Blessings on the Prophet (pbuh): a means of spiritual ascent

Indeed, Allah and His angels send prayers upon the Prophet. O you who believe! Send prayers and abundant salutations upon him. (Surah Ahzab, 33:56)

You should realize that prayer upon the Prophet ﷺ is a ladder and means of [spiritual] ascent to arrive unto Allah. That is because sending prayers upon him ﷺ frequently engenders the Prophet’s love, and the Prophet’s love engenders Allah’s love, and Allah’s love for the servant attracts the servant to the Divine Presence—with or without an intermediary.

In addition, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is the vizier brought nigh, and whoever seeks an audience with the King must serve the vizier and draw near to him so he can grant him an audience before the King. The Messenger of Allah, therefore, is Allah’s Supreme Sentinel [al-hijab al-a'zam] and noblest door. Whoever seeks to enter through a door other than his will be expelled and cast out. To that end, Ibn al-Wafa says:

You are the door of Allah; whoever attempts to enter [the Divine Presence]
From a door other than yours shall not enter it

Sheikh al-Jazuli in Dalail al-Khayrat says, “Sending prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ is of the utmost importance for the one who desires to draw close to the Lord of lords.”[1] The commentator on Dalail al-Khayrat explains this:

There are several reasons why it is so important [to send prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ] …One reason is that it contains a means of approach to Allah Most High through the station of His Beloved and Chosen One ﷺ. The Most High says, “And seek a means of approach unto Him.”[2] There is no means of approach to Allah that is closer or greater than His noblest Messenger ﷺ.

Another reason is that Allah Most High, out of His honor, ennobling, and preference to the Prophet’s lofty stature ﷺ, has commanded and encouraged prayers upon him ﷺ, and promised a good return and bountiful reward for those who say them. It is one of the most favorable of deeds, heaviest of statements, purest of states, most prosperous of works that draw nigh, and most encompassing of blessings. Sending prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ is a means of arriving at the good-pleasure of the All-Merciful and attaining felicity and the greatest satisfaction [ridwan]. Through it, a person’s supplications are answered and he ascends to the highest spiritual degrees.

Allah Most High revealed to Musa (peace be upon him), “O Musa! Do you desire that I become closer to you than your words upon your tongue, your whispers upon your heart, your soul in your body, and the light of your vision in your eyes?” Musa replied, “Yes, O Lord!” Allah said, “Then send frequent prayers upon Muhammad ﷺ.”

Another reason is that the Prophet ﷺ is the Beloved of Allah Most High and he possesses an immense rank with Him. Both Allah and His angels send prayers upon him ﷺ, so it is incumbent to love the Beloved and draw close to Allah Most High through love of him, reverence of him, fulfillment of his rights, prayers upon him, and emulation of the prayers of Allah and the angels upon him ﷺ. This honoring is greater and more consummate than the honor conferred upon Adam (peace be upon him) when Allah ordered the angels to prostrate to him. That is because it is impermissible that Allah could have been with the angels in the conferring of honor to Adam, so the honoring that comes from both Allah and His angels is more intense than the honoring that came only from the angels.

Another reason relates to the virtues that are transmitted about the sending prayers upon him, as well as the promise of immense reward, high rank, and the promise that the one who sends prayers upon him will win unto Allah’s good-pleasure and have his worldly and after-worldly needs fulfilled.

Another reason is that the sending of prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ entails showing gratitude to the one who is the intermediate [wasita] in Allah’s graces upon us and to whom we are ordered to be thankful. There is not a single grace of Allah upon us—whether it has passed or is to come, and whether it is the grace of existence [ijad] or the grace of sustenance [imdad], in this life or the next—save that the Prophet ﷺis the means for it reaching us and circulating among us. It is obligatory upon us to fulfill the rights he ﷺ has upon us, and when we show gratitude for his bounties we must not become fatigued from sending prayers upon him ﷺ at every inhalation and exhalation.

Another reason is that the sending of prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ entails a fulfillment of slavehood by carrying out what is ostensibly negated by the very basis of slavehood itself. This is a stronger form of compliance and is the reason why the merits of prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ are superior to other actions. That which is ostensibly negated by the basis of slavehood is for the servant to draw close to Allah by occupying himself with other than Him. When we say for example, “O Allah! Send prayers upon Muhammad,” we are occupying ourselves with the right of Muhammad ﷺ, whereas the basis for all acts of devotion is that we only seek nearness to Allah by carrying out His rights. However, since the sending of prayers upon Muhammad ﷺ comes from a permission from Allah Most High, it is a stronger form of compliance to the divine command. It may be likened to Allah’s command that the angels prostrate to Adam. The angels’ honor was in their compliance with Allah’s command, and Satan’s disgrace was in his contravention of Allah’s command.

Another reason lies in the tried and true effects of sending prayers upon him ﷺ and the benefits of their resultant mystical illuminations and elevations of spiritual resolve (himma). It is even said—according to what Sheikh al-SanusÏ, Sheikh [Ahmad] Zarruq, and others relate—that prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ suffice one in the absence of a sheikh in the spiritual path and they stand in his place.

Another reason lies in the fact that the sending of prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ brings about equilibrium in the spiritual path: one that combines the servant’s perfections and completes him, for in the prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ there is mention of Allah and His Messenger, but this is not the case for other formulas of remembrance. This is why perseverance and constancy with the [other] formulas of remembrance can bring about a state of disequilibrium and luminosity that burns away the character traits, and give rise to incandescence and heat in the constitution. On the other hand, because it is like cool water, the sending of prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ removes this heat in the constitution and strengthens the souls…

PM Cameron joins Muslims to celebrate Twelfth Annual Awards Ceremony to recognise the very best of British Muslim Achievement

[Photo: Prime Minister David Cameron speaking at The Muslim News Awards for Excellent 2014 event (Photo: Abdul Datoo/The Muslim News]

At London’s Grosvenor House Monday, Prime Minister, David Cameron, joined some 800 people to celebrate the Twelfth The Muslim News Awards for Excellence  – Britain’s longest standing Muslim awards event. The coveted award ceremony recognises the very best of Muslim contribution to British society.

The Guest of Honour, Prime Minister, David Cameron, presenting the Enterprise award toShabir Randeree, Executive Chair of DCD Group, said, “I’m delighted to have taken part in this year’s Muslim News ds for Excellence, where we were able to champion and celebrate the huge contribution British Muslims make to our country. I was truly impressed hearing about the extraordinary work of the nominees and winners, and it was great to have been able to meet some of them tonight.”

The special Judges award went to Ola Lawal, an active volunteer working to improve the lives of young and disabled people, as well as the local community around her.

Amongst the other 15 winners were, in sport, Mo Farah, Olympic gold medalist, who is also involved in various philanthropic initiatives; in the media, Roohi Hasan, a senior producer at ITV News; children’s award went to 10-year-old, Ahmed Saleh, who has won numerous kickboxing and freestyle karate titles at national, European, and global levels.

For full list of the winners CLICK HERE.

Cameron said that, “I see for myself on a daily basis the massive contribution of British Muslims. From my own colleagues, such as Sayeeda Warsi, Sajid Javid and Tariq Ahmad on the Government benches to the Muslim businesses and enterprises that are bringing growth back to Britain. And of course I frequently see the outstanding achievements of Muslim sportsmen and women, public servants, entertainers and community leaders. The list goes on and on.”

“Tonight we celebrate an entire community – one that is vibrant, hard-working and proud. My message to British Muslims is that this Government is here for you. We are backing hard-working families who want to get on and do the right thing; we are reforming the education system, giving parents more say and delivering the schools and skills that our young people need to succeed; we are reforming the welfare system so it rewards those who want to work; we are cutting taxes, so that people get to keep more of their hard-earned money, and we are creating jobs, so people can provide for their families and feel secure. This is all part of our long-term plan to build a stronger economy and I know that British Muslims will play a vital part in helping to achieve future prosperity and security for our country.”

Special guests included Attorney General, Dominic Grieve, Shadow Justice Secretary, Sadiq Khan, Minister of State at Ministry of Justice, Simon Hughes.

They were joined by civic and religious leaders, as well as representatives from the worlds of politics, business, sport and the arts, to honour unsung heroes and heroines of the community.

