بسم الله الرحمن الؤحيم
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you continue to have a blessed and blissful Eid.
Know that Allah loves the believer. Anything He sent to you is good for you. Be it comfort or hardship, ease or difficulties, joy or grief, they are means for you to draw closer to Him. So, we do more good and increase our worship for Him.
"Know that the present life is but a sport and a diversion, an adornment and a cause for boasting among you, and a rivalry in wealth and children. It is as a rain whose vegetation pleases the unbelievers; then it withers, and thou seest it turning yellow, then it becomes broken orts. And in the world to come there is a terrible chastisement, and forgiveness from God and good pleasure; and the present life is but the joy of delusion. Race to forgiveness from your Lord, and a Garden the breadth whereof is as the breadth of heaven and earth, made ready for those who believe in God and His Messengers. That is the bounty of God; He gives it unto whomsoever He will; and God is of bounty abounding." Qur'an Al-hadid/The Iron 57:20-21
"Do the people reckon that they will be left to say 'We believe,' and will not be tried? We certainly tried those that were before them, and assuredly God knows those who speak truly, and assuredly He knows the liars. Or do they reckon, those who do evil deeds, that they will outstrip Us? Evil is their judgment! Whoso looks to encounter God, God's term is coming; He is the All-hearing, the All-knowing. Whosoever struggles, struggles only to his own gain; surely God is All-sufficient nor needs any being. And those who believe, and do righteous deeds, We shall surely acquit them of their evil deeds, and shall recompense them the best of what they were doing." Qur'an Ankaboot/The Spider 29:2-7
May Allah bring us closer to Him. Ameen
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Best of Stories
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
The Qur'anic stories are the best of stories. Allah choose and select for us the best of stories to tell us. They contain details not even those who live the events know the details of them. They skip details we don't need to know because they are not stories to entertain but they are stories to guide us and to guide us to excellence. Qu'ran is pure from the point of view what benefit us. Each story has a lesson and every type of lesson you will find a story in the Qu'ran. Everyone will find an example for him/her in the Qur'an--the weak, the tyrant, the poor, the rich, and so on. So, make the Qur'an your intimate friend. Go to it everyday and when times are difficult, you know where your best of friends is and you are not lost, inshaAllah.
"Surely We have revealed it-- an Arabic Quran-- that you may understand. We relate to you the best of stories, by Our revealing to you this Quran, though before this you were certainly one of those who did not know." Qur'an Yusuf 12:2-3
May Allah bless your day. Please remember us in your du'as.
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
The Qur'anic stories are the best of stories. Allah choose and select for us the best of stories to tell us. They contain details not even those who live the events know the details of them. They skip details we don't need to know because they are not stories to entertain but they are stories to guide us and to guide us to excellence. Qu'ran is pure from the point of view what benefit us. Each story has a lesson and every type of lesson you will find a story in the Qu'ran. Everyone will find an example for him/her in the Qur'an--the weak, the tyrant, the poor, the rich, and so on. So, make the Qur'an your intimate friend. Go to it everyday and when times are difficult, you know where your best of friends is and you are not lost, inshaAllah.
"Surely We have revealed it-- an Arabic Quran-- that you may understand. We relate to you the best of stories, by Our revealing to you this Quran, though before this you were certainly one of those who did not know." Qur'an Yusuf 12:2-3
May Allah bless your day. Please remember us in your du'as.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Feed the poor
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
While we are preparing for Eid and to sacrifice an animal and feed ourselves and the poor around us, please do not forget the poor around the world. For most of us, an extra animal won't be a big burden. Send the money to the third world countries so the poor there can taste once a year what we take for granted almost everyday. Your heart will not be able to bear to see children and women picking through garbage for food! I saw this almost everyday during my recent stay in one of these third world countries.
"As for man, whenever his Lord tries him, and honors him, and blesses him, then he says, 'My Lord has honored me.'
But when he tries him and stints for him his provision, then he says, 'My Lord has despised me.'
No indeed; but you honor not the orphan,
and you urge not the feeding of the needy,
and you devour the inheritance greedily,
and you love wealth with an ardent love
No indeed! When the earth is ground to powder,
and thy Lord comes, and the angels rank on rank,
and Hell, that Day, is brought (face to face),- on that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance profit him?" (Qur'an Al-Fajr 89:18-23)
May Allah accept your good deeds throughout this blessed days of Dhulhijjah.
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
While we are preparing for Eid and to sacrifice an animal and feed ourselves and the poor around us, please do not forget the poor around the world. For most of us, an extra animal won't be a big burden. Send the money to the third world countries so the poor there can taste once a year what we take for granted almost everyday. Your heart will not be able to bear to see children and women picking through garbage for food! I saw this almost everyday during my recent stay in one of these third world countries.
"As for man, whenever his Lord tries him, and honors him, and blesses him, then he says, 'My Lord has honored me.'
But when he tries him and stints for him his provision, then he says, 'My Lord has despised me.'
No indeed; but you honor not the orphan,
and you urge not the feeding of the needy,
and you devour the inheritance greedily,
and you love wealth with an ardent love
No indeed! When the earth is ground to powder,
and thy Lord comes, and the angels rank on rank,
and Hell, that Day, is brought (face to face),- on that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance profit him?" (Qur'an Al-Fajr 89:18-23)
May Allah accept your good deeds throughout this blessed days of Dhulhijjah.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
When you are sad, down and alone...
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
When you are sad, down and alone, remember Hajar (Allah be pleased with her) being left alone with her infant son, Ismael (may Allah grant him peace,) in an arid desert of Makkah with no food and water. Hajar did not know what Allah had hidden for her but she obeyed and remain patient. And now you know some of the tremendous things that were hidden for her--which include millions of people following her footsteps between Safa and Marwah during hajj every year until the Day of Judgment inshaAllah! We cannot imagine the reward she is getting in Paradise for her patience.
"O believers, be patient, and vie you in patience; be steadfast; fear God; haply so you will prosper." Qur'an AleImran 3:200
"And be thou patient; God will not leave to waste the wage of the good-doers." Qur'an Hud 11:115
May Allah make us among the patient. Ameen.
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
When you are sad, down and alone, remember Hajar (Allah be pleased with her) being left alone with her infant son, Ismael (may Allah grant him peace,) in an arid desert of Makkah with no food and water. Hajar did not know what Allah had hidden for her but she obeyed and remain patient. And now you know some of the tremendous things that were hidden for her--which include millions of people following her footsteps between Safa and Marwah during hajj every year until the Day of Judgment inshaAllah! We cannot imagine the reward she is getting in Paradise for her patience.
"O believers, be patient, and vie you in patience; be steadfast; fear God; haply so you will prosper." Qur'an AleImran 3:200
"And be thou patient; God will not leave to waste the wage of the good-doers." Qur'an Hud 11:115
May Allah make us among the patient. Ameen.
Love Allah
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
When we love Allah, we love His obedient servant, and when we love His obedient servant, we love Him. Sound like a vicious circle. But then why does it matter? Make yourself love Allah first or make yourself love His obedient servant first until you find yourself you have no other beloved except Him. When we love Him, then we will do whatever He wants and content with whatever He gives. This is where we want to be. But know that the basis of love is knowledge.
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
When we love Allah, we love His obedient servant, and when we love His obedient servant, we love Him. Sound like a vicious circle. But then why does it matter? Make yourself love Allah first or make yourself love His obedient servant first until you find yourself you have no other beloved except Him. When we love Him, then we will do whatever He wants and content with whatever He gives. This is where we want to be. But know that the basis of love is knowledge.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Attaining the love of Allah
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Alhamdulillah we see more and more people who are hungry for sacred knowledge. They want to learn the Qur'an, they want to learn Arabic, they want to learn the deen. But one thing most are missing is dedication--how far would they go to acquire this knowledge. Unfortunately, not very far. You can see this at many halaqas at the various masajid. It is always the same few people who come regularly. Yet when you go to the masajid, you see many people who are not doing their sujud or standing right during prayer, talking during the Jumah khutbah, walking in front of you while you are praying, not cover their nakedness properly for prayer, etc. etc. When you go to the wudu' area you see people not doing their wudu' properly, have nail polish on their nails, etc, etc. This knowledge which are connected to one's daily affairs and much more is obligatory upon Muslim to learn, not simply be a copy cat, and to learn it from people with knowledge. The ultimate goal in this life is for Allah to love us and we have to earn that love. Only through knowledge we can know what it is that we need to do to earn that love.
Perhaps this will be an incentive. Allah Most High said, "My servant draws nearer to Me with nothing more pleasing to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him, and then continues to draw nearer to Me with supererogatory devotions until I love him, and when I love him I become his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks, so that by Me he hears, by Me he sees, by Me he strikes, and by Me he walks. Should he ask Me, I shall surely grant him his request, should he ask Me for protection I shall surely protect him. Never do I hesitate in anything as I hesitate in taking the soul of My believing servant; he dislikes death, and I dislike to displease him, but it is a thing inevitable."
May Allah guide us and give us tawfiq. Ameen.
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Alhamdulillah we see more and more people who are hungry for sacred knowledge. They want to learn the Qur'an, they want to learn Arabic, they want to learn the deen. But one thing most are missing is dedication--how far would they go to acquire this knowledge. Unfortunately, not very far. You can see this at many halaqas at the various masajid. It is always the same few people who come regularly. Yet when you go to the masajid, you see many people who are not doing their sujud or standing right during prayer, talking during the Jumah khutbah, walking in front of you while you are praying, not cover their nakedness properly for prayer, etc. etc. When you go to the wudu' area you see people not doing their wudu' properly, have nail polish on their nails, etc, etc. This knowledge which are connected to one's daily affairs and much more is obligatory upon Muslim to learn, not simply be a copy cat, and to learn it from people with knowledge. The ultimate goal in this life is for Allah to love us and we have to earn that love. Only through knowledge we can know what it is that we need to do to earn that love.
Perhaps this will be an incentive. Allah Most High said, "My servant draws nearer to Me with nothing more pleasing to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him, and then continues to draw nearer to Me with supererogatory devotions until I love him, and when I love him I become his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks, so that by Me he hears, by Me he sees, by Me he strikes, and by Me he walks. Should he ask Me, I shall surely grant him his request, should he ask Me for protection I shall surely protect him. Never do I hesitate in anything as I hesitate in taking the soul of My believing servant; he dislikes death, and I dislike to displease him, but it is a thing inevitable."
May Allah guide us and give us tawfiq. Ameen.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Understand Ayatul Kursi
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
"Whoever recites ayatul Kursi after every prescribed prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death. (An-Nasa'i)
This is one of the translations of this greatest verse of the Qur'an.
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
"Allah there is no god but He, the Living, the All-Sustaining. Slumber seizes Him not, neither sleep; to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. Who is there that shall intercede with Him save by His leave? He knows what lies before them and what is after them, and they encompass none of His knowledge save such as He wills. His Footstool comprises the heavens and earth; the preserving of them tires Him not; He is the All-high, the Tremendous." Qur'an AlBaqarah 2:255
This verse is meant for you to feel like you are nothing. So we will act like someone who is nothing, not imagine how great we are. How can we feel this if we don't understand the meanings of what we recited. Qur'an is a linguistic miracle. We cannot come at it by translation or with simple Arabic, let alone with no Arabic. Before we get to the level of Arabic fluency, at the minimum know the translation and the tafsir available of each surah you read. InshaAllah with our zeal to come close to Allah, He will open the way for us to a sound understanding of His Speech.
May Allah give us Tawfiq. Ameen.
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
"Whoever recites ayatul Kursi after every prescribed prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death. (An-Nasa'i)
This is one of the translations of this greatest verse of the Qur'an.
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
"Allah there is no god but He, the Living, the All-Sustaining. Slumber seizes Him not, neither sleep; to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. Who is there that shall intercede with Him save by His leave? He knows what lies before them and what is after them, and they encompass none of His knowledge save such as He wills. His Footstool comprises the heavens and earth; the preserving of them tires Him not; He is the All-high, the Tremendous." Qur'an AlBaqarah 2:255
This verse is meant for you to feel like you are nothing. So we will act like someone who is nothing, not imagine how great we are. How can we feel this if we don't understand the meanings of what we recited. Qur'an is a linguistic miracle. We cannot come at it by translation or with simple Arabic, let alone with no Arabic. Before we get to the level of Arabic fluency, at the minimum know the translation and the tafsir available of each surah you read. InshaAllah with our zeal to come close to Allah, He will open the way for us to a sound understanding of His Speech.
May Allah give us Tawfiq. Ameen.
We need Allah, Allah does not need us
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Imagine if we can see what is beyond the sky. It is something more tremendous beyond our imagination.
All that is known of the universe, including what we can see, is within what is called the lowest heavens (part of the temporary world).
Allah said, "We have adorned the lower heaven with the adornment of the star" (Quran 37:6). Above it there are 6 more heavens, and above it is the Baitul Makmur, and above it is the Sidratul Muntaha (it is a lote tree which marks the end of the heavens) and beyond that is another world--Paradise and the Throne of Allah. The sky that we see as compared to the one above it is like a ring in a desert, and the one above as compared to the one above it is like a ring in a desert, and similarly to the one above it as compared to the right above it, and so on. How insignificant what we can see as compared to what is out there! And imagine how much more insignificant we are on the ground!
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said (not exact words): The heavens above you are moaning. On every space equivalent to the size of 4 fingers, there is an angel bowing or prostrating to Allah. The Baitul Makmur (a creation of Allah equivalent to the Ka'bah to us) is visited by 70,000 angels everyday and they never come back again. Imagine, this has been going on for millions or billions or whatever number of years (Allah knows best). There is such a vast creation up there that should humble us to the core, and every time we look up to the skies, it should remind us of this and should humble us.
As you can see Allah does not need us. He does not need our prayers and does not benefit from our worship and obedience nor harm by any disobedience. But we need Him. We need Him in every moment of our lives--in this world and the Hereafter. Be a grateful servant. How do you show gratitude?
"You must fill up your time with acts of worship, so that no period of time elapses, whether by night or by day, without being used in some act of goodness." (quoting from Imam Al-Haddad's Book of Assistance)
Learn the religion of Allah (this is part of worship with sincere intention for His sake only) so you know what you should do, how to worship Him. Don't delay the learning. If you can learn from a learned person, that's good, if not find somebody who are more learned than you, and if not pick up a book, but learn now. Procrastination is not an excuse. Majority of the screaming people in the Hellfire is because of their procrastination on this earth.
"If you could but see when they will be held over the (Hell) Fire! They will say: "Would that we were but sent back (to the world)! Then we would not deny the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.) of our Lord, and we would be of the believers! Nay, it has become manifest to them what they had been concealing before. But if they were returned (to the world), they would certainly revert to that which they were forbidden. And indeed they are liars." Qur'an 6:27-28
Tawfiq is from Allah.
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Imagine if we can see what is beyond the sky. It is something more tremendous beyond our imagination.
All that is known of the universe, including what we can see, is within what is called the lowest heavens (part of the temporary world).
Allah said, "We have adorned the lower heaven with the adornment of the star" (Quran 37:6). Above it there are 6 more heavens, and above it is the Baitul Makmur, and above it is the Sidratul Muntaha (it is a lote tree which marks the end of the heavens) and beyond that is another world--Paradise and the Throne of Allah. The sky that we see as compared to the one above it is like a ring in a desert, and the one above as compared to the one above it is like a ring in a desert, and similarly to the one above it as compared to the right above it, and so on. How insignificant what we can see as compared to what is out there! And imagine how much more insignificant we are on the ground!
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said (not exact words): The heavens above you are moaning. On every space equivalent to the size of 4 fingers, there is an angel bowing or prostrating to Allah. The Baitul Makmur (a creation of Allah equivalent to the Ka'bah to us) is visited by 70,000 angels everyday and they never come back again. Imagine, this has been going on for millions or billions or whatever number of years (Allah knows best). There is such a vast creation up there that should humble us to the core, and every time we look up to the skies, it should remind us of this and should humble us.
As you can see Allah does not need us. He does not need our prayers and does not benefit from our worship and obedience nor harm by any disobedience. But we need Him. We need Him in every moment of our lives--in this world and the Hereafter. Be a grateful servant. How do you show gratitude?
"You must fill up your time with acts of worship, so that no period of time elapses, whether by night or by day, without being used in some act of goodness." (quoting from Imam Al-Haddad's Book of Assistance)
Learn the religion of Allah (this is part of worship with sincere intention for His sake only) so you know what you should do, how to worship Him. Don't delay the learning. If you can learn from a learned person, that's good, if not find somebody who are more learned than you, and if not pick up a book, but learn now. Procrastination is not an excuse. Majority of the screaming people in the Hellfire is because of their procrastination on this earth.
"If you could but see when they will be held over the (Hell) Fire! They will say: "Would that we were but sent back (to the world)! Then we would not deny the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.) of our Lord, and we would be of the believers! Nay, it has become manifest to them what they had been concealing before. But if they were returned (to the world), they would certainly revert to that which they were forbidden. And indeed they are liars." Qur'an 6:27-28
Tawfiq is from Allah.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Let's go to hajj next year, inshaAllah
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Hajj, as we all know, is one of the five essential acts that define the religion of Islam and it is important that it not be denied.The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked "What are the best of works?" He said, "Belief in Allah and His Messenger." After that? "Jihad in the way of Allah." After that? "A righteous hajj."
"Umrah to umrah is an expiation of sins in between, a righteous hajj has no reward except Paradise.
"If people knew the right of the Hujjaj over them they would hasten to them so that they may kiss their riding animal." (ibn Abbas)
Imam Hussein bin Ali (may Allah be pleased with both of them) made about 25 hajj during his lifetime, some on foot from Madinah (my learned friends please correct me if this is not accurate information as I did not make an independent research).
We ask Allah to bring us to His House next year. But we also need to follow it with action. First, make a sincere intention NOW to go to hajj next year. (even if you don't get to go next year, you will still get the reward inshaAllah). Then start preparing for it. We have one year to make the preparations (gather the money, learn the rites of hajj, get in shape, etc). If we can spend months to plan for a perfect wedding, then this is no different. In fact, hajj is more deserving of our attention to the details.
Tawfiq is from Allah.
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Hajj, as we all know, is one of the five essential acts that define the religion of Islam and it is important that it not be denied.The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked "What are the best of works?" He said, "Belief in Allah and His Messenger." After that? "Jihad in the way of Allah." After that? "A righteous hajj."
"Umrah to umrah is an expiation of sins in between, a righteous hajj has no reward except Paradise.
"If people knew the right of the Hujjaj over them they would hasten to them so that they may kiss their riding animal." (ibn Abbas)
Imam Hussein bin Ali (may Allah be pleased with both of them) made about 25 hajj during his lifetime, some on foot from Madinah (my learned friends please correct me if this is not accurate information as I did not make an independent research).
We ask Allah to bring us to His House next year. But we also need to follow it with action. First, make a sincere intention NOW to go to hajj next year. (even if you don't get to go next year, you will still get the reward inshaAllah). Then start preparing for it. We have one year to make the preparations (gather the money, learn the rites of hajj, get in shape, etc). If we can spend months to plan for a perfect wedding, then this is no different. In fact, hajj is more deserving of our attention to the details.
Tawfiq is from Allah.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Coming closer to Allah--reflect on the signs
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
"To God belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and of the earth; and God is powerful over everything. Surely in the creation of the heavens and earth and in the alternation of night and day there are signs for men possessed of minds who remember God, standing and sitting and on their sides, and reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: 'Our Lord, Thou hast not created this for vanity. Glory be to Thee! Guard us against the chastisement of the Fire." Qur'an AleImran 3:189-191
Allah placed signs for people to be guided. In order to be guided, one need to have a willing and submissive heart.
We make du'a for Allah to guide us. Follow it with action. Reflect on the signs that Allah has scattered throughout the universe. Don't go a day without reflecting on the signs and inshaAllah each will pull you closer to Him.
May Allah bless your day.
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
"To God belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and of the earth; and God is powerful over everything. Surely in the creation of the heavens and earth and in the alternation of night and day there are signs for men possessed of minds who remember God, standing and sitting and on their sides, and reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: 'Our Lord, Thou hast not created this for vanity. Glory be to Thee! Guard us against the chastisement of the Fire." Qur'an AleImran 3:189-191
Allah placed signs for people to be guided. In order to be guided, one need to have a willing and submissive heart.
We make du'a for Allah to guide us. Follow it with action. Reflect on the signs that Allah has scattered throughout the universe. Don't go a day without reflecting on the signs and inshaAllah each will pull you closer to Him.
May Allah bless your day.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Who is in my heart?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Hadith: "A person will be with whom he loves in the Day of Judgment." This was the most beloved hadith to the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) when they heard this but this hadith should be very scary to us. Why? The answer lies in the answer to this question. Who is in my heart?
Hadith: "None of you truly believe until I am more beloved by him than all his wealth, his parents, and all people."
Ask yourself, are you willing to give everything you own for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)? How much are you willing to give up to set your gaze on the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) for a moment?
Answering these questions will give us an idea where the change need to be.
When you love someone, or when you are infatuate with someone, that someone inhabits your heart. That someone inhabits your mind. All you can do is think about that someone. You think that someone is wonderful, you want to praise that someone. Mentioning every single details about that someone bring happiness in your heart. If you love someone, praise will come naturally. They say praise on the tongue is a sign of love in the heart.
Apply this to our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Bring or deepen the love for him in your heart. To inculcate love is to contemplate why someone is worthy of your love. Praising our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) much is a way to inculcate that love inshaAllah.
May Allah resurrect us in the company of our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Hadith: "A person will be with whom he loves in the Day of Judgment." This was the most beloved hadith to the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) when they heard this but this hadith should be very scary to us. Why? The answer lies in the answer to this question. Who is in my heart?
Hadith: "None of you truly believe until I am more beloved by him than all his wealth, his parents, and all people."
Ask yourself, are you willing to give everything you own for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)? How much are you willing to give up to set your gaze on the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) for a moment?
Answering these questions will give us an idea where the change need to be.
When you love someone, or when you are infatuate with someone, that someone inhabits your heart. That someone inhabits your mind. All you can do is think about that someone. You think that someone is wonderful, you want to praise that someone. Mentioning every single details about that someone bring happiness in your heart. If you love someone, praise will come naturally. They say praise on the tongue is a sign of love in the heart.
Apply this to our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Bring or deepen the love for him in your heart. To inculcate love is to contemplate why someone is worthy of your love. Praising our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) much is a way to inculcate that love inshaAllah.
May Allah resurrect us in the company of our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Learning Arabic online for Free
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
The Qur'an is a linguistic miracle. One cannot understand it through translation or by learning simple Arabic.
Learning Arabic is only the first step towards learning the sacred law. InshaAllah by taking this first step, Allah will open more resource for you.
Please share this with others.
Learn Arabic online for free--
Learn Arabic
48 FREEEE DVDs - 240 hours of class videos.
Based on "Madina Books" by Dr. Abdur Rahim. Learn the Language of the Qur’an and speak Arabic
FREE...No cost...an average internet speed to download these videos...
Learn about the person who wrote those books and are widely used in Madina Univ.
About the author
Here is a little gift for you.
VIDEO DVD downloads to learn Madinah Arabic
Learn Arabic Video
Books for the same course available for download
Learn Arabic Books
Downloads Related Material and BOOKS used for class.
NEW! Madina Books - Audio (Arabic, English and Urdu)
NEW! - Download videos of the advanced course "Selections from the Glorious Qur'an"
NEW! - Download videos from our DVD sets in AVI format
Madina Books - Blank Verb Conjugation Sheet Madina Books - Glossary
Madina Books - Arabic Text Madina Books - Key in English
Madina Books - Key in Urdu Madina Books - Solutions
Madina Books - Handouts
The Qur'an is a linguistic miracle. One cannot understand it through translation or by learning simple Arabic.
Learning Arabic is only the first step towards learning the sacred law. InshaAllah by taking this first step, Allah will open more resource for you.
Please share this with others.
Learn Arabic online for free--
Learn Arabic
48 FREEEE DVDs - 240 hours of class videos.
Based on "Madina Books" by Dr. Abdur Rahim. Learn the Language of the Qur’an and speak Arabic
FREE...No cost...an average internet speed to download these videos...
Learn about the person who wrote those books and are widely used in Madina Univ.
About the author
Here is a little gift for you.
VIDEO DVD downloads to learn Madinah Arabic
Learn Arabic Video
Books for the same course available for download
Learn Arabic Books
Downloads Related Material and BOOKS used for class.
NEW! Madina Books - Audio (Arabic, English and Urdu)
NEW! - Download videos of the advanced course "Selections from the Glorious Qur'an"
NEW! - Download videos from our DVD sets in AVI format
Madina Books - Blank Verb Conjugation Sheet Madina Books - Glossary
Madina Books - Arabic Text Madina Books - Key in English
Madina Books - Key in Urdu Madina Books - Solutions
Madina Books - Handouts
Remember the Homeless
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
I pray that you have a blessed month of Zulhijjah.
Don't forget to make a sincere intention to do extra good deeds this first 10 days of Zulhijjah. "Actions are but by intention and every man shall have but that which he intended" (hadith). So to get reward for the good deed, sincere intention for the sake of Allah has to precede it.
Remember the poor and the homeless. They are hungry. Feed them. Look in your food pantry, I am sure you have plenty of food that you don't need or can give away without you go hungry. If not make some sandwiches (peanut butter jelly sandwich for example) and distribute to them with your hand. The weather is getting cold. If you have extra blankets and clothes that you haven't worn for a year (probably you had forgotten they existed), this is the best time to donate them.
You might not be able to readily see the homeless but they are out there. It might take some searching for them but inshaAllah that work will increase the reward.
Faith wears out in the heart just like the clothes wear out. If you haven't work on building iman, even if it is good last year, it is worn out his year. This act will renew your iman (faith) inshaAllah.
If you have never tasted homelessness, you have not tasted the bliss of home. Remember the poor and the homeless and be generous to them and inshaAllah we will have the bliss of the eternal abode without having to taste homelessness..
May Allah accept our worship. Ameen.
I pray that you have a blessed month of Zulhijjah.
Don't forget to make a sincere intention to do extra good deeds this first 10 days of Zulhijjah. "Actions are but by intention and every man shall have but that which he intended" (hadith). So to get reward for the good deed, sincere intention for the sake of Allah has to precede it.
Remember the poor and the homeless. They are hungry. Feed them. Look in your food pantry, I am sure you have plenty of food that you don't need or can give away without you go hungry. If not make some sandwiches (peanut butter jelly sandwich for example) and distribute to them with your hand. The weather is getting cold. If you have extra blankets and clothes that you haven't worn for a year (probably you had forgotten they existed), this is the best time to donate them.
You might not be able to readily see the homeless but they are out there. It might take some searching for them but inshaAllah that work will increase the reward.
Faith wears out in the heart just like the clothes wear out. If you haven't work on building iman, even if it is good last year, it is worn out his year. This act will renew your iman (faith) inshaAllah.
If you have never tasted homelessness, you have not tasted the bliss of home. Remember the poor and the homeless and be generous to them and inshaAllah we will have the bliss of the eternal abode without having to taste homelessness..
May Allah accept our worship. Ameen.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Kindness to parents
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Allah says (in close meanings)
"And We have charged man concerning his parents -- his mother bore him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning was in two years -- 'Be thankful to Me, and to thy parents; to Me is the homecoming." [Qur'an, Luqman 31:14]
"We have charged man, that he be kind to his parents; but if they strive with thee to make thee associate with Me that whereof thou hast no knowledge, then do not obey them; unto Me you shall return, and I shall tell you what you were doing. And those who believe, and do righteous deeds assuredly We shall admit them among the righteous." [Quran, The Spider 29:8-9]
When we contemplate upon these verses and many similar verses regarding this serious matter (kindness to parents), we will find that we fall short in the practice.
InshaAllah we have no problem showing kindness and gratitude to our parents. But how about our children? Are our children good to us? Often we don't put much effort to make sure that our children are also kind to us and to the absent parent (whether the absence is due to work or divorce or disinterest/irresponsibility).
It is our duty to Allah to teach our children this commandment the proper way. We owe to our children this teaching. In the midst of our daily struggles in life, it is not difficult to forget. So we need reminders to put this as top priority. And who is best to remind us? The righteous around us--having righteous companionship is a vital element in drawing you closer to Allah.
So, regardless of what kind of person the other parent is, we must teach and remind our children to follow this commandment of Allah--be good to their parents no matter what, whether their parents are good to them or not, putting our feelings aside. This is the path to Allah. As my dear learned teacher said, "our responsibility is for us to worship Allah by doing what is demanded of us and if our children then make wrong decisions, that is between them and their Lord. They are His and we can only deal with them as He has commanded and leave the results up to Him."
I leave you to contemplate on this. May Allah protect our children and make them a source of comfort for us in this world and the Hereafter. Please keep me and my family in your prayers.
Recommended lecture: Being the best to our parents by Nouman Ali Khan
Allah says (in close meanings)
"And We have charged man concerning his parents -- his mother bore him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning was in two years -- 'Be thankful to Me, and to thy parents; to Me is the homecoming." [Qur'an, Luqman 31:14]
"We have charged man, that he be kind to his parents; but if they strive with thee to make thee associate with Me that whereof thou hast no knowledge, then do not obey them; unto Me you shall return, and I shall tell you what you were doing. And those who believe, and do righteous deeds assuredly We shall admit them among the righteous." [Quran, The Spider 29:8-9]
When we contemplate upon these verses and many similar verses regarding this serious matter (kindness to parents), we will find that we fall short in the practice.
InshaAllah we have no problem showing kindness and gratitude to our parents. But how about our children? Are our children good to us? Often we don't put much effort to make sure that our children are also kind to us and to the absent parent (whether the absence is due to work or divorce or disinterest/irresponsibility).
It is our duty to Allah to teach our children this commandment the proper way. We owe to our children this teaching. In the midst of our daily struggles in life, it is not difficult to forget. So we need reminders to put this as top priority. And who is best to remind us? The righteous around us--having righteous companionship is a vital element in drawing you closer to Allah.
So, regardless of what kind of person the other parent is, we must teach and remind our children to follow this commandment of Allah--be good to their parents no matter what, whether their parents are good to them or not, putting our feelings aside. This is the path to Allah. As my dear learned teacher said, "our responsibility is for us to worship Allah by doing what is demanded of us and if our children then make wrong decisions, that is between them and their Lord. They are His and we can only deal with them as He has commanded and leave the results up to Him."
I leave you to contemplate on this. May Allah protect our children and make them a source of comfort for us in this world and the Hereafter. Please keep me and my family in your prayers.
Recommended lecture: Being the best to our parents by Nouman Ali Khan
Monday, November 16, 2009
What to do on the first 10 days of Zulhijjah
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 (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He said, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing (Bukhari).
Even if we are not traveling for hajj, we can still do good deeds.
Recommended extra good deeds
1. Fast these 10 days. Fasting on the 9th of Zulhijjah, the day of Arafat will expiate one's sins of 2 years.
2. Do more dhikr (remembrance) of Allah. Recite a lot of Tasbeeh ("SubhanAllah"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah") and Takbeer ("Allahu akbar") during this time.
3. Say Eid Takbir wherever you go. "Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah, wa Allahu akbar wa Lillahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise)," as well as other phrases.
Men are encouraged to recite these phrases out loud and women quietly. Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah, two of the Prophet's Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of ZulHijjah, reciting Takbir, and the people would recite Takbir individually when they heard them.
3. Give more charity during these 10 days.
4. Increase ties of kinship and kithship (visit them, call them, say kind words, etc.)
5. Increase prayers at masjid and do more voluntary prayers at home (tahajjud, etc).
6. Read more Qur'an and contemplate on the meanings.
7. Make du'a (supplication)
8. Thank Allah for all His blessings and seek Allah's forgiveness more frequently. This means more than just a verbal expression of sorrow for past misdeeds. It also requires a firm resolution to avoid making the same mistakes in the future by giving up bad habits and behavior while sincerely turning to Allah.
9. Sacrifice an animal after Eid prayer (Zulhijjah 10, 11, 12, 13) and give the meat to the poor and a portion for yourself and friends.
10. Go to the Eid prayer.
A video on the blessed first 10 days of Zulhijjah by Al-Maghrib Institute instructor, Shaykh Yasser Qadhi
Blessed 10 Days of Zulhijjah
May Allah accept our works and bring us to His House next year. Hajj mabrur to those who are performing hajj this year. Ameen. Please don't forget 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.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He said, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing (Bukhari).
Even if we are not traveling for hajj, we can still do good deeds.
Recommended extra good deeds
1. Fast these 10 days. Fasting on the 9th of Zulhijjah, the day of Arafat will expiate one's sins of 2 years.
2. Do more dhikr (remembrance) of Allah. Recite a lot of Tasbeeh ("SubhanAllah"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah") and Takbeer ("Allahu akbar") during this time.
3. Say Eid Takbir wherever you go. "Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah, wa Allahu akbar wa Lillahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise)," as well as other phrases.
Men are encouraged to recite these phrases out loud and women quietly. Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah, two of the Prophet's Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of ZulHijjah, reciting Takbir, and the people would recite Takbir individually when they heard them.
3. Give more charity during these 10 days.
4. Increase ties of kinship and kithship (visit them, call them, say kind words, etc.)
5. Increase prayers at masjid and do more voluntary prayers at home (tahajjud, etc).
6. Read more Qur'an and contemplate on the meanings.
7. Make du'a (supplication)
8. Thank Allah for all His blessings and seek Allah's forgiveness more frequently. This means more than just a verbal expression of sorrow for past misdeeds. It also requires a firm resolution to avoid making the same mistakes in the future by giving up bad habits and behavior while sincerely turning to Allah.
9. Sacrifice an animal after Eid prayer (Zulhijjah 10, 11, 12, 13) and give the meat to the poor and a portion for yourself and friends.
10. Go to the Eid prayer.
A video on the blessed first 10 days of Zulhijjah by Al-Maghrib Institute instructor, Shaykh Yasser Qadhi
Blessed 10 Days of Zulhijjah
May Allah accept our works and bring us to His House next year. Hajj mabrur to those who are performing hajj this year. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Final Day
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
When earth is shaken with a mighty shaking
and earth brings forth her burdens,
and Man says., 'What ails her?'
Upon that day she shall tell her tidings
for that her Lord has inspired her.
Upon that day men shall issue in scatterings to see their works,
and whoso has done an atom's weight of good shall see it,
and whoso has done an atom's weight of evil shall see it.
(Qur'an The Earthquake 99:1-8)
When the Terror descends
and none denies its descending
abasing, exalting,
when the earth shall be rocked
and the mountains crumbled
and become a dust, scattered,
and you shall be three bands
(Qur'an The Inevitable 56:1-7)
The scene of shock and terror on the final day of the earth should make us tremble! And drive us to action--to strive for every single good deed and to avoid every single bad deed.
On that day we will see our every good and every bad deeds. They will be for or against us. The judgment will be made. There is no right to a new trial or appeal. The door of repentance is closed long ago.
So strive now, before our death (as death is closer than one might think), for every single good deed you can get. Each good deed will be a source of relief on that day. Be on the lookout for deeds that please Allah, like a cat is on the lookout for a mouse. The pathways to Allah are many. Charity is a good deed and you don't need to be wealthy to give charity. Smiling at someone is an act of charity. Telling a joke to someone feeling down is an act of charity. Inviting people to food is an act of charity. Helping someone with a simple task is an act of charity. Greeting the believers with the greeting of peace is an act of charity. Helping a dog in distress is an act of charity. Saying kind words which bring happiness in someone's heart is an act of charity. No deed is too small. Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) once gave a beggar a single grape. Someone questioned her regarding her negligible contribution to which she replied, "This is heavier than many small ants!"
Avoid matters that displease Allah. One does not know which bad deed will be the cause of one's downfall. Be careful in wronging anyone and anything. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The bankrupt one from my nation is the one who comes on the Judgment Day with prayers, fasts and charity, but he insulted this man, and hurled baseless accusations against another, and ate the wealth of another, and split the blood of another, and beat another. Each will be given from his good deeds. If his good deeds finish before each is given his share, their sins will be put upon him, until finally he will be flung into the Fire." (Muslim)
It is not possible to know what pleases and displeases Allah without learning the sacred knowledge. So make a plan to learn the sacred law.
May Allah protect us from the great trial of the final day. Ameen.
When earth is shaken with a mighty shaking
and earth brings forth her burdens,
and Man says., 'What ails her?'
Upon that day she shall tell her tidings
for that her Lord has inspired her.
Upon that day men shall issue in scatterings to see their works,
and whoso has done an atom's weight of good shall see it,
and whoso has done an atom's weight of evil shall see it.
(Qur'an The Earthquake 99:1-8)
When the Terror descends
and none denies its descending
abasing, exalting,
when the earth shall be rocked
and the mountains crumbled
and become a dust, scattered,
and you shall be three bands
(Qur'an The Inevitable 56:1-7)
The scene of shock and terror on the final day of the earth should make us tremble! And drive us to action--to strive for every single good deed and to avoid every single bad deed.
On that day we will see our every good and every bad deeds. They will be for or against us. The judgment will be made. There is no right to a new trial or appeal. The door of repentance is closed long ago.
So strive now, before our death (as death is closer than one might think), for every single good deed you can get. Each good deed will be a source of relief on that day. Be on the lookout for deeds that please Allah, like a cat is on the lookout for a mouse. The pathways to Allah are many. Charity is a good deed and you don't need to be wealthy to give charity. Smiling at someone is an act of charity. Telling a joke to someone feeling down is an act of charity. Inviting people to food is an act of charity. Helping someone with a simple task is an act of charity. Greeting the believers with the greeting of peace is an act of charity. Helping a dog in distress is an act of charity. Saying kind words which bring happiness in someone's heart is an act of charity. No deed is too small. Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) once gave a beggar a single grape. Someone questioned her regarding her negligible contribution to which she replied, "This is heavier than many small ants!"
Avoid matters that displease Allah. One does not know which bad deed will be the cause of one's downfall. Be careful in wronging anyone and anything. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The bankrupt one from my nation is the one who comes on the Judgment Day with prayers, fasts and charity, but he insulted this man, and hurled baseless accusations against another, and ate the wealth of another, and split the blood of another, and beat another. Each will be given from his good deeds. If his good deeds finish before each is given his share, their sins will be put upon him, until finally he will be flung into the Fire." (Muslim)
It is not possible to know what pleases and displeases Allah without learning the sacred knowledge. So make a plan to learn the sacred law.
May Allah protect us from the great trial of the final day. Ameen.
Pray 'Asr and Fajr on time
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Narrated by Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him: "Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "Angels come to you in succession by night and day, and all of them get together at the time of Fajr and 'Asr prayers. Those who have passed the night with you (or stayed with you) ascend (to the heaven) and Allah asks them, although He knows everything about you, "Well, in what state did you leave my slaves?" The angels reply, "When we left them they were praying."
What a great blessing for those whose prayers are witnessed by the angels, who testify for them before Allah, and what a great loss for those who miss that prize.
Narrated by Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him: "Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "Angels come to you in succession by night and day, and all of them get together at the time of Fajr and 'Asr prayers. Those who have passed the night with you (or stayed with you) ascend (to the heaven) and Allah asks them, although He knows everything about you, "Well, in what state did you leave my slaves?" The angels reply, "When we left them they were praying."
What a great blessing for those whose prayers are witnessed by the angels, who testify for them before Allah, and what a great loss for those who miss that prize.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Most loved and hated places by Allah
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Internet is usually a source of enjoyment/socialization and acquisition of knowledge. However, it is sometimes difficult to know when positive activity could become dangerous and cause damage. It is thus important for you to remember this.
Hadith--the most loved place by Allah is the masjid and the most hated place by Allah is the market.
"By Al-'Asr (the time). Verily, man is in loss, Except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth (i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al-Ma'ruf) which Allah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (Al-Munkar) which Allah has forbidden), and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allah's Cause during preaching His religion of Islamic Monotheism or Jihad)." Qur'an Al-'Asr 103:1-3
Take the internet as a big marketplace and spend our time wisely on the internet. It is not a place to go without any specific purpose. The purpose MUST ONLY be for the worship of Allah and we always have to remember this before we sign on. It is not a place to spend unlimited amount of time. It is not a place to pass time. To avoid doing stray things and waste our time, make sure you have a "shopping list" before you sign on so you don't wind up spending hours surfing and browsing, and going to places you don't need to go. Just remember the same way we don't allow ourselves to simply browsing in the mall, we should not allow ourselves simply browsing on the internet. Just remember those days when you don't have a shopping list before shopping for food at the store--you wound up walking up and down the aisles and bought something you don't need.
May Allah bless your time.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Internet is usually a source of enjoyment/socialization and acquisition of knowledge. However, it is sometimes difficult to know when positive activity could become dangerous and cause damage. It is thus important for you to remember this.
Hadith--the most loved place by Allah is the masjid and the most hated place by Allah is the market.
"By Al-'Asr (the time). Verily, man is in loss, Except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth (i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al-Ma'ruf) which Allah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (Al-Munkar) which Allah has forbidden), and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allah's Cause during preaching His religion of Islamic Monotheism or Jihad)." Qur'an Al-'Asr 103:1-3
Take the internet as a big marketplace and spend our time wisely on the internet. It is not a place to go without any specific purpose. The purpose MUST ONLY be for the worship of Allah and we always have to remember this before we sign on. It is not a place to spend unlimited amount of time. It is not a place to pass time. To avoid doing stray things and waste our time, make sure you have a "shopping list" before you sign on so you don't wind up spending hours surfing and browsing, and going to places you don't need to go. Just remember the same way we don't allow ourselves to simply browsing in the mall, we should not allow ourselves simply browsing on the internet. Just remember those days when you don't have a shopping list before shopping for food at the store--you wound up walking up and down the aisles and bought something you don't need.
May Allah bless your time.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Friday, November 13, 2009
Who is better?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
The only way we can know whether or not we are better than other people if we know how we will end our lives and how they will end their lives. But we don't know these things. Only Allah knows. So there is no room for pride in our lives.
Make sure when we do something righteous, we do it sincerely for Allah and no private spheres. We can't fool Allah.
Allah facilitates the way to do good and Allah lead astray the evil doers. If someone turns away from Allah the first time, they will feel guilty, the second time they will feel easier and much easier the third time until it becomes a habit. Their conscience dies for Allah puts a seal in their hearts.
"God confirms those who believe with the firm word, in the present life and in the world to come; and God leads astray the evildoers; and God does what He will." Qur'an Ibrahim 14:27
"because they have preferred the present life over the world to come, and that God guides not the people of the unbelievers. Those -- God has set a seal on their hearts, and their hearing, and their eyes, and those -- they are the heedless ones." Qur'an An-Nahl 16:108
"As for him who gives and is god fearing, and confirms the reward most fair, We shall surely ease him to the Easing. But as for him who is a miser, and self-sufficient, and cries lies to the reward most fair, We shall surely ease him to the Hardship." Qur'an Al-Lail 92:5-10
"Indeed Shaytan to man is a clear enemy" (Qur'an surah Yusuf). Shaytan will use all his ploys to distract us from the One and give us false security. So treat Shaytan like an enemy.
"O believers, fear God as He should be feared, and see you do not die, save in surrender." Qur'an AleImran 3:102.
May Allah help us guard His precious gift to us--our Iman.
The only way we can know whether or not we are better than other people if we know how we will end our lives and how they will end their lives. But we don't know these things. Only Allah knows. So there is no room for pride in our lives.
Make sure when we do something righteous, we do it sincerely for Allah and no private spheres. We can't fool Allah.
Allah facilitates the way to do good and Allah lead astray the evil doers. If someone turns away from Allah the first time, they will feel guilty, the second time they will feel easier and much easier the third time until it becomes a habit. Their conscience dies for Allah puts a seal in their hearts.
"God confirms those who believe with the firm word, in the present life and in the world to come; and God leads astray the evildoers; and God does what He will." Qur'an Ibrahim 14:27
"because they have preferred the present life over the world to come, and that God guides not the people of the unbelievers. Those -- God has set a seal on their hearts, and their hearing, and their eyes, and those -- they are the heedless ones." Qur'an An-Nahl 16:108
"As for him who gives and is god fearing, and confirms the reward most fair, We shall surely ease him to the Easing. But as for him who is a miser, and self-sufficient, and cries lies to the reward most fair, We shall surely ease him to the Hardship." Qur'an Al-Lail 92:5-10
"Indeed Shaytan to man is a clear enemy" (Qur'an surah Yusuf). Shaytan will use all his ploys to distract us from the One and give us false security. So treat Shaytan like an enemy.
"O believers, fear God as He should be feared, and see you do not die, save in surrender." Qur'an AleImran 3:102.
May Allah help us guard His precious gift to us--our Iman.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Sweetness of Faith
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم
Faith has sweetness and pleasure felt by those who are close to Allah.
Narrated by Anas, may Allah be pleased with him: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Whoever possesses the following three qualities will have the sweetness of faith:
1. The one to whom Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) become dearer than anything else.
2. The one who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah's sake
3. The one who hates to revert to disbelief as he hates to be thrown into the fire.
السلام عليكم
Faith has sweetness and pleasure felt by those who are close to Allah.
Narrated by Anas, may Allah be pleased with him: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Whoever possesses the following three qualities will have the sweetness of faith:
1. The one to whom Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) become dearer than anything else.
2. The one who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah's sake
3. The one who hates to revert to disbelief as he hates to be thrown into the fire.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Raising ranks with Allah
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
From my notes
Truthfulness of speech is a ladder to truthfulness in action and truthfulness in action is a ladder to truthfulness in intention and aim.
Truthfulness of deed demands performing it excellently, correctly and with sincerity for Allah's pleasure and countenance.
A person's truthfulness in speech is connected to his truthfulness in deed, and he rises in the various ranks until he becomes truthful in his actions and in his intention.
A person continues to be truthful or seek truthfulness until he is written with Allah as asSiddiq.
From my notes
Truthfulness of speech is a ladder to truthfulness in action and truthfulness in action is a ladder to truthfulness in intention and aim.
Truthfulness of deed demands performing it excellently, correctly and with sincerity for Allah's pleasure and countenance.
A person's truthfulness in speech is connected to his truthfulness in deed, and he rises in the various ranks until he becomes truthful in his actions and in his intention.
A person continues to be truthful or seek truthfulness until he is written with Allah as asSiddiq.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Protect your most precious thing (Iman)
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Only with Imam (faith) that we can bear all our difficulties in life. Lack of iman, eternal abode is not the Garden. Because it is so precious there is somebody out there who wants to steal it from us. It is Shaytan. (We seek refuge with Allah from the Shaytan and evil.) But Allah, out of His mercy, sent us protective spheres to protect our Iman.
The first layer is the obligatory acts, like the five pillars of Islam (prayer, zakat/charity, fasting, performing hajj)
The second layer is the sunnah of the Prophet(sallallahu alayhi wassallam), like voluntary prayers throughout the day and night, fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, etc.
The third layer is the propriety acts, like being in wudu' constantly, observe our manners and points of etiquette, cover our nakedness even when alone and use miswak in wudu.
If any of this layer is absent then Shaytan can go right to your Iman. If they are present but not strong or secured properly, i.e. not done excellently and with sincerity, then sooner or later Shaytan will be able to penetrate it, like the enemy army shelling a fort which is flimsy or not thick enough.
So, increase our worship of Allah with sincerity and excellence so our Iman is fully protected and when we meet our Lord we are at the highest Iman, inshaAllah. May Allah protect our Iman and grant us all His Mercy.
Allah says: "Say (Muhammad, peace be upon him): If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your faults, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. Qur'an aleImran 3:31
Only with Imam (faith) that we can bear all our difficulties in life. Lack of iman, eternal abode is not the Garden. Because it is so precious there is somebody out there who wants to steal it from us. It is Shaytan. (We seek refuge with Allah from the Shaytan and evil.) But Allah, out of His mercy, sent us protective spheres to protect our Iman.
The first layer is the obligatory acts, like the five pillars of Islam (prayer, zakat/charity, fasting, performing hajj)
The second layer is the sunnah of the Prophet(sallallahu alayhi wassallam), like voluntary prayers throughout the day and night, fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, etc.
The third layer is the propriety acts, like being in wudu' constantly, observe our manners and points of etiquette, cover our nakedness even when alone and use miswak in wudu.
If any of this layer is absent then Shaytan can go right to your Iman. If they are present but not strong or secured properly, i.e. not done excellently and with sincerity, then sooner or later Shaytan will be able to penetrate it, like the enemy army shelling a fort which is flimsy or not thick enough.
So, increase our worship of Allah with sincerity and excellence so our Iman is fully protected and when we meet our Lord we are at the highest Iman, inshaAllah. May Allah protect our Iman and grant us all His Mercy.
Allah says: "Say (Muhammad, peace be upon him): If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your faults, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. Qur'an aleImran 3:31
Why are you on earth?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
"I have not created the jinn and the men except that they should serve Me." Qur'an Addhaariyat 51:56
This world is only a means to an end--which is blissful eternal world, Paradise. So, when you go about your daily routine, bear this in mind. InshaAllah, you will be more focused.
"I have not created the jinn and the men except that they should serve Me." Qur'an Addhaariyat 51:56
This world is only a means to an end--which is blissful eternal world, Paradise. So, when you go about your daily routine, bear this in mind. InshaAllah, you will be more focused.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Wird of Reflection--What are they?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم
You should have a regular devotion (wird) of reflection in every 24 hours, for which you should set aside one or more hours:
1. Reflect on wondrous creatures
2. Reflect on favors of Allah
3. Reflect on God complete awareness of you, and His seeing and knowing all about you
4. Reflect on this wordly life, its numerous preoccupation, hazards, and the swiftness with which it perishes, and upon the hereafter, and its felicity and permanence
5. Reflect on the imminence of death and the regret and remorse which occur when it is too late.
6. Reflect on those attributes and acts by which God has described His friends and His enemies, and on the immediate and delayed rewards and He has prepared for each group.
With each kind of reflection, bring to mind verses, hadiths and other narratives relating to it.
The aim and spirit of regular devotions (awrad) is presence with God. Aim for it, you will reach it only if you travel the road that leads to it.
May Allah grant you tawfiq. Ameen.
source: Imam Al-Haddad's Book of Assistance
السلام عليكم
You should have a regular devotion (wird) of reflection in every 24 hours, for which you should set aside one or more hours:
1. Reflect on wondrous creatures
2. Reflect on favors of Allah
3. Reflect on God complete awareness of you, and His seeing and knowing all about you
4. Reflect on this wordly life, its numerous preoccupation, hazards, and the swiftness with which it perishes, and upon the hereafter, and its felicity and permanence
5. Reflect on the imminence of death and the regret and remorse which occur when it is too late.
6. Reflect on those attributes and acts by which God has described His friends and His enemies, and on the immediate and delayed rewards and He has prepared for each group.
With each kind of reflection, bring to mind verses, hadiths and other narratives relating to it.
The aim and spirit of regular devotions (awrad) is presence with God. Aim for it, you will reach it only if you travel the road that leads to it.
May Allah grant you tawfiq. Ameen.
source: Imam Al-Haddad's Book of Assistance
Regular devotions
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم
You must fill up your time with acts of worship so that no period of time elapses, whether by night or by day, without being used in some act of goodness. This is how baraka (blessings) within time is made manifest, the purpose of life fulfilled, and the approach of God the Exalted made constant. You should allocate specific periods of time for your habitual activities such as eating, drinking, and working for livelihood. Know that no state can be sound in the presence of neglect, and no wealth useful in the presence of heedlessness.
You should structure your time, arrange your regular devotions (awrad), and assign to each function a set period of time during which it is given first priority but which it does not overstep. Imam al-Ghazali
Whoever has no wird (regular devotion) is a qird (monkey).
May Allah bless your time. Tawfiq is from Allah. Ameen.
source: Imam Al-Haddad's Book of Assistance
السلام عليكم
You must fill up your time with acts of worship so that no period of time elapses, whether by night or by day, without being used in some act of goodness. This is how baraka (blessings) within time is made manifest, the purpose of life fulfilled, and the approach of God the Exalted made constant. You should allocate specific periods of time for your habitual activities such as eating, drinking, and working for livelihood. Know that no state can be sound in the presence of neglect, and no wealth useful in the presence of heedlessness.
You should structure your time, arrange your regular devotions (awrad), and assign to each function a set period of time during which it is given first priority but which it does not overstep. Imam al-Ghazali
Whoever has no wird (regular devotion) is a qird (monkey).
May Allah bless your time. Tawfiq is from Allah. Ameen.
source: Imam Al-Haddad's Book of Assistance
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Love of God
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم
"Say: 'If you love God, follow me, and God will love you, and forgive you your sins; God is All-forgiving, All-compassionate. Say: 'Obey God, and the Messenger.' But if they turn their backs, God loves not the unbelievers.'" Qur'an AleImran 3:31-32
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "None of you truly believes until I am more beloved to him than all his wealth, his parents, and all people." Sahih Bukhari
Tawfiq is from Allah.
السلام عليكم
"Say: 'If you love God, follow me, and God will love you, and forgive you your sins; God is All-forgiving, All-compassionate. Say: 'Obey God, and the Messenger.' But if they turn their backs, God loves not the unbelievers.'" Qur'an AleImran 3:31-32
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "None of you truly believes until I am more beloved to him than all his wealth, his parents, and all people." Sahih Bukhari
Tawfiq is from Allah.
True Piety
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم
"It is not piety, that you turn your faces to the East and to the West. True piety is this: to believe in God, and the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the Prophets, to give of one's substance, however cherished, to kinsmen, and orphans, the needy, the traveller, beggars, and to ransom the slave, to perform the prayer, to pay the alms. And they who fulfil their covenant when they have engaged in a covenant, and endure with fortitude misfortune, hardship and peril, these are they who are true in their faith, these are the truly godfearing." Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:177
Allah is Omnipotent
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم
Allah is Omnipotent, All Generous and All Just. Everything come from Allah. But we are still responsible for our actions. If anything good comes our way, it is through His Generosity, and we owe Him thanks. If anything else comes our way, it is through His Justice, and we owe Him submission.
"Whosoever comes with a good deed, he shall have better than it; and they shall be secure from terror that day (Day of Judgment). And whosoever comes with an evil deed, their faces shall be thrust into the Fire: 'Are you recompensed but for what you did?' Qur'an An-Naml 27:89:90
السلام عليكم
Allah is Omnipotent, All Generous and All Just. Everything come from Allah. But we are still responsible for our actions. If anything good comes our way, it is through His Generosity, and we owe Him thanks. If anything else comes our way, it is through His Justice, and we owe Him submission.
"Whosoever comes with a good deed, he shall have better than it; and they shall be secure from terror that day (Day of Judgment). And whosoever comes with an evil deed, their faces shall be thrust into the Fire: 'Are you recompensed but for what you did?' Qur'an An-Naml 27:89:90
Have you hugged your mother lately?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم
Have you hugged your mother lately?
A study by University of North Carolina researchers found that hugs increase the "bonding" hormone oxytocin and decrease the risk of heart disease. The importance of oxytocin and its potentially cardioprotective effects is greater for women. Allah knows best.
Nonetheless, Allah has commanded us to be kind to our parents.
If she is not close by, call her now, and say I LOVE YOU MOM! If you don't have a mom anymore, call her sister(s), inshaAllah you will make her(them) very happy and a great reward for you. If you don't have either one, hug the mother of your children more, if she is still your wife that is.
"Your Lord has decreed you shall not serve any but Him, and to be good to parents, whether one or both of them attains old age with thee; say not to them 'Fie' neither chide them, but speak unto them words respectful, and lower to them the wing of humbleness out of mercy and say; 'My Lord, have mercy upon them, as they raised me up when I was little.'" Qur'an Al-Israa 17:23
"And We have charged man concerning his parents -- his mother bore him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning was in two years -- 'Be thankful to Me, and to your parents; to Me is the homecoming." Qur'an Luqman 31:14
"We have charged man, that he be kind to his parents; his mother bore him painfully, and painfully she gave birth to him; his bearing and his weaning are thirty months. Until, when he is fully grown, and reaches forty years, he says, 'O my Lord, dispose me that I may be thankful for Your blessing wherewith You have blessed me and my father and mother, and that I may do righteousness well-pleasing to Thee; and make me righteous also in my seed. Behold, I repent to You, and am among those that surrender.' Qur'an Al-Ahqaf 46:15
Our Lord, forgive me and my parents, and the believers, upon the day when the reckoning shall come to pass.
P.S. Don't leave out your dad!
السلام عليكم
Have you hugged your mother lately?
A study by University of North Carolina researchers found that hugs increase the "bonding" hormone oxytocin and decrease the risk of heart disease. The importance of oxytocin and its potentially cardioprotective effects is greater for women. Allah knows best.
Nonetheless, Allah has commanded us to be kind to our parents.
If she is not close by, call her now, and say I LOVE YOU MOM! If you don't have a mom anymore, call her sister(s), inshaAllah you will make her(them) very happy and a great reward for you. If you don't have either one, hug the mother of your children more, if she is still your wife that is.
"Your Lord has decreed you shall not serve any but Him, and to be good to parents, whether one or both of them attains old age with thee; say not to them 'Fie' neither chide them, but speak unto them words respectful, and lower to them the wing of humbleness out of mercy and say; 'My Lord, have mercy upon them, as they raised me up when I was little.'" Qur'an Al-Israa 17:23
"And We have charged man concerning his parents -- his mother bore him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning was in two years -- 'Be thankful to Me, and to your parents; to Me is the homecoming." Qur'an Luqman 31:14
"We have charged man, that he be kind to his parents; his mother bore him painfully, and painfully she gave birth to him; his bearing and his weaning are thirty months. Until, when he is fully grown, and reaches forty years, he says, 'O my Lord, dispose me that I may be thankful for Your blessing wherewith You have blessed me and my father and mother, and that I may do righteousness well-pleasing to Thee; and make me righteous also in my seed. Behold, I repent to You, and am among those that surrender.' Qur'an Al-Ahqaf 46:15
Our Lord, forgive me and my parents, and the believers, upon the day when the reckoning shall come to pass.
P.S. Don't leave out your dad!
A heart that loves Allah
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم
A heart that loves Allah dislikes hearing matters that He dislikes. Stay away from listening to misguidance and non beneficial things. Rather, devote our time showing gratitude to Allah for the His gift of Islam, the precious jewel, by nurturing our Islam through learning, worship, and excellent behavior to others. Tawfiq is from Allah.
Reward for Patience
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم
"And those who believe, and do righteous deeds, We shall surely lodge them in lofty chambers of paradise, underneath which rivers flow, therein dwelling forever; and excellent is the wage of those who labor, such men as are patient, and put their trust in their Lord." Quran Ankaboot 29:58-59
"O believers, be patient, and vie you in patience; be steadfast; fear God; haply so you will prosper." Qur'an Ale-Imran 3:200
Allah's love
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم
The Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) said, "If Allah loves a person, He calls Jibril saying, 'Allah loves so and so, O Jibril love him' So Jibril would love him and then would make an announcement in the Heavens: 'Allah has loved so and-so therefore you should love him also.' So all the dwellers of the Heavens would love him, and then he is granted the pleasure of the people on the earth." Sahih Bukhari
How to be alone with Allah
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم
"The best prayer after the prescribed ones is the nighttime prayer." Muslim
"Perform the prayer at the sinking of the sun to the darkening of the night and the recital of dawn; surely the recital of dawn is witnessed. And as for the night, keep vigil a part of it, as a work of supererogation for you; it may be that your Lord will raise thee up to a laudable station." Qur'an Al-Israa 17:78-79)
Ponder on these very powerful words,
In one of God's revealed scriptures it is said: "He has lied who claims to love Me (Allah) but who when night falls sleeps (and leaves) Me. Does not every lover love to be alone with his beloved?" (Quoting from Imam Al-Haddad's Book of Assistance)
May Allah give you tawfiq. Ameen.
Turn to Allah for everything
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكمOne of my learned teachers said, "Whoever places his hopes in other than Allah, his hopes will be dashed. Whoever seeks happiness in other than Allah, his happiness will be a cause for grief. And whosoever places his hopes in Allah and turns to Him for all of his needs, he is the one who will be sufficed his difficulties and increased in the good."
"(Allah swear) If you are thankful, surely I will increase you, but if you are thankless My chastisement is surely terrible." Qur'an 14:7
Reflect on the favors of Allah and all His bounties and be grateful.
Friday Worship
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Reminding...on the virtues of reciting Surah al-Kahf (Qur'an 18) on Fridays
The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: "Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf as it was revealed, it will illuminate him with light from one Friday to the next."
ibn Abidin said, "And it is best to do so early on Friday, in order to rush to the good and to avoid forgetting."
The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) also said: "Of all the days, Friday is the most virtuous. It is on this day that the trumpet will be blown. Send abundant durood upon me on Fridays because they are presented to me on that day.
May Allah illuminates your day. 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.
Reminding...on the virtues of reciting Surah al-Kahf (Qur'an 18) on Fridays
The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: "Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf as it was revealed, it will illuminate him with light from one Friday to the next."
ibn Abidin said, "And it is best to do so early on Friday, in order to rush to the good and to avoid forgetting."
The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) also said: "Of all the days, Friday is the most virtuous. It is on this day that the trumpet will be blown. Send abundant durood upon me on Fridays because they are presented to me on that day.
May Allah illuminates your day. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
wassalaam
What is Happiness?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
اسلام عليكم
Happiness is a sweetness that Allah places in people's heart that has nothing to do with worldly gains. Ask Him for that sweetness. InshaAllah He will give it to you.
May Allah give you that true happiness. Ameen.
اسلام عليكم
Happiness is a sweetness that Allah places in people's heart that has nothing to do with worldly gains. Ask Him for that sweetness. InshaAllah He will give it to you.
May Allah give you that true happiness. Ameen.
Throw Away that TV
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
اسلام عليكم
You already know that TV is not good for you especially to the developing, innocent minds--our children. But are you courageous enough to throw that TV away? Perhaps this poem below by the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (his book was adapted into 2 major movies) will give you that push, inshaAllah.
Remember, you are the parent entrusted by Allah to raise your children well, to teach them to worship Allah alone. This is the only purpose of our lives--to worship Allah alone. So, don't let them worship the screen. Children are like sponges, they absorb everything--so why not let them absorb the Qur'an--the words of Allah, which is the key to their success (as well as yours) in this world and the next world. It is not too late to start now, never too late, even if your kids are older, but do it now. First, make a sincere intention seeking Allah's help, then throw that TV (and the like) away!
May Allah give you the courage, patience and perseverance, and may Allah protect our children. Ameen.
John/rec/Poems/R_Dahl.html
اسلام عليكم
You already know that TV is not good for you especially to the developing, innocent minds--our children. But are you courageous enough to throw that TV away? Perhaps this poem below by the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (his book was adapted into 2 major movies) will give you that push, inshaAllah.
Remember, you are the parent entrusted by Allah to raise your children well, to teach them to worship Allah alone. This is the only purpose of our lives--to worship Allah alone. So, don't let them worship the screen. Children are like sponges, they absorb everything--so why not let them absorb the Qur'an--the words of Allah, which is the key to their success (as well as yours) in this world and the next world. It is not too late to start now, never too late, even if your kids are older, but do it now. First, make a sincere intention seeking Allah's help, then throw that TV (and the like) away!
May Allah give you the courage, patience and perseverance, and may Allah protect our children. Ameen.
A poem from 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' by Roald Dahl
November 29, 1996
By ROALD DAHL
The most important thing we've learned,
So far as children are concerned,
Is never, never, NEVER let
them near your television set --
Or better still, just don't install
The idiotic thing at all.
In almost every house we've been,
We've watched them gaping at the screen.
They loll and slop and lounge about,
And stare until their eyes pop out.
(Last week in someone's place we saw
A dozen eyeballs on the floor.)
They sit and stare and stare and sit
Until they're hypnotized by it,
Until they're absolutely drunk
With all that shocking ghastly junk.
Oh yes, we know it keeps them still,
They don't climb out the windowsill,
They never fight or kick or punch,
They leave you free to cook the lunch
And wash the dishes in the sink --
But did you ever stop to think,
To wonder just exactly what
This does to your beloved tot?
IT ROTS THE SENSES IN THE HEAD!
IT KILLS IMAGINATION DEAD!
IT CLOGS AND CLUTTERS UP THE MIND!
IT MAKES A CHILD SO DULL AND BLIND
HE CAN NO LONGER UNDERSTAND
A FANTASY, A FAIRYLAND!
HIS BRAIN BECOMES AS SOFT AS CHEESE!
HIS POWERS OF THINKING RUST AND FREEZE!
HE CANNOT THINK -- HE ONLY SEES!
"All right!" you'll cry. "All right!" you'll say,
"but if we take the set away,
What shall we do to entertain
Our darling children? Please explain!"
We'll answer this by asking you,
"What used the darling ones to do?
"How used they keep themselves contented
Before this monster was invented?"
Have you forgotten? Don't you know?
We'll say it very loud and slow:
THEY . . . USED . . . TO . . . READ! THEY'D READ and READ,
AND READ some more. Great Scott! Gadzooks!
One half their lives was reading books!
The nursery shelves held books galore!
Books cluttered up the nursery floor!
And in the bedroom, by the bed,
More books were waiting to be read!
Such wondrous, fine, fantastic tales
Of dragons, gypsies, queens and whales
And treasure isles and distant shores
Where smugglers rowed with muffled oars,
And pirates wearing purple pants,
And sailing ships and elephants,
And cannibals crouching 'round the pot,
Stirring away at something hot.
(It smells so good, what can it be?
Good gracious, it's Penelope.)
The younger ones had Beatrix Potter
With Mr. Tod, the dirty rotter,
And Squirrel Nutkin, Pigling Bland,
And Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and --
Just How The Camel Got His Hump,
And How The Monkey Lost His Rump,
And Mr. Toad, and bless my soul,
There's Mr. Rat and Mr. Mole --
Oh, books, what books they used to know,
Those children living long ago!
So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,
Go throw your TV set away,
And in its place you can install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall.
Then fill the shelves with lots of books,
Ignoring all the dirty looks,
The screams and yells, the bites and kicks,
And children hitting you with sticks --
Fear not, because we promise you
That, in about a week or two
Of having nothing else to do,
They'll now begin to feel the need
Of having something good to read.
And once they start -- oh boy, oh boy!
You watch the slowly growing joy
That fills their hearts. They'll grow so keen
They'll wonder what they'd ever seen
In that ridiculous machine,
That nauseating, foul, unclean,
Repulsive television screen!
And later, each and every kid
Will love you more for what you did.
http://www.stumbles.org.uk/Something new on the web
Home of my spiritual poems for reflection
http://www.scribd.com/Aisha Othman
(note: there is a space between "Aisha" and "Othman")
I am working on some very special poems. InshaAllah they will be out soon. Keep an eye on them.
http://www.scribd.com/Aisha Othman
(note: there is a space between "Aisha" and "Othman")
I am working on some very special poems. InshaAllah they will be out soon. Keep an eye on them.
Keep Your Focus
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم
I pray that you all are well. Hope you will find this beneficial. It is a great reminder for myself first and foremost.
Keep our focus on that grand prize--the highest paradise in the company of Rasullullah (may Allah give him peace and blessings) and his righteous companions (may Allah be pleased with them all), and seeing Allah Himself.
Just want to share with you a miracle in my life--my best friend's 6 year old daughter was drowned and on life support--what are the odds of her surviving under this condition? Little or no hope by our realm of imagination but we put our hope in Allah with patience and persistent du'as. Allah is too shy not to answer the supplication of His sincere worshipers. By His Grace and Mercy, the little girl was home after less than 2 weeks in full intensive care, FULLY RECOVERED. Indeed, He is the Most Generous and the Most Merciful.
"All that dwells upon the earth is perishing, yet still abides the Face of your Lord, majestic, splendid." Qur'an 55:26-27
"Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing). Qur'an 3:185
"He who gives his wealth to purify himself and confers no favor on any man for recompense, only seeking the Face of his Lord the Most High, and he shall surely satisfied." Qur'an 92:18-21
"And those who remain patient, seeking their Lord's Countenance, perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and spend out of that which We have bestowed on them, secretly and openly, and defend evil with good, for such there is a good end" Qur'an 13:22
Hadith: "Be in the world as though you were a stranger or a wayfarer/traveler."
A traveler would leave everything behind and only bring with him only the essentials for his journey and remember our journey is to Allah.
and ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) used to say "at evening do not expect to live till morning, and at morning do expect to live till evening. Take from your health for your illness and from your life for your death."
Keep your focus, don't lose sight and be patient for " "Allah is with the patient" Qur'an 8:66 and "Allah loves the patient" Qur'an 3:146 .
May Allah shower you and your family with His mercy and generosity. Ameen. Please remember me and my family in your du'as.
السلام عليكم
I pray that you all are well. Hope you will find this beneficial. It is a great reminder for myself first and foremost.
Keep our focus on that grand prize--the highest paradise in the company of Rasullullah (may Allah give him peace and blessings) and his righteous companions (may Allah be pleased with them all), and seeing Allah Himself.
Just want to share with you a miracle in my life--my best friend's 6 year old daughter was drowned and on life support--what are the odds of her surviving under this condition? Little or no hope by our realm of imagination but we put our hope in Allah with patience and persistent du'as. Allah is too shy not to answer the supplication of His sincere worshipers. By His Grace and Mercy, the little girl was home after less than 2 weeks in full intensive care, FULLY RECOVERED. Indeed, He is the Most Generous and the Most Merciful.
"All that dwells upon the earth is perishing, yet still abides the Face of your Lord, majestic, splendid." Qur'an 55:26-27
"Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing). Qur'an 3:185
"He who gives his wealth to purify himself and confers no favor on any man for recompense, only seeking the Face of his Lord the Most High, and he shall surely satisfied." Qur'an 92:18-21
"And those who remain patient, seeking their Lord's Countenance, perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and spend out of that which We have bestowed on them, secretly and openly, and defend evil with good, for such there is a good end" Qur'an 13:22
Hadith: "Be in the world as though you were a stranger or a wayfarer/traveler."
A traveler would leave everything behind and only bring with him only the essentials for his journey and remember our journey is to Allah.
and ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) used to say "at evening do not expect to live till morning, and at morning do expect to live till evening. Take from your health for your illness and from your life for your death."
Keep your focus, don't lose sight and be patient for " "Allah is with the patient" Qur'an 8:66 and "Allah loves the patient" Qur'an 3:146 .
May Allah shower you and your family with His mercy and generosity. Ameen. Please remember me and my family in your du'as.
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