بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
This world is all about patience. It comes with a lot of trials. We have to deal this life with patience. Nothing comes easy without patience. All the day-to-day inconveniences is nothing but trials, which is to prepare us for the Great Trial of the Day of Judgment. So don't sweat the small stuff. Deal with them with beautiful manners.
If someone lied to you or promise something and didn't fulfill the promise, for example, it can cause you a lot of inconvenience because you relied on their words, but it is good for you because you get the chance to practice on your patience and a chance to draw closer to Allah. It is bad for the person who lied or promise because he has used the blessing of Allah, his tongue, to lie or promise without the resolve to fulfill it and has cause harm to others by his bad action, no matter how slight or insignificant it may seem. But it is their sin, not yours. And you have no control over other's actions but you have control over yours. Remember, Allah is with the patient ones.
We don't ask for trials, but we always ask Allah to protect us from trials.
May Allah grant us well being and strength and patience in times of trial. Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Your Parents: The Old Fashion Way
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
The world indeed has been changing rapidly. Most of us live in a culture that does not emphasize respect to one's parents but rather on one's own independence. So you see young people don't normally listen to their parents. They prefer to ignore their parents' advice altogether as old fashioned and irrelevant. This is an attitude that needs to change among young people for the survival of a decent human race.
Some needs are meant to be continuously met, and some values are forever enduring. Caring, support and belongingness are needs that must always be satisfied. Human values will never be outdated and go out of fashion. Respect for one's privacy, human dignity, respect for the rights of others, conservation of the environment, and not hurting or harming other people are values that endure the test of time.
Parents are a tremendous gift in life but most people don't value them enough. This is because it is hard to value something that has been with you for a long time. Our parents have always been there and we tend to take them for granted. For those whose parents have passed away, you can truly appreciate them now but how do you show it? You can't, because they are dead. But you can honor them by being a person of good character.
All of us have faults and we make mistakes everyday. Our parents are no exception. We don't blame them or look down upon them for their shortcomings; it is a mistake in itself to do so and opens the door to the workings of the Shaytan. Rather we spend our time to work on ourselves to be better than yesterday. We should always be looking at how we can improve the way we do things and the way we are. When we see something that has gone wrong, we should look at it objectively and find out the real reason why things went bad. When our parents pointed something about us that we don't like to hear, be thankful instead of being defensive and hasty in our words to argue and counter.
Parents possess important life lessons that young people must learn so not to repeat the same mistakes. If you look back at your family's history, can you find a few mistakes that are repeatedly made like a vicious cycle that prevents your family from achieving prosperity and happiness--whether it be financial or other things that have to do with making the right decisions and avoiding mistakes? If yes, then these are the life lessons that you must learn from.
We should distill the lessons that life is showing us and learn from our parents. This is how industry develops and so families should too.
You haven't learned anything and have wasted your life if you repeat the mistakes that have been made in the past. Young people should resolve never to become victims to wrong decisions and actions that can lead the family to suffer a great deal. They should actively seek life lessons from their parents and not repeat the mistakes that they have done. Only then can families move to a higher level of existence.
The proper choice of a spouse is of a paramount importance that youth must learn. What qualities should the youth be looking for in choosing someone to marry and be the other parent of their children? How should one to decide on this very important issue? Consultation with their parents and correct guidance from the parents can prevent making poor decision that can lead to future troubles.
As children, your duty is to show good character to your parents at all times. Even if they are annoying to you, respond to them with gentleness. They may say something which may seem bizarre to you but be respectful and give due weight and consideration to what they say because they may have considerations that you are not aware of, after all they have lived longer than you and have experienced more than you. Maybe what they say is wrong, but empathize with them, and don't cause them unnecessary distress and don't ever be rude to them.
One of the worst sins that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, warned people about is being bad to one's parents. The punishment will not just be in the next life, it will come in this life as well. Remember, what goes around, comes around.
Always be good to your parents. It is never enough good that you can do for your parents and by the same token there is no good deed too small for them. The more conscious we are with our duties to our parents, the more conscious we are of Allah. All that we do for our parents turn into remembrance of Allah by your intention to do them for the sake of Allah.
May Allah make us dutiful to our parents and make us the source of happiness to them, and grant us righteous children and families. 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.
The world indeed has been changing rapidly. Most of us live in a culture that does not emphasize respect to one's parents but rather on one's own independence. So you see young people don't normally listen to their parents. They prefer to ignore their parents' advice altogether as old fashioned and irrelevant. This is an attitude that needs to change among young people for the survival of a decent human race.
Some needs are meant to be continuously met, and some values are forever enduring. Caring, support and belongingness are needs that must always be satisfied. Human values will never be outdated and go out of fashion. Respect for one's privacy, human dignity, respect for the rights of others, conservation of the environment, and not hurting or harming other people are values that endure the test of time.
Parents are a tremendous gift in life but most people don't value them enough. This is because it is hard to value something that has been with you for a long time. Our parents have always been there and we tend to take them for granted. For those whose parents have passed away, you can truly appreciate them now but how do you show it? You can't, because they are dead. But you can honor them by being a person of good character.
All of us have faults and we make mistakes everyday. Our parents are no exception. We don't blame them or look down upon them for their shortcomings; it is a mistake in itself to do so and opens the door to the workings of the Shaytan. Rather we spend our time to work on ourselves to be better than yesterday. We should always be looking at how we can improve the way we do things and the way we are. When we see something that has gone wrong, we should look at it objectively and find out the real reason why things went bad. When our parents pointed something about us that we don't like to hear, be thankful instead of being defensive and hasty in our words to argue and counter.
Parents possess important life lessons that young people must learn so not to repeat the same mistakes. If you look back at your family's history, can you find a few mistakes that are repeatedly made like a vicious cycle that prevents your family from achieving prosperity and happiness--whether it be financial or other things that have to do with making the right decisions and avoiding mistakes? If yes, then these are the life lessons that you must learn from.
We should distill the lessons that life is showing us and learn from our parents. This is how industry develops and so families should too.
You haven't learned anything and have wasted your life if you repeat the mistakes that have been made in the past. Young people should resolve never to become victims to wrong decisions and actions that can lead the family to suffer a great deal. They should actively seek life lessons from their parents and not repeat the mistakes that they have done. Only then can families move to a higher level of existence.
The proper choice of a spouse is of a paramount importance that youth must learn. What qualities should the youth be looking for in choosing someone to marry and be the other parent of their children? How should one to decide on this very important issue? Consultation with their parents and correct guidance from the parents can prevent making poor decision that can lead to future troubles.
As children, your duty is to show good character to your parents at all times. Even if they are annoying to you, respond to them with gentleness. They may say something which may seem bizarre to you but be respectful and give due weight and consideration to what they say because they may have considerations that you are not aware of, after all they have lived longer than you and have experienced more than you. Maybe what they say is wrong, but empathize with them, and don't cause them unnecessary distress and don't ever be rude to them.
One of the worst sins that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, warned people about is being bad to one's parents. The punishment will not just be in the next life, it will come in this life as well. Remember, what goes around, comes around.
وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَـٰنًاۚ إِمَّا يَبۡلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلۡڪِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوۡ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّ۬ وَلَا تَنۡہَرۡهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوۡلاً۬ ڪَرِيمً۬ا (٢٣) وَٱخۡفِضۡ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ ٱلذُّلِّ مِنَ ٱلرَّحۡمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱرۡحَمۡهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِى صَغِيرً۬ا (٢٤(Qur’an Al-Isra' 17:23-24)
And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. (23) And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small." (24)
Always be good to your parents. It is never enough good that you can do for your parents and by the same token there is no good deed too small for them. The more conscious we are with our duties to our parents, the more conscious we are of Allah. All that we do for our parents turn into remembrance of Allah by your intention to do them for the sake of Allah.
May Allah make us dutiful to our parents and make us the source of happiness to them, and grant us righteous children and families. Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Friday, August 3, 2012
Be The First
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Being the first definitely has its advantage. Look where Ukaashah, may Allah be pleased with him, will be for being the first.
Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbaas, who said:
Always on the look out to be the first in doing a particular good deed. If you missed that opportunity to be the first, you can always improve on what is already out there. Allah is All Generous, All Merciful. Remember you can always be the first to pick up the trash that is laying around in your masjid or to arrange the shoes that are scattered all over the place to avoid people from tripping over them.
May Allah grant us the highest Paradise without accounting. Ameen.
Please include us in your 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.
Being the first definitely has its advantage. Look where Ukaashah, may Allah be pleased with him, will be for being the first.
Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbaas, who said:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘I was shown the nations. One Prophet passed by with a group, another passed by with a small band, another with ten followers, another with five, and another on his own (with no followers). I looked and saw a huge multitude, and I said, “O Jibril, are these my ummah?” He said “No, but look at the horizon.” So I looked and saw a huge multitude. He said, “These are your ummah, and these are seventy thousand at their head who will not be brought to account or punished.” I said, “How come?” He said, “They do not use branding, or seek ruqya, or believe in bad omens; they put their trust in their Lord.”’ ‘Ukhaashah ibn Mihsan stood up and said, ‘Pray to Allah to make me one of them!’ He [the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)] said, ‘O Allah, make him one of them.’ Then another man stood up and said, ‘Pray to Allah to make me one of them.’ He said, ‘ ‘Ukaashah has beaten you to it.’[Bukhari].
Always on the look out to be the first in doing a particular good deed. If you missed that opportunity to be the first, you can always improve on what is already out there. Allah is All Generous, All Merciful. Remember you can always be the first to pick up the trash that is laying around in your masjid or to arrange the shoes that are scattered all over the place to avoid people from tripping over them.
May Allah grant us the highest Paradise without accounting. Ameen.
Please include us in your prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Sincere Concern
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
It is not for everyone to give advice (naseeha) on religious matters, even if you think you know abut the matter.
First and foremost, your intention must be correct--you are doing it to seek the pleasure of Allah Almighty. Only such an intention deserves reward from Allah and His acceptance. If the intention is other than for the sake of Allah, then you deserve the anger and wrath of Allah, not to mention the hatred and rejection of the person to whom the advice was given.
You must have a sincere concern for that person. A believer loves for his brother what he loves for himself. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
The naseeha is given to guide the person toward goodness, and take him away from harm. Advice is best given in private, indirectly, and in a positive manner that focuses on the next steps—not on what has already happened.
Ibn Rajab wrote: When the righteous predecessors intended to give naseehah to someone, they admonished him privately, to the point that some of them said, 'The one who exhorts his brother between him and himself, then it is naseeha. The one who exhorts him in front of people, then is merely scolding.'
The sincere advisor should not aid the Shaytan over his brother by publicly rebuking him and letting Shaytan beguile his brother into not taking the naseeha. Every persons love be treated with respect and honor.
A sincere advisor must be kind, soft and well mannered in giving the naseeha to others. Naseeha is like opening a door and that door will not be opened without the proper key. There is no better key to unlock the heart that is locked than kindness in giving advice, gentleness in exhortation and softness in speech.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
Giving naseeha is a a sign of true brotherhood, a way of bringing the hearts closer, and of closing the doors of hatred and suspicion. When someone mentioned your faults try not to be apprehensive--The person may know something that perhaps you are unaware of, and is compelled to tell you about it out of sheer compassion.
By pointing out each other's faults, we help to keep each other from destruction. May Allah grant us tawfiq to the highest station. Ameen.
Pleased include us in your du'as. 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.
It is not for everyone to give advice (naseeha) on religious matters, even if you think you know abut the matter.
First and foremost, your intention must be correct--you are doing it to seek the pleasure of Allah Almighty. Only such an intention deserves reward from Allah and His acceptance. If the intention is other than for the sake of Allah, then you deserve the anger and wrath of Allah, not to mention the hatred and rejection of the person to whom the advice was given.
You must have a sincere concern for that person. A believer loves for his brother what he loves for himself. The Prophet, 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]
The naseeha is given to guide the person toward goodness, and take him away from harm. Advice is best given in private, indirectly, and in a positive manner that focuses on the next steps—not on what has already happened.
Ibn Rajab wrote: When the righteous predecessors intended to give naseehah to someone, they admonished him privately, to the point that some of them said, 'The one who exhorts his brother between him and himself, then it is naseeha. The one who exhorts him in front of people, then is merely scolding.'
The sincere advisor should not aid the Shaytan over his brother by publicly rebuking him and letting Shaytan beguile his brother into not taking the naseeha. Every persons love be treated with respect and honor.
A sincere advisor must be kind, soft and well mannered in giving the naseeha to others. Naseeha is like opening a door and that door will not be opened without the proper key. There is no better key to unlock the heart that is locked than kindness in giving advice, gentleness in exhortation and softness in speech.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
Kindness is not to be found in anything but that adds to its beauty, and it is not withdrawn from anything but it makes it defective.[Muslim]
Giving naseeha is a a sign of true brotherhood, a way of bringing the hearts closer, and of closing the doors of hatred and suspicion. When someone mentioned your faults try not to be apprehensive--The person may know something that perhaps you are unaware of, and is compelled to tell you about it out of sheer compassion.
By pointing out each other's faults, we help to keep each other from destruction. May Allah grant us tawfiq to the highest station. Ameen.
Pleased include us in your du'as. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Ramadhan Supplication
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, mentioned among the three whose supplication isn’t rejected by Allah: “the fasting person until they break their fast.” [Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah]
So supplicate. The best of what you can seek from Allah is what He seeks from you. Seek Allah’s closeness, love, pleasure, contentment, intimacy, and beholding. Ask Allah for the highest of matters in your life and religion. It is recommended to make plentiful supplication for the needs and concerns of others--family, friends, community, the ummah, and all creation, both in general and in specific.
The act of asking shows a tremendous certitude. The idea that you raised your hands so that someone who you don't see will give you what you want or solve all your problems for you, no one can do that consistently, believe in it and truly believe that this matter will come to pass except someone with a tremendous Iman (Faith).
A relationship which truly shows what we belief about Allah is our reliance on Allah and satisfaction with Him. This is one of the most fundamental relationship with Allah, Most High. That's why the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Du'a is the essence of worship."
The sunna supplications when breaking the fast:
ذَهَبَ الظَّمأُ، وابْتَلَّتِ العُرُوقُ، وَثَبَتَ الأجْرُ إِنْ شاءَ اللَّهُ تَعالى
“The thirst is gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is established–if Allah wills (dhahaba’d dhama’ wa’btallati’l `uruq wa thabata’l ajru in sha’ Allah).” [Abu Dawud]
الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذي أعانَنِي فَصَمْتُ، وَرَزَقَنِي فأفْطَرْتُ
“All praise is due to Allah who assisted me, so I fasted; and who provided me, so I could break my fast (al-hamdu li’l Llah alladhi a`anani fa-sumt, wa razaqani fa-aftart). [Ibn al-Sunni]
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْنا، وَعلى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْنا، فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إنَّكَ أنْتَ السَّمِيعُ
“Allah, for you we fast, and by your provision, we break our fast. So accept from us, for You are indeed Hearing (Allahumma laka sumna, wa `ala rizqika aftarna, fa-taqabbal minna, innaka anta’s Samee`).” [Ibn al-Sunni]
When breaking fast with others, say:
أفْطَرَ عِنْدَكُمُ الصَّائِمُونَ، وأكَلَ طَعَامَكُمُ الأبْرَارُ، وَصَلَّتْ عَلَيْكُمُ المَلاَئِكَةُ
“May fasting people [continue to] break their fast with you; may the virtuous eat your food; and may the angels bless you (aftara `indakum as-sa’imun, wa akala ta`amakumu’l abrar, wa sallat `alaykumu’l mala’ika).” [Abu Dawud, Nasa’i]
Prophet Ibrahim, Allah grant him peace, left his wife, Hajar, and baby Ismail, may Allah grant them peace, in a desert valley where there was no vegetation. How did he do that except he realized the power of the Lord. He turned to Allah to care for his family and Allah answered his du'a.
Allah really does see us and hear us. When we speak to Him, He answers.
Keep asking and asking because of the closeness to Allah and certitude that the du'a contains.
May Allah make us among His best servants, and grant us success in this life and the Hereafter, and grant us the highest Paradise without accounting. Ameen.
Please include us in your du'as. 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.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, mentioned among the three whose supplication isn’t rejected by Allah: “the fasting person until they break their fast.” [Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah]
So supplicate. The best of what you can seek from Allah is what He seeks from you. Seek Allah’s closeness, love, pleasure, contentment, intimacy, and beholding. Ask Allah for the highest of matters in your life and religion. It is recommended to make plentiful supplication for the needs and concerns of others--family, friends, community, the ummah, and all creation, both in general and in specific.
The act of asking shows a tremendous certitude. The idea that you raised your hands so that someone who you don't see will give you what you want or solve all your problems for you, no one can do that consistently, believe in it and truly believe that this matter will come to pass except someone with a tremendous Iman (Faith).
A relationship which truly shows what we belief about Allah is our reliance on Allah and satisfaction with Him. This is one of the most fundamental relationship with Allah, Most High. That's why the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Du'a is the essence of worship."
The sunna supplications when breaking the fast:
ذَهَبَ الظَّمأُ، وابْتَلَّتِ العُرُوقُ، وَثَبَتَ الأجْرُ إِنْ شاءَ اللَّهُ تَعالى
“The thirst is gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is established–if Allah wills (dhahaba’d dhama’ wa’btallati’l `uruq wa thabata’l ajru in sha’ Allah).” [Abu Dawud]
الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذي أعانَنِي فَصَمْتُ، وَرَزَقَنِي فأفْطَرْتُ
“All praise is due to Allah who assisted me, so I fasted; and who provided me, so I could break my fast (al-hamdu li’l Llah alladhi a`anani fa-sumt, wa razaqani fa-aftart). [Ibn al-Sunni]
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْنا، وَعلى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْنا، فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إنَّكَ أنْتَ السَّمِيعُ
“Allah, for you we fast, and by your provision, we break our fast. So accept from us, for You are indeed Hearing (Allahumma laka sumna, wa `ala rizqika aftarna, fa-taqabbal minna, innaka anta’s Samee`).” [Ibn al-Sunni]
When breaking fast with others, say:
أفْطَرَ عِنْدَكُمُ الصَّائِمُونَ، وأكَلَ طَعَامَكُمُ الأبْرَارُ، وَصَلَّتْ عَلَيْكُمُ المَلاَئِكَةُ
“May fasting people [continue to] break their fast with you; may the virtuous eat your food; and may the angels bless you (aftara `indakum as-sa’imun, wa akala ta`amakumu’l abrar, wa sallat `alaykumu’l mala’ika).” [Abu Dawud, Nasa’i]
Prophet Ibrahim, Allah grant him peace, left his wife, Hajar, and baby Ismail, may Allah grant them peace, in a desert valley where there was no vegetation. How did he do that except he realized the power of the Lord. He turned to Allah to care for his family and Allah answered his du'a.
Allah really does see us and hear us. When we speak to Him, He answers.
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌۖ أُجِيبُ دَعۡوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِۖ فَلۡيَسۡتَجِيبُواْ لِى وَلۡيُؤۡمِنُواْ بِى لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡشُدُونَ(Qur'an al-Baqarah 2:186)
And When My servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me: Let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way.
Keep asking and asking because of the closeness to Allah and certitude that the du'a contains.
May Allah make us among His best servants, and grant us success in this life and the Hereafter, and grant us the highest Paradise without accounting. Ameen.
Please include us in your du'as. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
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