بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Out of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, two have received prominence above the others. The first was Khadijah (radhi Allahu anha), and the second was 'Aisha (radhi Allahu anha). Aisha was the most beloved person of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sent `Amr bin Al As as the commander of the troops of Dhat-us-Salasil. `Amr bin Al- `As said, "(On my return) I came to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)) and said, 'Which people do you love most?' He replied, 'Aisha.' I said, 'From amongst the men?' He replied, 'Her father (Abu Bakr)'. I said, 'Whom (do you love) next?' He replied, "`Umar.' Then he counted the names of many men, and I became silent for fear that he might regard me as the last of them."
قَالَ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ أَىُّ النَّاسِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْكَ قَالَ " عَائِشَةُ ". قُلْتُ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ قَالَ " أَبُوهَا ". قُلْتُ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ " عُمَرُ ". فَعَدَّ رِجَالاً فَسَكَتُّ مَخَافَةَ أَنْ يَجْعَلَنِي فِي آخِرِهِمْ.
[Bukhari]
'Aisha (radhi Allahu anha) narrated a beautiful moment from the life of the Messenger (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam).
She tells us, “On one occasion the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) came to me with a cheerful face. I said, “O Messenger of Allah, supplicate to Allah for me.”
So the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Allah, forgive 'Aisha for her past and future sins in secret and in public.”
Elated, 'Aisha (radhi Allahu anha) was overcome with joyous laughter. She continues by saying, “I laughed so much that my head fell into the lap of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) out of joy! The Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said to me: “Does my supplication make you happy?”
She said, “Why would your supplication not make me happy?” The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Allah, it is my supplication for my nation in every prayer.”
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ لَمَّا رَأَيْتُ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ طِيبَ نَفْسٍ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ادْعُ اللَّهَ لِي فَقَالَ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِعَائِشَةَ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنَبِهَا وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ مَا أَسَرَّتْ وَمَا أَعْلَنَتْ فَضَحِكَتْ عَائِشَةُ حَتَّى سَقَطَ رَأْسُهَا فِي حِجْرِهَا مِنَ الضَّحِكِ قَالَ لَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَيَسُرُّكِ دُعَائِي فَقَالَتْ وَمَا لِي لا يَسُرُّنِي دُعَاؤُكَ فَقَالَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَاللَّهِ إِنَّهَا لَدُعَائِي لأُمَّتِي فِي كُلِّ صَلاةٍ
[Ibn Hibban]
May Allah increase our love for His beloved Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), his family and companions. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Saturday, November 5, 2016
The People of Intellect (Ulul Albab)
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
The Qur'an is to guide us, counsel us, advice us, and a powerful reminder for those who have sound minds, i.e. those people who are wise enough to understand and benefit from that reminder.
The Qur'an mentions several special groups of people. If you’re among a special group, you’re worthy of a special award, a special mercy bestowed by Allah, Exalted is He. One of these groups of people is what the Qur'an terms as Ulul Albab (أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ) or the People of Intellect.
Who are the Ulul Albab?
Allah has given each one of us a brain, and let us use it in any way we want. Ulul Albab are the people who not only have a brain, but are gifted in knowing how to put it to its correct use. They don’t need to have the signs of Qur'an drilled into them by constant repetition. All they need is to look at the sky– and they can read in its vastness, its seamless beauty, the presence of One God who is Merciful, the Best Creator, the One who is Beautiful and loves beauty, the Subtle.
The qualities of Ulul Albab
1- The ayat (signs) of Allah, whether natural (the sky, trees, mountains, flowers) or revealed (the Taurat, the Injeel, and the Qur'an) penetrate into their hearts very easily:
And as a result, they automatically develop the love for natural beauty, and for the beauty of Revelation.
2- They remember Allah at all times, and are aware of His constant presence in their lives.
3- They pray to Allah. The Qur'an specifically mentions the following du'as:
رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَـٰذَا بَـٰطِلًا سُبْحَـٰنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
...Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire. (191)
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ مَن تُدْخِلِ ٱلنَّارَ فَقَدْ أَخْزَيْتَهُۥ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍۢ
Our Lord, indeed whoever You admit to the Fire - You have disgraced him, and for the wrongdoers there are no helpers. (192)
رَّبَّنَآ إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِى لِلْإِيمَـٰنِ أَنْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَـَٔامَنَّا ۚ رَبَّنَا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّـَٔاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ ٱلْأَبْرَارِ
Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, [saying], 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous. (193)
رَبَّنَا وَءَاتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ
Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in [Your] promise." (194)
[Qur'an, AleImran 3:191-194]
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْوَهَّابُ ﴿٨﴾ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ ٱلنَّاسِ لِيَوْمٍ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ ﴿٩
Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower. Our Lord, surely You will gather the people for a Day about which there is no doubt. Indeed, Allah does not fail in His promise.
[Qur'an, AleImran 3:8-9]
4- They are wise.
يُؤْتِى ٱلْحِكْمَةَ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَن يُؤْتَ ٱلْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِىَ خَيْرًۭا كَثِيرًۭا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿٢٦٩
He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.
[Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:269]
5- They fulfill their obligations to Allah in an excellent manner
6- They are extremely afraid of the Hellfire
7- They remain patient in difficult situations in order to make Allah pleased with them.
And those who are patient, seeking the countenance of their Lord... [Qur'an, Ar-Ra'd 13:22]
8- They don’t nurture the attitude of retaliation. Rather they forgive others and reciprocate evil with good.
... and prevent evil with good... [Qur'an, AleImran 13:22]
The reward of the Ulul Albab
The special award of these people is nothing less than Jannah, where they will live eternally with the righteous ones from their family– their parents, spouses, and children. And when they will be entering into their eternal homes, the gatekeeper angels will say to them:
May Allah grant us the qualities of the Ulul Albab and grant us His love and deeds that please Him. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
The Qur'an is to guide us, counsel us, advice us, and a powerful reminder for those who have sound minds, i.e. those people who are wise enough to understand and benefit from that reminder.
The Qur'an mentions several special groups of people. If you’re among a special group, you’re worthy of a special award, a special mercy bestowed by Allah, Exalted is He. One of these groups of people is what the Qur'an terms as Ulul Albab (أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ) or the People of Intellect.
Who are the Ulul Albab?
Allah has given each one of us a brain, and let us use it in any way we want. Ulul Albab are the people who not only have a brain, but are gifted in knowing how to put it to its correct use. They don’t need to have the signs of Qur'an drilled into them by constant repetition. All they need is to look at the sky– and they can read in its vastness, its seamless beauty, the presence of One God who is Merciful, the Best Creator, the One who is Beautiful and loves beauty, the Subtle.
إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ لَءَايَـٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿١٩٠Qur'an, AleImarn 3:190]
Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for Ulul Albab. [
The qualities of Ulul Albab
1- The ayat (signs) of Allah, whether natural (the sky, trees, mountains, flowers) or revealed (the Taurat, the Injeel, and the Qur'an) penetrate into their hearts very easily:
كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَـٰرَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓا۟ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿٢٩[Qur'an, Sad 38:29]
[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.
And as a result, they automatically develop the love for natural beauty, and for the beauty of Revelation.
2- They remember Allah at all times, and are aware of His constant presence in their lives.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ قِيَـٰمًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ[Qur'an, AleImran 3:191]
... Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides ...
3- They pray to Allah. The Qur'an specifically mentions the following du'as:
رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَـٰذَا بَـٰطِلًا سُبْحَـٰنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
...Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire. (191)
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ مَن تُدْخِلِ ٱلنَّارَ فَقَدْ أَخْزَيْتَهُۥ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍۢ
Our Lord, indeed whoever You admit to the Fire - You have disgraced him, and for the wrongdoers there are no helpers. (192)
رَّبَّنَآ إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِى لِلْإِيمَـٰنِ أَنْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَـَٔامَنَّا ۚ رَبَّنَا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّـَٔاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ ٱلْأَبْرَارِ
Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, [saying], 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous. (193)
رَبَّنَا وَءَاتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ
Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in [Your] promise." (194)
[Qur'an, AleImran 3:191-194]
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْوَهَّابُ ﴿٨﴾ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ ٱلنَّاسِ لِيَوْمٍ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ ﴿٩
Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower. Our Lord, surely You will gather the people for a Day about which there is no doubt. Indeed, Allah does not fail in His promise.
[Qur'an, AleImran 3:8-9]
4- They are wise.
يُؤْتِى ٱلْحِكْمَةَ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَن يُؤْتَ ٱلْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِىَ خَيْرًۭا كَثِيرًۭا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿٢٦٩
He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.
[Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:269]
5- They fulfill their obligations to Allah in an excellent manner
أَفَمَن يَعْلَمُ أَنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ٱلْحَقُّ كَمَنْ هُوَ أَعْمَىٰٓ ۚ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿١٩﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ يُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَنقُضُونَ ٱلْمِيثَـٰقَ ﴿٢٠﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦٓ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ وَيَخَافُونَ سُوٓءَ ٱلْحِسَابِ ﴿٢١﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ ٱبْتِغَآءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِمْ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنفَقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ سِرًّۭا وَعَلَانِيَةً وَيَدْرَءُونَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عُقْبَى ٱلدَّارِ ﴿٢٢Qur'an, Ar-Ra'd 13:20-22]
Then is he who knows that what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth like one who is blind? They will only be reminded who are people of understanding - (19) Those who fulfill the covenant of Allah and do not break the contract, (20) And those who join that which Allah has ordered to be joined and fear their Lord and are afraid of the evil of [their] account, (21) And those who are patient, seeking the countenance of their Lord, and establish prayer and spend from what We have provided for them secretly and publicly and prevent evil with good - those will have the good consequence of [this] home - (22)
6- They are extremely afraid of the Hellfire
7- They remain patient in difficult situations in order to make Allah pleased with them.
