3 things you could do on 'Eid

1. Make lots and lots of duaaas (including some special ones for some people in R family who have coughs and colds and are recovering from surgery)

2. Go through the Hajj quiz and the other Islam quizzes (Levels 1 to 8) on the BBC Religion and Ethics website to see how much you really know about Islam and the Hajj.


3. Read Sultan Baybars' rare copy of the Qur'aan online using The British Library's amazing 'Turning the Pages' technology.

Hope everyone has a blessed 'Eid and an accepted Hajj (all those who went), in shaa Allaah.

the best day of the week

The Prophetصلىالله عليه وسلم said: "The best day during which the sun has risen is Friday.'' (Hadeeth reported by Imaam Muslim, Abu Daa'wood, an-Nasai, At-Tirmithi)

Things to do on Friday:
Go for Friday prayer
"O’ you who believe! When the call is proclaimed to Prayer on Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business. That is best for you if you but knew." (Soorah Al-Jumu'ah:9)

Do Ghusl and use perfume, go early for Friday prayer: "Every Muslim is obligated to wash on Fridays and wear his best cloth. Also, he should use perfume if he has any." (Hadeeth Sahih Al-Bukhaari and Muslim)

Increase supplications since there is a period during Jumu'ah when duaas are answered.

Send salutations upon the Prophet
Like our shaykh says:

صلوا وسلموا على من دلكم على الله فعرفتموه
صلوا وسلموا على من دلكم على المسجد بيت الله فدخلتموه
صلوا وسلموا على من دلكم على الصراط المستقيم فسلكتموه

من صلى عليه صلاة واحدة صلى الله عليه بها عشرا،
ومن صلى عليه عشراصلى الله عليه بهامئة

ومن صلى عليه مئة صلى الله عليه بها ألف
، ومن زاد زاده الله من فضله

إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيماً
"Indeed Allaah and His Angels send salutations upon the Prophet...
O you who believe, send blessings and salutations of peace upon him."

Read Soorah Al-Kahf: "Who ever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, Allaah will give him a light to the next Friday."

May Allaah accept!

Ed: Our Imaam calls the day of 'Eid 'Yawm al Jawaa-iz', the Day of Prizes, where everyone's efforts in Ramadhaan are evaluated and awarded. He calls Ramadhaan a 'madrassah' from where people graduate with different scores and at different levels.

This is why my 'Eid greeting of choice is: Taqabbal Allaah minna wa minkum; may Allaah accept from us and from you, for without His acceptance all one's efforts and intentions are reduced to nothing...and there is no real happiness without earning His pleasure.

***

P.S: : If you haven't seen the sisters-in-faith blog 'Eid makeover, you don't know the meaning of 'festooned in festivity' yet.

No really, it's the most exciting 'Eid template, complete with an incandescent crescent and colourful fireworks...good work, Rasha-Rida!

***

P.PS: For people like me, who like seeing new places through other people's eyes, this is a real site for sore eyes: MuslimPhotos.

It has pictures of masaajid and other places of historical interest from around the world. I especially liked the gallery section called 'Prophets were Here' which has pictures of places which were actually visited by several Prophets. There's Makkah and various sites in Madeenah, Jerusalem, Damascus and even a picture of the ruins of the church in Syria where the Christian monk Bahira saw the Prophet صلىالله عليه وسلم as a young child and recognised the signs of Prophethood in him.

Very interesting pictures, maa shaa Allaah. Look them up!

Ramadhaan Q & A

10 Questions with Rasha & Rida

What's the best thing you like to eat at suhoor?

Rasha: Cheese sandwich and milk
Rida : Dates

ًWhat's one thing you can't do without at iftaar?
Rasha: Water

Rida: Dates and chicken nuggets

What's your favourite Ramadhaan memory?

Rasha: When we went for Umrah last Ramadan

Your favourite duaa?
Rasha: The du'aa the Prophet used to say after breaking his fast : ''Thahab athama' wa ibtallatil 'urooq wa thabat alajr in shaa Allah"

Rida: The duaa we say before iftaar: Allaahummaa laka sumt, wa 'ala rizqeka aftartu

Your favourite sahaabi?

Rasha: Ummmm…. I like Saad bin Abi Waqqas, and also Umar bin Khattab…maybe 'cause I behave like him sometimes :)

Rida: 'Uthmaan bin Affaan, because he was so kind and generous and gentle and shy.

Your favourite incident from the life of the Prophet?
Rasha: When the Prophet (Sallalahu 'alayhi wa sallam) was emigrating from Makkah to Madinah… when the people of Yathrib were welcoming him; it was sooooooo sad and poignant.

Rida: When the prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam heard the voice of Gabriel at Jabal An-noor teaching him the quran for the first time.

Your favourite reciter of the Qur'aan?
Rasha: Abba, of course :) and Sheikh Salah bu Khatir and Sheikh Shuraim.
Rida: Abba and Salah bu khatir :)

The soorah/ayah that you like to read in salah?
Rasha: Ummm… Surah Taha.
Rida: Soorah Qisas and Maryam (b/z it has a story in it and I like soorahs with stories)

One habit from Ramadhaan that you'd like to carry over to the rest of the year?
Rasha: To complete a khatmah every month, in shaa Allaah!!
Rida: Fasting till I've tons of weight!!

What do you miss the most about Ramadhaan when it's over?
Rasha: Fasting, and the way everyone's controlling themselves or at least trying to ;) (their manners)

Rida: The time before breaking the fast when all our duaas can be accepted

***

10 Questions with The Ed

What's the best thing you like to eat at suhoor?
porridge and milk.

What's one thing you can't do without at iftaar?
water

What's your favourite Ramadhaan memory?
Stopping at Nimas on the road to Makkah to break our fast with home-made chocolate fudge brownies in a masjid that was covered by swirling mist and great gusts of chilly winds. I was a novice at road trips then and didn't want to go any further b/z one couldn't see the road b/z of the fog!

Your favourite duaa?
I guess duaas reflect a state of mind and my favourite duaas keep changing all the time, but my all time favourite is:
Allaahumma arinal haqqa haqqan, warzuqnaa ittiba'aahu/
wa arinal baatila baatilan, warzuqnaa ijtinaabahu.

Your favourite sahaabi/sahaabiyaat and why do you like him/her the most?
This is so tough!
Actually there are many companions whom I admire (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthmaan, 'Ali, Abu Tharr, Muaath bin Jabal, Huthayfah bin Yaman) and others whom I find inspiring (Mus'ab bin Umayr, Nusaybah) and yet others whom I envy (in a good/wistful way) for their closeness to the Prophet صلىالله عليه وسلم(all the Prophet's family…his wives and children and relatives, Usamah bin Zayd, Barakah Umm Ayman, Umm Sulaym)

I guess my favourite companion is the un-named woman who was told of the loss of her father, brother and sons in battle and kept asking how the Prophetصلىالله عليه وسلم was; until when she saw for herself that he صلىالله عليه وسلمwas safe she sobbed with relief and said that all her losses didn't matter as long as he صلىالله عليه وسلم was alright.

Your favourite incident from the life of the Prophetصلىالله عليه وسلم?
Hmmm…tough one again.
The time when the Bedouin Arab came to meet the Prophet صلىالله عليه وسلمand told him that he hadn't prepared much for the Hereafter, but he loved Allaah and His Prophet, and the Prophetصلىالله عليه وسلم replied that he would be with those whom he loved.
It gives me hope!

Your favourite reciter of the Qur'aan?
Make that reciters! Abu-R, all of you kids, Sh. Abdul Mun'im Abdul Mubdi, Sa'ad al Ghamdi, Sh. Salah, Sh. Huthayfi, Sh. Husayn Aal Shaykh, and last but not the least Sh. Hawwaashi!

The soorah/ayah that you like to read in salah?
آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ كُلٌّ آمَنَ بِاللّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ لاَ نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِ وَقَالُواْ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ


لاَ يُكَلِّفُ اللّهُ نَفْسًا إِلاَّ وُسْعَهَا لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا اكْتَسَبَتْ رَبَّنَا لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لاَ طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا أَنتَ مَوْلاَنَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ

One habit from Ramadhaan that you'd like to carry over to the rest of the year?
Getting up for Qiyaam everyday, being more mindful of salah and careful about what I say and do .

What do you miss the most about Ramadhaan when it's over?
The sounds of taraweeh pouring in from everywhere at night.

did you see this? (parental plug)

If this isn't the cutest Ramadhaan blog makeover in the world, I don't know what is!

did you know?

The word "banana" comes from the Arabic word "banaan" meaning "finger" (b/z of it's shape).

for eg. the Qur'aan says:
أَيَحْسَبُ الْإِنسَانُ أَلَّن نَجْمَعَ عِظَامَهُ
Does man think that We cannot assemble his bones?

بَلَى قَادِرِينَ عَلَى أَن نُّسَوِّيَ بَنَانَهُ
Rather, We are able to put together in perfect order the very tips of his fingers

[Soorah Al-Qiyaamah]

The scientific name of the banana fruit: Musa paradisica (fruit of paradise) also comes from the Arabic موزة

subhaanallaah!

The story of Yusuf the Second

The Qur'aan calls the story of Yoosuf, 'alayhi salaam, "ahsan al-qasas", the most excellent of stories. It is one of the easiest soorahs of the Qur'aan to memorise and recite, and it is SO interesting because it has all kinds of details.

The story which the Shaykh told us was also about a young man, and the way he narrated it, it was as if we were seeing everything happen before our own eyes.

Anyway, to cut a long story short: Once, there was a young man who did not have any family and he was virtually raised in the masjid, who lived alone in a city far from his own hometown. He attended university there. One day, he was on his way back from class, when he saw a bunch of people trying to force a young girl into a car in a deserted place. He reached there and somehow those people got scared and left the girl alone and went off in their car.

Now this person asked the girl her address and her 'phone number, but apparently she was not from that area and she was too dazed or scared to talk. So he took her to his own room and then went to notify the authorities of the missing girl.

After that, he came back to his room with food etc., and the girl was asleep.
Now, he felt an urge to talk to the girl, to wake her up ...but he knew that it was not proper. So the entire night, he kept awake, distracting himself in one way or the other...remembering Allaah and how He was watching him, in order to stop himself from doing anything wrong.

In the morning, the girl's family had been traced and she was sent back to her own family...when her father came to know that there was this young man who had saved her, he thanked him and asked him if he would like to get married ...

So, they were married, and after some time, they came to visit the Shaykh on a Friday, with their baby son. That was when he narrated the story in the khutbah...isn't it a beautiful one?!
--------------

Ed: What I liked about this story is that it actually happened in the *here and now* . It's so easy to dismiss righteous people/good deeds as being somehow *easy* to do in the past because those were different times, less fitnah etc. etc.

Truth is, the struggle with one's nafs dates back to the time of Aadam 'alayhi salaam...there have been and bi'ithnillaah will always be people who fight with their desires and emerge stronger in their faith...it's up to us to not lower our standards to whatever is the current 'acceptable level' of righteousness, and it's up to us to measure up to the best of examples set by those who passed before us...and of course, all towfeeq is from Allaah...laa quwwata illaa billaah.

the best parts about being in Madeenah

By Rasha, Rida and R

*walking
I love walking...always have..and when you walk in Madeenah, you feel the ground under your feet throbbing with the distant echo of footsteps across centuries...we walked everywhere this time, and it was heaven. alhamdulillaah.

*shopping
trinkets, clothes, toys...once I was counting money to make sure I had enough for my purchases, and a shopkeeper in Madeenah told me that I would never run out of cash here b/z the Prophet had blessed the weights and measures ..and subhaanallaah, it's really true ..two riyaals go a looooooooong way here..

view from the top..by Rida & Rasha

Copyright@Rida-Rasha

What did the Prophet eat for iftaar?

3:45 pm

we're expecting guests for iftaar (of the elderly, scholarly, male variety)

In the middle of choppingswishingbakingwashingfrying, I find myself thinking aloud: Rasha, Rida what do you think Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم ate for iftaar?

Rasha: dates, of course

Rida: water, bread and milk, if there was any...

Me: look it up, will you?

so we looked it up and this is what we found:

عن ابي اوفى رضي الله عنه قال: كنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلّم في سفر فقال لرجل : انزل فاجدح لي قال يا رسول الله الشمس قال انزل فاجدح لي فجدح له فشرب ثم رمى بيده ها هنا ثم قال : إذا رايتم الليل اقبل من ها هنا فقد افطر الصاءم

تابعه جرير و ابو بكر

Narrated Ibn Abee Aufaa:

We were in the company of Allaah's Messenger sall Allaahu 'alayhi wassallam on a journey, he said to a man: Get down and mix for me [saweeq: powdered barley with water]

The man said: the sun has not yet set yaa Rasoolullaah

The Prophet sallAllaahu'alayhi wasallam again said:Get down and mix for me. The man again said: yaa Rasoolallaah, the sun!

The Prophet said to him for the third time: Get down and mix saweeq with water for me.The man dismounted and mixed saweeq with water for him.

The Prophet sall Allaahu 'alayhi wasallam drank it and beckoned with his hand [towards the East] and said:When you see the night falling from this side, then a fasting person should break his fast."

33:162 SaheehBukhaari

and another time:

عن طاووس عن إبن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال : خرج رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلّم من المدينة إلى مكة فصام حتى بلغ عسفان ويديه ليراه الناس فافطر حتى قدم مكه وذلك في رمضان. فكان إبن عباس يفول : قد صام رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلّم وافطر فمن شاء صام ومن شاء افطر

Narrated Tawoos: ibn Abbaas said: Allaah's Messenger sallAllaahu alayhi wasallam set out from Madinah to Makkah and he fasted till he reached 'Usfaan, where he asked for water and raised his hand to let the people see him, and then he broke his fast, and did not fast after that till he reached Makkah,and that happened in Ramadhaan

Me: so, I'm thinking, wouldn't we be better off serving iftaar according to the sunnah?

Rasha-Rida : yes!! (getting up..abandoning chopping boards and knives)

Me: not so fast...maybe some other time

*smiles to self*

رمضان اتى والقلب هفا

every Ramadhaan has a 'theme', a recurrent motif that confirms, yes , it's Ramadhaan again...

...it could be the sound of Shaykh Sudais reading taraweeh at the Haram or a commercial for SunQuick orange juice or even this song that Rasha wrote out -- it features on the AlMajd channel and is sung in the most soulful kiddie voice and has such an upbeat melody ..vintage Ramadhaan 1426

الصوم زكاة النفس لنا نستشعر فيه أخوتنا

ونعين المحتاجين فما خير الصدقات تطهرنا

شهر القران وشهر الذكر ودعاء الضارع عندالفجر

وغنيمة خير طول العمر رحماك الهي يا ذا الأمر

^ that's the part Rasha forgot to write

Rida

Meet Ablaa Rasha and Ablaa Rida

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

الحمد لله that we anjaahed our test...
[Ed: anjaahed=Arablish for passed]

..in the morning,we were very,very frightened..WHAT in the whole wide world would happen if we failed???! But it came to be that the test wasn't half an hour,as Abba frightened us off to the Mushaf..We went to sleep ---at least I tried to sleep.
morning..fajr, 5o'clock..prayed fajr..saying prayers in sujud: "Ya Allah,Ya Allah,help us, help us!!" ...revising Mushaf till quite some time...At eight o'clock in the morning, the young ones were asleep,I and Rida were gettin ready..
Abba was already off to work, so,after we got ready, I and Rida began to help Umma to get the young Rs ready,which took us quite some time. Abba came at ten o'clock--(in case ya'll don't know, the test was to begin at ten).
WE rode off in Abba's car, reached the school got off * all dignityd * ! Umma had a talk with the principal and two teachers took me and Rida off. they were v. polite.. one of them asked us our names, but the other one didn't say much... the test began,the one who asked us the names listened to a couple of surahs -- they asked me parts from Athariyaat, Qiyamah, Hashr, Mujaadilaah, Balad, aTalaaq, al Mulk. It was quite easy but I had been dreading all that they would ask ...well rather long talk this,isn't it?
And now aunty K I'm sure u know the real purpose of the fireworks display;)..massalama!!
ابلة رشا

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

I'm writing after such a long time that I really don't know what to write :) we got a whole pile of books from school and I'l l post something interesting from themإنشاء الله thank you everyone for your duaas, please keep us in your prayers

رضا

(Ed: in keeping with their newfound status, R-R will henceforth be referred to as Ablaa Rasha and Ablaa Rida (ablaa=teacher) by all lower forms of life aka younger bros and sis at home. Abu R-R tells me that chocolates strategically handed out when siblings call elders by desired appellation go a long way in facilitating the change from plain R to AR.

Also, now is the time to use their kunyaa (which like the best household china had been carefully put away on the backshelf of our minds): say assalaamu'alaykum to Umm ulKhayr and Umm alFadl :)))

New!

By Rasha



By Rida

The Roman King's Questions

osThe King of Rome once wrote to Mu'awiya rA asking about the following questions:

1. The most beloved speech to Allaah

2. The most honourable slave before Allaah

3. The most honourable female slave before Allaah

4. The four who had souls but who had not come out of a mother's womb

5. A grave which had moved with its inhabitant

6. A place on earth where the sun had not reached except once

7. The Qaws Quzah [rainbow]

8 Al Majarrah

Muawiyah rA forwarded the questions to a companion who was called Habr-al-Ummah The Learned Man of the Ummah or Al Bahr The SEa because of his vast knowledge.

Who was he and what were his answers?

He was Abdullaah ibn Abbaas...
It's interesting to see how Abdullaah ibn Abbaas , who was among the youngest companions grew to be the most knowledgeable among them.

Ibn Abbaas said:

When the Messenger of Allaah died, I said to a man from among the ansaar [helpers] "Let us go and ask the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah, for they are many on this day. "
He said: "I am surprised at you oh ibn Abbaas! Do you see the people in need of you when there are so many companions among us?

So I left the discussion with that man and went to ask the companions about the hadeeth. I was informed that a man knew about it so I went to his door and he was resting in the afternoon. I sat there by his door until he came out and said: O cousin of the Messenger of Allaah! What brings you here? If you had sent for me I would have come to you!."

I said: It is more rightful that I should come to you for I would ask you about a hadeeth.

Ibn Abbaas said that Ansari boy lived on and when he saw people gathered around me asking questions he remarked: That boy was more intelligent than I!

'Umar used to say of him: That is a boy of great maturity. He has an inquisitive tongue and an understanding heart.

The answers ibn Abbaas gave to the Roman King's Questions were:
1 The most beloved speech to Allaah is:سبحان الله والحمد لله ولا إله إلا الله والله أكبر ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله

2. The most honourable slave before Allaah is Aadam -- whom he created by His hand, He breathed His Spirit into Him, caused the angels to prostrate to him and taught him the names of all things.

3. The most honourable female slave is Maryam, the daughter of Imraan.

4. The four who did not come from a womb were Aadam, Hawwa , Musa alayhi salaam's staff which turned into a serpent, the ram with which Ibraheem alayhi salaam ransomed Ismaeel or the she-camel of Saalih alayhi salaam.

5. The grave which moved with its inhabitant was the whale which swallowed Yunus alayhi salaam

6. The place that was exposed tothe sun only once was the place where the sea was parted for Musa alayhi salaam so that Banee Israeel could pass

7. The Qaws Quzah is the rainbow which is a protection from drowning

8. Al Majarrah is a gate in heaven.

When the King in Rome read this he said: This is not fromMu'awiyah, nor from his words. It is only from the family of the Prophet!

[source: Al Bidayah wan Nihayah]

Been T*H*E*R*E

Assalaamu'alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh

The small, cubed building may not rival skyscrapers in height or mansions in width, but its impact on history and human beings is unmatched. It is the building towards which Muslims face five times a day, everyday, in prayer.This small building has been constructed and re-constructed by the Prophets Aadam, Ibraheem, Ismaeel and Muhammad alayhimus salaam. No other building has this honour: The Ka'abah.

The Size of the Ka`bah
The height of the Ka`bah is 39 feet, 6 inches and total size comes to 627 square feet. The inside room of the Ka`bah is 13x9 meters. The Ka`bah walls are one meter wide. The floor inside is 2.2 meters higher than the place where people perform Tawaf. The ceiling and roof are two levels made out of wood. They were reconstructed with teak which is capped with stainless steel. The walls are all made of stone. The stones inside are unpolished, while the ones outside are polished.

Did you know?
* The Ka`bah was reconstructed as recently as close to four years ago?

* The Ka`bah has been subjected to danger by natural disasters like flooding, as well as human attacks?

The other names of the Ka`bah
Literally, Ka`bah in Arabic means a high place with respect and prestige. The word Ka`bah may also be derivative of a word meaning a cube.
Bayt ul Ateeq.. which means, according to one meaning, the earliest and ancient. According to the second meaning, it means independent and liberating.
Bayt ul Haram... the honorable house

Construction of the Ka`bah
The Ka`bah has been reconstructed up to 12 times. Scholars and historians say that the Ka`bah has been reconstructed between five to 12 times.
The very first construction of the Ka`bah was done by Prophet Adam Allah says in the Quran that this was the first house that was built for humanity to worship Allah.
After this, Prophets Ibraheem and Ismail alayhimussalaam rebuilt the Ka`bah. The measurements of the Ka`bah's Ibrahimic foundation are as follows:

the eastern wall was 48 feet and 6 inches
the Hateem side wall was 33 feet
the side between the black stone and the Yemeni corner was 30 feet
the Western side was 46.5 feet
Following this, there were several constructions before the Prophet Muhammad’s time.

Reconstruction of Ka`bah by Quraish .
Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu alayhi wassallam participated in one of its reconstructions before he became a Prophet. After a flash flood, the Ka`bah was damaged and its walls cracked. It needed rebuilding. This responsibility was divided among the Quraish’s four tribes. Prophet Muhammad helped with this reconstruction. Once the walls were erected, it was time to place the Black Stone, (the Hajar ul Aswad) on the eastern wall of the Ka`bah. Arguments erupted about who would have the honor of putting the Black Stone in its place. A fight was about to break out over the issue, when Abu Umayyah, Makkah’s oldest man, proposed that the first man to enter the gate of the mosque the following morning would decide the matter. That man was the Prophet.

The Makkans were ecstatic. "This is the trustworthy one (Al-Ameen), this is Muhammad". He came to them and they asked him to decide on the matter. He agreed. Prophet Muhammad proposed a solution that all agreed to-putting the Black Stone on a cloak, the elders of each of the clans held on to one edge of the cloak and carried the stone to its place. The Prophet then picked up the stone and placed it on the wall of the Ka`bah.

Since the tribe of Quraish did not have sufficient funds, this reconstruction did not include the entire foundation of the Ka`bah as built by Prophet Ibrahim. This is the first time the Ka`bah acquired the cubical shape it has now unlike the rectangle shape which it had earlier. The portion of the Ka`bah left out is called Hateem now.

Construction After the Prophet’s Time by Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr
The Syrian army destroyed the Ka`bah in Muharram 64 (Hijri date) and before the next Hajj Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr radiyy Allaahu anhu reconstructed the Ka`bah from the ground up. Ibn az-Zubayr wanted to make the Ka`bah how the Prophet Muhammad wanted it, on the foundation of the Prophet Ibrahim.
Ibn az-Zubayr said:

"I heard Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) say, 'The Prophet said: "If your people had not quite recently abandoned the Ignorance (Unbelief), and if I had sufficient provisions to rebuild it [the Ka`bah], I would have added five cubits to it from the Hijr. Also, I would make two doors; one for people to enter therein and the other to exit." (Bukhari).

Ibn az-Zubayr said, "Today, I can afford to do it and I do not fear the people. Ibn az-Zubayr built the Ka`bah on Prophet Ibrahim’s foundation. He put the roof on three pillars with the wood of Aoud (a perfumed wood with aroma which is traditionally burned to get a good smell out of it in Arabia). In his construction he put two doors, one facing the east the other facing the west, as the Prophet wanted but did not do in his lifetime. He rebuilt the Ka`bah on the Prophet Ibrahim’s foundation, which meant that the Hateem area was included. The Hateem is the area adjacent to the Ka`bah enclosed by a low semi-circular wall.

Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr also made the following additions and modifications:

• put a small window close to the roof of the Ka`bah to allow for light.
• moved the door of the Ka`bah to ground level and added a second door to the Ka`bah.
• added nine cubits to the height of the Ka`bah, making it twenty cubits high.
• its walls were two cubits wide.
• reduced the pillars inside the House to three instead of six as were earlier built by Quraish.
• For reconstruction, ibn az-Zubayr put up four pillars around Ka`bah and hung cloth over them until the building was completed. People began to do Tawaf around these pillars at all times, so Tawaf of the Ka`bah was never abandoned, even during reconstruction.
  

During Abdul Malik bin Marwan’s time In 74 Hijri (or 693 according to the Gregorian calendar), Al-Hajjaj bin Yusuf al-Thaqafi, the known tyrant of that time, with the approval of Umayyad Khalifa Abdul Malik bin Marwan, demolished what Ibn az-Zubayr had added to it from the older foundation of Prophet Ibrahim, restore its old structure as the Quraish had had it.

Some of the changes he made were the following:

• he rebuilt it in the smaller shape which is found today
  took out the Hateem
• walled up the western door (whose signs are still visible today) and left the rest as it was
• pulled down the wall in the Hateem area.
• removed the wooden ladder Ibn az-Zubayr had put inside the Kaba.
• reduced the door's height by five cubits
  

When Abdul Malik bin Marwan came for Umra and heard the Hadith that it was the wish of the Prophet for the Ka`bah to be constructed the way Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr had built it, he regretted his actions.
Imam Malik's advice to the Khalifa Harun al Rasheed Abbasi Khalifa Harun al Rasheed wanted to rebuild the Ka`bah the way the Prophet Muhammad wanted and the way Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr built it. But when he consulted Imam Malik, the Imam asked the Khalifa to change his mind because constant demolition and rebuilding is not respectful and would become a toy in the hands of kings. Each one would want to demolish and rebuild the Ka`bah. Based on this advice, Harun al Rasheed did not reconstruct the Ka`bah. The structure remained in the same construction for 966 years, with minor repairs here and there.

Reconstruction during Sultan Murad Khan’s time

In the year 1039 Hijri, because of heavy rain, flood and hail, two of the Ka`bah walls fell down. The flood during which this occurred took place on the 19th of Shaban 1039 Hijri which continued constantly, so the water in the Ka`bah became almost close to half of its walls, about 10 feet from the ground level. On Thursday the 20th of Shaban 1039 Hijri, the eastern and western walls fell down. When flood receded on Friday the 21st of Shaban, the cleanup started.

Again, a curtain, the way Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr established on 4 pillars, was put up, and the reconstruction started on the 26th of Ramadan. The rest of the walls except for the one near the Black Stone, were demolished.
By the 2nd of Zul-Hijjah 1040 the construction was taking place under the guidance of Sultan Murad Khan, the Ottoman Khalifa. From the point of the Black stone and below, the current construction is the same as that done by Abdullah ibn az Zubayr.
The construction which was done under the auspices of Murad Khan was exactly the one done at the time of Abdul Malik ibn Marwan which is the way the Quraysh had built it before Prophethood.
On Rajab 28 1377, One historian counted the total stones of the Ka`bah and they were 1,614. These stones are of different shapes. But the stones which are inside the outer wall which is visible are not counted in there.

Reconstruction of the Ka`bah In 1996

A major reconstruction of the Ka`bah took place between May 1996 and October 1996. This was after a period of about 400 years (since Sultan Murad Khan’s time). During this reconstruction the only original thing left from the Ka`bah are the stones. All other material has been replaced including the ceiling and the roof and its wood.

What is inside the Ka`bah?

Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi [president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) had the opportunity to go inside the Ka`bah in October 1998. He described the following features:

• there are two pillars inside (others report 3 pillars)
• there is a table on the side to put items like perfume
• there are two lantern-type lamps hanging from the ceiling
• the space can accommodate about 50 people
• there are no electric lights inside
• the walls and floors are of marble
• there are no windows inside
• there is only one door
• the upper inside walls of the Ka`bah were covered with some kind of curtain with the Kalima written on it
  

Source: http://www.soundvision.com

In case anyone was wondering where we disappeared, Alhamdulillaah, we've been there!

The bravest little boy in Madina

One day a group of boys were playing on a street in Madina. They saw 'Umar [rA] coming towards them. They knew he was a strict person so they ran off in different directions. Only one boy remained.

Umar [rA] asked him:

Le maa zaa lam tahrub ma'aa ashaabak yaa haaza?

[Why didn't you escape with your companions O You?]

The little boy replied:

Le maa zaa ahrub? Anaa lam akun mujrim wa attareeq laysat dayyiqa fa awsa lak

[Why should I run off? I am not an offender and the road is not narrow, that I should make it wide for you]

The little boy was Abdullaah bin Zubair, the first Muslim child born in Madina at Quba.

His father was azZubair bin Awwaam
His mother was Asmaa bint Abu Bakr
His grandfather was Abu Bakr as Siddeeq
His aunt was Ummul Mu'mineen A'ishah as Siddeeqa

radiyy Allaahu anhum ajmaeen
[May Allaah be pleased with all of them]

How do Muslims treat animals ?

s We have two friends called Hagar and Huda who are from Egypt. They have pet rabbits...they are soooooo cute....like little fat balls of fur with red eyes...the rabbits we mean.

Every time we go to their house we are after Umma to get us pets also, but she never allows us:( We want rabbits, talking parrots and chickens and a bowl of fish...

[Ed Note: our house already looks like a zoo...don't want to add to the menagerie]

Pets are fun but they are a lot of mess and hard work. It is important to have mercy for them and take good care of them so that they don't suffer because of us.

These are some ahadeeth [sayings of the Prophet sall Allaahu alayhi wassallam] which show that Muslims should be kind to all animals...

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a mother bird and its chicks

We were on a journey with the Prophet sall Allaahu 'alaiyhi wassallam and he left us for a while. During his absence, we saw a bird called hummara with its two young and we took the young ones.
The mother bird was circling above us in the air, beating its wings in grief, when the Prophet sall Allaahu alaiyhi wassallam came back and said: Who has hurt the feelings of this bird by taking its young? Return them to her.
(Narrated by Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah bin Mas'ud- Saheeh Muslim)
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a cruel woman and her pet cat

The Prophet sall Allaahu alaiyhi wassallam told his companions of a woman who would be sent to Jahannam [Hell] for having locked up a cat; not feeding it, nor even releasing it, so that it could feed itself.
(Narrated by Abdullah bin 'Umar. Saheeh Bukhari)
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kindness to animals is rewarded

The Prophet sall Allaahu alaiyhi wassallam was asked if acts of charity even to the animals were rewarded by Allaah. He replied: Yes, there is a reward for acts of charity to every beast alive.
(Narrated by Abu Huraira, Saheeh Bukhari)
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never hurt anyone in the face

Jaabir [RA] reported that The Prophet sall Allaahu alaiyhi wassallam forbade striking the face or branding on the face of animals.…
He also reported: when an ass which had been branded in its face passed the Prophet sall Allaahu alaiyhi wassallam he said : Allah curse the one who branded it.
(Narrated by Jaabir bin 'Abdullah Saheeh Muslim).
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do not disfigure an animal when it is alive

When the Prophet sall Allaahu alaiyhi wassallam migrated to Madinah from Makkah, people there used to cut off the humps of camels and the fat tails of sheep to eat them!!!. The Prophet sall Allaahu 'alaiyhi wassallam ordered this barbaric practice to be stopped and said: Whatever is cut off an animal while it is still alive, is carrion and is unlawful (Haram) to eat.
(Narrated by Abu Waqid al-Laithi. at-Tirmidhi; Hadith No. 1480, Chapt. On Al-At'imah)
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Gently, Yaa Aaishah

A'ishah [RA] herself narrates: I was riding a restive camel and turned it rather roughly. The Prophet sall Allahu alaiyhi wassallam said: treat the animals gently.
(Narrated by A'ishah [RA]Saheeh Muslim, Vol. 4, Hadith No. 2593).
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treat the riding animals kindly

The Prophet sall Allaahu alaiyhi wassallam said: Do not clip the forelock of a horse, for a decency is attached to its forelock; nor its mane, for it protects it; nor its tail, for it is, its fly-flap.
(Narrated by 'Utbah ibn Farqad Abu Abdillah al-Sulami. Abu Dawud)
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Once the Prophet [SAW] stopped a companion from burning down an ant-hill because one ant had bitten him!
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The Prophet sall Allaahu alaiyhi wassallam forbade the practice of cutting tails and manes of horses, of branding animals at any soft spot, and of keeping horses saddled unnecessarily. (Saheeh Muslim)
If the Prophet [SAW] saw any animal over-burdened or ill-fed he would pull up alongside the owner and say: Fear Allah in your treatment of animals.(Abu Dawood, Kitaab Jihad)
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The Prophet [SAW] said: Allaah has ordained kindness (and excellence) in everything. If the killing (of animals) is to be done, do it in the best manner, and when you slaughter, do it in the best manner by first sharpening the knife, and putting the animal at ease. ( Saheeh Muslim)
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Killing an animal for fun

The Prophet [SAW] said: If someone kills a sparrow for sport, the sparrow will cry out on the Day of Judgment, "O Lord! That person killed me in vain! He did not kill me for any useful purpose."

The listeners asked: O Messenger of Allah, what is a just cause? He [SAW] replied: That he will kill it to eat, not simply to chop off its head and then throw it away. (Nasaai, Hakim)
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hunting with dogs

The Prophet [SAW] said: When you set your dog (for the chase), mention the name of Allaah, if he catches the game, and you reach it while it is still alive, cut its throat quickly (so it won't suffer). (Saheeh Bukhari, Muslim)
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boys teasing hens

Narrated Sa'ad bin Jubair [RA]: While I was with Ibn Umar [RA] we passed by a group of youngmen who had tied a hen and started shooting at it. When they saw Ibn Umar [RA]they dispersed, leaving it. On that Ibn Umar said: Who has done this ? The Prophet sall Allaahu alaiyhi wassallam cursed the one who did so.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No.423, Vol. 7)

[Info from www.everymuslim.com]

ARABIC 101

Not that we are teachers or anything;)...we are posting some Arabic words that we use frequently so that it is easier to read our blog and not go whhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat???

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sall Allaahu alayhi wassallamm or [SAW]= Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him

This is used after writing the name of the Prophet Muhammad
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Radiyy Allaahu anhu/anhum/anhaa or [RA]= May Allaah be pleased with him/them/her

This is used after the name of the companions of the Prophet
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alayhis sallaam/alayhimus salaam or [AS] =
Peace be upon him or them

This is used after taking the name of a Prophet
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salaah=prayer

fajr= morning prayer
dhuhr= afternoon prayer
'asr= late afternoon prayer
maghrib= sunset prayer
'ishaa= night prayer

we know a lot of people will say duuuuuuuuuuuuuh after this ;)
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and of course everyone knows assalaamu'alaykum wa rahmatu Allaahi wa barakaatuhu= Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon you -- the Islaamic greeting which is also the way angels will greet people in Heaven!!!

and Wa'alaykum us salaam is what we say when someone greets us in this way
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We'll add more stuff later, inshaAllaah . Hope that helps:)

The day they killed them

The day they killed their dad I smiled
At the funny comic book I was reading.
Munched chips, sipped orange juice,
Played out in my garden for a while.

The day they killed their mom I laughed
At the stupid things Mickey Mouse did.
Had choco biscuits with my milk
And a bath before going to my bunk bed.

The day they killed their brother I danced
With my little brother who's just started to walk.
Round and round and round we went
To the sound of nursery rhymes on our CD.

The day they killed their sister I shopped
For a pink birthday T-shirt that I wanted.
In and out of malls we went all day long
Until I found it at Baby Shop at last!

The day they crushed their house I screamed
I wasn't at home
I was on a rollercoaster ride.

Why don't I cry, you ask?
To see all those people in pain?
Coz that's the way it will be
Until those who killed them come to kill my family and me.