Books, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Muhammad Sattaur
The Khasa’is: An Introduction to the Unique ...

The Khasa'is genre of literature revolves around the unique characteristics and distinctive features of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

The term khasa'is is derived from the Arabic language, meaning "unique characteristics" or "distinctive features." This genre of literature aims to celebrate and elevate the status of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by emphasizing his exceptional qualities and the special relationship he held with Allah. Khasa’is constitutes a significant part of Islamic scholarly tradition, as it focuses on the life, virtues, and miracles of the Prophet.

The Origins of the Khasa’is Genre

The Khasa'is literature emerged as a distinct genre in the early Islamic period, with scholars and theologians dedicating their works to exploring and narrating the extraordinary aspects of the Prophet's ﷺ life. These works often drew from various sources, including the Quran, Hadith, and historical accounts, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Prophet's exemplary life ﷺ.

The Khasa’is: An Introduction to the Unique Characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Al-Ghazali
Patrick Bensen
A Guide to Zakat: Types of Zakat, Their ...

O beloved!

Know that giving zakat comprises one of the religion’s principal pillars, for the Prophet ﷺ said,

‘The foundations of Islam are five principles: the testimony of faith, prayer, zakat, fasting, and pilgrimage.’

Moreover, it is reported that,

‘Those who possess gold and silver, yet refuse to pay zakat, a piercing mark will be placed on their chests. And those who possess cattle, but fail to pay the requisite zakat, on the Day of Judgement, the quadrupeds will set upon and trample them endlessly.’

These reports are mentioned in the Sahihayn, therefore, those who possess wealth are impelled to gain knowledge of zakat for it comprises an obligation.

A Guide to Zakat: Types of Zakat, Their Conditions, Etiquettes, and Timing
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Patrick Bensen
A Guide to Salawat: Meanings, Rulings, Methods, ...

On the Meaning of Sending Prayers Upon Him ﷺ

Allah (Exalted is He) has said,

“Indeed, Allah and His Angels send prayers upon the Prophet. O you who be- lieve! Send prayers upon him and extend him a worthy salutation”

(al-Aḥzāb, 33:56).

Ibn ‘Abbas said,

“The meaning (of this verse) is that Allah and His Angels bless the Prophet ﷺ.”

It has also been said that it means,

“Indeed, Allah has mercy upon His Prophet ﷺ, and the Angels supplicate for him.”

Al-Mubrid said,

“The root meaning of ṣalāh (prayers) is to show mercy. Thus, (prayers) from Allah are mercy and prayers from the Angels are compassion and seeking for Allah to have mercy (on the person).”

A Guide to Salawat: Meanings, Rulings, Methods, and Benefits
Al-Ghazali
Patrick Bensen
A Guide to Fasting (Sawm): Its Obligations, ...

O beloved! Know that fasting is a pillar from the pillars of Islam. The Prophet ﷺ stated, ‘Allah ﷻ says: I grant from ten to seven hundred rewards in return for a good deed. But fasting is Mine, and I grant its recompense.’

And Allah ﷻ said:

إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّـٰبِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍۢ

'"...Only those who endure patiently will be given their reward without limit."'

(al-Zumar, 39:10)

Indeed, the reward of one who exercises patience over appetence shall surpass all limits. The Prophet ﷺ related, ‘Patience comprises one-half of faith, and fasting encompasses one-half of patience.’

A Guide to Fasting (Sawm): Its Obligations, Conditions, Prophetic Practices, and Realities
Al-Ghazali
Patrick Bensen
A Guide to Dhikr: Etiquettes, Virtues, ...

O beloved!

Know that the untainted purpose of worship is to remember the Truth ﷻ, since ritual worship comprises the pillar of religion, and its purpose is divine remembrance.

In the Holy Qur’an, Allah ﷻ says:

ٱتْلُ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلَذِكْرُ ٱللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ

‘Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, [genuine] prayer should deter [one] from indecency and wickedness. The remembrance of Allah is [an] even greater [deterrent]. And Allah [fully] knows what you [all] do.’

(al-’Ankabut, 29:45)

Moreover, recitation of the Holy Qur’an counts among the most virtuous acts of worship, since it comprises the Speech of Allah ﷻ and serves as a reminder to the reciter. Indeed, the Holy Qur’an acts to revive the remembrance of the Truth ﷻ in the heart. Besides, fasting aims to rupture appetence in order to purify the heart from concerns with a particular appetite and render it a chamber of divine remembrance, since a heart preoccupied with worldly appetence can neither hope to gain such a lofty station nor undergo change through remembrance. Likewise, the purpose of the pilgrimage, which involves visitation of the House of Allah ﷻ, is to remember the Lord ﷻ of the House and to provoke a yearning in the heart by way of His ﷻ encounter.

A Guide to Dhikr: Etiquettes, Virtues, Realities, and Collected Supplications

Books

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The Khasa’is: An Introduction to the Unique Characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

,
The Khasa’is: An Introduction to the Unique Characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The Khasa'is genre of literature revolves around the unique characteristics and distinctive features of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

The term khasa'is is derived from the Arabic language, meaning "unique characteristics" or "distinctive features." This genre of literature aims to celebrate and elevate the status of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by emphasizing his exceptional qualities and the special relationship he held with Allah. Khasa’is constitutes a significant part of Islamic scholarly tradition, as it focuses on the life, virtues, and miracles of the Prophet.

The Origins of the Khasa’is Genre

The Khasa'is literature emerged as a distinct genre in the early Islamic period, with scholars and theologians dedicating their works to exploring and narrating the extraordinary aspects of the Prophet's ﷺ life. These works often drew from various sources, including the Quran, Hadith, and historical accounts, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Prophet's exemplary life ﷺ.

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On Recitation of the Qur'an: External and Internal Etiquette

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On Recitation of the Qur'an: External and Internal Etiquette

O beloved! Know that recitation of the Holy Qurʾān counts among most excellent of worships, in particular when undertaken during the ritual prayer in the standing position (qiyām).

The Prophet ﷺ said,

‘The most excellent worship before me is recitation of the Qurʾān.’

Moreover, He ﷺ said,

‘Those who are esteemed with recitation of the Qurʾān yet appraise that others have been granted a superior prize, have come to depreciate that which the Lord ﷻ has honoured.’

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What is Futuwwah?

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What is Futuwwah?

Futuwwah linguistically derives from fa-ti-ya, meaning to be youthful. It is related to the word fatā meaning a young male, and Fityan being a gathering or group of youth. Fata is understood from the aspect of age to be one in between the period of early teens and manhood. It connotes the meaning of a youth moving from one stage of life to another, or transitioning from adolescence into an age of a youth having greater maturity.

This transitioning into a stage of greater maturity, of course, does not equal entering into the stage of wisdom displayed by elders, just as Yazid al-Raqashi stated that youthfulness displayed by elders is a despicable trait. Fata can also carry the meaning of a slave, or one who serves another who is superior in social rank.

Why Write About ‘Blackness And Islam'?

Why Write About ‘Blackness And Islam'?

If we are to live Islam with the social integrity and unity that the Qur’an and Sunnah bid us to do, as well as defend the honor of Islam from those who lob intellectual bombs against our faith, we need knowledge.

Sound knowledge of our tradition & our history will help us to remedy our trauma, improve our behavior, and also to rebut skewed claims, especially in the African American community.

Blackness And Islam is an attempt to spread this beneficial knowledge, to help us in these noble endeavors.

An Introduction to Qasidah Burdah: The Most Famous Poem in the World

An Introduction to Qasidah Burdah: The Most Famous Poem in the World

The Burdah of Imam al-Busiri might be one of, if not, the most famous poem in the world. Chances are, you've heard portions of this growing up or in passing. It's that famous "mawlaya salli wa sallim" nasheed so many know sing.

It is a poem that contains many profound - even miraculous - secrets.

It is a study of the seerah and spirituality all in one.

Today, 800 years after it was composed, this ode to the Prophet ﷺ is probably the world's most often recited poem as well.

Why?

First & foremost:

Reading, singing, & reciting the Burdah is a means for us to strengthen one’s love for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ & connection to him. And connection to the Prophet ﷺ is, of course, one of the best means of seeking the forgiveness, mercy, & pleasure of Allah, the Most High.