Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Death: the destroyer of pleasures.

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported: the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Remember more often the destroyer of pleasures (i.e. death).” [Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2307), Sunan Ibn Maajah (4258), Sunan al-Nasaa’ee (1824) and graded as “Hasan Saheeh” Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “None of you should long for death, for if he is a good man, he may increase his good deeds, and if he is an evil-doer, he may stop the evil deeds and repent.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5671, 5673, 7235) on the authority of Anas Ibn Maalik and Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنهما and Saheeh Muslim (6480, 6482, 6485)]

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:
“It is necessary that one keeps in mind about his situation and his end in this world. And this end is not the (real) end; rather, behind it is a destination greater than this (worldly life) and it is: the Hereafter. So it is necessary that a person always remembers death, not because it will separate him from his loved ones - and this is shortsightedness - but because it will separate him from (doing more) good deeds. So if he remembers death with this perspective, he would prepare himself and do more good deeds for the Hereafter. But if he is of the former perspective, then it will only sadden him and make matters worse.” [Sharh al-Mumti` (5/231)]

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Medicine & Pharmaceutical Symbols: The symbols of paganism spread among the people

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

The snake and snake venoms have stimulated the mind and imagination of humankind since the beginning of records about society. No animal has been more worshipped yet more cast out, more loved yet more despised than the snake. The essence of the fascination with fear of the snake lies within the creature’s venom. Snakes have been used for worship, magic potions and, medicine, and they have been the symbol of love, health, disease, medicine, pharmacy, immortality, death and even wisdom. In the Sumer civilization (B.C. 2350-2150), designs with 2 snakes appeared. In Greek mythology (B.C. 2000-400), statues of Asclepius (“god” of Medicine), with “Caduceus”, and his daughter Hygeia (“goddess” of Health), holding a snake and bowl, were created as symbols for medicine and health, respectively. A kind of Caduceus (1 snake and 1 staff) has been used as a symbol by the World Health Organization (WHO) and a snake and bowl as a symbol of pharmacies in Europe. Snakes have also been worshipped by the Hindus. In ancient Egypt, snake designs were used in hieroglyphs. In China, dried bodies of about 30 species of snakes are still using as Chinese medicines.

These symbols and its variants are largely found in the Pharmacies and medical places like hospitals and clinics:


1. The serpent of Epidaurus on the staff of Aesculapius (Asclepius):
Aesculapius was one of the Greek “gods” of medicine and is often depicted holding a staff with a snake coiled around it. The snake has represented wisdom, immortality and healing in a lot of cultures long before its association to ancient Greece.


2. The bowl of Hygeia with the serpent of Epidaurus:
This is a variation of the previous symbol. Hygeia was Aesculapius’s daughter and a “goddess” of health (“Hygiene”). Hygeia was often pictured holding a cup with a snake coiled about her body or arm.


3. The Caduceus
The two snakes on a staff has been adopted in the West as a symbol of medicine (not pharmacy) since the 19th century and has likely stemmed from the other two, older symbols. The staff is depicted with wings and is that of Mercury (Roman) or Hermes (Greek), the messenger of the “gods”.

﴿سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ عُلُوًّا كَبِيرًا﴾

{Glorified and High be He! From `Uluwwan  Kabeeraa (the great falsehood) that they say.} [Surah al-Israa (17): 43]

Rather, Allaah is al-Shaafee (Curer), who {…when I am ill, it is He who cures me} [Surah al-Shu`araa’ (26): 80]

Rather, “You (O Allaah!) are the Great Curer. There is no cure except through You. Cure (him/her), a cure that leaves no disease.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim]


Shaikh Muhammad `Alee Farkoos* حفظه الله said:

Fifth: The Muslim doctor, pharmacist, and other than them should remove and abstain from placing all (types of) medical symbols and stuff - which have the potential of corrupting the `Aqeedah or have links to the pagan philosophy – either on the (glass) walls, signboards, (prescription) papers, stamps, means of transports (ambulance). Included in this is also the “Red Cross” which is similar to the Christian symbol of the cross and it is from the worst form of Kufr and the detestable form of Shrik (associating partners with Allaah). Allaah تعالى said:

﴿لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّـهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلَاثَةٍ ۘ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَـٰهٍ إِلَّا إِلَـٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ﴾

{Surely, disbelievers are those who said: “Allaah is the third of the three (in a Trinity).” But there is no ilaah (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilaah (God -Allaah).} [Surah al-Maaidah (5): 73]

This also includes the symbol on the pharmacies of the snake coiled around a cup, because in the religion of the Greek and Romans, the snake represents the “god” of medicine which bestows health and wellbeing. Similarly, all the symbols which opposes Tawheed and Sincerity towards Allaah and corrupts the Muslim `Aqeedah (Creed) should be shunned.”

[Adapted from the book, “نصيحة إلى الطبيب المسلم” (Advice to the Muslim Doctor), pg.9:]

Also know that from that which causes deficiency in Tawheed is extreme reliance upon the means, such as the doctor, the medicine and other things, while not placing ultimate reliance upon Allaah. What is correct according to the Islaamic-legislation is that effort should be made to use the means, like seeking cures and sustenance, but the heart should be reliant upon Allaah and not the means.

[*Shaikh Muhammad `Alee Farkoos is a senior Salafi scholar from Algeria and has been praised by Shaikh Ahmad Bazmool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAsjoCZZkBA
Shaikh Ahmad Bazmool said: No one speaks ill of Shaikh Farkoos except an innovator. ]


And Allaah is the One who grants success.

Monday, August 18, 2014

The Khawaarij, irrespective of era, follow the same pattern

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Be it “ISIL / ISIS / IS” from the present day Khawaarij or their forefathers from the Harooriyyah or other than them, they go down the same bloody road of spilling the blood of the Muslims while the Kuffaar are safe from their hands.

The description which Imaam Ibn Katheer رحمه الله gave about the Khawaarij more than 700 years ago is like he is speaking about the Khawaarij of today:

“If they (the Khawaarij) were to gain power, they would cause mischief on earth – in `Iraaq, in Shaam (and everywhere). They would not leave a small boy or a small girl, nor a man or a woman (except that they would kill them). This is because in their view, the people have got so much corrupted that nothing can reform them except through mass killing.” 

[al-Bidaayah wal-Nihaayah (10/584-585)]


Friday, August 15, 2014

Be firm upon the Truth!

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

“Be firm, and do not change (your stance) because of the large number of attacks on you nor due to (their) being offended by your words. As long as you are upon the truth then be firm, for truth is never budged (by falsehood). Thereafter, defend (the truth) if you are in a weak position. There is nothing lesser than defending (the truth). But if you are in a strong position, then upon you is to attack (the falsehood). For the days take turns (sometimes in your favor and sometimes otherwise).

Tafseer: Whom do you hire for work?

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah تعالى mentions about one of the sisters whom Moosaa عليه السلام had helped:

﴿قَالَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا يا أَبَتِ اسْتَـْجِرْهُ إِنَّ خَيْرَ مَنِ اسْتَـْجَرْتَ الْقَوِىُّ الأَمِينُ﴾

{And said one of them (the two women): “O my father! Hire him! Verily, the best of men for you to hire is the strong, the trustworthy.”} [Surah al-Qasas (28): 26]

Friday, August 8, 2014

Tafseer: Our slaves will be victorious

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَلَقَدْ سَبَقَتْ كَلِمَتُنَا لِعِبَادِنَا الْمُرْسَلِينَ * إِنَّهُمْ لَهُمُ الْمَنصُورُونَ * وَإِنَّ جُندَنَا لَهُمُ الْغَالِبُونَ﴾

{And Our word has already preceded for Our servants, the Messengers; That they verily would be made triumphant. And indeed, Our soldiers, verily they would be the victors.} [Surah al-Saaffaat (37): 171-173]


Tafseer al-Muyassar (by prominent scholars):

“Verily, Our Word – which cannot be changed – has preceded for Our Slaves, the Messengers, that they will be triumphant over their enemies with proofs and strength. And as for Our soldiers – the Mujaahideen (those who strive) in our path – for them (is the victory and they shall) overcome their enemies in every aspect with regards to the outcome and good end.”

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