Welcome song when our Prophet ( Allah be Pleased with Him) entered madinah

Welcome song when our Prophet (Allah be Pleased with Him) entered Madinah. At that time Madinah was actually called Yathrib. The ppl of Madinah (Yathrib) greeted him by singing this song.

Fasting of the month of Muharram

Fasting of the month of Muharram:
Muharram is one of the sacred months of the year.   Fasting this month is highly recommended.

Abu Hurayrah RA narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “The best fasting after the month of Ramadaan is the month of Allah, the Muharram” [Saheeh Muslim] Allah‟s Messenger called this month the month of Allah and as we know that when this type of idaafah is mentioned and it is related to the name of Allah, then it means that object has greatness, honor and deserves our respect and veneration as is prescribed in the shariah.  Like baytullah, naaqatullaah, rosuulullaah So, we understand the great importance of this month, however fasting in this month shouldn‟t be done as a whole as we know from the sunnah that the Prophet (saw) never fasted a full whole month except the month of Ramadaan.  So, what the hadith in saheeh Muslims means is to fast a lot of days in Muharram  but not the whole month and Allah knows best. The 10thof Muharam, `Aashuura: When the issue of Muharram comes, we remember a blessed day on that month and that is the day of `Aashuura, the 10th
of Muharram.

From the sunnah we know the following regarding „Ashuura:

•  Ashura was the first obligatory fasting.  But when Ramadan was made obligatory, `Aashura became optional.
• Ashura is one of the day of the days of Allah.
• The Quraish used to fast this day in Mekkah.
• The Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to fast this day even in Mecca.
• Musa Alayhis-salaam was saved on this day, he and followers used to fast this day in thanksgiving to Allah. Jews took this day as fasting and Eid.When the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) came to Al-Medinah, he ordered the companions to fast this day but not to take this day as an eid like the Jews did.
• The Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) wished to fast the 9th of Muharram to make it different from the Jews, however before the coming year he (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) passed away.
• The Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) wished to fast the 9th of Muharram fearing he might miss the Aashuura.
• Fasting the day of `Ashuura will expiate the sins of the past year.

Aishah (radiAllahu ahna) narrated:The people used to fast on `Aashuura (the tenth day of the month of Muharram) before the fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory. And on that day the Ka'ba used to be covered with a cover. When Allah made the fasting of the month of Ramadan compulsory, Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever wishes to fast (on the day of `Aashuura) may do so; and whoever wishes to leave it can do so."  [Saheeh Al-Bukhari]

Abdullaah Ibn Abbas reported: The Prophet came to Medina and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Aashuura. He asked them about that. They replied, "This is a good day, the day on which Allah rescued Bani Israel from their enemy. So, Moses fasted this day." The Prophet said, "We have more claim over Moses than you." So, the Prophet fasted on that day and ordered (the Muslims) to fast (on that day). [Bukhari]

So, the Jews used to proclaim this day as “Yawmun Saleh” [i.e. noble day] “Yawmun „Adheem” [i.e. a great day] and other narrations, Musa alayhis-salam was made victorious and Fer‟aun was drowned, so Musa alayhis-salam and his followers used to fast on this day.  Imam Muslim records the statement of Abu Musa Al-Ashari (RadiAllahu anhu): Abu Musa reported that the people of Khaibar (most of them were Jews) observed fast on the day of Aashuura and they treated it as Eid and gave their women ornaments and beautiful dress to wear. The Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) said: You (only) observe fast on this day.”  [Saheeh Muslim]

So, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) commanded his followers to follow this day to follow the sunnah of Musa (alayhis-salaam) and this of course has been approved by Allah (subhanahu wa ta‟aalaa) as we know the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) never spoke from his desires, what he said was a revelation from Allah.

So, the legislation of the fasting of Aashuura was obligatory in the beginning, and this is the first obligatory fasting in Al-Madinah. Salama b. al-Akwa' (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) sent a person of the tribe of Aslam on the day of Aashuura and commanded him to declare to the people to observe fast in case they had not observed it, and to complete fast till evening if they had taken food.[Muslim]

Rubayyi' daughter of Mu'awwidh bin 'Afra' said that the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) sent (a person) on the morning of `Aashuura to the villages of Ansar around Medina (with this message): He who got up in the morning fasting (without eating anything) he should complete his fast, and he who had had his breakfast in the morning, he should complete the rest of the day (without food).

The Companions said; We henceforth observed fast on it (on the day of 'ashura) and, God willing, made our children observe that. We went to the mosque and made toys out of wool for them and when anyone felt hungry and wept for food we gave them these toys till it was the time to break the fast. [Muslim]

Then the obligation of Ramadaan was revealed: yaa Ayyuhalladheena amaanu kutiba alaykumus-siyaamu….There are several narrations by Aisha, Mu‟awiyah, Ibn „Umar, Ibn „Abbas and others collected by Bukhari and Muslim that after the revelation of the obligation of Ramadaan, the obligation of the fasting of `Aashuura was left and it became optional.

Humaid Ibn Abdur Rahman Ibn Auf reported that he heard Muawiya bin Abi Sufyan on the day of 'ashura' during the year he performed the Hajj, saying on the pulpit, "O the people of Medina! Where are your Religious Scholars? I heard Allah's Apostle saying, 'This is the day of Aashuura. Allah has not enjoined its fasting on you but I am fasting it. You have the choice either to fast or not to fast (on this day).' [Bukhari]


Ibn Umar said: “We used fast in Al-Aashuura, but when Ramadaan was revealed and it was obligatory, the Prophet (saw) said this is a day from the days of Allah, if anyone wishes then let him fast and if anyone wishes then let him break his fast. [saheeh Abi Dawud: 2443]  also, in another narration, he (sallallahu „alayhi wa sallam) said: “ so whosoever loves from amongst you, then let him fast and whosoever dislikes then let him leave.” [saheeh Ibn maajah: 1423]


Although the obligation of the fasting of Aashuura was left, but the Prophet (saw) continued to fast this day.  The following ahadith are proofs of this matter:

1. Ibn Abbas reported: I never saw the Prophet seeking to fast on a day more (preferable to him) than this day, the day of 'Aashura, or this month, i.e. the month of Ramadan. [Bukhari].  
2. He (saw) described the benefit of the fasting of this day.  Hadith of Abu Sayeed Al-khudriy:  The one who fasts on the day of Arafah, his sins of the previous and following years are forgiven and the one who fasts Aashuura, his sins of the previous years are forgiven. [saheeh at-targheeb 1021: Saheeh Li Ghayrihi].  Also the long hadith of Abu Qatadah (RadiAllahu „anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:  fasting in the Aashuura, I hope Allah will forgive the sin of the previous year. [recorded by Muslim and others]
3. He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) encouraged others to fast in so many narrations: if anyone wishes then let him fast and if anyone wishes then let him break his fast. [saheeh Abi Dawud: 2443] 
4. Ibn Abbas reported that when the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) fasted on the day of Aashuura and commanded that it should he observed as a fast, they (his Companions) said to him: Messenger of Allah, it is a day which the Jews and Christians hold in high esteem. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) said: When the next year comes, Allah willing, we would observe fast on the 9th But the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) died before the advent of the next year. [Saheeh Muslim]  
5. Abdullaah Ibn „abbas reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu „alayhi wa sallam) said: If I live by the will of Allah, I will fast the 9th fearing that I would miss `Aashuura (silsilah: 350)  - So, the Prophet (saw) wished to fast the 9thof Dhul Hijjah in the next year too fearing it might miss him shows the great importance and stress that he had to fast on that day.

Regardless, it is no longer an obligation but who of us wouldn't wish for his sins to be forgiven – all the minor sins of the previous years, without counting, remembering – it would erased if we submit ourselves to the sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). And the sunnah is to fast the 10th including the 9th too


Bid’ah and extremisms during the month of Muharram:


When the matter of `Aashuura comes, we should also remember that there two groups of people who definitely exceeded limits regarding this day.  And they are the Rawaafid from the Shiahs, who had extreme veneration for Ahl al-Bayt and the Nawaasib – those who hated „Ali (RadiAllahu „anhu and the ahl al bayt).  It should be noted that it is on the 10th of Muharram, that Husayn Ibn „Ali (Radi..) was martyred in the battle in the desert of karbalah. And this was due to the deception of the shiahs in Kufa who first showed allegiance to husayn and then later on ran away from him.  And he fell victim to the situation.  After 4 years of his martyrdom, a group called the tawwabuun came out from kufa apparently repenting from what they did and they went in search of the killers of Husayn
(radiAllahu anhu) and when they reached the field of Karbala, they lamented, tore their dresses, cried etc. This is the origin of the shias taking that day as a day of mourning – for which in our religion there is no basis.


Then the history of matam (i.e. mourning) was introduces to the this day by the shiahs, they took all the first 10 days of Ashura as the days of mourning, cutting their head, bleeding, taking knives, scissors scratching and hitting their backs – all sorts of nasty things were introduced.  To this day, in some countries, Muharram is celebrated by bringing out procession, by making a fake funeral procession with a box covered with black cloth, a big structure with decorated domes, a decorated horse referring to “duldul” – supposedly the horse of Husayn (radi..) and other things of matam were introduced to the extent many Muslims things `Aashuura is about this and they have no connection to the wealth of Prophetic narrations and discussion that are there which calls to the revival of the heart and soul.

Some weak Narrations regarding Muharram:


Many people specify this day as the day of celebration, buys new clothes, put kuhl in the eye, pray certain number of prayers etc… All of these are innovations and there are no authentic narrations to support such actions.  Below  are some weak narrations that support such innovations and we ask Allah to purify the ummah from such practices.

1. Aashuura was the „Eid of the Prophets before you, so fast this day.  [Da‟eef, Da‟eef Al-Jamee‟ 3670, see Da‟eefah 3851]
2. Fast the day of `Aashuura, and be different from the Jews, a day before or a day after. [Da‟eef, Da‟eef AlJamee‟, 3506]
3. The sea was split on the day of `Ashuura for the children of Israel [fabricated narration, see Silsilah AdDa‟eefah 1499]
4. Fast the day of `Aashuura, the day Prophets before you used to fast, so fast (on this day).  [Da‟eef, See da‟eef Al-Jamee‟ 3507]
5. The one who puts kuhl on his eyes on the day of `Aashuura, will never be sick with sore-eyes.[fabricated, see Da‟eef Al-Jamee‟ 5467]

SUSPENDING all sponsorship transfers

The Government is set to effectively SUSPEND all sponsorship transfer for all nationalities effective 07 January 2012. Companies will be required to immediately submit their manpower requirement,visas or sponsorship transfer approval will be given after review by Labor Office, depending on category (GREEN/EXCELLENT).

Companies in RED CATEGORY must submit original passports/Iqama to Labor Office for Final Exit latest by 07-01-12 or they will be penalized SR.100,000 and all system will be closed for company and employees.

Iqama for 18 job categories and sub categories will NO longer be renewed.

1.  Accountant
2. Secretary
3. Salesman
4. Administrator
5. Sales Manager
6. Sales Supervisor
7. Finance Manager
8. Chief Accountant
9. Senior Accountant
10. Office Manager
11. Sales Assistant
12. Administration Manager
13. Office Boy
14. Driver
15. Receptionist
16. Warehouse Manager
17. Forklift Operator
18. Logistics Supervisor.

Please note EACH CATEGORY will have many sub categories. For example SALESMAN under will come Van Salesman, Showroom Salesman, Key Account Salesman etc etc.

People on Free Visa MUST now regularize their status or they will suffer seriously from 07-01-12.

 Please all expatriates pass the message urgent, help your brother or colleague now.

Lost City of the Empty Quarter

SAND and only sand for thousands of kilometers extending over four nations, Rub al-Khali or the Empty Quarter is the world’s largest sand desert. Uninhabited one may think but the Bedu tribes have survived on the edge since before recorded time.

Sand dunes reach as high as 250 meters, while billions of glittering stars light up its night sky – a feat hikers and campers, locals and expats, don’t like to miss. Formidable conditions – extremely high temperature and dry as a bone – have kept travelers and settlers far away.

To say this place was once luscious green, with lakes and ponds and springs, chirping birds, grazing deer, sleeping water buffaloes, and of course devouring humans would be an unaccepted blasphemy, a madman’s dream, and a creative myth. Yet it’s all true – facts are stranger than fiction.

Much has been written about this Quarter by experts (references at the bottom). Archeologists and geologists have found remains of thousands of lakes (in two periods: between 37,000 and 17,000 years ago and between 10,000 and 5,000 years ago), fossils of cattle and hippos, and of flint tools including knives, scrapers, borers and arrowheads. The mission, the hard work, and the use of technology by scientists to uncover details have all been documented in chronology.

This piece is about the people who inhabited a part of the area. Who were they and what happened to them?

National Geographic reports: “In 1932 Bertram Thomas recorded Bedouin tales of a fabled trading city that disappeared beneath the sands of the Empty Quarter, beginning a love affair between Western explorers and the ancient city of Ubar. According to myth, Ubar was a sumptuously rich city, grown fat from the frankincense trade. Said to have been destroyed as punishment for its inhabitants’ impiety, the city remained elusive for centuries.”[1]

How much of a myth are these stories of Muslim Bedus?

Did you not see how your Lord dealt with Aad? Iram (the city) of the pillars, The like of which were not created in the land? (Qur’an, 89:6-8)

The people of Aad lived in an area between Yemen and Oman.[2] Iram “refers to the House of the kingdom of Aad” as mentioned by early scholars like Qatadah and As-Suddi. [3]

The Qur’an additionally says “of the pillars” because they lived in trellised houses that were raised with firm pillars.[4]

“Do you build high palaces on every high place, while you do not live in them? And do you get for yourselves palaces (fine buildings) as if you will live therein forever?” (Qur’an, 26:128-129)

The National Geographic article continues: “It wasn’t until 1992, after decades of fruitless exploration, that scientists finally made headway. Using space-based radar imagery, they detected ancient caravan tracks that converged near modern-day Shisr in southwest Oman. Their excavations uncovered a large octagonal fortress with thick walls standing ten feet (three meters) high, along with eight towers at its corners. Greek, Roman, and Syrian pottery shards discovered in the ruins – the oldest dating from 4,000 years ago – suggested the site was indeed animportant trading center. The fact that the city seemed to have met with a rather cataclysmic end – much of it fell into a sinkhole created by the collapse of an underground limestone cavern – was compelling evidence to suggest that this was indeed the fabled city of Ubar.” [5]

The myth busted! The Qur’an is the most truthful and protected book known to mankind.

More evidence of Iram is found in the December 1978 edition of National Geographic magazine. In 1973, the city of Ebla was excavated in Syria. The city was discovered to be 4,300 years old. Researchers found in the library of Ebla a record of all of the cities with which Ebla had business ties. On the list was the specific name of the city of “Iram.” The people of Ebla had apparently conducted business with the people of “Iram.”

These fascinating details hint at yet another (among the infinite) proof of the divinity of the Qur’an. Presenting such historic, precise details of a people who lived thousands of years before the advent of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during a time void of academic research and technological advancement is not humanly possible.

Leaving aside these intriguing details, let’s come back to our original question: Who were these people? We must know that the Qur’an is not a book of history or science. It does have many signs for people to believe in it – historic, scientific, literary, etc – but its primary purpose is to guide humanity.

The story of Aad is one for our guidance. Aad were the strongest people of their time in their physical stature, and were the mightiest in power. But they were rebellious, arrogant, and disobedient tyrants. They worshiped false gods besides Allah. They abused the blessings and power they had, and they spread corruption on earth.

As for Aad, they were arrogant in the land without right, and they said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?” See they not that Allah Who created them was mightier in strength than them. And they used to deny Our verses! (Qur’an, 41:15)

As with every disbelieving nation in the past, Allah first sent a prophet to the people to remind them and call them back towards righteousness.

Aad denied the Messengers. When their brother Hud said to them: “Will you not fear Allâh and obey Him? Verily, I am a trustworthy Messenger to you. So fear Allâh, keep your duty to Him, and obey me. No reward do I ask of you for it; my reward is only from the Lord of the Universe. “Do you build high palaces on every high place, while you do not live in them? And do you get for yourselves palaces (fine buildings) as if you will live therein forever? “And when you seize (somebody), seize you (him) as tyrants? “So fear Allâh, keep your duty to Him, and obey me. And keep your duty to Him, fear Him Who has aided you with all (good things) that you know. He has aided you with cattle and children. And gardens and springs. Verily, I fear for you the torment of a Great Day.” They said: “It is the same to us whether you preach or be not of those who preach. This is no other than the false tales and religion of the ancients. And we are not going to be punished.” So they denied him, and We destroyed them. Verily, in this is indeed a sign, yet most of them are not believers. (Qur’an, 26:123-139)

How were they destroyed?

And as for Aad, – they were destroyed by a furious violent wind! Which Allâh imposed on them for seven nights and eight days in succession, so that you could see men lying overthrown (destroyed), as if they were hollow trunks of date palms! Do you see any remnants of them? (Qur’an, 69:6-8)

For seven nights and eight days continuously they were battered with a cold, violent wind. Was it a massive cyclone or a turbulent wind carrying tons of sand? We don’t know. Its magnitude and nature may not be known to us, but we know it was severe and it rooted out these people. Only Prophet Hud and the people of Aad who believed in him were saved. They migrated to Hadramout in Yemen and settled there.

The last verse is quite interesting: “Do you see any remnants of them?” Which means, as Ibn Kathir said, “Do you find any one of them left or anyone who even attributes himself to being from them?” This is the obvious meaning.

However, there’s one remarkable fact. Retired Aramco geologist Hal McClure, who in his 1984 doctoral thesis at London University reported in detail on the lakes, says there are no fossil remains of humans there. “Absolutely none” have been found at the lake, he said, though explorers have found flint tools, including knives, scrapers, borers and arrowheads.[6]

“Do you see any remnants of them?” The verse is absolutely right even if there were fossils because there are no people of Aad living today. But could it also mean they were destroyed without a trace left behind?