Qur'an, Full of Blessings

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The Qur'an is the Book to guide us through this life. It is full of barakah (blessings). We should be happy to receive this Book. This happiness is shown through our attachment to it--by reading, studying, spreading it and implementing it.

In order to receive full barakah of the Qur'an, we have to ponder upon the Ayah (verses).

كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَـٰرَ‌كٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُ‌وٓا۟ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ‌ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿٢٩

[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded. (29)

[Qur'an, Saad 38:29]

In spite of Allah had told us to ponder on His Ayah, we don't do it. What kind of Muslims are we?

The first purpose of revelation is to ponder. Pondering is only possible after understanding. But are we teaching our students how to ponder on the Ayah of the Qur'an? Is there any curriculum in Islamic primary or secondary schools like that? You will find that there are many schools that focus on memorizing Qur'an but the students would graduate without understanding anything they have memorized. If we don't teach our students how to ponder on the Ayah, who else? Qur'an is a reminder. If we don't understand what we are reading or reciting, how would it be a reminder?

The second purpose of the revelation is so that we receive admonition. It is to bring the Qur'an into your life. How do we bring Qur'an into our life?

When the imam is reciting the Qur'an, don't say the imam is reciting to us, rather as soon as we hear the Qur'an or open the Qur'an, we should realize that Allah is directly addressing us. In fact, He watches us and observes our reactions to His commands.

Whatever you recite or listen, take the instructions as those "for me". Do not take the Ayah as: these are for disbelievers, those for idolaters, that are for the hypocrites of Madinah, etc. In fact, we should see what is in there for us.

Everything is part of Qadr (fate, destiny)...even the grains that we eat. So, every Ayah that we hear or listen to is part of Qadr, which was written, before even we were born.

Qur'an is a reminder. So, how can Allah's reminder be irrelevant? In fact, we should think and ponder as to: "Why Allah is reminding me of this Ayah?" and "Why today?"

For example, when you read or hear the ayah

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

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

[Qur’an Al-Isra' 17:23-24]

This Ayah should immediately make you check your relationship with your parents and how you have been treating them. If it is not good, then you should make it good. If it is good, then you should make it better.

When you listen to the Qur'an, your eyes, ears, body, brain and heart should focus on the Ayah. So, starting today, try to catch whatever you can when you recite or listen to the Qur'an...the words such as the prophet's names, heave, hell, signs, etc. Then make a goal for yourself to improve on the understanding.

Whenever Allah's signs, history, heaven or hell are mentioned, try to explode your imagination. Use it to the maximum. Don't recite the Qur'an like a news reader. Recite it from your heart. Have hope when you read the verses on mercy of Allah; have fear on verses of punishment, etc.

A simple method for taddabar and tazzakkar is:

1. Supplicate: Each verse of the Qur'an demands something from us. To fulfill it, start with supplication.
2. Evaluate your past day or week in light of that supplication.
3. Make a plan for the next day/week.
4. Spread the message. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant his peace) said: "Convey from me, even if it is one verse."

When it comes to Fiqh issues or any new idea, then we should check with scholars before we mention it to others or implement it. The real areas for us, common people, to spread and implement are still many, such as -- relationship with Allah, planning for the hereafter, dhikr, worship, morals, dealings, da'wah, commanding good and prohibiting evil, team spirit, etc.

Just prayer or supplication is not enough. We should evaluate our performance and make plans. Do you think a student who just asks Allah to help him succeed is sincere if he does not follow it up with studies?

May Allah help us fulfill the rights of the Qur'an, believe in it, read it, study it, understand it, ponder its verses act upon it and spread it and implement it in our lives. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grants success.

Wassalaam

How We Should Use Our "Free" Time

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The blessing of time is one of the greatest blessings that Allah can bestow upon His slaves. Allah, the Exalted, even swears by time in some cases, because of the importance and blessing of time, as He, the Exalted, says,

وَٱلْعَصْرِ‌ ﴿١﴾ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسْرٍ‌ ﴿٢﴾ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ‌ ﴿٣

By time, (1) Indeed, mankind is in loss, (2) Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. (3)

[Qur'an, al-‘Asr 103]

Allah emphasizes four times in this very short surah that majority of us are in loss: Oath, Inna إِنَّ, Lafee لَفِى and the sentence construction, except (meaning a few that are not in loss) those who have 1) believed and 2) done righteous deeds and 3) advised to truth (Qur'an and Sunnah) and 4) advised each other to patience.

So be alert and pay attention. If a person is so careless about his time, it is as if he is telling Allah that he doesn't care about His oath and emphasis, and that he wants to follow the majority, who are in loss.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Make the most of five things before five others: life before death, health before sickness, free time before becoming busy, youth before old age, and wealth before poverty.” See Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 1077.

But most people are unaware of the importance of this blessing and are neglectful of their duties towards it, namely to fill it with acts of gratitude and obedience towards Allah. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There are two blessings which many people do not make the most of and thus lose out: good health and free time.” Narrated by al-Bukhari, 6412.

Al-Teebi said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) likened the Muslim (who is accountable for his deeds) to a merchant who has capital and seeks to make a profit whilst also preserving his capital. The way to do that is to look for the right people to deal with and he himself will be honest and will try to be smart lest he be cheated. Good health and free time are our capital, and we should deal with Allah with faith, striving against the evil inclinations of our nafs and the enemy of religion i.e., the Shaytan, so that we may attain the best in this world and in the Hereafter. This is similar to what is mentioned in the passage where Allah says,

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ تِجَـٰرَ‌ةٍ تُنجِيكُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ ﴿١٠﴾ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَ‌سُولِهِۦ وَتُجَـٰهِدُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَ‌ٰلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ‌ۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١١

O you who have believed, shall I guide you to a transaction that will save you from a painful punishment? (10) [It is that] you believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That is best for you, if you should know. (11)

[Qur'an, al-Saff 61:10-11]

We should avoid following the dictates of the nafs and keep away from the Shaytan lest we lose both our capital and our profit.

Fath al-Baari by Ibn Hajar.

If time is so important, then we should not have any free time, for we should be going from one act of worship and obedience to another. If we cannot spend all our time going from one act of obedience and worship to another then, we may spend some of our time in permissible pursuits, in which we should ensure that our intention is correct, so that we may earn reward thereby, as Mu’adh (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I get up and I sleep, and I hope for the same when I sleep as I hope for when I get up.” Narrated by al-Bukhari, 6923; Muslim, 1854.

Life is passing by like melting ice. So act, before it is too late.

How to fill your time with beneficial things:

1- Doing acts of worship such as reciting dhikr and wird, praying, reading and memorizing Qur’an, fasting and reflecting on the signs and blessings of Allah.

2- Pay special attention to the Qur’an. Learn Arabic, tajweed, and strive to understand the meanings of the Qur'an. Strive also to memorize the Qur'an before you become burdened with the responsibilities of life. For reading each letter of the Arabic Qur'an is a hasanah, and each hasanah brings a tenfold reward. And each verse raises one in status and increases one’s reward, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Read and rise (in status), for as you used to recite in this world, your position (in the Hereafter) will be determined by the last verse you read.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1464; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Saheehah, 2240.

3- Spend time with your parents and family.

4- Mix with good and righteous people. Don't keep company of bad and corrupt people.

5- Read Islamic books in particular and useful stories in general.

6- Get involved in da’wah. Just our faith and actions are not enough. We have to convey the Message to others and help others to face it with patience.

7- Adopt a cause affecting Muslims in the country where you live, such as helping to teach Muslim children, undertaking charitable projects, and so on.

8- Find good teachers and resources to learn the basics and essentials of Islam and improve your knowledge.

9- Listen to Islamic lectures, and write summaries which you can distribute to those who will benefit from them.

10- Learn some useful areas of worldly knowledge such as cooking, sewing, gardening, etc.

11- Learn about computers and useful programs, for this is a vast area which will take up a lot of time and can be used to do a lot of good and useful things. This will take you away from sitting in front of the TV, watching movies, listening to music, or idle chatting, which does not help you in any way, and does more harm than good.

12- Read some books which speak of the importance of time and how to manage it; listen to some useful lectures on this topic too.

May Allah give us the right and strong belief and help us do all that is good.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Have High Hopes in Allah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Have high hopes in Allah, and trust in His Mercy. Sometimes, He breaks our hearts so we remember to attach our ultimate happiness to Him alone. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that if only so-and-so was kinder, then everything would be perfect. Dunya will never be perfect. Allah gives us exactly what we need to drive us to Him. It is heartbreaking when people close to you are not nice to you, but perhaps their harshness is teaching you how important it is to be compassionate.

وَٱصْبِرْ‌ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَ‌بَّهُم بِٱلْغَدَو‌ٰةِ وَٱلْعَشِىِّ يُرِ‌يدُونَ وَجْهَهُۥ ۖ وَلَا تَعْدُ عَيْنَاكَ عَنْهُمْ تُرِ‌يدُ زِينَةَ ٱلْحَيَو‌ٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَا تُطِعْ مَنْ أَغْفَلْنَا قَلْبَهُۥ عَن ذِكْرِ‌نَا وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ وَكَانَ أَمْرُ‌هُۥ فُرُ‌طًا ﴿٢٨

And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect. (28)

[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:28]

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ‌ مَنْ أَحْسَنَ عَمَلًا ﴿٣٠

Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds. (30)

[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:30]

May Allah grant us righteous companions and make us of those who are patient. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

Understand Who Allah is and What He Wants from You

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Some Muslims can develop concept about Allah, Exalted is He, that is completely contradictory.

وَذَ‌ٰلِكُمْ ظَنُّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى ظَنَنتُم بِرَ‌بِّكُمْ أَرْ‌دَىٰكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم مِّنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِ‌ينَ ﴿٢٣﴾ فَإِن يَصْبِرُ‌وا۟ فَٱلنَّارُ‌ مَثْوًى لَّهُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَسْتَعْتِبُوا۟ فَمَا هُم مِّنَ ٱلْمُعْتَبِينَ ﴿٢٤

And that was your assumption which you assumed about your Lord. It has brought you to ruin, and you have become among the losers." (23) So [even] if they are patient, the Fire is a residence for them; and if they ask to appease [Allah], they will not be of those who are allowed to appease. (24)

[Qur'an, Fussilat 41:23-24]

Our duty to ourselves is to read the Qur'an and try to understand it. From reading it, you will get the right understanding of who Allah, the Exalted, is and what He wants from you. At the very basic level, you will understand:
Who is Allah?
How does He deals with people?
What does He expects from us?
What are the kinds of people that should have hope from Him?
What are the kinds people that should be worried about their behavior?
What should be the right attitude about Allah?

May Allah help us have a close relationship with His Book and help us act upon His guidance. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

Beware of Your Personal Enemy at Work

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Allah, the Exalted, has allowed the existence of shaytan for each and everyone of us, called qareen. He accompanies you and spends his entire life with you. He knows your weaknesses, what your temptations are, when you falter, what is it that make you lose your cool, what is it that is given to your lusts, what is it that makes you consume the wrong or haram things. When he finds the opportunity, he pushes a person to do evil things and to disobey Allah. He beautifies your deeds, your future, and your tract record for you. Your over dramatic obsessions of something come from this personal enemy of yours.

Allah Almighty says,

وَقَيَّضْنَا لَهُمْ قُرَ‌نَآءَ فَزَيَّنُوا۟ لَهُم مَّا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَحَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقَوْلُ فِىٓ أُمَمٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ وَٱلْإِنسِ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ خَـٰسِرِ‌ينَ ﴿٢٥

And We appointed for them companions who made attractive to them what was before them and what was behind them [of sin], and the word has come into effect upon them among nations which had passed on before them of jinn and men. Indeed, they [all] were losers.

[Qur'an, Fussilat 41:25]

The qareen's mission is over when you die. But the judgment will be on both you and the qareen.

Allah Almighty says,

قَالَ قَرِ‌ينُهُۥ رَ‌بَّنَا مَآ أَطْغَيْتُهُۥ وَلَـٰكِن كَانَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍۭ بَعِيدٍ ﴿٢٧﴾ قَالَ لَا تَخْتَصِمُوا۟ لَدَىَّ وَقَدْ قَدَّمْتُ إِلَيْكُم بِٱلْوَعِيدِ ﴿٢٨﴾ مَا يُبَدَّلُ ٱلْقَوْلُ لَدَىَّ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ بِظَلَّـٰمٍ لِّلْعَبِيدِ ﴿٢٩

His companion (qareen) will say: ‘Our Lord! I did not push him to transgression, (in disbelief, oppression, and evil deeds), but he was himself in error far astray.’Allah will say: ‘Dispute not in front of Me, I had already in advance sent you the threat. The Sentence that comes from Me cannot be changed, and I am not unjust to the slaves’.

[Qaaf 50:27-29]

Ibn Katheer said: “ ‘His companion (qareen) will say’ – Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him), Mujaahid, Qutaadah and others said: this refers to the devil who is appointed to accompany him. ‘Our Lord! I did not push him to transgression’ means, he will disown that person on the Day of Judgement, and will say, ‘Our Lord! I did not push him to transgression’ meaning, I did not lead him astray.

‘but he was himself in error far astray’ means, he was misguided in himself, receptive to falsehood and resistant to the truth – as Allah Almighty says,

وَقَالَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ لَمَّا قُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ‌ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَعَدَكُمْ وَعْدَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَوَعَدتُّكُمْ فَأَخْلَفْتُكُمْ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ لِىَ عَلَيْكُم مِّن سُلْطَـٰنٍ إِلَّآ أَن دَعَوْتُكُمْ فَٱسْتَجَبْتُمْ لِى ۖ فَلَا تَلُومُونِى وَلُومُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُم ۖ مَّآ أَنَا۠ بِمُصْرِ‌خِكُمْ وَمَآ أَنتُم بِمُصْرِ‌خِىَّ ۖ إِنِّى كَفَرْ‌تُ بِمَآ أَشْرَ‌كْتُمُونِ مِن قَبْلُ ۗ إِنَّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿٢٢

And Satan will say when the matter has been concluded, "Indeed, Allah had promised you the promise of truth. And I promised you, but I betrayed you. But I had no authority over you except that I invited you, and you responded to me. So do not blame me; but blame yourselves. I cannot be called to your aid, nor can you be called to my aid. Indeed, I deny your association of me [with Allah] before. Indeed, for the wrongdoers is a painful punishment."

[Ibrahim 14:22]

The phrase ‘Dispute not in front of Me’ refers to what Allah will say to the human and his companion from among the jinn, when they dispute before Him, and the human says, ‘O Lord, this one led me astray from the Reminder after it had come to me’ and the devil will say, ‘Our Lord! I did not push him to transgression, (in disbelief, oppression, and evil deeds), but he was himself in error far astray’ – i.e., from the path of truth.

Allah will say, ‘Dispute not in front of Me’ meaning, in My presence. ‘I had already in advance sent you the threat’ means, I sent the warning on the lips of the Messengers, and I sent down the Books, so proof and evidence was established against you.

‘The Sentence that comes from Me cannot be changed’ – Mujaahid said, this means I have passed My judgement.

‘and I am not unjust to the slaves’ means, I do not punish anyone for the sin of another, and I only punish a person for his sin after proof has been established against him.”

Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/227

It was narrated that ‘Abddullah ibn Mas’ood said: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “There is no one among you but a companion from among the jinn has been assigned to him.” They said, “Even you, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said, “Even me, but Allah helped me with him and he became Muslim (or: and I am safe from him), so he only enjoins me to do that which is good.”

According to another report, “...There is assigned to him a companion from among the jinn and a companion from among the angels.”

Narrated by Muslim, 2814

Al-Nawawi included this in a chapter which he called: Baab Tahreesh al-Shaytan wa Ba’thihi Saraayaahu li Fitnat il-Naas wa anna ma’a kulli insaanin Qareen (Chapter on the evil of the Shaytan and his sending his troops to tempt the people, and the fact that there is a jinn-companion with every human being).

Al-Nawawi said:

“Fa aslamu (and I am safe from him) or fa aslama (and he became Muslim). These are two well known versions. One means ‘and I am safe from his evil and his temptation.’ The other means that ‘the qareen became Muslim and became a believer, so he does not tell me to do anything but good’.

There was some scholarly dispute as to the form of the word. Al-Khattaabi said that the word was Fa aslamu (and I am safe from him); al-Qaadi ‘Iyaad said that it was fa aslama (and he became Muslim), which is more correct, because the hadeeth says, ‘so he only enjoins me to do that which is good’.

They also disputed as to the meaning of the word fa aslama. Some said that it meant that he (the qareen) submitted and surrendered, as it was narrated elsewhere than in Saheeh Muslim, fa astaslama [he gave up and surrendered]. It was also suggested that it means that he became a Muslim and a believer. The latter is the apparent meaning. Al-Qaadi said: Note that the ummah is unanimously agreed that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was protected from the Shaytan in physically, mentally and with regard what he said. This hadeeth contains a warning against the temptation of the qareen and his whispers and temptations. We know that he is with us so we should beware of him as much as possible.

Sharh Muslim, 17/157, 158

It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “If anyone of you is praying, he should not let anyone pass in front of him; if that person insists then he should fight him for there is a qareen with him.”

Narrated by Muslim, 506.

We seek refuge in Allah from the accursed shaytan. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

Forgiveness for Healthy Mind, Body and Soul

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The Messenger of Allah (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) was sitting with a group of sahabah (radhiAllahu anhum) in the masjid and he said “A man will now enter who is from the people of Paradise” and a sahabi walked in. He (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) did this for 3 days, and every time, it was the same person who entered the masjid. Abdullah bin ‘Amr ibn al-'Aas (radi Allahu anhuma) wanted to know what quality this man possessed that made the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) say that about him, so he spent three nights with that man. 'Abdullah noticed that the man didn’t do anything out of the ordinary - he didn’t fast all the time, he slept some of the night, he didn’t pray tahajjud and so on. So after the 3 days, 'Abdullah told him the real reason why he requested to stay with him - that he was singled out to be from the people of Paradise and wanted to know why - and he asked him what it was that could be the reason why he was from the people of Jannah. The man replied: “My deeds are nothing more than what you saw”. When 'Abdullah left, he called him back in and said: “My deeds are nothing more than what you saw, but every night, before I go to sleep, I forgive whoever has wronged me. I remove any bad feelings towards anyone from my heart.” Thereupon ‘Abdullah said to him: “This difficult quality to obtain is what granted you this rank”. [Ahmad]

That is what it means to be true believer. Our focus is not simply in how much we pray, although that has its place. Rather we are so focused on gaining the pleasure of Allah that people’s wrongs against us are insignificant. This is why Allah described the believers as,

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, ash-Shu’ara 42:37].

Many of us can't forgive our parents or people close to us when they say hurtful things in anger. We hold grudges for years, unable to forget the things people have done to us. On the one hand, we feel justified in feeling this way. After all, we are the ones wronged.

It is natural to be upset at someone when they've hurt you. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) told us that a Muslim is not allowed to break off ties with another Muslim for more than 3 days, recognizing that we need time to cool off. Yet what is unhealthy, and often destructive, is the inability to forgive and move on.

The inability to forgive affects us spiritually and psychologically, and has a detrimental effect on our health. One study showed that people who focused on a personal grudge had increased blood pressure and heart rates, as well as increased muscle tension and feelings of being less in control. Participants in this study were asked to imagine forgiving their wrongdoers, and they said they felt more positive and relaxed and thus, the changes disappeared.

Forgiving means not carrying a grudge in your heart against that person. Forgiving means that if you were given the chance to retaliate, you would choose not to. Forgiving means not wishing evil, even if secretly, upon the person. It means you can continue to be civil towards them, and that you can even bring yourself to pray for their well-being and guidance.

Forgiveness does not mean that you cannot learn from the trial. It doesn’t mean that the person did not do wrong, nor does it justify what they did. If you trusted someone and they betrayed your trust, forgiveness does not mean that you have to trust them again if they haven’t given you reason to. You are able to treat them well, without resentment in your heart, but if you learned something about their character, you should keep that in mind when dealing with them.

Forgiveness is not for the weak. Being able to forgive those who have wronged you is a mark of spiritual strength and confidence. When you forgive, you grow, your heart begins to heal, your back straightens up, your eyes clear so that you can see the road ahead.

It doesn’t matter if the other person deserves forgiveness. Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself. If someone has hurt you, don’t worry about receiving an apology or explanation, or making them understand you. You’ll rarely get an explanation that makes sense. In fact, if you want to move on, the best way to do that is to forgive.

Resentment is a chain that binds you to the other person, but forgiveness breaks the chain, so that you can release that person along your anger.

Anger is a spiritual sickness; but when you forgive you become healthy--mind, body and soul.

In ancient Chinese thought, the state of forgiveness is like a wide, deep valley. That’s because it opens your mind and allows your thoughts to flow freely, while anger constricts your mind and makes you blind.

When we are preoccupied with the wrongs others have committed against us, we lose focus of one of the most beautiful ways to get closer to Allah. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said:

“There was a merchant who used to extend credit to people. If he found one of his customers to be in straightened means, he would say to his assistants: “Forgive them their debt, perhaps Allah will forgive us.” Allah did forgive him.” [Bukhari/Muslim]

There is a direct correlation between the ways we treat others and how Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) treats us. We all know the Prophet’s (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) famous saying “Have mercy on those on the earth, and the One in heaven will have mercy on you” [Tirmidhi].

Of course, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) is incomparably greater and more merciful than us. Therefore, whatever we do for others, Allah will multiply that for us. If we are sincere in wanting Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) to forgive us for our many slip-ups and sins, we should be prepared to do that for others.

We are not being asked to condone what others have done to us, but rather we should acknowledge that they have hurt us and it was wrong. We should reflect on why this was hurtful, what may have been the motives of the person who hurt us, and what we should learn. And then we should move on, because we cannot change the past, but we can certainly use it to empower ourselves and become better people, inshaa Allah.

When we take the step to learn from a hurtful experience, we should be able to prevent ourselves from doing the same to others. Many times we condemn what we do ourselves- we are hurt that someone has spoken behind our backs, but we backbite all the time. We feel slighted when we are not appreciated by our parents, but never once did we recognize and thank others for the things they do for us. This introspection should help us to gain greater clarity into our own dealings with people.

Forgiving others teaches us empathy. When we let go of anger, we can better understand those who are put in the same situation that we were in previously. Sometimes it helps us to not demonize the person who hurt us; the specific thing that they did may have been bad, but when we step back, we sometimes learn that they have their own baggage that caused them to act in a certain way. This is not to condone what they did, but it is to enable us to see that the world is not always so black and white.

خُذِ ٱلْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ‌ بِٱلْعُرْ‌فِ وَأَعْرِ‌ضْ عَنِ ٱلْجَـٰهِلِينَ ﴿١٩٩

Hold to forgiveness, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant.

(Qur’an, Al-A'raf 7:199]

In other words be constantly forgiving but don’t give up your principles (“command what is right”). If you’ve forgiven the ignorant and they persist in their hurtful ways, then move on and leave them behind. Separate yourself from those who are negative, and seek the company of people who are supportive and kind. Hold no rancor. When you lay your head on the pillow, sleep in peace, and you’ll wake up with tranquility.

We can learn forgiveness from our small children or grandchildren. Even when you made mistakes to them, their love flow like a mountain stream, no grudges whatsoever. No one forgives with more grace than a child, and no one forgives more fully and perfect than our Lord, the All-Merciful, the All-Wise.

May Allah give us the strength to forgive others for their faults and grant us well-being in this life and the next. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

Why Hell Talk in the Qur'an?

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Why does Allah, Exalted is He, talk about Hell a lot in the Qur'an? For example:

Allah Almighty says:

إِنَّ اللَّـهَ جَامِعُ الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَالْكَافِرِينَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ جَمِيعًا ....

...Indeed Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers in Hell all together.

[Qur'an An-Nisa 4:140]

Allah Almighty says,

إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ كَانَتْ مِرْصَادًا ﴿٢١﴾ لِّلطَّـٰغِينَ مَـَٔابًا ﴿٢٢﴾ لَّـٰبِثِينَ فِيهَآ أَحْقَابًا ﴿٢٣﴾ لَّا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا بَرْدًا وَلَا شَرَابًا ﴿٢٤﴾ إِلَّا حَمِيمًا وَغَسَّاقًا ﴿٢٥﴾ جَزَآءً وِفَاقًا ﴿٢٦﴾ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ لَا يَرْجُونَ حِسَابًا ﴿٢٧﴾ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا كِذَّابًا ﴿٢٨﴾ وَكُلَّ شَىْءٍ أَحْصَيْنَـٰهُ كِتَـٰبًا ﴿٢٩﴾ فَذُوقُوا۟ فَلَن نَّزِيدَكُمْ إِلَّا عَذَابًا ﴿٣٠

Indeed, Hell has been lying in wait (21) For the transgressors, a place of return, (22) In which they will remain for ages [unending]. (23) They will not taste therein [any] coolness or drink (24) Except scalding water and [foul] purulence - (25) An appropriate recompense. (26) Indeed, they were not expecting an account (27) And denied Our verses with [emphatic] denial. (28) But all things We have enumerated in writing. (29) "So taste [the penalty], and never will We increase you except in torment." (30)

[Qur'an, An-Naba’ 78:21-30].

When Allah tells us about Hell, it is for us to come back to Him again and again and again...until we meet Him. He creates within us the thing that make us come back, that is fear. Those who fear going to Hell, they will come back to Him, and then He accepts them.

Allah facilitates our coming back. He might send to His servants outwardly unpleasant things but the fruits can be very pleasant.

If somebody is off the mark and Allah loves this person, He might give him a few problems. If he realizes his mistakes, he comes back to Allah.

We should turn to Allah and ask for His forgiveness often.

Du'as for forgiveness

From the Qur'an

رَ‌بَّنَا فَٱغْفِرْ‌ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ‌ عَنَّا سَيِّـَٔاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ ٱلْأَبْرَ‌ارِ‌

Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous. [Qur'an, AleImran 3:193]

رَ‌بَّنَا ظَلَمْنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ‌ لَنَا وَتَرْ‌حَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِ‌ينَ

Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers. [Qur'an, Al-A'raf 7:23]

رَ‌بَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ‌ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَ‌ٰنِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِٱلْإِيمَـٰنِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِى قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ رَ‌بَّنَآ إِنَّكَ رَ‌ءُوفٌ رَّ‌حِيمٌ

Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful. [Qur'an, Al-Hashr 59:10]

رَ‌بَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ‌ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَ‌افَنَا فِىٓ أَمْرِ‌نَا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرْ‌نَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِ‌ينَ

Our Lord, forgive us our sins and the excess [committed] in our affairs and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people. [Qur'an 3:147]

May Allah forgive all our sins and make us of those who oft-repentant. Ameen

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Don't Confuse Tawakkul for Tawaakul

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Tawakkul means putting trust in Allah while also implementing the means that have been permitted. Scholars have made an important distinction between tawakkul (توكل) and tawaakul (تواكل). Tawakkul is the believer's trust and acceptance of the Divine Will, which no one knows, understands or controls except Allah.

Tawaakul, on the other hand, comprises elements of laziness, inability, a resigned, careless attitude. It indicates refusal to strive in accordance with the laws and ways (sunnah) which Allah has laid down for humankind. Those who misunderstand it wait for a miracle to 'drop from the sky' without striving towards it in any way. Such people expect Allah to send down their provisions, feed them and take care of their affairs and concerns while they do nothing.

The negative attitude of tawaakul contradicts every aspect of the life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and his Companions (radhiAllahu anhum) – their jihad, the efforts they expended in accordance with natural laws, their planning and their way of thinking. For example, when migrating to Madinah, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) took all the precautions that were humanly possible. He planned the journey secretly, leaving when least expected, telling ‘Ali to sleep in his bed, selecting a hiding place, arranging for provisions, arranging for a faithful guide, etc. However, once he had done whatever was humanly possible, he had such trust in Allah that he was never worried about the consequences.

It was reported that when a Bedouin who had confused tawakkul for tawaakul came to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and asked about the matter, he (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) explained that it was to take the appropriate action and trust in Allah. He asked, “Should I tie my camel and have tawakkul (trust in Allah for her protection), or should I leave her untied and have tawakkul?” The Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) replied, “Tie her and have tawakkul.” [Narrated by at-Tirmidhi from Anas bin Mālik] Although the scholars have stated that this hadith is weak, its meaning is correct as both the Qur'an and Sunnah advocate the application of appropriate means along with reliance on Allah.

The following hadith is significant, and is most quoted to explain the concept of tawakkul:

‘Umar bin al-Khattāb (radhiAllahu anhu) heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) saying, “If you trusted Allah with due tawakkul, He would provide you sustenance as He provides for the birds; they go out in the morning with empty stomachs and come back in the evening with full stomachs.” [Narrated by at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Mājah - Saheeh]

A bird sitting in its nest and praising Allah will not have its stomach filled. It has to go out and work hard to find food from morning to evening. One who goes out and expends effort while knowing that Allah provides will obtain what he desires.

In our daily life, in the case of quenching our thirst, for example, we don’t just wait for it to be quenched, we drink water as a means and recognize that Allah quenches our thirst not the water.

Obedience is the key to tawakkul. The praiseworthy are those who have actualized [Allah's words], "It is You (alone) we worship, and You (alone) we ask for help" and "So worship Him and rely upon Him." They sought assistance from Him by obeying Him, confirming that He is their Lord and that He must be worshiped alone through obedience to Him and to His Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). [Majmooʽ al-Fataawa, vol. 10, p. 32]

When we understand the meaning of "at-tawakkul ‘alaAllah", we can discern that it is an important branch of faith and a form of ʽibādah (worship). Practicing it produces strength, patience, forbearance, determination, contentment, happiness and an acceptance of His Will and Decree. It keeps worry, distress, disappointment and depression at a minimum. And it gives the believer renewed energy to take account of himself and lead a life of obedience, to exert effort, to repent from sins and to contemplate the power and majesty of the Lord he worships, depends upon and trusts.

This concept, when not understood properly can either lead to laziness in the form of tawaakul, or trap one in a delusion of self-sufficiency, leading him to the erroneous conclusion that whatever he achieves is by his own effort or merit. Thus, a kind of arrogance and pride takes root in the heart.

It should be remembered that we can be tried not only with hardships, but also by being given extensive wealth (money, possessions, children, knowledge, fame, status, etc) and resources.

A valuable instruction is given in Surah al-Kahf, which is that when we are pleased with an accomplishment or material possession, we should say, ماشاء الله لاقوة إلا بالله "What Allah willed [has occurred]; there is no power except in Allah." [Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:39].

Each one of us is totally dependent upon Allah at every moment, and no one can achieve anything by his own efforts and abilities unless He wills it.

The delusion of self-sufficiency needs to be uprooted from our minds and hearts. It is that false sense of self-worth, constantly evaluated by worldly standards, and craving for approval which weakens the heart's striving to connect with Allah, cling to Him, beseech Him and implore Him to enrich us from Himself with a richness that no one can steal or harm through envy– the richness of a clear perception and understanding that everything belongs to Him, to be given at will to whomever He wills and to be taken at will.

So we must trust and rely on Allah. But this requires that we free our minds to do Allah’s will, to obey Him and to make our choices in all of life’s decisions within the framework of Islam, by means of du’a, istikharah and the counsel of sincere believing friends. Along with the permissible physical means, these are the spiritual means available to us to accomplish what is required.

Success in this world means to survive, manage and live within the limits set by Allah. But true success is in obtaining His approval, and that will be fully manifested in the next life.

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (may Allah have mercy on him) said,

The fruit of tawakkul is contentment with Allah’s decree. Whoever leaves his affairs to Allah and then is accepting of what he is given has truly relied on Allah.

حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ۖ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ

Sufficient for me is Allah; there is no deity except Him. On Him I have relied, and He is the lord of the Great Throne.

[Qur'an, At-Tawbah 9:129]

رَ‌بَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَ‌حْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِ‌نَا رَ‌شَدًا

Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.

[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:10]

Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

Bringing Out the Best Potential in You

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Allah created human being in the best of forms. Whether we look at the human being’s physical construction, or consider the human potential, or the human soul and mind, we get a profound glimpse of Allah’s wisdom.

لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ فِىٓ أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ ﴿٤﴾ ثُمَّ رَ‌دَدْنَـٰهُ أَسْفَلَ سَـٰفِلِينَ ﴿٥﴾ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌ‌ غَيْرُ‌ مَمْنُونٍ ﴿٦﴾ فَمَا يُكَذِّبُكَ بَعْدُ بِٱلدِّينِ ﴿٧﴾ أَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَحْكَمِ ٱلْحَـٰكِمِينَ ﴿٨

We have certainly created man in the best of forms; (4) Then We return him to the lowest of the low, (5) Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for they will have a reward uninterrupted. (6) So what yet causes you to deny the Recompense? (7) Is not Allah the most just of judges? (8)

[Qur'an, At-Tin 95:4-8]

A believer does not compare himself to other people but he compares himself to Allah's expectations. It doesn't matter if people are doing poorly or well, he is going to do whatever he can and exhaust his potential.

Allah calls water "ma an mubarak".

وَنَزَّلْنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً مُّبَـٰرَ‌كًا فَأَنۢبَتْنَا بِهِۦ جَنَّـٰتٍ وَحَبَّ ٱلْحَصِيدِ ﴿٩

And We have sent down blessed rain from the sky and made grow thereby gardens and grain from the harvest (9)

[Qur'an, Qaf 50:9]

Water is not just full of blessing, it brought out the potential of the seed. The potential is always there in the seed but it couldn't have come out without water. We are that seed. We have potential. The Qur'an brings the full potential in us.

How do you use Qur'an to bring the best in you? Reflecting on the verses of the Qur'an and immersing yourself in the words of Allah is going to bring the ultimate good in you.

كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَـٰرَ‌كٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُ‌وٓا۟ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ‌ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿٢٩

[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded. (29)

[Qur'an, Sad 38:29]

May Allah enable us to have close relationship with His Book and grant us sound understanding of His Book. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

Understanding True Love -- You Will Think of the Hereafter of the One You Love

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

A person’s real life, the eternal life of the Hereafter, begins after death, for this world is no more than a temporary residence in which all people are tried.

The believers, who are conscious of this reality, demonstrate their love for one another by preparing for the Hereafter. As much they desire to attain Allah’s good pleasure, mercy, and Paradise, they also desire their loved ones to share the same blessings and beauties as themselves.

Knowing that one could face eternity in Hell, they behave in a manner designed to lead others toward the true path. Whenever they see a mistake in the behavior of the people they love, they immediately will do their best to help the them alter that behavior so that they will gain Allah’s good pleasure. They invite one another to what is good and beautiful, and withdraw from what Allah has proclaimed to be bad and unlawful. Their eagerness and sincere love for one another is one of their best characteristics.

Allah informs us of the believers’ understanding of the strengthened love,

وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ يَأْمُرُ‌ونَ بِٱلْمَعْرُ‌وفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ‌ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَو‌ٰةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَو‌ٰةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَ‌سُولَهُۥٓ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ سَيَرْ‌حَمُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿٧١

The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those - Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.

[Qur'an, at-Tawba 9:71]

ٱللَّهُ وَلِىُّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ يُخْرِ‌جُهُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ‌ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُ‌وٓا۟ أَوْلِيَآؤُهُمُ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتُ يُخْرِ‌جُونَهُم مِّنَ ٱلنُّورِ‌ إِلَى ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ‌ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ ﴿٢٥٧

Allah is the protector of those who believe. He brings them out of the darkness and into the light. But those who do not believe have false deities as protectors. They take them from the light into the darkness. Those are the Companions of the Fire, remaining in it timelessly, forever.

[Qur'an, al-Baqarah 2:257]

We will not find benefit in people who only tell us what we want to hear. We need nasiha (sincere advice), in all its forms, whether it comes from a comforting pillow, or a hard wall, or a rusty dagger. As difficult as it may be, we need to hear when we need to change. And we all know, we never make it easy for them to do us the favor (of advising). It takes a true kind of love to tell you, you are messing up.

أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ، وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لاَمَّةٍ ‏

O Allah! I seek refuge with Your Perfect Words from every devil and from poisonous pests and from every evil, harmful, envious eye.

أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ غَضَبِهِ وَعِقَابِهِ وَشَرِّ عِبَادِهِ وَمِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ

I seek refuge with the complete words of Allah from His anger and His punishment and the evil of His slaves, and from the evil suggestions of the Satan and from their being present (at death).

اللهم فاطر السماوات والأرض عالم الغيب والشهادة، رب كل شيء ومليكه أشهد أن لا إله إلا أنت، أعوذ بك من شر نفسي وشر الشيطان وشركه‏

O Allah! Creator of the heavens and the earth! Knower of the hidden and the exposed! Lord of everything and every one. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshiped but You. I seek Your Protection from the evil of my own self from the evil of Satan and from the evil of Shirk to which he calls.

May Allah grant us righteous families and righteous companions. May Allah grant us the ability to perfect our character, just as He perfected our form. May Allah make our hearts tender. May Allah gather us with our loved ones in the highest Paradise.

Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

The People of Intellect

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The Qur'an is to guide you, counsel you, advice you, and a powerful reminder for those who have sound minds, i.e. those people who are wise enough to understand and benefit from that reminder.

The Qur'an mentions several special groups of people. If you’re among a special group, you’re worthy of a special award, a special mercy bestowed by Allah, Exalted is He. One of these groups of people is what the Qur'an terms as Ulul Albab (أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ) or the People of Intellect.

Who are the Ulul Albab?

Allah has given each one of us a brain, and let us use it in any way we want. Ulul Albab are the people who not only have a brain, but are gifted in knowing how to put it to its correct use. They don’t need to have the signs of Qur'an drilled into them by constant repetition. All they need is to look at the sky– and they can read in its vastness, its seamless beauty, the presence of One God who is Merciful, the Best Creator, the one who is Beautiful and loves beauty, the Subtle.

إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ‌ٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ وَٱخْتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ‌ لَءَايَـٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿١٩٠

Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for Ulul Albab. [Qur'an, AleImarn 3:190]

The qualities of Ulul Albab

1- The ayat (signs) of Allah, whether natural (the sky, trees, mountains, flowers) or revealed (the Taurat, the Injeel, and the Qur'an) penetrate into their hearts very easily:

كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَـٰرَ‌كٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُ‌وٓا۟ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ‌ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿٢٩

[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.

[Qur'an, Sad 38:29]

And as a result, they automatically develop the love for natural beauty, and for the beauty of Revelation.

2- They remember Allah at all times, and are aware of His constant presence in their lives.

ٱلَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُ‌ونَ ٱللَّهَ قِيَـٰمًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُ‌ونَ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ‌ٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ

... Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides ... [Qur'an, AleImran 3:191]

3- They pray to Allah. The Qur'an specifically mentions the following du'as:

رَ‌بَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَـٰذَا بَـٰطِلًا سُبْحَـٰنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ‌

...Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire. (191)

رَ‌بَّنَآ إِنَّكَ مَن تُدْخِلِ ٱلنَّارَ‌ فَقَدْ أَخْزَيْتَهُۥ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ‌ۢ

Our Lord, indeed whoever You admit to the Fire - You have disgraced him, and for the wrongdoers there are no helpers. (192)

رَّ‌بَّنَآ إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِى لِلْإِيمَـٰنِ أَنْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِرَ‌بِّكُمْ فَـَٔامَنَّا ۚ رَ‌بَّنَا فَٱغْفِرْ‌ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ‌ عَنَّا سَيِّـَٔاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ ٱلْأَبْرَ‌ارِ‌

Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, [saying], 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous. (193)

رَ‌بَّنَا وَءَاتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُ‌سُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ

Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in [Your] promise." (194)

[Qur'an, AleImran 3:191-194]

رَ‌بَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَ‌حْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْوَهَّابُ ﴿٨﴾ رَ‌بَّنَآ إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ ٱلنَّاسِ لِيَوْمٍ لَّا رَ‌يْبَ فِيهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ ﴿٩

Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower. Our Lord, surely You will gather the people for a Day about which there is no doubt. Indeed, Allah does not fail in His promise.

[Qur'an, AleImran 3:8-9]

4- They are wise.

يُؤْتِى ٱلْحِكْمَةَ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَن يُؤْتَ ٱلْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِىَ خَيْرً‌ۭا كَثِيرً‌ۭا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ‌ إِلَّآ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿٢٦٩

He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.

[Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:269]

5- They fulfill their obligations to Allah in an excellent manner

أَفَمَن يَعْلَمُ أَنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّ‌بِّكَ ٱلْحَقُّ كَمَنْ هُوَ أَعْمَىٰٓ ۚ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ‌ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿١٩﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ يُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَنقُضُونَ ٱلْمِيثَـٰقَ ﴿٢٠﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ‌ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦٓ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيَخْشَوْنَ رَ‌بَّهُمْ وَيَخَافُونَ سُوٓءَ ٱلْحِسَابِ ﴿٢١﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُ‌وا۟ ٱبْتِغَآءَ وَجْهِ رَ‌بِّهِمْ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَو‌ٰةَ وَأَنفَقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَ‌زَقْنَـٰهُمْ سِرًّ‌ۭا وَعَلَانِيَةً وَيَدْرَ‌ءُونَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عُقْبَى ٱلدَّارِ‌ ﴿٢٢

Then is he who knows that what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth like one who is blind? They will only be reminded who are people of understanding - (19) Those who fulfill the covenant of Allah and do not break the contract, (20) And those who join that which Allah has ordered to be joined and fear their Lord and are afraid of the evil of [their] account, (21) And those who are patient, seeking the countenance of their Lord, and establish prayer and spend from what We have provided for them secretly and publicly and prevent evil with good - those will have the good consequence of [this] home - (22)

[Qur'an, Ar-Ra'd 13:20-22]

6- They are extremely afraid of the Hellfire

7- They remain patient in difficult situations in order to make Allah pleased with them.

And those who are patient, seeking the countenance of their Lord... [Qur'an, Ar-Ra'd 13:22]

8- They don’t nurture the attitude of retaliation. Rather they forgive others and reciprocate evil with good.

... and prevent evil with good... [Qur'an, AleImran 13:22]

The reward of the Ulul Albab

The special award of these people is nothing less than Jannah, where they will live eternally with the righteous ones from their family– their parents, spouses, and children. And when they will be entering into their eternal homes, the gatekeeper angels will say to them:

سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُم بِمَا صَبَرْ‌تُمْ ۚ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَى ٱلدَّارِ‌ ﴿٢٤

Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final home.

[Qur'an, Ar-Ra'd 13: 24]

May Allah grant us the qualities of the Ulul Albab and the highest Paradise. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

If You Know Akhirah (Hereafter) is Coming

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Someone who knows that Akhirah (Hereafter) is coming, they are worried about it. They make the religion and worship sincere for Allah. Their daily decisions are determined by Allah. What apps they have on the phone is determined by Allah. They don't waste time with matters that don't concern them, i.e. something that won't benefit them in the Akhirah. They have a sense of urgency to please Allah.

People who don't know about the Akhirah, are they going to be the same?

Allah Almighty says,

أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَـٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَآئِمًا يَحْذَرُ‌ ٱلْءَاخِرَ‌ةَ وَيَرْ‌جُوا۟ رَ‌حْمَةَ رَ‌بِّهِۦ ۗ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ‌ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿٩

Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding. (9)

[Qur'an, Az-Zumar 39:10]

Indeed, the Akhirah is better for you if you have been working for it instead of chasing after the world.

بَلْ تُؤْثِرُ‌ونَ ٱلْحَيَو‌ٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا ﴿١٦﴾ وَٱلْءَاخِرَ‌ةُ خَيْرٌ‌ۭ وَأَبْقَىٰٓ ﴿١٧

But you prefer the worldly life, (16) While the Hereafter is better and more enduring. (17)

[Qur'an, Al-A'la 87:16-17]

Our souls are precious, and can only be equal to the price of Paradise. Therefore, sell them only at that price.

Paradise isn’t for a week or 100 years, it’s for eternity and comes with unlimited pleasure. Strive now.

وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَّاعِمَةٌ ﴿٨﴾ لِّسَعْيِهَا رَ‌اضِيَةٌ ﴿٩﴾ فِى جَنَّةٍ عَالِيَةٍ ﴿١٠

Other faces that day will be happy (8) pleased on account of the effort they had put in earlier (in the dunya)(9) In an elevated garden, (10)

[Qur'an, Al-Ghashiyah 88:8-10]

If you’re still breathing, it’s not too late. The doors of repentance are still open and it is not too late to make it to Jannah. Change your priorities. Begin now – review how to correctly pray and establish your daily prayers, make a daily habit of reading the Qur’an and then acting upon it, learn Sunnah actions and lessons from the life of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace). Work righteous actions, and take small consistent steps to improve – you will be pleased the moment you step into the next world.

Don't forget your appointment with the Angel of Death and your meeting with Allah, the beginning of your Akhirah.

May Allah grant is steadfastness and make us of those who devoutly obedient to Him and grant us the highest Paradise. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

Don't Lose Hope, Turn Back Before It's Too Late

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Don't lose hope in Allah's mercy. Allah is extremely forgiving, always merciful. Allah's mercy is that He leaves the door of forgiveness open for you. So you made a lot of mistakes but that doesn't mean that Allah's love and compassion is gone. When a mother shuns her son and says "You disappointed me, you've hurt my feelings" and she is angry with him, even after all of that when the son comes back crying and says, "Mom, I'm sorry. I messed up!" even if he comes back 10, 20, 30 years later, does the mother still cry and hug him? Yes, because they were tied by the womb (raham). And the womb is one creation of Allah.

Allah the Exalted said, 'I Am Ar-Rahman. I created the Raham (womb) and derived a name for it from My Name...' (Hadith Qudsi)

That bond of love is always there between Allah and the slave, it never goes away. That's what opens the door for forgiveness.

وَكَانَ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَ‌حِيمًا ﴿٤٣ ...

And He is ever Rahim (merciful) to the believers. [Qur'an, Al-Ahzab 33:43]

قُلْ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْرَ‌فُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّ‌حْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ‌ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ‌ ٱلرَّ‌حِيمُ ﴿٥٣﴾ وَأَنِيبُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ رَ‌بِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا۟ لَهُۥ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُ‌ونَ ﴿٥٤


Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful." (53) And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped. (54)

[Qur'an, Az-Zumar 39:53-54]

How then should you go about getting hope in your life? Turn back to Allah spiritually. All this while, it is as though you have walked away from Him. You didn't think Allah is with you wherever you are. You didn't remember Him all day, all night, all week, all month, maybe the last 30 years. You've been ignoring Him. Now, turn back to Him. Realize He is here with you.

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ‌ٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْ‌ضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْ‌شِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا يَلِجُ فِى ٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ وَمَا يَخْرُ‌جُ مِنْهَا وَمَا يَنزِلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَمَا يَعْرُ‌جُ فِيهَا ۖ وَهُوَ مَعَكُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ‌ۭ ﴿٤

It is He who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne. He knows what penetrates into the earth and what emerges from it and what descends from the heaven and what ascends therein; and He is with you wherever you are. And Allah , of what you do, is Seeing.

[Qur'an, Al-Hadid 57:4]

Imagine, if there are three of you sitting together and two of you are talking and one is completely being ignored, is that offensive? Every time we are sitting in a gathering, Allah is there. If you ignored Him all this time, then it is offensive. Anybody else would walk away and would never again keep your company.

How about engaging in sins--backbiting, stealing, lying, fornicating, disrespecting your parents...disobedience after disobedience? Imagine doing that in front of your boss or your teacher? Wouldn't that be disgusting?

But don't lose hope. Your Lord is still willing to listen.

Give yourself up before His punishment comes your way and you don't even have a clue what's going on. Don't bring your pride. Allah's forgiveness is extreme up until a point. Don't be lazy, don't keep falling short of His expectation, don't be heedless, don't be defiant, because you will regret it if you wait till that point. It would be too late then.

وَٱتَّبِعُوٓا۟ أَحْسَنَ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّ‌بِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُ‌ونَ ﴿٥٥﴾ أَن تَقُولَ نَفْسٌ يَـٰحَسْرَ‌تَىٰ عَلَىٰ مَا فَرَّ‌طتُ فِى جَنۢبِ ٱللَّهِ وَإِن كُنتُ لَمِنَ ٱلسَّـٰخِرِ‌ينَ ﴿٥٦

And follow the best of what was revealed to you from your Lord before the punishment comes upon you suddenly while you do not perceive, (55) Lest a soul should say, "Oh [how great is] my regret over what I neglected in regard to Allah and that I was among the mockers." (56)

[Qur'an, Az-Zumar 39:55-56]

Of all the revelations that have come, follow the Qur'an. Then take from the revelation that call to ihsan (excellence). For example, when you learned something from Ibrahim, Yunus, Yusuf, Ya'qub, Musa (peace be upon them), put it into your life. When you learned a du'a, put it into practice. Whatever you do, do it at the level of ihsan.

May Allah grant us excellence in worship and make us of those who are oft-repentant and who purify themselves. Ameen.

إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٰبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ ﴿٢٢٢ ...

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

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

Trial of Success

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

One of the great trials of this life is to have a good life and when everything is going well. Allah, Exalted is He, talks about the heart being turned off from the remembrance of Allah.

However, most people don't know how big a test success is. You start thinking "I have accomplished a lot" even if it is just a thought that is going on in your head. A person might know that Allah provides but he still thinks or says he has a lot to do with the success.

Allah Almighty says,

فَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ ضُرٌّ‌ۭ دَعَانَا ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلْنَـٰهُ نِعْمَةً مِّنَّا قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍۭ ۚ بَلْ هِىَ فِتْنَةٌ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ‌هُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٤٩

And when adversity touches man, he calls upon Us; then when We bestow on him a favor from Us, he says, "I have only been given it because of [my] knowledge." Rather, it is a trial, but most of them do not know. (49)

[Qur'an, Az-Zumar 39:49]

This is the same kind of things people before have said.

قَدْ قَالَهَا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَمَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ ﴿٥٠﴾ فَأَصَابَهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا۟ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ سَيُصِيبُهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا۟ وَمَا هُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ ﴿٥١

Those before them had already said it, but they were not availed by what they used to earn. (50) And the evil consequences of what they earned struck them. And those who have wronged of these [people] will be afflicted by the evil consequences of what they earned; and they will not cause failure. (51)

[Qur'an, Az-Zumar 39:50-51]

أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّ‌زْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ‌ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَ‌ٰلِكَ لَءَايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿٥٢

Do they not know that Allah extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]? Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe. (52)

[Qur'an, Az-Zumar 39:52]

May Allah make us among His grateful servants and those who remember Him often. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Qur'an is not Entertainment

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

At the beginning of Surah Kahf, Allah Almighty says,

ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجَا ۜ ﴿١

[All] praise is [due] to Allah, who has sent down upon His Servant the Book and has not made therein any deviance. (1)

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

Allah sent the Qur'an to His servant and beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) as guidance for the believers.

ذَ‌ٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَ‌يْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿٢﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَو‌ٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَ‌زَقْنَـٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ ﴿٣

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

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

Qur'an is not poetry. Poetry is a means of entertainment.

وَمَا عَلَّمْنَـٰهُ ٱلشِّعْرَ‌ وَمَا يَنۢبَغِى لَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ‌ۭ وَقُرْ‌ءَانٌ مُّبِينٌ ﴿٦٩﴾ لِّيُنذِرَ‌ مَن كَانَ حَيًّا وَيَحِقَّ ٱلْقَوْلُ عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِ‌ينَ ﴿٧٠

And We did not give Prophet Muhammad, knowledge of poetry, nor is it befitting for him. It is not but a message and a clear Qur'an (69) To warn whoever is alive and justify the word against the disbelievers. (70)

[Qur'an, Ya-Sin 36:69-70]

The religion is not entertainment. Khutbah is not entertainment. The recitation of the Qur'an is not just entertainment. If all your relationship with the Qur'an amounts to you enjoy the recitation, which is great in of itself, that is not what it is. There is more to it. The relationship with the Qur'an has to be balanced. There is nothing more entertaining in life than the joy of learning the Qur'an, the joy of memorization the Qur'an, the joy of reciting of Qur'an, the joy of listening to the Qur'an recitation. It's a beautiful thing in life but that is not just what it is. This is a bonus that Qur'an is beautiful. Allah could have guided us in a way that is not this beautiful. Allah didn't have to make us enjoy the recitation. But when you do that at the serious expense of the Message, then that's a problem.

Qur'an is supposed to transform you.

May Allah strengthen our relationship with His Book and guide us on the Straight Path. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

Honor Yourself with Good Character and Ethics

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The Qur’an explicitly states that the Children of Adam are honored.

Allah Almighty says,

وَلَقَدْ كَرَّ‌مْنَا بَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ وَحَمَلْنَـٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْبَرِّ‌ وَٱلْبَحْرِ‌ وَرَ‌زَقْنَـٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ وَفَضَّلْنَـٰهُمْ عَلَىٰ كَثِيرٍ‌ۢ مِّمَّنْ خَلَقْنَا تَفْضِيلًا ﴿٧٠

And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference. (70)

[Qur'an, Al-Isra' 17:70]

Human beings are the noblest and most favored of creatures. This we can gauge by Allah repeating the story of the creation of Adam at various places in the Qur'an and of Iblees not showing any respect for this special creation of His.

فَإِذَا سَوَّيْتُهُۥ وَنَفَخْتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّ‌وحِى فَقَعُوا۟ لَهُۥ سَـٰجِدِينَ ﴿٧٢﴾ فَسَجَدَ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ كُلُّهُمْ أَجْمَعُونَ ﴿٧٣﴾ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ ٱسْتَكْبَرَ‌ وَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِ‌ينَ ﴿٧٤﴾ قَالَ يَـٰٓإِبْلِيسُ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَن تَسْجُدَ لِمَا خَلَقْتُ بِيَدَىَّ ۖ أَسْتَكْبَرْ‌تَ أَمْ كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلْعَالِينَ ﴿٧٥

So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration." (72) So the angels prostrated - all of them entirely. (73) Except Iblees; he was arrogant and became among the disbelievers. (74) [Allah] said, "O Iblees, what prevented you from prostrating to that which I created with My hands? Were you arrogant [then], or were you [already] among the haughty?" (75)

[Qur'an, Sad 38:72-75]

One of Allah's special creations, ruh (spirit, soul), is blown into the human being and that's what honors us. It is huge aspect of guidance for us to honor ourselves.

Iblees didn’t acknowledge the ruh and want you to ignore the ruh. Shaytan want you to humiliate yourself and not acknowledge your soul.

قَالَ أَنَا۠ خَيْرٌ‌ۭ مِّنْهُ ۖ خَلَقْتَنِى مِن نَّارٍ‌ۢ وَخَلَقْتَهُۥ مِن طِينٍ ﴿٧٦

He said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay." (76)

[Qur’an, Sad 38:76]

The deny of the ruh is simply the degradation of human being. Once you degrade yourself and compare yourself to animals or behave like animals, then that's how we are finding ourselves in. You will find your behavior justifiable because you are modeling yourself after animals.

The dignity of the Children of Adam is a constituent element of the Islamic belief system, and it is strongly linked to religious beliefs, good character and ethics. A lack of respect to those deserving of respect is rooted in arrogance and/or shirk, and probably a slew of other diseases of the heart (pride, ostentation, envy, jealousy, pride, enmity, anger, prejudice, etc).

Human beings are the creatures Allah endowed with free will and reason. They are the ones to whom He subjected what is in the heavens and on Earth.

Allah Almighty says,

وَسَخَّرَ‌ لَكُم مَّا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ‌ٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ جَمِيعًا مِّنْهُ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَ‌ٰلِكَ لَءَايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُ‌ونَ ﴿١٣

And He has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth - all from Him. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought. (13)

[Qur'an, al-Jāthiyah 45:13]

The Qur’an teaches that the only real criterion by which people surpass each other is that of piety and the performance of righteous deeds that result from it.

Allah Almighty says,

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ‌ۢ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَ‌فُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَ‌مَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ‌ۭ ﴿١٣

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. (13)

[Qur'an, al-Hujurāt 49:13]

May Allah purify our hearts, grant us taqwa and noble character, and bring back honor to the Muslims. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

The Real Gift for a Parent is a Righteous Child

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The real gift for a parent is not a son or a daughter or many sons or many daughters but a righteous son or daughter who is going to leave sadaqah jariah (continuous charity) for you for their good actions and deeds.

In the Qur'an, Allah tells us that He has blessed Dawood (peace be upon him) with a righteous son, Sulayman (peace be upon him). One of the common traits that both father and son had was that they repeatedly turning back to Allah. Allah highlights this in the Qur'an.

وَوَهَبْنَا لِدَاوُۥدَ سُلَيْمَـٰنَ ۚ نِعْمَ ٱلْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ ﴿٣٠

And to Dawood (David) We gave Sulayman (Solomon). How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance (to Allah). (30)

[Qur'an, Sad 38:30]

ٱصْبِرْ‌ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَٱذْكُرْ‌ عَبْدَنَا دَاوُۥدَ ذَا ٱلْأَيْدِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ ﴿١٧

Be patient (O Muhammad SAW) of what they say, and remember Our slave Dawood (David), endued with power. Verily, he was ever oft-returning in all matters and in repentance (toward Allah). (17)

[Qur'an, Sad 38:17]

How do we receive this gift of a righteous child?

Righteous child does not come from thin air. We have to constantly turn back to Allah. At the same time we must take the means to educate our children with Islamic knowledge so they know their Creator and how to worship Him.

Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with father and son) reported that he heard the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) saying:

"Every one of you is a guardian, and responsible for what is in his custody. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects and responsible for them; a husband is a guardian of his family and is responsible for it; a woman is a guardian of her husband’s house and is responsible for it, and a servant is a guardian of his master’s property and is responsible for it. A man is a guardian of his father’s property and is responsible for it so all of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and things under your care." [Bukhari]

Malik bin Huwairth narrated: "I came to the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) with some men from my tribe and stayed with him for twenty nights. He was kind and merciful to us. When he realized our longing for our families, he said to us: "Go back and stay with your families and teach them the religion. And offer the prayer and one of you should pronounce the Adhan for the prayer when its time is due. And the oldest one amongst you should lead the prayer." [Bukhari]

Allah tells us that our children, just like our wealth and possessions, are but a trial. Allah the Most High says:

وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَآ أَمْوَ‌ٰلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَـٰدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ‌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿٢٨

And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward. (28)

[Qur'an, Al-Anfal 8:28]

إِنَّمَآ أَمْوَ‌ٰلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَـٰدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ‌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١٥

Your wealth and your children are but a trial, and Allah has with Him a great reward. (15)

[Qur'an, At-Taghabun 64:15]

Since our children are but a trial and that the highest reward is with Allah the Almighty, it is then our responsibility to teach our children Islam. It is only through Islam that they can become righteous and be of service to Allah. We pass our trial once our children worship their Creator.

The best thing we can give to our children is the knowledge of Islam. It is the best education and the best means to fight ignorance and drive away evil. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) says in the following hadith:

Amr bin Sa’id or Sa’id bin Al-‘As narrated that Allah’ Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

"A father gives his child nothing better than a good education." (Tirmidhi and Baihaqi)

‘Abdullah ibn Abbas narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:

"A single scholar of religion is more formidable against Satan than a thousand devout people." (Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah)

When we strive to teach our children Islam, we hope that Allah will reward us with righteous children who make du'a for us and do righteous works that will continue to benefit us even after we die.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) says in the following Hadiths:

"A man will be raised some degrees in Paradise and he will say, ‘For what reason I am receiving this?’ He will be told, ‘Because of your son asking forgiveness for you.’" [Bukhari]

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "When a man dies, accrual of merit in his favor from good deeds ceases except from three actions: a charity which continues after his death; knowledge left behind from which people continue to benefit, and righteous offspring who pray for him." [Muslim]

Knowing the importance of Islamic knowledge, it is imperative that we encourage our children to spend time acquiring it.

One of the characteristics of a believer is love for the search of knowledge. This should inspire us and our children to constantly seek knowledge.

Abu Said Al-Khudri narrated: Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

"A believer is never satiated with gainful knowledge; he goes acquiring it till his death and entry into Paradise." [Tirmidhi]

It is only through knowledge that we can know our Creator and how to worship Him.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Whoever follows a path to seek knowledge, Allah will make the path to Jannah (Paradise) easy for them.” [Sahih Muslim; Sunan Tirmidhi].

Whoever sets right his intention in seeking knowledge and desires only Allah's pleasure, is on a road to salvation and happiness.

May Allah guide us in seeking authentic knowledge of Islam, and enable us to impart it to our children, not just by what we say, but also by what we do. May Allah grant us righteous children. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grants success.

Wassalaam

Motivate Yourself for the Akhirah (Hereafter)

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Allah, Exalted is He, has bought us and our properties for the price of Jannah (Paradise). Allah says make full payment now (your nafs and your wealth) and Jannah will be yours. When will you get to see your Jannah? When you are buried.

Abu Bakr Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) spent, gave and sacrificed like no other for Allah and His Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace). And enough for him that Allah said so through His Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace). He believed and trusted His Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) entirely. It is an incredible amount of trust to give all up for something you haven't seen. It is a big deal to sacrifice your youth, your money, your wealth, change your priorities for Allah and His Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) but who said Paradise is cheap? What is the alternative? Follow your desires and go to Hell?

Anas ibn Maalik and Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:

حُفَّتِ الْجَنَّةُ بِالْمَكَارِهِ وَحُفَّتِ النَّارُ بِالشَّهَوَاتِ

“Jannah is surrounded by hardships and the Hell-Fire is surrounded by desires.”

[Muslim #2822, al-Tirmidhi #2559. Al-Bukhari also reported it with a different wording.]

There are people if they didn't take the Islamic path in life, they are going to be multi millionaires on wall street, investment bankers, great entrepreneurs, partners in big law firms. They might not have ethics and character but they would be wealthy business people, but they gave it all up, they take meager means and serve the Deen.

When I was taking my three sons to study Islam in a third world country and gave up my law career, I was faced with unexpected opposition and criticisms. People thought I was insane, literally they thought I was insane, that I was sacrificing my kids bright future in America, and that I was doing injustice to them. My youngest son was 14 years old then. Some advised that I should wait until they finished college in America.

Everybody around you who didn't see what you see would say you have wasted all your life, that you didn't see your future. What you see won't be seen by anybody. You really have to believe to see that. The work of Deen should not depend on popular culture nor it should have any string attached. We just do it and we do it for the sake of Allah. We only expect from Allah.

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱشْتَرَ‌ىٰ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَ‌ٰلَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلْجَنَّةَ ۚ يُقَـٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَيَقْتُلُونَ وَيُقْتَلُونَ ۖ وَعْدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا فِى ٱلتَّوْرَ‌ىٰةِ وَٱلْإِنجِيلِ وَٱلْقُرْ‌ءَانِ ۚ وَمَنْ أَوْفَىٰ بِعَهْدِهِۦ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَٱسْتَبْشِرُ‌وا۟ بِبَيْعِكُمُ ٱلَّذِى بَايَعْتُم بِهِۦ ۚ وَذَ‌ٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴿١١١

Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah, so they kill and are killed. [It is] a true promise [binding] upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted. And it is that which is the great attainment. (111)

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

What are the persons who sold themselves to Allah look like? Allah Almighty says,

ٱلتَّـٰٓئِبُونَ ٱلْعَـٰبِدُونَ ٱلْحَـٰمِدُونَ ٱلسَّـٰٓئِحُونَ ٱلرَّ‌ٰ‌كِعُونَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدُونَ ٱلْءَامِرُ‌ونَ بِٱلْمَعْرُ‌وفِ وَٱلنَّاهُونَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ‌ وَٱلْحَـٰفِظُونَ لِحُدُودِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ‌ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١١٢

[Such believers are] the repentant, the worshipers, the praisers [of Allah], the travelers [for His cause], those who bow and prostrate [in prayer], those who enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and those who observe the limits [set by] Allah. And give good tidings to the believers. (112)

[Qur'an, At-Tawbah 9:112]

They are those who
1. Recognize their mistakes and continually make tawbah (repentance)
2. Continually engage in worship of Allah
3. Constantly praising Allah. Now that Allah give you the gift of repentance and worship, you are show your gratitude by constantly doing hamd (praises of Allah)
4. Go beyond any worship -- travel for Allah's cause.
5. Make ruku' and sajdah in prayers
6. Command the good
7. Forbid the wrong, and
8. Guard the limits prescribe by Allah

May Allah grant us steadfastness and excellence in worship. May Allah grant us the highest Paradise. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

Do Better Everyday

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Remember death often. Keep in mind that a time will come when I will die and be taken to my grave. At that time nothing in this world matters anymore-- your money, your job, your plans, your children, your spouse, your fame, your friends, except your deeds. Make use of whatever time you have left in those things that are pleasing to Allah, Exalted is He, and leave and stay away from those things that are displeasing to Him.

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ‌ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١٢٠...
وَلَا يُنفِقُونَ نَفَقَةً صَغِيرَ‌ةً وَلَا كَبِيرَ‌ةً وَلَا يَقْطَعُونَ وَادِيًا إِلَّا كُتِبَ لَهُمْ لِيَجْزِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ أَحْسَنَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٢١﴾

Indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of the doers of good. (120) Nor do they spend an expenditure, small or large, or cross a valley but that it is registered for them that Allah may reward them for the best of what they were doing. (121)

[Qur'an, At-Tawba 9:121]

وَٱلَّذِى جَآءَ بِٱلصِّدْقِ وَصَدَّقَ بِهِۦٓ ۙ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ ﴿٣٣﴾ لَهُم مَّا يَشَآءُونَ عِندَ رَ‌بِّهِمْ ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿٣٤﴾ لِيُكَفِّرَ‌ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ أَسْوَأَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُوا۟ وَيَجْزِيَهُمْ أَجْرَ‌هُم بِأَحْسَنِ ٱلَّذِى كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٣٥

And the one who has brought the truth and [they who] believed in it - those are the righteous. (33) They will have whatever they desire with their Lord. That is the reward of the doers of good - (34) That Allah may remove from them the worst of what they did and reward them their due for the best of what they used to do. (35)

[Qur'an, Az-Zumar 39:33-35]

Every single good act is recorded for you. Allah takes the best of our deeds and raises all of them to the level of the best deed we did. That is a special favor for someone who struggle for him. We should look at our deeds and make it better.

May Allah forgive all our sins and make us among the doers of good and keep us away from deeds that are displeasing to Him. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

When Knowledge is Taken Away from People

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

We are living in an age of religious celebrity status and people are being overly obsessed with the speakers to a point that they don't see anything except what they want to see. There is a great danger to this attitude.

We have to be careful from whom we take our knowledge or advice regarding the Deen.

The great Taabi’ee Muhammad ibn Sireen (D.110AH) said: “Indeed this knowledge is your religion, so look to whom you take your religion from.”

The individuals who ascribe themselves to giving da’wah, you must investigate them; where did they study and where did they take knowledge from and where did they originate and what is their aqeedah. It is a must that you look at their actions and their effects on the people and what good did they bring about, and what rectification came as a result of their actions. So their conditions must be studied before one is deceived by their statements or outward appearance.

Just because the speakers are popular that doesn't mean they have sound knowledge of Islam or that they are the same person you knew before they became popular. They may happen to be those who Allah has granted the ability to speak in public or in front of a camera. Often the sincere and qualified teachers are mostly hidden from the public eyes and they are the ones we should be seeking to learn our Deen. In matters of religion, we cannot take shortcuts and learn your Deen from Youtube, TV, public forums, quick masjid lectures, Islamic retreats or conventions. You have to start from the basic foundation level.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:

Verily, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it from the people, but He takes it away by taking away (the lives of) the religious scholars till none of the scholars remains alive. Then the people will take ignorant ones as their leaders, who, when asked to deliver religious verdicts, will issue them without knowledge, the result being that they will go astray and will lead others astray.

[Bukhari and Muslim]

Imam Al-Qurtubi (rahimahullaah) stated in Al-Mufhim: ‘’This text (proves) that indeed the disappearance of knowledge will not be by way of removing it from the hearts (of the people); but (its disappearance) will be through the death of the scholars. (Then) the ignorant people will remain- those who will occupy the place of the scholars in the (field) of giving verdicts and teaching. They will teach and give verdicts based on ignorance, so ignorance will spread and become manifest.’’ [End of quote]

Then Abdullah Al-Bukhari (may Allah preserve him) said after the above quote: ‘’So if the ‘Sound Sunni knowledge’ is taken away, then acting upon it will be taken away...is that not the case? When ignorance manifests, acting upon it will become manifest; so both knowledge and acting upon (Knowledge) will disappear. Ignorance will manifest and acting upon (ignorance) will become widespread just as Imam Al-Qurtubi (rahimahullaah) clarified in Al-Mufhim.”

The hadith warns us against saying things that we are unsure of, or giving answers without any substance (or proofs) to sincere questioners. Doing so would 1) give wrong information to the questioner and 2) It would mean that we have an ego and pride by not wanting to say ‘I don’t know’. Beware of the hidden shirk.

We should strive and persevere in seeking sacred knowledge. Treasure the knowledge we have and don't forget it by practicing it and teaching it to others. It is important to have humility and respect for Muslim scholars and carriers of knowledge as well as to honor them.

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

... وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّ‌حْمَـٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ هَوْنًا

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

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

May Allah grant us humility and make the path of knowledge easy for us and increase us in beneficial knowledge. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

Everyday is Mother's Day

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Many parts of the world are celebrating Mother’s Day today or tomorrow, focusing on mothers and their contributions to their families and societies.

Mothers specifically and parents in general are held in very high esteem in Islam. There are verses in the Qur’an and hadith that emphasize the burdens that a mother carries and the respect that should be accorded to her.

Our indebtedness to our mothers is so immense that it is not possible to repay it.

The verses of the Qur’an that address the mother emphasize the difficulties of pregnancy, giving birth, and breastfeeding and the need to respect one’s mother. These verses many times mention parents in general but go into detail in regard to the mother because she faces challenges that a father does not. Verse 15 from chapter 46 (Al-Ahqaf) illustrates this point.

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

And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, excellent treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months. [He grows] until, when he reaches maturity and reaches [the age of] forty years, he says, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims."

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

This verse begins with a command for both parents, but goes into detail in regards to the mother and the difficulties she endures. The command to treat parents with kindness means to treat them with respect under all circumstances, to obey them unless it goes against an edict of the faith, and to care for them in old age as they cared for you as a child.

How a Muslim should treat their parents, especially the mother, is further underscored in the hadith. There are many instances that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) commanded believers to respect and obey their mothers. Here are a few examples:

The Prophet designated mothers as the ones most worthy of excellent companionship. Indeed, in this he gave them precedent over fathers.

A man came to the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Who among the people is the most worthy of my excellent companionship? The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: Your mother. The man said, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: Then your mother. The man further asked, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: Then your mother. The man asked again, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: Then your father. (Bukhari, Muslim)

A man once consulted the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) about taking part in a military campaign. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) asked the man if his mother was still living. When told that she was alive, the Prophet said: “(Then) stay with her, for Paradise is at her feet.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

On another occasion, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Allah has forbidden for you to be undutiful to your mothers.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

In the first hadith, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) highlights the importance of the mother over the father by repeating “your mother” three times and then saying “your father” once in response to the man’s question. The second hadith illustrates the significance of the mother by placing caring for her over going to war to defend Islam. In other words, caring for his mother is also a way for a man to serve Allah. By saying that entrance into paradise is linked to caring for and respecting a mother, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) accords them a great honor. In the last hadith, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) asserts that disobedience of mothers is a sin.

‘Ali ibn al-Husain is reported to have said: “The right of your mother on you is that you should know that nobody could endure the trouble and the conditions under which she protected you and nourished you with the juice of her life, and tried with her heart and soul to satisfy all your needs in relation to hunger, thirst, dress, etc. She passed sleepless nights, suffering anxieties and worries. She provided you with shelter against heat and cold, and protected you from ailments. It is not possible for you to compensate her, or thank her enough for all the services, except that Allah may give you guidance for that. The right of your father on you is that you should know that it is he who brought you into existence, and you are a branch of the tree of his life.”

Ibn Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with both father and son) said: "The obedience of the parents increases by being kind and gentle to them. One should reply gently to everything that they tell him. One should not look at them in their eyes. One should not shout at them. Rather, when with one's parents one should be like the slave before his master".

Al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy upon him) narrated in his book "Al-Adab Al-Mufrad" that Ibn Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) said: "I do not know any good act that brings the person closer to Allah The Almighty than the obedience of one's mother".

All the verses and hadith on mothers demonstrate the importance of this figure in Islam. They also show that the mother is accorded a higher honor than even the father because of all the responsibilities she has towards her child. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) never saw his father because he died before his birth and he lost his mother when he was six years old. Yet many hadith show that he understood the importance of one’s parents, especially the mother. Many Muslims will say that Islam emphasizes the importance of the mother so much that Mother’s Day is not one day a year but should be everyday.

The obedience of parents is not restricted to their lifetime, it is also done after their death. Abu Dawood (may Allah have mercy upon him) reported that a man once came to the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam and said: "Is there any form of obedience that I could do to my parents after their death?" The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "Yes. Ask blessings for them. Ask Allah to forgive them. Carry out their will. Treat kindly anybody with whom they have blood relationships and treat their friends kindly."

Indeed, this is the recognition that parents deserve, and the mother in particular. Islam gave the mother complete and comprehensive rights all the time. So, anyone who does not give due respect to his mother all the time, can not make it up to her just by celebrating this day.

Celebrating a designated Day does not give the mother the smallest fraction of what Allah has conferred her. Allah has ordained on us to obey our mothers and do all the good to them as long as they are alive and after they die.

رَّ‌بِّ ٱرْ‌حَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَ‌بَّيَانِى صَغِيرً‌ۭا

My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.

May Allah enable us to be grateful to Him and dutiful to our parents. May Allah make our children the joy of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam and the comfort of our eyes. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Wassalaam

Related Archive

My Best Friend, My Mother