بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
The stories of the Prophets in the Qur’an are not to entertain or mere narratives or histories, but to reflect and derive lessons. They teach us the highest spiritual Truth; they give us advice, guidance and warning, as to how we should govern our lives, and they awaken our conscience and remind us of the working of Allah’s Law in human affairs.
"All that we relate to you of the stories of the messengers - with it We make firm your heart: in them there come to you the Truth, as well as an exhortation and a message of remembrance to those who believe." (Qur'an Hud 11:120)
"We relate unto you (Muhammad, Allah bless him and grant him peace) the best of stories through Our Revelations unto you, of this Qur'an. And before this (i.e. before the coming of Divine Revelation to you), you were among those who knew nothing about it (the Qur'an)" (Qur'an Yusuf 12:3)
"These are some of the stories of communities which We relate unto thee: of them some are standing, and some have been mown down (by the sickle of time.)" (Qur'an Hud 11:100)
Among the communities which remained standing is in Egypt. We have the pyramids and some ruins, although Fir'aun and his wicked people were drowned in the sea.
There are remnants of Thamud. The Thamud lived in huge houses that they carved out of the huge rocks in the mountains - and the remains of these houses are still visible in northwest Saudi Arabia. The were arrogant and they oppressed the poor among them. Prophet Saleh, whom they respected very much for he was the most righteous among them, was sent to them as a warner. They rejected him. Allah destroyed them by a terrible storm of thunder and lightning.
"But the Thamud - they were destroyed by a terrible Storm of thunder and lightning!" (Qur'an Haaqqa 69:5)
There are no remnants of the people of Ad. Ad were unjust and arrogant people spoiled by their prosperity, power and strength. The Prophet Hud preached to them in vain. Allah erased them from the face of the earth by furious wind. If Allah didn't tell us about Ad, where they lived, we wouldn't have known about them. Now, the City of Iram with lofty pillars, the homes of 'Ad as described in the Qur'an, is a land of sand dunes in Hadramawt.
"And the ‘Ad, they were destroyed by a furious Wind, exceedingly violent; He made it rage against them seven nights and eight days in succession: so that you could see the (whole) people lying prostrate in its (path), as they had been roots of hollow palm trees tumbled down!" (Qur'an Haaqqa 69:6-7)
If we disbelieve in Allah and His Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc,) Allah will include us in severe punishment. If we stick to the Truth that we have and keep away from the ways of the non-believers, and we are grateful with what Allah has given us, whenever Allah punishes the non-believers, Allah will save the ones who believe in Him.
"And when Our Commandment came, We saved Hud and those who believed with him by a Mercy from Us, and We saved them from a severe torment. Such were 'Ad, they rejected the Ayaat of their Lord and disobeyed His Messengers, and followed the command of every proud obstinate (oppressor of the truth, from their leaders) (Qur'an Hud 11:58-59)
"When Our decree issued, We saved Shu'aib and those who believed with him, by (special) mercy from Ourselves. But the (mighty) blast did seize the wrong- doers, and they lay prostrate in their homes by the morning,- As if they had never dwelt and flourished there!. Ah! Behold! How the Madyan were removed (from sight) as were removed the Thamud!" (Qur'an Hud 11:94-95)
May Allah grants us mercy from Himself and save us from His Punishment. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Aisha
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Barakah
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
We often think of our wealth in terms of numbers. $1000 is more than $100. But it is not necessarily so. $100 can be more than $1000. This is the concept of barakah. Barakah is the secret Allah puts in the money. $1 that has barakah could go a long way and $1 that does not have barakah can cause your destruction.
You see this a lot. There are people who don't have a lot of money but they have a pleasant and content life. This is because Allah puts barakah in their lives. But there are people who have lots of money, but they live a miserable life. Why? Because the barakah is missing in the equation.
People who don't have belief (iman) will think that if they cheat, they will make more money. But they wound up losing it eventually--sometimes sooner than they could imagine. It manifested in many ways. For those who have iman and follow the laws of Allah in their dealings, whatever they get is better for them, no matter how small it is, because there is barakah in it.
The laws of Allah is not something we keep in the masjid or something we keep as an individual or we apply it when it is convenient for people. If we want barakah in our lives, the laws of Allah should control our lives--day and night in all aspects.
May Allah gives us barakah in that which He has provided us and have mercy upon us. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
We often think of our wealth in terms of numbers. $1000 is more than $100. But it is not necessarily so. $100 can be more than $1000. This is the concept of barakah. Barakah is the secret Allah puts in the money. $1 that has barakah could go a long way and $1 that does not have barakah can cause your destruction.
You see this a lot. There are people who don't have a lot of money but they have a pleasant and content life. This is because Allah puts barakah in their lives. But there are people who have lots of money, but they live a miserable life. Why? Because the barakah is missing in the equation.
People who don't have belief (iman) will think that if they cheat, they will make more money. But they wound up losing it eventually--sometimes sooner than they could imagine. It manifested in many ways. For those who have iman and follow the laws of Allah in their dealings, whatever they get is better for them, no matter how small it is, because there is barakah in it.
The laws of Allah is not something we keep in the masjid or something we keep as an individual or we apply it when it is convenient for people. If we want barakah in our lives, the laws of Allah should control our lives--day and night in all aspects.
May Allah gives us barakah in that which He has provided us and have mercy upon us. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Monday, October 11, 2010
Your First Obligation
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Our first obligation is to know Allah and to know Him as He really is. This is not for His benefit but for ours. He doesn't need us but we need Him. We need Him for every moment of our lives. He knows us more than we know ourselves. He is the only One who can help us in all our situations. Our lives depend on Him.
"It was We who created man, and We know what dark suggestions his soul makes to him: for We are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein." (Qur'an Qaf 50:16)
But how many people really know and certain about this. We get disappointed, upset and angry when things don't go the way we want them to be. We become impatient when we don't see things happening. We complain to everybody except Allah, We run to everybody for help except Allah. We spend and waste so much resources (time, money, etc) looking for and seeking help from people, but we forget the One who can truly help. If you just just walk to Him, He will come to you at speed.
So, when situations started to overcome your good judgment, calm down, take wudu' and perform 2 cycles of prayer.
It is reported that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The closest that a servant can be to his Lord is when he is in prostration."
Ask Him, talk to Him. He has all the time for you and you are not going anywhere without His Will and things aren't going to get any better without His Will.
We received encouragement in our works when we see the fruits. But when we see our efforts yield nothing and situation is not improving, and the more work we put in, the worse things are, it is extremely difficult to go on, unless we have Faith in Allah and reliance and trust in Allah. We can only have this through knowing Him as He really is.
Remember the story of Prophet Nuh, Allah grant him peace, with his people. For 950 years (!), he dealt with his people, calling them to the worship of Allah alone, counseling them to be mindful of their duties to Allah, to fear Allah and to obey him (the same message brought by all the Prophets). He appealed to them publicly and privately, day and night. His people made fun of him and ridiculed him as a mad man. Whenever he tried to convey the message of Allah to them, they began to thrust their fingers into their ears! But because Prophet Nuh, Allah grant him peace, had the iman and tawakkul in Allah, he kept on going and persisted with his da'wah for 950 years. The unbelievers were drowned (in flood) because of their sins.
"...So persevere patiently: for the End is for those who are righteous." (Qur'an Hud 11:49)
He (Nuh) said: "O my Lord! I have called to my People night and day. "But my call only increases (their) flight (from the Right).And every time I have called to them, that thou might forgive them, they have (only) thrust their fingers into their ears, covered themselves up with their garments, grown obstinate, and given themselves up to arrogance. So I have called to them aloud; Further I have spoken to them in public and secretly in private,..Because of their sins they were drowned (in the flood) and were made to enter the Fire (of Punishment): and they found― in lieu of Allah― none to help them. And Nuh said: "O my Lord! Leave not of the Unbelievers, a single one on earth! For, if Thou do leave (any of) them, they will but mislead Your devotees, and they will breed none but wicked ungrateful ones." (Qur'an Nuh 71:5-27)
May Allah makes us among the righteous and the patient. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Our first obligation is to know Allah and to know Him as He really is. This is not for His benefit but for ours. He doesn't need us but we need Him. We need Him for every moment of our lives. He knows us more than we know ourselves. He is the only One who can help us in all our situations. Our lives depend on Him.
"It was We who created man, and We know what dark suggestions his soul makes to him: for We are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein." (Qur'an Qaf 50:16)
But how many people really know and certain about this. We get disappointed, upset and angry when things don't go the way we want them to be. We become impatient when we don't see things happening. We complain to everybody except Allah, We run to everybody for help except Allah. We spend and waste so much resources (time, money, etc) looking for and seeking help from people, but we forget the One who can truly help. If you just just walk to Him, He will come to you at speed.
So, when situations started to overcome your good judgment, calm down, take wudu' and perform 2 cycles of prayer.
It is reported that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The closest that a servant can be to his Lord is when he is in prostration."
Ask Him, talk to Him. He has all the time for you and you are not going anywhere without His Will and things aren't going to get any better without His Will.
We received encouragement in our works when we see the fruits. But when we see our efforts yield nothing and situation is not improving, and the more work we put in, the worse things are, it is extremely difficult to go on, unless we have Faith in Allah and reliance and trust in Allah. We can only have this through knowing Him as He really is.
Remember the story of Prophet Nuh, Allah grant him peace, with his people. For 950 years (!), he dealt with his people, calling them to the worship of Allah alone, counseling them to be mindful of their duties to Allah, to fear Allah and to obey him (the same message brought by all the Prophets). He appealed to them publicly and privately, day and night. His people made fun of him and ridiculed him as a mad man. Whenever he tried to convey the message of Allah to them, they began to thrust their fingers into their ears! But because Prophet Nuh, Allah grant him peace, had the iman and tawakkul in Allah, he kept on going and persisted with his da'wah for 950 years. The unbelievers were drowned (in flood) because of their sins.
"...So persevere patiently: for the End is for those who are righteous." (Qur'an Hud 11:49)
He (Nuh) said: "O my Lord! I have called to my People night and day. "But my call only increases (their) flight (from the Right).And every time I have called to them, that thou might forgive them, they have (only) thrust their fingers into their ears, covered themselves up with their garments, grown obstinate, and given themselves up to arrogance. So I have called to them aloud; Further I have spoken to them in public and secretly in private,..Because of their sins they were drowned (in the flood) and were made to enter the Fire (of Punishment): and they found― in lieu of Allah― none to help them. And Nuh said: "O my Lord! Leave not of the Unbelievers, a single one on earth! For, if Thou do leave (any of) them, they will but mislead Your devotees, and they will breed none but wicked ungrateful ones." (Qur'an Nuh 71:5-27)
May Allah makes us among the righteous and the patient. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Sunday, October 10, 2010
It Is A Done Deal
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
We worry about tomorrow. We worry about how to make it in the future. We worry about lack of enough savings to send our children to college, no retirement funds to support ourselves when we reach old age, etc...We are always in the state of despair when it comes to money. Money is in the top 10 causes of marital discord and family breakups.
Why worry? Why fight over money? Your provision is a done deal. What you are going to get was written before the creation of the heavens and the earth. So, don't worry. Your job is to work, not to turn yourself into a workaholic, and neglect your duties to Allah. Leave the bottom line to the Provider (Ar-Razzaq).
When we had to leave Paradise to earth with our father, Adam, and our mother, Hawwa, it is only for an appointed term. We are not going to be here forever. We don't belong here. We should busy preparing ourselves to go home. If we want to go back to a nice home, we better start setting our priorities right, Allah before anything, and straighten out our acts. Allah is watching everything we do. Not a leaf that falls is without His Knowledge.
We know how Shaytan deceived Adam into eating from the forbidden tree and that was how our father and mother got out of Paradise. We also have a long history of mankind to derive lessons from. So learn from their mistakes and don't make the same mistakes.
(Allah) said: "Get down, one of you is an enemy to the other. On earth will be a dwelling-place for you and an enjoyment, - for a time." He said: "Therein you shall live, and therein you shall die, and from it you shall be brought out (i.e.resurrected)." O Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts) and as an adornment, and the raiment of righteousness, that is better. Such are among the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, that they may remember. O Children of Adam! Let not Shaytan deceive you, as he got your parents [Adam and Hawwa out of Paradise, stripping them of their raiments, to show them their private parts. Verily, he and Qabiluhu (his soldiers from the jinn or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them. Verily, We made the Shaytan (devils) Auliya' (protectors and helpers) for those who believe not. (Qur'an Al'Araf 7:24-27)
May Allah increase our Iman and taqwa, and protect us from Shaytan. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
We worry about tomorrow. We worry about how to make it in the future. We worry about lack of enough savings to send our children to college, no retirement funds to support ourselves when we reach old age, etc...We are always in the state of despair when it comes to money. Money is in the top 10 causes of marital discord and family breakups.
Why worry? Why fight over money? Your provision is a done deal. What you are going to get was written before the creation of the heavens and the earth. So, don't worry. Your job is to work, not to turn yourself into a workaholic, and neglect your duties to Allah. Leave the bottom line to the Provider (Ar-Razzaq).
When we had to leave Paradise to earth with our father, Adam, and our mother, Hawwa, it is only for an appointed term. We are not going to be here forever. We don't belong here. We should busy preparing ourselves to go home. If we want to go back to a nice home, we better start setting our priorities right, Allah before anything, and straighten out our acts. Allah is watching everything we do. Not a leaf that falls is without His Knowledge.
We know how Shaytan deceived Adam into eating from the forbidden tree and that was how our father and mother got out of Paradise. We also have a long history of mankind to derive lessons from. So learn from their mistakes and don't make the same mistakes.
(Allah) said: "Get down, one of you is an enemy to the other. On earth will be a dwelling-place for you and an enjoyment, - for a time." He said: "Therein you shall live, and therein you shall die, and from it you shall be brought out (i.e.resurrected)." O Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts) and as an adornment, and the raiment of righteousness, that is better. Such are among the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, that they may remember. O Children of Adam! Let not Shaytan deceive you, as he got your parents [Adam and Hawwa out of Paradise, stripping them of their raiments, to show them their private parts. Verily, he and Qabiluhu (his soldiers from the jinn or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them. Verily, We made the Shaytan (devils) Auliya' (protectors and helpers) for those who believe not. (Qur'an Al'Araf 7:24-27)
May Allah increase our Iman and taqwa, and protect us from Shaytan. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Friday, October 8, 2010
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
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
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