The story of the birth of Prophet Jesus (Eesa) and his mother Maryam (Mary)

This post reviews the events around Prophet Eesa’s birth starting from his mother Maryam’s (Mary’s) birth, miracles at Eesa (Jesus’) birth, and how those miracles helped his mother Mary (Maryam) in her life. This story is taken from IqraSense.com’s recent publication “Jesus – The Prophet Who Didn’t Die.”

Maryam’s birth and her guardianship

The Quran has covered the birth of Maryam in Surah Al Imran’s verse number 35 and 36. In Tafsir ibn Kathir (one of Quran’s widely recognized interpretations), Ismail ibn Kathir has elaborated on these two verses (through narrations from others) and provided information about Maryam’s parents. According to him, the name of Maryam’s father was ‘Imran’. He was an imam (prayer leader) in Bayt Al-Maqdis (Al-Aqsa site in Jerusalem.) Bayt Al-Maqdis at that time was under the care of the descendents of Prophet Harun (Aron), the brother of Prophet Moosa (Moses). Imran was a very pious man and well respected by those who took care of religious affairs in Bayt Al-Maqdis. The name of Imran’s wife was Hannah bint Faqudh (Hannah daughter of Faqudh) (Kathir I. , Tafsir Ibn Kathir, p. 771).

According to Ibn Kathir, Hannah didn’t have any children before Maryam. One day, she saw a bird feeding its chick. Seeing that, her longing for a child grew intense and thus she made a sincere prayer to Allah (God) to grant her an offspring. In that prayer she made a promise to Allah that if He gave her an offspring, she would dedicate her child to His worship and in taking care of the holy places in Bayt Al-Maqdis. Hannah’s prayers were accepted, and soon she became pregnant. The Quran narrates her response in the following verse:

O my Lord! I have vowed to you what (the child that) is in my womb to be dedicated for your services (free from all worldly work; to serve Your Place of worship), so accept this from me. Verily, you are the All-Hearer, the All-Knowing
Quran (Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verse 35)

And after giving birth Hannah said (as narrated in the Quran):

Then when she gave birth to her [child Maryam (Mary)], she said: “O my Lord! I have given birth to a female child,” – and Allah knew better what she brought forth, – “And the male is not like the female, and I have named her Maryam (Mary), and I seek refuge with you (Allah) for her and for her offspring from Shaitan (Satan), the outcast”.
Quran (Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verse 36)

After the birth of Maryam, Hannah decided that she would fulfill her promise and give the newly born child to the service of Bayt-Al Maqdis. The Quran recorded this event in the following verse:

This is a part of the news of the Ghaib (unseen, i.e. the news of the past nations of which you have no knowledge) which We reveal to you (O Muhammad) You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens as to which of them should be charged with the care of Maryam (Mary); nor were you with them when they disputed
Quran (Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verse 44).

Ibn Kathir explains the above mentioned verse by stating the whole story in detail as described below:

Maryam’s mother left with Maryam, carrying her in her infant cloth, and took her to the rabbis from the offspring of Aaron, the brother of Prophet Moses. They were responsible for taking care of Bayt Al-Maqdis (the Masjid) at that time, just as there were those who took care of the Kaabah (in Makkah). Maryam’s mother said to them, “Take this child whom I vowed – to serve the Masjid, I have set her free, since she is my daughter, for no menstruating woman should enter the Masjid, and I shall not take her back home.” They said, “She is the daughter of our Imam, as Imran used to lead them in prayer, “who took care of our sacrificial rituals.” Zakariyya said, “Give her to me, for her maternal aunt is my wife.” They said, “Our hearts cannot bear that you take her, for she is the daughter of our Imam.” So they conducted a lottery with the pens with which they wrote the Tawrah, and Zakariyya won the lottery and took Maryam into his care

(Kathir I. , Tafsir Ibn Kathir, p. 763).

Ibn Kathir also gives an account of the lottery as follows:

Rabbis went into the Jordan River and conducted a lottery there, deciding to throw their pens into the river. The pen that remained afloat and idle would indicate that its owner would take care of Maryam. When they threw their pens into the river, the water took all the pens under, except Zakariyya’s pen, which remained afloat in its place. Zakariyya was also their master, chief, scholar, Imam and Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings are on him and the rest of the Prophets
(Kathir I. , Tafsir Ibn Kathir, p. 763).

Thus, Maryam came under the guardianship of Prophet Zikariyya (Zechariah).

Life of Maryam (Jesus’ Mother)

Maryam’s guardian Zakariyya (who was the husband of Maryam’s maternal aunt) was a very pious man and took good care of Maryam and raised her well. As Maryam became older, she devoted herself to the worship of Allah. Maryam fulfilled the promise of her mother and dedicated her life to the worship of Allah. She was modest, honorable, innocent, and dedicated to her task of worship.
The following hadith by Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) shows the extent of Maryam’s dedication to her worship:

The best woman (in her time) was Maryam, daughter of Imran, and the best woman (of the Prophet’s time) is Khadijah (his wife), daughter of Khuwaylid (Kathir I. , Tafsir Ibn Kathir, p. 763).

Maryam’s piety did not remain unobserved by Zakariyya. According to the Quran, whenever Zakariyya went to visit Maryam, he found her with food and supplies and he wondered about its source and asked her about it to which she used to respond that the food came from Allah. The Quran confirms this through the following verse:

So her Lord (Allah) accepted her with goodly acceptance. He made her grow in a good manner and put her under the care of Zakariyya (Zachariya). Every time he entered Al-Mihrab to (visit) her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: “O Maryam (Mary)! From where have you got this?” She said, “This is from Allah.” Verily, Allah provides sustenance to whom He wills, without limit
Quran (Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verse 37).

