Finding The Source of Happiness -- Connect With The Quran

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

How is your relationship with the Quran? How many times have you opened the Quran looking for a solution to set yourself free from the hellfire? Are you of those those who opened the Quran when they get marrried for barakah or pray taraweeh behind the imam? Did you really grasp the Quran the way you are supposed to? 

Allah says the Quran is a guidance. For who? For those conscious of Allah.

ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah [Quran, Al Baqarah 2:2] 

But how often did you open the Quran and said, "I want this guidance"? When did you open the Quran and ask how should I live as a Muslim, what is good and what is bad? 

Everything that has to do with the Quran boils down to this, 

 أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ أَمْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَآ

Then do they not reflect upon the Quran, or are there locks upon [their] hearts? [Quran, Muhammad 47:24]

كِتَٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَٰرَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓا۟ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ 

[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded. [Quran, Sad 38:29]

The meaning of  barakah is eternal wisdom. The knowledge within the Quran never ends. Nobody is able to grasp the knowledge of one single verse and that is why the Quran has been explained over so many centuries and in so many tafsirs. They have the same goal which is understanding of what Allah wants to tell us.

Most Muslims do not understand the Quran. How many percent of Muslims would even understand a short Surah of the Quran? This is concerning your Hell or Paradise. You know the names of celebrities and everybody kicking the ball but you don't know the names of the One you worship and you don't understand the Book that He has revealed! And you are hoping to enter Paradise? This is a problem. We have to wake up and become adults in the way we look at ourselves and perceive our souls and our minds. 

The first thing you should do now is to reflect upon yourself. We are so used to looking at other people that we forget to look at ourselves. From the moment you start investigating your own self, that's the moment when you will understand that you do not have time to investigate others. 

Allah is not in need of us. He honored us through creating us. Get to know Him. Knowing Him here is better than in Paradise because here is the place where you can prove to Him that you want to know Him. Paradise is the result of you knowing Him. If you found Allah, you have found everything and you have found the source of happiness. 

The climax of a human being is to get to know Allah with his/her heart, mind and soul. May Allah enable us to reach that climax and not take our souls before that. Aameen.

Allahumma salli ala Muhammad wa ala aalihi wasahbibhi wasallam

Always Be Grateful

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

It hurts when you did everything for  your loved ones and they turned around and said you haven't done anything for them, right?

If people don't appreciate you, don't get upset, don't be dissapointed. Take this as your opportunity to ask yourself "did I appreciate  what Allah has done for me?" If people don't appreciate you for what you have done for them, you don't lose the reward but if you don't appreciate what Allah has done for you, your reward is gone and you might lose the blessings too.  Always thank Allah for what you have, not just with your tongue but with your actions.

May Allah make us of those who are grateful. Aameen.

Have You Completed 6 Days Shawwal Fasting?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

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

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

We don't limit our fasting and certain acts of good deed in Ramadhan only. If you haven't fasted the 6 days in Shawwal, you still have time to do so.

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

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

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

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

Take advantage of the remaining Shawwal days to fast and practice patience and restraint.

May Allah make us of those who are patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient ones. Ameen.

 Allahumma salli ala Muihammad wa ala aalihi wasahbihi wasallam

Feeling Peaceful?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

You felt peaceful in Ramadan. How about now? One of the biggest blessings, many feel far from, is to feel tranquility or Sakeenah. Now ask yourself, how much time have you spent with the Quran after Ramadan?

Al-Bara' bin 'Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:

 

A man was reciting Surat Al-Kahf, and a horse was tied with two ropes beside him. As he was reciting, a cloud overshadowed him, and as it began to come nearer and nearer, the horse began to trample voilently. The man came to the Messenger of Allah صل الله عليه وسلم in the morning and mentioned the incident to him. He صل الله عليه وسل said, "That was tranquillity which descended as a result of the recitation of the Quran." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Have a no-excuse policy to surround yourself with Allah’s words in short bursts, if needed, a few times a day. The more you just open it and read it, spend those five or ten minutes a day learning a new Ayah and reading the meaning, the more Allah, the Most High, will protect you and angels will surround you. If you haven't built yourself up to reading a juz (20 pages) of the Quran daily, start now. If you did that in Ramadhan, don't stop now. Continue reading. The more time you spend on the Quran, the more you will feel peace, your affairs taken care off, your illnesses being healed and more.

Yahya bin Mu’adh said: The Dunya [world] is worthless to its Lord [Allah], and yet it belongs to Him. So it’s not right that you value it so much, and it’s not even yours! [Hilyatul-Awliya]

O Allah, help us to set our priorities right in this world and aid us in making Your Book a priority in our daily life and experience its tranquility. 

رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا

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

Aameen

 

What Is The Greatest Thing You Can Wish For?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

What is the greatest thing you can wish for? 

 

The least you can wish for is for Allah's acceptance and make you to enter Paradise. Next is for Allah to be pleased with you and reward you for all your good deeds. Allah is generous and He multiplies the reward. You get more than what you deserve. We can't imagine how great the reward is.

 

But the highest of believer will ask to be with Allah in Paradise. They want nothing but Allah Himself. That is the purity of love.

 

وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱمْرَأَتَ فِرْعَوْنَ إِذْ قَالَتْ رَبِّ ٱبْنِ لِى عِندَكَ بَيْتًا فِى ٱلْجَنَّةِ وَنَجِّنِى مِن فِرْعَوْنَ وَعَمَلِهِۦ وَنَجِّنِى مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ ‎﴿١١﴾

 

And Allah presents an example of those who believed: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, "My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people." [Quran, At-Tahrim 66:11]

 

Seek Rabbul Jannah.

 

فَٱدْخُلِى فِى عِبَٰدِى ‎﴿٢٩﴾‏ وَٱدْخُلِى جَنَّتِى ‎﴿٣٠﴾‏

 

And enter among My [righteous] servants (29) And enter My Paradise." (30) 

 

[Quran, Al Fajr 89:29-30]

 

Allah has told us where His reward us, where His good pleasure is. Allah has told us where to find Him.

May Allah build for us a home near Him in Paradise. Aameen.

 

Allahumma salli ala Muhammad wa ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam

Post Ramadhan Gratitude

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

So quickly thirty days of Ramadhan have gone by. Allah says, 

وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

... and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful. [Quran, Al Baqarah 2:185]

These takbiraat that we said during Eid are meant to be the culmination of a month long of fasting. When we say Allahu Akbar and praising Allah, are we truly understanding that we are testifying there is nothing more important to me than Allah? It means Allah is greater, Allah is more significant than anything in my life, there is nothing worthy of me sacrificing or worshipping except for Allah and to Allah, my life and my death, my fasting, my charity and everything that I have is for Allah and from Allah. 

There is so much to show gratitude (shukr) for especially on Eid. The most important shukr, every single shukr that we do is dependent upon this, is the shukr that we owe to Allah for having guided us to the religion of Islam and faith, for being Muslims, for being in the Ummah of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam, for being in the nation that the Quran has come down upon.

The biggest blessing Allah has given us is the blessing of Iman (Faith in the Oneness of Allah). It is Iman and the religion that give meaning to our lives, that give us a sense of purpose, and that makes us noble. There is no purpose of living without religion. Religion tells us why we are here, what is going to happen after we die, who created us. We thank Allah for being guided us to Islam and were it not for Allah, we will not have this guidance. So we do shukr to Allah and we show thanks to Allah especially in our times when religion is on the decline and more and more people are embracing no faith, it becomes so important that people of faith remind others of the beauty of Islam.

Everyone of us Muslims is a role model and ambassador, not only of the religion of Allah but of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wassallam. Your friends, your family and people around you look to you and they will see in you, whether you take this position or not, in their eyes you are a representative of Islam. So live up to Islam and show thanks to Allah for being a Muslim.

The other shukr that we have to remind ourselves of especially during these days of Eid, is the shukr that we owe to Allah of having gone through the last two years of being in one of the greatest, if not the greatest tragedies of our times, which is the Covid crisis. Never forget two Eids ago, we prayed Eid at home. There was no Eid and there were empty masjids. Now, Alhamdulillah, things are returning to normalcy but never forget and do not take what you have for granted. There are people who are no longer with us because they have gone in the last two years during the Covid crisis. So show our shukr that Allah has chosen us to come out of the Covid crisis and able to pray at the masjid, enjoyed Taraweeh, and celebrate Eid. Let us demonstrate that shukr in our actions.

There is another shukr that everyone of us should appreciate for the blessings that we have especially in the times and  place where Allah has allowed us to live in. There are people around the world who are being persecuted for their religion. There are people who are not able to pray Eid, there are people who are in mass incarceration of Muslims in places around the world. There are people who live under governments who are increasingly anti-Islamic. Should we not show shukr to Allah for having given us the luxuries, the freedom, the life and the wealth and peace? We are the position to worship Allah without fear, without retaliation. When Allah has shown us this bounty and others do not have it, how could anyone of us be ashamed to be a Muslim. How could anyone of us not take a legitimate pride in the sense of the testimony La ilaha illallah Muhammadar Rasulullah (There is no diety worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah). How can we not avail ourselves to the freedoms that we have and so many other people don't have. The least that we can do, given that all that we have, is to show shukr to Allah and shukr is shown not just by the tongue, but shukr is shown in our actions, rituals, interaction with others, charities and our entire lives can be centered around shukr. 

Take the lessons and spirituality of Ramadhan, take the Iman that was increased in Ramadhan and use it to propel us forward until the next Ramadhan. For those who are going to be here next Ramadhan make sure that every Ramadhan is your best Ramadhan and continue to raise the bar every single year. Enjoy Eid but be careful that you do not destroy the good deeds of Ramadhan by the sins of one day and do not go beyond the bounds.

May Allah accept all of our good deeds, forgive our sins, secure our Faith, save us from calamities, conceal our faults, increase our wealth, protect our health, preserve our children, perfect our manners, guide our progeny, accept our repentance, ease the pangs of death, fortify us in the graves, resurrect us with the righteous, make heavy our Scales, ease our judgment, give us the books in the right hand, shelter uswith His Shade in the Day of Judgment, allow the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam to intercede for us and causes us to be the people of Jannah with the Mercy of Allah. May Allah bless Islam and its people, protect the ummah from those who desire evil. Allah is the Al Mighty. Aameen.

Allahumma salli ala Muhammad wa ala aalihi wa sahbihi wassallam.

Bidding Farewell to Ramadhan 1443 AH -- It's Not Over Until It Is Over

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

The month of the Quran is almost over. 

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَٰتٍ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ

The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. [Quran, Al Baqarah 2:185]

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

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

It is not over until it is over. Reap the benefits of Ramadhan while it lasts during this final moments with many other good deeds--be good to your parents, call them, thank them, hug them, say you love them. Give extra charity and pay your sadaqatul fitr (this is obligatory on every Muslim) and zakat before your Eid prayer.

This is a very profound hadith about not honoring and respecting your parents. Children should take this seriously.

Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, ascended the pulpit and he said, “Amin, amin, amin.” It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, you ascended the pulpit and said amin, amin, amin.” The Prophet said, “Verily, Gabriel came to me and he said: Whoever reaches the month of Ramadan and he is not forgiven, then he will enter Hellfire and Allah will cast him far away, so say amin. I said amin. Whoever sees his parents in their old age, one or both of them, and he does not honor them and he dies, then he will enter Hellfire and Allah will cast him far away, so say amin. I said amin. Whoever has your name mentioned in his presence and he does not send blessings upon you and he dies, then he will enter Hellfire and Allah will cast him far away, so say amin. I said amin.” [Ibn Hibban]

Every second now counts. Recite the Quran as much as you can now instead of cooking, final shopping for Eid, visiting, travelling, etc. If you haven't recited the Quran this month, do it now. This is your final chance this Ramadhan and maybe your last. We don't know if we will be here next Ramadhan. If you have recited some or complete the entire Quran this Ramadhan, do some more. Remember each letter you recite is one reward, and rewards are multiplied by ten of their kind and more in Ramadhan.

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَجْوَدَ النَّاسِ وَكَانَ أَجْوَدُ مَا يَكُونُ فِي رَمَضَانَ حِينَ يَلْقَاهُ جِبْرِيلُ وَكَانَ يَلْقَاهُ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ فَيُدَارِسُهُ القُرْآنَ فَلَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَجْوَدُ بِالخَيْرِ مِنَ الرِّيحِ المُرْسَلَةِ

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was the most generous of people and he was even more generous in Ramadan when Gabriel would meet him. He would meet him every night of Ramadan to study the Quran. Thus, the Prophet would be more generous than a nourishing wind. [Buhari & Muslim)

Fatimah, may Allah be pleased with her reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

أَسَرَّ إِلَيَّ إِنَّ جِبْرِيلَ كَانَ يُعَارِضُنِي الْقُرْآنَ كُلَّ سَنَةٍ مَرَّةً وَإِنَّهُ عَارَضَنِي الْعَامَ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَلَا أُرَاهُ إِلَّا حَضَرَ أَجَلِي

Gabriel would come to me to revise the Quran once every year. This year he revised with me twice. I do not think it means anything but that my term will come to an end.

[Bukhari]

Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him said:

كَانَ يَعْرِضُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ كُلَّ عَامٍ مَرَّةً فَعَرَضَ عَلَيْهِ مَرَّتَيْنِ فِي الْعَامِ الَّذِي قُبِضَ فِيهِ وَكَانَ يَعْتَكِفُ كُلَّ عَامٍ عَشْرًا فَاعْتَكَفَ عِشْرِينَ فِي الْعَام الَّذِي قُبِضَ فِيهِ

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would review the Quran once every year in Ramadan and he reviewed it twice in the year he passed away. The Prophet would seek spiritual retreat in the mosque for ten days every year and he secluded himself for twenty days in the year he passed away.

[Bukhari]

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said:

لَا أَعْلَمُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَرَأَ الْقُرْآنَ كُلَّهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ وَلَا قَامَ لَيْلَةً حَتَّى الصَّبَاحَ وَلَا صَامَ شَهْرًا كَامِلًا قَطُّ غَيْرَ رَمَضَانَ

I have not known the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, to read the entire Quran in a single night, nor to spend the whole night in prayer until the morning, nor to spend an entire month in fasting, except during the month of Ramadan.

[Sunan An-Nasa'i]

Wathila ibn al-Asqa’ reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

أُنْزِلَتْ صُحُفُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام فِي أَوَّلِ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ وَأُنْزِلَتْ التَّوْرَاةُ لِسِتٍّ مَضَيْنَ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ وَالْإِنْجِيلُ لِثَلَاثَ عَشْرَةَ خَلَتْ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ وَأُنْزِلَ الْفُرْقَانُ لِأَرْبَعٍ وَعِشْرِينَ خَلَتْ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ

The scriptures of Abraham, upon him be peace, were revealed on the first night of Ramadan. The Torah was revealed after six nights of Ramadan had passed. The Gospel was revealed after thirteen nights of Ramadan had passed. The Quran was revealed after twenty four nights of Ramadan had passed.

[Musnad Ahmad]

May Allah allow us to recite more Quran in these last moments of Ramadhan and enable us to read Quran everyday and enable us to do one or more Quran khatam every month until we meet Him. May Allah grant us sound understanding of the Quran and make us of His elect people of the Quran. May Allah accept our worship, all our good deeds and du'as, forgive and pardon us, save us from Hellfire, relieve the tribulations of the Ummah, and enable us to reach the next Ramadhan. Ameen.

Allahumma salli ala Muhammad wa ala aalihi wasahbihi wasallam