Rewards and Benefits of Reciting Surah Ikhlas

While every single word of Quran is poetic and a miracle in itself, yet, there are different parts of the Quran that are more reverend and more respected across the Muslim world. This preference and greater respect are not to be mistaken for the personal liking of the Muslims, rather there is evidence from hadith and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that make a particular part of Quran gain more respect than the other. Surah Ikhlas is one of the prominence surahs of the Holy Quran which holds the highest importance in Islamic contest. One can bring the biggest happiness in life while reciting Surah Ikhlas and benefits of reciting this great Surah is discussed below.

Surah Ikhlas was revealed in Makah and it has 4 verses. Recitation of this surah brings a reward equivalent to reciting one-third of the Quran. It is one of the most recited Surahs of Quran and Muslim all across the world memorize it as one of the first Surahs when memorizing passages from Noble Quran. The person who recites Surah Ikhlas regularly is considered as clean. Reciting this surah enhances ones wisdom and whatever they do, they will get success in their life. Many people who had been facing tough times were asked to recite Surah Ikhlas by spiritual personalities and most of them showed satisfaction and happiness after reciting Surah Ikhlas regularly. Another most interesting thing about this surah is that whoever recites it regularly is being protected from all kinds of diseases and viral infections.

Rewards and Benefits of Reciting Surah Ikhlas

There are many benefits of reciting Surah Ikhlas some of them are given below that we all should know about:

• Reciting Surah Ikhlas will give protection against every kind of affliction and calamity.

• If surah Ikhlas is recited on regular basis it will break magic and completely destroys witchcraft, psychic attacks, and malicious magic spells.

• Surah al Ikhlas is a means of forgiveness of sins.

• Make all Halal wishes come true while reciting Surah Ikhlas.

• House in Jannah. ProphetMohammed (SAW) said: “Whoever recites Qul Huwa Allaahu Ahad ten times; Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.” (Saheeh al-Jaami).

• Success in business.

• Increase in the recitation of Surah Ikhlas is a means of attaining the love of Allah.

• Surah Ikhlas is a means of eliminating poverty.

• The recitation of Surah Ikhlas in combination with Surah Fatiha before going to bed is a source of protection from all kinds of harms. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “When you recite Surah Fatiha and Surah Ikhlas upon lying on your bed, you will be safeguarded and should become fearless of everything except death.”

• Recitation of Surah Ikhlas brings the benefit of reward equal to the recitation of one-third of Quran. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Say: He is Allah, Absolute Oneness…, By Him in Whose hand my soul is, it is equal to one-third of the Quran!” (Bukhari).

• The constant recitation of Surah Ikhlas increases the presence of the angels at the time of death.

• Whoever recites Surah Ikhlas in his obligatory prayers Allah grants him good in this world as well as in the next life and forgives him, his parents and children.

In short, it is essential that every Muslim realizes the importance of Surah Ikhlas, memorize it and recite it on daily basis to receive numerous rewards and benefits. May Allah (SWT) make us read this Surah in excess so that we can earn blessings from our Lord! Ameen.

About Qibla Travels Ltd:

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source: quranreading.com/blog

Signs leading to faith

Signs leading to faith

The concept that great Islamic scholars refer to as “signs leading to faith” involves all facts of creation, knowledge and evidence of all kinds that lead people to faith concerning the existence and oneness of Allah and revealing His sublime might, wisdom and artistry.

Signs leading to faith are important means whereby people come to believe. Allah notes the danger of “irreligion” when He says in one verse that “most people have no faith.” Someone who does not believe is unaware of much and cannot see the proofs of creation all around. Due to the irreligious nature of the society in which he lives, his mind is smothered in day-to-day details, and his understanding and perceptions are weakened to the innumerable signs of creation around. Yet it may be hoped that if such a person is sincere and of good conscience and is told of the signs leading to faith he can come to believe in the existence and oneness of Allah and the fact that He created all things, living or not, and will see His infinite might and omniscience. Signs leading to faith are means whereby good people unaware of the truth due to irreligious indoctrination can, by Allah’s leave, come to have faith.

