Thursday, January 31, 2019

Love Allah And You Will Never Be Lonely

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

If we want an everlasting relationship, if we want true love, focus our efforts on building our relationship with Allah and gaining His love, then we will, not only get His companionship and love but He will instill love in others’ hearts for us as well. You will never be lonely.

Allah Most High says,

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ وُدًّا ﴿٩٦

Verily, those who believe [in the Oneness of Allâh and in His Messenger (Muhammad SAW)] and work deeds of righteousness, the Most Gracious (Allâh) will bestow love for them (in the hearts of the believers). (96)

[Qur'an, Maryam 18:96]

We need to reflect on our own relationship with our Lord. Search deep within our hearts about the motivations that drive our lives and our understanding (explicit or implicit) of the purpose of our lives. That is because the purpose of our life drives our goals, actions, and behaviors in general. For many of us, earning a living and making money tend to be the focal point of our lives, including a total immersion in building our dwellings, families, and so on, while neglecting our duty and love for Allah. The time that we spend on various activities reflects our priority and love for each of those activities. For those of us who exhibit that behavior, Allah Almighty says,

قُلْ إِن كَانَ ءَابَآؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَٰنُكُمْ وَأَزْوَٰجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَٰلٌ ٱقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَـٰرَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَـٰكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَآ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّـهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَجِهَادٍ فِى سَبِيلِهِۦ فَتَرَبَّصُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِىَ ٱللَّـهُ بِأَمْرِهِۦ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَـٰسِقِينَ ﴿٢٤

Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allâh and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause[], then wait until Allâh brings about His Decision (torment). And Allâh guides not the people who are Al-Fâsiqûn (the rebellious, disobedient to Allâh) (24)

[Qur'an, At-Tawbah 9:24]

If you love Allah, you must follow His beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace. Allah Most High says,

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّـهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّـهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٣١﴾ قُلْ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ ﴿٣٢

Say (O Muhammad to mankind): If you (really) love Allah, then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

[Qur'an, AleImran 3:31]

Allah gives Dunya (the material world) to whom He loves and whom He doesn't love, but He doesn't give this Deen (Islam) except for whom He loves. Our imam (faith) in Islam is the most precious gift. Show your gratitude to the Giver by turning back to Him and rushing to good deeds.

It is difficult to follow someone if you don't have love for that someone. So, if you haven't brought yourself to love Allah's Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace), then when? Any love you have other than Allah and the His beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) is going to be severed when you die and that love is not going to help you in the Hereafter except if they are righteous. You will be with the one you love.

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said that a man came to the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and asked, "When will the Last Hour come, Messenger of Allah?", "What have you prepared for it?" he asked? He replied, "I have not prepared a lot of prayer or fasting or charity for it, but I love Allah and His Messenger." The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "You will be with the one you love." (al-Bukhari)

يَا أَيُّهَا الْإِنسَانُ إِنَّكَ كَادِحٌ إِلَىٰ رَ‌بِّكَ كَدْحًا فَمُلَاقِيهِ ﴿٦﴾ فَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُ بِيَمِينِهِ ﴿٧﴾ فَسَوْفَ يُحَاسَبُ حِسَابًا يَسِيرً‌ا ﴿٨﴾ وَيَنقَلِبُ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهِ مَسْرُ‌ورً‌ا ﴿٩﴾ وَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُ وَرَ‌اءَ ظَهْرِ‌هِ ﴿١٠﴾ فَسَوْفَ يَدْعُو ثُبُورً‌ا ﴿١١﴾ وَيَصْلَىٰ سَعِيرً‌ا ﴿١٢﴾ إِنَّهُ كَانَ فِي أَهْلِهِ مَسْرُ‌ورً‌ا ﴿١٣﴾ إِنَّهُ ظَنَّ أَن لَّن يَحُورَ‌ ﴿١٤﴾ بَلَىٰ إِنَّ رَ‌بَّهُ كَانَ بِهِ بَصِيرً‌ا ﴿١٥

O mankind, indeed you are laboring toward your Lord with [great] exertion and will meet it. (6) Then as for he who is given his record in his right hand, (7) He will be judged with an easy account (8) And return to his people in happiness. (9) But as for he who is given his record behind his back, (10) He will cry out for destruction (11) And [enter to] burn in a Blaze. (12) Indeed, he had [once] been among his people in happiness; (13) Indeed, he had thought he would never return [to Allah]. (14) But yes! Indeed, his Lord was ever of him, Seeing. (15)

[Qur'an, Al-Inshiqaq 84:6-15]

May Allah put in our hearts the love of Him, His beloved Messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam, and the righteous. May Allah grant us righteous deeds and help us follow the footsteps of the Prophet sallallahu allayhi wasallam. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam

Monday, January 28, 2019

The Most Intelligent Person -- The One Who Remembers Death Often

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

This life is one big exam. Those who prepare and do well in the test of life are the intelligent ones for eternity. The most intelligent person is the one who recognizes that he is here for a test and he does not take anything from this place. He came with nothing, he will leave with nothing. Thus, the most intelligent person is the one who remembers death often.

Every breath we take is a breath closer to our death. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "Remember the terminator of all pleasures i.e. death." [Tirmidhi]

We can't run away from death. Death will come unannounced and will happen whenever and wherever Allah decides. Allah Almighty says,

... أَيْنَمَا تَكُونُوا۟ يُدْرِ‌ككُّمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ وَلَوْ كُنتُمْ فِى بُرُ‌وجٍ مُّشَيَّدَةٍ

Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you should be within towers of lofty construction...

[Qur'an, An-Nisa 4:78]

So prepare yourself for your meeting with Allah. Rush to good deeds -- fulfill your trusts, be on time with your prayers, be good to your parents, uphold ties of kinship, read and learn the Quran, seek beneficial knowledge...

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اصْبِرُ‌وا وَصَابِرُ‌وا وَرَ‌ابِطُوا وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٢٠٠

O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful. (200)

[Qur'an, AleImran 3:200]

May Allah grant us deeds that are pleasing to Him and make our meeting with Him the best of meetings. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Make Time For Your Parents

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

All religions and cultures around the world teach that respecting parents is a fundamental lesson of good character. We have all heard about it, and know it, and believe that we follow it. But do we really? If we really did follow this fundamental tenet of being a good human being, then there would be no old folks nursing homes, and no 60, 70 and 80-year-olds working and laboring for their survival. We won't see ungratefulness and arrogance from children to their parents, despite the gift of their very existence.

If you want Paradise, make time for your parents, be grateful to them, give them the best treatment, make du'a for them, and don't even say "uff" (the slightest expression of disrespect, includes showing any kind of irritation, rudeness, or anger towards them) to them.

As you get older, you are so busy with your own lives (my job, my kids, my investments, my meetings...my, my...), that you barely have time with your parents.

In Surah Al Ahqaf, Allah is giving strong counsel to you in regards to your parents, especially those who have reached forty, and reminds you of your mother's pain and suffering bearing you, giving birth to you, feeding and weaning you. Allah says,

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

And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months. [He grows] until, when he reaches maturity and reaches [the age of] forty years, he says, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims." [Quran, Al Ahqaf 46:15]

Forty is supposed to be the age of maturity and the eminence of death is donning upon you. Some people say this is when "mid-life crisis" begins. Allah is teaching you to supplicate for youself and your parents, and for your children/offspring. In the Day of Judgment, Allah will ask you how did you raise your kids. As a result of your lack of proper Islamic upbringing of them, they raised their children inappropriately in disobedience to the Creator. So, you ask Allah to make your children and offspring righteous for your sake.

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ نَتَقَبَّلُ عَنْهُمْ أَحْسَنَ مَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَنَتَجَاوَزُ عَن سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ فِىٓ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ۖ وَعْدَ ٱلصِّدْقِ ٱلَّذِى كَانُوا۟ يُوعَدُونَ ﴿١٦

Those are the ones from whom We will accept the best of what they did and overlook their misdeeds, [their being] among the companions of Paradise. [That is] the promise of truth which they had been promised. (16) [Quran, Al Ahqaf 46:16]

وَٱلَّذِى قَالَ لِوَ‌ٰلِدَيْهِ أُفٍّ لَّكُمَآ أَتَعِدَانِنِىٓ أَنْ أُخْرَجَ وَقَدْ خَلَتِ ٱلْقُرُونُ مِن قَبْلِى وَهُمَا يَسْتَغِيثَانِ ٱللَّهَ وَيْلَكَ ءَامِنْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ فَيَقُولُ مَا هَـٰذَآ إِلَّآ أَسَـٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ ﴿١٧﴾

But one who says to his parents, "Uff to you; do you promise me that I will be brought forth [from the earth] when generations before me have already passed on [into oblivion]?" while they call to Allah for help [and to their son], "Woe to you! Believe! Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth." But he says, "This is not but legends of the former people" - ... [Quran, Al Ahqaf 46:17]

Being good to your parents is an obligation. It is obligated by Allah in a unique way. In more than one place in the Quran, Allah talks about the obligation of respecting the parents right after He talks about the obligation of Tawheed.

وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَ‌ٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا ﴿٢٣

And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, excellent treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], “uff,” and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.” [Quran, Al-Isra 17:23-24]

May Allah make us of the righteous and make our children and offspring righteous and have mercy on us and and our parents and help us be excellent to our parents. 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

How Much Do You Remember Allah Today?

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

The Quran is a way to remember Allah, and those who remember Allah will feel more connected to Allah and that is a great feeling. The more you read Quran, the more you will want to do it.

If someone wants tranquility and peace of heart, he should read the Quran. His heart will find comfort on the side of Allah, become restful when He is remembered and pleased to have Him as his Protector and Supporter.

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ ﴿٢٨

those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah -- surely in the remembrance of Allah hearts can find comfort. (28) [Quran, Ar-Ra'd 13:28]

Allah remembers those who remember Him, as He mentions in the Quran,

فَٱذْكُرُونِىٓ أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لِى وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ

So remember Me; I will remember you. Be thankful to Me and do not be ungrateful. [Quran, Al Baqarah 2:152]

Reading the Quran is a form of worship that we should seek to increase in our daily lives. There should be a portion of our daily lives devoted to reading the Quran, memorizing the Quran, understanding the meanings o the Quran, and teaching the Quran to others, whether it be to your children, to your relatives, to your friend, or to your spouse.

In Surah Az-Zukhruf, Allah calls the Quran dhikr (reminder, remembrance) for the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and for anybody who claims to be part of his ummah (nation). Allah Most High says,

فَٱسْتَمْسِكْ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَ‌ٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ﴿٤٣﴾ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَذِكْرٌ لَّكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ ۖ وَسَوْفَ تُسْـَٔلُونَ ﴿٤٤﴾

So, hold fast to the Book that has been revealed to you, you are surely on the right path, (43) it is certainly a reminder to you and to your people and you will soon be called to account. (44) [Quran, Zukhruf 43:43-44]

All of us will be asked how much we remember Allah through the Quran--how much did you even try to memorize it, to recite it, to remember its teachings when you are put to test.

May Allah give us the strength to read Quran everyday, memorize it, learn it, and teach it only for His sake, and grant us a sound understanding of the Quran. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam

Monday, January 21, 2019

Quran, An Act Of Love From Allah

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

Quran is described in the Quran as mercy...as an act of loving devotion from Allah.

بَلْ مَتَّعْتُ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمْ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ وَرَسُولٌ مُّبِينٌ ﴿٢٩﴾ وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ قَالُوا۟ هَـٰذَا سِحْرٌ وَإِنَّا بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ ﴿٣٠﴾ وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْلَا نُزِّلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ مِّنَ ٱلْقَرْيَتَيْنِ عَظِيمٍ ﴿٣١﴾ أَهُمْ يَقْسِمُونَ رَحْمَتَ رَبِّكَ ۚ نَحْنُ قَسَمْنَا بَيْنَهُم مَّعِيشَتَهُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَو‌ٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۚ وَرَفَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَـٰتٍ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُهُم بَعْضًا سُخْرِيًّا ۗ وَرَحْمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ ﴿٣٢﴾ وَلَوْلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَ‌ٰحِدَةً لَّجَعَلْنَا لِمَن يَكْفُرُ بِٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِهِمْ سُقُفًا مِّن فِضَّةٍ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيْهَا يَظْهَرُونَ ﴿٣٣﴾

Yes, I gave the good things of this life to these [men] and their fathers, until the truth came to them, and a messenger expounding things clearly, (29) but when the truth came to them, they said, "This is sorcery, and we reject it." (30) They said, "Why was this Quran not sent down to one of the great men of the two cities?" (31) Is it they who apportion the mercy of your Lord? It is We who distribute among them their livelihood in the life of this world, and raise some of them above others in rank, so that they may take one another into service; and the mercy of your Lord is better than [the wealth] which they amass. (32) (Quran, Az-Zukhruf 43:29:32)

The people you call great are not great because of their own. Allah made what they are. The source from which the Quran come is the same source from which their wealth comes. Allah gives some more than others. He decides. Why? لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُهُم بَعْضًا سُخْرِيًّا So that some of them can put others to work, so that industry can exist. If everybody is a multi millionaire, nobody is going into the janitorial business. For economy to exist, there are people that have more wealth--investors, capital, and there is the labor.

And the mercy of Allah is better than what they gathered. And the Quran is a greater treasure than all the other wealth.

May Allah grants us Mercy from Himself and love of the Quran. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam

Sunday, January 20, 2019

Be The Few -- Rush to Righteous Deeds

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

Rush to righteous deeds
Berkejar ke amalan soleh

People who believe and do righteous deeds are few. Are we among the few or the many? Next time before you fight or become angry with someone close to you, remember this ayat. Be the few.

Orang2 yang beriman dan beramal soleh amat sedikit. Adakah kita dari yang sedikit atau yang ramai? Lain kali sebelum kita bergaduh atau marah2 dgn orang yang dekat dengan kita, ingat ayat ini. Jadi lah yang sedikit.

وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلْخُلَطَآءِ لَيَبْغِى بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَقَلِيلٌ مَّا هُمْ ...

....And indeed, many associates oppress one another, except for those who believe and do righteous deeds - and few are they....(24) (Surah Sad)

.... dan sesungguhnya kebanyakan dari orang-orang yang bergaul dan berhubungan (dalam berbagai-bagai lapangan hidup), setengahnya berlaku zalim kepada setengahnya yang lain, kecuali orang-orang yang beriman dan beramal soleh; sedang mereka amatlah sedikit... (24)(Surah Sad)

May Allah make us righteous and grant us righteous deeds. 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

Reaching Your Full Potential -- Reflect on the Ayaat of the Quran

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

A believer doesn't compare himself to anybody else. He compares himself to Allah's expectations and he is going to exhaust his potential.

Allah calls water....ماء مباركة blessed water

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

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

The seed has potential in it but it won't have come out without water.

Human being has goodness in them like the seed. The Kitaab (Al Quran) is mubaarak (blessed). It is like the water for the seed. It takes out that goodness in a person. It brings it out to its full maturity.

كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَـٰرَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓا۟ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿٢٩﴾

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

That's when you can see the best of you that Allah created

لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ فِىٓ أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ ﴿٤﴾

We have certainly created man in the best of stature. (Surah At-Teen)

How are you going to get to the best? You are not going to be impressed with the seed but you are going to be impressed with the tree.

And that's why Allah gives the parable of the person with la ilaha illa Allah ... it's like a good tree whose roots are deeply rooted and its branches go up up to the sky.

أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ ٱللَّـهُ مَثَلًا كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ ﴿٢٤﴾ تُؤْتِىٓ أُكُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينٍۭ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهَا ۗ وَيَضْرِبُ ٱللَّـهُ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ ﴿٢٥﴾

Have you not considered how Allah presents an example, [making] a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches [high] in the sky? (24) It produces its fruit all the time, by permission of its Lord. And Allah presents examples for the people that perhaps they will be reminded.(25) (Surah Ibrahim)

So this is mubaarak.

How is a person suppose to use the Quran to reach his potential? By deeply reflect upon the ayat in the Quran.

كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَـٰرَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓا۟ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿٢٩﴾

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

Reflection in the Quran is going to bring the good out of the person.

May Allah make us people of reflection of His Ayaat and make us keys to unlock good and keys to lock evil. Ameen.

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

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Joys of Paradise -- Clothing

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

Paradise is a place of clothing and for people who observe proper clothing. And Shaytan wants you to strip off your clothing.

One of the joys of Paradise is clothing. The sign that Adam alayhissalaam and his wife were no longer qualified to be in Jannah was that their clothing was removed. And the sign in this world for certain people who just don't want to go to Jannah is that they don't wear their clothes, half naked.

In Surah Ta-Ha, Allah Most High says,

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِـَٔادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ ﴿١١٦﴾ فَقُلْنَا يَـٰٓـَٔادَمُ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا عَدُوٌّ لَّكَ وَلِزَوْجِكَ فَلَا يُخْرِجَنَّكُمَا مِنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ فَتَشْقَىٰٓ ﴿١١٧﴾ إِنَّ لَكَ أَلَّا تَجُوعَ فِيهَا وَلَا تَعْرَىٰ ﴿١١٨﴾ وَأَنَّكَ لَا تَظْمَؤُا۟ فِيهَا وَلَا تَضْحَىٰ ﴿١١٩﴾ فَوَسْوَسَ إِلَيْهِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ قَالَ يَـٰٓـَٔادَمُ هَلْ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَىٰ شَجَرَةِ ٱلْخُلْدِ وَمُلْكٍ لَّا يَبْلَىٰ ﴿١٢٠﴾ فَأَكَلَا مِنْهَا فَبَدَتْ لَهُمَا سَوْءَٰتُهُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخْصِفَانِ عَلَيْهِمَا مِن وَرَقِ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ۚ وَعَصَىٰٓ ءَادَمُ رَبَّهُۥ فَغَوَىٰ ﴿١٢١﴾

And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," and they prostrated, except Iblees; he refused. (116) So We said, "O Adam, indeed this is an enemy to you and to your wife. Then let him not remove you from Paradise so you would suffer. (117) Indeed, it is [promised] for you not to be hungry therein or be unclothed. (118) And indeed, you will not be thirsty therein or be hot from the sun." (119) Then Satan whispered to him; he said, "O Adam, shall I direct you to the tree of eternity and possession that will not deteriorate?" (120) And Adam and his wife ate of it, and their private parts became apparent to them, and they began to fasten over themselves from the leaves of Paradise. And Adam disobeyed his Lord and erred. (121)

When we think of modesty (haya') it's not just hijab. It's a pschological thing, a social thing, it's an interaction thing. It is something to do with the eyes, the tongue, the behavior, how family conducts themselves. How many girls you see in public, have hijab but don't have haya'

Hijab is not haya'. Hijab is a means to modesty. Just because you made wudu' that doesn't mean you are going to make solat.

May Allah make us people of haya' and clothe us in this life and the next with the best clothing. 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