BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
When Hafsah, Allah be very pleased with her, became widowed, her father, Allah be very pleased with him, offered her hand to 'Uthman, Allah be very pleased with him, but 'Uthman said he was not thinking about marriage again. The he went to Abu Bakr, Allah be very pleased with him, and offered same but he was silent. 'Umar took the silence as a rejection. He took this very personal, very upset and complained to the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. And the Prophet responded Hafsah will marry someone better than them. You can imagine the euphoria of a father to have the Prophet to be his son-in-law! Beyond his wildest dream! SubhanAllah.
We cannot have our daughters marry a prophet but we help our daughters marry righteous men. But righteous men look for righteous women. A righteous men want a wife who would be good to him, who would bring him closer to Allah, who would be a good mother for his children. And this criteria only exist in a righteous woman. This apply to our sons as well--if we want our sons to have a righteous wife and a good mother for our grandchildren, our sons themselves have to be righteous.
Part of raising our children well is we have to think long term--long term here is not saving money for their college education or prepare them for the highest college education, but who they are going to marry and bring forth generation of good Muslims--our offspring. Do we want our offspring 30, 40 or 50 years from now say this to their friends or someone they just met wearing hijab: "You know my parents were Muslims, or my grandparents were Muslims." Allah! What about him/her? If this person were your offspring talking, you would be rolling in your grave! May Allah protect us from this and have mercy on us.
However, this is a sad reality--I have heard comments like this among the people I know who came from generations of Muslims but they don't practice or worse they don't identify themselves as Muslims. Inna lillahi wainna ilaihi ra ji'un. Who is responsible for this? Perhaps you don't think it will happen to you? But don't think you are an exception--just look around you, look at what we are exposing our children to, what we are giving our children to help them learn and practice Islam--everything except love of Islam, love of Allah and His Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace. We, as parents, are responsible to make sure we teach our children Islam (#1 priority) so they know their responsibility, they don't become fitnah for the opposite gender, so when they have children, they can teach their children and their children can teach their children and so on. Otherwise Islam will be lost in their lives and we are responsible if we do not put our utmost effort now.
I was with a few beautiful young girls the other day at the masjid. They were the ones who would always approached me and gave salaams to me and hugged me the moment they saw me. I always teased them about how they look and always comment on their dress or hijab. Their hijabs were usually showing their hair and they sometimes wore tight jeans or pants. I usually corrected them and they listened and fixed whatever they could fix. But it is the same again the next time I saw them and again I corrected them....and again and again! That day, I had to be a little serious about it. I said to them after telling them how great they were for coming to the masjid and I was always happy to see their cheerful selves and how much I want them to be successful and for Allah to love them. They listened and smiling. While I was fixing one of the girls' hijab, I said to them. If you all want to marry a good man you have to start putting hijab not just at the masjid. If I were to look for a wife for my sons, first, I would be looking for a full time hijabi who wear hijab since puberty. Then I asked them: If my sons want to marry someone who doesn't wear hijab, do you think I will let them?
Reflect on these verses:
"And say to the believing women, that they cast down their eyes' and guard their private parts, and reveal not their adornment save such as is outward; and let them cast their veils over their bosoms, and not reveal their adornment save to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands' fathers, or their sons, or their husbands' sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or what their right hands own, or such men as attend them, not having sexual desire, or children who have not yet attained knowledge of women's private parts; nor let them stamp their feet, so that their hidden ornament may be known. And turn all together to God, O you believers; haply so you will prosper." Qur'an An-Nur 24:31
"Corrupt women for corrupt men, and corrupt men for corrupt women; good women for good men, and good men for good women -- these are declared quit of what they say; theirs shall be forgiveness and generous provision." Qur'an An-Nur 24:26
"Decked out fair to men is the love of lusts -- women, children, heaped-up heaps of gold and silver, horses of mark, cattle and tillage. That is the enjoyment of the present life; but God -- with Him is the fairest resort. Say: 'Shall I tell you of a better than that?' For those that are godfearing, with their Lord are gardens underneath which rivers flow, therein dwelling forever, and spouses purified, and God's good pleasure. And God sees His servants who say, 'Our Lord, we believe; forgive us our sins, and guard us against the chastisement of the Fire' -- men who are patient, truthful, obedient, expenders in alms, imploring God's pardon at the daybreak." Qur'an AleImran 3:14-17
"And the believers, the men and the women, are friends one of the other; they bid to honor, and forbid dishonor; they perform the prayer, and pay the alms, and they obey God and His Messenger. Those -- upon them God will have mercy; God is All-mighty, All-wise" Qur'an At-Tawbah 9:71
May Allah help us to raise our children well and guide us all to excellence. Ameen. Please keep us in your night prayers. Please forgive me for my shortcomings. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Blessings of free time and health
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Free time is a blessing which few have. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace said: There are two blessings that many people fall short in benefiting from--health and free time.
We work, study, take care of family and social responsibilities and these take a toll on our time. When we are finally free of these at the end of the day, we must acknowledge this favor from Allah, the One Who created us and sustains us in every breadth we take. We pray and pray more--pray the sunnah connected to the obligatory prayers, the various sunnah prayers, the mid morning prayer, the night prayers, read the Qur'an everyday, do the dhikr of Allah and send blessings upon the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, much. Don't run to your computer, to friends at yahoo messenger or facebook or CNN or Al-Jaziera or email before you have these worship incorporated in your daily lives. This is the way to show gratitude to your Generous Lord who give you the free time and your health. Don't get this idea that we can save the world while our relationship with Allah is still iffy. The problems in the world are not going to change if we haven't changed our attitude towards Allah. Islamic civilization was great back then because the Muslims were strong in their iman and in their worship. Allah gave them victory because of their taqwa and complete submission to Allah.
So first thing first, use our free time to take care of our own connection with Allah before anything else. In the day of judgment, the first thing Allah is going to ask you is about your prayers, not whether or not you have saved the world. So, use your free time to be close to Him.
Narrated Aisha, Allah be very 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 wound get up, recite (some other verses) and then perform the bowing. (Bukhari)
The greatest desire of those close to Allah is Allah Himself. They desire His pleasure, His closeness and to be granted works pleasing to Him. You cannot achieve any of these without tawfiq from Him. So, ask Him. Allah says, "and towards your Lord then state your desires." Qur'an Expansion 94:8
May Allah make us among His grateful slaves. Ameen. Please don't forget me in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Free time is a blessing which few have. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace said: There are two blessings that many people fall short in benefiting from--health and free time.
We work, study, take care of family and social responsibilities and these take a toll on our time. When we are finally free of these at the end of the day, we must acknowledge this favor from Allah, the One Who created us and sustains us in every breadth we take. We pray and pray more--pray the sunnah connected to the obligatory prayers, the various sunnah prayers, the mid morning prayer, the night prayers, read the Qur'an everyday, do the dhikr of Allah and send blessings upon the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, much. Don't run to your computer, to friends at yahoo messenger or facebook or CNN or Al-Jaziera or email before you have these worship incorporated in your daily lives. This is the way to show gratitude to your Generous Lord who give you the free time and your health. Don't get this idea that we can save the world while our relationship with Allah is still iffy. The problems in the world are not going to change if we haven't changed our attitude towards Allah. Islamic civilization was great back then because the Muslims were strong in their iman and in their worship. Allah gave them victory because of their taqwa and complete submission to Allah.
So first thing first, use our free time to take care of our own connection with Allah before anything else. In the day of judgment, the first thing Allah is going to ask you is about your prayers, not whether or not you have saved the world. So, use your free time to be close to Him.
Narrated Aisha, Allah be very 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 wound get up, recite (some other verses) and then perform the bowing. (Bukhari)
The greatest desire of those close to Allah is Allah Himself. They desire His pleasure, His closeness and to be granted works pleasing to Him. You cannot achieve any of these without tawfiq from Him. So, ask Him. Allah says, "and towards your Lord then state your desires." Qur'an Expansion 94:8
May Allah make us among His grateful slaves. Ameen. Please don't forget me in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Blessings of peace and food
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
There is no single blessing you possess but it is from Allah. Look at everything around you.
That leftover food in the fridge waiting for you to eat is a big blessing, but you don't know it and you don't like leftovers, so you throw them in the garbage. Then suddenly there is a big earthquake and the 2nd storey of your house collapse and your fridge and your pantry are smashed. You cannot get to the stores, everywhere is chaos--sirens, roadblocks, accidents, fires, roads flooded by broken fire hydrants, you can imagine the disaster! You have to wait for the red cross helicopters to drop you food packages. Now your stomach is crying, your children are laying there like fish out of the water--they haven't eaten for 2 days. You wish that leftover in the garbage to come back but the flies have gotten to it first!
There are two blessings that we cannot truly understand them until we lose them: blessings of peace and blessings of being fed.
For those who are living in the US, we are so blessed that we can stick our head out from the window when we lost our way and ask for directions without having the fear of being shot at. We were so appreciative of the guy who was nice enough to stop and give us the direction--we said thank you! But no thank you to Allah! the One Who gave your speech to ask for direction, the One Who made it possible for the guy to give you the directions, the One Who sent the earthquake to Haiti instead of to your area, the One Who gives you the peace and stability so that you can move around freely! The smallest of things that we take for granted in this life is a blessing from Allah and some don't care to thank Him. And Allah Al-Karim (the Generous), As-Sabur (the Patient One) still shower us with abundant blessings despite our ingratitude.
When I was in Egypt, I wanted to visit Jerusalem (I really wanted to pray in Masjid Al-Aqsa) but I couldn't because they won't let my sons enter Jerusalem--they have restrictions on young men at least at the time. When there is no peace, people are afraid of each other and movements are restricted or banned. You might think that something like this will never happen in "peaceful" countries like America. We don't know, only Allah knows. Allah can destroy a nation and can build a nation. Kun fa yakun. Be and it be. The Qur'an has many examples of this. Tomorrow we could wind up in the ocean--remember the Tsunami? There is nothing we can do. So while we are still free to move, live--but with a different attitude. The attitude should be of gratitude and living for next life. So Allah will remember us and not let us perish just like that.
When you look at your food next time, appreciate what Allah has given you. Have a heart full of appreciation and gratitude of what in front of you. The mark of this appreciation and gratitude is that you are humble and lower yourself in front of the blessing. All the sunnah of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, is speaking to us--that we are so small, undeserving of the blessings of Allah, and the very food in front us is a treasure and we are lucky to have it and we really respect it. We are not merely saying on the tongue "Bismillah" at the beginning and "Alhamdulillah" at the end. We feel this before we eat and all the way beyond eating to the leftovers. All these have to be covered in deep veneration of Allah.
Don't cook too much that you have leftovers that food wind up in the garbage cans. Suffice to cook less for the stomachs then throwing food away. There is so much waste everywhere and it is very sad to see food go into the garbage--you see this a lot at the masjid! We tend not to respect food anymore. When I was 6 or 7 years old, my mother would not even let me drop a grain of rice when washing the rice before cooking it. If there was a grain of rice in the drain that fell out of the pot while I was washing it and touched filth, she would tell me to pick it up and give it to the chickens. But nowadays, we callously throw enormous amount of food. That is being disrespectful to food. Make a conscious effort not to waste food, the gift of Allah to us.
We must have a sense why we are doing something, what the purpose is, why we are eating. If you are eating for no purpose, then this is a big problem because this means you are living to eat instead of eating to live. Allah created the world for us, not us for the world, and He created us for Him. So we partake the world within His guidelines.
We eat to worship Him. Ultimately you are what you eat. Food and eating must be in line with the teachings and the sunnah of Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. Otherwise, this most basic blessing and act that we enjoy can turn into a curse, ruin one's heart, ruins one's worship, becomes an obsession and many other matters that push us away from Allah.
The way the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, acted was reflecting a state that we meant to be following, to be slavely. We are expected to take this attitude from the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. How best to incorporate them other than to approach blessings the way he approached blessings. The more we can approach things the way our Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, approached things, the easier it is to be like him in state. So learn the sunnah of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and incorporate them in your life as much as you can.
Let the waves of love for Allah, not the chain of afflictions, push you towards Him--show Him your gratitude for all His blessings. May Allah give you tawfiq and bless your day. Ameen. And please keep me in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
There is no single blessing you possess but it is from Allah. Look at everything around you.
That leftover food in the fridge waiting for you to eat is a big blessing, but you don't know it and you don't like leftovers, so you throw them in the garbage. Then suddenly there is a big earthquake and the 2nd storey of your house collapse and your fridge and your pantry are smashed. You cannot get to the stores, everywhere is chaos--sirens, roadblocks, accidents, fires, roads flooded by broken fire hydrants, you can imagine the disaster! You have to wait for the red cross helicopters to drop you food packages. Now your stomach is crying, your children are laying there like fish out of the water--they haven't eaten for 2 days. You wish that leftover in the garbage to come back but the flies have gotten to it first!
There are two blessings that we cannot truly understand them until we lose them: blessings of peace and blessings of being fed.
For those who are living in the US, we are so blessed that we can stick our head out from the window when we lost our way and ask for directions without having the fear of being shot at. We were so appreciative of the guy who was nice enough to stop and give us the direction--we said thank you! But no thank you to Allah! the One Who gave your speech to ask for direction, the One Who made it possible for the guy to give you the directions, the One Who sent the earthquake to Haiti instead of to your area, the One Who gives you the peace and stability so that you can move around freely! The smallest of things that we take for granted in this life is a blessing from Allah and some don't care to thank Him. And Allah Al-Karim (the Generous), As-Sabur (the Patient One) still shower us with abundant blessings despite our ingratitude.
When I was in Egypt, I wanted to visit Jerusalem (I really wanted to pray in Masjid Al-Aqsa) but I couldn't because they won't let my sons enter Jerusalem--they have restrictions on young men at least at the time. When there is no peace, people are afraid of each other and movements are restricted or banned. You might think that something like this will never happen in "peaceful" countries like America. We don't know, only Allah knows. Allah can destroy a nation and can build a nation. Kun fa yakun. Be and it be. The Qur'an has many examples of this. Tomorrow we could wind up in the ocean--remember the Tsunami? There is nothing we can do. So while we are still free to move, live--but with a different attitude. The attitude should be of gratitude and living for next life. So Allah will remember us and not let us perish just like that.
When you look at your food next time, appreciate what Allah has given you. Have a heart full of appreciation and gratitude of what in front of you. The mark of this appreciation and gratitude is that you are humble and lower yourself in front of the blessing. All the sunnah of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, is speaking to us--that we are so small, undeserving of the blessings of Allah, and the very food in front us is a treasure and we are lucky to have it and we really respect it. We are not merely saying on the tongue "Bismillah" at the beginning and "Alhamdulillah" at the end. We feel this before we eat and all the way beyond eating to the leftovers. All these have to be covered in deep veneration of Allah.
Don't cook too much that you have leftovers that food wind up in the garbage cans. Suffice to cook less for the stomachs then throwing food away. There is so much waste everywhere and it is very sad to see food go into the garbage--you see this a lot at the masjid! We tend not to respect food anymore. When I was 6 or 7 years old, my mother would not even let me drop a grain of rice when washing the rice before cooking it. If there was a grain of rice in the drain that fell out of the pot while I was washing it and touched filth, she would tell me to pick it up and give it to the chickens. But nowadays, we callously throw enormous amount of food. That is being disrespectful to food. Make a conscious effort not to waste food, the gift of Allah to us.
We must have a sense why we are doing something, what the purpose is, why we are eating. If you are eating for no purpose, then this is a big problem because this means you are living to eat instead of eating to live. Allah created the world for us, not us for the world, and He created us for Him. So we partake the world within His guidelines.
We eat to worship Him. Ultimately you are what you eat. Food and eating must be in line with the teachings and the sunnah of Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. Otherwise, this most basic blessing and act that we enjoy can turn into a curse, ruin one's heart, ruins one's worship, becomes an obsession and many other matters that push us away from Allah.
The way the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, acted was reflecting a state that we meant to be following, to be slavely. We are expected to take this attitude from the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. How best to incorporate them other than to approach blessings the way he approached blessings. The more we can approach things the way our Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, approached things, the easier it is to be like him in state. So learn the sunnah of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and incorporate them in your life as much as you can.
Let the waves of love for Allah, not the chain of afflictions, push you towards Him--show Him your gratitude for all His blessings. May Allah give you tawfiq and bless your day. Ameen. And please keep me in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Monday, February 22, 2010
Allah, Al-Fattah, The Opener
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
When you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel, know that there is Al-Fattah (The Opener) Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. When Al-Fattah wants good for His servant He will close all doors in the hands of the creation and open the door where no one carries the key. He will open the door that can only be opened by the Creator.
Remember Prophet Yusuf, Allah give him peace. How could one become a prominent figure in Egypt coming from a poor family, thrown into a well by his jealous brothers. He came out of the well only to be sold as slave. Then accused of desiring the wife of his master and even when the master knew that he was innocent, he was still thrown in jail. Feel the patience and trust in Allah that Yusuf had. He stayed in jail for 18 years, some say as long as 30 years! His father grieved for him until he became blind. But he did not despair. Allah reward him the highest position in Egypt and the reunited him with his family--"And he lifted his father and mother upon the throne; and the others fell down prostrate before him..." Qur'an Yusuf 12:100 (beautiful surah with great lessons. read it over and over again) Such is only a reward on this earth for His patient servant. What then would the reward be in the Hereafter?
When you go through problems after problems, calamities after calamities, headaches after headaches, heartaches after heartaches, setbacks after setbacks, try to remember Al-Fattah, the Opener. Know that He is bringing you to the light He wants you to get to. This is the moment that He is actually opening things for you and not closing things for you. Allah is not the Closer, it is not in His attributes.
When you are on the path of Truth, keep going even if all odds are against you. Don't worry about what people think of you, talking bad about you, trying to sabotage you. Be patient. There will be a good ending inshaAllah.
Please accept a beautiful gift from Allah, attached--listen to His beautiful names! How could you not love Him and get goosebumps every time you hear this alone, no soul around you! SubhanAllah! Don't ignore Him.
Also at your leisure at your leisure http://www.scribd.com/doc/23605981/If-Truly-I-Know
And Allah knows best.
May Allah give you a good opening. Ameen. Please remember me in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
When you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel, know that there is Al-Fattah (The Opener) Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. When Al-Fattah wants good for His servant He will close all doors in the hands of the creation and open the door where no one carries the key. He will open the door that can only be opened by the Creator.
Remember Prophet Yusuf, Allah give him peace. How could one become a prominent figure in Egypt coming from a poor family, thrown into a well by his jealous brothers. He came out of the well only to be sold as slave. Then accused of desiring the wife of his master and even when the master knew that he was innocent, he was still thrown in jail. Feel the patience and trust in Allah that Yusuf had. He stayed in jail for 18 years, some say as long as 30 years! His father grieved for him until he became blind. But he did not despair. Allah reward him the highest position in Egypt and the reunited him with his family--"And he lifted his father and mother upon the throne; and the others fell down prostrate before him..." Qur'an Yusuf 12:100 (beautiful surah with great lessons. read it over and over again) Such is only a reward on this earth for His patient servant. What then would the reward be in the Hereafter?
When you go through problems after problems, calamities after calamities, headaches after headaches, heartaches after heartaches, setbacks after setbacks, try to remember Al-Fattah, the Opener. Know that He is bringing you to the light He wants you to get to. This is the moment that He is actually opening things for you and not closing things for you. Allah is not the Closer, it is not in His attributes.
When you are on the path of Truth, keep going even if all odds are against you. Don't worry about what people think of you, talking bad about you, trying to sabotage you. Be patient. There will be a good ending inshaAllah.
Please accept a beautiful gift from Allah, attached--listen to His beautiful names! How could you not love Him and get goosebumps every time you hear this alone, no soul around you! SubhanAllah! Don't ignore Him.
Also at your leisure at your leisure http://www.scribd.com/doc/23605981/If-Truly-I-Know
And Allah knows best.
May Allah give you a good opening. Ameen. Please remember me in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
Wassalaam
Ask not what they can do for you...
BismillahirRahmaniRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
We had a beautiful khatm Qur'an on Friday at Masjid Al-Ittehad with young members of the community reciting the last juz 'Amma beautifully followed by du'a. MashaAllah. May Allah accept our worship and reward everyone very well for participating in this event every month. Ameen. InshaAllah, please continue to strive to read at least a juz a day of the Qur'an with your family. Our next khatm will be on Friday, March 19, 2010.
To continue with our sharing...
Muslims are selfless, grateful and worshipful, not selfish, greedy and indignant. A grateful, thankful servant of Allah obeys Him. Obedience to Allah benefits us in this life and the next life. Obedience to Allah takes you to Paradise by His Mercy.
"And when your Lord proclaimed, "If you are thankful, surely I will increase you, but if you are thankless My chastisement is surely terrible." Qur'an Ibrahim 14:7
We should not be lax with our responsibilities. Always on the look out on other people's need. Just like we try to instill a sense of responsibility in our children, we should have this in ourselves towards our Creator and other people--our parents, family, relatives, teachers, neighbors, friends, fellow Muslims and humankind.
We have a lot of work to do--we can't afford to waste time, but don't despair because Allah will make way for you to do all these if you are sincere. Pray as if you are going to die tomorrow and work as if you are going to live forever. We need to constantly reevaluate ourselves to make sure we are fulfilling our responsibilities and we are doing things in the manner that Allah wants us to do.
"...Help one another to piety and godfearing; do not help each other to sin and enmity. And fear God; surely God is terrible in retribution." Qur'an Al-Maidah 5:2
Everyone of us have rights in our dealings with one another that Allah grants us, but we should not be demanding our rights, rather we look at the other side for what they need and give, and be sincere and generous in your giving, and you will have the forgiveness and a tremendous reward from Al-Karim in this life and the next.
"Allah has promised those that believe, and do deeds of righteousness; they shall have; forgiveness and a mighty wage." Qur'an Al-Maidah 5:9
This is a good way of looking at our responsibilities. Based on a famous inaugural speech, ask not what your spouse, your parents, your children, your community, .... can do for you -- ask what you can do for them.
If each one of us take our responsibilities seriously and ask ourselves this before we start demanding our rights, the world will be a better place. We can't change people, but we can change ourselves and tawfiq is from Allah. So start with ourselves today and make du'a for Allah to guide everyone.
And Allah knows best.
May Allah guide us and grant us tawfiq in discharging our responsibilities excellently. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
We had a beautiful khatm Qur'an on Friday at Masjid Al-Ittehad with young members of the community reciting the last juz 'Amma beautifully followed by du'a. MashaAllah. May Allah accept our worship and reward everyone very well for participating in this event every month. Ameen. InshaAllah, please continue to strive to read at least a juz a day of the Qur'an with your family. Our next khatm will be on Friday, March 19, 2010.
To continue with our sharing...
Muslims are selfless, grateful and worshipful, not selfish, greedy and indignant. A grateful, thankful servant of Allah obeys Him. Obedience to Allah benefits us in this life and the next life. Obedience to Allah takes you to Paradise by His Mercy.
"And when your Lord proclaimed, "If you are thankful, surely I will increase you, but if you are thankless My chastisement is surely terrible." Qur'an Ibrahim 14:7
We should not be lax with our responsibilities. Always on the look out on other people's need. Just like we try to instill a sense of responsibility in our children, we should have this in ourselves towards our Creator and other people--our parents, family, relatives, teachers, neighbors, friends, fellow Muslims and humankind.
We have a lot of work to do--we can't afford to waste time, but don't despair because Allah will make way for you to do all these if you are sincere. Pray as if you are going to die tomorrow and work as if you are going to live forever. We need to constantly reevaluate ourselves to make sure we are fulfilling our responsibilities and we are doing things in the manner that Allah wants us to do.
"...Help one another to piety and godfearing; do not help each other to sin and enmity. And fear God; surely God is terrible in retribution." Qur'an Al-Maidah 5:2
Everyone of us have rights in our dealings with one another that Allah grants us, but we should not be demanding our rights, rather we look at the other side for what they need and give, and be sincere and generous in your giving, and you will have the forgiveness and a tremendous reward from Al-Karim in this life and the next.
"Allah has promised those that believe, and do deeds of righteousness; they shall have; forgiveness and a mighty wage." Qur'an Al-Maidah 5:9
This is a good way of looking at our responsibilities. Based on a famous inaugural speech, ask not what your spouse, your parents, your children, your community, .... can do for you -- ask what you can do for them.
If each one of us take our responsibilities seriously and ask ourselves this before we start demanding our rights, the world will be a better place. We can't change people, but we can change ourselves and tawfiq is from Allah. So start with ourselves today and make du'a for Allah to guide everyone.
And Allah knows best.
May Allah guide us and grant us tawfiq in discharging our responsibilities excellently. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Friday, February 19, 2010
Courage to live Islam
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
What would you do if we are 3 about to face 100 enemies of Allah? You run away or you fight? For most of us, we will not think twice and run! If you say we fight, how long do you think we will last? We will be crushed in no time! Inna lillahi wainna ilaihi raji'un.
Remember the 3000 companions in the battle of Mu'tah against 200,000 well-equipped professional soldiers of the Romans and Ghassanian! If you don't know anything about this battle, you should read about it. What took place can never happen again. There is nobody on earth braver, more courage, more sincere than these 3000 men, Allah be very pleased with them.
In brief
"Allah's Messenger appointed Zaid bin Haritha as the commander of the army during the Ghazwa of Mu'tah and said, "If Zaid is martyred, Ja`far should take over his position, and if Ja`far is martyred, `Abdullah bin Rawaha should take over his position'" (Bukhari)
The companions met for two days prior to the battle to discuss and exchange opinions on how to face this enormous number. Should they face this hostile army or will that be unwise?
Abu Huraira (the top narrator of ahadith), may Allah be very pleased with him, was a new Muslim during this battle, became dazzled looking at the armies , as if his eyes were struck with lightning. Thabit ibn al-Arqam, Allah be very pleased with him, steeped in Islam, a senior Muslim, told Abu Huraira, you were not with us at Badr (300 Muslims vs 1000 enemies), we were not given victory in numbers.
Allah says: "You did not kill them; it was Allah who killed them; and you did not throw, when you threw; it was Allah who threw: so He might test the believers with this excellent trial from Him. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing." Qur'an Anfal 8:17 (This surah was revealed after the Battle of Badr)
Abdullah Ibn Rawaha said, “O People, the thing you are afraid of now is the very thing you came for (martyrdom). By Allah, we do not fight our enemies with our numbers or weapons, but we fight them with this religion which Allah has honored us with!”
And they replied “In Allah we trust!”
Combat began after the fajr prayer and continued until the sunset prayer, and then they would rest the following day and this went on for six days--3000 Muslims vs 200,000 Romans soldiers. The battle was fierce and crowded to the extent that it was difficult to move with the horses among the Romans who were concentrating to kill Zaid ibn Harith.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, had informed the people of Madinah the martyrdom of Zaid ibn Harith, Ja`far ibn Abi Talib and Abdullah ibn Rawaha before the news of their death reached. The Prophet said, "Zaid took the flag (as the commander of the army) and was martyred, then Ja`far took it and was martyred, and then Ibn Rawaha took it and was martyred." At that time the Prophet's eyes were shedding tears. He added, "Then the flag was taken by a Sword amongst the Swords of Allah (i.e. Khalid bin Al-Walid) and Allah made them (i.e. the Muslims) victorious."(Bukhari)
Narrated Khalid bin Al−Walid: On the day of Mu'tah, nine swords were broken in my hand and only a Yemenite sword of mine remained in my hand. (Bukhari) Khalid bin Al-Walid developed a plan that is still taught in military schools in Europe and America as the greatest withdrawal plan in history.
You have to feel a sense of belonging and love towards these companions. They fought valiantly to bring Truth to us. They lived for the Hereafter. They are our great role models. Studying their lives will, inshaAllah, increase and strengthten your Iman and give you the courage, not afraid of little pricks and discomfort, to live Islam. Tawfiq.
"When earth is shaken with a mighty shaking, and earth brings forth her burdens, and Man says., 'What ails her?' upon that day she shall tell her tidings for that her Lord has inspired her .Upon that day men shall issue in scatterings to see their works, and whoso has done an atom's weight of good shall see it, and whoso has done an atom's weight of evil shall see it." Qur'an The Quake 99:1-8
And Allah knows best.
Let the earth you stand on bring forth only one tale to tell Allah--only good. Please remember me in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
What would you do if we are 3 about to face 100 enemies of Allah? You run away or you fight? For most of us, we will not think twice and run! If you say we fight, how long do you think we will last? We will be crushed in no time! Inna lillahi wainna ilaihi raji'un.
Remember the 3000 companions in the battle of Mu'tah against 200,000 well-equipped professional soldiers of the Romans and Ghassanian! If you don't know anything about this battle, you should read about it. What took place can never happen again. There is nobody on earth braver, more courage, more sincere than these 3000 men, Allah be very pleased with them.
In brief
"Allah's Messenger appointed Zaid bin Haritha as the commander of the army during the Ghazwa of Mu'tah and said, "If Zaid is martyred, Ja`far should take over his position, and if Ja`far is martyred, `Abdullah bin Rawaha should take over his position'" (Bukhari)
The companions met for two days prior to the battle to discuss and exchange opinions on how to face this enormous number. Should they face this hostile army or will that be unwise?
Abu Huraira (the top narrator of ahadith), may Allah be very pleased with him, was a new Muslim during this battle, became dazzled looking at the armies , as if his eyes were struck with lightning. Thabit ibn al-Arqam, Allah be very pleased with him, steeped in Islam, a senior Muslim, told Abu Huraira, you were not with us at Badr (300 Muslims vs 1000 enemies), we were not given victory in numbers.
Allah says: "You did not kill them; it was Allah who killed them; and you did not throw, when you threw; it was Allah who threw: so He might test the believers with this excellent trial from Him. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing." Qur'an Anfal 8:17 (This surah was revealed after the Battle of Badr)
Abdullah Ibn Rawaha said, “O People, the thing you are afraid of now is the very thing you came for (martyrdom). By Allah, we do not fight our enemies with our numbers or weapons, but we fight them with this religion which Allah has honored us with!”
And they replied “In Allah we trust!”
Combat began after the fajr prayer and continued until the sunset prayer, and then they would rest the following day and this went on for six days--3000 Muslims vs 200,000 Romans soldiers. The battle was fierce and crowded to the extent that it was difficult to move with the horses among the Romans who were concentrating to kill Zaid ibn Harith.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, had informed the people of Madinah the martyrdom of Zaid ibn Harith, Ja`far ibn Abi Talib and Abdullah ibn Rawaha before the news of their death reached. The Prophet said, "Zaid took the flag (as the commander of the army) and was martyred, then Ja`far took it and was martyred, and then Ibn Rawaha took it and was martyred." At that time the Prophet's eyes were shedding tears. He added, "Then the flag was taken by a Sword amongst the Swords of Allah (i.e. Khalid bin Al-Walid) and Allah made them (i.e. the Muslims) victorious."(Bukhari)
Narrated Khalid bin Al−Walid: On the day of Mu'tah, nine swords were broken in my hand and only a Yemenite sword of mine remained in my hand. (Bukhari) Khalid bin Al-Walid developed a plan that is still taught in military schools in Europe and America as the greatest withdrawal plan in history.
You have to feel a sense of belonging and love towards these companions. They fought valiantly to bring Truth to us. They lived for the Hereafter. They are our great role models. Studying their lives will, inshaAllah, increase and strengthten your Iman and give you the courage, not afraid of little pricks and discomfort, to live Islam. Tawfiq.
"When earth is shaken with a mighty shaking, and earth brings forth her burdens, and Man says., 'What ails her?' upon that day she shall tell her tidings for that her Lord has inspired her .Upon that day men shall issue in scatterings to see their works, and whoso has done an atom's weight of good shall see it, and whoso has done an atom's weight of evil shall see it." Qur'an The Quake 99:1-8
And Allah knows best.
Let the earth you stand on bring forth only one tale to tell Allah--only good. Please remember me in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
Wassalaam
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Announcement--February khatma Qur'an
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Our monthly khatma Qu'ran will be held at Masjid Al-Ittehad, Vista, California at 7pm tomorrow Friday inshaAllah. Please complete your reading before that time inshaAllah. It is open to all Muslims. If you are new to the distribution, please refer to these links for more info. May Allah reward you well.
http://journey2allah.blogspot.com/2010/02/competing-in-patience.html
http://journey2allah.blogspot.com/2010/01/completing-quran.html
http://journey2allah.blogspot.com/2010/01/reciting-and-bearing-quranour-monthly.html
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Our monthly khatma Qu'ran will be held at Masjid Al-Ittehad, Vista, California at 7pm tomorrow Friday inshaAllah. Please complete your reading before that time inshaAllah. It is open to all Muslims. If you are new to the distribution, please refer to these links for more info. May Allah reward you well.
http://journey2allah.blogspot.com/2010/02/competing-in-patience.html
http://journey2allah.blogspot.com/2010/01/completing-quran.html
http://journey2allah.blogspot.com/2010/01/reciting-and-bearing-quranour-monthly.html
Contentment
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Allah is all Thankful and all Knowing. He will reward you for your good deeds. He is the only One who can reward you in the Hereafter. He knows your deeds, whether you remember them or not. He remembers your deeds better than you do, and He preserves them and He will let you see them in the Day of Judgment--even the banana peel that you had picked up from an aisle of a supermarket which prevented an old man from stepping on it and slipped. All you need to do is be thankful to Him and have iman. Don't look at the hands that move but look at the Power behind the movement, la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah, and be thankful that you have your hands. Use them for what they are created for--to worship Him--this is gratitude, being thankful. Same with your other body parts--don't misuse them--for this is ingratitude, being not thankful.
"Why should Allah punish you if you are thankful and believe? Allah is All-Thankful, All-Knowing." Qur'an Annisa 4:147
If you truly understand this, it will guide you to sincerity (ikhlas). You won't feel a need to show off your good deeds. Why would you want to show your good deeds to His creation, those who know but cannot compensate you in your next life. If you truly understand this, it will drive you towards hope and protect you against despair. You will enter into the world of contentment. InshaAllah.
"Upon that day none shall chastise as He chastises, none shall bind as He binds. 'O soul at peace, return unto thy Lord, well-pleased, well-pleasing! Enter thou among My servants! Enter thou My Paradise!' Qur'an Al-Fajr 89:25-30
May Allah make us among those who are content and well-pleased and well-pleasing with Him. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Allah is all Thankful and all Knowing. He will reward you for your good deeds. He is the only One who can reward you in the Hereafter. He knows your deeds, whether you remember them or not. He remembers your deeds better than you do, and He preserves them and He will let you see them in the Day of Judgment--even the banana peel that you had picked up from an aisle of a supermarket which prevented an old man from stepping on it and slipped. All you need to do is be thankful to Him and have iman. Don't look at the hands that move but look at the Power behind the movement, la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah, and be thankful that you have your hands. Use them for what they are created for--to worship Him--this is gratitude, being thankful. Same with your other body parts--don't misuse them--for this is ingratitude, being not thankful.
