بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Ramadhan is over. Are you feeling blue? Are you feeling sad because you didn't get to do all that you wanted to do in Ramadhan?
How to deal with it?
--Focus on quality, not quantity. Praying a few rakat of taraweeh with tranquillity, peacefulness, and consciousness of the greatness of the act, is a thousand times better than praying twenty units of marathon race. Reciting Quran with reflection and acting upon the guidance is a thousand times better than simply reading without any effort to understand what you are reading.
--Don’t compare yourself with others. Compare yourself with:
Yourself a year ago
Yourself before Ramadhan
That will show you, not how you rank in certain deeds among your peers, but how much you have grown and matured over time.
--Focus on the real goal and not on the means to that goal.
The point is not praying twenty rakat taraweeh or doing two or three khatams; rather it is to get closer to Allah this Ramadhan than you were before.
This is done through:
Connecting with Allah through prayers and remembrance (emphasis on connecting)
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ ﴿١٨٦
And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided. [Quran, Al Baqarah 2:186]
Attaining gratefulness
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ﴿١٨٥
The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.
[Quran, Al Baqarah 2:185]
Attaining consciousness of Allah
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ﴿١٨٣
O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous - [Quran, Al Baqarah 2:183]
--Don't fall back. We have left behind the blessed month of Ramadhan, the month of mercy, forgiveness and freedom from the Hellfire, but we have challenged our nafs (lower self) and our desires and we made progress. The progress came from our internal commitment, special prayers, fasting, charity and avoiding sins.
We must continue that progress and don't fall back.
Fasting may continue with sunnah fasting. Allah has spread other blessed times throughout the year for fasting. It is a shield from falling into sin and giving in to our own nafs. Abu Hurayrah reported, Allah’s Messenger sallallahu alayhi wassallam said, “Fasting is a shield.” [Muslim] Also, remember the tremendous rewards of fasting. Allah Almighty said: The Fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it. [Bukhari & Muslim].
Our first opportunity for Sunnah fasting is fasting 6 days in Shawwal, the month following Ramadhan. It is the practice of many Muslims to fast for 6 consecutive days starting the 2nd Shawwal. Strive to start on 2nd Shawwal and delay any open houses to the evening or after 7th Shawwal.
Continue the taraweeh night prayers with a few raka'ats tahajjud prayer every night.
Continue reading a portion of the Quran every day, consistently (same place, same time), and invite your family, friends and neighbors for khatam and food once a month, and at regular interval. Take your reading to the next level--learn and understand what you read, teach the Quran, and apply what you read.
Continue giving charity everyday even with a smile.
Take one or two bad habits (like procrastination, sleep after fajr, etc) each month and work on removing it that month.
May Allah accept our Ramadhan worship and good deeds, and grant us a sound understanding of His Book and tawfiq in following the teachings. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and He alone grants success.
Wassalaam
Saturday, June 8, 2019
Friday, June 7, 2019
Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Friday) -- Renew Our Committment to the Quran
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
We thank Allah for the another opportunity to experience Ramadhan this year. May Allah accept all our Ramadhan deeds and forgive and pardon all our sins and save us from the Hellfire. Aameen.
So, we performed our prayers, fasting, charity and completed recitation of the Quran (khatam) once or more this Ramadhan, but was that enough? Of course not!
Let the highs of the spiritual journey that we went through during Ramadhan have a lasting effect in our lives post Ramadhan. And let us not restrict the recitation of Quran to only the month of Ramadhan. We have to take at least half an hour to an hour daily out of our schedule to recite, understand and ponder over the verses of Quran.
The Quran is worthy of our time and attention. What came down is not a casual read. Every opportunity that we have to get closer to the Qur'an, we should take it.
The Quran came down to change our lives. Don't be like the failed nations of the past who had shallow relationship with their Books, and long periods passed over them, so their hearts become hardened.
أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌۭ مِّنْهُمْ فَـٰسِقُونَ ﴿١٦
Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth? And let them not be like those who were given the Scripture before, and a long period passed over them, so their hearts hardened; and many of them are defiantly disobedient. (16)
[Quran, Al-Hadid 57:16]
Allah Almighty says in Surah Al-Kahf,
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجَا ۜ ﴿١﴾ قَيِّمًا لِّيُنذِرَ بَأْسًا شَدِيدًا مِّن لَّدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا حَسَنًا ﴿٢
All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has sent down to His slave (Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam) the Book (the Qur'an), and has not placed therein any crookedness. (1) [He has made it] straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward (2)
[Quran, Al-Kahf 18:1-2]
The Quran is upright and safeguards the best interest of His servants. It will set anybody right. Even in the toughest of time, the Qur'an can help us stand up straight. It teaches us to stay within limits. It does not put a burden or responsibility upon the slaves of Allah the kind of burden or responsibility that they can't carry.
It will never fall short in the realm of guidance. That's why Allah sent the Qur'an as the last Book. The Qur'an is a complete guidance. Whatever troubles or crisis we are facing -- personal, national, ethical, political, factional, ignorance, morality, shamelessness, etc -- the Qur'an has the solution for it.
The world we live in now is not much different than the world before in terms of its crookedness and deviations. Quran is committed to rectify the most crooked of nations. So we must have hope that when we restore the relationship with the Qur'an to people, beginning with ourselves and our families, then there will be good things lie ahead. The Qur'an is straight and no matter how much society deviates, it will remain straight. It has the power to take that which is bent and make it straight.
The actual relationship we have with the Quran is when we are standing in prayer and reciting it, and when we are standing behind an imam and listening to it being recited. Our relationship with the Quran happens at least five times a day. If somebody's prayer is good, his Quran is good, and if someone is not engaging with the Quran in his prayers, then his relationship with the Quran is entirely superficial.
Isn't it time we take the Qur'an seriously? The hearts of those who claim to have Faith (the believers) should be filled with the grandeur of Allah, in awe of Allah's power, due to the remembrance of Allah. Their hearts should flood with tears because of the Qur'an. Our hearts should be filled with overwhelming sense of emotion because we haven't connected with the Qur'an yet.
We should act like the Ummah that we are supposed to be with the Qu'ran.
وَٱتْلُ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ مِن كِتَابِ رَبِّكَ ۖ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦ وَلَن تَجِدَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مُلْتَحَدًا ﴿٢٧
And recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. There is no changer of His words, and never will you find in other than Him a refuge. (27)
[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:27]
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِۦ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا وَنَسِىَ مَا قَدَّمَتْ يَدَاهُ ۚ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَن يَفْقَهُوهُ وَفِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًۭا ۖ وَإِن تَدْعُهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰ فَلَن يَهْتَدُوٓا۟ إِذًا أَبَدًا ﴿٥٧
And who is more unjust than one who is reminded of the verses of his Lord but turns away from them and forgets what his hands have put forth? Indeed, We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And if you invite them to guidance - they will never be guided, then - ever. (57)
[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:57]
May Allah bring us closer to His Book. Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance. 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
We thank Allah for the another opportunity to experience Ramadhan this year. May Allah accept all our Ramadhan deeds and forgive and pardon all our sins and save us from the Hellfire. Aameen.
So, we performed our prayers, fasting, charity and completed recitation of the Quran (khatam) once or more this Ramadhan, but was that enough? Of course not!
Let the highs of the spiritual journey that we went through during Ramadhan have a lasting effect in our lives post Ramadhan. And let us not restrict the recitation of Quran to only the month of Ramadhan. We have to take at least half an hour to an hour daily out of our schedule to recite, understand and ponder over the verses of Quran.
The Quran is worthy of our time and attention. What came down is not a casual read. Every opportunity that we have to get closer to the Qur'an, we should take it.
The Quran came down to change our lives. Don't be like the failed nations of the past who had shallow relationship with their Books, and long periods passed over them, so their hearts become hardened.
أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌۭ مِّنْهُمْ فَـٰسِقُونَ ﴿١٦
Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth? And let them not be like those who were given the Scripture before, and a long period passed over them, so their hearts hardened; and many of them are defiantly disobedient. (16)
[Quran, Al-Hadid 57:16]
Allah Almighty says in Surah Al-Kahf,
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجَا ۜ ﴿١﴾ قَيِّمًا لِّيُنذِرَ بَأْسًا شَدِيدًا مِّن لَّدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا حَسَنًا ﴿٢
All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has sent down to His slave (Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam) the Book (the Qur'an), and has not placed therein any crookedness. (1) [He has made it] straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward (2)
[Quran, Al-Kahf 18:1-2]
The Quran is upright and safeguards the best interest of His servants. It will set anybody right. Even in the toughest of time, the Qur'an can help us stand up straight. It teaches us to stay within limits. It does not put a burden or responsibility upon the slaves of Allah the kind of burden or responsibility that they can't carry.
