Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Renew Your Intentions

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wassallam said:

"Whoever reads Surah al-Kahf on the night of Jumu’ah, will have a light that will stretch between him and the Ka’bah."

"Whoever reads Surah al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah, a light will shine for him from beneath his feet to the clouds of the sky, which will shine for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will be forgiven (his sins) between the two Fridays."

What distinguishes the 'best in deed' is sincere intention.

Materialism or the love of 'adornments on the earth' can make even acts of worship to be done for worldly gains, recognition, respect, power and money. Renew our intentions often as intention that once good and sincere may become rusty.

أَفَحَسِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَن يَتَّخِذُوا۟ عِبَادِى مِن دُونِىٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۚ إِنَّآ أَعْتَدْنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ نُزُلًا ﴿١٠٢﴾ قُلْ هَلْ نُنَبِّئُكُم بِٱلْأَخْسَرِينَ أَعْمَـٰلًا ﴿١٠٣﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ ضَلَّ سَعْيُهُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ يُحْسِنُونَ صُنْعًا ﴿١٠٤

Say, [O Muhammad], "Shall we [believers] inform you of the greatest losers as to [their] deeds? (103) [They are] those whose effort is lost in worldly life, while they think that they are doing well in work." (104)

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

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ﴿٧

Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them [as to] which of them is best in deed. (7)

[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:7]

Sincere intention is indispensable prerequisite for the acceptance of a good deed.

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam said, “Deeds are according to their intentions and every person will receive according to what he/she intended…” (Bukhari)

Allah accepts an act which is pure and sincere.

قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ ۖ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَـٰلِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِۦٓ أَحَدًۢا ﴿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]

A sincere person (mukhlis) sets himself at the disposal of Allah, seeking only His pleasure, and in doing so, he attains honor and nobility.

Anyone who strives in the way of Allah will be guided by Allah toward His path.

وَٱلَّذِينَ جَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ لَمَعَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿٦٩

And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good. (69)

[Qur'an, Al-Ankabut 26:69]

Valuable sincerity should be in the context of society, among the people, and accompanied by social responsibilities and activities. The sincere person must keep himself pure in the midst of an impure and corrupt environment, and free his actions from ostentation. Someone who is suffering from ostentation, it is because he has not yet attained the level of certainty (yaqin) and faith.

It is possible for a person to have knowledge of Allah, the hereafter, spiritual reward, etc. but as long as knowledge has not reached the level of certainty and faith, it will not have the necessary effect. Everybody knows that the dead are incapable of doing anything, but in spite of this knowledge, so many are afraid of a corpse.

If we are certain that Allah is the Creator of the universe; that honor and disgrace are in His hand; and that the world and its manifestations are trivial, fleeting and deceptive assets, we will be drawn toward sincerity in action.

Allah Almighty says,

وَٱعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَكَ ٱلْيَقِينُ ﴿٩٩

And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (death). (99)

[Qur'an, Al-Hijr 15:99]

Sincere intention will get important work done even from those who are considered incapable. If the intention is sincere, there will be no apathy, hesitation, or despair. Kind-hearted, benevolent and sincere individuals are more successful even in economic and occupational affairs, and their sincerity supports social prestige, customer attraction and people’s trust in dealing with them.

Good-natured and well-intentioned persons are held in high esteem by people, and even if they commit a mistake, their lives will not become bitter and the people will still love them because of their sincerity and goodness of intention. If the administrators of society conduct their affairs with goodness of intention and sincerity, better results can be achieved and justice can be observed.

Some of the ways of acquiring sincerity in intention and action are as follows:

1. Attention to the real value

Allah alone offers the best bargain for our actions:

1. He pays the most (Paradise and more ... His Noble Countenance);

... إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ ٱشْتَرَىٰ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَٰلَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلْجَنَّةَ

Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise...

[Qur'an, At-Tawba 9:111]

2. He accepts small deeds

"So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it" [Qur'an, Al-Zalzala 99:7]

When Mu’adh ibn Jabal asked the Prophet for an advice, he said to him, “Be sincere in your religion, even small deed will be enough for you.” (Mustadrak Hakim 7844)

3. He rewards good intentions; and

4. He conceals wicked and corrupt acts and manifests good deeds.

وَمَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَٰزِينُهُۥ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ فِى جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدُونَ ﴿١٠٣

But those whose scales are light - those are the ones who have lost their souls, [being] in Hell, abiding eternally. (103)

[Qur'an, Al-Mu'minun 23:103]

2. Reflecting on creation

Reflecting on creation enhances our cognition of the grandeur and Power of Allah, and as a result, we direct our deeds toward Him with greater sincerity and purity of intention.

3. Attention to the Attributes of Allah

Learning, reciting and remembering the Attributes of Allah, the Exalted, keeps our focus in the right direction, detaches us from all besides Him, and gradually elevates us.

4. Attention to His blessings

Recognizing the blessings of Allah and thankful for them draw man toward Allah and make his heart the sanctuary of His love.

5. Attention to the sure gain

Those who strive for the sake of the world and other than Allah may or may not attain their objective. The gain and outcome of the works of those who strive in the way of Allah and the hereafter, however, are certain.

وَمَنْ أَرَادَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ وَسَعَىٰ لَهَا سَعْيَهَا وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ كَانَ سَعْيُهُم مَّشْكُورًا ﴿١٩

But whoever desires the Hereafter and exerts the effort due to it while he is a believer - it is those whose effort is ever appreciated [by Allah]. (19)

[Qur'an Al-Isra' 17:19]

6. Attention to worthlessness of the world

Allah Almighty says,

اعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرٌ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَوْلَادِ ۖ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ الْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَاهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَامًا ۖ وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ اللَّـهِ وَرِضْوَانٌ ۚ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ ﴿٢٠

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion. (20)

[Qur'an Al-Hadid 57:20]

وَمَا هَـٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ ۚ وَإِنَّ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ لَهِيَ الْحَيَوَانُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٦٤﴾

And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew. (64)

[Qur'an Al-Ankabut 29:64]

وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ ﴿١٨٥ ...

...The present life is but the joy of delusion. (185)

[Qur'an AleImran 3:185]

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

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

[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:46]

7. Attention to impotence of created beings

Absolute power belongs to Allah Almighty and none other than Him. Therefore, anyone who is created by Allah is not worthy of being the focus of attention or worship. Imagine, they are incapable of creating even a single fly.

"O people, an example is presented, so listen to it. Indeed, those you invoke besides Allah will never create [as much as] a fly, even if they gathered together for that purpose. And if the fly should steal away from them a [tiny] thing, they could not recover it from him. Weak are the pursuer and pursued. (73)" [Qur'an, Al-Hajj 22:73]

8. Learning from the experiences of others

Many of those who focused their attention on other than Allah, met a painful and dismal fate. Taking one look at their fate can teach man the futility of worshipping anyone other than Allah.

Some examples from the stories in the Qur'an:

** The son of Prophet Nuh alayhissalaam who turned his back on God and relied on the mountain’s height to be saved from the flood was helplessly drowned in the great deluge. [Qur'an, Hud 11:42-43]

** Qarun (Korah) did not pay heed to the sincere invitation of Prophet Musa alayhissalaam and took pride in his abundant wealth, but he was miserably swallowed by the earth and none of his supporters was able to rescue him. [Qur'an, Al-Qasas 28:81]

** Many rich and affluent garden owners went away and left behind all the things they had accumulated. All their wealth was of no avail.

"How much they left behind of gardens and springs (25) And crops and noble sites (26) And comfort wherein they were amused. (27)" [Qur'an, ad-Dukhan 44:25-27]

"And his fruits were encompassed [by ruin], so he began to turn his hands about [in dismay] over what he had spent on it, while it had collapsed upon its trellises, and said, 'Oh, I wish I had not associated with my Lord anyone.'" (42) [Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:42]

Allah exposed and unveiled the true nature of so many who deceptively showed themselves for sometime to be sincere and pious. Those who want to dupe the people and deceive Allah by means of ostentation and pretension, the Divine scheme will encompass them and they will be exposed.

"And [recall] when you slew a man and disputed over it, but Allah was to bring out that which you were concealing. (72)" [Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:72]

9. Attention to final end of hypocrites in the hereafter

"So woe to those who pray (4) [But] who are heedless of their prayer - (5) Those who make show [of their deeds] (6) And withhold [simple] assistance. (7)" [Qur'an Al-Ma'un 107:4-0]

May Allah make us of those who are sincere and grant us company of the sincere. Ameen.

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

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Let's Memorize Today -- Prophetic Supplication #32 (Du'a for Travel)

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
Whenever the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) mounted his camel for setting out on a journey, he would recite:

"Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest)," three times.

Then he (ﷺ) would supplicate:

سبحان الذي سخر لنا هذا وما كنا له مقرنين، وإنا إلي ربنا لمنقلبون‏.‏ اللهم إنا نسألك في سفرنا هذا البر والتقوى، ومن العمل ما ترضي‏.‏ اللهم هون علينا سفرنا هذا واطو عنا بعده‏.‏ اللهم أنت الصاحب في السفر والخليفة في الأهل‏.‏ اللهم إني أعوذ بك من وعثاء السفر وكآبة المنظر وسوء المنقلب في الأهل والمال والولد

Subhanal-ladhi sakh-khara lana hadha, wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibun. Allahumma inna nas'aluka fi safarina hadh al-birra wat-taqwa, wa minal-'amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin 'alaina safarana hadha, watwi 'anna bu'dahu. Allahumma Antas-Sahibu fissafari, wal-Khalifatu fil- ahli. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min wa'ta'is-safari, wa kaabatil- manzari, wa su'il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahli wal-waladi

(Far removed from imperfection is the One Who has made this subservient to us, for we have no power to subjugate it, and certainly to our Lord shall we return. O Allah, we ask You during this journey of ours for righteousness, piety and such deeds as are pleasing to You. O Allah, make easy for us this journey of ours and make the distance short for us. O Allah, You are our Companion during the journey and the Guardian of the family and the property in our absence. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of traveling, unhappiness connected with ghastly scenes and evil turns in property and family).

When he returned, he recited this supplication making addition of these words:

آيبون تائبون عابدون لربنا حامدون

Ayibuna, ta'ibuna, 'abiduna, li-Rabbina hamidun

(We are those who return; those who repent; those who worship and those who praise our Lord).

[Muslim].

May Allah grant us our du'a. Ameen.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Dealing with Death: Inward and Outward Manners

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Inwardly:

1. Patience,

2. Submission to the Divine Will,

3. Reflection on the fleetingness of live,

4. Taking admonition for one’s own situation.

Shaddad ibn Aws reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The intelligent is one who controls his lower self and works for that which comes after death. The stupid is one who follows his caprice and vainly hopes that his desires will be fulfilled by Allah.” [al-Tirmidhi, Sunan]

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Race to good deeds! What do you await but delayed poverty, overbearing wealth, debilitating illness, senility, unexpected death or the Dajjal? Or are you waiting for unseen evil, or the Final Hour? And the Final Hour will be bitter indeed and terrible.” [ibid]

Outwardly:

1. Making sure the dead person’s estate is correctly divided according to the Shariah AFTER all debts have been cleared.

2. If the person is expected to have missed fard fasts or prayers, their family (or friends) should make expiatory payments (fidya) to compensate for this, according to the rules of fiqh. [Can be explained upon request.]

3. Reciting a lot of Qur’an oneself (and family and friends) and donating the reward to the deceased. One may not pay Qur’an reciters for this; it would be sinful and without reward.

4. Making a lot of dua for them.

There is agreement among the 4 Sunni schools that one may donate the reward of some or all one’s actions to some or all believers, living or dead. [Ibn al-Humam, Fath al-Qadir]

Malik ibn Rabi’a al-Sa`idi said, “Once as we sat with the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), a man from the Bani Salama came and asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, is there any goodness I can show my parents after they die?’ He said, ‘Yes . Praying for them, seeking forgiveness for them, fulfilling the pledges they made, keeping ties with their relatives, and honouring their friends.” [Abu Dawud, Sunan]

Finally, we should learn the manners and ways of the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) and live them:

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (upon him be blessing & peace) said, “My entire community will enter Janna except those who refuse.”

He was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, who are those who refuse?