Birth of Jesus (Prophet Eesa)

As Maryam grew, she found out about her status of the chosen one.
The Quran states:

42. And (remember) when the angels said: “O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you (from polytheism and disbelief), and chosen you above the women of the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinn) (of her lifetime).
43. O Mary! Submit yourself with obedience to your Lord (Allah, by worshipping none but Him Alone) and prostrate yourself, and Irkai (bow down) along with Ar-Rakiun (those who bow down).
Quran (Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verses 42-43).

Maryam could not fully comprehend or interpret the meaning of this news. But soon she found out that she was pregnant. This astonished her because she had never been touched by a man. This obviously upset Maryam greatly and to avoid any embarrassment she withdrew from her family and the public’s eye and went to a place east of Jerusalem. It was here that Allah (God) sent angel Jibrail (Gabriel) in the form of a man. This made Maryam afraid but then he gave her the news that she was about to give birth to a child named ‘Eesa’ (Jesus) and that the child would be among those who are loved and blessed by Allah (God). Maryam was also foretold by Allah that this child would speak from his cradle. The Quran has described this instance in the following verses:

45. (Remember) when the angels said: “O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word ["Be!"- And he was! i.e. Eesa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary)] from Him, his name will be the Messiah Eesa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah.
46. He will speak to the people in the cradle and in manhood he will be one of the righteous”
Quran (Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verses 45-46).

In Surah Maryam, Allah describes this instance:

16. And mention in the Book (the Quran, O Muhammad the story of) Maryam (Mary), when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east.
17. She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then we sent to her Our Ruh [angel Jibril (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.
18. She said: “Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Gracious (Allah) from you, if you do fear Allah.”
19. (The angel) said: “I am only a messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son”
Quran (Surah Maryam, Verses 16-19).

As is obvious, Maryam was upset to know that she was pregnant. And when the angel told her about this child she asked:

She said: “How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?”
Quran (Surah Maryam, Verses 20).

Allah stated the answer of the Angel in Surah Maryam:

He said: “So (it will be), your Lord said: ‘That is easy for Me (Allah): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allah), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allah)’”
Quran (Surah Maryam, Verses 21).

Although this could have caused Maryam some agony, Allah kept her safe and filled with provisions and food. Furthermore, Allah told her not to talk to anyone about the matter and to keep quiet. The Quran describes this as follows:

22. So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem). 
23. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said: “Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!”
24. Then [the baby Isa (Jesus) or Jibril (Gabriel)] cried unto her from below her, saying: “Grieve not: your Lord has provided a water stream under you.
25. And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you; it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you.
26. So eat and drink and be glad. And if you see any human being, say: ‘Verily! I have vowed a fast unto the Most Gracious (Allah) so I shall not speak to any human being this day’”
Quran (Surah Maryam, Verses 22-26).

Maryam comes back to Jerusalem

After giving birth to Prophet Isa (Jesus), Maryam came back to Jerusalem with her child. Since she was widely considered to be a pure and pious woman, the people of Jerusalem were amazed to see a child with Maryam. They asked her about his father but she said nothing and pointed to the child. This further confused the people because there was no point in asking an infant about his birth. Allah said in Surah Maryam:

27. Then she brought him (the baby) to her people, carrying him. They said: “O Mary! Indeed you have brought a thing Fariyy (a mighty thing).
28. O sister (i.e. the like) of Harun (Aaron)! Your father was not a man who used to commit adultery, nor was your mother an unchaste woman.”
29. Then she pointed to him. They said: “How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?”
Quran (Surah Maryam, Verses 27-29).

In his book “Stories of Prophets”, Ibn Kathir describes how Maryam came back and the Jews started asking her questions:
It was said that Joseph the Carpenter was greatly surprised when he knew the story, so he asked Mary: “Can a tree come to grow without a seed?” She said: “Yes, the one which Allah created for the first time.” He asked her again: “Is it possible to bear a child without a male partner?” She said: “Yes, Allah created Adam without male or female!” (Kathir I. , Stories of Prophets, p. 178)

Jesus speaks from the cradle

While the people (mostly Jews of the time) were taunting Maryam asking her about the child’s father, a miracle happened. The infant which was still in cradle started speaking to the Jews. The Quran mentions the words of the infant as follows:

30. He [Isa (Jesus)] said: “Verily I am a slave of Allah, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet;
31. and He has made me blessed wheresoever’s I be, and has enjoined on me Salat (prayer), and Zakat, as long as I live.
32. “And dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest.
33. And Salam (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!”
Quran (Surah Maryam, Verses 30-33).

There is great significance to this event in Islamic history. Muhammad bin Ishaq recorded that according to Abu Hurayrah, Prophet Muhammad said:

No infant spoke in the cradle except Isa and the companion of Jurayj (Kathir I. , Tafsir Ibn Kathir, p. 763).

Source; Jesus – The Prophet Who Didn’t Die

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The story of the birth of Prophet Jesus (Eesa) and his mother Maryam (Mary)

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DUAS FOR WISHES, HOPES, DIFFICULTIES AND HAAJAT

“ Bismillahir-Rahamanir-Raheem”

(And when My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close to them: I respond tothe Duas (prayers) of very suppliant when they call on me – Qur’an 2; 186)

Remember before starting and ending any dua you should read

3, 5,7,11, times of darood shareef,
pray namaz five times daily and must be clean with ablution (Wazoo)
FOR ANY WISH / HOPES:
Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W.) said the person whorecites the following aayat and then prays for his/her wishes/ haajat, insha Allahhis/her wish will be fulfilled. The following aayat;
“ Laa illaha illaa anta Subhanaka Inni Kunta Minal Zolimina”

FOR ANY HOPES:
Recite
“ Yaa Allahu”
66 times
daily at Asr ort the setting of thesun or at the last part of the night, prayer will be granted and legitimate desires will befulfilled starting and ending with
3 times darood.

FOR HARD DIFFICULTY:
Read at night
“ Aayatul- Kursiyu ”
20 times

then read
Ya Aliyu, Yaa Waliyu, Allahumma Yasir LanaaAmoorana
110 times 



 


after Ishai prayer. Insha Allah your hard difficulty will be fulfilled.

