The act of backbiting (Gheebah/Gheebat) has been strongly condemned in Islam, in both the Quranand the Hadith. There are frightening descriptions of the punishment for backbiting in Islam. Backbiting in Islam is likened to one of the most repulsive acts possible, in the Quran.
The Prophet (PBUH) said in a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari that whoever has oppressed another person should indeed beg him to forgive him. He must do this before the Day of Resurrection. On that day, there will be no money to compensate for wrong deeds. In fact, the evildoer may lose his good deeds as well. Eventually, if that’s not enough, then Allah will give the oppressor the sins of the oppressed.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said a group of people during Mi’raj who were scratching their chests and faces with nails. He asked Jibril who they were. Jibril replied that they were the ones who engaged in backbiting.
Allah commands the believers in Surah al-Hujurat to avoid negative assumptions. He points out that this can be sinful. He also tells Muslims not to spy or backbite each other. Then, the Almighty likens backbiting to eating the flesh of one’s dead brother.
Backbiting is certainly a major sin and must be avoided at all costs. However, many people take it lightly or aren’t aware of the numerous forms of speech that qualify as Gheebat. Muslims must pay heed and learn about the various ways they can fall into the heinous sin of Gheebah. This is imperative, in order for us to thoroughly protect ourselves from committing this often-overlooked transgression.
What is considered to be forbidden backbiting in Islam?
The evil deed of backbiting that is prohibited in our religion can be committed in a number of ways. There are many kinds of speech that constitute backbiting, and it’s easy to backbite without even realizing your error.
Gheebah is to talk about a person in a negative manner, which would offend and upset the person in question if he was present. This could include any undesirable comment pertaining to his physical appearance, or his practice of the religion. It could also be something as basic as a snide remark regarding one’s financial status or children.
We can commit Gheebat in multiple ways. It could be through regular speech or by way of writing, for example, on the internet using social media. It doesn’t even have to be an outright, explicit statement. Even implicitly mocking, insulting, or exposing someone qualifies as backbiting. If the statement disparaging the other person is true, it is still considered backbiting. However, if it is an untruth, one would be guilty of slander.
One may seek to justify and cover up his backbiting by using Islam. In such a case, a person might convince himself that he is against backbiting in general. He could tell himself that he’s not committing Gheebah; rather, he is only sharing the truth about another person.
Others may pretend to be opposing immorality, whereas their primary intent is to talk negatively behind a person’s back. We have to take great care to ensure we never commit this dreadful sin. Furthermore, we should always be mindful of our intentions when speaking, only uttering that which is beneficial.
The Prophet (PBUH) said in a Hadith narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari that whoever believes in Allah and the Day of Reckoning should either speak good, or keep silent.
What causes it?
It is vital to assess why backbiting is so prevalent nowadays. There are a number of factors that lead to backbiting or increase one’s likelihood of falling into it. For example, one may be lacking in faith and thus unable to exercise God-consciousness in all his actions. For such people, pleasing Allah and striving to avoid incurring His wrath is not always a priority.
Another reason is envy and animosity towards others. Indeed, jealousy frequently instigates people to speak ill of those towards whom they harbor hostility and resentment. Conceit is also a key motivator of Gheebah. Often, one’s arrogance may lead to his looking down on others. Pride can make a person belittle others and ridicule them, or make fun of their lack of wealth, etc.
Poor upbringing can also play a part. One may not have been brought up with Islamic values and etiquettes. This means that one’s conduct is not according to correct religious teachings; therefore, backbiting may become a regular activity.
In addition, keeping bad company is a common reason for backbiting. When your friends are morally deficient and ill-mannered, they are bound to influence your character negatively. Consequently, you may end up acquiring their bad habits.
A person may not necessarily be inclined towards Gheebah, but he may still backbite, just to avoid being seen as different or odd by society. People also tend to indulge in gossip and backbiting purely for the sake of entertainment and socializing. Furthermore, some people simply lack knowledge of the religion, and the noble conduct and manners it enjoins. Such people are unlikely to grasp the enormity of this evil deed.
Ways to prevent it
It is of prime importance to strengthen our faith and instill fear of Allah in all our actions. We must strive to please Allah, rather than His creation. By correcting our priorities in this way, we can shun all desires to backbite. Additionally, it is essential to provide our children with an Islamic upbringing. Following the teachings of the Quran, and Sunnah of Muhammad (PBUH) is a must for children to develop righteousness.
Believers are also advised to avoid bad companionship and befriend pious people. We cannot underestimate the impact of our companions’ conduct on our personality. Also, we should spend our free time keeping ourselves busy in beneficial activities, so that we avert detrimental gossip.
We can battle jealousy by accepting that whatever anyone else is blessed with is from Allah’s Qadar (predestination). In addition, one may be tempted to talk about another’s sins or shortcomings. In such a situation, one ought to pay attention to his own faults and concentrate on improving himself.
It is of critical importance for Muslims to learn how to stop backbiting in Islam.We must implement these vital practices so that we can steer clear of Gheebah.
Forgiveness for backbiting in Islam
It is compulsory to repent and beseech Allah for forgiveness if one is guilty of backbiting. If one is aware that the wronged person knows about the Gheebah committed, he must also seek his forgiveness. On the other hand, if the discussed person is oblivious, he should not be informed. However, the perpetrator should make dua for the affected person’s forgiveness and compensate by only speaking positively about him.
Cases where backbiting is allowed
There are some situations in which backbiting is permissible. It is permitted when it is required for the accomplishment of something that is of benefit. If one is oppressed, he is allowed to report his oppressor to a ruler, or someone who has the authority to deliver justice. It is also allowed to ask someone for help with stopping a sinner from sinning further.
It is also permitted in case one needs to mention someone else’s actions to obtain a relevant fatwa (religious ruling). Another circumstance is when one needs to expose another to protect fellow believers from evil. For example, you may have information about a person who is not suitable for marriage. You can advise the person who wants to marry them against entering the relationship. You can also advise a student against studying under a teacher who you know is corrupt.
It is also permissible to discuss what a person has already publicly revealed of his sins. Finally, someone may be recognized by a nickname, such as “the blind one” or “the deaf one”. We may refer to him by that nickname, provided our intention is not to mock him.
2: Kalma Shaadat: Ashahado An Laa ilaaha illal Laho Wahdahoo Laa Shareeka Lahoo Wa Ash Hado Anna Mohammadan Abdo Hoo Wa Rasoolohoo.
Second Kalma Shaadat Meaning: I bear witness that no-one is worthy of worship but Allah, the One alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger
3: Kalma Tamjeed: Subhanallahe Wal Hamdulillahe Wa Laa ilaha illal Laho Wallahooakbar. Wala Haola Wala Quwwata illa billahil AliYil Azeem.
Third Kalima Tamjeed Meaning:Glory be to Allah and Praise to Allah, and there is no God But Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. And there is no Might or Power except with Allah.
4: Kalima Tauheed:Laa ilaha illal Lahoo Wahdahoo Laa Shareekalahoo Lahul Mulko Walahul Hamdo Yuhee Wa Yumeeto Wa Hoa Haiy Yul La Yamooto Abadan Abada Zul Jalali Wal ikraam Beyadihil Khair. Wa hoa Ala Kulli Shai In Qadeer.
Fourth Kalima Tauheed Meaning:There is) none worthy of worship except Allah. He is only One. (There is) no partners for Him. For Him (is) the Kingdom. And for Him (is) the Praise. He gives life and acuses death. And He (is) Alive. He will not die, never, ever. Possessor of Majesty and Reverence. In His hand (is) the goodness. And He (is) the goodness. And He (is) on everything powerful.
5: Kalma Istaghfar: Astaghfirullah Rabbi Min Kullay Zambin Aznabtuho Amadan Ao Khat An Sirran Ao Alaniatan Wa Atoobo ilaihe Minaz Zambil Lazee Aalamo Wa Minaz Zambil Lazee La Aalamo innaka Anta Allamul Ghuyoobi Wa Sattaarul Oyobi Wa Ghaffaruz Zunoobi Wala Haola Wala Quwwata illa billahil AliYil Azeem.
Fifth Kalima Istaghfar Meaning:I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, from every sin I committed knowingly or unknowingly, secretly or openly, and I turn towards Him from the sin that I know and from the sin that I do not know. Certainly You, You (are) the knower of the hidden things and the Concealer (of) the mistakes and the Forgiver (of) the sins. And (there is) no power and no strength except from Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.
6: Kalma Radde Kufr: Allah Humma inni Aaoozubika Min An Oshrika Beka Shai Aown Wa Anaa Aalamo Behi Wa Astaghfiroka Lima laa Aalamo Behi Tubtu Anho Wa Tabarrato Minal Kufri Washshirki Wal Kizbi Wal Jheebati Wal Bidaati Wan Nameemati Wal Fawahishi Wal Bohtani Wal Maasi Kulliha Wa Aslamtoo Wa Aamantoo Wa Aqoolo Laa ilaaha illal Lahoo Mohammadur Rasool Ullah.
Sixth Kalima Radde Kuffr Meaning: O Allah! Certainly I seek protection with You from, that I associate partner with You anything and I know it. And I seek forgiveness from You for that I do not know it. I repended from it and I made myself free from disbelief and polytheism and the falsehood and the back-biting and the innovation and the tell-tales and the bad deeds and the blame and the disobedience, all of them. And I submit and I say (there is) none worthy of worship except Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
Fasting in Islam (known as Sawm (صَوْم) Arabic pronunciation: [sˤawm] or Siyam (صِيَام) Arabic pronunciation: [sˤijæːm], also commonly known as Rūzeh or Rōzah (Persian: روزه)
in non-Arab Muslim countries), is the practice of abstaining, usually
from food, drink, smoking, and sexual activity. During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Sawm is observed between dawn and nightfall when the evening adhan is sounded.Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar and fasting is the fourth of the five pillars of Islam.
Month of RamadanMain article
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is considered Fard.
Days of Oath
If
you swear or make an oath, for example: "If I graduate with a good
mark, I will fast for three days for God" then common belief dictates
that one should fulfil this. This type of fasting is considered
obligatory. Breaking such an oath is considered sinful.
Days for voluntary fasting
Muslims
are encouraged, although not obliged, to fast days throughout the year:
the ninth and tenth, or tenth and eleventh of Muharram, the first month
of the year. The tenth day, called Ashurah, is also a fast day for the
Jews (Yom Kippur), and Allah commanded the Muslims to fast.such as:
any 6 days in the lunar or "Islamic" month of Shawwal (the month after Ramadan (Hijri)
Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays is desirable if possible.
As often as possible in the months of Rajab and Sha'aban before Ramadan
First 9 days of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar (but not for any who are performing Hajj (the pilgrimage)
Days when fasting is forbidden
Although
fasting is considered a pious act in Islam, there are times when
fasting is considered prohibited or discouraged according to the
majority of the sunni scholars:
Eid al-Adha and
three days following it, because Muhammad said "You are not to fast
these days. They are days of eating and drinking and remembering God",
reported by Abu Hurairah.
It
is also forbidden to single out Fridays and only fast every Friday, as
'Abdullah b. 'Amr b. al-'As said that he heard Muhammad say "Verily,
Friday is an eid (holiday) for you, so do not fast on it unless you fast
the day before or after it."
Fasting
every day of the year is considered non-rewarding; Muhammad said:
"There is no reward for fasting for the one who perpetually fasts." This
Hadith is considered authentic by the Sunni scholars.[34]
Fasting
is also prohibited on the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul Hijjah - Days of
Tashreeq The Quran contains no other prohibition regarding the days of
fasting.
In
Islam, there are two types of messengers which are used by the Quran,
the Rasool and the Nabi. Both positions are regarded highly by Islam’s
followers. While most if not all messengers were Nabi, only a few were
both a Nabi and a Rasool. The difference lies in the responsibilities
that each is given.
Rasool
is defined as a messenger, an individual who was given a new Sharia or
code of law by Allah (God). The message is received by the Rasool as a
vision while he is asleep or as a conversation with angels while he is
awake.
A
Rasool is born a Nabi but becomes officially a Rasool the instant he
receives the position and makes it known. Of the several thousand Nabis
and the 25 prophets that are mentioned in the Quran, there are five
Rasools who are called Ulul azm:
Hazrat Nooh(as) who received the Sharia which was followed by other prophets until Hazrat Ibrahim(as). Hazrat Ibrahim(as) who received the Sharia followed by other prophets until Hazrat Musa(as). Hazrat Musa(as) who received the Sharia followed by other prophets until Hazrat Isa(as). Hazrat Isa(as) who received the Sharia which was followed until the time of the Holy Prophet Muhammad(sws). Prophet Muhammad(sws) who received the most perfect Sharia which is to be followed until the last day of the world.
This
Sharia can never be changed, and there can be no other prophet after
Prophet Muhammad(sws) because he is the last prophet. He also holds the
highest rank and position among all the prophets, Rasools, and Nabis.
Of
a slightly lower rank than a Rasool is the Nabi who is also a messenger
of Allah (God). Unlike the Rasool, though, the Nabi is not given a new
Sharia but follows the Sharia which was given to the Rasool who came
before him.
“Nabi”
is a term that is used in both Arabic and Hebrew to refer to “prophet.”
While a Rasool can communicate with angels, a Nabi can only see them in
his sleep. Both the Rasool and the Nabi are tasked with sharing and
delivering the messages of Allah (God) to His people.
Summary:
1.“Rasool” is an Islamic word for “messenger” while “Nabi” is the Islamic as well as the Hebrew word for “prophet.” 2.There are several thousand Nabis while there are only a few Rasools. 3.While
both the Rasool and the Nabi are tasked with sharing the message of
Allah to His people, a Rasool holds a higher position while a Nabi holds
a lower position. 4.A Rasool is always a Nabi while a Nabi may or may not become a Rasool. 5.While a Rasool receives a new Sharia from Allah, a Nabi does not and only follows the Sharia of the Rasool before him. 6.A Rasool receives messages through visions and communication with angels while awake while a Nabi receives messages which are conveyed to him by angels in his sleep.
You probably have heard the terms “Halal” and “Haram”
at some point in your life, but you might not know what it means, what
do Muslims eat and not eat and why. Here's a breakdown of what the term
Halal means and what the term Haram means.
What is the difference between Halal and Haram
Halal and Haram are two Arabic words. They form an integral part of how Muslim view all aspects of life.
Halal: This
is an Arabic word which means lawful or permissible. It does not just
refer to things that a Muslim is allowed to eat but also encompasses
everything lawful in a Muslim's life. Nevertheless, it is most often
uttered in reference to food.
Haram: Haram
is the Arabic word that is opposite to Halal; it means something is
forbidden or unlawful for Muslims to consume, use or do.
Halal and Haram in the Qur'an
Here are some of the verses in the Qur'an which refers to Halal and haram, in particular to food:
In the words of Allah (SWT):
"O
mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and wholesome, and follow not the
footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an avowed enemy of you." [Qur'an:
2:168]
"They
ask you, [O Muhammad], what has been made lawful for them. Say, "Lawful
for you are [all] good foods and [game caught by] what you have trained
of hunting animals which you train as Allah has taught you. So eat of
what they catch for you, and mention the name of Allah upon it, and fear
Allah ." Indeed, Allah is swift in account." [Qur'an: 5:4]
"O messengers! Eat from what is good and lawful, and act righteously. Indeed, I fully know what you do." [Qur'an: 23:51]
You
might have wondered what is a 'Halal' chicken, after all, all chickens
look the same! So, what is it that makes this chicken, or beef, or
mutton 'Halal' and others not? What exactly is the difference between
Halal and non-Halal meat?
The answer is that it depends on the way that the animal is bought up, and how it is slaughtered.
Halal
meat is the flesh of the animal that has been slaughtered in the way
prescribed by Qur'an and Hadeeth; this method is called 'Zabihah'. This
procedure was taught to Muslims as the best way to slaughter an animal
in order to cause it the least amount of pain.
A few important criteria that must be followed in order to slaughter an animal in the Islamic way. They are as follows:
The slaughter of the animal must be carried out by a Muslim.
The animal must not be dead.
Animals for slaughter must not be grouped together or allowed to watch the slaughter of other animals in their herd.
As with most things Muslims do, it must begin with the utterance of 'Bismillah', which means 'In the name of Allah.
The animal must be slaughtered with a precise cut to its throat, severing it's carotid artery, trachea and jugular veins.
The
slaughter must be carried out with the use of a razor-sharp knife to
ensure a quick death and that the animal dies as quickly as possible.
The animal must be hung upside down in order to allow all the blood to drain.
The
general consensus is that everything that is not prohibited is Halal.
We'll take a look at the types of Haram foods in more detail below, but
for now, here's a list of the types of food that are considered Halal:
Meat that is slaughtered in the Islamic manner
Fish and other creatures of the sea (they need not be slaughtered)
Fruits and vegetables
Dairy products (barring cheese made using non-Halal rennet, etc.)
Types of Haram Foods
Here's
a list of foods that are forbidden in Islam. To knowingly eat or drink
any of them is a major sin unless it is an extreme case where no other
food or drink is available and the person is in danger of starvation, or
for medicinal purposes (granted there are no other alternates).
Meat that is not slaughtered according to the methods prescribed by Qur’an and Hadeeth.
Alcohol
Pork or pork by-products
Blood
Food that may contain any combination of the above three (gelatin made from Haram meat, cakes with alcohol, etc.).
Delving
further into the category of meat that is not Halal also considers the
types of animals that one is not allowed to eat and the way in which the
animal dies. These are the types of animals/meat that are Haram:
Carnivorous animals/birds (animals that eat the flesh of other animals or drink their blood).
Animals that have been dedicated to or slaughtered in the name of anyone other than Allah.
Animals/birds that have been dedicated to idols.
Animals/birds that have died due to natural causes.
Animals/birds that die due to strangulation.
Animals/birds that die from being beaten.
Animals/birds that die falling down from a height.
Animals/birds that are killed and gored by a beast of prey.
Animals that live on both land and in water (amphibians) such as frogs and salamanders.
The
reason that we Muslims only eat Halal meat is for two reasons: to make
sure that we are putting into our bodies is healthy and clean, and to
make sure that it has been slaughtered in the most humane way possible.
As
we saw above, the Zabihah method of slaughter ensures that both of
these criteria are met. It makes for a quick and efficient slaughter,
and also focuses on bringing the animal up in a way that it is not
mistreated. Animals that are bred for Islamic slaughter must be fed
healthy fruits and vegetables (and nothing that is considered Haram for
the regular Muslim), and clean. It must not be tortured or harmed in any
way and be given enough space to roam, graze and get plenty of fresh
air.
The
list of Haram meat listed above follows these guidelines. Carnivorous
animals will have non-Halal meat or blood in their digestive systems,
and animals that have died from the various reasons described in the
same list might have contracted some form of infection or diseases;
therefore, they are prohibited.
When
Muslims go out to eat, we look for assurance that the food is Halal.
One reason is to make sure that the meat served has been slaughtered in
the Islamic method, and the other is to be certain that the dish does
not contain other types of Haram food (e.g. alcohol, pig's oil, etc.).
How To Identify Halal Foods
Eating
something that is Haram knowingly is a major sin, and one that every
Muslim should refrain from. Allah has provided us with such bountiful
foods, and there is so much that we can enjoy, so we must make sure to
stay away from that which is considered unlawful. It is also a sin if
you neglect to find out whether the food is Halal or not, and it is best
to stay away from foods that you are unsure of.
Here are a few ways to identify Halal foods in your country:
Packaged
Halal foods often carry a “Halal Certified” logo awarded by the Muslim
council or Halal supervisory board of your country.
Some
foods simply have the word “Halal” printed on them; this is fine too,
but be careful in considering whether you are able to trust the source.
If
there is no Halal symbol, look for the vegetarian sign. This is the one
that looks like a green square with a green dot in the middle. Check
the ingredients to make sure it doesn't contain alcohol (most packaged
goods will not), and you're good to go.
Always
check the labels. Checking the ingredients listed on the package is
your best bet on figuring out if the food is Halal or not.
In
the case of confectioneries, look out for “gelatin” listed in the
ingredients. If the package has no Halal or vegetarian symbol, then it's
most probably not Halal gelatin.
Some
foods containing the non-vegetarian symbol, which looks similar to the
vegetarian symbol but maroon in colour, can also be Halal. This may be
because it contains eggs, and since there are no Halal and Haram eggs,
there is no need to worry. If this is the case, it is usually mentioned
underneath the maroon square and circle symbol.
Check
for foods containing emulsifiers. Look for Halal and Haram E-Codes
online, or you can even download apps that scan the ingredients and tell
you if it's Halal or not. But many emulsifiers may be derived from
plant or animal sources (maybe Halal or non-Halal), so not all products
will be the Halal or Haram.
Nevertheless, here are a few of the Haram E-Codes to look out for:
- E120 Cochineal: red colouring derived from female insects.
- E441 Gelatine: derived from the bones/hides of cattle/sheep.
- E542 Edible Bone Phosphate: extracted from animal bones.
- E904 Shellac: a resin from the lac insect.
If you are eating at a restaurant that claims to be Halal certified, insist on seeing their certification.
If
they do not have one, they will tell you that they source the meat from
Halal suppliers and do not serve pork or alcohol. In this case, ask to
see the certification of their meat supplier.
Refrain
from eating, even vegetarian dishes, from restaurants that serve dishes
that contain alcohol, non-Halal meat or pork. This is because they
probably use the same utensils to cook both dishes, and it is quite
possible that there is cross-contamination even if the dishes have been
washed.
Some
restaurants serve alcohol on the side. If everything else checks out,
this is fine, but if there are other options, it would be better to go
for them.
If you're looking to buy Halal meat, local Muslim-owned butcheries are the ideal place for them.
Muslim-owned restaurants also are credible, but if it is a chain restaurant, check their certifications before eating there.
Salah or salat (Arabic: ٱلصَّلَاة aṣ-ṣalāh, Arabic: ٱلصَّلَوَات aṣ-ṣalawāt, meaning "prayer", "supplication", "blessing" and "commendation";[1] also known as namāz (from Persian: نماز))[2] is the second of the five pillars in the Islamic faith as
daily obligatory standardized prayers. It is a physical, mental, and
spiritual act of worship that is observed five times every day at prescribed times. While facing towards the Kaaba in Mecca,[3] Muslims
pray first standing and later kneeling or sitting on the ground,
reciting from the Qur'an and glorifying and praising Allah as they bow
and prostrate themselves in between. Ritual purity is a precondition.
Salah is composed of repetitive cycles of bows and prostrations, divided into prescribed units called a rakʿah. The number of rakaʿahs varies according to the time of day.
Etymology
Ṣalāh ([sˤɑˈlɑː]صَلَاة) is an Arabic word that means to pray or bless It also means "contact," "communication," or "connection".
English usage
The word salāh is
used by English-speakers only to refer to the formal obligatory prayers
of Islam. The word "prayer" may also be used to translate different
elements of Muslim worship, such as duʿāʾ (دُعَاء "invocation, appeal, supplication") and dhikr (ذِكْر "remembrance, mention, litany")
The noun ṣalāh (صلاة) is used 82 times in the Qur'an, with about 15 other derivatives of its triliteral rootṣ-l Words
connected to salah (such as mosque, wudu, dhikr, etc.) are used in
approximately one-sixth of Qur'anic verses. "Surely my prayer, and my
sacrifice and my life and my death are (all) for God",[ and "I am Allah, there is no god but I, therefore serve Me and keep up prayer for My remembrance. are both examples of this.
Tafsir of the Qur'an can give four dimensions of salah. First, in order to commend God's servants, God, together with the angels, do salah ("blessing, salutations"). Second,
salah is done involuntarily by all beings in Creation, in the sense
that they are always in contact with God by virtue of Him creating and
sustaining them.[14][d] Third, Muslims voluntarily offer salah to reveal that it is the particular form of worship that belongs to the prophets.[e] Fourth, salah is described as the second pillar of Islam.
