Tomorrow Is Not Promised

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

O Allah, I seek refuge with you from this dunya which stops me from the goodness of Hereafter (akhirah), for life that stops me from the goodness of death, from false hope which stops me from the goodness of actions.

It is very important for us that our expectation is not built on false hopes. False hopes may lead to procrastination. The adhan is on and you say "I'll pray after I finished cleaning the house (or your other work)..." -- what if you die before you finished cleaning (or your other work)? It is a hassle to ask for vacation from your boss or you think you are indispensable so you said "I will go to hajj when I retire" -- there is no guarantee that you will even live till morning or evening. "I will put hijab once I marry" -- what if you die before you get married.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Don't take it all for granted. Death is imminent. You can't postpone it or hasten it.

Make plenty of remembrance in the Destroyer of pleasures. Don't immerse yourself in the world and forget the Taker of Life, Al-Mumit. Remember, you have to unload everything you have of this world when that moment comes--you can't take them with you.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "Be in the world as though you were a stranger or a wayfarer." (Bukhari)

Son of 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, used to say: "At the evening, do not expect to live till morning and at morning do expect to live till evening. Take from your health for your illness and from your life for your death." (Bukhari)

When you visit the graves, visit with a single minded focus that will remind you of death and realize where you are going to end up.

You are going to meet your Lord. Make this world a means to prepare yourself to meet your Lord so that when you present your deeds, He will be pleased with you.

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ إِنَّكَ كَادِحٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ كَدْحًا فَمُلَـٰقِيهِ ﴿٦﴾ فَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِىَ كِتَـٰبَهُۥ بِيَمِينِهِۦ ﴿٧﴾ فَسَوْفَ يُحَاسَبُ حِسَابًا يَسِيرًا ﴿٨﴾ وَيَنقَلِبُ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِۦ مَسْرُورًا ﴿٩﴾ وَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِىَ كِتَـٰبَهُۥ وَرَآءَ ظَهْرِهِۦ ﴿١٠﴾ فَسَوْفَ يَدْعُوا۟ ثُبُورًا ﴿١١﴾ وَيَصْلَىٰ سَعِيرًا ﴿١٢﴾ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فِىٓ أَهْلِهِۦ مَسْرُورًا ﴿١٣﴾ إِنَّهُۥ ظَنَّ أَن لَّن يَحُورَ ﴿١٤﴾ بَلَىٰٓ إِنَّ رَبَّهُۥ كَانَ بِهِۦ بَصِيرًا ﴿١٥

O mankind, indeed you are laboring toward your Lord with [great] exertion and will meet it. (6) Then as for he who is given his record in his right hand, (7) He will be judged with an easy account (8) And return to his people in happiness. (9) But as for he who is given his record behind his back, (10) He will cry out for destruction (11) And [enter to] burn in a Blaze. (12) Indeed, he had [once] been among his people in happiness; (13) Indeed, he had thought he would never return [to Allah]. (14) But yes! Indeed, his Lord was ever of him, Seeing. (15)

[Qur'an Inshiqaq 84:6-15]

May Allah grant us excellent ending at the highest of iman. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.

Wassalaam

Talking About Death Often

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

O dweller of lofty mansions, very soon you will be buried in the sand (a lowly station).
Allah has an angel calling daily: Beget for death and create buildings for destruction.

People are so engrossed in their worldly pursuits so that they act as if they are going to live forever.

Life and death are two things that cannot be separated in creation.

Yet, many don't want to talk about death or think about death or read or write about death. Some try to keep death away from children perpetuating the vicious cycle of denial of the most certain thing in life. Then every time they hear so-and-so died, they are shocked, as if they had no idea that it would ever come.

We cannot sit death quietly in the corner, pretending that it can't see us and we can't see it.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: Remember the terminator of all pleasures i.e. death. [Tirmidhi]

Once, the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wassallam, came to the Masjid for prayer, when he noticed some people laughing and giggling. He remarked, "If you remembered death, I would not see you like this. Think of your death often."

Death is not a morbid word, neither talking about death will kill you. Talking about death helps keep the awareness of the real life of the Hereafter and sparks enthusiasm to prepare for it by avoiding disobedience of Allah, the One who gives life and takes life, and by doing righteous deeds.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: The most intelligent person is the one who remembers death often.

Every day is not precious to you when you are fantasizing that you have been guaranteed a life that will never end or at least won’t end till you are 100.

This life is a bridge to the next life. If you put too much stuff on it, with your pursuits of this worldly life, how are you going to pass through with ease? You might wind up falling off the bridge and be among the people of the Hellfire.

This life is one big exam and you have to pass the exam to secure your future in the next life. What have you prepared for it? If you don't care to prepare for it, you will fail and they is no retake. Then what good is your intelligence?

May Allah save us from being with those people in Hell, who will say:

وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْ كُنَّا نَسْمَعُ أَوْ نَعْقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِىٓ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ ﴿١٠

And they will say, "If only we had been listening or using our intelligence, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze." (10)

[Quran Al-Mulk 67:10]

Some scholars explained death: The soul is removed from the body in stages. It is first taken out from the feet followed by the shin and then the thighs after which the chest is affected and at that moment the power of speech is lost. When the soul is taken from the throat, the faculties of sight and hearing are exterminated.

The severity of death varies from person to person. A believer feels the pain similar to the hair that is taken out from flour by a finger. Whereas, the disbeliever feels so much pain that it is impossible to describe.

The more the love towards the worldly life, the greater the pain of pulling apart of the soul from the body will be.

It was said that Prophet Ibrahim alayhissalaam had asked the angel of death to show him in which form he visits an evil person. Angel of death replied, "You will not be able to tolerate the sight." Prophet Ibrahim alayhissalaam insisted, the angel of death told him to turn around, while he transformed himself. After which he told Prophet Ibrahim alayhissalaam to look. Upon seeing him he fell unconsciousness due to the pitiful sight. Thereafter, Prophet Ibrahim alayhissalaam remarked that the sight was so horrifying that just looking at him was enough punishment for the evildoer.

May Allah guide us on the straight path and make us use our intelligence to work righteousness and may Allah give us death in the state of iman and raise us amongst the righteous. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Key To Increase

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Allah has promised that if we are thankful, He will give us more. So thankfulness is the key to increase.

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌۭ

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.' " (7)

[Qur'an Ibrahim 14:7]

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ ﴿٧٣

And indeed, your Lord is full of bounty for the people, but most of them do not show gratitude." (73)

[Qur'an An-Naml 27:73]

They are some of Allah's servant who are truly thankful but they are few indeed. These people have absolute increase manifest in different ways.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said--how often it is the disheveled and dusty individuals turned away from doors if they swore by Allah, Allah will fulfill whatever they swore for.

There are others of Allah's servants who fail to recognize Allah's blessings and out of Allah's favor for them, He sends them problems and distress because in those trials and tribulations and the overwhelm state they surrender to Allah. Very often Allah doesn't send the trial once but He sends them again and again in order that they may learn to turn to Him.

There are others who do not turn to Allah neither in ease nor difficulty. These are the fools.

Being thankful is directing Allah's blessings towards what Allah created them for. When you see one of the countless blessings, show gratitude to Allah by using it to draw closer to Him. An intelligent person seeks his benefit in this life and acts in the way to secure his eternal benefit.

May Allah save us from the trials and tribulations of this life and the next and don't leave us even for a blinking of an eye. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Making Du'a (Supplication) In Times of Ease and Difficulties

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Once the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, passed by a people who were suffering from some affliction. He asked, "Why don't they make du'a (supplication) to Allah for protection?"

With all the tragedies and sufferings of the Muslims in various parts of the world, are we making du'a to the One, All Powerful, Most Merciful? A believer is not a mere spectator.

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

The du'a of a Muslim for his brother (in Islam) in his absence is readily accepted. An angel is appointed to his side. Whenever he makes a beneficial du'a for his brother the appointed angel says, 'Ameen. And may you also be blessed with the same.'

[Muslim]

Du'a is the most potent weapon of a believer. Du'a should be the first and the last resort of the believer. Du'a is our intimate and transforming conversation with our Lord, the All Knowing, the All Powerful, Most Merciful. This act in itself is of extraordinary significance. We turn to Him because we know that He alone can lift our sufferings and solve our problems.

Nothing is too big for the One we are asking from and nothing is too small for the one who is asking. We ask Allah for all our needs, those related to our present worldly life as well as our next worldly life (of the deen and dunya). Even when asking for something as small as shoelaces, we beg with helplessness and dependence and great hope and conviction that He will grant it.

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ ﴿١٨٦

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided. (186)

[Qur'an Al-Baqara 2:186]

We don't just make du'a in times of distress but all the time. There is nothing more dear to Allah than a servant making du'a to Him. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: Whosoever desires that Allah answers his du'as in unfavorable and difficult conditions, he should make plentiful du'a in days of ease and comfort. Also he said: The person who does not ask from Allah, Allah becomes angry with him.

When making du'a try to sit and face the qibla. Don't be impatient over the acceptance of Du'as. More on the etiquette of du'a here.

May Allah guide the Ummah of Rasulullah, alayhi wassallam, and grant victory to the Muslims. Ameen.

Please make du'a for those suffering in Gaza and elsewhere in the Muslim world. May Allah reward you.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Etiquette Of Du'a

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The following etiquettes are narrated in the Hadith. For reasons of brevity, only the following summary and reference of each Hadith is mentioned instead of the entire Hadith.

To abstain from haraam food, clothing and earnings. (Muslim, Tirmidhi)

To make Du'a with sincerity. In other words, one should firmly believe that nobody but Allah Ta'ala will fulfill his objectives. (Hakim)

One should perform a good deed prior to making the Du'a & he should mention this during the course of the Du'a. For e.g. He should say, O Allah! I had performed so & so deed solely for Your pleasure. O Allah! accept my Du'a due to the barkat of that deed. (Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud).

To make Du'a whilst one is clean. (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Nasai, Ibn Hibbaan, Mustadrak).

To make wudhu before the Du'a (All six major hadith collections)

To face the Qiblah (All six major hadith collections)

To sit as in the Tashahhud position (Abu Awanah)

To praise Allah Ta'ala at the beginning as well as at the end of Du'a (All six major hadith collections)

To convey Durood upon the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam at the beginning as well as the end. (Abu Dawud, Musnad-e-Ahmad)

To spread out both the hands. (Tirmidhi, Mustadrak)

To raise both the hands up to the shoulders (Abu Dawud, Musnade-Ahmad)

To sit with humility and respect. (Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud)

To mention ones helplessness and dependence. (Tirmidhi)

To abstain from raising the eyes towards the sky whilst making Du'a (Muslim)

To mention the Asma al-Husnaa (the names of Allah Ta'ala ) and the sublime qualities Of Allah Ta'ala. (Ibn Hibbaan and Mustadrak)

To abstain from ceremonies rhyming of the Du'a phrases (Bukhari)

To abstain from saying the Du'a in a "sing-song" tone if the Du'a is in a poetic form (Hisn)

One should make Du'a through the medium of the Ambiyaa alayhimus-salaam and other Pious servants. (For e.g. He should say: 'O Allah! Accepts my Du'a through The good offices of these saintly people). (Bukhari, Bazzaar, Haakim)

To make the Du'a in a soft voice (All six major hadith collections on the authority if Abu Musa )

To utter the Du'a phrases transcribed from the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam because Rasulullah didn't leave out a single need of the Deen nor of the dunya whilst teaching us how to make Du'a (Abu Dawud/Nasai)

To make a Du'a that encompasses most of the needs of Deen and the dunya. (Abu Dawud)

To make Du'a in favour of oneself first, thereafter ones parents and to include the other Muslims in the Du'a as well (Muslims)

If the Imam is making Du'a, he should not make Du'a for himself only but he should Include all the congregants in the Du'a (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)

Abu Dawud Radi Allahu anhu : Narrates that Rasulullah Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam, said that
'' the Imam who makes Du'a for himself only, has betrayed the people." In other words, the Imam should not Make a Du'a that is restricted to him alone. For e.g. He should not say, "O Allah! cure my son." or "O Allah! Return my lost item." etc. but he should make a Du'a that includes all the congregation for e.g. He may say "O Allah! Forgive us and have mercy upon us."

To make Du'a with firm conviction (for e.g. he should not say: "O Allah! If you wish fulfil so and so task of mine." (All six major hadith collections)

To make Du'a with enthusiasm & yearning. (Ibn Hibbn & Abu Awana).

As far as possible endeavour to bring about a "presence of heart and mind" and cherish a high hope of the Du'a being accepted. (Haakim)

To make Du'a repeatedly. (Bukhari, Muslim)

This repetition should be at least thrice (Abu Dawud)

Note One may repeat the Du'a thrice in none sitting or he may repeat it on three different occasions. The "repetition of the Du'a" can be interpreted in both ways."

To make Du'a earnestly and insistently. (Nasai, Hakim, Abu awanah)

To abstain from making Du'a of severing family ties or other sins. (Muslim, Tirmidhi)

Avoid making Du'as of pre-determined and fixed things (for e.g. woman should not make a du'a of being transformed into a man or a tall person shouldn't make Du'a thus: "O Allah! Make me short ." etc) (Nasai).

Don't Make Du'a for impossible things. (Bukhari)

Don't make a Duaa in which you ask Allah Ta'ala to confine His Mercy to yourself Only (Bukhari, Abu Dawud, Nasai, Ibn Majah)

Ask only Allah Ta'ala alone for all your needs. Do not depend upon His creation. (Tirmidhi/Ibn Hibbaan)

The one making the Du'a as well as the person listening to it, both should say Aameen at the end. (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasai)

Rub both hands over the face at the termination of the Du'a (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibbaan, Majah, Hakim)

Don't be impatient over the acceptance of Du'as. In other words, don't say: "I've made Du'a repeatedly but to no avail." (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasai, Ibn Majah)

Taken from http://www.islam786.org/powerofdua.htm#92607131

Please include us in your du'as and may Allah accept your du'a and reward you.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Fasting On The Day Of 'Ashura: Another Door To Draw Us Close To Allah Almighty

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Another door is opening for us to draw close to Allah Almighty. This Saturday is Muharram 10, also known as the Day of 'Ashura. 'Ashura commemorates the day that Allah saved the Children of Israel from Fir'aun and it is recommended to fast on this day.

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

"Fasting the day of 'Ashura' (is of great merits), I hope that Allah will accept it as an expiation for (the sins committed in) the previous year."

(Muslim)

When the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, arrived in Madinah in 622 CE, he found that the Jews there fasted on Muharram 10. He asked them why they were fasting and they told him that it was an auspicious day: the day on which Allah saved Musa and his people and drowned Firaun and his people. Musa fasted out of gratitude to Allah and his people continued the practice after him. The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, told the Jews that his nation was closer to Musa than them. He then fasted that day and ordered his Companions to fast. (Bukhari and Muslim)

The following year, Allah commanded the Muslims to fast the month of Ramadan, and the fasting of 'Ashura' became optional. It is also reported that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, intended to fast on the ninth and tenth. Ibn 'Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah fasted on the day of 'Ashura' and ordered the people to fast on it. The people said, "O Messenger of Allah, it is a day that the Jews and Christians honor." The Prophet said, "When the following year comes, Allah willing, we shall fast on the ninth." The death of the Prophet came before the following year. (Muslim and Abu Dawud)

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, recommended that his Ummah also fast the day before (Friday Muharram 9) or the day after (Sunday Muharram 11) so that our tradition be distinct from the tradition of the Jews.

We should also renew our repentance on `Ashura. The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said that it is a day on which Allah allowed a certain people to repent and He will continue to allow others to do the same. (Tirmidhi)

It has been narrated that if someone spends generously upon his family on the Day of `Ashura’ Allah will treat with him generosity for the rest of the year. Sufyan bin `Uyayna said, “We tried this for fifty years and all that we saw was good.” It has likewise been narrated that the one who gives charity on this day will have the reward of a whole year’s charity.

May Allah Most High accept your fasting and all your good deeds and erase your sins. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Shall I Not Be A Thankful Servant

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The grammar of the people of Divine Oneness (Tauhid) is very simple. The doer (فاعل) is Allah and everything else is the done-to (مفعول به). If one realizes this, the servant responds to the reality that Allah is the Creator. The only sincere response of the servant is of thankfulness. "Shall I not be a thankful servant?"

وَٱللَّـهُ أَخْرَجَكُم مِّنۢ بُطُونِ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ شَيْـًٔا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَـٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ ۙ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ﴿٧٨

And Allah has extracted you from the wombs of your mothers not knowing a thing, and He made for you hearing and vision and intellect that perhaps you would be grateful. (78)

[Qur'an An-Nahl 16:78]

وَمِن رَّحْمَتِهِۦ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ لِتَسْكُنُوا۟ فِيهِ وَلِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ﴿٧٣

And out of His mercy He made for you the night and the day that you may rest therein and [by day] seek from His bounty and [that] perhaps you will be grateful. (73)

[Qur'an Al-Qasas 28:73]

وَمَا يَسْتَوِى ٱلْبَحْرَانِ هَـٰذَا عَذْبٌ فُرَاتٌ سَآئِغٌ شَرَابُهُۥ وَهَـٰذَا مِلْحٌ أُجَاجٌ ۖ وَمِن كُلٍّۢ تَأْكُلُونَ لَحْمًا طَرِيًّا وَتَسْتَخْرِجُونَ حِلْيَةً تَلْبَسُونَهَا ۖ وَتَرَى ٱلْفُلْكَ فِيهِ مَوَاخِرَ لِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ﴿١٢

And not alike are the two bodies of water. One is fresh and sweet, palatable for drinking, and one is salty and bitter. And from each you eat tender meat and extract ornaments which you wear, and you see the ships plowing through [them] that you might seek of His bounty; and perhaps you will be grateful. (12)

[Qur'an Fatir 35:12]

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ ﴿٧٣

And indeed, your Lord is full of bounty for the people, but most of them do not show gratitude." (73)

[Qur'an An-Naml 27:73]

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to recite long prayers at night, as Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported:

“The Prophet used to offer prayer at night (for such a long time) that his feet used to crack. I said, "O Allah's Apostle! 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)?”

[Bukhari]

The greatest gratitude comes from having this view of Allah.

In times of ease and in times of difficulties, you are thankful. Allah gives us blessings so that we are appreciative and Allah gives us difficulties so that we learn and turn to Him. Any blessing, trial and tribulation is a way to come close to Him.

If you are thankful, you are fulfilling the very wisdoms by which Allah created things. To the extent that one is thankful is the extent of that Divine facilitation given whether manifest physically or spiritually.

Keep our tongues moist with the remembrance of Allah, praising Him and thanking Him.

The greatest remembrance of Allah is the Qur'an itself. Strive to recite a juz or two of the Qur'an everyday and strive to embody the meanings as much as you can in your life. If you can't recite that much, start with a page a day and gradually increase it. If you still can't do that on a daily basis, find a time when you are doing chores or when you are driving and listen to the Qur'an. Almost everyone has a mobile phone with storage and media player. Fill it with Qur'an recitation of good reciters and even some of your own or your children's (instead of music, movies/videos, games and pictures) and listen to the recitation while you are waiting somewhere for someone or some thing.

Choose to occupy yourself with Qu'ran rather than doing all those things that don't bring benefit to your present worldly life and your next worldly life, which are too many to enumerate here, and they can be subtle or apparent. But be aware of our enemies--the nafs (lower self, ego) and hawa (desires/caprice), dunya (love of this world) and shaytan. Don't let your nafs, desires and lusts control you, don't let the world consumes you and don't let the Shaytan trick you into thinking that you are fine and you have time. The time that has passed will never return and the future is not in our hands but in His.

فَسُبْحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِى بِيَدِهِۦ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ ﴿٣٨

So exalted is He in whose hand is the realm of all things, and to Him you will be returned. (83)

[Qur'an Ya-Sin 36:83]

May Allah make us among those who are grateful. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

p.s.

Nafs -- deals with your sense of self (internal diseases such as arrogance, pride, avarice, etc)

Hawa -- is a subspecies of nafs, it deals mainly with appetites and lusts related primarily to stomach and sexual organs.

Dunya -- the appeal to get ahead and gather wealth. Usually manifested in either greed for possessions or fear of losing possessions.

Shaytan -- whispers ideas to the person related to one of the above. He's the weakest of the enemies as he just calls the person to one of the above. That's why some say the nafs is worst than 70 shayateen.

A Believer Is Not A Mere Spectator

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

If you can force yourself to sit in a corner for a few minutes and look at your week, you will find that there are a lot of things you can do without. Look at what you have done that are wasteful and resolve not to go back to them this week and forward.

People waste hours and hours each day with things that are without benefit. Some of the things that people do, which do not benefit, are playing on the phone, watching TV shows and multi-season series, watching sport's game and movies, and sharing useless things on Facebook, Twitter and the like.

If you have those things, you necessarily miss out on things that benefit. Strive to leave them and pick up things that benefit. From excellence of one's Islam is that one leaves what does not benefit him.

Be wary of the trap of news and online media. Don't just merely watching hourly updates on Al-Jazeera, CNN, BBC, etc.

While it is good to keep track of what is going on in the world, the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, shows us very clearly by his own example that the believer is not a mere spectator. A believer is not a passive person, rather he is of active concern. The least of the concern is that you care. You have a deep concern about the affairs of other people and you make du'a for them. If you are able to give any passive assistance, you strive to do so. You give some of your money and wealth to help those who need assistance and those who ask.

Higher than that, which is the concern of the righteous, is that you have deep understanding of what affects the believers and others. You are not simply a consumer of news, rather you are informed believers and citizens. You understand what is going on and deepen your understanding of why things are the way they are. This require reading and thoughtfulness and not being a consumer of media.

Beyond the concern of the righteous, one has given some thought and deliberation of how to be an agent of good in promoting justice and promoting the good in effective ways, and one gives one's time, person and wealth in those ways.

Higher than that is to be of the foremost of the concerned believers. The foremost of the concerned believers is to be what the Qur'an describes to be the righteous calling:

وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا ﴿٧٤

And those who say, "Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous (mindfulness)." (74)

[Qur'an Al-Furqan 25:74]

And in the depths of one's concern, the clarity of one's vision and the dedication and striving that one has, one is an exemplar for others in the concern that one has.

Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

"The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer although there is good in each. Desire that which will bring you benefit, and seek help from Allah and do not give way to incapacity. If something happens to you, do not say, 'If only I had done such-and-such.' Rather say, 'The decree of Allah. He does what He will.' Otherwise you will open yourself up to the action of Shaytan."

[Muslim]

So, we remind each other to be mindful of how we spend our time and not to waste them with useless things, rather we use our time in ways to promote the good and prevent the harm and to spread justice, equity and mercy in the lands.

We all can begin by reciting this famous supplication to seek Divine assistance in alleviating the struggles that are faced by believers and others across the world. This is the least showing of our concern for others and may Allah accept and increase our iman and our strength and make us foremost of the righteous. Ameen.

Du'a Al-Nasiri

Video--The prayer of the oppressed

Video--Du'a Al Nasiri

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

A Gift Of Guidance

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

When the people of Paradise enter Paradise they say, "Praise to Allah, who has guided us to this; and we would never have been guided if Allah had not guided us."

وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا أُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ ﴿٤٢﴾ وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِي صُدُورِهِم مِّنْ غِلٍّ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهِمُ الْأَنْهَارُ ۖ وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّـهِ الَّذِي هَدَانَا لِهَـٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِيَ لَوْلَا أَنْ هَدَانَا اللَّـهُ ۖ لَقَدْ جَاءَتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِالْحَقِّ ۖ وَنُودُوا أَن تِلْكُمُ الْجَنَّةُ أُورِثْتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٤٣

But those who believed and did righteous deeds - We charge no soul except [within] its capacity. Those are the companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally. (42) And We will have removed whatever is within their breasts of resentment, [while] flowing beneath them are rivers. And they will say, "Praise to Allah, who has guided us to this; and we would never have been guided if Allah had not guided us. Certainly the messengers of our Lord had come with the truth." And they will be called, "This is Paradise, which you have been made to inherit for what you used to do." (43)

[Qur'an Al-'Araf 7:43]

Guidance is the greatest gift of all. If you have guidance you have everything and if you don't have guidance, you don't have anything.

It is not an accident that the Qur'an opens with Al-Fatiha.

بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ﴿١﴾ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّـهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٢﴾ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ﴿٣﴾ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ﴿٤﴾ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ﴿٥﴾ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ﴿٦﴾ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ ﴿٧

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. (1) [All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds - (2) The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, (3) Sovereign of the Day of Recompense. (4) It is You we worship and You we ask for help. (5) Guide us to the straight path - (6) The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray. (7)

[Qur'an Al-Fatiha 1:1-7]

In it we learn how to praise Allah and we make a statement of commitment and we ask Allah for the most fundamental need--Guidance.

In every raka'a of each prayer, at least 17 times a day, a believer repeats this call--"Guide us to the straight path."

The Qur'an is the Divine response to this call.

الم ﴿١﴾ ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿٢

Alif, Lam, Meem. (1) This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah - (2)

[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:1-2]

A straight path is not a confusing path. It is very clear as the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said that, "I have left you on a clear way for it is so clear that its night is like its day. No one will veer from it except that they will destroy themselves."

The way is clear but you need to know the way and how to pursue it so you remain on the straight path.

The straight path is the path that gets you directly to Allah--the closeness to Allah, to the love of Allah, to all that is pleasing to Allah, to the eternal standing with Allah in Paradise. It is the path that is means to the good of this life and the good of the next in the ways that is pleasing to Allah.

Guidance is a gift from Allah and a gift that you don't own. So you keep asking for guidance because you want to preserve the blessing that Allah has bestowed upon you, and you want an increase in guidance. You want to go from being a heedless believer to being a conscious believer, from a conscious believer to a righteous believer, from a righteous believer to the foremost believer, from the foremost believer to the foremost of the foremost believer.

Remember, we are asking from the One who is the Most Generous and it is not difficult for Allah to grant any of these. He only says to it, "Be," and it is.

بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ ﴿١١٧

Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, "Be," and it is. (117)

[Qur'an al-Baqarah 2:117]

Allah keep on pointing to us in the Qur'an what we should be seeking in this life.

وَالسَّابِقُونَ السَّابِقُونَ ﴿١٠﴾ أُولَـٰئِكَ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ ﴿١١﴾ فِي جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ ﴿١٢

And the forerunners, the forerunners - (10) Those are the ones brought near [to Allah] (11) In the Gardens of Pleasure, (12)

[Qur'an Al-Waqi'a 56:10-12]

The very foremost are those who went furthest on the straight path. They are the ones who outstripped others in the race. They had exerted their efforts in high goal but their efforts did not get them to the closeness of Allah. It is Allah who grants that closeness to Him.

People can seek many levels of attainment, so seek the highest. When you ask Allah for guidance, feel it in your heart before you say it with your tongue. Bring the meaning to the heart and then you say it. When you don't say with a heart that is attentive, that is not sincerity. You don't say "I love you" to someone and then you have to think about what you just said, those words could not be true.

We seek guidance from Allah in all our circumstances. Bring surah Al-Fatiha into your life. When you have a need and every time you have a challenging situation, recite surah Al-Fatiha.

May Allah guide us to the straight path and bring us close to Him. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Wants And Needs

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

We are needy people. We all have needs and we want too many things. It is a problem of humanity.

In trying to understand our wants and needs and deal with them, people have developed theories and try to identify some of the human needs.

According to one theory, there are six human needs:

1. Certainty/Comfort. We all want comfort. And much of this comfort comes from certainty. We want certainty that the car will start, the water will flow from the tap when we turn it on and the currency we use will hold its value.

But nothing is Real and Everlasting except Allah.

هُوَ ٱللَّـهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ عَـٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ ۖ هُوَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ﴿٢٢﴾ هُوَ ٱللَّـهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَـٰمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُ ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْجَبَّارُ ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرُ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّـهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ ﴿٢٣﴾ هُوَ ٱللَّـهُ ٱلْخَـٰلِقُ ٱلْبَارِئُ ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ ۖ لَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ﴿٢٤

He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. (22) He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Bestower of Faith, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him. (23) He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (24)

[Qur'an Al-Hashr 59:22-24]

Everything on this earth will perish except Allah Himself.

وَلَا تَدْعُ مَعَ ٱللَّـهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ ۘ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ كُلُّ شَىْءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُۥ ۚ لَهُ ٱلْحُكْمُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ ﴿٨٨

And do not invoke with Allah another deity. There is no deity except Him. Everything will be destroyed except His Face. His is the judgement, and to Him you will be returned. (88)

[Qur'an al-Qasas 28:88]

2. Variety. At the same time we want certainty, we also crave variety. Paradoxically, there needs to be enough uncertainty to provide spice and adventure in our lives.

Nothing will follow us to our graves except our deeds. Good deeds bring peace and comfort in this life, peace in the grave and gardens of Paradise in the Hereafter.

قُلْ يَـٰعِبَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ ۗ وَأَرْضُ ٱللَّـهِ وَٰسِعَةٌ ۗ إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّـٰبِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ ﴿١٠

Say, "O My servants who have believed, fear your Lord. For those who do good in this world is good, and the earth of Allah is spacious. Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account." (10)

[Qur'an Az-Zumar 39:10]

Count your blessings.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 'Look at those who are below you, not at those who are above you, so that you will not think little of the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon you.'

3. Significance. Deep down, we all want to be important. We want our life to have meaning and significance.

This life is a one-time opportunity to achieve everlasting happiness in the life Hereafter.

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٩٧

Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do. (97)

[Qur'an Nahl 16:97]

4. Connection/Love. It would be hard to argue against the need for love. We want to feel part of a community. We want to be cared for and cared about.

The human heart is the center of emotions and feelings. It dictates what it desires and works in collaboration with mind to act as a platform of good or evil. It also has hidden treasures of matchless jewels. If found and applied, we can become beloved of Allah.
Our real love should be for Allah. We love someone due to beauty and excellence, perfectness in knowledge and generosity, loving and caring treatment for us. If we look around and think about the blessings Almighty Allah is showering on us, we will love Him.

5. Growth. There could be some people who say they don't want to grow, but they're simply fearful of doing so—or perhaps not doing so. To become better, to improve our skills, to stretch and excel may be more evident in some than others, but it's there.

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّـهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّـهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٣١

Say, [O Muhammad], "If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (31)

[Qur'an AleImran 3:31]

Bukhari and Muslim narrated: Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "The best loved deeds to Allah are the ones that are continuous even if they are not very many."

6. Contribution. The desire to contribute something of value—to help others, to make the world a better place it is in all of us.

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٩٧

Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do. (97)

[Qur'an An-Nahl 16:97]

أَنفِقُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّـهِ وَلَا تُلْقُوا۟ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى ٱلتَّهْلُكَةِ ۛ وَأَحْسِنُوٓا۟ ۛ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١٩٥

And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good. (195)

[Qur'an al-Baqarah 2:195]

Be just and equitable in dealing with people.

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ لِلَّـهِ شُهَدَآءَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ ٱعْدِلُوا۟ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٨﴾ وَعَدَ ٱللَّـهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ ۙ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿٩

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do. (8) Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds [that] for them there is forgiveness and great reward. (9)

[Qur'an Ma'ida 5:8-9]

It is narrated on the authority of Abdullah bin Mas'ood (may Allah be pleased with him), who observed:

I asked Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) which deed was the best. He (the Holy Prophet) replied: 'The Prayer at its appointed hour.' I (again) asked: "Then what?" He (the Holy Prophet) replied: 'Kindness to the parents.' I (again) asked: "Then what?" He replied: 'Earnest struggle (Jihad) in the cause of Allah.' I refrained from asking any more questions for fear of annoying him.

(Sahih Muslim: 120)

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was asked about the best of deeds. He observed: "Belief in Allah." He (the inquirer) asked: 'What next?' He (the Holy Prophet) replied: "Jihad (struggle to the utmost) in the cause of Allah." He (the inquirer) again asked: 'What next?' He (the Holy Prophet) replied: "Pilgrimage accepted into the grace of the Lord." (Sahih Muslim: 118)

Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that I asked the Messenger of Allah:

"Which of the deeds is the best?" He (the Holy Prophet) replied: 'Belief in Allah and Jihad in His cause.' I again asked: "Who is the slave whose emancipation is the best?" He (the Holy Prophet) replied: 'One who is valuable for his master and whose price is high.' I asked: "What if I cannot afford to do it?" He (the Holy Prophet) replied: 'Help an artisan or make anything for the unskilled (laborer).' I (Abu Dharr) said: "O Messenger of Allah, you see that I am helpless in doing some of these deeds." He (the Holy Prophet) replied: 'Desist from doing mischief to the people. That is your own charity for your self.'"

(Sahih Muslim: 119)

Sometimes there is a fine line between what you really need and what you really want. In this age and time, many wants have become needs. For whatever reason, a car has become a need for most people and a smart phone has become a need for most teenagers. Don't be surprise if you see toddlers having their own Android phones or a Note or a Tablet besides their diapers.

Whatever that fine line is, if we ask people too much about our needs, they will not like it. But, the more we ask Allah, He is pleased with us.

So don't be sad if people let you down. Ask Allah and ask Him first for anything you want. He responds. You may not get what you want in exactly the shape and form you expected, but rest assured He does give you what is best for you. So, if you don't get that latest model of some gadget, it is because He wants something better for you or He wants to prevent you from something bad. Don't despair. Have good opinion of Allah.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

It's A New Year 1434

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

This new year is a great gift from Allah because we don't know if we can reach the next one. So, we should receive this new year in the best way, with pious intentions and good goals.

We intend to wake up before Fajr to pray Tahajjud and Witr. We intend to attend gatherings of sacred knowledge and benefit from them.

Allah says,

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّـهِ ٱثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّـهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ مِنْهَآ أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا۟ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ وَقَـٰتِلُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ كَآفَّةً كَمَا يُقَـٰتِلُونَكُمْ كَآفَّةً ۚ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّـهَ مَعَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿٣٦

Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him]. (36)

[Qur'an Tawbah 9:36]

Abu Bakrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

The year is twelve months of which four are sacred, the three consecutive months of Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab Mudar which comes between Jumaada and Sha’baan.

[Bukhari]

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

The best of fasting after Ramadhan is fasting Allah’s month of Muharram.

[Muslim]

We ask Allah that He gives the hearts of every believers the taste of love of Allah and the taste of love of His beloved, Muhammad Rasulullah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the taste of love of his family and his companions, may Allah be pleased with them.

O Allah, just as You have granted me all that I have loved, let those things be a means of strength for me to use in the way You love. O Allah, whatever love (of things) You have removed from me then grant in its place the love (of things) that You love.

O Allah, I ask you for your love and the love of those you love and the love of that deed which would draw me closer to Your love. O Allah, make Your love more beloved to me than myself, my family, and more beloved than cold water [on a hot day]. O Allah, grant me your love and the love of that person whose love will benefit me by you.

We ask Allah that He makes us from those who are obedient to Him and make us keys to goodness on this earth.

May Allah grant us every benefit from this new year and make it a year of openings and good.

Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.

Wassalaam

Slow Down Before You Get A Heart Attack

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Pause and reflect while you are holding your amazing iPhone 5 (for example). What seems more real to you--Allah or the iPhone?

إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿١٩٠﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ ٱللَّـهَ قِيَـٰمًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَـٰذَا بَـٰطِلًا سُبْحَـٰنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ ﴿١٩١﴾ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ مَن تُدْخِلِ ٱلنَّارَ فَقَدْ أَخْزَيْتَهُۥ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ ﴿١٩٢﴾ رَّبَّنَآ إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِى لِلْإِيمَـٰنِ أَنْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَـَٔامَنَّا ۚ رَبَّنَا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّـَٔاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ ٱلْأَبْرَارِ ﴿١٩٣﴾ رَبَّنَا وَءَاتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ ﴿١٩٤

Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding. (190) Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], "Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire. (191) Our Lord, indeed whoever You admit to the Fire - You have disgraced him, and for the wrongdoers there are no helpers. (192) Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, [saying], 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous. (193) Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in [Your] promise." (194)

[Qur'an AleImran 3:190-194]

In reality, everything is created by Allah and sustained by Allah. So don't live this life bouncing from one thing to another like a donkey that goes around the treading wheel, that the place it goes is the same place that it came from, but go from creation to the Creator.

Ibn Ata'ila said:

Travel not from creature to creature, otherwise you will be like a donkey at the mill: roundabout the turns, his goal the same as his departure. Rather, go from creatures (al-akwaan) to Creator (al-Mukawwin): وَأَنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ٱلْمُنتَهَىٰ (And that to your Lord is the finality) [Quran An-Najm 53:42] Consider the Prophet's words (Allah bless him and grant him peace): "Therefore, he whose flight is for Allah and His Messenger, then his flight is for Allah and His Messenger; and he whose flight is for worldly gain or marriage with a woman, then his flight is for that which he flees to." So understand his words (upon him be Peace) and ponder this matter, if you can. And Peace be upon you!

Ultimately, all things will perish, including your expensive iPhone, and all that remains is Allah Himself. So, flee to Allah.

وَلَا تَدْعُ مَعَ ٱللَّـهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ ۘ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ كُلُّ شَىْءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُۥ ۚ لَهُ ٱلْحُكْمُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ ﴿٨٨

And do not invoke with Allah another deity. There is no deity except Him. Everything will be destroyed except His Face. His is the judgement, and to Him you will be returned. (88)

[Qur'an al-Qasas 28:88]

Everything on this earth and the heavens and all that are within ourselves are signs for people of insight. The true meaning of the signs is not this worldly meaning but they are meant to point us to our Creator and submit to His Oneness.

When you see something wonderful, you don't say Wow! Amazing! Excellent! A true believer will never speak in exclamation marks because it is meaningless. They are nonsense. Many people are consumed by the meaningless of the godless environment. To be people of insight and meaning, you don't be shallow. You don't just see forms, but you see Allah first, Eternal with all His Attributes, then you see His creation. In order to do this, you need to slow down and stop rushing from one merely worldly thing/concern to another merely worldly thing/concern lest you are bound for physical and spiritual heart attack.

...إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا۟ مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ ....

...Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves... [Qur'an Ar-Ra'd 13:11]

May Allah make us among those who reflect and among those with pure understanding. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

20 Signs of Righteousness

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

A righteous and Godfearing person is someone who not only prays, fasts, and obeys the salutary regulations, but he also fixes his gaze on the love of Allah and the love of others.

The words of our mother Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her, to comfort her husband, the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, should always remind us to strive to be excellent towards others.

"Never! I swear by Allah! He will never forsake you...you keep good relations with your kith and kin, you help the poor and the destitute, you serve your guests generously, you assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones."

Allah says,

لَّيْسَ ٱلْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ ٱلْمَشْرِقِ وَٱلْمَغْرِبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلْبِرَّ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّـهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَـٰهَدُوا۟ ۖ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ فِى ٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَحِينَ ٱلْبَأْسِ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ ﴿١٧٧

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the Prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous. (177)

[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:177]

20 Signs of Righteousness

One is always mindful of Allah
One is consciously seeking Allah’s pleasure in whatever one seeks
One is steadfast and patient in times of hardship, adversity and poverty
One fulfills all covenants
One has taqwa
One is truthful
One is always in remembrance of Allah
One loves Allah in a manner which is pleasing to Allah
One pays zakat and gives sadaqah (charity)
One spends in freeing slaves
One maintains ties of kinship
One looks after the poor and needy without neglect
One cares for travellers
One upholds and establishes prayer
One puts in tremendous exertion for goodness
One strives for beneficial knowledge and acts upon it
One holds steadfastly to the Sunnah of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace
One has a balance of hope and fear
One is always thankful
One takes account of himself before being taken into account

May Allah make us His righteous servants. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Fear And Hope

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Ibn al-Qayyim's analogy about fear, hope and love of Allah tells us that faith is like a bird with two wings.

The first wing is the fear, the distress of the heart because of the gravity of the menace.

The second wing is the hope, the confidence that Allah will forgive all the sins and that He will omit the punishment.

قُلْ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللَّـهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ﴿٥٣

Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful." (53)

[Qur'an Az-Zumar 39:53]

وَإِنِّى لَغَفَّارٌ لِّمَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا ثُمَّ ٱهْتَدَىٰ ﴿٨٢

But indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance. (82)

[Qur'an Ta-Ha 20:82]

If a person repents to Allah, Allah accepts his repentance and forgives him. We have to think well of our Lord and hope that He will accept our repentance.

I am as My servant thinks (expects) I am. I am with him when he mentions Me. If he mentions Me to himself, I mention him to Myself; and if he mentions Me in an assembly, I mention him in an assembly greater than it. If he draws near to Me a hand’s length, I draw near to him an arm’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.

[Hadith Qudsi narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have Mercy on him) said:

The more you have good expectations of your Lord and hope in Him, the more you will rely on and trust in Him. This is why some explained true reliance and trust to be having good expectations of Allah. In reality, having good expectations of Him leads to relying on and trusting in Him, as it is unthinkable that one can trust in someone that he has bad expectations of or no hope in, and Allah Knows best.

However, it is also important not to feel safe from any punishment. If the confidence in Allah exists without fear, it becomes a feeling of certitude, and this feeling of certitude to be safe from Allah’s plan is the essence of disbelief. If the fear exists without hope, it leads to despair towards Allah, and the despair towards Allah is the essence of disbelief.

We can balance our fear and hope from 'Umar Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, when he said:

If Allah decreed that nobody shall enter Hell except one, I fear that I may be that person. If Allah decreed that nobody shall enter Heaven except one, I hope I am that person.

Don't Take Sins Lightly as we should fear that we may die before we could repent.

رَبَّنَا وَٱجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَآ أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ﴿١٢٨

Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.
[Qur'an Al-Baqara 2:128]
Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

No Baggage

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Some people, before they get married, they asked Allah for a spouse. After they get married, they become lax with their worship. They do sunnah fasts less, don't wake up for tahajjud anymore, can't pray Fajr on time anymore, let alone pray at the masjid.

There are others who before an important job interview, they asked Allah to give them the job. And after they get the job, they have more friends to go out after work or on weekends. They now can afford to buy a new car or get a loan to buy a house or go vacation a few times a year. Before every job performance review, they asked Allah so they get a promotion. When they get the promotion, now they qualify to get a bigger loan to buy a bigger house or another car or take more vacations but they don't have the money to give regular charity or go to hajj or pay for classes to teach them their religion.

All things we have in this life, including a spouse, friends and a job, are supposed to bring you closer to Allah, not farther away from Him. They are means to Allah. It is not the other way around--that you use Allah as means to your ends, i.e your worldly desires.

If your relationship with Allah has not improved or things have kept you distant from the remembrance of Allah, then you need to evaluate who you are with and take steps to remedy your situation while you have the opportunity to do so.

Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

A man is upon the religion of his best friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends.

[Sunan Abu Dawud]

So, don't be afraid to give up your friendship/companionship with people who cannot help you come close to Allah and those who are causing you to become more distant from Allah. If you do this purely for Allah's sake, He will not forsake you. We have much work to do, in so little time, to prepare for our own meeting with Allah. We can't afford anything to bog us down in our journey to Allah.

May Allah increase us in our love for Him and His beloved Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and assist us in all our affairs. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Don't Take Sins Lightly

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

Dear Friends

From Sahl ibn Sa'd, may Allah be pleased with him, who said that Allah's Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

Beware of sins which are treated as being minor, just like a people who encamp in the centre of a valley, so someone brings a stick of firewood and someone else brings a stick until they are therefore able to bake their bread. Likewise sins which are treated as being minor and for which the person is taken to account will destroy him.

[Ahmad & Others]

Reported in a hadith by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, in two narrations: One from the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the other from himself, saying

The believer sees his sins as if he were sitting beneath a mountain which he feared was about to fall upon him, whereas the wicked sees his sins like a man who finds a fly settle upon his nose, so he does this (one of the narrators said: He brushes it away from his nose).

[Bukhari]

One should not think of his sin as being great or small. Rather he should think of it with regard to the One he is disobeying. When a person regards sins and acts of disobedience as something slight then he is oppressing his own soul.

Oppression is of two types: (1) A person oppressing his own soul; and (2) his oppressing others. Both types are forbidden by Allah.

A person oppressing his own soul causes him to feel at home with his sins and to commit them, and causes him to abandon acts of obedience to Allah.

One aspect of oppression is darkness. By you oppressing someone you become the means of that person entering into disobedience of Allah. You are, in fact, pushing others into darkness.

For example, the person who is being lied to or backbitten becomes angry and start backbiting himself; the person whose property has been stolen might miss his prayers because he is busy trying to recover his lost property; the person who has been cheated of his money in a sale/purchase is now busy going up and down the courthouse that he couldn't perform his regular worship; your poor sister (and single mother) that you (her brother) neglected to help start begging for food or waiting on tables in a nightclub. You may recall other examples that people might have done something bad to you which disorient you or detract you from your daily routine and your worship.

From Jabir ibn Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said that Allah's Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

Beware of committing oppression for on the Day of Resurrection oppression will be darkness, and beware of avarice for avarice destroyed those who came before you, it led them into shedding blood and into making lawful that which was forbidden for them.

[Muslim]

May Allah save us from His disobedience and the trials and tribulations of this life and the next. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

A Tremendous Mystery: The Soul

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The soul is a tremendous mystery of the mysteries of the universe. The soul which can be elevated to the ranks to be truly dear to Allah, was only created to worship Allah. We interact with Allah through His Divine Eminence and through His closeness.

The only spirit within our bodies is only here so that we might know Allah and we know Him through His Beautiful Names and Attributes. His Names and Attributes are what govern everything in this universe. Knowing Allah in His creation is to know Allah in every moment and in every manifestation.

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him: "Worshiping Allah means knowing Allah."

Those who don't know Him and those who don't remember Him have only miseries because they have turned away from that very reason they are walking on this earth.

Those who are distant, absent, don't know him, don't recognize Him, are miserable and their lives are extremely constricted just like their souls are constricted.

Allah says,

وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِى فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ مَعِيشَةً ضَنكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ أَعْمَىٰ ﴿١٢٤﴾ قَالَ رَبِّ لِمَ حَشَرْتَنِىٓ أَعْمَىٰ وَقَدْ كُنتُ بَصِيرًا ﴿١٢٥

And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind." (124) He will say, "My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was [once] seeing?" (125)

[Qur'an Ta-Ha 20:124-125]

O Allah, place light in my heart, light in my tongue, light in my hearing, light in my sight, light behind me, light in front of me, light on my right, light on my left, light above me and light below me; place light in my sinew, in my flesh, in my blood, in my hair and in my skin; place light in my soul and make light abundant for me; make me light and grant me light.

Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

The Adornments: Women and Children

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Some of the most desired things of people are mentioned in the Qur'an and have been made to look attractive to us. So, people go after them, enticed by their glamor, and show no concern for the life to come.

زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ ٱلشَّهَوَٰتِ مِنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلْبَنِينَ وَٱلْقَنَـٰطِيرِ ٱلْمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ ٱلذَّهَبِ وَٱلْفِضَّةِ وَٱلْخَيْلِ ٱلْمُسَوَّمَةِ وَٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ وَٱلْحَرْثِ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَٱللَّـهُ عِندَهُۥ حُسْنُ ٱلْمَـَٔابِ ﴿١٤

Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return. (14)

[Qur'an AleImran 3:14]

These things mentioned in the Qur'an are the center of attraction and women come first and then the children. Then come other forms of wealth and possessions: gold, silver, fine branded horses, cattle and tilled land, which are secondary attraction.

Why do people have so much love for these things in their hearts? It is done so in Allah's ultimate wisdom. With love of these things, we are put to test. Are we going to become engrossed in the enjoyment of this present life and forget the life to come, or are we going to show concern for these things only in proportion of our needs, and then put all our efforts into deeds that would make our next life felicitous?

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ﴿٧

Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them [as to] which of them is best in deed. (7)

[Qur'an Al-Kahf 18:7]

This is one of Allah's many acts of wisdom to see whether we get swayed by the glamor of the fleeting enjoyment of things, or whether we remember the Creator of these things, or whether we forget the very Creator who created our being.

Allah is watching everything we do with these things and we have to account before Him for whatever we did in this life with these things. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (We belong to Allah and to Him is the return)

So are we going to choose to be lost in the ardent love of these things and forget all about the Creator of these things, or are we going to start using these things to know and love Him?

قُلْ أَؤُنَبِّئُكُم بِخَيْرٍ مِّن ذَٰلِكُمْ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّـٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا وَأَزْوَٰجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ وَرِضْوَٰنٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّـهِ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ بَصِيرٌۢ بِٱلْعِبَادِ ﴿

١٥

Say, "Shall I inform you of [something] better than that? For those who fear Allah will be gardens in the presence of their Lord beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and purified spouses and approval from Allah. And Allah is Seeing of [His] servants - (15)

[Qur'an AleImran 14:15]

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, has said, that the love of dunya (worldly life or worldly enjoyments) is the main source of all errors.

If you look around you, how many marriages you see that things were just fine when they were broke or had very little--they didn't miss family dinner together and they had time to visit relatives regularly or invite them over, but when they have made a lot of money, own a home and a good car, all of sudden everything went crazy. In the beginning, family members hardly see each other, they don't eat together anymore except on some special occasions and they don't know where their children are at a particular time. Then greed, infidelity, addiction start to creep in before the actual breakup of the family.

So, don't envy those who seem to have the best of this world for if we look a little deeper, it may be that these things are punishment for them right here in this temporal world.

If these things became the causes that led them to squander their chance of having a good life in the Hereafter, then these things also become the very cause of their punishment in the Hellfire. For these people, Allah says,

فَلَا تُعْجِبْكَ أَمْوَٰلُهُمْ وَلَآ أَوْلَـٰدُهُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّـهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُم بِهَا فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَتَزْهَقَ أَنفُسُهُمْ وَهُمْ كَـٰفِرُونَ ﴿٥٥

So let not their wealth or their children impress you. Allah only intends to punish them through them in worldly life and that their souls should depart [at death] while they are disbelievers. (55)

[Qur'an 9:55]

For those who enjoy the blessings of this life and use them as a means for success in the life to come, then the blessings did not become a road-block; rather, they are milestones which lead them safely into a prosperous and blissful eternal life to come.

May Allah make us among His truthful and the grateful servants. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam