بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well. InshaAllah.
We have many problems in the Muslim communities--serious marital problems, domestic violence, nasty divorces, children eloping, financial problems, health problems, job crisis, Muslim identity crisis, etc. These problems or similar ones have existed for a long time. So, why don't things change?
People are afraid of change. We don't like change, so we keep things that are familiar. But change can be good. Slavery in America was abolished, and many people resented the change, but it was a good move. Change takes time. Change isn't easy, and it is probably why people don't like it. We like easy things. But change supposed to be difficult. If it wasn't difficult, everyone would do it. The difficult is what makes change great!
Everything will change eventually. It always does, even if things aren't changing. Our children change--just yesterday, it seems, they were this bundle of joy from the hospital, and now they are teaching you how to drive! We, eventually will turn back into dust in our graves. That's the way life goes. But believers know they will one day be brought before Allah to be judged about everything they did in this life and every single action will be displayed to them.
"Upon that Day men shall issue in scatterings to see their works. And whoso has done an atom's weight of good shall see it, and whoso has done an atom's weight of evil shall see it." Qur'an Al-Zalzala/The Earthquake 99:6-8
So we have to make the choice--to change or not to change. If things aren't working for you, change. What change and how do you make the change? The answer is simple, we all know it--Following the religion. We need to put the religion into action. Remember the famous Hadith Jibril which defines the three aspects of our religion--Islam, Iman and Ihsan?
On the authority of 'Umar, radiyallahu 'anhu, who said "While we were one day sitting with the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, there appeared before us a man dressed in extremely white clothes and with very black hair. No traces of journeying were visible on him, and none of us knew him.
He sat down close by the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, rested his knee against his thighs, and said, O Muhammad! Inform me about Islam." Said the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, "Islam is that you should testify that there is no deity save Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, that you should establish salah (ritual prayer), pay the zakat, fast during Ramadan, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah), if you can find a way to it (or find the means for making the journey to it)." Said he (the man), "You have spoken truly."
We were astonished at his thus questioning him and telling him that he was right, but he went on to say, "Inform me about Iman." He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, "It is that you believe in Allah and His angels and His Books and His Messengers and in the Last Day, and in destiny, both in its good and in its evil aspects." He said, "You have spoken truly.
Then he (the man) said, "Inform me about Ihsan." He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, " It is that you should serve Allah as though you could see Him, for though you cannot see Him yet He sees you." He said, "Inform me about the Hour." He (the Messenger of Allah) said, "About that the one questioned knows no more than the questioner." So he said, "Well, inform me about the signs thereof (i.e. of its coming)." Said he, "They are that the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, that you will see the barefooted ones, the naked, the destitute, the herdsmen of the sheep (competing with each other) in raising lofty buildings."
Thereupon the man went off. I waited a while, and then he (the Messenger of Allah) said, "O 'Umar, do you know who that questioner was?" I replied, "Allah and His Messenger know better." He said, "That was Jibril. He came to teach you your religion.""
The three aspects of our religion correspond to the three aspects of our humanity: Islam (Body--external compliance of what Allah tells us to do); Iman (Mind--believe in the unseen that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, has informed us of); Ihsan (Soul--to worship Allah as though you see Him)
Religion transforms us to where we will no longer chained to the world, meaning what other people in the world are looking for, in money, in fame, etc, no other people experience except the ones who are transformed. These are people who are following the footsteps of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. Religion brought us things to do--wudu', prayer, fasting, zakat, charity, smiling, pick up garbage, proper marriage and divorce, manners of eating, drinking, sleeping, treatment of people, and everything the Creator wants us to do. Through performing these actions, there is transformation in the heart
"Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him." (Bukhari.)
Someone who fits this description is not a normal person. He might have financial poverty, he might have health issues, he might have serious marital problems, he might have many other problems, but he is also content because he knows whatever happen to him is from Allah. In order to get to this point, you have to change--you have to transform yourself. The first step to transformation is in practicing Islam.