It is not only important for unbelievers to reflect on these signs, but also for believers. In the Qur’an Allah commands believers to reflect deeply on the signs He has created in the universe.

A believer must reflect deeply, as well as praying, fasting and performing the other observances. Reflecting on the proofs of creation “in the heavens and earth” stressed in the Qur’an will increase the believer’s faith with certain knowledge. Verses in which Allah reveals that reflection on these proofs increases one’s faith read: “There are certainly signs in the earth for people with certainty; and in yourselves as well. Do you not then see?” (Qur’an, 51:20-21)

These verses explicitly state that the signs leading to faith in a person’s own body and self, and on the earth will lead to faith based on certain knowledge. And that will increase one’s fear of Allah, so one will be even more punctilious about obeying Allah’s commands and prohibitions. Someone who reflects on the signs of creation will be assured that Allah sees his observances and will reward him for his good deeds. In the same way, knowing that Allah will see his slightest error will encourage him to repent and abandon those errors very quickly. Allah calls on believers as follows:

“You who have faith! Have fear of Allah and seek the means of drawing near to Him, and strive in His Way, so that hopefully you will be successful.” (Qur’an, 5:35)

As revealed in this verse, seeking means to draw closer to Allah is a means whereby one may hope for salvation. Signs leading to faith bestow a deeper understanding of the presence and titles of Allah and are means of drawing closer to Him. For example, examining the life forms created by Allah, seeing and reflecting upon their perfect structures and systems, will enable one to witness His might and omniscience from a much closer perspective.

“It is He Who sends down water from the sky. From it you drink and from it come the shrubs among which you graze your herds.” (Qur’an, 16:10)

Reflecting on signs leading to faith and seeing the manifestations of Allah therein will allow one to know Allah better. Thanks to this virtue acquired by someone who begins to know Allah and see His manifestations, one will properly appreciate His might.

For instance, as a result of deep reflection on and knowledge of signs leading to faith, one will better understand this fact; all the billions of people on Earth are known to and under the control of Allah at every moment. The trillions of cells in a body, the billions of human bodies in the world and all the living things in the universe exist and survive by Allah’s choosing; this will obviously require an infinite might, knowledge, wisdom and intelligence to survive. Reflecting on that fact alone will allow one to closely witness the infinite attributes of Allah and properly appreciate His omnipotence.

Allah cites in the Qur’an a tiny fly as an example for people to reflect on, and then reveals that those who are heedless of these facts have failed to properly appreciate His might:

“Mankind! An example has been made, so listen to it carefully. Those whom you call upon besides Allah are not even able to create a single fly, even if they were to join together to do it. And if a fly steals something from them, they cannot get it back. How feeble are both the seeker and the sought! They do not measure Allah with His true measure. Allah is All-Strong, Almighty.” (Qur’an, 22: 73-74)

It is revealed in other verses of the Qur’an that people who do not reflect on signs leading to faith do not fear Allah: “Say: ‘Who provides for you out of heaven and earth? Who controls hearing and sight? Who brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living? Who directs the whole affair?’ They will say, ‘Allah.’ Say, ‘So will you not have fear?’ That is Allah, your Lord, the Truth, and what is there after truth except misguidance? So how have you been distracted?” (Qur’an, 10:31-32)

The importance of constant reflection on signs leading to growing in faith and closeness to Allah is emphasized in many verses. For example, it is revealed in the Qur’an that believers think long and hard about the creation of the earth and sky:

“In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are signs for people with intelligence: those who remember Allah, standing, sitting and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: “Our Lord, You have not created this for nothing. Glory be to You! So safeguard us from the punishment of the Fire’.” (Qur’an, 3:190-191)

As can be seen from these verses, investigating and learning about signs leading to faith, and thinking properly about them, must be a means whereby one can understand with sure and certain knowledge that all things, living or otherwise, are under the absolute control and dominion of Allah and that understanding will bring with it full submission to Allah.

A believer who knows and thinks about the complex systems in the body and their delicate balances will also realize that the mind that produced these flawlessly functioning systems are not his own; he will know that what he calls his body is a collection of cells made up of atoms with no consciousness, sensory organs or ability to think. As a result of that reflection he will definitively conclude that every cell, and even every atom in his body acts by the will and command of Allah. He will see that there is no room for chance anywhere.

source: arabnews.com

Two million faithful throng Holy Mosques

source: saudigazette.com.sa

Two million faithful throng Holy Mosques

Around two million Haj pilgrims and visitors thronged the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to offer Friday prayers. All the floors and courtyards and King Abdullah Expansion Project in the Grand Mosque were full of worshipers and their rows spilled over to the courtyards, adjacent streets and terraces of buildings. In an unparalleled spiritual ambience that the annual pilgrimage witnessed, more than one million Haj pilgrims gathered at the Islam’s holiest shrine seeking the blessing and forgiveness from the Almighty Allah. In his Friday sermon, Sheikh Khaled Al-Ghamdi, imam and khateeb of the Grand Mosque, emphasized that absolute surrender to Allah and His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in tranquility and joy without any objection and boredom, is the main purpose of making Haj an obligatory ritual. In Madinah, where imam and khateeb Sheikh Abdul Mohsen Al-Qassim delivered the Friday sermon, the worshipers included around 155,000 Haj pilgrims who arrived to visit the Prophet’s Mosque and greet the Prophet (pbuh) after completing their Haj rituals. — SPA

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source: saudigazette.com.sa

The keepers of the Kaaba key

 source: saudigazette.com.sa

The keepers of the Kaaba key

THE guardianship of the Kaaba is still inherited by the sons of Shaybah and their successors — a tradition that has been instituted by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) after the conquest of Makkah the eighth year after Hijrah. Following the Muslim victory, the Prophet entrusted the key of the city to Uthman Bin Abi Talha and deemed the caretaking of the Kaaba to be uniquely and eternally bestowed upon the line of the sons of Shaybah.

The prophet’s words were: “Take it, Oh Bani Talha, eternally up to the Day of Resurrection, and it will not be taken from you unless by an unjust, oppressive tyrant.” This explains why this tradition has been inherited by the sons of Shaybah and their successors till present times.

The first caretaker

Islamic researcher Mohi Eddin Al-Hashemi, who specializes in the two holy mosques, notes that the story of the guardianship of the Holy Kaaba had been first instituted during the times of the Prophet Ibrahim, who with his son Ismail (peace be upon them) were ordered by Allah to raise the foundations of the Kaaba, initiating the tradition of the guardianship of the Kaaba.

The latter includes the maintenance of all matters related to the Al-Musharrafah (Holy Kaaba) ranging from its opening and closing, to preserving its immaculacy as well as monitoring its visitors. Monitoring all affairs related to the Holy Kaaba also comprises the supervision of the mausoleum of the Prophet Ibrahim.

Al-Hashimi adds that the Prophet Ibrahim entrusted the guardianship of the Kaaba to his son Ismail, who continued it until his passing. Afterward, the tradition was taken over from the sons of Ismail against their will by the tribe of Jarham (Banu Jarhma). Later on, it came also to be forcibly passed over to the tribe of Khuzaah (Banu Khuzaah), but its possession was regained by Qusai Bin Kilab Bin Murrah, who was the third great grandfather of the Prophet and a descendent of Ismail, the first to serve as the Kaaba’s caretaker.

Subsequently all matters related to the latter were entrusted to Qusai Bin Kilab. The latter had three sons namely Abd-Al-Dar the eldest (great-great grandfather of Shaybah Bin Hashim, Abd Manaf (great-great grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad) and Abd-Al-Uzza. Abd Manaf was highly honored among the tribes for his wisdom and sound discernment during his lifetime, which prompted Qusai to entrust the caretaking of the Kaaba to Abd Manaf. However, shortly before Qusai’s death as a way of honoring his eldest Abd-Al-Dar, he entrusted to him all his rights and powers including the caretaking of Kaaba.

As stated by Mohi Eddin Al-Hashimi, the caretaking of the Kaaba is inherited by the eldest son of each family and it was passed until it transferred to Uthman Bin Talha who lived during the Prophet’s times. As reported by Uthman Bin Talha on the day of victory of Islam over Makkah in the eighth year of Hijrah, the Messenger of Allah entered the city. When the Muslims were about to enter the Kaaba they found it locked. They asked who was keeping the key and they found out it was with Uthman Bin Talha. The latter was a non-believer so upon knowing about the arrival of the Prophet in Makkah, he locked the door of the holy sanctuary.

As the Prophet entered Makkah, its people accepted Islam, but Uthman was hiding. The Prophet ordered Ali Bin Abi Talib to take the key from Uthman.

Ali went to find Uthman and asked for the key but Uthman did not give it to him. Ali then snatched the key from him for the Prophet to enter the Kaaba. They opened the door and the Prophet entered the Kaaba where he prayed two rakaas.

At that time, Abbas Bin Abd Al-Muttalib, an uncle of the Prophet, was there and requested that the key must be kept with the family and then Gabriel came down with a verse, which revealed inside the Kaaba.

The Shaybah family are the keepers of the Keys, and they are the keepers because Allah desired so by revealing the only verse that was revealed inside the Kaaba. “Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are belong to .....” ( 4:58).

Soon as that verse was revealed, the Prophet ordered Ali to return the key to Uthman Bin Talha and excuse themselves. Ali then went to Uthman and gave back the key and presented their apologies for the wrong he had done to him by forcibly taking the key. The latter shocked Uthman, who could not believe Ali was giving back the key to him as instructed by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the conqueror of Makkah. Ali explained to him that a verse was revealed for him in which Allah instructed the Prophet to return the trust to whom it belongs to.

Al-Hashemi points out that the guardianship of the Kaaba remained with Bani Shaybah, which is bestowed upon the elders of the family until today.

The functions of the ancient caretaker were to open and lock the door of the Kaaba and to oversee its maintenance, assisting in the washing, the cleaning and supervision of the station of Abraham.

At the present time, the guardianship belongs to the sons of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zine Al Abidine Bin Abdul-Maati Al-Shaibi, who kept the honor for 43 years. When Sheikh Mohammed passed away in 1253 AH, his eldest son Abdul Kader inherited the guardianship after him, then his brothers Solomon, Ahmed and Abdullah.

Al-Hashemi says the guardianship was transferred to the next generation to Sheikh Abdul Qadir Bin Ali Bin Mohammed Bin Zine Al Abidine Al Shaibi, who died in 1351 AH after witnessing the unification of the Kingdom.

Then Mohammed Bin Mohammed Saleh Al-Shaibi became the caretaker of the Kaaba. Upon falling ill, he transferred the guardianship to Sheikh Abdullah Bin Abdul Qadir Al-Shaibi, who was succeeded by his sons Amin, Taha and then Assem.

Their cousin Talha Bin Hassan Al-Shaybi received the guardianship followed by Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Bin Qadir Al-Shaybi who died in the month of Dhul Hijjah in 1431 AH. The guardianship moved to Sheikh Abdul Qadir Bin Taha Al-Shaybi who served the Kaaba for four years. His reign witnessed the change of the Kaaba’s lock by the order of King Abdullah.

Prince Khaled Al-Faisal handed Sheikh Abdul Qadir the lock on behalf of the King on the occasion of the cleaning of the Kaaba. He witnessed the installation of a lock for the inner repentance door of the Kaaba. When Sheikh Abdul Qadir died after a long battle with disease, his cousin Dr. Saleh Bin Zain Al-Abidine Al-Shaybi became the caretaker.

At present, the functions of the caretaker were limited to the opening and closing of the Kaaba. The Royal Court and the Ministry of the Interior and emergency forces coordinate with him if there are any state guests.

The Kaaba is cleaned annually on the 15th of Muharram each year. After the issuance of a Royal Order, the Emirate of Makkah coordinates with the caretaker about the arrangements.

In addition, the head caretaker receives the new cladding of the Kaaba on the first of Dhul Hijjah to be installed on the day of Arafat by the tailors and specialists of the King Abdul Aziz Complex for cladding.

The ceremony of handing over the cladding of the Kaaba takes place at the King Abdul Aziz Complex and is held in the presence of the head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs alongside the director of the Complex and a large gathering of officials.

source: saudigazette.com.sa

Hajj and the Muslims’ Unity | Qibla travel

 

Hajj and the Muslims’ Unity | Qibla travel

Unity and agreement lead to strength and victory, while disunity and disagreement lead to weakness and defeat. Powerful nations only succeeded because of unity among its members and integration of its efforts. History is the best witness to this rule. Hence, we find several texts in the Quran and the Sunnah stressing this great principle and warning against disagreement and dispute. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah Is with the patient.} [Quran 8:46]

Abu Mas‘ood, May Allah Be Pleased with him, said: “The Messenger of Allah used to place his hand upon our shoulders at prayer time (when we would form rows for the prayer) and say, ‘Stand in straight rows and do not differ among yourselves, or else your hearts will differ (due to disaccord).’”[Muslim]

Hajj is a great occasion where the Muslims’ unity appears in its most beautiful forms. All differences disappear, all barriers melt and Muslims gather in this imposing scene, which delights the souls and hearts.

Muslims from all over the world gather around this Ancient House, towards which they turn to perform the prayers five times a day, the House towards which they turn their souls and hearts during prayers in their faraway lands. Now, they gather around it to see, consult, love, and shake hands with each ‎other. They took off those different and distinguishing clothes to wear a white uniform indicating the whiteness of their hearts, as well as the purity of their appearance and souls.

Indeed, these are magnificent moments when all pilgrims move from Mina to stand this great standing in ‘Arafah confirming the unity of place, time, clothes and destination.

There are unanimous manifestations of unity in Hajj, including:

Unity of place and time: Hajj is performed in a specific time and place and it is impermissible to be performed at any other time or in any other place. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of Ihraam], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing duringHajj.} [Quran 2:197]

The Prophet said: “Hajj is the standing at ‘Arafah.”[At-Tirmithi]

Unity of rituals: All pilgrims are required to perform the rituals of Hajj including Ihraam, Tawaaf, Sa‘y between the Safa and Marwah, standing at ‘Arafah, spending the night at Mina, stoning the Jamraat and so on.

All pilgrims perform the same rituals, the thing that embodies and deepens brotherhood and love among them.

Unity of aim and feeling: All pilgrims come from every distant pass hoping for the Mercy of Allah The Almighty, fearing His punishment and raising their hands to implore Him and ask for His forgiveness, bounty and satisfaction.

They have one Qiblah, one Lord, similar feelings and similar clothes. These manifestations of unity that take place in this blessed occasion maintain the feeling of unity and reinforce the feeling of brotherhood among Muslims. They also strengthen mutual sympathy and sharing in joy in addition to religious and worldly cooperation among Muslims. 

This was a brief overview of this important issue that occupy the minds of all Muslims, who aspire to a time when the Muslim nation will reunite to achieve superiority over the other nations and restore its leadership that the Muslims lost because of disunity and disagreement. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): 

{Allah Has Promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He Will surely Grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He Granted it to those before them and that He Will surely Establish for them [therein] their religion which He Has Preferred for them and that He Will surely Substitute for them, after their fear, security, [for] they worship Me, not associating anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that - then those are the defiantly disobedient.} [Quran 24:55]

source: islamweb.net