Dr. Bilal Philips' Blog

“The best time for a man to come to his family on returning from a journey is at the beginning of the night.” The Prophet (PBUH) disapproved of husbands returning home in the night in order not to catch their wives unprepared to receive them. [See Sunan Abu Dawud, no. 2770 and no. 2772]. Men should delay their travel in order to return at a suitable time in the morning or in the evening. Women are encouraged to be presentable when greeting their husbands in order to keep romantic feelings between them alive. This hadeeth clarifies that the most suitable time for arriving from a journey is shortly after sunset as this is a time when housework is usually done and women relax before going to sleep. At such a time, wives can easily prepare themselves to welcome their husbands.

According to accounts from the Qur’aan and the hadeeth, angels may take human form on certain occasions. An example from the Qur’aan may be found in the case of Mary, when Angel Gabriel came to inform her of her impending pregnancy: “And mention in the scripture [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place facing east. She placed a screen between herself and them. Then we sent to her Our angel, who appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.” Qur’aan, 19:16-17. It is also recorded in authentic traditions from the Prophet (PBUH) that Angel Gabriel used to visit him in various human forms. Sometimes the Prophet’s companions witnessed him visiting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the likeness of a handsome sahaabee by the name of Dihyah ibn Khaleefah al-Kalbee, and at other times in the likeness of an unknown bedouin. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab said, “One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allaah (r), there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black. No sign of journeying were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He walked up and sat down by the Prophet (PBUH). Resting his knees against his and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs, he said, ‘O Muhammad, tell me about Islaam…’ ” In the remainder of the hadeeth the man asked about eemaan (faith), ihsaan (piety) and the signs of the last Hour. After the man left, the Prophet (PBUH) informed his companions that the questioner was Angel Gabriel, who had come to teach them about their religion. Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol. 1, p. 17, no. 7. On another occasion, ‘Aa’ishah, the wife of the Prophet (PBUH), reported that she saw him place his hand on the mane of Dihyah al-Kalbee’s horse while talking to him. When she asked him about it, he replied that it was Gabriel and that he had sent his greetings to her. Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah, vol. 3, p. 105, no. 1111.

Why do human beings need to worship and glorify God by obeying the divinely revealed laws? Because obedience to divine law is the key to success in this life and the next. The first human beings, Adam and Eve, were created in paradise and later expelled from paradise for disobeying the divine law. The only way for human beings to return to paradise is by obedience to the law. Divine laws represent guidance for humankind in all walks of life. It defines right and wrong for them and offers human beings a complete system governing all of their affairs. The Creator alone knows best what is beneficial for His creation and what is not. Thus, the divine laws command and prohibit various acts and substances to protect the human spirit, the human body and human society from harm. In order for human beings to fulfill their potential by living righteous lives, they need to worship God through obedience to His commandments.

The great-grandfather of ‘Amr ibn Shu‘ayb stated that a man came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said: “O Messenger of Allaah, I have property and children, and my father needs [some of] my property.” He replied, “You and your property belong to your father. Indeed, your children are among the most pleasant of your earnings; so you may take from the earnings of your children.” Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood, vol. 2, p. 674, no. 3015. ‘Amr’s great-grandfather was ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas, the great companion of the Prophet (PBUH). In some versions of this tradition, the narrator said, “My father is consuming my property.” Both versions indicate that sons have a responsibility to support their parents if they are in need. The hadeeth cannot be taken in its most literal sense, however. Otherwise, it would allow parents to sell their children, which is prohibited by consensus.

Some of the souls of the martyrs reside inside green birds in Paradise, while others are held at the gates of Paradise. Ibn ‘Abbaas reported that Allaah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “When your brethren were killed [on the day of Uhud], Allaah placed their souls inside green birds which drink from the rivers of Paradise and eat from its fruits. Then they retire to the golden lamps hanging from the shade of the throne.” Collected by Aboo Daawood, Ahmad and al-Haakim and authenticated by al-Albaanee in Sharh al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah, p. 455, ftn. 3. On another occasion a man came to the Prophet (PBUH) and asked, “O Messenger of Allaah, what will I get if I am killed in the path of Allaah?” He replied, “Paradise.” When the man turned to walk away, the Prophet (PBUH) added, “Except [if you have a] debt. Jibreel just confided it to me.” Collected by an-Nasaa’ee and Ahmad and authenticated by al-Albaanee in Sharh al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah, p. 455, ftn. 1.

The souls of the righteous believers will also be in Paradise, but in the form of birds and not inside birds. Yet these souls will not be free to roam as those of the martyrs. Ka‘b ibn Maalik related that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “The believer’s soul [becomes] a bird which feeds upon the fruits of the trees in Paradise, until Allaah returns it to its body on the day he is resurrected.” On the other hand, the soul of the disobedient believers are held in their graves and punished for minor and major sins. Ibn ‘Abbaas reported that the Prophet (PBUH) passed by the graves of two men and commented: “Surely, they are being punished right now, and not for major offenses. One of them was not careful to protect himself from the splash of his urine, and the other used to spread rumors.” Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol. 1, p. 141, no. 215 and Sahih Muslim, vol. 1, pp. 171-172, no. During the Prophet’s ascension, he was shown a liar with a man standing over him continuously tearing down one side of his mouth to the nape of his neck, and then the other, until the Day of Resurrection. Adulterers and adulteresses were seen naked in an oven-like pit with a fire blazing under them. The one who dealt in interest was seen in a river of blood. Whenever he attempted to climb out, a large stone was thrown in his mouth, causing him to fall back in the river. See Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol. 2, pp. 262-265, no. 468.

Those believe in One Unique God, without partners or offspring, and do righteous deeds [according to the above-mentioned principles] become the crown of creation. That is, although humankind is not the greatest creation of Allaah, they have the potential to become the best of His creation. In chapter al-Bayyinah, Allaah states this fact as follows: “Surely, those who believe and do righteous deeds are the best of creation.” Qur’aan, 98:6

Almighty Allaah said: “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and discuss with them using that which is better.” Soorah an-Nahl (16):125. Hikmah here refers to the Qur’aan. That is, Muslims are instructed to use Qur’aanic arguments and proofs when discussing with disbelievers. During discussion, Muslims should not sink to the level of their opponents who may curse and use foul language or gestures. Sahl ibn Sa‘d related that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “By Allaah, it is better for you that Allaah guide one person [to Islaam] through your efforts than [to have] the most valuable possessions.” Collected by al-Bukhaaree (Sahih al-Bukhari, vol. 4, pp. 122-3, no. 192).

Before dying, everyone should write or dictate a will giving away up to one third of their wealth to those who would not inherit from them based on the inheritance laws. This recommendation was instituted by the Allaah to protect the rights of non-inheriting relatives and friends. It is under this principle of waseeyah that Muslims may leave wealth for non-Muslim relatives or receive wealth from dead non-Muslim relatives. According to Islamic law, wealth obtained by waseeyah is not considered to be inheritance. Islaam considers inheritance to be the portions of the deceased’s wealth which the law assigns to various family members in the absence of a will. According to the system of Islamic inheritance laws (Faraa’id), non-Muslims cannot be classified as heirs of Muslims. Likewise, Muslims have no right to take portions of their dead non-Muslim relatives’ wealth allotted by non-Islamic systems of inheritance. The Prophet (PBUH) was reported to have said, “A Muslim must not inherit from a disbeliever, nor should a disbeliever inherit from a Muslim.” Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol.8, p.498, no. 756 and Sahih Muslim, vol.3, p.852, no. 3928. Consequently, the Prophet (PBUH) encouraged Muslims to record a will and keep it as soon as the need arises. “It is not right for a Muslim who has something to bequeath to pass two nights without having it in writing with him.” Reported by Ibn ‘Umar and collected in all of the six books of hadeeth. Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol.4, p.1, no.1, Sahih Muslim, vol.3, p.863, no.3987, Sunan Abu Dawud, vol.2, p.805, no.2856, Mishkat Al-Masabih, vol.1, p.656, and Muwatta Imam Malik, p.329, no.1449.

Ibn ‘Abbaas related that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The best women of paradise are Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid, Faatimah bint Muhammad, Maryam bint ‘Imraan, and Aasiyah bint Muzaahim, the wife of Pharaoh.” Collected by Ahmad, al-Haakim and at-Tabaraanee in al-Kabeer [S.J.S. 1135]. Mishkat Al-Masabih, vol. 2, no. 1361. MARYAM BINT ‘IMRAAN: The mother of Prophet Jesus (PBUH). She is referred to as “the daughter of ‘Imraan” in the Qur’aan, 66:12, and the “sister of Aaron” in 19:28, and her mother is referred to as “the woman of ‘Imraan” (3:35). AASIYAH BINT MUZAAHIM: The wife of the Pharaoh to whom Prophet Moses (PBUH) was sent and with whom he battled. She is identified in the Qur’aan as a true believer (66:11). Tafseer books mention that Pharaoh had her killed. See Tafseer Ibn Katheer, vol. 4, p. 420.