Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Affinity

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Souls feel affinity with others according to the nature in which they were created. 'Although they are all souls, they differ in different ways, so a person will feel an affinity with souls of one kind, and will get along with them because of the special quality that they have in common. [Qurtubi]

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.

It is important to love the righteous and keep company of the righteous. They are means to take you closer to Allah and strengthen your faith, and they can help you overcome your shortcomings.

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

Imam Shafi'i said:

احب الصالحين ولست منهم *** لعلي أن انال بهم شفاعة
واكره من تجارته المعاصي *** وإن كنا سواء في البضاعة

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:

فرد عليه الامام احمد رحمه الله

تحب الصالحين وانت منهم *** ومنكم سوف يلقون الشفاعة
وتكره من تجارته المعاصي *** وقانا الله من شر البضاعة

You love the righteous and you are of them
And from you shall they receive intercession
And you hate he who trades in sins.

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

May Allah grant us righteous companions. Aameen.

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Righteous Children Don't Come From Thin Air

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

To love Allah is to follow His Messenger  (ﷺ).  

Allah says,

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّـهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّـهُ وَيَغْفِرْ‌ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ غَفُورٌ‌ رَّ‌حِيمٌ ﴿٣١

"Say: 'If you love Allah, follow me, and Allah will love you, and forgive you your sins; Allah is All-forgiving, All-compassionate.' [Qur'an AleImran 3:31]

How can one follow the Messenger  (ﷺ) if one doesn't know him and if one doesn't know what he brought? To love is to know.

The Companions had great love for the Prophet (ﷺ) because they knew him. They would sacrifice their lives for him. We can see their selfless love for him in the stories of the Companions.

It is very important to fill the hearts of our children with the love of the Prophet (ﷺ) because without that love, they cannot taste the sweetness of this faith and worship of Allah. But it can be very difficult to do this without mutual support of both partners in marriage who should live by the sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ) and the guidance of Islam. Our deeds are of value when we proceed from love, love of Allah Most High. And that love translates in our actions of following His Messenger (ﷺ) supporting and protecting the Shari'ah.

So, we should fix our relationship with Allah by marrying for Allah, and raising our children to love Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ). For those who are thinking about marriage, they should think ahead when choosing a spouse. One should choose a righteous and Godfearing mother/father for their children. One should teach one's children to choose a good spouse, the mother/father for their children so their children can have the best environment to grow up in, learning about their Creator and their responsibilities in life.

It is also vitally important for our children to have the right companions. It is not enough to have the right father and the right mother, we have to make sure that our children have the right friends, those who love the Prophet (ﷺ), and protecting what he brought.

May Allah grant us righteous companions and righteous offspring. Aameen.

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Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Rish To Good Deeds

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم  

In the last ayah of Surah al Kahf, Allah Most High says,

قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَا إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۖ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا ﴿١١

Say (O Muhammad), "I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God. So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone." (110) [Quran, Al-Kahf 18:110]

One of the signs that Allah loves you is that He guides you to doing good deeds. Don't miss the opportunity to reap the benefits of reading Surah Kahf today.

May Allah accept your good deeds. 

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 8:10]

Aameen.

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Why Study About The Prophet (ﷺ)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

As Muslims we have to believe in the Prophet Muhammad  (ﷺ) as the Messenger of Allah and that he is the last Prophet, the seal of the Prophethood. Loving him is an act of obedience to Allah and a means of drawing closer to Him. Loving him is a sign of faith and one of the obligatory duties in Islam.

It was narrated that Anas (RA) said: The Prophet (ﷺ) said,

“None of you truly believes until I am more beloved to him than his father, his child and all the people.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Allah Most High says,

Say, [O Muhammad], "If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and jihad in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people." 

قُلْ إِن كَانَ ءَابَآؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَٰنُكُمْ وَأَزْوَٰجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَٰلٌ ٱقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَٰرَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَٰكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَآ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَجِهَادٍ فِى سَبِيلِهِۦ فَتَرَبَّصُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِۦ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَٰسِقِينَ ‎﴿٢٤﴾

[Quran At-Tawba 9:24]

To know is to love. Since we have not met the Prophet (ﷺ), how can we know him and love him? 

The Shama'il Muhammadiyah is a collection of about 400 hadiths on the intricate details of Prophetic life and character traits by Imam Tirmidhi. The companions marveled when trying to describe the Prophetic character traits. 

Through studying it, it will give you deeper love and honor of the Prophet  (ﷺ). Each time you study the Shama'il, you will find new amazing beautiful characteristics of the Prophet (ﷺ) that come to the front, and that he is one of the miracles of Allah. 

Another miracle of Allah is the Quran. The more one ponders, reflects and recites the Quran, the more the beauty of the Quran becomes apparent. It is like the one looking in the Quran and in every case in the Quran, he polishes the Quran. The more he polishes the Quran, the more it shines and new meanings come to light.

Similarly when you study the characteristics, mannerism and life of the Prophet  (ﷺ), the more his beauty shines. There is no limit to admiring and loving our Prophet  (ﷺ).

May Allah grant us deep love for His beloved Messenger (ﷺ) and enable us to follow on his footsteps. Aameen.

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Knowledge vs Wisdom

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

A knowledgeable person and a wise person are not the same because knowledge and wisdom are not the same thing. Knowledge is nothing but the facts known by a person whereas wisdom is the combination of experience and knowledge, with the power of applying them or soundness of judgement in a person, the ability to discern between right and wrong. 

An increase in knowledge should cause the person to have increase in taqwa and humility, not haughtiness, pride and arrogance.

Luqman was given wisdom and his wisdom was recorded in the Quran to guide us. 

'And We had certainly given Luqman wisdom [and said], "Be grateful to Allah." And whoever is grateful is grateful for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever denies [His favor] - then indeed, Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy. (12) 

And [mention, O Muhammad], when Luqman said to his son while he was instructing him, "O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association [with him] is great injustice." (13) ...

[And Luqman said], "O my son, indeed if wrong should be the weight of a mustard seed and should be within a rock or [anywhere] in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Indeed, Allah is Subtle and Acquainted. (16)

O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination. (17) 

And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful. (18) 

And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys." (19)'

[Quran, Luqman 31:12-13, 16-19]

May Allah grant us wisdom and increase us in taqwa. Aameen.

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Honor Your Parents And Lower Your Wings Of Humility

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

When you were small and vulnerable, your parents care for you with love and mercy. They lowered their wings to protect you. Now that your wings are dry and you can fly, show your gratitude by lowering your wings of humility to them and honoring them. Being grateful to your parents is being grateful to Allah who had chosen them to be your parents.

Allah Most High orders and say, 

"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)

 وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَٰنًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا ‎﴿٢٣﴾‏ وَٱخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ ٱلذُّلِّ مِنَ ٱلرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱرْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِى صَغِيرًا ‎﴿٢٤﴾‏

[Quran, al Isra 17:23-24]

The Quran is the source of guidance, and if something comes next to Allah – then it is without a doubt a very serious thing to ponder upon – an ayah of the Quran that emphasizes to show gratitude and obedience towards parents.

"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."

وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُۥ وَهْنًا عَلَىٰ وَهْنٍ وَفِصَٰلُهُۥ فِى عَامَيْنِ أَنِ ٱشْكُرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَيْكَ إِلَىَّ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ‎﴿١٤﴾ 

[Quran, Luqman 31:14]

Honoring our parents means—obeying them, respecting them, lowering the wings of humility to them, restraining from showing displeasure to them, serving them, fulfilling their wishes, consulting with them, listening to what they say, abstaining from stubbornness towards them, and showing utmost respect towards them in their life and after their death.

May Allah grant us guidance to be good to our parents, and have mercy upon our parents, and forgive their mistakes and admit them into paradise. Aameen.

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How To Fall In Love With The Quran...continued

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

The Quran is Allah's answer to our du'a for guidance. We make this du'a in every raka'a during prayers.

ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ ‎﴿٦﴾‏ صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ ‎﴿٧﴾‏

Guide us to the straight path - (6) The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray. (7) [Quran, Al Fatihah 1:6-7]

The next Surah of the Quran, after al Fatihah, is Surah al Baqarah which begins with, 

الٓمٓ ‎﴿١﴾‏ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ ‎﴿٢﴾‏ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ ‎﴿٣﴾‏

Alif, Lam, Meem. (1) This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah - (2) 

So live by the Quran. The guidance is meant for us to follow. So take every piece of advice it provides: tips that motivate, words that inspire, skills that help, and warnings that will lead you to the correct course. Take these all into yourself and live by the Quran. Become a walking Quran, like the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) did.

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked about the character of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) to which she replied: ‘His character was the Quran.’ [Bukhari]

Strengthen your faith:

Strengthen your faith by remembering Allah often, because faith is where love comes from. The deeper your faith, the deeper you will be in love with the Quran. So be steadfast in your faith and feel the difference.

قُلْ نَزَّلَهُۥ رُوحُ ٱلْقُدُسِ مِن رَّبِّكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِيُثَبِّتَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ ﴿١٠٢

Say (O Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam) ‘Ruh-ul-Qudus [Jibril (Gabriel)] alayhissalaam has brought it (the Quran) down from your Lord with truth, that it may make firm and strengthen (the Faith of) those who believe and as a guidance and glad tidings to those who have submitted (to Allah as Muslims).’ [Quran, An-Nahl 16:102]

Don’t think of the Quran as just a book of prayer:

If you view the Quran as just a book of prayer, your love will be limited and it will be based upon selfishness. So observe the Quran from different angles, for example as a book of prayer, a book of guidance, a book of justice, a book of legislation, or a book of science. The more you observe it from different perspectives, the more you will fall in love with it.

May Allah guide us to love His Book and make the Quran our companion in this life and the next. Aameen.

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The Dignity Of A Believer Is Sacred

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

We are becoming a people that the appearance of Islam is more important, and the manners of Islam have dissappeared. 

We all know that making partners with Allah (shirk) is a big crime against Allah. 

To say what you don't intend to do is very hateful to Allah. Allah Most High says,

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ ‎﴿٢﴾‏ كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُوا۟ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ ‎﴿٣﴾

O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? (1) Very hateful is it to God, that you say what you do not. (2)  [Quran, as-Saff 61:2-3]

Hypocrisy is also big crime. The hypocrites will be thrown into Hell along with the disbelievers. Allah Most High says,

‏ وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقِينَ وَٱلْمُنَٰفِقَٰتِ وَٱلْكُفَّارَ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ هِىَ حَسْبُهُمْ ۚ وَلَعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ ‎﴿٦٨﴾‏

Allah has promised the hypocrite men and hypocrite women and the disbelievers the fire of Hell, wherein they will abide eternally. It is sufficient for them. And Allah has cursed them, and for them is an enduring punishment. (68) [Quran, At-Tawba 9:68]

Now what do you think about talking bad of other believers? 

Allah Most High says,

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا۟ وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيمٌ ‎﴿١٢﴾

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

[Quran, al-Hujurat 49:12]

You might think it is not a big deal, it's just a comment, a couple of words typed, its just a conversation...but it is a big massive crime you have done against Allah. Once the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam turned to the Ka'abah and said, the dignity of a believer to Allah is more sacred than you.

How much respect would you show to the Ka'aba when you wil get the honor to be in its presence? Would you ever imagine being disrespectful, being condescending, making jokes in the House of Allah? You would be terrified at the idea and yet when it comes to your fellow believers it is so easy to just talk and gossip.

The offense of disrespecting and dishonoring your fellow believers is not just against the person but also against Allah Himself for which you immediately must beg for His forgiveness because you recognized you have crossed something sacred against Allah Himself.

May Allah protect us from hypocrisy, from doing acts displeasing to Him, and all the sins of the limbs. Aameen.

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What Is An Ayah?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

The Quran, as a literature, is unique. It consists of 114 surahs and many ayahs. A surah cannot be compared with anything else. So we cannot translate it as a "chapter." An ayah cannot be compared with anything else. So we cannot translate as a "verse." 

The first meaning of ayah is valuable. Every day and night is valuable. Every ease and difficulty is valuable. The second meaning of ayah is something that makes you curious. It is supposed to inspire curiosity. An other meaning of ayah is that it points to a direction. Every ayah of Allah is pointing to a direction, that is, pointing to Allah. An ayah is also something amazing

The believer looking at the creation of Allah and he is amazed. SubhanaAllah. Whereas a disbeliever is never impressed. An ayah gives you conviction of the existence of Allah. An ayah is a means to get you attention. Everything around us is ayah. Every ayah is calling and trying to get your attention. Human beings must pay attention to the reality of everything around us and we will learn lessons. If we don't pay attention, we learn nothing. Every ayah is a means of giving you conviction. An ayah is enough for people who wants to be convinced. Conviction comes from all the ayahs. Everything doesn't just have value, it also has meanings.  The person who doesn't believe in Allah his life doesn't have purpose. The meaning of ayah is it gives purpose.

May Allah make us of people of reflection and paying attention to the ayahs. Aameen

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Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Reflect On The Fleeting Life

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

 Ayah 45 of Surah Al-Kahf, Allah Most High says,

وَٱضْرِ‌بْ لَهُم مَّثَلَ ٱلْحَيَو‌ٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَٱخْتَلَطَ بِهِۦ نَبَاتُ ٱلْأَرْ‌ضِ فَأَصْبَحَ هَشِيمًا تَذْرُ‌وهُ ٱلرِّ‌يَـٰحُ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ مُّقْتَدِرً‌ا ﴿٤٥

And present to them the example of the life of this world, it is like the water (rain) which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability. (45)

[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:45]

Worldly life is like water that comes from the sky (rain). Then the vegetation and rain water start mixing together, and then the entire land and vegetation becomes dry and reduce to dirt, which the winds carry and scatter away.

Whatever goodness in this life comes from Allah but it is not going to be permanent. We are going to be reduced to dirt one day. You have no control over it. Allah has always been in absolute control of all things.

Listen to what the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) says, "Accumulate 'everlasting virtues' as much as you can."

All deeds that qualify as righteous and sincere are abiding and everlasting in the sight of Allah.

ٱلْمَالُ وَٱلْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ ٱلْحَيَو‌ٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَٱلْبَـٰقِيَـٰتُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتُ خَيْرٌ‌ عِندَ رَ‌بِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ‌ أَمَلًا ﴿٤٦

Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds, that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope. (46)

[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:46]

Sayyidna 'Ali (radhiAllahu anhu) 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.'

May Allah grant us righteous deeds and everlasting virtues. Aameen.

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How To Fall In Love With The Quran...continued

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Falling in love with the Quran means you will not want to leave it. You make the Quran your companion in this life and the Quran will be your companion in your graves, will intercede for you and be a witness for you in the Day of Judgment.

How to fall in love with the Quran?

Engage your senses:

Engage your senses in exploring the contents of the Quran. Feel when you read, and ponder the verses. You should have a feeling of trembling when you come across the verses of warnings, happiness when you read the verses of glad tidings, and sadness when you hear about the torments. If you can feel the Quran, then you will fall more in love with it.

Search and search:

Search for more facts from the Quran. The more you search, the more beautiful and inspiring verses you will come across. Write down the verses and your thoughts if necessary. You will soon learn how the Quran wisely holds the truth.

Memorize:

Memorize the verses that interest you. The more you memorize, the more interested you will become until eventually you will wish to memorize the whole Quran.

وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ ﴿١٧

And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember? [Quran, Al-Qamar 54: 17]

Include it in your prayers:

You can recite the verses you memorized in your five daily prayers. You can also include the verses in your supplications.

Don’t think of the Quran as just a book of prayer:

If you view the Quran as just a book of prayer, your love will be limited and it will be based upon selfishness. So observe the Quran from different angles, for example as a book of prayer, a book of guidance, a book of justice, a book of legislation, or a book of science. The more you observe it from different perspectives, the more you will fall in love with it.

May Allah make us deeply in love with the Quran. O Allah, allow the Quran to be our close companion in this life, in our graves a comforting friend, a light on the Sirat, an intercession at the time of resurrection, our companion in Jannah. Make it a protection and barricade between us and the hellfire.

Aameen.

To be continued...

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How To Fall In Love With The Quran

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Falling in love with the Quran is not loving to hear a particular reciter(s) of the Quran. It is loving the Divine Speech and making it paramount.

The most beautiful reciter among you is he whose recital makes you feel that this person is fearing Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. [Ibn Majah]

How to fall in love with the Quran?

Think:

Carve out some time in your schedule and relax. Think of your life and the hereafter. Think of the attachment you have for the Quran and think about what can you do in order to fall in love with it. Make a list.

Implement:

Take this list and put it in practice. To start out, read at least a page from the Quran each day, and gradually increase it to a juz or two a day. If this is too difficult for now, start out by reading a few verses after each prayer. Don’t worry if you can’t read, for the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: Verily the one who recites the Quran beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have twice that reward.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

Understand:

Just reciting isn’t enough. You need to know the meaning of what you are reciting. If you aren’t good at Arabic, pick a translation in your language and have it at your side when reciting. Trying to understand what you are reciting is a key factor to increase your love for the Quran.  At the same time start learning the language of the Quran.

To be continued...

May Allah grant us a sound understanding of the Quran and make us His chosen people of the Quran. Aameen.

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Women With Hijab

بسم الله الحمن الحيم

Allah Most High says,

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَٰجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَآءِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَٰبِيبِهِنَّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا 

‎O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. [Quran, Al Ahzab 33:59]

Women who are serious about their modesty and chastity should cover themselves with proper hijab. As Muslims we are governed by Islam. There maybe people around us who  are not governed by the same rules and regulations. Let them do as they wish but we do as we are taught by His Messenger (ﷺ)

Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin:

Asma, daughter of AbuBakr, entered upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) wearing thin clothes. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) turned his attention from her. He said: O Asma', when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to his face and hands.

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رضى الله عنها أَنَّ أَسْمَاءَ بِنْتَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، دَخَلَتْ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَعَلَيْهَا ثِيَابٌ رِقَاقٌ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَقَالَ ‏ يَا أَسْمَاءُ إِنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ الْمَحِيضَ لَمْ تَصْلُحْ أَنْ يُرَى مِنْهَا إِلاَّ هَذَا وَهَذَا‏ وَأَشَارَ إِلَى وَجْهِهِ وَكَفَّيْهِ

 [Abu Dawud]

At the time when people are looking at Muslims with an eye of suspicion, it is not easy to dress like a Muslim woman, but the ones who do, they will save themselves from calamity and disaster in this workd and the next. 

When we show our Muslim identity in great numbers, we are showing  our good deeds and good character. If we hide our identity who would know Islam is a beautiful and peaceful religion?

May Allah increase our iman and protect us from calamity. Aameen.

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Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) ... Trial Of Children

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Allah Most High tells us in Surah Al Kahf, 

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ﴿٧﴾ وَإِنَّا لَجَـٰعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًا جُرُزًا ﴿٨

Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them [as to] which of them is best in deed. [Quran, Al Kahf 18:7]

Don't stress out when your children don't turn out the way you had planned. Even the best of parents will be tested with their children. Allah told us in the Quran that our wealth and our children are but a trial.

إِنَّمَآ أَمْوَ‌ٰلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَـٰدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١٥

Your wealth and your children are but a trial, and Allah has with Him a great reward. [Quran, At-Taghabun 64:15]

وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَآ أَمْوَ‌ٰلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَـٰدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿٢٨

And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward. {Quran, Al Anfal 8:28]

Ya'qub a.s and Nuh a.s had bad children despite being prophets. We can't say they didn't raise them right. So we look to them how they deal with their situations.

Ya'qub a.s responded with beautiful patience. Nuh a.s responded with humility and asking Allah for forgiveness and mercy.

When our children were small we have absolute control over them. They listened. We begin losing control over them as they get older. But remember, our children are slaves of Allah, not ours. We are only appointed to be their shepherds. We have to be very concerned about our children and we can't give up on them until Allah commands us. We raise and teach them Islam the best we can. If they take a wrong path, we can't do anything about it. If Prophets can't do anything about their children, we can't do anything about our children either.

We make this du'a after each prayer.

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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Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- In Pursuit Of Wealth

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

We are reminded in Surah Kahf about wealth and children.

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) 

ٱلْمَالُ وَٱلْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَٱلْبَٰقِيَٰتُ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًا ‎﴿٤٦﴾‏

[Quran, al Kahf 18:46]

Wealth is something that has troubled the children of Adam from the very beginning of creation. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “The son of Adam grows old and so also two desires grow old with him; love for wealth and a wish for a long life.” [Bukhari]

The question of how much wealth and property one owns, or how many of the luxuries and pleasures of the world one enjoys, have preoccupied the thoughts of each and everyone of us at one point or another in our lives. Wealth has been the cause of wars, the cause of corruption, the cause of suicide, the cause of marriages and divorces, amongst many others.

As a Muslims we are to strive every day to develop the spiritual attributes that are essential in this world and the next. 

The most important thing for a believer to remember is that we were created for the sole purpose of worshiping the Lord of Creation alone, and this life is just a means of testing our obedience to Him and faith in Him. Whether we are granted abundant riches or severe poverty we must always strive to obey the commands of Allah and to fulfill our duties towards Him. A believer's honor lies in Islam. The words of Allah (the Qur'an) and the Sunnah should be our guides, not the desires of the society surrounding us, which places great value on wealth and materialism. 

We are merely travelers in this world and we will soon move on. What we will take with us from this world will be our good deeds. They will be our wealth on the Day of Judgment and they are what we will be judged on. He whose deeds are heavy on the Scale, will have succeeded and gained something that all the wealth of this world cannot buy the pleasure of his Lord and eternal Paradise.

‏اللهم إني أسألك الهدى، والتقى، والعفاف، والغنى

Allahumma inni as'alukal-huda, wat-tuqa, wal-'afafa, wal-ghina

O Allah! I beseech You for guidance, piety, chastity and contentment

Aameen