Surah Kahf Day: The Greatest Losers

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,

قُلْ هَلْ نُنَبِّئُكُم بِالْأَخْسَرِينَ أَعْمَالًا ﴿١٠٣﴾ الَّذِينَ ضَلَّ سَعْيُهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ يُحْسِنُونَ صُنْعًا ﴿١٠٤

Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds? (103) "Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds. (104)

[Qur'an Al-Kahf 18:103-104]

People may put a lot of effort in some deeds taking them to be good, but with Allah their effort is ruined and their deed, wasted. Al-Qurtubi said that this situation is caused due to two things. One: Corruption in Belief. Two: Hypocrisy. It means that a person whose very Belief and Faith is not correct - no matter how good he is in his deeds and how painstaking in his effort - will find all this useless and wasted in the Hereafter.

A deed may though be for Allah alone but, along with it, should it become associated with some selfish motive of name, fame and recognition, then, this will be a kind of hidden shirk (riya'--showing off), something that makes one's deed go to waste, even harmful.

"On the day of Qiyamah, when Allah will reward His servants for their deeds, He will ask the practitioners of riya' to go for their rewards to those they wanted to impress with their deeds and find out whether or not they have any for them."

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah Ta'ala says 'I am free and above from associating with those associated with Me. Whoever does a good deed and then associates in it someone else with Me, then, I leave the entire deed for the one associated.' And, according to another narration, 'I withdraw from that deed making it exclusive for the person associated with me.'" [Muslim]

Abdullah ibn 'Umar heard the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, saying, "Whoever does a good deed to earn a fair name among people, then, Allah Ta'ala too deals with him in a manner that he is disgraced before them." [Ahmad in Shu'ab-al-Iman - from Tafsir Maqhari]

Hasan al-Basri was asked about ikhlas (unalloyed sincerity) and riya' (showing off). He said: Ikhlas requires that your good deeds remaining hidden should be what you like and the bad deeds remaining hidden should be what you do not like. After that, if Allah Ta'ala discloses your deeds before the people, you should say, 'Ya Allah, all this is Your grace and favor, not the outcome of my deed and effort.'

Make your deeds purely for His sake alone and He will extend His mercy to you. Follow His religion, and He will extend His bounty to you. Follow the Sunnah of His beloved Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and He will extend His love to you.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ الْفِرْدَوْسِ نُزُلًا ﴿١٠٧﴾ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا لَا يَبْغُونَ عَنْهَا حِوَلًا ﴿١٠٨

Verily! those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous deeds, shall have the Gardens of Al-Firdaus (the Paradise) for their entertainment. (107) "Wherein they shall dwell (forever). No desire will they have for removal therefrom." (108)

[Qur'an Al-Kahf 18:107-108]

Look forward to your meeting with Allah. It is very soon, sooner than you think. Make preparations for this meeting.

Get rid of the love of this world from your heart; free it from everything other than the Lord of Truth. Don't buy this paltry world and pay with the Hereafter as a price. Don't sell your Hereafter to acquire this perishing world. Rush to good deeds.

قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَا إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۖ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا ﴿١١٠

Say, "I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God. So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone." (110)

[Qur'an Al-Kahf 18:110]

May Allah protect from being losers, grant us true sincerity, accept our deeds and make our meeting with Him the best of meetings. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Like Dead Bodies, Deaf and Blind

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,

الْيَوْمَ يَئِسَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن دِينِكُمْ فَلَا تَخْشَوْهُمْ وَاخْشَوْنِ ۚ الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا ...

This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.

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

تَوَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ ﴿٢﴾

... And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty. (2)

[Qur'a Al-Ma'ida 5:2]

More than a religion, Islam is a complete and comprehensive way of life leading to a balanced way of living. History has shown that Islam is unique in its ability to provide guidance for the entire range of human activity. It does not separate spiritual and secular life as unrelated entities.

Islam is a Divine guidance wherein humans of all nations, colors and tongues feel linked to a Supreme Power and Justice. Its teachings are kept intact and authentic. It is the only way to happiness, dignity, and universal peace. Islam is so unique in its method for solving the problems of humanity. In Islam’s four abiding principles - equality, tolerance, promotion of science, and solution to the world’s problems - its universality asserts itself. It calls to all humans, if only humans will listen.

أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ ۚ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ اللَّـهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا ﴿٨٢

Then do they not reflect upon the Qur'an? If it had been from [any] other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction. (82)

[Qur’an An-Nisa 4:82]

كَانَ النَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً فَبَعَثَ اللَّـهُ النَّبِيِّينَ مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ وَأَنزَلَ مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فِيمَا اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ ۚ وَمَا اخْتَلَفَ فِيهِ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ أُوتُوهُ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ بَغْيًا بَيْنَهُمْ ۖ فَهَدَى اللَّـهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَا اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِهِ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ يَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ﴿٢١٣

Mankind was [of] one religion [before their deviation]; then Allah sent the prophets as bringers of good tidings and warners and sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between the people concerning that in which they differed. And none differed over the Scripture except those who were given it - after the clear proofs came to them - out of jealous animosity among themselves. And Allah guided those who believed to the truth concerning that over which they had differed, by His permission. And Allah guides whom He wills to a straight path. (213)

[Qur’an Al-Baqarah 2:213]

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, was the final prophet sent as a mercy to us humans. It used to hurt him a lot if someone rejected the message of Allah. He used to feel as if someone's children were proceeding toward the fire by not heeding to the advice of his parents.

We will find in the Qur'an wherein Allah adopted different expressions to console him.

وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا تَكُن فِي ضَيْقٍ مِّمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ ﴿٧٠

And do not grieve for them, and do not be straitened because of what they plan.

[Qur'an An-Naml 27:70]

That his job was only to convey the message of Truth, which he had done admirably. If someone had not accepted this, it was not his fault or deficiency. So, he need not worry and be despondent. Rather it is their own fault that they have lost their sense of direction.

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَقْضِي بَيْنَهُم بِحُكْمِهِ ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْعَلِيمُ ﴿٧٨﴾ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّـهِ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَى الْحَقِّ الْمُبِينِ ﴿٧٩﴾ إِنَّكَ لَا تُسْمِعُ الْمَوْتَىٰ وَلَا تُسْمِعُ الصُّمَّ الدُّعَاءَ إِذَا وَلَّوْا مُدْبِرِينَ ﴿٨٠﴾ وَمَا أَنتَ بِهَادِي الْعُمْيِ عَن ضَلَالَتِهِمْ ۖ إِن تُسْمِعُ إِلَّا مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِآيَاتِنَا فَهُم مُّسْلِمُونَ ﴿٨١

Indeed, your Lord will judge between them by His [wise] judgement. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Knowing. (78) So rely upon Allah; indeed, you are upon the clear truth. (79) Indeed, you will not make the dead hear, nor will you make the deaf hear the call when they have turned their backs retreating. (80) And you cannot guide the blind away from their error. You can make no one listen (to you) except those who believe in Our verses, then submit themselves (to Allah). (81)

[Qur'an 27:78-81]

Qur'an has described the loss of their sense of direction by presenting three examples. First, that they were like dead bodies in the matter of acceptance of truth, and thus cannot take any one's advice to their advantage.

Second, that they were like the deaf man who does not wish to hear anything, rather they turn their backs and go away if someone tries to give them any advice.

Third, that they were like the blind that cannot see even if someone tries to show them the path.

Many people, including many today's Muslims fit in all three categories. They hear but they don't act. Some don't pray and if they pray they don't want to learn how to pray properly, some don't care whether they eat halal or haram -- they eat where non-Muslims eat, they eat what non-Muslims eat, and some think if they say bismillah (In the Name of Allah), it makes it all halal (lawful). Many lie, cheat and break promises habitually. They are not good to their parents and their neighbors. They don't take care of their families. They beat their women. Many Muslim women don't wear hijab and if they wear hijab they don't bother to wear it properly. Many, many more Muslims, are Muslims in name only. They drink, womanize, gamble, steal, never recite Qur'an, don't associate themselves with Muslims or any masjid, and so on. There are those who don't pay attention to Ramadhan or Eid or Friday. Ramadhan and Eid come and go, they don't have a clue. Friday is only good to start the weekend.

Some “educated” Muslims now pay only “lip-service” to Islam. They think that Islam is a slogan to be raised or a word to be uttered. They have forgotten that Allah dislikes those who brag about things that they do not practice. When a person's deeds are not commensurate with his words, his conduct is odious in the sight of Allah.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ ﴿٢﴾ كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ اللَّـهِ أَن تَقُولُوا مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ ﴿٣

O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? (2) Great is hatred in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do. (3)

[Qur’an As-Saff 61:2-3]

It is no wonder we are in turmoil.

We have no one to blame except ourselves when things go wrong in our lives, as an individual, a family, a community, a society, or an Ummah.

May Allah awaken our hearts and submit to Allah, and guide the Ummah. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

The Shoulder to Cry On

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

O Slave of Allah! Why do you despair when you know your Lord is the Most Merciful? Why do you panic when you know Allah is your Protector? O Slave of Allah! Why do you complain to people, when your Lord is All-Hearing and All Powerful? O Slave of Ar-Rahman!

Life is full of ups and downs. When you need a shoulder to cry on, run to Ar-Rahman.

