Your Light In Darkness

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Look forward to Friday and prepare for it as if it is going to be Eid, and don't forget to recite Surah Kahf (and take lessons from the stories).

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

The person who recites Surah Kahf on Fridays, a nur (light) will appear for him from below the arsh as high as the skies. This light will help him in the darkness of the Day of Resurrection. And all the sins which he may have committed from the last Friday till this Friday will be forgiven.

Have a blessed and joyous Jumu'ah. Please include us in your du'as.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Al-Muhaimin (The Preserver of Safety)

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Al-Muhaimin is the One Who watches over His creatures, Who has full control over them, provides sustenance for them, disposes of all of their affairs, and defines for each his term appointed. He is the One Who gives safety, grants security, and removes terror and fear from such His servants as He pleases.

هُوَ اللَّـهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ ۚ سُبْحَانَ اللَّـهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god;- the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme: Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him.

[Qur'an Al-Hasr 59:23]

According to Imam Al-Ghazali, if anyone of Allah's servants is sure of Allah's preserving the safety, sustenance, term appointed, as a part of His Control over the whole existence by virtue of His Power and Wisdom, he soon comes to observe Allah Almighty in all what he does and says, fears him, refrains from sins, mistakes and acts of disobedience, safeguards himself against His Punishment, and wards off evil.

If one puts in his mind the magnificence and greatness of this Name of Allah Almighty, he will live in its shade, safe and secure, having no fear of none but Allah Almighty. If such person attains this high degree of being under the Care of Allah Almighty, he will find none from amongst mankind to admire, for indeed, his heart becomes filled with the love of Allah alone, with no place in it for anyone else.

O my God, Al-Muhaimin, the Preserver of Safety, Whose Knowledge encompasses everything in the worlds, and Whose Power is enforceable in the whole existence: manifest with light the secret of this Noble Name, in order that I could be able to have full knowledge of the mysteries of my soul, and what is hidden within my heart; and thus I would observe the intentions of mine, and set right the conduct of my organs, and subjugate them to do only what You love, and enforce my willpower, with the help of Your Might, over my organs, in order to devote them to acting upon the principles of Your Religion.

Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Al-Mu'min (The Guardian of Faith and Security)

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Al-Mu'min is the One Who grants safety, security and certainty of faith to such of His servants as he pleases. This is only granted to the believers, who seek shelter and protection from Allah.

Allah says,

الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَمْ يَلْبِسُوا إِيمَانَهُم بِظُلْمٍ أُولَـٰئِكَ لَهُمُ الْأَمْنُ وَهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ

Those who believe, and have not confounded their belief with evildoing -- to them belongs the true security; they are rightly guided.

[Qur'an Al-An'am 6:82]

Security is a spiritual feeling which is granted by Allah to those He pleases, and in particular, to those who fear Him, ward off evil and safeguard themselves against His Punishment.

According to certain narration,

Whoever fears Allah (and protect himself from His Punishment), He Almighty grants him security from (the evil of) everything (whatsoever dangerous)l and whoever does not fear Allah, He Almighty causes him to fear everything (whatsoever trivial).

Many are those who are armed, surrounded by guards, but they never feel safe within themselves; and on the contrary, many are those disarmed, having no guards to protect them, but they have no fear of anything and they have assurance of safety that they feel in their hearts. That is because such person seek protection from Allah alone and fear Him alone.

It is reported that 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab, the Commander of the believers, (may Allah be pleased with him) used to take rest and sleep under a shade of tree, taking from his arm a cushion to place his head on. No guards nor secret service to protect him. When the envoy of Khusrow saw him in such a state, he could help conceal his surprise and said immediately: "No doubt, you, O 'Umar, have done justice (to his subjects), and thus you came to feel safe, which caused you to sleep (in such a state of rest and satisfaction.)

The one who puts his trust in Allah Almighty, as being the best disposer of all of his affairs, never fears, for he becomes under sponsorship and protection of Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty appreciates him and assures His Good Pleasure, blessing and bounty to him.

The one who is the most fitting for having the characteristic of a faithful believer is the one who is eager to call upon Allah Almighty, enjoins what is good and forbid what is evil, be a means of saving people from Allah's Punishment by guiding them to Allah's straight path and the right way of salvation.

O Allah, make me drink and taste the sweetness of faith, until I bear witness to the fact that I've got the best blessing out of Your Bounty and Generosity; and keep me from the evil of Shaytan, who fights me in order to leave this preserved treasure of faith. O Allah, manifest Your Glory to me with the Light of Your Name Al-Mu'min (the Guardian of Faith and Security), until my loneliness is removed in my secret and public, in what is hidden and what is open of me. No doubt, every Divine Blessing You confer upon me comes from the Manifestation of Your Glory with the Light of Your Name Al-Mu'min. Every kind of safety and security is granted by You, and the whole matter (all of the creatures) belong to You, the All-Knower of the unseen. The light of my faith is a result of the manifestation of Your Glory, and the light of my celebration comes from Your Guidance and Care; and my state is not hidden from You: so, keep us firm in faith.

Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

As-Salaam (The Source of Peace and Perfection)

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you and your family are well and in the best iman and spirits.

The Name As-Salaam is mentioned once in the Qur'an as one of Allah's Most Beautiful Names, but the term in general is mentioned many times, carrying the sense of salutation, safety and security, and as a description of the Garden (the abode of permanent safety].

هُوَ اللَّـهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ ۚ سُبْحَانَ اللَّـهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god;- the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme: Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him.

[Qur'an Al-Hasr 59:23]

As-Salaam have the meaning of freedom from all defects and faults. It is the freedom from what befalls anyone else, such as annihilation and death, for Allah is absolute, Self-Subsisting, Eternal, Who causes all in the worlds to perish, and He alone abides everlastingly, for He has power over all things.

لِّلَّـهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ وَإِن تُبْدُوا مَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ يُحَاسِبْكُم بِهِ اللَّـهُ ۖ فَيَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَاءُ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

To God belongs all that is in the heavens and earth. Whether you publish what is in your hearts or hide it, God shall make reckoning with you for it. He will forgive whom He will, and chastise whom He will; God is powerful over everything.

[Qur'an 2:284]

From His Name Salaam, the term Islam is derived, that one should submit wholeheartedly, and surrender with peace and contentment to the Will of Allah Almighty.

... الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا...

...This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion...

[Qur'an Al-Ma'ida 5:3]

إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّـهِ الْإِسْلَامُ ۗ وَمَا اخْتَلَفَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ إِلَّا مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَهُمُ الْعِلْمُ بَغْيًا بَيْنَهُمْ ۗ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِآيَاتِ اللَّـهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ

The true religion with God is Islam. Those who were given the Book were not at variance except after the knowledge came to them, being insolent one to another. And whoso disbelieves in God's signs. God is swift at the reckoning.

[Qur'an AleImran 3:19]

وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ

Whoso desires another religion than Islam, it shall not be accepted of him; in the next world he shall be among the losers.

[Qur'an AleImran 3:85]

If we want to have a characteristic of peace, we should spread peace and security among us.

Narrated by Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

You will not enter the Garden unless you have faith (in Allah Almighty), and you will have no faith unless you love one another. Should I not guide you to a thing, if you do it, you will come to love one another? Spread peace among you.

Narrated by Abu Umamah that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

Three (types of person) have guarantee from Allah Almighty: If any of them loves, he will be provided with sustenance until he is satisfied, and if he dies, he will be admitted to the Garden: a man, who sets out for fight in the Cause of Allah, has Allah's Guarantee until He causes him to die, and this admits him to the Garden, or brings him back with whatever reward and war spoils he receives; a man who enters the mosque (for prayer and celebration of Allah) has Allah's Guarantee, until He causes him to die, and thus admits him to the Garden, or brings him back with whatever reward and benefits he receives; and a man who enters his home with peace has Allah's Guarantee (until He causes him to die, and admits him to to the Garden.

He should also be of those inclined to pardon and forgive, who avert evil with good. He should not deal with the ignorant among people with similar ignorance.

وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ

Not equal are the good deed and the evil deed. Repel with that which is fairer and behold, he between whom and thee there is enmity shall be as if he were a loyal friend.

[Qur'an Fussilat 41:34]

وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا ﴿٦٣﴾ وَالَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَقِيَامًا

The servants of the All-merciful are those who walk humbly on the earth and who, when the ignorant address them, say, 'Peace'; (63) who pass the night prostrate to their Lord and standing; [Qur'an Al-Furqan 25:63-64]

رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful. [Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:128]

O Allah! You are the Source of Peace and Perfection; from You Peace and to You does peace belong: Greet us, O Lord, with peace, and admit us to the Garden, the Home of Peace.

Ameen.

Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Pay Attention That You May Receive Mercy

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

وَإِذَا قُرِ‌ئَ ٱلْقُرْ‌ءَانُ فَٱسْتَمِعُوا۟ لَهُۥ وَأَنصِتُوا۟ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْ‌حَمُونَ

So when the Qur'an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy. [Qur'an Al-'Araf 7:204]

I am so touched by this woman in the picture. When she heard the Qur'an being recited, she stood up and listen attentively until the end. I couldn't remember a more beautiful sight than this.

May Allah shower her with mercy and bless her life in this world and the next.

Taken at The Cemetery Of Jannat Al-Baqi', Madinah Al-Munawara (April 2012)

May Allah have mercy on all of us. Ameen.