Fear, the Paranormal and Allah's Peace

Bismillahi Rahmaanir Raheem

Firstly, Jummah Mubarak.

Allah is Peace. This is one of his attributes. He is peace and he gives peace. Often people are afraid of what they think they see, or hear. I have posted before about Jinn, to which a whole chapter of the Quran is attributed (Al Jin). If Allah is peace, and the prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him), then what have we to fear? Allah is our provider, our nourisher, the beneficent, the merciful, the avenger, the just, he is Justice. He has and is every attribute that we will ever need, and yet, we sometimes have more fear of the paranormal than we have trust in Him. I'm not saying that we should not seek treatment for the paranormal; that would go against what I believe and what I have blogged and what the Quran and our Nabi (saw) has said. I am saying that fear of the paranormal, of "Jinn" can so consume people that it becomes their reason behind everything that goes wrong, as though Jinn or "the devil" have power to contravene any dictate of the Almighty Creator. Nothing, but nothing, happens without the say-so of Allah (swt). HE is the Omnipotent. To call him Omnipotent and then believe that anything else has more power than him is just a contradiction in and of itself.

However, Allah is also our Recourse, our Rescuer, our Defender. He is this and He says that He is this because he knows that there are things that will try to contradict his command. After all, He has given us choice. But if we understand that HE is our recourse, then those things which try to hurt us outside of Allah's command have no power because He rescues us at each turn.

I'd like to address the issue of fear of Jinn, because I have posted about them, and about Sihr and feel it is important to know that fear has no place and instead one should run to the assistance of Allah through what His Quran through His prophet (saw) has taught us to do.

Question: Why are people afraid of Jinn?

This is carefully analysed in the book Jinn and Human Sickness (copy available by email - drop us a comment) and four reasons are identified:

1) People are afraid because they lack knowledge of Tawheed  (the concept that there is only ONE God and nothing has more power than him.) This is the central reason of being of Islam, of monotheism. Anyone believing that anything has more power than Allah may be committing Shirk, attributing more power to something other than Allah. Remember, HE IS Omnipotent. All powerful, All knowing, EVER present. To fear anyone or anything alongside Allah or above HIS decrees can be said to be committing minor (or major, depending on the situation) Shirk.

2) Made up stories - people love stories about ghosties and ghoulies and especially as Halloween approaches the stories about "scary" and "paranormal" events increase. From cartoons to movies, everything is out to convice you that the boogie man is gonna get you! But the "Boogieman" is nothing unless Allah authorises him, and if the "Boogieman" tries to do or say anything, you just remind yourself that ALLAH is the boss of everyone, even the "Boogieman". We need to stop lending our ears out to stories that provoke fear, and then complain that the devil did it. No, he didn't. We did. We lend out the ears, and when they're full of trash, they start to affect our eyesight and we start seeing the boogieman (or Jinn) behind every bush.

A black cat is NOT necessarily a Jinn.

 

3) Witches, real or imaginary, in stories or the ones people visit to predict the future or to "get help" love to spread the stories of Jinn. They prey on your imagination. (One must distinguish between the witch and the Aalim who one goes to for the purposes of Rukhya or prayer healing. There are certain preconditions that an Aalim must meet in order to be credible and this is a subject for another post)

How do we treat the irrational fear of Jinni?

1. Remember Tawheed. Remember the Oneness of Allah. Remember Allah! Revisit and repeat the following within yourself:

La Ilaha Il Allah - there is no God but Allah

 

"Say (O Muhammad): I have no power over any hard or profit to myself except what Allah may do" (Surah Yunus. 10:49)

 

"Say, (O Muhammad to mankind): How do you worship besides Allah something which has no power to either harm or benefit you?" (Surah Al Maa'idah 5:76)

 

"Say: Who then has any power at all (to intervene) on your behalf with Allah, if He intends you hurt or intends you benefit?" (Surah Al-Fath 48:11)

 

"And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah. Then, when harm touches you, unto HIM cry aloud for help." (Surah Al-Nahl 16:53)

 

"And invoke not besides Allah any such that will neither profit nor harm you." (Quran. Younus 10:106)







 

It is clear from Quran and Hadith that mankind is superior to Jinni kid.