"Why should Allah punish you if you are thankful and believe? Allah is All-Thankful, All-Knowing." Qur'an Annisa 4:147
If you truly understand this, it will guide you to sincerity (ikhlas). You won't feel a need to show off your good deeds. Why would you want to show your good deeds to His creation, those who know but cannot compensate you in your next life. If you truly understand this, it will drive you towards hope and protect you against despair. You will enter into the world of contentment. InshaAllah.
"Upon that day none shall chastise as He chastises, none shall bind as He binds. 'O soul at peace, return unto thy Lord, well-pleased, well-pleasing! Enter thou among My servants! Enter thou My Paradise!' Qur'an Al-Fajr 89:25-30
May Allah make us among those who are content and well-pleased and well-pleasing with Him. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Earning a living
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, one's prayers will not be answered while he is nourished unlawfully.
Allah the Almighty is good and accepts only that which is good. Allah has commanded the Faithful to do that which He commanded the Messengers, and the Almighty has said: O you Messengers! Eat of the good things and do right." And Allah Almighty has said: "O you who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you." Then he mentioned the case of a man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the sky saying: O Lord! O Lord! -- while his food is unlawful, his drink unlawful, his clothing unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can he be answered! (related by Muslim)
So it is extremely important to know the halal and haram in earning a living. The essence of earning a living is fearing Allah, living for the next life and having pure food in our bellies. If you obey the manners of earning a living, it will give you a sense of decency and people will love you and Allah will be generous with your provision. InshaAllah.
Your provision comes from Allah, and He gives to whomsoever He wills, and He expands and He constricts His provision to whomsoever He wills. Your boss (your employer, your buyer, your clients, etc.) is merely a tap that spits out what Allah already ordained for you. If you truly believe this, you will feel at ease and will be easy going, and no despair when the tap shuts off because it may be that Allah will use another tap. There will be no need to puff, exaggerate, lie, demean people, cheating, stealing, etc, violating the rules of Allah.
So whenever you go to work remind yourself "Allah is providing for me." If we remind ourselves of this and if Allah give us tawfiq, it changes the way that we work. The manifestation of relying on Allah is that you aren't greedy, you aren't up all night and all day hustling and bustling in trying to make money, ruining your worship, ruining your health and family, want to make more and more. The point is to give everything its due, not being the first in and the last out, not looking at the clock but avoid having this over eagerness as if you are responsible for the provision. Earn your living with dignity and put your best efforts. The rest leave it to Allah, the All-Knowing, the All-Seer.
"Those in truth are the believers; they have degrees with their Lord, and forgiveness, and generous provision." Qur'an Anfal 8:4
"No creature is there crawling on the earth, but its provision rests on God; He knows its lodging-place and its repository. All is in a Manifest Book." Qur'an Hud 11:6
"God outspreads and straitens His provision unto whomsoever He will. They rejoice in this present life; and this present life, beside the world to come, is naught but passing enjoyment." Qur'an Ar-Ra'd 13:26
"Say: 'My Lord outspreads and straitens His provision to whomsoever He will, but most men do not know it.'" Qur'an Saba 34:36
"Say: 'My Lord outspreads and straitens His provision to whomsoever He will of His servants; and whatever thing you shall expend, He will replace it. He is the best of providers.'" Qur'an Saba 34:39
"Do they know that God outspreads and straitens His provision to whomsoever He will? Surely in that are signs for a people who believe." Qur'an Az-Zumar 39"52
And Allah knows best.
May Allah grant us tawfiq and taqwa. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, one's prayers will not be answered while he is nourished unlawfully.
Allah the Almighty is good and accepts only that which is good. Allah has commanded the Faithful to do that which He commanded the Messengers, and the Almighty has said: O you Messengers! Eat of the good things and do right." And Allah Almighty has said: "O you who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you." Then he mentioned the case of a man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the sky saying: O Lord! O Lord! -- while his food is unlawful, his drink unlawful, his clothing unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can he be answered! (related by Muslim)
So it is extremely important to know the halal and haram in earning a living. The essence of earning a living is fearing Allah, living for the next life and having pure food in our bellies. If you obey the manners of earning a living, it will give you a sense of decency and people will love you and Allah will be generous with your provision. InshaAllah.
Your provision comes from Allah, and He gives to whomsoever He wills, and He expands and He constricts His provision to whomsoever He wills. Your boss (your employer, your buyer, your clients, etc.) is merely a tap that spits out what Allah already ordained for you. If you truly believe this, you will feel at ease and will be easy going, and no despair when the tap shuts off because it may be that Allah will use another tap. There will be no need to puff, exaggerate, lie, demean people, cheating, stealing, etc, violating the rules of Allah.
So whenever you go to work remind yourself "Allah is providing for me." If we remind ourselves of this and if Allah give us tawfiq, it changes the way that we work. The manifestation of relying on Allah is that you aren't greedy, you aren't up all night and all day hustling and bustling in trying to make money, ruining your worship, ruining your health and family, want to make more and more. The point is to give everything its due, not being the first in and the last out, not looking at the clock but avoid having this over eagerness as if you are responsible for the provision. Earn your living with dignity and put your best efforts. The rest leave it to Allah, the All-Knowing, the All-Seer.
"Those in truth are the believers; they have degrees with their Lord, and forgiveness, and generous provision." Qur'an Anfal 8:4
"No creature is there crawling on the earth, but its provision rests on God; He knows its lodging-place and its repository. All is in a Manifest Book." Qur'an Hud 11:6
"God outspreads and straitens His provision unto whomsoever He will. They rejoice in this present life; and this present life, beside the world to come, is naught but passing enjoyment." Qur'an Ar-Ra'd 13:26
"Say: 'My Lord outspreads and straitens His provision to whomsoever He will, but most men do not know it.'" Qur'an Saba 34:36
"Say: 'My Lord outspreads and straitens His provision to whomsoever He will of His servants; and whatever thing you shall expend, He will replace it. He is the best of providers.'" Qur'an Saba 34:39
"Do they know that God outspreads and straitens His provision to whomsoever He will? Surely in that are signs for a people who believe." Qur'an Az-Zumar 39"52
And Allah knows best.
May Allah grant us tawfiq and taqwa. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Monday, February 15, 2010
The inevitable
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
The son of 'Umar, Allah be very pleased with both father and son, used to say: At evening do not expect to live till morning, and at morning do not expect to live till evening. Take from your health for your illness and from your life your death. (Bukhari)
Whenever 'Uthman ibn Affan (the son-in-law of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the third Caliph, the one among the 10 promised paradise), Allah be very pleased with him, came near a grave he wept so much that his beard became wet. Someone remarked to him that when he mentioned the Garden and the Fire he never wept as much, and he said: 'I heard the Messenger of God, Allah bless him and grant him peace, say: "The grave is the first of the Hereafter's stages. If one is saved from it then what comes next is easier, but if one is not saved from it, then what comes next is ever harder."
On the Day of Judgment everything will be accounted for. "Upon that day men shall issue in scatterings to see their works, and whoso has done an atom's weight of good shall see it, and whoso has done an atom's weight of evil shall see it." Qur'an The Earthquake 99:6-8
And no soul will be dealt unjustly. "And We shall set up the just balances for the Resurrection Day, so that not one soul shall be wronged anything; even if it be the weight of one grain of mustard-seed We shall produce it, and sufficient are We for reckoners." Qur'an Al-Anbiya 21:47
So hasten to do good deeds and forgiveness from Allah
"And every one has a direction to which he should turn, therefore hasten to (do) good works; wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together; surely Allah has power over all things." Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:148
"And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord; and a Garden, the extensiveness of which is (as) the heavens and the earth, it is prepared for the godfearing." Qur'an AleImran 3:133
Set your goals high for Allah. Nothing of this world worth anything when you are put in the grave except your good deeds including righteous off springs who pray for us. So rush to do good deeds and raise your children well.
Please take a moment to read this very touching story of a little girl who is in coma. You can't help but cry along listening to the beautiful voice and to reassess your relationship with Allah and realize that you have not done enough to make sure your children are given the necessary tools to know Allah. InshaAllah this story will increase your iman and inspire you to do more.
May Allah give her shifa' quickly and have mercy on her, her parents and all of us and those who have passed. Ameen.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun.
The story of Bara'ah, the 10yr old child
This story is of a little girl named Bar`ah who is 10 years old, her parents were doctors who moved to Saudi Arabia in search of better life. In this age Bar`ah memorized the whole Qur'an with the tajweed, she was very intelligent, her teacher uses to tell her she should be in middle school not primary one....
Her family is small and committed to Islam and its teaching.... suddenly one day the mother started feeling sever abdominal pain, after tests and checkups she found out that she have cancer, but in its late stages. The mother thought who she can tell her daughter, specifically if she wake up one day and didn't find her mother beside her... so she told her (( Bar`ah I will go to paradise ahead of you, but I want you to read the Quran you memorized every day since it will protect you in this life))...
The little girl didn't really understand what her mother is trying to tell her...but she started feeling the change in her mother's status specially when she was transferred to stay in hospital on permanent bases. The little girl used to come to the hospital after her school and recited Qu'ran for her mother till evening when her father use to take her home.
One day the hospital called the husband and informed him that the his wife's condition is very bad and he need to come as fast as he can, so the father picked Bar`ah from her school and headed to the hospital, when they arrived he asked her to stay in the car ... just she won't get shocked if her mother has passed away.
The father get out of his car, with tears fills his eyes and while he crossing the road to enter the hospital, he was hit by a speeding and died in front of his daughter who came crying to her father....!
The tragedy of Bar`ah is not over yet... the news of her father's death was hidden from the mother, but after 5 days the mother passed a way! leaving Bar`ah alone in this life. She become alone without her parents, and parents friends decided to find her relatives in Egypt so they can take her to them..
Suddenly, Bar`ah start having severe pain like her mother, after few tests and check up it was confirmed with the cancer... at the surprise of every one she said (( Alhamdu Lillah now I will meet my parents ))
All family friends were shocked and surprised, this little girl facing calamity after calamity and she is patient and satisfied with what Allah ordained for her.
People start hearing about Bar`ah and her story, and a Saudi guy decided to take care of her .. he send her to UK for treatment of this disease.
One of the Islamic channel (Al hafiz - The protector ) got in contact with this little girl and asked her to recite Qur'an .. and this her beautiful voice with
recitation.. ..
Recitation of the Qur'an by a Beautiful Voice
They contacted her again before she went into coma and she made du'a for her parents and sang a nasheed...
Nasheed
The days passed by, and the cancer spread all over her body, and the doctors decided to amputate her legs, and she is patient and satisfied with Allah's ordain.. after few the CANCER spread in her brain, upon which doctors decided for another urgent brain surgery..and now her body is UK hospital in full COMA...
So pray for her health and speedy recovery!
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
The son of 'Umar, Allah be very pleased with both father and son, used to say: At evening do not expect to live till morning, and at morning do not expect to live till evening. Take from your health for your illness and from your life your death. (Bukhari)
Whenever 'Uthman ibn Affan (the son-in-law of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the third Caliph, the one among the 10 promised paradise), Allah be very pleased with him, came near a grave he wept so much that his beard became wet. Someone remarked to him that when he mentioned the Garden and the Fire he never wept as much, and he said: 'I heard the Messenger of God, Allah bless him and grant him peace, say: "The grave is the first of the Hereafter's stages. If one is saved from it then what comes next is easier, but if one is not saved from it, then what comes next is ever harder."
