Seeing Things In Different Light

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Asaalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

As a Muslim you have a broad perspective of life. You are not constricted to the narrowness of this world. You are not in the dark. You have the Qur'an to guide you.

Without Qur'an, you are living for today. You eat to live and you live to eat.

But when you recite the Qur'an, you see the entire span of creation in front of your eyes--the heavens and the earth, the Prophets (started with Adam, Allah grant him peace, to Muhammad Rasulullah, Allah bless him and grant him peace), the nations before us (Fir'aun, Bani Israel, people of Salih, Hud, Shu'aib, etc), and the future (death, resurrection, Day of Judgment, Paradise and Hell.)

With Qur'an, you see the vastness of this life and the after life. You see things in a different light.

So, why are we worried of what people say when we try to do something good? Why do we give up so soon when things become difficult? He is the Creator of everything and to Him we shall return for accounting. Don't give up, turn to Him for help. "...And if he draws near to Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a fathom's length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed." (Hadith Qudsi related by Bukhari)

If you have Iman and Taqwa, you will succeed in the good you want to do, no matter how impossible that task may seem, no matter what eyes may see and what ears may hear.

Remember, the story of Musa, Allah grant him peace, and his people--the sea was in front of them and Fir'aun and his army were pursuing them? His people were afraid and said, "We are sure to be overtaken!". But Musa turned to Allah to guide him (to show him some way of escape from the danger). Fir'aun was drowned and Musa and his people were taken across the sea safely. Surely, the faith of Musa stands in strong contrast to the fears of his people.

There are many many stories in the Qur'an which are meant for us to learn from and guide us through our lives. That is why it is recommended to recite the Qur'an everyday. The closer you are with the Qur'an, the easier your life will be.The blessings of reciting Allah's Speech are tremendous. If you start now, you are ahead of those who haven't started or have slackened. Don't procrastinate. InshaAllah.

"This is the Book (the Qur'an), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun [the pious and righteous persons who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)]." Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:2

"Recite the Qur'an, for on the Day of Judgment it will come to intercede for its companion." (related by Muslim)

Read more at Completing Qur'an

May Allah draws us closer to Him. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

What are we busy for?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalaamu alaykum

I pray that you are well.

Why are people going about their normal life as if there is no end? They are so engrossed with the world, to even consider death, busying with things that won't benefit them in the Afterlife.

If they truly know what is going to happen to them, they will stop on the tracks and reflect on the blessings of Allah and use them in the manner they were created--this is gratitude. If one is strong, intelligent or wealthy one must reflect on how one may use these blessings for the service of Allah, His religion and one's fellow men. Gratitude is a means of increase in this world and salvation in the Hereafter. "I swear if you are grateful I will give you more." (Qur'an 14:7)

"Verily, when a slave is placed in his grave, then as his companions are departing and he can still hear their footsteps, two angels come to him, sit him up and say aboout Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace). " What did you used to say about this man?" The believer will say, "I testify that he is Allah's slave and messenger, upon which he will be told, "Look at your seat in the Fire, Allah has exchanged it for a seat in Paradise. and he will see them both,...The hypocrite and the disbeliever will be asked, "What did you used to say about this man." He will reply, "I don't know, I used to say what people said," upon which he will be told, "You understood not, neither did you follow," and he will be severely struck with iron hammers, and he will let out a scream that will be heard by everyone around him except humans and jinn." Sahih al-Bukhari.

Death is a "rude awakening." It is a moment when everything is worthless except our good deeds. We need to always check our intentions in all our endeavors, that they are only for His pleasure, so our works can be counted as good deeds in the eyes of Allah. Visiting graveyards is recommended in sacred law. It is a chance to see where one will end up while reflecting on the inability of those in the grave to perform any more good deeds or to repent from their mistakes. We have so little time left before we will be one of them.

May Allah grant us righteous deeds and save us from the punishment of the grave and give us a seat in Paradise. Ameen.