In this article, Al-Amin Ciroma highlights the significance of Laylatul-Qadr and how to explore its spiritual advantages.
In each of the daily prayers we offer, we solemnly declare to Allah Ta'ala by saying , Iyyaka na'budu (You alone do we worship). While the intelligent and committed believer realises that his very lifestyle spells worship, he knows, remembering the words of our Prophet (pbuh) that Du'aa (supplication) is worship, [Tirmidhi, Abu Daud].
Allah, the Most Merciful, has encouraged the believers to take advantage of certain times during the year to make Du'aa' (supplication). Such an occasion presents itself annually during Ramadan, especially on the Lailatul Qadr (the Night of Power.) In this night, the single most important event in human history unfolded after the Glorious Qur'an was preserved in the protected tablet, Angel Jibreel (AS) descended with the blessed Book to reveal it, upon Allah's command, to His Messenger, Muhammad (pbuh). Accentuating its significance, Allah says in the holy Qur'an, "And how would you know (the value of the) Night of Qadr?"
The month of Ramadhan has been singled out for special worship (Ibadat) and exclusive favours. It is a month unlike other months. The holy Prophet (pbuh) said that it was the month of Allah (SWT). One reason for this, as defined by the Qur'an, is because the Qur'an was revealed in this month. Says Allah in Sura alBaqarah: "The month of Ramadhan, that in which the Qur'an was sent down; a guidance for mankind, and clear signs of guidance and distinction". In fact, Imam Ja'afar As-Sadik (as) said, the other holy books (Zabur, Taurah, Injil) were also revealed in this month.
Among the nights of Ramadhan is one special night, which is better than a thousand months, good deeds performed on that single night are equal to those performed over a thousand months. It is the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr), when the Qur'an was revealed. Some commentators believe it was the night when the Qur'an was brought down from Baytul Ma'mur (Heavenly abode), for Angel Jibreel (as) to reveal in parts to the Prophet (pbuh). Others say it was the night when the Prophet (pbhu) received the entire Qur'an, but was asked to transmit it as and when the occasion demanded.
Laylatul Qadr is a celebration to commemorate the arrival of the final guidance for humans. It is a tribute to the commencement of the message revealed to mankind by their Creator, a message which shows them the way to achieve happiness in both the worlds. Just as the arrival of a child is celebrated, on its birth and then every year, as a bringer of joy and fulfilment for the family, Laylatul Qadr is celebrated as a bringer of light and guidance for mankind. Unlike the birthday, which is celebrated with a feast for the senses, Laylatul Qadr includes a feast for the spirit, a feast of worship and prayers.
Qadr also means honour and dignity. The holy Prophet (S.A.W) received the divine revelation, when he was in prayer in the cave of Hira (outsket of Mecca). Since this night enjoys the honour of having the first revelation brought to the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wasallam), it has been named Lailatul Qadr.
As one of the holiest and most blessed nights, which is likely to occur on one of the odd nights on the last ten days of Ramadhan and most likely to be the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. The reward of worship on this night is better than the worship of a thousand months of worship, equivalent to a person's lifetime. So, on this night one should pray nafil namaz, recite the Quran, do Tasbih, Zikr, Duas, etc as much as possible.
This night had already opened its gates of treasures when the angel for the first time had come with the Divine Message in the cave of Hira, but its auspiciousness has continued to be with us permanently. Every year in the month of Ramadhan, this night is given to the Ummah. Muslims engage in prayers, recitation of Quran and praying to Allah Ta’ala, as the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with him and his purest progeny) said: "The person who offered prayers to Allah in the night of Dignity with faith and with hope of reward from Allah, all his past sins have been forgiven." (Bukhaari)
As the rainy season is suitable for farming, similarly for the attainment of nearness to Allah Ta'ala, specific times, specific days and specific nights are most suitable. For example, like the time of Tahajjud (midnight) prayers, Friday prayers, month of Ramadhan, the Day of Arfah, and so on, so also the Night of Power is the most suitable night for attaining nearness to Allah (SWT).
In the Hadith, we have been asked to seek it in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadhan. Hazrat A'isha (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alayhi wasallam) has said, 'Seek the night of Dignity in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan'.(Bukhaari).
Going by these facts, there are many ibadats and zikr (Allah's remebrance) selected for lailatul qadr. Some of which are:
•Seeking Forgiveness: Hazrat Aisha (RA) asked the Prophet (S.A.W) that if she happened to get the night sublime, what prayer should she say? The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam replied that she should say the following prayer : "Allahumma innaka afuwwun kareemun tuhib-bul af-wa fa-afo anni." Meaning - (O Allah, You are the One who grants pardon for sins, loves forgiving, so forgive me.)
•Reciting Istighfar (forgiveness). The following should be recited as much as possible: Astaghfirullah hallazi la-ila-ha illa huwal Hayyul Qayyumo wa atu-bu ilaihe, (I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Almighty, there is no God but He. He is self-Existent, the Eternal and I return to Him). •Reciting Suratul-Qadr
Preparation For the Night of Power (Lailatul-Qadr): The other decent efforts for this night are that before its arrival, the prudent wayfarer should arrange for its preliminaries and necessities, e.g. for worshipping in this night, a suitable place, dress, and perfume should be arranged in advance for engaging in private humming communications with Allah (the Glorious, the Exalted), as well as for communications with his masters, i.e. sinless Imams [a] he should arrange suitable themes and contents; for paying alms during this night should allocate some money, even for the invitation of guests and for payment of alms, he should plan in advance to select the most suitable guests and the genuinely poor people, who really deserve financial support.
Let us imagine that if an emperor dispatches a special courier before someone, with compassion and mercy, invites him for a special feast, gives him glad-tidings that if he appears in the royal feast with decency and decorum, rewards and magnificent gifts would be bestowed upon him, and the more respectfully he would behave in the assembly, the emperor too would increase his rewards and gifts in proportion with his behaviour. Undoubtedly, after receiving such a message, this person would become excited and pleased, and in order to prepare himself would not leave any stone unturned, and during this period would mobilize all his resources and efforts to procure whatever is required for being present in such an assembly, so that finally, when that moment arrives, being fully decorated in a respectable and decent manner, he could present himself over there.
The invitation of an emperor is responded in the above manner. But how about the invitation of Allah (the Glorious, the Exalted), who is the King of all kings - the King of the earth and the heavens and has invited us for His feasts? In order to invite us, He has dispatched His favourite angels, pious prophets and sinless Imams (a) as His couriers. He has assigned His angels to announce his invitation kindly and compassionately to us; has given us the glad-tidings of giving us permanent abode in Paradise in return for sincere worshipping during one single night (the Night of Power); has promised such bounties, which have not been seen by any eye, have not been heard by any ear, and have not been imagined through any human being's mind, as well as has given us the glad-tiding of illumination, ecstasy, majesty, splendour, nearness, union, and countenance, for whose least comprehension and understanding, faculties of reason and thoughts find themselves astonished and helpless.
Selection of the Most Suitable Deeds : Other desirable efforts of this night are that with the nearing of these nights, one should increase his eagerness for receiving the promised bounties and blessings; should select worships and deeds which are more in harmony with his mood from the point of view of sincerity, openness of heart and internal purification; in this matter should seek help from Allah (the Glorious, the Exalted), and the impeccable ones. And if he cannot diagnose himself what suits his mood properly, he should seek guidance from Allah (the Glorious, the Exalted), through consultation (istikhara).
How to bid farewell to the Night of Power (Lailatul-Qadr): As was described for the other important and esteemed nights, the Night of Power (Lailatul-Qadr) should also be farewelled exactly in the similar manner, i.e. one should submit his deeds and worships to those exalted ones, with a heart broken, with grief and shedding tears, should request them to make those deeds as righteous, and should intercede with Allah (the Glorious, the Exalted), for their acceptance, and thus making them fruitful.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
My Islamic Articles
What Muslims Are Supposed To Do On FridaysFriday is the best day of the week. Imam Bukhari and Muslim reported that Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) had said, “We (Muslims) came last and yet we are the first on the day of judgment.They have received the books before us (meaning Taurah and Injil). We have received the book after them (meaning the Qur’an). Friday was their day to be glorified. However, they disputed on that while Allah Ta’ala had told us Friday is the day to glorify. Thus, they will follow us. The Jews glorify Saturday, and the Christians glorify Sunday.”Also reported by Imam Muslim, Abu-Dawod, Al-Nasaii, and Al-Termithi, that Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) had said, “The best day during which the sun have risen is Friday. It is the Day Adam was created. It is the day when Adam entered paradise and also when he was taken out from it. It is also the day on which the day of judgment takes place.”
Muslims are supposed to do the following on Fridays:•Men are obligated to participate in Friday Prayer. Allah (S.W.T.) said in Surat Al-Jumauah, (verse 9), what can be translated as, “O’ you who believe! When the call is proclaimed to Prayer on Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business. That is best for you if you but knew.” •In addition, prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) had warned from not attending Friday Prayer. Imam Muslim and Ahmad had reported that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) said about people who do not attend Friday prayer, “I wanted to ask a man to lead people in the prayer so that I may go and burn houses of men who did not attend the Friday Prayer with us” He also said, reported by Imam Muslim, Ahmad and An-Nasaii, “Either they (meaning people who do not attend the Friday prayer) stop neglecting Friday prayers or Allah will set a seal on their hearts so they can not find the right path again.” In another authentic hadith reported by Abu Dawod, Termithi, An-Nesaii, and Ibn-Majah, that the prophet (S.A.W) said, “Who ever does not attend three Friday prayers, (without a valid excuse) Allah will set a seal on his heart” •It is also recommended to increase supplication, especially at the last hour of the day since it is the hour when requests are replied by Allah (SWT). In an authentic hadith reported by Imam An-Nasai, Abu-Dawod, and Al-hakim, that the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said, “Friday has 12 hours, one of which is the hour where cries are granted for Muslim believers. This hour is sought at the last hour after Asar.” •It is encouraged to wish peace be upon prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) during Fridays and Friday’s night because of an authentic hadith reported by Imam Abu-Dawod, An-Nesaii, and Ibn-Majah, that the Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W) said, “The best day is Friday. On Friday Adam was created, and died. On Friday is the first time the trumpet is blown (meaning when every creature dies) and the second time the trumpet is blown (referring to resurrection). So increase the number of times you wish peace upon me since this prayer will be shown to me.” They asked him, How will our prayers be shown to you after you have vanished. He replied, “Allah has prohibited earth to cause the body of prophets to decay.” •It is also recommended that Muslims recite surat Al-Kahf, because of the authentic hadith reported by Imam Al-Baihaqee, and Al-Hakim, that the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) had said, “Whoever recites surat Al-Kahf on Friday, Allah will give him a light to the next Friday.” •It is also recommended that Muslims clean and wash themselves and make sure they smell nice when they attend Friday prayers. Imam Muslim and Bukhari reported that the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said, “Every Muslim is obligated to wash on Fridays and wear his best cloth. Also, he should use perfume if he has any.” •It is important to come early to the Friday prayer. All of the hadith collectors, except Ibn-Majah, reported in an authentic hadith that the prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said, “If one washes himself and then went to Friday Prayer, it is considered as if he donated a camel for the sake of Allah. However, If he went in the second hour then it is considered as if he donated a cow, and if the third hour then as if he donated a big sheep, and if the fourth hour then as if he donated a chicken, and if the fifth hour then as if he donated an egg. Then when the Imam starts delivering the speech, the angels come and listen to it.” Also in anther authentic hadith reported by Imam Abu-Dawod that the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said, “On Friday the angels come to stand on the doors of the mosque (masjid), the angels record who comes first, if the Imam starts delivering the speech, the angles close their files and come to listen to the speech.”It is forbidden to work on Fridays after the call for the prayer is announced because Allah Ta’ala says in Surat Al-Jumu’ah, (verse 9), what can be translated as, “When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business.” Also, it is forbidden to talk during the Khutbah. Several sayings of prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) covers this subject. In an authentic hadith reported by (the group of Ahadith collectors), except Ibn-Majah that prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said, “If you told your friend to pay attention on Friday while the Imam is delivering the speech then you committed a sin of vain talk.” Another authentic hadith which was reported by Imam Ibn-Majah and Attermizi that prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said, “Even who touches the gravel on the floor then he committed vain talk, and he who does commit that there will be no (Jumuah) Friday for him.”It is also disliked to walk between sitting people during Friday gathering unless there is an empty spot to fill. In an authentic hadith reported by Imam Abu-Dawod, An-Nesaii and Ahmad it was reported that, A man came and started walking between people during a Friday gathering while Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was delivering his speech, so the Prophet told him, “Sit, because you caused harm to other people and came in late.”It was not legislated to consider Friday as a day off and not work on that day, because Allah (S.W.T.) said in surat Al-Jumu’ah, (verse 10), what can be translated as, “And when the prayer is finished, then you may disperse through the land and seek of the bounty of Allah.” It was not a habit of any of the companions to consider Friday as a day to take off from work. On the contrary, Imam Al-Malik said, “It is disliked to take Friday off since we will be resembling the Jews and Christians for taking, respectively, Saturday or Sunday off.”Finally , there are two important matters for us in this country to be caution of •First of all, we must not neglect Friday prayers because of work, study, or other matters. Every Muslim should make attending Friday prayer his top priority. It is important to do so since ignoring it three times with no valid reason will cause the heart to be sealed from the right path. •The second matter to watch for is the loosing of one’s interest in the importance of Friday. This is especially important for the growing generation who are used to the concept of weekend being Saturday and Sunday, and know almost nothing about the importance of Friday in the eyes of Muslims. So it is our duty to remind them and ourselves about this great day which is the best day of the week and try to spend it according to Islamic teaching. To Develop Love Between Husband And WifeIslam has placed much emphasis on love and tolerance when it comes to the issue of marriage. As it is, marriage is one of the pillars of the Sunnah (tradition) of the holy Prophet of Islam, Abul-Qasim Muhammad (S.A.W).Allah (SWT) in His holy book (Al-qur’an), indicates that marriage is one of His outstanding signs that He created man and woman and imparted them with wisdom of love and care, so that they will regenerate and prosper in the generation of Islam. Due to the importance of this profound topic, alot of scholars have contributed their own quota in actualising good homes. As the topic goes, we need to explore some dua’ (supplications) from the holy qur’an in order to have everlasting love and understanding between spouses. From my findings, the following are some of the supplications:•Recite Surah Yasin 7 times and every time blow breath through the palm of the right hand on 7 almonds or dates separately and give them to your spouse to eat all of them.•Recite Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim 786 times on a glass of clean (pure) water and give it to your spouse to drink. •Recite Surah Al Quraysh 14 times and blow it on roses and both husband and wife should smell them. •Recite Al-Wadood 1000 times and every time blow breath through the palm of the right hand on some sweet eatables and both should eat it. •Recite Surah al Muzzammil 41 times and every time blow breath through the palm of the right hand on some sweet eatables and give it to your spouse to eat.•Recite the following dua’ verse 31 of sura Ali-Imran: Qul in kuntum tuhibbuunallah, fattabi’uunii yuhbibkumullahu wa yaghfirlakum walLaahu ghafuurur-raheem 3 times and every time blow breath through the palm of the right hand on a glass of pure water and give it to your spouse to drink.• Recite verse 32 of Sura Sad: (Fa qaala) Innee ahbabtu hubbal-khair andhikri rabbee hatta tawaarat bil hijaab (Translation: He said: “Verily I have loved the love of (earthly) good above the rememberance of my Lord until (the sun) was hidden in the veil (of night)) on some sweet eatables and give it to both of them to eat for a period of 7 days.•Recite verse 83 of Sura Yasin: Fasubhanalladhee biyadihee malakuutu kulli shay’in wa ilaihi turja’uun. Wa laa haula wa laa quwwata illaa billahil-aliyyil ‘azeem (Translation: Therefore glory be to Him in whose hand in the kingdom of all things. Unto Him you will all return. There is no might nor strength with (any one) save Allah, the high, the great.) on some sweet eatables and give it to both of them to eat. Insha Allah very soon they will come very close to each other. •Take an egg (of hen) clean it and write verse 128 of Sura Al-Bara-at: Laqad jaa’akum rasuulun min anfusikum ‘azeezun ‘alaihi maa ‘anittum hareesun ‘alaykum bil mu’mineena ra-uufun raheem (Translation: Indeed a messenger from among you has come to you. Any distress that befalls you grieves him, (he is) most kind and merciful to the believers.) on it with the name of your spouse. Enclose the egg in a pot with a cover and bury it under the earth where fire burns everyday. Insha Allah the spouse will come very close to you. If there has been a separation, an immediate reconciliation will take place.•It is written in the book, Biharul Anwar that in order to create love between husband and wife, write the names of Ashab al-kahf (the people of the cave) and then the name of your spouse with her or his mother’s or father’s name and wear it as a ta’wid on the right arm. The names of seven sleepers (followers of Prophet Isa (AS)) in Christian books are as follows: (1) Constantine (2) Dionysius (3) John (4) Malchus (5) Martinian (6) Maximiam (7) Serapion According to Hafiz Farman Ali Sahib they were six and the seventh was a dog. Their names are given below : (1) Kimsilmina (2) Martunus (3) Sarnivilus (4) Ninivanus(5) Tmlikha (6) Wariwanus The Eminence Islam Attaches To WomenFrom Zainab Bashir MarafaThe position of women in Islam has recently been an issue of debate. Some misconceptions arise, either from traditional practices which are thought to be “Islamic,” but are not, or else from prejudices. However, the real issue is how women are regarded in the Islamic faith, and when we look at this, we see that Islam gives women great social value, freedom and comfort.God’s commandments about the status of women and the relations between men and women, which have been revealed to us through the Qur’an, consist of full justice. In this regard, Islam suggests equality of rights, responsibilities and duties between the two genders. Islam is based on sympathy, tolerance and respect for human beings, and does not discriminate against women in this matter. The examples of good morals communicated to us in the Qur’an are universally compatible with human nature, and are valid for all stages of history. Respect for women and women’s rights fall within this. In the Qur’an, God insists that the tasks and responsibilities of women are the same as those of men. Furthermore, while performing these tasks and responsibilities, men and women must help and support each other: The men and women of the believers are friends of one another. They command what is right and forbid what is wrong, and establish prayer and pay alms, and obey Allah and His Messenger. They are the people on whom Allah will have mercy. Allah is Almighty, All Wise. (Qur’an, 9:71) God emphasizes that believers will be rewarded in the same manner according to their deeds, regardless of their gender. Their Lord responds to them: ‘I will not let the deeds of any doer among you go to waste, male or female - you are both the same in that respect... (Qur’an, 3:195) Anyone who acts rightly, male or female, being a believer, We will give them a good life and We will recompense them according to the best of what they did. (Qur’an, 16:97) In another verse, Muslim men and women are considered together, and it is stressed that both have the same responsibility and status in God’s sight: Men and women who are Muslims, men and women who are believers, men and women who are obedient, men and women who are truthful, men and women who are steadfast, men and women who are humble, men and women who give alms, men and women who fast, men and women who guard their private parts, men and women who remember Allah much: Allah has prepared forgiveness for them and an immense reward. (Qur’an, 33:35)In the Qur’an there are many more verses stating that men and women are exactly equal in terms of their tasks and responsibilities and their rewards or punishments in return. There are a few differences in social issues, but these are for the comfort and protection of women. The commands of the Qur’an regards the congenital differences between the two genders resulting from their creation, and suggest a system maintaining equal justice for men and women in this light. Islam does not see women as objects. Therefore, it is not seen appropriate that a woman of good morals should marry a man of bad morals. In the same way, it is not permitted for a woman of bad morals to marry a man of good morals: Corrupt women are for corrupt men and corrupt men are for corrupt women, Good women are for good men and good men are for good women. The latter are innocent of what they say. They will have forgiveness and generous provision. (Qur’an, 24:26) Also as regards marriage, the duties and responsibilities of couples towards each other require equality. God demands that both spouses be protective of and supervise each other. This duty is expressed in the Qur’an in the following words. They are covers for you and you for them... (Qur’an, 2:187) Many rules and commandments exist in the Qur’an regarding the protection of women’s rights on marriage.
Muslims are supposed to do the following on Fridays:•Men are obligated to participate in Friday Prayer. Allah (S.W.T.) said in Surat Al-Jumauah, (verse 9), what can be translated as, “O’ you who believe! When the call is proclaimed to Prayer on Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business. That is best for you if you but knew.” •In addition, prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) had warned from not attending Friday Prayer. Imam Muslim and Ahmad had reported that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) said about people who do not attend Friday prayer, “I wanted to ask a man to lead people in the prayer so that I may go and burn houses of men who did not attend the Friday Prayer with us” He also said, reported by Imam Muslim, Ahmad and An-Nasaii, “Either they (meaning people who do not attend the Friday prayer) stop neglecting Friday prayers or Allah will set a seal on their hearts so they can not find the right path again.” In another authentic hadith reported by Abu Dawod, Termithi, An-Nesaii, and Ibn-Majah, that the prophet (S.A.W) said, “Who ever does not attend three Friday prayers, (without a valid excuse) Allah will set a seal on his heart” •It is also recommended to increase supplication, especially at the last hour of the day since it is the hour when requests are replied by Allah (SWT). In an authentic hadith reported by Imam An-Nasai, Abu-Dawod, and Al-hakim, that the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said, “Friday has 12 hours, one of which is the hour where cries are granted for Muslim believers. This hour is sought at the last hour after Asar.” •It is encouraged to wish peace be upon prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) during Fridays and Friday’s night because of an authentic hadith reported by Imam Abu-Dawod, An-Nesaii, and Ibn-Majah, that the Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W) said, “The best day is Friday. On Friday Adam was created, and died. On Friday is the first time the trumpet is blown (meaning when every creature dies) and the second time the trumpet is blown (referring to resurrection). So increase the number of times you wish peace upon me since this prayer will be shown to me.” They asked him, How will our prayers be shown to you after you have vanished. He replied, “Allah has prohibited earth to cause the body of prophets to decay.” •It is also recommended that Muslims recite surat Al-Kahf, because of the authentic hadith reported by Imam Al-Baihaqee, and Al-Hakim, that the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) had said, “Whoever recites surat Al-Kahf on Friday, Allah will give him a light to the next Friday.” •It is also recommended that Muslims clean and wash themselves and make sure they smell nice when they attend Friday prayers. Imam Muslim and Bukhari reported that the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said, “Every Muslim is obligated to wash on Fridays and wear his best cloth. Also, he should use perfume if he has any.” •It is important to come early to the Friday prayer. All of the hadith collectors, except Ibn-Majah, reported in an authentic hadith that the prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said, “If one washes himself and then went to Friday Prayer, it is considered as if he donated a camel for the sake of Allah. However, If he went in the second hour then it is considered as if he donated a cow, and if the third hour then as if he donated a big sheep, and if the fourth hour then as if he donated a chicken, and if the fifth hour then as if he donated an egg. Then when the Imam starts delivering the speech, the angels come and listen to it.” Also in anther authentic hadith reported by Imam Abu-Dawod that the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said, “On Friday the angels come to stand on the doors of the mosque (masjid), the angels record who comes first, if the Imam starts delivering the speech, the angles close their files and come to listen to the speech.”It is forbidden to work on Fridays after the call for the prayer is announced because Allah Ta’ala says in Surat Al-Jumu’ah, (verse 9), what can be translated as, “When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business.” Also, it is forbidden to talk during the Khutbah. Several sayings of prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) covers this subject. In an authentic hadith reported by (the group of Ahadith collectors), except Ibn-Majah that prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said, “If you told your friend to pay attention on Friday while the Imam is delivering the speech then you committed a sin of vain talk.” Another authentic hadith which was reported by Imam Ibn-Majah and Attermizi that prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said, “Even who touches the gravel on the floor then he committed vain talk, and he who does commit that there will be no (Jumuah) Friday for him.”It is also disliked to walk between sitting people during Friday gathering unless there is an empty spot to fill. In an authentic hadith reported by Imam Abu-Dawod, An-Nesaii and Ahmad it was reported that, A man came and started walking between people during a Friday gathering while Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was delivering his speech, so the Prophet told him, “Sit, because you caused harm to other people and came in late.”It was not legislated to consider Friday as a day off and not work on that day, because Allah (S.W.T.) said in surat Al-Jumu’ah, (verse 10), what can be translated as, “And when the prayer is finished, then you may disperse through the land and seek of the bounty of Allah.” It was not a habit of any of the companions to consider Friday as a day to take off from work. On the contrary, Imam Al-Malik said, “It is disliked to take Friday off since we will be resembling the Jews and Christians for taking, respectively, Saturday or Sunday off.”Finally , there are two important matters for us in this country to be caution of •First of all, we must not neglect Friday prayers because of work, study, or other matters. Every Muslim should make attending Friday prayer his top priority. It is important to do so since ignoring it three times with no valid reason will cause the heart to be sealed from the right path. •The second matter to watch for is the loosing of one’s interest in the importance of Friday. This is especially important for the growing generation who are used to the concept of weekend being Saturday and Sunday, and know almost nothing about the importance of Friday in the eyes of Muslims. So it is our duty to remind them and ourselves about this great day which is the best day of the week and try to spend it according to Islamic teaching. To Develop Love Between Husband And WifeIslam has placed much emphasis on love and tolerance when it comes to the issue of marriage. As it is, marriage is one of the pillars of the Sunnah (tradition) of the holy Prophet of Islam, Abul-Qasim Muhammad (S.A.W).Allah (SWT) in His holy book (Al-qur’an), indicates that marriage is one of His outstanding signs that He created man and woman and imparted them with wisdom of love and care, so that they will regenerate and prosper in the generation of Islam. Due to the importance of this profound topic, alot of scholars have contributed their own quota in actualising good homes. As the topic goes, we need to explore some dua’ (supplications) from the holy qur’an in order to have everlasting love and understanding between spouses. From my findings, the following are some of the supplications:•Recite Surah Yasin 7 times and every time blow breath through the palm of the right hand on 7 almonds or dates separately and give them to your spouse to eat all of them.•Recite Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim 786 times on a glass of clean (pure) water and give it to your spouse to drink. •Recite Surah Al Quraysh 14 times and blow it on roses and both husband and wife should smell them. •Recite Al-Wadood 1000 times and every time blow breath through the palm of the right hand on some sweet eatables and both should eat it. •Recite Surah al Muzzammil 41 times and every time blow breath through the palm of the right hand on some sweet eatables and give it to your spouse to eat.•Recite the following dua’ verse 31 of sura Ali-Imran: Qul in kuntum tuhibbuunallah, fattabi’uunii yuhbibkumullahu wa yaghfirlakum walLaahu ghafuurur-raheem 3 times and every time blow breath through the palm of the right hand on a glass of pure water and give it to your spouse to drink.• Recite verse 32 of Sura Sad: (Fa qaala) Innee ahbabtu hubbal-khair andhikri rabbee hatta tawaarat bil hijaab (Translation: He said: “Verily I have loved the love of (earthly) good above the rememberance of my Lord until (the sun) was hidden in the veil (of night)) on some sweet eatables and give it to both of them to eat for a period of 7 days.•Recite verse 83 of Sura Yasin: Fasubhanalladhee biyadihee malakuutu kulli shay’in wa ilaihi turja’uun. Wa laa haula wa laa quwwata illaa billahil-aliyyil ‘azeem (Translation: Therefore glory be to Him in whose hand in the kingdom of all things. Unto Him you will all return. There is no might nor strength with (any one) save Allah, the high, the great.) on some sweet eatables and give it to both of them to eat. Insha Allah very soon they will come very close to each other. •Take an egg (of hen) clean it and write verse 128 of Sura Al-Bara-at: Laqad jaa’akum rasuulun min anfusikum ‘azeezun ‘alaihi maa ‘anittum hareesun ‘alaykum bil mu’mineena ra-uufun raheem (Translation: Indeed a messenger from among you has come to you. Any distress that befalls you grieves him, (he is) most kind and merciful to the believers.) on it with the name of your spouse. Enclose the egg in a pot with a cover and bury it under the earth where fire burns everyday. Insha Allah the spouse will come very close to you. If there has been a separation, an immediate reconciliation will take place.•It is written in the book, Biharul Anwar that in order to create love between husband and wife, write the names of Ashab al-kahf (the people of the cave) and then the name of your spouse with her or his mother’s or father’s name and wear it as a ta’wid on the right arm. The names of seven sleepers (followers of Prophet Isa (AS)) in Christian books are as follows: (1) Constantine (2) Dionysius (3) John (4) Malchus (5) Martinian (6) Maximiam (7) Serapion According to Hafiz Farman Ali Sahib they were six and the seventh was a dog. Their names are given below : (1) Kimsilmina (2) Martunus (3) Sarnivilus (4) Ninivanus(5) Tmlikha (6) Wariwanus The Eminence Islam Attaches To WomenFrom Zainab Bashir MarafaThe position of women in Islam has recently been an issue of debate. Some misconceptions arise, either from traditional practices which are thought to be “Islamic,” but are not, or else from prejudices. However, the real issue is how women are regarded in the Islamic faith, and when we look at this, we see that Islam gives women great social value, freedom and comfort.God’s commandments about the status of women and the relations between men and women, which have been revealed to us through the Qur’an, consist of full justice. In this regard, Islam suggests equality of rights, responsibilities and duties between the two genders. Islam is based on sympathy, tolerance and respect for human beings, and does not discriminate against women in this matter. The examples of good morals communicated to us in the Qur’an are universally compatible with human nature, and are valid for all stages of history. Respect for women and women’s rights fall within this. In the Qur’an, God insists that the tasks and responsibilities of women are the same as those of men. Furthermore, while performing these tasks and responsibilities, men and women must help and support each other: The men and women of the believers are friends of one another. They command what is right and forbid what is wrong, and establish prayer and pay alms, and obey Allah and His Messenger. They are the people on whom Allah will have mercy. Allah is Almighty, All Wise. (Qur’an, 9:71) God emphasizes that believers will be rewarded in the same manner according to their deeds, regardless of their gender. Their Lord responds to them: ‘I will not let the deeds of any doer among you go to waste, male or female - you are both the same in that respect... (Qur’an, 3:195) Anyone who acts rightly, male or female, being a believer, We will give them a good life and We will recompense them according to the best of what they did. (Qur’an, 16:97) In another verse, Muslim men and women are considered together, and it is stressed that both have the same responsibility and status in God’s sight: Men and women who are Muslims, men and women who are believers, men and women who are obedient, men and women who are truthful, men and women who are steadfast, men and women who are humble, men and women who give alms, men and women who fast, men and women who guard their private parts, men and women who remember Allah much: Allah has prepared forgiveness for them and an immense reward. (Qur’an, 33:35)In the Qur’an there are many more verses stating that men and women are exactly equal in terms of their tasks and responsibilities and their rewards or punishments in return. There are a few differences in social issues, but these are for the comfort and protection of women. The commands of the Qur’an regards the congenital differences between the two genders resulting from their creation, and suggest a system maintaining equal justice for men and women in this light. Islam does not see women as objects. Therefore, it is not seen appropriate that a woman of good morals should marry a man of bad morals. In the same way, it is not permitted for a woman of bad morals to marry a man of good morals: Corrupt women are for corrupt men and corrupt men are for corrupt women, Good women are for good men and good men are for good women. The latter are innocent of what they say. They will have forgiveness and generous provision. (Qur’an, 24:26) Also as regards marriage, the duties and responsibilities of couples towards each other require equality. God demands that both spouses be protective of and supervise each other. This duty is expressed in the Qur’an in the following words. They are covers for you and you for them... (Qur’an, 2:187) Many rules and commandments exist in the Qur’an regarding the protection of women’s rights on marriage.
Rudin Zamani is My Blockbuster, says Rahama
Rahma Hassan is an up coming actress in Kannywood. Born and bred in Sokoto, she started her primary education there up to secondary, and left Sokoto when she was in JSS2. According to her, her father was a police officer and the reason for her leaving the seat of the Caliphate was because her father was transferred back to Minna, the Niger state capital in 1996. After her secondary education at Police Secondary School Minna, she sat for JAMB, and got admission into the University of Abuja, where she studied Business Administration. Presently, she is about going back to school for her MBA at Bayero University Kano. In this chat with Al-Amin Ciroma, she bares her mind on her experience as an up-coming star in the Hausa film genre and the movie that brought her to limelight. Excerpts
What attracted you into the movie industry?
Hm… I had the flair to act right from childhood. I had told my Mum about it, who in turn told my dad and he supported it. He was like, ok you could go and act, no problem. But just take care of yourself. I really love acting. I think it is in me, and I think when I act, I really portray the real character I was given and the message to impart to the audience. It may be on the negative or positive side, but all the same, we are just sending a message to the audience. I have always loved acting right from childhood, it is just in me. And I finally debuted into Kannywood just recently in the year, 2006.
How many films have you done so far?
I have featured in five films. Musanya was my first movie, followed by Qudsiyya then 'Yan'uwa, Wasan Maza and now the big one, Rudin Zamani. That is where I played a lead role. It is really going to be my blockbuster.
What about the Rudin Zamani?
(Laughter) Rudin Zamani is a fine film with a lot of suspence. The storyline is superb. It is about a lady, whose parents are rich, and her father likes her very much. That lady was me. Later, she got a guy, who is poor. She introduce him to her dad and that is how the guy made it. Her father was very happy because he wanted her to settle down. After everything, they got married and her father made him one of the richest young men around. Along the line, the girl pleaded with her husband to allow her go back to school and continue her studies and he accepted.
After going back to school, she made some friends, who misled her with school life. Although she is married, but her girl-friends were not married. They were just having very funny life styles. And from the way the girl grew up, she never had such opportunity. She lived a shettered and protective life being a daddy's girl, and so on. But while in the school, everything changed. Her friends were like, why is she so serious with education? Can't she just play or have fun? They tried to deceive her that there are other ways and means to pass her exams even without reading her books. Before she knew it, she has already become a member. They were all having fun, keeping boy friends. She started staying late in school. She will call her husband and giving him flimsy excuses that she might be coming home late and the husband, being so gentle will succumb to her. At a time, the whole thing got into her, then she started misbehaving to her husband to an extent that, she vehemently asked for a divorce, just give her Saki as we call it in Hausa. She really asked for Saki Uku, the final one as in, if she go, she won't come back with regards to the Qur'anic injunction. She did that because she knows her dad is very rich, so even if she leave him, she is going to have her fun in school and there won't be any restriction. She doesn't have to lie to anybody that she would come home late or something. But at the end of the day, she really regretted as she discovered that all she was looking for was not the real thing she expected. Her life became a mishap.
In essence, Rudin Zamani is something else because the story depicts what is happening now in our society. You see married women going to school or any public places and when they get there, they become another people entirely. A film like that has a lot to offer the society. You know marriage is the sacred institution we have in our various religions. So we should learn to keep them and abide by their rules and regulations. Now producers of Rudin Zamani are trying to expose the unfortunate happenings in our marital lives so that we take precautions.
People are of the opinion that actresses nowadays are wayward. Do you see this as a challenge?
Yes, most people see some actresses as wayward human being, but it all depends on you. But some of the actresses allow the whole thing to happen to them. By the time you have so many fans, everybody will start calling you, they want to take you out for lunch, they want to take you out for dinner, they want to buy you gift, buy you this, buy you that. Once you allow this to get into you, you are going to have problems. Still, there are many actresses who made it and still are not wayward.
What is your experience like in the industry?
Well, it has not been easy, but then Alhamdulillah, I don't really have any bad experience, but just that sometimes the way they schedule the shooting, you have sleepless nights. You are always at the location. It is not easy, probably because it is in me, I don't have problem with acting. So far so good, I have heard a director that complained about Rahma.
Any comment about the recent scandal about the stripped video?
Well, I think that video clip took the whole of us by surprise, we weren't expecting a very beautiful young lady as Maryam to do that, but it is her personal life. I am very sure she did that because she is in love with her guy. If she had knew that this thing will be out for the whole world to see it, she wouldn't have done it in the first place, that I am very sure of. So my advice to my fellow actresses is that we should be careful. The technology is really moving at a very fast lane. Everybody should be on the watch. As an actress, you are a public figure, you should be cautious of what you are doing. Even if you have to do it, calm down and ask yourself, this thing I am about to do, is it good for me and my religion? If you do it, what is going to be the effect? It might not be immediate. What happened to Hiyana was not instantly. It was after a very long time. So I am sure everybody has learnt a lesson out of that indignity.
What about those suspended from the industry alongside Hiyana?
I think they should be pardoned. Everybody has learnt his lesson by now. Then we need an orientation in Kannywood. We have too many young girls that are coming into the industry without knowing what they are there for. And some of the producers will just use them in the movies without properly orienting to know all what it takes to be a movie actor.
Are you indirectly supporting the new laws set up by the Kano State Censorship Board?
Yes! I am in support of the laws 100 per cent. Initially, some people left saying that they were not going to act again, but most of them are coming back and are willing to abide by the rules. Let's just hope that those who set-up the rules, will not in turn, break it.
How do you mean they will in turn break it?
Most of them go out with these young girls in the industry. We had that experience before, there is no need to revisit it or mention names. But it all depends on you as a woman. Sometime, I used to ask myself, why will I have to date somebody? Is it because I want to be a star? Hell no! Not because I want to be a star. I know I am good, it might take some years but I know one day, I will be there.
Who is your role model in Kannywood?
AliNuhu and Aisha Dankano. What Aisha did in Wasan Maza was really good. I love the way she acts. So she is my role model. I want to be like her one day
Do you have similar experience in Nollywood industry?
Yeah Nollywood is another aspect entirely. It is very okay. I was once in Nollywood. I actually left because of my background, culture and religion. My Mum doesn't see it good for a woman to wear skimpy dresses in movies. I am not saying they are not trying, but Islamically, it is wrong that is why my dad advised that I should better be cautious about my religion and cultural background.
Do you really subscribe to the singing and dancing aspect of the Hausa movies?
(Laughter) Yeah, I think its fun. I love fun. We did Yahoozee with Ali Nuhu, we had a cool evening.
Any word to you fans?
Yeah, I love them all. They should be on the look out for my movies. They should also pray for me.
Thank you.
What attracted you into the movie industry?
Hm… I had the flair to act right from childhood. I had told my Mum about it, who in turn told my dad and he supported it. He was like, ok you could go and act, no problem. But just take care of yourself. I really love acting. I think it is in me, and I think when I act, I really portray the real character I was given and the message to impart to the audience. It may be on the negative or positive side, but all the same, we are just sending a message to the audience. I have always loved acting right from childhood, it is just in me. And I finally debuted into Kannywood just recently in the year, 2006.
How many films have you done so far?
I have featured in five films. Musanya was my first movie, followed by Qudsiyya then 'Yan'uwa, Wasan Maza and now the big one, Rudin Zamani. That is where I played a lead role. It is really going to be my blockbuster.
What about the Rudin Zamani?
(Laughter) Rudin Zamani is a fine film with a lot of suspence. The storyline is superb. It is about a lady, whose parents are rich, and her father likes her very much. That lady was me. Later, she got a guy, who is poor. She introduce him to her dad and that is how the guy made it. Her father was very happy because he wanted her to settle down. After everything, they got married and her father made him one of the richest young men around. Along the line, the girl pleaded with her husband to allow her go back to school and continue her studies and he accepted.
After going back to school, she made some friends, who misled her with school life. Although she is married, but her girl-friends were not married. They were just having very funny life styles. And from the way the girl grew up, she never had such opportunity. She lived a shettered and protective life being a daddy's girl, and so on. But while in the school, everything changed. Her friends were like, why is she so serious with education? Can't she just play or have fun? They tried to deceive her that there are other ways and means to pass her exams even without reading her books. Before she knew it, she has already become a member. They were all having fun, keeping boy friends. She started staying late in school. She will call her husband and giving him flimsy excuses that she might be coming home late and the husband, being so gentle will succumb to her. At a time, the whole thing got into her, then she started misbehaving to her husband to an extent that, she vehemently asked for a divorce, just give her Saki as we call it in Hausa. She really asked for Saki Uku, the final one as in, if she go, she won't come back with regards to the Qur'anic injunction. She did that because she knows her dad is very rich, so even if she leave him, she is going to have her fun in school and there won't be any restriction. She doesn't have to lie to anybody that she would come home late or something. But at the end of the day, she really regretted as she discovered that all she was looking for was not the real thing she expected. Her life became a mishap.
In essence, Rudin Zamani is something else because the story depicts what is happening now in our society. You see married women going to school or any public places and when they get there, they become another people entirely. A film like that has a lot to offer the society. You know marriage is the sacred institution we have in our various religions. So we should learn to keep them and abide by their rules and regulations. Now producers of Rudin Zamani are trying to expose the unfortunate happenings in our marital lives so that we take precautions.
People are of the opinion that actresses nowadays are wayward. Do you see this as a challenge?
Yes, most people see some actresses as wayward human being, but it all depends on you. But some of the actresses allow the whole thing to happen to them. By the time you have so many fans, everybody will start calling you, they want to take you out for lunch, they want to take you out for dinner, they want to buy you gift, buy you this, buy you that. Once you allow this to get into you, you are going to have problems. Still, there are many actresses who made it and still are not wayward.
What is your experience like in the industry?
Well, it has not been easy, but then Alhamdulillah, I don't really have any bad experience, but just that sometimes the way they schedule the shooting, you have sleepless nights. You are always at the location. It is not easy, probably because it is in me, I don't have problem with acting. So far so good, I have heard a director that complained about Rahma.
Any comment about the recent scandal about the stripped video?
Well, I think that video clip took the whole of us by surprise, we weren't expecting a very beautiful young lady as Maryam to do that, but it is her personal life. I am very sure she did that because she is in love with her guy. If she had knew that this thing will be out for the whole world to see it, she wouldn't have done it in the first place, that I am very sure of. So my advice to my fellow actresses is that we should be careful. The technology is really moving at a very fast lane. Everybody should be on the watch. As an actress, you are a public figure, you should be cautious of what you are doing. Even if you have to do it, calm down and ask yourself, this thing I am about to do, is it good for me and my religion? If you do it, what is going to be the effect? It might not be immediate. What happened to Hiyana was not instantly. It was after a very long time. So I am sure everybody has learnt a lesson out of that indignity.
What about those suspended from the industry alongside Hiyana?
I think they should be pardoned. Everybody has learnt his lesson by now. Then we need an orientation in Kannywood. We have too many young girls that are coming into the industry without knowing what they are there for. And some of the producers will just use them in the movies without properly orienting to know all what it takes to be a movie actor.
Are you indirectly supporting the new laws set up by the Kano State Censorship Board?
Yes! I am in support of the laws 100 per cent. Initially, some people left saying that they were not going to act again, but most of them are coming back and are willing to abide by the rules. Let's just hope that those who set-up the rules, will not in turn, break it.
How do you mean they will in turn break it?
Most of them go out with these young girls in the industry. We had that experience before, there is no need to revisit it or mention names. But it all depends on you as a woman. Sometime, I used to ask myself, why will I have to date somebody? Is it because I want to be a star? Hell no! Not because I want to be a star. I know I am good, it might take some years but I know one day, I will be there.
Who is your role model in Kannywood?
AliNuhu and Aisha Dankano. What Aisha did in Wasan Maza was really good. I love the way she acts. So she is my role model. I want to be like her one day
Do you have similar experience in Nollywood industry?
Yeah Nollywood is another aspect entirely. It is very okay. I was once in Nollywood. I actually left because of my background, culture and religion. My Mum doesn't see it good for a woman to wear skimpy dresses in movies. I am not saying they are not trying, but Islamically, it is wrong that is why my dad advised that I should better be cautious about my religion and cultural background.
Do you really subscribe to the singing and dancing aspect of the Hausa movies?
(Laughter) Yeah, I think its fun. I love fun. We did Yahoozee with Ali Nuhu, we had a cool evening.
Any word to you fans?
Yeah, I love them all. They should be on the look out for my movies. They should also pray for me.
Thank you.
Friday, June 8, 2007
- My INSIDE KANNYWOOD (In Leadership Weekend)
Kannywood Mourns Ahmed S. Nuhu
SUNSET AT NOON
By Al-Amin Ciroma - Sallah and 1st January are happy days in which people celebrate Ed el-Kabir and New Year when joy and happiness is shared among friends and relatives.1st January 2007, brought darkness to people of Kannywood as a result of the sudden death of one of the most successful and shining super-star hausa movie actor, Ahmed S. Nuhu, who died in a ghastly car accident. It was reported that the accident was as a result of the burst of the car’s tyre. He was in on their way to Maiduguri from Azare to stage a gala for Sallah . The gala was organized by movies producer Dan’azumi Baba Chediyar ‘Yan Gurasa. Ahmed was with his three close friends, Hamza and Baba, who also died instantly with him, ‘Singer Boy’, who was also with him is presently receiving medical treatment in a hospital.
The death of Ahmed was announced by his mentor, Ali Nuhu, who confirmed to our Sub-Editor, Nasir gwangwazo, in a phone call that “Ahmed has died in a car accident. We are on our way to Azare to receive the corpse,” Ali said in a weak voice.
As the media houses broke the news in Kano, many people gathered at Ali Nuhu’s house for confirmation. However, in a very short time, phones of the stakeholders of the Industry became so busy as fans started calling to confirm the incident.
In the evening, hundreds of people surrounded Ali Nuhu’s house for Ahmed’s funeral. No doubt, the death of Ahmed hit hearts of people just as the death of Late Balarabe Muhammad did. In fact, he died the same way he did in a car accident.
Before the arrival of his corpse, people in the house were weeping and crying, especially female actresses such as Fati Fagge, Binta Ishaq and Zainab Umar, who fainted.
After a long wait, the corpse arrived. People rushed to the body and prayed for him.
Producer Adamu Sani Yunusa, who was among those who brought the corpse from Azare told our reporter, Maje El-Hajeej, that, “We were on our way to Katsina, I received a phone call from Baballe Hayatu, informing me about the incident and he asked me to bring the official car of the Guild of Film Actors. We went there (Azare) and collected the corpse from police after clearance. Ali Kwara assisted us with a car to carry the body.”
About the issue of the corpse of the other victims, he said, “We discussed with their parents, and they asked us to leave the bodies there for burial. The dead body of Ahmed arrived Kano around 9 pm. That is why it was decided to postpone the funeral till dawn.”
When Adamu Sani was asked about the actual cause of the accident in a radio interview with Hausa service of VOA, which monitored the incident in Abuja on Tuesday, he said, “We were informed by the police officer in-charge that it was seemingly a tyre burst.”
After the corpse was prepared in the night, his mother stood before the body in tears praying for the deceased and said, “God witnessed that you never offended me during your life time… I forgive you, Ahmed..!”
Before Ahmed died, he had no fear for death order than to die and leave his mother behind as he told Leadership Hausa in October 2007, “I have only one fear on the day of my death, that is my mother! I imagine the situation she might find herself in because she loves me so much!”
Ahmed is survived by wife, Hafsat Shehu, who is also a star actress. She is presently pregnant.
The next morning was so cold but that did not stop hundreds of people from coming out to attend the funeral.
Ali Nuhu was sitting on a mat receiving condolence. Adam A. Zango kept himself in an isolated room inside the house, sitting alone with a dark face. Sani Danja, who is the Chairman of Guild of Film Actors, could not make eye contact with people when he arrived in his jeep, he silently sneaked into the house, in the same mood as Shehu Hassan Kano and others. Most of the directors, producers, writers, singers, cameramen and rest of them went to the room where the corpse was kept. Some of them were Aminu Sheriff (Momoh), Hafizu Bello, Baba Karami, Isa Bello Ja, Isa A. Isa, and Rabiu Musa, who came all the way from Wudil town, a distance of many kilo meters from Kano. Some of the fans were opportuned to reach the corpse in the room and prayed for him.
Before the corpse was brought out for official prayer in accordance with Islamic rite, producer Najjashi S. B. Jakara and Baba Karami announced to the public that ‘whoever has any debt with Ahmed should let it be known for settlement before he is buried’.