“If Allah has loved a servant [of His] He calls Jibril (on whom be peace) and says: I love So-and-so, therefore love him. He (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: So Jibril loves him. Then he (Jibril) calls out in heaven, saying: Allah loves So-and-so, therefore love him. And the inhabitants of heaven love him. He (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: Then acceptance is established for him on earth. And if Allah has abhorred a servant [of His], He calls Jibril and says: I abhor So-and-so, therefore abhor him. So Jibril abhors him. Then Jibril calls out to the inhabitants of heaven: Allah abhors So-and-so, therefore abhor him. He (the Prophet peace be upon him) said: So they abhor him, and abhorrence is established for him on earth. (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi).
Alhamdulillah we had a very successful Friday night at our monthly khatam Qur'an and launching of project memorization of Qur'an with over 100 people crowding our small masjid, MashaAllah. Alhamdulillah, there were 15 eager youths who attended the first session the following day. For them to want to spend their weekends in the masjid learning and memorizing the Qur'an (and 3 hours every evening thereafter), in an environment where most young people would rather chat with their friends, watch movies, watch TV or play computer games, or sleep, make these youths very special indeed MashaAllah--they are doing things that many find it difficult--change. May Allah give them tawfiq and make these youths memorizers of Qur'an and leaders of the community and the ummah. Ameen. And to their parents, may Allah reward them well and make it easy for them to raise the future hufadh inshaAllah. Please make du'a for all of them. Jazakallahu khairan.
May Allah bless you and your family. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Gems of brotherhood
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Some gems of brotherhood:
Brotherhood for the sake of Allah is purer that sweet water; what is for the sake of Allah, Allah demands purity in; the purer it is, the longer it lasts; the principle rule to maintain its purity is avoiding disagreement.
It is reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Three things will purify the love of your brother for you; greet him when you meet him, give him space to sit in a gathering, and call him by the most beloved of his names to him."
If one finds someone worthy of befriending, one must seize the opportunity, for few are those worthy of true friendship.
One should tell those that one loves, of the slaves of Allah, that one loves them. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “If a man loves his brother, then he should inform him that he loves him.”
A person should not take as a close friend anyone except those who he is confident about their religion, trustworthiness, righteousness, and godfearingness; for a man will be with the ones he loves, even if his works do not equal theirs. Allah might see the love for someone in the heart of someone close to Him so He has mercy on him.
May Allah grant us pure love. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Some gems of brotherhood:
Brotherhood for the sake of Allah is purer that sweet water; what is for the sake of Allah, Allah demands purity in; the purer it is, the longer it lasts; the principle rule to maintain its purity is avoiding disagreement.
It is reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Three things will purify the love of your brother for you; greet him when you meet him, give him space to sit in a gathering, and call him by the most beloved of his names to him."
If one finds someone worthy of befriending, one must seize the opportunity, for few are those worthy of true friendship.
One should tell those that one loves, of the slaves of Allah, that one loves them. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “If a man loves his brother, then he should inform him that he loves him.”
A person should not take as a close friend anyone except those who he is confident about their religion, trustworthiness, righteousness, and godfearingness; for a man will be with the ones he loves, even if his works do not equal theirs. Allah might see the love for someone in the heart of someone close to Him so He has mercy on him.
May Allah grant us pure love. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Don't fall into error
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
"Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allah's Signs and Verses)." Qur'an Azzumar 39:8
See you not that Allah sends down water (rain) from the sky, and We produce therewith fruits of varying colors, and among the mountains are streaks white and red, of varying colors and (others) very black. And likewise of men and Ad-Dawabb (moving (living) creatures, beasts), and cattle, of various colors. It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allâh. Verily, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Forgiving. Qur'an Faatir 35:27-28
Learning the sacred knowledge is key to our success with Allah. But be careful from who we learn our religion so we don't fall into error. Learn from the one who has the knowledge and is Godfearing. These are the people who are sound in their hearts. May Allah guide us to them. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
"Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allah's Signs and Verses)." Qur'an Azzumar 39:8
See you not that Allah sends down water (rain) from the sky, and We produce therewith fruits of varying colors, and among the mountains are streaks white and red, of varying colors and (others) very black. And likewise of men and Ad-Dawabb (moving (living) creatures, beasts), and cattle, of various colors. It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allâh. Verily, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Forgiving. Qur'an Faatir 35:27-28
Learning the sacred knowledge is key to our success with Allah. But be careful from who we learn our religion so we don't fall into error. Learn from the one who has the knowledge and is Godfearing. These are the people who are sound in their hearts. May Allah guide us to them. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Monday, December 7, 2009
Increasing Iman
In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well and in high spirits of Iman.
When the angel of death come to us, nothing else matter except our faith (Iman) in the One. We should be able to say La illaha illallah (there is no god but Allah). You can't say this unless you have been practicing it--like the basketball player who is able to make his basket--he has been practicing for many years to make those perfect shots.
We must go through the physical struggle--something that cause us intense pain--like something happen in our lives, e.g. losing our loved ones, etc. Take for example, Anas ibn Nader (Allah be pleased with him), the companion of Uhud, experienced this intense pain, and that intense pain was hearing the beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has been killed.
After the pain is so intense, you need to step back and let go. What did Anas let go off? He let go off this world. We know this because he said to Sa'ad ibn Mua'dah, another great companion (Allah be pleased with him), "I can smell the fragrance of Jannah." And Anas fought unlike any human being could fight.
When you come out of this struggle, your mind body patterns change and you reach a higher level of Iman. And for Anas, he was a matyr and his abode is Jannatul Firdaus inshaAllah.
We may not have the chance to be a matryr like Anas and we don't have to wait till we lose our loved ones or calamities befall us to go through intense pain and hard struggle to reach a higher level of Iman. We can do what was only obligated upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Allah commanded him (peace and blessings be upon him) to pray at night and this is to prepare him to carry the message of Islam that we have today.
"O you wrapped in garments (i.e. Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him! Stand (to pray) all night, except a little. Half of it, or a little less than that, Or a little more; And recite the Qur'an (aloud) in a slow, (pleasant tone and) style. Verily, We shall send down to you a weighty Word (i.e. obligations, laws). Verily, the rising by night (for Tahajjud prayer) is very hard and most potent and good for governing oneself, and most suitable for (understanding) the Word (of Allâh). Qur'an Muzzammil 73:1-6
Many of us don't pray qiyamulail (the night vigil prayer) because it not an easy task to get up at 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning while everyone was sleeping. A person has to go through a massive struggle to get up at that time. You go through the process of letting it go and so you rise up from your bed and when you say Allahu Akbar, you entered into a higher level of Iman. Your Iman will get stronger and stronger as long as you don't quit inshaAllah. And you will be able to fight like Anas, in spirit, inshaAllah.
If we wonder why can't we carry the message of Islam, it is because our Iman is not strong and we are not doing anything to make it strong.
May Allah increase our Iman. Ameen.
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well and in high spirits of Iman.
When the angel of death come to us, nothing else matter except our faith (Iman) in the One. We should be able to say La illaha illallah (there is no god but Allah). You can't say this unless you have been practicing it--like the basketball player who is able to make his basket--he has been practicing for many years to make those perfect shots.
We must go through the physical struggle--something that cause us intense pain--like something happen in our lives, e.g. losing our loved ones, etc. Take for example, Anas ibn Nader (Allah be pleased with him), the companion of Uhud, experienced this intense pain, and that intense pain was hearing the beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has been killed.
After the pain is so intense, you need to step back and let go. What did Anas let go off? He let go off this world. We know this because he said to Sa'ad ibn Mua'dah, another great companion (Allah be pleased with him), "I can smell the fragrance of Jannah." And Anas fought unlike any human being could fight.
When you come out of this struggle, your mind body patterns change and you reach a higher level of Iman. And for Anas, he was a matyr and his abode is Jannatul Firdaus inshaAllah.
We may not have the chance to be a matryr like Anas and we don't have to wait till we lose our loved ones or calamities befall us to go through intense pain and hard struggle to reach a higher level of Iman. We can do what was only obligated upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Allah commanded him (peace and blessings be upon him) to pray at night and this is to prepare him to carry the message of Islam that we have today.
"O you wrapped in garments (i.e. Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him! Stand (to pray) all night, except a little. Half of it, or a little less than that, Or a little more; And recite the Qur'an (aloud) in a slow, (pleasant tone and) style. Verily, We shall send down to you a weighty Word (i.e. obligations, laws). Verily, the rising by night (for Tahajjud prayer) is very hard and most potent and good for governing oneself, and most suitable for (understanding) the Word (of Allâh). Qur'an Muzzammil 73:1-6
Many of us don't pray qiyamulail (the night vigil prayer) because it not an easy task to get up at 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning while everyone was sleeping. A person has to go through a massive struggle to get up at that time. You go through the process of letting it go and so you rise up from your bed and when you say Allahu Akbar, you entered into a higher level of Iman. Your Iman will get stronger and stronger as long as you don't quit inshaAllah. And you will be able to fight like Anas, in spirit, inshaAllah.
If we wonder why can't we carry the message of Islam, it is because our Iman is not strong and we are not doing anything to make it strong.
May Allah increase our Iman. Ameen.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
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.
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.
With hardship is tremendous ease
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are being enveloped by Allah's Mercy.
We want what pleases us and we dislike what displeases us. We don't want hardships. We want bliss. But bliss must be earned. How do we earn it? This is what this life is for.
Anybody can say "I believe", but are you telling the truth? When that hardship comes, are you going to break?
"Do the people reckon that they will be left to say 'We believe,' and will not be tried? We certainly tried those that were before them, and assuredly God knows those who speak truly, and assuredly He knows the liars." Qur'an The Spider 29:2-3
One day the Prophet (may Allah give him peace and blessings) asked his companions, "Do you see what I see?" They replied, "No". He said, "Verily I see fitan falling on your homes like rain."
Trials will continue to surge like the waves of the sea.
"Be patient, for no time will come except that the one after it shall be worse than it until you meet your Lord." (hadith)
"...have patience until you meet me at the Pool." (hadith)
(where you will have a drink from after which you will never be thirsty again, followed by eternal bliss in Paradise.)
Remember,
"On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear..." (Qur'an 2:286)
"So, truly with the hardship is (tremendous) ease. Truly with hardship is (tremendous) ease" (Qur'an 94:5-6)
Du'a is a very powerful act of worship. In times of hardship du'as become purer. Ask for Allah Himself and ask Him what He is asking you to do.
May Allah protect you and your family from the trials. Ameen.
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are being enveloped by Allah's Mercy.
We want what pleases us and we dislike what displeases us. We don't want hardships. We want bliss. But bliss must be earned. How do we earn it? This is what this life is for.
Anybody can say "I believe", but are you telling the truth? When that hardship comes, are you going to break?
"Do the people reckon that they will be left to say 'We believe,' and will not be tried? We certainly tried those that were before them, and assuredly God knows those who speak truly, and assuredly He knows the liars." Qur'an The Spider 29:2-3
One day the Prophet (may Allah give him peace and blessings) asked his companions, "Do you see what I see?" They replied, "No". He said, "Verily I see fitan falling on your homes like rain."
Trials will continue to surge like the waves of the sea.
"Be patient, for no time will come except that the one after it shall be worse than it until you meet your Lord." (hadith)
"...have patience until you meet me at the Pool." (hadith)
(where you will have a drink from after which you will never be thirsty again, followed by eternal bliss in Paradise.)
Remember,
"On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear..." (Qur'an 2:286)
"So, truly with the hardship is (tremendous) ease. Truly with hardship is (tremendous) ease" (Qur'an 94:5-6)
Du'a is a very powerful act of worship. In times of hardship du'as become purer. Ask for Allah Himself and ask Him what He is asking you to do.
May Allah protect you and your family from the trials. Ameen.
Object of love
بسم الله الحمن الرحيم
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
One of bases of love is acquaintance and understanding. Man does not not love one with who he is not acquainted. When it is strong and firm, then is deep love. One of the causes of love is secret connection between a lover and his beloved. This love is cemented not for beauty but for the union of their souls.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
"Out of them, love grows among those who have got similarity of souls."
"The souls are regulated army." Love begets among persons of similar nature and habits. Remember the proverb, "birds of a feather flock together"? The souls which agree with one another love one another, and those souls which have no agreement differ.
Only Allah should be the object of our love. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is an object of love because he (peace and blessings be upon him) is the beloved of Allah. So is love for the learned, religious and good people, as the dear ones of the beloved are object of love. The ambassadors and the messengers of the dear ones are also objects of love.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Imbue yourself with divine attributes." This injunction is only for following the good attributes, such as acquisition of knowledge, honesty, showing kindness, to do good to people, enjoin them good, to show them right path and to prohibit from evils.
There is no object of love other than Allah. The way to love Him is through Divine knowledge. A man gets great pleasure getting the secret information of an emperor. God is the most High and Most Honorable. So, the pleasure gained by the pursuit of knowledge of His attributes is the greatest. The best and highest pleasure is by the pursuit of knowledge relating to God and His attributes. It is many times more than the pleasure gained by satisfaction of lust or greed by the sense organs.
Allah knows best.
May Allah increase us in Divine knowledge. Ameen.
source: Imam Ghazzali's Ihya Ulum-Id-Din
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
One of bases of love is acquaintance and understanding. Man does not not love one with who he is not acquainted. When it is strong and firm, then is deep love. One of the causes of love is secret connection between a lover and his beloved. This love is cemented not for beauty but for the union of their souls.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
"Out of them, love grows among those who have got similarity of souls."
"The souls are regulated army." Love begets among persons of similar nature and habits. Remember the proverb, "birds of a feather flock together"? The souls which agree with one another love one another, and those souls which have no agreement differ.
Only Allah should be the object of our love. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is an object of love because he (peace and blessings be upon him) is the beloved of Allah. So is love for the learned, religious and good people, as the dear ones of the beloved are object of love. The ambassadors and the messengers of the dear ones are also objects of love.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Imbue yourself with divine attributes." This injunction is only for following the good attributes, such as acquisition of knowledge, honesty, showing kindness, to do good to people, enjoin them good, to show them right path and to prohibit from evils.
There is no object of love other than Allah. The way to love Him is through Divine knowledge. A man gets great pleasure getting the secret information of an emperor. God is the most High and Most Honorable. So, the pleasure gained by the pursuit of knowledge of His attributes is the greatest. The best and highest pleasure is by the pursuit of knowledge relating to God and His attributes. It is many times more than the pleasure gained by satisfaction of lust or greed by the sense organs.
Allah knows best.
May Allah increase us in Divine knowledge. Ameen.
source: Imam Ghazzali's Ihya Ulum-Id-Din
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Who is our wakeel?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
When we hire an attorney, we trust the attorney to make everything alright. We are relaxed because we think someone is going to take care of our matters. In Arabic world, when they say "I assign a wakeel," it means I assign an attorney.
Who is really our wakeel?
wa kafa billahi wakeel وكفى بالله وكيل (translated as "And Allah suffices for a wakeel") Qur'an Annisaa 4:81
When we say Hassbiyallahu wa nikmal wakeel حسبيا الله ونعم الكيل (translated as "Allah is sufficient for us, an excellent Wakeel is He)
did we feel it, did we mean it? If we mean it, we should be at that state of peace at least for that moment.
"If truly I know" new poem on Tawakkul, visit
http://www.scribd.com/people/documents/18648830-aisha-othman
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
When we hire an attorney, we trust the attorney to make everything alright. We are relaxed because we think someone is going to take care of our matters. In Arabic world, when they say "I assign a wakeel," it means I assign an attorney.
Who is really our wakeel?
wa kafa billahi wakeel وكفى بالله وكيل (translated as "And Allah suffices for a wakeel") Qur'an Annisaa 4:81
When we say Hassbiyallahu wa nikmal wakeel حسبيا الله ونعم الكيل (translated as "Allah is sufficient for us, an excellent Wakeel is He)
did we feel it, did we mean it? If we mean it, we should be at that state of peace at least for that moment.
"If truly I know" new poem on Tawakkul, visit
http://www.scribd.com/people/documents/18648830-aisha-othman
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Love is sweet
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalaamu alaykum
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
First I would like to thank those who asked about me--about what happened to me that they didn't find my email yesterday first thing in the morning. May Allah bless you. The email was delayed because my ideas were all over the place and I did not know which one to focus on. Alhamdulillah, your emails came right at a time when I needed it most. Jazakallahu khairan. I had received a nasty and vulgar email from someone who I used to be closed to, I believe this person was responding to yesterday's email. I was shaken by it but then I remembered the event when the Quraysh was torturing and trying to humiliate the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in front of the Ka'bah and Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) said to them, "Do you have to kill a man for asking you to believe in the One God?" That give me some perspective. And your emails give me a lot of encouragement. Jazakallahu khairan. This person has been in my emailist for a while for no other reason but for the love of Allah. Tell me friends, if I should keep or remove this person from my emailist.
This brings me to the subject of love again. Love is a sweet and beautiful feeling, undescribable. You experience some of this beauty and sweetness when you are in love with someone. Don't you wish it never go away? Increase your knowledge of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and you will experience the true sweetness of love that never go away, inshaAllah. Don't go a day without learning something about the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
When the Prophet's pulpit (peace and blessings be upon him) was made, he ascended the pulpit and began to give his sermon. A palm tree nearby his masjid cried. Previously, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would lean against this palm trunk when giving his sermon. The palm trunk yearned for him and cried so loud until people could not hear his sermon. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) descended from the pulpit, stroke it and hugged it and spoke to it--do you want to be a palm tree in this world until the Day of Resurrection or be a palm tree in Paradise with me. The palm tree chose to be with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in Paradise. SubhanAllah! If this is how much the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cared about a piece of wood that long for him, imagine the treatment we would get from loving and yearning for him! If your love for him is not there or has not increased since my previous email below, do something about it. Our hearts shouldn't be harder than the palm trunk. I have heard this hadith before but this was narrated by a beloved learned teacher this way and it truly touches my heart this time. May Allah preserve and bless my teacher.
May Allah increase our love for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Ameen
Assalaamu alaykum
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
First I would like to thank those who asked about me--about what happened to me that they didn't find my email yesterday first thing in the morning. May Allah bless you. The email was delayed because my ideas were all over the place and I did not know which one to focus on. Alhamdulillah, your emails came right at a time when I needed it most. Jazakallahu khairan. I had received a nasty and vulgar email from someone who I used to be closed to, I believe this person was responding to yesterday's email. I was shaken by it but then I remembered the event when the Quraysh was torturing and trying to humiliate the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in front of the Ka'bah and Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) said to them, "Do you have to kill a man for asking you to believe in the One God?" That give me some perspective. And your emails give me a lot of encouragement. Jazakallahu khairan. This person has been in my emailist for a while for no other reason but for the love of Allah. Tell me friends, if I should keep or remove this person from my emailist.
This brings me to the subject of love again. Love is a sweet and beautiful feeling, undescribable. You experience some of this beauty and sweetness when you are in love with someone. Don't you wish it never go away? Increase your knowledge of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and you will experience the true sweetness of love that never go away, inshaAllah. Don't go a day without learning something about the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
When the Prophet's pulpit (peace and blessings be upon him) was made, he ascended the pulpit and began to give his sermon. A palm tree nearby his masjid cried. Previously, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would lean against this palm trunk when giving his sermon. The palm trunk yearned for him and cried so loud until people could not hear his sermon. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) descended from the pulpit, stroke it and hugged it and spoke to it--do you want to be a palm tree in this world until the Day of Resurrection or be a palm tree in Paradise with me. The palm tree chose to be with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in Paradise. SubhanAllah! If this is how much the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cared about a piece of wood that long for him, imagine the treatment we would get from loving and yearning for him! If your love for him is not there or has not increased since my previous email below, do something about it. Our hearts shouldn't be harder than the palm trunk. I have heard this hadith before but this was narrated by a beloved learned teacher this way and it truly touches my heart this time. May Allah preserve and bless my teacher.
May Allah increase our love for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Ameen
Sunday, November 29, 2009
In comfort, in hardshp
بسم الله الرحمن الؤحيم
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you continue to have a blessed and blissful Eid.
Know that Allah loves the believer. Anything He sent to you is good for you. Be it comfort or hardship, ease or difficulties, joy or grief, they are means for you to draw closer to Him. So, we do more good and increase our worship for Him.
"Know that the present life is but a sport and a diversion, an adornment and a cause for boasting among you, and a rivalry in wealth and children. It is as a rain whose vegetation pleases the unbelievers; then it withers, and thou seest it turning yellow, then it becomes broken orts. And in the world to come there is a terrible chastisement, and forgiveness from God and good pleasure; and the present life is but the joy of delusion. Race to forgiveness from your Lord, and a Garden the breadth whereof is as the breadth of heaven and earth, made ready for those who believe in God and His Messengers. That is the bounty of God; He gives it unto whomsoever He will; and God is of bounty abounding." Qur'an Al-hadid/The Iron 57:20-21
"Do the people reckon that they will be left to say 'We believe,' and will not be tried? We certainly tried those that were before them, and assuredly God knows those who speak truly, and assuredly He knows the liars. Or do they reckon, those who do evil deeds, that they will outstrip Us? Evil is their judgment! Whoso looks to encounter God, God's term is coming; He is the All-hearing, the All-knowing. Whosoever struggles, struggles only to his own gain; surely God is All-sufficient nor needs any being. And those who believe, and do righteous deeds, We shall surely acquit them of their evil deeds, and shall recompense them the best of what they were doing." Qur'an Ankaboot/The Spider 29:2-7
May Allah bring us closer to Him. Ameen
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you continue to have a blessed and blissful Eid.
Know that Allah loves the believer. Anything He sent to you is good for you. Be it comfort or hardship, ease or difficulties, joy or grief, they are means for you to draw closer to Him. So, we do more good and increase our worship for Him.
"Know that the present life is but a sport and a diversion, an adornment and a cause for boasting among you, and a rivalry in wealth and children. It is as a rain whose vegetation pleases the unbelievers; then it withers, and thou seest it turning yellow, then it becomes broken orts. And in the world to come there is a terrible chastisement, and forgiveness from God and good pleasure; and the present life is but the joy of delusion. Race to forgiveness from your Lord, and a Garden the breadth whereof is as the breadth of heaven and earth, made ready for those who believe in God and His Messengers. That is the bounty of God; He gives it unto whomsoever He will; and God is of bounty abounding." Qur'an Al-hadid/The Iron 57:20-21
"Do the people reckon that they will be left to say 'We believe,' and will not be tried? We certainly tried those that were before them, and assuredly God knows those who speak truly, and assuredly He knows the liars. Or do they reckon, those who do evil deeds, that they will outstrip Us? Evil is their judgment! Whoso looks to encounter God, God's term is coming; He is the All-hearing, the All-knowing. Whosoever struggles, struggles only to his own gain; surely God is All-sufficient nor needs any being. And those who believe, and do righteous deeds, We shall surely acquit them of their evil deeds, and shall recompense them the best of what they were doing." Qur'an Ankaboot/The Spider 29:2-7
May Allah bring us closer to Him. Ameen
Best of Stories
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
The Qur'anic stories are the best of stories. Allah choose and select for us the best of stories to tell us. They contain details not even those who live the events know the details of them. They skip details we don't need to know because they are not stories to entertain but they are stories to guide us and to guide us to excellence. Qu'ran is pure from the point of view what benefit us. Each story has a lesson and every type of lesson you will find a story in the Qu'ran. Everyone will find an example for him/her in the Qur'an--the weak, the tyrant, the poor, the rich, and so on. So, make the Qur'an your intimate friend. Go to it everyday and when times are difficult, you know where your best of friends is and you are not lost, inshaAllah.
"Surely We have revealed it-- an Arabic Quran-- that you may understand. We relate to you the best of stories, by Our revealing to you this Quran, though before this you were certainly one of those who did not know." Qur'an Yusuf 12:2-3
May Allah bless your day. Please remember us in your du'as.
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
The Qur'anic stories are the best of stories. Allah choose and select for us the best of stories to tell us. They contain details not even those who live the events know the details of them. They skip details we don't need to know because they are not stories to entertain but they are stories to guide us and to guide us to excellence. Qu'ran is pure from the point of view what benefit us. Each story has a lesson and every type of lesson you will find a story in the Qu'ran. Everyone will find an example for him/her in the Qur'an--the weak, the tyrant, the poor, the rich, and so on. So, make the Qur'an your intimate friend. Go to it everyday and when times are difficult, you know where your best of friends is and you are not lost, inshaAllah.
"Surely We have revealed it-- an Arabic Quran-- that you may understand. We relate to you the best of stories, by Our revealing to you this Quran, though before this you were certainly one of those who did not know." Qur'an Yusuf 12:2-3
May Allah bless your day. Please remember us in your du'as.
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