FOR DESIRES:
Read Sura
“ Al Fatiha (Al hamdu)
like this daily for a week starting on Thursday:
•
After Fajr 21 times
•
After Zuhr 22 times
•
After Asr 23 times
•
After Magrib 24 times
•
After Ishai 10 times

FOR REMOVAL OF DIFFICULTY:
Keep
3 days
fast on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and recite daily
“Sura Yasin”
starting and ending
3 times darood
and pray.

Doaa

DUAS FOR WISHES, HOPES, DIFFICULTIES AND HAAJAT

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Who is Imam Mahdi Al-Montazar (The Awaited) Part TWO ?

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be blessings and peace) has prophesied about several events that will occur just before the advent of the Day of Judgment. Among these, the Rasulullah (Messenger of God) (upon whom be blessings and peace) has foretold the advent of one of his descendants, the Mahdi (rightly-guided one), which will materialize when the believers are severely oppressed in every corner of the world. He will fight the oppressors, calm the trials and tribulations, unite the Muslims under his Caliphate, lead a prayer in Damascus at which Prophet 'Eyssa (Jesus) will be present, and rule the world with equity and justice for seven years. 

Throughout the history of Islam, a few individuals -- driven either by the desperate state of Muslims in their community or a selfish pursuit of power and prestige -- laid claim to being the Mahdi and found a following among the uninformed masses, looking for salvation from the heavens. For some of these individuals (like Bab of Iran or Mirza Ghulam of India) the claim to being the Mahdi was just a stepping stone to the development of heretic sects which broke away from the fold of Islam. Thus, it is at least prudent to visit the facts of this prophecy and avoid falling pray to false claimants that will appear from time to time.

Among the major signs of the Day of Judgment is the advent of the Mahdi. The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) predicted the coming of the Mahdi towards the end of this worldly existence, i.e. just before The Day of Judgment.

Hazrat Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu anhu) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (God) (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:


"If only one day is left for the end of the world, Allah will lengthen that day until a man from my family, whose name will be the same as mine, rules the world.” (Tirmizi Shareef)

This indicates the emphasis, which The Holy Messenger of Allah Sallallahu alayhi wasallam laid on the coming of the Mahdi. This page contains many details about the life and advent of the Mahdi, and all these facts are derived from various sayings on this topic.

There is much speculation nowadays on whether the Mahdi has already been born and if so, what would be his present age, and when the impending appearance. Some Ulema have claimed that he is already born. However, Muslims should realize that mere speculation does not represent concrete evidence upon which any firm and clear-cut ruling could be based. Hence, the best course of action is to believe that the Mahdi will appear before the Day of Judgment, but exactly when, only Allah knows. The exact date and time of his arrival we leave to the Knowledge of Allah. However, the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) did give certain signs, which will herald the arrival of this great Imam as well as certain details of the time period in which he would appear. The sayings on this issue leave no room for rejecting or even doubting the coming of the Mahdi. Neither do the facts leave us in the dark as to recognizing this great Imam when he eventually does arrive.

To begin, the term "MAHDI" is a title meaning "rightly-guided one" or "one who is rightly-guided". The Mahdi is a normal man who Allah will inspire with special wisdom, knowledge and guidance and make preparations for him in one night to carry out his task successfully. His religion is Islam, his name will be Muhammad and his father's name will be Abdullah. He will be a descendant of 'Ali the son of Abu Talib, and Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad, through their sons, Hasan and Hussein. The Mahdi will be very just and his capital will be in Jerusalem. The Mahdi is NOT a prophet but he is a Rightly-Guided Caliph and the Deputy of Allah. After he is given allegiance as the Caliph in Mecca, he will lead Muslims to a great victory against the tyrannical Sufyaani, as well as others tyrants in the Arabian peninsula, al-Sham (the Levant) and Egypt, in six years, thus establishing his rule over the region. Following this would be the Great war ("Armageddon"), which will end up with a great victory for the Muslims against the Romans and the Turks. Muslims would then conquer their cities and six years after the war begin, they would conquer Rome without the use of a single weapon. In the following year, the Dajjal (false Messiah) will appear and a greater war will start between his followers and the believers for 40 days (longer that usual days) and will end when the Messiah, 'Eyssa ("Jesus") son of Maryam ("Mary") descends from Heaven and slays the Dajjal along with his followers. All the remaining people (those that did not follow the Dajjal) will embrace Islam, and the Mahdi, with 'Eyssa, would rule the whole world with equity and justice for seven years thereafter, during which peace would prevail.

The following are details taken from the sayings of the Messenger of Allah( Sallallahu alayhi wasallam):

Name and Title

His name will be the same as that of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam), i.e. Muhammad or Ahmad. In addition, his father's name will be Abdullah. His title is the-Mahdi, meaning the-(rightly) guided one. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam also called him Khalifatullah, meaning "Deputy of God".

FAMILY LINEAGE

The Mahdi will belong to the tribe of Qurayish and will be a sayyid (chief), descending from the family of Fatima, the offspring of Hasan and Hussein, the sons of 'Ali, son of Abu Talib.

CHARACTER

He will have the character and morals of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). In one night Allah will grant him unique qualities of faith, piety, leadership and knowledge, hence the title Mahdi.

Narrated Ali ibn Abu Talib:

Abu Is-haq told that Ali looked at his son Hasan and said: "This son of mine is a sayyid (chief) as named by the Prophet :saws:, and from his loins will come forth a man who will be called by the name of your Prophet :saws: and resemble him in conduct but not in appearance." He then mentioned the story about his filling the earth with justice.(Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 36, No. 4276A)

BIRTHPLACE

He will be born in Medina Shareef.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

He will be tall with a fair complexion, having a broad forehead and an aquiline nose, with a mole on his right cheek. His face will be like a glittering star and his body will be like that of the people of Israel. He will have a slight stutter in his speech, as a result at times he will hit his thigh with his palm.

 

Who is Imam Mahdi Al-Montazar (The Awaited) Part TWO ? 

Who is Imam Mahdi Al-Montazar (The Awaited) Part Three ? 

Who is Imam Mahdi Al-Montazar (The Awaited) Part FOUR ? 

Who is Imam Mahdi Al-Montazar (The Awaited) Part FIVE ?

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Who is Imam Mahdi Al-Montazar (The Awaited) Part one ?

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 By the time Muhammad (pbuh) was twenty-five he was famous for his honesty. He was respected by everyone, even the elders of Mecca. The purity of his nature increased with the years. It seemed he had an inner knowledge that other people did not have. He believed in one God-Creator of the world-and he worshiped Him with all his heart and with all his soul. Muhammad (pbuh) was the finest of his people, the most kind, truthful and reliable person in Mecca. He was known among Quraysh as 'the trustworthy' (al-Amin) because of the good qualities Allah had given him. He spent many quiet hours in a cave in Mount Hira, not far from Mecca, thinking about Allah. Among Quraysh was a respected and wealthy woman named Khadijah. She was involved in trade and on hearing of Mohammed‟s reputation, sent for him and asked him to take her goods and trade with them in Syria. Muhammad (pbuh) agreed and left for Syria with one of Khadijah's caravans. With him went her slave, Maysarah, and they spent a great deal of time talking together. Maysarah soon came to admire Muhammad (pbuh). He thought he was quite different from all the other men of Quraysh.

Two unusual events took place during this journey which puzzled Maysarah very much. The first happened when they stopped to rest near the lonely home of a monk. Muhammad (pbuh) sat under a tree while Maysarah was busy with some work. The monk came up to Maysarah and asked, 'Who is the man resting under the tree?' 'One of Quraysh, the people who guard the Ka‟bah', said Maysarah. 'No one but a Prophet is sitting beneath this tree', replied the monk. The second event occurred on the journey back to Mecca. It happened at noon, when the sun is at its hottest. Maysarah was riding behind Muhammad (pbuh) and as the sun grew hotter he saw two angels appear above Muhammad (pbuh) and shield him from the sun's harmful rays. The trading was very successful and Muhammad (pbuh) made more profit for Khadijah than she had ever received before. When they arrived back in Mecca Maysarah told Khadijah everything about the trip and what he had noticed about Mohammed‟s character and behavior.

Khadijah was a widow in her forties and as well as being rich and highly respected she was also very beautiful. Many men wanted to marry her but none of them suited her. When she met Muhammad (pbuh), however, she thought he was very special. She sent a friend to ask Muhammad (pbuh) why he was not married. Muhammad (pbuh) said that it was because he had no money, to which the friend replied: 'Supposing a rich, beautiful and noble lady agreed to marry you?' Muhammad (pbuh) wanted to know who that could be. The friend told him it was Khadijah. Muhammad (pbuh) was very happy, because he greatly respected Khadijah. He went with his uncles, Abu Talib and Hamzah, to Khadijah's uncle, and asked his permission to marry her. The uncle gave his permission and soon after, Muhammad (pbuh) and Khadijah were married.

Their marriage was a joyful one and Muhammad (pbuh) and Khadijah were well suited. Their life together, however, was not without some sadness. They were blessed with six children, two sons and four daughters. Sadly their first born, a son called Qasim, died shortly before his second birthday, and their last child, also a son, only lived for a short time. Happily, their four daughters-Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum, and Fatimah-all survived.

For a few years Muhammad (pbuh) lived a calm and quiet life as a merchant in Mecca. His wisdom benefited many people. One such time was when Quraysh decided to rebuild the Ka‟bah. It was a difficult decision for them because they had to knock it down before rebuilding it and the people were afraid that Allah might be angry with them for knocking down His sanctuary. At last one of the wise old men of Quraysh decided to begin, then everybody followed him. They worked until they reached down to the first foundation that Abraham had built. As soon as they began to remove the stones of this foundation, however, the whole of Mecca began to shake.

They were so afraid that they decided to leave these stones where they were and build on top of them. Each tribe brought stones and they built the Ka'bah up until they reached the place where the black stone was to be set. They then began to argue about who should have the honor of carrying the black stone and lifting it to its place in one of the corners of the Ka'bah.

They almost came to blows but fortunately one of the men offered a solution. He suggested that they should be guided by the first person to enter the place of worship. They all agreed and as Muhammad (pbuh) was the first to enter everyone was pleased, because they all trusted him. They told him the cause of the argument and he asked them to bring a large cloak. They did as he asked, and after spreading the cloak on the ground he placed the black stone in the centre of it. Then he asked a man
from each tribe to hold one edge of the cloak and together to raise it to the height where the stone should be see. When this was done, he took the stone off the cloak and put it into place himself. This story shows how all Quraysh respected and trusted Muhammad (pbuh) and how, by his wisdom and good sense, he was able to keep the peace.

source book of The Life of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 

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Our Prophet Mohamed ( PBUH ) first marriage from Khadijah.

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Missionary Sam Shamoun has asserted that the Quran contradicts itself on the age of marriage writing: What Islam say about early marriages ?

The Quran, in at least one passage, presupposes that there is an age which a girl must attain before she can be considered marriageable:

And try orphans (as regards their intelligence) until they reach the age of marriage; if then you find sound judgement in them, release their property to them, but consume it not wastefully, and hastily fearing that they should grow up, and whoever amongst guardians is rich, he should take no wages, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just and reasonable (according to his work). And when you release their property to them, take witness in their presence; and Allah is All Sufficient in taking account. S. 4:6 Hilali-Khan

Shamoun is correct; the verse is referring to a suitable age of marriage, which is basically when the girl reaches puberty. However so Shamoun claims there is a contradiction:

And those of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the 'Iddah (prescribed period), if you have doubts (about their periods), is three months, and for those who have no courses [(i.e. they are still immature) their 'Iddah (prescribed period) is three months likewise, except in case of death]. And for those who are pregnant (whether they are divorced or their husbands are dead), their 'Iddah (prescribed period) is until they deliver (their burdens), and whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him. S. 65:4 Hilali-Khan

Those who haven't menstruated yet are girls who haven't attained maidenhood or puberty. The Quran says that there is no waiting period (iddah) for those women whose marriages have not been consummated:

O ye who believe! When ye marry believing women, and then divorce them before ye have touched them, no period of 'Iddat have ye to count in respect of them: so give them a present. And set them free in a handsome manner. S. 33:49 Hilali-Khan

What this means is that Q. 65:4 is referring to young prepubertal girls (girls who haven't attained sexual maturation) who got married and were divorced sometime after the consummation of their marriages!you can also see Love before marriage from the Islamic view

So as you can see Shamoun now claims there is a contradiction, however so is there a contradiction? Or is that Shamoun once again demonstrates his lack of knowledge on Islam and Islamic Fiqh?

Let us first summarize his arguments to make things easier for people to understand:

• The Quran claims the age of marriage with a girl is when she reaches puberty
• The Quran also says we can marry girls before they begin their puberty

Now that may seem as a contradiction, but in fact it is not. To begin with the context of Surah 4:3 which gives the age of marriage the context is clear, it is referring to someone who is planning to get married, and having a wife to live with her to till death does them part (unless they get a divorce for marriage problems). However so even with that said, a man in Islam may still get married to a girl even before she reaches puberty, HOWEVER SO the man is not allowed to have sex with her, and she doesn't go and live with him, rather she waits till she reaches puberty and then the marriage becomes final. The best example of this is the prophet Muhammad, he married Aisha when she was 6 when she had yet reached puberty, however so when she was 9 she had reached puberty and the marriage was complete:

Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 58, Number 236: Narrated Hisham's father:
Khadija died three years before the Prophet departed to Medina. He stayed there for two years or so and then he married 'Aisha when she was a girl of six years of age, and he consumed that marriage when she was nine years old.

So therefore it is pretty simple and easy to understand, you can marry a girl before she reaches puberty, but the marriage is not complete, it becomes complete when she does reach puberty. So you see Sam, do you see your ignorance of Islamic Fiqh and Islam as a whole? In fact here is what one sheikh writes concerning this matter: related : Ten ways to avoid marrying the wrong perso

Firstly: Marriage to a young girl before she reaches puberty is permissible according to sharee'ah, and it was narrated that there was scholarly consensus on this point.

1 - Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And those of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the ?Iddah (prescribed period), if you have doubt (about their periods), is three months; and for those who have no courses [(i.e. they are still immature) their ?Iddah (prescribed period) is three months likewise"

[al-Talaaq 65:4]
In this verse we see that Allaah states that for those who do not menstruate - because they are young and have not yet reached the age of puberty - the ?iddah in the case of divorce is three months. This clearly indicates that it is permissible for a young girl who has not started her periods to marry.

Al-Tabari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
The interpretation of the verse "And those of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the ?Iddah (prescribed period), if you have doubt (about their periods), is three months; and for those who have no courses [(i.e. they are still immature) their ?Iddah (prescribed period) is three months likewise". He said: The same applies to the ?idaah for girls who do not menstruate because they are too young, if their husbands divorce them after consummating the marriage with them.

Tafseer al-Tabari, 14/142
2 - It was narrated from ?Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) married her when she was six years old, and consummated the marriage with her when she was nine, and she stayed with him for nine years.

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4840; Muslim, 1422.  Ibn ?Abd al-Barr said:
The scholars are unanimously agreed that a father may marry off his young daughter without consulting her. The Messenger of Allaah married ?Aa'ishah bint Abi Bakr when she was young, six or seven years old, when her father married her to him.  Al-Istidhkaar, 16/49-50. 

Secondly: The fact that it is permissible to marry a minor girl does not imply that it is permissible to have intercourse with her, rather the husband should not have intercourse with her until she becomes able for that. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) delayed consummating the marriage to ?Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her). And Allaah knows best. related : why i should marry ?

So as you can see marrying a girl before she reaches puberty is not a complete marriage, it becomes complete when she does eventually reach puberty and then she can live with you and you can make love like any other married couple does. In fact what makes this more interesting is that when the girl does eventually reach puberty she can decide as to whether she wants to complete the marriage or not. With that said we have refuted Shamoun's claim of a Quranic contradiction.
And Allah Knows Best!

Muslim Family Women In Islam

Early Marriage in the Islamic realigion

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Below is a partial list of celebrity converts to Islam. 

Malcolm X - American, from Christianity to Nation of Islam to Sunni Islam, African-American civil rights leader.
Marmaduke Pickthall - famous translator of the Quran.
Betty Shabazz - wife of Malcolm X; former Methodist.
Mario Scialoja - Italian ambassador and President of the World Muslim League.
Muhammad Ali (formerly Cassius Clay), from Baptistto The Nation of Islam to Sunni Islam, famous boxer.
Jermaine Jackson (Muhammad Abdul Aziz) - former member of The Jackson 5.
H. Rap Brown - civil rights activisit.
John Nelson - first recorded Englishman to become a Muslim.
Ahmad Rash?d - Emmy award-winning sportscaster (mostly with NBC Sports) and former American football wide receiver.
André Carson - former Baptist, second Muslim to serve the United States Congress.
Anthony Green or Abdul Raheem Green, Converted from Catholicism to Islam, and is now an Islamic lecturer.
Bilal Philips - Islamic scholar and author
Dave Chappelle - comedian and television star
Dawud Wharnsby Ali (David Wharnsby) - Canadian singer/poet.
Elsa Kazi - German writer of one-act plays, short stories, novels and history, and one of the greatest poets of her time.
Hamza Yusuf - American convert from Greek Orthodox; head of the Zaytuna Institute.
Isabelle Eberhardt - from Lutheran Christianity, 19th century explorer & writer
James Yee - previously Lutheran and former U.S. Army Muslim chaplain.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lew Alcindor) - retired basketball player & the NBA's all-time leading scorer
Keith Ellison - American, Representative from Minnesota's 5th congressional district, first Muslim to be elected to the United States Congress, converted From Catholicism
Kumba Ialá - a Guinea-Bissau politician who converted in 2008.
Loon - American hip hop and rap artist (Amir Junaid Muhadith)
Mohammed Zakariya - an American master of Arabic calligraphy, best known for his work on the popular Eid U.S. postage stamp.
Preacher Moss - Former Baptist, American comedian and comedy writer.
Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood - British author, converted from Protestantism.
Salman the Persian A convert from Christianity who was previously Zoroastrian. In search for truth, he traveled to Syria to follow Christianity. Upon the death of his teachers, he was directed to head to Arabia, where he was told the final prophet will rise. He later converted to Islam and became one of Muhammad's first companions.
Sheikh Sharifuddin Khalifa, Born to a catholic family, a young Sheikh who at the Age of 5, converted 1000 people to Islam and met the leader of Libya
Siraj Wahaj - Former Baptist. African-American Imam, noted for his efforts to eliminate Brooklyn's drug problems. Amir of Muslim Alliance in North America
Sheila Musaji - founder of The American Muslim magazine.
Suhaib Webb - American Islamic activist and speaker.
Tariq Abdul-Wahad (Olivier Saint-Jean) - originally from France, former basketball player for the Mavericks and Kings
Tekuder - Mongol leader of the Ilkhan empire who was formerly a Nestorian Christian.
Yahiya Emerick - American Muslim scholar, President of the Islamic Foundation of North America, converted from Protestantism.
Yusuf Estes - Former preacher and federal prison chaplain, converted from Protestantism.
Yvonne Ridley - British journalist, from Anglicanism. She converted after being kidnapped and released by the Taliban.
Zaid Shakir - American Muslim convert former Baptist, speaker, intellectual, author, and resident scholar of Zaytuna Institute in the United States.
Hussein Ye - An Islamic scholar of Chinese descent whose lectures are frequently aired on Peace TV.
Sumita Devi - Bengali actress and filmmaker.
David Myatt - from Paganism, former Neo-Nazi-activist
Samori Ture - founder of the Wassoulou Empire who resisted French rule in West Africa.
Sultan Satuq Bughra Khan - 9th century Uyghur ruler who was one of the first Turks to convert to Islam.
Zhang Chengzhi - contemporary Hui Chinese author; raised as an atheist.
Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) - British musician and singer (had a nominally Christian upbringing, but never was a believer)
Jeffrey Lang - American, Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Kansas. (Raised Catholic, but atheist from age 18 to conversion)
Nursultan Nazarbayev - The incumbent President of Kazakhstan. Formerly held atheistic views during the Soviet era.
Amir Butler- author, engineer and Islamic activist.
Robert D. Crane - former Presidential advisor and ambassador.
Isabelle Eberhardt - explorer and writer.
Ibrahim Hooper (Douglas Hooper) - Islamic activist, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Malik ul Salih - established the first Muslim state of Samudera Pasai.
Ali Shaheed Muhammad - member of A Tribe Called Quest.
Abdul Alim Musa - Muslim activist and director of Masjid Al-Islam in Washington, D.C.
Michael Wolfe - American poet, author, and the President and Executive Producer of Unity Productions Foundation.
Michael X - civil rights activist in the United Kingdom
Yusuf Chambers - U.K. based Da'ee of international fame. Yusuf Chambers is a young preacher from London, has greatly involved himself in many organizations in U.K. and outside like Peace TV, Islam Channel, Al-Jumuah magazine, Unity TV etc

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A partial list of celebrity converts to Islam.

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"Istikhara" means to seek goodness from Allah (Exalted is He), meaning when one intends to do an important task they do istikhara before the task. The one who does the istikhara is as if they request Allah Almighty that, O the Knower of Unseen (Exalted is He) guide me if this task is better for me or not?

According to Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 21, Number 263: Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah :The Prophet (Sallal Laho Alaihi Wasallam) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara, in all matters as he taught us the Suras of the Quran. He said, "If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two Rakat prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer):

WAY TO PERFORM ISTIKHARA:

First pray Two Cycles (raka') of ritual Prayer (nafil) such that in the first raka' after Surah Fatiha (Allhamd…) recite Surah al-Kafirun (Chapter 109) and in the second raka' after Fatiha (Allhamd…) recite Surah al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112). After finishing prayer recite this (supplication/dua'): Dua in Arabic Text above.

TRANSLATION

 "O Allah! I seek goodness from Your Knowledge and with Your Power (and Might) I seek strength, and I ask from You Your Great Blessings, because You have the Power and I do not have the power. You Know everything and I do not know, and You have knowledge of the unseen. Oh Allah! If in Your Knowledge this action ....................................... (which I intend to do) is better for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then make it destined for me and make it easy for me and then add blessings [baraka'] in it, for me. O Allah! In Your Knowledge if this action is bad for me, bad for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and whatever is better for me, ordain [destine] that for me and then make me satisfied with it."

How many times?

It depends. Sometimes it takes only once to get the answer and sometimes it takes longer. It is better to do istakhara seven (7) times. If you have received an answer as explained in the section below, stop doing istikhara. You do not have to continue to do isitkhara for 7 days. It is better that right after reciting the supplication, given above, sleep with ablution (people who cannot keep the ablution for longer times due to health problems do not have to worry about ablution before falling asleep) facing the direction of the Qibla (facing the Qibla is not required but it is a Sunnat of our beloved Prophet Peace Be Upon Him). It is better to recite salutations (durood/ salawat) on the Prophet Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him before and after the above Dua (supplication).

Answer:

If in the dream one sees whiteness (means any thing white in color, for example: milk, white paper, white sky, white clothes, white light etc.) or greenness (means any thing green in color, for example: grass, plants, trees, green clothes, green light etc.) then understand that this task is better and if one sees redness (means any thing red in color, for example: blood, red clothing, red fruit, red light etc.) or blackness (means any thing black in color, for example: black water, black light, black clothings, black sky, black wall etc. ) then understand it is bad and avoid it.

If do not remember any dream or do not see any colors then follow your heart. Whatever intention grows stronger in your heart regarding your targated work follow it after seven days of Istakhara.

Duas Prayers

How to do (perform) Istikhara prayer with dua ?

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This is long.. but worth a read.. and a wonderful resource for working out what questions to ask at a level that really helps you know the person you are marrying.. I think the real question to ask is..

Would you want to be married to this man or this woman for all eternity because as Sh Waleed Basyouni points out in his lecture on Marriage in Islam.. this is the reality. .. and why intellectural commitment is the most important level of commitment in marriage.

There is a right way and a wrong way to get to know someone for marriage. The wrong way is to get caught up in the excitement and nuance of a budding relationship and in the process completely forget to ask the critical questions that help determine compatibility. One of the biggest mistakes that many young Muslims make is rushing into marriage without properly and thoroughly getting to know someone.

A common myth is that the duration of a courtship is an accurate enough measure of how compatible two people are. The logic follows that the longer you speak with someone, the better you will know them. The problem with that premise is that no consideration is given to how that time is spent.

Increasingly, young Muslim couples are engaging in “halal dating,” which is basically socializing with each other in the company of friends and/or family. This includes going out to dinner, watching a movie, playing some sport or other leisure activity, etc. Depending on the family or culture, conversations are either minimal & chaperoned or worse, unrestricted and unsupervised. When you consider these limitations it makes one wonder when exactly, if ever at all, would the critical conversations take place? Unfortunately, for many, the answer is never and they live to suffer the consequences. If you or someone you know is in the “getting to know someone” phase, the following guide offers advice on exactly what to look for and avoid:

 

Do Not Marry Potential

Oftentimes men consider marrying a woman hoping she never changes while a woman considers marrying a man she hopes she can change. This is the wrong approach on both accounts. Don’t assume that you can change a person after you’re married to them or that they will reach their potential. There is no guarantee, after all, that those changes will be for the better. In fact, it’s often for the worse. If you can’t accept someone or imagine living with them as they are then don’t marry them. These differences can include a number of things such as ideological or practical differences in religion, habits, hygiene, communication skills, etc.

Choose Character over Chemistry

While chemistry and attraction are no doubt important, character precedes them both. A famous quote follows, “Chemistry ignites the fire, but character keeps it burning.” The idea of falling “in love” should never be the sole reason for marrying someone; it is very easy to confuse infatuation and lust for love. The most important character traits to look for include humility, kindness, responsibility, & happiness. Here’s a breakdown of each trait:
1. Humility:
The humble person never makes demands of people but rather always does right by them. They put their values and principles above convenience and comfort. They are slow to anger, are modest, and avoid materialism.
2. Kindness:
The kind person is the quintessential giver. They seek to please and minimize the pain of others. To know if a person is a giver, observe how they treat their family, siblings, and parents. Do they have gratitude towards their parents for all that they’ve done for them? If not, then know that they will never appreciate what you do for them. How do they treat people they don’t have to be kind towards (i.e. waiters, sales associates, employees, etc)? How do they spend their money? How do they deal with anger; their own anger and their reaction to someone else’s anger?
 

Responsibility:
A responsible person has stability in their finances, relationships, job, and character. You can you rely on this person and trust what they say.
Happiness:- A happy person is content with their portion in life. They feel good about themselves and good about their life. They focus on what they have rather than on what they don’t have. They very rarely complain.

Do Not Neglect The Emotional Needs of Your Partner

Both men and women have emotional needs and in order for a partnership to be successful those needs must be mutually met. The fundamental emotional need of a woman is to be loved. The fundamental emotional need of a man is to be respected and appreciated.
To make a woman feel loved give her the three AAAs: Attention, Affection, & Appreciation. To make a man feel loved give him the three RRRs: Respect, Reassurance, & Relief. It is the obligation of each partner to make sure the other is happy and this extends to intimacy as well. As long as each partner is fulfilled by the emotional needs of the other, the intimate relationship will thrive. When a man takes seriously the emotional needs of his wife she will feel more encouraged to fulfill his sexual desires. Likewise, when a woman takes seriously the emotional needs of her husband he will feel more encouraged to give her the affection, love and appreciation she wants from him. Working together in this way encourages both giving and receiving.

Avoid Opposing Life Plans

In marriage you can either grow together or grow apart. Sharing a common purpose in life will increase the chance that you will grow together.
You must know what the person is into. In other words, what are they ultimately passionate about? Then ask yourself, “Do I respect this passion?” “Do I respect what they are into?”
The more specifically you define yourself, i.e., your values, your beliefs, your lifestyle, the better chance you have of finding your life partner, your soul mate, the one you are most compatible with.
Remember, before you decide who to take along on a trip, you should first figure out your destination.

Avoid Pre-Marital Sexual/Physical Activity

Recognize that there is incredible wisdom in why Allah has ordered us to refrain from intimacy before marriage; they are to prevent great harms as well as to keep sacred what is the most blessed part of a relationship between a man and a woman.


Aside from the obvious spiritual consequences, when a relationship gets physical before its time, important issues like character, life philosophy, and compatibility go to the wayside. Consequently, everything is romanticized and it becomes difficult to even remember the important issues let alone talk about them.

Intellectual commitment must be established before emotional or sexual commitment.

Avoid Lack of Emotional Connection

There are a number of questions that you must answer YES to:

1. Do I respect and admire this person?
2. What specifically do I respect and admire about this person?Do I trust this person?
3. Can I rely on them? Do I trust their judgment? Do I trust their word? Can I believe what they say?
4. Do I feel Safe? Do I feel emotionally safe with this person? 
5. Can I be vulnerable? Can I be myself? Can I be open? Can I express myself?

Do I feel calm and at peace with this person?

If the answer is “I don’t know, I’m not sure, etc.” keep evaluating until you know for sure and truly understand how you feel. If you don’t feel safe now, you won’t feel safe when you are married. If you don’t trust now, this won’t change when you are married!

Pay Attention to Your Own Emotional Anxiety

Choosing someone you don’t feel safe with emotionally is not a good recipe for a long-lasting and loving marriage. Feeling emotionally safe is the foundation of a strong and healthy marriage. When you don’t feel safe, you can’t express your feelings and opinions. Learn how to identify whether you are in an abusive relationship. If you feel you always have to monitor what you say, if you are with someone and you feel you can’t really express yourself and are always walking on eggshells, then it’s very likely you are in an abusive relationship. Look for the following things:

1. Controlling behavior:- This includes controlling the way you act, the way you think, the way you dress, the way you wear your hair/hijab and the way you spend your time. Know the difference between suggestions and demands. Demands are an expression of control and if the demands are implied, than you must do it or there will be consequences. All of these are clear indications of abusive personalities. 
2. Anger issues:- This is someone who raises their voice on a regular basis, who is angry, gets angry at you, uses anger against you, uses put downs, and curses at you, etc. You don’t have to put up with this type of treatment. Many people who tolerate this behavior usually come from abusive backgrounds. If this is the case with you or someone you know, get help right away. Deal with those issues before getting married or before even thinking about getting married.

Beware of Lack of Openness In Your Partner

Many couples make the mistake of not putting everything on the table for discussion from the onset. Ask yourself, “What do I need to know to be absolutely certain I want to marry this person?” “What bothers me about this person or the relationship?” It’s very important to identify what’s bothering you, things that concern you, and things you are afraid to bring up for discussion. Then you must have an honest discussion about them.

This is a great way to test the strength of your relationship. Bringing up issues when there’s conflict is a great opportunity to really evaluate how well you communicate, negotiate, and work together as a team. When people get into power struggles and blame each other, it’s an indication they don’t work well as a team. Also important is being vulnerable around each other. Ask deep questions of each other and see how your partner responds. How do they handle it? Are they defensive? Do they attack? Do they withdraw? Do they get annoyed? Do they blame you? Do they ignore it? Do they hide or rationalize it? Don’t just listen to what they say but watch for how they say it!

Beware of Avoiding Personal Responsibility

It’s very important to remember no one else is responsible for your happiness. Many people make the mistake of thinking someone else will fulfill them and make their life better and that’s their reason for getting married. People fail to realize that if they are unhappy as a single person, they will continue to be miserable when they are married.


If you are currently not happy with yourself, don’t like yourself, don’t like the direction your life is going now, it’s important to take responsibility for that now and work on improving those areas of your life before considering marriage. Don’t bring these issues into your marriage and hope your partner will fix them.

Watch Out For Lack of Emotional Health and Availability In Your Potential Partner:

Many people choose partners that are not emotionally healthy or available. One huge problem is when a partner is unable to balance the emotional ties to family members, the marriage ends up having 3 (or more) people in it rather than two. An example of this would be if a man is overly dependent on his mother and brings that relationship into the marriage; this is no doubt a recipe for disaster. Also important to consider are the following:

Avoid people who are emotionally empty inside.

These include people who don’t like themselves because they lack the ability to be emotionally available. They are always preoccupied with their deficiencies, insecurities, and negative thoughts. They are in a perpetual fight with depression, never feel good, are isolated, are critical and judgmental; tend to not have any close friends, and often distrust people or are afraid of them. Another clear indication about them is they always feel their needs are not getting met; they have a sense of entitlement and feel angry when they feel people should take care of them and they don’t. They feel burdened by other people’s needs and feel resentment towards them. These people can not be emotionally available to build healthy relationships.

Addictions

can also limit the level of availability of the partner to build a strong emotional relationship. Never marry an addict. Addictions are not limited to drugs and alcohol. They can be about addictions and dependency on work, internet, hobbies, sports, shopping, money, power, status, materialism, etc. When someone has an addiction, they will not and can not be emotionally available to develop an intimate relationship with you!

Additional Points to Consider:

The fact is no one looks 25 forever. Ultimately, we love the person we marry for more than their appearance. When we get to know someone we love and admire, we’ll love them for their inner beauty and overall essence.

Once we find someone, we consciously or subconsciously want so badly for it all to work that we decide not to question or see what is clearly in front of our eyes: they were rude to the waiter, speaks ill of others, is rude to you, etc. We don’t stop to ask, “What does all of this mean about their character?”

Never separate someone from their family, background, education, belief system, etc. Asking clear questions can clarify this. Ask questions like, “What does it mean to have a simple lifestyle?” “What are your expectations of marriage?” “How would you help around the house?” Compare your definition with theirs.

Be flexible. Be open-minded!

Giving in a happy marriage should not be confused with martyrdom. It should be about taking pleasure and seeing the other person as happy because of your connection with them.

Morality and spirituality are the qualities that truly define someone in addition to beauty, money, and health. The morally upright and spiritual person will stand by your side during adversity and hardship. If someone isn’t God-conscience and doesn’t take themselves into account with God then why should you expect them to fulfill their rights owed to you?


The ideal partner is someone who considers giving a gain and not causing a loss. Having a mutual and shared spiritual relationship will foster a successful marriage. Furthermore, a successful marriage is one that keeps the laws of family purity which require a certain degree of self-control and self-discipline, as well as the belief that the physical side of the relationship includes the spiritual and emotional side as well. Finding commonality and balance between the spiritual and emotional aspects of a relationship is a strong key to a healthy and thriving marriage

Muslim Family relationships Women In Islam

Ten ways to avoid marrying the wrong person

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