Narrated Ibn Juraij: 'Ata' told me that he had heard Jabir
bin 'Abdullah saying, "The Prophet stood up to offer the
prayer of the 'Id ul Fitr. He first offered the prayer and
then delivered the Khutba. After finishing it he got down
(from the pulpit) and went towards the women and advised
them while he was leaning on bilal's hand. bilal was
spreading out his garment where the women were putting their
alms." I asked 'Ata' whether it was the Zakat of 'Id ul
Fitr. He said, "No, it was just alms given at that time.
Some lady put her finger ring and the others would do the
same." I said, (to 'Ata'), "Do you think that it is
incumbent upon the Imam to give advice to the women (on 'Id
day)?" He said, "No doubt, it is incumbent upon the Imams to
do so and why should they not do so?"
[Sahih Bukhari. # 95. Book 15]
Philadelphia
100 Muslims Received 5-page Jamaat al-Muslimeen Document
after Juma'.
Info which Does not Reach Most Muslims in America.
On April 28, Jamaat al-Muslimeen reached out to Muslims in
Philadelphia after juma' salat at a masjid just behind the
University of Pennsylvania which is a stronghold of Israeli
influences.
Most of the Muslims who received the Jamaat document were
Africans and African Americans with a few Bangladeshis,
Pakistanis and Malaysians.
The khutba was the kind Jamaat likes urging Mjuslims to
oppose oppression and wrong doing and not to become
oppressors themselves.
The 5 page document given to 100 Muslims contained the
following:
Pakistani students rise up against On Line blasphemy in
the city of Mardan.
Shias, Russia, USA bombing Muslims across Syria. Assad
supporters hit by human bomber.
Mosul, Iraq: 26 weeks of resistance against massive Shia
army backed by USA.
Hispanic Muslim Br, Solano's comment on Jamaat Muslimeen
condemnation of big bomb dropped on Afghanistan.
Qur'an does not allow us to support Trump or his
"liberal" opponents. Condemn porno pouring into Muslim
communities.
In the area of Nangarhar province where America had dropped
its biggest bomb, Islamic State [IS] fighters engaged
helicopter borne US troops. In several hours of fighting,
two US elite troops were killed and one wounded. The
fighters retreated when US troops called in air strikes. US
says it was trying to kill the Emir of IS and did kill 35
Muslims but this could not be confirmed.
[US said it had killed 94 people with the big bomb but
Pakistani urdu newspapaper said these were civilians. If all
those killed were IS, there would have been no resistance
when US troops arrived.]
April 28. Day of Rage in Occupied Palestine.
Ramallah, West Bank - At least 50 Palestinian protesters
were injured in clashes with Israeli forces on a "day of
rage" held across the occupied Palestinian territories to
show solidarity with more than 1,500 prisoners on hunger
strike in Israeli prisons.
The majority of injuries resulted from tear gas inhalation,
while some protesters were shot with live or rubber bullets,
a ministry spokesperson told Al Jazeera.
Director of Ramallah Hospital Ahmad Bitawi said more than 20
people were injured. He said most were leg injuries and not
life threatening.
The "day of rage" was called for by Fatah and the national
committee to support the prisoners' hunger strike.
In a statement issued last week, Fatah said the "excessive"
practices of the Israeli occupation, particularly by the
Israeli Prison Service, meant Palestinians should "clash
with the occupier everywhere across our homeland".
On Friday, Palestinians across the occupied West Bank
gathered at the solidarity tents set up before proceeding to
nearby military checkpoints.
On a hillside overlooking the entrance to Ofer prison, where
a number of the hunger-striking prisoners are detained,
dozens of young men hurled stones at Israeli military
vehicles
Africa
Helping the Needy and Deprived in Ethiopia
by Ashira Naim
[Jamaat al-Muslimeen.]
Dear Readers,
This year marks the 5th anive r sary of our acquaintance
with Ethiopians in Ethiopia and our work to help the needy
people on the streets of Addis, Adama, Dessie, and Awassa,
etc. As we travel from one town to another, we do our best
to help others in small er towns along the way . This year
is di f feren t because we ha v e been more focused on
finding a house to live in and c all our own rather than
living in cheap yet still costly hotels.
A month ago, here in the town called Adama, we settled on a
place that we are calling United Muslims in Ameica (UMIA)
"Ambassador's House" . This simple but lovely place includes
a welcoming garden and large living room and dining
accomodations for guests. We are grateful to Allah for this
opportunity and thankful to our sponsors, especially Brother
Kaukab Siddique, for all the support given to accomplish
this task.
Should you be granted a visa to visit this house, you would
be delighted to know that the Adhan and sometimes the entire
prayer recital can be heard throuh the windows of this
house. There are 2 masajid near by. The most lovely birds of
all sizes and colors visit daily. Above the garden area
overhead is a rooftop made of grapevines which lend shade to
the yard. In a couple of months its fruit should be seen.
Also, there is a mango tree in the yard whose fruit is now
visible as it begins to ripen.
Getting to Know the People
Now I don't presume to "know" all there is to know about
Ethiopians. I can tell you that my appreciation for the
people who came and picked up the broom, the dust rag, the
mop and began helping me clean the house on my first day in
it has truly grown. These were friends and acquaintances
whom I met at the coffee stand outside the hotel almost
daily. I just looked around and was truly amazed because I
had not asked for their help. This kind of assistance is
received in every sphere of activity in public, i.e., people
(men and women) assisting with my language deficiency so
that I can get where I'm going by taxi, buy produce or other
items in the market, order food in the restaurant, and get
along in public in general. The sisters and brothers are so
open that when you get a laugh at something one of them
says, it is a genuine good laugh and sometimes the laugh may
be on you because to them, we are funny too.
Learning The Language
I am still looking for my Amharic teacher to begin my
classes. The day before classes were to begin, my last
teacher was seen heading for the bus to Addis Ababa to work.
So, patience is truly a practice you will develop here.
Things almost "never" go as planned; but with patience you
can accomplish your task. Signs of impatience are strongly
discouraged.
Muslim Business Women
Alhamdullilah, a few days ago I met a small group of muslim
women who speak English. Tired from the ordeal of trying to
pay my utility bill, I literally stumbled into this women's
shop owned by one of the women. I had my envelope with my
degree diploma which had finally arrived at the post office
in my hand. So, as is customary, the women began questioning
me--"where are you from?" "what is your name?" "where do you
work?" They did not realize that I was almost out of breath
from the trip to the post office and then up and down the
stairs in that building to pay my utility bill, not to
mention 2 trips around the building to the bank because the
first trip found the ATM machine "temporarily out of
service."
Anyway, I quickly gave one of them the envelope as I sat in
a chair made available to me by the owner and caught my
breath. I had learned to expect questions; whereas before, I
would have retorted with my own question: "Are you with the
CIA?" ���� Asking what we
Americans would call "personal questions" is all a part of
the Ethiopian culture; and now I have made friends with
these women who have invited me to their homes for tea, etc.
The shop owner's sister explained to me that she, too, has a
much larger shop nearby. And I am looking forward to getting
to know these sisters better during the Ramadan,
Inshallah.
Employment Possibility- Muslim Doctor
Well, after they examined the diploma we discussed the
prospect of my working with a wholistic doctor whose office
is near the home of one of the sisters. It just so happened
that I had been introduced to this doctor and visited his
office last year. This year I visited his home and met his
family. It was very inspiring to hear him speak of how
together we can help his patients who would become my
clients. How to better serve his patients seemed uppermost
in his mind, and he made dua to this effect.
Suffice it to say that with the house rental and the
attainment of part time work with this doctor, this year's
stay in Ethiopia will have to be extended. There is a lot of
good to come from an extended stay which we will discuss
further in our next writing. With Ramadan right around the
corner those Believers who made pledges to help people on
the streets in Ethiopia but were unable to make their
contribution before I left can still do so. Contributions
are needed and should be sent payable to Masjid Jamaat al
Muslimeen (note: for Ethiopia) 4624 York Road, Baltimore,
Maryland 21212. May Allah reward all the Believers who
strive with their goods and their persons with a truly
blessed Ramadan. Amen.
Editorial
Massive Support for Illegal Immigrants in America
by Kaukab Siddique
The American people, by and large, do not hate immigrants
even if they are illegal. Looks like Trump's campaign
against illegals is dead on arrival . About 200 cities are
sheltering illegals and refuse to use police against people
who have committed no crime. Now a court has blocked Trump's
move against the cities. I always thought that the American
people are not our enemies.
Obama was much cleverer than Trump. He deported huge numbers
of people without any significant publicity.
Invitation to Think
from Br.Robert Solano
When an adult accepts Islam, what difficulties he/she faces?
We are angry with Israel but how should we
respond in a way which helps our community & Defeats Israel?
Assalamus Alaikum,
I want to share certain views, which might not be correct
but they do bring some light into getting to know better
those that reverted to Islam as adults.
As many of you know, I took my Shahada in 1995. I had very
little knowledge about Islam at that time but there was no
doubt that the last Holy Prophet of Allah on earth is
Muhammad (pbuh), and that Sure 112 is correct and that it
came from Allah. But many would say I was not a good Muslim
since I had very little knowledge of the Hadiths. Hadiths
are an important part of Islam in that it enhances our
ability to worship and value Allah's laws.
I felt back in 1995 that I was prepared to face the Final
Judgment Day and at that time many would agree that I was. I
had been forgiven for past sins based on the fact that I had
very little knowledge of the proper rules for a good
Muslim.
But what can we say about those who have lived for many
years as an adult and still ignore not only the Hadiths but
also the Holy Qur'an? Yes, there are many who do.
Fortunately, Allah is very forgiving and in the Final
Judgment Day our intentions will be taken into
consideration.
So we have all to agree that there are over one billion
Muslims in the world but not all are good Muslims. Some say
they are not Muslims. But I fear to go that far in my
definition since they do believe and follow the Pillars of
Islam to the best of their ability. Yet the question comes
up as to how we should deal with those brother Muslims who
are misguided and who take actions that they are convinced
are not contrary to Islam but we know better.
Ever since the State of Israel was created with stolen land
from the inhabitants of Palestine, many Muslim have reacted
in a manner that we
get confused with it. Their intention is to fight and at
times retaliate against those in Israel (an Israeli
government census revealed that 60% of the adults are self
described atheists), that are committing acts of violence
and racist apartheid, against Christian and Muslim
Palestinians. There is no argument that a Muslim is the
brother of another Muslim: many times even if that Muslim is
misguided, confused and involve in questionable actions.
I am still not knowledgeable about what we are to do in
these cases. Sometimes I just feel like turning off the TV
and the problem. Yet at times the problem hits home such as
our U.S. President denying decent Muslims entrance into the
US even when they hold valid Visas or US Residence. And then
comes the question: Am I required to take actions which are
not beneficial personally to me and even risk retaliation
from my own government? I don't think so. Our U.S.
Constitution gives us plenty of ways to overthrow these
policies in a Constitutional way. Allah Knows Best.
- Br. Robert Solano lives in Texas and is a member of the
Jamaat al-Muslimeen leadership team. He's conducted da'wa
over the past several decades to the Hispanic community and
given the Spanish translation of the Qur'an to more than 500
people.
PAKISTAN
Islamic Group Seeks Unity with Jamaate Islami. Sirajul Haq
Says Sharia Can Bring all groups Together.
by Ameer al-Azeem & Qaisar Sharif.
LAHORE, Apr. 30: Ameer, Jamaat e Islami, Pakistan, Senator
Sirajul Haq, has said that the unity of the religious forces
was inevitable for safeguarding the Islamic identity of the
country.
Addressing the Ijtema of the Jamiat e Talaba Arabia at
Mansoora, he said that the colonial powers and international
establishment were conspiring to undo the Islamic identity
of this country and unfortunately, the country's rulers were
also advancing the enemy agenda.
Sirajul Haq said the row between the state institutions on
DAWN leaks was due to the incompetence and mishandling of
the issue by the government. He said that the DAWN leaks
report was out a day before its being made public. He asked
the Interior Minister to explain who was responsible for
this lapse.
The JI chief impressed upon the religious leadership to sink
their petty differences and unite on one platform. He said
that the safeguarding the country's identity was far more
important at this stage than the personal and party
considerations. He said if the religious forces did not
realize their real role at this juncture and stuck to their
minor differences, the new generation of those loyal to the
East India Company would not hesitate in playing with the
country's solidarity.
Sirajul Haq said that the poor masses had always offered
sacrifices for the country while the so called elite had
been compromising on vital national interests for personal
gains.
He said that the country at present was facing conspiracies
both from within and outside and its defense was a sacred
Jehad.
He said there was no obstacle in the unity of the religious
forces as the common goal before them was the enforcement of
the Shariah. He said that the differences of the Ulema
always benefitted the vested interests.
Sirajul Haq said that the JIT investigations would reveal
the corruption of the ruling family and it was honorable for
the Prime Minister to resign at this stage. He said the
lesson of history was that Pride hath a fall, and the
present rulers should also learn
War News
Syria
Islamic State Trying to enter Aleppo. US-Backed Kurds Enter
al-Tabaqa. Opposition Groups Fighting Each other.
April 28-30. Opposition groups at the outskirts of Damascus
are fighting each and have inflicted heavy losses on each
other. [Assad must be smiling. Probably they are competing
to enter Damascus but killing each other.]
April 29. Islamic State launched an attack to enter Aleppo.
It succeeded in cutting the road from Aleppo to Assad's
forces south of Aleppo. Russian bombing has stopped their
advance.
April 29. US coalition bombed al-Raqqa, the IS capital,
killing 6 civilians including 4 women [Source SOHR]. Kurdish
Communist forces entered al-Tabaqa, which is on the way to
Al-Raqqa. Heavy fighting is going on beteen IS forces and
the US backed Kurds.
Turkish forces attacked Kurdish communists in north east
Syria including intense bombing. Kurds incurred scores of
dead and wounded.
Iraq
Mosul. Week 28. Trump Week 14.
Islamic State Forces fanning out in Various Parts of Iraq.
Shia Advance into West Mosul Fails Again.
All week the Shia armada trying to enter West Mosul has been
forced to retreat. The Shia commanders are claiming that
"Daesh" as they call the Islamic State is continuing to use
human bombers and snipers to inflict heavy losses.
In an attempt to advance the forces lost their commander to
the IS fighters. Here is how it was reported in Arab News of
May 1 [time difference in Iraq] that 18 regime troops were
killed along with their commander. The overall commander has
been sacked.
Meanwhile IS raiders attacked Rutba on the Baghdad-Jordan
highway killing 10 regime troops and wounding 20. The oil
pipeline was used by the Kurdish-Shia regime used to pump
oil to Israel.
Raids are also reported near Kirkuk and Baghdad and in
Diyala.
Somalia
Indications that Big Bombing Campaign by US is Coming
up.
[Courtesy The Intercept]
U.S. officials this week requested the geographic
coordinates of aid groups working in Somalia, according to a
document obtained by The Intercept — a move that could
indicate an escalation of military action against the
Shabab. The notice to NGOs comes a month after President
Trump declared portions of the country an "area of active
hostilities," giving the military wider scope to launch
strikes that could potentially kill more civilians.
"Due to the need for increased operational security in
Somalia, and based on best practices in other complex
emergencies, humanitarian and development organizations may
want to provide information about their fixed locations in
Somalia for deconfliction," states the letter, written by
USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance and
intended for "all international and local humanitarian and
development organizations with operations in Somalia." Aid
groups have an extensive presence in Somalia, where the
government declared a state of disaster in February due to
crippling drought and food shortages.
The document, dated April 24, provides instructions for how
groups should share coordinates of offices, hospitals,
refugee camps, and other facilities. "Please be aware that
all information submitted ... will be used to inform U.S.
military planners about the location of humanitarian and
development personnel," it says. It also includes a
bold-type warning that providing the information does not
"guarantee the safety of personnel, vehicles, facilities, or
sites. Entities operating in this environment continue to do
so at their own risk."
Such deconfliction efforts are not uncommon in the context
of intense or prolonged U.S. military operations, such as
Afghanistan. This week's letter is similar in wording to one
received by NGOs in 2014, at the outset of the anti-ISIS
campaign in Iraq and Syria. In Yemen, the United States
briefly shepherded NGO coordinates from nonprofits to the
Saudi-led coalition at the start of its military campaign
there in early 2015. The Obama administration also requested
coordinates in Libya last year, when it similarly declared
parts of the country areas of active hostilities.
But for Somalia, such an encompassing request is novel.
Taken with Trump's declaration of active hostilities, the
note suggests that it's a question not of if, but when, more
airstrikes will take place.
News Within the U.S.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
[We report, you decide.]
Trump Celebrates. "liberals" Groan & Grumble.
[by New Trend's media monitor]
On April 29, the 100th day of his presidency, Trump
addressed a gathering of more than 7000 people in
Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania.
He called for unity of all Americans, regardless of race or
religion.
For Muslims, it is important to note that he hit hard core
Zionist media CNN and MSNBC which have been misleading the
public for 8 years under Obama.
Trump specially targeted Sen. Schumer, the pro-Israeli hawk
from New York.
We urge Trump to delegitimize homosexuality and random
sex.
Outside the meeting, scores of "liberals" protested and
chanted against Trump..
What a sorry group of losers!
[We urge Muslims not to take sides. Let the non-Muslims
fight each other. For 8 years puppet Muslim groups did not
organize the Muslims of America and gave a blank check to
the Zionist power structure.. This has left Muslims in a
very vulnerable situation.]
ANALYSIS
How to Spot Dangerous False News
By David Merlin
Facebook has announced that it is taking out ads in major
German publications that tell readers how to spot fake news
with tips on how to identify spurious news items. We at
CODOH have a few tips on how to spot the most dangerous
types of False News.
TIP ONE- Be suspicious of anyone who tells you there is a
small group of conspirators on the other side of the World
who have secret weapons and are about to attack you.
And two Trillion dollars and countless dead later
TIP TWO- Do not trust anyone who claims that the war they
want you to get into will be over quickly; this includes
invasions, peace keeping actions, wars on drugs or
poverty.
President Johnson signing the Economic Opportunity Act of
1964 (the War on Poverty)Leyenda
TIP THREE- Never give up your civil liberties to someone who
tells you that they are fighting Witches, Terrorists, Child
pornography, or Hate.
German Justice Minister Heiko Maas announcing that
"Social-network providers are responsible when their
platforms are misused to propagate hate crimes and fake
news..."
We at CODOH think that the most dangerous False News is the
false news which comes from governments. We think that a
Free and Open Internet is the best defense against
governmental misinformation and propaganda.
Remember, people die when governments lie
[Courtesy CODOH, Committee for Open Debate on the
Holocaust.]
GUIDANCE
[Muslims often follow incorrect religion.]
Sha'baan: Misconceptions and Realities
By Asma Bint Shameem
[Houston, Texas]
Growing up in Pakistan, the month of Sha'baan would bring in
a lot of excitement and celebration. And that was because
celebrating the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan was a big
thing and considered a very virtuous act, indeed. Men would
gather in the masjid while the women prepared 'Halwas' and
sweets, preparations were made for all night vigils or
"Shabeenas" as they were called, buses were made available
to take the men to visit the graveyards and flyers were
distributed to everyone containing a long list of 'special
prayers' so that they could stay up all night praying.
But, Alhamdulillaah, how Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala
protects His Deen. When Allaah enabled me to study this
beautiful religion of ours, all that changed.
I realized that all those 'special prayers', all those night
vigils, all those Halwas and all those graveyard visits were
really not the way of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa
Sallam).
In fact all that was far...
far away from his Sunnah and the Sharee'ah that he
brought.
And so I thought I would bring to attention some of the
misconceptions and wrong ideas attached to this month as
this ignorance and innovation has become so rampant, that it
has become a sort of an epidemic, not only in Pakistan but
in practically every Muslim community that exists.
Misconception #1:
The night of the 15th of Sha'baan should
be singled out for prayer, worship, etc
Clarification:
Our best example and role model is the Prophet (Sal Allaahu
Alayhi wa Sallam) and he never, ever singled out this night
for worship or qiyaam nor did his Sahaabah.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
"There is no saheeh hadeeth concerning the night of the
fifteenth of Sha'baan. All the ahaadeeth that have been
narrated concerning that are mawdoo' (fabricated) and da'eef
(weak), and have no basis. There is nothing special about
this night, and no recitation of Qur'aan or prayer, whether
alone or in congregation, is specified for this night. What
some of the scholars have said about it being special is a
weak opinion. It is not permissible to single it out for any
special actions. This is the correct view. And Allaah is the
Source of strength."
(Fataawa Islamiyyah, 4/511)
Misconception #2:
There are special prayers to be offered
on this night.
Clarification:
The truth of the matter is that there are NO special prayers
to be offered on this night specifically. And all those
'ahaadeeth' giving you long lists of special 'formulas' that
are "supposed to guarantee you Allaah's forgiveness and
Jannah" are all fabricated, false and innovations in our
Deen.
If there were such prayers, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi
wa Sallam) would have told us about them and we would have
had evidence of him and the Sahaabah doing it.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:
I tell you, by Allaah, that I have warned and commanded and
prohibited things that are as important as what is in the
Qur'aan, if not more so."
(Abu Dawud-- Saheeh by al-Albaani)
Misconception #3:
Allaah descends to the first heavens on
this night to forgive us.
Clarification:
Allaah's descending to the first heaven does not only happen
on the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan. Rather it happens
every single night of the year.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:
"EVERY NIGHT when it is the last third of the night, our
Lord, the Superior, the Blessed, descends to the nearest
heaven and says: Is there anyone to invoke Me that I may
respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me so that
I may grant him his request? Is there anyone asking My
forgiveness so that I may forgive him?. "
(Bukhaari)
Thus, when 'Abd-Allaah ibn al-Mubaarak was asked about the
descent of Allaah on the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan,
he said to the one who asked him:
"O weak one! The night of the fifteenth?! He descends every
night!"
Misconception #4:
This is the night when our fate,
lifespan, and provisions are decreed.
Clarification:
Some people think that the "blessed night"
(laylatim-mubarakah) mentioned in Surah ad-Dukhaan (44)Ayah
3, refers to the night of 15th Shabaan, when Allah decrees
our lifespan, provisions and fate.
In fact, they even pray 6 rakahs, 2 for each of these
things.
However, all that is fabricated and far, far away from the
Sunnah. And, in reality, the "blessed night" mentioned in
Surah ad-Dukhaan, actually is referring to Laylatul Qadr
that comes in Ramadhaan. (Tafseer Ibn Kathir of Surah
al-Qadr)
Zayd ibn Aslam said:
"We never saw any of our shaykhs or fuqaha' saying that
Laylat al-Baraa'ah (15 Sha'baan) had any superiority over
other nights."
And Ibn Dihyah said:
"The hadeeths about the prayer on Laylat al-Baraa'ah are
fabricated and one has an interruption in the isnaad. Anyone
who acts upon a report which is known to be false is a
servant of the Shaytaan."
(Tadhkirat al-Mawdoo'aat by al-Fatni)
Misconception #5:
One should fast on the day of the
fifteenth.
Clarification:
Here again, there is no saheeh reports that tell us that the
Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) or his Sahaabah ever
picked this day specifically to fast.
The Sunnah of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was
to fast most of this month and not just the 15th.
However, if the fifteenth of Sha'baan coincides with a
Monday or Thursday, or with the three white days or if a
person is generally fasting, without associating seeking
extra rewards to fasting this specific day, then it is
allowed. (Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid)
Misconception #6:
This is the night when the souls of
departed ones return to their families.
Clarification:
Some people misunderstand the ayaat in Surah al-Qadr and
think that the "Sending down of the Ruh" as mentioned in
this Surah refers to the souls of dead people returning to
see their families, even though it refers to Jibreel
(Tafseer Ibn Kathir).
And that is why we see women preparing the sweets, the
Halwas and other 'goodies' for the souls of their loved
ones.
Not only is that in itself an erroneous, deviant belief and
bid'ah, but to believe that the souls of the dead can return
back to the world and meet with their relatives is also
totally incorrect and false.
The teachings of the Qur'aan and the Sunnah clearly state
that the souls of the dead do not return back to the
world.
Besides, they don't even eat the Halwas. It is actually you
who eats it!
Misconception #7:
Visiting graveyards especially this night
is something good.
Clarification:
Although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam)
encouraged visiting graves, he forbade singling out any day
or night for any kinds of good deeds if it is not prescribed
in the Shari'ah.
And he did not specifically visit the graveyard on the night
of the 15th of Sha'baan.
The hadeeth of Aisha that mentions that the Prophet (Sal
Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) visited the graveyard this night
is not authentic and thus does not have any proof for
visiting graves specifically on this night of Sha'baan.
Misconception #8:
Even if the ahaadeeth about worship on
this night are weak, one can still do it.
Clarification:
The correct scholarly view is that weak ahaadeeth should not
be followed at all, even if they speak of righteous deeds or
of targheeb and tarheeb (promises and warnings).
The saheeh reports are sufficient and the Muslim has no need
to follow the da'eef reports.
Shaykh Ahmad Shaakir said:
"There is no difference between rulings or righteous deeds;
we do not take any of them from da'eef reports, rather no
one has the right to use any report as evidence unless it is
proven to be soundly narrated from the Messenger of Allaah
(Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) in a saheeh or hasan hadeeth.
"
Misconception #9:
Look at all those people doing it. How
can they all be wrong?
Clarification:
The Muslim is supposed to refer to Allaah and His Messenger
(Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam)'s Sunnah, if there is any
confusion or dispute about matters and NOT what the rest of
the world is doing.
"O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger and
those of you who are in authority. (And) if you differ in
anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His
Messenger, if you believe in Allaah and in the Last Day.
That is better and more suitable for final
determination."
[al-Nisaa:59]
Shaykh Ibn Jibreen said:
"These reports about
worship and fasting on the 15th of Sha'baan) became very
well known in some countries which were overwhelmed by
ignorance; One should not be deceived by the large numbers
of ignorant people who do these things."
The REAL Sunnah regarding Sha'baan
If you truly and sincerely want to please Allaah and do
deeds that will be acceptable to Him, then follow the REAL
Sunnah of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam). Here
is what is proven in the authentic sunnah:
Fast most of this month as much as you can.
Aa'ishah Radhi Allaahu anha said:
"I never saw the Messenger of Allaah fasting for an entire
month except in Ramadaan, and I never saw him fast more than
he did in Sha'baan."
(Bukhaari, Muslim)
Why so much stress on fasting Sha'baan?
Usaamah ibn Zayd said:
"I said, 'O Messenger of Allaah, I do not see you fasting in
any month more than in Sha'baan.' He said, 'That is a month
concerning which many people are heedless, between Rajab and
Ramadaan. It is the month is which people's deeds are taken
up to the Lord of the Worlds, and I would like my deeds to
be taken up whilst I am fasting.'"
(Hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa'i)
However, if you are weak or do not fast habitually and
feel that this nafil fasting may be a hindrance to your
obligatory fasting in the month of Ramadhaan, then the
person may stop the nafil fasting in the last few days of
this month.
And for such a person, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa
Sallam) said:
"When Sha'baan is half over, do not fast."
(saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi).
If you're used to fasting
If you are used to fasting such as every other day or every
Monday and Thursday, then its okay to continue to fast even
in the last half of this month.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:
"Do not anticipate Ramadaan by fasting one or two days
before it begins, but if a man habitually fasts, then let
him fast."
(al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
If you have fasts left over from last Ramadhaan to make
up, then hurry up and do so in this month of Sha'baan before
the next Ramadhaan comes.
It is not permissible to delay missed fasts until after the
following Ramadhaan, except in cases of necessity (such as a
valid excuse that continues between the two Ramadhaans).
Aa'ishah RA said:
'It used to be that I had days to make up for Ramadhaan and
I would not be able to do so except in Sha'baan."
