Your Mountain To Climb

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Your Mountain To Climb

When you want your heart to come to rest, you need to climb every mountain that Allah puts on your path, whether it is mountains of pain or mountains of gain, mountains of shame or mountains of blame. It is your mountain to climb. You can either turn your back to the mountain and you will never meet the climax of your spirituality, or if you climb that mountain and you suffer but you keep on going even if all odds are against you, even when you are out of energy and crying, but you keep on going. And there you will find it.

Allah Most High says,

[To the righteous it will be said], "O reassured soul, (27) Return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him], (28) And enter among My [righteous] servants (29) And enter My Paradise." (30)

[Quran, Al Fajr 89:27-30]

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True Regrets ...

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

True Regrets ...

If only I have read a portion of the Quran everyday in my youth, how many times could I have completed the Quran in my lifetime, but I let it slip away. 

If only I had fasted two days a week, Mondays and Thursdays then, how many additional days of fasting would I have accumulated each year. But I neglected it all. 

My life was consumed with this worldly life

If only I had learned Arabic,

If only I had spent more time with the Quran,

If only I had prayed regularly at the masjid

If only I had been more devoted to my parents

If only, if only, if only ...

There will come a time when regret sets in and our youth is forever gone

and doctors visits are frequent

and medicines fill up the pantry

and ...

The Prophet ﷺ advised to: “Take benefit of five before five: Your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you are preoccupied, and your life before your death”

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If You Love Allah ...

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

If You Love Allah ...

Allah Most High says,

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.”

 [Quran, AleImran 3:31]

This is an instruction to the entire ummah, not just to the Companions who could follow him during his lifetime. If you love Allah then you have to follow the Prophet (ﷺ), then Allah will love you. Allah suspended His love for us on our obedience to the Prophet (ﷺ). Thus, the Prophet (ﷺ) is essential for our relationship with Allah. Our Creator did not make His love for us a two way street. If you want Allah to love you, you have to first love the Messenger (ﷺ), then only He will love you. How? By following his way and examples. 

Allah Most High says, 

“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often. 

[Quran, Al Ahzab 33:21]

In order for you to be successful on that Day, it is necessary for you to follow and emulate the Prophet (ﷺ).

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Let’s Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) ~ Be With the Righteous ~

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Let’s Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) 

~ Be With the Righteous ~

Surah Al-Kahf shows us how to lead an exemplary life. There are levels of Muslims. In this verse, Allah tells us to be patient with those who are concerned with Allah, not those who are interested in the worldly life.

“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. “

[Quran, Al-Kahf 18:28]

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Adab Of The Bearers Of The Quran Series (Not Using Quran For Earning Their Livelihood)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Adab Of The Bearers Of The Quran Series

(Not Using Quran For Earning Their Livelihood)

A scholar among the righteous predecessor, Bishr ibn Al-Haarith narrates that ‘Isa ibn Yunus (died 187AH) cautioned: 

“He should not use Quran as a means to earn his living or to achieve any of his worldly aims, like getting close to the powerful or wealthy. He should live like the rich if he is so and like the poor if he is among them.”

One of the three main criteria by which the 10 Imams of Qira’at were chosen among the many great scholars/reciters of Quran in their time was that they did not use Quran for earning their livelihood.

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Adab of the Bearers of the Quran Series -- Honoring Parents

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Adab of the Bearers of the Quran Series 

-- Honoring Parents

He imposes strictly upon himself the honoring of his parents: he lowers his wing to them, and lowers his voice before their voices. He expends his wealth for them, and looks upon them with the eye of respect and mercy. He prays for their longevity, and is thankful for them in old age. He is not irritated by them, and does not look down upon them. If they ask for his help in a matter of obedience, he helps them. If they ask for his help in a matter of disobedience, he does not help them, but is gentle with them in his disobedience of them: he shows beautiful etiquette such that they may return from the ugly matter that they intended, that does not befit them to do. 

 وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَ‌ٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا ﴿٢٣

 And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, excellent treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], ‘uff,’ and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. 

[Qur'an, Al-Isra' 17:23]

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One Juz One Day -- Completing Quran In One Month

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

One Day One Juz

Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As:

Yazid ibn Abdullah said that Abdullah ibn Amr asked the Prophet (ﷺ): In how many days should I complete the recitation of the whole Qur'an, Messenger of Allah? He  (ﷺ) replied: In one month. He said: I am more energetic to complete it in a period less than this. He kept on repeating these words and lessening the period until he said: Complete its recitation in seven days. He again said: I am more energetic to complete it in a period less than this. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: He who finishes the recitation of the Qur'an in less than three days does not understand it. [Sunan Abu Dawood]

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Adab of the Bearers of the Quran Series

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Adab of the Bearers of the Quran Series

He employs taqwa of Allah secretly and openly, by exercising caution (wara’) with regards to the sources of his food, drink, dress and earnings.

He has made the Qur’an, Sunnah and Fiqh his guide to every good and beautiful character, guarding all his limbs from what has been forbidden. 

He seeks status from Allah, not from the creatures. 

He does not earn his livelihood by the Qur’an, nor does he like his needs being fulfilled by way of it. 

He follows the obligations of the Qur’an and the Sunnah.

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Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Trust in Allah & Keep Righteous Companions

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday)

Trust in Allah & Keep Righteous Companions

The young men in the story of the cave put their trust in Allah when they separated from their disbelieving people and sought refuge in a cave. They had no idea what would become of them but they received the best protection from Allah Himself and honored with a Surah in His Book that is named after their story. 

We should equally learn to trust in Allah at all times and especially in times of uncertainty and trial. They did not only believe, they also took the necessary steps to act on their belief. First their thoughts and eventually their limbs took action. 

Begin the journey in your heart, but do not let it end there; verbalize your thoughts, then walk the talk. Face up to societal pressure through the example of the youth of the cave. Build a kind of “cave” in your life from time to time so that you can give yourself space away from the noise and busyness around you to reflect on the verses of Allah and nurture the faith within.

“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.”

[Quran, Al Kahf 18:28]

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Adab of the Bearer of the Quran

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Adab of the Bearer of the Qutan

He never became angry  because of his own self. He only became angry when Allah’s limits were exceeded.

Caution: A scholar who acted upon his anger will not be looked the same again. Surely the one who controls his anger pleases Allah and keeps the characteristics of the righteous believer. 

Anger is a natural feeling but it has to stay inside. It has negative effects on those who allow it to control them. Becoming angry is easy and dangerous. It affects family and society as a whole. When a person becomes angry and he acts upon it, he intensifies hatred amongst himself and people around him, and as a result, people cut off ties with him. Worst can lead to killing and bloodshed. Above all, that person displeases Allah and chooses to walk away from the right path, for which he faces consequences until he seeks forgiveness and mercy from Allah.

How to restrain your anger?

1 - Don’t speak when you are angry; 

2 -  Change position. Sit if you are standing, lie down if you are sitting; 

3 - Keep silent, don'r reply; 

4 - Say, A’udhu billahi minash shaiTanir-rajeem (I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed shaytan); 

5 -  Perform wudu’ (Anger comes from shaytan and shaytan is made of fire. Water extinguishes the fire); 

6 - Think and ponder over the virtues of restraining anger:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If you don’t become angry (unhealthy anger), I promise you Jannah” 

“Those who spend (in Allah’s cause) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger and who pardon men, verily, Allah loves Al-muhsinoon (all good doers)“ [Quran, AleImran 4:133-134]

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “By Allah I do swear, Allah will not throw His beloved ones in Hell.”

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “When you swallow your anger, Allah will fill your heart with hope and contentment on the Day of Judgment. “ “ It will get you the biggest reward.”

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Adab of the Bearers of the Quran Series

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Adab of the Bearers of the Quran Series 

He never became angry  because of his own self. He only became angry when Allah’s limits were exceeded.

When a man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and complained about him as being unjust for dividing the booty of war a certain way. His face turned red, then he put both his hands on his face and said, “May Allah has mercy on my brother, Musa (a.s.). Allah tested him with more than this but nevertheless he remained patient.” He reminded himself of the  previous Prophets. Allah says,

“So be patient, [O Muhammad], as were those of determination among the messengers and do not be impatient for them. It will be - on the Day they see that which they are promised - as though they had not remained [in the world] except an hour of a day. [This is] notification. And will [any] be destroyed except the defiantly disobedient people? [Quran, Al Ahqaf 46:35]

Narrated `Aisha: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) never took revenge for his own self in any matter presented to him till Allah's limits were exceeded, in which case he would take revenge for Allah's sake.  [Bukhari]

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Adab Of Bearers. Of The Quran Series

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Adab Of Bearers. Of The Quran Series

The first matter that it befits him to employ is taqwa of Allah secretly and openly, by exercising caution (wara’) with regards to the sources of his food, drink, dress and earnings. He is perceptive about his time and the corruptions of its people, that he may beware of them regarding his religion. He concentrates on his own situation, having the aspiration to reform whatever is corrupt in his affairs, guarding his tongue and choosing his words. If he speaks, he speaks with knowledge when he sees speech to be correct. If he remains silent, he remains silent with knowledge when he sees silence to be correct. He rarely delves into that which does not concern him. He fears from his tongue things more severe than he fears from his enemy. He imprisons his tongue the way he imprisons his enemy, so that he may be safe from its evil and bad consequences.

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Adab Of The Bearers Of The Quran Series

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Adab Of The Bearers Of The Quran Series

Anas ibn Malik said: the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Truly, to Allah belong groups of people.” It was said, “Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “The People of the Quran are the People of Allah, and His Elite.”

Bishr b. al-Harith said: I heard ‘Isa b. Yunus say, “When the slave completes reciting the Quran, the Angel kisses him between his eyes”; … thus, it befits him to make the Quran a spring for his heart, by which he rebuilds that which has become derelict in his heart. He must display the etiquettes of the Quran, and personify Noble Character by which he is distinguished from the rest of the people, who do not recite the Quran.

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Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday)

The human being wants many things for his own sake. They like to see themselves as being pious and knowledgeable. It is no different than people wanting to become a politician, a sport’s champion  or a doctor. Truthfulness (Siddiq) means that whatever you want to achieve spiritually, you do not want it for yourself but you want it because that is what Allah wants from you. The best thing you can ask from Allah is to give you what He wants from you. Read Surah Al-Kahf today and ask Allah to enable you to continue this Friday tradition.

 رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا 

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

[Quran, Al-Kahf 18:10]

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Make The Quran The Spring Of Your Heart

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Make The Quran The Spring Of Your Heart

The Quran should be your life. It rejuvenates you, stimulates you, removes your grief, relieves your distress, and removes your excessive anger.

 

Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), said, “Verily, one who does not hold anything from the Quran in his heart is like a ruined house.” [At-Tirmidhi]

Ibn Mas'ud reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying that if anyone is afflicted by much care he should say,

اللّهُـمَّ إِنِّي عَبْـدُكَ ابْنُ عَبْـدِكَ ابْنُ أَمَتِـكَ نَاصِيَتِي بِيَـدِكَ مَاضٍ فِيَّ حُكْمُكَ عَدْلٌ فِيَّ قَضَاؤكَ أَسْأَلُـكَ بِكُلِّ اسْمٍ هُوَ لَكَ سَمَّـيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ أِوْ أَنْزَلْتَـهُ فِي كِتَابِكَ أَوْ عَلَّمْـتَهُ أَحَداً مِنْ خَلْقِـكَ أَوِ اسْتَـأْثَرْتَ بِهِ فِي عِلْمِ الغَيْـبِ عِنْـدَكَ أَنْ تَجْـعَلَ القُرْآنَ رَبِيـعَ قَلْبِـي وَنورَ صَـدْرِي وجَلَاءَ حُـزْنِي وذَهَابَ هَمِّـي

O Allah, I am Your slave, and the son of Your male slave, and the son of your female slave. My forehead is in Your Hand (i.e. you have control over me). Your Judgment upon me is assured, and Your Decree concerning me is just. I ask You by every Name that You have named Yourself with, revealed in Your Book, taught any one of Your creation, or kept unto Yourself in the knowledge of the unseen that is with You, to make the Qur'an the spring of my heart, and the light of my chest, the banisher of my sadness, and the reliever of my distress.

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Adab Of The Bearers Of The Quran Series

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Adab Of The Bearers Of The Quran Series

Abdullah ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with father and son, once said: “Although we were the first generation of this Ummah, a revered Companion of the Prophet (ﷺ) would memorize only a chapter of the Quran or so. Memorizing it was difficult for them, but they were guided to apply it. However, the latter generations of this [Muslim] nation will find the Quran so easy to memorize that little children and insincere Muslims will learn it by rote, but will not implement it.” 

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

[Quran, Al Baqarah 2:121]

“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.” Mujaahid, may Allah be pleased with him, commented that this verse refers to them “truly applying it.”

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How To Maintain Recitation Of The Quran After Ramadhan?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

How To Maintain Quran Recitation After Ramadhan?

 

Our Scholars have often stated that consistency (istiqamah) is better than a thousand miracles because we can really achieve absolutely anything with istiqamah. There are several factors affecting istiqamah. Most important is Tawfiq from Allah, which is Allah enables you to maintain consistency. It's not something that anyone can attain but it's a privilege and blessing that Allah bestows upon us. Therefore, it is important that we turn to Allah and pray for istiqamah.

The steps for istiqamah:
1. Turn to Allah and ask Allah for consistency. One way to do that is reciting Surah alFatiha that we read in our daily prayers. In it we ask Allah to “Guide us to the straight path.” ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ The straight path (mustaqeem) is from the same root as istiqamah. So to maintain uprightness and righteousness and to be upright consistently is essentially what istiqamah is.

 
The Prophet (ﷺ) has various supplications also to indicate that istiqamah was an objective that he (ﷺ) strove. There are various forms that we could employ and turn to Allah. For example:

Allahumma ahiT-Thana bittaqwa wal istiqaamah
“O Allah Encompass us, engulf us in Allah Consciousness and in consistency.”

 

2. Take practical measures. Attach your Quran reading to one or more prayers during the day especially after Fajr prayer, and be included in the du’a of the Prophet (ﷺ),

“O Allah, bless my nation in their early morning.”

 

3. Adopt a teacher or a guide who you dedicate your time to a regular schedule with the teacher.

 

4. Put yourself in an environment that is conducive for the type of action that you wish to achieve. Surround yourself with like-minded people such as friends or relatives who have the concern as you and collectively read the Quran together. If none, find those who already have the same goals in their lives e.g. the memorizers of Quran (Huffadh), and spend more time with them. They should have a routine of reciting the Quran and they may have an impact on you and therefore you would also find yourself inclining more and more towards recitation of the Quran.

This too can be espoused from the hadiths and Quran:

وَٱصْبِرْ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلْغَدَوٰةِ وَٱلْعَشِىِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَهُۥ وَلَا تَعْدُ عَيْنَاكَ عَنْهُمْ تُرِيدُ زِينَةَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَلَا تُطِعْ مَنْ أَغْفَلْنَا قَلْبَهُۥ عَن ذِكْرِنَا وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ وَكَانَ أَمْرُهُۥ فُرُطًا ‎

“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. [Quran, Al Kahf 18:28]

The Prophet (ﷺ) has the practice in month of Ramadhan in which he spent a big portion of his time in the company of angel Jibril (peace be upon him) to study and read the Quran together. He was impacted by the company and he became more benevolence and more generous during this time

May Allah grant us istiqamah in all our good works and grant us steadfastness. Aameen.

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Why Learn Arabic

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Narrated Muhammad bin Ka'b Al-Qurazi:

"I heard 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud saying: 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "[Whoever recites a letter] from Allah's Book, then he receives the reward from it, and the reward of ten the like of it. I do not say that Alif Laam Meem is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter and Meem is a letter." [At-Tirmidhi]

There is a reward for every single letter that you recite of the Quran even if you don’t know what you are saying. Obviously the point of the Quran is to read it, reflect and act upon it but even if you don't do that there, there's a tremendous benefit in our spiritual and our religious life to just be able to sit down and read the Quran. But it means you need to learn Arabic itself. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to read something in the original Arabic and understand what the text is about as opposed to reading some translation, which may not be completely accurate.

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