Later, the corpse was brought out of the house for the formal prayer. All eyes were shedding tears! Most of the female actresses such as Farida Jalal, who were standing upstairs watching the scene started shouting and crying, “May the soul of Ahmed rest in perfect peace! May your good character follow you to heaven!”
After the Chief Imam led the formal prayer, people escorted the corpse en masse in different types of vehicles to the graveyard of Tarauni in Tarauni Local Government area in Kano metropolis, where late director Tijjani Ibrahim was buried some years ago.
S. Nuhu’s elder brother, Abdurrahman, described Ahmed as ‘a man of the people’. He said, “Ahmed is a person of good character. May his soul rest in peace.”
Most of Ahmed’s colleagues continuously recalled their last moments with him.
Rufa’i Nasidi, a Producer and Chairman of Al-Naseed Universal Concept, said, “My film, Musharaka, which was written by Nasir S. Gwangwazo, was the last film Ahmed did in this world. Immediately after shooting the film, he travelled to Sokoto and later turned back to Azare and Maiduguri, where he died along the way. I discussed with him about the shooting of Kambun So 2, and we arranged to go to the forest of Falgore to shoot the songs of the film. Unfortunately, I went to check out the trailer of Musharaka and the person I went to meet received a phone call with S. Nuhu’s line number but with an unknown voice, asking whether he knows the person who has the number. He answered ‘yes, it’s Ahmed’s’ and the person said I’m a police officer. I called because you are the last person Ahmed called on his phone’s call register. He answered yes, I had a phone conversation with him less than thirty minutes ago. Then the police officer said, ‘Ahmed is dead’.
“We did not believe the news at that moment because we were shocked, so we rushed to Ali’s house, even though I knew Ali was not in town. He traveled to Niger Republic. It was earlier planned that Ahmed will go with him but he refused to go, due to his appointment with the people of Maiduguri.”
It was reported that Ahmed told Fati Fagge that he would never drive his car again and that he would not drive in the night again because of the rate of armed robbery in the nation. It could be recalled that a few days ago, armed robbers attacked him as reported in this paper.
The death of Ahmed is a big blow to those who he left behind as he will always be remembered for his good habits, excellent manners and good interaction with everybody.
The audience of Hausa movies will always remember one of the most popular films of Ahmed, Sarmadan, which was also written by Nasir S. Gwangwazo, in which Bala Anas Babinlata directed him to enter into a coffin (he dies in the film). In the story of Sarmadan, Ahmed died and later reappeared. But this time, Ahmed will never return to life after his death on 1st January, 2007. Perhaps, ‘Sarmadan’, in Hausa language, means ‘Forever’.
SEVENTH DAY PRAYERS
Ahmed S. Nuhu--Gone too soon
The death of star actress Asma’u Jama’are, who featured as ‘Zainab’ in one of historic and famous films of the Kannywood, entitled Ki yarda da ni, was the first that astonished the industry in 2000. Her beautiful performance in most movies attracted many fans and gave her much publicity. She died after a protracted ilness. Her death was a shock to colleagues and fans of the industry. Asma’u was indeed a love-for-all star in her time.
The second ‘dark-death’ which hit and shocked the industry was that of movie director, Aminu Hassan Yakasai. Most of the stakeholders of the industry described Yakasai as one of the the founders and pioneers of the modern Kannywood. He recruited and pioneered many projects in the industry, he also assisted in establishing most of the biggest and earliest movie projects. His death occurred in a ghastly car accident on his way to Katsina from Kano. He is remembered as the ‘man of sacrifice in the industry’.
Another great shock that occurred was the death of the legendary director, Tijjani Ibrahim. Besides coaching most of the star actors, Ibrahim is known to be the brain behind today’s Kannywood that gave him the opportunity to become so popular. Despite the fact that he never appeared in any movie, he maintained a cordial relationship with his colleagues, given his good manner of interaction.
His sudden death occurred as a result of a heart injury. History will never forget this supportive pillar of the Hausa movie industry.
U.S.A. Galadima, a veteran movie director of international recognition, was also a big loss to the industry. He groomed so many people during his time. His sudden death occurred in yet another car accident. He perished at the time when he the industry needed him most. He was one of the professional practitioners in the Hausa film industry’.
Another death which shocked the world of Kannywood was that of star-actress Balaraba Muhammad Kaduna, who also died in her peak. She died on her way to Kano from Kaduna, also in a car accident. She died with a smile on her lips, as she was on her way back from her wedding ceremony.
Balaraba passed away a few hours after her wedding Fatiha, after she married star actor, Shu’aibu Lawan (popularly known as ‘Kumurci’). Her amiable interaction with fans made her the most popular product produced by Kannywood. She was the cool type, and whenever she felt offended, Balaraba would exercise patience. She will forever be remembered as a ‘person with respect for all’.
Memories of Aisha Musa Kaduna (popularly known as ‘Shamsiyya), will forever be fresh in Kannywood and in the minds of fans of the Hausa movie industry. Her death came as a result of prolonged labour, two years after she married ex-national football player, Ali Nayara. Shamsiyya brought a lot of innovation into the industry. Mostly known for her humane and cordial relationship, she carried her fans and colleagues along. People admired her style of acting. She was considered as ‘one of the most productive actresses in Kannywood’.
Kannywood witnessed yet another death, that of one of her elders, Mallam Mustapha Muhammad, popularly known as ‘Malam Mamman’ or ‘Danhaki’. His tremendous support to the industry will never be forgotten. Despite his old age, he never turned down an invitation when called upon to perform. He will be remembered for his hard-work and dedication. Kannywood indeed lost an elder statesman.
Series of other notable deaths occurred in the industry, that of Baffa Yaro (a.k.a ‘Yautai’), Umar Sabo (a.k.a. Katakore) and Shu’aibu Idris (a.k.a ‘Kulu’) which are all unforgettable. These actors worked diligently in making the industry what it is today. May their gentle and respective souls rest in perfect peace.
In addition, the sudden death of Ahmed S. Nuhu seemingly became new to the industry on the basis of some facts. Nuhu gave up the ghost at his prime. He was the only actor with the ability to play any role given to him. Whenever Ahmed was criticised, he will simply smile and say: “I consider all those criticisms as challenges. Criticisms are to correct my mistakes.
He was among the few actors who maintained their marriage till the end of their lives. On the day he died, before he left his house, he called his lovely wife, Hafsat Shehu, and asked her to assess his mode of dressing, he was smiling and his wife gave him excellent compliments. He kept calling her on phone whenever he covered a considerable distance, until he reached Wudil town where he stopped to buy yams after which, he called to tell her that he had bought some yams for her. Those were the last words he said to his lovely wife before he departed this world. No doubt, it will take Kannywood a long time to fill this vacuum.
What they KANNYWOOD Stars say about him
•Yakubu Mohammed (Lyricist and playback singer): “It is going to be difficult to get a subtitute for Ahmed S. Nuhu in Kannywood. We have lost a dear friend and colleague. May Allah (S) grant him Aljannat-Firdausi and give his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
•Adam A. Zango a.k.a ‘Usher’ (Actor): His death came to me as a shock. We were supposed to go the Republic of Niger together for a performance on sallah day, but he declined saying that he had already promised his fans in Maiduguri that he will be there to celebrate sallah with them. Ahmed was indeed more than a friend, he was my brother. May his soul rest in peace.
•Abubakar Yusuf Ladan (Actor and Radio Presenter): ‘We are indeed from Allah and unto Him our final journeying’, Ahmed is gone but his memories will be with us till the end of time. I cherish the lifestyle of this young man, he was a model, a great actor with talents, I advice the up coming actors to emulate him. May Allah (S) shower his blessings on him and give his family, relations and friends the strength and fortitude to bear the loss. May his soul rest in peace.”
•Abubakar Araba (Close associate): Ahmed will forever be remembered in the industry. We love him because of his kindness and sense of humour. May his soul rest in perfect peace, amin.
•Rashida Bello (Actress): Ahmed was a very obedient young man, he respected us as mothers in the industry. Ahmed used to always come to me, especially if we are on set and it is too late for me to get a taxi back home, and say, ‘Mama, don’t worry, I will take you home in my car.” May his gentle soul rest in peace, amen.
•Zaharaddin Sani Husaini (Actor): I envy Ahmed’s lifestyle because of his practical intelligence and sense of understanding. He was a brother and friend to all. We will surely miss him, but he will forever remain blessed. We pray to Allah the Almighty to grant him Aljannatul-firdausi and also give his family the fortitute to bear the loss.
•Ismail Koli (Actor, Producer): Ahmed was truthful. No one complained that he was dishonest. He was my mentor, may his soul rest in perfect peace.
•Shamsiyya Habib, a.k.a. Kansakali (Actress): Ahmed gave me his support like a blood brother. He was one of the pillars behind my success in the industry. I pray to Allah (S) to grant him eternal bliss and give his wife, Hafsat Shehu, resilience to bear the loss.
•Abubakar Yarima (Lyricist and Play back singer): I was shocked when I heard the sad news of his death. I classify Ahmed S. Nuhu as one of the pillars of the industry, I pray to Allah (S) to give us his substitute and may Allah, the Almighty, grant him aljannat.
•Abdullahi Tasiri (Actor): May his soul rest in peace. Ahmed was indeed a friend in need. I always remember his kindness and love for all. May Allah grant us the fortitude to bear the loss.”
•Saminu Mohammed Mahmood (director): I advice all his friends, relatives and fans to continue praying for him. Ahmed is somebody we cannot forget easily. May his soul rest in peace.”
•Yakubu Lere (Producer): Ahmed lived a simple life, he respected elders and even his colleagues. We had a misunderstanding between us, but shortly before his death, we resolved it amicably. He was the simple type. I had arranged to have an exclusive interview with him to be published in my monthly Gidauniya magazine, he had even submitted his pictures to me, but as we all know, we propose, God disposes at will. So I will use this opportunity to advice our young actors in the industry to replicate this young man. May his soul rest in peace.
MY ARTICLES IN LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPER (ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE)
Making Right Choice of Spouse
(Published June 1, 2007)
By Al-Amin Ciroma
Islam necessitates the presence of both the religious and the moral traits upon choosing the future partner. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his purest progeny) once said: "If the religious and the moral qualities exist in the proposed partner, accept the proposal, otherwise it would turn out to be a greatest corruption on earth." For more clarification, a man once consulted the Prophet(S.A.W) about the kind of the person he should get married to. The Prophet (S.A.W) advised: "The religious one."
Going deep into the word "religious", we could understand that the mind, the heart, and the body are inclusive. A religious or a pious person is known for his commitment to his religious duties within himself and with others as well. A pious person who is faithful and obedient to Allah knows and respects his limits and the limits of others. Thus, the presence of the religious element guarantees the success and the healthiness of a marriage life.
In addition, Islam focuses on the presence of the moral side in the process of choice to a partner. The moral side is so essential in that it enriches the spiritual one. The presence of both the moral and the spiritual empowers the relation and strengthens it against any shaking trouble. These two elements help in the compatibility of the partners yet they become more faithful, more honest, and more merciful to each other. Islam concentrates on and highlights the importance of the presence of the moral side for the moral side for the success of any human relation not only the marriage-relation.
The Prophet (S.A.W) said: "I have been commissioned to perfect the best of morals."
This piece is intended to contribute to bring to an end the ever-mounting tide of divorces among Muslims. It is not unusual today to find Muslim brothers or sisters who, by the time they are 30 or 35, have been married three or four times, their children suffering again and again through the trauma of fatherless and broken homes. Accordingly, we may list a few essential points to be considered by both brothers and sisters in the process of choosing a partner in life (although the masculine pronoun has been used throughout for the sake of simplicity, the following is generally equally applicable to both men and women):
1. Du’a.
Unceasingly ask help and guidance from Allah, the Most High, in the matter of finding and choosing a mate. As often as you feel it necessary pray Salaat al-Istikhara, Islam’s special prayer for guidance, in order to reach a suitable decision.
2. Consult your heart.
Listen to what your inner voice, the ‘radar’ which Allah (SWT) has given you to guide you, tells you about the prospective partner. It is likely to be more correct than your mind, which often plays tricks and can rationalise almost any-thing. For many people, first impressions are often the most accurate.
3. Enquire.
Find out the reason why this man wants to marry you. Is he interested in you as an individual or will just any person do? Why is he not doing the logical thing, that is, to marry someone from his culture?
4. Get to know your prospective partner, within the limits of what is permissible in Islam, before deciding on marriage.
Just ‘seeing’ someone once or twice in the company of others, who may be anxious for this marriage to take place, is simply not enough under today’s conditions, where two persons of totally dis-similar backgrounds are meeting each other without the safeguards of families. Without violating Islam’s prohibition about being alone, try to understand his nature, what makes him tick, his temperament, what he might be like to live with.
5. Talk to several people who know your prospective partner, not just one, or have someone whom you can trust do this for you.
Ask about him or her from various people, not just from his friends because they may conceal facts to do him a favour. And ask not only about his background, career, moral behaviours, but about such crucial matters as whether he or she gets angry easily; what he or she does when ‘mad’; whether he is patient, polite, considerate; how he or she gets along with people; how he relates to the opposite sex; what sort of relationship he or she has with his mother and father; whether he is fond of children; what his personal habits are, etc. And in case of women, she should find out about his plans for the future from people who know him. Do they coincide with what he has told you? Go into as much detail as possible. Check out his plans for the future - where you will live and what your lifestyle will be, his attitudes towards money and possessions and the like. If you can’t get answers to such crucial questions from people who know him, ask him yourself and try to make sure he is not just saying what he knows you want to hear. Too many people will make all kinds of promises before marriages in order to secure the partner they want but afterwards forget that they ever made them, (this also naturally applies equally to women as to men).
6. Find out about his or her family, his or her relations with parents, brothers and sisters.
What will his obligations be to them in the future? How will this affect where and under what conditions you will live? What are the character and temperament of each of his parents? Will they live with you or you with them? And are they pleased with his prospective marriage to you or not?
7. Understand each other’s expectations.
Try to get a sense of your prospective partner’s understanding of the marriage relationship, how he will behave in various situations, and what he wants of you as his spouse. These are issues which should be discussed clearly and unambiguously as the negotiations progress, not left to become sources of disharmony after the marriage because they were never brought up beforehand. If you are too shy to ask certain questions, have a person you trust do it for you. At an advanced stage of the negotiations, such a discussion should include such matters as birth control, when children are to be expected, how they are to be raised, how he feels about helping with housework and with the children’s upbringing, whether or not you may go to school or work, relations with his family and yours, and other vital issues.
8. See him or her interacting with others in various situations.
The more varied conditions under which you are able to observe your prospective partner, the more clues you will have as to his mode of dealing with people and circumstances.
9. Find out what his or her understanding of Islam is and whether it is compatible with your own.
This is a very important matter (for women). Is he expecting you to do many things which you have not done up to this point? If he emphasises " Haraams", especially if you are a newly converted Muslim, and seems unable to tolerate your viewpoint, chances are your marriage will be in trouble unless you are flexible enough to accommodate yourself to his point of view and possibly a very restrictive lifestyle. Let him spell out to you clearly how he intends to practise Islam and how he wants you to practise it as his wife so there will be no misunderstandings later.
10. Don’t be in a hurry.
So many marriages have broken because the partners are in such haste that they don’t take time to make such vital checks as the ones outlined above and rush into things. Shocking as it may seem, marriages between Muslims which are contracted and then broken within a week or a month or a year have become common place occurrences among us. Don’t add yourself to the list of marriage casualties because you couldn’t take time or were too desperate for marriage to find out about or get to know the person with whom you plan to spend the rest of your life.
11. Ask yourself, Do I want this man/woman to be the father/mother of my children?
If it doesn’t feel just right to you, think it over again. Remember, marriage is not just for today or tomorrow but for life, and for the primary purpose of building a family. If the person in question doesn’t seem like the sort who would make a good parent, you are likely to find yourself struggling to raise your children without any help from him or her - or even with negative input - in the future.
12. Never allow yourself to be pressured or talked into a marriage.
Your heart must feel good about it, not someone else’s. Again, allegations of "Islamicity" - he is pious, has a beard, frequents the Masjid, knows about Islam; she wears Hijab, does not talk to men- are not necessarily guarantees of a good partner for you or of a good marriage, but are only a part of a total picture. If an individual practises the Sunnah only in relation to worship or externals, chances are he /she has not really understood and is not really living Islam. Possessing the affection and Rahmah (mercy) which Islam enjoins between marriage partners is vital for a successful relationship, and these are the important traits to be looked for in a prospective partner.
13. Never consent to engaging in a marriage for a fixed period or in exchange for a sum of money (Mut’a marriage).
Such marriages are expressly forbidden in Islam and entering into them is a sinful act,as marriage must be entered into with a clear intention of it being permanent, for life, not for a limited and fixed duration.
If these guidelines are followed, Insha’ Allah the chances of making a mistake which may mar the remainder of your life may be minimised. Choosing a marriage partner is a most serious matter,perhaps the most serious decision you will ever make in your life since your partner can cause you either to be successful or to fail miserably, in the tests of this life and, consequently, in the Hereafter. This decision needs to be made with utmost care and caution, repeatedly seeking guidance from your Lord.
If everything checks out favourable, well and good, best wishes for happiness together here and in the Hereafter. If not, better drop the matter and wait. Allah your Lord knows all about you, His servant, and has planned your destiny and your partner for you. Be sure that He will bring you together when the time is right. As the Qur’an enjoins, you must be patient until He opens a way for you, and for your part you should actively explore various marriage leads and possibilities.
Two words addressed to brothers are in order here. If you are marrying or have married a recent convert to Islam, you must be very patient and supportive with her. Remember, Islam is new to her, and chances are that she will not be able to take on the whole of the Shari’ah at once - nor does Islam require this, if you look at the history of early Islam. In your wife ‘s efforts to conform herself to her new faith and culture, she needs time and a great deal of support, love, help and understanding from you, free of interference from outsiders. It is best to let her make changes at her own speed when her inner being is ready for them rather than demanding that she do this or that, even if it means that some time will elapse before she is ready to follow certain Islamic injunctions. If the changes come from within herself, they are likely to be sincere and permanent; otherwise, if she makes changes because of pressure from you or from others, she may always be unhappy with the situation and may look for ways out of it. You can help her by being consistent in your own behaviour. So many Muslims apply those parts of the Qur’an or Sunnah which suit them and abandon the rest, with resulting confusion in the minds of their wives and children. Thus, while firmly keeping the reins in your hands, you should look at your own faults, not hers, and be proud and happy with the efforts she is making. Make allowances, be considerate, and show your appreciation of the difficult task she is carrying out by every possible means. This will cause her to love and respect you, your culture, and Islam to grow infinitely faster than a harsh, dominating, forceful approach ever could.
Finally, a word of warning. Certain situations have occurred in which women, posing as Muslims (or perhaps actually having made Shahaadah), have deceived and made fools of numbers of Muslim men. Such women may be extremely cunning and devious, operating as poor, lonely individuals in need of help and/or husbands. The brothers who fall into this net may be shown false photos, given false information or promises, cheated in all sorts of ways, and finally robbed of anything the conniving lady can manage to take from them. As was said, it is wise to check out any prospective partner with local Muslims who know her.
Keep your eyes open and take your time. Since marriage is for life, for eternity, hurrying into it for any reason whatsoever is the act of a foolish or careless person who has only himself or herself to blame if things go wrong.
Making Right Choice of Spouse
(Published June 1, 2007)
By Al-Amin Ciroma
Islam necessitates the presence of both the religious and the moral traits upon choosing the future partner. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his purest progeny) once said: "If the religious and the moral qualities exist in the proposed partner, accept the proposal, otherwise it would turn out to be a greatest corruption on earth." For more clarification, a man once consulted the Prophet(S.A.W) about the kind of the person he should get married to. The Prophet (S.A.W) advised: "The religious one."
Going deep into the word "religious", we could understand that the mind, the heart, and the body are inclusive. A religious or a pious person is known for his commitment to his religious duties within himself and with others as well. A pious person who is faithful and obedient to Allah knows and respects his limits and the limits of others. Thus, the presence of the religious element guarantees the success and the healthiness of a marriage life.
In addition, Islam focuses on the presence of the moral side in the process of choice to a partner. The moral side is so essential in that it enriches the spiritual one. The presence of both the moral and the spiritual empowers the relation and strengthens it against any shaking trouble. These two elements help in the compatibility of the partners yet they become more faithful, more honest, and more merciful to each other. Islam concentrates on and highlights the importance of the presence of the moral side for the moral side for the success of any human relation not only the marriage-relation.
The Prophet (S.A.W) said: "I have been commissioned to perfect the best of morals."
This piece is intended to contribute to bring to an end the ever-mounting tide of divorces among Muslims. It is not unusual today to find Muslim brothers or sisters who, by the time they are 30 or 35, have been married three or four times, their children suffering again and again through the trauma of fatherless and broken homes. Accordingly, we may list a few essential points to be considered by both brothers and sisters in the process of choosing a partner in life (although the masculine pronoun has been used throughout for the sake of simplicity, the following is generally equally applicable to both men and women):
1. Du’a.
Unceasingly ask help and guidance from Allah, the Most High, in the matter of finding and choosing a mate. As often as you feel it necessary pray Salaat al-Istikhara, Islam’s special prayer for guidance, in order to reach a suitable decision.
2. Consult your heart.
Listen to what your inner voice, the ‘radar’ which Allah (SWT) has given you to guide you, tells you about the prospective partner. It is likely to be more correct than your mind, which often plays tricks and can rationalise almost any-thing. For many people, first impressions are often the most accurate.
3. Enquire.
Find out the reason why this man wants to marry you. Is he interested in you as an individual or will just any person do? Why is he not doing the logical thing, that is, to marry someone from his culture?
4. Get to know your prospective partner, within the limits of what is permissible in Islam, before deciding on marriage.
Just ‘seeing’ someone once or twice in the company of others, who may be anxious for this marriage to take place, is simply not enough under today’s conditions, where two persons of totally dis-similar backgrounds are meeting each other without the safeguards of families. Without violating Islam’s prohibition about being alone, try to understand his nature, what makes him tick, his temperament, what he might be like to live with.
5. Talk to several people who know your prospective partner, not just one, or have someone whom you can trust do this for you.
Ask about him or her from various people, not just from his friends because they may conceal facts to do him a favour. And ask not only about his background, career, moral behaviours, but about such crucial matters as whether he or she gets angry easily; what he or she does when ‘mad’; whether he is patient, polite, considerate; how he or she gets along with people; how he relates to the opposite sex; what sort of relationship he or she has with his mother and father; whether he is fond of children; what his personal habits are, etc. And in case of women, she should find out about his plans for the future from people who know him. Do they coincide with what he has told you? Go into as much detail as possible. Check out his plans for the future - where you will live and what your lifestyle will be, his attitudes towards money and possessions and the like. If you can’t get answers to such crucial questions from people who know him, ask him yourself and try to make sure he is not just saying what he knows you want to hear. Too many people will make all kinds of promises before marriages in order to secure the partner they want but afterwards forget that they ever made them, (this also naturally applies equally to women as to men).
6. Find out about his or her family, his or her relations with parents, brothers and sisters.
What will his obligations be to them in the future? How will this affect where and under what conditions you will live? What are the character and temperament of each of his parents? Will they live with you or you with them? And are they pleased with his prospective marriage to you or not?
7. Understand each other’s expectations.
Try to get a sense of your prospective partner’s understanding of the marriage relationship, how he will behave in various situations, and what he wants of you as his spouse. These are issues which should be discussed clearly and unambiguously as the negotiations progress, not left to become sources of disharmony after the marriage because they were never brought up beforehand. If you are too shy to ask certain questions, have a person you trust do it for you. At an advanced stage of the negotiations, such a discussion should include such matters as birth control, when children are to be expected, how they are to be raised, how he feels about helping with housework and with the children’s upbringing, whether or not you may go to school or work, relations with his family and yours, and other vital issues.
8. See him or her interacting with others in various situations.
The more varied conditions under which you are able to observe your prospective partner, the more clues you will have as to his mode of dealing with people and circumstances.
9. Find out what his or her understanding of Islam is and whether it is compatible with your own.
This is a very important matter (for women). Is he expecting you to do many things which you have not done up to this point? If he emphasises " Haraams", especially if you are a newly converted Muslim, and seems unable to tolerate your viewpoint, chances are your marriage will be in trouble unless you are flexible enough to accommodate yourself to his point of view and possibly a very restrictive lifestyle. Let him spell out to you clearly how he intends to practise Islam and how he wants you to practise it as his wife so there will be no misunderstandings later.
10. Don’t be in a hurry.
So many marriages have broken because the partners are in such haste that they don’t take time to make such vital checks as the ones outlined above and rush into things. Shocking as it may seem, marriages between Muslims which are contracted and then broken within a week or a month or a year have become common place occurrences among us. Don’t add yourself to the list of marriage casualties because you couldn’t take time or were too desperate for marriage to find out about or get to know the person with whom you plan to spend the rest of your life.
11. Ask yourself, Do I want this man/woman to be the father/mother of my children?
If it doesn’t feel just right to you, think it over again. Remember, marriage is not just for today or tomorrow but for life, and for the primary purpose of building a family. If the person in question doesn’t seem like the sort who would make a good parent, you are likely to find yourself struggling to raise your children without any help from him or her - or even with negative input - in the future.
12. Never allow yourself to be pressured or talked into a marriage.
Your heart must feel good about it, not someone else’s. Again, allegations of "Islamicity" - he is pious, has a beard, frequents the Masjid, knows about Islam; she wears Hijab, does not talk to men- are not necessarily guarantees of a good partner for you or of a good marriage, but are only a part of a total picture. If an individual practises the Sunnah only in relation to worship or externals, chances are he /she has not really understood and is not really living Islam. Possessing the affection and Rahmah (mercy) which Islam enjoins between marriage partners is vital for a successful relationship, and these are the important traits to be looked for in a prospective partner.
13. Never consent to engaging in a marriage for a fixed period or in exchange for a sum of money (Mut’a marriage).
Such marriages are expressly forbidden in Islam and entering into them is a sinful act,as marriage must be entered into with a clear intention of it being permanent, for life, not for a limited and fixed duration.
If these guidelines are followed, Insha’ Allah the chances of making a mistake which may mar the remainder of your life may be minimised. Choosing a marriage partner is a most serious matter,perhaps the most serious decision you will ever make in your life since your partner can cause you either to be successful or to fail miserably, in the tests of this life and, consequently, in the Hereafter. This decision needs to be made with utmost care and caution, repeatedly seeking guidance from your Lord.
If everything checks out favourable, well and good, best wishes for happiness together here and in the Hereafter. If not, better drop the matter and wait. Allah your Lord knows all about you, His servant, and has planned your destiny and your partner for you. Be sure that He will bring you together when the time is right. As the Qur’an enjoins, you must be patient until He opens a way for you, and for your part you should actively explore various marriage leads and possibilities.
Two words addressed to brothers are in order here. If you are marrying or have married a recent convert to Islam, you must be very patient and supportive with her. Remember, Islam is new to her, and chances are that she will not be able to take on the whole of the Shari’ah at once - nor does Islam require this, if you look at the history of early Islam. In your wife ‘s efforts to conform herself to her new faith and culture, she needs time and a great deal of support, love, help and understanding from you, free of interference from outsiders. It is best to let her make changes at her own speed when her inner being is ready for them rather than demanding that she do this or that, even if it means that some time will elapse before she is ready to follow certain Islamic injunctions. If the changes come from within herself, they are likely to be sincere and permanent; otherwise, if she makes changes because of pressure from you or from others, she may always be unhappy with the situation and may look for ways out of it. You can help her by being consistent in your own behaviour. So many Muslims apply those parts of the Qur’an or Sunnah which suit them and abandon the rest, with resulting confusion in the minds of their wives and children. Thus, while firmly keeping the reins in your hands, you should look at your own faults, not hers, and be proud and happy with the efforts she is making. Make allowances, be considerate, and show your appreciation of the difficult task she is carrying out by every possible means. This will cause her to love and respect you, your culture, and Islam to grow infinitely faster than a harsh, dominating, forceful approach ever could.
Finally, a word of warning. Certain situations have occurred in which women, posing as Muslims (or perhaps actually having made Shahaadah), have deceived and made fools of numbers of Muslim men. Such women may be extremely cunning and devious, operating as poor, lonely individuals in need of help and/or husbands. The brothers who fall into this net may be shown false photos, given false information or promises, cheated in all sorts of ways, and finally robbed of anything the conniving lady can manage to take from them. As was said, it is wise to check out any prospective partner with local Muslims who know her.
Keep your eyes open and take your time. Since marriage is for life, for eternity, hurrying into it for any reason whatsoever is the act of a foolish or careless person who has only himself or herself to blame if things go wrong.
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