Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Wise Words On Importance Of Reading And Reading History

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate 

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

"Every reader can't be a leader but every leader must be a reader."
 
By reading history, one can learn from the successes and failures of the leaders and people of the past.
 
The first revelation is a command to read. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,
 
 ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ﴿١ خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ ﴿٢ ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ ﴿٣ ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَ بِٱلْقَلَمِ ﴿٤ عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ ﴿٥ كَلَّآ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لَيَطْغَىٰٓ ﴿٦ أَن رَّءَاهُ ٱسْتَغْنَىٰٓ ﴿٧ إِنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ٱلرُّجْعَىٰٓ ﴿٨
 
Recite in the name of your Lord who created - (1) Created man from a clinging substance. (2) Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous - (3) Who taught by the pen - (4) Taught man that which he knew not. (5) No! [But] indeed, man transgresses (6) Because he sees himself self-sufficient. (7) Indeed, to your Lord is the return. (8)  [Quran, Al Alaq 96:1-8]
 
And the Quran narrates the best of stories. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,
 
 الٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ ﴿١ إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ قُرْءَ‌ٰنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ﴿٢ نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْقَصَصِ بِمَآ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ وَإِن كُنتَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ لَمِنَ ٱلْغَـٰفِلِينَ ﴿٣
 
Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the clear Book. (1) Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand. (2) We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur'an although you were, before it, among the unaware. (3)  [Quran, Yusuf 12:1-3]
 
Unfortunately many people don't read much, let alone history. And so the same mistakes are being made over and over again. 

Instill in our children to love reading from very young age. And remember, you are their best role models. If you don't read, how do you expect them to love reading.

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

Know Your 4 Enemies

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate 

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

Know your 4 enemies in this life
 
1. Dunya/Material World -- worldly desires, all that which busies you away from Allah (worldliness)
2. Shaytan/Shaytan -- whispers to you
3. Nafs/Ego -- desires that distract, disadvantage or distance you from Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala
4. Hawa/Caprice -- "I feel like it" stuff not necessarily something you really want or like
 

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

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

Wassalaam

Saturday, December 26, 2020

Importance Of Gathering Of Knowledge

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate 

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

We should hold dearly in our hearts the importance of knowledge and circles of knowledge. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam praised and spoke about the importance of knowledge in a number of traditions. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,

وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِمْ ۖ فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٧

And We sent not before you, [O Muhammad], except men to whom We revealed [the message], so ask the people of the message if you do not know.  [Quran, Al Anbiya' 21:7]

A Muslim society cannot exist without people of knowledge and people of knowledge cannot exist without Islamic or religious institutions. 

Imam Shafi'e said that if you wish to live a particular area, then find out if it has a scholar and a doctor. If it has no scholar and a doctor don't live there because a doctor is there to maintain your good health and a scholar is there to ensure you are following the laws of Allah to ensure that you are spiritually healthy.

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said that acquisition of knowledge is compulsory to every Muslim. Ignorance is something is not acceptable for his ummah. How Islam will flourish is explained to us by how the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam before building a masjid, he established a school and that school was Dar Al Arqam, the first madrasah. The teacher was the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam and he was teaching the Quran. Imagine how amazing those classes might have been.

A person who thread a path seeking sacred knowledge, Allah makes the path to jannah easy for you. That is a great favor for a very small deed. When we wish to honor somebody we throw a red carpet beneath his feet. Allah honors someone who leaves home with the intention to increase sacred knowledge, not with red carpet, but Allah instructs those angels who have been spending their lives in ibadah to place their wings beneath the feet of that person. Can you imagine this -- how much Allah honors those who is threading the path of sacred knowledge. Why? Because this person is doing something that is pleasing Allah. Learning one chapter of knowledge, Allah rewards him the reward of 1000 raka'ah. This is how sacred and how important knowledge is to Allah.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr told of God’s messenger coming upon two groups in his mosque and saying, “They are both engaged in what is good, but one of them is superior to the other. These ones are praying and supplicating God who, if He wills, may answer their prayers but, if He wills, may refuse them. Those ones are learning knowledge* and teaching the ignorant, so they are superior. I was sent only as a teacher.” He then sat down among them. Darimi transmitted it. *The text has al-fiqh au al-'ilm, fiqh and ‘ilm having the same meaning, but the transmitter of the tradition was not sure which word was used by the Prophet on this occasion.

وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَرَّ بِمَجْلِسَيْنِ فِي مَسْجِدِهِ فَقَالَ: «كِلَاهُمَا عَلَى خَيْرٍ وَأَحَدُهُمَا أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صَاحِبِهِ أَمَّا هَؤُلَاءِ فَيَدْعُونَ اللَّهَ وَيَرْغَبُونَ إِلَيْهِ فَإِنْ شَاءَ أَعْطَاهُمْ وَإِنْ شَاءَ مَنَعَهُمْ. وَأَمَّا هَؤُلَاءِ فَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ الْفِقْهَ أَوِ الْعِلْمَ وَيُعَلِّمُونَ الْجَاهِلَ فَهُمْ أَفْضَلُ وَإِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ مُعَلِّمًا» ثمَّ جلس فيهم. رَوَاهُ الدَّارمِيّ

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said both the gathering of knowledge and gathering of dhikr are good. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam stressed the importance of knowledge as he said, "I was sent only as a teacher."

The best of institutions are those that capture education and remembrance of Allah. A great example is the madrasah of Imam Abdul Qadir Jailani, the great Islamic legend. His madrasah was a place of learning and a place of remembering Allah, perhaps more of a place of learning. It was so successful that it had to be resized all the time.

Knowledge is always passed from one generation to the next and that the people who will carry the knowledge are people with integrity because they protect the religion from the lies of those people who wish to destroy Islam.

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, December 23, 2020

Apa Hebatnya Surah Al Kahf?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

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

Orang yang membaca surah al-Kahfi pada hari Jumaat, bawah kakinya akan bercahaya sehingga ke kolong langit. (Mafhum hadith)

Orang yang membaca/mengamalkan surah al-Kahfi juga akan terhindar dari fitnah Dajjal. (Mafhum hadith)

Ha, ini yang selalu disebut-sebut kan?

Persoalannya, apa yang hebat sangat dengan surah al-Kahfi ni sampai boleh lindungi kita dari Dajjal? Takkan baca je dah boleh terhindar? 🤔

Pernah terfikir camni?

Surah al-Kahfi mengandungi EMPAT kisah utama:
1) Pemuda gua (al-kahf)
2) Pemilik kebun dan rakannya
3) Nabi Musa & Khidir AS
4) Zulqarnain

Ramai tahu ni tapi tak dapat nak relate dengan dajjal.

Betul tak?

So here we go 🙌🏻

Setiap satu kisah ini mewakili satu fitnah (ujian) yang dahsyat:
Pemuda gua - Fitnah aqidah/iman
Pemilik kebun - Fitnah harta
Nabi Musa & Khidir - Fitnah ilmu
Zulqarnain - Fitnah kekuasaan

Guess what? 4 fitnah ni juga yang Dajjal akan bawa di akhir zaman nanti! 😱

Dah mula nampak perkaitan surah al kahfi dengan dajjal?

Di sinilah relevannya  baca surah al-Kahfi boleh menghindarkan diri dari fitnah Dajjal. Sebab surah ni bukan hanya brcerita, tapi bagi solusinya juga!

Bagaimana?

Fitnah aqidah - bersahabat dengan orang soleh. Para pemuda al-Kahfi saling membimbing satu sama lain. Mereka juga banyak mengingat akhirat

Fitnah harta - mengingatkan diri bahawa dunia tak kekal dan banyak mengingati mati/akhirat

Fitnah ilmu - kena tawadhu'/rendah diri. Walaupun Nabi Musa AS seorang rasul yang mulia, baginda tidak sombong untuk menuntut ilmu dari Khidir
Fitnah kekuasaan - Kena tawadhu' dan ikhlaskan diri, sebagaimana Zulqarnain seringkali mengingatkan dirinya bahawa kekuasaannya ialah dari Allah

Tapi ada yang lagi mind blowing 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

Di sebalik 4 kisah dan pengajaran ni, surah al-Kahfi mengandungi tema utama yang lebih dahsyat lagi.

Tema utama surah ini ialah DAKWAH! 😱

Tak percaya? Hehe.

Bukankah para pemuda al-Kahfi berdakwah kepada sang penguasa yang zalim?

Bukankah si sahabat pemilik kebun menasihatinya agar bersyukur dan kembali kepada Allah? Bukankah itu dakwah?

Bukankah Nabi Khidir membimbing Nabi Musa, seorang murabbi mengajar anak muridnya selayaknya? Bukankah itu juga dakwah?

Dan bukankah Zulqarnain berdakwah kepada rakyat jelatanya, sepanjang pengembaraannya? ✨

Rupa-rupanya untuk selamat dari fitnah Dajjal, kita perlu berdakwah. And it makes complete sense!

Dengan berdakwahlah, kita dapat menjaga diri kita dan orang ramai dari fitnah-fitnah ini.

Aslih nafsak, wad'u ghairak! 🌹

Orait kita beralih ke fitnah dajjal.

Ada 4.
Fitnah iman, harta, ilmu dan kuasa.
Bagaimana?

Fitnah Iman :
Nanti Dajjal keluar, dia akan mengaku dia Tuhan. Dia tunjuk syurga neraka, hidupkan org mati apa semua.

Fitnah Harta :
Dia akan keluarkan semua khazanah muka bumi, untuk tarik manusia jadi pengikut dia.

Fitnah Ilmu :
Dia akan tunjuk benda-benda yang manusia tak pernah tahu. Dia akan buat benda yang selama ni manusia ingat mustahil.

Fitnah Kuasa :
Dan dia akan jadi makhluk yang paling berkuasa dan bermaharajalela di muka bumi (sebelum Nabi Isa turun membunuhnya).

So dah nampak tak macam mana surah al-Kahfi boleh jaga dan lindungi kita dari fitnah Dajjal? It makes sense right?

Jadi lepas ni, bila baca al-Kahfi, janganlah baca macam tu je. Baca, cuba faham maksud dan paling penting, cuba untuk amalkan!

Sebab semua fitnah Dajjal tu in a way dah ada pon zaman sekarang ni. Cuma taklah dalam skala dahsyat macam fitnah Dajjal.

Kalaulah baca dan amalkan al-Kahfi boleh lindungi kita dari bapak segala fitnah (Dajjal), dah tentu ia boleh lindungi kita dari fitnah fitnah lain!

Maka marilah kita istiqamah dan beriltizam membaca surah al-Kahfi setiap hari Jumaat, dan membaca al-Quran setiap hari. Moga ada barakahnya!

Hanya Allah maha mengetahui setiap sesuatu Kejadian


Sumber : Kuliah Ustaz Nouman Ali Khan dan buku Khowatir Qur'aniyah tulisan Syaikh Amr Khalid
 
https://www.mariafirdz.com/2017/12/kaitan-surah-al-kahfi-dan-dajjal.html

Monday, December 21, 2020

Jangan Sombong Dan Malas Kalau Ingin Petunjuk Dari Allah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Quran di turunkan kepada kita untuk panduan hidup kita. Untuk jadi panduan, kita mesti mempelajarinya dan sentiasa membacanya untuk peringatan. Kalau kita baca Quran dan faham isinya, ianya pasti akan ada positif impact di hati kita. Itulah hidayah. Tapi kalau kita sombong, rasa tak perlu baca Quran dan kalau di baca hanya sekadar membaca Quran secara turun temurun, dengan hanya mengeluarkan bunyi atau melody kita sudah ketinggalan zaman.


Orang bukan Islam di barat, Amerika, Canada, UK, Australia dan Eropah memeluk ugama Islam berpuluh ribu setahun dan pantas mengikuti hidup Islam sebab mereka baca Quran dan faham apa yang di baca, maka mereka tertarik dengan ajaran Islam.

Malangnya, kita yang di lahirkan dalam keluarga Muslim masih ramai yang tidak membaca Quran dan susah sangat untuk membaca Quran tiap hari, tambah lagi membaca maknanya dan mempelajarinya. Ramai yang masih tidak tutup aurat dengan betul, masih tidak solat dan puasa. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. 

Wanita yang menceritakan kisah beliau memeluk Islam dalam video ini, memeluk Islam setelah membaca ayat Quran. Mashaa Allah. 

https://youtu.be/N-feialiGYY

"Dan apabila mereka mendengar Al-Quran yang diturunkan kepada Rasulullah (Muhammad, s.a.w), engkau melihat mata mereka mencucurkan air mata..."

Bagaimana air mata ikhlas bolih keluar jika kita tidak faham apa yang di baca.

لَتَجِدَنَّ أَشَدَّ ٱلنَّاسِ عَدَٰوَةً لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلْيَهُودَ وَٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ ۖ وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقْرَبَهُم مَّوَدَّةً لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا نَصَـٰرَىٰ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُهْبَانًا وَأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ﴿٨٢
وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا۟ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ تَرَىٰٓ أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ ٱلدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ ۖ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱكْتُبْنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ ﴿٨٣﴾

Demi sesungguhnya engkau (wahai Muhammad) akan dapati manusia yang keras sekali permusuhannya kepada orang-orang yang beriman ialah orang-orang Yahudi dan orang-orang musyrik. Dan demi sesungguhnya engkau akan dapati orang-orang yang dekat sekali kasih mesranya kepada orang-orang yang beriman ialah orang-orang yang berkata: "Bahawa kami ini ialah orang-orang Nasrani" yang demikian itu, disebabkan ada di antara mereka pendita-pendita dan ahli-ahli ibadat, dan kerana mereka pula tidak berlaku sombong. (82) 

Dan apabila mereka mendengar Al-Quran yang diturunkan kepada Rasulullah (Muhammad, s.a.w), engkau melihat mata mereka mencucurkan air mata disebabkan apa yang mereka ketahui (melalui Kitab mereka) dari kebenaran (Al-Quran), sambil mereka berkata: "Wahai Tuhan kami, kami beriman (kepada Nabi Muhammad dan Kitab Suci Al-Quran), oleh itu tetapkanlah kami bersama-sama orang-orang yang menjadi saksi (yang mengakui kebenaran Nabi Muhammad s.a.w). (83) 

[Quran, Al Ma'ida 5:82-83]

Semoga Allah tingkatkan iman kita dan jauhkan sifat-sifat sombong dan malas dari kita. Aameen.

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

Wassalaam





Friday, December 18, 2020

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Check The Two Wolves Within Us

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate 

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

K'ab bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
 
Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "Two hungry wolves sent in the midst of a flock of sheep are no more destructive to them than a man's greed for wealth and fame is to his Deen." [At-Tirmidhi]

 ما ذئبان جائعان أرسلا في غنم بأفسد لها من حرص المرء على المال والشرف، لدينه

A wolf will cause havoc wherever it goes and every farmer knows this. Unlike the lion, the wolf destroys more than it can eat. That is why they have shepherd dogs to guard their flock of sheep against the wolf. 

Our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said imagine not one but two wolves were to be let loose on an unprotected flocks of sheep. How much damage would that cause, how many sheep would be left alive after the attack? The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, a man's eagerness for wealth and desire to be famous are more destructive to his Deen than those two wolves to that flock of sheep. This is the imagery that our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam gave, just like those two wolves will wreak havoc in a flock. 

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said we all have two wolves within us that if we let them go unchecked, they will destroy our Deen. He asked us to be conscious of these two animalistic tendencies for they will destroy us worse than a flock of sheep is destroyed when they are defenseless against a pack of wolves. 

1) Eagerness to have more and more wealth

The love of money is something that is ingrained in all of us. But when we allow that love to overpower us and go unchecked, it will lead to disaster.  

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,

وَتُحِبُّونَ ٱلْمَالَ حُبًّا جَمًّا ﴿٢٠

And you love wealth with immense love. (20)  [Quran, Al Fajr 89:20]

Ibn Rajab said that if the penalty of greed is to make a person so busy in this world, to a point that he neglected the next world, it would be enough of a crime. In other words, even if you earn halal and spent on halal but all you did was earn, earn and earn that it killed your time, this would be enough of a crime for the pursuit of wealth. Why? Because wealth is only temporary pleasure. When we spend our time in temporary pleasure, it will come at the expense of permanent pleasure, which is the hereafter. 

That is why the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, O son of Adam, what do you really have except food that when you eat it, you will then go to the restroom, and defecated or the clothes that when you wear them after a while they will wear off, or the good deeds and the charity that you spend forth, and that is the only thing of your wealth that you will actually have permanently.

The first problem that happens when we have an unchecked desire for wealth is that we end up spending an inordinate amount of time in obtaining wealth at the expense of spending time in ibadah , Quran and dhikr, in servicing mankind and accruing the greatest wealth, which is the wealth of the hereafter. 

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala reminds us in Surah al Kahf ayat 46,

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]

Another problem that happens is that when we priortize wealth is that in the pursuit of wealth, we start justifying any means to obtain wealth -- illegal and unethical haram means. This is, without a doubt, one of the worst effects of loving this world. When we become so blind in our love of wealth, and we don't mind cheating, stealing, embezzling, lying, defrauding, don't mind inflicting pain on others, being unethical, then we have opened up the door to destruction to ourselves.

As well, eating haram wealth is the number one cause that du'a is not answered. Any flesh that is nourished by haram has no right to go to Jannah. How can Jannah accept you when Allah says that He only accepts the pure he only accepts that which is good that which is for you. 

2) Eager to become well known, to be in the limelight, to be accepted by people

This is done by obtaining positions of power and by doing things so that people know you and talk about you. 

The true believer understands that being in the limelight is a huge responsibility. It's not something you aim for directly. The true believer understands stepping up to positions of power is a huge amount responsibility. So, they are shy and hesitant to take such positions. They have to be coaxed and pushed into taking it. They don't want to jump in and be the ones that are in charge or in the forefront because they have to answer to all. 

But when a person desires to be famous, to have power or to have control, then this will lead to a major disaster, and that disaster is your ego becomes more important than the cause you have been entrusted. Your ego, your fame, your prestige takes priority over the responsibility that has been handed to you. We see this time and time again, not just in politicians, but at some level, politics get involved in our own corporations, in our jobs, in our own extended families, even in our own Islamic organizations. We want to be the ones that everybody is speaking about and be put on a pedestal. Our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, when that becomes your goal, when the goal is not to fulfill the trust, when the goal is not to do a good job, but the goal is your ratings, reviews, and what people will say, then you have opened up another door of destruction. 

When you prioritize your ego, you are willing to harm other people in that process. This is what happens time and time again with many powerful people, kings and politicians that when they get to that power, they become intoxicated. Even if we are not kings and politicians, every one of us at some level have something that we are in charge of and have some aspect that we have to interact and mingle with others. If our ego becomes the most important thing, then we will be willing to speak bad about others unjustly, take the rights of others unjustly, expose the faults of others, or do so many other sins. Why? Because we feel by doing that we will have our ego, our prestige and our fame is being put into the limelight, and we will do so at the expense of others. This is the door of destruction of our Deen.

The mere desiring of wealth or the desire to do something effective is in and of itself is not bad. Both these desires if you channel them and control them, they are permissible. Though they are dangerous, there is also good.

When our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam would choose somebody to be on a delegation, he would choose the one whose prestige and whose fame was known and utilized them.  So in and of itself, wealth and fame is not evil in and of themselves, but it is what you do with them, and it is your prioritization of them. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be wealthy but don't make that your overwhelming desire don't make that the end goal. Wealth is a means to the greater goal, which is the Hereafter. If that is your goal and you want to live a comfortable life to invest for the Hereafter, then there's nothing wrong with having the goal for money. And if you want to be effective and you want to do something for the sake of Islam, and you understand that in order to do so there must also be a positive reputation, then there's nothing wrong with wanting to have fame. If your intention is not your ego but to benefit the people, then this is permissible. 

Wealth and fame are neither haram nor sinful nor evil, they are neutral, but generally speaking wealth and fame corrupt more than they guide so we are being warned. We are being cautioned that if you enter this arena, if you are going to make lots of money or if you're going to be famous, be careful you monitor your intentions and don't make these desires to become like wolves. If we keep them in check, we can utilize both of these for the sake of the Deen. But if we let them go, then they shall destroy us and destroy our religion in the process.

May Allah subhana wa Ta'ala bless me and you and may He make us of those who recite and understand the Quran, and apply it throughout our life.

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, December 13, 2020

Dua Nikmat Yang Paling Besar

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم  

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

 📍 Dua nikmat yang paling besar selain Iman yang kita ambil begitu saja (take for granted)  dan kurang bersyukur

1) Makanan
2) Keamanan dan keselamatan

Allah berfirman dalam Surah Quraysh ayat 4:


 ٱلَّذِىٓ أَطْعَمَهُم مِّن جُوعٍ وَءَامَنَهُم مِّنْ خَوْفٍۭ ﴿٤

Tuhan yang memberi mereka penghidupan: menyelamatkan mereka dari kelaparan, dan mengamankan mereka dari ketakutan.(4) [Quran, Quraysh 106:4] 

Allah mengingatkan orang Quraysh yang Allah yang memberi mereka makanan melawan kelaparan, dan memberi mereka keselamatan daripada ketakutan. Ayat itu secara komprehensif merangkup semua yang diperlukan agar orang Quraish dapat hidup bahagia dan damai di dunia.

Ayat ٱلَّذِىٓ أَطْعَمَهُم مِّن جُوعٍ  (Yang memberi mereka makanan untuk melawan kelaparan) menunjukkan bahawa mereka disediakan sepanjang tahun dengan setiap jenis buah dan makanan. Keselamatan yang disebut di وَءَامَنَهُم مِّنْ خَوْفٍۭ (dan memberi mereka keselamatan daripada ketakutan) termasuk keselamatan dari musuh dan perompak (yang, kerana menghormati mereka sebagai penjaga Ka'bah, melepaskan mereka dari serangan mereka), dan itu juga termasuk keselamatan dari hukuman di akhirat (bagi mereka yang menunaikannya syarat-syarat keimanan yang diperlukan).

Ibn Kathir mengatakan bahawa barangsiapa menyembah Allah menurut perintah yang diberikan dalam ayat ini, Allah akan memberinya keselamatan, bukan hanya dalam hal ini dunia, tetapi juga keselamatan dari hukuman di akhirat. Dan sesiapa sahaja menyimpang dari perintah ini, Dia akan melucutkannya dari kedua-dua jenis keselamatan dan keselamatan seperti yang ditunjukkan dalam ayat berikut:

 وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ ءَامِنَةً مُّطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِّن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَذَ‌ٰقَهَا ٱللَّهُ لِبَاسَ ٱلْجُوعِ وَٱلْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْنَعُونَ ﴿١١٢

Dan (berhubung dengan hal kaum yang kufur ingkar) Allah memberikan satu contoh: Sebuah negeri yang aman damai dan tenteram, yang didatangi rezekinya yang mewah dari tiap-tiap tempat, kemudian penduduknya kufur akan nikmat-nikmat Allah itu, maka Allah merasakannya kelaparan dan ketakutan yang meliputi keseluruhannya disebabkan apa yang mereka telah lakukan. [Quran, An-Nahl 16:112]  

Bersyukurlah sebab kita masih ada makanan untuk di meja.

Bersyukurlah sebab kita masih ada rumah, terlindung dari gejala2 luar yang tak baik

Bersyukurlah kita sebab dapat tinggal di negara yang aman, tiada peperangan

Sedangkan sebahgian pelusuk dunia, ramai yang kelaparan, ramai yang di usir dari rumah dan negara sendiri, ramai yang tertindas, terancam, dalam ketakutan, tiada kesudahan.

Datangya COVID-19 pandemic adalah satu cara untuk memberi kesedaran kepada yang lalai dan yang tidak bersyukur -- bagaimana rasanya hidup dalam ketakutan, tanpa kebebasan.

Allah beri kita makanan untuk memberi kita tenaga dan kesihatan untuk kita beribadah kepadaNya. Allah beri kita keselamatan untuk kita bolih beribadah dengan aman. Adakah kita beryukur? Bersyukur bukan sekadar menyebut Alhamdulillah. Ianya mesti di susuli dengan action -- kita buat apa yang di suruh, dan jangan buat apa yang di larang.

Pertama solat jangan tinggal -- solat adalah perkara pertama yang akan di tanya di akhirat nanti. Kalau dah solat, tambah dengan solat sunnah. Perbaiki solat -- tiada solat yang perfect.

Quran jangan tinggal -- Quran saja lah teman di dunia ini yang dapat menemani kita di kubur nanti. Kalau tak pernah baca Quran atau jarang2 baca Quran, mula sekarang. Kalau dah tiap hari baca Quran, tingkatkan bacaan, quantity dan quality, sampai bolih baca satu hingga dua juz tiap hari dengan faham maknanya.

Banyak memberi dari meminta dan mengambil -- tangan yang memberi lebih baik dari tangan yang meminta

Banyak menolong dan mengasihani makhluk Allah -- dan Yang Maha Pengasihani akan tunjuk kasih sayangNya kepada kita

Buat orang sekeliling kita happy -- kebahgian itu akan datang di akhirat nanti membahgiakan kita. 

هَلْ جَزَآءُ ٱلْإِحْسَـٰنِ إِلَّا ٱلْإِحْسَـٰنُ ﴿٦٠

"Bukankah tidak ada balasan bagi amal yang baik - melainkan balasan yang baik juga" -- Quran, Ar-Rahman 55:60 

Selalu senyum dan tunjuk riang -- senyum itu adalah sedekah, dapat menghilangkan duka orang lain 

Banyak bersedekah -- satu2 pelaburan yang sangat beruntung dan business yang tak pernah rugi. Allah akan membalasnya dengan berlipat kali ganda, 10 kali hingga 700 kali ganda atau lebih

Banyak berdu'a -- du'a adalah senjata orang Islam

Jangan buang masa -- Demi Masa! (1) Sesungguhnya manusia itu dalam kerugian - (2)Kecuali orang-orang yang beriman dan beramal soleh, dan mereka pula berpesan-pesan dengan kebenaran serta berpesan-pesan dengan sabar. (3) -- Quran, Al Asr 103:1-3

Jaga kebersihan di dalam rumah dan di luar sana

Jaga environment -- binatang, pokok, pengairan, hutan2 adalah penting untuk hidup kita.  Jangan buang sampah sana sini.

Jadi consumer yang bertanggung jawab, jangan belanja berlebihan -- banyak pakai, banyak buang. Akibat environment jadi kucar kacir

Jangan membazir -- hidup secukupnya dan moderate. 

كُلُوا۟ مِن ثَمَرِهِۦٓ إِذَآ أَثْمَرَ وَءَاتُوا۟ حَقَّهُۥ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِۦ ۖ وَلَا تُسْرِفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ ﴿١٤١

Dan janganlah kamu melampau (pada apa-apa jua yang kamu makan atau belanjakan); sesungguhnya Allah tidak suka kepada orang-orang yang melampau. Quran, Al-An'am 6:141

Bersihkan hati -- untuk kebahgian kita bila mengadap Allah nanti

 يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ ﴿٨٨﴾ إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى ٱللَّـهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ ﴿٨٩﴾

Hari yang padanya harta benda dan anak-pinak tidak dapat memberikan pertolongan sesuatu apapun, (88) "Kecuali (harta benda dan anak-pinak) orang-orang yang datang mengadap Allah dengan hati yang selamat sejahtera (dari syirik dan penyakit munafik); (89)  [Quran, Ash-Shu'ara 26:88-89]

Semoga Allah kurniakan kita hati yang bersih. Aameen.

Saturday, December 12, 2020

Rumah Yang Lapang -- Quran Di Baca Di dalamnya

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

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

 🌹🌹 Istiqamah membaca al Quran tiap hari

😡Rumah yang tidak ada bacaan al Quran penuh dengan syaitan.

😁Rumah yang ada bacaan al Quran penuh dengan malaikat.

Abu Hurayrah berkata, “Rumah yang di dalamnya terdapat bacaan al-Quran, maka keluarga serta kerabatnya akan bertambah dan keberkahan serta kebaikan akan memenuhi ahli rumah tersebut. Malaikat akan turun memenuhi rumah itu, dan syaitan akan keluar darinya.

Sebaliknya rumah yang tidak dibacakan Al Quran, maka akan diliputi oleh kesempitan dan ketidakberkahan, malaikat akan keluar dari rumah itu, dan syaitan akan memenuhi rumah itu.


😇Otak manusia yang tidak bekerja adalah tempat syaitan bekerja.

Demikian juga hati yang kosong dari kalamullah akan banyak dipengaruhi oleh syaitan.

Dari Abdullah bin Abbas berkata bahwa Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam bersabda,

“Sesungguhnya seorang yang tidak ada sedikitpun Al Quran dalam hatinya adalah saperti rumah yang kosong. (Tirmidhi) 

Allahu 'a'lam

Adakah Rumah Anda Seperti Kubur?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

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


Rumah2 yang tidak ada penghuninya yang mendirikan solat sunnah dan membaca al-Quran di ibaratkan kubur yang sunyi dimana syaitan serta iblis akan menguasainya.

Jadi janganlah cepat pergi setelah solat fard tiap hari. Sambunglah dengan solat sunnah.

Daripada Abu Hurayrah bahawa Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam telah bersabda,

 “Janganlah kamu menjadikan rumahmu itu seperti kubur (tidak pernah kamu solat sunnah atau pun membaca al-Quran dan ibadat lain di dalamnya). Sesungguhnya syaitan akan lari dan menjauhkan diri daripada mana2 rumah yang dibaca di dalamnya surah al-Baqarah”.
 
(Hadith Riwayat Muslim)

Syaitan dan iblis takut mendengar ayat2 Quran yang dibaca oleh seseorang lebih2 lagi surah al-Baqarah. Amalkan membaca Surah al-Baqarah dengan bertaddabur dan mengamalkan ajarannya. Jika kita ada habit khatam Quran sebulan sekali, automatic kita ada habit baca al-Baqarah sebulan sekali.

Allahu 'a'lam


Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Your Woman -- A Crown or Sandals? (Wanitamu -- Mahkota Atau Selipar?)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate 

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

A man at a wedding stood up and said, "A woman is like slippers that you choose and replace to suit a man's feet. The guests turned their eyes to a scholar who was also present at the wedding and was asked about what was said by the man. So the scholar said, "Yes, it is true what he said if he feels that he is a foot - then the woman is slippers to him. But if a man feels he is a king, then the woman is a crown to him.

Seorang lelaki di satu majlis perkahwinan berdiri dan berkata, "Seorang wanita itu seperti selipar yang anda pilih dan ganti sesuai dengan kaki seorang lelaki. Para tetamu mengalihkan pandangan ke seorang ulama' yang juga hadir di majlis itu dan ditanya tentang apa yang telah dikatakan oleh lelaki itu. Maka ulama' itu berkata, "Ya, betul apa yang dia katakan jika dia merasa bahawa dia adalah kaki - maka wanita itu adalah selipar kepadanya. Tetapi jika seorang lelaki itu merasakan dia adalah raja, maka wanita itu adalah mahkota baginya."

.... وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ  ....

... And live with them (wives) in kindness...

... Dan bergaulah kamu dengan mereka (isteri-isteri kamu itu) dengan cara yang baik... 

[Quran, An-Nisa 4:19]

Abu Hurairah narrated that The Messenger of Allah said:

“The most complete of the believers in faith, is the one with the best character among them. And the best of you are those who are best to your women.” [At-Tirmidhi]

 أَكْمَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِيمَانًا أَحْسَنُهُمْ خُلُقًا وَخِيَارُكُمْ خِيَارُكُمْ لِنِسَائِهِمْ خُلُقًا
 
It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas that the Prophet said: 
 
"The best of you is the one who is best to his wife, and I am the best of you to my wives." [Ibn Majah]
 
خَيْرُكُمْ خَيْرُكُمْ لأَهْلِهِ وَأَنَا خَيْرُكُمْ لأَهْلِي
  
"Sesungguhnya orang yang paling baik antara kamu semua adalah orang yang paling baik terhadap isterinya dan aku adalah orang yang terbaik antara kamu semua (dalam membuat kebaikan) terhadap isteriku." 
 
May Allah guide us. Aameen.

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

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

Wassalaam

Friday, November 27, 2020

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Rejuvenating Our Spirits Through Knowledge

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate 

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

One of the best ways to rejuvenate our spirits is through knowledge. There is nothing that brings about a sense of spirituality like knowledge does. It is ashamed that we have the time to study secular things but we don't have the time to study religious studies or give the same amount of dedication towards religious studies. And so we find so many people perform acts of worship without knowledge, while others trivialize certain acts of worship. 

As an example, when you know each drop of water from wudu' washes away your sins, never again you will trivialize wudu'. We all doing wudu' but just with an ounce of knowledge, it will change us -- it gives spirituality that is lacking.

Prophet Musa (peace upon him) has a distinct position in the comity of Prophets. This has been mentioned explicitly in the Quran and Sunnah. The special distinction of having conversed with Allah is his hallmark. Allah had blessed Musa (peace be upon him) with an intense desire to seek knowledge. As soon as he smelled the scent of knowledge, he was all set to go for it, traveling like an ardent student. In Surah Kahf we leaned that Prophet Musa travelled to a far away place to seek knowledge. He turned to Allah Himself for the location of al-Khidr, whom Allah said that he has been given kowledge which Musa did not have.
 
وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِفَتَاهُ لَا أَبْرَ‌حُ حَتَّىٰ أَبْلُغَ مَجْمَعَ الْبَحْرَ‌يْنِ أَوْ أَمْضِيَ حُقُبًا ﴿٦٠

And [mention] when Musa to his servant, "I will not cease [traveling] until I reach the junction of the two seas or continue for a long period." (60) [Quran, Al-Kahf 18:60]

Allah will raise the ranks of those who have Iman (Faith) and also those who have knowledge by degrees.

يَرْفَعِ اللَّـهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ ۚ وَاللَّـهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ ﴿١١ ....

... Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do. [Quran, Al Mujadila 58:11]

May Allah make it easy for us to seek and learn beneficial knowledge. Aameen.

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

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

Wassalaam

Saturday, November 14, 2020

Faith And Action In Islam

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

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

Faith and actions are interconnected. When asked about faith, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers and the Last Day and that you believe in pre-ordainment (destiny), its bad and good consequences.” [Sahih Muslim]

There is no faith unless it is accompanied by actions, just as there is no faith unless it is accompanied by words. Physical action is an essential part of faith, without which faith is not valid, and a lack of physical action is indicative of a lack of faith in the heart,

Faith provides the ideological foundation for human existence and the criterion through which to categorize good from bad, right from wrong and righteousness from impropriety.

Actions must be inherently good not just apparently good. (Giving charity for show may appear good but the intention is to show off, whereas giving charity purely out of compassion is genuine.) The most famous Prophetic tradition in all of Islam therefore is: "Actions are by intentions and Allah rewards according to intention." 

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says in the Quran,

And give good tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow. Whenever they are provided with a provision of fruit therefrom, they will say, “This is what we were provided with before.” And it is given to them in likeness. And they will have therein purified spouses, and they will abide therein eternally. [Al Baqarah 2:25]

But they who believe and do righteous deeds – those are the companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally. [Al Baqarah 2:82]

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. [Al Baqarah 2:277]

But as for those who believed and did righteous deeds, He will give them in full their rewards, and Allah does not like the wrongdoers. [AleImran 3:57]

But those who believe and do righteous deeds – We will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide forever. For them therein are purified spouses, and We will admit them to deepening shade. [An-Nisaa 4:57]

But the ones who believe and do righteous deeds – We will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. [It is] the promise of Allah, [which is] truth, and who is more truthful than Allah in statement. [An-Nisaa 4:122]

And as for those who believed and did righteous deeds, He will give them in full their rewards and grant them extra from His bounty. But as for those who disdained and were arrogant, He will punish them with a painful punishment, and they will not find for themselves besides Allah any protector or helper. [An-Nisaa 4:173]

Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds [that] for them there is forgiveness and great reward. [Al-Maidah 5:9]

But those who believed and did righteous deeds – We charge no soul except [within] its capacity. Those are the companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally. [Al-Araf 7:42]

Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds – their Lord will guide them because of their faith. Beneath them rivers will flow in the Gardens of Pleasure. [Yunus 10:9]

May Allah grant us righteous deeds and make us of the righteous. Aameen.

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

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

Wassalaam

Friday, November 13, 2020

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Shaytan And Depression

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

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

Know and understand that all our good deeds and daily religious routine, including reading Surah Al Kahf every Friday, is not for anyone's benefit except us. Allah does not need them and the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam does not need us to follow his teachings. But if we don't do them, or at least try to do some of them regularly, we have no protection against Shaytan.

When someone turns away from the remembrance of Allah, He will appoint a qarin (devil) as his companion.

وَمَن يَعْشُ عَن ذِكْرِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ نُقَيِّضْ لَهُۥ شَيْطَـٰنًا فَهُوَ لَهُۥ قَرِينٌ ﴿٣٦

And whoever is blinded from remembrance of the Most Merciful - We appoint for him a devil, and he is to him a companion (qarin). [Quran, Az-Zukhruf 43:36]

Your connection to this qarin is more evil and more powerful. He is your intimate friend and you his. He will stop you from the halal and sends you to the haram.

When someone has left the remembrance and the worship of Allah, the angels of blessings are no longer around him and only shaytan associates with them.

Shaytan has many tactics that he uses and one of them is to cause a type of what is called depression because the purpose of shaytan is to take you away from the worship of Allah and he uses any means necessary. And one of the things that take one's away from the worship of Allah is so mentally engrossed in a problem or calamity. A lot of mental diseases either are caused by shaytan or made worse by shaytan. Even many of the psychiatric disease are caused by shaytan. People with Iman can battle this more than people without Iman. Someone who loves his God, such person are more optimistic. Generally speaking religious people are more optimistic than people without religion because Allah created us to be religious. A better outlook on life gets us over calamities and problems better.

So remember Allah day and night. Don't be lax with your religion.

The way to overcome religious laxity is first to increase our ibadah -- recite the Quran everyday, do dhikr and perform the daily prayers. Start with the necessary adhkar -- e.g. zikr/du'a of leaving and entering the house, entering and leaving the bathroom, in the market. The more you perfect your adhkar the less shaytan has power over you.

Secondly seek knoweldge because knowledge brings about understanding of the deed. Iman goes up simply by having knowledge of the religion.

Remembrance of Allah gives you a double fortress against shaytan. When shaytain casts something in your heart, seek refuge in Allah.

One of the simplest cure for depression is to hang around righteous people who will remind you of Allah and bring you closer to Him.

Make a habit to recite Surah Al Kahf every Friday and try very hard not to miss it.

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.  [Quran, Al Kahf 18:46]

وَزُخْرُفًا ۚ وَإِن كُلُّ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْحَيَو‌ٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۚ وَٱلْءَاخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿٣٥

... And gold ornament. But all that is not but the enjoyment of worldly life. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for the righteous. [Quran, Az-Zukruf 43:35]

May Allah save us from the trials and tribulations of this life and the next and make us among the people of His remembrance. Aameen.

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, November 9, 2020

Don't Lose Focus On The Hereafter

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate 

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

This life of this world (dunya) is temporary. No one has any idea when, how and where he or she will die. We can't enjoy more than one meal at a time and wear one clothing at a time and live in one room at a time. The world for us is the number of years we stay in it. The rest is relevant. It is foolish to ignore Allah's command for the dunya.  

Follow the religion of Allah fully and without leaving any parts.

أَفَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِبَعْضِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَتَكْفُرُونَ بِبَعْضٍ ۚ فَمَا جَزَآءُ مَن يَفْعَلُ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ مِنكُمْ إِلَّا خِزْىٌ فِى ٱلْحَيَو‌ٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰٓ أَشَدِّ ٱلْعَذَابِ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٨٥ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱشْتَرَوُا۟ ٱلْحَيَو‌ٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ ۖ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ ﴿٨٦

So do you believe in part of the Scripture and disbelieve in part? Then what is the recompense for those who do that among you except disgrace in worldly life; and on the Day of Resurrection they will be sent back to the severest of punishment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do. (85) Those are the ones who have bought the life of this world [in exchange] for the Hereafter, so the punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be aided. (86)

Don't lose focus on the Hereafter. Be in this world as a traveller.

'Abdullah bin 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:

Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) took hold of my shoulders and said, "Be in the world like a stranger or a wayfarer".

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) used to say: "When you survive till the evening, do not expect to live until the morning; and when you survive until the morning, do not expect to live until the evening; (do good deeds) when you are in good health before you fall sick, and (do good deeds) as long as you are alive before death strikes". [Bukhari]

May Allah protect us from practicing the religon only in areas that we are comfortable with and leaving other areas. Aameen.

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, November 8, 2020

Honesty Is The Best Policy

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate 
 
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam. 
 
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) [Quran, Al-Qalam 68:4] 
 
Prior to prophethood, he married Khadijah, a wealthy businesswoman of Quraysh, who was much older than him, and he remained faithful and loyal to her during her life. 
 
The marriage of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam with Khadijah (r.a.), shows the importance of honesty and good character (akhlaq). Honesty is appreciated by everybody in mankind and it brings about blessings. Because the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam was honest and trustworthy as a shephard and shy as a worker at a very menial job, that honesty and shyness upgraded his position from a shephard to a successful businessman. 
 
This is the reality of this world, character counts a lot, much more even than experience. Khadijah overlooked his zero experience in business and hired him to beecome one of the highest paid businessmen in Makkah to take her trade goods to Syria where he made huge profits for Khadijah which she never experienced before. 
 
Being honest says more about your character and your values than anything else. When you have honesty, this means people can trust you with absolutely anything and everything. Nobody wants someone in their life who chooses to be dishonest. Rather, we all want someone we can trust, whether it's with minor things or the significant things. 
 
Honesty is the best policy and it doesn't get more real than that. By being honest, you also have fewer things to worry about since it's much easier to tell the truth than to bend it and turn it into a lie. Honest people have pure hearts and intentions, and it's what makes them approachable in the first place. 
 
May Allah make us honest and surround us with honest people. Aameen.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam. 
 
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all. 
 
Wassalaam

Thursday, November 5, 2020

Don't Say About Islam Without Knowledge

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate 

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

You may find people who will say: This is right in Islam or this is wrong in Islam or they said, you should do this this and you shouldn't do this They speak as if they know Islam without the knowledge and without evidence. If someone asks something about Islam and you don't know, say, "I don't know." There is nothing wrong if you say "I don't know". It doesn't make you look stupid. Ask him to consult a scholar. 
 
Imam Malik ibn Anas was one of the most respected scholars of fiqh ever lived Once a mam came to h from far away lamd and asked him 48 questions. He answered to 16 of them and for the rest, he replied "I don't know لا ادري "
 
To say a lie against Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala or the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam is a crime.  Don't make the same mistake as the Children of Israel as recorded in the Quran,

وَقَالُوا۟ لَن تَمَسَّنَا ٱلنَّارُ إِلَّآ أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَةً ۚ قُلْ أَتَّخَذْتُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَهْدًا فَلَن يُخْلِفَ ٱللَّهُ عَهْدَهُۥٓ ۖ أَمْ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٨٠ بَلَىٰ مَن كَسَبَ سَيِّئَةً وَأَحَـٰطَتْ بِهِۦ خَطِيٓـَٔتُهُۥ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ ﴿٨١

And they say, "Never will the Fire touch us, except for a few days." Say, "Have you taken a covenant with Allah? For Allah will never break His covenant. Or do you say about Allah that which you do not know?" (80) Yes, whoever earns evil and his sin has encompassed him - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally. (81) 

[Quran, Al Baqarah 2:80-81]

May Allah increase us in beneficial knowledge and good deeds. Aameen.

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