Four Wives

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He’s very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends. However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men.

He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and in fact is the merchant’s confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.

Now, the merchant’s 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.

One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, “Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I’ll be alone. How lonely I’ll be!”

Thus, he asked the 4th wife, “I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No way!” replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word. The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant’s heart.

The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, “I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No!” replied the 3rd wife. “Life is so good over here! I’m going to remarry when you die!” The merchant’s heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, “I always turned to you for help and you’ve always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?” “I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!” replied the 2nd wife. “At the very most, I can only send you to your grave.” The answer came like a bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated.

Then a voice called out : “I’ll live with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.” The merchant looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the merchant said, “I should have taken much better care of you while I could have !”

Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives

a. The 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it’ll leave us when we die.

b. Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they all go to others.

c. The 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we’re alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

d. The 1st wife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material, wealth and sensual pleasure. Guess what? It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it’s a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we’re on our deathbed to lament.

Allah says,

يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ ﴿٨٨﴾ إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّـهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ

The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children (88) But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.

[Qur'an Ash-Shu'ara 26:88-89]

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

"Verily Allah does not look to your bodies nor to your faces but He looks to your hearts." And he pointed towards the heart with his fingers.

[Sahih Muslim]

May Allah give us a sound heart. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Pious Intentions for Marriage

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

"Actions are but by intentions and every man shall have but that which he had intended." [related by Bukhari]

The following are intentions one should have when entering into marriage. The intentions were composed by the great Shaykh, the ‘Arif of Allah, ‘Ali bin Abi-Bakr as-Sakran, may Allah shower them both with mercy.

I intend by this marriage and this wife (or husband) for the love of Allah ‘Azza-wa-Jall and to have children so that the human race shall continue.

I also intend [to enter this marriage] for the love of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, so that he may take pride in it, as he said: “Marry and increase in numbers, as I will take pride in you before other nations on the Day of Judgement.”

I intend in this marriage—and all the actions and words that come from it—to be blessed by the prayer of a pious child; or for his intercession if he dies young before me.

I intend by this marriage to protect myself from Satan, by breaking the desire, [and thus] breaking the temptations of Satan, to lower the gaze, and reduce the Wiswas (withdrawing whisperer). I intend to preserve myself from indecency.

I intend in this marriage the amusement of the self and to bring joy to it through by companionship (with my spouse); looking, and playing freely and to bring comfort to the heart and strengthening it for worship.

I intend in this marriage the relief of the nafs and cherish it through companionship, the pleasure that comes through gazing at one’s spouse, mutual foreplay, the repose that floods the heart and strengthening it for worshiping.

I intend by it, the relieving of the heart from the worries of housekeeping, cooking, sweeping, making the bed, cleaning the dishes and taking care of lively duties.

I intend by this marriage, to struggle with the nafs and to train it ‘through care and guardianship’, to fulfill the rights of the family and to be patient with their characters, to endure the harm that comes from them, to work towards making them good, to guide them to the religious path, to struggle to seek lawful earnings for them, to command them to discipline the children by also asking from Allah for it and success for his sake and to drop between his hands and to show the excessive need towards Him in gaining it. I intend all the previous for Allah Almighty.

I intend all the previous and more from whatever I control, say and do in this marriage for Allah Almighty.

I intend in this marriage whatever Your righteous servants and Your acting scholars have intended.

Allahumma, give us success as you have given them, help us as you have helped them. Overlook our shortcomings, accept [this] from us and do not entrust us to ourselves, even for the blink of an eye. Make good for us, all of the previous, by Your Grace and Generosity in good and in good health.

Allahumma, forgive us and have mercy upon us and be pleased with us and accept from us and enter us into Paradise and make good our affairs, all of them. O Allah, give me in this marriage and all my affairs, help, blessing and safety, and deliver me from being preoccupied from You and that marriage would not come between me and obedience to You; and suffice me in this marriage and give me chastity through it. O Allah, verily myself, my motions and my stillness are entrusted to You, so preserve them for me wherever I happen to be and be my Guardian instead of me, like You are the Guardian of Your righteous slaves.

Allahumma, help us, together with our parents, children, spouses, our Shuyukh, our brothers, all our relatives, all those who come from the same womb as us, all those who have rights over us, and those who have the minimum of rights over us. Allahumma, assist me in remembrance of You, gratitude towards You and excellence in You worship, O Lord of the Worlds. Allahumma, guide us and grant us success, O Lord of the Worlds. Allahumma, make us live this life by Your Book and the Sunnah, O the One who is Majestic and Noble. Allahumma, we ask you by that which is accepted from us and by whatever brought us closer to You. Ameen.

And send blessings and salutations, by Your Majesty, to the most noble of all envoys, Muhammad the seal of all prophets, his family and companions. And all praise is to Allah Lord of the Worlds.

Allahumma Ameen.

Why Marry?

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The Sunnah indicates that it is prescribed to get married, and that it is one of the Sunnahs of the Messengers. By getting married a person can, with the help of Allah, overcome many of the traps of evil, for marriage helps him to lower his gaze and guard his chastity, as the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said in the hadith, “O young men, whoever among you can afford it, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding chastity..” [Agreed upon]

“Whomever Allah blesses with a righteous wife, He has helped him with half of his religion, so let him fear Allah with regard to the other half.” [Haakim]

“When a person gets married he has completed half of his religion, so let him fear Allah with regard to the other half.” [Al-Baihaqi]

The topic of marriage is probably the one foremost in the minds of young and middle-aged Muslims. A lot of people view the idea of marriage with both wishfulness and apprehension. They want a sustainable relationship, but know that there will be challenges involved. After all, this dunya is a test and a place to strive in, to make it to our home sweetest home--Jannah!

Since marriage is half of deen (faith) this is a pretty serious endeavor. Why do people get married? Everyone will have all sorts of answers: to have companionship, to have children, to share the chores, and so on. But all of them should flow to the ultimate one: for Allah.

The key to marriage is Allah. It is the absolute dedication and concern with only Allah, and orienting our actions towards Him. That is what a believer should strive for in every moment, and marriage is a tremendous opportunity to bring you close to Allah.

What we should look for in a spouse is to reject the more superficial qualities that people tend to look for in a spouse today, such as income, occupation, race, as well as the “compatibility standard” offered to us in the modern view of true love, but would be completely irrelevant in shaping the building blocks of what makes a good relationship.

رَ‌بَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَ‌ٰجِنَا وَذُرِّ‌يَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّ‌ةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

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

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

The Most Blessed Marriage: Simplicity of Marriage Ceremony and Feast (Walimah)

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

Sayyida A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “The most blessed marriage (nikah) is the one with the least expenses.” (al-Bayhaqi in his Shu’ab al-Iman & Mishkat al-Masabih).

The marriage feast (walimah) is a Sunnah of our beloved Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace). It is an outward expression of gratitude and pleasure and a great means of publicizing the marriage, which has been greatly encouraged.

The simpler the walimah and the marriage ceremony as a whole are kept, the better it will be. Allah has put barakah in simplicity, but nowadays it is pretty common that people spend many months or years to plan a wedding and spend thousands upon thousands for the ceremony, a sum which can be used for other indispensable needs of the Muslims. And if the intention behind spending such an amount is to show-off, then this will be regarded a grave sin.

وَءَاتِ ذَا ٱلْقُرْ‌بَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ وَٱلْمِسْكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرْ‌ تَبْذِيرً‌ا ﴿٢٦﴾ إِنَّ ٱلْمُبَذِّرِ‌ينَ كَانُوٓا۟ إِخْوَ‌ٰنَ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينِ ۖ وَكَانَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ لِرَ‌بِّهِۦ كَفُورً‌ۭا ﴿٢٧

And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully. (26) Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful. (27)

[Qur'an, Al-Isra' 17:26-27]

It is not wajib to make walimah inviting hundreds or thousands of people and keeping it in a hall. Invite a few needy people and feed them, the sunnah of walimah will be achieved.

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) states: “The worst food is that of a wedding banquet (walima) to which only the rich are invited whilst the poor are not invited. And he who refuses an invitation (to a banquet) disobeys Allah and His Messenger (Allah bless him & give him peace).” (Bukhari)

Feed the walimah guests in your house, you won't need to hire a hall for which you have to pay hundreds. Rather save all this money and give it to the newly-wed or keep it for yourself and use it in a good cause. Remember, even if thousands of people will attend the wedding or walimah, they will never be satisfied, they will have unending complaints, e.g. the food was too salty or too oily or the meat was not done properly or it was too strong, or the food was tasteless or burnt etc. etc. Therefore leave all this wastage and work with simplicity.

A Sahābi got married in Medina and he did not even invite Rasulullah to a walima feast. When Rasulullah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) found out about this Sahābi's marriage, he did not show displeasure to this Sahābi that why why did he not invite him. Nowadays the family fights if they are not invited and say they will not invite to their functions and will not attend any other gathering in future.

Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) saw a yellow mark on Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf (Allah be pleased with) and said: “What’s this?” He replied: “I have married a woman with the dowry being gold to the weight of a date-stone.” The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “May Allah bless you (in your marriage), perform a walimah, even if it is only with a goat.” (Bukhari)

The idea here is to feed people with sincerity and simplicity. If one feeds people with the simplest of meals but it is from the heart, that is far better (and the food is also more enjoyable) than feeding them quality food, where the intention is not so sincere.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) himself provided a walimah after many of his marriages. He provided meat and bread on the occasion of his marriage with Zaynab bint Jahsh (Allah be pleased with her), Hays (a type of sweat-dish cooked with dates, cheese & butter) on the occasion of his marriage with Safiyyah (Allah be pleased with her) and barley on another occasion. (Bukhari & Muslim]

When Faatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) reached the age of fifteen, proposals for her marriage began to come from high and responsible families. But the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) remained unresponsive.

Faatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) is the youngest daughter of our beloved Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace). Out of all the children, she was the most beloved to him. He said, 'The Queen of the ladies in Jannat is Faatimah.' He also said, 'Faatimah is part of my body. Whoever grieves her, grieves me.'

Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), who was 21 at the time, says: It occurred to me that I should go and make a formal proposal, but then I thought, 'How could this be accomplished, for I possess nothing.' At last, encouraged by the Prophet's kindness, I went to him and expressed my intention to marry Faatimah. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was extremely pleased and asked, 'Ali, Do you possess anything to give her in Mahr (dowry)?' I replied, 'Apart from a horse and an armour I possess nothing.'

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, 'A soldier must, of course, have his horse. Go and sell away your armour.'

So, Ali (may Allah be please with him) went and sold his armor to Uthmaan (may Allah be pleased with him) for 480 Dirhams and presented it to Rasulullah (Allah bless him and grant him peace). Bilaal (may Allah be pleased with him) was ordered by the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) to bring some perfume and a few other things and Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) was sent to call Abu Bakr, Uthmaan, Talhah, Zubayr with some companions from the Ansaar (may Allah be pleased with them).

When these men arrived and had taken their seats, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) recited the Khutbah (sermon) of Nikaah and gave Faatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) in marriage to Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). He announced, 'Bear you all witness that I have given my daughter Faatimah in marriage to Ali for 400 Mithqaal of silver and Ali has accepted.' He then raised his head and made Dua saying, 'O Allah, create love and harmony between these two. Bless them and bestow upon them good children.' after the Nikaah, dates were distributed.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) gave his beloved daughter a silver bracelet, two Yemeni sheets, four mattresses, one blanket, one pillow, one cup, one hand-grinding mill, one bedstead, a small water skin and a leather pitcher.

In this simple fashion, the wedding of the daughter of the leader of the worlds was solemnized. In following this Sunnah method, a wedding becomes very simple and easy to fulfill and without the unnecessary stress which accompanied big weddings.

May Allah enable us to follow the footsteps of the His beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and protect us from wastefulness.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Video Mufti Menk's warning against unislamic wedding practices

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Link Between Surah Kahf and the Dajjal

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

People are subject to trials in their lives and after death. One may commit sins or Bid`ah (innovation in Islam), or be exposed to Kufr (disbelief) in Allah’s Religion. One might be tempted with wealth, lusts, sins, or evil company, and commit acts which displease Allah, whether it be Kufr, Bid`ah, or sins during their lives or at their death. One may be tested with the trial of the Dajjal if they live during the time when he appears. The Dajjal will appear at the end of time, claiming to be a prophet and lord of all creation. Many people will follow him. They will be doomed because of their following him. One should ask the Lord to protect them from these trials, because they do not know whether they will be saved or not.

Imam Muslims narrates in his Sahih that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam said:

“Whosoever memorizes 10 verses from the beginning of Surah al-Kahf will be protected from the tribulation of the Dajjal.”

Imam Munawi in his Fayd al-Qadeer (commentary on Jami’ as-Saghir of Imam Suyuti) said:

“It is because of what is in the story of the people of the cave of wonders, such that whoever knows these will not be amazed by the Dajjal and therefore, he will not be tried; or, whosoever ponders over these verses and contemplates their meanings will be weary of the Dajjal and therefore safe from him; or that this is a specialty given to this Surah ...”

اللّهُـمَّ إِنِّـي أَعـوذُ بِكَ مِـنْ عَذابِ القَـبْر، وَمِـنْ عَذابِ جَهَـنَّم، وَمِـنْ فِتْـنَةِ المَحْـيا وَالمَمـات، وَمِـنْ شَـرِّ فِتْـنَةِ المَسيحِ الدَّجّال

Allaahumma ‘innee a’oothu bika min ‘adhaabil-qabri, wa min ‘adhaabi Jahannama, wa min fitnatil-Mahyaa wal Mamaati, wa min sharri Fitnatil-Maseehid-Dajjal

O Allah, I take refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, from the torment of the Fire, from the trials and tribulations of life and death and from the evil affliction of Al-Maseeh Ad-Dajjal.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Joy and Sadness on the Day of Ashura

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

By Sayyidi Habib Ali al-Jifri (may Allah preserve him and benefit us by him)

According to the Ahl al-Sunnah, the Day of Ashura is a day of joy because of the salvation of Sayyiduna Musa. There is no doubt that it is also a day of sadness since it was the day on which Sayyiduna al-Husayn was martyred along with his relatives and some of the Ansar. At the same time, it is a day of celebration because it was a victory for Sayyiduna al-Husayn. How was it a victory for him when he was killed? It was a victory because he remained true to his principles. It was a victory for truth over weapons and force. When we think of his killers, we think of the fate that is awaiting them. When we remember Sayyiduna al-Husayn, however, our hearts are filled with joy, love and veneration for him and his steadfastness. It is thus a day of victory for Sayyiduna al-Husayn. So if we are joyful for the victory of Sayyiduna al-Husayn and the salvation of Sayyiduna Musa then we are on the right path.

It is natural to feel sadness when we remember the immense injustice that took place. Before dying, Sayyiduna al-Husayn saw all his children killed in front of him, with the exception of Sayyiduna Ali Zayn al-Abidin. He also saw the children of Sayyiduna al-Hasan, the children of his sister Sayyidah Zaynab, and the children of his cousin, Muslim bin Aqil bin Abi Talib, killed in front of him.

There are two extremes, both of which must be rejected. At one extreme we have people who say that it is a terrible day on which no one is allowed to show any joy, and if anyone does so they hate the Ahl al-Bayt. Some people strike themselves and commit other actions which are forbidden in the Sacred Law.

In addition to this, some people think that love for Ahl al-Bayt means showing bad etiquette to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna Umar. This is not the way of the Ahl al-Bayt. Sayyiduna Ali had sons named Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman. Sayyiduna al-Hasan had sons named Abu Bakr and Umar. Sayyiduna al-Husayn had a son named Abu Bakr and two sons named Umar.

There is another extreme. Some people among the Ahl al-Sunnah go the extent to say that Sayyiduna al-Husayn was in the wrong. They praise Yazid, whom the majority of the scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah regard as a corrupt person.

We believe that people that go to either of these extremes are misguided, but at the same time we do not regard them as disbelievers.

It is fine to be sad on this day, and it is fine to be joyful. We must not allow our hearts to be filled with hatred for the perpetrators of this crime, for Allah will take them to account. Instead, our hearts should be filled with veneration for those who were martyred.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Source: Muwasala.org

Sending Blessings upon the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam)

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Amongst the most noble of selfless acts of a Muslim is to send prayers of peace and blessings upon the beloved Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wassallam (salawat). Allah Almighty establishes this noble act Himself first and foremost; how noble is an act that Allah, the Compassionate Himself confirms to do. He, The Exalted, states:

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

Verily, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet: O you who believe, send blessings upon him and salute him with all due respect to him. (56)

[Qur'an Al-Ahzab 33:56]

This verse is just as emphatic as the commands to pray, fast, give zakat, and so on. We should send salutations upon the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) because Allah Almighty has exhorted us to do so. It is His Command.