It will never fall short in the realm of guidance. That's why Allah sent the Qur'an as the last Book. The Qur'an is a complete guidance. Whatever troubles or crisis we are facing -- personal, national, ethical, political, factional, ignorance, morality, shamelessness, etc -- the Qur'an has the solution for it.
The world we live in now is not much different than the world before in terms of its crookedness and deviations. Quran is committed to rectify the most crooked of nations. So we must have hope that when we restore the relationship with the Qur'an to people, beginning with ourselves and our families, then there will be good things lie ahead. The Qur'an is straight and no matter how much society deviates, it will remain straight. It has the power to take that which is bent and make it straight.
The actual relationship we have with the Quran is when we are standing in prayer and reciting it, and when we are standing behind an imam and listening to it being recited. Our relationship with the Quran happens at least five times a day. If somebody's prayer is good, his Quran is good, and if someone is not engaging with the Quran in his prayers, then his relationship with the Quran is entirely superficial.
Isn't it time we take the Qur'an seriously? The hearts of those who claim to have Faith (the believers) should be filled with the grandeur of Allah, in awe of Allah's power, due to the remembrance of Allah. Their hearts should flood with tears because of the Qur'an. Our hearts should be filled with overwhelming sense of emotion because we haven't connected with the Qur'an yet.
We should act like the Ummah that we are supposed to be with the Qu'ran.
وَٱتْلُ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ مِن كِتَابِ رَبِّكَ ۖ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦ وَلَن تَجِدَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مُلْتَحَدًا ﴿٢٧
And recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. There is no changer of His words, and never will you find in other than Him a refuge. (27)
[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:27]
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِۦ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا وَنَسِىَ مَا قَدَّمَتْ يَدَاهُ ۚ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَن يَفْقَهُوهُ وَفِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًۭا ۖ وَإِن تَدْعُهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰ فَلَن يَهْتَدُوٓا۟ إِذًا أَبَدًا ﴿٥٧
And who is more unjust than one who is reminded of the verses of his Lord but turns away from them and forgets what his hands have put forth? Indeed, We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And if you invite them to guidance - they will never be guided, then - ever. (57)
[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:57]
May Allah bring us closer to His Book. Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance. 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, June 4, 2019
Bidding Farewell To Ramadhan 1440H -- It's Not Over Until It Is Over
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
The month of Quran is almost over. It feels like yesterday we were celebrating the first day of Ramadhan and now it is almost over. Whether you love Ramadhan so much and want it to stay; whether you fell short in Ramadhan and want it to stay so you can do more, Ramadhan got to go. You cannot stop Ramadhan from leaving. It was only here for a limited number of days -- 29 or 30. And you have to wait till next year to see Ramadhan again, that if Allah had decreed that you live long enough.
People who have lost out in Ramadhan were those who had busied themselves with things that did not concern them -- those things that they cannot take with them to their graves, i.e. things that cannot help them succeed in the Hereafter. Our concern in this life should be Allah alone, our standing with Him, and our next life to come. And this is the concern that we trained ourselves in Ramadhan and should have from now and until we breathe our last.
The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to make preparations for Ramadhan six months in advance, in which they would keep asking Allah to let them reach Ramadhan and in good health. Then for the next six months, they would keep asking Allah to accept their Ramadhan worship. This is the way of the best generation of the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant him peace). They took the matter of worshiping Allah very seriously. It is their way of life.
It is not over until it is over. Reap the benefits of Ramadhan while it lasts during this final moments with many other good deeds--be good to your parents, call them, thank them, hug them, say you love them. Give extra charity and pay your sadaqatul fitr (this is obligatory on every Muslim) and zakat before your Eid prayer.
Read more Qur'an. Remember each letter you recite is one reward, and rewards are multiplied by ten of their kind. You should try to complete reciting the Qur'an this one last time in Ramadhan, perhaps you can gather your family members and friends to do a group khatam instead of cooking, final shopping for Eid or travelling.
Regarding Ramadhan, it was reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "...Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever performs an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligation at any other time..."
We should also intend to perform as many good actions, short and long term, and take the means to accomplish them. Actions are only by intentions. Intention is the measure for rendering actions true, so that where intention is sound action is sound, and where it is corrupt then action is corrupt.
From the Amir al-Muminin Abu Hafs 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, radiya'llahu 'anhu, that he said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, saying, 'Actions are only by intentions, and every man has only that which he intended. Whoever's emigration is for Allah and His Messenger then his emigration is for Allah and His Messenger. Whoever's emigration is for some worldly gain which he can acquire or a woman he will marry then his emigration is for that for which he emigrated'." [Bukhari]
It's always the case of too many things to do in such little time. But inshaa Allah from the barakah (blessing) of time and your good intentions, you will be able to accomplish what you intend to do, including what's on your "Ramadhan To Do List" that you were not quite able to do, such as complete reading of the Quran, memorize some surahs, read the meanings of the Quran, learn some Arabic, read some tafsir, seerah, remove certain blameworthy traits, pick up certain praiseworthy trait, establish ties of kinship, etc.
May Allah accept our worship and good deeds of Ramadhan, forgive and pardon us, save us from Hellfire, relieve the tribulations of the Ummah, and enable us to reach the next Ramadhan. 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
The month of Quran is almost over. It feels like yesterday we were celebrating the first day of Ramadhan and now it is almost over. Whether you love Ramadhan so much and want it to stay; whether you fell short in Ramadhan and want it to stay so you can do more, Ramadhan got to go. You cannot stop Ramadhan from leaving. It was only here for a limited number of days -- 29 or 30. And you have to wait till next year to see Ramadhan again, that if Allah had decreed that you live long enough.
People who have lost out in Ramadhan were those who had busied themselves with things that did not concern them -- those things that they cannot take with them to their graves, i.e. things that cannot help them succeed in the Hereafter. Our concern in this life should be Allah alone, our standing with Him, and our next life to come. And this is the concern that we trained ourselves in Ramadhan and should have from now and until we breathe our last.
The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to make preparations for Ramadhan six months in advance, in which they would keep asking Allah to let them reach Ramadhan and in good health. Then for the next six months, they would keep asking Allah to accept their Ramadhan worship. This is the way of the best generation of the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant him peace). They took the matter of worshiping Allah very seriously. It is their way of life.
It is not over until it is over. Reap the benefits of Ramadhan while it lasts during this final moments with many other good deeds--be good to your parents, call them, thank them, hug them, say you love them. Give extra charity and pay your sadaqatul fitr (this is obligatory on every Muslim) and zakat before your Eid prayer.
Read more Qur'an. Remember each letter you recite is one reward, and rewards are multiplied by ten of their kind. You should try to complete reciting the Qur'an this one last time in Ramadhan, perhaps you can gather your family members and friends to do a group khatam instead of cooking, final shopping for Eid or travelling.
Regarding Ramadhan, it was reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "...Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever performs an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligation at any other time..."
We should also intend to perform as many good actions, short and long term, and take the means to accomplish them. Actions are only by intentions. Intention is the measure for rendering actions true, so that where intention is sound action is sound, and where it is corrupt then action is corrupt.
From the Amir al-Muminin Abu Hafs 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, radiya'llahu 'anhu, that he said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, saying, 'Actions are only by intentions, and every man has only that which he intended. Whoever's emigration is for Allah and His Messenger then his emigration is for Allah and His Messenger. Whoever's emigration is for some worldly gain which he can acquire or a woman he will marry then his emigration is for that for which he emigrated'." [Bukhari]
It's always the case of too many things to do in such little time. But inshaa Allah from the barakah (blessing) of time and your good intentions, you will be able to accomplish what you intend to do, including what's on your "Ramadhan To Do List" that you were not quite able to do, such as complete reading of the Quran, memorize some surahs, read the meanings of the Quran, learn some Arabic, read some tafsir, seerah, remove certain blameworthy traits, pick up certain praiseworthy trait, establish ties of kinship, etc.
May Allah accept our worship and good deeds of Ramadhan, forgive and pardon us, save us from Hellfire, relieve the tribulations of the Ummah, and enable us to reach the next Ramadhan. 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, May 31, 2019
Let's Read Surah Kahf Today (Last Friday of Ramadhan 1440H) -- The Beginning of Great Things Begins With A Du'a (Supplication)
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
The month of Ramadhan is of a high status. So any good deed and acts of obedience during this month is of immense virtue and earn a greatly multiplied reward, So we should make the most of what is left of this blessed month by doing lots of acts of worship and righteous deeds, and giving up all acts of disobedience and bad deeds, in the hope that Allah will bless us by accepting our good deeds, enable us to adhere to the Truth throughout our lives, save us from the Hellfire and grant us His Noble Countenance.
This is our last reading of Surah al Kahf on Friday in this Ramadhan. Let's read the entire Surah al Kahf before sunset today. The reward of each good deed is multiplied in Ramadhan and each letter read of the Quran is rewarded tenfold and multiplied many times more. Imagine the tremendous reward you would miss if you neglect reading Surah al Kahf today. Leave your shopping, cooking and preparation for Eid for later and read it now so you don't forget.
The beginning of great things begins with a du'a. The power of du'a is captured inside this Surah. It is the major turning point for a few young men who fled to a cave from the people of their city who were forcing them to worship other than Allah.
The cave is wide open and more comfortable for the one who calls on Allah as their Lord and the entire open sky is tight on someone who ignores their Lord. You may have the entire world at your feet physically but you will feel discomfort because you don't have Allah in your life and you may have nothing but you will feel comfort because you have Allah to call on to.
As these young men fled towards the cave, they turned to Allah and made this du'a,
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. [Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:10]
Allah granted them their du'a and protected them for more than three centuries. Generations after generations of people derived lessons and benefited from their story, recite the Surah which is named after them every Friday, and made their du'a everyday in various settings -- imagine all the reward they are getting until the end of time.
If you are concerned about your future, increase your du'a. Learn this du'a and make it your daily supplication.
رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
May Allah grant us mercy from Himself and prepare for us right guidance in all our affairs. May Allah save us from the trials and tribulations of this life and the next and protect us from the Dajjal. 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
The month of Ramadhan is of a high status. So any good deed and acts of obedience during this month is of immense virtue and earn a greatly multiplied reward, So we should make the most of what is left of this blessed month by doing lots of acts of worship and righteous deeds, and giving up all acts of disobedience and bad deeds, in the hope that Allah will bless us by accepting our good deeds, enable us to adhere to the Truth throughout our lives, save us from the Hellfire and grant us His Noble Countenance.
This is our last reading of Surah al Kahf on Friday in this Ramadhan. Let's read the entire Surah al Kahf before sunset today. The reward of each good deed is multiplied in Ramadhan and each letter read of the Quran is rewarded tenfold and multiplied many times more. Imagine the tremendous reward you would miss if you neglect reading Surah al Kahf today. Leave your shopping, cooking and preparation for Eid for later and read it now so you don't forget.
The beginning of great things begins with a du'a. The power of du'a is captured inside this Surah. It is the major turning point for a few young men who fled to a cave from the people of their city who were forcing them to worship other than Allah.
The cave is wide open and more comfortable for the one who calls on Allah as their Lord and the entire open sky is tight on someone who ignores their Lord. You may have the entire world at your feet physically but you will feel discomfort because you don't have Allah in your life and you may have nothing but you will feel comfort because you have Allah to call on to.
As these young men fled towards the cave, they turned to Allah and made this du'a,
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. [Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:10]
Allah granted them their du'a and protected them for more than three centuries. Generations after generations of people derived lessons and benefited from their story, recite the Surah which is named after them every Friday, and made their du'a everyday in various settings -- imagine all the reward they are getting until the end of time.
If you are concerned about your future, increase your du'a. Learn this du'a and make it your daily supplication.
رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
May Allah grant us mercy from Himself and prepare for us right guidance in all our affairs. May Allah save us from the trials and tribulations of this life and the next and protect us from the Dajjal. 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, May 28, 2019
Ramadhan Reflection -- Measure Our Character With The Quran
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
We have a few more days before this blessed month of Ramadhan leaves us. Let's try to make up where we fall short, and avoid disobedience and the forbidden at all cost. Such immense rewards are to be gained during these blessed ten days and nights. How can we afford to miss out on them? Who is to say that we will live to see the next Ramadhan?
We must make the best of these remaning last ten days and nights of Ramadhan. Read lots of Quran. Work on our character and show exemplary character.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Nothing will be heavier on the Day of Resurrection in the Scale of the believer than good manners. Allah hates one who utters foul or coarse language.” [at-Tirmidhi]. So we must aim to be the best in character during these blessed days and nights and continue to do so for the rest of the year. We must not argue, swear, backbite, slander or gossip.
If we wish for good character, we should look at the Qur'an and never ever leave it.
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam was only sent to perfect noble character. The greatest and the most distinguishing aspect of the Prophet's person sallallahu alayhi wasallam was his character. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says about his character,
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ ﴿٤
And indeed, you are of a great moral character. (4) [Qur'an, Al-Qalam 68:4]
The Prophet's character sallallahu alayhi wassallam was named tremendous because he had no concern except Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala Himself. His sole motive was Allah. Everything he did was for Allah Himself. Even in the littlest things he manifested excellence and beauty. This excellence and beauty in conduct is summarized in one verse of the Qur'an:
خُذِ ٱلْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ بِٱلْعُرْفِ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ ٱلْجَـٰهِلِينَ ﴿١٩٩
Be easy going, uphold the good, and turn away from the ignorant. (199) [Qur'an, Al-A'raf 7:199]
Sa’ad (Allah be pleased with him) reported: Once I went to Aisha and her father (Allah be pleased with them both) and asked them about the character and conduct of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam to which Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) replied: Don't you read the Qur'an? I said: Yes. She said: The character of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wassallam is the Qur'an.
If you want to see perfect manners, you have to look at the Prophetic example (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). For that you should read the Qur'an attentively and know the meanings because the Qur'an details the character that is pleasing to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala.
Every virtue that is expressed in the Qur'an, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) possessed it in the most perfect. The basis of the tremendous character of the Prophet(sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was his gentleness with his ummah and his honoring them. This is part of proper manners. In general we strive to uphold gentleness with people. They return to mercy.
"The merciful is granted mercy by the Merciful."
Islamic manners are the most refined. Islam advocates adab and proper manners so as to perfect our personality. How you act with people refines your character. They take care of the feelings of even the weakest, humblest or youngest in any group or community.
Once Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked how was the character of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, she recited the first ten verses of Surah al-Mu'minun.
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿١﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ فِى صَلَاتِهِمْ خَـٰشِعُونَ ﴿٢﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ ٱللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ ﴿٣﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِلزَّكَوٰةِ فَـٰعِلُونَ ﴿٤﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَـٰفِظُونَ ﴿٥﴾ إِلَّا عَلَىٰٓ أَزْوَٰجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ ﴿٦﴾ فَمَنِ ٱبْتَغَىٰ وَرَآءَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْعَادُونَ ﴿٧﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَـٰنَـٰتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَٰعُونَ ﴿٨﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَوَٰتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ ﴿٩﴾ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْوَٰرِثُونَ ﴿١٠
Certainly will the believers have succeeded: (1) They who are during their prayer humbly submissive (2) And they who turn away from ill speech (3) And they who are observant of zakah (4) And they who guard their private parts (5) Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed - (6) But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors - (7) And they who are to their trusts and their promises attentive (8) And they who carefully maintain their prayers - (9) Those are the inheritors (10) [Qur'an, Al-Mu'minun 23:1-10]
Allah taught our Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) adab (manners) and propriety through the Quran. His character is the Quran. The Quranic standard for character is very high. We should measure our character with it. When we read the Quran, we have to measure our behavior with it. And we are supposed to feel broken and we are supposed to work hard to achieve such lofty character.
That's why we should read the Quran with reflection. We should always apply what we read to our own selves. It is important to know that when we learn something, this is from Allah, and that Allah wants us to learn that something in that particular moment. Likewise, every time we are in a learning session or listening to a lecture or a sermon, we should always apply the knowledge to our own selves. It is a big mistake if we apply knowledge to other people.
If we recite the Quran regularly and follow its teachings, we will have beautiful character.
If we have certain bad traits, changing them may not be easy but if we sincerely want to change and ask Allah for His help, nothing is difficult with Allah's help.
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says,
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ ﴿١٨٦
And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided. (186)[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:186]
May Allah help us rid off all our blameworthy traits and replace them with praiseworthy traits. May Allah enable us to follow in the footsteps of His beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and grant us noble character. 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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