Blog Archives
WikiLeaks: India's Muslims largely unattracted to extremism
London: India’s over 150 million Muslim population is largely unattracted to extremism, US diplomatic cables have said, endorsing India’s vibrant democracy, inclusive culture and nationalistic nature of the minority community.
“Separatism and religious extremism have little appeal to Indian Muslims, and the overwhelming majority espouse moderate doctrines,” Former US envoy to India, David Mulford said in a cable released by whistle blower website WikiLeaks.
“India’s growing economy, vibrant democracy, and inclusive culture, encourage Muslims to seek success and social mobility in the mainstream and reduces alienation.
With Indian Muslim youth increasingly comfortable in the mainstream, the pool of potential recruits is shrinking, while Muslim families and communities provide little sanction or support to extremist appeals,” the cable said.
The vast majority (of Muslims) remain committed to the Indian state and seek to participate in mainstream political and economic life, it said.
“India’s vibrant democracy, inclusive culture and growing economy have made it easier for Muslim youth to find a place in the mainstream, reduced the pool of potential recruits, and the space in which Islamic extremist organisations can operate,” the leaked WikiLeaks cable said, according to Guardian.
Although there are a wide variety of Islamic religious, political and social organisations, most Muslims join or support secular groups without a specific Islamic identity.
No exclusively Muslim organisation has succeeded in mobilising more than a small portion of the Muslim faithful.
India’s vibrant democracy has ensured that the large Muslim community has a voice in politics and recent elections have demonstrated that Muslim voters are courted actively by political parties, the leaked cable said.
“With a Muslim President (APJ Abdul Kalam) occupying the highest political position in the country, Muslims have been encouraged to seek political power in electoral and parliamentary politics, all but eliminating the appeal of violent extremism,” the cable added.
India’s secular education system increasing integrates Muslim students into the mainstream and has spawned a growing and prosperous Muslim middle class.
The cable said that “Young and dynamic Muslims are popular culture heroes in sports (Sania Mirza) and Bollywood (Sharrukh Khan and many others).
The message for young Muslims is that they are Indians first and Muslims second, and that they can fully participate in Indian society and culture and win the adulation and respect of other Indians, regardless of religion.”
Hajj 2010 Pictures Vol-1
d
Muslim pilgrims are seen on their way for pray on a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Nov. 15, 2010. The annual Islamic pilgrimage draws 2.5 million visitors each year, making it the largest yearly gathering of people in the world.(AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
A Muslim pilgrim prays on a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Nov. 15, 2010. The annual Islamic pilgrimage draws 2,5 million visitors each year, making it the largest yearly gathering of people in the world.(AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Hajj 2010 Pictures Vol-2
The Best Wallpapers and Images for you!
The Best Collection of Hajj 2010 just for you all,hope you like it…
Making The Most Of The Blessed Days Of Dhul-Hijjah
Making The Most Of The Blessed Days Of Dhul-Hijjah
As-salaamu alaykum wa’rahmatullahi wa’barakatuh
Below is a transcription of a lecture on how to benefit from the blessed days of Dhul-Hijjah by Umm ‘Abdur-Rahmân. May Allâh reward the sister who transcribed the lecture, with the best in this world and next, ameen. Insha’Allah the information below will help.
Since We already know the Importance of these 10 days…
Ask yourself these questions [non-rhetorical]:
Did you intend to benefit from these days?
What have you done to prepare for these 10 days?
Did you prepare a program?
What is your plan of action?
Here is a brief guide to help you to prepare for the best days of the year
[inspired by a lecture by Shaykh Muhammad Hassan Yâqûb]:
Read the Qur’ân:
Plan to complete the reading of the Qur’ân within this period.
If you read three juz a day, it can be accomplished. It is not difficult. Ask Allâh to make it easy for you. We know reciting one letter is equal to ten hasanât [rewards]. If you read three juz everyday, it translates to thousands of millions of hasanât.
Subhâna’Allâh! And this calculation is just based on the 1=10 ratio. These are special days of His Grace. Therefore, don’t even think about how much Allâh can/will increase & add it for you. You cannot fathom it. He is Kareem. He knows that you have ikhlâs [sincerity]; He will not count it as 1=10. He could raise it to 1=700 or even more. And this is what you can earn every day of these special days. Keep in mind that reciting the Qur’ân is a good deed and Allâh specially loves the good deeds done in these days: “And if He [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] loves the good deeds, He will love the doer of those good deeds.” [5]
If Allâh loves someone, He will not punish them. Remember this concept so that the deeds you do come from your heart [don’t be like a machine]. Honour the rights of the Qur’ân when reciting it.
Increase in Nawâfil Prayers:
Increase your supererogatory prayers.
Ask yourself these questions and make sure that your heart gives you sincere answers:
Do you have an aim?
Do you really want to be closer to Allâh?
Do you live with this craving?
Do you really love Allâh and seek His closeness?
If, you want this, then know that Allâh teaches you the means to gaining His qurb [closeness].
Allâh says:
“Fall prostrate and draw near to Allâh!” [Al-Alaq 96:19]
This is the way! Prostrate in sujûd to Him [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] and you will be closer to Him. The Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] said: “The closest that a person is to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so say a great deal of du’â then.” [6]
He [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] is commanding us to make a lot of du’â while in sujûd. Are we obeying his order? Yes? We need to do more. For he [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] said to: “…make lots of du’â.” Remember, the Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] loved us and he knew that we have a lot of needs from Allâh. This is why he taught us the way to get those needs fulfilled. Therefore, if you have needs, then you cannot leave sujûd. Any sajdah without khushû’ [focus] & without du’â [like your forehead is touching the ground and your mind is in the kitchen or the office] is a big khasâra [regretful loss]. Let us not be losers from now on bi-idhnillâh.
When the Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] instructed us to do a lot of sujûd, it means to perform a lot of salâh [prayer]. “With each sajdah for Allâh, He will raise you a level with it. And cancel a sin with it.” So, the more you increase in your sujûd, the closer you are to being a winner.
Examples for increasing nawâfil salâh [voluntary prayers]:
a] Salât Dhuha: Also known as al-Awwâbeen, may be offered as 2, 4, 6 or 8 rak’ât, prayed after the sun has risen and before the time for Dhuhr approaches. [7]
“Al-Awwâb’ means one who is obedient, or one who turns to obedience. Bi-idhnillâh, we want to show Allâh that we are of those who are obedient.
b] 4 rak’ât before and 4 after Dhuhr: “Whoever regularly performs four rak’ât before Dhuhr and four after it, Allâh will forbid him to the Fire.” [8]
c] 4 rak’ât before ‘Asr – The Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] said: “May Allâh have mercy on those who pray four rak’ât before ‘Asr prayer.” [9] Bi-idhnillâh, you stand to gain the mercy of Allâh because of the du’â of Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]. Do you want the mercy of Allâh to reach you? Don’t leave these 4 rak’ât.
d] Tahhiyatul masjid: Greet the masjid with two rak’ât: “If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two rak’ât before sitting.” [10]
e] Salât at-Tawbah: It could be any bad deed, any sin, you hear something bad [backbiting], you see something bad, you feel your heart constricted because of something you have done and you didn’t mean it, etc, you can erase it immediately with your prayer of repentance. Make a good wudhû’ and offer two sincere rak’ât of repentance. Ask Allâh to forgive you. If it’s from your heart, then know that Allâh will cancel your sin.
f] Qiyâm al-Layl: With this prayer, we hope that Allâh will illuminate our graves; will bestow nûr on our faces; will cancel our bad deeds, bi-idhnillâh. Pray at least 2 rak’ât. If you are able to follow the Sunnah, then pray all 11 rak’ât [including witr].
Remember that in these special days and nights, Allâh is sending His special mercy. Do you think that this special mercy will reach everybody? Do you think that it will reach the one who is in front of the TV watching a movie? Or listening to music? Or do you think it will reach the one who is making sujûd, rukû’, tilâwah, making istighfâr, etc.?
We have to show Allâh that we want this special mercy. We need to make ourselves eligible for it.
Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] swears by the night [Sûrah Fajr]. Therefore, take care of the nights. Don’t be among the losers. Write this in bold and make it your motivational factor for the special days: “We won’t be among the losers!” Remember: “Our Lord, may He be blessed and exalted, comes down to the lowest heaven every night when the last third of the night is left, and He says: ‘Who will call upon Me, that I may answer him? Who will ask of Me, that I may give him? Who will ask Me for forgiveness, that I may forgive him?’.” [11]
And, now that it is winter, we get really long nights. So it’s a good chance to maximise our hasanât. Don’t forget while you are praying qiyâm that Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] Loves this deed. Therefore, He [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] loves the doer of this deed also.
If we were lazy before, we will be active and good from now on bi-idhnillâh. We will not be among the losers. If these days and nights are a king who is distributing gifts of gold while announcing: “Come take these gold nuggets”, wAllâhi, you will find people standing in long queues and hordes to collect them. Subhâna’Allâh, Allâh is spreading [special] mercy during these days. He [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] is accepting supplications. He [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] is offering unimaginably wonderful blessings that we don’t even know of. So will we not work to get in those lines to gather Allâh’s gifts?
Makes lots of Dhikr:
Do a lot of dhikr, especially in these days.
“There are no days greater in the sight of Allâh…” [12]
So what did the Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] tell us to do in these days? That, we need to make the dhikr of tahlîl, tahmîd & takbîr. [13] As soon as the announcement of Dhul-Hijjah is made, start your dhikr:
“Allâhu Akbâr, Allâhu Akbâr, lâ ilâha ill-Allâh, Wallâhu Akbâr. Walilâhilhamd.”
Many people mistakenly believe that you chant this only on the day of ‘Îd. But, it is meant to be recited from the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah. Bukhârî related that Ibn ‘Umar & Abu Hurayrah said that they used to go out in the streets making loud takbîr. They did not think that this was riyâ [showing off]. They were busy with declaring the [signs of Allâh. This practice has now become a forgotten Sunnah. Why do people feel shy to follow this Sunnah? These are the days of takbîr, tahlîl & tahmîd with raised voices.
Therefore revive this Sunnah by doing audible tasbîh during all of the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
For women, when you are in your homes, raise your voices. You will remind your children, husbands, brothers, etc. Make it like a habit so that you will find yourself doing dhikr automatically. While walking, reclining, working, eating, just keep doing dhikr.
Send a lot of blessings and salâm upon the Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] consistently. Just one hadîth should be enough for the believer who loves Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]. It is enough honour that when you send your salâm to Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam], Allâh returns his soul to him in order to answer you: “There is no one who sends salâm upon me but Allâh will restore to me my soul so that I may return his salâm.” [14] Therefore, send your darûd & salâm from your heart. Feel that special honour in doing that deed.
Istighfâr:
All kinds of dhikr will make your relation with Allâh stronger and stronger. How many Muslim’s are there today? 1.5 billion? In one minute it is possible to gain 1.5 billion hasanât. Allâhu Akbâr! How generous is Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ]. No one will give you like Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] gives. So how can you gain 1.5 million hasanât? By making istighfâr [seeking forgiveness] for all Muslim’s. The Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] is reported to have said that when a person seeks forgiveness for all believers, Allâh will write for him a hasanât for every one of those believers. [15]
Just say ‘Astaghfirullâh’ for yourself and for all the believers, from your heart. Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] is forgiving & generous.
On the Day of Judgement, when you will see your book, you will find the record of your sins in it & you will feel regret. But, Subhâna’Allâh, you will find between these sins, Astaghfirullâh, Astaghfirullâh, Astaghfirullâh. Bi-idhnillâh, Allâh, the Karîm will cancel those sins that have istighfâr beside them, around them, after them.
Luqmân taught his sons to make istighfâr. He said: “Oh my sons, istighfirullâha qâidun, istighfirullâh qâimum, istghfirullâha râqibun [make istighfâr when you are standing, sitting, reclining]. For the mercy of Allâh is descending.”
Indeed, rahamât are falling down like rain. So try to be under those rahamât. Look at it this way – there are seasons of mercy during which Allâh sends down abundant mercy [like during Ramadân, like the days of Dhul-Hijjah, etc.]. Allâh is always generous because that is one of His [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] Attributes, but He says that He gives more during certain periods. Allâh is Rahîm always, but He says He has more mercy during a certain period. These days are like those special-rate promotions or sale season. Therefore, don’t leave or ignore this sale. Go and ask for more. Keep saying ‘astaghfirullâh’, ‘astaghfirullâh’, astaghfirullâh’, keep insisting on it till Allâh forgives you. Start from the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah.
“…nor will He punish them while they seek (Allâh’s) forgiveness.” [Al-Anfâl 8:33]
We are informed that there is no punishment from Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ a] on the yastaghfirûn [i.e. those who seek forgiveness]. Allâh relieves all problems with istighfâr. Those who are persistent in istighfâr in their lives, disasters and calamities will be repelled from them. Mercy is like a cloud on the head of the mustaghfirîn [those who consistently seek forgiveness]. How do we know this?
“Why seek you not the forgiveness of Allâh, that you may receive mercy?” [An-Naml 27:46]
Allâh is telling us to make istighfâr to gain His mercy. Let your istighfâr ascend to Him and His mercy will descend upon you.
Fasting:
Fast as much as you can during these blessed days. If you can fast all of these days, then do so. Even in any regular day, Allâh has promised a great reward for the one who fasts: “Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allâh, Allâh will keep his face seventy years distance away from the Fire because of it.” [16]
So what about these special days for which it is said: “There is no deed more precious in the sight of Allâh, or greater in reward, than a good deed done during the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.” Allâh loves the good deeds in these days. Allâh loves siyâm. Put these two beloved things together. You are the doer of the things Allâh loves. He [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] will Love you, bi-idhnillâh.
Any ‘ibâdah, be it salâh, dhikr, Qur’ân, that is done during some periods of time and with them, are also periods of non action. Can you do any of them from Fajr till Maghrib continuously? Which ‘ibâdah will you be able to do non-stop? Siyâm! From Fajr till Maghrib during the best days, you will be able to be in a continuous state of worship. So please my sisters [& brothers], grab this chance eagerly. Also don’t forget you have if Allâh wills, at least one du’â guaranteed with each siyâm – at the time of breaking the fast. So that is nine opportune moments during this period.
Regarding fasting on the day of ‘Arâfah, the Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] said: “Fasting the day of ‘Arafâh, I hope, will expiate the sins of the year before it and the year to come…” [17] So how does this happen? Does this mean that we can fast on that day and for the rest of the year we can do whatever we want of bad deeds? No! It implies that Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] will help us to abstain from sins. And, if you commit a sin by mistake, He [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] will cancel it due to His promise.
Charity:
Spending for the sake of Allâh!
Only Allâh knows how many trials & calamities have been pushed away from us, our family and loved ones as a result of our sadaqâh. Allâh knows how many times relief and ease has come to us due to the sadaqâh we gave. Therefore, give in the way of Allâh, as much as you can. Don’t leave any raised hands return empty. Show Allâh that you love Him by spending from that which you love. Show Allâh [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] that all these things mean nothing besides gaining His ridha [pleasure].
Don’t look and remind yourself of what you have already spent in the past. If Allâh wills, He [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] has accepted and written it for you. Now, think of how you can outdo that sadaqâh during these days. Spend from what you love and Allâh will love you.
If You wish you can support and donate to spend in Allah Cause ..please read this..
Preserve the Ties of Kinship:
Preserve the ties of kinship for: “No one who severs the ties of kinship will enter Paradise.” [18]
If it is difficult for you to call or meet every relative, then send them a message. But write with your heart and with the right intention. There is a man who connects with all of his near and far relatives. It is almost like a mission for him for the sake of Allâh. He [subhâna wa ta’âlâ] loves this ‘ibâdah. Even those who are far away, he calls and connects them to the rest of the family and brings them all together. And subhâna’Allaah, Allâh has given him a lot of wealth and with such ease and has made his life easy, and as a result of his deeds. The Prophet [sall-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam] promised this reward for the one who connects and maintains kinship: “Whoever would like his rizq [provision] to be increased and his life to be extended, should uphold the ties of kinship.” [19]
These were just a few of the wonderful things we can do during the forthcoming best days of Dhul-Hijjah. Therefore, if we want Allâh’s help with these deeds and our schedule for them, we need to do a lot of tawbah. The Salaf as-Sâlih used to say that they would feel prevented from qiyâm al-layl due to their sins. They knew that when they want to do ‘ibâdah and they are unable to do it, it is due sins. So, what do we need to do? A lot of istighfâr with tawbah, real Tawbah! Ask Allâh for help.
Make the du’â:
“O Allâh, help me to remember You, to give You thanks, and to perform Your worship in the best manner.” [20]
Footnotes:
[3] Ahmad, 7/224 – Ahmad Shâkir stated that it is sahîh
[4] The verses [Al-Fajr 89:1-2] and various hadîth indicate that these 10 days are better than all the other days of the year, with no exceptions, not even the last ten days of Ramadân. But the last ten nights of Ramadân are better, because they include Layl al-Qadr [“the Night of Power”], which is better than a thousand months. Thus the various reports may be reconciled. [See: Tafsîr ibn Kathîr, 5/412]
[5] Shaykh Muhammad bin Sâlih al-‘Uthaymîn
[6] Muslim, 482
[7] Muslim, 1238
[8] At-Tirmidhî, 428 – classed as sahîh by al-Albânî in Sahîh al-Nasâ’î
[9] At-Tirmidhî, 395 – classed as hasan by al-Albânî in Sahîh al-Jâmi 3493
[10] Al-Bukhârî & Muslim
[11] Al-Bukhârî, 1094 and Muslim, 758
[12] Ahmad, 7/224
[13] Tahlîl [“Lâ ilâha ill-Allâh”], Tahmîd [“Alhamdulillâh”] and Takbîr [“Allâhu Akbâr”]. See: Ahmad, 7/224
[14] Abû Dâwûd, 2041 – classed as hasan by al-Albânî
[15] Classed as hasan by al Albânî
[16] Muslim, 2/808
[17] Muslim, 1976
[18] Sahîh Muslim
[19] Al-Bukhârî, 5986 and Muslim, 2557
[20] Sahîh Abû Dâwûd, 1/284
The story of Ishmael Mother
Narrated Ibn Abbas: The first lady to use a girdle was the mother of Ishmael. She used a girdle so that she might hide her tracks from Sarah. Abraham (Alaihissalamm) brought her and her son Ishmael (Alaihissalamm) while she was suckling him, to a place near the Ka’ba under a tree on the spot of Zam-zam, at the highest place in the mosque. During those days there was nobody in Mekkah, nor was there any water So he made them sit over there and placed near them a leather bag containing some dates, and a small water-skin containing some water, and set out homeward. Ishmael’s (Alaihissalamm) mother followed him saying,
“O Abraham (Alaihissalamm)! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no person whose company we may enjoy, nor is there anything
(to enjoy)?” She repeated that to him many times, but he did not look back at her Then she asked him, “Has Allah ordered you to do so?” He said, “Yes.” She said, ”Then He will not neglect us,” and returned while Abraham proceeded onwards, and on reaching the Thaniya where they could not see him, he faced the Ka’ba, and raising both hands, invoked Allah saying the following prayers:
‘O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Your Sacred House (Kaba at Mecca) in order, O our Lord, that they may offer prayer perfectly. So fill some hearts among men w
ith love towards them, and (O Allah) provide them with fruits, so that they may give thanks.’ (14.37) Ishmael’s (Alaihissalamm) mother went on suckling Ishmael and drinking from the water (she had).
When the water in the water-skin had all been used up, she became thirsty and her child also became thirsty. She started looking at him (i.e. Ishmael) tossing in agony; She left him, for she could not endure looking at him, and found that the mountain of Safa was the nearest mountain to her on that land. She stood on it and started looking at the valley keenly so that she might see somebody, but she could not see anybody. Then she descended from Safa and when she reached the valley, she tucked up her robe and ran in the valley like a person in distress and trouble, till she crossed the valley and reached the Marwa mountain where she stood and started looking, expecting to see somebody, but she could not see anybody.
She repeated that (running between Safa and Marwa) seven times.”
The Prophet (Alaihissalamm) said,
“This is the source of the tradition of the walking of people between them (i.e. Safa and Marwa). When she reached the Marwa (for the last time) she heard a voice and she asked herself to be quiet and listened attentively. She heard the voice again and said, ‘O, (whoever you may be)! You have made me hear your voice; have you got something to help me?” And behold! She saw an angel at the place of Zam-zam, digging the earth with his heel (or his wing), till water flowed from that place. She started to make something like a basin around it, using her hand in this way, and started filling her water-skin with water with her hands, and the water was flowing out after she had scooped some of it.”
The Prophet (Alaihissalamm) added, “May Allah bestow Mercy on Ishmael (Alaihissalamm)’s mother! Had she let the Zam-zam (flow without trying to control it) (or had she not scooped from that water) (to fill her water-skin), Zam-zam would have been a stream flowing on the surface of the earth.”
The Prophet (Alaihissalamm) further added, “Then she drank (water) and suckled her child. The angel said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid of being neglected, for this is the House of Allah which will be built by this boy and his father, and Allah never neglects His people.’ The House (i.e. Kaba) at that time was on a high place resembling a hillock, and when torrents came, they flowed to its right and left. She lived in that way till some people from the tribe of Jurhum or a family from Jurhum passed by her and her child, as they (i.e. the Jurhum people) were coming through the way of Kada’. They landed in the lower part of Mecca where they saw a bird that had the habit of flying around water and not leaving it. They said, ‘This bird must be flying around water, though we know that there is no water in this valley.’ They sent one or two messengers who discovered the source of water, and returned to inform them of the water. So, they all came (towards the water).
” The Prophet (Alaihissalamm) added,”Ishmael (Alaihissalamm)’s mother was sitting near the water. They asked her, ‘Do you allow us to stay with you?” She replied, ‘Yes, but you will have no right to possess the water.’ They agreed to that. “The Prophet (Alaihissalamm) further said, “Ishmael (Alaihissalamm)’s mother was pleased with the whole situation as she used to love to enjoy the company of the people. So, they settled there, and later on they sent for their families who came and settled with them so that some families became permanent residents there. The child (i.e. Ishmael (Alaihissalamm)) grew up and learnt Arabic from them and (his virtues) caused them to love and admire him as he grew up, and when he reached the age of puberty they made him marry a woman from amongst them.After Ishmael (Alaihissalamm)’s mother had died, Abraham (Alaihissalamm) came after Ishmael (Alaihissalamm)’s marriage in order to see his family that he had left before, but he did not find Ishmael (Alaihissalamm) there. When he asked Ishmael (Alaihissalamm)’s wife about him, she replied,
‘He has gone in search of our livelihood.’
Then he asked her about their way of living and their condition, and she replied, ‘We are living in misery; we are living in hardship and destitution,’ complaining to him.
He said, ‘When your husband returns, convey my salutation to him and tell him to change the threshold of the gate (of his house).’ When Ishmael came, he seemed to have felt something unusual, so he asked his wife, ‘Has anyone visited you?’
She replied, ‘Yes, an old man of so-and-so description came and asked me about you and I informed him, and he asked about our state of living, and I told him that we were living in a hardship and poverty.’ On that Ishmael said, ‘Did he advise you anything?’ She replied, ‘Yes, he told me to convey his salutation to you and to tell you to change the threshold of your gate.’ Ishmael said, ‘It was my father, and he has ordered me to divorce you. Go back to your family.’ So, Ishmael divorced her and married another woman from amongst them (i.e. Jurhum).
Then Abraham (Alaihissalamm) stayed away from them for a period as long as Allah wished and called on them again but did not find Ishmael. So he came to Ishmael (Alaihissalamm)’s wife and asked her about Ishmael. She said, ‘He has gone in search of our livelihood.’ Abraham (Alaihissalamm) asked her, ‘How are you getting on?’ asking her about their sustenance and living. She replied, ‘We are prosperous and well-off (i.e. we have everything in abundance).’ Then she thanked Allah’ Abraham said, ‘What kind of food do you eat?’
She said. ‘Meat.’ He said, ‘What do you drink?’ She said, ‘Water.” He said, “O Allah! Bless their meat and water.” The Prophet (Alaihissalamm) added, “At that time they did not have grain, and if they had grain, he would have also invoked Allah to bless it.” The Prophet (Alaihissalamm) added, “If somebody has only these two things as his sustenance, his health and disposition will be badly affected, unless he lives in Mecca.” The Prophet (Alaihissalamm) added,” Then Abraham (Alaihissalamm) said Ishmae (Alaihissalamm)l’s wife, “When your husband comes, give my regards to him and tell him that he should keep firm the threshold of his gate.’ When Ishmael (Alaihissalamm) came back, he asked his wife,
‘Did anyone call on you?’ She replied, ‘Yes, a good-looking old man came to me,’ so she praised him and added. ‘He asked about you, and I informed him, and he asked about our livelihood and I told him that we were in a good condition.’ Ishmael (Alaihissalamm) asked her, ‘Did he give you any piece of advice?’ She said, ‘Yes, he told me to give his regards to you and ordered that you should keep firm the threshold of your gate.’ On that Ishmael (Alaihissalamm) said, ‘It was my father, and you are the threshold (of the gate). He has ordered me to keep you with me.’
Then Abraham (Alaihissalamm) stayed away from them for a period as long as Allah wished, and called on them afterwards. He saw Ishmael (Alaihissalamm) under a tree near Zamzam, sharpening his arrows. When he saw Abraham (Alaihissalamm), he rose up to welcome him (and they greeted each other as a father does with his son or a son does with his father). Abraham (Alaihissalamm) said, ‘O Ishmael (Alaihissalamm)! Allah has given me an order.’ Ishmael (Alaihissalamm) said, ‘Do what your Lord has ordered you to do.’ Abraham (Alaihissalamm) asked, ‘Will you help me?’ Ishmael (Alaihissalamm) said, ‘I will help you.’ Abraham (Alaihissalamm) said, Allah has ordered me to build a house here,’ pointing to a hillock higher than the land surrounding it.
“The Prophet (Alaihissalamm) added, “Then they raised the foundations of the House (i.e. the Ka’ba). Ishmael (Alaihissalamm) brought the stones and Abraham was building, and when the walls became high, Ishmael (Alaihissalamm) brought this stone and put it for Abraham (Alaihissalamm) who stood over it and carried on building, while Ishmael (Alaihissalamm) was handing him the stones, and both of them were saying,
‘O our Lord! Accept (this service) from us, Verily, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.’ The Prophet (Alaihissalamm) added,”Then both of them went on building and going round the Ka’ba saying: O our Lord ! Accept (this service) from us, Verily, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” (2.127)
MANAPPARAI 