Muharramat: Forbidden Matters Some People Take Lightly

The influence of Muhammad’s prophet hood is visible in everything that the world now contains: beliefs and patterns of thought, culture and civilization, morals and modes of living, knowledge and learning. In short, all spheres of human endeavor. Strange indeed, therefore, that so many people on the face of the earth today have little or no knowledge of the life and mission of this last great Prophet of God and his historical impact on the world we live in.

The Life of The Last Prophet , is a concise and authentic account of the life of the Prophet Muhammad (S) written by Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens. This book is the printed version of the spoken word album of the same name and also includes a selection of prophetic sayings and detailed references.

Despite the world’s tremendous advances in the fields of science and technology, almost all communities have been led into the wilderness of fear, greed, loneliness and spiritual despair. Professor Nadwi explicitly asserts that the achievements of science and technology did not match humanity’s moral or spiritual aspirations. Should a corresponding improvement is attained in human behaviour by applying the teachings of Islam, such as advances would have conferred benefits on all parties.

These two treatises deal with the issue of trials and tribulation, extremely essential for every Muslim especially in the times that we are living in today. People often see, and hear of, the believers being afflicted with adversity and tribulation, and conversely they often see, and hear of the disbelievers attaining leadership and wealth in this world. This leads them to mistakenly believe that well-being in this world is only reserved for the disbelievers. A believer may face many trials and tribulations that test his faith, patience and endurance. In a world full of conflict and war, with many also suffering from personal and family problems, shaytan causes a person to question many things. If a Muslim is tried with a difficulty, then the reasons for this are many – including one’s own sin, which arise from leaving something obligated in Islam or comitting an act that is prohibited. Trials are also a means of Allaah purifying and aiding His servants, ennobling them and granting well-being through His Wisdom. The most severely of those who were tried were the Prophets and then those closest to them in following their guidance.

Whatever has been prohibited in the Qur’an and the Sunnah is for a good reason. Every Muslim is commanded to learn his or her religion, and being aware of these prohibitions is part of that essential knowledge. The Qur’an and the Sunnah enjoin virtuous behaviour, and any actions they prohibit are destructive deeds that a Muslim should avoid. In Prohibitions in Islam, Shaykh Muhammad Sâlih al-Munajjid explains that Allah Almighty and His Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) have prohibited everything that contains any sort of harm or evil. These prohibitions vary in their degree of evil: they are either forbidden or detestable, and a practicing Muslim should avoid both kinds.