Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) - Alhamdulillah

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

At the core of our Iman, the first implication of believing in Allah, is that we take all credit for everything (all goodness, all beauty, all appreciative things, all wonders, every smiles, etc) back to Allah. Even when you thank your teacher, you never absent minded about the fact that it goes back to Allah. This is at the root of Alhamdulillah.

When Allah says Alhamdu, Allah makes hamd independent of us, i.e Allah does need our hamd. It is a stament of fact whether you do it or not.

Everything in existence is declaring Allah's perfection (doing Allah's tasbih) by doing His Hamd.

تُسَبِّحُ لَهُ السَّمَاوَاتُ السَّبْعُ وَالْأَرْ‌ضُ وَمَن فِيهِنَّ ۚ وَإِن مِّن شَيْءٍ إِلَّا يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِهِ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَفْقَهُونَ تَسْبِيحَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورً‌ا ﴿٤٤

The seven heavens and the earth and whatever is in them exalt Him. And there is not a thing except that it exalts [Allah] by His praise, but you do not understand their [way of] exalting. Indeed, He is ever Forbearing and Forgiving. (44)

[Qur'an, Al-Isra' 17:44]

When you say 'SubhanaAllah', we are declaring Allah's perfection. But on it's own is not actually fulfilling the tasbih of Allah, you have to complete it by doing hamd. Hamd s the means of attaining the perfection of Allah. You cannot believe in a perfect God, that is deserving of tasbih, i.e. if you are not grateful and appreciative then this is just a philosophical construct with no real meaning.

The One whose perfection can truly be tasted when you yourself have the sentiment of hamd towards Him. If you don't have that inside you, then you will get to reach what Allah wants you to reach.
May Allah fill our hearts with contentment. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Drawing Closer 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.

The closest that someone to His Lord is not when he is thinking...but it's when he puts his mind onto the ground and he says, "Allah is greater than anything. I submit to You, O Allah, in my entirety."

Allah Almighty says,

كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَٱسْجُدْ وَٱقْتَرِب ۩ ﴿١٩

No! Never obey him, but bow down in sajdah (prostration) and come close to Me. (19)

[Qur'an Al-'Alaq 96:19]

In a hadith Qudsi, Allah Almighty has said,

Whosoever shows enmity to a wali (friend) of Mine, then I have declared war against him. And My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more loved to Me than the religious duties I have obligated upon him. And My servant continues to draw near to me with nawafil (supererogatory) deeds until I love him. When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, and his sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him; and were he to seek refuge with Me, I would surely grant him refuge.

[Bukhari]

If you want to acquire this high rank of being a friend of Allah, then learn what Allah has obligated upon us and practice what you know. There is no way to bypass this. The road to Allah is one road. It is the road of the obligatory. There is nothing else you can do that will take you closer to Allah more than this distance of doing what is obligatory. Everything that Allah makes obligatory on us are His favorite actions and those are what He wants us to do. It is not that Allah wants to make our life difficult but because Allah wants us to enter Paradise.

The Prophet sallAllahu alayhi wasallam, said,

"Ask (anything)." Rabi'ah said: "I ask of you to be your companion in paradise." The Prophet sallAllahu alayhi wasallam, said: “Anything else?" Rabi'ah said: "That is it." The Prophet sallAllahu alayhi wasallam, said to him: "Then help me by making many prostrations (i.e., supererogatory prayers)."

[Muslim]

Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, reports that the Messenger of Allah sallAllahu alayhi wasallam, said,

The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.

[Muslim]

Abu Umama al-Bahili, may Allah be pleased with him, reports that the Messenger of Allah sallAllahu alayhi wasallam, said,

Hold fast to night prayer, for it was the way of the righteous before you, a way of drawing closer to your Lord, an expiation for wrong deeds, and a shield from sin.

[Tirmidhi and others] In some narrations, there is an addition, “And it repels sickness from the body.”

May Allah bring us closer to Him. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.

Wassalaam

Reflect

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Reflection is to arrange things in a manner that leads to new knowledge. Allah asks us to reflect on the heavens and the earth and everything that He has created. This will lead to a conclusion -- that Allah created everything around us and that once upon a time the universe did not exist.

Allah Almighty says,

ٱللَّـهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ ۖ مَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَلِىٍّۢ وَلَا شَفِيعٍ ۚ أَفَلَا تَتَذَكَّرُونَ ﴿٤

It is Allah who created the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them in six days; then He established Himself above the Throne. You have not besides Him any protector or any intercessor; so will you not be reminded? (4)

[Qur'an As-Sajda 32:4]

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]

We should have a regular devotion (wird) of reflection in every 24 hours, for which we should set aside one or more hours.

The aim and spirit of regular devotions (awrad) is presence with Allah. Aim for it, you will reach it only if you travel the road that leads to it.

1. Reflect on yourself
2. Reflect on the wondrous creatures -- the great kingdom of the heavens and the earth
3. Reflect on the favors of Allah
4. Reflect on Allah's complete awareness of you, and His seeing and knowing all about you
5. Reflect on this worldly life, its numerous preoccupation, hazards, and the swiftness with which it perishes, and upon the hereafter, and its felicity and permanence
6. Reflect on the imminence of death and the regret and remorse which occur when it is too late. When you know you are going to die, it propels you to guidance.
7. Reflect on those attributes and acts by which Allah has described His friends and His enemies, and on the immediate and delayed rewards and He has prepared for each group.

With each kind of reflection, bring to mind verses, hadiths and other narratives relating to it.

رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ مَن تُدْخِلِ ٱلنَّارَ فَقَدْ أَخْزَيْتَهُۥ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ ﴿١٩٢﴾ رَّبَّنَآ إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِى لِلْإِيمَـٰنِ أَنْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَـَٔامَنَّا ۚ رَبَّنَا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّـَٔاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ ٱلْأَبْرَارِ ﴿١٩٣﴾ رَبَّنَا وَءَاتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ ﴿١٩٤﴾

Our Lord, indeed whoever You admit to the Fire - You have disgraced him, and for the wrongdoers there are no helpers. (192) Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, [saying], 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous. (193) Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in [Your] promise." (194)

[Qur'an AleImran 3:192-194]

May Allah increase us in Iman. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Spice of Life

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Do you like variety? Who doesn't like variety? It is the spice of life. It keeps life interesting. People like variety of foods, clothes, entertainment, electronics, and so on. That's why there are many malls, shopping centers, restaurants, entertainment places, new releases of this and that, various online shopping outlets, and so on, all to fulfill the ever increasing demand. Consumerism is at its peak.

Apply this principle of variety in learning the Deen and performing acts of worship. Don't just be satisfied with performing your five or six daily prayers. Don't just be satisfied with reciting the 5 or 10 surahs for the past 10-40 years in your prayers.

In between everyday activities, let’s spend some time to read the Qur'an, the tafsir of the Qur'an, the sayings of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, the lives of the pious predecessors, etc. Let’s reflect upon the verses and implement them in our lives. Let’s share the knowledge that we gain by writing blogs and sending emails, etc. If you’re a good orator, give weekly or bi-weekly talks in your locality.

Add to your list of surahs you have memorized. Bring variety to your selection of surahs for your prayer to please your Creator. If we are ashamed to present ourselves with the same clothing/fashion or accessories to people, we should be more ashamed before Allah to repeat the same few surahs in our prayers.

If you have learned how to recite the Qur'an with proper tajweed, teach others and start with your family.

We don't have to travel far to learn and teach Qur'an. Now it is easier than ever to do this to learn and teach the Deen. The technology, mobile phones, internet and wifi are here. They are tests for you. Those who waste their time on the internet have failed the test.

The key to getting these so many things done in a day is to manage your time properly. Go to sleep early so you have good enough sleep to wake up before Fajr and don't go back to sleep after Fajr but spend the early morning hours to read Qur'an and learning the Deen. You can get a lot done in a short time because Allah has blessed the morning for us. It was narrated that Rasulullah [صلى الله عليه وسلم] supplicated: "O Allah bless the mornings of my people."

May Allah bless our time and grant us tawfiq. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

The Heart That Is Alive

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Allah creates us from nothing and provide for us until He decrees us death. Then He resurrects us on the Day of Judgment and this is easy for Him. But many are heedless, while many more don't know, don't care.

Allah Almighty says,

وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦٓ أَنَّكَ تَرَى ٱلْأَرْضَ خَـٰشِعَةً فَإِذَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهَا ٱلْمَآءَ ٱهْتَزَّتْ وَرَبَتْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْيَاهَا لَمُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٣٩

And of His signs is that you see the earth stilled, but when We send down upon it rain, it quivers and grows. Indeed, He who has given it life is the Giver of Life to the dead. Indeed, He is over all things competent. (39)

[Qur'an Fussilat 41:39]

فَٱنظُرْ إِلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِ رَحْمَتِ ٱللَّـهِ كَيْفَ يُحْىِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَآ ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٥٠

So observe the effects of the mercy of Allah - how He gives life to the earth after its lifelessness. Indeed, that [same one] will give life to the dead, and He is over all things competent. (50)

[Qur'an Ar-Rum 40:50]

If Allah brings a person's heart to life he then rushes to obey Allah's orders and to avoid what He has prohibited. He supports Allah and His Messenger with his words, actions and intentions. He sacrifices his life and his wealth for Allah, honoring the covenant which is between him and his Lord. May Allah make us among these people. -- Habib Omar, may Allah preserve him.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say in his supplication when performing the prayer over the dead, "O Allah, whomever of us you make to live, let him live in Islam, and whomever of us you make to die, let him die in Iman," because deeds are done by the limbs which one is only able to do while alive. Then, at death, nothing remains but the heart's affirmation.

Cherish your life that Allah gives you by using your time wisely, in His obedience. Respect other people’s life by benefiting them with your knowledge, skills and emotional support and never harm another life unjustly, not even the life of an animal. Constantly strive against laghw – useless activities as mentioned in the Qur'an – this includes useless conversations, watching things of no benefit etc.

We ask Allah, Al-Muhyee, to grant us a heart that is alive with faith. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Believer's Love

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Love is not blind. Love is the consequence of knowing. A believer's love is not complete until he loves Allah and His Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, above all else.

Allah Almighty says,

قُلْ إِن كَانَ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَاؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَانُكُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَالٌ اقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَارَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَاكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَا أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُم مِّنَ اللَّـهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَجِهَادٍ فِي سَبِيلِهِ فَتَرَبَّصُوا حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَ اللَّـهُ بِأَمْرِهِ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ ﴿٢٤

Say, [O Muhammad], "If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and jihad in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people." (24)

[Qur'an At-Tawba 9:24]

How much do you know the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace?

لَقَدْ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿١٢٨

Now there has come to you a Messenger from among yourselves; grievous to him is your suffering; anxious is he over you, gentle to the believers, compassionate.

(Qur'an At-Tawba 9:128)

How much do you love the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace?

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated,

Once, when I saw the Prophet in a good mood, I said to him: “O Messenger of Allah! Supplicate to Allah for me!”

So, he said: “O Allah! Forgive Aisha her past and future sins, what she has hidden, as well as what she has made apparent.”

So, I began smiling, to the point that my head fell into the lap of the Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam out of joy.

The Messenger of Allah said to me: “Does my supplication make you happy?”

I replied: “And how can your supplication not make me happy?”

He then said: “By Allah, it is the supplication that I make for my Ummah in every prayer.”

Take some time everyday to learn more about the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, by reading books of seerah, his shama'il, hadith, stories of the Companions, tafsir of Qur'an, etc. And you will grow to love him, sallallahu alayhi wassallam.

Allah Almighty says,

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّـهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّـهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٣١

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

[Qur'an AleImran 3:31]

May Allah increase our love for Him and His beloved Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and forgive our sins.

Allahumma salli 'ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa 'ala alihi wa sahbihi wa sallam.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Lying is Stress

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Truthfulness is an essential part of our faith. The sweet reward is awaiting those who are being truthful.

Allah Almighty says,

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ وَكُونُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ ﴿١١٩

O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in word and deeds)

[Qur'an At-Tawba 9:119]

قَالَ ٱللَّـهُ هَـٰذَا يَوْمُ يَنفَعُ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ ۚ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۚ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّـهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴿١١٩

Allah will say, "This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness." For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them, and they with Him. That is the great attainment. (119)

[Qur'an Al-Maida 5:119]

Allah wants us to be truthful because it is good for us. And lying is literally bad for you. Consider the polygraph machine, known as the lie detector. It doesn’t actually detect lies, specifically, but rather it detects the signs of stress you show while telling a lie. We all know that stress affects the body. So if you lie, you are creating stress in your body, and if you lie a lot, some people live in their own lies, you are in for some serious health problems.

Each day you are faced with the same 2 choices many times--to lie or not to lie. You can eliminate lying by thinking about the Hereafter. A lie will never protect you on the Day of Judgment. If you have deceived people it can lead to a terrible punishment in the grave or even the hellfire. Lying is a habit everyone should stay away from.

Mobile phones have made lying easy; for example, I’m on my way (while you are still at home)—you couldn’t have said that with a landline. How many people lie on Facebook, simply because "no-one sees"? Be real with technology and don’t let the online screen seduce you with lies.

Beware of lying, even if it’s just once, even if you think it's about a petty matter, even in jest, even to a child. Speaking the truth is a habit you need to train yourself in; you need to keep correcting yourself.

The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said,

Lying is improper whether in earnest or in jest, even if any one of you promises his child something and does not fulfill his promise.

[Al-Bukhari, Abu Dawud]

It is not worth it to lie. Lying is tied to hypocrisy as described by the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace,

If anyone has four characteristics, he is a pure hypocrite, and if anyone has one of them, he has an aspect of hypocrisy until he gives it up: whenever he is trusted, he betrays his trust; whenever he speaks, he lies; when he makes an agreement, he breaks it; and when he quarrels, he deviates from the truth by speaking falsely.

The hypocrites will be in the lowest level of Hell, as Allah Almighty says,

إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ فِى ٱلدَّرْكِ ٱلْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا ﴿١٤٥﴾ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ وَأَصْلَحُوا۟ وَٱعْتَصَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّـهِ وَأَخْلَصُوا۟ دِينَهُمْ لِلَّـهِ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مَعَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۖ وَسَوْفَ يُؤْتِ ٱللَّـهُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا ﴿١٤٦

Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire - and never will you find for them a helper - (145) Except for those who repent, correct themselves, hold fast to Allah, and are sincere in their religion for Allah, for those will be with the believers. And Allah is going to give the believers a great reward.

[Qur'an An-Nisa’ 4:145-146]

The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

You must be truthful, for truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man will keep speaking the truth and striving to speak the truth until he will be recorded with Allah as a siddeeq (speaker of the truth). Beware of telling lies, for lying leads to immorality and immorality leads to Hellfire. A man will keep telling lies and striving to tell lies until he is recorded with Allah as a liar.

[Muslim]

May Allah protect us from hypocrisy and make us among the truthful. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Travel to Seek Knowledge

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Allah relates in the Qur'an about the journey of Prophet Musa alayhissalaam, with his young companion. If there ever existed a person who had no need to travel to seek knowledge, it was Prophet Musa alayhissalaam, for Allah had spoken to him and given him the Torah. Nonetheless, when Allah informed him of a man who had been favored with knowledge, Prophet Musa inquired about meeting him, and then set out with his companion to find this man, Khidr alayhissalaam.

Allah Almighty says,

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

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

[Qur'an Kahf 18:60]

Upon meeting Khidr, Prophet Musa asked of him,

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

Musa said to him, "May I follow you on in order that you may teach me of the knowledge you have been given"

[Qur'an Kahf 18:66]

Knowledge is a very special gift from Allah. Allah gives knowledge to whoever He wills. When He loves a person, He draws him close to Him and teaches Him. The All-Knowing loves the learned, not a learned of academia, but a learned of realities.

Allah Almighty says,

...يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ ...

...He (Allah) knows what happens to them in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. They don't encompass His Knowledge except that which He wills...

[Qur'an al-Baqarah 2:255]

The early generations of Muslims were avid learners and they too had great desire for knowledge and they would travel to distant lands to seek even a single Prophetic hadith.

A man came to Abu Darda' while he was in Damascus. Abu Darda' asked him "What has brought you here, my brother?" He replied, "A hadith which you relate from the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. Abu Darda' asked, "Have you come for some worldly need?" He replied, "No." "Have you come for business?" He said, "No." "You have come only to seek this hadith?" He said, "Yes."

Abu Darda' then said,

I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say: 'Whoever travels a path seeking sacred knowledge, Allah will place him on a path leading to Paradise. The angels lower their wings for the student of sacred knowledge, pleased with what he is doing. The creatures in the heavens and earth seek forgiveness for the student of sacred knowledge, even the fish in the water. The superiority of the religious scholar over the devout worshipper is like the superiority of the full moon over the other heavenly bodies. The religious scholars are the heirs of the Prophets. The Prophets leave no money as a bequest, rather they leave knowledge. Whoever seizes it has taken a bountiful share.

[Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawood, at-Tirmidhi, ibn Majah]

How many of us didn't mind at all the trouble of trying to gain admission into the best schools of arts and sciences even the ones far away from our hometowns, and spent years of studying, spent lots of money and countless sleepless nights to acquire the highest academic degree? But many of us don't put the same effort and money, in fact not even a small fraction of this effort and money to acquire sacred knowledge.

Unfortunately, even when it comes to attending short religious classes, lessons or gatherings locally, we hear so many excuses for not attending, not to mention those who avoid them. We can't do this. We can't put learning this religion in the back burner. We can't postpone it until we have accomplished all things in life. You can't wait until you have a degree, or have a job, or have a spouse, or have a kid, or after your kid goes to college, or until you see all grey on your head. We have to find time to learn this religion now, and learn it properly, because if you don't learn it, you won't be able to worship your Creator the way He wants you to.

The one who knows is not equal to those who don't know.

Allah Almighty says,

أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَـٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَآئِمًا يَحْذَرُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا۟ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِۦ ۗ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿٩

Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.

[Qur'an Az-Zumar 39:9]

In surah AleImran, Allah began attestation first by Himself, then by His angels and then by the learned.

Allah Almighty says,

شَهِدَ ٱللَّـهُ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمِ قَآئِمًۢا بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ﴿١٨

Allah witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

[Qur'an AleImran 3:18]

It is understood from this that the rank of the learned and their honor is tremendous with Allah.

Knowledge is the basis of all good; it generates actions that are based on the commandments of Allah and the instructions of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. Every Muslim must instill in his mind a desire to seek knowledge.

وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا ﴿١١٤ ...

...And say: My Lord increase me in knowledge.

[Qur'an Ta-Ha 20:114]

إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّـهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ ﴿١٣ ...

...Surely the noblest among you in the sight of God is the most godfearing of you. God is All-knowing, All-aware. (13)

[Qur'an Al-Hujurat 49:13]

Without knowledge you will not fear Allah and you will not understand.

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ وَالدَّوَابِّ وَالْأَنْعَامِ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ كَذَٰلِكَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّـهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ ﴿٢٨

And among people and moving creatures and grazing livestock are various colors similarly. Only those fear Allah, from among His servants, who have knowledge. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Forgiving. (28)

[Qur'an Fatir 35:28]

May Allah grant us the desire to seek knowledge, increase us in beneficial knowledge and make us among His elect. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Thirst For Knowledge

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 recommended regular devotions of Friday is reciting Surah Kahf.

There are many lessons in the stories that Allah related to us in Surah Kahf. One that strikes me always is the story of Prophet Musa alayhissalaam, thirst for knowledge and his determination to learn from a mysterious teacher, Khidr alayhissalaam, who he could find at the junction of two seas.

Prophet Musa, peace be upon him, was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. Even so that wisdom did not comprehend everything. Divine knowledge, as far as man is concerned, is unlimited. Even after Prophet Musa received his Divine mission, his knowledge was not so perfect that it could not receive more.

وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِفَتَىٰهُ لَآ أَبْرَحُ حَتَّىٰٓ أَبْلُغَ مَجْمَعَ ٱلْبَحْرَيْنِ أَوْ أَمْضِىَ حُقُبًۭا

Behold, Musa said to his attendant, "I will not give up until I reach the junction of the two seas or (until) I spend years and years in travel.

[Qur'an al-Kahf 18:60]

How far are you willing to seek Divine knowledge? If you cannot go too far, take the opportunity of the programs at your local masjid. Even if they are not quite organized and perhaps inadequate, you can still learn something and improve it. Have patience. Don't give up. Allah sees what you are doing. If the intention is sincere and you are consistent, Allah will bless your efforts and make things easy for you and open up things for you in ways that you couldn't imagine. InshaAllah.

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا ﴿١٠

"Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance." [Qur'an Al-Kahf 18:10]

May Allah grant us righteous teachers and increase us in His knowledge. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

True Heroes Among Us

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

People who have always been taken for granted, never given credit for their true sacrifices, ideals, and deeds are the true heroes, the unsung heroes among us. Nevertheless, believers don't need people to see and know about their good deeds.

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam warned us that "...whoever does a good deed in order to show off, Allah will expose his intentions on the Day of Resurrection (before the people), and whoever puts the people into difficulties, Allah will put him into difficulties on the Day of Resurrection..."[Bukhari]

We should suffice that Allah sees and knows everything good we do. And we keep doing them.

Allah Almighty sends a stern warning to those who can’t be bothered to do even the small acts of kindness that are very easy for them to do, let alone paying zakat and sacrificing their person and wealth for Allah.

Allah Almighty says,

فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ ﴿٤﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ ﴿٥﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَآءُونَ ﴿٦﴾ وَيَمْنَعُونَ ٱلْمَاعُونَ ﴿٧

So woe to those who pray (4) [But] who are heedless of their prayer - (5) Those who make show [of their deeds] (6) And withhold [simple] assistance. (7)

[Qur'an Al-Ma'un 107:4-7]

Allah Al-Wadood, The Most-Loving, loves us to perform acts of kindness for others, no matter how big or small. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:

Kindness is not to be found in anything but that it adds to its beauty and it is not withdrawn from anything but it makes it defective.

[Bukhari]

A small good deed may not change the world but it may change a person's whole world. There are many opportunities out there, even in your own household.

Here are a few examples of daily opportunities of good:

Give your mom a hug or call her and tell her you love her. If she is not living, then do same to your maternal aunt.

Tell your friend you love her/him.

Drop a note or text to a relative or an old friend that you haven't seen for a while.

Look for opportunities to give compliments; they’re free, take no time, and could make someone’s entire day. Don’t just think it— say it. Compliment someone’s child. The parents will feel great too.

Sincerely listen to someone. Don’t interrupt, and don’t suggest a solution. It’s very important and comforting just to be listened to. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam listened without interrupting to a very lengthy story from his wife Aisha radiyallahu ‘anha until she finished her story.

Give a small gift to a new acquaintance, or pay someone's meal, or make a little extra food that you are making and send some to your neighbor, or make a little gift basket for your teacher. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, "Give each other gifts and you will love each other." [Bukhari]

Allow someone to help you. Let them enjoy performing an act of kindness and gain reward.

Show a smiling face. Start everyday with a smile. It will make you feel better and brighten up someone next to you. Smile at old people and children especially. It might make their day. You don't have a lot of money to give charity. A smile is also a charity.

As Muslims we are to give charity day and night, secretly and publicly. Giving charity is a sign of a good Muslim. Charity is testament of true faith and devotion. A true believer gives a lot of charity. Charity is the best and most beloved thing to Allah.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, taught us the surest way to attract the blessings of Allah. It is by being kind, compassionate and merciful to Allah's creatures.

The Most Compassionate is kind on those who are kind to others. If you would show kindness to those who live on the earth, He who lives in the Heaven, shall shower His blessings on you.

(Abu Dawood)

Allah is Al-Latif, The Subtle, and one of His ways is sending people to others to lift them up. Bringing happiness to the heart of people will bring you tremendous bounties from the largess of Al-Karim and mercy of the All Merciful.

May Allah make us of those who do small and big acts of kindness to others. May Allah remove our selfishness and stinginess, make us among the generous and means of bringing happiness to hearts of people. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Time is Running Out

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Time is our capital and our life is a transaction. Time will outstrip us because our life in this world is temporary and each moment that passes by is a moment closer to the end of our life in this world.

It is reported that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When a person wakes up in the morning, he invests his soul or life in a business enterprise: some of the investors free or save the capital from loss and others destroy it."

Allah has granted us the invaluable capital of our life, so that we may invest it in profitable business venture. If we invest our capital of life sensibly in good works, there will be no limit to the profitable returns; but if we invest it unwisely in evil works, then, we will even lose our capital plus the dreadful scourge of committing numerous sins. If we squander it and did not invest in good works, then we, at least, have lost both the profit and the capital.

Everything about us -- growth and development, movements, actions and morality, all take place within the space of 'Time'. Time passes quickly, our spiritual and material potentialities decline, and our abilities fade. We are like someone who possesses a great capital and, without his permission and will, every moment, a portion of that capital is taken away. This is the nature of life in this world -- a continual loss. A poet once said, "Your life comprises a few breaths that can be counted; when one of them is sent out, a part of your life has diminished."

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "There are two blessings in which most people are in great loss: good health and free time."

Our time in this world is running out. Most unfortunate is he who does not recognize these blessings and is not thankful for them.

May Allah make us His thankful servants and bless our time. Ameen.

Please keep us in your night prayers. Ameen.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Making The Right Choices

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Life is not idle curiosity and idle chats. When you hear or see something, it is your opportunity to do good. In your everyday life, you have many opportunities of doing great good. If you turn to that opportunity, it is an opportunity of great good for you -- you are directing yourself to the sweet breezes of Divine assistance. We should realize that we are needy creatures and we should have the sense of neediness towards Allah. Remember that without Allah we are nothing.

When you hear people in difficulty, you don't sit back. Don't take it as news and just talk and no action. A believer considers, "What can I do about it?" This is an opportunity of directing yourself to Divine assistance. If you are in the aid of another, Allah will be in the aid of you. If you can do something big to alleviate the problem, do it. But if you can't, then do something you can do--make du'a. Allah knows when you make du'a for others and they don't even know about it.

All over the world, there are so many people suffering. If you are not in their shoes, you hear about them in the news everyday or you might have a family member or a friend who are in a difficult situation. When you hear this, you want to gain an understanding and see what you can do of the good. You can sit back and blame so and so, this government or that country, but it won't change anything of the fact that these people need help. So what can I do about it?

One of the things a believer always does is to go back to the great news. Allah refers in the Qur'an of the great news.

عَمَّ يَتَسَآءَلُونَ ﴿١﴾ عَنِ ٱلنَّبَإِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ ﴿٢

About what are they asking one another? (1) About the great news - (2)

[Qur'an An-Naba' 78:1-2]

The Qur'an gives news about people before us. What is the purpose? So that we can make the right choices in life--the choices of those beloved to Allah and not the choices of those who lost out in life. How do you know this? It is by you studying it. Always refer to the tafsir of the Qur'an for the background of the story and the people.

From the get go, we should know the lives of the prophets and the men and women around our beloved Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace.

So renew our commitment to read the Qur'an everyday referring to the tafsir as we go along, and regularly read books about our beloved Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, the prophets, the great companions and the righteous of the past so we can gain a deeper understanding of the religion. Remember, whoever Allah wishes well for He gives him a deep understanding of His Deen.

Through understanding of the lives of the Prophets and the righteous people before us, we are nurturing ourselves the capacity to make the right choices.

Build a library of Islamic books for you and your family to seek the good. You should read them more than once or twice and encourage your family members to do same, and make it a subject matter to talk about during special occasions to remind ourselves. We spent on all kinds of things but when it comes to religious books/material, we find great difficulty to even spend 50 dollars for a book. We should be willing to spend in the way of good. Again this is our opportunity of directing ourselves to Divine assistance. A believer has a sense of priority. Forgo one ski trip this winter or some season tickets and you can have a good collection of these books.

Going forward you need to know the examples of those who have gone on the straight path before us. We want to embody their examples of right choices. So when we have difficult choices to make or faced with life tests, we have that light to guide us.

We ask Allah to illuminate our lives by the light of the examples of our beloved Messenger, sallallahu alayhi wassallam, the most virtuous of this ummah, and make us strive to be the righteous and the foremost of Allah's servants. We ask Allah to facilitate those who are in difficult situations and enable us to embody mercy in our dealings with others and embrace the gentle ways of the beloved Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Taking Family For Granted

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Our family is a tremendous gift from Allah. If we fulfill our responsibilities towards them, they are a great source of happiness in this life before the next. The big thing in our lives that we tend to take for granted, is also our own family, because they have always been there. We just accept their presence, but do not really place any value in them.

How many times you ignore your family so you can make more money to acquire more possessions, to buy more things for your family to keep them happy. No doubt they are happy for a while but what will happen tomorrow? Tomorrow they will be excited about some new gadget that come to the market.

Some people will get into debt (credit card, bank credit line, home equity line) because they think they have to have everything they hear or see. Then they say, "as soon as I paid off this debt, I can take some time off (or cut down on my work hours) and take my kids to the classes at the masjid and I will have the evening and weekends to eat and pray with my family." But that day never comes because your eyes have become bigger and fancier and you refused to cut up the plastic and you refused to leave home without it.

In your mind you are justifying your actions to suit yourself, but your life soon become a collection of habits. Every time you say, "When I have done this, I will do that," you are getting further away from what you really want to do. You form a habit and that then becomes the norm, until eventually you are living your life doing things you do not want to do, in an effort to get to a position where you can do what you want to do.

Unfortunately, by the time you are in a position to do what you want to do, it becomes almost impossible to break the habitual life that you have created to get there. When you actually come to evaluate your life and consider all the sacrifices you have made, in order to give your family a "good life", you have created something that does not even come close to resembling your vision, let alone what Allah wants you to do for your entrusted ones. You have created a family that has gotten used to a lifestyle of hoarding possessions and trendy gadgets, and of fun and games.

In most situations, by the time you have created the environment that you strive for, at the expense of your family, the family is so fragmented, that you all appear strangers. This is when you find out what is more important. But the problem is that it is too late--the children have found their own lives and they don't know their Lord, your spouse has also created a life around what has been happening and you are left there scratching your head wondering what on earth has happened.

We should assess our individual situation now, and make sure we have our priorities right. Check if we are on course to get what we are striving for. If you are just looking to create an environment that impresses the neighbors, friends or other people, that is fine, but if you are thinking to have a happy, bonded, loving, successful family in the future, have a real good look at things. A happy, bonded, loving, successful family does not come out of thin air. It has to be nurtured through living Islam, starting now.

Remember, our children, especially the young ones, are like sponges. They absorbed everything they see, most of the time we are not aware that this is happening. So let us be their best living examples.

Allah Almighty says,

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

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

[Qur'an At-Tahrim 66:6]

ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرٌۢ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌ فِى ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَوْلَـٰدِ ۖ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ ٱلْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُۥ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَىٰهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَـٰمًا ۖ وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّـهِ وَرِضْوَٰنٌ ۚ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion..

[Qur'an Al-Hadid 57:20]

May Allah guide us on the straight path and grant us tawfiq to the highest station. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Best Gift For Your Children

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The best gift for your children is your righteousness, not iPad, iPod, tablet, or smartphone. You are the number one role model for your children. If they don't see you pray, don't see you fast, don't see you with proper hijab, don't see you read Qur'an, don't see you good to your parents, relatives, neighbors, don't see you give charity, don't see you avid in seeking knowledge, or you having bad companions, showing your body that you are not supposed to, they won't know any better. Many a time schools are where your children pick up bad behavior, bad manners, bad speech, bad company -- even in many Islamic/Muslim schools. Don't make a mistake of thinking that schools can teach your children Islam, the proper manners and keep them away from bad company. Schools can only do so much with the limited resources they have.

If they see the same behavior at home, you are only affirming what they see at school. And then when your son is 16, now taller than you, stronger than you, smarter than you, and he brings a girlfriend home or tells you that Islam is not for him, don't be flabbergasted. You should know it was coming. Or, if you have a daughter, she is now 15, you couldn't believe what you see on her Facebook or what's on her phone picture gallery -- photos of her with boys and girls, or her with a boy, no haya' (shyness, modesty, shame), no hijab, worse she came home one day and told you she is pregnant, doesn't know who the father is. Devastated? It's the beginning of your nightmare. You thought you have given your children everything...but wrong! You have given them keys to evil and it's very difficult to bring back the genie when it's out of the bottle so to speak. So don't let it out in the first place.

Children are no doubt huge tests for parents.

Allah Almighty says,

نَّمَآ أَمْوَٰلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَـٰدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ ۚ وَٱللَّـهُ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١٥

Indeed, your wealth and children are a trial.

[Qur'an At-Taghabun 64:15]

The wealth and the children are a test from Allah to His slave, so that He may know his ability of (correct) upbringing of his children, and the payment of the zakah on his wealth.

The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said, "The best of wealth is the righteous for a righteous person." [related by Ahmad]

He, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, also said, "When a person dies, his action discontinues except for three: a continuing charity, or knowledge which proves to be of benefit, or a righteous son who supplicates for him." [related by Muslim]

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]

Raising children to be good Muslims and decent human beings is a huge challenge especially in this technological era. They have so many windows available to look into. It's scary out there. Shaytan is everywhere. We have to try our best to direct our children to the right windows and always seek Allah's help and make lots of du'a for them.

The one consolation for me is in the story in the Qur'an of the meeting of Prophet Musa and Al-Khidr, peace be upon them. Al-Khidr reinforced a broken wall in a town in which people were selfish and inhospitable. Beneath the wall lay a treasure that belonged to two orphans, so in order to protect the treasure from the people of the town, Al-Khidr fixed the wall. It was revealed that the reason he was ordered to fix the wall for the orphans was because their father was a righteous man.

وَأَمَّا ٱلْجِدَارُ فَكَانَ لِغُلَـٰمَيْنِ يَتِيمَيْنِ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ وَكَانَ تَحْتَهُۥ كَنزٌ لَّهُمَا وَكَانَ أَبُوهُمَا صَـٰلِحًا فَأَرَادَ رَبُّكَ أَن يَبْلُغَآ أَشُدَّهُمَا وَيَسْتَخْرِجَا كَنزَهُمَا رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۚ وَمَا فَعَلْتُهُۥ عَنْ أَمْرِى ۚ ذَٰلِكَ تَأْوِيلُ مَا لَمْ تَسْطِع عَّلَيْهِ صَبْرًا ﴿٨٢

And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and there was beneath it a treasure for them, and their father had been righteous. So your Lord intended that they reach maturity and extract their treasure, as a mercy from your Lord. And I did it not of my own accord. That is the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience." (82)

[Qur'an Al-Kahf 18:82]

Sa'id bin Jubayr narrated from Ibn 'Abbas: “They were taken care of because their father was a righteous man, although it is not stated that they themselves were righteous.”

So, so long as we live, for every breath we take, we keep working on ourselves to do good and be righteous servants of Allah and pray that Allah will protect our children from the menace of this world and disobedience. He is the best Protector and Guardian.

We can't control people's actions, including our children's, but we can control our own actions. Uphold Allah's commands and Allah will take care of your children whether you are with them or not.

May Allah help us raise our children well and grant us righteous children. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Marry, Divorce, Have Children for Allah

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Allah Almighty says,

وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦٓ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ﴿٢١

And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought. (21)

[Qur'an Ar-Rum 30:21]

Marriage is an act of worship.

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

When a man marries, he has fulfilled half of his religion, so let him fear Allah regarding the remaining half.

[Bayhaqi]

If Allah grants a Muslim a righteous wife, this helps him preserve half of his religion (faith). He should, therefore, fear Allah as regards the other half.

[Tabarani and Hakim]

The whole world is pleasure, and the best pleasure of the world is the righteous woman.

[Muslim]

Living as a married couple has become a real challenge more than ever before. Being a Muslim (by name) is not enough for a successful marriage nor knowing the principles of marriage in Islam will make one. Without actually living by it, the reality of marriage is a torn, ravaged and frustrated existence.

Know that living as a couple is the greatest of tests, a beautiful test of life nonetheless. With passing of each test bring you a higher rank with Allah. This is what life is all about. There is no perfect husband nor perfect wife. Perfection is not given to you or any human being. We all have to recognize that we all have faults and deficiencies. You must remember each day that the person with whom you share your life comes with his or her own history, wounds, sensitivities and hopes. Learn to listen, to understand, to observe, to accompany.

Marriage is a test of patience, of attention, of the ability to listen for unspoken words, of self-control, of mending one's faults, of healing the wounds. In each of these tests, there are two parties. A meaningful effort has to be grounded in the deepest sense of spirituality, a jihad, in the most intense meaning of the term. The jihad of love which reminds that feelings have to be taken care of. They are maintained, deepened, rooted through your shared challenges and your patience.

Patience and attention to the hearts, in a couple, will lead them towards the Light inshaAllah. The best of creation, our beloved Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, an example for eternity, so attentive, so tender, so merciful and so patient. He knew the meaning of silence, the power of a touch, the complicity of a shared glance, the pleasure in a smile, and the kindness found in being attentive.

It was reported that when the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, addressed a person he turned his whole body towards that person. He did not only turn his noble face towards the person he addressed, as this is considered impolite, and sometimes, it even denotes pride. He faced the person he spoke to, with his chest and body. Imagine how many marriages would have been saved by these two noble traits alone--respect and humility.

There are those who idealize the other so much they never really see their partners and there are those who leave each other too quickly without taking the time to know each other (even after 15, 20 years of marriage, they still don't know each other).

Of the things permitted by Allah, divorce is the most detested. Living as a couple is difficult but you have chosen marriage to fulfill half of your religion. With it comes many many responsibilities.

Allah Almighty says,

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

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

[Qur'an At-Tahrim 66:6]

Know how to live as a couple, within your family...in front of Allah and in front of your children. Know how to be patient, learn how to be affectionate, offer forgiveness, and you will attain the spirituality of the protected, the proximity of the ones that are close.

The heart is tough and rough and what soften this tough and rough heart is if we remember and live for the Hereafter. And so we marry and we have children (or divorce) for Allah.

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

رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

Our Lord, grant us from among our spouses and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous. [Qur'an Al-Furqan 25:74]

Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Real Power

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

No matter how great a power may appear on earth, it's nothing compared with Allah's power, strength and dominance. He is Al-Qawiyy - The Strong, The Powerful. He is Supremely Strong, the Perfect in strength.

Reflect on the power of the wind, which can lift up whole cities and villages and blow them in the air like a feather (e.g. 1925 Tri-State tornado -- roared through parts of Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, at 73 mph, recorded as the deadliest single tornado in US history.) Contemplate the might of the oceans, swallowing huge masses of land (e.g. 2004 Indian ocean earthquake and tsunami).

Reflecting on creation will help you understand the greatness and strength of the Creator. So, contemplate the signs of Al-Qawiyy. Let them inspire you to fear Him and love Him for His Perfection and Power over you. Act upon them by obeying His commands and staying away from His prohibitions.

Al-Qawiyy gave one angel the strength to overturn a whole city or uproot a mountain, and this angel and all others, despite their enormous strength, tremble out of awe and fear of His greatness. What power do we have? Fear Al-Qawiyy and remember His strength when you’re about to do something wrong.

Living by this Name requires humility, contemplation, and the lawful exercise of our own strength in His service. Use your strength to effect change for Islam and never to unlawfully harm others.

Allah loves to see the quality of quwwa (attribute of strength) in us as a believer.

The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said:

A strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, though both are good. Hasten to what benefits you, seeking Allah’s help, and do not feel defeated. If some misfortune befalls you, do not say: “If only I had done such-and-such…” but say: "It is what Allah decreed, and He does as He wills." The words "If only…" open the doors for shaytan’s machinations.

[Muslim]

Have quwwa in your faith, in your determination to enjoin good and forbid evil, in your character, in your will to seek beneficial knowledge, in your war against shaytan and your nafs.

Al-Qawiyy detests strength based on tyranny and injustice. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:

No nation is blessed unless its weakest members can demand their rights without hesitation.

[Sunan Ibn Maajah]

Be a person who finds it important to be just in even the smallest matters, and inspire others to be just and to stand up for the rights of the weak. Rest assured in the promise of Al-Qawiyy to those who support His cause.

وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ ٱللَّـهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُۥٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ لَقَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ ﴿٤٠ ...

...And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might. (40)

[Quran Al-Hajj 22:40]

Have hope in none besides Al-Qawiyy. In times when you feel weak and overcome by worries and difficulties, take comfort in Him, your protector, your perfect beloved. Despite His enormous might and strength, Allah ‘azza wajal is extremely gentle and subtle with His servants.

Allah Almighty says,

ٱللَّـهُ لَطِيفٌۢ بِعِبَادِهِۦ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْقَوِىُّ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ﴿١٩

Allah is Subtle with His servants; He gives provisions to whom He wills. And He is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might. (19)

[Quran Ash-Shura 42:19]

May Allah strengthen our imam and increase us in our provision both physically and spiritually. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Reality of Life

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

This life is nothing but a test for the Hereafter. In order to enter the abode of eternal bliss, Paradise, we need to pass many many many tests-- fear, hunger, poverty, loss of wealth or loved ones, death of loved ones, divorce, to name a few.

Allah Almighty says,

أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوٓا۟ أَن يَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ ﴿٢﴾ وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱللَّـهُ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ ﴿٣

Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried? (2) But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars. (3)

[Qur'an Al-Ankabut 29:2-3]

أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم

Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you?...

[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:214]

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ ﴿١٥٥

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, (155)

[Quran Al-Baqarah 2:155]

This means that whether we are male or female, wealthy or poor, young or old, we will face trials and tribulations in order to be tested.

Don't be surprised if at any point of your life you find yourself in a state of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, or all at once. You already been warned.

Merely claiming that we believe in Allah Almighty is not enough. Our claim only takes on value once we prove it through our actions. This may involve bearing hardships after hardships. Remember, true success only comes after real hard work.

When Allah has decided to test you with tribulations, it is unacceptable to be ungrateful and discontent. But remember to do the following:

Be patient and constantly seek Allah's help with patience, knowing that nothing can happen without His will.

Allah Almighty says,

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ ﴿١٥٣

O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. (153)

[Quran Al-baqarah 2:153]

Don't waiver on your iman (faith). Treat every difficult situation as a way of earning rewards. Even if everything is taken away from you, thank Allah for giving you the greatest treasure--Iman, because you will not be able to enter Jannah without iman.

Rush to do good deeds. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: An act of worship during the time of fitnah (trials) is like an act of emigration to me in reward. [Bukhari]

The way you respond to trials may become the deciding factor of your final destiny, Paradise or Hell.

Everything starts at zero, but unless you put the effort to go to a level higher, you will stay at zero. And bear in mind that this zero can be your ticket to Hell.

Be positive. Pass this one trial no matter how slim the odds maybe. The next one will be easier to bear, inshaAllah.

Remember, Allah Almighty says,

لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّـهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا

Allah burdens not a soul beyond its capacity...

[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:286]

فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ﴿٥﴾ إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ﴿٦

And indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. (5) Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. (6)

[Qur'an Ash-Sharh 94:5-6]

Believe in it and trust in Allah.

Make lots of du'as (supplications).

رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ

Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire. [Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:201]

رَبَّنَآ أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ

Our Lord, pour upon us patience and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people. [Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:250]

رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ﴿٨٥﴾ وَنَجِّنَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ

Our Lord, make us not [objects of] trial for the wrongdoing people. And save us by Your mercy from the disbelieving people. [Qur'an Yunus 10:85-86]

رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا

Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance. [Qur'an Al-Kahf 18:10]

Ameen.

When things are fine, don't stop. Always remember Allah for He will remember you in times of difficulty.

Allah Almighty says,

فَٱذْكُرُونِىٓ أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لِى وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ ﴿١٥٢

So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.

[Qur'an al-Baqarah 2:152]

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Increased Guidance

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Those who accept guidance, Allah increases them in guidance and gives them righteousness.

وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱهْتَدَوْا۟ زَادَهُمْ هُدًى وَءَاتَىٰهُمْ تَقْوَىٰهُمْ

And those who are guided - He increases them in guidance and gives them their righteousness.

[Qur'an Muhammad 47:17]

But those whoever disobeys Allah and turns away from Him, Allah will not guide him.

إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ لَا يَهْدِى مَنْ هُوَ كَـٰذِبٌ كَفَّارٌ ...

...Indeed, Allah does not guide he who is a liar and [confirmed] disbeliever.

[Qur'an Az-Zumar 39:3]

May Allah guide us and our loved ones. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Every Friday is Eid

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

We should look forward to Friday and prepare for it as if it is going to be Eid.

Preparations for Friday starts from Thursday. After the 'Asr prayer of Thursday, one should make a lot of istighfar, asking forgiveness from Allah.

The pious people of the past have stated that the person to receive the most benefit on Friday will be that person who waits for it and who makes preparations for it from Thursday. The most unfortunate person will be he who does not even know as to when Friday will fall, so much so that he will ask the people in the morning as to which day this is.

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

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

[Ibn Majah]

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

One should try to go to the masjid very early for the Friday prayer. The earlier a person goes, the more reward he will receive.

Don't miss reciting Surah Al-Kahf on this day. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: The person who recites Surah Kahf on Fridays, a light will appear for him from below the arsh as high as the skies. This light will help him in the darkness of the Day of Resurrection. And all the sins which he may have committed from the last Friday till this Friday will be forgiven.

The scholars have written that this Hadith refers to minor sins because major sins are not forgiven without making sincere repentance.

Find a time that is convenient for you to recite the surah and try to keep it consistent every Friday until it becomes your wird. You can choose to recite it on Thursday night after sunset. (Islamic day is sunset to sunset, e.g. Friday begins Thursday after sunset to Friday at sunset)

Allah has hidden a blessed hour on Friday in which Allah answers the du'as of His slaves. So we should spend all or much of Friday in supplication in the hope to find this hour.

May Allah bless your Friday and grant us good in this life and the next. Ameen.

Please don't forget us in your prayers. JazakAllahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

New Year's Resolution

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

A year that has passed by only means that we have lost a year of opportunity to do much good and to do that extra good deed that we had procrastinated, and we are that much closer to our own death and our eternal homes.

If one dies with Faith in the Oneness of Allah (a believer), his abode will eventually be Paradise. He might be punished for a time in Hellfire for his sins but he will eventually get to Paradise. If one dies without Iman (a disbeliever), his abode will be Hellfire till eternity.

So run to Allah, repent for all our slips.

... "Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words). But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). To Allah is your return, and He is Able to do all things.

[Qur'an Hud 11:3-4]

Then start working on our character. Our character is the way that we are. The nature of character is second nature. If you are a generous person, you don't have to stop and think before you give or before you help people. You immediately reach into your pocket when you see a beggar. When someone visits you, you serve what you have in your fridge even if you are saving them for your husband or you children. When you heard someone is sick or stricken with a calamity, you immediately make du'a for the person. You don't stop to think because your character beats your mind to it.

The weightiest thing that one can bring to the Day of Judgment is not something he did but the way that he was--his character.

Our beloved Messenger sallallahu alayhi wassallam said,

Verily, of the most beloved to you to me and the closest of you to me in the seating of Judgment Day, are the most excellent of you in character.

(Tirmidhi)

So, the best good deed you can do in this sacred month is to pick one trait of yours that Allah doesn't like and change it--ingratitude into gratitude, harsh/hateful/mean into compassionate/merciful, arrogance into humility, impatience into patience, greed into charity, pride into humility, anger into calmness, heedless of Allah into mindful of Allah, and so on. This is the thing you are going to bring back to Allah. It is the weightiest thing you can busy yourself with--your character.

You can make this drastic change through taqwa (Godfearingness) and repentance. Through them change takes place. Taqwa is the fuel to make one wants to change and repentance keeps the flame going. If there is no taqwa, there is no impetus for change, and when repentance dies the flame slowly dies with it. You make this change for the sake of Allah. That is why it makes it a great form of worship. You intend to transform your bad character traits for good and better traits for the sake of Allah. You resolve to please Allah and avoid His anger and repenting from your slips. The whole process is for the sake of Allah. As you get closer to this transformed character, the more natural it becomes. Your great reward is the fact that you acquired that character.

إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍ وَنَهَرٍ ﴿٥٤﴾ فِى مَقْعَدِ صِدْقٍ عِندَ مَلِيكٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍۭ ﴿٥٥

Surely those of taqwa shall be in in the Gardens and Rivers, in an Assembly of Truth, in the Presence of a Sovereign Omnipotent.

[Qur'an Qamar 54:54-55]

وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَٱدْخُلُوهَا خَـٰلِدِينَ ﴿٧٣

And those who feared their Lord will be led to the Garden in crowds: until behold, they arrive there; its gates will be opened; and its keepers will say: "Peace be upon you! well have you done![enter you here, to dwell therein.

[Qur'an Az-Zumar 39:73]

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 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]

"What most enters people into the Garden? Taqwa of Allah and good character." (Ahmad)

O Allah, to You belongs all Praise. You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and all those in them; to You belongs all Praise. You are the Maintainer of the heavens and the earth and all those in them; [to You belongs all Praise. You are the King of the heavens and the earth and all those in them] to You belongs all Praise. You are the Haqq (Truth); Your promise is haqq; Your saying is haqq; meeting You is haqq; Paradise is haqq; the Fire is haqq; the Hour is haqq; the Prophets are haqq; Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) is haqq. O Allah! to You I have submitted; in You I have placed my trust; in You I have believed; to You I have turned; for Your sake I have fought; to You I have referred for judgment; [You are our Lord and to You is the end of all journeys: so forgive me my earlier and later sins, what I have concealed and what I have showed] [and whatever else You know about more than I.] You are the Bringer- Forward and You are the Delayer; [You are my deity;] and none has the right to worshipped but You. [and there is no might nor power except with You].

O Allah, guide us to the best of characters and the best of actions, no one to which can guide except You, and save us from the evil characters and actions, from which no one except You can save (others) except You.

May Allah increase our Iman and grant us noble character.

Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Dealing With Pain and Hardships

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

A wonderful way and among the greatest means of dealing with the pain and hardships is invocating blessings and peace upon the Prophet, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

The Prophet, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, himself clarified for us how in a tradition narrated by Ubai bin Ka’ab (may Allah be pleased with him), who said;

‘I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I supplicate often, so how much of my supplication should I devote to you?’ He replied, ‘as you desire’. I said, ‘a quarter of it?’ He said ‘as you desire, but if you were to increase upon this, it would be better for you.’ I said, ‘half of it?’ He said, ‘as you desire, but if you were to increase upon this, it would be better for you.’ I said, ‘two-thirds of it?’ He said again, ‘as you desire, but if you were to increase upon this, it would be better for you.’ Finally I said, ‘and if I dedicate my supplication in its entirety to you?’ He said, ‘then your needs will be satisfied, and your sins forgiven.’

[Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Hakim]

Allah Almighty says,

إِنَّ اللَّـهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا ﴿٥٦

Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace. (56)

[Qur'an Al-Ahzab 33:56]

There is also healing and guidance in reading the Qur'an and seeking sacred knowledge.

اللّهُمّ صَلّ عَلَى مُحَمّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمّدٍ

Allahumma salli `ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad

O Allah: (please do) bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad

May Allah help those who are suffering and grant them patience. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Wishing You A Blessed New Hijri Year 1435

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

Dear Friends

The new Hijri year is here. We ask Allah to bring great good to the Ummah in this new year, rectify its affairs and bring relief to those who are suffering.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ, said: "The best (month) to fast after Ramadhan is the Month of Allah which you call al-Muḥarram. The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer." [Muslim]

One of the wisdoms behind the merit of fasting in the month of Muḥarram is that both are attributed to Allah – Muharram is the "the Month of Allah" and fasting, as in the ḥadith qudsi, "is Mine, and I will reward accordingly." [Bukhari and Muslim]

The greatest day in Muḥarram to fast is the tenth, 'Ashura. Fasting on this day wipes out the sins of the previous year.

Peace and blessings be upon the one whose Hijrah (migration to Madinah) marks the beginning of our calendar, Allah's beloved Messenger and his blessed family and Companions and all those that follow him until the last day.

إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا ﴿٥٦

Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace. (56)

[Qur'an Al-Ahzab 33:56]

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

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

[Qur'an Al-'Asr 103]

May Allah increase us in worship and righteous works during this month of Muharram and bless our time. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Welcoming The Beginning of New Hijri Year 1435

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

We welcome Muharram 1, the beginning of the new hijri year 1435, which is tomorrow, November 5, 2013.

Muharram is the first month in the Hijri calendar. It is a blessed and an important month. Muharram is so called because it is a sacred (muharram) month and to confirm its sanctity. It is one of the four sacred months.

Allah Almighty says,

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

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

(Qur'an At-Tawba 9:36]

It is recommended to increase one's sunnah fasting in this month. The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "The best (month) to fast after Ramadhan is the Month of Allah which you call al-Muḥarram. The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer." [Muslim]

This new year is a great gift from Allah because we don't know if we can reach the next one. So, we should receive this new year in the best way, with pious intentions and good goals. Make the intention to wake up before Fajr to pray Tahajjud and Witr. Make the intention to attend gatherings of sacred knowledge and benefit from them.

We should leave our blameworthy traits and fear what might be coming before the next new year -- the beginning of our own Judgment Day (when we die), the punishment of the grave, the torment on Judgment Day and the punishment of the Hellfire. We should protect ourselves against these calamities. This is the basic meaning of taqwa. We do something to place between ourselves and the wrath of Allah. We knock at every door of opportunity to be close to Allah.

People of taqwa will always have Allah to take care of their needs.

Allah Almighty says,

وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّـهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مَخْرَجًا ﴿٢﴾ وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّـهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمْرِهِۦ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ ٱللَّـهُ لِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدْرًا ﴿٣ ...

...And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out (2) And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent. (3)

[Qur'an At-Talaq 65:2-3]

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

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

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

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

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

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Women Without Hijab

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Allah loves haya'. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Surely Allah (is One who) has haya' and is the Protector. He loves haya' and people who cover each others faults. (Bukhari)

Hijab is so important for women to establish haya' in themselves and live the lives of true believers. Why are so many women not in hijab?

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "I have a sense of honor (a part of haya). Only a person with a darkened heart is deprived of honor."

Sometimes the situation becomes a such that people will have done wrongs and sins for such a long period of time that they will not able to differentiate between right and wrong. The person's exceeding indulgence in indecency results in the loss of wisdom and the ability to see good deeds from bad deeds.

During the time of our beloved Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) the husbands could not even imagine their wives leaving the houses unveiled let alone going out and beautify themselves for other men to get "free looks."

Narrated by Al-Mughira: Sa'd bin 'Ubada said, "I will not hesitate killing my wife with a sword if I see her with another man" This news reached Allah's Apostle who then said, "You people are astonished at Sa'd's Ghira (self-respect, honor). By Allah, I have more Ghira than he, and Allah has more Ghira than me, and because of Allah's Ghira, He has made unlawful shameful deeds and sins done in open and in secret. And there is none who likes that the people should repent to Him and beg His pardon than Allah, and for this reason He sent the warners and the givers of good news. And there is none who likes to be praised more than Allah does, and for this reason, Allah promised to grant Paradise (to the doers of good)." 'Abdul Malik said, "No person has more Ghira than Allah." (Bukhari)

Haya' itself is a greatness of Islam. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Every way of life has a innate character. The character of Islam is haya'." Or "Every Deen has an innate character. The character of Islam is modesty (haya')." (Abu Dawood)

Haya' only brings good and nothing else. Our beloved Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Haya does not bring anything except good." (Bukhari)

Haya' is a very clear indication of our Iman. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, had mentioned to the Ansar who was condemning his brother about being shy: "Leave him, for haya' is (a part) of Faith." (Bukhari)

Haya' leads us to paradise. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, told us: "Haya' comes from Iman; Iman leads to Paradise. Obscenity comes from antipathy; and antipathy leads to the fire." (Bukhari)

A pious person once said, "When someone has haya' in him, he will live a life of Islam. If he does not have haya' in him, he is living a life that is spiritually dead."

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "Haya' and trustworthiness will be the first to go from this world; therefore keep asking Allah for them." (Baihaqi)

O Allah grant us haya' and trustworthiness. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Recommended read: Correct Hijab

Cultivating Haya' (Modesty) in an Immoral World

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Haya' is an inward trait that each believer, male or female, should strive to cultivate. It has been variously translated as modesty, diffidence, timidity, bashfulness, shame or inhibition. However, it is much more than that. It is an unquestionably positive quality that stems from a strong sense of self-respect and Taqwa (consciousness/acute awareness of Allah). It enables one to shy away from the very idea of doing a deed that is displeasing in the sight of Allah, who is Subtle, All-Aware, whether in public or private.

Haya’ includes a deep-rooted sense of humility that stops one from behaving boastfully, shamelessly promoting oneself at the expense of others, indulging in self-aggrandizement and ascribing goodness and purity to oneself.

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "Faith (Belief) consists of more than sixty branches (i.e. parts). And Haya[ is a part of faith." (Bukhari)

Cultivating Haya’-- physical and spiritual -- are equally for men and women. In fact, the Qur’an addresses believing men before women, with the injunction to: “…limit or reduce some of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them.” (Qur’an, 24:30)

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was “more bashful than a veiled virgin girl” (Bukhari and Muslim), and, according to a narration in Bukhari, he “was neither a Faahish (a person who speaks obscene language to make people laugh), nor a Mutafahhish (a person who habitually uses bad language).”

Several men companions were well known for their sense of haya' – most notably 'Uthman Bin Affan, the Prophet’s son-in-law and the third Caliph of Islam. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that once the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was sitting in a reclining posture in her chamber and received two of his companions, Abu Bakr and 'Umar, but sat up in a more formal way to receive 'Uthman, in recognition of his modesty. Aisha said, "...Abu Bakr entered and you did not stir and did not observe much care (in arranging your clothes), then `Umar entered and you did not stir and did not arrange your clothes, then `Uthman entered and you got up and set your clothes right, so he (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: Should I not show modesty to one whom even the Angels show modesty." (Bukhari)

The Companion Dihyah Al-Kalbi had such a pleasing appearance that he voluntarily wore a face-covering whenever he went out, in order to avoid being the cynosure of all eyes. Undoubtedly, the heightened sense of modesty among the companions was a reflection of their strong faith.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was conscious of preserving the modesty of others and never stared at people directly or reprimanded offenders by name in public. He discouraged his companions from exaggerating their respect for him out of a sense of humility, and never adopted the mannerisms or lifestyle of a spiritual or temporal ‘ruler of men’.

Islam has never imposed artificial squeamishness or hypocrisy in the name of modesty. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was forthright when it came to discussing matters of religion and was often approached by both men and women companions seeking clarifications on personal matters like cleansing after menstruation, conjugal relations and wet dreams.

However, Islam treats conjugal relations with respect and an injunction to not discuss intimate details of one’s married life in public.

Abdullah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with father and son) narrated that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace), once passed by a man who was admonishing his brother regarding Haya’ saying: “You are too shy, and I am afraid that might harm you.” On that, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace): “Leave him, for Haya’ is (a part) of Faith” and in another narration, he said: “Haya’ does not bring anything except good.” (Bukhari)

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "Every deen (way of life) has an innate character, a distinct call, and the call of Islam is Haya’." (Abu Dawood) It is to our benefit to work out the best way to respond to that call, before we fall into error and misguidance.

Haya' is an important trait that people can have when dealing with people. When you are going to situation when no one knows you, you can do anything and get away with it. That is when evil or selfishness comes out from people. Haya' looks out for what is proper and what is the higher conduct. Having haya' is not being wimpy or weak. It is having a sense of correctness. It prevents a person from committing shameful and evil deeds, and encourages him towards piety and good actions.

Narrated on the authority of Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: When lewdness is a part of anything, it becomes defective; and when haya' is a part of anything it becomes beautiful. (Tirmidhi)

Therefore, it is only obvious that hijab plays an extremely important role in regards to haya'. For hijab prevents lewdness and haya' backs this up and then person's Iman becomes even stronger.

Our beloved Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

Allah is more deserving of one’s sense of haya' than people are.

[Bukhari and others]

So, even though it is not obligatory to wear hijab in the home while alone or around mahram (unmarriageable relatives) only, it is a general proper etiquette (adab) to cover the body and wear a head covering in the home, when reasonably possible, as an expression of one’s modesty and dignity before Allah. Likewise, it is proper adab for men to cover their body (beyond between navel and knees) and have their head covered at home as well. If you do this, not only it is an expression of modesty and dignity before Allah, you are also inculcating haya' in your children.

It is important that we start teaching our children haya' especially haya' around the opposite gender. If we instill haya' in our children at an early age then, whenever our children are near the vicinity of the opposite gender, they will feel shy and, therefore, will not act inappropriately. It is also important that we keep the communication channels open with our children so that we can talk and explain to them things, and they can ask us questions, without any party feeling embarrassed. Then, when they are older, and with our help, they will begin to understand why it is that there cannot be a thing called 'the boyfriend-girlfriend relationship'.

For girls, it is important to teach them not to make their voices sweet and seductive in the presence of non-mahrams. This is done by lowering the voice and not being flirtatious. As Allah Almighty addressed to the wives of Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, "...If you fear Allah, then do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is diseased should covet, but speak with appropriate speech." (Qur'an Al-Ahzab 33:32). Thus, it is inappropriate for girls (women for that matter) to giggle or laugh aloud with the boys or men. When a girl speaks, she should be clear to the point and avoid all misunderstanding.

Parents should acquaint their girls with wearing proper hijabs and modest, non-fitting clothing well before puberty so they are used to them. So, by the time they reach puberty they are already wearing hijab and they already learn not to draw attention to themselves. It is a big mistake to begin little girls with dresses or clothing that are considered seductive in women and to allow or encourage them to put nail/toe polish or make up, even for play or at home. What is the benefit?

As well for boys, you should teach them to wear appropriate, non-fitting clothing, and give them long sleeves shirt and long loose pants or slacks to wear. They should not be accustomed to wearing tight jeans or shorts. Also, teach our boys to lower their gazes around non-mahrams.

Inculcating haya' from within us can only bring good, and destroying it will bring only bad. The proper manners of Islamic Law are means that Allah Almighty and His beloved Messenger Muhammad, Allah bless him and grant him peace, have shown us towards having haya'. It is the means to the realization of our slavehood, love, and thankfulness to Allah.

May Allah grant us haya'. Ameen.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam