New Nigerian Newspapers Online Edition

Considering the qualities and teachings of Muhammad(PBUH), testified to by some many people throughout history and even testified to by Allah Himself, we conclude the following to be only a partial list of the qualities, morals and virtures of Muhammad(PBUH).
A. Articulate - Muhammad(PBUH), although unable to read or write throughout his entire life, was able to express himself in clear and decisive terms and in the best of classical Arabic language.
B. Brave - Muhammad (PBUH), was praised for his courage and bravery during and after his life by his followers and opponents alike. He has always been an inspiration to Muslims and even non-Muslims throughout the centuries.
C. Courteous - Muhammad (PBUH), always put other people’s feelings ahead of his own and was the most courteous of hosts and the best of guests wherever he went.
D. Dedicated - Muhammad (PBUH), was determined to carry out his mission and present the message with which he had been sent, to the entire world.
E. Eloquent - Muhammad (PBUH), claimed he was not a poet, yet he could express himself in the most concise manner, using the least amount of words in a most classic manner. His words are still quoted by millions of Muslims and non-Muslims today everywhere.
F. Friendly - Muhammad (PBUH), was noted for being the most friendly and considerate of all who knew him.
G. Generous - Muhammad (PBUH), was most generous with his possessions and never wanted to keep anything if there was anyone who was in need. This was true of gold, silver, animals and even food and drink.
H. Hospitable - Muhammad (PBUH), was indeed, noted to be the most gracious of hosts and taught his companions and followers to be the best of hosts to all their guests as a part of their religion.
I. Intelligent - Muhammad (PBUH), has been proclaimed by many commentators who have studied his life and actions, to be of the most intelligent of all men who ever lived.
J. Just - Muhammad (PBUH), was most fair and just in all of his dealings. Whether in business or in giving judgment in any matter, he practiced justice on all levels.
K. Kindness - Muhammad (PBUH), was kind and considerate to everyone he met. He tired his best to present the message of worship of the Creator instead of the creations to all he met in the kindest fashion and most considerate manner.
L. Loving - Muhammad (PBUH), was the most loving toward Allah and to his family members, friends, companions and even those who did not accept his message but remained peaceful to him and his followers.
M. Messenger of Mercy - Muhammad (PBUH), is proclaimed in the Quran by Allah, as being sent to the entire world as the “Mercy to all mankind and jinn.”
N. Noble - Muhammad (PBUH), was the most noble and distinguished of all men. Everyone knew of his fine character and honorable background.
O. “Oneness” - Muhammad (PBUH), is most famous for his proclamation of the “Oneness of Allah” or monotheism (called “Tawheed” in Arabic).
P. Patient - Muhammad (PBUH), was the most steadfast and forbearing in all of the trials and tests he lived through.
Q. Quiet - Muhammad (PBUH), was often very quiet and never was heard to be boastful, loud or obnoxious on any occasion.
R. Resourceful - Muhammad (PBUH), was most clever and resourceful in handling even the most serious of difficulties and problems confronting him and his companions.
S. Straightforward - Muhammad (PBUH), was known by all to speak directly to a subject and not twist things around in his speech. He also used a minimal amount of verbiage and considered excessive talk to be vain and unproductive.
T. Tactful - Muhammad (PBUH), was the most delicate and tactful in his dealings with the people. He never scratched the dignity of someone, even though unbelievers often insulted him and maligned him.
U. Unmatched - Muhammad (PBUH), is known throughout the world today as the man who most influenced the lives of so many people during his own time and for all times to come.
V. Valiant - Muhammad (PBUH), gave new meaning to the word valiant and he was always most honourable in all of his affairs, whether defending the rights of orphans or preserving the honour of widows or fighting for those in distress. He was not intimidated when outnumbered in battle, nor did he turn away from his duties in protecting and defending the truth and freedom.
W. Wali - The Arabic word, “wali” (plural is owliya)is a bit difficult to bring into English without some explanation. For this reason I decided to leave it in Arabic and offer from my humble understanding one of the most important aspects of the character and personality of the prophet Muhammad, (PBUH). Some say the word means; “protectors” and others have said “darlings” or “those in whom you put full trust and confide everything” like the Catholics might do with their priests. While still others simply offered the word “friends.” While discussing this subject with one of my beloved teachers, Salim Morgan, he mentioned to me the meaning might be closer to the English word, “ally.” This is perhaps, a lot closer in meaning because when a person gives their pledge of allegiance to someone he or she is taking that person as a “wally” and this is called giving “bay’ah” in Arabic. Allah tells us the Quran not to take the Jews and Christians as “owliya” in place of Allah. While we understand the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) are the closest to us in faith, at the same time we are instructed here not to take anyone as our “confessor” or “intimate ally” or “one to whom we give our pledge of allegiance” in place of Allah or His messenger, Muhammed, (PBUH). The prophet(PBUH), was the living example of the most trustworthy and loyal of all human beings who ever lived on this earth. Anything mentioned to him in confidence would never be divulged nor shared with others. And when he was put in place of authority or “wali” over the people, they found him to be the best of those to be trusted.
X. “X” - Muhammad(PBUH), could neither read nor write, not even his own name. In today’s world he would have to use an “X” to “sign” a document. He used a signet ring worn on the little finger of his right hand to seal any documents or letters sent to the leaders of other lands.
Y. Yielding - Muhammad(PBUH), would yield his own desires and forego his own ideas in favor of whatever Allah directed him to do. While considering opinions from his followers, he often accepted their ideas over his own, preferring to yield in favour of others as much as possible.
Z. Zealous - Muhammad (PBUH), was the most zealous of all the prophets of Allah, in carrying out his mission of “Peace through the submission to the Will of God.” He truly was the most enthusiastic in regard to delivering the message with which he had been entrusted by Allah; the message of “Laa elaha illa-allah, Muhammadar-Rasoolulah”
Alief. “AJEEB” (AMAZING) - We couldn’t resist the chance for one more letter - even if it is the first letter of the Arabic alphabet (“|” alief).
Muhammad was truly amazing in every respect. He delivered a message of a complete and total way of life, encompassing everything from the time a person wakes up until time to sleep and from the cradle to the grave. And if someone were to follow this Way of Life (“deen” in Arabic), they would achieve the greatest success here in this life and the greatest success in the Next Life as well.
Conclusion
Before concluding our review of Muhammad, A to Z, it must be mentioned, that although Muhammad is deeply loved, revered and emulated by Muslims as God’s final messenger, he is NOT the object of worship for Muslims.
Now it is up to you. You are a rational thinking, concerned human being. As such, you should already be asking yourself:
Could these extraordinary, revolutionary and amazing statements, all about this one man, really be true? What if this is true?
You have read what famous writers, thinkers, poets, philosophers, clergy and humanitarians have said about Muhammad. You have seen the recordings of those who knew him and knew of him and what others have said, about Prophet Muhammad(PBUH).
So, the question now is, “What do you say about Muhammad?”
You be the judge.
COURTESY: islamtoday

Blessings & Benefits Of Fasting

THE MONTH OF RAMADHAAN IN WHICH WAS REVEALED THE QUR’AAN, A GUIDANCE FOR MANKIND AND CLEAR PROOFS FOR THE GUIDANCE AND CRITERION (BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG). SO WHOEVER OF YOU IS PRESENT DURING THIS MONTH SHOULD OBSERVE ITS FAST. AL QUR’AAN

After Iman, Salah and Zakah, the most important pillar of Islam is Sawm (Fasting) during the month of Ramadan.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is amongst the fundamentals of Islam; one who denies its obligation goes out of the fold of Islam. One who does not fast during this month is a fasiq (an immoral and flagrant transgressor) of the highest degree. Such a fasiq completely destroys his spirituality and morality.
Sawm literally means ‘to abstain’. But in the terminology of the Sharee’ah, it means ‘to refrain from eating, drinking and cohabitation from sub’h sadiq to sunset, with the intention of fasting’. Fasting during the month of Ramadan, was ordained on the Ummah of Muhammad SAW after the revelation of the above mentioned verse in the 2nd year of our Prophet’s SAW migration to Madinah.
Before fasting in the month of Ramadan was made compulsory, our Prophet SAW would fast on the 10th of Muharram, instructing the Sahabah to follow suit. But once the fasting of Ramadan became obligatory, fasting on the 10th of Muharram was made optional. It is reported in Bukhari, on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah and Abdullah Ibne Umar RA that when the Messenger of Allah SAW came to Madinah, he commanded the people to fast on the 10th of Muharram, but when fasting during the month of Ramadan was made compulsory, our Prophet SAW said, “Now fasting on the 10th of Muharram is optional.”
There are numerous spiritual benefits of fasting. Fasting is extremely efficient for the acquisition of taqwa (piety), without which a Muslim cannot gain closeness to Allah. The prime benefit in the pursuit of taqwa is the suppression of the erratic desires and demands of nafs (based carnal desire), which is always working in collusion with Shaitan, to spiritually and morally ruin the believer. If the nafs is allowed freedom, then it will succeed in making man a slave of lust, passion and base emotions, due to which his Iman will suffer. Therefore, it is essential that the nafs be restrained. Fasting greatly aids towards pursuing this objective. By fasting, a Muslim learns to suppress his lowly desires. Thus the ability of inculcating taqwa is created. Further, fasting purifies the soul, and creates gratification in worship, making the heart conducive for worship. The bond with Allah is also strengthened.
Once our beloved Prophet SAW supplicated, “O Lord of the universe! When does the servant become closest to you?” The Divine Reply came, “When the servant is hungry and when he is in sajdah (prostration).”
Another outstanding feature of fasting is that it lifts man above the level of beasts and animals - who eat, drink and copulate at will, whenever the urge comes - and takes him to the parallel of the angels. Since the latter do not eat or drink, they are devoid and free of evil inclinations and all things base. Man, by reducing his worldly relations and emotional desires, moves himself to the realms of the angels.
As well as the many spiritual benefits of fasting, there are physical benefits and advantages of fasting too. Notably, feeling for the poor and hungry is engendered. Man becomes more aware and conscious of his less fortunate brethren and their deprivation, which in turn teaches him to sacrifice his wealth and assist others in need. Thus feeling for humanity is generated and inculcated in man.
There are innumerable Ahadith of the Prophet SAW which illustrate great virtue and blessing for the fasting person. Sahl Ibn Sa’d RA narrates from our Prophet SAW that he said, “Verily! In Jannah, there is a door called ‘Ar Rayyaan’, through which will enter the fasting people on the Day of Judgement. No one will enter through this door besides them. It will be announced, ‘Where are the fasting people?’ They will stand (and enter). No one will enter besides them. Once they will enter, the door will be locked so no one can enter through it (after them).” (B&M)·
Abu Hurayrah RA reports from our beloved Prophet SAW, that he said, ‘Allah says, ‘Every deed of Ibne Aadam (son of Aadam) is for him, except for fast. Verily, fasting is for me, and I shall (personally) apportion out the reward for it.”’ It is further said, “For a fasting person, there are two pleasures, which please him. When he eats upon completing the fast, he becomes happy, and when he will meet his Lord he will be pleased due to his fast.” (Bukhaari)·
Abu Hurayrah RA narrates from our beloved Prophet SAW that he said, “One who keeps the fast of Ramadan with Iman (faith) and longing for reward, all his previous sins are forgiven.” (Bukhaari, Muslim).
For the acquisition of the numerous virtues and benefits of fasting, there is however, one essential condition: a person takes extra precaution in making sure he abstains from sin and futility. A person should spend much of his time in the recitation of the Qur’an and also engage himself in the constant Remembrance of Allah. If one does not abstain from sin and futility then his fasting will merely be staying hungry and thirsty, without any reward or spiritual upliftment. A few common evils, which are regarded lightly, but are very detrimental to a fasting person, should be taken into consideration and avoided totally:
1.Telling lies.
2.Backbiting.
3.Quarrelling.
4.Eating haram items.
5.Earning through unlawful means.
6.Any act which may harm or cause grief to a person. In short, a person should try to refrain from all kinds of sins - protecting his ears, eyes, tongue and all other organs from indulging in unlawful activities. When a Muslim spends his Ramadan in this manner then he will notice great changes in his life. Spiritual strength will be gained, which will facilitate him to conduct his life according to Islam, together with Allah’s Pleasure.