The Choicest Rotten Meat

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 

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Prophet Muhammad sollallaahu 'alaihi wasallam was ascending the sky with Gabriel 'alaihis salam during Isra' Mi'raj (yesterday was Rejab 27).

He s.a.w. saw those, although in front of them were excellent meats in pots, they chose the putrid and foul ones.
They would eat from the foul and rotten meat, and would not touch the good meat.
Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. asked Gabriel a.s., 

"What is this, O Jibril?"

to which he replied, 

"These are the men from Your community. 
They have excellent, lawful wife at home, but chose unlawful women to spend their nights with.

And the women would leave their excellent, lawful husband, to go and spend their nights with foul men."

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Marriage and family life are protected by very strong rules, because every goodness comes through marriage.

"And among HIS Signs is this, 

that HE created you (Adam) from dust,

and then (Hawa' [Eve] from Adam's rib, 

and then his offspring from the semen, and), 

- behold you are human beings scattered!

And among HIS Signs is this, 

that HE created for you wives from among yourselves, 

that you may find repose in them, 

and HE has put between you affection and mercy. 

Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect. 

And among HIS Signs 

is the creation of the heavens and the earth, 

and the difference of your languages and colours. 

Verily, 

in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." 

Al-Qur'an Surah Ar-Ruum 20 - 22 

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Family is the foundation of society.

The peace and security offered by a stable family unit is greatly valued, and seen as essential for the spiritual growth of its members.

Children are priceless treasures.

Living in a harmonious family, they rarely want to leave home before marriage.
Some chose to remain staying with their parents after marriage.

A Muslim girl can never be forced to marry against her will, but her parents can suggest suitable men.
Female, weather single or married, is an individual in her own right.
A marriage dowry is given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use.

She keeps her own family name rather than taking her husband's.

Prophet Muhammad sollallaahu 'alaihi wasallam had said, 

"The most perfect in faith amongst believers 

is he who is best in manner and kindest to his wife."

A Muslim marriage is not a 'sacrament', but just a simple, legal agreement but which is often made complicated by tradition.

Divorce, although not forbidden, is only taken as the last resort as, 

"Enter upon matrimony. but do not divorce your wives, since divorce shakes the very Throne Of GOD."

Yes, divorce between husband and wife shakes the 'Arasy'.
'Arasy is ALLAH S.W.T.'s 'Throne'.

Surely!!!
Divorce really, really anger the Creator.
If not, why thus the 'Arasy' is shaken?

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The satan Daasim stations itself at doorways.
Whose house upon entry is without salam, Daasim's duty is to cause conflict between household members - men, wives and families.

Those who were and are caught offguard, Daasim triumph when it leads to violence and it won trophy when it results divorces between couples.

Then there is 'Awar, who encourages adultery.

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A close friend do not see any wrong in his adulterous way.

He admitted frankly, he has to lead that kind of life, to complete his living.

The wife had encouraged another marriage for him.

But, relationship outside marriage is a thrill beyond expression.

Just like food, he craves varieties!

Why is that so?

The wife had often dream of their home being barged into.

Often she would sense a woman loitering around the lift-landing, or nearer home, at the gate.

Other time, her daughter just tell the mother there's someone near the shoe rack.

The wife did mention what she saw and sense to the husband, but he just refuse any changes made to his life.

When asked to go for counselling, he said, he knows more than the wife knew not. 

“Do as You please in this world, Oh Muhammad, 

But remember, 

You will be accountable for all that You do. 

And live as You please in this world, Oh Muhammad, 

But remember, 
One day, You will taste death. 

And love whom You please in Your life, Oh Muhammad, 

But remember, 

One day, You will part with Your loved one in death.” 

Jibrail a.s. said to the Prophet s.a.w.

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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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* 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.

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"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