While Waiting For Eidul Adha...

Praise belongs to ALLAH s.w.t.
Peace be upon Rasulullah s.a.w., his family and companions.  

Dzulhijjah days are among the most magnificent days in Islamic calendar.
Dzulhijjah has many virtues, based on many things, particularly in its first ten days.
The first ten days of Dzulhijjah are the days of virtue and righteous deeds.  
Quranic verses and Hadith indicate that the first ten days of Dzulhijjah are better than all the other days of the year.

The first ten days of Dzulhijjah have been preferred by ALLAH s.w.t. over all the other days of the whole year,
except that the last ten days of Ramadhan,
which are considered better than them for they include Lailatul Qadr
- the Night of Power,
which is better than a thousand months. 

Celebrate the Praises of ALLAH s.w.t. during the appointed days: 
Tasbih (Subhaanallah), 
Tahmid (Alhamdulillah) 
Takbir (Allahu Akbar) and
Talbiyah (Labbaikallah Humma Labbaik).

It is our duty to appreciate the blessed month of Dzulhijjah,
having more concentration in our prayers,
always on our very best. 
Dzulhijjah is a wonderful moment
immersing ourselves as much Iba'dah, acts of worship, as possible.
Devotion and sincerity do have its reward.

Abdullah ibn Umar r.a., the son of Saidina Umar r.a.,
reported that The Prophet s.a.w. said: 

"There are no days greater in the sight of ALLAH 
and 

in which righteous deeds are more beloved to HIM 
than these ten days, 

so during this time 
recite a great deal of 
Tahlil (Laa Ilaaha Illallah), Takbir and Tahmid." 

- Reported by Ahmad

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. commanded the believers
to recite a lot of Tasbih, Tahmid and Takbir during these days.

Ibn Abbas r.a. reported that The Prophet s.a.w. said: 

"There are no days 
in which righteous deeds 
are more beloved to ALLAH 

than these ten days." 

The people asked, 
"Not even jihad for the sake of ALLAH?" 

He said, 

"Not even jihad for the sake of ALLAH, 

except in the case of a man 
who went out to fight giving himself 

and his wealth up for the cause, 
and came back with nothing." 

- Bukhari

These ten days are a great blessing from ALLAH s.w.t. to all of us.

Even for us, who are not undertaking the Haj,
the first ten days of Dzulhijjah are a special time to remember ALLAH s.w.t.
A great opportunity to sincerely correct oneself.
Bettering our deeds and seek HIM for forgiveness and guidance.

The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
encouraged people to do righteous deeds
due to the virtue of these days
and the Haj season during which the Haj season is situated.
The Prophet s.a.w. said that
the first ten days of Dzulhijjah
are a special time for devotion,
for during these ten days that most of the Haj rites occur.

i) - 9th Dzulhijjah is the 'Arafah Day (Yaumul 'Arafah),
the date when all pilgrims assemble on the plain of 'Arafah, six miles away from Makkatul Mukarramah.
Pilgrims perform the most essential part of the prescribed duties of Haj - Wuquf  - the stay in 'Arafah.

Yaumul Arafah is the day when the Mercy of ALLAH s.w.t. descends in Abundance. 
Yaumul 'Arafah is the day when sins are Forgiven,
and do'a Accepted,
all through HIS Compassion and Mercy.  
Yaumul 'Arafah is the day which ALLAH sw.t. perfected one's Religion.

The Prophet s.a.w. was asked about fasting on Yaumul 'Arafah.
He s.a.w. said,  

"It compensates for the (minor) sins of the past 
and the coming year."  

- Ibnu Majah

The 'Arafah fast has been emphasized by the Prophet s.a.w.
as a desirable act.
Fasting on these ten blessed days,
or at least a day, on the 9th Dzulhijjah, will bring us closer to HIM.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. has said,  

"One fast during these days 
is equal to the fasting of one complete year, 

and the worship of one night during this period 

is equal to the worship in the "Lailatul-Qadr".

For us not performing the Haj,
it is desirable to fast on this day.

ii) - Beginning from the Fajr of the 9th Dzulhijjah up to the 'Asr prayer of the 13th,
it is encouraged on us to recite the Takbir of Tashriq after each daily prayer. 

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,

La Ilaha Illallahu, Wallahu Akbar,

Allahu Akbar wa Lillahilhamd.

(There is no other God but ALLAH and ALLAH is the Greatest, 

Allah is the Greatest and to ALLAH belongs all Praise).

iii) - 10th Dzulhijjah is Eidul Adha.
Unlike 'Eidul Fitr,
sunnah is not to eat before the 'Eid prayer.

iv) - The Qurban.
An act of total submission to ALLAH s.w.t.
and a complete obedience to HIM, without hesitation.
It is encouraged for all to make sacrifices for themselves and their dependents.
The sacrifice of animals - goat, sheep, cow or camel - during the 10th, 1lth and 12th of Dzulhijjah.

Looking beyond its mundane benefits,
it is to understand the spirit of most superior qualities so necessary
to keep humanity in a state of lasting peace and welfare.
Qurban is but a powerful symbol of the required human conduct
submitting to the DIVINE commands.
The spirit of total submission to HIM,
irrespective of difference in our economy or society.

Pine not, whine not, if we are unable to slaughter a sacrifice.
For general Qurban included all acts of charity too, all year round.
The purpose of charity is nothing,
but to seek ALLAH s.w.t.'s pleasure.
And, sacrifices are in many forms too.

Sincerity is always priorotised.
Verily, good deeds remove small sins.
A gentle reminder for the mindful, for those who accept advice.

Perform sincere prayers.

"And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day 

and at the approaches of the night: 

for those things that are good remove those that are evil: 

be that the word of remembrance 

to those who remember (their LORD)"

- (Hud: 114).

Pray that HE Bless us with HIS Virtues.
Pray that HE Bless us with spiritual gains
Pray that we are all Blessed in these magical moments of Dzulhijjah.

Reflecting of our past doings will have great benefits for us:
People around us, family, neighbours, relatives and friends.
Pray for the very best.
For His Bounty of what's already in our possession.
His Reward, not a burden:

"On no soul do ALLAH place a burden 

greater than it (the soul) can bear. 

It gets every good that it earns, 

and it suffers every ill that it earns. 

(Pray): 

"Our GOD, 

condemn us not if we forget or fall into error. 

Our GOD, 

lay not on us a burden like that 

which YOU did lay on those before us. 

Our GOD, 

lay on us not a burden greater 

than we have strength to bear. 

Blot out our sins, 

and grant us Forgiveness. 

Have Mercy on us. 

YOU are our PROTECTOR, 

Help us against those who stand against Faith." 

- Al-Baqarah : 286  

Thousand Years Later, A Letter, Rightfully Delivered

When the people of Madinah, the Ansar (the Patrons), heard that Prophet Muhammad sollallaahu alaihi wa sallam was coming to Madinah from Makkah on His Hijrah in 622 AD, they started making preparations for his arrival.
The Ansar cleaned the streets and spring cleaning their houses.
All of them wanted Muhammad s.a.w. to be welcomed into their houses.

To overcome the generosity of Ansar, The Prophet s.a.w. came up with a proposal.
His camel was to rein free.
The camel was let loose.
Let his camel go its own way for the ship of the desert is guided by its CREATOR.

When the camel finally knelt, Rasulullah s.a.w. did not dismount.
Up on its feet, went down the streets ambling for some distance, it then turned back and knelt at the same spot as before.
Adjacent to the spot where the camel knelt was the house of Abu Ayyub Ansori rodhiallaahu 'anhu.

Abu Ayyub r.a. quickly lifted the saddle from the camel and took it home.
Rasulullah s.a.w., with his sense of humour, remarked that
'A man must follow his saddle,”
He followed Abu Ayyub r.a.
Masjidin Nabwi was then built on that very spot where the camel stopped.

Born in 576 AD as Khalid bin Zaid bin Kulaib, Abu Ayyub r.a. hailed from the tribe of Bani Najjar.
Aptly called Abu Ayyub, as an indication he's the father of Ayyub.

Rasulullah s.a.w. stayed in Abu Ayoob r.a.'s house for seven months until the erection of Masjidin Nabawi had completed.
Ironically, the house was built for Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. by the king of Yemen, Tab’a Awwal Hamiri, a thousand years earlier.

****** 

Muhammad s.a.w., saw the servant of the house was approaching him.
The Prophet s.a.w asked if the servant of the house is Abu Laila.
Abu Laila (father of Laila) was surprised, having his name mentioned by Rasulullah s.a.w. who had just came from Makkah.
But knew his name.

The Prophet s.a.w. continued that He's the Messenger of ALLAH.
He wanted to have His letter which was sent by the then king of Yemen, Tab’a Awwal Hamiri.
It was written a thousand years earlier.
Abu Laila was asked to bring the letter, which he had been entrusted to, for safekeeping.

He appeared before Rasulullah s.a.w. with the letter.
It had been passed down from generation to generation for over a thousand years from King Tab’a Awwal Hamiri.
After Rasulullah s.a.w was presented the letter, upon acknowledging it, He congratulated the pious GOD's servant Tab’a Awwal Hamiri.

The letter from King Hamiri stated that he pledged his faith in Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. and in the Book (Qur'an) that will be revealed to this Prophet.
He follows the path of Muhammad's religion.

If he is fortunate enough to see Rasulullah s.a.w., then it will be a great pleasure for him.
If it is not possible, he request Prophet Muhammad s.a.w for His intercession (Syafa'ah).
Not to forget him on Judgement Day.

The king believe in Muahammad s.a.w.'s Prophethood.
He pledged his spiritual allegiance (Bai'ah) in advance, before Rasulullah s.a.w.'s arrival.
He, Tab’a Awwal Hamir, swear that there is only one ALLAH and that Muhammad s.a.w. is HIS true Messeger.

******      ******      ******

About 2500 years ago, the king of Yemen, Tab’a Awwal Hamiri, went on a tour in his kingdom, and its neighbouring countries.
In the entourage of this rich king, with him, were 12,000 knowledgeable men ('Alims) and physicians, including 113,000 soldiers.
Wherever they went, people would gather and lined the roadsides to watch and welcome them.
There were much pomp and ceremony.
There were always great procession for these men and soldiers.

But when this entourage reached the outskirts of Makkah, no one came to welcome them to the valley town in the desert.
The king was greatly surprised.
He asked his chief minister,
'Where have all gone to, instead of gathering together in droves to welcome them?'

The minister replied that there is a house in the town Baitullah. 
All folks have great respect for it.
The king's entourage has no comparison to it.
Not only neighbouring people, but from far flung places, came for their pilgrimage to Baitullah.
Everybody, poor and peasants, will show no importance to the wealthy or their rulers.
They show more importance, they have greater respect to the Holy House, Baitullah.

The king was furious when he heard the statement.
He declared that he will raze the House to the ground and will kill all the people living in Makkah.

Just after he said that, blood started oozing from his eyes, mouth and nose.
Men in his entourage kept their distance from their own king.
They wanted to stay away from the nonstop oozing blood.

He was sleepless nights after nights.
His condition worsened.
Doctors and physicians were unable to provide the best treatment for their king.
Nobody could help nor provide the badly needed treatment.
But the king wanted to be treated by any means and at any cost.

One of the GOD fearing physician amongst the king's entourage inspected him.
Upon taking his pulse, the physician claimed that the cause of the king's bad condition is about spirituality.
No other form of medicines will work on him.

If the king harbours evil intention, his condition will not improve.
But will probably worsened.
If the king abort his ill intention, he will be forgiven.
His misery will be alleviated.

The GOD fearing physician advised his king to take back his ill intention of wanting to destroy the Ka'bah and killing the valley's folks.
The king should repent, asking forgiveness from the Almighty GOD.

Taking the GOD fearing physician's advice, the king did what he was advised to do.
He needed treatment at any cost.

Soon after he repented, blood stopped spurting from his eyes, mouth and nose.
Miraculously, he was completely cured.

Happy with the recovery, he ordered Ka'bah to be covered with silk material.
He presented gold and silk clothings for all residents of Makkah valley.

******

The entourage continued their journey to Yathrib (Madinah).
The knowledgeable men, those 'Alims had studied Books that had revealed the Prophets who had come earlier before them, and the yet to come Prophet too.
Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.'s Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah is also indicated in these Books.

They went around Yathrib, the other Holy Land that is blessed.
They were overwhelmed with joy having stepped on the sacred land.
They wished to live their lives in Yathrib.
If opportunity arise, GOD Willing, they would meet the Beloved Prophet s.a.w.
Or, at least, The Prophet s.a.w. would visit their graves.

The king, after consultations and advice from his knowledgeable men, made his decision to build 400 homes for his men who wished to stay in Yathrib.
He left financial support for these 400 'Alims who decided to stay behind.
He asked for a house for Rasulullah s.a.w. to be built too.

He left instructions that Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. is to stay at that house, should Muhammad s.a.w. land in Madinah.
He requested the senior among his 'Alim to present his letter to The Prophet s.a.w., when He eventually comes to Madinah.

But should the 'Alim die earlier before Rasulullah s.a.w.'s arrrival, the letter should be kept and passed on.
The 'Alim's generation will present it to Rasulullah s.a.w.

Generation after generation of the Chief 'Alim, the letter was treasured.
From the initial 400, the number of these 'Alims families, children and their offspring had grown.
They now formed a large community in Yathrib.

Abu Ayyub r.a. (tomb above, in Turkey. Source: Today's Zaman) possessed the letter.
He's the descendent of the Chief 'Alim.
He handed it to his servant, Abu Laila for safekeeping.
Abu Laila then delivered it to Rasulullah s.a.w., the rightful owner.

The Robber, The Saint, Because Of Rajab

The notorious robber had passed away.

The children of Madinah knew that Prophet Muhammad sollaahu 'alaihi wasallam dislike what the man did.
The dead man used to roam the streets after midnight to run his activity.
He was elusive, and was never caught.

******

When news reached the children that the bad man had died,
they dragged his body through the streets of Madinah.
They then threw him into a dry well.

ALLAH Subhaanahu Wa Ta'aala said to the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., 

"O My Beloved Prophet, today one of my saints has passed away. 
You must go and wash him, clean him, cover him, pray for him and bury him." 

Rasullah s.a.w. was surprised because that was the man whose character He did not like.
Now that the man had passed away,
GOD told Him that the highway robber was a saint (wali).

Rasulullah s.a.w. had even told himself, 'that is an evil person. 
He will never pray for him.  
He will not bury him in Muslims' graveyard.'

How could the robber be a saint?

But instead, GOD had told the Prophet s.a.w., 

'O Rasulullah, take him and purify him.' 

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. immediately called Abu Bakar as-Siddiq radhiallaahu 'anhu and said,

'O Abu Bakar, we have to go and bury the highwayman who died.'

Abu Bakar r.a. said,  

'O Rasulullah, 
You said that You did not want to bury that person in a Muslim grave for he is not a Muslim!' 

But the Prophet s.a.w. said, 

"No! Let alone ordinary Muslims. 
GOD informed Me today that the person was a saint!"

****** 

Rasulullah s.a.w. went into the well, and took that person's body out.
Then with His Companions,
they carried the body to the Prophet s.a.w.'s house.
The Prophet s.a.w. himself cleaned, washed
and wrapped the dead man in a shroud.

All the Companions were surprised.
Rasulullah s.a.w. performed ablution for the dead
with his own hands on that man.
He washed and prayed for him,
before the body was brought from Masjidin Nabawi to the Baqi cemetery.

It took the Prophet s.a.w. more than two hours for that fifteen minutes walk,
to move from the mosque to the cemetery,
as he was walking on tiptoes.

And that surprised His Companions even more! 

"O Rasulullah, 'Why are you walking on tiptoes?"

He said,   

"GOD ordered all saints from East to West, 
all angels from the seven heavens 
and all spiritual beings to be present 
and follow the bier (movable frame for coffin) of that saint. 

There are so many of them filling the way, 
that I cannot find a place to put my feet. 

Never in my life was I so surprised as I am today." 

******

No one can interfere with GOD's Knowledge, not even the Prophet s.a.w.  

If GOD makes the highway robber a saint, no one can ask.  

Everyone around us and everyone that we know,
can always attain betterment, better than us. 

GOD needs no human interference, but it is we, who need HIM. 

****** 

After the man was buried, Rasulullah s.a.w., shivering and trembling,
made His way home, without speaking to those around HIM.

Later, when the Prophet s.a.w. sat with Abu Bakr as-Siddiq r.a.,
He s.a.w. asked Himself what the saint had done?
An infamous robber all his life, but to receive such a high merit from the Creator?

Abu Bakr as-Siddiq r.a. said, 

'O Rasulullah, I feel ashamed to ask about what I saw today. 
It was so astonishing.'

To which He s.a.w. answered,   

"Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, I am even more surprised than you. 
I am waiting for Gabriel to come and inform me 
of what has happened." 

When Gabriel 'alaihis salam came, the Prophet s.a.w. asked him, to which he replied, 

"O Rasulullah, do not ask me. 
I am also astonished! 
Yet do not be astonished. 
GOD can do what no one can do.
HE is telling You to ask that man's daughter what he did in his life."

******  

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., with Abu Bakr as-Siddiq r.a. immediately went to the man's house to see the daughter and said,   

"O My daughter, please tell Me how your father lived."

She told him,   

"O Rasulullah, I am very ashamed before You. 
What am I going to tell You? 
He was a killer, a thief. 
I never saw him do anything good. 
He robbed and stole day and night, 
except for one month during the year. 

When that month came, he would say, 
'This is the month of GOD,' because he heard You said, 

'Rajab is the month of GOD, Sya'ban is the month of the Prophet  
and Ramadan is the month of the Community.' 

So he said,   

'I do not care for the month of the Prophet  
or the month of the Community, 
only for the month of my LORD. 

Therefore, I am going to sit in my room and close it 
and perform seclusion during this month."

 ******

The man was out in the street looking for someone to rob. 

He found an old man of seventy or eighty years of age. 

He beat him until he was unconscious before robbing him. 

He then found a small piece of folded paper in the old man's pocket. 

He opened it and found a prayer inside. 

In the name of ALLAH, the All-Beneficent, the All-Merciful 

O ALLAH, 

I ask Forgiveness of YOU 
for everything for which I repented to YOU then returned to.

And I ask Forgiveness of YOU  

for everything I displeased YOU with, 

and all that concerns me with which YOU are displeased. 

And I ask Gorgiveness of YOU 

for the favours which I used, 

for increasing my disobedience towards YOU. 

And I ask Forgiveness of YOU 
for the sins which no one knows except You 

and no one sees except You 
and nothing encompasses except Your Mercy 

and nothing delivers from except YOUR Forgiveness and Clemency. 

There is no GOD except YOU alone. 

YOU are the Most High, and I was one of the self oppressors!

O ALLAH, 

I ask Forgiveness of YOU 
for the injustice I committed against YOUR servants. 

Whatever of YOUR male or female servants whom I have hurt, 
physically or in their dignity 

or in their property give them of YOUR bounty which lacks nothing. 

And I ask YOU 

'to honour me with Your Mercy which encompasses all things.' 

Do not humble me with YOUR punishment 

but give me what I ask of YOU, 

for I am in great need of YOUR Mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful. 

May ALLAH send blessings upon Muhammad 
and upon all His Companions. 

There is no power and no might except in ALLAH the High, the Exalted.

Blessings and Peace upon Sayyidina Muhammad, 
His Family, and His Companions.  

The robber liked that prayer, the Istighfar Rajab, very much.

So, every year, when the month of Rajab came around,
the man used to sit and read that prayer day and night.

Only during eating and ablution time did his tears dried.
Other than that, he was weeping all the time, reading the Istighfar Rajab.

But once Rajab was over, the man would get up and say,  

'The month of GOD is finished. 
Now, for my pleasure.'

He went back robbing and stealing for eleven more months.

******

When Rasulullah s.a.w. asked the daughter to bring Him the paper,
He s.a.w. kissed the paper, then rubbed it over His body.

ALLAH S.W.T. told Muhammad s.a.w.,

"O MY Beloved Prophet, 
that person came and repented to ME, 
in the most precious month of the year. 

For that reason, 
because he sacrificed at least one month of the year for ME, 
I have Forgiven him all his mistakes 
and I have changed all his sins into laudable deeds. 

As he had many sins, now he has many Rewards. 
He became a great saint."

Pusara Abadi, The Forever Cemetery

A day after "Not Just 'Imam Muda' But Eternal Leader" was published here, my eldest sister called to say my mother wanted to visit Ustaz Taha's graveyard.

Ustaz appeared in my mother's sleep and showed her, his very big white house he is currently in.

Did Ustaz know I mentioned him?
GOD Knows Best.

So on Tuesday, we were at Pusara Abadi, the forever cemetery, at Jalan Bahar in Choa Chu Kang.

On the way there, I was told that the wife of Ustaz Osman Jantan, Ustazah Chik Syed Othman, had just passed away the day before.
Her husband, the late Ustaz Osman Jantan passed away just 2 weeks ago, June 7, at age 74.

I had never used his family's travel service, Hahnemann Travel and Tour, but my father, after his retirement, had several times travel to Mecca with ustaz.
Even my younger brother used Hahnemann's service for His musafir Haj.

I take this opportunity to mention my heartfelt thanks to the late Ustaz Osman Jantan.

His knowledge is blessed and passed on, as I had been using his history book, 'Kisah Khalifah-Khalifah Rasyidin' almost twenty years for my Sunday class. 

I had tried changes to other books, followed the IRK (Islamic Religious Knowledge) syllabus, but found the book by Ustaz Osman Jantan was easily understood by students. 

Not forgetting Ustaz Ahmad Sonhaji Mohamad, who passed away last year, August 12. 
His book, 'Mari Sembahyang', I had been using since small, and used it for the Sunday class too. 

Both men's writings are indeed valuable to the young generation. 

The Prophet Muhammad sollallaahu 'alaihi wasallam taught that 

three things continue to benefit a (believing) person even after death: 

*charity - which he had given (which continues to benefit others), 

*beneficial knowledge - which he had left behind (authored or taught), and 

*supplication (du'a) - on his behalf by a righteous child. 

- Narrated by Sahih Muslim  

****** 

Before we went to Ustaz Taha's place, we visited my father's.

My eldest sister asked Putra, the man who cleaned around my father's area, to plant a basil tree on the grave.

We then proceeded to visit Ustaz Taha.

True enough, his resting place is white all around, with basil tree on it.
I was told even on his wife's grave site, Ustazah Enon, who is at the same block as my father, there is also a basil tree.

We had a hard time locating my younger sister, who passed away on November 2003, 16th Ramadhan.
Her grave is somewhere beside the last year's relocation of those from nearby Pusara Aman.

Since she has more neighbours now, we asked Putra's assistance to help locating her place as we will be there again, GOD willing, tomorrow.

Although at the same block with my sister, we had to miss out Ustaz Syed Abdillah Ahmad AlJufri, who passed away January 4, 2003, as it was almost noon, and we have had more sites to go.

It is Ustaz Syed Abdillah's reminder that I hold on strongly until today, to recite the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, whenever we are unable to finish the Qur'an.  

The Messenger Muhammad (sollallaahu 'alaihi wasallam)

believes in what has been sent down to Him from His LORD, 

and (so do) the believers. 

Each one believes in ALLAH, 
HIS Angels, HIS Books, and HIS Messengers. 

They say, 
"We make no distinction between one another 
of HIS Messengers" 

- and they say, "We hear, and we obey. 

(We seek) 
YOUR Forgiveness, our LORD, and to YOU is the return (of all)." 

ALLAH burdens not a person beyond his scope. 

He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, 

and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned. 

"Our LORD! 

Punish us not if we forget or fall into error, 

our LORD! 

Lay not on us a burden like that which YOU did lay on those before us; 

our LORD! 

Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. 

Pardon us and grant us Forgiveness. 

Have Mercy on us. 

YOU are our Protector, and give us victory over the disbelieving people." 

- Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) 285 - 286

******

Ustaz Syed Abdillah was once asked his daily surah, to which he replied was Surah Al-Faatihah, Aayatul Qursi and Surah Al-Ikhlas all recited seven times every dawn and dusk.

******

Around two years after Ustaz Abdillah's passing away, I was talking to a man who is still working part-time, supervising grave diggers, to share with Me, of his most memorable episode while working at the cemetery plot.

Seeing fleeing corpses just after burial with burnt and tattered clothes is a normal sight to him. 

Some fled with raging red fire burning ferociously behind them.

But there was once, even after several alterations made, the grave was always very much bigger than the normal size.

After more exhausted but failed trials, nothing they can do about what GOD wanted it to be.

They finally left the ample site as it was, as the spacious grave belonged to none other than Ustaz Syed Abdillah Ahmad AlJufri.

Even during the jenazah prayer, 5,000 attendees were at the Sultan Mosque.

Though the great teacher had left us eight years ago, but his teaching "here, about the importance of daily prayer" lives on...

******

While Putra was cleaning my grandmother's site, I asked him to share with me of a site which turned him on.

Yes, it is a site in Block 16, where he usually hear from far, a woman reciting versus from Al-Qur'an.
But he is not too sure in which grave site she really is, although there is luminous light glowing from faraway.

It reminded me of my eldest sister, who was shown a site where a woman, Raja Zubaidah, was buried.

Ayer Gemuruh Cemetery was near Changi, where fishermen in the early 60s and I think the 70s, passed by, on their way to the sea.
It was a usual before dawn hearing of Al-Qur'an recitation from where Raja Zubaidah was buried.
Her body was said to be sleep-like when exhumed.

My eldest brother was at Ayer Gemuruh Cemetery too, when these 'people' were to be relocated around the late 70s or early 80s.
One of the corpses, said to be a rich a woman, had her hair and fingernails entwined her 'body'...

My mother, when she was around 6 or 7 years old, (pre-Japanese occupation, I guess) used to see 'a man sleeping, not dead, in his not covered grave' at Bukit Larangan, Fort Canning Hill.

The 'sleeping man', she claimed, is Sultan Raja Iskandar Shah.
Parameswara? before became a Muslim?.

I had several times went up Fort Canning when I went to the National Library during my schooling days in the 70s, but never did I see 'a sleeping man'.

Even now, several times when weddings took place at Fort Canning Hill, I never missed going to the site.
Maybe one of these days, I'll see 'the sleeping man'?
GOD willing.

******

My eldest sister wanted basil tree to be planted at my grandmother's site.

Why basil? I asked My Mother.
It is because, she said, basil or selasih is not called selasih to Javanese, its selawat.

But basil is also used in funeral rites and planted on graves in many different cultures.
I'll do my own search till then.

******

In the mean time, I am still thinking of Siput binti Dolah.

Despite always being portrayed as a cruel woman, Siput binti Dolah, or Siput Sarawak, mother of the famous Anita Sarawak, must be a very good woman at heart during her living days.

Her grave site is just 3 plots away from Ustaz Taha.
Being a very close neighbour to Ustaz Taha, Allahyarhamah Siput binti Dolah is sure guaranteed Ustaz's syafa'ah, his intercession...

My day will come too, for sure.
But can I choose my closest neighbour?

Al-Faatihah         

Rajab, The Leader Of Many Blessed Months Ahead

Rajab, the seventh month in the Islamic calender, is undeniably the key to the opening of many months ahead of goodness and blessings.

When Prophet Muhammad sollallaahu 'alaihi wasallam sighted the first crescent of a new moon of Rajab, he used to pray to ALLAH Subhaanahu Wa Ta'alaa in the following words: 

   اللّهمّ بارك لنا في رجب و شعبان وبلّعنا رمضان

Allaahumma baarik lanaa fee Rajaba wa Sya'baana wa ballighnaa Romadhaana.

"O ALLAH, make the months of Rajab and Sya'ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Romadhan (prolonging our lives up to Romadhan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings)."

It is preferable to supplicate to HIM for longevity to enable performance of good deeds.
Leaving goodness before we stepped into the next world is bound to be legacy that we will leave for our next generation.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said,
"Rajab is the month of ALLAH, Sya'ban is My month, and Romadhan is the month of My ummah (community)."   

Rajab is the month of cultivation, Sya'ban the month of irrigating fields, and Romadhan is the month of reaping and harvesting.

Rajab, the month of ALLAH S.W.T., is the first of the many sacred months that follow, with all nobilities and virtues.
Let us refrain ourselves from negativity of living, specially in this month of ALLAH S.W.T.

The month is also a prelude to the month of Romadhan, which follows after the intervening month of Sya'ban.
Rajab is "to be respect".
One of the four sacred months in Islam in which battles are prohibited.
The pre-Islamic Arabs also considered warfare strictly forbidden during the four holy months, Muharram, Rejab, Dzul Qa'idah and Dzul Hijjah.
The view that has been confirmed in Islam.

******

Some believe that Prophet Ibrahim 'alaihis salaam returned to HIM on the 18th of Rajab.
Saidina 'Ali bin Abi Talib was born on the 13th.
And, 28 Rajab 1342 A.H. (3 March 1924), Mustafa Kemal Ataturk abolished the Ottoman Caliphate.

But come 27 Rajab, Isra' Mi'raj is remembered all over the world for

 سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلاً مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ 

لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ البَصِيرُ

"Glory be to GOD Who made HIS Servant to go by night from the Sacred mosque (Mecca) to the Farthest Mosque (Jerusalem) of which We have Blessed the Precincts, so that We may show to Him some of Our Signs; surely HE is the Hearing, the Seeing."

Al-Qur'an - Surah Al-Isra': 1

Such a journey is beyond the scope of imagination.

Hence the opening of the Surah, ALLAH S.W.T. glorifies HIMSELF "Glory" to HIM who is beyond laws and systems as HE is the Creator of all systems.

HE is not restricted by the laws of this universe.

******

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. was lying in the hijr (of the Inviolable [no sin is permitted within its precincts] Mosque of Makkah) when Angel Jibril 'alaihis salam came to cut open His chest.
His heart was removed and cleansed with Zamzam water, filled with faith and wisdom, before the organ was put back in its place.

The Prophet s.a.w. was then led outside where a white creature, Buraq was waiting.

(There is a pillar in Masjidil Haram with different art motif from the rest - it was said that it's an indication that, that 's the pillar where the Buraq was tied. Hoping the pillar is still around).
The creature then brought Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. to Masjidil Aqsa in Baitul Maqdis from which most of the Prophets hail.
There he found all of the Prophets gathered there, and they prayed in congregation behind Him.

Narrated Abu Huraira:
On the night when ALLAH's Apostle was taken on the Mi'raj, 

two cups, one containing wine and the other milk, were presented to Him at Jerusalem. 

He looked at it and took the cup of milk. 

Angel Jibrail a.s. said, 

"Praise be to ALLAH Who guided You to Al-Fitrah, the correct  path

if You had taken (the cup of) wine, 

Your nation would have gone astray."

No other Prophets was ever carried by the winged creature Buraq, except Muhammad s.a.w.

The Prophet s.a.w. then made His second ascension reaching the sky of this world, Samaaud Dunya, and the wings of angels carried Him up to the seventh heaven.

Then the wings of Angel Jibril a.s. from the seventh heaven, to near the Lote-Tree or Sidratul Muntaha.

The ninth level is where he heard the sound of the Angels' pens writing people's actions and the tenth level was at HIS Throne, and ALLAH S.W.T. Knows Best.

Muhammad s.a.w. then went to meet ALLAH S.W.T. 

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. saw The LORD with his very own eyes, 
"ra'a rabbahu bi ‘ainii ra'sihi."

The Prophet s.a.w., with his physical body in defiance of the physical laws of the universe came all the way to the Unseen, The Divine Throne, The ‘Arasy, up to qab kawthaini, the distance of two bow lengths.

The Creator took Muhammad s.a.w. there and revealed HIMSELF to Muhammad, HIS creation, in the manner HE Wished, with no interference of the Angel Jibril a.s. who was seen by the Prophet s.a.w. many times. 

"ALLAH revealed to HIS Servant what HE revealed.

The Prophet's heart in no way falsified what it saw. 

Will you then dispute with Him about what He saw?

And He saw HIM again another time. 

At the Lote-tree of the utmost boundary.

At the Garden of Abode 

Behold the lote-tree was shrouded with what shrouds

His sight did not swerve or go wrong. 
Indeed He saw the Greatest Signs of His LORD
Have you seen Latta and ‘Uzza (two pagan idols)
And the third one Manat (another idol)

Surah An-Najm (The Star) 53:10-20 

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. stopped in ten different stations:
The last of seven heavens, Jannatul Ma'wa and the eighth at Sidratul Muntaha.

GOD grants miracles or Mu'jizat to all Prophets and the miracles often go beyond the laws of physics and beyond the constraints of human realities.
Some view it as something improbable, their GOD's made human minds unable to find rationality behind happenings beyond the common laws of nature.
Anything beyond the comprehension of these physical GOD's made minds is totally rejected.

Prophet Ibrahim 'alaihis salaam, the forefather of Prophets, was granted spiritual vision to see the miracle workings of HIS Creation, the universe.
GOD showed Ibrahim a.s. wonders of the universe from the earth with his spiritual vision.

His baseera, the 'eyes' of his heart went beyond the laws of the physical universe.
There is a spiritual dimension in the physical universe, beyond the laws of the physical universe.
Ibrahim a.s. knew the reality of the universe as GOD had shown it to him.

HE showed Prophet Ibrahim a.s. the truth, and he is conveying the heavenly message.
Now, the heavenly kingdom is opened to Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. on His miraculous events happened on the Night of the Night Journey and Ascension.   

Isra' and Mi'raj took place both in body and spirit, beyond comprehension of ordinary minds.
GOD made Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. to move in spiritual dimensions with his physical body in complete freedom from the physical laws.
He s.a.w. was brought to a point where there is no place and no time, no ‘where' and no ‘when' with Himself present in body and soul.

GOD gave this universe to all humanity, but HE showed the last Prophet s.a.w. related to HIMSELF. 

Does man not consider that We created him from a [mere] sperm-drop - then at once he is a clear adversary? 

And he presents for Us an example and forgets his [own] creation. He says, "Who will give life to bones while they are disintegrated?"

Say, "HE will give them life who produced them the first time; and HE is, of all creation, Knowing." 

[It is] HE who made for you from the green tree, fire, and then from it you ignite. 

Is not HE who Created the heavens and the earth Able to Create the likes of them? Yes, [it is so]; and He is the Knowing Creator. 

His Command is only when HE intends a thing that HE Says to it, "Be," and it is. 

So exalted is HE in Whose Hand is the realm of All Things, and to HIM you will be returned. 

 Al-Qur'an Surah Yaasin: 77-83

'Susuk', Charm Needles, The Cause?

When My Children were small, I used to bring them around the neighbourhood before nightfall.

Most of the time, We end up the roundings at My immediate neighbour's house, a midwife, to exhaust the children, let them run around with others, before they retreat for the night.

Most of the time, an elderly woman, in her 80s I supposed, would join us.
She had a very rough and manly voice, always with 'telekung' or praying garment in hand.

I did not know her well, but she did remind Me...
"Not to be surprised, if after her death, she will turn into loitering and wondering around 'jerangkung' or skeleton."

I did not probe why she said that, she, being a total stranger to Me.
I was 'very blur' too at that time (even now), to all these unfamiliar happenings.

After a few appearances at the midwife's house, she was absent for a very long time.
It aroused My curiosity.

As was told by the midwife's daughter, who taught Me a lot about life, the elderly woman had a fall while in the bathroom.
She was sent to the hospital, where upon x-ray, 44 needles were detected.

Nurses at the hospital had talked to her adopted son, to find the person who inserted the needles into her, to remove the objects from her.

The son knew that his mother had tried in vain for years, to locate the whereabout of the said person.
The last time she heard about him, he had passed away.

She turned to others to remove the 44 'susuk' or charm needles, but all methods were fruitless.

She started to think about GOD.
She then turned to HIM instead.

Never mind her old age.
She was not ashamed to go around, asking people to teach her to pray.

So, the midwife's daughter taught her.
But... there is one thing that dampened the lively spirit.
She could not say ALLAH.

Her tongue stiffened, no matter how hard she had tried.
No wonder the 'telekung', the praying garment, she brought along.

She was never in the midwife's house, whenever I saw her.
She could not enter the house, too hot for her.
The midwife's daughter said so.
There are frames of verses from Al-Qur'an hanging around the house.

She could not even enter her son's house, although she stayed with his family.
So, he built her a small hut, nearby the external bathroom.

Bathing used to be her past-time activities.
She liked water so much, as her body was always feeling the heat...

******

In her younger days, in the 50s and 60s, she used to be a prostitute, serving Englishmen stationed in Sembawang.

Sometime, she brought the men home (or they volunteered to send her home?).

She slept in between the two men, on the queen-sized bed.

The midwife's children, all admitted, used to peep into her room.

They claimed, her husband was a cuckold.

He stayed home most of the time, never stopping his wife spending her nights in Sembawang.

The husband was rarely seen out of his house.

Those were the days when water consumption in Johor needed to be taken from the well.

The wife, the stronger being, used to carry two-pail loads, many times over, balancing them with a wood on her shoulder, for her husband's usage.

Yes, she performed her duties well.

She stocked water at home, washed and cooked for the husband before she went to 'work' in Singapore.

She dressed well, corseted herself under see through beautiful 'kebaya', a traditional blouse-dress from sheer cloth, and expensive 'batik lepas' or seemless batik cloth.

The midwife's children never missed to see her all made-up for 'work', although the husband, they said, never lifted her head, regardless she was around or not.

******

The elderly woman was sick for quite sometime.
I did not pay her a visit, not too sure, why?

When we were together at the midwife's verandah, she did not say much, except kept staring at Me.

Occasionally, I would throw in a word or two, seeing the difficulties she faced with her tongue, in saying out ALLAH.
But whenever I saw the regret on her face, I often backed out.
I admired her perseverance, though.

But, she said, she liked the fluency in Me just saying the word 'ALLAH'.
That stopped Me altogether.
Not too sure, why?

******

After a thorough search, the son found one traditional healer.

He just used 'pisang emas', not too sure the English word.
Is it golden banana?
Pisang is banana, and emas is gold.
So, golden banana is the closest translation.

One by one, the small 'pisang emas' was rolled over her body.
The 'susuk' or charm needles stuck to those bananas.

After all the needles were removed from the elderly woman's body, her health deteriorated.
Her condition became more critical.
She passed away few days later, in the small hut built by her son, nearby the external bathroom.

I did not pay a visit to the elderly woman when she was sick for quite sometime.
Not too sure, why?
And I did not see her for the last time, when she passed away.
Not too sure, why too?

But I am very sure that she did not become a loitering and wondering around 'jerangkung' or skeleton.

To her very accepted soul and all those who had passed away, Al-Faatihah... 

Earthquake And The Holy Qur'an

And 
WE have in the earth

firm mountains 

lest 

it should quake 

with them; 

and  
WE have made therein

wide pathways, 

and 
they maybe rightly guarded.

- Surah Al-Anbiya'  (The Prophets):32

So 
WE punished each of them

for his sins; 

of them 
were some on whom  

WE sent Hasib 

(a violent wind with shower of stones) 

(as the people of Lut (Lot)), 

and of them 
were some  

who were overtaken 

by As-Saihah 

(torment - awful cry. 

(as Thamud or Shu'aib's people), 

and of them 
were some whom

WE caused the earth 

to swallow 

(as Qarun (Korah), 

and of them 
were some  

whom WE drowned 

(as the people of Nuh (Noah),  

or Fir'aun (Pharaoh) 

and his people). 

It was not ALLAH 

Who wronged them, 

but 
they wronged themselves. 

- Surah Al-'Ankabut (The Spider):40  

O mankind! 

Fear your LORD 

and be dutiful to HIM! 

Verily, 

the earthquake of the Hour 

(of Judgment) 

is a terrible thing. 

The Day you see it, 

every nursing mother 

will forget her nursling, 

and every pregnant one 

will drop her load, 

and you shall see mankind 

as in a drunken state, 

yet 

they will not  be drunken,

but severe 

will be  the torment of ALLAH.

- Surah Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage):1-2  

Do you then  feel secure

that HE  will not cause

a side of the land 

to swallow you up, 

or that 

HE will not  send against you

a violent sand-storm? 

Then, 

you shall find  no Wakil

(guardian - one to guard you 

from the torment).

- Surah Al-Isra' (Journey By Night):68  

Or 

do you feel secure 

that HE, 

Who is over the heaven 
(ALLAH),

will not send  against you

a violent whirlwind? 

Then 

you shall know 

how (terrible) 

has been  MY  Warning?

And indeed 

those before them  belied

(the Messengers of ALLAH), 

then how terrible 

was MY denial (punishment)? 

- Surah Al-Mulk (Dominion):17-18)  

And 

HE has set firm  mountains

in the earth 

so that it will not shake 

with you... 

- Surah An-Nahl (The Bees) 

Those before them 

indeed plotted, 

but 

ALLAH struck at the foundation 

of their building, 

and then 

the roof fell upon them,

from above them, 

and the torment  overtook them

from directions 

they did not perceive.

- Surah An-Nahl (The Bees):26 

Do then 
those

who devise evil plots 

feel secure 

that 
ALLAH will not sink them 

into the earth, 

or that 

the torment 

will not seize them 

from directions 

they perceive not? 

- Surah An-Nahl (The Bees):45 

When the earth 

is shaken 

with its (final) earthquake. 

And 

when the earth 

throws out its burdens. 

And 

man will say: 

"What is the matter with it?" 

That Day 

it will declare 

its information 

(about all that happened  over it

of good or evil). 

Because 

your LORD 

will inspire it. 

That Day 

mankind will proceed 

in scattered groups 

that  they may be shown

their deeds. 

So 

whosoever does good 

equal to the weight 

of an atom (or a small ant) 

shall see it. 

And 

whosoever does evil 

equal to the weight 

of an atom (or a small ant) 

shall see it."  

-Surah Az-Zalzalah :1-8

The Last Man's Way Of Gaining His Entry To Paradise

The Last Man To Enter Jannah

Abu Hurayra once said that people asked the Messenger of GOD,  
“Will we see our Lord on the Day of Judgment?" 

To which Prophet Muhammad replied, 
“Do you find any difficulty seeing a full-moon on a cloud-less night?” 
They said, “No, Messenger of GOD”. 

He said, 
“How about the sun, 
do you find any difficulty seeing it on a cloud-less day?” 
They said, “No”.
  
The Prophet said,  
“That’s how it will be. 
People will be resurrected on the day of Judgment and it will be said, 
‘Follow whatever you used to worship!’ 
So some people will follow the sun, 
and others will follow the moon, 
and others will follow tyrants.

However, this Ummah, along with its hypocrites, will stay put, 
and GOD will come and say ‘I am your LORD’. 
[Not having seen GOD before, and confused by the whole experience] 
They will say ‘We’re not going anywhere until our LORD comes, 
and when HE comes, we will recognize HIM’. 

Then GOD will come to them and say ‘I am your LORD’. 
Then they will [realize and] say ‘[Wow!!!] YOU are our LORD!’, 
and they will follow HIM.
  
[The Messenger of GOD then continued] 
“Then the Sirat (Path) will be cast across Jahannam (Hell),
and I and My Ummah will be the first to cross it. 
No one on that day will speak except the Messengers [of GOD], 
and all what they will say on that day will be 
‘Please GOD, get us out of this safely!’ (Allahumma Sallim Sallim).

Jahannam will be full of hooks and thorns that snatch people, 
all according to their deeds. 
Some will fall in because of their deeds, 
and others will be cut and shredded until they cross to the other side.

Then when GOD would want to have Mercy over the people in the Fire,
HE will command the Angels to take out everyone who used to worship GOD, 
and they will do so.

The Angels will recognize them by their prostration marks, 
as GOD has prohibited the fire from burning them 
and the son of Adam will be consumed by the Fire 
except for his prostration marks. 
They will come out charred 
and the Water of Life will be poured on them 
after which they will rise again 
the way a seed germinates after rain."

[Continuing]  
“Then, after GOD judges between everyone, 
a man will remain between the Fire and Paradise*.

He will be removed from the Fire 
but his face will be fixed towards it,
so he will cry: ‘Please GOD, let me face elsewhere! 
Its heat has dried me and its wind has burnt me!’ 

GOD will say:  
‘If you are granted this wish, will you ask for anything else?’ 
He will cry: ‘No!! I swear by your Greatness I will not!’  

And he will continue to promise and pledge not to ask anything else, 
until his face will be directed away from the Fire and towards Paradise.
He will see its beauty…
but [remembering his promise] will remain silent.

He will stay silent for a long, long, time, 
then eventually [unable to bear any longer] will cry: 
‘Please LORD, please bring me forward…
just to the Gate of Paradise!! …’ 

GOD will say: 
‘Didn’t you promise that you wouldn’t ask for anything else?’ 
The man will cry:  
‘But LORD, 
please don’t make me the most miserable of Your creation!’ 

GOD will say:  
‘If I grant you your wish then do not ask for anything else?!’ 
He will cry:  
‘I won’t!!! I promise, I swear by you Greatness I will not!’ 

And he will continue to promise and pledge not to ask for anything else, 
until he is brought to the Gate of Paradise. 
When he reaches it, 
he will look inside and see its vigor, charm and pleasure… 
but [remembering his promise] will remain silent.

He will stay silent for a long, long time, 
then eventually [unable to bear any longer] will cry: 
‘O LORD… please… please let me enter Paradise!!’ 

GOD will say: ‘You’re unbelievable! 
How treacherous can you get Son of Adam?! 
Didn’t you make all those promises and pledges not to ask for anything else?’ 
But the man will cry:  
‘But LORD,
please don’t make me the most miserable of your creation!’ 

So GOD, the Exalted, will Laugh, and allow the man to enter Paradise. 

Then GOD will tell him, ‘Make a wish!’ 
And the man will keep on wishing and wishing 
and asking for so many things 
until he can’t find anything else to ask for.

Then GOD will help him out and remind him saying,  
‘How about this… and how about that?’ 
And then, when the man is completely satisfied, 
GOD will say, ‘All your wishes will be granted… and doubled!’  

When Abu Hurayra finished narrating this prophetic saying,
Abu Saeed interjected: 
“But Abu Hurayra! The Messenger of God said, 
‘All your wishes will be granted… 
and multiplied by ten!’ 

Abu Hurayra: “I only remember that they will be doubled.” 
Abu Saeed: “No, no… [trust me]… they will be multiplied by ten!” 
(Sahih al-Bukhari).

Source: Masjidma - Islamic Society Of Western Massachusetts

The Excellence Of Selawat And Salam (2)

"ALLAH and HIS Angels send Blessings on the Prophet: 

O you that believe! 

Send your blessings on Him, 

and salute Him with all respect." 

- Al Qur'an: Surah Al-Ahzab 56

* The Prophet Muhammad sollallaahu 'alaihi wasallam said: “ALLAH has angels who go around on earth, conveying to Me the salam of my ummah.” - (Sunan Nasaa'i, Saheeh Al-Albani radhiallaahu 'anhuma)
 
* The Prophet s.a.w. said: “When any one of you prays, let him begin by Praising ALLAH, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet s.a.w., then let him ask for whatever he wants.” - At-Tarmidzhi radhiallaahu 'anh.

* Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-’As r.a. reported: I heard the Messenger of ALLAH s.a.w. saying: “Whoever Supplicates ALLAH to exalt My mention (selawat), ALLAH will Exalt HIS Mention (Selawat) ten times and remove from him ten sins and Raise him ten degrees." - Muslim r.a.

* The Messenger s.a.w. said: “Do not take your houses as graves and do not take My grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly).
Send blessings upon Me, for your greeting will reach Me no matter where you are.” - Abu Hurairah r.a.

* Rasulullah s.a.w. said, “There is not one of you who sends his greetings upon Me except that ALLAH returns the soul to My body (in the grave) and I return his greeting.” - Abu Daud r.a.

* Saidina ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab r.a. said: “Du’a is suspended between heaven and earth and none of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet." - At-Tarmidzhi r.a.

* Saidina 'Ali r.a. reported: Rasulullah s.a.w. said, "The miser is the one in whose presence I am mentioned but he does not supplicate for Me.” - At-Tarmidzhi r.a.

* Abdur Rahman bin 'Auf r.a. said, "I came to the Prophet s.a.w. while He was in prostration and He elongated His prostration and then said, “Jibrail 'alaihis salam came to Me and he said, ‘Whoever sends blessings (selawat) upon You, I will send blessings on him, and whoever sends greetings (salam) upon You, I will send greetings upon him,’ so I prostrated out of Thankfulness to ALLAH." - Al Haakim r.a.

* Ibn Mas’ood r.a. reported: The Messenger s.a.w. said: "The people who will be nearest to Me on the Day of Resurrection will be those who Supplicate ALLAH more often for Me.” - At-Tarmidzhi r.a.

*‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ood said: If any one of you wants to ask (of ALLAH), let him begin by Praising ALLAH as HE Deserves to be Praised, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet s.a.w., then let him ask after that, for that is more likely to be answered. - Narrated by Al-Tabaraani.

“Say (O Muhammad to mankind): 

“If you (really) love ALLAH, 

then follow Me , 

ALLAH will Love you and Forgive you your sins. 

And ALLAH is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” 

- Al Qur'an: Surah Al-Imran 31

The Excellence Of Selawat And Salam

"Undoubtedly, 

ALLAH and His Angels send blessings on the Prophet 

(the Communicator of Unseen News), 

O you who believe ! 

Send upon Him blessings, 

and salute him fully well in abundance." 

- Al-Quran Surah Al-Ahzab : 56

In a hadith qudsi ALLAH Subhaanahu Wa Ta'aala commanded Jibrail 'alaihis salam to love one HE Loves and Jibrail a.s. then would call ahlus sama' (the inhabitants of heavens), ordering them to love the person that THE CREATOR Loves.

******

On the night of Isra' and Mi'raj, when Prophet Muhammad sollallaahu 'alaihi wasallam was ascending the sky, He saw an Angel who had a thousand hands, on each of his hands were a thousand fingers, and he was counting on them.

The Prophet s.a.w. asked Jibrail a.s. who the Angel was, and what was he counting?
Jibreel a.s. replied that the Angel had been appointed by ALLAH SWT to count the drops of rain to have fallen down the earth.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. turned to the Angel and asked if He knew the total amount of raindrops that had fallen from the day ALLAH SWT created this world.

The Angel replied, “O Prophet of ALLAH! I swear by my LORD who has chosen You (as a blessing) for mankind, verily I know the total amount of raindrops fallen on the earth till now.

Even to the extent that how many drops have fallen in the wilds, on prosperous lands, in the gardens, and in the cemetery too.”

When The Prophet s.a.w. said His surprise of the Angel's powerful mind, his intellectuality and the ability to remember, he replied, “O Prophet of ALLAH! Verily this ability to count proves futile when I try to count only one thing.”

When He s.a.w. asked,
The Angel replied, “When people of Your ummah gather at one place and send salawat and salam upon You, it is beyond my ability and capacity to count the rewards for it.”

******

We are encouraged by the Holy Prophet s.a.w. to increase our selawat and salam  on Fridays.
Angels present themselves to Him: So-and-so's son, so-and-so of Muhammad s.a.w.'s ummah sent salam to Him.
There is no one who recites selawat and salam upon Him, except that their voices reach Him wherever they are.

******

GOD's first Creation was the Nur of the Holy Prophet s.a.w.
Then HE Blessed Him with Prophethood, and the process of selawat and salam continued with Angels reciting them.
From the very beginning of creation, remembrance of the Holy Prophet s.a.w. has continuously occurred.
ALLAH S.W.T. shows infinite Love for those whom HE Loves.

When Muhammad was born, the whole atmosphere was filled with the voices of Angels reciting selawat and salam, congratulating each other: Whatever Angels did, was at ALLAH's Command.

The Holy Prophet s.a.w. fast every Monday, as a mark of gratitude for this day, as He was born on a Monday, 12 Rabi'ul Awwal, April 23rd, 571 years after the ascension of Prophet Isa (Jesus) a.s.

** Prophet Adam a.s.'s dowry to Hawa (Eve) radhiallaahu anhu is selawat and salam.

** Prophet Musa (Moses) a.s. had fainted due to thirst and hunger after walking in a desert under the afternoon sun.
GOD told him that the thirst on the Day of Judgement will be a million times more than what He a.s.felt then.

He was told by Jibrail a.s. to recite selawat and salam in abundance if He wished to get rid of thirst on the hottest Judgment Day.

******

* Regular recitation of selawat and salam on Rasulullah s.a.w. has tremendous effect on our head.
To some, it purifies thoughts.
To others, it provides new found peace and tranquility.
It is leeway for individual gains.

* Regular recitation of selawat and salam lifts up the hearts, therapeutic for the mind.
Our selawat and salam is immediately accepted by ALLAH SWT.
No one can doubt its acceptance.
Before we realise, it provides avenue for easy problem solving and peace of heart.
Tragedies, troubles, ill-feelings and frustrations evaporates into thin air, as whoever recites his selawat and salam, HIS Gracefulness immediately Showers ten times HIS Blessings.

* Regular selawat and salam injects tranquility into our lives, our souls.
It reshapes those infested with turmoil.
Its benefits are countless and matchless, for 'the best of both worlds'.
Continuous recitation implants faith, depression unable to thrive and miseries unable to flourish.

We are very fortunate to be the chosen one.
We are chosen to accept the religion of peace.
In it, the selawat and salam drives away darkness from our inner soul. 
Selawat and salam works miracle.

* Regular selawat and salam develops positive forces in us.
The highest regard we reserve for Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., the love and esteem, there is the natural outcome of invisible motivational force that dissolves complication.
This is DIVINE's furnishing to mankind through Rasulullah s.a.w.

When that force is in us, "Indeed ALLAH bestowed a favour upon the believers when HE raised up a Prophet in their midst".
People from near and far, all with the same intention of honouring the one HE Loves, "Rasulullah s.a.w. has such nearness with His ummah."
The Prophet s.a.w. is nearer to the believers than their own lives.

The wisdom of the Prophet s.a.w. and all other Prophets, is stated as in The Pillar Of Believe.
He s.a.w. is closer to us than our own souls.

There are always people performing solah worldwide, in the entire twenty-four hour cycle, and sending selawat and salam on Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. is part of solah.
The continuity of solah revolving five times of prayer around the world, are constantly and permanently invoking blessings and greetings on the Prophet s.a.w ceaselessly day and night.

And indeed, He is alive in permanence.
ALLAH S.W.T. entitled Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. to return every single salam that is made to Him.

****** 

"Verily, 

there has come unto you 

a Messenger (Muhammad s.a.w.) 

from amongst yourselves 

(i.e. whom you know well). 

It grieves Him that 

you should receive any injury or difficulty. 

He (Muhammad s.a.w.) is anxious over you 

(to be rightly guided, 

to repent to ALLAH S.W.T, 

and beg HIM to pardon and forgive your sins,

in order that you may enter Paradise 

and be saved 

from the punishment of the hell-fire),

for the believers 

(He s.a.w. is) full of pity, kind, and merciful.

But if they turn away, 

say (O Muhammad s.a.w.): 

"ALLAH S.W.T. is sufficient for me. 

Laa Ilaaha Illa Huwa

(none has the right to be worshipped but HE), 

in HIM I put My trust 

and HE is the LORD of the Mighty Throne." 

 - Surah AtTaubah: 128 - 129