بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
When you feel down and as if the whole world is caving on you and no one to turn to, remember that you are not alone. There is someone with you. Your Loving Lord, the all Knowing, the all Aware, your Helper and Protecting Friend. Keep asking Him to help you, give you patience and strength to bear it. Try to resolve this in your heart that He sent this to you and that He did not send this to you to harm you but only to benefit you. We may not see the benefit, but what do we know--we are only a creation of His. He knows everything and He knows what is good for us. This is His choice for you at this time. Tomorrow it might be different. We simply submit to His choice and hoping for His love.
There is nothing more beloved to Him than our sincere expression of slavehood to Him. We continue in constant remembrance of Him, worshiping Him alone--but not because He promises us great rewards for our patience and good deeds, but for who He is. He is Allah and we are His slaves. What better love can we ask for other than the love of the Grand and Magnificent Lord. And He is here closer than our jugular vein--if truly we know, we would love Him and no other. When He is your beloved, whatever He gives you become beloved to you. May Allah allow us to reach this level of attachment to Him.
"Those who believe, their hearts being at rest in God's remembrance -- in God's remembrance are at rest the hearts." Qur'an Ar-Ra'd 13:28
May Allah give you peace. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. JazakAllahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Repent and ask forgiveness often
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
It is important to never look at our deeds as being tremendous because they can never be better than the Prophet's, Allah bless him and grant him peace. He was infallible and absolutely perfect, and yet he was told to ask for forgiveness. He repented to Allah and asked for His forgiveness more than 70 times a day. So even after we finish a good deed, even if we think we did not do anything wrong, we ask Allah for His forgiveness because He deserves more and we did not give Him what He deserves. When you raise your hands, asking for His forgiveness, let it out, cry, weep, don't simply saying it on the tongue, mean it, ask for His mercy. He knows what is in your hearts--nothing to hide. He listens inshaAllah.
"Say: Whether you hide what is in your hearts or manifest it, Allah knows it, and He knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and Allah has power over all things." Qur'an AleImran 3:29
"Your Lord knows best what is in your hearts; if you are good, then He is surely Forgiving to those who turn (to Him) frequently. Qur'an al-Israa 17:25
May Allah have mercy on us and forgive us. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
It is important to never look at our deeds as being tremendous because they can never be better than the Prophet's, Allah bless him and grant him peace. He was infallible and absolutely perfect, and yet he was told to ask for forgiveness. He repented to Allah and asked for His forgiveness more than 70 times a day. So even after we finish a good deed, even if we think we did not do anything wrong, we ask Allah for His forgiveness because He deserves more and we did not give Him what He deserves. When you raise your hands, asking for His forgiveness, let it out, cry, weep, don't simply saying it on the tongue, mean it, ask for His mercy. He knows what is in your hearts--nothing to hide. He listens inshaAllah.
"Say: Whether you hide what is in your hearts or manifest it, Allah knows it, and He knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and Allah has power over all things." Qur'an AleImran 3:29
"Your Lord knows best what is in your hearts; if you are good, then He is surely Forgiving to those who turn (to Him) frequently. Qur'an al-Israa 17:25
May Allah have mercy on us and forgive us. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Friday, January 29, 2010
What is your goal in life?
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
When we desire something of this world--be it big or small--getting into good schools, getting a degree, second degree, MBA, PhD, becoming a doctor, engineer, lawyer, etc, buying a house or simply buying your first car, ever asked yourself what are these for?
I regularly test my children with this question "what is your goal in life?" And I get some answers but not what I am looking for. So I know I failed as a teacher and a mother. And that saddened me. When our kids go to school they are tested so the teachers know where their students are at, whether they understood what has been taught and make adjustments to the teaching styles. It is no different when we are teaching our children at home. Every kid and at every stage of their lives is different and require lots and lots of adjustments and patience (Allah help me!). Nonetheless it is our duty as a parent to make sure our children learn their deen. We put so much emphasis on their secular learning that we forget to stop and ask ourselves "What is it for?"
So I kept teaching my children until they could come up with the answer that I am looking for.
Our goal in life should be to be in Paradise. Better still to be with Allah and Paradise is the means to be with Him. When we desire to be with Allah, we will work very hard for it, just like we work very hard for something of this world. If we are with Allah, we naturally will get this world as well. There is nothing to lose. Allah is all Generous. This is what we should teach our children, but first convince yourself this so your actions can speak louder than your words.
Remind yourself everyday, "(Some) faces on that day shall be bright, looking to their Lord. And (other) faces on that day shall be gloomy, knowing that there will be made to befall them some great calamity." Al-Qiyaamah 75:22-25
We only have this life to work for this and we may not have much time.
And Allah knows best.
May Allah give us tawfiq. Ameen.
Barakallahu feekum
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
When we desire something of this world--be it big or small--getting into good schools, getting a degree, second degree, MBA, PhD, becoming a doctor, engineer, lawyer, etc, buying a house or simply buying your first car, ever asked yourself what are these for?
I regularly test my children with this question "what is your goal in life?" And I get some answers but not what I am looking for. So I know I failed as a teacher and a mother. And that saddened me. When our kids go to school they are tested so the teachers know where their students are at, whether they understood what has been taught and make adjustments to the teaching styles. It is no different when we are teaching our children at home. Every kid and at every stage of their lives is different and require lots and lots of adjustments and patience (Allah help me!). Nonetheless it is our duty as a parent to make sure our children learn their deen. We put so much emphasis on their secular learning that we forget to stop and ask ourselves "What is it for?"
So I kept teaching my children until they could come up with the answer that I am looking for.
Our goal in life should be to be in Paradise. Better still to be with Allah and Paradise is the means to be with Him. When we desire to be with Allah, we will work very hard for it, just like we work very hard for something of this world. If we are with Allah, we naturally will get this world as well. There is nothing to lose. Allah is all Generous. This is what we should teach our children, but first convince yourself this so your actions can speak louder than your words.
Remind yourself everyday, "(Some) faces on that day shall be bright, looking to their Lord. And (other) faces on that day shall be gloomy, knowing that there will be made to befall them some great calamity." Al-Qiyaamah 75:22-25
We only have this life to work for this and we may not have much time.
And Allah knows best.
May Allah give us tawfiq. Ameen.
Barakallahu feekum
Wassalaam
Monday, January 25, 2010
Expression of inward love
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
We have heard and read this before many times "Say: 'If you love Allah, follow me, and Allah will love you, and forgive you your sins; Allah is All-forgiving, All-compassionate.' Qur'an AleImran 3:31
If someone truly love Allah, it will manifest itself in that person following the sunnah of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. Following the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, will cause Allah to love us and forgive our sins. Following the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, was a simple matter for his companions because they knew and loved him. When he would tell them something they heard and they obeyed him. Disobeying him never even crossed their minds.
How do we follow the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace? We must love Allah--why can't we not love Allah? If someone give you a nice car (just because...like my kids always say to me...no particular reason other than out of love), won't you love that person? Allah gives us more than a nice car--Just by the fact that we are still blinking, we owe Him much love and gratitude. Just because you cannot see Allah, you know He is there. He is the One who is sustaining you. We don't see Him because we are too busy to stop and think about who is the One behind all these that are with us and surround us--we are too visual--we must see with the eyes to appreciate and to love. We need to be less visual and ponder and reflect more often His creation--and the more we do this the more we "see" Allah, inshaAllah. And that will inevitably result in the hastening to obedience of Allah.
If we obey Allah and the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, out of love, then our worship is elevated from a mere ritualistic practice to something that is a deep expression of inward love. This should be what we all should strive to do. And love is sweet!
And Allah knows best.
May Allah grant us that sweetness of faith. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
We have heard and read this before many times "Say: 'If you love Allah, follow me, and Allah will love you, and forgive you your sins; Allah is All-forgiving, All-compassionate.' Qur'an AleImran 3:31
If someone truly love Allah, it will manifest itself in that person following the sunnah of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. Following the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, will cause Allah to love us and forgive our sins. Following the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, was a simple matter for his companions because they knew and loved him. When he would tell them something they heard and they obeyed him. Disobeying him never even crossed their minds.
How do we follow the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace? We must love Allah--why can't we not love Allah? If someone give you a nice car (just because...like my kids always say to me...no particular reason other than out of love), won't you love that person? Allah gives us more than a nice car--Just by the fact that we are still blinking, we owe Him much love and gratitude. Just because you cannot see Allah, you know He is there. He is the One who is sustaining you. We don't see Him because we are too busy to stop and think about who is the One behind all these that are with us and surround us--we are too visual--we must see with the eyes to appreciate and to love. We need to be less visual and ponder and reflect more often His creation--and the more we do this the more we "see" Allah, inshaAllah. And that will inevitably result in the hastening to obedience of Allah.
If we obey Allah and the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, out of love, then our worship is elevated from a mere ritualistic practice to something that is a deep expression of inward love. This should be what we all should strive to do. And love is sweet!
And Allah knows best.
May Allah grant us that sweetness of faith. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Completing the Qur'an
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Alhamdulillah, we completed our group reading of the Qur'an this month last night with more participation than last month. MashaAllah! May Allah accept your works and reward you well. Ameen.
InshaAllah, we plan to do the khatma again next month but a little differently. I would like to invite all of you to read a chapter of the Qur'an each day starting today (with the intention of joining this group). Simply complete reading by maghrib Friday, February 19 when we will do the khatma as a group at Masjid Vista inshaAllah. For those who do not know Arabic, it is best to read the translation first so you get an idea of what you will be reading. For those who can't read Arabic, you can read the translation and make a plan to learn how to read the Arabic. May Allah reward you and give you tawfiq. Ameen.
We should continue maintaining our Qur'an recitation and do much of it. The Righteous Forbears had different habits regarding the time in which they would finish the Qur'an. Some of them would finish the Qur'an once every 2 months or every month; once every ten nights or every eight; most of them every 7 night; some every 6 nights, every 5 or every 4; many every 3 nights; some every 2 days, every day and night, twice every day and night, twice each day, and 8 times each day (4 by night and 4 by day). Those who complete the recitation of the Qur'an every day include Uthman ibn Affan, al-Shafi', Mujahid, Sa'id ibn Jubayr and Tamim al-Dari (may Allah be very pleased with them all).
We should aspire to be like the Righteous Forebears. Don't say "I can't." We have time. Remember Allah create time and so He can expand time for us. InshaAllah, if you sincerely desire to do this, Allah will facilitate you to get there. That is His promise and we believe Allah keep His promises. It may take you your whole life to get there or maybe you never get there but you have made the good intention and even if you only made it to read a page a day for the rest of your life inshaAllah, the reward is still tremendous. Allah is All-Generous and All-Merciful. Remember, the Righteous Forebears did this without having dishwashers to help clean their dishes, washing machine and dryer to help clean and dry their clothes, no light switch to turn on the light, electric/gas stove to cook, just to name a few of our conveniences that have made many of us weak and lazy. We have all the ease and convenience in the world and yet for many of us can't do even a minute fraction of what they could. Excuses won't do us any good.
And Allah knows best.
May Allah bless your time. Ameen.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Alhamdulillah, we completed our group reading of the Qur'an this month last night with more participation than last month. MashaAllah! May Allah accept your works and reward you well. Ameen.
InshaAllah, we plan to do the khatma again next month but a little differently. I would like to invite all of you to read a chapter of the Qur'an each day starting today (with the intention of joining this group). Simply complete reading by maghrib Friday, February 19 when we will do the khatma as a group at Masjid Vista inshaAllah. For those who do not know Arabic, it is best to read the translation first so you get an idea of what you will be reading. For those who can't read Arabic, you can read the translation and make a plan to learn how to read the Arabic. May Allah reward you and give you tawfiq. Ameen.
We should continue maintaining our Qur'an recitation and do much of it. The Righteous Forbears had different habits regarding the time in which they would finish the Qur'an. Some of them would finish the Qur'an once every 2 months or every month; once every ten nights or every eight; most of them every 7 night; some every 6 nights, every 5 or every 4; many every 3 nights; some every 2 days, every day and night, twice every day and night, twice each day, and 8 times each day (4 by night and 4 by day). Those who complete the recitation of the Qur'an every day include Uthman ibn Affan, al-Shafi', Mujahid, Sa'id ibn Jubayr and Tamim al-Dari (may Allah be very pleased with them all).
We should aspire to be like the Righteous Forebears. Don't say "I can't." We have time. Remember Allah create time and so He can expand time for us. InshaAllah, if you sincerely desire to do this, Allah will facilitate you to get there. That is His promise and we believe Allah keep His promises. It may take you your whole life to get there or maybe you never get there but you have made the good intention and even if you only made it to read a page a day for the rest of your life inshaAllah, the reward is still tremendous. Allah is All-Generous and All-Merciful. Remember, the Righteous Forebears did this without having dishwashers to help clean their dishes, washing machine and dryer to help clean and dry their clothes, no light switch to turn on the light, electric/gas stove to cook, just to name a few of our conveniences that have made many of us weak and lazy. We have all the ease and convenience in the world and yet for many of us can't do even a minute fraction of what they could. Excuses won't do us any good.
And Allah knows best.
May Allah bless your time. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Gratitude to people
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
pray that you are well.
The Muhajirun came to the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said about the Ansar, the gist of it is: "we have never seen a people like the Ansar, they comfort us when they are poor and they are generous to us when they are well off, they work in their farms and they split their harvest with us." and they thought the Ansar will get all the reward and leave them with nothing. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said No as long as they are grateful towards them and make du'a for them.
This is a reminder for us that when someone (anyone--close or strangers) do good to us or do us a favor, make du'a for them. Give sincere thanks to them. Say, may Allah reward you well (jazakallahu khairan), may Allah bless you, may Allah give you good in this world and the akhirah, etc, and mean it in the heart--not just on the tongue. Teach and remind this to our children. This is part of being a Muslim--to have gratitude. The one who is not grateful towards people is not going to be grateful towards His Creator.
And Allah knows best.
May Allah Most Generous make us His grateful slaves. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
pray that you are well.
The Muhajirun came to the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said about the Ansar, the gist of it is: "we have never seen a people like the Ansar, they comfort us when they are poor and they are generous to us when they are well off, they work in their farms and they split their harvest with us." and they thought the Ansar will get all the reward and leave them with nothing. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said No as long as they are grateful towards them and make du'a for them.
This is a reminder for us that when someone (anyone--close or strangers) do good to us or do us a favor, make du'a for them. Give sincere thanks to them. Say, may Allah reward you well (jazakallahu khairan), may Allah bless you, may Allah give you good in this world and the akhirah, etc, and mean it in the heart--not just on the tongue. Teach and remind this to our children. This is part of being a Muslim--to have gratitude. The one who is not grateful towards people is not going to be grateful towards His Creator.
And Allah knows best.
May Allah Most Generous make us His grateful slaves. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Friday, January 22, 2010
Knowledge and Paradise
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
"Allah bears witness that there is no god but He -- and the angels, and men possessed of knowledge -- upholding justice; there is no god but He, the All-mighty, the All-wise." Qur'an AleImran 3:18
Allah began attestation first by Himself, then by His angels and then the learned. It is understood by this verse that the rank of the learned and their honor are much high. The mark of true knowledge is fearful reverence of Allah. No one has a deep fearful reverence of Allah (khashya) except people of knowledge. If khasyha is in the heart of that person, it takes that person to the highest Paradise. So knowledge is the key to the blissful Gardens.
But those to whom knowledge had been given said, 'Woe upon you! The reward of God is better for him who believes, and works righteousness; and none shall receive it except the steadfast.' Qur'an Al-Qasas 28:80
What! he who is obedient during hours of the night, prostrating himself and standing, takes care of the hereafter and hopes for the mercy of his Lord! Say: Are those who know and those who do not know alike? Only the men of understanding are mindful." Qur'an Az-Zumar 39:9
So, seek knowledge and don't stop until you reach your grave. Tawfiq.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
"Allah bears witness that there is no god but He -- and the angels, and men possessed of knowledge -- upholding justice; there is no god but He, the All-mighty, the All-wise." Qur'an AleImran 3:18
Allah began attestation first by Himself, then by His angels and then the learned. It is understood by this verse that the rank of the learned and their honor are much high. The mark of true knowledge is fearful reverence of Allah. No one has a deep fearful reverence of Allah (khashya) except people of knowledge. If khasyha is in the heart of that person, it takes that person to the highest Paradise. So knowledge is the key to the blissful Gardens.
But those to whom knowledge had been given said, 'Woe upon you! The reward of God is better for him who believes, and works righteousness; and none shall receive it except the steadfast.' Qur'an Al-Qasas 28:80
What! he who is obedient during hours of the night, prostrating himself and standing, takes care of the hereafter and hopes for the mercy of his Lord! Say: Are those who know and those who do not know alike? Only the men of understanding are mindful." Qur'an Az-Zumar 39:9
So, seek knowledge and don't stop until you reach your grave. Tawfiq.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Qur'an--a valuable gift
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
May Allah envelopes you in His mercy and generosity. Ameen.
Qur'an is a valuable gift. There is no better wealth than the Qur'an. May Allah bless and grant him peace and increase our love for him, our beloved Prophet, the one who brought us the light.
Qur'an gives us encouragement, lessons, deep insight and thinking. Use this wealth everyday and ponder on some. You will find something that will help you get you through the day inshaAllah.
Allah says, ".. remember Me, I will remember you, and be thankful to Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me. O you who believe! seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely Allah is with the patient." Qur'an Al-Baqara 2:152-153 To be grateful to Allah is to obey Him. If we start our day with embodying the words of Allah, having good thought of Allah that He keep His promise, we will get through the day fine no matter what happen inshaAllah.
May Allah make us His grateful slaves and grant us patience in all that we are going through and everything that we are struggling to do. Ameen.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
May Allah envelopes you in His mercy and generosity. Ameen.
Qur'an is a valuable gift. There is no better wealth than the Qur'an. May Allah bless and grant him peace and increase our love for him, our beloved Prophet, the one who brought us the light.
Qur'an gives us encouragement, lessons, deep insight and thinking. Use this wealth everyday and ponder on some. You will find something that will help you get you through the day inshaAllah.
Allah says, ".. remember Me, I will remember you, and be thankful to Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me. O you who believe! seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely Allah is with the patient." Qur'an Al-Baqara 2:152-153 To be grateful to Allah is to obey Him. If we start our day with embodying the words of Allah, having good thought of Allah that He keep His promise, we will get through the day fine no matter what happen inshaAllah.
May Allah make us His grateful slaves and grant us patience in all that we are going through and everything that we are struggling to do. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Reciting and Bearing Quran/our Monthly Khatma Qur'an every 3rd Friday at Maghrib
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
"Surely, those who recite the Book of God, and establish Prayer, and spend, secretly and openly, from that which He has bestowed on them, they look forward to imperishable gain, so that He will fully recompense them their wages and increase them of His grace. Indeed, He is All-Forgiving, All-Thankful." Qur'an Faatir 35:29-30
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,
"The best among you is one who learns the Qur'an and teaches it." (Bukhari)
"The one who recites the Qur'an and is skillful therein will be with the obedient, noble, recording angels; and the one who reads the Qur'an stammering, it being difficult for him, has two rewards." (Bukhari)
"The likeness of a believer who recites the Qur'an is like that of a citron: its scent is fragrant and its taste delicious. The likeness of a believer who does not recite the Qur'an is like that of a date: it has no fragrance and its taste is delicious. The likeness of a hypocrite who recites the Qur'an is a like a water lily: its scent is fragrant and its taste is bitter. And a likeness of a hypocrite who does not recite the Qur'an is like a bitter colocynth: it is scentless and its taste is bitter. (Bukhari)
"Recite the Qur'an, for on the Day of Judgment it will come to intercede for its companion." (Muslim)
Know that a group reciting together is recommended act. "No group remembers Allah except that angels encompass them, mercy envelopes them, and tranquility descends upon them, and Allah mentions them to those in His presence." (Tirmidhi).
InshaAllah, our next monthly group recitation of Qur'an will be this Friday, January 22, 2010 (and will continue every 3rd Friday of the month inshaAllah). Physical venue is at Masjid Vista, California. Locals will start reading after Maghrib prayer 5:30 pm. Everybody to complete reading by by 7:00 pm California time. Khatam and du'a after Isha prayer (8:00 pm California time) followed by refreshments and snacks.
This event is open to all Muslims and their families. For those who are local, please bring your families to the masjid for the khatam even if you cannot read. InshaAllah you gain the full benefits and Allah mentions you to those in His presence the same.
There are 5 categories of reciters and you know who you are:
1) Those who are local or within the vicinity of masjid Vista and have been assigned the chapters to recite. You may recite at anytime after Friday prayer or join us at the masjid at Maghrib.
2) Those who are local or within the vicinity of masjid Vista and have not been assigned the chapters to recite, you may sign up the chapter(s) you would like to recite on the sign-up sheet posted by the library door. You may recite at anytime after Friday prayer or join us at the masjid at Maghrib.
3) Those who are remote and have been assigned the chapters to recite. You may recite at anytime after Friday prayer at your locality.
4) Those who are remote and have not been assigned any chapters to recite. If you would like to join the group, make an intention for this and start from Juz 1, Al-Fatiha and Al-Baqarah. You may read as many chapters as you like each time. Keep record of what you have recited and continue to the next juz next month.
5) Those who cannot read the Qur'an in Arabic, you may read the translation of the Qur'an, begin with Juz 1, Al-Fatiha and Al-Baqarah. You may read as many chapters as you like. Keep record of what you have read and continue to the next chapter next month.
Some etiquette with the Qur'an and recitation:
1. Make a sincere intention that you are doing this for Allah. "Actions are only valued according to their intentions, and each person has only what he has intended." (Bukhari and Muslim)
"And they were ordered no more than to worship Allah sincerely, keeping religion pure to Him, being upright, to establish the Prayer, and to give obligatory charity. And that is the worthy religion." Qur'an 98:5
2. One should bring to mind that he is addressing Allah and therefore should read as if one sees Allah Most High, and even if he does not see Allah, verily Allah Most High sees him. (from Hadith Jibril)
So before reciting the Qu'ran, clean the mouth with toothstick or the like, be in a state of ritual purity, be in a clean place and minimum distraction, face the Qibla, seek protection in Allah from the Shaytan.
3. At the beginning and during recitation, one's state should be that of humility and reflection. "This is a Book that We have sent down to you, full blessing, that they may reflect upon its signs." Qur'an 38:29.
4. Recite distinctly, not rapidly.
5. Supplicate while reciting. Whenever one passes by a verse containing the mention of mercy, it is recommended that he ask Allah from His bounty. Whenever he passes by a verse containing the mention of chastisement, he seeks protection with Allah from evil or from chastisement, or he says, "Allahumma inni as'aluka al-'afiya (O Allah, I ask You for safe-being). Whenever one passes by a verse of declaring Allah transcendent beyond any imperfection, he should declare Him transcendent beyond imperfection and say, "Subhanahu wa ta'ala (He is Transcendent and Most High) or "Tabarak wa ta'ala (He is Blessed and Most High)
May Allah make us sincere in our worship and envelope us in His Mercy and Generosity. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
"Surely, those who recite the Book of God, and establish Prayer, and spend, secretly and openly, from that which He has bestowed on them, they look forward to imperishable gain, so that He will fully recompense them their wages and increase them of His grace. Indeed, He is All-Forgiving, All-Thankful." Qur'an Faatir 35:29-30
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,
"The best among you is one who learns the Qur'an and teaches it." (Bukhari)
"The one who recites the Qur'an and is skillful therein will be with the obedient, noble, recording angels; and the one who reads the Qur'an stammering, it being difficult for him, has two rewards." (Bukhari)
"The likeness of a believer who recites the Qur'an is like that of a citron: its scent is fragrant and its taste delicious. The likeness of a believer who does not recite the Qur'an is like that of a date: it has no fragrance and its taste is delicious. The likeness of a hypocrite who recites the Qur'an is a like a water lily: its scent is fragrant and its taste is bitter. And a likeness of a hypocrite who does not recite the Qur'an is like a bitter colocynth: it is scentless and its taste is bitter. (Bukhari)
"Recite the Qur'an, for on the Day of Judgment it will come to intercede for its companion." (Muslim)
Know that a group reciting together is recommended act. "No group remembers Allah except that angels encompass them, mercy envelopes them, and tranquility descends upon them, and Allah mentions them to those in His presence." (Tirmidhi).
InshaAllah, our next monthly group recitation of Qur'an will be this Friday, January 22, 2010 (and will continue every 3rd Friday of the month inshaAllah). Physical venue is at Masjid Vista, California. Locals will start reading after Maghrib prayer 5:30 pm. Everybody to complete reading by by 7:00 pm California time. Khatam and du'a after Isha prayer (8:00 pm California time) followed by refreshments and snacks.
This event is open to all Muslims and their families. For those who are local, please bring your families to the masjid for the khatam even if you cannot read. InshaAllah you gain the full benefits and Allah mentions you to those in His presence the same.
There are 5 categories of reciters and you know who you are:
1) Those who are local or within the vicinity of masjid Vista and have been assigned the chapters to recite. You may recite at anytime after Friday prayer or join us at the masjid at Maghrib.
2) Those who are local or within the vicinity of masjid Vista and have not been assigned the chapters to recite, you may sign up the chapter(s) you would like to recite on the sign-up sheet posted by the library door. You may recite at anytime after Friday prayer or join us at the masjid at Maghrib.
3) Those who are remote and have been assigned the chapters to recite. You may recite at anytime after Friday prayer at your locality.
4) Those who are remote and have not been assigned any chapters to recite. If you would like to join the group, make an intention for this and start from Juz 1, Al-Fatiha and Al-Baqarah. You may read as many chapters as you like each time. Keep record of what you have recited and continue to the next juz next month.
5) Those who cannot read the Qur'an in Arabic, you may read the translation of the Qur'an, begin with Juz 1, Al-Fatiha and Al-Baqarah. You may read as many chapters as you like. Keep record of what you have read and continue to the next chapter next month.
Some etiquette with the Qur'an and recitation:
1. Make a sincere intention that you are doing this for Allah. "Actions are only valued according to their intentions, and each person has only what he has intended." (Bukhari and Muslim)
"And they were ordered no more than to worship Allah sincerely, keeping religion pure to Him, being upright, to establish the Prayer, and to give obligatory charity. And that is the worthy religion." Qur'an 98:5
2. One should bring to mind that he is addressing Allah and therefore should read as if one sees Allah Most High, and even if he does not see Allah, verily Allah Most High sees him. (from Hadith Jibril)
So before reciting the Qu'ran, clean the mouth with toothstick or the like, be in a state of ritual purity, be in a clean place and minimum distraction, face the Qibla, seek protection in Allah from the Shaytan.
3. At the beginning and during recitation, one's state should be that of humility and reflection. "This is a Book that We have sent down to you, full blessing, that they may reflect upon its signs." Qur'an 38:29.
4. Recite distinctly, not rapidly.
5. Supplicate while reciting. Whenever one passes by a verse containing the mention of mercy, it is recommended that he ask Allah from His bounty. Whenever he passes by a verse containing the mention of chastisement, he seeks protection with Allah from evil or from chastisement, or he says, "Allahumma inni as'aluka al-'afiya (O Allah, I ask You for safe-being). Whenever one passes by a verse of declaring Allah transcendent beyond any imperfection, he should declare Him transcendent beyond imperfection and say, "Subhanahu wa ta'ala (He is Transcendent and Most High) or "Tabarak wa ta'ala (He is Blessed and Most High)
May Allah make us sincere in our worship and envelope us in His Mercy and Generosity. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
"If you love Allah, love me"
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well and in high spirits of Iman. Ameen.
Narrated Aisha, Allah be pleased with her: The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to offer prayer at night (for such a long time) that his feet used to crack. I said, "O Allah's Messenger! Why do you do it since Allah has forgiven you your faults of the past and those to follow?" He said, "Shouldn't I love to be a thankful slave (of Allah)?' When he became old, he prayed while sitting, but if he wanted to perform a bowing, he would get up, recite (some other verses) and then perform the bowing. (Bukhari)
Narrated Aisha, Allah be pleased with her: I heard the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and listened to him before his death while he was leaning his back on me and saying, "O Allah! Forgive me, and bestow Your Mercy on me, and let me meet the companions." (Bukhari)
This is our beloved Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, a thankful and humble slave of Allah, who we should love and strive to emulate him. And Allah will love us and forgive our sins. InshaAllah.
"Say: 'If you love Allah, follow me, and Allah will love you, and forgive you your sins; Allah is All-forgiving, All-compassionate.' Qur'an AleImran 3:31
May Allah increase our love for the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and give us tawfiq. Ameen.
Wassalaam,
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well and in high spirits of Iman. Ameen.
Narrated Aisha, Allah be pleased with her: The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to offer prayer at night (for such a long time) that his feet used to crack. I said, "O Allah's Messenger! Why do you do it since Allah has forgiven you your faults of the past and those to follow?" He said, "Shouldn't I love to be a thankful slave (of Allah)?' When he became old, he prayed while sitting, but if he wanted to perform a bowing, he would get up, recite (some other verses) and then perform the bowing. (Bukhari)
Narrated Aisha, Allah be pleased with her: I heard the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and listened to him before his death while he was leaning his back on me and saying, "O Allah! Forgive me, and bestow Your Mercy on me, and let me meet the companions." (Bukhari)
This is our beloved Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, a thankful and humble slave of Allah, who we should love and strive to emulate him. And Allah will love us and forgive our sins. InshaAllah.
"Say: 'If you love Allah, follow me, and Allah will love you, and forgive you your sins; Allah is All-forgiving, All-compassionate.' Qur'an AleImran 3:31
May Allah increase our love for the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and give us tawfiq. Ameen.
Wassalaam,
Monday, January 18, 2010
Can't we just share?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu Alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Can't we just share? Why are we so selfish? We are like those egocentric 3 or 4 year olds--everything is mine, mine! You cannot have it--it is mine! Those years are long gone--you are an adult now. Remember, NOTHING is yours--EVERYTHING belongs to Allah, the Almighty. He can take it back from you at anytime--"Be" and you left with nothing. This life is not the end of the story. "...and the present life is but the joy of delusion" Quran Al-Hadid 57:20.
You might be able to get away with everything in this life, prosper in this life, feeling comfortable in this life but remember everything will perish one day. We will be in front of Him one day and He is Just--nothing will be left unaccounted for. Even a dog will get its justice in the Day of Judgment. It is not going to be a pretty scene if you are selfish, unmindful of others and hurting others.
The difference between those who have and give and those who have and don't give is like a tree which bear abundant fruits and a barren fruit tree. What would you do to the barren fruit tree? You remove it and replace it with another one!
We are not even a speck compared to this earth, let alone His whole creation. So He doesn't need us, we need Him. He is most Generous and at the same time He is most Just. We should then always try to seek His pleasure and try to gain His love. He bless you with something and not to others to test you to see if you truly believe. If you truly believe everything about Him, then you would not have any qualms sharing what He gives you. That set you apart from those who are not telling the truth about believing Him. Our life on this earth is solely to worship Him--how then you can say you worship Him when you can't share what He gave you, when you are hesitant to give, when you are afraid to do the right thing? SubhanAllah!
"The believers are those who believe in God and His Messenger, then have not doubted, and have struggled with their possessions and their selves in the way of God; those -- they are the truthful ones." Qur'an Al-Hujuraat 49:15
"Your possessions and your children are only a trial, and Allah it is with Whom is a great reward. Therefore be careful of (your duty to) Allah as much as you can, and hear and obey and spend, it is better for your souls; and whoever is saved from the greediness of his soul, those are the successful." Qur'an At-Taghaabun 64:15-16
"Till, when death comes to one of them, he says, 'My Lord, return me; haply I shall do righteousness in that I forsook.' Nay, it is but a word he speaks; and there; behind them, is a barrier until the day that they shall be raised up. For when the Trumpet is blown, that day there shall be no ties of relationship between them, nor will they ask of each other. Then he whose scales are heavy -- they are the successful., and he whose scales are light -- they have lost their souls, abiding in Hell." Qur'an The Believers 22:99-103
And Allah knows best.
May Allah give us tawfiq. Ameen.
Wassalaam.
In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu Alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Can't we just share? Why are we so selfish? We are like those egocentric 3 or 4 year olds--everything is mine, mine! You cannot have it--it is mine! Those years are long gone--you are an adult now. Remember, NOTHING is yours--EVERYTHING belongs to Allah, the Almighty. He can take it back from you at anytime--"Be" and you left with nothing. This life is not the end of the story. "...and the present life is but the joy of delusion" Quran Al-Hadid 57:20.
You might be able to get away with everything in this life, prosper in this life, feeling comfortable in this life but remember everything will perish one day. We will be in front of Him one day and He is Just--nothing will be left unaccounted for. Even a dog will get its justice in the Day of Judgment. It is not going to be a pretty scene if you are selfish, unmindful of others and hurting others.
The difference between those who have and give and those who have and don't give is like a tree which bear abundant fruits and a barren fruit tree. What would you do to the barren fruit tree? You remove it and replace it with another one!
We are not even a speck compared to this earth, let alone His whole creation. So He doesn't need us, we need Him. He is most Generous and at the same time He is most Just. We should then always try to seek His pleasure and try to gain His love. He bless you with something and not to others to test you to see if you truly believe. If you truly believe everything about Him, then you would not have any qualms sharing what He gives you. That set you apart from those who are not telling the truth about believing Him. Our life on this earth is solely to worship Him--how then you can say you worship Him when you can't share what He gave you, when you are hesitant to give, when you are afraid to do the right thing? SubhanAllah!
"The believers are those who believe in God and His Messenger, then have not doubted, and have struggled with their possessions and their selves in the way of God; those -- they are the truthful ones." Qur'an Al-Hujuraat 49:15
"Your possessions and your children are only a trial, and Allah it is with Whom is a great reward. Therefore be careful of (your duty to) Allah as much as you can, and hear and obey and spend, it is better for your souls; and whoever is saved from the greediness of his soul, those are the successful." Qur'an At-Taghaabun 64:15-16
"Till, when death comes to one of them, he says, 'My Lord, return me; haply I shall do righteousness in that I forsook.' Nay, it is but a word he speaks; and there; behind them, is a barrier until the day that they shall be raised up. For when the Trumpet is blown, that day there shall be no ties of relationship between them, nor will they ask of each other. Then he whose scales are heavy -- they are the successful., and he whose scales are light -- they have lost their souls, abiding in Hell." Qur'an The Believers 22:99-103
And Allah knows best.
May Allah give us tawfiq. Ameen.
Wassalaam.
Hidden Love--a story
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
A good lesson...not my story!
My husband is an Engineer by profession, I love him for his steady nature, and I love the warm feeling when I lean against his broad shoulders. Three years of courtship and now, two years into marriage, I would have to admit, that I am getting tired of it. The reasons of me loving him before, has now transformed into the cause of all my restlessness. I am a sentimental woman and extremely sensitive when it comes to a relationship and my feelings, I yearn for the romantic moments, like a little girl yearning for candy. My husband, is my complete opposite, his lack of sensitivity, and the inability of bringing romantic moments into our marriage has disheartened me about love.
One day, I finally decided to tell him my decision, that I wanted a divorce.“Why?” he asked, shocked. “I am tired, there are no reasons for everything in the world!” I answered. He kept silent the whole night, seems to be in deep thought with a lighted cigarette at all times. My feeling of disappointment only increased, here was a man who can’t even express his predicament, what else can I hope from him? And finally he asked me:” What can I do to change your mind?” Somebody said it right, it’s hard to change a person’s personality, and I guess, I have started losing faith in him. Looking deep into his eyes I slowly answered : “Here is the question, if you can answer and convince my heart, I will change my mind, Let’s say, I want a flower located on the face of a mountain cliff, and we both are sure that picking the flower will cause your death, will you do it for me?” He said :” I will give you your answer tomorrow….” My hopes just sank by listening to his response.
I woke up the next morning to find him gone, and saw a piece of paper with his scratchy handwriting, underneath a milk glass, on the dining table near the front door, that goes…. My dear, “I would not pick that flower for you, but please allow me to explain the reasons further..” This first line was already breaking my heart. I continued reading.
“When you use the computer you always mess up the Software programs, and you cry in front of the screen, I have to save my fingers so that I can help to restore the programs. You always leave the house keys behind, thus I have to save my legs to rush home to open the door for you. You love traveling but always lose your way in a new city, I have to save my eyes to show you the way. You always have the cramps whenever your “good friend” approaches every month, I have to save my palms so that I can calm the cramps in your tummy. You like to stay indoors, and I worry that you will be infected by infantile autism. I have to save my mouth to tell you jokes and stories to cure your boredom. You always stare at the computer, and that will do nothing good for your eyes, I have to save my eyes so that when we grow old, I can help to clip your nails, and help to remove those annoying white hairs. So I can also hold your hand while strolling down the beach, as you enjoy the sunshine and the beautiful sand… and tell you the color of flowers, just like the color of the glow on your young face… Thus, my dear, unless I am sure that there is someone who loves you more than I do… I could not pick that flower yet, and die.. ”
My tears fell on the letter, and blurred the ink of his handwriting… and as I continue on reading… “Now, that you have finished reading my answer, if you are satisfied, please open the front door for I am standing outside bringing your favorite bread and fresh milk… I rush to pull open the door, and saw his anxious face, clutching tightly with his hands, the milk bottle and loaf of bread….
Now I am very sure that no one will ever love me as much as he does, and I have decided to leave the flower alone…
That’s life, and love. When one is surrounded by love, the feeling of excitement fades away, and one tends to ignore the true love that lies in between the peace and dullness. Love shows up in all forms, even very small and cheeky forms, it has never been a model, it could be the most dull and boring form.. . flowers, and romantic moments are only used and appear on the surface of the relationship. Under all this, the pillar of true love stands… and that’s our life… Love, not words win arguments…
May Allah give you sweet love and tranquility. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
A good lesson...not my story!
My husband is an Engineer by profession, I love him for his steady nature, and I love the warm feeling when I lean against his broad shoulders. Three years of courtship and now, two years into marriage, I would have to admit, that I am getting tired of it. The reasons of me loving him before, has now transformed into the cause of all my restlessness. I am a sentimental woman and extremely sensitive when it comes to a relationship and my feelings, I yearn for the romantic moments, like a little girl yearning for candy. My husband, is my complete opposite, his lack of sensitivity, and the inability of bringing romantic moments into our marriage has disheartened me about love.
One day, I finally decided to tell him my decision, that I wanted a divorce.“Why?” he asked, shocked. “I am tired, there are no reasons for everything in the world!” I answered. He kept silent the whole night, seems to be in deep thought with a lighted cigarette at all times. My feeling of disappointment only increased, here was a man who can’t even express his predicament, what else can I hope from him? And finally he asked me:” What can I do to change your mind?” Somebody said it right, it’s hard to change a person’s personality, and I guess, I have started losing faith in him. Looking deep into his eyes I slowly answered : “Here is the question, if you can answer and convince my heart, I will change my mind, Let’s say, I want a flower located on the face of a mountain cliff, and we both are sure that picking the flower will cause your death, will you do it for me?” He said :” I will give you your answer tomorrow….” My hopes just sank by listening to his response.
I woke up the next morning to find him gone, and saw a piece of paper with his scratchy handwriting, underneath a milk glass, on the dining table near the front door, that goes…. My dear, “I would not pick that flower for you, but please allow me to explain the reasons further..” This first line was already breaking my heart. I continued reading.
“When you use the computer you always mess up the Software programs, and you cry in front of the screen, I have to save my fingers so that I can help to restore the programs. You always leave the house keys behind, thus I have to save my legs to rush home to open the door for you. You love traveling but always lose your way in a new city, I have to save my eyes to show you the way. You always have the cramps whenever your “good friend” approaches every month, I have to save my palms so that I can calm the cramps in your tummy. You like to stay indoors, and I worry that you will be infected by infantile autism. I have to save my mouth to tell you jokes and stories to cure your boredom. You always stare at the computer, and that will do nothing good for your eyes, I have to save my eyes so that when we grow old, I can help to clip your nails, and help to remove those annoying white hairs. So I can also hold your hand while strolling down the beach, as you enjoy the sunshine and the beautiful sand… and tell you the color of flowers, just like the color of the glow on your young face… Thus, my dear, unless I am sure that there is someone who loves you more than I do… I could not pick that flower yet, and die.. ”
My tears fell on the letter, and blurred the ink of his handwriting… and as I continue on reading… “Now, that you have finished reading my answer, if you are satisfied, please open the front door for I am standing outside bringing your favorite bread and fresh milk… I rush to pull open the door, and saw his anxious face, clutching tightly with his hands, the milk bottle and loaf of bread….
Now I am very sure that no one will ever love me as much as he does, and I have decided to leave the flower alone…
That’s life, and love. When one is surrounded by love, the feeling of excitement fades away, and one tends to ignore the true love that lies in between the peace and dullness. Love shows up in all forms, even very small and cheeky forms, it has never been a model, it could be the most dull and boring form.. . flowers, and romantic moments are only used and appear on the surface of the relationship. Under all this, the pillar of true love stands… and that’s our life… Love, not words win arguments…
May Allah give you sweet love and tranquility. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Paradise Is Under The Feet Of Your Mother
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Yes, I miss my mother! How could I not miss my great teacher and my confidante. She taught me many things--especially how to be a woman. Her wisdom helped me through many difficult times. She once told me that a woman's place is at home and a good mother is an educated one. And how true her words were! No one can replace her--my mother and my friend. When I miss her unbearably, I called her sister, my only aunt--she is almost like my mother. Sometimes I wish my mother is still alive so I can smell her, so I can share my life and my children with her.
So do more for your mother and don't take her for granted while she is still alive. Visit her, hug her and call her often. Show love to your mother because she is the one who love you the most. No one can ever match her love and sacrifices for you. How would she not be the one? You were once a part of her body. For nine months she bore the difficulties of carrying you around. She was excited when you were kicking her in the belly. She can't wait to see you while her life was hanging by the thread going through the pangs of labor and delivery of you. She didn't mind at all the tremendous discomfort of nursing you for many more months--for many mothers suckling her baby wasn't a pleasure trip. She went through many sleepless nights taking care of you and much anxieties worrying about you. She held your hand until you are now able to stand on your own two feet. Nothing you do will ever repay her favors and sacrifices. She deserves your life. If you don't have a good relationship with your mother, it's time to bury the hatchet and love her dearly. Don't forget, your Paradise is under her feet.
I remember after my father died, I rushed to my grandmother and asked her to forgive my father for anything he might have done that hurt her and she said, "Your father has done nothing wrong to me and no mother will ever wish for her son not to enter Paradise." You see, a mother want no harm for her child and only want the best for her children. So don't mind your mother when she is upset, angry, frustrated or didn't quite say the right words--it is just her emotions or ignorance but all her heart is filled with nothing but good for you. Be extremely patient with your mom and just hug your mom. Allah will bless your life for the love you showed to your mom, inshaAllah.
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
May Allah forgive our parents and rain His mercy on them and us and all the Muslims.
O Allah, help us be dutiful and excellent to our parents and shower us with Your Mercy, for You are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy. O Allah, have mercy on our parents and all our believing ancestors, pardon them and and forgive them, for You are the Pardoner, the Most Forgiving.
Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Yes, I miss my mother! How could I not miss my great teacher and my confidante. She taught me many things--especially how to be a woman. Her wisdom helped me through many difficult times. She once told me that a woman's place is at home and a good mother is an educated one. And how true her words were! No one can replace her--my mother and my friend. When I miss her unbearably, I called her sister, my only aunt--she is almost like my mother. Sometimes I wish my mother is still alive so I can smell her, so I can share my life and my children with her.
So do more for your mother and don't take her for granted while she is still alive. Visit her, hug her and call her often. Show love to your mother because she is the one who love you the most. No one can ever match her love and sacrifices for you. How would she not be the one? You were once a part of her body. For nine months she bore the difficulties of carrying you around. She was excited when you were kicking her in the belly. She can't wait to see you while her life was hanging by the thread going through the pangs of labor and delivery of you. She didn't mind at all the tremendous discomfort of nursing you for many more months--for many mothers suckling her baby wasn't a pleasure trip. She went through many sleepless nights taking care of you and much anxieties worrying about you. She held your hand until you are now able to stand on your own two feet. Nothing you do will ever repay her favors and sacrifices. She deserves your life. If you don't have a good relationship with your mother, it's time to bury the hatchet and love her dearly. Don't forget, your Paradise is under her feet.
I remember after my father died, I rushed to my grandmother and asked her to forgive my father for anything he might have done that hurt her and she said, "Your father has done nothing wrong to me and no mother will ever wish for her son not to enter Paradise." You see, a mother want no harm for her child and only want the best for her children. So don't mind your mother when she is upset, angry, frustrated or didn't quite say the right words--it is just her emotions or ignorance but all her heart is filled with nothing but good for you. Be extremely patient with your mom and just hug your mom. Allah will bless your life for the love you showed to your mom, inshaAllah.
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
May Allah forgive our parents and rain His mercy on them and us and all the Muslims.
O Allah, help us be dutiful and excellent to our parents and shower us with Your Mercy, for You are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy. O Allah, have mercy on our parents and all our believing ancestors, pardon them and and forgive them, for You are the Pardoner, the Most Forgiving.
Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Friday, January 15, 2010
Don't cry
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Why do you cry so much and feel so sad when you lose something--whether it is a loved one or a thing remembered? Would you cry and feel so sad when your friend took back his car which he let you use or her little baby after you held him?
Allah owns everything we have. He is the Owner of everything. So He can take anything back whenever He wants, no question asked. It is His prerogative. If He wants something to happen, it happens. If He doesn't want something to happen it does not happen.
So we should try to remember this and not let losses grieve us for too long--it is okay to grieve for a little bit relatively speaking. It is okay to cry because that is mercy, but try not to get yourself all round up until you lose all perspectives. It is also not good for your health.
A pious man once said to me a very wise thing, in an effort to console me when my mother died back home and I wasn't there (I already schedule to fly back to Malaysia that day to be with her but she passed on that same day). I cried so hard when I received the news and I could not stop crying. He said, "did your mother cry when you came here (America) to study." I said, "yes." "And you did see her again after you came here?" I said, "yes." And he said, "Just pretend that you are her and she is you right now." It immediately stopped my tears because I understood what he meant that this world is temporary and it won't be too long that I will see her again, inshaAllah. For the ones who love each other for the sake of Allah, they will be together again in the Hereafter, the eternal abode.
It is very important to have good righteous people around you to lift you up when you are down. They are your armor when the Shaytan tries to take you further down. Calamities can strike at any moment--least when you expect it. One moment we are laughing of joy, another moment we are crying of sadness. One moment you have someone, another moment you lose that someone. One moment you have your job, another moment you lose that job. You get the picture. They are like earthquake jolts--sometimes they are just tremors, sometimes just small jolts, that we don't even notice especially if it comes while we are sleeping or preoccupied with something. When the earthquake of 7.0 magnitude hit, we certainly can feel it (for those around the epicenter). If you are not prepared for it and your foundation is shaky, even an earthquake measuring 3.0 on the richter scale can shake you and bury you in your own rubbles.
So before the big jolt comes, equip yourself so you can better handle the devastation. Brace yourself with much remembrance of Allah and hasten to worship Him much sincerely and excellently. If you are a practicing Muslim, hasten to do more. Don't settle with where you are--there is always a better prayer, a better charity, a better fasting, a better character and so on. We keep learning and improve ourselves until we go to our graves, hoping that Allah give us enough time to work on reaching that highest level of Iman before we breathe our last. We only have one chance to be His best slave--in this life only--now. After this, it is accounting time!
May Allah forgive all of us, make our scales heavy on the good and enter us all in the highest Paradise by His Mercy. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Why do you cry so much and feel so sad when you lose something--whether it is a loved one or a thing remembered? Would you cry and feel so sad when your friend took back his car which he let you use or her little baby after you held him?
Allah owns everything we have. He is the Owner of everything. So He can take anything back whenever He wants, no question asked. It is His prerogative. If He wants something to happen, it happens. If He doesn't want something to happen it does not happen.
So we should try to remember this and not let losses grieve us for too long--it is okay to grieve for a little bit relatively speaking. It is okay to cry because that is mercy, but try not to get yourself all round up until you lose all perspectives. It is also not good for your health.
A pious man once said to me a very wise thing, in an effort to console me when my mother died back home and I wasn't there (I already schedule to fly back to Malaysia that day to be with her but she passed on that same day). I cried so hard when I received the news and I could not stop crying. He said, "did your mother cry when you came here (America) to study." I said, "yes." "And you did see her again after you came here?" I said, "yes." And he said, "Just pretend that you are her and she is you right now." It immediately stopped my tears because I understood what he meant that this world is temporary and it won't be too long that I will see her again, inshaAllah. For the ones who love each other for the sake of Allah, they will be together again in the Hereafter, the eternal abode.
It is very important to have good righteous people around you to lift you up when you are down. They are your armor when the Shaytan tries to take you further down. Calamities can strike at any moment--least when you expect it. One moment we are laughing of joy, another moment we are crying of sadness. One moment you have someone, another moment you lose that someone. One moment you have your job, another moment you lose that job. You get the picture. They are like earthquake jolts--sometimes they are just tremors, sometimes just small jolts, that we don't even notice especially if it comes while we are sleeping or preoccupied with something. When the earthquake of 7.0 magnitude hit, we certainly can feel it (for those around the epicenter). If you are not prepared for it and your foundation is shaky, even an earthquake measuring 3.0 on the richter scale can shake you and bury you in your own rubbles.
So before the big jolt comes, equip yourself so you can better handle the devastation. Brace yourself with much remembrance of Allah and hasten to worship Him much sincerely and excellently. If you are a practicing Muslim, hasten to do more. Don't settle with where you are--there is always a better prayer, a better charity, a better fasting, a better character and so on. We keep learning and improve ourselves until we go to our graves, hoping that Allah give us enough time to work on reaching that highest level of Iman before we breathe our last. We only have one chance to be His best slave--in this life only--now. After this, it is accounting time!
May Allah forgive all of us, make our scales heavy on the good and enter us all in the highest Paradise by His Mercy. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Giving to Allah for Allah
BismillahiRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace said: Allah said: Spend (on charity), O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you. (related by Muslim)
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace said, Allah will say on the Day of Resurrection: O son of Adam, I fell ill and you visited Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I visit You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so had fallen ill and you visited him not? Did you not know that had you visited him you would have found Me with him? O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you fed Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I feed You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so asked you for food and you fed him not? Did you not know that had you fed him you would surely have found that (the reward for doing so) with Me? O son of Adam, I asked you to give Me to drink and you gave Me not to drink. He will say: O Lord, how should I give You to drink when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: My servant So-and-so asked you to give him to drink and you gave him not to drink. Had you given him to drink you would have surely found that with Me. (related by Muslim)
We know that our brothers in Haiti are suffering right now, make du'a for them, extend your hand to the fullest to them for this is your opportunity to be loved by Allah Most High. Allah will show you His thanks and His promise will not put you in vain, inshaAllah.
Surely the pious shall drink of a cup whose mixture is camphor, a fountain whereat drink the servants of God, making it to gush forth plenteously. They fulfill their vows, and fear a day whose evil is upon the wing; they give food, for the love of Him, to the needy, the orphan, the captive: 'We feed you only for the Face of God; we desire no recompense from you, no thankfulness; for we fear from our Lord a frowning day, inauspicious. So God has guarded them from the evil of that day, and has procured them radiancy and gladness, and recompensed them for their patience with a Garden, and silk; therein they shall recline upon couches, therein they shall see neither sun nor bitter cold; near them shall be its shades, and its clusters hung meekly down, and there shall be passed around them vessels of silver, and goblets of crystal, crystal of silver that they have measured -- very exactly. And therein they shall be given to drink a cup whose mixture is ginger, therein a fountain whose name is called Salsabil. Immortal youths shall go about them; when you see them, you suppose them scattered pearls, when you see them then you see bliss and a great kingdom. Upon them shall be green garments of silk and brocade; they are adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord shall give them to drink a pure drink. Behold, this is a recompense for you, and your striving is thanked.' Qur'an Al-Ihsaan 76:5:22
May Allah forgive us and have mercy on us and all the Muslims. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace said: Allah said: Spend (on charity), O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you. (related by Muslim)
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace said, Allah will say on the Day of Resurrection: O son of Adam, I fell ill and you visited Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I visit You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so had fallen ill and you visited him not? Did you not know that had you visited him you would have found Me with him? O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you fed Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I feed You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so asked you for food and you fed him not? Did you not know that had you fed him you would surely have found that (the reward for doing so) with Me? O son of Adam, I asked you to give Me to drink and you gave Me not to drink. He will say: O Lord, how should I give You to drink when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: My servant So-and-so asked you to give him to drink and you gave him not to drink. Had you given him to drink you would have surely found that with Me. (related by Muslim)
We know that our brothers in Haiti are suffering right now, make du'a for them, extend your hand to the fullest to them for this is your opportunity to be loved by Allah Most High. Allah will show you His thanks and His promise will not put you in vain, inshaAllah.
Surely the pious shall drink of a cup whose mixture is camphor, a fountain whereat drink the servants of God, making it to gush forth plenteously. They fulfill their vows, and fear a day whose evil is upon the wing; they give food, for the love of Him, to the needy, the orphan, the captive: 'We feed you only for the Face of God; we desire no recompense from you, no thankfulness; for we fear from our Lord a frowning day, inauspicious. So God has guarded them from the evil of that day, and has procured them radiancy and gladness, and recompensed them for their patience with a Garden, and silk; therein they shall recline upon couches, therein they shall see neither sun nor bitter cold; near them shall be its shades, and its clusters hung meekly down, and there shall be passed around them vessels of silver, and goblets of crystal, crystal of silver that they have measured -- very exactly. And therein they shall be given to drink a cup whose mixture is ginger, therein a fountain whose name is called Salsabil. Immortal youths shall go about them; when you see them, you suppose them scattered pearls, when you see them then you see bliss and a great kingdom. Upon them shall be green garments of silk and brocade; they are adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord shall give them to drink a pure drink. Behold, this is a recompense for you, and your striving is thanked.' Qur'an Al-Ihsaan 76:5:22
May Allah forgive us and have mercy on us and all the Muslims. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
How to increase your money
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum salaam
I ask Allah to envelop you in His Mercy and Generosity.
I drive my kids to school every morning usually. It's about a half hour drive/15 miles--if we leave home by 6 a.m. they will get to school on time. And we try to make sure we are out the door and in the car by 6 a.m. It is like clock work every morning almost. Yesterday, one of the rare days someone didn't get in the car by 6 a.m.--and it was me. My kids already in the car. I asked them to move to our SUV because it would go faster than my old Honda Civic. One of my sons said, Mom that would take a lot of gas. Then I said, that's okay you need to get to school on time. He then said, Egypt mom? I said what about Egypt? Then he said, "the gas money would feed many poor Egyptians!" My other son said, "Allah will bless our time inshaAllah, and He will let all the lights green when we pass through inshaAllah." I told them they were right. So we took off in the Honda and Alhamdulillah they got to school on time, in fact we arrived at the drop off spot earlier than we normally did! SubhanAllah!
We lived in Egypt for about 8 months and came back in the beginning of summer last year. We chose not to drive the SUV after we came back (except a few times because I had loaned the Honda to a friend) because our hearts were still in Egypt and it was still fresh in our minds how the poor live there--and they were around us, we see the poverty every day, a normal sight. And we feel guilty driving around in a nice SUV while we know our neighbors in Egypt are hungry.
I remember the first few days after we arrived there, my kids were all excited that they now could eat halal MacDonalds. So we sat and ate at MacDonalds a few times and one evening we also had to order a carryout for one of my sons who decided to stay home. As we were walking back to our apartment, a boy, probably about 8 or 9 years old, darted in front of my son who was carrying the food for his brother from no where and tried to grab the bag from him. This was my son's first encounter of something like this--he had never been "ambushed" before. My son panicked and called out "Mom, Mom!" I told him to give it to the boy and he did. I cried so hard that time for Allah had chosen my kids to have plenty. After that my kids never asked me to eat at MacDonalds again. Later on they became in love with what the Egyptians called "the poor man's food", kushari, that we ate it several times a week. SubhanAllah!
There are so many heart breaking stories during our stay in Egypt which I can share with you but inshaAllah at a later time. The reason I am telling you these stories is to encourage you to give and give and give more. We have so much comfort in this country, it is very easy to take things for granted until we are reminded. It is very easy to forget the poor because, for many of us, we don't live among them--we don't see with our own 2 eyes their struggles. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said something like this, the food for 1 can feed 2 and the food for 2 can feed 4 and so on. So don't waste, there is plenty to go around and there is so much blessings in giving. Make a daily or weekly or monthly plans to give, money and/or food and/or clothing. The regular it is the better. Remember these are good deeds that will help you in this life and after this life.
I am pretty sure you received a lot of emails asking for donations. You might feel bombarded sometimes but don't feel that way and please don't ignore these emails. Don't turn down any request for charity. Aisha, Allah be pleased with her, perfumed the charity she was giving because it would go right into Allah's hands and it is more fitting that it smells good. She thanked the poor person for giving her the opportunity to give to Allah. This is the attitude and manners of giving.
So send/give something to every asking. You are giving to Allah, your Lord, the All Generous. If you cannot send a lot, even a dollar will go a long way for your coming near to Allah. Don't be shy to give a dollar if that is all you can afford. You are giving to Allah and He knows what you can or cannot do. Make a conscious effort to cut down your expenses--use your small car instead of driving big cars and SUVs; don't buy soft drinks anymore (if you normally drink one Pepsi a day, you can now save $30 a month--besides this carbonated drinks destroy your bones); reduce the number of eating out and try not to eat out at all (you will have lots of great food in Paradise!) Use your savings to give to the poor. I am pretty sure you can give more than a dollar if you do this inshaAllah. For some of you, you have zakat to pay. If you often have more than $2400 or $2500 at the end of zakat year, you have already over the zakatable minimum in which you must pay zakat (2.5%). Many of us probably have this zakatable minimum at the end of the year. Put this zakat amount aside now, earmark it for zakat, and you can use this money you set aside to give out to the poor as they come throughout the year. InshaAllah, Allah will give lots of barakah to the rest of your money.
There are so many ways how you can save and give that savings to the poor. You just have to be creative for your specific situation. If there is a will, there is a way. May Allah give you tawfiq and protect us all from poverty. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum salaam
I ask Allah to envelop you in His Mercy and Generosity.
I drive my kids to school every morning usually. It's about a half hour drive/15 miles--if we leave home by 6 a.m. they will get to school on time. And we try to make sure we are out the door and in the car by 6 a.m. It is like clock work every morning almost. Yesterday, one of the rare days someone didn't get in the car by 6 a.m.--and it was me. My kids already in the car. I asked them to move to our SUV because it would go faster than my old Honda Civic. One of my sons said, Mom that would take a lot of gas. Then I said, that's okay you need to get to school on time. He then said, Egypt mom? I said what about Egypt? Then he said, "the gas money would feed many poor Egyptians!" My other son said, "Allah will bless our time inshaAllah, and He will let all the lights green when we pass through inshaAllah." I told them they were right. So we took off in the Honda and Alhamdulillah they got to school on time, in fact we arrived at the drop off spot earlier than we normally did! SubhanAllah!
We lived in Egypt for about 8 months and came back in the beginning of summer last year. We chose not to drive the SUV after we came back (except a few times because I had loaned the Honda to a friend) because our hearts were still in Egypt and it was still fresh in our minds how the poor live there--and they were around us, we see the poverty every day, a normal sight. And we feel guilty driving around in a nice SUV while we know our neighbors in Egypt are hungry.
I remember the first few days after we arrived there, my kids were all excited that they now could eat halal MacDonalds. So we sat and ate at MacDonalds a few times and one evening we also had to order a carryout for one of my sons who decided to stay home. As we were walking back to our apartment, a boy, probably about 8 or 9 years old, darted in front of my son who was carrying the food for his brother from no where and tried to grab the bag from him. This was my son's first encounter of something like this--he had never been "ambushed" before. My son panicked and called out "Mom, Mom!" I told him to give it to the boy and he did. I cried so hard that time for Allah had chosen my kids to have plenty. After that my kids never asked me to eat at MacDonalds again. Later on they became in love with what the Egyptians called "the poor man's food", kushari, that we ate it several times a week. SubhanAllah!
There are so many heart breaking stories during our stay in Egypt which I can share with you but inshaAllah at a later time. The reason I am telling you these stories is to encourage you to give and give and give more. We have so much comfort in this country, it is very easy to take things for granted until we are reminded. It is very easy to forget the poor because, for many of us, we don't live among them--we don't see with our own 2 eyes their struggles. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said something like this, the food for 1 can feed 2 and the food for 2 can feed 4 and so on. So don't waste, there is plenty to go around and there is so much blessings in giving. Make a daily or weekly or monthly plans to give, money and/or food and/or clothing. The regular it is the better. Remember these are good deeds that will help you in this life and after this life.
I am pretty sure you received a lot of emails asking for donations. You might feel bombarded sometimes but don't feel that way and please don't ignore these emails. Don't turn down any request for charity. Aisha, Allah be pleased with her, perfumed the charity she was giving because it would go right into Allah's hands and it is more fitting that it smells good. She thanked the poor person for giving her the opportunity to give to Allah. This is the attitude and manners of giving.
So send/give something to every asking. You are giving to Allah, your Lord, the All Generous. If you cannot send a lot, even a dollar will go a long way for your coming near to Allah. Don't be shy to give a dollar if that is all you can afford. You are giving to Allah and He knows what you can or cannot do. Make a conscious effort to cut down your expenses--use your small car instead of driving big cars and SUVs; don't buy soft drinks anymore (if you normally drink one Pepsi a day, you can now save $30 a month--besides this carbonated drinks destroy your bones); reduce the number of eating out and try not to eat out at all (you will have lots of great food in Paradise!) Use your savings to give to the poor. I am pretty sure you can give more than a dollar if you do this inshaAllah. For some of you, you have zakat to pay. If you often have more than $2400 or $2500 at the end of zakat year, you have already over the zakatable minimum in which you must pay zakat (2.5%). Many of us probably have this zakatable minimum at the end of the year. Put this zakat amount aside now, earmark it for zakat, and you can use this money you set aside to give out to the poor as they come throughout the year. InshaAllah, Allah will give lots of barakah to the rest of your money.
There are so many ways how you can save and give that savings to the poor. You just have to be creative for your specific situation. If there is a will, there is a way. May Allah give you tawfiq and protect us all from poverty. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Story of 4 wives
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Some of you probably have heard/read this story before, but it is always good to hear/read it again. As to this poor slave, she needs much reminders. And I thought I share this reminder with you as well (or again).
There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best. He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He’s very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends. However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men. He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and in fact is the merchant’s confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.Now, the merchant’s 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.
One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, “Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I’ll be alone. How lonely I’ll be!”
Thus, he asked the 4th wife, “I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No way!” replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word. The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant’s heart. The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, “I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No!” replied the 3rd wife. “Life is so good over here! I’m going to remarry when you die!” The merchant’s heart sank and turned cold.
He then asked the 2nd wife, “I always turned to you for help and you’ve always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?” “I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!” replied the 2nd wife. “At the very most, I can only send you to your grave.” The answer came like a bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated.
Then a voice called out : “I’ll live with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.” The merchant looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the merchant said, “I should have taken much better care of you while I could have !”
Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives
a. The 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it’ll leave us when we die.
b. Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they all go to others.
c. The 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we’re alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.
d. The 1st wife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material, wealth and sensual pleasure.
Guess what? It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it’s a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we’re on our deathbed to lament.
May our ending be better than our beginning and in the state of the highest of Iman. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Some of you probably have heard/read this story before, but it is always good to hear/read it again. As to this poor slave, she needs much reminders. And I thought I share this reminder with you as well (or again).
There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best. He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He’s very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends. However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men. He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and in fact is the merchant’s confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.Now, the merchant’s 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.
One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, “Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I’ll be alone. How lonely I’ll be!”
Thus, he asked the 4th wife, “I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No way!” replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word. The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant’s heart. The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, “I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No!” replied the 3rd wife. “Life is so good over here! I’m going to remarry when you die!” The merchant’s heart sank and turned cold.
He then asked the 2nd wife, “I always turned to you for help and you’ve always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?” “I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!” replied the 2nd wife. “At the very most, I can only send you to your grave.” The answer came like a bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated.
Then a voice called out : “I’ll live with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.” The merchant looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the merchant said, “I should have taken much better care of you while I could have !”
Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives
a. The 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it’ll leave us when we die.
b. Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they all go to others.
c. The 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we’re alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.
d. The 1st wife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material, wealth and sensual pleasure.
Guess what? It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it’s a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we’re on our deathbed to lament.
May our ending be better than our beginning and in the state of the highest of Iman. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Stay Focus on the Prize
BismillahiRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Sometimes we go about our routine and never for a minute think that we are going to return to our Creator until something happen that reminded us--I will die one day! What if that one day is today? Are we prepared to meet Him?
When you die, most likely your children, your spouse, your friends will cry and some will really grieve for whatever reason. It doesn't matter to you how much they cry or grieve. You are dead. Eventually, they have to take you to the grave, bury you, and for some really closed ones, they might linger around your grave, recite the Qur'an and make more du'a for you (Alhamdulillah), but whether they like it or not they too will have to leave you alone in the grave.
It is the beginning of your judgment Day. If you brought with you good deeds, you will find bliss in your grave. If you have done wrong, it would be the beginning of Hell. What happen in the grave is a foretelling of your eternal life. And we should be constantly aware of this.
We might think that we have plenty of time still on this earth. But no, we don't. Don't let our good health, our age, our glory, our wealth, or our intelligence fool us. It has happened to young people, healthy people, wealthy people, well known people, intelligent people and surely it could happen to us, sooner than we think.
Since Allah still allow us to breathe a little longer, make sure that every breath you take is taken with much gratitude. And gratitude entails to acting what He has commanded--brought to us by His beloved Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace.
You do your best in learning and applying what the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, brought to us. Doing your best means pushing yourself as far as you can, making sacrifices for Allah--not give yourself excuses not to do it. How do you know something is an excuse? A good example: Say, a friend asked you for a ride across town but you really didn't want to do that because you are too tired, and you said sorry I can't. Then someone told you someone is giving $1M to anyone who pass through this town where your friend had wanted you to take (and you have no cause to believe that this person is lying). Would you not rush to go to that town so you can collect the $1M despite being tired? So the tiredness was an excuse.
What awaits us after this life is better and worth more than $1M!
"Upon that day some faces shall be radiant, gazing upon their Lord." Qur'an Al-Qiyaama 22-23
"And convey good news to those who believe and do good deeds, that they shall have gardens in which rivers flow; whenever they shall be given a portion of the fruit thereof, they shall say: This is what was given to us before; and they shall be given the like of it, and they shall have pure mates in them, and in them, they shall abide." Qur'an Al-baqara 2:25
Stay focus on this big prize, don't let your spouse, your children, your friends or the whole world for that matter, prevent you or slow you down from getting that prize!
And Allah knows best.
May Allah grant you tawfiq. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Sometimes we go about our routine and never for a minute think that we are going to return to our Creator until something happen that reminded us--I will die one day! What if that one day is today? Are we prepared to meet Him?
When you die, most likely your children, your spouse, your friends will cry and some will really grieve for whatever reason. It doesn't matter to you how much they cry or grieve. You are dead. Eventually, they have to take you to the grave, bury you, and for some really closed ones, they might linger around your grave, recite the Qur'an and make more du'a for you (Alhamdulillah), but whether they like it or not they too will have to leave you alone in the grave.
It is the beginning of your judgment Day. If you brought with you good deeds, you will find bliss in your grave. If you have done wrong, it would be the beginning of Hell. What happen in the grave is a foretelling of your eternal life. And we should be constantly aware of this.
We might think that we have plenty of time still on this earth. But no, we don't. Don't let our good health, our age, our glory, our wealth, or our intelligence fool us. It has happened to young people, healthy people, wealthy people, well known people, intelligent people and surely it could happen to us, sooner than we think.
Since Allah still allow us to breathe a little longer, make sure that every breath you take is taken with much gratitude. And gratitude entails to acting what He has commanded--brought to us by His beloved Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace.
You do your best in learning and applying what the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, brought to us. Doing your best means pushing yourself as far as you can, making sacrifices for Allah--not give yourself excuses not to do it. How do you know something is an excuse? A good example: Say, a friend asked you for a ride across town but you really didn't want to do that because you are too tired, and you said sorry I can't. Then someone told you someone is giving $1M to anyone who pass through this town where your friend had wanted you to take (and you have no cause to believe that this person is lying). Would you not rush to go to that town so you can collect the $1M despite being tired? So the tiredness was an excuse.
What awaits us after this life is better and worth more than $1M!
"Upon that day some faces shall be radiant, gazing upon their Lord." Qur'an Al-Qiyaama 22-23
"And convey good news to those who believe and do good deeds, that they shall have gardens in which rivers flow; whenever they shall be given a portion of the fruit thereof, they shall say: This is what was given to us before; and they shall be given the like of it, and they shall have pure mates in them, and in them, they shall abide." Qur'an Al-baqara 2:25
Stay focus on this big prize, don't let your spouse, your children, your friends or the whole world for that matter, prevent you or slow you down from getting that prize!
And Allah knows best.
May Allah grant you tawfiq. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Monday, January 11, 2010
Hijab story
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
From a sister, may Allah increase her ..........
Wa alaikum Salaam, sister Aisha,
This is fun, really. I enjoyed reading your experiences because it showed how Allah is ever Merciful and Generous to us. Mine is like this, for years after I embraced Islam, I struggled wearing hijab. In those times, I thought wearing hijab is traditional in Middle East countries and I'm from Asia. I was full of arrogance to think and say, "hey, I can't be covering my head, its for Arabs and those places. I don't look good and felt backward." But every time I went out of my house, I felt this little ache in my heart that goes over my head and thought, if I wear my scarf just for today, I wouldn't feel the pressure. I was sure of this because every time I go to masjid with my prayer veils, I felt so comfortable and light, seemed part of my garb. Then, Allah Almighty showed me why. I picked the Qur'an one day and my hands took me to the surah where He was instructing the women to cover their bodies and heads out of humility and nakedness. This is what Allah wants. I read it over and over to digest it more in my brain. And that's not all, when I read surah Mariam (where I got my name) I thought I should be giving good example to my children and friends by following her in all possible aspects of life just to be close to Allah. I fully realized how stupid and ignorant I was. I was so vain and stubborn. However, the most important lesson I experienced after accepting the fact about hijab and wearing it, I started searching, reading and learning more about the Qur'an and any Islamic books I could get my hands on. I felt I wasn't getting enough information, I would read until late nights and start over again when I wake in the morning until my eyes hurt and puffed. All I could say, Allah Almighty is so merciful and kind, He opened the doors for me and my family. InshaAllah before I die, I can read the Arabic Qur'an. InshaAllah, keep all of us from disbelief and forgive all our sins, Ameen.
"And, O my people, ask forgiveness of your Lord, then repent to Him, and He will loose heaven in torrents upon you, and He will increase you in strength unto your strength; and turn not your backs as sinners.'" Qur'an Hud 11:52
May Allah give you the strength to obey Him and increase you in abundance. Ameen.
Wassalaam.
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
From a sister, may Allah increase her ..........
Wa alaikum Salaam, sister Aisha,
This is fun, really. I enjoyed reading your experiences because it showed how Allah is ever Merciful and Generous to us. Mine is like this, for years after I embraced Islam, I struggled wearing hijab. In those times, I thought wearing hijab is traditional in Middle East countries and I'm from Asia. I was full of arrogance to think and say, "hey, I can't be covering my head, its for Arabs and those places. I don't look good and felt backward." But every time I went out of my house, I felt this little ache in my heart that goes over my head and thought, if I wear my scarf just for today, I wouldn't feel the pressure. I was sure of this because every time I go to masjid with my prayer veils, I felt so comfortable and light, seemed part of my garb. Then, Allah Almighty showed me why. I picked the Qur'an one day and my hands took me to the surah where He was instructing the women to cover their bodies and heads out of humility and nakedness. This is what Allah wants. I read it over and over to digest it more in my brain. And that's not all, when I read surah Mariam (where I got my name) I thought I should be giving good example to my children and friends by following her in all possible aspects of life just to be close to Allah. I fully realized how stupid and ignorant I was. I was so vain and stubborn. However, the most important lesson I experienced after accepting the fact about hijab and wearing it, I started searching, reading and learning more about the Qur'an and any Islamic books I could get my hands on. I felt I wasn't getting enough information, I would read until late nights and start over again when I wake in the morning until my eyes hurt and puffed. All I could say, Allah Almighty is so merciful and kind, He opened the doors for me and my family. InshaAllah before I die, I can read the Arabic Qur'an. InshaAllah, keep all of us from disbelief and forgive all our sins, Ameen.
"And, O my people, ask forgiveness of your Lord, then repent to Him, and He will loose heaven in torrents upon you, and He will increase you in strength unto your strength; and turn not your backs as sinners.'" Qur'an Hud 11:52
May Allah give you the strength to obey Him and increase you in abundance. Ameen.
Wassalaam.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Sacrifices
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
This is one of those days when my mind says YES but my body says NO! So I wanted to challenge my body. I put on my running shoes and ran 1.5 miles and here I am. Alhamdulillah. I actually set myself up to run 2 miles but it was becoming too exhaustive for me. I do listen to my body once in a while and let it win a little. That's okay. Alhamdulillah.
It was the morning of September 11, 2001 (9/11). I believe the first tower was already down, not the second. But I didn't know anything about what was happening. I had been busy preparing court papers and getting ready to go to court for an ex parte hearing in a child custody case. The night before my client had called me, in frantic, because his ex wife failed to drop off his daughter at the designated drop off place--the police station parking lot. Before I left my house, I called the visitation supervisor (a lady who facilitates the drop off), and asked her if she could meet me at the courthouse with a written report. She blurted, "I am shaking right now, I am trying to reach my family. The country is at war!" Puzzled, I asked, "What war, what country?" She said, "The twin tower is bombed! Turn on your TV!" and she hung up. I rushed and turned on my TV (I had TV at that time) and couldn't believe my eyes! I had a glimpse of the news, got my things and drove to the courthouse. The roads were quiet--it was like a ghost town in Martinez, where the courthouse was. I could feel people were looking at me strangely. I went through the normal security, which was no security check for attorneys, except that we need to flag our our bar card and drivers license as we walked through. The security guard on duty knew me and he smiled and gestured for me to just proceed without my id. I said to myself--"good sign, Alhamdulillah." I had to file some papers before going inside the court so I stood in line with the rest of the people. People were glancing at me and glancing at me. All of a sudden, I heard from across the room someone shouting, "Miss, over here!" and I looked at the direction of the voice, and the person was actually talking to me. I asked her what did she want. She said, "that line you are standing is for attorneys!" I then asked, "What does an attorney looks like?" Everybody started laughing.
Lesson--we should not be afraid to show that we are Muslims. It may be uncomfortable sometimes but our discomfort is nothing compared to the sacrifices of our Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the early Muslims, in order to bring Truth to us. We need to push ourselves to give and give and give more. Paradise is not free. We have to work for it. As for woman, what separates us and the non-believer women in public is the proper hijab we wear. Be proud to carry the banner of Islam. Don't be afraid, and have good opinion of Allah that He will not leave us alone to fend for and by ourselves after He put us on this earth.
May Allah give you tawfiq. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
This is one of those days when my mind says YES but my body says NO! So I wanted to challenge my body. I put on my running shoes and ran 1.5 miles and here I am. Alhamdulillah. I actually set myself up to run 2 miles but it was becoming too exhaustive for me. I do listen to my body once in a while and let it win a little. That's okay. Alhamdulillah.
It was the morning of September 11, 2001 (9/11). I believe the first tower was already down, not the second. But I didn't know anything about what was happening. I had been busy preparing court papers and getting ready to go to court for an ex parte hearing in a child custody case. The night before my client had called me, in frantic, because his ex wife failed to drop off his daughter at the designated drop off place--the police station parking lot. Before I left my house, I called the visitation supervisor (a lady who facilitates the drop off), and asked her if she could meet me at the courthouse with a written report. She blurted, "I am shaking right now, I am trying to reach my family. The country is at war!" Puzzled, I asked, "What war, what country?" She said, "The twin tower is bombed! Turn on your TV!" and she hung up. I rushed and turned on my TV (I had TV at that time) and couldn't believe my eyes! I had a glimpse of the news, got my things and drove to the courthouse. The roads were quiet--it was like a ghost town in Martinez, where the courthouse was. I could feel people were looking at me strangely. I went through the normal security, which was no security check for attorneys, except that we need to flag our our bar card and drivers license as we walked through. The security guard on duty knew me and he smiled and gestured for me to just proceed without my id. I said to myself--"good sign, Alhamdulillah." I had to file some papers before going inside the court so I stood in line with the rest of the people. People were glancing at me and glancing at me. All of a sudden, I heard from across the room someone shouting, "Miss, over here!" and I looked at the direction of the voice, and the person was actually talking to me. I asked her what did she want. She said, "that line you are standing is for attorneys!" I then asked, "What does an attorney looks like?" Everybody started laughing.
Lesson--we should not be afraid to show that we are Muslims. It may be uncomfortable sometimes but our discomfort is nothing compared to the sacrifices of our Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the early Muslims, in order to bring Truth to us. We need to push ourselves to give and give and give more. Paradise is not free. We have to work for it. As for woman, what separates us and the non-believer women in public is the proper hijab we wear. Be proud to carry the banner of Islam. Don't be afraid, and have good opinion of Allah that He will not leave us alone to fend for and by ourselves after He put us on this earth.
May Allah give you tawfiq. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Friday, January 8, 2010
Hijab is for us, not against us
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
I was a young attorney then (not in age but in terms of length of time being an attorney). I was one of those they called "a new kid around the block." It was my first experience in this particular courthouse and this particular court--one of the busiest courts in the California Silicon Valley. I was representing a company for a restraining order.
I walked in the courtroom with my client and sat in the audience waiting for our case to be called. The courtroom was packed. I was in my navy blue suit and my hijab. My client was a male and was wearing business casual. When our case was called, I walked up with my client and we stood by the plaintiff's table and as I was about to address the court, the judge looked at me in amazement and asked, "Where is your attorney?" I said, "I am the attorney, Aisha Othman, appearing with and on behalf of my client, company so and so and so and so is beside me, a member of the board of my client, Your Honor!"
There was an absolute silence and the judge's face turned red! After he regained his composure, he said, "I have read your papers and thereby grant your request. Please prepare the court order and bring it back to us for our signature." I then asked, "would it please Your Honor if I bring the prepared order today?" The judge said, "the Court will be closed shortly but the baliff will open the door for you." (I'll keep the rest of the story to myself and my closed ones and Allah for now inshaAllah)
This is not just a fun story, but to encourage my sister readers who have not put on their hijab to do so. Our "hijab" is for us, not against us. It may appear that it is against us but be strong and put it on. Allah will facilitate those who want to obey Him. If you put in effort to obey Allah, it becomes easier and easier for you to obey Allah. It is the similar to exercising (no doubt that regular exercise is good for our physical and mental health) but to start is difficult, but once you start, it becomes easier and easier each time--you can lift more weights, you can stretch more, your body become stronger. Once you get into the routine you don't want to leave it because once you stop your body feel funny as part of you is gone.
Know that we are the symbols of Islam and so we must strive to show the beauty of Islam. This is the least each one of us can do--wear hijab. (Wearing Hijab means covering our nakedness, which is every inch of our body including the hair, except face and hands, and the rest of the clothing should be lose enough so as not to show our forms/shapes).
May Allah give you strength and courage to do this. Ameen. Please keep 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.
I was a young attorney then (not in age but in terms of length of time being an attorney). I was one of those they called "a new kid around the block." It was my first experience in this particular courthouse and this particular court--one of the busiest courts in the California Silicon Valley. I was representing a company for a restraining order.
I walked in the courtroom with my client and sat in the audience waiting for our case to be called. The courtroom was packed. I was in my navy blue suit and my hijab. My client was a male and was wearing business casual. When our case was called, I walked up with my client and we stood by the plaintiff's table and as I was about to address the court, the judge looked at me in amazement and asked, "Where is your attorney?" I said, "I am the attorney, Aisha Othman, appearing with and on behalf of my client, company so and so and so and so is beside me, a member of the board of my client, Your Honor!"
There was an absolute silence and the judge's face turned red! After he regained his composure, he said, "I have read your papers and thereby grant your request. Please prepare the court order and bring it back to us for our signature." I then asked, "would it please Your Honor if I bring the prepared order today?" The judge said, "the Court will be closed shortly but the baliff will open the door for you." (I'll keep the rest of the story to myself and my closed ones and Allah for now inshaAllah)
This is not just a fun story, but to encourage my sister readers who have not put on their hijab to do so. Our "hijab" is for us, not against us. It may appear that it is against us but be strong and put it on. Allah will facilitate those who want to obey Him. If you put in effort to obey Allah, it becomes easier and easier for you to obey Allah. It is the similar to exercising (no doubt that regular exercise is good for our physical and mental health) but to start is difficult, but once you start, it becomes easier and easier each time--you can lift more weights, you can stretch more, your body become stronger. Once you get into the routine you don't want to leave it because once you stop your body feel funny as part of you is gone.
Know that we are the symbols of Islam and so we must strive to show the beauty of Islam. This is the least each one of us can do--wear hijab. (Wearing Hijab means covering our nakedness, which is every inch of our body including the hair, except face and hands, and the rest of the clothing should be lose enough so as not to show our forms/shapes).
May Allah give you strength and courage to do this. Ameen. Please keep us in your night prayers. JazakAllahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Fly high with the wings of fear and hope
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
One year has once again passed. We are still here but we know we will one day die, be it from sickness, accident or simply we die in our sleep. It's not over until it is over. But once it is over we know there is no return. So, we want to prepare ourselves now so we are one of those radiant faces gazing upon our Lord when that Day comes and not the scowling faces wreaked with Calamity on that Day.
So, while we are still here, each of us has something to watch out for.
If you are a practicing Muslim, don't feel secure and safe. This is a trick that the Shaytan uses to steal your faith. Don't let pride enters your heart for pride is destruction. If you are a struggling Muslim, Shaytan will come to you using different tricks. Shaytan has many many tricks and even people with knowledge can fall into the tricks. We ask Allah to protect us from this. Understand who those devils are and shield your heart from its pierce. Raise as many walls as you can each moment of your life. All acts of obedience to Allah are your walls. Do lots of zhikr (remembrance of Allah) throughout your day. Doing what Allah wants you to do sincerely and excellently and striving to do more is a manifestation of your love for Allah. And if your heart is filled with love for Him, there won't be room for another love.
Don't say waking up for fajr is difficult, don't say wearing hijab is difficult, don't say having a beard is just a sunnah, don't say in the negatives. Because Shaytan will finally tell you this--since you cannot do anything, you might as well do nothing. If you have this in your thoughts, don't despair of the mercy of Allah. Do something now, do what you can to improve. Improvement takes time. Don't let other Muslims make you despair--those who tell you this is difficult. Some will rain you with criticisms when you look a little different than them or simply because they are jealous of you. The tendency is to follow the crowd because it is easy. We have fears to do the things that we know in our hearts is right. We have the wrong fear because we are deficient. The fear should be fear of Allah's displeasure and punishment. Deficiency can be removed through knowledge of Allah. Learning the Qur'an give you better knowledge of Allah. When you reflect on Allah, you should have hope. Look at the Qur'an, every surah except one, Allah begins with BismillahirRahmanirRahim--In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate.
Fear and hope are two wings that one fly to Allah Most High. So balance your wings and you are ready to fly high to Him inshaAllah. May we reach very high in our flight to Allah, Most High. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
One year has once again passed. We are still here but we know we will one day die, be it from sickness, accident or simply we die in our sleep. It's not over until it is over. But once it is over we know there is no return. So, we want to prepare ourselves now so we are one of those radiant faces gazing upon our Lord when that Day comes and not the scowling faces wreaked with Calamity on that Day.
So, while we are still here, each of us has something to watch out for.
If you are a practicing Muslim, don't feel secure and safe. This is a trick that the Shaytan uses to steal your faith. Don't let pride enters your heart for pride is destruction. If you are a struggling Muslim, Shaytan will come to you using different tricks. Shaytan has many many tricks and even people with knowledge can fall into the tricks. We ask Allah to protect us from this. Understand who those devils are and shield your heart from its pierce. Raise as many walls as you can each moment of your life. All acts of obedience to Allah are your walls. Do lots of zhikr (remembrance of Allah) throughout your day. Doing what Allah wants you to do sincerely and excellently and striving to do more is a manifestation of your love for Allah. And if your heart is filled with love for Him, there won't be room for another love.
Don't say waking up for fajr is difficult, don't say wearing hijab is difficult, don't say having a beard is just a sunnah, don't say in the negatives. Because Shaytan will finally tell you this--since you cannot do anything, you might as well do nothing. If you have this in your thoughts, don't despair of the mercy of Allah. Do something now, do what you can to improve. Improvement takes time. Don't let other Muslims make you despair--those who tell you this is difficult. Some will rain you with criticisms when you look a little different than them or simply because they are jealous of you. The tendency is to follow the crowd because it is easy. We have fears to do the things that we know in our hearts is right. We have the wrong fear because we are deficient. The fear should be fear of Allah's displeasure and punishment. Deficiency can be removed through knowledge of Allah. Learning the Qur'an give you better knowledge of Allah. When you reflect on Allah, you should have hope. Look at the Qur'an, every surah except one, Allah begins with BismillahirRahmanirRahim--In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate.
Fear and hope are two wings that one fly to Allah Most High. So balance your wings and you are ready to fly high to Him inshaAllah. May we reach very high in our flight to Allah, Most High. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Fountain
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
As I was walking into Fry's Electronics yesterday with my teenage boys, my eyes caught on a fountain which decorated the wall and I had to stand there watching intently the water flowing. I couldn't help wonder how more beautiful the fountain in Jannah! My kids were browsing for new Mac laptops which I have been postponing buying for them for months--I have been trying to wean them off their computers. But yesterday I wanted to treat them because they were good to me and they took care of me when I was very sick recently. When they came to me and told me what they saw, I said "look at that fountain, do you want the laptop or a fountain in Jannah?" We didn't buy any laptops yesterday. Alhamdulillah.
"...therein a fountain whose name is called Salsabil. Immortal youths shall go about them; when you see them, you suppose them scattered pearls, when you see them then you see bliss and a great kingdom. Upon them shall be green garments of silk and brocade; they are adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord shall give them to drink a pure draught. Behold, this is a recompense for you, and your striving is thanked." Qur'an Al-Insaan 76:18-22
"O which of your Lord's bounties will you and you deny? therein two fountains of running water." Qur'an Ar-Rahman 55:49-50
"But the godfearing shall be amidst gardens and fountains: 'Enter you them, in peace and security!' We shall strip away all rancour that is in their breasts; as brothers they shall be upon couches set face to face. no fatigue there shall smite them, neither shall they ever be driven forth from there." Qur'an Al-Hijr 15:45-48
"Every soul shall have a taste of death, in the end to Us shall you be brought back. But those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, to them shall We give a House in Paradise, lofty mansions beneath which flow rivers, to dwell therein forever, an excellent reward for those who do good, those who persevere in patience, and put their trust in their Lord." Qur'an Ankabut 29:57-59
May Allah grant us tawfiq and help us raise our children to be His righteous servants. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
As I was walking into Fry's Electronics yesterday with my teenage boys, my eyes caught on a fountain which decorated the wall and I had to stand there watching intently the water flowing. I couldn't help wonder how more beautiful the fountain in Jannah! My kids were browsing for new Mac laptops which I have been postponing buying for them for months--I have been trying to wean them off their computers. But yesterday I wanted to treat them because they were good to me and they took care of me when I was very sick recently. When they came to me and told me what they saw, I said "look at that fountain, do you want the laptop or a fountain in Jannah?" We didn't buy any laptops yesterday. Alhamdulillah.
"...therein a fountain whose name is called Salsabil. Immortal youths shall go about them; when you see them, you suppose them scattered pearls, when you see them then you see bliss and a great kingdom. Upon them shall be green garments of silk and brocade; they are adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord shall give them to drink a pure draught. Behold, this is a recompense for you, and your striving is thanked." Qur'an Al-Insaan 76:18-22
"O which of your Lord's bounties will you and you deny? therein two fountains of running water." Qur'an Ar-Rahman 55:49-50
"But the godfearing shall be amidst gardens and fountains: 'Enter you them, in peace and security!' We shall strip away all rancour that is in their breasts; as brothers they shall be upon couches set face to face. no fatigue there shall smite them, neither shall they ever be driven forth from there." Qur'an Al-Hijr 15:45-48
"Every soul shall have a taste of death, in the end to Us shall you be brought back. But those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, to them shall We give a House in Paradise, lofty mansions beneath which flow rivers, to dwell therein forever, an excellent reward for those who do good, those who persevere in patience, and put their trust in their Lord." Qur'an Ankabut 29:57-59
May Allah grant us tawfiq and help us raise our children to be His righteous servants. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Love without actions is of no use
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
God revealed to Prophet Dawud, peace be upon him: O Dawud, why are you in loneliness after giving up the society of men? He said, O God, I have adopted the loneliness for You. He said, O Dawud, beware, seek friends for you and do not take those friends who do not help you for My pleasure, they are your enemies. They will make your heart hard and keep you farthest away from Me. Dawud once said, O God, how is it possible that all the people will love me and obey the message of the religion? It was said: Treat with people of the world with the nature of the world and treat the inmates of the next world with the nature of the next world.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: Those people among you are dearest to God who love and are loved, and those people among you are objects of greatest hatred of God who roam with slanders and create disputes among brethren.
Abdullah ibn Umar, Allah be pleased with them both, said: By God, if I fast all days and pray all nights, spend all my wealth in the way of God without account and I die on the day with no love for those who obey God and with no hatred for those who do not obey God, it will be no use to me.
Hasan Basri, Allah have mercy on him, said: O children of Adam, let not the following deceive you, "He who loves one will be with him," because you cannot earn the rank of the pious people without their actions. The Jews and the Christians love their Prophets, but they do not act according to their injunctions. Love without actions will be of no use.
From a sermon of a sage: "It is strange that you wish to live in Paradise of Firdaus and in the neighborhood of the Merciful with the Prophets, truthfuls, matyrs and pious men, but what actions you have done for it, what passions you have given up for it, what tie of relationship you have united after it was severed, what faults of your brother you have forgiven and what distant persons you have brought near for God."
May Allah give us tawfiq. Ameen
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
God revealed to Prophet Dawud, peace be upon him: O Dawud, why are you in loneliness after giving up the society of men? He said, O God, I have adopted the loneliness for You. He said, O Dawud, beware, seek friends for you and do not take those friends who do not help you for My pleasure, they are your enemies. They will make your heart hard and keep you farthest away from Me. Dawud once said, O God, how is it possible that all the people will love me and obey the message of the religion? It was said: Treat with people of the world with the nature of the world and treat the inmates of the next world with the nature of the next world.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: Those people among you are dearest to God who love and are loved, and those people among you are objects of greatest hatred of God who roam with slanders and create disputes among brethren.
Abdullah ibn Umar, Allah be pleased with them both, said: By God, if I fast all days and pray all nights, spend all my wealth in the way of God without account and I die on the day with no love for those who obey God and with no hatred for those who do not obey God, it will be no use to me.
Hasan Basri, Allah have mercy on him, said: O children of Adam, let not the following deceive you, "He who loves one will be with him," because you cannot earn the rank of the pious people without their actions. The Jews and the Christians love their Prophets, but they do not act according to their injunctions. Love without actions will be of no use.
From a sermon of a sage: "It is strange that you wish to live in Paradise of Firdaus and in the neighborhood of the Merciful with the Prophets, truthfuls, matyrs and pious men, but what actions you have done for it, what passions you have given up for it, what tie of relationship you have united after it was severed, what faults of your brother you have forgiven and what distant persons you have brought near for God."
May Allah give us tawfiq. Ameen
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)