Showing Off: A Loathsome Disease

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Showing off is a loathsome and very dangerous disease of the heart that one should strive to rid off. No one, from the poor or the rich, the ignorant or the knowledgeable, is free from it, until one makes a conscious effort and does a lot of struggling to remove it, through a lot of remembrance of Allah and reminding oneself of death all the time.

Remember, when death overtakes you, you are on your own. All your possessions, success, status and the praises you receive cannot help you when you are alone in your grave. In fact, they can be the cause of your great torment and punishment in the life Hereafter.

The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

The slightest bit of showing off in good works is as if worshipping others with Allah.

[Hakim]

This is what the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, feared off.

The most greatest of what I fear for my Ummah is setting up partners with Allah; I do not mean [for them to] worship the sun, moon, or statue, but [to do] acts for other than Allah along with hidden desire.

[Ibn Majah]

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

Ash-Shirk-al-Khafi (minor shirk) in the Muslim nation is more inconspicuous than the creeping of black ant on black rock in the pitch-darkness of the night.

It is showing off if you are seeking a worldly benefit with by an action that is normally done for the Hereafter; for example, learning, memorizing or reciting Qur'an (with a beautiful melody) so people will think you are wonderful, learning or teaching sacred knowledge (or becoming a scholar) so you can have the title "Shaykh" or the like, leading your name or to make money, or giving charity so people can see that you are generous. This is opposite to sincerity in worship.

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

The first of people against whom judgment will be pronounced on the Day of Resurrection will be a man who died a martyr. He will be brought and Allah will make known to him His favours and he will recognize them. [ The Almighty] will say: And what did you do about them? He will say: I fought for you until I died a martyr. He will say: You have lied - you did but fight that it might be said [of you]: He is courageous. And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. [Another] will be a man who has studied [religious] knowledge and has taught it and who used to recite the Quran. He will be brought and Allah will make known to his His favors and he will recognize them. [The Almighty] will say: And what did you do about them? He will say: I studied [religious] knowledge and I taught it and I recited the Quran for Your sake. He will say: You have lied - you did but study [religious] knowledge that it might be said [of you]: He is learned. And you recited the Quran that it might be said [of you]: He is a reciter. And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. [Another] will be a man whom Allah had made rich and to whom He had given all kinds of wealth. He will be brought and Allah will make known to his His favours and he will recognize them. [The Almighty] will say: And what did you do about them? He will say: I left no path [untrodden] in which You like money to be spent without spending in it for Your sake. He will say: You have lied - you did but do so that it might be said [of you]: He is open-handed. And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire.

[Muslim, Tirmidhi and Nasa'i].

The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

Whosoever mentions [his deeds to be known amongst people], Allah will mention him [by revealing the truth about him]; and whosoever shows off [his deeds], Allah will show him off to people [with the truth about him].

[Bukhari and Muslim]

It also showing off if one is seeking status or position amongst people in one's actions (e.g. going to the masjid to pray to show one is pious), in one's speech (e.g. giving lecture or khutbah to impress people), in one's body (e.g. prostrating for a long time to show that he is praying or walking with head down to show his spiritual state), in one's appearance (e.g. growing a beard and wearing a jalbiyyah to show he is following the sunnah), in ones' clothing (e.g. wearing rags to show he has zuhd), or in having many students and companions, and in frequent mention of scholars.

Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari narrated that the Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, once said,

"Three (kinds of people) will neither be spoken to by Allah on the Day of Resurrection, nor looked at, nor purified (from their sins), and shall receive a painful torment." He repeated that thrice, so Abu Dhar said, "They are failures and losers. Who are they, Messenger of Allah?" The Prophet replied, "Al-musbil (the one dragging his lower garment), the one who is used to reminding people of his generosity towards them, and the one who sells his goods through false swearing"

[Muslim].

Our goal in this life is to seek nearness to Allah through our obedience to His commands.

وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓا۟ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ حُنَفَآءَ وَيُقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤْتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ دِينُ ٱلْقَيِّمَةِ

And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.

[Qur'an Al-Bayyina 98:5]

Everyday, we are also reminded as to Who we worship and Who the Giver is--it is not people, money, celebrities, or your favorite sports team or player, not even a great Shaykh, but Allah.

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

It is You we worship and You we ask for help.

[Qur'an Al-Fatiha 1:5]

When you read Al-Fatiha in your daily prayers, pay particular attention to this meaning.

It is recommended to make this du'a 3 times in the morning and 3 times in the evening

اللهم إني أعوذ بك أن أشرك بك وأنا أعلم وأستغفرك لما لا أعلم
اللهم إني أعوذ بك أن أشرك بك وأنا أعلم وأستغفرك لما لا أعلم
اللهم إني أعوذ بك أن أشرك بك وأنا أعلم وأستغفرك لما لا أعلم

O Allah! I take Your refuge from that I should ascribe anything as partner in Your worship, being conscious of that, and I beg Your pardon for that sin which I am not aware of.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Escape Reckoning

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Almost a year has gone by since last Ramadhan. In less than 2 weeks we will enter the blessed month of Ramadhan. We ask Allah to enable us to reach this noble month with good health and pure heart.

This life is a provision for our next life and the very best of this provision is taqwa (righteousness, piety, Godfearingness). Taqwa is a means to be close to Allah.

Allah gives good tidings to those who have taqwa, in their life here and the Hereafter:

أَلَآ إِنَّ أَوْلِيَآءَ ٱللَّـهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴿٦٢﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ يَتَّقُونَ ﴿٦٣﴾ لَهُمُ ٱلْبُشْرَىٰ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِكَلِمَـٰتِ ٱللَّـهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴿٦٤

Unquestionably, [for] the allies of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve (62) Those who believed and were fearing Allah (63) For them are good tidings in the worldly life and in the Hereafter. No change is there in the words of Allah. That is what is the great attainment. (64)

[Qur'an Yunus 10:62-64]

The very purpose of the month of Ramadhan is to become of the people of taqwa.

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous - (183)

[Qur'an 2:184]

The noble month of Ramadhan is the month in which the Qur'an was sent down as guidance for those who have taqwa. The greatest gift in this life is guidance.

ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah - (2)

[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:2]

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّـهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ﴿١٨٥

The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful. (185)

[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:185]

Do you find yourself close to Allah? If not, fasting is a means of closeness to Allah.

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ ﴿١٨٦

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided. (186)

[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:186]

Fasting is a means to thankfulness and gratitude. When you are hungry and refraining from physical pleasures, you can appreciate the blessings and all the great gifts you have from Allah. This is a bridge to the love of Allah because you come to love someone by constantly appreciating what that someone represent to you and what that someone give to you in life.

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Allah said: ‘Every deed of the son of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for Me and I shall reward for it…’”

[Bukhari and Muslim]

Fasting is a unique action, unlike any other actions. Showing off may enter into all good deeds, but no one can see when a person is fasting except Allah. People can display signs of fasting in public (like dry lips, tiredness, not eating in public) but in truth they may be pretending. So fasting is inherently a sincere action. It expresses the reality of your relationship with Allah.

If you fast out of faith and sincere seeking of Allah, you will realize that you are in absolute need of Allah. You will do something about your neediness by directing yourself to your Lord, turning to Him in much repentance. You will realize who the One, who gives you at least your basic needs of food, drink and physical pleasures, truly is. He is indeed Free of need, worthy of all praise and how Tremendous He is.

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ أَنتُمُ ٱلْفُقَرَآءُ إِلَى ٱللَّـهِ ۖ وَٱللَّـهُ هُوَ ٱلْغَنِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ ﴿١٥

O mankind, you are those in need of Allah, while Allah is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy. (15)

[Fatir 35:15]

وَلِلَّـهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَلَقَدْ وَصَّيْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ أَنِ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ ۚ وَإِن تَكْفُرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ لِلَّـهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّـهُ غَنِيًّا حَمِيدًا ﴿١٣١

And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And We have instructed those who were given the Scripture before you and yourselves to fear Allah. But if you disbelieve - then to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And ever is Allah Free of need and Praiseworthy. (131)

[Qur'an Nisa 4:131]

If you fast the right way, having the sense of seeking Allah, you will attain unto closeness to Allah. Your fast is not just hunger and refraining from physical pleasures but an expression of la illaha illallah (There is none worthy of worship except Allah). If you attain closeness to Allah, all your past sins are erased.

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

"Paradise has eight gates, and one of them is called Ar-Raiyan through which none will enter but those who observe fasting." The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, also said, "If a person spends two different kinds of something (for Allah's cause), he will be called from the gates of Paradise."

[Bukhari]

How do we avoid sinning in Ramadhan so we can direct ourselves to the gates of Paradise? It is by sincere seeking of Allah and striving to be close to Him through the Prophetic ways.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, is the the greatest of those who ever worshipped Allah, yet in the month of Ramadhan, he was more avid in all the ways of good. With respect to the good, he did not stop at anything because he has a clear goal in mind--Allah. His entire family, their concern of Ramadhan was to make it a means of nearness to Allah.

The sincere seeking means that you remember why you are fasting. Don't be the people who when they go to sleep, they worry about what's for suhr (pre dawn meal) and during the day, they worry about what's for iftar (break fast meal). Remember each person will have whatever they sought for.

'Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, relates that he heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, say,

Verily actions are by intentions, and for every person is what he intended. So the one whose hijrah was to Allah and His Messenger, then his hijrah was to Allah and His Messenger. And the one whose hijrah was for the world to gain from it, or a woman to marry her, then his hijrah was to what he made hijrah for.

[Agreed upon]

When the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, told the companions about the gates of Paradise, Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, asked the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, if there would there be anyone who would be given a choice to enter from any of them. He didn't say there are all these gates, let me stick to one of them. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said "Yes, and I hope you will be one of them." This is the attitude of people of taqwa, always striving for excellence.

We know our life here will be over, but it is not over until it is over. While we are still breathing, turn to Allah and make a sincere repentance, pardon everybody who have wronged us, and prepare for Allah's gaze on the first night of the noble month of Ramadhan. Make the intention to strive to renew our faith this Ramadhan. May Allah give us tawfiq.

Baihaqi relates that "When it is the first night of the month of Ramadhan, Allah, Mighty and Majestic, gazes to them and the one to whom Allah looks, He does not punish him, ever."

One of the qualities that would prevent us from Allah's gaze is malice. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, taught us of the Night of Power and the Half Night of Sha’ban that those who harbor rancor, mistreat parents, sever bonds of kinship or drink are prevented from Allah’s merciful gaze.

Tabarani relates that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

A caller will call [on the Day of Rising], ‘Let him stand whose reward is upon Allah and let him enter paradise’ Then he will call a second time, ‘Let him stand whose reward is upon Allah and let him enter paradise’ It will be said, ‘Who is the one whose reward is upon Allah, Mighty and Majestic?’ He will say, ‘Those who pardon people.’ Then he will call a third time, ‘Let him stand whose reward is upon Allah and let him enter Paradise.’ Then so and so many thousand will stand and enter Paradise without reckoning.

May Allah help us to seek Him and make us from those who enter Paradise without reckoning. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Love: An Act of Worship

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

There are a many reasons why we would love someone or a person would love us; most of the time it is for some worldly gain. This love is as flimsy as the spider web. This is because people evolve and circumstances change.

When we love for the sake of Allah, it will stay through thick and thin. We love simply because Allah Almighty decreed us to love. A love revolving around Allah forms and reaffirms the strongest of bonds and creates and builds the strongest of characters.

In order to love others for the sake of Allah we must first love Allah and His Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, above all else. Loving for the sake of Allah is the truest expression of Faith (Iman) because it reflects complete submission to Allah’s decrees. Love becomes an act of worship. It generates a compassion within that compels one to act purely to gain the pleasure of Allah. Loving for the sake of Allah reminds us of the ultimate goal--Allah.

Allah's Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

None of you will truly believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself.

[Bukhari]

One should treat others in the same manner that one would like to be treated. For instance, every person loves that he should be treated with respect and honor. He does not like to be ridiculed, slandered, or harmed in life, dignity, or property. He should therefore treat others in the same manner. He should not harm anyone in any way or desire any ill for anyone. Likewise, one should love the good for another that one desire for oneself. For example, if you were a homeless person, you would love a roof over your head, good food and nice clothes. So help the homeless, the poor and needy in much charity. Think in a similar manner with regard to every other person, whoever the person may be, and every other condition, whatever it may be. What good you would have desired for yourself had you been in the person's shoes, desire the same for the person.

If every Muslim adopts only this one concise teaching of Islam, most of the problems of the world would be resolved. Envy, jealousy, malice, and many other social evils will be eliminated.

Have a sincere concern for every Muslim. Make daily du'a for all of us. Although we may not know each other and we may be separated by distance, we are all connected and united under the most important and eternal Banner of Allah, the All Mighty.

Another important teaching is that one should not be excessive in love nor hate. This is because love for the sake of Allah is love that is in accordance with the Sacred Law. Out of love of Allah and His Messenger we love what Allah loves and hate what Allah hates. This is the Muslim’s criteria of love and hatred. So, if you love a person, love him for his obedience to Allah, and if he disobeys Allah then hate him because of his disobedience to Allah, not because of his essence.

Allah's Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

Love your beloved moderately, perhaps he becomes hated to you someday. And hate whom you hate moderately, perhaps he becomes your beloved someday.

[Tirmidhi]

When it is said that we should be moderate, it is very important to identify the extremes. Moderation does not mean that you stay between Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, and Abu Jahl. Moderation is never between Islam and Kufr, between belief and disbelief, but the moderation of a Muslim is to be between Abu Bakr and 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them.

May Allah increase our love for Him and His Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and make us love one another for His sake only. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam.

Stories Of The Prophets In The Qur'an

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

When Allah tells us stories of the Prophets in the Qur'an, it is neither a story to entertain us, nor they are meant to be bedtime stories that we read to our children and they fall asleep with it. It is meant to guide us in our journey to Him. If we want to take a straight path, then we should reflect on these stories and learn from them.

We cannot learn from the stories if we don't know what is being read/said. So knowledge is key. If you don't know Arabic, learn it and meanwhile read a good translation and a good tafsir. Even if you know Arabic, you also should read a good tafsir for deep understanding. You don't have to read the entire book in one day or one week like you would read a best selling novel. Suffice to start with a few pages a day, contemplate and act upon the advice and guidance in your life.

According to the saying of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, "The best actions are continuous ones, even if they are slight."

From one day to the next, from one year to the next, if you are continuous and consistent in your works, it all add up; you increase your knowledge, and if you act upon what you know, it will make you a better servant of Allah and a better human, and keep you on a straight path, the path of those upon whom Allah has bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked His anger or of those who are astray.

Busy yourself with the good, and you will find that the bad will leave you faster than you could ever imagine.

Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported from the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, from what he reported from his Lord Mighty and Exalted, that Allah said,

When a servant comes towards Me a hand-span, I go an arm-length towards him. When he comes towards Me an arm-length, I go a fathom towards him. When he comes towards Me walking, I go towards him running.

[Bukhari]

Remember, if you don't busy yourselves with good, you will busy yourselves with bad. An intelligent person will choose what benefit them, which is what is good. And what benefit us most are works for the Hereafter. Why? Because our lives in the Hereafter is for eternity.

Prophet Nuh alayhissalaam remained with his people for 950 years in difficulty and hard work to bring his contemporaries to believe and obey Allah. In spite of this long period, his contemporaries failed to listen, and they were destroyed. The story of the Ark remains an everlasting sign and warning to mankind--a sign of deliverance to the righteous and of destruction to the wicked.

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ فَلَبِثَ فِيهِمْ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ إِلَّا خَمْسِينَ عَامًا فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلطُّوفَانُ وَهُمْ ظَـٰلِمُونَ ﴿١٤

And We certainly sent Noah to his people, and he remained among them a thousand years minus fifty years, and the flood seized them while they were wrongdoers.

(14) [Qur'an Ankabut 29:14]

Note in the word years: In the English translation, you can’t really notice the difference in the word, but there are actually two different words in Arabic--

"...A thousand years (sana سَنَةٍ) minus fifty years (‘aam عَامًا)"

Both mean year, but usually in the Qur’an, when two synonyms appear in the same sentence, there is normally a key difference being highlighted between them.

One interesting view is that sana generally indicates a year of difficulty, hard work and hardship whereas ‘aam usually indicates a year of ease and goodness or blessing.

This is a glimpse of the beauty of the language of the Arabs. If you only read the Qur'an in English or recite the Qur'an without knowing Arabic, one miss out on experiencing the beautiful and powerful meanings of Allah's Speech.

May Allah make us among the righteous and those who He is pleased with and grant us with a sound understanding of the Qur'an. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

The Time Is Flying

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The time is flying by faster than we can have a grip on it. We are half way through the year, and it only seems like yesterday we began year 2012.

We should reflect on the last half of the year and ask ourselves. What did I do in the last half of the year? Did I add anything to my life? Did I get closer to Allah? Did I just went with the flow of things?

This life is a journey to Allah. The journey can be long and difficult. The time is flying and it flies faster as you get older. The time is not going to wait for you. So work and live smart and don't waste time.

وَٱلْعَصْرِ ﴿١﴾ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسْرٍ ﴿٢﴾ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ ﴿٣

By time, (1) Indeed, mankind is in loss, (2) Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. (3)

[Qur'an Al-Asr 103]

You can be very smart and successful from the world point of view, but if you don't remember Allah, you are the great loser. Every single moment of your life, whether you are thinking, using your limbs, talking, walking, cooking, eating, driving, studying, conferencing, and so on, you have to remind yourself of Allah Almighty. Everything and every moment is all about Allah.

Allah Almighty invites us so many times to call Him in remembrance:

فَٱذْكُرُونِىٓ أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لِى وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ

So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.

[Qur'an al-Baqarah 2:152]

May Allah grant us good health and bless our time. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam