Jumu'ah Mubarak

Today was our first Friday in Madinah. The students, many for the first time, had the great fortune to pray Jumu‘ah prayers in the Mosque of Rasul Allah, peace be upon him.

Shaykh Abdallah al-Kadi informed the students that they would be going to Masjid Quba and Masjid Jumu’ah the next day, in sha Allah. He said that if one prays in Masjid Quba and performs wudu (ablution) before leaving the house with the intention of praying there, one is rewarded as though one made Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage).

Shaykh Abdallah also spoke about Masjid al-Jumu’ah, which received its name because it is the first place that the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, prayed the Friday prayer (jumu’ah).

In the Shifa’ of Qadi Iyyad class, Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqubi began with some singing and asked the students to join in. He continued with part two of the Shifa’, which he had begun yesterday. Part two is entitled, “Concerning the rights which people owe the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him.” Shaykh Muhammad covered section two, entitled, “The obligation to obey him” and explained that it is impossible to obey Allah without following the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, and that the way to follow the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, is to follow one of the four madhabs (schools of jurisprudence): the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi, or Hambali school. Shaykh Muhammad quoted some beautiful hadith. He said that the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, said, “Anyone who obeys me has obeyed Allah. Anyone who disobeys me has disobeyed Allah. Anyone who obeys my commander has obeyed me.” And, “All my ummah (community) will enter Paradise except for anyone who refuses.” Abu Hurayra asked the Messenger who will refuse to enter Paradise. The Prophet, peace and blessings of God replied, “Anyone who obeys me will enter Paradise. Anyone who disobeys me has refused to enter Paradise.”

Shaykh Muhammad also spoke about the three signs of a believer:

1) Allah and His Messenger are dearer to the believer than anything or anyone else.

2) The believer dislikes people solely for the sake of Allah and similarly likes them for His sake alone.

3) The believer dislikes the state of kufr as much as he dislikes being thrown in the Fire.