 

"And verily, there were men among mankind who took shelter with the males among the jinn, but they (jinn) increased them (manking) in sin and transgression (Suran Al-Jinn 72:6)

In summary: know this:

Abu Umaamah said: The Prophet (saw) said: 'One hundred and sixty angels have been appointed over the believer to protect him from that which has not been decreed for him, including his eyes which are protected by seven angels as a vessel of honey is protected from flies. If a person were left to his own devices for even an instant, the devils would cause him a great deal of harm."

Ameen!

Symtoms of Sihr

 

 

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

It is the time of year when some societies celebrate Halloweeen, or "all Hallow's eve". I will blog about Halloween soon, insh'Allah. In the meantime, Halloween is a high point in the Satanic calendar, and at this time Sihr practice (the practice of Witchcraft) is unfortunately active. (Allah save us from indulging or being victim to such evil acts, insh'Allah!)

The temptation to attribute every small thing to the paranormal should be avoided. Yet, remember that there are distinct symptoms that can be attributed to being a victim of Sihr. These have been extracted from various writings.

Without further delay let's get on with the symptoms. (Please remember to use some discernment, if you have a recurring headache you may suffer from a physical illness, so always rule out physical illness by seeing your doctor first!)

1. Symptoms when one is awake:

1 - Turning away, in particular, from acts of worship and obedience, the remembrance of Allah (swt) (Dhikr) and reading the Qur'an.

Allah (swt) says: And whosoever turns away blindly from the remembrance of the Most Gracious (Allah (swt) (i.e. this Qur'an and worship of Allah (swt), we appoint for him Shaytaan to be a Qarin (a companion) to him. And verily, they (Shayateen) hinder them from the path (of Allah (swt) but they think that they are guided aright - (Al-Zukhruf 43:36-37)

2 - Erratic behaviour in one's words, deeds and movements.

Allah (swt) says: (Those who eat Riba will not stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by Shaytaan leading him to insanity.) (Al-Baqarah 2:275)

3 - Seizures (with no medical cause); there are signs to indicate that a seizure has devilish causes.

4 - Paralysis of a limb (with no medical cause).

5 - Being quick to get angry or weep with no apparent cause.

6 - Sitting in the toilet for a long time, and talking to oneself.

7 - Constant headache with no medical cause, which is not eased by painkillers.

8 - Irregular menstruation in women.

9 - Not producing children although both husband and wife are medically sound and able to reproduce.

10. Depression. - Depression refers to intense sadness. It is a widespread mental illness, indeed one of the most widespread. As for mild sadness or feeling "blue", this is a normal and natural emotion which hardly anyone can escape, not even a believer.

Allah (swt) says: Secret counsels (conspiracies) are only from Shaytaan, in order that he may cause grief to the believers. - (Al-Mujaddilah 58:10)
If that sadness increases and takes over a person, it becomes depression.

Signs of depression:
- Feeling distressed and sad
- Loss of appetite
- Lack of focus, forgetfulness
- Sleep disturbances, weight loss
- Lack of sexual desire
There are other signs when one is awake, but they may be caused by other life circumstances, such as not succeeding in efforts to get married, repeatedly failing to do so etc.

2. Symptoms when one is asleep:

1 - Frightening nightmares, which includes seeing various kinds of creatures such as ghosts or apparitions, seeing oneself falling from a high place, seeing people in strange forms, and snakes. A man may see a woman who wants him to have intercourse with her (and vice versa) constantly in his dreams, or he may see someone threatening him.

2 - Insomnia, anxiety and fear upon waking.

3 - Talking loudly in one's sleep, or moaning and groaning.
Note: Use your common sense. Somnambulism is sleep walking or sleep talking. If the person is a sleep walker/sleep talker it does not necessarily follow that they are affected by Jinn or Witchcraft!Rukhya, and other symptoms, may help to identify the real cause, but the recitation of Quran over someone that is under a spell will always be uncomfortable, at least.

3. Behavioural Symptoms

For muslims who usually do not do these things (below), these may be signs of Sihr. Sometimes the muslim isn't even aware that they are in fact doing this; it is those around them who pick it up.
- Associating others with Allah (Shirk)
- Minor Shirk (showing off/ boastfulness)
- Bemoaning one's life continuously, and becoming angry with the divine decree
- Forgetting Allah and the Hereafter
- Feeling safe from the plot of Shaytaan and getting carried away in sin and relying on Allah's mercy
- Despairing of the mercy of Allah
- Thinking badly of Allah
- Deliberately telling lies about Allah and the Messenger of Allah (pbuh)
- Arrogance, self-admiration and showing off
- Loving to be praised for doing acts of worship
- Deceit, Hypocrisy, Greed, Stinginess
- Hidden anger, grudges and envy
- Turning away from people out of arrogance and scorning them
- Looking up to the rich and admiring them because of their richness, titles or posessions
- Fear of poverty
- Mocking the poor because of their poverty
- Competing in worldly gains
- Loving to be praised for what one has not done, and boasting about charity given out
- Being preoccupied with the faults of others whilst ignoring one's own faults
- Strong feelings for religions other than the religion of Allah
- Mocking the slaves of Allah, looking down on them and despising them
- Not accepting the truth because it goes against one's own whims and desires, or hating those who speak the truth
- Rejoicing in sin and pesisting in sin
- Offending the close friends of Allah and taking them as enemies
- Showing evil behaviour and foul language so as to make people fear you and avoid your evil

To obtain a free copy of the full writing on "Understanding Sihr" please drop me a comment with your email address and I will send it, insh'Allah.

Black magic and its punishment

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem


For many people the idea that they may be under a curse or perhaps suffering the effects of some "evil art" is far fetched and the absolute last resort thought after all the last resort thoughts possible.

However, the effects of Black Magic can be subtle, can mimick physical illness (without ever a real root cause) and can damage individuals, relationships, and actually eat away at the fabric of society.

For many people speaking of black magic harks back to some Middle Ages era and it sheer rubbish. For many others it is a daily reality. The proof that such things do exist lies in the fact that our Prophet (saw) himself was victim to it. Here is an interesting article concerning punishment under Islamic Law.For those of you may be considering what appears to be "an easy way out", let it be a warning, for those who may already have engaged in such depravity of the soul, it is a promise that what's coming to you will find its way unless you repent and stop, and undo whatever you can.
Let me start off by saying that Black Magic, Sihr, Jaddo, witchcraft or whatever you want to call it is PROHIBITED by ALLAH most High. To engage in it is beyond an attempt of manipulation of life or the livign, it is in fact trying to alter the present or future to suit one'self without going to Allah, but through your own means, or the means of a Saahir (someone who performs such evil).

WARNING: IF you are engaging in Sihr, and do not stop immediately, that which ALLAH will do to you is far worse than what any human being can do when being oppressed in such a fashion 

Article source:
http://sunnahmuakada.wordpress.com/tag/punishment-under-islamic-law-for-practicing-sihr-magic/
All credit given to the author.

" Punishment under Islamic Law for Practicing Sihr [Magic] The Messenger of Allaah said, “He is not of us, the one who sees evil omens, or the one the one whose behalf they are seen, or the one who practices soothsaying, or the one on whose behalf it is practiced; or the one who practices sorcery, or the one for whom sorcery is done.” (At-Tabaraanee) He also says, “And the magician will never be successful no matter what amount (of skill) he may attain.” (Taahaa 20: 69) The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: ‘Kill every sorcerer, for this is the punishment ordained by Allah.’ This is the opinion of Abu Haneefah, Maalik, and Ahmed. Imam Ahmad said, “Capital punishment for the sorcerer has been authentically reported from three companions of the Prophet. It is reported from Umar that he wrote, “Kill every sorcerer and sorceress.” Bujaalah (a sub-narrator) said, “Then we killed three sorceresses.” It is also authentically reported from Hafsah (Prophet’s wife) that she ordered a maid of hers to be killed because she did sorcery on her.” Jundub bin Kaab was also authentically reported that he beheaded a magician who was playing his magic in front of Waleed and said, “Let him use his magic for his own benefit now.” According to Imam Malik, a person who practices Sihr (Saahir), but does not have it done for himself is similar to the person Allah describes in the following verse: “And they learned what hurt them, and did not profit them, knowing well that whoso buys it shall have no share in the world to come.” (al-Baqarah 2/102) According the verse, Imam Malik believed that the punishment for practicing Sihr is the death sentence. (Muwatta, 628) According to Ibn Qudamah, the punishment for practicing Sihr is the death sentence. This view was reported by Umar (radiyallahu anh), Uthman Ibn Affan (radiyallahu anh), Ibn Umar (radiyallahu anh), Hafsa (radiyallahu anha), Jundub Ibn Abdullah (radiyallahu anh), Jundub Ibn Ka’b (radiyallahu anh), Qays Ibn Sa’d (rahimahullaah) and Umar Ibn Abdu’l-Aziz. It is also the view of Abu Hanifa and Malik. Continue reading → Posted in Fiqh | Tagged abdul qadir al jilani Allah al quran aqeedah comparative religion dhikr ego fasting fiqh ghazali Hadith heart history ihya ullum al deen ikhlas islam law letter madhhab muhammad nafs ottoman prayer pr, Punishment under Islamic Law for Practicing Sihr [Magic]"

If you have been led to this page and read the above, if you are practicing or know of someone who has been practicing this or asked for sihr to be done on anyone for ANY reason, you have now been warned. You cannot say you did not know, you cannot say you did not intend, you cannot say you meant no harm.

THE WORLD IS A DANGEROUS PLACE, NOT BECAUSE OF THOSE WHO DO EVIL, BUT BECAUSE OF THOSE WHO LOOK ON AND DO NOTHING"

Things that go BUMP in the night..

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem


JINN

Geenies, Poltergeists, shapeshifters, fairies, goblins, ghouls, spiritual mediums, psychics, and apparitions. The world is fascinated with all that appears paranormal. There are dozens of societies and associations out there which try to communicate, exhorcise, attract or manipulate what they explain as spirits of the dead, demons, etc. If the truth will set you free, then what ARE these, in reality?

The Holy Quran tells us that in the beginning God created man, yes, but unlike other religions, the full picture is disclosed. You see, Allah (who is ONE God, the ONE that IS) did indeed create Adam (as) from dirt (dust, clay), but first he created two other types of beings; angels, and jinn. Angels are made of light. Even a young christian will tell you that angels are gender-less beings with NO choice or self-will. In both christian and Islamic faith, angels are both beautiful and fearsome beings that protect mankind and carry out the will of God. Angels have no self-will, the bible says. Hence, they cannot "Fall from grace" or the idea of "no self-will" would actually not stand. Nonetheless, that's a topic for another day.

We know what humans are and we know what angels are. So what are Jinn? Jinn were created before Adam (as). They were made of smokeless fire, are a "people" with choice to follow good or evil, and live within our world, unseen unless they choose to be seen. Like humans, they can be muslim,christian, hindu, etc. etc. etc. but unlike humans, they can shapeshift, and unlike angels, they CAN fall "out of grace" because they CAN choose to disobey Allah. Jinns are typically MASSIVE creatures (yes, you may think Nephalum from the bible with their six fingers and toes and their gigantic appearance)

Paranormal societies have for many years tried to find out if there are such things as those mentioned in paragraph 1; yet the answer to alllll these questions lies openfaced in the Quran..


Question: What are demons?
Answer: Jinn who have chosen to follow the shaytaan (devil, also a Jinn, because angels don't fall - they can't..)

Question: How do fortunetellers know what has happened?
Answer: Jinn - they can move through the dimensions and they evesdrop on people, situations, and even conversations among angels- they evesdrop on instructions given to angels.

Question: But I saw my dead grandfather/uncle/aunt - was it them?
Answer: no, it was a Jinn - they are shapeshifters. (There is another alternative - souls that hover because they die a tragic death or have committed suicide - a topic for another day)

Question: what are hauntings, poltergeists, ghosts, moving tables, chairs, etc?
Answer: Jinn manifestations. Jinn, like humans, can be playful, naughty, evil, deceptive or kind..human personality qualities exist in Jinn, too..

Question: Where do Jinn live?
Answer: In amongst us, in a "parallel" dimension. If we can see 3D and cats can only see 2D, how can you deny what's in 4D? - Scientists are discovering how to "see" 4D.



Makes sense, doesn't it? Do posessions exist? yes. How? There is a jinn "companion" to every human being - but this is a subbject for another day. How much senseless time is spent chasing ghosts!! Mediums can thus be people who are able to "see" or "hear" jinn; but it is far more likely that because of their propensity to believe in the "paranormal" they are chosen by Jinn as people to whom they manifest. Why? Well... didn't pride come before the fall?.. indeed..
Jinn taught mankind all sorts of things; magik, spells, good and evil. Who built the pyramids? Aliens? Jinn, more likely.

Can Jinn be enslaved to man? - ah.. now that is a question worth asking. Yes. They can. They can be trapped, and unfortunately they can also choose to work for evil people with evil intentions. Why would they do that? Because, if the intent of the devil (shaytaan) is to mislead mankind, that what better distraction is there than sorcery, fortune telling, and even outright witchcraft. Man has a greedy side, a proud side. "Two paths lay ahead, life and death - choose life" Is that not what the bible says? LIFE was given by Allah, so choosing to submit to Allah's will, to go to HIM to ask for help or advice is to seek to make Him a companion. Where there is TRUTH, LIGHT and LIFE, the fruit of our life is good and pleasing. How do we know if we are in LIGHT and LIFE? Well, if we submit to the will of our Creator, who is light and life and truth then we are, indeed, of the rightly guided.

What is the verb (not noun) for "Submitting to the Will of the Creator"? - there is a word, it is ISLAM, directly translated as submitting to the will of the Creator. That's all Islam is; an explanation of life, and a guide for life. SO simple, and we complicate it by questioning every aspect of it. Does that will allow you to murder or commit suicide? NO. Does it say you're allowed to mess with Jinn? No.

More on Jinn in a future blogpost. For now.. here are extracts from the Quran and Sunnat.

"And I (Allaah) created not the jinns and humans, except they should worship Me (Alone)." [al-Dhaariyaat 51:56].

"O assembly of jinns and mankind! Did there not come to you Messengers from amongst you, reciting unto you My Verses...?" [al-An'aam 6:130]

The world of the jinn is an independent and separate world, with its own distinct nature and features that are hidden from the world of humans. Jinns and humans have some things in common, such as the possession of understanding and the choice between the way of good and the way of evil. The word jinn comes from an Arabic root meaning "hidden from sight". Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"...Verily he [Shaytaan] and his qabeeluhu [his soldiers from the jinn or his tribe] see you from where you cannot see them..." [al-A'raaf 7:27]

Allaah has told us in His Book the essence from which the jinn were created. He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And the jinn, We created aforetime from the smokeless flame o fire." [al-Hijr 15:27]

"And the jinns did He create from a smokeless flame of fire." [al-Rahmaan 55:15].

According to a hadeeth narrated by 'Aa'ishah, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The angels were created from light, the jinn were created from fire, and Aadam was created from that which has been described to you." (Reported by Muslim, 5314).