And those who are patient, seeking the countenance of their Lord... [Qur'an, Ar-Ra'd 13:22]
8- They don’t nurture the attitude of retaliation. Rather they forgive others and reciprocate evil with good.
... and prevent evil with good... [Qur'an, AleImran 13:22]
The reward of the Ulul Albab
The special award of these people is nothing less than Jannah, where they will live eternally with the righteous ones from their family– their parents, spouses, and children. And when they will be entering into their eternal homes, the gatekeeper angels will say to them:
سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُم بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ ۚ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَى ٱلدَّارِ ﴿٢٤[Qur'an, Ar-Ra'd 13: 24]
Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final home.
May Allah grant us the qualities of the Ulul Albab and grant us His love and deeds that please Him. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Friday, November 4, 2016
Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Allah Knows Best
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Allah knows best.
That is one of the conclusions we can draw from the story of the People of the Cave (the first story narrated in the Surah al-Kahf). For a long time, the People of the Book have debated regarding these people: How many were they? How long did they stay in the Cave?
A group of very young men fled from their kingdom, since the king had recently declared a death-sentence for all of them unless they forsook the belief that there is only one God. While fleeing, they asked Allah’s help through this du'a, an amazing du'a to make daily especially during our hardships.
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
Rabbanā ātinā min ladunka rahmah, wa hayyi’ lanā min amrin ā rashada.
Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance. [Quran, Al-Baqarah 18:10]
These young people humbled themselves to Allah instead of thinking that it depended on their ability to find a good hiding place. Their confidence in themselves, their intelligence or strength, their own estimation of the future— none of these could protect them.
They knew that only Allah could protect them, and that without His help they couldn’t escape death, because they didn’t know the future – what if the place they had chosen wasn’t safe enough? What if the enemy could find them? What if they ran out of food or water? What if there were wild animals? They left it all to Allah.
This is part of knowledge of the Unseen. So in these types of situations, we say: “Allah knows best.”
How many were they?
How long did they stay in the cave?
Allah tells us how long they stayed– three hundred and nine lunar years. By the time they came out of the cave, the king, his policemen and about four or five generations after them were dead.
If we keep the whole theme of the story in mind, we can perhaps have a clue what this command about saying in sha Allah is doing in the middle of the story of the People of the Cave.
In effect, what we’re to say is, “If Allah wills, only then I can do this thing tomorrow,” or, in other words, “Allah knows best if I will be able to do it tomorrow
May Allah increase our iman and make us of those who put their whole trust and reliance on Him. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Allah knows best.
That is one of the conclusions we can draw from the story of the People of the Cave (the first story narrated in the Surah al-Kahf). For a long time, the People of the Book have debated regarding these people: How many were they? How long did they stay in the Cave?
A group of very young men fled from their kingdom, since the king had recently declared a death-sentence for all of them unless they forsook the belief that there is only one God. While fleeing, they asked Allah’s help through this du'a, an amazing du'a to make daily especially during our hardships.
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
Rabbanā ātinā min ladunka rahmah, wa hayyi’ lanā min amrin ā rashada.
Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance. [Quran, Al-Baqarah 18:10]
These young people humbled themselves to Allah instead of thinking that it depended on their ability to find a good hiding place. Their confidence in themselves, their intelligence or strength, their own estimation of the future— none of these could protect them.
مَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَلِىٍّۢ وَلَا يُشْرِكُ فِى حُكْمِهِۦٓ أَحَدًا ...[Quran, Al-Kahf 18:26]
... They have no one to protect them other than Him.
They knew that only Allah could protect them, and that without His help they couldn’t escape death, because they didn’t know the future – what if the place they had chosen wasn’t safe enough? What if the enemy could find them? What if they ran out of food or water? What if there were wild animals? They left it all to Allah.
... لَهُۥ غَيْبُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ أَبْصِرْ بِهِۦ وَأَسْمِعْ ...[Quran, Al-Kahf 18:26]
He has [knowledge of] the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth. How Seeing is He and how Hearing!
This is part of knowledge of the Unseen. So in these types of situations, we say: “Allah knows best.”
How many were they?
...قُل رَّبِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ بِعِدَّتِهِم ...[Quran, Al-Kahf 18:22]
My Lord is most knowing of their number.
How long did they stay in the cave?
قَالُوا۟ رَبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثْتُمْ[Quran, Al-Kahf 18:19]
Your Lord is most knowing of how long you remained.
Allah tells us how long they stayed– three hundred and nine lunar years. By the time they came out of the cave, the king, his policemen and about four or five generations after them were dead.
If we keep the whole theme of the story in mind, we can perhaps have a clue what this command about saying in sha Allah is doing in the middle of the story of the People of the Cave.
وَلَا تَقُولَنَّ لِشَا۟ىْءٍ إِنِّى فَاعِلٌ ذَٰلِكَ غَدًا ﴿٢٣﴾ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَٱذْكُر رَّبَّكَ إِذَا نَسِيتَ وَقُلْ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَهْدِيَنِ رَبِّى لِأَقْرَبَ مِنْ هَـٰذَا رَشَدًا ﴿٢٤[Quran, Al-Kahf 18:23-24]
And never say of anything, ‘Indeed, I will do that tomorrow,’ Except [when adding], ‘If Allah wills.’ And remember your Lord when you forget [it] and say, ‘Perhaps my Lord will guide me to what is nearer than this to right conduct.’
In effect, what we’re to say is, “If Allah wills, only then I can do this thing tomorrow,” or, in other words, “Allah knows best if I will be able to do it tomorrow
May Allah increase our iman and make us of those who put their whole trust and reliance on Him. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Beautiful Windows to Know and Love Allah Most High
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
We named things that have value to us. We don't name particle of dust or insects. Things are elevated through their names and if something is given many names, it shows that this matter is extremely exalted and also it gives you different angles to look and understand this named being.
For example, the Qur'an has many names--Al-Qur'an, Al-Kitab, Al-Tanzil, Al-Furqan, Al-Dhikr. Something that is magnified and extremely elevated might have multiple names. This shows the multiple points of perfection within which you view the named.
Allah Most High has many Names through which we know Him. He is not showing all His Names to everyone. Some He shows to a particular person. Some He keeps to Himself. This is not unique in the Shari'ah that Allah hides something of virtue so we might exhaust our effort in finding it.
For example, Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power in Ramadhan) is hidden from us so we might exhaust ourselves of finding it. The blessed hour on Friday when du'as (supplications) are answered are hidden so we might exhaust ourselves in finding it.
All of the Names of Allah are not all listed so people might read, contemplate, know these Names and search for them. The hadith in the Tirmidhi version listed 99 Names of Allah. This is the common list of 99 Names of Allah that commentators comment on. But the hadith does not mean Allah has only 99 Names. But they are beautiful windows to know Allah in general.
The knowledge of Allah is why we are here. It is why Allah breathed the soul of life into each and everyone of us. Allah sent an angel to the wombs of our mothers when we were four months into our conception and it breathed into it a spirit of life. The spirit that was breathed into us is a secret of Allah.
The soul, which is a tremendous mystery of the mysteries of the universe, the soul which can be elevated to the ranks to be truly dear to Allah, this soul was only created to worship Allah.
Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both father and son) narrated: "Worshiping Allah means knowing Allah."
So the only spirit within our bodies, it is only here so that we might know Allah and we know Him through Allah's Names. Those who don't know Him and those who don't remember Him, have only miseries because they have turned away from that very reason they are walking on this earth.
Allah's beautiful Names are limitless perfection. If you learn something is perfect would you just be satisfied with knowing it? Allah is beyond our imaginations but Allah has described Himself with words which, in our limited way, we are able to emulate. In emulating the meanings we are drawing ourselves close to Allah.
Allah expects us to strive towards perfection and beauty and there is no perfection or beauty except in His Names. So our perfection and our beauty is to strive to emulate His Names, not merely just knowing the names and their meanings and that Allah has them because what this means your ears work and you know some Arabic. It is not simply a case of memorizing the Names either. Where is the rank? Children can do that. But we should really be deeply certain that Allah is characterized by these Names. We should look for deep veneration and feel in awe of these Names--how great is the Al-Ghafur, Al-Wahhab, Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim, Al-Wadud, and so on. This awe necessarily drives you to be like them and venerate them.
Anything opposite from Allah's Names is not perfection. Beauty is in these Names and anything opposite of these Names is not beauty. Excellence is in these Names and anything opposite of these Names is not excellence. Someone who knows this, how could he not want to have a share in this real perfection, excellence and beauty. Someone who doesn't want this is because he is ignorant or because his heart is filled with something else and this knowledge has not settled in him.
"The one looking at the Attributes of Allah must have a heart devoid of wanting other than Allah, for knowledge is the seed of longing." (Ghazali)
Knowledge is the seed of longing. When we learn about Allah's Names, this is the seed through which will grow the tree for longing of Allah and this longing will bring about action but if we plant this seed and there is no soil in the heart, the seed will get blown away and nothing will happen. So it is a very important that we look for deep certitude and veneration, followed by striving to acquire what is acquirable of Allah's Attributes.
"Verily Allah has ninety nine Names, one hundred except one; whoever encompasses them enters Paradise." (Narrated by al-Bukhari)
"Verily, Allah Most High, has 99 Names; whoever encompasses them enters Paradise. He is Allah, the One who there is no god but He, Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim, Al-Malik, AlQuddus, Al-Salam, Al-Mu'min Al-Muhaymin, Al-'Aziz, Al-Jabbar, Al-Mutakabbir, Al-Khaliq, Al-Bari', Al-Musawwir, Al-Ghaffar, Al-Qahhar, Al-Wahhab, Al-Razzaq, Al-Fattah, Al-'Alim, Al-Qabid, Al-Basit, Al-Khafid, Al-Rafi', Al-Mu'izz, Al-Mudhill, As-Sami', Al-Basir, Al-Hakam, Al-'Adl, Al-Latif, Al-Khabir, Al-Halim, Al-'Azim, Al-Ghafur, Ash-Shakur, Al-'Ali, Al-Kabir, Al-Hafiz, Al-Muqit, Al-Hasib, Al-Jalil, Al-Karim, Al-Raqib, Al-Mujib, Al-Wasi', Al-Hakim, Al-Wadud, Al-Majíd, Al-Ba'ith, Ash-Shahid, Al-Haqq, Al-Wakil, Al-Qawiyy, Al-Matin, Al-Wáli, Al-Hamid, Al-Muhsi, Al-Mubdi, Al-Mu'id, Al-Muhyi, Al-Mumit, Al-Hayy, Al-Qayyum, Al-Wajid, Al-Májid, Al-Wahid, Al-Ahad, As-Samad, Al-Qadir, Al-Muqtadir, Al-Muqaddim, Al-Mu'akhkhir, Al-Awwal, Al-Akhir, Al-Zahir, Al-Batin, Al-Walí, Al-Muta'ali, Al-Barr, At-Tawwib, Al-Muntaqim, Al-Afu, Al-Ra'uf, Malik al-Mulk, Dhul-Jalali Wal-Ikram, Al-Muqsit, Al-Jami, Al-Ghani, Al-Mughni, Al-Mani', Ad-Darr, An-Nafi', An-Nur, Al-Hadi, Al-Badi, Al-Baqi, Al-Warith, Al-Rashid, As-Sabur." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi]
Translation of the 99 Names (Video)
Learn them, teach them to your children and loved ones, and recite all the Names daily.
May Allah teach the knowledge of Him and grant us His Love and nearness to Him. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
We named things that have value to us. We don't name particle of dust or insects. Things are elevated through their names and if something is given many names, it shows that this matter is extremely exalted and also it gives you different angles to look and understand this named being.
For example, the Qur'an has many names--Al-Qur'an, Al-Kitab, Al-Tanzil, Al-Furqan, Al-Dhikr. Something that is magnified and extremely elevated might have multiple names. This shows the multiple points of perfection within which you view the named.
Allah Most High has many Names through which we know Him. He is not showing all His Names to everyone. Some He shows to a particular person. Some He keeps to Himself. This is not unique in the Shari'ah that Allah hides something of virtue so we might exhaust our effort in finding it.
For example, Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power in Ramadhan) is hidden from us so we might exhaust ourselves of finding it. The blessed hour on Friday when du'as (supplications) are answered are hidden so we might exhaust ourselves in finding it.
All of the Names of Allah are not all listed so people might read, contemplate, know these Names and search for them. The hadith in the Tirmidhi version listed 99 Names of Allah. This is the common list of 99 Names of Allah that commentators comment on. But the hadith does not mean Allah has only 99 Names. But they are beautiful windows to know Allah in general.
The knowledge of Allah is why we are here. It is why Allah breathed the soul of life into each and everyone of us. Allah sent an angel to the wombs of our mothers when we were four months into our conception and it breathed into it a spirit of life. The spirit that was breathed into us is a secret of Allah.
وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلرُّوحِ ۖ قُلِ ٱلرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّى وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا ﴿٨٥[Qur'an, Al-Isra' 17:85]
And they ask you, [O Muhammad], about the ruh (spirit/soul). Say, "The ruh is of the affair of my Lord. And mankind have not been given of knowledge except a little." (85)
The soul, which is a tremendous mystery of the mysteries of the universe, the soul which can be elevated to the ranks to be truly dear to Allah, this soul was only created to worship Allah.
Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both father and son) narrated: "Worshiping Allah means knowing Allah."
So the only spirit within our bodies, it is only here so that we might know Allah and we know Him through Allah's Names. Those who don't know Him and those who don't remember Him, have only miseries because they have turned away from that very reason they are walking on this earth.
Allah's beautiful Names are limitless perfection. If you learn something is perfect would you just be satisfied with knowing it? Allah is beyond our imaginations but Allah has described Himself with words which, in our limited way, we are able to emulate. In emulating the meanings we are drawing ourselves close to Allah.
Allah expects us to strive towards perfection and beauty and there is no perfection or beauty except in His Names. So our perfection and our beauty is to strive to emulate His Names, not merely just knowing the names and their meanings and that Allah has them because what this means your ears work and you know some Arabic. It is not simply a case of memorizing the Names either. Where is the rank? Children can do that. But we should really be deeply certain that Allah is characterized by these Names. We should look for deep veneration and feel in awe of these Names--how great is the Al-Ghafur, Al-Wahhab, Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim, Al-Wadud, and so on. This awe necessarily drives you to be like them and venerate them.
Anything opposite from Allah's Names is not perfection. Beauty is in these Names and anything opposite of these Names is not beauty. Excellence is in these Names and anything opposite of these Names is not excellence. Someone who knows this, how could he not want to have a share in this real perfection, excellence and beauty. Someone who doesn't want this is because he is ignorant or because his heart is filled with something else and this knowledge has not settled in him.
"The one looking at the Attributes of Allah must have a heart devoid of wanting other than Allah, for knowledge is the seed of longing." (Ghazali)
Knowledge is the seed of longing. When we learn about Allah's Names, this is the seed through which will grow the tree for longing of Allah and this longing will bring about action but if we plant this seed and there is no soil in the heart, the seed will get blown away and nothing will happen. So it is a very important that we look for deep certitude and veneration, followed by striving to acquire what is acquirable of Allah's Attributes.
"Verily Allah has ninety nine Names, one hundred except one; whoever encompasses them enters Paradise." (Narrated by al-Bukhari)
"Verily, Allah Most High, has 99 Names; whoever encompasses them enters Paradise. He is Allah, the One who there is no god but He, Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim, Al-Malik, AlQuddus, Al-Salam, Al-Mu'min Al-Muhaymin, Al-'Aziz, Al-Jabbar, Al-Mutakabbir, Al-Khaliq, Al-Bari', Al-Musawwir, Al-Ghaffar, Al-Qahhar, Al-Wahhab, Al-Razzaq, Al-Fattah, Al-'Alim, Al-Qabid, Al-Basit, Al-Khafid, Al-Rafi', Al-Mu'izz, Al-Mudhill, As-Sami', Al-Basir, Al-Hakam, Al-'Adl, Al-Latif, Al-Khabir, Al-Halim, Al-'Azim, Al-Ghafur, Ash-Shakur, Al-'Ali, Al-Kabir, Al-Hafiz, Al-Muqit, Al-Hasib, Al-Jalil, Al-Karim, Al-Raqib, Al-Mujib, Al-Wasi', Al-Hakim, Al-Wadud, Al-Majíd, Al-Ba'ith, Ash-Shahid, Al-Haqq, Al-Wakil, Al-Qawiyy, Al-Matin, Al-Wáli, Al-Hamid, Al-Muhsi, Al-Mubdi, Al-Mu'id, Al-Muhyi, Al-Mumit, Al-Hayy, Al-Qayyum, Al-Wajid, Al-Májid, Al-Wahid, Al-Ahad, As-Samad, Al-Qadir, Al-Muqtadir, Al-Muqaddim, Al-Mu'akhkhir, Al-Awwal, Al-Akhir, Al-Zahir, Al-Batin, Al-Walí, Al-Muta'ali, Al-Barr, At-Tawwib, Al-Muntaqim, Al-Afu, Al-Ra'uf, Malik al-Mulk, Dhul-Jalali Wal-Ikram, Al-Muqsit, Al-Jami, Al-Ghani, Al-Mughni, Al-Mani', Ad-Darr, An-Nafi', An-Nur, Al-Hadi, Al-Badi, Al-Baqi, Al-Warith, Al-Rashid, As-Sabur." [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi]
Translation of the 99 Names (Video)
Learn them, teach them to your children and loved ones, and recite all the Names daily.
May Allah teach the knowledge of Him and grant us His Love and nearness to Him. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Attaining Khushu' in Prayers-- Awareness of Allah's Presence
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Allah Almighty says,
The unseen is, by definition, hidden from us, and we human beings tend to forget what isn’t in front of our eyes. That is why we need constant reminders from the Quran and Sunnah, in order to strengthen our iman (faith). We need to persistently keep up the awareness that we aren’t praying just for the sake of praying – we are praying to Allah, and He is there watching us when we pray.
Ever forget how many rakahs were completed and which surahs were recited? At the end of Salah, do you feel a sense of incompleteness and regret instead of joy and accomplishment? Does salah seem more like a chore rather than an intimate conversation?
Our minds wander about in prayers, not taking in anything we’re saying. When we bow down in ruku’, our hearts don’t submit to Allah alongside our bodies. When we rub our foreheads to the ground, our minds aren’t humbled alongside our brains.
The missing factor that prevents us from succeeding through in Salah is humility or khushu'.
‘Khushu’ is an Arabic word used to refer to humility or humbleness while offering our daily Salah (prayers). The meaning and actualization of khushu' lies in the ‘presence of our hearts’ while we are reporting for our daily duty towards Allah.
By not understanding the importance of khushu' in our Salah, we risk rejection of this beautiful act of worship and may experience a decrease in our Iman.
Salah is the key to our success in this world and the next. But if we do not look after this key or lose it, we’ll not be able to unlock the doors that lead to the good in this life and the next – it’s as simple as that. Poor quality of Salah is like not reaping full benefits of a powerful life management tool given to us by the Creator Himself. Undoubtedly, when our Salah is in good condition, we’ll notice that all the other life affairs also naturally fall into their right places with ease, InshaAllah. Times of ease become more joyful and times of difficulties become easy, or at the very least become bearable.
Khushu' refers to the submissiveness, gentleness, humility, yearning, and quietude (out of love as well as fear) within the heart due to the consciousness of Allah’s Greatness and Grandeur. It is also the awareness of one’s own weaknesses, absence of haughtiness, arrogance and superiority from the heart. When the heart is full of khushu', the limbs also become subservient in humility to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). We may believe that when our minds are distracted, the concentration and humility in Salah decreases. However, the truth is that it is actually the heart that causes khushu' to increase or decrease. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,
“Of surety there is a morsel of flesh in the body, if it is sound, the whole body will be sound, but if it is corrupt, the whole body will be corrupt. It is the heart.” [Muslim].
The quality of our humility and presence of heart and mind in Salah largely depend on what we are preoccupied with outside of Salah. We often forget that Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla is our Lord and He is Ever Watchful over us. He knows that we are the same individual, both in and outside of Salah. Allah neither starts watching us from the moment we say the first takbeer nor does He stop watching over us as soon as we say the final tasleem. He’ll account us for each and every action in and outside of Salah and whether it was done with the intention of solely seeking His Pleasure or not.
This is something that we should remember at all times; no matter what we are doing. It is this consciousness of Allah that is called ‘taqwa’ and it is highly conducive to developing our khushu' in Salah.
Khushu' is something that does not remain at the same level all the time. None of us is immune to distractions in Salah, and even though all of us have been there, that doesn’t make it alright to continue offering Salah without humility.
In fact, for this reason alone we must consistently strive to perfect (or at least aim to come close to perfecting) our humility in Salah. We’ll face internal distractions in the form of thoughts, diversions, or an absent heart. We’ll also face external distractions such as things that happen in or around the prayer area. Depending on the state of our Iman, there will be times when we’ll experience heightened khushu' and at other times our khushu' will take a downward plunge. Hence renewing our intentions and Iman is extremely important; that, in turn, will renew our khushu'.
That is why the beloved Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam used to tell his companions:
“Renew your faith.” He was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how do we renew our faith?” He said, “By frequently repeating La Ilaha ill-Allah (There is no god, but Allah)” [Reported by Ahmad, 2/359].
Another important thing to remember is that it is incumbent upon us to equip ourselves with knowledge about khushu'. That will help us recognize these fluctuating levels and prompt us to improve the level of humility in Salah, so we may succeed in this world and the Hereafter, InshaAllah.
Whenever you feel that your khushu' is not up to its mark, immediately do something about it. Try reading helpful articles and maintain a weekly time to assess the quality of your Salah. Finally and most importantly, let’s never forget to ask Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla to help us guide to the correct way and develop a good amount of khushu in our Salah. There are many du'as from the Quran and Sunnah for this purpose.
The first step towards improvement is being mindful of Allah, acknowledging our deficiencies, and most importantly, asking for His help and then working towards achieving success and excellence through a good quality of Salah. A very effective way of increasing khushu’ in prayer is by learning the meaning of what we’re reciting. So, start learning them.
May Allah increase us in iman and taqwa and enable us to worship Him with excellence and make us of those who are successful. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Allah Almighty says,
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِ نَفْسُهُ ۖ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيدِ ﴿١٦[Quran, Qaf 50:16]
And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein (16)
The unseen is, by definition, hidden from us, and we human beings tend to forget what isn’t in front of our eyes. That is why we need constant reminders from the Quran and Sunnah, in order to strengthen our iman (faith). We need to persistently keep up the awareness that we aren’t praying just for the sake of praying – we are praying to Allah, and He is there watching us when we pray.
Ever forget how many rakahs were completed and which surahs were recited? At the end of Salah, do you feel a sense of incompleteness and regret instead of joy and accomplishment? Does salah seem more like a chore rather than an intimate conversation?
Our minds wander about in prayers, not taking in anything we’re saying. When we bow down in ruku’, our hearts don’t submit to Allah alongside our bodies. When we rub our foreheads to the ground, our minds aren’t humbled alongside our brains.
The missing factor that prevents us from succeeding through in Salah is humility or khushu'.
‘Khushu’ is an Arabic word used to refer to humility or humbleness while offering our daily Salah (prayers). The meaning and actualization of khushu' lies in the ‘presence of our hearts’ while we are reporting for our daily duty towards Allah.
By not understanding the importance of khushu' in our Salah, we risk rejection of this beautiful act of worship and may experience a decrease in our Iman.
Salah is the key to our success in this world and the next. But if we do not look after this key or lose it, we’ll not be able to unlock the doors that lead to the good in this life and the next – it’s as simple as that. Poor quality of Salah is like not reaping full benefits of a powerful life management tool given to us by the Creator Himself. Undoubtedly, when our Salah is in good condition, we’ll notice that all the other life affairs also naturally fall into their right places with ease, InshaAllah. Times of ease become more joyful and times of difficulties become easy, or at the very least become bearable.
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿١﴾ الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ ﴿٢[Quran, Al-Mu'minun 23:1-2]
It is the believers who are successful: those who are humble in their prayer.
Khushu' refers to the submissiveness, gentleness, humility, yearning, and quietude (out of love as well as fear) within the heart due to the consciousness of Allah’s Greatness and Grandeur. It is also the awareness of one’s own weaknesses, absence of haughtiness, arrogance and superiority from the heart. When the heart is full of khushu', the limbs also become subservient in humility to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). We may believe that when our minds are distracted, the concentration and humility in Salah decreases. However, the truth is that it is actually the heart that causes khushu' to increase or decrease. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,
“Of surety there is a morsel of flesh in the body, if it is sound, the whole body will be sound, but if it is corrupt, the whole body will be corrupt. It is the heart.” [Muslim].
The quality of our humility and presence of heart and mind in Salah largely depend on what we are preoccupied with outside of Salah. We often forget that Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla is our Lord and He is Ever Watchful over us. He knows that we are the same individual, both in and outside of Salah. Allah neither starts watching us from the moment we say the first takbeer nor does He stop watching over us as soon as we say the final tasleem. He’ll account us for each and every action in and outside of Salah and whether it was done with the intention of solely seeking His Pleasure or not.
This is something that we should remember at all times; no matter what we are doing. It is this consciousness of Allah that is called ‘taqwa’ and it is highly conducive to developing our khushu' in Salah.
Khushu' is something that does not remain at the same level all the time. None of us is immune to distractions in Salah, and even though all of us have been there, that doesn’t make it alright to continue offering Salah without humility.
In fact, for this reason alone we must consistently strive to perfect (or at least aim to come close to perfecting) our humility in Salah. We’ll face internal distractions in the form of thoughts, diversions, or an absent heart. We’ll also face external distractions such as things that happen in or around the prayer area. Depending on the state of our Iman, there will be times when we’ll experience heightened khushu' and at other times our khushu' will take a downward plunge. Hence renewing our intentions and Iman is extremely important; that, in turn, will renew our khushu'.
That is why the beloved Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam used to tell his companions:
“Renew your faith.” He was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how do we renew our faith?” He said, “By frequently repeating La Ilaha ill-Allah (There is no god, but Allah)” [Reported by Ahmad, 2/359].
Another important thing to remember is that it is incumbent upon us to equip ourselves with knowledge about khushu'. That will help us recognize these fluctuating levels and prompt us to improve the level of humility in Salah, so we may succeed in this world and the Hereafter, InshaAllah.
Whenever you feel that your khushu' is not up to its mark, immediately do something about it. Try reading helpful articles and maintain a weekly time to assess the quality of your Salah. Finally and most importantly, let’s never forget to ask Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla to help us guide to the correct way and develop a good amount of khushu in our Salah. There are many du'as from the Quran and Sunnah for this purpose.
The first step towards improvement is being mindful of Allah, acknowledging our deficiencies, and most importantly, asking for His help and then working towards achieving success and excellence through a good quality of Salah. A very effective way of increasing khushu’ in prayer is by learning the meaning of what we’re reciting. So, start learning them.
May Allah increase us in iman and taqwa and enable us to worship Him with excellence and make us of those who are successful. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
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