He said, “Those who obey me will enter the Garden and those who disobey me refuse.” [al-Bukhari, Sahih]

Source: Seekershub

May Allah make us of those who are patient and keep us on the right path and only make us die as Muslims, in complete submission to Him alone. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Related Archive:
In Health, In Sickness, Until Death

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Day of Calling

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,

وَتَرَ‌كْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَمُوجُ فِى بَعْضٍ ۖ وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ‌ فَجَمَعْنَـٰهُمْ جَمْعًا ﴿٩٩﴾ وَعَرَ‌ضْنَا جَهَنَّمَ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْكَـٰفِرِ‌ينَ عَرْ‌ضًا ﴿١٠٠﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ كَانَتْ أَعْيُنُهُمْ فِى غِطَآءٍ عَن ذِكْرِ‌ى وَكَانُوا۟ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ سَمْعًا ﴿١٠١﴾ أَفَحَسِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُ‌وٓا۟ أَن يَتَّخِذُوا۟ عِبَادِى مِن دُونِىٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۚ إِنَّآ أَعْتَدْنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلْكَـٰفِرِ‌ينَ نُزُلًا ﴿١٠٢

And We will leave them that day surging over each other, and [then] the Horn will be blown, and We will assemble them in [one] assembly. (99) And We will present Hell that Day to the Disbelievers, on display - (100) Those whose eyes had been within a cover [removed] from My remembrance, and they were not able to hear. (101) Then do those who disbelieve think that they can take My servants instead of Me as allies? Indeed, We have prepared Hell for the disbelievers as a lodging. (102)

[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:99-102]

That Day is also called the Day of Calling for the reason that this horrendous day would be reverberating with countless calls and cries.

According to a narration of Sayyidna 'Abdullah Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with father and son), the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "When comes the day of Qiyamah, an announcer from Allah will proclaim: 'Let the adversaries of Allah stand'. It would mean people who rejected taqdir or predestination. And then, the people of Jannah (Paradise) will call out to the people of Jahannam (Hell), and the people of Jahannam will call out to the people of Jannah, and the people of the A'raf (Heights) will call out to both, all saying things about themselves. And at that time, names will be announced, names of the lucky and the unlucky, along with their parentage. It will be like an announcement of results indicating that such and such person named is fortunate and successful, and that the probability of any misfortune for him or her stands eliminated - and that such and such person has turned out to be unfortunate, and that the probability of any good fortune for him or her stands eliminated." (Reported by Ibn Abi Hatim in As-Sunnah - Maqhari)

It has been reported from Sayyidna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that three soundings of the Horn on the day of Qiyamah. The first blowing of the Horn will cause consternation, the second, unconsciousness and the third, resurrection. The sonic outburst causing consternation will make the entire creation panic, then, this very outburst will become long enough to make everyone unconscious following which everyone will die. Generally, the combination of these two sonic outbursts has been called the first blowing of the Horn for the obvious reason that a single blowing will bring forth two manifestations, first - panic, then - swoon or unconsciousness. In this Hadith too, it has been mentioned that, at the time of the blowing causing consternation, people would be running around in panic. And Allah is Pure and High who knows best.

And it has been reported from Sayyidna Abu Hazim Al-A'raj that he used to address his own self saying, "0 A'raj, when comes the call on the day of Qiyamah: 'Let those who committed such and such sins stand' - you would be standing with them; and when comes the call: 'Let those who committed such and such sins stand', you would be standing with them too; and when comes the call: 'Let those who committed such and such sins', you would be standing with them too - and I believe, every time a sin is announced, you would have to stand with them (because you have all sorts of sins in store with you!") - Reported by Abii Nu'aym - Maqhari.

The culprits will be made to detour from the locale of reckoning to their final destination towards the Jahannam.

May Allah save us from the torment of Day of Calling and enter us into the highest Paradise without reckoning. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Reference: Tafsir Maariful Qur'an

When There Is No Other Shade Except Under His Throne

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The object of friendship for the sake of Allah is to get benefit in the next world.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that seven persons will get shade under the shade of the Throne on the Day of Resurrection. There are two persons out of them who love each other for the sake of Allah.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "A person is upon the religion of his friend. "Make friendship having a look to one's character, conduct and qualities. The person with whom companionship is to be kept should have five qualities in him -- intellect, good conduct, not to be a sinner, not to be an innovator, not to be a worldly addicted person.

He (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: One Muslim is brother to another Muslim. The tie of friendship and brotherhood is like that of husband and wife. He does not treat him bad, he does not spoil his honor and does not surrender him to the hands of his enemy. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: Two friends are like two hands, one of which washes the other. Friendship is completed when one of them keeps the other, as if they are one and the same and they share the enjoyments of each other.

A wise man said, when a man does four works in the house of his friend his love become perfect: 1) when he eats with him, 2) when he does necessary works with him, 3) when he prays with him, 4) and when he sleeps with him.

Accord your friend with good treatment in words and deeds. Tell such words which your friend loves, Use words of love and share his sorrows and happiness. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: When one of you love his brother, he should inform him of his love. It increases love. If he knows that you love him, he will surely love you. When you come to know that he also loves you, your love for him will increase. Love will increase from both sides. The existence of love among the believers is the object of Shari'a and religion.

Forgive the faults of your friend. If he commit sin and continues, advise him with tender and sweet words. Don't backbite your friend as Allah likened backbiting to eating the flesh of a dead brother. Do not disclose any secret talk which your friends tell you, even to their close friends.

Help a friend before asking in times of need. Don't ask anything from a friend his wealth and properties. Don't hope to benefit from his name and fame. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: A believer is brother to another believer. He does not seek advantage over him and does not inflict trouble on him. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: I and the God fearing men of my followers are free from inflicting troubles.

Keep friendship lasting till the death of friend and to keep it even after his death with his wife, children, relatives and friends and to take care of them, and to fulfill the duties of friendship selflessly for the sake of Allah.

Pray for your friend in his life time and even after his death. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: If a man prays for his friend in his absence, the angels say: Similar prayer is for you.

May Allah grant us excellent companions in this world and the Hereafter. May Allah shade us on the Day when there is no shade except under His Throne. Ameen.

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

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Advice in Times of Hardship

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Advice in Times of Hardship: original post by Muwasala

Answered by Sayyidi al-Habib `Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah preserve him and benefit us by him)

These are difficult times for Muslims in America. Recently young Muslims have been killed and an Islamic centre has been burnt down. What advice do you have for us?

These are some of the tribulations that occur at the end of time. Following the correct moderate path is what deflects these tribulations.

Muslims should follow the example of those that Allah describes in the Qur’an:

“Many a prophet was killed[1] with a number of devoted men beside them but they never lost heart due to what befell them in Allah’s way. They were not weakened and they did not give in. Allah loves those who are steadfast. All that they said was: ‘Our Lord, forgive us our sins and our transgressions, make our feet firm and assist us against those who reject faith.’ So Allah gave them a reward in this world and the best reward of the Hereafter, and Allah loves the people of excellence.” (3.146 -8)

Just as Allah gave the previous nations the reward of this life and the next, Allah; out of His generosity, will give a similar or even better reward to someone who says the same thing and attains the same state.

Muslims should beware of doing anything that contravenes the Sacred Law or of denying anyone their rights. Their actions should reflect the true teachings of Islam. Allah will give them support in the face of what they are suffering. Those who are involved in calling to Allah should remind people of what we have just mentioned and try to make people’s faith firm. They should aim to prevent things like this happening.

***

[1] Another reading of the Qur’an would translate as: ‘Many of the pious fought with the Prophets..’


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

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Loving the Sunnah: The Bathroom Manners

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Among the signs of the greatness of the blessed Islamic Shari’ah is the fact that there is no good thing, major or minor, that it has not commanded us to do or pointed the way to it, and there is no bad thing, major or minor, that it has not warned us against or forbidden. It is perfect and complete in all aspects.

At the time of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) one of the mushrikeen (polytheists) said to (the Prophet’s Companion) Salman al-Farsi (may Allah be pleased with him): “Your Prophet has taught you everything, even how to defecate!” Salman said: “Yes, he forbade us to face the qiblah when urinating or defecating…” (Muslim, Tirmidhi).

If we follow the Prophetic guidance, even with the smallest of things or mundane things (from our perspective), there will be immense barakah (blessing) in our lives.

We are taught a number of rules and etiquettes when answering the call of nature, including below. We should adopt all of them in our lives and teach that to our children.

1. Say this du’a before entering the bathroom and enter with your left foot.

Du'a before entering the bathroom:

بِسْمِ اللهِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُْثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ

Bismillahi Allahumma inni a-'udhubika mina'l khubuthi wa-'l-khabaa'ith(i)

I take refuge with Allah from all the jinn/demons (males and females).

Narrated from ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “A screen will be placed between the eyes of the jinn and the ‘awrah of the sons of Adam when one of them enters the toilet, if he says ‘Bismillaah (in the Name of Allah).” (Tirmidhi).

Exit the bathroom with the right leg and say:

غفرانك، الحمد الله الذي أذهب عني الآذى وعافاني

Ghufranak(a), alhamdulillahi 'lladhi adhaba 'anni 'ladha wa 'afaani

I ask You (Allah) for forgiveness. Praise be to Allah who relieved me of discomfort and granted me comfort.

(Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi)

You might already know these supplication, but do you actually say it each time you go, or do you often forget?

How to remember? Stick a note next to the door to remember and you can say it out loud so the children pick up this sunnah habit. Try to memorize the du'as today.

2. Not to face the Qiblah (direction of prayer, i.e. the Ka’bah which was built in Makkah by Ibrahim, upon whom be peace, as commanded by Allah) when urinating or defecating. This is out of respect for the Qiblah and for the symbols and rituals of Allah.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “When any one of you sits down to answer the call of nature, he should not face the Qiblah or turn his back towards it.” (Muslim).

3. He should not touch his private parts with his right hand when urinating.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “When any one of you urinates, he should not hold his private parts in his right hand or clean it with his right hand; and (when drinking), he should not breathe into the vessel.” (Bukhari)

4. He should not remove najaasah (impurity) with his right hand; the left hand should be used for this purpose, because of the hadith quoted above.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) also said: “When any one of you wipes himself, he should not use his right hand.” (Bukhari).

The Prophet’s wife Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to use his right hand for eating, drinking, making wudu’, getting dressed, and giving and taking things, and he used to use his left hand for other things. [Ahmad)

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “When any one of you cleans himself, he should not use his right hand, he should use his left hand.” (Ibn Maajah)

5. The Sunnah is to answer the call of nature sitting, making oneself close to the ground, because this is more concealing, and makes it less likely that spray from one's urine will come back on one’s body or clothes, making them dirty. If a person can be sure of avoiding this, then it is permissible to urinate standing up.

6. One should be concealed from the sight of others when answering the call of nature.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to prefer to go behind a rise in the ground or a garden of date palms. (Muslim). If a person is out in an open space and cannot find anything to conceal him when he needs to answer the call of nature, he should move far away from the other people around him, because al-Mughirah ibn Shu’bah said: “I was with the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) on a journey, when he felt the need to answer the call of nature, so he went far away.” (Tirmidhi).

‘Abd-Allah ibn Abi Quraad said: “I went out with the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) to an open space, and when he needed to answer the call of nature, he moved away.” (Nisaa’i)

7. One should not uncover his ‘awrah (private parts) until after he has squatted close to the ground, because this is more concealing.

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “When the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) wanted to answer the call of nature, he would not lift his garment until he had squatted close to the ground.” (Tirmidhi)

If a person is in a (modern) toilet, he should not lift his garment until he has closed the door and is out of sight of other people. With regard to this point and the one before, it is worth noting that the habit of many people in the West and elsewhere, of urinating in a standing position in front of other people in public toilets (using urinals) is something which goes against good manners, modesty and decency, and is repulsive to anyone who possesses sound common sense and wisdom. The idea that it should be covered is well established among all wise and decent people of all races. It is wrong in principle to build restrooms of this shameful type, where the users can see one another, thus making them worse than some kinds of animals whose habit is to conceal themselves from one another when urinating or defecating.

8. One should be careful to remove all impurity after answering the call of nature, because the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) warned against being careless in cleaning oneself after urinating: “Most of the punishment of the grave will be because of urine.” (Ibn Maajah).

Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) passed by two graves, and said: “They are being punished, but they are not being punished for any major sin. One of them used not to protect himself (i.e. keep himself clean from) his urine, and the other used to walk about spreading malicious gossip.” (Bukhari).

9. Any impurity should be washed or wiped three times or an odd number of times greater than three, according to whatever is needed to cleanse it, because Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to wash his posterior three times.

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “We did this too and found it to be healing and cleansing.” (Ibn Maajah).

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “When anyone of you cleans himself (with stones or similar material) let him use an odd number.” (Imam Ahmad).

