With Hardship, Ease

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Any hardship is painful but it is not meant to stay. Before you know it, it is over. Allah does not keep you down all the time. Allah says,

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

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

Allah will give you ease. While you are down, bear it with patience. You may be down for a while -- one year, two years or even ten or twenty years -- but during those years, your life will change to a degree that you will look back and say I was about to give up at one stage. 

The story of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) in the Quran is one of the many stories that should give you hope that Allah will bring you out of your hardship and reward you with better than what you have lost. The femine in Egypt where Prophet Yusuf (peace upon him) rose to be the minister, ended after seven years and Allah reunited the family of Prophet Ya'qub (peace be upon him) after many years of separation. And just recall the recent Covid pandemic, which we can tell our own stories of hardship and loss. Alhamdulillah we have seen the end of it after two years and much good that has come out of it, for which we should be grateful.

Whenever we go through hardship or whenever we see or hear a calamity, there are things we need to know with certainty.

سَيَجْعَلُ ٱللَّـهُ بَعْدَ عُسْرٍ يُسْرًا ﴿٧

... Allah will bring about, after hardship, ease. (7) [Quran At-Talaq 65:7]

Certain hardships or calamities are so consuming that we cannot focus on anything but the difficulty. But if we were to enumerate the blessings of Allah Almighty, we would not be able to count them. Reminding ourselves of the other blessings in our lives allows us to see the hardship within the context of the grand scheme of things. Just the fact that you can crawl out of bed this morning and pray, and call say, “Allahu Akbar” is a blessing that surpasses all others. 

There is a purpose behind hardships, and this purpose corresponds to our internal state and our relationship with Allah. The hardships are not put upon us by a random being, but by Allah, our Lord.

إِنَّ رَبِّى لَطِيفٌ لِّمَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ‎﴿١٠٠﴾‏ 

Indeed, my Lord is Subtle in what He wills. Indeed, it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise. [Quran, Yusuf 12:100]

Trials and difficulties also have a way of reminding us of our purpose. If we are far from Allah, the test is usually to bring us close to Him. Whatever heedlessness we are engaging in, the test should make us realize we have no one, no one at all, but Allah. So turn to Him, and cry your heart out for Him.

If we are close to Allah, it is to test our resilience. Are we only close to Allah in times of ease, or does our trust extend to the times of hardship? When we are tested, do we leave the good deeds that we used to do? Don't be like those people for Allah describes those people as someone who has lost everything.

Allah Almighty says,

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَعْبُدُ ٱللَّـهَ عَلَىٰ حَرْفٍ ۖ فَإِنْ أَصَابَهُۥ خَيْرٌ ٱطْمَأَنَّ بِهِۦ ۖ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ فِتْنَةٌ ٱنقَلَبَ عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِۦ خَسِرَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْخُسْرَانُ ٱلْمُبِينُ ﴿١١

And of the people is he who worships Allah on an edge. If he is touched by good, he is reassured by it; but if he is struck by trial, he turns on his face [to the other direction]. He has lost [this] world and the Hereafter. That is what is the manifest loss. (11)

[Quran Al-Hajj 22:11]

Tests are also out of Allah’s love. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam, said, "When Allah loves a servant, He tests him,” [Tirmidhi]. In a hadith qudsi (a hadith relating the words of Allah, Allah tells Jibreel to delay the response to the du`a’ of a servant because Allah loves hearing his voice [Tabarani]. Sometimes the answer to a test is that need for Allah, those long hours spent in the night, and the tears of sincerity.

When the waves start coming one after another, don't despair. Lay low, thank Allah and develop your relationship with Allah. You are not going to live your life in perpetual hardship, because 'unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.'

أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ ٱلْبَأْسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ ٱللَّـهِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّـهِ قَرِيبٌ ﴿٢١٤

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? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allah?" Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near. (214)

[Quran Al-Baqarah 2:214]

May Allah make us of those who constantly turn to Him and remember Him, in hardship and ease.  May Allah save us from the trials and tribulations of this life and the next. Ameen.

www.darannoor.com

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Crossing the Bridge Over HellFire Safely

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Allah Almighty says,

قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَ‌ٰحِدٌ ۖ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَـٰلِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِۦٓ أَحَدًۢا ﴿١١٠

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]

Do you know that everything which is familiar to you now will change one day? Your house, your car, your city, your family, your friends, your circle of influence. You will look around and witness a breath-taking scene. The laws of physics will not work anymore. Welcome to… The Day of Judgment. The universe is now not relevant anymore. Everything you once had, they're gone. All focus now is on three things: Paradise, the Hellfire, the Bridge.

Allah Almighty will wrap the universe in His Hands. Stop for a moment. Can you imagine this? All that matters now is that Paradise is there and Hellfire is there and a Bridge will be brought over the Hellfire. It is called: as-Siraat.

Your fuel on that bridge? Your fuel is your righteous deeds. When you are out of deeds you will be stuck there with all those hooks trying to grab you. It’s time to think now, what do you need this Day when you have to cross the Siraat?

وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِى فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ مَعِيشَةً ضَنكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ أَعْمَىٰ ﴿١٢٤﴾ قَالَ رَبِّ لِمَ حَشَرْتَنِىٓ أَعْمَىٰ وَقَدْ كُنتُ بَصِيرًا ﴿١٢٥

And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind." (124) He will say, "My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was [once] seeing?" (125) [Quran, Ta-Ha 20:124-125]

Imagine if you can’t see and you have to cross the Bridge. But that’s not it. The sun and the moon will be joined and they will lose their light. So it will be pitch dark. You need two things to cross:

Light so you can see and speed so you can cross. Both of them are related to your deeds.

You need light and speed.

The more good deeds, the more light (nur) you will have. Some people will have a mountain of light in front of them; while others, their light will go on and off, because their deeds in this life were weak. Remember the Bridge is a challenge in itself and not being able to see is unimaginably dstressing. So while there is time, let’s collect as much light and speed.

Friday is a special day for us Muslims where we can collect light that can help us cross the siraat inshaa Allah. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Whoever recites Surah Al Kahf every Jumu’ah, it will be for him a light from his distance to Makkah.”

So, read Surah Kahf today and put this in your weekly schedule.

The  Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) will be the first on the Bridge. Then he turns around and looks out for you and me, his Ummah. And he will stand there and make du'a for us: ‘Allahumma sallim’ (O Allah! Protect them!). After all his hardships in life, he can now just leave it all behind and walk straight through the Gates of Jannah. And be happy forever. But he doesn’t. He thinks about you. SubhanAllah. And what do we do in this life? We do everything except following His Sunnah. When ask to read the Quran, we have so many excuses.

Let’s ask ourselves after seeing the love of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) at the moment we need it most: How do we show our love for the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace)? By following his Sunnah. This is how we amass light in this world to guide us in the Hereafter.

Focus and amass as much light as possible in this world.
And remember, good deeds = light + speed.

Be of the fast and the righteous. 

رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا ‎﴿١٠﴾

"Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.

May Allah resurrect us with the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam and enter us into the highest Paradise with him without reckoning. Aameen.

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Do You Want Allah's Love?

Bismillah

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah the Exalted has said: 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved thing with which My slave comes nearer to Me is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (prayer or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him. When I love him I become his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks (something) from Me, I give him, and if he asks My Protection (refuge), I protect him".

[Al- Bukhari]

This Hadith Qudsi includes a number of benefits of Allah's love for His slave:

"I am his hearing with which he hears" i.e., he does not listen to anything but that which Allah loves.

"his seeing with which he sees" i.e., he does not see anything but that which Allah loves.

"his hand with which he strikes" i.e., he does not do anything with his hand but that which Allah loves.

"and his foot with which he walks" i.e., he does not go towards anything but that which Allah loves.

"Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him" i.e., his du'aa's are heard and his requests are granted.

"and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it" i.e., he is protected by Allah from all things. 

The love of Allah is "the status for which the righteous compete and strive... It is the nourishment of hearts and souls… the delight of the eyes... It is the life of which one who is denied it is dead... the light which the one who loses it is in deep darkness... the healing of which the one who is denied is sick... the joy which the one who is deprived of it lives in distress and pain... It is the spirit of faith and good deeds... by means of which one may draw closer to Allah... which, when it is absent, one is like a body in which there is no soul."

The love of Allah has signs and causes which are like the key to the door. These causes include following the guidance of His beloved Messenger (ﷺ) 

Allah Almighty says,

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّـهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّـهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٣١﴾ قُلْ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ ﴿٣٢

Say (O Muhammad to mankind): If you (really) love Allah, then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

[Quran, AleImran 3:31]

Allah gives the Dunya (the material world) to whom He loves and whom He doesn't love, but He doesn't give this Deen (Islam) except for whom He loves.

If Allah Almighty facilitates the practice of religion for you then it is a sign that Allah loves you -- if prayers, fasting, paying zakat, going to hajj, being good to your parents, eating halal (lawful), covering your nakedness, reciting Quran, waking up for tahajjud (night vigil prayer), giving charity, doing good deeds are easy for you... these are signs that Allah loves you.

If sinning is made difficult for you, it is sign that Allah loves you. However, if you sin after Allah have covered your sins a few times, you may have fallen from the eyes of Allah, where He doesn't care about you and you should repent now to avoid His wrath. Allah is Al-Afuww (the Pardoner) and He is Al-Gafur Ar-Rahim (Most Forgiving, Most Merciful).

Ask Allah for His love by day and by night and strive for the remaining term of your life to implement the guidance of His beloved Messenger sallallahu alayhi wassallam. Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.

كُلُّ نَفْسٍۢ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ

Every soul shall have a taste of death. In the end to Us shall you be brought back.

[Quran, Ankabut 29:57]

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ حُبَّكَ حُبَّكَ وَحُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ وَحُبَّ عَمَلٍ يُقَرِّبُنِي إِلَى حُبِّكَ

Allahumma Inni As’aluka Ḥubbaka Wa Ḥubba Man Yuḥibbuka Wa Ḥubba ‘Amalin Yuqarribuni Ila Ḥubbika

"O Allah, I ask You for Your Love, and the love of whoever loves You, and the love of deeds that bring me closer to Your Love." [at-Tirmidhi and Ahmad]

Aameen.

www.darannoor.com

Coming Home With A Sound Heart

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

What favors you in the sight of Allah Most High is the state of your heart. What will benefit you in the Hereafter and and save you on the Day of Judgment is qalbun saleem— a sound heart.

Allah Almighty says,

يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ ﴿٨٨﴾ إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّـهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ

The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children (88) But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart. (89)

[Quran, Ash-Shu'ara 26:88-89]

All the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, all the joy and sadness in our lives, all the difficulties and comforts of this life, all the anger and hate that manifest, all the love and beauty we cherish, at the end of the day, what is important is that we meet Allah with a sound heart. 

A sound heart is the heart that worships Allah with ihsaan and deals with Allah's creation with ihsaan. What is ihsaan? Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam says ihsaan is that you worship Allah as if you see Him and if you don't see Him, know that He sees you. Dealing with Allah's creation with ihsaan means you do unto them more than what they deserved, and you treat them the way you yourself want to be treated. If you worship Allah with ihasan and you deal with Allah's creation with ihsaan then you have qalbun saleem.

Islam is the religion of the heart. Everything we do, its fruit is reflected in the heart and the heart is the worth in every human being.

أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَتَكُونَ لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ يَعْقِلُونَ بِهَآ أَوْ ءَاذَانٌ يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَا ۖ فَإِنَّهَا لَا تَعْمَى ٱلْأَبْصَـٰرُ وَلَـٰكِن تَعْمَى ٱلْقُلُوبُ ٱلَّتِى فِى ٱلصُّدُورِ ﴿٤٦

So have they not traveled through the earth and have hearts by which to reason and ears by which to hear? For indeed, it is not eyes that are blinded, but blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts. (46)

[Quran, Al-Hajj 22: 46]

In all our actions, we have a decision to make. What governs our decision should be Allah Most High. In order to start moving in life you first need to have knowledge; with that knowledge you can define if something is important or not. Then it is up to you to make the move. The Prophet salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said about your heart:

"Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh which, if it be sound, all the body is sound and which, if it be diseased, all of it is diseased. Truly it is the heart." [Bukhari, Muslim]

What is the State of Your Heart?

The state of your heart will decide what you do with your knowledge. Will you benefit from it by practicing it or not? For example, if you hear an ayah of the Quran or a hadith, does it make you feel you want to practice it straight away or does it not have much impact on you? Whatever the answer is, it will tell you about the state of your heart.

Sins have an effect on your heart; they can cause your heart to be sealed so that the light of knowledge doesn’t reach it anymore and the ayaat of Allah don’t affect you anymore. May Allah protect us from this.

There are many diseases we find in our hearts, like hypocrisy, jealousy, envy, greed, arrogance, showing off, following unlawful desires, having bad opinion of others. Our aim should be to strive to purify our hearts and turn back to Allah with a sound heart. Once a wise man made this dua: ‘ O Allah purify my heart from anything but You.’

The Heart and the Mind

When you say the word ‘Think!” most of us point to our heads, right? How many of us point to our hearts when we say “Think?” The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Taqwa (God consciousness) is here,” and he pointed to his chest. [Muslim, at-Tirmidhi, Ahmad]

One of the functions of the heart is ta’aqqul (understanding). Allah gave us a heart to comprehend, to reflect, and to reason. To believe, to disbelieve, to understand, to comprehend, to have tranquility, to feel confusion, to have tawakkul and to have khushoo’ are all functions of your heart.

What Do You Do With Your Heart?

Now the question is, what is your heart attached to? Is it attached to your children, your spouse, your house, your money, power, your favorite shows, celebrities, games or to those special moments you spend with the Quran and reading about the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and his righteous companions?

How can you train your heart to become devoted and sound?

Ask Allah, Exalted is He, by His beautiful names to purify your heart. He is Al-Wahhaab (The Giver), so ask Him to give you a pure heart. He is Al-Qareeb (The Close One), so ask Him to make your heart close to Him. He is Al-Wadood (The Ever-Loving), so ask Him to fill your heart with love for Him.

Test yourself on the signs of a pure and devoted heart.

It continues to push its companion until he turns to Allah and repents.
It doesn’t grow tired of the remembrance of Allah or His worship.
If it misses out on an act of obedience it feels a pain that is more severe than the pain felt when losing money.
It finds sweetness and delight in worship greater than any delight from food and drink.
If it enters prayer, its worries and troubles from this worldly life leave it.
It is stingier with its time being wasted than a miser’s stinginess with his money.
It is more concerned with a good deed being performed correctly and accepted than the actual deed itself.

Memorize and make this du'a every morning.

رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْوَهَّابُ

Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower. [Quran, AleImran 3:8] 

Aameen 

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Love For The Sake Of Allah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Love is universe’s both light and source of life. As humankind is the most comprehensive fruit of the universe; a love so great to cover the whole universe is hidden inside the heart which is the seed of this fruit. Only the owner of infinite perfection and everlasting can deserve such great love. This is Allah Most High. He deserves our utmost love.  If one loves for the sake of Allah, his love for any creature will not be sorrowful.

Be like Prophet Ibrahim alayhissalaam and say "I do not love those that set" and turn your face to the eternal Beloved. The Quran speaks of his famous statement, “I do not love those that set” [Quran, Al-An'aam 6:76] 

Life is the most beautiful bounty that Allah has given you. When you love your life, you should know that this life is a gift from Allah, and you love it for the sake of Allah.  

We should love the world and creatures living on it with respect to their relation with Allah and whole universe, not for itself, and to say how beautifully it has been created, not how beautiful it is. Do not put the love of anything in the depths of your heart, because the innermost heart is the mirror of Allah, and it belongs to Him.

Loving one’s self means to take pity on it, discipline it and protect it from harmful desires. If you love in this way, your lower-self would not rule over you and would not make you a captive of its desires. Maybe you would rule over your lower-self. You would route it to Allah, instead of meaningless desires.

Love towards parents is considered a prayer and worship if you love them for the sake of Allah. You wish them to live a long life sincerely. You try to render service to them sincerely so that you would gain more rewards because of them. If the essence of this love consists of finite worldly pleasures and interests, you begin to be disturbed by the fact that “they are still alive” with the most nefarious feeling when they grow old to be more dependent on you. You start to fight for your inheritance (their property) while they are still alive and you wildly wait for them to die, who are the reasons that brought you on earth. However, the criteria of loving parents for the sake of Allah are rendering more service to them and wishing a long life for them when you are not dependent on them anymore. When your parents are old, you love them more; thus one loves for the sake of Allah.

Your love towards your children is unconditional and sincere. It is an inexpressible love and a unique blessing to love the beings who Allah entrusted to you to raise. You neither suffer too much from their problems nor wail for their death, because your love comes from Allah. Be patient if they die, and do not be without hope; you should say that they were a gift from my Lord to me, and they were His creatures. . . He took them to a better place. If I had one share in them, He had a thousand shares.” It is thus important to submit to the will of Allah.

In a parent-children relationship, you need to look for certain things in your relationship with your children. For example, are you too exasperated and frustrated to try yet again to help them change their lives? If so, a step to transforming your relationship would be to go against yourself and do it anyway. Or, for example, are you indulging them too much because of the pleasure that their smile brings you? If so, a step to transforming your relationship would be base your dealings with them on raising them well (even when this involves deprivation) rather than on the pleasure that their smile brings to your heart. You can transform the love in your relationship with your children into love that is for the sake of Allah Most High by 1) you love children for the sake of Allah, not for self-satisfaction
, 2) you associate with them for the sake of Allah, not attach to them because they are yours, 3) you realize that they are not the only happiness in your life, 
4) you raise them in the manner that they get to Paradise, 
5) you teach them to love you for Allah.

Loving your spouse is a gift, and your love should not be based on apparent beauty, because when they are old, that physical beauty will disappear. If you love your spouse only for his/her physical beauties and youthfulness, that love will deteriorate soon and eventually you will not get on well with each other. Love should not be based on physical beauty, but on spiritual beauty (righteousness, obedience to Allah), or ethical beauty. This beauty continues to the end of life. The sign that you love them for the sake of Allah is that when they lose their physical beauty, you will continue to love them.

If your love for your friends is for the sake of Allah, you will benefit from this unworldly love and spiritual contact forever because separation or death cannot hinder your friendship and your unworldly relations. If this love is not for the sake of Allah, a delightful reunion of one day results in a sorrowful separation of many hundred days.

The practical way to work towards turning a relationship into one that is sincerely for the sake of Allah is to look at the things that you don't particularly want to do, but would please your Lord if you were to do them, and to then force yourself to do them for the sake of your Lord. If there is something that is good to do and you enjoy doing it anyway, this is a blessing that you should be grateful for, but it doesn't tell yourself how you can improve.

 The specifics would vary from person to person.

O Lord, bestow upon us Your love, and the love of things that make us close to You. Ameen.

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Show Your Gratitude To Allah Most HIgh

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

We are drowning in Allah's blessings, the clear and the hidden ones. But Allah tells us that those who are grateful are few. Allah says,

وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِىَ ٱلشَّكُورُ ‎﴿١٣﴾‏

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

Being grateful doesn’t benefit or increase Allah’s greatness in any way. Being grateful is for our own benefit. Allah says, 

وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا لُقْمَٰنَ ٱلْحِكْمَةَ أَنِ ٱشْكُرْ لِلَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يَشْكُرْ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ ‎﴿١٢﴾

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. [Quran, Luqman 31:12] 

Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Whoever is not grateful for small things will not be grateful for large things. Whoever does not thank people has not thanked Allah Almighty.” 

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said : "Whoever is not grateful to the people, he is not grateful to Allah." [Tirmidhi]

The first people we should be thankful and grateful to are our parents. Allah says, 

وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ إِحْسَٰنًا ۖ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُۥ كُرْهًا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًا ۖ وَحَمْلُهُۥ وَفِصَٰلُهُۥ ثَلَٰثُونَ شَهْرًا ۚ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ وَبَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً قَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِىٓ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَىَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَٰلِحًا تَرْضَىٰهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِى فِى ذُرِّيَّتِىٓ ۖ إِنِّى تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنِّى مِنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ ‎﴿١٥﴾

And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, the best 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. [Quran, Al Ahqaf 46:15]

If you were to count the blessings of Allah, you will not be able to count them. Allah says, 

 وَإِن تَعُدُّوا۟ نِعْمَةَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَآ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ‎﴿١٨﴾‏

And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. [Quran, An-Nahl 16:18)

Blessings are more than just money and power. Allah says, 

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلْبَحْرَ لِتَجْرِىَ ٱلْفُلْكُ فِيهِ بِأَمْرِهِۦ وَلِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ‎﴿١٢﴾‏

It is Allah who subjected to you the sea so that ships may sail upon it by His command and that you may seek of His bounty; and perhaps you will be grateful. [Quran, Al Jathiyah 45:12]

 وَلَقَدْ مَكَّنَّٰكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَعَٰيِشَ ۗ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ ‎﴿١٠﴾‏

And We have certainly established you upon the earth and made for you therein ways of livelihood. Little are you grateful. [Quran, Al 'Araf 7:10]

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ ۚ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ ‎﴿٧٨﴾

And it is He who produced for you hearing and vision and hearts; little are you grateful. [Quran, Al Mu'minun 23:78]

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Allah is pleased with His servant if, when he eats something, he thanks Allah for it, and when he drinks something, he thanks Allah for it.” (Muslim)

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم 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)

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “The first to be called to Paradise are those who always praised Allah in times of ease and adversity.” In another narration, the Prophet said, “Those who praised Allah in every situation.”

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “The best wealth is a tongue that remembers Allah, a grateful heart, and a believing wife to help him in his faith.” In another narration, the Prophet said, “And a believing wife to help one of you in matters of the Hereafter.” (Sunan at-Tirmidhi)

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Whoever has four things has been given the best in this world and the Hereafter: a grateful heart, a tongue of remembrance, a body that can withstand with trials, and a wife not seeking betrayal in herself or his wealth.”

So, moist your tongue with Alhamdulillah and follow it with actions that are pleasing to Allah, realizing that it is yet another blessing to be able to say Alhamdulillah because you won't be able to lift your tongue to say Alhamdulillah without Allah's help.

Learn and memorize this du'a and make this du'a part of your daily worship.

رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِىٓ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَىَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَٰلِحًا تَرْضَىٰهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِى بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِى عِبَادِكَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ

My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants.
[Quran, An-Naml 27:19]

May Allah make us among His grateful servants. Aameen.

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Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Door For The Best Protection And Great Blessings

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Quran is the Speech of Allah and every Muslim believes in the authenticity and truthfulness of each and every word. A Muslim therefore, is always keen to learn the Quran and consults with Quran in every matter of life and tries to find out the required instructions and guidelines. For a Muslim no text is more sacred and truer than the Quran and everything that comes from it is accepted by Muslims without any question.

In addition to guidance, Quran is also a means of gathering blessings and reward from Allah.

Surah Al Kahf is one of the renowned Surahs of Quran. Apart from the many lessons we can derive from the four stories in the Surah (the companions of the cave, the men with the two gardens, the story of Musa and Khidr, and Dhulkarnain), it gives the message that those who believe in Allah and ask for protection from Him, He gives them the best protection the likes of which the world has never seen.

Besides giving the message of Allah protecting those in miraculous ways who stick to righteousness and stay on the right path, the Surah also comes with a variety of virtues. It helps expatiate our sins, gain blessings of Allah Almighty and prepare us for the end of days. Therefore, every Muslim must try getting into the habit of reciting Surah al Kahf on regular basis and ponder upon the meanings.  

And remember, we are in the sacred month of Muharram, wherein the reward of a good deed is multiplied. 

 

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. 

May Allah accept all our good deeds and increase us in all good. May Allah save us from the trials and tribulations of this life and the next and grant us an excellent ending and the highest Paradise. Aameen.

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Welcoming New Hijri Year 1445AH -- My New Year's Resolution

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Alhamdulillah we have entered the month of Muharram, in which we begin a new Islamic year. The New Year represents a period for self-reflection, remembrance, gratitude and historical awareness. 

I haven't made a New Year’s Resolution in my life and I will tell you why. Most people make lofty resolutions that are too big to tackle or very abstract and they set out with good intentions only to throw in the towel, for some within a week, a few make it a month or two. Instead I make a daily intention to be all I can be -- To do whatever it takes to be successful in the next life because that is the only real life and this life is perishing. Every day is a choice and I choose Allah because He is my Master and only Helper.

Choose Allah in every moment of your life till you meet Him. Choose to love Allah more than anyone and anything. To take care of your body that He gave you more than the phone that you hang out with all the time. To use your muscles so they won’t have atrophy and be healthy for years to come so you may worship Allah well. To smile in every chance you can because you have so much to be grateful for since you are here on earth.

Follow the Islamic guidance to reprogram yourself on a daily basis without setting yourself up for failure. Don’t wait for the end of the year to decide to live your best life, do it daily!

As Muslims, every day is the first day of the new first year of the rest of your life. When it is night, prepare for death, for, sleep closely resembles death, in spite of all the differences you may cite.

And when the dawn arrives it brings with it the stirrings of new life everywhere. So, every day is the beginning of an entire new life for you, if you only knew and understood it. So, fear Allah during the night. And prepare to serve Allah and His creation during the day. For, He watches over you during the night and He monitors your every movement during the day.

Resolution to make for the fist day of the rest of your life and for the remainder of your life should include this...

"O Allah, You are my Lord and my Master. You don’t need anything or anyone and You certainly don’t need me. But I am Your creation and I am entirely and totally dependent on Your mercy and grace for everything in every single moment of my life. So Allah, I do hereby resolve, commit and undertake to spend the rest of my life in knowing You; and in learning Your commands; and in serving Your creation in every possible way that I can. And in so doing, I resolve to work tirelessly to improve my own life as well as the lives of those around me and to make this world a better place for all of Your creation. So help me my Rabb, please help me, guide me, and not leave me alone even for a blinking of an eye."

And you will plead and cry before your Maker.

May Allah grant us success in this life and the next. May Allah make us the keys to lock evil and unlock good. Ameen.

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Talking About Death

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Death is a subject people often avoid talking about much less remember. Some people try to keep death away from children perpetuating the vicious cycle of denial of the most certain thing in life. Then every time they hear so-and-so died, they are shocked, as if they had no idea that it would ever come. We cannot sit death quietly in the corner, pretending that it can't see us and we can't see it. 

We live in a society that sees death, talking about death, thinking about death, writing and reading about death as morbid. Death is not a morbid word, neither talking about death will kill you.

Life and death are two things that cannot be separated in creation. Talking about death helps keep the awareness of the real life of the Hereafter and sparks enthusiasm to prepare for it by avoiding disobedience of Allah by doing righteous deeds. Allah is the One who gives life and takes life.

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: Remember the terminator of all pleasures i.e. death. [Tirmidhi]

Once the Prophet  (صلى الله عليه و سلم) came to the masjid for prayer, when he noticed some people laughing and giggling. He remarked, "If you remembered death, I would not see you like this. Think of your death often."

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: The most intelligent person is the one who remembers death often.

The benefits of this include purification from sins, abstinence in this life, making great tribulations manageable, making small worldly means seem much, removal of worry over this life and disdaining vain pleasures.

Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) relates that the Prophet  (صلى الله عليه و سلم) once held my shoulders and said:

“Live in this world as (if you are) a wayfarer or a stranger.” And Abdullah ibn Umar used to say: “If you live till night, then do not wait for the next day (i.e. do not have hopes that you will live to the next day), and if you wake up in the morning do not have hope that you will live till the night. And take (advantage) from your health before your sickness and take advantage of your life before your death (i.e. do every possible obedience in your life before death comes to you for then no deeds can be performed.)”

[Bukhari and Tirmidhi]

The Quran alludes to death at various places. In Surah AleImran, Allah Almighty says,

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَ‌كُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ ٱلنَّارِ‌ وَأُدْخِلَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَو‌ٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ 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. (185)

[Quran, AleImran 3:185]

This life is a bridge to the next life. If you put too much stuff on it, with your pursuits of this worldly life, how are you going to pass through with ease? You might wind up falling off the bridge and into the Hellfire.

This life is one big exam and you have to pass the exam to secure a good future in the next life. What have you prepared for it? If you don't care to prepare for it, you will fail and there is no retake. Then what good is your intelligence?

May Allah save us from being with those people in Hell, who will say:

وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْ كُنَّا نَسْمَعُ أَوْ نَعْقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِىٓ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ ﴿١٠

And they will say, "If only we had been listening or using our intelligence, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze." (10)

[Quran Al-Mulk 67:10]

May Allah guide us on the straight path and make us use our intelligence to work righteousness. May Allah grant us an excellent ending. Ameen.

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Pray Tahajjud For A Stronger Heart

Bismillah

Tahajjud prayer was obligated to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam as a spiritual training to prepare him for the Message and the repercussion of that Message. 

Even though Tahajjud prayer is not an obligatory (fard/wajib) prayer for us, this prayer is regarded as the most virtuous prayer after the obligatory prayers. There is an enormous amount of blessings and great importance to tahajjud prayer. Leaving it is a tremendous loss.  

This life is a test and issues come up that may cause us stress and anxiety. Unmanageable stress is harmful to our health and social life. Tahajjud prayer is a fortification for our routine. It is something that will help us overcome our stress and anxiety.

“Tahajjud” is derived from Arabic word “hajada” which means that awakes in the night. The last third portion of the night is the best time to perform Tahajjud prayer. There is not specific rak’ahs for Tahajjud prayer. One can offer a lot or little. 

If you can't get out of bed in the middle of the night to pray the tahajjud, do it after isha prayer as late as possible before you go to sleep and supplement it with reading a lot of Quran in the morning. That is going to make your heart strong. It is going to give you the best for your speech. 

Some have said that the best time to understand the Quran is during the middle of the night while others have said that it will give you the courage to speak the truth during the day. When you pray tahajjud at night it is going to make you stronger to speak the truth and even give you the eloquence.

 يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْمُزَّمِّلُ ‎﴿١﴾‏ قُمِ ٱلَّيْلَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا ‎﴿٢﴾‏ نِّصْفَهُۥٓ أَوِ ٱنقُصْ مِنْهُ قَلِيلًا ‎﴿٣﴾‏ أَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ تَرْتِيلًا ‎﴿٤﴾‏ إِنَّا سَنُلْقِى عَلَيْكَ قَوْلًا ثَقِيلًا ‎﴿٥﴾‏ إِنَّ نَاشِئَةَ ٱلَّيْلِ هِىَ أَشَدُّ وَطْـًٔا وَأَقْوَمُ قِيلًا ‎﴿٦﴾‏ إِنَّ لَكَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ سَبْحًا طَوِيلًا ‎﴿٧﴾‏ وَٱذْكُرِ ٱسْمَ رَبِّكَ وَتَبَتَّلْ إِلَيْهِ تَبْتِيلًا ‎﴿٨﴾

 O you who wraps himself [in clothing], (1) Arise [to pray] the night, except for a little - (2) Half of it - or subtract from it a little (3) Or add to it, and recite the Qur'an with measured recitation. (4) Indeed, We will cast upon you a heavy word. (5) Indeed, the hours of the night are more effective for concurrence [of heart and tongue] and more suitable for words. (6) Indeed, for you by day is prolonged occupation. (7) And remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with [complete] devotion. (8)

[Quran, Al Muzzammil 73:1-8] 

May Allah enable us to worship Him in the best manner and make us stronger Muslims.

Aameen

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Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Never Stop Seeking Knowledge

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

One of the highlights of Friday for Muslims is reading Surah Al Kahf. In Surah Al Kahf, we are reminded of the many lessons we can derive from the stories in Surah Al Kahf and to take the guidance.

One of the lessons is in the story of Prophet Musa alayhissalaam and Al Khidr alayhissalaam about the importance of seeking knowledge. Prophet Musa alayhissalaam was the most knowledgeable person in his time but Allah told him to leave to travel to seek knowledge from a specific person, Al Khidr. This is an encouragement for us to seek knowledge.

No matter how knowledgeable you are, there is someone who is more knowledgeable than you, and ultimately Allah is the Most Knowledgeable. It doesn't matter how old or how young you are, you must continue seeking knowledge of the Deen. Seeking knowledge is not just for those who are able to study abroad. Seeking knowledge has been made easy with the technology and internet. So we have no excuse not to seek knowledge.

May Allah grant us beneficial knowledge. 

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. 

Aaameen. 

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Read The Quran And Learn Tajweed

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,

 ٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ يَتْلُونَهُۥ حَقَّ تِلَاوَتِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ ۗ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَٰسِرُونَ ‎﴿١٢١﴾

Those to whom We have given the Book recite it with its true recital. They [are the ones who] believe in it. And whoever disbelieves in it - it is they who are the losers.

[Quran, Al Baqarah 2:121]

When we recite the Quran, we are supposed to give its rights and its due. 

 أَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ تَرْتِيلًا ‎﴿٤﴾

Or add to it, and recite the Qur'an with measured recitation.(4)  

[Quran, al Muzzammil 83:4]

Tajweed is the easiest of the Islamic sciences. Anybody who tries to learn the rules of tajweed will be able to master and perfect it. 

So if you haven't learn tajweed, the Quran is telling you to learn tajweed and to recite the Quran in a manner that is useful, and that is to give every letter and every word its proper enunciation and to beautify your recitation to the best of your capability.

May Allah cause the Quran to be a barakah for us and a source of honor for us. May Allah cleanse our hearts of any evil, allow the Quran to be our light and cause the Quran to be our intercessor in the Day of Judgment. Aameen

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Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Sign of Allah Loves You

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Bismillah

In the last ayah of Surah Kahf, Allah 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. Let's follow the sunnah of reciting Surah Al Kahf every Friday.

Allah Most High says,

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّـهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّـهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٣١﴾ قُلْ أَطِيعُوا اللَّـهَ وَالرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٣٢

Say, [O Muhammad], "If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (31) Say, "Obey Allah and the Messenger." But if they turn away - then indeed, Allah does not like the disbelievers. (32) [Quran, AleImran 3:31-32]

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]

May Allah grant us righteous deeds and steadfastness in worship, make our meeting with Him the best of meetings. Ameen.

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