History of Islam in America: Whither and Where

How ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab became Muslim.

This is the story of how one of the greatest Muslim leaders of all time became a Muslim.  This is the conversion story of ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab (Radiallahu Anhu).

‘Umar ibn Al Khattab was a feared and well respected man from the Banu Adi clan from among the Quraish.  He came from a middle class family from Mecca.  Well known for his determination and fearless nature; he became one of the early opponents of the religion of Islam.

During the days prior to his acceptance to Islam; the religion was being taught in private.  There was fear of persecution from the Quraish.  The Muslims would meet in homes, and would learn the religion from Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa alihi wassalam).

There were few men that had carried so much honor and fear in Quraish.  ‘Umar ibn al Khattab was one of them.  That is why, Prophet Muhammad SWS once made a Dua(invocation) to Allah:
“O Allah! Give Islam strength through one of the men you love more: ‘Umar ibn al Khattab or Amr ibn al Hisham(Abu Jahl)”

Umm Abdullah(Radiallahu Anhum)was running one day and had the plan to leave Mecca because of the persecutions.  She ran into, fellow tribesmen, ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab who asked her, “Why are you running around?” She responded, “You have caused us too much pain for worshiping Allah.”  To her shock ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab told her, “have peace on your journey.” Umm Abdullah told her brother that she ran into ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab, and her brother responded “He’s going to kill us.”  Islam began to soften the heart of ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab.

One day ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab went to visit the Haram.  Once there he saw the Prophet praying in front of his eyes. Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa alihi wassalam)was reciting Surah Haqqah(the Reality).  Soon after listening to it he said “By Allah, this is poetry as the Quraish have said.”  Right when he said this; Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa alihi wassalam) recited:
إِنَّهُ لَقَوْلُ رَسُولٍ كَرِيمٍ
وَمَا هُوَ بِقَوْلِ شَاعِرٍ قَلِيلًا مَا تُؤْمِنُونَ
“That this is verily the word of an honoured Messenger
It is not the word of a poet, little is that you believe!” (69:40-41)
Surprised by the verses, he said to himself “He must be a soothsayer.” Another accusation made by the Quraish.  As soon as he said that; the next verses were recited:
وَلَا بِقَوْلِ كَاهِنٍ قَلِيلًا مَا تَذَكَّرُونَ
تَنزِيلٌ مِّن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
“Nor is it the word of a soothsayer , little is that you remember!
This is the Revelation sent down from the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)” (69: 42-43)
Later on in life, when speaking of this moment, ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab said “This is when Islam entered my heart.”

‘Umar ibn Al Khattab, a man known for determination and his anger, made a sudden decision of killing Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa alihi wassalam).  Even though Islam was slowly entering his heart; the hatred he had for the new religion still existed.  So on that day that he just decided that he was going kill the Messenger of Allah.  On his way he ran into Na’im ibn Abdullah (Radiallahu Anhu)who began to talk to him.  When Na’im found out that ‘Umar wanted to kill the Prophet; he told ‘Umar that maybe he should speak with his sister first(inferring that she became Muslim).  When he came near his sister’s house he heard the recitation of the Qur’an.  Upon enteringhe asked his sister and her husband Said ibn Zaid (Radiallahu Anhu) “Have you صدها (left the faith of your forefathers)?”.  He then began to attack his sister and her husband.  Upon seeing blood of her sister; he had began feeling guilty.  He apologized to his sister and her husband, and requested to read the words of the Qur’an.  Upon the request his sister said “you are not clean go wash your self.”  Upon reading the verses of Surah Ta ha; Islam began to enter his heart again.

Now ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab returned on his plan to visit the Prophet.  While he made the stop at his sister’s house; Na’im ibn Abdullah went and warned the Prophet and his companions of ‘Umar’s intentions.  When ‘Umar got to the house-sword in hand. The warrior Hamza ibn AbdulMutallib (Radiallahu Anhu) said, “I will kill him with his own sword.”  The Prophet(Sallallahu alayhi wa alihi wassalam) told him, “No, go hide.”  When ‘Umar entered the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa alihi wassalam) grabbed ‘Umar by the collar and shook him; then asked him, “O Ibn Al Khattab, Why have you not accepted Islam?” ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab (Radiallahu Anhu)responded:
أشهد أن لا إله إلاَّ الله و أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله
“I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”

The Muslims that were hiding began yelling “الله أكبر”(God is the Greatest).  This became so loud that it could be heard through out Mecca.  Till this day, when a person accepts Islam, upon him finishing his deceleration the people say “الله أكبر”
After years of secretly spreading Islam, from that moment on, Islam began being preached in the open.  Outside for everyone to accept.

Immediately after becoming Muslim; ‘Umar asked Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa alihi wassalam), “Who is the hardest on the Muslims?”  The Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa alihi wassalam) told him it was Abu Jahl ibn Hisham.  So ‘Umar immediately went to the house of Abu Jahl and knocked on his door.  Abu Jahl greeted his nephew, but then ‘Umar said to him “I am a Muslim now.”  Upon hearing that Abu Jahl slammed the door on his face.

The young Abdullah Ibn Umar (Radiallahu Anhu), the son of ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab, who secretly was already Muslim at a very young age could not be happier.  When he found out he began running through the streets yelling “‘Umar has left the religion of your forefathers.”

Within one hour of becoming Muslim; ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab began fighting with the Quraish.  Many of the Polytheist came out and began fighting with ‘Umar.  When ‘Umar began to fatigue, he would grab an honored son of Quraish and threatened everybody that he would poke his eyes out if they didn’t back off.  He continued to do this until he was completely tired.

This is what made ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab (Radiallahu Anhu) special.  He was a man of action.  He not only believed, but he did something.  We can all take a lesson from his life.  We sit around and we have been Muslim for days, weeks, months, years, and most of us our whole lives.  This man was Muslim for just an hour, and began fighting for his faith.  How can we be too lazy to do anything; when we had an example like ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab.

The Story of How Salman al-Farsi Found Islam

Ibn Abbass RA once asked Salman al-Farsi RA about his story and Salman narrated his story to him. He was a Persian man from village where is located in present day Iran. He said he was taking pain in the religion of fire worshiping. He became high in status and became the guardian of the fire. Salman al-Farsi RA said one day he was walking and saw a church and went in to investigate. He said he was impressed by their method of prayer. Salman al-Farsi RA told his father he thinks that Christianity was a better religion than fire worshiping, his father chained Salman al Farsi. Then Salman al-Farsi ran away all the way to Shaam(The greater area surrounding Damascus including Syria, Lebenon, Palestine, and Jordan). He arrived in Syria. Salman al-Farsi said he lived with the best bishop and the bishop used to collect money for charity but then keep it for himself. Salman al-Farsi RA hated this man, and told everyone he was evil. The next person who took leadership in place of the bishop after he died was a very pious man who was loved by Salman al-Farsi. Then Salman al-Farsi RA travels to Iraq for studying. He then traveled to Musabeen to learn. The then went to Amaria (today’s Turkey area) to study. The scholar he was studying under told him, that a new prophet shall come soon from the Arabs,his signs will be undeniable, he will take refuge in a place with date palms located between rocky tracks, he will eat food given to him as gifts but not from charity, he will have a seal of prophet hood between his shoulders. Salman al-Farsi RA offered everything he owned if people could take him to Arabia. A group of people agreed, but they betrayed him by selling him as a slave to a Jewish man. That Jewish man sold him to another Jewish man. His owner took him to Yathrib(Madinah) and when he saw Madinah, Salman al-Farsi RA immediately realized this is where the Prophet PBUH shall take refuge, he realized this is the city his teacher was speaking of. Madinah is a place of date palms, and is between two rocky tracks. Salman al-Farsi RA said one day his master had him climb to pick dates. While he was up there, his masters cousin came to his master angry and said there is someone coming from Makkah claiming to be a Prophet taking refuge here. Salman al-Farsi said when he heard this chills went down his spine and he almost fell out of the tree and onto his master. Salman al-Farsi RA said he left that night to visit Muhammad PBUH, and brought food for him and said it was from charity. The Prophet PBUH told his companions to eat but did not eat from the food of charity. That confirmed one of the signs told to Salman al-Farsi RA. He then went back. Then Salman brought food again and told the food that he gave last time was for charity this is now as a gift, this time the prophet ate the food with the companions. Then Salman al-Farsi RA went to Muhammad SAWS and went around him and the prophet noticed that Salman was looking for something so the Prophet took off the cloth to show him what is between his shoulder blades. When Salman saw the mark between his shoulders, he knew it was the Seal of Prophet hood, and Salman RA said when he saw it fell down in tears and began to kiss the prophets feet and made Sajood to him. Rasulullah SAWS immediately told him to stand up and asked Salman his story, and then told him to tell his companions the same story. Salman al-Farsi RA because of being a slave did not fight in battle of Uhud or Badr. The prophet and the sahabas (companions of Muhammad PBUH) helped free Salman al-Farsi RA.

Some lessons we can get from the life from Salman al-Farsi RA is:

• You have to put effort into searching for the truth. If you take one step towards Allah, Allah will take 10 steps near you. You have to take the first step.

• We should not be turned down, by seeing someone not doing the right thing. The truth is not always represented by its followers.  Like Salman and the first bishop he met.

• The Muslim community must be helpful to their new members. Dawaah is not just speaking, it is helping it could be financial help, they need social gatherings to attend.  Sometimes converts don’t just need an adviser, but they just need a friend.

Introduction to Usool ul Hadith (Fundementals of Hadith)

A recent phenomenon in the west has begun where; “Muslims” will examine their religion.  They will speak on Fiqh (law), Aqeedah(theology), and other issues, and they will leave out the Sunnah.  For the most part this new phenomenon is called “modernism”.

No “Muslim” would ever say that I don’t believe in Prophet Muhammad PBUH, or I would not obey him if he told me something.  But now they try to find ways around this.  Some of these excuses are “well hadith weren’t really preserved” or “Imam Bukhari died 200 years after the Prophet”.  “I don’t know what Prophet Muhammad actually said” is the same as saying “we don’t care what Prophet Muhammad PBUH said”.  If you deny that the Sunnah has been preserved, the end result is denying the Sunnah itself.

Let’s first start off with some simple definitions.  The meaning of the word “Sunnah” linguistically means path, a way.  “Sunnah” is a simple path, or a road.  The Sharia(Islamic Rulings) definition of “Sunnah” depends on who uses it, and what context.  The scholars of Fiqh(law) define “Sunnah” to be “that which is not obligatory to do, but if a person does it he is rewarded.”  This is the most commonly known meaning of “Sunnah”.  According to the Scholars of hadith, “Sunnah” is defined as “All of the actions, the statements, the tacit approvals, and the physical characteristics of the Prophet.”  According to the Scholars of Aqeedah, the “Sunnah” is defined as what the Muslims believe.  The Theology of the Muslims is called the Sunnah.  That is why Ahlus-Sunnah wa al Jamaah, take the name that they do.  They are the people of the Sunnah, meaning they follow the theology of Prophet Muhammad PBUH.  For example when Imam Ahmad Raheemullah wrote a book about Aqeedah (theology) he titled it Usool ul Sunnah(Fundamentals of the Sunnah).  Now lets define the word “Hadith.”  Linguistically “hadith” is the opposite of “khadeem”, “Hadith” it means “something that is new”.  A person’s statements are called “hadith” because he said something new that he didn’t say before.  From a Sharia point of view, “Hadith” is a statement of Prophet Muhammad PBUH.

What is the difference of Sunnah and the Hadith?  Hadith is something that is tangible.  You can open up Sahih Bukhari, and read what the Prophet said.  The Sunnah is something that is Abstract, it can be found in Hadith, but it is an action so it is not tangible.  Sunnah is something that he did, so there is no such thing as a Sahih(authentic) Sunnah or a Daef(weak) Sunnah, but there are Sahih Hadith and Daef Hadith.  When we are talking about the Sunnah, we are talking about a methodology, when we are speaking of Hadith, we are speaking of a specific statement, specific chain of narration, it may be authentic or weak.  Hadith is what preserved the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad PBUH.

What is the status of Sunnah in Islam?  The scholars of Islam have three very similar opinions.  The first opinion is that the Sunnah is second only to the Qur’an.  We find an Ayah and Hadith about something, we accept the hadith first and then also accept the hadith.  The second opinion, which is the majority opinion, is that the Qur’an and the Sunnah are equivalent in weight.  This does not mean that Qur’an and Sunnah are equivalent in blessing, no doubt the Qur’an is the most blessed book and the holiest book, but this means they are equivalent in a Fiqh (legal) point of view.   The third opinion, which no scholar actually had this opinion, is that the Sunnah is stronger than the Qur’an, but this opinion has been referred too.  The reason for this was that the Qur’an needs the Sunnah to be understood, but the Sunnah does not need the Qur’an to be understood.  One should note that the no scholar has the third opinion.  The strongest opinion is the second opinion.  One should always remember that this is regarding Fiqh (law) and not Barakah (blessing).

InshAllah, in the next post I will be jumping into daleel, for following the Sunnah.  The next post should be up on Monday InshAllah, and it will be a shorter version of an Authority of Sunnah course.

Muhammad Foretold In the Bible

IMPORTANT:Before I start with evidence from the bible, about the glad tiding of Muhammad.  I must make the everyone aware, that Muslims do not believe that the bible is in tact to as it was originally put together.  Muslims believe that the bible has been corrupted, as history also tells us(see council of nicea).  Although we do not put trust in the bible, some parts of the bible remain in its original form.  Some of the evidences I will be sharing could be some of the verses that have been altered, or maybe the verses that I will post are actually the few unaltered verses of the bible.

Narrated by Ibn Ishaq, Salama bin Salaam bin Waqsh, said a Jewish neighbor in Medinah told his family about the Resurrection, the day of judgement, the reckoning, and heaven and hell.  He said that to polytheist who did not believe him.  They asked him “what proof is there?”, the Jew told them that a prophet will come from these lands(Arabia)  and he pointed toward Makkah and Yemen.  They asked when he will come, the Jew pointed at Salama who was the youngest and said if he lives a natural life he will see him.  Salama lived to see Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

Even though the bible has changed through out the years, there are still Glad Tidings of the coming of Muhammad PBUH left in the bible.  In Deuteronomy verse 18:18  this verse says
“18.   I(God) will raise up for them(Israelies) a prophet like you(Moses PBUH) from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him”
This verse fits Muhammad PBUH like a glove, and fits no one else.  Christian say this verse refers to Jesus PBUH.  But Muhammad PBUH resembles Moses PBUH.  Moses and Muhammad PBUT, both had parents while Jesus PBUH only had a mother.  Both Moses and Muhammad PBUT had children, Jesus PBUH did not.  Moses PBUH was born in a natural way so was Muhammad PBUH, while Jesus PBUH was born in a miraculous fashion.  Moses and Muhammad PBUT were both accepted by their nation, but Jesus PBUH was not accepted by his nation(as stated in the bible “He Jesus came to his nation, and he was accepted not”).  Moses and Muhammad PBUT were rulers on earth, they in forced punishment, Jesus PBUH did not rule.  Muhammad and Moses PBUT came with a new law(The Quran, and The Torah), Jesus PBUH came to follow the law of Moses PBUH.  Moses PBUH has led his people on hijra(migration)(from Egypt to the Holy Land) so has Muhammad PBUH(from Makkah to Medinah), Jesus PBUH did not.  Both Moses and Muhammad PBUT both won battles against their enemies, while Jesus PBUH did not fight.  Both Moses and Muhammad PBUT died a natural death, while Jesus PBUH was elevated(or as Christians think he was killed).  Both Moses and Muhammad PBUH are buried in the ground, while Jesus PBUH was not.  Muhammad and Moses PBUT both became prophets at the age of 40, while Jesus PBUH became a prophet at the age of 30.  No one came after Moses PBUH that has resembled him like Muhammad PBUH.  This verse does not speak of an Jewish prophet because of Deuteronomy verse 18:34 says no one from among the Jews is like Moses PBUH.  There is only one nation that are the brothers of the Jews, and it is the Arabs.  The Prophecy in Deuteronomy which says “I will put my words in his mouth”  The Qur’an says the same thing about Muhammad PBUH, while the bible was written by many different people.  They say it was inspired by god.

There is another Isaiah 29:11-18 which says.
“11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.”
That is just like the first in counter of revelation Muhammad PBUH had with Gabriel.  Gabriel told Muhammad to “Read” and Muhammad who did not know how to read responded with “I cannot read”.  In Hebrew the word for “Read this” is Qarah, the first word revealed from the Qur’an to Muhammad PBUH was “Iqra” which means “Read”.  The prophecy says that before the revelation, the law of god will be replaced by the law of the land.  That is what happened with the Law of Israel changed because of Saint Paul.

The Hijra (Migration from Makkah to Madinah) was prophesied in Habakkuk verse 3:3
“3.  God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.”
This verse refers to, two places Teman and Paran.  Teman is an oasis just north of Madinah.  That is referring to Madinah.  Paran is a name for Makkah, because the bible says Hagar and Ismael PBUH were left in Paran.  Which is what is known as Makkah.  Muhammad means praised, he is the most praised one on earth.  This verse is all about Muhammad PBUH.

In Deuteronomy verse 18:21-22:
“21 You may say to yourselves, ‘How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?’
22  If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.”
Meaning if a prophet claims “this is from God” than it is from God, if not it is not from god.  The Qur’an is showing everyday the miracles of the Qur’an.  There is nothing in the Qur’an has been disproved yet.  Never has a book been compared to it.

In Isaiah 21:7 it states:
“When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs, A train of donkeys, a train of camels, Let him pay close attention, very close attention.”
Christians would say the group of donkeys is referring to Jesus PBUH because he rode a donkey, but Muhammad PBUH is the only Prophet to ride on a Camel.  This verse refers to both Jesus and Muhammad PBUT.

In Isaiah 21:9 it states:
“Now behold, here comes a troop of riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one said, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; And all the images of her gods are shattered on the ground.”
Babylon is referring to present day Iraq.  This prophecy is saying that the army will destroy the idol worshiping of Iraq.  This army is referring to the Army of Umar ibn Al Khattab, whose army destroyed the idol worshiping in Iraq.

In Isaiah 21:14-15 it states:
“14 The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.
15 For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.”
This Prophecy is referring to the Hijra(migration) and the answar(helpers in Madina) who brought food and water to the Muslims of Makkah.

In Isaiah 21:16-17 it states:
“16  For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:
17 And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken [it].”
Who are the children of Kedar?  The bible speaks of Kedar in Genesis verse 25:14:
“14  These are the names of Ishmael’s sons, listed in the order of their birth: Nebaioth (Ishmael’s firstborn), Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam.”
Kedar is one of the sons of Ishmael PBUH.  This is referring to Arabs, since the people of Quraish are decedents of Kedar.
The original verse 16 and 17 of Isaiah chapter 21, is referring too the Battle of Badr.  The battle of Badr happened a year after Hijrah, just like this verse follows the verse referring to Hijrah.  In the Battle of Badr most of the leaders of the Quraish died.

In Isaiah 11:1-2 it states:
“1 But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
2 The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD”
Who is Jesse? Jesse is referring to Ishmael PBUH.  Jesse is an abbreviation for Ismael AS.  This verse means that someone will come from the descendants of Ismael.  This prophecy can not fit anyone but Muhammad PBUH because he was the most prominent decedent of Ismael.

In Deuteronomy verse 33:1-2 it states:
“1 This is the blessing which Moses, the man of God, pronounced upon the Israelites before he died.
2  And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.”
Sinai is where Moses PBUH came from, Seir are mountains in Philistin, which is referring to Jesus PBUH, mount Paran is again referring to Makkah, and of Muhammad PBUH.  The ten thousand saints is referring to the ten thousand Sahabas(companions of Muhammad) who with Muhammad opened Makkah.

In John verses 16:7-14 it states”
“7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt[a] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me;
10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer;
11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
12″I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.
13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.”
This is also referring to the coming of Muhammad (PBUH).