10. One should not use bones or dung to clean himself or wipe away the impurity, rather, he should use tissue, stones, and the like.

Abu Hurayrah reported that he used to carry a vessel for the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) to do wudu’ and clean himself after answering the call of nature. Whilst he was following him, he (the Prophet) asked, “Who is that?” He said: “I am Abu Hurayrah.” He said: “Get me some stones I can use to clean myself, but do not bring me any bones or dung.” So I brought him some stones, carrying them in the hem of my garment, and placed them by his side, then I went away. When he had finished, I came back and asked him, “What is wrong with bones and dung?” He said: “They are the food of the jinn.” (Bukhari).

11. One should not urinate into stagnant water, because Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) forbade anyone to urinate into stagnant water (reported in Muslim), and because this makes the water impure and harms those who use it.

12. A person should not urinate by the roadside or in places where people seek shade, because this is offensive to them.

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet(Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Fear the two things that bring curses.” They asked, “What are the two things that bring curses, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “When a person relieves himself in the road where people walk or in the place where they seek shade.” (Abu Dawud)

12. Avoid talking to someone while you are in the toilet. 
One should not greet a person who is answering the call of nature, or return a greeting whilst one is answering the call of nature, out of respect to Allah by not mentioning His name in a dirty place.

The Islamic greeting is “al-salaam ‘alaykum (peace be upon you)”; one of the names of Allah is al-Salaam (the Peace)].

Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allah reported that a man passed by the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) whilst he was urinating, and greeted him. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to him: “If you see me in this state, do not greet me, because if you do, I will not respond.” (Ibn Majah). The majority of scholars say that it is makrooh (disliked) to speak in the restroom unnecessarily.

May Allah grant us the ability to follow the footsteps of His beloved Messenger sallallahu alayhi wassallam.

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

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

The Destructive Traits of Arrogance and Showing Off

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Arrogance (also known as 'ujb) is a disease that has destroyed the faith and honor of countless individuals. It is among the most destructive vices a person can be stricken with because arrogance leads to hypocrisy, and hypocrisy leads to showing off (Riyaa) and a complete elimination of any faith in a human being. All of us, including the pious, are susceptible to it unless we are put ourselves in a state of continuously praising and thanking Allah, in humility for the blessings He has provided us.

Riyaa is showing off and can include the desire to seek praise or reputation. It includes worrying what people think of oneself. Showing off includes one’s deeds for someone else’s sake when they should be done for the sake of Allah.

Ibn ‘Abbas said: “Riyaa is more hidden than a black ant on a black stone in a dark night.”

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said, “What I fear for you the most is the minor shirk, that is ar-riyaa. Allah will say on the Day of Judgment when He is rewarding the people for their actions: Go to those for whom you did riyaa for in the world then see if you find the reward with them” (Ahmad).

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said, “Shall I not inform you of what I fear for you more than the maseeh ud-dajjaal (false messiah)? It is the hidden shirk (riyaa). It is when a man stands up for prayer, then beautifies his prayer for another to look at” (Ibn Majah).

Abu Hurayra narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) narrated a story about three people on the Day of Judgment. The first of the people whose case will be decided on Judgment Day will be a man who died as a martyr. He will be brought forth. Allah will make him know about His blessings (which He had bestowed on him in the World). The man will acknowledge them. Then God will ask him: What did you do with them? He will say: I fought in Your way until I died as a martyr. God will remark: You are lying. You fought so that you may be called a brave warrior. Then orders will be passed against him. So he will be dragged along on his face and cast into Hell. Second will be a man who studied religious knowledge. Then he taught it to others and recited the Qur'an. He will be brought for Judgment. Allah will remind him of His favors (showered on him in the world). He will admit them (having enjoyed them in his life). Then God will ask him: What did you do with them? He will reply: I acquired knowledge and imparted it and also recited the Qur'an for Your sake. God will observe: You have told a lie, for you got knowledge to be renowned as a scholar; and you recited the Qur'an to be marked as a Qari (one who recites the Qur'an according to the rules). Then orders will be passed against him. So he will be dragged along on his face and thrown into Hell. The third person will be a man to whom Allah had made abundantly rich and granted him every kind of wealth. He will be brought for judgment. God will let him know about His gifts conferred upon him in the world. He will recognize them. Then God will inquire: What did you with them? He will say: I left no way in which you like money to be spent without spending in it for your sake. God will say: You are lying. You did so to be described as generous and philanthropic in the society; It means you got your reward in the world according to your intention. Now you deserve nothing in the Hereafter except Hell. So orders will be passed against him and he will be dragged along on his face until he will be hurled into Hell.

We can defeat these vices through humility and by remembering that all good done on our part, talents we possess, and every good deed and worship we have completed are due to the Divine blessings and generosity of Allah, the most Honorable and Sovereign.

فَإِلَـٰهُكُمۡ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ وَٲحِدٌ۬ فَلَهُ ۥۤ أَسۡلِمُواْ‌ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُخۡبِتِينَ (٣٤ ...
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتۡ قُلُوبُهُمۡ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَہُمۡ وَٱلۡمُقِيمِى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ (٣٥

...And your Ilâh (God) is One Ilâh (God — Allâh), so you must submit to Him Alone (in Islâm). And (O Muhammad SAW) give glad tidings to the Mukhbitun [those who obey Allâh with humility and are humble from among the true believers of Islâmic Monotheism], (34) Whose hearts are filled with fear when Allâh is mentioned; and As-Sabirun [who patiently bear whatever may befall them (of calamities); and who perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and who spend (in Allâh's Cause) out of what We have provided them. (35)

(Qur'an, Al-Hajj 22:34-35)

Humility and humbleness towards Allah manifest themselves as modesty, patience, and respect towards others. Submission to Allah leads a person towards a more tranquil and meek life of purpose and substance, while self-pride and arrogance leads one to a life of darkness and hatred. It is not possible to be in actual submission while behaving arrogantly and in contempt towards others. Indeed, humble submission before the Most Glorious and Eternal Lord is the most sublime and greatest source of honor and dignity a believing person can be afforded.

Humility comes from recognizing the Might of Allah and that all might belongs to Him, His Greatness, and being in awe of His Majesty. True humbleness asks that we remember Allah constantly, thank Him for His countless blessings that He has conferred upon us, use our talents and abilities in the path of Allah, and consider ourselves superior to no one.

... قَدۡ أَفۡلَحَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ (١) ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ فِى صَلَاتِہِمۡ خَـٰشِعُونَ (٢) وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَنِ ٱللَّغۡوِ مُعۡرِضُونَ (٣

Successful indeed are the believers (1) Who concentrate their attention in humbleness when offering Salah (prayers) (2) And who keep themselves away from vain things, (3)...

[Qur'an, Al-Mukminun 23:02)

May Allah purify our hearts and save us from arrogance and showing off and all blameworthy traits and replace them with praiseworthy traits. Ameen.

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

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

Respect for Muslim Scholars and Carriers of Knowledge

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 important to have humility and respect for Muslim scholars and carriers of knowledge as well as to honor them.

Humility is the foundation of all sublime moral excellence. Its absence in any soul removes any other virtue from the believer except for the superficial qualities.

... وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّ‌حْمَـٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ هَوْنًا

The servants of the Rahman (the All-Merciful, Allah) are those who walk on the earth humbly, ...

[Qur'an, Al-Furqan 25:63]

Humility is an essential characteristic that a student must have to truly benefit from his or her teacher. In the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wassallam), when the angel Jibrīl alayhissalaam came to ask the Prophet, sallallahulayhi wassallam, about Islam, Imān, and Iḥsān, he is described as having, “put his knees against the knees [of the Prophet, sallallahulayhi wassallam, and placed his hands on his thighs.”

Similarly, when the Companions used to sit with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) they did not used to raise their heads up to him out of their reverence for him. It is reported on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), “If the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) used to enter the masjid, none of us used to raise our heads except Abū Bakr and ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them). They used to smile at him and he used to smile at them.”

It is also reported on the authority of ʿUbāda b. al-Ṣāmit (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wassallam)said regarding respecting scholars and honoring them, “He is not from my community who does not venerate our elders, have mercy on our youth, and know the rights of our scholars.”

Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) would say regarding the manners of respect a student should have with his or her teacher, From the rights of the scholar over you is that you give greeting to people generally and greet him specifically, that you do not ask him questions excessively, you do not meet his answers with discord, you do not pressure him if he tires, you do not grab his garment if he sets forth, you do not reveal his secrets, you do not back bite anyone in his presence, you do not seek out his shortcomings, and if he makes a mistake you accept his excuse. It is incumbent upon you to respect and honor him for the sake of Allah as long as he adheres to the commands of Allah. And [you must not] sit with your back towards him, and if he has a need you should hasten before everyone in serving him.

It is related by Shaʿbī (may Allah be pleased with him) that, Zayd b. Thābit (may Allah be pleased with him) led a funeral prayer. He then brought his riding animal near so he could ride it and Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with him) came to assist him in mounting. Upon this, Zayd said, “Do not do this O, son of the Messenger of Allah’s uncle.” Ibn ʿAbbās replied, “This is how he ordered us to treat our scholars and elders.”

Sufyān al-Thawrī entered the gathering of Imām Mālik while his students around him were seated as if there were birds perched on their heads. He later recited the following poem to describe this:

He refuses to answer [excessive questions and the questioner] will not return out of awe
Those who ask [in his presence] sit with their necks bent
Refined manners, grace, and the dignity of a chief of piety
He inspires awe [in hearts] yet he is no king

Imam Shāfiʿi said: “Out of my reverence for him, I used to turn pages while being seated in the presence of Mālik with gentleness so that he does not hear the pages turn.”

It is related by Ṣāliḥ b. Aḥmad b. Ḥanbal, “Al-Shāfiʿi came one day to visit my father while he was ill. He [Ibn Ḥanbal] leapt towards him, kissed him between the eyes, made him sit in his place and he sat in front of him.” He said, “Then he spoke to him for an hour. When al-Shāfiʿī got up to leave, my father rose and took hold of his saddle and walked with him. When [news] of this reached Yaḥya b. Maʿīn, he questioned my father saying, ‘O Abū ʿAbd Allāh, subḥānallah! Were you forced to walk by the side of al-Shāfiʿi’s riding animal?’ My father replied, ‘And you O Abū Zakariyya, had you walked on the other side you would have benefitted.’ Then he said, ‘Who wishes for goodness should follow the tail of that beast.’”

It was said to Iskandar, “Why is your reverence for your spiritual guide (al-muʾaddib) greater than your reverence for your father?” He said, “Because my father is the cause of my temporary life while my spiritual guide is the cause of [success] in my eternal life.”

Many of the Muslim rulers and caliphs also used to give immense importance to knowledge and the reverence of scholars. It is related that Hārūn al-Rashīd used to send his two sons al-Amīn and al-Māʾmūn to learn from Imām al-Kisāʾi who was one of the seven reciters of the Qur’an. One day after class was finished; al-Amīn and al-Maʾmūn were competing to carry the sandals of the shaykh. Each one wanted to carry them and then they settled for each of them carrying one sandal. Meanwhile, Hārūn al- Rashīd was watching them from an elevated place in his residence. He later invited him to a table he had prepared for him and then asked him during the meal, “Who is the happiest of people?” The shaykh said to him, “You are O Leader of the Believers.” He said, “No, the happiest of people is the one who the two heirs of the Leader of the Believers (amīr al-mu ʾminīn) quarrel to carry his sandals.”

From amongst the forms of respect that students must have for teachers is that they should listen with complete attentiveness even if the teacher is saying something which they already know from a quote, story, or poem.ʿ

Aṭā ʾ said, “I listen to a hadith from a man and I am more knowledgeable of it than him. However, I do not show him that I surpass him in anything.”

Similarly, he should not precede the scholar in explaining a matter or answering a question posed by one of the students. It is said, “Learn silence the way you learn to speak. And be more vigilant about listening than speaking.”

As for humility, this not only means that students should be in a state of humbleness while learning but that they must also humble themselves to knowledge in the exertion of their efforts to seek it.

Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say, “I lowered myself seeking, and then I became sought (dhalal-tu ṭāliban fafiztu maṭlūban).”

It is also related that he said, “When the Messenger of Allah died, I said to a man from the Anṣār come lets seek out the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) for they are many today. He said, ‘I am surprised by you, O Ibn ʿAbbās! Whom among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah do you see as better than yourself?’ He said, So I left him and I set out to ask the Companions of the Messenger of Allah and [news of] a hadith from a man had reached me. I came to the door of the one saying [the hadith] and I spread my cloak on his doorstep, all the while the wind was blowing sand in my face. He came out and saw me and said, ‘O son of the Messenger of Allah’s uncle, what brought you here? Had you sent for me, I would have come.’ I said to him, ‘It is more fitting that I should come to you.’ He said, and I asked him about the hadith. This man of the Ansar then lived until he saw me when people had gathered around me asking me, and he would say ‘This youth is more intelligent than me .’”

It is also related that Ibn Shihāb al-Zuhrī would not abandon anyone he knew to possess any knowledge except that he sought him out and found him. Ibrāhīm b. Saʿd said, “I asked my father, how did Ibn Shihāb surpass you?” He said, ‘He used to come to the center of gatherings and not leave an elderly person except that he asked him and not leave a youth except that he asked him. Then he used to go to the homes of the Anṣār and he would not leave a youth he did not ask or an elderly person he did not ask. He used to even speak to the women of the households.’”

Finally, it is incumbent that a student does not acquire pride or vanity after having gained an amount of knowledge, remembering that it is ultimately Allah who granted this to him or her. Also because the amount of knowledge that one has accumulated regardless of the heights a student has reached is insignificant in comparison to the knowledge of Allah the Exalted and High.

Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an,

عَلَّمَ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ مَا لَمۡ يَعۡلَمۡ (٥

He taught man what he did not know.

[Qur'an, Al-'Alaq 96:5}

ٱللَّهُ أَخۡرَجَكُم مِّنۢ بُطُونِ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡأَبۡصَـٰرَ وَٱلۡأَفۡـِٔدَةَ‌ۙ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ

Allah has brought you forth from your mothers’ wombs when you knew nothing, and He made for you ears, eyes and hearts, so that you may be grateful.

[Qur'an, al-Naḥl 16:78].

وَيَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلرُّوحِ‌ۖ قُلِ ٱلرُّوحُ مِنۡ أَمۡرِ رَبِّى وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلاً۬

And they ask you about the soul. Say, “The soul is something from the command of my Lord, and you are not given from the knowledge but a little.”

[Qur'an, Al-Isrā 17:85] and He says,

وَفَوۡقَ ڪُلِّ ذِى عِلۡمٍ عَلِيمٌ۬ ...

... Above every man of knowledge, there is someone more knowledgeable.

[Qur'an, Yusuf 12:76]

May Allah increase us in beneficial knowledge and grant us humility. Ameen.

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

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Respect for Gatherings of Learning

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 essential that one has respect in one’s heart and exhibits reverence for gatherings of knowledge. This is embodied in some of the following practices.

1) To have ritual purity and cleanliness before leaving to attend gatherings of knowledge. The Companions of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) and their followers used to be very attentive to this matter.

It is reported that Imām Mālik used to be meticulous in his veneration of gatherings of knowledge to the point that before narrating hadiths, he would make wudu', wear his best clothes, sit upon his cushion, comb his beard, put on perfume, and sit in the most dignified and respectful posture. When asked about this he replied, “I love to exalt the hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wassallam)”

Another form of purification before attending gatherings of learning is that of the purification of the heart from traits such as backbiting, envy, grudges, and other spiritual diseases through various forms of worship and acts of obedience. This is done to exert an effort to expand one’s heart and state of mind in a way that will make the student more susceptible to absorbing knowledge and implementing it.

It is commonly said, “In the presence of scholars guard your tongue. And in the presence of the knowers of Allah, guard your heart.”

2) A student should come in a state of stillness of the heart, mind, and body (sakīna) along with a demeanor of a dignified seriousness (waqār) that is derived from an understanding of the gravity and significance of being in a circle of learning.

Ḥasan al-Baṣrī used to say,

Seek knowledge and seek in order to [attain] knowledge stillness and seriousness (sakīna wa al-waqār) as well as humility towards whom you are learning from and towards those you are teaching.

Due to the intense reverence that Imām Mālik had for the hadiths of the Prophet, it is reported that he once remained seated in the same position while teaching for four hours, eventhough he had been stung by a scorpion and his color had changed. Upon being asked about this he replied, “I did not want to interrupt the hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wassallam).”

In this is revealed the depth of Imām Mālik’s understanding of the Majesty of Allah and the rank of His Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wassallam). Indeed, Allah says in the Qur'an,

ذَ‌ٰلِكَ وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ شَعَـٰٓئِرَ‌ ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقْوَى ٱلْقُلُوبِ ﴿٣٢

That [is so]. And whoever honors the symbols of Allah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts. (32)

[Qur'an, Al-Hajj 22:32]

May Allah grant us piety of the hearts. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

No Stopping With The Qur'an, Your Lifelong Companion

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.

No doubt you will find many people desirous to read and complete reciting the Qur'an. But there are also many among them who have completed reciting the Qur'an once, only to never touch it again for whatever reason -- perhaps ignorance, laziness or think they have better things to do. Know that your first round of completing reciting the Qur'an is only the beginning in building your relationship with the Qur'an. There is no stopping with the Qur'an. It is our real lifelong companion.

Allah told us that the Qur'an is guidance for the people and the criterion between right and wrong as if people don't already know this. When we read the Qur'an again and again, it is almost as though we don't know anything about what it was. This is the spirit we should have when we recite the Qur'an -- to refresh our relationship with the Qur'an all anew as if we never had a relationship with it before.

The actual relationship we have with the Qur'an is when we are standing in prayer and reciting it, and when we are standing behind an imam and listening to the Qur'an being recited. The relationship we have with the Qur'an happens five times (17 units) a day at least. If you add the sunnah prayers (emphasized and recommended), it is at least 12 units more daily. If somebody's prayer is good, his Qur'an is good, and if somebody is not engaging with the Qu'ran in his prayers, then his relationship with the Qur'an is entirely superficial.

Therefore, we should understand the Qur'an and try to memorize a little of the Qur'an as a family everyday. All this boils down to so we can have a better prayer. If you don't have a better prayer, all the Arabic knowledge, tafsir, etc, is doing you no good. Doing it as a family has many advantageous...one of which is to protect us from Shaytan and his evil because shaytan is stronger on one person rather than two/group.

‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "It is incumbent upon you to be with the Muslim group and you must avoid disunity. The Shaytan is with a single person and it is far from two persons." [At-Tirmidhi]

Dedicate an hour or more a day to memorize Qur'an and understand it. Aim high for yourself and your family. You may set rewards for your children. Allah acknowledges our effort and He will reward us in a way we don't expect in this world before the next.

There are two kinds of requirements for understanding the Qur'an and benefit from the Qur'an: 1) Academic -- learning the Arabic language, study tafsir, undertsand the linguistic analysis anything that require you to study, and 2) Psychological requirements/spiritual requirements, which are the harder ones. Somebody with intelligene can study Arabic and know Allah's Book in no time but they don't benefit from it because they lack the spiritual requirements.

Don't be surprise if you find it very difficult to sit down and memorize. It is a life long struggle. You can meet the requirements at one point in life and lose at another point in life. We have to start and fight our own selves to maintain it. Remind ourselves every single time "why am I memorizing this ayat (verse)." The cliche answer is "So I can have guidance!" But that term is used so often but people don't really understand why they are asking Allah for guidance.

What 'asking for guidance" means is this...we have 2 choices everyday 1) Should I be quiet and pursue memorizing Qur'an and leave those friends? or 2) Should I respond back to the text messages? When we ask Allah for guidance we ask Allah for the strength to make the right choices. When you are ready and strong enough to make the right choice, you will find easy to rid of those distractions.

All of a sudden music, going to concerts, talking about useless things, etc, are not appealing to you anymore. All of a sudden, having hijab on (for the woman) is like a cool breeze in the hot summer or a warm breeze in the cold winter. No longer you have concerns about how you look in hijab or how others view or perceive you for covering yourself properly; and for the man, no longer having a beard becomes a big deal for you.

That's why we have to recite the Qur'an and reflect on it regularly. Remember, shaytan does not spare on any of us. He will come from all sides ready to ambush and lead you to shamelessness but constant remembrance of Allah act as a shield from shaytan's ambush.

We, as a Muslim community, is suffering from weakness of faith we need to find a way to strengthen our faith. Qur'an is the starting point and no stopping. We should keep the company of pious people because they can help you jolt your iman. We should keep on the recitation of Qur'an and remembrance of Allah; do much good, fulfill your duty on those who have rights upon you, avoid prohibitions at all cost, and always seeking Islamic knowledge.

May Allah guide us to excellence in His worship and protect us from evil. Ameen.

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

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

A Recipe to Gain Allah's Love and True Happiness

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

There are plenty of good deeds all around us ready to be picked up. A sincere good deed may raise one's rank with Allah and erase the person's sins (except major sins which require sincere repentance for forgiveness). Would you not rush to take them one by one?

Our ultimate goal in life is to attain Allah's love. The recipe to gain Allah's love is to perform all the obligatory religious duties and add supererogatory works and good deeds.

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم said: Allah (mighty and sublime be He) said:

Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him.

[Bukhari]

Remember the poor and the homeless. They are hungry. Feed them. Look in your food pantry and share some with them. If you are not the kind who stock up food, then go buy some bread, cheese, meats, even peanut butter and jelly, and make sandwiches and distribute to them (personally) with your family. The weather in the northern hemisphere is still cold. This is the best time to clean out your closets for extra blankets and clothes that you haven't worn for a while (probably you had forgotten they ever existed), and give them away to those who are in need.

Sometimes the poor hide themselves. So you might not be able to readily see them but they are out there. It might take some searching to find them them but this extra effort will only increase your reward.

Faith wears out in the heart just like the clothes wear out. If you haven't work on building your iman (faith), even if it is good last year, it is worn out this year. Acts of good will renew your iman (faith) inshaAllah.

If you have never tasted homelessness, you have not tasted the bliss of home. If you have never tasted sorrow, you'll never tasted happiness. Remember the poor, the needy and the homeless. Be generous to them and encourage others to do the same. Allah will reward you with the bliss of the eternal abode without having to taste homelessness, inshaAllah.

Allah Almighty says,

إِنَّ رَ‌بَّكَ لَبِٱلْمِرْ‌صَادِ ﴿١٤﴾ فَأَمَّا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ إِذَا مَا ٱبْتَلَىٰهُ رَ‌بُّهُۥ فَأَكْرَ‌مَهُۥ وَنَعَّمَهُۥ فَيَقُولُ رَ‌بِّىٓ أَكْرَ‌مَنِ ﴿١٥﴾ وَأَمَّآ إِذَا مَا ٱبْتَلَىٰهُ فَقَدَرَ‌ عَلَيْهِ رِ‌زْقَهُۥ فَيَقُولُ رَ‌بِّىٓ أَهَـٰنَنِ ﴿١٦﴾ كَلَّا ۖ بَل لَّا تُكْرِ‌مُونَ ٱلْيَتِيمَ ﴿١٧﴾ وَلَا تَحَـٰٓضُّونَ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ ٱلْمِسْكِينِ ﴿١٨﴾ وَتَأْكُلُونَ ٱلتُّرَ‌اثَ أَكْلًا لَّمًّا ﴿١٩﴾ وَتُحِبُّونَ ٱلْمَالَ حُبًّا جَمًّا ﴿٢٠﴾ كَلَّآ إِذَا دُكَّتِ ٱلْأَرْ‌ضُ دَكًّا دَكًّا ﴿٢١﴾ وَجَآءَ رَ‌بُّكَ وَٱلْمَلَكُ صَفًّا صَفًّا ﴿٢٢﴾ وَجِا۟ىٓءَ يَوْمَئِذٍۭ بِجَهَنَّمَ ۚ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَتَذَكَّرُ‌ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ وَأَنَّىٰ لَهُ ٱلذِّكْرَ‌ىٰ ﴿٢٣
يَقُولُ يَـٰلَيْتَنِى قَدَّمْتُ لِحَيَاتِى ﴿٢٤﴾ فَيَوْمَئِذٍ لَّا يُعَذِّبُ عَذَابَهُۥٓ أَحَدٌ ﴿٢٥﴾ وَلَا يُوثِقُ وَثَاقَهُۥٓ أَحَدٌ ﴿٢٦﴾ يَـٰٓأَيَّتُهَا ٱلنَّفْسُ ٱلْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ ﴿٢٧﴾ ٱرْ‌جِعِىٓ إِلَىٰ رَ‌بِّكِ رَ‌اضِيَةً مَّرْ‌ضِيَّةً ﴿٢٨﴾ فَٱدْخُلِى فِى عِبَـٰدِى ﴿٢٩﴾ وَٱدْخُلِى جَنَّتِى ﴿٣٠

Indeed, your Lord is in observation. (14) And as for man, when his Lord tries him and [thus] is generous to him and favors him, he says, "My Lord has honored me." (15) But when He tries him and restricts his provision, he says, "My Lord has humiliated me." (16) No! But you do not honor the orphan (17) And you do not encourage one another to feed the poor. (18) And you consume inheritance, devouring [it] altogether, (19) And you love wealth with immense love. (20) No! When the earth has been leveled - pounded and crushed - (21) And your Lord has come and the angels, rank upon rank, (22) And brought [within view], that Day, is Hell - that Day, man will remember, but what good to him will be the remembrance? (23) He will say, "Oh, I wish I had sent ahead [some good] for my life." (24) So on that Day, none will punish [as severely] as His punishment, (25) And none will bind [as severely] as His binding [of the evildoers]. (26) [To the righteous it will be said], "O reassured soul, (27) Return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him], (28) And enter among My [righteous] servants (29) And enter My Paradise." (30)

[Qur'an, Al-Fajr 89:14-30]

Being of service to others is a way of life that leads to happiness. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam is reported to have said: Allah (mighty and sublime be He) will say to his slave when He will be taking account of him on the Day of Judgement,

"Verily, Allah will say to his slave when He will be taking account of him on the Day of Judgement, 'O' son of Adam, I was hungry and you did not feed me.' He will answer: 'How could I feed you? You are the Lord of the worlds!' He will say: 'Did you not know that my slave so and so who is the son of so and so felt hunger, and you did not feed him. Alas, had you fed him you would have found that (i.e. reward) with Me.' 'O' son of Adam, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink.' He will reply: 'How could I give You drink? You are the Lord of the worlds!' He will say: 'Did you not know that my slave so and so, the son of so and so felt thirsty and you did not give him drink. Alas, if you had given him, you would have found that (i.e. reward) with me.' 'O' son of Adam, I became sick and you did not visit Me.' He will answer: 'How can I visit You? You are the Lord of the worlds!' He will say: 'Did you not know that my slave so and so, the son of so and so became sick and you did not visit him. Alas, had you visited him, you would have found Me with him."'

Here is an interesting point, in the last third of the hadith are the words: ...'you would have found Me with him.' This is unlike the first two parts of the hadith wherein: 'You would have found that (i.e. the reward for feeding and giving drink) with Me.'

The reason for this is that Allah is with those whose hearts are troubled, as is the case with the person who is sick.

Also, know that Allah made the prostitute from the children of Israel to enter Paradise because she gave a drink to a dog who was thirsty. So what will be the case for the one who feeds other humans, giving them drink and removing from them hardships!

It is reported in an authentic hadith that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam said:
"Whoever has extra provision, he should give from it to the one who has no provision. And whoever has an extra mount, he should give with this extra to the one who has no mount."

Hatim said in some of his beautiful couplets, commanding his servant to search for guests: "Burn the coals, for truly, the night is chilly, If you bring me a guest, then I set you free."

And he said to his wife: "Whenever you make food, then search, for the one who is hungry, as I do not eat alone."

Ibn Mubarak's neighbor was a Jew. He would always feed him before his own children and would provide clothing for him first and then for his children. Some people said to the Jew, 'Sell us your house.' He answered, 'My house is for two thousand dinars. One thousand is for the price of the house and one thousand is for having Ibn Mubarak as a neighbor!' Ibn Mubarak heard of this and he exclaimed, 'O' Allah! guide him to Islam.' Then, by the leave of Allah, he accepted Islam.

On another occasion, Ibn Mubarak passed by a caravan of people who were traveling to make the pilgrimage to Makkah and he himself was on his way to do the same. In the caravan, he saw a woman taking a dead crow from a cesspit. He sent his servant to inquire about this and when he asked her, she replied, 'We have had nothing for three days except that which finds its way into it.' When Ibn Mubarak heard of this, his eyes swelled with tears. He ordered for all of his provision to be distributed among those of the caravan, and having nothing with which to continue the journey, he returned to his home and gave up making the pilgrimage for that year. Later, he saw someone in a dream saying, 'Your pilgrimage has been accepted, as have your rites; and your sins have been forgiven.'

Allah, the All-Compassionate, says:

وَٱلَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُو ٱلدَّارَ‌ وَٱلْإِيمَـٰنَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّونَ مَنْ هَاجَرَ‌ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِى صُدُورِ‌هِمْ حَاجَةً مِّمَّآ أُوتُوا۟ وَيُؤْثِرُ‌ونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ ۚ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٩

And (it is also for) those who, before them, had homes (in Al-Madinah) and had adopted the Faith, love those who emigrate to them, and have no jealousy in their breasts for that which they have been given (from the booty of Banu An-Nadîr), and give them (emigrants) preference over themselves, even though they were in need of that themselves. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness (the greed of their hearts), such are they who will be the successful. (9)

[Qur'an, Al-Hashr 59:9]

One poet said: "Even if I am a person who is far, from his friend in terms of distance, I offer him my help and wish to alleviate his difficulties, And I answer his invitation and his call to me for help, And if he dons a wonderful new outfit I will not say, Alas, were I to be blessed with the clothes that he wears."

Another poet said: "Good remains, even if time prolongs, And evil is the most vile of things to keep possession of."

May Allah enable us to follow the footsteps of the righteous and pious and protect us from covetousness and miserliness and make among the generous. Ameen.

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

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassallam

Advising Others Needs Wisdom and Tact

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

A relative or an old friend comes on a weekend to visit you, and you enjoy a good meal together. You then sit down to have tea and talk about old times. You finish the tea, and the time for the `Asr prayer enters. You tell your relative or friend that it's time to pray and he says, "Sure, go ahead and pray. I'll just wait for you here until you're done." What would you do?

Do not proceed reading until you answer this question to yourself.

Advising others needs wisdom and tact. Each one of us need to understand something about ourselves. How do we react in a situation like this.

Generally speaking, there are two kinds of people: those who hesitate from advising others, and those who do it eagerly. Each kind of person has their own advantages and disadvantages.

The shy and hesitant person needs to work on being brave (i.e. fearing no one but Allah) and not shying away, but when they actually do give advice, they'll normally have made a conscious effort to do it for the sake of Allah. So their actions will often be more sincere.

The eager person already has a character that can easily advise other people. What they need to work on is to make sure that they are doing it out of slavehood to Allah Most High. One way to bring this thought to the forefront of one's mind is to consciously take steps to do what one does with excellence. For example, by reading books that teach one how to talk to other people with tact and effectiveness. Dale Carnegie's book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, is a good book for such a person to read.

InshaAllah, you can figure out which kind of person you fit best by your answer and work on improving it.

May Allah Most High guide us in commanding good and forbidding evil. Ameen.

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

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Secrets of the Hearts

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

One should not miss the opportunity to be in gatherings of remembrance of Allah such as gatherings of learning sacred knowledge and gatherings of the pious until the light of remembrance appears within him. Where will this light come from? It will come from the One being remembered. One should actively expose himself to receive the inner secret after which his heart will fill with light. The scholars mention the various paths to expose oneself to attaining the secret and the light because striving towards this should be everyone's goal.

Imam al-Haddad conveyed to us from Imam Ghazali who transmitted from those before him, the path by which a slave truly remembers Allah, attain spiritual secrets and attains light. In his poem: The station of certainty are nine. Know and perfect them and begins with sound repentance. The scholars say if a person begins with genuinely repenting to Allah, as indicated in the Qur'an, its fruits will appear in him. They say repentance is the first step a wayfarer takes. It is one of the stations of wilayah (sainthood) and of the religion. It will necessarily elicit a spiritual blessing, an effect and a spiritual state.

What is the state? If a person truly repents, a light will glimmer in his heart. The light will protect him from slipping back into heedlessness. It protects him from taking the wrong path. It protects him from turning to other than his Lord. Thus, he progresses to the station of truthfulness. If he attains the station of truthfulness, its state manifest on him. Due to his truthfulness, he moves to one of the other stations. This is the path of spiritual secrets, the path of light, the path of arrival to the Divine Presence.

La illaha illa Allah (there is no god except Allah) is required of a slave and it is the starting point of all stations so its states and inward and outward realities and effects must manifest on the slave.

Once Iman As-Sirri as-Saqati was passing through a place, a man told him that one of the houses of the people of la illaha illa Allah was on fire. So he said, la illaha illa Allah and the fire was extinguished. That was his station. Where did this la illaha illa Allah emerged? From a heart of the heedless? From the heart of a liar? From a heart distracted by other than Allah? From a heart that did not realize the Truth? No. The effects of la illaha illa Allah manifested due to his state. And likewise it is manifested for others.

Some guests stayed the night at Malik bin Dinar (died 748 CE and was from the generation of the Tabi'in). He prayed for them and granted them leave. But they returned after a while. He said, "Why did you return after after I saw you off with prayers and granted you leave?" They replied, "We encountered a pride of lions." He said to them, "Do you fear lions?" They replied, "Who doesn't?" He said, "Follow me!" Malik grabbed the ear of one of the lions and said, "Didn't I tell you not to disturb my guests?" This is the light that manifested in this inheritor of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam.

Allah Almighty says,

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَكُونُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ ﴿١١٩

O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true. (119)

[Qur'an, At-Tawba 9:119]

This is the fruit.

If someone wants light to manifest in him, he should remember Allah alone. When he says la ilaha illa Allah, he should leave all other than Him. Its spiritual blessing will eventually appear in him.

What is this blessing? It is not turning away lions, nor is it warding off fire. It is not something tangible. Rather, from the words of Imam Al-Haddad, it is a spiritual light that engulfs the heart in those moments. It is priceless.

Shaykh Yahya Al-Khatib spoke of a great Imam, Shaykh Ahmad bin Abd-ur-Rahman Shihabud-Din. He said when someone come to see the Imam, he would surprise him by saying, "Haven't you come to tell me such and such?" He would answer, "Yes." So Shaykh Yahya asked the Iman, "How do you know what the person was going to say to you?" The Imam replied, "Do you not read the Qur'an?" He said, "Yes, I do?" The Imam recited..."It is clear signs in the hearts of those endowed with knowledge." These signs are engraved in their chests. The entire world is like a tablet before them. They read whatever they wish to read from it. Is this something visible? No. Rather, it is a secret only the heart can perceive. The perceptive heart which the Qur'an addresses, not the small piece of flesh. Sometimes the Qur'an calls it the heart, sometimes, the soul, sometimes the secret, sometimes the spiritual breath. All terms are fine.

There is also in the Qur'an, about Prophet Sulayman's companion, even though the people of this Ummah receive much greater bounty than him:

قَالَ ٱلَّذِى عِندَهُۥ عِلْمٌ مِّنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن يَرْ‌تَدَّ إِلَيْكَ طَرْ‌فُكَ ۚ فَلَمَّا رَ‌ءَاهُ مُسْتَقِرًّ‌ا عِندَهُۥ قَالَ هَـٰذَا مِن فَضْلِ رَ‌بِّى لِيَبْلُوَنِىٓ ءَأَشْكُرُ‌ أَمْ أَكْفُرُ‌ ۖ وَمَن شَكَرَ‌ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ‌ لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ‌ فَإِنَّ رَ‌بِّى غَنِىٌّ كَرِ‌يمٌ ﴿٤٠

One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: "I will bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye!" Then when he [Sulayman (Solomon)] saw it placed before him, he said: "This is by the Grace of my Lord - to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for (the good of) his own self, and whoever is ungrateful, (he is ungrateful only for the loss of his own self). Certainly! my Lord is Rich (Free of all wants), Bountiful."

(40) [Qur'an, An-Naml 27:40]

Ask Allah for this bounty, and then rid your hearts from the darkness of delusion that has led people into heedlessness and brought them into the realms of ignorance. Someone prays and he has no idea how many units of prayer he has completed. He doesn't know what surah the imam recited. He is unaware of the secrets in Al-Fatihah and other surahs. He has no idea of the secret of the glorification recited when bowing. He is unaware of the secret of the praise after bowing. He does not know the secret of glorification when prostrating. He does not know the secret of the praise between the two prostrations. He does not know anything. When asked, "Did you pray?" He replied, "Yes! Alhamdullillah, I prayed!" Are you aware of anything in the glorification? Did you ascend at all through them? Was anything from the unseen world opened to you? Did anything manifest for you from the hidden world? Were you aware that you were being called through your heart, through your hearing, inwardly and outwardly? Or is it just one prayer after another?

Likewise, people go for hajj or umrah this year, as is customary for many. When asked, "Did you go for hajj?" "Alhamdulillah!" he replied. Have the supplications of your hajj or umrah manifested? Have the secrets of your wudu' appeared? Will you deny the spiritual blessings which descend from the heavens? Will you deny the mercy by which Allah manifests Himself? Did you receive a portion? Have you felt anything? Have you tried to feel anything? Have any of these manifested for you? Or are you in the same state you were last year and the year before? You have returned to your heedlessness.

Who keeps the night vigil? Were you able to recite some of the Qur'an while keeping the night vigil last night? "No!" he replied, "I've got nothing from keeping the night vigil."

"Did you recite the du'a of Fajr?" "Yes" Has the light this supplication speaks of manifested for you?

"O Allah, verily I beseech You for Mercy from Your Presence, by which You guide my heart."

Has the guidance manifested? If he gets in a quarrel or dispute, his ego emerges. He begins to argue. Then he abuses people -- Allah's refuge is sought. Behind this behavior is scheming and cunning, etc. These things get into a person and so Shaytan dominates him and leads him wherever he wishes. Perhaps he even swears a false oath. Allah's refuge is sought. Why? The reason is, as Allah says, "The Shaytan has gained control over them and make them forget the remembrance of Allah." These heedlessness means that the blessings of prayers and gatherings do not manifest themselves.

What is a person waiting for? What are these blessings? The blessings comes in three things, tranquility descends. Has he felt tranquil? Has his heart been moved? Has he felt at that moment an outer and inner stirring or has he not obtained any such thing? These are the effects of tranquility and the mercy which descend and the effect of the angels sent by Allah to attend gatherings of remembrance of Allah. If the person cannot feel, if the blessing, mercy and goodness do not manifest, what is the person waiting for? What has increased in him? His life has passed but he has not attained any spiritual secrets. He is in heedlessness.

They wander on in their wild intoxication -- Allah's refuge is sought. Drunkenness within drunkenness within drunkenness. They said anyone who is not affected by the prayers, not affected by the verses of the Qur'an, not affected by remembrance, not affected by glorification, not affected by gatherings, anyone who does not feel anything of these -- Allah's refuge is sought -- has been overcome by drunkenness and blindness. He is unaware of the past and the future. The secret of la illaha illa Allah has not appeared on him, not its blessings, nor its mercy.

We are invited to a great feast. It is the feast of Prayer. The greatest feast offered to Muslims is the feast of Prayer. So how should he enter into it? What will he remember while in it? Will his heart be present while in it? What feast is he sitting at? Does he take heed. Allah says, "Will anyone take heed?" Gatherings like gatherings of remembrance of Allah, gatherings of the pious and gatherings of learning sacred knowledge are also feasts. They are not small affairs. No forty people gather except among them is a friend of Allah. In the gatherings there are people who have been given the greatest providence from Allah. There are people whom Allah has made guardians of His creation, of His elite, of His cosmos. They are entrusted with the secret. They are the bearers of the secret. They are the one who place secrets in the hearts. If someone comes to them with truthfulness and righteousness, they will put something in his heart without him knowing.

May Allah grant us His Light and make us of those who are truthful. Ameen.

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

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Based on a talk of Al-Habib Abdul Qadir As-Saqqaf (may Allah have mercy on him)

Know Your Travel Itinerary To The Next World

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,

أَوَلَمْ يَنظُرُ‌وا۟ فِى مَلَكُوتِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ‌ٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ وَمَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ مِن شَىْءٍ وَأَنْ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ قَدِ ٱقْتَرَ‌بَ أَجَلُهُمْ ۖ فَبِأَىِّ حَدِيثٍۭ بَعْدَهُۥ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿١٨٥﴾ مَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَلَا هَادِىَ لَهُۥ ۚ وَيَذَرُ‌هُمْ فِى طُغْيَـٰنِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ ﴿١٨٦

Do they not look into the realm of the heavens and the earth and everything that Allah has created and [think] that perhaps their appointed time has come near? So in what statement hereafter will they believe? (185) Whoever Allah sends astray - there is no guide for him. And He leaves them in their transgression, wandering blindly. (186)

[Qur'an, Al-A'raf 7:185]

Death is inevitable. It is the one thing that we can be certain about in life. We should be foremost in learning and understanding death, so we can live our lives accordingly. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

Live in this world as though you are a stranger or a traveler (passing through it).

[Muslim]

We are on a journey and we should know about the whole journey's itinerary, not just one part.

Let us for the next few moments seek an understanding of this, death, the only certainty in life.

We are born to die. Every soul shall have a taste of death no matter who they are. This is confirmed for us many times in the Qur'an:

... كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَ‌كُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۖ

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection...[Qur'an, AleImran 3:185]

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۗ وَنَبْلُوكُم بِٱلشَّرِّ‌ وَٱلْخَيْرِ‌ فِتْنَةً ۖ وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْ‌جَعُونَ ﴿٣٥

Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned. (35) [Qur'an, Al-Anbiya' 21:35]

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا تُرْ‌جَعُونَ ﴿٥٧

Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned. (57) [Qur'an,Al-'Ankabut 29:57]

Death is not pure annihilation, but rather both the living and dead are aware, but there is a difference that can't be compared. Death is merely movement from one world to another. It can be described as a journey through a wormhole to a separate dimension of existence.

We begin this journey in our mother's wombs. 120 days after conception the soul is blown into the fetus.

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Mus'ud that Allah's Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

The matter of the Creation of a human being is put together in the womb of the mother in forty days, and then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period, and then a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allah sends an angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write down his (i.e. the new creature's) deeds, his livelihood, his (date of) death, and whether he will be blessed or wretched (in religion). Then the soul is breathed into him.

[Bukhari]

We have no choice in who our parents are, our race, color or nationality.

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُصَوِّرُ‌كُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْ‌حَامِ كَيْفَ يَشَآءُ ۚ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ﴿٦

It is He who forms you in the wombs however He wills. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (6)

[Qur'an, 3:6]

Allah knows all of this before our birth even, but we still continue our journey to fulfill our destiny.

The next part of our trip begins after we are born. This is the life of this world, in which we now reside and are familiar with. We may stay at this station for a few seconds or as long as 100 years or more. Here we grow up and acquire the means to happiness or misery. We are given the ability to make choices after the age of puberty and we will later be punished or rewarded based upon them.

Allah gives each of us the natural instincts (Fitrah), knowledge of good and bad as well as
right and wrong. The rest is up to us. As the Qur'an says,

وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّىٰهَا ﴿٧﴾ فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَ‌هَا وَتَقْوَىٰهَا ﴿٨﴾ قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن زَكَّىٰهَا ﴿٩﴾ وَقَدْ خَابَ مَن دَسَّىٰهَا ﴿١٠

And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it (7) And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness, (8) He has succeeded who purifies it, (9) And he has failed who instills it [with corruption]. (10) [Qur'an, 91:7-10]

In this life, the soul and the body are together except during sleep when the soul may leave the body and come back in the morning or Allah may take the soul at that time.

Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep. Then He keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others for a specified term. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought. (42) [Qur'an, Az-Zumar 39:42]
(39:42)

Ponder this -- we die each night and Allah gives us another chance at life when we wake up the next day.

We also find continuous biological processes of life and death during this time. In every cell, organ or system of organs, life and death is occurring. There are several hundreds of thousands of enzymatic reactions that take place in the body every fraction of a second. Some of these biochemical reactions are used to synthesize living materials while others are either used to synthesize dead materials or to get rid of living materials.

تُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ‌ وَتُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ‌ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ ۖ وَتُخْرِ‌جُ ٱلْحَىَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَيِّتِ وَتُخْرِ‌جُ ٱلْمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلْحَىِّ ۖ وَتَرْ‌زُقُ مَن تَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ‌ حِسَابٍ ﴿٢٧

You cause the night to enter the day, and You cause the day to enter the night; and You bring the living out of the dead, and You bring the dead out of the living. And You give provision to whom You will without account." (27) [Qur'an, AleImran 3:27]

This part of our journey ends as our death begins. No one knows where, how and when he or she will die.

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَيُنَزِّلُ ٱلْغَيْثَ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلْأَرْ‌حَامِ ۖ وَمَا تَدْرِ‌ى نَفْسٌ مَّاذَا تَكْسِبُ غَدًا ۖ وَمَا تَدْرِ‌ى نَفْسٌۢ بِأَىِّ أَرْ‌ضٍ تَمُوتُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ‌ۢ ﴿٣٤

Indeed, Allah [alone] has knowledge of the Hour and sends down the rain and knows what is in the wombs. And no soul perceives what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul perceives in what land it will die. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. (34) [Qur'an, Luqman 31:34]

The One who gave life is the only one who has the right to take life. So, no one has the right to take his or her own life. If they do they will automatically go to Hell.

When someone begins to die the Angel of Death (or Izraeel) comes to take the soul out of the body and puts it in a place called the Barzakh.

قُلْ يَتَوَفَّىٰكُم مَّلَكُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ٱلَّذِى وُكِّلَ بِكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَ‌بِّكُمْ تُرْ‌جَعُونَ ﴿١١

Say, "The angel of death will take you who has been entrusted with you. Then to your Lord you will be returned." (11) [Qur'an, As-Sajda 32:11]

أَيْنَمَا تَكُونُوا۟ يُدْرِ‌ككُّمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ وَلَوْ كُنتُمْ فِى بُرُ‌وجٍ مُّشَيَّدَةٍ ۗ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ حَسَنَةٌ يَقُولُوا۟ هَـٰذِهِۦ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَقُولُوا۟ هَـٰذِهِۦ مِنْ عِندِكَ ۚ قُلْ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَمَالِ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ٱلْقَوْمِ لَا يَكَادُونَ يَفْقَهُونَ حَدِيثًا ﴿٧٨

Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you should be within towers of lofty construction. But if good comes to them, they say, "This is from Allah "; and if evil befalls them, they say, "This is from you." Say, "All [things] are from Allah." So what is [the matter] with those people that they can hardly understand any statement? (78) [Qur'an, 4:78]

For those who led a life of evil, the removal of the soul is tough and difficult. Sometimes, more than one angel has to work together to beat the face and back of the deceased. But for those who lived a good life, the soul yearns to meet his Lord and leaves the body with ease, like a drop of water pouring out. A light like the sun's ray and a sweet fragrance come out to the soul. Then it ascends amid rows of angels, but those who are there cannot see or smell this. The deceased is questioned, punished, beaten, and wails, and cries out. All this happens while they lie dead and their family is around them, but they neither hear nor see it. The sleeper dreams and enjoys their dream or is tormented by it, while someone awake at their side is not able to perceive what is going on at all.

Allah has given inanimate objects awareness and perception by which they glorify their Lord. The stones fall down out of fear of Him. The mountains and trees prostrate. The pebbles, water and plants glorify Him. All this is going on but we are not aware of it.

تُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ‌ٰتُ ٱلسَّبْعُ وَٱلْأَرْ‌ضُ وَمَن فِيهِنَّ ۚ وَإِن مِّن شَىْءٍ إِلَّا يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِهِۦ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَفْقَهُونَ تَسْبِيحَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورً‌ۭا ﴿٤٤

The seven heavens and the earth and whatever is in them exalt Him. And there is not a thing except that it exalts [Allah] by His praise, but you do not understand their [way of] exalting. Indeed, He is ever Forbearing and Forgiving. (44) [Qur'an, Al-Isra' 17:44]

The Companions heard the food that was being eaten glorifying Allah. That was because the Companions had a transparency of heart that does not now exist among us. All these things are part of our world and yet we are in complete ignorance of them. It is not too much of an extrapolation to extend this to our being unaware of the things of the Next World.

After the soul is taken, if it is a pure soul and has relatives in the Next World who are people of the Garden, they come to meet the soul with yearning and great joy. They ask it about the condition of those who are still alive and 'suffering' in this world. The angels then bear the soul from one heaven to the next until it comes into the presence of Allah, Then it returns and sees the washing of the body, its shrouding, and the funeral procession. It says either, 'Take me forward! Take me forward!' or 'Where are you taking me?' The living, of course, hear none of this. The soul comes back and stays floating above the body and when the corpse is placed in the grave, the soul inserts itself between the body and the shroud so that the questioning can take place.

Whenever someone died, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) would stand for awhile at the burial site and then say, "Seek forgiveness for your (Muslim) brother and pray for his steadfastness since he is now being questioned." [Abu Dawud]

The angels pray for the soul of the believer in the heavens just as people pray over the body on earth. The soul hears the receding footfall of the last of the people who followed the funeral and the earth is leveled over them. The earth or even a rock hollowed out and sealed over with lead, would not prevent the two angels, Munkar and Nakir from reaching it.

This is all narrated in the following sound hadith of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace):

"When the believer is about to depart from this world and go forward into the Next World, angels with faces as bright as the sun descend from the heavens and sit around him in throngs stretching as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death comes and sits at his head and says, "Good soul, come out to forgiveness and pleasure from Allah!" Then his soul emerges like a drop of water flows from a water-skin and the angel takes hold of it. When he has grasped it, the other angels do not leave it in his hand even for the twinkling of an eye. They take it and place it in a perfumed shroud and fragrance issues from it like the sweetest scent of musk found on the face of the earth.'

"Then they bear it upwards and whenever they take it past a company of angels, they ask, 'Who is this good soul?' and the angels with the soul reply, 'So-and-so the son of so-and-so,' using the best names by which people used to call him in this world. They bring him to the lowest heaven and ask for the gate to be opened for him. It is opened for him and angels who are near Allah from each of the heavens accompany him to the subsequent heaven until he reaches to the heaven where Allah the Great is. Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, says, 'Register the book of My slave in 'Illiyun and take him back to earth. I created them from it and I return them to it and I will bring them forth from it again.'

"His soul is then returned to his body and two angels come to him. They make him sit up and say to him, 'Who is your Lord?' He replies, 'My Lord is Allah.' They ask him, 'What is your religion?' He replies, 'My religion is Islam.' They ask him, 'Who is this man who was sent among you?' He replies, 'The Messenger of Allah. Then a Voice from on high declares, 'My slave has spoken the truth, so spread out carpets from the Garden for him and open a gate of the Garden for him!'

"Then some of its fragrance and perfume comes to him, his grave is expanded for him as far as the eye can see, and a man with beautiful garments and a fragrant scent comes to him and says, 'Rejoice in what delights you for this is the day which you were promised.' He asks, 'Who are you? Yours is a face which presages good.' He replies, 'I am your good actions.' Then he says, 'O Lord, let the Last Hour come soon so that I may rejoin my family and my property!'

"When an unbeliever is about to depart from this world and go forward into the Next World, angels with black faces descend from the heavens carrying rough haircloth and sit around him in throngs stretching as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death comes and sits at his head and says, 'Foul soul, come out to the wrath and anger of Allah!' Then his soul divides up in his body and it is dragged out like a skewer is pulled out of wet wool. Then the angel takes hold of it. When he has grasped it, the other angels do not leave it in his hand even for the twinkling of an eye. They take it and wrap it in the rough haircloth and a stench comes out of it like the worst stench of a corpse on the face of the earth.'

"Then they take it up and whenever they take it past a company of angels, they ask, 'Who is this foul soul?' and the angels with the soul reply, 'So-and-so the son of so-and-so,' using the worst names by which people used to call him in this world. They bring him to the lowest heaven and ask for the gate to be opened for him. It does not get opened.'

"The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) then recited, 'The gates of heaven will not be opened to them nor will they enter the Garden until the camel passes through the eye of the needle.' (7:40) Then Allah the Mighty and Majestic, will say, 'Register his book in Sijjin in the lowest earth.' Then his soul is flung down. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) then recited, 'Whoever associates anything with Allah, it is as though he has fallen from heaven and the birds snatch him away or the wind sweeps him headlong into a place far away.' (22:31)

"Then his soul is returned to his body and two angels come and say to him, 'Who is your Lord?' He replies, 'Alas, alas, I do not know!' Then a voice calls from on high, 'My slave has lied, so spread out carpets from the Fire for him and open a gate of the Fire for him!' then a hot blast from it comes to him, his grave is made so narrow for him that his ribs are pressed together, and a man with a hideous face and clothing and a foul odor comes to him and says, 'Grieve on account of what has brought you disgrace for this is the day which you were promised.' He asks, 'Who are you? Yours is a face which presages evil.' He replies, 'I am your bad actions.' Then he says, 'O Lord, do not let the Last Hour come!'"

This life in the grave (barzakh) is the next part of our journey. The barzakh is something that separates two things: heaven and earth, this world and the Next World or the period between death and resurrection. The bliss or punishment of the barzakh is not the same as that of the Hereafter, but rather something that happens between the two worlds.

In death, the body remains in the ground while the soul is in the barzakh between the two worlds. However, the two are still connected and so the bliss or punishment happens to both of them. When Allah desires bliss or punishment for the soul, He connects it to the body. This is dependent on the will of Allah and dependent on a person's own actions. The soul is diffused in more than one place at the same time. The proof of this is that the Prophet ((Allah bless him and grant him peace)) saw Prophet Musa (may Allah grant him peace) on the night of the Night Journey standing in prayer in his grave and he also saw him in the sixth and seventh heavens.

During this life in the grave part of our journey the souls are divided into two groups: one group is punished and the other group is in bliss. Usually when we think of the 'grave', it is a word that
inspires fear. We are pained, but not aware of the delight it can contain. Indeed, the bliss of the grave is better than any delight that this world can offer.

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

And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger - those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions. (69) [Qur'an, An-Nisa 4:69]

As the ahaadith narrate, if the soul was a believing one, a door onto the fire is opened and the soul is shown it's place in the Fire had they disobeyed Allah. Then that door is locked and another door onto the Garden is opened and they are shown their place there. This door will remain open until the Day of Rising. Some of the sweetness and fragrance of the Garden reaches them and their grave is made spacious. The believer sleeps in peace just as if they were in one of the meadows of the Garden. Their narrow grave expands and stretches for the soul as far as the eye can see.

This spaciousness, light and greenery in which the believer remains from the time of his death until the Day of Rising is not the same as we know in our world. If a living person were to open a grave, they would not find any expanse, light or greenness there. They would not find an open door through which they could see the Garden. They do not see bliss or torment. It is only the dead person who is aware of these things and sees them. Allah, through His wisdom, has the power to veil this from the living. The proof that this is so is shown by the fact that there are other creatures like the Jinn who live with us on the earth. They converse in raised voices among us but we do not see or hear them. There were angels who fought with the believers (at Badr) and struck down the unbelievers and shouted at them, but the Muslims did not see or hear them. Jibril alayhissalaam came to the Prophet sallallahu alayhissalaam in the midst of the people and they did not see or hear them.

If however the soul was a disbelieving one, a door to the Garden is opened for the unbeliever and they are told to look at what their place would have been in the Garden had they obeyed Allah. Then it is locked and another door is opened and they are told to look at their place in the fire. It stays open and the blast of hot air from it continues to reach them until the Day of Rising. The earth presses in on them and they are crushed to the point that their ribs split apart.

If a righteous person were to be buried in a fiery furnace, their portion of bliss would still reach their soul and body and Allah would make the fire cool and peaceful for them. For the wrongdoer,
the cool air becomes fire and hot wind. The elements and the matter of the universe obey their Lord, Originator and Creator. None of them are able to do anything except what He wills and everything obeys His will in humble submission to His decree.

This part of our journey in our graves is still mostly unknown territory. Outwardly the grave is stillness and quiet while inwardly it contains secrets and terrors which an ordinary person cannot
perceive. It is a strange fact that animals are able to hear the punishment in the grave while human beings as a general rule cannot. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "They are punished and the animals hear it."

Various forms of punishment rain down on a person in the grave according to the type of wrong actions they committed. There are ahaadith of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) about the Night Journey which contain descriptions of the many types of punishment he saw in the barzakh
between the two worlds.

There are those who are driven like cattle and forced to eat herbage more bitter than aloes and the bitter fruit of Zaqqum and driven on to the hot stones of Jahannam because they did not purify their
property by paying Zakat.

There are those who have to eat foul putrid meat because they fornicated. Some of them have bellies as big as houses and whenever one of them gets up, they are knocked down and say, "O Allah, do not
let the Hour come!" They are in the path of the people of Pharaoh who come and trample them while they can do nothing but scream. These are people who devoured usury.

Some of them are screaming with their mouths gaping open while they devour hot coals which come out of their anuses. These are people who consumed the property of orphans.

Some of them cut pieces from their own sides and eat their own flesh. They are the slanderers and those about whom the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "We saw people cutting flesh from their sides and eating it. It was said, "As you used to consume the flesh of your brother!" I asked, "Who are they?" and I was told, "Those of your community who slandered." Some of them have brass nails with which they scratch their faces and chests. They are those who were backbiters and maligned peoples honor.

Part of the hadith of the Night Journey is as follows: "Some people were cracking open their heads with a stone. Every time they did this, their heads were restored to what they were like in the first
place. This went on and on without stopping. I said, "Jibril, who are they?" Jibril replied, "They are the people who turned away from the prayer."

All of this shows that the Punishment of the Grave is true beyond any doubt.

سَابِقُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَ‌ةٍ مِّن رَّ‌بِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْ‌ضُهَا كَعَرْ‌ضِ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ أُعِدَّتْ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُ‌سُلِهِۦ ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلْفَضْلِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ ﴿٢١

Race toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believed in Allah and His messengers. That is the bounty of Allah which He gives to whom He wills, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty. (21) [Qur'an, Al-Hadid 57:21]

The intelligent are those who protect themselves against the evil of this punishment before it is too late. They know with certainty that sooner or later this day will come and maybe without any warning. When it does, they will leave behind everything and move to another world. Only there will they feel regret, but regret then will not do them any good. In that place, only good actions will be of any use. They alone will be useful currency on that momentus day. Only with them will a person be able to purchase a magnificent mansion in the Garden with all the luxuries and blessings it contains, an everlasting mansion, not one which will disappear as things do in this world. The intelligent person is the one who acts for this world as if they were going to live forever and acts for the Next World as if they were going to die tomorrow.

The Grave is an embrace from which neither believer or unbeliever can escape. Our souls stay in the Barzakh and visit the grave regularly for rewards or punishments. Afterwards, our journey continues and the believer is relieved of its pressure while the unbeliever remains in punishment.

The next part of our journey includes the rebirth from what is left of our bodies, the seed and its embryo, called Ajaf of the sacrum. This method of rebirth of human beings is as simple as the rebirth of a plant from its own seeds. Plants carry seeds that have their genetic traits embedded on chromosomes. The genes on the chromosomes carry everything needed to bring the plant back to its shape, height, variety, chemical composition and other characteristics. In the same way, the embryos of human beings germinate and the new life will start on the Day of Rising.

Allah instructs Angel Israfeel to blow the horn twice. The first is to ready every seed for germination. Water of Life is then poured upon these seeds in their graves. The soul comes back from the barzakh to join its biological entity at this time. The second blow of the trumpet helps those seeds to germinate and produce every person back to normal. They come out of their graves in a state of shock, naked without any clothes or shoes.

وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ‌ فَصَعِقَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ‌ٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَ‌ىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنظُرُ‌ونَ ﴿٦٨

And the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on. (68) [Qur'an, Az-Zumar 39:68]

And the Horn will be blown; and at once from the graves to their Lord they will hasten. (51) They will say, "O woe to us! Who has raised us up from our sleeping place?" [The reply will be], "This is what the Most Merciful had promised, and the messengers told the truth." (52) [Qur'an, Ya-Sin 36:51-52]

Everyone will be raised up with the same identification features down to our very fingerprints.

أَيَحْسَبُ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ أَلَّن نَّجْمَعَ عِظَامَهُۥ ﴿٣﴾ بَلَىٰ قَـٰدِرِ‌ينَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن نُّسَوِّىَ بَنَانَهُۥ ﴿٤

Does man think that We will not assemble his bones? (3) Yes. [We are] Able [even] to proportion his fingertips. (4) [Qur'an, Al-Qiyaamah 75:3-4]

After our rebirth our journey continues as each of us is taken to a place of Assembly.

وَتَرَ‌كْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَمُوجُ فِى بَعْضٍ ۖ وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ‌ فَجَمَعْنَـٰهُمْ جَمْعًا ﴿٩٩

And We will leave them that day surging over each other, and [then] the Horn will be blown, and We will assemble them in [one] assembly. (99) [Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:99]

All will be waiting for the Court of Allah, the Court of Justice to decide for them. The Day of Assembly is a day of fear, agony and anxiety. It is a day when each of us will be worried about what will happen to us personally.

فَإِذَا جَآءَتِ ٱلصَّآخَّةُ ﴿٣٣﴾ يَوْمَ يَفِرُّ‌ ٱلْمَرْ‌ءُ مِنْ أَخِيهِ ﴿٣٤﴾ وَأُمِّهِۦ وَأَبِيهِ ﴿٣٥﴾ وَصَـٰحِبَتِهِۦ وَبَنِيهِ ﴿٣٦﴾ لِكُلِّ ٱمْرِ‌ئٍ مِّنْهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ شَأْنٌ يُغْنِيهِ ﴿٣٧

But when there comes the Deafening Blast (33) 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) For every man, that Day, will be a matter adequate for him. (37) [Qur'an, Abasa 80:33-37]

With the heat of sun, sweating, and presence of too many people next to one another, the situation will be very scary and chaotic.

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 ٱللَّهِ 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]

On this day seven groups of people will be protected by Allah, these are mentioned in Hadith

"Seven types of people will be under the shelter of mercy on the Day when there will be no shade other than that of Allah's mercy:
1) a just imam (leader),
2) a young person who kept busy in Allah's worship,
3) a person whose heart is attached to the masjid,
4)two people who loved each other for Allah's sake, gathered for His sake and parted, remembering Him,
5) a man who was invited by a beautiful and charming woman but declined her offer, saying "I fear
Allah",
6) a person who gave charity so secretly that their left hand did not know what was given by the right hand , and
7) a person who remembered Allah privately, so that their eyes brimmed with tears.
[Bukhari, Muslim]

Each person shall then be grouped behind his or her leader, prophet, messenger, mentor, celebrity, etc. All will be put in lines waiting for the Court of Allah to take place and our journey to continue.

يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا۟ كُلَّ أُنَاسٍۭ بِإِمَـٰمِهِمْ ۖ فَمَنْ أُوتِىَ كِتَـٰبَهُۥ بِيَمِينِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَقْرَ‌ءُونَ كِتَـٰبَهُمْ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا ﴿٧١﴾ وَمَن كَانَ فِى هَـٰذِهِۦٓ أَعْمَىٰ فَهُوَ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرَ‌ةِ أَعْمَىٰ وَأَضَلُّ سَبِيلًا ﴿٧٢

[Mention, O Muhammad], the Day We will call forth every people with their record [of deeds]. Then whoever is given his record in his right hand - those will read their records, and injustice will not be done to them, [even] as much as a thread [inside the date seed]. (71) And whoever is blind in this [life] will be blind in the Hereafter and more astray in way. (72) [Qur'an, Al-Isra 17:71]

Judgement Day will be our next stop. This is the day when Allah personally will judge everyone directly with absolute justice.

Abu Hurayrah related that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:

"Every servant of Allah will remain standing before Allah on the Day of Judgement until he has answered five questions about five things: His life--how he spent it; his knowledge--how much he acted upon it; his wealth--how he acquired it and how he spent it; and his body (and health)--how he used it." [Muslim]

Each person will then receive their book that contains each and every thing they have done from the time of birth till death. This book includes activities, appearance and intention. Such a book could be similar to videotape which records all these three parameters. It is not unfathomable to think about this in a time in which we have all those storage devices which hold encyclopedias full of information.

أَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِىَ كِتَـٰبَهُۥ بِيَمِينِهِۦ ﴿٧﴾ فَسَوْفَ يُحَاسَبُ حِسَابًا يَسِيرً‌ۭا ﴿٨﴾ وَيَنقَلِبُ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِۦ مَسْرُ‌ورً‌ۭا ﴿٩

Then as for he who is given his record in his right hand, (7) He will be judged with an easy account (8) And return to his people in happiness. (9) [Qur'an, Al-Inshiqaq 84:7-9]

وَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِىَ كِتَـٰبَهُۥ بِشِمَالِهِۦ فَيَقُولُ يَـٰلَيْتَنِى لَمْ أُوتَ كِتَـٰبِيَهْ ﴿٢٥﴾ وَلَمْ أَدْرِ‌ مَا حِسَابِيَهْ ﴿٢٦﴾ يَـٰلَيْتَهَا كَانَتِ ٱلْقَاضِيَةَ ﴿٢٧﴾ مَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنِّى مَالِيَهْ ۜ ﴿٢٨﴾ هَلَكَ عَنِّى سُلْطَـٰنِيَهْ ﴿٢٩﴾ خُذُوهُ فَغُلُّوهُ ﴿٣٠﴾ ثُمَّ ٱلْجَحِيمَ صَلُّوهُ ﴿٣١﴾ ثُمَّ فِى سِلْسِلَةٍ ذَرْ‌عُهَا سَبْعُونَ ذِرَ‌اعًا فَٱسْلُكُوهُ ﴿٣٢﴾ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ لَا يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ ﴿٣٣﴾ وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ ٱلْمِسْكِينِ ﴿٣٤

But as for he who is given his record in his left hand, he will say, "Oh, I wish I had not been given my record (25) And had not known what is my account. (26) I wish my death had been the decisive one. (27) My wealth has not availed me. (28) Gone from me is my authority." (29) [Allah will say], "Seize him and shackle him. (30) Then into Hellfire drive him. (31) Then into a chain whose length is seventy cubits insert him." (32) Indeed, he did not used to believe in Allah, the Most Great, (33) Nor did he encourage the feeding of the poor. (34) [Qur'an, Al-Haqqa 69:25-34]

Their faces will be in gloom and they will be distressed with fear and anxiety. They will wish and beg to start their life all over again on the earth

Allah will also select a third group of people:

وَٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ﴿١٠﴾ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلْمُقَرَّ‌بُونَ ﴿١١﴾ فِى جَنَّـٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ ﴿١٢﴾ ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ ﴿١٣﴾ وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنَ ٱلْءَاخِرِ‌ينَ ﴿١٤﴾ عَلَىٰ سُرُ‌رٍ‌ۢ مَّوْضُونَةٍ ﴿١٥﴾ مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ عَلَيْهَا مُتَقَـٰبِلِينَ ﴿١٦

And the forerunners, the forerunners - (10) Those are the ones brought near [to Allah] (11) In the Gardens of Pleasure, (12) A [large] company of the former peoples (13) And a few of the later peoples, (14) On thrones woven [with ornament], (15) Reclining on them, facing each other. (16) [Qur'an, Al-Waqi'ah 56:10-16]

This is where we near the end of our journey. We shall enter the everlasting domain, which comprises of the Garden and the Fire. There is no trip after it for it is the Domain of Eternity.

We shall pass over Hellfire, some of us remaining while others continue on.

فَوَرَ‌بِّكَ لَنَحْشُرَ‌نَّهُمْ وَٱلشَّيَـٰطِينَ ثُمَّ لَنُحْضِرَ‌نَّهُمْ حَوْلَ جَهَنَّمَ جِثِيًّا ﴿٦٨﴾ ثُمَّ لَنَنزِعَنَّ مِن كُلِّ شِيعَةٍ أَيُّهُمْ أَشَدُّ عَلَى ٱلرَّ‌حْمَـٰنِ عِتِيًّا ﴿٦٩﴾ ثُمَّ لَنَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِهَا صِلِيًّا ﴿٧٠

So by your Lord, We will surely gather them and the devils; then We will bring them to be present around Hell upon their knees. (68) Then We will surely extract from every sect those of them who were worst against the Most Merciful in insolence. (69) Then, surely it is We who are most knowing of those most worthy of burning therein. (70) [Qur'an, Maryam 19:68-70)

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "The mildest punishment to be inflicted upon
a person in Hell is that he will be made to wear a pair of sandals made of fire which will be so hot that they will make his brain boil like things boil on a stove. He will imagine that no one is
undergoing a punishment more severe although his punishment, in reality, will be the mildest in Hell." [Bukhari, Muslim]

Others who are not qualified to enter Paradise or Hell may be taken to a waiting station called Al- A'raf, to wait until forgiveness is given to them through the Mercy of Allah.

Others will finally end their journey with their life in Paradise. It is the last destination and hope of every person to arrive here. It is reserved for believers who submitted themselves to Allah and followed His teachings. They are the ones whose loyalty and obedience were to Allah. Paradise has all the beauties of life to enjoy without ever being tired. It is a life of excitement, peace and
happiness.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "Allah, the Almighty, says, 'I have prepared for My righteous servants that which no eyes have ever seen, no ears have ever heard and no heart has ever conceived.'" [Bukhari, Muslim]

This Life After is called the Real and the True Life. The Qur'an explicitly refers to the Life After as the True Life while the life in this world is a superficial one.

وَمَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْحَيَو‌ٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلدَّارَ‌ ٱلْءَاخِرَ‌ةَ لَهِىَ ٱلْحَيَوَانُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٦٤

And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew. (64) [Qur'an, Al-Ankabut 29:64]

After completing this journey vicariously here, we should rethink our lives and our deeds as we do them today. We can hide from each other, and ourselves but we cannot hide from Allah. It won't be long before we are pushed along to the next part of our journey. Time passes quickly and is precious. Everything we do now affects our journey at a later stage. Everything is recorded; our deeds, appearances and even hidden intentions. As travelers, we can prepare and change to make our journey and especially our final stop a better one. Perhaps even one small deed or choice we make can save us if we keep conscious.

Among the dreams of the early Muslims is one related by Yazid b Nu'ama who said, "A girl died in the al-Jarib plague. Her father met her in a dream after her death and asked her to tell him about the
Next World. She replied, 'My father, this is a big subject you have raised. We know but cannot act. You can act but do not know. By Allah, one or two acts of glorification and one or two rakats of the
prayer in the book of my actions are preferable to me than the world and all it contains.'"

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) related in a true dream he had:

"He saw one of the Muslims. The Angel of Death came to take his soul but his correct behavior towards his parents came and drove the Angel of Death away from him.'

"He saw another of the Muslims surrounded by shaytans. Then his remembrance of Allah came and made the shaytans fly from him.'

"Then he saw a third Muslim surrounded by the angels of punishment. His prayer came and rescued him from their hands.'

"The tongue of a fourth Muslim was lolling out from thirst and whenever he approached a pool of water, he was stopped and driven away. Then his fasting of Ramadan came and gave him water to drink.'

"He saw another man and the Prophets sitting in circles. Every time the Muslim approached one of the circles, he was stopped and driven away. His ghusl for janaba came, took hold of his hand, and sat him down in the circle.'

"Another Muslim had darkness in front of him, behind him, on his right, on his left and above him. He was completely lost in it. Then his hajj and umra came and led him out of the darkness into the
light.'

"Another Muslim was being pursued by flames and sparks of fire. His sadaqa (charity( formed a veil between him and the fire and shaded his head.'

"Another Muslim was speaking to a group of believers who would not speak to him. His upholding of kinship came and told the group of believers that he had maintained ties of kinship and ordered them to speak to him. Then the believers spoke to him and shook hands with him.'

"Another Muslim was surrounded by the Zabaniyya (angels of Jahannam). His commanding the right and forbidding the wrong came and rescued him from them and put him among the angels of mercy.'

"Another Muslim was kneeling with a veil between him and Allah. His good character came, took his hand and Allah let him enter His presence.'

"Another Muslim had received his book in his left hand. His fear of Allah came and took his book and placed it in his right hand.'

"The scales of another Muslim were light in the balance. Those of his children who had died young came and made the scales level.'

"Another Muslim was standing on the brink of Jahannam. His hope in Allah came and rescued him from it, and he withdrew from it.'

"Another Muslim had fallen into the fire. The tears that he had wept out of fear from Allah came and rescued him from it.'

"Another Muslim was standing on the Sirat (Bridge over Hell) trembling like a leaf in a strong wind. His good opinion of Allah came and his terror was allayed and he was able to go on.'

"Another Muslim was crawling on the Sirat, sometimes creeping, and sometimes just clinging on. His prayer came and put him on his feet and rescued him.'

"Another Muslim reached the gates of the Garden but they were locked against him. His testimony that there is no god but Allah came and opened the gates for him and let him into the garden."

Let us pray that Allah make us among those who work and have an easy trip and have as the end to their journey, the final abode of Paradise.

O Allah, We seek refuge with You from the punishment of the grave. O Allah, help us to live and die as Muslims and help us to understand the true object of this life. O Allah, grant us good in this life and good in the life to come, and save us from the torment of the Hellfire.

سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا ۖ غُفْرَ‌انَكَ رَ‌بَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ‌ ...

We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination.[Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:285]

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَ‌كُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ ٱلنَّارِ‌ وَأُدْخِلَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَو‌ٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْغُرُ‌ورِ‌ ﴿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]

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

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam