بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
It is Allah who is Tabarak -- the source of blessings. He is exalted in His essence and all blessings and good come from Him. Why? Because all the dominion and control belongs to Him and He is capable of all things. He is the One who created life and death to test us who amongst us is doing the best of deeds.
In Surah Al Mulk, Allah challenges us to look up to the skies as far the eyes could see. And you will not see any flaw. Look again and look again and look again and your eyes will come back tired but you will not find any imperfections. It is Allah who created this magnificent creation. Surely a Creator that is as powerful as Allah and as Mighty as Allah deserves to be worshipped. That is the Creator who is tabarak. How do you not worship Him?
تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿١﴾ الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ ﴿٢﴾ الَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ طِبَاقًا ۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِي خَلْقِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِن تَفَاوُتٍ ۖ فَارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍ ﴿٣﴾ ثُمَّ ارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ يَنقَلِبْ إِلَيْكَ الْبَصَرُ خَاسِئًا وَهُوَ حَسِيرٌ ﴿٤
Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent - (1) [He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving - (2) [And] who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency. So return [your] vision [to the sky]; do you see any breaks? (3) Then return [your] vision twice again. [Your] vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued. (4) [Quran, Al Mulk 67:1-4]
We should recite Surah Al Mulk, memorize it, understand it and act upon it. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam told us that the one who recites the Surah will be saved from punishment of the grave and the Surah will intercede in front of Allah until the sins of the one who recite it will be forgiven.
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
"There is a surah in the Qur'an, with thirty verses, which will intercede for its companion (the one who recites it) until he is forgiven: Tabarakal-ladhi bi yadihil mulk (Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the Dominion)."
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
"One of the companions of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam pitched a tent on a grave without knowing that it was a grave. Suddenly he heard a person from the grave reciting Surah al-Mulk till he completed it. So he went to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and said: 'Oh Messenger of Allah, I pitched my tent on a grave without realizing that is was a grave. Then suddenly I heard a person from the grave reciting Surah al-Mulk till he completed it.' The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: 'It is the defender, it is the deliverer - it delivers from the punishment of the grave.'"
May Allah make the Quran our close companion in this life and the next. May Allah save us from the punishment of the grave and the Hellfire. 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, June 29, 2020
Saturday, June 27, 2020
Maintaining Calmness in Our Lives -- Religiosity and Regular Prayers Is Key
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Religion does come in handy especially when life is tough.
In Surah Ma'arij, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala tells us that man was created restless and impatient -- when they are touched by adversity they become fretful and when good comes, they become ungrateful.
But Allah gives exception to this rule -- people who are not this way are those who are regular in prayers, who share their wealth with the needy and the deprived, who affirm the Day of Judgment, who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord, who guard their chastity, who honor their trusts, who stand by their testimonies, and once again Allah mentions those who maintain their prayers. These are the people that Allah honors and will bless them with Jannah.
In this Surah and other Surah e.g. Surah al Mukminun, Allah began listing the exception with prayer and ended with prayer. This is a reminder for us the importance of regular prayers in our lives.
Indeed mankind is finicky, in good and in bad there are problems with them. But piety gives us a sense of calmness to our lives. Piety with Allah makes our lives easier. The frustrations and complaints will go away when we turn Allah. Generally, the person who has religion, i.e. the one who has Allah are able to cope with issues of this life better.
Religiosity does make a person's problem easier to deal with, and the lack of religion leaves the person a sense frustration, desperation and a type of depression.
إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعًا ﴿١٩﴾ إِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلشَّرُّ جَزُوعًا ﴿٢٠﴾ وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلْخَيْرُ مَنُوعًا ﴿٢١﴾ إِلَّا ٱلْمُصَلِّينَ ﴿٢٢﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ دَآئِمُونَ ﴿٢٣﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ فِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ حَقٌّ مَّعْلُومٌ ﴿٢٤﴾ لِّلسَّآئِلِ وَٱلْمَحْرُومِ ﴿٢٥﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ يُصَدِّقُونَ بِيَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ ﴿٢٦﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم مِّنْ عَذَابِ رَبِّهِم مُّشْفِقُونَ ﴿٢٧﴾ إِنَّ عَذَابَ رَبِّهِمْ غَيْرُ مَأْمُونٍ ﴿٢٨﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَـٰفِظُونَ ﴿٢٩﴾ إِلَّا عَلَىٰٓ أَزْوَٰجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ ﴿٣٠﴾ فَمَنِ ٱبْتَغَىٰ وَرَآءَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْعَادُونَ ﴿٣١﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَـٰنَـٰتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَٰعُونَ ﴿٣٢﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِشَهَـٰدَٰتِهِمْ قَآئِمُونَ ﴿٣٣﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ ﴿٣٤﴾ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍ مُّكْرَمُونَ ﴿٣٥﴾ ٣٤
Indeed, mankind was created anxious: (19) When evil touches him, impatient, (20) And when good touches him, withholding [of it], (21) Except the observers of prayer - (22) Those who are constant in their prayer (23) And those within whose wealth is a known right (24) For the petitioner and the deprived - (25) And those who believe in the Day of Recompense (26) And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - (27) Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - (28) And those who guard their private parts (29) Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - (30) But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - (31) And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive (32) And those who are in their testimonies upright (33) And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: (34) They will be in gardens, honored. (35)
May Allah grant us righteousness, patience, gratitude and tranquility in our lives. 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Religion does come in handy especially when life is tough.
In Surah Ma'arij, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala tells us that man was created restless and impatient -- when they are touched by adversity they become fretful and when good comes, they become ungrateful.
But Allah gives exception to this rule -- people who are not this way are those who are regular in prayers, who share their wealth with the needy and the deprived, who affirm the Day of Judgment, who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord, who guard their chastity, who honor their trusts, who stand by their testimonies, and once again Allah mentions those who maintain their prayers. These are the people that Allah honors and will bless them with Jannah.
In this Surah and other Surah e.g. Surah al Mukminun, Allah began listing the exception with prayer and ended with prayer. This is a reminder for us the importance of regular prayers in our lives.
Indeed mankind is finicky, in good and in bad there are problems with them. But piety gives us a sense of calmness to our lives. Piety with Allah makes our lives easier. The frustrations and complaints will go away when we turn Allah. Generally, the person who has religion, i.e. the one who has Allah are able to cope with issues of this life better.
Religiosity does make a person's problem easier to deal with, and the lack of religion leaves the person a sense frustration, desperation and a type of depression.
إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعًا ﴿١٩﴾ إِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلشَّرُّ جَزُوعًا ﴿٢٠﴾ وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلْخَيْرُ مَنُوعًا ﴿٢١﴾ إِلَّا ٱلْمُصَلِّينَ ﴿٢٢﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ دَآئِمُونَ ﴿٢٣﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ فِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ حَقٌّ مَّعْلُومٌ ﴿٢٤﴾ لِّلسَّآئِلِ وَٱلْمَحْرُومِ ﴿٢٥﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ يُصَدِّقُونَ بِيَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ ﴿٢٦﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم مِّنْ عَذَابِ رَبِّهِم مُّشْفِقُونَ ﴿٢٧﴾ إِنَّ عَذَابَ رَبِّهِمْ غَيْرُ مَأْمُونٍ ﴿٢٨﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَـٰفِظُونَ ﴿٢٩﴾ إِلَّا عَلَىٰٓ أَزْوَٰجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ ﴿٣٠﴾ فَمَنِ ٱبْتَغَىٰ وَرَآءَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْعَادُونَ ﴿٣١﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَـٰنَـٰتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَٰعُونَ ﴿٣٢﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِشَهَـٰدَٰتِهِمْ قَآئِمُونَ ﴿٣٣﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ ﴿٣٤﴾ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍ مُّكْرَمُونَ ﴿٣٥﴾ ٣٤
Indeed, mankind was created anxious: (19) When evil touches him, impatient, (20) And when good touches him, withholding [of it], (21) Except the observers of prayer - (22) Those who are constant in their prayer (23) And those within whose wealth is a known right (24) For the petitioner and the deprived - (25) And those who believe in the Day of Recompense (26) And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - (27) Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - (28) And those who guard their private parts (29) Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - (30) But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - (31) And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive (32) And those who are in their testimonies upright (33) And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: (34) They will be in gardens, honored. (35)
May Allah grant us righteousness, patience, gratitude and tranquility in our lives. 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, June 26, 2020
Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- A Blessed Contract
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
This world is the path we travel along and not a place of abode. When we do good along the way, we are actually doing good to ourselves. Allah will reward us. Who can better reward us than Allah?
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ مَنْ أَحْسَنَ عَمَلًا ﴿٣٠﴾ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهِمُ ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَيَلْبَسُونَ ثِيَابًا خُضْرًا مِّن سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ فِيهَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ ۚ نِعْمَ ٱلثَّوَابُ وَحَسُنَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا ﴿٣١
Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds. (30) Those will have gardens of perpetual residence; beneath them rivers will flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, reclining therein on adorned couches. Excellent is the reward, and good is the resting place. (31) [Quran, Al-Kahf 18:30-31]
When we give to Allah and His Messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam, we are actually giving to ourselves. When we help the religion, we are actually helping ourselves. Islam will spread with or without us. Allah doesn't need us. We need to do what we can to help the cause of Allah because this is an opportunity to enter into a contract with Allah. What a blessed contract it is! There is no better bargain than this bargain. So dedicate whatever meagre thing you have and Allah will give you infinity. He will give you Jannah and a blissful eternal life. What is bigger than Jannah? How long is the life of the Hereafter compared to this life?
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ تِجَـٰرَةٍ تُنجِيكُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ ﴿١٠﴾ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَتُجَـٰهِدُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١١﴾ يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَيُدْخِلْكُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ وَمَسَـٰكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِى جَنَّـٰتِ عَدْنٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴿١٢﴾ وَأُخْرَىٰ تُحِبُّونَهَا ۖ نَصْرٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَفَتْحٌ قَرِيبٌ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١٣﴾
O you who have believed, shall I guide you to a transaction that will save you from a painful punishment? (10) [It is that] you believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That is best for you, if you should know. (11) He will forgive for you your sins and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence. That is the great attainment. (12) And [you will obtain] another [favor] that you love - victory from Allah and an imminent conquest; and give good tidings to the believers. (13)
May Allah strengthen our Iman and help us strive for His cause. May Allah grant us righteous deeds and the highest Jannah. 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
This world is the path we travel along and not a place of abode. When we do good along the way, we are actually doing good to ourselves. Allah will reward us. Who can better reward us than Allah?
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ مَنْ أَحْسَنَ عَمَلًا ﴿٣٠﴾ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهِمُ ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَيَلْبَسُونَ ثِيَابًا خُضْرًا مِّن سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ فِيهَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ ۚ نِعْمَ ٱلثَّوَابُ وَحَسُنَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا ﴿٣١
Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds. (30) Those will have gardens of perpetual residence; beneath them rivers will flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, reclining therein on adorned couches. Excellent is the reward, and good is the resting place. (31) [Quran, Al-Kahf 18:30-31]
When we give to Allah and His Messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam, we are actually giving to ourselves. When we help the religion, we are actually helping ourselves. Islam will spread with or without us. Allah doesn't need us. We need to do what we can to help the cause of Allah because this is an opportunity to enter into a contract with Allah. What a blessed contract it is! There is no better bargain than this bargain. So dedicate whatever meagre thing you have and Allah will give you infinity. He will give you Jannah and a blissful eternal life. What is bigger than Jannah? How long is the life of the Hereafter compared to this life?
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ تِجَـٰرَةٍ تُنجِيكُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ ﴿١٠﴾ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَتُجَـٰهِدُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١١﴾ يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَيُدْخِلْكُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ وَمَسَـٰكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِى جَنَّـٰتِ عَدْنٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴿١٢﴾ وَأُخْرَىٰ تُحِبُّونَهَا ۖ نَصْرٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَفَتْحٌ قَرِيبٌ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١٣﴾
O you who have believed, shall I guide you to a transaction that will save you from a painful punishment? (10) [It is that] you believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That is best for you, if you should know. (11) He will forgive for you your sins and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence. That is the great attainment. (12) And [you will obtain] another [favor] that you love - victory from Allah and an imminent conquest; and give good tidings to the believers. (13)
May Allah strengthen our Iman and help us strive for His cause. May Allah grant us righteous deeds and the highest Jannah. 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, June 25, 2020
Practice What You Preach
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
We need to live up to the standard of being a Muslim. We need to live up to what we are saying. Be careful not to be doublefaced and hypocritical.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ ﴿٢﴾ كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُوا۟ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ ﴿٣
O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? (2) Great is hatred in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do. (3)
[Quran, As-Saff 61:2-3]
May Allah grant us sincerity (ikhlas). 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
We need to live up to the standard of being a Muslim. We need to live up to what we are saying. Be careful not to be doublefaced and hypocritical.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ ﴿٢﴾ كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُوا۟ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ ﴿٣
O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? (2) Great is hatred in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do. (3)
[Quran, As-Saff 61:2-3]
May Allah grant us sincerity (ikhlas). 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
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Do Ourselves A Favor -- Submit to Allah and Work on Perfecting Our Manners
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
The entire Surah Al Hujurat is about perfecting our manners. It begins by perfecting our Iman (Faith). Iman and manners are connected. The more your Iman is the better your manners are going to be. How do you make you manners better? It is by making your Iman better. Therefore, submit to Allah Most High and His Messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam.
ءَامَنَ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۚ كُلٌّ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِۦ ۚ وَقَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا ۖ غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ﴿٢٨٥
The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." And they say, "We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination." [Quran, Al Baqarah 2-285]
In Surah Al Hujurat, Allah gave us a list of commandments in terms manners and etiquette that we should do,
1. Verify the veracity of information you received. Stay away from gossips.
ـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن جَآءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌۢ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓا۟ أَن تُصِيبُوا۟ قَوْمًۢا بِجَهَـٰلَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَـٰدِمِينَ ﴿٦
O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful. (6)
2. Take an active role to bring reconciliation between two Muslims
إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا۟ بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ ﴿١٠
The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.
3. Don't put people down, don't call people offensive names (note: the receiving person gets to decide what is offensive, not the caller)
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونُوا۟ خَيْرًا مِّنْهُمْ وَلَا نِسَآءٌ مِّن نِّسَآءٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيْرًا مِّنْهُنَّ ۖ وَلَا تَلْمِزُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَلَا تَنَابَزُوا۟ بِٱلْأَلْقَـٰبِ ۖ بِئْسَ ٱلِٱسْمُ ٱلْفُسُوقُ بَعْدَ ٱلْإِيمَـٰنِ ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَتُبْ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ ﴿١١
O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers. (11)
4. Don't backbite, spy, avoid suspicious and bad thoughts
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا۟ وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿١٢
O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.
5. Don't be racist, don't think you are the best. Our diversity makes life interesting.
Allah says we all the same in terms of your humanity. If you really want to rise up in ranks, you can do so from something within you...that is the Taqwa (Godfearingness), not your nationality, your skin color, your economic status, your title, which didn't come from you.
ـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ ﴿١٣
O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. (13)
6. Never feel that you have done anyone a favor
When you have done something for anyone or anything for the cause of Allah, don't think you are doing a favor to that person or to the religion because it is Allah who has done you a favor by blessing you with the softness of heart and having the compassion to give or do what you do. It is Allah who has blessed you with the ability to bring about some good. So instead you ask Allah for tawfiq and ikhlas and that is the reality of Iman.
May Allah make us of the righteous and grant us ikhlas and tawfiq. 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
The entire Surah Al Hujurat is about perfecting our manners. It begins by perfecting our Iman (Faith). Iman and manners are connected. The more your Iman is the better your manners are going to be. How do you make you manners better? It is by making your Iman better. Therefore, submit to Allah Most High and His Messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam.
ءَامَنَ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۚ كُلٌّ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِۦ ۚ وَقَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا ۖ غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ﴿٢٨٥
The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." And they say, "We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination." [Quran, Al Baqarah 2-285]
In Surah Al Hujurat, Allah gave us a list of commandments in terms manners and etiquette that we should do,
1. Verify the veracity of information you received. Stay away from gossips.
ـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن جَآءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌۢ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓا۟ أَن تُصِيبُوا۟ قَوْمًۢا بِجَهَـٰلَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَـٰدِمِينَ ﴿٦
O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful. (6)
2. Take an active role to bring reconciliation between two Muslims
إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا۟ بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ ﴿١٠
The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.
3. Don't put people down, don't call people offensive names (note: the receiving person gets to decide what is offensive, not the caller)
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونُوا۟ خَيْرًا مِّنْهُمْ وَلَا نِسَآءٌ مِّن نِّسَآءٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيْرًا مِّنْهُنَّ ۖ وَلَا تَلْمِزُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَلَا تَنَابَزُوا۟ بِٱلْأَلْقَـٰبِ ۖ بِئْسَ ٱلِٱسْمُ ٱلْفُسُوقُ بَعْدَ ٱلْإِيمَـٰنِ ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَتُبْ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ ﴿١١
O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers. (11)
4. Don't backbite, spy, avoid suspicious and bad thoughts
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا۟ وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿١٢
O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.
5. Don't be racist, don't think you are the best. Our diversity makes life interesting.
Allah says we all the same in terms of your humanity. If you really want to rise up in ranks, you can do so from something within you...that is the Taqwa (Godfearingness), not your nationality, your skin color, your economic status, your title, which didn't come from you.
ـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ ﴿١٣
O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. (13)
6. Never feel that you have done anyone a favor
When you have done something for anyone or anything for the cause of Allah, don't think you are doing a favor to that person or to the religion because it is Allah who has done you a favor by blessing you with the softness of heart and having the compassion to give or do what you do. It is Allah who has blessed you with the ability to bring about some good. So instead you ask Allah for tawfiq and ikhlas and that is the reality of Iman.
May Allah make us of the righteous and grant us ikhlas and tawfiq. 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, June 22, 2020
Attracting Allah's Help And Support
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Muhammad, we are encouraged to work for the sake of Allah in all affairs.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تَنصُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ ﴿٧
O you who have believed, if you support Allah, He will support you and plant firmly your feet. [Quran, Muhammad 47:7]
When you do one thing good, Allah will do a minimum two. If you do a little bit Allah will do much more. If you put in the effort Allah will open the ways. Any helping for the religion of Allah and any duty that Allah wants us to do is in the support of Allah. If we do it, Allah will help us and make it easy for us. But we need to put that effort.
Why Allah will help you? Because Allah is the Mawla -- the Protector, the One who cherishes and nourishes, the One who is in charge, the One who protects you in every issues and grievances, the One who you turn to when you are in trouble. But those who reject Allah or those who don't believe in the religion, then they have no Mawla.
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَوْلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَأَنَّ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ لَا مَوْلَىٰ لَهُمْ ﴿١١
That is because Allah is the protector of those who have believed and because the disbelievers have no protector. [Quran, Muhammad 47:11]
What makes life worth living if it is not our attachment to Allah?
May Allah give us His peace and well-being. 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Muhammad, we are encouraged to work for the sake of Allah in all affairs.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تَنصُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ ﴿٧
O you who have believed, if you support Allah, He will support you and plant firmly your feet. [Quran, Muhammad 47:7]
When you do one thing good, Allah will do a minimum two. If you do a little bit Allah will do much more. If you put in the effort Allah will open the ways. Any helping for the religion of Allah and any duty that Allah wants us to do is in the support of Allah. If we do it, Allah will help us and make it easy for us. But we need to put that effort.
