بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Today is not like any other Friday -- this is the last Friday of the Islamic year 1437 AH. Make it a goal to recite Surah al-Kahf every Friday and learn Surah al-Kahf today. In it there are many lessons to help us in our personal transformation and achieving a successful new year, inshaa Allah.
Other than reciting it, we should take the opportunity today to really understand Surah al-Kahf by first, know what you read in terms of the meaning, and find a good tafsir and commit to finish reading it today. (I don't recommend video watching or audio listening at this time). This may take a few hours of your time today, but it is well worth your time. Don't put this off for procrastination is one of the potent tricks of Shaytan to prevent us from achieving success in this life and the next.
As Muslims we should constantly be assessing our lives and setting goals and making resolutions, rather than waiting for special days during the year to perform the exercise. This is the attitude of successful people.
We don't need to dig far to know this. We see a powerful example in the life of Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant him peace) whose endless efforts and perseverance with the help of Allah, brought guidance to humanity at large and as a result of which we see more than a billion Muslims on this planet today. He was committed to Allah's religion, and through his wisdom, hard work, commitment, perseverance, and Allah’s will, he achieved what he had set out to achieve.
In the stories of Surah Al-Kahf, we can see more great examples:
The young companions of the cave were committed to Allah's religion that they were willing to leave the comfort of their "homes" and retreated to a cave. Allah complimented them and increased them in guidance.
The neighbor of the man with the two splendid gardens was committed to the religion of Allah that he, despite the man's arrogance and his put downs towards him, he patiently remained with the man to help him repent to Allah. He was successful, by the help of Allah.
Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) was committed to seek knowledge that he was willing to travel a long and difficult journey to find the teacher who Allah says is more knowledgeable than him. He was successful in finding him and learned valuable lessons.
Zulkarnain was committed to a mission and so he traveled east and west and established good and justice.
The question you need to ask yourself is where do you stand in your commitment to the religion of Allah and what are you doing to achieve it?
You can start thinking about it now and set some goals and resolutions. If you don’t set your goals, you don’t move forward. If you set them and don’t follow through, you still don’t move forward. Goals are the specific steps that propel your life forward toward your goals while still immersed in the daily chores of life; resolutions are about how your behavior impacts other people’s lives; More importantly, resolutions are about your relationship with your Creator and how you strengthen that relationship by living life in accordance to His guidance.
If you are not in the habit of setting goals and resolutions, you should review the direction of your life and assess how your actions are contributing to your betterment and to your family and loved ones in accordance with the teachings of your Creator?
If you have a mere general idea on where you are heading simply because you are too busy to chart out a more directed course of action, you may not be fully harnessing your God gifted abilities.
Setting goals and resolutions therefore enable you to step away and analyze the clutter in your life; they let you rise above the daily chores that keep you busy and keep you from organizing. The process is therefore about prioritizing and highlighting what is more important to make your life more meaningful.
It is about “actions” and execution – Setting a resolution is much more than dreaming, thinking and planning about what you want to change. It is about real execution – about doing something – about undertaking a course of action that actually starts bringing you closer to what you want to achieve. Many a people, organizations and countries fail in their lives and in their pursuits simply because of lack of execution. They plan but then can’t follow through; they talk but they can’t perform.
Even in the religion of Islam that emphasizes asking your Creator and Sustainer about your needs, there is an equal and parallel importance of your personal actions and deeds. Once 'Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) got very angry with youth who were simply spending time in the masjid and told them: “Go out and seek sustenance, for the sky does not send down rain of gold or silver.” Confucious, a famous philosopher once said: “The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.” Florence Nightingale who had a lasting contribution in founding the modern nursing profession once said: “You ask me why I do not write something...I think one’s feelings waste themselves in words, they ought all to be distilled into actions and into actions which bring results.”
How many times have you planned but failed to execute? Isn’t it time to actually get on with a sustained course of action?
It is about using time wisely – Setting resolutions helps us maximize our time in life instead of squandering the valuable moments away. We all know how time flies but unfortunately many times we do not make full use of our time and life in general. Mu`adh ibn Jabal reported the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) as saying: “A servant of Allah will remain standing on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about four things: his life and how he spent it, his youth and how he used it up, his property and how he acquired and managed it and his knowledge and how he utilized it.”
We should therefore remind ourselves that we too have an end that is approaching. So, why squander our time away on nonessential pursuits?
It is about focused actions and tasks – Resolutions and goals help you focus on the right actions and tasks. Think about when you are about to take a long trip away from home. Our productivity in the number of tasks we complete before we take a trip is phenomenal simply because we have a deadline to meet and our energies are extremely focused. The closer you get to your time of travel, the more you ensure that you utilize each and every second available to you.
Can you imagine how much you will be able to accomplish daily only if you became half that productive and efficient?
It is about behavioral change – Setting goals and resolutions involves completely stepping away from behaviors you want to change – In Islam, this parallels the concept of “Repentance” or “Taubah” because the psychological, spiritual and physical dynamics is almost the same. Repentance in Islam entails stopping bad behavior, regretting past indulgence in that behavior, understanding the need to shy away from the bad behavior, making a strong intention not to return to the old behavior and finally substituting bad with good behaviors (better deeds).
Why not then apply the same dynamics to change any of your undesirable behaviors and habits, and embark on a major journey of personal progress?
It is about clarity of vision – Setting goals requires that you are clear about who you are and what you want to achieve. A confused mind can not set meaningful goals. A person not confident about his beliefs and values is rarely successful in charting out a meaningful course of action. This is why Sahaba (companions of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) were able to unilaterally commit to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and his cause. They clearly understood their role in this life. Once when in Madinah, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had to send a group to Yemen for teaching new Muslims there about Islam. The Prophet picked Mu’adh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) as their leader (even though Muadh was very young – perhaps in his early twenties). The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The most knowledgeable of my ummah [community] in matters of Halal [permitted, allowed, lawful or legal] and Haram [forbidden] is Mu’adh bin Jabal.”
If Muadh was able to get that clarity at such a young age where he was chosen by the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to lead a group of mentors and teachers to a foreign land, why can’t we get clearer on who we are?
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.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Friday, September 30, 2016
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Preparing for the New Hijri Year 1438 AH
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
We are approaching towards the end of the Islamic year 1437 AH and the beginning of a new Islamic year 1438 AH. At the end of the financial year business people analyze their year’s trading, but our trade is with Allah and is more worthy of being evaluated.
Our trade with Allah this entire year should begin with a good assessment and evaluation of ourselves. The Second Caliph, `Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Criticize and appraise yourselves before you are criticized and appraised...”.
A new year is a great gift from Allah to us because we don't know if we will reach the next one. So, we should receive this new year in the best way, with pious intentions and setting good goals.
The process of setting goals and resolutions requires that you actually take time to analyze where you stand and chart out what you want to become. More often, we are held back because of procrastination and habits that are difficult to change. However, we must realize that it is only we who can help our own selves cross that chasm.
So, start the change today – take the time to know yourself better – identify your weaknesses and commit to eliminate them. Assess your strengths and use them for meaningful pursuits. All in all, invest the effort to embark on a personal transformation that can help you, your families, the world around you and can make your relationship with your Creator even stronger. Because if you don’t take the step, Allah may not help you.
Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an:
Setting goals and making resolutions is all about self improvement and to instill that attitude within ourselves. Abraham Lincoln once commented, “I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.”
The truth indeed is that you can not be better today if you did not set out to become better yesterday and took the necessary actions for that betterment.
We should thank Allah for the gifts with which we have been blessed and seek His forgiveness for our wrongdoings and shortcomings. We also should make our new year’s resolutions for the coming year – what we intend to achieve on our journey to Allah, and the traits which we wish to leave behind.
We should bear in mind that Muharram, the first month of a hijri year, is one of four inviolable months so the reward of our actions is multiplied. Our bad deeds are also more grave in these times.
Therefore, we should open the new year with good works. Amongst the best of these works is fasting. The greatest day in Muharram to fast is of course the tenth, `Ashura.’ Fasting on this day wipes out the sins of the previous year.
One of the wisdoms behind the merit of fasting in the month of Muharram is that both are attributed to Allah – Muharram is the “the Month of Allah” and fasting, as in the hadith qudsi, “is Mine, and I will reward accordingly.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “The best (month) to fast after Ramadhan is the Month of Allah which you call al-Muharram. The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer.” [Muslim]
Make the intention to wake up before Fajr to pray Tahajjud and Witr. Make the intention to attend gatherings of sacred knowledge and benefit from them.
We should leave our blameworthy traits and fear what might be coming before the next new year -- the beginning of our own Judgment Day (when we die), the punishment of the grave, the torment on Judgment Day and the punishment of the Hellfire. We should protect ourselves against these calamities. This is the basic meaning of taqwa. We do something to place between ourselves and the wrath of Allah. We knock at every door of opportunity to be close to Allah.
People of taqwa will always have Allah to take care of their needs.
Allah Almighty says,
We ask Allah that He gives the hearts of every believers the taste of love of Allah and the taste of love of His beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and the taste of love of his family and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
O Allah, just as You have granted me all that I have loved, let those things be a means of strength for me to use in the way You love. O Allah, whatever love (of things) You have removed from me then grant in its place the love (of things) that You love.
O Allah, I ask you for your love and the love of those you love and the love of that deed which would draw me closer to Your love. O Allah, make Your love more beloved to me than myself, my family, and more beloved than cold water [on a hot day]. O Allah, grant me your love and the love of that person whose love will benefit me by you.
We ask Allah that He makes us from those who are obedient to Him and make us keys to goodness on this earth and keys to lock evil.
May Allah grant us every benefit and make the new year a year of great openings and good.
Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
We are approaching towards the end of the Islamic year 1437 AH and the beginning of a new Islamic year 1438 AH. At the end of the financial year business people analyze their year’s trading, but our trade is with Allah and is more worthy of being evaluated.
Our trade with Allah this entire year should begin with a good assessment and evaluation of ourselves. The Second Caliph, `Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Criticize and appraise yourselves before you are criticized and appraised...”.
A new year is a great gift from Allah to us because we don't know if we will reach the next one. So, we should receive this new year in the best way, with pious intentions and setting good goals.
The process of setting goals and resolutions requires that you actually take time to analyze where you stand and chart out what you want to become. More often, we are held back because of procrastination and habits that are difficult to change. However, we must realize that it is only we who can help our own selves cross that chasm.
So, start the change today – take the time to know yourself better – identify your weaknesses and commit to eliminate them. Assess your strengths and use them for meaningful pursuits. All in all, invest the effort to embark on a personal transformation that can help you, your families, the world around you and can make your relationship with your Creator even stronger. Because if you don’t take the step, Allah may not help you.
Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an:
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمْ يَكُ مُغَيِّرًا نِّعْمَةً أَنْعَمَهَا عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا۟ مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ ۙ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٥٣[Qur'an, Al-Anfal 8:53]
That is so because Allah will never change a grace which He has bestowed on a people until they change what is in their own selves. And verily, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.
Setting goals and making resolutions is all about self improvement and to instill that attitude within ourselves. Abraham Lincoln once commented, “I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.”
The truth indeed is that you can not be better today if you did not set out to become better yesterday and took the necessary actions for that betterment.
We should thank Allah for the gifts with which we have been blessed and seek His forgiveness for our wrongdoings and shortcomings. We also should make our new year’s resolutions for the coming year – what we intend to achieve on our journey to Allah, and the traits which we wish to leave behind.
We should bear in mind that Muharram, the first month of a hijri year, is one of four inviolable months so the reward of our actions is multiplied. Our bad deeds are also more grave in these times.
Therefore, we should open the new year with good works. Amongst the best of these works is fasting. The greatest day in Muharram to fast is of course the tenth, `Ashura.’ Fasting on this day wipes out the sins of the previous year.
One of the wisdoms behind the merit of fasting in the month of Muharram is that both are attributed to Allah – Muharram is the “the Month of Allah” and fasting, as in the hadith qudsi, “is Mine, and I will reward accordingly.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “The best (month) to fast after Ramadhan is the Month of Allah which you call al-Muharram. The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer.” [Muslim]
Make the intention to wake up before Fajr to pray Tahajjud and Witr. Make the intention to attend gatherings of sacred knowledge and benefit from them.
We should leave our blameworthy traits and fear what might be coming before the next new year -- the beginning of our own Judgment Day (when we die), the punishment of the grave, the torment on Judgment Day and the punishment of the Hellfire. We should protect ourselves against these calamities. This is the basic meaning of taqwa. We do something to place between ourselves and the wrath of Allah. We knock at every door of opportunity to be close to Allah.
People of taqwa will always have Allah to take care of their needs.
Allah Almighty says,
وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّـهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مَخْرَجًا ﴿٢﴾ وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّـهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمْرِهِۦ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ ٱللَّـهُ لِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدْرًا ﴿٣ ...[Qur'an At-Talaq 65:2-3]
...And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out (2) And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent. (3)
We ask Allah that He gives the hearts of every believers the taste of love of Allah and the taste of love of His beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and the taste of love of his family and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
O Allah, just as You have granted me all that I have loved, let those things be a means of strength for me to use in the way You love. O Allah, whatever love (of things) You have removed from me then grant in its place the love (of things) that You love.
O Allah, I ask you for your love and the love of those you love and the love of that deed which would draw me closer to Your love. O Allah, make Your love more beloved to me than myself, my family, and more beloved than cold water [on a hot day]. O Allah, grant me your love and the love of that person whose love will benefit me by you.
We ask Allah that He makes us from those who are obedient to Him and make us keys to goodness on this earth and keys to lock evil.
May Allah grant us every benefit and make the new year a year of great openings and good.
Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Rushing Through Prayers, a Bitter Truth
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Rushing through prayer is a bitter truth, a sad reality of many Muslims.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “A slave may pray and have nothing recorded for it except a tenth of it, or a ninth, or an eighth, or a seventh, or a sixth, or a fifth, or a quarter, or a third, or a half.” [Ahmad]
The Sunnah is for the one who is reciting to recite the Qur'an at a measured pace (tarteel) and not to rush, so that he may ponder and think about what he is reciting, whether it is al-Fatihah or something else. The Sunnah is to ponder, think and recite at a measured pace, not to rush. Allah, may He be exalted, says,
Reading so fast that some letters or verses are not pronounced properly is not permissible; rather the worshiper should recite slowly and not be hasty, so that the recitation will be correct and clear, and he can ponder and think about (what he is reciting). If he omits or changes some of the letters, this is a kind of recitation that is not permissible. Rather he has to recite carefully and at a measured pace, so that the letters and words are pronounced in full. The same applies to prayer: he should not rush when bowing or prostrating, or when sitting between the two prostrations, or when standing after bowing. Rather he should move with deliberation and calmly. This is what is required. Moving calmly is an essential obligation; “pecking” and moving hastily in prayer invalidates the prayer.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) is our role model. He used to pray long hours, reciting long surahs, making long standing, bowing and prostration. In one hadith, it was reported that he recited two long surahs (Surah Al-Baqarah and Surah AleImran, about 76 pages, spanning over three juz in one standing. For most of us, we are very far from being able to recite even a juz of Qur'an a day outside of prayer, let alone three juz during prayer. But you can work on not rushing through your prayer, and recite properly and clearly, and ponder about what you are reciting.
Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
I offered Salat (Tahajjud - optional night prayer) with the Prophet (ﷺ) one night, and he started reciting (Surat) Al-Baqarah. I thought that he would bow at the end of one hundred Verses, but he continued reciting; I, then, thought that he would perhaps recite the whole (Surah) in a Rak'ah, but he proceeded on, and I thought he would perhaps bow on completing (this Surah); he then started (reciting Surat) An-Nisa'; he then started (Surat) Al-'Imran and his recitation was unhurried. And when he recited the Verses which referred to the Glory of Allah, he glorified Him (by saying Subhan Allah - My Rubb, the Supreme is far removed from every imperfection), the Great, and when he recited the Verses that mention supplication, he supplicated, and when he recited the Verses that mention seeking Refuge of the Rubb, he sought (His) Refuge. Then he bowed and said: "My Rubb, the Supreme is far removed from every imperfection (Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim);" his bowing lasted about the same length of time as his standing (and then on returning to the standing posture after Ruku') he said: "Allah listened to him who praised Him (Sami' Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal hamd)." Then he stood about the same length of time as he had spent in bowing. He then prostrated himself and said: "My Rubb, the Supreme is far removed from every imperfection (Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la)," and his prostration lasted nearly the same length of time as his standing.
الثامن: عن أبي عبد الله حذيفة بن اليمان، رضي الله عنهما، قال: صليت مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ذات ليلة، فافتتح البقرة، فقلت يركع عند المائة، ثم مضى؛ فقلت يصلي بها في ركعة، فمضى؛ فقلت يركع بها، ثم افتتح النساء؛ فقرأها، ثم افتتح آل عمران فقرأها، يقرأ مترسلاً إذا مر بآية فيها تسبيح سبح، وإذا مر بسؤال سأل، وإذا مر بتعوذ تعوذ، ثم ركع فجعل يقول: " سبحان ربي العظيم" فكان ركوعه نحواً من قيامه ثم قال: " سمع الله لمن حمده، ربنا لك الحمد" ثم قام قياماً طويلاً قريباً مما ركع، ثم سجد فقال: " سبحان ربي الأعلى" فكان سجوده قريباً من قيامه" ((رواه مسلم).
[Muslim].
When a person dies, he will be called to account for every major and minor action he did in this world, whether it was good or bad. He will be rewarded for his good deeds and punished for his bad deeds. The first stage of that reckoning is in the grave. Then he will be brought to account for every major and minor action on the Day of Judgment, even though he has already been brought to account for that in the grave. The first thing for which he will be brought to account for then will be his prayer.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “The first thing among their deeds for which the people will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be prayer. Our Lord will say to His angels, although He knows best, ‘Look at My slave’s prayer, is it complete or lacking?’ If it is complete, it will be recorded as complete, but if it is lacking, He will say, ‘Look and see whether my slave did any voluntary (naafil) prayers.’ If he had done voluntary prayers, He will say, ‘Complete the obligatory prayers of My slave from his voluntary prayers.’ Then the rest of his deeds will be examined in a similar manner.” [Narrated by Abu Dawood]
Therefore, not only we should not miss our obligatory prayers, we should also gradually add the rawatib (before and after prayers connected to the obligatory prayers) and other sunnah prayers (like the morning dhuha, the night tahajjud, after wudu', etc) and pray them properly and work towards perfecting them by, first not rushing through them.
Why the rush? What is our 10 to 15 minutes each prayer compared to the hours of standing, bowing and prostrations of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace)? What is 10-15 minutes compared to the waiting in the Day of Standing, in fear and trepidation, which could take 50,000 years? Imagine yourself standing there full of regret and saying, "If only I obeyed Allah". How long will you stand, 60 years? 60 years is the average life of a human. 20 years? 600 years? 20,000 years? 50,000 years? Or just a small prayer's length of time because you obeyed Allah's commandments. And as for the times that you disobeyed Allah, you quickly repented and asked Allah for forgiveness?
May Allah grant us the sweetness of iman (faith) and worship and enable us to perfect our prayers and follow in the footsteps of His beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace). Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Rushing through prayer is a bitter truth, a sad reality of many Muslims.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “A slave may pray and have nothing recorded for it except a tenth of it, or a ninth, or an eighth, or a seventh, or a sixth, or a fifth, or a quarter, or a third, or a half.” [Ahmad]
The Sunnah is for the one who is reciting to recite the Qur'an at a measured pace (tarteel) and not to rush, so that he may ponder and think about what he is reciting, whether it is al-Fatihah or something else. The Sunnah is to ponder, think and recite at a measured pace, not to rush. Allah, may He be exalted, says,
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْمُزَّمِّلُ ﴿١﴾ قُمِ ٱلَّيْلَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا ﴿٢﴾ نِّصْفَهُۥٓ أَوِ ٱنقُصْ مِنْهُ قَلِيلًا ﴿٣﴾ أَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ تَرْتِيلًا ﴿٤[Qur'an, al-Muzzammil 73:4]
O you who wraps himself [in clothing], (1) Arise [to pray] the night, except for a little - (2) Half of it - or subtract from it a little (3) Or add to it, and recite the Qur'an with measured recitation. (4)
كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَـٰرَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓا۟ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿٢٩[Qur'an, Saad 38:29].
[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)
Reading so fast that some letters or verses are not pronounced properly is not permissible; rather the worshiper should recite slowly and not be hasty, so that the recitation will be correct and clear, and he can ponder and think about (what he is reciting). If he omits or changes some of the letters, this is a kind of recitation that is not permissible. Rather he has to recite carefully and at a measured pace, so that the letters and words are pronounced in full. The same applies to prayer: he should not rush when bowing or prostrating, or when sitting between the two prostrations, or when standing after bowing. Rather he should move with deliberation and calmly. This is what is required. Moving calmly is an essential obligation; “pecking” and moving hastily in prayer invalidates the prayer.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) is our role model. He used to pray long hours, reciting long surahs, making long standing, bowing and prostration. In one hadith, it was reported that he recited two long surahs (Surah Al-Baqarah and Surah AleImran, about 76 pages, spanning over three juz in one standing. For most of us, we are very far from being able to recite even a juz of Qur'an a day outside of prayer, let alone three juz during prayer. But you can work on not rushing through your prayer, and recite properly and clearly, and ponder about what you are reciting.
Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
I offered Salat (Tahajjud - optional night prayer) with the Prophet (ﷺ) one night, and he started reciting (Surat) Al-Baqarah. I thought that he would bow at the end of one hundred Verses, but he continued reciting; I, then, thought that he would perhaps recite the whole (Surah) in a Rak'ah, but he proceeded on, and I thought he would perhaps bow on completing (this Surah); he then started (reciting Surat) An-Nisa'; he then started (Surat) Al-'Imran and his recitation was unhurried. And when he recited the Verses which referred to the Glory of Allah, he glorified Him (by saying Subhan Allah - My Rubb, the Supreme is far removed from every imperfection), the Great, and when he recited the Verses that mention supplication, he supplicated, and when he recited the Verses that mention seeking Refuge of the Rubb, he sought (His) Refuge. Then he bowed and said: "My Rubb, the Supreme is far removed from every imperfection (Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim);" his bowing lasted about the same length of time as his standing (and then on returning to the standing posture after Ruku') he said: "Allah listened to him who praised Him (Sami' Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal hamd)." Then he stood about the same length of time as he had spent in bowing. He then prostrated himself and said: "My Rubb, the Supreme is far removed from every imperfection (Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la)," and his prostration lasted nearly the same length of time as his standing.
الثامن: عن أبي عبد الله حذيفة بن اليمان، رضي الله عنهما، قال: صليت مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ذات ليلة، فافتتح البقرة، فقلت يركع عند المائة، ثم مضى؛ فقلت يصلي بها في ركعة، فمضى؛ فقلت يركع بها، ثم افتتح النساء؛ فقرأها، ثم افتتح آل عمران فقرأها، يقرأ مترسلاً إذا مر بآية فيها تسبيح سبح، وإذا مر بسؤال سأل، وإذا مر بتعوذ تعوذ، ثم ركع فجعل يقول: " سبحان ربي العظيم" فكان ركوعه نحواً من قيامه ثم قال: " سمع الله لمن حمده، ربنا لك الحمد" ثم قام قياماً طويلاً قريباً مما ركع، ثم سجد فقال: " سبحان ربي الأعلى" فكان سجوده قريباً من قيامه" ((رواه مسلم).
[Muslim].
When a person dies, he will be called to account for every major and minor action he did in this world, whether it was good or bad. He will be rewarded for his good deeds and punished for his bad deeds. The first stage of that reckoning is in the grave. Then he will be brought to account for every major and minor action on the Day of Judgment, even though he has already been brought to account for that in the grave. The first thing for which he will be brought to account for then will be his prayer.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “The first thing among their deeds for which the people will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be prayer. Our Lord will say to His angels, although He knows best, ‘Look at My slave’s prayer, is it complete or lacking?’ If it is complete, it will be recorded as complete, but if it is lacking, He will say, ‘Look and see whether my slave did any voluntary (naafil) prayers.’ If he had done voluntary prayers, He will say, ‘Complete the obligatory prayers of My slave from his voluntary prayers.’ Then the rest of his deeds will be examined in a similar manner.” [Narrated by Abu Dawood]
Therefore, not only we should not miss our obligatory prayers, we should also gradually add the rawatib (before and after prayers connected to the obligatory prayers) and other sunnah prayers (like the morning dhuha, the night tahajjud, after wudu', etc) and pray them properly and work towards perfecting them by, first not rushing through them.
Why the rush? What is our 10 to 15 minutes each prayer compared to the hours of standing, bowing and prostrations of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace)? What is 10-15 minutes compared to the waiting in the Day of Standing, in fear and trepidation, which could take 50,000 years? Imagine yourself standing there full of regret and saying, "If only I obeyed Allah". How long will you stand, 60 years? 60 years is the average life of a human. 20 years? 600 years? 20,000 years? 50,000 years? Or just a small prayer's length of time because you obeyed Allah's commandments. And as for the times that you disobeyed Allah, you quickly repented and asked Allah for forgiveness?
May Allah grant us the sweetness of iman (faith) and worship and enable us to perfect our prayers and follow in the footsteps of His beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace). Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
The Message and Miracle of Ayatul Kursi
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
The Ayatul Kursi, the 255th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, is the greatest Ayah in Allah's Book.
Narrated Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be please with him), that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,
The Ayah has a profound meaning and has many benefits, some of which include:
1. It is a protection against Shaytan.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said,
2. Your Ticket to Paradise
The Qur'an has two aspects: its Message and its Miracle. The same is true for Ayatul Kursi.
The Message of Ayatul Kursi:
It is meant for us to feel we are are nothing. So we will act like someone who is nothing, remove our pride and arrogance and submit to Allah's Will. Our feelings or our sense of worth is meaningless. Look at where Iblis ended up because he wanted to follow his own sense against Allah's Will. If our will is aligned with the Will of Allah, we will find peace within ourselves.
The Miracle of Ayatul Kursi:
One of the miracles of Ayatul Kursi is that it is concentric. The Ayah is made up of nine sentences, and each sentence is paired with the one concentrically opposite to it, with the fifth sentence being at the center of the circle. The following illustrates the fact:
--Both contain two Names of Allah.
وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ And He is the Most High, the Most Great.
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence.
--Both deny human attributes from Allah.
وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا and their preservation tires Him not.
لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep.
--The first verse affirms Allah’s ownership over the heavens and the earth, the last one affirms Allah’s kingship over the heavens and the earth.
وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth,
لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth.
--Both verses mention something impossible by humans with an exception that depends on His will/permission.
لَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills.
مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?
--
يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them.
Indeed Allah knows what is before this sentence and what is after it.
The miracles of the Qur'an can hardly be understood completely without understanding Arabic. So, make learning Arabic one of your highest priorities. The best investment in your life is to learn Arabic.
If you haven't memorized this Ayah, start memorizing it and recite it everyday after each prayer and before you go to sleep.
May Allah grant us a sound understanding of His Book and grant us tawfiq to the highest station. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
The Ayatul Kursi, the 255th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, is the greatest Ayah in Allah's Book.
Narrated Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be please with him), that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,
Everything has its splendor, and the splendor of the Qur’an is Surah al-Baqarah. In it is a verse which is the greatest verse of the Qur’an: Ayat al-Kursi.[Tirmidhi]
The Ayah has a profound meaning and has many benefits, some of which include:
1. It is a protection against Shaytan.
إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ لِلْإِنسَـٰنِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ ﴿٥ ...[Qur'an, Yusuf 12:5]
... Indeed Satan, to man, is a manifest enemy. (5)
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said,
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) put me in charge of the Zakat of Ramadan (i.e. Zakat-ul-Fitr). Someone came to me and started scooping some of the foodstuff of (Zakat) with both hands. I caught him and told him that I would take him to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)." Then Abu Huraira told the whole narration and added "He (i.e. the thief) said, 'Whenever you go to your bed, recite the Verse of "Al-Kursi" (2.255) for then a guardian from Allah will be guarding you, and Satan will not approach you till dawn.' " On that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He told you the truth, though he is a liar, and he (the thief) himself was the Satan.[Bukhari]
2. Your Ticket to Paradise
Whoever recites Ayatul Kursi after every prescribed prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death.[An-Nasa'i]
The Qur'an has two aspects: its Message and its Miracle. The same is true for Ayatul Kursi.
The Message of Ayatul Kursi:
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ[Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:255]
Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.
It is meant for us to feel we are are nothing. So we will act like someone who is nothing, remove our pride and arrogance and submit to Allah's Will. Our feelings or our sense of worth is meaningless. Look at where Iblis ended up because he wanted to follow his own sense against Allah's Will. If our will is aligned with the Will of Allah, we will find peace within ourselves.
The Miracle of Ayatul Kursi:
One of the miracles of Ayatul Kursi is that it is concentric. The Ayah is made up of nine sentences, and each sentence is paired with the one concentrically opposite to it, with the fifth sentence being at the center of the circle. The following illustrates the fact:
--Both contain two Names of Allah.
وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ And He is the Most High, the Most Great.
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence.
--Both deny human attributes from Allah.
وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا and their preservation tires Him not.
لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep.
--The first verse affirms Allah’s ownership over the heavens and the earth, the last one affirms Allah’s kingship over the heavens and the earth.
وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth,
لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth.
--Both verses mention something impossible by humans with an exception that depends on His will/permission.
لَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills.
مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?
--
يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them.
Indeed Allah knows what is before this sentence and what is after it.
The miracles of the Qur'an can hardly be understood completely without understanding Arabic. So, make learning Arabic one of your highest priorities. The best investment in your life is to learn Arabic.
If you haven't memorized this Ayah, start memorizing it and recite it everyday after each prayer and before you go to sleep.
May Allah grant us a sound understanding of His Book and grant us tawfiq to the highest station. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Monday, September 26, 2016
Building Your Fortress of Protection
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
The world around us is fraught with problems -- family and marital problems, social media, social, economic and political problems, environmental and ecological problems, on going process of spiritual decline issues, aging issues, etc. We stand at the abyss, at the steadily approaching threshold of unimaginable chaos, calamity, death and destruction.
Trials are rife in this society. People seem to be stumbling a lot, suffering a lot. The good people are looking for solutions. But the solutions are there in the teachings of the last Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace), if only we know and implement them.
"Verily, tribulations befall people due to their negligence and foolishness, and there is no other remedy for this except through the remembrance of Allah and beneficial knowledge."
We can't change the world overnight, but we can change ourselves today. By changing ourselves, we are changing the world.
Begin with reviving the sunnah of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) by doing some adhkar (remembrance of Allah) in the morning and evening and encourage your own family and close circle to do so.
Allah Almighty says,
First, whenever Allah addresses the believers, it is upon us to sit upright and listen attentively because we consider ourselves as believers.
Allah reminds us in this verse that the daily life of a believer is revolved around His remembrance (dhikrullah) from the time we wake up until we go to sleep at night. Unlike the five daily prayers, fasting, or hajj, dhikrullah is a form of worship for which there is no limit or defined quantity, no particular time or period, no defined posture or position, nor even the state of purity through ablution is required. Dhikrullah is required all the time, in all circumstances, whether one is traveling or is at home, whether one is healthy or ill, whether one is on land or at sea, whether it is day or night - dhikrullah is required all the time. Therefore no excuse is acceptable for neglecting dhikrullah except that one may have lost his senses and become unconscious. The merits, blessings and rewards for doing dhikr are also numerous.
The instruction of remembering Allah in abundance is given to show gratitude for all the blessings He has bestowed us, and we benefit by being grateful.
Allah has promised that if we are thankful, He will give us more. So thankfulness is the key to increase.
Allah Almighty says,
Imam Ahmad has reported from Abu ad-Darda' (may Allah be pleased with him) and that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said to the noble companions 'Should I not tell you a thing that is better than all your deeds and is most acceptable to your Lord, and which would raise your grades, and is better than giving silver and gold in charity and alms and is also better than your embarking for Jihad wherein you face and kill the enemy and the enemy kills you? The noble companions and asked the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) about that thing. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, remembrance of Allah, the Mightiest the Most Glorious". (Ibn Kathir)
Let's busy our minds, hearts and tongues with remembrance of Allah instead of busy them with scandals, gossips, idle chats, arguments, hatred, and those things that don't concern us (which are things that don't benefit us in the Hereafter), etc.
Fortress of Protection
Let's begin with these morning and evening adhkar of protection and add gradually with other adhkar as you progress.
1.
The person who recites this dhikr 7 times in the morning and 7 times in the evening Allah will suffice for him in regards to his worries in this world as well as the Hereafter. In other words Allah will remove all of his worries in this world as well as the Hereafter.
2.
3.
The person who recites this 3x in the morning and 3 times in the evening, Allah will take it upon Himself to please the person in the Day of Resurrection.
There is no Muslim who says in the morning and the evening three times: “I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, with Islam as my religion and with Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant him peace) as my Prophet, except that it will be a right upon Allah to please him on the Day of Judgment." (Ahmad)
4.
The person who recites this 100 times in a single day, he will be rewarded the reward of emancipating or freeing 10 slaves and rewarded 100 reward and 100 sins will be erased from his account and he will be given protection from all types of evil such as from the devil and jinn.
5.
Then person who recites this in the evening and if he were to pass away that night, he will enter Jannah. And the person who recites this in the morning and if he were to pass away during the day, he will enter Jannah.
6. The greatest verse in the Qur'an is Ayatul Kursi. The person who recites this in the morning he will be offered a protection from all types of evil jinn and devil. And the person who recites this in the evening, he will be given protection throughout the night from all types of evil.
"Whoever recites Ayatul Kursi after every prescribed prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death." (An-Nasa'i)
7. Of course, recite Surah Al-Kahf every Friday (and the first 10 and last 10 verses in the morning and evening) for it is a protection against the trial of the Dajjal.
Abu ad-Darda' (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "Whoever commits to memory the first ten Ayat of the Surah Al-Kahf, will be protected from (the trial of) Ad-Dajjal (Antichrist).'' [Muslim]
In another narration, the Messenger of Allah (salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "(Whoever commits to memory) the last ten Ayat of Surat Al-Kahf, he will be protected from (the trial of) Ad-Dajjal (Antichrist).''
Ad-Dajjal will appear sometime before Yaum-ul-Qiyamah (Day of Judgment). Allah Almighty, will give him some supernatural powers the manifestation of which will shake the faith of many people. For this reason, this will be a serious trial. All Prophets warned their people against him. Our Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) also warned us against him and ordered us to guard ourselves from it and strictly advised us to seek Refuge of Allah against it. This Hadith tells us the way to save ourselves from Ad-Dajjal.
The recitation of the first or the last ten Ayat of Surat Al-Kahf, in the morning and evening, is very useful for this purpose.
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with father and son) said: “The Messenger of Allah (salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Whoever reads Surah al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah, a light will shine for him from beneath his feet to the clouds of the sky, which will shine for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will be forgiven (his sins) between the two Fridays.’”
Please spread the word.
"There is none who invites (others) towards guidance, except that for him shall be the rewards of all those who follow him - and this shall not in the slightest cause a reduction in their own rewards" said our beloved Prophet (salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam).
May Allah make us people of His remembrance. May Allah save us from the trials and tribulations in this life and the next, and make us keys to unlock good and lock evil.
Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
The world around us is fraught with problems -- family and marital problems, social media, social, economic and political problems, environmental and ecological problems, on going process of spiritual decline issues, aging issues, etc. We stand at the abyss, at the steadily approaching threshold of unimaginable chaos, calamity, death and destruction.
Trials are rife in this society. People seem to be stumbling a lot, suffering a lot. The good people are looking for solutions. But the solutions are there in the teachings of the last Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace), if only we know and implement them.
"Verily, tribulations befall people due to their negligence and foolishness, and there is no other remedy for this except through the remembrance of Allah and beneficial knowledge."
We can't change the world overnight, but we can change ourselves today. By changing ourselves, we are changing the world.
Begin with reviving the sunnah of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) by doing some adhkar (remembrance of Allah) in the morning and evening and encourage your own family and close circle to do so.
Allah Almighty says,
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا ﴿٤١﴾ وَسَبِّحُوهُ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا ﴿٤٢﴾ هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُصَلِّى عَلَيْكُمْ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتُهُۥ لِيُخْرِجَكُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ ۚ وَكَانَ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيمًا ﴿٤٣[Qur'an, Al-Ahzab 33:41-43]
O you who have believed, remember Allah abundantly (41) And exalt Him morning and afternoon. (42) It is He who confers blessing upon you, and His angels [ask Him to do so] that He may bring you out from darkness into the light. And ever is He, to the believers, Merciful. (43)
First, whenever Allah addresses the believers, it is upon us to sit upright and listen attentively because we consider ourselves as believers.
Allah reminds us in this verse that the daily life of a believer is revolved around His remembrance (dhikrullah) from the time we wake up until we go to sleep at night. Unlike the five daily prayers, fasting, or hajj, dhikrullah is a form of worship for which there is no limit or defined quantity, no particular time or period, no defined posture or position, nor even the state of purity through ablution is required. Dhikrullah is required all the time, in all circumstances, whether one is traveling or is at home, whether one is healthy or ill, whether one is on land or at sea, whether it is day or night - dhikrullah is required all the time. Therefore no excuse is acceptable for neglecting dhikrullah except that one may have lost his senses and become unconscious. The merits, blessings and rewards for doing dhikr are also numerous.
The instruction of remembering Allah in abundance is given to show gratitude for all the blessings He has bestowed us, and we benefit by being grateful.
Allah has promised that if we are thankful, He will give us more. So thankfulness is the key to increase.
Allah Almighty says,
وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌۭ[Qur'an Ibrahim 14:7]
And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.' " (7)
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ ﴿٧٣[Qur'an An-Naml 27:73]
And indeed, your Lord is full of bounty for the people, but most of them do not show gratitude." (73)
Imam Ahmad has reported from Abu ad-Darda' (may Allah be pleased with him) and that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said to the noble companions 'Should I not tell you a thing that is better than all your deeds and is most acceptable to your Lord, and which would raise your grades, and is better than giving silver and gold in charity and alms and is also better than your embarking for Jihad wherein you face and kill the enemy and the enemy kills you? The noble companions and asked the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) about that thing. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, remembrance of Allah, the Mightiest the Most Glorious". (Ibn Kathir)
Let's busy our minds, hearts and tongues with remembrance of Allah instead of busy them with scandals, gossips, idle chats, arguments, hatred, and those things that don't concern us (which are things that don't benefit us in the Hereafter), etc.
Fortress of Protection
Let's begin with these morning and evening adhkar of protection and add gradually with other adhkar as you progress.
1.
حَسْبِـيَ اللّهُ لا إلهَ إلاّ هُوَ عَلَـيهِ تَوَكَّـلتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ العَرْشِ العَظـيم[Abu Dawood]
Allah is Sufficient for me, none has the right to be worshiped except Him, upon Him I rely and He is Lord of the exalted throne.
The person who recites this dhikr 7 times in the morning and 7 times in the evening Allah will suffice for him in regards to his worries in this world as well as the Hereafter. In other words Allah will remove all of his worries in this world as well as the Hereafter.
2.
بسم الله الذي لا يضر مع اسمه شيء في الأرض ولا في السماء وهو السميع العليم[Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Ahmad]
"In the name of Allah with Whose Name there can be no harm in the earth or in the heavens and He is the Hearer the Knower” whoever says it three times in the morning and three times in the evening, nothing will harm him."
3.
رَضِيتُ باللهِ رَبَّاً، وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِيناً، وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ صَلَى اللهُ عَلِيهِ وَسَلَّمَ نَبِيَّاً
"I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, with Islam as my religion and with Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant him peace) as my Prophet.”
The person who recites this 3x in the morning and 3 times in the evening, Allah will take it upon Himself to please the person in the Day of Resurrection.
There is no Muslim who says in the morning and the evening three times: “I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, with Islam as my religion and with Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant him peace) as my Prophet, except that it will be a right upon Allah to please him on the Day of Judgment." (Ahmad)
4.
لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ[Muslim]
"None has the right to be worshiped but Allah alone, He has no partner, His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things."
The person who recites this 100 times in a single day, he will be rewarded the reward of emancipating or freeing 10 slaves and rewarded 100 reward and 100 sins will be erased from his account and he will be given protection from all types of evil such as from the devil and jinn.
5.
اللّهـمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّـي لا إلهَ إلاّ أَنْتَ ، خَلَقْتَنـي وَأَنا عَبْـدُك ، وَأَنا عَلـى عَهْـدِكَ وَوَعْـدِكَ ما اسْتَـطَعْـت ، أَعـوذُبِكَ مِنْ شَـرِّ ما صَنَـعْت ، أَبـوءُ لَـكَ بِنِعْـمَتِـكَ عَلَـيَّ وَأَبـوءُ بِذَنْـبي فَاغْفـِرْ لي فَإِنَّـهُ لا يَغْـفِرُ الذُّنـوبَ إِلاّ أَنْتَ[Al-Bukhari]
"O Allah, You are my Lord, none has the right to be worshiped except You, You created me and I am Your servant and I abide to Your covenant and promise as best I can, I take refuge in You from the evil of which I have committed. I acknowledge Your favor upon me and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for verily none can forgive sin except You."
Then person who recites this in the evening and if he were to pass away that night, he will enter Jannah. And the person who recites this in the morning and if he were to pass away during the day, he will enter Jannah.
6. The greatest verse in the Qur'an is Ayatul Kursi. The person who recites this in the morning he will be offered a protection from all types of evil jinn and devil. And the person who recites this in the evening, he will be given protection throughout the night from all types of evil.
"Whoever recites Ayatul Kursi after every prescribed prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death." (An-Nasa'i)
ٱللَّـهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴿٢٥٥[Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:255]
"Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. (255)"
7. Of course, recite Surah Al-Kahf every Friday (and the first 10 and last 10 verses in the morning and evening) for it is a protection against the trial of the Dajjal.
Abu ad-Darda' (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "Whoever commits to memory the first ten Ayat of the Surah Al-Kahf, will be protected from (the trial of) Ad-Dajjal (Antichrist).'' [Muslim]
In another narration, the Messenger of Allah (salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "(Whoever commits to memory) the last ten Ayat of Surat Al-Kahf, he will be protected from (the trial of) Ad-Dajjal (Antichrist).''
Ad-Dajjal will appear sometime before Yaum-ul-Qiyamah (Day of Judgment). Allah Almighty, will give him some supernatural powers the manifestation of which will shake the faith of many people. For this reason, this will be a serious trial. All Prophets warned their people against him. Our Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) also warned us against him and ordered us to guard ourselves from it and strictly advised us to seek Refuge of Allah against it. This Hadith tells us the way to save ourselves from Ad-Dajjal.
The recitation of the first or the last ten Ayat of Surat Al-Kahf, in the morning and evening, is very useful for this purpose.
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with father and son) said: “The Messenger of Allah (salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Whoever reads Surah al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah, a light will shine for him from beneath his feet to the clouds of the sky, which will shine for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will be forgiven (his sins) between the two Fridays.’”
Please spread the word.
"There is none who invites (others) towards guidance, except that for him shall be the rewards of all those who follow him - and this shall not in the slightest cause a reduction in their own rewards" said our beloved Prophet (salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam).
May Allah make us people of His remembrance. May Allah save us from the trials and tribulations in this life and the next, and make us keys to unlock good and lock evil.
Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Do You Want Allah to Love You?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
You want people to love you, you want so-and-so to love you, but do you want Allah to love you?
The love of Allah is "the status for which the righteous compete and strive... It is the nourishment of hearts and souls… the delight of the eyes... It is the life of which one who is denied it is dead... the light which the one who loses it is in deep darkness... the healing of which the one who is denied is sick... the joy which the one who is deprived of it lives in distress and pain... It is the spirit of faith and good deeds... by means of which one may draw closer to Allah... which, when it is absent, one is like a body in which there is no soul."
The love of Allah has signs and causes which are like the key to the door. These causes include the following:
[1] Following the guidance of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam
Allah Almighty says,
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّـهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّـهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٣١﴾ قُلْ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ ﴿٣٢[Qur'an AleImran 3:31]
Say (O Muhammad to mankind): If you (really) love Allah, then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Allah gives Dunya (the material world) to whom He loves and whom he doesn't love, but He doesn't give this Deen (religion) except for whom He loves.
If Allah Almighty facilitates the practice of religion for you then it is a sign that Allah loves you -- if prayers, fasting, paying zakat, performing hajj, being good to your parents, eating halal (lawful), covering your nakedness (putting on hijab) are easy for you; reciting Qur'an, memorizing Qur'an, learning and teaching sacred knowledge, waking up for tahajjud (night vigil prayer), giving charity, being good to your guests and neighbors, doing good deeds are easy for you,... these are signs that Allah loves you.
If sinning is made difficult for you, it is sign that Allah loves you. However, if you sin after Allah have covered your sins once, twice and even thrice, you may have fallen from the eyes of Allah, where He doesn't care about you and you should repent now to avoid His wrath. Allah is Al-Afuww (the Pardoner) and He is Al-Gafur Ar-Rahim (Most Forgiving, Most Merciful).
[2] Being humble towards the believers and stern against the disbelievers, waging jihad for the sake of Allah, and not fearing anyone or anything but Him.
Allah has mentioned these qualities in a single verse, in which He says,
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَن يَرْتَدَّ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِۦ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِى ٱللَّـهُ بِقَوْمٍ يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُۥٓ أَذِلَّةٍ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَعِزَّةٍ عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ يُجَـٰهِدُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّـهِ وَلَا يَخَافُونَ لَوْمَةَ لَآئِمٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ فَضْلُ ٱللَّـهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّـهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٥٤[Qur'an al-Ma'ida 5:54]
O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islam), Allah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allah, and never fear of the blame of the blamers. That is the Grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allâh is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower. (54)
In this verse Allah describes the attributes of those whom He loves, the first of which is: humility and not being arrogant towards the Muslims, and being stern towards the disbelievers, and not humbling or humiliating oneself before them. They (the ones whom Allah loves) strive for the sake of Allah, against the Shaytan, the disbelievers, the hypocrites and the evil-doers, and they strive against their own selves (jihad al-nafs). They do not fear the blame of any blamer, because so long as they are following the commands of their religion, he will not care about anyone who mocks him or blames him.
[3] Doing naafil (supererogatory) acts of worship.
Allah says – according to a hadith qudsi – "My slave keeps drawing near to me by means of supererogatory acts of worship until I love Him." Supererogatory acts of worship include naafil prayers, charity, 'Umrah, fast, recite Qur'an, seek sacred knowledge, etc.
[4] Loving one another, visiting one another, helping one another (financially and emotionally) and offering sincere advice (nasiha) to one another for the sake of Allah.
These attributes were mentioned in a single hadith in which the Messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam, narrated that his Lord said: "My love is guaranteed for two who love one another for My sake; My love is guaranteed for two who visit one another for My sake; My love is guaranteed for two who help one another (financially) for My sake; My love is guaranteed to two who uphold ties with one another for My sake."
[Narrated by Ahmad]
What is meant by "two who visit one another for My sake" is that they only visit one another for the sake of Allah, seeking thereby His pleasure for their loving one another for His sake or cooperating in worshiping Him.
[From al-Muntaqa Sharh al-Muwatta', hadith 1779]
[5] Being tested.
Calamities and disasters are a test for a person, and this is a sign that Allah loves him, because this is like medicine: even though it is bitter, but still you offer the medicine, despite its bitterness, to the one whom you love; and Allah's is the highest description.
According to a sahih hadeeth: "The greatest reward comes from the greatest trial. When Allah loves people, He tests them, and whoever accepts it gains the pleasure of Allah and whoever complains earns His wrath."
[Narrated by at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]
For calamities to befall the believer is better than punishments being stored up for him in the Hereafter. How can it be otherwise when he is raised in status and his bad deeds are erased thereby? The Prophet sallahu alayhi wasallam said: "When Allah wills good for His slave, He hastens his punishment in this world, and when He wills bad for His slave, He withholds his sins until he comes with them on the Day of Resurrection." [Narrated by at-Tirmidhi]
The scholars have explained that the one from whom calamities and trials are withheld is the hypocrite, for Allah withholds [his punishment] in this world, so as to bring him with all his sins on the Day of Resurrection.
If Allah loves you, do not ask about the good that you will attain and the virtue that you will acquire… it is sufficient for you to know that you are beloved of Allah. The great fruits of the love of Allah for His slave are as follows:
People will love him and he will be accepted on earth, as it says in the hadith narrated by al-Bukhari: "When Allah loves a slave, He says to Jibreel, 'I love so-and-so, so love him,' so Jibreel loves him and then calls out to the people of heaven, 'Allah loves so-and-so, so love him,' and the people of heaven love him, and then acceptance is placed in the Earth for him."
What Allah has mentioned in the Hadith Qudsi of the great virtues of those whom He loves. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah radhiAllahu anhu who said: The Messenger of Allah sallahu alayhi wasallam said: "Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him."
[Narrated by al-Bukhaari]
This Hadith Qudsi includes a number of benefits of Allah's love for His slave:
"I am his hearing with which he hears" i.e., he does not listen to anything but that which Allah loves.
"his seeing with which he sees" i.e., he does not see anything but that which Allah loves.
"his hand with which he strikes" i.e., he does not do anything with his hand but that which Allah loves.
"and his foot with which he walks" i.e., he does not go towards anything but that which Allah loves.
"Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him" i.e., his du'as are heard and his requests are granted.
"and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it" i.e., he is protected by Allah from all things.
So ask Allah for His love by day and by night and strive for the remaining term of your life to implement the guidance of His beloved Messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.
كُلُّ نَفْسٍۢ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ[Qur'an, Ankabut 29:57]
Every soul shall have a taste of death. In the end to Us shall you be brought back.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ حُبَّكَ وَحُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ وَحُبَّ عَمَلٍ يُقَرِّبُنِي إِلَى حُبِّكَ
Allahumma Inni As’aluka Ḥubbaka Wa Ḥubba Man Yuḥibbuka Wa Ḥubba ‘Amalin Yuqarribuni Ila Ḥubbika
"O Allah, I ask You for Your Love, and the love of whoever loves You, and the love of deeds that bring me closer to Your Love." [at-Tirmidhi and Ahmad]
Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Cheating and Deception: A Despicable Trait
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Abu Hurayrah narrates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
Muslim society is based on purity of feeling, love, sincerity towards every Muslim, and fulfillment of promises to every member of society. Its members are endowed with piety, truthfulness, and faithfulness. Cheating and deception are alien characters in contrast to the noble character of a true Muslim. There is no room in it for liars, swindlers, double crossers, tricksters, or traitors.
Cheating is the opposite of sincere concern. Cheating is a form of lying.
One should steer clear of all the various forms of deceit and deception present in today’s society. Cheating is common in examinations, business transactions, marriage, and even in attracting marriage proposals, such that a woman attaches to her hair, the hair of another, or claims to be a virgin, or claims to have certain qualifications being sought, or pretends to have certain good traits, or simply hides material facts or defects.
Cheating is also for a seller to display (a product) such that it would delude (others into thinking it) an intact product, by lying outright or hiding a defect.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) happened to pass by a heap of corn. He thrust his hand in that (heap) and his fingers felt wetness. He said to the owner of that heap of corn, "What is this?" He replied: "O Messenger of Allah! These have been drenched by rainfall." He remarked, "Why did you not place this (the drenched part of the heap) over the corn so that people might see it? He who deceives is not of us."
Cheating and deception are despicable characteristics that are beneath a decent human being. Intentionally distorting the truth in order to mislead others contradicts the values of honesty, which requires an attitude of sincerity, straightforwardness, and fairness that leaves no room for cheating, lying, trickery, or deceit.
There are many texts from the Qur'an and the Sunnah conveying the meaning that cheating, whether the target be Muslims or non-Muslims, is forbidden.
Accepting the guidance of Islam leads a person to truthfulness, which means a person completely avoids cheating, cheating, and back-stabbing. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
"Whoever bears arms against us is not one of us, and whoever cheats us is not one of us." [Muslim]
Islam views cheating and deception as heinous sins, a source of shame to the one guilty of committing them, both in this world and the next. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) did not merely denounce them by excluding them from the Muslim community in this world, he also announced that on the Day of Judgment every traitor would be raised carrying the flag of his betrayal. A caller will cry out from the vast arena of judgment, pointing to him, drawing attention to him:
"Every traitor will have a banner on the Day of Resurrection and it will be said: This is the betrayer of so-and-so." [Bukhari]
The shame of traitors – men and women - will be immense. Those who thought that their betrayal had been forgotten will find it right there, exposed for the whole humanity to see on banners raised high held by their own hands.
Their shame will increase even more when they meet with the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) on that terrifying Day. Their crime is of such enormity that it will deprive them of Divine mercy and the Prophet’s intercession. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
We should value ourselves too highly to be among those who cheat or deceive perchance we might fall in the category of hypocrites about whom the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
A Muslim should avoid deceit, cheating, treachery, and lying, at all costs, no matter what benefits or profits such actions might bring him.
May Allah grant us sincerity and make us of the truthful. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Abu Hurayrah narrates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
Do not envy one another; do not inflate prices to one another; do not hate one another, do not turn away from one another; and do not undercut one another, but be brothers, O slaves of Allah. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim: he neither oppresses him nor disgraces him, he neither lies to him nor does he hold him in contempt. Piety and righteousness is here - and he pointed to his breast three times. It is evil enough for a man to hold his brother Muslim in contempt. The whole of a Muslim for another Muslim is inviolable; his blood, his property, and his honor.[Muslim]
Muslim society is based on purity of feeling, love, sincerity towards every Muslim, and fulfillment of promises to every member of society. Its members are endowed with piety, truthfulness, and faithfulness. Cheating and deception are alien characters in contrast to the noble character of a true Muslim. There is no room in it for liars, swindlers, double crossers, tricksters, or traitors.
Cheating is the opposite of sincere concern. Cheating is a form of lying.
One should steer clear of all the various forms of deceit and deception present in today’s society. Cheating is common in examinations, business transactions, marriage, and even in attracting marriage proposals, such that a woman attaches to her hair, the hair of another, or claims to be a virgin, or claims to have certain qualifications being sought, or pretends to have certain good traits, or simply hides material facts or defects.
Cheating is also for a seller to display (a product) such that it would delude (others into thinking it) an intact product, by lying outright or hiding a defect.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) happened to pass by a heap of corn. He thrust his hand in that (heap) and his fingers felt wetness. He said to the owner of that heap of corn, "What is this?" He replied: "O Messenger of Allah! These have been drenched by rainfall." He remarked, "Why did you not place this (the drenched part of the heap) over the corn so that people might see it? He who deceives is not of us."
Cheating and deception are despicable characteristics that are beneath a decent human being. Intentionally distorting the truth in order to mislead others contradicts the values of honesty, which requires an attitude of sincerity, straightforwardness, and fairness that leaves no room for cheating, lying, trickery, or deceit.
There are many texts from the Qur'an and the Sunnah conveying the meaning that cheating, whether the target be Muslims or non-Muslims, is forbidden.
Accepting the guidance of Islam leads a person to truthfulness, which means a person completely avoids cheating, cheating, and back-stabbing. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
"Whoever bears arms against us is not one of us, and whoever cheats us is not one of us." [Muslim]
Islam views cheating and deception as heinous sins, a source of shame to the one guilty of committing them, both in this world and the next. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) did not merely denounce them by excluding them from the Muslim community in this world, he also announced that on the Day of Judgment every traitor would be raised carrying the flag of his betrayal. A caller will cry out from the vast arena of judgment, pointing to him, drawing attention to him:
"Every traitor will have a banner on the Day of Resurrection and it will be said: This is the betrayer of so-and-so." [Bukhari]
The shame of traitors – men and women - will be immense. Those who thought that their betrayal had been forgotten will find it right there, exposed for the whole humanity to see on banners raised high held by their own hands.
Their shame will increase even more when they meet with the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) on that terrifying Day. Their crime is of such enormity that it will deprive them of Divine mercy and the Prophet’s intercession. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
Allah said: There are three whom I will oppose on the Day of Resurrection: a man who gave his word and then betrayed it; a man who sold a free man into slavery and kept the money; and a man who hired someone, benefited from his labor, then did not pay his wages.[Bukhari]
We should value ourselves too highly to be among those who cheat or deceive perchance we might fall in the category of hypocrites about whom the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
There are four characteristics, whoever has all of them is a true hypocrite, and whoever has one of them has one of the qualities of a hypocrite until he gives it up: when he is trusted, he betrays; when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he disputes, he resorts to slander.[Bukhari & Muslim]
A Muslim should avoid deceit, cheating, treachery, and lying, at all costs, no matter what benefits or profits such actions might bring him.
May Allah grant us sincerity and make us of the truthful. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Friday, September 23, 2016
Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- A Day to Refocus
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
It's Friday. It means another week has passed by us. This only means that we have lost a whole week of opportunity to do much good and to do that extra good deed that we had procrastinated, and we are that much closer to the day of judgment, which will begin with our own death.
Allah reminds us of this Day at the beginning of Surah Kahf and at various places in the Surah.
If one dies with Faith in the Oneness of Allah (a believer), his abode will eventually be Paradise. He might be punished for a time in Hellfire for his sins but he will eventually get into Paradise. If one dies without Iman (a disbeliever), his abode will be Hellfire till eternity.
So, we should be afraid to face what might be coming in the future--the punishment of the grave and Hellfire. We should protect ourselves against this. This is the basic meaning of taqwa, doing something to place between ourselves and the wrath of Allah. How do we do this? By running to Allah.
First, we repent to Allah from our slips. Then we start working on our character. Our character is the way that we are. The nature of character is second nature. If you are a generous person, you don't have to stop to think to give charity, to be hospitable to your guests, to make du'a for a sick person, etc. If you are a merciful person, you don't stop to think to help the needy and the oppressed, to feed the poor or a hungry animal, and so on.
Indeed, the weightiest thing that you can bring to the Day of Judgment is not something you did but the way that you are--your character.
"Verily, of the most beloved to you to me and the closest of you to me in the seating of Judgment Day, are the most excellent of you in character." (Tirmidhi)
So, the best good deed you can do today is to pick one trait that Allah doesn't like and change it into what Allah pleases--ingratitude into gratitude, arrogance and pride into humility, selfishness into thoughtfulness, impatience into patience, wastefulness into prudence, greed into charity, anger into calmness, unkind into merciful, heedless of Allah into mindful of Allah, etc. This is the thing you are going to bring back to Allah. It is the weightiest thing you can busy yourself with--your character.
You can make this drastic change through taqwa (Godfearingness, piety, righteousness, consciousness of Allah) and repentance. Through them change takes place. Taqwa is the fuel to make one wants to change and repentance keeps the flame going.
If there is no taqwa, there is no impetus for change, and when repentance dies the flame slowly dies with it. You make this change for the sake of Allah. That is why it makes it a great form of worship. You intend to transform your bad character traits for good and better traits for the sake of Allah. You resolve to please Allah and avoid His anger and repenting from your slips. The whole process is for the sake of Allah. As you get closer to this transformed character, the more natural it becomes. Your great reward is the fact that you acquired that character.
"What most enters people into the Garden? Taqwa of Allah and good character." (Ahmad)
"Surely those of taqwa shall be in in the Gardens and Rivers, in an Assembly of Truth, in the Presence of a Sovereign Omnipotent." [Qur'an, Qamar 54:50-51]
People of taqwa will always have Allah to take care of the needs.
"...And those who fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things." [Qur'an, At-Talaq 65:2-3]
The Qu'ran is a guide for those who have taqwa.
Moist the tongues with istighfar (say, astaghfirullah -- I seek forgiveness of Allah) everyday until you die, and learn the Qur'an and recite a good portion daily. You can start today...at least make a sincere intention to read Surah Kahf every Friday.
May Allah grant us taqwa and noble character. May Allah bless your Friday. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
It's Friday. It means another week has passed by us. This only means that we have lost a whole week of opportunity to do much good and to do that extra good deed that we had procrastinated, and we are that much closer to the day of judgment, which will begin with our own death.
Allah reminds us of this Day at the beginning of Surah Kahf and at various places in the Surah.
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجَا ۜ ﴿١﴾ قَيِّمًا لِّيُنذِرَ بَأْسًا شَدِيدًا مِّن لَّدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا حَسَنًا ﴿٢[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:1-2]
[All] praise is [due] to Allah, who has sent down upon His Servant the Book and has not made therein any deviance. (1) [He has made it] straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward (2)
وَيَوْمَ نُسَيِّرُ ٱلْجِبَالَ وَتَرَى ٱلْأَرْضَ بَارِزَةً وَحَشَرْنَـٰهُمْ فَلَمْ نُغَادِرْ مِنْهُمْ أَحَدًا ﴿٤٧[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:47]
And [warn of] the Day when We will remove the mountains and you will see the earth prominent, and We will gather them and not leave behind from them anyone. (47)
وَعُرِضُوا۟ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ صَفًّا لَّقَدْ جِئْتُمُونَا كَمَا خَلَقْنَـٰكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۭ ۚ بَلْ زَعَمْتُمْ أَلَّن نَّجْعَلَ لَكُم مَّوْعِدًا ﴿٤٨[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:48]
And they will be presented before your Lord in rows, [and He will say], "You have certainly come to Us just as We created you the first time. But you claimed that We would never make for you an appointment." (48)
وُضِعَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ فَتَرَى ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ مُشْفِقِينَ مِمَّا فِيهِ وَيَقُولُونَ يَـٰوَيْلَتَنَا مَالِ هَـٰذَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَا يُغَادِرُ صَغِيرَةً وَلَا كَبِيرَةً إِلَّآ أَحْصَىٰهَا ۚ وَوَجَدُوا۟ مَا عَمِلُوا۟ حَاضِرًۭا ۗ وَلَا يَظْلِمُ رَبُّكَ أَحَدًا ﴿٤٩[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:49]
And the record [of deeds] will be placed [open], and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, "Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?" And they will find what they did present [before them]. And your Lord does injustice to no one. (49)
If one dies with Faith in the Oneness of Allah (a believer), his abode will eventually be Paradise. He might be punished for a time in Hellfire for his sins but he will eventually get into Paradise. If one dies without Iman (a disbeliever), his abode will be Hellfire till eternity.
So, we should be afraid to face what might be coming in the future--the punishment of the grave and Hellfire. We should protect ourselves against this. This is the basic meaning of taqwa, doing something to place between ourselves and the wrath of Allah. How do we do this? By running to Allah.
First, we repent to Allah from our slips. Then we start working on our character. Our character is the way that we are. The nature of character is second nature. If you are a generous person, you don't have to stop to think to give charity, to be hospitable to your guests, to make du'a for a sick person, etc. If you are a merciful person, you don't stop to think to help the needy and the oppressed, to feed the poor or a hungry animal, and so on.
Indeed, the weightiest thing that you can bring to the Day of Judgment is not something you did but the way that you are--your character.
"Verily, of the most beloved to you to me and the closest of you to me in the seating of Judgment Day, are the most excellent of you in character." (Tirmidhi)
So, the best good deed you can do today is to pick one trait that Allah doesn't like and change it into what Allah pleases--ingratitude into gratitude, arrogance and pride into humility, selfishness into thoughtfulness, impatience into patience, wastefulness into prudence, greed into charity, anger into calmness, unkind into merciful, heedless of Allah into mindful of Allah, etc. This is the thing you are going to bring back to Allah. It is the weightiest thing you can busy yourself with--your character.
You can make this drastic change through taqwa (Godfearingness, piety, righteousness, consciousness of Allah) and repentance. Through them change takes place. Taqwa is the fuel to make one wants to change and repentance keeps the flame going.
If there is no taqwa, there is no impetus for change, and when repentance dies the flame slowly dies with it. You make this change for the sake of Allah. That is why it makes it a great form of worship. You intend to transform your bad character traits for good and better traits for the sake of Allah. You resolve to please Allah and avoid His anger and repenting from your slips. The whole process is for the sake of Allah. As you get closer to this transformed character, the more natural it becomes. Your great reward is the fact that you acquired that character.
"What most enters people into the Garden? Taqwa of Allah and good character." (Ahmad)
"Surely those of taqwa shall be in in the Gardens and Rivers, in an Assembly of Truth, in the Presence of a Sovereign Omnipotent." [Qur'an, Qamar 54:50-51]
People of taqwa will always have Allah to take care of the needs.
"...And those who fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things." [Qur'an, At-Talaq 65:2-3]
The Qu'ran is a guide for those who have taqwa.
الٓمٓ ﴿١﴾ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿٢[Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:2].
...This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah - (2)
Moist the tongues with istighfar (say, astaghfirullah -- I seek forgiveness of Allah) everyday until you die, and learn the Qur'an and recite a good portion daily. You can start today...at least make a sincere intention to read Surah Kahf every Friday.
May Allah grant us taqwa and noble character. May Allah bless your Friday. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Truths About Lying
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Lying can become addictive and destructive, destroying relationships, families, communities, even whole countries. The Qur'an and Sunnah are clear on where the true road lies.
1. We must not lie, even if this might win us an advantage.
Safwan ibn Sulaym said, "The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was asked, 'Can the believer be a coward?' He said, 'Yes.' He was asked, 'Can the believer be a miser?' He said, 'Yes.' He was asked, 'Can the believer be a liar?' He said, 'No.' " [Muwatta]
وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّتِى نَقَضَتْ غَزْلَهَا مِنۢ بَعْدِ قُوَّةٍ أَنكَـٰثًا تَتَّخِذُونَ أَيْمَـٰنَكُمْ دَخَلًۢا بَيْنَكُمْ أَن تَكُونَ أُمَّةٌ هِىَ أَرْبَىٰ مِنْ أُمَّةٍ ۚ إِنَّمَا يَبْلُوكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ ۚ وَلَيُبَيِّنَنَّ لَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ مَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ ﴿٩٢
And do not be like she who untwisted her spun thread after it was strong [by] taking your oaths as [means of] deceit between you because one community is more plentiful [in number or wealth] than another community. Allah only tries you thereby. And He will surely make clear to you on the Day of Resurrection that over which you used to differ. [Qur'an, An-Nahl 16:92]
2. We must not only avoid lying, we must also avoid supporting liars in their sins.
وَلَا تُجَـٰدِلْ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ خَوَّانًا أَثِيمًا ﴿١٠٧
And do not argue on behalf of those who deceive themselves. Indeed, Allah loves not one who is a habitually sinful deceiver. [Qur'an, An-Nisa 4:107]
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَكُونُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ ﴿١١٩
O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true. (119) [Qur'an, At-Tawba 9:119]
3. When we lie, we lie first to ourselves— which puts us on a slippery slope to Hellfire.
يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ ﴿٩
They [think to] deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] not. [Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:9]
‘Abd Allah (b. Mas’ud) reported the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) as saying, "Avoid falsehood, for falsehood leads to wickedness, and wickedness to hell; and if a man continues to speak falsehood and makes falsehood his object, he will be recorded in Allah’s presence as a great liar. And adhere to truth, for truth leads to good deeds, and good deeds lead to paradise. If a man continues to speak the truth and makes truth his object, he will be recorded in Allah’s presence as eminently truthful." [Abu Dawood]
4. Lying is a disease of the heart that only gets worse if left uncorrected.
فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ فَزَادَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مَرَضًا ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْذِبُونَ ﴿١٠
In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie. [Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:10]
فَأَعْقَبَهُمْ نِفَاقًا فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يَلْقَوْنَهُۥ بِمَآ أَخْلَفُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا وَعَدُوهُ وَبِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْذِبُونَ ﴿٧٧
So He penalized them with hypocrisy in their hearts until the Day they will meet Him – because they failed Allah in what they promised Him and because they [habitually] used to lie. [Qur'an, At-Tawba 9:77]
5. Lying— especially lying about Allah— is a symptom of injustice and results in extreme humiliation.
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ قَالَ أُوحِىَ إِلَىَّ وَلَمْ يُوحَ إِلَيْهِ شَىْءٌ وَمَن قَالَ سَأُنزِلُ مِثْلَ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ فِى غَمَرَٰتِ ٱلْمَوْتِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ بَاسِطُوٓا۟ أَيْدِيهِمْ أَخْرِجُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمُ ۖ ٱلْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ عَذَابَ ٱلْهُونِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ غَيْرَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَكُنتُمْ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ﴿٩٣
And who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allah or says, ‘It has been inspired to me,’ while nothing has been inspired to him, and one who says, ‘I will reveal [something] like what Allah revealed.’ And if you could but see when the wrongdoers are in the overwhelming pangs of death while the angels extend their hands, [saying], ‘Discharge your souls! Today you will be awarded the punishment of [extreme] humiliation for what you used to say against Allah other than the truth and [that] you were, toward His verses, being arrogant.’ [Qur'an, Al-An'am 6:93]
6. How do we tell liars from truth tellers? Allah doesn’t guide liars.
وَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مُّؤْمِنٌ مِّنْ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ يَكْتُمُ إِيمَـٰنَهُۥٓ أَتَقْتُلُونَ رَجُلًا أَن يَقُولَ رَبِّىَ ٱللَّهُ وَقَدْ جَآءَكُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَكُ كَـٰذِبًا فَعَلَيْهِ كَذِبُهُۥ ۖ وَإِن يَكُ صَادِقًا يُصِبْكُم بَعْضُ ٱلَّذِى يَعِدُكُمْ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ كَذَّابٌ ﴿٢٨
And a believing man from the family of Pharaoh who concealed his faith said, ‘Do you kill a man [merely] because he says, “My Lord is Allah” while he has brought you clear proofs from your Lord? And if he should be lying, then upon him is [the consequence of] his lie; but if he should be truthful, there will strike you some of what he promises you. Indeed, Allah does not guide one who is a transgressor and a liar.’ [Qur'an, Ghafir 40:28]
7. We don’t need to worry about guarding ourselves against deception; Allah is ever ready to protect us.
وَإِن يُرِيدُوٓا۟ أَن يَخْدَعُوكَ فَإِنَّ حَسْبَكَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَيَّدَكَ بِنَصْرِهِۦ وَبِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٦٢
But if they intend to deceive you – then sufficient for you is Allah. It is He who supported you with His help and with the believers. [Qur'an, Al-Anfal 8:62]
8. No one can ever get away with lying; in the end it will be clear who was truthful and who was not.
وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ ﴿٣
But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars. [Qur'an, Al-Ankabut 29:3]
9. The truthful have a tremendous reward.
قَالَ ٱللَّهُ هَـٰذَا يَوْمُ يَنفَعُ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ ۚ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۚ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴿١١٩
Allah will say, ‘This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness.’ For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them, and they with Him. That is the great attainment. [Qur'an, Al-Ma'ida 5:119]
So, embrace truth. It's your road to Jannah.
وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَٱلصِّدِّيقِينَ وَٱلشُّهَدَآءِ وَٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ ۚ وَحَسُنَ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ رَفِيقًا ﴿٦٩
And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger - those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the Prophets (Nabiyyeen), the steadfast affirmers of truth (Siddiqeen), the martyrs (Shuhada') and the righteous (Soliheen). And excellent are those as companions. [Qur'an, An-Nisa 4:69]
اَللّٰهُمَّ أَرِنَا اْلحَقَّ حَقًّا وَّارْزُقْنَا اتِّبَاعَه، وَأَرِنَا اْلبَاطِلَ بَاطِلًا وَّارْزُقْنَا اجْتِنَابَهْ
O Allah, enable us to see the truth as truth and give us the ability to follow it, and
enable us to see the falsehood as false and give us the ability to refrain from it.
May Allah purify our hearts and make us of those who are truthful.
Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Lying can become addictive and destructive, destroying relationships, families, communities, even whole countries. The Qur'an and Sunnah are clear on where the true road lies.
1. We must not lie, even if this might win us an advantage.
Safwan ibn Sulaym said, "The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was asked, 'Can the believer be a coward?' He said, 'Yes.' He was asked, 'Can the believer be a miser?' He said, 'Yes.' He was asked, 'Can the believer be a liar?' He said, 'No.' " [Muwatta]
وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّتِى نَقَضَتْ غَزْلَهَا مِنۢ بَعْدِ قُوَّةٍ أَنكَـٰثًا تَتَّخِذُونَ أَيْمَـٰنَكُمْ دَخَلًۢا بَيْنَكُمْ أَن تَكُونَ أُمَّةٌ هِىَ أَرْبَىٰ مِنْ أُمَّةٍ ۚ إِنَّمَا يَبْلُوكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ ۚ وَلَيُبَيِّنَنَّ لَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ مَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ ﴿٩٢
And do not be like she who untwisted her spun thread after it was strong [by] taking your oaths as [means of] deceit between you because one community is more plentiful [in number or wealth] than another community. Allah only tries you thereby. And He will surely make clear to you on the Day of Resurrection that over which you used to differ. [Qur'an, An-Nahl 16:92]
2. We must not only avoid lying, we must also avoid supporting liars in their sins.
وَلَا تُجَـٰدِلْ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ خَوَّانًا أَثِيمًا ﴿١٠٧
And do not argue on behalf of those who deceive themselves. Indeed, Allah loves not one who is a habitually sinful deceiver. [Qur'an, An-Nisa 4:107]
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَكُونُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ ﴿١١٩
O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true. (119) [Qur'an, At-Tawba 9:119]
3. When we lie, we lie first to ourselves— which puts us on a slippery slope to Hellfire.
يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ ﴿٩
They [think to] deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] not. [Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:9]
‘Abd Allah (b. Mas’ud) reported the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) as saying, "Avoid falsehood, for falsehood leads to wickedness, and wickedness to hell; and if a man continues to speak falsehood and makes falsehood his object, he will be recorded in Allah’s presence as a great liar. And adhere to truth, for truth leads to good deeds, and good deeds lead to paradise. If a man continues to speak the truth and makes truth his object, he will be recorded in Allah’s presence as eminently truthful." [Abu Dawood]
4. Lying is a disease of the heart that only gets worse if left uncorrected.
فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ فَزَادَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مَرَضًا ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْذِبُونَ ﴿١٠
In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie. [Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:10]
فَأَعْقَبَهُمْ نِفَاقًا فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يَلْقَوْنَهُۥ بِمَآ أَخْلَفُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا وَعَدُوهُ وَبِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْذِبُونَ ﴿٧٧
So He penalized them with hypocrisy in their hearts until the Day they will meet Him – because they failed Allah in what they promised Him and because they [habitually] used to lie. [Qur'an, At-Tawba 9:77]
5. Lying— especially lying about Allah— is a symptom of injustice and results in extreme humiliation.
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ قَالَ أُوحِىَ إِلَىَّ وَلَمْ يُوحَ إِلَيْهِ شَىْءٌ وَمَن قَالَ سَأُنزِلُ مِثْلَ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ فِى غَمَرَٰتِ ٱلْمَوْتِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ بَاسِطُوٓا۟ أَيْدِيهِمْ أَخْرِجُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمُ ۖ ٱلْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ عَذَابَ ٱلْهُونِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ غَيْرَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَكُنتُمْ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ﴿٩٣
And who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allah or says, ‘It has been inspired to me,’ while nothing has been inspired to him, and one who says, ‘I will reveal [something] like what Allah revealed.’ And if you could but see when the wrongdoers are in the overwhelming pangs of death while the angels extend their hands, [saying], ‘Discharge your souls! Today you will be awarded the punishment of [extreme] humiliation for what you used to say against Allah other than the truth and [that] you were, toward His verses, being arrogant.’ [Qur'an, Al-An'am 6:93]
6. How do we tell liars from truth tellers? Allah doesn’t guide liars.
وَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مُّؤْمِنٌ مِّنْ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ يَكْتُمُ إِيمَـٰنَهُۥٓ أَتَقْتُلُونَ رَجُلًا أَن يَقُولَ رَبِّىَ ٱللَّهُ وَقَدْ جَآءَكُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَكُ كَـٰذِبًا فَعَلَيْهِ كَذِبُهُۥ ۖ وَإِن يَكُ صَادِقًا يُصِبْكُم بَعْضُ ٱلَّذِى يَعِدُكُمْ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ كَذَّابٌ ﴿٢٨
And a believing man from the family of Pharaoh who concealed his faith said, ‘Do you kill a man [merely] because he says, “My Lord is Allah” while he has brought you clear proofs from your Lord? And if he should be lying, then upon him is [the consequence of] his lie; but if he should be truthful, there will strike you some of what he promises you. Indeed, Allah does not guide one who is a transgressor and a liar.’ [Qur'an, Ghafir 40:28]
7. We don’t need to worry about guarding ourselves against deception; Allah is ever ready to protect us.
وَإِن يُرِيدُوٓا۟ أَن يَخْدَعُوكَ فَإِنَّ حَسْبَكَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَيَّدَكَ بِنَصْرِهِۦ وَبِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٦٢
But if they intend to deceive you – then sufficient for you is Allah. It is He who supported you with His help and with the believers. [Qur'an, Al-Anfal 8:62]
8. No one can ever get away with lying; in the end it will be clear who was truthful and who was not.
وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ ﴿٣
But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars. [Qur'an, Al-Ankabut 29:3]
9. The truthful have a tremendous reward.
قَالَ ٱللَّهُ هَـٰذَا يَوْمُ يَنفَعُ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ ۚ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۚ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴿١١٩
Allah will say, ‘This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness.’ For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them, and they with Him. That is the great attainment. [Qur'an, Al-Ma'ida 5:119]
So, embrace truth. It's your road to Jannah.
وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَٱلصِّدِّيقِينَ وَٱلشُّهَدَآءِ وَٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ ۚ وَحَسُنَ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ رَفِيقًا ﴿٦٩
And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger - those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the Prophets (Nabiyyeen), the steadfast affirmers of truth (Siddiqeen), the martyrs (Shuhada') and the righteous (Soliheen). And excellent are those as companions. [Qur'an, An-Nisa 4:69]
اَللّٰهُمَّ أَرِنَا اْلحَقَّ حَقًّا وَّارْزُقْنَا اتِّبَاعَه، وَأَرِنَا اْلبَاطِلَ بَاطِلًا وَّارْزُقْنَا اجْتِنَابَهْ
O Allah, enable us to see the truth as truth and give us the ability to follow it, and
enable us to see the falsehood as false and give us the ability to refrain from it.
May Allah purify our hearts and make us of those who are truthful.
Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Ripple Effect of Your Sins -- Don't Take Sins Lightly
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Islam defines sin as an act which goes against the teachings of Allah. All human beings sin, as none of us is perfect. Allah, All Knowing, Who created us and all of our imperfections, knows this about us and is All-Forgiving, Merciful, and Compassionate.
What is sin? The Prophet(Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "Righteousness is good character, and sin is that which wavers in your heart and which you do not want people to know about."
We each try our best, we each fall short, and we each should seek Allah’s forgiveness for our shortcomings.
Allah, Al-Gaffur Ar-Rahim, is prepared to forgive, as the Qur'an describes,
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٣١
Say, [O Muhammad], "If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (31) [Qur'an, AleImran 3:31]
Of course, sin is something to be avoided.
From Sahl ibn Sa'd (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that Allah's Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "Beware of sins which are treated as being minor, just like a people who encamp in the center of a valley, so someone brings a stick of firewood and someone else brings a stick until they are therefore able to bake their bread. Likewise sins which are treated as being minor and for which the person is taken to account will destroy him." [Ahmad & Others]
Reported in a hadith by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) in two narrations: One from the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and the other from himself, saying, "The believer sees his sins as if he were sitting beneath a mountain which he feared was about to fall upon him, whereas the wicked sees his sins like a man who finds a fly settle upon his nose, so he does this (one of the narrators said: He brushes it away from his nose)."[Bukhari]
You should not think of your sin as being great or small. Rather you should think of it with regard to the One you are disobeying. When a person regards sins and acts of disobedience as something slight then he is oppressing his own soul.
Oppression (a wrong) is of two types: (1) A person oppressing (wronging) his own soul; and (2) his oppressing (wronging) others. Both types are forbidden by Allah.
A person oppressing his own soul causes him to feel at home with his sins and to commit them, and causes him to abandon acts of obedience to Allah.
One aspect of oppression is darkness. By you oppressing someone you become the means of that person entering into disobedience of Allah. You are, in fact, pushing others into darkness.
For example, the person who is being lied to or backbitten becomes angry and start backbiting; the person whose property has been stolen might miss his prayers because he is busy trying to recover his lost property; the person who has been cheated of his money in a sale/purchase is now busy going up and down the courthouse that he couldn't perform his regular worship; your poor sister (and single mother) that you (her brother in Islam) neglected to help start begging for food or waiting on tables in a nightclub. You may recall other examples that people might have done something bad to you which disorient you or detract you from your daily routine and your worship.
There is a ripple effect of your sin on you, your family and society, no matter how small. Are you ready to carry the sins of others because of your sins?
From Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that Allah's Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "Beware of committing oppression for on the Day of Resurrection oppression will be darkness, and beware of avarice for avarice destroyed those who came before you, it led them into shedding blood and into making lawful that which was forbidden for them." [Muslim]
From an Islamic perspective, there are some sins which are extremely serious and are thus known as major Sins. These are mentioned in the Qur'an as being worthy of punishment both in this world and the hereafter.
The greatest of these sins is shirk (associating others with Allah), which leads to doom with no hope of redemption, and if a person dies in this state he will abide in Hell for all eternity. [al-Maa’idah 5:72, An'am 6:151]
Witchcraft (engaging in magic or fortune telling) involves shirk because it is worshiping the jinn and is seeking the help of the jinn to misguide people. [al-Falaq 113:4], Ta-Ha 20:66, al-A‘raaf 7:116]
Disrespect (disobedience) of one's parents and ingratitude towards one's parents. [Qur'an, Al-Isra’ 17:23-24, An-Nisa 4:36, Luqman 31:14]
Killing a soul whom Allah has forbidden us to kill. [an-Nisa’ 4:93, An'am 6:151]
Adultery or fornication. [An'am 6:151]
Consuming riba – this refers to dealing with riba which Allah has prohibited. [al-Baqarah 2:275]
Slandering chaste women. [An-Nur 24:4]
Theft
Stealing from an orphan’s estate. [An'am 6:152, Al-Isra 17:34, An-Nisa 4:10]
Bearing false witness
Other missteps are known as minor sins, not because they are insignificant, but rather because they are not mentioned in the Qur'an as having a legal punishment. These so-called “minor sins” are sometimes overlooked by a believer, who then engages in them to the extent that they become part of their lifestyle. Making a habit of sinning brings a person further away from Allah, and causes them to lose faith. The Qur'an describes such people:
Additionally, Allah says that,
One who recognizes that he is engaging in minor sins, must vow to make lifestyle changes. He must recognize the problem, feel remorse, vow not to repeat the mistakes, and seek forgiveness from Allah. Believers who sincerely care about Allah and the hereafter must do their best to avoid both Major and Minor sins.
It is difficult to list all of the minor sins according to Islam. But the list should include anything that violates Allah’s guidance. It is something you would be ashamed of if someone were to find out or something which you would not want people to find out.
May Allah protect us from anything that displease Him and save us from disobedience. May Allah make us of those who are oft-repentant. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Islam defines sin as an act which goes against the teachings of Allah. All human beings sin, as none of us is perfect. Allah, All Knowing, Who created us and all of our imperfections, knows this about us and is All-Forgiving, Merciful, and Compassionate.
What is sin? The Prophet(Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "Righteousness is good character, and sin is that which wavers in your heart and which you do not want people to know about."
We each try our best, we each fall short, and we each should seek Allah’s forgiveness for our shortcomings.
Allah, Al-Gaffur Ar-Rahim, is prepared to forgive, as the Qur'an describes,
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٣١
Say, [O Muhammad], "If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (31) [Qur'an, AleImran 3:31]
Of course, sin is something to be avoided.
From Sahl ibn Sa'd (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that Allah's Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "Beware of sins which are treated as being minor, just like a people who encamp in the center of a valley, so someone brings a stick of firewood and someone else brings a stick until they are therefore able to bake their bread. Likewise sins which are treated as being minor and for which the person is taken to account will destroy him." [Ahmad & Others]
Reported in a hadith by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) in two narrations: One from the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and the other from himself, saying, "The believer sees his sins as if he were sitting beneath a mountain which he feared was about to fall upon him, whereas the wicked sees his sins like a man who finds a fly settle upon his nose, so he does this (one of the narrators said: He brushes it away from his nose)."[Bukhari]
You should not think of your sin as being great or small. Rather you should think of it with regard to the One you are disobeying. When a person regards sins and acts of disobedience as something slight then he is oppressing his own soul.
Oppression (a wrong) is of two types: (1) A person oppressing (wronging) his own soul; and (2) his oppressing (wronging) others. Both types are forbidden by Allah.
A person oppressing his own soul causes him to feel at home with his sins and to commit them, and causes him to abandon acts of obedience to Allah.
One aspect of oppression is darkness. By you oppressing someone you become the means of that person entering into disobedience of Allah. You are, in fact, pushing others into darkness.
For example, the person who is being lied to or backbitten becomes angry and start backbiting; the person whose property has been stolen might miss his prayers because he is busy trying to recover his lost property; the person who has been cheated of his money in a sale/purchase is now busy going up and down the courthouse that he couldn't perform his regular worship; your poor sister (and single mother) that you (her brother in Islam) neglected to help start begging for food or waiting on tables in a nightclub. You may recall other examples that people might have done something bad to you which disorient you or detract you from your daily routine and your worship.
There is a ripple effect of your sin on you, your family and society, no matter how small. Are you ready to carry the sins of others because of your sins?
From Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that Allah's Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "Beware of committing oppression for on the Day of Resurrection oppression will be darkness, and beware of avarice for avarice destroyed those who came before you, it led them into shedding blood and into making lawful that which was forbidden for them." [Muslim]
From an Islamic perspective, there are some sins which are extremely serious and are thus known as major Sins. These are mentioned in the Qur'an as being worthy of punishment both in this world and the hereafter.
The greatest of these sins is shirk (associating others with Allah), which leads to doom with no hope of redemption, and if a person dies in this state he will abide in Hell for all eternity. [al-Maa’idah 5:72, An'am 6:151]
Witchcraft (engaging in magic or fortune telling) involves shirk because it is worshiping the jinn and is seeking the help of the jinn to misguide people. [al-Falaq 113:4], Ta-Ha 20:66, al-A‘raaf 7:116]
Disrespect (disobedience) of one's parents and ingratitude towards one's parents. [Qur'an, Al-Isra’ 17:23-24, An-Nisa 4:36, Luqman 31:14]
Killing a soul whom Allah has forbidden us to kill. [an-Nisa’ 4:93, An'am 6:151]
Adultery or fornication. [An'am 6:151]
Consuming riba – this refers to dealing with riba which Allah has prohibited. [al-Baqarah 2:275]
Slandering chaste women. [An-Nur 24:4]
Theft
Stealing from an orphan’s estate. [An'am 6:152, Al-Isra 17:34, An-Nisa 4:10]
Bearing false witness
Other missteps are known as minor sins, not because they are insignificant, but rather because they are not mentioned in the Qur'an as having a legal punishment. These so-called “minor sins” are sometimes overlooked by a believer, who then engages in them to the extent that they become part of their lifestyle. Making a habit of sinning brings a person further away from Allah, and causes them to lose faith. The Qur'an describes such people:
كَلَّا ۖ بَلْ ۜ رَانَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ ﴿١٤[Qur'an, Al-Mutaffifin 83:14]
No! Rather, the stain has covered their hearts of that which they were earning. (14)
Additionally, Allah says that,
إِذْ تَلَقَّوْنَهُۥ بِأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَتَقُولُونَ بِأَفْوَاهِكُم مَّا لَيْسَ لَكُم بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ وَتَحْسَبُونَهُۥ هَيِّنًا وَهُوَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١٥[Qur'an, An-Nur 24:15]
When you received it with your tongues and said with your mouths that of which you had no knowledge and thought it was insignificant while it was, in the sight of Allah, tremendous. (15)
One who recognizes that he is engaging in minor sins, must vow to make lifestyle changes. He must recognize the problem, feel remorse, vow not to repeat the mistakes, and seek forgiveness from Allah. Believers who sincerely care about Allah and the hereafter must do their best to avoid both Major and Minor sins.
It is difficult to list all of the minor sins according to Islam. But the list should include anything that violates Allah’s guidance. It is something you would be ashamed of if someone were to find out or something which you would not want people to find out.
May Allah protect us from anything that displease Him and save us from disobedience. May Allah make us of those who are oft-repentant. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Death: Can You Guarantee You Won't Be Next?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
We are not created to amass this world, nor we are created to eat, sleep, procreate and have fun. We are created to worship Allah, and Allah alone.
Allah Almighty says,
Many humans live the life of this world, seeking the best that it has to offer, while ignoring what lies ahead of them upon death. This is a result of weak faith, for such people live only for what is before their eyes.
The adornment of this world are but temptations to distract you from the true purpose of life and the reminder that you will indeed be responsible for all you do in this life.
Allah Almighty says,
We can have some fun but within the boundaries set by our Creator. This life is very short. Everyday someone died; the person might be someone you know or someone you don't know. What guarantee do you have that you will not be next?
The only thing that is certain in this life is death but how many of us are prepared for it?
Abdullah Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) once held my shoulders and said: “Live in this world as (if you are) a wayfarer or a stranger (who will sooner or later leave the town he is staying in).”
And Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with father and son) used to say: “If you will live till night, do not wait for the next day (i.e. do not have hopes that you will live to the next day), and if you wake up in the morning do not have hope that you will live till night. And take (advantage) from your health for (the times when you are afflicted with diseases (and can not perform any obedience) and take advantage of your life for death (i.e. do every possible obedience in your life before death comes to you for then no deeds can be performed.” [Bukhari and At-Tirmidhi].
When the angel of death comes, no one has the power to chase him away. No one can avoid death, nor does anyone around the dying person have the ability to prevent it. It is something, which happens every moment and is encountered by the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the sick and the healthy, the strong and the weak. They are all the same because there is no plan or means of escaping it, no power, no means of intercession, no way to prevent it, nor to delay it, which shows that indeed it comes from One having tremendous power - so that the human is helpless in this regard and can only submit to it.
Allah Almighty says.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
Remember much, that which cuts off pleasure: Death, since no-one remembers it in times of difficulty, except that things are made easy for him, nor mentions it at times of ease, except that the affairs become constricted for him. [Saheehul-Jaami’us Sagheer, no 1222]
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) addressed us with a speech whose like I have never heard. He said, 'If you were to know what I know, you would laugh little and weep much.' The Companions of the Messenger of Allah covered their faces and sobbed." [Agreed upon]
'Abdullah ibn ash-Shikhkhir said, "I came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, while he was praying and his chest was heaving like a caldron from weeping." [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]
Allah Almighty gives sacred law for our benefit. If we remain within the sacred law, even if it is not being enforced, it will produce light in our hearts and it will realign with our Lord and then there will be barakah (blessing) in our lives.
We all stained and human being sin, it's just a matter of degree, and the difference between someone enlightened and someone who is not is in how we approach our sins. Are we remorseful when we sin or are we not feel the slightest discomfort?
As Muslims we have to come to terms with this reality. To those we have done wrong, we should seek their forgiveness. It is not comfortable to come to terms with somebody you did wrong, but this is a blessing when you feel uncomfortable when you wronged someone because it motivates you forward--making Tawbah (true repentance to Allah). Don't let the whispers of shaytan take your motivation away.
There are three essential conditions of valid repentance: remorse, abandon the sin, intend and resolve never to return to the sin, and rectify the wrong.
You either burn out by fire of remorse or fire of Hell. It's our individual choice.
Life in this world is of many types but death is of two kinds only -- good ending (Husnul Khaatimah) or bad ending (Suu-ul Khaatimah)).
We should now ask ourselves: "If I die in the state I am today, will I die with Husnul Khaatimah or Suu-ul Khaatimah?"
O Allah make our deeds (in this life) the best ones, and the best of our days the day when we meet You and make us of those whom You have favored.
May Allah grant us excellent ending and resurrect us with His beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and enter us into the highest Jannah without reckoning. May Allah grant us His Noble Countenance.
Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
We are not created to amass this world, nor we are created to eat, sleep, procreate and have fun. We are created to worship Allah, and Allah alone.
Allah Almighty says,
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ ﴿٥٦[Qur'an, Adh-dhariyat 51:56]
And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (56)
Many humans live the life of this world, seeking the best that it has to offer, while ignoring what lies ahead of them upon death. This is a result of weak faith, for such people live only for what is before their eyes.
The adornment of this world are but temptations to distract you from the true purpose of life and the reminder that you will indeed be responsible for all you do in this life.
Allah Almighty says,
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّـهِ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ ﴿٩﴾ وَأَنفِقُوا مِن مَّا رَزَقْنَاكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنِي إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ﴿١٠﴾ وَلَن يُؤَخِّرَ اللَّـهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهَا ۚ وَاللَّـهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١١[Qur'an Al-Munafiqun 63:9-11]
O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers. (9) And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, "My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous." (10) But never will Allah delay a soul when its time has come. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do. (11)
We can have some fun but within the boundaries set by our Creator. This life is very short. Everyday someone died; the person might be someone you know or someone you don't know. What guarantee do you have that you will not be next?
The only thing that is certain in this life is death but how many of us are prepared for it?
Abdullah Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) once held my shoulders and said: “Live in this world as (if you are) a wayfarer or a stranger (who will sooner or later leave the town he is staying in).”
And Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with father and son) used to say: “If you will live till night, do not wait for the next day (i.e. do not have hopes that you will live to the next day), and if you wake up in the morning do not have hope that you will live till night. And take (advantage) from your health for (the times when you are afflicted with diseases (and can not perform any obedience) and take advantage of your life for death (i.e. do every possible obedience in your life before death comes to you for then no deeds can be performed.” [Bukhari and At-Tirmidhi].
When the angel of death comes, no one has the power to chase him away. No one can avoid death, nor does anyone around the dying person have the ability to prevent it. It is something, which happens every moment and is encountered by the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the sick and the healthy, the strong and the weak. They are all the same because there is no plan or means of escaping it, no power, no means of intercession, no way to prevent it, nor to delay it, which shows that indeed it comes from One having tremendous power - so that the human is helpless in this regard and can only submit to it.
Allah Almighty says.
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ ﴿١٨٥[Qur'an AleImran 3:185]
Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion. (185)
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
Remember much, that which cuts off pleasure: Death, since no-one remembers it in times of difficulty, except that things are made easy for him, nor mentions it at times of ease, except that the affairs become constricted for him. [Saheehul-Jaami’us Sagheer, no 1222]
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) addressed us with a speech whose like I have never heard. He said, 'If you were to know what I know, you would laugh little and weep much.' The Companions of the Messenger of Allah covered their faces and sobbed." [Agreed upon]
'Abdullah ibn ash-Shikhkhir said, "I came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, while he was praying and his chest was heaving like a caldron from weeping." [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]
Allah Almighty gives sacred law for our benefit. If we remain within the sacred law, even if it is not being enforced, it will produce light in our hearts and it will realign with our Lord and then there will be barakah (blessing) in our lives.
We all stained and human being sin, it's just a matter of degree, and the difference between someone enlightened and someone who is not is in how we approach our sins. Are we remorseful when we sin or are we not feel the slightest discomfort?
As Muslims we have to come to terms with this reality. To those we have done wrong, we should seek their forgiveness. It is not comfortable to come to terms with somebody you did wrong, but this is a blessing when you feel uncomfortable when you wronged someone because it motivates you forward--making Tawbah (true repentance to Allah). Don't let the whispers of shaytan take your motivation away.
There are three essential conditions of valid repentance: remorse, abandon the sin, intend and resolve never to return to the sin, and rectify the wrong.
You either burn out by fire of remorse or fire of Hell. It's our individual choice.
Life in this world is of many types but death is of two kinds only -- good ending (Husnul Khaatimah) or bad ending (Suu-ul Khaatimah)).
We should now ask ourselves: "If I die in the state I am today, will I die with Husnul Khaatimah or Suu-ul Khaatimah?"
O Allah make our deeds (in this life) the best ones, and the best of our days the day when we meet You and make us of those whom You have favored.
May Allah grant us excellent ending and resurrect us with His beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and enter us into the highest Jannah without reckoning. May Allah grant us His Noble Countenance.
Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Monday, September 19, 2016
When the Earth Shivers and Quakes...Do You Think You Will Have No Fear?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
As believers we believe in the Day of Resurrection. That Day will come upon humankind suddenly. No matter how well informed or interested someone is in the signs that will precede it, its commencement will come as a shock. The Trumpet will be blown and the people will hear a sound so horrendous that the mountains and the earth itself will crumble to dust.
Allah says that it will be a single shout, a long continuous sound that will not cease until everything has perished.
It will then be followed by a second blowing of the Trumpet.
The situation on that Day will be so severe that people will flee from each other--even from his brother, his mother, his father, his wife and his children, [Qur'an, Abasa 80:34-36]. People will be gathered barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised. When the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said this, our mother Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) asked him, 'Won't everybody look at one another then?' Thereupon, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) recited this Qur'anic verse,
لِكُلِّ ٱمْرِئٍ مِّنْهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ شَأْنٌ يُغْنِيهِ
(On that Day, everybody will have concerns adequate for him. Qur'an, 'Abasa 80:37) "That is, the situation on the Day of Judgment will be so severe that people will have no strength left to turn to look at one another."
When the Trumpet is blown, the earth is rolled up like a scroll and the dead rise. Bones and body parts join together, brains begin to work. Truly humankind has been returned to Allah. All of humankind were dead, those who died before the blowing of the trumpet and those who died in the cataclysmic event that leveled the earth to a plane. The Day of Judgment has begun. People stand in groups, staring ahead.
Once the initial shock of being returned to life begins to wear off, the reality of the situation begins to set in. The veil of the physical world has been removed. The deeds we did are set out for us to see.
So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it. [Qur'an, Al-Zalzala 99:7-8]
Another promise of Allah’s fulfilled. Some people are happy with their situation others begin to tremble in fear.
Do you think you will have no fear?
A person’s deeds will determine their length of the standing. Ahadith tell us that this standing in fear and trepidation could be as long as 50,000 years [Abu Dawood1] but for a pious person it might be as little as the time it takes to pray two rakahs of prayer. The people waiting will be frightened, their hearts beating like drums in their chests and ears. They will run about as if in a drunken state and care nothing about anyone but themselves. Parents, spouses and children will be long forgotten. Gripped by fear they will begin to question their situation.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) informs us that on the Day of Judgement the sun will be bought near to humankind. The sun would only be a mile away and the people will perspire according to the level of their deeds.[Muslim] For some there will be no need for fear, they will be shaded by Allah. Seven kinds of people will be shaded on the Day that there is no shade. They are, a just leader, a person whose heart is attached to the masjid, a person raised to obey Allah, two people who love each other solely for the sake of Allah, a person who mentioned Allah and wept, a person who gave charity secretly and a person who was tempted to commit sin with a member of the opposite sex but resisted saying that they feared Allah.[Bukhari and Muslim]
The people are left standing, there on a great open plane, and they begin to call out. "Where is Allah to judge us?”
Before we get to that point, what can we do now?
The Prophet (Allah bless, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that the one who helps his brother until his problem is solved will not shiver or quake on that Day. Service to others is the gateway to rewards and the pleasure of Allah. So, help others and when you undertake to help someone, don't just do it half way, but help him until his problem is solved.
May Allah grant us sincerity and excellence in our works and worship, and grant us deeds that please Him. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
As believers we believe in the Day of Resurrection. That Day will come upon humankind suddenly. No matter how well informed or interested someone is in the signs that will precede it, its commencement will come as a shock. The Trumpet will be blown and the people will hear a sound so horrendous that the mountains and the earth itself will crumble to dust.
فَإِذَا نُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ نَفْخَةٌ وَٰحِدَةٌ ﴿١٣﴾ وَحُمِلَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَٱلْجِبَالُ فَدُكَّتَا دَكَّةً وَٰحِدَةً ﴿١٤﴾ فَيَوْمَئِذٍ وَقَعَتِ ٱلْوَاقِعَةُ ﴿١٥[Qur'an, Al-Haqqa 69:13-15]
Then when the Horn is blown with one blast (13) And the earth and the mountains are lifted and leveled with one blow - (14) Then on that Day, the Resurrection will occur, (15)
Allah says that it will be a single shout, a long continuous sound that will not cease until everything has perished.
وَمَا يَنظُرُ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِلَّا صَيْحَةً وَٰحِدَةً مَّا لَهَا مِن فَوَاقٍ ﴿١٥[Qur'an, Sad 38:15]
And these [disbelievers] await not but one blast [of the Horn]; for it there will be no delay. (15)
It will then be followed by a second blowing of the Trumpet.
وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنظُرُونَ ﴿٦٨[Qur'an, Az-Zumar 39:68]
And the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on. (68)
إِذَا زُلْزِلَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ زِلْزَالَهَا ﴿١﴾ وَأَخْرَجَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ أَثْقَالَهَا ﴿٢﴾ وَقَالَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ مَا لَهَا ﴿٣﴾ يَوْمَئِذٍ تُحَدِّثُ أَخْبَارَهَا ﴿٤﴾ بِأَنَّ رَبَّكَ أَوْحَىٰ لَهَا ﴿٥﴾ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَصْدُرُ ٱلنَّاسُ أَشْتَاتًا لِّيُرَوْا۟ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ ﴿٦﴾ فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُۥ ﴿٧﴾ وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُۥ ﴿٨[Qur'an, Al-Zalzala 99:1-8]
When the earth is shaken with its [final] earthquake (1) And the earth discharges its burdens (2) And man says, "What is [wrong] with it?" - (3) That Day, it will report its news (4) Because your Lord has commanded it. (5) That Day, the people will depart separated [into categories] to be shown [the result of] their deeds. (6) So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, (7) And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it. (8)
The situation on that Day will be so severe that people will flee from each other--even from his brother, his mother, his father, his wife and his children, [Qur'an, Abasa 80:34-36]. People will be gathered barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised. When the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said this, our mother Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) asked him, 'Won't everybody look at one another then?' Thereupon, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) recited this Qur'anic verse,
لِكُلِّ ٱمْرِئٍ مِّنْهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ شَأْنٌ يُغْنِيهِ
(On that Day, everybody will have concerns adequate for him. Qur'an, 'Abasa 80:37) "That is, the situation on the Day of Judgment will be so severe that people will have no strength left to turn to look at one another."
When the Trumpet is blown, the earth is rolled up like a scroll and the dead rise. Bones and body parts join together, brains begin to work. Truly humankind has been returned to Allah. All of humankind were dead, those who died before the blowing of the trumpet and those who died in the cataclysmic event that leveled the earth to a plane. The Day of Judgment has begun. People stand in groups, staring ahead.
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ ﴿٥٧Qur'an, Al-Ankabut 29:57]
Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned. (57) [
أَيَحْسَبُ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ أَلَّن نَّجْمَعَ عِظَامَهُۥ ﴿٣﴾ بَلَىٰ قَـٰدِرِينَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن نُّسَوِّىَ بَنَانَهُۥ ﴿٤[Qur'an, Al-Qiyaamah 75:3-4]
Does man think that We will not assemble his bones? (3) Yes. [We are] Able [even] to proportion his fingertips. (4)
Once the initial shock of being returned to life begins to wear off, the reality of the situation begins to set in. The veil of the physical world has been removed. The deeds we did are set out for us to see.
So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it. [Qur'an, Al-Zalzala 99:7-8]
Another promise of Allah’s fulfilled. Some people are happy with their situation others begin to tremble in fear.
وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ مُّسْفِرَةٌ ﴿٣٨﴾ ضَاحِكَةٌ مُّسْتَبْشِرَةٌ ﴿٣٩﴾ وَوُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَلَيْهَا غَبَرَةٌ ﴿٤٠﴾ تَرْهَقُهَا قَتَرَةٌ ﴿٤١﴾ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْكَفَرَةُ ٱلْفَجَرَةُ ﴿٤٢[Qur'an, Abasa 80:38-42]
[Some] faces, that Day, will be bright - (38) Laughing, rejoicing at good news. (39) And [other] faces, that Day, will have upon them dust. (40) Blackness will cover them. (41) Those are the disbelievers, the wicked ones. (42)
Do you think you will have no fear?
A person’s deeds will determine their length of the standing. Ahadith tell us that this standing in fear and trepidation could be as long as 50,000 years [Abu Dawood1] but for a pious person it might be as little as the time it takes to pray two rakahs of prayer. The people waiting will be frightened, their hearts beating like drums in their chests and ears. They will run about as if in a drunken state and care nothing about anyone but themselves. Parents, spouses and children will be long forgotten. Gripped by fear they will begin to question their situation.
قَالَ رَبِّ لِمَ حَشَرْتَنِىٓ أَعْمَىٰ وَقَدْ كُنتُ بَصِيرًا ﴿١٢٥[Qur'an, Ta-Ha 20:125-126]
قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ أَتَتْكَ ءَايَـٰتُنَا فَنَسِيتَهَا ۖ وَكَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ تُنسَىٰ ﴿١٢٦
He will say, "My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was [once] seeing?" (125) [Allah] will say, "Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot them; and thus will you this Day be forgotten." (126)
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) informs us that on the Day of Judgement the sun will be bought near to humankind. The sun would only be a mile away and the people will perspire according to the level of their deeds.[Muslim] For some there will be no need for fear, they will be shaded by Allah. Seven kinds of people will be shaded on the Day that there is no shade. They are, a just leader, a person whose heart is attached to the masjid, a person raised to obey Allah, two people who love each other solely for the sake of Allah, a person who mentioned Allah and wept, a person who gave charity secretly and a person who was tempted to commit sin with a member of the opposite sex but resisted saying that they feared Allah.[Bukhari and Muslim]
The people are left standing, there on a great open plane, and they begin to call out. "Where is Allah to judge us?”
Before we get to that point, what can we do now?
The Prophet (Allah bless, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that the one who helps his brother until his problem is solved will not shiver or quake on that Day. Service to others is the gateway to rewards and the pleasure of Allah. So, help others and when you undertake to help someone, don't just do it half way, but help him until his problem is solved.
May Allah grant us sincerity and excellence in our works and worship, and grant us deeds that please Him. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Our Journey to Allah
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Our life on this earth is ever decreasing, not increasing. Every breath and every moment brings you closer to your true destination. What are your provisions on this journey?
Allah created death once. Only on this earth. That is the moment when you die. That is the moment when you meet Him. What have you prepared for this journey?
When you plan to go for a job interview, or plan an event, or to meet someone big or famous, or to go on a trip or a vacation, you plan and prepare for days, weeks, months, maybe years (like the Olympics). What about your journey to Allah, to the Lord of the worlds? What about the afterlife, the world with so much unknown, when you will never die again?
That Day, a day likened to be fifty thousand earth years, where the sun is so close over your head, what should you do now to escape from the torment of that Day; to not feel thirsty and hungry on that Day; to be happy on that Day; to not fear on that Day; to be in the company of the Prophets, the siddiqeen (the truthful), the shuhada' (martyrs), the soliheen (righteous); to have a rank that is even loved or desired by the Prophets; to sit next to the beloved of Allah, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace)? These are some of the critical questions you need to ask yourself and do something about it before you move to the next world, the move you can't postpone no matter how busy or how great you are now.
The journey to Allah begins with the guidance and example of the Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and ends with the company and intercession of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace).
When seeking the Truth, no one has answers like the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace). So let's learn the Prophetic teachings wholeheartedly and act upon them sincerely so that our journey is based on guidance and leads to an everlasting success and happiness, inshaa Allah.
We need good friends during this journey. Such a friend will remind us of Allah. A good companion is someone whose heart is attached to Allah and detached from this world. If you have a friend like this, hold on tight to that person, because someone like this is very hard to come by nowadays.
May Allah grant us tawfiq to the highest station and save us from the torment of that Day and the Hellfire.
Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Our life on this earth is ever decreasing, not increasing. Every breath and every moment brings you closer to your true destination. What are your provisions on this journey?
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ ﴿٥٧﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُم مِّنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ غُرَفًا تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ نِعْمَ أَجْرُ ٱلْعَـٰمِلِينَ ﴿٥٨﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ ﴿٥٩[Qur'an, Al-Ankabut 28:57-59]
Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned. (57) And those who have believed and done righteous deeds - We will surely assign to them of Paradise [elevated] chambers beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. Excellent is the reward of the [righteous] workers (58) Who have been patient and upon their Lord rely. (59)
Allah created death once. Only on this earth. That is the moment when you die. That is the moment when you meet Him. What have you prepared for this journey?
When you plan to go for a job interview, or plan an event, or to meet someone big or famous, or to go on a trip or a vacation, you plan and prepare for days, weeks, months, maybe years (like the Olympics). What about your journey to Allah, to the Lord of the worlds? What about the afterlife, the world with so much unknown, when you will never die again?
That Day, a day likened to be fifty thousand earth years, where the sun is so close over your head, what should you do now to escape from the torment of that Day; to not feel thirsty and hungry on that Day; to be happy on that Day; to not fear on that Day; to be in the company of the Prophets, the siddiqeen (the truthful), the shuhada' (martyrs), the soliheen (righteous); to have a rank that is even loved or desired by the Prophets; to sit next to the beloved of Allah, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace)? These are some of the critical questions you need to ask yourself and do something about it before you move to the next world, the move you can't postpone no matter how busy or how great you are now.
The journey to Allah begins with the guidance and example of the Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and ends with the company and intercession of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace).
When seeking the Truth, no one has answers like the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace). So let's learn the Prophetic teachings wholeheartedly and act upon them sincerely so that our journey is based on guidance and leads to an everlasting success and happiness, inshaa Allah.
We need good friends during this journey. Such a friend will remind us of Allah. A good companion is someone whose heart is attached to Allah and detached from this world. If you have a friend like this, hold on tight to that person, because someone like this is very hard to come by nowadays.
May Allah grant us tawfiq to the highest station and save us from the torment of that Day and the Hellfire.
Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
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