Surah Yaseen & its virtues

It is commonly known that Surah Yaseen is the “heart” of the Quran.

Why is this?

In our bodies, the heart is considered to be the most important organ. It supplies the entire body with blood to keep us functioning. Without the heart, the body cannot live. It is to emphasise the great importance of Surah Yaseen that it is called the “heart” of the Quran.

Therefore, reading Surah Yaseen comes with many benefits which true believers must not miss out on.

Surah Yaseen is a Makkan surah, revealed during the time the Messenger of Allah (SAW) lived in Makkah.

The Makkan Surahs focus upon three main aspects of Imaan (faith):

• Tawhid (the Oneness of Allaah)

• Risalah (that he is a messenger sent by Allah to guide all of creation and he receives divine revelation)

• The reality of the al-Aakhirah and what will be encountered therein.

Surah Ya-Sin’s (36) placement within the mus-haf, it follows Saba (34) and Faatir (35) which are also Makkan Surahs. Saba and Faatir are also Makkan Surahs so there focus is to discuss Tawhid, Risalah, and Al-Aakhirah.

Ya-Sin continues with these themes, but it takes a different tone. It starts by focusing more heavily on the Prophethood of Muhammad (SAW). Faatir did discuss the Prophethood and the importance of believing in the Messenger of Allah (SAW), but mainly focuses on Tawhid. Surah Ya-Sin places a heavy emphasis on the Prophethood of Muhammad (SAW).

There are many Ahaadith which talk about the benefits of reading Surah Yaseen. In today’s Halqah, we shall take a look at several hadith which mention the benefits of reading Surah Yaseen.

What are some of the benefits of reading Surah Yaseen?

1. Reading Surah Yaseen at the beginning of the day causes Allah to fulfil all your needs for that day.

Hadhrat ‘Ataa’ bin Abi Ribaah (RA) says that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported to have said, “ Whoever reads Surah Yaseen in the beginning of the day, all his needs for that day are fulfilled.”

2. Reading Surah Yaseen is equivalent to reading the whole Quran 10 times.

“Everything has a heart and the heart of the Glorious Quran is Surah Yaseen. Whoever reads Surah Yaseen, Allah records for them a reward equal to that of reading the whole Quran 10 times.” [Maqal, Tirmidhi 2812/A &Dhahabi]

3. Reading Surah Yaseen and memorising Surah Yaseen invokes the blessings of Allah.

It is said that Allah recited Surah Yaseen and Surah Taha 1000 years before the creation of Heaven and Earth, and upon hearing this, the angels said, “Blessing is for the Ummah unto whom the Quran will be sent down; blessing is for the hearts that will memorise it, and blessing is for the tongues that will recite it.”

4. Reading Surah Yaseen invokes the mercy of Allah to forgive your sins.

“Whoever reads Surah Yaseen for the pleasure of Allah alone, all his earlier sins are forgiven. Therefore make a practice of reading this Surah over your dead.”

Read Surah Yaseen at every beginning of the day and every end of the day to have your prayers answered. Make sure you read it with knowledge and understanding. If you do not know Arabic, read a trusted translation of the Surah.

5. Reading Surah Yaseen benefits the reader in this life as well as in the Hereafter.

According to one hadith, Surah Yaseen is named in the Torah as “Mun’imah” i.e. Giver of Good Things. This is because it contains benefits of the reader both in this world and the next. It removes from them the afflictions of this worlds and the next. Surah Yaseen also takes away the dread of the next life. [Hashiya (footnote) of Tafsir Jalalalayn, pg 368].

6. Reading Surah Yaseen exalts the status of the believers both in this world and the next.

Surah Yaseen is also known as “Raafi’ahKhaafidhah” i.e. that which exalts the status of the believers and degrades the unbelievers. According to a Riwayat (narration), Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “My heart desires that Surah Yaseen should be present in the heart of everyone of my ummah.” So memorise Surah Yaseen to reap its benefits.

Imam Ghazali (RH) has said,

"Soundness of faith rests on acknowledging resurrection and judgment."

Since Surah Yaseen talks about both resurrection and judgement in a detailed manner, it contains so many virtues.

7. Reading Surah Yaseen causes you to die as a Shaheed.

According to one hadith, if anyone recites Surah Yaseen every night and then dies, they die as a Shaheed (martyr).

8. Reading Surah Yaseen wipes out sins, alleviates hunger and guides the lost.

“Whoever reads Surah Yaseen is forgiven; whoever reads it in hunger is satisfied; whoever reads it having lost their way, finds their way; whoever reads it on losing an animal, finds it. When one reads it apprehending that their food will run short, that food becomes sufficient. If one reads it beside a person who is in the throes of death, these are made easy for them. If anyone reads it on a woman experiencing difficulty in child-birth, her delivery becomes easy.”

Imam Tibi explained in his commentary on Mishkat al-Masabih that Surah Yaseen was called ‘the Heart of the Quran "because of what it contains of overwhelming proofs, decisive signs, subtle spiritual meanings, eloquent admonition, and stern warning."

9. Reading Surah Yaseen abolishes fear from your heart.

Maqri (RH) said, “If Surah Yaseen is read by one who fears the ruler or an enemy, one gets rid of this fear.”

10. Reading Surah Yaseen makes your dua’s to be answered.

According to one hadith, if somebody reads Surah Yaseen and Surah Was-Saaffaat on Friday and begs Allah something, their prayer is granted.

11. Read Surah Yaseen in the night for all your sins to be forgiven.

The Prophet said, ‘Whoever recited Surah Yasin in the night seeking Allah’s pleasure, Allah would forgive him’ [Ibn Hibban, Darimi 3283/A, Abu Yala, Tabarani, Baihaqi& Ibn Mardawaih]

Imam Malik (RH)

Abu Abdullah Malik ibn Anas ibn Malik ibn Abi Aamir 

Imam Malik (RH) was born in the year 93 AH. His family was originally from the al-Ashabi tribe of Yeme, but his grandfather Abu Amir relocated the family to Madinah after converting to Islam in 623 CE. Both his father and grandfather had studied religious sciences under the Companions of the Prophet (SAW), who still lived in Madinah so young Malik was raised in an environment that was based on Islamic scholarship, learning from his father and uncle.

Living in Madina gave Imam Malik access to some of the most learned minds of early Islam. 
He memorized the Quran in his youth and learnt the recitation.  For the purpose of his study, he sought out over 300 Tabi’een- those who saw the Ashaab of Prophet (SAW), and acquired from them the knowledge of the Ahaadeeth and Sunnah.

Imam Malik’s Character    

Besides being one of the greatest scholars of fiqh in history, Imam Malik was an incredibly humble and meticulous Muslim. Out of respect for the Prophet (SAW) and his words, he would refuse to narrate a hadith while walking. Instead, when asked about a hadith, he would stop, sit down, and give the hadith the attention it deserved.

The Imam always made Wudhu or Ghusl, wore fresh clean clothes and applied perfume before conducting lessons in Ahaadeeth.  

He would also refuse to ride any animal in the city of Madinah, seeing it as mysterious that he would ride on the same dust that Muhammad (SAW) feet walked on. This type of extra respect for Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is not compulsory according to Islamic law, but simply a sign of the emphasis Imam Malik (RH) placed on the importance of Muhammad (SAW).

Imam Malik’s characteristics

-Imam Malik was very cautious in procuring Fatwa. Procure

-Imam Malik was very active within the conduct of Sunnah

-Imam Malik hated Bidaah 

-Matters of belief (Aqaaid) were very religiously followed by way of Qur’an and Sunnah.

- Although during Imam Malik’ s era there were many sects that arose, yet Imam Malik (RH) refrained from enjoining with these.

- When the Holy Prophet (SAW) was mentioned, the colour of Imam Malik’s (RH) face would change.  

Imam Malik’s death:

During the last few years of his life, Imam Malik (RH) preferred to remain alone. He never even used to attend the Jamaa’ at Friday prayer and used to say that not everyone can openly explain themselves. On Monday 14th of Rabi-ul-Awwal 179 AH, Imam Malik (RH) passed away.      

Imam Shafi’ee

Abu Abdulillah Muhammad bin Idrees ash Shafi'ee

Imam Shafi’ee (RH) was born in the year 150 AH which was the year the Great Imam Abu Hanifah had passed away in. He was born in Gaza in Palestine.Imam Shafi'ee belonged to the Qurayshi Clan of Banu Mutallib, the sister clan of the Banu Hashim (to which the Prophet (SAW) belonged.

At the age of two, the Imam's father passed away in Syria so his mother decided to move to Makkah. The maternal family of Imam Shafi'ee (RH) were from Yemen and there were more members of the family in Makkah where his mother believed he would be better taken care of. He had a very good memory and memorised the whole Quran by the age of seven. He then began to study Fiqh and memorised the most popular book of Fiqh at the time; Imam Malik (RH)'s Muwatta', by the age of ten. 

Imam Shafi'ee (RH) then moved to Madinah to acquire further knowledge, as was the tradition at the time. His mother could not afford paper, so he would write his lessons on bones. In Madinah he was taught by the famous Imam Malik ibn Anas (RH).

He was an accomplished archer, a poet, and some accounts call him the most eloquent of his time. Some accounts claim that there were a group of Bedouins who would come and sit only to listen to him, not for the sake of learning, but just to listen to the Imam's eloquent use of language.

One of his companions, Ibn Hisham, noted that “I never heard him [Imam Shafi'i (RH)] use anything other than a word which, carefully considered, one would not find a better word in the entire Arabic language.”

Distinctive characteristics of Imam Shafi'ee (RH)

-He keenly practiced upon attributes that were praised within Ahaadeeth and Qur’an, and was a flawless exemplary character.                                   

-Independence and generosity: Imam Shafi’ee (R.A) restrained himself from the rest of the world; he was independent, generous, broad-minded and very understanding.                                                                                              

-Intelligence and eloquence: Abu Ubayd has related that, "I have never seen anyone as knowledgeable and talented as Shafi’ee (R.A), and no-one as perfect as him."

Description and appearance    

-Handsome: Muzani has narrated, "I have never seen anyone as handsome as Imam Shafi’ee (R.A). The complexion of his cheeks was fair, and when he used to stroke his beard it was never more than a handful.

- He liked scent. Whichever pillar he used to lean against whilst teaching, the fragrance would linger onto the pillar." 

Having studied both schools of fiqh, as well as having a vast knowledge of authentic hadith, Imam al-Shafi’ee sought to introduce a clear methodology for fiqh – known as usul al-fiqh. It was meant to provide a reasonable way to derive Islamic law. In it, Imam al-Shafi’ee outlines four main sources from which Islamic law can be derived:

1. The Quran

2. The Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad   

3. Consensus (agreement) among the Muslim community

4. Qiyas           

His Death:
The Imam became very sick at the end of his life and passed away in Egypt on Thursday night after Isha Prayer after performing Maghrib Prayer on the last day of Rajab. He was buried in Cairo, Egypt on Friday in the year 204 A.H. (819/820 A.D.) 

May Allah be pleased with him. Ameen.     

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Reflection...

Rabia Basriyyah (RH)

Name: Rabi'a al-Adawiyyah al-Qaysiyya

Date of birth: Betweeen 95 and 99 Hijri

Place of birth: Basra, Iraq

Rabia Basri is a role model for all Muslim women. Despite Rabia not leaving any written work herself, her earlier life has been compiled by Farid al-Din Attar.

Born in 95 A.H. in Basra in a poor but respected family, she was the fourth daughter of her father. She was born in a dark night. The family was so poor that there was no oil in the lamp even to light it. Her sister asked her father to get some oil from the neighbour’s house, but he said he would never ask anyone for any help except Allah.

When he slept with a heavy heart, he dreamed that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) came to him and said, “Don't grieve, your newborn daughter is a favourite of the Lord and will lead many Muslims to the right path. You should approach the Amir of Basra and present him a letter with a message that every night he is wont to offer 100 daroods to me and on Friday nights 400. But this Friday he did not offer daroods, so tell him that as a penalty he must give you 400 dinars.”

Rabia’s father got up and went straight to the Amir. The Amir was delighted on receiving the message. He distributed 1,000 dinars to the poor and joyously gave 400 to Rabia's father. The Amir then asked Rabia’s father to come to him whenever he needed anything as it was an honour for him to help somebody liked by Allah.

After the death of her father, Basra was hit by famine. Rabia got separated from her sisters and left alone. She was with a caravan that was attacked by robbers. The chief of the robbers took Rabia as captive and sold her as a slave. Rabia’s new master used to make her do hard work.

One day while she was going out, a man chased her. She ran to save herself but fell down and broke her arm. Thereupon, she prayed to Allah, “I am a poor orphan and a slave. Now my hand is broken. But I do not mind these things if Thou be pleased with me...”

Rabia used to spend the whole night in prayer after finishing her household work. She used to fast regularly. Once when her master woke up in the middle of the night he was attracted by Rabia's prayer:

“My Lord! You know well that my desire is to carry out Your commandments and to serve You with all my heart. O Light of my eyes. If I were free I would spend the whole day and night in prayers. But what should I do when You have made me slave of a human being?”

The master felt that it was sacrilegious to keep her as a slave. He freed her and offered her the choice of staying with him or leaving. She told him she wanted to carry on her worship in solitude. She went to the desert and devoted herself to worship. Her mentor was Hassan Basri.

She devoted herself to prayers. Later she set out for Haj. Rabia reached Makkah and there she met Ibrahim Adham who also performed Haj that year.

Throughout her life, her love of God, poverty and self-denial remained her constant companions. She spent all night in prayer and contemplation. As her fame grew she had many disciples. Though she had many offers of marriage, and even one from the Amir of Basra, she refused them as she had no time in her life for anything other than the Love of Allah.

Once when asked why she did not marry she replied:

“If you free me from having to worry about three things, I will marry. First of all, at the moment of death, shall my faith be sufficient to bring me to salvation? Second, will the Book of my deeds be given to me in my left or right hand? Third, on that hour when a party of people are called forth on the left hand to Hell, and another group from the right hand are summoned to Heaven, which company will I belong to? And further when I am interrogated in the grave by the two angels, shall I be able to answer their questions?”

Once Malik Bin Dinaar visited Rabia Basri. He found in her home a partly broken pitcher which she used for ablution and drinking water, a very old straw-mat on which she slept and a brick which she used as a pillow. He said to her, “I have many affluent friends. Shall I ask them to bring some items for you?”

Rabia Basri said, “O Malik! Is my Provider, your Provider and the Provider of the wealthy, not the same?” Malik said, “Yes.” Rabia then said, “Has He forgotten about the needs of the poor on account of their poverty, while he remembers the needs of the wealthy?” Malik said, “It is not so.” Rabia then said, “When He never forgets anyone, why should we remind Him? He has wished this condition for me and I am pleased with it, because it is, His pleasure.”

Rabia has taught us that repentance is a gift from Allah because no one can repent unless Almighty Allah allows him to do so.

Ibn Al-Jawzi relates that at the time of her death, she called Abda Bint Abi Showal and told her that no one be informed of her death and that she be shrouded only in her old robe for burial. When her last hour came, leading sheikhs gathered around her, but she told them to “Go out and leave place for the Angels.” They all went out and closed the door. While they were waiting outside, they heard from inside a voice reciting: “O soul at rest and peace! Return to your Lord...” For a long while thereafter there was silence. When they went inside, they found that she had passed away.

The Book of Assistance

In the name of Allah, the most Gracious Most Merciful

Asalaamu Alaykum

Recently, I started reading this book..and somehow stumbled across a PDF version..

I really do recommend it..

It is called the Book of Assistance by Imam Abdullah bin Alalwi al Haddad.

The book deals with certain aspects of Sufism and how to develop a flawless connection with Allah. The chapters are quite short so it is ideal for those with busy schedules.

http://sunnahmuakada.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/the-book-of-assistance1.pdf

Update

In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful.
Asalaamu Alaykum wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakaatuh

I apologise to all students who have been scouring the blog in search of notes and have left empty handed.

The past few weeks have indeed been quite hectic..

Fear not, I will (Insha'Allah) have the notes posted as soon as possible..

WATCH THIS SPACE! 
I pray that everyone's exams went well but more so that we all pass the Imtihaan of the Hereafter with even greater success. Ameen. 

Dua ma Khaas yaad. 

The video is a must watch for all..please spare some time to listen to what the Shaykh has to say, I guarantee that there is a lesson in it for all of us..