Like One Body

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

One of the issues facing Muslims is "life in the fast lane," and due to this lifestyle, we tend to rush our dealings with one another. The masjid should be made a focal point of our communities, where children and parents can come to learn and growth and development of the community can take place.

Men should try to pray at the masjid, especially for Fajr and 'Isha, and don't miss Jumu'ah prayer (this is an obligation). Try to take a few minutes after each prayer at the masjid to greet your brothers next to you with Salaam, and introduce yourselves to them. You should neither be shy nor be afraid of a cold response, keeping in mind that you are only seeking the pleasure of Allah سبحانه وتعالى and following the Sunnah of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "You will not enter paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not guide you to something which if you carry out you will love one another? Spread Salaam amongst yourselves." [Muslim]

It is necessary to let our brothers and sisters know that we care for their well-being, that we sincerely love them as we do our own blood relatives, and that we are ready to help them in any way we are able to.

It has been narrated by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adaabul-Mufrad that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "If one of you loves his brother for Allah's sake, then let him know, since it causes familiarity to endure and firmly establishes love."

Muslims have the responsibility to give sincere advice to their fellow Muslims to abstain from haram (unlawful) and stay on the course of halal (lawful) in every aspect of life, following the basic rule of verifying every action with Hukum Shar'iee - whether in our ibadah (worship) or mu'amulat (social transactions).

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Each of you is the mirror of his brother, so if he sees a fault in him he should wipe it away from him." [Tirmidhi]

Brotherhood in Islam imposes a great responsibility on us to protect one another from harm, even from their own selves. We should ensure that we do not allow ourselves or others around us to engage in activities that could affect the unity of the Muslim Ummah. One such activity is backbiting; we must refrain from initiating or participating in it. Allah سبحانه وتعالى revealed:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا۟ وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿١٢

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful. (12) [Qur'an Al-Hujjurat 49:12]

Envy and jealousy are also forbidden, which are the common causes of problems amongst Muslims.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Do not have malice against a Muslim; do not be envious of other Muslims; do not go against a Muslim and forsake him. O the slave of Allah! Be like brothers with each other. It is not allowed for a Muslim to desert his brother for over three days." [Muslim & Tirmidhi]

Brotherhood in Islam is not merely a word we mention to each other when we meet casually or when we engage in business transactions. Rather, it is an obligation, and a deep sense of responsibility and caring for the well-being of our brothers and sisters, not only in our local communities but around the world as well.

Muslims are like one body. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم described the Ummah as one body; if one member becomes sick then the other members of this one body will take care of the sick one: "The Believers, in their mutual love, mercy and compassion, are like one body: if one organ complained, the rest of the body develops a fever." [Bukhari & Muslim]

May Allah guide and strengthen the Ummah and bring victory to the believers. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Don't Delay Charity

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Charity plays a pivotal role in this life and the hereafter for us. So don't delay giving in charity.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity." [Tirmidhi]

Allah Almighty says.

وَأَنفِقُوا۟ مِن مَّا رَزَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَآ أَخَّرْتَنِىٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ ﴿١٠﴾ وَلَن يُؤَخِّرَ ٱللَّـهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهَا ۚ وَٱللَّـهُ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١١

And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, "My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous." (10) But never will Allah delay a soul when its time has come. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do. (11)

[Qur'an Al-Munafiqun 63:10]

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, once had several coins that he asked his wife to distribute in charity. But due to the Prophet's illness at the time, she did not have an opportunity to give out the coins. When the Prophet learned of this, he asked for the coins, placed them in his hand, and then said: "What would God's Prophet think if he were to meet God, who is Great and Glorious, while (still) possessing these?" [Tirmidhi]

Stinginess and tight-fisted are bad manners and are not the characteristic of manner of a true believer.

Allah Almighty says.

وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ بِمَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّـهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ هُوَ خَيْرًا لَّهُم ۖ بَلْ هُوَ شَرٌّ لَّهُمْ ۖ سَيُطَوَّقُونَ مَا بَخِلُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ وَلِلَّـهِ مِيرَٰثُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ ﴿١٨٠

And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. And Allah, with what you do, is [fully] Acquainted. (180)

[Qu'ran AleImran 3:180]

If a generous character is supported by a deep understanding in religious knowledge, thus the owner has joined between two characters; knowledgeable, and generous, that will be the highest position ever possessed by the slave of Allah.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “The world is only for four persons: A slave whom Allah provides with wealth and knowledge, so he has Taqwa of his Lord with it, nurtures the ties of kinship with it, and he knows that Allah has a right in it. So this is the most virtuous rank.” [Tirmidhi]

The one who gives charity will be peaceful and happy in his heart.

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “The similitude of a miser and a charitable person is like that of two men who are wearing an armor of steel. Their hands are forced towards their upper chests and collar bones. Each time the charitable person gives in charity, his armor opens up from him to such an extent that it even spreads out his nails and wipes out his footsteps. As for the miser, each time he intends to give in charity, the armor becomes tighter and every link of the armour remains firmly in its place.” Abu Hurayra, said: “I saw ”Rasulullah Sallallohu alaihi wasallam demonstrating with his fingers like this: he tried to broaden the neck of his upper garment and it did not expand.” [Bukhari, Muslim]

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Every Muslim has to give in charity." The people then asked: "(But what) if someone has nothing to give, what should he do?" The Prophet replied: "He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns)." The people further asked: "If he cannot find even that?" He replied: "He should help the needy who appeal for help." Then the people asked: "If he cannot do (even) that?" The Prophet said finally: "Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil deeds, and that will be regarded as charitable deeds." [Bukhari]

May Allah purify our hearts from greed and miserliness and help us spend everything for what pleases Him. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaamh

Surah Kahf Day: Trial of Wealth

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The story of the owner of two gardens in Surah Kahf reminds us of the perishing world and to live a life of piety and uprightness. The man who Allah blessed him with two beautiful lush gardens of grapevines forgot the One who blessed him with everything. Instead, he entered his garden with an attitude, "I do not think that this will perish - ever." [Al-Kahf 18:35] Some major calamity hit his gardens, wealth and things of luxury reducing everything to ruins.

Allah Almighty says,

ٱلْمَالُ وَٱلْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَٱلْبَـٰقِيَـٰتُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًا ﴿٤٦

Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope. (46)

[Qur'an Al-Kahf 18:46]

In times when the Muslims were in hardship--when they were living in poverty and being attacked, the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, predicted to the Companions that in the future Allah will sprout forth blessings of the land, that they would gain great wealth, and this was what he feared for them the most--WEALTH.

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al−Khudri, Allah be pleased with him: Once the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, sat on a pulpit and we sat around him. Then he said,

"The things I am afraid of most for your sake (concerning what will befall you after me) is the pleasures and splendors of the world and its beauties which will be disclosed to you." Somebody said, "O Allah's Apostle! Can the good bring forth evil?" The Prophet remained silent for a while. It was said to that person, "What is wrong with you? You are talking to the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, while he is not talking to you." Then we noticed that he was being inspired divinely. Then the Prophet wiped off his sweat and said, "Where is the questioner?" It seemed as if the Prophet liked his question. Then he said, "Good never brings forth evil. Indeed it is like what grows on the banks of a water−stream which either kill or make the animals sick, except if an animal eats its fill the Khadira (a kind of vegetable) and then faces the sun, and then defecates and urinates and grazes again. No doubt this wealth is sweet and green. Blessed is the wealth of a Muslim from which he gives to the poor, the orphans and to needy travelers. (Or the Prophet said something similar to it) No doubt, whoever takes it illegally will be like the one who eats but is never satisfied, and his wealth will be a witness against him on the Day of Resurrection."

[Bukhari]

The concerns of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, came true in Andalus, Muslim Spain. The great Muslim empire began here. Muslims came in Andalus, prospered and became lazy and fat. So they lose everything. When there is no sense of self sacrifice and well wishing for others everybody fight to take their piece and self destruct.

We have become a nation of buying and hoarding stuff.

The companions used to eat the 2 black thing -- dates and water. In rare occasions when they have bread, salt and oil, this was a great feast to them and they thank Allah profusely. Look at us...we eat 3+ course meals everyday, buffets, wedding or festive feasts, fast foods, all in abundance, but we forget the One Who blessed us with this and everything that we have.

Don't wait for a calamity to strike before turning to Allah for it might be too late.

وَلَمْ تَكُن لَّهُۥ فِئَةٌ يَنصُرُونَهُۥ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّـهِ وَمَا كَانَ مُنتَصِرًا ﴿٤٣

And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allah, nor could he defend himself. (43)

[Qur'an Al-Kahf 18:43]

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

Please do not forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

Wassalaam

Brace Yourself With Knowledge: Fight the Shaytan In You and Around You

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Allah told us in the Qur'an,

قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَآ أَغْوَيْتَنِى لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ ﴿٣٩

[Iblees] said, "My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all (39)

[Qur'an Al-Hijr 15:39]

ثُمَّ لَـَٔاتِيَنَّهُم مِّنۢ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ وَعَنْ أَيْمَـٰنِهِمْ وَعَن شَمَآئِلِهِمْ ۖ وَلَا تَجِدُ أَكْثَرَهُمْ شَـٰكِرِينَ ﴿١٧

Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You]." (17)

[Qur'an Al'Araf 7:17]

Allah constantly reminds us that Shaytan is our enemy,

إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَٱتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّا ۚ إِنَّمَا يَدْعُوا۟ حِزْبَهُۥ لِيَكُونُوا۟ مِنْ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ ﴿٦

Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy. He only invites his party to be among the companions of the Blaze. (6)

[Qur'an Faatir 35:6]

There awaits a free one-way ticket straight to Jahannam, reserved in Shaytan’s company, for those who follow his path.

لشَّيْطَـٰنُ يَعِدُكُمُ ٱلْفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُم بِٱلْفَحْشَآءِ ۖ وَٱللَّـهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغْفِرَةً مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلًا ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٢٦٨

Shaytan threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit Fahsha (evil deeds, illegal sexual intercourse, sins etc.); whereas Allah promises you Forgiveness from Himself and Bounty, and Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.

[Quran Al-Baqarah 2:268]

Shaytan’s most secret yet powerful weapon is to inflict our lives with discontentment until we feel that there is absolutely no contentment to be found anywhere in this world no matter what we do or where we go. Thus he beautifies ungratefulness, depression, and hopelessness, putting many on the road to suicide.

Allah makes it clear for us that the only enemy that humanity has is the Shaytan and his likes. How we treat an enemy should certainly differ from how we deal with friends. Liking what makes Shaytan rejoice and detesting what fills Shaytan with rage is a form of misguidance and foolishness.

When our souls detest whatever brings joy to the Shaytan, and when we love to infuriate him and his allies, the victory is heading our way. When it’s the other way around, only destruction awaits us, both in this world and the next.

So prepare for the battle against our enemies. The victory belongs to those who are well equipped with not only the best of weapons but also the best of skill and strength. Our weapons are our knowledge, our skill is our faith, and our strength is our courage and determination to succeed in this battle.

Many glad tidings about this victory are given to us from AlMighty Allah.

وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنْ غِلٍّۢ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهِمُ ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ وَقَالُوا۟ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّـهِ ٱلَّذِى هَدَىٰنَا لِهَـٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِىَ لَوْلَآ أَنْ هَدَىٰنَا ٱللَّـهُ ۖ لَقَدْ جَآءَتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۖ وَنُودُوٓا۟ أَن تِلْكُمُ ٱلْجَنَّةُ أُورِثْتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٤٣

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]

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهِمُ ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَيَلْبَسُونَ ثِيَابًا خُضْرًا مِّن سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ فِيهَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ ۚ نِعْمَ ٱلثَّوَابُ وَحَسُنَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا ﴿٣١

Those will have gardens of perpetual residence; beneath them rivers will flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, reclining therein on adorned couches. Excellent is the reward, and good is the resting place. (31)

[Qur'an Al-Kahf 18:31]

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ ﴿١﴾ مَلِكِ ٱلنَّاسِ ﴿٢﴾ إِلَـٰهِ ٱلنَّاسِ ﴿٣﴾ مِن شَرِّ ٱلْوَسْوَاسِ ٱلْخَنَّاسِ ﴿٤﴾ ٱلَّذِى يُوَسْوِسُ فِى صُدُورِ ٱلنَّاسِ ﴿٥﴾ مِنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ ﴿٦

Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, (1) The Sovereign of mankind. (2) The God of mankind, (3) From the evil of the retreating whisperer - (4) Who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind - (5) From among the jinn and mankind." (6) [Qu'ran An-Naas 114]

May Allah grant us good in this life and the next and protect us from Hellfire.

Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Key to Highest Ranks

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Islam is a great blessing from Allah Almighty. It is a means of eternal salvation.

لْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمَ دِينًا ۚ

...This day, those who disbelieved have given up all hope of your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion...

[Qur'an Al-Ma'ida 5:3]

Obedience is the heart of Islam. It is the key to the highest ranks we can dream of.

وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّـهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّـهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَٱلصِّدِّيقِينَ وَٱلشُّهَدَآءِ وَٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ ۚ وَحَسُنَ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ رَفِيقًا ﴿٦٩

And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger - those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions. (69)

[Qur'an An-Nisaa 4:69]

Conversely, disobedience is the way to the lowest level we can imagine.

وَمَن يَعْصِ ٱللَّـهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ﴿٢٣ ...

...And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger - then indeed, for him is the fire of Hell; they will abide therein forever. (23)

[Qur'an Al-Jinn 72:23]

The act of obeying Allah and His Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, is the most important act for us to be concerned about in our lives. We cannot be happy (at least in the long run) without obeying Allah. The substance what we need to be obeying in order to reach the high level of Paradise and save us from the pits of Hell is in the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Holding fast to the Qur'an and the Sunnah, following and obeying it is the way out of misguidance. In every instance of our lives, we want to know what is it that we should be doing and should not be doing. Every act of ours there is a ruling from Allah and we need to know this ruling and apply it so we be of those who obey and not of those who disobey.

Ali, Allah be pleased with him, was concerned about obeying Allah, and asked the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, "If a matter befalls us concerning which there is no command nor prohibition what should we do?"

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, did not say do what you want, but said, "Consult your scholars and worshipers."

So, if you don't know what Allah wants you to do, ask the scholars, the people of knowledge.

The whole relationship we have with Allah is that of slavehood. We must ask about what we don't know what the Master wants. We can't assume that "I am a good person so I am going to make it to Paradise." You might make it to Paradise, out of Allah's mercy, but this is not guaranteed. This is not the process. And we cannot just read the Qur'an and the Sunnah and think we know what Allah wants us to do. We want to learn our religion from scholars to avoid misguidance and destruction.

May Allah guide us on the straight path and grant us success in this life and the next. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Taqwa: Believer's Provision

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The most noble among us in the sight of Allah is the one with Taqwa.

Allah calls on mankind and says,

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّـهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ ﴿١٣

O Mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. (13)

[Qur'an Al-Hujurat 49:13]

Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) as saying: Verily Allah does not look to your faces and your wealth but He looks to your heart and to your deeds.

Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “From the completion of Taqwa is that the servant fears from His Lord even with regard to things, the weight of an atom.”

A heart infused with Taqwa is an attitude that one adopts about following Allah’s guidance. It provides us the filter to get a renewed perspective regarding how we live various aspects of our lives because we become aware of Allah’s pleasure and displeasure in all our affairs.

It is Taqwa that gives meaning to our simple worship rituals that otherwise would be nothing without it. Haven’t we pondered what would the physical actions of prayers, such as bowing and prostrating mean without a heart infused with Taqwa? What makes the hunger and thirst (when fasting) of a believer different from the same actions of a non-believer? How would the physical acts of going between the two mountains of Safa and Marwa (in Hajj and Umrah) become valuable in the eyes of Allah? It’s the Taqwa in our hearts that provide these simple physical rituals a special meaning in the eyes of Allah.

For example, when mentioning the ritual of sacrificing animals (in Allah’s name) in the Quran, Allah says,

لَن يَنَالَ ٱللَّـهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَآؤُهَا وَلَـٰكِن يَنَالُهُ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ مِنكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمْ لِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿٣٧

Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety (Taqwa) from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and give good tidings to the doers of good. (37)

[Qur'an Al-Hajj 22:37]

Let’s ensure, therefore, that our worship is not limited to empty acts but is rather adorned with Taqwa.

لَـٰكِنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا نُزُلًا مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّـهِ ۗ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّـهِ خَيْرٌ لِّلْأَبْرَارِ ﴿١٩٨

But those who feared their Lord (Godfearing) will have gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein, as accommodation from Allah. And that which is with Allah is best for the righteous. (198)

[Qur'an AleImran 3: 198]

May Allah increase us in taqwa and make us among the muttaqin. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Your Own Sins are Your Enemies: Take Heed of Omar's Advice

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Everything that is happening around the Muslims is because we don't follow the Book of Allah and the sunnah of His Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace.

Don't take sins lightly. We should fear our sins more than the enemy. It is you and your application of the Qur'an and Sunnah that can give you success and victory in this life before the next.

This is an amazing letter from the Omar (may Allah be pleased with him), the Amir ul-Mu'mineen, to Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him), one of the ten promised Paradise by Allah.

Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas was appointed to lead the Muslim army to confront the Persians at Qadisiyyah by the Amir ul Mu'mineen. The Sassanian power had dominated the region for centuries and Omar wanted nothing less than an end to it. The Amir ul Mu'mineen stood before the 3000 Muslim army spread around him and bade them farewell.

"O Sa'd! Do not allow any statement that you are the maternal uncle of the Messenger of Allah or that you are the Companion of the Messenger of Allah distract you from Allah, the Almighty. Allah Almighty does not obliterate evil with evil but He wipes out evil with good. "O Sa'd! There is no connection between Allah and any of His Servants except obedience to Him. In the sight of Allah, all people, whether common or noble, are the same. Allah is their Lord and they are His slaves, seeking elevation through taqwa (piety) and seeking to obtain what is good through obedience. Look at the way of Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, from the time he was sent until he left us, and adhere to it, for it is the proper way. That is my advice to you, if you ignore it and turn away from it, you will be one of the losers. I am ordering you and the troops who are with you to fear Allah in all circumstances, as fear of Allah is the best weapon against the enemy, and the strongest weapon in war. I am commanding you and those who are with you to be more careful avoiding sin than avoiding your enemy. The Muslims are supported by their enemy's disobedience towards Allah. Were it not for that, we would not have any strength, as our numbers are not like theirs. If we were equally matched in sin, they would have an advantage over us in strength, and if we did not have an advantage over them by our virtue, we would not be able to defeat them by our strength."

Against the three thousand Muslims, the Persians had mobilized a force of one hundred and twenty thousand men under the leadership of Rustum, one of their most brilliant commanders. The Muslims were outnumbered by 40 to one. The battle raged for four days. The Muslim valor and skill were overshadowed by the sheer numbers of the Persians. To make matters worse, a military unit consisting of Persians mounted on elephants wrought havoc in the ranks of Muslims. The ferocious battle was only resolved when several Muslim warriors made a rush at Rustum. A storm arose and Rustum's canopy was blown into the river. As he tried to flee, he was detected and slain. The Persians fled in the complete confusion and disarray that reigned after their commander's death.

It was victory, but at a heavy price. About thirty thousand persons on both sides fell over the course of four days fighting. In one day alone, some two thousand Muslims and ten thousand Persians lost their lives. The Battle of Qadisiyyah is one of the major decisive battles in history. It sealed the fate of the Sassanian Empire just as the Battle of Yarmurk sealed the fate of the Byzantine Empire in the east.

Two years after Qadisiyyah, Sa'd went on to take Ctesiphon, the Sassanian capital, accomplished after a brilliant crossing of the Tigris while it was in flood. Sa'd has thus gone down in the annals of history as the Hero of Qadisiyyah and the Conqueror of Ctesiphon.

Sa'd lived until he was almost 80 years old. He was blessed with influence and wealth. In the year 54 A.H, when he felt his death approaching, he asked his son to open an old battered box. When his son had retrieved an equally battered coarse woolen jubbah (gown) from this box, Sa'd said, "Shroud me in this, for in this jubbah I met the mushrikin (polytheists) on the day of Badr (battle) and in it I desire to meet Allah Almighty."

فَسُبْحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى بِيَدِهِۦ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ ﴿٨٣

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

(Qur'an Yaasin 36:83)

رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَآ إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ ۖ وَٱعْفُ عَنَّا وَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَآ ۚ أَنتَ مَوْلَىٰنَا فَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ ﴿٢٨٦

Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people."

(Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:286)

May Allah grant us taqwa and give victory to the Muslims. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Related Archive

Don't Take Sins Lightly

Audit Ourselves

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

More than a billion people today say la ilaha illallah (there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah), but the Muslim ummah as a whole will continue to miss out on additional mercy and blessings of Allah unless we start living by those words in our lives. Many among us either don’t know how to live up to those words or simply don’t find it necessary to do so.

It is incumbent on every person who believes in Allah and the Last Day that he should not be oblivious of auditing himself. Every breath of life is a precious jewel which can buy eternal treasures. Wasting these breaths or using them for detrimental purposes is such a great loss which no intelligent person could justify. When a person wakes up he tells himself that the only commodity he has is his life. When life perishes all his capital perishes. This is a new day that Allah has given as a further opportunity to make amends. If He had taken his life away he would want to return for just a single day so that he could do good. So one should deem that one has died and has returned to the world for one more day. One should not waste these precious and invaluable jewels of life. The day has twenty-four hours. One should strive today and not become lazy and lethargic lest one loses the ranks of the ‘Illiyeen (the highest rank of those in Paradise) and forever live in regret. [The Proof of Islam (Hujjatul Islam) Imam Ahmad Al- Ghazali]

May Allah make us realized the meaning of la illaha illallah and grant us tawfiq. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Related Archive

Qur'an: A Mercy and Healing

Year-end Spiritual Inventory and Review

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

As it is a good business practice to take a year-end inventory and review the business, now it is a good time to take a year-end spiritual inventory and review our relationship with Allah. It gives you the opportunity to rule off the past year and start afresh. But do not fall into the trap of rushing through the inventory and review; make sure you learn lessons from it, avoid making the same mistakes and persist with successful ways to reach your ultimate goal, which is Allah Himself and the eternal bliss of the next life.

لِّلَّـهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَإِن تُبْدُوا۟ مَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ يُحَاسِبْكُم بِهِ ٱللَّـهُ ۖ فَيَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٢٨٤

To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. Whether you show what is within yourselves or conceal it, Allah will bring you to account for it. Then He will forgive whom He wills and punish whom He wills, and Allah is over all things competent. (284)

[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:284]

Repent.

إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ ﴿١٩٩

Indeed, Allah is swift in account. (199)

[Qur'an AleImran 4:199]

And now ask yourself these tough questions.

Time

How did I spend my time this year?
How did I divide my time--by week, month, year?
How many hours did I spend this year in watching and talking about sports, politics or celebrity news with people? --- Did our Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, or his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, spend even a minute on these?

Free up some time to learn sacred knowledge. If you tend to spend a lot of time visiting relatives/friends or entertaining people, remember there is only one number that you are working on in a week-- 168 hours. If you don't account for it carefully, you will not have time to learn anything beyond your childhood years. Also, be mindful that there is a direct correlation between time and relatives and friends -- the more time you spend with them, the more arguments/more gossip. You have to do some accounting of your time so that you can make the most out of your time.

Prayers and Fasting

Where am I with my prayers? (obligatory and sunnah)
Where am I with my fasting? (Ramadhan and sunnah)
Of course, I know many of the commands of Allah Almighty and the sunnah of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, but how many of these am I following?

My Money and Wealth

How did I spend my money?
Am I dealing in interest?
How much have I spent on electronics, clothing, jewelry, buildings, automobiles, entertainment, vacations?
How much did I spend on my children’s secular school, university, marriages?
How much did I spend in charity/zakat and feeding the poor?
How much did I spend on my children's religious education?
How much did I spend to support students of knowledge and religious teacher volunteer?
Why didn't I go to hajj this year (if you haven't performed hajj)?
How many Islamic libraries can I buy for others, with my present income?
What do I have to leave for my children’s future? Will my children have the knowledge and resource for the propagation and teaching of Islam?

Qur'an and Sunnah

Have I read the entire Qur'an (properly) at least once this year?
Can I correctly translate the first Surah— Al-Fatiha? and the rest of the Qur'an?

Qur'an has 6,326 verses. If you can translate 63 verses, then you know only one percent of the Qur'an. The Quran teaches us, step by step, how to live our day to day lives, but many of us don’t even know even one percent of Qur'an. Understanding the Qur'an is an urgent necessity. Why? Because knowing where you stand will help you continue learning.

What legacy of the Prophet (ﷺ) are you carrying and going to leave behind? When you are with someone, you are traveling with him -- it means when they are on a mission/task, you are on a mission/task with them. Believing in someone does not mean you are with them. Identify at least one legacy that you are going to help, to serve Allah's Deen and out of your loyalty to the Messenger (ﷺ), which you are going to give your life to it. Once you find it and what Allah has made you capable of, you give yourself to it. Maybe they are other people who are doing something along the lines you are thinking, so you help them.

The Purpose of Life

Do I know the purpose of my own life?
Do I know what will happen on the last day of my life?
What benefit am I giving to my religion, Islam?
Is my field of study going to benefit my hereafter?

Conveying the Message (Da'wah)

Is my work helping people come close to Allah Almighty?

Can I make my balance sheet for 2013, the last 5, 10, 20, 40 years?

Allah has blessed us with so much. We are a complete fool if we are not investing these blessings for our future life in the Hereafter (akhirah).

Allah Almighty says,

هَـٰٓأَنتُمْ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ تُدْعَوْنَ لِتُنفِقُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّـهِ فَمِنكُم مَّن يَبْخَلُ ۖ وَمَن يَبْخَلْ فَإِنَّمَا يَبْخَلُ عَن نَّفْسِهِۦ ۚ وَٱللَّـهُ ٱلْغَنِىُّ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلْفُقَرَآءُ ۚ وَإِن تَتَوَلَّوْا۟ يَسْتَبْدِلْ قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَكُونُوٓا۟ أَمْثَـٰلَكُم ﴿٣٨

Here you are - those invited to spend in the cause of Allah - but among you are those who withhold [out of greed]. And whoever withholds only withholds [benefit] from himself; and Allah is the Free of need, while you are the needy. And if you turn away, He will replace you with another people; then they will not be the likes of you. (38)

[Qur'an, Muhammad 47:38]

Return to the way of the Companions. The Companions were very concern with their akhirah. They rushed to good deeds.

Umar ibn al-khattab said, "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ordred us to give Sadaqah and I thought that today I will out-do Abu Bakr if I ever had to out-do him and thus brought half of my wealth. Rasulullah asked ‘What have you left for your family?’ I replied that I have left half of my wealth. Then Abu Bakr came with everything that he had and Rasulullah (ﷺ) asked ‘What have you left for your family? Abu Bakr replied, 'I have left Allah and His Messenger.'” Umar ibn al-khattab said: “I realized that I will never ever outdo him in anything.”

The early generations of Muslims were avid learners and they had great desire for knowledge. They would travel to distant lands to seek even a single Prophetic hadith. We should become avid learners of this religion; about what pleases Allah and what displeases Him and take that seriously. This observation and learning will enable us to learn new truths that can help us condition our states and hearts to inculcate the required Taqwa (piety, righteousness, humbleness, fear, God consciousness, etc) in our hearts.

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱصْبِرُوا۟ وَصَابِرُوا۟ وَرَابِطُوا۟ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٢٠٠

O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful. (200)

[Qur'an, AleImran 4:200]

May Allah protect us from heedlessness and disobedience, and grant us true wisdom and nearness to Him. Ameen

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Surah Kahf Day: Trial of Kowledge

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

When Prophet Musa alayhissalaam was asked, “Do you know anyone on earth who has more knowledge than you?” He said, "No ..." but Allah revealed to him that there’s someone who has more knowledge than him. So he traveled to find this person, Al-Khidr alayhissalaam to seek knowledge from him.

As revealed in the Qur'an,

وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِفَتَىٰهُ لَآ أَبْرَحُ حَتَّىٰٓ أَبْلُغَ مَجْمَعَ ٱلْبَحْرَيْنِ أَوْ أَمْضِىَ حُقُبًا ﴿٦٠

And [mention] when Moses said to his servant, "I will not cease [traveling] until I reach the junction of the two seas or continue for a long period." (60)

[Qu'ran Al-Kahf 18:60]

فَوَجَدَا عَبْدًا مِّنْ عِبَادِنَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا وَعَلَّمْنَـٰهُ مِن لَّدُنَّا عِلْمًا ﴿٦٥

"And they found a servant from among Our servants to whom we had given mercy from us and had taught him from Us a [certain] knowledge. (65)

[Qu'ran Al-Kahf 18:65]

قَالَ لَهُۥ مُوسَىٰ هَلْ أَتَّبِعُكَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن تُعَلِّمَنِ مِمَّا عُلِّمْتَ رُشْدًا ﴿٦٦

Musa said to him, "May I follow you on [the condition] that you teach me from what you have been taught of sound judgement?" (66)

[Qu'ran Al-Kahf 18:66]

قَالَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِىَ صَبْرًا ﴿٦٧

He said, "Indeed, with me you will not be able to have patience. (67)

[Qu'ran Al-Kahf 18:67]

Learning knowledge needs patience. Sometimes Allah might test your patience just to see whether you are worthy of the knowledge or not. The difference between us and Prophet Musa alayhissalaam is that he couldn't be patient when he saw a boy murdered in front of him; we can't be patient when the internet connection is bad or the teacher is late or didn't show up.

As Al-Khidr said as revealed in the Qur'an,

وَكَيْفَ تَصْبِرُ عَلَىٰ مَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِۦ خُبْرًا ﴿٦٨

..And how can you have patience for what you do not encompass in knowledge?" (68)

[Qu'ran Al-Kahf 18:68]

May Allah grant us patience in seeking knowledge and tawfiq. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Related Archive

Blessings of Surah Kahf

Qur'an: A Mercy and Healing

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

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 are not reciting good portion of the Qur'an everyday, you are missing out on tremendous blessing and mercy from Allah.

The entire Qur'an is a mercy and healing for those who revere it, recite it, reflect on it, and resolve to act on its guidance.

Allah Almighty says,

وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا ﴿٨٢

And We send down of the Qur'an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.

[Qur'an, 17.82]

Allah Almighty says,

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتْلُونَ كِتَـٰبَ ٱللَّـهِ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنفَقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً يَرْجُونَ تِجَـٰرَةً لَّن تَبُورَ ﴿٢٩﴾ لِيُوَفِّيَهُمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَيَزِيدَهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ غَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ ﴿٣٠﴾

Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah and establish prayer and spend [in His cause] out of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, [can] expect a profit that will never perish - (29) That He may give them in full their rewards and increase for them of His bounty. Indeed, He is Forgiving and Appreciative. (30)

[Qur'an Faatir 35:29-30]

If you are not in the habit of reciting the Qur'an daily, start developing that habit. Do whatever it takes to start reading some Qu'ran everyday and gradually increase until you have a habit of reading at least a juz a day. A Muslim should be keen to recite the book of Allah, ponder over it, and act accordingly.

Abu Musa Al-Ash'ary (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

في الصحيح من حديث سعيد عن قتادة عن أنس عن أبي موسى عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: المؤمن الذي يقرأ القرآن ويعمل به كالأترجة طعمها وريحها طيب والمؤمن لا يقرأ القرآن ويعمل به كالثمرة طعمها طيب ولا ريح لها ومثل المنافق الذي يقرأ القرآن كالريحانة ريحها طيب وطعمها مر ومثل المنافق الذي لا يقرأ القرآن كالحنظلة طعمها مر أوخبيث وريحها مر

The likeness of a believer who recites the Qur'an is that of a citron which smells good and tastes good. The example of a believer who does not recite the Qur'an is that of a date which has no smell but tastes sweet. The example of a hypocrite who recites the Qur'an, is that of basil which smells good but tastes bitter. The example of a hypocrite who does not recite the Qur'an is that of a colocynth plant which has no smell and is bitter in taste.

[Bukhari and Muslim] **

The Hadith shows the merit of the one who memorizes the Qur'an and the meaning of reciting the Qur'an is to act according to it. The recitation of the Qur'an has a great effect on a believer: In increasing his faith, comforting his heart, purifying his heart, increasing his status and rank.

He, Allah bless him and grant him peace, also said,

Recite the Qur'an, for on the Day of Judgment it will come to intercede for its companion.

[Muslim]

Reciting the Qur'an is a great act of worship. Every letter you recite will earn you the pleasure of Allah and will draw you closer to Him Subhanahu. A person should maintain his recitation and do much of it.

Abi Dawud related from the Righteous Forebears, Allah be well pleased with them, that some of them would finish the Qur'an once very two months, once every month, once every 10 nights, 8 nights; most of them every 7 nights, some every 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 nights, some everyday and night, twice everyday and night, twice each day, and 8 times each day--4 by night and 4 by day. 'Uthman ibn Affan, Allah be well pleased with him, and Imam Shafi'i and Mujahid, Allah have mercy on them, completed recitation of the Qur'an every day.

A hadith narrated by Anas ibn Malik, Allah be pleased with him, who said that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

The best of works are al-hall and al-rihlat. It was asked, "what are they?" He said, "Beginning the Qur'an and completing it.

To neglect reciting the Qur'an and listening to it is to abandon the it.

May Allah grant us tawfiq and increase our love for the Qur'an. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

** Explanation of vocabulary

citron -- is a kind of fruit that looks like apple; which is one of the best and precious fruits at Arabs.
basil -- every kind of plant that has a nice smell.
colocynth -- is a plant which fruits are like orange in size and color, in which there is a very bitter core. It looks like the fruits of melons, but they are smaller and are given as an example for bitterness.

Explanation of the Hadith:

Ibn Hajar said: As for the Prophet's saying: (which smells good and tastes good), it was said: The Prophet compared faith to taste and recitation to smell because faith is more important to a believer than reciting the Qur'an because a person may become a believer by having faith without reciting the Qur'an. Likewise taste is more important than smell because the smell may be lost but good taste remains as it is.

Good Company: A Lesson From Surah Kahf

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Good Company is a blessing, even for a dog.