Why Allah will help you? Because Allah is the Mawla -- the Protector, the One who cherishes and nourishes, the One who is in charge, the One who protects you in every issues and grievances, the One who you turn to when you are in trouble. But those who reject Allah or those who don't believe in the religion, then they have no Mawla.
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَوْلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَأَنَّ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ لَا مَوْلَىٰ لَهُمْ ﴿١١
That is because Allah is the protector of those who have believed and because the disbelievers have no protector. [Quran, Muhammad 47:11]
What makes life worth living if it is not our attachment to Allah?
May Allah give us His peace and well-being. 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, June 20, 2020
Knowledge And Arrogance
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
We must to find time to learn Allah's religion now, and learn it properly, because if we don't learn it, we won't be able to worship our Creator the way He wants us to and we won't be able to spread the Deen properly. The one who knows is not equal to those who don't know.
Allah Most High says,
أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَـٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَآئِمًا يَحْذَرُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا۟ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِۦ ۗ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿٩
Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding. (Qur'an Az-Zumar 39:9)
In Surah AleImran, Allah began attestation first by Himself, then by His angels and then by the learned. It is understood from this that the rank of the learned and their honor is tremendous with Allah.
شَهِدَ ٱللَّـهُ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمِ قَآئِمًۢا بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ﴿١٨
Allah witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (Quran, AleImran 3:18)
When you are given the knowledge, practice it and teach to others with humility. Allah does not like arrogance.
وَأَن لَّا تَعْلُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنِّىٓ ءَاتِيكُم بِسُلْطَـٰنٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿١٩
And [saying], "Be not haughty with Allah. Indeed, I have come to you with clear authority. [Quran, Ad-Dukhan 44:19]
وَلَقَدْ نَجَّيْنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ مِنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْمُهِينِ ﴿٣٠﴾ مِن فِرْعَوْنَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَالِيًا مِّنَ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ ﴿٣١
And We certainly saved the Children of Israel from the humiliating torment - (30) From Pharaoh. Indeed, he was a haughty one among the transgressors. (31) [Quran, Ad-Dukhan 44:30-31]
All the might of Fir'aun and the the great civilization he was in which to this day a folk glory, Allah says, so what, where did they go? Fir'aun and his army were drowned and their wealth were inherited by another people and neither the heavens nor the earth wept when they left.
فَأَسْرِ بِعِبَادِى لَيْلًا إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ ﴿٢٣﴾ وَٱتْرُكِ ٱلْبَحْرَ رَهْوًا ۖ إِنَّهُمْ جُندٌ مُّغْرَقُونَ ﴿٢٤﴾ كَمْ تَرَكُوا۟ مِن جَنَّـٰتٍ وَعُيُونٍ ﴿٢٥﴾ وَزُرُوعٍ وَمَقَامٍ كَرِيمٍ ﴿٢٦﴾ وَنَعْمَةٍ كَانُوا۟ فِيهَا فَـٰكِهِينَ ﴿٢٧﴾ كَذَٰلِكَ ۖ وَأَوْرَثْنَـٰهَا قَوْمًا ءَاخَرِينَ ﴿٢٨﴾ فَمَا بَكَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ مُنظَرِينَ ﴿٢٩
[Allah said], "Then set out with My servants by night. Indeed, you are to be pursued. (23) And leave the sea in stillness. Indeed, they are an army to be drowned." (24) How much they left behind of gardens and springs (25) And crops and noble sites (26) And comfort wherein they were amused. (27) Thus. And We caused to inherit it another people. (28) And the heaven and earth wept not for them, nor were they reprieved. (29) [Quran, Ad-Dukhan 44:23-29]
When we leave this world we want the creation of Allah to miss us and mourn for us. The one who is teaching people good, everyone in the universe, in the heavens and on earth prays for forgiveness for him, even the fish in the sea. As for people like Fir'aun and his army, the creation in the universe were happy when they left. We don’t want the creation of Allah to rejoice when we go. We want them to pray for us.
May Allah increase us in beneficial knowledge and make the knowledge a witness for us and not against 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
We must to find time to learn Allah's religion now, and learn it properly, because if we don't learn it, we won't be able to worship our Creator the way He wants us to and we won't be able to spread the Deen properly. The one who knows is not equal to those who don't know.
Allah Most High says,
أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَـٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَآئِمًا يَحْذَرُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا۟ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِۦ ۗ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿٩
Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding. (Qur'an Az-Zumar 39:9)
In Surah AleImran, Allah began attestation first by Himself, then by His angels and then by the learned. It is understood from this that the rank of the learned and their honor is tremendous with Allah.
شَهِدَ ٱللَّـهُ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمِ قَآئِمًۢا بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ﴿١٨
Allah witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (Quran, AleImran 3:18)
When you are given the knowledge, practice it and teach to others with humility. Allah does not like arrogance.
وَأَن لَّا تَعْلُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنِّىٓ ءَاتِيكُم بِسُلْطَـٰنٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿١٩
And [saying], "Be not haughty with Allah. Indeed, I have come to you with clear authority. [Quran, Ad-Dukhan 44:19]
وَلَقَدْ نَجَّيْنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ مِنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْمُهِينِ ﴿٣٠﴾ مِن فِرْعَوْنَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَالِيًا مِّنَ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ ﴿٣١
And We certainly saved the Children of Israel from the humiliating torment - (30) From Pharaoh. Indeed, he was a haughty one among the transgressors. (31) [Quran, Ad-Dukhan 44:30-31]
All the might of Fir'aun and the the great civilization he was in which to this day a folk glory, Allah says, so what, where did they go? Fir'aun and his army were drowned and their wealth were inherited by another people and neither the heavens nor the earth wept when they left.
فَأَسْرِ بِعِبَادِى لَيْلًا إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ ﴿٢٣﴾ وَٱتْرُكِ ٱلْبَحْرَ رَهْوًا ۖ إِنَّهُمْ جُندٌ مُّغْرَقُونَ ﴿٢٤﴾ كَمْ تَرَكُوا۟ مِن جَنَّـٰتٍ وَعُيُونٍ ﴿٢٥﴾ وَزُرُوعٍ وَمَقَامٍ كَرِيمٍ ﴿٢٦﴾ وَنَعْمَةٍ كَانُوا۟ فِيهَا فَـٰكِهِينَ ﴿٢٧﴾ كَذَٰلِكَ ۖ وَأَوْرَثْنَـٰهَا قَوْمًا ءَاخَرِينَ ﴿٢٨﴾ فَمَا بَكَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ مُنظَرِينَ ﴿٢٩
[Allah said], "Then set out with My servants by night. Indeed, you are to be pursued. (23) And leave the sea in stillness. Indeed, they are an army to be drowned." (24) How much they left behind of gardens and springs (25) And crops and noble sites (26) And comfort wherein they were amused. (27) Thus. And We caused to inherit it another people. (28) And the heaven and earth wept not for them, nor were they reprieved. (29) [Quran, Ad-Dukhan 44:23-29]
When we leave this world we want the creation of Allah to miss us and mourn for us. The one who is teaching people good, everyone in the universe, in the heavens and on earth prays for forgiveness for him, even the fish in the sea. As for people like Fir'aun and his army, the creation in the universe were happy when they left. We don’t want the creation of Allah to rejoice when we go. We want them to pray for us.
May Allah increase us in beneficial knowledge and make the knowledge a witness for us and not against 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
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Death Of A Learned Person
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Shaykh Abdul Fattah Madkur, a Quran teacher, passed away on Monday, June 15, 2020. May Allah shower him with mercy and grant him the highest Jannah. One of his teachers was Shaykh Ahmad Dabbaqh, the head of Quran reciters of Egypt in the 1980s. Shaykh Ayman Suwed, the author of Tajweed Musawir, was one of his students. It was told by Shaykh Ayman Swed that his teacher (Shaykh Abdul Fattah) told him once he was reciting the Quran to his teacher (Shaykh Ahmad Dabbagh) and a light came down in between them (but closer to his teacher) and he was mesmerized by it. His teacher (Shaykh Dabbagh) told him that the light was the light of the people of Quran and asked him to continue his recitation.
Recalling Shaykh Abdul Fattah's words during his presentation of the ijazah sanad al Quran to us about three years ago in his home -- that when you hold knowledge you have to carry it as one worthy of that knowledge. When you receive knowledge of the Quran, you have to fulfill the rights of the knowledge, which is to teach it and practice it. When you learn the Quran and receive an ijazah, you now have a duty to impart what you have learned. This is an amanah (a trust) from your teacher and your teacher's teacher and so on.
The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "He who follows a path in quest of knowledge, Allah will make the path of Jannah easy to him. The angels lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge, being pleased with what he does. The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and even the fish in the depth of the oceans seek forgiveness for him. The superiority of the learned man over the devout worshipper is like that of the full moon to the rest of the stars (i.e., in brightness). The learned are the heirs of the Prophets who bequeath neither dinar nor dirham but only that of knowledge; and he who acquires it, has in fact acquired an abundant portion."
قال سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: "من سلك طريقًا يبتغي فيه علمًا سهل الله له طريقًا إلى الجنة، وإن الملائكة لتضع أجنحتها لطالب العلم رضا بما صنع، وإن العالم ليستغفر له من في السماوات والأرض حتى الحيتان في الماء، وفضل العالم على العابد كفضل القمر على سائر الكواكب، وإن العلماء ورثة الأنبياء وإن الأنبياء لم يورثوا دينارًا ولا درهما وإنما ورثوا العلم. فمن أخذه أخذ بحظ وافر" ((رواه أبو داود والترمذي)).
[Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].
May Allah enable us to fulfill the trust that was given to us by our teachers and fulfill the rights of the Quran. 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "He who follows a path in quest of knowledge, Allah will make the path of Jannah easy to him. The angels lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge, being pleased with what he does. The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and even the fish in the depth of the oceans seek forgiveness for him. The superiority of the learned man over the devout worshipper is like that of the full moon to the rest of the stars (i.e., in brightness). The learned are the heirs of the Prophets who bequeath neither dinar nor dirham but only that of knowledge; and he who acquires it, has in fact acquired an abundant portion."
قال سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: "من سلك طريقًا يبتغي فيه علمًا سهل الله له طريقًا إلى الجنة، وإن الملائكة لتضع أجنحتها لطالب العلم رضا بما صنع، وإن العالم ليستغفر له من في السماوات والأرض حتى الحيتان في الماء، وفضل العالم على العابد كفضل القمر على سائر الكواكب، وإن العلماء ورثة الأنبياء وإن الأنبياء لم يورثوا دينارًا ولا درهما وإنما ورثوا العلم. فمن أخذه أخذ بحظ وافر" ((رواه أبو داود والترمذي)).
[Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].
May Allah enable us to fulfill the trust that was given to us by our teachers and fulfill the rights of the Quran. 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
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Humility and Gentle Speech
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Ta-Ha, Allah Most High instructed Prophet Musa and Prophet Harun to go to Fir'aun and speak to him with gentle speech. Allah Almighty says,
ٱذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَأَخُوكَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِى وَلَا تَنِيَا فِى ذِكْرِى ﴿٤٢﴾ ٱذْهَبَآ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُۥ طَغَىٰ ﴿٤٣﴾ فَقُولَا لَهُۥ قَوْلًا لَّيِّنًا لَّعَلَّهُۥ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوْ يَخْشَىٰ ﴿٤٤﴾
Go, you and your brother, with My signs and do not slacken in My remembrance. (42) Go, both of you, to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed. (43) And speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear [Allah]." (44) [Quran, Ta-Ha 20:42-44]
Sometimes we find Muslims teaching Islam in such harsh and arrogant way that they turn people away from the Truth not because of the Truth but because of their harshness and arrogance. Where was that knowledge that they should benefit from the mannerisms of people of knowledge? Where is that knowledge when they read the Quran and Allah is telling Musa to speak to Fir'aun with gentle speech? Why can't a Muslim that come to another Muslim have even more gentleness -- neither the first person is better than Musa nor the second person is worse than Fir'aun.
The average Muslims want to be righteous and good but one of the main impediments is the vibe that they get from their version of people of religion. The negativities, harshness and bad manners of these people turn them away from the religion. You are never truly religious unless it is demonstrated in your good mannerisms. You don’t have knowledge if you are not humble with people. This means the knowledge is of no use to you. The greatest of man was the one who was humble with people.
The Quranic message is very clear. It is about akhlaq (character). When speaking with people speak with gentle and soft manner. Do not raise your voice and yell at them. Sadly so many people who think they have discovered faith, that they treat people who they presume who have no faith or have little knowledge with such crudeness and they turn people off. This is not the Message of Quran and definitely it is not found in the Seerah of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. We should not be a trial for othe people to abandon the religion because of our false sense of piety. If you are treating people arrogantly, even if they are sinners, your arrogance is a bigger sin than the personal vices that they are commiting in their private lives so long as it is not shirk.
Allah preserved Luqman's advice to his son in the Quran to teach us good character and how to speak. Allah says,
وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ ﴿١٨﴾ وَٱقْصِدْ فِى مَشْيِكَ وَٱغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ ۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ ٱلْأَصْوَٰتِ لَصَوْتُ ٱلْحَمِيرِ ﴿١٩
And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful. (18) And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys." (19) [َQuran, Luqman 31:18-19]
Knowledge comes with a lot of arrogance if it is not practiced in a correct way. The most arrogant people are those with a lot of knowledge or wealth when it is not checked with akhlaq (character). That's why they belittle people, they call people names, they don't have value for someone and they don't see the good of that person. They cancel people out. If that was the way the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam taught us, we have to cancel everyone out because each one of us is flawed.
Most of what you have studied is going to be for yourself and only a few percent of it is going to be teaching others unless you are a specialized teacher. We need to be humble. People don't like people who are arrogant. To be able to practice what you learn and to teach others with the best of akhlaq is very important. What's the point of having so much of knowledge but Allah hasn't given you the acceptance to be able to convey the knowledge just because you haven't even thought of working on your own character and the condition of your heart. You have to discipline yourself. Of course we make mistakes as we are human. But you have to apologize when you have gone wrong. If you can't reach out to others with humility, they are not going to want what you have. You don't have to be a graduate from somewhere, or have a MA or PHd, to be accepted as a messenger. Sometimes people who have graduated with these degrees have a little bit of arrogance. Sometimes Allah may not accept those who have big degrees. The fact that you have those high degrees, it does not necessarily make you a person of knowledge and it does not confirm that you are an ignorant person.
May Allah grant us good manners and remove our arrogance. 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Ta-Ha, Allah Most High instructed Prophet Musa and Prophet Harun to go to Fir'aun and speak to him with gentle speech. Allah Almighty says,
ٱذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَأَخُوكَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِى وَلَا تَنِيَا فِى ذِكْرِى ﴿٤٢﴾ ٱذْهَبَآ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُۥ طَغَىٰ ﴿٤٣﴾ فَقُولَا لَهُۥ قَوْلًا لَّيِّنًا لَّعَلَّهُۥ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوْ يَخْشَىٰ ﴿٤٤﴾
Go, you and your brother, with My signs and do not slacken in My remembrance. (42) Go, both of you, to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed. (43) And speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear [Allah]." (44) [Quran, Ta-Ha 20:42-44]
Sometimes we find Muslims teaching Islam in such harsh and arrogant way that they turn people away from the Truth not because of the Truth but because of their harshness and arrogance. Where was that knowledge that they should benefit from the mannerisms of people of knowledge? Where is that knowledge when they read the Quran and Allah is telling Musa to speak to Fir'aun with gentle speech? Why can't a Muslim that come to another Muslim have even more gentleness -- neither the first person is better than Musa nor the second person is worse than Fir'aun.
The average Muslims want to be righteous and good but one of the main impediments is the vibe that they get from their version of people of religion. The negativities, harshness and bad manners of these people turn them away from the religion. You are never truly religious unless it is demonstrated in your good mannerisms. You don’t have knowledge if you are not humble with people. This means the knowledge is of no use to you. The greatest of man was the one who was humble with people.
The Quranic message is very clear. It is about akhlaq (character). When speaking with people speak with gentle and soft manner. Do not raise your voice and yell at them. Sadly so many people who think they have discovered faith, that they treat people who they presume who have no faith or have little knowledge with such crudeness and they turn people off. This is not the Message of Quran and definitely it is not found in the Seerah of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. We should not be a trial for othe people to abandon the religion because of our false sense of piety. If you are treating people arrogantly, even if they are sinners, your arrogance is a bigger sin than the personal vices that they are commiting in their private lives so long as it is not shirk.
Allah preserved Luqman's advice to his son in the Quran to teach us good character and how to speak. Allah says,
وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ ﴿١٨﴾ وَٱقْصِدْ فِى مَشْيِكَ وَٱغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ ۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ ٱلْأَصْوَٰتِ لَصَوْتُ ٱلْحَمِيرِ ﴿١٩
And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful. (18) And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys." (19) [َQuran, Luqman 31:18-19]
Knowledge comes with a lot of arrogance if it is not practiced in a correct way. The most arrogant people are those with a lot of knowledge or wealth when it is not checked with akhlaq (character). That's why they belittle people, they call people names, they don't have value for someone and they don't see the good of that person. They cancel people out. If that was the way the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam taught us, we have to cancel everyone out because each one of us is flawed.
Most of what you have studied is going to be for yourself and only a few percent of it is going to be teaching others unless you are a specialized teacher. We need to be humble. People don't like people who are arrogant. To be able to practice what you learn and to teach others with the best of akhlaq is very important. What's the point of having so much of knowledge but Allah hasn't given you the acceptance to be able to convey the knowledge just because you haven't even thought of working on your own character and the condition of your heart. You have to discipline yourself. Of course we make mistakes as we are human. But you have to apologize when you have gone wrong. If you can't reach out to others with humility, they are not going to want what you have. You don't have to be a graduate from somewhere, or have a MA or PHd, to be accepted as a messenger. Sometimes people who have graduated with these degrees have a little bit of arrogance. Sometimes Allah may not accept those who have big degrees. The fact that you have those high degrees, it does not necessarily make you a person of knowledge and it does not confirm that you are an ignorant person.
May Allah grant us good manners and remove our arrogance. 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, June 15, 2020
Good and Evil are Never Equal
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Fussilat, Allah Almighty says, good and evil will never be the same.
وَلَا تَسْتَوِى ٱلْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا ٱلسَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ٱدْفَعْ بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُۥ عَدَٰوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُۥ وَلِىٌّ حَمِيمٌ ﴿٣٤﴾ وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ ﴿٣٥﴾
And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend. (34) But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one having a great portion [of good]. (35) [Quran, Fussilat 41:35]
In any situation we should always try to be the better of the two for the sake of Allah. That is the goal we should all have. If you are able to repel some bad manners or negativities with good manners or positive, even if you think you are going to lose in that one incident but in the long run you shall be the winner. Although sometimes you may respond in kind towards evil but the general rule is that you try to return an evil with good. If someone say something nasty, you just smile and make du'a for that person. You can say, "May Allah guide you and me to that which is best." Perhaps if you return nastiness with a good comment or something positive, you worst enemy will realize that he was really being a bad person and repent.
May Allah grant us patience and a great portion of good. May Allah make us keys to lock evil and unlock good. 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Fussilat, Allah Almighty says, good and evil will never be the same.
وَلَا تَسْتَوِى ٱلْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا ٱلسَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ٱدْفَعْ بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُۥ عَدَٰوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُۥ وَلِىٌّ حَمِيمٌ ﴿٣٤﴾ وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ ﴿٣٥﴾
And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend. (34) But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one having a great portion [of good]. (35) [Quran, Fussilat 41:35]
In any situation we should always try to be the better of the two for the sake of Allah. That is the goal we should all have. If you are able to repel some bad manners or negativities with good manners or positive, even if you think you are going to lose in that one incident but in the long run you shall be the winner. Although sometimes you may respond in kind towards evil but the general rule is that you try to return an evil with good. If someone say something nasty, you just smile and make du'a for that person. You can say, "May Allah guide you and me to that which is best." Perhaps if you return nastiness with a good comment or something positive, you worst enemy will realize that he was really being a bad person and repent.
May Allah grant us patience and a great portion of good. May Allah make us keys to lock evil and unlock good. 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, June 14, 2020
Faith (Imaan) and Wisdom
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Luqman, Allah has preserved the wisdom of Luqman for us. There is a beautiful advice that Luqman gave to his son. It shows us as well that of the sign of wisdom is to prioritize one’s family and to preach them in a manner that is beneficial, which is to truly preserve the legacy of one’s faith. One cannot be wise if one doesn’t care about protecting one's own child. Luqman begins the entire preaching by reminding his son to have faith (Imaan) in Allah.
وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَـٰنُ لِٱبْنِهِۦ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُۥ يَـٰبُنَىَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١٣
And [mention, O Muhammad], when Luqman said to his son while he was instructing him, "O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association [with him] is great injustice." (13) [Quran, Luqman 31:12]
Imaan is the building block. It is everything else that is built upon. If your Imaan is strong, your morality, your manners, your rituals, all of it will flourish. If your Imaan in Allah is not strong, the rest of that building is not going to flourish.
There is a sweetness in Imaan. If you want to taste the sweetness, you have to be people of love. Loving what Allah loves and hating what Allah hates is the true mark of the highest Imaan and sweetness. The greatest kufr (disbelief) is the opposite of this.
May Allah grant us wisdom and increase us in Imaan and 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Luqman, Allah has preserved the wisdom of Luqman for us. There is a beautiful advice that Luqman gave to his son. It shows us as well that of the sign of wisdom is to prioritize one’s family and to preach them in a manner that is beneficial, which is to truly preserve the legacy of one’s faith. One cannot be wise if one doesn’t care about protecting one's own child. Luqman begins the entire preaching by reminding his son to have faith (Imaan) in Allah.
وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَـٰنُ لِٱبْنِهِۦ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُۥ يَـٰبُنَىَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١٣
And [mention, O Muhammad], when Luqman said to his son while he was instructing him, "O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association [with him] is great injustice." (13) [Quran, Luqman 31:12]
Imaan is the building block. It is everything else that is built upon. If your Imaan is strong, your morality, your manners, your rituals, all of it will flourish. If your Imaan in Allah is not strong, the rest of that building is not going to flourish.
There is a sweetness in Imaan. If you want to taste the sweetness, you have to be people of love. Loving what Allah loves and hating what Allah hates is the true mark of the highest Imaan and sweetness. The greatest kufr (disbelief) is the opposite of this.
May Allah grant us wisdom and increase us in Imaan and 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, June 13, 2020
Taqwa and Patience in Da'wah
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Some people are socially, politically and economically superior than the others. But when Islam came, there was a new way of organizing society. Seniority, status, .... none of that matters. Taqwa is the only standard. Taqwa, and nothing else, is the only thing that sets us apart. The best of you are the ones who have the most taqwa.
When it comes to the work of da'wah, that hierarchy is eliminated. Value is not determined by human beings but is determined by Allah. So we all are equally valuable and the leader has to communicate that by his behavior.
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam is warned to be happy and patient with those around him.
وَٱصْبِرْ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلْغَدَوٰةِ وَٱلْعَشِىِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَهُۥ ۖ وَلَا تَعْدُ عَيْنَاكَ عَنْهُمْ تُرِيدُ زِينَةَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَا تُطِعْ مَنْ أَغْفَلْنَا قَلْبَهُۥ عَن ذِكْرِنَا وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ وَكَانَ أَمْرُهُۥ فُرُطًا ﴿٢٨
And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect. (28) {Quran, Al-Kahf 18:28]
Taqwa is in the heart. That is the power of this ayah. Don't follow and don't be influenced by the people whose hearts Allah have emptied and made unaware of His remembrance. When Allah is gone from their hearts, what is left is their hawa (desires) and everything they do is evil.
May Allah grant us patience, righteousness and righteous companions. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Some people are socially, politically and economically superior than the others. But when Islam came, there was a new way of organizing society. Seniority, status, .... none of that matters. Taqwa is the only standard. Taqwa, and nothing else, is the only thing that sets us apart. The best of you are the ones who have the most taqwa.
When it comes to the work of da'wah, that hierarchy is eliminated. Value is not determined by human beings but is determined by Allah. So we all are equally valuable and the leader has to communicate that by his behavior.
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam is warned to be happy and patient with those around him.
وَٱصْبِرْ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلْغَدَوٰةِ وَٱلْعَشِىِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَهُۥ ۖ وَلَا تَعْدُ عَيْنَاكَ عَنْهُمْ تُرِيدُ زِينَةَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَا تُطِعْ مَنْ أَغْفَلْنَا قَلْبَهُۥ عَن ذِكْرِنَا وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ وَكَانَ أَمْرُهُۥ فُرُطًا ﴿٢٨
And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect. (28) {Quran, Al-Kahf 18:28]
Taqwa is in the heart. That is the power of this ayah. Don't follow and don't be influenced by the people whose hearts Allah have emptied and made unaware of His remembrance. When Allah is gone from their hearts, what is left is their hawa (desires) and everything they do is evil.
May Allah grant us patience, righteousness and righteous companions. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Friday, June 12, 2020
Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- How To Get To The Gardens of Paradise?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Everyone of us want Paradise. How do we get there?
In Surah Al-Kahf, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala tells us very clearly who will have the Gardens of Paradise -- those who have believed and done righteous deeds. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتُ ٱلْفِرْدَوْسِ نُزُلًا ﴿١٠٧﴾ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا لَا يَبْغُونَ عَنْهَا حِوَلًا ﴿١٠٨
Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - they will have the Gardens of Paradise as a lodging, (107) Wherein they abide eternally. They will not desire from it any transfer. (108) [Quran, Al-Kahf 18:107-108]
أَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَلَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰ نُزُلًۢا بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٩
In Surah As-Sajdah, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala repeats the same kind of people who will enter the Gardens.
أَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَلَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰ نُزُلًۢا بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٩
As for those who believed and did righteous deeds, for them will be the Gardens of Refuge as accommodation for what they used to do. [Quran, As-Sajdah 32:19]
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala also tells us about the believers in these verses:
إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهَا خَرُّوا۟ سُجَّدًا وَسَبَّحُوا۟ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ۩ ﴿١٥﴾ تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ ﴿١٦
Only those believe in Our verses who, when they are reminded by them, fall down in prostration and exalt [Allah] with praise of their Lord, and they are not arrogant. (15) They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend. (16) [Quran, As-Sajda 32:15-17]
How do we build this relationship with Allah?
Everything starts with little things. We don't turn into a spiritual sage overnight. We have to instill certain healthy practices into our life that allow us to build a relationship with Allah.
First, do no harm. Do no harm to others and do no harm to others. Don't kill yourself spiritually with illicit relationship and other disobedience. Don't watch filth. Don't use foul language and don't be in company who use bad language. Don't backbite and slander people. If you harm yourself and others, your heart is damaged and that will push you further away from Allah.
Second, make small adhkar. Don't wait. Start with reading some Quran everyday. Recite the du'as that associated with daily actions that we do, like the du'a leaving and entering the house, eating, drinking, putting on clothes, entering and leaving the bathroom, etc. If you can instill 4 or 5 of these daily du'as everyday that is associated with daily actions anyway, you will feel closer to Allah that you have never felt in shaa Allah. All you have to do is to be cognizant of the fact that you are talking to Allah. You are making this du'a not because it is a subconscious habit but you are actually talking to Allah. You will notice a significance difference of how you feel about Allah and how you remember Allah. If you don't this, you will find very hard to think about Allah, to converse with Allah in salah (prayer) because God is too abstract a concept to you. This simple du'as that was taught by the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) is a very easy way to get a head start in spirituality and to develop that for ourselves.
If there is one thing that you should be enthusiatic in memorizing is du'as. The entire salah is considered a du'a. Memorize the ayat of the Quran that has du'a in them and recite them in your salah. Memorize Surah Al-Kahf and recite it every Friday. Make this your project in the next month or so.
May Allah make us and our children of the righteous and grant us the highest Paradise. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Everyone of us want Paradise. How do we get there?
In Surah Al-Kahf, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala tells us very clearly who will have the Gardens of Paradise -- those who have believed and done righteous deeds. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتُ ٱلْفِرْدَوْسِ نُزُلًا ﴿١٠٧﴾ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا لَا يَبْغُونَ عَنْهَا حِوَلًا ﴿١٠٨
Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - they will have the Gardens of Paradise as a lodging, (107) Wherein they abide eternally. They will not desire from it any transfer. (108) [Quran, Al-Kahf 18:107-108]
أَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَلَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰ نُزُلًۢا بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٩
In Surah As-Sajdah, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala repeats the same kind of people who will enter the Gardens.
أَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَلَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰ نُزُلًۢا بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٩
As for those who believed and did righteous deeds, for them will be the Gardens of Refuge as accommodation for what they used to do. [Quran, As-Sajdah 32:19]
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala also tells us about the believers in these verses:
إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهَا خَرُّوا۟ سُجَّدًا وَسَبَّحُوا۟ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ۩ ﴿١٥﴾ تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ ﴿١٦
Only those believe in Our verses who, when they are reminded by them, fall down in prostration and exalt [Allah] with praise of their Lord, and they are not arrogant. (15) They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend. (16) [Quran, As-Sajda 32:15-17]
How do we build this relationship with Allah?
Everything starts with little things. We don't turn into a spiritual sage overnight. We have to instill certain healthy practices into our life that allow us to build a relationship with Allah.
First, do no harm. Do no harm to others and do no harm to others. Don't kill yourself spiritually with illicit relationship and other disobedience. Don't watch filth. Don't use foul language and don't be in company who use bad language. Don't backbite and slander people. If you harm yourself and others, your heart is damaged and that will push you further away from Allah.
Second, make small adhkar. Don't wait. Start with reading some Quran everyday. Recite the du'as that associated with daily actions that we do, like the du'a leaving and entering the house, eating, drinking, putting on clothes, entering and leaving the bathroom, etc. If you can instill 4 or 5 of these daily du'as everyday that is associated with daily actions anyway, you will feel closer to Allah that you have never felt in shaa Allah. All you have to do is to be cognizant of the fact that you are talking to Allah. You are making this du'a not because it is a subconscious habit but you are actually talking to Allah. You will notice a significance difference of how you feel about Allah and how you remember Allah. If you don't this, you will find very hard to think about Allah, to converse with Allah in salah (prayer) because God is too abstract a concept to you. This simple du'as that was taught by the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) is a very easy way to get a head start in spirituality and to develop that for ourselves.
If there is one thing that you should be enthusiatic in memorizing is du'as. The entire salah is considered a du'a. Memorize the ayat of the Quran that has du'a in them and recite them in your salah. Memorize Surah Al-Kahf and recite it every Friday. Make this your project in the next month or so.
May Allah make us and our children of the righteous and grant us the highest Paradise. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Focus On The Prize -- Paradise
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
We might think that we have plenty of time on this earth. No, we don't. Don't let our good health, our age, our glory, our wealth, or our intelligence fool us. Death is for certain. It is just a matter of time.
We were created to worship Allah Alone. In Surah Az-Zumar, Allah praises those who choose to worship Him. There are going to have palaces and mansions built high up with rivers flow underneath -- ghurafs. Focus on the prize.
لَـٰكِنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ لَهُمْ غُرَفٌ مِّن فَوْقِهَا غُرَفٌ مَّبْنِيَّةٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ ﴿٢٠
But those who have feared their Lord - for them are chambers, above them chambers built high, beneath which rivers flow. [This is] the promise of Allah. Allah does not fail in [His] promise. (20) [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:20]
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said that ghurafs are the higher chambers of Paradise. Paradise has many levels. Those who have genuine taqwa will be given multiple ghurafs. What level of Jannah do you want?
Everyone will get a level of Paradise based on what they have done in this life. Think long and hard what level you want, and pay that price in this life. Everyone is equally accessible to Jannah. But you need to put that effort, dedication and loyalty, and be compassionate to people and don't be arrogant. And the first class of Jannah will be open for you.
وَلِكُلٍّ دَرَجَـٰتٌ مِّمَّا عَمِلُوا۟ ۖ وَلِيُوَفِّيَهُمْ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ ﴿١٩﴾ وَيَوْمَ يُعْرَضُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلنَّارِ أَذْهَبْتُمْ طَيِّبَـٰتِكُمْ فِى حَيَاتِكُمُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱسْتَمْتَعْتُم بِهَا فَٱلْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ عَذَابَ ٱلْهُونِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ وَبِمَا كُنتُمْ تَفْسُقُونَ ﴿٢٠
And for all there are degrees [of reward and punishment] for what they have done, and [it is] so that He may fully compensate them for their deeds, and they will not be wronged. (19) And the Day those who disbelieved are exposed to the Fire [it will be said], "You exhausted your pleasures during your worldly life and enjoyed them, so this Day you will be awarded the punishment of [extreme] humiliation because you were arrogant upon the earth without right and because you were defiantly disobedient." (20) [Quran, Al Ahqaf 46:19-20]
May Allah grant us the highest Jannah. 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
We might think that we have plenty of time on this earth. No, we don't. Don't let our good health, our age, our glory, our wealth, or our intelligence fool us. Death is for certain. It is just a matter of time.
We were created to worship Allah Alone. In Surah Az-Zumar, Allah praises those who choose to worship Him. There are going to have palaces and mansions built high up with rivers flow underneath -- ghurafs. Focus on the prize.
لَـٰكِنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ لَهُمْ غُرَفٌ مِّن فَوْقِهَا غُرَفٌ مَّبْنِيَّةٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ ﴿٢٠
But those who have feared their Lord - for them are chambers, above them chambers built high, beneath which rivers flow. [This is] the promise of Allah. Allah does not fail in [His] promise. (20) [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:20]
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said that ghurafs are the higher chambers of Paradise. Paradise has many levels. Those who have genuine taqwa will be given multiple ghurafs. What level of Jannah do you want?
Everyone will get a level of Paradise based on what they have done in this life. Think long and hard what level you want, and pay that price in this life. Everyone is equally accessible to Jannah. But you need to put that effort, dedication and loyalty, and be compassionate to people and don't be arrogant. And the first class of Jannah will be open for you.
وَلِكُلٍّ دَرَجَـٰتٌ مِّمَّا عَمِلُوا۟ ۖ وَلِيُوَفِّيَهُمْ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ ﴿١٩﴾ وَيَوْمَ يُعْرَضُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلنَّارِ أَذْهَبْتُمْ طَيِّبَـٰتِكُمْ فِى حَيَاتِكُمُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱسْتَمْتَعْتُم بِهَا فَٱلْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ عَذَابَ ٱلْهُونِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ وَبِمَا كُنتُمْ تَفْسُقُونَ ﴿٢٠
And for all there are degrees [of reward and punishment] for what they have done, and [it is] so that He may fully compensate them for their deeds, and they will not be wronged. (19) And the Day those who disbelieved are exposed to the Fire [it will be said], "You exhausted your pleasures during your worldly life and enjoyed them, so this Day you will be awarded the punishment of [extreme] humiliation because you were arrogant upon the earth without right and because you were defiantly disobedient." (20) [Quran, Al Ahqaf 46:19-20]
May Allah grant us the highest Jannah. 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
The Elect Servants Of God
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Allah told us in Surah Al Furqan another characteristics of His elect servants.
وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ ٱلْجَـٰهِلُونَ قَالُوا۟ سَلَـٰمًا ﴿٦٣﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَقِيَـٰمًا ﴿٦٤
And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace, (63) And those who spend [part of] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer] (64) [Quran, Al-Furqan 25:63-64]
The one who prays in the middle of the night, for sure he will have the level of taqwa and God consciousness. If you want to be the elect servants of Allah, you must have a dose of the night prayer every night.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to stand (in the prayer) or pray till both his feet or legs swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable prayer) and he said, “should I not be a thankful slave.” [Bukhari]
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said that: “When the servant of Allah turns to his Lord in the middle of the dark night, and whispers to Him, Allah establishes His light in his heart . . . then He tells the angels: O my angels, look at my servant. He has turned to Me in the middle of the dark night while the false ones are playing, and the heedless ones are sleeping; bear witness that I have forgiven him”.
Narrated ‘Aisha: Allah’s Apostle sallallahu alayhi wasallam used to offer eleven Raka'at and that was his prayer. He used to prolong the prostration to such an extent that one could recite fifty verses (of the Quran) before he would lift his head. He used to pray two Raka'at (Sunna) before the Fajr prayer and then used to lie down on his right side till the call-maker came and informed him about the prayer. [Bukhari]
When the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam got up at night to offer the Tahajjud prayer, he used to say:
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ، لَكَ مُلْكُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْحَقُّ، وَوَعْدُكَ الْحَقُّ، وَلِقَاؤُكَ حَقٌّ، وَقَوْلُكَ حَقٌّ، وَالْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّبِيُّونَ حَقٌّ، وَمُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَقٌّ، وَالسَّاعَةُ حَقٌّ، اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ، وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْتُ، وَبِكَ خَاصَمْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ ـ أَوْ لاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
O Allah! All the praises are for you, You are the Holder of the Heavens and the Earth, And whatever is in them. All the praises are for You; You have the possession of the Heavens and the Earth And whatever is in them. All the praises are for You; You are the Light of the Heavens and the Earth And all the praises are for You; You are the King of the Heavens and the Earth; And all the praises are for You; You are the Truth and Your Promise is the truth, And to meet You is true, Your Word is the truth And Paradise is true And Hell is true And all the Prophets (Peace be upon them) are true; And Muhammad is true, And the Day of Resurrection is true. O Allah! I surrender (my will) to You; I believe in You and depend on You. And repent to You, And with Your help I argue (with my opponents, the non-believers) And I take You as a judge (to judge between us). Please forgive me my previous and future sins; And whatever I concealed or revealed and You are the One who make (some people) forward and (some) backward. There is none to be worshiped but you .
Sufyan said that `Abdul Karim Abu Umaiya added to the above, 'Wala haula Wala quwata illa billah' (There is neither might nor power except with Allah).
May Allah enable us to perform the night prayers sincerely and regularly. 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Allah told us in Surah Al Furqan another characteristics of His elect servants.
وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ ٱلْجَـٰهِلُونَ قَالُوا۟ سَلَـٰمًا ﴿٦٣﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَقِيَـٰمًا ﴿٦٤
And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace, (63) And those who spend [part of] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer] (64) [Quran, Al-Furqan 25:63-64]
The one who prays in the middle of the night, for sure he will have the level of taqwa and God consciousness. If you want to be the elect servants of Allah, you must have a dose of the night prayer every night.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to stand (in the prayer) or pray till both his feet or legs swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable prayer) and he said, “should I not be a thankful slave.” [Bukhari]
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said that: “When the servant of Allah turns to his Lord in the middle of the dark night, and whispers to Him, Allah establishes His light in his heart . . . then He tells the angels: O my angels, look at my servant. He has turned to Me in the middle of the dark night while the false ones are playing, and the heedless ones are sleeping; bear witness that I have forgiven him”.
Narrated ‘Aisha: Allah’s Apostle sallallahu alayhi wasallam used to offer eleven Raka'at and that was his prayer. He used to prolong the prostration to such an extent that one could recite fifty verses (of the Quran) before he would lift his head. He used to pray two Raka'at (Sunna) before the Fajr prayer and then used to lie down on his right side till the call-maker came and informed him about the prayer. [Bukhari]
When the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam got up at night to offer the Tahajjud prayer, he used to say:
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ، لَكَ مُلْكُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْحَقُّ، وَوَعْدُكَ الْحَقُّ، وَلِقَاؤُكَ حَقٌّ، وَقَوْلُكَ حَقٌّ، وَالْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّبِيُّونَ حَقٌّ، وَمُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَقٌّ، وَالسَّاعَةُ حَقٌّ، اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ، وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْتُ، وَبِكَ خَاصَمْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ ـ أَوْ لاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
O Allah! All the praises are for you, You are the Holder of the Heavens and the Earth, And whatever is in them. All the praises are for You; You have the possession of the Heavens and the Earth And whatever is in them. All the praises are for You; You are the Light of the Heavens and the Earth And all the praises are for You; You are the King of the Heavens and the Earth; And all the praises are for You; You are the Truth and Your Promise is the truth, And to meet You is true, Your Word is the truth And Paradise is true And Hell is true And all the Prophets (Peace be upon them) are true; And Muhammad is true, And the Day of Resurrection is true. O Allah! I surrender (my will) to You; I believe in You and depend on You. And repent to You, And with Your help I argue (with my opponents, the non-believers) And I take You as a judge (to judge between us). Please forgive me my previous and future sins; And whatever I concealed or revealed and You are the One who make (some people) forward and (some) backward. There is none to be worshiped but you .
Sufyan said that `Abdul Karim Abu Umaiya added to the above, 'Wala haula Wala quwata illa billah' (There is neither might nor power except with Allah).
May Allah enable us to perform the night prayers sincerely and regularly. 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
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Who Are The Real Servants Of Allah?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Al Furqan, Allah explicitly told us who are His real servants. The number one characteristic of His servants is humility.
وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ ٱلْجَـٰهِلُونَ قَالُوا۟ سَلَـٰمًا ﴿٦٣
And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace, [Quran, Al Furqan 24:63]
This world is full with people with bad character (akhlaq) and terrible ego. What is the reponse of the servants of Allah towards these people? They don't stoop to their level, they don't speak with vulgarities or cursing. When the ignoramus or foolish person confronts them, they say peace and let it go. When we employ these characteristics, we will gain the hearts and the minds of these so many foolish people. When you resort to their level they will overcome you because they have more experience than you in harshness and foolishness. But if you maintain the higher moral ground, the sincere among them will come to you.
We are constantly told to better ourselves. Let's begin with our manners.
May Allah make us of those with good manners and grant us noble character. 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Al Furqan, Allah explicitly told us who are His real servants. The number one characteristic of His servants is humility.
وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ ٱلْجَـٰهِلُونَ قَالُوا۟ سَلَـٰمًا ﴿٦٣
And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace, [Quran, Al Furqan 24:63]
This world is full with people with bad character (akhlaq) and terrible ego. What is the reponse of the servants of Allah towards these people? They don't stoop to their level, they don't speak with vulgarities or cursing. When the ignoramus or foolish person confronts them, they say peace and let it go. When we employ these characteristics, we will gain the hearts and the minds of these so many foolish people. When you resort to their level they will overcome you because they have more experience than you in harshness and foolishness. But if you maintain the higher moral ground, the sincere among them will come to you.
We are constantly told to better ourselves. Let's begin with our manners.
May Allah make us of those with good manners and grant us noble character. 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, June 7, 2020
People of Intelligence (Ulul Al Bab)
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Ulul al bab are the ones who are doing good -- the people who are intelligent enough to worship Allah. They are those who turn to Allah and listen to the Quran and follow it. Allah praises ulul al bab many times in the Quran.
فَبَشِّرْ عِبَادِ ﴿١٧﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ ٱلْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُۥٓ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمْ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿١٨﴾
So give good tidings to My servants (17) Who listen to speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones Allah has guided, and those are people of understanding. (18) [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:18]
The people of intelligence is not the holder of high certificates, degrees or academic titles, rather he is the one who has a combination of knowledge, strong and deep Iman, obedience to his Creator and constantly in acts of worship. These are the people of intelligence whom Allah describes as incomparable to others when He says,
أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَـٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَآئِمًا يَحْذَرُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا۟ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِۦ ۗ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿٩
Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding. [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:9]
There are many types of intelligence but the real intelligence is what the Quran praises.
Intelligence can be manifested in every single field --- in Mathematics, Engineering, Agriculture, Physics, Computers and Technlogy, etc, but the ultimate intelligence which is far more precious and useful than any type of intelligence, in fact all of them combined, is the intelligence of recognizing your Creator and the intelligence of worshiping Allah.
The one who knows how to get to the moon and back but hasn’t discovered his own purpose in life is truly not really intelligent. The one who can solve the most abstract equations and doesn’t know who created the universe that person’s intelligence has failed him.
The Muslim who might not know all of this fancy stuff of the world but knows why he is here, knows who created him, knows what is going to happen after this life and prepare for that Day, these are the real people of intelligence.
So do not be deluded by those who might have an intelligence of some facet of this world or those with worldly positions and power but do not understand the purpose of life.
May Allah make us of the ulul al bab. 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Ulul al bab are the ones who are doing good -- the people who are intelligent enough to worship Allah. They are those who turn to Allah and listen to the Quran and follow it. Allah praises ulul al bab many times in the Quran.
فَبَشِّرْ عِبَادِ ﴿١٧﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ ٱلْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُۥٓ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمْ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿١٨﴾
So give good tidings to My servants (17) Who listen to speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones Allah has guided, and those are people of understanding. (18) [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:18]
The people of intelligence is not the holder of high certificates, degrees or academic titles, rather he is the one who has a combination of knowledge, strong and deep Iman, obedience to his Creator and constantly in acts of worship. These are the people of intelligence whom Allah describes as incomparable to others when He says,
أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَـٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَآئِمًا يَحْذَرُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا۟ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِۦ ۗ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿٩
Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding. [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:9]
There are many types of intelligence but the real intelligence is what the Quran praises.
Intelligence can be manifested in every single field --- in Mathematics, Engineering, Agriculture, Physics, Computers and Technlogy, etc, but the ultimate intelligence which is far more precious and useful than any type of intelligence, in fact all of them combined, is the intelligence of recognizing your Creator and the intelligence of worshiping Allah.
The one who knows how to get to the moon and back but hasn’t discovered his own purpose in life is truly not really intelligent. The one who can solve the most abstract equations and doesn’t know who created the universe that person’s intelligence has failed him.
The Muslim who might not know all of this fancy stuff of the world but knows why he is here, knows who created him, knows what is going to happen after this life and prepare for that Day, these are the real people of intelligence.
So do not be deluded by those who might have an intelligence of some facet of this world or those with worldly positions and power but do not understand the purpose of life.
May Allah make us of the ulul al bab. 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, June 5, 2020
After Hardship and Calamity
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Az-Zumar, Allah criticizes neglecting or rejecting Him after a blessing has been given. When people are in pain or in difficulty, they constantly call on Allah. Once they get what they want, they turn to other than Allah.
وَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ ضُرٌّ دَعَا رَبَّهُۥ مُنِيبًا إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلَهُۥ نِعْمَةً مِّنْهُ نَسِىَ مَا كَانَ يَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ مِن قَبْلُ وَجَعَلَ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا لِّيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ ۚ قُلْ تَمَتَّعْ بِكُفْرِكَ قَلِيلًا ۖ إِنَّكَ مِنْ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلنَّارِ ﴿٨
And when adversity touches man, he calls upon his Lord, turning to Him [alone]; then when He bestows on him a favor from Himself, he forgets Him whom he called upon before, and he attributes to Allah equals to mislead [people] from His way. Say, "Enjoy your disbelief for a little; indeed, you are of the companions of the Fire." [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:8]
When the calamity is lifted, instead of thanking Allah, they attribute to their knowledge -- knowing what to do or getting the right help. They don’t realize that everything that happen is by the will of Allah. It is Allah who saves them from the calamity.
فَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ ضُرٌّ دَعَانَا ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلْنَـٰهُ نِعْمَةً مِّنَّا قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍۭ ۚ بَلْ هِىَ فِتْنَةٌ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٤٩
And when adversity touches man, he calls upon Us; then when We bestow on him a favor from Us, he says, "I have only been given it because of [my] knowledge." Rather, it is a trial, but most of them do not know. [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:49]
Being saved from calamity was itself a test in calamity to see how you react. Never take credit for having saved yourself from any situation. It is Allah who saves. Those mechanisms came from Allah.
May Allah save us from the trials and tribulations of this life and the next and make us of the grateful. 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Az-Zumar, Allah criticizes neglecting or rejecting Him after a blessing has been given. When people are in pain or in difficulty, they constantly call on Allah. Once they get what they want, they turn to other than Allah.
وَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ ضُرٌّ دَعَا رَبَّهُۥ مُنِيبًا إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلَهُۥ نِعْمَةً مِّنْهُ نَسِىَ مَا كَانَ يَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ مِن قَبْلُ وَجَعَلَ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا لِّيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ ۚ قُلْ تَمَتَّعْ بِكُفْرِكَ قَلِيلًا ۖ إِنَّكَ مِنْ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلنَّارِ ﴿٨
And when adversity touches man, he calls upon his Lord, turning to Him [alone]; then when He bestows on him a favor from Himself, he forgets Him whom he called upon before, and he attributes to Allah equals to mislead [people] from His way. Say, "Enjoy your disbelief for a little; indeed, you are of the companions of the Fire." [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:8]
When the calamity is lifted, instead of thanking Allah, they attribute to their knowledge -- knowing what to do or getting the right help. They don’t realize that everything that happen is by the will of Allah. It is Allah who saves them from the calamity.
فَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ ضُرٌّ دَعَانَا ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلْنَـٰهُ نِعْمَةً مِّنَّا قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍۭ ۚ بَلْ هِىَ فِتْنَةٌ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٤٩
And when adversity touches man, he calls upon Us; then when We bestow on him a favor from Us, he says, "I have only been given it because of [my] knowledge." Rather, it is a trial, but most of them do not know. [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:49]
Being saved from calamity was itself a test in calamity to see how you react. Never take credit for having saved yourself from any situation. It is Allah who saves. Those mechanisms came from Allah.
May Allah save us from the trials and tribulations of this life and the next and make us of the grateful. 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, June 4, 2020
Perfecting Our Faith (Iman)
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Allah Most High says,
إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ ﴿١٣
Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. [Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:13]
Surah Al-Hujurat is about perfecting one’s Faith (Iman). The more Iman you have the better your manners are. So, learn and try your best to implement the manners in this Surah.
1. Submit to Allah and His Messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam
O you who have believed, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet or be loud to him in speech like the loudness of some of you to others, lest your deeds become worthless while you perceive not. [Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:2]
If we are not allowed to raise our voices above the voice of the Prophet sallallahu alayi wasallam, what do you think of sombody who think his opinion is better than the verdict of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam? Be careful and submit to Allah and His Messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam and that will be your ultimate success.
2. Learn to be patient
And if they had been patient until you [could] come out to them, it would have been better for them. But Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. [Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:5]
3. Always ask Allah for His forgiveness
4. Verify information with trustworthy people
O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful. [Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:6]
5. Love Iman and obedience. Hate disbelief, defiance and disobedience
... but Allah has endeared to you the faith and has made it pleasing in your hearts and has made hateful to you disbelief, defiance and disobedience. Those are the [rightly] guided. (7) [It is] as bounty from Allah and favor. And Allah is Knowing and Wise. [Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:8]
6. Bring reconciliation between two believers.
If two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight against the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allah. And if it returns, then make settlement between them in justice and act justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly. The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.[Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:9-10]
Muslim has a duty to bring together two fighting brothers. Anyone whom you know, of your friends and relatives, who are not getting along it is your job as a good Muslim to bring about some type of reconciliation between them. The Book of hadiths mention that you are allowed to give white lie (say a little bit of gentle positive things about the other to the other person) in order to bring them together again because unity is more important.
7. Don't let people ridicule or insult another people.
Do not let a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers. [Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:11]
8. Avoid much [negative] assumption and do not spy or backbite each other.
O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful. (12) [Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:12]
If our Islamic society start implementing this basic level of Surah Hujurat, all the scandal, backstabbing and gossips will be minimal. Most of our societal and family problems is because some of these rules are not being followed. If we follow these rules, society will be peaceful.
9. Strive with your properties and your lives in the cause of Allah.
The believers are only the ones who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful. [Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:15]
May Allah make us of the righteous and bring peace to our hearts, our families, societies and the Ummah. 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Allah Most High says,
إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ ﴿١٣
Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. [Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:13]
Surah Al-Hujurat is about perfecting one’s Faith (Iman). The more Iman you have the better your manners are. So, learn and try your best to implement the manners in this Surah.
1. Submit to Allah and His Messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam
O you who have believed, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet or be loud to him in speech like the loudness of some of you to others, lest your deeds become worthless while you perceive not. [Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:2]
If we are not allowed to raise our voices above the voice of the Prophet sallallahu alayi wasallam, what do you think of sombody who think his opinion is better than the verdict of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam? Be careful and submit to Allah and His Messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam and that will be your ultimate success.
2. Learn to be patient
And if they had been patient until you [could] come out to them, it would have been better for them. But Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. [Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:5]
3. Always ask Allah for His forgiveness
4. Verify information with trustworthy people
O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful. [Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:6]
5. Love Iman and obedience. Hate disbelief, defiance and disobedience
... but Allah has endeared to you the faith and has made it pleasing in your hearts and has made hateful to you disbelief, defiance and disobedience. Those are the [rightly] guided. (7) [It is] as bounty from Allah and favor. And Allah is Knowing and Wise. [Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:8]
6. Bring reconciliation between two believers.
If two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight against the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allah. And if it returns, then make settlement between them in justice and act justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly. The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.[Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:9-10]
Muslim has a duty to bring together two fighting brothers. Anyone whom you know, of your friends and relatives, who are not getting along it is your job as a good Muslim to bring about some type of reconciliation between them. The Book of hadiths mention that you are allowed to give white lie (say a little bit of gentle positive things about the other to the other person) in order to bring them together again because unity is more important.
7. Don't let people ridicule or insult another people.
Do not let a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers. [Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:11]
8. Avoid much [negative] assumption and do not spy or backbite each other.
O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful. (12) [Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:12]
If our Islamic society start implementing this basic level of Surah Hujurat, all the scandal, backstabbing and gossips will be minimal. Most of our societal and family problems is because some of these rules are not being followed. If we follow these rules, society will be peaceful.
9. Strive with your properties and your lives in the cause of Allah.
The believers are only the ones who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful. [Quran, Al-Hujurat 49:15]
May Allah make us of the righteous and bring peace to our hearts, our families, societies and the Ummah. 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
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Hope For Allah's Mercy
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Our diversity is no coincidence. Some of us have more than others. This is from the wisdom of Allah. He is the One who has allocated the rizq and wealth for each one of us. He decides who gets what and He knows who to give it to. Every single person has something to give and something that he needs from others. Even the wealthiest person need others to do something for him. Those people that are hired need the wealth of the wealthy person. All professions need other professions. Each one of them will take others for employment.
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
Do they distribute the mercy of your Lord? It is We who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of this world and have raised some of them above others in degrees [of rank] that they may make use of one another for service. But the mercy of your Lord is better than whatever they accumulate. [Quran, Az-Zukhruf 43:42]
Allah reminds, indeed some of us will have more than others, but all of this is irrelevant because this world means nothing. It is the mercy of Allah that is infinitely better than all that we can possibly have in this world. So whatever your socio-economic rank might be in this world, it is irrelevant. It doesn’t matter where you are at in this dunya, the mercy of Allah and who get to the mercy of Allah has nothing to do with your bank account. In fact, the more you have potentially the more difficult to earn Jannah because of the distractions that could make you lose sight on the big prize -- Jannah.
O Allah, we ask You for Your Mercy and forgiveness for ourselves, our loved ones, and the Ummah. O Allah grant us relief from this pandemic that has caused so much hardship and grief all over the world. 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Our diversity is no coincidence. Some of us have more than others. This is from the wisdom of Allah. He is the One who has allocated the rizq and wealth for each one of us. He decides who gets what and He knows who to give it to. Every single person has something to give and something that he needs from others. Even the wealthiest person need others to do something for him. Those people that are hired need the wealth of the wealthy person. All professions need other professions. Each one of them will take others for employment.
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
Do they distribute the mercy of your Lord? It is We who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of this world and have raised some of them above others in degrees [of rank] that they may make use of one another for service. But the mercy of your Lord is better than whatever they accumulate. [Quran, Az-Zukhruf 43:42]
Allah reminds, indeed some of us will have more than others, but all of this is irrelevant because this world means nothing. It is the mercy of Allah that is infinitely better than all that we can possibly have in this world. So whatever your socio-economic rank might be in this world, it is irrelevant. It doesn’t matter where you are at in this dunya, the mercy of Allah and who get to the mercy of Allah has nothing to do with your bank account. In fact, the more you have potentially the more difficult to earn Jannah because of the distractions that could make you lose sight on the big prize -- Jannah.
O Allah, we ask You for Your Mercy and forgiveness for ourselves, our loved ones, and the Ummah. O Allah grant us relief from this pandemic that has caused so much hardship and grief all over the world. 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, June 1, 2020
Righteousness -- Being Good With Your Rituals and Being a Good Person Overall
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Throughout the entire Quran, righteousness is about your rituals and your compassion towards others. Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs in Jannah. So, be good with your rituals, be a good person to others, and be a good person overall.
إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍ وَعُيُونٍ ﴿١٥﴾ ءَاخِذِينَ مَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَبْلَ ذَٰلِكَ مُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١٦﴾ كَانُوا۟ قَلِيلًا مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ ﴿١٧﴾ وَبِٱلْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ ﴿١٨﴾ وَفِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ حَقٌّ لِّلسَّآئِلِ وَٱلْمَحْرُومِ ﴿١٩﴾
Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs, (15) Accepting what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that doers of good. (16) They used to sleep but little of the night, (17) And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness, (18) And from their properties was [given] the right of the [needy] petitioner and the deprived. (19) [Quran, Adh-Dhariyat 51:15-19]
May Allah make us of the righteous and open up our hearts and minds to listen to the Message. 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Throughout the entire Quran, righteousness is about your rituals and your compassion towards others. Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs in Jannah. So, be good with your rituals, be a good person to others, and be a good person overall.
إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍ وَعُيُونٍ ﴿١٥﴾ ءَاخِذِينَ مَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَبْلَ ذَٰلِكَ مُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١٦﴾ كَانُوا۟ قَلِيلًا مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ ﴿١٧﴾ وَبِٱلْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ ﴿١٨﴾ وَفِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ حَقٌّ لِّلسَّآئِلِ وَٱلْمَحْرُومِ ﴿١٩﴾
Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs, (15) Accepting what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that doers of good. (16) They used to sleep but little of the night, (17) And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness, (18) And from their properties was [given] the right of the [needy] petitioner and the deprived. (19) [Quran, Adh-Dhariyat 51:15-19]
May Allah make us of the righteous and open up our hearts and minds to listen to the Message. 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
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