On the Day of Judgment everything will be accounted for. "Upon that day men shall issue in scatterings to see their works, and whoso has done an atom's weight of good shall see it, and whoso has done an atom's weight of evil shall see it." Qur'an The Earthquake 99:6-8
And no soul will be dealt unjustly. "And We shall set up the just balances for the Resurrection Day, so that not one soul shall be wronged anything; even if it be the weight of one grain of mustard-seed We shall produce it, and sufficient are We for reckoners." Qur'an Al-Anbiya 21:47
So hasten to do good deeds and forgiveness from Allah
"And every one has a direction to which he should turn, therefore hasten to (do) good works; wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together; surely Allah has power over all things." Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:148
"And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord; and a Garden, the extensiveness of which is (as) the heavens and the earth, it is prepared for the godfearing." Qur'an AleImran 3:133
Set your goals high for Allah. Nothing of this world worth anything when you are put in the grave except your good deeds including righteous off springs who pray for us. So rush to do good deeds and raise your children well.
Please take a moment to read this very touching story of a little girl who is in coma. You can't help but cry along listening to the beautiful voice and to reassess your relationship with Allah and realize that you have not done enough to make sure your children are given the necessary tools to know Allah. InshaAllah this story will increase your iman and inspire you to do more.
May Allah give her shifa' quickly and have mercy on her, her parents and all of us and those who have passed. Ameen.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun.
The story of Bara'ah, the 10yr old child
This story is of a little girl named Bar`ah who is 10 years old, her parents were doctors who moved to Saudi Arabia in search of better life. In this age Bar`ah memorized the whole Qur'an with the tajweed, she was very intelligent, her teacher uses to tell her she should be in middle school not primary one....
Her family is small and committed to Islam and its teaching.... suddenly one day the mother started feeling sever abdominal pain, after tests and checkups she found out that she have cancer, but in its late stages. The mother thought who she can tell her daughter, specifically if she wake up one day and didn't find her mother beside her... so she told her (( Bar`ah I will go to paradise ahead of you, but I want you to read the Quran you memorized every day since it will protect you in this life))...
The little girl didn't really understand what her mother is trying to tell her...but she started feeling the change in her mother's status specially when she was transferred to stay in hospital on permanent bases. The little girl used to come to the hospital after her school and recited Qu'ran for her mother till evening when her father use to take her home.
One day the hospital called the husband and informed him that the his wife's condition is very bad and he need to come as fast as he can, so the father picked Bar`ah from her school and headed to the hospital, when they arrived he asked her to stay in the car ... just she won't get shocked if her mother has passed away.
The father get out of his car, with tears fills his eyes and while he crossing the road to enter the hospital, he was hit by a speeding and died in front of his daughter who came crying to her father....!
The tragedy of Bar`ah is not over yet... the news of her father's death was hidden from the mother, but after 5 days the mother passed a way! leaving Bar`ah alone in this life. She become alone without her parents, and parents friends decided to find her relatives in Egypt so they can take her to them..
Suddenly, Bar`ah start having severe pain like her mother, after few tests and check up it was confirmed with the cancer... at the surprise of every one she said (( Alhamdu Lillah now I will meet my parents ))
All family friends were shocked and surprised, this little girl facing calamity after calamity and she is patient and satisfied with what Allah ordained for her.
People start hearing about Bar`ah and her story, and a Saudi guy decided to take care of her .. he send her to UK for treatment of this disease.
One of the Islamic channel (Al hafiz - The protector ) got in contact with this little girl and asked her to recite Qur'an .. and this her beautiful voice with
recitation.. ..
Recitation of the Qur'an by a Beautiful Voice
They contacted her again before she went into coma and she made du'a for her parents and sang a nasheed...
Nasheed
The days passed by, and the cancer spread all over her body, and the doctors decided to amputate her legs, and she is patient and satisfied with Allah's ordain.. after few the CANCER spread in her brain, upon which doctors decided for another urgent brain surgery..and now her body is UK hospital in full COMA...
So pray for her health and speedy recovery!
Wassalaam
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Looking at Detriment and benefit
بسم الله الرØمن الرØيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Imagine you want to be a lawyer or a doctor. Lawyers and doctors can tell you the pains of the journey to become one but a very rewarding journey nonetheless regardless the many years of many sleepless nights, bags under our eyes, feeling miserable, anxieties, spending lots money, no social life. Then after we graduated, it's not over yet--another big test--the Bar exam or the Board exam (for the doctors). Oh yes, I know about the Bar exams--passing the bar is not easy---20 to 40% passing rate in California--it is not so much a test to see how much we know (that was already done in law school exams)--but how much we can work under pressure, how much we can endure 3 solid days of doing nothing except working our brains off reading hundreds of cases, sifting through issues and applying the law! You don't hear anyone say, "bad law school, bad State Bar, for denying me my sleep, my leisure--I have no life because of you, you take all my money, you make me sick! You don't question this, but you struggle patiently until you pass the Bar exam. You are thrilled to death when you receive the long awaited news of passing the Bar exam--almost every lawyer could tell you a story of that moment no matter how many decades ago they received this tremendous news--they could still remember the place, the time, the hows and the whats as if it was just yesterday. It was the most memorable time of a lawyer's life, perhaps their entire life! This is how we take the matters of this temporal life.
You don't mind the pains--lost of sleep, spent all your money, borrowed money, even endured divorce (law school is also a test of patience for the other spouse). Why? Because you see the gold mine at the end of the journey--wealth, status, prestige, and the like. (This is not to say some people don't have high goal which is to serve Allah with their degrees/career but most people don't go to law school or medical school having this goal in mind). You understand that you have to follow the rules of the Bar, Medical Board, etc, study hard and put your life on hold for many years is a huge detriment but it is a necessary detriment for that great benefit that ensued. (You can think of many other examples that apply to you but you get the idea.)
Likewise, you have to follow Allah's rules to rise in the ranks with Allah. You have to give up, among other things, your sleep to pray tahajjud, eating and drinking during fasting, your money to perform hajj or pay zakat or give charity. You have to endure people's chastisement for your scrupulousness and "being or looking different," etc. This is a huge detriment but remember the benefit is tremendous--eternal bliss, Allah's noble countenance in Paradise--this outweighs the detriment which is relatively a short period of time. Even if it is difficult, just keep doing it, do it and do it...until it become part of you that you don't care what people think of you anymore--this may take 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, 10 years but eventually you will get there inshaAllah. And the road to Him become easier and easier. And you would be able to experience the sweetness of being His slave even in this life. Allah loves the believers but you have to earn His love, i.e. obeying Him. You must follow His rules no matter how difficult or uneasy--do them, do them...after a while inshaAllah they become easy and become part of you. No benefit is without a detriment but find solace that the benefit outweighs the detriment--His love, which is what we have to strive and ask for. So stay up at night, go for a time without food in fasting, wear the hijab, give charity, etc. Learn what Allah wants you to do and keep learning, teach to others and apply what you learn. If you learn and apply something of sacred knowledge each day, you will see a big difference in your coming near to Allah in no time, inshaAllah.
May Allah give us all tawfiq. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. JazakAllah 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.
Imagine you want to be a lawyer or a doctor. Lawyers and doctors can tell you the pains of the journey to become one but a very rewarding journey nonetheless regardless the many years of many sleepless nights, bags under our eyes, feeling miserable, anxieties, spending lots money, no social life. Then after we graduated, it's not over yet--another big test--the Bar exam or the Board exam (for the doctors). Oh yes, I know about the Bar exams--passing the bar is not easy---20 to 40% passing rate in California--it is not so much a test to see how much we know (that was already done in law school exams)--but how much we can work under pressure, how much we can endure 3 solid days of doing nothing except working our brains off reading hundreds of cases, sifting through issues and applying the law! You don't hear anyone say, "bad law school, bad State Bar, for denying me my sleep, my leisure--I have no life because of you, you take all my money, you make me sick! You don't question this, but you struggle patiently until you pass the Bar exam. You are thrilled to death when you receive the long awaited news of passing the Bar exam--almost every lawyer could tell you a story of that moment no matter how many decades ago they received this tremendous news--they could still remember the place, the time, the hows and the whats as if it was just yesterday. It was the most memorable time of a lawyer's life, perhaps their entire life! This is how we take the matters of this temporal life.
You don't mind the pains--lost of sleep, spent all your money, borrowed money, even endured divorce (law school is also a test of patience for the other spouse). Why? Because you see the gold mine at the end of the journey--wealth, status, prestige, and the like. (This is not to say some people don't have high goal which is to serve Allah with their degrees/career but most people don't go to law school or medical school having this goal in mind). You understand that you have to follow the rules of the Bar, Medical Board, etc, study hard and put your life on hold for many years is a huge detriment but it is a necessary detriment for that great benefit that ensued. (You can think of many other examples that apply to you but you get the idea.)
Likewise, you have to follow Allah's rules to rise in the ranks with Allah. You have to give up, among other things, your sleep to pray tahajjud, eating and drinking during fasting, your money to perform hajj or pay zakat or give charity. You have to endure people's chastisement for your scrupulousness and "being or looking different," etc. This is a huge detriment but remember the benefit is tremendous--eternal bliss, Allah's noble countenance in Paradise--this outweighs the detriment which is relatively a short period of time. Even if it is difficult, just keep doing it, do it and do it...until it become part of you that you don't care what people think of you anymore--this may take 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, 10 years but eventually you will get there inshaAllah. And the road to Him become easier and easier. And you would be able to experience the sweetness of being His slave even in this life. Allah loves the believers but you have to earn His love, i.e. obeying Him. You must follow His rules no matter how difficult or uneasy--do them, do them...after a while inshaAllah they become easy and become part of you. No benefit is without a detriment but find solace that the benefit outweighs the detriment--His love, which is what we have to strive and ask for. So stay up at night, go for a time without food in fasting, wear the hijab, give charity, etc. Learn what Allah wants you to do and keep learning, teach to others and apply what you learn. If you learn and apply something of sacred knowledge each day, you will see a big difference in your coming near to Allah in no time, inshaAllah.
May Allah give us all tawfiq. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. JazakAllah khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Man and woman
بسم الله الرØمن الرØيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Man are man and woman are woman. The best among us are the ones who have taqwa. We are creations of Allah--Allah does not discriminate. We complement each other and we need each other. Man cannot be woman and woman cannot be man. Manliness in man and femininity in woman is self respect and to imitate the other gender is having no self respect. Manliness too is not yelling, screaming, beating, raising your manly voice, scaring your woman--on the contrary you should be very gentle with them. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, would not even raise his voice in the marketplace.
Just because Hawwa was created from Adam's ribs this does not mean woman is inferior than man. Rather, it shows that woman is your partner working side by side just as the ribs are on your side. Now just because ribs are bent, that doesn't mean woman are crooked (evil)--can you imagine if Allah created your ribs straight? It will be very painful for you to be walking around with bones sticking out your flesh. And if you try to straighten your ribs, it will break. So be very gentle with your ribs and don't ignore your ribs because you do need your ribs otherwise you will have no shape like the amoeba. This is a brilliant analogy I heard from a wise man a while back (I added the "amoeba" part). MashaAllah.
And to woman, to continue the analogy--you are neither above man nor below man. You are there not to tell them what to do--there are things best leave them up to them even if you think you are right. For example, if you see your husband driving a certain way that you don't like, tell yourself that he has been driving all these years to work without you and he came home safe. So, save the argument in the car--leave him alone, he might not listen to you anyway. You are there to protect his vital organ--the heart. And your femininity is not for public enjoyment. Don't show your adornments in public--it is for yourself and the heart of your man. And don't behave too feminine in public as well--like acting shy (giggling and so on) in such a way that it unnecessarily attract attention. Woman/girls should be direct and clear in public so not to attract attention.
And Allah knows best.
May Allah bless your day. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. JazakAllahu khairan.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Man are man and woman are woman. The best among us are the ones who have taqwa. We are creations of Allah--Allah does not discriminate. We complement each other and we need each other. Man cannot be woman and woman cannot be man. Manliness in man and femininity in woman is self respect and to imitate the other gender is having no self respect. Manliness too is not yelling, screaming, beating, raising your manly voice, scaring your woman--on the contrary you should be very gentle with them. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, would not even raise his voice in the marketplace.
Just because Hawwa was created from Adam's ribs this does not mean woman is inferior than man. Rather, it shows that woman is your partner working side by side just as the ribs are on your side. Now just because ribs are bent, that doesn't mean woman are crooked (evil)--can you imagine if Allah created your ribs straight? It will be very painful for you to be walking around with bones sticking out your flesh. And if you try to straighten your ribs, it will break. So be very gentle with your ribs and don't ignore your ribs because you do need your ribs otherwise you will have no shape like the amoeba. This is a brilliant analogy I heard from a wise man a while back (I added the "amoeba" part). MashaAllah.
And to woman, to continue the analogy--you are neither above man nor below man. You are there not to tell them what to do--there are things best leave them up to them even if you think you are right. For example, if you see your husband driving a certain way that you don't like, tell yourself that he has been driving all these years to work without you and he came home safe. So, save the argument in the car--leave him alone, he might not listen to you anyway. You are there to protect his vital organ--the heart. And your femininity is not for public enjoyment. Don't show your adornments in public--it is for yourself and the heart of your man. And don't behave too feminine in public as well--like acting shy (giggling and so on) in such a way that it unnecessarily attract attention. Woman/girls should be direct and clear in public so not to attract attention.
And Allah knows best.
May Allah bless your day. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. JazakAllahu khairan.
Wassalaam
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Compete in patience
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
يأيها الذين ءامنوا اصبروا وصابروا
ya ayyuhalladhina aamanu isbiru wa saabiru....
Qur'an AleImran 3:200
When I read this verse, I understand it in Arabic. No longer I see it as a bunch of words that I didn't even know where each begin and where each end as before. I felt the deeper meaning than what it is translated in English. It is an indescribable beautiful feeling to be able to recognize some of Allah's words! SubhanAllah!. This with little Arabic grammar and limited vocabulary. MashaAllah, la hawla wala quwwata illa billah. How tremendously beautiful when I have more grammar and vocabulary! May Allah make it easy for us to understand His Book.
Patience is a great virtue but what if the other side is also patient? Then we should be more patient than them. We compete in patience. This is a command from Allah. And it is for our benefit--should never run out of patience for the success in the Hereafter. This is what this verse mean to me. I am sure there is more to know about this verse but this is what I need to get me through today. And Allah knows best.
InshaAllah this will encourage you to rush to learn Arabic and increase your desire to read the Qur'an everyday.
For those who are joining the khatam al-Qur'an every 3rd Friday of the month, just a reminder that you should at least finished reading up to 21 chapters of the Qur'an. If you haven't, try to catch up before next Friday by reading more from now on. If you think you can't finished reading the entire Qur'an by yourself by next Friday, then share the reading among your family members or find your friends to share the reading. If you still can't do this, then keep reading as much as you can everyday and try to catch up next month. Make this intention. May Allah shower you with His blessings and reward you well for your efforts.
For those who are new to the distribution you may refer to this link for more info
http://journey2allah.blogspot.com/2010/01/completing-quran.html
http://journey2allah.blogspot.com/2010/01/reciting-and-bearing-quranour-monthly.html
May Allah keep us steadfast in our worship and forgive us for our sins. Ameen. Please remember me in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
يأيها الذين ءامنوا اصبروا وصابروا
ya ayyuhalladhina aamanu isbiru wa saabiru....
Qur'an AleImran 3:200
When I read this verse, I understand it in Arabic. No longer I see it as a bunch of words that I didn't even know where each begin and where each end as before. I felt the deeper meaning than what it is translated in English. It is an indescribable beautiful feeling to be able to recognize some of Allah's words! SubhanAllah!. This with little Arabic grammar and limited vocabulary. MashaAllah, la hawla wala quwwata illa billah. How tremendously beautiful when I have more grammar and vocabulary! May Allah make it easy for us to understand His Book.
Patience is a great virtue but what if the other side is also patient? Then we should be more patient than them. We compete in patience. This is a command from Allah. And it is for our benefit--should never run out of patience for the success in the Hereafter. This is what this verse mean to me. I am sure there is more to know about this verse but this is what I need to get me through today. And Allah knows best.
InshaAllah this will encourage you to rush to learn Arabic and increase your desire to read the Qur'an everyday.
For those who are joining the khatam al-Qur'an every 3rd Friday of the month, just a reminder that you should at least finished reading up to 21 chapters of the Qur'an. If you haven't, try to catch up before next Friday by reading more from now on. If you think you can't finished reading the entire Qur'an by yourself by next Friday, then share the reading among your family members or find your friends to share the reading. If you still can't do this, then keep reading as much as you can everyday and try to catch up next month. Make this intention. May Allah shower you with His blessings and reward you well for your efforts.
For those who are new to the distribution you may refer to this link for more info
http://journey2allah.blogspot.com/2010/01/completing-quran.html
http://journey2allah.blogspot.com/2010/01/reciting-and-bearing-quranour-monthly.html
May Allah keep us steadfast in our worship and forgive us for our sins. Ameen. Please remember me in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan
Wassalaam
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Intimate conversation
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Whatever Allah commands us to do--whether He tells us to do something or not to do something--it is not for Him. He doesn't need us and He doesn't need our worship. He is free of need. We are not even a dot even as a group that we should think if we don't worship Him that He would mind. We are the ones who is in dire need of Him. We want Him to love us.
When He asks us to pray 5 times a day, it is totally for our benefit. If you think you don't need Him, that you have your parents taking care of things for you, you have a nice husband who pampers you, a loving wife who give you warmth at night, your children who will take care of you when you are old, you have your boss giving you your paycheck and put food on your table, you have lots of great friends who lend their ears for you, wait when He takes your parents away or your husband away or your wife away, or your children away, or your boss fired you or He take your friends away--death, divorce, and other forms of separation, perhaps as a test for you, perhaps as your punishment. Allah knows best. What will happen to you? Where will you go then? If Allah have mercy on you, you will realize that you have misdirected your focus all along and Allah wants you to come back on course, that He alone do you worship and He alone do you seek help, and your mother, your father, your children, your husband, your wife, your boss, your friends and so on are merely means for you to worship Him and come close to Him.
So, before they are taken away, be close to the One and only One. So when the day comes, when Allah take them away from you, you are prepared. You know you have someone who will always be with you and someone you can turn to, and the loss won't be too upside down for you. Do not allow yourself to be distracted by the means so that you cannot be close to Him, cannot worship Him properly, cannot pray on time and for some who don't even pray, may Allah guide them.
I want to mention a little bit about prayer. No one is excused from prayer. Even in battles, the Muslims prayed at its time, which shows us how important this obligation is. What excuse do those who are sitting in the comfort of their homes or those who are busy seeking the pleasures of this world have for not praying on time? All other forms of obligatory worship have conditions in which one don't have to do it--e.g. if one doesn't have the resource, one is not obligated to perform hajj. if one is ill, one doesn't have to fast that day, if one doesn't have money, one doesn't pay zakat. Prayer is the most important pillar of your faith. If this pillar is shaky or weak and not tended to it will eventually gone, it is a like a main pillar of the house if it is weak--the house will quickly collapse. So don't let this happen. Be grateful that you still have Iman and nurture it with more presence of heart during prayer and with more prayers (including the emphasized sunna prayers and night prayers.)
If you pray out of feeling of neediness, fear, awe, hope, gratitude, love of the Lord, then you will find solace and comfort. There was a story of a companion who carried on with his prayer despite enemy arrows were being shot at him one after another! Another, had his leg amputated without anesthesia while he was in sujud. There are many examples of our pious predecessors and perhaps you know many many people still alive who find prayer the coolness of their eyes. You should have this desire to be like them. At the minimum, rush to prayer when the time comes or sit and wait anxiously to pray before the time even entered. Humble yourself to your Lord, take your time in every movement (don't be a woodpecker) and show your neediness. Prayer is where you are the closest to your Lord.
When you recite the Al-Fatiha at least 17 times a day during 5 obligatory prayers, you are having an intimate conversation with the Lord of the Worlds, the All Merciful, All Compassionate, All Generous. Why wouldn't you rush and leave everything and focus on Him alone?
Allah the Exalted says: I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks. When the servant says: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Most High says: My servant has praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: The Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allah the Most High says: My servant has extolled Me. And when he (the worshiper) says: You alone do we worship and your help alone we seek, He (Allah) says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for. Then, when he (the worshiper) says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou hast been Gracious not of those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks. (related by Muslim)
May Allah make us understand our responsibilities and fulfill them with excellence. Ameen. Please remember me in your night prayers.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Whatever Allah commands us to do--whether He tells us to do something or not to do something--it is not for Him. He doesn't need us and He doesn't need our worship. He is free of need. We are not even a dot even as a group that we should think if we don't worship Him that He would mind. We are the ones who is in dire need of Him. We want Him to love us.
When He asks us to pray 5 times a day, it is totally for our benefit. If you think you don't need Him, that you have your parents taking care of things for you, you have a nice husband who pampers you, a loving wife who give you warmth at night, your children who will take care of you when you are old, you have your boss giving you your paycheck and put food on your table, you have lots of great friends who lend their ears for you, wait when He takes your parents away or your husband away or your wife away, or your children away, or your boss fired you or He take your friends away--death, divorce, and other forms of separation, perhaps as a test for you, perhaps as your punishment. Allah knows best. What will happen to you? Where will you go then? If Allah have mercy on you, you will realize that you have misdirected your focus all along and Allah wants you to come back on course, that He alone do you worship and He alone do you seek help, and your mother, your father, your children, your husband, your wife, your boss, your friends and so on are merely means for you to worship Him and come close to Him.
So, before they are taken away, be close to the One and only One. So when the day comes, when Allah take them away from you, you are prepared. You know you have someone who will always be with you and someone you can turn to, and the loss won't be too upside down for you. Do not allow yourself to be distracted by the means so that you cannot be close to Him, cannot worship Him properly, cannot pray on time and for some who don't even pray, may Allah guide them.
I want to mention a little bit about prayer. No one is excused from prayer. Even in battles, the Muslims prayed at its time, which shows us how important this obligation is. What excuse do those who are sitting in the comfort of their homes or those who are busy seeking the pleasures of this world have for not praying on time? All other forms of obligatory worship have conditions in which one don't have to do it--e.g. if one doesn't have the resource, one is not obligated to perform hajj. if one is ill, one doesn't have to fast that day, if one doesn't have money, one doesn't pay zakat. Prayer is the most important pillar of your faith. If this pillar is shaky or weak and not tended to it will eventually gone, it is a like a main pillar of the house if it is weak--the house will quickly collapse. So don't let this happen. Be grateful that you still have Iman and nurture it with more presence of heart during prayer and with more prayers (including the emphasized sunna prayers and night prayers.)
If you pray out of feeling of neediness, fear, awe, hope, gratitude, love of the Lord, then you will find solace and comfort. There was a story of a companion who carried on with his prayer despite enemy arrows were being shot at him one after another! Another, had his leg amputated without anesthesia while he was in sujud. There are many examples of our pious predecessors and perhaps you know many many people still alive who find prayer the coolness of their eyes. You should have this desire to be like them. At the minimum, rush to prayer when the time comes or sit and wait anxiously to pray before the time even entered. Humble yourself to your Lord, take your time in every movement (don't be a woodpecker) and show your neediness. Prayer is where you are the closest to your Lord.
When you recite the Al-Fatiha at least 17 times a day during 5 obligatory prayers, you are having an intimate conversation with the Lord of the Worlds, the All Merciful, All Compassionate, All Generous. Why wouldn't you rush and leave everything and focus on Him alone?
Allah the Exalted says: I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks. When the servant says: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Most High says: My servant has praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: The Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allah the Most High says: My servant has extolled Me. And when he (the worshiper) says: You alone do we worship and your help alone we seek, He (Allah) says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for. Then, when he (the worshiper) says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou hast been Gracious not of those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks. (related by Muslim)
May Allah make us understand our responsibilities and fulfill them with excellence. Ameen. Please remember me in your night prayers.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Monday, February 8, 2010
Pure love
BismillahirRahmaniRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well. Ameen.
No matter how big your sin is even if it reaches the clouds of the sky and great as the earth, go to Allah, sincerely ask Him to forgive you. Allah is Al-Tawwab, the One who not only accepts repentance but also guides you to repentance. Imagine this, you are the one who committed the sin but He invites you to repent. The fact that you have this bad feeling about what you did, He is inviting you to repent. He wants you to come back to Him so He can raise you up. So don't miss the opportunity to be with the King of Kings. Be thankful and return His invitation, say "astaghfirullah" with all your heart.
Allah gives us all these things that we have and around us to benefit from and then when we do something wrong He invites us to come to Him--this computer that you have, the ability in you to read this email and understand what is said, the sweet aroma of the tea/coffee brewing in your kitchen/office, the enjoyment sipping that hot tea/coffee in this cold weather, the sweet smell of jasmine/roses getting its way through that little crack of your window, the beautiful chirping of the birds in your garden, the lovely fingers that you use to type your emails to your friends, the ability to get up from your comfy bed this morning to pray Fajr, even that strength to lift the toothbrush this morning before you do our wudu', the breeze, the light, the ability to do that sujud, receiving that hugs from your children before they go to school and then receiving that hugs again when they come back from school, to hear salaams from your loved ones, many many things that we often take for granted and much much more and even if we spend a lifetime trying to list them, you will not be able to exhaust what Allah has given and will continue to give. He gives and doesn't need anything back. This is pure love!
What do we do when someone wronged us, are we quick to forgive? Not easy sometimes but forgive them for the sake of loving and pleasing the One who loves you and the One you love. Don't go to sleep without forgiving everyone. This is one of the keys to Paradise. If you love someone show that love because that will bring happiness to the heart of that person knowing that you love them. Bringing happiness to the heart of someone will help you a lot in the Hereafter.
On the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, say: Allah the Almighty said: O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great at it. It was related by at-Tirmidhi (also by Ahmad ibn Hanbal). Its chain of authorities is sound.
"(He turned in mercy also) to the three who were left behind; (they felt guilty) to such a degree that the earth seemed constrained to them, for all its spaciousness, and their (very) souls seemed straitened to them,- and they perceived that th ere is no fleeing from God (and no refuge) but to Himself. Then He turned to them, that they might repent: for God is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful." Qur'an Repentance 9:118
May Allah forgive all our sins and give us the ability to forgive others. Ameen. Please forgive me for everything. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well. Ameen.
No matter how big your sin is even if it reaches the clouds of the sky and great as the earth, go to Allah, sincerely ask Him to forgive you. Allah is Al-Tawwab, the One who not only accepts repentance but also guides you to repentance. Imagine this, you are the one who committed the sin but He invites you to repent. The fact that you have this bad feeling about what you did, He is inviting you to repent. He wants you to come back to Him so He can raise you up. So don't miss the opportunity to be with the King of Kings. Be thankful and return His invitation, say "astaghfirullah" with all your heart.
Allah gives us all these things that we have and around us to benefit from and then when we do something wrong He invites us to come to Him--this computer that you have, the ability in you to read this email and understand what is said, the sweet aroma of the tea/coffee brewing in your kitchen/office, the enjoyment sipping that hot tea/coffee in this cold weather, the sweet smell of jasmine/roses getting its way through that little crack of your window, the beautiful chirping of the birds in your garden, the lovely fingers that you use to type your emails to your friends, the ability to get up from your comfy bed this morning to pray Fajr, even that strength to lift the toothbrush this morning before you do our wudu', the breeze, the light, the ability to do that sujud, receiving that hugs from your children before they go to school and then receiving that hugs again when they come back from school, to hear salaams from your loved ones, many many things that we often take for granted and much much more and even if we spend a lifetime trying to list them, you will not be able to exhaust what Allah has given and will continue to give. He gives and doesn't need anything back. This is pure love!
What do we do when someone wronged us, are we quick to forgive? Not easy sometimes but forgive them for the sake of loving and pleasing the One who loves you and the One you love. Don't go to sleep without forgiving everyone. This is one of the keys to Paradise. If you love someone show that love because that will bring happiness to the heart of that person knowing that you love them. Bringing happiness to the heart of someone will help you a lot in the Hereafter.
On the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, say: Allah the Almighty said: O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great at it. It was related by at-Tirmidhi (also by Ahmad ibn Hanbal). Its chain of authorities is sound.
"(He turned in mercy also) to the three who were left behind; (they felt guilty) to such a degree that the earth seemed constrained to them, for all its spaciousness, and their (very) souls seemed straitened to them,- and they perceived that th ere is no fleeing from God (and no refuge) but to Himself. Then He turned to them, that they might repent: for God is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful." Qur'an Repentance 9:118
May Allah forgive all our sins and give us the ability to forgive others. Ameen. Please forgive me for everything. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
A Bankrupt
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
"A Muslim is the one the Muslims are safe from his tongue and his hands." Bukhari and Muslim
"None of you truly believe until he wants for his brother what he wants for himself." Bukhari
"Verily, the bankrupt person from my nation is one who comes on the Day of Standing with prayers, fasts, zakat payments; he comes having insulted this person, falsely accused this person, wrongfully ate the wealth of this person, and beat this person. This person is given from his good deeds. If his good deeds are exhausted before paying off what he owes, he takes from their sins which are cast on him, then he is casted into the Fire. (Muslim)
Hurting someone is a serious matter and could take you to the Fire. So before you say something, before you do something to another person, first ask yourself this: Are my words or my actions going to count for me or against me in the Day of Judgment?
"Every soul shall taste death; and We try you with evil and good as a test, then unto Us you shall be returned." Qur'an al-Anbiya 21:35
May Allah protect us from all evils and from being the cause of evils. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
"A Muslim is the one the Muslims are safe from his tongue and his hands." Bukhari and Muslim
"None of you truly believe until he wants for his brother what he wants for himself." Bukhari
"Verily, the bankrupt person from my nation is one who comes on the Day of Standing with prayers, fasts, zakat payments; he comes having insulted this person, falsely accused this person, wrongfully ate the wealth of this person, and beat this person. This person is given from his good deeds. If his good deeds are exhausted before paying off what he owes, he takes from their sins which are cast on him, then he is casted into the Fire. (Muslim)
Hurting someone is a serious matter and could take you to the Fire. So before you say something, before you do something to another person, first ask yourself this: Are my words or my actions going to count for me or against me in the Day of Judgment?
"Every soul shall taste death; and We try you with evil and good as a test, then unto Us you shall be returned." Qur'an al-Anbiya 21:35
May Allah protect us from all evils and from being the cause of evils. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Saturday, February 6, 2010
How far will you go for Allah--learning the language of the Qur'an
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
I was in a qiyamu lail gathering at a masjid here in Southern California and the imam had such beautiful recitation of the Qur'an that blown me away. The amazing thing was that half of the time he was crying. I too cried, not because I understood the verses of the Qur'an, but because I was very sad that I did not understand a word he was reciting. How beautiful it would be if I understood it! I wept and wept just like him. At that moment I made an intention to study Arabic but I did not know how or where. SubhanAllah, after the prayers I sat down with a sister and we started talking about the beautiful tranquil night and then a question just leaped out of my mouth. I asked her if she knew any good place that I could learn Arabic. She said she didn't know any but she had a friend who had taken Arabic and noticed she knew some Arabic and that she would find it out for me. And there was where it began. I enrolled in the Arabic class immediately after I received the information from her but missed quite a bit during my hajj. At hajj, a friend told me that she had been taking her children to Egypt to study Arabic. SubhanAllah, she never told me this before even though I had known her for a few years prior to this. I can't forget this encounter---SubhanAllah, we were like sardines in Mina tent--legs over legs, we could only lie down on our sides to sleep but don't get me wrong--it was the most beautiful hajj for me and my children despite the seemingly uncomfortable conditions. So I thought I go outside to pray and get fresh air (the only place I could find to sit was beside a bathroom!). It must be 1 or 2 in the morning. My friend had the same idea and we sat by the bathroom talking about our children (we both brought our children along with us at that hajj) and this was when she told me about her kids Arabic studies in Egypt every summer. That summer I went to Egypt to study the language of the Arabs with my boys for 8 months. This is by no means we are experts in Arabic now--to the contrary, we have so much more to learn and sad that we are losing it. Allah knows best our intentions and make it easy for us to understand His religion. Ameen. Please remember us in your du'as.
Learning the language of the Arabs is very important. You have to take this mission seriously for yourself and your children. This is a small sacrifice for the religion of Allah. Without Arabic there is going to remain a barrier between you and understanding the religion of Allah since the original text of this religion is in Arabic, whether it is the Qur'an or the hadith. Many good Islamic texts are still in Arabic and you need Arabic to learn them properly. Learning Arabic is a process and you can never be a master at it but even at the level that most Arabic language centers teach you, you will see the difference in your devotion and your love for Allah and loving Allah is a beautiful thing. This is only the beginning. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, asked Zayd Ibn Thabit, Allah be very pleased with him, to learn Hebrew because he wanted a Muslim to read and write correspondence between him and the Jews. And Zayd learned Hebrew in 15 days. Zayd learned a foreign language as a Muslim. What about you learning Arabic that is necessary to understand what your Lord want you to do? One might argue that Hebrew is similar to Arabic, so it would be easier for one who already know Arabic, but still, you shouldn't take years to plan to learn the language of the Qur'an or worse not having the intention at all. Go right at it, don't wait. If you make the intention and sincere, Allah will make way for you.
The example of Zayd also tells us that it is also important for us to encourage our children to learn other foreign languages because Muslims are dealing with many nations of the world. It is important that Muslim learn these foreign languages in spreading Islam effectively. Of course, the priority is the language of the Arab.
May Allah grant us and our children tawfiq. Ameen..
And Allah knows best
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
I was in a qiyamu lail gathering at a masjid here in Southern California and the imam had such beautiful recitation of the Qur'an that blown me away. The amazing thing was that half of the time he was crying. I too cried, not because I understood the verses of the Qur'an, but because I was very sad that I did not understand a word he was reciting. How beautiful it would be if I understood it! I wept and wept just like him. At that moment I made an intention to study Arabic but I did not know how or where. SubhanAllah, after the prayers I sat down with a sister and we started talking about the beautiful tranquil night and then a question just leaped out of my mouth. I asked her if she knew any good place that I could learn Arabic. She said she didn't know any but she had a friend who had taken Arabic and noticed she knew some Arabic and that she would find it out for me. And there was where it began. I enrolled in the Arabic class immediately after I received the information from her but missed quite a bit during my hajj. At hajj, a friend told me that she had been taking her children to Egypt to study Arabic. SubhanAllah, she never told me this before even though I had known her for a few years prior to this. I can't forget this encounter---SubhanAllah, we were like sardines in Mina tent--legs over legs, we could only lie down on our sides to sleep but don't get me wrong--it was the most beautiful hajj for me and my children despite the seemingly uncomfortable conditions. So I thought I go outside to pray and get fresh air (the only place I could find to sit was beside a bathroom!). It must be 1 or 2 in the morning. My friend had the same idea and we sat by the bathroom talking about our children (we both brought our children along with us at that hajj) and this was when she told me about her kids Arabic studies in Egypt every summer. That summer I went to Egypt to study the language of the Arabs with my boys for 8 months. This is by no means we are experts in Arabic now--to the contrary, we have so much more to learn and sad that we are losing it. Allah knows best our intentions and make it easy for us to understand His religion. Ameen. Please remember us in your du'as.
Learning the language of the Arabs is very important. You have to take this mission seriously for yourself and your children. This is a small sacrifice for the religion of Allah. Without Arabic there is going to remain a barrier between you and understanding the religion of Allah since the original text of this religion is in Arabic, whether it is the Qur'an or the hadith. Many good Islamic texts are still in Arabic and you need Arabic to learn them properly. Learning Arabic is a process and you can never be a master at it but even at the level that most Arabic language centers teach you, you will see the difference in your devotion and your love for Allah and loving Allah is a beautiful thing. This is only the beginning. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, asked Zayd Ibn Thabit, Allah be very pleased with him, to learn Hebrew because he wanted a Muslim to read and write correspondence between him and the Jews. And Zayd learned Hebrew in 15 days. Zayd learned a foreign language as a Muslim. What about you learning Arabic that is necessary to understand what your Lord want you to do? One might argue that Hebrew is similar to Arabic, so it would be easier for one who already know Arabic, but still, you shouldn't take years to plan to learn the language of the Qur'an or worse not having the intention at all. Go right at it, don't wait. If you make the intention and sincere, Allah will make way for you.
The example of Zayd also tells us that it is also important for us to encourage our children to learn other foreign languages because Muslims are dealing with many nations of the world. It is important that Muslim learn these foreign languages in spreading Islam effectively. Of course, the priority is the language of the Arab.
May Allah grant us and our children tawfiq. Ameen..
And Allah knows best
Wassalaam
Paradise is NOT FREE
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
If we think that by a few prayers here and there, a few charity here and there, a few dhikr after prayers, we have the ticket to Paradise, then we are up to an utter disappointment. You have to struggle and be patient and persevere. Paradise is not free.
"Or did you suppose you should enter Paradise without God know who of you have struggled and who are patient?" Qur'an AleImran 3:142
We cannot be lazy and we cannot procrastinate. Each moment is precious and that moment that has passed you by, you cannot bring it back and you have lost an opportunity to put a good deed on your scale in the day of Judgment. We have so much to do in so little time. Remember we belong to the best nation. How could we sit around and not rise up to the plate?
"You are the best nation ever brought forth to men, bidding to honor, and forbidding dishonor, and believing in God. Qur'an AleImran 3:110
Top priority--equip yourself with knowledge of the religion so you know what to do and do them. Only with knowledge you will find strength to do them. If your intention is sincere and you put your best efforts, Allah will facilitate your goals. Try not to mind all the negative forces around you. If you feel like giving up, do not weaken. Your struggles, your pains is nothing new or worse than what others before us have experienced.
"Faint not, neither sorrow; you shall be the upper ones if you are believers. If a wound touches you, a like wound already has touched the heathen; such days We deal out in turn among men, and that God may know who are the believers, and that He may take witnesses from among you; and God loves not the evildoers. Qur'an 3:139-140
Learn from the previous nations--emulate the believers and avoid the practices of the disbelievers. The Qur'an tells the best of stories--read them, not for entertainment, but for lessons that can be drawn upon. Study the life of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, for not only you will appreciate the sacrifices of the early Muslims in spreading Truth, but it will strengthen your Iman/faith. InshaAllah. Without Iman, there is no Paradise.
May Allah make us strong believers and among the good-doers and enter us into the highest Paradise. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wasalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
If we think that by a few prayers here and there, a few charity here and there, a few dhikr after prayers, we have the ticket to Paradise, then we are up to an utter disappointment. You have to struggle and be patient and persevere. Paradise is not free.
"Or did you suppose you should enter Paradise without God know who of you have struggled and who are patient?" Qur'an AleImran 3:142
We cannot be lazy and we cannot procrastinate. Each moment is precious and that moment that has passed you by, you cannot bring it back and you have lost an opportunity to put a good deed on your scale in the day of Judgment. We have so much to do in so little time. Remember we belong to the best nation. How could we sit around and not rise up to the plate?
"You are the best nation ever brought forth to men, bidding to honor, and forbidding dishonor, and believing in God. Qur'an AleImran 3:110
Top priority--equip yourself with knowledge of the religion so you know what to do and do them. Only with knowledge you will find strength to do them. If your intention is sincere and you put your best efforts, Allah will facilitate your goals. Try not to mind all the negative forces around you. If you feel like giving up, do not weaken. Your struggles, your pains is nothing new or worse than what others before us have experienced.
"Faint not, neither sorrow; you shall be the upper ones if you are believers. If a wound touches you, a like wound already has touched the heathen; such days We deal out in turn among men, and that God may know who are the believers, and that He may take witnesses from among you; and God loves not the evildoers. Qur'an 3:139-140
Learn from the previous nations--emulate the believers and avoid the practices of the disbelievers. The Qur'an tells the best of stories--read them, not for entertainment, but for lessons that can be drawn upon. Study the life of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, for not only you will appreciate the sacrifices of the early Muslims in spreading Truth, but it will strengthen your Iman/faith. InshaAllah. Without Iman, there is no Paradise.
May Allah make us strong believers and among the good-doers and enter us into the highest Paradise. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wasalaam
Thursday, February 4, 2010
True understanding of the religion
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are doing well.
When we go about our daily lives, have the judgment day in mind. Are we doing something that will benefit us on that Day or are we doing something that is going to harm us on that Day?
"Upon that day men shall issue in scatterings to see their works, and whoso has done an atom's weight of good shall see it, and whoso has done an atom's weight of evil shall see it." Qur'an The Earthquake 99:6-8
"And when the Blast shall sound, upon the day when a man shall flee from his brother, his mother, his father, his consort, his sons, every man that day shall have business to suffice him. Some faces on that day shall shine, laughing, joyous; some faces on that day shall be dusty, overspread with darkness." Qur'an Abasa 80:33-41
Are those things that you are going to do are going to count for you or against you? The mark of a true understanding of the religion is when you follow the religion with this view. So, keep this in mind when you take your next step. And Allah is All Seeing, All Hearing. He can see even a black ant under a black stone in a pitch black night and can hear even the tying of your shoelace. SubhanAllah.
"Whoso desires the reward of this world, with God is the reward of this world and of the world to come; God is All-hearing, All-seeing." Qur'an An-Nisaa 4:134
And Allah loves the good-doers.
"And obey Allah and His Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace,) that you may be shown mercy. And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord; and a Garden, the extensiveness of which is (as) the heavens and the earth, it is prepared for those who guard (against evil). Those who spend (benevolently) in ease as well as in straitness, and those who restrain (their) anger and pardon men; and Allah loves the doers of good (to others)." Qur'an AleImran 3:132-134
May Allah make us among the God fearing and the good-doers. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are doing well.
When we go about our daily lives, have the judgment day in mind. Are we doing something that will benefit us on that Day or are we doing something that is going to harm us on that Day?
"Upon that day men shall issue in scatterings to see their works, and whoso has done an atom's weight of good shall see it, and whoso has done an atom's weight of evil shall see it." Qur'an The Earthquake 99:6-8
"And when the Blast shall sound, upon the day when a man shall flee from his brother, his mother, his father, his consort, his sons, every man that day shall have business to suffice him. Some faces on that day shall shine, laughing, joyous; some faces on that day shall be dusty, overspread with darkness." Qur'an Abasa 80:33-41
Are those things that you are going to do are going to count for you or against you? The mark of a true understanding of the religion is when you follow the religion with this view. So, keep this in mind when you take your next step. And Allah is All Seeing, All Hearing. He can see even a black ant under a black stone in a pitch black night and can hear even the tying of your shoelace. SubhanAllah.
"Whoso desires the reward of this world, with God is the reward of this world and of the world to come; God is All-hearing, All-seeing." Qur'an An-Nisaa 4:134
And Allah loves the good-doers.
"And obey Allah and His Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace,) that you may be shown mercy. And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord; and a Garden, the extensiveness of which is (as) the heavens and the earth, it is prepared for those who guard (against evil). Those who spend (benevolently) in ease as well as in straitness, and those who restrain (their) anger and pardon men; and Allah loves the doers of good (to others)." Qur'an AleImran 3:132-134
May Allah make us among the God fearing and the good-doers. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Keep asking
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Allah listens to everyone. He knows our needs. He didn't answer our du'as not because He didn't hear us but there is a Divine wisdom behind it that we don't know and sometimes He has answered but we don't see. We impatiently waiting--days, weeks, months. Sometimes we think He has doomed us. But don't feel that way about our Loving Lord. The answer will come when He wills. Keep asking. Each asking is a great worship, an expression of your slavehood to Him. He want you to ask, a way of bringing you close to Him. The fact that you are asking, you are close to Him. Isn't that what you want? To be close to Him? So whether He answered or not, it doesn't matter as long as you get the chance to be with Him, that you still remember Him and go to Him. This might ease you with the waiting or help you see that He has answered you. Listen to the needs of people and become source of happiness to those who need someone to listen to.
And Allah knows best.
May Allah love you. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Allah listens to everyone. He knows our needs. He didn't answer our du'as not because He didn't hear us but there is a Divine wisdom behind it that we don't know and sometimes He has answered but we don't see. We impatiently waiting--days, weeks, months. Sometimes we think He has doomed us. But don't feel that way about our Loving Lord. The answer will come when He wills. Keep asking. Each asking is a great worship, an expression of your slavehood to Him. He want you to ask, a way of bringing you close to Him. The fact that you are asking, you are close to Him. Isn't that what you want? To be close to Him? So whether He answered or not, it doesn't matter as long as you get the chance to be with Him, that you still remember Him and go to Him. This might ease you with the waiting or help you see that He has answered you. Listen to the needs of people and become source of happiness to those who need someone to listen to.
And Allah knows best.
May Allah love you. Ameen.
Wassalaam
Monday, February 1, 2010
Thankful to Allah
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Knowing Allah will help us in our worship. Just like talking with a friend and a stranger is very different, worshiping Allah knowing Him and worshiping Allah not knowing Him will be totally different. When you truly know Allah, you will adore Him to the utmost meaning of the word. You will want to be with Him day and night. Who wouldn't want to be with his/her lover? In this life you can be close to Him and He is the closest to you in prostration (sujud). If you don't feel close to Him in sujud, just try to feel thankful to Him every time you make that sujud. You are thankful to Him because that sujud can only be done by His Grace. He allowed you to make that sujud as a favor to you to be close to Him. He chose you over many many other servants of His to do that sujud. So make this your first priority--learn more about your Lord, the Generous One (Al-Karim) and the Source of all goodness (Al-Barr).
May Allah guide us to excellent worship. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Assalaamu alaykum
I pray that you are well.
Knowing Allah will help us in our worship. Just like talking with a friend and a stranger is very different, worshiping Allah knowing Him and worshiping Allah not knowing Him will be totally different. When you truly know Allah, you will adore Him to the utmost meaning of the word. You will want to be with Him day and night. Who wouldn't want to be with his/her lover? In this life you can be close to Him and He is the closest to you in prostration (sujud). If you don't feel close to Him in sujud, just try to feel thankful to Him every time you make that sujud. You are thankful to Him because that sujud can only be done by His Grace. He allowed you to make that sujud as a favor to you to be close to Him. He chose you over many many other servants of His to do that sujud. So make this your first priority--learn more about your Lord, the Generous One (Al-Karim) and the Source of all goodness (Al-Barr).
May Allah guide us to excellent worship. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
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