Ibn 'Atiyyah says that his father told him that he heard a sermon of Abu al-Fad1Jawhari in the Hijrah year 469 at the Great Mosque of Egypt. Speaking on the Mimbar, he was telling everyone, 'whoever loves good people, he too gets a share from their goodness. See when the dog of the Al-Ashab al-Kahf (companions of the cave) loved them and followed them closely as if appended with them, Allah Ta'ala mentioned it in the Qur'an'.

Al-Qurtubi mentions this report of Ibn 'Atiyyah in his Tafsir. In his comments, he says when a dog can reach this station by being in the company of the righteous and the saintly, imagine how high the station of true believers and pure monotheists who love righteous men of Allah would be. In fact, there is comfort and good news in this event for Muslims who are weak in deeds but do love the Holy Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, fully and duly.

Sayyidna Anas radhiallahu anhu, said, "One day, I and the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam were coming out of the Masjid. We met a person at the door. He asked, "Ya Rasulullah, when will the Qiyamah come?" He said, "What preparations have you already made for Qiyamah? (In view of which you want it to come soon)."Hearing this, the man was somewhat ashamed and corrected himself by saying, "I have not collected a lot of prayers, fasts and charities for Qiyamah, but I love Allah and His Messenger." He said, "If so, [on the day of Qiyamah] you shall be with those whom you love." Sayyidna Anas says, "when we heard this bliss of a sentence from the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam, we were so happy that we had never been that happy since we embraced Islam." After that, Sayyidna Anas said, "alhamdulillah, I love Allah, His Messenger sallallahu alayhi wassallam, Abu Bakr and Omar radhiAllahu anhuma, therefore, I look forward to being with them." [Qurtubi]

You love someone because you feel they are close to Allah. Their closeness to Allah wins your love for them. It is a very virtuous deed indeed when you love someone for Allah. Through it you get the sweetness of faith. You feel content and your heart is tranquil. The heart moves with Allah.

The sign that you love someone for Allah is that you can leave them when they are distant from Allah. People who are distant from Allah, you have an aversion of them. You don't want to be their best friend.

Choose your friends carefully. You will be like them. These are the people that can bring you closer to Allah or away from Allah.

The one whose words guide you to Allah is the one who speaks by Allah. He directs you to Allah and withdraws from other than Him. When he speaks, he takes all the hearts, and when he is silent, his state raises you to the Knower of the Unseen worlds. So his state confirms his words and his words are in harmony with his knowledge. The company of someone like this is an elixir which transforms the sources. This is understood from the words of the Shaykh, "If someone's state does not life you up, then do not keep his company." Keep the company of the one whose state will lift you up and whose words will lead you to Allah...ibn Ajiba's commentary

It is good to love the believers because this is your means of success in the Day of Judgment.

When you see righteousness in your friends, it is good to say "I love you."

May Allah grant us righteous companions and the sweetness of faith. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

p.s. Question may arise as to why the Companions of the cave take a dog with them. It appears in an authentic Hadith that angels do not enter a house that has a dog or picture. Al-Bukhari related on the authority of Sayyidna Ibn 'Umar that the Holy Prophet said, "Whoever keeps a dog, except the one used for hunting or guarding livestock, has two qirats deducted every day from his reward (qirat or karat is the name of a small weight)." And in the report narrated by Sayyidna Abu Hurayrah, there is the exception of a third kind of dog, that is, a dog kept to guard land produce. One answer to this could be that the prohibition of keeping a dog is an injunction of the Shari'ah brought by the Holy Prophet and it is possible that it may not be so prohibited in the Sharl'ah (law) brought by Prophet Isa alayhissalaam. It is reasonably imaginable that these people who had property and livestock may have kept a dog for their protection from intruders and since the faithfulness of a dog is well known, the dog followed them when they went out from the city. [Tafsir Maa'riful Qur'an]

Our Real Problem

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Our real problem is that we don't ask Allah and we are impatient. We ask everybody except Allah. When people don't give, don't help, we get mad, upset, depressed, disappointed.

Why? What can people do except what Allah lets them. Only Allah Almighty can make things happen. Only Allah can give what we want. To Him belongs whatever in the heavens and whatever is on earth.

ٱللَّـهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴿٢٥٥

Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. (255)

[Qur'an Baqarah 2:255]

When Prophet Ya'qub, peace be upon him, saw the blood stains on his beloved son's shirt, he saw there had been some foul play by his older sons against young Yusuf, peace be upon him, but he was patient and implore Allah's assistance.

وَجَآءُو عَلَىٰ قَمِيصِهِۦ بِدَمٍ۬ كَذِبٍ۬‌ۚ قَالَ بَلۡ سَوَّلَتۡ لَكُمۡ أَنفُسُكُمۡ أَمۡرً۬ا‌ۖ فَصَبۡرٌ۬ جَمِيلٌ۬‌ۖ وَٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُسۡتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ

And they brought upon his shirt false blood. [Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe." (18) [Qur'an Yusuf 12:18]

Prophet Ya'qub has faith and he knows that all that Allah does is for the best. He was patient and did not complain. Indeed, Allah plans and His promise is true. Many many years later the family of Ya'qub reunited in the blessed land of Egypt.

Allah Almighty says,

فَلَمَّا دَخَلُواْ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ ءَاوَىٰٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَبَوَيۡهِ وَقَالَ ٱدۡخُلُواْ مِصۡرَ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ءَامِنِينَ وَرَفَعَ أَبَوَيۡهِ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِ وَخَرُّواْ لَهُ ۥ سُجَّدً۬ا‌ۖ وَقَالَ يَـٰٓأَبَتِ هَـٰذَا تَأۡوِيلُ رُءۡيَـٰىَ مِن قَبۡلُ قَدۡ جَعَلَهَا رَبِّى حَقًّ۬ا‌ۖ وَقَدۡ أَحۡسَنَ بِىٓ إِذۡ أَخۡرَجَنِى مِنَ ٱلسِّجۡنِ وَجَآءَ بِكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡبَدۡوِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ أَن نَّزَغَ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ بَيۡنِى وَبَيۡنَ إِخۡوَتِىٓ‌ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى لَطِيفٌ۬ لِّمَا يَشَآءُ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ

Then, when they came in before Yusuf, he betook his parents to himself and said: 'Enter Egypt, if Allah wills, in security.' And he raised his parents to the throne and they fell down before him prostrate. And he said: "O my father! This is the interpretation of my dream aforetime! My Lord has made it come true! He was indeed good to me, when He took me out of the prison, and brought you (all here) out of the bedouin-life, after Shaytan had sown enmity between me and my brothers. Certainly, my Lord is the Most Courteous and Kind unto whom He wills. Truly He! Only He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.'

[Qur'an Yusuf 12:99-100]

So seek Allah night and day and be patient.

May Allah hold us by the hand and grant us patience. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Weep! The World Is Coming to an End

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

With the continuing turmoil in Egypt which is sipping through the oldest standing Islamic institution, the University Al-Azhar campus, and other universities, and now snow in Egypt for the first time in over a hundred years, what is Allah Almighty telling us? These are the signs for people of understanding.

Allah Almighty says,

وَكَأَيِّن مِّنْ ءَايَةٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ يَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهَا وَهُمْ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضُونَ ﴿١٠٥﴾ وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُم بِٱللَّـهِ إِلَّا وَهُم مُّشْرِكُونَ ﴿١٠٦

And how many a sign within the heavens and earth do they pass over while they, therefrom, are turning away. (105) And most of them believe not in Allah except while they associate others with Him. (106)

[Qur'an Yusuf 12:105-106]

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

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)

[Qur'an AleImran 3:190-191]

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said "O followers of Muhammad! By Allah, if you knew what I know, you would weep much and laugh little." [Bukhari]

On the authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, who said, "The Messenger of Allah gave us a sermon, the like of which we had never heard before. He said "If you knew what I know you would laugh little and weep much!". Thereupon the Companions of the Prophet covered their faces, weeping and sniffing. [Bukhari and Muslim]

On the authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, who related that he heard the Messenger of Allah said: "O people weep, for you cannot weep then make yourself weep. Indeed the inhabitants of the hellfire will weep until their tears pour down their cheeks as if they were streams until the tears are used up and then blood will pour down, and the eyes will be covered with ulcers."

On the authority of al-'Irbad ibn Sariyah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: "The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, gave us a profound admonition which caused our hearts to tremble and our eyes to shed tears." [Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]

Allah Almighty says,

ٱللَّـهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْحَدِيثِ كِتَـٰبًا مُّتَشَـٰبِهًا مَّثَانِىَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّـهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى ٱللَّـهِ يَهْدِى بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّـهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْ هَادٍ ﴿٢٣

Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah by which He guides whom He wills. And one whom Allah leaves astray - for him there is no guide. (23)

[Qur'an Az-Zumar 39:23]

So reflect upon the way the Messenger of Allah order us to weep or make ourselves weep. This is a deep and serious admonition, this admonition is enough to cause you to make tawbah (sincere repentance) and turn to Allah and weep.

Muslim Ibn Bashir, may Allah be pleased with him, said that during his last illness Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, began weeping bitterly. He was asked the reason of his weeping. At this he said, 'I am weeping because I have a long journey to cover and have the least provisions with me. In the morning I have found myself at a hillock which leads to both paradise and to hell, and I know not wither I would be made to go.'

This was the attitude of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them. Even tho they were promised Paradise and that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, was pleased with them, they still had the fear of facing Allah one day. One of the things that they used to do apart from giving charity, voluntary fasting and praying for the Pleasure of Allah, was that they used to weep over the mistakes that they had made in this life and the fear of meeting Allah.

Abu Bakr's (may Allah be pleased with him) recitation in prayer could not be heard due to his excessive weeping, as we have been informed by 'Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, who said: "Indeed Abu Bakr is a man of tender feelings, if he takes your place he will not be able to lead the people in prayer". [Bukhari]

The weeping of 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, could be heard from the last rows, as it has been reported to us by 'Abdullah ibn Shaddad, who said, "I heard the sobbing of 'Umar from the last rows while he was reciting the verse from the Qur’an: "I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah". (Qur'an Yusuf 12:86) [Bukhari]

"When ‘Uthman ibn 'Affan stood at a grave he would weep until his beard was wet. So it was said to him: "Indeed you make mention of Paradise and Hellfire and you do not weep, and you are weeping at this?". He replied, "Indeed the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Verily the grave is the first abode of the Hereafter, if one is saved from it then what follows is made easier for him. And if one is not saved from it, then what follows is more severe". He also said, "I have never seen a sight more horrid than the grave"" (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)

"'Abdur Rahmân ibn 'Awf was brought some food when he had been fasting, and he remarked: "Mus'ab ibn 'Umayr has been martyred, and he was better than me. His shroud was so short, that if his head was covered (with it) then his legs showed, and if his legs were covered, then his head showed, and I witnessed this." He also said, "Hamzah was martyred and he was better than me. And now the world has been spread out for us." Or he said: "We have been given the abundance of the world, and we fear that we have been rewarded for our good deeds here (quickly in this world only)". Then he began to cry, such that he left his food" [Bukhari]

In this world in which sins are abundant, corruption are rampant, we should all turn to Allah Ar-Rahman and cry to Him to help us to abstain from sins. Cry to Him to forgive us for our many many many shortcomings.

Weep! If you do not weep or even try to weep, then know that your iman(faith) is weak and the world has overtaken you, and you are in great danger. So flee to Allah, grab hold of life before death, rush to sincere repentance, work righteous deeds and be patient.

On the authority of Ja'far ibn Burqan who said "I came to know that Salman al-Farisi, may Allah be pleased with him, used to say: "Three things make me laugh and three things make me cry. I laugh at the one who is hopeful of the world yet death seeks him; the one who is neglectful (of his Lord) while he is not neglected (by Him); the one who laughs at the top of his voice, while he does not know whether he is pleasing his Lord or displeasing Him. Three things make me cry: parting from our beloved Muhammad, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his Companions; the terror of the onset of the pangs of death and the standing in front of the Lord of the Worlds while not knowing whether I will be turned towards the Fire or Paradise".

رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَآ إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ ۖ وَٱعْفُ عَنَّا وَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَآ ۚ أَنتَ مَوْلَىٰنَا فَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ

Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our Protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.

May Allah forgive our sins and make us of the Muttaqin. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Snow over Cairo Photo Gallery

Blessings of Surah Kahf

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Yaumul Jumu'ah (Friday) is eid to Muslims. One of the main activities of Muslims on Friday is reciting Surah Kahf. There are many ahadeeth that enumerate the blessings of reciting Surah Kahf in its entirety and regarding the first or last 10 ayat.

1. Abu Darda', may Allah be pleased with him, related that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "One who memorized the first ten verses of Surah Kahf will be secure against the Dajjal (Anti-Christ) . Another version says: "One who commits to memory the last 10 verses of this surah will remain immune from the Dajjal. [Muslim]

2. From Baihaqi: He who recites Surah Kahf on Jumu'ah, Allah will shine a light for him between the two Fridays. [sahih]

3. From Ahmad, Muslim, An-Nisaa' and Ibn Habban -- that Abu Darda' said the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Whoever reads the last 10 ayat from Surah Kahf, he will be immune from the fitnah (corruption) of the Dajjal.

4. Al Bukhari, Muslim and others: Al Baraa' said a man was reading Surah Kahf in his home and there was an animal in it (it did not specify if it was a cat or dog or goat -- it just used the general term for animal) that started to become uneasy or nervous. He looked up and saw a mist or a cloud and it deceived him. He mentioned it to the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and he said, "Read (he said the person's name) for verily tranquility descends for (the recitation of) Qur'an". The person who was reading was 'Aseed bin Hadheer, as Tabarani explained.

5. From At-Tirmithi who proclaimed it sahih: Abu Darda' said, "The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Whoever reads 3 ayat from the beginning of Surah Kahf is protected or immune from the fitnah of the Dajjal. In another version it says 10 ayat from the beginning of it or 10 ayat from the end of it.

6. Ibn Mardwiyah Al Daiya' in "Al Mukhtaar" related that Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "Whoever reads Surah Kahf on Jumu'ah, he is immune for 8 days from all fitnah that will happen. When the Dajjal emerges, he will be immune to him.

7. Found in Tabarani' s "Al Awsat" and Al Haakim's "Mustadrak" and who declared it sahih, Ibn Mardwiyah and Al Baihaqi and Al Diyaa': Abu Saeed Al Khudari said that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Whoever reads Surah Kahf has a light for him from "maqaamahu" his place (where he is standing) to Makkah; and whoever reads 10 ayat from the end of it (the last 10 ayat) then when the Dajjal emerges, he will not be harmed by him.

8. Al Haakim who said it is sahih -- the hadith of Abu Saeed -- that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Whoever reads Surah Kahf on Jumu'ah, a light will shine for him between the 2 Fridays (until the next Friday). Al Baihaqi also provided that hadith in "As Sunan" from the same narrators and from a different chain.

9. Ibn Mardwiyah from Ibn Omar, may Allah be pleased with them both, who said the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Whoever reads Surah Kahf on Jumu'ah, for him light would shine from beneath his foot to 'Aden in the heavens, shining for him on the Last Day and he will be forgiven for what occurs between the 2 Fridays (minor sins).

10. On the authority of Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Shall I not inform you of a surah which is so full of greatness it reaches between the heaven and earth and it has blessings written for it of similar proportions (from the sky to earth) whoever reads it on Jumu'ah is forgiven what occurred between that Jumu'ah and the next, in addition to 3 days (i.e. 10 days in all) and whoever reads the last five ayat of it when he goes to sleep, Allah will send him that night what he wants? They said, Yes, O Messenger of Allah. He said: Surat Ashaabul Kahf.

[May Allah forgive me if I have not conveyed the hadith correctly as these are the words the His Messenger, peace be upon him.]

It is a blessing and a mercy from Allah to have this Surah as a protection from those days of fitnah ahead. We just don't thank Allah enough for all His Blessings. One of the protection is against the fitnah of dajjal. We may think that the chances are slim that we will be confronted with the fitnah of dajjal, however, we never know. We know that dajjal will emerge during the last days before Yaumul Qiyammah. These "days" are not the 24 hours that make up our daily lives, but these are really time periods that are set to happen by our Creator. We are told that he will be able to produce many miracles and many good and pious people will be fooled or deceived by him and follow him. May Allah save us from the fitnah of dajjal. Ameen.

So we should be prepared and protect ourselves by reciting this surah every Friday and encourage our family to do so. Take this opportunity to increase the bonds with your family by reading the surah together. Also, we should try to memorize this surah, starting with the first and the last 10 ayat. Teach your small children this surah and have them memorize as well.

Surah Kahf is named such because of the miraculous Divine story in it, the wondrous, strange story of the Companions of the Cave. It is a Makkan surah and it is one of five surahs that begin with the phrase "Al Hamdulillah" -- Al Fatihah, Al-An'aam, Al Kahf, Saba' and Fatir. Each of these surahs begin with praising Allah, recognizing His Greatness, Magnificence, Majesty and Perfection. This surah brings us four inspiring and impressive Qur'anic stories, by way of or for the purpose of confirming its basic purpose of establishing the correct belief and faith in the greatness of the Lord, Full of Majesty and Honor.

The first story is the story of 'As-haabul Kahf -- the Companions of the Cave, a story which clarifies Islamic beliefs, a story about several believing youths who flea their country for the sake of their religion and take refuge in a mountain cave, then remain there asleep for 309 years. Then Allah reawakens them after this lengthy period.

The second story is the story of an owner of two gardens. This is man whom Allah blessed with two beautiful gardens, but the man forgot to thank the One who blessed him with everything and he even dared to doubt Allah regarding the afterlife. So His garden was destroyed - He regretted, but was too late and his regret did not benefit him.

The third story is the story of the Prophet Musa alayhissalaam with Al-Khidr alayhissalaam. It is a story of a seeking knowledge and knowledge of the unseen ('ilmul ghaib) which Allah chooses to make known to "al 'abd as-saalih" Al-Khidr whilst Musa does not know until Al-Khidr informs him, like the story of the boat, the circumstances around the killing of the youth and the building of the wall.

The fourth story is of "Dhul-Qarnayn", a king with taqwa (fear of Allah) and a heightened sense of justice. He was given knowledge and power and was going around the world and over the inhabited world. He build a massive dam with the help of people whom he could not even understand.

Just as the surah uses, for the purpose of its intent, these four stories, it also uses impressive examples in order to explain that the truth is not connected or linked to great wealth or power or sovereignty; it is only tied to correct beliefs.

The first example give is the wealthy person who is extremely rich and the poor person "al m'utaza by his beliefs and his belief in the story of the companions of the gardens. The second example given is the "hayatu dunya" or the life of this world and what it consists of. The third example is of the arrogance, pride and deception of Iblis which resulted in his refusal to bow down before Adam alayhisssalaam.

Each of these stories and examples are meant to be taken as a lesson or moral as well as points for reflection.

May Allah grant us tawfiq to recite Surah Kahf every Friday. You may recite the surah beginning Thursday after maghrib as an Islamic day is maghrib the day before until maghrib the day of. Something to make it easier is to read along with a well-known reciter.

May Allah forgive our sins and save us from the trial and fitnah of dajjal and protect us from the trial 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

Don't Pray Fajr or Isha?

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Prayer represents the covenant we made with Allah Ta'ala from time immemorial.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said, "Verily, the only thing separating a person from disbelief and polytheism is the abandonment of prayer." In other words, the prayer is what guards against falling into disbelief.

The first thing we will be asked about on the Day of Account is our prayer.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said, "The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad."

Prayer is the foundation of our faith, a pillar of Islam, as the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said. It even speaks for or against us on the Day of Judgment.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When a person performs his prayer at the designated time, the prayer ascends the sky, lighting it up on the way upward, to the highest heaven. On arrival there, it asks pardon for the person. Thus, it will pray till the Day of Account, saying, 'May it please Allah to care for you, as you have cared for me.' And when a person performs prayer outside the designated time, it ascends the sky showered in darkness. On reaching the heavens, it is rolled up like bundled clothes, and is used to smite the face of the person who performed it. And the prayer itself says, 'May it please Allah to deny you, as you have denied me.'"

Congregational prayer for men is one of the major symbols of Islam, the most emphasized of the sunnas of the beloved of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his joy in this world. Group prayer is a cornerstone of the life of Muslim community. Help build a strong community and strengthen your own relationship with Allah by going to His house.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said, “If people knew the reward in praying Fajr and Isha in congregation, they would go to the mosque even if they had to crawl.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

He, Allah bless him and give him peace, also said, “Prayer in congregation is superior to prayer alone by twenty seven degrees.” [Bukhari & Muslim, from Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him)]

"No prayer (salat) is more burdensome upon the hypocrites than the dawn (fajr) prayer and the night (`isha) prayer." [Bukhari]

Uthman bin `Affan reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: “One who performs Isha’ prayer in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for half of the night. And one who performs the Fajr prayer in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat the whole night.” [Muslim]

In another narration, he narrated that he had heard the Messenger of Allah saying: “He who attends Isha’ in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for half of the night; and he who attends `Isha’ and Fajr prayers in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for the whole night.” [Tirmidhi]

Think about it: every day you can earn such tremendous reward just by praying at the masjid. Consistent good deeds like this are beloved to Allah. So strive to pray at the masjid everyday.

If the masjid is far, make plans to move closer to the masjid in the near future. And if you are planning to move, find a home that is close to a masjid.

May Allah grant us tawfiq. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Inheritance and Why Man Gets Double Share

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Inheritance law was described by the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, as half of knowledge and the first knowledge to be taken from this Ummah.

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

Learn inheritance and teach it for it is half the knowledge and it will be forgotten, and it is the first thing to be ripped from my Ummah.

[Ibn Majah 2710]

He, Allah bless him and grant him peace, also said,

Learn inheritance and teach it to people for I am a mortal being and knowledge will decrease until two people would differ amongst themselves over inheritance, but wouldn’t find an arbitrator.

[Al Nisa’i 6305]

Look around and you will see the truth of the Prophet’s statement —- families divided over property, children hurt over parental preference in wills, siblings no longer on speaking terms with each other, even when the deceased left a small estate. It is crucial that inheritance law be learned and applied, otherwise some may be denied their rights while others eat of haram wealth.

Some Muslims are taking the non-Muslim concept of inheritance, maybe ignorance, maybe simply disobedience.

One of the rules of Islamic inheritance is that the male inherits double the female.

Allah Almighty says,

...يُوصِيكُمُ ٱللَّـهُ فِىٓ أَوْلَـٰدِكُمْ ۖ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ

Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females...

[Qur'an An-Nisa 3:11]

For non-Muslims and some Muslims see that as unfair and weird. As Muslims, we believe that Allah is a fair judge and that His justice is absolute: no injustice towards humans or any other creature is found in His sacred law. The Qur'an says, “And your Lord wrongs no-one” (al-Kahf: 49); “God is no oppres­sor of His servants” (al-Hajj:10); and “It was not for God to wrong them (al-‘Ankabut:40). As Muslims, we know that Allah didn’t give a rule that only fits 1400 years ago, nor just for yesterday's society.

The inheritance law is directly related to the structure of a family in Islam, and how a family should be for our benefit and salvation of humanity. The family in Islam is an integral unit in society. It forms the basic building block of Muslim society. The traditional Muslim family is extended, often spanning three or more generations. An extended structure offers many advantages, including stability, coherence, and physical and psychological support, particularly in times of need.

The man is considered the head of the family. With leadership comes responsibility. Economic responsibility for maintaining the family falls squarely on the shoulders of the man, irrespective of whether his wife is earning money or have more wealth.

Allah Almighty says,

... ٱلرِّجَالُ قَوَّٰمُونَ عَلَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّـهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ وَبِمَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ مِنْ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ

Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means... (34)

[Qur'an an-Nisa 4:34]

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]

The man in the family is responsible for taking care of his wife, children, parents/grandparents, siblings if they are young or financially incapable, and his womenfolk (sisters, aunts, nieces, etc.). This does not mean that the rest of them are useless or incapable of doing things in society but, just like a ship has a captain, in Islam the captain of the ship is the male in the family.

Yes, in many cases the father passes away, and the mother steps in. And she does an excellent job.

Yes, in many cases men are dirt bags and do not do their duties. And women end up trying to pickup where the man failed.

Yes, in many cases a man and a woman "willingly agree" to share the household expenses and so on.

But, this rule is for all, the general rule that organizes a family. If the man follows the rule, he will reap a tremendous reward in this life before the next. If he doesn't, he can be sued in court in this life and the court would enforce payments upon him. In the next life, he will have to answer to His Lord and the consequence is grave. Many of the ills of the society is a direct consequence of the man not fulfilling his financial duties towards his family.

Men should not be too quick to pocket their double share of inheritance and women should not be fighting for equal rights but be grateful that Allah didn't give you such responsibility that is given men.

One thing that many Muslims neglect to do during their lifetime is to write their Islamic will (wasiyya). The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

It is the duty of a Muslim who has anything to bequest not to let two nights pass without writing a will about it.

[Sahih al-Bukhari]

He also said,

A man may do good deeds for seventy years but if he acts unjustly when he leaves his last testament, the wickedness of his deed will be sealed upon him, and he will enter the Fire. If, (on the other hand), a man acts wickedly for seventy years but is just in his last will and testament, the goodness of his deed will be sealed upon him, and he will enter the Garden.

[Ahmad and Ibn Majah]

May Allah grant us a sound understanding of His religion and save us and our families from disobedience. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Path To Allah

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 regards the Shaytan as his enemy, yet he continues to follow him. ['Uthman ibn 'Affan, may Allah be pleased with him]

The number of paths to Allah is as the number of breaths of Allah's creation. We have to discover and search where our individual paths lie. Part of this discovery is coming to know ourselves and knowing what we can do and cannot do.

The greatest thing you can do is to discover what the Lord wants from you. Once you discover this, it is beautiful if you can spend the rest of your life devoting to your Lord.

Allah has made His creatures such that we need teachers. There are different kinds of teachers. In the realm of religion, they have studied with an unbroken chain of teachers all the way back to the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. There are teachers who can teach you knowledge. There are teachers who will refine your character--they help you know the perishing nature of the world and the diseases of the heart. There are teachers who can teach you how to attain the higher level of faith (ihsan).

However, it goes back to our own free will. Are you going to discover and follow?

It is important to have good companionships. Don't underestimate the power of companionship. If you have bad companionship, it is not easy to find the right way and if you are on the right way, it is not easy to keep going.

People are easily affected by the environment. In this day and age, in which people are being bombarded with entertainment and consumerism, and many societies seem to embrace the culture of greed and impunity, and people are oblivious to decency and morality, it is a huge struggle to practice the religion properly and if the iman is not strong, slowly but surely you will slip and fall. If people around you are God conscious and Godfearing, they will protect you from the causes of destruction and plots of shaytan.

Remember, shaytan to mankind, is a clear enemy, who is always lurking to enter your heart and snatch your iman away. If he is unsuccessful from one door, he will try to enter from another door. Just like there is an inherent danger in physical travel, there is an inherent danger in our spiritual travel as well.

You are walking on this earth with danger signs all over and if you ignore these signs, you will eventuallly self destruct.

So, choose your companions well, go out there and discover the good teachers and learn from them.

May Allah protect and increase our iman and grant us righteous companions and righteous teachers. May Allah grant us tawfiq to the highest station. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Catastrophe

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The real life of many Muslims reflects negligence of Allah's rights. Most people are so heedless as if they are drunk with the elixir of immortality.

If we ponder on this reality many calamities that befall upon nations and people, such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, famines, plane crashes, train derailments, epidemic, civil unrests and devastating wars that annihilate everything.

Allah (may He be Praised) points out in the Qur'an some of the punishments He sends down upon those who disobey His commands and deviate from the right path from among the perished nations who belied Allah's messengers. This is so people may receive admonition and beware of their deeds.

فَكُلًّا أَخَذْنَا بِذَنۢبِهِۦ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ حَاصِبًا وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَخَذَتْهُ ٱلصَّيْحَةُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ خَسَفْنَا بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَغْرَقْنَا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّـهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ ﴿٤٠

So We punished each (of them) for his sins, of them were some on whom We sent Hâsib (a violent wind with shower of stones) [as on the people of Lut (Lot)], and of them were some who were overtaken by As¬Saihah [torment - awful cry, (as Thamud or Shu'aib's people)], and of them were some whom We caused the earth to swallow [as Qarun (Korah)], and of them were some whom We drowned [as the people of Nuh (Noah), or Fir'aun (Pharaoh) and his people]. It was not Allâh Who wronged them, but they wronged themselves. (40)

[Qur'an Al 'Ankabut 29:40]

Sins have bad effects on heart, body and society. They incur Allah's wrath and punishment in this world and in the hereafter. No body knows the details of these bad effects and punishment except Allah alone.

They bring many kinds of corruption in the earth; in water, air, food, and houses.

ظَهَرَ ٱلْفَسَادُ فِى ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِى ٱلنَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُوا۟ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ ﴿٤١

Evil (sins and disobedience to Allah) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds), that He (Allah) may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allah, and begging His Pardon). (41)

[Qur'an Ar-Rum 30:41]

وَلَقَدْ أَخَذْنَآ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ بِٱلسِّنِينَ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ ﴿١٣٠

And indeed We punished the people of Fir'aun (Pharaoh) with years of drought and shortness of fruits (crops), that they might remember (take heed). (130)

[Qur'an Al-A`raf 7:130]

There is a lesson in these calamities for those who Allah. In general, the evils that occur in this world and the penalties that are carried out in the hereafter are the result of sins and evil deeds. One of the signs of the hardness and rudeness of the heart is hearing Ayahs negligently that talk about these lessons and examples of the perished nations that may cause mountains to humble themselves if they had minds.

However, the hard and rough hearts continue with their aggression and sins because of being deceived by the delay of Allah's punishment. They devote themselves to their whims and desires and pay no attention to threat or warning.

Allah says,

وَيْلٌ لِّكُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٍ ﴿٧﴾ يَسْمَعُ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّـهِ تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ يُصِرُّ مُسْتَكْبِرًا كَأَن لَّمْ يَسْمَعْهَا ۖ فَبَشِّرْهُ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ ﴿٨

Woe to every sinful liar (7) Who hears the verses of Allah recited to him, then persists arrogantly as if he had not heard them. So give him tidings of a painful punishment. (8)

[Qur'an Al-Jathiyah 45:7-8]

Persisting in doing sins and evil deeds despite the occurrence of some punishments and penalties for it is a sign of weakness or lack of Iman (faith).

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِمْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿٩٦﴾ وَلَوْ جَآءَتْهُمْ كُلُّ ءَايَةٍ حَتَّىٰ يَرَوُا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلْأَلِيمَ ﴿٩٧

Indeed, those upon whom the word of your Lord has come into effect will not believe, (96) Even if every sign should come to them, until they see the painful punishment. (97)

[Qur'an Yunus 10:96-97]

قُلِ ٱنظُرُوا۟ مَاذَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَمَا تُغْنِى ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتُ وَٱلنُّذُرُ عَن قَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿١٠١

Say, "Observe what is in the heavens and earth." But of no avail will be signs or warners to a people who do not believe (101)

[Qur'an Yunus 10:101]

كَلَّا ۖ بَلْ ۜ رَانَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ ﴿١٤﴾ كَلَّآ إِنَّهُمْ عَن رَّبِّهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ لَّمَحْجُوبُونَ ﴿١٥﴾ ثُمَّ إِنَّهُمْ لَصَالُوا۟ ٱلْجَحِيمِ ﴿١٦

No! Rather, the stain has covered their hearts of that which they were earning. (14) No! Indeed, from their Lord, that Day, they will be partitioned. (15) Then indeed, they will [enter and] burn in Hellfire. (16) Then it will be said [to them], "This is what you used to deny." (17)

[Qur'an Al-Mutaffifin 83:14-17]

We hear catastrophes in various parts of the world that have caused death of many people and animals, destruction of crops and vegetation and destruction of buildings and properties; a whole town displaced; people wounded and families lost their loved ones, homes and businesses; women widowed and children orphaned. Each of this catastrophe is lesson for us.

It is incumbent upon Muslims to take lessons from what happens in this universe.

Allah says,

فَٱعْتَبِرُوا۟ يَـٰٓأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَبْصَـٰرِ ﴿٢ ...

...So take warning, O people of vision. (2)

[Qur'an Al-Hashr 59:2]

All these calamities happened within a short period of time which shows Allah's Might and Power. It also means that people are weak before Allah's Might regardless of the might and power they have attained. We should not fail to contemplate on why Allah has allowed this to occur and appreciate the power of Allah who can take our lives whenever He wishes. Therefore, we repent to Allah and constantly return to Him and avoid all that brings His wrath and anger.

We should reach out to those who are being inflicted with calamity. We pray for them and spend our money to sustain them in their calamity and relieve the grave impact of the catastrophe.

Allah says,

وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا۟ لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ ٱللَّـهِ هُوَ خَيْرًا وَأَعْظَمَ أَجْرًا ۚ وَٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌۢ ﴿٢٠

And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (20)

[Qur'an Al-Muzzammil 73:20]

قُلْ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقْدِرُ لَهُۥ ۚ وَمَآ أَنفَقْتُم مِّن شَىْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُۥ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ ﴿٣٩

Say, "Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts [it] for him. But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] - He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers." (39)

[Qur'an Saba' 34:39]

وَأَنفِقُوا۟ 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]

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

"He who removes from a believer one of his difficulties of this world, Allah will remove one of his troubles on the Day of Resurrection; and he who relieves a person in a crisis, Allah will make things easy for him on the Day of Resurrection; he who covers up (the faults and sins) of a Muslim, Allah will cover up (his faults and sins) in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah supports His slave as long as the slave is supportive of his brother.." [Reported by Muslim]

"Whoever fulfills the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs."

A faithful believer to a faithful believer is like the bricks of a wall, enforcing each other." While saying so the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, clasped his hands, by interlacing his fingers."

"The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection, and fellow-feeling is that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever."

Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to help our fellow Muslims who are in difficult situation so we may achieve the meaning of brotherhood in Islam that was mentioned by the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, in many Hadiths.

May Allah shower us with His mercy and save us from the trials and tribulations of this life and the next and protect us from stinginess and miserliness. We ask Allah to send relief to those in need wherever they may be and give them patience and compensate them with better than what they have lost. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam