Remind Others With Excellence

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Remind Others With Excellence

The Quran emphasizes worship, kindness to others, and spreading good words: 

 "Do not worship except Allah; and to be good to parents, and near relatives, and orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah."

 [Quran, Al-Baqarah 2:83]

“Allah guides whoever He wills to His light.” [Quran, An-Noor 24:35]

Our duty is to remind with compassion: “And ˹continue to˺ remind. For certainly reminders benefit the believers.” 

[Quran, Adh-Dhariyat 51:55]

 www.darannoor.com

Etiquette (Adab) of Keeping Company

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Etiquette (Adab) of Keeping Company

Faith (Imaan) itself is seeking good for others. 

The Prophet (ﷺ) would proactively assist his Companions. He would walk behind them, observing their needs without waiting for them to ask. If he saw someone was sad, in difficulty, or financial need, he would approach and help them directly.

Be observant and know the likes and dislikes of those around you. Support others by offering financial help, giving time, and paying attention to their needs.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Allah will support His servant as long as the servant supports his brother.” [Muslim]

“Whoever alleviates a worldly grief from a believer, Allah will alleviate from him one of the griefs of the Day of Judgment.” [Muslim]

Prefer others over yourself, as Allah says: 

“You will never achieve righteousness until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love. And whatever you spend - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it. ” 

[Quran, AleImran 3:92]

 www.darannoor.com

If There Is A Will, There Is A Way

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ ‎﴿١٧﴾

And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember? (17) [Quran, Al-Qamar 54:17]

Lyra, at 19, became a Muslim last December 2023. When showed great desire to learn the religion and the Quran, I took her as a private student. Remarkably. she accepted the challwnge to complete the 6 Iqra' books (reading Quran for beginners) within 10 days. She completed four within six days and almost finished Book 5 now. Mashaa Allah, she now can read verses of the Quran with proper tajweed. This is testament to what Allah repeatedly promises in the Quran 

وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ ‎﴿١٧﴾

And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember? (17) 

[Quran, Al-Qamar 54:17]

May Allah give her strength, stedfastness, make her journey easy, and bless her with great openings and success in this life and the next. Aameen.

 www.darannoor.com

Etiquette Of Seeking Sacred Knowledge

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Etiquette Of Seeking Sacred Knowledge

The Islamic tradition teaches that students of sacred knowledge and their teachers must follow lofty principles and refined codes of conduct to ensure that they can genuinely achieve virtue through their knowledge and that Allah opens up for them (futūḥ) the full extent of wisdom and perception. 

The most distinguished of these etiquettes (ādāb): 

1) Respect in one’s heart and reverence for knowledge gatherings.

2) Humility: Respect for scholars and honoring them. Students should also humble themselves to knowledge in their efforts to seek it. 

3)  Being sincere: Intend sincerely for the sake of Allah, both when learning and practicing it. 

4) Being trustworthy: The scholar remains within the bounds of what he knows and doesn’t say that which he doesn’t know

 www.darannoor.com

The Four Sacred Months -- Season For Extra Obedience To Allah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

The Four Sacred Months -- Season For Extra Obedience To Allah

Even though we have passed the ten best days of the year, we are still in sacred month of Dhul-Hijjah, then Muharram, during which Allah allows us to earn great rewards for good deeds. 

 When Allah chooses a particular time for His special blessings, it acquires sanctity from His grace. The sanctity of the four sacred months is by making them a “Season for Extra Obedience to Allah,” striving to please Allah, refraining from disobedience, doing extra worship and good deeds, both obligatory and voluntary, and showing good manners. 

The one who is bestowed with the opportunity to honor this sacred month and performs the deeds with Ihsaan and Ihtisab, then Allah dignifies the person. And the one who does not respect these sacred months, Allah disgraces the person.

 www.darannoor.com

Day of Arafah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Day of Arafah

The blessed ten days of Dhu’l Hijja are concluding, culminating in the Day of ‘Arafah (9th of Dhu’l Hijjah), a day of immense Divine mercy considered by many scholars as the best day of the year.

For those not on Hajj, the Prophet (ﷺ) recommended fasting on the Day of ‘Arafa, promising it would atone for the sins of the previous and coming year. [Muslim] This refers to minor sins between a person and Allah.

