AL KULAFA UR RASHIDUN

The Rightly-Guided Caliphs (Al-Khulafa-ur-Rashidun)

The word 'Caliph' is the English form of the Arabic word 'Khalifa,' which is short for Khalifatu Rasulil-lah. The latter expression means Successor to the Messenger of God, the Holy Prophet Muhammad . The title 'Khalifatu Rasulil-lah'. was first used for Abu Bakr, who was elected head of the Muslim community after the death of the Prophet. 

The Significance of the Caliphate

The mission of Prophet Muhammad , like that of the earlier messengers of God, was to call people to the worship of and submission to the One True God. 

In practice, submission to God means to obey His injunctions as given in the Holy Qur'an and as exemplified by Sunnah (the practice of the Prophet). 

As successor to the Prophet, the Caliph was the head of the Muslim community and his primary responsibility was to continue in the path of the Prophet. Since religion was perfected and the door of Divine revelation was closed at the death of the Prophet, the Caliph was to make all laws in accordance with the Qur'an and the Sunnah. 

He was a ruler over Muslims but not their sovereign since sovereignty belongs to God alone. He was to be obeyed as long as he obeyed God. He was responsible for creating and maintaining conditions under which it would be easy for Muslims to live according to Islamic principles, and to see that justice was done to all.

Abu Bakr, at the time he accepted the caliphate, stated his position thus: 

 "The weak among you shall be strong with me until their rights have been vindicated; and the strong among you shall he weak with me until, if the Lord wills, I have taken what is due from them... Obey me as long as I obey God and His Messenger. When I disobey Him and His Prophet, then obey me not." 

The Rightly-Guided Caliphs (Al-Khulafa-ur-Rashidun)

Those Caliphs who truly followed in the Prophet's foot steps are called 'The Rightly-Guided Caliphs' (Al-Khulafa-ur Rashidun in Arabic).

THE FIRST FOUR CALIPHS

The First Caliph, Abu Bakr (632-634 A.C.) "If I were to take a friend other than my Lord, I would take Abu Bakr as a friend." (Hadith)

The Second Caliph, Umar (634-644 A.C.) "God has placed truth upon Umar's tongue and heart." (Hadith)

The Third Caliph, Uthman (644-656 A.C.) "Every Prophet has an assistant, and my assistant will be Uthman." (Hadith)

The Fourth Caliph, Ali (656-661 A.C.) "You [Ali] are my brother in this world and the next." (Hadith) 

These four Khulafaa (pl. for Caliph) are called the "Khulafaa-e-Rashidun" or the "Rightly Guided Caliphs." Together, these four Khulafaa ruled the Islamic State for about 29 years. They are called "Rightly Guided" because they ruled the people of that time exactly according to the Holy Quran and the commands of Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

All the first four were among the earliest and closest Companions of the Prophet . They lived simple and righteous lives and strove hard for the religion of God. Their justice was impartial, their treatment of others was kind and merciful, and they were one with the people - the first among equals. 

After these four, the later Caliphs assumed the manners of kings and emperors and the true spirit of equality of ruler and ruled diminished to a considerable extent in the political life of Muslims. 

It should be clearly understood that the mission of Prophet Muhammad , and hence that of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, was not political, social or economic reform, although such reforms were a logical consequence of the success of this mission, nor the unity of a nation and the establishment of an empire, although the nation did unite and vast areas came under one administration, nor the spread of a civilization or culture, although many civilizations and cultures developed, but only to deliver the message of God to all the peoples of the world and to invite them to submit to Him, while being the foremost among those who submitted.

source: Islamicweb.com / aulia-e-hind.com/ quran.com

PEARL OF WISDOM

God made the illusion look real
and the real an illusion.
He concealed the sea
and made the foam visible,
the wind invisible,
and the dust manifest.
you see the dust whirling,
but how can the dust rise by itself?
you see the foam, but not the ocean.
invoke Him with deeds, not words;
for deeds are real
and will save you in the infinite-life.

- Rumi
[Mathnawi]

"THEN WHY CAN'T YOU EAT PORK?'

Once a Muslim scholar was delivering a lecture about Halaal and Haraam in Islam.

One man from the audience rose and asked, “Sir! Why do you eat sheep, cow etc ?”

The scholar replied that, “Allah has made them halal for us. They are all humble creations of Allah”.

The man then asked sarcastically, “Then why don’t you eat pork? Even the pig is very humble. It always has its head down when it walks. Even it will give you a lot of meat as the sheep, cow etc”.

The scholar paused for a moment and asked the guy, “Are you married ?”.

The man replied, “Yes”.

The scholar then asked, “Is she your relative”.

The man replied, “Yes. She is the daughter of…..cousin of…. ….my mother’s relative”.

The scholar then asked, “Why do you have to search and marry such a distant relative ???. Even your mother and sister have the same features what she has.  Then why don’t you cohabit with your mother and sister and have your children, rather than doing it with such a stranger” ???

The man’s face turned red.

The scholar then said,

“Son! Allah in his divine wisdom has made certain things halal and certain others Haraam. We can’t use our trivial intelligence and logic to question those things”. 

Courtesy: www.everymuslim.net

WHILE OTHERS ARE....

Believe while others are doubting.

Plan while others are playing.

Study while others are sleeping.

Decide while others are delaying.

Prepare while others are daydreaming.

Begin while others are procrastinating.

Work while others are wishing.

Save while others are wasting.

Listen while others are talking.

Smile while others are frowning.

Commend while others are criticizing.

Persist while others are quitting.

 

Source: Inspirations Volume 5

Courtesy: www.everymuslim.net

ON CONTROLLING ANGER

The behavior of a courageous person is based on wisdom and serenity of soul. He gets angry on proper occasion and is patient and restrained. His anger is to the proper extent and if he takes revenge, it is with reason and discretion. He knows well as to whom he should forgive and what to overlook and ignore.

The anger of a true believer is for the sake of Allah (SWT). In the state of anger, he keeps in mind his duties, rights of creatures and never oppresses anyone. He neither makes the use of indecent language nor acts indiscreetly. All his acts are based on rational considerations and are in accordance with the norms of justice and Divine laws. He always acts in a way that he will not regret his actions later on.

Hence a true believer practices self-control and suppresses the motives of ill-temper through taking enough time before saying or doing anything.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "The best Jihad is self-control."

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "He is not strong and powerful, who throws people down, but he is strong who withholds himself from anger."

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "Whoever suppresses his anger, when he has in his power to show it, Allah (SWT) will give him a great reward."

Amirul Muminin, Imam Ali (as) said: "The most powerful person is the one who is victorious over his anger with his forbearance."

Amirul Muminin, Imam Ali (as) said: "When a person gets angry, if he is standing, he should immediately lie down (sit down) on earth for a while as this removes the filth of Shaitan (Satan) from him at that time."

Amirul Muminin, Imam Ali (as) said: "Keep off anger because it is one large army from the Shaitan's (Satan) armies."

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "One who refrains his anger (towards someone), Allah (SWT) will cover his secrets."

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) said: "Any one who suppresses his anger, Allah (SWT) will add to his honour and authority in this world and the world to come."

source: Islamicoccasions.com

http://www.ezsoftech.com/stories/mis7.asp   

WHY THE PEOPLE of PROPHET HUD (AS) DISAPPEARED

Hūd (as) - It is said that Hūd (as) was the first person to speak Arabic. He was sent to the people of ‘Ād in Yemen. His people were giants who lived in palaces with lofty pillars. His people were destroyed by a hurricane with fiercly cold winds. 

Damoon Al-Hajrein, town of Aad and poets

 

Al-Hajrein is one of the oldest villages of Wadi Hadramaut, where the ruins of the ancient state of the people of Aad can be observed on the peak of a mountain that looks down on this village.One of the most beautiful villages in all of Yemen, Al-Hajrein is an important archeological village located in Wadi Hadramaut in eastern Yemen. Its name was derived from the word ‘Hajran’ meaning ‘town’ in the ancient Yemeni language.

[The Source: http://www.yementimes.com - 06/09/2009]

Thamud

Picture of Thamudi tombs at Mada'in Saleh carved from mountain.

 

The Thamud (Arabic: ثمود‎) were a people of ancient Arabia, either a tribe or a group of tribes, that created a large kingdom and flourished from 3000 BCE to 200 BCE.^{[citation needed]} Recent archaeological work has revealed numerous Thamudic rock writings and pictures not only in Yemen but also throughout central Arabia.

They are mentioned in sources such as the Qur'an, old Arabian poetry, Assyrian annals (Tamudi), in a Greek temple inscription from the northwest Hejaz of CE 169, in a 5th-century Byzantine source and in Old North Arabian graffiti around Tayma.

They are mentioned in the victory annals of the Neo-Assyrian King, Sargon II (8th century BCE), who defeated these people in a campaign in northern Arabia. The Greeks also refer to these people as "Tamudaei", i.e. "Thamud", in the writings of Aristo^{[clarification needed]}, Ptolemy, and Pliny. Before the rise of Islam, approximately between 400-600 CE, the Thamud totally disappeared.

Prophet Hud (AS) Prophecy and Persecution

His Time:

The exact time period when Prophet Hud preached is unknown. It is believed that he came approximately 200 years before Prophet Saleh. Based on archaeological evidence, the time period is estimated to be sometime around 300-600 B.C.

His Place:

Hud and his people lived in the Yemeni province of Hadramawt. This region is at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, in an area of curved sand hills.

His People:

Hud was sent to an Arab tribe called 'Ad, who were related to and ancestors of another Arab tribe known as Thamud. Both tribes were reported to be descendants of the Prophet Nuh (Noah). The 'Ad were a powerful nation in their day, primarily due to their location at the southern end of the African/Arabian trade routes. They were unusually tall, used irrigation for farming, and built large fortresses.

His Message:

The people of 'Ad worshipped several main deities, whom they thanked for giving them rain, preserving them from danger, providing food, and restoring them to health after sickness. Prophet Hud tried to call his people to the worship of One God, to Whom they should give thanks for all their bounties and blessings. He criticized his people for their vanity and tyranny, and called upon them to give up the worship of false gods.

His Experience:

The 'Ad people largely rejected Hud's message. They challenged him to bring the wrath of God upon them. The 'Ad people suffered through a three-year famine, but rather than take that as a warning, they considered themselves invincible. One day, a huge cloud advanced toward their valley, which they thought was a rain cloud coming to bless their land with fresh water. Instead, it was a devastating sandstorm which ravaged the land for eight days and destroyed everything.

His Story in the Quran:

The story of Hud is mentioned several times in the Quran. To avoid repetition, we quote just one passage here (from the Quran chapter 46, verses 21-26):

Mention Hud, one of 'Ad's own brethren. Behold, he warned his people beside the winding sand-tracts. But there have been warners before him and after him, saying: "Worship none other than Allah. Truly I fear for you the chastisement of a mighty Day."

They said, "Have you come in order to turn us away from our gods? Then bring upon us the calamity with which you threaten us, if you are telling the truth!"

He said, "The knowledge of when it will come is only with Allah. I proclaim to you the mission on which I have been sent, but I see that you are a people in ignorance."

Then, when they saw a cloud advancing towards their valleys, they said: "This cloud will give us rain!" No, it is the calamity you were asking to be hastened! A wind wherein is a grievous chastisement!

Everything will it destroy by the command of its Lord! Then by the morning, nothing was to be seen but the ruins of their houses. Thus do We recompense those given to sin.

The life of the Prophet Hud is also described in other passages of the Quran: 7:65-72, 11:50-60, and 26:123-140. The eleventh chapter of the Quran is named after him.

 
 source:    http://islam.about.com/od/prophets/p/hud.htm

 

DOA - TO CURE FROM ALL SORTS OF PAINS

U`idhoo nafsee birabbil-ardhi wa rabbis-samaa' U`idhoo nafsee billadhee laa yadhurru ma`a-smihi daa' U`idhoo nafsee billadhee-smuhu barakatun washifaa'


I seek protection for my soul in the Lord of the earth and the Lord of the heavens I seek protection for my soul in the One in whose name no sickness can hurt I seek protection for my soul in the One whose name is Blessed and a Cure.

Virtues of Surah al-Ikhlas

• Build a house in Paradise by Reciting Surat Ikhlas: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever recites Qul huwa Allaahu ahad ten times, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.” (Saheeh al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer, 6472).

• Reciting Surah Ikhlas is Equivalent to one third of Qur’an: Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to his Companions: ‘Could any one of you not recite one third of the Qur’aan in one night?’ They found the idea too difficult and said: ‘Who among us could do that, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said, ‘Allaahu’l-ahad, al- samad [i.e., Soorat al-Ikhlaas] is one third of the Qur’aan.’” (Reported by Bukhari, 4628)

• It’s Sunnah to Recite Surat al-Ikhlas before sleeping: Aa’isha (R.A) reported that when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) went to bed, he would cup his hands together, blow into them and recite into them Qul huwa Allaahu ahad [Soorat al-Ikhlaas], Qul a’oodhu bi Rabbi’l-falaq [Soorat al-Falaq] and Qul a’oodhu bi Rabbi’l-naas [Soorat al-Naas] (these are the last 3 soorahs of the Qur’an). Then he would wipe as much of his body as he could with his hands, starting with his head and face, and the front of his body. He would do this three times. (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 4630)

 source:   http://www.alquranclasses.com/?p=928 

Trials by Allah SWT (Saif ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri)

Trials   

"Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, 'When (will come) the Help of Allah?' Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!" (Quran 2:214) "Alif-Lam-Mim. Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: 'We believe', and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make known those who are true, and and will certainly make known those who are liars. (Quran 29:1-3) Mere lip profession of Faith is not enough. It must be tried and tested in the real turmoil of life. The test will be applied in all kinds of circumstances, in individual life and in relation to the environment around us to see whether we can strive constantly and put the Lord above self. Much pain, sorrow and self-sacrifice may be necessary, not because they a e good in themselves, but because they will purify us, like fire applied to a goldsmith's crucible to burn out the drosss. -- Ar Raheeq al Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar) Biography of the Noble Prophet (saw), pp.130-131  source:  Jannah.Org              http://www.jannah.org/cgi-bin/poetryscript/poetry.pl?record=21

DOA - UPON LEAVING THE HOUSE

 Allahumma innee a'uoozubika an adhilla auw adhalla auw azilla auw uzalla auw azhlima auw uzhlama auw ajhala auw yujhala 'alaiyya
Translation: O Allah, I take refuge with You lest I should stray or be led stray , or slip or be tripped, or oppressed, or behave foolishly or be treated foolishly [Source, Abu Dawood, Tirmizi]

ZIKIR (the remembrance of God)

"Subhaanallahi wal hamdulillahi wa laa ilaaha illallahu wallahu akbar wa la haula wala quwwata illa billahil 'aliyil 'azeem".

Translation: Allah the Most Exalted, praise be to Allah, there is no God but Allah, and there is
no help except from Allah, the Almighty and the Great.

DOA - PROTECTION FROM ENEMIES /OPPRESORS

The following du-a'a is so effective to defeat the designs of the enemies that Imam Husayn bin Ali Zayn al Abidin, according to Imam Jafar bin Muhammad as Sadiq, used to recite this regularly.

BISMILLAAHI WA BILLAAHI WA MINALLAAHI WA ILALLAAHI WA FEE SABEELILLAAHI ALLAHUMMA LAKA ASLAMTU NAFSEE WA ILAYKA WAJJAHTU WAJHEE WA ILAYKA FAWWAZ'TU AMREE WAH'FIZ'NEE BIH'IFZ'IL BEEMAANI MIN BAYNI YADAYYA WA MIN KHALFEE WA A'N YAMEENEE WA A'N SHIMAALEE WA MIN FAWQEE WA MIN TAH'TEE WAD-FA A'NNEE BIH'AWLIKA WA QUWWATIKA FA-INNAHOO LAA H'AWLA WA LAA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAAHIL A'LIYYIL A'ZEEM  In the name of Allah, with Allah, from Allah, unto Allah, and in the way of Allah: O Allah, I surrender myself to You, I direct myself towards You, I entrust my affairs to You, so keep me safe, with the preservation of belief, from in front of me, from behind me, from my right side, from my left side, from above me, from below me, and repel (evil) from me with Your strength and power, because, verily, there is no strength and no power save with Allah, The Mighty, The Great.                                           source:  http://www.duas.org/enemy.htm