Page 6 The Islamic Bulletin Issue 3 Page 7 The Islamic Bulletin Issue 3 The Story of Hadrat Zainab AbuSalama (R.A.A.) Hadrat Zainab (R.A.A.) was the daughter of Abu Salama (R.A.A.) and the niece of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). She was born in Medina in the year 3 A.H. Her mother was Umm Salama (R.A.A.). After death of Hadrat Abu Salama bin Abdul Asad Makhzoomi (R.A.A.), Hadrat Umm Salama was married to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) in the year 4 A.H. Hadrat Umm Salama was a very shy woman. After marriage with the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), whenever he (S.A.W.) came to her she used to take baby Zainab in her arms and start breast feeding. Seeing her in that state, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) used to go back. This state of affair continued for quite some time. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) had great affection for little Zainab, since she was his step daughter as well as niece. When Hadrat Zainab (R.A.A.) grew up, she was married to Hadrat Abdullah bin Zam’a who was the nephew of Umm Salama (R.A.A.). Their marriage was blessed with six sons and three daughters. Hadrat Zainab (R.A.A.) was brought up and educated by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), therefore, she was a very cultured and learned woman. Many prominent Muslim Scholars used to learn from her the Islamic Jurisprudence. In fact, she was a well known jurist of her time. Hadrat Abu Raafe’ (R.A.A.) has remarked, “Whenever I have made a mention of the women jurists of Medina, I have always remembered Hadrat Zainab bint Abu Salama (R.A.A.). She was pious and devoted Muslim lady and one of the most respectable companions of the Holy Prophet. Hadrat Zainab (R.A.A.) has also certain Ahadith. Those who have quoted Ahadith through her, include Hadrat Zainul Abedin (R.A.A.) and ‘Urwah bin Zubair (R.A.A.). In the year 63 A.H. Hadrat Zainab (R.A.A.) faced a very shocking incident. Her two sons: Yazeed bin Abdullah (R.A.A.) and Kaseer bin Abdullah (R.A.A.) were martyred in the incident of Hirrah, when Banu Umayyad’s forces let loose the terror and looted the Medina. When their dead bodies were brought home, she remarked, “A great calamity has befallen me. One of my sons fought in the battle and was martyred. But the other one was inactive, was slain in the house.” After this incident, Hadrat Zainab (R.A.A.) passed rest of her life resigned to The Almighty’s Will. This valiant woman of Islam and renowned companion of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) passed away in the year 64 A.H. She was buried in Jannatul Baqi. Islamic Manners - Rules of Health Appreciate Your Health A good health is a great gift from The Almighty. It should, therefore, be cherished and not neglected. Health, when once goes down, is difficult to regain. The slightest neglect in matters of health leads to serious consequences. Carelessness in this regard, amounts to both, negligence of one’s physical requirements as well as ungratefulness to The Almighty. Healthy People Constitute a Powerful Nation. The performance of the great task as a Muslim and the discharge of a mission as vicegerent of The Almighty, require a sound mind in a healthy body with noble ambition and strong will. Only healthy persons with a living heart help constitute a vigorous nation, and only such nations can offer such sacrifices and achieve a glorious place in he cluster of nations. Be always happy, full of vigor and energy and activeness; make your life attractive and full of zest for living, garnished with the help of good manners, cordial smiles, and joviality. Keep away from sorrow, anger, concern, envy, ill-will, short sightedness, peevishness and mental confusion. These moral ailments and mental morbidity affect the digestion adversely and cause stomach disorders. They are the worst enemies of health. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) has enjoined, “Lead a simple life, adopt moderation and be happy.” (Mishkat) Healthy Gait Hadrat Umar (R.A.A.) once saw a man walking as if sick. He asked him if was unwell. He replied in the negative. Hadrat Umar (R.A.A.) ordered him to walk well with force. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) used to walk with firm steps as if he was descending from a height. Do Not Overtax Your Body Do not strain your physical system. Since bodily energy has a limit, it cannot stand excessive pressure. It has to be preserved, maintained and used moderately. Hadrat Ayesha (R.A.) quotes a tradition of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.): “Work according to your capacity or power. The Almighty does not want you to be exhausted. It is you who (work so hard) that you get tired.” Hadrat Abu Qais says that once he went to pay his respects to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) when he was delivering a sermon. Therefore, the former had to wait for sometime under the sun. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) asked him to move a little towards the shade. He accordingly moved a little towards the shade. (Al Adab, Al Mufrad). The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) has also directed that one should not stay partially in the sun and partially under cover. Cultivate Habit for Hard Work Always lead a hard-working life with chivalrous behavior. Be prepared to face difficult situations in life. Avoid temptation for comfort and ease, and love for worldly attractions. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) while appointing Hadrat Muaz Ibn-a-Jabal as Governor of Yemen advised him: “Muaz, keep yourself away from living an easy life, because servants of The Almighty do not run after easy living.” Visiting Persons and Choosing Friends Hadrat Anas bin Malik (r.a.a.) relates that after the passing away of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), Hadrat Abu Bakr (r.a.a.) said to Hadrat Umar (r.a.a.): ‘Let us visit Hadrat Umm Aiman as the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) used to do.’ Accordingly, when we came to her she started weeping. They asked her, ‘What makes you weep. Do you not know that God has better recompense for the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) than what he had in this world?’ She said: ‘I know this well that what God has for the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) with Him is the best recompense. I do not weep for this. I shed tears because Revelation has now stopped.’ This moved the two distinguished persons so much so that they too started weeping along with her. Note: Hadrat Umm Aiman (r.a.a.) was a maid servant and foster mother of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.). Subsequently he had freed her and married her with Hadrat Zaid Bin Harisa (r.a.a). The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) used to respect her very much and frequently visited her, and would say that she was his mother. Hadrat Abu Hurairah (r.a.a.) relates that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “If a person visits a sick person or a brother of his simply for the sake of The Almighty, a caller announces, ‘May you be happy, may your going be blessed and may you be awarded a pleasant residence in Paradise!’” Hadrat Abu Musa Ash’ari (r.a.a.) relates that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “The case of a good companion and that of a bad companion is like that of one who has musk (perfume) and of one who blows a furnace (or an iron smith). The owner of musk might give you some as a gift, or you might buy some from him, or at least you might smell its fragrance. As regards the other, he might set your clothes on fire, or at least you will breathe fumes from the furnace.” Hadrat Abu Hurairah (r.a.a.) relates that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “A man marries a woman for four reasons i.e. either for the sake of her wealth, her family chain, her charms, or her love of religion. Try to get one for the sake of her religiousness. May you be blessed.” Hadrat Abu Sa’id Khudri relates that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “Keep company with a believer only, and let your food be eaten only by the righteous.” (Abu Daud and Tirmizi) Hadrat Abu Hurairah (r.a.a.) relates that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look whom you be friend.” (Abu Daud and Tirmizi) Hadrat Anan Bin Malik (r.a.a.) relates that a villager asked the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.): “When will the Day of Judgment come?” He asked the questioner: “What preparations have you made for it?” The man said: “(Only) the love of The Almighty and His Messenger (s.a.w.).” The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “You will be with those you love.” (Bukhari and Muslim) Hazrat Abu Musa Ash’ari (r.a.a.) relates that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “A person will be considered to be with one whom he loves.” (Bukhari and Muslim) Hadrat lbn Mas’ud (r.a.a.) relates that a man came to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) and said: “O Messenger of God! What would you say about a person who loves people but does not associate with them?” He said: “A person will be with those he loves.” (Bukhari and Muslim) Miss Ayesha Bridget Honey The following is the excerpt of the interview with Miss Ayesha Bridget Honey, an English convert to Islam. Q: Please tell us how you came to embrace Islam and what was your age at that time? A: Three and a half years back The Almighty illuminated me with the Light of Islam. At that time I was 21 years old. The family I was born and grew up was from the religious point of view, no different from the generality of the British homes. My mother is a Christian but she doesn’t practice religious worship and rituals. My father, however, did not believe in any religion. While studying at the English Church School, I was not satisfied with some of the basic beliefs of Christianity, especially the concept of Trinity and the belief in atonement that God or Jesus had ransomed the people and by accepting the cross had atoned for all their sins. I was infatuated with philosophy and my desire to know the Truth was intense. At the age of 15, I read the book Tao Teh Ching, which is a collection of the Chinese philosophy of Tao. I was influenced by its thought. Then when I found some introductory information about Buddhism. I decided to go into depths of both these philosophical beliefs. At the age of 17 I went to Canada to continue my education. My program was to get the secondary school degree so that I could get admission in a university to learn the Chinese language. In Canada, I came to know the Hindu philosophy and read the holy books of the Hindus. The three beliefs: Tao Teh, Buddhism and Hinduism, which I knew by now, possessed beauty, profundity and exaltion, but none of them could satisfy my mind or my feelings. The founder of the Tao philosophy wandered in remote corners of the world as a mystic and an ascetic. In search of truth, Buddha left his wife and family. The books of Hindu are basically ethical but are all human ideas of collective life in society only based on hallucination. These questions bewildered me. I could not believe in any of these faiths. After all, what could I believe in? What is the purpose of life? The tension and restlessness grew. After joining the university, I got the chance to be introduced to the Muslims. Before that, I had neither read nor heard anything on Islam. In fact like the other people in the West, I also harbored prejudices and misunderstandings about Islam. But, at the university the Muslim students explained their basic beliefs to me in a calmly and nice manner and gave me some books to read. When I started reading these books carefully, their style of presentation and the freshness of explanation and the commentary surprised me. I was extremely impressed by the logic and argument with their concepts of The Creator and the Universe. I embraced Islam three months after I came to know about it. Islam, as a European Muslim has put it - is like that of a complete and perfect geometrical pattern whose every part completes its other parts and its real beauty lies in the harmony and cohesion of these parts and it is this characteristic of Islam which has a profound influence on the human beings. Islamic Dietary Laws Teachings of the Prophet (SAW) Why I Embraced Islam
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