Is It Obligatory To Respond To Parrot Greetings? Intention Is Necessary For Reward

 سُوال : طوطے کو سَلام کرنا سکھاىا گیا ہے ، اب وہ بار بار سَلام کرتا ہے تو کىا اس کے سلام  کا جواب دىنا بھی  واجب ہو گا؟ (میسج کے ذَریعے سُوال)

جواب : طوطے کے سَلام کا جواب دینا  واجِب نہىں ۔

سُوال : اِسلامى مُعاشرے مىں اللہ  پاک کى عبادت کرنے کے ساتھ ساتھ ناپ تول پورا کرنے ، غرىبوں کى مدد کرنے ، اچھے اَخلاق سے پىش آنے ، دوسروں کو تکلىف نہ دىنے وغیرہ باتوں کا بھى ذہن دىا جاتا ہے تو یہ اِرشاد فرمائیے کہ کىا اِن کاموں کو کرنے سے پہلے بھى اچھی نىت  ضَرورى ہے ؟

جواب : کسی بھی مُباح(یعنی جائز) کام میں ثواب جبھی ملے گا جب وہ  اچھی نیت سے کیا جائے گا اور جو چیز باعثِ ثواب ہے اس میں بِلا نیت بھی ثواب ہے ۔  اَلبتہ اس میں مزید اچھی نیتیں کر کے ثواب بڑھایا جا سکتا ہے ۔ لہٰذا اِن کاموں میں بھی اچھی اچھی  نیتیں کر لینی چاہئیں ۔  یاد رَکھیے !اَعمال کا دارومدار نىتوں پر ہے  تو جىسى نىت وىسا اس کا پھل ۔

Survival Of Mosques And Shrines In A Terrible Storm

 سُوال : گزشتہ دِنوں انڈونىشىا میں خوفناک سونامى آىا ۔  مناظر میں دیکھا جا سکتا ہے کہ طوفان کے سبب پوری بستی ملبے کا ڈھیر بن گئی لیکن ایک مسجد بالکل صحىح سلامت دِکھائى دے رہى ہے تو مسجد کے اس طرح بچ جانے کو معجزہ ىا کرامت کہا جا سکتا ہے ؟

جواب : مسجد کے بچ جانے کو معجزہ نہیں کہا جاسکتا اس لیے کہ معجزہ نبی سے اِعلان نبوت کے بعد ظاہر ہوتا ہے ۔ البتہ اتنے شدید طوفان یا زلزلے میں کوئی مسجد یا مزار شریف سلامت رہے تو اسے اللہ پاک کى رَحمت کہہ سکتے ہیں ۔  اگر سلامت نہ بھی رہیں جب بھی مسجد یا مزار شریف  کی عظمت پر  کوئی حَرف نہیں آئے گا ۔  خود کعبہ شرىف کى تارىخ مىں اىسا ملتا ہے کہ سىلاب کی وجہ سے شہید ہو گیا تھا ۔  نیز جب ىزىدى لشکر نے منجنىق کے ذَرىعے پتھر بَرسائے تھے تو اس وقت بھی کعبہ شرىف کے غلاف مىں آگ لگ گئی تھی ۔  تو مُقَدَّس مقامات یا جگہوں پر کوئى اچھى علامت نظر آئے تو مَرحبا لیکن اگر اس طرح کا کوئى نقصان ہو جائے تو ان کی عظمت و شان پر شک و شُبہ نہیں کیا جا سکتا ۔  

How To Recite Kalma Sharif While Walking?

 سُوال : مىں اُٹھتے بیٹھتے ، چلتے پھرتے کلمہ شرىف پڑھتا رہتا ہوں تو کیا ایسا کرنا دُرُست ہے ۔  (مدینۂ مُنَوَّرہ سے سُوال) 

جواب : اُٹھتے بىٹھتے ، چلتے پھرتے کلمۂ طَىِّبَہ پڑھنا اچھى بات ہے البتہ بیتُ الخلا اور دِیگر گندى جگہوں پر پڑھنے سے بچنا  ہو گا ۔

Why The Three Steps Of The Pulpit?

 سُوال : مسجد مىں جو منبر شرىف ہوتا ہے تو اس کى تىن سىڑھىاں ہی کىوں ہوتی ہىں؟ (ہند سے سُوال)

جواب : منبر کے تین زینے ہونا شروع سے چلا آرہا ہے ۔ اب بھی تقریباً تمام ہی مَساجد میں تین زینوں والا منبر ہوتا ہے ۔ جب مىری مَدینةُ الْمُرْشِد بَرىلى شرىف حاضِری ہوئی  تو مسجدِ رضا میں اعلىٰ حضرت  عَلَیْہِ رَحْمَۃُرَبِّ الْعِزَّت کے منبر شریف  کی  زیارت بھی ہوئی تھی جو تىن سىڑھىوں والا تھا ۔ مسجدِ نبوی شریف عَلٰی صَاحِبِھَا الصَّلٰوۃُ  وَ السَّلَام کے منبر مُبارَک کی تفصیل دعوتِ اسلامی کے اِشاعتی اِدارے مکتبۃ المدینہ کی 328 صَفحات پر مشتمل کتاب ” عاشقانِ رَسول کی 130 حکایات “ میں دیکھی جا سکتی ہے ۔

What Should Be The Weight In Terms Of Height?

 سُوال : اَلْحَمْدُلِلّٰہ عَزَّوَجَلَّ اِس سال(یعنی ۱۴۳۹؁ھ میں)حج کے موقع پر مکۂ مکرمہ زَادَہَا اللّٰہُ شَرَفًاوَّتَعْظِیْماً مىں آپ سے مُلاقات کى سَعادت حاصِل ہوئى تھى ۔  آپ نے مجھے  دَم کرنے کے ساتھ ساتھ وزن کم کرنے کی تَرغیب دِلائی تھی ۔ جس پر لَبَّیْک کہتے ہوئے میں نے ایک ماہ میں11 کلو وزن کم کر لیا ہے اور مزید کم کرنے کی کوشش جاری ہے ۔ بعض لوگوں نے کہا ہے کہ وزن کم کرنے سے اَندرونی کمزوری ہو سکتی ہے ۔ اس پر آپ کچھ مَدَنی پھول اِرشاد فرما دیجئے ۔  (موریشس سے سُوال)  

جواب : اللہ  کرىم آپ کو صحت ، عافیت اور راحتوں والی زندگى نصیب کرے ۔ وزن کم کرنا اچھی بات ہے لیکن یہ آہستہ آہستہ ہو تو مُفید رہتا ہے ۔ اگر جَذبات میں آکر یکدم وزن کم کریں گے جیساکہ آپ نے ایک ماہ میں 11 کلو (11.Kg) وزن کم کر لیا تو یہ کمزوری کا سبب بَن سکتا ہے لہٰذا اِعتدال سے کام لیتے ہوئے ہر ماہ پانچ کلو وزن کم کرنے کا ہَدف بنا لیجئے ۔ یاد رہے کہ وزن بہت زیادہ کم ہوجانا بھی نقصان دِہ ہوسکتا ہے لہٰذا اچھی صحت کے لیے قد کے مُطابق وزن ہونا چاہیے مثلاً اگر کسی کا قد چھ فٹ ہے تو اس کا وزن اوسطاً 72 کلو ہونا چاہیے  یعنی ایک اِنچ پر ایک کلو وزن ۔ چونکہ چھ فٹ میں 72 اِنچ ہوتے ہیں تو یوں اوسطاً 72 کلو وزن ہونا چاہیے ۔

A Guide to the Blessings and Meaning of Ramadan

الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ وَالصَّلٰوةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلٰى سَيِّدِ الْمُرْسَلِيْنَ

أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَأَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطٰنِ الرَّجِيْمِ ط بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ ط

Excellence of Ramadan

No matter how lazy Satan tries to make you feel, please read this chapter (every year) from beginning to end. اِنْ شَآءَ اللّٰه عَزَّوَجَلَّ, You will see its blessings for yourself.

Excellence of Ṣalāt-‘Alan-Nabī ﷺ

The Prophet of mankind, the Peace of our heart and mind, the most Generous and Kind صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said, ‘Indeed, he who recites Ṣalāt (Durūd) upon me the most, will be the closest to me on the Day of Judgement.’ (Jāmi’ Tirmizī, pp. 27, vol. 2, Ḥadīš 484)

صَلُّوْا عَلَى الْحَبِيْب               صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! It is a great bounty of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ that He عَزَّوَجَلَّ has granted us a tremendous gift in the form of Ramadan, whose every moment is full of mercy. The reward of good deeds is multiplied many times in this month. The reward of a Nafl act is equivalent to that of a Farḍ one, while the reward of a Farḍ act is multiplied 70 times. In this month, even the sleep of a fasting person is considered an act of worship. The divine ‘Arsh-holding angels say ‘Āmīn’ for the Du’ā of the fasting people. According to a Ḥadīš, the fish in the seas ask for forgiveness until Ifṭār for the one who fasts in Ramadan. (Attarghīb Wattarhīb, pp. 55, vol. 2, Ḥadīš 6)

Door of worship

Fast is a hidden form of worship; no one can come to know about your fast until you tell it to others. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ likes hidden worship more. A blessed Ḥadīš says, ‘Fasting is the door of worship.’ (Al-Jāmi’-uṣ-Ṣaghīr, pp. 146, Ḥadīš 2415)

Revelation of the Quran

Ramadan is a blessed and sacred month in which Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ revealed the Holy Quran. He عَزَّوَجَلَّ mentions the revelation of the Holy Quran and Ramadan in these words:

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيْ أُنْزِلَ فِيْهِ الْقُرْاٰنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَ بَيِّنٰتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدٰى وَ الْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَ مَنْ كَانَ مَرِيْضًا أَوْ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيْدُ اللهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَ لَا يُرِيْدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ ۖ وَ لِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَ لِتُكَبِّرُوا اللهَ عَلٰى مَا هَدٰىكُمْ وَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُوْنَ ﴿١٨٥﴾

The month of Ramadan in which was sent down the Quran - the guidance for mankind, the direction and the clear criteria (to judge between right and wrong). So whoever among you finds this month, must fast for the (whole) month; and whoever is sick or on a journey, may fast the same number in other days. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ desires ease for you and does not desire hardship for you so that you complete the count (of fasts), and glorify Allah’s greatness for having guided you, and so that you may be grateful.

[Kanz-ul-Īmān (Translation of Quran)] (Part 2, Sūrah Baqarah, verse 185)

Definition of Ramadan

Regarding the first part of this verse (شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيْ), a renowned exegetist of the Quran, Muftī Aḥmad Yār Khān عَلَيْهِ رَحْمَةُ الْحَنَّانِ has stated in ‘Tafsīr-e-Na’īmī’, ‘Like ‘رَحْمٰن’ (Raḥmān), Ramadan is probably one of the names of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ because He عَزَّوَجَلَّ is worshipped the whole day and night in this month. Therefore, it is called Ramadan i.e., ‘The Month of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.’ As a Masjid or the Holy Ka’bah is referred to the house of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ because it is the place where Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ is worshipped, similarly, Ramadan is the month of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ because everyone is occupied with fulfilling the commandments of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ in this month. Obviously, the fast and the Tarāwīḥ Ṣalāh are forms of worship but when a Muslim fasts, his Ḥalāl job or business is also considered worship. The word رَمَضَان (Ramadan) is derived either from the word ‘رَمْضَاء’ (Ramḍāun) or from the word رَمَض (Ramḍ). The word رَمْضَاء implies the autumn rain which washes the earth and produces a good spring harvest. Since this month also washes the dirt and dust of sins from the heart, making the crops of virtuous deeds blossoming, it is called Ramadan for this reason.

For a good harvest, rain is needed every day in the first month of the rainy season, four times in the second month and once in the last month. The last rain prepares the crops for harvest. In the like manner, a Muslim does virtuous acts for eleven months and then the fasts of Ramadan prepare the crops of virtues. The word 'رَمَض' (Ramḍ) implies heat or burning. As the Muslims endure the burning of thirst and hunger in Ramadan or as this month burns their sins, it is called Ramadan. (In Kanz-ul-'Ummāl, page 217, volume 8 there is a narration reported by Sayyidunā Anas رضي الله عنه that the Beloved and Blessed Prophet ﷺ has said, 'This month is called Ramadan because it burns sins.')

Reasons for names of months

Mufti Aḥmad Yār Khān رحمه الله has stated, 'Some exegetists رحمهم الله have said that different names were given to different months in relation to their seasons. (For instance) the month that fell in summer was called Ramadan, the one in spring was called Rabī'-ul-Awwal and the one that fell in water-freezing winter was called Jumādil Ūlā.

In Islam there is always a wonderful reason for a name, and the name is given in relation to the attributes of the thing. This is not found in other terms. We see an ignorant person named 'Muhammad Fāzil' (learned) and a coward is called 'Shayr Bahādur' (a brave lion) and an ugly man is called 'Yūsuf Khān' but there is no such defect in Islam. Ramadan is a combination of virtues and excellence, which is why it is called Ramadan.'
(Tafsīr-e-Na'īmī, pp. 205, vol. 2)

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيب

صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

An Infographic Guide to the Virtues and Blessings of Ramadan

Palace with portal of gold

Sayyidunā Abū Sa'īd Khudrī رضي الله عنه has narrated that the Holy Prophet ﷺ has said, 'On the first night of Ramadan, the portals of the skies and Paradise are opened which remain open until the last night (of the month). So if anyone offers Ṣalāh in any night of this month, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ will reward him with 1,500 virtues for every Sajdah (prostration) and make a palace of red rubies for him that will have 60,000 gates. The gates will have hinges of gold that will be embroidered with red rubies. Thus, the one who fasts on the first day of Ramadan will be forgiven for his sins until the last day of the month and 70,000 angels will ask for his forgiveness from morning till evening. Each time he prostrates during the day or at night, he will be granted a tree in Heaven and each tree is so huge that a horse rider can ride under its shadow for 500 years.’

(Shu'ab-ul-Īmān, pp. 314, vol. 3, Ḥadīs 3635)

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ Dear Islamic brothers! What an enormous favour our Ḥannān and Mannān Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has bestowed upon us by granting us this blessed month for the sake of His Beloved Rasūl صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّمَ! It is the month in which all the portals of Heaven are opened and the reward for good deeds is greatly increased. According to the foregoing Ḥadīs, the one who offers Ṣalāh in any of the nights of Ramadan will be granted the reward of 1,500 good deeds for every Sajdah he performs. Further, there will be a magnificent Heavenly palace as well. This blessed Ḥadīs also contains glad tidings that 70,000 angels make Du‘ā for the forgiveness of the fasting Muslims from morning till evening.

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيب

صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! الحمد للّٰه عَزَّوَجَلَّ The mindset of attaining the blessings of Ramadan is developed by adopting the company of devotees of Rasūl who are associated with Dawat-e-Islami, a global & non-political religious movement of the Quran and Sunnah. Otherwise, bad company leads many people to committing sins even in this auspicious month. Let me tell you about a singer who was at one time drowning in the ocean of sins but was rescued by the Madanī environment of Dawat-e-Islami.

I was a singer

An Islamic brother of Orangi Town (Bāb-ul-Madīnah, Karachi) has stated: Unfortunately, I was a singer. I was ruining my life in musical concerts. I was so heedless that I neither offered Ṣalāh nor felt guilty about my sins.

Fortunately, making individual effort, a responsible Islamic brother convinced me to attend the 3 day Sunnah-Inspiring Ijtimā' held in 1424 A.H., 2003 in Ṣaḥrā-e-Madīnah near the Toll Plaza, Super Highway, Bāb-ul-Madīnah, Karachi. On the last day, we all attended a very passionate and heart-rending Du'ā that made me feel guilty about my evil deeds. I could not control my emotions and burst into tears, which softened my heart.

الحمد للہ عَزَّوَجَلَّ! I joined Dawat-e-Islami, repented of attending musical concerts and began to travel with Madanī Qāfilahs. On 25th December 2004, as I was about to leave home to travel with a Madanī Qāfilah, I received a phone call from my younger sister who was very sad. She gave me the news of her new born blind baby girl and told me that doctors remarked that her baby would never be able to see. As she was talking, she could not hold herself back and began to cry. I encouraged her by saying that I would pray for her baby in the Madanī Qāfilah, اِنْ شَاءَ اللّٰہ عَزَّوَجَلَّ.

During the Madanī Qāfilah, I made supplications myself and asked Rasūl’s devotees of the Madanī Qāfilah to pray as well. It was my second day back from the Madanī Qāfilah, I received another phone call from my sister but this time she sounded extremely happy. She told me that her baby Mahak had got her eyesight, الحمد للہ عَزَّوَجَلَّ! Amazed, the doctors remarked they don’t know as to how it happened because they didn’t have any cure for it. الحمد للہ عَزَّوَجَلَّ! At present, I am blessed with the opportunity to carry out the Madanī activities of Dawat-e-Islami as a member of the ‘Alāqāī Mushāwarat in Bāb-ul-Madīnah, Karachi.

Poem

Āfataun say na ḍar, rakh karam par nazar

Rawshan ānkhayn milayn, Qāfilay mayn chalo

Āp ko doctor, nay gaw māyūs kar

Bhī diya mat ḍarayn, Qāfilay mayn chalo

Translation:

Don’t be scared of adversity, keep gaze on divine bounty

Eyesight will be regained, travel with Madanī Qāfilah

Even if the doctor has disappointed you

Don’t give up hope, travel with Madanī Qāfilah

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيب

صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! Did you see how great the Madanī environment of Dawat-e-Islami is? Many people who were previously wicked and impious are now leading their lives following the Sunnah of Beloved Rasūl ﷺ owing to the blessing of joining the Madanī environment of Dawat-e-Islami. The aforementioned incident also highlights the significance of travelling with Madanī Qāfilahs. As the troubles and problems of some people are solved due to travelling in Madanī Qāfilahs, the troubles and difficulties of the afterlife will also be relieved due to the intercession of the Beloved and Blessed Prophet ﷺ, اِنْ شَاءَ اللّٰهُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ.

Five special blessings

Sayyidunā Jābir Bin ‘Abdullāh رضي الله تعالى عنه has narrated that the Beloved and Blessed Prophet ﷺ has stated:

“In Ramadan, my Ummah has been gifted five such things which were not given to any other Prophet عليه السلام before me:”

1. On the first night of Ramadan, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ showers special mercy upon them and the one upon whom Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ showers special mercy will never be punished.

2. In the evening, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ likes the smell emanating from their mouths (due to hunger) more than even musk.

3. Angels pray for their forgiveness every night and day.

4. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ orders Heaven to be adorned for His (righteous) people and says:

“Soon they will get rid of the grief of the world and find solace in My house and My bounties.”

5. On the last night of Ramadan, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ forgives them all.

Standing up, a person asked,

“Yā Rasūlallāh ﷺ! Is that Laila-tul-Qadr?”

He ﷺ replied,

“No. Do you not see that a labourer is given his wage when he finishes his job?”

(Attarghīb Wattarhīb, pp. 56, vol. 2, Ḥadīs 7)