Ramadhan Reflection -- Taking the Path to Allah Seriously

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Allah Most High says,

وَمَن كَانَ فِى هَـٰذِهِۦٓ أَعْمَىٰ فَهُوَ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ أَعْمَىٰ وَأَضَلُّ سَبِيلًا ﴿٧٢

And whoever is blind in this [life] will be blind in the Hereafter and more astray in way. (72) [Quran, Al-Isra 17:72]

What is going to prevent us from that is beneficial knowledge.

We may think we know our deen (Islam), however if we really get beyond the surface level of understanding we would be surprised how much we don't know about our deen. The more you study, the more you will start to realize you don't know a lot. It could be that you were doing something wrong for 15 or 20 or 40 years because you never studied it but the more in depth you learn, the more you realize your made mistakes. So it is essential for us to learn about the commands and prohibitions of our Lord subhanahu wa ta'ala.

Beneficial knowledge is having learning correct belief, practice and spiritual excellence. Beneficial knowledge is coming to know Allah--about knowing His Attributes, acts and His favors. In reality the knowledge of tauhid (the Oneness of Allah) pertains to this. Everything in Allah's creation is an act of God. That created act is the manifestation of the Names and Attributes of Allah, which point to His Essence. Wisdom is beneficial knowledge accompanied by righteous actions that is cast into the heart. 

There is something special about beneficial knowledge--it leads you to zuhd (renounce this world/indifference towards this world). This knowledge will remove from you the love of this world. The love of this world and the love of the next world is like the east and west. The more that you turn to one, the farther that you are from the other. The more that you love this world, the less that you love the next world, and the more that you love the next world, the less that you love this world.

Most people do not want to confront their sins and their mistakes but if we want to take the path to Allah seriously, we have to confront our faults. We might think we are performing good things, but we have to scrutinize our deeds and we have to be very aware that shaytan is our apparent enemy. He is trying to lead us astray. We have to learn about shaytan's plots and tricks so we don't fall into his plots and tricks.

This Ramadhan start a wird of learning beneficial knowledge. Start a regular reading of books of seerah, books of tafsir -- the Quran and hadiths, and books about people of Allah. Focus on books that are going to give you practical benefit, that there is no ambiguity about it. There is certain principles on how we should deal with those books. In practice, we take that which we know and we leave that we don't know and focus on what is apparent and clear while having a good opinion of the scholars and we focus upon what is beneficial with respect to our own selves.

May Allah grant us us tawfiq in acquiring beneficial knowledge, and enable us to understand it and put it into practice. May Allah enable us to constantly and continuously learn in our lives the knowledge that will draw us near to Him despite our deficiencies, sins and shortcomings that prevent us from moving forward in the spiritual path. May Allah forgive us and remove the shackles of our lower souls that is preventing us from much good. May we love the righteous and follow the righteous and as result Allah enable us to experience the realities of faith in this world. May Allah make the very last moment of our lives be the very best of our lives, that moment when we meet our Lord. Ameen.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam

Ramadhan Reflection -- The Best of Stories

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

Assalaamu alaykum

The Quran tells us the the best of stories.

الٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ ﴿١﴾ إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ قُرْءَ‌ٰنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ﴿٢﴾ نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْقَصَصِ بِمَآ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ وَإِن كُنتَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ لَمِنَ ٱلْغَـٰفِلِينَ ﴿٣

Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the clear Book. (1) Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand. (2) We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur'an although you were, before it, among the unaware. (3) 
[Quran, Yusuf 12:1-3]

Allah chooses and selects for us the best of stories to tell us. The stories contain details not even those who live the events know the details of them.  The Quran skip details we don't need to know because the stories are not to entertain but to guide us and to guide us to excellence.

Each story has a lesson and for every type of lesson you will find a story in the Qu'ran. These stories are there for us to learn a lesson so we don't do the same thing. If we don't take heed from the people of the past we will be a lesson for the people of the future.

Everyone will find an example for him/her in the Qur'an--the weak, the tyrant, the poor, the rich, and so on.

Start making the Qur'an your intimate friend. Go to it everyday, in times of ease and in times of hardship.

May Allah grant us a sound understanding of His Book and make us of those who never get bored from the recitation of the Quran. Ameen.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam

Ramadhan Reflection -- Allah Loves to Forgive, So Ask for Forgiveness

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

Assalaamu alaykum

One of the distinguishing features of Ramadhan is forgiveness. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) explained in one Hadith that Ramadhan is a month whose beginning is Mercy, whose middle is Forgiveness and whose end is freedom from the Hellfire.

Allah's blessings and mercy are so abundant in this month that anybody who truly repents in it, becomes as free of sins at the end of the month as when he was born. It is a glorious opportunity offered to us by the Almighty, an opportunity to cleanse and purify ourselves from the filth of sins and evil. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) advised the believers: O People... your back is breaking under the heavy load of your sins, so prostrate yourself before Him (in Ramadhan) for long intervals, and make it lighter.

Allah Most High says,

وَسَارِعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ‌ٰتُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿١٣٣

And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous (133)

[Quran, AleImran 3:133]

وَمَن يَعْمَلْ سُوٓءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُۥ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ ٱللَّهَ يَجِدِ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا ﴿١١٠

And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful. (110)

[Quran, An-Nisa 4:110]

أَفَلَا يَتُوبُونَ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَهُۥ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٧٤

So will they not repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (74)

[Quran, Al-Ma'idah 5:74]

The month of Ramadhan is a time when there is a general amnesty for sinners. Allah invites the sinners to come and seek His forgiveness. This is an opportunity that must not be missed, for no one knows if he/she will be alive next Ramadhan.

So ask Allah for forgiveness abundantly. Make sure that do not repeat your sins once you have done repentance. Allah loves to forgive and loves the person who seeks forgiveness. Forgive others in these days of forgiveness. This is a tremendous way to expose ourselves to an opportunity for Allah's pardon when we need it most, by pardoning His servants. 

Allah Most High says, 

وَجَزَ‌ٰٓؤُا۟ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا ۖ فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُۥ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ﴿٤٠

And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation - his reward is [due] from Allah. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers. (40)  [Quran, Ash-Shura 42:40] 

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." 

Imagine being among that fortunate group and having all of our many sins forgiven and receiving our reward directly from Allah. 

اَللّـهُمَّ اَدِّ عَنّا حَقَّ ما مَضى مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضانَ، وَاغْفِرْ لَنا تَقْصيرَنا فيهِ، وَتَسَلَّمْهُ مِنّا مَقْبُولاً وَلا تُؤاخِذْنا بِاِسْرافِنا عَلى اَنْفُسِنا، وَاجْعَلْنا مِنَ الْمَرْحُومينَ وَلا تَجْعَلْنا مِنَ الَْمحْرُومينَ

O Allah, help us fulfill the right of what has passed of the month of Ramadhan, and forgive us our shortcoming during it, and receive it from us with acceptance, and do not take us by our extravagance against ourselves, and make us among those who receive mercy, and do not make us among those who are deprived.

Ameen.

 

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam

Let's Read Surah Kahf (Today) -- It's Test Time

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

Assalaamu alaykum

We are being tested all the time. This Ramadhan is no exception. You just have to recognize them and try to overcome them. It's a form of good deed which you will be rewarded immensely inshaa Allah.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "Affliction will continue to trouble the believers, men and women, in their bodies, their families, and their property until they meet Allah Almighty purified of every wrong action."

There are two very difficult tests in this world -- extreme difficulty and extreme luxury.

Extreme difficulty are things like serious calamity, earthquake, famine, poverty, violence, etc. Such difficulty can knock the senses out of the one being afflicted and he can lose his faith.

Extreme luxury is when everything is easy -- you open the fridge, all kinds of food are looking at you; you turn on the tap, hot/cold water started to flow at the exact speed you wanted; it's hot, the AC comes on (automatic setting); you go to the store, you find everything you need; everything work like clock work -- e.g. you go to the bank or governmental office or administration or call their numbers you can expect they are open during stated hours; etc. When you have too much luxury you can easily take things for granted and when suddenly you have one thing less or slightly below the standard you are used to (e.g. the hotel don't have extra pillow), you get upset. You stop being grateful and this is a loss of faith.

The owner of the two gardens in Surah Kahf was tested with extreme wealth and he lost it.

وَدَخَلَ جَنَّتَهُۥ وَهُوَ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِۦ قَالَ مَآ أَظُنُّ أَن تَبِيدَ هَـٰذِهِۦٓ أَبَدًا ﴿٣٥﴾ وَمَآ أَظُنُّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ قَآئِمَةً وَلَئِن رُّدِدتُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّى لَأَجِدَنَّ خَيْرًا مِّنْهَا مُنقَلَبًا ﴿٣٦

And he entered his garden while he was unjust to himself. He said, "I do not think that this will perish - ever. (35) And I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I should be brought back to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return." (36)

[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:35-36]

With a little reflection, many of us are like that whether we realize it or not, lost in our possessions and delusion. Ramadhan is an opportunity to change that about us.

Be grateful with everything you have or don't have. Don't waste anything -- including iftar food and especially your time. This is one of the many tests that many ignore. Whether you have little or plenty, give. Don't hold back. When you gather with your friends and family at home or masjid, this is a test -- don't use this blessing to backbite and gossip and having too much talk.

Whether you are blessed with good health or experiencing a down turn due to sickness, aches and pains, make the Qur'an your companion. Spend a good amount of time with the Qur'an (listening, reading, learning, memorizing). Do extra prayers this Ramadhan. If you can't stand, sit or lie down. Don't mind if you are alone in this. A lot of times people don't want to follow Allah's guidance because they are afraid they won't be happy. But Allah guarantees those who follow His guidance will not have fear in this life and the next life. You may be the only one in your family who fast, read Qur'an, go to taraweeh and perform qiyamulail. Don't stop. Keep going. Don't feel alone.

Be grateful for the blessing of guidance. Following this Deen (Islam) and guidance is very personal and a brave initiative. And nobody outside Allah's guidance can enjoy tranquility and peace. When you do follow Allah's guidance, He will give you new company -- in this dunya (world) you get the company of believers and in the akhirah (Hereafter) Allah will enter you in the company of the righteous.

May Allah grant us 'afiya and the company of the righteous in this life and the next.

رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا

Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance. [Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:10]

Ameen.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam

Ramadhan Reflection -- Connecting with Allah with Love, Obedience and Loyalty

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

Assalaamu alaykum

The best spiritual relationship with Allah, Exalted is He, is in prayer (salah). If your salah is good, you won't have a void that will have to be filled with creative exercises. You won't have to turn to other things.

The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) engaged in the adhkar and the du'as that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) taught them and every time they want to thank Allah more, they made salah.

Allah Almighty says the real way to remember Him is in prayer.

فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ فَرِ‌جَالًا أَوْ رُ‌كْبَانًا ۖ فَإِذَآ أَمِنتُمْ فَٱذْكُرُ‌وا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَمَا عَلَّمَكُم مَّا لَمْ تَكُونُوا۟ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٢٣٩

And if you fear [an enemy, then pray] on foot or riding. But when you are secure, then remember Allah [in prayer], as He has taught you that which you did not [previously] know.

[Quran, Al-Baqarah 2:239]

Do you go to the masjid for prayers this Ramadhan because everybody is doing it or because they have great taraweeh imam or because they have special foods or because you can see your friends, etc?

When you go to the masjid tonight for prayers, stop and ask yourself, "Why am I doing this -- standing long hours in prayers at night (perhaps until early morning), and getting very little or no sleep at night?"

If the answer is other than to become a slave of Allah and worship Him, then there is something missing in our understanding of why we are created.

Allah Almighty says,

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ ﴿٥٦

And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (56)

[Quran, Adh-Dhariyat 51:56]

In worshiping Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, we must have total obedience to His commands, full love for Him and complete loyalty to Him. If you have one and not the other, then you need to work on your worship. It is natural that if you truly love someone, you always want to please that person and loyal to that person. This is how we should worship Allah.

Prayers are supposed to transform you and your personality. If you are not transformed and you are still doing haraam or sinning or in a state of disobedience to Allah -- you are not good to your parents, you are still not wearing hijab or not having proper hijab, you gossip, cheat, lie, broke promises, involve in riba, you are not paying zakat, and so on; you are still an angry or a nervous person, then there is something wrong with your prayers.

Take the opportunity this Ramadhan to really learn your prayers properly and strive to have more khushu' in your prayers, starting with your wudu' (ablution).

May Allah grant us excellence in worship and accept our prayers, fasting, charity and du'as. Ameen.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam