Rain Rain, Don't Go Away

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

It poured yesterday and it's pouring now. SubhanAllah.

One of the blessings of the people in areas like Malaysia is plenty of rainfall throughout the year but how many are taking advantage of this.

When rain falls, as it said in the hadeeth of Sahl ibn Sa’d that is attributed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “There are two which will not be rejected: du’a at the time of the call (to prayer) and when it is raining.” [Narrated by Abu Dawood and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’ ]

Let's make lots of du'a. Don't tell it to go away. Don't teach our young ones the nursery rhyme, "Rain Rain Go Way!" Instead, teach them...Rain Rain, Don't Go Away, Little Children Want to Pray. May Allah bless your children and your family.

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

Ameen.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Making You A Better Muslim In Dhu'l-Hijjah

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Narrated by Abu Darda, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "There is nothing heavier than good character put in the Scale of a believer on the Day of Resurrection."[Abu Dawood]

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, stated, "The best of you are those who possess the best of characters." [Tabarani, Sahih)

The best character is achieved by doing good deeds. The best of deeds are deeds done during the first 10 days of Dhu'l-Hijjah, and the best of days is the ninth day of Dhu'l-Hijjah (known as the Day of Arafah).

Abdullah ibn Abbas reported the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, to have said: Of all the days Allah has created that we do good deeds, none has reward more than that of the first 10 days of Dhu'l-Hijjah. The Companions asked, ‘O Prophet, even more than fighting in the cause of Allah? The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, answered in affirmative and said except in the case of a man who went out, giving himself and his wealth up for the cause (of Allah), and came back with nothing.’ This person has reward that is tantamount to that of First 10 days of Dhu'l-Hijjah. [Bukhari]

While we are avid in doing the direct worship recommended during the 10 days, like fasting, reciting the Qur'an, increase in nawafil prayers, increase in istighfar, lots of dhikr, preparing for Qurbani, and so on, we should not forget to work on our manners with our parents and be good to them. All of us have something to work on in this area regardless of who you are -- whether you are a young adult or old, a teacher or a student, your parents are proud of you or not or upset with you all the time, married or not, you are supporting/taking care of them or not or vice versa, ...

Allah Almighty has given a grand status to the parents. He explicitly orders us to be good to our parents in countless verses of the Qur'an, and they are many hadith and hadith literature about being good and kind to one's parents.

Allah Almighty says,

وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّۢ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا ﴿٢٣﴾ وَٱخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ ٱلذُّلِّ مِنَ ٱلرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱرْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِى صَغِيرًا ﴿٢٤﴾

And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. (23) And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small." (24)

[Al-Isra 17:23-24]

Allah conjoins the order to be good towards parents and the order to the belief in the Oneness of Allah. This is to show the importance of being good to one's parents. Whoever obeys Allah but is bad to his parents, his act of obedience to Allah will not be accepted. They both have to be done.

Honor your parents. If they are still living, put them in the forefront before your career, traveling for leisure, before your friends, and before amassing wealth. Make a point to ask them if they are pleased with you. So, if they are not, you have time to remedy it. Begin supporting your parents financially, even if they don’t need any help. For those who have lost their parents, make du'a for them day and night, visit their graves, and give charity on their behalf. If you have children, you are teaching your children this good character and they will do the same to you.

This is also a great time to work on any broken or not so warm relationships with your family, extended family and other relatives. Islam has placed a tremendous emphasis on the establishment, maintenance, and preservation of family kinship including the non-Muslim relatives. Severing bonds can have disastrous consequences on a person’s life. Showering relatives with gifts is one of the effective methods of generating love between people.

May Allah enable us to do righteous deeds and make us of those with the best of character. May Allah have mercy on our parents, grant us righteous children and bring our families together in goodness and gather us all in the highest Jannah without reckoning. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

What is Really Greater in Your Life?

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,

ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۚ وَلَلْـَٔاخِرَةُ أَكْبَرُ دَرَجَـٰتٍ وَأَكْبَرُ تَفْضِيلًا ﴿٢١

Look how We have favored [in provision] some of them over others. But the Hereafter is greater in degrees [of difference] and greater in distinction. (21)

[Qur'an, Al-Isra' 17:21]

The poorest in this world can be the richest in the Hereafter; it all depends on one thing: your rank with Allah.

Allah calls Himself Al-Kabeer on six occasions in the Qur'an. Al-Kabeer embraces all kinds of greatness, from rank, size, nobility, and knowledge to mercy, and it tells us that nothing was, is, or will ever be like Him.

Allah commands us:

وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّرْ ﴿٣

And magnify Your Lord. (3)

[Qur'an, Al-Muddathir 74:3].

So, glorify Him alone and be humble in life in order to be great in the sight of Al-Kabeer.

Words to magnify Al-Kabeer, like the tahleel (laa ilaaha illAllah) tahmeed (Alhamdulillah), tasbeeh (subhanAllah) and takbeer (Allahu akbar), have great meanings; ponder their true meanings, increase in saying them and be careful not to misuse them.

Say a lot of takbeer — Allahu Akbar, in these first ten days of Dhu'l-Hijjah from your heart. Feel the takbeer.

Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with both father and son) narrates that a man came late to prayer. Upon arriving to the line he started his prayer with the following words, Allāhu Akbaru Kabīran wal-hamdulillahi kathīran wa subhān Allahi bukratan wa asīlā. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace), after completing the prayer, asked the people who had said this. The man said, O Rasūlullah, I did not intend by it other than good. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, I saw the gates of heaven open because of those words. Ibn ‘Umar added, I never ceased saying these words since hearing the Prophet say that. [Muslim, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasaa’i & Ahmad]

What is really akbar (greater) in your life?

The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam taught us to say Allahu akbar at the start and during your whole prayer. Whenever you say, or hear, Allahu Akbar in prayer or the adhaan (call to Prayer), know what it really means. Know that Allah is far greater than anything that you could ever imagine or think of. When you raise your hands to start your prayer, imagine you’re throwing the whole world behind you and all is about Allahu akbar.

Guard yourself against arrogance (kibr). Never look down on others; you don’t know the rank they have with Al-Kabeer.

Arrogance can also be found in how you deal with the commands of Allah. Look at the sin of Iblis and where he is going to wind up -- he refused to bow down due to arrogance.

If Allah Al-Kabeer blessed you with being kabeer in this world in knowledge, position, skills, etc, make others benefit and truly become kabeer to Him in the Hereafter.

May Allah enable us to magnify Him and protect us from arrogance, and make us of those who attain the highest ranks with Him in the highest Paradise without reckoning. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

On the Concept of Khilafah and the Reality of Political Power

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

An important article: For original link click here

At a time of political turmoil in the Muslim world, Sayyidī al-Ḥabīb `Umar bin Ḥafīẓ (may Allāh preserve him and benefit us by him) expounds on some of the meanings of khilāfah and clarifies the reality of political power. This is an extract from a Rawḥah lesson in Imam Abū Ṭālib al-Makkī’s book, Qūt al-Qulūb with some additions for extra clarity. The lesson took place in Dār al- Muṣṭafā on 21st Ramaḍān 1434 / 30th July 2013.

There are two types of khilāfah. The first is the outward khilāfah which relates to political power, which is not noble and honourable in itself. Anyone may attain political power, whether they be pious or corrupt, whether they be a believer or a disbeliever, whether they be a Prophet or a wretched person.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Had this material world (dunyā) weighed even the wing of a gnat in Allah’s estimation, He would not have given a disbeliever a glass of water from it to drink.”1

The second type is the khilāfah of prophet-hood, which is a noble and lofty thing. It relates to understanding the speech of Allah, to our connection with Him, to attaining a pure heart and attaining His pleasure. It is the preserve of the Prophets and their followers, the pious people in every time and place. No disbeliever or corrupt person may come close to it, nor someone with arrogance or pride in their heart. It began with two people on the face of the earth: Ādam and Ḥawā’ (Eve) and it continues to this day. If there were only two of us on the earth and we obeyed Allah’s commands in a state of truthfulness and sincerity we would be the khulafā’ of Allah on the earth, without anyone calling us a president or a minister or a leader. This is the khilāfah we should seek. Many Muslims have no desire to attain it, although it is the greatest form of khilāfah.

Sayyidunā `Alī combined the inward and the outward khilāfah, and after him Sayyidunā al-Ḥasan, until he relinquished power. At this point the inward khilāfah, which cannot be affected by evil, became separated from the outward khilāfah, which is subject to oppression and misguidance. Those who possess the inward khilāfah will intercede for others on the Day of Judgement, whereas those who possessed the outward khilāfah will await judgement. If they were just, they will be saved and if they were oppressive, they will be destroyed. Shaykh al-Sha`rāwī said that one of the wisdoms behind the existence of oppressive rulers is that they cause people to hate oppression.

If we study history we find that more often than not political power over the centuries has been in the hands of disbelievers and corrupt people. Many of the Messengers were sent to their people while political power was in the hands of disbelievers. Sayyidunā Nūḥ spent 950 years amongst his people as the khalīfah of Allah while political power was in the hands of disbelievers.

The inward khilāfah was in the hands of Sayyidunā Mūsā and the outward khilāfah was in the hands of Fir`aun. Mūsā said to his people: seek Allah’s assistance and be patient, for the earth belongs to Allah, and He bequeaths it to whomever He wishes from among His slaves – whether they be believers of disbelievers. However, the end is only for the people of taqwā.2 So be someone who possesses taqwā and do not concern yourself with the outward khilāfah. The tyrants may threaten you and try to kill you, but the people of the inward khilāfah seek Allah’s assistance and rely on Him alone.

Look at the life of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, the master of the people of khilāfah, and the imām of all people. For forty years before receiving revelation he was not in a position of leadership or power. He was, however, presiding over the inward khilāfah and was known as al-Amīn, ‘the Trustworthy One.’ People trusted him and consulted him in their affairs. After receiving revelation he spent thirteen years in Makkah, during which time power was in the hands of people like Abū Jahl. Outwardly he was under their rule but inwardly he was the greatest khalīfah of Allah on the earth. In al-Madīnah he was confronted by hostility from the Jews, the Hypocrites and the polytheists. It was only after eight years that he finally entered Makkah at the age of sixty-one. He only ruled over Makkah for two years before his death. This did not, however, detract from his khilāfah. He is the greatest khalīfah and every other khalīfah from the time of Ādam to `Īsā will be under his banner.

How can people venerate political power when this is the example of the Master of the Prophets ﷺ? Leave the rulers to their corruption and their oppression. We do not condone their oppression or follow them in committing evil. We advise them if they are ready to accept sincere advice. Meanwhile we are in a position of khilāfah, the pure khilafah mentioned by Allah: Allah has promised to those among you who believe and do good works that He will surely grant them inheritance of power (khilāfah) on the earth as He granted it to those before them; that He will make their religion firm, the religion which He has chosen for them; and He will replace their fear with security. They worship Me and do not associate partners with Me.3 We are allowed to make the call to prayer, to pray, to openly teach these lessons which are broadcast to the East and the West. We do not deserve any of this. It is only through the blessings of Muhammad and his steadfastness. Makkah was only opened to him in the final years of his life, but he opened up the whole world ﷺ. We used to teach and study in a state of fear but Allah promises: He will replace their fear with security.4 The years passed and the regime changed and now we find ourselves in a state of ease and safety.

They offer you political power and status but we have found something pure and lofty so why do they want us to enter into something filthy? When Imam al-Ḥusayn, the son of Shaykh Abū Bakr bin Sālim was offered political power he said: “Had it had been fitting to give authority to animals we would not be content for it to be given to our horses.” This is the perspective of the pious people on political power.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“You will greedily seek positions of leadership and it will be a cause of regret on the Day of Judgement.”5

We fear that anyone who seeks power and then attains it will be left to it (without Allah’s assistance) and then be destroyed. So if you have a position of responsibility have taqwā of Allah and rule by the Sacred Law of Allah and fear Allah in the way you treat people. If you heed this advice we hope you will be saved. If not, you have chosen your own fate. Sayyidunā `Umar would say: “I wish to leave power with the bare minimum – with nothing for me or against me.” He was not proud of his position. He also said: “It is enough that one descendant of al-Khaṭṭāb be asked about his position. Do not make `Abdullāh bin `Umar the Khalīfah after me.” This was his understanding of the outer khilāfah and the responsibility it entails.

The hadith inform us that the inward and outward khilāfah will not be combined until the end of time. Prior to this there will be a period in which people heart’s and states with Allah are rectified which prepares the way for the coming of al-Mahdī. The foundation of his rule will be pure hearts. Without the presence of these hearts he will not be able to achieve anything. Someone once asked Sayyidunā `Alī why problems had arisen during his rule, whereas there had been stability during the time of Sayyidunā Abū Bakr and Sayyidunā `Umar. He replied that it was because Abū Bakr and `Umar ruled over people like me, whereas I am ruling over people like you.”

It is possible for any individual to reach the highest of ranks whatever situation they are in and whatever government they are under. Why miss out on these opportunities? We say we want to rule, we want power. Let your Lord rule. The hadith states: “If you seek it you will be left to it, but if you are sought to rule, you will be assisted in it.”6 Even when the people attempt to put al-Mahdī in power, he will refuse until they force him to do so. Even though he is worthy of assuming power, he does not desire it and does not attempt to gain people’s votes. Rather he is sought out and placed in power and then he receives Allah’s assistance.

Merely speaking about this issue has taken a long time, which tells you how much harm is done by entering into these struggles. So much time is lost and so much blood is spilt. So do not get involved with struggles which lead to harm and bloodshed.

May Allah unite the Muslims and remove these tribulations. May He not allow their enemies to take advantage of them by giving them weapons and then watching them kill each other. May Allah awaken the hearts of this Ummah. Let them not place their trust in anyone in the East or West. Let their trust be in You. If this is the case then everything in the East and the West will be made subservient to them.

Allah has decreed that power be in the hands of disbelievers and corrupt people. This is the way of Allah in the past and you will find no change in the way of Allah.7 We, however, have the opportunity to establish the rule of Allah and the Law of Allah in our homes, in our dealings with our families and friends and our neighbours. We shall shortly meet Allah and we shall return to Him. Nothing on the face of the earth will benefit us other than that which we have performed truly for Allah.
—
1 Narrated by al-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah and al-Ḥākim
2 Al-A`rāf, 7:128
3 Al-Nūr, 24:55
4 Here Ḥabīb `Umar is referring to the years of socialist rule in South Yemen, during which time the regime attempted to eradicate Islam from society. Scholars were persecuted and religious institutions were forcibly closed.
5 Narrated by al-Bukhārī
6 Narrated by al-Bukhārī and Muslim
7 Al-Fatḥ, 48:23

Starting A New Page

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

When you travel for hajj, you are reminded of your journey to Allah and the Hereafter. You leave behind your family and all the comfort of home. The journey to the Hereafter is like that. Traveling is difficult and can be tormenting, just like the journey to the Hereafter, only much more so.

Ahead of you are your dying, death, the grave, the resurrection, the gathering, the reckoning, the Scales and the Bridge over hell (al-Siraat), followed by either Paradise or Hell.

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ زَلْزَلَةَ ٱلسَّاعَةِ شَىْءٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١﴾ يَوْمَ تَرَوْنَهَا تَذْهَلُ كُلُّ مُرْضِعَةٍ عَمَّآ أَرْضَعَتْ وَتَضَعُ كُلُّ ذَاتِ حَمْلٍ حَمْلَهَا وَتَرَى ٱلنَّاسَ سُكَـٰرَىٰ وَمَا هُم بِسُكَـٰرَىٰ وَلَـٰكِنَّ عَذَابَ ٱللَّـهِ شَدِيدٌ ﴿٢

O mankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, the convulsion of the [final] Hour is a terrible thing. (1) On the Day you see it every nursing mother will be distracted from that [child] she was nursing, and every pregnant woman will abort her pregnancy, and you will see the people [appearing] intoxicated while they are not intoxicated; but the punishment of Allah is severe. (2)

[Qur'an, Al-Hajj 22:1-2]

When you have finished all the rituals of Hajj as they were prescribed by Allah and in the manner that He loves, you hope that your Lord will forgive you all your sins, as the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, promised in the hadith,

“Whoever does Hajj for the sake of Allah and does not have sexual relations (with his wife), commit sin, or dispute unjustly during the hajj, will come back like the day his mother gave birth to him.

[Bukhari and Muslim]

We, who are at home, have the same opportunity to start a new page as those who are doing hajj. Every night and every morning Allah, the Exalted, gives us a new chance, whether you went on Hajj or not, you just have to grab that opportunity. "Allah, the Exalted, stretches His Hand during the night so that those who commit sins by day may repent, and He stretches His Hand in the day so that those who commit sins by night may repent. He keeps doing so until the sun rises from the West." [Muslim]

وَأَنِ ٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ يُمَتِّعْكُم مَّتَـٰعًا حَسَنًا إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى وَيُؤْتِ كُلَّ ذِى فَضْلٍ فَضْلَهُۥ ۖ وَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ كَبِيرٍ ﴿٣﴾ إِلَى ٱللَّـهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٤

And [saying], "Seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, [and] He will let you enjoy a good provision for a specified term and give every doer of favor his favor. But if you turn away, then indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a great Day. (3) To Allah is your return, and He is over all things competent." (4)

[Qur'an, Hud 11:1-4]

May Allah enable us to turn to Him in sincere repentance and provide us with success in this life and the Hereafter. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

A Guide to Productivity In The First 10 Days of Dhu'l-Hijjah

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

There is a whole surah (chapter) in the Qur'an dedicated to hajj (Surah Al-Hajj 22) consisting of 78 verses. Do you think this surah is just teaching you how to perform hajj? Don't think that "It is no point for me because I am not doing hajj!" or "I already went to hajj and can't afford to go again anytime soon!" or "I already went to hajj a few times and I already know what to do!"?

In the Qur’an we find everlasting lessons. The wisdom of the Qur’an is timeless. The Qur’an is the answer to how to get the most out of our lives. It is a guide to productivity.

This is the best time to learn and understand this Surah. In the next few days, try to read the surah and the translation. Listen to or read the tafsir of this surah and try to understand the meanings. There are some amazing daily life lessons hidden in this surah for your life. May Allah place this deed on the Scale of good deeds for you in the Day of Judgment.

وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ أَنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِهِۦ فَتُخْبِتَ لَهُۥ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ لَهَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ﴿٥٤﴾ وَلَا يَزَالُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّنْهُ حَتَّىٰ تَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ بَغْتَةً أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمٍ عَقِيمٍ ﴿٥٥

And so those who were given knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord and [therefore] believe in it, and their hearts humbly submit to it. And indeed is Allah the Guide of those who have believed to a straight path. (54) But those who disbelieve will not cease to be in doubt of it until the Hour comes upon them unexpectedly or there comes to them the punishment of a barren Day. (55)

[Qur'an, Al-Hajj 22:54-55]

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱرْكَعُوا۟ وَٱسْجُدُوا۟ وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ وَٱفْعَلُوا۟ ٱلْخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ۩ ﴿٧٧﴾ وَجَـٰهِدُوا۟ فِى ٱللَّـهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِۦ ۚ هُوَ ٱجْتَبَىٰكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ ۚ مِّلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۚ هُوَ سَمَّىٰكُمُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ مِن قَبْلُ وَفِى هَـٰذَا لِيَكُونَ ٱلرَّسُولُ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا۟ شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ ۚ فَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱعْتَصِمُوا۟ بِٱللَّـهِ هُوَ مَوْلَىٰكُمْ ۖ فَنِعْمَ ٱلْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ ٱلنَّصِيرُ ﴿٧٨

O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may succeed. (77) And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. Allah named you "Muslims" before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakah and hold fast to Allah. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper. (78)

[Qur'an, Al-Hajj 22:77-78]

May Allah keep all of us in the right path and provide us with success in this life and the next, increase us in taqwa, enable us to do many many righteous deeds in these remaining first 10 days of Dhu'l-Hijjah and forgive all of our sins. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Virtues Of The First Ten Days of Dhu'l-Hijjah and What To Do

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

We have entered the sacred month of Dhu'l-Hijjah. The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, informed us that there are no days in which righteous actions are more beloved to Allah than the first ten days of this month. [al-Bukhārī, Abū Dāūd, al-Tirmidhī and Ibn Mājah]

For that reason some scholars have ruled that these days are better than the final ten days of Ramaḍān, although the nights of Ramaḍān are superior to these nights. Allah Himself swears by “the Ten Nights” in Sūrat al-Fajr, which is sufficient evidence of their greatness. Most of the scholars say that these are the first ten nights (and days) of Dhu’l-Ḥijjah.

Consider how seriously we take things during the last 10 nights of Ramaḍān and try to exert a similar effort during these days.

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ ﴿٥٦

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

[Qur'an, Adh-Dhariyat 51:56]

This is what we were made for and Allah gives us times like these so that we can excel great distances in a short time. Do not let it pass you by. The glorious treasures of your Lord are there for the taking, you just have to expose yourself to His Grace.

It has also been narrated that the reward for actions in these days is multiplied seven hundred times. This is not to mention the Day of Arafat (the 9th of Dhu’l-Ḥijjah) which is the greatest day of the year. Fasting that day wipes out the sins of the previous year and the year to come.

** Fast the first nine days: The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “One fast during these days is equal to the fasting of one complete year, and the worship of one night during this period is equal to worship during Laylat al-Qadr.” [Tirmidhī]

** The 9th Day: It is particularly important to fast the 9th day of Dhu'l-Ḥijjah (known as the Day of ‘Arafah). The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “I have hope in Allah the Exalted that the fast of ‘Arafah will be an atonement for the sins of the past and forthcoming year.” [Tirmidhī]

If we are unable to fast the first nine days of the month, we should at least fast the Day of Arafat. If we are able to fast two or three days then by fasting Monday or Thursday or both we will gain the reward of following the Sunnah. Likewise by fasting three of these days we will have performed the Sunnah of fasting three days in every month.

These are days in which we should remember Allah abundantly. Allah says that they remember the name of Allah on well-known days. These “well-known days” according to the majority of scholars are the ten days of Dhu’l-Ḥijjah. This is why the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said that in these days we should make abundant tahlīl (saying lā ilāha ill’Allāh), takbīr (saying Allāhu akbar) and taḥmīd (saying alḥamdulillāh). [al-Tirmidhī and Ibn Mājah]

Sayyidunā `Abdullāh Ibn `Umar and Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah would go into the marketplace in these days and raise their voices with the takbīr. The people in the marketplace would then raise their voices with the takbīr in response. Thus the most hated place to Allah, a place where most people are heedless of Him, was filled with His remembrance.