“Salat” is prayer or supplication (du'a). Allah’s blessing (salat) is His mercy and honoring of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam). Allah’s peace (salaam) is His greeting of honor, His granting eternal peace and contentment.

The salam is also a prayer from us, asking Allah to put the Prophet’s heart at rest (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) regarding us (his community) –- that we will uphold our covenants with him, embody his guidance, and spread the light he came with (sallallahu alayhi wassallam).

There are numerous benefits and rewards of sending peace and blessings on the Prophet (salawat) sallallahu alayhi wassallam.

An immediate and a significant benefit is that our invocation to Allah Almighty for peace and blessings upon His Beloved is a means of healing, Shifa, upon our own selves.

Invoking peace and blessings upon the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) opens the floodgates of peace and blessings upon ourselves. In the midst of a world absent of peace, and starving of blessings, there is no quicker, better and greater way for the Believer of One God to seek His Grace, Protection, Favor and Blessing.

Beyond the benefits one attains in this world (removal of anxiety, harm and anarchy) by the Will of God, The All-Knowing All-Wise of our states and realities, there are benefits beyond this ephemeral world; the reality of such salutation’s objective being the Grace of God in the Hereafter. It would be remiss of us not to remind ourselves of these ultimate benefits. Here are some of the statements of the Prophet of Allah regarding them:

“From those from among my community who send blessings upon me sincerely from his heart, Allah will shower His blessings upon him ten times, elevate his status by ten, and will have the angels record ten good deeds for him and will erase ten of his sins.” [Hadith, recorded by Nasa’i]

“Without a doubt supplications are stalled between the heavens and the earth, and are not lifted up until the supplicant invokes blessings upon the Prophet (upon whom be peace and blessings of God The Exalted).” [Hadith, recorded by Tirmidhi]

There is not a single Believer who does not hope for his supplication to be answered by the Answerer of supplications. Invoking blessings upon the Prophet when asking our Lord, hastens a response from our Merciful Lord. The Prophet’s intercession with our Lord is a Mercy from our Lord.

“The closest people to me on the Day of Resurrection will be those who invoked the most blessings upon me.” [Hadīth, recorded by Tirmidhi]

And who from amongst you would not want to be in the company of the Beloved of the Lord, who has been given the authority when no other authority will exist to intercede for us, let alone be closest to him!

“He who invokes blessings upon me, the angels send blessings upon him equal to that which he invoked, so let the worshiper invoke some, or increase upon that.” [Hadith, recorded by Tirmidhi]

Note here that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) himself authorizes not only one or ten salutations, but as many as anyone wishes, that they are permitted to increase it to whatever they are capable of. Whether it is one, one hundred, one million or one billion; the right to send as many salutations upon the Prophet is your God-given right.

But take heed, that anyone who would either see the sending of salutations upon the Prophet as a wasteful act or a simple matter, or not worthy of gathering for, then the Prophet has also warned us:

“He who, when I am mentioned before him, fails to invoke blessings upon me is a miser.”

And:

“Disgraced be the person who, when I am mentioned before him, fails to invoke blessings upon me.” [both Hadīths, recorded by Tirmidhi]

Understand its irreplaceable value and hold on to those who aid and assist you to invoke Allah’s Peace and Blessings. As the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said himself:

“Allah, without any doubt, has angels that roam the earth and convey to me the greetings of my community.” [Tirmidhi]

Make a daily routine of sending blessings upon him (sallallahu alayhi wassallam). Hasten to send blessings upon him, whenever his noble name is mentioned -- out of following the Divine command, out of love, and out of gratitude for the gift of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) . Remember, what an honor it is to be able to do something that even Allah does.

Seek every gathering and every moment of your voluntary and free time and send salutation upon the one whom Allah does not reject.

May Allah's Grace be upon us all to be blessed to be part of the Prophet’s community, and may Allah, the Exalted, bestow His unbounded and overflowing peace and blessings be upon His Beloved Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wassallam).

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Nurturing Muslim Qualities

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Our religion is not about what you do but how you are. There are certain qualities that a believer should nurture. Allah has promised forgiveness and great reward for these type of believers.

إِنَّ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَٱلْمُسْلِمَـٰتِ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ وَٱلْقَـٰنِتِينَ وَٱلْقَـٰنِتَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ وَٱلصَّـٰدِقَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِ‌ينَ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرَ‌ٰ‌تِ وَٱلْخَـٰشِعِينَ وَٱلْخَـٰشِعَـٰتِ وَٱلْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَٱلْمُتَصَدِّقَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰٓئِمِينَ وَٱلصَّـٰٓئِمَـٰتِ وَٱلْحَـٰفِظِينَ فُرُ‌وجَهُمْ وَٱلْحَـٰفِظَـٰتِ وَٱلذَّ‌ٰكِرِ‌ينَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرً‌ۭا وَٱلذَّ‌ٰكِرَ‌ٰ‌تِ أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَ‌ةً وَأَجْرً‌ا عَظِيمًا ﴿٣٥

Indeed, the Muslims (those who submit to Allâh in Islâm) men and women, the believers men and women (who believe in Islâmic Monotheism), the men and the women who are obedient (to Allâh), the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and the women who are patient (in performing all the duties which Allâh has ordered and in abstaining from all that Allâh has forbidden), the men and the women who are humble (before their Lord Allâh), the men and the women who give Sadaqât (i.e. Zakât, and alms), the men and the women who observe Saum (fast) (the obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadân, and the optional Nawâfil fasting), the men and the women who guard their chastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the men and the women who remember Allâh much with their hearts and tongues. Allâh has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise). (35)

[Qur'an, Al-Ahzab 33:35]

May Allah make us of those who are obedient, truthful, patient, humble, charitable, fasting, guard their private parts, and remember Him often. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Your Reality

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Human beings are inherently needy. We are in absolute need of Allah. Our existence is only because Allah created us -- and we remain in existence from moment to moment because He sustains us. Everything we have is from Allah. Our existence, reality, and life is dependent and needy. This is our reality.

Realize your poverty and neediness to your Creator and Sustainer -- the One free of all need, the One who created you, and is sustaining you at every moment:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ أَنتُمُ ٱلْفُقَرَ‌آءُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ هُوَ ٱلْغَنِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ ﴿١٥﴾ إِن يَشَأْ يُذْهِبْكُمْ وَيَأْتِ بِخَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ ﴿١٦

O mankind, you are those in need of Allah, while Allah is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy. (15) If He wills, He can do away with you and bring forth a new creation. (16)

[Qur’an, Al-Fatir 35:15-16]

This is realization of Divine Oneness, and who Allah truly is: “the One free of need of any other, whom all are completely dependent upon, at every moment, in every way.”

May Allah make us His obedient and grateful servants. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Developing the True Awe of Allah

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

A Muslim is supposed to develop awe and regard of Allah. In Surah al-Jinn we will find this awe and regard that the Jinn had of Allah, manifested even when they speak as recorded in the Qur'an,

وَأَنَّا لَا نَدْرِ‌ىٓ أَشَرٌّ‌ أُرِ‌يدَ بِمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ أَمْ أَرَ‌ادَ بِهِمْ رَ‌بُّهُمْ رَ‌شَدًا ﴿١٠

And we do not know [therefore] whether evil is intended for those on earth or whether their Lord intends for them a right course. (10)

[Qur'an, Al-Jinn 72:10]

This verse is a reminder: to stand in true awe of Allah, you need knowledge. “Watch out for Allah, and you’ll find Him in front of you,” said the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَٱلدَّوَآبِّ وَٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَ‌ٰنُهُۥ كَذَ‌ٰلِكَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ٱلْعُلَمَـٰٓؤُا۟ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ‌ ﴿٢٨

...It is those of His servants who have knowledge who stand in true awe of Allah. Allah is almighty, most forgiving.

[Qur’an, Al-Fatir 35:28]

And the sign of beneficial knowledge is that is increases on in awe (khashiya) of Allah. Seek such knowledge, from inheritors of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) -- people of awe and reverence, love and thankfulness, who reflect the light of the tremendous character of the one (peace and blessings be upon him) whose “character was the Qur’an.

Allah has many Names through which we may know Him. He is not showing all His Names to everyone. Some He shows to a particular person. Some He keeps to Himself. This is not unique in the Shari'ah that Allah hides something of virtue so we might exhaust our effort in finding it. For example, Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power in Ramadhan) is hidden from us so we might exhaust ourselves of finding it. The blessed hour on Friday when du'as (supplications) are answered are hidden so we might exhaust ourselves in finding it.

All of the Names of Allah are not all listed so people might read, contemplate, know these Names and search for them. The hadith in the Tirmidhi version listed 99 Names of Allah. This is the common list of 99 Names of Allah that commentators comment on. But the hadith does not mean Allah has only 99 Names. But they are beautiful windows to know Allah in general.

The knowledge of Allah is why we are here. It is why Allah breathed the soul of life into each and everyone of us. Allah sent an angel to the wombs of our mothers when we were four months into our conception and it breathed into it a spirit of life. The spirit that was breathed into us is a secret of Allah.

وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلرُّ‌وحِ ۖ قُلِ ٱلرُّ‌وحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ‌ رَ‌بِّى وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا ﴿٨٥

And they ask you, [O Muhammad], about the ruh (spirit/soul). Say, "The ruh is of the affair of my Lord. And mankind have not been given of knowledge except a little." (85)

[Qur'an, Al-Isra' 17:85]

The soul, which is a tremendous mystery of the mysteries of the universe, the soul which can be elevated to the ranks to be truly dear to Allah, this soul was only created to worship Allah.

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both father and son) narrated: "Worshiping Allah means knowing Allah."

So the only spirit within our bodies, it is only here so that we might know Allah and we know Him through His Names and Attributes. Those who don't know Him and those who don't remember Him, have only miseries because they have turned away from that very reason they are walking on this earth.

Allah's beautiful Names are limitless perfection. If you learn something is perfect would you just be satisfied with knowing it? Allah is beyond our imaginations but Allah has described Himself with words which, in our limited way, we are able to emulate. In emulating the meanings we are drawing ourselves close to Allah.

Allah expects us to strive towards perfection and beauty and there is no perfection or beauty except in His Names. So our perfection and our beauty is to strive to emulate His Names, not merely just knowing the names and their meanings and that Allah has them because what this means your ears work and you know some Arabic. It is not simply a case of memorizing the Names either. Where is the rank? Children can do that. But we should really be deeply certain that Allah is characterized by these Names. We should look for deep veneration and feel in awe of these Names--how great is the Al-Ghafur, Al-Wahhab, Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim, Al-Wadud, and so on. This awe necessarily drives you to be like them and venerate them.

Anything opposite from Allah's Names is not perfection. Beauty is in these Names and anything opposite of these Names is not beauty. Excellence is in these Names and anything opposite of these Names is not excellence. Someone who knows this, how could he not want to have a share in this real perfection, excellence and beauty. Someone who doesn't want this is because he is ignorant or because his heart is filled with something else and this knowledge has not settled in him.

"The one looking at the Attributes of Allah must have a heart devoid of wanting other than Allah, for knowledge is the seed of longing." (Ghazali)

Knowledge is the seed of longing. When we learn about Allah's Names, this is the seed through which will grow the tree for longing of Allah and this longing will bring about action but if we plant this seed and there is no soil in the heart, the seed will get blown away and nothing will happen. So it is a very important that we look for deep certitude and veneration, followed by striving to acquire what is acquirable of Allah's Attributes.

"Verily Allah has ninety nine Names, one hundred except one; whoever encompasses them enters Paradise." (Bukhari)

"Verily, Allah Most High, has 99 Names; whoever encompasses them enters Paradise. He is Allah, the One who there is no god but He, Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim, Al-Malik, AlQuddus, Al-Salam, Al-Mu'min Al-Muhaymin, Al-'Aziz, Al-Jabbar, Al-Mutakabbir, Al-Khaliq, Al-Bari', Al-Musawwir, Al-Ghaffar, Al-Qahhar, Al-Wahhab, Al-Razzaq, Al-Fattah, Al-'Alim, Al-Qabid, Al-Basit, Al-Khafid, Al-Rafi', Al-Mu'izz, Al-Mudhill, As-Sami', Al-Basir, Al-Hakam, Al-'Adl, Al-Latif, Al-Khabir, Al-Halim, Al-'Azim, Al-Ghafur, Ash-Shakur, Al-'Ali, Al-Kabir, Al-Hafiz, Al-Muqit, Al-Hasib, Al-Jalil, Al-Karim, Al-Raqib, Al-Mujib, Al-Wasi', Al-Hakim, Al-Wadud, Al-Majíd, Al-Ba'ith, Ash-Shahid, Al-Haqq, Al-Wakil, Al-Qawiyy, Al-Matin, Al-Wáli, Al-Hamid, Al-Muhsi, Al-Mubdi, Al-Mu'id, Al-Muhyi, Al-Mumit, Al-Hayy, Al-Qayyum, Al-Wajid, Al-Májid, Al-Wahid, Al-Ahad, As-Samad, Al-Qadir, Al-Muqtadir, Al-Muqaddim, Al-Mu'akhkhir, Al-Awwal, Al-Akhir, Al-Zahir, Al-Batin, Al-Walí, Al-Muta'ali, Al-Barr, At-Tawwib, Al-Muntaqim, Al-Afu, Al-Ra'uf, Malik al-Mulk, Dhul-Jalali Wal-Ikram, Al-Muqsit, Al-Jami, Al-Ghani, Al-Mughni, Al-Mani', Ad-Darr, An-Nafi', An-Nur, Al-Hadi, Al-Badi, Al-Baqi, Al-Warith, Al-Rashid, As-Sabur." [Tirmidhi]

Let's learn and memorize these Names and teach them to our children and others. One should exert all his efforts to memorize and act upon the Names of Allah for the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam said: Allah has ninety-nine names, one hundred less one. Anyone who learns them will enter Jannah. According to another narration: Anyone who memorizes them will enter Jannah. [Bukhari & Muslim]

May Allah grant us tawfiq to the highest station and true awe and reverence of Allah. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

When We Cannot Stand Anymore

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Allah equates the Truth with solat (prayer). Everybody need to get this point. When we think of Muslims today, many don't pray. And that is a sad reality. Losing a solat is like losing a family member. How is it like when you lose a family member? That's how you should feel when you miss a solat.

كَلَّآ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ ٱلتَّرَ‌اقِىَ ﴿٢٦﴾ وَقِيلَ مَنْ ۜ رَ‌اقٍ ﴿٢٧﴾ وَظَنَّ أَنَّهُ ٱلْفِرَ‌اقُ ﴿٢٨﴾ وَٱلْتَفَّتِ ٱلسَّاقُ بِٱلسَّاقِ ﴿٢٩﴾ إِلَىٰ رَ‌بِّكَ يَوْمَئِذٍ ٱلْمَسَاقُ ﴿٣٠﴾ فَلَا صَدَّقَ وَلَا صَلَّىٰ ﴿٣١﴾ وَلَـٰكِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ ﴿٣٢﴾ ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِۦ يَتَمَطَّىٰٓ ﴿٣٣﴾ أَوْلَىٰ لَكَ فَأَوْلَىٰ ﴿٣٤﴾ ثُمَّ أَوْلَىٰ لَكَ فَأَوْلَىٰٓ ﴿٣٥﴾ أَيَحْسَبُ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ أَن يُتْرَ‌كَ سُدًى ﴿٣٦

Expecting that there will be done to them [something] backbreaking. (25) No! When the soul has reached the collar bones (26) And it is said, "Who will cure [him]?" (27) And the dying one is certain that it is the [time of] separation (28) And the leg is wound about the leg, (29) To your Lord, that Day, will be the procession. (30) And the disbeliever had not believed, nor had he prayed. (31) But [instead], he denied and turned away. (32) And then he went to his people, swaggering [in pride]. (33) Woe to you, and woe! (34) Then woe to you, and woe! (35) Does man think that he will be left neglected? (36)

[Qur'an, Al-Qiyamah 75:26]

When we cannot stand anymore, that is when our Qiyamah (Day of standing or Judgment Day) begins.

When ‘Uthman ibn 'Affan stood at a grave he would weep until his beard was wet. So it was said to him: "Indeed you make mention of Paradise and Hellfire and you do not weep, and you are weeping at this?". He replied, "Indeed the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Verily the grave is the first abode of the Hereafter, if one is saved from it then what follows is made easier for him. And if one is not saved from it, then what follows is more severe". He also said, "I have never seen a sight more horrid than the grave"" (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “You will surely stand before Allah, no screen between Him and you, no interpreter to translate for you. Then He will say, ‘Did I not bring you wealth?’ He will say, ‘Yes.’ Then He will say, ‘Did I not send you a Messenger?’ He will say, ‘Yes.’ Then he will look to his right and left and see nothing but Hell. So protect yourselves from it even with half a date (in charity), and if not then with a kind word.” [Bukhari]

May Allah increase us in Iman and grant us excellent ending and not make us die except as Muslims. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Commemorating the Day of 'Ashura

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

In a few days, another big door will be opened for us to draw close to Allah Almighty. It is the 10th day of Muharram of the Islamic calendar, also known as the Day of 'Ashura. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) taught us to commemorate this day, primarily by fasting. Don't miss this tremendous opportunity.

It is a means for expiation of sins of the previous year. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

Fasting the day of 'Ashura' (is of great merits), I hope that Allah will accept it as an expiation for (the sins committed in) the previous year.

(Muslim)

We may ask: if we have already fasted the Day of `Arafah then Allah has already erased our sins in the previous and coming year so what more can be gained from fasting `Ashura’? Some of the scholars mention that continuously fasting both days leads to a deeper erasure of one’s wrongdoings, protection from falling into sin in the future and also has the effect of wiping out the wrongdoings of one’s family and neighbors.

Why does fasting the Day of `Arafah wipe out the sins of two years whereas fasting the day of `Ashura’ only wipes out the sins of one year? One reason, the scholars say, is that the Day of `Arafat is a day attributed to the Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, which is clearly superior to `Ashura’ which is attributed to Prophet Musa (peace be upon him).

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, also recommended that his Ummah also fast the day before or the day after so that our tradition be distinct from the tradition of the Jews.

It is reported in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad (Allah have mercy on him), from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

Fast the Day of `Ashura' and be different from the Jews by fasting a day before it or a day after it.

[Ahmad]

The Day of `Ashura has great virtue, and tremendous sanctity (hurma). The virtue of fasting it was known among the Prophets (peace be upon them all). Both Prophet Nuh and Prophet Musa (peace be upon them both) fasted it.

Several narrations point to the significance of this day from the earliest of times. It has been narrated that it was the day on which Allah forgave our father Adam, the day on which the Ark of Nuh came to rest on the mountain known as al-Judi and the day on which Allah forgave the people of Yunus (peace be upon him and all the Prophets).

The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) used to fast this day even in Makkah, though he had not yet ordered others to do so, as mentioned in both Bukhari and Muslim.

When he migrated to Madinah, and found the People of the Book fasting this day and venerating it, he ordered the Muslims to fast it, and encouraged it so much that even the children would fast it.

It has been reported in both Bukhari and Muslim from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him), that, when the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) reached Madina, he found the Jews fasting the Day of `Ashura, so he asked them, “What is this day you are fasting?” They said, “This is a tremendous day. Allah saved Musa and his people on this day and drowned Pharaoh and his people. Musa fasted it out of thanks, so we fast it too.” The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “And we are more deserving of Musa than you are.” So he fasted this day, and ordered that it be fasted. [Bukhari & Muslim]

At the end of his life, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) made the determination not to fast this day alone, but with another day [either before or after it], in order to be different from the People of the Book.

It has been reported in the Sahih of Imam Muslim (Allah have mercy on him), also from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) that, “When the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) fasted the Day of `Ashura and ordered his companions to fast it, they said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! This is a day that the Jews and Christians venerate.’ So the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said, ‘When next year comes - if Allah wills - we will fast the Ninth [of Muharram with it].’ But the next year did not come before the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) passed away.” [Muslim & Abu Dawud]

We should also renew our repentance on `Ashura.’ The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that it is a day on which Allah allowed a certain people to repent and He will continue to allow others to do the same.

It was reported that the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said to a man, “If you want to fast a month after Ramadhan, then fast Muharram, for it has a day in which Allah forgave an entire people, and He turns to others in repentance in.” [Tirmidhi]

It also recommended to give charity on this day.

It has been reported from Abd Allah ibn `Amr ibn al-`As (Allah be pleased with him), that “Whoever fasts `Ashura, it is as if he has fasted the entire year. And whoever gives charity this day it is like the charity of an entire year.”

It has been narrated that if someone spends generously upon his family on the Day of `Ashura’ Allah will treat with him generosity for the rest of the year. Sufyan bin `Uyayna said, “We tried this for fifty years and all that we saw was good.” It has likewise been narrated that the one who gives charity on this day will have the reward of a whole year’s charity.

May Allah Most High accept our fasting, our charity and any good deeds, and erase our sins. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Reality of Istikhara (Prayer of Seeking Guidance)

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Anytime we have a decision to make, we should seek Allah’s guidance and wisdom. Allah alone knows what is best for us, and there may be good in what we perceive as bad, and bad in what we perceive as good.

Salat al-Istikhara is a powerful tool that Allah has given us to ask His guidance in all matters. We should not hesitate to pray Istikhara before making any choice in our lives, big or small. It is highly recommended in our religion to perform do Istikhara before making a decision and you will be rewarded and find Divine assistance for it. If one follows the right sunnahs of decision making, one will also be facilitated towards the very best decision and find far greater success in performing the Istikhara.

Some misconceptions about Istikhara:
1. That it is a prayer of marriage
2. Answered by dreams
3. If you are a sinner, it is best to get done by someone pious
4. Pray Istikhara only for really big things ... marriage, buying a house, etc.

The Islamic understanding of Istikhara is asking Allah to make a choice on one's behalf, that one direct oneself to seeking what is best for one as Allah's chooses. We recognize that we don't know everything, that we may not have considered certain factors, that we don't see the bigger picture, and that we don't know the future. We take the means to make a decision but then before deciding we suspend our judgment and leave the matter to Allah.

Jabir (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara in all matters as he taught us a surah of the Qur’an.

He said, “If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two raka'a prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer):

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ ارْضِنِي بِهِ

‘Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi’ilmika, Wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, Wa as’alaka min fadlika al-‘azlm Fa-innaka taqdiru Wala aqdiru, Wa ta’lamu Wala a’lamu, Wa anta ‘allamu l-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta ta’lam anna hadha-l-amra Khairun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa’aqibati amri (or ‘ajili amri wa’ajilihi) Faqdirhu wa yas-sirhu li thumma barik li Fihi, Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha-lamra shar-run li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa’aqibati amri (or fi’ajili amri wa ajilihi) Fasrifhu anni was-rifni anhu. Waqdir li al-khaira haithu kana Thumma ardini bihi.’

O Allah! I ask guidance from Your knowledge, And Power from Your Might and I ask for Your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not and You know the unseen. O Allah! If You know that this job is good for my religion and my subsistence and in my Hereafter… (or said: If it is better for my present and later needs). Then You ordain it for me and make it easy for me to get, And then bless me in it, and if You know that this job is harmful to me In my religion and subsistence and in the Hereafter… (or said: If it is worse for my present and later needs). Then keep it away from me and let me be away from it. And ordain for me whatever is good for me, And make me satisfied with it). The Prophet added that then the person should name (mention) his need. [Bukhari]

* When making the du'a, the actual matter or decision should be mentioned instead of the words “hathal-amra” (“this matter”).

What needs to note that the answer to one’s Istikhara prayer does not come simply in the form of dreams and feelings but in how Allah facilitates and unfolds events for an individual after he or she genuinely strives to do what is best. Take the most effective means, which includes consulting those whose knowledge and wisdom one has confidence in, and place your trust in Allah.

It’s important to do this prayer with sincerity, knowing in our hearts that only Allah can give us the guidance we seek, and resolved to follow the guidance He gives us, even if it clashes with our own desires.

We should also say the du'a with firm conviction, not begging or pleading, but asking Allah clearly for guidance.

And we should not be impatient after our du'a. We do not put Allah on a timetable. And we should not expect some sort of miracle, or a dream full of signs and symbols. These things are not necessary. We say the prayers and trust that Allah has heard us and will answer us in the way that is best. Even if you are considering a bad choice and ask Allah to decide on it, Allah may choose to go ahead with the decision which may be better than other bad choices that you have made.

Lastly, one needs to be patient in terms of receiving the answer to their prayers. Remember the words of the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam, “The supplication of everyone is granted as long as he does not show haste and does not say that he made a supplication but it was not accepted.” [Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]

May Allah guide us in all our affairs and grant us success in this life and the next. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Welcoming a New Hijri Year 1437AH

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

This new Hijri year, 1437 AH, is a great gift from Allah because we don't know if we can reach the next one. So, we should receive this new year in the best way, with pious intentions and good goals.

At the end of the financial year businessmen analyze their year’s trading, but our trade is with Allah and is more worthy of being evaluated.

We should thank Allah for the gifts with which we have been blessed and we should seek His forgiveness for our wrongdoings and shortcomings.

We should also make our new year’s resolutions for the coming year – what we intend to achieve on our journey to Allah, and the traits which we wish to leave behind.

We should bear in mind that both Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, the first month of the new year, are of the four inviolable months so the reward of our actions is multiplied. Our bad deeds are also more grave in these times.

We should open the new year with good works. Amongst the best of these works is fasting. The greatest day in Muharram to fast is of course the tenth, `Ashura.’ Fasting on this day wipes out the sins of the previous year.

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

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “The best (month) to fast after Ramadhan is the Month of Allah which you call al-Muharram. The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer.” [Muslim]

Both fasting and the night prayer have been made easy in the winter. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that winter is like spring for a believer: the night is long so he is able to stand in prayer in it, and the day is short so he is able to fast during it. [Ahmad and al-Bayhaqi]

Make the intention to wake up before Fajr to pray Tahajjud and Witr. Make the intention to attend gatherings of sacred knowledge and benefit from them.

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

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

Allah Almighty says,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Duties in Muharram

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Duties of the Month of Muharram

1. It is the best of months for general voluntary fasts, after Ramadhan.

2. It is especially recommended to fast the 10th of Muharram (known as the Day of `Ashura), with a day before it or after it. [Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, quoting Kasani’s al-Bada`i]

3. It is also virtuous to give in charity on this day.

Extracts from Ibn Rajab’s Lataif al-Ma`arif, regarding the month of Muharram:

The Virtues of Fasting in the Month of Muharram and Its First Ten Days

Muslim reported from Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him), that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said , “The best of fasts after the month of Ramadan are in the Month of Allah, which you call Muharram. And the best of prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer.” [Muslim, 1163]

This refers to general voluntary fasts according to Imam Ibn Rajab (Allah have mercy on him): These are best in the month of Muharram, just as the best general voluntary prayer is night prayer.

The virtue and honor of this month can be attested to by the fact that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) called it, “the Month of Allah.” (Shahr Allah) Such ascription is only made by Allah to the most special of His creation, such as the ascription of the Prophets Muhammad, Ibrahim, Ishaq, Ya`qub, and others to his slavehood (Allah’s peace and blessings be on them all), and His ascription of the House (Ka`ba) and the camel to himself.

Given that Allah ascribed fasting, between all spiritual works, to Himself [saying, “It is Mine,”] it was suitable that this month, which is also ascribed to Allah, be selected for this particular form of worship.

Fasting is a secret between the servant and his Lord. This is why Allah Mighty and Exalted says, [in the divine hadith (hadith qudsi)], “Every action of the son of Adam is his, except for fasting. It is Mine, and it is I who reward it.” [Bukhari and Muslim, from Abu Hurayra]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) also said, “The fasting person has two joys: one when he breaks his fast, and the other when he meets his Lord.”[Muslim]

Night Prayer

As for voluntary night prayer (qiyam al-layl), it is superior to voluntary prayer during the day because it is closer to secrecy, and nearer to sincerity (ikhlas).

Allah Most High said, “Lo! the vigil of the night is (a time) when impression is more keen and speech more certain.” [Qur`an, 73:9]

This is because the time of the night vigil (tahajjud) is the best of times for voluntary prayer, and the closest a servant gets to his Lord. It is a time when the doors of the skies are opened, supplications answered, and needs fulfilled.

Allah Most High has praised those who wake up at night in His remembrance, supplication, seeking forgiveness, and intimate entreating (munajat), saying, “Who forsake their beds to cry unto their Lord in fear and hope, and spend of that We have bestowed on them. No soul knows what is kept hid for them of joy, as a reward for what they used to do.” [Qur`an, 32:16-17]

And, “Or he who pays adoration in the watches of the night, prostrate and standing, bewaring of the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord? Say: Are those who know equal with those who know not? But only those of understanding will pay heed.” [Qur`an, 39:9]

And He said to His Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace), “And some part of the night awake for it, as voluntary worship for you. It may be that thy Lord will raise thee to a praised estate.” [Qur`an, 17:79]

It has been said that those who worship at night will enter Paradise without reckoning, and that standing in night prayer shortens the length of one’s Standing on the Day of Judgment.

This is why the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, “Stick to night prayer, for it was the way of the righteous before you. Night prayer is a means of closeness to Allah Most High, of expiating for bad deeds, avoiding sins, and keeping away illness from one’s body.” [Tirmidhi (3543], Bayhaqi, and others; it is a sound (hasan) hadith]

Similarly, it has been related that fasting is a means for good health. The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) is reported to have said, “Fast, and you shall have good health.” [Ahmad, from Abu Hurayra]

Lovers have no time more joyous than when they are alone in entreating their Beloved. This is the healing for their hearts, and the great thing that they could long for.

This is why Abu Sulayman al-Darani would say, “The people of the night find more joy than the people of distraction (lahw) in their distractions. Were it not for the night, I would not like to remain living.”

The Day of `Ashura: The Tenth of Muharram

It is mentioned in Bukhari and Muslim from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him and his father) that he was asked about fasting the Day of `Ashura [10th of Muharram]. He said, “I did not see the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) fast a day while more avid to seek its virtue than this day,” [meaning the Day of `Ashura]. [Bukhari (2006), and Muslim (1132)].

The Day of `Ashura has great virtue, and tremendous sanctity (hurma). The virtue of fasting it was known among the Prophets (peace be upon them all). Both Prophet Nuh and Prophet Musa (peace be upon them both) fasted it.

The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) used to fast this day even in Mecca, though he had not yet ordered others to do so, as mentioned in both Bukhari and Muslim. [Bukhari (2002), Muslim (1125)]

When he migrated to Medina, and found the People of the Book fasting this day and venerating it, he ordered the Muslims to fast it, and encouraged it so much that even the children would fast it.

It has been reported in both Bukhari and Muslim from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him), that, When the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) reached Medina, he found the Jews fasting the Day of `Ashura, so he asked them, “What is this day you are fasting?” They said, “This is a tremendous day. Allah saved Musa and his people on this day and drowned Pharaoh and his people. Musa fasted it out of thanks, so we fast it too.” The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said, “And we are more deserving of Musa than you are.” So he fasted this day, and ordered that it be fasted. [Bukhari (2004) and Muslim (1130)]

At the end of his life, the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) made the determination not to fast this day alone, but with another day [f: either before or after it], in order to be different from the People of the Book.

It has been reported in the Sahih of Imam Muslim (Allah have mercy on him), also from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) that, “When the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) fasted the Day of `Ashura and ordered his companions to fast it, they said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! This is a day that the Jews and Christians venerate.’ So the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said, ‘When next year comes – if Allah wills – we will fast the Ninth [of Muharram with it].’ But the next year did not come before the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) passed away.” [Muslim (1134), Abu Dawud (2445)]

And it is reported in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad (Allah have mercy on him), from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Fast the Day of `Ashura” and be different from the Jews by fasting a day before it or a day after it.” [Ahmad]

Giving in Charity on the Day of `Ashura

It has been reported from Abd Allah ibn `Amr ibn al-`As (Allah be pleased with him), that “Whoever fasts `Ashura, it is as if he has fasted the entire year. And whoever gives charity this day it is like the charity of an entire year.”

Some of the Virtues of the Day of `Ashura

It is a day in which Allah forgave an entire people. Tirmidhi relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to a man, “If you want to fast a month after Ramadan, then fast Muharram, for it has a day in which Allah forgave an entire people, and He turns to others in repentance in.” [Tirmidhi (841)]

And Allah alone gives success.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Source

Rejuvenating Your Day With Tahajjud

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Abu Hurayrah (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.” [Muslim]

Abu Hurayrah reports that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “Our Lord Descends to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night, inquiring: `Who will call on Me so that I may respond to him? Who is asking something of Me so I may give it to him? Who is asking for My forgiveness so I may forgive him?” [Bukhari and Muslim]

During the day we are preoccupied with people while engaging in our daily activities with family, school, earning a living, da'wah, etc. When the day is over, the body also need to recharge. Tahajjud is a great way to recharge our body by being alone with the Lord. It is the night when we can really be alone with Allah because most people are sleeping and no one to bother us. It's a tremendous time to rejuvenate our day to serve His Deen.

إِنَّ نَاشِئَةَ اللَّيْلِ هِيَ أَشَدُّ وَطْئًا وَأَقْوَمُ قِيلًا ﴿٦﴾ إِنَّ لَكَ فِي النَّهَارِ‌ سَبْحًا طَوِيلًا ﴿٧﴾ وَاذْكُرِ‌ اسْمَ رَ‌بِّكَ وَتَبَتَّلْ إِلَيْهِ تَبْتِيلًا ﴿٨

Indeed, the hours of the night are more effective for concurrence [of heart and tongue] and more suitable for words. (6) Indeed, for you by day is prolonged occupation. (7) And remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with [complete] devotion. (8)

[Qur'an, Al-Muzzammil 73:6-8]

Allah has created the night for rest.

وَجَعَلْنَا اللَّيْلَ لِبَاسًا ﴿١٠﴾ وَجَعَلْنَا النَّهَارَ‌ مَعَاشًا ﴿١١

And made your sleep [a means for] rest (9) And made the night as clothing (10)

[Qur'an, An-Naba' 78:9-10]

So sleep some and wake up for tahajjud.

If you are having a hard time waking up for tahajjud, this is a good time to practice waking up for tahajjud especially in those areas where the night is long. If you sleep right after 'isha prayer, you should be able to wake up 30 minutes before Fajr and still have enough sleep. At the same time you are sure not to miss the very important obligatory prayer, Fajr, and the emphasized sunnah before Fajr prayer.

May Allah grant you tawfiq. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Why Qur'an is in Arabic?

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

If you ever wondered why Arabic was chosen for the Qur'an, there is really no clear cut answers. But it is a fact recognized by the linguists that the Arabic language has the best ability to express wide and deep thoughts and to explain important subjects in short and precise words. Moreover, it has been proven that no language, except Arabic, is capable of presenting such deep spiritual, moral and ethical expressions in such an eloquent manner.

* Arabic has three-consonant root words that bring with them ancient connotations in addition to the principal definition of the word. This accounts for the mystical, codelike quality of the language, including a number of mathematical ‘’coincidences.’’
* There’s no clear cut sense of time — just the sense of whether an action was done or not done yet and, if it was done, how it happened.
* Arabic is a highly concrete, poetic mode of expression that lends itself well to expressing eternal truths.
* Arabic has a long tradition of intensely beautiful metaphysical poetry, a tradition that informs the language itself.

Therefore the choice of Arabic for the language of the Qur'an is not to be wondered upon.

However, with the limited time in our hands, it is not as important to know the 'why' as to learn and understand the Arabic Qur'an because Allah says,

إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ قُرْ‌ءَ‌ٰنًا عَرَ‌بِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ﴿٢

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

[Qur'an, Yusuf 12:2]

We have to believe that we can learn the Arabic Qur'an because Allah says,

وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْ‌نَا ٱلْقُرْ‌ءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ‌ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ‌ۢ ﴿١٧

And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember? (17)

[Qur'an, Al-Qamar 54:17]

Arabic in which the Qur'an and traditions of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) have been revealed has a special status and honor. This high status of Arabic is not due to its being the language of the Arabs; rather it is because of its being language of Qur'an chosen by Almighty Allah for conveying His last message and revelation.

It is only befitting that the recitation of the words of Allah is done in the same form and language in which it was originally pronounced. Spiritually, a faithful Muslim finds himself ascending higher and higher with the support of the words of Allah as expressed in the original language.

Every Muslim should find the time and strive to learn Arabic Qur'an and make sure your children receive a good Arabic and Qur'an education from a young age. As hard and frustrating as it may be for you to learn Arabic or to get your children to learn Arabic, it’s the language that your Creator chose for revealing His Message to you.

You cannot stop at reading the Qur'an in translations.

Any translation of the original will not be the word of Allah but the work of human beings. Keep in view the imperfect human knowledge, and remember that Arabic is the widest and richest of all languages. Then you will have to admit that no translation of the Qur'an would be perfect enough to carry the true meanings and to fulfill the spiritual purposes.

Sayyid Sa'eed Akhtar Rizvi writes on this subject:

"First of all, translation of any work of literature from any language into another is considered by all men of literature as almost impossible. Of course, you will find thousands of translations of literary works, but they represent only the body of the original; the spirit is always lost.

Secondly, Arabic language, in particular, is so comprehensive that, for example, it is just impossible to convey the complete idea of a word (let alone a 'sentence') into English. Take for example, the most common phrase الحمد لله which is generally translated as “All praise be to God.” Now ال conveys in Arabic the following shades of meaning:

1. Each and every individual of the thing mentioned, taken separately;
2. All the individuals of the thing mentioned taken jointly;
3. The species of the thing mentioned taken as an abstract idea etc.

Now if you want to translate ال in such a way as to convey all the meanings mentioned above you will have to say 'Each and every, all and the.'

Then comes حمد . There is not a single word in English to convey its idea. 'Praise' is translation of مدح not حمد ; Thanks' is translation of شكر not حمد.

“Hamd” means “to praise and thank someone because he deserves to be praised whether he has done you any favor or not provided that his qualities are not given to him by someone else.”
How can anybody convey this idea in translations?

Now comes (ل) of the word الله It conveys the idea of 'For', 'Of, 'Belonging to' etc. No single English preposition can cover the whole range of its meanings. الله is generally rendered as 'God'. But, first of all 'god” is not translation of الله because الله means 'One who deserves to be loved' and 'Into whom every one seeks refuge.'

Secondly الله has no plural and no feminine. So this name itself reflects light upon the fact that He is one and only “one and that He has no partner nor any equal. But “god” has plural (gods) and feminine (goddess).

This short explanation should be sufficient to show that it is impossible to translate the Qur'an in such a way that the translation conveys all the shades of meanings of the original."

In the words of A. J. Arberry, the Qur'an is “a foreign idiom, for the Qur'an is God's revelation in Arabic, and the emotive and evocative qualities of the original disappear almost totally in the most skillful translation.”

It is clear, therefore, that no translation can replace this, divine literary work at all. Of course, a number of English translations of the Qur'an have been published; but it has always been felt that yet another effort for better translation is necessary, because all existing translations appear inadequate or carrying misleading meanings of certain verses. This feeling is not restricted to English translations; but it affects also those in other languages. Under the circumstances, should one make use of the defective translation and leave aside the perfect original, particularly when he is addressing the Almighty Allah?

All Muslims perform their religious rites and worship of Allah, including the daily five time prayers, in Arabic. In the course of these prayers, some verses of the Qur'an and other sentences, are uttered so as to express the Greatness and Glory of Allah, the Creator, and the humbleness and insignificance of the human beings, the creatures.

This is done in the same wordings by all Muslims, Arabs and non-Arabs alike, even by those who do not understand Arabic. This system of prayers in one common language was in practice during the lifetime of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and has continued after him for over 1400 years. In every country, Muslims have been praying in Arabic language.

Prayer in Arabic cements the Islamic brotherhood and emphasizes the universal character of Islam. Islam has come for the entire human race. It is a fact that the Muslim communities of the world, like all other communities, speak numerous languages and dialects. At the same time it should be appreciated that our life today is rapidly assuming international character. Distance between any two points of the world has shrunk fantastically. In every place you will find Muslims speaking different languages. Imagine a Turkish Muslim going to Malaysia and passing through a street. Suddenly he hears the voice of, say 'Allah Maha Besar' which, let us suppose mean 'Allahu Akbar' - God is Great.

No doubt the stranger would not understand that it is a call for Muslim prayer and would miss the opportunity of praying in congregation with the people of that locality. Conversely, if a Malaysian who travels abroad where people pray in their local language (not spoken in Malaysia), he would not be able to understand it and participate in it.

Prayers in Arabic are an important factor cementing the solidity and unity of Muslims all over the world. Nowadays if a Muslim from Malaysia enters a mosque in Turkey, he finds himself at home and participates in the prayer without any hint of bewilder. What will happen if every person is told to pray in his own language? Can this feeling of unity and oneness survive?”

Islam, the universal religion, has paved the way of common approach to Allah, has united its followers and instilled in them a feeling of everlasting brotherhood.

One cannot ignore the racial, color, or national prejudices which are rife these days almost in every country, Islam has not only condemned all sorts of discrimination but has shown the practical way of fostering fraternity and brotherhood. A common language for religious services plays a great part in bringing people close to one another and create a feeling of equality in the eyes of Allah.

May Allah grant us fluency in the language of the Qur'an and a sound understanding of His Book, and unite the Ummah. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Rush to Good Deeds

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Every Muslim should strive to read the Qur'an every day. It is recommended to read a juz (about 20 pages) a day. Even if you are struggling to find time to read the Qur'an everyday, don't miss reading Surah Kahf (about 10 pages) on Fridays. If you cannot read Arabic, you may start with reading a good translation and strive to learn how to read the Arabic Qur'an. May Allah grant you tawfiq.

Among the benefits of reading Surah Kahf once a week is that we get a weekly dosage of Divine reminders. And reminders benefit the believers.

وَذَكِّرْ‌ فَإِنَّ ٱلذِّكْرَ‌ىٰ تَنفَعُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٥٥﴾ وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ ﴿٥٦

And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers. (55) And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (56)

[Qur'an, Adh-Dhariyat 51:55-56]

If you hope for Paradise, you will appreciate every reminders you can get because human being is undeniably a very forgetful creature. At the outset of the Surah, we are reminded of the huge importance of righteous deeds.

ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجَا ۜ ﴿١﴾ قَيِّمًا لِّيُنذِرَ‌ بَأْسًا شَدِيدًا مِّن لَّدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ‌ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرً‌ا حَسَنًا ﴿٢﴾ مَّـٰكِثِينَ فِيهِ أَبَدًا ﴿٣

[All] praise is [due] to Allah, who has sent down upon His Servant the Book and has not made therein any deviance. (1) [He has made it] straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward (2) In which they will remain forever (3)

[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:1-3]

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمْ خَيْرُ‌ ٱلْبَرِ‌يَّةِ ﴿٧

Indeed, they who have believed and done righteous deeds - those are the best of creatures. (7)

[Qur'an, Al-Bayyinah 98:7]

وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَو‌ٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَو‌ٰةَ ۚ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا۟ لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ‌ۢ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ‌ۭ ﴿١١٠

And establish prayer and give zakah, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. Indeed, Allah of what you do, is Seeing. (110)

[Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:110]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good.” (Bukhari)

He (Allah bless him and grant him peace) also said, "Hasten to do good deeds before there come tribulations like pieces of a dark night, when a man will be a believer in the morning and a disbeliever by evening, or he will be a believer in the evening and a disbeliever by morning, selling his religious commitment for worldly gain.” (Muslim)

Having a good character and performing good deeds is so important in Islam. In a hadith Qudsi (hadith Qudsi are from Allah, revealed in a dream or through revelation and expressed in Prophet's own words):

“Allah will say on the Day of Judgment, ‘O Son of Adam, I was sick and you did not visit Me.’ He will say, ‘O my Lord, how could I visit You, when you are the Lord of the Worlds.’ Allah will say, ‘Did you not know that My servant so-and-so was sick and you did not visit him? Did you not know that if you had visited him, you would have found Me there?’

Allah will say, ‘O Son of Adam, I asked you for food and you fed Me not.’ He shall say, ‘O my Lord, how could I feed you and you are the Lord of the Worlds?’ and Allah will say, ‘Did you not know that My servant so-and-so was in need of food and you did not feed him? Did you not know that if you had fed him, you would have found that to have been for Me?'

‘O Son of Adam, I asked you for water and you did not give Me to drink.’ The man shall say, ‘O my Lord, how could I give You water, when You are the Lord of the Worlds?’ Allah will say, ‘My servant so-and-so asked you for water and you did not give him to drink water. Did you not know that if you had given him to drink, you would have found that to have been for Me?' [Muslim]

So we must remember the importance of helping those in need for the sake of Allah. We must bear in mind that all our deeds are going to come before us on Judgement Day. We will see all of the deeds we have ever done, which are being recorded and will be shown to us in a book. This is described in the Qur'an:

هَـٰذَا كِتَـٰبُنَا يَنطِقُ عَلَيْكُم بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا نَسْتَنسِخُ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٢٩﴾ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَيُدْخِلُهُمْ رَ‌بُّهُمْ فِى رَ‌حْمَتِهِۦ ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْمُبِينُ ﴿٣٠﴾ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُ‌وٓا۟ أَفَلَمْ تَكُنْ ءَايَـٰتِى تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فَٱسْتَكْبَرْ‌تُمْ وَكُنتُمْ قَوْمًا مُّجْرِ‌مِينَ ﴿٣١

This, Our record, speaks about you in truth. Indeed, We were having transcribed whatever you used to do." (29) So as for those who believed and did righteous deeds, their Lord will admit them into His mercy. That is what is the clear attainment. (30) But as for those who disbelieved, [it will be said], "Were not Our verses recited to you, but you were arrogant and became a people of criminals? (31)

[Qur'an, Al-Jathiya, 45:29-31]

ٱقْرَ‌أْ كِتَـٰبَكَ كَفَىٰ بِنَفْسِكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًا ﴿١٤

[It will be said], "Read your record. Sufficient is yourself against you this Day as accountant." (14)

[Qur'an, Al-Isra' 17:14]

Our deeds are going to be weighed, good against bad.

وَنَضَعُ ٱلْمَوَ‌ٰزِينَ ٱلْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْ‌دَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَـٰسِبِينَ ﴿٤٧

And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant. (47)

[Qur'an, Al-Anbiya' 21:47]

We have to be conscious about our actions in every moment. If it is not going to benefit us in the Hereafter, don't do it. Remember, the thing that will follow you into your grave is not your money, your children, your family, your friends, your fans, or your fame, ... but your deeds only -- good and bad. And you will be judged based on your deeds.

Allah Almighty says that He will reward the believers in the hereafter for the good deeds they have done.

وَبَشِّرِ‌ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِ‌ى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ‌ ۖ كُلَّمَا رُ‌زِقُوا۟ مِنْهَا مِن ثَمَرَ‌ةٍ رِّ‌زْقًا ۙ قَالُوا۟ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى رُ‌زِقْنَا مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَأُتُوا۟ بِهِۦ مُتَشَـٰبِهًا ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِيهَآ أَزْوَ‌ٰجٌ مُّطَهَّرَ‌ةٌ ۖ وَهُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ ﴿٢٥

And give good tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow. Whenever they are provided with a provision of fruit therefrom, they will say, "This is what we were provided with before." And it is given to them in likeness. And they will have therein purified spouses, and they will abide therein eternally. (25)

[Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:25]

إِنَّهُۥ مَن يَأْتِ رَ‌بَّهُۥ مُجْرِ‌مًا فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ جَهَنَّمَ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيهَا وَلَا يَحْيَىٰ ﴿٧٤﴾ وَمَن يَأْتِهِۦ مُؤْمِنًا قَدْ عَمِلَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمُ ٱلدَّرَ‌جَـٰتُ ٱلْعُلَىٰ ﴿٧٥﴾ جَنَّـٰتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِ‌ى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ‌ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَذَ‌ٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ ﴿٧٦

Indeed, whoever comes to his Lord as a criminal - indeed, for him is Hell; he will neither die therein nor live. (74) But whoever comes to Him as a believer having done righteous deeds - for those will be the highest degrees [in position]: (75) Gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. And that is the reward of one who purifies himself. (76)

[Qur'an, Ta-Ha 20:74-76]

However, we don't say that our deeds will 'earn us a place' in Paradise. Nobody can perform enough good deeds to deserve to go there. It is Allah's love and mercy that will cause people to enter. Paradise has many levels. The higher levels are even more beautiful than the lower ones, and the more righteous a person has been in this life, the higher Paradise they will be in, inshaa Allah.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even though it were little." [Bukhari]

May Allah grant us righteous deeds and admit us into the highest Paradise without reckoning. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam