The Tongue -- Slander, Backbiting, Gossip, Spying and Talebearing

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Be careful with your tongue. The harms that can come from the tongue can destroy friendships, marriages, communities, nations and even a person’s Islam.


The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the people are safe, and the believer is the one from whom the people's lives and wealth are safe." [An-Nasa'i]

The tongue is in a wet place and it can easily slip. If you are not careful walking on a wet floor, you will slip and fall, and it may be hard to regain your posture but eventually you can stand back up, but if your tongue slipped, it could plunge you into the Hellfire. You must use your tongue with extreme caution.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was asked about the deed which will be foremost to lead a man to Jannah (Paradise). He replied, "Fear of Allah and the good conduct." Then he was asked about indulgence which will admit a man to Hell (Fire) and he answered, "The tongue and the genitals." [At-Tirmidhi]
 
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said to Muadh ibn Jabal,..

“Shall I not inform you of the head of the matter, its pillar and its peak?” I said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The head of the matter is Islam, its pillar is the prayer and its peak is jihad.” Then he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Shall I not tell you of the foundation of all of that?” I said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” So he took hold of his tongue and said, “Restrain this.” I said, “O Prophet of Allah, will we be taken to account for what we say with it?” He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “May your mother be bereaved of you, O Muadh! Is there anything that throws people into the Hellfire upon their faces — or: on their noses — except the harvests of their tongues?” [at-Tirmidhi] 

When you start talking about people, you could be entering into the dangerous zone of backbiting. Backbiting is one of the vices of the tongue, which is sinful, and may also cause you to be bankrupt in the Day of Judgment, if the person you have backbitten didn't forgive you in this life.

Backbiting is to mention the negative points of a specific person known to you, or to imitate them or communicate them with signals or through writing, in a way of insult and hatred.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was asked, "What is backbiting?" He said, "Mentioning your brother with what he detests." He asked, "Have you considered if what I say is really in him?" He answered, "If what you say is in him then you have backbitten him, and if what you say is not in him then you have calumniated/slandered him." [Tirmidhi]

Nawawi writes, “Slander (ghiba) means to mention anything concerning a person that he would dislike, whether about his body, religion, everyday life, self, disposition, property, son, father, wife, servant, turban, garment, gait, movements, smiling, dissoluteness, frowning, cheerfulness, or anything else connected with him.”

Tale bearing (carrying and telling tales) spreads all sorts of hurtful information around, and shaytan uses such information to try to hinder and tear down good works. 

Allah Almighty says

وَيْلٌ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍ لُّمَزَةٍ ﴿١﴾ الَّذِي جَمَعَ مَالًا وَعَدَّدَهُ ﴿٢﴾ يَحْسَبُ أَنَّ مَالَهُ أَخْلَدَهُ ﴿٣﴾ كَلَّا ۖ لَيُنبَذَنَّ فِي الْحُطَمَةِ ﴿٤﴾ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الْحُطَمَةُ ﴿٥﴾ نَارُ اللَّـهِ الْمُوقَدَةُ ﴿٦﴾ الَّتِي تَطَّلِعُ عَلَى الْأَفْئِدَةِ ﴿٧﴾ إِنَّهَا عَلَيْهِم مُّؤْصَدَةٌ ﴿٨﴾ فِي عَمَدٍ مُّمَدَّدَةٍ ﴿٩

Woe unto every backbiter, slanderer, (1) who has gathered riches and counted them over (2) thinking his riches have made him immortal! (3) No indeed; he shall be thrust into the Crusher; (4) and what shall teach thee what is the Crusher; (5) The Fire of God kindled (6) roaring over the hearts (7) covered down upon them, (8) in columns outstretched. (9)

[Qur'an, Al-Humazah 104:1-9]

This Makkan Surah condemns all sorts of scandal, backbiting, and selfish hoarding of wealth, as destroying the hearts and affections of men. Backbiting is one of the three vices condemned in the strongest terms in this Surah.

A victim of slander, backbite, spying, or tale bearing is truly an oppressed person.

Would anyone like to eat the flesh of his dead brother?

Allah Most High says,

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا۟ وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿١٢

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful. (12)

[Qur’an, Al-Hujurat 49:12]

And He Most High says,

وَيْلٌ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍ لُّمَزَةٍ ﴿١

Woe to whoever disparages others behind their back or to their face.

[Qur’an, Al-Humazah 104:1]

Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “A slanderer will not enter the Garden.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) passed by two graves and said, “They are being punished and not for anything very great. One of them did not guard himself from urine and the other was involved in backbiting.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

Imam Nawawi said, “Slander and tale bearing are two of the ugliest and most frequently met with qualities among men, few people being safe from them… Every legally responsible person should refrain from saying anything except when there is a clear advantage to speaking.”

The scholars say there is nothing like safety. Therefore, one should remember the words of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last day, let him say the good or remain silent.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

If you are in a gathering of backbiting, you are not free of backbiting even if you are only a listener, except by condemning it with your tongue; if you fear actual harm, then you condemn it in your heart. If you are able to stand up or change the topic then you must.

If people have backbitten you, you shouldn't be spying on them for proof of backbiting. Why? Because, spying of them is busying yourself with what does not concern you. If you are so concerned about it, it shows that you really care about what people think. You shouldn't be too concerned about what people think of you. Our concern should be Allah alone, our standing with Him, and our next life to come.

Remember, if people backbite you, that is giving you reward, meaning your next life is benefiting by people backbiting you.

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "Part of the perfection of one's Islam is his leaving that which does not concern him." [Tirmidhi]

May Allah help us preserve our tongues from vices and protect us from the evil of the tongue of others. 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

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- The Blessing of Surah Al-Kahf and Preparing for the Eternal Life

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Yaumul Jumu'ah (Friday) is eid to Muslims. One of the main activities of Muslims on Friday is reciting Surah Kahf. There are many ahadeeth that enumerate the blessings of reciting Surah al-Kahf in its entirety and regarding the first or last 10 ayat, including the protection from the fitnah of dajjal.

It is a blessing and a mercy from Allah to have this Surah as a protection from those days of fitnah ahead. We just don't thank Allah enough for all His Blessings. One of the protection is against the fitnah of the dajjal. We may think that the chances are slim that we will be confronted with the fitnah of dajjal, however, we never know. We know that dajjal will emerge during the last days before Yaumul Qiyammah. These "days" are not the 24 hours that make up our daily lives, but these are really time periods that are set to happen by our Creator. We are told that he will be able to produce many miracles and many good and pious people will be fooled or deceived by him and follow him.

Surah al-Kahf is named such because of the miraculous Divine story in it, the wondrous, strange story of the Companions of the Cave. It is a Makkan surah and it is one of five surahs that begin with the phrase "AlHamdulillah" -- AlFatihah, Al-An'aam, Al-Kahf, Saba' and Faatir. Each of these surahs begin with praising Allah, recognizing His Greatness, Magnificence, Majesty and Perfection.

This surah brings us four inspiring and impressive Qur'anic stories, by way of or for the purpose of confirming its basic purpose of establishing the correct belief and faith in the greatness of the Lord, Full of Majesty and Honor.

The first story is the story of 'As-haabul Kahf -- the Companions of the Cave, a story which clarifies Islamic beliefs, a story about several believing youths who flea their country for the sake of their religion and take refuge in a mountain cave, then remain there asleep for 309 years. Then Allah reawakens them after this lengthy period.

The second story is the story of an owner of two gardens. This is man whom Allah blessed with two beautiful rich gardens, but the man forgot to thank the One who blessed him with everything and he even dared to doubt Allah regarding the afterlife. So His garden was destroyed - He regretted, but was too late.

The third story is the story of Prophet Musa with Al-Khidr (peace be upon them). It is a story of seeking knowledge and knowledge of the unseen ('ilmul ghaib) which Allah chooses to make known to "al 'abd as-saalih" Al-Khidr whilst Musa does not know until Al-Khidr informs him--like the story of the boat, the circumstances around the killing of the youth and the building of the wall.

The fourth story is of "Dhul-Qarnayn", a righteous king with great taqwa (Godfearingness) and a heightened sense of justice. He was given knowledge and power and was going around the world and over the inhabited world. He build a massive dam with the help of people whom he could not even understand.

Just as the surah uses, for the purpose of its intent, these four stories, it also uses impressive examples in order to explain that the truth is not connected or linked to great wealth or power or sovereignty; it is only tied to correct beliefs.

The first example give is the wealthy person who is extremely rich and the poor person "al m'utaza by his beliefs and his belief in the story of the companions of the gardens. The second example given is the "hayatu dunya" or the life of this world and what it consists of. The third example is of the arrogance, pride and deception of Iblis which resulted in his refusal to bow down before Adam (peace be upon him).

Each of these stories and examples are meant to be taken as a lesson or moral, as well as points for reflection. If we take heed, it should spur us to prioritize our lives here and more serious about preparing ourselves for our eternal life in the hereafter.

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

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

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

وَيَوْمَ نُسَيِّرُ ٱلْجِبَالَ وَتَرَى ٱلْأَرْضَ بَارِزَةً وَحَشَرْنَـٰهُمْ فَلَمْ نُغَادِرْ مِنْهُمْ أَحَدًا

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)

[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:47]

وَعُرِضُوا۟ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ صَفًّا لَّقَدْ جِئْتُمُونَا كَمَا خَلَقْنَـٰكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۭ ۚ بَلْ زَعَمْتُمْ أَلَّن نَّجْعَلَ لَكُم مَّوْعِدًا ﴿٤٨

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)

[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:48]

وَوُضِعَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ فَتَرَى ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ مُشْفِقِينَ مِمَّا فِيهِ وَيَقُولُونَ يَـٰوَيْلَتَنَا مَالِ هَـٰذَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَا يُغَادِرُ صَغِيرَةً وَلَا كَبِيرَةً إِلَّآ أَحْصَىٰهَا ۚ وَوَجَدُوا۟ مَا عَمِلُوا۟ حَاضِرًا ۗ وَلَا يَظْلِمُ رَبُّكَ أَحَدًا ﴿٤٩

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)

[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:49]

Prepare and protect yourself from the fitnah of dajjal. Recite this surah every Friday and encourage our family to do so. Take this opportunity to increase the bonds with your family by reading the surah together. Also, we should try to memorize this surah, starting with the first and the last 10 ayat. Teach your small children this surah and have them memorize as well.

May Allah save us from the trials and tribulations of this life and the next and protect us from the fitnah of dajjal. 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

Wake Up! Hell is No Joke (Part 4) -- The Punishments in Hell

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

Assalaamu alaykum

The punishments of Hell will vary in degree. The torment of some levels of Hell will be greater than others. People will be put in a level according to their deeds.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

There are some whom the Fire will reach their ankles, others up to their knees, others up to their waists, and yet others up to their necks. [Muslim]

The person who will receive the least punishment among the people of Hell on the Day Resurrection will be a man, a smoldering ember will be placed under the arch of his foot. His brains will boil because of it. [Bukhari]

This person will think no one else is being punished more severely than himself, even though he will be the one receiving the lightest punishment.[Muslim]

The Qur'an speaks of various levels of punishment for the people of Hell:

“The hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire.” (Quran, 4:145)

“and on the Day that Judgment will be established (it will be said to the angels): Cast the people of Pharaoh into the severest penalty!” (Quran, 40:46)

The Fire kindled by God will burn the skin of the people of Hell. The skin is the largest organ of the body and the site of sensation where the pain of burning is felt. God will replace the burnt skin with a new one to be burnt again, and this will keep on repeating:

“Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses – We will drive them into a Fire. Every time their skins are roasted through We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, God is ever Exalted in Might and Wise.” (Quran, 4:56)

Another punishment of Hell is melting. When super-heated water will be poured on their heads, it will melt away the internals:

“…poured upon their heads will be scalding water by which is melted that within their bellies and (their) skins.” (Quran, 22:19-20)

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

Super-heated water will be poured onto their heads and will dissolve through it until it cuts up their innards, expelling them; until it comes out of their feet, and everything is melted. Then they will be restored as they were.

[Tirmidhi]

One of the ways Allah will humiliate the sinful in Hell is by gathering them on Judgment Day on their faces, blind, deaf, and dumb.

“and We will gather them on the Day of Resurrection (fallen) on their faces – blind, dumb and deaf. Their refuge is Hell; every time it subsides We increase them in blazing fire.” (Quran, 17:97)

“And brings an evil deed — such will be flung down on their faces into the Fire, (and it will be said), ‘Are you recompensed for anything but what you used to do?’” (Quran, 27:90)

“The Fire will burn their faces and they will grin therein, their lips displaced.” (Quran, 23:104)

“The Day their faces will be turned over in the Fire, they will say, ‘How we wish we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger.’” (Quran, 33:66)

Another painful punishment of unbelievers will be getting dragged on their faces into Hell.

“Indeed, the criminals are in error and madness. The Day they are dragged into the Fire on their faces (it will be said), ‘Taste the touch of Hell.’” (Quran, 54:47-48)

They will be shackles around their necks and chained and dragged in boiling water into Hell.

“Those who deny the Book (the Quran) and that with which We sent Our messengers – they are going to know, when the shackles are around their necks and the chains; they will be dragged in boiling water; then in the Fire they will be filled (with flame).” (Quran, 40:70-72)

Allah will blacken the faces of the people of Hell.

“On the Day (some) faces will turn white and (some) faces will turn black. As for those whose faces turn black. (to them it will be said), ‘Did you reject faith after your belief? Then taste the punishment for what you used to reject.’” (Quran, 3:106)

Their faces will be such as if the night has covered them:

“But they who have earned (blame for) evil doings – the recompense of an evil deed is its equivalent, and humiliation will cover them. They will have from God no protector. It will be as if their faces are covered with pieces of the night – so dark (are they). Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.” (Quran, 10:27)

The Fire will surround the unbeliever on all sides just as sins surrounded him like a sheet wound around his body:

“Theirs will be a bed of Fire and over them coverings (of Fire)…” (Quran, 7:41)

“On the Day when the torment (of Hell) will cover them from above them and from underneath their feet.” (Quran, 29:55)

“…and surely Hell will surround the unbelievers…” (Quran, 9:49)

The Fire of Hell will leap up to the hearts. The Fire will penetrate their super-sized bodies and reach the innermost depths:

كَلَّا ۖ لَيُنۢبَذَنَّ فِى ٱلْحُطَمَةِ ﴿٤﴾ وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلْحُطَمَةُ ﴿٥﴾ نَارُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمُوقَدَةُ ﴿٦﴾ ٱلَّتِى تَطَّلِعُ عَلَى ٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةِ ﴿٧

“No! He will surely be thrown into the Crusher. And what can make you know what is the Crushers? It is the fire of Allah, (eternally) fueled, which mounts directed at the hearts.” (Quran, 104:4-7)

The Fire will split the entrails. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and thrown into the Fire. Then his entrails will be spilled out into the Fire and he will be forced to walk around and around like a donkey in a treadmill. The people of Hell will gather around him and say, ‘O so-and-so, what is wrong with you? Did you not enjoin us to do good and forbid us to do wrong?’ He will say, ‘I used to order you to do good, but I did not do it and I used to forbid you to do evil, but I used to do it myself.’ Then he will walk around and around like a donkey in a treadmill.

[Bukhari]

Allah has described the chains, yokes, and fetters of Hell. They will be tied up with chains and dragged with yokes on their necks:

“for the rejecters We have prepared iron chains, yokes, and a blazing Fire.” (Quran 76:4)
“With Us are fetters (to bind them), and a Fire (to burn them), and a food that chokes, and a penalty grievous.” (Quran, 73:12-13)

“We will put yokes on the necks of the unbelievers. It would only be requital for their evil deeds.” (Quran, 34:33)

“when yokes will be put round their necks and the chains, they will be dragged along.” (Quran, 40:71)

“(The stern command will say): seize him and bind him, and burn him in the blazing Fire, further, make him march in a chain, whereof the length is seventy cubits.” (Quran, 69:30-32)

The pagan gods and all other deities that were worshiped besides Allah who people thought will be their intercessors with Allah and bringing them closer to Him will be thrown into Hell with them.

Allah Almighty says:

“Indeed, you (disbelievers), and that which you worship other than Allah, are but fuel for Hell. Verily, you will enter it. Had these (false deities) been (actual) gods, they would not have entered there, but all will eternally abide therein.” (Quran, Al-Anbiya' 21:98-99)

When the unbelievers will see Hell, they will be filled with remorse, but it will not be of any benefit.

“And they will feel regret when they see the punishment; and they will be judged in justice, and they will not be wronged.” (Quran, 10:54)

“And when they are thrown into a narrow place therein bound in chains, they will cry out thereupon for destruction. (They will be told), ‘Do not cry this Day for one destruction but cry for much destruction.’” (Quran, 25:13-14)

“And they will cry out therein, ‘Our Lord, remove us; we will do righteousness – other than what we were doing!’” (Quran, 35:37)

They will realize theirs sins and the error of stubborn disbelief:

“And they will say, ‘If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze.’ And they will admit their sin, so (it is) alienation for the companions of the Blaze.” (Quran, 67:10-11)

“They will say, ‘Our Lord, our wretchedness overcame us, and we were a people astray. Our Lord, remove us from it, and if we were to return (to evil), we would indeed be wrongdoers.’ He will say, ‘Remain despised therein and do not speak to Me.’” (Quran, 23:106-108)

After that, they will call the keepers of Hell asking them to intercede to Allah on their behalf for reduction in torment:

“And those in the Fire will say to the keepers of Hell, ‘Supplicate your Lord to lighten for us a day from the punishment.’ They will say, ‘Did there not come to you your messengers with clear proofs?’ They will say, ‘Yes.’ They will reply, ‘Then supplicate (yourselves), but the supplication of the disbelievers is not except in error.’” (Quran, 40:49-50)

Their will even plead for their own destruction to relieve themselves of the pain:

“And they will call, ‘O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us!’ He will say, ‘Indeed, you will remain.’” (Quran, 43:77)

They will be told the punishment will never be reduced, it is eternal:

“Then be patient or impatient – it is all the same for you. You are only being recompensed for what you used to do.’” (Quran, 52:16)

“So let them laugh a little and then weep much as recompense for what they used to earn.” (Quran, 9:82)

They will weep until no tears are left, then that they will weep blood, which will leave its traces. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

The people of Hell will be made to weep, and they will weep until they have no tears left. Then they will weep blood until they have, as it were, channels in their faces, if ships were put in them, they would float.

[Ibn Majah]

Hell is real. It is no joke. Protect yourself against this great calamity by armoring yourself with the knowledge of Islam and live by it while there is time. Even a very slight detour in Hell is no small matter, a painful torment none of us will ever live long enough to experience it in this life.

May Allah save us and our families from the torment of 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

Wake Up! Hell is No Joke (Part 3) -- Food and Drink of Hell

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

Assalaamu alaykum

The food in Hell will neither nourish nor taste good. It will only serve as a punishment to the people of Hell.

“No food will there be for them except from a bitter, thorny plant which neither nourishes nor avails against hunger.” (Quran, 88:6-7)

A special food of Hell is zaqqum. It is a repulsive tree; its roots go deep into the bottom of Hell; its branches stretching all over. Its ugly fruit is like the heads of the devils.

“Indeed, the tree of zaqqum is food for the sinful, like murky oil, it boils within bellies, like the boiling of scalding water.” (Quran, 44:43-46)

“Is that (Paradise) better as hospitality or the tree of zaqqum? Indeed, We have made it a torment for the wrongdoers. Indeed, it is a tree issuing from the bottom of the Hellfire, its emerging fruit as if it was heads of the devils. And, indeed, they will eat from it and fill with it their bellies. Then, indeed, they will have after it a mixture of scalding water. Then, indeed, their return will be to the Hellfire.” (Quran, 37:62-68)

“Then indeed you, O those astray (who are) deniers, will be eating from trees of zaqqum and filling with it your bellies, and drinking on top of it from scalding water, and will drink as the drinking of thirsty camels. That is their hospitality on the Day of Recompense.” (Quran, 56:51-56)

People of Hell will get so hungry that they will eat from the obnoxious tree of zaqqum. When they will fill their bellies with it, it will start to churn like boiling oil causing immense suffering. At that point they will rush to drink extremely hot water. They will drink it like thirsty camels, yet it will never quench their thirst. Rather their internals will be torn.

“…They will be given to drink boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels (to pieces).” (Quran, 47:15)

The thorny bushes and zaqqum will choke them and stick in their throats because of their foulness.

“Surely, with us are fetters (to bind them) and a ranging Fire (to burn them), and a food that chokes and a penalty grievous.” (Quran, 73:12-13)

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

If a drop from zaqqum were to land in this world, the people of earth and all their means of sustenance would rot. So how must it be for one who must eat it?

(Tirmidhi)

Another food served to the people of Hell will be festering puss that oozes out of their skin, the discharge that flows from the private parts of adulterers and the decaying skin and flesh of those being burnt. It is the “juice” of the people of Hell.

“So no friend has he here this Day, nor has he any food except filth from the washing of wounds which none do eat but those in sin.” (Quran 69:35-37)

“This – so let them taste it – is scalding water and (foul) purulence. And other (punishments) of its type (in various) kinds.” (Quran 38:57-58)

Some sinners will be fed fire from Hell as a punishment.

“Indeed, those who devour the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming into their bellies fire.” (Quran 4:10)

“Indeed, they who conceal what God has sent down of the Book and exchange it for a small price – those consume not into their bellies except the Fire.” (Quran, 2:174)

Allah tells in the Qur'an about the drink of people of Hell.

“They will be given to drink boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels (to pieces).” (Quran, 47:15)

“…And if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil, which scalds (their) faces. Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place.” (Quran, 18:29)

“Before him is Hell, and he will be given a drink of purulent water. He will gulp it but will hardly (be able to) swallow it. And death will come to him from everywhere, but he is not to die. And before him is a massive punishment.” (Quran, 14:16-17)

“A boiling fluid and fluid dark, murky, intensely cold.” (Quran, 38:57)

“They will go around between it and scalding water, heated (to the utmost degree).” (Quran, 55:44)

“They will be given drink from a boiling spring.” (Quran, 88:5)

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

Anyone who drinks intoxicants will be made to drink the mud of khabal. They asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is the mud of khabal?’ He said, ‘The sweat of the people of Hell’ or the ‘juice of the people of Hell.’

[Muslim]

May Allah save us from Hell. 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

Wake Up! Hell is No Joke (Part 2) -- Fuel of Hell

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

Assalaamu alaykum

They are nineteen keepers of Hell. Allah Almighty says:

“Soon I will cast him into Hell Fire. And what will explain to you what is Hellfire? Nothing does it allow to endure, and nothing does it leave alone! Darkening and changing the color of man! Over it are nineteen (angels as keepers of Hell).” (Quran, 74:26-30)

Don't think that the inhabitants of Hell will be able to overcome the keepers of Hell because there are just 19 of them. Everyone of them has the strength to subdue all humanity by himself.

These angels are called the Guards of Hell in the Quran.

“And those in the Fire will say to the Guards of Hell, ‘Call upon your Lord to lighten for us the torment for a day!’” (Quran, 40:49)

The name of the chief angel guarding over Hell is Malik, as mentioned in the Quran:

“Surely, the disbelievers will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever. (The torment) will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein. We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers. And they will cry: ‘O Malik! Let your Lord make an end of us’ He will say: ‘Surely, you shall abide forever.’ Indeed We have brought the truth to you, but most of you have a hatred for the truth” (Quran, 43:74-78)

Hell is huge and immensely deep. Innumerable people will enter Hell, each, as described in a hadith, with the molar teeth as large as Uhud, a mountain in Madina. [Muslim]

The distance between the shoulders of the inhabitants of Hell has also been described as being equivalent to three days of walking. [Muslim]

Hell will house all the unbelievers and sinners from the beginning of time and there will still be room for more. Allah Almighty says:

“On the Day when We will say to Hell: ‘Are you filled?’ It will say, ‘Are there any more (to come)?’” (Quran, 50:30)

The Fire of Hell is likened to a mill that grinds thousands and thousands of tons of grain and then waits for more to come.

Hell has various degrees and levels of heat and punishment, each is reserved according to the extent of their disbelief and sins of those being punished. The lower the level of Hell, the greater is the intensity of heat. Since the hypocrites will suffer the worst punishment, so will they be in the lowest part of Hell.

“Surely, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths (grade) of the Fire.” (Quran, 4:145)

“For all will be (ranked) by degrees according to what they did.” (Quran, 6:132)

“Is one who seeks the good pleasure of God then like the one who draws on himself the wrath of God? His abode is Hell – and worst, indeed, is that destination! They are in varying grades with God, and God is All-Seer of what they do.” (Quran, 3:162-163)

“And surely, Hell is the promised place for them all. It has seven gates, for each of these gates is a class of sinners assigned.” (Quran, 15:43-44)

Each gate has an allotted share of the damned who will enter through it. Each will enter according to his deeds and assigned a level of Hell accordingly. When the unbelievers are brought to Hell, its gates will open, they will enter it, and stay in it forever.

“And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say, ‘Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?’ They will say, ‘Yes, but the word (meaning the decree) of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers.’” (Quran, 39:71)

“Enter the gates of Hell to abide eternally therein, and wretched is the residence of the arrogant.” (Quran, 39:72)

“But those who reject Our signs, they are the companions of the left hand. On them will be Fire vaulted over (meaning the gates will be locked).” (Quran, 90:19-20)

“Woe to every scorner and mocker, who collects wealth and (continuously) counts it. He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal. No! He will surely be thrown into the Crusher. And what can make you know what is the Crushers? It is the fire of God, (eternally) fueled, Which mounts directed at the hearts. Indeed, it (Hellfire) will be closed down upon them in extended columns.” (Quran, 104:1-9)

Stones and stubborn unbelievers make the fuel of Hell.

“O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones...” (Quran, 66:6)

“…then fear the Fire, whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers.” (Quran, 2:24)

Another source of fuel for Hell will be the pagan gods that were worshiped besides Allah:

“Indeed, you (disbelievers) and what you worship other than Allah are the firewood of Hell. You will be coming to (enter) it. Had these (false deities) been (actual) gods, they would not have come to it, but all are eternal therein.” (Quran, 21:98-99)

The dress of the people of Hell will be garments of fire tailored for them.

“…But those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire. Poured upon their heads will be scalding water.” (Qura,n 22:19)

“And you will see the criminals that Day bound together in shackles, their garments of liquid pitch (melted copper) and their faces covered by the Fire.” (Quran, 14:49-50)

The heat of Hellfire is intense. Everything we use to cool down in this world – AC, fans, shade, umbrellas, air, water – will be useless in Hell. There won't be AC, fans, umbrellas. The air of Hell will be hot wind and the water will be boiling. The shade will be black smoke.

“And the companions of the left – what are the companions of the left? (They will be) in scorching fire and scalding water and a shade of black smoke, neither cool nor beneficial.” (Quran, 56:41-44)

“But he whose balance (of good deeds) will be light, will have his home in a (bottomless) pit. And what will explain to you what this is? (It is) a Fire blazing fiercely.” (Quran, 101:8-11)

The smoke that rises from Hell will be divided into three columns. Its shade will neither cool nor offer any protection from the raging Fire. The flying sparks will be like huge castles similar to string of marching yellow camels.

“Proceed to a shadow (of smoke) having three columns (but having) no cool shade and availing not against the flame. Indeed, it throws sparks (as huge) as a fortress, as if they were yellow camels (marching swiftly).” (Quran, 77:30-33)

The Fire consumes everything, leaving nothing untouched. It burns skin reaching all the way to the bones, melting the contents of the stomach, leaping up to the hearts, and exposing the vital organs.

“I will drive him into Hellfire. And what can make you know what is Hellfire? It lets nothing remain and leaves nothing (unburned), altering the skins.” (Quran, 74:26-29)

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

Fire as we know it is one seventieth part of the Fire of Hell. Someone said, ‘O Messenger of God, it is enough as it is!’ He said, ‘It is as if sixty-nine equal portions were added to fire as we know it.’

(Bukhari)

The Fire never extinguishes.

“So taste you (the results of your evil deeds). No increase shall We give you except in torment.” (Quran, 78:30)

“…Whenever it abates, We shall increase for them the fierceness of the Fire.” (Quran, 17:97)

The torment will never be reduced and the unbelievers will not have any break.

“…Their torment shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped.” (Quran, 2:86)

May Allah save us from 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

Wake Up! Hell is No Joke (Part 1)

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

Assalaamu alaykum

It is extremely important to get your prayers, fasting and zakat in place, and as soon as you are financially and physically able, to not delay performing hajj. If you don't, nothing else is going to work for you. But once you get them in place, don't think that you have a one way ticket to Paradise without a detour to a place where no one care to go--the Hellfire.

People also have rights on us and society has rights on us. We have to know those rights and give people their due rights. They are rules we have to follow in dealing with people. We cannot put people down, we cannot treat people like animals. In fact, even animals we cannot do whatever we like with them; we cannot be cruel to them.

We have to be acutely aware of the rights of Allah and everybody. If you don't you will suffer tremendously to a point of no return.

Allah created Hellfire for disbelievers, the hypocrites, and disobedient people. Hell is a blessing for people because it pushes people to protect themselves against it. It is as if Allah is telling us, "You must enter Paradise." But if people want to be stubborn, then wait and see and they will be sorely sorry, to put it mildly.

Hell is an actual place, not a mere state of mind or a spiritual entity. The horror, terror, agony, pain, anguish, disgrace, and punishment are all real. Hell is an ultimate humiliation and loss. Nothing is worse than it.

رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ مَن تُدْخِلِ ٱلنَّارَ فَقَدْ أَخْزَيْتَهُۥ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ ﴿١٩٢

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

[Quran, AleImran 3:192]

أَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّهُۥ مَن يُحَادِدِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَأَنَّ لَهُۥ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدًا فِيهَا ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ ٱلْخِزْىُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴿٦٣

Do they not know that whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger - that for him is the fire of Hell, wherein he will abide eternally? That is the great disgrace. (63)

[Quran, At-Tawba 9:63]

The intensity of the fire of Hell will be such that people will be willing to give up their dearest possessions and loved ones to escape it but they never will be able to escape it.

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَمَاتُوا۟ وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْ أَحَدِهِم مِّلْءُ ٱلْأَرْضِ ذَهَبًا وَلَوِ ٱفْتَدَىٰ بِهِۦٓ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ ﴿٩١

Indeed, those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers - never would the [whole] capacity of the earth in gold be accepted from one of them if he would [seek to] ransom himself with it. For those there will be a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers. (91)

[Quran, AleImran 3:91]

يُبَصَّرُونَهُمْ ۚ يَوَدُّ ٱلْمُجْرِمُ لَوْ يَفْتَدِى مِنْ عَذَابِ يَوْمِئِذٍۭ بِبَنِيهِ ﴿١١﴾ وَصَـٰحِبَتِهِۦ وَأَخِيهِ ﴿١٢﴾ وَفَصِيلَتِهِ ٱلَّتِى تُـْٔوِيهِ ﴿١٣﴾ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ يُنجِيهِ ﴿١٤﴾ كَلَّآ ۖ إِنَّهَا لَظَىٰ ﴿١٥﴾ نَزَّاعَةً لِّلشَّوَىٰ ﴿١٦

They will be shown each other. The criminal will wish that he could be ransomed from the punishment of that Day by his children (11) And his wife and his brother (12) And his nearest kindred who shelter him (13) And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. (14) No! Indeed, it is the Flame (of Hell), (15) plucking out (his being) tight to the skull!

[Qur'an, Al-Ma'arij 70:11-16]

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

On the Day of Resurrection, God will ask the one whose punishment in the Fire is lightest, ‘If you had whatsoever you wanted on earth, would you give it to save yourself?’ He will say, ‘Yes.’ God will say, ‘I wanted less than that from you when you were still in the loins of Adam, I asked you not to associate anything in worship with Me, but you insisted on associating others in worship with Me.’

[Bukhari]

A few moments in Hell, the person will forget all the good times he had in this life. He will forget all the good and pleasures he is enjoying now.

One of the people of Hell who found most pleasure in the life of this world will be brought forth on the Day of Resurrection and will be dipped into the Fire of Hell. Then he will be asked, ‘O son of Adam, have you ever seen anything good?’ Have you ever enjoyed any pleasure?’ He will say, ‘No, by God, O Lord. [Muslim]

Hell exists at the present time and will continue to exist forever. It will never die down, and its inhabitants will remain in it forever. No one will come out of Hell except sinful believers who believed in the Oneness of God in this life and believed in the specific prophet sent to them (before the coming of Muhammad). The polytheists and unbelievers will reside in it forever.

“And fear the Fire which is prepared for the disbelievers.” (Quran, AleImran 3:131)

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

When any of you dies, he is shown his position (in the Hereafter) morning and evening. If he is one of the people of Paradise, he is shown the place of the people of Paradise. If he is one of the people of Hell, he is shown the place of people of Hell. He is told, ‘this is your position, until God resurrects you on the Day of Resurrection.

(Bukhari and Muslim)

“Surely, God has cursed the disbelievers, and has prepared for them a flaming Fire wherein they will abide for ever.” (Quran, Al-Ahzab 33:64)

“And whosoever disobeys God and His Messenger, then surely, for him is the fire of Hell, he shall dwell therein forever.” (Quran, Al-Jinn 72:23)

Mighty and stern angels stand over Hell who never disobey Allah. They do precisely as ordered.

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَـٰٓئِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ شِدَادٌ لَّا يَعْصُونَ ٱللَّهَ مَآ أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ ﴿٦﴾ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَا تَعْتَذِرُوا۟ ٱلْيَوْمَ ۖ إِنَّمَا تُجْزَوْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٧

O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded. (6) O you who have disbelieved, make no excuses that Day. You will only be recompensed for what you used to do. (7)

[Quran, At-Tahrim 66:6-7]

May Allah enable us to fulfill our duties with excellence and make us and our offspring of the righteous and save us from 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

Sign of the Hour -- Spread of Disobedience to One’s Parents

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

Assalaamu alaykum

We have been hearing about the signs of the end of time. As we see turbulence, catastrophe, violence, extremism, bloodshed or introduction to bloodshed, the end of time is often invoked. But what are you doing about your behavior towards your parents?

Human beings suffer— either due to their own mistakes or due to the collective mistakes of society. Some instructions from the Qur'an are to be followed at the individual level and some other instructions are to be implemented at a social level, and it’s important to honor both. Correcting the actions of a society may be beyond our capacity, but it’s important to make our earnest efforts, and correcting our own actions is imperative.

In the famous hadith Jibril (recorded in Sahih Muslim), we were told about two of the signs of the end of time (signs of the Hour):

... Jibril (peace be upon him) said: “Then tell me about the Hour.”

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The one questioned about it knows no better than the questioner.”

Jibril (peace be upon him): “Then tell me about its signs.”

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam): “That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, and that you will see barefooted, naked destitute shepherds competing in constructing lofty buildings.”

Then he (the man) left, and I ('Omar) stayed for a time.

Then he (the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “O `Omar, do you know who the questioner was?”

I ('Omar) said: “Allah and His Messenger know best.”

He (the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “It was Jibril, who came to teach you your religion.”

This is knowledge, not meant for entertainment or nice to know kind of thing. There is no knowledge that has to come to us other than it was meant to be practical-- to prepare us to see the world the right way, and encourage us the correct belief and the right actions with lens of of revelation (Qur'an, Sunnah and Prophetic guidance). If we use other lens than these, then we can be a little disturbed or totally lost. That disturbance is just the wrong lens you are using, not the knowledge.

In the above hadith, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) gave two signs of the Hour, which should spur us to change ourselves. One of the signs is "That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress"

The best and most well-founded explanation of the hadith, is the opinion of Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar which implies that it refers to the spread of disobedience to one’s parents. The child will become as if he/she is a parent. This sign that has become increasingly noticeable in a heart-breaking way. A son, who is still being cared for by their parents, gives them orders in a non-respectful way that hurts their feelings and honor. A daughter will treat her mother in a way mistress treats her slaves. This has become common practice.

One’s parents are one of the greatest blessings that not many children appreciate it until they lose it. One’s parents may sacrifice all that which they have and spare no effort in order to make their children happy. The happiest moment in a father’s life is when he deprives himself of a piece of food and gives it to his child. The best moment in a mother’s life is when she spends all the night caring for her child till he/she sleeps.

Everyone whom Allah has given children understands this and knows well the honorable rank parents deserve and how much they do for their children. Just like a fetus bird takes its nourishment from the egg leaving behind brittle eggshell, children consume every good thing their parents have and get the fruit of every effort their parents make in this life. One’s parents remain giving till they get aged and old, yet still happy.

Parents’ kindness never runs out. Some children, however, become ungrateful to all this love, kindness and care and repay it with ingratitude, disobedience and offense, treating their parents cruelly and mercilessly. Ingratitude to one’s parents reaches its climax, it is very difficult but impossible for anyone to imagine that a son badmouth his mother to other people, or refuse a hug by his mother, or dares beat his father, or a daughter dares beat her mother. What an offensive example of ingratitude to one’s parents.

In the Qur’an Allah enjoined being dutiful and benevolent to one’s parents, immediately after he enjoined worshiping him alone (Qur'an, Al-Isra' 17:23). Allah makes the command of being dutiful to them next to the command of worshiping him alone in importance and degree. Even the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) deemed polytheism as the gravest sin, and made the second major sin after it as disobedience to one’s parents. Is this possible? Yes, indeed. As in the two authentic books of hadith, according to a hadith narrated by Abu Bakr, The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said thrice “should I not inform you about the greatest of sins?” They said “yes inform us O Prophet of Allah.” He said, “Associating others with Allah in worship.” What next? The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Disobedience to one’s parents.” The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) then sat up after he had been reclining (on a pillow) and said, "And I warn you against giving a false witness, and he kept on saying that warning till we thought he would not stop. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, No.2484)

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Three Quranic commands were revealed; with each of those command attached to another command, one command cannot be taken without the command attached to it.” The first is the verse: “Obey Allah and obey the Prophet.” This means that those who obey Allah and do not obey the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) are not accepted by Allah. The second one is: “And perform the prayer and give Zakah.” Thus, anyone performs prayer and does not pay Zakah, he will not be accepted with Allah. The third one is: “Be grateful to Me and to your parents.” Can you understand what it means by “Be grateful to Me and to your parents.”? It means that those who are grateful to Allah but not grateful to their parents, their righteous work are not accepted with Allah.

Disobedience to one’s parents is one of the reasons of losing Allah’s mercy and being deprived of Paradise. Whatever the disobedience the child does, Allah will not accept from him any act of worship, be it voluntary or obligatory on the Day of Judgment. Can this happen? Yes! Disobedience to one’s parents is a very horrible sin and now it is a sign indicating the approach of the Judgment Day. Actually the real loser is he whose good deeds are not accepted.

In the Qur'an Allah also says, و بالوالدين إحْسانًا

The common translation is '...and be good to the parents'. This translation has captured the gist of the meaning but has missed the essence of what Allah is communicating. If you look at it from a grammatical point of view you will unravel a much deeper, profound meaning.

Firstly, "good" is not an accurate translation. When studying Arabic you realize that "Ihsan" actually suggests a level of beauty and excellence - surpassing the everyday 'good' to a much higher degree. Looking closer into the Arabic, there is no equivalent for 'be'. From this, we can derive that Allah opens up an abundance of opportunities for us to do anything that falls under the umbrella of beauty and excellence with our parents.

Allah is therefore directing for mankind to actually surpass doing 'good' and to act with utmost beauty and excellence whilst undertaking any and every task relating to our parents: speaking, listening, even disagreeing fall under His divine guidance.

May Allah guide our children and help them obey Him and their parents, and save us from the trials and tribulations of this life and the next. 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

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Defense Against Tribulations and Knowledge

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

Assalaamu alaykum

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “A sign that a person has perfected his Islam is that he leaves that which does not concern him.” This is the path a person should take in this life, knowing that which concerns him in his religion and worldly life in the light of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. That person then frees himself from the domination of disbelief which has numerous manifestations on the face of the earth. The Prophet (sallalahu alayi wasallam) mentioned that tribulations will be presented to people’s hearts and this is exactly what we see today –in the name of movements or revolution or progress or other things.

If we receive Allah’s light it cannot be extinguished regardless of the tribulations that come. The greatest tribulation will be the Dajjal, but the people of truthfulness, sincerity and humility and the people who love the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) will be safe from it. When Prophet`Isa descends he will inform them of their stations in Paradise. The problem is that we have exposed ourselves to tribulations and we are deluded by what is presented to us.

If you want to be safe, enter the fortress of Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant him peace). He brought us the fortress of la ilaha ill’Allah. Allah says in the hadith qudsi: “La ilaha ill’Allah is My fortress. Whoever enters My fortress will be safe from My punishment.” According to the strength of our connection to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) we will be safe from the greatest tribulation, not to mention the tribulations that come before and after it.

Abu Darda’ (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “If someone thinks that going out to seek knowledge is not jihad then his intellect is deficient.”

There is no knowledge that has to come to us other than it was meant to be practical- the way we contextualize through the lens of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace), that will prepare us to see the world the right way, and encourage us the correct belief and the right actions.

Allah Most High says,

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

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

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

Success is in truthfulness with Allah and working together to please Him.

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

Adapted from the speech of Sayyidi Habib Umar

The Excellence of Surah Al-Fatihah

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Surah al-Fatiha is the most often repeated surah in the Quran. We recite it in every rakah of every prayer. Therefore it is important to study and keep studying this surah so as the message can sink in every time we recite it in salah. Also, make sure we learn how to recite it properly, with proper tajweed.

The excellence and benefits of this amazing surah.

It is called Umm al Kitab:

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

The Um (substance) of the Qur’an is the seven oft-repeated verses (Al- Mathaini) and is the Great Qur’an (i.e. Surat-al-Fatiha). [Sahih Al Bukhari]

It is one of two lights that were given to the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) as mentioned in the following hadith:

While Jibril (Gabriel) (peace be upon him) was with the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace), he heard a noise from above. Jibril lifted his sight to the sky and said, `This is a door in heaven being open, and it has never been opened before now.’ An angel descended from that door and came to the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and said, `Receive the gladtidings of two lights that you have been given, which no other Prophet before you was given: the Opening of the Book and the last (three) Ayat of Surat Al-Baqarah. You will not read a letter of them, but will gain its benefit. [An Nasai]

It is a conversation with Allah

Allah, the Exalted, said, `I have divided the prayer into two halves between Myself and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for.’ If he says,

﴾الْحَمْدُ للَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَـلَمِينَ﴿

All praise and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of existence.

Allah says, `My servant has praised Me.’ When the servant says,

﴿الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ ﴾

The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Allah says, `My servant has glorified Me.’ When he says,

﴿مَـلِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ﴾

The Owner of the Day of Recompense.

Allah says, `My servant has glorified Me,’ or `My servant has related all matters to Me.’ When he says,

﴿إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ﴾

You (alone) we worship, and You (alone) we ask for help.

Allah says, `This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall acquire what he sought.’ When he says,

﴿اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ – صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّآلِّينَ ﴾

Guide us to the straight path. The way of those on whom You have granted Your grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray, Allah says, `This is for My servant, and My servant shall acquire what he asked for.’ [An Nasai, as recorded in Tafsir ibn Kathir]

It is necessary to recite Surah al-Fatihah in salah

Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, Whoever does not recite Al-Fatihah in his prayer, his prayer is invalid. [Bukhari]

Also, one is not credited with having observed the prayer without the recitation (of al-Fatihah). [Muslim]

It is a shifa

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:

While we were on one of our journeys, we dismounted at a place where a slave girl came and said, “The chief of this tribe has been stung by a scorpion and our men are not present; is there anybody among you who can treat him (by reciting something)?” Then one of our men went along with her though we did not think that he knew any such treatment. But he treated the chief by reciting something, and the sick man recovered whereupon he gave him thirty sheep and gave us milk to drink (as a reward). When he returned, we asked our friend, “Did you know how to treat with the recitation of something?” He said, “No, but I treated him only with the recitation of the Mother of the Book (i.e., Al-Fatiha).” We said, “Do not say anything (about it) till we reach or ask the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) so when we reached Medina, we mentioned that to the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) (in order to know whether the sheep which we had taken were lawful to take or not). The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “How did he come to know that it (Al-Fatiha) could be used for treatment? Distribute your reward and assign for me one share thereof as well.” [Bukhari]

In order to really taste the sweetness of prayer, we should at least try to learn something about what it is that we are reciting, and find out how it relates to us personally.

May Allah grant us the sweetness of prayer and iman (faith) and grant us steadfastness. 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

Ask Allah and Be Patient

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Our real problem is that we don't ask Allah and we are impatient. We ask everybody except Allah. When people don't give, don't help, we get mad, upset, depressed, disappointed.

Why? What can people do except what Allah lets them. Only Allah Almighty can make things happen. Only Allah can give what we want. To Him belongs whatever in the heavens and whatever is on earth.

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

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)

[Qur'an Baqarah 2:255]

When Prophet Ya'qub, peace be upon him, saw the blood stains on his beloved son's shirt, he saw there had been some foul play by his older sons against young Yusuf, peace be upon him, but he was patient and implore Allah's assistance.

وَجَآءُو عَلَىٰ قَمِيصِهِۦ بِدَمٍ۬ كَذِبٍ۬‌ۚ قَالَ بَلۡ سَوَّلَتۡ لَكُمۡ أَنفُسُكُمۡ أَمۡرً۬ا‌ۖ فَصَبۡرٌ۬ جَمِيلٌ۬‌ۖ وَٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُسۡتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ

And they brought upon his shirt false blood. [Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe." (18)

[Qur'an Yusuf 12:18]

Prophet Ya'qub has faith and he knows that all that Allah does is for the best. He was patient and did not complain. Indeed, Allah plans and His promise is true. Many many years later the family of Ya'qub reunited in the blessed land of Egypt.

Allah Almighty says,

فَلَمَّا دَخَلُواْ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ ءَاوَىٰٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَبَوَيۡهِ وَقَالَ ٱدۡخُلُواْ مِصۡرَ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ءَامِنِينَ وَرَفَعَ أَبَوَيۡهِ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِ وَخَرُّواْ لَهُ ۥ سُجَّدً۬ا‌ۖ وَقَالَ يَـٰٓأَبَتِ هَـٰذَا تَأۡوِيلُ رُءۡيَـٰىَ مِن قَبۡلُ قَدۡ جَعَلَهَا رَبِّى حَقًّ۬ا‌ۖ وَقَدۡ أَحۡسَنَ بِىٓ إِذۡ أَخۡرَجَنِى مِنَ ٱلسِّجۡنِ وَجَآءَ بِكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡبَدۡوِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ أَن نَّزَغَ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ بَيۡنِى وَبَيۡنَ إِخۡوَتِىٓ‌ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى لَطِيفٌ۬ لِّمَا يَشَآءُ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ

Then, when they came in before Yusuf, he betook his parents to himself and said: 'Enter Egypt, if Allah wills, in security.' And he raised his parents to the throne and they fell down before him prostrate. And he said: "O my father! This is the interpretation of my dream aforetime! My Lord has made it come true! He was indeed good to me, when He took me out of the prison, and brought you (all here) out of the bedouin-life, after Shaytan had sown enmity between me and my brothers. Certainly, my Lord is the Most Courteous and Kind unto whom He wills. Truly He! Only He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.'

[Qur'an Yusuf 12:99-100]

So seek Allah night and day and be patient.

May Allah hold us by the hand and grant us patience. 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

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- The Secret to be Loved

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Allah Almighty says in Surah Kahf:

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

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

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

The secret of getting people to love you is not to compete with them in their beloved world (dunya). If people feel that you come to them for a share of their dunya, their guard will go up. People love people who are genuine and sincere-- those who do things for the sake of Allah and use the dunya for the sake of the next life.

A man came to the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, direct me to an act which if I do it, (will cause) Allah to love me and people to love me." He, Allah bless him and grant him peace, answered: "Be indifferent to the world and Allah will love you; be indifferent to what people possess and they will love you."

أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ دُلَّنِي عَلَى عَمَلٍ إِذَا أَنَا عَمِلْتُهُ أَحَبَّنِيَ اللَّهُ وَأَحَبَّنِيَ النَّاسُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ "‏ ازْهَدْ فِي الدُّنْيَا يُحِبَّكَ اللَّهُ وَازْهَدْ فِيمَا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ يُحِبُّوكَ

[Ibn Majah]

One thing that brings us closer to Allah and to be loved by Him is al-zuhd (the indifference towards the world). Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal was asked one day if someone owns one thousand dinar, can he still be a zahid? He replied yes, if he does not feel rejoice if the money increases and he does not become sad if it decreases.

We must not become slaves to our worldly possessions. Instead we should work our worldly possessions for the worship of the One who bestow them to us--we use and spend them sincerely for Allah's sake only.

The dunya is cursed because it distracts people from Allah. It is a test for us. We either use it in the right way and be rewarded or we use it in the wrong way-- compromise principles and indulge in disobedience-- and fail the test.

‏اللهم إني أسألك حبك، وحب من يحبك، والعمل الذي يبلغني حبك، اللهم اجعل حبك أحب إلى من نفسي، وأهلي، ومن الماء البارد‏

O Allah! I ask You for Your Love, the love of those who love You, and deeds which will cause me to attain Your Love. O Allah! Make Your Love dearer to me than myself, my family and the cold water.

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

Cultivating Good Manners

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

Assalaamu alaykum

In these era when too many people around us lack good manners and ethics, we should reflect on the life of the best creation, our Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), and try to emulate his good manners.

If you want to see good manners, you have to look at the Prophetic example (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). With that you should read the Qur'an attentively because the Qur'an details the character that is pleasing to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala.

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) described the Prophetic character, "The Prophet's character was the Qur'an."

Every virtue that is expressed in the Qur'an, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam possessed it in the most perfect. The basis of the tremendous character of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam was his gentleness with his ummah and his honoring them. This is part of proper manners. In general we strive to uphold gentleness with people. They return to mercy.

"The merciful is granted mercy by the Merciful."

Once Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked how was the character of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam, she recited the first ten verses of Surah al-Mu'minun.

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿١﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ فِى صَلَاتِهِمْ خَـٰشِعُونَ ﴿٢﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ ٱللَّغْوِ مُعْرِ‌ضُونَ ﴿٣﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِلزَّكَو‌ٰةِ فَـٰعِلُونَ ﴿٤﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُ‌وجِهِمْ حَـٰفِظُونَ ﴿٥﴾ إِلَّا عَلَىٰٓ أَزْوَ‌ٰجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ‌ مَلُومِينَ ﴿٦﴾ فَمَنِ ٱبْتَغَىٰ وَرَ‌آءَ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْعَادُونَ ﴿٧﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَـٰنَـٰتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَ‌ٰ‌عُونَ ﴿٨﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَوَ‌ٰتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ ﴿٩﴾ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْوَ‌ٰرِ‌ثُونَ ﴿١٠

Certainly will the believers have succeeded: (1) They who are during their prayer humbly submissive (2) And they who turn away from ill speech (3) And they who are observant of zakah (4) And they who guard their private parts (5) Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed - (6) But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors - (7) And they who are to their trusts and their promises attentive (8) And they who carefully maintain their prayers - (9) Those are the inheritors (10)

[Qur'an, Al-Mu'minun 23:1-10]

The Prophet's character sallallahu alayhi wasallam was named tremendous because he had no concern except Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala Himself. His sole motive was Allah. Everything he did was for Allah Himself. Even in the littlest things he manifested excellence and beauty. This is excellence and beauty in conduct is summarized in one verse of the Qur'an:

خُذِ ٱلْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ‌ بِٱلْعُرْ‌فِ وَأَعْرِ‌ضْ عَنِ ٱلْجَـٰهِلِينَ ﴿١٩٩

Be easy going, uphold the good, and turn away from the ignorant. (199)

[Qur'an, Al-A'raf 7:199]

May Allah remove our blameworthy traits and replace them with praiseworthy traits and grant us and our family and loved ones noble character and righteousness. 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

Marriage -- Corrupt Women for Corrupt men, Corrupt Men for Corrupt Women...

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

Assalaamu alaykum

It is not seen appropriate that a woman of good morals should marry a man of bad morals. In the same way, it is not permitted for a woman of bad morals to marry a man of good morals:

Allah Almighty says,

ٱلْخَبِيثَـٰتُ لِلْخَبِيثِينَ وَٱلْخَبِيثُونَ لِلْخَبِيثَـٰتِ ۖ وَٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتُ لِلطَّيِّبِينَ وَٱلطَّيِّبُونَ لِلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مُبَرَّءُونَ مِمَّا يَقُولُونَ ۖ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ ﴿٢٦

Corrupt women for corrupt men, and corrupt men for corrupt women; good women for good men, and good men for good women -- these are declared quit of what they say; theirs shall be forgiveness and generous provision. (26)

[Qur'an, An-Nur 24:26]

Islam does not allow an adulterer to marry a chaste woman, and it does not allow a chaste man to marry an adulteress. This indicates that such a thing could happen, and indeed it happens often.

Allah Almighty says,

ٱلزَّانِى لَا يَنكِحُ إِلَّا زَانِيَةً أَوْ مُشْرِكَةً وَٱلزَّانِيَةُ لَا يَنكِحُهَآ إِلَّا زَانٍ أَوْ مُشْرِكٌ ۚ وَحُرِّمَ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٣

The fornicator does not marry except a [female] fornicator or polytheist, and none marries her except a fornicator or a polytheist, and that has been made unlawful to the believers. (3)

[Qur'an, an-Nur 24:3]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that a woman may be married for her wealth, her beauty, her lineage or her religious commitment, and the fact that he (Allah bless him and grant him peace) encouraged marrying the one who is religiously-committed indicates that marriages could occur for other reasons, so a man might marry a woman who is not like him.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Woman are married for four things: for their wealth, their lineage, their beauty and their religious commitment. Marry the one who is religiously-committed, may your hands be rubbed with dust (i.e., may you prosper).” [Bukhari, Muslim]

The fact that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) commanded guardians to marry the women under their care to religiously-committed men indicates that something other than that could happen.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “If there comes to you one with whose religious commitment and character you are pleased, then marry (your daughter or other female relative under your care) to him, for if you do not do that there will be tribulation in the land and much corruption.” [at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah]

So the one who is looking for a wife should look for one who is religiously-committed and has a good character; similarly, woman’s guardians should not marry them to anyone but those who are religiously-committed. For a man is influenced by those with whom he keeps company, especially if that lasts for a long time.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “A man will follow the way of his close friend, so let each of you look at whom he takes as a close friend.” [at-Tirmidhi]

“A man will follow the way of his close friend” i.e., he will follow the habits and path of his friends; “So let each of you look” means, think long and hard about; “whom he takes as a close friend” means, whom he regards as a friend and a brother. So if you like a person’s religious commitment and character, take him as a close friend, and if not, then avoid him. For characteristics are easily copied and keeping company with people has an effect on whether you will be good or bad.

Al-Ghazali said: Sitting with and mixing with one whose interest is worldly gain will make you also seek worldly gains; sitting with and mixing with one who is an ascetic will make you care little for worldly gains, because following characteristics are easily copied and one could copy the characteristics of one's friend without even realizing.

Devout women are depicted as good examples for mankind in the Qur'an. One is Maryam, the mother of Isa (peace be upon them).

وَمَرْيَمَ ٱبْنَتَ عِمْرَ‌ٰنَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَحْصَنَتْ فَرْجَهَا فَنَفَخْنَا فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِنَا وَصَدَّقَتْ بِكَلِمَـٰتِ رَبِّهَا وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَكَانَتْ مِنَ ٱلْقَـٰنِتِينَ ﴿١٢

And [the example of] Mary, the daughter of 'Imran, who guarded her chastity, so We blew into [her garment] through Our angel, and she believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient. (12)

[Qur'an, At-Tahrim 66:12]

Another is the wife of the Egyptian Pharaoh who, despite her husband's wickedness, is also described as an ideal Muslim.

وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱمْرَأَتَ فِرْعَوْنَ إِذْ قَالَتْ رَبِّ ٱبْنِ لِى عِندَكَ بَيْتًا فِى ٱلْجَنَّةِ وَنَجِّنِى مِن فِرْعَوْنَ وَعَمَلِهِۦ وَنَجِّنِى مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ﴿١١

And Allah presents an example of those who believed: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, "My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people." (11)

[Qur'an, At-Tahrim 66:11]

May Allah make us and our offspring righteous and grant us righteous spouses and companions. 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

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Affinity with Souls of One Kind

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Souls feel affinity with others according to the nature in which they were created. 'Although they are all souls, they differ in different ways, so a person will feel an affinity with souls of one kind, and will get along with them because of the special quality that they have in common.' [Qurtubi]

هَـٰؤُلَاءِ قَوْمُنَا اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِهِ آلِهَةً ۖ لَّوْلَا يَأْتُونَ عَلَيْهِم بِسُلْطَانٍ بَيِّنٍ ۖ فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّـهِ كَذِبًا (١٥ ) وَإِذِ اعْتَزَلْتُمُوهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّـهَ فَأْوُوا إِلَى الْكَهْفِ يَنشُرْ لَكُمْ رَبُّكُم مِّن رَّحْمَتِهِ وَيُهَيِّئْ لَكُم مِّنْ أَمْرِكُم مِّرْفَقًا ﴿١٦

These, our people, have taken besides Him deities. Why do they not bring for [worship of] them a clear authority? And who is more unjust than one who invents about Allah a lie?" (15) [The youths said to one another], "And when you have withdrawn from them and that which they worship other than Allah, retreat to the cave. Your Lord will spread out for you of His mercy and will prepare for you from your affair facility." (16)

[Qur'an Al-Kahf 18:15-16]

"The Ashab al-Kahf (companions of the cave) were the progeny of kings and chiefs among their people who were idol-worshipers. Once their people went out of the town to participate in some religious festival of theirs. This was a place where they met every year, worshiped their idols and sacrificed animals to please them. Their king was a tyrant. Called Daqyanus, he used to force his people to worship idols, That year, when everyone had gathered together in this festival, these young men identified as the Ashab al-Kahf also reached there and saw their people taking rocks carved with their own hands as God, worshiping them and sacrificing for them. At that time, Allah blessed them with the good sense to shun this absurd practice of their people. Thus, when they used their reason, they arrived at the conclusion that this worship belongs to none but that supreme Power who has created the heavens and the earth and everything therein. This thought crossed the minds of those few young men simultaneously and they started moving away from there to avoid the absurd practice of their people in the fair name of worship.

The first young man who withdrew went far from the crowd and sat down under a tree. After that, came another and he too sat there. Similarly, came the third, and the fourth, and each one of them kept taking a seat under the tree. But, none of them were familiar with each other, nor did they know as to why they had come there. The truth of the matter is that they were brought together on that spot by the Power that lit the light of faith in their hearts." [Ibn Kathir]

Ibn Kathir comments that people tend to take nationalism and common race as the cause of cohesion and union in social life. But, the reality lies in what has been said in a Hadith of Sahih al-Bukhari, that unity or disunity first germinates in souls, then it affects the bodies in this world. Souls that have experienced congruity and unity among them in 'azal (eternity) go on to become mutually connected and get molded into the form of a confraternity. As for those that did not have the experience of this mutual congruity and unity - in fact, remained separated there - they will remain separated here too.

May Allah join us with the righteous. 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