We should also seek Allah’s forgiveness and ask for our needs, particularly in the afternoon, mirroring those at ‘Arafa who are assured of forgiveness. May Allah grant us forgiveness and success in our prayers and actions. Aameen.

 www.darannoor.com

Best Du'a On Day of Arafah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Best Du'a On Day of Arafah

لا إلهَ إلاّ اللّهُ وَحْـدَهُ لا شَـريكَ له، لهُ المُلـكُ ولهُ الحَمـد، وهوَ على كلّ شيءٍ قدير

Lā 'ilāha 'illallāhu waḥdahu la sharīka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu, wa huwa 'alā kulli shay'in qadīr 

There is none worthy of worship but Allah alone, Who has no partner, His is the dominion and to Him belongs all praise, and He is able to do all things.

Repeat at least 100 times

May Allah bless you.

 www.darannoor.com

Let’s Read Surah Al-Kahf Today (Friday)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Let’s Read Surah Al-Kahf Today (Friday)

The  Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The entire Surah al-Kahf was revealed at one time and seventy thousand angels came with it" - which shows its majesty.

 www.darannoor.com

Spend In The Way Of Allah In These Ten Best Days -- Don't Withhold Your Wealth

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Spend In The Way Of Allah In These Ten Best Days -- Don't Withhold Your Wealth

The believers are required to spend in Allah's way which will help them in the Hereafter where they will need their righteous works most pressingly. That is where they will be rewarded. 

The pecuniary obligations, such as zakah that Allah has imposed on the believers is for their own benefit - Allah does not need their money or wealth. In fact, Allah has asked for so little of our wealth that we should discharge our obligation readily and happily. 

Any person practicing miserliness will himself suffer loss or detriment because he will have to carry the burden of failing to fulfill his obligation and thus will be deprived of reward in the Hereafter. Allah is free of want and beyond any need but human is in need of means of comfortable subsistence. So spending in the way of Allah is for our own good and to fulfill our own needs.

Allah Most High says,

Here you are - those invited to spend in the cause of Allah - but among you are those who withhold [out of greed]. And whoever withholds only withholds [benefit] from himself; and Allah is the Free of need, while you are the needy. And if you turn away, He will replace you with another people; then they will not be the likes of you. [Quran, Muhammad 47:38]

 www.darannoor.com

Be Kind

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Be Kind

Allah Al-Wadood, The Most-Loving, loves us to perform acts of kindness for others, no matter how big or small. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

 “Kindness is not to be found in anything but that it adds to its beauty and it is not withdrawn from anything but it makes it defective.” [Bukhari]

A small good deed may not change the world but it may change a person's whole world. There are many opportunities out there, even in your own household.

Some Examples:

Give your mom a hug or call her and tell her you love her.

Tell your friend you love her/him. 

Look for opportunities to give compliments; they’re free, take no time, and could make someone’s entire day. 

Sincerely listen to someone. Don’t interrupt, and don’t suggest a solution.

Show a smiling face. Start everyday with a smile. It will make you feel better and brighten up someone next to you. And a smile is charity. 

As Muslims we are to give charity day and night, secretly and publicly. Giving charity is a sign of a good Muslim.

 www.darannoor.com

The Best Ten Days Are Here (Dhu’l Hijjah 1 to 10)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

The Best Ten Days Are Here

Dhu’l Hijjah 1 to 10

Allah's mercy encompasses everything. He did not create us and leave us to roam. He sent us Prophets and Books to guide us. Not only that, He created for us occasions and opportunities for His slaves to really strike it big and take it home. Enter these ten days with seeking forgiveness in abundance and making sincere repentance.

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّ‌ٰبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَطَهِّرِ‌ينَ ﴿٢٢٢...

 No doubt, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves."

[Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:222]

When a person commits a sin, the heart is stained. It is removed by repentance and good deeds. Each and everyone of us sin. If a sin has a smell, no one would want to sit with us. 

So grab the opportunity that Allah is opening up for you in these first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, to be close to Him, to develop your love of Him. There are no days in which righteous actions are more beloved to Allah than the first ten days of this month. [Bukhari] 

Take advantage of these days to do as much good deeds. It will pass you by very quickly whether you fill them with good or not.

 www.darannoor.com

Smile & Be Patient

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Smile & Be Patient

If you can’t smile, remember Hajar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (Allah grant them peace) being left alone with her infant son, Ismael (Allah grant him peace) in an uninhabitable, arid desert of Makkah with no food and water. Hajar did not know what Allah had hidden for her but she obeyed and remain patient. And now you know some of the tremendous things that were hidden for her, which includes millions of people following her footsteps between Safa and Marwah during hajj every year until the Day of Judgment. We cannot imagine the tremendous reward she is getting in Paradise for her patience.

 "O believers, be patient, and vie you in patience; be steadfast; fear God; haply so you will prosper." [Quran, AleImran 3:200]

“And be patient, for indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.” [Quran, Hud 11:115]

 www.darannoor.com

With Hardships, There Is Relief

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

With Hardships, There Is Relief

Your problems will never be solved in this world. You may get a momentary relief from the problems.

Allah Most High assured us,

فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ‎﴿٥﴾‏ إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ‎﴿٦﴾‏ فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَٱنصَبْ ‎﴿٧﴾‏ وَإِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَٱرْغَب ‎﴿٨﴾‏

 “For indeed with hardships, there is relief.(5) Indeed with hardships, there is relief. (6) So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship]. (7)And to your Lord direct [your] longing. (8)” 

[Quran, Ash-Sharh 94:5-8]

Allah puts us in difficulty and ease. In both situations, we turn towards Him. In times when the heart is difficult, we should turn towards Allah, and in times of prosperity and ease, when the heart is overflowing with happiness and joy, we should also turn towards Allah. There is no need for excessive emotions. Remember Allah and stay within your limits until you meet Allah. 

يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ ‎﴿٨٨﴾‏ إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى ٱللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ ‎﴿٨٩﴾

“The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children (88) But only one who comes to Allah with a sound (healthy, peaceful) heart." (89) 

[Qur'an, Ash-Shu'ara 26:88-89]

Those who come to Allah with a pure heart will be saved.

 www.darannoor.com

In The Remembrance Of Allah The Hearts Are At Rest

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

In The Remembrance Of Allah The Hearts Are At Rest

There will always be something that will worry us, make us depressed or make us fear of something.

“O mankind, indeed you are laboring toward your Lord with [great] exertion and will meet it.” (6) 

[Quran, Inshiqaq 84:6]

We have been created with a constant 

struggle. We are in a constant stress-- stress of health, financial, jobs, parents, children, husband/wife, disputes with siblings/relatives, neighbors, co workers, employer/employee, property issues, etc. Problems after problems and nobody got a break from it. But Allah tells us that the purpose of all these trials is that through them you will find peace in one place, and that is in the remembrance of Allah. The best remembrance is reading the Quran.

“Those who believe, their hearts being at rest in Allah's remembrance -- in Allah's remembrance the hearts are at rest.” (28) [Qur'an, Ar-Ra'd 13:28]

 www.darannoor.com

Make The Most Of Dhu'l Hijjah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Make The Most Of Dhu'l Hijjah

The first ten days of Dhu’l Hijjah are blessed days. Allah Most High Himself swore by them in the Quran,

وَٱلْفَجْرِ ‎﴿١﴾‏وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ ‎﴿٢﴾‏

“By the Dawn! And by Ten Mighty Nights together” [Quran, Al Fajr 89:1-2]

Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas relates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “There are no days in which righteous acts are more beloved to Allah than in these days – meaning the ten days of Dhu’l Hijjah.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the way of Allah?” He replied, “Not even Jihad in the way of Allah, except for the man who goes out with his life and his wealth and does not return with either of them.”[Bukhari] 

How To Make The Most Of Dhu’l Hijjah?

1. Fast during the first nine days of Dhu’l Hijjah, particularly the Day of ‘Arafah (9th Dhu’l Hijjah). “Fasting the Day of ‘Arafah expiates the sins for two years, one prior and one forthcoming.”

2. Exert yourself in good works during the first ten days of Dhu’l Hijjah, such as remembrance of Allah (dhikr), fasting, charity, and other righteous actions because they are the best of days.”

3. Increase your spiritual works. Spend some part of each of the nights of these ten days in prayer and worship.

May Allah give us success in these blessed days and nights, and in every moment of our lives, to follow the path of the beloved Messenger of Allah  (ﷺ), and may He make us of those whom He loves and who love Him. Aameen.

 www.darannoor.com