The Hand That Feeds

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Home sweet home with my kitty, our one and only pet. He is so cute but he is a big boy now. MashaAllah. I was afraid he might not remember me after being away for 3 months but he has been following me around and staying very close to me since my sons brought him back this morning from a friend's house who took very good care of him while we were gone. May Allah reward the family well and increase them in all good. SubhanaAllah, even an animal does not forget the hand that feeds. Now sound asleep on my lap, purring, I can't move my left hand which is cuddling him or I will disturb his sleep.

I have been looking for my 2 pots of aloe plant since yesterday. I had left the pots outside for the cleaning people to water the plants while while we were gone. Finally, with the help of my next door neighbor this evening, we found the pots buried under construction things, all dead except maybe one might make it. Inna lillahi wainna ilayhi raji'un. La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.

I said to my neighbor, "They have killed a creation of Allah that glorified Him." "Yes, some people are ignorant," said my neighbor.

Our relationship with the animals and plants/trees should be one of love. We love the animals and plants/trees, and the entire universe for that matter, in view of their glorification of Allah.

تُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ‌ٰتُ ٱلسَّبْعُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ وَمَن فِيهِنَّ ۚ وَإِن مِّن شَىْءٍ إِلَّا يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِهِۦ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَفْقَهُونَ تَسْبِيحَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا

The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare His glory: there is not a thing but celebrates His praise; And yet ye understand not how they declare His glory! Verily He is Oft-Forbear, Most Forgiving!
(Qur'an Al-Isra' 17:44)

Allah’s Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: An ant had bitten a Prophet (one amongst the earlier Prophets) and he ordered that the colony of the ants should be burnt. And Allah revealed to him:” Because of an ant bit you that you have ordered a nation of the nations that glorify (Me) to be destroyed?” (Muslim)

May Allah forgive us. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Gems of Wisdom of Dhun-Noorain Amirul Mu'minin Uthman ibn Affan

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

I find it strange that he finds death a reality, yet he doesn't take it seriously.

I find it strange that he knows this World is transient, yet he loves it.

I find it strange that he who knows about fate (destiny of Allah), yet feels aggrieved when something happens.

I find it strange that he believes in Allah's Oneness, yet he seeks assistance of others.

Do not rely on anyone except Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and do not fear anything except your sins.

I find it strange he believes in Hell yet he continues to commit sin.

If you are prepared to commit a sin, then search for a place where Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala does not exist.

Sin in any manner would at some time make ones heart restless.

Amongst the sinners, the gravest is he who finds the time to discuss the faults of others.

I find it strange he is aware of Paradise, yet he engages in the worldly pleasures.

To knowingly partake of the pleasure offered by this material World is to reduce the remaining rewards and good deeds.

All good deeds are associated with modesty and all bad deeds are with immodesty.

To desire the administration of justice is Paradise of the World.

To cry in Paradise is surprising, yet more astonishing is to laugh in the World.

I find it strange that he regards the Shaytan as his enemy, yet he continues to follow him.

I find it strange that he knows the record will be rendered on the Day of Resurrection, yet he hoards wealth.

Remember your kafan (shroud for covering the dead) instead of beautiful clothes, remember the grave instead of the luxuries of lavish mansions and remember all that delicious foods you feast on shall one day make you a delicious feast for the worms.

by Dhun-Noorain Amirul Mu'minin Sayyiduna Uthman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Your Children Are Watching

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Good companions are of the utmost importance in our lives.

If you sleep with the dogs, don’t be surprised if you wake up with the fleas. When you sit with People of the Dunya (world), you become a drop in their ocean, but when you sit with People of the Akhirah (Hereafter), the dunya becomes a drop in your ocean. These are some of the words of wisdom from many scholars.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, explained to us this matter of good companionship. He, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

A person is upon the religion of his khaleel (close friend), so look to whom you befriend.

[Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi]

Do not keep company except with a believer, and do not feed except a person who has taqwa (fear of Allah).

[Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi]

There are times we have to sacrifice our own friendships (and even our marriage) for the sake of Allah.

Don't feel sad that you no longer have that best shopping buddy or tea buddy of yours when all you do with each other were just that--shopping or sharing a cup of tea, while their children are not raised as Muslims because at some point their children are going to start influencing your children.

Choose your friends wisely. Your children too are watching what you do.

Allah Almighty says,

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَـٰٓئِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ شِدَادٌ لَّا يَعْصُونَ ٱللَّـهَ مَآ أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ ﴿٦

O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.

[Qur'an At-Tahrim 66:6]

If your friends are of the righteous, they will pull you towards what is good and encourage you to do what is pleasing to Allah, that which will take you to Paradise, by the Mercy of Allah. If your friends are of those who are heedless of Allah, they will pull you towards what is bad and encourage you to do what is pleasing to Shaytan, that which can lead you to the Hellfire.

May Allah grant us righteous companions and help us raise our children well and save us from the Hellfire. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Don't Waste Your Youth

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

When we were young, we were full of energy and capable of doing so many things, but how much have we wasted this energy, no matter how much we have accomplished of this dunya, for the most part because we were ignorant and had little guidance, or rebellious and disobedient, or a combination of them.

Now that we are getting old or older, we have so many good things that we want to do-- learn the Qur'an or memorize the Qur'an, do some community or humanitarian work, etc, but it is harder to do these things when our energy level is rapidly going downhill, and our visits to the doctor are more frequent and our conversation with our friends is mostly about medicine and sharing health tips.

One thing that strikes me to the heart during my high school reunion recently. We were so happy to see many of our classmates from childhood who we hadn't had contact before that time since we left high school. In the midst of our happiness and reminiscing of the good old times, we suddenly realized that we have changed and are less energetic. Most said that they are practically living on medicine--the common ones to control blood pressure and cholesterol level.

Although sickness are not just for old people, but as we get old, we tend to inherit all those chronic diseases, and they can be debilitating. Just to get through the fard and all the sunnah prayers and keeping up with the sunnah fasts can sometimes be difficult.

With more knowledge of the deen, you become more aware of your slavehood to Allah and your desire to be close to Him becomes stronger but your physical health poses some great challenges. It is not as easy to do all the supererogatory works you want to do that you had shy away when you were young.

Young people wouldn't realize how precious their youth is unless we make time to sit with them and share our experiences and be a good example to them.

Our children (small ones and teenagers especially) are not to be left on their own, busying themselves with idle entertainment (TV/movies, games, music, smartphones) while we ourselves are engrossed with idle (or doubtful/haram) activities (excessive texting, checking facebook, emailing, gossiping, backbiting, listening to music, watching movies). Children need parental supervision and proper guidance. It is not sufficient to provide them food and things so they don't bother you.

It is reported that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, has said:

A person who reaches age of forty years old, and hasn't changed his ways, let him prepare his place in hell

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

Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free-time before your preoccupation, and your life before your death.

(Hakim)

It is too common to hear young people claiming that they will start to practice Islam when they get older. Always be mindful that 'older' may never come around for us. I came to know that among my high school friends, a few have passed away or husbands who have passed away, a few died suddenly. There is no guarantee that we will live tomorrow. And even if we are blessed with a long life, how can we be sure that we have the health, both physical and mental, to practice Islam.

Although Allah is the Turner of hearts, people don't just magically become 'good' overnight. Bad habits die hard--be fearful that we are not able to get rid of the bad habits when we get old.

The time to change is now and always knock on the door of opportunity to do good.

May Allah bless us with excellent health so we can worship Him well and grant the good of this life and the good of the Hereafter. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

No Loopholes In The Religion

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

There is no loophole in the religion. Allah has made His religion clear.

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

That which is lawful is clear and that which is unlawful is clear, and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honor, but he who falls into doubtful matters [eventually] falls into that which is unlawful, like the shepherd who pastures around a sanctuary, all but grazing therein. Truly every king has a sanctuary, and truly Allah's sanctuary is His prohibitions. Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh, which, if it be whole, all the body is whole, and which, if it is diseased, all of [the body] is diseased. Truly, it is the heart.

(Bukhari and Muslim.)

One important lesson from this hadith is that one can safeguard his/her religion by avoiding what is doubtful.

The life of the heart comes about through the perfection of Islam and slavehood, the Abrahamic ideal of Islam. It is not about the feel good that actually make you feel good. Allah has revealed the Book and it is not saying that riba (interest) is haram (unlawful) and is also halal (lawful). The matter has been clarified for us.

In the Book some matters is very clear, direct and obvious. Other matters strongly resembles each other in vagueness. The people who are firmly footed in knowledge they know the meanings of the Book. These are people who understood how to interpret what was vague by interpret it in the light of what is clear. But some people who are diseased and has their own agenda they run after the vague verses.

Knowing what is doubtful is in the realm of the scholars. As laypeople, we make recourse to the people of knowledge and see what they have chosen or permitted. As long we are following such a people we have protected ourselves.

At a basic level, the layperson can follow anyone of the people who is recognized as being firm in knowledge (on Islam level). The layperson can see some scholars are stricter and some are relaxed. If he follow the stricter, all scholars say he is safe but if he follows the relaxed opinion, some scholars he is missed out on something. So the way of safety is the way of strictness.

The heart, its rectification leads to goodly deeds. Leaving the doubtful leads to its rectification. The converse is that the more your heart is purified the more distance you stay on the lawful. The slave does not reach being of the Godfearing until he leaves what there has no harm in out of fear what has harm in it.

Life of scrupulousness is the goal but it does not come overnight, rather it comes through learning and practice the obligatory and keeping with the company of people who are wise and learned and righteous, and seeing what things they engage in and what things they avoid and of course having relationship with Allah and the revelation until you have a taste for it, a taste within you what is right and wrong. It is a gradual process. If you try to walk before you can stand, you will fall over.

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

Consult your heart. Righteousness is that about which the soul feels at ease and the heart feels tranquil. And wrongdoing is that which wavers in the soul and causes uneasiness in the breast, even though people have repeatedly given their legal opinion [in its favor].

(Ahmad)

Leave what causes the disturbance in your soul even if the Mufti says it is allowed. This is a delicate matter. It is only true if the person is aligned with revelation and the light of certitude and mufti is giving fatwa based on opinion and not based on clear text. Part of this submission to this rule is that Allah and His Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, is above to everything. Everything else has to submit to them. The rule is to follow the Qur'an and Sunnah and what the scholars have told us. This idea is not an absolute "I am following the heart in everything." On delicate matters your heart is an excellent guide. Never make your heart anything paramount. The heart only comes to life by conforming to the Qur'an and Sunnah. It cannot come to life by conforming to them and somehow overwrite them. The scholars are the people who Allah has shown them on how to interact with the Qur'an and Sunnah on matters that need expertise.

At the end of the day, what is important is that we meet Allah with a sound heart. If you fill your heart with things and desires of this world, you won't have room in your heart for Allah.

يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ ﴿٨٨﴾ إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّـهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ

The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children (88) But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.

[Qur'an Ash-Shu'ara 26:88-89]

Narrated by Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

Verily Allah does not look to your bodies nor to your faces but He looks to your hearts." And he pointed towards the heart with his fingers.

[Sahih Muslim]

So, what better way to spend the little remainder of our lives on this earth other than seeking beneficial knowledge and spreading it to our families and our communities instead of spending it on doubtful things like many so called Islamic music and entertainment, aimlessly browsing on the internet, excessive watching/reading the news, etc?

وَٱلْعَصْرِ ﴿١﴾ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسْرٍ ﴿٢﴾ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ ﴿٣

By time, (1) Indeed, mankind is in loss, (2) Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and exhort each other to truth and exhort each other to patience. (3)

[Qur'an Al-Asr 103:1-3]

If we have neither care nor concern for those around us, we are in loss because we won't care to exhort them to patience--patience in performing the obligatory, patience in avoiding the bad and disobedience, patience in bearing dislike things.

May Allah grant us patience and a sound heart. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Burnout Syndrome

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

People abuse and overuse themselves. It is very easy to suffer the burnout syndrome--whether in works for profit or not for profit--religious and humanitarian work included.

If you have any symptoms of burnout or already burnout, ask yourself--why are you motivated to do what you do or not do in the first place. If you have gratitude and then act upon this gratitude, you will never suffer burnout.

It is very important that our expectation is not built on false hope. Do not long for long hopes. Death is imminent. Death is the ultimate motivators to act now and shorten our expectation.

Be conscious of Allah in whatever you do and wherever you are because surely we will meet Allah. Make this world a means to prepare yourself to meet your lord. Know that the good and the bad will be fully recompensed by Allah assuredly.

Understand consistency with Allah. If your norm is excellent, you will be remembered as such. If your norm is wicked you will be remembered as such.

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.

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

And Allah knows best.

Wassalaam