because there is nothing with regards to drawing closer to Allaah with slaughtering, except for blood sacrifice, gifts and the ’aqeeqah. As for slaughtering in Ramadaan along with the belief that one will attain the reward of slaughtering, such as the blood sacrifice in ’Eedul-Adhaa, or slaughtering for the sake of meat, then this is permissible.
6. The Sixth: al-Makaan (place); so if a man performs i’tikaaf in other than a mosque, then his i’tikaaf is not correct. And that is because the i’tikaaf cannot occur, except in the mosques. And if a woman says, ‘I wish to perform i’tikaaf in the musallaa (place of Prayer) in the house,’ then her i’tikaaf is not correct due to opposition of the Sharee’ah in place. And from the examples of that is if a man desires to perform tawaaf. So he finds that the area of tawaaf has become too confined and he finds that whatever is around it has become too confined. So he starts to perform tawaaf from behind the mosque, then his tawaaf will not be correct, because the place of the tawaaf is the house.

So the act of worship cannot be considered a righteous action, except if two conditions are fulfilled with regards to it, the first is al-ikhlaas (sincerity) and the second is al-mutaaba’ah (following the Prophet). And al-mutaaba’ah cannot be fulfilled, except with the six affairs that have been previously mentioned.”

[Refer to Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa (5/253-254) of Ibnul-’Uthaymeen.]

Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)

"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I don't know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allaah has forbidden you to take usury (Interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived...

Beware of Satan, for your safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have right over you. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to commit adultery.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allaah, say your five daily prayers (Salaah), fast during the month of Ramadaan, and give your wealth in Zakaat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to. You know that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. You are all equal. Nobody has superiority over other except by piety and good action.

Remember, one day you will appear before Allaah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand my words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Qur'an and my example, the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness oh Allaah that I have conveyed your message to your people."

[This Sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H in the Uranah Valley of mount Arafat. Last Sermon of the Messenger of Allaah (SAAS).]

Achieving a Strong Marriage Bond

Marriage is considered an 'ibaadah, an act that is pleasing to Allah SWT. It is in accordance with His commandments that husbands and wives love each other and help one another to rear their children as true servants of Allah SWT.
Most spouses start out with hopes and rosy dreams; truly committed to making their marriage work. However, as the reality of living with a less than perfect spouse lurks in, and as the pressures of life builds, many individuals do not find as much satisfaction in their relationships. All marriages change over time. However, with hard work and dedication, people can keep their marriages strong and enjoyable. How is it done? What does it take to create a long-lasting, satisfying marriage?
Researches indicate that the most successful marriages share some key characteristics. These are some of the characteristics that researchers have found to be common in successful marriages. Let's look at each of these factors.

CHARACTERISTICS OF HAPPY AND SATISFYING MARRIAGES

1. POSITIVITY
Successful spouses have far more positive than negative interactions. If there is too much negativity — criticizing, demanding, name-calling, holding grudges, etc. — the relationship will suffer. However, if there is never any negativity, it probably means that frustrations and grievances are not getting air time and unresolved tension is accumulating inside one or both partners.
The key is balance between the two extremes. There are many ways to foster positivity in a marriage. Being affectionate, truly listening to each other, taking joy in each other's achievements and being playful are just a few examples of positive interactions that help make marriages successful.

2. EMPATHY
Another characteristic of happy marriages is empathy. Empathy means understanding a person's perspective by putting oneself in his or her shoes. Many researchers have shown that empathy is important for relationship satisfaction.
People are more likely to feel good about their marriage and spouse if their partner expresses empathy towards them. Husbands and wives are more content in their relationships when they perceive that their spouses truly understand their thoughts and feelings.

3. COMMITMENT
Successful marriages involve both spouses' commitment to the relationship. When two people are truly dedicated to making their marriage work, despite the unavoidable challenges and obstacles that come, they are much more likely to have a relationship that lasts.
Husbands and wives who only focus on themselves and their own desires are not as likely to find joy and satisfaction in their relationships. However, when spouses are committed to investing in their marriage and are willing to sacrifice some of their own preferences for the good of the relationship, they usually have high-quality marriages.

4. ACCEPTANCE
One of the most basic needs in a relationship is acceptance. Everyone wants to feel valued and respected. When people feel that their spouses truly accept them for who they are, they are usually more secure and confident in their relationships.
Often, there is conflict in marriage because partners cannot accept the individual preferences of their spouses and try to demand change from one another. When one person tries to force change from another, he or she is usually met with resistance. However, research has shown that change is much more likely to occur when spouses respect differences and accept each other unconditionally. Basic acceptance is vital to a happy marriage.

5. MUTUAL LOVE AND RESPECT
Perhaps the most important component of successful marriages are love and respect for each other. This may seem very obvious — why would two people get married to someone whom they did not love and respect? The fact is, as time passes and life becomes increasingly complicated, the marriage often suffers as a result.
It is all too easy for spouses to lose touch with each other and neglect the love and romance that once came so easily. It is vital that husbands and wives continue to cultivate love and respect for each other throughout their lives. If they do, it is highly likely that their relationships will remain happy and satisfying.

Paramount of all, marriage must be based on the teachings of the Noble Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet SAW. InshaaAllah, married couples will not only gain blessing and harmony from their marriages but also benefits and rewards in the Hereafter. Ameen.
[Achieving a Strong Marriage Bond-ICNA National Family Campaign.]

Rays of Faith (Aqeedah 103) Jan 22-31 !!

BismiLah al Rahman al Rahim

AlMaghrib Institute introduces

Rays Of Faith

By: Sh Waleed Basyouni

Coming to SoCal (Qabeelat Haqq) in

January 22-24 & 30-31

To read more on the class and to Enroll visit:

www.almaghrib.org/socal

Rays of Faith. A seminar to enlighten the minds and hearts, as we continue on our journey towards Allah SWT and explore the deeper meanings of the last five of the six articles of Islamic faith: Angels, Divine Books, Messengers, the Day of Judgment and Al-Qadar.

www.almaghrib.org/socal

*If you are interested in getting into a power of ten and saving $30.00 please email: Haqq.registration@almaghrib.org

13th Annual Regional MAS Convention - Dec 25-27th, 2009

Muslim American Society Presents

Portrait of a Family

The 13th Annual MAS-LA Convention
Friday December 25^th – Sunday December 27^th

Westin LAX Hotel

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
Ahmad Sakr
Ahmed Soboh
Ali Ataie
Aneesah Nadir
Ekram Beshir
Hisham Mahmoud
Hussam Ayloush
Imad Bayoun
Mohamed Allali
Mohamed Beshir
Mohammad Faqih
Munir Qtaish

Nahla Kayali
Noha Alshugairi
..more to come!

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Renowned Speakers
Adult, Youth, Kids Program
Quality Child Care
Entertainment
Bazaar
Halal Food

Details & Registration
www.mas-la.org/

Seeking Elevation and High Handedness

Allaah, the Sublime said:
"That home of the Hereafter (i.e. Paradise), We shall assign to those who desire not high-handedness or mischief in the land. And the good end is for the Muttaqûn (pious)" [Al-Qasas 28:83]

Allaah, the Exalted has made the home of the Hereafter in this verse for the one who does not seek high handedness upon the earth, due to showing off, fame, and ostentation - and this is one of the indications of humility - and for the one who does not desire mischief and corruption.
Seeking elevation can occurr in a number of different contexts such as in the various corrupt disciplines (of knowledge), position or rank, love of leadership and power. It can also occurr in the matters of the religion, such as loving to be foremost in the gatherings, and competing in answering the questioners, even if someone who is equal to him or better than him is present.
And perhaps this elevation might even turn into envy, jealousy, the hatred of some of the callers to Allaah of one another and the dislike of showing benevolent conduct towards each other.

Allaah the Exalted said:
"Neither those who disbelieve among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) nor Al-Mushrikûn (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh, idolaters, polytheists, pagans, etc.) like that there should be sent down unto you any good from your Lord. But Allâh chooses for His Mercy whom He wills. And Allâh is the Owner of Great Bounty." [Al-Baqarah 2:105]

One of the things that grieves the disbelievers is that good things should befall the Muslims, this is a characteristic amongst the characterstics of the disbelievers. Therefore, let the Muslim beware of letting his heart being mixed with the likes of these vile feelings and sensations.

Shaikh ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said, in explaining the above verse [of Surah al-Qasas]:

"…For people are of four types:

1. The first type: They desire elevation over the people and corruption in the earth, and this is disobedience to Allaah. Such mischief-making kings and leaders are like Pharoah and his party, and they are the worst of all of creation.
2. The second type: Those who desire corruption without elevation, such as the thieves and criminals from the riff-raff amongst the people.
3. The third type: Those who desire elevation without corruption, such as those who have the deen, they desire to elevate themselves by it over other than them amongst the people.
4. And as for the fourth type: They are the people of Paradise, those who seek neither elevation in the earth and nor corruption - along with the fact that they are (indeed) much higher than those besides them."

[Excerpt from the Book of Humility on Seeking Elevation and High Handedness-Hussain al-Awaaishah. A look at the verse in Surah Qasas about those who do not seek elevation in the land or high-handedness, with some quotes from Shaikh ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (Majmoo ul-Fataawaa Vol 18, with some abridgement).]

The Greater the Hardship, the Greater the Reward.

Allaah(SWT) says:
"And among mankind is he who worships Allâh as it were, upon the very edge; if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him, when fitnah comes to him, or a hardship befalls him, if something that brings about grief comes his way, if he is tested, if he is put to the test, when sadness comes his way, if a hardship befalls him, what happens? He flips upon his face. He loses both this world and the Hereafter. There is no doubt that this is the clear loss." [Surah Al-Hajj (22:11)]

Walhamdulillah. The greater the test, the greater the reward, the greater the hardship the greater the reward, the greater the difficulty, the greater the reward from Allaah (tabarak wa ta'ala). And the Salaf understood this.

Urwah Ibn Zubair, a well known from the Salaf had a problem with his foot. So the doctors decided that they had to cut it off, cut the foot off. When the doctors cut it off he didn't say anything except these words: 'O Allaah, for you are Full praise. For if you have taken some, you have left some. And if you have tested, and put through difficulty you have also put in good condition. If you have tested and tried and put through difficulty you have also put good health, good circumstances and good conditions.'
The next day his son was riding a horse or mule and fell off of it and died. So they came to Urwah with the information of the death of his son, he didn't say anything except : 'O Allaah, for you is full praise. For if you have taken some, you have left some. And if you have tested and tried you have also placed us in good situations and good condition.'
So when he was asked about this he said: 'I had 4 limbs (meaning 2 arms and 2 legs) and Allaah took some and left some. 'I had 4 limbs 2 arms and 2 legs Allaah took o­ne and left me three. I had 7 sons, Allaah (tabrak wa tala) took o­ne and left six. And he gave me good condition, or good situation my whole life up until this time. Then he tested me. Should I not praise Allaah for that? Should I not praise Allaah for that?'
[The Greater The Hardship The Greater The Reward-Abu Uwais Abdullaah Ali (Transcribed Lecture)]

Al-Mutawakkil : One Who depends upon Allah

"One of the names of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)"

Narrated Ataa ibn Yasar who said:
‘I met Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas and asked him, “Tell me about the description of Allaah’s Messenger which is mentioned in the Tawrah (i.e. Old Testament).” He replied, “Yes. By Allaah, he is described in the Tawrah with some of the qualities attributed to him in the Qur’aan as follows:

‘O Prophet! We have sent you as a witness (for Allaah’s True Religion), and a giver of glad tidings (to the faithful believers), and a warner (to the unbelievers), and a guardian of the illiterates. You are My slave and My Messenger. I have named you “al-Mutawakkil” (who depends upon Allaah). You are neither discourteous, harsh, nor a noise-maker in the markets, and you do not do evil to those who do evil to you, but you deal with them with forgiveness and kindness. Allaah will not let him (the Prophet) die until he makes straight the crooked people by making them say: “None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah,” with which will be opened blind eyes and deaf ears and enveloped hearts.”

[Reported by al-Bukhaaree, no. 1997, in chapter dealing with the tafseer of Surah Fath.]

Gratitude of Different Faculties

A man said to Abu Hazim:

"What is the gratitude of the eyes?" He said "If you see good things, you speak about them, and if you see bad things, you keep quiet about it." He asked "What is the gratitude of the ears?" He said, "If you hear something good, you accept it, and if you hear something bad, you reject it." Then he asked "What is the gratitude of the hands?" He said, "Do not take that which does not belong to you and do not hold back from paying the dues of Allah (zakat)." Then he asked, "What is the gratitude of the head?" He said "To have knowledge in it." Then he asked "What is the gratitude of o­ne's private parts?" He quoted: "Who guard their private parts, except from those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess - for (in their case) they are free from blame, but those whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors." (23:5-7)

As for those who o­nly pay lip service to gratitude, and do not give thanks with the rest of their faculties, are concerned, they are like a man who has a garment, and all he does with it is touch it, but he does not put it o­n: it will never protect him from heat, cold, snow or rain.

[Patience and Gratitude - Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah.(From Uddat as-Saabireen wa Dhaakirat ash-Shaakireen).]

Wisdom in the Provision

Al-Hasan Al-Basri (rahimahullah)said,

"Whomever Allaah gives provision and he thinks that Allaah is not testing him, has no wisdom. Whomever has little provision and thinks that Allaah will not look at (provide for) him, has no wisdom."

He then recited the Ayaah,
“So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they had been reminded, We opened to them the gates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them to punishment, and lo! They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows.” (Al-An'am 6:44)

He added,

"By the Lord of the Ka'bah! Allaah deceived these people, when He gave them what they wished, and then they were punished."

Ibn Abi Haatim recorded this statement.[Ad-Durr Al-Manthur 3:270, Ibn Abi Haatim 4:1291]
[From Tafsir ibn Kathir (abridged. English Translation, published by Darussalaam) Vol 3. page 348]

Does hasad (destructive envy) exist in Islam or not?

Praise be to Allaah.

Hasad (destructive envy) means wishing that a blessing that Allaah(SWT) has bestowed on the envied person be taken away. Allaah(SWT) enjoined His Prophet(PBUH) to seek refuge with Him(SWT) from the evil of the envier when he envies. Allaah(SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Say: ‘I seek refuge with (Allaah), the Lord of the daybreak, 2. ‘From the evil of what He has created, 3. ‘And from the evil of the darkening (night) as it comes with its darkness; (or the moon as it sets or goes away), 4. ‘And from the evil of those who practise witchcraft when they blow in the knots, 5. ‘And from the evil of the envier when he envies.’” [al-Falaq 113]

What is meant by “when he envies” is when he manifests what he feels of envy in his heart and acts on it, and his envy makes him do something bad to the one whom he envies.

Hasad is of varying degrees:

1. When a person wants the blessing to be taken away from his Muslim brother, even if it does not come to him; rather he does not like Allaah to bless anyone else and that upsets him.
2. Where he wants the blessing to be taken away from someone else because he wants it, in the hope that it will come to him.
3. Where he wishes for himself a blessing like that which someone else has, without wanting it to be taken away from the other person. This is permissible and is not called hasad rather it is called ghibtah.

The envier harms himself in three ways:

1. He earns sin because hasad is haraam.
2. It is bad etiquette before Allaah, because what hasad really means is hating Allaah’s blessing His slaves, and objecting to what Allaah does.
3. He suffers because of too much worry and distress.

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote.

[Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas. Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Ifta’ (26/29).Does hasad (destructive envy) exist? What does it mean?]

Adorning Knowledge with Actions

"The two feet of the son of Adam will not move from near his Lord on the Day of Judgement until he is asked about five (matters):

1. about his life - how he spent it;
2. about his youth - how he took care of it;
3. about his wealth - how he earned it; and
4. where he spent it; and
   
5. about that which he acted upon from the knowledge he acquired."

[at-Tirmidhi, As-Silsilah as-Sahihah #946]