Sunday, December 31, 2023

Give Charity When You Are Healthy And Greedy

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Narrated Abu Huraira:
 
A man asked the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! What kind of charity is the best?" He replied. "To give in charity when you are healthy and greedy hoping to be wealthy and afraid of becoming poor. Don't delay giving in charity till the time when you are on the death bed when you say, 'Give so much to so and- so and so much to so-and so,' and at that time the property is not yours but it belongs to so-and-so (i.e. your inheritors).
[Related by Bukhari]

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Forgive Others As Quickly As You Can

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

 

وَلْيَعْفُوا۟ وَلْيَصْفَحُوٓا۟ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ‎
 
..and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
[Quran, An-Noor 24:22]

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Gratitude Prevents Punishment From Allah Almighty

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌ

...And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.' "

[Quran, Ibrahim 14:7]

Allah will grant you blessings when you are grateful to Him and also He is justified to punish you for your ingratitude. Gratitude prevents punishment from Allah Almighty.
 
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Friday, December 29, 2023

Let’s Read Surah Kahf Today -- Enjoying Happiness With The Quran

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

The friends of Allah do not only enjoy the benefit after they die. Rather they enjoy tranquility and happiness that everybody all over the world is looking for, but no one finds it except the true slaves of Allah.

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam, has shown us things to do with our lives. Through these actions, among them reading Surah Kahf every Friday, transformation takes place. Such a person if he asks Allah for something, Allah will give it to him. Why? Because Allah loves him. So strive to continue this Friday tradition until you die. Don't let shaytan whisper to you otherwise and take you away from your opportunity to be loved by Allah.

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ مَنْ أَحْسَنَ عَمَلًا ﴿٣٠﴾ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهِمُ ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَيَلْبَسُونَ ثِيَابًا خُضْرًا مِّن سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ فِيهَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ ۚ نِعْمَ ٱلثَّوَابُ وَحَسُنَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا ﴿٣١

“Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds. (30) Those will have gardens of perpetual residence; beneath them rivers will flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, reclining therein on adorned couches. Excellent is the reward, and good is the resting place. (31)”
[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:30-31]

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You May Hate A Thing And It Is Good For You, You May Love A Thing But It Is Bad For You

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ شَرٌّۭ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ٢١٦

But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not. [Quran, Al Baqarah 2:216]

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Thursday, December 28, 2023

Be Mindful of Allah, Ask and Seek Help From Allah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Narrated by Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both), ‘One day I was riding behind the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) when he said, “O lad, be mindful of Allah and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you shall find Him with you. When you ask (for anything), ask it from Allah, and if you seek help, seek help from Allah.” [At-Tirmidhi]

Narrated by Ibn Al-Firasi (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said to the Messenger of Allah:

"Shall I ask people (for help), O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "No, but if you have no alternative but to ask, then ask the righteous." [Sunan An-Nasai]

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When You Feel Alone And Sad

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

When you feel alone and sad, remember Hajar (Allah be pleased with her) being left alone with her infant son, Ismael (may Allah grant him peace,) in an arid desert of Makkah with no food and water. Hajar did not know what Allah had hidden for her but she obeyed and remain patient. And now you know some of the tremendous things that were hidden for her--which include millions of people following her footsteps between Safa and Marwah during hajj every year until the Day of Judgment inshaAllah! We cannot imagine the reward she is getting in Paradise for her patience.

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


O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful. [Qur'an AleImran 3:200]

 

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Do Not Seek To Be A Ruler

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Narrated `Abdur-Rahman bin Samura:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O `Abdur-Rahman bin Samura! Do not seek to be a ruler, because if you are given authority for it, then you will be held responsible for it, but if you are given it without asking for it, then you will be helped in it (by Allah): and whenever you take an oath to do something and later you find that something else is better than the first, then do the better one and make expiation for your oath." [Bukhari]


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Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Quran Recitation, Easiest Door To Paradise

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

One of the easiest doors 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 mundane 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 (peace and blessings be upon him) 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]

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Monday, December 11, 2023

In Times of Trials (Fitans)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

In times of trials, there are three things you have to hold on to.

'Uqbah bin 'Amir (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
I asked the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, "How can salvation be achieved?" He replied, "Control your tongue, keep to your house, and weep over your sins." [At-Tirmidhi].

Control your tongue: In times of fitnah, the only people who can talk are the experts (i.e scholars in the field). Don’t speak about public matters and make judgments because you don’t have all the information.
Keep to your house: Leave your house only when necessary, don’t look at fitans (including images on your phones)
Weep over your mistakes because you can die at any time. When the fitnah becomes more severe, you won’t have time to repent because you will be mourning your dead and saving your skin.

 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: There would (first) be turmoil for a person in regard to his family, his property, his own self, his children, his neighbors (and the sins committed in their connection) would be expiated by fasting, prayer, charity, enjoining good and prohibiting evil.  

In times of fitnah, these four things will drive it away like the burning sun melting the snow. So we should increase these four things, also du’a and sincerity (ikhlas), zuhd (indifference towards this world and absence of love for money and wealth), We should fight stinginess. When you have these four, you will live a good life. 

These are the keys to save yourself from fitans which the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, has given us. They should be an integral part of your life because they not only safeguard you but also your loved ones. 

Allah Most High says in the Quran,

وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا ۖ لَا نَسْأَلُكَ رِزْقًا ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكَ ۗ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ

And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.
[Quran, Ta-Ha 20:132]

When you turn your house, as best you can, into a place of worship, then Allah will turn your house into a blessed house where provision keeps coming and seeping through like water into your life from where you least expect it, and if you fear Allah, He will give you a way out. 

Now we see other people’s door are being knocked by fitans. One day your door will be knocked by fitans. Safeguard yourselves and your families. Knowing and not doing is foolishness. Take these keys to open the door to safety.

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Good Company Good Character

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

It is reported that Al-Fuḍayl bin ʿAyyāḍ (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Do not mix except with those who have good character; for the one who has good character brings nothing but good, whilst the one who has bad character brings nothing but evil." 
[Al-Bayhaqi]

The poet ‘Adiyy ibn Zayd said: Do not ask about the man; look at his friend, for a man will follow in the footsteps of his friends. 

Good character is one that is sound and upright; in terms of its principles, fundamentals and etiquette, based on submission and adherence to the teachings of Islam, in obedience to Allah and His Messenger. 

It is based on belief in Allah and His Messengers, and in His promise and warning, and on adherence to Islamic conduct in a complete way, which includes truthfulness, honesty, chastity, modesty, good attitude, excellent treatment towards parents, kindness to neighbors, hastening to do good, helping people to do what is right, refraining from harming others, and other aspects of Islamic conduct. 

Allah calls upon the believer to fear Him and tells us how we can accomplish that--by being with the Truthful--those who are true in what they say and what they do. 
Allah Most High says, in close meanings, O you who believe, fear Allah and be with those who are true (in words and deeds). [Quran, At-Tawba 9:119] 

If we keep bad company, we will be sorry in the Day of Judgment. 

Allah Almighty says, in close meanings, And the Day the wrongdoer will bite on his hands [in regret] he will say, "Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way. (27) Oh, woe to me! I wish I had not taken that one as a friend. (28) He led me away from the remembrance after it had come to me. And ever is Satan, to man, a deserter."  (29) [Quran Al-Furqan 25:27-29]

Close friends, that Day, will be enemies to each other, except for the righteous.
 [Quran, Az-Zukhruf 43:67]

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Sunday, December 10, 2023

Guiding Our Children With Beautiful Patience

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Our concern for our children is built into our Deen (the religion of Islam) and it is a very fundamental aspect of our Deen. Some of our children will be a comfort to our eyes, and some of them will be a huge test. This is part of life and from the destiny of Allah. No two children are going to be the same. We have to work with all of them and be patient. 

Even prophets had troubles with their children. We see in the family of Prophet Ya'qub (peace upon him) -- two of his children were wonderful -- Yusuf (peace upon him) and Benyamin, but most of them were not so wonderful, even plotted to kill Yusuf, their younger brother. We don't believe that Prophet Ya'qub, a Prophet of Allah, treated Yusuf better but treated his other kids worse, so that they turned out the way they were, because one thing all prophets do is to live by justice. Despite what they did to Yusuf, Prophet Ya’qub was extremely patient with them. And Allah recorded what he said to them in the Quran for our guidance,

فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ ۖ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ

"Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe." [Quran, Yusuf 12:18]

In the end the bad kids repented and the family reunited in Egypt. That is a great gift that Allah gave to Prophet Ya'qub and he was grateful.

We strive, we seek knowledge, we seek good counsel, we do our best, we make du'a, we forebear and exercise beautiful patience. How our children turn out to be is in the hands of Allah. If they turn out wonderful, that is the destiny of Allah and we thank and praise Allah. If they turn out bad, that too is the destiny of Allah and we are patient and put our trust in Allah that all good will come out of it. We don't despair. 

 إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ

Indeed, Allah is with the patient

رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous. 
[Quran, Al Furqan 25:74]

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Saturday, December 9, 2023

Life Is A Test

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Allah Most High says, which means, 
“We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits,..” 
[Quran, Al Baqarah 2:100]

Allah plans everything. Even things that were badly planned by us, there is a great wisdom that Allah allows it to happen. That’s why Allah is All Wise (Al Hakim). People do bad things to each other for sadistic reasons, but Allah only tests us for our own benefit. Somehow it is going to be something that raises us in ranks. Allah is going to raise the ranks of those who believe and those who were given knowledge by more and more tests. 

May Allah make us  understand those tests and make us able to live up to those tests that we are going to be facing in our lives.

How do you know you passed the test? The answer is what Allah Most High says, which means,

“but give good tidings to the patient, who, when disaster strikes them, say,  إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ (Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.)" 
[Quran, AL Baqarah 2:101]

You are patient because you understand that the tests are temporary and the return to Allah is permanent. May Allah make us of the patient and make us pass all the tests. Aameen.
 
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Be Among The Few --- Being Grateful Even For Small Things

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِىَ ٱلشَّكُورُ ‎﴿١٣﴾‏

And few of My servants are grateful.
 [Quran, Saba 34:13] 

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَ‌بُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْ‌تُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْ‌تُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌ ﴿٧

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.' 
[Quran, Ibrahim 14:7]

Gratitude is an essential Islamic character. Exercising gratitude is the means to greater abundance.

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Du'a of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) in the Quran

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

It is easy to be a Muslim especially for those who were born Muslims, but it is harder to live as a Muslim, and it is even harder to die as a Muslim, and much harder to be with the righteous when you die.

Even a prophet of Allah ask Allah to cause him to die as a Muslim and join him with the righteous. 
How about you?

فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَنتَ وَلِيِّي فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ ۖ تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ ‎

Creator of the heavens and earth, You are my protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous." 
[Quran, Yusuf 12:101]

Friday, December 8, 2023

Everlasting Virtues

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Allah Most High says, which means, 
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]

Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said, 'Cultivation is of two kinds. Wealth and children are the cash crops of the mortal world while 'everlasting virtues' are the deferred crops of the Hereafter.

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Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Don't Be Afraid Of Criticisms If You Are Speaking The Truth

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Don't be afraid of criticism that will come your way so long as you are speaking the Truth

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَن يَرْتَدَّ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِۦ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِى ٱللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍ يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُۥٓ أَذِلَّةٍ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَعِزَّةٍ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ يُجَٰهِدُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَخَافُونَ لَوْمَةَ لَآئِمٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ‎﴿٥٤﴾‏

O you who have believed, whoever of you should revert from his religion - Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him [who are] humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers; they strive in the cause of Allah and do not fear the blame of a critic. That is the favor of Allah; He bestows it upon whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
Quran, al Maidah 5:54

Don’t Cause Your Parent To Be Sad Or Angry

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Allah has given a grand status to parents. He explicitly orders children to be good to their parents in countless verses of the Quran, and they are many hadiths and hadith literature about being good and kind to one's parents. This should be enough for children to realize the station of their parents and to motivate them to take care of their rights, ad understand that this is a grand matter. Being dutiful your parents and treating them with excellence is the way to enter Paradise. Causing them pain, grief, disobedience, and mistreatment is the way to Hell and the punishment begins in this life before the next. That is why Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said heaven and hell are both your parents.

Abu Umamah narrated that a man said: “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ), what are the rights of parents over their child?” He said: “They are your Paradise and your Hell.” – [Sunan Ibn Majah]

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Parents Are Your Huge Blessings

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

It is reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Whoever comes into the morning and both his parents are pleased with him, he comes into the morning with two doors of Paradise open to him. Whoever goes into the evening and both parents are pleased with him, he goes into the evening with two doors of Paradise open for him. And if he has just one parent, then one door of Paradise is open to him. Whoever comes into the morning and both his parents are angry with him, he comes into the morning with two doors of Hellfire open to him. Whoever goes into the evening with both parents are angry with him, he goes into the evening with two doors of Hellfire open to him. And if he has just one parent, then one door is open for him." After realizing this huge position of parents that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, was telling the companions about, one of the Companions asked, "Even if the parents were oppressive to them?" The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, replied, "Even if they oppress the child, even if they oppress the child, even if they oppress the child."

No doubt, having parents is a huge blessing for the doors of Paradise are open to him. So, be grateful, respect, honor, kind and dutiful to your parents.

Monday, December 4, 2023

Parents' Hope For Their Children

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

As parents, we hope for our children to succeed in life (both here and Hereafter)--that they become righteous and Godfearing, have excellent character and praiseworthy manners, they are dutiful to their parents and merciful to their families, and useful to society, and a joy to the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wasallam

 A child who has achieved this is the one who gladdens the heart of his/her parents, and like a child who is mentioned in the following du'a:

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

 And those who say, "Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous."
[Qur’an, Al-Furqan 25:74]

 Every child must aspire to fulfill the desires and hopes of his/her parents and constantly strive to be virtuous. 

Narrated Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), that Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Whoever has pleased his parents, he has pleased Allah and whoever has angered his parents, he has angered Allah."

Count Your Blessings

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Allah Most High says, which means,

Then is He who creates like one who does not create? So will you not be reminded? (17) And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (18) 
[Quran, An-Nahl 16:17-18]

 O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship. (172) [Quran, al-Baqarah 2:172]

Iman (belief) implies shukr or gratitude as opposed to kufr or ingratitude. A disbeliever is ungrateful to the Being Who has given him everything, whereas a Believer is one who is ever thankful for all that Allah has given him. The only people who truly worship Allah are those who show gratitude to Him.

Allah Most High says, which means,
So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me. (152) 
[Quran, Al-Baqarah 2:152]

Sunday, December 3, 2023

Gratitude To People Especially Parents

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Allah Most High says, which means,
“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.”
(Quran, Luqman 31:14)

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said,

“Whoever does not thank the people does not thank Allah.” 
(Hadith in Abu Dawud)

“…Whoever does a favor for you or an act of kindness, then repay him in a similar manner. But if you cannot find that which you can reward him with, then supplicate to Allah for him continuously, until you think you have repaid him.” 
(Hadith in Ahmad)

Gratitude Will Heal Your Life

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Cultivate an attitude of gratitude, be grateful always so that the words “Alhamdulillah” (and thank you) naturally and continuously flow from your lips and are felt in your heart, and your life will increasingly become a shining example of true Islam, a path to peace, prosperity and abundance.

 Be grateful even for calamities and misfortunes, for nothing happens except to ultimately serve a Divine purpose. And the fastest way to move beyond undesirable circumstances is to stop resisting them, to simply let them be, be grateful and thus surrender and accept what is, and so allow them to flow out of your life.

 The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam said:
 "How wonderful is the case of a Believer! There is good for him in whatever happens to him -and none, apart from him, enjoys this blessing. If he receives some bounty, he is grateful to Allah and this bounty brings good to him. And if some adversity befalls him, he is patient, and this affliction, too, brings good to him" (Muslim).

Gratitude is not only the heart and essence of Islam, it is also the key to attracting abundance, prosperity, peace and success.

 وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَ‌بُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْ‌تُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْ‌تُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌ ﴿٧

 And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.' (7) [Qur'an, Ibrahim 14:7] 

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The Quran is Shifa’ (Cure) and Mercy for Believers

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

The Quran cures hearts and delivers people from shirk and kufr (disbelief), low morals and spiritual ailments is no secret. And according to some scholars, the way the Quran is a cure for spiritual ailments, it is also a cure for physical diseases.

Allah Most High says, 

وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا 

We send down in the Quran that which is a cure and mercy for the faithful; and it increases the wrongdoers only in loss. [Quran, Al Isra’ 17:82]


يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

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. 
[Quran, At-Tawba 10:57]

When you are distressed, or while you are seeking medical treatment, or taking your medicines, don’t forget the Quran, and ask Allah to cure your ailments.

Develop a routine of reading the Quran everyday, at least a juz (20 pages). Start with an amount you can maintain for a week, then increase it until you can maintain reading 1 juz a day. The best time to read is in the early morning hours.

May Allah make the Quran our companion and cure for our physical and spiritual ailments. Aameen.

Saturday, December 2, 2023

DO NOT SPY OR BACKBITE EACH OTHER -- Would you like to eat the flesh of a dead person?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Allah Most High says, which means:

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.
 [Quran, Al Hujurat 49:12]

Backbiting is prohibited most severely and harshly because it is not defended. Generally the ball keeps rolling, and more and more people get involved. It is necessary for the general body of Muslims to defend their fellow Muslim, if possible, when people speak ill of him in his absence. If that is not possible, they should at least abstain from listening to it, because listening to it willfully and intentionally is like backbiting itself.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Backbiting is worse than adultery. The noble Companions inquired: 'How so, Messenger of Allah?' He replied: 'A person may commit fornication, repent of it and his sin is forgiven. But the sin of backbiting is not forgiven unless the injured party forgives."' [Tirmidhi & Abu Dawood]

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him,  said: "During the Night of Ascension, I saw a group of people who were scratching their chests and faces with their copper nails. I asked, 'Who are these people, O Jibril?' Jibril replied: 'Those are the people who ate flesh of others (by backbiting) and trampled people's honor."' [Abu Dawood]

Friday, December 1, 2023

Let’s Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Good Company is a Blessing, Even for a dog!

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Ibn 'Atiyyah says that his father told him that he heard a sermon of Abe al-Fad1 Jawhari in the 469 Hijri at the Great Mosque of Egypt, and he said 'whoever loves good people, he too gets a share from their goodness. See when the dog of the Companions of the Cave loved them and followed them closely as if appended with them, Allah Most High mentioned the dog in the Qur'an'. 

Al-Qurtubi mentions this report of Ibn 'Atiyyah in his Tafsir. In his comments, he says when a dog can reach this station by being in the company of the righteous and the saintly, imagine how high the station of true believers and pure monotheists who love righteous people of Allah would be. In fact, there is comfort and good news for Muslims who are weak in deeds but do love the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, fully and duly.

Narrated Anas bin Malik:
A man asked the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, "When will the Hour be established O Allah's Messenger?" The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,  said, "What have you prepared for it?" The man said, " I haven't prepared for it much of prayers or fast or charities, but I love Allah and His Apostle." The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "You will be with those whom you love." [Bukhari]

Companions of Paradise

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Allah Almighty says, which means:

And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months. [He grows] until, when he reaches maturity and reaches [the age of] forty years, he says, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims." (15) Those are the ones from whom We will accept the best of what they did and overlook their misdeeds, [their being] among the companions of Paradise. [That is] the promise of truth which they had been promised. (16)

[Quran, Al-Ahqaf 46:15-16]

Companions of Fire -- The Defiantly Disobedient

بسم الله الرحمن 

Allah Almighty says, which means:

Do not make [as equal] with Allah another deity and [thereby] become censured and forsaken. (22) And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good 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’ 17:22-24]

But one who says to his parents, "Uff to you; do you promise me that I will be brought forth [from the earth] when generations before me have already passed on [into oblivion]?"... And the Day those who disbelieved are exposed to the Fire [it will be said], "You exhausted your pleasures during your worldly life and enjoyed them, so this Day you will be awarded the punishment of [extreme] humiliation because you were arrogant upon the earth without right and because you were defiantly disobedient." (20)
[Quran, Al Ahqaf 46:17-20]

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Living Without Purpose

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Living Without Purpose

Allah Almighty says, which means:

He gives life and causes death, and to Him you will be returned
[Quran, At-Tawba 10:56]

And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.
[Quran, Adh-Dhariyat 51:55]

When your purpose in life is to worship Allah, the byproduct of that is happiness. When this purpose is missing, the smallest thing becomes your purpose. The most miserable people in this world are those who are running after happiness.

When you are pursuing Allah’s words, you are engaging with purpose. And Allah says, which means,
 ...in that let them rejoice...
[Quran, At-Tawba 10:58]

 Because when you engage with the Quran, you have actual substance in your life and you are learning from someone who gets you inside and out.

May Allah grant us a sound understanding of the Quran. Aameen.

Monday, November 27, 2023

Who Are The Awliya’ (Allies/Friends) of Allah?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

The Awliya’ of Allah are people of Faith and piety, who are constantly aware that Allah, Exalted is He, is watching them in all their affairs, so they adhere to His commands and heed His prohibitions. The degree of wilayah [being a an ally of Allah] varies according to a person’s Faith and fear of Allah (taqwa). 

Allah says, which means, 

Unquestionably, [for] the allies [awliya’] of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. [Quran, Yunus 10:62]

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) who said: “Allah says: ”Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him.” It was related by Bukhari.

Death & Preparing For It

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Death & Preparing For It

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said:
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Frequently remember the destroyer of pleasures,’ meaning death.”

‏"‏ أَكْثِرُوا ذِكْرَ هَاذِمِ اللَّذَّاتِ ‏"

[Ibn Majaah]

The Importance Of Witing & Preparing Your Will

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Abdullah ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & grant him peace) said: “It is not befitting for a Muslim who has something to make a Will of, to remain for two nights without having one’s last Will and testament written and kept ready with one.” [Bukhari]

The narrator stated after hearing this from the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace):
“I did not let even one night pass by except that my Will would be kept by me.” [Musnad Ahmad])

Making a Will becomes even more important in non-Muslim countries, such as the United Kingdom and US. Failing to leave a valid written Will can result in the law of the land deciding on how your estate is to be distributed and how your funeral is going to be conducted, not to mention it can cause disagreements and conflict among those you will leave behind, which may delay your burial and the distribution of your estate.

Therefore, it is imperative that all Muslims leave a valid written Will. Those who have not made a Will should haste and prepare a Will (or update your existing Will regularly). Writing a Will is not only for old people, rather all those who have reached puberty should quickly get their Will prepared, because death can come at any time and at any place. Prepare for it for good in your next life and to ease some of the emotional burdens of those who you will leave behind.

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Understanding ourselves through the Story of the Youths of the Cave in Surah Al-Kahf

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Understanding ourselves  through the Story of the Youths of  the Cave in Surah Al-Kahf

The youths retreated to the cave to escape the fitnah of the unIslamic society they were in.  These youth decided that they are not only going to accept Islam but to live up to it in a society that hated Islam. They could stay silent and not tell anyone. But Allah gave them the courage that they stood up to challenge. This an act of treason and they were about to be persecuted but Allah inspired them to retreat to the cave. Allah put them to sleep for 300+ years and protected them. Their story is told in the Quran and people continue to benefit from their story till the end of time.

Understand that we are helpless. We can’t help ourselves but Allah is the One who provides protection. Allah controls life and He can save you in ways you can’t even imagine. 

This is our Iman (Faith in Allah). This is the power when we say 
 إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ 
Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.

Friday, November 24, 2023

Let’s Read Surah Al Kahf Today Friday -- Allah will not allow to be lost your good deeds

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Let’s Read Surah Al Kahf Today Friday -- Allah will not allow to be lost your good deeds

Allah Almighty says in Surah Al Kahf, which means,

And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect. (28)

And say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve." Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose walls will surround them. And if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil, which scalds [their] faces. Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place. (29)

Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds. (30)

[Quran, Al Kahf 18:28-30]

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You Are Accountable For What You Do

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Sahl ibn Sa’d reported: The Angel Gabriel came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and he said, “O Muhammad, live as you wish, for you will die. Work as you wish, for you will be repaid accordingly. Love whomever you wish, for you will be separated. Know that the nobility of the believer is in prayer at night and his honor is in his independence of the people.”
 (Al-Muʻjam al-Awsaṭ)

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Deeds That Benefit A Person Even After Death

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Deeds That Benefit a Person Even After Death

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
"When a person dies, his deeds are cut off except for three: Continuing charity, knowledge that others benefited from, and a righteous son who supplicates for him."
[Tirmidhi]

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Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Who Is The Wisest?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Who is the Wisest?

Ibn Umar reported: A man asked, “O Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, which of the believers is best?” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Those with the best character.” The man said, “Which of the believers is the wisest?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,  said, “Those who remember death often and have best prepared for it with good deeds; those are the wisest.” 
Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 4259

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Our Wishes Go Beyond Death

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Ibn Mas’ud said, “The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, drew lines making a square and then drew a line in the middle which extended beyond it. He drew some small lines up to this middle line from the side within the square and said, ‘This is man, and this is end of his lifespan which encircles him – or by which he is encircled – and this which goes beyond it is his hope and these small lines are things that happen. If this one misses him, that one gets him, and if that one misses him, this one gets him.’” (Bukhari)


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Monday, November 20, 2023

Hell Has Been Lying In Wait

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

People who don’t want to stay within the limits of Allah, Allah Almight says,

إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ كَانَتْ مِرْصَادًا ‎﴿٢١﴾‏ لِّلطَّٰغِينَ مَـَٔابًا ‎﴿٢٢﴾‏ لَّٰبِثِينَ فِيهَآ أَحْقَابًا ‎﴿٢٣﴾‏ لَّا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا بَرْدًا وَلَا شَرَابًا ‎﴿٢٤﴾‏ إِلَّا حَمِيمًا وَغَسَّاقًا ‎﴿٢٥﴾‏ جَزَآءً وِفَاقًا ‎﴿٢٦﴾‏

Indeed, Hell has been lying in wait (21) For the transgressors, a place of return, (22) In which they will remain for ages [unending]. (23) They will not taste therein [any] coolness or drink (24) Except scalding water and [foul] purulence - (25) An appropriate recompense. (26)
[Quran, An-Naba 78:21-26] 

Hell is waiting to attack everybody but it will push those who were rebellious inside it with no escape. May Allah not make us of them. And those who have been, may Allah accept our apologies and repentance. Aameen.

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A Du'a Of The Servants Of The Merciful

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.

[Quran, Al Furqan 25:74]

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Saturday, November 18, 2023

The Intelligent Person

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

The Intelligent Person

The intelligent person perceives forbidden things like delicious food, which contain fatal poison. Whenever its pleasure arouses his interest, the reality of the poison would push him away from it. Also, he perceives the orders of Allah as bitter medicine that leads to good health and recovery.

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Perhaps You Hate A Thing And It Is Good For You

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you

Allah, the Almighty says, which means,
“Perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not” (Al-Baqarah, 2:216)

Nothing is more beneficial for you than abiding by the judgments of Allah, even if it is difficult for you at the beginning, because all its outcomes are good, delightful, and pleasurable. Likewise, nothing is more harmful for you  than committing what is forbidden, even if you love it. All its outcomes are pain, grief, evil and misfortune.

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Friday, November 17, 2023

The Beginning Of Great Things Begins With A Du’a

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

The Beginning Of Great Things Begins With A Du’a 

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا 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]

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Fix Your Problem With The Quran

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Fix Your Problem With The Quran

Back then when Islam was its pinnacle, when people were actually implementing the Islamic curricula in education, the children on average completed their 30 juz Quran memorization by age 10 years old. We have a mushaf in our pockets, in our phones, in our gadgets, but we are still struggling to read the Quran, let alone memorize the Quran.

Back then there was no mushaf but people were experts of the Quran, they always read the Quran, they memorized the Quran, they understood the knowledge of the Quran and they implemented the knowledge in their lives so the Quran could be really the huda (guidance)

الم ‎﴿١﴾‏ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ ‎﴿٢﴾
Alif, Lam, Meem. (1)This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah - (2)[Quran, Al Baqarah 2:1-2]

We should encourage today’s generation to learn the Quran. How about IT, Biology, ...? The answer is in the Quran,

“Just as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and wisdom and teaching you that which you did not know.” [Quran, Al Baqarah 2:151]

The Quran is an application, not just a theory.

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Every Soul Will Taste Death

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ ٱلنَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَٰعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ ‎﴿١٨٥﴾

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.

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Every Soul Will Taste Death

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Allah Almighty reminds,

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَنَبْلُوكُم بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً ۖ وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ ‎﴿٣٥﴾‏

Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned.

[Quran, Al Anbiya’ 21:25]

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If You Deny The Day

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

If You Deny The Day

Allah Almighty says,

[They will be told], "This is the Day of Judgment which you used to deny." (21)[The angels will be ordered], "Gather those who committed wrong, their kinds, and what they used to worship (22)Other than Allah, and guide them to the path of Hellfire (23)And stop them; indeed, they are to be questioned." (24)
[Quran, As-Saffat 37:21-24]

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Note To Children -- Love Your Mother, Your Mother, Your Mother

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

NOTE TO CHILDREN

Love your mother, your mother, your mother ...  (the prophet peace & blessings be upon him) 

Our indebtedness to our mothers is so immense that it is not possible to repay it.
 The verses of the Qur’an that address the mother, emphasize the difficulties of pregnancy, giving birth, and breastfeeding and the need to respect one’s mother. These verses many times mention parents in general but go into detail in regard to the mother because she faces challenges that a father does not. Verse 15 from chapter 46 (Al-Ahqaf) illustrates this point.

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

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Thursday, November 9, 2023

Show Mercy On Earth

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Abdullah b. Umar said that Rasulullah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

The Merciful One shows mercy to those who are themselves merciful (to others). So show mercy to whatever is on earth, then He who is in heaven will show mercy to you.
[Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi]

Watch Your Tongues

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Narrated Jabir that he heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say:
A Muslim is he from whose hand and tongue the Muslims are safe. [Muslim]

Narrated Abu Musa:
Some people asked Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): Whose Islam is the best? i.e. (Who is a very good Muslim)?" He replied, "One who avoids harming the Muslims with his tongue and hands." [Bukhari]

Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"When the son of Adam wakes up in the morning, all of his body parts bow to the tongue and say: 'Fear Allah regarding us, we are only part of you. If you are straight we are straight and if you are crooked we are crooked."  [Tirmidhi]

Sahl bin Sa'd narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Whoever guarantees for me what is between his jaws and what is between his legs, I shall guarantee Paradise for him." [Tirmidhi]

Remember Death and Restrain Wishes

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

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

Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) took hold of my shoulders and said, "Be in the world like a stranger or a wayfarer." 
Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) used to say: When you survive till the evening do not expect to live until the morning; and when you survive till the morning do not expect to live until the evening. While in good health (do good deeds) before you fall sick; and while you are alive (do good deeds) before death strikes.

[Al- Bukhari].

Monday, November 6, 2023

Allah Will Test Your Faith (Imaan) In Him

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 
Allah Almighty says,

Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried? (2) But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars. (3)
[Qur'an Al-Ankabut 29:2-3]

Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you?...
[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:214]

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, (155)
[Qur’an Al-Baqarah 2:155] 

Merely claiming that we believe in Allah Almighty is not enough. Our claim only takes on value once we prove it through our actions. This may involve bearing hardships after hardships. True success only comes after real hard work. 

When Allah has decided to test you with tribulations, it is unacceptable to be ungrateful and discontent. But remember to do the following:

Be patient and constantly seek Allah's help with patience, knowing that nothing can happen without His Will. 

Allah Almighty says,

O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. (153)
[Quran Al-Baqarah 2:153]

Sunday, November 5, 2023

I Love The Righteous

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

I Love The Righteous

A conversation between Imam Shafi'i and Imam Ahmad Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on them)

Imam Shafi'i said:

I love the righteous, although I'm not of them
Perhaps I shall receive intercession through them
And I hate he who trades in sins (deals in acts of disobedience)
Although we are both dealing in the same trade.

So Imam Ahmad responded:

You love the righteous and you are of them
And from you shall they receive intercession
And you hate he who trades in sins
May Allah protect us from the evil of such trade

We should love the righteous people and not considered ourselves as one of them.

May Allah make us among the righteous and grant us righteous companions. Aameen.

Allah Promises Manifold Ease With Difficulty

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Allah Promises Manifold Ease With Difficulty

Allah says,

فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ‎﴿٥﴾‏إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ‎﴿٦﴾

For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. (5) Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. (6) [Quran, Ash-Sharh 94:5-6]

One needs to exercise fortitude against hardship, rely on Allah with purity of heart, devote oneself totally to Him, hold onto high hopes for His grace, and one should not despair of His mercy if there is delay in success - He certainly will grant relief after every instance of hardship.

May Allah grant us 'afiya. Aameen.

Friday, November 3, 2023

Love The Righteous

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

In the story of the companions of the cave (Ashab al-Kahf) in Surah Al-Kahf, a few young men were drawn to each other because of their righteousness. Read Surah Al-Kahf today and learn more about them.

The Safest Place is With Allah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Narrated Ibn `Umar.:

Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) recited the Sura which contained the prostration of recitation he used to prostrate and then, we, too, would prostrate and some of us did not find a place for prostration. [Bukhari]


Saturday, October 28, 2023

Know The People of Jannah -- Parents of Righteous Chidren and Children of Righteous Parents

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

A Muslim can benefit from his children in the Hereafter, in that his children supplicate for his forgiveness after his death. And if he had tried to raise the children to be righteous, whatever good they will do, its benefit will also be passed on to him as long as they do righteous deeds. It is also possible that his righteous children obtain his pardon in the Hereafter by intercession.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "When a human being dies, all of his deeds are terminated except for three types: an ongoing sadaqah, a knowledge (of Islam) from which others benefit, and a righteous child who makes du'aa for him." [Muslim and others]

This hadith indicate that a righteous child benefits his deceased parents with du'aa. It is further demonstrated here that he can benefit them by spending sadaqah, as well as doing other charitable deeds, on their behalf. 'Aisha (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "Indeed the best that one eats is that which he earns. And his child is from his earning." [Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and others]

The reason for this is that a parent benefits himself by raising his child according to the teachings of Islam, and exerting a consistent effort to raise him as a righteous person. As the child grows into adulthood and does righteous deeds, his parents deserve a merit in that they helped him accomplish that and his good actions are therefore, at least in part, from his parents' earning. Sadaqah from a child 'Aisha reported that a man asked Allah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, "My mother had a sudden death, and did not have chance to bequeath anything. Had she been able to do, I think that she would have given sadaqah. Would she or I get any rewards if I give sadaqah on her behalf?" He sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam replied, "Yes! So give sadaqah on her behalf" [Bukhari, Muslim and others].

Likewise, the children will also benefit from their parents on the condition of faith in that if they were Muslims but their righteous deeds could not attain the level of their parents, then Allah by taking into account their parents good deeds would place them also at the high position of their parents.

Allah Almighty says,
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّ‌يَّتُهُم بِإِيمَـٰنٍ أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ ذُرِّ‌يَّتَهُمْ وَمَآ أَلَتْنَـٰهُم مِّنْ عَمَلِهِم مِّن شَىْءٍ ۚ كُلُّ ٱمْرِ‌ئٍۭ بِمَا كَسَبَ رَ‌هِينٌ ﴿٢١

And those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith - We will join with them their descendants, and We will not deprive them of anything of their deeds. Every person, for what he earned, is retained. (21)
[Qur'an, At-Tur 52:21]

May Allah make us among the righteous and help us raise our children to be righteous.

رَ‌بَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَ‌ٰجِنَا وَذُرِّ‌يَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّ‌ةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.

Aameen

www.darannoor.com

Monday, October 23, 2023

In Times of Calamity

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

In times of calamity, 
there are those who defend the body
and there are those who defend the soul
We are being tested with our deen and our faith

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ
Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. [Quran, AleImran 3:185]

When we die, we don’t know where we will end up
May Allah grant us an excellent ending and the highest Paradise. Aameen.

What do you do here?
Be prepared for your own judgment day
You learn your deen, teach it, and practice it
You protect your soul and mind
You protect the souls and mind of the children
Don’t despair
When you are in pain, it should give you courage
Courage to show theTruth and follow the Truth 
Wake up in the last third of the night
and ask Allah, beg Allah, cry your heart out

Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our Protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people. [Quran, Al Baqarah 2:286]  
Aameen.

Thursday, October 19, 2023

The Religion of Islam is Sincerity

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 
 

On the authority of Tameem ibn Aus ad-Daree (may Allah be pleased with him):

The Prophet (ﷺ), said, “The deen (religion) is naseehah (advice, sincerity).” We said, “To whom?” He said, “To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.” [Related by Muslim]

Naseehah to Allah -- have correct belief in Allah, purify our relationship with Him, know how to implement the shariah of Allah in our lives and how to journey towards Him.


Naseehah to Allah’s Book -- have pure and sincere relationship with the Quran, make His words paramount, carryout it’s guidance.


Naseehah to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) -- knowing him, loving him more than anything else, obeying him, rejecting those whom had enmity towards him, being loyal to those who gave allegiance to him, honoring him, and reviving his manners and sunna.


Naseehah to the Leaders of Muslims --  make du’a for them that Allah guides them, protects them and enables them to carry out their responsibilities.


Naseehah to common people -- guiding them towards that which will correct their affairs in both this life and the next, protecting them from harm, helping them in times of need, providing what is beneficial for them, encouraging them to do good and forbidding them from evil with kindness and sincerity, and showing mercy towards them.

 

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Trials, Patience and Worship

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Allah will test the believers by various means. Allah says,

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ ‎﴿١٥٥﴾‏
 
We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, (155) [Quran, Al Baqarah 2:155]
 
The more Allah loves you, the more you are tested. Through the tests, you have the opportunity to raise your rank with Him and be closer to Him.
 
الٓمٓ ‎﴿١﴾‏ أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوٓا۟ أَن يَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ ‎﴿٢﴾
 
Alif, Laam, Meem. Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried?  [Quran, Al Ankabut  29:1-2]
 
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The strong believer is more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, but there is goodness in both of them. Be eager for what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not be frustrated. If something befalls you, then do not say: If only I had done something else. Rather say: Allah has decreed what He wills. Verily, the  phrase ‘if only’ opens the way for the work of Satan.” 
 
We know that our Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, went through the most trials even tough he is the beloved Allah. He suffered ridicules, humiliation and severe oppression in the hands of his own clan and tribe. He suffered the pain of losing his wife, Khadijah (Alah be pleased with her) and his uncle who have been protecting him. He endured the pain of losing and burying his children and many of his companions, but he remain a grateful servant and always turning to Allah. And Allah has placed him in the highest station. His wife, Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) told us about some of his pains in these hadiths.

“I never saw anyone suffer more pain than the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).” [Bukhari & Muslim]

"She said, “The Prophet died lying between my breast and my collarbone. I will never feel bad about anyone having a painful death after what I saw the Prophet suffer.”[Bukhari]

Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) went through trials as difficult and painful as the slander against her. But she was patient and she was truthful in turning to Allah. Allah then revealed her innocence in the Quran [Quran, An-Noor 24:11-20] https://tanzil.net/#trans/en.sahih/24:11. This established the high status of Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her.
 
Asiyah, the wife of Fir'aun was tortured by Fir'aun, but she was patient and truthful in her faith in Allah, and Allah raised her rank and became one of the four women who Allah has perfected their faith. Allah honored her by recording her supplication asking Allah to build a house near Him in Paradise.
 
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." (11) [Quran, At-Tahrim 66:11]
 
Try to see Allah in everything that happen in every moment of your life, even when you are seeing something very negative, because Allah wants you to see Him in that moment so you become to know Him better. This is the purpose of our lives on this earth -- to know Allah and worship Him in the way that pleases to Him. It is therefore, vitally important that we learn Allah's 99 Names and Attributes to realize who is at work while the events are playing in every moments of our lives. Through knowing Allah, we will be able to cope and react in an appropriate manner.

When we study the lives of the prophets and the righteous, we will learn what make them so special in the sight of Allah.

The fruits of patience will always be sweet and beautiful. "Fasabrun jameel" (beautiful patience) as Prophet Ya'qub, Allah grant him peace, uttered when he lost his young beloved son, Yusuf, Allah grant him peace, and having to deal with siblings rivalry and jealousy. But he believed in the wisdom of Allah Al Hakeem, the Most Wise, and all that was happening. Allah finally reunited him and his family with Yusuf (Allah grant them peace) who has now become a powerful minister of Egypt.

If you are patient and you turn to Allah, you will always be vindicated. Allah will help you even if no one will help you, even if your mother or your father don't know what to do to help you. If you are truthful to Allah, Allah will honor you, even if other people disgrace and humiliate you.

Every musibah (calamity) that happen to us, there is some good in it whether we realize it or whether we don't realize it.

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ جَآءُو بِٱلْإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِّنكُمْ ۚ لَا تَحْسَبُوهُ شَرًّا لَّكُم ۖ بَلْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ...

Indeed, those who came with falsehood are a group among you. Do not think it bad for you; rather it is good for you....[Quran, An-Noor 24:11]

Everyone goes through trials. Every time of ease is followed by times of difficulty. Every time of difficulty is followed by times of ease. Turn to Allah truthfully and maintain your connection with Him in worship.

‏ فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ‎﴿٥﴾‏ إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ‎﴿٦﴾‏ فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَٱنصَبْ ‎﴿٧﴾‏ وَإِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَٱرْغَب ‎﴿٨﴾

For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. (5) Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. (6) So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship]. (7) And to your Lord direct [your] longing. (8) (Quran, 95:5-8)

Allah knows best.

May Allah grant us patience and save us from the trials and tribulations of this life and the next. Aameen.

www.darannoor.com

Friday, October 6, 2023

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Mashaa Allahu La quwwata illa billah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

The story of the man with two gardens in Surah Al Kahf described the event of two men, one of whom had a lot of wealth and, proud of it, he refused to accept that there is any life after death, and if there is one, he claimed, he will be given more wealth and reward therein. His argument was that if Allah was not pleased with him, he would not have this amount of wealth in this world. 

The other person, though less than him in wealth, was a true believer. He refuted the argument of the former one by saying that the worldly wealth is not a sign of one's being close to Allah, because the worldly benefits are given by Allah, in one way or the other, even to the disbelievers and sinful persons, rather to the snakes, scorpions and beasts. It is a terrible mistake to presume that they are the signs of one's being approved by Allah. Therefore, neither your wealth is the proof of your behavior being approved by Allah, nor my lesser wealth is a proof of disapproval by Him. Allah's approval or disapproval depends on one's faith and deeds alone and not on the amount of wealth one has.

وَلَوْلَآ إِذْ دَخَلْتَ جَنَّتَكَ قُلْتَ مَا شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ ۚ إِن تَرَنِ أَنَا۠ أَقَلَّ مِنكَ مَالًا وَوَلَدًا ‎﴿٣٩﴾

And why did you, when you entered your garden, not say, 'What Allah willed [has occurred]; there is no power except in Allah '? Although you see me less than you in wealth and children, [Quran, Al Kahf 18:39] 

About the statement:  : " مَا شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ [Everything is] as Allah wills. There is no power except with Allah," it has been reported  that he Prophet (ﷺ) said, "whoever sees something, likes it - and says 'Mashaa Allahu la quwwata illa billah' - nothing will harm it (that is, what he likes will stay protected).' And it appears in other reports, 'whoever recites this kalimah when he likes something he sees, it will stay protected against the evil eye.'

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s messenger as saying that “ لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ There is no might and no power except in Allah” is a remedy for ninety-nine diseases, the lightest of which is anxiety.

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ دَوَاءٌ مِنْ تِسْعَةٍ وَتِسْعِينَ دَاء أيسرها الْهم»

May Allah protect us from calamity and the trials and tribulations of this life and the next. Aameen.

 

www.darannoor.com

 

 

 

Monday, October 2, 2023

Why Does Someone Not Pray?

Bismillah

Why does someone not pray? Allah has answered in this ayah, 

إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ يَوْمَئِذٍ ٱلْمَسَاقُ ‎﴿٣٠﴾‏ فَلَا صَدَّقَ وَلَا صَلَّىٰ ‎﴿٣١﴾‏ وَلَٰكِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ ‎﴿٣٢﴾‏

To your Lord, that Day, will be the procession. (30) And the disbeliever had not believed, nor had he prayed. (31) But [instead], he denied and turned away. (32) [Quran. 30-32]

It means you are a Muslim in your head, not in your heart. Sometimes you know something but you don't think about it. Because that's missing that's why many people don't pray or they miss prayers. Their hearts are distracted. Allah doesn't need your prayer and if you prayed because someone couldn't get off your case, it has no value.

Actions have no value unless they have the right intention. The only one who can benefit from your prayer is only you.

What is the purpose of prayer? You might think if you don't pray you will be thrown in hell or the angels will curse you. Prayer is not to get away from something negative but to run towards something positive.  Take for example, the one who study because he doesn't want to fail is trying to escape from something negative, the student who study because he loves the subject, he is going to something positive and he enjoys every moment of it.

Allah told Musa alayhissalaam 

إِنَّنِىٓ أَنَا ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدْنِى وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِذِكْرِىٓ ‎﴿١٤﴾‏

Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance. [Quran, Ta-Ha 23:14]

Your relationship with the creation is very limited but your relationship with Allah started a long time before you even came to this world and will continue after you leave this world. That relationship is worth remembering because every good thing that comes to you, comes as a result of that relationship. If you want all the positive things to stay in your life, you must remember where all the good, the blessings, the provision, the guidance come from. So Allah says the best way to remember that is prayer.

Just because you are doing it for the right reasons, there are benefits too. 

There is benefit when you truly remember Allah. Allah says,

ٱتْلُ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلَذِكْرُ ٱللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ ‎﴿٤٥﴾‏

Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do. [Quran, Al Ankabut 29:45]

Prayer has the benefit of stopping you from falling int things that are bad and indescent. Indescency is all around you and no one can stop you from being exposed to it -- indecency is at eid party, school, phone, workplace. Indescency is everywhere. Every time you go towards indescency, your heart will get damaged. Allah says if you maintain the prayer, that will protect you from indescency. It is like breathing in pollution, at first you will cough. But if you stay long enough, you will get used to it. Your immune systems has gotten corrupt. Then you are ready for more toxic behavior and even doing worst things.

The prayer will stop you from going down a negative path in your life. This is why you should pray. At the end of this whole journey, the decision is entirely yours. If you really want to honor that relationship with Allah, then pray. 

As parents, the more you try to control your children, the more frustrated you can become, and the more you try to push the religion on your children with control, the more your chidren rebel in the strangest way. 

The opportunity you have with your children is not to make them surrender to your instructions but the opportunity that you have with your children is to make them think about things that only you can make them think about. Make them love things only you can make them love. Your child loves basketball because he sees you play basketball. He loves video games because he sees you play video games. 

You can put a love in your child because of how you are. If you keep on instructing your child "go do your Quran homework!", "go to the masjid and pray!" he is not going to be 20 years old and say "I love the Quran" or "I love the masjid," but he will say " I love basketball, my dad used to play basketball!" What you love will get transfered over but what you instruct will get rejected. That's your own reality -- some of the things you love about your parents are the things that were passed down by love, and some of the things that you hate about your parents were the things that they forced you to do.

May Allah grant us steadfastness and enable us to be good role models for our children. Aameen.

www.darannoor.com

Saturday, September 30, 2023

The Prophet's Character (ﷺ) -- Whoever Knew Him, Loved Him

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

The Quran describes the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wassallam, as a beautiful example:

لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا ‎﴿٢١﴾‏

There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often. [Quran, Al Ahzab 33:21]

Qatadah reported: I said to Aisha, “O mother of the believers, tell me about the character of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.” Aisha said, “Have you not read the Quran?” I said, “Of course.” Aisha said, “Verily, the character of the Prophet of Allah was the Quran.” [Sahih Muslim]

The Quran and Hadiths build up of the Prophet’s virtues and character, sallallahu alayhi wassallam: integrity, honesty, steadfastness, courage, kindness, compassion, courtesy, and other qualities too numerous to list. To know what the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wassallam, did, is to know what we all should do.

So the Prophet’s sunnah, emulation of which becomes the life work of a believer in his or her journey to Allah and the life hereafter.

‘Allah’s Messenger, sallallahu alayhi wassallam, was the mildest of people and also the warmest and most generous of them. He would mend his own sandals, patch his own clothes and help his family with the daily errands. He was very shy; shyer than a virgin in her chamber.

He would respond to the invitation of slaves, visit the sick, walk alone [without guards or fanfare], allow others to saddle-up with him on his mount, accept gifts, eat food that was sent as a gift; though he never consumed anything that had been given as charity. He did not have enough dates with which to be sated, nor was he sated with barley-bread for more than three consecutive days. He would eat whatever food was readily available and he never criticized food. He never ate reclining, and ate from what was nearest to him.




He loved perfumes and disliked foul odors. He honored people of virtue, and kept affectionate ties with nobles and dignitaries. He never snubbed anyone and would accept the excuse of those who presented excuses.

He would joke, but never would he utter anything untrue. He laughed, but not loudly. He would not let any time pass without being in the service of Allah, exalted is He, or being engaged in whatever was essential for his own self-development.

He never cursed women, nor abused servants. Nor did he strike anyone, except for in jihad in Allah’s cause. He did not exact revenge for his own sake, but did so when Allah’s limits had been transgressed. If he was presented with two options he took the easier of the two, unless it entailed disobedience or the severing of ties – in which case he would be the furthest away from it.

Anas remarked: “I served him for ten years and he never once rebuked me in the least; nor did he say about anything I had done, ‘Why did you do it?’ or anything I had not done, ‘Why did you not do it?’”

His description in the Torah is: “Muhammad, the Messenger of God and My Chosen Servant. He is neither harsh nor severe. He does not shout in the market places, nor repay evil with evil, but instead he pardons and forgives” … 

He would sit in an assembly wherever it was convenient and would mingle among his Companions as one of them, such that when strangers came they couldn’t distinguish him from others, save after inquiring as to who he was. He would take to long periods of silence, but when he did speak he did so measuredly and clearly, repeating himself so that he would be understood. He used to pardon, even when he was in a position to punish, and he would not confront anyone with what they did not like.

He was the most truthful of men, one who most fulfilled his trusts and commitments; the easiest going of people, the most affable, and the most generous in friendship. Whoever gazed upon him unexpectedly, was awe-stricken by him; whoever knew him, loved him. His Companions, whenever they spoke about worldly affairs, he would join in with them; and when, in recollecting their pre-Islamic days, they would laughed, he would simply smile. He was also the bravest of men. One Companion recalled: When the fighting became intense, we would seek shelter behind Allah’s Messenger, sallallahu alayhi wassallam.’1

May Allah increase our love for the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam and enable us to follow his footsteps. Aameen.

1. Mukhtasar Minhaj al-Qasidin (Damascus: Maktabah Dar al-Bayan, 1999), 157-8.

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Friday, September 29, 2023

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Benefit of Being a Righteous Parent

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

The benefit of the righteousness of parents reaches children, and their children. This is one of the lessons we can derive from the story of the meeting of Prophet Musa and Al Khidr, may Allah grant them peace.

 

وَأَمَّا ٱلْجِدَارُ فَكَانَ لِغُلَٰمَيْنِ يَتِيمَيْنِ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ وَكَانَ تَحْتَهُۥ كَنزٌ لَّهُمَا وَكَانَ أَبُوهُمَا صَٰلِحًا فَأَرَادَ رَبُّكَ أَن يَبْلُغَآ أَشُدَّهُمَا وَيَسْتَخْرِجَا كَنزَهُمَا رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۚ وَمَا فَعَلْتُهُۥ عَنْ أَمْرِى ۚ ذَٰلِكَ تَأْوِيلُ مَا لَمْ تَسْطِع عَّلَيْهِ صَبْرًا ‎﴿٨٢﴾‏

 

And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and there was beneath it a treasure for them, and their father had been righteous. So your Lord intended that they reach maturity and extract their treasure, as a mercy from your Lord. And I did it not of my own accord. That is the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience."  [Quran, Al Kahf 18:82]

 The statement وَكَانَ أَبُوهُمَا صَٰلِحًا (and their father had been righteous) carries a hint that arrangements were made to have the buried treasure secured for the orphan children through al-Khidr because the father of the orphan children was some righteous man dear in the sight of Allah. Therefore, it was to grant his wish and to bring benefit to his children that Allah made this arrangement. Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir says: 'It is because of the piety and righteousness of a servant of His that Allah protects his children, and the children of his children, and his family, even the homes built around his own.' (Mazhari) 

 

رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

 

Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous. [Quran, Al Furqan 25:74]  

Aameen.

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