After spending the whole day yesterday in Hull with the most confused Spaniard ever, pukka Roman Catholic who doesn't believe in God (?!) and then having to spend a rota hour today with a old girl who starts crying on me because of dunya issues - I just can't wait for the Scousers to batter the Cockney boys today in the Final...

:-)

And considering that I should have been at the ECFR meeting in Dublin over the last few days, it doesn't make me feel any better!

'Ala kullin things are recovering, especially with this excellent piece of DT from the man Reef. Think about it folks:

قال أحد أصحاب الإمام أحمد بن حنبل رحمه الله له :
يا أبا عبد الله : هذه القصائد الرقاق التي في ذكر الجنة و النار ، أي شيء
تقول فيها ؟ فقال : مثل أي شيء قال : يقولون :

إذا مـا قـال لـي ربــــــي ** أمـا استحييت تعصـيني ؟
وتخفي الذنب من خلقي ** وبالعـصيــان تـــأتـيــنــــي؟

فقال : أعد عليّ .

قال : فأعدت عليه ، فقام ودخل بيته ، ورد الباب ، فسمعت نحيبه من داخل البيت
، وهو يقول :

إذا مـــا قال لي ربـــــي *** أما استحييت تعصيني ؟
وتخفي الذنـب من خلقي *** وبالعـــــصيـان تــــأتيني ؟

One of the students of Imam Ahmad asked him 'O Abu Abdullah, what is your view about these odes which mention Paradise and Hell?' He asked, 'Like what?' He said, 'They say:

When my Lord asks me:
Are you not ashamed to disobey Me?
You hide your sins from My creation,
Yet with sins come you to Me!'

Ahmad said, 'Read it to me again,' so he did. Then Ahmad stood up and went into his house and closed the door behind him. The student said, 'I could hear him from inside the house weeping, as he recited:

When my Lord asks me:
Are you not ashamed to disobey Me?
You hide your sins from My creation,
Yet with sins come you to Me.'

Do you know what's been so unique about this previous week?

The coverage of religion.

Except that Islam, for the first time since I can remember, has been totally anonymous!

In fact, I've had so much to chew on, what with the news of the Christians who threatened to boycott a Cancer charity because it was accepting 'tainted' charity money from the Jerry Springer Opera, the rudd of that by the Diocese of Oxford, the Anglican Church splitting from the gay-supporting Yankees, the comments by the Pope on likening abortion to the Holocaust, the huge coverage of him and his illness and the reaction of Catholics internationally, the expose of the 'fundamentalist' Christians doing back-street exorcisms of children, another 'fundamentalist' Christian threat on all abortion clinics here, the Church being split over the legality of Charles' wedding, the Queen's problems of attending as Head of the Church, the Jewish response to 'anti-semetic attacks' by Kenny Ken, and Subhanallah much much more!

Wow. Where have the Paks gone!

So I didn't know where to start, or where to end - so let's just reflect on all the benefits and lessons from all these events and hopefully allow it to influence our ideas and opinions in a correct and beneficial way, whilst we're here living in the West. Just don't ask ME for any of these points though...

:-)

Goodness me guys, one simple thing I asked you lot and I get 5 responses! Hundreds of Desi Paks can't get me a cheap ticket to Dublin!

Anyway alhamdulillah 'alaa kulli haal, the trip has been cancelled now so I let all you desis off.

And I get to see the highlights from the Champions League tomorrow instead.

;-)

And that’s highlights boys ok – which yes, means that if any of you students aren't there at the lesson bang on 8pm, there'll be more blood than a Tehran 'Ashura ding dong gone wrong...

Ay na'm.

Commiserations today to Yasir Qadhi Saab who after completing his Masters in Madinah, permanently leaves the one place on Earth that is protected from the Dajjal, to Dajjal's backyard itself, namely Houston Texas.

Miskeen.

Better news though is that congratulations are due to our very dear bro, Hood Bradford who has Masha'Allah achieved a distinction (mumtaz) in Islamic Law from Madinah, and to Allah is all the Praise. Hopefully he'll get the exact Masters topic he needs to benefit the Ummah further insha'Allah.

And to end with, here are two interesting links. The first one here is for anyone who has an hour to spare and wants to see some incredible old archive footage of Sayyid Qutb, Ayman Zawahiri and the development of the Islamic movement in the Islamic world.

The second one here is rather disappointing and embarrassing to be honest – tell me what you think. Shaykh Hamza I feel was poor as well as the other Muslims but I found the retired CIA operative very accurate and correct, often giving Islam more justice than the Muslims did. Again, lets hear your opinions.

Finally, anyone who is able to use the Mosque POI list, tell me your ideas and suggestions on how it works. I will try to improve it with your advice insha'Allah.

Thanks to Alyas for this one, dedicated to me ole pal Hood...

Al-Gebra Member Arrested

An individual later discovered to be a CFA Canadiate was arrested trying to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a setsquare, a slide rule, and a TA calculator.

At a morning press conference, Attorney general John Ashcroft said he believes the man is a member of the notorious al-gebra movement.

He is being charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction. "Al-gebra is a fearsome cult," Ashcroft said. "They desire average solutions by means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in a search of absolute value. They use secret code names like "x" and "y" and refer to themselves as "unknowns", but we have determined they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country. As the Greek philanderer Isosceles used to say, there are 3 sides to every triangle," Ashcroft declared.

When asked to comment on the arrest, President Bush said, "If God had wanted us to have better weapons of math instruction, He would have given us more fingers and toes. I am gratified that our government has given us a sine that it is intent on protracting us from these math-dogs who are willing to disintegrate us with calculus disregard. Murky statisticians love to inflict plane on every sphere of influence," the President said, adding: "Under the circumferences, we must differentiate their root, make our point, and draw the line."

President Bush warned, "These weapons of math instruction have the potential to decimal everything in their math on a scalene never before seen unless we become exponents of a Higher Power and begin to factor-in random facts of vertex."

Attorney General Ashcroft said, "As our Great Leader would say, read my ellipse. Here is one principle he is absolutely certain of: though they continue to multiply, their days are numbered as the hypotenuse tightens around their necks."

The link on the top right hand side is for a program that I developed (I've been waiting all my life to say that…) for all GPS systems, especially the Tom Tom range.

Ok, this will mean nothing to you if you're not a techno nerd like me, but on the off-chance that you're one of the geek gang, then you'll just love this program.

Basically, it's the full 'Points of Interest' (POI) list for all the Mosques in the UK. What this means is that whenever you start you GPS system, you can ask it to direct you to any Masjid in the country and it'll get you there from wherever you are. Also, imagine you're working in a place where you don't know where the closest Masjid is (as I often do); all you have to do is select the Mosque POI file on the screen and it'll show all the closest Mosques from your current location. Trust me, I use it all the time and masha'Allah it's fantastic.

With the latest news on the imminent release of Tom Tom Mobile 5, the market for portable GPS uses is going to explode. This is even more the case considering that smart phones are becoming the norm, such as the SPV that many of have etc.

Anyway, if you go to PocketGPS then you'll know what I'm talking about and I'm sure you'll be able to find out how you download it to your machine. Basically, it goes into the UK maps folder and then you enable POI on screen and voila! Make sure you read my 'Read First' notepad file before anything else.

Oh and don't forget to download their excellent speed camera database – my faithful companion in the battle of good versus evil, me versus the PO-lice (naturally pronounced NWA style…)

Of course, they're winning. You can't cater for the sneaky rascals hiding behind bushes and bus shelters – but we're getting better all the time…

:-)

Finally, a few of us are planning to be at the European Fiqh Council gathering this week in Dublin. It starts on Wednesday night or Thursday morning and we want to come back around Friday night or Saturday even. Any ideas on the cheapest way there?

I've never been to Dublin before, so I wanted to drive but apparently it takes too long from Manchester. How about flying from Manchester or Liverpool? If you guys know about cheap plane tickets or have some experience in the budget airline field, let me know!

It'll be nice to see some of the 'Ulema there, and nice to hook up with the man of the moment, Shaykh Juday' too. Maybe I'll pass him some of the latest refutations against his recent books and see if he has any responses. Keep posted for details.

Oh, and maybe I can get close enough to touch Shaykh ibn Bayyah's thawb…

*Swoon*

;-)

So this is what their Islam is?!?



Sigh.

We ask Allah to help us, protect us, and guide us to that which He loves.

It's a great shame that every year when the blessed day of 'Âshûrâ' comes round, it's totally hijacked by the ignorance of the pretenders, hiding behind the good name of Imam Husayn (radhy Allahu 'anhu).

Just in case you didn't know, here are a few words on the blessed man and what happened during the fitnah of his death.

Firstly we must understand that Sayyidina Husayn (radhy Allah 'anhu) is from the pure offspring of our Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam), his beloved grandson and his delight in this Dunya.

He is the son of the Leader of the Believers 'Alî (radhy Allahu 'anhu) who loved Allah and His Messenger and was loved by Allah and His Messenger and for whom love itself is Imân and to hate him is hypocrisy.

He is the son al-Batûl, al-Mutahharah, the sayyidah of the women of the 'âlamin, Fâtimah az-Zahrâ' (radhy Allahu 'anhâ).

He is from the best of the Ahlul Bayt, those from whom Allah has cleansed and purified completely from all impurities.

He and his brother are the leaders of the Youth in Paradise. May Allah allow us to join them!

In fact, to love Sayyidina Husayn is part of Imân itself, and an act of obedience to Allah, and in fact it is love of his grandfather (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam). Likewise, one who hates him is one who hates the Prophet as well.

As for the details of that fateful day, then we know that he was betrayed by the people of Kûfah in Iraq, just as his father was betrayed. We believe that Sayyidina Husayn was oppressed and murdered by a gang of misguided criminals. We indeed grieve this great calamity.

Yet at the same time, he was gifted martyrdom. The trials that he faced raised his status to the lofty position he holds in Paradise, a miracle indeed from Allah as a confirmation of the statement of his grandfather (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) that those who suffered the most were, “The Prophets, then righteous people, then the next best and the next best. A man will suffer according to his level of faith. If his faith is solid, he will suffer more, but if his faith is shaky, he will suffer less. The believer will keep on suffering until he walks on the earth with no sin.”

So how else will the best and most honourable attain their positions, such as those that preceded him to this from his family such as his father, his grandfather, and Hamza except but by the greatest of tests in this temporal world? So Allah 'azza wa jall granted him his high status, the status of the martyrs by what happened at Karbalâ', when he was viciously slaughtered, even though the major Sahâbah at the time advised him not to go. Wa Allahu Musta'ân.

In any case, what happened has indeed happened, and for us is to implement the hadeeth of the Prophet, "There is no man who suffers a calamity, and when he remembers it, even if it is old, he says 'Innâ Lillâhi wa innâ ilayhi râji’ûn' (Indeed, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return)."

The problem today of course is that by some twisted logic, those who claim to follow Sayyidina Husayn and his family have turned the Prophetic tradition upside down, and have taken this blessed day as a day of commiseration, lamentation and grieving. This, despite the fact that the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) has chosen 'Âshûrâ' as a day of fasting due to the expiation of sins and due to the fact that Allah saved Musa ('alayhis-salam) from Fir'awn.

So they decided to do things which directly place them under the threat of major punishment of our Lord for as Rasulullah said, "he is not one of us who strikes his cheeks and tears off his garments." Is this what the Sahâbah did when the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) passed away? Is that what 'Ali did? Is that what ANY of the Salaf did when the noblest of people would pass away?!

Rather, it is upon Ahlus-Sunnah (and may Allah makes us from them!) to emulate the Prophetic example of blessed days, and yet at the same time reflect upon events that might have occurred later therein, and to bear them with patience and say only that what we have been guided to: 'Innâ Lillâhi wa innâ ilayhi râji’ûn'.

Just as we do on the 17th of Ramadhan, a blessed day of fasting and our victory during the battle of Badr – but likewise the day that our Amîr al-Mu'minîn 'Ali (radhy Allahu 'anhu) was martyred.

Similarly like our happiness at the 2nd of Rabî' al-Awwal which gave us the birth of the Mercy to all the Worlds, Nabiyyinah Muhammad (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) – and yet it was also the day that left the world in darkness; the day when revelation was cut off from the Heavens; the day that the hearts were broken and the minds were left numb, the day that the Messenger of Allah passed away, may Allah bestow upon him peace, blessings and mercy.

So during this often delicate time, let no-one be confused of the truth – let us make Saturday a day of hope and reward from Allah, asking him to save our Nation as He saved Musa, to save us from our enemies and the Fir'awns of our time, and more importantly to save us from the ignorance and oppression of our ownselves – and to give us martyrdom in His Path, and allow us to join our beloved Sayyidina Husayn, his family and all those whom Allah has bestowed the honour of their companionship.

Ameen!

On a final note, please spare a thought and a prayer for your brothers who are being tested at this very moment, all over the world.

If it's not in Belmarsh, then it's at Abu Ghraib. If it's not in Guantanamo then it's in Afghanistan. If it's not in Chechnya then it's in Palestine. If it's not somewhere in the East then it will be somewhere in the West .

Naturally. This is the Sunnah of Allah. It is the way He choose the best amongst us. It is the way He purifies us and sorts the iron from the gold. Isn't that the nature of fitnah?

And please remember our dear beloved brother 'Ali at-Timimi, who is in need of our financial help and du'a. Please read this for an excellent reminder of what our mentality should be during fitnah.

If you ever want to find a nice broad selection of hadeeth on a particular 'good action', then look no further than 'at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb' by al-Mundhiri (rahimahullah).

So here is a small reminder about the excellence of the next few days. Today is already the 8th of Muharram, therefore at-Taasoo'a (the 9th) will be tomorrow and it is seriously recommended to fast it along with al-'Aashoora on Saturday. In fact, we should be trying our best to fast as much of the month as possible, making use of the short days and easy temperate conditions to invest in our bank accounts; those trust accounts that we'll need big-time to be healthy and overflowing with hasanaat when Audit time comes around…

Nas'alullahu al-'Afiyah.

So, the month of Muharram, the first of the Islamic Calender used to be sacred even to the Jahili Arabs and would be venerated by them, probably due to their general respect for Sayyidna Ibrahim ('alayhis-salam) and they would honour it by not fighting during this time.

As for the Jews at that time, they would fast the tenth day of Muharram, 'Aashoora, because as reported by Imam al-Bukhari, they said, "This is a righteous day, the day when Allah saved Bani Isra'eel from their enemies and so Musa fasted it."

Naturally, it would have been ridiculous that those who are the true followers of Moses, i.e. the Muslims, would allow the corrupted Jewish nation to be associated with his blessed name. "We are more deserving of Musa that you are!" said the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and then he ordered his companions to fast that day.

Not just that, but he informed us that we should add an extra day, either the ninth or the eleventh etc. to differentiate our pure action from the empty attempts of the Bani Isra'eel to emulate the Prophetic example. In fact, fasting the day of 'Aashoora was considered a fardh fast until it was replaced with the month of Ramadhan, wal-Hamdulillah!

So, should we fast any days during this month then? Well this hadeeth seems to suggest so:

"The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is that which is done in the middle of the night, and the best time one can fast after Ramadhan is the month of Allah that you call Muharram." (narrated by at-Tabarani with an authentic chain)

As for the ruling on al-'Aashoora specifically, then it is mustahab to do so, but Ya Salam WHAT a mustahab!

The Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, "I have never known the Messenger of Allaah so eager to fast any day and prefer it over any other than this day, the day of ‘Aashoora, and this month, i.e. Ramadhan." (narrated by Muslim)

The Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) also said, "Whomsoever fasts the Day of 'Arafah, his sins for the forthcoming year and previous year will be forgiven; and whomsoever fasts on 'Aashoora will have his previous year's sins forgiven." (narrated by at-Tabarani with a fair chain)

Now guys, I'll be straight with you all. Only a freak would want to miss out on something like that. So don't freak-icise yourselves and start preparing at least for the next few days.

Actually another interesting point of note is that to fast on Saturday by itself is prohibited unless it is an obligatory fast such as Ramadhan. But the scholars would always make the exemption for this special day of 'Aashoora, the day when Fir'awn was drowned like a dirty rat – literally.

And by the way, I hate to get in the way of current socio-political trends such as 'Sunni' Syria and Shi'ah Iran tag-teaming up against the USA but please don't get carried away with the stack load of bakwas that flies around at this time. Our beloved Muslims-in-black have really got to try Immac cream, Venus blades, or some other form of depilatory action – it's far safer to remove the hair on the chest and back than using Jason's personal axe and knife collection.

Honest.

And what is it with Paks and not getting married in this month?! And yes guys, you know who you are; all of you have family that do this so sort it out!

Khalas, before I invalidate my fast altogether (whilst sitting here in sunny Kinmel Bay, Wales starving my head off…), the conclusion is:

- that we are fasting Friday
- and definitely definitely Saturday
- and making plenty of du'a
- and not beating anyone
- and definitely not beating ourselves

And oh yeah, please leave Wilmslow Rd free from the big march parade thingy on Saturday night – I want to get a kebab in the evening…

And what exactly is wrong with the Tory proposals?

I'd definitely add smokers - if you smoke fags, you're not coming in.

You got to laugh at their HIV policy though - I mean, who exactly are they kidding for blaming the Africans for the proliferation of AIDS in the UK?

Subhanallah, as if there weren't enough mentally challenged gays all over the UK happy to oblige, and ruin the health and social structure of the Blighty than to go and blame them masakeen.

Sigh.

Talking of mentally challenged people, we have an emergency. Stop everything! Hold all the news stories! Get the helicopters in the air! Number one headline screams: Jacko has been rushed to hosptial with...

Flu.

I tell you, it's enough to drive a good man totally bananas. If it wasn't for good ole Yusuf Islam giving the Sun and the Times a right baistee, I'd be depressed for the rest of the evening, but as it is, today's media review lives to fight another day.

But hey Yusuf, give up the duets with Boyzone yaar, it's just not you mate...

I've always said this before.

Thierry Henry is a Jinn.

Yes he is. Honest.

Have you ever seen those little fish swimming around in their little goldfish bowls, on view to the entire world and it's sister. I never really thought about their plight until today – in fact, you can call me the new defender of Goldfish. SO from now on, I will be the spokesman for their rights. In fact, I wonder if it's even permissible to do that – anyone heard statements from the 'Ulema?

And why today? 'Cos I hate working at Supermarkets. Have you ever seen a Pharmacy in a Supermarket? Especially like the lame Sainsburys one I'm in today – with its 'open plan' dispensary.

I can't stand open plan.

Salah is just a mission in open plan. Working is a mission in open plan. Eating is a mission in open plan. And doing nothing is definitely an even bigger mission in open plan!

Open plan is the human version of the Goldfish bowl. For all the world and it's sister to bog at me whilst I'm in Sujud.

Actually, I don't really mind that much to be honest. I'm far too loud to give a monkeys about things like that but what of other miskeen Paks? The girls here said the last Pak went and prayed in the toilets!

The toilets I tell you! Haramun 'alayk ya rajul!

:-)

Talking about haram, I hope everyone is taking advantage of Muharram! Have you realised that we're 1426 already and five days in? With the big days of the 9th, 10th and or the 11th starting on Friday, it's time to start re-adjusting the body to fasting surely?

Or should that be the heart?

Anyway, last night, a lady questioner asks brother Abu Haneefah on Islam Channel:

"Sheikh, can you please tell me how many times the names of Allah, al-'Aziz al-Hakim is mentioned in the Qur'an?"

"al-'Aziz al-Hakim??"

"Yes Sheikh."

"Errr…can I get back to you on that one?"

:-)

Rochdale and PG are having an event today on Love, Mercy, and Valentines Day but guess what? No more spaces! Now when was the last time you heard of an Islamic event that was 'sold out'?

Since they were giving free biryani and tikkah, that’s when…

But hey, if they can deal with the eternal Pak marital dilemma (as articulated rather well by avari) then good luck to them I say! The dilemma being:

If you like a girl, she doesn’t like you.
If a girl likes you, you don’t like her.
If you both like each other, your families don’t like each other.
If your families like each other, something is wrong...

:-)

Anyway, a questioner asked the Sheikh last night what it means that Allah 'azza wa jall 'will not purify them' in the verse,

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَشْتَرُونَ بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ وَأَيْمَانِهِمْ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلا أُولَئِكَ لا خَلاقَ لَهُمْ فِي الآخِرَةِ وَلا يُكَلِّمُهُمُ اللَّهُ وَلا يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَلا يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

"Those who sell Allah's contract and their own oaths for a paltry price, such people will have no portion in the Hereafter, and on the Day of Rising Allah will not speak to them or look at them or purify them. They will have a painful punishment." (Aal-'Imran, 77)

The Sheikh explained, "Pure places such as Paradise will only accept people cleansed of their sins so the aim is for us to be purified from our mistakes in this world before we stand in front of Allah. If not, then purification will occur for the believers on the Final Day. And if not then…then it's off to the…err…Dry Cleaners?"

LOL. Classic.

Jazakallahu Khayran to Amir Habib - the only guy who has responded to my request for help on some HTML tools for this site! Excellent stuff bro...

So let me try your URL maker out, check this selection of amazing and poignant pictures from the World Press Photo awards here.

And my goodness me, Shaykhna Juday' is getting a battering on all the forums at the moment - Sigh.

You guys better be careful not to scare him off the research scene - he's created a revolution of tahqeeq al-masaa'il almost as big as that of other major mujaddid figures in recent times, however strange some of his istidlalaat might be...

As my favourite poet said,

سيذكرني قومي إذا جد جدهم وفي الليلة الظلماء يفتقد البدر

:-)

You have just GOT to feel for the poor guys in Cornwall.

If you think it couldn't get any worse - it just has.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Ouch!

What is it with Brits?!

Honestly, a handful of people couldn't handle a little rumble at Ikea for crying out loud.

Maybe it's true – Iman does help to expand the chest…and make it stronger it seems too!

They should try Hajj shopping at Bin Dawud's sometime…

;-)

Anyway, it seems that Muharram has indeed started. Here's for hoping that this year is better than the previous one…

May our Lord help us to come closer to Him at this sacred time, the 'Month of Allah', and allow us to use this opportunity to turn a new leaf and start again, to renew our faith and practice, and to remain steadfast at such difficult times! Ameen!

How amazing is this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4249203.stm

I mean Subhanallah, will the wonders of the human body and the Universe ever be enumerated?

وَفِي الأرْضِ آيَاتٌ لِلْمُوقِنِينَ
"There are certainly Signs in the Earth for a people with certainty

وَفِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَفَلا تُبْصِرُونَ
And in your ownselves. Do you not see?" (adh-Dhariyat, 20-21)

Any excuse to bust my favourite Surah in the Qur'an…

;-)

Interesting stuff on Radio Five about the Scots wanting to change the Law prohibiting the marrying of ones mother-in-law.

Yeah, I know!

Apparently, British common law doesn't allow it at the moment as it is still mostly based upon the Bible as such – which is an interesting advantage for all those lawyers who want to study Islamic Fiqh as it makes lessons invariably easier once one recognises the many parallels between us and them – but anyway, the Scots are trying to change that in line with their new found independence. They are suggesting that if your father-in-law passes away and your wife dies, you should be able to marry your mother-in-law!

Paraphrasing from one of their MPs when interviewed this morning, "Well look, this is the 21st century you know and society has moved on hugely since Biblical times. And we believe society doesn't really find a problem with this change, so why not? If the people are happy with it, then why should anyone else care?"

Honestly, I shuddered when I heard that. Physically. This statement above really is the basis for so much of the evil and regression in society that we see here today in our time. And no, I'm not going to say, "…here in the West" because it's not just here in the West! This is a global phenomenon affecting the Muslims moreso than anyone else. Well naturally of course, considering we're the only ones trying to put up a defence against this new modern ideology of fasad whilst all other nations and religions have crumbled away at the wayside.

O Allah, make us firm in our Deen!

And by the way, NO we can NEVER marry our mother-in-law just in case you're wondering

:-)

Some of you have been asking about the different masaa'il I might be faced with on a day-to-day basis in the Pharmacy. Here are a couple of scenarios to kick us off with:

1. A non-Muslim woman comes to the Pharmacy asking for regular contraception.

No problem. I don't believe contraception to be haram anyway (as opined by most of the scholars, although the majority did consider it disliked without a valid reason).

2. A non-Muslim woman comes to the Pharmacy asking for the morning-after pill.

This is more controversial with khilaf amongst the 'Ulema. In reality, what is considered abortion according to English common law and Christian Law is not the same in Islamic Law, where life is considered to start much much later as according to the majority of the scholars as per the Prophetic hadeeth on the issue. Only Imam Abu Hanifah considered it differently, accepting that life started later but believing any abortive action on a conceived group of cells still clinging to the wall of the developing womb to be an act of impermissible mutilation of the woman.

When I asked Sheikh Juday' about supplying to such a woman, we were also told the importance of considering her own insistence in seeing the action through. If the pill were to be refused now, an 'abortion' later down the line, although not being a technical 'abortion' as per Islamic Law, still constituted a greater evil and more harm to the woman as such. And Allah knows best.

As for the issue of whether the woman is having illegal relations, then not only am I not obliged to ask, but it is against the Sunnah to ask. Also, what might be illegal for me according to Islam is not illegal for her system and Law, and she is allowed to act as she likes in her own country. Some scholars even allowed the non-Muslims to do such in our countries, saying that they were not obliged by the Shari'ah, although Imam ash-Shafi'i famously disagreed with this opinion.

3. All the above with a Muslim woman.

Well, again, how on Earth do I know what she wants to use either pill for. Is it haram? No. So what's my problem? And how dare I intrude into her own private life! Just like I would be rather angry if someone was asking me what I was doing with my own medication or private life.

Many people, due to their lack of Shari'ah knowledge as well as professional knowledge do not quite understand this point. The Shari'ah doesn't allow us to pry into the private lives of other people. Additionally, many of us have no idea of the scope that such medication can be covering. The standard combined contraceptive pill can also be used to control heavy periods, others are used for menstrual problems, others are used for acne etc.

And contraception is all in the eye of the beholder. The sister in front of you might be keeping her marriage going by keeping herself fit and attractive for her rather exacting husband. In this case it might be obligatory for her to take the pill! And what about others who have just had kids and cannot physically cope with another birth? There is often much more than meets the eye in such cases and this only comes with maturity, experience and increased Shari'ah knowledge, which we all ask Allah 'azza wa jall to bestow upon us, Ameen!

4. Methadone and other opiate replacements

This is an interesting situation. No doubt, one is doing the lesser of the two evils by supplying a less addictive and harmful drug in the place of a real killer such as heroin etc. But also, is methadone haram by itself? This requires further research to be honest, because it is like any other medication that has a primary use, with other secondary uses that can be abused.

Methadone is an opiate, which can be used for other situations such as coughing in terminal disease, intense pain relief and other problems due to it's excellent non-sedating properties and long lasting action. Oh, and it's bleedin' good in opiate dependency too!

;-)

5. I arrive in the pharmacy and realise I've got an impossibly beautiful young counter-assistant working there all day.

Hmm. As for me, then that's not really a problem.

It's her I'm worried about…

;-)

(Thanks to Sh Haitham for that one…)

Oh, and I've just realised that Tarek's latest bit of fun isn't on his Islamic Finance site yet, so here is the whole thing. Ouch! That cynicism hurts...

A historic breakthrough in the Islamic alcohol industry was annnounced at a recent gathering of industry experts. Our staff correspondent reports.

The innovative Islamic alcohol industry is estimated to have a potential annual turnover of 150 billion pints of beer. This potential turnover has been growing at some 15% per annum for several years, as many Muslims grow increasingly impatient in expectation of their first halal drink. Now, thanks to the pioneering efforts of a small group of dedicated researchers at the International Institute for Islamic Beer, Muslims across the globe can look forward to spending Friday nights in their local pub just like the kaffirs.

"For many Muslims, access to the kind of social opportunities enjoyed by non-Muslims has not been forthcoming. We believe that by allowing the average Muslim to enjoy a drink down the pub with his non-Muslim friends, a wider variety of job and business opportunities will become available. This can only be good for the Ummah" commented Yaqoob Goldstone, developer of the ground-breaking al-Beer contract.

Using al-Beer, the group of specialists demonstrated how Muslim clients will be able to enjoy their new found freedom. The Muslim (called the "al-Muslim" in the contract documents) first makes an agreement with the bar manager (the "al-Manager") that he will lay down on the floor of the bar facing upwards with his mouth wide open. The al-Manager then fills a specially reinforced glass with an alcoholic beverage. One end of a string is now carefully wrapped around the reinforced glass and the other end is tied to the front door. The al-Manager now appoints an agent, who is not connected with the al-Muslim, and requires the agent to enter the bar after all the other arrangements have been put in place. As soon as the agent enters the bar, the string tips the glass over and empties the contents into the al-Muslim's mouth.

So how easy was it to obtain Shariah approval for the al-Beer contract? "Not too difficult", explains Goldstone. "We asked the Sheikhs whether it is halal to wrap a string around a glass, and they said yes. We asked them is it halal to lay down on a floor, and they said yes. Then we asked them is it halal to open a door, and again they said yes it is halal."

Market commentators say that the main problem with the al-Beer contract at the moment is that the al-Muslim cannot specify which beverage he wants the al-Manager to put in the glass. "For the al-Muslim to specify that he wants an alcoholic drink in the glass would be a contravention of Shariah, and that is haram" explains Dr. Abdul Iwanto, a well known commentator. "On the other hand if the al-Muslim finds that an alcoholic drink accidentally spills into this mouth, then there is no sin upon him. That is the essence of the al-Beer contract."

But how many drinks can the al-Muslim reasonably have before it is no longer possible to see the arrangement as an accident? The specialists have of course foreseen this issue and have placed a limit of six upon the number of accidents that the al-Muslim can have in any one evening. "It's a well established fact that Muslims aren't allowed to get themselves drunk", remarks Iwanto.

Other commentators are not so impressed. At a fringe meeting outside the main conference hall, one complained that the Islamic Alcohol Industry was a contradiction in terms. "We keep on telling them that you can't have Islamic alcoholic drinks but they just don't listen". For his part, Goldstone believes that just as Islamic banking products have opened up a world of financial opportunities to Muslims in the last few years, so too the al-Beer contract will open up the social scene of nightclubs and pub-crawls. He certainly is an interesting character, and seems to have the genuine interests of Islam at heart. We look forward to seeing where his innovative product development takes us in years to come.

Well I don't know about you, but after just watching Abdul Bari Atwan being interviewed on al-Jazeera this evening, Fox News are about as far away as possible of even smelling the deeds to the al-Jazeera licence.

After being asked about the 'Peace' treaty that was agreed to between the Palestinians and the Zionists today, (paraphrasing) he said (well, screamed more like):

"What Peace treaty!! How peace treaty! This is an intifadah, not some kind of game! How can an uprising have a break?! Never shall the Palestinians be held hostage by Sharon, the one who demands that in response to not killing innocent people, we must stop retaliating, give in our weapons, stop our religious obligations, give up our land, give up our rights, forget our dead, stop our quests for martyrdom, stop our quest for honour!?"

Wow man. Masha'Allah I never that guy had it in him. It's always the small, clean shaven quiet ones that have the most kick!

So now you know what I think of the 'Peace' treaty.

;-)

And guys, the next time I tell you about a special offer, you're not all mean to leg it there and buy every single one! Doh! I rang them and they've sold out! So whoever bought the last one, contact me and do the honourable thing of handing it over - for free - and maybe I'll tell you about another special offer tomorrow...

And until the next instalment of the Hajj blog tomorrow insha'Allah (from sunny Llandudno), here is a small incident from Usama Hasan's adventures in Madinah from a few months back:

I was telling an elderly native taxi driver in Madinah about St. Paul's Cathedral in London and how there are laws to stop buildings around it exceeding a certain height - obvious comparisons with the haramain, of course. He asked what they worship in the cathedral, do they worship Allah? I said yes, but they also worship Jesus and Jibril in the Trinity. He immediately responded with istighfar, hawqalas, surat al-ikhlas and many other ayat about tawhid. It reminded me of Hamza Yusuf's famous story about the bedouin sheikh who becomes a theologian because of the Qur'an - in this case, the Qur'an turns a "simple" taxi driver into a theologian! Btw The latter is very true, you will know that the current Archbishop of Canterbury was powerfully affected by a conversation with a "simple" Muslim taxi driver in the UK, who was probably Pakistani and probably tried to teach the archbishop simple concepts such as tawhid and the non-divinity of Jesus, wallahu a'lam.

Hey, what's all these rumours of al-Jazeera being bought out by Fox TV? Is that true?!

Disaster if it is.

Anyway, if you feel like a right laugh, go and check out Tarek's latest mischief-making on his site. Absolute classic: http://www.islamic-finance.com/indexnew.htm

Anyway, here's the next instalment of:

HAJJBLOG 1425

Monday 17th January

I have the most excellent guys in my room – all from different areas and different walks of life, from Scots to Cockneys, from Accountants to Doctors to Language teachers to Pop-stars (me of course)…

Isn't it strange how you always remember your Hajj room mates in such a fond fashion even when they might get on your nerves and keep you awake and snore for the country? In fact, we got one Scot who snores here for the whole British Isles I think…

Anyway, we got a very early start today, did Fajr with you know who, in the streets of course (we reckon we need to go three hours before the adhan to actually get into the mosque!

Then a small group are joining me in making an extra 'Umrah that we'll perform for deceased relatives in the hope that Allah will benefit them through it, and maybe we might get a little something on the side too insha'Allah!

We set off to the place that most scholars consider the safest place to make Ihram from for those in Makkah – Tan'eem or Masjid al-A'isha as it's known to the masses. The taxi driver charged us 20 riyals there and back so we weren't complaining, especially as we got back alive in one piece! My goodness me, I thought I was a crazy driver – these Saudis Subhanallah are on some NEXT level!

Anyway, we got back in the Haram for around 9am – quite simply the best time to make 'Umrah whatever time of the year you come as everyone is trying to catch up on sleep at this time.

We decided to make Tawaf on the Mataaf area i.e. the ground floor. Although still heaving with thousands of people, it was absolutely dead compared to normal times and this was a real time to touch the blessed areas I told my group, as long as you don't harm anyone!

Off we started, reading Qur'an which is my favourite activity during Tawaf as opposed to making Du'a (I like to save that for the Multazam i.e. the door of the Ka'bah, or the Safa and Marwah hills during the Sa'ee). I also find it the most spiritually safe thing to do considering that if I look up from the Mus-haf, I usually end up laughing too much.

Like when I saw the copper standing on the Hijr of Isma'eel (yeah, that arch wall thingy at the end of the Ka'bah), who's there trying to keep an eye on things and prevent all the Paks doing stupid things like rubbing it, and cutting the Kiswah (the Black cloth of the Ka'bah) to take home and show to their relatives. Anyway, whenever the people find things on the floor during the Tawaf, they always pick them up and throw it on to the Hijr to safety. What this often means is that the copper on duty there always gets a good battering from the Hajjis who throw everything and anything at him to catch, from du'a books to belts, slippers to tubes of cream (?!). Man, it was absolutely hilarious watching that guy, so to save my wudhu I buried my face back in the Mus-haf.

Oh, and remember not to look up at the copper hanging at the Black Stone, attacking every single person who tries to kiss and make sujood on the Stone. I think the guy is a bit confused, especially as he practises all his wrestling moves on the poor Pak or African who finds himself there – kneeing him, digging him on the head with the elbow, full suplexes the works!

How's this for bizarre – the ignorance of the people working in favour of those who know better. Well put it this way, once you turn the corner of the Hijr side, everyone makes direct for the full wall of the Ka'bah (the opposite side to the Multazam door), rubbing it in hope of some reward even though this has no basis in the Deen – and thereby leaving the route to the Yemeni Corner absolutely clear! Fantastic I thought as I strolled right up and touched it's beautifully smooth ridges, almost feeling the barakah in my palms, just thinking of how desperate I am in need of any intercession this blessed area might be able to provide; to a man who will be in major need of help on the big Day…

:-(

Anyway, I was able to touch it very easily and cleanly on three occasions. Even then I was eyeing up the Black beauty herself, literally salivating at the thought of just diving in and getting the all-important touch – honestly, it would have been SO easy but there would be no doubt I'd crush a few people in the process. Naah, can't justify it.

Hey, I'm just realising how easy it is to write spontaneously about general personal experiences but how impossibly difficult it is to articulate those more deeper, spiritual and emotional experiences that really affect your Iman levels – I hope these accounts won't look too starved of real raw feeling…

Sa'ee was fantastic as usual – if I'm going to be truthful, my favourite place in Makkah has to be the far end side of the large circle at Safa on the 2nd floor of the Haram. Subhanallah, the feeling during du'a is just amazing there, totally unique for me, and I haven't got a clue why. Khayr, everyone has their own little qwerky things…

We gave the Barber a hard job as he tried to take even more hair off whilst still leaving something for two days time. And why not? Might as well make them earn their paisa isn't it?

Then back to the hotel to relax and unwind – and think about the next few days coming.

Still trying to get over the whole date-change fiasco. It means that instead of Friday, we'll have the main day of Hajj on Thursday. After the 'Eed ul-Fitr mess the Saudis caused, I can't be bothered to make an issue of this one here, but it must be a real killer for everyone back home – trying to decide whether to stick to the correct Friday (which also agrees with the moon-sighting calculations as well Alhamdulillah) or to go for the new Saudi adjusted date of Thursday.

You can see the problem right? If the 'Eed is linked to the date of Dhul-Hijjah only, then one can be happy to have the 'Eed individually in their own countries.

But what if 'Eed al-Adha, which has always been on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah and therefore on Yawm an-Nahr, is linked to the Hajj rites – and therefore must follow Yawm al-Arafah on the 9th, and seeing as that Arafah can only occur in Saudi as such, then we must do it with them.

And what about those who KNOW the date is wrong, that the 10th IS Friday but they want to fast Arafah therefore choosing Thursday, but they now know that Saudi is standing in Arafah on the Wednesday!

Arghhhhhhh!

WHO'D want to be a scholar eh?

Back to the Haram for 'Asr and then time to look for some lunch. The lads have been holding out admirably so far but their sabr has run out and the rest of us refuseniks get dragged to the Burger King at the Hilton Towers – I mean, what on EARTH do people see in BK?! And KFC for that matter! I say let them enjoy themselves and rub shoulders with all the other sold out Westerners Pak there for a while; the buzz soon rubs off and they realise that their lame food doesn't even come CLOSE to Wimmie Rd.

As for Hardies? Well hey, now that's just another story all together…

;-)

Man, everywhere is a Tawaf – EVERYWHERE. Subhanallah, there are just SO many people here! And the crush is just ridiculous! And you know something? It's actually more difficult to go shopping at Bin Dawud than the Tawaf in the Haram. Honestly, I went to try and get a pack of sweeteners (yes, I'm still trying to be healthy during Hajj…) and it took me a full hour and a half! It was sheer madness in the 'queues' and thank Allah I wasn't in Ihram…

And those Nigerians!

Anyway, Maghrib was lead today by one of the reserve Imams. Sorry to say, but it's just not the same is it? I know it, you all know it, even Imam saab miskeen knows it – and of course, right on cue, he has a right 'mare of a Salah, loosing his voice during Fatiha…

Poor guy.

Had an opportunity to listen Sheikh 'Ajlan giving a circle on various Hajj issues – the best place to listen to the lessons is definitely the roof, in fact the roof is the best place in my opinion for everything. Less busy, more calm, more serene, more atmosphere and then that fantastic view of the Ka'bah – Ya Salam!

So ok, Dhuhr isn't so much fun as you sizzle away with no shade, but it's great for all those on diets like me to dwindle away during the Salah – nothing like it!

And hey, what is it with all those people who keep claiming that birds don't fly over the Ka'bah? I saw loads flying over it! And so what if they fly over it or don't fly over it?! Is this like a new criterion for determining 'holy-ness' or something? Err hello?

We're gonna walk to Mina tomorrow (a small group of us will walk and the rest will be catching coach) – should be fun, especially since I'm trying out Sudocreme for the first time to prevent chaffing as opposed to my normal Vaseline. Big gamble that to be honest, but some of the more experienced pros are swearing by it so let's see what happens tomorrow.

Off to Methadone heaven as we speak - Middlesborough.

There is nothing worse than arriving at 12pm to a store with 20 freaks waiting for you, all of them just bursting to throw abuse at you, your thawb, your beard, your ANYTHING for that matter. Their rage is so apparent, it's not even funny...

"Hello lads! Having a good day so far? You guys are lucky I even bothered coming!"

I love a good stir...

;-)

Ok, ok - I get moaned at when I don't tell people about good deals I see, so here are a few:

1. Arfan in Blackburn is doing an Orange contract which gives 200 crossnet minutes for six months, then 100 crossnet for the last six months. If you've done this kind of thing before, you'll know what I'm talking about - he refunds you the year's line rental, it's a sim-card only deal blah blah blah. The cost?

£1 for the year.

You know you love it. If you get through, 01204 363836 is his number.

2. Aria are doing a 22-inch CRT monitor for around 140 quid. Refurbished but quality big-time, follow the link on the right and go to super specials...

Anyway, insha'Allah I promise to try and complete the Hajjblog today (if the addicts allow me), if not then tomorrow in Llandudno. Man, it's getting longer and longer...

And oh, I've got two words for the Patriots and their 'dynasty' bakwas:

Manchester United.

;-)

Here's an excellent website for all you lovers of free arabic Islamic books:

www.islamspirit.com

Usama, I hope you've sorted out my ticket to the ECFR meeting in Dublin? Don't forget!

And has anyone else got any ideas for the Child trust fund vouchers? We're currently investigating the option of selecting a single ethical company to invest the voucher in, and then applying the Fiqh Council's criterion as mentioned before. Poor option really but maybe the best for now...

A piece of advice to all Yankees:

Go and get a life and check out cricket and football instead.

End of advice.

Have you noticed that we've only got a few days left until the New Year?

Insha'Allah, let's hope that it's not another annus horribilis but an annus mirabilis…

And should we prepare for the entering of the New Year with any kind of celebrations or congratulations? Let's hear your ideas and then I'll tell you what I think when I get a bit of time to write on it insha'Allah.

Anyway, with the Paks getting battered again, it can't get much worse can it?

And seeing as I've just wasted my ENTIRE day with the Satellite bloke (who after spending 6 hours trying to fix the motor on the satellite, decides that he needs to come back and fit a new disecq thingy), I've not been able to get loads of things done, including putting up the remainder of the Hajj blog, which I promise I'll do soon so be patient!

Hey talking of satellites, what IS it with that English bloke on the Islam Channel adverts and his pronounciation!? Couldn't they find a gora who could read properly for crying out loud! His 'Hajj' drives me nuts...

Khalas, I'm off to show these Whalley Range losers how to play football…

I was working in a place called Cannock today for the first time - somewhere between Stoke and Birmingham. Nice place, I thought as I walked in and admired the stylish set-up and upper class feel to the store.

Until I saw the huge pile of methadone prescriptions...

:-(

So yeah, no normal 'blogging from work on a Saturday' today then - on the contrary, I spent the whole day at the sink washing my hands from the green gunk. What a lame day.

Still, we had a fantastic tafseer lesson from the Sheikh covering verses 67-74 of Ale-Imran. I hope all the lads present were able to take note of all the immensely beneficial lessons to be learnt from what seems at first glance (and 2nd and 3rd for that matter...) a very ordinary set of verses - maybe we can go over these benefits some time if Allah wills.

Oh and the evening ends well as I pull out my soft toffee dates from the freezer to defrost - you know, those small yellow Madinan jobbies that turn toffee brown in one day and then just melt in your mouth...

Ya Salaaaaam!

Yeah well I need some food therapy these days - especially as whatever I seem to hear involving Paks in the media these days has always got some kind of sting in the tail, right?

I mean look at this miskeen girl Pak who's on the pill (Femulen's manufacturers are just SO gutted) to avoid kids and then ends up with 4! And it's some next English guy she's married to...how's that for a kick in the teeth? Hey, is there anyone in Yorkshire who can get in touch with this lass and give her some da'wah?

So if that's not enough, then we've got the 'let us pray qiyam or we're gonna blow your head off' crew - I mean how about this for a load of bakwas! Read and weep: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/16372042

Then the Paks have been getting battered as usual by the Aussies so nothing new there. I wouldn't have cared if they hadn't got to the final but they did and so they got me hopes high didn't they?

'Alaa kullin, I don't care anymore because "I'm laid back in my Maybach..."

So there.

A question about satellites for anyone who might be able to help – I currently have one of those large motorised jobbies that picks up everything you can think of, even though I only use it for two satellites:

1. Arabsat – for al-Majd, MBC, MBC2, al-Jazeera, Saudi 1 & 2 etc
2. Astra – BBC digital, Sky news and Islam Channel

That is probably the extent of my viewing whenever possible. Question is, the dish keeps getting battered due to its size – and I'm thinking of getting it fixed in one position only to Arabsat so that it is more secure and not having to move and then get a separate small dish for 30 quid odd for the Astra, side by side. That way, I don't have to get no Sky rubbish and its much cheaper now and probably in the long run too because smaller fixed dishes are generally well able to withstand the elements better than these motorised ones.

Any ideas or advice my dear bloggeroos?

And just a quick rant before the morning develops – I can't stand Condoleeza Chawal at all. She freaks me out. Everything about her sickens me. But at least she doesn't beat about the bush when she said today that there would be no diplomacy with Iran.

I actually believe that scum like the USA govt. have the 'right' to do as they wish, whether that be attack other people, decide international policies, act like a superpower etc. Well of course it does! It's earned that right; Allah has given it to them to enjoy for a small time, so why shouldn't they go round and impose their hegemony upon the rest of the World?

What, you think that if we were in power we'd be picking pansies right now?

Subhanallah, the Americans would look like Geriatrics in foreign policy compared to what we'd be doing now – going round the countries and cleansing them of their filth and ignorance. Ay na'm!

But yeah, one thing I can't stand is pathetic statements that are meant to appease people of their falsehood – so at least the States are honest about their intentions for Iran and Syria.

It'd be nice and more helpful for the rest of the plums of our Ummah if the USA were as open and honest about Pakistan, Saudi, Indonesia and the like. Maybe some of the Paks there would then wake up to the realities of selling their Deen short to the Modernists, the Pseudo-intellectuals and other hypocrites that one can find everywhere these days in the media and other academic institutions.

In a depressing statement of reality, do you know what one of the Shuyookh in Saudi told us during the Hajj? He met a group of Iraqis on Hajj who had been involved in the resistance in certain parts of Iraq. They actually told the Sheikh that they were so grateful to Allah that He had sent down upon them such a trial and calamity (the American invasion of Iraq) as it had woken the people up from their deep sleep of dunya and heedlessness. Can you believe that?

And they actually wanted the Americans to go into other cities as well so that the Muslims would become more mobilised and aware of the threat of the American Neo-Con Ideology as khutbahs and advice obviously did not seem to be working..!

Sad that isn't it? We'll never learn our lesson until we see our parents and children slaughtered in front of our eyes. How disgraceful. How utterly ignorant. But then that's the way it is because we always want to make the mistake ourselves, to feel it, to see it, to taste it, until we learn from it. That’s why the Arabs say, "The wise man is the one who learns from his mistakes; but the wiser man is the one who learns from the others' mistakes."

Sigh. Calling all wise people, calling all wise people…

There I am working my way through a mountain of letters and junk when I come to this thing about a Child Trust Fund. More rubbish I thought as I threw it on the scrap paper pile, without even opening it. Bad habit that actually.

Then my neighbour Jean pops round for a chat. There we are talking about something or the other, and I was just bored out of my mind for some reason so I thought to myself, 'why don't I open up all these un-opened letters on the junk heap whilst she's still talking…'

The topic moves on to children and how little time we give them - how Mothers are working more than ever for no real reason other than to have more luxuries. I was nodding away in agreement as she continued explaining how in her day it was much tougher and today we get all sorts of benefits and handouts and this and that…

Subhanallah, no word of a lie but whilst she's saying this, I open up that Trust Fund letter and out falls a cheque or £277!

LOL.

So yeah, it seems this is another one of those handouts and long may it continue I say. This cheque/voucher thing though can only be deposited into certain investment accounts so we should definitely note a word of caution.

The large majority of these types of account are either interest based or those companies that are involved in haram things such as pork and alcohol etc. Other more 'ethical' companies also have problems due to the nature of their business or the size of the loans or dependency on bank interest payments. For this reason, please be very careful how you decide to invest this sum of money for your child so that it becomes a source of barakah for them and not a source of evil and disgrace and notification of War from Allah 'azza wa jall!

Indeed the 'Ulema have discussed investing in those companies that aren't so 'ethical' in their business, or maybe are 'ethical' but involved in interest and stuff. Here is a translation of the most relevant parts of a recent resolution of the Fiqh Council:

"There is no objection to dealing with the shares of stock companies whose main objective is lawful and that avoid unlawful lines of business, such as breweries, pork and gambling, even if these companies have usurious deposits or loans or unlawful subordinate assets, provided that one observe the conditions set up by the Shar'i committees and by the fatwa given in the banking forums. They are as follows:

a. The loans from conventional banks should not exceed one-third the assets of the company

b. The interest earning must not make more than 5% of net earnings

c. The unlawful assets should not exceed 10% of the total assets

One should get rid of the interest and unlawful earning percentages, whatever their proportion may be, through disposing of them for charitable purposes and that their circulation, in the case of increase in kind assets and benefits, should be confined to debts and cash."

And no, I haven't got a clue what that last part means either.

;-)

No seriously, the whole Resolution is very clear masha'Allah and it is absolutely imperative that we take heed in where we invest this free money, and all money for that matter.

Other than that, three cheers for our boy David McGrath (http://politics.guardian.co.uk/otherparties/story/0,9061,1405351,00.html) as he avoided prosecution over lamping Kilroy with slurry (nice word that innit?). Kilroy said afterwards,

"I dread to think what the consequences could have been if the person had been in possession of a knife or other lethal weapon."

Err - try being stabbed? Shot maybe? Bludgeoned? Slashed? Sliced….

"…my wife is considering 'risk assessment' to reduce the risk of future incidents occurring."

Hmm, let me help you here with this one. To tell you the 'veritas' I'd say the risk is somewhere from 'High' to 'Afillaahi Shakk??'

;-)

From Heaven to Hell via the airport from Hell - the International cattle market in Jeddah - is how I'd probably respond to the previous chap in the comments.

Saying that, Saudi isn't exactly the Garden of Eden under which rivers flow, with virgins and fruits at no more than an arm's length away. Actually saying that, the fruit this year in Saudi was absolutely amazing - suspiciously amazing to be honest - I hope the GM boys are keeping an eye on things there.

As for the virgins - well there must have been those as well, but they were all covered up so that's not much use is it? And too right I say.

:-)

But of course, leaving Makkah and Madina is never easy - but then coming back home is always a relief too for there is definitely no place like home.

Give it up for Manchester!

Yep, nothing's changed here. Eesa still doesn't understand a word I tell him. And he hasn't got a clue what I'm talking about either.

Yahya still says 'Alhamdulillah' everytime I sneeze. And cough. And hiccup. And clear my throat. And spit. And...

The Paks are still as useless as ever. One of the lads gets married and agrees to pay ONE HUNDRED TOLAS of gold for his mahr! 100 tolas!

I'm like, "You what?!"

What happened to the good ole days of iron rings and Qur'anic verses...?

This is what happens when I leave these guys for 5 minutes. Sigh.

Today must be 'Gujis are actually useful after all' day.

Firstly, Sufyan the Guji will be presenting on Radio Five Live at 6.45pm tonight on his company for Islamic investments 'First Ethical'. Listen in or go to their site (www.1stethical.com)

Secondly, Sal the Guji has sent in an excellent website on how to avoid using lame 0870 and 0845 numbers (something which I absolutely HATE as my free minutes only do geographical numbers i.e. 01 or 02 etc). Access the full lists at www.saynoto0870.com.

And for all you tech freaks like me who connect to the internet using their laptop through their mobile phone free minutes (yes yes, the Paks are miles ahead of the rest when it comes to these scams...), then you'll find some good options on the above site.

Oh and finally, might as well do my own Guji thing and recommend another excellent site.

www.moneysavingexpert.com.

;-)

I like nothing better than to present awards. The best this, the worst that, the funniest this, the lamest that…

We'll do the Hajj 2005 Awards in a few days insha'Allah – but how about we make a few up before that? Here are my awards for the week so far…

Most insane blog other than this one – that Sidrah girl; she is just on next planet

Most classic response to the question on whether Arsenal are gutted – "I think so." (Sir Fergie)

Most cursed 'airline' in human history – the charter company AMC and al-Attaar that have still got over 1000 Europeans stuck at Jeddah airport after FIVE days! Subhanallah, I have no idea how we got out after only 12 hours…

Most toasted Pak in the universe – ME

Most nicest thing to eat after you've been away – Crunchy Nut Cornflakes

Most lamest chappal ever – the 10 riyal ones I bought in Jeddah


That's enough of that for now.

Anyway, after getting a battering from Qadhi Saab, I've got to make this more of an Islamiblog as opposed to an Islamiblag…so anyone got any good places to start? Any good points, questions, issues whatever we can discuss (of benefit mind you)?

Until then, here's the next instalment of the Hajjblog…

Oh and I apologise for these long blogs. I didn't have time to shorten it.

And yes, that is the best line you've read today…

;-)


HAJJBLOG 1425

Sunday 16th January

Subhanallah, how lucky is the Saudi Kingdom (and the entire Hajj industry for that matter) to have someone like Sheikh Sudais, the Imam of the Ka'bah.

Think about it. You can have a million and one gripes with the authorities, the bus driver, the cops, the Paks blocking the way, your group leader, the lame bedrooms, the faulty bathroom, the delayed plane, the this, the that – and then you hear "Staaaaaaaaaaaaaw… taraaaaaaasu… Allaaaaahu Akbar!"

You look round at your mates with that little smile and nod of contentment – 'Yep, it's our boy Sudais.'

And everyone just lived happily ever after.

I mean come ON, this guy is just a legend! There you suddenly are, eyes closed and you just start to dream away as his hauntingly beautiful distinctive voice sends your mind and emotions on a sublime journey of Allah azza wa jall's Word, al-Qu'ran al-Karim.

Interesting this, considering how often Sudais is never mentioned when talking about your 'favourite recitor'. It's usually always some new guy on the block, or Ghamidi or Minshawi etc. But people just forget what we have here, someone who has literally defined the Makkan experience for an entire generation. An amazing indelible mark is left on all the visitors to the Haram when they hear his voice – there is nothing more honourable to say about him but that visiting the Bayt al-'Ateeq has become synonymous with Abdur-Rahman as-Sudais.

Subhanallah.

And by the way, I'm actually a Shuraim fan!

;-)

So yeah, that's what I was thinking during Fajr this morning. And remember, the really great recitors are not made simply by their recitiation – no, they must be perfect in the verse selection too and none are more successful in this than Sudais.

This morning he recited the Hajj verses. Tear jerking stuff. Especially when he recited probably one of the most important and relevant verses for the true understanding of the Sunnah, "Their flesh and blood does not reach Him but your Taqwa does reach him."

Had to keep my eyes closed again all the way through salah during the Fajr. Yep, after I moved forward during the Iqamah to fill the gaps, I ended up in you know where. The line behind a whole smack load of women.

Woops!

In the good old days, I used to totally blame the women for this travesty in Salah; women inside the lines, women in front of the lines, women on top of the lines – women bleedin' everywhere!

But my older and calmer nature tells me that men are equally if not more to blame. How many times do you see the men grab their wives to pray next to them? Why don't they use the sound of the blowing in the adhan microphone as a signal to get their women to their own lines and sections? What about all those men who when they come late, instead of continuing to move forward and fill up gaps in the front, STOP and pray where they are; in the women sections!

Let's hear it for the sisters!

:-)

Changed some cash this morning for 6.92 riyals which sounds fantastic to those who only got 5 point summin' last year but a bit lame for those who know it was 7.2 a few weeks back. Khayr, it's not that bad.

Need to try and get an early night tonight as I want to make an 'Umrah and show the group where to do it from for the many who have dead relatives and wish to give them some sadaqah. Isn't it strange that the Muslims have been duped into believing it is the dead who can benefit us, the living – which is why we have so many miskeen Muslims making du'a and offerings to graves, calling 'Ya Hussain' and 'Ya this' and 'Ya that' – when actually it is US, the living, who are the only ones who can benefit the dead!

Remember that little principle – the dead can't do jack for the living, it's only the living that can benefit the dead.

Khalas. Tawheed finished. Let's do fiqh now…

;-)

"You're not singing, you're not singing, You're not singing A N Y M O R E"

Sorry guys, but you can't blame me after we just battered the Gooners.

Anyway lads, the Nur lesson is back on tomorrow evening but a tad later cos' Isha has changed to 8pm now.

What do you mean "but you're ill?"

Not only had you all better be there on time, have contacted all the rest of the lads who don't have the internet, fully read up your notes but ALSO get ready for a small test on the entire chapter of Marriage and Divorce so far.

I'll give you ill...

;-)

Right – so where were we?

I feel much better alhamdulillah, especially after a trip to my local Doctors surgery – the first time ever as I usually just knock down whatever's going down in the dispensary – and masha'Allah got her to prescribe exactly what I wanted.

Well it wasn't exactly very difficult was it? Honestly, GPs are SO over-rated, it's unbelievable. Trust me, they're guessing most of the time too! But anyway, I flashed her one of my best stained toothed smiles and asked for 42 Co-Amoxiclav 625s – worked a treat and I was out of the surgery within seconds.

I wonder though, was it the smile that got me the result or was it the fact that I've been toasted, with a bald head, looking like something the cat has just dragged in and I had to be got rid of as soon as.

Hmm I wonder…

Anyway, I spent all last night catching up on all what's been happening over January. An absolute ridiculous amount of info to take in and just SO much to think and talk about!

But alhamdulillah much good news, especially with the return of the Guantanamo boys and release of others in the UK. I hope you've all been keeping in touch and helping however you can with the CP and SPT campaigns (links can be found on the right hand side). I read a notice yesterday on last week's Islamic Events and Notices advising brothers to show the brothers our support which is an excellent idea and you can do it here: http://forums.cageprisoners.com/showthread.php?t=1058&page=3

By the way – can someone remind me how you do those links again using HTML where I can be all flash and just write 'here' and link to the same page without the massive URL?

;-)

Also, we spoke before about the importance of keeping in contact with those who are still inside and looking after their families etc. We mentioned the excellent work of Hhugs who have been doing absolutely fantastic work masha'Allah – may Allah increase them in effort, results and rewards, Ameen. Please give them support with their 'Mustapha' campaign (http://www.cageprisoners.com/articles.php?aid=4980) and with their other work in general. Please be generous jazakamullaho khayran.

Charity fatigue? What charity fatigue?

Don't you just LOVE this Deen?

:-)

Anyway, there is just far too many other news points to catch up on – and the Paks have just beaten the WI and the Aussies in two days (and yes, William Hill DID receive some strangely large sized bets on both games…) and I still can't believe that our camera is working after it drowned in the floods during the Hajj in Mina.

Yes guys – have I got a story for you.

SO I'll be posting a few days at a time from my proper Hajj blog, the long detailed version that was captured over there on the trusty tablet – all I can say for now is that it was definitely the greatest Hajj ever wal-Hamdulillah.

There is just so much to say, I've had to be concise in parts and I still have to rewrite other parts – and some of the group helped capture some absolute classic footage from Makkah, which will take a while for our boy Georgy Smith to edit and stuff. It's only 30 minutes in total but put it this way, it has a few nice shots of the haram, the crowds, shopping malls and some hotels.

Oh, it also has footage of the Jamraat in the floods.

Oh and did I mention secret footage of the Hajr al-Aswad?

With coppers battering Hajis whilst they're hogging the Stone? Classic stuff.

Remember folks – all good things come to those who wait…

:-)



HAJJBLOG 1425


Thursday 13th January

Flight delayed in Heathrow by 6 hours even though we are a couple of hours early. Great start.

Decided to go to Watford whilst everyone else waited at Heathrow. Excellent decision as we were able to visit the graveyard there too, in particular the grave of a close friend's daughter (rahimahallah).


Friday 14th January

Arrived in Jeddah at 8am.

Out by 11am. Miracle. World Record.

Or did I speak too soon?

Yes, as we wait for over 5 hours for a coach! 5 HOURS!

Got to Makkah and we enter the Passport Office, which usually takes ages.

An official comes on board, gives salams, and then starts loudly reciting "Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk!" So we joined in.

Then he makes a nice du'a, to which we all joined in too. This is interesting I thought.

Then he thanks us, and gets off.

Hmm strange, I thought. Never seen that before.

The coach sets off towards the exit – it must be parking up somewhere. Hold on, it's turning on to the street. Eh? It's going! We're on our way?!

Miracle. Passport Office done in 5 minutes, with a du'a chucked in for free! Allahu Akbar!

That normally takes two hours!

Or did I speak too soon again??

No prizes for the right answer – Our coach breaks down right in the MIDDLE of the Ajyad tunnel as we enter the Haram (pronounced harum almost and not haraam) area, right on the other side of our hotel! Disaster!

Alhamdulillah though, a quick thinking copper diagnoses that we've burnt the clutch. One brother is quicker than I am, seizes the moment and re-starts the Talbiyyah again at the top of his voice whipping the crowd into a Talbiyyah frenzy – it's just one of those classic moments isn't it?

There's the driver, desperately trying to change the gears and it's just not happening. We're blocking everyone behind us and the world is going crazy out there whilst we're inside literally willing the Talbiyyah to restart the gears…

And?

Well of course it did! The engine roars back into action, into first gear and we're away again! Allahu Akbar!

Ok, so we had to get right across Makkah in first gear but hey, it must have been like a tourist trip for the first-timers so it couldn't have been that bad could it?

We arrived at our hotel. Dead. Literally dead. No sleep for hours and hours and hours and now the all important 'Umrah al-Qudoom to perform and it's 9pm.

Sleep first then do it tomorrow after Fajr?

You wish! We've got the classic third wind now, what they call the 'Haram buzz'. So off we went and suffice to say, overwhelming as always, rammed to the rafters, we somehow managed to stay on our feet and finished for Fajr time.

Alhamdulillah!

And seriously, I cannot possibly recount to you the details of the 'Umrah because just thinking about it makes me tired.


Saturday 15th January

The day started with two miracles.

Firstly, our whole group got up for Dhuhr time after only 3 hours sleep (after no sleep for nearly two days!)

Secondly, we found the shortcut to the Haram which takes exactly 4 minutes to get there. So we even made the Iqamah!

Quality.

Which raises an important point. A 3-4 star hotel everyday of the week for me over a 5 star hotel over on the Gate Ajyad, Abdul-Aziz or Fahd side. Man, the CROWDS that side are CRAZY!

What's the point of being in the best hotel in the universe which is 50 metres from the Haram when it takes 30 minutes to get in!? And an hour to get back out!!

Forget that! Ok fair enough, if you hang around for about half an hour, the rush does die down and if you set off half an hour early, you can get into the Masjid quite easily – but it's nice to know you can walk straight in and straight out on a tighter time schedule…

No, definitely rather have our side (Bab al-Umrah side) of the Haram which is far less busy and much easier to move around in. Ok, so we don't have all the shopping, all the Burger Kings, Pizza Huts and KFCs this side, but that's not exactly loss of the year now is it?

Had a right mission with my mobile phone today which I conveniently forgot to get unlocked for foreign networks. That took 2 hours and 50 riyals!

Doh!

The benefit was that I met a whole load of other guys from the UK today – Imam Abu Umar from Didsbury Masjid too – all staying with the Badr group in the Shuhadaa hotel down Ajyad St – or should I say "I'm gonna be stuck here for 2 hours street". I'm sure my sister was meant to be staying in this hotel – but they haven't got her name OR group on the lists so that was a waste of time. Never mind, I see enough of her as it is without having to try and see her here too…

Love ya really Naaz.

:-)

Tried to get back to the Haram for Maghrib. Guys, if you're on this side of the Haram, you can just FORGET that idea. I was super fortunate alhamdulillah that some guy decided to do some sadaqah and allowed me to pray in his shop inside one of the side markets.

I'm telling you, this market was at least 500 metres from the Haram and there wasn't a single space on the street. Packed is just not the word. You know something? The most difficult thing in the world is to try and explain to someone who hasn't done Hajj before what the words 'packed', 'busy' and 'rammed' mean. Honest to God, you can not possibly imagine the context of these words unless you've been there, seen it and felt it – literally.

And it's thrown a whole new light on markets for me. Well, they might be the place where the Devils frequent but alhamdulillah the Malaa'ikah must have marshalled them out for a while!

Give it up for the Angels!

After Maghrib, I decided to hit the top floor for Isha. Yes, that took exactly ONE hour. Naturally, a classic combination of Paks, Paks and more Paks being the total cause of that, insisting on sitting bang in the middle of the stairs, pathways, and any other route you may wish to think of. Oh and remember just in case you've forgotten, 'Paks' is mutlaq i.e. referring to all Muslims from all the Nations round the world, but with a particular emphasis on Desi Paks cos' that’s just the way we do it.

Subhanallah, there are some people who still claim that the Saudi coppers are too harsh and rough with the Paks. Too rough?! If I was a copper, I'd have killed at LEAST a thousand by now. Give me a stick, a huge big fat whopper of a stick, and I'll show you how to get Paks out of the pathways.

I'll add a whole new dimension to the words "Yallah Ya Haaaj!"

Anyway, made it to the top and found a place to pray a couple and then sit down. Oh-oh, feeling sleepy, so let's find a mus-haf. No mus-hafs; all been taken. Better make some dhikr then – oh-oh, the head's nodding, wake up, wake up! Ok, better find some one to talk to!

I decided to make friends with the Maghribi next to me. He was from Casablanca originally but was living in Italy. Masha'Allah what a lovely guy – we talked about some of the places I knew in Maghrib and how I had visited some Madrassahs run by Sheikh Maghrawi for teaching Qur'an to children. That was last year when me and me ole mate Muds when to check it out – ALL of them had been closed down by the government!

I can remember being super-gutted then, and this guy (who I found out to be a student of Sheikh Maghrawi, one of Morocco's well known scholars) was even more gutted now. Interestingly though, we discussed the viability whether under the new political reforms of the President, Muhammad as-Saadis, whether they might be able to re-open all those schools, all 761 of them! Yes, SEVEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY ONE Qur'an Schools!!

See?

Understand now?

Do you understand why taking the route of political reform (or rectifying the apparent 'kufr' of the rulers of Muslim countries) by bombings and terrorist acts and uprising etc has ALWAYS been condemned by the leading scholars??

Seriously, no-one doubts the sincerity of some of these Muslims who do these actions – but sincerity alone ever got you anywhere without acting out that sincerity in the correct Sunnah way via the advice of the 'Ulema.

A few bombings, a few people killed, and almost always a huge oppressive response occurs from the authorities. All the scholars are locked up, all the religious schools get closed down, displaying your Deen becomes a crime and the da'wah takes a 10 year step backwards – all because of the stupid and irresponsible actions of the ignorant extremists.

Sincerity of intention counts for nothing I'm afraid.

Allahu Musta'an.

Anyway, what a nice guy. We even discussed the possibility of writing some form of letter, signed by academics and non-Muslims from the UK to the President of Morocco, urging him to reconsider the situation with the schools, simply in light of the advancement of education and human rights. Can anyone out there help or suggest any ideas or people who may help us in this? Please help out as much as you can and be rest assured that your efforts will be rewarded manifold as a sadaqah jariyah for all those who might benefit in later years to come.

Sheikh Sudais again, reciting from Surah al-Ahzaab. Amazing, simply amazing.

I've just realised actually that this is only the second time I've prayed inside the mosque! I'm usually stuck in the gutters down the street somewhere!

Not that it matters to everyone with their little prayer mats. Business is booming for these guys!

I dunno, can't see the point really. Subhanallah the streets of Makkah and Madinah are far cleaner than my clothes or my forehead! As the Arabs say, these streets are "'alaa ra'see!"

When I was a young lad in the good ole Brelv days, we used to sing day and night about the 'Madina ki galaw' ('streets of Madinah'?) and how beautiful and blessed they are. And I'm not going to stop now.

:-)