بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Allah mentions in the Quran that dhikr of Allah should be done frequently. Dhikr means to remember. Everybody can remember Allah once in a while but people wo are going to Paradise are those who remember Allah a lot ( كَثِيرًا ). Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says in the Quran,
... وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّـهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّـهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا ﴿٣٥
... and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward. [Quran, Al Ahzab 33;35]
During these days of hajj, let's mention the Name of Allah a lot.
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala mentions this twice in Surah Al Hajj,
وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنسَكًا لِّيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّـهِ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّن بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ ۗ فَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَلَهُ أَسْلِمُوا ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُخْبِتِينَ ﴿٣٤
And for all religion We have appointed a rite [of sacrifice] that they may mention the name of Allah over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. For your god is one God, so to Him submit. And, [O Muhammad], give good tidings to the humble [before their Lord] [Quran, Al Hajj 22:34]
لِّيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّـهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَّعْلُومَاتٍ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّن بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ ۖ فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْبَائِسَ الْفَقِيرَ ﴿٢٨
That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor. [Quran, Al Hajj 22:28]
May Allah make us of those who are constantly doing dhikr of Allah. 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, July 31, 2020
Thursday, July 30, 2020
First 10 Days Of Dhul-Hijjah -- Recite And Ponder UponThe Quran
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
One of the easiest door to Paradise is the door of recitation of Quran. It is a door that once you enter it you yourself will enjoy it. It will not become an act of mundance worship but an act of spiritually pleasing to you. It is one of the most invigorating acts of worship and that is the pure blessed reciting act of reciting the Quran for the sake of Allah.
When Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was building the Ka'aba for the first time, he made a du'a to Allah to send among his progeny a messenger who will recite the verses to them and teach them the Book.
رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿١٢٩
Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise." [Quran, Al Baqarah 2:169]
Of course it was the fulfillment of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam coming with the Quran.
لَقَدْ مَنَّ اللَّـهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُوا مِن قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿١٦٤﴾
Certainly did Allah confer [great] favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom, although they had been before in manifest error. [Quran, AleImran 4:164]
The Quran is the biggest blessing that Allah has been given to us.
الرَّحْمَـٰنُ ﴿١﴾ عَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ ﴿٢﴾ خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ ﴿٣﴾ عَلَّمَهُ الْبَيَانَ ﴿٤
The Most Merciful (1) Taught the Qur'an, (2) Created man, (3) [And] taught him eloquence. (4) [Quran, Ar-Rahman 55:1-4]
Notice the order of the verses. The Quran is mentioned first, then man. The Quran is a bigger blessing than the creation of mankind. Our existence is predicated upon the existence of the Quran. There would be no point to create us if there would be no Quran. Allah already revealed the Quran before man was created.
Allah reminds us in the Quran that He is worthy of being praised because He has revealed the Quran to us. He is worthy of being worshipped and one of the reasons why we worship Allah is because He has revealed the Quran to us.
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّـهِ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ الْكِتَابَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُ عِوَجًا ۜ ﴿١
[All] praise is [due] to Allah, who has sent down upon His Servant the Book and has not made therein any deviance.
تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ الْفُرْقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ لِيَكُونَ لِلْعَالَمِينَ نَذِيرًا ﴿١
Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion upon His Servant that he may be to the worlds a warner - [Quran, Al Furqan 25:1]
Allah praises the Quran. He has revealed the best of all speeches. It is the Book that is complementary, a Book that each part supports the other parts.
اللَّـهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابًا مُّتَشَابِهًا مَّثَانِيَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّـهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى اللَّـهِ يَهْدِي بِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللَّـهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ ﴿٢٣﴾
Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah by which He guides whom He wills. And one whom Allah leaves astray - for him there is no guide. [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:23]
Allah describes the Quran as guidance and the source of cure and healing for mankind and mercy for the believers.
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا ﴿٨٢
And We send down of the Qur'an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss. [Quran, Al Isra' 17:82]
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٥٧﴾ قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّـهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ ﴿٥٨
O mankind, there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers. Say, "In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy - in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate." [Quran, Yunus 10:57-58]
We should be happy for ِِِِِِAllah's revelation of the Quran. Of the signs of the believers are that they rejoice in the recitation of the Quran.
The Prophet sallallahu layhi wasallam commanded us to be happy at the existence of the Quran because one part of it is in your hands and another part of it is in the hands of Allah. So as long as you hold on to it you shall never go astray after it. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam is telling us that the Quran is a direct link between us and Allah.
The Quran is the spiritual food of mankind. By reading the Quran our Iman is reinvigorated. The Quran is Light that takes away the darkness of shirk, dhulm, prejudice, and ignorance. It guides us to the Light of Tauhid and the Light of Islam.
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَكُم بُرْهَانٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكُمْ نُورًا مُّبِينًا ﴿١٧٤
O mankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light. [Quran, An-Nisa 4:174]
The Quran has been described as a clear light. That is why reciting the Quran increases our own light and takes away our own doubts. Nothing brings peace to the heart like the recitation of the Quran. Nothing reinvigorates our iman like opening up the Book of Allah and constantly reciting it.
This why the command to recite the Quran occurs in many verses and many hadiths. Reciting the Quran is one of the best actions of worship.
There are Ten Rewards for Every Letter Recited from the Quran
“Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward, and this reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that 'Alif, Lam, Meem' (a combination of letters frequently mentioned in the Holy Quran) is a letter, rather I am saying that ‘Alif’ is a letter, ‘Lam’ is a letter and ‘Meem’ is a letter.” [At-Tirmithi] So increase your recitation of the Quran to gain these merits, as well as the following ones.
The Reciters of the Quran Will Be in the Company of the Noble and Obedient Angels
Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her related that the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wasallam said: “Indeed the one who recites the Quran beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. As for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have twice that reward.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The People of the Quran are from Best of People
‘Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him said that the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wasallam said: “The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it to others.” [Al-Bukhari]
The Quran will intercede for us on the Day of Judgment
Abu Umamah may Allah be pleased with him related that the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wasallam said: “Read the Quran, for indeed it will come on the Day of Standing (Judgment) as an intercessor for its companions.” [Muslim]
The Quran Raises One's Status in this Life and the next.
In Saheeh Muslim, we find a wonderful story about how a man from the people of Paradise, ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab may Allah be pleased with him understood this principle. The story is that once, some men came to question him during his reign as caliph regarding the leadership of Makkah. The men asked: “Who do you use to govern Makkah?” He said: “Ibn Abzaa.” They asked: “And who is Ibn Abzaa?” ‘Umar replied: “A freed slave from those we freed.” They remarked: “You left a freed slave in command of the People of the Valley (the noble tribes of the Quraysh)?” He replied: “Indeed he is a reciter of the Book of Allah and is knowledgeable about the obligations of the Muslims. Haven’t you heard the statement of your Messenger sallallaahu alayhi wasallam: “Verily Allah raises some people by this Book and lowers others by it””?
One’s Position and Rank in Paradise is Determined by the Amount of Quran He Memorised in this Life
‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘Aas may Allah be pleased with him heard the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wasallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) saying: “It will be said to the companion of the Quran: 'Read and elevate (through the levels of Paradise) and beautify your voice as you did when you were in the worldly life! For verily, your position in Paradise will be at the last verse you recite!’” [Abu Dawood and At-Tirmithi]
The Quran Leads to Paradise
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,
إِنَّ هَـٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا ﴿٩
Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward. [Quran, Al Isra' 17:9]
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “The Quran is an intercessor - something given permission to intercede, and it is rightfully believed in. Whoever puts it in front of him, it will lead him to Paradise; whoever puts it behind him, it will steer him to the Hellfire.” [At-Tabarani]
The Book of Allah is unlike any other; it is the timeless Speech of Allah, and not a created thing. It is the study guide for life, death, and what follows. Therefore, it deserves a far more careful study than anyone else’s speech.
To reflect upon the verses of Allah is a form of worship; it is something that will draw one close to Allah, Most High. This reflection is not a reckless and wandering one, rather, it includes a study of the classical Tafseer (exegesis) of the verses being pondered over. Allah, Most High, says in the Quran,
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ ۚ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ اللَّـهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا ﴿٨٢
Then do they not reflect upon the Quran? If it had been from [any] other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction. [Quran, An-Nisa' 4:82]
Reading and Reflecting Over the Quran Fulfils an Islamic Duty
The Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wasallam summarised this religion with his statement: “The religion (of Islam) is naseehah (offering sincere advice)!” Tameem bin Aws, may Allah be pleased with him said: “We asked, ‘To whom?’” He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) replied: “To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the people, and to their subjects.” [Muslim]
The sincerity that is due to the Book of Allah includes its regular recitation, learning the rules of Tajweed (the recitation of the Quran, according to specified rules) and reciting it beautifully, learning about its Tafseer and the reasons for its revelation, affirming that it is the truth, the perfect Speech of Allah and not part of the creation, honouring it and defending it, abiding by the orders and prohibitions found in it, and teaching it and calling to it.
Make the Quran a regular routine of your life and increase the knowledge of it.
Learn how to recite the Quran with Tajweed. Find a Quran teacher because you will enjoy learning the rules of tajweed and learning to implement them. Listen to good recitation of the Quran. Increase reciting the Quran and listening to the Quran are two seperate good deeds. Each one of them has their own reward.
Let no day goes by except that you recite the Quran and begin memorize the Quran bit by bit and reflect upon the verses. Each one of this is a blessing in of itself. Each one these are different act of worship but interconnected because once you start one of them, automatically you will be going to increase on all of them.
Let us be of the people of Quran whom Allah loves.
May Allah make us of the people of the Quran and be amongst the people 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
One of the easiest door to Paradise is the door of recitation of Quran. It is a door that once you enter it you yourself will enjoy it. It will not become an act of mundance worship but an act of spiritually pleasing to you. It is one of the most invigorating acts of worship and that is the pure blessed reciting act of reciting the Quran for the sake of Allah.
When Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was building the Ka'aba for the first time, he made a du'a to Allah to send among his progeny a messenger who will recite the verses to them and teach them the Book.
رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿١٢٩
Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise." [Quran, Al Baqarah 2:169]
Of course it was the fulfillment of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam coming with the Quran.
لَقَدْ مَنَّ اللَّـهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُوا مِن قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿١٦٤﴾
Certainly did Allah confer [great] favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom, although they had been before in manifest error. [Quran, AleImran 4:164]
The Quran is the biggest blessing that Allah has been given to us.
الرَّحْمَـٰنُ ﴿١﴾ عَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ ﴿٢﴾ خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ ﴿٣﴾ عَلَّمَهُ الْبَيَانَ ﴿٤
The Most Merciful (1) Taught the Qur'an, (2) Created man, (3) [And] taught him eloquence. (4) [Quran, Ar-Rahman 55:1-4]
Notice the order of the verses. The Quran is mentioned first, then man. The Quran is a bigger blessing than the creation of mankind. Our existence is predicated upon the existence of the Quran. There would be no point to create us if there would be no Quran. Allah already revealed the Quran before man was created.
Allah reminds us in the Quran that He is worthy of being praised because He has revealed the Quran to us. He is worthy of being worshipped and one of the reasons why we worship Allah is because He has revealed the Quran to us.
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّـهِ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ الْكِتَابَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُ عِوَجًا ۜ ﴿١
[All] praise is [due] to Allah, who has sent down upon His Servant the Book and has not made therein any deviance.
تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ الْفُرْقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ لِيَكُونَ لِلْعَالَمِينَ نَذِيرًا ﴿١
Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion upon His Servant that he may be to the worlds a warner - [Quran, Al Furqan 25:1]
Allah praises the Quran. He has revealed the best of all speeches. It is the Book that is complementary, a Book that each part supports the other parts.
اللَّـهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابًا مُّتَشَابِهًا مَّثَانِيَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّـهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى اللَّـهِ يَهْدِي بِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللَّـهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ ﴿٢٣﴾
Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah by which He guides whom He wills. And one whom Allah leaves astray - for him there is no guide. [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:23]
Allah describes the Quran as guidance and the source of cure and healing for mankind and mercy for the believers.
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا ﴿٨٢
And We send down of the Qur'an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss. [Quran, Al Isra' 17:82]
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٥٧﴾ قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّـهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ ﴿٥٨
O mankind, there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers. Say, "In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy - in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate." [Quran, Yunus 10:57-58]
We should be happy for ِِِِِِAllah's revelation of the Quran. Of the signs of the believers are that they rejoice in the recitation of the Quran.
The Prophet sallallahu layhi wasallam commanded us to be happy at the existence of the Quran because one part of it is in your hands and another part of it is in the hands of Allah. So as long as you hold on to it you shall never go astray after it. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam is telling us that the Quran is a direct link between us and Allah.
The Quran is the spiritual food of mankind. By reading the Quran our Iman is reinvigorated. The Quran is Light that takes away the darkness of shirk, dhulm, prejudice, and ignorance. It guides us to the Light of Tauhid and the Light of Islam.
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَكُم بُرْهَانٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكُمْ نُورًا مُّبِينًا ﴿١٧٤
O mankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light. [Quran, An-Nisa 4:174]
The Quran has been described as a clear light. That is why reciting the Quran increases our own light and takes away our own doubts. Nothing brings peace to the heart like the recitation of the Quran. Nothing reinvigorates our iman like opening up the Book of Allah and constantly reciting it.
This why the command to recite the Quran occurs in many verses and many hadiths. Reciting the Quran is one of the best actions of worship.
There are Ten Rewards for Every Letter Recited from the Quran
“Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward, and this reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that 'Alif, Lam, Meem' (a combination of letters frequently mentioned in the Holy Quran) is a letter, rather I am saying that ‘Alif’ is a letter, ‘Lam’ is a letter and ‘Meem’ is a letter.” [At-Tirmithi] So increase your recitation of the Quran to gain these merits, as well as the following ones.
The Reciters of the Quran Will Be in the Company of the Noble and Obedient Angels
Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her related that the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wasallam said: “Indeed the one who recites the Quran beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. As for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have twice that reward.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The People of the Quran are from Best of People
‘Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him said that the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wasallam said: “The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it to others.” [Al-Bukhari]
The Quran will intercede for us on the Day of Judgment
Abu Umamah may Allah be pleased with him related that the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wasallam said: “Read the Quran, for indeed it will come on the Day of Standing (Judgment) as an intercessor for its companions.” [Muslim]
The Quran Raises One's Status in this Life and the next.
In Saheeh Muslim, we find a wonderful story about how a man from the people of Paradise, ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab may Allah be pleased with him understood this principle. The story is that once, some men came to question him during his reign as caliph regarding the leadership of Makkah. The men asked: “Who do you use to govern Makkah?” He said: “Ibn Abzaa.” They asked: “And who is Ibn Abzaa?” ‘Umar replied: “A freed slave from those we freed.” They remarked: “You left a freed slave in command of the People of the Valley (the noble tribes of the Quraysh)?” He replied: “Indeed he is a reciter of the Book of Allah and is knowledgeable about the obligations of the Muslims. Haven’t you heard the statement of your Messenger sallallaahu alayhi wasallam: “Verily Allah raises some people by this Book and lowers others by it””?
One’s Position and Rank in Paradise is Determined by the Amount of Quran He Memorised in this Life
‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘Aas may Allah be pleased with him heard the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wasallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) saying: “It will be said to the companion of the Quran: 'Read and elevate (through the levels of Paradise) and beautify your voice as you did when you were in the worldly life! For verily, your position in Paradise will be at the last verse you recite!’” [Abu Dawood and At-Tirmithi]
The Quran Leads to Paradise
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,
إِنَّ هَـٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا ﴿٩
Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward. [Quran, Al Isra' 17:9]
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “The Quran is an intercessor - something given permission to intercede, and it is rightfully believed in. Whoever puts it in front of him, it will lead him to Paradise; whoever puts it behind him, it will steer him to the Hellfire.” [At-Tabarani]
The Book of Allah is unlike any other; it is the timeless Speech of Allah, and not a created thing. It is the study guide for life, death, and what follows. Therefore, it deserves a far more careful study than anyone else’s speech.
To reflect upon the verses of Allah is a form of worship; it is something that will draw one close to Allah, Most High. This reflection is not a reckless and wandering one, rather, it includes a study of the classical Tafseer (exegesis) of the verses being pondered over. Allah, Most High, says in the Quran,
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ ۚ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ اللَّـهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا ﴿٨٢
Then do they not reflect upon the Quran? If it had been from [any] other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction. [Quran, An-Nisa' 4:82]
Reading and Reflecting Over the Quran Fulfils an Islamic Duty
The Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wasallam summarised this religion with his statement: “The religion (of Islam) is naseehah (offering sincere advice)!” Tameem bin Aws, may Allah be pleased with him said: “We asked, ‘To whom?’” He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) replied: “To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the people, and to their subjects.” [Muslim]
The sincerity that is due to the Book of Allah includes its regular recitation, learning the rules of Tajweed (the recitation of the Quran, according to specified rules) and reciting it beautifully, learning about its Tafseer and the reasons for its revelation, affirming that it is the truth, the perfect Speech of Allah and not part of the creation, honouring it and defending it, abiding by the orders and prohibitions found in it, and teaching it and calling to it.
Make the Quran a regular routine of your life and increase the knowledge of it.
Learn how to recite the Quran with Tajweed. Find a Quran teacher because you will enjoy learning the rules of tajweed and learning to implement them. Listen to good recitation of the Quran. Increase reciting the Quran and listening to the Quran are two seperate good deeds. Each one of them has their own reward.
Let no day goes by except that you recite the Quran and begin memorize the Quran bit by bit and reflect upon the verses. Each one of this is a blessing in of itself. Each one these are different act of worship but interconnected because once you start one of them, automatically you will be going to increase on all of them.
Let us be of the people of Quran whom Allah loves.
May Allah make us of the people of the Quran and be amongst the people 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, July 29, 2020
First 10 Days Of Dhul-Hijjah -- Fulfilling The Ties Of Kinship
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Fulfilling the ties of kinship is one of the earliest commandments that came down to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. It is the essential part of our religion. Being good to one’s famiily and relatives is a reality that goes before our tradition. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,
وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّـهَ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنكُمْ وَأَنتُم مُّعْرِضُونَ ﴿٨٣
And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], "Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good (ihsaan) and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah." Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing. [Quran, Al Baqarah 2:83]
Of all the people that we should be good to, your parents are at the top. Right after that is your spouse and your children. Then your siblings, then your relatives and extended family. Your kin are the people who share the same ancestry with you in recent history. The closer the kinship the closer the right.
Fulfilling the ties of kinship is a duty. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاءً ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ وَالْأَرْحَامَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا ﴿١﴾
O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and (do not cut the relations of ) the wombs (kinship). Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer. [Quran, An-Nisa’ 4:1)
وَآتِ ذَا الْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُ وَالْمِسْكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرْ تَبْذِيرًا ﴿٢٦
And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully. [Quran, Al Isra’ 17:26]
Allah has warned us against cutting the ties of kinship,
وَالَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَ اللَّـهِ مِن بَعْدِ مِيثَاقِهِ وَيَقْطَعُونَ مَا أَمَرَ اللَّـهُ بِهِ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۙ أُولَـٰئِكَ لَهُمُ اللَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوءُ الدَّارِ ﴿٢٥up
But those who break the covenant of Allah after contracting it and sever that which Allah has ordered to be joined (i.e., they sever the bond of kinship and are not good to their relatives) and spread corruption on earth - for them is the curse, and they will have the worst home. [Quran, Al-Ra’d 13:25]
There are very few things that Allah curses in the Quran. What punishment could be worse than the curse and the evil home that awaits those who sever the ties of kinship?
Abu Hurayra radhiAllahu anhu said, “The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said,
“Allah created the universe, and when He had finished, kinship (al-rahm) stood up and said, “This is the standing up of one who seeks Your protection from being cut off.”
Allah said, “Yes, would it please you if I were to take care of those who take care of you and cut off those who cut you off?”
It said, “Of course.”
Allah said, “Then your prayer in granted.”’”
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Recite, if you wish (interpretation of the meaning): ‘Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? Such are they whom Allah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.’ [Quran, Muhammad 47:22-23).”
[Sahih Muslim bi Sharh al-Nawawi, 16/112].
Who is the one who fulfills the ties of kinship? This was explained by the Messenger sallallahu alayi wasallam when he said,
“The one who maintains a relationship with his relatives only because they maintain a relationship with him is not truly fulfills the ties of kinship. The one who truly fulfills those ties is the one who does so even if they break off the relationship.”[Bukhari]
If the relationship is merely one of returning favors and giving like in return for like, and not taking the initiative, then this is not fulfilling the ties of kinship, it is only responding in kind. Some people follow the principle of giving a gift in return for a gift, and visiting in return for a visit, so if someone does not give them a gift, they do not give him a gift, and if he does not visit them, they do not visit him. This is not what is meant by fulfilling the ties of kinship at all, and this is not what is required by Islam. This is merely responding in kind, it is not the higher degree which Islam urges us to reach. A man said to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam),
‘I have relatives with whom I try to keep in touch, but they cut me off. I treat them well, but they abuse me. I am patient and kind towards them, but they insult me.’
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said,
“If you are as you say, then it is as if you are putting hot dust in their mouths. Allah will continue to support you as long as you continue to do that.” [Muslim with commentary by al-Nawawi, 16/115].
Who could bear to put up with hot dust? We seek refuge with Allah from cutting off the ties of kinship. Aameen.
Aisha radhiAllahu anha reported Allah’s Messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam as saying,
The tie of kinship is suspended to the Throne and says: He who unites me Allah would unite him and he who severed me Allah would sever him. [Muslim]
Be very careful about keeping the ties of kinship. Every single family has issues and politics. This is the reality of life. You have to live with it and move on with it. You need to move on and heal those wounds. If there is a family member that is abusive and harming you, obviously we are not talking about that. Otherwise just sarcastic remarks and bad manners, this is part of the friction of life. This is ineveitable. Just as for sure you have been imperfect to other people’s relationship just as other people have been imperfect to you. But time heals all wounds. One of the ironies of life is that tragedies bring family together. Before that time comes, bring some reconcialition. Be the better of the two.
The main problem that happens between two family members that have an issue is ego. For some reason, ego becomes so big for family and not for other people. The ego should be smaller for family but seldom so. Make du’a and begin with positive gesture to mend the family relationship. The one who fulfills the ties of kinship, the one who mends the family relationship is the better of the two. Let us get there to that level.
The Prophet sallalalahu alayhi wasallam said, “Whoever wishes his rizq (provision/sustenance) be increased and his life be extended, then let him fulfill the ties of kinship.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
Who amongst us does not want to live a long life and who amongst us does not want more wealth? So, if you want to live longer, happier, healthier, then you be the better person for your family and be the kinder, gentler and the more compassionate to your family. That relative that you have an issue with, this is the perfect time to be the better of the two. Make the phone call, send a message on a positive note, and give a gift. Inshaa Allah you will see the reality of this hadith and Allah will bless you.
May Allah make us the better person of the two in any situation and make us of those who keep our families close to us at all times. 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
Fulfilling the ties of kinship is one of the earliest commandments that came down to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. It is the essential part of our religion. Being good to one’s famiily and relatives is a reality that goes before our tradition. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,
وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّـهَ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنكُمْ وَأَنتُم مُّعْرِضُونَ ﴿٨٣
And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], "Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good (ihsaan) and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah." Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing. [Quran, Al Baqarah 2:83]
Of all the people that we should be good to, your parents are at the top. Right after that is your spouse and your children. Then your siblings, then your relatives and extended family. Your kin are the people who share the same ancestry with you in recent history. The closer the kinship the closer the right.
Fulfilling the ties of kinship is a duty. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاءً ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ وَالْأَرْحَامَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا ﴿١﴾
O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and (do not cut the relations of ) the wombs (kinship). Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer. [Quran, An-Nisa’ 4:1)
وَآتِ ذَا الْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُ وَالْمِسْكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرْ تَبْذِيرًا ﴿٢٦
And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully. [Quran, Al Isra’ 17:26]
Allah has warned us against cutting the ties of kinship,
وَالَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَ اللَّـهِ مِن بَعْدِ مِيثَاقِهِ وَيَقْطَعُونَ مَا أَمَرَ اللَّـهُ بِهِ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۙ أُولَـٰئِكَ لَهُمُ اللَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوءُ الدَّارِ ﴿٢٥up
But those who break the covenant of Allah after contracting it and sever that which Allah has ordered to be joined (i.e., they sever the bond of kinship and are not good to their relatives) and spread corruption on earth - for them is the curse, and they will have the worst home. [Quran, Al-Ra’d 13:25]
There are very few things that Allah curses in the Quran. What punishment could be worse than the curse and the evil home that awaits those who sever the ties of kinship?
Abu Hurayra radhiAllahu anhu said, “The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said,
“Allah created the universe, and when He had finished, kinship (al-rahm) stood up and said, “This is the standing up of one who seeks Your protection from being cut off.”
Allah said, “Yes, would it please you if I were to take care of those who take care of you and cut off those who cut you off?”
It said, “Of course.”
Allah said, “Then your prayer in granted.”’”
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Recite, if you wish (interpretation of the meaning): ‘Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? Such are they whom Allah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.’ [Quran, Muhammad 47:22-23).”
[Sahih Muslim bi Sharh al-Nawawi, 16/112].
Who is the one who fulfills the ties of kinship? This was explained by the Messenger sallallahu alayi wasallam when he said,
“The one who maintains a relationship with his relatives only because they maintain a relationship with him is not truly fulfills the ties of kinship. The one who truly fulfills those ties is the one who does so even if they break off the relationship.”[Bukhari]
If the relationship is merely one of returning favors and giving like in return for like, and not taking the initiative, then this is not fulfilling the ties of kinship, it is only responding in kind. Some people follow the principle of giving a gift in return for a gift, and visiting in return for a visit, so if someone does not give them a gift, they do not give him a gift, and if he does not visit them, they do not visit him. This is not what is meant by fulfilling the ties of kinship at all, and this is not what is required by Islam. This is merely responding in kind, it is not the higher degree which Islam urges us to reach. A man said to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam),
‘I have relatives with whom I try to keep in touch, but they cut me off. I treat them well, but they abuse me. I am patient and kind towards them, but they insult me.’
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said,
“If you are as you say, then it is as if you are putting hot dust in their mouths. Allah will continue to support you as long as you continue to do that.” [Muslim with commentary by al-Nawawi, 16/115].
Who could bear to put up with hot dust? We seek refuge with Allah from cutting off the ties of kinship. Aameen.
Aisha radhiAllahu anha reported Allah’s Messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam as saying,
The tie of kinship is suspended to the Throne and says: He who unites me Allah would unite him and he who severed me Allah would sever him. [Muslim]
Be very careful about keeping the ties of kinship. Every single family has issues and politics. This is the reality of life. You have to live with it and move on with it. You need to move on and heal those wounds. If there is a family member that is abusive and harming you, obviously we are not talking about that. Otherwise just sarcastic remarks and bad manners, this is part of the friction of life. This is ineveitable. Just as for sure you have been imperfect to other people’s relationship just as other people have been imperfect to you. But time heals all wounds. One of the ironies of life is that tragedies bring family together. Before that time comes, bring some reconcialition. Be the better of the two.
The main problem that happens between two family members that have an issue is ego. For some reason, ego becomes so big for family and not for other people. The ego should be smaller for family but seldom so. Make du’a and begin with positive gesture to mend the family relationship. The one who fulfills the ties of kinship, the one who mends the family relationship is the better of the two. Let us get there to that level.
The Prophet sallalalahu alayhi wasallam said, “Whoever wishes his rizq (provision/sustenance) be increased and his life be extended, then let him fulfill the ties of kinship.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
Who amongst us does not want to live a long life and who amongst us does not want more wealth? So, if you want to live longer, happier, healthier, then you be the better person for your family and be the kinder, gentler and the more compassionate to your family. That relative that you have an issue with, this is the perfect time to be the better of the two. Make the phone call, send a message on a positive note, and give a gift. Inshaa Allah you will see the reality of this hadith and Allah will bless you.
May Allah make us the better person of the two in any situation and make us of those who keep our families close to us at all times. 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, July 27, 2020
First 10 Days of Dhul-Hijjah -- Good Manners With Parents
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
We can't repay our parents for what they have done for us but we can show good manners towards them.
Sa'id ibn Abi Burda said, "I heard my father say that Ibn 'Umar saw a Yamani man going around the House while carrying his mother on his back, saying, 'I am your humble camel. If her mount is frightened, I am not frightened.' Then he asked, 'Ibn 'Umar? Do you think that I have repaid her?' He replied, 'No, not even for a single groan.'
During Isra' and Mi'raj, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam saw a beautiful palace in Jannah. It was so beautiful that he wanted it for himself. He was told that the palace belongs to Haritha ibn Nu'man and that he was given the palace because he was good to his mother.
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam told Omar and Ali radhiallahu anhuma, about Uways Al Qarni of Yemen whom he never met. He told them if they find him, to ask him to ask Allah for their forgiveness. Uways reached this status with Allah because he was good to his mother.
Allah always pairs the rights of Himself with the rights of parents in multiple verses in the Quran. Whenever we come across verses or traditions about parents, we find that they all are based on dutifulness and benevolence. Even in the previous nations, the same ruling were given.
Allah commands us to treat our parents with ihsaan (excellence). Ihsaan means you give more right than it is due and you accept back less than the rights that are due to you. How we deal with them, how we talk with them, how we think of them, how we respond to them, what we want for them, keeping ties with them, all must be with ihsaan. We must always try to better our relationship with them, always try to make life easy for them, always try to give what they want and help them in the best of ways.
Parents are the biggest doors to Paradise while they are still alive. When one of them passed away, one door is closed. When both passed away, two doors are closed. A Companion was seen weeping after the death of his father and while being consoled, he said "I am crying because one door to Paradise is now closed for me."
Those of you who have parents that are still here, take advantage of this time. There is nothing more pleasing to Allah after your five daily prayers, than your ihsaan towards your parents. Be a part of their lives, show love to them, speak to them using honorable speech, address them gently and politely, call them up on a regular basis, visit them everyday if you live close to them (and try to live close to them). Do not trivialize the joy your parents will have when you call them or visit them. Perhaps there will come a time when you cannot call and visit them anymore. Consult them in your affairs, not do whatever you like, nor travel except after taking their permission, even if you don't depend on them anymore, don't argue with them, don't lie to them, don't make them angry. Nothing troubles parents more than being disobeyed and ignored by their children.
Even if your parents have passed away, there are still much you can do for them. This can be done by asking Allah's forgiveness and mercy for them, by giving charity on their behalf, visiting relatives they used to visit and keeping ties with their close friends and relatives (this will bring back good memories and the sweetnes of those days when they were still alive), being kind to their siblings especially their womenfolk, fulfilling the vows they made before their death, fulfilling any requests they had, giving sacrifice on their behalf, doing hajj or umrah on their behalf, reading Quran and gifting the reward to them, speak about them in good light.
These and similar good deeds please parents after their death, since they alleviate their sins and increase their good deeds. It was narrated: “The parents of a servant of Allah or one of them may die while he was unkind to them, but will later be regarded as a good son by Allah. This is because of his frequent supplication to Allah for them and his asking Allah's forgiveness of their sins”.
Do some regular good deeds for your parents in this first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. The least that can be done is to make du'a and istighfar for them especially during your sujuds, that is the least Allah asks us to do for our parents.
May Allah forgive our parents and shower them with His mercy, and make us righteous children to our parents. Aameen.
وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا ﴿٢٣﴾ وَٱخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ ٱلذُّلِّ مِنَ ٱلرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱرْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِى صَغِيرًا ﴿٢٤
And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, excellence (excellent treatment). Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. (23) And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small." (24)
[Quran, Al-Isra’ 17:23-24]
... وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا۟ بِهِۦ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًا
Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and with parents, the best (excellence)..
[Quran, An-Nisa 4:36]
Allah has enjoined us to be grateful to Him and to our parents. Being grateful to Him is being grateful to your parents. Being ungrateful to your parents is being ungrateful to Allah.
وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُۥ وَهْنًا عَلَىٰ وَهْنٍ وَفِصَـٰلُهُۥ فِى عَامَيْنِ أَنِ ٱشْكُرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَيْكَ إِلَىَّ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ﴿١٤
And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination. (14)
[Qur'an, Luqman 31:14]
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 can't repay our parents for what they have done for us but we can show good manners towards them.
Sa'id ibn Abi Burda said, "I heard my father say that Ibn 'Umar saw a Yamani man going around the House while carrying his mother on his back, saying, 'I am your humble camel. If her mount is frightened, I am not frightened.' Then he asked, 'Ibn 'Umar? Do you think that I have repaid her?' He replied, 'No, not even for a single groan.'
During Isra' and Mi'raj, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam saw a beautiful palace in Jannah. It was so beautiful that he wanted it for himself. He was told that the palace belongs to Haritha ibn Nu'man and that he was given the palace because he was good to his mother.
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam told Omar and Ali radhiallahu anhuma, about Uways Al Qarni of Yemen whom he never met. He told them if they find him, to ask him to ask Allah for their forgiveness. Uways reached this status with Allah because he was good to his mother.
Allah always pairs the rights of Himself with the rights of parents in multiple verses in the Quran. Whenever we come across verses or traditions about parents, we find that they all are based on dutifulness and benevolence. Even in the previous nations, the same ruling were given.
Allah commands us to treat our parents with ihsaan (excellence). Ihsaan means you give more right than it is due and you accept back less than the rights that are due to you. How we deal with them, how we talk with them, how we think of them, how we respond to them, what we want for them, keeping ties with them, all must be with ihsaan. We must always try to better our relationship with them, always try to make life easy for them, always try to give what they want and help them in the best of ways.
Parents are the biggest doors to Paradise while they are still alive. When one of them passed away, one door is closed. When both passed away, two doors are closed. A Companion was seen weeping after the death of his father and while being consoled, he said "I am crying because one door to Paradise is now closed for me."
Those of you who have parents that are still here, take advantage of this time. There is nothing more pleasing to Allah after your five daily prayers, than your ihsaan towards your parents. Be a part of their lives, show love to them, speak to them using honorable speech, address them gently and politely, call them up on a regular basis, visit them everyday if you live close to them (and try to live close to them). Do not trivialize the joy your parents will have when you call them or visit them. Perhaps there will come a time when you cannot call and visit them anymore. Consult them in your affairs, not do whatever you like, nor travel except after taking their permission, even if you don't depend on them anymore, don't argue with them, don't lie to them, don't make them angry. Nothing troubles parents more than being disobeyed and ignored by their children.
Even if your parents have passed away, there are still much you can do for them. This can be done by asking Allah's forgiveness and mercy for them, by giving charity on their behalf, visiting relatives they used to visit and keeping ties with their close friends and relatives (this will bring back good memories and the sweetnes of those days when they were still alive), being kind to their siblings especially their womenfolk, fulfilling the vows they made before their death, fulfilling any requests they had, giving sacrifice on their behalf, doing hajj or umrah on their behalf, reading Quran and gifting the reward to them, speak about them in good light.
These and similar good deeds please parents after their death, since they alleviate their sins and increase their good deeds. It was narrated: “The parents of a servant of Allah or one of them may die while he was unkind to them, but will later be regarded as a good son by Allah. This is because of his frequent supplication to Allah for them and his asking Allah's forgiveness of their sins”.
Do some regular good deeds for your parents in this first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. The least that can be done is to make du'a and istighfar for them especially during your sujuds, that is the least Allah asks us to do for our parents.
May Allah forgive our parents and shower them with His mercy, and make us righteous children to our parents. Aameen.
وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا ﴿٢٣﴾ وَٱخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ ٱلذُّلِّ مِنَ ٱلرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱرْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِى صَغِيرًا ﴿٢٤
And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, excellence (excellent treatment). Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. (23) And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small." (24)
[Quran, Al-Isra’ 17:23-24]
... وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا۟ بِهِۦ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًا
Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and with parents, the best (excellence)..
[Quran, An-Nisa 4:36]
Allah has enjoined us to be grateful to Him and to our parents. Being grateful to Him is being grateful to your parents. Being ungrateful to your parents is being ungrateful to Allah.
وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُۥ وَهْنًا عَلَىٰ وَهْنٍ وَفِصَـٰلُهُۥ فِى عَامَيْنِ أَنِ ٱشْكُرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَيْكَ إِلَىَّ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ﴿١٤
And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination. (14)
[Qur'an, Luqman 31:14]
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, July 26, 2020
First 10 Days of Dhul-Hijjah -- Develop Good Character (Akhlaq)
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
One of the best things we can do during these blessed ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is to develop good character. Good character is a manifestation of the tenderness and the compassion of the heart, and the realization of loving for your brother what you love for yourself.
Allah mentions in the Quran that the true worshippers of Allah are humble, compassionate and forgiving.
وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا ﴿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, (63) [Quran, Al Furqan 24:63]
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, told us that having good character is of the most comprehensive blessing that Allah can give to any person. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, advised us to have good manners and be silent for a long period of time and to speak good or be silent.
Good manners is an essential part of having good Imaan. It is a sign of iman to have good akhlaq. You can reach the level of the person who prays tahajud every night and fast all the sunnah fasts if you have good manners. If you don't have good manners and you have the rituals you don't have good Imaan. If you have good manners but no rituals that is a problem.
Allah is beautiful and He loves beauty and He loves the best of akhlaq and despise the one with bad manners. If you want to really beautify yourself, beautify your inner before the outer. The real beauty is the beauty of manners.
The heaviest of thing on the Scale on the Day of Judgment will be good manners.
Everybody knows what good manners entails -- to show happiness, contentment and cheerfulness and to be helpful to others and control one's anger. You can get shortchanged but you cannot shortchange other people.
The most important group of people that deserve your good manners is your family.
There are three categories of manners:
Manners with Allah -- have good opinion of Allah and remember Allah often
Manners with creations of Allah -- loving for your brother what you love for yourself; protecting the environment
Manners with oneself -- give your body due right and don't do things that is going to harm yourself, physically and spiritually
May Allah grant us and 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
One of the best things we can do during these blessed ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is to develop good character. Good character is a manifestation of the tenderness and the compassion of the heart, and the realization of loving for your brother what you love for yourself.
Allah mentions in the Quran that the true worshippers of Allah are humble, compassionate and forgiving.
وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا ﴿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, (63) [Quran, Al Furqan 24:63]
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, told us that having good character is of the most comprehensive blessing that Allah can give to any person. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, advised us to have good manners and be silent for a long period of time and to speak good or be silent.
Good manners is an essential part of having good Imaan. It is a sign of iman to have good akhlaq. You can reach the level of the person who prays tahajud every night and fast all the sunnah fasts if you have good manners. If you don't have good manners and you have the rituals you don't have good Imaan. If you have good manners but no rituals that is a problem.
Allah is beautiful and He loves beauty and He loves the best of akhlaq and despise the one with bad manners. If you want to really beautify yourself, beautify your inner before the outer. The real beauty is the beauty of manners.
The heaviest of thing on the Scale on the Day of Judgment will be good manners.
Everybody knows what good manners entails -- to show happiness, contentment and cheerfulness and to be helpful to others and control one's anger. You can get shortchanged but you cannot shortchange other people.
The most important group of people that deserve your good manners is your family.
There are three categories of manners:
Manners with Allah -- have good opinion of Allah and remember Allah often
Manners with creations of Allah -- loving for your brother what you love for yourself; protecting the environment
Manners with oneself -- give your body due right and don't do things that is going to harm yourself, physically and spiritually
May Allah grant us and 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
First 10 Days of Dhul-Hijjah -- Do Lots Of Dhikr Of Allah
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Dhikr of Allah means the remembrance of Allah. Dhikr is a manifestation of the love of the heart. It is human nature to think of the one you love. The strength of love is how often you think of the one you love. Allah describes believers as those who are stronger in love for Allah.
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِ اللَّـهِ أَندَادًا يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ اللَّـهِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِّلَّـهِ ۗ وَلَوْ يَرَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا إِذْ يَرَوْنَ الْعَذَابَ أَنَّ الْقُوَّةَ لِلَّـهِ جَمِيعًا وَأَنَّ اللَّـهَ شَدِيدُ الْعَذَابِ ﴿١٦٥
... But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah... [Quran, Al Baqarah 2:165]
That love for Allah is going to be manifested in how often you remember Allah. The dhikr is the spiritual pulse of our Faith (Imaan). If we want to see the strength of our Imaan, examine our dhikr. If we are doing regular adhkar, then that is a good sign. If we find ourselves rarely remember Allah, then that is a problem. We need to do something so our dhikr is up to par.
If we want to be successful in life, do lots of dhikr.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا لَقِيتُمْ فِئَةً فَاثْبُتُوا وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّـهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٤٥
O you who have believed, when you encounter a company [from the enemy forces], stand firm and remember Allah much that you may be successful. [Quran, Al Anfal 8:45]
The best type of dhikr and the greatest in reward is the recitation of the Quran, as the reciter gets ten rewards for every letter. Though other forms of dhikr become better when there is a certain reason for reciting it, for example, reciting the dhikr after the obligatory prayers is better in its time than the recitation of the Quran; also, responding to the Mu’aththin in its time (i.e. when he is calling the Adhaan) is better than the recitation of the Quran, and so forth.
Allah mentions people wo are going to Paradise as those those who remember Allah a lot ( كَثِيرًا )
... وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّـهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّـهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا ﴿٣٥
... and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward. [Quran, Al Ahzab 33;35]
If you remember Allah, Allah will remember you, meaning Allah will take care of you and show you mercy. Our own status rise in the qadr of Allah when we do the dhikr of Allah.
فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ ﴿١٥٢
So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me. [Quran, Al baqarah 2:152]
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
The difference between the one who makes dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and the one who doesn't make dhikr is like the difference between the living and the dead. [Bukhari]
Everybody think that they have a life because they are busy doing things but so many people walking around who are spiritual dead and don't even know it. The shaytan are making them think they are fine.
Dhikr of Allah puts up a barrier between us and the evil of shaytan. It is the greatest protection against shaytan.
Dhikr is our continual relationship with Allah. Dhikr of Allah brings comfort to the heart. It protects us from grief and worry when we turn to Allah.
Abu Hurairah and Abu Sa'eed narrated that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said:
"No people sit in a gathering remembering Allah, But the angels surround them, mercy covers them, tranquility descends upon them and Allah remembers them before those who are with Him."
May Allah make us of those who are constantly doing dhikr of Allah. 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
Dhikr of Allah means the remembrance of Allah. Dhikr is a manifestation of the love of the heart. It is human nature to think of the one you love. The strength of love is how often you think of the one you love. Allah describes believers as those who are stronger in love for Allah.
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِ اللَّـهِ أَندَادًا يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ اللَّـهِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِّلَّـهِ ۗ وَلَوْ يَرَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا إِذْ يَرَوْنَ الْعَذَابَ أَنَّ الْقُوَّةَ لِلَّـهِ جَمِيعًا وَأَنَّ اللَّـهَ شَدِيدُ الْعَذَابِ ﴿١٦٥
... But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah... [Quran, Al Baqarah 2:165]
That love for Allah is going to be manifested in how often you remember Allah. The dhikr is the spiritual pulse of our Faith (Imaan). If we want to see the strength of our Imaan, examine our dhikr. If we are doing regular adhkar, then that is a good sign. If we find ourselves rarely remember Allah, then that is a problem. We need to do something so our dhikr is up to par.
If we want to be successful in life, do lots of dhikr.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا لَقِيتُمْ فِئَةً فَاثْبُتُوا وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّـهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٤٥
O you who have believed, when you encounter a company [from the enemy forces], stand firm and remember Allah much that you may be successful. [Quran, Al Anfal 8:45]
The best type of dhikr and the greatest in reward is the recitation of the Quran, as the reciter gets ten rewards for every letter. Though other forms of dhikr become better when there is a certain reason for reciting it, for example, reciting the dhikr after the obligatory prayers is better in its time than the recitation of the Quran; also, responding to the Mu’aththin in its time (i.e. when he is calling the Adhaan) is better than the recitation of the Quran, and so forth.
Allah mentions people wo are going to Paradise as those those who remember Allah a lot ( كَثِيرًا )
... وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّـهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّـهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا ﴿٣٥
... and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward. [Quran, Al Ahzab 33;35]
If you remember Allah, Allah will remember you, meaning Allah will take care of you and show you mercy. Our own status rise in the qadr of Allah when we do the dhikr of Allah.
فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ ﴿١٥٢
So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me. [Quran, Al baqarah 2:152]
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
The difference between the one who makes dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and the one who doesn't make dhikr is like the difference between the living and the dead. [Bukhari]
Everybody think that they have a life because they are busy doing things but so many people walking around who are spiritual dead and don't even know it. The shaytan are making them think they are fine.
Dhikr of Allah puts up a barrier between us and the evil of shaytan. It is the greatest protection against shaytan.
Dhikr is our continual relationship with Allah. Dhikr of Allah brings comfort to the heart. It protects us from grief and worry when we turn to Allah.
Abu Hurairah and Abu Sa'eed narrated that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said:
"No people sit in a gathering remembering Allah, But the angels surround them, mercy covers them, tranquility descends upon them and Allah remembers them before those who are with Him."
May Allah make us of those who are constantly doing dhikr of Allah. 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, July 24, 2020
Bacalah Quran
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Umm Aiman Barakah, seorang yang sangat di sayangi dan di hormati olih Rasulullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam, seorang yang beliau sallalahu alayhi wasallam gelar "ibuku selepas ibuku", sedang menangis semasa Abu Bakar dan Omar radhiallahu anhuma menziarahinya selepas Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam wafat. Ketika ditanya, “Kenapa kamu menangis?” “Demi Allah sungguh aku tahu ketika dia akan wafat, tetapi sungguh aku menangis ini (wafatnya Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam) adalah pertanda Wahyu akan terputus dari langit,” jawab sedih Ummu Aiman. Mendengar itu, Abu Bakar dan Omar pun turut menangis teresak2.
Bagaimana keadaan kita sekarang berkenaan Quran? Apakah perasaan kita terhadap Quran? Adakah kita menghargai Quran?
Quran adalah Wahyu dari Allah. Bukan senang Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam menerima Wahyu -- adakalanya Wahyu datang kepadanya saperti bunyi loceng yang sangat keras, ini cara yang paling dahsyat yang sampai kepadanya.
Quran sekarang dah di depan mata, dalam bermacam bentuk, beraneka warna, multi media. Tak payah susah2 nak dapatkannya. Tapi kita ambik mudah. Kita leka dengan benda lain.
Jangan kata nak menghafal Quran, nak baca Quran satu muka sehari pun susah. Bukan orang awam saja yang tak ada habit membaca Quran, orang aliran ugama, termasuk aliran Quran pun ramai yang tak ada habit harian membaca Quran.
Cuba lah baca Quran tiap hari dan hafal Quran sikit2 tiap hari. Kalau tak tau baca atau tak berapa betul tajweed, pi la belajaq dengan guru. Hidup di dunia ni bukannya panjang walau pun bolih hidup 100 tahun atau 1000 tahun sekalipun macam Nabi Nuh alayhissalaam, hidup di akhirat lagi panjang -- selama2nya. Jangan tunggu sampai masuk kubur, baru nak buat. Itu dah terlewat lah.
Semoga Allah buka pintu hati kita untuk berteman dengan Quran. Semoga Allah jadikan Quran pelita hidup kita di dunia ini dan di akhirat nanti, teman kita di dalam kubur sehingga ke Syurga. 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
Umm Aiman Barakah, seorang yang sangat di sayangi dan di hormati olih Rasulullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam, seorang yang beliau sallalahu alayhi wasallam gelar "ibuku selepas ibuku", sedang menangis semasa Abu Bakar dan Omar radhiallahu anhuma menziarahinya selepas Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam wafat. Ketika ditanya, “Kenapa kamu menangis?” “Demi Allah sungguh aku tahu ketika dia akan wafat, tetapi sungguh aku menangis ini (wafatnya Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam) adalah pertanda Wahyu akan terputus dari langit,” jawab sedih Ummu Aiman. Mendengar itu, Abu Bakar dan Omar pun turut menangis teresak2.
Bagaimana keadaan kita sekarang berkenaan Quran? Apakah perasaan kita terhadap Quran? Adakah kita menghargai Quran?
Quran adalah Wahyu dari Allah. Bukan senang Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam menerima Wahyu -- adakalanya Wahyu datang kepadanya saperti bunyi loceng yang sangat keras, ini cara yang paling dahsyat yang sampai kepadanya.
Quran sekarang dah di depan mata, dalam bermacam bentuk, beraneka warna, multi media. Tak payah susah2 nak dapatkannya. Tapi kita ambik mudah. Kita leka dengan benda lain.
Jangan kata nak menghafal Quran, nak baca Quran satu muka sehari pun susah. Bukan orang awam saja yang tak ada habit membaca Quran, orang aliran ugama, termasuk aliran Quran pun ramai yang tak ada habit harian membaca Quran.
Cuba lah baca Quran tiap hari dan hafal Quran sikit2 tiap hari. Kalau tak tau baca atau tak berapa betul tajweed, pi la belajaq dengan guru. Hidup di dunia ni bukannya panjang walau pun bolih hidup 100 tahun atau 1000 tahun sekalipun macam Nabi Nuh alayhissalaam, hidup di akhirat lagi panjang -- selama2nya. Jangan tunggu sampai masuk kubur, baru nak buat. Itu dah terlewat lah.
Semoga Allah buka pintu hati kita untuk berteman dengan Quran. Semoga Allah jadikan Quran pelita hidup kita di dunia ini dan di akhirat nanti, teman kita di dalam kubur sehingga ke Syurga. 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, July 22, 2020
Celebrating The First Ten Days Of Dhul-Hijjah -- Fast, More Quran, More Prayers, Family, etc
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
This first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is not like the previous years as we are celebrating it during the COVID-19 pandemic where community activities are limited. But we can do plenty at home by ourselves and as a family to attract the blessings of these blessed days.
These days are a chance to bring back that feeling you had in Ramadhan -- that closeness you experienced, the Iman boost you had. It is a blessed gift, a fresh opportunity to erase our sins and cleanse ourselves. It is also a second chance, for those who felt Ramadhan slip through their fingers and these are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
Realize the virtue of these ten days. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijjah).” Then some companions of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Not even Jihad?” He sallallahu alayhi wasallam replied, “Not even Jihad”, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah’s sake) and does not return with any of those things.” [Sahih Bukhari]
The standing (wuqoof) in ‘Arafah reminds us of the throngs of people on the Day of Gathering. If you feel tired from being in a crowd of thousands, how will it be in the crowds of barefoot, naked, uncircumcised people, standing for fifty thousand years?
9th Dhul-Hijjah (Day of Arafah): Allah frees people from hell: The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “There is no day on which Allah sets free more people from hell than on the day of Arafah “
There are many extra worship we can do during these days. By doing those things and deeds through which we can attain the maximum benefit and reward. To do those deeds the most beautiful, beloved, respectful and humble way. This is what ibadah (worship) is.
QURAN
Read more Quran, contemplating the meaning
Have those blessed moments with the Quran like you did in Ramadhan.
Know always that every word you recite carries great reward as the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said ” Whoever recites one letter of the Quran, for him shall be one reward (hasanah) and each reward is multiplied by ten
Seek the times du'a is more likely accepted and among them are:
1- last third of the night
2- before salah between Adhan and Iqamah
3- when the Imam is on the minbar during Jumu’ah Friday
4- during the rain
5- in sujood
Start your du’a in praising Allah and salawat upon the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Use the Names of Allah. Repent and ask for forgiveness.
FAST all nine days
This is not an obligatory worship but a commendable act. Nafl means that act which is done with happiness -- you are happy to do it for the sake of Allah.
“Whoever observes fast for a day in the way of Allah (non-obligatory fasting observed for the sole purpose of pleasing Allah and seeking His blessings), Allah will remove his face from the Hell to the extent of seventy years’ distance.” [Sahih Muslim]
PRAYERS
Take special care of your five daily prayers and witr prayers. Before talking about any voluntary actions (and bonuses), it is important to remind ourselves that we must first take care of all our obligations. How can we think of building and beautifying a house without constructing its pillars? Thus, we must pay special attention to the pillars of Islam and strive to perfect our obligations. Pray on time (and in congregation, for men). Add nafl prayers. The best of all is the Tahajjud each night. Due to its worth in the sight of Allah, the reward for the extra night prayers has been kept secret.
FAMILY
Recite the Quran with your family, do one or two khatams together, read a book together, discuss a lecture you heard, share your plans and seek their input. Call your parents and help them with their needs.
‘Labbayk Allaahumma labbayk’ vs Watching your tongue
As when we say Labbayk, we intend to speak only of obedience to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala and avoid talk of disobedience. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala watches us and our speech all the time, so must watch our tongue and avoid the two biggest problems we have with this muscle: gossiping and excessive talking (including social media)
Just like the person performing Hajj must refrain from getting into disputes and acts of disobedience or risk the acceptance of their Hajj, you should try to do the same.
-Forgive everyone no matter what they have done to you
-Visit the sick
-Have good relations with people, especially your parents, relatives and neighbors. This would be the best time to re-establish ties of kinship and put barakah in your life
Finally, if you have not yet fulfilled the obligation of Hajj, make special du'a to Allah to grant you the opportunity to do so soon and in the best of manners. In your next sujood, ask Allah to help you make the best of these days.
Subhanakallahuma wa bihamdik nastaghfiruka wa natoobu ilayk.
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 first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is not like the previous years as we are celebrating it during the COVID-19 pandemic where community activities are limited. But we can do plenty at home by ourselves and as a family to attract the blessings of these blessed days.
These days are a chance to bring back that feeling you had in Ramadhan -- that closeness you experienced, the Iman boost you had. It is a blessed gift, a fresh opportunity to erase our sins and cleanse ourselves. It is also a second chance, for those who felt Ramadhan slip through their fingers and these are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
Realize the virtue of these ten days. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijjah).” Then some companions of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Not even Jihad?” He sallallahu alayhi wasallam replied, “Not even Jihad”, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah’s sake) and does not return with any of those things.” [Sahih Bukhari]
The standing (wuqoof) in ‘Arafah reminds us of the throngs of people on the Day of Gathering. If you feel tired from being in a crowd of thousands, how will it be in the crowds of barefoot, naked, uncircumcised people, standing for fifty thousand years?
9th Dhul-Hijjah (Day of Arafah): Allah frees people from hell: The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “There is no day on which Allah sets free more people from hell than on the day of Arafah “
There are many extra worship we can do during these days. By doing those things and deeds through which we can attain the maximum benefit and reward. To do those deeds the most beautiful, beloved, respectful and humble way. This is what ibadah (worship) is.
QURAN
Read more Quran, contemplating the meaning
Have those blessed moments with the Quran like you did in Ramadhan.
Know always that every word you recite carries great reward as the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said ” Whoever recites one letter of the Quran, for him shall be one reward (hasanah) and each reward is multiplied by ten
Seek the times du'a is more likely accepted and among them are:
1- last third of the night
2- before salah between Adhan and Iqamah
3- when the Imam is on the minbar during Jumu’ah Friday
4- during the rain
5- in sujood
Start your du’a in praising Allah and salawat upon the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Use the Names of Allah. Repent and ask for forgiveness.
FAST all nine days
This is not an obligatory worship but a commendable act. Nafl means that act which is done with happiness -- you are happy to do it for the sake of Allah.
“Whoever observes fast for a day in the way of Allah (non-obligatory fasting observed for the sole purpose of pleasing Allah and seeking His blessings), Allah will remove his face from the Hell to the extent of seventy years’ distance.” [Sahih Muslim]
PRAYERS
Take special care of your five daily prayers and witr prayers. Before talking about any voluntary actions (and bonuses), it is important to remind ourselves that we must first take care of all our obligations. How can we think of building and beautifying a house without constructing its pillars? Thus, we must pay special attention to the pillars of Islam and strive to perfect our obligations. Pray on time (and in congregation, for men). Add nafl prayers. The best of all is the Tahajjud each night. Due to its worth in the sight of Allah, the reward for the extra night prayers has been kept secret.
FAMILY
Recite the Quran with your family, do one or two khatams together, read a book together, discuss a lecture you heard, share your plans and seek their input. Call your parents and help them with their needs.
‘Labbayk Allaahumma labbayk’ vs Watching your tongue
As when we say Labbayk, we intend to speak only of obedience to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala and avoid talk of disobedience. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala watches us and our speech all the time, so must watch our tongue and avoid the two biggest problems we have with this muscle: gossiping and excessive talking (including social media)
Just like the person performing Hajj must refrain from getting into disputes and acts of disobedience or risk the acceptance of their Hajj, you should try to do the same.
-Forgive everyone no matter what they have done to you
-Visit the sick
-Have good relations with people, especially your parents, relatives and neighbors. This would be the best time to re-establish ties of kinship and put barakah in your life
Finally, if you have not yet fulfilled the obligation of Hajj, make special du'a to Allah to grant you the opportunity to do so soon and in the best of manners. In your next sujood, ask Allah to help you make the best of these days.
Subhanakallahuma wa bihamdik nastaghfiruka wa natoobu ilayk.
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, July 19, 2020
Hard Heart
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
There are various diseases of the heart -- anger, selfishnes, arrogance, jealousy, malice, hatred, etc. And the mother of all diseases of the heart is a hard heart. When a person has a hard heart everything bad follows. The Quran mentions that this deasease is a punishment from Allah.
فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَاقَهُمْ لَعَنَّاهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا قُلُوبَهُمْ قَاسِيَةً
So for their breaking of the covenant We cursed them and made their hearts hard. [Quran, Al Ma'ida 5:13]
أَفَمَن شَرَحَ اللَّـهُ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِ ۚ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مِّن ذِكْرِ اللَّـهِ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿٢٢
So is one whose breast Allah has expanded to [accept] Islam and he is upon a light from his Lord [like one whose heart rejects it]? Then woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of Allah. Those are in manifest error. (22)[Quran, Az-Zumar 39:22]
Symptoms of a hard heart
1--Simply not caring about Allah’s command. You don’t care about what Allah wants of you, you have no desire to find out or implement Allah's shari'ah, you live your life being cut off from Allah’s shariah. If we find ourselves living about life and never occurs to ask, Is my money halal, Is the time that I am spending is what Allah is pleased with, What is my goal in life, then this is a symptom of a hard heart.
2--Worshiping Allah without enjoying it. Worship becomes a burden and a chore. Worship becomes a nuisance instead of a sweetness of your life. The true believer finds comfort in worshiping Allah. His Iman rejuvenates when worshiping Allah and nothing is sweeter than worshiping Allah. If we find ourselves not wanting and dreading to perform solat or the coming of Ramadhan, this is a symptom of a hard heart. Not wanting to do an act of worship, even if we do the act of worship with such attitude, this is a symptom of a hard heart. Solat is supposed to calm our nerves down.
3—-The Quran itself does not move you. The Quran is the ultimate connection with Allah. It is the Speech of Allah. If the Quran does not move us then there is something wrong with us. Many people are moved when the music is played but when the Quran is played or recited, they are restless and unmoved. This is a sign of a hard heart.
4--Selfishness -- You don't care about the Ummah and you only worry about yourself and your immediate family. You have no cncern about the broader Ummah. Nobody who has a genuine Iman (Faith) will feel disconnect with the Ummah. If they are not moved when seeing or hearing about the hardship that others are experiencing, and they can't even make du'a for them, this is a sign that the hearts have become hard.
What are the causes of a hard heart? The primary cause is having turned away from the Book of Allah, not having a regular relationship with the Quran. They don’t read the Quran unless someone dies. It is as if the Quran is the book of the dead instead of the book of the living. The Quran occupies the highest shelves in their homes and the lowest priority in their actual lives.
اللَّـهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابًا مُّتَشَابِهًا مَّثَانِيَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّـهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى اللَّـهِ يَهْدِي بِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللَّـهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ ﴿٢٣
Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah by which He guides whom He wills. And one whom Allah leaves astray - for him there is no guide. [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:23]
The Quran is the ultimate zikr (remembrance of Allah). Allah says, whoever turn away from His remembrance, they are the losers.
اسْتَحْوَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَأَنسَاهُمْ ذِكْرَ اللَّـهِ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ حِزْبُ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ أَلَا إِنَّ حِزْبَ الشَّيْطَانِ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ ﴿١٩
Satan has overcome them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah. Those are the party of Satan. Unquestionably, the party of Satan - they will be the losers. [Quran, Al Mujadila 58:19]
أَفَمَن شَرَحَ اللَّـهُ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِ ۚ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مِّن ذِكْرِ اللَّـهِ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿٢٢
So is one whose breast Allah has expanded to [accept] Islam and he is upon a light from his Lord [like one whose heart rejects it]? Then woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of Allah. Those are in manifest error. [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:22]
The main cure of a hard heart then is connecting with the Quran. We should have a daily routine of reading the Quran, even if it is just for 5 or 10 minutes. Make it a habit like you cannot leave for work without having breadkfast, even if it is just a little bit. Do not begin your day without a little bit of Quran. This is your spiritual breakfast.
Also choose to be in the company of righteous people, people of knowledge and people of zikr for they can infuence you in a positive manner. If you are in the company of those whose hearts are hard then you think you are all normal and fine.
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, A person is upon the religion of his close friend, so beware whom you befriend." [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi].
Your companion is the one who pulls you to something. So if your companion is good, he will pull you towards that which is good. He will order you to do what is good and forbid you from doing what is evil. If he observes you committing sins, he would warn you, if he becomes aware of your shortcomings, he would advise you, and if he finds a fault in you, he would conceal it and not disclose it to others.
This is the time our hearts are supposed to be soft, not hard, not let the shaytan make us think we are fine. A soft heart means that we humble ourselves to Allah, recognize our mistakes, recognize who our Lord is and turn to Him in repentance.
May Allah forgive all our sins. May Allah soften and purify our hearts, and protect us from a hard heart. May Allah grant us righteous companions, and make us of the righteous and of those who are close to His Book. 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
There are various diseases of the heart -- anger, selfishnes, arrogance, jealousy, malice, hatred, etc. And the mother of all diseases of the heart is a hard heart. When a person has a hard heart everything bad follows. The Quran mentions that this deasease is a punishment from Allah.
فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَاقَهُمْ لَعَنَّاهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا قُلُوبَهُمْ قَاسِيَةً
So for their breaking of the covenant We cursed them and made their hearts hard. [Quran, Al Ma'ida 5:13]
أَفَمَن شَرَحَ اللَّـهُ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِ ۚ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مِّن ذِكْرِ اللَّـهِ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿٢٢
So is one whose breast Allah has expanded to [accept] Islam and he is upon a light from his Lord [like one whose heart rejects it]? Then woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of Allah. Those are in manifest error. (22)[Quran, Az-Zumar 39:22]
Symptoms of a hard heart
1--Simply not caring about Allah’s command. You don’t care about what Allah wants of you, you have no desire to find out or implement Allah's shari'ah, you live your life being cut off from Allah’s shariah. If we find ourselves living about life and never occurs to ask, Is my money halal, Is the time that I am spending is what Allah is pleased with, What is my goal in life, then this is a symptom of a hard heart.
2--Worshiping Allah without enjoying it. Worship becomes a burden and a chore. Worship becomes a nuisance instead of a sweetness of your life. The true believer finds comfort in worshiping Allah. His Iman rejuvenates when worshiping Allah and nothing is sweeter than worshiping Allah. If we find ourselves not wanting and dreading to perform solat or the coming of Ramadhan, this is a symptom of a hard heart. Not wanting to do an act of worship, even if we do the act of worship with such attitude, this is a symptom of a hard heart. Solat is supposed to calm our nerves down.
3—-The Quran itself does not move you. The Quran is the ultimate connection with Allah. It is the Speech of Allah. If the Quran does not move us then there is something wrong with us. Many people are moved when the music is played but when the Quran is played or recited, they are restless and unmoved. This is a sign of a hard heart.
4--Selfishness -- You don't care about the Ummah and you only worry about yourself and your immediate family. You have no cncern about the broader Ummah. Nobody who has a genuine Iman (Faith) will feel disconnect with the Ummah. If they are not moved when seeing or hearing about the hardship that others are experiencing, and they can't even make du'a for them, this is a sign that the hearts have become hard.
What are the causes of a hard heart? The primary cause is having turned away from the Book of Allah, not having a regular relationship with the Quran. They don’t read the Quran unless someone dies. It is as if the Quran is the book of the dead instead of the book of the living. The Quran occupies the highest shelves in their homes and the lowest priority in their actual lives.
اللَّـهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابًا مُّتَشَابِهًا مَّثَانِيَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّـهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى اللَّـهِ يَهْدِي بِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللَّـهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ ﴿٢٣
Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah by which He guides whom He wills. And one whom Allah leaves astray - for him there is no guide. [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:23]
The Quran is the ultimate zikr (remembrance of Allah). Allah says, whoever turn away from His remembrance, they are the losers.
اسْتَحْوَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَأَنسَاهُمْ ذِكْرَ اللَّـهِ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ حِزْبُ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ أَلَا إِنَّ حِزْبَ الشَّيْطَانِ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ ﴿١٩
Satan has overcome them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah. Those are the party of Satan. Unquestionably, the party of Satan - they will be the losers. [Quran, Al Mujadila 58:19]
أَفَمَن شَرَحَ اللَّـهُ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِ ۚ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مِّن ذِكْرِ اللَّـهِ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿٢٢
So is one whose breast Allah has expanded to [accept] Islam and he is upon a light from his Lord [like one whose heart rejects it]? Then woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of Allah. Those are in manifest error. [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:22]
The main cure of a hard heart then is connecting with the Quran. We should have a daily routine of reading the Quran, even if it is just for 5 or 10 minutes. Make it a habit like you cannot leave for work without having breadkfast, even if it is just a little bit. Do not begin your day without a little bit of Quran. This is your spiritual breakfast.
Also choose to be in the company of righteous people, people of knowledge and people of zikr for they can infuence you in a positive manner. If you are in the company of those whose hearts are hard then you think you are all normal and fine.
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, A person is upon the religion of his close friend, so beware whom you befriend." [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi].
Your companion is the one who pulls you to something. So if your companion is good, he will pull you towards that which is good. He will order you to do what is good and forbid you from doing what is evil. If he observes you committing sins, he would warn you, if he becomes aware of your shortcomings, he would advise you, and if he finds a fault in you, he would conceal it and not disclose it to others.
This is the time our hearts are supposed to be soft, not hard, not let the shaytan make us think we are fine. A soft heart means that we humble ourselves to Allah, recognize our mistakes, recognize who our Lord is and turn to Him in repentance.
May Allah forgive all our sins. May Allah soften and purify our hearts, and protect us from a hard heart. May Allah grant us righteous companions, and make us of the righteous and of those who are close to His Book. 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, July 18, 2020
Be A Good Person
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
The concept of honesty and being ethical and moral was engrained in the early Makkan Surahs. Long before the obligation of the five times daily prayers, fast, zakat and hajj were revealed, Allah was teaching us moral values, honesty, and how to interact with others. This really show the core element what Islam is all about. Rituals are very important and along with the rituals, is the matter of how we deal with other people.
In Surah Al Mutaffifin, Allah talks about people who cheat at the measure,
وَيْلٌ لِّلْمُطَفِّفِينَ ﴿١﴾ الَّذِينَ إِذَا اكْتَالُوا عَلَى النَّاسِ يَسْتَوْفُونَ ﴿٢﴾ وَإِذَا كَالُوهُمْ أَو وَّزَنُوهُمْ يُخْسِرُونَ ﴿٣﴾ أَلَا يَظُنُّ أُولَـٰئِكَ أَنَّهُم مَّبْعُوثُونَ ﴿٤﴾ لِيَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ ﴿٥﴾ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ النَّاسُ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٦
Woe to those who give less [than due], (1) Who, when they take a measure from people, take in full. (2) But if they give by measure or by weight to them, they cause loss. (3) Do they not think that they will be resurrected (4) For a tremendous Day - (5) The Day when mankind will stand before the Lord of the worlds? (6) [Quran, Al Mutaffifin 83:1-6]
Throughout the entire Quran, religiosity is your rituals and your compassion to others.
إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ ﴿١٥﴾ آخِذِينَ مَا آتَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَبْلَ ذَٰلِكَ مُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١٦﴾ كَانُوا قَلِيلًا مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ ﴿١٧﴾ وَبِالْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ ﴿١٨﴾ وَفِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ حَقٌّ لِّلسَّائِلِ وَالْمَحْرُومِ ﴿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]
This is the message of the Quran -- be good with your rituals, be a good person to mankind and you are a good person overall.
May Allah make us of the doers of 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
The concept of honesty and being ethical and moral was engrained in the early Makkan Surahs. Long before the obligation of the five times daily prayers, fast, zakat and hajj were revealed, Allah was teaching us moral values, honesty, and how to interact with others. This really show the core element what Islam is all about. Rituals are very important and along with the rituals, is the matter of how we deal with other people.
In Surah Al Mutaffifin, Allah talks about people who cheat at the measure,
وَيْلٌ لِّلْمُطَفِّفِينَ ﴿١﴾ الَّذِينَ إِذَا اكْتَالُوا عَلَى النَّاسِ يَسْتَوْفُونَ ﴿٢﴾ وَإِذَا كَالُوهُمْ أَو وَّزَنُوهُمْ يُخْسِرُونَ ﴿٣﴾ أَلَا يَظُنُّ أُولَـٰئِكَ أَنَّهُم مَّبْعُوثُونَ ﴿٤﴾ لِيَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ ﴿٥﴾ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ النَّاسُ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٦
Woe to those who give less [than due], (1) Who, when they take a measure from people, take in full. (2) But if they give by measure or by weight to them, they cause loss. (3) Do they not think that they will be resurrected (4) For a tremendous Day - (5) The Day when mankind will stand before the Lord of the worlds? (6) [Quran, Al Mutaffifin 83:1-6]
Throughout the entire Quran, religiosity is your rituals and your compassion to others.
إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ ﴿١٥﴾ آخِذِينَ مَا آتَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَبْلَ ذَٰلِكَ مُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١٦﴾ كَانُوا قَلِيلًا مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ ﴿١٧﴾ وَبِالْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ ﴿١٨﴾ وَفِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ حَقٌّ لِّلسَّائِلِ وَالْمَحْرُومِ ﴿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]
This is the message of the Quran -- be good with your rituals, be a good person to mankind and you are a good person overall.
May Allah make us of the doers of 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
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Don't Be Oblivious Of The Hereafter
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Al Inshiqaq, Allah describes the consequences of the good and the bad people, of the believers and the non-believers in the Day of Reckoning.
First, the book of deeds must be received in the right or the left hand.
Those who receive the books in their right hands will be the inmates of Paradise with its eternal blessings. They will return to their families in happiness. They have passed their exam in this life. Never for a moment they were oblivious of the Hereafter in this life. At every moment of pleasure and comfort, they were anxious and worried about the Hereafter.
Those who receive the books in their left hands will be the inmates of Hell. They will desire death and destruction under the impression that this might end their misery. But it will not be possible for them to die. One of the reasons given for their misery is that they used to live joyfully among their people in the world, and they were completely oblivious of the Hereafter.
يَا أَيُّهَا الْإِنسَانُ إِنَّكَ كَادِحٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ كَدْحًا فَمُلَاقِيهِ ﴿٦﴾ فَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُ بِيَمِينِهِ ﴿٧﴾ فَسَوْفَ يُحَاسَبُ حِسَابًا يَسِيرًا ﴿٨﴾ وَيَنقَلِبُ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهِ مَسْرُورًا ﴿٩﴾ وَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُ وَرَاءَ ظَهْرِهِ ﴿١٠﴾ فَسَوْفَ يَدْعُو ثُبُورًا ﴿١١﴾ وَيَصْلَىٰ سَعِيرًا ﴿١٢﴾ إِنَّهُ كَانَ فِي أَهْلِهِ مَسْرُورًا ﴿١٣﴾ إِنَّهُ ظَنَّ أَن لَّن يَحُورَ ﴿١٤﴾ بَلَىٰ إِنَّ رَبَّهُ كَانَ بِهِ بَصِيرًا ﴿١٥
O mankind, indeed you are laboring toward your Lord with [great] exertion and will meet it. (6) Then as for he who is given his record in his right hand, (7) He will be judged with an easy account (8) And return to his people in happiness. (9) But as for he who is given his record behind his back, (10) He will cry out for destruction (11) And [enter to] burn in a Blaze. (12) Indeed, he had [once] been among his people in happiness; (13) Indeed, he had thought he would never return [to Allah]. (14) But yes! Indeed, his Lord was ever of him, Seeing. (15) [Quran, Al Inshiqaq 84:6-15]
The consequences of the two groups will be appropriate to their respective positions. Those who led a life of luxury and pleasure in this world with their families oblivious of the Hereafter, their portion will be punishment of Hell in the next world. Those who were aware of reckoning and feared punishment in the next world will live with their families in eternal luxury, pleasure and happiness.
The point for careful consideration is that necessities of life, as well as unnecessary desires are fulfilled by both righteous and wicked people in this world, and thus both spend their lives in some way or the other, but the consequences of the two, in the Hereafter, are completely opposite to each other. One results in eternal and unending comfort, and the other results in eternal perdition, torture and torment. Everyone still has the chance [while he is living] to redirect his attention to working hard towards switching the situation in a direction.
فَبَشِّرْ عِبَادِ ﴿١٧﴾ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَدَاهُمُ اللَّـهُ ۖ وَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمْ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ ﴿١٨
So give good tidings to My servantsو who listen to speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones Allah has guided, and those are people of understanding. [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:17-18]
May Allah grant us and our families righteousness and the highest Paradise without reckoning. 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 Inshiqaq, Allah describes the consequences of the good and the bad people, of the believers and the non-believers in the Day of Reckoning.
First, the book of deeds must be received in the right or the left hand.
Those who receive the books in their right hands will be the inmates of Paradise with its eternal blessings. They will return to their families in happiness. They have passed their exam in this life. Never for a moment they were oblivious of the Hereafter in this life. At every moment of pleasure and comfort, they were anxious and worried about the Hereafter.
Those who receive the books in their left hands will be the inmates of Hell. They will desire death and destruction under the impression that this might end their misery. But it will not be possible for them to die. One of the reasons given for their misery is that they used to live joyfully among their people in the world, and they were completely oblivious of the Hereafter.
يَا أَيُّهَا الْإِنسَانُ إِنَّكَ كَادِحٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ كَدْحًا فَمُلَاقِيهِ ﴿٦﴾ فَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُ بِيَمِينِهِ ﴿٧﴾ فَسَوْفَ يُحَاسَبُ حِسَابًا يَسِيرًا ﴿٨﴾ وَيَنقَلِبُ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهِ مَسْرُورًا ﴿٩﴾ وَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُ وَرَاءَ ظَهْرِهِ ﴿١٠﴾ فَسَوْفَ يَدْعُو ثُبُورًا ﴿١١﴾ وَيَصْلَىٰ سَعِيرًا ﴿١٢﴾ إِنَّهُ كَانَ فِي أَهْلِهِ مَسْرُورًا ﴿١٣﴾ إِنَّهُ ظَنَّ أَن لَّن يَحُورَ ﴿١٤﴾ بَلَىٰ إِنَّ رَبَّهُ كَانَ بِهِ بَصِيرًا ﴿١٥
O mankind, indeed you are laboring toward your Lord with [great] exertion and will meet it. (6) Then as for he who is given his record in his right hand, (7) He will be judged with an easy account (8) And return to his people in happiness. (9) But as for he who is given his record behind his back, (10) He will cry out for destruction (11) And [enter to] burn in a Blaze. (12) Indeed, he had [once] been among his people in happiness; (13) Indeed, he had thought he would never return [to Allah]. (14) But yes! Indeed, his Lord was ever of him, Seeing. (15) [Quran, Al Inshiqaq 84:6-15]
The consequences of the two groups will be appropriate to their respective positions. Those who led a life of luxury and pleasure in this world with their families oblivious of the Hereafter, their portion will be punishment of Hell in the next world. Those who were aware of reckoning and feared punishment in the next world will live with their families in eternal luxury, pleasure and happiness.
The point for careful consideration is that necessities of life, as well as unnecessary desires are fulfilled by both righteous and wicked people in this world, and thus both spend their lives in some way or the other, but the consequences of the two, in the Hereafter, are completely opposite to each other. One results in eternal and unending comfort, and the other results in eternal perdition, torture and torment. Everyone still has the chance [while he is living] to redirect his attention to working hard towards switching the situation in a direction.
فَبَشِّرْ عِبَادِ ﴿١٧﴾ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَدَاهُمُ اللَّـهُ ۖ وَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمْ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ ﴿١٨
So give good tidings to My servantsو who listen to speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones Allah has guided, and those are people of understanding. [Quran, Az-Zumar 39:17-18]
May Allah grant us and our families righteousness and the highest Paradise without reckoning. 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, July 14, 2020
One Straight Path
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah At-Takwir, Allah Most High is reminding us to follow the Straight Path. Whoever wants to will go there and you will find the way if Allah wills you to find it. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,
وَمَا صَاحِبُكُم بِمَجْنُونٍ ﴿٢٢﴾ وَلَقَدْ رَآهُ بِالْأُفُقِ الْمُبِينِ ﴿٢٣﴾ وَمَا هُوَ عَلَى الْغَيْبِ بِضَنِينٍ ﴿٢٤﴾ وَمَا هُوَ بِقَوْلِ شَيْطَانٍ رَّجِيمٍ ﴿٢٥﴾ فَأَيْنَ تَذْهَبُونَ ﴿٢٦﴾ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٢٧﴾ لِمَن شَاءَ مِنكُمْ أَن يَسْتَقِيمَ ﴿٢٨﴾ وَمَا تَشَاءُونَ إِلَّا أَن يَشَاءَ اللَّـهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٢٩
And Muhammad is not a withholder of [knowledge of] the unseen. (24) And the Qur'an is not the word of a devil, expelled [from the heavens]. (25) So where are you going? (26) It is not except a reminder to the worlds (27) For whoever wills among you to take a right course. (28) And you do not will except that Allah wills - Lord of the worlds. (29)
Where else are you going to go if you are not going to follow the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. What other alternative is there? There is only one path to live a decent, dignified life and save yourself, that is Islam.
May Allah guide us on the Straight Path. 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 At-Takwir, Allah Most High is reminding us to follow the Straight Path. Whoever wants to will go there and you will find the way if Allah wills you to find it. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,
وَمَا صَاحِبُكُم بِمَجْنُونٍ ﴿٢٢﴾ وَلَقَدْ رَآهُ بِالْأُفُقِ الْمُبِينِ ﴿٢٣﴾ وَمَا هُوَ عَلَى الْغَيْبِ بِضَنِينٍ ﴿٢٤﴾ وَمَا هُوَ بِقَوْلِ شَيْطَانٍ رَّجِيمٍ ﴿٢٥﴾ فَأَيْنَ تَذْهَبُونَ ﴿٢٦﴾ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٢٧﴾ لِمَن شَاءَ مِنكُمْ أَن يَسْتَقِيمَ ﴿٢٨﴾ وَمَا تَشَاءُونَ إِلَّا أَن يَشَاءَ اللَّـهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٢٩
And Muhammad is not a withholder of [knowledge of] the unseen. (24) And the Qur'an is not the word of a devil, expelled [from the heavens]. (25) So where are you going? (26) It is not except a reminder to the worlds (27) For whoever wills among you to take a right course. (28) And you do not will except that Allah wills - Lord of the worlds. (29)
Where else are you going to go if you are not going to follow the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. What other alternative is there? There is only one path to live a decent, dignified life and save yourself, that is Islam.
May Allah guide us on the Straight Path. 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, July 10, 2020
Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Wealth And Children
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Wealth and children are the beauty of this world. It makes life worth living. There is nothing wrong to enjoy and benefit from these blessings. But in the story of a man with two gradens in Surah Al Kahf, Allah is reminding us that wealth and children are not going to last forever. It is the good deeds that will last forever. One of the companions said one SubhanAllah is a good deed. Simply one SubhanAllah is more beneficial than all the wealth and children you have because that one SubhanAllah will stay with you forever.
No matter how much money you have, once you die it will all go to someone else. Your children will not follow you to the grave. If they are righteous, they might remember to make du'a for you. But if you are not righteous and not teaching them Islamic manners and how to worship their Lord, don't expect anything like this from your children.
Don't get caught in the pleasures of the moment, that you lost the reality of death. Not a single soul will live forever.
الْمَالُ وَالْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًا ﴿٤٦
Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope. (46) [Quran, Al Kahf 18:46]
Wealth in and of itself does not indicate that Allah is happy with you. This world is given to both who Allah loves and does not love. If you earn your wealth through halal means and spend it on halal, then your wealth is one of the best gifts from Allah, but if you earn it through haram means and spend it on haram then woe to you. Not being thankful to Allah for the blessings is the seed that sprout evil. The blessings can disappear like what Allah did to the man with the two gardens.
وَأُحِيطَ بِثَمَرِهِ فَأَصْبَحَ يُقَلِّبُ كَفَّيْهِ عَلَىٰ مَا أَنفَقَ فِيهَا وَهِيَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا وَيَقُولُ يَا لَيْتَنِي لَمْ أُشْرِكْ بِرَبِّي أَحَدًا ﴿٤٢
And his fruits were encompassed [by ruin], so he began to turn his hands about [in dismay] over what he had spent on it, while it had collapsed upon its trellises, and said, "Oh, I wish I had not associated with my Lord anyone." (42) And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allah, nor could he defend himself. (43) [Quran, Al Kahf 18:43]
We need to humble ourselves before Allah and not take what we have for granted, but utilize all the blessings for the worship of Allah and coming close to Him.
May Allah make us of the righteous and make our children of the righteous and enable us to utilize His blessings to come close to Him. 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
Wealth and children are the beauty of this world. It makes life worth living. There is nothing wrong to enjoy and benefit from these blessings. But in the story of a man with two gradens in Surah Al Kahf, Allah is reminding us that wealth and children are not going to last forever. It is the good deeds that will last forever. One of the companions said one SubhanAllah is a good deed. Simply one SubhanAllah is more beneficial than all the wealth and children you have because that one SubhanAllah will stay with you forever.
No matter how much money you have, once you die it will all go to someone else. Your children will not follow you to the grave. If they are righteous, they might remember to make du'a for you. But if you are not righteous and not teaching them Islamic manners and how to worship their Lord, don't expect anything like this from your children.
Don't get caught in the pleasures of the moment, that you lost the reality of death. Not a single soul will live forever.
الْمَالُ وَالْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًا ﴿٤٦
Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope. (46) [Quran, Al Kahf 18:46]
Wealth in and of itself does not indicate that Allah is happy with you. This world is given to both who Allah loves and does not love. If you earn your wealth through halal means and spend it on halal, then your wealth is one of the best gifts from Allah, but if you earn it through haram means and spend it on haram then woe to you. Not being thankful to Allah for the blessings is the seed that sprout evil. The blessings can disappear like what Allah did to the man with the two gardens.
وَأُحِيطَ بِثَمَرِهِ فَأَصْبَحَ يُقَلِّبُ كَفَّيْهِ عَلَىٰ مَا أَنفَقَ فِيهَا وَهِيَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا وَيَقُولُ يَا لَيْتَنِي لَمْ أُشْرِكْ بِرَبِّي أَحَدًا ﴿٤٢
And his fruits were encompassed [by ruin], so he began to turn his hands about [in dismay] over what he had spent on it, while it had collapsed upon its trellises, and said, "Oh, I wish I had not associated with my Lord anyone." (42) And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allah, nor could he defend himself. (43) [Quran, Al Kahf 18:43]
We need to humble ourselves before Allah and not take what we have for granted, but utilize all the blessings for the worship of Allah and coming close to Him.
May Allah make us of the righteous and make our children of the righteous and enable us to utilize His blessings to come close to Him. 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, July 8, 2020
Fortifying Our Souls And Overcoming Difficulties -- Pray Tahajjud And Recite The Quran
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam, from the very beginning of his Prophethood, after barely a few weeks of seeing Jibril alayhissalaam, was being warned of the very heavy burden and challenge ahead and how to prepare for it.
One of the first commandments is to pray in the night and recite the Quran with tarteel. Tarteel means slow, melodious voice, observing the rules of recitation and try your best to make it sound good.
Why in the night? Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says because the virgil of the night is the most impactly and the best for recitation.
يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُزَّمِّلُ ﴿١﴾ قُمِ اللَّيْلَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا ﴿٢﴾ نِّصْفَهُ أَوِ انقُصْ مِنْهُ قَلِيلًا ﴿٣﴾ أَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ الْقُرْآنَ تَرْتِيلًا ﴿٤﴾ إِنَّا سَنُلْقِي عَلَيْكَ قَوْلًا ثَقِيلًا ﴿٥﴾ إِنَّ نَاشِئَةَ اللَّيْلِ هِيَ أَشَدُّ وَطْئًا وَأَقْوَمُ قِيلًا ﴿٦﴾ إِنَّ لَكَ فِي النَّهَارِ سَبْحًا طَوِيلًا ﴿٧﴾ وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ وَتَبَتَّلْ إِلَيْهِ تَبْتِيلًا ﴿٨
O you who wraps himself [in clothing], (1) Arise [to pray] the night, except for a little - (2) Half of it - or subtract from it a little (3) Or add to it, and recite the Qur'an with measured recitation. (4) Indeed, We will cast upon you a heavy word. (5) Indeed, the hours of the night are more effective for concurrence [of heart and tongue] and more suitable for words. (6) Indeed, for you by day is prolonged occupation. (7) And remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with [complete] devotion. (8) [Quran, Al Muzzammil 73:2-8]
This section really explains to us the necessity of doing extra actions of worship. Though it is not obligatory that you pray Tahajjud but at the same time the Quran is very clear that if you want to get to the highest levels of Jannah, the primary mechanism that you begin that journey is through the night prayer and reciting Quran especially at night during your Tahajjud solat.
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ تَقُومُ أَدْنَىٰ مِن ثُلُثَيِ اللَّيْلِ وَنِصْفَهُ وَثُلُثَهُ وَطَائِفَةٌ مِّنَ الَّذِينَ مَعَكَ ۚ وَاللَّـهُ يُقَدِّرُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ ۚ عَلِمَ أَن لَّن تُحْصُوهُ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ فَاقْرَءُوا مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ۚ عَلِمَ أَن سَيَكُونُ مِنكُم مَّرْضَىٰ ۙ وَآخَرُونَ يَضْرِبُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَبْتَغُونَ مِن فَضْلِ اللَّـهِ ۙ وَآخَرُونَ يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ ۖ فَاقْرَءُوا مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنْهُ ۚ وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَقْرِضُوا اللَّـهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا ۚ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ اللَّـهِ هُوَ خَيْرًا وَأَعْظَمَ أَجْرًا ۚ وَاسْتَغْفِرُوا اللَّـهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٢٠
Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muhammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur'an. He has known that there will be among you those who are ill and others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah and others fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (20) [Quran, Al Muzzammil 73:20]
Allah praises those who stand in prayer at night (for two thirds or half or a third of it) and Allah commands the companions to recite whatever they can of the Quran at night and to give charity. All of this is also showing that the primary means of fortifying our souls and overcoming difficulties is the night prayer, reciting the Quran and of course the overall zikr of Allah. It is in these areas that our ranks are raised.
So, see what you can do in these areas. If you cannot do them regularly then at least do it occasionally. If you cannot do it every single night, start once a week or once every 2 weeks or once a month but have a regular routine and once in a while increase it. If you can't recite the Quran properly, go to a Quran teacher and start learning how to recite the Quran properly. Inshaa Allah you will start mastering it day by day, week by week, month by month. The science of tajweed is considered to be and it is the easiest science of Islam. All you need is some effort and determination.
May Allah grant us tawfiq (success) to the highest station. 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 Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam, from the very beginning of his Prophethood, after barely a few weeks of seeing Jibril alayhissalaam, was being warned of the very heavy burden and challenge ahead and how to prepare for it.
One of the first commandments is to pray in the night and recite the Quran with tarteel. Tarteel means slow, melodious voice, observing the rules of recitation and try your best to make it sound good.
Why in the night? Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says because the virgil of the night is the most impactly and the best for recitation.
يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُزَّمِّلُ ﴿١﴾ قُمِ اللَّيْلَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا ﴿٢﴾ نِّصْفَهُ أَوِ انقُصْ مِنْهُ قَلِيلًا ﴿٣﴾ أَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ الْقُرْآنَ تَرْتِيلًا ﴿٤﴾ إِنَّا سَنُلْقِي عَلَيْكَ قَوْلًا ثَقِيلًا ﴿٥﴾ إِنَّ نَاشِئَةَ اللَّيْلِ هِيَ أَشَدُّ وَطْئًا وَأَقْوَمُ قِيلًا ﴿٦﴾ إِنَّ لَكَ فِي النَّهَارِ سَبْحًا طَوِيلًا ﴿٧﴾ وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ وَتَبَتَّلْ إِلَيْهِ تَبْتِيلًا ﴿٨
O you who wraps himself [in clothing], (1) Arise [to pray] the night, except for a little - (2) Half of it - or subtract from it a little (3) Or add to it, and recite the Qur'an with measured recitation. (4) Indeed, We will cast upon you a heavy word. (5) Indeed, the hours of the night are more effective for concurrence [of heart and tongue] and more suitable for words. (6) Indeed, for you by day is prolonged occupation. (7) And remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with [complete] devotion. (8) [Quran, Al Muzzammil 73:2-8]
This section really explains to us the necessity of doing extra actions of worship. Though it is not obligatory that you pray Tahajjud but at the same time the Quran is very clear that if you want to get to the highest levels of Jannah, the primary mechanism that you begin that journey is through the night prayer and reciting Quran especially at night during your Tahajjud solat.
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ تَقُومُ أَدْنَىٰ مِن ثُلُثَيِ اللَّيْلِ وَنِصْفَهُ وَثُلُثَهُ وَطَائِفَةٌ مِّنَ الَّذِينَ مَعَكَ ۚ وَاللَّـهُ يُقَدِّرُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ ۚ عَلِمَ أَن لَّن تُحْصُوهُ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ فَاقْرَءُوا مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ۚ عَلِمَ أَن سَيَكُونُ مِنكُم مَّرْضَىٰ ۙ وَآخَرُونَ يَضْرِبُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَبْتَغُونَ مِن فَضْلِ اللَّـهِ ۙ وَآخَرُونَ يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ ۖ فَاقْرَءُوا مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنْهُ ۚ وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَقْرِضُوا اللَّـهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا ۚ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ اللَّـهِ هُوَ خَيْرًا وَأَعْظَمَ أَجْرًا ۚ وَاسْتَغْفِرُوا اللَّـهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٢٠
Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muhammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur'an. He has known that there will be among you those who are ill and others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah and others fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (20) [Quran, Al Muzzammil 73:20]
Allah praises those who stand in prayer at night (for two thirds or half or a third of it) and Allah commands the companions to recite whatever they can of the Quran at night and to give charity. All of this is also showing that the primary means of fortifying our souls and overcoming difficulties is the night prayer, reciting the Quran and of course the overall zikr of Allah. It is in these areas that our ranks are raised.
So, see what you can do in these areas. If you cannot do them regularly then at least do it occasionally. If you cannot do it every single night, start once a week or once every 2 weeks or once a month but have a regular routine and once in a while increase it. If you can't recite the Quran properly, go to a Quran teacher and start learning how to recite the Quran properly. Inshaa Allah you will start mastering it day by day, week by week, month by month. The science of tajweed is considered to be and it is the easiest science of Islam. All you need is some effort and determination.
May Allah grant us tawfiq (success) to the highest station. 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, July 7, 2020
Prepare For That Day
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
The ending of Surah An-Naba describes a frightful scene of the Day of Judgment. On that Day none can speak except those who are permitted by Ar-Rahman and those who are given permission to speak, they will only speak the truth. That is indeed the Day of Truth. It is going to happen and there is no denying it. So we had better prepare for that Day. It is not that far away, the eternal world of the next from this temporary one. That Day is just a blink of an eye away. The one with no faith will regret and say "Oh, I wish that I were dust!" The pleasure that we are having is not worth anything if we don’t prepare to meet Allah on that Day.
يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الرُّوحُ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ صَفًّا ۖ لَّا يَتَكَلَّمُونَ إِلَّا مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ الرَّحْمَـٰنُ وَقَالَ صَوَابًا ﴿٣٨﴾ ذَٰلِكَ الْيَوْمُ الْحَقُّ ۖ فَمَن شَاءَ اتَّخَذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِ مَآبًا ﴿٣٩﴾ إِنَّا أَنذَرْنَاكُمْ عَذَابًا قَرِيبًا يَوْمَ يَنظُرُ الْمَرْءُ مَا قَدَّمَتْ يَدَاهُ وَيَقُولُ الْكَافِرُ يَا لَيْتَنِي كُنتُ تُرَابًا ﴿٤٠
The Day that the Spirit and the angels will stand in rows, they will not speak except for one whom the Most Merciful permits, and he will say what is correct. (38) That is the True Day; so he who wills may take to his Lord a [way of] return. (39) Indeed, We have warned you of a near punishment on the Day when a man will observe what his hands have put forth and the disbeliever will say, "Oh, I wish that I were dust!" (40) [Quran, An-Naba 78:38-40]
May Allah make our meeting with Him on the Day the best of our meetings. 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 ending of Surah An-Naba describes a frightful scene of the Day of Judgment. On that Day none can speak except those who are permitted by Ar-Rahman and those who are given permission to speak, they will only speak the truth. That is indeed the Day of Truth. It is going to happen and there is no denying it. So we had better prepare for that Day. It is not that far away, the eternal world of the next from this temporary one. That Day is just a blink of an eye away. The one with no faith will regret and say "Oh, I wish that I were dust!" The pleasure that we are having is not worth anything if we don’t prepare to meet Allah on that Day.
يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الرُّوحُ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ صَفًّا ۖ لَّا يَتَكَلَّمُونَ إِلَّا مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ الرَّحْمَـٰنُ وَقَالَ صَوَابًا ﴿٣٨﴾ ذَٰلِكَ الْيَوْمُ الْحَقُّ ۖ فَمَن شَاءَ اتَّخَذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِ مَآبًا ﴿٣٩﴾ إِنَّا أَنذَرْنَاكُمْ عَذَابًا قَرِيبًا يَوْمَ يَنظُرُ الْمَرْءُ مَا قَدَّمَتْ يَدَاهُ وَيَقُولُ الْكَافِرُ يَا لَيْتَنِي كُنتُ تُرَابًا ﴿٤٠
The Day that the Spirit and the angels will stand in rows, they will not speak except for one whom the Most Merciful permits, and he will say what is correct. (38) That is the True Day; so he who wills may take to his Lord a [way of] return. (39) Indeed, We have warned you of a near punishment on the Day when a man will observe what his hands have put forth and the disbeliever will say, "Oh, I wish that I were dust!" (40) [Quran, An-Naba 78:38-40]
May Allah make our meeting with Him on the Day the best of our meetings. 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, July 6, 2020
Soften Our Hearts and Repent
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah An-'Aam, we are told that Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala sent Messengers to many nations and also they were sent many calamities. Why? So that they might turn back to Him. Allah is asking why when the punishment came to them, they did not humble themselves in front of Allah but instead their hearts became hard and the shaytan made their deeds seem beautiful to them. They saw signs after signs but they did not take heed. They did not see the reality. Let's be careful that we are not guilty with any of these things when calamities come.
We are living in a COVID-19 pandemic. The freedom that we use to have, the economic success, flying, travelling, dining in restaurants, family gatherings, going to the masjid, going to the beach, everything have been taken away. Allah manifested how powerful He is and how weak His creation is. Our achievment and advancement mean nothing. How quickly that was demonstrated. We live in a reality that we don't know what the repercussions that this pandemic will being about. We don't even know when it is going to end.
This is the time our hearts are supposed to be soft, not hard, not let the shaytan make us think we are fine. A soft heart means that we humble ourselves to Allah, recognize our mistakes, recognize who our Lord is and turn to Him in repentance.
There is no question that the COVID-19 crisis is a type of communal punishment. But the communal punishment doesn't mean that every individual is guilty. It means a lot of individuals are guilty, that too many people have done too many wrongdoings and for too long. Allah is sending us a wake up call. Allah is telling us this is a worldly punishment and make sure we save ourselves from the real punishment.
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَىٰ أُمَمٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَخَذْنَاهُم بِالْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ ﴿٤٢﴾ فَلَوْلَا إِذْ جَاءَهُم بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُوا وَلَـٰكِن قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٤٣﴾ فَلَمَّا نَسُوا مَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهِ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَبْوَابَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا فَرِحُوا بِمَا أُوتُوا أَخَذْنَاهُم بَغْتَةً فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْلِسُونَ ﴿٤٤
فَقُطِعَ دَابِرُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا ۚ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّـهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٤٥
And We have already sent [messengers] to nations before you, [O Muhammad]; then We seized them with poverty and hardship that perhaps they might humble themselves [to Us]. (42) Then why, when Our punishment came to them, did they not humble themselves? But their hearts became hardened, and Satan made attractive to them that which they were doing. (43) So when they forgot that by which they had been reminded, We opened to them the doors of every [good] thing until, when they rejoiced in that which they were given, We seized them suddenly, and they were [then] in despair. (44)So the people that committed wrong were eliminated. And praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds. (45)
May Allah forgive us for all our shortcomings and relieve us from this pandemic. 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 An-'Aam, we are told that Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala sent Messengers to many nations and also they were sent many calamities. Why? So that they might turn back to Him. Allah is asking why when the punishment came to them, they did not humble themselves in front of Allah but instead their hearts became hard and the shaytan made their deeds seem beautiful to them. They saw signs after signs but they did not take heed. They did not see the reality. Let's be careful that we are not guilty with any of these things when calamities come.
We are living in a COVID-19 pandemic. The freedom that we use to have, the economic success, flying, travelling, dining in restaurants, family gatherings, going to the masjid, going to the beach, everything have been taken away. Allah manifested how powerful He is and how weak His creation is. Our achievment and advancement mean nothing. How quickly that was demonstrated. We live in a reality that we don't know what the repercussions that this pandemic will being about. We don't even know when it is going to end.
This is the time our hearts are supposed to be soft, not hard, not let the shaytan make us think we are fine. A soft heart means that we humble ourselves to Allah, recognize our mistakes, recognize who our Lord is and turn to Him in repentance.
There is no question that the COVID-19 crisis is a type of communal punishment. But the communal punishment doesn't mean that every individual is guilty. It means a lot of individuals are guilty, that too many people have done too many wrongdoings and for too long. Allah is sending us a wake up call. Allah is telling us this is a worldly punishment and make sure we save ourselves from the real punishment.
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَىٰ أُمَمٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَخَذْنَاهُم بِالْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ ﴿٤٢﴾ فَلَوْلَا إِذْ جَاءَهُم بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُوا وَلَـٰكِن قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٤٣﴾ فَلَمَّا نَسُوا مَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهِ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَبْوَابَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا فَرِحُوا بِمَا أُوتُوا أَخَذْنَاهُم بَغْتَةً فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْلِسُونَ ﴿٤٤
فَقُطِعَ دَابِرُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا ۚ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّـهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٤٥
And We have already sent [messengers] to nations before you, [O Muhammad]; then We seized them with poverty and hardship that perhaps they might humble themselves [to Us]. (42) Then why, when Our punishment came to them, did they not humble themselves? But their hearts became hardened, and Satan made attractive to them that which they were doing. (43) So when they forgot that by which they had been reminded, We opened to them the doors of every [good] thing until, when they rejoiced in that which they were given, We seized them suddenly, and they were [then] in despair. (44)So the people that committed wrong were eliminated. And praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds. (45)
May Allah forgive us for all our shortcomings and relieve us from this pandemic. 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, July 4, 2020
Feed The Hungry
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Al Insaan, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala describes the righteous people. He tells us that one of the characteristics of the righteous people is that they feed the needy, the orphan, and the captives. We have to fit this description if we want to be righteous.
We have to have compassion towards all humanity, not just towards Muslims or our loved ones or people we know or we like only. Give food to everyone who needs it. We feed people because Allah wants us to do that. When we feed the hungry, it is not something we do as a da'wah for Islam or for a "Kodak moment" or Instgram or Facebook moment. We don’t feed the hungry because we think it will bring a good image to Islam. Feeding the hungry is not a public relation for Islam. If we think this way, we have prioritize it incorrectly.
يُوفُونَ بِالنَّذْرِ وَيَخَافُونَ يَوْمًا كَانَ شَرُّهُ مُسْتَطِيرًا ﴿٧﴾ وَيُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ مِسْكِينًا وَيَتِيمًا وَأَسِيرًا ﴿٨﴾ إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ اللَّـهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَاءً وَلَا شُكُورًا ﴿٩﴾ إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوْمًا عَبُوسًا قَمْطَرِيرًا ﴿١٠
They [are those who] fulfill [their] vows and fear a Day whose evil will be widespread. (7) And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, (8) [Saying], "We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude. (9) Indeed, We fear from our Lord a Day austere and distressful." (10)
May Allah grant us righteous deeds and make us of the righteous. Aameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Al Insaan, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala describes the righteous people. He tells us that one of the characteristics of the righteous people is that they feed the needy, the orphan, and the captives. We have to fit this description if we want to be righteous.
We have to have compassion towards all humanity, not just towards Muslims or our loved ones or people we know or we like only. Give food to everyone who needs it. We feed people because Allah wants us to do that. When we feed the hungry, it is not something we do as a da'wah for Islam or for a "Kodak moment" or Instgram or Facebook moment. We don’t feed the hungry because we think it will bring a good image to Islam. Feeding the hungry is not a public relation for Islam. If we think this way, we have prioritize it incorrectly.
يُوفُونَ بِالنَّذْرِ وَيَخَافُونَ يَوْمًا كَانَ شَرُّهُ مُسْتَطِيرًا ﴿٧﴾ وَيُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ مِسْكِينًا وَيَتِيمًا وَأَسِيرًا ﴿٨﴾ إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ اللَّـهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَاءً وَلَا شُكُورًا ﴿٩﴾ إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوْمًا عَبُوسًا قَمْطَرِيرًا ﴿١٠
They [are those who] fulfill [their] vows and fear a Day whose evil will be widespread. (7) And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, (8) [Saying], "We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude. (9) Indeed, We fear from our Lord a Day austere and distressful." (10)
May Allah grant us righteous deeds and make us of the righteous. Aameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Be Grateful
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
The year before you were born, no one knew that you would be here. Nobody knew your name. Your existence itself was unknown. You were nothing. Allah was the the One who created you from a drop of a sperm-drop mixture in order to test you. Allah made you hearing and seeing and show the Path. You can either try to be thankful or be the worst of the most ungrateful.
هَلْ أَتَىٰ عَلَى الْإِنسَانِ حِينٌ مِّنَ الدَّهْرِ لَمْ يَكُن شَيْئًا مَّذْكُورًا ﴿١﴾ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ أَمْشَاجٍ نَّبْتَلِيهِ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا ﴿٢﴾ إِنَّا هَدَيْنَاهُ السَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا ﴿٣
Has there [not] come upon man a period of time when he was not a thing [even] mentioned? (1) Indeed, We created man from a sperm-drop mixture that We may try him; and We made him hearing and seeing. (2) Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or be he ungrateful. (3) [Quran. Al Insan 76:1-3]
May Allah forgive us 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
The year before you were born, no one knew that you would be here. Nobody knew your name. Your existence itself was unknown. You were nothing. Allah was the the One who created you from a drop of a sperm-drop mixture in order to test you. Allah made you hearing and seeing and show the Path. You can either try to be thankful or be the worst of the most ungrateful.
هَلْ أَتَىٰ عَلَى الْإِنسَانِ حِينٌ مِّنَ الدَّهْرِ لَمْ يَكُن شَيْئًا مَّذْكُورًا ﴿١﴾ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ أَمْشَاجٍ نَّبْتَلِيهِ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا ﴿٢﴾ إِنَّا هَدَيْنَاهُ السَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا ﴿٣
Has there [not] come upon man a period of time when he was not a thing [even] mentioned? (1) Indeed, We created man from a sperm-drop mixture that We may try him; and We made him hearing and seeing. (2) Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or be he ungrateful. (3) [Quran. Al Insan 76:1-3]
May Allah forgive us 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, July 2, 2020
Ask Allah For Forgiveness Often
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Nuh, Prophet Nuh alayhissalaam asked his people to ask forgiveness of Allah. Every Messenger has the same message. When you ask Allah for forgiveness, not only you will be forgiven but the skies will rain upon you and you will have an increase in your wealth and your children and all rizq (provisions) that come to you. Wouldn't it make sense that we turn to Allah often and be forgiven in this world and be given gardens in the next world?
فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا ﴿١٠
يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا ﴿١١﴾ وَيُمْدِدْكُم بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ أَنْهَارًا ﴿١٢﴾ مَّا لَكُمْ لَا تَرْجُونَ لِلَّـهِ وَقَارًا ﴿١٣
And I (Nuh a.s.) said, 'Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. (10) He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers (11) And give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers. (12) What is [the matter] with you that you do not attribute to Allah [due] grandeur (13.
Sin, big or small, is bad news for the one who does it. One of the reasons why many people sin, or care little about their sins is their failure to see the impact that sins can have on their lives in this world and in the Hereafter. Every single person (alive, dead and to be born) is also affected by your sin no matter how small your sin is. You and I are part of a society. When sins become rampant, we all suffer.
Why are we being inflicted with the pandemic of Covid-19? There is no question that this is a communal punishment عذاب because of too much wrongdoings, transgressions, injustices (ظلم ), immorality (فحشاء) and corruption (فساد) going around in the globe. Finally enough is enough. We need to repent to Allah so we are not punished at an individual level.
May Allah enable us to realize our own shortcomings and always turn back to Allah. 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 Nuh, Prophet Nuh alayhissalaam asked his people to ask forgiveness of Allah. Every Messenger has the same message. When you ask Allah for forgiveness, not only you will be forgiven but the skies will rain upon you and you will have an increase in your wealth and your children and all rizq (provisions) that come to you. Wouldn't it make sense that we turn to Allah often and be forgiven in this world and be given gardens in the next world?
فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا ﴿١٠
يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا ﴿١١﴾ وَيُمْدِدْكُم بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ أَنْهَارًا ﴿١٢﴾ مَّا لَكُمْ لَا تَرْجُونَ لِلَّـهِ وَقَارًا ﴿١٣
And I (Nuh a.s.) said, 'Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. (10) He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers (11) And give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers. (12) What is [the matter] with you that you do not attribute to Allah [due] grandeur (13.
Sin, big or small, is bad news for the one who does it. One of the reasons why many people sin, or care little about their sins is their failure to see the impact that sins can have on their lives in this world and in the Hereafter. Every single person (alive, dead and to be born) is also affected by your sin no matter how small your sin is. You and I are part of a society. When sins become rampant, we all suffer.
Why are we being inflicted with the pandemic of Covid-19? There is no question that this is a communal punishment عذاب because of too much wrongdoings, transgressions, injustices (ظلم ), immorality (فحشاء) and corruption (فساد) going around in the globe. Finally enough is enough. We need to repent to Allah so we are not punished at an individual level.
May Allah enable us to realize our own shortcomings and always turn back to Allah. 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, July 1, 2020
Don't Let Your Intelligence Fail You
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Al Mulk, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala mentions the punishments for those who are too blind to take heed of the miracles of creation and to ignore the Messengers of Allah. And when they are brought to the Fire of Hell, the Angels cannot believe the people end up in Hell. How could someone possibly end up in Hell? It is so obvious we should be worshipping Allah.
Everytime a company is thrown into Hell, the Angels ask them, "Did there not come to you a warner?" They will say, "Yes, a warner has come to us but but we denied and said, 'Allah has not sent down anything. You are not but in great error." And they will say, if only they had listened and used their intelligence, they won't be among the companions of Hell and they will admit to their sins. We don't want to be in that camp.
Don't let your intelligence fail you. The intelligence that is praiseworthy is not in the high degrees, in the discovery of great technologies, and so on, though it is a good thing if used properly but the ultimate intelligence is an understanding of the purpose of life. This level of intelligence is accessible to every single human being. We don’t need high degrees to understand the purpose of life and what the Messengers have brought.
The people who ended up in Hell criticize themselves for not being smart enough to have followed the Messengers. If your intelligence does not guide you to the Truth of Allah, then your intelligence have failed you.
وَلِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ ﴿٦﴾ إِذَا أُلْقُوا فِيهَا سَمِعُوا لَهَا شَهِيقًا وَهِيَ تَفُورُ ﴿٧﴾ تَكَادُ تَمَيَّزُ مِنَ الْغَيْظِ ۖ كُلَّمَا أُلْقِيَ فِيهَا فَوْجٌ سَأَلَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَذِيرٌ ﴿٨﴾ قَالُوا بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَاءَنَا نَذِيرٌ فَكَذَّبْنَا وَقُلْنَا مَا نَزَّلَ اللَّـهُ مِن شَيْءٍ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا فِي ضَلَالٍ كَبِيرٍ ﴿٩﴾ وَقَالُوا لَوْ كُنَّا نَسْمَعُ أَوْ نَعْقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِي أَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ ﴿١٠﴾ فَاعْتَرَفُوا بِذَنبِهِمْ فَسُحْقًا لِّأَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ ﴿١١﴾
And for those who disbelieved in their Lord is the punishment of Hell, and wretched is the destination. (6) When they are thrown into it, they hear from it a [dreadful] inhaling while it boils up. (7) It almost bursts with rage. Every time a company is thrown into it, its keepers ask them, "Did there not come to you a warner?" (8) They will say," Yes, a warner had come to us, but we denied and said, 'Allah has not sent down anything. You are not but in great error.'" (9) And they will say, "If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze." (10) And they will admit their sin, so [it is] alienation for the companions of the Blaze. (11)
May Allah protect us from being deaf, dumb and blind and grant us His Light and save us from 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
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
In Surah Al Mulk, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala mentions the punishments for those who are too blind to take heed of the miracles of creation and to ignore the Messengers of Allah. And when they are brought to the Fire of Hell, the Angels cannot believe the people end up in Hell. How could someone possibly end up in Hell? It is so obvious we should be worshipping Allah.
Everytime a company is thrown into Hell, the Angels ask them, "Did there not come to you a warner?" They will say, "Yes, a warner has come to us but but we denied and said, 'Allah has not sent down anything. You are not but in great error." And they will say, if only they had listened and used their intelligence, they won't be among the companions of Hell and they will admit to their sins. We don't want to be in that camp.
Don't let your intelligence fail you. The intelligence that is praiseworthy is not in the high degrees, in the discovery of great technologies, and so on, though it is a good thing if used properly but the ultimate intelligence is an understanding of the purpose of life. This level of intelligence is accessible to every single human being. We don’t need high degrees to understand the purpose of life and what the Messengers have brought.
The people who ended up in Hell criticize themselves for not being smart enough to have followed the Messengers. If your intelligence does not guide you to the Truth of Allah, then your intelligence have failed you.
وَلِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ ﴿٦﴾ إِذَا أُلْقُوا فِيهَا سَمِعُوا لَهَا شَهِيقًا وَهِيَ تَفُورُ ﴿٧﴾ تَكَادُ تَمَيَّزُ مِنَ الْغَيْظِ ۖ كُلَّمَا أُلْقِيَ فِيهَا فَوْجٌ سَأَلَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَذِيرٌ ﴿٨﴾ قَالُوا بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَاءَنَا نَذِيرٌ فَكَذَّبْنَا وَقُلْنَا مَا نَزَّلَ اللَّـهُ مِن شَيْءٍ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا فِي ضَلَالٍ كَبِيرٍ ﴿٩﴾ وَقَالُوا لَوْ كُنَّا نَسْمَعُ أَوْ نَعْقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِي أَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ ﴿١٠﴾ فَاعْتَرَفُوا بِذَنبِهِمْ فَسُحْقًا لِّأَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ ﴿١١﴾
And for those who disbelieved in their Lord is the punishment of Hell, and wretched is the destination. (6) When they are thrown into it, they hear from it a [dreadful] inhaling while it boils up. (7) It almost bursts with rage. Every time a company is thrown into it, its keepers ask them, "Did there not come to you a warner?" (8) They will say," Yes, a warner had come to us, but we denied and said, 'Allah has not sent down anything. You are not but in great error.'" (9) And they will say, "If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze." (10) And they will admit their sin, so [it is] alienation for the companions of the Blaze. (11)
May Allah protect us from being deaf, dumb and blind and grant us His Light and save us from 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
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