Tomorrow Will Never Come

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

When you keep saying you are busy
Then you are never free
When you keep saying you have no time
Then you will never have time
When you keep saying you will do it tomorrow
Then your tomorrow will never come                    

Everything in this world is perishing. We can see this day and night with our God-given own two eyes. Plants grow and plants die. Animals born and animals die. People born and people die.

إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَٱخْتَلَطَ بِهِۦ نَبَاتُ ٱلْأَرْضِ مِمَّا يَأْكُلُ ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلْأَنْعَٰمُ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَخَذَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ زُخْرُفَهَا وَٱزَّيَّنَتْ وَظَنَّ أَهْلُهَآ أَنَّهُمْ قَٰدِرُونَ عَلَيْهَآ أَتَىٰهَآ أَمْرُنَا لَيْلًا أَوْ نَهَارًۭا فَجَعَلْنَٰهَا حَصِيدًۭا كَأَن لَّمْ تَغْنَ بِٱلْأَمْسِ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ ٱلْءَايَٰتِ لِقَوْمٍۢ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

The likeness of this present life is as water that We send down out of heaven, and the plants of the earth mingle with it whereof men and cattle eat, till, when the earth has taken on its glitter and has decked itself fair, and its inhabitants think they have power over it, Our command comes upon it by night or day, and We make it stubble, as though yesterday it flourished not. Even so We distinguish the signs for a people who reflect.

[Qur'an Yunus 10:24]

It seems just yesterday you brought your baby home from the hospital. She was the delight of your God-given eyes. Now, all of a sudden you find her calling the ambulance and taking you to the emergency hospital. Maybe you never come home again.

Death will overcome us. We don't know when it will come, where it will happen and how it will happen. Thinking that you will be able to take care of things tomorrow is having too long of a hope. Start preparing for it now. You might not see tomorrow. Begin with leaving all acts of disobedience. If you don't pray, you should start praying (at least the 5 prescribed daily prayers)....for the first thing you will be asked in the next life is about your prayer.

Everything in this world will perish and this is a reality. That includes you and I. This reality is a central theme of the Qur'an.

After you and I die, after our children and their children die, and everybody all the way to the end of time die, Allah will continue to exist. Allah Almighty is Endless. We shall see everything we did in this life, like a movie, when we appear before the Judge.

In our insolence and pride we do not see how small and ephemeral is that part of us which is mortal. Our ridiculous pretensions only hurt ourselves.

فَلَمَّآ أَنجَىٰهُمْ إِذَا هُمْ يَبْغُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ ۗ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّمَا بَغْيُكُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُم ۖ مَّتَٰعَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَنُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

O men, your insolence is only against yourselves; the enjoyment of this present life, then unto Us you shall return, then We shall tell you what you were doing.

[Qur'an Yunus 10:23]


So, if we seek a successful life, here and the next, we should make our primary focus on the One Whose sake we claim we are seeking our worldly goals.


May Allah guide the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and grant us excellent ending. Ameen.


Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.


And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Exam Stress Advice

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

It is exam time...here is some good advice. May Allah give you the opening, tawfiq and najah (success). Ameen.

In times of difficulties, confusion, stress, panic or the like, quickly go and make wudu' (ablution) and pray. Remember, the delight of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, is in the prayer. Prayer is an absolute tranquility and peacefulness, and wudu' burns off sins to ashes. Make lots of istighfar (asking Allah for forgiveness), dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and salawat (sending peace and blessings) upon the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace.

Realize that you are not God; you are a servant of Allah and you are powerless; and you depend on Him in everything; and He has planned and determined everything for you. When you realize this, that will benefit you beyond your imagination, more than passing your exam. Among other things, it will enable you to put things into perspective and should reduce the anxiety levels you might have, you become more relaxed and productive. But this doesn't mean you sit back and do nothing--you have to take the means and work very hard to excel in your studies, and at the same time not neglecting your duties toward your parents, your family and other people.

Anything you do, and all the sacrifices and hard work and you put into seeking and learning knowledge--choosing the school/college; living away from the comfort of home; patiently dealing with bureaucracies, inefficiencies and people's idiosyncrasies; going to and attending classes in scorching heat or freezing cold with perseverance; diligently studying and preparing for the exam; going to the exam; taking the exam; etc, the whole goal is to become beloved to Allah, and what better love than the love of Allah, Dhul-Jalal wal-Ikram, the Possessor of Majesty and Honor.

Before your exams

1. Donít Panic.
Avoid panic. Exam nerves are natural but panicking will only make things worse and you may not be able to think clearly.

2. Stay positive.
Believe in yourself.  If you prepare for your exams properly you should do fine.  Your teachers have worked hard to make sure you have studied everything you need to for the exam.  They believe you can do it and so should you.   If you believe you can do it, then you can.

3. Don't bottle things up.
If the exams are making you feel worried or depressed, talk to your friends, your parents/guardians or your teachers.  Don't bottle things up.  Youíre not the only one to feel worried about exams - we've all been there.  Remember, everyone reacts in different ways to exams.

4. Keep things in perspective.
Exams might seem like the most important thing you have to focus on right now, but they are only a small part of your life.  There are thousands of successful people who didn't do as well as they wanted in their exams.  It's great to do well but remember that you can only do your best and that is what your teachers and your parents/guardians ask
of you.

5. Plan.
Timetables and study plans
You should know when your exams will be so work out a plan or timetable for study. If you don't know when the exams are, speak to your teachers or your examinations officer. Make sure you leave plenty of time to revise so that you don't have to cram at the last minute.  If you plan you will become more confident and will be better prepared for your exams so you should also be more relaxed.  Include some flexibility in your plan in case something happens and you fall behind your timetable/schedule.

Use your plan or timetable to monitor your progress. If you fall behind on your plan or timetable, work out how to get back on track.  Avoid falling behind further as you may become more stressed and anxious.  Set yourself some realistic goals at each study period e.g. to cover a particular topic.

Study approach
Plan your approach to studying.  There are many different ways to study.  Some people prefer to study in silence, some like to work in the library and others prefer to work at home.  Some people like to make short notes, others prefer to mix topics/subjects (e.g. difficult or easy topics).  Students have also found that using key words, memory aids and practising exam questions helps them prepare.  Wherever you choose to study make sure you have plenty of room to set out your notes and books so you are organised.  Pick the approach that best suits you.  Your teachers can help advise you on how you should study for their subjects.
Test yourself on what you have learnt as you study.

6. Rest and relaxation.
Make sure you allow yourself time for fun and relaxation away from where you are studying so that you avoid exhaustion.  Include regular breaks into your study plan or timetable and make sure you get enough exercise and sleep to keep yourself relaxed and refreshed. If you exercise you will be able to sleep better and you will wake up refreshed in the morning. If you feel you are starting to lose concentration, take a short break.  Your mind is probably tired and you will waste time trying to study.  The break will mean that you
will come back refreshed.  Research shows that taking breaks (e.g. 10 minutes for every hour of studying) will help your brain to learn and remember things and also lengthen your concentration.  Don't overload your brain in a study session.

You are not wasting time by taking some time out to relax from your studies but are helping yourself to work more effectively.

7. Ask for help.
If you don't understand something ask your friends, parents/guardians or your teacher for help.  You may find that you can help a classmate in something they don't understand - you may be able to help each other.  Don't stress yourself but take action to find out answers to problems.

8. Use revision papers.
You can use revision papers to prepare mock exam answers which will help you focus your revision.  They will also help you get used to the way questions are asked and how they should be answered.  The more you practice, the more confident you will become.  You can also make up your own questions. There are also a number of study guides available that you might find useful and these can be purchased at most good bookstores.

9. Eat and drink well.
Fizzy drinks, tea and coffee contain caffeine and this can mean that youíre not able to think as clearly.  You can keep your mind active by eating healthily and regularly.  If you don't drink enough you could dehydrate and you may suffer from headaches, tiredness and poor concentration.

On the morning of an exam, make sure you eat breakfast.  Go for something like wholegrain cereals eg bran, egg, toast which are slow energy burners.

10. Study away from distractions.
Make sure you have a quiet area to study with no distractions.  Turn the television off.  Don't fall into the trap of watching one programme and then starting your study.  You'll quickly find that it ís time to go to bed when you're about to turn off the television.  This will only knock your studying back and cause you stress and anxiety. Take short rests during your study time for relaxation away from where you are studying.  If your mind gets too tired you will have difficulty remembering what you have been studying.

If you prefer to study in the evening, donít go straight to bed afterwards because your mind will still be thinking over what you have learnt.  Take some exercise, go for a walk or do something else that will help relax you from your study time.

11. Prepare everything you need for the exam.
The night before the exam, make sure you have your calculator (if needed), your pens and pencils, your admission card and a watch so you can monitor the time during the exam. Your teacher or your examinations officer can advise you on what you are allowed to take into each examination.

12. Exam day rush.
Instead of trying to learn new topics on the day of the exam, look over your notes/key points.
Don't leave yourself short of time on the day of an exam. Work out how you are getting to the exam and make sure you have plenty of time to get there so that you are not rushed.  If you have time, you may want to find a quiet place to relax rather than waiting outside the examination centre with the accompanying noise and tension from your classmates.

During the exam
1. Take deep breaths.
Taking several long, slow, deep breaths will help to calm you down and help you feel more relaxed.  Tell yourself that you are calm and that you will do well.  Remember positive thinking!
2. Reading instructions and questions.
Make sure you read each question carefully and listen to instructions given by the invigilators.  Read the front of the exam paper which has important information on what questions you are required to answer and how many marks are awarded.  Ask an invigilator if you are unsure.
3. Staying in control.
If your mind goes blank, don't panic!  Panicking will just make it harder for you to remember what you learnt.  Everyone panics.  Put your pen down and go back to taking several long, slow, deep breaths until you feel more relaxed again.  Try to stop any negative thoughts and keep telling yourself you can do it.  Eventually you will settle down again and you will be able to continue with your questions. If you find that you are stuck on a question, take a deep breath, move on to the next question and come back to the other question later when you have more time to concentrate on difficult questions.  Do not waste all of your time on one question when there are others you could easily answer.  Make sure you divide your exam time
according to the marks allocated for each question.

After the exam
1. Stay positive.
If you found part of an exam difficult, donít panic or get annoyed.  You are not the only one.  You will only know how you did when you get the results.  You may be surprised!  Exams are mostly about technique and the more you do, the better you get.  Some students prefer to leave the examination centre immediately so they don't have to discuss their answers with other classmates after the exam.
Yes, exams are important but if things don't go as you had planned you have so many options open to you.  Talk to your teachers and your parents/guardians.  Ask for their advice on what you should do.  They are on your side and are there to support you.  They have been there too. Remember you did the best you could and no one can fault you on that.  Stop wasting time criticising yourself for where you think you went wrong. You'll probably find that you have done better than you thought.  Focus on what you did right and learn from
your mistakes.  Donít dwell on questions you think you didnít do well in or waste time comparing your answers against other students.  Wait and see what the results say. Whether you did well or didn't do as well as expected you are still to be congratulated. Everyone knows how hard you worked and so should you.  Treat yourself!
2. Plan your next steps.
Work with you parents/guardians and your teachers to look at the options open to you. You may decide to go into the world of work or you may decide to continue studying at either University, your school or at a college of further and higher education. Find out everything you need to know and talk through it with your teachers and family. Remember that schools, colleges and Universities have open days and many have
information on their websites that might help you. You can also talk to careers advisors in your school.

source: Exam Stress-Busting Advice

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Al-Wahhab (The Grantor of Bounties Without Measure)

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Allah is Al-Wahhab, the Grantor of Bounties without measure. He has all the measures of the heavens and the earth, Whose mercy and favors He pours over His servants.

لِّلَّـهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ ۚ يَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ إِنَاثًا وَيَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ الذُّكُورَ ﴿٤٩﴾ أَوْ يُزَوِّجُهُمْ ذُكْرَانًا وَإِنَاثًا ۖ وَيَجْعَلُ مَن يَشَاءُ عَقِيمًا ۚ إِنَّهُ عَلِيمٌ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٥٠
To God belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth; he creates what He will; He gives to whom He will females, and He gives to whom He will males (49) or He couples them, both males and females; and He makes whom He will barren. Surely He is All-Knowing, All-Powerful.

[Qur'an Ash-Shura 42:49-50]

قُلِ اللَّـهُمَّ مَالِكَ الْمُلْكِ تُؤْتِي الْمُلْكَ مَن تَشَاءُ وَتَنزِعُ الْمُلْكَ مِمَّن تَشَاءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَن تَشَاءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَن تَشَاءُ ۖ بِيَدِكَ الْخَيْرُ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٢٦
Say, "O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from who You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.

[Qur'an AleImran 3:26]

Al-Wahhab is the One, Who gives His servants without expecting any benefit from them. One should not then turn to anyone besides Allah Almighty for anything, for He alone, Who bestows gifts without recompense. One should not expect good but from Him. Whoever calls to remembrance the Name of Al-Wahhab, Allah Almighty opens to him all gates of goodness, and gives him from sources which he never expects.

No matter how generous we are, we could hardly be a grantor of bounty because all that we have belong to Allah Almighty. We cannot grant what does not belong to us. We are appointed by Allah as no more than trustees to dispose of them in the manner He sets for them.

آمِنُوا بِاللَّـهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَأَنفِقُوا مِمَّا جَعَلَكُم مُّسْتَخْلَفِينَ فِيهِ ۖ فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَأَنفَقُوا لَهُمْ أَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ ﴿٧
Believe in Allah and His Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace), and expend of that unto which He has made you trustees. And those of you who believe and expend shall have a mighty wage.

[Qur'an Al-Hadid 57:7]

One should respond to Allah's command to spend for His Sake out of the good things, of which he is entrusted to dispose. It is out of gratitude that one gives of what Allah grants him to the needy and the poor among Allah's servants.

Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, spent all of his property in the cause of Allah, and when the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, asked him, "what has you left for your family?" he replied, "I have left for them the (love of) Allah and His Messenger."

It was narrated that Abdullah bin Ja'far, may Allah be pleased with him, used to give in charity so much out of what Allah granted him; never did something reach him but that he would spend it, therewith to keep good relations with his kith and kin, his companions and friends. He was blamed for what he did, which was, according to those who blamed him, a kind of extravagance, thereupon he said to them: "No doubt, I've been accustomed to (see) something from Allah Almighty, and He, in return, has been accustomed to (see) something from me; He used to grant bounties to me without measure, and I used to give His servants (as much as is within my capacity). If then I desist from my habit with Him, I am afraid He would desist from His habit with me."

People will always do things for some benefit or gain, even if it is hidden, to derive pleasure from it. It is when the benefit or gain sought is related to worldly things, then this is blameworthy. But if it is sought for Allah, then this is praiseworthy. Allah Himself is his gain and there is no gain beyond Allah.

The highest degree of pleasure is Allah. Who would associate pleasure to getting up at night to pray tahajjud. But those who had experienced the pleasure in getting up at night and pray tahajjud, would say, "if the kings know the pleasure that are in in seeking pleasure of Allah, they would have come and fought us for it!"

O my Lord, grant us Light from the Light of Your Glory, therewith to discover whatever deeds You love and are well-pleased with, and thus be able to avoid whatever deeds that lead to disobedience to You. O my Lord, grant us health and power in our bodies, abundance in our sources of life, and length in our lifetimes. Grant us the pleasure of knowledge in our hearts, of making our souls witness the Light of the Truth, so that we could sacrifice ourselves and our property, with no expectation of reward nor private purpose, just for the Sake of Your Countenance. O Allah, the Grantor of Bounties without measure, the Most Merciful.

Ameen.

Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

A Leisure

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

For working people and students, many can't wait for Friday. You could hear the sigh of relief when Friday comes--Thank God it's Friday (TGIF)! It is not because Friday is a blessed day, and the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, considered it Eid, but because they look forward to the weekend.

Many people consider the weekend as their leisure time. They can stay up late, sleep in, sit back and relax--watch TV, watch ballgame, watch movies.

Leisure is not just what you do when you are not working but is a way of being, a way of approaching life that brings you closer to Allah. It is not waste of time or a way to occupy the hours until you are working again.

Leisure is time to reflect upon the creation (the plants, trees, ants, bees, fish, birds, and so on) so we may know our Lord. It is also time to look at our self and uncover our faults. In terms of uncovering our faults, one way is to invite relatives over who don't particularly like you to point out things about you that your favorite aunts and best friends overlooked. Also, reflect on how our parents are/were because often times we pick up traits of our parents, and if we picked up bad ones, change them. This does not mean we should think negatively of our parents or show any form of disrespect.

If we do this often during our leisure, we will be on the road to be a better human.


May Allah Almighty  grant us tawfiq in this life and the next. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

At The Heart Level

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Everyone is always dependent on Allah's creation to a certain degree. 

For example, if you are not handy, you have to rely on people to fix things around your house. You have to rely on a plumber to fix your toilet leaks. If you don't own a car or if you don't drive, then you depend on public transportation to get you to work, school, stores or generally get you around. But at the heart level, the reliance is not on other things except Allah Almighty, the Creator of everything. 

So, when the plumber broke the toilet flushing system after fixing your toilet, the nature of the nafs is to get upset, might resort to call him names, and refuse to pay him, or if you have paid him, you might demand your money back, but if you have put your reliance on Allah, then you are patient and will calmly resolve the situation. If you rely on public transportation and the workers have been on strike for many weeks demanding more pay, what would you do?

We all will come across some type of difficulty--big or small. At the first moment of that difficulty, the nature of the lower self (nafs) is to rely on things--such as people, salary, looks, prestige, status, knowledge, donkeys, horses, etc. But if at that moment, the first thing that come to your heart is your reliance upon Allah, you will find amazing things open before you.

فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقُلْ حَسْبِىَ ٱللَّـهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ۖوَهُوَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ

But if they turn away, [O Muhammad], say, "Sufficient for me is Allah; there is no deity except Him. On Him I have relied, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne." 

[Qur'an At-Tawba 9:129]

May Allah help us turn towards Him. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.

Wassalaam

The Reality

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


Dear Friends 


I pray that you and your family are well.

وَمَآ ءَاتَٮٰكُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَہَٮٰكُمۡ عَنۡهُ فَٱنتَهُواْ‌ۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ‌ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ 

... And whatsoever the Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it) , And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.  

[Qur'an Al-Hashr 59:7]


Everything that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, gave us have a great value whether we understand it or not. But many people don't know this. They don't know because they don't know who is giving the command.

When a child was born, the child cried. Who wouldn't? He left a safe place, his mother's womb, and entered a world full of acts of disobedience, trials and tribulations. But he was comforted by the adhan on his right ear and the iqama on his left ear. "Allahu Akbar..." said his father. By default, the child knew nothing but Allah and He is Greater than anything anyone can think of. But over the years, people forget this. Because they are distracted by this world. Some love this world much that they forget Allah entirely, the One Who is Greater than anything we can think of.

وَتُحِبُّونَ ٱلۡمَالَ حُبًّ۬ا جَمًّ۬ا (٢٠) كَلَّآ إِذَا دُكَّتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ دَكًّ۬ا دَكًّ۬ا (٢١)وَجَآءَ رَبُّكَ وَٱلۡمَلَكُ صَفًّ۬ا صَفًّ۬ا (٢٢) وَجِاْىٓءَ يَوۡمَٮِٕذِۭ بِجَهَنَّمَ‌ۚ يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ يَتَذَڪَّرُ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنُ وَأَنَّىٰ لَهُ ٱلذِّكۡرَىٰ

And you love wealth with much love! (20) Nay! When the earth is ground to powder, (21) And your Lord comes with the angels in rows, (22) And Hell will be brought near that Day. On that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance (then) avail him? 

[Qur'an Al-Fajr 89:20-23]

How long after this adhan and this iqama before you are placed in front of an imam and prayed over? Maybe 20 years or 50 years or even 150 years later. This is not very long compared to the time you are going to spend in the next life. It is a fact, you are going to die one day, and you cannot come back here. We are going to meet the One Who gives the command to obey Him and His Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace. 

The reality of our life is not how much money you have, how many friends you have, how much you keep up with the technology, how much your kid knows about computers, what car you are driving, how big your house is, how handsome/pretty you are, how smart you are, how many suits or dresses you have or even how much knowledge you have, which Ivy League college you graduated from, but Allah, His Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and death. The person who puts what they have into actions and deeds to please Allah Almighty has understood this reality. 

فَٱعۡلَمۡ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لِذَنۢبِكَ وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ مُتَقَلَّبَكُمۡ وَمَثۡوَٮٰكُمۡ  

Know, therefore, that there is no god but Allah, and ask forgiveness for the fault, and for the men and women who believe: for Allah knows how ye move about and how ye dwell in your homes. 

[Qur'an Muhammad 47:19]

We ask Allah to teach us the knowledge of Him and grant us righteous deeds. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

Related archives:

Call Of Prayer (Adhan)
Coolness Of My Eyes

And Allah knows best.

Wassalaam

Al-Mutakabbir (The Supreme)

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


Dear Friends


I pray that you are well.

Allah is Al-Mutakkabir (the Supreme), Whose Greatness is beyond perception.

هُوَ ٱللَّـهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَـٰمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُ ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْجَبَّارُ ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرُ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّـهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

He is Allah beside Whom is La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him.

 [Qur'an Al-Hashr 59:23]

According to Ibn Manzhur, Al-Mutakkabir is the One, Who is too Magnificent and Glorious to deal unjustly with any of His servants: that's because He has attained the utmost of justice, and the ultimate and the highest degree of fairness, which none could ever reach.


When this characteristic is attributed to Allah Almighty, it is praiseworthy; and when it is attributed to man, it becomes blameworthy. It is a cause of deficiency and imperfection in relation to man for he comes to be arrogant and haughty. 


Narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, told that Allah Almighty says:

Supremacy acts as My Upper Garment, and magnificence acts as My Lower Garment: for this reason whoever disputes Me over any of both, I then will break him, and then throw him into the Fire.

O Allah, Most Magnificent, Most High, Most Supreme: we ask You to make us remain in need of You, and independent from anyone besides You, until we see none but You. Be kind to us as to what You know is fitting for Your devotees, and dress us with the garments of Your Protection in every breadths and moments, and make us Your sincere servants in all of our states, and grant us knowledge from Your Presence, and make us become straight in our life and death.


Ameen.


Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.


And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Every Friday Is Eid

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


Dear Friends 


I pray that you are well.


On Friday, there are certain blessings that may be bestowed particular to this day.


يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوْمِ ٱلْجُمُعَةِ فَٱسْعَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّـهِ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ


O ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (The Day of Assembly), hasten earnestly to Remembrance of Allah, and leave off business (and traffic): That is best for you if ye but knew! (Qur'an Al-Jumu'ah 62:9)


On one Friday, the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said:

O Muslims! Allah Ta'ala has made this day a day of eid. So have a bath on this day, whoever has perfume should apply it, and use the miswak. (Ibn Majah)

On Friday, one should perform the major ritual purification (ghusl)--wash the body from head to toe thoroughly and completely. After making ghusl, a person should wear the best clothing that he possesses, and put on perfume (men only), if he has it. He should also clip his nails.

The highlight of Friday is the congregational Friday prayer. It is required of an adult, sane, resident male to attend this prayer. 


One should try to go to the masjid very early for the Friday prayer. The earlier a person goes, the more reward he will receive. Listen to the khutbah and no talking or praying during the khutbah as it is part of your prayer.

Have a blessed Jumu'ah and please include us in your du'as. 


And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

When People Are Rude And Ugly

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

What do we do when people do something bad to us, rude to us or say some ugly things about us? Most of us will get angry. Seldom we find people who who are faced with rudeness or ugliness from others, would just walk away with a smile, with much praise and thanks to Allah. 

Once anger starts, all kinds of words will splash out the mouth and all bad feelings ensued. Once again, you have made the accursed Shaytan happy and made his day. The Shaytan's key aim is to cause dissension among us and take gratitude way from us. Why would someone want to be on the side of his worst enemy and invoke the wrath of his Lord? 

This is a tribulation, a calamity, only Allah can help us out of it. Then say, I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Shaytan, إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَٰجِعُونَ Inna lillahi wainna ilayhi raji'un (Indeed, we belong to God and to Him we return), and ask His help with the situation. 

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, taught us to be patient during tribulation. The desert Arabs were rude and cruel to him but he was patient.

When bad things come to you, recognize this is a gift for you, quickly lift yourself up and go to Him. Say Alhamdulillah and ask for forgiveness--do much of this in between prayers.

"And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and earth and the crawling things He has scattered abroad in them; and He is able to gather them whenever He will. Whatever affliction may visit you is for what you own hands have earned; and He pardons much. You are not able to frustrate Him in the earth; and, apart from God, you have neither protector nor helper." (Qur'an Al-Shura 42:29-31) 

Patience and gratitude are characteristics of a noble Muslim. It doesn't come by doing it once or twice. It is a conscious and continuous effort of doing and asking Allah to help. This is our jihad in this life. No one says it is easy but the payoff is tremendous--the nearness to Allah Almighty.

Patience is like provision in this journey; patience to worship Allah and patience of dislike things. We can't reach Allah without patience. Each and everything around us is a test of our patience. If it is not one thing, it is another; big or small. Even a tiny flea or a barking dog can be a huge test to some. 

If people are bad to you, you don't respond with bad. Two wrongs don't make a right. Say, Alhamdulillah. Make du'a for the person. This is gratitude. Gratitude is a trait in the Qur'an to which Allah describes the most exalted of people. He describes Prophet Nuh and Prophet Ibrahim, Allah grant them peace, as being people of extremely grateful. Allah has a special reward for the grateful. 

Remember, we are here to please Allah, not people. Whatever we do, the ultimate goal is to please Allah. He is all we got. He is the Real One, and everything else is a veil from Him. People before us have passed, you and I will soon die, your children and your children's children..and on, will also die. But He remains. Everything will perish but Allah is endless. So, make Allah our one and only goal, direction and desire, and the veils will start coming down one by one. Life would be easy and peaceful.

Remember, we will all be brought back to Allah and taken into account for everything we did  in this life. Upon that Day (some) faces shall be radiant gazing upon their Lord; and upon that Day faces shall be scowling, you might think that the calamity has been wreaked on them. (Qur'an Al-Qiyamah 75:20-24)

Remember, Allah is in control of everything. He does everything. Nothing moves or remain still without His Will. If we are certain of this and remember this, whatever happens, we won't choke over it.


رَبِّنَا لَمَّا جَآءَتْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَآ أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًۭا وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسْلِمِينَ

Our Lord, pour out upon us patience, and gather us to You as Muslims.' (Qur'an Al-'Araf 7:126)


May Allah make us among the patient and the grateful, and make easy our journey to Him. Ameen.


Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

related archives:

Dealing With Problems

Excuse Not Accuse

Truly Wondrous Is The Matter Of A Believer

Be Grateful And You Get More

And Allah knows best.

Wassalaam

Al-Jabbar (The Compeller)

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

 Dear Friends

 I pray that you are well.

Al-Jabbar according to Imam Al-Ghazali, is He, Whose Plan and Will are, to be sure, enforceable by way of coercion and compulsion, over all of His servants, from Whose Grasp, none is able to flee away, and all hands are too short to attain His Sanctity and Holiness, Allah Almighty alone then is the Absolute Compeller, for He alone is the One Who focus all to do what He wills and likes, and none could compel Him to do anything.

The Name Al-Jabbar (the Compeller) is one of the characteristics of perfection and completeness belonging to Allah Almighty. But it is a characteristic of deficiency when it is attributed to man, who, in this case, comes to be a powerful obstinate transgressor, for it means to dispute Allah over the characteristics of Lordship. No doubt, Allah Almighty promised a severe punishment and grievous torment for those who claims this characteristic for himself. This characteristic is unique to Allah Almighty and none from amongst His creatures has the right to have it.

According to Imam Al-Ghazali, the one who lives in the shade of the Name Al-Jabbar should transcend with his right conduct and good behaviors beyond all kinds of imitating and following others in such a way as to attract them to imitate him and imitate his conduct, good manners and virtuous and praiseworthy deeds and acts. He should not feel himself superior to others. The more he is humble, the more he has a high position in the sight of Allah as well as of people, for it is the humbleness that raises him in degree, which none attains but those chosen and purified by Allah.

One should educate himself and compel his self to obedience and submission to Allah Almighty.

O Allah, O Jabbar, I wonder at him who knows You as You should be known--how then should he seek help from someone other than You? I wonder at him who knows You--how then should he turn to someone other than You?

O Allah, the Lord of great onslaught, the Compeller, the Irresistible, the All-Wise; we seek refuge with You from the mischief of what You have created; and we seek refuge with You from the darkness and tightness of the grave; we seek refuge with You from the evil plots of the wicked souls, pertaining to what You have planned and decreed; and we seek refuge with You from the evil effects of the eyes of the enviers for whatever favors and graces You have conferred upon such of Your servants as You please. We ask You the honor and power if this world as well as if the Hereafter, just the same as Your Prophet and Messenger Muhammad, Allah bless him  and grant him peace, asked You for the honor and power of this world through faith and knowledge, and the honor and power of the Hereafter through meeting and seeing Your Majesty. You are Alla-Hearing, Ever-Near, Who always respond to Your righteous servants.

Ameen.

Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam.

Al-Aziz (The Exalted in Might)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحسم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

God is Al-'Aziz, the All-Mighty. Some scholars say, in the sense that He, in the oceans of whose Majesty the minds get drowned, whose graces and blessings cannot be properly enumerated or conceived, whose perfection and beauty cannot be described by human tongues.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, summed up the whole thing as follows:

Narrated Abu Hurayrah on authority of Aisha, Allah be pleased with them both: "I missed Allah’s Messenger from my bed one day. I searched for him, and my hand touched the soles of his feet while he was on the floor prostrating himself to the Lord, invoking: ‘O Allah! I seek refuge in Your Contentment from Your Wrath, in Your Forgiveness from Your Punishment; and I seek refuge with You from You. I cannot praise You enough, for You are as You praised Yourself.’” (Muslim)

Al-'Aziz, the One Exalted in Might, is He, Who is too inviolable, unchallengeable and unbreakable to be overpowered. He Alone Who has the absolute power and might to enforce His Will however, whatever and whenever He pleases, in spite of and against the will of whomever He pleases. He has no match, nor rival, for indeed, there is no power nor might but Him Almighty; and all of His creatures have no access to His Majesty.

According to Imam Ghazali, one is not worthy of having such a characteristic unless he has three merits: he should have no matches nor likes; there should be much need of him; and he should be inaccessible. Those three merits should be combined in him, if he is to be described as exalted in might; and in the absence of any of those, he should be deprived of this characteristic.

Therefore, if you know God as Al-‘Aziz and obey Him, it is impossible for you to humble yourself to anyone else. The honor cannot be granted to anyone but Allah, for it belongs to Him alone, and He alone has the right and claim to give or withhold it from such of His servants as he pleases.

 يَقُولُونَ لَئِن رَّجَعْنَا إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الْأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا الْأَذَلَّ ۚ وَلِلَّـهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

They say, "If we return to Medina, surely the more honourable (element) will expel therefrom the meaner." But honour belongs to Allah and His Messenger, and to the Believers; but the Hypocrites know not. (Qur'an Al-Munafiqun 63:8)

Allah's Might is everlasting eternal, which neither changes not perishes; and whomever is granted power by Him, the effect of it becomes visible on him not only during his lifetime, but also after his death. For this reason, one should seek power but with Allah alone, and he should not put himself to humiliation at the hands of anyone of mankind whatsoever.

 On the authority of Abu 'Abbas 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas (radiAllaahu anhumaa) who said : One day I was behind the Prophet (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) [riding on the same mount] and he said:

O young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice]: Be Mindful of Allah and Allah will protect you. Be Mindful of Allah and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, then ask Allah [alone]; and if you seek help, then seek help from Allah [alone]. And know that if the Nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what Allah had already prescribed for you. And if they were to gather together to harm you with anything, they would not harm you except with what Allah had already prescribed against you. The Pens have been lifted and the Pages have dried.(Tirmidhi)

The one endued with power from amongst the people is the one who is a source of benefit to others; support the weak and fulfills the needs of those who are in need. The power of anyone becomes a cause of honor to him if it is sought with, and in the shade of Allah Almighty, and if it is just for showing arrogance, haughtiness and insolence, it becomes a cause of Allah's displeasure and wrath upon him. One's humbleness to Allah Almighty is a cause of highness and supremacy.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

Whoever shows humbleness to Allah Almighty, He raises him high (in degrees and position), and whoever proves arrogant and insolent towards Him, He lowers him down (to the lowest bottom).

O Allah, You are the Exalted in Might, to Whom the needs (and affairs) of all the servants are entrusted, and You are the One Full of Magnificence and Greatness, Whose Power is inviolable and unbreakable. You are the One to Whom all the hearts are attached, You are the Most Glorious, the One and Only, Who has no match, for You are Exalted from having and rivals and likes. O Allah, Make my heart pure from all things other than You, so that it would never know but You, the Exalted in Might, and show me the significance of power and honor in myself, in order that my life sacrificed for You; and join me to those endued with knowledge whom You have granted power and honor, and thise their hearts come to be filled with Your Power and Honor; and pour over me from the secrets of Your Power and Honor, in order that my soul would come flying to Your Presence. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan. And Allah knows best. Wassalaam

Transformation With Knowledge

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Our first obligation is to know -- to know our Creator. If we don't know Allah, we will do everything wrong because we don't know what it is that He wants us to do. Mere following people won't help because people might be doing things wrong.

You, yourself have to seek knowledge and continually seek knowledge. We are not talking about just any knowledge, but beneficial knowledge--knowledge that makes you a proper human being with a heart filled with humility and mercy; knowledge that makes you more like the person who gave it to you, Allah bless him and grant him peace. He was the most approachable of human beings, and yet he is the king, and loved the oppressed and the poor, Allah bless him and grant him peace.

When we study sacred knowledge, we have to apply it in every way we imagine, and then we will have given knowledge all of ourselves.

There is no practice without knowledge and there is no knowledge without practice. Knowledge is a trust. If you don’t practice it, knowledge can be a curse rather than a blessing.

We should be people who love other people, who can be criticized and not be affected by it. We should be able to say "I don’t know". Imam Malik had sea of people at his feet learning from him every day but he said "I don’t know" every day.

Knowledge is meant to transform us, our families and members of our communities into humble people with light and mercy, not to transform us into a bunch of arrogant and ungrateful human beings.

May Allah grant us tawfiq. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Ar-Razzaq (The Bestower of Sustenance)

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

It is Allah alone who provides sustenance for all His creatures, each according to his need. He created His creatures and He guaranteed to give them their due provision. The provision is of two types: those related to the body, such as food, drink, clothes, etc, and those related to spirit and mind, such as knowledge, purity of hearts and souls.

Allah says,

وَفِي السَّمَاءِ رِزْقُكُمْ وَمَا تُوعَدُونَ ﴿٢٢﴾ فَوَرَبِّ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ إِنَّهُ لَحَقٌّ مِّثْلَ مَا أَنَّكُمْ تَنطِقُونَ

And in heaven is your provision, and that you are promised. (22) So by the Lord of heaven and earth, it is as surely true as that you have speech. (23)

(qur'an Adh-Dhariyat 51:22-23)

Narrated `Abdullah bin Mus'ud: Allah's Messenger, the true and truly inspired said:

(The matter of the Creation of) a human being is put together in the womb of the mother in forty days, and then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period, and then a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allah sends an angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write down his (i.e. the new creature's) deeds, his livelihood, his (time of) death, and whether he will be blessed or wretched (in religion). Then the soul is breathed into him. So, a man amongst you may do (good deeds till there is only a cubit between him and Paradise and then what has been written for him decides his behavior and he starts doing (evil) deeds characteristic of the people of the (Hell) Fire. And similarly a man amongst you may do (evil) deeds till there is only a cubit between him and the (Hell) Fire, and then what has been written for him decides his behavior, and he starts doing deeds characteristic of the people of Paradise.

(Bukhari)

Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

At every womb Allah appoints an angel who says, 'O Lord! A drop of semen, O Lord! A clot. O Lord! A little lump of flesh." Then if Allah wishes (to complete) its creation, the angel asks, (O Lord!) Will it be a male or female, a wretched or a blessed, and how much will his provision be? And what will his age be?' So all that is written while the child is still in the mother's womb.

(Bukhari)

Although people know that their sustenance is guaranteed by Allah, they act on the contrary. They are diverted by what is guaranteed to them from what is required of them, and it is this that leads them to fall into error and sins. This is clearly manifested when they serve others in derogation of Allah, the Only Creator, and the Only Bestower of Sustenance, Ar-Razzaq.

Ar-Razzaq is He Who assigns propery and wealth to the rich among people, as well as He assigns to the poor among us the honor of observing the Glory and Majesty of Allah. He is the One Who feeds souls by helping them to devote themselves to Him Alone, and purifies the hearts of those righteous, by affirming their faith and trust in Him. He provides such of His servants as He pleases the favor of satisfaction and contentment with whatever is granted to them, no matter how little, and thus they come to be free from injustice, resentment, jealousy and hatred.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِلَّـهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ

O believers, eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and give thanks to God, if it be Him that you serve.

(Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:172)

وَمَا مِن دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّـهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا ۚ كُلٌّ فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ

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)

The one who celebrate the Praises of Allah by this Name Ar-Razzaq comes to live in abundance of sustenance, and Allah Almighty confers upon him of His favors and Graces, be they open or hidden. One should be well pleased and content by whatever sustenance is assigned to him by Allah Almighty, no matter how little it is compared to others, for all of that is due to Allah's Perfect Wisdom which is beyond our reason to perceive. One should not ask but Him for sustenance, since there is none but He, in Whom we should put our trust.

The one who understands well the reality of the fact that Allah is the Only Bestower of Sustenance will have no concerns about the matter of livelihood.

One of the indigent complained to 'Umar Al-Khattab, the Commander of the Believers, that he had so many dependents. 'Umar said to him: "Go to your home and consider your dependents: and drive out anyone of them who sustenance is incumbent upon you (and not upon Allah)."

Just because your provision is guaranteed, it doesn't mean you can sit doing nothing. Allah Almighty, at the same time, enjoins upon man to work hard in order to gain his earnings, through lawful means.

Allah says,

هُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ ذَلُولًا فَامْشُوا فِي مَنَاكِبِهَا وَكُلُوا مِن رِّزْقِهِ ۖ وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ

It is He who made the earth submissive to you; therefore walk in its tracts, and eat of His provision; to Him is the Uprising.

(Qur'an Al-Mulk 67:15)

Therefore, one should labor in search of his sustenance, following the legal and lawful methods to get it, no matter how difficult they might be. What is lawful can be more difficult than what is unlawful.

No one can increase it or decrease it what Allah has assigned for us. Knowing this leads to honesty in our dealings, as cheating and lying cannot give us more than is coming our way.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said:

Had you relied on Allah as He should be relied upon He would provide for you as He provides for the birds; they leave the nest hungry and return satisfied.

(Tirmidhi)

We take the means to earn our living, but it is not because they govern our provision, but they are undertaken out of slavehood. Allah has cloaked the world in wisdom. Effects are connected to their causes, and undertaking these causes is acknowledging the Wisdom of Allah, obeying His commands and following the way of the Prophets.

People with responsibilities are obliged to work to fulfill their obligations. The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said: “It is a sufficient sin for a man to squander those under his care.”

Eating the lawful is of the most emphasized obligations. The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said:

Meat that grows from the unlawful does not enter the Garden; the Fire is more worthy of it.

It is of the most important means to have our supplications answered. The Messenger of Allah, sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam, said:

Allah the Almighty is Good and accepts only that which is good. And verily Allah has commanded the Believers to do that which He has commanded the Messengers. So the Almighty has said: "O (you) Messengers! Eat of the tayyibaat [all kinds of halal (legal) foods], and perform righteous deeds." [Qur'an 23:51] and the Almighty has said: "O you who believe! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you" [Qur'an 2:172] 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 haram (unlawful), his drink is haram, his clothing is haram, and he has been nourished with haram, so how can [his supplication] be answered?!

[Narrated by Muslim.]

When Allah Almighty loves one of His servants, He makes people's needs of him so much, and, at the same time, gives him the love of fulfilling them. "It should be know that people's needs entrusted to you to fulfill are out of Allah's Favors and Graces upon you. Therefore, do not be exhausted by them because by doing so, you, indeed, become tired of Allah's Favors."

O Allah! O Allah! O Allah! O Latif! (The One Who knows the finest mysteries and secrets of things) O Razzaq! (The Bestwower of Sustenance) O Qawiyy! (The All-Powerful) O Aziz! (The Exalted and Might): to You do belong the keys of the treasures of both the heavens and the earth: it is You Who enlarge sustenance for such of Your servants as You please, and restrict it for such of Your servants as You please. So O Allah, enlarge livelihood for us out of Your sustenance such as to enable us to have access to Your Mercy, and out of Your Mercy such to keep us away from your Wrath and Anger, and out of Your Forbearance such as to have Your Pardon extend over us; and end our lives with happiness with which You end the lives of Your devotees; and make the best and the happiest of our days that on which we will meet You; and remove us in the world from the fire of lusts and desires, and admit us with the help of Your Bounty and Generosity, to the large fields of mercy.

Ameen.

Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Wake Up! Hell Is No Joke

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

It is extremely important to get your prayers, fasting and zakat in place, and as soon as you are financially and physically able, to not delay performing hajj. If you don't, nothing else is going to work for you. But once you get them in place, don't think that you have a one way ticket to Paradise without a detour to a place where no one care to go--the Hellfire.

People also have rights on us and society has rights on us. We have to know those rights and give people their due rights. They are rules we have to follow in dealing with people. We cannot put people down, we cannot treat people like animals. In fact, even animals we cannot do whatever we like with them; we cannot be cruel to them.

We have to be acutely aware of the rights of Allah and everybody. If you don't you will suffer tremendously to a point of no return.

Allah created Hellfire for disbelievers and disobedient people. Hell is a blessing for people because it pushes people to protect themselves against it. It is as if Allah is telling us, "You must enter Paradise." But if people want to be stubborn, then wait and see and they will be sorely sorry, to put it mildly.

Hell is an actual place, not a mere state of mind or a spiritual entity. The horror, terror, agony, pain, anguish, and punishment are all real. Hell is an ultimate humiliation and loss. Nothing is worse than it.

“Our Lord!  Surely, whom You admit to the Fire, indeed You have disgraced him, and never will the wrongdoers find any helpers.” (Quran 3:192)

“Know they not that whoever opposes God and His Messenger (Muhammad), certainly for him will be the Fire of Hell to abide therein?  That is the extreme disgrace.” (Quran 9:63)

The intensity of the fire of Hell will be such that people will be willing to give up their dearest possessions and loved ones to escape it but they never will be able to escape it.

“Indeed, those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers – never would the (whole) capacity of the earth in gold be accepted from one of them if he would (seek to) ransom himself with it.  For those there will be a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers.” (Quran 3:91)

“The criminal will wish that he could be ransomed from the punishment of that Day by his children, and his wife and his brother, and his nearest kindred who shelter him, and all – all that is on earth – so it could save him.  No! Indeed, it is the Flame (of Hell), plucking out (his being) tight to the skull!” (Quran 70:11-16)

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“On the Day of Resurrection, God will ask the one whose punishment in the Fire is lightest, ‘If you had whatsoever you wanted on earth, would you give it to save yourself?’  He will say, ‘Yes.’  God will say, ‘I wanted less than that from you when you were still in the loins of Adam, I asked you not to associate anything in worship with Me, but you insisted on associating others in worship with Me.’”

[Bukhari]

A few moments in Hell, the person will forget all the good times he had in this life. He will forget all the good and pleasures he is enjoying now.  

“One of the people of Hell who found most pleasure in the life of this world will be brought forth on the Day of Resurrection and will be dipped into the Fire of Hell.  Then he will be asked, ‘O son of Adam, have you ever seen anything good?’  Have you ever enjoyed any pleasure?’ He will say, ‘No, by God, O Lord.”[Muslim]

Hell exists at the present time and will continue to exist forever.  It will never die down, and its inhabitants will remain in it forever.  No one will come out of Hell except sinful believers who believed in the Oneness of God in this life and believed in the specific prophet sent to them (before the coming of Muhammad).  The polytheists and unbelievers will reside in it forever. 

“And fear the Fire which is prepared for the disbelievers.” (Quran 3:131)

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

When any of you dies, he is shown his position (in the Hereafter) morning and evening.  If he is one of the people of Paradise, he is shown the place of the people of Paradise.  If he is one of the people of Hell, he is shown the place of people of Hell.  He is told, ‘this is your position, until God resurrects you on the Day of Resurrection.

(Bukhari and Muslim)

“Surely, God has cursed the disbelievers, and has prepared for them a flaming Fire wherein they will abide for ever.” (Quran 33:64)

“And whosoever disobeys God and His Messenger, then surely, for him is the fire of Hell, he shall dwell therein forever.” (Quran 72:23)

Mighty and stern angels stand over Hell who never disobey Allah.  They do precisely as ordered. 

“O you who believe, save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is men and stones over which are (appointed) angels, stern and severe, who flinch not (from executing) the commands they receive from God, but do (precisely what) they are commanded.” (Quran 66:6)

They are nineteen keepers of Hell. Allah says:

“Soon I will cast him into Hell Fire.  And what will explain to you what is Hellfire?  Nothing does it allow to endure, and nothing does it leave alone!  Darkening and changing the color of man!  Over it are nineteen (angels as keepers of Hell).” (Quran 74:26-30)

Don't think that the inhabitants of Hell will be able to overcome the keepers of Hell because there are just 19 of them. Everyone of them has the strength to subdue all humanity by himself. 

These angels are called the Guards of Hell in the Quran.

“And those in the Fire will say to the Guards of Hell, ‘Call upon your Lord to lighten for us the torment for a day!’” (Quran 40:49)

The name of the chief angel guarding over Hell is Malik, as mentioned in the Quran:

“Surely, the disbelievers will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever.  (The torment) will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein.  We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.  And they will cry: ‘O Malik! Let your Lord make an end of us’ He will say: ‘Surely, you shall abide forever.’  Indeed We have brought the truth to you, but most of you have a hatred for the truth” (Quran 43:74-78)

Hell is huge and immensely deep. Innumerable people will enter Hell, each, as described in a hadith, with the molar teeth as large as Uhud, a mountain in Madina. [Muslim]

The distance between the shoulders of the inhabitants of Hell has also been described as being equivalent to three days of walking. [Muslim]

Hell will house all the unbelievers and sinners from the beginning of time and there will still be room for more. Allah says:

“On the Day when We will say to Hell: ‘Are you filled?’  It will say, ‘Are there any more (to come)?’” (Quran 50:30)

The Fire of Hell is likened to a mill that grinds thousands and thousands of tons of grain and then waits for more to come.

Hell has various degrees and levels of heat and punishment, each is reserved according to the extent of their disbelief and sins of those being punished. The lower the level of Hell, the greater is the intensity of heat.  Since the hypocrites will suffer the worst punishment, so will they be in the lowest part of Hell.

“Surely, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths (grade) of the Fire.” (Quran 4:145)

“For all will be (ranked) by degrees according to what they did.” (Quran 6:132)

“Is one who seeks the good pleasure of God then like the one who draws on himself the wrath of God?  His abode is Hell – and worst, indeed, is that destination!  They are in varying grades with God, and God is All-Seer of what they do.” (Quran 3:162-163)

“And surely, Hell is the promised place for them all.  It has seven gates, for each of these gates is a class of sinners assigned.” (Quran 15:43-44)

Each gate has an allotted share of the damned who will enter through it. Each will enter according to his deeds and assigned a level of Hell accordingly.  When the unbelievers are brought to Hell, its gates will open, they will enter it, and stay in it forever.

“And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say, ‘Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?’  They will say, ‘Yes, but the word (meaning the decree) of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers.’” (Quran 39:71)

“Enter the gates of Hell to abide eternally therein, and wretched is the residence of the arrogant.” (Quran 39:72)

“But those who reject Our signs, they are the companions of the left hand. On them will be Fire vaulted over (meaning the gates will be locked).” (Quran 90:19-20)

“Woe to every scorner and mocker, who collects wealth and (continuously) counts it. He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal. No! He will surely be thrown into the Crusher.  And what can make you know what is the Crushers?  It is the fire of God, (eternally) fueled, Which mounts directed at the hearts.  Indeed, it (Hellfire) will be closed down upon them in extended columns.” (Quran 104:1-9)

Stones and stubborn unbelievers make the fuel of Hell.

“O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones...” (Quran 66:6)

“…then fear the Fire, whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers.” (Quran 2:24)
Another source of fuel for Hell will be the pagan gods that were worshipped besides God:

“Indeed, you (disbelievers) and what you worship other than God are the firewood of Hell.  You will be coming to (enter) it. Had these (false deities) been (actual) gods, they would not have come to it, but all are eternal therein.” (Quran 21:98-99)

The dress of the people of Hell will be garments of fire tailored for them.

“…But those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire.  Poured upon their heads will be scalding water.” (Quran 22:19)

“And you will see the criminals that Day bound together in shackles, their garments of liquid pitch (melted copper) and their faces covered by the Fire.” (Quran 14:49-50)

The heat of Hellfire is intense. Everything we use to cool down in this world – AC, fans, shade, umbrellas, air, water – will be useless in Hell. There won't be AC, fans, umbrellas. The air of Hell will be hot wind and the water will be boiling. The shade will be black smoke.

“And the companions of the left – what are the companions of the left?  (They will be) in scorching fire and scalding water and a shade of black smoke, neither cool nor beneficial.” (Quran 56:41-44)

“But he whose balance (of good deeds) will be light, will have his home in a (bottomless) pit.  And what will explain to you what this is?  (It is) a Fire blazing fiercely.” (Quran 101:8-11)

The smoke that rises from Hell will be divided into three columns.  Its shade will neither cool nor offer any protection from the raging Fire.  The flying sparks will be like huge castles similar to string of marching yellow camels.

“Proceed to a shadow (of smoke) having three columns (but having) no cool shade and availing not against the flame.  Indeed, it throws sparks (as huge) as a fortress, as if they were yellow camels (marching swiftly).” (Quran 77:30-33)

The Fire consumes everything, leaving nothing untouched.  It burns skin reaching all the way to the bones, melting the contents of the stomach, leaping up to the hearts, and exposing the vital organs.  

“I will drive him into Hellfire.  And what can make you know what is Hellfire?  It lets nothing remain and leaves nothing (unburned), altering the skins.” (Quran 74:26-29)

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

Fire as we know it is one seventieth part of the Fire of Hell.  Someone said, ‘O Messenger of God, it is enough as it is!’  He said, ‘It is as if sixty-nine equal portions were added to fire as we know it.’

(Bukhari)

The Fire never extinguishes.

“So taste you (the results of your evil deeds).  No increase shall We give you except in torment.” (Quran 78:30)

“…Whenever it abates, We shall increase for them the fierceness of the Fire.” (Quran 17:97)

The torment will never be reduced and the unbelievers will not have any break.

“…Their torment shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped.” (Quran 2:86)

“No food will there be for them except from a bitter, thorny plant which neither nourishes nor avails against hunger.” (Quran 88:6-7)

The food in Hell will neither nourish nor taste good. It will only serve as a punishment to the people of Hell.  

A special food of Hell is zaqqum.  It is a repulsive tree; its roots go deep into the bottom of Hell; its branches stretching all over. Its ugly fruit is like the heads of the devils.

“Indeed, the tree of zaqqum is food for the sinful, like murky oil, it boils within bellies, like the boiling of scalding water.” (Quran 44:43-46)

“Is that (Paradise) better as hospitality or the tree of zaqqum?  Indeed, We have made it a torment for the wrongdoers.  Indeed, it is a tree issuing from the bottom of the Hellfire, its emerging fruit as if it was heads of the devils.  And, indeed, they will eat from it and fill with it their bellies.  Then, indeed, they will have after it a mixture of scalding water. Then, indeed, their return will be to the Hellfire.” (Quran 37:62-68)

“Then indeed you, O those astray (who are) deniers, will be eating from trees of zaqqum and filling with it your bellies, and drinking on top of it from scalding water, and will drink as the drinking of thirsty camels.  That is their hospitality on the Day of Recompense.” (Quran 56:51-56)

People of Hell will get so hungry that they will eat from the obnoxious tree of zaqqum.  When they will fill their bellies with it, it will start to churn like boiling oil causing immense suffering. At that point they will rush to drink extremely hot water.  They will drink it like thirsty camels, yet it will never quench their thirst.  Rather their internals will be torn.  

“…They will be given to drink boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels (to pieces).” (Quran 47:15)

The thorny bushes and zaqqum will choke them and stick in their throats because of their foulness.

“Surely, with us are fetters (to bind them) and a ranging Fire (to burn them), and a food that chokes and a penalty grievous.” (Quran 73:12-13)

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

If a drop from zaqqum were to land in this world, the people of earth and all their means of sustenance would rot. So how must it be for one who must eat it?

(Tirmidhi)

Another food served to the people of Hell will be festering puss that oozes out of their skin, the discharge that flows from the private parts of adulterers and the decaying skin and flesh of those being burnt. It is the “juice” of the people of Hell.  

“So no friend has he here this Day, nor has he any food except filth from the washing of wounds which none do eat but those in sin.” (Quran 69:35-37)

“This – so let them taste it – is scalding water and (foul) purulence.  And other (punishments) of its type (in various) kinds.” (Quran 38:57-58)

Some sinners will be fed fire from Hell as a punishment.  

“Indeed, those who devour the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming into their bellies fire.” (Quran 4:10)

“Indeed, they who conceal what God has sent down of the Book and exchange it for a small price – those consume not into their bellies except the Fire.” (Quran 2:174)

Allah tells in the Qur'an about the drink of people of Hell.

“They will be given to drink boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels (to pieces).” (Quran 47:15)

“…And if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil, which scalds (their) faces.  Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place.” (Quran 18:29)

“Before him is Hell, and he will be given a drink of purulent water.  He will gulp it but will hardly (be able to) swallow it.  And death will come to him from everywhere, but he is not to die. And before him is a massive punishment.” (Quran 14:16-17)

“A boiling fluid and fluid dark, murky, intensely cold.” (Quran 38:57)

“They will go around between it and scalding water, heated (to the utmost degree).” (Quran 55:44)

“They will be given drink from a boiling spring.” (Quran 88:5)

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

Anyone who drinks intoxicants will be made to drink the mud of khabal.  They asked, ‘O Messenger of God, what is the mud of khabal?’  He said, ‘The sweat of the people of Hell’ or the ‘juice of the people of Hell.’

[Muslim]

The punishments of Hell will vary in degree.  The torment of some levels of Hell will be greater than others.  People will be put in a level according to their deeds. 

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

There are some whom the Fire will reach their ankles, others up to their knees, others up to their waists, and yet others up to their necks. [Muslim]

The person who will receive the least punishment among the people of Hell on the Day Resurrection will be a man, a smoldering ember will be placed under the arch of his foot.  His brains will boil because of it. [Bukhari]

This person will think no one else is being punished more severely than himself, even though he will be the one receiving the lightest punishment.[Muslim]

The Qur'an speaks of various levels of punishment for the people of Hell:

“The hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire.” (Quran 4:145)

“and on the Day that Judgment will be established (it will be said to the angels): Cast the people of Pharaoh into the severest penalty!” (Quran 40:46)

The Fire kindled by God will burn the skin of the people of Hell.  The skin is the largest organ of the body and the site of sensation where the pain of burning is felt.  God will replace the burnt skin with a new one to be burnt again, and this will keep on repeating:

“Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses – We will drive them into a Fire.  Every time their skins are roasted through We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment.  Indeed, God is ever Exalted in Might and Wise.” (Quran 4:56)

Another punishment of Hell is melting.  When super-heated water will be poured on their heads, it will melt away the internals:

“…poured upon their heads will be scalding water by which is melted that within their bellies and (their) skins.” (Quran 22:19-20)

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

Super-heated water will be poured onto their heads and will dissolve through it until it cuts up their innards, expelling them; until it comes out of their feet, and everything is melted.  Then they will be restored as they were.

[Tirmidhi]

One of the ways God will humiliate the sinful in Hell is by gathering them on Judgment Day on their faces, blind, deaf, and dumb.

“and We will gather them on the Day of Resurrection (fallen) on their faces – blind, dumb and deaf.  Their refuge is Hell; every time it subsides We increase them in blazing fire.” (Quran 17:97)

“And brings an evil deed — such will be flung down on their faces into the Fire, (and it will be said), ‘Are you recompensed for anything but what you used to do?’” (Quran 27:90)

“The Fire will burn their faces and they will grin therein, their lips displaced.” (Quran 23:104)

“The Day their faces will be turned over in the Fire, they will say, ‘How we wish we had obeyed God and obeyed the Messenger.’” (Quran 33:66)

Another painful punishment of unbelievers will be getting dragged on their faces into Hell. 

“Indeed, the criminals are in error and madness.  The Day they are dragged into the Fire on their faces (it will be said), ‘Taste the touch of Hell.’” (Quran 54:47-48)

They will be shackles around their necks and chained and dragged in boiling water into Hell.

“Those who deny the Book (the Quran) and that with which We sent Our messengers – they are going to know, when the shackles are around their necks and the chains; they will be dragged in boiling water; then in the Fire they will be filled (with flame).” (Quran 40:70-72)

Allah will blacken the faces of the people of Hell.

“On the Day (some) faces will turn white and (some) faces will turn black.  As for those whose faces turn black.  (to them it will be said), ‘Did you reject faith after your belief?  Then taste the punishment for what you used to reject.’” (Quran 3:106)

Their faces will be such as if the night has covered them:

“But they who have earned (blame for) evil doings – the recompense of an evil deed is its equivalent, and humiliation will cover them.  They will have from God no protector.  It will be as if their faces are covered with pieces of the night – so dark (are they).  Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.” (Quran 10:27)

The Fire will surround the unbeliever on all sides just as sins surrounded him like a sheet wound around his body:

“Theirs will be a bed of Fire and over them coverings (of Fire)…” (Quran 7:41)

“On the Day when the torment (of Hell) will cover them from above them and from underneath their feet.” (Quran 29:55)

“…and surely Hell will surround the unbelievers…” (Quran 9:49)

The Fire of Hell will leap up to the hearts.  The Fire will penetrate their super-sized bodies
and reach the innermost depths:

“No!  He will surely be thrown into the Crusher.  And what can make you know what is the Crushers?  It is the fire of God, (eternally) fueled, which mounts directed at the hearts.” (Quran 104:4-7)

The Fire will split the entrails. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and thrown into the Fire.  Then his entrails will be spilled out into the Fire and he will be forced to walk around and around like a donkey in a treadmill.  The people of Hell will gather around him and say, ‘O so-and-so, what is wrong with you?  Did you not enjoin us to do good and forbid us to do wrong?’  He will say, ‘I used to order you to do good, but I did not do it and I used to forbid you to do evil, but I used to do it myself.’  Then he will walk around and around like a donkey in a treadmill.

[Bukhari]

God has described the chains, yokes, and fetters of Hell.  They will be tied up with chains and dragged with yokes on their necks:

“for the rejecters We have prepared iron chains, yokes, and a blazing Fire.” (Quran 76:4)
“With Us are fetters (to bind them), and a Fire (to burn them), and a food that chokes, and a penalty grievous.” (Quran 73:12-13)

“We will put yokes on the necks of the unbelievers.  It would only be requital for their evil deeds.” (Quran 34:33)

“when yokes will be put round their necks and the chains, they will be dragged along.” (Quran 40:71)

“(The stern command will say): seize him and bind him, and burn him in the blazing Fire, further, make him march in a chain, whereof the length is seventy cubits.” (Quran 69:30-32)

The pagan gods and all other deities that were worshipped besides God who people thought will be their intercessors with God and bringing them closer to Him will be thrown into Hell with them.

Allah says:

“Indeed, you (disbelievers), and that which you worship other than God, are but fuel for Hell.  Verily, you will enter it.  Had these (false deities) been (actual) gods, they would not have entered there, but all will eternally abide therein.” (Quran Al-Anbiya' 21:98-99)

When the unbelievers will see Hell, they will be filled with remorse, but it will not be of any benefit.

“And they will feel regret when they see the punishment; and they will be judged in justice, and they will not be wronged.” (Quran 10:54)

“And when they are thrown into a narrow place therein bound in chains, they will cry out thereupon for destruction.  (They will be told), ‘Do not cry this Day for one destruction but cry for much destruction.’” (Quran 25:13-14)

“And they will cry out therein, ‘Our Lord, remove us; we will do righteousness – other than what we were doing!’” (Quran 35:37)

They will realize theirs sins and the error of stubborn disbelief:

“And they will say, ‘If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze.’ And they will admit their sin, so (it is) alienation for the companions of the Blaze.” (Quran 67:10-11)

“They will say, ‘Our Lord, our wretchedness overcame us, and we were a people astray.  Our Lord, remove us from it, and if we were to return (to evil), we would indeed be wrongdoers.’  He will say, ‘Remain despised therein and do not speak to Me.’” (Quran 23:106-108)

After that, they will call the keepers of Hell asking them to intercede to God on their behalf for reduction in torment:

“And those in the Fire will say to the keepers of Hell, ‘Supplicate your Lord to lighten for us a day from the punishment.’  They will say, ‘Did there not come to you your messengers with clear proofs?’  They will say, ‘Yes.’  They will reply, ‘Then supplicate (yourselves), but the supplication of the disbelievers is not except in error.’” (Quran 40:49-50)

Their will even plead for their own destruction to relieve themselves of the pain:

“And they will call, ‘O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us!’  He will say, ‘Indeed, you will remain.’” (Quran 43:77)

They will be told the punishment will never be reduced, it is eternal:

“Then be patient or impatient – it is all the same for you.  You are only being recompensed for what you used to do.’” (Quran 52:16)

“So let them laugh a little and then weep much as recompense for what they used to earn.” (Quran 9:82)

They will weep until no tears are left, then that they will weep blood, which will leave its traces. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

The people of Hell will be made to weep, and they will weep until they have no tears left. Then they will weep blood until they have, as it were, channels in their faces, if ships were put in them, they would float.

[Ibn Majah]

Hell is real. It is no joke. Protect yourself against this great calamity by armoring yourself with the knowledge of Islam and live by it while there is time. Even a very slight detour in Hell is no small matter, a painful torment none of us will ever live long enough to experience it in this life.

May Allah save us from Hellfire. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

Some verses of Qur'an about Hell and punishment recited by Shaykh Mishary Rashid Efasy

Video on Description of Paradise

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam.

p.s. This posting was requested by a youth. MashaAllah. May Allah reward the youth and give her success in this life and the next.