Now in its twelfth year, the ceremony has distinguished itself for pioneering an initiative that finds the very best in British Muslims.

The Editor of The Muslim News, Ahmed J Versi, said, “We began this event twelve years ago because we wanted to acknowledge the noble accomplishments and displays of distinction within the British Muslim community and showcase the tremendous contributions British Muslims make to Britain. We wanted also to identify and highlight Muslim role models for the younger generation.”

In a message, Opposition Leader Ed Miliband, said: “Tonight’s awards ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate the great talent shown and contribution given by Muslim people in all walks of life.

“The awards recognize not only excellence in business, sport, arts and technology, but also those who have served their communities selflessly. It is a true celebration of values core to our country – of community and commitment, of education and learning.”

Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of Liberal Democrats, said: “The Muslim News Awards for Excellence has become the flagship event for Muslim communities in the UK highlighting British Muslim contributions to society which might otherwise go unrecognized.

“The contribution of British Muslims to the country’s rich multicultural landscape cannot be underestimated.”

Saudi Arabia: Prince Charles’ visit boosts Saudi-UK ties

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  LOCAL DRESS: Prince Charles talks on a mobile phone at the Janadiriyah festival wearing the traditional dress of the region. (SPA)

 By Rashid Hassan

Riyadh, (Arab News): Prince Charles, the heir apparent to the British throne, called on Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, second deputy premier and special envoy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Prince Saud Al-Faisal, minister of foreign affairs, on Tuesday.

Prince Charles arrived on a three-day tour of the Kingdom on Monday, his 10th trip to the Kingdom since his first official tour in 1986.

The current tour is part of his four-day trip to Saudi Arabia and Qatar and comes just under a year since he last visited the two countries.

The Prince of Wales, who is also expected to meet King Abdullah during this trip, will visit the historic sites here as well. He was received by Prince Muqrin at the King’s ranch in Janadriyah on the outskirts of Riyadh, where the national festival for heritage and culture, Janadriyah 29, is currently being held.

The two leaders applauded the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and discussed various issues of mutual interest.

The UK and the Kingdom share a common position on regional issues including the ongoing crisis in Syria and Palestine.

Commenting on the trip, Sir John Jenkins, British ambassador in Riyadh said, “The Prince of Wales’ return to the region only a year after his last visit demonstrates the importance the British government places on its association with key partners in the area. It is testament to the importance attached by the British government’s strong existing relations with key partners like Saudi Arabia; a long-term relationship based on mutual respect between the two countries.”

Linking the friendship rooted in a long period to establish the modern Saudi state, Jenkins said, “Ensuring continuity of personal relationships is essential for us, especially if we are to understand each other better. The visit is the embodiment of our desire to establish communication between officials of the two countries at the highest levels and our determination to preserve the personal nature of the relationships.”

“In a time of turmoil in the Middle East which is dotted with most types of suffering humanity, particularly those taking place in Syria today, the visit of the Prince of Wales highlights his support to the principle of inter-faith understanding and dialogue between communities as a necessity more than ever. The king has a deep concern himself. I am sure that His Royal Highness will discuss a lot of topics related to the need for reconciliation and aspirations for the future of the region,” the ambassador stated. He, however added that most of the engagements on his tour are private. Prince Charles also had a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Saud Al-Faisal where they discussed bilateral issues.

Palestine: Israeli army kidnaps dozens of Palestinians in West Bank

[Photo: Israeli soldiers Invading Hebron:  Hebron Daily News]

By Saed Bannoura

IMEMC & Agencies: Tuesday, Israeli soldiers continued their large-scale military invasion into different Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, broke into dozens of homes and searched them, and kidnapped dozens of Palestinians.

Local sources in the southern West Bank district of Hebron have reported that the soldiers kidnapped at least fifteen Palestinians after breaking into their homes, and interrogated dozens of residents.
The WAFA News Agency said that soldiers invaded various towns, villages and refugee camps in the district, and kidnapped; Rami Rafe’ Markhiyya, 13, Jihad Monther Fannoun, Awni Sa’id Sabarna, Samir Saleh al-Qady, Fadi Abdullah Ghneimat, Ahmad Khalaf, Marwan Abbdul-Qader Abu Fara, Ahmad al-Hour and his son Husam, Jadallah Abdullah Rajoub, Mohammad Fawzi al-Khatib, Anas Sobhy al-Jo’ba, Jalal Jamal Yaghmour, Eid Mousa Ebrewish and Ali Hmeidat.

WAFA added that the soldiers also invaded dozens of homes, violently searched them, and used many homes as military posts and monitoring towers.

Soldiers also installed roadblocks blocking any contiguity between towns and villages in the southern and western parts of Hebron.

They further confiscated surveillance cameras belonging to residents in Sinjer area, east of Doura town.

Local sources said the sounds of explosions were heard in various areas in Hebron, and that the soldiers were deliberately throwing sounds bombs and concussion grenades into Palestinian homes before invading them.

At least 80 Palestinians have been kidnapped in the Hebron district since the three Israeli settlers went missing last Thursday night.

In Ethna town, west of Hebron, the soldiers demolished an under-construction 130 square/meter home, belonging to a resident identified as Mohammad Hussein Farahallah.

In the Bethlehem District, soldiers invaded the Aida refugee camp, east of the city, and searched a number of homes before kidnapping one resident identified as Shadi Mohammad Badawna, 24, while resident Khalid Abu Shaqra, 16, from Um Salmouna village, west of Bethlehem was also taken prisoner.

Medical sources in Aida refugee camp stated that several residents received treatment for the effects of teargas inhalation, especially at the eastern entrance of the camp.

The soldiers also invaded Nahhalin, west of Bethlehem, and invaded car tries workshops, acellphone store, a supermarket and a nearby store, confiscating surveillance cameras, and also invading and violently searching several homes while interrogating the families.

In addition, soldiers invaded the villages of Jouret ash-Sham’a, Wadi an-Neess and Um Salmouna, near Bethlehem, and searched dozens of homes and shops.

Late on Monday at night, a number of Israeli settlers hurled Molotov cocktails and rocks at Palestinian cars in Nahhalin village, near Bethlehem, causing damage but no injuries.

Earlier on Tuesday, at dawn, dozens of soldiers invaded Azzoun town, east of the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, kidnapping a father and his two sons after violently searching their home.

They have been identified as Sa’id Salama Salim, and his sons Waleed and Odai.

The soldiers also besieged Azzoun after blocking all roads leading to it by concrete blocks, and sand hills.

Dozens of soldiers also invaded the Ramallah and al-Biereh District, attacked and searched several homes in different neighborhoods, before kidnapping at least three Palestinians.

Local sources said that the soldiers kidnapped Aziz Kayed, Ahmad Najid Mafarja, and Mohammad Ammar. Many residents were detained, and some might have been kidnapped later on.

In Salfit, in the central West Bank, medical sources said one Palestinian was shot and injured by Israeli army fire, and was moved to a local hospital.

The young man, in his twenties, was shot by several rounds of live ammunition and was moved by the army to an Israeli hospital. His identity, and the severity of his injuries, remained unknown until the time of this report.

The Tuesday dawn invasion into northern West Bank districts resulted in at least 41 arrests, while Israeli online daily, Haaretz, has reported that more than a thousand Israeli soldiers participated in the night invasions across the occupied West Bank.

Palestine: Eight Palestinians kidnapped by Israeli soldiers in Jenin, soldiers confiscate UN vehicle

[Jenin home ransacked by Israeli soldiers: Jenin Facebook Group]

By Saed Bannoura

IMEMC & Agencies:  Tuesday, dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and the Jenin refugee camp, violently broke into and searched dozens of homes, kidnapped eight Palestinians and confiscated a vehicle belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

Local sources said that dozens of Israeli military vehicles and jeeps invaded various neighborhoods in the city, and searched dozens of homes before kidnapping eight Palestinians.

The sources said the eight have been identified as Yazan Jarrar (a lawyer), 23, Mohammad Sa’ad, 30, Wael Turkman, 20, Kifah Khader, 23, Yousef at-Tatar, 21, Ahmad Samara, 22, Ibrahim Maslamani. 30, and Abdullah as-Sa’dy, 48.
The men were kidnapped after soldiers smashed the doors of their homes and ransacked the property, causing excessive damage.

Soldiers also invaded the homes of Mahmoud Abu Naa’sa, Hassan Oweid and Mohammad Ghalyoun, and used the properties as military centers.

In addition, the soldiers caused excessive property damage in the homes of Ahmad Awartany, Ahmad an-Najjar, Awni Abu Alia, Rajeh Abu Alia and his father’s home, Thiab Sa’ad, and Abu Sa’id al-Bal’aqy.

Medical sources said scores of residents have been injured as the soldiers invaded Jenin city, and the Jenin refugee camp, while firing dozens of gas bombs, concussion grenades and rounds of live ammunition, leading to clashes with local youth. Undercover soldiers of the army also infiltrated into the city.

In addition, undercover forces of the army confiscated a vehicle belonging to the UNRWA, in the Jenin refugee camp, forced a kidnapped resident to drive it with them under gunpoint, left the vehicle later on in an area near the Annexation Wall, and released the driver.

Jenin Governor, Ibrahim Ramadan, slammed the ongoing Israeli military escalation, and the deliberate targeting of civilians, warning that Israel’s violations will only lead the area into further violence.

Ramadan added that kidnapping civilians violates International Law, and all related human rights agreements, adding that confiscating and illegally using an UNRWA car is a blatant Israeli disregard to the UNRWA and international law.

He called on the International Community and all peace activists and supporters around the world to act on ending the Israeli military aggression, and crimes that aim at trying to force the Palestinians to abandon their legitimate rights of dignity, freedom, liberation and independence.

Lebanon: Nasrallah: ISIS would be in Beirut if not for Hizbullah intervention

[ISIS capture Iraqi soldiers later were killed]

ISIS forces marching towards Baghdad would today be in Beirut had Hezbollah not intervened in the war in Syria, party chief Hassan Nasrallah was quoted as saying by As-Safir newspaper Tuesday.

“If [Hezbollah] hadn’t intervened in Syria the right way and at the right time, ISIS would be in Beirut now,” Nasrallah reportedly said in a speech to the Mahdi Scouts on Sunday.

The secretary general was referring to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria which has taken over large swathes of territory in Iraq since launching a massive offensive last week, and is encroaching on the capital.

The al-Qaeda breakaway group controls territory in both Iraq and Syria, but its presence in the latter is limited to the north after army forces backed by Hezbollah fighters drove them out of the Lebanese border regions.

In his speech, Nasrallah said the call to arms made by religious authorities in the Najaf, including top Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, was “not intended to protect a particular sect, but to protect Iraq as a whole.”

He was also skeptical about “some Gulf and regional countries” that might have a role in Iraq’s collapse at the hands of ISIS.

“Why don’t we hear those who condemned [Hezbollah’s intervention in Syria] condemn ISIS?” he asked.

On the local front, Nasrallah stressed for the need to elect a president and put an end to Lebanon’s political stalemate.

Nasrallah said that Hezbollah wanted a new president, but not one that “would stab the Resistance in the back.”

(Al-Akhbar)

Iraq: Battles over northern Iraq Turkmen towns kill dozens

ISIS fighters attacked a northern Iraqi village inhabited by ethnic Turkmens but were repelled, police said on Tuesday, highlighting an upsurge of violence after stunning advances by the extremist rebels.

The militants were beaten back from the village of Basheer, 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of the city of Kirkuk after an hour of clashes with local militia and police forces.

But dozens have been killed in fighting for another northern Turkmen village, deputy provincial council chief of Tal Afar, Nuriddin Qabalan, said.

Militants have seized most of Tal Afar in fighting that has killed dozens of civilians and combatants.

Security forces and civilian fighters still hold parts of Tal Afar, in Nineveh province, along a strategic corridor to Syria

The government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is seeking to repel the militants who have seized several cities over the past week.

Fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and other militants have swept through towns in the Tigris valley north of Baghdad in recent days but appeared to have halted their advance outside the capital on Sunday as they tightened their grip on the north.

ISIS’s advance may pose the biggest security crisis to Iraq since the worst of the sectarian bloodshed that followed the US-led invasion to oust Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Iraqi state news channel “Iraqiya” said that the army had killed two commanders from ISIS on Tuesday. It did not say where in Iraq.