Be like Prophet Ya'qub alayhis salaam,

قَالَ إِنَّمَا أَشْكُو بَثِّي وَحُزْنِي إِلَى اللَّـهِ وَأَعْلَمُ مِنَ اللَّـهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٨٦

He said, "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you do not know. (86)

[Qur'an Yusuf 12:86]

Or be like Prophet Musa alayhis salaam who prayed to Allah saying:

“O Allah! All praise is due to You, and complaint is made only to You, and You are the only One from whom we seek help and in whom we put our trust, and there is no power except by Your help.”

Or be like our beloved Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace,

“O Allah! I complain to You of my weakness and helplessness”

These were the greatest of people that ever stepped foot on this earth and they were a people who only complained to the Lord of all the worlds. Why? Because complaining to Allah is of great benefit while complaining to people is of no benefit. Complaining to Allah is a form of true patience, worship, and great reward while complaining to the people is the opposite.

Remember, His creation don't have any power to relieve you of your pain and sorrow. In fact, some things you say might backfire on you.

Run to Allah. Show your sorrow and grief to Allah only.

فَتَحَسَّسُوا مِن يُوسُفَ وَأَخِيهِ وَلَا تَيْأَسُوا مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّـهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ لَا يَيْأَسُ مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّـهِ إِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْكَافِرُونَ ﴿٨٧ ...

... despair not of relief from Allah. Indeed, no one despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people." (87)[Qur'an Yusuf 12:87]

وَعَلَى اللَّـهِ فَتَوَكَّلُوا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٢٣ ...

...And upon Allah rely, if you should be believers." (23)

[Qur'an Al-Ma'ida 5:23]

Pick up the Qur'an and recite His verses.

الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللَّـهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّـهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ ﴿٢٨

Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured." (28)

[Qur'an Ar-Ra'd 13:28]

May Allah make us of those who are truly patient and grant peace and tranquility in our hearts. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

What To Do When You Are Sick

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Even if you are a little sick, be grateful because this sickness is a blessing. Say,"inna lillahi wainna ilaihi raji'un (Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return), O Allah, give me protection in my calamity and leave for me good therefrom."

It was reported that the leather toe-strap of Omar’s shoe broke and he said, inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. The people said, “O Commander of the faithful, concerning the strap of your shoe?!” He (Omar) said, “Yes, everything that strikes a believer that he does not like is a calamity.”

Whether you are a little sick or very sick, it is a time when you should learn a lot about how much you need Allah. You need His cure--only He can make you recover from your illness--no medicine can cure you without His will. He can make your sickness go away or worse or He can cause you to die from it. So you turn to Him, repent and ask Him for forgiveness.

When you are sick, you will be resting a little bit, sometimes you are forced to rest (for those high achievers, ambitious, multi-taskers or A-type people). This in itself is a blessing because now it will give you time to reflect on Allah's mercy, time for remembrance of Allah, for sending blessings upon the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and reciting some Qur'an. This is a time when you thank Him abundantly for that you are still alive and you can still move and He is the One who is giving you another opportunity to do all these things. Have more hope in Allah and that He will make you better. No doubt, if you do all these, inshaAllah, this should be a great spiritual experience for you.

So, don't waste this blessing by complaining, losing temper, upset with people, impatient, laying around doing nothing or make everyone nervous, etc. Take this opportunity to reflect, learn patience and reap lots of rewards.

Calamities are just like bitter lessons to a person walking in the path of Allah. They show path towards the next world. It is that though a medicine is bitter and distasteful, it is a bliss for the sick. When the people see the reward of calamities in the next world they will be grateful to their Creator.

Allah Almighty says,

الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّـهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ ﴿١٥٦﴾ أُولَـٰئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ ۖ وَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ ﴿١٥٧

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) Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return." (156) Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided. (157)

[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:155-157]

It is reported that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: When Allah wishes good of a man and establishes love with him, He sends down upon him troubles and calamities and afflicts him with mishaps. When he prays to Allah, angels say: This voice is acquainted with us. When he prays to Him a second time and says, O Lord, Allah says: O My servant, I am present, fortune for you. I have given you what is good for you and I have kept deposited with Me what is better for you. When there will be Resurrection, the pious will be brought and their actions will be weighed in the Balance--the actions of those who prayed, those who paid zakat, those who fasted and those who made hajj. Then those who were afflicted with calamities will be brought but their book of deeds will not be opened in their presence. Reward will be rained over them as calamities were thrown over them. Those who were happy and safe in the world will see the high rank of those who suffered troubles and calamities and say: Alas how good it would have been if the flesh of our bodies were severed by scissors. For this reason, Allah says: Surely the patient will be given full rewards without account.

We ask Allah to grant us excellent health and give cure to those who are sick, protect us from calamities and ease those who are being afflicted with calamities. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.

Wassalaam

Come Back To Reality

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Right now if we try to list down all the blessings that Allah has given us, we know we won't be able to. But how much attention do we give Allah compared to everything and everyone else.

We give preference to the worldly life more than the One who gives us everything we have. Many show no concern and make no serious investment for the next life.

When the adhan is called for prayer, you see people are still working or talking. When the iqamah is called, they walk slowly to the masjid. Those are the ones who pray. But they are many more who don't pray. They are too busy with their lives. Even once a week for Friday prayer is a big deal for many. They can't go to the masjid for Jumu'ah prayer, and if they go at all, they barely make it (but they're never late to the movies or shows) and they can't focus and listen to the khutbah, always checking their watches or looking up to the clock on the wall (but they are punctual to work and attentive in meetings with their bosses).

Even while having dinner with family or family outings, they can't put their phones away--don't want to miss an important call.

Why? Because we are delusional. We have to snap out of it.

We have become of people who are constantly running; for worldly or religious cause -- having no time to step back and take a breath--to look at the sky, the mountains, the ocean, the trees, the cats, the birds, the bees, the ants, and all the things around us, to thank Allah for what He has given us, to feel His mercy at this moment. No longer we are the people of reflection and remembrance as if this is too trivial for us.

The reality is that there are far bigger priority in our lives than our career, paychecks, degrees, social networks, fame or fans. That's why believing in the unseen is one of the great blessings. There are angels who are constantly writing down our deeds--good and bad. This will be shown to us in the next life. There are people who are being punished in the graves for their disobedience. May Allah have mercy on all the Muslims.

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ ﴿١٨٥

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion. (185)

[Qur'an AleImran 3:185]

Remember our worst enemy, the Shaytan. He wants to take us with him to the Fire. So, he will try to deceive us. He maximizes the happiness and success of this world so much that we forget what lies ahead in the next life.

وَلَلْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ مِنَ الْأُولَىٰ ﴿٤

And indeed the Hereafter is better for you than the present (life of this world).(4)

[Qur'an Ad-Dhuha 93:4]

This world is nothing compared to the life in the Hereafter.

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

"Allah said, 'I have prepared for My pious worshipers such things as no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard of, and nobody has ever thought of. All that is reserved, besides which, all that you have seen, is nothing." Then he recited:-- 'No soul knows what is kept hidden (in reserve) for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.' (32.17)

[Bukhari]

لَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّا أُخْفِيَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٧﴾ أَفَمَن كَانَ مُؤْمِنًا كَمَن كَانَ فَاسِقًا ۚ لَّا يَسْتَوُونَ ﴿١٨﴾ أَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَلَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ الْمَأْوَىٰ نُزُلًا بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٩﴾ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فَسَقُوا فَمَأْوَاهُمُ النَّارُ ۖ كُلَّمَا أَرَادُوا أَن يَخْرُجُوا مِنْهَا أُعِيدُوا فِيهَا وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ ذُوقُوا عَذَابَ النَّارِ الَّذِي كُنتُم بِهِ تُكَذِّبُونَ ﴿٢٠

And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes as reward for what they used to do. (17) Then is one who was a believer like one who was defiantly disobedient? They are not equal. (18) As for those who believed and did righteous deeds, for them will be the Gardens of Refuge as accommodation for what they used to do. (19) But as for those who defiantly disobeyed, their refuge is the Fire. Every time they wish to emerge from it, they will be returned to it while it is said to them, "Taste the punishment of the Fire which you used to deny." (20)

[Qur'an As-Sajda 32:17-20]

We ask Allah that we see the Truth and keep us on the Truth.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Love For His Book

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Allah taught us the Qur'an and He taught us expression. He gave us tongues to express His speech. The best expression is the Qur'an and the best use of our tongues is reciting the Qur'an.

الرَّحْمَـٰنُ ﴿١﴾ عَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ ﴿٢﴾ خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ ﴿٣﴾ عَلَّمَهُ الْبَيَانَ ﴿٤

The Rahman (The All-Merciful Allah) (1) Has taught the Qur’an. (2) He has created man. (3) He has taught him (how) to express himself. (4)

[Qu'ran Ar-Rahman 55:1-4]

Qur'an deserves our utmost attention. Learn how to recite it properly. Strive to learn its language. Learning the language of the Qur'an is made capable for us by Allah.

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ﴿٢

Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand. (2)

[Qur'an Yusuf 12:2]

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ﴿٣

Indeed, We have made it an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand. (3)

Qur'an Az-Zukhruf 43:3]

Truly, Allah guarantees that the Qur'an is easy to learn, easy to understand and easy to remember. It may be difficult at first but Allah guarantees that if you are looking for this mercy, Ar-Rahman will make it easy.

The knowledge that you and I take from the Qur’an and the hadith is of several types: the first and most important concerns our faith, and is the knowledge of Allah and His attributes, and the other basic tenets of Islamic belief such as the messengerhood of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), the Last Day, and so on. Every Muslim can and must acquire this knowledge from the Book of Allah and the sunna.

Reading the Qur'an without understanding its meaning is just like someone who does not know Chinese reading a Chinese book. Does he know what he reads? What benefits does he get? Some people might say, "We can read the translation." Though a lot more don't bother to even read the translation. Even for those who read the translation, are we sure that the translations truly explain the original meaning of the Qur'an?

Many Muslims are not concern in spending or allocating time to learn the language of the Qur'an but they spend great amount of time, energy and money learning languages except Arabic and upgrading themselves for secular degrees, Masters, PhDs, courses, etc. People just need to change their priorities.

If we do not understand what Allah says in the Qur'an, we will rely heavily on religious/Qur'an teachers whom may also do not understand the language of the Qur'an. By relying on just the religious/Qur'an teachers, we may be compromising ourselves similar to what Jews and Christians do, because they rely entirely on their priests for all religious matters. To the Christians, as long as you have faith that Jesus is the son of God, you will go to heaven and for the Jews, they are the chosen people of God. So they will too go to heaven. But not for the Muslims. We are not Muslims by mere following. Allah demands more than our daily rituals.

يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ لَا يَحْزُنكَ الَّذِينَ يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْكُفْرِ مِنَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا آمَنَّا بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَلَمْ تُؤْمِن قُلُوبُهُمْ ۛ وَمِنَ الَّذِينَ هَادُوا ۛ سَمَّاعُونَ لِلْكَذِبِ سَمَّاعُونَ لِقَوْمٍ آخَرِينَ لَمْ يَأْتُوكَ ۖ يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ مِن بَعْدِ مَوَاضِعِهِ ۖ يَقُولُونَ إِنْ أُوتِيتُمْ هَـٰذَا فَخُذُوهُ وَإِن لَّمْ تُؤْتَوْهُ فَاحْذَرُوا ۚ وَمَن يُرِدِ اللَّـهُ فِتْنَتَهُ فَلَن تَمْلِكَ لَهُ مِنَ اللَّـهِ شَيْئًا ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُرِدِ اللَّـهُ أَن يُطَهِّرَ قُلُوبَهُمْ ۚ لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا خِزْيٌ ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿٤١

O Messenger! let not those grieve thee, who race each other into unbelief: (whether it be) among those who say "We believe" with their lips but whose hearts have no faith; or it be among the Jews,- men who will listen to any lie,- will listen even to others who have never so much as come to thee. They change the words from their (right) times and places: they say, "If ye are given this, take it, but if not, beware!" If any one's trial is intended by Allah, thou hast no authority in the least for him against Allah. For such - it is not Allah's will to purify their hearts. For them there is disgrace in this world, and in the Hereafter a heavy punishment. (41)

[Qur'an Al-Ma'ida 5:41]

May Allah grant us sound understanding of His Book and His Religion. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Excellence and Virtues of Omar Al-Khattab (R.A)

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

In many places in the Qu'ran, the Companions of the Messenger of Allah who loved, obeyed, and followed the Messenger without personal greed and without opposition or arrogance, and only wanted the acceptance of Allah and His Messenger; those Companions have pleased Allah and He pleased them, and that is the way for those who fear Allah.

The excellence and virtues of the second caliph of Islam, Sayyiduna Omar al-Farooq, may Allah be pleased with him, are more than can be counted. Here are some of the most famous ones. This small collection of Traditions will inshaAllah increase our love for al-Farooq and his blessed teacher.

1. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both the father and the son) reports the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, as saying:

اللهم أعز الإسلام بأبى جهل بن هشام أو بعمر. قال فأصبح فغدا عمر على رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- فأسلم

"O Allah, strengthen Islam with Abu Jahl bin Hisham or Omar bin Khattab." In the morning Umar went to the Holy Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and embraced Islam. [Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 3683]

2. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both the father and the son) narrates when Sayyiduna Omar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu accepted Islam, Jibraeel Alaihis Salam descent and said:

يا محمد لقد استبشر أهل السماء بإسلام عمر

"O Muhammad – may Allah send greetings and salutations on him – indeed, the residents of the heavens are rejoicing in Omar`s embracing Islam." [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 103]

3. It is related that Sayyiduna 'Abdullah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu said,

ما زلنا أعزة منذ أسلم عمر

"We have become mighty since Omar became Muslim." [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3481]

4. Sayyiduna Uqbah bin Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

لو كان بعدى نبى لكان عمر بن الخطاب

If there were to be a prophet after me, indeed he would be Omar, son of Khattab. [Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 3686]

5. It is related that Sayyiduna Jabir ibn 'Abdullah said that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

رأيتنى دخلت الجنة ، فإذا أنا بالرميصاء امرأة أبى طلحة وسمعت خشفة ، فقلت من هذا فقال هذا بلال . ورأيت قصرا بفنائه جارية ، فقلت لمن هذا فقال لعمر . فأردت أن أدخله فأنظر إليه ، فذكرت غيرتك » . فقال عمر بأمى وأبى يا رسول الله أعليك أغار طرفاه

"I dreamt that I entered the Garden and there was ar-Rumaysa', the wife of Abu Talha. I heard a faint sound and said, 'Who is this?' He said, 'This is Bilal.' I saw a palace with a girl in its courtyard and said, 'Who does this belong to?' They said, Omar.' I wanted to enter it and look at it but then I remembered your jealousy.' Omar said, 'By my mother and father, Messenger of Allah, would I be jealous on account of you?'" [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3476]

6. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Omar (may Allah be pleased with both the father and the son) narrates that one day the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, went out and entered the mosque with Abu Bakr and Omar, one on his right hand and the other on his left, holding their hands. Then he said:

هكذا نبعث يوم القيامة

"We will be raised thus on the Day of Resurrection." [Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 3669]

7. Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with both the father and the son) narrates:

قال عمر لأبى بكر يا خير الناس بعد رسول الله. فقال أبو بكر أما إنك إن قلت ذاك فلقد سمعت رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- يقول ما طلعت الشمس على رجل خير من عمر

Omar said to Abu Bakr, "O best of men after Allah`s Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace." Abu Bakr replied, "Seeing that you have that, (I would also tell you that) I heard Allah`s Messenger, may Allah send greetings and salutations on him, say, "The sun has not risen on a better man than Omar."" [Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 3684]

8. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Omar (may Allah be pleased with both the father and the son) narrates that Allah`s Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace said,

إن الله جعل الحق على لسان عمر وقلبه

"Indeed, Allah has placed truth upon Omar`s tongue and heart." [Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 2682]

9. It is related from Sayyiduna Abu Hamzah that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

بينا أنا نائم شربت - يعنى اللبن - حتى أنظر إلى الرى يجرى فى ظفرى أو فى أظفارى ، ثم ناولت عمر. فقالوا فما أولته قال العلم

"While I was asleep, I dreamt that I drank (milk) until I could feel moisture coming out of my nails and then I gave it to Omar ibn al-Khattab." They asked, "How do you interpret it, Messenger of Allah?" He replied, "It means knowledge." [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3478]

10. It is related that Sayyiduna 'Abdullah ibn Omar said that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

أريت فى المنام أنى أنزع بدلو بكرة على قليب ، فجاء أبو بكر فنزع ذنوبا أو ذنوبين نزعا ضعيفا ، والله يغفر له ، ثم جاء عمر بن الخطاب فاستحالت غربا ، فلم أر عبقريا يفرى فريه حتى روى الناس وضربوا بعطن

"I dreamt that I was at a well drawing water with a young camel's bucket, Abu Bakr came and drew one or two buckets, but there was some weakness in his drawing. May Allah forgive him. Then Omar ibn al-Khattab came and it turned into a large bucket in his hand. I have not seen a leader among the people work so well as he did until the people watered their camels." [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3479]

11. It is related that Sayyiduna Sa'id ibn Abi Waqqas said,

استأذن عمر بن الخطاب على رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - ، وعنده نسوة من قريش يكلمنه ويستكثرنه ، عالية أصواتهن على صوته فلما استأذن عمر بن الخطاب قمن فبادرن الحجاب فأذن له رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - فدخل عمر ورسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يضحك ، فقال عمر أضحك الله سنك يا رسول الله . فقال النبى - صلى الله عليه وسلم - « عجبت من هؤلاء اللاتى كن عندى فلما سمعن صوتك ابتدرن الحجاب » . فقال عمر فأنت أحق أن يهبن يا رسول الله . ثم قال عمر يا عدوات أنفسهن ، أتهبننى ولا تهبن رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - فقلن نعم ، أنت أفظ وأغلظ من رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - . فقال رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - إيها يا ابن الخطاب والذى نفسى بيده ما لقيك الشيطان سالكا فجا قط إلا سلك فجا غير فجك

"Omar asked the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, for permission to enter while there were some women of Quraysh with him who speaking to him and asking him for more, raising their voices above his voice. When Omar ibn al-Khattab asked for permission to enter, they rushed to screen themselves. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, gave him permission and 'Umar entered while the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was laughing. Omar said, 'May Allah make you laugh, Messenger of Allah.' He said, 'I am amazed at those women who were with me. When they heard your voice, they rushed to screen themselves.' Omar said, 'But you, Messenger of Allah, are more entitled to be feared.' Then he said, 'O enemies of your selves! Do you fear me and not fear the Messenger of Allah?' They said, 'Yes, you are harsher and more severe than the Messenger of Allah.' The Messenger of Allah said, 'O Ibn al-Khattab! By the One in whose hand my soul is, whenever Shaytan finds you taking a path, he only takes a path other than your path.'" [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3480]

12. It is related that Sayyiduna Ibn 'Abbas said,

وضع عمر على سريره ، فتكنفه الناس يدعون ويصلون قبل أن يرفع ، وأنا فيهم ، فلم يرعنى إلا رجل آخذ منكبى ، فإذا على فترحم على عمر ، وقال ما خلفت أحدا أحب إلى أن ألقى الله بمثل عمله منك ، وايم الله ، إن كنت لأظن أن يجعلك الله مع صاحبيك ، وحسبت أنى كنت كثيرا أسمع النبى - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يقول ذهبت أنا وأبو بكر وعمر ، ودخلت أنا وأبو بكر وعمر ، وخرجت أنا وأبو بكر وعمر

"Omar ibn al-Khattab who had been placed on his bed, and the people gathered around him to make supplication and pray before he was removed. I was among them. I was startled when a man took hold of my shoulders, and it was 'Ali ibn Abi Talib. He asked for mercy for Omar and said, 'You have not left behind anyone I would prefer to encounter with the like of your actions. By Allah, I used to think that Allah would put you with your two companions. I reckoned this as I often heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, "I and Abu Bakr and 'Umar went..." and "I and Abu Bakr and 'Umar entered..." and "I and Abu Bakr and 'Umar left."'" [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3482]

13. It is added that Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra said that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

لقد كان فيمن كان قبلكم من بنى إسرائيل رجال يكلمون من غير أن يكونوا أنبياء ، فإن يكن من أمتى منهم أحد فعمر

"Among the tribe of Israel before you were men who were spoken to without being Prophets. If there are any of them among my community, then it is Omar." [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3486]

14. It is related that Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

بينا أنا نائم رأيت الناس عرضوا على وعليهم قمص ، فمنها ما يبلغ الثدى ، ومنها ما يبلغ دون ذلك ، وعرض على عمر وعليه قميص اجتره . قالوا فما أولته يا رسول الله قال الدين

'While I was asleep, I dreamed I saw some people who were shown to me and who were wearing shirts some of which reached to their breasts and some of which were shorter than that. Omar ibn al-Khattab was shown to me wearing a shirt that was trailing on the ground.' They asked, 'How do you interpret that, Messenger of Allah?' He answered, 'The Religion.'" [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3488]

15. The son of Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Allahu Ta'ala Anhu, Imam Muhammad bin Hanafiyya Radi Allahu Allahu Ta'ala Anhu narrates:

قلت لأبى أى الناس خير بعد رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قال أبو بكر . قلت ثم من قال ثم عمر

'I asked my father who was the best of people after the Prophet and he answered "Abu Bakr". I asked him who is the best of people after Abu Bakr and he replied, "Omar"' [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3468]

16. Hadrat Abdullah bin Salma Radi Allahu Allahu Ta'ala Anhu reports from Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Allahu Ta'ala Anhu ,

خیر الناس بعد رسول الله صلی الله تعالی علیه وسلم ابوبكر وخیر الناس بعد ابوبكر عمر

'After the Noble Messenger, the best of people is Abu Bakr, then the best of people is Omar' [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 111]

17. Narrated by Sayyiduna Hudhaifa Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu, He said: Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said,

اقتدوا باللذين من بعدي أبي بكر و عمر

“Follow after me from my companions Abu-Bakr and Omar.” [Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 3742]

18. Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Mas'ood Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu said:

لو وضع علم عمر في كفة ميزان و وضع علم الناس في كفة لرجح علم عمر

"If the knowledge of Omar was put on one side of a scale, and the knowledge of the people on the other side of the scale, Omar's knowledge would weigh more." [Al-Mustadrak 'ala al-Sahîhayn‎, Vol. 3, Page 92, Hadith 4497]

19. Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal records a hadith narrated upon the authority of Sayyiduna Qabisah ibn Jaabir who said:

ما رأيت رجلا أعلم بالله ولا أقرأ لكتاب الله ولا أفقه في دين الله من عمر

I haven't seen anyone more knowledgeable about the book of Allah and His religion, nor anyone more upholding of the limits imposed by Allah, nor anyone more feared and respected in the breasts of men than Omar ibn Al-Khattaab. [Fadail al-Sahaba, Vol. 1, Page 330, Hadith 472]

20. Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah ennoble his face) narrates that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

أبوبكر وعمر سيدا كهول أهل الجنة من الأولين والآخرين، ما خلا النبيين والمرسلين

“Abu Bakr and `Umar are the leaders of the mature inhabitants of Paradise, of the first and the last with the exception of the Prophets and the Messengers.” [Jami' al-Ahadith, Hadith 233]

21. Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

أبو بكر وعمر من هذا الدين كمنزلة السمع والبصر من الرأس

“Abu Bakr and Omar are to the religion like the station of the hearing and the sight to the head.” [Al-Khattib in Tarikh, Vol. 8, Page 459 from Jabir]

22. Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

أبو بكر وعمر مني بمنزلة هارون من موسى

“Abu Bakr and Umar are to me in the station of Haroon from Musa.” [Al-Khattib in Tarikh, Vol. 5, Page 194]

23. Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

عمر مني وأنا من عمر، والحق بعدي مع عمر حيث كان

“I am from Omar and Omar is from me. The truth, after me, is with Umar wherever he is.” [Al-Tabrani in Awsat, Vol. 3, Page 104, Hadith 2629]

24. Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, struck the chest of Umar with his hand when he became Muslim and said,

اللهم أخرج ما في صدر عمر من غل وداء، وأبدله إيمانا - ثلاثا

“O Allah take out from the heart of Omar rancor and disease in exchange for faith.” (Three times) [Jami' al-Ahadith, Hadith 4812]

25. Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

أتاني جبريل عليه السلام فقال: أقرىء عمر السلام وقل له: إن رضاه حكم، وإن غضبه عزّ

“Jibril, upon him peace, came to me and said, Convey greeting to Omar and say to him his satisfaction is wisdom and his anger might.” [Al-Tabrani in Kabir, Vol. 10, Page 207, Hadith 12302]

26. A freed bondswoman of Sayyidah Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

إن الشيطان لم يلق عمر منذ أسلم إلا خر لوجهه

“Satan has not meet Umar since he became Muslim except murmur in his face.” [Al-Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 18, Page 42, Hadith 20230]

27. Sayyiduna Abu Dhar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, saw Omar and said,

لا تصيبنكم فتنة ما دام هذا فيكم

“You shall not be afflicted with tribulation as long as he is amongst you.” [Al-Tabarani in Awsat, Vol. 4, Page 478, Hadith 2019]

28. Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id Al-Khudari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

من أبغض عمر فقد أبغضني، ومن أحب عمر فقد أحبني

“Whoever hates Umar hates me. Whoever loves Omar loves me.” [Al-Tabarani in Awsat, Vol. 14, Page 493, Hadith 6915]

29. Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said,

إن كان إسلام عمر لفتحاً وهجرته لنصراً، وإمارته رحمة، والله ما استطعنا أن نصلي عند البيت الكعبة ظاهرين

“If the Islam of Umar was an opening his migration was a victory and his leadership mercy. I swear by Allah that we were unable to pray at the Ka’aba publically until Omar became Muslim.” [Al-Mustadrak 'ala al-Sahîhayn‎, Vol. 3, Page 90 Hadith 4487]

30. Sayyiduna Ammar ibn Yasir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

يا عمار أتاني جبريل آنفاً فقلت: يا جبريل حدثني بفضائل عمر بن الخطاب في السماء فقال: يا محمد لو حدثتك بفضائل عمر منذ ما لبث نوح في قومه ألف سنة إلا خمسين عاما ما نفدت فضائل عمر

“O Ammar, Jibril came to me and I asked, “O Jibril narrate to me the virtues of Omar ibn Al-Khattab in the heavens.” He said, “O Muhammad, if I was to narrate the virtues of Omar from the time that Nuh remained with his people, nine hundred and fifty years, I would not exhaust the virtues of Omar.” [Abu Y’alla in Musnad, Vol. 4, Page 173, Hadith 1568]

May Allah increase our love for His beloved Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, his family and his companions. Only Allah give success. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

source: http://www.ahlesunnat.net/media-library/downloads/regularupdates/umerexcellence.htm

Which Of The Favors Of Your Lord Will You Deny?

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

We, among all creatures, stand in need of Allah, in all conditions and situations. We need sustenance, health and welfare, comfort and safety; and in the Hereafter, we need forgiveness, mercy and Paradise. Who else besides the Absolutely Powerful Being, the Lord of Majesty, is able to respond to our needs every moment of the time? His Attributes know no limit or count. He gives life to some and causes others to die. He elevates some and others He abases. Some He causes to become ill and others He cures. He alleviates the adversity of some; He causes the aggrieved ones to smile; He grants the requests of supplicants; He forgives the sins of the sinners and makes them deserving of Paradise; He gives power to some, and He snatches it away from others and abases them. In sum, every Attribute of Allah keeps finding its manifestation in diverse ways all the time.

فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ﴿١٣

So which of the favors of your Lord will you deny? (13)

[Qur'an Ar-Rahman 55:13]

In Surah Ar-Rahman, Allah continuously recounted His bounties -- worldly as well spiritual. The greatest of all bounties and mercies is the Qur'an, because it is an all-comprehensive Book directing man in temporal and spiritual matters and in matters relating to this world and the next. Those who heeded the Qur'an and fulfilled its right, like the blessed Companions, Allah raised their status in the Hereafter and blessed them with inconceivable bounties and favors. In this world too they are promoted to such high stations as the greatest of kings were not able to attain.

الرَّحْمَـٰنُ ﴿١﴾ عَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ ﴿٢﴾ خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ ﴿٣﴾ عَلَّمَهُ الْبَيَانَ ﴿٤

The Most Merciful (1) Taught the Qur'an, (2) Created man, (3) [And] taught him eloquence. (4)

[Qur'an Ar-Rahman 55:1-4]

The fundamental object of man's creation is to impart to him the knowledge of the Qur'an, and for him to follow its guidance.

مَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ ﴿٥٦

And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (56)

[Qur'an Adh-Dhariya 51:56]

Surely worship without Divine guidance is impossible. The source of Divine guidance is the Qur'an.

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

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

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

So learn the Qur'an. Whoever comes to the Book with sincerity, Allah will continue to teach and guide him.

If you don't take the time to be the student of Qur'an, it only shows that you are not appreciating the most valuable gift from Allah. As such you are denying the greatest mercy and favor of Allah.

May Allah grant us tawfiq and make us among those who are thankful. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Surah Kahf Day: Solving Today's Problems

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

In our journey to Allah, we face many many many problems of different sort. The solutions to these problems are in the Surah Kahf and we are to recite it every single Friday.

This was the du'a of a group of young men, the Companions of the Cave, when they were escaping from their cruel King and nation of idol worshippers.

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." (10)

[Qur'an Al-Kahf 18:10]

The young men were summoned to the King's court and questioned. It was a matter of life and death. But, despite their apprehension for the worst, Allah made His love, awe and grandeur prevail over their hearts which empowered them to face any eventuality of death or distress. The outcome was that they proclaimed their belief clearly and courageously saying that they did not worship anyone or anything other than Allah and would not do that in future as well. The young men left the city in which it was not possible to worship Allah and took refuge in the Cave.

Allah had arranged for their protection in the Cave while they sleep for a long time.

فَضَرَبْنَا عَلَىٰ آذَانِهِمْ فِي الْكَهْفِ سِنِينَ عَدَدًا ﴿١١

So We cast [a cover of sleep] over their ears within the cave for a number of years. (11)

[Qur'an Al-Kahf 18:11]

People who firmly resolve to do something for the sake of Allah, this is how they receive help from Allah.

May Allah save us from the trials and tribulations of this life and the next and grant us from Himself mercy and prepare for us from our affairs right guidance. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Protecting Your Family

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

We send our children to school and insist that they work hard at school. If they achieve some good qualifications in their school years, more employment opportunities will open up in the future. Good jobs is often associated with a better standard of life and more security. But will it?

How much of this education helps to improve the moral fibre of our society and how much of this education promotes values such as respect, modesty, humility and piety? How many classes genuinely help to explain our purpose in life? Explain to us about our Creator? Tells us about the signs around us which lead to the truth or the teachings of the prophets?

The need for spiritual and moral education is amply demonstrated by the ills within our society. As we move more into a materialistic frame of mind we totally neglect our spiritual side leading to more disruptions within our personal and social lives. Society breaks down; the family unit breaks down as people become more distant. We rely on fantasy and entertainment, alcohol and drugs to drown out every remembrance and need of the soul inside us.

The fact remains that one day we will die and a new phase in our lives will begin. Scientific research or any other form of analysis can't explain this next phase. Instead we have to turn to other sources for this information and guidance. This is where religious guidance plays a vital role. It teaches us about the wrongs and rights; it encourages us to be of good character and actions; it teaches us about our purpose of life and what happens when we die; it teaches us about our creator and the relationship we should have with Him; it teaches that which is beyond human perception and can only be taught through divinely appointed teachers - the Prophets.

It is the duty of parents to protect their children from the Fire of Hell by teaching them Allah’s commands and prohibitions and Islamic manners (adab). It is the right of children to be brought up in accordance with the guidelines of Islam. In the Day of Judgment everybody will come after those people that are owed rights to them. Parents who did not fulfill the rights of their children will run away from their children, trying to save themselves from the consequences of this reality.

Allah Almighty says,

يَوْمَ يَفِرُّ ٱلْمَرْءُ مِنْ أَخِيهِ ﴿٣٤﴾ وَأُمِّهِۦ وَأَبِيهِ ﴿٣٥﴾ وَصَـٰحِبَتِهِۦ وَبَنِيهِ ﴿٣٦

On the Day a man will flee from his brother (34) And his mother and his father (35) And his wife and his children, (36)

[Qur'an Abasa 80:34-36]

Parents should strive to cultivate in their children's hearts a deep love and respect for the Deen so that it is the central part of their adult life. And when they are confronted with choices, they can clearly tell the difference between right and wrong and inshaAllah act accordingly.

The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Act upon the obedience to Allah and avoid the prohibitions of Allah, and order your children to abide by the commandments of Allah and to avoid the prohibitions of Allah, and by that you protect yourselves and them from the Hellfire.”

"For a man to teach his child good adab is better than giving a sa (2 liters) of grain in charity."

"No father can give his child anything better than good manners." [Tirmidhi]

"Whoever desires to spite the jealous one, should teach his child good adab." Who is jealous of us? The Shaytan and his followers.

The best of you is he who has learnt the Qu'ran and then taught it." [Bukhari]

Teach your children Qur'an from early age. The first step is to make sure they can read the Qur'an properly and start memorizing. Find a good teacher for them. If you are an adult, you need to do this too (if you didn't get the opportunity to do it when you were a kid), so at least when you have your own children, you can teach them and be their model in this respect.

It is a well known fact that children do as parents do, not necessarily what they say. Children develop behaviors through observing their parents in day-to-day life. Every behavior that a parent engages in should be worthy of imitating because children will imitate it.

ا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَائِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ شِدَادٌ لَّا يَعْصُونَ اللَّـهَ مَا أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ ﴿٦﴾ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَا تَعْتَذِرُوا الْيَوْمَ ۖ إِنَّمَا تُجْزَوْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٧

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. (6) O you who have disbelieved, make no excuses that Day. You will only be recompensed for what you used to do. (7)

[Qur'an At-Tahrim 66:6-7]

May Allah grant us good in this life and the Hereafter and save us and our families from Hellfire. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Continuing Religious Education

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

I just completed and submitted my continuing legal education to the State Bar. As lawyers and member of the Bar, it is mandatory to show proof of this study every few years. This part of attorney's requirement not only cost money but attorney's precious time. But we welcome it and happily do it because it helps maintain and sharpen our skills as lawyers and also keep us away from ethical violations that can cause us our license.

But what are we doing to maintain and sharpen our practice of our Deen and to keep us away from disobedience of Allah so we may attain the mercy of the Almighty and be of those people who are successful in the life Hereafter? Are we too busy with our self, work, friends and family that we have no time to learn the Deen on a continuous basis?

Our spiritual life today should be better than yesterday and work for a much better tomorrow. Your knowledge of the deen should increase and your practice of the deen should improve each day. There is always a better prayer, a better fast, a better child, a better parent, a better behavior, a better speech, etc. So there is no time to waste but to continue learning and apply what we know.

Everything has been decided and written in the lawh almahfuz. Whether it is going to be in our favor or not, it is in Allah's hands alone. We have no say about it. But we still have to do our part because we are His slaves. He is the Lord. Our part is doing what Allah wants from us. If we don't know what Allah wants from us, then we learn. We ask Allah to help us and give us tawfiq.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, knew the result of the Battle of Badr before it happened, but he did not sit back and wait for Allah to send the victory. He did his part--planned and prepared the army, not stepping on anybody's toes, and he made a long and intense du'a to the Lord the whole night.

We might find certain things difficult or impossible to do but we do them anyway to the best of our ability because we are certain that Allah does not burden a soul beyond his scope (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:286). But we don't stand still. We need to push ourselves whether it be giving up haram or doing more worship at night or seeking religious knowledge. If we beseech Allah's help humbly, the moment it is going to be beyond our ability, help will come but we have to do our part.

أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ اللَّـهِ ۗ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّـهِ قَرِيبٌ ﴿٢١٤

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? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allah?" Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near. (214)

[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:214]

May Allah grant us the tawfiq. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Death

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

We will one day be raised up before Allah, having no place of return except that, and no destiny but this one.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ). Surely we belong to Allah and to Him is the return. Please recite Al-Fatiha for our friend, a hafizah (a memorizer of Qur'an), who just passed away. She died at age 27 and left behind 2 small children and widower. May Allah shower her with mercy, forgive her sins and grant her the highest Paradise among Allah's elect, and grant patience to her loved ones. Ameen.

In Allah’s hand alone is the granting of life, and in His hand is the return of what He gave at the appointed time, and after the allotted life span, whether the people are in their houses amongst their families, or striving to seek provision or striving to please Allah, seeking His Noble Countenance. Reward and recompense are with Him, and He has full knowledge and power.

الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ ﴿٢

[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving - (2)

[Qur'an Al-Mulk 67:2]

Many humans live the life of this world, seeking the best that it has to offer, while ignoring what lies ahead of them upon death. This is a result of weak faith, for such people live only for what is before their eyes. The adornment of this world are but temptations to distract you from the true purpose of life and the reminder that you will indeed be responsible for all you do in this life.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّـهِ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ ﴿٩﴾ وَأَنفِقُوا مِن مَّا رَزَقْنَاكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنِي إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ﴿١٠﴾ وَلَن يُؤَخِّرَ اللَّـهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهَا ۚ وَاللَّـهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١١

O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers. (9) And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, "My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous." (10) But never will Allah delay a soul when its time has come. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do. (11)

[Qur'an Al-Munafiqun 63:9-11]

The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

Remember much, that which cuts off pleasure: Death, since no-one remembers it in times of difficulty, except that things are made easy for him, nor mentions it at times of ease, except that the affairs become constricted for him.

[Saheehul-Jaami’us Sagheer, no 1222]

Death is certain. No one has the power to avoid it, nor does anyone around the dying person have the ability to prevent it. It is something, which happens every moment and is encountered by the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the strong and the weak. They are all the same because there is no plan or means of escaping it, no power, no means of intercession, no way to prevent it, nor to delay it, which shows that indeed it comes from One having tremendous power - so that the human is helpless in this regard and can only submit to it.

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ ﴿١٨٥

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion. (185)

[Qur'an AleImran 3:185]

There are many Prophetic Ahadith regarding death and the effect it should have on us. From Al-Baraa’ ibn Aazib (ra), who said:

"We went out with Allah’s Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, with the funeral of a man of the Ansar and we came to the grave and the niche in the side of the grave (al-Lahd), had not been dug out yet, so Allah’s Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, sat and we sat around him as if we had birds upon our heads, and in his hand he had a stick with which he was striking the ground. Then he raised his head and said: ‘Seek Allah’s refuge from the Punishment of the Grave,’ two or three times. Then he said: ‘When the believing servant is leaving this world and going onto the Hereafter, angels with white faces - as if their faces were in the Sun - descend upon him. With them is a shroud from the shrouds of Paradise and perfume for embalming from the perfume of Paradise, so they sit away from him at the distance the eye can see and then the Angel of Death (as) comes and sits by his head and says: "O good soul, come out to forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure." He said: "So it comes out, just as a drop flows out from the mouth of the drinking vessel, and he takes it but does not leave it in his hand even for the blink of an eye until they take it and places it in that shroud, and that perfume, and there comes out from him a smell like that of the best musk found upon the face of the earth." He said: "So they ascend with it, (i.e. the persons soul) and they do not pass by any group of Angels except that they say: ‘Who is this good and pure soul?’ So they reply: "So and so, the son of so and so." with the best of his names which he used to be called by in this world, until they come to the lowest Heaven, and ask that it should be opened for him, so it is opened for him, they accompany him through every Heaven until he is taken up to the seventh Heaven, and Allah the Al-Mighty says: "Write the record of my slave in Illiyon (signifying highness) and return him to earth to his body." Then they say: "Who is your Lord?" So he will say: "My Lord is Allah." So they will say: "What is your Deen?" He will say: "My Deen is Islam." So they say: "Who is the man who was sent amongst you?" So he will say: "He is Allah’s Messenger." So they say: "How did you come to know that?" So he will say: "I read the Book of Allah, and believed in it , and attested to it." So a caller will call from Heaven: "Indeed My servant has spoken the Truth, so spread a place for him in Paradise, and a open a door to Paradise for him, so some of its fragrances and scents come to him and his grave is extended as far as the eye can see." He said: "A person with a Handsome face, and beautiful clothes and good smell comes to him and says. ‘Receive good news, which will please you. This is the day which you were promised.’ So he says to him: "Who are you?, since your face appears to signify good." So he says: "I am your righteous actions." He therefore says: "O Lord, establish the Last Hour. O Lord establish the Last Hour - so that I may return to my family and wealth."

But when the unbelieving servant is leaving this world and going into the Hereafter, angels with black faces descend upon him as far as the eye can see. The Angel of Death comes and sits by his head and says: "O foul soul, come out to Allah’s displeasure and anger." So the soul spreads throughout the body, so he (the Angel of Death) drags it out, just as a pronged roasting fork is pulled out of wool. So he takes it, but does not leave it in his hand for the blink of an eye until they put it in those coarse sack cloths. Then there comes from him an offensive stench, like that of the foulest smelling corpse rotting upon the face of the earth. So they ascend with it (i.e. the soul), and they do not pass by any group of angels except that they say: "what is that foul smell!" So they say: "So and so, son of so and so," calling him with the ugliest names which he used to be called with in this world, until they come with him to the lowest heaven, and ask permission to enter, and it is not opened for him." Then Allah’s Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, recited:

لَا تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَلَا يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّىٰ يَلِجَ الْجَمَلُ فِي سَمِّ الْخِيَاطِ ...

...the gates of Heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle. [Qur'an Al-Araf 7:40]

So Allah Almighty says: "write his record in Sijjeen (a name signifying constriction) within the lowest earth." Then his soul is flung down, and he recited:

وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّـهِ فَكَأَنَّمَا خَرَّ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَتَخْطَفُهُ الطَّيْرُ أَوْ تَهْوِي بِهِ الرِّيحُ فِي مَكَانٍ سَحِيقٍ ﴿٣١ ...

...And he who associates with Allah - it is as though he had fallen from the sky and was snatched by the birds or the wind carried him down into a remote place. [Qur'an Al-Hajj 22:31]

So his soul is returned to his body and two Angels come and make him sit up. Then they say to him: "Who is your Lord?" So he will say: "Ah, ah, I don’t know." So they will say: "Who is this man who was sent amongst you?" So he will say: Ah, ah, I don’t know." So a caller will call from heaven: "You have lied so spread a place for him in the Fire, and open a door to the Fire for him." So some of its heat and scorching air comes upon him, and his grave is constricted to the extent that his ribs interlace, and a man with an ugly face, unsightly clothes and smelling offensively comes to him and says: "Receive news of that which will grieve you, this is the day which you were promised." So he will say: "Who are you?" He will answer: "I am your evil actions." So the unbeliever will say: "O Lord, Do not establish the Last Hour."
[Saheehul-Jaami, reported by Ahmed and others]

Husnul Khaatimah

All of us want a good ending (Husnul Khaatimah). But what guarantee do we have that our end is going to be good except that we live a good life, acting in accordance with whatever that has been prescribed for us in the Shari'ah.

Whoever is of the People of Bliss then Allah will make easy for him the actions of the People of Bliss, whereas whoever is of the People of Misery then Allah will make easy for him the actions of the People of Misery.

Allah Almighty says,

إِنَّ سَعۡيَكُمۡ لَشَتَّىٰ (٤) فَأَمَّا مَنۡ أَعۡطَىٰ وَٱتَّقَىٰ (٥) وَصَدَّقَ بِٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ (٦) فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ ۥ لِلۡيُسۡرَىٰ (٧) وَأَمَّا مَنۢ بَخِلَ وَٱسۡتَغۡنَىٰ (٨) وَكَذَّبَ بِٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ (٩) فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ ۥ لِلۡعُسۡرَىٰ (١٠) وَمَا يُغۡنِى عَنۡهُ مَالُهُ ۥۤ إِذَا تَرَدَّىٰٓ (١١) إِنَّ عَلَيۡنَا لَلۡهُدَىٰ (١٢) وَإِنَّ لَنَا لَلۡأَخِرَةَ وَٱلۡأُولَىٰ (١٣) فَأَنذَرۡتُكُمۡ نَارً۬ا تَلَظَّىٰ (١٤) لَا يَصۡلَٮٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلۡأَشۡقَى (١٥) ٱلَّذِى كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ (١٦) وَسَيُجَنَّبُہَا ٱلۡأَتۡقَى (١٧) ٱلَّذِى يُؤۡتِى مَالَهُ ۥ يَتَزَكَّىٰ (١٨) وَمَا لِأَحَدٍ عِندَهُ ۥ مِن نِّعۡمَةٍ۬ تُجۡزَىٰٓ (١٩) إِلَّا ٱبۡتِغَآءَ وَجۡهِ رَبِّهِ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ (٢٠) وَلَسَوۡفَ يَرۡضَىٰ (٢١

Verily, (the ends) you strive for are diverse. (4) So he who gives (in charity) and fears (Allah), (5) And (in all sincerity) testifies to the best,- (6) We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Bliss. (7) But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient, (8) And gives the lie to the best,- (9) We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Misery; (10) Nor will his wealth profit him when he falls headlong (into the Pit). (11) Verily We take upon Ourselves to guide, (12) And verily unto Us (belong) the End and the Beginning. (13) Therefore do I warn you of a Fire blazing fiercely; (14)None shall reach it but those most unfortunate ones (15) Who give the lie to Truth and turn their backs. (16) But those most devoted to Allah shall be removed far from it,- (17) Those who spend their wealth for increase in self-purification, (18) And have in their minds no favor from anyone for which a reward is expected in return, (19) But only the desire to seek for the Countenance of their Lord Most High; (20) And soon will they attain (complete) satisfaction. (21)

[Qur'an al-Lail 92:4-21]

The good are distinguished here by three signs: (1) large-hearted sacrifices for Allah and people; (2) fear of Allah, which shows itself in righteous conduct for taqwa includes just action as well as a mental state; and (3) truth and sincerity in recognizing and supporting all that is morally beautiful for Ḥusn is the good as well as the beautiful.

The evil are distinguished here by three signs: (1) selfish greed and denial of other people’s rights; (2) arrogance and self-sufficiency; and (3) knowingly dishonoring Truth, or seeing ugliness where there is beauty. Such person’s decline gathers momentum as they go, and their end can be nothing but Misery.

Everyone’s soul will taste death and will depart from this life. The difference between these souls is their final destination: Paradise or Hell. We should exert all effort in attaining Paradise and pay great attention to avoiding prohibitions and evil deeds, which may inevitably lead us to Hell.

May Allah grant us success in this life and the next and grant us an excellent ending at the highest of Iman. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Achieving Harmony on Earth

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Can you feel the love tonight
The peace the evening brings
The world for once in perfect harmony
With all its living things -- Lion King
The Noble Qur'an mentions the people of Thamud who were shown the miracle of the she-camel. Prophet Salih (peace be upon him) instructed his people that this she-camel was a sign from Allah. They were asked to allow this she-camel to drink from a pond and were told that nobody should interfere with her. This was indeed a test for them. Sounds quite straight forward and a simple test. But the people of Thamud hamstrung her. They thus failed and were punished by Allah.

وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَالِحًا ۗ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّـهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ ۖ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم بَيِّنَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ هَـٰذِهِ نَاقَةُ اللَّـهِ لَكُمْ آيَةً ۖ فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِي أَرْضِ اللَّـهِ ۖ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿٧٣

And to the Thamud [We sent] their brother Salih. He said, "O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. This is the she-camel of Allah [sent] to you as a sign. So leave her to eat within Allah's land and do not touch her with harm, lest there seize you a painful punishment. (73)

[Qur'an 7:73]

وَيَا قَوْمِ هَـٰذِهِ نَاقَةُ اللَّـهِ لَكُمْ آيَةً فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِي أَرْضِ اللَّـهِ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ قَرِيبٌ ﴿٦٤﴾ فَعَقَرُوهَا فَقَالَ تَمَتَّعُوا فِي دَارِكُمْ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ وَعْدٌ غَيْرُ مَكْذُوبٍ ﴿٦٥﴾ فَلَمَّا جَاءَ أَمْرُنَا نَجَّيْنَا صَالِحًا وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّا وَمِنْ خِزْيِ يَوْمِئِذٍ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ الْقَوِيُّ الْعَزِيزُ ﴿٦٦﴾ وَأَخَذَ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا الصَّيْحَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا فِي دِيَارِهِمْ جَاثِمِينَ ﴿٦٧﴾ كَأَن لَّمْ يَغْنَوْا فِيهَا ۗ أَلَا إِنَّ ثَمُودَ كَفَرُوا رَبَّهُمْ ۗ أَلَا بُعْدًا لِّثَمُودَ ﴿٦٨

And O my people, this is the she-camel of Allah - [she is] to you a sign. So let her feed upon Allah's earth and do not touch her with harm, or you will be taken by an impending punishment." (64) But they hamstrung her, so he said, "Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days. That is a promise not to be denied." (65) So when Our command came, We saved Salih and those who believed with him, by mercy from Us, and [saved them] from the disgrace of that day. Indeed, it is your Lord who is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might. (66) And the shriek seized those who had wronged, and they became within their homes [corpses] fallen prone (67) As if they had never prospered therein. Unquestionably, Thamud denied their Lord; then, away with Thamud. (68)

[Qur'an Hud 11:64-68]

How could they fail? According to some tafsirs, it was the prevailing conditions that made the test very tough for them. Some people had monopolized natural resources like water and pasture and were thus denying the rights of the poor and needy. The test was to see if the people would honor every other creatures' rights.

Allah did not tell us the story of the people of Thamud for entertainment but for us to reflect and draw lessons from. It is a warning for the heedless and the ignorant.

Everything in existence is created by Allah for the use of humans. Allah has made subservient to humans all animal life, bird life, plant life, water bodies, inanimate objects, and other creations. Our duty, as humans, is to deal with these as a loving and caring friend would deal with another friend, so that we can benefit from them, without exploiting them, without stopping others from this benefit, to put forward the common good ahead of personal benefit, and live our lives along with all creation of Allah in harmony and gratitude to the Bestower.

للَّـهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الْفُلْكَ لِتَجْرِيَ فِي الْبَحْرِ بِأَمْرِهِ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الْأَنْهَارَ ﴿٣٢﴾ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ دَائِبَيْنِ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ ﴿٣٣

It is Allah who created the heavens and the earth and sent down rain from the sky and produced thereby some fruits as provision for you and subjected for you the ships to sail through the sea by His command and subjected for you the rivers. (32) And He subjected for you the sun and the moon, continuous [in orbit], and subjected for you the night and the day. (33)

[Qu'ran Ibrahim 14:32-33]

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّـهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَالْفُلْكَ تَجْرِي فِي الْبَحْرِ بِأَمْرِهِ وَيُمْسِكُ السَّمَاءَ أَن تَقَعَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ بِالنَّاسِ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٦٥

Do you not see that Allah has subjected to you whatever is on the earth and the ships which run through the sea by His command? And He restrains the sky from falling upon the earth, unless by His permission. Indeed Allah, to the people, is Kind and Merciful. (65)

[Qur'an Al-Hajj 22:65]

إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لَآيَاتٍ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ ﴿١٩٠

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)

[Qu'ran AleImran 3:190]

When we look and admire Allah’s creation, we should realize the number of benefits that Allah has bestowed upon us. The free and clean air, water, land, fresh fruits, animals, good health, safety, time, wealth, abundance and varieties of food, clothes, natural parks/gardens, bridges/roads, technology/electronics, fast internet, fast vehicles, family/relatives, good neighbors/friends, and the list is endless.

Once we realize our list of things that Allah has given us, we should realize that almost every item on this list comes with some conditions. Conditions about how, where and when to use them. This is exactly the same condition that was presented to the people of Thamud.

وَآتَاكُم مِّن كُلِّ مَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَإِن تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّـهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَا ۗ إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَظَلُومٌ كَفَّارٌ ﴿٣٤﴾
And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favor of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful.

[Qur'an Ibrahim 14:34]

Enjoying the various blessings of Allah is in fact a test for us. A test where, we are tested about the huqooq [or the rights] that we owe to these items of benefit. A test where, we are tested about how we utilize the blessings of Allah for the betterment of mankind and not exploit them for fulfilling our selfish desires.

This is a lifelong test for all of us, every waking moments, every sleeping moments, every breath we take is a test. This test might be a daunting task and it certainly is. But, by Allah’s Mercy we have been shown the way to overcome this difficulty as well. It is built-in into our lives already--the recitation of Al-Fatiha over and over again in our daily prayers. All we need to do is pray (at least the prescribed 5 daily prayers) and focus and do not fail this one.

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ﴿٥

It is You we worship and You we ask for help. (5)

[Qur'an Al-Fatiha 1:5]

Allah reminds us in this ayah that if we remain obedient to Allah, He Himself will provide the help to overcome all difficulties and pass this test. For, it is He who creates and manages the circumstance of this very test.

إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لَآيَاتٍ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ ﴿١٩٠﴾ الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّـهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَـٰذَا بَاطِلًا سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ﴿١٩١﴾ رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ مَن تُدْخِلِ النَّارَ فَقَدْ أَخْزَيْتَهُ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ ﴿١٩٢﴾ رَّبَّنَا إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِي لِلْإِيمَانِ أَنْ آمِنُوا بِرَبِّكُمْ فَآمَنَّا ۚ رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الْأَبْرَارِ ﴿١٩٣﴾ رَبَّنَا وَآتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ ﴿١٩٤

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

[Qur'an AleImran 3:190-194]

Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

A Sound Heart

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

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

Indeed there is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart.

[Bukhari and Muslim]

Thus the good heart is the foundation for every good and righteousness and the corrupted heart is the foundation of every evil.

The heart is mentioned repeatedly in the Qur’an. One of the mentioned du'a (supplication) of Prophet Ibrahim 'alayhissalaam, beseeches to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala (the Exalted and Glorified):

وَلَا تُخْزِنِي يَوْمَ يُبْعَثُونَ ﴿٨٧﴾ يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ ﴿٨٨﴾ إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّـهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ ﴿٨٩٨﴾ إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّـهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ ﴿٨٩

And do not disgrace me on the Day they are [all] resurrected - (87) The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children (88) But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart. (89)

[Qur'an Al-Shu’ara 26:88-89]

The fact remains that one day we will die and a new phase in our lives will begin. The only one who is going to be successful, is the one who has a sound heart. So it is very important for us to understand what this means.

In defining the healthy heart, the following has been said: "It is a heart cleansed from any passion that challenges what Allah commands, or disputes what He forbids. It is free from any impulses which contradict His good. As a result, it is safeguarded against the worship of anything other than Him, and seeks the judgment of no other except that of His Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace. Its services are exclusively reserved for Allah, willingly and lovingly, with total reliance, relating all matters to Him, in fear, hope, and sincere dedication. When it loves, its love is in the way of Allah. If it detests, it detests in the light of what He detests. When it gives, it gives for Allah. If it withholds, it withholds for Allah. Nevertheless, all this will not suffice for its salvation until it is free from following, or taking as its guide, anyone other that His Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace). A servant with a healthy heart must dedicate it to its journeys end and not base his actions and speech on those of any other person except Allah's Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace). He must not give any precedence to any other faith, words or deeds over those of Allah and His Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace. Allah Almighty says,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّـهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿١

O you who have believed, do not put [yourselves] before Allah and His Messenger but fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing. (1)

[Qur'an Al-Hujurat 49:1]

The heart that is sound is a heart that loves Allah and His Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and strives in His cause more than everything else, even the halal things that we legitimately love, like our children, parents and spouses.

Our immediate focus is to rectify our hearts to rid our selves of blameworthy traits and acquire praiseworthy traits seeking Allah's Countenance.

We ask Allah to purify our hearts and fill our hearts with His love. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Fake Scholars

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Today, so many things have changed with the creation of the internet. You can find Islamic knowledge at your fingertips. There is no excuse for anyone to not learn Islam.

They are also many Shaykhs out there who can teach you. They are local Shaykhs who give lessons and various Shaykhs and Imams from various parts of the world who speak at regular Islamic conventions and retreats. Some are vibrant and some are mellow. Some are down to earth and some would not even respond to your salaams (maybe they are too busy with fans that they could not hear your salaams or maybe they don't need your salaams or maybe you are just a little nobody).

You pick who you want to listen to and choose who you don't want to listen to. If you are confused about what they said, then you have to recognize something. Like all humans, all scholars have faults. Some have more faults than others. So we take what is good and ignore what is bad. But we have to be very careful of the so-called scholars. They can be huge distractions and time wasters, for all they are good at is riling up the audience. These people cause problems for the Muslim Ummah and they are more dangerous than anything else. Just because they have a title Shaykh or the like before their names or just because they have 10s of thousands fans, that doesn't mean you can take from them.

People are driven away because of fake scholars. Who are the fake scholars? These are people who think they have knowledge but when we compare it with their character, we get shocked.

Knowledge is what benefits you and what is manifested in your person. Knowledge leads you to better your character and increases your understanding.

Imam Ghazali said knowledge is not to narrate a lot but to have piety, righteousness and fear of Allah.

Knowledge is a vehicle that leads you to a destination. The destination is meeting with Allah. Very few people know the purpose of knowledge.

A person who teaches others and spreads knowledge and does not manifest it in himself, his character is like a doctor who prescribed medicine for others and he himself is sick.

Until the purpose of knowledge is clear to the person, he will harm himself with his knowledge. He becomes of those who are lost and his destiny may be hellfire. The scholar who doesn’t apply his knowledge will be punished before idol worshippers.

Allah Almighty says,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ ﴿٢﴾ كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ اللَّـهِ أَن تَقُولُوا مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ ﴿٣﴾
O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? (2) Great is hatred in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do. (3)

[Qur'an As-Saff 61:2-3]

Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said:

"The first of men (whose case) will be decided on the Day of Judgement will be a man who died as a martyr. He shall be brought forth. Allah will make him recount His blessings (i. e. the blessings which He had bestowed upon him) and he will recount them (and admit having enjoyed them in his life). (Then) will Allah say: ‘What did you do (to requite these blessings)?’ He will say: ‘I fought for You until I died as a martyr.’ Allah will say: ‘You have told a lie. You fought so that you may be called a brave warrior. And you were called so.’ (Then) orders will be passed against him and he will be dragged with his face downward and cast into Hell.

Then a man will be brought forward who acquired knowledge and imparted it (to others) and recited the Qur’an. He will be brought forth and Allah will make him recount His blessings and he will recount them (and admit having enjoyed them in his lifetime). Then Allah will ask: ‘What did you do (to requite these blessings)?’ He will say: ‘I acquired knowledge and disseminated it and recited the Qur’an seeking Your pleasure.’ Allah will say: ‘You have told a lie. You acquired knowledge so that you may be called a scholar, and you recited the Qur'an so that you may be called a Qari and such has been said.’ Then orders will be passed against him and he shall be dragged with his face downward and cast into the Fire.

Then a man will be brought whom Allah had made abundantly rich and had granted every kind of wealth. He will be brought forth and Allah will make him recount His blessings and he will recount them and (admit having enjoyed them in his lifetime). Allah will (then) ask: ‘What have you done (to requite these blessings)?’ He will say: ‘I spent money in every cause in which You wished that it should be spent.’ Allah will say: ‘You are lying. You did so, so that you may be called a generous person, and so it was said.’ Then Allah will pass orders and he will be dragged with his face downward and thrown into Hell.”

[Sahih Muslim]

A scholar of the Hereafter will receive salvation and gain nearness of Allah. There are many signs of the scholars of the Hereafter.

1. He does not seek the world by his learning. He considers the world as insignificant and the hereafter as great and ever lasting.

2. His words and actions are the same, rather he does not order an action to be done without first doing it himself.

3. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Don't accompany every learned man. Be with the learned man who calls towards five matters: towards faith from doubt, sincerity from show, modesty from pride, love from enmity, and asceticism from worldliness.

4. His mind would be directed towards such learning that will be useful for the next world and give encouragement to pious deeds. He will avoid those learning which will bring lesser benefit but much arguments.

5. He has no attraction for various kinds of foods and drinks, luxury in dresses, furniture and houses, but rather he adopts moderate course in all these things following the earlier sages and he is best satisfied with the least of everything.

6. He is a man who fears of Allah and to avoid all manner of risk.

7. He keeps himself distant from the ruling authorities and avoids their company, because this world is sweet, ever new and its bridle is in their hands. He who get closer to them is not free from their pleasures and harms. They are mostly unjust and do not obey the advice of the learned men.

8. He does not give fatwa in a hurry but tries to be relieved of it. When he is asked and if he knows he gives his opinion. When he has doubt, he says, "I don't know." He is careful not to commit himself but refer the matter to someone else who is more capable than him.

(The great Imam Malik, Allah be pleased with him, once was asked about 40 questions by someone who traveled from a far away land of Iraq to Madina to present these questions from his people, and he all he could say was "I don't know" for all of them except a few.")

9. His main object of anxiety is to learn sacred knowledge, observation of the heart, and knowledge of the paths of the hereafter, to travel thereon and to have abiding faith in finding self-mortification.

10. He is sincere and upright for making his faith firm and strong, as firm faith is the root of religion.

11. Another sign of the learned man of the next world is that he becomes humble and adopts silence. The effect of the fear of Allah appears on his body, dress, character movements, speech and silence. His sight reminds one of Allah and his nature and character are proofs of his actions. His eye is a mirror of his mind. The signs of the learned man of the hereafter are recognized in his face, tranquility, modesty and freedom from pride and vanity. A sage said, "Allah has not given a man with a garment better than the garment of the fear of Allah. It is the garment of the Prophets, Siddiqs (the truthful) and the learned men".

Allah Almighty says,

يَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْآتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا ۖ وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّـهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ ﴿٢٦﴾
O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember.

[Al-Araf 7:26]

Once I asked one of my teachers..."Where do I find a good scholar?" He did not give me a direct answer but said, do lots of salawat upon the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace.

May Allah guide us to the righteous scholars of this time and preserve them for the Ummah. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Surah Kahf Day: Affinity

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Souls feel affinity with others according to the nature in which they were created. 'Although they are all souls, they differ in different ways, so a person will feel an affinity with souls of one kind, and will get along with them because of the special quality that they have in common.' [Qurtubi]

هَـٰؤُلَاءِ قَوْمُنَا اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِهِ آلِهَةً ۖ لَّوْلَا يَأْتُونَ عَلَيْهِم بِسُلْطَانٍ بَيِّنٍ ۖ فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّـهِ كَذِبًا (١٥ ) وَإِذِ اعْتَزَلْتُمُوهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّـهَ فَأْوُوا إِلَى الْكَهْفِ يَنشُرْ لَكُمْ رَبُّكُم مِّن رَّحْمَتِهِ وَيُهَيِّئْ لَكُم مِّنْ أَمْرِكُم مِّرْفَقًا ﴿١٦

These, our people, have taken besides Him deities. Why do they not bring for [worship of] them a clear authority? And who is more unjust than one who invents about Allah a lie?" (15) [The youths said to one another], "And when you have withdrawn from them and that which they worship other than Allah, retreat to the cave. Your Lord will spread out for you of His mercy and will prepare for you from your affair facility." (16)

[Qur'an Al-Kahf 18:15-16]

"The Ashab al-Kahf (companions of the cave) were the progeny of kings and chiefs among their people who were idol-worshippers. Once their people went out of the town to participate in some religious festival of theirs. This was a place where they met every year, worshipped their idols and sacrificed animals to please them. Their king was a tyrant. Called Daqyanus, he used to force his people to worship idols, That year, when everyone had gathered together in this festival, these young men identified as the Ashab al-Kahf also reached there and saw their people taking rocks carved with their own hands as God, worshipping them and sacrificing for them. At that time, Allah Ta'ala blessed them with the good sense to shun this absurd practice of their people. Thus, when they used their reason, they arrived at the conclusion that this worship belongs to none but that supreme Power who has created the heavens and the earth and everything therein. This thought crossed the minds of those few young men simultaneously and they started moving away from there to avoid the absurd practice of their people in the fair name of worship.

The first young man who withdrew went far from the crowd and sat down under a tree. After that, came another and he too sat there. Similarly, came the third, and the fourth, and each one of them kept taking a seat under the tree. But, none of them were familiar with each other, nor did they know as to why they had come there. The truth of the matter is that they were brought together on that spot by the Power that lit the light of faith in their hearts." [Ibn Kathir]

Ibn Kathir comments that people tend to take nationalism and common race as the cause of cohesion and union in social life. But, the reality lies in what has been said in a Hadith of Sahih al-Bukhari, that unity or disunity first germinates in souls, then it affects the bodies in this world. Souls that have experienced congruity and unity among them in 'azal (eternity) go on to become mutually connected and get molded into the form of a confraternity. As for those that did not have the experience of this mutual congruity and unity - in fact, remained separated there - they will remain separated here too.

May Allah join us with the righteous. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

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