Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
We are told in the Qur'an that Prophet Ibraheem, alayhis salam, said, "And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me." [26:80]

The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: "There is a remedy for every malady, and when the remedy is applied to the disease it cures it with the permission of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious." (Muslim)
Also, the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, "Make use of the two remedies: honey and the Qur'an." (Tirmithi)

The use of spiritual forms of healing, such as payers and meditation have become quite popular. This is in part a result of a resurgence in religion and so-called "New Age" beliefs. Major medical centers and health care institutions are even studying the effects of salah on healing. For Islamic purposes, the use of specialized prayers (duaa) or Qur'anic verses are known as ruqyah.
The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, and his companions used this method of healing, as evidenced by many ahadeeth in Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmithi and others. Muslims are advised to provide ruqiyah for Muslims and even non-Muslims that are sick.
The sick are also able to provide ruqiyah for themselves. Ruqyah is a valuable tool for treating a variety of disorders and diseases. This may include snake or scorpion bite, the evil eye (or envy), and psychological problems that Jinn may cause.
Aisha (Radhiallaahu Anha) narrated that the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, used the following duaa when family members were sick, "Allahumma Rabban-nas, adh-hibil-ba's, washfi, Antash-Shafee, la shifa'a, ilia shifa'uk, shifa'an la yughadiru saqaman. (O Allah, Lord of mankind! Remove this disease and cure him. You are the Great Curer, there is no cure but through You that leaves behind no disease.)" (Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, told Amr ibnul Aas, "Place your hand where you feel pain and say 'Bismillah' three times, and then repeat seven times A'oudho bi'izzatil-lahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa 'uhadhir. (I seek refuge with Allah and with His Power from the evil that afflicts me and that which I apprehend.)" (Muslim)

Suratul-Fatihah, the opening surah of the Qur'an, is also recommended as a cure for sicknesses and diseases. Allah's Messenger said, "Fatihatul Kitab contains healing for every disease." (Tirmithi)
Bukhari has reported that several of the Prophet's companions used Suratul-Fatihah as a treatment for a snake or scorpion bite. They returned to the Prophet and asked the permissibility of receiving a sheep in payment for providing the ruqiyah. The Prophet then asked how they knew that Suratul-Fatihah was a ruqiyah. He added that they had done the right thing. Bukhari has also reported that Suratul Falaq and Suratun Nas (surahs 113 and 114) are also protections against illness and evil.
One hadeeth has reported that the Prophet would recite mu'awwidhat (Suratul Falaq and Suratun Nas). He would then blow his breath into his hands and rub his hands over his body, hoping for its blessings. Tirmithi has reported that the Prophet used to seek protection against jinn and the evil eye until Suratul Falaq and Suratun Nas were revealed. After they were revealed, he held to them and discarded everything beside them.

There are those who believe wearing charms with certain surahs or verses on them are a protection. Others believe that placing these charms on infants will protect them from Jinn and the evil eye or believe that having decorative wall-hangings with Qur'an is a protection. Some may write these verses or surahs on a piece of paper. They then dip the paper into a glass of water and drink the water.
These actions are not the prescribed actions by the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, and may come close to shirk. Allah and His Messenger have given us directions for using prayer 'whether duaa or ruqyah' and the Qur'an for healing. We must accept these directions and use them accurately while trusting in Allah's Will and Might.

Magic and Fortune-Telling Part 2

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
For thousands of years people have been fascinated, awed and fearful at the unknown and mystical, being heedless of the dangers and harm that they inflict. As Muslims it is imperative to understand these evil-filled practices and to protect ourselves from them.MagicHaving the power to do supernatural and seemingly impossible things is referred to as 'magic'.
It can be categorized as either sorcery, which is magic that uses the power of evil spirits for evil purposes; or as illusionism, which is the skill of performing tricks in which you seem to make things appear, disappear or change, as if by magic.
Ruling Both sorcery and illusionism are unlawful in Islam. Sorcery can only be performed with the aid of devils whose help is attained when the performer attributes them as partners to Allah in worship. Illusionism does not involve polytheism, but may none-the-less lead one astray.
It is a sin because it implies an act of disobedience.Magic is a destructive act, and therefore Islam warns against it. Believers should avoid magic and magicians; take precautions to heed the danger they represent and attempt to expose their false allegations. The following evidence from the Qur'an and Sunnah has asserted this ruling.Allah says: 'And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter.
And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew.' [The Qur'an 2:102]Abu Hurairah, radhiallahu anhu, related that 'The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: 'Avoid seven most dangerous things.' The Companions asked: 'O Messenger of Allah! What are these things' He, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, answered: 'Making anyone or any thing a partner of Allah; practicing magic; killing a living being whose life has been declared sacred by Allah without justification; practicing usury; misappropriating the property of an orphan; running away from the infidels in a battle; and slandering chaste, innocent, believing women.' (Bukhari and Muslim)
Ordained PunishmentAccording to Islamic law, the penalty that awaits every sorcerer is death. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: 'Kill every sorcerer, for this is the punishment ordained by Allah.' Umar ibn al-Khattab sent messages to his viceroys in those countries under Islamic rule ordering them to kill all sorcerers. This was later confirmed by Uthman Ibn Affan, Hafsah Bint Umar, Abdullah Ibn Umar, and Jundub Ibn Abdullah, radhiallahu anhum.Fact or FictionAn illusion has an effect on the onlookers that seemingly make things or happen when in reality, they do not.
Musa, alayhes salam, said: 'Nay, throw you (first)! Then behold, their ropes and their sticks, by their magic, appeared to him as though they moved fast.' (Qur'an 20: 66).Spells can have a genuine effect that can manipulate the body; even to the extent that it can cause sexual impotence. It may also make the affected person go insane, as it disturbs the emotional balance.
Allah says in the Qur'an: ' And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's leave.' (2: 102)
Breaking a Magic SpellThe best way to break a spell is by reciting assigned verses from the Qur'an and to utter specific invocations specially worded by the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam. Another allowable method would be to use medicines lawfully prescribed for the particular case under examination.
What is unlawful, however is to use magic as a means to break a spell because this is likely to be done by the aid of devils.
Whoever recites verse 255 of the Surah of al-Baqarah (No 2) before going to bed, Allah sends him a keeper that protects him against the devils until he wakes up. Recite verses 285 and 286 of the Surah of al-Baqarah. Say: 'I seek refuge with Allah?s perfect words from the evil of what He has created.'
Say the following three times: 'In the name of Allah, Whose mention is a protection against whatsoever harm is on the Earth or in the Heavens. Verily, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.'Fortune-TellingFortune-telling is the belief that some people possess the ability of telling other people what will happen to them in the future by using magical or mystical methods. These rulings also apply to people who claim knowledge of the unseen, such as geomancers, palmists, shell-diviners, etc.
A fortune-teller uses devils who eavesdrop in the Heavens; Allah says in the Qur'an: 'Shall I inform you (O people!) Upon whom the devils) descend' They descend on every lying, sinful person. Who lends an ear (to the devils and they pour what they may have heard of the Unseen from the angels), and most of them are liars.' (26:221-223)This knowledge of what the angels may have said is then passed to the people who are often prepared to believe what the fortune-teller says. The problem is that what people believe is true, has been embellished or changed, omitting the truth.
Ruling:Fortune-telling is considered 'Shirk Akbar' (the major and serious form of polytheism) for two reasons.
First, it implies the acquisition of knowledge of the Unseen, which is unique to Allah, (alone). 'Say: 'None in the Heaven and the Earth knows the Ghaib (unseen) except Allah, nor can they perceive when they shall be resurrected.' (Qur?an 27: 65).
This means that any one who believes that he possesses such knowledge is certainly claiming the acquisition of a Divine attribute that Allah (alone) possesses. Second, it involves using devils and holding fast to them, a ritual that can only be perfected when the performer is in complete submission to that damned species. This is a form of polytheism.
The Danger of Attending Fortune-Telling AssembliesIn recent years, the number of fortune-tellers has dramatically increased, only being outnumbered by those who attend their assemblies and believe what they are told. Some people are fascinated and impressed by observing those who cannot miss the opportunity to make fortunes out of imparting their fabrications. People who attend fortune-telling assemblies are divided into three groups:Those who go to fortune-tellers to ask them about the future without truly believing in their falsehoods and without having the slightest intention of disclosing their falsehood to the public.
People in this group are sinful and their prayers are not accepted for forty days.Those who believe in the prophecies of the fortune-tellers and go to ask them about the future. These people are regarded as disbelievers since they deny the truthfulness of the Qur'an: 'Say: None in the Heavens and the Earth Knows the Ghaib (Unseen) except Allah.' (27: 65)
Those who go to fortune-tellers and only ask them in order to examine the truthfulness of their prophecies; then disclose their deceit to the public. These types of people publicize that fortune-tellers only offer misguidance that can make believers go astray.However, if someone uncertain that he is capable to take on such a task and accomplish it perfectly, he should not attempt it.
Such a weighty undertaking could pose a risk to himself, and result in failure that may likely tempt people even further.
From: Al JUMUAH VOL 12/13 ISSUE 12/1

Islam and Magic Part 1

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
Magic is an old human practice. It is sometimes defined as deception by showing
something to an audience, which is contrary to reality. In Islam this is part of
magic, which is, however, defined as seeking the help of demons to perform
something harmful against somebody.

In the light of the above definition, Islam considers magic to be an act of
blasphemy. Thus, the Holy Quran say:

"Suleiman (Solomon) did not disbelieve, but the devils
disbelieved teaching men magic" (2:102)
In an authentic saying, the Prophet of Islam p.b.u.h. said: Whoever goes to a fortune teller (a soothe sayer) or a diviner and believes him, has, in fact, disbelieved in what has been
revealed to Muhammad.

Thus Islam condemns magic- even what is called the horoscope or luck or reading one's palm to foretell the future is also prohibited in Islam. This is based on the belief that no one knows the future or the unseen except God almighty. That is why the Quran asserts that even Muhammad does not know the unseen. Concerning this, it says: "If I had the knowledge of the unseen, I should have secured abundance for myself, and no evil would have touched me" (7:188).

Again, God is described in the Quran as the knower of the unseen and the manifest (6:73) and as the holder of the keys of the unseen (6:59).

In another tradition, Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h. says: "Avoid the seven deadly acts which are: ascribing partners to God, magic, killing the human self which Allah prohibited except with right, eating usury, devouring the orphan's wealth, defecting from the battle-field (without a justified reason) and slandering chaste, unwary believing women.
Thus Islam has closed the door for practicing magic, simply because it is against its teachings, and it is deceptive and harmful.
Let us now review some of the verses of the Holy Quran that refer to magic: In Chapter two verse 101-102, the Quran says:

"And when there came to them a Messenger from Allah confirming what was with them, a party of those who were given the scripture threw away the book of Allah behind their backs as if they did not know. And they followed what the devils gave out falsely of magic of the reign of Solomon; for Solomon did not disbelieve but the devils disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels Harut and Marut, but neither of
these two (angles) taught anyone (such things) until they had said: we are only for trial, so don't disbelieve.
And from them (magicians) people learn that through which they would cause separation between a person and his spouse, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's leave; and they learn that which harms them rather than profits them. And indeed they knew that its
practitioner would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves if they but knew" (2:101-2).

Although Solomon was the Prophet and Messenger of God, he was accused by some of his opponents to be practicing magic. Those who claimed this could not distinguish between magic and miracles. Almost all messengers of God were granted miracles as a proof of their authenticity.
To name only a few: Moses was granted the staff by which he could divide the sea and make water gush from rocks. Abraham was flung in the middle of a huge raging fire, which Allah
made cool and peaceful to him. Jesus Christ could heal the blind and the leper and bring back the dead to life.
If we contemplate these acts we find that miracles are totally different from magic. While magic is always harmful, miracles are useful. Magic is from devils while miracles are from God. When these divine miracles are rejected other miracles are imposed to inflict severe punishments on rejecters.
On the other hand, miracles are real while magic is sometimes deceptive. It may be said that the Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h. was himself exposed to the effect of magic. How could you explain this? This is true; but God saved him from the spell of magic through the repeated remembrance of God and the recitation of some chapters and verses of the Holy Quran. This took place to
confirm the humility of Muhammad p.b.u.h. who was a human like other humans. This made it easier for his followers to imitate him.
Two questions are pertinent in context:
How to protect one's self from magic? And how to treat a
person under the spell of magic?

Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h. provided us with the recipe through which we can protect ourselves from magic. We shall be immune from magic if we recite - after the five daily prayers - the last three chapters of the Holy Quran which are number 112, 113 and 114 And here is their translation:

(112) UnityIn the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Say: He is Allah, the One! Allah, the eternally besought of all!
He begets not nor was begotten. And there is none comparable unto Him.
(113) DaybreakIn the name of Allah the Beneficent, the
Merciful
Say I seek refuge in the in the Lord of daybreak From the evil of
that which he created; From the evil of the darkness when it is intense, and
from the evil of malignant witchcraft, And from the evil of the envious when he
envies. (114) MankindIn the name of Allah the beneficent, the Merciful
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, The King of mankind,
The God of mankind, From the evil of the sneaking whisper, Who whispers in the
hearts of mankind, Of the jinn and of mankind.
These chapter are also recommended to be recited three times after the dawn prayer and three
times after the sunset prayer.
Secondly Prophet Mohammed p.b.u.h. encouraged us to recite the greatest verse in the Quran called the verse of the Throne, translated as follows:

"Allah! There is no God save Him, the Alive, and the Eternal.
Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. Unto Him belongs whatever is in the
heavens and whatever is in the earth. Who is he that intercedes with Him save by
His leave? He knows that which is in front of them and that which is behind
them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge save what He will. His chair
encompasses the heavens and the earth, and He is never weary of preserving them.
He is the sublime, the Tremendous" (2:255).
This verse should be recited after each and every one of the five daily prayers and before going
to bed. The Prophet p.b.u.h. also encouraged us Muslims to recite the last two verses of Chapter two at the beginning of every night whose translation is as follows:

"The Messenger believes in that which has been revealed unto him from his Lord and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah and His angles and His scriptures and His messengers and they say:
We hear, and we obey. (Grant us) Your forgiveness, our Lord. Unto you is the journeying" (2:285).

"Allah tasks not a soul beyond its scope. For it (is only) that which it has earned, and against it (only) that which it has deserved. Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget, or miss the mark! Our Lord! Lay not on us such a burden as you did lay on those before us! Our Lord! Impose not on us that which we have not the strength to bear! Pardon us, absolve us and have mercy on us. You are our Patron; so grant us victory over the disbelieving folk" (2:286).

Prophet Mohammed p.b.u.h. said: (whoever recites the last two verses of the chapter called the Cow, they will suffice him). This means that they will protect him from every evil. Again seeking refuge in Allah and remembering his name is an effective protection against all evils including
magic. Two main supplications are recommended in this respect.
They are: I seek refuge in the complete words of Allah from the evils of what He
created; In the name of Allah through whose name nothing on earth or in heaven can
cause any harm. If these two prayers are recited three times in the beginning of the day and
in the beginning of the night, then no harm or evil will approach the reciter by the grace of Allah (S.W.T).

It remains to mention how we can treat a person under the spell of magic. It is possible, on the one hand, to learn magic so that one can use the same tactics. All in all, the best cure is to recite the Quran and seek God's help, Insya Allah.

TANDA-TANDA KIAMAT



Bismillahirrahmanirrahim...
Hudzaifah bin As-yad al-Ghifary berkata, "Sewaktu kami sedang berbincang, tiba-tiba datang Nabi Muhammad S.A.W kepada kami lalu bertanya,"Apakah yang kamu semua sedang bincangkan.? "Lalu kami menjawab,"Kami sedang membincangkan tentang hari Kiamat."Sabda Rasulullah S.A.W."Sesungguhnya kiamat itu tidak akan terjadi sebelum kamu melihat sepuluh tanda :-
  • Asap
  • Dajjal
  • Binatang melata di bumi
  • Terbitnya matahari sebelah barat
  • Turunnya Nabi Isa A.S
  • Gerhana di barat
  • Gerhana di jazirah Arab
  • Keluarnya api dari kota Yaman menghalau manusia ke tempat pengiringan mereka.

Asap akan memenuhi timur dan barat, ia akanberlaku selama 40 hari. Apabila orang yang beriman terkena asap itu, ia akan bersin seperti terkena selsema, sementara orang kafir pula keadaannya seperti orang mabuk, asap akan keluar dari hidung, telinga dan dubur mereka. Dajjal maksudnya ialah bahaya besar yang tidak ada bahaya sepertinya sejak Nabi Adam A.S sampai hari kiamat. Dajjal boleh membuat apa sahaja perkara-perkara yang luar biasa. Dia akan mendakwa dirinya Tuhan, sebelah matanya buta dan di antara kedua matanya tertulis perkataan 'Ini adalah orang kafir'.

Binatang melata yang dikenali sebagai Dabatul Ard ini akan keluar di kota Mekah dekat gunung Shafa, ia akan berbicara dengan kata-kata yang fasih dan jelas. Dabatul Ard ini akan membawa tongkat Nabi Musa A.S dan cincin Nabi Sulaiman A.S. Apabila binatang ini memukulkan tongkatnya ke dahi orang yang beriman, maka akan tertulislah di dahi orang itu 'Ini adalah orang yang beriman'. Apabila tongkat itu dipukul ke dahi orang yang kafir, maka akan tertulislah 'Ini adalah orang kafir'.Turunnya Nabi Isa. A.S di negeri Syam di menara putih, beliau akan membunuh dajjal. KemudianNabi Isa A.S akan menjalankan syariat Nabi Muhammad S.A.W. Yakjuj dan Makjuj pula akan keluar, mereka ini merupakan dua golongan. Satu golongan kecil dan satu lagi golongan besar.

Rasulullah S.A.W telah bersabda,"Hari kiamat itu mempunyai tanda, bermulanya dengan tidak laris jualan di pasar, sedikit sahaja hujan dan begitu juga dengan tumbuh-tumbuhan. Ghibah menjadi-jadi di merata-rata, memakan riba, banyaknya anak-anak zina, orang kaya diagung-agungkan, orang-orang fasik akan bersuara lantang di masjid, para ahli mungkar lebih banyak menonjol dari ahli haq".

Berkata Ali bin Abi Talib, "Akan datang di suatu masa di mana Islam itu hanya akan tinggal namanya sahaja, agamanya bentuk sahaja, Al-Qur'an hanya dijadikan bacaan sahaja, mereka mendirikan masjid, sedangkan masjid itu sunyi dari zikir menyebut Asma Allah. Orang-orang yang paling buruk pada zaman itu ialah para ulama, dari mereka akan timbul fitnah dan fitnah itu akan kembali kepada mereka juga. Dan kesemua yang tersebut adalah tanda-tanda hari kiamat."

Sabda Rasulullah S.A.W lagi,"Apabila harta orang kafir yang dihalalkan tanpa perang yang dijadikan pembahagian bergilir, amanat dijadikan seperti harta rampasan, zakat dijadikan seperti pinjaman, belajar lain daripada agama, orang lelaki taat kepada isterinya, menderhakai ibunya, lebih rapat dengan teman dan menjauhkan ayahnya, suara-suara lantang dalam masjid, pemimpin kaum dipilih dari orang yang fasik, orang dimuliakan kerana ditakuti akan tindakan jahat dan aniayanya dan bukan kerana takutkan Allah, maka kesemua itu adalah tanda-tanda kiamat."

TANDA-TANDA KIAMAT KECIL

Penaklukan Baitulmuqaddis. Dari Auf b. Malik r.a., katanya,"Rasulullah s. a. w. telah bersabda:"Aku menghitung enam perkara menjelang harikiamat. "Baginda menyebutkan salah satu diantaranya : Penaklukan Baitulmuqaddis."- Sahih Bukhari

Zina bermaharajalela."Dan tinggallah manusia-manusia yang buruk,yang seenaknya melakukan persetubuhan seperti himar (keldai). Maka pada zaman mereka inilah kiamat akan datang.”- Sahih Muslim

Bermaharajalela alat muzik, tanah runtuh dan perubahan muka. "Pada akhir zaman akan terjadi tanah runtuh, rusuhan dan perubahan muka."Ada yang bertanya kepada Rasulullah; "Wahai Rasulullah bila hal ini terjadi?" Baginda menjawab;"Apabila telah bermaharajalela bunyi-bunyian (muzik) dan penyanyi-penyanyi wanita”- Ibnu Majah

Menghias masjid dan membanggakannya."Di antara tanda-tanda telah dekatnya kiamat ialah manusia bermegah-megahan dalam mendirikan masjid”- Riwayat Nasai.

Ramai orang soleh meninggal dunia."Tidak akan datang hari kiamat sehingga Allah mengambil orang-orang yang baik dan ahli agama di muka bumi, maka tiada yang tinggal padanya kecuali orang-orang yang hina dan buruk yang tidak mengetahui yang makruf dan tidak mengingkari kemungkaran.- Riwayat Ahmad.

Orang hina mendapat kedudukan terhormat."Di antara tanda-tanda semakin dekatnya kiamat ialah dunia akan dikuasai oleh Luka' bin Luka’(orang yang bodoh dan hina). Maka orang yang paling baik ketika itu ialah orang yang beriman yang diapit oleh dua orang mulia"-Riwayat Thabrani.

Mengucapkan salam kepada orang yang dikenalnya sahaja."Sesungguhnya diantara tanda-tanda telah dekatnya hari kiamat ialah manusia tidak mahu mengucapkan salam kepada orang lain kecuali yang dikenalnya saja."- Riwayat Ahmad.

Banyak wanita yang berpakaian tetapi hakikatnya telanjang. Diriwayatkan dari Abu Hurairah r.a."Di antara tanda-tanda telah dekatnya hari kiamat ialah akan muncul pakaian-pakaian wanita dan apabila mereka memakainya keadaannya seperti telanjang."

Banyak dusta dan tidak tepat dalam menyampaikan berita."Pada akhir zaman akan muncul pembohong-pembohong besar yang datang kepada mu dengan membawa berita-berita yang belum pernah kamu dengar dan belum pernah didengar oleh bapa-bapa kamu sebelumnya, kerana itu jauhkanlah dirimu dari mereka agar mereka tidak menyesatkanmu dan memfitnahmu”- Sahih Muslim

Banyak saksi palsu dan menyimpan kesaksian yang benar."Sesungguhnya sebelum datangnya hari kiamat akan banyak kesaksian palsu dan disembunyikan kesaksian yang benar"- Riwayat Ahmad.

Wallahualam.

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim...
The Battle of Yarmouk (Arabic: معركة اليرموك‎, also spelled Yarmuk, Yarmuq or, in Greek, Hieromyax, Ἱερομύαξ, or Iermouchas, Ιερμουχάς) was a major battle between the Muslim Arab forces of the Rashidun Caliphate and the armies of the East Roman-Byzantine Empire. The battle consisted of a series of engagements that lasted for six days in August 636, near the Yarmouk River, along what is today the border between Syria and Jordan, south-east of the Sea of Galilee. The result of the battle was a complete Muslim victory which ended Byzantine rule in Syria.
The Battle of Yarmouk is regarded as one of the most decisive battles in military history, and it marked the first great wave of Islamic conquests after the death of Muhammad, heralding the rapid advance of Islam into the then Christian Levant.In order to check the Muslim advance and to recover lost territory, Emperor Heraclius had sent a massive expedition to the Levant in May 636.
As the Byzantine army approached, the Muslims retreated from Syria and regrouped all their forces at the Yarmouk plains close to Arabia where, after being reinforced, they defeated the numerically superior Byzantine army. The battle is also considered to be one of Khalid ibn al-Walid's greatest military victories. It cemented his reputation as one of the greatest tacticians and cavalry commanders in history.

The Bad Consequences of the Tongue


Bismillahirrahmanirrahim....
The Tongue Expresses what is in the Heart
If a person is good, it reflects in their saying. Allah has made it very easy for the tongue to move, and it is not difficult to realize that a person’s tongue moves much more as if compared to the limbs. So if a person is not careful about what he says, even a single saying of his can invalidate his actions. It is for this reason that the whole body warns the tongue saying, “Fear Allah concerning us, for we are (dependant) upon you. If you are upright then we will be upright and if you are corrupt then we will be corrupt.” - Sunan at-Tirmidhi (1912), Mishkaat (4838) and Riyaadh as-Saleheen (2/1521)

And at the same time, the tongue is a great blessing from Allah. If we look at the animals, who are unable to speak, we realize the importance of this great tool of communication. The gratitude that we should show for this great blessing should include, using it for the obedience to Allah, for reading the Qur'aan, for seeking Knowledge, to enjoin good and forbidding evil. The prohibitions of the tongue are that you do not lie, abuse, use foul language, backbite and slander. Allah says in the begining of Soorah al-Mumineen, “Indeed successful are the Believers, those who in their prayer have Khushoo’ (fear of Allah) and those who refrain from vain talk.”
[Soorah Mumineen : 1-3]

Here Allah mentions that refraining from vain talk is a sign of the successful believers. Allah also
mentions refraining from vain talk after he mentions al-Khushoo’. This is because too much talk makes the heart hard. It is not possible to reach the level of Khushoo’ (fear of Allah) unless one refrains from vain talk. Imaam an-Nawawee - rahimahullah - mentions “Know it is incumbent upon all to guard their tongues from most speech, except a word that has some benefit in it....” -
Kitaabul-Adhkaar.

And for those who take heed there is a constant reminder in the verse, “Not a word is said except that there is a watcher by him ready to record it.” - [Soorah Qaf (50):18]

The Messenger of Allah, Muhammed - SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam - said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or keep silent.” Imaam ash-Shafiee - rahimahullah - said. “If you wish to speak then it is upon you to think before you speak. If you think there is good in it then speak and if not then do not speak.”

The earlier mentioned Qur'aanic verses, Hadeeth (sayings) of our noble Prophet and advices by the scholars of Islaam are a guide for those searching for salvation against vain talk. So before we talk, should we not ask ourselves....

- Will this saying of mine please Allah?
- Will this saying of mine bring me closer to Allah?
- Does this saying earn with it obedience to Allah?
If yes, then speak, otherwise one should keep quiet.
Wallahu'alam.