Whether it be prayer, fasting, charity, remembrance, seeking knowledge, helping people, any righteous actions we do will be greatly rewarded and beyond that are beloved to Allah. This is also a time when prayers are answered by Allah.

Sayyidī al-Ḥabīb `Umar bin Ḥafīẓ (may Allah preserve him and benefit us by him) reminds us that the linguistic meaning of Ḥajj is seeking or intending. Thus the people of Allah are constantly performing Ḥajj because they are constantly seeking Allah. Just as their whole year is Ramaḍān, likewise their whole year is Ḥajj. Just as those performing Ḥajj respond to the call of Allah by saying “labbayk” they are swift to respond to the call of Allah. They take themselves to account and leave that which is disliked and dubious in all their states and actions. They reject the desires of their lower selves and they are the furthest of people from that which is prohibited. They constantly receive new blessings from their Lord so they constantly renew their iḥrām (the state of sanctity in which the pilgrim approaches Allah). Day and night they make ṭawāf around the House of their Lord, the One to Whom they turn themselves with absolute sincerity until nothing remains in them which is directed to other than Allah.

Actions that Carry the Reward of Ḥajj

Nothing of course can equal actually performing the Ḥajj and worshipping Allah in those blessed places. Allah knows that many people long to make Ḥajj every year but are unable to do so. Out of His generosity, He made the reward for certain actions similar to the reward of a supererogatory Hajj.

1. Remembering Allah from Fajr until Ishrāq. The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Whoever who prays Ṣubḥ (Fajr) in congregation and then sits in the place where he prayed remembering Allah until the sun rises and then prays two cycles has the reward of a complete Ḥajj and `Umrah.” He repeated “complete” three times. [al-Tirmidhī]

2. Attending a gathering of knowledge. The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “The one who goes out to the mosque wanting only to learn good or teach it has the reward of a complete Ḥajj.” [al-Ṭabarānī]

3. Going to the mosque for the congregational prayer. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Whoever performs ablution in his house and then goes out to perform the obligatory prayer in the mosque has a reward similar to the reward of a Hajj pilgrim. Whoever goes out to perform the mid-morning prayer (Ḍhuḥā) has a reward similar to the reward of the one performing `Umrah.” [Abū Dāūd]

4. Performing the Friday Prayer. Sa`īd Ibn al-Musayyib said performing the Friday Prayer is “more beloved to me than a supererogatory Ḥajj.”

5. Performing the `Īd Prayer. One of the Companions said: “Going out to pray `Īd al-Fiṭr is equal to performing `Umrah and going out to pray `Īd al-Aḍḥā is equal to performing Ḥajj.”

6. Fulfilling the needs of your brother or sister. Ḥasan al-Baṣrī said: “Going to fulfill the need of your brother is better for you than performing Ḥajj after Ḥajj.”

7. Being good to your parents. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, commanded one of the Companions to be good to his mother. If you do so, he said: “You are a Hajj pilgrim, a person performing `Umrah and someone striving for the sake of Allah (mujāhid).”

8. Performing obligatory actions. The slave can only draw near to Allah by performing supererogatory actions after first having performed that which is obligatory. This includes purifying one’s heart from forbidden attributes and guarding one’s tongue and limbs from committing forbidden actions. All of this is much harder on the lower self than many supererogatory acts of worship.

Finally there is no action more beloved to Allah on the Day of `Īd than making a sacrifice. The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, told his beloved daughter Sayyidah Fāṭimah al-Zahrā’ that she would be forgiven for her previous wrongdoings with the first drop of blood to be shed from the sacrificed animal. She asked if this reward was specifically for the household of the Prophet and he replied: “For us and for all the Muslims."

The Acts of the Righteous During These Days

The following are adhkār [invocations] that many Ṣāliḥīn [righteous people] would read ten times every day for the first ten days of Dhul Ḥijjah:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيم
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُقدِّمُ إِليْكَ بين يَديْ كُلِّ نَفَسٍ وَلَمْحَةٍ وَلَحْظَةٍ وَخَطرَةٍ وَطَرْفَةٍ يَطرِفُ بِهَا أَهْلُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ ، وَكُلِّ شَيءٍ هُوَ فَي عِلْمِكَ كَائِنٌ أَوْ قَدْ كَان أُقدِّمُ إِلْيَكَ بَينَ يَدِيْ ذَلِكَ كًلِّهِ
لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ عَدَدَ اللَّيَالِي وَالدُّهُور،لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ عَدَدَ الأَيَّامِ وَالشُّهُور

لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ عَدَدَ أَمْوَاجِ البُحُور، لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ عَدَدَ أَضْعَافِ الأُجُور

لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ عَدَدَ قَطَرِ الْمَطَر، لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ عَدَدَ أَوْرَاقِ الشَّجَر

لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ عَدَدَ الشَّعَرِ وَالوَبَر، لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ عَدَدَ الرَّمْلِ وَالْحَجَر

لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ عَدَدَ الزَّهْرِ وَالثَّمَر، لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ عَدَدَ أَنْفَاسِ البَشَر

لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ عَدَدَ ذُنُوبِنَا حَتَّى تُغْفَر، لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ عَدَدَ لَمْحِ العُيون

لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ عَدَدَ مَا كَانَ ومَا يَكُون، لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى عَمَّا يُشْرِكُون

لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا يَجْمَعُون, لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ في اللَّيْلِ إِذَا عَسْعَس

لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ فِي الصِّبْحِ إِذَا تَنَفَّس، لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ عَدَدَ الرِّيَاحِ في البَرَارِي وَالصُّخُور

لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ مِنْ يَومِنَا هَذَا إِلَى يَومِ يُنْفَخُ فِي الصُّور لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ عَدَدَ خَلْقِهِ أَجْمَعِين

لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ مِنْ يَومِنَا هَذَا إِلَى يَومِ الدِّين ، فِي كُلِّ لَحْظَةٍ أَبَدَا ، عَدَدَ خَلْقِه، وَرِضَى نَفْسِه، وَزِنَةَ عَرْشِهْ، وَمِدَادَ كَلِمَاتِه

Translation:

In the name of God, the All-Compassionate, the All-Merciful. O God I present to You in front of every breath, every second, every instant, every thought, every blinking of the eye of the peoples of the heavens and the earth, and everything which is existent in Your knowledge or was existent, I present to You in front of all of this:

There is no god but Allah! – as numerous as the number of nights and ages,
There is no god but Allah! – as numerous as the days and months,
There is no god but Allah! – as numerous as the waves in the oceans,
There is no god but Allah! – as numerous as the multiplication of rewards,
There is no god but Allah! – as numerous as the raindrops,
There is no god but Allah! – as numerous as the leaves on the trees,
There is no god but Allah! – as numerous as the amount of hair and fur,
There is no god but Allah! – as numerous as the sand and rocks,
There is no god but Allah! – as numerous as the flowers and fruits,
There is no god but Allah! – as numerous as the breaths of mankind,
There is no god but Allah! – as numerous as our sins so that they may be forgiven,
There is no god but Allah! – as numerous as the blinking of eyes,
There is no god but Allah! – the amount of that which has been and that which will be,
There is no god but Allah! – Exalted is He above that which people worship alongside Him,
There is no god but Allah! – (this is) better than that which they amass,
There is no god but Allah! – in the night when it darkens,
There is no god but Allah! – at the moment of the morning’s breath,
There is no god but Allah! – as numerous as the winds that blow in the desert and the number of rocks,
There is no god but Allah! – from this day to the day on which the Trumpet is blown,
There is no god but Allah! – the number of His entire creation,
There is no god but Allah! – From this day to the Day of Recompense!

This is to be read ten times, and at the end read: In every instant, forever – [the total of] the number of His creation, to His satisfaction, the weight of His throne, and the amount of ink of His words.

This is also to be read ten times:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ مَا اتَّصَلتِ العُيُونُ بِالنَّظَر وَتَزْخَرَفَتِ الأَرَضُونَ بِالْمَطَر، وَحَجَّ حَاجٌّ واعْتَمَر وَلَـبَّى وَحَلَقَ وَنَحَرَ وَطَافَ بَالبِيْتِ العَتِيقِ وَقَبَّلَ الْحَجَر وَعَلَى آلِهِ وصَحْبِهِ وَسَلِّمْ فِي كُلِّ لَحْظَةٍ أَبَدَا مِثْل ذَلِك ، عَدَدَ خَلْقِكَ وَرِضَى نَفْسِكَ وَزِنَةِ عَرْشِكَ وَمِدَادِ كَلِمَاتِك

O God send blessings upon our Master Muḥammad as much as the eyes see, as much as the earth becomes verdant after rainfall, the number of people making Ḥajj and ‘Umra, making the talbīyah, shaving their heads, making ṭawwāf around the Ancient House and kissing the Stone and upon his family and companions in every instant forever, [the amount of] the number of Your creation, to Your satisfaction, the weight of Your throne and the amount of ink of Your words.

May Allah grant us tawfiq. And success is from Allah alone. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Dignify and Respect The Womb

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

We are to forever dignify and respect the womb, i.e. the mother. Ultimately, all relationships is a by-product of the womb. We are related to our siblings through the womb of the mother. Husband and wife share the relationship of the womb and through them coming together, a child is born.

The basic unit of society is the family and the foundation of society is the womb of the mother. That relationship is to be respected first and foremost in the highest of form.

The connection of the mother is the connection of humanity. So be cautious of the womb. The real way you have taqwa of Allah is when you have cautious of relationships. Allah should be feared because He is watchful over everyone, always. Doing things half-heartedly, formally, or for fear of possible embarrassment, without any genuine desire to serve, shall remain acts unacceptable to Allah.

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَآءً ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ ٱلَّذِى تَسَآءَلُونَ بِهِۦ وَٱلْأَرْحَامَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا ﴿١

O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer. (1)

[Qur'an, An-Nisa' 4:1]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) put great emphasis on bonds of kinship. He (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "Whoever likes to have his livelihood made plentiful and his age extended for him should maintain good relations with his near of kin."

This hadith tells us about two benefits that issue forth from treating near relations well. The merit of the Hereafter vouchsafed, this fair treatment of one's kin has its benefits in this life as well, that is, it removes straits from his livelihood and blesses his age with more good years.

'Abdullah ibn Salam says: When the Prophet came to Madinah al-Tayyibah and I presented myself before him, the very first words from him which fell into my ears were: "0 men, make a practice of greeting each other with salaam, and feed people (for the pleasure of Allah), and treat near relations well, and pray by night while people sleep - you will enter Paradise in peace.

In another hadah, it has been reported that Ummul-Mu'minin (the Mother of the Faithful) Maymuna, had freed her bond woman. When she told the Prophet about it, he said, "Had you given her to your maternal uncle, your reward would have been greater."

Although, Islam motivates people to free slaves and rates it as one of the finest acts of merit, yet the status of treating relatives fairly has been given more importance. There is another narration on the same subject in which the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, has been reported to have said: "Charity to the needy is just charity, while to a near relative it becomes two fold: charity and kinship.

Stern warnings are given to those with the attitude of cold-shouldering or severing of blood relationships. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
1. A breaker of (blood) relationships shall not enter Paradise.
2. Mercy shall not descend upon a people among whom there is a breaker of (blood) relationships.

May Allah strengthen our bonds of kinship. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Have You Hugged Your Mother Lately?

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Muslims know that Allah has commanded children to be kind to their parents. Honoring parents is a form of worship if the intention is to please the Almighty.

وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُۥ وَهْنًا عَلَىٰ وَهْنٍ وَفِصَـٰلُهُۥ فِى عَامَيْنِ أَنِ ٱشْكُرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَيْكَ إِلَىَّ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ﴿١٤

And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years — give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination. (14)

[Qur'an, Luqman 31:14]

وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ إِحْسَـٰنًا ۖ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُۥ كُرْهًا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًا ۖ وَحَمْلُهُۥ وَفِصَـٰلُهُۥ ثَلَـٰثُونَ شَهْرًا ۚ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ وَبَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً قَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِىٓ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَىَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَـٰلِحًا تَرْضَىٰهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِى فِى ذُرِّيَّتِىٓ ۖ إِنِّى تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنِّى مِنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ ﴿١٥

And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his parents. His mother bears him with hardship And she brings him forth with hardship, and the bearing of him, and the weaning of him is thirty months, till when he attains full strength and reaches forty years, he says: "My Lord! Grant me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds, such as please You, and make my off-spring good. Truly, I have turned to You in repentance, and truly, I am one of the Muslims (submitting to Your Will)." (15)

[Qur'an, Al-Ahqaf 46:15]

وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّۢ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا ﴿٢٣

And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. (23)

[Qur'an, Al-Isra' 17:23]

It is recorded on authority of Ibn Majah that a man asked the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace), “What rights the parents had on their children.” The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) answered, “Both are your Paradise and your Hell.” [Ibn Majah]

So we should always keep in mind that obedience to parents and their service with love, compassion and due courtesy shall be the cause of entry of the person to Paradise: and the disobedience of parents and affliction of distress on them will lead the person to Hell. May Allah protect us from Hell.

Abdullah ibn Omar (may Allah be pleased with both father and son) relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Allah’s pleasure and approval are in the pleasure and approval of the parents, and Allah’s anger lies in the displeasure of the parents”. [Tirmidhi]

The best source of earning Allah’s mercy is to seek the pleasure of one’s parents. Allah’s mercy is obviously the best blessing, and disobedience of parents and their displeasure deprives the person of earning Allah’s mercy. May Allah enable us to take care of our parents in order to earn His mercy.

Service to parents is obligatory at every age, particularly so when they grow old and become dependent for most of their normal needs. The Gracious All-Mighty is really much pleased with an individual who takes special care of his/her old parents. If however, an individual doesn’t bother to care for the old parents, he/she is certainly most unlucky to have opted for eternal condemnation in torturous Hell.

Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) tells us that on one occasion the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) remarked in a trance: “He is humbled, he is humbled, he is humbled!” The companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked, “Who is humbled, O Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) of Allah?” The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) answered, “He who found his/her parents or one of them in old age, and yet did not enter Paradise (by serving them).” [Muslim]

Mother has precedence over father.

Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) said that a man asked the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) “Who had the most priority to good treatment?” The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) replied, “Your mother.” The man asked, “And next to the mother?” The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Your mother.” “And next again?” asked the man. “Your mother”, replied the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) once more. “And next”, the man persisted. “Your father”, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) answered. [Agreed upon]

A study by University of North Carolina researchers found that hugs increase the "bonding" hormone oxytocin and decrease the risk of heart disease. The importance of oxytocin and its potentially cardioprotective effects is greater for women. Allah knows best.

So, have you hugged your mother today? If not, go and hug her now. If your mother is far away, call her now, and say "I love you Mom." If you haven't said this to her since grade school, it is the more reason you should revive that speech. Keep in touch with her. The technology has made it very easy to do this ... use it to earn you Paradise. She will be pleased.

If your mother is deceased, call her sister(s) and chat with her. You will make her (them) very happy. Bringing happiness to the heart of others, the angels will keep you company when you are alone in your grave.

Al-Bara bin Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) saying: “A mother’s sister is equivalent to (real) mother (in status).” [At-Tirmidhi]

Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with both father and son) reports that a man came to the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and said, “I have committed a very great sin and I wonder if it can be forgiven”. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) asked, “Have you a mother?” The man answered that he had lost his mother. “Then, is her sister alive?” Asked the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) “She is.” The man said. “Then go and treat her well”, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) advised. [Tirmidhi]

Respectful treatment and service to your parents shall be immediately responded by similar treatment with you by your children; and unadulterated pious personal conduct fetches faithfulness and sincerity among your family women.

Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) states that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Serve your parents with respect; your children shall also serve you with regard. Remain pious in your conduct, your women shall remain faithful to you”.

May Allah enable us to be obedient to Him and be dutiful and good to our parents.

Our Lord, forgive me and my parents, and the believers, upon the day when the reckoning shall come to pass.

Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

A Way Out of Difficulties

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "I know a verse which, if people were to take to it, would suffice them. And that is: 'And whoever fears Allah, for him He shall make a way out (of the difficulties)"

...وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّـهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا ﴿٢

... And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out (2)

[Qur'an, Al-Talaq 65:2]

May Allah increase us in taqwa. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Related archives
Taqwa: Believer's Provision

When You Are Sad, Down and Alone

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

When you are sad, down and alone, and perhaps angry too, remember Hajar (Allah be pleased with her) being left alone with her infant son, Ismael (may Allah grant him peace,) in an uncultivated valley of the desert in the Arabian Peninsula having no fruit, no trees, no food, no water. The valley had no sign of life. Hajar did not know what Allah had hidden for her but she obeyed and remain patient.

But now you know some of the tremendous things that were hidden for her -- which include millions of people following her footsteps between Safa and Marwah during Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage) every day and during Hajj (Pilgrimage) every year and will continue until the Day of Judgment inshaAllah. We cannot imagine the reward she is getting in Paradise for her patience.

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

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

[Qur'an, AleImran 3:200]

وَٱصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١١٥

(114) And be patient, for indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good. (115)

[Qur'an, Hud 11:115]

May Allah make us among the patient and the grateful, and grant us success. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Awaiting Zulhijjah 1435 AH/2014

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Faith (iman) wears out in the heart just like the clothes wear out. If you don't work on building your iman, even if it is good before, it is worn out now. You can renew your iman each day by actively seeking to do good. There are so many ways in the teachings of our beloved Prophet, Allah bless him and gant him peace, that can help us do this.

We are now almost at the end of the sacred month of Dhul-Qi'dah, one of the four sacred months and the beginning of the sacred month of Zulhijjah.

We honor this month and be a thankful slave by indulging ourselves in extra worship and race to good actions, and avoid all disobedience and bad actions at all costs.

Abu Hurayra reported the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

Race to good actions as fast as you can. What are you waiting for except delayed poverty, oppressive wealth, debilitating illness, dottering senility, a swift death or the Dajjal? Or are you waiting for an unseen evil, or the Last Hour? The Last Hour will be most bitter and terrible.

[Tirmidhi]

This is the season of hajj and many Muslims have begun their journey for hajj. May Allah make their journey safe and accept their hajj. Those who are at home also have the opportunity to prepare to do extra good deeds during the first 10 days of Zulhijjah.

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

"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothin.

[Bukhari]

Pay special attention to the rights of others and fulfill them. It is extremely important to get your obligatory prayers, fasting and zakat in place, and as soon as you are financially and physically able, don't delay performing hajj. If you don't perform the obligation, nothing else is going to work for you. But once you get them in place, don't think that you have a one way ticket to Paradise without a detour to a place where no one cares to stop -- the Hellfire. We have to be acutely aware of the rights of Allah and everybody and all Allah's creation. If you don't you will suffer tremendously.

Make a sincere intention to do extra good deeds on the first 10 days of Zulhijjah. "Actions are but by intention and every man shall have but that which he intended" (hadith). So to get reward for the good deed, sincere intention for the sake of Allah has to precede it.

Recommended extra good deeds

1. Fast on the first 9 days of Zulhijjah, at least on Zulhijjah 9, the day of Arafat. Fasting on the day of Arafat will expiate one's sins of 2 years (past and future).

Abu Qataadah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad was asked about observing the fast on the day of 'Arafah, (9th of Zulhijjah), whereupon he said: It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year. [Muslim, Abu Dawood, aI-Nasaa'e and Ibn Maajah]

Fasting the day of 'Arafah is only for those who are not performing Hajj.

2. Avoid all sins at all costs. Remember there is no connection with Allah except our obedience to Him (...The Muslims are supported by their enemy's disobedience towards Allah. Were it not for that, we would not have any strength, as our numbers are not like theirs. If we were equally matched in sin, they would have an advantage over us in strength, and if we did not have an advantage over them by our virtue, we would not be able to defeat them by our strength...Omar's advice).

3. Make lots of du'a (supplication). Don't forget to ask Allah for what He wants from you.

4. Do more dhikr (remembrance) of Allah. Recite a lot of Tasbeeh ("SubhanAllah"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah") and Takbeer ("Allahu akbar") during this time.

5. Say Eid Takbir wherever you go. "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah, wa Allahu akbar wa Lillahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise)," as well as other phrases.

Men are encouraged to recite these phrases out loud and women quietly. Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah, two of the Prophet's Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of ZulHijjah, reciting Takbir, and the people would recite Takbir individually when they heard them.

6. Give more charity during these 10 days.

7. Increase ties of kinship and kithship (visit them, call them, say kind words, give/send gifts, etc.)

8. Increase prayers at masjid and do more voluntary prayers at home (tahajjud, dhuha, sunnah prayers before and after the 5 daily prescribed prayers, etc).

9. Read more Qur'an and contemplate on the meanings.

10. Thank Allah for all His blessings and seek Allah's forgiveness more frequently. This means more than just a verbal expression of sorrow for past deeds. It also requires a firm resolution to avoid making the same mistakes in the future by giving up bad habits and behavior while sincerely turning to Allah.

11. Sacrifice an animal after Eid prayer (Zulhijjah 10, 11, 12, 13) and give the meat to the poor and needy and a portion for yourself and friends.

12. Go to the Eid prayer on Zulhijjah 10. It is recommended to fast before Eid prayer. You break your fast after the prayer.

Hajj Mabrur to those who are performing hajj this year. May Allah make them remember to make du'a for us.

May Allah accept our works and grant us the opportunity to perform hajj next year.

Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Know When To Turn Electronics Off

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Gone were the days when we didn't have phones. Gone were the days when we didn't have cellphones. Gone were the days when we didn't have android phones/iPhones/iPads. Gone were the days when we didn't have internet/wifi. Life was a lot simpler back then, families were more bonded and neighbors knew each other.

Every time I am around people, it's nothing pleasing to the eyes to see what people are indulging themselves into nowadays -- the phones and text messaging, and toddlers/little kids with iPads while everybody is eating.

I’m not sure if there is anything worse than a person who picks up his/her phone and starts staring at it in the middle of dinner with another person or his/her family, or at any point while they are having a conversation. I’m not anti-technology here. I have a degree in Computer Science and I did systems design and programming for many years. But I am saying that there comes a time to turn your electronics off and disconnect and remember what actually matters. People.

Turn off your electronics and just be with one another. You may not be able to see the other person ever again.

On the authority of Ibn ‘Umar, radiyallahu ‘anhuma, who said: The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, took me by the shoulder and said:

“Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler/wayfarer.”

Ibn ‘Umar used to say: “When evening comes, do not expect (to live till) morning, and when morning comes, do not expect (to live till) evening. Take from your health (a preparation) for your illness, and from your life for your death.”

[Al-Bukhari]

May Allah guide us. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Look Beyond Your Actions and Rely on God

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

It is not enough that we say that we believe in Allah and in the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) but this belief should manifest one’s actions. That is why the scholars said, “Belief is what settles in the heart and manifest itself on one’s limbs.” It is part of Islam to act on what you believe in by acting upon the guidance of the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace).

Actions are very important and should never be minimized or neglected. They are the foundation of subsequent spiritual stations. Ibn ‘Ata Allah alludes to this in an aphorism, “Whoever has an enlightened beginning will have an enlightened end." (Al-Hikam, no. 27). The enlightened beginning lies in consistency and vigorous enthusiasm in devotional actions. The enlightenment at the end lies in refined spiritual stations.

There are times when we are unable to perform our normal portion of devotional actions due to illness or lawful preoccupation, and we may feel that we are not doing enough to invite Allah's mercy into our lives. This becomes a source of lessening our hope in Allah. Allah, the All-Knowing, knows our state and that it is He who has tested us with the situation that resulted in a lessening of our actions. If we persevere, and maintain a good opinion of Allah, we will find that our patience brings us greater spiritual benefits than our actions ever could.

Reflect on the saying of the Prophet, "When the child of Adam falls ill or travels the reward of the devotional actions he used to perform while in residence or in good health is recorded for him." (Bukhari). In other words, Allah, from the profundity of His grace bestows upon him the reward of those devotional acts, even though he has done nothing, other than entertaining a good opinion of Allah, and patiently enduring the trial that prevented him from acting.

When we understand this we understand that our responsibility is to work. As far as the consequences or outcomes of our work that is something we depute to Allah.

While actions play a critical, necessary part in this life and in salvation, sufficiency, however, lies with Allah. Allah reminds us in the Qur’an,

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ حَسْبُكَ ٱللَّـهُ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

O Prophet, sufficient for you is Allah and for whoever follows you of the believers. (64)

[Qur'an, Al-Anfal 8:64]

There is no source of harm or benefit except Allah. Abu al-‘Abbas ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas (radhiAllahu anhuma) reports:

One day I was riding (a horse/camel) behind the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when he said, ‘Young man, I will teach you some words. Be mindful of Allah, and He will take care of you. Be mindful of Him, and you shall find Him at your side. If you ask, ask of Allah. If you need help, seek it from Allah. Know that if the whole world were to gather together in order to help you, they would not be able to help you except if Allah had written so. And if the whole world were to gather together in order to harm you, they would not harm you except if God had written so. The pens have been lifted, and the pages are dry.’

[Tirmidhi]

We rely on Allah alone. Reliance on other than Allah, including on the acts we undertake ostensibly for Allah, can become a factor that erodes the purity of tawhid, or Divine unity, and, hence, sour our relationship with Allah.

When we believe that our actions affect outcomes, which are solely controlled by Allah, we might tend to lose hope in Allah when we perform certain acts and the outcomes we consider to be associated with those acts do not ensue. If we can look beyond our actions, we will never be disappointed or lose hope. We work as assiduously as we can in undertaking the worldly means normally associated with a particular outcome. However, we leave the outcome to Allah. This is not only a key to actualizing the reality of tawhid and maintaining good manners with Allah, it is also a great source of internal peace and tranquility.

May Allah grant us tawfiq. Ameen.

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

Merciless Hearts

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Soya, our first female cat, gave birth to her first 4 kittens about 15 weeks ago. It was quite an exciting moment for my family.

My children named them Buttercup (female), Caramel (male), Waffle (male) and Peanut (male) based on their color. Buttercup and Caramel were born close together. Waffle and Peanut were born much later, with Peanut being the youngest. All of them have unique personalities and such comfort to the eyes. Peanut grabbed my attention the most because he likes to stay close to me and is more communicative. He reminds me of our first cat, Kitty, who is no longer with us. He went out one day in January and never return.

[Kitty joined the family, July 2012]

When we took in Kitty and Soya, they were only a few weeks old. I used to not able to be in a house that has a cat without sneezing incessantly and my eyes started to tear. So when we first had Kitty, we were miserably sick with the allergies (a flu-like symptoms, red eyes, coughing, sneezing, etc) for several months until finally it went away. It was never our intention to keep them indoor. We want them to be cats -- to be able to roam outside and have their cat life like other outdoor cats. This is the very reason that we did not take Kitty or Soya to the vet to alter their reproductive system.

[Soya and Milo joined the family, June 2013]

[Soya, June 2013]

[Milo, June 2013 -- went missing shortly thereafter]

When the cats grew old enough, we taught them how to go down and climb up the balcony so they can go outside freely. It worked very well with Kitty and Soya. We started early with Soya's kittens when they were about 3 months old, although Peanut took a little longer to go outside on his own and follow his siblings because he was afraid of heights. He would cry and would not let go of the balcony railing when we tried to bring him down through the railing. We leave our balcony door open so Soya and her kittens can go in and out freely. And so do other street cats who frequent our apartment for shelter, food and love, like the kittens' father, Squeaker, and Mousse, a male cat which Kitty allowed to come in before we adopted Soya. We noticed Mousse has disappeared since Kitty disappeared. Perhaps they went away together.

[Kitty and Mousse beginning friendship, May 2013]

[Mousse, May 2013]

[Kitty and Milo, June 2013]

[Kitty, Soya and Milo, June 2013]

[Soya, Kitty and Mousse, June 2013]

[Mousse, July 2013]

[Soya, Aug 2013]

[Kitty and Soya, Sept 2013]

[Kitty and Soya, Sept 2013]

About a week ago we had to let go of Soya and her four kittens. Maybe only a fellow animal lover would really understand how painful it was to do that. We struggled, as a family, with the decision for days. But we had to make a quick decision because our neighbors voiced their hatred or fear of cats and I don't want the cats to be harmed or thrown away. My efforts to try to make them understand what my children and I were trying to do was to no avail. They also couldn't understand why I am feeding cats while so many people are hungry. I tried to get help from my next door neighbor, who I respect, so perhaps she could educate the others about what I was trying to do, but she too of the opinion that "if they are your cats, then keep them inside, otherwise we put them somewhere else!"

[Soya, Feb 2014]

[Father of Soya's kittens, Squeaker, March 2014]

[Soya and Squeaker, March 2014]

I wondered: "Where are the people of the Sunnah? Has Allah plucked the mercy from the hearts of people to make them so cold that they lack an ounce of sympathy for one of Allah's beautiful creatures? I remembered Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), a close companion of the beloved Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace), who narrated more hadiths (traditions) than any other companion. He was known for being very sympathetic and loving towards animals. Though his name was AbdurRahman, he was known as Abu Hurayrah (meaning father of the kitten) because of a small cat that he used to feed and care for and carry with him everywhere he went.

If you are around cats or dogs long enough, you cannot miss their merciful eyes. How could one be so hateful or fearful of them? How could one just look the other way and not want to feed these animals? Even with dogs, even though we should not keep a dog inside our homes since the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) has informed us that angels do not enter into a house where there is a dog [Al-Bukhari and Muslim], this does not mean that dogs are to be despised or mistreated. Just because one does not keep a dog inside his home, it doesn't give him the right to neglect it, mistreat it or kill it. The usefulness of this creature of Allah is indisputable. No other animal can compete with it in its loyalty to its caregiver, its abilities as a guard and its talent for hunting. Yet, we see people throwing rocks at dogs sitting peacefully in a garden with its family. What did the dog do to you?

If we can show mercy to our fellow human beings, we can show mercy to animals. We have to look beyond ourselves, our families, our loved ones and in fact beyond the human race in order to care for the animals (and our environment for that matter). This is the formula for success in this life and the next. We must not forget that animals and plants are Allah's creation too and we cannot neglect them or do what we please with them. And we must never forget that people are brought to Paradise only by the mercy of Allah.

So take heed what the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "Be merciful to those on the earth, so the One above the heavens will be merciful to you."

We never want to cause harm to any animal, directly or indirectly. It is such a serious matter that one could gain Heaven or Hell due to his treatment of animals. Mistreating animals is considered a major sin in Islam. Certainly, a Muslim is responsible for the mistreatment of animals, because an ill-treated animal will testify against the one who abused it on the Day of Judgment.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) taught us to have mercy for all of Allah's creation. There are many reports of his love for cats, resulting in their historical acceptance among Muslims. Cats were very common amongst the people during the time of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and he (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "They (cats) are not impure and they intermingle with you."

Cats are such clean animals that according to authentic narrations one may make ablution for prayer with the same water that a cat drank from. Yet, it is known that some people nowadays have opposed the traditions of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) by taking up the evil practices of torturing and poisoning cats. Do they think that Allah will not punish them for this? Certainly Allah's punishment for such acts is severe, if we bear in mind the Hadith as reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim regarding a woman who locked up a cat, refused to feed it and did not release it so that it could feed itself. Allah's Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said of her punishment that she was tortured and put in Hellfire.

Food is not a problem in our times. You can see how much food is wasted by humans. Certainly we cannot think that if we feed the animals, we are taking food away from humans. Neither should we be afraid that we won't have enough for ourselves or become poor because we feed the animals. This fear is considered one of the diseases of the heart. And nurturing this fear is tantamount to harboring a negative opinion about Allah Almighty.

Allah Almighty says,

وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّـهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا ۚ كُلٌّ فِى كِتَـٰبٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿٦

And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allah is its provision, and He knows its place of dwelling and place of storage. All is in a clear register. (6)

[Qur'an, Hud 11:6]

وَفِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ رِزْقُكُمْ وَمَا تُوعَدُونَ ﴿٢٢﴾ فَوَرَبِّ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ إِنَّهُۥ لَحَقٌّ مِّثْلَ مَآ أَنَّكُمْ تَنطِقُونَ ﴿٢٣

And in the heaven is your provision and whatever you are promised. (22) Then by the Lord of the heaven and earth, indeed, it is truth - just as [sure as] it is that you are speaking. (23)

[Qur'an, Adh-Dhariyat 51:22-23]

Let's reflect upon this and beware of our duty towards Allah's creatures, which He has put on earth for our use and not for our abuse. When the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was asked if Allah reward acts of charity to the animals, he (Allah bless him and grant him peace) replied: "Yes, there is a reward for acts of charity to every beast alive." Let us fear Allah with regard to His creatures, lest we earn His Wrath. Let us go forth in support and love for animals, knowing that Allah, The Most High, considers such a deed done for His Sake as being worthy of the reward of Paradise.

[Soya, Aug 2014]

[Buttercup, Aug 2014]

[Caramel, Aug 2014]

[Waffle, Aug 2014]

[Peanut, Aug 2014]

Lounging in the afternoon after feeding

[Buttercup and Carmel Just born, May 25 2014]

[8-10 hours old]

[14-16 hours old]

It has been about 2 weeks since Soya, Buttercup, Carmel, Waffle and Peanut are gone, but I cannot forget them. I don't think I can ever forget them. I just hope that I don't see any of them on the road or dumpster lifeless. Tears still well in my eyes when I see other cats or when I think about them. My children went to check on them, but so far they haven't seen any trace of them anywhere. I ask Allah to give them a much happier life and protect and feed them and all the animals out there.

May Allah forgive us for all our shortcomings and not take mercy out of our hearts and make us merciful and grant us His mercy. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Related Archives
Attaining Divine Mercy
Four Kittens -- Gifts from Al-Badee'
Fitrah of a Kitten
Fear of Poverty and Alleviate Poverty

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today -- Tranquility and Happiness

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Friday is Eid for the Muslims and we celebrate it by performing various actions that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam has taught us. One of the highlights of Friday for Muslims is to read Surah Kahf, the 18th chapter of the Qur'an.

Perhaps many of us read Surah Kahf on Friday because we want the protection that some hadiths mention:

"One who recites Surah al-Kahf on the day of Jumu'ah will remain protected from every fitnah. And if Dajjal appears, he will stay safe against the trying challenges released by him as well."

And it appears in some narratives that a person who recites Surah al-Kahf on the day of Jumu'ah will have light from his feet up to the sky. This light will serve him well on the day of Qiyaamah, and every sin committed by him between the past and the present Jumu'ah will be forgiven.

So perhaps we are motivated to read Surah Kahf on Friday because we want to be of those whose sins are forgiven in the Day of Judgment.

Whatever the thing that brought you to read Surah Kahf, you are moving in the path towards the Divine. And we ask Allah to give us tawfiq.

Whether we act upon the Sunnah knowing the benefit or not, we should strive to do what we know. This religion is all about obedience to the Almighty. And through obedience to Him, we enjoy the closeness to our Lord.

It maybe difficult to read more than a few pages at first, or to keep it up every Friday, but you force yourself to do it. The first stage in the path towards Allah is to force yourself and bring yourself to do those actions which you know that Allah wants you to do.

The practical injunctions is a large part of this religion. Religion is meant to lead to a transformation in a human being whereby he is no longer chained to what other people are chained to of lusts, desires, laziness, or what people think. He has a much higher purpose and reflected in this person. He become a man of God.

Islam is a great blessing for those who understand it. Islam is not there to burden to you. But it takes knowledge to realize this. Once you get your two feet standing in the middle of the religion, you will find that this religion is easy and each routine becomes easier and easier and you will do more and more. But you cannot be lazy.

Narrated by Abu Hurayra (radhiaAllahu 'anhu): Allah’s Apostle (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said,

Allah, the Exalted, said,

I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of mine. and the most beloved things with which my slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him;

And my slave keeps on coming closer to me through performing Nawafil (Prayer or Doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) until I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks;

And if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks my protection, I will protect him; and I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death, and I hate to disappoint him. [Bukhari]

Umar ibn al-Khattab (radhiaAllahu 'anhu) reported the Beloved Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wassallam, said:

“There are people from the servants of Allah who are neither Prophets nor martyrs; the Prophets and martyrs will envy them on the Day of Resurrection, for their rank from Allah, the Most High.” They (the people) asked: “Tell us, Messenger of Allah, who are they?” He replied: “They are people who love one another for the spirit of Allah (i.e. the Qur'an), without having any mutual kinship and giving property to one. I swear by Allah, their faces will glow and they will be (sitting) in (pulpits of) light. They will have no fear (on the Day) when the people will have fear, and they will not grieve when the people will grieve.” He then recited the following Qur'anic verse [10:62]: “Behold! Verily for the friends of Allah there is no fear, nor shall they grieve.”

[Abu Dawud]

The friend of Allah does not only enjoy the benefit after he dies. Rather he enjoys tranquility and happiness that everybody all over the world is looking for, but no one finds it except the true slave of Allah.

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassalaam, gives us things to do. Through these actions, among them reading Surah Kahf every Friday, transformation takes place. Such a person if he asks Allah for something, Allah will give it to him. Why? Because Allah loves him.

So strive to continue this Friday tradition from the Sunnah of His beloved Messenger sallallahu alayhi wassallam, until you die. Don't let shaytan whisper to you otherwise. Don't let Shaytan take you away from your opportunity to be loved by Allah.

May Allah enable us to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam and grant us tranquility and happiness in this life and the next. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam