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

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.

A Picture of the Prophet ﷺ: The Noble Hilya Sharif

A Picture of the Prophet ﷺ: The Noble Hilya Sharif

YOU ARE PROBABLY AWARE THAT TRADITIONALLY, PICTURES OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD ﷺ ARE NOT ENCOURAGED.

This is because Muslims hold all prophets, most especially the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, in the highest honor, and Muslim scholars have long agreed that any depiction of any of the prophets “will always fall short of the reverence and honour due to them.”

Many people from other traditions do not understand this prohibition, and this issue is often the focal point of conflict.

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What Do I Do When the Month of Rabi al-Awwal Arrives?

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What Do I Do When the Month of Rabi al-Awwal Arrives?

When Rabi al-Awwal comes, open your heart to receive the divine outpouring and to attain closeness to Allah and His Beloved. Do not place anything above him. We have not been permitted to love anyone or anything, however great, as much as him. May Allah not deprive any of us of the goodness that You have because of the evil which we have.

Hadith of The Middle Night [Laylah al-Nisf] of Sha’ban

Hadith of The Middle Night [Laylah al-Nisf] of Sha’ban

In Sha’ban, there is a noble, great and blessed night. It is its middle night, in which Allah manifests the entirety of His forgiveness and His all-encompassing mercy. Thus, He forgives those who seek forgiveness and has mercy on those who seek mercy. He also answers the pleas of the supplicants, grants relief to the afflicted, and frees a great number from the Fire. In addition, sustenance and actions are recorded in it.

Reflections on Isra’ (Night Journey) and Mi’raj (Ascension) – Habib Umar bin Hafiz

Reflections on Isra’ (Night Journey) and Mi’raj (Ascension) – Habib Umar bin Hafiz

The Prophet ﷺ saw some of the events of the Isrā’ and Mi`rāj in his dreams as a preparation for them before the events actually occurred. Some people claim that all the events of the Isrā’ and Mi`rāj took place in a dream state but this is not the case: the Prophet experienced them with his body and soul. Had the Isrā’ been merely something the Prophet experienced in his dream, the disbelievers of Quraysh would not have had difficulty accepting it. They would not have asked: “How can you have travelled to Jerusalem last night and be with us in Makkah this morning?”