Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Renew Our Commitment to the Quran

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

Assalaamu alaykum

We thank Allah for the another opportunity to experience Ramadhan this year. May Allah accept all our Ramadhan deeds and forgive and pardon all our sins.

So, we performed our prayers, fasting, charity and completed recitation of the Quran (khatam) once or more this Ramadhan, but was that enough? Of course not!

Let the highs of the spiritual journey that we went through during Ramadhan have a lasting effect in our lives post Ramadhan. And let us not restrict the recitation of Quran to only the month of Ramadhan. We have to take at least half an hour to an hour daily out of our schedule to recite, understand and ponder over the verses of Quran.

The Quran is worthy of our time and attention. What came down is not a casual read. Every opportunity that we have to get closer to the Qur'an, we should take it.

The Quran came down to change our lives. Don't be like the failed nations of the past who had shallow relationship with their Books, and long periods passed over them, so their hearts become hardened.

أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ‌ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ‌ۭ مِّنْهُمْ فَـٰسِقُونَ ﴿١٦

Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth? And let them not be like those who were given the Scripture before, and a long period passed over them, so their hearts hardened; and many of them are defiantly disobedient. (16)

[Quran, Al-Hadid 57:16]

Allah Almighty says in Surah Al-Kahf,

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

All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has sent down to His slave (Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam) the Book (the Qur'an), and has not placed therein any crookedness. (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)
[Quran, Al-Kahf 18:1-2]

The Quran is upright and safeguards the best interest of His servants. It will set anybody right. Even in the toughest of time, the Qur'an can help us stand up straight. It teaches us to stay within limits. It does not put a burden or responsibility upon the slaves of Allah the kind of burden or responsibility that they can't carry.

It will never fall short in the realm of guidance. That's why Allah sent the Qur'an as the last Book. The Qur'an is a complete guidance. Whatever troubles or crisis we are facing -- personal, national, ethical, political, factional, ignorance, morality, shamelessness, etc -- the Qur'an has the solution for it.

The world we live in now is not much different than the world before in terms of its crookedness and deviations. Quran is committed to rectify the most crooked of nations. So we must have hope that when we restore the relationship with the Qur'an to people, beginning with ourselves and our families, then there will be good things lie ahead. The Qur'an is straight and no matter how much society deviates, it will remain straight. It has the power to take that which is bent and make it straight.

The actual relationship we have with the Quran is when we are standing in prayer and reciting it, and when we are standing behind an imam and listening to it being recited. Our relationship with the Quran happens five times a day at least. If somebody's prayer is good, his Quran is good, and if someone is not engaging with the Quran in his prayers, then his relationship with the Quran is entirely superficial.

Isn't it time we take the Qur'an seriously? The hearts of those who claim to have Faith (the believers) should be filled with the grandeur of Allah, in awe of Allah's power, due to the remembrance of Allah. Their hearts should flood with tears because of the Qur'an. Our hearts should be filled with overwhelming sense of emotion because we haven't connected with the Qur'an yet.

We should act like the Ummah that we are supposed to be with the Qu'ran.

وَٱتْلُ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ مِن كِتَابِ رَ‌بِّكَ ۖ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦ وَلَن تَجِدَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مُلْتَحَدًا ﴿٢٧

And recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. There is no changer of His words, and never will you find in other than Him a refuge. (27)

[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:27]

وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ‌ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَ‌بِّهِۦ فَأَعْرَ‌ضَ عَنْهَا وَنَسِىَ مَا قَدَّمَتْ يَدَاهُ ۚ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَن يَفْقَهُوهُ وَفِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرً‌ۭا ۖ وَإِن تَدْعُهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰ فَلَن يَهْتَدُوٓا۟ إِذًا أَبَدًا ﴿٥٧

And who is more unjust than one who is reminded of the verses of his Lord but turns away from them and forgets what his hands have put forth? Indeed, We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And if you invite them to guidance - they will never be guided, then - ever. (57)

[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:57]

May Allah bring us closer to His Book. Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance. 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

The Way to Success -- Having Correct Belief and Correct Practice

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,

....وَبَشِّرِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ

And give good tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow... [Quran, Al-Baqarah 2:25]

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَو‌ٰةَ وَءَاتَوُا۟ ٱلزَّكَو‌ٰةَ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴿٢٧٧

Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give zakah will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. (277)  [Quran, Al-Baqarah 2:277]

وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ ۙ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿٩

Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds [that] for them there is forgiveness and great reward. (9) [Quran, Al-Ma'ida 5:9] 

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ طُوبَىٰ لَهُمْ وَحُسْنُ مَـَٔابٍ ﴿٢٩

Those who have believed and done righteous deeds - a good state is theirs and a good return. (29)  [Quran, Ar-Ra'd 13:29]  

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala joins 'those who believe' and 'righteous deeds' numerous times in the Quran. This is to stress the importance of belief and righteous deeds for success in this life and the hereafter. The ideal situation is to have correct belief and correct practice.

The way of Islam is a balance between the outward and a balance between inward-- the balance between mind, body and soul; Islam, Imam and Ihsan;  Shari'ah, Tariqah and Haqiqah. All these different breakdowns is to help us understand our Deen but belief is at the heart of everything we do. And so no matter how many times someone says the first part of the testimony of faith (la ilha illallah) but he doesn't say the second part (Muhammadur Rasulullah) the faith is not going to be accepted. No matter how much deeds they do but they don't have correct belief, their deeds are not going to be accepted.

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا ٱلله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱلله

lā ʾilāha ʾillā llāh muḥammadur rasūlullāh

(There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of God)

So the first obligation, after uttering the faith, is to correct our belief. 

From the bounty of Allah, our creed is simple and also the key whereby all knowledge that can be known by human being is to be known. By the bounty of Allah, we have transition into the modern world with our fundamental belief intact. Now we must correct and protect our belief. We need to adorn our heart with correct belief. We protect it by learning what it is we need to know as we live life so we can protect ourselves from things that can blemish the correct belief. To protect it we have to do our outward duty, which is continue to learn, and inward duty which is to direct our hearts to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

At the same time we have to recognize that we have no power nor strength except through Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah

لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله

To the degree that we realize and actualize this reality, that we are powerless, is to the extent Allah will give us the ability while we are here on earth.

May Allah guide us on the straight path and grant us the ability to worship Him with excellence, and grant us ease and success in all that we do and aspire to do and grant us success and happiness in 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

Meadows of Paradise

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

Assalaamu alaykum

How fast time flies! It feels like just yesterday we welcome our noble guest, preparing for Allah's gaze, and now it's the third day of Eid already. Alhamdulillah for the sunnah of Shawwal fasting. If you continue to fast after the first day of Eid and also Mondays and Thursdays (at least) you can continue to hold on to the spirit of Ramadhan in your heart until next Ramadhan comes.

Nobody knows if we will be able to see Ramadhan again. But for sure we will meet our Lord. Do you know your Creator? Are you prepared to meet Him? It's time to evaluate ourselves and correct ourselves. It's time to put in a serious and proper learning of our Deen (Islam).

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: 'When you pass by the meadows of Paradise indulge freely in them.' The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked: 'O Messenger of Allah! What are the meadows of Paradise?' He replied: 'The circles of 'Ilm (knowledge).' (Tabarani, Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabir)

'Ilm that is mentioned here is 'beneficial knowledge'. It is through this knowledge that we will begin to know Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, love Him and want to connect with Him. We will see the insignificance of this world and the reality of the next life, and surely we will run after what is most pleasurable, the Hereafter (in Paradise).

So never put learning this religion on the back burner for without knowledge you cannot really see the realities of this world and the Hereafter. This knowledge is like an ocean, no matter how much you draw from it, there is much more remains. So it will keep those who desire Allah and the next life, busy for the rest of their lives. And they will find no time for idle and vain talks, backbiting, gossips, quarrels, arguments, holding grudges, envy, jealousy and showing off.

We have the next world to work for. Be serious now. Each one of us will have our own spot as determined by our Lord and we hope we will see our spot in Paradise when we meet our Creator.

Meanwhile take advantage of five before five...

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) advised to: “Take benefit of five before five: Your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you are preoccupied, and your life before your death”
(Narrated by Ibn Abbas and reported by Al Hakim)

May Allah bless our time and our lives and make us productive and strong Muslims. May Allah increase us in beneficial knowledge and make it a witness for us and not against us. 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

Ramadhan is Over, But Not Your Supplications and Good Actions

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Worship is the expression of one's servitude to Allah. Du'a is the essence of worship.

The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to make preparations for Ramadhan six months in advance, in which they would keep asking Allah to let them reach Ramadhan and in good health. Then for the next six months, they would keep asking Allah to accept their Ramadhan worship. This is the way of the best generation of the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad  (Allah bless him and grant him peace). They took the matter of worshiping Allah very seriously. It is their way of life. 

Ramadhan is over but not your du'as and deeds.

Continue your du'as earnestly. Like the sahabah, keep asking Allah to accept your worship in Ramadhan and have great hope in Allah that He will accept our Ramadhan worship and good deeds. Keep the spirit of Ramadhan going and always turning to Allah and seeking His forgiveness in abundance. May Allah enable us to reach next Ramadhan in good health.

We should also intend to perform as many good actions, short and long term, and take the means to accomplish them. Actions are only by intentions.

From the Amir al-Muminin Abu Hafs 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, radiya'llahu 'anhu, that he said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, saying, 'Actions are only by intentions, and every man has only that which he intended. Whoever's emigration is for Allah and His Messenger then his emigration is for Allah and His Messenger. Whoever's emigration is for some worldly gain which he can acquire or a woman he will marry then his emigration is for that for which he emigrated'." [Bukhari]

Intention is the measure for rendering actions true, so that where intention is sound action is sound, and where it is corrupt then action is corrupt

It's always the case of too many things to do in such little time. But inshaa Allah from the barakah (blessing) of time and your good intentions, you will be able to accomplish what you intend to do, including what's on your "Ramadhan To Do List" that you were not quite able to do, such as complete reading of the Quran, memorize some surahs, read the meanings of the Quran, learn some Arabic, read some tafsir, seerah, remove certain blameworthy traits, pick up certain praiseworthy trait, establish ties of kinship, etc.

May Allah accept our worship and good deeds of Ramadhan, forgive and pardon us, and relieve the tribulations of the Ummah. May Allah grant us well being and righteous deeds, and help us worship Him with excellence. 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

Keeping the Spirit of Ramadhan Alive -- Begin the Six Days Shawwal Fasting Tomorrow

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

Assalaamu alaykum

For Muslims, the blessed month of Ramadhan is the most wonderful time of the year. The benefits and beauties of this month are boundless. Ramadhan is over and obligatory fasting is over. We can eat, drink, and be merry again when the sun is shining. And that special feeling you have in your heart -- the one that keeps you going despite your hunger and thirst, gradually fades away.

There are numerous voluntary fasts we are encouraged to undertake throughout the year which will help us keep the spirit of Ramadhan alive for the rest of our lives, beginning with six day fasting in Shawwal, which can start on the second day of Shawwal, tomorrow.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace): “Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will keep his face seventy years’ distance from Hell,” [al-Nasaa’i]

Fasting will help increase our love for Allah's beloved Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) by being aware that we are following him in our fasting; applying the sunnahs pertaining to fasting which he taught us; reading the supplications which he taught us and bestowing prayers and peace upon him throughout our fast; and being aware that this act of worship and the great reward that it entails came to us by means of him. Because of him, Allah concealed for us in this act of worship a reward which only He knows. Allah says in the hadith Qudsi that every action has a fixed reward – “except for fasting – it is for Me and I reward accordingly;”

May Allah accept our Ramadhan worship and enable us to perform all other voluntary fasts throughout the year. May Allah increase our love for His beloved Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and resurrect us with him in the Day of Judgment and enter us into the highest Paradise with him without reckoning. 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

Bidding Farewell to Ramadhan 1438

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

Assalaamu alaykum

It feels like yesterday we were celebrating the first day of Ramadhan and now it is almost over. Whether you love Ramadhan so much and want it to stay; whether you fell short in Ramadhan and want it to stay so you can do more, Ramadhan got to go. You cannot stop Ramadhan from leaving. It was only here for a limited number of days -- 29 or 30. And you have to wait till next year to see Ramadhan again, that if Allah had decreed that you live long enough.

People who have lost out in Ramadhan were those who had busied themselves with things that did not concern them -- those things that they cannot take with them to their graves, i.e. things that cannot help them succeed in the Hereafter. Our concern in this life should be Allah alone, our standing with Him, and our next life to come. And this is the concern that we trained ourselves in Ramadhan and should have from now and until we breathe our last.

Ramadhan was our training ground. Don't let that training go to waste.

You stood many hours for Taraweeh and qiyamu lail in Ramadhan, and that was a good month long practice indeed. So you should not have much problem doing extra prayers and waking up for tahajjud every night from now on.

You recited and listened to a lot of Qur'an in Ramadhan. Continue doing this. Recite the Qur'an regularly and listen attentively to Qur'an everyday. We should strive to complete reciting the entire Qur'an at least every 30 or 40 days. If you haven't studied the Qur'an with a qualified teacher, you should plan to do so as soon as possible. Reciting Qur'an the correct way is the way of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). It is incumbent upon every Muslim to learn how to recite the Qur'an properly in order to recite the verses correctly, especially during prayer. It is also important that we memorize the Qur'an and understand the meanings. Imagine the connection you would have with the Qur'an by next taraweeh if you do this -- when the imam and a few of the people in congregation are crying while the Qur'an is being recited during prayers, we won't be just listening to the crying anymore. You have to learn Arabic.

You had self restraint in Ramadhan. You held yourself from food and drink during the day and you eat little at night because your stomach has shrunk. Don't expand it by eating beyond your fill during this Eid celebration and forward. Some of you quit smoking in Ramadhan or at least they didn't smoke during the day. So continue where you left...leave smoking. Don't let your nafs take you back to your bad old habits before Ramadhan and avoid the unlawful.

You were very generous and charitable, not just with your money but also with your heart. You gave sadaqatul fitr, zakat and extra charity, and you forgave a lot of people. Continue to give charity all throughout the year and before you go to sleep, forgive those who have wronged you and ask Allah for their forgiveness.

You made lots of du'as in Ramadhan. Continue making those du'as and ask Allah to forgive the Muslims in your prayers. Allah loves your asking Him.

It is Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), to fast six days in Shawwal, Mondays, Thursdays, three white/black days of each lunar month, the day of Arafah, the first 10 days of Zulhijjah, Ashura, and most of Sha'ban and Muharram. People who maintain the sunnah fasting throughout the year would have found this year's Ramadhan quite easy despite the long hours.

Fast regularly throughout the year and that will keep you in training, starting with fasting the six days Shawwal fasting (beginning second day of Eid). Yes, all those Eid food and many Eid open houses and invitations sound like it is going to be difficult to fast when everyone is celebrating, but try it. Allah will make it easy for you. You can always accept evening invitations.

The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Fasting Ramadan and following it with six days from Shawwal is like continual fasting.” [Muslim, on the authority of Abu Ayyub (Allah be pleased with him)]

This is because the reward of actions is multiplied (at least) ten-fold. So Ramadhan is like fasting 300 days, and the six days of Shawwal like fasting 60 days. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) himself stated this explicitly: “Fasting Ramadhan is like fasting ten months, and fasting six days [of Shawwal] is like fasting two months. That is like fasting a full year.” [Ahmad & Nasa’i]

We don't limit our fasting and certain acts of good deed in Ramadhan only.

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: "The most beloved action to Allah is that which is most consistent."

 If we are consistent with our fasting and doing other good deed, not only this is a sign of the acceptance of one’s Ramadan fasts and good deed because a sign of Allah’s acceptance of a good deed is to be granted the success to perform similar good deeds, with consistency, this is a sign of one's commitment to continue in worship and submission to Allah, willingly, and not merely out of duty and obligation.

Good deeds raise one's rank and erase the person's sins (except major sins which require sincere repentance for forgiveness).

One of the signs of the righteous is patience and restraint. If we fasted correctly, then we would have benefited from one of the effects of Ramadhan--an increase in patience. One can never have too much patience. Lack of patience can cause lots of problems--to oneself as well as to others. Patience is an acquired trait which many people don't have or many lose it very easily. If you have patience, nothing befalls you disturbs or bothers you. You will go through challenges, difficulties, uneasiness and discomfort in stride. The pious and the righteous people are not free from trials and tribulations of this life but they are the happiest people because they have patience and restraint.

You made much remembrance of Allah (dhikr) in Ramadhan. Keep that up. If you did not, strive to do that.

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Prophet, صلى الله عليه و سلم, said: Allah the Almighty said:

I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it. And if he draws near to Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a fathom's length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.

May Allah pardon us and accept of our fasting, prayers, zakat, charity, du'a and good deeds in Ramadhan, and make us of those He decreed salvation 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

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Last Friday of Ramadhan) -- The Beginning of Great Things Begins With A Du'a (Supplication)

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

Assalaamu alaykum

The month of Ramadhan is of a high status. So any good deed and acts of obedience during this month is of immense virtue and earn a greatly multiplied reward, and the sin of acts of disobedience during this month is greater and more serious than sins at other times. So we should make the most of what is left of this blessed month by doing lots of acts of worship and righteous deeds, and giving up all acts of disobedience and bad deeds, in the hope that Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, will bless us by accepting our good deeds and will enable us to adhere to the truth.

This is our last reading of Surah Kahf on Friday in this Ramadhan. Let's read the entire Surah Kahf before sunset today. The reward of each good deed is multiplied in Ramadhan and each letter read of the Quran is rewarded tenfold and multiplied many times more. Imagine the tremendous reward you would miss if you neglect reading Surah Kahf today. Leave your shopping, cooking and preparation for Eid for later and read it now so you don't forget.

The beginning of great things begins with a du'a. The power of du'a is captured inside Surah Kahf. It is the major turning point for a few young men who flee to the cave from the people of their city who were forcing them to worship other than Allah.

The cave is wide open and more comfortable for the one who calls on Allah as their Lord and the entire open sky is tight on someone who ignores their Lord. You may have the entire world at your feet physically but you will feel discomfort because you don't have Allah in your life and you may have nothing but you will feel comfort because you have Allah to call on to.

As these young men flee towards the cave, they turned to Allah and made this du'a,

رَ‌بَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَ‌حْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِ‌نَا رَ‌شَدًا

Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance. [Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:10]

Allah granted them their du'a and protected them for more than three centuries. Generations after generations of people derived lessons and benefited from their story, recite the Surah which is named after them every Friday, and made their du'a everyday in various settings -- imagine all the reward they are getting until the end of time.

If you are concerned about your future, increase your du'a. Learn this du'a and make it your daily supplication.

رَ‌بَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَ‌حْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِ‌نَا رَ‌شَدًا

May Allah grant us mercy from Himself and prepare for us right guidance in all our affairs. May Allah save us from the trials and tribulations of this life and the next and protect us from the 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

Ramadhan Reflection -- Living on the Edge

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says,

إِنَّ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ يَهْدِى لِلَّتِى هِىَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا ﴿٩

Indeed, this Qur'an guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward. (9)  [Qur'an, Al-Isra' 17:9]

Not only we should make the Quran and the Sunnah a judge over everything, but we also need to be careful the way we select. We should follow the best alternatives, the alternative that can get us the best reward and the furthest away from the obscure matters.

Often we find Muslims don't give matters of religion the attention it deserves. They are living on the edge.

In all our actions we have a decision to make. What governs our decision is Allah. So, we ask ourselves--is this action going to be pleasing to Allah; is this action going to be for me or against me in the Hereafter?

The halal is clear and the haram is clear. What about the doubtful matters?

On the authority of Abu `Abdillah an-Nu`maan the son of Bashir, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

That which is lawful (halal) is clear and that which is unlawful (haram) is clear, and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honor, but he who falls into doubtful matters [eventually] falls into that which is unlawful, like the shepherd who pastures around a sanctuary, all but grazing therein. Truly every king has a sanctuary, and truly Allaah's sanctuary is His prohibitions. Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh, which, if it be whole, all the body is whole, and which, if it is diseased, all of [the body] is diseased. Truly, it is the heart.

[Bukhari and Muslim.]

This hadith is laying the foundations for what our decision must be built upon when faced with making a decision. It helps us achieve piety and love of Allah.

We are not to be like the shepherd who goes to the boundary of his land and lets his sheep graze from there and says everything will be okay because it is very hard to tell the sheep where to stop grazing. So you need to keep the sheep away from the boundary because if they graze from your neighbor’s land, then you have committed a sin.

So, we should never approach the boundaries of Allah Most High as it will be very difficult to stop going over into the prohibition. If we are near the boundary, we will be like sheep which don’t know right from wrong and risk committing sin.

Al-Hasan said,

The pious remained at a state of piety to the level that they left a lot of halal out of fear of falling into haram.

Sufyan Al-Thawri said,

They were called pious because they stayed away from what others do not stay away from.

Abdullah ibn Umar said,

I wish to put a barrier of halal between me and the haram, and I do not break that barrier.

Sufyan bin ‘Uyayinah said,

A slave does not attain the reality of Iman (Faith) until he puts between him and the haram a barrier of halal, and he leave sins and what is doubtful of it.

Other righteous predecessors said,

We used to leave seventy doors of halal out of fear of falling into haram.

The great companion, Abdullah ibn Mas’ud said,

What do you want from approaching what is doubtful when there are 4000 non doubtful matters.

He said the number 4000 as an exaggeration and not referring to something specific, but is telling us that the non doubtful matters are many, so why do we go for the doubtful matters?

It is not difficult to stay away from doubtful matters if we have scrupulousness and it is easier when you are around scrupulous people.

So choose your friends wisely as the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that "a person is upon the religion of his friend."

Don't live on the edge. It is not a safe place. Don't do things that may lead to haram, even if a mufti said it is okay. We should be aware of the many things that are controversial (though they were never controversial in the time of the Companions and the generations that followed) such as, music, free gender interaction and mixing, Islamic dress code, woman traveling without mahram/close relative, etc. If you don't know, ask those who know. Our actions should err on the side of caution and leave what is doubtful.

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

You do not leave something for the sake of Allah, except that Allah will replace that thing for you with something that is better than it.

(Reported in Ahmad).

May Allah guide us on a straight path and grant us righteous deeds and protect us from actions that are displeasing to 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

Ramadhan Reflection -- Pardon and Turn a New Page

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

Assalaamu alaykum

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) taught us the best du'a of Laylat'ul Qadr (the Night of Power/Decree) through our mother, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her).

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: I asked: “O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Lailat'ul-Qadr, what should I supplicate in it?” He (Allah bless him and grant him peace) replied, “You should supplicate: اَللَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ ، تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي (Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni - O Allah, You love to pardon, always overlooking mistakes and sins; so pardon me).” [At-Tirmidhi]

We want Allah to forgive and pardon us. So we have been repeating this du'a for many nights now-- during taraweeh prayers, with the iman during witr and at every chance we got this Ramadhan.

How about we forgiving others? If we want Allah to forgive us, we should be willing to follow His Sunnah and forgive others.

By pardoning Allah's servants, we are exposing ourselves to an opportunity for Allah's pardon when we need it most. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says,

وَجَزَ‌ٰٓؤُا۟ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا ۖ فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُۥ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ﴿٤٠

And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation - his reward is [due] from Allah. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers. (40) [Quran, Ash-Shura 42:40]

Tabarani relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "A caller will call [on the Day of Rising], ‘Let him stand whose reward is upon Allah and let him enter paradise’ Then he will call a second time, ‘Let him stand whose reward is upon Allah and let him enter paradise’ It will be said, ‘Who is the one whose reward is upon Allah, Mighty and Majestic?’ He will say, ‘Those who pardon people.’ Then he will call a third time, ‘Let him stand whose reward is upon Allah and let him enter paradise.’ Then so and so many thousand will stand and enter paradise without reckoning." Imagine being among that fortunate group and having all of our many sins forgiven and receiving our reward directly from Allah!

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala reminds us to forgive and pardon others in many verses of the Quran. We have come across them if we are doing khatam of the Quran at least once this Ramadhan.

وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْفَضْلِ مِنكُمْ وَٱلسَّعَةِ أَن يُؤْتُوٓا۟ أُو۟لِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينَ وَٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَلْيَعْفُوا۟ وَلْيَصْفَحُوٓا۟ ۗ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٢٢

And let not those of virtue among you and wealth swear not to give [aid] to their relatives and the needy and the emigrants for the cause of Allah, and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (22) [Quran, An-Noor 24:22]

فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَـٰقَهُمْ لَعَنَّـٰهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا قُلُوبَهُمْ قَـٰسِيَةً ۖ يُحَرِّفُونَ ٱلْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِۦ ۙ وَنَسُوا۟ حَظًّا مِّمَّا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهِۦ ۚ وَلَا تَزَالُ تَطَّلِعُ عَلَىٰ خَآئِنَةٍ مِّنْهُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنْهُمْ ۖ فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱصْفَحْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١٣

So for their breaking of the covenant We cursed them and made their hearts hard. They distort words from their [proper] usages and have forgotten a portion of that of which they were reminded. And you will still observe deceit among them, except a few of them. But pardon them and overlook [their misdeeds]. Indeed, Allah loves the doers of good. (13) [Quran, Al-Ma'ida 5:13]

فَمَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ ﴿٨٤﴾ وَمَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ‌ٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَءَاتِيَةٌ ۖ فَٱصْفَحِ ٱلصَّفْحَ ٱلْجَمِيلَ ﴿٨٥

And We have not created the heavens and earth and that between them except in truth. And indeed, the Hour is coming; so forgive with gracious forgiveness. (85) [Quran, Al-Hijr 15:88]

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَ‌ٰجِكُمْ وَأَوْلَـٰدِكُمْ عَدُوًّا لَّكُمْ فَٱحْذَرُوهُمْ ۚ وَإِن تَعْفُوا۟ وَتَصْفَحُوا۟ وَتَغْفِرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿١٤

O you who have believed, indeed, among your wives and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you pardon and overlook and forgive - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (14) [Qur'an, At-Taghabun 64:14]

وَدَّ كَثِيرٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَوْ يَرُدُّونَكُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ إِيمَـٰنِكُمْ كُفَّارًا حَسَدًا مِّنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِهِم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۖ فَٱعْفُوا۟ وَٱصْفَحُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿١٠٩

Many of the People of the Scripture wish they could turn you back to disbelief after you have believed, out of envy from themselves [even] after the truth has become clear to them. So pardon and overlook until Allah delivers His command. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent. (109) [Quran, Al-Baqarah 2:109]

So let's forgive and pardon each other and turn a new page now, before we bid farewell to our noble guest, Ramadhan.

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

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

اَللَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ ، تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

O Allah, You are Most forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me.

I also ask you to forgive and pardon me for all my shortcomings, knowingly and unknowingly, internally and externally. Maaf zahir batin.

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

Ramadhan Reflection -- Having Fear of Allah (Taqwa)

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

Assalaamu alaykum

The very purpose of fasting is so we may become people of taqwa (God-fearingness). It is meant to transform us into a true slave of Allah, a better human being. Have we accomplished this purpose even a little?

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,

... يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ﴿١٨٣﴾ أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَٰتٍ ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ

O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become God-fearing - (183) [Fasting for] a limited number of days. ...

[Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:183-184]

We have to scrutinize ourselves. The purpose of this is not to despair but the purpose of this is that we can actualize our servitude before our Lord and engender this great trait of heart that is supposed to be there. How many times we have exposed our selves to the wrath of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. This should scare us and bring about a deep sense of fear in us.

Allah didn't create us in vain. There is a purpose behind creation--to worship the Creator, and to Him we shall return.

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ ﴿٥٦

And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (56) [Quran, Adh-Dhariyyat 51:56]

أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَـٰكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ ﴿١١٥

Then did you think that We created you in vain and that to Us you would not be returned?" (115)  [Qur'an, Al-Mu'minun 23:11]  

We can receive great blessings if we do what Allah commands us to do. It is very easy for us to become deceived, as human beings.

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ مَا غَرَّكَ بِرَبِّكَ ٱلْكَرِيمِ ﴿٦﴾ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكَ فَسَوَّىٰكَ فَعَدَلَكَ ﴿٧﴾ فِىٓ أَىِّ صُورَةٍ مَّا شَآءَ رَكَّبَكَ ﴿٨

O mankind, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous, (6) Who created you, proportioned you, and balanced you? (7) In whatever form He willed has He assembled you. (8) [Qur'an, Al-Infitar 82:5-8]

If we reflect on this, it increases your fear of God and encourage you to blame and reproach your selves to avoid remissness and persevere in your zeal. All of these fruits are things that we are in dire need of. These are an essential part of our Deen (i.e. the religious dimension of the human being). It is the state that relates to how serious we take our relationship with our Lord and degree to which we prepare ourselves for the Hereafter.

Fear is something that is important. It prevents a lot of harm from coming to us, even in the worldly sense. If we didn't have fear how are we going to protect ourselves from sickness, how are we going to protect ourselves from someone who is going to harm us. Fear is a protection for us and there is a  wisdom behind it. The greatest part of fear is the fear that relates to anything that we distance ourselves from Allah and then there is the fear of the Elect. We hope by mentioning this, mercy will descend and our heart will attach to them.

Abu Yazid al-Bustami said there are people were they were to be taken of Divine presence, they would have sought refuge in the way that people sought refuge from the Hellfire, Torment for them is a state of heedlessness, that is anything that will distract them from their Lord. This is the highest degree of taqwa of all. These are people who love Allah. For them they  consider a sin to fall out of remembrance. This does not happen overnight. This is something you have to strive for over the period of your lifetime. The hope is that before we meet Allah we would attain something of this. If we look in this world, there are people who reach great fame and success early in their life,  but most people take a long time to get there. If this is so for this temporal world, what about the eternal world of the Hereafter? How much we are going to put in for that which is going to last eternally?
May Allah grant the highest taqwa and safety in this world and the next world. May Allah remove us from our state of heedlessness and make us of people of Taqwa and people of His remembrance. 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

Ramadhan Reflection -- Developing Lofty Character

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

Assalaamu alaykum

Character (khuluq) is an inward disposition that causes one to exhibit praiseworthy traits and to act in praiseworthy ways. Character is the way one is. The way one is, is the way one acts. Good character has a whole range of manifestation and one of these is adab (good manners). So adab is a subset of good character and it is also an expression of character.

The basis of good character is seeking the pleasure of Allah, seeking Divine mercy. One way that is expressed is striving to act in the manner that is pleasing to Allah, making one's conduct such that one's conduct is seeking of Divine Mercy.

Good character weighs heavy on the Scale in the Day of Judgment. One who wishes for good character should look at the Qur'an and never ever leave it.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was only sent to perfect noble character. The greatest and the most distinguishing aspect of the Prophet's person sallallahu alayhi wasallam was his character. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says about his character,

  وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ ﴿٤

And indeed, you are of a great moral character. (4) [Qur'an, Al-Qalam 68:4]

The Prophet's character sallallahu alayhi wassallam 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 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]

Sa’ad (Allah be pleased with him) reported:

Once I went to Aisha and her father (Allah be pleased with them both) and asked them about the character and conduct of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) to which Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) replied: Don't you read the Qur'an? I said: Yes. She said: The character of the Messenger of Allah is the Qur'an.

If you want to see perfect manners, you have to look at the Prophetic example (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). For that you should read the Qur'an attentively and know the meanings because the Qur'an details the character that is pleasing to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala.

Every virtue that is expressed in the Qur'an, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) possessed it in the most perfect. The basis of the tremendous character of the Prophet(sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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."

Islamic manners are the most refined. Islam advocates adab and proper manners so as to perfect our personality. How you act with people refines your character. They take care of the feelings of even the weakest, humblest or youngest in any group or community.  

Once Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked how was the character of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, 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] 

Allah taught our Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) adab (manners) and propriety through the Quran. His character is the Quran. The Quranic standard for character is very high. We should measure our character with it. When we read the Quran, we have to measure our behavior with it. And we are supposed to feel broken and we are supposed to work hard to achieve such lofty character.

That's why we should read the Quran with reflection. We should always apply what we read to our own selves. It is important to know that when we learn something, this is from Allah, and that Allah wants us to learn that something in that particular moment. Likewise, every time we are in a learning session or listening to a lecture or a sermon, we should always apply the knowledge to our own selves. It is a big mistake if we apply knowledge to other people.

If we recite the Qur'an regularly and follow its teachings, we will have beautiful character.

If we have certain bad traits, changing them may not be easy but if we sincerely want to change and ask Allah for His help, nothing is difficult with Allah's help.

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says,

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ ﴿١٨٦

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided. (186)

[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:186]

May Allah help us rid off all our blameworthy traits and replace them with praiseworthy traits. May Allah enable us to follow in the footsteps of His beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and grant us noble character. 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

Ramadhan Reflection -- A Successful Path to God

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

Assalaamu alaykum

We must cling to the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) for our safety in this world and in the next world.

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,

ذَ‌ٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿٢

This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah - (2) [Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:2] 

وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِيدًا عَلَىٰ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ۚ وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ تِبْيَـٰنًا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ ﴿٨٩

And [mention] the Day when We will resurrect among every nation a witness over them from themselves. And We will bring you, [O Muhammad], as a witness over your nation. And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims. (89)  [Qur'an, An-Nahl 16:89]

قُلْ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ ﴿٣٢

Say, "Obey Allah and the Messenger." But if they turn away - then indeed, Allah does not like the disbelievers. (32) [Qur'an, AleImran 3:32]

The greatest protection for everything that is going to happen, what we are going to experience in the next world, is the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace). This is what is going to determine whether or not we are going to enter Paradise. This is the foundation of our Deen. This is the way to attain uprightness, how we can learn how to follow the straight path in this world, and in the next world to cross quickly across the Sirat (the Bridge over Hell). Those who adhere to them find safety, profit, guidance and protection while those who deviate from them go astray, greed, lose and are broken.

So, let them govern you, control in what you do, consult in your every affair, in obedience to Allah and His Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace)

We are in need of being governed. We need to master the governance of our souls. The only way to govern our own selves and own souls is through making Allah's Book and Sunnah of His Messenger (Allah bless and grant him peace) be the judge over everything that we do--all the character traits, acts and everything that we say, and also to follow the better or the best alternatives whereby we can attain the best reward and clear us from the obscure matters. This will lead us to safety, profit, guidance and protection and the opposite for those who don't follow them.

If we hold to the Quran and Sunnah firmly, we will never ever go astray, inshaa Allah. If we open your heart and if we have a good opinion of Allah, from the bounty of Allah, He will give us everything that we need to reach our point of return, to meet Him in a safe and sound state. 

May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala give us success in all our different affairs and accept our prayers, fasts, charity, du'as and deeds, forgive all our sins and shortcomings, and grant us an excellent ending (husnul khaatimah). 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

Ramadhan Reflection -- Reflect on Death and the Perishing World

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

Assalaamu alaykum

The nature of this world is like a spider's web. The spider's web catches insects. The nature of the world is that it will entrap you. It catches people that are light spiritually whereas people who are strong spiritually, they can blow it off.

Think about all those people who have billion of dollars and being served by people everywhere they set their feet on. None of these is going to benefit them because of the fleeting nature of the world.  Some people are going to give the entire estate to charity or leave some to their children. Then what?

We have to reflect upon the perishing nature of this lowly world (dunya)-- the appeal, the magic and the entrapment of the dunya. We have to be aware of its  hazards and the swiftness of its perishing. The fruits of reflecting on this is that it will take you out the love of the world from your heart. 

Reflect on the eminence of death and the regrets and remorse when it is too late. We have to reflect on death because it can pounce upon us at any moment. No matter how righteous we are, no matter how many good deeds we have accumulated, we will want to come back to do more.  

The nature of human being is that some people don't think about death at all. Some people think about death but then they convinced themselves that only other people are going to die, not them. Your brain might try to convince you that you have many years to live but tell it that you don't even have any guarantee what will happen to you in the next moment. We might be healthy today, but we can be very sick tomorrow. We might be full of life and vigor right now and we walk out, something terrible could happen.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "Remember the terminator of all pleasures  often i.e. death." [Tirmidhi]. The fruits and benefits of this is that hopes become short, behaviors become better, and true provision is gathered for the appointed Day.

Don't postpone reflecting on death. Death will meet us. We can't avoid it. We will be returned to the Knower of the Unseen and Seen, and He will inform us of what we have done in this life.
Allah, Exalted is He says,

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا تُرْ‌جَعُونَ

Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned.

[Qur'an al-Ankabut 29:57]


Let's renew our intentions and remember why we are here. Allah, Exalted is He, says,

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ ﴿٥٦
And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone).

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

Don't let anyone and anything distract you from worshiping your Lord. Allah, Exalted is He, says

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

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

[Qur'an, Al-Munafiqun 63:9-11]

May Allah increase us in iman, guide us on the straight path and bring us closer to Him. May Allah forgive us and help us to forgive all the believers and save us from the punishment of the grave, the torment of the Day of Standing 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

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- The Greatest Thing We Can Desire

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

Assalaamu alaykum

In Surah AL-Kahf, Allah Most High tells us that,

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) [Quran, Al-Kahf 18:46]

'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, 'Cultivation is of two kinds. Wealth and children are the cash crops of the mortal world while 'وَٱلْبَـٰقِيَـٰتُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتُ (enduring good deeds)' are the deferred crops of the Hereafter.'

We all desire great wealth and great children. But the greatest thing we can desire is desiring the closeness to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala-- to desire what comes from the presence of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and the Akhirah (Hereafter). 

If you desire Allah, be where Allah wants you to be and don't be where He doesn't want you to be. Allah sees what you do at all times. If you are aware that Allah sees you, you will feel ashamed before Allah. So, be where Allah has commanded you to be and never be where Allah doesn't want you to be. Allah wants you to be in prayer five times a day (in congregation), to be aware of the amount that you have to pay your zakat and pay it on time, to give charity, to perform the pilgrimage (if you able to), to fast in Ramadhan, to be kind to your parents, to give others their due rights. Your feet is one of your seven limbs and we only want to walk in ways and places that are beloved to Him. 

We can receive great blessings if we do what our Lord has commanded us to do and if we do what is beloved to Him.

It is very easy for us to become deceived as human beings. How serious we take our relationship with Allah is the degree to which we prepare for the Akhirah.

May Allah grant us closeness to Him and the highest Paradise. May Allah protect us from where He doesn't want us to be and save us from 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

Make the Best of the Last Ten Nights of Ramadhan

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

Assalaamu alaykum

We have a few more days before this blessed month of Ramadhan leaves us. Let's try to make up where we fall short, and avoid disobedience and the forbidden at all cost.

Ali ibn Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what are the best deeds during this month’?” ‘He replied: ‘O Abu-Hassan, the best of deeds during this month is to be far from what Allah has forbidden’.

Allah Most High says in the Qur’an: The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn. [Quran, Al-Qadr 97:3-5]

The blessed Laylatul Qadr can be found in any of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, which are the most blessed nights of the year. As such, we should increase our worship and devotion during this period.

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work harder) and used to pray the whole night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers. [Bukhari]

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace)said: “Whoever stands (in the voluntary night prayer of) Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. And whoever spends the night of Lailat'ul-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Sunan an-Nasa'i]

Such immense rewards are to be gained during these blessed ten nights. How can we afford to miss out on them? Who is to say that we will live to see the next Ramadhan? We must make the best of these ten nights. If we cannot manage all of the ten nights, then as many as we can manage, particularly on the odd-numbered nights: 21st, 25th, 27th and 29th.

There is a saying that a person who fails to plan, plans to fail. So make a plan for each day and each night of these remaining last days of Ramadhan. Write down your plan and follow it.

There are a few points to consider in your worship plan:

Remain in I’tikaf: The best way of catching the blessed night is to remain in I’tikaf, which both men and women can do. If it is not possible for one to remain in I’tikaf for the whole of the ten days and nights, then one should try to remain in I’tikaf for as many days and nights possible. It is also possible to make intention of Nawafil I’tikaf each and every time one enters the masjid to gain rewards for the time spent in the masjid. 

Worship all the ten nights: Try to worship the whole of the ten nights or as many days you can manage as that is the best way to catch the unimaginable and incomprehensible rewards of  Laylat'ul - Qadr. Each and every good deed from Maghrib until Fajr on Laylat'ul-Qadr is rewarded a minimum of at least 83 years’ of worship.  That is longer than most of us will live! 

Pray Isha’ and Taraweeh at the masjid. Pray two raka’ahs of tahiyyatul masjid upon arriving at the masjid and four raka’ahs of sunnah (this is often neglected) before the four fard of Isha’. Praying Taraweeh during Laylatul Qadr will bring rewards of over 83 years for each and every letter recited by the imam and for each and every prostration (sajda).

Pray nafl salah, recite the Qur’an or engage in reciting the dua of Laylat'ul-Qadr Du'a as much as possible.

Recite the Qur’an, contemplating and pondering over the words of Allah. The Qur’an was revealed during Laylat'ul-Qadr. So surely we should spend the last ten nights of Ramadhan reciting the Qur’an. Each and every letter is normally rewarded ten good deeds. During Ramadhan, this is increased further but during Laylat'ul-Qadr each letter will be rewarded like one has recited it for over 83 years.

The best nawafil prayer is tahajjud as it is a prayer that allows you to get closer to Allah. It can be prayed after Isha’ until just before Fajr begins. The best recitation of the Qur’an is done during tahajjud prayer. You should recite as much of the Qur’an as you have memorized. In the long prostrations, beg Allah for forgiveness and mercy and surely He will never turn away his slaves who beg of him during this prayer. 

Best dua of the last ten nights: اَللَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ ، تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her)  reported: I asked: “O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Lailat'ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), what should I supplicate in it?” He (Allah bless him and grant him peace) replied, “You should supplicate: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me).” [At-Tirmidhi] 

Devote the last 30 minutes before fajr in making supplication to Allah. Beg and cry to your Lord. Praise and glorify Him by using His beautiful names, asking for His mercy and forgiveness and for our parents, families and ourselves. Ask for anything that your heart desires. Include duas for the Ummah. Surely Allah will accept each and every sincere du'a during these blessed ten nights, especially on  Laylat'ul Qadr.

Make a du'a list and be sure to cover everything you can think of so that your mind does not go blank when making du'as on these blessed nights.

Give charity: Any good act such as charity during Laylat'ul-Qadr is rewarded like you have done it for over 83 years. 

Eat light: As you will be staying up until Fajr, the more you eat, the harder it will be for you to stay up and the less productive you will be.

Hydrate well: Keep some water with you at all times. This will help you stay up, feel energized and refreshed and have a clearer mind. 

Complete all tasks beforehand: Make arrangements to clear as many of your pending tasks as possible or make a plan for tackling them later. This way, we are free to worship during the 10 nights without being distracted by worldly tasks. 

Show exemplary character: The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Nothing will be heavier on the Day of Resurrection in the Scale of the believer than good manners. Allah hates one who utters foul or coarse language.” [at-Tirmidhi]. So we must aim to be the best in character during these blessed nights and continue to do so for the rest of the year. We must not argue, swear, backbite, slander or gossip. 

No time wasting: We must make a firm intention that during these blessed ten nights, we will not take part in idle talk, watch TV, play computer games or spend time on the social media. There are 355 days in the year for all that – if you really cannot resist. This is just ten nights. There will be indeed an utter loss and regret for those of us who waste these blessed ten nights. 

Making life changes: We should make the necessary changes to improve ourselves as Muslims and what better time to make such changes than during these blessed ten nights where we can change our lives forever. We must internalize these changes and make a firm commitment to Allah Most High, and maybe that he will wipe off our sins until we become newborn babies, inshaa Allah.

May Allah enable us to make the best of these nights. May He enable us to catch the blessed Laylat'ul-Qadr and gain the rewards that are promised for it. 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

Ramadhan Reflection -- Finding Laylat'ul-Qadr (The Night of Power)

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

Assalaamu alaykum

The scholars have affirmed that Laylat'ul-Qadr is the best of nights because of Allah Most High’s words,

إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ ﴿١﴾ وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ ﴿٢﴾ لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ ﴿٣﴾ تَنَزَّلُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ ﴿٤﴾ سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ ٱلْفَجْرِ ﴿٥

Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree. (1) And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? (2) The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. (3) The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. (4) Peace it is until the emergence of dawn. (5)

[Quran, Al-Qadr 97:1-5]

Imam Nawawi and others explain that the verse, ‘The Night of Power is better than a thousand months,’ means that it is better than a thousand months without it.

Abu Hurayrah (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever prays on Laylat'ul Qadr out of faith and sincerity, shall have all their past sins forgiven.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Sa`id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) also said, “Seek it in the last ten days, on the odd nights.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Given the tremendousness of this night, it is recommended to seek it out, and to worship Allah in it, with prayer (solat), supplications (du`a), remembrance of Allah (dhikr), and other acts of worship. Because obligatory acts are more beloved to Allah than supererogatory ones, the most important thing for men is to pray both Isha and Fajr at the masjid. We should strive to do i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) in these last days of Ramadhan. When you enter the masjid, make the intention of i'tikaf.

When is Laylat al-Qadr?

There is a long standing difference of opinion about when Laylat'ul Qadr is, because it is of those matters whose certain knowledge has been lifted by Allah Most High from this Ummah, for the wisdom that people strive to seek it.

Imam Al-Haddad insights on Laylat'ul-Qadr

“In brief, the sagacious believer should be ready for Laylat’ul-Qadr every Ramadhan night. He must remain watchful and constantly engaged in good works. The important thing is that when it does come it finds him absorbed in his good works, remembering God the Exalted, neither distracted, heedless, nor absorbed in frivolity.

It is unimportant whether he actually witness Laylat’ul-Qadr or not, for the works of he who is absorbed in devotions during it will be equivalent to the works of a thousand months, whether he is aware or not which specific night it is.

We say: He should watch for it and be prepared every night of the month, because much disagreement exists between scholars as to which night it is. Some have gone so far as to say that it is hidden and can be any night in the month; also that it shifts and is not the same night every year. I am inclined to accept this opinion. I believe it can occur in other than that last ten nights, but more frequently does in them. This is the opinion of the majority of scholars.”

May Allah enable us to witness laylat'ul Qadr and bless us with His generosity and increase us in His worship. May Allah accept our worship, charity and good deeds, and forgive all our sins. 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

Ramadhan Reflection -- Don't Slump

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

Assalaamu alaykum

We have passed the mid point of Ramadhan and you find the masjid is getting leaner and leaner. Are you feeling less excited about doing acts of worship? Are you getting excited about Eid instead, and busy with Eid preparations, making travel plans or traveling home for Eid, and missing taraweeh at the masjid?

As humans, we have been created weak and part of this weakness are the fluctuations we experience in our states. Sometimes we feel good, excited, and spiritually high; other times we feel stale, lazy, and lacking in presence. Ramadhan is no exception when it comes to this.

The first thing you need to recognize is that feelings are ultimately inconsequential. We worship because we believe Allah is worthy of worship. Whether it makes us feel good or excited is not the main focus. However, since these feelings become impediments to worship itself for most people, it is important to take some concrete steps in overcoming them when possible.

1. Renew Intentions and Seek Allah’s Aid

This may sound obvious but it is not so for many people. When we begin to wane in our worship and do not feel the same presence we used to, it is a good time to pause, analyze one’s intention, and turn to Allah in assistance. Often times, these states are sent precisely as a test to see whether we try to lift ourselves up, turn to Him, and continue striving to do our best. So, perform ablution, pray two cycles, and renew your intention to be in the worship of Allah to the best of your ability.

2. Don’t Miss Suhur

This is one of the first actions that people stop doing as Ramadhan progresses. But suhur is not simply done to keep us somewhat satiated for the long day ahead. Rather, it is a spiritual act which when done the right way with the right intention fills one’s day with blessing (barakah). As the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Partake in suhur for indeed there is blessing in it.” [Bukhari, Muslim] Force yourself to wake up with some time to spare, eat a healthy breakfast, and engage in some worship – no matter how little – before Fajr. When you start your day in a blessed manner, chances are that it will continue in that manner.

3. Freshen Up and Dress Well

If you’re at home, don’t lounge around in your PJs. This is almost asking to be lazy and unproductive. Stay fresh by taking a shower (ghusl) or at the least remaining on ablution (wudu’), keep yourself well-groomed, and dress well. Studies show that clothing can systematically influence an individual’s psychological processes and effect productivity. Additionally, taking care of one’s appearance is part of the Sunnah.

4. Change Up Your Worship

Often times, breaking out of a stale state requires modifications to one’s daily habits. If you are not finding presence in your supererogatory prayer (nawafil), try to replace some of it with Qur’an or dhikr. Perhaps introduce some reading of tafsir or listening to a lecture by a scholar you enjoy. If you worship mostly at home, visit the masjid for spiritual upliftment; if you do dhikr in your room, go out for a quiet walk with your misbaha (prayer beads); if you usually pray by yourself at home, start praying with other family members.

5. Be Diplomatic and Balanced

The self (nafs) is not an easy thing to tame. Sometimes, we need to approach it diplomatically. Demand worship from it but let it breath a little a bit too. If it wants to check Whatsapp, Facebook or Twitter or relax for a bit, then do so in moderation but make sure you tell it to read some Qur’an or perform a few cycles of prayer after. This will hopefully ensure that you don’t burn out. As the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “This religion is ease and none makes it difficult except that it will overwhelm him. So, perform your deeds properly and in moderation…” [Bukhari]

6. Good Company and Collective Worship

There is a reason why the larger community is so stressed upon in our tradition. Believers feed off each others’ states and push each other towards something higher than themselves. They uplift each other and provide motivation to engage in the good. The masjid is an obvious place to meet others and engage in collective worship, but so is your home. Keep the Ramadhan excitement going in your household by making the family have iftar together, praying together, watching your favorite lectures, going to talks/events, and visiting/inviting people over for iftar. The same can be done with your friends.

Do not give up on your worship simply because you are not feeling it anymore. Rather, try your best and recognize that worship transcends the temporal feelings that we may experience. These ups and downs are part of the test that Allah has laid out for us to see who among us “will excel in good deeds.”

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ‌ٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ وَكَانَ عَرْشُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلْمَآءِ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۗ وَلَئِن قُلْتَ إِنَّكُم مَّبْعُوثُونَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱلْمَوْتِ لَيَقُولَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ ﴿٧

And it is He who created the heavens and the earth in six days - and His Throne had been upon water - that He might test you as to which of you is best in deed. But if you say, "Indeed, you are resurrected after death," those who disbelieve will surely say, "This is not but obvious magic." (7)

[Quran, Hud 11:7]

Hopefully, by following some of the above points, the excitement of worship will be reignited. That is what we require at this point: a little spark that we can capitalize on so as to fully benefit from this month.

Look forward to doing i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) in the last ten nights of Ramadhan.

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said, “The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to do i’tikaf (spiritual retreat) in the last ten nights of Ramadhan and he said, ‘Look for the Night of Power (laylat-al-Qadr) during the last ten nights of Ramadhan.'” [Agreed upon]

May Allah give us the success of following in the footsteps of the inheritors of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace), outwardly and inwardly, and may He make us of those whom He loves. May Allah increase us in His worship and bless us with finding laylat-al-Qadr this Ramadhan. 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