Know The People of Paradise -- Whoever Prays 12 Units Every Day and Night

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Umm Habeeba (may Allah be pleased with her) said that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam said, "Whoever prays 12 units during the day and night (every day and night), Allah will build him a palace in Paradise.” [Muslim]

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam said in another Hadith about these 12 units: 2 before Fajr, 4 before Dhuhr, 2 after Dhuhr, 2 after Maghrib and 2 after Isha (12 rakahs in all).

This is it, get this in your system and, inshaa Allah, you will get your palace in Jannah.

Do you know who Umm Habeeba is? If you do, that's great, Mashaa Allah.

If you survey Muslim students in high school or secondary school and asked about the names of the wives of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam, or his children's names or the names of the 10 companions who were promised Paradise, you probably get a blank or some strange names. It is sad. It is a shame. Imagine if Allah admits us to Paradise and we do not know anybody there. If we ask “Who is this?” “This is Abu Bakr”. “Oh! Who is he?” “He is a Companion of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam.” “Mashaa Allah, nice to meet you” “Who is this?” “This is Uthman; he married 2 of the Prophet’s (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) daughters, Ruqayah and Umi Kalthum.” Imagine we would not be able to recognize these people of Jannah. If you ask to peek at the people of Hell, you might be like, “Ohhh, I know everybody here!” Is it not a shame that we have this ignorance about our history, our heritage? If we claim to love the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam or if we get really sentimental and say that we are ready to do this and that for him, that we are ready to fight for the sake of Allah with the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam, then we should at least curious to know about his person, his seerah, his wives, his sons, his daughters, his Companions. Take the time to learn more about the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) and you will fall in love with them.

May Allah increase our love for the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam, his family and righteous companions and join us in the highest Paradise with them. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Where Is Barakah?

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Regardless of our age, our occupation, our material position, where we live in this world, everyone experience 24 hours in a day. The advancement of technology has produced appliances, machinery and gadgets we have, the purpose of which is so that man can produce more in short period of time. Despite all these things at our disposal, we always hear people complaining about having no time.

Previously people took hours to prepare a meal, everything was manual. I remember growing up having to manually mill my own rice flour, ground my own spices, etc. Now we have electric/gas stove, microwave, blenders, etc, ready supplies, and we can cook a meal and new recipes in an instant. Where is the saved time gone? Previously people have to go to the rivers or wells to fetch water. I remember growing up having to use manual coal iron to iron starched clothes and uniforms -- that took a long time and hard work. Now with running water, electricity and automatic appliances, it takes no time to clean and dry clothes and do any ironing. Where is the saved time gone? Previously people took days, months, years to get from one place to another. Now within minutes people can get from one city to another with the invention of cars, and within hours from one country to another with planes. We save a lot of time on traveling but where is the saved time gone?

We hear people making six figure income and many with dual income family but complaining about not having enough to make ends meet; they are so unhappy, so stressed out. What has happened?

This is a sign – not of a lack of time or wealth, but rather of a lack of Divine blessings (barakah) in that time or wealth. Barakah has somehow become a lost treasure these days; everyone’s looking for it, but no one seems to find it.

Barakah is a term that means an “increase” and “growth”- and also happiness. Al-Raghib mentions that its source-word denotes the large frontal area of a camel which firmly presses the earth below it when it kneels on the ground by folding its legs. Its derivatives imply establishment or staying firmly upon something, like when a hero stands one’s ground in battle or when a pool in the earth traps water (from flowing away). Barakah then, is the establishment of Divine goodness in something; from whence it exudes cannot be sensed by people, nor can it be outwardly quantified, nor is it limited by anything, but rather, something with barakah in it is called mubaarak, and has an unexplainable increase and benefit in it from Allah. [al-Isfahani, Mufradaat al-Qur’an]

Having more barakah in one’s wealth does not mean the dollar amount increases - rather, that the benefits seen from that limited amount increase, reach further and last longer.

Barakah in anything, especially wealth, which is a part of one’s destined sustenance from Allah Most High, can increase and decrease depending on the good and bad actions one does.

Where can we find barakah?

There are many, many different means we can take to bring barakah into our wealth, and indeed, into every aspect of our lives. The most important thing to remember is that these are only means – worldly causes that we put forth with our human efforts- but the One who gives wealth and bestows blessings in the first place is Allah Most High.

Hence, these actions are not mathematical formulae for automatic increase. One must keep Allah at the forefront of one’s seeking in this world, and make pleasing and reaching Him the ultimate goal, rather than the increase of wealth. Among the things that one can do are:

1. Give thanks to Allah in abundance

Allah Most High says in the Qur’an,

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَ‌بُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْ‌تُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْ‌تُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌ ﴿٧

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.' " (7)

[Qur’an, Ibrahim 14:7]

Allah is promising the person who thanks Him an increase in goodness and blessings, and Allah never breaks His promises.

Thank Allah with your tongue, your heart, by using His blessings for good purposes, and by obeying and worshiping Him. [al-Alusi, Ruh al-Ma’ani]

2. Be God-conscious and increase in piety; Avoid Sins

Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an:

وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ ٱلْقُرَ‌ىٰٓ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱتَّقَوْا۟ لَفَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَرَ‌كَـٰتٍ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ وَلَـٰكِن كَذَّبُوا۟ فَأَخَذْنَـٰهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ ﴿٩٦

And if only the people of the cities had believed and feared Allah, We would have opened upon them blessings from the heaven and the earth; but they denied [the messengers], so We seized them for what they were earning." (96)

[Qur'an, Al-A'raf 7:96]

... وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مَخْرَ‌جًا ﴿٢﴾ وَيَرْ‌زُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ...

...And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out (2) And will provide for him from where he does not expect...[Qur'an, Al-Talaq 65:2-3]

Sins will take away barakah.

3. Place your full trust in Allah Most High:

Know that Allah is providing for you and sustaining you at each moment. Do not worry constantly and have fear- this is from the Shaytan, who tries to instill fear of poverty, while Allah offers bounties.

ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ يَعِدُكُمُ ٱلْفَقْرَ‌ وَيَأْمُرُ‌كُم بِٱلْفَحْشَآءِ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغْفِرَ‌ةً مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلًا ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَ‌ٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٢٦٨

Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. (268)

[Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:268]

Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an:

وَيَرْ‌زُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمْرِ‌هِۦ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدْرً‌ۭا ﴿٣

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

[Qur'an, Al-Talaq 65:3]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “If only you relied on Allah a true reliance, He would provide sustenance for you just as He does the birds: They fly out in the morning empty and return in the afternoon with full stomachs. (Ahmad, An-Nasa’I, Ibn Majah, Al-Hakim and At-Tirmidhi)

4. Establish prayer (al-salah) in your home

Work to establish the obligatory prayers among your family, and encourage extra optional (nafl) prayers as well. [al-Biqa’i, Tafsir]

Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an:

وَأْمُرْ‌ أَهْلَكَ بِٱلصَّلَو‌ٰةِ وَٱصْطَبِرْ‌ عَلَيْهَا ۖ لَا نَسْـَٔلُكَ رِ‌زْقًا ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْ‌زُقُكَ ۗ وَٱلْعَـٰقِبَةُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ﴿١٣٢

And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness. (132)

[Qur'an, Ta-Ha 20:132]

Salah is your lifeline for the final destination in the hereafter, and the daily food for your soul. Be vigilant with your prayers.

5. Give in charity

This includes the obligatory charities (Zakat, Sadaqatul Fitr and the Qurbani for those with sufficient wealth), but also optional charity to good causes.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Charity does not reduce wealth.” [Muslim]

The physical amount outwardly decreases, but the remaining amount attracts barakah so that the actual benefit from it is not less. [al-Nawawi, Sharh Muslim]

The eyes see the bank balance decrease, but Allah will increase the balance. You may not see that balance go higher but Allah enable you to fulfill all your responsibilities.

In a Hadeeth Qudsi, Allah says: “O son of Adam, spend (in charity), and I’ll spend on you.”

Whenever you are broke, or you feel barakah is zapped out of your life and urgently need it to return, the quickest of way of gaining barakah in your life can be through giving charity.

For example, let’s say barakah was removed from your life due to a sin you committed; charity cleanses your sins, adds good deeds and is a source of barakah.

6. Be obedient, dutiful and respectful to your parents

This is a means of increase in one’s lifespan and sustenance. [al-Sha’rani, Lawaqih al-Anwar al-Qudsiyya]

7. Maintain family ties and do good to relatives; Do not sever family ties

It is mentioned that the barakah comes in the act of enjoining family relations only when it is combined with piety and God-fearingness. [Ibn Hibban, Sahih]

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Allah created His creation, and when He had finished it, the womb, got up and caught hold of Allah whereupon Allah said, “What is the matter?’ On that, it said, “I seek refuge with you from those who sever the ties of Kith and kin.” On that Allah said, “Will you be satisfied if I bestow My favors on him who keeps your ties, and withhold My favors from him who severs your ties?” On that it said, “Yes, O my Lord!” Then Allah said, “That is for you.” Abu Hurayrah added: “If you wish, you can recite: ‘Would you then if you were given the authority do mischief in the land and sever your ties of kinship?” (Bukhari, Volume 6. Book 60. Number 354)

8. Have good intentions

If you want something to have barakah attached to it, have good intentions for it. More specifically, make sure that deed is intended for the sake of Allah (Subahanahu Wa Ta’ala). Without intending what we have or do for the Sake of Allah, the “Divine goodness” won’t be found in our deeds.

Purify your intention to earn for Allah’s sake, provide for your family, to not have to borrow and ask from others, and to do works of good for others.

9. Wake up early

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace)said: “Allah made the early hours blessed for my Ummah.”(Ahmed)

Wake up for Tahajjud. Try to be productive after Fajr and do not sleep through the early part of the day. Try to work in mornings, as the Prophet (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) prayed, “Oh Allah, give barakah to my Ummah in their early-morning work.” [Ibn Majah, Sunan]. If you’re able to go to work in those hours, do so, you’ll get much more work done than the whole day put together.

We should always seek to make our life productive. Waking up early is such an important step to being blessed and feeling good throughout your day.

10. Earn a lawful (Halal) and wholesome income

Ensure that your line of work does not contravene the Sacred Law and that your wealth is lawful. This not only includes what work you do, but who you work for and their source of income as well. Ensure that your work is ethical and moral.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “O people, Allah is good and He therefore, accepts only that which is good.” (Scholars say this refers to Halal income and the importance of it).

A scholar also said of the one who eats Haram, that his limbs will disobey Allah whether he likes it or not, and that the one who eats Halal and seeks Halal income, his limbs will also do good and will be given the permission to seek goodness.

This concept of your limbs being ‘blessed’ and enabled to do good is truly a blessing and a barakah we should all seek.

There was a story of an old man who jumped a large distance that the young men were unable to jump. When the young men asked the old man how he did it, he replied: “These are our limbs: we protected them from committing sins when we were young, so Allah preserved them for us when we got old”.

11. Avoid interest in all its forms, as much as possible.

This includes taking it, or paying it out. If you must pay it due to a debt, work as hard as possible to pay it off in a short time then resolve not to enter into it again.

People who deal with interest, they may see their bank balance rising, but Allah destroy that money. How many a rich person have complained about not having enough -- money went to legal expenses, medical expenses, unexpected expenditures. You find a poor man with only a loaf of bread and milk to eat but enjoy his life. The latter has barakah in his life.

12. Work with excellence, loyalty and honesty

Do not take a single penny except that you duly deserve it. Do not squander the time and resources that you employer is paying for. Be loyal and honest at work. Nothing reduces barakah like cheating or deception in a sale, or unethical practices like bribes. [al-Razi, Mafatih al-Ghaib]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “The buyer and the seller have the option of canceling or confirming the bargain unless they separate, and if they spoke the truth and made clear the defects of the goods, then they would be blessed in their bargain, and if they told lies and hid some facts, their bargain would be deprived of Allah’s blessings”. [Bukhari]

13. Read the Qur’an

This is the fountain of Barakah. But we rarely drink from it. Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an:

وَهَـٰذَا كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ مُبَارَ‌كٌ فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْ‌حَمُونَ ﴿١٥٥

And this [Qur'an] is a Book We have revealed [which is] blessed, so follow it and fear Allah that you may receive mercy. (155)

[Qur'an, Al-An’am 6:155]

It is reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Indeed, the house in which the Qur’an is recited- the goodness [in it] increases...” and in another version, “things are made easier for its family.” [Ibn Kathir, Tafsir]

The reading of Surah al-Waqi’ah is known to prevent poverty in a house.

So read the Qur'an everyday, and observe the blessings and barakah of Allah enter your life. The further we are from this Book of Guidance, the less barakah we will have in our lives.

14. Be generous and give gifts. Don't be miserly.

This means giving people around you things that they love, from the things that you love. Start with your immediate family, and relatives, and neighbors. Become more generous and open-handed, and try to fight the urge to be stingy.

15. Do not lie or say false oaths [Ibn Hajr, Fath al-Bari]

16. Give a little more than what you owe people when selling or paying someone [al-Munawi, Sharh Fayd al Qadeer]

17. Eat together

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “…Gather together to eat your food, and say Allah’s name over it (bismillah) and you will be blessed in it,” [Abu Dawud, Sunan]

“Eat together, all of you, and do not separate individually, because the barakah is in the group.” [Ibn Majah, Sunan]

"Whoever has food enough for two persons, should take a third one, and whoever has food enough for four persons, should take a fifth or a sixth (or said something similar).” [Bukhari]

Anyone who has had the experience of inviting guests to his/her house will know this one. No matter how little you think the food you’re presenting to your guest is, it’s always more than enough. We should not be miserly with our guests. We should follow the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) whom when visited by angels (unknown to him) prepared a large meal for them (he slaughtered a whole sheep).

18. Invite the pious to eat from your food

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) made dua’ for his host that pious people eat from his food, as it attracts barakah. It also promotes good company that changes the atmosphere of the home. [al-Bayhaqi, Sunan al-Kubra]

19. Say Bismillah before doing anything

When you say “Bismillah” before anything you do, you’re invoking the Name of Allah on that activity; not only will that activity be blessed but shaytan cannot take part in it. So always say “Bismillah” before anything you do. It’s easy for us to forget to say “Bismillah”. Sometimes we’re so used to saying it that we cannot remember whether we said it or not. Try to be conscious of saying “Bismillah” and understand what you’re saying before your action is performed.

20. Seek Allah’s forgiveness often in your home and elsewhere through saying “Astaghfirullah”. [al-Bayhaqi, Shu’ab al Imaan]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “If anyone continually asks forgiveness from Allah, Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress, and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide for him from where he did not reckon.”

21. Be easy-going, of kind nature, and forgiving to others: this includes from your spouse and family, to even those who do you wrong. This should spur you to heal relations with anyone you or your family may have a rift with. [al-Munawi, Fayd al-Qadeer]

22. Do not be wasteful and extravagant, nor overly-attached to worldly things: this includes finishing all of one’s food and living in moderation.

23. Follow the Sunnah of Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) in everything

The most productive man in the history of humanity is the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace). Therefore, by simply following his lifestyle and the acts of Sunnah we so often hear about, we obtain a great source of Barakah.

Some of these Sunnahs include: eating Suhoor, eating with the right hand from the side of the plate, going out for Eid Salah, licking your fingers after finishing your meal, sleeping on your right hand side, using the siwaak, and many more. Look out for these Sunnahs and follow them, for imitating the life of the most blessed man on earth is surely a source of blessing.

24. Pray Istikhara (prayer for guidance) in all matters

Praying istikhara in all matters and then leaving the outcome to Allah as well as accepting His Decree is a great source of barakah. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) taught us this beautiful du'a which helps us make decisions and not regret the choices we make in the following hadeeth:

On the authority of Jaabir Ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) he said: “The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) would instruct us to pray for guidance in all of our concerns, just as he would teach us a chapter from the Qur’an. He (Allah bless him and grant him peace) would say: ‘If any of you intends to undertake a matter then let him pray two supererogatory units (two rak’ah optional nafil) of prayer and after which he should supplicate:

‘O Allah, I seek Your counsel by Your knowledge and by Your power I seek strength and I ask You from Your immense favor, for verily You are able while I am not and verily You know while I do not and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know this affair (and here he mentions his need) to be good for me in relation to my religion, my life, and end, then decree and facilitate it for me, and bless me with it, and if You know this affair to be ill for me towards my religion, my life, and end, then remove it from me and remove me from it, and decree for me what is good wherever it be and make me satisfied with such.”

One who seeks guidance from his Creator and consults his fellow believers and then remains firm in his resolve does not regret for Allah Almighty has said:

فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ‌ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْ‌هُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ‌ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ ﴿١٥٩ ...

... So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. (159)

[Qur'an, Ale Imran 3:159]

25. Always make Du'a (Supplication)

Ask Allah for barakah.

اللهم اغفرلي ئنبي ووسعلي في داري وباركلي في رزقي

Allahumma aghfirli zanbi wa wassi’li fi daari wa baarik li fi rizqi

O Allah, forgive my sins, widen my home and grant barakah in my rizq

When you’re invited to someone’s house, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) advised us to make the following du'a for the host:

“O Allah, bless for them, that which You have provided them, forgive them and have mercy upon them.”

When the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was asked to pray for young Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), the first thing he prayed for was wealth, among others things [Bukhari]. Ask Allah to put the wealth in your hand, and not in your heart.

26. Do lots of salawat (sending blessings upon the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam)

There are numerous benefits and rewards of sending peace and blessings on the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam (salawat). These include Allah's sending blessings on the slave.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam said, “He who sends blessings on me once, Allah sends him blessings ten times.” [Muslim, Abu Dawud, & Tirmidhi]

Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam said, “He who sends blessings on me once Allah sends blessings on him ten times and removes from him ten sins and raises him by ten degrees.” [al-Nasa'i].

Allah Almighty says,

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

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

[Qur'an Al-Ahzab 33:56]

There are countless more ways to attract barakah into one’s life and wealth, mentioned in the vast Islamic primary sources as well as the wisdom of the scholars and righteous.

When a Muslim’s finances are tight, this is a test from Allah Most High. It is a mercy in disguise because through something as worldly as wealth, Allah causes us to turn towards Him in earnestness. It teaches us patience and contentment, and results in forgiveness of sins and reliance on Allah.

However, the general rule of thumb to attract blessings is always the same. When we attach our hearts to Allah Most High and submit to Him completely, and make Him our sole goal and purpose and not the blessings, then the barakah will enter our lives from all sides without us having to worry about it.

May Allah grant barakah in our rizq and in the remaining term of our lives. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Know The People Of Paradise -- Those Who Restrained Their Anger

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Restraining anger is one of the signs of righteousness (taqwa) and a means to Paradise.

وَسَارِ‌عُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَ‌ةٍ مِّن رَّ‌بِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْ‌ضُهَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ‌ٰتُ وَٱلْأَرْ‌ضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿١٣٣﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِى ٱلسَّرَّ‌آءِ وَٱلضَّرَّ‌آءِ وَٱلْكَـٰظِمِينَ ٱلْغَيْظَ وَٱلْعَافِينَ عَنِ ٱلنَّاسِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١٣٤

And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous (133) Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good; (134)

[Qur'an, AleImran 3:133-134]

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَـٰٓئِرَ‌ ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْفَوَ‌ٰحِشَ وَإِذَا مَا غَضِبُوا۟ هُمْ يَغْفِرُ‌ونَ ﴿٣٧

And those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, and when they are angry, they forgive, (37)

[Qur'an, As-Shura 42:37]

Anger is one of the evil whispers of Shaytan, which can lead to so many evils and tragedies, of which only Allah knows their full extent. When a person does not restrain his anger, he insults, curses, swears, hits and may even kill.

Islam has a great deal to say about this bad characteristic and described cures for this "disease" and ways to limit its effects, among which are the following:

(1) Seeking refuge with Allah from the Shaytan:

Sulayman ibn Sard said: "I was sitting with the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace), and two men were slandering one another. One of them was red in the face, and the veins on his neck were standing out. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘I know a word which, if he were to say it, what he feels would go away. If he said "I seek refuge with Allah from the Shaytan," what he feels (i.e., his anger) would go away.’" [Bukhari]

(2) Keeping silent:

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "If any of you gets angry, let him keep silent." [Ahmad]

This is because in most cases, the angry person loses self control and could utter words of kufr/disbelief (from which we seek refuge with Allah), or curses, or the word of divorce (talaaq) which would destroy his home, or words of slander which would bring him the enmity and hatred of others. So, in short, keeping silent is the solution which helps one to avoid all that.

There are men who were so angry at his wife so that they said, ‘Talaq, talaq, talaq’ (divorce) 10 times (3 talaq is enough to preclude him from taking back his wife without her first marrying another man and become divorced or widowed). They cannot use the excuse of "I was angry" or "I was upset" to restore the marriage. Well, nobody divorces out of happiness. You will not find someone sitting with his wife and saying, “I love you for the Sake of Allah and you are divorced!”

(3) Changing position:

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "If any of you gets angry and he is standing, let him sit down, so his anger will go away; if it does not go away, let him lie down."

The narrator of this hadeeth (report) is Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him), and there is a story connected to his telling of it: he was taking his camels to drink at a trough that he owned, when some other people came along and said (to one another), "Who can compete with Abu Dharr (in bringing animals to drink) and make his hair stand on end?" A man said, "I can," so he brought his animals and competed with Abu Dharr, with the result that the trough was broken. [i.e., Abu Dharr was expecting help in watering his camels, but instead the man misbehaved and caused the trough to be broken]. Abu Dharr was standing, so he sat down, then he laid down. Someone asked him, "O Abu Dharr, why did you sit down then lie down?" He said: "The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: . . ." and quoted the hadeeth.

According to another report, Abu Dharr was watering his animals at the trough, when another man made him angry, so he sat down.

Among the benefits of this advice given by the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) is the fact that it prevents the angry person from going out of control, because he could strike out and injure someone, or even kill - as we will find out shortly - or he could destroy possessions and so on. Sitting down makes it less likely that he will become overexcited, and lying down makes it even less likely that he will do something crazy or harmful. Al-’Allaamah al-Khattaabi, may Allaah have mercy on him, said in his commentary on Abu Dawud: "One who is standing is in a position to strike and destroy, while the one who is sitting is less likely to do that, and the one who is lying down can do neither. It is possible that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) told the angry person to sit down or lie down so that he would not do something that he would later regret. And Allah knows best."

(4) Following the advice of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace): "Do not get angry."

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a man said to the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace), "Advise me." He said, "Do not get angry." The man repeated his request several times, and each time the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) told him, "Do not get angry." [Bukhari]

According to another report, the man said: "I thought about what the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace said, and I realized that anger combines all kinds of evil." (Musnad Ahmad]

Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) made some important points in Fath al-Bari in his commentary on the hadeeth (narration) “Do not get angry”. He said:

“Al-Tabarani quoted the hadeeth of Sufyan ibn ‘Abd-Allah al-Thaqafi: I said, O Messenger of Allah, tell me something that will be of benefit to me, and make it brief and concise. He said, “Do not get angry, and Paradise will be yours.” It was also narrated that Abu’l-Darda said: I said, O Messenger of Allah, tell me of a deed which will earn me admission to Paradise. He said, “Do not get angry…” Al-Khattabi said: The meaning of the phrase ‘Do not get angry’ is: Avoid the things that cause anger and do not expose yourself to that which provokes it. Anger itself could not have been forbidden, because it is something natural which cannot be removed from human nature. Someone else said: What is meant is that which can be achieved by training oneself. It was said that it means: Do not do that which anger provokes you to do.

Ibn Battal said: The hadeeth indicates that striving to control oneself is more difficult than striving against the enemy, because the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) described the one who controls himself at times of anger as being the strongest of people. Someone else said: Perhaps the person who asked this question was hot-tempered; the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to command each person to do that which was most appropriate for him, so he summed up his advice to this person by telling him not to get angry. Ibn al-Teen said: in the words ‘Do not get angry’, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) brought together the good of this world and of the Hereafter, because anger results in cutting off ties and withholding kindness, and it may lead to one doing harm to the person with whom one is angry, which diminishes one’s religious commitment.

One of the scholars said: Allah created anger from fire, and made it an instinct in man. When there is a dispute, the flames of anger are fanned until a person’s face and eyes become red, because the skin reflects what is underneath it. Anger produces external and internal changes, such as a change in color, trembling, uncontrolled actions and a change in appearance, such that if the angry person could see himself when he is angry, he would feel ashamed of his ugly appearance and the way his appearance has changed. All of this is what happens on the outside. The internal effects are even worse, because it generates hatred in the heart, envy (hasad) and all kinds of bad feelings. The most ugly effects of anger are the internal effects, and the external changes are the results of the internal changes. All of this has an effect on the body. The effect on the tongue is that it speaks words of slander and foul language which the wise person would feel ashamed of, and the angry person regrets them when he calms down. The effects of anger can also be seen in people’s actions, when they beat and kill others. If the angry person does not have the chance to do that, he turns his anger against himself, tearing his garments and slapping his cheeks; sometimes he may have a seizure, or fall unconscious, or break vessels, or hit someone who has not done anything wrong. Whoever thinks about these evil actions will realize just how much wisdom there is in these gentle words of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace), ‘Do not get angry,’ and to how great an extent they protect people’s interests by warding off this great evil which may otherwise lead who knows where.

All of this has to do with anger for the sake of worldly things, not anger for the sake of religious matters… (Anger for the sake of Allah is praiseworthy and recommended, such as anger when seeing evil actions). It helps a person not to get angry when he bears in mind what has been narrated concerning the virtues of restraining anger, and the warnings concerning the results of anger; he should also seek refuge with Allah from the Shaytan (devil)… and do wudhu (ablution)… And Allah knows best.”

(5) Do not get angry and Paradise will be yours (a saheeh (authentic) hadeeth, see Saheeh al-Jaami’, 7374. Ibn Hijr attributed it to al-Tabaraani, see al-Fath 4/465):

Remembering what Allah has promised to the righteous (muttaqeen) who keep away from the causes of anger and struggle within themselves to control it, is one of the most effective ways of extinguishing the flames of anger. One of the ahaadeeth that describe the great reward for doing this is: "Whoever controls his anger at the time when he has the means to act upon it, Allah will fill his heart with contentment on the Day of Resurrection." [At-Tabaraani, 12/453, see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 6518).

Another great reward is described in the Prophet’s words (Allah bless him and grant him peace): "Whoever controls his anger at the time when he has the means to act upon it, Allah will call him before all of mankind on the Day of Resurrection, and will let him choose of the Hur al-’Iyn whoever he wants." [Abu Dawud]

(6) Knowing the high status and advantages offered to those who control themselves:

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “The strong man is not the one who can wrestle (fight); the strong man is the one who controls himself at the time of anger.” [Bukhari] The greater the anger, the higher the status of the one who controls himself. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "The strongest man is the one who, when he gets angry and his face reddens and his hackles rise, is able to defeat his anger." [Ahmad]

Anas reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) passed by some people who were wrestling. He asked, "What is this?" They said: "So-and-so is the strongest, he can beat anybody." The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "Shall I not tell you who is even stronger than him? The man who, when he is mistreated by another, controls his anger, has defeated his own shaytan and the shaytan of the one who made him angry." [al-Bazzaar]

(7) Following the Prophet’s example in the case of anger:

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) is our leader and has set the highest example in this matter, as is recorded in a number of ahaadeeth. One of the most famous was reported by Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: "I was walking with the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace), and he was wearing a Najraani cloak with a rough collar. A Bedouin came and seized him roughly by the edge of his cloak, and I saw the marks left on his neck by the collar. Then the Bedouin ordered him to give him some of the wealth of Allah that he had. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) turned to him and smiled, then ordered that he should be given something." (Agreed upon. Fath al-Baari, 10/375)

Another way in which we can follow the example of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) is by making our anger for the sake of Allah, when His rights are violated. This is the kind of anger which is praiseworthy. So the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) became angry when he was told about the imaam who was putting people off the prayer by making it too long; when he saw a curtain with pictures of animate creatures in ‘Aisha's house; when Usamah spoke to him about the Makhzoomi woman who had been convicted of theft, and he said "Do you seek to intervene concerning one of the punishments prescribed by Allah?"; when he was asked questions that he disliked, and so on. His anger was purely for the sake of Allah.

Remember that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was not a person who insulted or cursed others. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said that, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was not a person who insulted people or used obscene language, and he did not curse people. If he wanted to rebuke anyone, he would say, “What is wrong with him? – may his forehead be rubbed with dust.”

(8) Knowing that restraining anger is one of the signs of righteousness (taqwa):

The righteous (al-muttaqoon) are those praised by Allah in the Qur’an and by His Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace). Paradise as wide as heaven and earth has been prepared for them. One of their characteristics is that they (interpretation of the meaning) "spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good; [Qur'an, AleImran 3:134]

These are the ones whose good character and beautiful attributes and deeds Allah has mentioned, and whom people admire and want to emulate. One of their characteristics is that (interpretation of the meaning) "... and when they are angry, they forgive, (37) [Qur'an, As-Shura 42:37]

(9) Listening to reminders:

Anger is a part of human nature, and people vary in their anger. It may be difficult for a man not to get angry, but sincere people will remember Allah when they are reminded, and they will not overstep the mark. Some examples follow:

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a man sought permission to speak to ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him), then he said: "O son of al-Khattaab, you are not giving us much and you are not judging fairly between us." ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was so angry that he was about to attack the man, but al-Hurr ibn Qays, who was one of those present, said: "O Ameer al-Mu’mineen, Allah said to His Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) (interpretation of the meaning): ‘Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish’ [al-A’raaf 7:199]. This man is one of the foolish." By Allah, ‘Umar could go no further after al-Hurr had recited this aayah to him, and he was a man who was careful to adhere to the Book of Allah. (Reported by al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, 4/304).

This is how the Muslim should be. The hypocrite was not like this when he was told the hadeeth of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and one of the Companions said to him, "Seek refuge with Allah from the Shaytan." He said to the one who reminded him, "Do you think I am crazy? Go away!" [Bukhari, al-Fath, 1/465). We seek refuge with Allah from failure.

(10) Knowing the bad effects of anger:

The negative effects of anger are many; in short they cause damage to one’s own self and to others. The angry person may utter words of slander and obscenity, he may attack others (physically) in an uncontrolled manner, even to the point of killing. The following story contains a valuable lesson:

‘Ilqimah ibn Waa’il reported that his father (may Allah be pleased with him) told him: "I was sitting with the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) when a man came to him leading another man by a rope. He said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, this man killed my brother.’ The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) asked him, ‘Did you kill him?’ He said, ‘Yes, I killed him.’ He asked, ‘How did you kill him?’ He said, ‘He and I were hitting a tree to make the leaves fall, for animal feed, and he slandered me, so I struck him on the side of the head with an axe, and killed him.’ . . ." [Muslim, 1307, edited by al-Baaqi]

Anger could lead to less than killing, such as wounding and breaking bones. If the one who caused the anger runs away, the angry person turns his anger in on himself, so he may tear his clothes, or strike his cheeks, or have a fit, or fall unconscious, or he may break dishes and plates, or break furniture.

In the worst cases, anger results in social disasters and the breaking of family ties, i.e., divorce. Ask many of those who divorced their wives, and they will tell you: it was in a moment of anger. This divorce results in misery for the children, regret and frustration, a hard and difficult life, all as a result of anger. If they had remembered Allah, come to their senses, restrained their anger and sought refuge with Allah, none of this would have happened. Going against the sharee’ah (Islamic law) only results in loss.

The damage to health that results from anger can only be described by doctors, such as thrombosis, high blood pressure, tachycardia (abnormally rapid heartbeat) and hyperventilation (rapid, shallow breathing), which can lead to fatal heart attacks, diabetes, etc. We ask Allah for good health.

(11) The angry person should think about himself during moments of anger:

If the angry person could see himself in the mirror when he is angry, he would hate himself and the way he looks. If he could see the way he changes, and the way his body and limbs shake, how his eyes glare and how out of control and crazy his behavior is, he would despise himself and be revolted by his own appearance. It is well-known that inner ugliness is even worse than outer ugliness; how happy the Shaytan must be when a person is in this state! We seek refuge with Allah from the Shaytan and from failure.

(12) Du’a (Supplication):

Du’a is always the weapon of the believer, whereby he asks Allah to protect him from evil, trouble and bad behavior and seeks refuge with Him from falling into the pit of kufr (disbelief) or wrongdoing because of anger. One of the three things that can help save him is: being fair at times of contentment and of anger (Saheeh al-Jaami’, 3039). One of the du’a’s of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was:

"O Allah, by Your knowledge of the Unseen and Your power over Your creation, keep me alive for as long as You know life is good for me, and cause me to die when You know death is good for me. O Allah, I ask You to make me fear You in secret and in public, and I ask You to make me speak the truth in times of contentment and of anger. I ask You not to let me be extravagant in poverty or in prosperity. I ask You for continuous blessings, and for contentment that does not end. I ask You to let me accept Your decree, and for a good life after death. I ask You for the joy of seeing Your face and for the longing to meet You, without going through diseases and misguiding fitnah (trials). O Allah, adorn us with the adornment of faith and make us among those who are guided. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds."

Ameen

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Main Reference: Islamqa.com

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Reaping Magnified Rewards During the Sacred Months

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

We have entered the month of Dhu’l-Qa’dah. This is first of the four sacred months (Al-Ashhur Al-Hurum). The other three are Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. These four months are mentioned in the Qur'an. Allah Almighty says,

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ‌ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثْنَا عَشَرَ‌ شَهْرً‌ۭا فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ‌ٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْ‌ضَ مِنْهَآ أَرْ‌بَعَةٌ حُرُ‌مٌ ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا۟ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ

Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them...

[Qur'an, At-Tawbah 9:36]

In these sacred months the rewards and punishments for deeds are magnified. Specifically, Allah warns us against doing injustice to ourselves during these months.

The name Dhu’l Qa’dah can be translated as the month of “settlement” or “sitting,” as it is the month when people stop fighting each other in wars. Let this inspire us to settle arguments and let go of ill feelings.

The months of the Islamic calendar months are based on the movement of the moon (Qamari months). However, the calendar starts with the emigration or hijrah of the Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam from Makkah to Madinah as this hijrah was the turning point in the history of Islam, hence the name hijri calendar. This calendar was adopted two and a half years after Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) became caliph.

Dhu’l-Qa’dah is the first of three consecutive sacred months, followed by Dhu’l-Hijjah and then Muharram. This means the next three months are a time in which there are magnified rewards for your good deeds and magnified consequences for your bad deeds and habits.

So let us look at ourselves and our worship. Did our iman (faith) go down after Ramadhan? Iman wears out in the heart just like the clothes wear out. If you don't work on building your iman, even if it is good before, it is worn out now. You can renew your iman each day by actively seeking to do good. There are so many ways in the teachings of our beloved Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, that can help us do this.

Action items

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

2. Make lots of du'a (supplication). Get out your Ramadhan du'a list and start using it again. Take at least ten minutes each day to sit down, focus and make du'a because you will get rewarded for each du'a inshaa Allah. Don't forget to ask Allah for what He wants from you.

3. Make lots of istighfar (seeking Allah's forgiveness), salawat (sending blessings upon the Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and dhikr (remembrance of Allah). Remind yourself to use your time wisely. Increase in randomly saying during the day while doing work etc: SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi, SubhanAllahil adheem, laa ilaaha illAllah, Allaahu akbar, etc.

4. Focus on your relationship with your parents. Strive not to raise your voice to them. Make them smile. Listen to them and share thoughts with them to make them happy.

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

6. Increase prayers at the masjid and do more voluntary prayers at home (tahajjud, dhuha, sunnah prayers before and after the obligatory prayers, etc). Give yourself a no excuse policy with the prayers especially the obligatory prayer since nothing is more important these obligatory prayers. When it’s time for prayer, you will stop what you are doing to pray.

7. Build close relationship with the Qur'an. Read Qur'an everyday and contemplate on the meanings. You will get extra reward for each letter you recite inshaa Allah. Play the Qur'an in your house and recite it with your family.

Feel Ramadhan again. Try to complete reciting the entire Qur'an each month and invite your family and friends for the Qur'an khatam and du'a.

Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Allah Almighty has angels who travel the highways and by-ways seeking out gatherings of remembrance (dhikr) in the earth. When they find a gathering of remembrance, they enfold them with their wings stretching up to the heaven. Allah asks them, ‘From where have you come?’ They reply, ‘We have come from Your slaves who are glorifying You, praising You, proclaiming Your oneness, asking of You and seeking refuge with You.’ He says, and He knows better than them, ‘What are they asking Me for?’ They reply, ‘They are asking You for the Garden.’ He says, ‘Have they seen it?’ They reply, ‘No, our Lord.’ He says, ‘How would it be if they were to see it?’ Then He asks, and He knows better than them, ‘What are they seeking refuge from?’ ‘From the Fire,’ they reply. He asks, ‘Have they seen it?’ ‘No,’ they reply. Then He says, ‘How would it be if they were to see it?’ Then He says, ‘I testify to you that I have forgiven them, I have given them what they ask Me for, and I give them the refuge which they ask of Me.’ They say, ‘Our Lord, among them is a wrongdoer who is sitting with them, but is not one of them.’ He says, ‘I have forgiven him as well. The one sitting with these people will not be wretched.’” [Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, al-Hakim]

Mu’awiya reported that the Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam went out to a circle of his Companions and asked, “What is it that has caused you to sit together?” They answered, “We have sat down to remember Allah and praise Him.” He said, “Jibril came to me and reported to me that the angels are boasting about you.” [Muslim, al-Tirmidhi]

8. Give extra sadaqah. Don't miss that feeling of Ramadhan? Donate money and also do something for someone in your community. Vary your ways of sadaqah.

9. Try not to miss all the sunnah fasts -- Mondays, Thursdays, the 3 white days, etc

10. Read Surah Kahf every Friday. Try to read it with your family or a group of friends. There is great merit in doing so.

“Allah says: ‘I am as My servant thinks of Me, and I am with him when he makes remembrance (dhikr) of Me. If he makes remembrance of Me to himself, I make remembrance of him to Myself. If he makes remembrance of Me in a gathering, I make remembrance of him in a gathering better than it.’”

Abu Hurayra reported from Abu Sa’id al-Khudri that the Messenger of Allah salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “There are no people who remember Allah without the angels surrounding them, mercy covering them, tranquility descending on them, and Allah mentioning them to those who are with Him.” [Muslim, al-Tirmidhi]

Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Allah Almighty has angels who travel about seeking out gatherings of remembrance (dhikr). When they come to them, they encircle them.” [al-Bazzar]

Anas also reported that the Messenger of Allah salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “When you come upon the meadows of the Garden, graze in them.” He was asked, “What are the meadows of the Garden?” “Circles of remembrance (dhikr)” he replied. [al-Tirmidhi]

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

قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٌ‌ۭ 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]

May Allah grant us tawfiq to increase our good deeds and help us avoid bad deeds and help us strive against our bad habits. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

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Piling Up Mountains of Good Deeds With Two Beautiful Statements

Keeping The Spirit of Ramadhan Alive and Increasing Our Love for The Messenger ﷺ -- Fasting Outside Ramadhan

Know The People Of Jannah -- Parents of Righteous Children and Children of Righteous Parents

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

If a person is Muslim, he can benefit from his children in the Hereafter, in that his children supplicate for his forgiveness after his death. And if he had tried to raise the children to be righteous, whatever good they will do, its benefit will also be passed on to him as long as they do righteous deeds. It is also possible that his righteous children obtain his pardon in the Hereafter by intercession.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "When a human being dies, all of his deeds are terminated except for three types: an ongoing sadaqah, a knowledge (of Islam) from which others benefit, and a righteous child who makes du'aa for him." [Muslim and others]

This hadith indicate that a righteous child benefits his deceased parents with du'aa. It is further demonstrated here that he can benefit them by spending sadaqah, as well as doing other charitable deeds, on their behalf. 'Aisha (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "Indeed the best that one eats is that which he earns. And his child is from his earning." [Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and others]

The reason for this is that a parent benefits himself by rearing his child according to the teachings of Islam, and exerting a consistent effort to raise him as a righteous person. As the child grows into adulthood and does righteous deeds, his parents deserve a merit in that they helped him accomplish that and his good actions are therefore, at least in part, from his parents' earning. Sadaqah from a child 'Aisha reported that a man asked Allah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, "My mother had a sudden death, and did not have chance to bequeath anything. Had she been able to do, I think that she would have given sadaqah. Would she or I get any rewards if I give sadaqah on her behalf?" He sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam replied, "Yes! So give sadaqah on her behalf" [Bukhari, Muslim and others].

Likewise, the children will also benefit from their parents on the condition of faith in that if they were Muslims but their righteous deeds could not attain the level of their parents, then Allah by taking into account their parents good deeds would place them also at the high position of their parents.

Allah Almighty says,

وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّ‌يَّتُهُم بِإِيمَـٰنٍ أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ ذُرِّ‌يَّتَهُمْ وَمَآ أَلَتْنَـٰهُم مِّنْ عَمَلِهِم مِّن شَىْءٍ ۚ كُلُّ ٱمْرِ‌ئٍۭ بِمَا كَسَبَ رَ‌هِينٌ ﴿٢١

And those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith - We will join with them their descendants, and We will not deprive them of anything of their deeds. Every person, for what he earned, is retained. (21)

[Qur'an, At-Tur 52:21]

May Allah make us among the righteous and help us raise our children to be righteous.

رَ‌بَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَ‌ٰجِنَا وَذُرِّ‌يَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّ‌ةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.

Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Know The People of Paradise -- Accepted Hajj

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Our lives, often engrossed and nearly entirely occupied with dunya, the external material world of forms and appearances, leads to heedlessness, unconsciousness and loss of focus, also known as ghaflah. One of the most important reasons for the Hajj in Makkah is to assert focus and to regain consciousness.

Every Muslim who fulfills the following conditions must perform Hajj at least once in his lifetime:

-- He must be of sound mind, and in full control of his mental faculties.
-- He must be old enough, and mature enough to understand the full import, and significance of what he is setting out to do.
-- He must be financially sound enough to be able not only to bear all of his expenses for Hajj but also to provide adequately for his dependents during his absence and until his return.

إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِى بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَ‌كًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ﴿٩٦﴾ فِيهِ ءَايَـٰتٌۢ بَيِّنَـٰتٌ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَ‌ٰ‌هِيمَ ۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُۥ كَانَ ءَامِنًا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلْبَيْتِ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ‌ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ﴿٩٧

Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Makkah - blessed and a guidance for the worlds. (96) In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves - then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds. (97)

[Qur'an, Ale ‘Imraan 3:96-97]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) tells us, “A perfect Hajj has no reward at the Sight of Allah except Paradise.”

This should be an encouragement for those who haven't made hajj to plan to do so.

For those who have the ability to make hajj this year, delaying this pillar of Islam is a kind of heedessness, which could be a great regret for a person in the Day of Judgement.

Ibn 'Abbas, the great commentator of Qur'an, said, "Whoever had money in his life and did not go to Hajj or pay Zakat on it, he, or she, will ask Allah to return to life when time for death comes." Hearing this a man said, " O Ibn 'Abbas heed Allah! Only the disbeliever who will ask that!" Ibn 'Abbas replied, "I will read for you a proof from the Qur'an:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَ‌ٰلُكُمْ وَلَآ أَوْلَـٰدُكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ‌ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَـٰسِرُ‌ونَ ﴿٩﴾ وَأَنفِقُوا۟ مِن مَّا رَ‌زَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَ‌بِّ لَوْلَآ أَخَّرْ‌تَنِىٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ قَرِ‌يبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ ﴿١٠﴾ وَلَن يُؤَخِّرَ‌ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهَا ۚ وَٱللَّهُ خَبِيرٌ‌ۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١١

O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers. (9) And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, "My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous." (10) But never will Allah delay a soul when its time has come. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do. (11) [Qur'an, Al-Munafiqun, 63:9-11]

In fact, Ibn 'Abbas was right because Allah is addressing believers in this context and warning them from being distracted by the worldly life because the time of death is unknown to us and it usually hits abruptly. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

"Hasten going for Hajj - meaning performing the duty- for none of you knows what will happen in the future." [Ahmad, Abu Dawud, ibn Maajah, and al-Bayhaqi].

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) also said,

"Whosoever dies without performing Hajj while he is not under some difficult circumstances - whereby it's impossible to go for Hajj - or is not allowed to leave because of an unjust ruler, or is chronically sick - or seriously sick during the Hajj season - then let him die if he wants as a Jew or a Christian." [Related by ad-Daarimi and al-Bayhaqi]

If you ask people who have not performed Hajj yet, “When do you want to perform your Hajj?” Majority of them will say. “After I have finished my graduation, after my Masters, after my PHD, after I get married, after my children are grown up so that we can all go along as a ‘whole happy family’!” and so many fail to achieve this.

For those who are going to make hajj this year, we pray that Allah grant you an easy and safe trip and accepted hajj. Please include us in your du'as.

For those who are staying behind, may Allah grant you a visit or another visit to His House next year. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

When You Are Sad, Down, Afraid And Alone...

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

When you are sad, down, afraid and alone, remember Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her) being left alone with her infant son, Ismael (may Allah grant him peace) in an uncultivated valley of Makkah having no fruit, no trees, no food, no water, no sign of life, with a a small amount of food and water which was hardly enough for two days.

Hajar did not know what Allah had hidden for her but she obeyed and remain patient. And now you know some of the tremendous things that were hidden for her--which include millions of people following her footsteps between Safa and Marwah during hajj every year and umrah throughout the year until the Day of Judgment. We cannot imagine the reward she is getting in Paradise for her patience.

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

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

[Qur'an, AleImran 3:200]

وَٱصْبِرْ‌ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ‌ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١١٥

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

[Qur'an, Hud 11:115]

Remember,

لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا ٱكْتَسَبَتْ ۗ

Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned.


رَ‌بَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ رَ‌بَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَآ إِصْرً‌ۭا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا ۚ رَ‌بَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ ۖ وَٱعْفُ عَنَّا وَٱغْفِرْ‌ لَنَا وَٱرْ‌حَمْنَآ ۚ أَنتَ مَوْلَىٰنَا فَٱنصُرْ‌نَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِ‌ينَ ﴿٢٨٦


Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people. [Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:286]

May Allah make us of those who are patient.

Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

What Kind of Muslim Are You?

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Muslims consists of true believers, strong believers, weak believers and hypocrites.

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَبِٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ‌ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٨﴾ يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُ‌ونَ ﴿٩﴾ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَ‌ضٌ فَزَادَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مَرَ‌ضًا ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْذِبُونَ ﴿١٠﴾ وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا تُفْسِدُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ ﴿١١﴾ أَلَآ إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا يَشْعُرُ‌ونَ ﴿١٢﴾ وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ ءَامِنُوا۟ كَمَآ ءَامَنَ ٱلنَّاسُ قَالُوٓا۟ أَنُؤْمِنُ كَمَآ ءَامَنَ ٱلسُّفَهَآءُ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ ٱلسُّفَهَآءُ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١٣

And of the people are some who say, "We believe in Allah and the Last Day," but they are not believers. (8) They [think to] deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] not. (9) In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie. (10) And when it is said to them, "Do not cause corruption on the earth," they say, "We are but reformers." (11) Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not. (12)

[Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:8-12]

Muslims have to be a purified, cleansed nation before they can get in the position of power because if they get in power while they are not cleansed, they will be causing a lot of corruption in the land. Just look around us. When political control is in the hands of the corrupt it trickles down and even starts to affect family life.

فَهَلْ عَسَيْتُمْ إِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ أَن تُفْسِدُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ وَتُقَطِّعُوٓا۟ أَرْ‌حَامَكُمْ ﴿٢٢

So would you perhaps, if you turned away, cause corruption on earth and sever your [ties of] relationship? (22)

[Qur'an, Muhammad 47:22]

This is one of the great Ayaat in the Qur'an.

If we look at many Muslims today, it is not a good picture. A great number of masjids, for example, feel like a micro corrupt Muslim governments. You find a great many people come into power and they wont let go of it and they want to back stab other people.

When people get into power and they cause corruption this anger Allah. If we can't get peace, fairness, justice, transparency and accountability at the level of an organization, which consists 10 or 12 people at best, that are in the organization's leadership, how can we ever talk about ruling the land with Islam and khilafah? We have the first premise with which Allah said to the believers that you can't take power yet until you are cleansed and if you do take power prematurely, you will cause corruption. You will create more trouble.

This is a very heavy ayah. It does not absolve us from our responsibility to establish His Religion on the land but it does instill in us a necessity to cleanse ourselves. Even at the level of household, you can how much unfairness from the head of the household towards the children or towards the wife -- towards giving the wife her fair share of the mahr or towards giving the daughters their fair share in inheritance, etc. You can see so many men neglected their duties towards the women in their family and the women are left to fend for themselves, yet these are the men who would insist on their inheritance share of double the female's share. The corruption is at all level -- individual, familial, organizational and institutional level. This is the state of affairs.

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فَأَصَمَّهُمْ وَأَعْمَىٰٓ أَبْصَـٰرَ‌هُمْ ﴿٢٣

Those [who do so] are the ones that Allah has cursed, so He deafened them and blinded their vision. (23)

[Qur'an, Muhammad 47:23]

Those are the people Allah curse -- people who take the reins of power and then create corruption in the name of Islam. Who gets the bad name when a Muslim nations are corrupt? Islam does. Who gets the bad name when Muslim organizations are corrupt? Islam does. Who gets the bad name when a Muslim is corrupt? Islam does. So why wouldn't Allah curse them. The religion that came to remove evil from the world is now being accused of evil because its ambassadors are evil and do the wrong things.

So Allah deafened them and blinded their eyes. So corrupt Muslims leaders can no longer hear the cries and pleas of people; they can't hear the Qur'an being recited, they don't see the blood being shed and people are killed like insects. Astaghfirullah.

When sociologists, modernists and the like looked at religion, they say "I don't believe in organized religion... because organized religion has caused corruption in society and it has been a means of oppression in world history," they have a point. It is true and it is so true that Allah even warned us about that this -- that if you are not cleansed as a people and you come to the reins of power, you will also cause corruption in the lands and you will also be the reason that family relations are cut -- meaning corruption enters into the inside walls of the private homes as a result of your behavior.

So, take control of your own matters in the religion. Don't be dependent on other people to cleanse yourself. As Imam Shafi'i said in his first line of poetry ... "Nothing scratches your skin better than your own nails."

Paradise should be everyone’s objective. This is what we should live for and if this is not your objective, then you are are living a wrong life. Because you are depriving yourself of so many things just to be a Muslim, yet you are not doing the right things that would entitle you to go to Paradise.

Paradise, as described by the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, is surrounded by things that are not preferred by each and every one of us. In order to enter it you have to do the things that you may not like. Whereas Hell is the opposite; it is surrounded by lusts and desires, so the minute you fall into these lusts and desires, you will enter Hell. May Allah save us from Hell.

Paradise is Allah’s Mercy, and whomever He wishes to allow to enter it means that He has bestowed His Mercy upon this person. Among the very first thing that enable you to enter Paradise is as mentioned in the Qur'an.

Allah Almighty says,

وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ سَنُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِ‌ى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ‌ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۖ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقًّا ۚ وَمَنْ أَصْدَقُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ قِيلًا ﴿١٢٢﴾ لَّيْسَ بِأَمَانِيِّكُمْ وَلَآ أَمَانِىِّ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ۗ مَن يَعْمَلْ سُوٓءًا يُجْزَ بِهِۦ وَلَا يَجِدْ لَهُۥ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرً‌ۭا ﴿١٢٣﴾ وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ مِن ذَكَرٍ‌ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ نَقِيرً‌ۭا ﴿١٢٤﴾ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ دِينًا مِّمَّنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُۥ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ وَٱتَّبَعَ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَ‌ٰ‌هِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۗ وَٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ إِبْرَ‌ٰ‌هِيمَ خَلِيلًا ﴿١٢٥﴾ وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ‌ٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ مُّحِيطًا ﴿١٢٦

But the ones who believe and do righteous deeds - We will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. [It is] the promise of Allah, [which is] truth, and who is more truthful than Allah in statement. (122) Paradise is not [obtained] by your wishful thinking nor by that of the People of the Scripture. Whoever does a wrong will be recompensed for it, and he will not find besides Allah a protector or a helper. (123) And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer - those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed. (124) And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth? And Allah took Abraham as an intimate friend. (125) And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And ever is Allah, of all things, encompassing. (126)

[Qur'an, An-Nisa 4:122-126]

The Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “All of my Ummah will enter Paradise, except those who disobey.” You know that the Ummah, is divided into two types.

1)Ummah that includes the believers and the disbelievers and they are called the ‘Ummah of Da’wah’ (the ‘Ummah of Call’); so even the Christians, the Jews and all other denominations are considered to be part of this Ummah, but they are ‘Ummah of Da’wah’.

2) And there is a particular part which is the Ummah of those who responded to the call of the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam and followed him. Therefore, the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam says, “All of my Ummah (which includes both parties) will enter Paradise except those who refuse.” The Companions said, “Who refuses to enter Paradise?!” He said, “Whoever obeys me enters Paradise and whoever disobeys me is refusing, he has chosen his destiny!”

This is the greatest means of entering Paradise.

Allah Almighty says,

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّ‌سُولَ وَلَا تُبْطِلُوٓا۟ أَعْمَـٰلَكُمْ ﴿٣٣

O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and do not invalidate your deeds. (33)

[Qur'an, Muhammad 47:33]

You have to look at the way you live. Are you following the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam -- are you obeying him in every single thing? If yes, then, Inshaa Allah, with His Mercy, you will be among those who would enter Paradise.

Among the great things that would admit you to Paradise: is to be a person with good character, with excellent moral ethics, with good conduct and behavior. This allows you to go to the highest Paradise. The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said, “The closest of you to me on the Day of Judgement and Paradise are those who have the excellent character and moral ethics and perfect behavior.”

The Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam says, “Guarantee six things for me and I guarantee Paradise for you.” If the Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam guarantees Paradise for you, this means that you will definitely be able to get what he promised. He Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam says:

1) Be truthful when you speak.

2) Fulfill your promise when you give a promise.

3) Give, what you were entrusted with to those, who entrusted you with it.

4) Preserve your private parts (meaning; do not fornicate).

5) Lower your gaze.

6) Restrain from using your hand. (This can be interpreted in two ways: Physically, do not extend your hand, do not abuse people, do not hit people and do not do something wrong with your hand, do not shake hands with the opposite sex, for example, this is Haram. It can also mean to hold back your hand from Haram money, i.e. do not take what is not lawfully yours.

Six things and the Prophet Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam guarantees you Paradise. Regarding being truthful, it’s amazing you find at the individual level many of the non-Muslims are being truthful, being honest because they were brought up this way: to say the truth and not to lie. (Generally speaking we don’t want the stereotype saying, “Oh, Mashaa Allah, non-Muslims are this and Muslims are that”). On the other hand, it is so shameful and embarrassing that when our religion tells us that lying is a sin, you still find many of the Muslims lying left and right. Not only that, they also give lying different shades of color. They say, “This is grey, this is a white lie, this is purple.” Beware of lying even in jest.

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise; a person remains truthful until he is written as a Siddeeq (truthful person) with Allah. Lying leads to sin and sin leads to the Fire; a person keeps lying until he is written as a Kadhdhab (liar) with Allah.” [Bukhari, Muslim]

May Allah make us of those who constantly repentant and constantly purify themselves. Ameen.

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّ‌ٰبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَطَهِّرِ‌ينَ

Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves. [Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:222]

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Dying And Death

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Death is a subject people often avoid talking about much less remember. We live in a society that sees talking about death, thinking about death, writing and reading about death as morbid. I can't remember how many times I was scorned for talking about death especially in front of my children or other people's children.

What is morbid, what is indeed unhealthy, is a society that separates and dissociates death from life as if the two can ever be separated – two sides of the same coin. We cannot pretend death doesn’t exist, all the time living as if we still have one foot in the womb.

What is morbid and unhealthy is that we try to sit death quietly in the corner, still pretending it can’t see us and we can’t see it. We try to keep it away from children, and lie to them about it, to ‘protect’ them’ – all the while creating unnecessary fear and perpetuating the vicious cycle of denial around the only thing in life that is an absolute inevitability. And then, when it happens, every time it happens, we are shocked. As if, having avoided reality so very well for so very long, we had no idea it would ever come.

It is extremely difficult to live each day like it really matters without embracing the fact that it could end any day. Every moment is not precious to you when you are fantasizing that you have been guaranteed a life that will never end -- or at least won’t end till you’re 100.

The Qur'an alludes to death at various places. In Surah AleImran, Allah Almmigty says,

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, Ale Imran 3:185]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) advises us to, “Remember often the terminator of pleasures.”

The benefits of this include purification from sins, abstinence in this life, making great tribulations manageable, making small worldly means seem much, removal of worry over this life and disdaining vain pleasures.

Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) once held my shoulders and said:

“Live in this world as (if you are) a wayfarer or a stranger.” And Abdullah ibn Umar used to say: “If you live till night, then do not wait for the next day (i.e. do not have hopes that you will live to the next day), and if you wake up in the morning do not have hope that you will live till the night. And take (advantage) from your health before your sickness and take advantage of your life before your death (i.e. do every possible obedience in your life before death comes to you for then no deeds can be performed.)”

[Bukhari and Tirmidhi]

Shaqiq al-Balkhi once went to his mentor, Abu Hashim, with something tied at the end of his clothing. His mentor said, “What is this?” “Almonds,” he replied, “that a brother has given to me, I plan to have breakfast on them.” “O Shaqiq,” his mentor scolded, “You tell yourself that you will live until tonight! Do you remember death? This is what I have to say, and I will not speak to you,” and he closed the door in his face.

What is life? Allah Almighty tells us what life is when He says,

ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا ٱلْحَيَو‌ٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرٌ‌ۢ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌ‌ۭ فِى ٱلْأَمْوَ‌ٰلِ وَٱلْأَوْلَـٰدِ ۖ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ ٱلْكُفَّارَ‌ نَبَاتُهُۥ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَ‌ىٰهُ مُصْفَرًّ‌ۭا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَـٰمًا ۖ وَفِى ٱلْءَاخِرَ‌ةِ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَغْفِرَ‌ةٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِ‌ضْوَ‌ٰنٌ ۚ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَو‌ٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْغُرُ‌ورِ‌ ﴿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]

Although death is certain and inevitable, people tend to live as if they are going to live forever. Whereas death knows no age. Very often people die in the prime of their youth. There are times a father has to bury his own son. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) buried all his sons and daughters except one. I saw my late parents grieved over the death of my little brother when I was a small child. This year I lost two of my younger siblings within less than two months apart -- my sister died suddenly followed by my brother who died after a prolonged sickness. May Allah shower all of them with mercy, forgive all their sins and make their graves one of the meadows of Paradise.

The term of one’s life is predetermined before birth and this knowledge rests only with Allah.

Allah Almighty says,

وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّاسَ بِظُلْمِهِم مَّا تَرَ‌كَ عَلَيْهَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ وَلَـٰكِن يُؤَخِّرُ‌هُمْ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمْ لَا يَسْتَـْٔخِرُ‌ونَ سَاعَةً ۖ وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ ﴿٦١

And if Allah were to impose blame on the people for their wrongdoing, He would not have left upon the earth any creature, but He defers them for a specified term. And when their term has come, they will not remain behind an hour, nor will they precede [it]. (61)

[Quran, An-Nahl 16:61]

This mystery of life and death is not without purpose. The life of this world is a test from Allah.

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)

[Quran, Al-Anbiya' 21:35]

In this worldly life, people will constantly be put to all types of tests. As Muslims, we should be patient while facing trials and tribulations.

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

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

[Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:153]

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

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

[Quran, Al-Baqarah 2:155]


What is the reality of death?

When it occurs, the spirit (ruh) leaves the body. We learn through prophetic traditions that a righteous soul comes out of the body with ease, while an evil soul, which resists leaving the body, is taken out harshly by the angel of death. The two types of souls are accordingly honored and dishonored in their respective journeys to the heavenly dimensions and back to the grave when they are questioned.

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-Sajdah 32:11]

Some die suddenly while others may go through pain and suffering before they die. According to prophetic traditions, sickness is a source of mercy and a chance for forgiveness.

In one saying the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“For every misfortune, illness, anxiety, grief or hurt that afflicts a believer – even the hurt caused by the pricking of a thorn – Allah wipes off his sins and his sins fall away from him as leaves fall from a tree.” The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) informed us that, “If a servant of Allah falls sick or goes on a journey, he (continues) to be rewarded for the good deeds that he used to do when he was healthy or at home. This is Allah's gift to the believer.”

Visiting the Sick

Some scholars said visiting the sick is not only highly encouraged, it is an obligation. This is because it gives the sick much needed care and moral support. In this regard, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “A caller from heaven calls out to the person who visits a sick person, ‘You are good and your path is good. May you enter your residence in Paradise.’” He also mentioned, “When a Muslim visits the sick in the morning, seventy thousand angels pray for him, and they continue praying for him until the evening. When one visits the sick in the evening, the angels pray for him and continue to pray for him until the next morning. Moreover, he will be rewarded with the choicest fruits of Paradise.”

Visitors should pray for the recovery and health of the sick. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) instructed, “When you visit a sick person, give him hope for a long life. This will not avert anything, but will please the patient and give him comfort.” When the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) visited sick people, he used to say to them, “Do not worry! It is a means of cleansing (you) of sins, inshaa Allah.” Unless desired by the sick person, it is preferred to shorten the visits and to make them less frequent, lest they should become burdensome for the patient.

One may supplicate for the sick person the way the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) did, “O Allah, The Sustainer of mankind! Remove the illness, cure the disease. You are the One who cures. There is no cure except Your cure. Grant (us) a cure that leaves no trace of illness.” One may supplicate using his or her own words in any language he or she speaks.

Promote a Healthy Life

One should take means that promote a healthy life, while believing that these means cannot ward off the destiny of Allah. A long life full of service to Allah is of the greatest of ranks.

A man asked the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), “O Messenger of Allah, which people are the best?” He replied, “He whose life is long and works good.”

It is permissible to use medicine to treat oneself with the condition that one believe that the cure is only from Allah who has made the medicine an outer means to attain this, and if He wills he will cure without one taking medicine or not cure despite one taking medicine.

Prepare Will

A person should not be sick for two nights without having his will prepared. It should contain a clear statement of his debts and who they are owed to. A person is entitled to make a bequest of up to a third of his remaining wealth after debts have been paid, the rest must be divided according to the Islamic rules of inheritance laid out clearly in the Qur’an and books of sacred law.

The bequest should contain the following:

(1) Payments for missed prayers, with the equivalent of 2kg of wheat for each prayer.

(2) Payments for missed fasts, with the equivalent of 2kg of wheat for each fast.

(3) Payments for missed zakat payments.

(4) Payment for someone to perform Hajj on one’s behalf if one was able to perform Hajj in one’s life but did not go.

(5) Payment for Eid sacrifices if one was obliged to perform them and did not do so.

(6) Payments for vows that were not performed.

(7) Payments for the obligatory charity of Eid al Fitr (sadaqa al fitr) that one was obliged to pay but did not do so.

(8) Payments in charity in return for rights owed to other people who are unknown and/or unreachable.

(9) Any other donations that one wishes to make. This is recommended if one has enough wealth to cover the needs of the inheritors; otherwise it is better to let the inheritors benefit from one’s wealth as opposed to a stranger.

An example bequest, mentioned in the Shir’a, begins as follows:

“[With the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All praise is for Allah lord of the worlds. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our master Muhammad, his folk and companions.] This is the injunction of so-and-so: He enjoins, while bearing witness that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and messenger, and that the hour is coming, there is no doubting it, and that Allah will bring forth whoever is in the graves; he enjoins those he leaves after him that they return to Allah and rectify among themselves, and that they obey Allah and His messenger; and he enjoins with what Ibrahim and Ya’qub (upon whom be blessings and peace), “O my sons, verily Allah has chosen this religion for you, so do not die except as believers”; and he enjoins, if death should overtake him, that his needs are such-and-such [and he mentions his bequest].”

Visiting A Dying Person

Visiting someone who is on his deathbed is highly desirable.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “When you visit someone who is ill or is dying, say good things about him (or her). Indeed, the angels say, ‘Ameen’ to whatever you utter.”

It is highly desired to have the patient or someone on behalf of the dying patient to do as many good deeds as possible. This allows the person to die on a state of goodness.

Someone on their deathbed should observe the following:

(1) To have a good opinion of Allah. This is by having more hope than fear; having the belief that Allah will overlook one’s sins.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, three days before he died, “Let none of you die except having a good opinion of Allah Mighty and Majestic.”

(2) To be of good cheer at the mercy of Allah as the pains of death are a forgiveness of sins for every Muslim and a gift for every believer.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Death is a gift for the believer.”

“The meaning of this is that death should be precious to the believer because it is something that Allah has given him, and what the Beloved gives, is precious and of tremendous rank.”

(3) To long for the meeting with Allah.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him. Whoever dislikes to meet Allah, Allah dislikes to meet him.” Aisha or one of his wives said, “But we dislike death,” he replied, “That’s is not the point; rather, the believer when death comes to him, he is given the great good news of Allah’s pleasure and generosity, and there is nothing more beloved to him that what is ahead of him, so he loves meeting Allah and Allah loves meeting him. The disbeliever when death comes to him is given the great news of Allah’s punishment and chastisement, and there is nothing more disliked to him that what is ahead of him so he dislikes meeting Allah, and Allah dislikes meeting him.”

(4) To remember Allah whole-heartedly, and not to let anything distract him.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was asked, “What is the best of works?” He replied, “That one of you should die and his tongue is moist with the remembrance of Allah.”

He also said, “Whoever’s last words are La illaha illaAllah (There is no god but Allah,) will enter paradise.”

(5) To leave all thoughts and inclinations towards this life and other people.

(6) To free oneself of one’s power and ability and rely solely on Allah’s generosity and
protection.

(7) To not let one’s deeds come to mind, neither the good nor the bad, as they distract from
having a good opinion of Allah and true hope in His bounty.

(8) Make sincere supplication for Allah to preserve one’s faith.

(9) To not hate a painful death for oneself or anyone else, for Allah removes sins from a person through illness in his body, delay in provender, fear in life and severity at death.

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said, “The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) died while he was between my chest and my throat [in my arms], and I do not dislike for anyone to have a severe death after the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace),ever.”

“[when he died] before him was a container of water, he placed his hands inside it and wiped his face and said, “There is no god but Allah; surely death has tremendous mind-numbing pain.” Then he raised his hand and started saying, “O Allah, in the highest company” until he died and his hand dropped.”

Facing Calamities

It is not lawful for one to wish for death on account of pain or difficulty that one is in; because life is Allah’s will for one, and desiring it to leave is not be satisfied with His will.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

“Let none of you wish for death due to a harm that has reached him. If he is compelled to do so then let him say, “O Allah, give me life so long as life is better for me, and take my soul in death when death is better for me.

When the Prophet(Allah bless him and grant him peace) found his ailing uncle wishing for death, he said, “O Abbas! O uncle of Allah's messenger! Do not wish for death. If you do good and live long, your good deeds will multiply. Then that is better for you. If you are not well and your death is delayed, you may seek God’s forgiveness. That is better for you. So do not wish for death.”

It is permitted to wish for death if it is due to living in bad times in which one fears for one’s religion.

When inflicted with illness or any calamity, we should not complain and we should resign ourselves to the Will of Allah. We should remain patient in the face of adversity knowing we belong to Allah and to Him they will return.

Say “inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un” (Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.)

Allah Most High says in the Qur’an,

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَ‌ٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَ‌ٰ‌تِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ‌ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِ‌ينَ ﴿١٥٥﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَـٰبَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَ‌ٰ‌جِعُونَ ﴿١٥٦﴾ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَ‌ٰتٌ مِّن رَّ‌بِّهِمْ وَرَ‌حْمَةٌ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُهْتَدُونَ ﴿١٥٧

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, (155) Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return." (156) Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided. (157)

[Qur’an, Al-Baqarah 2:156]

Meaning: One should say it over every difficulty.

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

When receiving news of someone’s death one says, “Verily we are Allah’s, and verily to Him we return. O Allah raise his rank among the truly guided, and inscribe his name in the highest register (al-Illiyyin), and take charge of his offspring that remain. O Allah don’t deny us his reward and don’t try us after him.”

A person faced with a dire calamity should console himself with the calamities of the foremost of creation (Allah bless him and give him peace); for no one from his nation will be afflicted with the like of it.

When asked which people are greatest in tribulation, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) replied, “The prophets. Then those most like them then those most like them. A man is tried commensurate to his faith. If his faith is firm, his tribulation is tough. If it has softness, his tribulation is commensurate to it. Tribulations keep falling on a person until they leave him to walk on the earth without any sins.”

No calamity that a person faces is greater than the calamity of the death of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever ever has two that went ahead [meaning children that died in infancy] from my nation, Allah will enter him into paradise by them.” Aisha asked, “And the one who has one that went ahead from your nation?” He replied, “And the one who has one that went ahead, O guided one.” She asked, “And the one who does not have any that went ahead?” He replied, “I am the one who went ahead for my nation; they will not have any loss greater than me.” “meaning “I am their great calamity which has struck them” for he (Allah bless him and give him peace) was a mercy to the worlds and a safety for his nation, so which calamity is greater than losing him?”

Inevitably, we will eventually die. We will take nothing with us to our graves. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: perpetual charity (Sadaqah Jariyah); knowledge which is beneficial; or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (the deceased).”

Such admonitions remind us that we should hasten in doing good deeds before our time is up and our book of deeds close forever.

Being the most certain reality, a conscious believer prepares himself here in this world for the eternal and perpetual blissful life of the hereafter.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) in one of his sayings said, “Intelligent is the one who controls his passions and prepares for life after death.”

May Allah ease us during sakaratul maut and not let us die except as Muslims, and grant us an excellent ending. May Allah forgive us, our parents and all the Muslims, from the living and the dead. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

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